Gunning & District Historical Society

A Young Albert Noah Alchin (1870-1913) at about the time he began teaching (From the collection of Debbie Longhurst). Article by Garry Norman Smith My great uncle, Albert Noah Alchin is, so far, the only teacher (my own profession) I have found in my direct family line. He was born in 1870 at Araluen near Braidwood, New South Wales, the eldest child of Charles Alchin (1837-1908) and Mary Alchin (nee Stear) (1843-1897). Charles and Mary were the great, great grandparents of the author. As an eight-year-old in 1878 Albert attended the Chain of Ponds Public School, along with his siblings Percy and Martha; his cousins John, Sidney, Alfred and Margaret also attended at that time. At the age of 21 years, Albert entered the teaching profession. In 1892, while living with his parents at Pine Range, Gunning, he was “instructed to take temporary charge” of the Khalangan School near Burrowa from Miss Jeannie Yabsley.  Teacher’s Roll for Albert Noah Alchin 1892-1908. State Ar...

Lawson Methodist Sunday School Picnic, 26th January 1914. Photo from Blue Mountains Local Studies / CC BY-SA 2.0   The long anticipated picnic of the Chain of Ponds Public School came off last Saturday, and was very successful. The youngsters assembled at half-past nine, and marched a short distance from the school into a corner of Mr. Hinds' paddock. On entering the gate they received sufficient sweets to allay their expectant appetites. They then began their day's sport, which was kept up vigorously by the promoters until dinner-time. The prizes in all cases being strongly contested for, delighted the spectators, and there soon began to appear on the scene a vast crowd of people, who, coming from all parts round about, kept increasing in number as the day advanced. The spread which was prepared by the mothers - was laid in the old schoolroom, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. The treat was all that could be desired; cakes of all descriptions,...