The Electrode – Vol. 3. June, 1925 No. 10. – page 285

And kindergartens everywhere are working to dispel the “grey days” – to make all little lives gay and glad, wholesome and happy. Some of the older folk realise this, and pack their “under-sevens” off every morning, but alas! not all parents. Whooping cough and mumps have visited Lutana (as well as other parts of Hobart), so the average percentage of attendance is low for this month – 24. A hearty invitation is extended to all who are interested, but especially to the mothers whose children do not attend, to come any morning and see the little people in kindergarten.

There are miniature chairs and tables and white table cloths and plates for morning lunch; blocks of all sizes, balls and two dolls, reins and coloured wooden beads; and Messrs. W. White and S. Harper have just finished a very nice blackboard for the children to draw on. These two gentlemen have the very hearty thanks of Miss Trappes and the Kindergarten Committee.

Euchre tournaments are still being held every Thursday fortnight to raise funds for the kindergarten, with Mr. T. B. Hack and M.C. The committee thank Mrs. F. Grubb for help in distributing the euchre notices in Lutana. Miss Brownell is helping Miss Trappes to lead the young ideas gently. The subject for this quarter is “People Who Help in the City” which sounds rather advanced perhaps for such small heads, but one remembers that butchers and bakers and candlestick makers give their portion of help in a city, as well as – perhaps – politicians.

My apologies for a scanty contribution this time. A fortnight as Brown’s River has made life rushed since. Doubtless I will have regained the “quiet tenor of my ways” by next issue of “The Electrode.”

Visiting Day for the Lutana Free Kindergarten Wednesday, December 2nd.

Lutana Free Kindergarten Committee Social

3 July 1926

1/6 per person

The Electrode – Vol. 4. March, 1926 No. 2. – page 56

“A child, more than all other gifts
That earth can offer to declining man,
Brings hope with it, and forward-looking thoughts.”

And so, with hope, “and forward-looking thoughts,” Kindergarten has started, in the New Year, with many fresh little faces and shy little feet, the daily round of song and story, and play which is really character- building.

Character-building has, of course, always been necessary, but

“In the elder days of Art,
Builders wrought with greatest care,
Each minute and unseen part;
For the gods see everywhere.”

now, as long as the outside is fairly presentable, most of us are satisfied.”Life is too short,” we are in such a hurry that we forget the graces, the beauty and the depth of meaning of work really well done, of lives well spent, of literature, and art finely executed.

Kindergarten does not, of course, profess to do all these, but they are part of its ideals.

Children need ideals, when fairies slip away, the little folk who dance in the moonlight, whose enchanting music is always just beyond.

“Flitting, passing, seen and gone,
Never reached nor found at rest,
Baffling search, but beckoning on
To the sunset of the Blest.”

* * * * *

Chase we still, with baffled feet,
Smiling eye and waving hand”

till the faries have vanished away from the little people of six and seven years old, and only the ideals which have crept in, almost unnoticed, are there to fill their place.

And so they find, instead of fairy palaces and gardens, Fancy’s wonderland, a real world about them, deeds to do, fortunes to make – and no one is too small, or too weak to weild a hammer, or carry a stone, in the Building of the World.

“Isn’t it strange,
That princes and kings,
And clowns that caper
In sawdust rings,
And common people,
Like you and me,
Are builders for eternity.

“Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
A book of rules;
And each must make -
Ere life is flown,
A stumbling-block
Or a stepping-stone.”

Lutana has now 36 little builders, under the care of Miss M. V. Trappes, with Miss M. Schaedel and Miss K. Loney to assist her.

There has been a big drop in attendance, as Kindergarten closed for Christmas vacation with 64 on the register. The majority or those who left have “turned seven,” or gone to the new State School Kindergartern at Moonah, which can now take children from 5 years old. Lutana Kindergarten welcomes the little ones from 2 years to seven, and hopes (and expects) the numbers will increase.

Euchre tournaments are again being held fortnightly, and the committee will be very pleased to welcome new friends on Thursday, March 25, at Lutana-hall.

Mr. and Mrs. Meredith kindly offered to donate a pictutre of the King and Queen, but though it seems a “strange anomaly” in so loyal a city as Hobart, the pictures could not be procured. Does anyone know where they can be purchased?

Miss Trappes is expecting new equipment, which was bought with the 10 pounds kindly donated by the Co-operative Council this week; and Mr. Syd. Harper is going to make a new cupboard to keep it in.

A Birthday Afternoon Tea at 2:30 p.m. in Lutana Hall to celebrate the Second Anniversary of the opening of Lutana Free Kindergarten.

All parents and friends are invited to attend.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. September, 1926 No. 5. – page 162-163

Annual Report of Lutana Free Kindergarten.
June, 1926.
Patron and Patroness: Mr. and Mrs. David Meredith.
President: Mr. C. R. Baker.
Vice-President: Mrs. W. White.
Auditor: Mr. C. O. Turner.
Treasurer: Mr. W. White.
Secretary: Mrs. C. R. Baker.

Committee:
Mr. and Mrs. S. Harper
Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hutchin
Mr. and Mrs. Laing
Mrs. Sturgess
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong
Mrs. E. Boreham
Mr. and Mrs. Tait
Mr. Henshaw
Mrs. A. W. Cook
Mrs. F. Grubb
Mrs. T. Boreham
Mrs. L. Heyward

Lutana Free Kindergarten has now reached the end of its second year, and the Committee has endeavoured to carry on the programme which was arranged during the previous year, as far as keeping interest and raising funds were concerned. The programme of activities for the children has, of course, been varied and progressive under the capable care of Miss Rowlands, Miss M. V. Trappes, Misses Burrows, Sole, Piesse, Roberts, Schaedel, Loney, and other students. While a nice lot of new equipment has greatly helped.

Owing to several of the old Committee moving to distant places we found it necessary to appoint several new members at our last Annual Meeting; and for the same reason it will again be necessary to nominate more this year, but we hope that all of those who are left and have so ably and willingly helped so far will still be heading our report next year. We deeply regret the loss of those who have left.

We started the year last July with 45 children on the register, and in November reached the high figure of 60. But after vacation, many little ones were admitted at the State School at 5 years old, and so our numbers decreased to 24. Since then it has gradually risen to 41 in May, and will probably increase when warmer weather comes.

The Electrode – Vol. IV. September, 1926 No. 5 – page 133

Although the revenue shows a falling off, many enjoyable functions have been held in the Hall. The Lutana branch of the Free Kindergarten continues its success, and is well supported.

Thursday afternoon, 16th December at 3 o’clock.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. Feb, 1927 No. 7. – page 205

This picture shows inside the hall with the children of the kindergarten in a circle playing a game.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. February, 1927 No. 7. – page 204

WEE HUGHIE.

He’s gone to school, wee Hughie,
An’ him not four,
Sure I sae the fright was in him
When he left the door.

But he took a hand o’ Denny,
An’ a hand o’ Dan,
Wi’ Joe’s owld coat upon him -
Och, the poor wee man!

He cut the quarest figure,
More stout nor thin;
An’ trottin’ right an’ steady
Wi’ his toes turned in.

I watched him in the corner
O’ the big turf stack,
An’ the more his feet went forrit,
Still his head turned back.

He was lookin’ would I call him -
Och, my heart was woe -
Sure it’s lost I am without him,
But he be to go.

I followed to the turnin’;
When they passed it by,
God help him, he was cryin’,
An’ maybe, so was I.

-Elizabeth Shane.

The new term of the new year commenced at Lutana Free Kindergarten on February 3rd, and 35 little Hughies, with little susters as well, have taken “a hand o’ Denny an’ a hand o’ Dan,” and started on the gentle beginning of school with Miss Trappes at Kindergarten.

Central Committee, which is composed of representatives from each of the four Kindergartens, Central-street, Federal-street, Anglsea-street and Lutana, held its first meeting on Tuesday, February 8th. Each kindergarten reported larger numbers of children on the role for this year than at the same time last year, which speaks well for the appreciation of Kindergarten training, and the kindy help of the teachers.

Lutana Committee held its first meeting for this year on Wednesday, February 9th. The Social Committee reported that the Thursday night dancing classes have not been paying lately, so that on Mr. E. Borehams’s recommendation, it is proposed to hold a dance on alternate Wednesdays at the Moonah Community Hall, instead, as is in a more central position.

Consideration is being given to obtain a sandpile for the children to play in; and a spot which the Committee thought suitable was chosen near the small gate by Mrs. Grubbs’s store. A working bee is to be called together, and a suitable edging erected, then some generous friend is to be approached for two loads of white sand. After that the busy-bees will be of the next generation, and buckets and spades will be the order of the day. And the times when-

“I followed to the turnin’;
When they passed it by.
God help him, he was cryin’,
An’, maybe, so was I,”

are over; for the little ones run off so happily to Kindergarten that no mother need feel sore at heart at sparing her little one for a few hours, while his small feet are learning to walk strongly on the road of life; for the Kindergarten “road” is a pathway smoothed and bordered with sweet bright flowers.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. Feb, 1927 No. 7. – page 204

Book work was up to date. Miss Trappes’s criticisms of the student gave indication of earnest effort on the part of Miss Sale. This hall makes a really delightful kindergarten. It is bright, light, clean, fresh, and airy, with lovely views from its windows. Owing to its many public uses some forms of equipment are unsuitable, and no garden can be attempted. It is a pity the weeds cannot be cleared away, and one corner levelled for a childrens sand-pile.

The platform windows have been curtained, and the place used for a special babies’ room.

The room needs little decoration. A few flowers and pictures, and a gay wall dado of animals and children give a suggestion of childishness.

The control is very pleasing. Miss Trappes speaks in quiet, winning tones, which secure both ready co-operation, and a beautiful atmosphere. The children’s enjoyment in their work is in no way hampered because they are trained to control themselves, to speak and move quietly and courteously, and to listen when others are speaking. Miss Trappes plays well, and knows how to obtain control and to give direction and suggestion through the key-board. The children are a good type. They are clean and well-cared for, and usually wear slippers or sand shoes to safeguard themselves on the polished floor.

Each child brings its own lunch. The community spirit is fostered, however, as they all sit down together and enter into intimate conversation while buns, cake, bread and butter, biscuits, fruit, all meet a like fate.

The rhythm was very well done, some of the tiny ones attempting the simpler steps.

Morning talk showed good control, children being trained to wait till called upon, and to listen for questions.

There is a fine, happy, sunny, refined atmosphere here.

28/10/26.

New term commences February 3rd 1927.

First meeting for 1927 on Wednesday February 9.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. December, 1927 No. 12. – page 376-377

Glenorchy 1964-1998 by Alison Alexander and David Young – Glenorchy City Council 1998 – page 185

One of the first in the municipalty was Lutana Free Kindergarten, set up by the EZ Company in the early 1920s in a hall owned by the company. In the 1970s, Lutana came under the control of the Education Department, to whom EZ leased the hall for a peppercorn rent while continuing to maintain the building as a free service. In the 1990s, 25 children attended the kindergarten on three mornings per week.

Glenorchy 1964-1998 by Alison Alexander and David Young – Glenorchy City Council 1998 – page 394-395

In 1991 CRESAP also advised closure of various kindergartens in Glenorchy, Lutana and Landy Ashbolt, which was also in Lutana. Parents fought against this, and in the end only Lady Ashbolt was closed, and the children were sent to Lutana.