ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

Winifred West (1881–1971) was a British-born Australian educator who founded the prestigious Frensham girls' school in Mittagong (1913) and later established the renowned Sturt craft centre in 1941. Sturt, named after her mother’s family, was created to provide vocational training in spinning, weaving, and woodwork. Located within the Frensham grounds, it grew into a premier centre for contemporary Australian craft, including workshops for wood, pottery, and jewellery.

Key Historical Details of Winifred West & Sturt
• ... Foundation (1941): Following her retirement as Headmistress of Frensham, West established Sturt in 1941 as a community education centre aimed at providing creative skills for local school children and adults.

• ... Purpose: Sturt was designed to foster Arts and Crafts traditions, providing training in practical skills such as weaving, woodwork, and later pottery, which was particularly important during war times.

• ... Development: Named after her mother, Fanny West (née Sturt), the center grew to include specialized studios—wood (1947), weaving (1951), pottery (1954), and jewellery (1969).

• ... Sturt School for Wood (1985): Sturt is home to the acclaimed School for Wood, established later to provide intensive training in furniture design and manufacturing.

• ... Legacy: As part of the Winifred West Schools Ltd, Sturt continued to operate as a gallery, school, and workshop, maintaining its commitment to craftsmanship in the Southern Highlands.

• ... Demise: Frensham Governors initiated a review of the Sturt operation and consequently Sturt was closed albeit that new company was formed to operate Sturt. As of April 2026 functionally Sturt is closed.

• ... Miss West managed Sturt, often in close connection with her neighbouring school, until her death in 1971.