FAQs

To provide the community an opportunity to have their say on this commemorative naming proposal.

As verified through historic records and the Hopeland Community Association Ivy Muller taught for approx. 23 years in the Shire being at Hopeland 1941 -1949, Keysbrook 1950 and Hopeland 1950 - 1964.

In the early years, teaching was the only profession that allowed married women to continue as employees, due to the shortage of male and single female teachers. Married women were only allowed temporary status and had to be re-appointed each year. Mrs Muller taught on three quarters of a man’s wage because she was married.

The significance of a one teacher school at this time meant that Ivy was the sole administrator and teacher who provided quality education for all of the students of various ages in her school room. During World War 2, Ivy had the challenge of teaching 33 children in one classroom as city parents had sent their children from Perth to the country for safety reasons. Their ages ranged from infants to the high school students who needed supervision to do correspondence lessons. 

Being the sole teacher at a one teacher school, Ivy also attended voluntary to the maintenance of school grounds including, gardening, mowing and the cleaning of the school room and toilets. Ivy also would chop the wood for the school fire to keep the students warm in winter as there was no electricity in her years of teaching at Hopeland School.

Mr Muller has provided the following information in support of their request to have Reserves 19197 and 24162 named after Ivy Muller: 

• Ivy's love for teaching and nurturing approach extended to the wider community, where she was well-loved and respected.
• Ivy organised sports days and the annual Christmas celebration that’s still active today.
• Ivy was active and encouraging in the community, attending past students' weddings and supporting new parents. Ivy provided free ‘after school care’ to students when needed. 
• Due to her husband’s illness, she was the sole income earner for her family. 
• Ivy was an active member of Hopeland P&C Association, being president in 1943 and 1944 and continuing as an active committee member until the school closed in 1978 
• After Ivy retired from teaching, she became a member of the Hopeland Book Club and a member of the Serpentine and Districts CWA.
• In 1977 Ivy and Mervyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Hopeland School
• Ivy and Mervyn are both buried at the Serpentine Cemetery.

Officers will use this feedback to inform a report to Council to decide whether to proceed with an application to Geographic Names Team for the final approval.