Plaque at site reads :-
Claypans Church & Hall opened 23-9-1906
Church closed 1959
Used as School from 14-8-1907 to 17-5-1947
Back to Claypans 11-5-1997.
*Forster July 6
On Thursday a public tea meeting was held at Claypans, and was followed by a concert and supper. The proceeds were in aid of the building of the new church and school now being erected.
The foundation stone was laid in the afternoon by Mr W Towill.
The programme in the evening consisted of an address by the chairman (Mr Ivan Jacobs) and songs and recitation by Messrs P Norman, L Smith, E W Towill, Ivan Jacobs, J Waters and Elias Towill. Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 14 July 1906.
*Claypans
A school concert was held in Claypans schoolroom on Friday evening, November 23, in aid of the Children's Patriotic Society's funds, which benefited to the extent of £8 1/6. The chair was occupied by Mr James Searle. The May Queen and maypole dance was the most pleasing feature of the evening and richly deserved the reception it received.
The teacher (Miss Mann) is deserving of much credit for the able manner in which she has trained her pupils. A vote of thanks to Miss Mann was proposed by the Rev H Haworth, and seconded by Mr John Searle.
A dainty supper was provided by the ladies. Ref: Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA) Friday 7 December 1917.
*Claypans December 13
The annual Christmas tree entertainment for the Forster-on-Murray district was held on Friday last. Miss E Murray, head teacher, supervised.
About 150 local residents and visitors from surrounding districts attended. Bakara, Claypans, Purnong, and Nildottie districts were represented.
Mr Thomas Hein officiated as Father Christmas, distributing gifts from lollies and peanuts in an interval between the concert and dance.
Concert items included pianoforte overture, carols, songs and recitations by school children, and Master Johns. Mr John Johns presided. Mr O Hermann was MC. Supper was served by the Forster ladies. Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 25 December 1926.
*Claypans October 17
Mrs It Crook, of Purnong Landing, has purchased the old Purnong Public School from Mr Otto Hettner for £60. Ref: Observer (Adelaide SA) Saturday 29 October 1927.
*Claypans November 16
The measles epidemic has extended from Purnong Landing to Cournamont and Claypans.
Sixteen children from Claypans, Teal Flat, Bow Hill and Copeville sat for the qualifying examination in Purnong Public Hall on Friday last. Mr N Lowe (head teacher Purnong Landing) and members of the local school committee were in charge.
*Claypans November 16
The residents of Claypans and other lower Murray centres are perturbed over the threatened withdrawal of the trading steamer 'Pyap' from the River Murray. Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 26 November 1927.
*The road is in a deplorable state between the Claypans Methodist Church and the Copeville District Hall owing to drift sand, rabbit burros [sic] and limestone boulders. Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 8 December 1928.
*The Deputy-Director of Posts and Telegraphs has intimated, in response to the representations of the Claypans Progress Association, that the present local horseback mail service will finish on September 30. Mr A Francis has entered into a contract with the department to deviate the Mannum-Swan Reach motor mail service to include Claypans. Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide SA) 11 September 1929.
*There was a large attendance at visiting day at the local school. Under the direction of the head teacher (Mr C G Willis), the children rendered a programme of action songs and recitation. Mr R I B Whitfield (chairman of the school committee) briefly addressed the children, contratulating them on the progress made during the past year, and awarded the usual half-holiday. Lollies were distributed to the children.
The measles epidemic is now in evidence amongst local adults, several cases having been reported during the past week. The children of the district are now recovered but fresh adult cases are occurring. Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide SA) 28 November 1929.
*Claypans public school has now the highest average attendance and largest number of scholars of any school in a 25 mile radius.
The average attendance is 19 and the number on the register 22. Ref: Chronicle (Adelaide SA) 28 November 1929.
*Claypans
Miss May Crook, daughter of Mr D K Crook, local storekeeper, secured 576 marks in the recent school examinations, and won an exhibition scholarship, to be exercised at the Adelaide High School. Ref: The Advertiser (Adelaide SA) Monday 20 January 1930.
*Claypans
A farewell social was tendered to Mrs James Searle in the Methodist Church before her departure to live at Prospect. Mrs Searle was along the early settlers who pioneered Claypans, and has been a resident of this district for nearly 40 years. Messrs W Tyler sen, W E Towill and F Riggs spoke of the high esteem in which she was held and the help that she had always given to any undertaking for the advancement of the district, and especially the Methodist Church. A presentation was made to Mrs Searle. Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide SA) Saturday 14 January 1933.
*A Sunday school has been reopened in connection with the Methodist church at Claypans, after a lapse of about ten years. Mr W Tyler, assisted by Mr F Riggs is superintendent, and Mrs Wesley Searle organist and kindergarten teacher. Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark SA) 11 May 1933.
*The annual Christmas tree meeting was held in the schoolroom. Mr W E Towill was re-elected chairman and Mrs F W Kluge secretary and treasurer.
It was decided to hold the tree on Christmas eve. Mr G R Searle offered to provide a tree. Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide SA) 19 November 1935.
*The annual Christmas tree was held in the schoolroom. The children under the direction of Miss L Kluge sang a carol. Father Christmas (Mr W Tyler) distributed toys off the decorated tree.
There were stalls with ice cream, cool drinks, sweets and fruit. Ref: Advertiser (Adelaide SA) 1 January 1936.
*Education Week at Claypans
Education Week was observed at Claypans with a series of functions. On the Monday, the Rev Mr Johnson of Mannum, addressed the school children. Games and competitions were conducted by the teacher Mr J Bronner, during portion of the day.
On Wednesday a "Back to School" was held, when a number of old scholars attnded and were taken charge of by Mr Bronner, who conducted lessons, after which games and competitions were indulged in.
Luncheon was served, and a birthday cake was cut by Mr W Johns, who was the oldest scholar present.
A school picnic was held in Mr M Towill's picnic ground on the Friday - extreme heat affected the attendance. Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark SA) Thursday 17 December 1936.
*Claypans reunion
May I through your paper, seek to locate former residents of Claypans? A 'Back to Claypans' will be held on Sunday May 11, at the site of the former Claypans church. The building also served as a school and hall for social functions and meetings. The school closed in 1947 and church services ceased in 1959.
Claypans was settled in 1891 by families who came from Hamley Bridge. The church, built in 1906 became the focal point of the little community. Past residents and their descendants are scattered widely through South Australia and Australia. It is hoped that as many as possible will make the journey to meet each other again. Those planning to join in the celebrations are advised to be there at 10am. Luncheon arrangements are byo (plus chair). Fur further information - Mike 08 8570 4281 or Greta 08 8572 3942. Ref: Times (Victor Harbor SA) Friday 11 April 1997.
