Bedgerabong Public School - NSW DEC

Bedgerabong Public School is a small rural school situated in the small village of Bedgerabong- 32km west of Forbes NSW. Established in 1876 the school has remained a focus and a showcase for the community. The name Bedgerabong is derived from the aboriginal "Budgera Bong" -meaning old man tree by the water hole.

The school was opened as a provisional school at the beginning of 1876 with Mr William Biddlecomb as the first teacher. The school was under the name of Budgerabong. The inspector's report for 1876 stated that it was a "sapling building, 12 feet by 12 feet in area. The interstices in the walls are partially filled in with mud, but as the gable ends are not so treated the premises can not be used in wet weather. The furniture is of rude construction, but is on the whole suitable" The building was moved to the present site in 1877. In 1887 Budgerabong was made a half time school with Carraboblin and remained as such until November 1895 when Budegrabong became a full time school. A new building was erected in 1899. The school was raised to a Public School in 1904, and the name was changed to Bedgerabong in 1914. The school enrolment increased and by 1921 had reached 60. A new room was added in 1922 and a second teacher was appointed to the school. This position remained until the early 1930's when the school returned to a one-teacher school. In January 1959 the school was reclassified as a 3rd class primary school and an assistant was again appointed.