History and Development of Helm Wines

History at Helm
At Helm Wines visitors are introduced to local heritage, whilst experiencing the culture of wine tourism and tasting the range of vintages the winery has for sale in the historic school house which forms the cellar door. The Toual School House was built on the property in 1888 and served as the school until 1940. At the turn of the century it served as a meeting room for the Temperance League where many signed a pledge against the consumption of alcohol, it being a staunch Methodist area. In 1944 the school buildings were sold and removed and the land sold in 1960. In 1973 Helm Wines purchased and established Nanima Creek vineyard on the site and in 1987 returned the old school building to it's current location. The building was restored for a tasting room for the winery and preserves in memory of all those who taught or attended the school. It has been listed as a building of importance by the National Trust of NSW. Also of historical significance is the School Bell, circa 1880, depicted on the bottle labels and acting as an emblem for the Toual School. Originally from a school near Bathurst the bell was brought to Helm Wines restored and is now rung to herald each vintage.
Teachers and Brief History of Toual School
George W. Carpenter Alexander S. Wheatley Mary O'Donnell Jane Dillon Hannah Carmichael Minnie Young Mrs M. Hill Ann Davis Muriel Brown Ethel Christian Keith Nogg R. G. Barnes Martin Feld Annie Turton Malachi Vallance John B. Clune Edward Lynch G. F. Sangster Jean Armstrong Hazel Halston		1888-1889 (open as provisional school) 1889-1893 1893-1896 1896-1897 1897-1897 1897-1904 (declared an public school) 1904-1907 1907-1908 1908-1910 1910-1912 1912-1915 (enlisted army) 1915-1916 1916-1918 (school closed) 1921-1922 (re-opened as a provisional school) 1922-1924 (school closed) 1925-1927 (school re-opened) 1927-1928 1928-1931 (school closed) 1931-1935 (school re-opens as "Kirkdale 1935-1940 school" by the residents)
back to top