Photograph, c1924

Historical information

Taken in 1924, depicted are eleven young men dressed in school uniform attire standing in the playground of Beechworth State School. This group of young men were part of a farcical play titled "School Days" as part of Beechworth State School Concert series.

Beechworth Primary School (formally known as Beechworth State School) was constructed in 1875 by architect Henry Bastow (1839 - 1920). Bastow was the chief architect and surveyor for the Victorian Government’s Department of Education. During his chiefship, over six-hundred schools were constructed across the state which was in response to the Victoria’s Education Act of 1872 legislating free, compulsory, and secular education.

Performances such as this “School Days” play were common forms of entertainment within Beechworth up into the early twentieth century. This stems from the goldrush period in Beechworth (1852-1866) when travelling entertainers would tour the goldfields offering performances in singing, acting and circus tricks. These were usually held in a local pub or designated concert spaces, such as the Star Theatre in Beechworth. Entertainment offerings begun to slow down mid-twentieth century when the population begun to dwindle. Many locals took up this responsibility and put on their own plays and shows across the town.

Significance

This photograph is historically significant as it provides insight into the types of entertainment activities held at the Beechworth School during the early twentieth century. It also demonstrates how students engaged with their school outside of their regular schoolwork.

Physical description

Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper mounted on board.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
W.Howes /
Beechworth Concert Party 1924 / State School / Beechworth
Cyril Smith (Squidgy) / Keith Prowse / Bill Howes / J. Warde / J. Heatherly (Jumbo) / Gea Foster / B. Shallard (Shinky) / A. Foster / Ernie Smith / Jerry Burns / Ted Warden /
School Master /
Geo Foster in a Farscial Play “School Days” /

Reverse:
A03065 /
1997.2520 /
79.19.1 /

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