Alton Downs - At School

Schools were established at Shady Lane, Alton Downs, Dalma Scrub, 9 mile at various times. Applications were made to the Department of Public Instruction in Brisbane by members of the community. The likely ages of students ranged from 5 years to 14 years. Students commenced school at any time throughout the school year as their family required it. An early roll from Alton Downs School , July 1888 indicates a student enrollment of 5 - Sprague, Sheldrake, Booth, Reid and Crook. All professions of Parent were recorded as Farmers.

This was the first School at Alton Downs originally located towards the crest of the hill on what is now MacKenzie Road.

Pupils rode their horses and ponies to school, others walked and some were delivered by sulky or motor car. The school remained as a single teacher school with pupils of different ages sharing the same class. At lunch time games ranged from Kangaroos and Wallabies, Marbles, Playing on the Swing, and Skipping. Girls were taught sewing and Craft by the Teacher's wife while the boys were made busy with gardening and some animal husbandry.

The School at Alton Downs was relocated to the corner of Ridgelands and MacKenzie Road and ultimately closed in 1964. The last School Master was Mr Henry Lawrence, an avid historian, whose attention to record keeping and documentation has been invaluable to the collection of this short history. The Old School Building was relocated to Rockhampton and is now a private dwelling. Students now travel to either Rockhampton Schools or to Ridgelands.