Umeewarra Mission School (GA629)

Umeewarra Mission School was a government-run school located at the Umeewarra Mission, about 4km outside Port Augusta.

Umeewarra Mission was established by the Open Brethren Assemblies of South Australia in 1937, covering 200 acres of land. The Mission included a Children's Home and a school, which catered for both children in the Children's Home and ones living with their parents at the mission. The school was subsidised by the Education Department, but administered by the mission.

The Education Department took over control of the school in 1962 and appointed Mr. Spencer Warren as Teacher in Charge. Two other teachers were appointed early in 1962: Yvonne Warren and Merle Cantle. The school appears on the Official List of Schools as a primary school from 1963.

The Mission did not come under government control until 1964. In 1964, the Mission was renamed Davenport Reserve but the school remained as Umeewarra Mission School.

By 1965, there were moves to close the Umeewarra School, with parents surveyed about their preferences for their children's educations and which schools they would like them to attend.

In 1968, Davenport Reserve was placed under the control of a local Aboriginal council, the Davenport Reserve Council, who requested that the school be closed so the children could attend larger schools in Port Augusta. It was reportedly the first time an Aboriginal Reserve had requested the closure of a school.

The school closed in December 1968, with most students transferring to Carlton Primary School, Port Augusta Central School or Willsden Primary School, all in Port Augusta.

Sources:

GRG18/170: 'South Australian Education Gazette'

GRG52/1: Correspondence files ('AO' later 'AD' files) - Aborigines' Office and successors

GRS 3794: Admission registers - Umeewarra Mission School, 1962 - 1968

Frank Hill, 'Mission Home and Haven', "The Advertiser", 12 September 1953, p. 8

Jean Ashton, 'School Closed by Request', "Chronicle", 5 June 1969

'Umeewarra Mission Children's Home', "Find & Connect", www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/sa/biogs/SE00052b.htm (accessed 05/01/2018)

'Umeewarra Mission Home, Davenport Reserve', "Find & Connect", www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/biogs/SE0003513b.htm#related (accessed 05/01/2018)