Historical information
The settlement of Cabbage Tree Creek is located on the Princes Highway, 27 km east of Orbost in East Gippsland. The creek, which flows through undulating forest, takes its name from the patches of Cabbage Fan palms growing along its course. A school commenced classes in 1913, but enrolment was small and at times the school operated part time with several other small schools in the area. The school building served as a hall for the district. About 1946 two sawmills commenced operations at Cabbage Tree Creek, and the Forests Commission ranger was stationed in the area. The increased population allowed the school to have more teachers and make improvements. In 1953, a new prefabricated building was erected on a new site. However, by the 1970s employment in the timber industry was unstable and the population decreased. By 1974 the school again had only one teacher and eventually closed in 1993 to amalgamate with the Orbost primary School in Ruskin Street, Orbost. (Ref. VictorianPlaces)
Significance
The school bell is a signal that tells a school's students when it is time to go to class in the morning and when it is time to change classes during the day as well as when students are dismissed from school.
In most schools today it will be a tone, siren, electronic bell sound, a series of chimes, or music played over an intercom but often still called "the school bell".
This item reflects the history of Cabbage Tree Creek as well as the technological changes in the school system.
Physical description
Brass bell with incised double lines on bottom edge and top near handle, featuring descriptive notation on front face. Bell has long wooden handle shaped and incised with four lines at base before brass housing with singular screw holding handle in place. Object is showing signs of wear, with blackened handle and patches of green oxidisation.
Inscriptions & markings
SCHOOL BELL / SS No 3812 / CABBAGE TREE CREEK / PRIMARY SCHOOL / 1913-1993 / FORMALLY INCORPORATED / INTO / ORBOST / PRIMARY SCHOOL / 1994
