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Composed and shared by Ceduna Old Photos, Sue Trewartha and Erica Bodger.
Chronicle. Aug 1913. NOTES FROM THE CHURCHES.
The work in church and school at the Koonibba Lutheran Mission Station, near Denial Bay, is carried on in the English language. A number of necessary structures have been recently erected at Koonibba. During the winter months a large 14-roomed home for smaller children will be built.
The Advertiser. Nov 1913. “A WEST COAST MISSION SCHOOL. October 14. The annual picnic of the Koonibba native school was held on Thursday. The drive from Denial Bay, 20 miles, takes about 24 and a half hours. The crops on the track were good, especially those belonging to Messrs Gersch, Parsons, Handtke and the mission station. The forenoon was spent in the schoolroom, where the children performed various lessons, and credit is due to the teacher (Mr M Linke) for the manner in which they did their work. The children numbered about 40 and were all bright and happy looking. The Scripture lesson was evidently a favourite. The singing was good, especially the action songs. Out of 40 scholars, 23 had not been absent once during the year, a number missed one or two days, while only a few had been away more than 12. The discipline of the children is excellent, considering they are accustomed to free, open air life, while the writing and drawing is as good as in a white school. A new home for the children is in course of erection and will be opened on November 9. It is a villa, of stone, consisting of 14 well-ventilated rooms. Two large bedrooms are provided for the children, with dining room and kindergarten, while between are the matron’s room and bedrooms for the bigger girls. The manager’s and teacher’s houses are substantial, as are the other structures on the farm. The stables are large and airy, built of wood arid iron, and there are numerous sheds and barns. A novel competition was a pillow fight. The two competitors sit astride a rail and fight with pillows until one falls. A football match between black and white teams concluded the day’s sport.”
