Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Fiction, Oxford University Press, That Boarding School Girl, 1926
... teenage irl in a school tunic, standing beside a piano with one hand on the backrest of a tilted chair.
Inscriptions are printed on the front loose endpaper and handwritten on the fly page. The book belonged to Sylvia McCullagh. It was awarded to her as a prize in 1930. That Boarding School Girl Book Fiction ...
Sylvia Jean Veronica McCullagh Barr (1914–1998) was a student at the Presbyterian Sabbath School in Dennington, near Warrnambool. In December 1930, she received a book as an award from F. Jones, the Sabbath School Superintendent, recognising her involvement and achievements at the school.
Sylvia was the granddaughter of James McCullagh (1831–1911) and Elizabeth Eccles (1831–1909), a pioneering couple in the region. Married in 1856, James and Elizabeth settled at Oak Grove, Yangery, Illowa from 1859, where they lived until their deaths.
One of James and Elizabeth’s sons, William McCullagh (1873–1940), married Margaret Jane Russell (1879–1981). William and Margaret also made their home at Oak Grove and raised eleven children there, including Sylvia.The book, “That Boarding School Girl” by Dorita Fairlie Bruce, represents an example of literature accessible to older girls during the early 20th century. It was specifically selected as an end-of-year award, recognising consistent attendance at Sabbath School. Such choices highlight the role of books in supporting the educational and moral development of young women during this period.
The book is important as a connection to the early township of Dennington, a community distinguished by its established school and church. This association reflects the values the community placed on education and religious instruction.
The book’s significance is further enhanced by its relationship with colonial pioneer families in Australia, particularly those from Victoria and the Warrnambool district in southwest Victoria. It is a tangible link to the history and legacy of these early settlers, who were instrumental in shaping the regional development.
That Boarding School Girl
Author: Dorita Fairlie Bruce
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date: 1926
The front cover and the page opposite the fly page have drawn and coloured illustrations.
The cloth-covered, hardcover book includes black and white illustrations and coloured illustrations on the front cover and frontispiece. The front cover illustration shows a teenage irl in a school tunic, standing beside a piano with one hand on the backrest of a tilted chair.
Inscriptions are printed on the front loose endpaper and handwritten on the fly page. The book belonged to Sylvia McCullagh. It was awarded to her as a prize in 1930.Handwritten on the top of the fly page: "Sylvia McCullagh Den" [ Den - abbreviation for Dennington]
" Presbyterian Sabbath School, Dennington. Prize Awarded to: Sylvia McCullagh. December 1930."
"F. Jones, Superintendent"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, that boarding school girl, dorita fairlie bruce, sylvia mccullagh, sylvia jean veronica mccullagh, sylvia barr, james mccullagh, elizabeth eccles mccullagh, william mccullagh, margaret jane russell mccullagh, oak grove, yangery, illowa, dennington, presbyterian sabbath school, presbyterian sunday school, dennington presbyterian church, book award, book prize, book presentation, f. jones, sabbath school superintendent, 1930
Mont De Lancey
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library