Emily BLACKMAN was the eldest living child and eldest
daughter of Frances Emily CROMPTON and William BLACKMAN, who together had nine
children She is registered as being born at Miners Rest on 21 April 1874 (Vic BMD
10781/1874)
On 25 May 1912, The Ballarat Star records Emily attending her sister at her wedding
to OO Pearson at St Luke's Church, South Melbourne. She wore a gown in a pretty
grey dress and grey chip hat with pink wings. She also carried a bouquet of pale pink
carnations and ferns, the gift of the groom.
Emily had a long and distinguished career as a spinster teacher. 1
Left: Emily Blackman c.1895 taken from a family photograph of
the four sisters
Between 26 November 1886 and 22 January 1893, Emily was in her first
teaching post at Fitzroy North State School, School No. 1490, 2
formerly Alfred Crescent School, now at 3 Fergie Street Fitzroy North, Port Phillip,
one of the oldest schools in Melbourne.
Right: Fitzroy North School in 1908
1821info11h, sheet 2
This was followed by a series of concurrent short appointments either as a paid student or as
a substitute teacher:
between 23 January 1893 and 30 June 1893 at Melbourne West State School, No 1689,
in La Trobe Street, Port Phillip;
as a paid student at Carlton Gardens State School, No 2605, at 215 Rathdowne
Street, Carlton between 01 July 1893 and 01 January 1894;
then returning to Fitzroy North State School from 01 January 1894 to 09 April 1894;
and
finally to Chiltern State School/Indigo State School, No 327, at 91-101 Albert
Road, Chiltern between 09 April 1894 and 29 May 1894.
Emily’s first appointment as a certified teacher was at Brimin and Booram North State
School, No 1964, between 30 May 1894 to 31 December 1898. Believed to have been in the Upper
Murray Region near Peechelba, this school has subsequently closed.
Emily was appointed as head teacher of Pyalong State School, No 2005,
between 01 January 1899 and 31 December 1902. The school opened in 1878 and is still
at 10-44 Bourke Street, Pyalong. In 1903 Pyalong had a population of 150 and in 1901
Pyalong shire’s population was 1139. Pyalong is 130km north-east of Miners Rest, on
the Heathcote to Bendigo railway enabling Emily to commute home. 3
Right: Pyalong from the 1903 Australian Handbook
It was not until 04 August 1901 that the six monthly assessments recognised Emily as the head
teacher by recording 'Manages her school easily, has a pleasant manner uses good
methods and maintains very good discipline'.
Over the three years, Emily’s assessment score climbs from 71 to a very good 87. Whilst every
comment refers to aspects of her systematic competence and skills through energetic and methodical
work, I would suggest that she grew into the school and her role as head teacher until she was
able to establish good discipline and good lower division examination scores.
Above: Emily Blackman's teaching assessment at
Pyalong
Between 01 November 1902 and 16 February 1903, Emily’s brother Tom Blackman was at Pyalong as
a Monitor Teacher. On 12 October 1954, in her 'annual' letter to the Medical Superintendent of
the Bundoora Psychiatric Repatriation Hospital about her brother Tom, she gives some indication
as to her early life:
He [Tom] was a junior teacher in the country school of which I was Head
Teacher, and it was there that I met my husband [Joseph Cox].
1821info11h, sheet 3
The Australian Electoral Roll 1903-1977, available on Ancestry, records Joseph COX as a Pyalong
grazier, who at that time, was married to his first wife Sophie:
1903 22, Cox, Joseph, farmer, in Pyalong a sub-district of
Mernda
1921 127, Cox, Joseph, farmer, in Pyalong a sub-district of
Echuca
1921 128, Cox, Sophie, hd, in Pyalong a sub-district of
Echuca
Above: Pyalong School in 2021 showing the original
building
PROV has a Land Settlement and Correspondence File for a Joseph COX of Pyalong, 4
linking him to his 1936 Electoral Roll listing still as a grazier.
Trove records the Kilmore Press of 14 May 1903 stating that
Gertrude H Burston being appointed State school teacher at
Pyalong, vice Emily Blackman, who has left the district.
The Australian Electoral Roll 1903-1977, available on Ancestry, records Emily moving around
Victoria as a teacher:
1905 15, Blackman, Emily, Sandford, school teacher, in Sandford a sub-district of Wannon
On 01 January 1904 Emily took the long train journey to Sandford State School,
No 1654, the penultimate stop on the line to Casterton and 241km due west of
Ballarat, close to the South Australia border. Emily taught there until 10 September
1905. The school subsequently closed. In 1911 the population of Sandford was 537.
5
Right: Sandford from the 1903 Australian Handbook"
1821info11h, sheet 4
Right: The children and buildings of Sandford School in 1938
It is here, in the appraisal of 25 November 1904, the first mention of Emily's 'slight
deafness' that somewhat affects her discipline. Whilst there is no mention of Emily being off
work from a bout of measles, causing the deafness, she had applied to what is assumed to be the
larger Sandford, as an assistant teacher. In November 1903, Emily's assessment score slipped
to a 79 'Good'. This suggests that she may have contracted the measles at Pyalong and
sought a less onerous role or at Sandford, so reducing her efficiency score. On 01 January 1904,
Emily was promoted to the second sub-division of V class.
Above: Emily Blackman's teaching assessment at
Sandford
After Sandford, Emily moved to Ballan State School, No 1435, where she taught between
11 September 1905 and 11 September 1905. Located on the Melbourne to Ballarat railway, in 1903
Ballan had a population of 450. 6 State School 1435 opened as single room and a
smaller room in August 1874, to accommodate 150 children. With an average of 162 pupils a third
room was completed in February 1887. After initially impressing Inspector Ware as an infant
teacher with a score of 78 'good', her assessment climbs to and remains in the mid 80s,
limited only by her deafness.
Above: Emily Blackman's teaching assessment at Ballan
The Australian Electoral Roll 1903-1977 records:
1909 122, Blackman, Emily, Ballan, school teacher, in Ballan a sub-district of Corio
Between 10 September 1911 and 20 September 1914 Emily taught at Highton State School, No
304, also known as Gardiner, at 218 Roslynn Road, Highton, in Greater Geelong. In 1911 the
population of Highton was 412. 7 Emily's report is hard to transcribe. Apart from her
first assessment of 82 her remaining scores are 86. One assessment records '
Although rather deaf, she makes up for her deficiency by her diligent
use of her eye and her well prepared & [...] the gentlenes attention & order of the
infants being very well managed. 86'
1821info11h, sheet 5
The Australian Electoral Roll 1903-1977 records:
1913 266, Blackman, Emily, Highton, school teacher, in Belmont a sub-division of Corio
Covering the beginning of the war, between 21 September 1914 and 31 October 1914, another short
term contract followed at Malvern State School, No 1604, at Spring Road, Malvern, in east
Melbourne. The school was opened in 1854. In 1911 Malvern had a population 1911 of 15,969.
8
Emily moves back to Ballarat
In 1915 when she moves to Ballarat, to live with her sister and father, still as a teacher.
Emily spent the majority of her life looking after her father William BLACKMAN when he retired
from his Miners Rest farm. In his retirement, William lived with Emily and was caretaker of the
Ballarat show grounds. During the War, Emily taught at Ballarat's Brown Hill Primary
School, No. 35, between 31 October 1914 and 30 September 1918. Again her assessment scores
started at 85 but remained at 86 for her remaining time.
Above: Emily Blackman's teaching assessment at Brown
Hill School
Brown Hill Primary School was established in 1877. In 1994 it merged with Queen
Street Primary and renamed Caledonian Primary, after the Scottish miners of the Gold
Rush. This is located at 2 Thompson Street, Brown Hill and may be the location of the
original Brown Hill School.
In 1911 Brown Hill had a population of 280. 9
Right: Brown Hill School Ballarat
1915 285, Blackman, Emily, 709 Macarthur st., Ballarat, school teacher, in Ballaarat sub-
district of Ballarat
1915 286, Blackman, Francis Emily, 709 Macarthur st., Ballarat, home duties, in
Ballaarat sub-district of Ballarat
1915 286, Blackman, William, 709 Macarthur st., Ballarat, independent means, in
Ballaarat sub-district of Ballarat
Hoverbox Photo Gallery - 709 MacArthur Street, Ballarat and typical
houses either side - Author: November 2015
This feature does not function correctly on phones and tablets
1. 709 MacArthur Street, Ballarat, the present Bunnings
2. 705 MacArthur Street, Ballarat to the east
of Bunnings 3. 801 MacArthur Street, Ballarat to the west of
Bunnings
1
2
3
1821info11h, sheet 6
In 1920 the family had moved to Baird Street, Ballarat
1920 290, Blackman, Emily, 12 Baird st., Ballarat, school teacher, in Ballaarat sub-
district of Ballarat
1920 291, Blackman, Francis Emily,, 12 Baird st., Ballarat, home duties, in Ballaarat
sub-district of Ballarat
1920 295, Blackman, William, 12 Baird st., Ballarat, independent means, in Ballaarat sub-
district of Ballarat
Right: 12 Baird Street, Ballarat
Author: November 2015
Emily remained here with her sister and father until
1933 285, Blackman, Emily, 12 Baird st., Ballarat, school teacher, in Ballaarat sub-
district of Ballarat.
For the final eleven years of her teaching career, between 01 October 1914 and 01 August 1929,
Emily taught at Wendouree State School, No. 1813, which opened in 1857 at 1224 Howitt
Street, Wendouree, before retiring due to ill health. She was aged 55. In 1921 Wendouree had a
population of 598. 10
Between 19 October 1918 and 15 February 1921 H Stephen records six monthly assessment on
Emily’s teaching of her infant class. Though these are difficult to transcribe they give a
consistent score of 86. His reports generally begin with ‘A very good teacher’ with comments such
as ‘steady, sympathetic, effective worker with young pupils who employs a good attitude, good
methods and is capable of managing a small room well. Emily’s defective hearing is recorded from
that start and in every subsequent assessment. On 27 July 1921, this affected her language work
and discipline. 'Though this was good, it did suffer somewhat'.
From 19 March 1922 Mr Roll takes over Emily’s assessment increasing her attainment score to a
constant 88 and a very good teacher. Although Emily’s hearing loss and working under a physical
disability is mentioned on every occasion, she appears to have coping management strategies,
perhaps though careful preparation and knowledge and application of modern infant methods. She
certainly empathises with her young pupils.
Above: A sample of Emily Blackman's teaching assessment
at Wendouree
Emily’s enthusiasm for teaching continues to the end of her career. However, from September
1926, when a new assessment system is introduced, Emily only achieves a general grade C. Though
this is still deemed sound and honest it is only satisfactory work and is below her normally very
good standard. In October 1928, her hardness of hearing interfered with her efficiency. Her
assessment of a grade D suggests Emily’s hearing loss had increased. On 3 August 1929, Emily
officially retired due to ill health, presumably the worsening hearing loss.
1821info11h, sheet 7
Above: A sample of Emily Blackman's official retirement
notification
An undated newspaper article, from an unknown source, announcing Emily
BLACKMAN's retirement from Wendouree State School due to ill health. Her many
good qualities were praised and an inscribed clock was presented. The celebrations
ended with a sumptuous tea.
It is assumed that this took place between the 1933 Electoral Roll and her
marriage.
Right: Wendouree Primary School in 2020. The modern photographs suggests
that the building on the right is from Emily's period.
Above: A map locating Emily Blackman's teaching
positions
1821info11h, sheet 9
Her marriage
In 1942 and 1944, Emily wrote, in a school teacher's clear cursive script, to
the Medical Superintendent at Bundoora Repatriation Hospital from 14 Seymour Crescent,
in Soldiers Hill, Ballarat. This was a thirty minutes walk from the Showground.
Right: A secluded 14 Seymour Crescent, Ballarat
[William] died [on 23 June 1931] at the age of 88 having suffered sever
burns from setting his night clothes and bed clothes alight smoking a pipe in bed. He was a very
gentle man with snow white hair and a beard, frustrated by the fact that Aunt Emily was so deaf.
Her deafness was a complication from measles acquired from children in her early teaching career.
Grandfather had to shout down her trumpet to communicate with her. 9
On 17 December 1932, at the age of 58 and eight months, she became the second wife of Joseph
COX. They were married for 27 years, but there were no children.
The Australian Electoral Roll 1903-1977, available on Ancestry, records their homes and
occupations as:
1936 591, Cox, Emily, 14 Seymour cres, home duties, in Soldiers Hill a sub-district of
Ballarat
1936 591, Cox, Joseph, 14 Seymour cres, grazier, in Soldiers Hill a sub-district of
Ballarat
where they remained until the last record of 1954 which was also the last dated letter from
Emily to her brother Tom.
On 2 May 1942, Emily. using her married name, replied to a letter concerning her brother
Tom's health, which informed her of a weakness of Tom's heart and an intermittent pulse.
She hoped that bed rest would resolve the issue. However, it seems that a cardiac weakness was a
Blackman failing: my mother, her brother and several sisters having
passed away suddenly from heart failure though some of them lived to a good age [...] In recent
times some of her nieces and nephews who were in their early sixties. Emily's solution
was to have her teeth extracted. She felt sure that her brother's
bad teeth are doing harm adding It's a pity he will not
visit a dentist.
On 14 November 1944, Emily's second letter comments that she hasn't recently heard of
Tom's physical and mental health, hoping that recent advances in science have found a cure.
However, owing to [her] indifferent health [she was] not now able to
visit him often, but hope to do so before Christmas, with [her] husband.
Emily's letters to Tom continues until 1954. They were usually around Anzac Day, in October
enquiring about Tom's health after a cold winter and before Christmas. All show a concern for
her brother's well being. In the majority of letters she apologies for not being able to visit
more often because of their ill health and increasing age. 10
1821info11h, sheet 10
Emily COX, née BLACKMAN died on at Ballarat on 24 December 1960 (Vic BMD
35085/1960) aged 86.
Joseph died at Heidelberg West on 24 November 1962 aged 92 (Vic BMD 24853/1963).
He was born at Pyalong where Emily had been a teacher.
Public Record Office Victoria
(PROV) (Accessed: 04 July 2021) PROV ID 15060 1902 TRB unit no 50O access ID
15060 1902 TRB unit no 50 Search Ancestry: Card catalogue > Australia >Victoria Uncheck
'Only records from the UK and Ireland' Title 'Victoria, Australia, Trial Brief and Correspondence
Registers and Other Images, 1837-1993' > Book 1919 > Teacher number 15060 > Ancestry
page 782
