Digitising the library
Scanning the books, photos and records of the area's history, to make sure it is protected for the future.
About & Volunteer
About the Friends of the Schoolmasters House
We occupy the historic cottage once home to the headmasters of the local Ash Island school. When Hunter Local Land Services decided not to continue the lease on the old Schoolmasters House, we formed, so that the library of carefully measured and recorded information of the last 25 years would not be dispersed.
FOTSH and Kooragang Landcare volunteers among the tree guards
Who we are
The Friends of the Schoolmasters House Inc. (FOTSH) formed in 2018 as an incorporated and insured member of Landcare NSW, with a lease from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Many of us volunteered with the Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project for years before that, and we pay tribute to the rich legacy of environmental restoration and rehabilitation begun in 1993.
“Ash Island is beautiful and the integrity of the rehabilitation is really important to us.” Julia Brougham, FOTSH
The working bee
The third Sunday of each month is Community Day. It may be a planned planting day, or it might be a drop in and say hello day. Send us an enquiry and we will send you more information.
That monthly planting is our regular published gathering; for anything else, ask us first so we can let you know what's on.
What volunteers do
Seven kinds of useful
Knit'n Sew for Wildlife
Making bedding and other items used by registered wildlife carers for rescued and injured native animals in the Hunter region.
Caring for the house
Care and maintenance of the Schoolmasters House building itself. It's an 1890s house, and it always has a job for you.
The garden
A fruit, flower and vegetable garden inside the Schoolmasters House fenced area.
Planting the wetlands
Planting, weeding and mulching native plants specific to Ash Island.
Propagation
Raising plants to support revegetation on and beyond Ash Island: the nursery end of the Plant Explorer.
Words
Writing poetry and stories about the island. The archive isn't only history; it's still being written.
Volunteering with us
Volunteers are welcomed and can register with the Hunter Volunteer Centre, which has information on roles available. We are a sociable, family-friendly place to find a fulfilling and meaningful volunteer role. Our newer volunteers include people who found us through the Hunter Volunteer Centre and NDIS programs.
The archive work
Scanning a century, sharing it with everyone
“Port Waratah helped us buy equipment so we can now scan all the documents and images that have been accumulated since 1993.” Julia Brougham · read the Port Waratah Storylines profile
“We are actively working to become a content provider to the National Library's Trove so that our information becomes available to everyone, even globally accessible.” Julia Brougham, FOTSH
We also interview former Ash Island farming-family residents, capturing living histories. What they remember with great affection is the sense of community they had.
The reference we plant by
A landcare group with an 1862 plant list
“In 1862 she rambled over the island and recorded all of the plants she saw and created an authoritative first-hand list that we now use as a reference for our planting. It's a rare thing for any landcare group to have. We're very lucky.” Julia Brougham, on Helena Scott's Botany of Ash Island
Support the work
As a volunteer group, we raise our own funds
Donations support the work on these pages: the planting, the propagation, the library and the house.
Get in touch
Ask us about visiting, volunteering or the island's history
We're a small volunteer team at the Schoolmasters House. Send your question through and we'll reply as soon as we can.