Our History

Basket Range Primary School was opened on 1st July 1885, and to mark the occasion a Pittosporum tree was planted near the school building. The first Head Teacher was Michael McDonough: his first teaching appointment. He had a somewhat frustrating introduction to the district, for after arriving at Uraidla by mail-coach, he set off on foot for Basket Range and after several hours of walking he realised that he was lost. He eventually reached William Moulds’ house and asked for directions, arriving at the schoolhouse half a day late. The nine children on the roll were from the Cramond, Cranwell, Burdett and Raymond families. McDonough was followed by former sea-captain Sydney Jackman in 1886. Jackman was a harsh man who was remembered for his excessive use of the cane.

During the early 1920s, the Governor and his wife annually invited students and teachers for afternoon tea at their Marble Hill summer residence. A former student remembered walking down through Cramond’s and Walker’s orchards, up Knotts Hill Road to Marble Hill, where they were entertained with dances presented by the Governor’s daughter. This was followed by an afternoon tea of bread and butter sprinkled with hundreds and thousands.

Apple packing classes were started in 1946, and were first held in Alfred Cramond’s shed, and later at the Ashton Cold Stores. Mr Horry Bain from the Department of Agriculture taught the students and, at the end of term, examinations were held in theory and practical packing. In 1947, at the Royal Adelaide Show, Basket Range School won the district aggregate from 11 other hills schools and was awarded library books to the value of £10.

Information from Tier on Tier. A History of Basket Range by Geoffrey C. Bishop and Roz McGowen