Imagine growing up in a society where there were very few opportunities to gain an education?
For young people in NSW before the Henry Parkes' Public Instruction Act of 1880, education could be a hit and miss experience. In that era, only primary school attendance was the norm.
There were virtually no secondary schools, technical colleges or public libraries. The fledgling University of Sydney was the only opportunity for those on a good income to gain a tertiary education, mainly in the classics or the professions.
For people who missed out on what we take for granted today, there was often a real hunger to learn. The signs of this can be seen in most country towns, where on the main street you may find a delightful colonial-era building emblazoned with the sign "School of Arts". But what were they?
This was a place where the public could come for some adult education, and this included hearing informed speakers provide information on topics of interest. Often they also had reading rooms where people could read or borrow books and become self-educated. The buildings, with their large halls, were also used for other community gatherings.
Local government authorities often erected their School of Arts, but in some places such as Wickham, money was raised for the building by public subscription. So great was the thirst for knowledge in those times.
Many famous people received a start from such humble beginnings. In Newcastle, this included Henry Lawson who worked nearby, and in 1891 wrote; "I haunted the School of Arts, still with the idea of learning before it was too late." Perhaps we should rename this building the Henry Lawson School of Arts?
Over time, as the secondary school system developed, and public libraries, technical colleges and universities became more common, the School of Arts movement went into decline, nowhere more so than in Wickham. This 19th-century icon hasn't seen any TLC for a very long time. It sits in a state of neglect and sad decay with a very uncertain future. All around, new glass and concrete towers shoot skyward; and new apartment buildings continue their relentless march down Newcastle Harbour towards the historic building.
When I drove past the Wickham School of Arts a few days ago, I was shocked to see the bulldozers had levelled the remaining land, right up to the other side of the road, opposite the historic building.
The Newcastle authorities are vague about its future. Newcastle council ceded control of this part of the Honeysuckle development in 2008 to the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation, who when pressed are also vague about the future of the School of Arts.
The shabby treatment so far, of this piece of Newcastle history and culture, is in dramatic contrast to what happened in Tenterfield.
It does have a Local Heritage Protection Order, but this may not save the building. The lord mayor and the Newcastle's state MP are both seeking to put it on the more protective NSW Heritage Registrar. When pressed in state parliament, Minister Stokes said: "The school's future may hinge on whether development proposals make use of the building".
Not much comfort there.
The state government should immediately get on the front foot and put the Wickham School of Arts on the NSW Heritage Registrar. Before the Honeysuckle land was redeveloped, the area around the School of Arts could have been zoned as much needed parkland. Also, it should have been declared entirely off-limits to developers.
With many new tall buildings crowding in, that part of the city desperately needs a "lung" of fresh air and open space. A refurbished School of Arts building repurposed for new public uses and sitting in parkland would be ideal.
The shabby treatment so far, of this piece of Newcastle history and culture, is in dramatic contrast to what happened in Tenterfield. There the refurbished School of Arts has been transformed into the Henry Parkes Centre. In 1998, I joined deputy prime minister Tim Fischer in handing over $3.1million of federal government funding for this centre of local history and culture.
Returning to Newcastle from Brisbane two years ago, I drove via Tenterfield and stopped at the old School of Arts. This wonderfully repurposed building, with its fascinating displays of local history and culture, is the jewel in the crown of Tenterfield tourism, and a significant boost to the local economy.
Surely, Newcastle civic leaders and authorities can put enough pressure on the state government to save our School of Arts icon?
Time is of the essence. The bulldozers are at the door.
Newcastle East's Dr John Tierney AM is a former Hunter-based Federal Senator for NSW
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