Kate Baker – (1861-1953) distinguished daughter of Williamstown
By Mary (Baker) Nelson
When she was nine years old, Kate Baker and her family arrived from Ireland after three months at sea, in October 1870.
She was fortunate to have attended a small church school in Ireland from an early age and after arriving in Williamstown, she then attended the Church of England school headed up by Mr Otter P. Blom in 1871. This school had around 500 students in attendance and soon amalgamated with Williamstown North school when it opened in 1874.
She was described in the Williamstown Chronicle in 1945 as a ‘distinguished daughter of Williamstown.’
Kate went on to train as a pupil teacher and taught in many schools throughout regional Victoria during her long career. Prior to and during her teaching career, she frequented the Williamstown Mechanics Institute and was often the first to arrive, and the last to leave.
She shared the space with Mrs Ada Cross (wife of the Rev George Cross – Holy Trinity Church, Williamstown), who was also known as Ada Cambridge – a pioneer Australian author. It was Kate Baker and her contacts at the Adam Lindsay Gordon Lover’s Society who led the initiative to have a plaque of Ada Cambridge erected inside the Town Hall in 1946.
With a large extended family still in residence at ‘Waterford’ (33 Junction Street, Williamstown), Kate remained devoted to the town. She and other members of the Baker family were lifelong members of the ‘Old Williamstownians Association’ – she was called on to present recitations.
In October 1938 on the occasion of the North Williamstown State School reunion, Kate had been invited as a special guest to address the gathering. She approached the microphone, received an ovation as she spoke, and paid tribute to past headmaster Mr. Ulbrick.
She also presented the school with a bronze plaque of herself, which was awarded by the Australian Literature Society as a tribute to the work she had done for the ‘cause of Australian literature.’
My name is Mary (Baker) Nelson, great-great niece of Kate Baker, and I’m currently researching her life. I’m hoping to locate this donated bronze plaque as part of my research. North Williamstown School is celebrating its 150th year this year — wouldn’t it be wonderful to locate it?
Anyone with information please contact maglnelson@bigpond.com
