Historical information

This childhood sketchbook of the 1918 era details the emphasis placed upon a skill of brushwork that portrayed part of the students natural environment both in Tasmanian schools and Victorian schools, especially rural schools. The close bondage between students and their environment was a reflection on the early "hands on" approach in child education. Abstract art or teaching aids which could not be identified with physical properties available to students at this period in time were of lesser value. The ability of the student to identify the artistic value of local nature eg. local plants and flowers was especial important to rural based school children who had limited excursion opportunities available to visit town/city based botanical gardens and museums.

Significance

This brushwork book is very significant to the Kiewa Valley as it demonstrates that childhood relocations from one State to another were not detrimental to the students overall scholastic development. The rural environment in Tasmania was not that far removed from the rural environment of the Kiewa Valley. The skills taught in both regions were still the same and the socio-economic factors and mores were also similar. This item demonstrates the relocation of one family from Tasmania to the Kiewa Valley. The expansion in population into the Kiewa valley was quite erratic and significant population growth only came after the increase in population brought into the area by the SEC Vic Hydro Scheme introduced to quench the demand for Victoria's electricity.

Physical description

This book has a brown cover with black print and designs on a 150 gsm cardboard. Each page is of the same thickness as the cover but is of paper.

Inscriptions & markings

On the outside cover and contained within a thick boarder. "EDUCATION DEPARTMENT" and below this in smaller print "TASMANIA" below this "THE TASMANIAN BRUSHWORK BOOK". Below this "FOR CLASSES IV., V., AND VI" Below this "NAME" SCHOOL" At the bottom 2 1/2d