Mount Pleasant State School
Sir Albert Ernest Coates was born on 28th of January 1895 in Mount Pleasant, Ballarat. He was the oldest of seven children. His dad was Arthur Coates, who was a letter carrier and his mum was Clara Annie Eustice, they were both born in Victoria. Arthur was a postal worker and had a interest in debating and biblical studies. Clara loved music and playing piano.
Albert Coates attended Mount Pleasant State School. He also went to Sunday School, Christian Endeavour and Mount Pleasant Methodist Church. He completed his Merit certificate in 1906, which is year 2-8. At the time only private schools continued past year 8, because there was no high schools in Ballarat.
Mount Pleasant State School
After Albert Coates finsihed primary school in 1905, when Albert was 10, he worked at a butcher. He was paid one shilling to deliver meat parcels. (Being paid one shilling back then is equivelent to being paid $8.43 today.) He worked from 7am to 6pm on weekdays, and worked 7am to 10pm on Saturday, he earned 3 shillings on Saturdays. He wasn't paid much. In today's money it's 76 cents per hour! He was fired for accidentally smashing the butcher's cart when he was cleaning it.
