James Oldham (1840-1908) emigrated from Newark-on-Trent and went to Ballarat where he took up a teaching position at Mount Pleasant in 1860. He was appointed head teacher of the Wesleyan Lydiard Street School in 1864. In 1886, after other appointments he became Head teacher at the Dana Street Primary School No. 33. He married Rebecca Gundry, and had twelve children. He founded the School of Design at the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute in 1870, and taught there as the Master until 1885. Email correspondence containing information on James Oldhamjames oldham, ballaarat mechanics' institute school of design, education, rebecca oldham, rebecca gundry, mount pleasant school