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MR MANN WROTE A HISTORY OF MT. ELIZA (VIC., AUST.) IN 1926.
You'd reckon that the name of the author of the history would have been given as John G.Mann! He lived in Harbury, Mt Eliza. John was one of the very active members of the the Mt Eliza Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade. He was a member of the Field Naturalists Group as was Mr S.Mann. When St James the Less Church was damaged by an earthquake in 1932,it was reported:"Mr. J. G. Mann who has an intimate knowledge of the history of the
church, has circulated an appeal for funds to repair the building. A ready response to the appeal is expected."
(THE EARTHQUAKE RESIDENTS ALARMED. LITTLE DAMAGE DONE
Frankston and Somerville Standard (Vic. : 1921 - 1939) Saturday 10 September 1932 p 1 Article)
After Frankston High came second in a Wildflower competition run by 3AR and 3LO at the Melbourne Town Hall in 1930,it was reported:"The students have decided to have an exhibition of wild flowers at the school on Monday next, to see how many varieties they can obtain. Mr.Bincham, the local florist, in Young street, who very kindly staged the exhibit at the Town Hall, has agreed to stage the exhibits on Monday. Mr.J. Mann, of Mt. Eliza, who is an expert in wildflowers has consented to attend and name the flowers brought in.
(FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOOL WELFARE LEAGUE.
Frankston and Somerville Standard (Vic. : 1921 - 1939) Saturday 25 October 1930 p 4 Article)
It is fitting that Mann Rd (Melway 101 J 9) leads to a reserve. I hope that the wildflowers that Mr Mann so loved grace the reserve!
Plenty of sources state that Canadian Bay was named after three Canadians who loaded firewood there but it was only the previously mysterious Mr Mann who named names!
Without amateur historians such as L.Wilding of Flinders,Isabel Moresby (ROSEBUD: FLOWER OF THE PENINSULA) and John G.Mann, much of the Mornington Peninsula's historical information would have been lost. How John would have loved to talk to Isabel about the flora and fauna of Rosebud and New Guinea!
I always felt a little silly quoting MR MANN as the source when discussing Alfred Jones of the "Almond Bush Stud" at Somerville and the Liverpool anchoring well offshore in Canadian Bay. At least we know now that the author was not the aborigine referred to as Mr Mann in Marie Fels' "I Succeeded Once."
I will be requesting the Mornington Peninsula Shire to ask the City of Frankston to name the anonymous reserve at the end of Mann Rd in Melway 101 H10, the John G.Mann Nature Reserve.
John Mann even listed the wildflowers which could be planted in such a reserve.
Floral Reserve Proposals
Frankston and Somerville Standard (Vic. : 1921 - 1939) Friday 1 April 1938 p 1 Article.
MOUNT ELIZA
The monthly meeting of the Mt.Eliza Progress Association was held at the Mt. Eliza Hall on Wednesday evening last, when a good attendance of members was recorded. The president, Mr. Tyler, presided. The usual business was dealt with.
History of Mt. Eliza.
At a previous committee meeting, Mr. J. Mann presented a manuscript which for the last few months he has
been compiling, and has now completed. It was read and received with great enthusiasm. Mr. Mann has given in his work a very thorough outline of the locality since it first came into being over 60 years ago.It is very interesting reading now, and will prove more and more so as years go on.
Residents of the Mount are very grateful to Mr. Mann for the time and trouble which he devoted to the work. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Mann. The cost of publishing of the book,which is to be printed and published by "The Standard" will be under 30 pounds. This is very satisfactory.
(Frankston and Somerville Standard (Vic. : 1921 - 1939) Friday 20 August 1926 p 7 Article.)
John Mann's "Harbury" was assumed to be near Mann Rd, but the following account indicates that it was near Old Mornington Rd and about 300 metres from Marathon (12 Marathon Drive) which was built on the site of James Davey's "Marysville" (built in 1851.) James Davey later built another house overlooking the bay which was replaced by Sargood's "Denistoun." Why did James Davey call his pre-emptive right the Marysville Estate?
FRANKSTON, FRIDAY.
An old resident and colonist named Mary Davey, relict of James Davey, expired this afternoon at the residence of her son, after a short illness. The deceased was 86 years of age, and came to the district early in the
forties, her husband and she being amongst the first white people to take up their abode in these parts. Mr Davey at one time owned a sheep and cattle station between here and Mornington*, and what was afterwards known
as the Marysville Estate was his original pre-emptive right.
(The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Saturday 9 September 1893 p 10 Article.)
*There is no evidence that the Kannanuke Run (from the creek to Mt Eliza) adjoined the Ballanrong Run whose pre-emptive right includes the Mornington Racecourse.)
federation-house - Melbourne's Federation Heritage
federation-house.wikispaces.com/Melbourne's+Federation+Heritage
Marathon is a large residence and garden established in 1914-24 in the Federation Arts and Crafts style. The house features a conspicuous gabled roof, a tall broad stuccoed chimney and contrasting textures of building fabric, typical of the Arts and Crafts style. The style is also demonstrated in the garden design by the geometric compartmentalised areas, many with central axes, terracing and use of stone for steps and retaining walls.
The garden style also integrates an uncommon Italian design influence by the use of cypresses, clipped hedges, fountains and statuary . The place is of exceptional interest being one of a few notable homes designed for the Grimwade family and it is one of a small group of large summer residences with extensive grounds erected in the first decade of the twentieth century. [15]
Marathon, constructed in 1914, is significant because of the relationship between house and garden. Designed by the architectural partnership Butler and Bradshaw, with substantial extensions designed by Walter and Richard butler in 1924, it is an interesting example of a large beachside residence designed in the Arts and Crafts manner. The garden, also designed by Walter Butler, with its formal terraces, axial layout, structures, stairs, walls, paths, pergolas and ornaments reflects the Arts and Crafts philosophy of garden design, and of creating outdoor "rooms". It is a fine example of Butler's garden design, having the grandest plan and being the largest and most intact surviving work.[16]
WILLIAM ALP'S house (now 4 Cassiobury Avenue)was on seven allotments.(City of Frankston Heritage Study 1991.)The study assumes that it was the house on Grimwade's almond orchard. It would seem logical that the orchard was on or near Orchard Lane on the south side of Daveys Bay Rd but the study,in discussing "Marathon", states that the Orchard Estate encompassed Harleston Rd.
The present Health Retreat on the south corner of Daveys Bay Rd may have been the Childrens' Hospital orthopaedic section mentioned in the same paragraph as Toorak College.
FIRE THREATENS HOMES
Big Blaze at Mt. Eliza
Stern Fight to Save Property
The most serious outbreak of fire in many years occurred on Monday afternoon when some of the finest homes in the Mt. Eliza district were threatened by a fire which broke out in the dense scrub between Harbury,Mr. John Mann's residence, and the new Pt Nepean road; fanned by a moderate breeze the flames were carried toward the old Mornington road.
Firemen and volunteers waged a stern war with the fire to prevent it reaching Mr. Mann's house. Those who
could bear the terrific heat did what they could to check the advance of the fire while others worked hard
with, axes to. cut away the tall tea tree which grew~ within a few feet of the rear of the house.When it seemed certain that nothing could save the property a slight change in the wind caused the flames to subside a little and the face of the fire nearest to Mr. Mann's was beaten out.
While the fire was at its height in this section, burning leaves or bark were carried by the wind to Marathon,
the beautiful home of Major General, H. W., Griinwade, which stands about one and a half furlongs from Harbury, and ignited the dry grass at the rear of the property. Fortunately the outbreak was seen before it had gained a firm hold and was beaten out. While one party was striving to save Mr. Mann's property another was having an equally stern struggle on General Grimwade's property adjoining Harbury, an almond orchard containing about 500 trees was slightly damaged, but the clearing enabled the fighters to prevent the fire reaching one of houses on the estate occupied by Mr. William Alp.
The fire engine, which could not be used earlier because no water was available, was then taken to a point near Davey's road where a fire plug was found. The value of the new engine was soon demonstrated. Pumping from a main in which the pressure was low an excellent flow of water was delivered from the hose at high pressure and the fire was soon under control at that point.
In the meantime the fire had spread along the bed of Kackeraboite creek and the brigade was recalled to Harbury which was again in the path of the flames. The engine was attached to a private hydrant near General Grimwade's home and water was forced through 600 feet of hose to Mr. Mann's. The pressure was so poor, that the hose itself could not be used, but men ran from the end of the hose to the fire with buckets and succeeded in saving a small cottage and preventing the further advance of the fire in that direction.
The dense scrub in this area was the sanctuary of hundreds of birds that had been encouraged by Mr.Mann to visit his home and to come to him when he whistled. For years he has spent part of his leisure in training the birds to overcome their fear of human beings. Much of the scrub near the house is unharmed, and it is to be hoped that the birds have not perished.
While one face of the fire was being brought under control the other had spread toward the home of Mr.I.Walters and adjoining residences. The fire engine had just been brought to this point when another alarm was given from Miss Violet Teague's property where burning leaves had ignited the scrub about a quarter of a mile from the main fire. This outbreak was beaten out. Had it gained a firm hold several fine homes, the Toorak college and the orthopaedic section of the Children's Hospital would have been endangered. Residents became so alarmed that
the Mornington brigade was summoned but the outbreak was under control when it arrived.
When the wind died down at night the fighters were transferred to the new Pt. Nepean road where the fire was burning fiercely. Working along the face of the fire men and boys beat out the flames and shortly after midnight ,the last of the men were withdrawn. On Tuesday morning many trees and logs were still burning. Some firemen returned to the scene of the fire and extinguished burning trees that were near enough to the edge of the burnt area to cause a fresh outbreak.
(Frankston and Somerville Standard (Vic. : 1921 - 1939) Saturday 11 February 1933 p 1 Article.)
Shortly after "Mr Mann's" history was published, the progress association was discussing sales and associated matters.
Cr. Montague suggested that Mr.McIlroy be asked to take the books in hand also. From what he could gather the booklet was being well received. He had heard several remarks that were complimentary both to the author, Mr. Mann, and Standard Newspapers, the publishers of the work. Many members of other associations had told him that they should be very proud of the booklet.
(Frankston and Somerville Standard (Vic. : 1921 - 1939) Friday 17 December 1926 p 7 Article.)
As well as his community service at Mt Eliza, John Mann was also much involved in Frankston itself. The Frankston Progress Association was keen to assist his efforts.
FLOWER SHOW
The Secretary urged members to assist in every way possible for the Annual Flower Show to be held in the Mechanics' Hall next month, and suggested that they get in touch with Mr J. G. Mann and other members
of the committee.
(Frankston Progress Association
Frankston and Somerville Standard (Vic. : 1921 - 1939) Friday 22 August 1924 p 2 Article.)
Wild Flower and Daffodil Show
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13.
"In the
MECHANICS' HALL, FRANKSTON
MECHANICS' HAIL', FRANKSTON
From 2.30 p.m.
In the Evening:
COMPETITIONS FOR SINGING AND RECITATION.
Microscopic Slides will be shown by Mr. Jas. Lambie.
All information from-Messrs. P.W. Bartlett, J. Haggart, J. G. Mann,A. Montague, Committee of Management.
(Frankston and Somerville Standard (Vic. : 1921 - 1939) Friday 12 September 1924 p 2 Advertising.)
MORE FOOTY ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA,VIC., AUST.
This is how I found out about Wilding's history of the Mornington Peninsula in about 1906. I tried to submit the journal yesterday (oops two days ago) but it would not submit so I'll play it safe and make a start only this time.
MORE FOOTY ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA.
In trying to find which land was first settled by John Buckley in the parish of Bittern, I found this treasure. It discusses some of the Peninsula's champions at a time when they were unlikely to be mentioned in the pages of the Mornington Standard because the editor of the time considered historical articles and serialised novels to be more worthy content. The Gomm mentioned was Herbert (Paddy) Gomm, father of Billy and George, two legends of the Somerville Football Club and Billy Monk was also part of the extended Gomm family, Paddy's father Henry Gomm, having married Margaret Monk while both families were living in Balcombe Rd, Mentone circa 1860. Box was a name very prominent in the Frankston Fish Company and Frankston church circles. It is possible that Footscray's Brownlow Medallist, Peter Box, who went to the Bulldogs from the Rosellas (Cheltenham), followed shortly afterwards in Teddy Whitten's first year by Ron Porta*, was a descendant of the Frankston pioneers.
(* Descendant of Joseph Porta, Victoria's first manufacturer of bellows. (See journal.)
My thanks to the person from the Frankston Library who corrected the digitisation.
PAGE 4, FRANKSTON AND SOMERVILLE STANDARD, 22-7-1921.
Football Reminiscences
The Peninsula's Past Champions Recalled
CONDUCTED BY OUR SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE
I was standing in the Frankston Park , watching Hastings being comfortably thrashed by Frankston, and two old-time players ? one from the shores of Westernport and the other from the silvery sands of Port Phillip ? got into the demesne of reminiscence, and, with sparkling eyes and smiles on their faces, recalled the days when Hastings were the champions of the Peninsula. "Those were the days," one observed, and the other agreed. "Hastings were invincible in those roaring days," remarked the Hastings veteran. His chest puffed out with pride, as he pointed to "Nipper" Floyd, and said, "Ah, he was a great lad in those days."
The Frankstonite agreed, but, not to be outdone, reminded his old opponent that one season the only time that Hastings were defeated the feat was achieved by Frankston! And then they laughed, and declared once more that "them wuz the days. " As they talked of the past, the happy thought came to me that it ought to prove interesting to give a short and concise review of the past. But The Standard's space is limited to some extent, and I shall only be able to delve into history a decade before Australia's athletes tackled Abdul and the Hun overseas. Many names will be mentioned ? and some that should be mentioned might be omitted ? but every name in itself may revive a dormant memory, for many of these players shone with brilliance in League football for many years.
Since 1900 the Peninsula has been one of the principal football territories in the State and the League clubs sent "Invitations" lavishly to these parts. Hastings won the premiership five years running.
THE SHEEHAN TROPHY In 1905 the Sheehan Trophy was captured by Hastings, who won the premiership by forfeit, as Sorrento did not put in an appearance. The teams in the Peninsula contest were Hastings, Sorrento, Mornington, Flinders and Dromana. Hastings defeated the whole lot, and annihilated Tooradin also the day they had the bye. The Perriams, McCartney, A.Moffatt (who captained Hastings the year before) and Sheeby were about the most prominent exponents of the game. McCartney and Moffatt were snapped by St Kilda that season, and they proved themselves worthy of the honor bestowed upon them.
ATTORNEY- GENERAL'S PATRONAGE Dromana, who enjoyed the patronage of Mr Justice Higgins* ? at that time he was Attorney General of Australia ? were a very able team, being captained by that really great player, Ernie Rudduck, whose exploits with Richmond, and later with Collingwood, used to send the crowds into the realms of delight. Gibson and Evans were Dromana's formidable ruck, but the "Black and Golds" lost them both to Fitzroy.
(*Higgins spent much time at his ?Heronswood? at Dromana, where he probably wrote much of his ?Harvester Judgement? , relating to workers at H.V.McKay?s workers at Braybrook Junction (Sunshine) not being paid an adequate wage, which led to the establishment of the basic wage. After his usual daily swim at ?The Rocks? (Anthony?s Nose) and a hike up Arthur?s Seat he passed away at Heronswood and was buried at Dromana near a monument to his son who was killed in W.W.1.)
N.B. I DO NOT FORGET APOSTROPHES OF POSSESSION BUT DO DELIBERATELY LEAVE THEM OUT OF PLACE NAMES SUCH AS ANTHONY'S NOSE AND ARTHUR'S SEAT, AS IS THE COMMON PRACTICE; (SEE MELWAY MAP 159.) I NEVER LEAVE OUT APOSTROPHES OF CONTRACTION! I DEPLORE THE STANDARD OF GRAMMAR, SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION DISPLAYED ON FACEBOOK AND WOULD NEVER INFLICT SUCH SLOPPINESS ON THOSE WHO READ MY JOURNALS. IF I HAPPENED TO BE A CHOOK AND A GREMLIN DROPPED A BASKET OF EGGS THAT I'D LAID, I WOULD REFUSE TO REPLACE THEM. MY GREMLINS DELETED SOME APOSTROPHES IN THE ABOVE, AS WELL AS DELETING THE LINE SPACING BETWEEN PARAGRAPHS THAT I INSERT TO MAKE READING OF LENGTHY PASSAGES MORE COMFORTABLE, AS WELL AS CHANGING ITALICS BACK TO THE STANDARD FONT. WITH APOLOGIES,I ASK YOU TO ACCEPT THE GREMLINS' TRANSLATION BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE THE TIME TO RECTIFY IT.
A SPEEDY WINGSTER. Mr W. S. Cook was Mornington's president in 1905. Mornington then possessed some fine individual players. Bentley, who went to the South Melbourne district, was exceptional, and is reputed to have been the fastest wingster the Peninsula has ever produced. Besides Bentley, Mornington lost Harrap to St Kilda, L.Kirkpatrick to Williamstown, and G.Delemere, a crack forward, who performed great deeds for Perth in the Western Australian League. Whilst not so strong as a team, Flinders had one or two outstanding players, more particularly Naylor and Willett. The first named went to New South Wales and stripped for Paddington under Rugby rules, whilst Willett went to Tasmania, and was one of Launceston's best for many years.
THE MOORABBIN CONTEST . As may be remembered, in 1905, Frankston were not in the Peninsula Association. They were, with Manchester, Cheltenham and Elwood, in the Moorabbin Association. Dr. S.Plowman was Frankston's president, and the late Chief Justice of Victoria (Sir John Madden) was the principal patron. Charlie Lawrey was the captain, the previous year's captain, Charlie Box, having gone to Mirboo. Besides competitive games, Frankston defeated D. & W. Murray's team by 55 points, the Railways Department by 74 points ? the match being umpired by Charlie Willox ? and the Fitzroy district by 50 points, the bulk of the job against Fitzroy being done by "Joker" Cameron, Baxter, Tom Wenbourne (of South Melbourne fame) and Gravenall, a Wesley Collegian. Wenbonurne was at his best in those balmy days.
CAMERON AND BAXTER. The present "village blacksmith" made his debut in League football in 1903, going to South Melbourne, and Ben Baxter started with Essendon in 1900, but they were at their best in 1905, when Cliff Bourne went to Melbourne. Cameron starred in a game against Melbourne, and "The Australasian" styled him champion, as he followed practically throughout. He also starred against Geelong, "The Age" reporting that he was a decided acquisition to the game. When Fitzroy and South Melbourne joined forces and played a match in Sydney, Cameron was one of the elect. Ben Baxter starred for Essendon against Carlton, and was amongst those selected to represent the League against Ballarat. Baxter (whose son, Ray, now plays with Frankston) afterwards went to Collingwood. As a cricketer, Baxter was also a success. In 1907, for instance, he scored 1,035 runs (highest score 140) at an average of 64.6. Ted McComb knocked up 107 not out that season. In 1908, Baxter scored 102 against Hastings and 218 against Prahran; in 1909, he averaged 48.8 for a total of 782 runs, including 102 against Tyabb, 161 against Somerville, 108 against Balnarring and 118 against Hastings. In 1910 he scored 654 runs in 12 innings, averaging 54.5 runs per innings.
EDDIE DROHAN SHINES "The Standard," strange to say, devoted but little space to football reports in 1906. I have an idea that the editor of those days had visions of running contemporary to Munsey's and Pearson's of magazine fame; he was featuring Wilding's "History of the Mornington Peninsula and Charles White's "History of Bushranging," besides one of Louis Tracy's lengthy stories.
Still, there was a memorable match at Hastings. The Collingwood prince, Eddie Drohan, brought a League team along, and defeated Hastings by 19 points. Drohan was in fine fettle, but the luminous star of the match was Coutie, the famous Melbourne player, who was invincible. Jim Sharpe, then with Fitzroy, but President of Collingwood today, and Ted Rankin, of Geelong, and father of Bert and Cliff Rankin, also shone out. "The silvery tenor," George Castles, brother to Amy Castles, the gifted soprano, also played. Tom Knox and Whitehead were Hastings' best, and, I believe, Essendon secured their services at a subsequent date.
THE MAGPIES DEFEATED. In 1907, Collingwood sent a fairly strong team down to play Frankston, who were the premiers that year, and mainly through the efforts of Charlie Lawrey (who later played for Prahran), Edgar Kneen, Ben Baxter, Bill Gregory and Bert Shannon, the Magpies were defeated by 47 points. The Tigers also sent along a Richmond team, which included Brierly, the St Kilda star, and they were downed by Frankston by 49 points. At the end of the season, the Old Bull and Bush Camp played the Victorian Hardware Association at Frankston, and some notable League champions took part,......
JOURNAL ABANDONED BECAUSE OF TROUBLE SUBMITTING. Full copies of the article(published as detailed below)with my comments have been sent to the LOCAL FOOTY SHOW and appropriate historical societies; Somerville's email address was outdated.
PAGE 1, FRANKSTON AND SOMERVILLE STANDARD, 29-7-1921.
PAGE 1, FRANKSTON AND SOMERVILLE STANDARD, 5-8-1921.
TO BE CONTINUED.
MR.Leonard WILDING OF FLINDERS, VIC., AUST., EARLY MORNINGTON PENINSULA HISTORIAN and hero.
I don't often write journals about a particular person but there was something special about Mr Wilding, which will become evident when the full title of this journal is given.
FLINDERS.
After the termination of the Flinders Race Meeting on Friday, 3rd inst., some gentlemen assembled in the State School building, and a presentation of a purse of sovereigns was made to Mr L. Wilding, who left the district for Castlemaine on Monday last, after fifteen years' residence in Flinders. On behalf of the subscribers,
Mr Cooke wished Mr Wilding every success in his new vocation, and expressed regret at his departure from Flinders.
During the time he (Mr Cooke) had been in the district, Mr Wilding had always been very willing to do a large amount of work for the good of the place which many people were inclined to shirk, and he would certainly be very much missed. In replying, Mr Wilding heartily thanked the people of the district for this token of their
goodwill. There were very many things which he could not do, and there was certainly no necessity to explain that to make a speech was one of these things. A certain gentleman in the room would be quite equal to such an occasion, and be able to give voice to proper sentiments for any space of time from a few minutes to a few hours, but he was sorry to say he was not built on the same lines.
He had always been glad to think that he belonged to the place, and to have a hand in anything that was going on. It had been a pleasure to himself to be able to do any work for Flinders. He hoped to visit the district a good many times in the future. (P.5, Mornington Standard, 11-3-1905.)
Flinders ratepayers in the centre riding of the Flinders and Kangerong Shire in 1899 included:
Mrs Ann Wilding 3 acres and buildings, and Robert Wilding 16 acres.
EXTRACT FROM MY JOURNAL "THE SHIRE OF FLINDERS".
WILDING Joseph 1892-3*
Flinders and Kangerong Shire- In this shire there is a contest in one riding only, viz., the Central ; Mr Tas. Wilding nominating in opposition to the retiring member Cr Brown.(P.2, Mornington Standard, 25-8-1892.)
SHIRE OF FLINDERS AND KANGERONG. The only contest was in the Centre Riding, where Joseph Wilding defeated the retiring Cr W. Brown by 21 votes. This result was almost anticipated, as a good many ratepayers desired a change. In the East Riding as usual, that popular representative Robert Stanley had a walk over, and the same be said of Cr John Cain who was again re turned unopposed, a well-deserved recognition of an able councillor. this occasion George McLear has been re-elected auditor without opposition. A good man in the right place.
((P.2, Mornington Standard, 1-9-1892.)
*POSTSCRIPT.
For the vacancy in the Centre Riding representation in the Shire of Flinders and Kangerong, caused by the resignation of Cr. Wilding through severe illness, two candidates have been nominated Messrs.T.Darley and
J.Pullin, both residents of our town. (P.2,Mornington Standard,26-10-1893.)
No L.Wilding yet,you say!
FLINDERS.
After the termination of the Reform League meeting in the Mechanics' Hall on the 4th inst., a suggestion, which
had previously been privately discussed,was made, that a fund be organised for the benefit of the widow and young family of the late Frank Culliver who recently lost his life through a lamentable accident. As the sadness of the occurrence has elicited general sympathy and the bereaved family are now left without means of support, the project at once found favour. Mr L.Wilding undertook the duties of honorary secretary and treasurer of the movement, and the following gentlemen, living in different parts of the district, to whom subscription lists have been issued were enrolled as a committee :-Messrs C. T. Cooke, T.Darley, L. Nowlan. F. T. Prebble,J. Simmonds (SYMONDS), J. Guest, H. James(Flinders), R. G. Edwards, L. Murphy(Dromana), J. Crichton (Boneo), and A. Sutherland (Shoreham). (P.6, Mornington Standard,19-12-1903.)
This is not part of one of L.Wilding's articles but he has already solved one mystery for me. Forest Lodge was a well known property at Melway 161 F-H 11 but Bill Huntley told me that it fronted the north side of McIlroys Rd. Crown allotments 23A and 23B Kangerong between J.Davey's grants and that road were granted to William McIlroy. Davey must have bought or leased McIlroy's grants.
TENDERS will be received by the undersigned up to 6 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, the 7th SEPTEMBER, for the LEASE for a period of 12 months of Crown Allotments 23a and b, parish of Kangerong, containing about 156 acres,and known as "Davey's Paddock." L. WILDING, Agent, Flinders.(P.2,Mornington Standard, 27-8-1904.)
HISTORIAN?
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA HISTORY.
- After the New Year, we shall print a series of articles dealing with this subject which Mr L. Wilding, of
Flinders, has undertaken to prepare. The narration of the adventures on the shores of the Peninsula, and in the adjoining portions of Port Phillip and Western Port Bays, of several of the very early explorers of Victoria, and also their impressions of this part of the country, will be dealt with, the occasion of the first attempt at settlement in Victoria, when Collins landed near the present township of Sorrento in 1803, and other memorable historical events also necessarily receiving attention. As it is desired to recount as many interesting incidents regarding the pioneering and settlement of the Peninsula as practicable, for the benefit of our readers, we shall be very glad if old residents and others will extend us their cooperation, and kindly forward any particulars of which they are in possession, and deem, worthy of inclusion, either to Mr.Wilding or to this office as early as possible. (P.2, Mornington Standard,10-12-1904.)
HISTORY OF THE Mornington Peninsula. (Copyright.) INTRODUCTORY.
Mornington Standard (Vic. : 1889 - 1908) Saturday 24 June 1905 p 5 Article.
Grant's discovery of the bay, Murray's naming of Arthurs Seat,Flinder's ascent of Arthurs Seat* and so on can be found in many histories (particularly in 1934) and even on the Matthew Flinders memorial near the Old Shire Hall at Dromana. A trove search for L.WILDING, HISTORY,MORNINGTON PENINSULA, will produce all of his articles, but here I will focus on articles containing information that is available nowhere else.
(*Wilding mentioned Flinder's 16 year old nephew, midshipman John Franklin, who repeated the ascent after his term as Governor of the Apple Isle.)
Charles Graves was obviously one of Mr Wilding's informants but did not mention his stint as a hawker, in partnership with Mary McLear,servicing the whole peninsula, before establishing a store at Shoreham and buying "Woodlands" in the parish of Flinders. Colin McLear did,in his A DREAMTIME OF DROMANA.
HISTORY OF THE Mornington Peninsula. EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Mornington Standard (Vic. : 1889 - 1908) Saturday 2 September 1905 p 6 Article
HISTORY OF THE Mornington Peninisula.
[By L. WILDING.](Copyright.)
EARLY SETTLEMENT : Mr Andrew Buchanan, the well-known Ayreshire cattle breeder, is also a holder of what was once - before the time of the Government land sales -a part of this very early established run. Captain Reid, late of the 45th Regiment, who held what was known as the Mount Martha (* sic) run, had also a considerable slice of the Peninsula in the very early days. The property was afterwards sold to Mr Balcombe, who took no small part in the early history of the Peninsula, and was for some years member of Parliament for the very large electorate in which the subject of these articles are included.
(*The Mount Martha Run, last held by James Hearn, was south of Whites Lane (Range Rd) to Ellerina (Bruce) Rd. Reids run which included the future Mornington Town and township was north of Range Rd. I cannot access the internet at the moment to check the correct aboriginal name* for the run, the pre-emptive right of which was named The Briars by Balcombe after his ancestral property where the imprisoned Napolean Bonaparte was befriended.)
*I succeeded once - Page 19 - Google Books Result
books.google.com.au/books?isbn=1921862130
Marie Hansen Fels - 2011 - History
squatters. on. the. Mornington. Peninsula. It was a fact that the Aborigines of the Port ... with Robert Jamieson), Captain Reid (Tichingurook), Captain Baxter (Carup ... The Western Port squatters impressed Richard Howitt on a walk to Western ..
The lime burners seem to have been among the very oldest settlers. In 1840 there were a good many engaged at this occupation at the site of Collins' old settlement, including Mr Henry C. Wells**, who is still living, and resides at Frankston. Mr William (* **sic) Cain, father of Cr John Cain, J.P., of Portsea, was also one of the very earliest settlers engaged in this industry.
(**Henry Cadby Wells walked to the FUTURE Sorrento in about 1841 with his pregnant wife to burn lime with Robert Rowley, returned to Richmond after the 1843 depression reduced the demand for lime to pursue his trade as a bootmaker and returned with a boat in 1849 to crayfish with Robert Rowley and (as confirmed by Christine Nixon, Sorrento historian) built the first limestone house in Sorrento, which became Lugger Jack Clarks CLARKS COTTAGE, demolished when Clarks Mornington Hotel became the Koonya. Henrys daughter was the first white child born in the future Sorrento in early 1842.
***Owen Cain, who soon after arrival, was searching frantically for his 4 year old daughter, Sarah Ann.)
When the lime burners first fixed their????? nearly all the old buildings built by Collins' men were standing, though they were all demolished before very many years. By 1845 there were 17 kilns in full work. Each kiln would employ from 10 to 20 hands getting stone, wood, and doing furnace work. In the early days of Sorrento the place was beautifully grown with sheoak and other trees. The lime burners, however, soon made use of these, and then came the present strong growth of ti-tree, which now covers so many miles of this part of the country.
Evidently the first purchase of land on the Peninsula was in 1841. The special survey system, previously confined to South Australia, was then resorted to in Port Phillip. A person paying 5120 into the Treasury had the right of directing the authorities to make him a survey of eight square miles of unreserved territory, subject to certain provisions relating to water frontages and other matters. Between March 17 and May 1 in that year eight special surveys had been applied for in Port Phillip. One of the applicants was Mr. H. Jamieson, who chose his 5120 acres between Mount Martha and Arthur's Seat*. His area included Hobson's Flats, and was bounded on the west by Port Phillip Bay. A very well-finished house, costing 500, which was put up on this survey, was at that time considered a very fine structure, and was probably as good a dwelling as any in the colony. The survey was occupied for some time by Jamieson Bros, and later on passed into the hands of the Bank of Australasia. In the middle of January, 1851*, Mr Graves, now of Woodlands, Flinders, entered into a tenancy of 4120 acres of the area. The other portion, including the house, was rented by Connell Bros. When Mr Graves and his partner, Mr Brown Lee (who at the start, went in extensively for wheat growing), had occupied the place for about five years, it was purchased by Mr Clark**, the grandfather of Sir Rupert Clark*, the present owner. Five years after the sale Mr Clark (sic x2), Mr Griffiths, and Mr Gibson, whose families are still in possession, became the tenants of the property. The rental paid by Messrs Graves and Brown Lee in the early days was 10s per acre.
*The southern boundary was the present east-west section of the Nepean Highway, otherwise called Bittern-Dromana Rd, with the eastern boundary being Bulldog Creek Rd. Henry Dunn, after whom Dunns Rd in Mornington is named, leased the survey 1846-1851. The homestead might have been (Kangeerong?) homestead built on Edmond Hobsons run in the late 1830s before he moved to Tootgarook. (See "I Succeeded Once" by Marie Fels about Assistant Protector William Thomas.)
**William John Turner Clarke, known as Big Clarke who died at James Hearns residence near Salmon Avenue, Essendon. Hearn was related to Big Clarke, probably through Clarkes brother.
By 1864, Edwin Louis Tassell was leasing the northern 1000 acres from Big Clarke but the ownership of that portion later passed to John Vans Agnew Bruce. Walter Gibson had washed his sheep in the southernmost creek of Safety Beach. Thus the origins of the names of Bruce Rd (the sea lane or Ellerina Rd and boundary between the parishes of Moorooduc and Kangerong) and the three creeks are explained. The subdivisional sale of the Clarke Estate took place in 1907 and the Bruce Estate slightly earlier.
(sic x2)
An owner cant be a tenant on his own property. Clarke was assessed on portions of the estate not being occupied in any given year. By 1851, Mary McLear was leasing The Willow on the north bank of Dunns Creek just east of the freeway and William Marshall, her former groom (who witnessed her husbands murder at the Plough Hotel on the Plenty River on Boxing Day 1849) was leasing land between Pickings Lane and the beach so either of these could have been named as a tenant in 1856 and the Brown Lee and Connell leases were not occupying all of the survey south of Tassells Creek.
One of the founders of the Peninsula was certainly Captain Baxter, whose sheep, which had come overland from Sydney, were pastured at Carrup Carrup (now for many years past known as Baxter's Flat) in 1840.Mr Sage (who is still hearty, in spite of 70 years in Australia, since he landed in Sydney as a young fellow in 1835) made the overland trip with the drover of the Captain's sheep, and was then left in charge of the property, which he managed for 10 years. He afterwards became the Captain's son-in-law, and bought his present land near Somerville, building his slab house from timber cut from the bush in the vicinity. This is a very quaint old place - typical of the early Australian settler's residence.
To return to Captain Baxter's. So many incidents of his life are of especial interest by reason of their connection with the early days of the colony, that the temptation to go beyond the Mornington Peninsula, before the writer passes on to some of the other pioneers, cannot be resisted. Benjamin Baxter was born in Ireland, and joined the 50th West Kent Regiment during the reign of George IV. He saw service in Jamaica and India, and afterwards arrived in Sydney in charge of a company of his regiment on board the Royal George, a transport ship laden with convicts. Mrs Baxter, who followed her husband in the ship Hope, arrived about the same time. On his regiment afterwards being ordered to India, the Captain sold out, and was appointed by Governor Bourke to the combined offices of clerk of petty sessions and first salaried postmaster at Melbourne in the year 1837; at a salary of 200per annum. Mr E. J. Foster and Mr Eyre, a storekeeper, had both previously acted as postmaster in an honorary capacity.
Mrs Baxter (who was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, 1813) did all the work of sorting and delivering letters, and managed the establishment. The "establishment" was a small wooden shanty of two small rooms, with a loft above and skillion at the back, and situated where the Royal Highlander Hotel, in Flinders street, now stands. A part of the living room, partitioned off with sheets and furnished with a small table, constituted the office. The letter delivery was made through a window, a section of which was on hinges and opened as required.
When the mails, which arrived by trading vessel or overland from Sydney by rider, were being delivered there was always great excitement. The whole township would attend outside the primitive building. It was the rule for a large cavalcade to go out and meet Johnny Bourke (no connection of the illustrious Governor of the period, it will be surmised) when it was known that he was approaching with the overland mail, and escort him to the post office.
The first mail which went direct from the young settlement to England was despatched by Mrs Baxter, in total disregard of official red tape, and without consulting her husband. A wool ship was leaving Melbourne for London in 1839, and Mrs Baxter took the opportunity of saving a great amount of time, and conveniencing the people of Melbourne, by making up the mailbags and sending them on board this craft, instead of forwarding them via the head office at Sydney, in the recognised way. The authorities evidently did not regard this breach of discipline very seriously, and Mrs Baxter continued to be the guiding spirit of Melbourne's postal arrange-ments until her husband retired from his billet in 1839.
The family lived for a year or two in the house built by Batman, the pioneer of Victoria, whose property the Captain had purchased. Another interesting fact relating to the early colonial life of the Captain was that he held for a time a cattle run stretching from the site of Princes Bridge to near Brighton, his stock-yards being situated on the site of the now fashionable suburb of St Kilda.
The family settled at Baxter's Flat in 1842. The old homestead which still stands near the Mornington Junction railway station - is on the same plan as when erected from shingles and slabs cut from the surrounding bush in those early days. There are certainly very few buildings of this age to be found in the state ; though, however, the original slab walls are covered with weatherboards on the outside and the inside is papered. It was for a long time the only house in the district, and before the advent of made roads, was a hard day's journey from Melbourne. For several years assigned servants did most of the farm work, and blacks hovered about the place.
Mrs Baxter is still alive, and resides in the old homestead. This lady and her eldest daughter (Mrs Sage), who was a very young child when they came out to Australia, are very probably the only survivors of the white people in the Port Phillip district previous to 1838. The only son, Mr Benjamin Baxter, now resides at Frankston, and several daughters (one of whom married Mr Robert Hoddle, the first Surveyor-General of Victoria) are living in different parts of the state.
To be Continued.
As well as presenting work by early amateur historians such as Mr Wilding, and Isaac Batey re the Sunbury area,I feel an an obligation to correct any errors and to confirm claims that are made. I have decided to do this before the next article rather than interrupt the narrative. The Keilor Plains entry re Pain has been included because the Westernport District was very misleading, including squatters such as Dryden at Hanging Rock and the Westernport Barkers' brother near Castlemaine. "Payne",the correct spelling in the article was on Coolart.
LIST OF SQUATTERS SORTED ALPHABETICALLY
collections.historyvictoria.com.au/rhsvdatabases/squatters.pdf
551 Babinton & Carpenter, 'Glenlyon' run, squatters in Westernport District ...... 551Manton, Charles, 'Big Plains, (Tooradin)' run, squatter in Westernport District.
Eastern Portion of Australia, East 1849/1 (1848/2)
www.asmp.esrc.unimelb.edu.au/biogs/E000108b.htm
In Westernport, French Island is named, and nearby Jameson and Berry, Dodd and McCrae appear on the Mornington Peninsula. (Jameson on on the Cape Schanck run and McCrae on the Arthurs Seat run. Berry?)
Pastoral Properties: Grazing on the Keilor Melton Plains ...
www.academia.edu/.../Pastoral_Properties_Grazing_on_the_Keilor_Melt...
Jan 1, 1993 - A few monuments to the wealthy squatters survive along with more ... so expeditions to the Port Phillip district which demonstrated vast areas of open ... The earliest areas to be settled in the Port Phillip area were in the open basalt ...... believed to have been Pain's original homestead are located at Grid Ref.
1849 Squatter's Directory - Port Phillip District
www.portphillipdistrict.info/1849_Directory.htm
1849 SQUATTERS' DIRECTORY OF THE PORT PHILLIP DISTRICT ...... District (image) PAYNE, William - "Coolort" - Western Port District (image)
I succeeded once - Page 140 - Google Books Result
books.google.com.au/books?isbn=1921862130
Marie Hansen Fels - 2011 - History
Yal Yal, heir to Bobbinnary, clan head (Barwick 1984: 117); no date Henry ... 10 Dec 1840 Yal Yal was among a party of Western Port Aborigines who came .
P.6, MORNINGTON STANDARD,9-9-1905.
HISTORY OF THE Mornington Peninsula. [BY L. WILDING.](Copyright.)
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
A man named Manton (after whom the present Manton's Creek was named) spent a short time in the Flinders district in the early days, but, apparently, only pastured his cattle in the locality for a time and
then left the district (FOR TOOROODIN!). Another person named Dodd, who hailed from the Isle of Man, occupied
a small run including the site of the present township of Flinders, and built a hut near West Head, some
times called Dodd's Point. Though Mr Dodd was certainly a pioneer, being the first white occupier of a part of
the Peninsula, he moved away too soon to take a large part in its development.
In 1846 the Manton's Creek run was taken up by Mr Henry Tuck, a native of the Isle of Skye, who had landed in Melbourne in 1838 from Tasmania, to which colony he had emigrated in 1830, when a youngfellow of 20. Before taking up the run Mr Tuck had spent several years on the Peninsula in the employment of Captain Reid and Messrs Barker and McRae. In connection with this run there is an interesting document in the possession of Mr Samuel Tuck, a son of the original owner. This is a license given under the hand of Charles FitzRoy, "His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales and dependencies," on the 9th day of December, 1846, permitting the holder to occupy "certain waste lands of the Crown situated in the district of Western Port, in the colony of New South
Wales," upon payment of the sum of 10, which amount had to be deposited each year.
The "certain waste lands of the Crown" comprised an area of 10 square miles, a good part of which was really splendid land. When the run was cut up and sold, Mr Tuck retained a portion of this, upon which his sons now reside with their families. The whole of the run was thickly timbered, and the first house was by the mouth of Manton's Creek.
At this time Mr Payne had a run stretching from Tuck's boundary to Warrandyke,(MUST BE AN EARLY NAME FOR COOLART WHICH RELATIVES OF MAURICE MEYRICK OF THE BONIYONG RUN ARE KNOWN TO HAVE OCCUPIED) which had previously
been occupied by a person of the name of Merrick (sic). A strip of land along what is now known as the Main Ridge, which lay between McRae's and Tuck's runs, was never taken up as a run.
In about 1850, besides the settlement of lime-burners and some small clusters of habitations, the Peninsula
was principally tenanted by persons on the runs of Captains Baxter and Reid, and Messrs Barker,McRae, Pain (sic), Hobson, and Tuck. (Hobson had been managing his brother's run near THE RIVER OF LITTLE FISH, "TRARALGON" and in 1850 transferred the Tootgarook run to James AND PETER Purves. The Barkers had the Cape Schanck and Boniyong (Boneo) runs.)
THE SETTLERS AND THE ABORIGINALS.
Some pioneers who had seen trouble with the ancient lords of the soil in other British possessions experienced
a very pleasant surprise when they came to deal with the blacks in most parts of the Port Phillip district. This was especially so within the bounds of the Peninsula, where the blacks were never a menace after the
time of Collins' attempted colonisation. The Mornington settlers never dreamt of harm from the apparently harmless beings whom they saw going about wrapped first in 'possum skins, and later on, when they began to barter with the whites, often in dirty blankets reaching nearly to their knees. When they learnt a little
English the blacks would go meekly up to the houses and plead - "Will gibbit flour, will gibbit sugar ?" in a
very plaintive way. They also soon began to cultivate a taste for " baccy," and other tokens of civilisation.
Vide The Mornington Standard of September 6, 1902, Mr Wells (who has been previously mentioned as one of the early Point Nepean lime-burners) recollects a corroboree taking place at the foot of Arthur's Seat,soon after he came to that part in 1840, at which fully 400 blacks took part. One very old resident averes that the largest number of blacks he ever saw together was on an occasion when he counted 36, including lubras and picanninnies, coming over Baxter's Flat. Another old identity says that after the Peninsula settlement began
the blacks were rarely seen together in numbers of more than 10 or 12, including lubras, and that they had
altogether disappeared by 1856.
No doubt Mr Sage (whom they called Mr Tooce) has come into contact with the aboriginals as much as any man now living in the Mornington Peninsula. He made friends with several of them, especially Yal Yal, a very great man in the tribe, and learnt a good bit about their language. The Peninsula tribe were, as was commonly the case, almost strangers to the members of the neighboring tribe. They were, for instance, quite foreigners to the members of the tribe inhabiting the districts round about Cranbourne, and had several different words in their language. In the early part of Mr Sage's residence in the Peninsula there was great warfare between the tribes, and the kidney fat of a dead opponent was in great requisition, and was supposed to confer a good many benefits on the proud captor.
A primitive postal system was in use with the tribe when Mr Sage first made their acquaintance. Two young men were employed as postmen to go about from camp to canp, circulating news and delivering messages. Bobanardinwas the medicine man. Mr Sage's friend, Yal Yal, very earnestly impressed upon him the
desirability of never walking in front of a blackfellow until he had become very well acquainted with him. One
day he illustrated the probable result of such an indiscretion in a rather startling manner. Mr Sage was sitting writing in his house, with his back to the door, when a voice close to his ear remarked - "Could kill him, Mr Tooce, that time." Looking round, Mr Sage saw Yal Yal standing over him, playfully poising a waddy close to his head. However, the broad grin spreading over the features of his aboriginal friend soon dispelled any alarm which Mr Sage felt.
An old resident, when going over Baxter's Flat on one occasion, was rather perturbed at a lot of blacks crowding around him and making energetic supplication for "white money." He made a bolt through the dusky circle surrounding him, and fully expected to feel some spears in the small of his back as he rode away. However, the blacks evidently had no such intention. After they began to pick up English words the blacks gave themselves such names as Toby, Ben Benzie,Mr Mann, &c.
As an evidence of the quickness of their movements when hunting for food of any kind, though they were sluggish enough at most times, they were often seen wading along the beach, and then, stopping still for
some time in one place, suddenly plucking a spear from between their toes where they had been dragging it along. A further investigation as to the sudden flight of the spear into the water would discover the fact that they had secured another fish for the next meal.
ROUGHNESS OF THE PENINSULA.
For a good many years the Peninsula was very roughly timbered, and by no means easy of access. There were for a long time only cattle tracks, and the journey to Melbourne was of considerable difficulty - bullock wagons were the only carriages. When a small steam mill was established at Brighton many residents who had previously ground their own flour made a great saving of labor by taking their wheat to that place.
Over a large portion of the land it was impossible to go about much without a good axe*. A disaster, not without its amusing side, happened to three men who essayed to go for a shooting expedition with a spring cart. Though this attempt was not made in the very early days, the roughness of the country materially detracted from the usefulness of this vehicle, and, to add to their inconvenience, the party soon got bushed. Leaving the cart
and harness they took the horse, and eventually extricated themselves and found their way back on to a more
beaten track ; but they could not afterwards locate the abandoned cart, and its whereabouts were not discovered for some 10 years or so, when it was found to have been left near where Mr George Wilson* built his house later on at Shoreham.
To be continued.
*Pt Leo Rd was called the Blaze Track.
**If I remember correctly the spring cart discovery and location is mentioned in Petronella Wilson's GIVING DESTINY A HAND, a history of Sarah Wilson's descendants (Connell,Young,Johnson>Johnstone.) Christie Johnstone married a Tuck girl and is the subject of my journal HOW SARAH WILSON LED ME TO HENRY TUCK.
PAGE 6, MORNINGTON STANDARD,23-9-1905.
HISTORY OF THE Mornington Peninsula. [BY L. WILDING.](Copyright.)
DIFFERENCE CAUSED BY THE GOLD DISCOVERY.
TheSchnapper Point (actually Tubbarubba) murder. The Mr Threader mentioned who was said to have quit as rate collector may have been John Threader who was the retiring auditor in 1892 but re-standing,
(The old ex-officer, Mr. Threader, who for the past two years has filled the position of local auditor, was again elected to the position without opposition. MORNINGTON.
South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic. : 1872 - 1920) Wednesday 5 August 1885 p 3 Article)
and the same J.Threader who provided mile posts two decades earlier. The route would have been along Old Mornington road,Mt Eliza Way, Wooralla Drive and the Three Chain Road (Moorooduc Rd.)
(DISTRICT ROAD BOARD.
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Friday 11 November 1870 p 3 Article
... DISTRICT ROAD BOARD. MOUNT ELIZA,-An ordinary meeting was hold at the board room, Mornington,
mile posts between Frankston and Schnapper Point, 21s. per post, J.Threader ; )
A BUSHRANGING EPISODE.
This story is told in LIME LAND LEISURE. The two escapees landed at Bushrangers Bay and climbed the cliffs to
the homestead of Robert Anderson's Barragunda which occupied much of Jamieson's old Cape Schank run in the parish of Fingal. Sam Sherlock, the subject of one of my early journals, later had the Rye to Cheltenham horse-back mail run, at that time probably living near the start of Melbourne Rd in Rye with his elder sister who had married Ben Stenniken.
EXTRACTS.
" Mr Anderson and Mr Sam Sherlock (who was then a young fellow of 18), father of Mr S. Sherlock, J.P., of Frankston, were the only persons on the premises at the time,and went out to interview their uninvited visitors, who said they had been thrown on the coast."
"Their next stop was at the Boneo Station, then kept as a dairy by a Mr Mitchell, and also part of Mr Barker's
property. Mrs Tuck was looking after the house at the time. Bradley walked in and asked for a loaf of bread, which was given to him. When, in accordance with the traditional country hospitality, this was refused, Bradley
remarked - "I can't help you if you won't," and then trudged off with his mate.
They made off to Balcombes. In this instance the sailors who rowed them ashore had got ahead and warned Mr Balcombe, who armed some of his men to be in readiness. However, the bushrangers got away without there being any adventure."
" The whaleboat which brought the worthies ashore had two planks stove in, and, in order that she might be
used for fishing excursions at Flinders, Mr Tuck* was commissioned to take her to his home and repair her. She was dragged up the cliff with block and tackle, and put in a bullock dray. Whatever use was made of her in the
meantime, she was eventually turned upside down and made of practical use as a roof for a pigsty."
(*Henry Tuck was a carpenter who with the little assistance that a lawyer could provide, built the McCrae Homestead on the Arthurs Seat run, during which time his son Henry, was born there.)
PRINCIPAL PENINSULA TOWNSHIPS &c.(Extracts.)
Mr Wilding wrote about the various land acts which had made it easier for the battlers to settle on the land but without the assistance of the internet and trove could not have been expected to know why Sorrento did not celebrate its 150th in 2011,along with several other peninsula townships.Charles Gavan Duffy, an Irish land rights hero bought much land in the area now occupied by the Sorrento district and William Allison Blair,a lime merchant, bought much land between Elizabeth Drive, Rosebud West and Tyrone with the aim of creating a lime burning monopoly. When Blair's eyes roamed farther west such as near Swan's, each accused the other of employing dummies and a huge court case ensued. Duffy and Blair were in dispute about who had first applied for a particular parcel of land and there was no evidence to support either case. Sidney Smith Crispo of the Victorian Coastal Survey suggested that the disputed land be declared the village of Sorrento and it was,in about 1869-and it sold like hot cakes.
Of the several seaside resorts in the Peninsula which are the scene of inundations by holiday makers in the season, Frankston is a very extensive place, owing a considerable number of private villas tenanted in the summer time by the families of many of Melbourne's most prominent citizens, and also some first-class hotels and boarding houses. One of the oldest buildings, if not the oldest building, is the Bay View Hotel, erected over 52 years ago. The first proprietors of this house may, therefore, be considered the pioneers of Frankston, both as a seaside resort and as a township.
The importance of fishing to early Frankston residents needs to be emphasised. Olivers Hill was originally known as Old Man Davey's Hill but was renamed because a member of the Oliver family used the hill for fish spotting. Extract from young Don.Charlwood's history of Frankston written in 1929.
THE FIRST McCOMB.
It was no uncommon feat in these days for fishermen to sail from Frankston up the Yarra to Melbourne, returning with supplies. These excursions stopped when Thomas and James Wren commenced running a cart to Melbourne with fish. They sold out to the Frankston Fish Co. in 1867. This company consisted of: Henry Prosser (who arrived in Victoria in 1844), James James Croskell (arrived in 1859), John Dixon Box (who later purchased Frankston's first bakery from Ritchie and Croskell), Phillip Renouf, Thomas Ritchie (arrived in 1852, and owned Frankston's first bakery, which was under Frankston House). Mr.Ritchie built Frankston and Osborne Houses.
In 1835 Mr. Tom McComb arrived in Victoria from Tasmania, and some years later moved to Frankston, where his wife, Mrs.Mary McComb, was a charitable and efficient nurse.
Mr. Henry Cadby Wells arrived in the early days(his history is referred to in another special article.-Ed.)
(P.13, Frankston Standard, 5-10-1949.)
Very early in the history of Melbourne* several gentlemen of that place built houses at what is now Sorrento. The Sorrento Hotel - the forerunner of the numerous houses of accommodation which are standing in the locality and adjacent seaside township of Portsea - was erected soon after.
1869 was 34 years after the establishment of Melbourne and a year or two after S.S.Crispo declared his private village of Manners Sutton,(renamed Canterbury as soon as the Governor became Viscount Canterbury) and built the original jetty that gave Canterbury Jetty Rd its name. It was Coppin's vision of the possibility of the narrow strip of land, and the amphitheatre, to attract day trippers and willingness to take Crispo's advice to run his own steamer offering cheaper fares,that made Sorrento a famed watering place. Sorrento was named by Duffy who was impressed by the place of that name in Italy on his way out. Portsea was named by James Ford, a convicted machine breaker. Members of the Watson family were early and longtime fishermen in both places.
Mornington, another pretty and much frequented locality, was for a good number of years practically the only township in the Peninsula, and, under the name of "Schnapper Point"(usually contracted to "The Point,") was the centre of what was then a very meagerly populated area. Probably the first church in the Peninsula- the whole of the funds for which were raised by private subscription -was erected about the year 1859. The clergyman was a Mr Robertson. With the exception of the frequently-changed men at the Quarantine Station - which has since the very early days been used as the temporary home of luckless emigrants who had the misfortune to be passengers by a ship on board which there was a case (or supposed case) of contagions disease- Mornington claims to have possessed the first qualified physician on the Peninsula in the person of Dr Rodd, who
came about 1856. The first building of consideration at "the Point" is said to have been the Tanti Hotel.
In the late 1850's when Mornington got its pier,Dromana residents,being more populous because of tenants on the Survey and timber getting on Arthurs Seat, were most upset they'd been overlooked. The Town of Mornington which extended (when surveyed later) only to about Empire St was surrounded by large rural landowners but their advantage was due to the existence of the Mt Eliza Road Board and their rates could be loaded to help pay for a pier; Dromana did eventually get its sorely needed pier,because much of the timber, firewood and wattle bark so necessary for the development of railways,piers for other coastal places,and Melbourne industries such as bakeries,tanneries etc,came from Arthurs Seat.
Another seaside township - Dromana- is claimed to be the locality of the first hotel on the Peninsula which was
known as Skirfield's hotel, and was erected in 1856 or 1857. After this a settlement of fishermen was established. The next building of consequence was the State school. A school had been kept up for a long time by a Mr Pyke, who was a pedagogue of a type not to be met with in the present day.
Many children of Survey residents went to a school near Wallaces Rd (Melway 160 K3)and Mr Pyke may have been the master whose wife was buried on the site according to Colin McLear.
William Dixon Scurfield did indeed have the first hotel, between Permien and Foote St, at the time specified and one of the first licencees was Watkins who established the Dromana Hotel in 1862. A Catholic priest disgraced himself at Scurfield's hotel. The hotel was renamed the Arthurs Seat Hotel but burnt down during the 1897-8 summer. (No fire swept down the slope as claimed by Spencer Jackson in his BEAUTIFUL DROMANA OF 1927.) There were fishermen at Dromana but as stated above most constant employment of labourers was provided in timber-getting. The first store at Dromana was probably the one run for so long by Mrs Holden near the Carrigg St corner.
A few miles out of Flinders - which is certainly not the least picturesque of the Peninsula watering places - Mr Graves, who has been previously mentioned as one of the early tenants of Jamieson's Special Survey, erected the first store south of Schnapper Point. This business is still conducted by him.
At Shoreham.
The first private school - and also the first school of any kind - at Flinders was held in a wattle and daub hut close to what is now the Cemetery Reserve, and the first store-keeping business in the bounds of the
present township was conducted in a hut put up by Mr.William Moat. The stock of this establishment was not
very extensive, and consisted, probably, of two or three bags of flour, a few bags of sugar, and small supplies of other very necessary articles. The Flinders residents of that time did not indulge in luxuries. The next general store was Brent's - which business under a different proprietary is still in existence. Over 30 years ago a station of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company was established at Flinders, and has ever since been the telegraphic connecting link between Tasmania and the mainland. Mr W.Segrave, the present superintendent,
who was installed at the inauguration of the station as the operator, has ever since been in charge of the establishment, which has now grown into a very large concern. About the first person to embark on a regular boarding house keeping business was Cr L.Nowlan, the proprietor of The Bungalow.
The Moats are remembered by Moats Corner at Melway 160 H5. William Moat's sons were at the Tubbarubba diggings during the 1890's depression,probably working for Bernard Eaton, when they found a clue (Moriarty's watch if I remember correctly)that had not been found before the trial ,held at Schnapper Point decades before, and confusingly called the Schnapper Point Murder for this reason. Planck is a name also connected with the telegraph station.
The first settlers in the vicinity of the present township of Hastings were two brothers named Wren, one of
whom caught fish and the other drove them to Melbourne. The first hotel was established by a person named
Rogers.
The hotel keeper may have been J.Rodgers who was granted 296 acres in the parish of Balnarring (Melway 162 J-G12 and extending 1060 metres south from the PRESENT road. See Frankston re the Wren brothers.
It may be noted that the earliest orchards of any size in the Somerville district - which is at present one of the leading fruit - growing places in the state, but has, from all appearances, a coming rival in the district of Red Hill- were planted about 1868. The honor of being the pioneer orchardists and nurserymen of this locality seems to be divided between Messrs Shepherd, Thornell, and Clark, whose families are still carrying on the businesses.
Somerville's advantage was having a railway thirty years before Red Hill. Somerville could probably thank Henry Gomm for that; he was a boyhood friend of Tommy Bent. What a pity for Red Hill that the Hurleys of Hillside Orchard didn't use their relationship to Tommy to provide similar leverage.Bill Huntley of Safety Beach has an oil portrait of Tommy in full regalia in his lounge room!
The writer can now only regret that he was not enabled to collect a more adequate stock of information regarding the latter history of the Peninsula, and finishes his task in the hope that some latter and fuller account of its settlement and development will be forthcoming from some other source.
(Concluded.)
COOKE, WILDING, WELLS,ROWLEY BUCHANAN, TUCK, GRAVES, BROWNLEE,BAXTER, SAGE, CLARKE,
SNIPPETS ABOUT DROMANA, VIC., AUST. (FAIRY VINEYARD?)
In trying to find a notice of a subdivision sale of 10B, Kangerong, Robert Caldwell's grant, for my Red Hill, post 1940 journal,I've come up with plenty of interesting stuff from the 1880's. Thomas Morton of the Dromana (McCrae) lighthouse was refusing to take responsibility for any debts his wife might incur. William Henry Blakeley tried to sell his Red Hill property in 1884.
(BLAKELEY'S.
The 140 acre property was crown allotment 72A, Balnarring,on the east corner of Mornington-Flinders Rd and Red Hill Rd with the north east corner just east of Sheehans Rd and the south west corner where the road enters Melway 190 D5. If William Henry Blakeley had succeeded in 1884, Helen Blakeley would be writing a completely different book, with only a passing reference to Red Hill and the property would have had a different owner in 1902.
FARM for SALE, 140 acres, well fenced and
watered, subdivided, 36 acres cleared, good
land, large orchard, latest fruit, two houses, sheds,
etc., near Dromana. Apply W. H. Blakeley, 116
Russell-street, Melbourne. (P.4, Bendigo Advertiser, 14-1-1884.)
FAIRY VINEYARD. (Melway 159 K9-12,width of quarry and south to top of 171 J-K 12.)
DROMANA
All that piece of land, comprising 250 (sic) Acres. Known as the FAIRY VINEYARD, on which is erected that beautiful MARINE RESIDENCE, substantially built of weatherboard. The property is well watered and fenced, and for a marine residence the site is one of the grandest of many for which our bay is so justly famed.
(P.2, Argus,24-11-1881.)
Aha,it's "Gracefield",I thought, but just to be sure I found the advertisements for Gracefield in 1871 when William Grace was moving to Rye to be near his daughter, Mrs Patrick Sullivan. Patrick built the Gracefield Hotel on William's grants (most of the present Rye Hotel site) about four years later. But there was a major problem. Gracefield was on the only crown allotment of 250 acres near Dromana, but the homestead was built of brick,not weatherboard. Had the brick house burnt down since 1871?
The photo of the Gracefield homestead taken in 1964 and shown on page 87 of A DREAMTIME OF DROMANA (despite not being listed in the index)leaves little doubt that it was of rendered brick. So, if Fairy Vineyard was not Gracefield, where was it? Was there another 250 acre property that I forgot to transcribe from the rates?
DROMANA-Fairy VINEYARD,- magnificent views, about 280 acres house, pretty lawn, fruit trees, &c. Stevenson and Elliot. ( The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Thursday 11 December 1884 p 8 Advertising.)
In 1879, Stevenson and Matthew Elliot,both coach builders were jointly assessed on 234 acres and buildings,Dromana, which they owned.
Lot 4.
DROMANA.
All that piece of land, comprising 290 Acres, Known as the FAIRY VINEYARD, on which is erected that beautiful MARINE RESIDENCE, substantially built of weatherboard. The property is well watered and fenced, and for a marine residence the site is one of the grandest of many for which our bay is so justly famed.
(P.2,Argus,23-11-1881.)
Now we're getting somewhere but did the first advertisement really say 250 acres? No, I was so busy correcting spelling in the digitisation that I didn't check the acreage. It was 290 acres and that has now been corrected. There is only one property that it could be. Crown allotment 4 of section 3,Kangerong, east of "Gracefield" and separated from it only by the wedge-shaped town common that later became the gravel reserve. This was granted to E.Caldwell and consisted of 297 acres. Being north of Boundary Rd,it would have the magnificent views described.
You may care to look back at the first sentence of the journal to realise the irony of the following find (which I knew I would find re c/a 4 of 3, but I had not expected to find 10B,near Red Hill.)
THIS DAY.
DROMANA.
Sale by Public Auction of Two Valuable Properties in the Parish of Kangerong.
RESIDENCE, VINEYARD, ORCHARD, and 297a. 2r. 29p. And FARMING BLOCK of 172a. lr. 36p.
In the Insolvent Estate of Robert Caldwell, By Order of R. E. Jacomb, Esq., Official Assignee
For Positive and Absolute Sale. Terms-One-fourth Cash, Balance 6, 12, and l8 Months, bearing 8 per Cent Interest.
ALFRED BLISS has been favoured witb instructions from R. E Jacomb, Esq., official assignee to SELL by PUBLIC AUCTION, at 82 Collins-street west, on Monday, January 30, at two o'clock,
Tho following landed properties, viz -
Lot 1.-297a. 2r. 29p., parish of Kangerong, fenced in with three-rail fence and subdivided.
Improvements,-Eight room wooden house and cellar, partly plastered, verandah in front, tank and several permanent springs. Large quantity saleable timber. 10 acres of orchard, partly pipe drained. About 10 acres of vineyard, six years planted. About two acres of vegetable and flower garden, shrubs of all kinds. This is the property that Mr. Caldwell has disbursed upwards of ?4000 upon to make into a sea side family residence and vineyard. It is situate three-quarters of a mile from Dromana Jetty, and is admitted to be one of the most beautiful sites in Dromana, and for healthy atmosphere and sea air not to be surpassed.
Lot 2 -172a. lr. 36p., part of Section 10, parish of Kangerong, fenced in with three rail fence.Permanent water-holes and running spring. Rich chocolate soil. Surrounded by farms. About two miles and a half from Dromana Jetty.
Mr. Watkin, of the Dromana Hotel, will direct intending purchasers to the properties. These two lots are for absolute sale by order of the official assignee.
(P.2, Argus,30-1-1871.)
Now that the location of Fairy vineyard has been determined, the next question is whether the name had been coined by the Caldwells or the Melbourne coach builders and importers, Stevenson and Elliot. Nothing personal, but perhaps all the people sharing the surname of Artie Caldwell were "off with the fairies!"
Full particulars obtained at the residence of CUNNINGHAM CALDWELL, ; "Fairy Meadow".
(Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong, NSW : 1856 - 1950) Thursday 25 October 1888 p 3 Advertising.)
Well,that seemed like a good theory until I discovered that I had written a journal called ROBERT CALDWELL OF DROMANA HILL. The Dromana Hill Estate included both 10B near Sheehans Rd and c/a 4 of section 3 on which was the PHAROS VINEYARD. Unless Robert decided to change the name of his vineyard between 1867 and 1870 when he became insolvent, it would appear that a later owner coined the name Fairy Vineyard as used by the coach builders, Stevenson and Elliot. Caldwell lived in Footscray but he would have often seen the colonial steamer, Pharos, sail past his holiday farm as he ensured that his 4000 pound investment was paying dividends and it is most likely that his vineyard was named after the steamer.
Three other points of interest are that Caldwell was big in the wine industry, the name Pharos seems to been adopted by someone writing about Caldwell Wines in N.S.W. in 1941, and that Robert Caldwell's insolvency came about at basically the same time (circa 1870) and reason (problems with sheep in Queensland) as that of Hugh Glass of Flemington.
According to Ewart (Melbourne) Brindle's fabulous map of Dromana pre-1918 (available for purchase at the Dromana Museum), Dr Weld's residence was in the south west corner of "Fairy Vineyard".
McCOMBE ST, ROSEBUD DISRESPECTS PIONEERS OF FRANKSTON, VIC., AUST.
In 1912-13, a Seaford farmer was the last to occupy the 57 acre Hindhope Estate at Rosebud, bounded by First Avenue, Pt Nepean Rd and Boneo Rd and extending south to Hindhope Villa (50 First Avenue) and all Hope St house blocks. When section A was subdivided shortly afterwards the developer (Thomas)obviously wanted to honour John McComb*, but unfortunately the surveyor called the first street on the estate McCombe St.
*The Shire of Flinders rates until 1919-20 are available on microfiche in the local history room at the Rosebud Library. Gregory Rigg and his wife Eleanor had 29 acres each in 1911-12,having purchased one block from the Randalls (who gave Hindhope its name)some years earlier and the other later from an unestablished vendor. Names of ratepayers were listed alphabetically and there was no Rigg entry in 1912-13. A search of every entry in the West Riding established that John McComb, Carrum, (assessment number 1152)who was assessed on part crown allotment 14, Wannaeue (nett annual value 25 pounds)was occupying Hindhope. From memory,I'm sure Ramsay and Nora Couper still had "The Thicket", the other 54 acres of crown allotment 14 between the present Hope St houses and Raper's Lane (Eastbourne Rd.) Also, newspaper articles make it clear that the Riggs owned Hindhope and I have titles documents recording change of ownership of Hindhope from the Riggs to Arthur A.Thomas of 19 Queen St Melbourne.In 1913-14 John McComb's name had been entered (and that's probably where I got the description of "Seaford farmer") in its appropriate place under M, but it was crossed out and replaced by that of Thomas. The above makes it clear that John McComb leased Hindhope from the Riggs for a year. It is possible that the lease was cancelled by agreement between the Riggs and John McComb and that it had been a condition of the sale to Thomas that the first street was to be named in honour of John and his pioneering family. The Riggs and McCombs could well have been friends. Arthur A.Thomas probably didn't know John McComb, otherwise he might have detected the incorrect E at the end of the street name on the subdivision plan for Block A. Many street names honour longtime owners of land in the area but there would be few that recall people who LEASED the land FOR A SINGLE YEAR. Therefore the people who decided the name (probably the Riggs)must have had a special reason. Was it to honour a family which was among the earliest pioneers of the Mornington Peninsula? What would even a young child make of the logic of a statement such as: McCOMBE ST IN ROSEBUD IS NAMED AFTER JOHN McCOMB, A DECENDANT OF A PIONEERING FAMILY OF FRANKSTON. Perhaps we could have Wedgee,Daveye and Wellse streets too, to honour other Frankston pioneers! The big hill south of Frankston could be renamed Olivere's Hill to continue the joke!
Lovers of historical accuracy, especially Frankston residents who are proud of their town's history, should contact the Mornington Peninsula Shire in great numbers to demand that the spelling of this street name be corrected. Read about this pioneering family. There are several photos.
N.B. South Melbourne was known as Canvas Town,the Governor having had the area surveyed for a tent city to cope with the incredible influx of new chums who had been lured by the prospect of striking it rich at the diggings; permanent dwellings were fully occupied despite outrageous rents. Emerald Hill was South Melbourne's second name.
Grace McComb Was Frankston's Florence Nightingale
Tribute to Oldest Family of District Pioneers
An inscription on the stone wall of the main entrance to the Frankston Cemetery reads: "This entrance was erected in August, 1926, by grateful friends, to the Memory of the late Mrs. Grace McComb for her goodness," while on a grave just inside the entrance appears the words: "Erected to the Memory of Thomas and Grace McComb, Pioneers of Frankston, 1852."
Only a period of a few months separated the arrival of the first settler in Frankston, Mr. James Davey (Oliver's Hill), and the McComb family, whose first home was a tent on the beach, near the Fernery, held under a Miner's Right, at payment of ?10 per year to the Crown. The noble deeds of Mrs. Grace McComb, as maternity nurse, and only "doctor" for 40 years in Frankston district, establish the everlasting glory of her name as the greatest woman in all Frankston's history
Frankston's Florence Nightingale.
"Lives of Great Men."
Her husband, Thomas, and all members of the pioneer McComb family, have likewise left their mark of fame on the scroll of district history, progress, and achievement, to be admired by a grateful public and generations
to come.
An Adventurous Scotswoman.
Far back in 1833, a young Mate on a windjammer, Thomas McComb, sailed in his ship to Tasmania from Greenoch (Scotland). Thomas liked Tasmania so much that he did not return to Scotland with his ship, but transferred to a Government boat at Port Arthur. Here he married his wife, Grace, a Tasmanian girl, on August 20, 1844.
At the outbreak of the gold rush at Forest Hill (Castlemaine), Thomas McComb came to the mainland to prospect for gold, but finding it too expensive, he returned to Tasmania, and came back, with his wife and family, in 1851, to Melbourne, where their fourth child was born.
MR. HARRY McCOMB (photo.)
Dear Rents Then, Too.
Evidently rents were dear, long before the present 1949 era, as the McComb family paid ?1 per week for one room in Bourke Street, Melbourne, in 1851. Ejected from the room by a "tough" landlord, they were forced to pitch a tent on the banks of the Yarra. Thomas McComb got a job in charge of a lighter on the River Yarra, and the family moved to Emerald Hill (now South Melbourne). When Grace McComb developed "Colonial fever" a doctor advised residence at the seaside, her husband bought in with a company of fishermen, and came to live at Frankston, in a tent near the Fernery, by permission of Mr. Wedge, who rented the ground from the Crown.
Three Great Veterans.
For the wonderful story written here, "The Standard" is grateful to the three surviving members of the McComb family (there were originally 11 children). They are Mr. Harry McComb, 87 years, and Miss Agnes McComb, 84 (both of 26 NolanStreet, and Mrs. Martha Grace Pitchford, 82 (William Street).Despite their great ages, all are hale and hearty veterans, who have worthily upheld the tradition, of their famous parents. And so we continue their fascinating story:
Nursed Frankston's First Baby.
Only the day after the arrival of the McCombs in Frankston, a baby arrived to the Davey family,and Mr. Davey made an urgent call on Mrs. Grace McComb, who safely delivered the "new citizen" to Frankston. The nurse had a
hurried walk up the steep and rough Oliver's Hill of those days,(then known as "Old man Davey's Hill"-itellya)
but she was to be richly rewarded, for the strenuous exertions of the night journey to the top cured the "Colonial fever." The first McComb baby born in Frankston was Helen (deceased). Frankston in those early days
was a great place for visitors, who used to journey up from the Heads on foot, or per horseback, and some by boat. Mrs.McComb had a busy time serving them with meals.
First Land Sale.
The first Frankston land sale was a wonderful affair, with a big crowd. Many of them had walked all the way to Melbourne where the sales were held. Thomas McComb found the land too dear at the sale,but later bought five acres in William Street, on which he built his home.
Grand Fishing Tradition.
Fishing and wood-cutting comprised the only employment in Frankston in those early days, and the fishing industry, pioneered by Thomas, has continued down the ages to the present day in the McComb family, with
popular "Old Ted" McComb (grandson of Thomas McComb Senr., and son of Thomas McComb Junr.) and his sons ably
carrying on the great sea tradition of Frankston. In his retiring years, Thomas McComb, who died in 1889, at the age of 81, performed the duty of lighting the lamp on the Frankston Pier. Grace McComb died in 1915, at
the grand old age of 88, and with the noble record of Australian womanhood referred to above.
Only Two Shops.
For many years there was not a formed road or a fence in Frankston district, only sand tracks. For a very long time, there were only two shops in Frankston -Yockins in Davey Street, and Patterson's in High Street. Mr. James Davey had the first hotel - the old "Bay View" (now the Grand).
The First School.
The first school was a Common School, at the rear of the present St. Paul's Church of England. Carrying a baby in her arms, Mrs Grace McComb trudged round the sand tracks till she obtained the 20 signatures required for the first State School, on its present site. The three surviving McCombs were amongst the first children at the first school. The first teacher was a former tutor employed by the late Mr. Frank Stevens (Oliver's Hill), now
Grimwade's property.
Blacks' Camp at Mechanics'.
Tribes of blacks came to Frankston whenever the eels came down the Kananook Creek. They camped in mia mias, under a big honeysuckle tree, on the ridge in front of the Mechanics' Institute, and always had a large
pack of dogs. One son, the late Jim McComb, was one of the founders of the Mechanics' Institute in Frankston, when "penny entertainments". were a feature of its early revenue activities. Jim was later Shire Engineer at Lilydale. Brother Joe was a great student of politics, and a keen member of the Taxpayers' Association, with Mr. Charles Gray. John had a successful career on the railways, retiring as a roadmaster. His death occurred
at 84 years.
Each of the three surviving veterans were loath to speak about their own achievements, but from here and there we pieced together a series of wonderful facts.
Founder of Housewives' and Baby Welfare.
Miss Agnes McComb, whose house and effects were totally destroyed by fire two years ago, was treasurer of the Housewives' Association (which she founded) for over 20 years, and retired from the position only last year.
Miss McComb was also the prime mover for a Baby Health Centre in Frankston, and went round, as first secretary, for 12 months, till the Centre was established.
Her sister, Mrs. Pitchford, is known as a great Red Cross worker. All three, like the McCombs before them, and other relatives, are keen members and workers for the local Methodist Church, and have always helped to their utmost in all movements for the benefit of the district, and its community.
Where Were "Those Good Old Days?"
Mr. Harry McComb told "The Standard" representative, wistfully, that he wished the present time had been his hey-day, as in his time men never got very much, either in work or wages. He spent 16 years as Shire foreman, but prior to that had to leave the town in search of work.
A Fine Cricketer.
In his day, Harry McComb was a noted cricketer; cricket being always his hobby. He played for many years with the Frankston team, since its inception (from
approximately 80 years ago), when the present Cranbourne (Cranbourne Rd? Possibly Samuel Sherlock Reserve,where the new Peninsula Aquatic Centre now stands-itellya) Oval was cleared. His best year was at the age of 19, when he won the batting average trophy (a bat given by Mr. Lawrence, a MR. TED McCOMB. (photo)Mordialloc banker) with an average of 54 runs for five matches (prior to leaving the district). His brother Joe, with an average of 51 for seven matches, won the trophy given the same year by the Fishing Company. Harry was an opening batsman, for Frankston, with the late famous Jack Sadlier (first bank manager).
Harry generally tossed with Sadlier as to who would go in first. Harry was also a good left-hand bowler.
Harry McComb played later with the Contemplar Lodge team, Prahran, for three years. On the wall of the McComb home is a large framed group of cricketers, with Harry's photo in the centre. The inscription reads: "Victorian
Lodge Cricket Club, 1889. presented to H. McComb, (Captain) as a token of esteem for past services rendered.
Best Footballer and Cricketer.
Asked for his opinion of the best footballer and cricketer in Frankston's history, Mr. Harry McComb declared enthusiastically and unhesitatingly for "Joker" Cameron (football), and Ben Baxter (cricket).
A Symbol.
The tides will wash away many things from Frankston beaches for generations to come, but the great honored name of McComb is indelibly written in our sands for all time, and as a symbol for all who will follow them as
citizens of Frankston. (P.43, Frankston Standard, 5-10-1949.)
Let's hope that one day the Rosebud street named after this pioneering family will bear the correct name!
OPPOSITION TO PRIVATE LEASE OF QUARANTINE STATION AT PT. NEPEAN, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.
The Quarantine Station site is an integral part of Victoria's history. Dennis and Honora Sullivan leased the land from the Crown in 1843 but when a ship arrived near the start of the gold rush in 1852 carrying a great number of infected passengers, immediate steps were taken to establish a quarantine station on their land because the current station at Elwood was considered too close to Melbourne.
The Quarantine Station buildings replaced the tents that were hastily erected in 1852 but are of equal historical significance to that of the Port Arthur penal buildings in Tasmania. Visitors to Pt Nepean are able to soak up the heritage of the pioneer cemetery, Cheviot Beach where Harold Holt disappeared, the quarantine station and the underground passages at the fort-amidst Mother Nature's garden.
A lease to private operators would lead to an historically insensitive situation such as at Dromana where the historic Church of England is now dwarfed, engulfed, by a huge apartment complex only metres away.
Vicky Sullivan is opposing this lease of crown land at Pt Nepean and she needs our support.
Here's some background on the issue. I believe the lease proposal is now for a 99 year term.
Stateline Victoria - Abc
www.abc.net.au/stateline/vic/content/2003/s935448.htm
Aug 29, 2003 - ZOE DANIEL: At the old Quarantine Station, where some of the first ...Vicki Sullivan is a direct descendant of the earliest settlers at Portsea.
ZOE DANIEL: Defence land at Point Nepean, near Portsea at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, will not be sold. Instead the Federal Government has revealed what it calls a compromise plan for it to be leased with its historic buildings to a private bidder for up to 50 years. The Government says it's the best way to preserve prime, coastal real estate for community use.
FRAN BAILEY, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY: We believe that the outcome that we have will provide that maximum protection by having the Commonwealth ownership, Commonwealth planning, Commonwealth legislation and having the leasehold very stringently controlled.
ZOE DANIEL: But its motives are being questioned.
JOHN THWAITES, VICTORIAN ENVIRONMENT MINISTER: Anything could happen there, we could end up with helicopters, five-star hotels, exclusive compounds.
ZOE DANIEL: At the old Quarantine Station, where some of the first Victorians came ashore, renovations have already begun to prepare the site for a new manager. Around 30 hectares will now be available here, under a new tender process based on a 40-year lease with an option for an extra 10. There'll be no State planning restrictions, and there is likely to be an accommodation element.
FRAN BAILEY: It might be student accommodation, it might be backpacker accommodation, it might be family accommodation.
ZOE DANIEL: It might be high end accommodation?
FRAN BAILEY: It...it could be any sort of accommodation. But what I can rule out is that there can be no high-rise multi-storey hotel on that site.
ZOE DANIEL: A children's camp is more likely - with the historic Portsea Camp, which has been operating since early last century, likely to be offered a new home within the development. Ecotourism and property developer ES Link is most likely to win the tender. In these previously unpublished plans, it proposes a research institute and maritime centre, a quarantine museum, simple accommodation and restaurant and parklands complete with walking trails. But there's a catch - it'd take over the Portsea Camp's current site on prime headland which is zoned residential, and would be divided into house blocks - each returning millions of dollars to the developer. Before the Federal Government abandoned its intention to sell, local residents campaigned with the National Trust and National Parks Association for all of the land at Point Nepean to be added to the existing national park. Now they're mobilising again. They question the future of the historic Quarantine Station under the Commonwealth's plan - which doesn't rule out an exclusive hotel or convention centre.
JUDITH MUIR, TOURISM OPERATOR: With all the goodwill in the world, governments change and so we need State planning laws that are enshrined, we need to be aware that we're doing this for future generations not just for now.
WILL BAILLIEU, RESIDENT: What happens down here is not going to be in the control of Victorians at all, it's going to be totally in the control of what Canberra wants to do.
ZOE DANIEL: But there's even division among the lobbyists on this issue - and at least one group now supports the Commonwealth. Environment Victoria is an umbrella organisation representing environment groups. In this plan for Point Nepean, never published, it calls for the integration of the remaining Commonwealth land into the national park. The group sent out press releases along the same lines, and accepted and spent donations based on that premise. Now for the sake of pragmatism it says, it's applauding the Federal Government, even though private development on the site is ahead.
ERIC NOEL, ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA: Environment Victoria took the position that we wanted a solution based on the key tenets, that was that the land must remain in public hands and any development of that site, of the built Heritage area, must be done in accordance with the community master plan.
ZOE DANIEL: Environment Victoria is now at odds with some local residents, the National Trust and the National Parks Association. It's been accused of political favouritism and has received a complaint from Federal Labor after a confrontation with MP Kelvin Thompson over the State Government's failure to buy the site.
ERIC NOEL: Quite clearly Mr Bracks has broken another election promise and Kelvin should explain that to you members of the media.
KELVIN THOMPSON, MP: No, well, your political partisanship stands clear and stands exposed. The State Government has made very clear that it is willing to take over this land and manage it as national park...
ERIC NOEL: Don't get excited...
KELVIN THOMPSON: ..for all people for all time.
ERIC NOEL: Calm down, calm down.
ZOE DANIEL: But the lobby group says it changed sides because the Federal Government came up with the most realistic option. So you picked a winner and basically that was the Federal Government?
ERIC NOEL: Well, I think everyone is a winner in this situation, I think there are no losers.
ZOE DANIEL: Long-term Portsea resident David Stewart agrees. He likes the plan for an educational precinct taking advantage of the area's maritime heritage and environment and agrees with Environment Victoria's view that developing the Portsea Camp site is a fair swap for the sake of preserving the valuable defence land on the foreshore.
DAVID STEWART, RESIDENT: I think the value of that site that the people will come to enjoy over the next 40 or 50 years will make it so valuable, priceless in fact, that it will be preserved for all time.
ZOE DANIEL: But opponents of development at Point Nepean are still not satisfied. Vicki Sullivan is a direct descendant of the earliest settlers at Portsea. Many of her relatives are buried at Point Nepean and it's the time after her own passing that she fears.
VICKI SULLIVAN, RESIDENT: I would feel a lot safer if it was national park, because we don't sell our national parks and you know the Commonwealth wanted to sell it five minutes ago. Who's to say in 50 years, when I'm 90 and far too old to fight again that they're not going to sell it off then, who knows?
KATHY BOWLEN: By the way, among the backers of ESL are Melbourne's Lieberman family, Steve Vizard and Toll Holdings' boss, Paul Little.
AND NOW FOR MORE CURRENT INFORMATION.
MEDIA RELEASE
22 September 2014
Local groups condemn planning proposals for Point Nepean Quarantine Station
The Nepean Conservation Group and Nepean Historical Society have voiced their strong criticism of the proposed granting of a 99-year lease over the Point Nepean Quarantine Station to a Sorrento property developer.
Dr. Ursula de Jong, Chair of the Nepean Conservation Group, said that the Government has kept the community in the dark on critical details.
?What we do know, however, is that government plans effectively excise a large area (not yet determined) from Point Nepean National Park. And that their preferred developer Point Leisure Group have proposed an exclusive luxury health, wellbeing and geothermal spa retreat that ignores the values of the national park and will deny public access to many areas of the park. The community fought long and hard for an integrated national park at Point Nepean - the proposal further separates the QS from the NP.
?A new planning zone (Special Use Zone 5) is proposed, as well as some other changes including removal of environmental significance overlays, amendments to the park management plan, removal of third party appeal rights to VCAT. The new zone allows future sub ?division. It puts the Minister for the Environment in charge of both the town planning decisions and the requirements under the National Parks Act, which as Minister he can override. He is also in charge of lease length and conditions.?
Doreen Parker, President of the Nepean Historical Society, said that rich and complex layers of history at the Point Nepean Quarantine Station are of national significance but are not properly planned for in the story being told by the Point Leisure Group.
?PLG has even airbrushed out reference to the name Quarantine Station by calling its development ?The Point?.?
The community groups consider that consultation process was too short, lacks critical information, and denies the community any future involvement in the important decisions about development at the Point Nepean Quarantine Station.
The Victorian Government?s consultation ends on 1 October 2014. After that, all decisions about development of the Point Nepean Quarantine Station will be made behind closed doors between the property developer and the Government.
One of those decisions may be to subdivide the land, an action that will be enabled under the government?s planning processes and made much easier if the property developer is granted the 99-year lease. It?s as good as selling off the Point Nepean Quarantine Station.
Every Victorian will be affected by this proposal for such major development in one of our NPs. The groups are calling on the Victorian Government to redraft the SUZ5, establish planning processes that involve the community in key decision making, provide the details necessary for the community to make an informed judgment, extend the consultation process, and then reconsider the Point Leisure Group?s proposals. They are also calling for people to submit their concerns to the Government by the 1 October 2014 deadline.
Some of the building at the Quarantine Station led to the death of Rosebud fisherman,Patrick Wee Wee (buried at the Rye Cemetery, where a detailed plaque has been installed by the Rye Historical Society) and four quarrymen whom Patrick was taking to the Quarantine Station.
The Telegraph reports that last Sunday evening, 26th ultimo, about 5 o clock, a Maori fisherman, named Patrick
Tomut Wee Wee, living at Rosebud,near Dromana, was drinking in the bar of the Tootgarook Hotel, at Tootagrook, and conversing with four young men named respectively Richard Knott, Richard Barry, Richard Abbott, and Richard
Bellringer, who wanted him to take them to the Quarantine ground, where they were employed by Mr Muir, a con-tractor, as stonemasons.
(04 Jan 1870 - VICTORIA.
nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13198108)
JIM QUINLIVAN, ROSEBUD, (VIC., AUST.) CARRIED ON.
Ja (Jim) Quinlivan
Notice
QUINLIVAN
JA (Jim)
A final tribute to our respected member who passed away on April 5, 2014.
LEST WE FORGET
Carry On Victoria
Published in The Age on Apr. 9, 2014
QUINLIVAN, James (Jim)
QUINLIVAN. James (Jim). On Apr. 5, 2014, aged 87 years. Dearly loved husband of Grace and loving father of Peter (dec. ), Catherine, Dianne, Patricia and David (dec. ). In Our Hearts Forever Late RAAF Member Carry On Vic. for 29 years
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 07/04/2014
Supporting Notices
QUINLIVAN. James. Rest in peace Uncle Jim Deepest sympathy to Aunty Grace and family. Pat, Ron and Robyn and families.
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 09/04/2014
QUINLIVAN. Jimmy. Passed away Apr. 5, 2014, aged 87 years, after a long, serious illness. Jim was a good bloke, fine tradesman and a loyal Union Member, well liked by all who knew him. Sincere condolences to his wife Grace and daughters. Farewell old mate Rest in peace Your friends, Terry and Denise Boseley.
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 09/04/2014
QUINLIVAN. J. A. (Jim). A final tribute to our respected member who passed away on Apr. 5, 2014. LEST WE FORGET Carry On Victoria.
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 09/04/2014
QUINLIVAN. James. 157788 The President, Committee and Members of the Rosebud RSL Sub-Branch regret the passing of the respected friend and member James. Deepest respect to the family.
Obituaries
Published in Herald Sun on 08/04/2014
QUINLIVEN (sic) UNITS. (P.7, Southern Peninsula News, 21-10-2014.)
A man described as "integral to the history of Rosebud in his enduring efforts to support the veteran community" was honoured on Sunday.
The dedication of the Carry On units at Clacton Divide recognised "the efforts of one man, Jim Quinlivan,in raising more than $400 000 towards their construction."
"Without Jim's efforts,the units at Clacton Divide would never have come to fruition," Carry On executive officer (Victoria) Colin Wardrop said.
"We honour his role as recognition of what can be done when you have a vision."
The units were named 'Carry On (Victoria) Jim Quinlivan Units'.
The not-for-profit organisation has supported the veteran community for more than 82 years and has a strong affiliation and working relationship with both the R.S.L. and Legacy (Vic), Mr Wardrop said.
It provided support in housing,education (secondary and tertiary) and welfare assistance to veterans and their families in times of need.
I'd never heard of Jim Quinlivan before I saw the above article today. I'd read about the council taking ownership of the more inland portion of the Clacton-on-Sea estate because of unpaid rates and cooperating with Carry On to build the estate. Emphasis was placed on the council officer who oversaw the project and I don't recall even one mention of Jim Quinlivan.
CARRY ON ( Victoria ) - Rosebud Branch
www.carryonvictoria.org.au/branches_detail.php?ID=4
CARRY ON ( Victoria ) - Rosebud Branch
Carry On has had supporters on the Mornington Peninsula from the earliest days of the Club.
Many ex-servicemen living on the Peninsula were in needy circumstances, and after the Branch office-bearers convinced the Carry On Board of this situation it provided the motivation which has resulted in this Branch becoming an extremely active group.
One of the consequences has been the construction of Homes for the Aged Units in Rosebud. These ten units were built in two stages between 1989 and 1994.
The Branch also recruited very well in the 1980s, attracting local identities Alan Gray, Alex Bennett, John Davidson, Col Adamson, Les Parkin, Jim Quinlivan and Don Warford to join the organisation.
Because of the quality and enthusiasm of these members the branch has been very active since its establishment.
Good relationships have been established with the local newspapers which give coverage to Carry On activities such as Golf Days, Bowls Carnivals and the giving of Christmas hampers to needy families.
Great support has also been obtained from service and sporting clubs, businesses, local communities and the Local Shire Council on the Southern Peninsula.
A further role of the branch is assisting with the management of the Homes for the Aged units at Rosebud, where they select tenants, monitor their needs, attend to maintenance and minor repairs, and report to the Board on any major problems that may arise.
On 23 October at 1100 we are dedicating... - Carryon-victoria
https://www.facebook.com/CarryOnVictoria/posts/1585995661622175
Carryon-victoria
October 9 at 12:40pm ?
On 23 October at 1100 we are dedicating our Clacton Divide Rosebud Units in memory of Jim Quinlivan who passed away after a poor health on 5 April 2014. Jim was very well known in the Rosebud area for his fund raising endeavours to build units for Veterans in Rosebud. There is a local myth within the precincts of the Rosebud business district that the business owners would close up shop or hide when Jim cam a calling because he was chasing them for another donation. In fairness Jim Quinlivan raised over $440K towards the construction of the units. Lest we Forget his contribution to his Service mates. A true champion.
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Anthony Edward McKenzie. Jim was a Gentleman and the dedication in his memory is a wonderful thought. Well done. Vice President, Peninsula Young Veterans Well Being Centre.
SOME PEOPLE DESERVE EVERY BIT OF LUCK THEY GET AND JIM WAS CERTAINLY ONE.
Rosebud Man Ain't Half Lucky
by AdoptionNews on 19 Aug 2008 07:46 AM Category: Search & Reunion (http://www.morningtonpeninsulaleader.com.au)
Jim Quinlivan can barely wipe the smile off his face. More than 50 years after discovering he was adopted, Mr Quinlivan, 81, has found two half-sisters and another big family...
RED HILL NEAR DROMANA (VIC., AUST.) POST 1940 and proposed BACK TO RED HILL.
THE IMAGE. (Courtesy of Sybil Cummings-a Sheehan/Cleine descendant via Rae's email.)
My cousin, Sybil, has forwarded me a photo of the Red Hill Tennis Club 1947. She thinks it may have been from a newspaper cutting - details as follow:
Back Row: L-R: "Phip" Cleine (my uncle) Jack Holmes, Aubrey Noel
Centre: May Wainwright
Front Row: L-R: Alice Prossor, Mavis Colliver (my mother), Cliff Colliver (my father) Bill Craig, George Bloomfield.
Sybil is very keen to come to the Back To Red Hill, even though she now lives in Cairns.
Happy days
Cheers
UNFORTUNATELY THE IMAGE WON'T SUBMIT. SEE COMMENTS RE OBTAINING THE PHOTO.
FOREWORD.
So that the range of community activities in this era can be accurately portrayed, many items in reports from the correspondent, such as on cricket or football games will not be included, especially if the players involved have been mentioned elsewhere in the journal. For example in the 12-12-1946 report,I have focused on the scouts and deleted the part about the Red Hill v Flinders cricket match, although mentioning that Mannix was playing for Flinders at this time.
As there will be too many surnames to fit into the surnames list,I intend to have an alphabetical index of surnames and the years or other locations in the journal where they appear. This will be immediately below and will be compiled when the journal is almost completed.
ENTER IN INDEX (1943) COPY TO HERE, LIST SURNAMES AND THEN DELETE COPIED TEXT FROM HERE AFTER INSERTING YEAR (and new names) IN INDEX.
BUTLER WILSON WEBB HIGGENS RATCLIFFE GIBSON FARRELL CLARK BAILEY
1943.
PROPERTY AND CLEARING SALE RED HILL SOUTH SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27
ALEX. SCOTT & CO. PTY. LTD.
have received instructions from Mr.A. E. Ratcliffe, who is giving up farming, to sell, by public auction,
In 1917-8, John Thomas Gibson's share of 78A had been reduced by 2 acres (A.N. 87), Albert C.Ratcliffe had William Gibson's 95 acres (half of 78A)(A.N.213.) and George C? Clark (Clarke?)had the 40 acres from John Thomas Gibson's half that had been bought by Farrell, and was later bought by Ratcliffe (A.N.58). Perhaps Ethel Bailey will be able to tell us which half Mr Ratcliffe had: (north,south,east,west?)
Ratcliffe was very involved in farmer politics which seemed strange to me. Did he take over the post office after he retired from dairying? I'd better chase up those articles!
1947 KIRBY, ARKWELL, SHERWOOD (PLUS ANY OTHERS.) CONTINUE 1945/6/ ETC NAMES.
INDEX. e.g.
AMOS-1944; AUMONT- 1940; BENBOW-1940; BERKELEY- 1941; BLAKELEY- PROPOSED BACK TO RED HILL; BOWRING- 1942; BROWN-1944; BUTLER-1944; CHAMBERS (carriers)-1944; CHAPMAN- 1941; CLARKE- 1941, 1942; CLEINE-1940,1944; CONNELL- PERSONAL ANECDOTES; CRAIG -1940; CROW- 1942; DAVEY- 1941; DAVIS- 1942; DELGROSSO-1944; EATON-1940; EDWARDS-1940; GARNHAM- 1942; GIBSON- 1940; GOMM-1940; GOODHAIR-1940;GRIFFITHS-1941; HANSON- 1941,1942,1944; HIGGENS- 1940,1941,1944; HOLMES-(FAMILY TREE, SHEEHAN, PROSSOR, DOLL etc.)PERSONAL ANECDOTES,1941,1942 1944; HOSKING- 1941; HUMPHREY-1940; HUNT- HOW IT STARTED, PERSONAL ANECDOTES; HUNTLEY- 1941; JOHNSON TO JOHNSTONE- 1941; KNOX- 1940; LOWREY- 1942; LUND-1944; MacGREGOR-1940; MCILROY-PERSONAL ANECDOTES, 1942;MANNING- 1940; MILBURN-1941, 1944; MURRAY-1940; PEEL- 1941; PRITCHARD-1940; PURVES-1941; RADFORD-1944; RATCLIFFE-WHITE-PROPOSED BACK TO RED HILL; ROBERTS- 1940; RODDA-1944; RUDDUCK- 1941,1942; SALMON-1940; SHAND- 1940, 1941; SHEEHAN- 1941, 1942; SIMPSON- PERSONAL ANECDOTES; SKIDMORE- 1940; SMITH-1944; THURSTON- 1942; TOMLINS-1940; TREWIN-1940,1941,1942,1944; TURNER- 1941; VOLK-1940; WATSON- 1941; WATT- 1942; WEBB- 1942; WHITE-1940,1941,1942; WILSON-1940,1942; WISEMAN-1940; WRIGHT- PROPOSED BACK TO RED HILL;
HOW IT STARTED.
Rae (nee Hunt) sent me a private message a week or so ago. Her family owned about 200 acres in Stanley Rd and visited Red Hill every weekend from their Oakleigh home to pick their flowers and tend their orchards. Rae asked me for information about Red Hill in the period 1940-1955 and I couldn't help her because my research was based on rate records (available on microfiche until 1919-20)and snippets such as the Holmes family and the Outlook Paddock from my contacts. My trove searches have mainly been confined to Red Hill's earlier history. Janilye told Rae that there was plenty of information on trove and I hope to supply post 1940 information in this journal.
PROPOSED BACK TO RED HILL.
I really do try to help people who private message me for assistance. Although I didn't realise it at the time I received her Red Hill request, I had already written the WEBSTERS OF SORRENTO journal as a result of her request for information. While I might find post 1940 information on trove, there probably won't be many anecdotes such as those locked in the heads of probably 150 people who lived in Red Hill post 1940.
Realising that there was not much of this later information in Sheila's THE RED HILL and the Holmes history, but wanting to help Rae, I thought of a get-together of longtime Red Hill residents for a recorded TELLING TALES session. But within a day, recollections of the happiness brought to old Tullamarine residents by the reunions I organised in 1989 and 1998 had transformed this plan into a BACK TO RED HILL.
Current Red Hill residents will read of my plan in the next issue of Hill 'n' Ridge in which I have asked for volunteers for a CONTACTS COMMITTEE whose job is to ensure that nobody who would like to attend the BACK TO is overlooked. My proposal is that the reunion will be held on a Sunday in March 2015,possibly at the Consolidated School at Higgens Corner, from 1-4 p.m. This would allow time for touring old haunts and lunch before the event without having to leave distant homes ridiculously early. The first hour will be informal meet and greet, probably producing a noise level equal to that of a grand final crowd, as witnessed at both Tullamarine reunions.
Those not wishing to "tell tales" will be asked to write at least a page about where they lived, friends and memories during their time at Red Hill. (If you wish,you can private message me with your anecdotes so I can include them in the journal or write them in comment boxes under the journal yourself.) Telling Tales will take place from 2 p.m. This will be recorded and copied onto DVDs which some may wish to order (prepaid and postal address essential.) Profits from sales will go to community bodies that assist with the Back To recording (e.g.Dromana Historical Society, Consolidated School.) By 4 p.m. TELLING TALES will finish , allowing early departure for those not wanting to drive in the dark and more happy chatter for others until 4:30.
The Dromana Historical Society might have copies of The Red Hill, photos and other items re Red Hill for sale during the 1-2 p.m. meet and greet. As a matter of interest, Barry Wright is writing a history of "Wildwood" and Helen Blakeley is writing about Australasia's first saw maker. Stephen Lynch of N.S.W.has written about the family of Blooming Bob White (Peninsula Pioneers.)
PERSONAL ANECDOTES etc.
Rae Alexander (nee Hunt), Warragul.
Have now spoken with my eldest sister and she is gradually remembering bits and pieces of our years in Red Hill. Our place was in Stanley Road, Red Hill South. One thing she remembers is riding her bike a few miles to Mrs McIlroy's, who had dairy cows and Marg could pick up some milk. They would also use Mrs McIlroy's phone if they needed to make a telephone call. She also remembers the Post Master, Mr Ratcliffe, and how Dad (Frank Hunt) was not only a supporter but also judged at the annual flower show. We have decided to go down to Red Hill one day soon and revisit the place to help recall our memories. We can then write down our memories and go from there. (Margaret is much older than Rae (who was born in 1943) and "remembers things so much better than I do about Red Hill as she was in her late teens and even took her Burnley Entemology fellow students down there to study.")
Trevor Holmes has sent me a family tree compiled by Ray Holmes. Some of the well-known names from the Hill and and Ridge area that feature in it are Sheehan,Barker, White, Cairns, Prossor, Edwards, Bright, Andrew, Laurissen and Simpson. (Margaret Connell, nee Simpson, has some genealogy details about Keith Holmes' siblings which can add to the above. See the Joseph Simpson entry in my journal about the pioneer pathway at Dromana.)
TROVE.
The reason many of these entries mention Dromana is that I entered it in the search terms so that I got the right Red Hill. I'll never forget the time I spent on an article about the Red Hill Village Settlement before finding that the Government party was driven to the station after its inspection. Subsequent research found that this RED HILL VILLAGE SETTLEMENT was between Bunyip and Longwarry!
EVENTS.
1937.
Mab, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Nase, Wilga, Flinders ( V.), to Frederick Wallace, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. D. Jarman, Devonia, Red Hill(V.) (P.12,The Australasian,3-4-1937.)
1940.
FRANKSTON COURT
At the Frankston Court on Tuesday,before Messrs Grant (chairman), Gray and Wells, J's.P., Richard J.Benbow,. of Red Hill South, was fined one pound for driving a motor car without a red rear light burning; along Pt. Nepean road at 12.50 a.m. on December 23. (P.6,Standard, 16-2-1940.)
PERSONAL.......Mrs C. Walden, of Frankston, and Mesdames W. Tomlins and Goodhair, of Red Hill, are holidaying for a fortnight at Warburton. (P.4,Standard,10-5-1940.) Were they friends or sisters?
FRUITGROWERS' DEFENCE LEAGUE. Peninsula Sub-Branches.
Standard (Frankston, Vic. : 1939 - 1949) Friday 24 May 1940 p 2 Article
I did nothing about this article because the purpose of the League was not clear. Was it formed so fruitgrowers could better help the war effort or was it to protect the fruitgrowers from some threat?
"Office-bearers elected at Red Hill are-President, Mr. Wolley,Snr.; secretary, Mr. M. V. Brown: treasurer,Mr. N. Brown; committee, Messrs. C.Clarke, A. Mackeddle, W. Farnsworth and L. Smith."
About six hours later the motive became clear.
500 Fruitgrowers Protest Against Acquisition Scheme
Standard (Frankston, Vic. : 1939 - 1949) Friday 3 May 1940 p 1 Article.
I'm after tennis news and thought this article might be good.Apart from Red Hill South's premiership,only one person named is related to Red Hill history but you may find it of interest. Miss Trewin and Miss Rigby, mentioned later, might have been Red Hill players.
The presentations were as follow: C.P.T.A. Cup and "A"' Grade Pennant to Sorrento Tennis Club; "B"Grade Pennant to Red Hill South Club.
Trophies - Cups
Women's Singles Championship -Mrs. Dunk.
Men's Singles Championship. - W.Gomm.
Women's Doubles Championship - Mrs. Dunk and Miss Peters.
Men's Doubles Championship - W.Gomm and K. Irvine.
Mixed Doubles Championship. - W.Gomm and Miss M. Vaughlan. (Extract,P.1, Standard, 14-6-1940.)
As I'm a Rosebud resident writing Red Hill history,I ask you to absorb a bit of Rosebud history. The clocktower near the Rosebud school was dedicated to Edna Dunk, a tireless community worker and,as you see,a very good tennis player. Outside Henderson's Real Estate in Murray Anderson Rd is a wooden statue of her father, Mitch(ell) Lacco, a famed builder of wooden boats.
Now for the person with a Red Hill connection. It was Billy Gomm of Somerville, who is a legend of the Somerville Football club,AS IS HIS BROTHER, GEORGE. George married Leila Wilson of Red Hill. (See Petronella Wilson's GIVING DESTINY A HAND for a detailed history and genealogy of the descendants of the widowed Sarah Wilson, an early pioneer of the area near Safety Beach, and associated families such as the Connells and Laurissens. The Wilsons were also related to the Purves family and Petronella co-wrote Hec Hansen's MEMOIRS OF A LARRIKIN,which has an account of Bobby Wilson's head being split open by an axe in 1902.)
George and Leila's son,Murray Gomm, told me of the adventurous life of George and Leila (managing a thoroughbred stud in S.A.,during which he played three games for Norwood, and giving Colin Hayes a start in the racing industry,opening a milk bar in Flinders in about 1952 and reviving the Flinders footy club, running a renowned dairy farm near Ipswich from 1960,development at Surfers Paradise, mining rare minerals and reviving a ghost town in the outback, and saving the Somerville Hotel when brother Billy almost had it closed because of his S.P.Bookie activities. (Page 18, THE MYSTERIOUS HENRY GOMM.)
Two locals were recorded as donating to an appeal launched by the R.A,C,V.to provide ambulances to the A.I.F. abroad, A.B.W.Aumont,Red Hill and E. T. Gibson, Red Hill South.(P.3, Standard,28-6-1940.)
RED HILL ENLISTMENTS.
While many players from various Peninsula football clubs have joined the ranks of the A.I.F., Red Hill's
reported enlistments of 13 officials and players is one of the best local efforts so far recorded. The enlist-
ments include the president. (Mr. W.E. Craig), the vice-president (Mr.MacGregor), and the goal umpire
(Mr. Manning). Among the players who have enlisted are Eric Pritchard, Stan. White, R. Trewin, K. and G.Skidmore, E. Salmon, C. White, and P. Cleine. Gordon Humphrey, well known Peninsula cricketer, has also
enlisted. (P.6, Standard, 5-7-1940.)
Because of enlistments many clubs were having difficulty fielding teams, none more so than Red Hill.
(Mr. F. Volk, of Red Hill, told the meeting that his club was having great difficulty in fielding a team
each week. Half the Red Hill team had enlisted. Rosebud delegates said their team was having a similar difficulty. The League asked permission to field 16 players a side in B Grade. P.1, Standard, 5-7-1940.)
Naturally Depot had many players and fielded teams in both A and B grades but because many of the sailors had departed to war, their B grade team had to withdraw from the Grand Final against Red Hill. Depot was replaced by Dromana, which, aided by an injury to Fred Volk,won the premiership. Despite that, Red Hill did well to make the grand final under such circumstances and their 16 put up a grand effort with the best players being Volk, Edwards,Wiseman, Murray, Skidmore, Wilson and Trewin. "The Dromana captain (B. Guy) referred to the sporting manner in which Volk had taken his disappointing injury. He hoped that the teams would meet again next year. Both teams played 16 men a side." (DROMANA'S PREMIERSHIP Red Hill's Game Fight
Standard (Frankston, Vic. : 1939 - 1949) Friday 30 August 1940 p 6 Article.)
THE END OF AN ERA.
The Shand steam saw mill was situated on Main Creek. Roberts Rd ran through an original crown allotment 20 in the parish of Wannaeue and, according to Keith Holmes, was created by the hauling of the sawn timber, whether because it was a short cut or an easier gradient than the south end of Main Creek Rd. The problem now is to find out who'd been operating the mill so many years later as everything was still in "good order".
SALE BY AUCTION MORNINGTON PENINSULA MAIN RIDGE
THURSDAY, AUG. 15, at 1 p.m. On the property of Late W. G. C.Roberts.
SAW MILLING PLANT
Blackstone crude. oil ,engine, 21 h.p. Clutterbuck Bros., in perfect order, spring injection "Premier" petrol engine, twin cylinder 12 h.p. stationary wooden saw bench, belting,Emery guillotine machine, Pulleys, 15 in. blade planing machine, Haigh & Co., England; vertical saw; iron frame, shafting, docking saw, tramway and two trucks, timber jinker, circular saws 24in., 30in., 36in., 38in., 14ft. 1.5 inch steel shafting, new, tip dray,
American forecarriage farm waggon,light, Sundries. Terms: Cash.
Directions: Take Melbourne - Red Hill - Flinders road, proceed as far as Main Ridge P.O.. and turn West.
No Lunch.
GEO. HIGGENS, Auctioneer, 108 Queen St., Melbourne and Red Hill. Phones MU1975 and Red Hill South 13.
(P.3, Standard, 9-8-1940.)
EXTRACT FROM P.4 HILL 'N' RIDGE RE THE METHODIST CHURCH. It's good to have confirmation of my belief, copied from my Dromana Pioneer Pathway journal onto several websites, that Red Hill residents found work at Alex Shand's saw mill.
In preparation for the 73rd celebration (five years ago) the Church hall was thoroughly cleaned. A plaque was
discovered - the script revealed by the efforts and elbow grease of the late Margaret Knox. It read:
In Memory of Alexander Shand who for 35 years was a preacher in the district and fell asleep on July 17th, 1907, aged 82 years also Charlotte his wife who fell asleep on June 21st, 1917, aged 89 years. Religious services were held in their home for 40 years. They sought the welfare of all and delighted in hospitality.
Many residents had supplemented their incomes by working at Alex Shands steam saw mill which provided timber for fruit packing cases and supplied the insatiable metropolitan demand for firewood and building timber.
(Hill 'n' Ridge - Red Hill District Lions Club
lionsredhill.vic.lions.org.au/.../hill%20'n'%20ridge%20community%20ne...)
Another article about the Shands discusses "a new road" giving access to Shand's mill. The writer presumed that the new road was Shands Rd but I believe it was Roberts Rd,thus creating the boundary between crown allotments 20B and 20C Wannaeue. Alexander Shand had settled on crown allotment 20 so his detour for hauling timber was through his own land. If I remember correctly, Shands Rd was the boundary between the parishes of Balnarring and Flinders (east of Main Creek),and Mr Roberts' grant was in the latter. Also in this issue is an article about Eatons Cutting Rd along which the Shand timber was taken from Red Hill to the pier at Dromana.
(Hill 'n' Ridge - Red Hill District Lions Club
lionsredhill.vic.lions.org.au/.../issue%2026%20-%20hill%20'n'%20ridge.)
N.B. WATSON EATON DID NOT START A MEDICAL DEGREE. HE STATED AT AN INQUEST THAT HE HAD NEVER ATTENDED UNIVERSITY OR HAD ANY MEDICAL TRAINING. BY THE WAY, WATSON'S GOLD MINING BROTHER WAS BERNARD EATON.
A WARTIME EMERGENCY
Fruit Packing Classes for Adults.
Because of the extreme shortage of fruit packers in Victoria, the Department of Agriculture is organising
apple and near packing classes for adults in various fruit districts during January and February, 1941.
Classes will be restricted to women and girls and to men and youths outside enlistment ages.
Each class will continue daily for a week, and if possible, prior to the commencement of the fruit season.
There is no charge for the instruction, but persons desiring to join these classes must apply to the Department of Agriculture before Tuesday, December 31, in order that the necessary arrangements can be made. Applicants will then be notified of the time, date, and nearest district in which a class will be held.
Tyabb and Red Hill have been chosen as centres for classes. (P.6, Standard,6-12-1940.)
1941.
Stan White of Red Hill and Peter Purves of Dromana (probably "Green Hills on Purves Rd)were among a number of Peninsula lads involved in the battle of Bardia. (Peninsula Men's Part in Battle for Bardia
Standard (Frankston, Vic. : 1939 - 1949) Friday 7 February 1941 p 1 Article Illustrated)
On page 25 of MEMOIRS OF A LARRIKIN,Hec Hansen wrote:
During World War ii, my cousin Peter Purves was away with a few of the boys from Red Hill,including Stan White and Reg Sheehan. They were in the 6th Division.
LEADFOOT MILBURN!
Charged with driving a motor truck at an excessive speed on January 21, William Milburn, of Red Hill South,
was fined 2. Police gave evidence that Milburn's speed varied between 38 and 42 miles an hour. The truck
was loaded with a number of fruit cases, and Milburn gave as an excuse that he was in a hurry to get back with another load. The speed limit for the type of vehicle he was driving was 25 miles an hour.
(P.4,Standard,28-2-1941.)
WOUNDED.
Included in the wounded in action list are Pte. R. Ragg of Rosebud and Pte.J.Berkeley of Red Hill. Both
men are well known on the Peninsula. (P.1, Standard, 24-1-1941.)
PTE. J. B. PEEL
Another soldier, well known in the Red Hill district has also been killed in action. He is Pte J. B. Peel, aged
23 years, who was a farmer at Red Hill before the outbreak of war. His parents reside at Shepparton. At a
meeting of the Red Hill Comforts Fund Committee members stood in silence in respect of one who had paid the supreme sacrifice. Pte. Peel has two brothers serving, one with the R.A.A.F. and the other on mine sweeping duties overseas. (P.1, Standard, 24-1-1941.)
OUR HEARTS BLEED FOR YOU HASTINGS,HA, HA!
HASTINGS
AUTOMATIC PHONE.
Representations to the Postal Department for the installation of an automatic telephone at Hastings will
be made by the shire council. Cr.Gaskin reminded his colleagues that three years had passed since the
council first applied for an automatic phone at Hastings. The Department had then promised to keep in touch
with the situation. Red Hill, however, had secured this service before Hastings, in spite of the promise made. He moved that the council ask the authorities to honor the promise made, and, failing an automatic phone to give Hastings the benefit of a country service. (P.1s, Standard, 14-2-1941.)
N.B. Red Hill was in the Shire of Flinders and Cr. Gaskin was a Shire of (Frankston and?)Hastings councillor.
Colin McLear wrote much detail about the Chapman family in A DREAMTIME OF DROMANA. I have specified the location of Thomas Chapman's farm somewhere in my Red Hill journals. I think it was between Blakeleys and Alf Head's (later Jarman's)near Stony Creek Rd. Nelson Rudduck married Jane Sophia Chapman (whose initials are inscribed on the beautiful "Piawola" just east of McCulloch St in Dromana); Cr Rudduck would have been their son,Ernie,after whom Rudduck Square near the Dromana Pier was named.
OBITUARY
MRS. T. CHAPMAN.
Mrs Kate Chapman passed away at her residence, Beach street, Frankston, on Saturday, March 1. Mr and Mrs. Chapman were old residents of Red Hill and since residing at Frankston have been closely connected with the Presbyterian Church. The funeral took place on Sunday, March 2, the remains being interred in Frankston Cemetery, where there was a large attendance of relatives and friends. A service was held at the home by Rev. F. Butchers, who also read the burial service. Her husband, two daughters and one son survive her.
The pallbearers were: Cr. Rudduck, Cr. Higgins (sic), Messrs. J. J.Griffiths (sic), R. Holmes, J. Watson,` E.
Trewin. The coffin-bearers were Messrs. E.Turner, V. C. Francis, E. Haig, C. J.Clarke.
(P.4, Standard,7-3-1941.)
HANSEN'S ROAD??????????
First of all, an apology. The author of MEMOIRS OF A LARRIKIN was Hec HansOn, not Hansen. I have been guilty of the same mistake as the person who wrote the following advertisement and I hope I remember to fix other references to Hec's surname.
The earliest assessment that I found for Hec's grandfather,Hans Christian Hanson, in Flinders and Kangerong ratebooks was in 1887. He was on 87? acres, half of William Hopcraft's grants fronting the east side of the northern end of Tuck's Rd. He later owned both crown allotments. Born in 1857,probably in Norway,Hans called Hopcraft's beautiful homestead, with its beautiful fruit tree-lined driveway, "Alpine Chalet". It seems that Tucks Rd was known by that name at Shands Rd, and Hansen's road at the Mornington-Flinders Rd intersection. Hosking's farm would seem to have been near No 105 or 114 Tucks Rd right near the Hanson property.
WEDNESDAY, 9th JULY
ALEX SCOTT & CO. PTY. LTD. Have received instructions from Mr T. HOSKING, who is giving up dairying, to sell on the property, 1 mile along Tuck's Road (first turn on right past Shoreham, on Flinders road; or take Hansen's road from Red Hill), on the above date, at 12 o'clock, the whole of his Dairy Herd and Plant: etc.
(P.3,Standard, 4-7-1941.)
SAVEY???????
My DAVEY journal is full of mystery but I now know that the Daveys of Red Hill were descendants of the Frankston pioneer who was an early squatter on the Ballanrong run near Mornington and the Kannanuke run on old Mornington Rd fronting the coast where he built Marysville. Robert's father had land in Wannaeue, Kangerong (Forest Lodge) and over Red Hill Rd in Balnarring (Seven Oaks and what became "Kentucky" and "Rosslyn", established by John (actually Peter) Shand and Mary (widow of John Huntley Jnr.)
MR. ROBERT L. SAVEY (sic.)
Mr. Robert Leeland Davey, who had not enjoyed good health for some time, died at his residence, 35 Ferguson Street, Williamstown, on Friday last. He was born at Red Hill and lived practically all his life at Frankston and Mt. Eliza. etc. (P.1, Standard, 17-10-1941.)
AUCTIONS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
At half-past three on the property. Roberts Rd., Main Ridge, Red Hill
MORTGAGEE'S REALISING AUCTION
C. J. STEWART instructed by the Mortgagee will sell by public auction As above, all that piece of land
containing 25 acres 1 rood 22 perches or thereabouts being part of Crown Allotment 20C Parish of Wannaeue, County of Mornington, more particularly described in Certificate of Title Vol. 4149 Folio 829641.
The property is nicely situated 3/4 mile off the Flinders-Red Hill road, close school, P.O. and 4 miles Red
Hill Railway Station. Soil chocolate and loam, netted, fences, 15 acres been cleared, part rich flat, good 6
roomed residence, outsheds. Two acres fruit trees. An ideal gardening area.Can be improved to advantage.
(P.3, Standard, 7-11-1941.)
As mentioned in END OF AN ERA under 1940, when Roberts Rd was built it became a crown allotment boundary forming the western and northern boundaries of 20C Wannaeue, the eastern boundary being Mornington-Flinders Rd,the bounDary between the parishes of Wannaeue and Balnarring. The 130 acre property had been granted in 1902 to William Johnson who changed his name to Johnstone so he was not always receiving demands for payment of money owed by an unrelated Mr Johnson. (GIVING DESTINY A HAND, Petronella Wilson.) The property had been subdivided into farmlets because William's son, Christie, had married a Tuck girl and was now farming on part of the historic Mantons Creek run. See my journal HOW SARAH WILSON LED ME TO HENRY TUCK.
1942.
MR. F. J. McILROY
The death occurred at the Alfred Hospital on Thursday, April 2, of. Mr.Frederick Joseph McIlroy. He was
born at Red Hill and, had lived in this district all his life. His wife, only daughter and one son survive him.
The funeral took place on Saturday, April 4. A service was held at Fenton Hall, conducted by Rev. A. O. Horn
who also read the burial service at Dromana Cemetery. There was a large and representative attendance at Fenton Hall and at the Cemetery. Mr. V.Holmes, Chief Ruler of the Rechabite Tent, read the service of the Rechabites, of which deceased was a member.
The pallbearers were: Cr. Rudduck, Messrs. R. Holmes, H. Garhham, I.Clarke, E. Trewin, J. Sheehan, and the
coffin was borne by Messrs. W. Crow*, C.Crow*, C.Clarke, E.Garnham and H.Watt. (P.4,Standard,10-4-1942.)
*W.C.Crow and sons won prizes at the Red Hill Show in 1949.(P.9, Standard, 31-3-1949.)
N0T ME YOUR HONOUR.
Hec should have pleaded not guilty on the grounds that his name was not Hec Hansen.
HEADLIGHTS NOT SCREENED
Drivers Fined.
Failure to have the headlights of a car screened in accordance with brown-out regulations at Frankston on
March 23, at 10 -p.m., cost Reginald Mervyn Cookson, of Connell Street, Oakleigh, 3 at Frankston Court on
Tuesday. Police of the mobile traffic section said that when questioned, Cookson stated he had removed the screens from the headlights because they were not showing enough light, and he was afraid of hitting horses and cows in Frankston district.
On a similar charge, Hector Hansen, of Red Hill, was fined 1.Evidence was that the measures taken by Hansen to screen, the lights of the vehicle he was driving on March 14 were not effective. (P.4, Standard, 1-5-1942.)
MR. HENRY DAVIS
Mr. Henry Davis passed on at the Dromana Bush Nursing Hospital on Friday, July 10. He was born at Red Hill, and resided all his life in the district. He enjoyed the friendship of a large circle, and was held in high
esteem. His wife and one son remain to mourn their loss. The funeral took place on Saturday,July 11, to Dromana Cemetery. A service was held at the home conducted by Rev. R. T. White who also read the burial service at the graveside before a large and representative attendance.
The coffin was carried by Messrs E. Bowring, E. E. White, C. Webb, J. Lowrey, R.Thurston and R. Wilson.
(P.4,Standard, 17-7-1942.)
1943.
SALE BY AUCTION ..RED HILL CLEARING SALE
Mr. R. BUTLER, of Clematis Orchard having sold his property, will hold a Clearing Sale of Implements, etc., on
the property WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 1913, at 1.30 p.m. (Items deleted.)
This property is situate on the main Melbourne-Mornington-Flinders road, close to the Red Hill P.O.
All particulars from GEO. HIGGENS, Auctioneer 108 Queen Street,- Melbourne
Phone MU1975 and Red Hill Red Hill South 213.(P.3, Standard, 10-9-1943.)
RED HILL SALE BY AUCTION WEDNESDAY 20th at 1.30 on the property.
TUCK'S ROAD, Next to Mr ? Wilson's Orchard. Mr. S. Webb having sold his property, Mr George Higgens will sell by Auction: etc. (P.15-10-1943.)
The clues to the location of Mr Webb's farm are that it was on Tucks Rd and adjoined a Wilson property. George Wilson's grant 66A,Balnarring (Melway 255J1) was on Shoreham Rd,not Tucks Rd . I think Fernbank was also on Shoreham Rd and I can't remember who farmed it in the 1940's. However these two properties could be said to be next to Tucks Rd properties in that they adjoined the latter at Stony Creek.
George Wilson was granted 1A of A,parish of Flinders on 27-3-1903.The 239 acre allotment,reduced by 3 roods and 16 perches by the diagonal section of Roberts Rd just south of Shands Rd was bounded by the line of Roberts, Shands, Tucks and Barkers Rds. Such a large block was probably more suited to crops or grazing so I believe Mr Webb's property was 2A, Flinders across Tucks Rd, consisting of 79 acres 2 roods and 20 perches (Melway 255 E 1-2). Adjoining this on the east and extending to Mornington-Flinders Rd was 20C Flinders, granted to R.J.Wilson on 5-6-1941 and consisting of 30 acres,a good size for an orchard. Fingers crossed for an advertisement for Mr S.Webb's farm specifying crown allotments so we don't have to guess.(It's not looking too hopeful!)
PROPERTY AND CLEARING SALE RED HILL SOUTH SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27
ALEX. SCOTT & CO. PTY. LTD.
have received instructions from Mr.A. E. Ratcliffe, who is giving up farming, to sell, by public auction,
on the farm, situate on corner of Stanley Road and Red Hill Road,1 1/4 miles from Red Hill Railway Station, on the above date, at one o'clock.CATTLE, PIGS, PLANT, ETC.
Also the Property about 2.30 o'clock. 95 acres 0 roods 27 perches, being part of Crown Allotment 78A Parish of Balnarring, County of Mornington; 9 acres apple and plum orchard, 16 acres rye grass and clover; portion partly cleared, balance timber. some suitable milling, watered by springs and creek. The improvements comprise dwelling(old), sleepout 12 x 18, feed shed, 3 small sheds, well situated overlooking Western Port Bay.
(P.8, Standard,19-11-1943.)
Crown allotment 78A Balnarring, granted to W.Gibson* on 22-7-1874 and consisting of 190 acres 1 rood and 14 perches,is on the northern corner with precise frontages to Red Hill Rd and Stanley Rd of 1114.47072 metres and 1024.54862 metres respectively.
(*William and John Thomas Gibson had settled there in 1871.(Dromana Pioneer Pathway.)
John Gibson was occupying 187 acres,Bittern from the Crown by 1881 while William,a bootmaker, was assessed alone on 78A. On 17-7-1886, William had been originally recorded as the occupant of 78A but was replaced by John, who continued as occupier of the whole 190 acres.
In 1909-10,John Thomas Gibson had 55 acres and buildings (A.No.69),William Gibson 95 acres and buildings (A.N.70)and John Thomas Gibson had recently sold 40 acres to A.W.Farrell of Balnarring.
In 1917-8, John Thomas Gibson's share of 78A had been reduced by 2 acres (A.N. 87), Albert C.Ratcliffe had William Gibson's 95 acres (half of 78A)(A.N.213.) and George C? Clark (Clarke?)had the 40 acres from John Thomas Gibson's half that had been bought by Farrell, and was later bought by Ratcliffe (A.N.58). Perhaps Ethel Bailey will be able to tell us which half Mr Ratcliffe had: (north,south,east,west?)
Ratcliffe was very involved in farmer politics which seemed strange to me. Did he take over the post office after he retired from dairying? I'd better chase up those articles!
1944.
I, Angelo Delgrosso, of Italian nationality, born at Colle, Sannita, Prov. Benevento,Italy, resident in Australia 6 years, residing at Red Hill South, intend to Apply for Naturalisation under the Nationality Act
1920-1936. (P.11,Argus, 29-2-1944.)
I found the following while idly doing a google search for Red Hill pioneers after bombing out on a trove search to find if E.and W.Milburn of Red Hill were related to Victoria's first irrigator of Keilor. Angelo was actually a bit late to be labelled a pioneer but the family is still here 77 years later.
Red Hill | The Brewer's Wife Blog
https://brewerswife.wordpress.com/tag/red-hill/
Delgrossos Apple Juice Co.
In 1937, Angelo Delgrosso was one of the pioneers of Red Hill. He set up his fruit and vegetable farm on Stanleys Road when it was a muddy track, no-one owned cars or trucks, and once a week, he used a sleigh with a couple of horses to haul his produce up the hill to Tar Barrel Corner.
Red Hill has many such quirkily named, colloquial local intersections, here he would be met by Chambers carriers who took his produce to markets in a truck.
Tony and Karen inherited half the farm, and have continued the family farming tradition, specialising in apples and apple juice and cherries when in season.......Right next door is brother Bruno & wife Julie Delgrosso. Also growing apples & cherries. Both their children help run the business which consists of a farm gate, markets and some diversification into an abundance of other produce
Address: 107 Stanleys Road, Red hill South.
Believe it or not,there was only one trove result for DELGROSSO, RED HILL so I deleted Red Hill from the search term and found:
I, Antonio Delgrosso of Italian nationality, born Colle Sanita, Benevento, and resident five years in Australia, now residing 64 Kerr Street,Fltzroy, intend to Apply for Naturalisation under the Nationality Act.
P.14, Argus, 5-9-1932.)
There's a fair chance that Angelo was related to Antonio and stayed with him while he familiarised himself with his new country.
The following building permits were issued by the Shire Engineer since the last meeting:-M. W. Brown, Red Hill, house; ......A. M. Lund, Red Hill, room; etc. (P.2, Standard, 13-4-1944.)
George Higgens was rated on land in the area with other members of his family with the same surname who were obviously not his sons. He owned land on Eatons Cutting road which is probably why Higgens Corner gained its name. The Dromana Historical Society has a photo of his real estate office at Red Hill. Like several other pioneers, such as the American brothers who established the famed Two Bays Nursery at the west end of Eramosa Rd, his surname was often rendered wrongly in newspapers, two versions appearing even in this obituary.At one time George's address was given in ratebooks as "Flagstaff Gardens". (See my SHIRE OF FLINDERS journal.)
DROMANA.
OBITUARY
CR. GEORGE HIGGENS
Great regret was expressed throughout the Peninsula at the death of Cr.George Higgens, which occurred on
Thursday night, as the result of a motor accident on Point Nepean Road, near Mount Martha. Deceased's activities for the Peninsula were many. He was a councillor of the Shire of Flinders for many years, representing the East Riding. He was Shire President on several occasions; past president of the Gippsland Shires and Boroughs Association, president of the Bush Nursing Hospital Committee, president of the Presbyterian Council of Churches on the Peninsula, president of Red Hill Scouts' Hall, and other sporting events; J.P.; real estate agent; land and estate agent, auctioneer, sworn valuer, valuer under National Security Regulations. At one time, curator of the Flagstaff Gardens, West Melbourne; foundation member Dromana Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Rechabite Lodge, holding the offices of same.
He leaves a wife and two married daughters to mourn their loss.Cr. Higgens had been ailing for some time, and was returning home after visiting his medical adviser when the car was hit by another car. The place of interment was the Dromana Cemetery. One of the largest funerals ever to pass through Dromana showed the respect in which he was held. Over 200 assembled to pay their lasting respect to a much beloved and respected citizen.
The burial services of the Presbyterian Church, Rechabite Lodge, and Masonic Lodge were conducted.The funeral was in the hands of James Wilson, undertaker, Mornington. Cr. George Higgins will live long in memories of this district
"For it isn't the marble, nor is it the stone,
Nor is it the columns of steel,
By which is the worth of an edifice known;
But by something that is living and real."
(P.2, Standard, 18-5-1944.)
DROMANA FAREWELL SOCIAL.
A farewell social was tendered a very popular teacher-H. W. Amos and his family. Mr. Amos has been promoted, and has moved to Clunes district. Mr. Amos has been in Dromana for a period of seven* years, ............. He was also an active member and president of the Red Hill and District Agricultural Society.................
Since war broke out he was a very active worker and secretary of the R.S.L., which he held till the notification of his removal, and was carried out with great credit to such a fine body of men. The Mothers'
Club, School Commmittee, V.D.C., R.S.L. and many friends decided to give him a rousing send off.........
Mr. Strickland, shire secretary said that when he found he had such a huge job to perform with arranging
wardens, etc., he was relieved of a lot of responsibility when Mr. Amos kindly consented to act.
(P.2, Standard, 25-5-1944.)
*It is possible that the secretary of the Red Hill show in 1932 and 1933,W.H.Amos of Red Hillwas the above teacher,in which case he might have taught at Red Hill before his seven years at Dromana.
Schedules for the general show or the dog show can be had post free on application to the secretary, Mr.
W. H. Amos, Red Hill. etc. (P.1, Frankston and Somerville Standard, 4-3-1933.)
POSTSCRIPT- I had a feeling that a Mr Amos had taught at Red Hill and was about to check my notes on THE RED HILL when the late Hec Hansen (born on 14-2-1913) told me to read his book. There it was on page 12 of MEMOIRS OF A LARRIKIN.
"After the old school(Arkwells Lane-itellya) was closed down, another was built next to the Church of Christ. The teacher was Mr Harry Amos, one of the best to ever put a foot in Red Hill. He did however belt me a few times,which I presume I deserved,although on one occasion,he actually apologised to me afterwards in front of the class. Mr Amos had an orchard off Roberts Rd, Main Ridge,which I ploughed for him when I was 14."
THE RED HILL tells us that the second school opened on 16-9-1920 (with Richard Rodda* as head teacher) and that the second room was built in 1928 when H.Amos was headteacher.
*Mr Rodda was prone to fits and once fell into the open fire but was pulled out by Hec Hansen before anything other than his hair was singed. (Also page 12.)
RED HILL
A very successful picture night was held in Dromana on Wednesday in aid of the funds for Mrs. Radford's
house. It is expected to have about 20 in hand. Already the land, donated by Mr. E. Trewin, has been partly cleared by a working bee held last week, and plans for the building of the house are being made.
The Red Hill school hopes to have a permanent teacher at last-Mr.Keith Butler-who expects to take up duties after the school holidays.
The Emergency Group personnel have decided to carry on their work under Flinders superintendent (Mrs.Smith), Mrs. J. Holmes still being group leader. Main Ridge and Dromana are also thinking of linking up. Help may be needed in cases such as bush fires, and to that end the group is keeping together.
A very pretty wedding took place at Hampton when Mavis, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. Cleine, was married to Cliff, only son of Mrs. and the late Mr. Colliver. etc.
It is with regret that we hear that Mr. and Mrs. Brown, sen., have left the district. They have gone to their daughter's in Wangaratta, and it is hoped the change will benefit Mr. Brown, who has been sick.They both will be missed very much. (P.2, Standard,7-12-1944.)
1945.
(Extract only.)Miss Joan Brown has recently resigned her position as sewing mistress at the Red Hill South School. She is to be married early in April to Mr. Roy Neale, of Amphitheatre. Best of wishes to them both...
In the meantime, until another teacher is appointed by the Education Department, Mrs. Campbell is helping her husband by teaching in Miss Brown's place.
The Girl Guilds have resumed their monthly meetings. Mrs. P.Cleine is their captain, and her two lieutenants are Misses Alice and Norma Prosser*.
It is with deepest regret we report the death of Mrs. W. Wright at her home, "Wildwood." Mrs.Wright had just returned from hospital after an operation, and it was hoped she was on the way to recovery. Her passing will be felt by her many friends, and sincerest sympathy is expressed to her husband and family.
Mrs. Walter Wright, of "Wildwood", Red Hill, who died recently,had been resident of the district for 17 years. Deceased, who was born at Poowong, South Gippsland, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Burchett, well-known in the Poowong district. The late Mrs. Wright is survived by a husband, son and two daughters. Her remains were interred in the Dromana Cemetery. The service at the graveside was conducted by Mr. N. Kingston. Pallbearers
were Messrs. F. H. and E.C. Burchett and W. M. Wright** (son and brothers), Mr. N. S. Muir, funeral undertaker of Mornington, had charge of the funeral arrangements. (P.3, Standard, 28-3-1945.)
* I wouldn't mind betting that this should be Prossor.
**Barry Wright, who is writing the history of his family and "Wildwood" (which has some excellent maps tracing the history of farm boundaries and much detail about the Hill Hillis/ McKeown connection)would be the grandson of Mrs Walter Wright (nee Burchett.)
BL88DY RED TAPE!!!
RED HILL, MAIN RIDGE,ARTHUR'S SEAT TO DROMANA BUS SERVICE.
RUN DISCONTINUED FROM MARCH 29.
Quite a deal of disappointment has been caused through the discontinuance of the above service.Mr. L. M. Shaw, of Dromana, who has been conducting the above service, sent a letter to the Flinders Council, enclosing a letter he received from the Transport Regulation Board. Mr. Shaw stated that as this was the fourth occasion on
which the Board had written to him with reference to his co-ordination with the Portsea Passenger Buses,
he wished to advise that the service would be discontinued as from 29th March. ETC.
(P.3, Standard, 12-4-1945.)
The Board would have thought it was perfect for Shaw's bus to arrive at Moat's Corner just after the Portsea Line bus had gone past so that Red Hill, Main Ridge etc. residents were stranded there for hours!
DROMANA
BUS SERVICE TO RED HILL AREA.
Mr. M. J. Shaw has advised Flinders Shire that his bus service to Red Hill area has been commenced with a
three day a week service. (P.7, Standard, 19-7-1945.)
RED HILL
DEATH OF RED HILL IDENTITY.
The death occurred at Red Hill of a well-known identity in the person of Mrs. Esther Marie Sheehan. The deceased was 76 years of age. The funeral took place at the Dromana Cemetery, Rev. Kingston officiating
at the graveside. Casket bearers were Sgt. R. Sheehan and S. Sheehan(sons), and Messrs Ken. Cleine, and ?.Cleine (son-in-law).(P.2, Standard, 24-5-1945.)
After checking A DREAMTIME OF DROMANA to see if Esther was the widow of one of the "Seawinds" Chapman brothers who went to W.A. during the 1890's depression, and returned to Red Hill after his death (and finding she wasn't), I did an ESTHER MARIE SHEEHAN google search and struck gold with the first result. Sheila Skidmore has good detail in THE RED HILL about the Sheehan arrival and marriage in South Australia and subsequent migration to Victoria's north west in the bullock dray which was a wedding present from Mr Ewers. After the Sheehan move to Red Hill circa 1887,one of the Sheehan girls visited her uncle who had remained in that distant area and was a station master. There she met William Holmes who was fortunate to find a job on the railways during the 1890's depression. So it was that the Holmes family moved to Red Hill. (Keith Holmes.)*
N.B. SEE COMMENT 2, "ORAL HISTORY". THE HOLMES/ SHEEHAN MARRIAGE APPARENTLY TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE SHEEHANS MOVED TO RED HILL.
SHEEHAN 9 Genealogy Page
www.reap.org.nz/~chris/shee9.html
John was the 9th child of Robert SHEEHAN and Eliza EWERS
Esther was the 8th child of Henry Rees and Maria Brady
John SHEEHAN (Jack)(07 Jun 1868 in Mt. Gambier, South Australia-1956 in Red Hill, Victoria, Australia)
m.Esther Maria REES (21 Sep 1868 in Avoca, Victoria, Australia Vic BDM 20925-04 May 1945 in Dromana Hospital, Victoria, Australia)
RED HILL
There is to be a sale of gifts in the Red Hill hall on Saturday, June 9, at 8 p.m. This is in aid of patriotic funds and hopes are expressed for good returns. Noticed on leave were Arthur Greaves and Keith Salmon. We hope
the rest will do them good. Mrs. Erskine, late of Red Hill, is staying with Mrs. Wilson. Her many friends are glad to see her. The date of the sale of gifts in aid of P.O.W. funds was inserted recently as June 6. Readers will please note that the date is Saturday, June 9, at 8 p.m. Don Schwab, Alan Ross and Ken Skidmore are home on leave. We are glad to see them, and hope the war will soon be over so they can come home for good.
(P.2, Standard,7-6-1945.)
RED HILL
All men, who were members of Dromana, Red Hill, and Main Ridge units, of V.D,C., are invited, with their partners, to a complimentary "winding up" dance at Red Hill Hall on 6th November, at 8 p.m. Ladies kindly bring a basket. Naval Depot Band will supply the music and items. Kindly accept this as a personal invitation and tell your comrades. Further particulars from T. Rudduck, Boneo, G. W. Brown,Dromana, A. C. White, Main Ridge,
H. Campbell, Red Hill South, J. Holland and G. Gourissen, (Laurissen?) Red Hill.
Two teams are functioning strongly in the district-Red Hill and Red Hill South-Shoreham. Both have entered
the Southern Peninsula Association,in which there are six other teams, Portsea, Sorrento, Rye, Boneo, Rosebud, Dromana.
A euchre party in aid of the Red Cross was held in the Mechanics' Hall on October 20. A cheque donated by
Mrs. Millington was won by Mr. E.Byrne. These parties are proving very attractive.
The death occurred of Mrs. Geo.Gibson on Saturday. Deceased had been ill for some time. Deepest sympathy is extended to Mr. Gibson in his sad loss. (P.2, Standard, 1-11-1945.)
1946.
DROMANA DADS' ASSOCIATION.
The branch held a very successful meeting at Red Hill. There was an attendance of 35 members.The Dads' are organising working bees and clearing returned men's blocks and generally assisting to re-establish orchards and farm lands. This work is being greatly appreciated by the men. Dissatisfaction was expressed by the meeting at the inability of returned servicemen to obtain suitable trucks to be used in connection with their business. (P.6,Standard, 14-3-1946.)
Sheila Skidmore wrote quite a lot in THE RED HILL about the Red Hill Cricket Club,including its original ground in McIlroys Rd. No wonder she knew so much about the club! The final was played on Rosebud's present Village Green which extended east almost to the recently built Rosebud Hotel.
RED HILL
No finality has yet been reached in the games between Dromana and Red Hill to decide the winner for the cricket season. The end seems in sight now, and one more day should see its conclusion. Last Saturday's play was interesting and at first favored Dromana very much as they were able to take their total to 197, partly thanks to N.Osborne, who scored 22 in a very short time.
The play started with Greer and Hosking, with the score at 3 for 131. Geoff Skidmore, who was bowling better, soon got a good one past Hosking, and out he went. Greer, after adding 7, also fell to the same bowler.
Each of the others made a few runs,and the innings closed when A. McKenzie was brought on and secured two quick wickets.
Red Hill opened their second innings at about 3.10 p.m., with Henry Holmes and Matt. Edwards (requiring 165 runs to win). Things looked good for Dromana when M. Edwards was caught by Hosking off his own bowling, for 7
runs. Ken Skidmore then went in and when stumps were drawn, was still in partnership with H.Holmes,making 74 between them. With only 70 runs needed and 10 wickets in hand, Red Hill looks promising, yet there is the glorious uncertainty about that anything may happen, and we are looking forward to the last day's play.
As the Oval at Rosebud will not be available on Easter Saturday, play will not be resumed until April 27.
Scores:
Dromana, First Innings, 131. Dromana, 2nd Innings, 197. Red Hill, First Innings, 164.Red Hill,-2nd Innings.--Henry Holmes (n.o.) 37; Matt Edwards 7, Ken Skidmore (n.o.) 41, sundries 10. Total 1 wicket for 95.
(P.6, Standard, 17-4-1946.)
RED HILL
Friday night , in Church of Christ Hall, was a very important night to six young lads. Three of them, Peter Wright, Robert Akister and Noel Richardson being passed on from the Cubs to the Scouts, and the other three boys, Brian Barnes, Teddy Littlejohn and Thomas Lowrie, becoming Cubs. The new Cubs especially were thrilled as they have been looking forward to joining the Cubs for quite a while. Both ceremonies were very impressive, and should remain in the minds of the boys concerned for a long time.
In lighter vein was the entertainment part of the evening, when, under the very capable leadership of Mr.Ron. Holmes, assisted by Mr.Ray Salmon, a "juvenile amateur hour*" was presented. The children performed their items
in one of the small rooms and an amplifier carried their efforts into the large room, where the listeners
recorded their votes for the items. It was altogether very interesting,and many of the children showed talent which should be encouraged.
(*Terry Dear ran a radio show called the Amateur Hour in Sydney which inspired copycat shows such as Christie's Auditions on 3UZ. Amateur Hour probably came into popular useage to describe all shows of this type.)
Also among the Scout news is the appeal by Scoutmaster Ron. Holmes for help in the building of the Scout Hall. This project has been in the minds of the leaders for a good while, but the war breaking out compelled the idea to be held in abeyance. -Now however, it is hoped to continue the work. Funds are needed and also a committee of men and women who have the work of the Scouts at heart. Any who are interested in this work for the boys are asked to get in touch with Ron. Holmes at Red Hill.
It is with regret we note that Mrs. W. Holmes is ill. At present she is with her daughter, Mrs. Prosser*. All her friends hope she will soon be well again. (P.2, Standard, 12-12-1946.) N.B. There was also a report of a Red Hill v Flinders cricket match with Mannix playing for Flinders.
*This should almost certainly be Prossor. My head starts spinning as soon as I look at genealogy,this by Ray Holmes and contained in Trevor Holmes' email, but I conclude that her daughter was Myrtle May,Mrs Norman Percival Prossor.
6.Myrtle May HOLMES (20 May 1892 Neuarpurr, Vic., Australia-9 Jul 1989)
m.24 Feb 1915 Norman Percival PROSSOR (27 Apr 1890 Victoria, Australia-24 Dec 1949)
1947.
THE EDITOR SEEMS NOT TO HAVE READ THE RED HILL CORRESPONDENT'S REPORT VERY CAREFULLY!
The news of the sudden death of Mr. J. Kirby came as a shock to his many friends. No one thought of his passing so soon on as he was only aged 49. From all, accounts it was a heart failure just after a visit to the doctor, as he had not been feeling well. Deepest sympathy is expressed to his widow and her family.
The children attending the Presbyterian Sunday School had a picnic at Sorrento on Friday. In spite of the
heat a good time was enjoyed by all bathing being the chief attraction.
Another resident has had to enter hospital, Mr. P. Arkwell, and it is also probable that his brother Herbert may also have to go. Both brothers are said to have pneumonia, and all their friends wish them a speedy recovery.
The news of the sudden death of Mr. J. Kirby* came as a shock to his many friends. No one thought of his passing so soon on as he was only aged 49. From all, accounts it was a heart failure just after a visit to the doctor, as he had not been feeling well. Deepest sympathy is expressed to his widow and her family.
Since last week, death has again visited Red Hill. This time the sadness was doubled in the family, as both brothers passed on, Mr. Percy Arkwell and his brother Herbert, being the ones. Mr. Percy Arkwell has been more or less an invalid for years, being afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, but Herbert has been always well. He was a local preacher in the Methodist Church, and was very well respected. He was admitted to hospital on Sunday week, and died on the following Tuesday morning. Percy entered hospital the previous Thursday, and died on Friday night. The whole district is saddened by the loss of these two, and sympathy is extended to the sister, Miss Arkwell. Arrangements have been made for the business as nurserymen to be carried on by a nephew, Mr. Arthur Sherwood**.
Another sad loss is, the death of Mrs. James Holmes***. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Holmes has not been well, and lately her condition was critical. Her death on Sunday fortnight still came as a shock to many, and she will be sadly missed.Sincerest sympathy is extended to the bereft family.(P.2, Standard, 9-1-1947.)
*KIRBY.-The Funeral of the late Mr.JOSEPH CHARLES KIRBY Will leave his residence, Government road, Redhill South,THIS DAY (Friday), after a service commencing at 10.45 a.m., for the Dromana Cemetery.
N. S. MUIR. Phone Mornington 132.(P.16, Argus, 20-12-1946.)
**CREDITORS, next-of-kin, and all others having CLAIMS against the estate of the undermentioned person are required to SEND PARTICULARS thereof to Albert Sherwood, of Cherry street, Balwyn. In the State of Victoria, nurseryman, and Charles Eldred Roberts, of Red Hill, in the said State, law clerk, on or before the twenty-fifth day of September, 1947. otherwise they may be excluded when the assets are being distributed:
Name.-HERBERT ARKWELL.
Usual Residence.-Red Hill.
Occupation or Other Description.-Nurseryman.
Date of Death of Deceased.-24th. December. 1946.
Dated this eighteenth day of July. 1947.
ROY L. YELLAND. of 259 Collins street.
Melbourne, solicitor for the said Albert Sherwood and Charles Eldred Roberts.(P.2, Argus,23-7-1947.)
No marital connection was found on trove between Arkwell and Sherwood or Roberts( both pioneering Hill 'n' Ridge families.) However the grieving sister was probably Clara who died in 1951.
ARKWELL.--On August 4, Clara Arkwell of Red Hill aged 81 years -Last of a family of pioneers.
(P.15, Argus,6-8-1951.
Ernie Arkwell went to hospital too, in 1898- to save face!
KICKED BY A HORSE.
SHOCKING INJURIES.
While attending to a horse at Red Hill,near Mornington, on Tuesday, a young man named Ernest Edward Arkwell was kicked in the face. His nose, chin, cheekbone,and jawbone were fractured, and he was cut and bruised in a terrible fashion. He was afterwards brought to town, and admitted to the Alfred Hospital, where he was operated on by Mr. Cook, M.R.C.S., and Mr. Frost, M.B. He is still in a very critical condition. (P.6,Argus, 24-3-1898.)
***HOLMES.-On December 38, Catherine,beloved wife of the late James Holmes, of Red Hill South, and mother of Coralie (deceased). Vera (Mrs. Laurissen), John, and Ruth (Mrs. Combes), aged 78 years.
Father and mother reunited. (P.2,Argus,3-1-1947. Paste from here; not corrected on trove.)
Mr. and Mrs. C. Webb (and family) have sold their property and are leaving Red Hill. They will be missed, and their many friends wish them the best of luck. At present they are moving to Dromana so they will not be lost sight of altogether. (P.2, Standard, 20-3-1947.)
RED HILL v. DROMANA (Extracts only.)
Record Attendance at Dromana
True lovers of the King of Sports from Flinders, Sorrento,Frankston and other centres could be seen amongst the big crowd at Dromana last Saturday for the match, Red Hill v Dromana. The teams were from two of the smallest districts in the competition, but both field powerful sides. A nasty north-easterly made spectacular football out of the question.......Christie, Osborne and Pittock were outstanding for Dromana,and M. Mannix and Reg. Hitchener were doing a great job for the "red legs." (Quarter time)........ Red Hill have players equal to A grade in Max Mannix, L.Bright, Trewin, Hitchener- Bros:,Schwab, Delaney and Max's brothers, Gordon, Lex and Austin. Mat. Edwards, although getting on in years now, for football, still gives the Red Legs great service.
(P.6, Standard, Frankston,7-8-1947.)
About the players. Christie may have been Sandy Christie, inventor of the electric B.B.Q.(Alexander?),Osborne was probably Norm after whom the Nepean league B & F medal is named but I don't think Cr Graham Pittock was representing Dromana then. (See my Watson, Stirling journal.) The first fishermen at Flinders were Chinese but fishermen from Queenscliff, including the Mannix family, later settled there. (LIME LAND LEISURE.)
Man found shot at Dromana.
Walter Duffield, 49, was found shot dead at the rear of his farm at Red Hill, near Dro-mana, yesterday. A gun was lying alongside the body. The gun will be examined today by Inspector F. Hobley*, police ballistics expert.
Detective F. J. Adam, of the homicide squad, who went to Red Hill yesterday, will return there this morning to continue inquiries. Police have been told that Duffield was living in comfortable circumstances and had
bought his property early in August. (P.1, Argus,21-10-1947.)
(*Frederick Hobley, like Bullocky Bob White (baptised as Robert White, and granted land near Whites Rd as Robert James before he proposed to Miss Roberts), was a descendant of the James family of Main Ridge. See my journal FREDERICK HOBLEY WAS A PROMINENT MEMBER OF VICTORIA POLICE.)
STATE SCHOOL SUCCESS
THe Red Hill State School has been in the news lately, as some of the scholars have obtained wins at Melbourne, Bendigo and Mornington shows: The following, are the awards:-
Melbourne Royal Show,. - Shield and. Blue. Ribbon:- Won by Apple packing Class. (Elaine Emmott,Betty Akister, Grace Kerville, Enid Bowring, Malcolm Andrew and Robert Akister).
Melbourne Royal Show. - First prize: Betty Akister;
Mornington Show Shield: Won by Apple-packing Class;
Morningthon Show.-Equal first: Enid Bowring and Grace Kerville.
Bendigo Show.-Second prize won by Enid-Bowring. Highly commended: Malcolm Andrew.
Each member of the packing class received the Department of Agriculture certificate. Class average, 79.
Special class prizes donated by Mr. Butler were won by Elaine Emmott, 1st-. prize; Enid Bowring,2nd prize.
(P.5, Standard, 20-11-1947.)
1948. FAMILY NOTICES finished.
JOHN D. EVANS L. L.B. BARRISTER and SOLICITOR
Visits FRANKSTON Si2a Young St., (Above Fr. East P.O.), W ?edlnsdays and 'ridays S2.30 to 5. And Court days by. appointment. -
(Visits RED HILL- - -Near Red Hill South Station Thursdays, 1 to 2 p.m. (P.12, Standard,8-1-1948.)
HOLLAND-The Funeral of the late Mrs. HESTER ALICE HOLLAND will leave her son's residence, Red Hill South. THIS DAY, at 2 p.m.. for Dromana Cemetery. (P.2, Argus,19-1-1948.)
BALDWIN.-On January 15, at Mornington, Arthur Begg, son of late Mr.and Mrs. E. Baldwin. Kyneton, loved
brother of Menzies (Stanhope), Jeanie (Mrs. A. M. Perkin), Margaret, Esther (Mrs. H. J. Skidmore,Red Hill). (P.2, Argus,19-1-1948)
New store at N Merricks
A store with a 20,000-case capacity has been opened at Merricks North, near Mornington, by the Red Hill
Co-operative Cool Stores Society Ltd. With the Red Hill store the society now has room for 56,700 cases. The
new store will help local producers and provide work for local packers. (P.5,Argus,15-3-1948.)
W.Brace of Red Hill South was one of many Swan Hill residents to have moved to the peninsula.
SWAN HILL MIGRANTS MANY SETTLED ON PENINSULA
Standard (Frankston, Vic. : 1939 - 1949) Thursday 18 March 1948 p 11 Article
BROWN. In loving memory of our darling grandson John, who passed away suddenly on March 26. Always remembered. (Inserted by Mr. and Mrs. Alf Hansen (sic), Red Hill.) (P.2, Argus,29-3-1948.)
Alfred George Hanson married Frances Ada Elizabeth Purves on 14-8-1906. Their daughters were Adeline Vera Frances(b. 19-9-1908,d, ?), Pearl Rita Ellen (b.31-7-1920, d.?) and Bertha (b. and d. 1922.) I was about to search trove for a Brown - Hanson marriage but on checking the index of MEMOIRS OF A LARRIKIN, I discovered that it was Rita who became Mrs Brown. "Rita had married her English sweetheart, Johnny Brown , in February 1940. It was now 1948 and Rita and Johnny were trying to come to grips with the sudden, tragic death of their son, John. Within two months they had moved to Mt Beauty,living in a caravan on the banks of the Kiewa River." (They stayed there for 36 years.) Hec Hanson had moved to Mt Beauty in the mid 1940's and when he heard there was a vacancy there for a butcher, he immediately informed his brother in law, B.J. (Johnny) Brown of Rosebud,who as stated above,arrived within two months.
Mr. Frank Williams, president of the Carlton Cricket Club for the past 25 years, has been spending a short holiday on the Peninsula with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. D. Ponter*, of Red Hill South. Mr.Williams is delighted with Carlton's recent winning of the V.C.A. "A" Grade premiership and the club championship, and is looking forward to the celebration on Saturday in the Lower Melbourne Town Hall in honor of the occasion. (Table Talk, P.4, Standard, 10-6-1948.)
*This is sheer supposition but I believe that the surname could be Porter,although rendered in the article as Ponter, that D. stands for Dick and that the son in law was R.A.Porter of Red Hill South who won first prize at the 1949 show for best horse over hurdles-if D. did stand for Dick and R. stood for Richard. (P.9, Standard, 31-3-1949.)
ULBRICK & 'BILHAM AUCTIONEER, STOCK, STATION, REAL ESTATE, LAND AND COMMISSION AGENTS:.
VALUATIONS MADE - LOANS NEGOTIATED etc.
RED HILL SOUTH and FLINDERS REPRESENTATIVE Mr. JACK THOMSON* - Tel. Red Hill South 212.
(P.5, Standard,12-8-1948.) * See 12-1-1949.
ANNUAL MEETING. MORNINGTON PROGRESS ASSOCIATION.
The annual meeting of the Mornington' Progress Association was held at Campbell's Cafe, Mornington, last Friday.........
During the year, through the efforts of this Association, and that of Red Hill, a Council of Peninsula Progress Associations was proposed and agreed to by all Progress Associations on the Peninsula. This Council, which will deal, with problems common to all Peninsula Progress Associations, should prove very beneficial. Mr. John D. Evans,-who has been honorary solicitor to the Association, gave a fully-detailed account of the articles under
which this Council is being formed.(etc.) (P.8, Standard, 19-8-1948.)
M.P.F.L. Best and Fairest Player
The following are the umpires' votes for the leading best and fairest player for the 1948 season in the M.P.F.L. "A" Grade: Stone (Hastings),24; J. Coleman (Hastings), 20; Tindal (Frankston), 14.
"B" Grade: C. Wagner (Somerville). 18; G. Wills (Red Hill),16 ; S. Graf (Somerville)*, 15.
(P.9, Standard,9-9-1948.)
*A LOVE STORY FOR THE LADIES. Henry Gomm of Glenhoya at Somerville had grown up with Tommy Bent in the Moorabbin Shire and when Henry's daughter fell in love with the young station master, Henry asked the future premier to have him transferred,and he was,to Ascot Vale. Henry's daughter fled to young Graf and the couple was married at a quiet ceremony, sans the bride's parents. The couple was estranged from Henry but Paddy Gomm and his brothers helped them out whenever they went to Melbourne.After Henry's death Paddy encouraged them to return to Somerville. The Grafs inherited the Gomm sporting genes that made Billy and George Gomm legends of the Somerville Footy Club and it was a stalwart of the Somerville Cricket Club who suggested that Graf Rd be named after Shaun Graf who started his cricket career with the club. (Murray Gomm,son of George Gomm and Leila, nee Wilson, of Red Hill.)
At a special meeting convened by the Mornington Chamber of Commerce recently, to which the traders of Mornington were invited, 22 traders were present, while apologies were received from eight others. At this meeting the traders present decided that they would remain closed at lunch hour......
Shoppers' Bus for Mornington.
The proposal of running a shoppers' bus from Crib Point via Balnarring, Merricks, Main Ridge, Red Hill South, Moates'(sic) Corner to Mornington to leave Crib Point at 10 a.m., returning 2.30 p.m. on Wednesdays, was
agreed upon. Thirty-eight traders signified their willingness to sponsor this service which they consider will
be a great advantage to the township of Mornington, the Peninsula Bus Lines having received permission from the Transport Board to operate on this route.(P.5, Standard,23-9-1948.)
At a birthday party held in the Guide Hall, Mornington, on Saturday, Mrs. W. Watson,of Mornington, and Mrs E.A. Cook, of Red Hill, celebrated their birthday with a number of friends from various parts of the Peninsula.
(Table Talk,P.4, Standard, 11-11-1948.) Were they twins?
1949.
THOMSON.On January 9, at her home, Four Winds, Red Hill, Ethel Elizabeth, dearly beloved wife of
Don, and loving mother of Audrey and Jack*. (P.10,Argus, 12-1-1949.) * See 12-8-1948.
HIGH SCHOOL PROBLEM SOLVED
New Facilities at Red Hill and Rosebud
At its Friday's Council meeting, advice was received from the Minister for Education (through Mr. Leggatt*," M.L.A.) that the opening of a consolidated school at Red Hill and a new pre-fabricated multi-purpose school at Rosebud (with Technical School facilities) should enable all new pupils to be accommodated at Frankston High School for the beginning of the 1950 year. This would render unnecessary the re-establishment of 7-8 Grades at Frankston State School.(P.1, Frankston*** Standard, 15-1-1949.)
*Mr Leggatt opened the Red Hill Show in 1949.( Standard (Frankston, Vic. : 1939 - 1949) Thursday 31 March 1949 p 9 Article.)The show was being run by a committee of the Red Hill Progress Association; the committee's president was Mr Milburn. It had been run by an Agricultural Society committee in earlier times but the war must have depleted the number of men available to form separate bodies, unless it was felt that an umbrella body such as today's Community Action provided a more effective use of volunteer residents' time.
**Before high schools were provided, children stayed at state (primary) schools till the end of year 8,the leaving age being a minimum of 14 until the early 1960's if I remember correctly. Successful pupils were awarded the Merit Certificate which enabled most children to get a good job or progress to high school. Both Essendon and University High Schools had their first intake in form 3 (year 9), their pupils coming from Central Schools at Princes Hill, Kensington and Moonee Ponds, which was a more economical system than grades 7 and 8 at every state school. Kensington also had a Post Primary Class for less-gifted children which was more hands-on,like a technical school; most of its pupils joining the work force at 14.
Because Frankston High was accepting children in Form 1, there would not have been room for all the children of this age. The initial intake at Rosebud High and the Red Hill consolidated school would allow pupils from the Shire of Hastings to be accommodated at Frankston High.
***The newspaper started as the Mornington Standard,the name causing great controversy until it was pointed out that Mornington was a reference to the county of Mornington, not the town,a huge circulation area that extended from Mordialloc Creek to Pt Nepean and into Gippsland. It was called the Frankston and Somerville Standard through the 1920's and 1930's with itsfocus on the shire of Hastings and then produced in Frankston as the Standard,with more emphasis on Frankston. Now it was the Frankston Standard. Its rival during this time was the Peninsula Post, based at the old Youth Club site in Wilson Rd,Mornington if I remember the details of a heritage study correctly. Unfortunately the Post is not on Trove.
PHOTO OF THE OPENING OF THE RED HILL SHOW.
Left to right: The Chief Secretary, Mr.W.W. Leggatt, who officially opened the Red Hill Show; Mr. W. F. Craig, vice-president of Show Committee; and Mr. Milburn, president. (P.16,Standard,31-3-1949.)
LEGION NEWS
The Frankston sub-branch of the Legion of Ex-servicemen and Women held a sand castle competition on the Frankston beach on Easter Saturday. (Results were:.....)
Toddlers.
Steven Lloyd, Frankston, 1; Arthur Frood, Red Hill South, and Mary Rumble, Frankston, equal 2. (P.3, Standard, 21-4-1949.)
No Title
Standard (Frankston, Vic. : 1939 - 1949) Thursday 7 July 1949 p 1 Article Illustrated
... RED HILL "B" GRADE/EOOTBAWI NIEM, 1949
A reasonably clear photo of the Red Hill B Grade football team of 1949, unfortunately without names.
Robert Bailey of Red Hill South was a member of the Frankston Standard's Children's Club. It's a fair bet that he lived in Baynes Rd. (P.11, Frankston Standard,1-9-1949.)
ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW REPORT-DUAL PODIUM FINISH!
FRUIT
Apples
Apple Packing Competition Fruit Exporters Handling Committee Shield.
Red Hill South SS (Irene Edwards)1, Somerville SS (Julie Stamford) 2 Red Hill SS (Grace Kirville) 3
T. E. Butler- Special Prize: Red Hill South SS team. (P.12, Argus,26-9-1949.)
The Dog "Crib" FRANKSTON'S CANINE WONDER
A border collie dog who "does everything but talk," who understands every word spoken to him, who opens and closes gates, and fastens and unfastens high gate catches, and does many other remarkable things, was discovered unexpectedly by a "Standard" representative, after interviewing Mr. John McIlroy at his home, 19 Beach Street, Frankston, regarding gold mines.
Crib, who was three years old on September 2, is a big, handsome, intelligent dog, who came from the Camperdown district.(near another Red Hill-itellya.) His mate, Bonnie, is four years old.The pair have produced five valuable pups which their owner markets at 3/3/ for males ,and2/2/ for bitches. "Crib, the Wonder Dog," who
appears to be able to do everything else but talk and read " The Standard" (we have not tried him on that till this story appears in print), has sired three successive litters of pups each of eight pups, and each consisting of six males and two females-a unique and remarkable happening in dog-breeding records.
Mr. McIlroy has been a cripple since the pole of a "forest, devil" struck him in the" back" 34 years
ago at Red Hill. He was on his back for 23 weeks following the accident.
(P.6, Frankston Standard, 5-10-1949.)
What the heck was a forest devil? Beautifully explained on this website:
lifeasdaddy: Do you know what a Forest Devil is? Clearing ...
lifeasdaddy.typepad.com/.../do-you-know-what-a-foret-devil-is-clearing-...
Professional history is usually organised in themes,but mine is more a matter of simply providing information for family historians,because the professionals don't do so,usually overlooking the many little people who contributed to communities in the early days and plucking out one or two pioneers to illustrate a theme. That was why I went from reading history to writing it as a bicentennial project.However themes sometimes emerge from my research.
One of these is how young men in country areas (such as Tullamarine and miles around and the Mornington Peninsula) met their brides. Usually they married their neighbours but there were three exceptions to this rule,in the 1890's,early 1920's and latter 1940's. They still married their neighbours but not in their native place. Many Peninsula lads tried their luck in Western Australia during its gold boom that took place while the rest of the country was crippled by the 1890's depression. The Chapman brothers of "Seawinds" were among the exodus, one having already married Miss Sheehan, who returned to her family after his death. Harry Falby Gomm of Somerville was another and established a pioneering dynasty in W.A.
The world wars were responsible for the second and third exceptions. The lads' social circles revolved around their training camps,often interstate (especially during W.W.2) and dances organised in nearby towns. Although I have not made a special study of it, it would seem likely that some peninsula girls married men,including Americans, based at camps near Mornington. Another way lads might meet lasses (who lived far away) because of war could be mateship forged on the battlefield. I wonder whether Sid Sheehan and Brigadier Sheldrick were together in the 6th Division!
At Scots Church
Scots Church, Collins st, was the setting yesterday for the wedding of Doreen Margaret, second daughter of Mr and Mrs S. Sheehan, Red Hill, with Herbert Mearns, second son of Brigadier and Mrs H. Sheldrick,Box Hill.
The bride wore a three-tiered tulle veil with her gown of Chantilly lace and tulle over slipper satin.
(P.7,Argus,24-11-1949.)
My sick sense of humour makes me say this. I wonder if Doreen's bridal gown was expensive or she got it for a SONG!
The following bridegroom might have been a resident of OUR Red Hill and a descendant of Henry Cadby Wells who was a Sorrento pioneer before settling in Frankston; if not,this article still illustrates how far afield marriages took place.
THE marriage takes place in St Martin's-in-the-Fields, London, today, of Patricia Jacqueline, daughter of Colonel and Mrs Frank Wells, of Red Hill, to Major Graham Stewart Allen, only son of Mr and Mrs Keith Allen, of Lane Cove, NSW. The bride is an old Ruytonian, and the bridegroom is on the Australian Army Staff stationed
in London. The couple will spend their honeymoon touring the Continent by car.(P.11, Argus,8-7-1949.)
1949 SUMMARY.
AFTER TRAWLING THROUGH COUNTLESS IRRELEVANT RESULTS, AND FINDING,CORRECTING AND REFORMATTING MANY ARTICLES FOR 70 MINUTES, A GAME APPEARED ON THE SCREEN INSTEAD OF THE FAMILY TREE CIRCLES EDIT PAGE. WHEN I CLOSED THE GAME MY EDITS ALSO DISAPPEARED. A SUMMARY WILL BE GIVEN USING MY SEARCH HISTORY.
The Standard Thursday, March 31, 1949.
Standard (Frankston, Vic. : 1939 - 1949) Thursday 31 March 1949 p 16 Article Illustrated
... Red Hill Show; Mr. W. F. Craig, vice-president of Show Committee; and Mr. Milburn, president.
PHOTO OF OPENING OF SHOW. LEGGATT,CRAIG AND MILBURN INDICATED IN CAPTION.
TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD MARGARET MORAN, a migrant from England now living at Red Hill, on
the Mornington Penninsula claims to have been a close friend of John George Haigh {right), who has been
charged with murder of Mrs Olive Durand-Deacon by British police investigating the "acid-bath
murders. Miss Moran says she met Haigh when she was a maid at Onslow Court Hotel, Queensgate,
London. PHOTOS OF MARGARET AND THE MASS MURDERER.(The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Thursday 10 March 1949 p 3 Article Illustrated.)
GYMKHANA AND [?] SHOW.
Standard (Frankston, Vic. : 1939 - 1949) Thursday 3 March 1949 p 8 Article
... from the secretary, Mr. Bar? 25 King George's Avenue, Mor ington (phone 404), or ?. Woodward. Red Hill
It was at this point that I mentioned that the historic connection between Red Hill and Dromana seemed to have been partly replaced by a greater connection with Mornington. Why would Woodward (no initial visible because of the curve of the page but digitisation otherwise fixed by prediction-not phonics, Mr Dixon and Mr Pyne!) be supporting a show at Mornington a matter of weeks before the Red Hill Show? Part of the answer is that Mornington,Red Hill and,I think, Dromana, had combined in earlier days to conduct shows twice yearly with the venue alternating- not sure when.
The rest of the answer would seem to involve Eatons Cutting road, William Calder of "Four Winds", Mr Shaw of Dromana and the Mornington traders. There were three mountain tracks that connected Dromana and Mornington. James Holmes of Red Hill often used Bryans Cutting (whose north end is Hillview Quarry Rd)according to Ewart (Melbourne) Brindle's extraordinary map of Dromana but in 1913 he and his family were almost killed on Eatons Cutting road. Two years later Mr Thiele,a village settlement pioneer,was killed on the dangerous Eatons Cutting road.
MOTOR-BUGGY OVERTURNS.
FAMILY'S ESCAPE.
DROMANA, Monday.- On Saturday
night Mr. James Holmes and family, of
Red Hill, met with an accident. Mr.
Holmes and family had spent the evening
on the beach, and were returning in a
motor-buggy. In Eaton's cutting the chain
came off, and, the brakes refusing to act,
the buggy ran back down the hill and,
overturning, rolled down the gully. The
family escaped with a few bruises, but Mr.
Holmes received a gash on his hand, and
Mrs. Holmes was badly bruised and
shaken. (P.7, Argus,9-12-1913.)
Mr and Mrs Thiele, old residents of
the Red Hill district, were driving to
wards Dromana. When descending
Eaton's Cutting, the horse bolted. At
a dangerous turn in the road the wheel
left the buggy, and the occupants were
thrown out. Mr Thiele's neck was bro
ken, and he died almost immediately.
Mrs Thiele is suffering from bruises
and shock. (P.24, Weekly Times, 1-5-1915.)
The condition of Eatons Cutting road was not improved by some residents, such as Alf Head (presumably Junior), dragging logs like sleds down the road.
DROMANA COURT.-At the last sit
tings of the Dromana Court, before
Messrs N. Rudduck and .G. McLear,
J's.P., Mr , Fulton, shire secretary, pro
ceeded against Alfred Head, of Red
Hill, for wilful damage to the road
known as Eaton's Cutting, by trailing
timber or heavy material. After hear
ing the evidence, defendant was fined
10s, and 2 12s 6d costs. (P.2, Mornington Standard, 11-4-1908.)
The Country Roads Board was formed, with William Calder*(after whom the Calder Highway was named) as its chairman at about the time of the near fatality of James Holmes' family on Eatons Cutting Road.
25 Oct 1929 - The Argus - p14
nla.gov.au/nla.news-page474381
The country home known as The Four Winds at Red Hill, which was the property of the late Mr. William Calder, chairman of the Country Roads Board, has been...
Main roads around Red Hill were improved and soon White Hills Rd offered a good route to Melbourne and,of course, Mornington, by-passing Dromana. With Mr Shaw of Dromana providing a Red Hill/Main Ridge bus service to link with the Portsea bus (ended temporarily because of BL88DY RED TAPE but resumed after a shire protest) and later, apparently, a shopping bus subsidised by Mornington traders, the hinterland residents would have seen the old Schnapper Point as an attractive shopping destination,a bit more like a visit to the "big smoke" than Dromana.
*William Calder was a driving force behind the Red Hill Show for many years and his death left a big hole to fill (No, not his grave, silly!)His son designed the new Shire office built at Dromana in 1928.
The show was opened by Hon. Alfred Downward, Minister of Lands.
He was introduced by Mr. W. Calder,president of the Society, better known to residents of the Peninsula as chairman of the Country Roads Board. Mr Calder has established his home at Red Hill, and his splendid property
was visible from the show grounds. (P.8, Frankston and Somerville Standard, 26-3-1926.)
1951,(and 1952 and 1953.)
Red Hill's netball team wins three consecutive premierships. Members of the team photographed,possibly in 1951,were Dot and Elise Hansford,Amy Lowrie, Joyce Worley,Glenda Trinham,Bev. Laurissen and Ethel (the wing defence.) (See Ethel Bailey in PEOPLE SEARCHES.)
MISS KATHLEEN BURTON,only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Burton, of Pine View, Merricks North, wore a satin
wedding gown and fingertip tulle veil for her marriage to Mr. Raymond Eden Holmes, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Holmes, Brockenhurst, Red Hill, at the Presbyterian Church, Frankston. Bridesmaids were Miss Mary Robb, of Merricks North, and Miss Marie Eaton, of Cobram. Mr.Edwin Holmes was best man.(P.8, Argus,3-3-1951.)
CLEINE.At Dromana to Philip and Marjorie of Red Hill-a daughter (Hilary Anne). (P.18, Argus, 31-3-1951.)
DEATHS
ARKWELL.--On August 4, Clara Arkwell of Red Hill aged 81 years -Last of a family of pioneers.
(P.15, Argus, 6-8-1951.)
1953.
'White elephant' railways to close
Three country branch railway lines which have been losing money heavily will be closed permanently on June 28.
The condemned lines are:
Redesdale Junction -Redesdale: A 16-mile long branching of the Bendigo line.
Korumburra - Jumbunna: A six-mile branch of the Melbourne-Leongatha line.
. Bittern-Red Hill: A 10-mile branch on the Mornington peninsula.
The orders for the closing of the lines were recommended by the Joint Transport Research Committee, approved by the Government, and announced by the Railways Commissioners last night.
The committee found that very little rail traffic had been moving on the three lines for some years, and that the regions served by the lines were now adequately served by road transport. (P.14, Argus,1953.)
1955.
MR. H. V. HAWLEY, of Eton's (sic)Cutting, Red Hill,wins himself a guinea with a very timely hint for this
heat (puff-puff)wave!Mr. Hawley never worries about his favorite shrubs folding up under a fierce sun if he has
to go away for the weekend or a few days.
"Drill a tiny hole in th bottom of a large tin," he suggests. "Fill the tin with water and st it by plants or shrubs. It will give a constant flow of moisture during dry weather." Mr. Hawley also suggests using the tins for tomatoes. It prevents fruit splitting too, he adds. (P.46, Argus, 22-1-1955.)
The Prossor,Holmes and Cline families won most of the prizes for fruit at the Red Hill Show. I have speculated in another journal that Rattray from Tasmania who won the woodchop, might have been related to a former Red Hill resident of that name. K.Cleine was most likely the K.Clune who in 1949 was acting as an agent for Muir, (an undertaker based in Main St,Mornington.)
Fine fruit at Red Hill Mornington, Sunday
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Monday 28 March 1955 p 9 Article
WRIGHT. - On April 30, at his home, Wildwood, Red Hill, Walter, beloved husband of the late Amy,loving father of Kendall (deceased), Maxwell, Phyll, Marjorie, and father-in-law of Bertha and Philip, grandfather of Peter, Marian, Carol and Barry Wright, Diana,Douglas, James, Hilary, Howard and Colin Cleine, aged 90 years.
(P.13, Argus, 2-5-1955.)
JARMAN. - On December 6, at Melbourne. Violet May, daughter of the late Wallace and Daisy Jarman. Devonia. Flinders road,Red, Hill, sister of Daisy (Mrs.Heskett), Fred Dorothy (deceased), Arthur, and George.
(P.17, Argus, 7-12-1956.)
PEOPLE SEARCHES.
FRED VOLK.
My previous Red Hill research led me to conclude that I would have loved to see Fred Volk play. But I didn't realise that he was a teacher. If Jack McMillan hadn't been playing at the same time,Fred might have set the goalkicking record that Deadshot Jack (John Coleman) eventually smashed. Fred was still Red Hill's captain in 1940 but had moved to Carrum by 1947 and was soon transferred to Hepburn.
PERSONAL.....Fred Volk, captain of Red Hill is again in good form this season and takes football seriously, and (marks?)cleanly and well. He added ? goals to Red Hill's score on ? Fred is a school teacher, and (does?) his best to impart his (love of?) manly sports as well as the ? to his pupils.
(P.6, Frankston and Somerville Standard, 31-5-1935.)
STUDENT KICKS 105 GOALS IN PENINSULA LEAGUE
Leading goalkicker in the Mornington Peninsula League is an 18-year-old high schoolboy. Jack Coleman, who has
scored 105 goals in 15 matches. His total almost doubles the number kicked by any other player in the competition, and with his club, Hastings, in the four, he has a chance of breaking the all-time record of 117 scored by McMillan. Second and third on the goal list are two Seaford players, G. Wakefield and Harry McComb. Then come Prendergast (Frankston), Ansell (Frankston), and Fred Volk (Carrum). ......
VOLK FOR HEPBURN
Fred Volk, captain and coach of Carrum, has been appointed headmaster of the Hepburn State school,and leaves on September 5 to take up his teaching duties. Volk has been one of the most popular and accomplished sportsmen in the Peninsula district.
(P.18, Argus, 14-8-1947.)
LILY MARSH.
I wasn't actually searching for Lily but I found a photo of the opening of the new school at Red Hill, Red Hill South, whose first teacher (Miss/Mrs?) Lily Marsh is in prominent view. The school opened in 1932,before the era in focus, but some older current and former residents would have attended school there before the Consolidated School was established.
NEW SCHOOL AT RED HILL
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Tuesday 23 February 1932 p 5 Article Illustrated
ETHEL BAILEY.
I've had the pleasure of doing museum duty with Ethel and if I remember correctly,her mother was a Gibson girl born (in 1884) on the family's grant (78A Balnarring,north corner of Stanleys and Red Hill Rds.) Her mum moved her family into Baynes Rd in 1931 and the children should have been original pupils of Lily Marsh at Red Hill South (and been in that photo) but they attended the Red Hill school on the second (St George's church) site until Easter so that school's teacher salaries could be justified.See page 2 of this PDF.
Hill 'n' Ridge - Red Hill District Lions Club
lionsredhill.vic.lions.org.au/.../lionsredhill.../issue%2023%20-%20hill%2...
FARMS.
The following was written in 1902 but as many farm names remained despite change of ownership, or former occupants of farms occupied post 1940 are known to later owners, it will be of interest to old time residents. Also,Red Hill residents were known to undertake long walks to some of the farms mentioned to enjoy a cuppa with an old friend.
I did a search for Little Bridge Farm,
Established early by Mr McIlroy;
Found some articles that can do no harm
And in fact might bring great joy.
They stray from Red Hill down Memory Lane
To Kent Orchard and Westward Ho
And I hope you will not complain;
Here are pioneers and farms that you might know.
Is this another poem by Henry Tuck?
Sorry readers,you're out of luck.
RFG 31102014.
Where possible,the crown allotment details and a Melway reference will be given for farms. To find the appropriate parish map, google:
kangerong,county of mornington;
wannaeue,county of mornington;
balnarring, county of mornington;
bittern,county of mornington;
flinders, county of mornington.
The special representative is hard to follow, rarely mentioning landmarks or directions, sometimes refers to going cross country when he was not riding across farms but riding a track through timber and water reserves that seems to be the route followed by the southern end of Stumpy Gully Rd. Even when a road is named,it is not necessarily the road that owns that name today. Both articles with Balnarring in the title start at practically the same place, Kent Orchard in the first,and Seven Oaks, (adjoining it to the north near the Kentucky Rd/Red Hill Rd corner in Melway 191 H1) in the second.
KEY WORDS- SHAND, MCILROY, NEWSTEAD, MINTO, BRYAN TONKIN, CLEAVE/CAPTAIN SMITH, TULLIS, R.STANLEY, CAMPBELL DOWNWARD, COOLART.
In the first article, we start at 79B Balnarring (Kent Orchard)with Joseph McIlroy's 25 acres across Red Hill Rd, probably a third of 22A or B Kangerong,granted to William McIlroy. The rep. then seems to ride east along Kentucky Rd to John Oswin's "Newstead." That his next port of call was Minto seems very strange;perhaps he'd been promised a lunch. I have a feeling that Minto was near the beach but I made a special visit to the Rosebud library to consult the rates on microfiche,the 1914 assessments almost sure to give me the crown allotment details. Neither microfiche reader was working! I rang Valda Cole and her number is no longer in use. Can you see why we need the "back to" to preserve precious memories?
Leaving the location of Minto for a while,we can presume the rest of the rep's stops were on the way back to his base or an attempt to record the farms he bypassed before downing a few at Coolart.
Captain Bryan Tonkin had c/a 116A,Bittern of nearly 80 acres on the east side of Stumpy Gully Rd about 960 metres north from its junction with Balnarring Rd but the land which W.Todd was leasing was more likely west of Tonkins Rd with 274 acres fronting both Stanleys Rd and the future Callanans Rd and the 65 acres of the stupidly designated c/a 83 big B,little B1,Balnarring only going north to the present south end of Tonkins Rd.
Captain Smith's former property,farmed by Mr Cleave was probably c/a 78B2 and 54A, Balnarring, a total of 254 acres granted to J.Smith on 4-5-1885 which was a bit east of directly over Stanleys Rd from Tonkins' frontage. The Conservation Reserve in Melway 191 K 4-5 was a quarry reserve of 10 acres gazetted in 1875 at the south east corner of c/a 78B2.
The 160 acres farmed by Mr Tullis might have been the 169 acre 54B,Balnarring granted to A.Duff in 1873 at the north west corner of Stanleys and Merricks Rds. The rep.was obviously heading east again,as Duff's grant adjoined Smith's east boundary. No members of the Stanley family were granted land fronting Stanleys Rd and I believe that R.Stanley's land may have been 34A and 35A Balnarring,granted to J.Caldwell in 1875-6 and fronting the east side of Merricks Rd to Frankston-Flinders Rd. Campbell Downward's farm was possibly 22 Balnarring of 312 acres at the north east corner of Stanleys and Merricks Rds, granted to J.C.Downward in 1873 or E.Downward's grant c/a 33 ,1440 metres east of Merricks Rd on the south side of Stanleys Rd. Continuing east on Stanleys Rd and passing Warrawee,the rep.would then follow Sandy Pt Rd to the Coolart homestead.
ABOUT BALNARRING. SOME PROPERTIES DESCRIBED [By Our Special Representative]
Our representative journeyed through Balnarring and portion of Red Hill on Monday last and gives hereunder a few notes upon properties inspected. All districts in the Peninsula will be visited in turn.
Mr JOHN SHAND'S.
(c/a 79B Balnarring, "Kent Orchard"; Melway 191 H1. See A.E.Bennett entry in the third article re John Shand's successful sales of his orchard produce.)
We began observations at Mr John Shand's prettily-situated and well kept orchard. Mr Shand has somewhere about 60 acres, and has made a name for himself as a grower of Jonathan apples. He goes in for this variety almost entirely. The trees are of remarkable evenness and doing well. As has been noticed in most of our orchards the trees on the tops of the hills look best, for the reason that they have good natural drainage.
This is unquestionably the first and foremost point in planting an orchard, to see that the trees are provided with good drainage, natural or artificial. If more attention were paid to this matter, we would hear much less of pests such as the black spot, whose presence is in 'the majority' of cases brought about by bad drainage. Mr Shand has a few strawberries, but they have not been the success he expected. He manufactured all his own fruit cases last season, thus demonstrating what has already been maintained by the STANDARD that these can be profitably made from the native timber in the district. Somerville, Red Hill and the other districts use enough cases to keep a mill going right through the season. Here, then, is scope for local enterprise.
MR JOSEPH MCILROY'S.
( a third of 22 A or B, Kangerong; Melway 191 F-G1.)
Just over the road from Mr Shand's lies Mr McIlroy's. He has a holding of some 25 acres, about 14 of which
are planted out with strawberries. The soil about here-red loam-is just the very thing for strawberries, and
imparts a rich colour to them. Mr McIlroy has chosen the side of a hill as the site of his plantation, and it
seemed to us that if he could only get water to the top and run it between the rows he could get almost a ten-fold increase in the yield. The land is quite clear of weeds and the plants as healthy as possible.
MR. J. OSWIN'S.
(c/a 55AB, Balnarring, "Newstead; Melway 191 part K 1-2, 192 A-B 1-2 fronting Bittern Dromana Rd and Merricks Rd.)
Mr John Oswin, who is credited with being the best judge of horseflesh in the Peninsula, has a valuable property in "Newstead," which runs to something like 1000 acres. He engages chiefly in horse and sheep breeding, but is thinking of giving up the latter and going in solely for horses. He has some fine animals, a handsome draught stallion and a young pony stallion of great promise being objects of admiration by all who know what a good horse is. ,Mr Oswin has been carrying on some successful experiments with paspalum and is loud in its praises.
He has a young orchard coming on, planted with Jonathans and Five Crown apples. Everything about the
homestead has a spic-and-span appearance, and up-to-date improvements are to be noted, Mr Oswin being one of
those men who does not believe in standing still but in keeping well abreast of the times.
EXTRACT re the Oswin family FROM MY JOURNAL ABOUT THE SHIRE OF FLINDERS.
OSWIN John 1877-9.
OSWIN William 1902-5.
The following is an extract from my PIONEER PATHWAY, DROMANA journal.
OSWIN John and Georgina 1867
Mary Karney is a descendant of John and Georgina. Today, I tried to borrow her book, THE GOLDEN PLAINS:TUBBARUBBAREL and was reminded why I decided to provide my history on FAMILY TREE CIRCLES instead of supplying it to the Mornington Peninsula Library. They have four copies of the book and both copies at Rosebud are designated NOT FOR LOAN. It's not much good telling family historians that information is in a certain book if they can't borrow it! I had an appointment at Mornington so I got a copy there (for two days.)
Therefore, I rang Mary to ask if her books are available to be bought (which they are, from the Balnarring and Hastings Historical Societies) and to find the actual name of John and Georgina's daughter Zing ; it was Florence Mary. Having found these answers, I prepared to start the journal by pinpointing the location of "Newstead". The book stated that it was crown allotment 35A Balnarring, which I found on an almost illegible map I printed long ago from the internet; it's so bad I couldn't even read the grantee's name.
I rang Mary again and her description of Newstead's location was much further north, and referring to a clear map of part of the parish near Red Hill, I discovered that Newstead was actually crown allotments 55 A and B, Balnarring. Mary said that the homestead was north of (the present) Kentucky Rd and accessed from Merricks Rd along a driveway about 100 metres long. John Oswin had selected both blocks at about the same time.
Newstead fronted the Dromana-Bittern Rd from the bend in Melway 161 K 11 running eastwards about 1063 metres to Merricks Rd. From the corner, the frontage ran south for 1072 metres almost halfway to Stanleys Rd. Each allotment consisted of 139 acres 2 roods and 3 perches, the eastern half (55B) being granted on 25-8-1872 and 55A on 4-8-1874.
The information below comes from Mary Karney's "The Golden Plains Tubbarubbarel". Much more information about the Oswins is available in her transcriptions of Georgina Oswin's diaries and "No Rugged Landscape".
John Oswin, pictured on page 22, selected his first block in the parish of Balnarring in 1865. (As his homestead was on 55B, we can assume that this was it; certainly not 35A, which my clear map shows was granted to J.Caldwell.) Later, like most of the selectors, he took up other blocks scattered over both Balnarring and Bittern parishes.
John married Georgina Mills in 1871 and they had eight children, seven of whom survived. (Mary told me that Arthur died at, or soon after, birth.) Six of the surviving children are pictured with John and Georgina on page 24, namely Bill, Zing (Florence Mary), Dick*, Olive (Mary Karney's mother), Sue and Ethel. Missing from the photo was Fanny who married William Lamble, blacksmith of Bittern and is pictured with husband and son on page 23. ( The 1899-1900 ratebook shows that John Lamble Snr had 100 acres and buildings in (the parish of) Bittern. Georgina's diary extracts discuss Ernie (said to be John and Georgina's son) and Willie Mairs spending much time at the Tubbarubba diggings in 1893. If Ernie was another son, that makes eight children who survived.
*Dick Oswin was the local butcher and married Agnes Callanan. (Mary Karney, P.6 BALNARRING BYWAYS AND MEMORIES VOLUME 2.)
Georgina gave birth to a son at her father's place, Kingston in Brighton. (P.4, Argus, 9-7-1873.)
Georgina died on 1-6-1908 at "Newstead" aged 58.(P.1, Argus, 3-7-1908.)
Had John Oswin been a hero in the floods near Kew in 1863? (P.5, Argus, 21-12-1863.)I suspect that he was and that Fanny's marriage was not the first connection between the Oswin and Lamble families. (P.8, Argus, 8-6-1859.)
"Newstead" seems to have been sold to Mr Hunt of Melbourne in 1910 following John Oswin's death. (P.8, Argus, 5-8-1910.)
John Oswin and his son, William were both Flinders and Kangerong Shire councillors.
From Mary Karney's NO RUGGED LANDSCAPE.
OSWIN P.190.Willie Oswin was called Grampas by the family.P.1.Mary Oswin, sister of John, married Lawrence WADESON (who with John Holmes was granted the 208 acres on the north and west side of Red Hill Rd between Vines of Red Hill, inclusive, and the south boundary of the Kangerong Nature Conservation Reserve.The southern 104 acres became the Huntleys' Hillside Orchard; John Huntley Snr may have had a lease from the Crown for the whole 208 acres before rate records started.)
John Oswin was known as DADAS according to a caption under a photo of John -page number not recorded.
COLE'S MINTO.
There is an excellent but very long article about Mr Cole which backs up the claims made in LIME LAND LEISURE by Charles Hollinshed about the Cole family's scientific approach to pasture improvement. Valda Cole is one of the greatest authorities regarding the history of the eastern side of the Mornington Peninsula.
MR. G W. COLE'S FARM. A WELL-IMPROVED PROPERTY.
The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946) Saturday 26 April 1902 p 10 Article.
Mrs Cole was the widow of G.W.Cole,who had died earlier in 1902.
MINTO.
Mrs Cole's property,is set off with a beautiful growth of ornamental trees. It contains about 600 acres, 150 of
which are sown with grass. Mrs Cole had 30 acres of rape in this year, and sent a large number of prime sheep to the market. Here may be seen a most luxuriant growth of paspalum, by far the best in the whole Peninsula, and, for that matter, perhaps not surpassed in the State. It has been established here some 35 years, having been introduced by the late Baron Von Mueller. Incredible as it may seem, the late MrCole had average yields off his paspalum paddocks of 40 tons to the acre, for one or two seasons running.
Should anyone have misgivings as to whether paspalum will do down this way, let him feast his eyes on these
paddocks. It will be a revelation to him. The essentials for its successful growth are good soil and moisture.
CAPTAIN TONKIN's.
(274 acres fronting both Stanleys Rd and the future Callanans Rd and the 65 acres of the stupidly designated c/a 83 big B,little B1,Balnarring only going north to the present south end of Tonkins Rd.Melway 191 H 5-8, part J&K8 .)
Captain Tonkin's property is being leased by Mr W. Todd, who seems to be jogging along very nicely. He has
about 30 acres of oats in and had some rape, but it did not come up to expectations, probably for the reason that it was put in too late, viz., in April. Rape ought to be sown about March. I have noted about this district, if left much later, it generally turns out poorly. Mr Todd is running a lot of sheep, which look very well. He has, besides this property, another near Tubba Rubba, of about 300 acres.
MR W. CLEAVE'S.
(Captain Smith's former property,farmed by Mr Cleave was probably c/a 78B2 and 54A, Balnarring, a total of 254 acres granted to J.Smith on 4-5-1885 which was a bit east of directly over Stanleys Rd from Tonkins' frontage. The Conservation Reserve in Melway 191 K 4-5 was a quarry reserve of 10 acres gazetted in 1875 at the south east corner of c/a 78B2. Melway 191 part J, K3,4,part 2, 192 part A 3-4,part 2.
The property which most people know as Captain Smith's is now in possession of Mr W. Cleave, a good,
progressive farmer, who hails from Gippsland. He is experimenting with onions, and, though it is too early to
venture an opinion as to how they are going to turn out, it may be said that all the conditions necessary for their successful culture appear to be present. A very disappointed man will Mr Cleave be if the crop is a failure, but he tells you confidently that it won't be so, and all of us will hope he is right. If onions do well at Flinders, there is no earthly reason, as far as we can see, why they shouldn't do equally well at Balnarring and elsewhere on the Peninsula. At Frankston they grow splendidly, and yet very few go in for them. I recollect last season seeing several hundred-weight that had come off Mr T. Ritchie, senr's, land by the Kananook Creek. They were regular boomers, all over 1 lb weight each, and were disposed of to a Melbourne firm of agents, who exhibited them in their window as having been grown on "their rich Carrum soil!" However, this is by the way. A lot of the Balnarring people are watching Mr Cleave's experiment with very keen interest, and should it turn out a success, it is expected that hundreds of acres in this district will be growing the fragrant onion next year.
MR R. L. TULLIS.
(Bob Tullis is mentioned on page 36 of Mary Karney's THE GOLDEN PLAINS OF TUBBARUBBAREL.
The 160 acres farmed by Mr Tullis might have been the 169 acre 54B,Balnarring granted to A.Duff in 1873 at the north west corner of Stanleys and Merricks Rds. The rep.was obviously heading east again,as Duff's grant adjoined Smith's east boundary. Melway 192 partA, B 3-4,part 2,north to Kentucky Rd corner and fronting Merricks Rd.)
Mr Tullis has 160 acres and grows a good deal of rape for fattening sheep for the winter market. He has about
six acres of orchard, and does something in the poultry-farming line, which he finds a profitable adjunct to
other pursuits. The writer has often been surprised that so few go in for poultry, in conjunction with farming
and fruit growing. There may not be any fortune in the game, but there is at least a few shillings a week in it, and this will buy the wife a new frock every now and then and provide her with a little pocket money of her own. The writer knows one good lady who made 50 no less out of poultry last year, while her husband made a very good thing out of fruit, devoting his whole time to that department, and leaving the care of the "chooks " and the selling of their eggs, entirely to his wife. In other districts the income of the farm is often largely supplemented by poultry. Ducks, by the way, are a good line, according to Mr Ralph Brown, who told a Frankston audience some two or three months back that he knew a man near Sydney who, off a duck-farm of five acres in extent, was making 1000 a year. It's a big figure that, and personally, we are inclined to think that it is rather exaggerated-not by Mr Brown, but by his informant-yet there is no mistaking that, carried on in a proper manner and on business lines, there's money in breeding ducks and poultry generally.
MR R. STANLEY'S.
EXTRACT re the Stanley family FROM MY JOURNAL ABOUT THE SHIRE OF FLINDERS.
STANLEY Robert 1886-94, 1906-15
Stanleys Rd (Melway 191 F5) honours this pioneering family. It is possible that Joseph P.Stanley followed this track to Stumpy Gully Rd and then headed about two miles north to his selection,104B Bittern, for which he received the grant on 17-2-1885. Of just over 95 acres, this land was at the south west corner of Myers and Stumpy Gully Rds with frontages of 806 and 546 metres respectively.
FLINDERS AND KANGERONG SHIRE .COUNCIL. Saturday, March 27. Present.-Cr Davies (president), Buckley, Haig. Bartholomew, Shaw, Macfarlan and Brown. Cr Stanley, in consequence of ill health was granted six months leave of absence. (P.2, Dandenong Advertiser and Cranbourne, Berwick and Oakleigh Advocate, 8-4-1914.)
On the motion of Cr Shand a letter of condolence was directed to be sent to ex-Cr Stanley in his recent sad bereavement. (P.3, Mornington Standard, 13-5-1916.)
BALNARRING. The present month has ushered in tragedy. Two of the oldest, best-known and most respected residents have gone to the great beyond. Mr Paul Vansuylen was the first. Contracting a bad cold he developed pneumonia and almost before it was realised that he was very ill, he had succumbed on 2nd inst. in spite of the best medical aid. Mr Vansuylen has resided here from boyhood, his father having been a very well-known identity of early times. He leaves a wife and a large grown-up family. He was buried as Hastings, and a very large number of mourners followed his remains to tHe cemetery. He will be greatly missed. Mr Robert Stanley died on the Sunday following (9th). He had suffered a long and painful illness, having been ill since December, 1914. In his case a severe cold started many complications, and he gradually sank lower and lower, till death came as a merciful end. Mr Stanley was also a resident here from boyhood, his father having arrived amongst the first pioneers. He was a man of great energy and active sympathy in all local movements. He and Mr Vansuylen were the life of the A.N.A., the Progress Association and the School Committee. Mr Stanley was also for years a councillor in the Flinders shire, where he had a reputation for honesty and outspokenness. No men will be so much missed as he and his old time friend, Mr P Vansuylen.
(P.2, Mornington and Dromana Standard, 15-7-1916.)
From Mary Karney's NO RUGGED LANDSCAPE.
STANLEY P.195. E.Stanley arrived in 1861. His sons Bob, Joe and Bill were given the task of minding some cattle. They stuck to their task so well that J.BUCKLEY led a search party of 20 men to find them. The boys were returned home from the Mt Martha area by Teddy Quinn* . This story is told in full in THE MEN WHO BLAZED THE TRACK. Bob Stanley married a Byrne girl and their children were Vincent, born 11-5-1896, and Vera.
(*Probably from the family which lived on the north west corner of Mornington-Tyabb and Moorooduc Rds where the electricity sub station stands. The Quinns and Whites were ancestors of Shirley Walter,nee Bourne, the female drover who inspired my THE FEMALE DROVER: A HISTORY OF MOOROODUC.)
Mr Bob Stanley has a nice property of 500 acres or so of good grass land, and runs cattle exclusively. The
stock do well here, and some fine beasts are grown. Mr Stanley does a little in the dairying line.
MR CAMPBELL DOWNWARD'S,
Next to the above lies Mr Campbell Downward's place. This gentleman devotes his attention to sheep breeding, at which he is very successful. It was noted in passing that his paddocks, once clear of undergrowth, are now getting over-run with bracken. There is only one thing for this, and that is to thoroughly clear the land and put the plough into it. Otherwise the fern will soon spread over the whole area, and " fresh fields and pastures new" will have to be sought for the sheep.
"COOLART."
The Hon F. S. Grimwade's estate is, during that gentleman's absence in the Old Country, in charge of Mr R.
Morris. Here some exceptionally fine stock are bred, Mr Grimwade makes a point of securing nothing but the
very best of animals for stud purposes. The famous Bobadil is doing duty there at a fee, by the way, of 30
guineas. Fortunately, he is not dependent upon local patronage, or his services would not be called into requisition very often at this figure. Some valuable racing mares from the metropolis are being served by him.
We noticed several promising-looking yearlings of Bobadil's, and some heavy stock, all in the very pink of condition. A splendid herd of Shorthorn cattle is also to be seen, amongst them a magnificent bull, who has been entered for the Royal and is confidently expected to have no difficulty in annexing the champion prize. A
nice lot of Cotswold sheep are raised here. Indeed, Mr Grimwade has quite a show of his own, and one may here see perhaps the best horses, cattle and sheep in the whole Peninsula. (P.2, Mornington Standard,23-8-1902.)
AROUND RED HILL.
SOME PROPERTIES DESCRIBED
[By Our Special Representative.]
Red Hill, with its rich soil and fine climate, bids fair to become in the near future one of the great fruit
producing centres of the State. It is badly handicapped now in not having ready means of transit to Melbourne, but the matter of a railway there is already being considered by the Minister, who has indicated that he views the project favourably. At present growers have either to make a ten-mile trip to Bittern or go fourteen miles to Mornington to get their produce to the train. When this railway is constructed, Red Hill is bound to make great headway. For strawberries and other small fruits, as well as apples, pears, plums and cherries, the
district is admirably suited. Vegetables and general crops also do splendidly. In short, anything will grow
here, and grow well. Brief descriptions of some of the properties are appended:
"HILL-SIDE" ORCHARD. (c/a.15A, Kangerong, almost 105 acres,granted to J. Holmes,gardener,who was not related to the later pioneers of that name; Melway 191 E3, and parts of E-F4 and F3.
This orchard, which belongs to the Misses Huntley, is somewhere about 12 acres in extent, and is noted for its
large yields of fruit, especially of cherries and plums. It is situated in a well-sheltered valley and is perhaps the most thoroughly-drained garden in the locality. Of cherries, Black Margaret do exceptionally well; and of plums, the most successful seem to be the Pond's Seedling. Apples and pears grow to perfection, and the same may be said of the strawberries and raspberries, for which the Red Hill soil and climate seem eminently
adapted.
" LITTLE BRIDGE FARM."
(As Sheila Skidmore's only clue to the location of Little Bridge Farm was that William McIlroy, from Littlebridge, Moneymore, in Northern Ireland, moved his wife and 9 children into a log cabin built on 700 acres of land after they finally arrived in 1862; he'd saved twice to provide the fare to bring them out.
To establish where on the many McIlroy grants the homestead stood, it was no good ringing ghost busters so who could I call? Bill Huntley of course. Now approaching 94, Bill will definitely be at the "Back To", if ,as he says,he's still around. He told me that the homestead was on the south side of McIlroys Rd at the first bend from Red Hill Rd and was situated near a spring. This would probably be just within the south boundary of the Jangerong Flora Reserve in Melway 191 G2 but I'd need to go there with Bill to be absolutely sure.)
Leaving " Hillside," we strike Mr Wm. J. McIlroy's "Little Bridge Farm," containing about 490 acres, of which forty or so are under orchard. It seemed to us that Mr McIlroy had not made the best use of his garden, systematic ploughing between the trees, for example, having to a certain extent been neglected. Otherwise, however, the garden looks well, and produces an abundant supply of fruit. Of apples,the Winter Strawberry variety is extensively grown, also Stone Pippin, Reinette de Canada, Alfriston, and the Scarlet Nonpariel. Of pears, the Napoleon and Beurre de Capiamont look nice, and of plums, the Diamond variety attracted our notice most.Mr .McIlroy has about seven acres under strawberries also.
It is strange that the recent death of William McIlroy was not mentioned.
RED HILL
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
Mr Wm. M'Ilroy, of Little Bridge Farm, died last Saturday morning, after a long illness, having been confined to his room for the past fifteen months. Deceased was 84 years of age and well-known throughout the Peninsula, being a very old resident. He arrived in the colony in 1854 and for 11 years carried on business in Melbourne. He came to reside here in 1865, and turned his attention to fruit growing, being one of the pioneer orchardists of the district. He had to face many difficulties in the old days, with bad roads, etc. He regularly carted his fruit through to Melbourne till about three years ago. He leaves a family of six, thirty-nine grand-children and -nine great-grand-children. The funeral, which took place on Monday, was largely attended, Mr P. S.
Watsford conducting the service. (P.2, Mornington Standard, 8-3-1902.)
"FOREST LODGE"
(Forest Lodge consisted mainly of crown allotments 23A and B,parish of Kangerong,each consisting of 78 acres 0 roods and 28 perches. The additional 40 acres may have been a third of Robert Coxon Young's grant, 21B adjoining to the west. Melway 161 E-G,part H, 12. North east corner 120 metres north of Craig Avon Lane corner and south east corner at Junction Corner,exactly. )
This property, about 200 acres in extent, formerly H. P. Davey's, is now owned by Mr Clark, who comes from New South Wales. The homestead commands a magnificent view Of Westernport Bay. The property is well laid out, and contains some very rich soil. There are about 30 acres of crop for hay, and about five acres of orchard of mixed sorts, splendidly situated and sheltered.
JONATHAN DAVIS'.
( In 1900, Jonathan was assessed on 28 acres, Kangerong, ditto 1910, which does not help much,except that he
was not on Blooming Bob White's 27 acres, as shown soon and by the 1910 assessments. In the 1919-20 records, the rate collector called him Jonathan Davies but provided the precious information that the 28 acre farm was on crown allotment 19,Kangerong. This was on the north corner of White Hill and McIlroys Rd, Melway 160 K11; section 18, including noseless Bryan Ringrose's grant, the "Four Winds" homestead block and the block granted to Sam Calder, who designed the Shire office at Dromana, was at the south corner.
The online Kangerong map shows very clearly where Jonathans farm was. It consisted of lot 10 of crown allotment 19,consisting of 19a. 3r. 38 p., granted to Jonathan Davis on 10-7-1876 and lots 1,2,3 of Red Hill Township, between lot 10 and McIlroys Rd, for which he progressively obtained the grants from 1879. This gave a combined total of 30 acres 2 roods and 15 acres,but if roods and perches were ignored,the rate collector would have calculated: 19 + 4 + 2 + 3 = 28.)
Facing the Port Phillip side, and giving a good view of the Bay, lies Mr Jonathan Davis'. He has 40 acres
or so, with six acres of young trees coming on, consisting mostly of apples of the Rokewood, Alfriston and
sopus Spitzenburg varieties; also some cherries, and the usual patch of strawberries, without which no Red
Hill orchard is considered complete. Mr Davis goes in for dairying as well,being the lessee of a 60-acre paddock, owned by Miss Strong, which he uses for grazing. He has a separator, and supplies butter to one or two of the storekeepers in the district.
JAS. DAVIS
has five acres under fruit, which yields well. His chief varieties are cherries, plums, apples and pears.
(In 1900, James Davis was assessed on 4 acres and a building, Kangerong; likewise Mrs Fanny Davis in 1910. Perhaps these were the parents and obviously Fanny was a widow by 1910 since her own Christian name was used.It is possible that James and Fanny lived on lot 4, west of lot 3, which was granted to J.(Jackson?)in 1867.
R. WHITE'S.
Mr White's property comes next. He, too, has a good residence site, giving a fine view of the Bay. Mr White has some fruit trees and a small crop.
The Kangerong online map referred to re Jonathan and James Davis is an updated map and Appleyard's 20C actually contains land in crown allotment 19, as well as some township blocks. Blooming Bob White had the 17a 3r. 12p. granted to "Skipper Moore" (who, with William Henry Blakeley owned a Bay trader) on 1-1-1878 as shown; Bob's 27 acre farm consisted of this land and an adjoining block, all fronting White Hill Rd. The three blocks of about 9 acres can be seen on a map at the Dromana Museum; toolaroo has shown the precise position of his ancestor's farm in "Peninsula Pioneers."
Red Hill had two people called Robert White in the same era. This Robert White was known as "Blooming Bob" White (who despised swearing and used this alternative a lot) and from 1875 to about 1992,he was a pioneer of Rosebud,owning Section 18 Wannaeue, bounded by Pt Nepean Rd, Adams Avenue, Eastbourne Rd and Jetty Rd. By 1890 he had bought 27 acres in White Hill Rd on the north corner of McIlroys Rd, consisting of three Red Hill township blocks of about 9 acres each.
His sister married one of the James boys who lived near the future Main Ridge cricket ground but because of the difficulty of obtaining a minister, the ceremony did not take place until after young Robert's birth so his name on his birth certificate was recorded as Robert White. Brought up as Robert James, and granted c/a 27A, section B, Wannaeue under that name, he discovered his original name on the document he required to marry Miss Roberts. He was a bullocky and became known as "Bullocky Bob" White; he and Edward Williams carted the old lighthouse to the Arthurs Seat Summit as a lookout tower, and Whites Rd,off Purves Rd was named after Bullocky or his descendants.
There's plenty more to tell, such as the White connection to the Hillis family and the Cairns connection in Clackmannon, Scotland, but if you want to know it all,you'll have to private message family tree circle's Toolaroo, who lives in N.S.W., and ask him if there are any spare copies of his book, "Peninsula Pioneers".
WHEELER'S.
Mrs Wheeler has the Post Office and Store, which has been established for over 30 years. There are about
seven acres of orchard attached to the property, mostly young trees; also a little strawberry plantation, as well as a crop.
After Mr Wheeler's death his widow and descendants carried on the post office for many years. The post office still has the postal boxes at the front but is a private residence. The township blocks were on both sides of White Hill Rd near McIlroys Rd, as you will see in the middle of the Kangerong map. Recently known as the Post Office Art Gallery and now just plain 710 White Hill Rd, the old post office,about which there will be much information in Helen Blakeley's forthcoming book,is located in Melway 160 K12.
HILL'S.
(Extract from my DICTIONARY HISTORY OF RED HILL journal.
HILL.
An article entitled "Around Red Hill" on page 2 of the Mornington Standard of 30-8-1902 described Mr Hill's property. Up the hill from the post office (710 White Hill Rd at Melway 160 K 12) was Mr Hill's property on about 12 acres on a well-situated slope with a 6 roomed house. Mr hill was presently at St Kilda.
The 1900 rates reveal that Arthur E.Hill was assessed on 60 acres, 18B, Kangerong. This allotment of 59 acres 3 roods and 14 perches, granted to the noseless Bryan Ringrose, was bounded on the east and north by lines extending Andrews Lane and Tumbywood Rd until they meet. (Approximately Melway 190 K 1.) The 12 acre block in 1902 would have been a part of this 60 acre block. )
Up the hill from Wheeler's is Mr Hill's property, comprising about 12 acres, situated on a well-sheltered
slope. A 6-roomed house is erected here. The orchard is a young one, planted about three years ago. Be
sides the usual varieties, there is an acre of lemons, which are looking fairly well. Mr Hill is at present a
resident of St. Kilda, but it is understood intends to take up his abode here shortly.
F. & H DAVIS'.
(By 1900 Fred and Henry Davis had 35 and 43 acres respectively in the parish of Kangerong, on which Fred, an orchardist, and Henry,a labourer,were again assessed in 1910. In the 1919-20 record,both blocks were shown to be on crown allotment 10B, Kangerong. Bounded by Tumbywood Rd,Sheehan Rd (the original south end of White Hill Rd until Wiseman's Deviation was made),a road frontage of 205 metres west from Sheehans Rd and a western boundary touching the end of Holmes Rd,the 172 acre property was granted to Robert Caldwell who lost this and another property,the Fairy Vineyard, because of insolvency*. New owners of 10B were obviously ready to subdivide it in 1881. (*See article in comment 15.) )
Opposite is Messrs F. and H. Davis' who go in for potato growing. They have been very successful with this
crop, having had as much as 10 tons to the acre. They also cultivate maize and peas, and have an acre or so of
strawberries.
ARKWELL'S. (C/A's 12AB Kangerong, Melway 190 JK 2-4,between Arkwells Lane, extended to White Hill Rd, and Andrews Lane, extended the same distance.)
Were a prize awarded for the best kept orchard in the district, the Messrs Arkwell would have a big say in it.
Their 20 acres are well laid out, with the trees trimmed up in the proper style, and the whole presenting a nice, neat appearance. They have about 9 acres of strawberries in. The late Mr Arkwell was, by the way, the pioneer grower of strawberries in this district. Besides fruit, they make a speciality of flower growing, and send large quantities of blooms and bulbs to Melbourne florists, chiefly daffodils, tulips and hyacinths.
T. CLEINE'S.
(Thomas Henry Cleine was assessed on 45 acres, Kangerong in 1900 and 1910. It could have been anywhere in the parish of Kangerong, although the "special representative" has narrowed down its location somewhat. The only Cleine assessed in 1919 was Karl Cleine,who, if I remember correctly had married a McIlroy girl, and was assessed on 30 acres of 14B Kangerong, a McIlroy grant north of the Mechanics Rd,Station Rd junction; I believe this was Cleine's Corner.
In 1919, E.L. and Charles Albert Trewin were assessed on 40 acres and buildings (part 72B)and 45 acres and buildings (part 10B, Kangerong.) The first property had been George Hoskens' in 1902 and it seems most likely that the second property had been Thomas Cleine's in 1902. It was therefore in 10B Kangerong and being opposite the state school and Mr Wiseman'shad to be on the west side of the road between the Tumbywood and Sheehans Rd corners.
On the opposite side is Mr Thomas Cleine's. Here there are eight acres of orchard in the young stage, three of which were planted this year, and the remainder is just about coming into bearing. Strawberries are planted
extensively. This property promises very well.
WISEMAN'S.
(c/a 11AB Kangerong, bounded by the road from Moat's Corner (now Sheehans Rd)and Arkwells Lane. The present south end of White Hill Rd was built on a more suitable route through this property and called Wiseman's Deviation. The original Red Hill School site, in the angle between Arkwells Lane and (today's) Sheehans Rd, was leased from James Wiseman for many years. Alf Hanson was a pupil there and at the second school, and recalled Miss Shaw, who married Reg Sheehan, being his first teacher. He adds:"Only about fifty yards from the old Red Hill school site was Wiseman's property." (i.e. the forge and possibly house))"I used to love watching Mr Wisemn in his blacksmith's shop. Hewas afine gentleman, with grey-white whiskers that were about a foot long....I believe Mr Wiseman built an iron pushbike that is supposedly in the Melbourne Museum. One of his daughters, Jean Wiseman, sold apples for a ha'penny each; they were big Northern Sky apples,beautiful to eat when fresh." P.12-13, MEMOIRS OF A LARRIKIN. )
Opposite Mr Cleine's is the State School and Mr Wiseman's blacksmith's shop. Mr Wiseman, an old and respected resident here, has about 200 acres altogether, a small portion of which is planted with fruit.
JOHN SHEEHAN'S.
(In 1900 John Sheehan was assessed on 20 acres,Kangerong. Robert Sheehan's name was written as the person to be rated on 40 acres and house but this was crossed out, most likely an indication that he had been assessed on the property in 1899. As the Flinders and Kangerong Shire had followed the Kangerong Road Board practice of listing ratepayers alphabetically,rather than geographically as the Flinders Road Board had done until 1874 when the road districts were amalgamated to form the shire, rate collectors would copy the previous year's record and make amendments as necessary.
In 1910,John Sheehan, hotelkeeper of the New Treasury Hotel in Spring St, Melbourne, was assessed on land and buildings in McCulloch St, Dromana, John Sheehan, a Red Hill farmer,on 22 acres and buildings, Kangerong, and Mrs Robert Sheehan ,Red Hill farmer,on 28 acres lot 6 of 10B,Kangerong.
In 1919, Robert Sheehan (Blackburn) and John Sheehan (Red Hill) were jointly assessed on lots 6 and 5 of 10B, Kangerong, each of twenty seven and a half acres and 11 acres (part c/a 8* Kangerong.)
(* Crown allotment 8,granted to George McLear is now the part of Arthurs Seat State Park in Melway 160 F12 and 190 F1.)
It seems likely that the 55 acres of 1919 was the 60 acres of 1899 and the 50 acres of 1910,so it could be safely assumed that John Sheehan's farm in 1902 was in c/a 10B on the west side of Sheehans Rd.
Alterations have been made in 1919, John Sheehan's name being crossed out and the names of Albert Smith and Gordon Stephens substituted, apparently only for lot 5.
Albert Sheehan of Murtoa, where the Sheehans settled for a long time, en route from South Australia, and William Alfred Holmes met his bride of 1882, was assessed on 50 acres (part 23B2 Wannaeue) in 1919. There is no 23B2 shown on the Wannaeoe parish map and this was most likely 23A1 of 52 acres 1 rood and 8 perches,part of 146 acres granted to J.Bayne (James or John Bayne)of the family that received grants at Red Hill South (about which I've written a journal inspired by a Hill 'n' Ridge article.) The (roughly) 50 acre block is indicated by Melway 171 H5. It is possible that 23B2 meant lot 2 of 23B granted to William Hillis. Crown allotment 23B,of 153 acres, fronted Main Creek Rd south of the Whites Rd corner to the line of Wilsons Rd,roughly Melway 171 K 5-6 , including most of Splitters Creek in J 5-6.)
A little higher up the road is Mr John Sheehan's. This orchard is divided into two, one portion being devoted to cherries, and the other to apples, pears and lemons. The last named have been planted about two years, and look very well. There is every reason to believe the lemon will do well here. More land is being cleared on this block, with a view to extending the orchard.
BLAKELEY'S.
( The 140 acre property was crown allotment 72A, Balnarring,on the east corner of Mornington-Flinders Rd and Red Hill Rd with the north east corner just east of Sheehans Rd and the south west corner where the road enters Melway 190 D5. If William Henry Blakeley had succeeded in 1884, Helen Blakeley would be writing a completely different book,with only a passing reference to Red Hill and the property would have had a different owner in 1902. Had William fallen out of love with Holding's grant? No. Helen Blakeley,who has only to add the illustrations to complete her book,states, "Yes xxx found this also - it was a knee jerk reaction to the death of his eldest son."
FARM for SALE, 140 acres, well fenced and
watered, subdivided, 36 acres cleared, good
land, large orchard, latest fruit, two houses, sheds,
etc., near Dromana. Apply W. H. Blakeley, 116
Russell-street, Melbourne. (P.4, Bendigo Advertiser, 14-1-1884.)
Mr Blakley has a nice property, on which there is a commodious villa. He has about 20 acres of orchard in full bearing, giving very heavy yields. There are several strawberry plots, and about 20 acres under crop. Mr Hunt,
late of Wandin, manages this place.
N.B.By 1919,Thomas Chapman had 60 acres and building, part 9A,72 A, Balnarring and William Henry Blakeley of 115 Lonsdale St,Melbourne had 80 acres and building(s?), part crown allotment 72A Balnarring.
HOSKEN'S.
(Mr Hosken had to be on 72B, Balnarring on Mornington Finders Rd between Blakeley's 140 acres and Alfred Head's grants (71AB straddling Stony Creek Rd.) This 140 acre property was granted to J.Pitcher and later occupied by carpenter and devout Methodist, Henry Ault, who seems to have died in Gippsland. By 1919, 72B had been split into two properties, of 100 acres owned by Major J.N.Shaw of the Queensland fort, and E.L.Trewin who had 40 acres and a building. I think I remember mention of Shaw's saw mill at Red Hill so Trewin probably had the cleared section near the homestead with Shaw exploiting the uncleared part.
George Hoskens had quite some success in the 1903 Kangerong Show with his apples and his wife won a few prizes too.The show report actually got the spelling of Prossor correct:
KANGERONG SHOW. A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION.
Mornington Standard (Vic. : 1889 - 1908) Saturday 14 March 1903 p 3 Article.
George was on the committee for the show for several years.)
Mr Hosken's is another example of a well-kept orchard. He grows apples mostly, also some pears, and strawberries, of course.
POSTSCRIPT. YARNS OVER THE BOUNDARY FENCE.
My guesses aren't always right but if I was betting on them,I'd be well ahead.
EXTRACT FROM THE SIMPSON ENTRY IN PIONEER PATHWAY,DROMANA.
On 6-4-1891, Fred Simpson started work at Blakeley's; part of its 140 acres is now occupied by the Consolidated School. Henry Ault's 140 acre block (Joseph Pitcher's grant, Melway 190 E-F5) was south of Blakeley's and had been bought by George Hoskins whose nephew, George William Russ was working with him. Fred's father, Joseph, did a fruit and vegetable run, which included Ellerslie, the beachside retreat of Sargood, whose main residence was the famed Rippon Lea* at Elsternwick. On occasions, Fred would do this delivery run. And who should be a servant at Ellerslie but Emily Russ, who was highly regarded by Mrs Sargood, who supplied Fred's future wife with a glowing reference. Fred met his brother in law (as they worked on 72A and 72B) before he met his bride. I bet Emily knew all about Fred before he arrived at Ellerslie! (SOURCE: Margaret Connell, nee Simpson, of Simpson St,Red Hill South.)
By the way,see the mention of Hoskins' trap taking Bobby Wilson to Mornington after the accident, under the farm that the "special representative" did not discuss, HANSON'S "ALPINE CHALET" (after Fern Valley and J.Hopcraft's.)
"FERN VALLEY."
( c/a's 71A1 and 71B Balnarring; Melway 190,E-F7, E-G,part H 8,that is east to the creek.
Alf later renamed his property as Musk Creek.
Extract re the Head family from my DICTIONARY HISTORY OF RED HILL journal.
Alfred Head was granted 71B, Balnarring, consisting of 116 acres 2 roods and 22 perches, on 5-5-1874.This allotment has a frontage of 1360 metres to the south side of Stony Creek Rd and 3346 metres to Mornington-Flinders Rd. On 26-5-1884, Alfred received the grant for 71A of 83 acres 1 rood and 18 perches on the north side of Stony Creek Rd and fronting Mornington-Flinders Rd, with frontages of 882 and 386 metres respectively.
The eastern and northern extents of the allotment are indicated by Pardalote Rise.
In 1919, Alfred Head seems to have been leasing 71B (116 acres) from the Jarmans. Norm Prossor (Sid Prossor's father and the son of Henry Prossor) had 43 acres of 71A and Wallace Jarman the remaining 40 acres. It is possible that Alfred Head in this case was Alfred Charles Head, only son of the 1874(or earlier) pioneer.
"Around Red Hill", the August 1902 article, referred to Alfred's property as Fern Valley*. Interestingly, it gives his name as A.C.Head so Charles was probably his second given name. Alfred had a 15 acre orchard but concentrated mainly on vegetables, mainly peas, beans and potatoes for which he finds a ready market at Sorrento in Summer. He also has success with his hay crops. (No doubt the hay went to Stringer's Store to be sold to cabbies who competed with Coppin's tramway for the Amphitheatre trade as well as conveying passengers along the White Road (Pt Nepean Rd) to Canterbury etc.) The Cairns of Maroolaba and the Pattersons of Final had this contract while they had a contact at the store, but Alfred may have had a more influential contract after whom Lentell Ave (Melway 157 A5) was named.
(* In his letter, in the capacity of Returning Officer, congratulating George McLear on his sixth successive election as F&K Shire auditor, Alfred gave his address as "Musk Creek". The two tributaries of Musk Creek start at Melway 190 F6 in the southern part of Joseph Pitcher's grant and join in Alf's 14A, flowing through Alf's 14B before emptying into Stony Creek on William Hopcraft's grant.
While researching THE FEMALE DROVER:A HISTORY OF MOOROODUC, I read in a heritage study that Alfred Head had leased Dalkeith Park (Melway 150 H8 to 151 C8), the farm later owned by Mr Vale whose daughter, Mrs Jackson, used the property for her equestrian event and race horses, hence Jackson's Hill climbing towards Range Rd from the Mornington turn off.
The Argus reports of sheep sales indicate that Head and Brady were occupying Dalkeith Park on 29-9-1897(P.7) and Alfred alone later (31-1-1900,P.5 and 5-8-1903, P. 8.) Why was Alfred in partnership with Brady? True, the Bradys' Mount Evergreen (Melway 190 A-B 9-10) was not far from Fern Valley (190 E-F 7-8 roughly) so they were neighbours. The Mornington Standard of 11-11-1897 has a marriage announcement on page 2 that explains the relationship between the two families.
Marriages. BRADY-HEAD. On Tuesday 2-11-1897 at Dalkeith Park, Mount Martha, Obadiah W.Brady, second son of the late Obadiah Brady of Mount Evergreen, Rosebud, to Mary Elizabeth Rosetta, eldest daughter of Alfred Head Esq., Fern Valley, Red Hill.
And that contact at Stringer's Store (probably a highly valued customer, rather than an employee):
(Argus 7-12-1901, P.9.) Marriages. HEAD-LENTELL. on 19-11-1901 at St John's Church, Sorrento, Alfred Charles, only son of Alfred Head, Red Hill, Dromana, to Emma Mary, youngest daughter of James Lentell, Sorrento, late of Richmond.
Alfred Head was a councillor for the centre riding of the Flinders and Kangerong Shire by 1881 and was re-elected unopposed in 1886 (South Bourke and Mornington Journal 18-8-1886, P.3.) FULL DETAILS OF COUNCILLORS AND THEIR TERMS CAN BE FOUND IN LIME LAND LEISURE*. Alfred was appointed to the Board of Advice for the centre riding of the Shire (Argus 11-7-1885 P.10.)
(*and my SHIRE OF FLINDERS journal.)
Alfred Head was one of the trustees of the Red Hill Wesleyan Methodist Church whose first services were held on 25-1-1885; interestingly, Nelson Rudduck was also a trustee. Sounds like a law-abiding, God-fearing, responsible man doesn't he? So I reckon the following might concern his only son, Alfred Charles.
(Mornington Standard 11-4-1908 page 2.) LOCAL AND GENERAL. Dromana Court. At the last sitting before Messrs N (Nelson) Rudduck and G.(George) McLear J.P.'s, Mr Fulton, Shire Secretary, proceeded against Alfred Head of Red Hill for wilful damage to the road known as Eaton's Cutting by trailing timber or heavy material. Alfred was fined ten shillings and had to pay three pounds twelve shillings and sixpence in costs.
Two children from the Head family were enrolled at the State School when it opened in 1873 in the old schoolhouse at the end of Arkwells Lane.
Somewhere in my countless rates transcriptions, in the assessment of Alf Head (senior or junior?)on his Red Hill property, he is described as a shopkeeper of Sorrento.
A SORRENTO CASE.
A decision of the Sorrento magistrates in a case against Alfred Charles Head,a local grocer, of selling liquor without a licence was quashed by Judge Chomley,etc.
(A SORRENTO CASE.
Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1857 - 1918) Tuesday 9 May 1905 p 1 Article)
And that's probably why Tyren Head is number 14 for the Sorrento Football Club instead of playing for the Hillmen!)
Mr A. C. Head has a nice property in "Fern Valley." His orchard consists of something like 15 acres, most
of the trees being young ones that are just coming into bearing. Mr Head cultivates vegetables largely,growing very fine crops of peas, beans, potatoes and other sorts, which do well here in the summer months and find a ready market in Sorrento and other places, He is also very successful with hay crops.
J. HOPCRAFT'S.
A splendid flower garden surrounds Mr Hopcraft's house. He has a nice little orchard and a vegetable garden;
also a number of walnut trees. These yield splendidly, and Mr Hopcraft finds no difficulty in disposing of the nuts.
THE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE'S RATHER BIZARRE ORDERING OF FARMS HAS BEEN NOTED AT THE START OF THE "FARMS" SECTION. JUST AS WELL THE RATE COLLECTORS HAD A MORE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE FARMS AND FARMERS OR THE SHIRE WOULD HAVE GONE BROKE (WHICH IT ALMOST DID ANYWAY BECAUSE OF THE 1890'S DEPRESSION.) HE WENT DOWN MORNINGTON-FLINDERS RD TO THE TUCKS RD CORNER (AND JOHN HOPCRAFT'S 70a BALNARRING) AND THEN BACKTRACKED PAST FERN VALLEY,HOSKEN'S AND BLAKELEY'S TO WILDWOOD AND GLENBOWER. THUS I NEED TO INSERT A FARM THAT HE MISSED.
HANSON'S "ALPINE CHALET"
(Crown allotment 70B, granted to William Hopcraft, with a 160+585 metre frontage to the east side of Tucks Rd. Its north west corner was opposite the end of Orchard Way. Melway 190 parts F-G 9-10.)
Extensive rate research reveals that Hans Christian Hanson occupied Alpine Chalet in 1887. Hans (1857-1938) had worked on all the bridges between Melbourne and Bright, and in Newcastle, N.S.W.where Alf was born in 1884, before coming to Red Hill.In 1906, his son Alf (1884-1960) married Frances Ada Elizabeth Purves (of Green Hills in Purves Rd which must have been bought from the Estate of Professor Hearn who built Heronswood). James Wilson, a descendant of Sarah Wilson (see GIVING DESTINY A HAND by Petronella Wilson)had married Barbara Scott Purves, sister of Frances, in 1915, so Bobby Wilson, Jim's brother,was not related to Alf in March 1902. Perhaps the special representative was not at fault for not exploring Tucks Rd and Shoreham Rd in August 1902; perhaps Bobby's life was hanging by a thread and the Hansons(mates)and the Laurissens (Bobby's aunt and uncle) were in no mood to discuss their farms.Bobby, whose head had been split open by an axe during an effort by Alf, aged 17 or 18, and Bobby and Jim Wilson, to chop off a branch which held a bee hive, may have been still in a critical condition five months after the accident. So the Hansons and their neighbours across Stony Creek,the Laurissens and Wilsons, might have felt that the farm article was of minor importance.
In about 1919, when Hec Hanson was about 6, Alf sold part of the property,including the beautiful two storey house between cherry trees on one side and apple trees on the other. The Lessings from Carrum Downs, a family of thirteen, were the buyers,presumably of 69 acres,and Alf had a new home built by Littlejohn the builder on 20 acres on the northern part of the property. While the house was built Alf and his family lived in a house on the Blakeley property. (This may have been the log cabin which was built by Mr Barker (unrelated to the Cape Schanck/Boneo Barkers, and if I remember Helen Blakeley's information correctly,W.H.Blakeley's father in law) on the Outlook Paddock or Eatons Cutting; can't remember which!) Incidentally,Constable Edwards (who later retired to a property near Flinders after injuries received at his next posting up country)found the three after they'd walked a mile and a half (which would take them to about 72 B, where I believe George Hosken's farm was) and with a trap borrowed from Mr Hoskins , Bobby was taken to Dr Somers at Mornington. (Memoirs of a Larrikin.)
HOLMES'.
(c/a's 73A and 73B Balnarring, granted to James McKeown; each consisting of 107 acres 2 roods and 32 perches, a total of 215.1.24. Melway 190 H5 fronting Arthurs Seat Rd from just east of opposite Sheehans Rd to the bend near Poffs,and south nearly to the bottom of G-J6.
This became two farms,Wildwood adjoining Blakeley's near the Sheehans Rd corner, and Glenbower adjoining the Village Settlement 1861 links (374.373648 metres) west of Prossors Lane. In about 1885, James McKeown moved to Gracefield in Boundary Rd, Dromana (between Caldwell Rd and Bryan's Cutting) part of which later became Travers' Sea Haze Estate on the summit of Arthurs Seat,with 74AB passing into the ownership of the Sheehans.
William Alfred Holmes had married a Sheehan girl in 1882 (Holmes genealogy in comments I think)and 74AB later became his. By 1919 many of the crown allotments around Red Hill had been split into two or more farms. William Alfred Holmes had 147 acres, c/a 73A,73B,Balnarring,Fred Nash had lots 6 and 7 of c/a 73AB,consisting of 40 acres,Mrs ?.E.Nash had lot 5 of 20 acres, and Alex Prossor had just replaced Charles William Ward as the occupant of 49 acres and buildings,part 73A. Arithmetic was obviously not the rate collector's strong point, 73AB having miraculously increased from 215 acres to 256 acres! It is likely that Fred Nash's 40 acres were on McConnell's grant 75A,north of Beaulieu Rd,which I was told (by Margaret Connell?) was named by the Nash family (after their native place?) Frederick and Elizabeth Sts were probably named after Nash family members.)
THIS SHOULD NOT BE IN ITALICS!
Mr Holmes has the property formerly in the possession of the late Mr John Sheehan, senr. It is nicely laid out and well stocked with apples, pears, cherries and plums. Several acres are used for cropping.
THE VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.
( For Details about locations of the various village settlement blocks, the death of Charles Thiele and his possible connection to a Doncaster pioneer etc, see my RED HILL VILLAGE SETTLEMENT PIONEERS journal. The "special representative" seems to have gone down Prossors Lane and back up,and then turned right along Arthurs Seat Rd, ,recording occupants on his right, finishing at 74K, "Davidson's" later granted to F.E.Edwards, whose eastern portion was later occupied by the south west end of the railway station (now Red Hill Centrepoint.) Mr Simpson's farm was not on the Village Settlement. )
Next we come to the Village Settlement, and the first place looked at Mr Tom Sandlant's. Four or five years ago this block was heavily timbered, but Mr Sandlant has it fairly well cleared now, and has a well-kept strawberry plantation of 4 acres, besides a tidy-sized bit under crop.
On Mr Chas Thiel's (sic) block, adjoining, some good work has also been done. There are five acres of orchard, and a nice lot of strawberries, besides Cape gooseberries, raspberries, wine berries, and red and black currants, all of which are looking well.
Mr E. Bowring has made a great improvement in his block, since his occupation of it some 12 months ago.He has a couple of acres of orchard coming on, and another two acres of strawberries in, also currants and raspberries. He is very successful with summer vegetables. Mr Bowring is having a 4-roomed house erected,the work being carried out by Mr Thos. Harvey.
Mr H. Prosser(sic) has the adjoining block, and has about 10 acres under cultivation, six of which are growing
fruit trees, most of them coming into bearing. Mr Prosser has for some years been a very successful exhibitor
of fruit and vegetables at the Dromana show, carrying off some of the chief prizes in each section. He grows
some specially fine black currants.
Mr Nash has about six acres, planted with the usual fruits, and has more land cleared and ploughed for extension purposes.
Mr Marshall has devoted his attention largely to peaches and apricots, but they do not seem to be quite so suc-
cessful as the more general kinds of fruits grown about here. He grows vegetables and strawberries also. This
place is kept in very nice order.
Mr Harvey, of "Fernside," has nine acres under cultivation, all orchard. Five acres are planted with strawberries and Cape gooseberries. The orchard is a very compact one, a model of neatness. Mr Harvey has a quantity of passion fruit--a long white variety, resembling the grenadillo-which is laden with fruit, ripening fast, also some Japanese plums. He is extending his orchard.
Mr T Parry has 23 acres under orchard, planted this year.Mr Neave has four acres under cultivation, two of which have just been ploughed. At present he is going infor strawberries principally.
Mr Davidson is also devoting his attention to strawberries.
SIMPSON'S.
(The end of Red Hill Rd was Station Rd which led directly to Baynes Rd (the start of Shoreham Rd.)For the station to be built thissection of the road to Shoreham had to be diverted around the station site,passing through the south east corner of G.Neave's 74 J, and about 4 acres of 74K in the Village Settlement.It then passed through 75A and B,reaching its westernmost point at Beaulieu Rd,as can clearly be seen on Melway. Crown allotment 89A fronting Point Leo Rd (the Blaze Trail)to the bend just before number 202 and the original start of Shoreham Rd (Bayne Rd) to Pine Avenue,was granted to Joseph Simpson.
A BIT OF BACKGROUND.(Extracts from the SIMPSON entry in my journal PIONEER PATHWAY AT DROMANA.)
William McIlroy , a farmer and flax merchant of Littlebridge , County Londonderry, Ireland, sold his property in 1859 and emigrated in 1860. My journal about Sheila Skidmore's THE RED HILL tells of how Joseph twice raised the money to bring his family out and also explains why Joseph's eldest son, William John, called his McIlroys Rd farm LITTLEBRIDGE. On 13-9-1861, Margaret Jane and the six McIlroy children sailed from Liverpool in the Donald McKay , arriving on 7-12-1861.
Robert and Margaret Simpson, also had a farm and flax mill in County Tyrone. (The boundary between the two counties is obviously a stream which ran the flax mill as the McIlroy and Simpson farms were two miles apart, as they later were at Red Hill.) Two of their sons, Thomas James and Joseph were born in Kingsmill, Joseph on 26-11-1837. During the gold rush to New Zealand in about 1868 they migrated there. After a while Joseph went to Melbourne and contacted the McIlroys who had been close neighbours in Ireland. On 8-10-1870, he married Mary Ann McIlroy, who was born in 1849, at the Presbyterian church in Richmond.
Joseph Simpson and his bride went to New Zealand and mining with Thomas James was resumed. Their only two children, Thomas John and Frederick Joseph were born at Hokatika on the South Island on 8-7-1871 and 5-10-1872 respectively. Soon after the latter birth, the family went to Red Hill and settled on Crown Allotment 89A Balnarring whose boundaries were exactly as I had specified, according to Margaret Connell. Joseph named his property Bayview, his homestead being on the 50 acres later re-granted to Noel in 1922. The farm was later divided into two and the southern part was called Seaview......
By 26-11-1916, Thomas Simpson had 20 acres and Frederick Simpson 71 acres of 89A. (That's only 91 acres!) T.Reeves of Fitzroy Gardens had 52 acres of Bayview, most likely the north west corner that was resumed and re-granted under the Closer Settlement Act. ......
As explained before, I only did extensive rate transcriptions for Kangerong and Wannaeue parishes. However for my Red Hill research, I transcribed 1919-20 Balnarring assessments near Red Hill Rd, meaning to do crown allotment 89 but forgetting to do so; it looks like another date with the microfiche on Monday. However, I did record that Thomas John Simpson had 20 acres and building, lot 8, 75 A and B. This did not mean that his 20 acre block was on both A and B, but that the entire subdivision was. The interesting thing is that 75AB was directly over Shoreham Rd from 89A. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the 20 acre block was between Baynes St and the new course of Shoreham Rd. )
Mr Simpson has some 20 acres of orchard and about 12 acres under crop. He has seven or eight acres planted with strawberries. His place has a neat and trim appearance, the orchard particularly being well cared for.
CHAS. CLEINE'S.
(Assuming there was some sort of logic in the"special representative's" movements,I would guess that Charles Cleine was the Karl Cleine of 1919, who had 30 acres on c/a 14 A Kangerong (a William McIlroy grant) north of the Mechanics Rd/ Station Rd corner (Cleine's Corner?))
Mr Chas Cleine has some 20 acres under orchard, which has come to be noted for its large cherry yields. These generally come in late and secure good prices, up to 14s per case being realised for Black Margarets last season. Apples, pears and plums also bear largely. Mr Cleine has three or four acres of strawberries and about
a dozen acres under crop. Included in the latter are a couple of acres of wheat, which is doing well.
(To be continued.) (P.2,Mornington Standard,30-8-1902.)
---------------------------------------------
RE SOME RARELY MENTIONED BALNARRING RESIDENTS WHOSE FARMS ARE DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK'S ARTICLE.
Mr Farrell, Mann and Morris,while not being often mentioned in the history of Banarring, and relatively new to the area, took a prominent part in a meeting of ratepayers (in the East Riding of the Flinders and Kangerong Shire)at Balnarring in 1903. Mr Cleaves and F.Jennings (probably one of the English brothers who arrived in 1898) had a bit to say too.
RATEPAYERS' MEETING AT
BALNARRING.
A well attended meeting of the ratepayers of the East Riding of the Flinders and Kangerong Shire was held in the Balnarring hall on Wednesday evening. Mr Buckley, who convened the meeting, was voted to the chair. After his opening remarks, in which he expressed his regret at the absence of the candidates, he read a letter from Mr R. Stanley, embodying that gentleman's views and apologising for his enforced absence through illness.
Immediately following the reading of Mr Stanley's letter the following resolution was moved by Mr H. Farrell, and seconded by Mr Mann, "That this meeting of ratepayers of the East Riding accepts Mr Stanley's explanation of his inability to attend this meeting, and accepts the written statement of his views which he has submitted." This was carried. After a few remarks regarding Cr Davies' conduct in absenting himself, and
failing to tender any explanation of his absence, the following resolution was moved by Mr R. Morris, and seconded by Mr Mann, "That this meeting express its emphatic disapproval of Cr Davies' action in refusing to attend this meeting to place his views before ratepayers, and to give an account of his actions in the council as our representative." This way carried.
A discussion dealing, with the resident officer* question and topics of interest to the shire then ensued. The principal speakers were Messrs W. Oswin, H. Farrell, Cleaves, Mann, A. Farrell, Morris, and F.Jennings. The following resolution was then moved by Mr Cleaves,and seconded by Mr Mann, "That this meeting approves of having a resident officer appointed without delay." This was carried unanimously.
(P.2,Mornington Standard,22-8-1903.)
*If I remember correctly the clerk or engineer (Moore?)concurrently performed the same role(s) for the Mornington shire as well, residing in Mornington.
ABOUT BALNARRING. SOME PROPERTIES DESCRIBED. [By Our Special Representative.]
A. E BENNETT.
(At the time the article was written Alfred Ernest Bennett was in the process of moving from Kent Orchard (79 B, Balnarring; Melway 191 HJ 1,2- to Seven Oaks, 79A Balnarring -Melway 161 J1,2 Fronting Red Hill and Junction Rds. In comment 16,there is a very long article about Bennett on Kent Orchard. I won't bore you with extensive rates information about A.E.Bennett and presumed relatives at Bittern North,John Shand etc. His friends were celebrating at Seven Oaks soon after he carried his bride over the threshhold and their first child was born in 1903.
Mr A. E. Bennett, who arrived at his residence, " Seven Oaks Farm," Red Hill, a few days ago with his bride, was tendered a musical evening by his numerous friends. The music was chiefly instrumental and many striking and original selections were rendered on a dozen bullock bells andan equal number of kerosene tins.
( PERSONAL PARS.
Mornington Standard (Vic. : 1889 - 1908) Saturday 22 November 1902 p 2 Article)
(Family Notices
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Saturday 8 August 1903 p 9 Family Notices
... of A. E. Bennett, "Seven Oaks," Red Hill --a son.)
On setting out to complete our tour around Ralnarring, the first place visited was Mr A. E. Bennett's. This
gentleman, who owns the large orchard rented by Mr John Shand*, is now engaged in planting a new one in an ad-joining paddock. The aspect, though perhaps a little exposed on one side to wind, is in other respects highly suitable as a site for an orchard.. About eight acres of trees have just been planted, also a small area of strawberries Mr Bennett also intends to devote some of his time to poultry farming and has selected the Buff Orpington variety as the best suited for his purpose. The handsome house, with its up-to-date conveniences. would appear to indicate that Mr Bennett will not be much longer a bachelor.
(* Fruit-growers are in high glee over the improved prices of fruit. Although some lost heavily by the recent storms, others have fair crops. Mr J. Shand, of Kent Orchard, sent 350 cases of cases of apples for export last week, and is likely to send 2000 more. (P.2, Mornington Standard,8-3-1902.)
PEMBROKE.
(During our road tour of the Red Hill district,91 year old Bill Huntley pointed out some land east of Kentucky and said it was owned by Robert Morris and named Pembroke. I knew exactly why it was so-named and one day I may get around to finishing my journal, reproducing my THE FEMALE DROVER: A HISTORY OF MOOROODUC, inspired by Shirley Walter,nee Bourne,the female drover, which has much detail,including this family notice.
MORRIS-JONES. - [Silver Wedding.] - On the 11th June, 1900, at Spring Farm, Moorooduc, by the Rev. A. P. McFarland, assisted by the Rev. Edwards, Robert H., second eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Morris, Chapel Farm, Pembroke,South Wales, to Mary, second daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Edward Jones, of Spring
Farm, Moorooduc. (Present Address: Penbank, Moorooduc.)
(P.1, Argus,11-6-1925.)
N.B. Penbank was on the south side of Mornington-Tyabb Rd west of Jones Corner in the parish of Moorooduc and was named after a place in Wales where Edward Jones had lived. The property had been subdivided by 1925 and Robert and Mary were probably on the portion today occupied by the Penbank School; the name for the school was suggested by David Shepherd, whose father (descended from an early Somerville pioneer) had married another daughter of Edward Jones. Pembroke Drive at Somerville was probably named because of the Unthank orchard in that area*, Mrs Unthank being a sister of Mrs Robert Morris whose husband came from Pembroke.(*Source: Murray Gomm.)
Crown allotment 13A, Balnarring,north east corner of Tubbarubba and Bittern-Dromana Rd,125 acres granted to Edward Jones on 21-8-1878. Melway 162 CD10-11.)
About a mile from Mr Bennett's, on the road to.Bittern, is a young orchard of about eight acres, belonging to Mr Morris. This gentleman, who is manager of the Hon F. S. Grimwade's estate (Coolart-itellya), is unable to give much of his attention to working the land and otherwise looking after the young trees, and has consequently to arrange with a competent man to attend to his orchard whenever it requires it. Although
at present the land needs ploughing, the trees are looking healthy and are making good growth.
FARRELL BROS'.(See HURLEY.)
(I am having trouble fitting the correspondent's description of his route with 800 acres that Alf Downward would have previously owned but I have found some information that may relate to the Farrell brothers. Even though the first article was published in W.A., H.Farrell seemed to be a Victorian.
PAPER BY MR. H. FARRELL. GARDENING FOR AMATEURS.
Bunbury Herald (WA : 1892 - 1919) Wednesday 23 August 1893 p 3 Article
The Farrells would seem to have bought their property in 1895 and didn't take long to start contributing to the Balnarring community.
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
- BALNARRING.
The annual meeting of the Balnarring Cricket Club was held at "Wanawee (sic)*" last week, when the secretary reported that there was 10s in hand from the previous year, while the proceeds of the dances held during the winter amounted to 6 10s, the club thus commencing the season with 8 in hand. The number of matches played last year were 22; 11 were won, 5 lost, and 6 drawn, The following office bearers were appointed ;-President, Mr J. Davies ; captain, Mr D. Buckley; secretary, W. Oswin ; general and match committee, Buckley, Kerr, Davies, Farrell and Oswin. (P.2,Mornington Standard,10-9-1896.) (*Warrawee, 27AB, Balnarring,Melway 193 B-C3.)
The only thing that makes sense is that the correspondent was referring to Myers Rd as being the road to Bittern; this road leads directly to Bittern Railway station and five miles to the west on the north side of Myers Rd is the source of Bulldog Creek (Melway 162 B7)on Alf Downward's grant,crown allotment 8, Balnarring. Alf had much land adjoining to the north which probably amounted to much more than 800 acres.With others Alf was applying in 1895 for a mining lease near the Tubbarubba Diggings on the eastern end of Sir William Clarke's portion of Jamieson's special survey (which Alf was to buy in 1907)so Alf probably sold 800 acres of his Balnarring land to finance his mining operations and his purchases of potentially gold-rich land.
Continuing along the Bittern road we come to a property of 800 acres, owned by Messrs Farrell Bros., who combine fruit-growing with dairying. They came to the district some six years ago and purchased their present
property from Mr Downward, M.L A. They have now established, on the side of a hill, 20 acres of young trees;
mostly apples and apricots. The aspect and drainage of this thriving orchard appear perfect, while it is splen-
didly sheltered from the prevailing winds. Ploughing and pruning operations have just been completed in this
orchard and it presents a most satisfactory appearance. Mr H. Farrell has already acquired a local reputation
as an authority on pruning and the trees in the orchard bear ample evidence of his skill in that direction.
This year each tree received a top dressing of artificial manure. In order to profitably employ their spare time until their orchard comes into full bearing, these gentlemen engage in dairying during the spring and summer months. They have a separator, driven by steam power, and capable of dealing with 60 gallons of milk per hour. The cream is carted to Bittern, about five miles away, and sent by rail to town. The dairy is built on the most approved lines, having double walls and roof, and is ventilated in a most ingenious manner by underground pipes, which enables them to keep their cream at a low temperature on the hottest day. The building, comprising milking-shed, stable and barn, is among the most striking features on this well-ordered farm.
BUCKLEY'S.
( The correspondent has obviously turned right down Balnarring Rd* when he reached John and Catherine Buckley's "Erinlea" which I believe was on c/a 107A,parish of Bittern, which is now the Buckley Nature Conservation Reserve (Melway 162 J8.)*WRONG! The Cr.John Buckley entry in my SHIRE OF FLINDERS journal will probably confirm if this belief is correct. I was aware of the Balnarring Catholic Church at the time of writing the entry.
*ERINLEA.
A google search for "Erinslea, Balnarring" will show the location of the 140 acre property on which John Buckley was assessed in the first rates record of the Flinders Road Board in 1869. A website about the Buckley Nature Conservation Reserve states that it adjoins Erinslea but the farm is separated from the reserve's south east corner by William Hurley's 107B and John Oswin's 108A. I need to consult this map again to match the boundaries with crown allotments on my Bittern parish map.(Unfortunately no online Bittern maps show grantees.)
John Buckley was granted 106A Bittern on 5-10-1874. This crown allotment is now bisected (on the google map for Erinlea) by an access road heading due north from Bittern-Dromana Rd five thirteenths of the way from Balnarring Rd to Stumpy Gully Rd. It continues past the northern boundary of 106A, and 105B1 (said to be 36a.0r.11p. but actually 36a.1r.21p) which John may have been granted in 1879 (date almost obliterated on the public records office microfiche of the original map.) In 1865 (NOT 1861!), John Buckley selected 185 acres which was probably 106A and 105B (93.1.8+ 93.2.24= 186.3.32)but Peter Meehan purchased 106 B2 (52.3.16 of 106B and 47.1.3 of 105B=100.0.19) in 1884. John Buckley purchased exactly 40 acres of 106 B (called 106B1) in 1894. It would seem that John Buckley and Peter Meehan had come to an arrangement to swap some of the land they had settled some time between 1865 and 1869. In view of John Buckley starting with 185 acres in 1865 and apparently giving up part of 105B by 1869,the 140 acres on which John was assessed in 1869, and for many years afterwards,would have only have been an estimate of his lease-holding from the Crown. It was actually 93.1.8+ 36.1.21,a total of 129 acres 2 roods 29 perches. It is possible that his lease included another 10 acres or so of 105B which he did not wish to include in his purchase. With 108B, 106A and 106B1, John Buckley had 76% of the frontage to the north side of Dromana-Bittern Rd from Balnarring Rd (Chapel Corner) to Stumpy Gully Rd,with Peter Meehan having the remaining 403 metres and a 790 metre frontage north along Stumpy Gully Rd. It is likely that John applied the name Erinlea to the whole 1234 metre Bittern Rd frontage.
MELWAY.All crown allotments are in the parish of Bittern: c/a 108B=162 K11; c/a 106A= 163 AB11 and bottom half of 10, c/a 106B1= 163 eastern 3/4 of C11 and bottom half 10; c/a 105B1= 163,top half AB 10.
1865.not 1861.
OPENING OF THE AGRICULTURAL AREAS. MELBOURNE.
The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Tuesday 23 May 1865 p 5 Article (SELECTED SETTLERS ONLY.)
SETTLER........AREA............RENT.....PARISH.
Thos. New -- 379a. 3r. 12p.-- L9/0/0 Kangerong.
Paul Vansuylen 119 0 4--------6 0 0 Balnarring.
Larus With --- 321 1 0--------16 2 0 Do.
Wm. M'Ilroy-- 184 2 10 -------7 15 0 Kangerong.
Jas. Buchanan 632 1 29 -------31 13 0 Balnarring.
J.Buckley---- 187 1 8-------- 9 8 0 Bittern.
J.R.Edgar---- 276 0 0,--------13 16 0 Balnarring.
LAND SELECTION IN MELBOURNE. Monday, May 22.
Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1857 - 1918) Tuesday 23 May 1865 p 3 Article
The grand land scramble of 1865, commenced today, in Melbourne, at the Exhibition Building, when the agricultural areas of Moranding, Mount M'Mahon, and, Andersonbawn were thrown open for selection......
in the area of Andersonsbawn, J. Buckley was the only selector, and he took 187 acres parish of Bittern.
OBITUARY
NONEGENARIAN PASSES.
Mrs. Catherine Agnes Buckley died at her residence at Balnarring on October 11, aged 92 years. She was an
Australian native, having been born at Pakenham. She was one of the pioneers of the Balnarring district,
where she settled with her husband, the late Mr. John Buckley, 70 years ago.
In spite of her great age, Mrs. Buckley's memory was remarkably retentive and she could relate happenings of many years ago quite clearly. She had a family of 11 children-six sons and five daughters. One son and one daughter predeceased her. One of her sons is Cr. David Buckley, a member of the Flinders Shire Council. Another son, Mr Thomas Buckley, is a stationmaster and is now stationed at Camperdown.
The funeral took place in the Crib Point Cemetery on October 13. There was a large gathering of mourners
at the grave, many old friends travelling long distances to be present. Many beautiful wreaths were placed
on the coffin. Requiem Mass was celebrated at the Balnarring R.C. Church by the Rev. Fr. Fitzpatrick, who also read the burial service.
The casket was carried by her five sons and a grandson. The pallbearers were Cr. Myers, Messrs. W. Garry, R. Johnson, J. Meehan, P. Nowlan, B. Neville, Cr. Van Suylen and J. West.
(P.4,Frankston and Somerville Standard, 22-10-1937.)
The heritage study (below) also reminded me that Balnarring Rd was also referred to in early days as Buckley Rd.
Hastings District Heritage Study - Mornington Peninsula Shire
www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/files/.../Strategic_HastHeritageStudyVol2.pdf
Page 70.
St John's Catholic Church Balnarring was built in 1881 on land donated by Mr John Buckley on the corner of Bittern-Dromana and Balnarring-Mornington Roads. This was known as 'Chapel Corner' for many years. At this time
Balnarring was part of the Parish of Mornington. When Hastings became a parish in 1956, Balnarring became a part of that parish. The church closed in December 1972.
In an effort to determine the location of the 700 acres mentioned in the description below, I discovered that Disney St seemed to be called Buckley's Rd when some properties near Pearce and Jellicoe Rds were being sold because of unpaid rates in 1948. I also found this.
THURSDAY MAY 10
3 p.m. At Scott s Hotel Melb.,MORNINGTON PENINSULA. ON EASY TERMS.
GIPPSLAND AND NORTHERN CO-OP CO LTD 623 Collins St,Melb (Phone MU8141) and PETER E KERR Mornington In Conj will SELL by AUCTION as Above A/c Exors in the Est of the Late C A Buckley
502 Acs Fronting Bittern Dromana Road. Land is Level and Gently Undulating Interspersed with Rich Flats
and is Well Suited for Fattening Lambs and Cattle or for Dairying
Situation 3 Mls Balnarring Beach, 2 Mls Station Store and P O, 10 Mls Mornington and Only 45 Mls Melb. High School and State School Buses Within Few Minutes Walk.
Property Is Well Watered with Perm Springs large Underground Tank at House 8 r House Large Woolshed Yards and Implement shed Well sheltered with Timber Belts Ample Firewood. This Prop Must be Sold to Windup the Estate etc. (P.16,Argus, 18-4-1951.)
Three miles from Balnarring Beach , via Balnarring Beach Rd and Balnarring Rd, would bring us to Melway 163 A12, and via the beach road and Stumpy Gully Rd,3 miles would take us to Melway 163 D-E10. The latter is more likely as John Buckley was granted 117AB,Bittern (about 180 acres) at the south east corner of Stumpy Gully and Dromana-Bittern Rds,to which he may have added land adjoining the Balnarring Racecourse on Richardson and Watson's grants.
356 acres 1 rood 6 perches of the above 502 acres can be accounted for by land fronting Dromana-Bittern Rd granted to John Buckley, namely 108B of 32.3.23, 106 A of 93.1.8,105B of 36.1.21, 106B1 of 40 acres,and 117 AB of 79.3.17 each at the south east corner of Stumpy Gully Rd, meaning that the estate now included an extra 146 acres whose location I am not prepared to guess. The 3 miles from Balnarring Beach via Stumpy Gully Rd, with a left turn at Dromana-Bittern Rd, would take us to the south east corner of crown allotment 106 B1,now occupied by Balnarring Vineyard ( near or at 62 Bittern-Dromana Rd in Melway 163 C 11.)
Mr Buckley, who is one of the oldest residents of the district, has for many years carried on dairying on a
large scale, his farm comprising about 700 acres of good grass country, most of which has greatly improved since the commencement of Mr Buckley's tenure, the homestead block being worthy of particular notice as evidence of the thoroughly up-to-date and progressive methods of management adopted. The fallen timber is cleared up, the scrub eradicated, and subdivisional paddocks sown with English grasses. An examination of the
numerous, substantial and, conveniently planned farm buildings, especially those in connection with the dairy,
reveal the exercise of considerable thought in combining economy with efficiency, and a comprehensive knowledge of dairy farming. Until recently Mr Buckley milked on an average about 50 first-class cows,which necessitated a good deal of cultivation for fodder. The different kinds of forage crops favoured are barley, oats and maize for green feed,and Algerian oats for hay, which are supplemented by that most profitable of all foods for dairy cows, viz, bran. Pigs and potatoes also occupy some of Mr Buckley's time and attention, and he has been very successful in both these branches of agriculture. Like all successful farmers he evidently recognises that dairying, pigs and potatoes are the natural adjuncts of each other, the pigs turning into profit the
unmarketable potatoes and surplus skim milk.
And just to finish up, John Buckley asked his Kathleen if a horse could beat her in a race and she replied, "Nay!"
ISSUU - Mornington Life by Mornington Life
issuu.com/morningtonlifemagazine/docs/autumn2013new/6
Mar 29, 2013 - Balnarring Picnic Racing Club Committee member Terry Mulcahy talks. ... early 1860's when Westernport pioneer John Buckley with his mare Kathleen, began to challenge other landowners in the district to a series of races.
HURLEY'S.
( Hurley's homestead, on c/a 109A& 110A, Bittern, remains as HURLEY VINEYARD, Melway 163 A12.
The Hastings Strategic Heritage Study gave the name of the Hurley farm as Hazel Grove and so does this.
Our Balnarring Letter.
The death of Mr William Hurley at his residence, "Hazel Grove," Balnarring, on Thursday last, removes from our midst one of the Peninsula's oldest residents. He was nearly 90 years of age. His wife pre-deceased him by some years. The late Mr Hurley leaves the following familyMessrs William, Joseph, Michael and John Hurley, Miss
Margaret, Catherine and Kate Hurley, and Mesdames Van Suylen, Kerr, O'Halloran, Farrell and Davies .(P.4, Frankston and Somerville Standard, 12-5-1922.))
About half a mile distant from Mr Buckley's, situated on the top of a hill, is Mr Hurley's homestead. Unlike
his neighbour, Mr Hurley pays more attention to fruit growing than dairying, having an orchard of about 15 acres in full bearing. Being situated on the side of a hill it is naturally well drained, and as the aspect faces the north east it gets the full benefit of the early morning sun-a most important consideration in fruit growing in a cool, moist district-and is immune from damage by strong winds owing to the protective character of the surrounding country. Apples, which include most of the best varieties, occupy by far the largest part of the orchard, but apricots cherries, pears and plums are also grown. Mr Hurley is very fortunate in that his orchard is exempt from the depredations of any of our numerous fungus and insect pests, and the quality of
his fruit may be judged by the fact that he has been a prizetaker at the local shows. He has not yet tried exporting his apples, as he finds a very profitable market for all his fruit in Sorrento, where, during the summer months, there is a large demand for all kinds of farm produce. Although fruit growing is the chief branch of agronomy practised by Mr Hurley, dairying, pigs, fowls and the cultivation of crops necessary to carry on the same, receive a share of attention, and with his fruit, the butter, eggs and all other produce are disposed of in Sorrento*. Sheep are also kept, and as they have a large scope of country to run on and require but little attention, the returns from the wool and lambs considerably augment Mr Hurley's annual profits.
(*The Hurleys owned a guest house at Sorrento so did not need to sell most of their produce.
SORRENTOLonsdale House. elevated position, overlooking bay: first-class Accommodation ; tariff moderate. W. H. Hurley. P.1,Bendigo Advertiser, 31-12-1915.)
Johnson's.
(crown allotments 111A,111B1 and 111B2,Bittern, a total 136 acres south of the Balnarring Recreation Reserve fronting Balnarring and Stumpy Gully Rds; Melway 193 D3.)
Continuing along the same road in a south-easterly direction, the next place met with, after leaving Mr Hurley's, is Mr Johnson's,, which is also the local post office. Sheep are the principal consideration here, and rape is grown for fattening for the winter market. Although Mr Johnson's land is highly suitable for cultivation, but little is worked, the sheep, which have given very good returns, being almost solely relied upon as a source of income.
WE INTERRUPT THIS ARTICLE ETC.
At the moment, I'm presuming Mr Mann's property was Warrawee or very close to it and that the Standard's special representative then turned sharp left and headed north up Stumpy Gully Rd.
Mr Mann's daughter, Elsie, won a prize for a pair of socks she had knitted. Mr Mann's involvement in the ratepayers'meeting was another consolation prize in my quest to establish the location of his farm.
MR. MANN'S.
The" property now owned by Mr Mann has changed hands probably more than any other in the district.A previous owner erected a modern well-finished 8-roomed brick villa, so situated that from the front verandah a complete view of the 30-acre orchard can be obtained. Ten acres of the orchard mentioned are in full bearing and the other 20 just coming into bearing. Apricots and apples are the principal varieties of fruit grown, but other sorts also find a place, including cherries, pears, peaches and plums. This will be a very valuable property
in time, as Mr Mann's skilful knowledge and assiduous care of the trees, combined with a suitable aspect, soil and climate, will undoubtedly produce trees, and consequently fruit, of a very high quality. Having such a
large orchard, Mr Mann does not practise any other branch of agriculture, although he has the land to do so
if he wished, his farm being 180 acres in extent.
P.JOHNSON'S.
(Crown allotments 71A and 71B Bittern,about 155 acres,granted to P.A.Johnson in 1902 and 1897, being the south east quarter of the block bounded by Stumpy Gully,Hunts,Coolart and Myers Rds; Melway 163 C-D 6-7. I initially thought the special representative had headed north up Stumpy Gully Rd but I now believe this was so for a mile or so and then a north east cross country romp skirting the north west corner of Balnarring Racecourse which probably gave the impression of being a timber reserve.)
Some distance has to be travelled across timber and water reserves and other uninhabited country before arriving at Mr P. Johnson's, who, by the way, is a son of Mr Johnson, of the post office. As we travel in this direction, towards the Bittern railway station-a great change in the character of the country is observed.
To the casual observer the chief variation will appear to be the substitution of long stretches of plains for the hills of Balnarring proper, and the absence of bracken undergrowth, but to a farmer the greatest change is in the nature of the soil itself, which is more loamy and of a lighter character. Mr Johnson has a neat, well-kept farm, furnished with a comfortable homestead and convenient outbuildings. Dairying and sheep farming are successfully practised, though neither on a large scale as the proprietor is often engaged in contracting for the local Shire Council. A young orchard of about three acres is looking well and promises to be a source of profit when in full bearing.
Jos STANLEY'S.
(crown allotment 104B of 95 acres,granted to J.P.Stanley, 776 metres west from P.Johnson's, on the south west corner of Stumpy Gully and Myers Rds; roughly Melway 163 D8. It looks as if the special representative had noticed some sheep across Coolart Rd from P.Johnson's,but the owner was not to be seen (perhaps finishing his last contract for the shire) and it was not until he was talking to Joe Stanley that he found out about (Peter?) Meehan. )
Mr Jos Stanley has a farm similar to the one just described, the character of the country being the same. Here again dairy and sheep farming are carried on, but latterly, Mr Stanley has been getting rid of the sheep and
increasing his herd of cows. He was the first in this district to adopt the system of rugging his cows at night,but as yet he is unable to speak emphatically of the benefits to be derived therefrom, not yet having had sufficient experience in the practice. The cowshed, pig sty, implement, shed and other outbuildings of this farm are highly creditable to their owner who is also their builder They are constructed almost entirely of "bush" timber with iron roofs. and for neatness and solidity would be hard to beat anywhere. Mr Stanley possesses considerable mechanical ingenuity and is an adept with the axe and adze. The clean state of the paddocks and sound condition of the fences point to the managerial capacity of the owner.
MEEHAN'S.
(72A and 72B, Bittern,on the south west quarter of the block bounded by Hunts, Hendersons, Myers and Coolart Rds, directly across Coolart Rd from P.A.Johnson's (i.e.ADJACENT.) Crown allotment 72 B of only 44 acres was granted in 1888 but Meehan had received the grant for 72A of 139 acres only half a year before the article was written. Meehan also had 100 acres at the south east corner of Bittern-Dromana and Stumpy Gully Rds,275 metres south of Joe Stanley's.
Adjacent to Mr P. Johnson's is Mr Meehan's. Until two or three years ago Mr Meehan was one of the largest
of contractors in this shire and consequently was unable to pay that close attention to his farm which he is now doing. He goes in almost solely for sheep and as he keeps a good class and does not overstock is naturally successful.
JENNINGS BROS.
Messrs Jennings Bros., who have a 20-acre block, are comparatively new arrivals in this district, having come
here early in 1898. They are, as the extent of their holding would signify, fruitgrowers. For the short time they have been in possession these gentlemen have worked wonders. The amount of work they have accomplished unassisted shows them to be industrious above the average. They are not long out from England, where they evidently learnt their business well, which is proved by the thorough manner in which they cultivated and
drained the land before they planted their orchard. They are now being repaid for their trouble by the healthy
and vigorous growth of the young trees. They also have about five acres under small fruits, the principal
of which are strawberries, with which they were very successful last year,topping the market on two or three
occasions.
JOHN DAVIES'.
(Extract from my SHIRE OF FLINDERS journal.
DAVIES John 1894-1914.
My thanks to Shirley Davies who directed me to CHARACTERS OF WILL by Dawn Cowley, another Davies descendant. This book's call number, 929, relates to genealogy but it is found in a separate section (right at the bottom right hand corner,after 994)containing genealogy of peninsula pioneers. Why not 994.52?
John, the second child and oldest son of William Davey/Davis/Davies and Bridget (McGreal)was born in Capetown, South Africa, in 1849. His father, born and married in Ugborough, Devon, took his family back home but sailed for Melbourne on 14-1-1853, arriving on 2-5-1853. William had been indentured to Mr Stephenson of Chelsworth and at the conclusion of this term he stayed near Melbourne, possibly on "Flemington", where Bridget's father was a farmer. (I had mentioned in my PIONEERS PATHWAY journal that John might have been a hero at Kew and a brief glimpse at NO RUGGED LANDSCAPE recently revealed that he was.)
After the seventh was born in 1858, the family moved to the Bangholme/Carrum Downs area where Walter was born in 1859. The ninth child, Alfred was born at Osborne (Melway 145 A10) in 1862 and the 10th, Albert, at Coolart Station in 1864. (It is possible that the births were registered at these places.Osborne was an early township, with streets named after Queen Victoria's children, and the postmaster may have also been the registrar of births and deaths.) Almost immediately after Albert's birth, William selected 68 acres at Bittern and had paid for his land by 1881. (See WILLIAM'S 68 ACRES below.)
William and Emma's daughter Emmelien drowned in a 7foot deep waterhole on the property in 1868 at the age of 15. Their thirteenth child, born in 1872, was given the same name. John married Bridget McGeal in Melbourne on 28-12-1869, giving his occupation as horsebreaker. John made his first application for land in 1871 and spent the next two decades contracting for road and culvert (bridge) works. The book has an outline by John about how he constructed roads. Dawn tells how the area was referred to as both Bittern and Balnarring. They still are interchangeable.
Balnarring Rd separated Balnarring parish on the west side from Bittern parish on the east. Today the Balnarring Recreation Reserve and Station St (which led to Balnarring Station) are in the parish of Bittern .
All of John's grants were in the parish of Bittern. They were (with area,date granted and location details from Melway):
113B, 67 acres, 5-4-1877, 193 F 4-5.
114A, 77 acres, 24-11-1880, 193 G 4-5.
115A, 47 acres, 22-4-1884, left half of G2 and bottom half of G3.
115B and 118B, 170 acres, 15-6-1889, 115B- Between Coolart Rd and 115A.
118 B-left half of 163 G 12 and 193 G 1-2 and bottom half of 193 G-H 1.
WILLIAM DAVIES' 68 ACRES. Strangely Dawn gave no details of the 68 acres, probably because she could not find it on the Bittern parish map. The date it was paid off probably comes from family folklore rather than a document. If he had selected the land and paid it off, his name would be on the parish map as a grantee. But it isn't. However, he was assessed by the Flinders Road Board on 68 acres in the parish of Bittern, which he supposedly owned on 8-6-1869. I believe 113B was William's selection. The only other possibility would be William Davies Jnr's 116B of almost 80 acres (granted to him on 22-1-1885.)This would have finished up as about 68 acres by about 1923 because of the Frankston-Flinders Road and the Merricks to Red Hill Railway but these did not exist when William was assessed in 1869.It is possible that William had selected 111A (bottom half of 193 B-D 3) of 68 acres 1 rood and 7 perches, which was granted to Robert Johnston (sic) on 7-6-1875.
William died at Bittern on 4-3-1883 and was buried at Mornington by old neighbour William Hurley.Emma survived much longer but her affection for John did not. He wanted to charge her the earth to graze her animals on his land so she moved to the Nepean Highway in Mornington where she died on 3-12-1904.
John established an orchard and a sawmill after he became a councillor in 1885. He was appointed a trustee, with David Mairs and Paul Vansuylen, of the Balnarring racecourse. Always keen on sport, he won the Old Buffers' race at the Balnarring Athletics Carnival on 2-3-1899, with Paul Vansuylen second in the field of ten.
John was elected President of the Shire of Flinders on 26-9-1914 and resigned after a year of heading the council.
Dawn's book has pictures of John as President (P. 32) and the family home, "Pine Grove" (p.33.) John might have been breeding horses as Joseph McIlroy went to Pine Grove to buy the mare from Mr John Davies for 5 pounds. (The Red Hill P.22.) Dawn's book is not available for loan but John's contributions at the Pioneers' Reunion at the Balnarring Hall on 5-7-1913 are also recounted in Colin McLear's A DREAMTIME OF DROMANA which can be borrowed.
John's wife Bridget died at Bittern on 30-6-1919 and John on 14-2-1926, also at Bittern. Davies Rd, running east from the south east corner of John Davies' 118B to the west gate of Cerberus was gazetted in 1914.
THE DAVIES FAMILY IN RATEBOOKS.
I realise that the following is fairly detailed, but this may be the last time I write about this family so I don't want to leave any mysteries unsolved. All land was in the parish of Bittern despite their place of residence being given as Balnarring. Balnarring referred to an area at the junction of the two parishes just as Moorooduc (the district) near Jones Corner was partly in the parish of Bittern.
Flinders Road Board.
8-6-1869. As recorded previously.
7-6-1870. 10. William Davis 147 acres and A ( taken to mean a house.) One would presume the 147 acres included the previous 68 acres but I can find no combination of the Davies' grants that gives a total of 147 acres. There may have been a separate entry for the 68 acres that I didn't spot.
8-6-1871. The 147 acres seems to have been split in half. One would presume that the two halves adjoined so my money was on 113B and 114B, east of the former Balnarring Railway Station, which total 144.5 acres.
20.William Davis 74 acres and 2 roomed house.
31.John Davis 74 acres and 2 roomed house.
13-6-1874. The only change was that William's land (Ass.No. 6) was described as being leased from the Crown, correcting an error that had persisted since 1869, and was now described as 68 acres again.
Flinders and Kangerong Shire.
2-10-1875. All properties were leased from the Crown.
18.John Davis farmer 130 acres and 3 roomed house NETT ANNUAL VALUE 12 pounds.
19.William Davis Snr. 68 acres and 2 roomed house NAV 9 pounds.
20.William Davis Jnr. 79 acres, no house NAV 4 pounds.
1876. The only change was that Davis became Davies.
14-9-1877. The only changes were that John's NAV had increased to 14 pounds and that William Senior was recorded as the owner of his 68 acres, while the others were leasing from the Crown.
27-7-1878.
21.John was now leasing 220 acres from the Crown.
22.William Snr.'s name is given as William Henry Davies as owner and occupier of the 68 acres.
23.Charles Davies was leasing 81 acres from the Crown.
24.Walter Davies was leasing 80 acres from the Crown.
31-7-1880.
18.John's Crown lease was described as 214 acres.
21.William Henry Davies' 68 acre block had become 66 acres and remained so in 81 and 82.
Perhaps some re-surveying had been done!
17-7-1886.
26.Emmeline Davies, the owner, had the 68 (again!) acres, which had a nett annual value of 17 pounds. A backtrack revealed that she was first assessed on 21-7-1883. William Henry had died on 4-3-1883.
27.James Davies had 95 acres and buildings, NAV 9 pounds.
28.John Davies owned 300 acres, NAV 30 pounds.
29.W.C. Davies was leasing 45 acres from the Crown.
30-7-1892. Emmeline's land was now described as 62 acres.
25-7-1896.
37.Emmeline 62 acres and buildings.
38.Henry Davies leasing 66 acres.
39.James Davies 95 acres and buildings.
40.John still had the 300 acres.
41.John Davies Jnr was leasing 40 acres.
At last I found the answer that I had been seeking!
30-9-1899.
55.Emmeline Davies' name has been crossed out as the occupier of 62 acres and buildings, 113B, BITTERN and the name of Harriet Bowen had been written.
THEREFORE THE 68 ACRES ON WHICH WILLIAM DAVIES HAD BEEN ASSESSED IN 1869 WAS 113b, BITTERN!
113B BITTERN.
This block was originally described as 68 acres, then 66 acres and 68 again and finally 62 acres. On the parish map John Davies JUNIOR is written as the grantee and its area is given as 67 acres and
23 perches (67.14375 acres.) Using my little knowledge of geometry and using the boundary measurements in links, I have calculated the area of 113B as 63.95949 acres so none of the estimates was right.
ie. 1806x3395 + .5x1806x293=6395949 square links.
The grant was recorded as being issued on 5-4-1877 and William Davies Senior was assessed as the owner and occupier on 14-9-1877 (see above.)
As John Davies was married on 28-12-1869 , John Davies Jnr would have been a young boy at most in 1877 and was not assessed until the 1890's. Had William put the grant in his young grandson's name? If so, he would have been a trustee and entitled to call himself the owner. If the grant was in young John's name, it is strange that the ownership seems to have passed seamlessly to Emmaline within months of William Henry Davies' death. )
Mr John Davies divides his time between the firewood business and attending to a young orchard of 13 acres. With regard to the latter, he was somewhat unfortunate in the selection of a site. As all indications pointed to it being a suitable aspect, the subsequent slow growth of the trees is highly disappointing, and suggests the necessity for some remedial measures being adopted. Underground drainage would no doubt meet the case, as stagnant water in the winter is evidently the trouble. Manures also would no doubt stimulate the growth of the trees. Mr Davies is a shire councillor and has a nice homestead and about 300 acres of land.
(To be continued.) (P.2,Mornington Standard,6-9-1902.)
AROUND FLINDERS. (N.B.THE THIRD LETTER OF THE ALPHABET ON MY KEYBOARD IS NOT WORKING, SO, IN ORDER TO PROKEED I AM GOING TO SUBSTITUTE K FOR IT.) POSTSCRIPT. The problem with the C key has been fixed but I have decided to leave the few affected entries as they are to provide an interesting language adventure.
SOME PROPERTIES DESCRIBED
[By Our Special Representative.]
COOKE'S (On the basis of the deskription of the property konsisting of about 1400 akres,it is kertain that klondrisse was komposed of the total of 1439 akres (basikally*)south of Boneo Rd granted to John Barker. (*About a fifth of the 640 akre pre-emptive right between Main Kreek and Stokkyard Kreek was north of Boneo Rd;
if we add the roods and perkhes in some allotments, Barker was granted 1440 akres and 11 perkhes basikally south of the road. If we dedukt about 120 akres for the part of the P.R.in Melway 260 B-D9 north of Boneo Rd,this leaves about 1320 akres,not 1400. Barker's grants south of the road stretkhed from Main Kreek to Flinders Township but were not kontinuous. If Barker had bought one of the grants of James Robinson (k/a 2 of 75a 1 r. 38 p. south of Keys Rd) or Arthur Dobree (k/a 1 of B of 98 akres south of Punkhbowl Rd) or Edward Graham (51 of 74 a. and 52 of 84a. just west of Flinders Township), the total would have been klose to 1400 akres. Thus Klondrisse would not have needed to inklude any of the 1274 akres (or 1394 if we Kount that northern part of the P.R.) granted to Barker north of Boneo Rd.
Starting our tour this week at the Main Creek MELWAY 260 B9(the boundary of the parishes of Flinders and Fingal), on the way from Sorrento to Flinders, we come to some excellent grazing land. On the south side of the picturesque road which winds up and down the hills and commands many beautiful views of the rocky cliffs and headlands on the shore of the southern ocean we see the fine old homestead built by the late Mr John Barker, some 40 years ago.This old landmark of the district, with about 1400 acres of good grazing land, has recently been purchased by Mr C.T.Cooke, brother of Mr Winter Cooke, M.L.C., whose estate in the Western district he has been managing for some years. Mr Cooke intends going in for grazing and has some very fine stock on the place.
The old homestead is now undergoing a thorough repair and now fencing is being erected all over the property: Under Mr Cooke's management "Clondrisse " (as the place has now been christened) should, with its numerous,
natural, advantages, soon be an ideal estate.
If I remember correctly there is extensive information about the owner and property in LIME LAND LEISURE, which can be borrowed from the Rosebud Library..
POSTSKRIPT (er POSTSCRIPT.) Notice anything different? C is back at work! I wanted to do a trove search on the property but I was hardly likely to get anywhere by entering Kooke or Klondrisse so I performed a risky but successful operation on the C key. An advertisement about the Clondrisse Estate quaintly described the land as being 4 miles from Flinders. Unless they were referring only to the homestead block, this would indicate that Clondrisse was the P.R. and Barker's grants fronting Meakins and Glenmarlin Rd. Surely the correspondent of 1902 could not be so misinformed as to think it was between Boneo Rd and the coast. I'll try a heritage study!
This is fairly straightforward. The 1902 correspondent was right. Clondrisse was between Boneo Rd and the coast.
"CAPE SCHANCK MASTER
Access Cape Schanck Trig and Wallermyong trig
Take the road from Rosebud to Flinders (via Boneo).
After 8 miles you reach the turning to Cape Schanck on the right hand
side. Cape Schanck is on the corner. Proceed along the road to
Flinders*, pass the bridge over the creek** and on the right hand side just
after the gravel road becomes asphalt*** you will find the estate "Clondrisse"
(about 2.5 miles from Cape Schanck corner). (*Parish of Flinders. **Main Creek. ***Probably at Meakins Rd.)
(O/< - OO~
www.mrt.tas.gov.au/mrtdoc/petxplor/download/OR.../OR_0006.pdf)
I found Cecil Trevor Cooke's obituary. See:
PERSONAL.
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Wednesday 28 June 1922 p 10 Article.
BUCHANAN'S.(Section B, parish of Flinders,crown allotments:
3 (by 1899); Melway 260 E-H 10
5 (by 1899); Melway 260 J8-9 to 261 A 8-9
6 (by 1902); Melway 260 part E,F-H 8,part 7.
Lot 26 of Barker's or any others cannot be determined without seeing the subdivision plans for the Cape Schanck or Boneo estates.
In 1899 Andrew Buchanan was assessed on 370 acres and buildings in the centre riding. In 1909,he was again assessed on the 370 acres but also on 215 acres (6B) and 117 acres (lot 26 of Barker's.) Crown allotment 6 of section B (exactly 215 acres)had obviously been added to the 370 acres by 1902 when he owned about 600 acres. At first,I thought Gleneira might have been the Buchanan grants on Pt Leo Rd in the parish of Balnarring. However the first sentence about the next farm (Symond's)makes it clear that Gleneira was on the north side of Boneo Rd. John Henry Brook and Edward Khull had been granted crown allotments 3,4,5 and 6 north of Boneo Rd between Stockyard Creek and Punchbowl Rd,three of them on 18-2-1858 and c/a 5 exactly a year later. I had already worked out that Gleneira had to be c/a's 3 and 5 of section B (176a +194 a. 3r. 4 p.= 370.775 acres.) Luckily I had referred to the 1917 rates when Andrew Buchanan was assessed on 378 acres and buildings, the description of the land (in my transcription) being c/a 3,part c/a 5,section B. It should be part c/a 3, c/a 5. Boneo Rd stopped at the bank of Tea Tree or Yalleryong Creek and resumed to the east at Punchbowl Rd but the council must have acquired land to connect the two sections and opened the road which was gazetted in 1878. It cut off the south east corner of crown allotment 3 and then ran east through crown allotment 4. The road was closed by 1882 when Thomas Ormiston Martin bought the section of road (4 a. 10 p.)and the cut-off south east corner 3a. 3 r. 7 p.) within c/a 3, a total of 7.85 acres-the extra 8 acres on which Andrew Buchanan was assessed in 1917. The cut-off part of c/a 4, 4A of 7a. 3r. 16p.,was bought by J.S.Darley in 1896. Through his wife, Frances,nee Martin, Andrew had probably inherited the extra 8 acres from THOMAS ORMISTON MARTIN(whom I previously speculated might be Andrew's father in law, which now seems almost certain.)
Next we come to the well-known Gleneira estate, the property of Mr.Andrew Buchanan, who enjoys the distinction of being one the most successful breeders of Ayrshire cattle* in the State, and an inspection of his herd is certainly a treat. Mr Buchanan is a thorough dairyman and has all his life been accustomed to handling cattle. Before he became an exhibitor, he was for some years a judge of Ayrshires at the Royal Show. He has at present 50 cows in milk and makes a large quantity of cheese, the excellence of which is too well known to need comment here. The "Gleneira " herd were (sic) very successful at the last Melbourne Show; out of 19 exhibits, 10 mentions (including special Derby sweep stake, won three times in succession and other prizes) were secured. Besides his dairy cattle Mr Buchanan, who owns some 600 acres and leases about 500 more, has 1000 sheep, and 16 acres of hay, which he has planted, is looking very well.
LIME LAND LEISURE also discusses the Buchanans at length. The Tasmanian Stud Book states that the state's Ayrshire herd was founded from the Oakbank herd of the McNabs at Tullamarine and later the Buchanan herd. About a decade after this article was written, Andrew Buchanan was leasing land between the Wannaeue Estate and Little Scotland on the east side of Boneo Rd.)
A QUESTION. Were the Buchanans responsible for the name of the suburb of Glen Eira?
ANOTHER QUESTION. Was Andrew's wife a daughter of Thomas Ormiston Martin? (SEE ABOVE. It looks like it!)
AN ANZAC. BUCHANAN, Robert MM (1892-1969)
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Modified on Wed, 24 Sep 2014 15:19 by Con
Categorized as Biography - All, Biography - Students, Biography of War - World War I
BUCHANAN, Robert MM (1892-1969)
Robert Buchanan was born on 28 August 1892, the son of Andrew Buchanan and Frances nee Martin, of 'Glen Eira', Flinders.
He was educated at Geelong College from 1906 until 1909, and Scotch College in 1910. He participated in the Cadet Corps of both schools, as well as seven months in Captain Rushalls Cadets.
After the outbreak of World War I, he enlisted (6535) in the AIF on 28 May 1915, embarking for Egypt on HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 18 November 1915 with the 4th Field Artillery Brigade. His unit was then posted on to France in March, where he served until the end of the war, being awarded the Military Medal at Passchendaele, gazetted 4 February 1918, the citation read:
'On 14 October, 1917 near Zonnebeke, Lt Andrews with Sergeant Buchanan were assisting with the advance of the two guns to their forward position after the attack. The officer was wounded, Sergeant Buchanan, under heavy shell fire, at once took charge and by his work, determination and example completed the work of getting both guns into their advanced position. This is but one example of the sterling service and conduct of this NCO throughout the recent operations'.
He was wounded in action on 1 November, 1917, and evacuated to England on HS Newhaven on 8 November, being admitted to Colchester Military Hospital the next day. He returned to Australia, embarking on HMT Saxon on 11 December 1918, and demobilised on 6 April, 1919.
He died at Nagambie on 14 January 1969.
(BUCHANAN, Robert MM (1892-1969) - Heritage Guide to ...
gnet.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au:8080/.../BUCHANAN-Robert-1892-1969...)
SYMONDS'. (Crown allotment 2, section B, consisting of 75a. 1 r. 38 p.,granted to James G. Robinson on 18-2-1858, south of the KeysRd/Boneo Rd intersection and fronting the coast; Melway 260, part G, H,part J 11.)
On the other (south) side of the road is " Westward Ho," the property of Mr. Symonds the local butcher,who holds about 75 acres in this block and about 300 some miles away. Most of this is really excellent land ; deep rich chocolate and black soil, which should grow anything. Mr Symonds has got his property in very good order, and it is certainly an ideal fattening country. The hay crop is at present looking very promising. Flinders is likely to be a success as an onion growing district. Mr Symonds will probably have a large area under that crop next year.
LEVIEN'S.(Possibly c/a 51 of section B, Flinders, of 74a. 0r.24p., granted to Edward Graham on 15-8-1859.; Melway 261 part E9, F 10.)
Continuing some two miles or so along the road to Flinders we come to the land (also a portion of the Cape
Schanck estate) recently purchased by some enterprising gentlemen for purposes of onion growing. Of these
blocks the one in the best condition is about 94 acres, owned by Mr Levien, M L.A. As regards the soil on the
holding Mr Levien, who is acknowledged one of the best authorities on onion growing in the State speaks highly.
The principal drawback is,in his opinion, the fresh briny breezes which blow from the Southern Ocean and are the delight of the jaded city visitors in the sunmmer time. Most of the block is laid down in onions, and Mr Jennings*, who is managing the place, had the land ploughed and worked until it was in a very friable
condition and made an excellent seed bed. There are now a good many weeders and onion thinners on this and the adjacent properties, and the place has a much busier appearance than it had 12 months ago, when the
land was used for grazing purposes only.
*Dod Jennings hailed from the Drysdale area and played for Geelong as a young man. Linda Berndt, of the Rye Historical Society, has written a book about the family. Like many farmers,Dod was affected by the 1990's depression and the family became onion-growing, share-farming nomads. They were at Flinders long enough at the time this article was written for one of Dodd's sons to marry a Tuck girl and then off they went to Camperdown before arriving back on the Peninsula just before W.W.1 to grow onions on Kariah (between Dundas St and Weeroona St at Rye.) I wonder if mail contractor, John Tuck, had written to his sister and told her of Jim Brown's transformation of the ti tree and rabbit-infested land around Rye. Was John still doing his mail run at that time?
MAXWELL'S. ( Possibly c/a 52 section B, Flinders, consisting of 84a.1r. 25 p., granted to Edward Graham on 15-8-1859 and about 10 acres of John Barker's grant, 52A,of just under 30 acres bounded by Boneo Rd and the two branches of Double Creek south to their junction;Melway 261 parts E9, F10 and G11 and c/a 52A parts F9 and G8-9. Double Creek might have provided the braes so loved by Henry Tuck Jnr and Maggie.)
Adjoining is about 75 acres recently purchased by Mr Maxwell. On this property stands "The Grange," which was Mr Barker's first homestead after he took up the Cape Schanck run. In spite of the eloquent request in verse,
written by a local poet*, who is a true disciple of " bard Robbie," and printed in these columns some time ago, this place is still known by the old title and has not yet been christened Maxwelton. Mt Maxwell is working his onion crop on the share system with Mr Nichols**, who is also a new arrival to the district.The hay crop at "The Grange," alias "Maxwellton," is also looking very well.
* Possibly Henry Tuck Jnr., a collection of whose poems, many of which appeared in the Mornington Standard,can be purchased at the Dromana Museum. FIND REQUEST!!!
MAXWELL'S BONNIE BRAES.
[By Henry Tuck, Flinders.)
The Spring returns again, Maggie,
With bud and bloom to cheer,
And memory bears us backwards
To the spot we both revere.
Ah! there 'mid Nature's sunshine
We spent our brightest days,
And called it New Maxwelton,
Ere Maxwell saw the braes.
Again I twine a garland
To wreathe your bonnie face,
And view the landscape o'er
From yonder lofty place.
The arrowy shafts of sunlight
Shoot forth in golden rays,
And bathe the oaks and hill-tops
Of Maxwell's bonnie braes.
And we built our airy castle
In glowing colours set,
And through misfortune dark and fell
It has not crumbled yet.
Once more in fancy, Maggie,
We hand in hand do stray
And call it still Maxwelton
And love the dear old braes.
(P.4, Mornington Standard, 27-9-1902.)
**Possibly H.J.Nichols who received the grant of 6 perches less than 84 acres, crown allotment 2A,parish of Fingal (Melway 254 A4), on 2-4-1909.
DOWIE'S.( Possibly c/a's 53 and 54 between the northern branch of Double Creek and King St, Flinders,a total of 106 a. 2r. 13 p. granted to Godfrey Howitt (who was granted much land in Fingal);Melway 261 H 5-6.)
On the north side of the Flinders and Sorrento road is a nice little block of 100 acres, purchased at the
subdivisional sale of Barker's estate by Mr Dowie, who has built a cottage and otherwise improved his property.
He intends going in for dairying, and has some fine milking cows. About 20 acres have been planted with oats
for hay, and, like most other crops in this district, is looking very well.
NICHOLL'S.(I presume the road referred to is Boyds Rd,not Punchbowl Rd. Most of the land along Boyds Rd was granted to Godfrey Howitt and none of the crown allotments consisted of about 94 acres. It is possible,in view of the fact that Sproule-near Flinders township-is mentioned next that Nichols and Sproule were both on c/a's 56-61, a total of about 300 acres granted to William Kennon in 1862-3.)
Adjoining, and higher up the hill from the Sorrento road, is the property of 94 acres leased from Mr Greive, of
Berwick.(who is also a recent purchaser), by Mr Nichols, who has a comfortable cottage, with stable and other buildings erected, near the road leading past the Punch Bowl to the Main Ridge. He has ploughed a good strip of land, and planted onions and other crops.
SPROULE'S.(See the previous farm, NICHOL'S, re possible location.)
Near the Flinders 'township' Mr Sproule, a well-known pastoralist, recently connected with properties in
Riverina and other parts of Australia, has a comfortable residence, with about 120 acres of land, which he has
got into apple pie order. He also rents 108 acres a mile or so away, and has some fine stock, and about 20 acres under crop, which is looking very well.
DARLEY'S (In 1909,the executors of Mrs Sarah Darley were assessed on:
203 ac. (26,26A,31B), 140 ac.(17A and 17C of B) and 8 ac.and buildings (4a of B.) Mrs Jane Darley was assessed on 8 ac. (6,7 of And., which I presume means Anderson's.Me and my abbreviated transcription but what can you do when your eyes are microfiched and your muscles ache?) Sarah must have been the widow of J.S.Darley who was granted 4A of B on 28-7-1896 after a road through Gleneira's south east corner, continuing through Crown allotment 4 to cross Tea Tree Creek which the shire opened-gazetted in 1878- had closed by 1882. Crown allotment 4A was at the present east corner of Keys and Boneo Rds with frontages of 132 and 189 metres respectively; Melway 260 J10 between the latitude of the bridge and Boneo Rd. I presume 26 and 26A were the property "on the outskirts of the town" but 26A should be 20A. Crown allotments 20A (112 acres) and 26 (138 acres) were granted to Henry Tuck on 24-10-1859. 20A= Melway 255 K12 and 256 A12 east to creek; 26=256 B12, parts B11,A12 and C12.
Crown allotment 31, section B was even closer to the township,being on the north side of Boyds Rd only 244 metres from the north end of King St, with the dam in Melway 261 G3 being near the centre of the property. Consisting of 126 acres (not 120), this was probably the farm described in 1902. The land on Tuck's grants (20A and 26) may have consisted of two subdivision blocks of about 40 acres each to make the total of 203 acres in 1909.
Crown allotments 17A and 17C of B are far easier to pinpoint. The first was bounded by Meakins, Whitehall and Keys Rds with the second road joining the first and second to form the northern boundary of the 147a. 0r. 3p. property, granted to the executor of S.E.Darley on 4-7-1908. When realignment of Mornington-Flinders Rd cut off the north eastern corner (including the northern 184 acres of Keys Rd) this nibble was called 17C, consisting of 5a. 0r. 38p., reducing 17A to 141.3.5, exactly!. Do you realise what's wrong with that? The silly sausages forgot to deduct the area of the road deviation as well as 17C to get the new acreage for 17A! The Lands Department wouldn't have liked me as a boss! 17A and 17C are tied to show they were both granted to "The Equity Trustees &c Exor of S.E.Darley" the grant being issued on 4-7-1908. C/a. 17A and C =Melway 254 J-K11.)
Also on the outskirts of the township, and fronting Westernport Bay, is a property of about 120 acres, owned
by Mrs Darley, who has recently built a comfortable residence, and in many ways improved the estate. The
few acres of crop sown on this place is doing pretty well. Mrs Darley owns a considerable amount of land in different parts of the district, most of which she has let on lease.
BOYD's.
Continuing along the Bittern-road, we come to a very cosy-looking residence, with about 60 acres of land.
This property, with several other blocks of land in different parts of the district, is worked by Messrs Boyd
Brothers, 'who are 'cultivating' (largely?-tear in page) in addition to carrying on a good many road contracts for the shire of Flinders and Kangerong*, and (doing?-tear) other work.
(*Kangerong was dropped from the Shire's name in 1914 if I remember correctly.)
Journeying on towards Manton's Creek, we reach a part of the district which might very appropriately be named Tuckville, and are reminded of the old local riddle-Why is Manton's Creek like a petticoat ? (Because it is surrounded by Tucks). Messrs Samuel, Henry, Thomas and John Tuck, who have all large families, are very old
residents of the district, being sons of the late Mr.Henry Tuck, senr, who, in company with the late Mr John
Barker, was one of the pioneers of the peninsula.
Mr John Tuck has about 48 acres of grazing land, which has, however, just been leased to Mr Skillen* of Sorrento, as Mr Tuck has obtained the Dromana to Portsea mail contract, and will need to reside on the other side of the peninsula. Being close to Flinders, and containing some splendid soil, this should be an ideal
place for market gardening.
(*See THE BUTCHER, THE BAKER, THE by Bruce Bennett for information about the Skillens.)
H. TUCK'S
Mr Henry Tuck has about 160 acres of first-class land, and goes in for grazing. This is certainly a fine
property, and almost any kind of a crop should grow splendidly in the deep rich chocolate soil.
N.B. See one of Henry's many poems under MAXWELL'S. Henry was born on the Arthur's Seat Run while his father, Henry Tuck Snr, was building the McCRAE HOMESTEAD.
T. TUCK'S.
On the other side of the road is about 160 acres of very good grazing and farming land, owned by Mr Thomas Tuck, who also goes in principally for grazing, but has a good area under crops of hay, potatoes, &c,which
are doing well.
S. TUCK'S.
Mr. Samuel Tuck has a very nice property. The homestead is prettily situated on the top of the hill above Manton's Creek, and is well sheltered by ornamental trees. Mr Tuck, who owns between 300 and 400 acres
of well grassed rich land, goes in largely for dairying and fattening cattle, and has his place in splendid
order.
(P.2, Mornington Standard,13-2-1902.)
THE TUCK BOYS WERE MAINLY ON HENRY TUCK'S PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHT OF 640 ACRES, THE ABOVE LAND,IF SAM TUCK DID HAVE 400 ACRES, GIVING A TOTAL OF 778 ACRES. THE EXTRA 138 ACRES WERE PROBABLY 26 OF Section A MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY RE DARLEY'S.
The western boundary of the P.R. started in Boyds Rd (the southern boundary) 244 metres west of King Street and ran north 7378 links, about 1475 metres (parallel with the line of King St)to Musk/Cotton Tree/ Mantons Creek,
which was the northern boundary until 486 metres from its mouth where a line due magnetic east from the junction of Tucks and Frankston Rd continued to the coast,just north of the creek. Tuck's P.R.= Melway 261-2: s/w. cnr.- bottom right 261 H4; n/w cnr.- creek near centre of 261 J1; n/e cnr.-coast near bottom of 262 C5; s/e cnr.- coast 3/4 of the way down in 262 D2.
SEE MY JOURNAL "HOW SARAH WILSON LED ME TO HENRY TUCK" FOR THE ANZAC EDITION ARTICLE ABOUT CHRISTIE JOHNSTONE WHO STILL FARMS ON PART OF HENRY TUCK'S MANTONS CREEK RUN.
AROUND FLINDERS.
SOME PROPERTIES DESCRIBED
[By Our Special Representative.]
BALDRY'S.
(c/a 22A of section B, Flinders; Melway 254 F-G 8-9,or c/a 8 Wannaeue; Melway 254 E-F5.)
In this article we have been dealing, so far, with the properties along the shores of Bass Straits and Western
port Bay. A good portion of the land back towards the Main Ridge contains some excellent soil, but is heavily timbered and badly in need of cleaning up. There are some properties in this part, however, that are certainly well worth a visit. " Wildwood," the property of Mr John Baldry, who holds nearly 800 acres of splendid land (350 acres of which was purchased at the recent subdivisional sale of Barker's estate), is situated almost on the crown of the Ridge and near the boundary of Wannaeue, Fingal and Flinders.
When obtained from the Crown, "Wildwood," the bulk of which is now a valuable well-improved property, was in a very rough timbered condition and the owner, like a good many of our pioneers, has had to spend many long years of hard work in preparing the thickly wooded land for the plough and has on three occasions had his house and effects destroyed by bush fires since building his first homestead. Though for several years past Mr Baldry has been growing large quantities of hay, potatoes and other crops, he now intends going in almost exclusively for grazing, for which industry the rich undulating, well-watered land is, when cleared, very suitable. Baldry is a great enthusiast in floriculture and keeps quite a nursery of plants of that class for his own amusement. There is a comfortable homestead in a splendid position on the highest part of the property, and the garden, orchard and some of the smaller cleared paddocks are enclosed with hawthorn hedges.
Mr Baldry, who has served the ratepayers for some years on the local shire council and occupied the presidential chair with credit, has now retired from municipal life.
ELLIS'S.
(c/a 7 of A,and 8A, B, D (and C?), Flinders; Melway 254 K 6, being all the land bounded by Main Creek, Mornington-Flinders Rd, and,on map 255, the east-west section of Barkers Rd.)
Close to the estate described above is about 900 acres owned by Mr R.Ellis, who utilises his property principally for grazing purposes, though,under cultivation and the various crops sown are looking very well.
PIDDINGTON'S.
(c/a 27B of section B,Flinders; Melway 255 C 11-12, fronting Whitehall Rd,and the east side of a closed road indicated by Mitford Rd, with Musk Creek just within its northern boundary.)
Another property on which years of hard work have been spent in clearing the land and converting the wilderness of gum trees and undergrowth into a comfortable little farm is a block of 100 acres owned by Mr Richard Piddington. At present Mr Piddington does not go in extensively for cropping, but the small patch he has
under cultivation is looking very well.
HOLLAND'S.
(c/a 27A of B, Flinders granted to Frederick Robert Grantham on 14-1-1879 and probably bought from Grantham's executrix, Eliza Grantham ; Melway 255 D 10,Frontage to the south side of Musk Creek Rd from Mitford Rd to a spot 140 metres east of the Punty Lane corner.)
The property known as "Mitford " has been purchased by Mr Holland, of the Railway department, who evidently intends to make good use of the block, which contains about 110 acres. A very comfortable and spacious homestead, on the lines of an Indian bungalow, was erected by the late Captain Grantham, of H.M. 45th
Regiment, some years ago, and the site commands a very picturesque view over Westernport Bay and Phillip Island, and Mr Holland is getting the place in thorough repair. A good portion of the land has been cleared, but is now monopolised to a great extent by scrub and bracken fern. The property is, however, being got into order and a good area will soon be again ready for the plough .
SMIDT'S
(c/a 14B,section A, Flinders;Melway 255 K7,south west boundary is a creek(not named on Melway)with the south east corner being its confluence with Mantons Creek in the bottom right corner of 255 J8. Frontage to south east side of Punty Lane to about 175 Punty Lane.)
Travelling across country (along Punty Lane!)from "Mitford" to the Flinders and Dromana-road we come to a block of 80 acres owned by Mr John Smidt. Mr Smidt is an old resident of the district and has got his property, which, like most of the neighbouring land, must once have been in a very heavily timbered condition, into good order and has a very comfortable house on the block.
DOWLING'S (Thomas Dowling was granted 3A of section?,Flinders,on the south east corner of Shands and Tucks Rds, in 1884; this block of nearly 110 acres fronts the south west side of Stony Creek and with Daniel Nolan's grant of almost 141 acres,c/a 12, almost certainly the ideal little dairying block,and extending south east to Punty Lane, comprised the said total of about 250 acres. Melway 255 G1,H2,fronting Stony Creek and Tucks Rd and including the "made' route of Shands Rd (Dowling's grant) and Nowlan's grant extended south east from 339 Tucks Rd to Punty Lane.)
On the road from Dromana to Flinders Mr C. Dowling has about 250 acres of good land, 140 of which is cleared and makes an ideal little dairying block. The property is beautifully situated on a slope facing the north and a clear running creek forms the boundary of the farm, which has been appropriately named "The Glen." Dairying at present occupies Mr Dowling's attention and he grows the usual fodder crops necessary for that industry.
GRAVES' (c/a 15, section A,Flinders,s/w corner Punty Lane and Tucks Rd. Only 190 acres. Melway 255 J5, H6, fronting the north west side of Punty Lane with the western boundary being from the creek in the exact centre of G6to a point almost opposite 425 Tucks Rd.In 1900, Charles Graves Snr and Jnr were assessed on 374 acres, Flinders. I cannot establish where the other 184 acres were. )
A little farther along the road toward the coast we come to "Woodlands," a property of nearly 400 acres, belonging to Mr Graves, a very old resident of the district. Besides having a large orchard and garden, the
owner of "Woodlands" goes in largely for poultry farming. Mr Graves also conducts one of the oldest storekeeping businesses in the southern part of the Mornington Peninsula. The property is in good order and crops of any sort should grow well in the rich chocolate soil.
See A DREAMTIME OF DROMANA re Charles Graves and his business partnership with Mary McLear before moving to Shoreham.
SUTHERLAND'S.
( Possibly c/a 28,section A, Flinders,of 84a. 3 r. 15 p.;Melway 256 E11 north to Balnarring Township, i.e.Beach St.)
The farm known as "Seaview," recently part of the estate of the late J.T. T. Smith, has now been purchased by Mr Sutherland. The property contains about 80 acres and, like most of the Shoreham land, is an ideal dairying block, for which purpose Mr Sutherland intends to utilise it, and has a good strip of land under cultivation to provide green feed for his cattle: The homestead, which was built by the late Captain Brown, is in a good position, and the Shoreham creamery adjoins the property.
HIGGINS'.(c/a 24, section A,Flinders;Melway 256C-E9, fronting Higgins Lane, Tucks Rd south to a point opposite No 700,and Frankston-Flinders Rd.)
On the opposite side of the road is a farm of 149 acres, owned by Mr Higgins, who has also 186 acres a short
distance away. (c/a 17A of 101 acre, section A, Flinders,on the west corner of Musk Creek Rd and Punty Lane; Melway.....;and probably 9B adjoining and also between Musk Ck, Rd and Cotton Tree Creek; Melway.......) Like most of his neighbours Mr Higgins goes in for dairying pursuits. His fodder and other crops are looking well.
RILEY'S. (Edmond Riley was granted the triangular, 111 acre, c/a 27 at the junction of Tucks and Frankston-Flinders Rd, south of Higgins' and the 159 acre c/a 23 north of Higgins' across Higgins Lane. Melway 256 C11 and B-E8.)
Another compact well-grassed little dairy farm in this locality, where an abundant rainfall always ensures a
permanent supply of water in the numerous creeks and the rich quality of the soil grows almost all kinds of
crop to perfection, is the property of Mr Riley, at Stony Creek. .This gentleman is a very old resident of the
district and has about 200 acres of land in this locality and other property a short distance away. (Or as trove put it: "perty aeshoriaeifseano -away"' -- -)
(P.2, Mornington Standard,20-9-1902.)
LITTLE BRIDGE FARM.
PROPERTY SEARCHES-FOUR WINDS, FOREST LODGE, WILDWOOD,FERN VALLEY,FERNBANK, ETC.
PEOPLE INTENDING TO COME TO THE BACK TO RED HILL.
Ray Gibb; Margaret Tylee (Hunt) and her husband Andy Tylee, Rae Alexander (Hunt)Glenys Chapman (Hunt);
Barry Wright (me) Pat Wright, my wife, and Peter Wright, my older brother;Margaret Connell; Helen Blakeley; Peter Trewin and his sister,Marion Walker; Henry Edwards;Charlie Lester, Lorraine (nee Lester),Graham Lester;
CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF KEILOR, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.
INDEX.
As family names mentioned in this journal will be too numerous to fit into the surname list, they will be listed alphabetically here and followed by the year or other heading under which they appear, such as APHOK (A POTTED HISTORY OF KEILOR) so that researchers can quickly locate the reference and ascertain if it pertains to the family they are seeking. A year or heading followed by C indicates that the name appears in my Comment about an article under that year. Unless there is a special reason, Batman, Fawkner,Hume, Hovell etc will not be included in the index. e.g.
AHEARN APHOK-C; BORRELL APHOK-C; BROWN APHOK; CHISHOLM APHOK; CUARTERO APHOK-C; CLANCY APHOK-C; GRIMES APHOK,APHOK-C (SOLOMON'S FORD); HICKS APHOK-C; MCFARLANE J.D. APHOK-C; McRAE APHOK; MANSFIELD APHOK; MILBURN APHOK; RUSSELL Geo. APHOK-C (SOLOMON'S FORD); TAYLOR APHOK; VERT APHOK-C; WATSON APHOK; WILSON Jas. 1862; WILSON Edw. APHOK;
A POTTED HISTORY OF KEILOR.
About the only items that I think need to be added to the following excellent broad overview of Keilor's history are the township, grazing, closer settlement and the Spanish invasion.
Keilor
(3036, 17 km NW, Brimbank City, Hume City, Moonee Valley City)
Gazetted as a township in 1850 Keilor had a Roads Board in 1863 before becoming a shire in 1871 and a city in 1961. Some of the earliest Aboriginal artefacts in Victoria were discovered at the Keilor archaeological area. The first European explorer, New South Wales Surveyor-General Grimes, passed through the area in 1803, followed by Hume and Hovell in 1824, and John Batman in 1835. Settlers arrived in the late 1830s and 1840s, one of whom, Mr Watson, is said to have given the district the name of his father's cattle-breeding property or a rivulet in Forfarshire, Scotland, Other sources suggest keilor was an Aboriginal word for 'brackish water'. The first Keilor Inn was a hut constructed in 1841, rebuilt 20 years later. Keilor was on the main route to the goldfield of Bendigo and Castlemaine; from 1851 hotels and blacksmiths did a roaring trade. A female traveller noted the contrast between the 'pretty little village with a good inn, several nice cottages, and a store or two' and the 'vast expanse of flat and dreary land' of the outlying Keilor Plains.
In 1855 the philanthropist Caroline Chisholm organised the construction of 'shelter sheds' along the goldfield routes to encourage families to accompany their menfolk to the diggings. One was near Bonfield Street in Keilor village and another, named Robertson's after a local landowner, was on the Keilor Plains. Punts and rough log bridges proved unsatisfactory for travellers crossing the Maribyrnong River and a more substantial toll bridge was opened in 1854. The 1868 replacement, superseded in 1964, has been restored.
After the initial excitement of the gold rush Keilor settled into a relatively peaceful agricultural existence for nearly a century with hay production and cattle and sheep grazing being the main activities. One of the original proprietors of the Argus newspaper, Edward Wilson, ran his property Arundel as a model farm and experimental breeding ground. By the 1880s Keilor was most noted for its market gardening and especially its apricot orchards. A local farmer and long-serving shire councillor, David Milburn, pioneered irrigation on his properties, and other orchardists and market gardeners followed his example. Farming in the district received a boost in the early 1900s when Overnewton, the 11 000-acre (4450 ha) estate of William Taylor, was subdivided.
Change came to Keilor from the 1950s when industry and housing developers discovered the area. Both Essendon Airport (built on land first acquired by the Commonwealth in 1921) and Melbourne Airport (built at Tullamarine in 1971) were partly within the Keilor City boundaries. Between 1947 and 1954 Keilor's population trebled to 10 681. By 1961 there were 29 519 residents and in 1981 there were 81 762, attracted to the area by the cheap new houses and manufacturing jobs. By 1981 around 40% of residents were overseas-born, nearly half coming from Italy, the former Yugoslavia and Malta. Transport was another attraction. The Calder and Tullamarine freeways bisect the area, and the West Gate Bridge linked it with the other side of Melbourne from 1978.
Industry was concentrated in Airport West and Niddrie, and the valleys and rises around Keilor village filled with successive waves of mainly brick veneer homes. New suburbs such as Kealba (3021, 15 km NW, Brimbank City), Keilor Downs (3038, 18 km NW, Brimbank City), Keilor Park (3042, 15 km NW, Brimbank City) and Kings Park (3021, 19 km W, Brimbank City) were created, and others such as Keilor East (3033, 13 km NW, Brimbank City, Moonee Valley City), which had already been the site of a garden estate designed by Walter Burley Griffin in 1927, were further developed. Apart from the courthouse and hotel, nearly all the older buildings in Keilor village have been replaced, often with large and luxurious houses. By the end of the 20th century Keilor had become an affluent middle-class and professional dormitory for the western suburbs.
JENNY KEATING
REFERENCES
Carstairs, Joan, and Maureen Lane, Pubs, punts & pastures: The story of Irish pioneer women on the Salt Water River, St Albans History Society, Melbourne, 1988. Details
Evans, Angela, and the Keilor Pioneer Research Collective, Keilor pioneers: Dead men do tell tales, St Albans History Society, Melbourne, 1994. Details
Jennison, Susan, Keilor's heritage, Keilor Historical Society, Melbourne, 1997. Details
COMMENTS.
THE TOWNSHIP(S).
Like most townships, Keilor straddled a creek, the village of half acre blocks being in the parish of Maribyrnong on the west side of the Saltwater River but suburban blocks intended for farmers were south,west and east of the village. Those to the east were in Horseshoe Bend (parish of Maribyrnong)and section 19 Doutta Galla, which included Keilor Binn Farm, Gumm's Corner and the part of Keilor Park west of Collinson St where the site of St Augustine's was granted and James Harrick built his historic homestead that is now the home of the Keilor Historical Society.
There was another township in the Keilor district,Braybrook North Township. It was south of the line of Clarendon St, Avondale Heights. The township straddled the river,being in the parishes of Doutta Galla and Cut Cut Paw. Because of the West Melbourne swamp, Solomon's ford was the most southerly point at which the Saltwater River could be crossed by travellers heading Geelong way, such as George Russell of Golf Hill. It was accessed via Buckley St, known for decades as Braybrook road until it wasrenamed Buckley St West. Many heritage studies have been sold a pup by Valentine Jones and have declared Clancy's ford to be Solomon's Ford. Peter Somerville, my predecessor as President of the Keilor Historical Society, was convinced, circa 1989,that Solomon's Ford was at the end of North Rd and he was right but I believe this was the second one.
If you google CUT CUT PAW, COUNTY OF BOURKE,you will find many maps of that parish. The Braybrook Township map also provides evidence about the fords. The earliest shows a ford near the bottom of Rhonda St, Avondale Heights with a dotted track heading south near the future site of Braybrook Primary School, this would have been the route used by George Russell and Co.The Braybrook Township map shows streets leading to, and converging at,this ford. It would have been the aboriginal fish trap that stopped Charles Grimes' progress by boat a few hundred yards short of where brackish water became fresh; this point is shown on Melway. Later maps clearly show that Solomon's ford was at the end of North Road and the ramp leading down to it, shown on the Doutta Galla maps, is still indicated by a dotted line on Melway.
In an enquiry into closed roads (of which the K.H.S.should have a copy), Clancy stated that he'd arrived in about 1856 and his first task would have been to clear his land,not of trees but of rocks. He used many of them to build walls which the lovely Mr D., the father of Braybrook and pub owner, had his henchmen pull down scattering the rocks in Clancy's crops. Harry Peck makes it clear in his MEMOIRS OF A STOCKMAN that Mr D's purpose was to drive off Clancy and his fellow battlers so he could graze the horses he supplied to the army in India. Clancy owned land in Cut Cut Paw as well so he may have two reasons to build a ford. His Doutta Galla land was near the point where brackish water became fresh and the former was not much good for watering stock or crops. Some rocks would have been too heavy to lift but they could be rolled into the river.They would not be swept downstream in the next flood. The resultant ford would give him access to his Cut Cut Paw land* and prevent the progress of brackish water upstream during king tides.
(*The Bacchus Marsh Express (Vic. : 1866 - 1918) Saturday 19 October 1878 p 2 Advertising.
SHIRE OF BRAYBROOK.
Maidstone, 17th October, 1878.
IN accordance with Clause 265 of the Local Government Act 1874, the following Valuation of the Rateable Property in the Shire is published for the information of the parties rated.WILLIAM PULLAR.
Clancy, Michael, Hampstead nett annual value 2 pounds.
Clancy's boundaries were later adjusted,presumably so people could access his ford which may have been called Solomon's ford by newspapers, such as when Clancy's son had a mishap. The Melbourne Hunt seem to have referred to the North Rd ford as McIntyre's ford but Cr Delahey and Crs Dodd (of Keilor and Braybrook)were in no doubt that it was Solomon's ford.
Not long after Braybook Township was declared, a shorter route became possible and because it was no longer on a busy route, the township died in its infancy. Below follows a potted history of Braybrook North Township from my journal, WHICH FORD WAS SOLOMON'S FORD NEAR AVONDALE HEIGHTS,VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA?
*BRAYBROOK NORTH TOWNSHIP.
Michael Clancy's evidence at an inquiry into closed roads in 1879 reveals that he had about 35 acres joining Mr.Porter and Mr. Fitzgerald's* properties and had arrived there in about 1856. Clancy and Munro, his neighbour in the township, were prevented from watering their cattle at the river by Derham, who also tore down 28 chains of Clancy's 30 chain rock wall and threw the stones into his victim's crops. Derham had Clancy's lease of the river reserve cancelled. Harry Peck says that Derham, of fair complexion, as husky as a lumberjack, kept the pub at Braybrook and hunted others off hundreds of acres of land where he grazed about 200 horses for the Indian horse trade. Thomas B. Derham lived in Trinifour sometime after 1886 between the occupancies of W.G.Tulloch and E. Henderson.
(*M.Fitzgerald had 353 acres, between Balfour Ave. and Somers St., Sunshine, south of McIntyre's Riversdale.)
In 1900, Daniel Munro had 21 acres, Thomas Derham (Jnr.) 44 acres, A. Pridham 89 acres and Walter Marshall possibly 50 acres. Harry Newman of Maidstone had 10 acres while James Holbery, James Moore and the Melbourne Orphan Asylum of Brighton had parcels of less than 3 acres each. By 1906 about 30 acres of the township had become part of McKenna's closer settlement farm.(P.45, EARLY LANDOWNERS:PARISH OF DOUTTA GALLA.)
GRAZING.
The Keilor Plains were formed by volcanic flows. The Maribyrnong River cut its way through the rock producing a valley and exposing the fascinating Organ Pipes not far north of James Robertson's Upper Keilor Homestead. This homestead was constructed with bluestone, as were many others near the river, such as Seafield, Victoria Bank and Oakbank in section 8 Tullamarine and Edward Wilson's dairy on Arundel was built with the stone. Bluestone for the McNabs' Oakbank was quarried close to the house with the resulting depression being cleverly used. (Archealogical Survey.) Many bluestone structures were built using freestone, which could also be used for drystone rock walls, as Michael Clancy did in today's Avondale Heights (see CLOSER SETTLEMENT) and Goudie (or Dodd?)did near the Brimbank homestead (see history board near the homestead.)
Freestone lay everywhere and was a major impediment to agriculture. This was bad at the time but good when closer settlement was commenced because, as stated in advertisements,the land was UNTOUCHED BY THE PLOUGH. Those impressed by this phrase realised that it meant the soil had not been depleted as described in the 1861 article in my CHRONOLOGY OF EARLY TULLAMARINE journal. The land on the Tullamarine side was grazed by the Grant and McNab Ayshires, Robert McDougall's shorthorns. Ritchie of Aucholzie was probably more into sheep like Taylor and Robertson who owned a huge slab of the parish of Maribyrnong across the river.Much later,when R.J.Gilbertson owned Aucholzie and Overpostle on Tullamarine Island,his slaughtermen earned extra money at weekends picking up freestone on Overpostle. (Source: Bob Blackwell or Mr Bedford of Fleetbank or Ed Fanning of Sunnyside-I've forgotten which.)
Before agriculture could commence,the freestone had to be removed. Those with large areas of land could take the easy options of grazing and dairying but there is no doubt the closer settlement pioneers would have cleared the rocks and exploited the still-fertile soil.
CLOSER SETTLEMENT.
See Comment box 2. When the shire borrowed 5000 pounds in 1911 to make new roads, one of these was SETTLEMENT ROAD in the Doutta Galla Riding. Settlement Road was, without doubt North Pole Road,today's Milleara Rd as far south as Buckley St from where North Rd and Military Rd ( both crown allotment boundaries) led to Canning St.
The following four pages would not submit as a whole in the journal or a comment box. It will have to be posted in nibbles.
1. THE ARUNDEL CLOSER SETTLEMENT AND ROADS.
Oops again. In comment box 6, immediately before the report of the 1937 meeting, I stated that Geraghty's Paddock (block 9)was in the Arundel portion of the Arundel Closer Settlement; I had meant to write: "in the Annandale portion of the Arundel Closer Settlement." The western boundary of Geraghty's Paddock was 1987.7 links* (397.54 metres) east of the boundary between Arundel(section 1) and Annandale (section 2.) Alf Cock's Glenview to the south straddled the section boundary.
2. (*See below in italics how the un-shown boundary between sections 1 and 2 was established.)
How would I know that? I googled TULLAMARINE,COUNTY OF BOURKE and chose the first map:
Parish of Tullamarine, County of Bourke [cartographic ... - Slv
digital.slv.vic.gov.au/dtl_publish/simpleimages/30/1258115.html
3. As the boundary between sections 1 and 2 is not shown and Joe Thomas's "Tullamar" (as it was called in the airport acquisition map, circa 1960)is wrongly labelled lot 7 instead of 7 and 8, I presume that the 1350 links shown in the north east corner is the northern boundary of lot 7 (almost identical to that of lot 6)and the east boundary of lot 7 was the section 1/ 2 boundary. I also presume that the next distance of 1987.7 links was the northern boundary of lot 8,which was entirely in section 2.
4. Measurements are in links,etc Oops! Google Chrome could not connect to www.familytreecircles.com
Measurements are in links, 100 of which equal a chain. 1 chain = 20.1168 metres, which I have rounded to 20 metres for my calculations so Geraghty's Paddocks' western boundary was 399.861634 metres east of Arundel to be exact. Steeles Creek starts near the south east corner of Geraghty's Paddock.
In 1913, the 330 acres of Annandale that had not become part of the closer settlement were divided into two 165 acre farms. As far as I remember, Bill Parr's now-demolished house was in the north east corner of Melway 15 D2. This was in the south east corner of section 2 but north of the course that the unmade section of Annandale Rd would follow to the PRESENT end of Sharps Rd. Bill Parr and his brother Sam were jointly occupying this farm in 1913. Thomas and Arthur Nash were occupying the other 165 acre farm which was probably to the south west with the extension of Sharps Rd being its southern boundary and the homestead fronting the south side of the later Annandale Rd extension.
One interesting thing about the map is that Sharps Rd (the boundary between Tullamarine and Doutta Galla parishes) is shown (with dotted lines) extending about 500 metres farther east than it does today (80 X 20.1168m, 1609.344 metres or a mile west of Broadmeadows Rd.) Why? Because Annandale Rd only ran between Arundel Rd and the east boundary of Geraghty's Paddock and Alf Cock's Glenview. Thomas and Arthur Nash would have accessed their homestead from the end of the Sharps Rd EXTENSION by way of the road north that seems to head nowhere and was obviously a driveway.
Why didn't Annandale Rd go all the way to the present end of Sharps Rd?
The following article makes it pretty clear. The Closer Settlement Board was determined to maximise its profits at the expense of the shire, which was just managing to stay afloat without additional outlays. The board even proposed a low-level bridge such as the ones on the main road that swept away or formed dams so that road approaches were gouged away until Brees' high level bridge was built in 1854. You can bet that the board stipulated that its money was only used on roads within the closer settlement and not an inch farther; Annandale Rd stopped dead at the eastern boundary of the closer settlement.
Now I see how Bertam's ford became Milburn's Weir. The connection to the ford is shown on the aforementioned Tullamarine parish map. If Cr. Milburn had not agreed to let the council open Bertrams ford when the bridge became impassable,this story may never had been written. You will remember that the first contractor's bridge was washed away by the major 1906 flood.
SAD FATALITY. FATHER AND SON DROWNED. BOY'S WONDERFUL ESCAPE.
Sunbury News (Vic. : 1900 - 1910) Saturday 20 October 1906 p 3 Article
... Mansfield, a well-known farmer, and his son, William, about seven years of age, together with a lad named ... buggy, leading a horse with a halter, and Mr. Mansfield and his son were in the front. Mr. Mans -field ...
The Keilor Skull was found where Back Creek meets the river at Melway 14 J4.
KEILOR SHIRE COUNCIL.
A SPECIAL MEETING.
THE ARUNDEL ESTATE.
A special meeting of the Keilor Shire Council was held on Saturday last, when all the members, with the exception of Cr Dodd, were present. Those present were-Cr. Taylor (in the chair), and Crs. Delahey, Harrick, Milburn, O'Neill, Parr, Mc'Nab, and Ritchie.
The object of the meeting was to consider whether the Council would accept the offer of the Closer Settlement Board to provide the sum of ?850 towards the cost of erecting a bridge across the Saltwater River at Arundel, another over Back Creek, and to form about a mile and a quarter of roads laid out on steep hill lines. The board contemplated only a low water bridge, which would cost about ?300 but the council considered that a high level bridge was necessary at a cost of ?600, and that ?250 was altogether too little for the other works. Then the council's surveyor objected to do all this extra work without special payment,which the board contended the council should undertake. It is calculated that there is a loading* of about ?1800 at the Arundel and Annandale estates,which are to be served by these works, and that the costs of surveying and other flotation expenses might reach ?900, and the council had been advised that it would take ?1600 at least to build the bridge and make the roads fit for traffic.
(*Cost of infrastructure included in the price of blocks.- itellya.)
The gross annual income of the shire is under ?900, and when salaries, road maintenance and other expenses are paid there is only about ?100 for new works. Through the purchase of these estates by the Crown no rate can be laid upon the land until it is selected. This year the loss of rates amounts to about ?50.
At the meeting of the council on Saturday last it was mentioned incidentally that all the allotments are taken up on Arundel, and only twelve on the Overnewton Estate remain unselected, these being as good land as many of the others, but destitute of improvements.
The shire engineer, Mr J. S.Jenkins, announced that he had been sent for last Thursday by the secretary of the board, and had been informed that, in order to expedite the erection of a bridge over the Saltwater River, that was necessary, and the formation of the roads, the board would pay him commission if he would prepare the plans at once and carry out the work. He accepted the terms, and the board had sent a letter to the council offering to pay him 5 per cent commission on ?850, and asking that the council should, at its earliest convenience, let the board know whether the work would be anthorised to be done, and when the plans and specifications would be submitted to the Inspector General of Public Works. The engineer reported that if this offer were accepted the council would have to provide the extra cost of the bridge over ?400, which the board had allotted to the bridge, and the site for the bridge on a high level.
The latter was proposed to be got from Cr Milburn in exchange for a Government road within his fence which could be transferred to him. He (the engineer) recommended the keeping open of the road now existing to the ford from its divergence from the proposed approach to the bridge. If that were done and the new bridge became unusable at any time, the crossing at the ford would still be available . The control of the ford should be kept in the hands of the council. On the motion of Cr Milburn, seconded by Cr O'Neil, the proposal of the Closer Settlement Board was adopted unanimously.
Cr Milburn, after previously intimating that he objected to the keeping open of the road to the ford in the event of bridge being made, withdrew whilst the other councillors discussed the terms of the proposed exchange. On his return-
Cr Delahey moved " That Cr Milburn's offer to exchange the land required for an approach, commencing near the north end of the aqueduct and widening to one chain wide at the bridge, for the road proposed to be closed (the same being an equal area,and including a short piece of the old road leading west to the ford), be accepted. Further, that we accept Cr Milburn's stipulation to close the ford, providing that he guarantees permission to the council to use the approach to the ford whenever the bridge becomes impassable.Cr Taylor seconded the motion. (P.3,Sunbury News,27-1-1906.)
Now we see why the Arundel bridge was so important. There was no road reserve to provide access to the closer settlement from Tullamarine. It is possible that the rest of Annandale Rd (to Sharps Rd)was financed by a huge loan taken out 1911; it was referred to by Cr Dodd as being for new roads and 60 chains of Annandale Rd was one of these works. The parish map indicates that the unmade section of Annandale Rd was only 40 chains but work might have been needed on the steep, winding, original section between the creek bridge and Glenview.
The eastern section of Annandale Rd, from Steeles Creek to the present end of Sharps Rd,was probably made in 1911 when council borrowed 5000 pounds to build "new roads" as Cr Dodd put it. Money had been allocated for 60 chains of Annandale Rd; I calculate this distance to be only 40 chains but major reconstruction may have been needed for the steep winding section from the "Back Creek" bridge to Glenview on the crest of the hill.
THE SPANISH INVASION.
Jose Borrell stayed with relatives who were farming at Garden St,near Moreland Rd, Essendon, before buying Gumm's Corner from the Cahills after the 1916 flood. The bluestone homestead was either luckily still standing after a fire which started when the Cahill's were smoking bacon decades earlier or a replacement. Joe enlarged the dwelling, using the bluestone section as the lounge room; his additions have been demolished.A gully ran south through the property so Jose levelled his land with a horse and scoop producing the saucer-like depression we see today. The original south end of Arundel Rd was renamed Borrell St to honour these Spanish pioneers. (Joe Borrell. N.B. the B volume of my DHOTAMA including more detail and grainy photocopies of Joe's photos can be supplied if desired.)
Jack Vert established a market garden in the area now occupied by Vert St, Barcelona Ave and Gerona Court,which I believe was part of David Yates' racecourse. Vert is obviously an anglicised version of his original surname.
Frank Sayers had a market garden on the flats of Brimbank Park. (Page C237, DICTIONARY HISTORY OF TULLAMARINE AND MILES AROUND.)
Emilio Cuartero was assessed in 1943 on land off Keilor Rd. The 1954-5 ratebook reveals that he was rated on a house on 6 acres and a house on 4 acres. Emilio was on section 20 Doutta Galla, as was Louie Foo. (Page C237 DHOTAMA.) The Cuartero property was accessed via Flora St by way of a bridge which was destroyed in the 1974 flood and replaced with a concrete bridge. I presume the farm was called Rio Vista, that being the name of the soil they were selling circa 1990. Frank Cuartero told me that Emilio had come from the famous orange-growing province of Valencia in 1925. He spent two years cutting sugar cane in Queensland and three years at his brother's market garden in Vida St, Essendon before settling at Keilor. (Page C246, DHOTAMA.)
N.B.I am positive that there was an article in the K.H.S. newsletter with much more detail.
1841.
I wonder who Elizabeth Watson was? Was she the mother of James Watson?
LIST OF SQUATTERS SORTED ALPHABETICALLY
collections.historyvictoria.com.au/rhsvdatabases/squatters.pdf
Unit 13, Year 41, File. 551 Watson, Elizabeth, ?Keillor? run, squatter in District of Bourke
1842.
Victoria Hotel Licenses 1842 - Oz History Mine
www.ozhistorymine.com/html/victoria_1842.html
Publican?s License...Robert Crow...Keillor Inn...Salt Water River...Publican?s License
1845.
Michael McEchearn, granted Keilor Keilor Inn' annual Publican's license - source Port Phillip Herald 17 Apr 1845
Michael McEachern wed Mary Lister in 1847 at Church of England St James, Melbourne;
Directory 1847 publican, Keillor
Patrick Mcdonaugh - OoCities
www.oocities.org/vic1847/mc/mc08.html
1847.
SHOULD KEILOR BE KEILLOR?
If I remember correctly it was James Watson who gave the run its name (as he did in regard to Flemington), so I presume that he knew how to spell it. The Keillor spelling was common in the 1840's.
IMPOUNDING AT KEILLOR. THIS is to give notice to all parties who have cattle running on the Keillor Run that
unless they are immediately removed they will be impounded.
JAMES WATSON. Flemington, 22nd July, 1847. (P.3, The Melbourne Argus,27-7-1847.)
One of the three historical Keilor souvenirs (1950,1961 and 1963)said that Keilor was a Gaelic word for "plenty" if I remember correctly and that Hunter and Watson were financed by the Marquis of Ailsa (after whom one of the Keilor Village streets was named.)I could not confirm the meaning of Keilor on the internet.It has been claimed that James Watson was responsible for the naming of Flemington, Keilor, Rosanna and Watsonia. Sam Merrifield claimed that there had earlier been a woolshed built by Watson* on the site of Tulip Wright's Lincolnshire Arms at Bendigo Corner (North Essendon.)
(*J.Watson was granted 13D, Doutta Galla on 27-6-1849. Extending south to Braybrook road (Buckley St) this fronted Keilor Rd west from Lincoln Rd to the future reservoir east of McCracken St (Thompson Reserve)where it adjoined the future Mar Lodge,granted to James Robertson Snr of Upper Keilor on the same date.The Lincolnshire Arms was built on the north east corner of 13D. N.B. To get the Doutta galla parish map online,google DOUTTA GALLA,COUNTY OF BOURKE.
Crown allotment 13C, consisting of three farms, one of which was called "Flatfield", was inherited by the bachelor son of James Snr,Francis,who became a member of parliament, and named the property Mar Lodge. The homestead remains at 33A? Forrester St. Another son, James inherited land adjoining Peter McCracken's Ardmillan and James's daughter,Margaret,married Peter's son,Coiler. It is no surprise that Mar Lodge passed into McCracken ownership and they set up a golf course on it. (Documents etc from Deidre Farfor, a Robertson descendant, and THE GOLD THE BLUE, a history of Lowther Hall by A.D.Pyke.)
This comment may have been written by Marcus Breen whose great book, which I read at the Newmarket Library so many years ago, examined the origin of the name of Flemington.
Thanks for so much information in your reply MonicaL. :)
I have done a lot of work on this story of the Melbourne Flemington as I wrote an entry in the Encyclopedia of Melbourne on its naming, and caused a stir. It was obviously named after Flemington Estate of James Rose esq. in Scotland, Elizabeth's father, not the butcher named Fleming as had long been supposed.
A document in the State Library of Victoria claims Alexander Hunter (sen) and James Watson (sen) were boyhood friends, meeting in later life and organising the pastoral concern in which their sons and some Hunter cousins were involved. I have never been able to find that James Watson (snr).
The Marquis of Ailsa and others funded this concern which was doomed to failure.
The Melbourne James Watson married again when Elizabeth died in May 1847. The second wife Anne Hawker gave details on his 1869 death certificate which were incorrect.
I have even visited the area in SCotland and stood outside the Keillor steading - which is now being developed. The origin of the Australian Keillor is often misquoted, giving Hugh as James's father. Hence my original post.
However I have never seen the reference you have given to Margaret Rose being a possible sister. I will pursue these new thoughts
Thank you
The ancestry of James Watson is a mystery but you might like to read some other contributions on this genealogical forum.
Hugh Watson of Keillor and Angus cattle fame Genealogy - RootsChat
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=690578.0
An article by my old mate,Bob Chalmers, about James Watson is on this website.
James Watson ? Flemington Heritage
www.flemingtonheritage.org.au/people/james-watson/
Hugh Glass who bought the Flemington Estate was a Keilor ratepayer in 1868 (the earliest rate book I managed to find in Keilor's strongroom.)Owen Connor was a grantee of much of what became in the early 1900's John Dodd's Brimbank farm (north of the high tension electrical lines running east to the substation near the entrance to Brimbank Park.) Connor had probably lost his farm "Keilor Binn Farm*" to Glass due to an undischarged mortgage.(*KEILOR PIONEERS:DEAD MEN DO TELL TALES.)
A Keillor, saltwater river search on google led to the other side of Watson and Hunter partnership. I forgot which side was said by a Keilor historical souvenir to have eaten up profits with high living but I suspect that it was the horseracing mad Hunters.
Continuing with some information of the Hunters who spent many years in the Western District.Keillor (North of Melbourne) was the home station of the 5 Hunter brothers,sons of Alex Hunter - Blair & Cowan, solicitors -
'Writers to the Signet' in Edinburgh.
I have the book "Silks and Saddles" and will do lookups.
KEILLOR was the home station of the early Scottish explorer Alexander McLean Hunter (19 years) who in 1839
explored the Delatite, Mount Battery, Devils River area, now Mansfield. He held leases over thousands of acres before Mansfield was designated. He married 1850 to Eliza Ann Bostock born Tasmania to Robert and Rachael.
There were 5 brothers who came from Scotland and all were champion Steeple Chasers. However, I have a story from the old magazine 'Parade' 1967 with a long story of how the 5 brothers were larrikin gentlemen.
"After the formation of the first Port Phillip Turf Club in December 1840, none of the brothers ever missed a race meeting. Needing a secret track for trial gallops, the Hunters and other found a suitable mile square flat
beside the Saltwater (Maribyrnong) River. Because it was proved to be the ideal site for a rival racecourse, the specially formed Melbourne Racing Club, with Alex Hunter as Honorary Secretary opened soon after.Thus was born the FLEMINGTON RACE COURSE " end quote.
Often as many as four Hunter were in the one race which put them in the public eye. WATSON and HUNTER were
part of a syndicate from Scotland looking to investment. I have the story of Watson and Hunter if anyone would like me to post to the list. Thanks for your interest.
Thelma (Bostock) Birrell at Maroochydore.
(RootsWeb: AUS-VIC-WESTERN-DISTRICT-L Hunter ...
archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com ? ... ? 2004-05)
I've read many websites about the Hunters and forgotten 99% of the information. However I do remember that they gave Devils River its name. They spent a sleepless night camped by the stream because of the racket made by the area's fauna.
1849.
See D.T.Kilburn's advertisement in my comment about the locality name Springfield under 1867.
APPROACHES TO KEILOR BRIDGE.
TENDERS will be received until noon of Saturday the 30th instant, from parties willing to contract for forming an additional portion of the approaches to Keilor Bridge, on the Portland road. Tenders to be endorsed " Tender for Keilor bridge approaches," and deposited at the box marked " Tenders for Works and Stores" at the western entrance of the government offices ; or, they may be forwarded by post directed to "His Honor the Superintendent, Melbourne."
Plan and specification can be seen upon application to Mr. Mitchell of the Keilor Inn, and at the undermentioned office. The government will not necessarily accept the lowest tender.(P.1, Argus,25-6-1849.)
Because the early bridges at Keilor were only built from the top of one bank to the top of the other, they became dams when the river flooded,putting enormous strain on the structures but also caused the water to scour the banks, eroding the approaches. Samuel Brees'1854 bridge survived 15 years before being replaced by the flower basket bridge because it was elevated above the highest possible flood level.
1854.
FIFTY POUNDS Reward.-The above reward will be given to any person or persons, who will give such information as will lead to the conviction of the party or parties, who, on the 7th inst, stabbed James Laverty's horses, of the North Pole, Keilor Road. JAMES LAVERTY, North Pole, near Keilor. (P.8, Argus, 11-12-1854.)
1856.
This entry is not pertinent to Keilor. It is put here to remind everyone that James Laverty's hotel near Keilor was the North Pole Inn. The Harvest Home fronted Mt Alexander Rd at the west end of Hiskins St, Moonee Ponds.
T0 Let.-To be Let, upon such terms as may be agreed upon, the Harvest Home public-house, together with one acre kitchen garden, situated at Moonee Ponds, on the main road to the diggings, doing at present a first rate business. This is a rare opportunity, being one of the first houses on the road.
Apply to JAMES LAVERTY, Harvest Home, Moonee Ponds. (P.8, Argus, 5-9-1856)
1862.
Having lost an hour's typing, my summary of the Anderson story will be skeletal this time. William Anderson settled in Keilor as a blacksmith and later ran a store there. He was killed at the bridge when his son, James was quite young but James became a successful man, farming James Wilson's Springbank on the west side of Hoffmans Rd, and, when his mother* died, John Beale's "Shelton" on the east side of North Pole (Milleara) Rd.
(*Catherine Anderson was an early resident of (present) No 58 A and B, Ardmillan Rd and was probably the daughter of Donald Stewart, William's widow and the mother of James, who died at Shelton. John Beale also became an Ardmillan Rd resident, calling his house Shelton.)
James later retired to "Braeside" fronting Green Gully Rd south of Church St. Don,a son of James,had an apricot orchard on Horseshoe Bend and his homestead is now a feature of Horseshoe Bend Park. Peter,son of Don, married a daughter of the Hendersons who ran the brick post office at Tullamarine that was demolished to allow construction of Hendersons Rd. When I interviewed Peter circa 1990 he was living on an eastern corner block on the north side of Church St, Keilor. Here is how Peter's great grandfather died.
Tho city coroner held an inquest yesterday, at the Melbourne Hospital, on the body of William Anderson. It appeared from the evidence that on tho 10th instant, the deceased was returning from Melbourno to Keilor with a load of coals, when his horse took fright, ran against the toll-gate at Keilor, and precipitated deceased vio-lently to the ground. He was taken up in an insensible condition, and on removal to the hospital was found to have sustained so severe an injury to the right leg that it was necessary to perform amputation. He never rallied, and died in the hospital on the 25th instant. Tho deceased was a storekeeper, and has left a wife and four children. The jury found that he had "Died from the effects of injuries accidentally received."
(P.4, Argus,28-2-1862.)
1867.
One of the signs of the rate at which our society is ramifying is the recent establishment of an institution dignified by the exalted name of "Sanatorium," but more properly called a private hospital, in the country, under the best atmospheric conditions. " Brompton-lodge," Springfield* ,' just opened by Dr. Crooke, of Fitzroy, for the treatment of cases requiring dietetic andphysical treatment, such as consumption, rheumatism, gout, and " dipsomania," is a rather handsome stone house, standing within an enclosure of about seventy acres, variously cultivated, and situated near the Mount Alexander road, on the Keilor Plains, eight miles from
Melbourne and three from Keilor. The situation appears good, for the clay soil is (etc).
(P.3,The Mercury,Hobart,6-4-1867.)
* The Fosters called section 3 Tullamarine and section 20 Doutta Galla "Springs". David William O'Nial's Lady of the Lake hotel at Tullamarine and a landowner on Keilor Rd were both described as being at Springs which was rather confusing. D.T.Kilburn later bought 400 acres of 3 Tullamarine (Fairfield) but in 1849 he placed this advertisement for his Keilor Rd grants (Fairview.)
FOR a term of years, two adjoining Farms, of about eighty acres each, situated on the Springs, next Main's section, Keilor road, seven miles from town. The land is excellent, and the whole fit for the plough without any clearing being required. Apply to DOUGLAS T. KILBURN.(P.3, Argus,12-7-1849.)
To prevent confusion,the Keilor Rd area was rebadged as Springfield,the name of the farm between Spring Park and the Roberts Rd corner.
1877.
KEILOR.
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
After the Church which has recently been built
here was finished, there remained upon it a, debt
amounting to something-like ?170. A tea meet
ing held on the 28th, and a collection made at it,
cleared away a part of this debt; a meeting was
then held to consider the best means of liquidating
the remainder, when Mr. W. J. Clarke, of Sunbury,
with his well-known and wide-spread liberality.
forwarded the committee a cheque for the required
sum, viz., ?127 4s. The thanks of the congrega
tion are indeed due to Mr. Clarke for this hand
some donation, as it would be some time before
they could have reasonably expected to clear off
the incubus.
An industrious farmer named Kelly had the
misfortune to have a stack of hay, containing
about 50 tons, burnt last week. It was caused by
some of his children lighting a fire near the stack.
He estimates his loss at above ?200.
A child named Wright bad a narrow escape from
drowning on Sunday last by falling off a swing
into the river a distance of about 20 feet. A
young man named Ray, who had observed the
accident, at once went in and brought her out, not
much the worse for her sudden immersion.
A team from the Keilor Cricket Club proceeded
to Ascot Vale last Saturday to try conclusions
with the local club, but, owing to some of the
players being rather late in turning up, the game
could not be finished.P.3, The Bacchus Marsh Express, 10-2-1877.)
RECENTLY BUILT CHURCH.
William John Turner(Big Clarke)was asked what he thought of the spending of his son, William John, (I think at the time Rupertswood was being built)and he replied that he hoped William John got as much fun out of spending the money as he (W.J.T.) had enjoyed making it. Rupertswood and the Melbourne mansion accounted for some of the son's spending but his philanthropy knew no bounds,as indicated below. The grounds of Rupertwood provided a favourite recreational haunt for ordinary people until W.J.'s son, Baronet Rupert, imposed a ban because of irresponsible behaviour. W.J.Clarke was knighted because of his parliamentary service,philanthropy or both, and on the day of his funeral, Melbourne was draped in black and virtually came to a standstill.
For more detail, see:
Sir William John Clarke - Australian Dictionary of Biography
adb.anu.edu.au/biography/clarke-william-john-3229
I knew the church would be Christ Church but a google search using those words looked unlikely to bear fruit so I tried "Historic Anglican church Keilor". Bingo!
All Brimbank Data - Brimbank City Council
www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/files/...73f4.../HO93ChristChurchKeilor.pdf
Brimbank City Council Post-contact Cultural Heritage Study
2000 Study Site N 088
36 Keilor
1877
Statement of Significance
Christ Church, Keilor, is of regional historical, architectural and social significance as the second oldest
church in the Brimbank area and the oldest Anglican church in the municipality. For many years it was
the only non-Catholic church in Keilor. (An early Presbyterian church became derelict by the early
years of the 20th century.) It has been associated with a number of early Keilor families, including
Milburns, Goudies, Seulings and Bonfields. The simple design of the church reflects the limited means
of the local community. Its bluestone construction is also a reflection of the available resources and
local geology which determined much of the early building design in Melbourne's west during the
nineteenth century.
Other listings: NatTrust, VHR
History
Description
A small plain brick church on bluestone foundations with steeply-pitched slate roof. The porch
features a bell-wall, while solid buttresses and Gothic, pointed arch windows break up the side walls.
Contrasting brickwork is used to pick out the corners and window surrounds. Modern additions in brick
for the community centre have been added to the building, involving opening up the interior to
provide a side chapel which was subsequently altered for other uses. The Taylor Gates (1947), in
clinker brick and wrought iron, have been constructed at the corner of Church Street.
HO Christ Church, Keilor (Anglican Church)
Location:
Map Reference: 14 H6
Heritage Overlay: 093
Recommended Level of Significa Local
Date
Reg No: 3703, nominated
Architect:
PAHT: 8 Developing Australia's cultural life
SUBTHEME 8.6 Worshipping
AHC Criteria: A4, E1,G1
093
HO status:
Church Street
print version 23-Jan-09 Page 1 of 2Brimbank City Council Post-contact Cultural Heritage Study
This small church in the heart of Keilor village was built in 1876. It was dedicated on 28 January 1877
by the Dean of Melbourne, Dr. McCartney. Previously, local members of the Church of England
worshipped in a corrugated iron building on the west side of Bonfield Street. The committee formed to
build the new church included John Beale, Ebenezer Bonfield, David Milburn, John Eagling, Henry
Joyce, David Luck and Henry Seuling. The church was part of a large parish, extending to Bulla and
Broadmeadows. The first vicar of the parish, Rev. Richard Rodda (1877-1906), lived at Broadmeadows
and would travel on horseback to visit parishioners and take services. The John Roskel Milburn
Centre, a community hall and centre, was added to the east side of the Church which was opened on 12
December 1976.
FARMER NAMED KELLY.
CHILD NAMED WRIGHT. (Thomas Bennett Wright?)
CRICKET.
Keilor residents enjoyed organised sport from very early times. Despite the gold rush having ended,Keilor had not become quite such a sleepy hollow as Bulla and Broadmeadows townships. Cricket teams were always formed in country areas before football teams but in many places formation of clubs did not occur until the 1890's depression when sport helped to lift people's spirits as Phar Lap did during the depression of the 1930's. In the 1890's, Keilor fielded its own footy team but Bulla,Broadmeadows(Township)and Tullamarine needed a combined team.
1881.
Keilor Road would have meant the Keilor- Melton Rd (thus Sydenham's original name of Keilor Road Station), while the road between Flemington and Keilor Village retained its single name, Mt. Alexander Road, well into the 1900's. Taylor's western land was basically between Keilor Rd and Taylor's Rd.
Just as the Lagoon (now filled in and one of the most well-used parks I've ever seen) was a feature of Keilor,the reservoir on the site of Thompson's Reserve (north east corner of Mar Lodge which was probably owned by the McCrackens by this time)would have been a landmark for Keilorites heading to and from the Big Smoke.
As farmers did not sell produce every week, although they could be self-sufficient in regard to food,the piggy bank could become empty without an additional source of revenue such as road maintenance contracts. James Harrick must have kept his piggy bank pretty full because a decade or so later he bought Kilburn's 400 acre "Fairfield" fronting the north side of Sharps Rd,west of Broadmeadows Rd in Tullamarine,later dividing it into two farms, the eastern half, now occupied by houses, becoming the Bakers'Preston Park/Tommy Loft's"Dalkeith".
KEILOR.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT).
A FIRE took place on Thursday last at Keilor Road in Mr. Taylor's estate, extending over a distance of four miles, and about 650 acres of fine grass was burned before the flames were extinguished. The origin of the fire is not definitely known, but as some matches were found near the place, it is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary.
A special meeting of the Keilor Shire Council was held at the Council chambers last Saturday for the purpose of accepting tenders. There were eight tenders received for the lagoon contract, and the successful tenderer was Mr. P. L. M'Guire, who proposes to excavate 3,000 yards of clay at 8d.per yard.
The next contract for laying metal on Mt. Alexander road was let to Mr. James Harrick at 1s. 3d. per yard.
A large reservoir is in course of construction at Essendon for the purpose of supplying Essendon,Flemington and Moonee Ponds with water,(etc.)
(P.3, The Bacchus Marsh Express,5-3-1881.)
1890.
The exact location and dimensions of the hotel are given in KEILOR PIONEERS: DEAD MEN DO TELL TALES; also a photo.
FIRE AT KEILOR.
ANOTHER OLD LAND MARK DESTROYED.
SHORTLY before seven o'clock on Saturday night a fire occurred at the Racecourse Hotel, Keilor, which burnt the building to the ground. In years gone by this old hostelry was a stopping place for the hundreds of adventurers
bound for the Castlemaine gold fields and was well-known in those times as the Waggoners' Arms. The hotel was a substantial structure but being built entirely of wood the flames soon obtained a firm hold and, as there was no water available, the onlookers had to content themselves with rescuing all the furniture they could lay hands on. Both the local brigades were called out, but the fire was too far away for them to attempt to reach it. (P.2, Independent,Footscray,SATURDAY*10-5-1890.) BOTH WHICH BRIGADES??????????
*THE FIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON 3-5-1890.
1892.
ANDERSON- On the 10th inst., at her son's residence, Shelton Farm, Keilor, Catherine, relict of the late
William Anderson of Keilor, aged 87 years. (P.1, Argus, 12-9-1892.)
1895.
SHIRE OF KEILOR DOUTTA GALLA RIDING ANNUAL ELECTION
The following have been duly nominated candidates for the election of one councillor for the Doutta Galla Riding of the shire of Keilor -
Mr William Delahey, of the Oaks,
Mr James Anderson, of Spring-bank Farm.
A POLL will therefore be TAKEN before me at the polling booth, Old Tollhouse, Keilor bridge, on Thursday, the 22nd day of August, 1895, commencing at 8 o'clock a.m. , and closing at 4 o'clock p.m.
WILLIAM M. GOUDIE., Returning Officer. Keilor, Aug 10, 1895. (P.2,Argus,12-8-1895.)
1918.
PROPERTY SALES
"SPRINGBANK" CLEARING SALE.
McPhail, Anderson and Co. report holding an important clearing sale on behalf of Mr. Jas. Anderson. "Buckley Park,*' Essendon, on Tuesday. 26th ult., owing to the property having been sold. As evidencing Mr. Anderson's popularity, after his long residence in the district, a great concourse of buyers attended, with the result that very high rates ranged right through, cattle, horses and plant selling splendidly.
The cattle were in grand condition, but the major portion of them had been calvedsome time, prices ranging to ?26 for milch cows, and to ?25 10s for heifers in milk: springers sold to ?27, the whole herd making an extremely high average. Cows backward in calf sold to ?20; do. heifers. ?18: fat cows to ?17: heifers, in lines, 2-year old. ?13 5s: yearlings to 18 months old. ?7 17s 6d. ?8 2s 6d., ?8 10s and ?9 10s; calves,just dropped, to ?2 12s 6d: poddy heifer calves, from ?4 to ?6 15s: draught horses to ?28: light horses, to ?20;
yearling draughts. to ?14; child's pony, ?21.
The plant and sundries sold equally as well, sets of light harness making to ?8 10s: buggies, .?17; drill. ?18 10s; plough. ?13. (P.3,Flemington Spectator, 7-3-1918.)
(*BUCKLEY PARK.
William Hoffman's Butzbach was on the east side of Hoffman's Rd (extending halfway to Lincoln Rd) but he'd bought land on Main's Estate on the other side of the road which may have taken on the same name. The Butzbach homestead block is indicated by the bend in Price St and Croft St. Croft, who worked in the postmaster General's Department (P.M.G.) probably bought Butzbach at the time of W.W.1 when anti-German sentiment was so strong that many wanted to get rid of the name Essendon because they thought its origin was Essen in Germany rather than the home village of William Pomeroy Greene of "Woodlands". It was probably Croft who changed his property's name to "Buckley Park". The land over Hoffmans Rd was once called Main's Estate but the use of this locality name had died out so to fill a void Croft's name was applied also in the area now called Niddrie. The current name could not be used at the time because it was the name of the Morgans'farm between Spring Park and Treadwell Rd on the NORTH side of Keilor Rd.)
1927.
Keilor Secretary Resigns
Called specially to "consider the removal" of Mr. James C. Sinclair from his office as secretary, the Keilor Shire Council, on Thursday night went into committee. Mr. H. E. Poole, Inspector of the Public Works Department, was in attendance, and it is understood presented Mr. Sinclair's resignation, which was accepted.
No announcement was made regarding the still missing books, but it is stated that they are beyond recovery.
Mr Croft, an officer, appointed on the recommendation of the Public Works Department, has spent several days in
straightening out affairs and he will engage in the work next Monday and continue until it has been oompleted.
As required by the Act, the Council will advertise for applications for the secretaryship, but it is anticipated that Mr. James Hocking, at present acting secretary, will be appointed.
(P.5, Sunshine Advocate,17-12-1927.)
1928.
Mr. James Hocking Appointed Keilor Shire Secretary
At the Keilor Council meeting last Saturday, Cr. Stenson moved, and Cr. Nash seconded, that Mr. James Hocking be appointed shire secretary, collector and interim valuer.
The motion was carried nem. con.
The President , Crs. McFarlane, Stenson, Burkitt, Parr, Nash, and Stevens congratulated Mr. Hocking upon his
appointment.The Secretary, in thanking the council, said that in his 26 years experience he had not dreamed that it was possible for the affairs of a shire council to get into such a tangled position as he found those of the Keilor Shire, and he was afraid that it would take a full twelve months before the office could be put in order. It was a most difficult position,but he would do his best, and hoped that it would be satisfactory, and that when the time came for them to part, as it must some day, they would do with respect on both sides. (hear, hear). (P.1,Sunshine Advocate,14-1-1928.)
1931.
NEW KEILOR SECRETARY
WELCOMED.
Mr. N. A. Woods, the recently appointed secretary to the Shire of Keilor, was officially welcomed at the council meeting on Saturday last. The President (Cr. J. H. Stevens), said he believed that the council had
selected the most suitable applicant for the position. Mr.Woods was a young man who had given promise of achieving big things, and for a growing district like Keilor, a young, capable official at the helm was
necessary. He trusted Mr. Woods would have long and honorable service with the shire,and extended to him the good wishes of his fellow councillors.
Mr.Woods, in reply, said that he realised that he had a standard to keep up in following in the footsteps of Mr. Hocking. He would, by hard work and strict attention to detail, try to convince the council that their
confidence had not been misplaced. He had had good experience under excellent management at Broadmeadows, and
he would do his best to emulate the good work of his predecessor.
Mr. Woods' handling of the business of the meeting was characterised by efficiency and tact, and augurs well for the future of the shire. (P.1, Sunshine Advocate,23-1-1931.)
A good choice indeed. Good experience indeed. The President trusted correctly!
next 7 lines won't submit After four attempts to submit just 3 lines here,comments re Norm Woods have been posted in comment box 7.
ROBERT GEORGE ELY, KEILOR, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.
10:25 P.M, 8-10-2014.
Robert George Ely was the teacher at Tullamarine when a couple of Hendry lads and Joseph Jackson were persuaded by too much grog to vandalise Robert's school, which I believe was school 632 on the inside of the bend in Cherie St,Tullamarine,if I interpreted the title document correctly. See the court report in my journal EARLY CHRONOLOGY OF TULLAMARINE. I commented about Robert's role as Keilor's postmaster, shire secretary (or was it the earlier road board?) and Robert having to travel between two schools every lunchtime at one time.
No doubt Chris Laskowski, Angela Evans or Sue Jennison have written about Robert somewhere,otherwise I would not have known about his half-time schools, which are mentioned in the first entry which cropped up in a trove search for TULLAMARINE ISLAND. Let's see how much trove can tell us about Robert and his family. As the first President of the reformed Keilor Historical Society circa 1989, whose greatest achievement was handing over the reins to Susan Jennison O.A.M., it's about time my focus switched to Keilor as Bulla,Broady and Tulla have had a good run.
ROBERT GEORGE ELY.
The Keilor Road State School was examined last week by Mr. Inspector Brodribb, and the result of the examination reflects the greatest possible credit on Mr. Ely, the teacher. Though obliged to give half his time to another half-time school at Tullamarine Island, he worked so energetically for the past twelve months, that he has brought the schools up to and above some of the full time schools. The Inspector, besides giving Mr. Ely a flattering report, gave him over 60 per cent. results on the combined average of the two schools.
Seventy-five per cent of those presented got certificates, amongst whom figures Marion Harvie,aged ten, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvie, of the Keilor Road hotel.
(The Bacchus Marsh Express (Vic. : 1866 - 1918) Saturday 17 June 1882 p 3 Article)
ABOUT CRAWFORD HARVIE (crawford harvie,keilor road station search.)
Mr. Crawford Harvie, who died on Saturday last, was well known and universally respected during the many years that he,with his wife and family, kept the Keilor road hotel, at what was then the terminus of the line of coaches between the Keilor road station and Bacchus Marsh, and beyond. The late Mr. Harvie was one of the best type of colonists, whose conduct in every respect was a good example to everyone. He was auditor for Keilor
Shire for many years. The following paragraph is from the Terang Express of Tuesday last:-Our readers will regret to hear of the death of Mr. Crawford Harvie, proprietor of the Commercial hotel, Terang. For the past 8 years Mr. Harvie has been bedridden, and he passed away quietly on Saturday evening last.
Born in 1823 at Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland. he came to Victoria when a young man of 30 years of age, and settled at Keilor, where he remained for about 30 years. Seventeen years ago he purchased the Commercial hotel property, Terang, and with his wife and family has resided here ever since.The deceased leaves a widow and grown up family of two sons and three daughters to mourn his lose. The funeral was very largely attended yesterday by district residents and friends from a distance. The Rev. S. Fraser, M.A., conducted the service at the grave. (The Bacchus Marsh Express (Vic. : 1866 - 1918) Saturday 14 February 1903 p 2 Article)
Ironically Crawford's son in law was probably related to the Hendry lads from Tullamarine who trashed Robert Ely's school.
HENDRY -HARVIE .-On the 14th December, at Keilor road Station, by the Rev. Wm. Groundwater Fraser, Wm. Hendry, of Moonee Ponds, to Janet, eldest daughter of Crawford Harvie. (P.1, Argus,20-2-1878.)
Keilor Road Station was renamed Sydenham. A document, produced by the defunct Sydenham Historical Society, explaining the origin of the new name with a photo of Crawford's now-demolished hotel and detailing its location should be in the custody of the Keilor Historical Society. The Crawford Harvie entry in my DICTIONARY HISTORY OF TULLAMARINE AND MILES AROUND has much extra information including the two hotels at Sydenham (Crawford's Union-by 1856, and Alex Furlong's Railway),Crawford's grants superimposed on Melway,the robbery at the Union and subsequent hanging and Crawford being the correspondent of the area's (schools)Board of Advice when the C. of E. school at the bottom of Bonfield St was replaced with a new school farther up the hill. Any Harvie descendants should private message me their email address if they would like a copy of the H1 file.
CRAWFORD'S OFF TO TERANG.
The following would never have been found if I had not had Keilor road station in the search term. I have left Crawford's name uncorrected to explain why.
THURSDAY,. 7th JANUARY, 1886.
CLEARING-OUT SALE AT KEILOR ROAD.
KING & COMPANY have received instructions from Mr.CaswBoan,HAnvis, to sell by Public Auction,, on the ground, at Keilor Road Station, on THURSDAY, 7th. January, 1886,commencing at 2 o'clock sharp, his very valuable freehold property containing 112a. 3r. 16p. of FREEHOLD LAND, adjoining the Keilor Road Station, with a long frontage to a Government road running along the Sandhurst line;- also a long frontage to the main Melbourne and Ballarat road; well fenced and permanently watered. A splendid block forsubdivision.
Also, the whole of his Cattle, Horses, Household Furniture, and Dairy Utensils,comprising 30 head of Cattle, consisting of Cows in full milk, dry Cows, and young stock, 5 Horses, including Draught Mare, Buggy Mare, and Saddle Horses, Buggy, Spring Cart, Dray, &c.The whole of the Household Furniture, including good Pianoforte.
The whole for Positive Sale, Without Reserve,as Mr. Harvie is leaving the district at once.
(The Bacchus Marsh Express (Vic. : 1866 - 1918) Saturday 26 December 1885 p 2 Advertising)
BACK TO ROBERT.
POSTMASTER AND ELECTORAL REGISTRAR.
The postmaster, such as William Bethell at Bulla and George Couser at Broadmeadows Township was usually appointed as the electoral registrar for a district because people such as farmers and carriers would be unavailable when they were needed.
ELECTORAL REGISTRARS.
The Star (Ballarat, Vic. : 1855 - 1864) Thursday 16 July 1863 p 3 Article
... Brown, Footscray; Gisborne, Henry Carroll, clerk of petty sessions, Gisborne; Keilor, R G. Ely, postmaster, Keilor; Kororoit, W. Puller, secretary to road board, Braybrook; Lancefield, Dr Phipps
KEILOR ROAD BOARD.
There may never have been a road board, shire or city of Keilor if the local members of parliament (West Bourke) had not agitated so strongly. This was a large electorate including even Blackwood, that sleepy hollow that at the time was a booming gold mining settlement. In 1974-5, the City of Sunshine wanted to merge with the City of Keilor but this approach was firmly rejected. However the merger did take place about two decades later when Victoria's historic municipalities were Jeffed. Where are the City of Brimbank councillors in 2014?
The complicated dispute respecting the division of the Keilor district between three competing district road boards-viz., those of Bulla, Braybrook,and Melton-was yesterday brought before tho Hon. Commissioner of Roads and Bridges by a deputation consisting of Mr. P. Phelan, late member for West Bourke ; Messrs. M'Mahon and J. T.Smith, the sitting members for that electoral district; and several other gentlemen interested in the question. Their complaint was that they (the residents)had thus been divided against their will, and even without their knowledge, the advertisement of the boundaries not having been noticed by them; and they now
urged that Government should take some steps to allow them to have a separate road board of their own, and so assess themselves.
Mr. Mitchell pointed out that to do this would be a tedious and expensive process, whereas he offered to take care that their portions of the grants in aid to each district, as well as the amount raised by assessment were secured to them. Moreover, he reminded them that by the time they could be separated the District Councils Bill would probably have become law. At first the deputation seemed very unwilling to agree to this proposal, preferring to sacrifice their money if only they could be formed into a separate road board. In the end, however, they acquiesced in Mr. Mitchell's suggestion, and also decided to appoint representatives to confer with the three road boards as to the disposal of the assessment money and grant in aid. The deputation then withdrew. (Bottom of column 2, P.5, Argus,5-12-1862. N.B.DIGITISATION NOT CORRECTED ON TROVE.)
KEILOR ROAD DISTRICT.-To PATRICK PHELAN, Esq., J.P.
Sir,-We the undersigned landholders and householders, resident within the Keilor Road-District, do hereby request you to convene a meeting of the landholders and householders in such road district to form a Road Board for the purpose of superintending, providing; for, and completing the construction, repairs, and maintenance of the roads in such road district, and for carrying out therein the provisions of the Act of the Governor and the Legislative Council of Victoria, 10 Victoria, No. 40, and 17 Victoria, No. 29.
Landholders............. Householders.
William Taylor.......... Alex. Duncan
James Robertson......... James Laverty
John Eagling ............Donald Guthrie
Chas. Daniels........... W. Pinder
James M'Intyre.......... David Beaton
Wm. O'Neil ..............Benj. Ellis
Martin Tuans? ...........R. G. Ely
(Pro. Edwd. Wilson .......Thomas Bertram.
A.Morgan.)
(ABOUT THE ABOVE.
William Taylor of Overnewton,longtime President of Keilor Shire, owned a huge area of land indicated by Taylors Lakes and Taylors Rd and, by his death, land in Tullamarine, all of which was resumed by the crown for closer settlement in the early 1900's. James Robertson owned land north of Overnewton, including Calder Park Thunderdome and called it Upper Keilor. He also received the grants for land in the parish of Doutta Galla that was inherited by his sons,Francis (Mar Lodge, between McCracken St,Essendon and William Hoffman's Butzbach) and James (Spring Hill,renamed Aberfeldie.)Taylor must have been abroad when James became Shire President. Caroline Chisholm's third shelter shed (the first two being near the Essendon railway bridge and the park in Keilor Village)situated beside a creek just east of the road slightly north of the point where the railway made its closest approach to what became the Calder Highway, was described as being at Robertson's. John Eagling, who owned the Waggoners' Arms and, I think,lived in Dagenhurst next to the court house after the troopers departed, became a councillor. Charles Daniels had a farm in the village whose location was given in a source I've forgotten (K.H.S.newsletter/ Keilor pioneers: Dead Men do tell Tales.) James McIntyre had a farm (called "Riverside?)between the north end of McIntyre Rd and the river (parish of Cut Cut Paw.). William O'Neil bought Frederick Dawes Wickham's 19 acre grants to become the owner of "Horseshoe Bend" and leased J.F.L.Foster's "Leslie Banks" (section 20 Doutta Galla) before the Delaheys. Edward Wilson, co-owner and editor of The Argus, was going blind and had just bought part of the Glengyle Estate (section 1 Tullamarine) which he named Arundel within a year or two, on which he intended to retire; Morgan was his overseer. James Laverty owned the North Pole Inn on the west corner of North Pole (Milleara) road and a 50 acre portion of Main's estate on the north side of Rosehill Rd near Rose or Steele's Creek. He also had a hotel in Moonee Ponds east of Hinkins St (the Harvest Home?) which has been wrongly assumed to be in Keilor. Donald Guthrie might have been the father of Alexander and James Guthrie of Glengyle (possibly the portion where Brown's Rd is located right near Bertram's ford.) If I remember correctly,not long after, James was killed while the brothers were in the process of moving to Torgarf near Sunbury. (See EARLY CHRONOLOGY OF TULLAMARINE journal.) Thomas Bertram was in the same area,hence the name of Bertram's Ford. (See my BERTRAM journal.)David Beaton was a shoemaker who had moved to Keilor near Caroline Chisholm Park by 1849. His address was given as Keilor Bridge but he stayed longer than THAT bridge. (See KEILOR PIONEERS: DEAD MEN DO TELL TALES and his entry in VICTORIA AND ITS METROPOLIS.) Benjamin Ellis was probably an ancestor of the Essendon footballer.)
REPLY TO THE SIGNATORIES. (UNDER THE REQUEST.)
Gentlemen,-In compliance with the above requisition, I hereby CONVENE a MEETING of the LANDHOLDERS and HOUSEHOLDERS in the KeilorRoad District, to be holden on Wednesday, 10th day of November, 1862, at 6 o'clock p.m., at tho Waggoner's Arms Hotel, Keilor, for tho purposes specified in such requisition.
P. PHELAN, J.P. Spring Park. Oct. 11, 1862. (P.8,Argus,8-11-1862.)
ROAD BOARD CLERK.
Robert was the first Clerk of the Keilor Road Board when it was formed in 1863.
KEILOR DISTRICT BOARD-I hereby notify that a MEETING of the BOARD will be held at the Keilor Court house, at noon, on the 18th inst., to make a rate. A statement of the proposed rate may be seen at the office of the board, agreeably to tho 183th Sec. of the Act No. 176. R. G. ELY, Clerk, Keilor, November 10,1863.
(P.8, Argus, 12-11-1863.)
An application was made for a quo warranto, calling on W. Bonfield to show by what authority he exercised the office of clerk of the Keilor Road Board. The objection raised against him was that his predecessor had not been properly dismissed ; he could only be dismissed at a special meeting of the road board, whereas he had been dismissed at an ordinary meeting. The Court reserved judgment. (Last column P.4,Argus,26-6-1869.)
MEMO!!!!!!!Was Bonfield's initial W? Check. Likely a mistake like Walter ClarkE of Glenara in the same article.Put the winegrowing involvement in the CLARK entry in DICTIONARY HISTORY OF BULLA journal.
The usual quarterly meeting of the Melbourne Vinegrowers' Association was held on Thursday lost, at Mr. Maplestone'? wine stores, Elizabeth-street. The chair was occupied by the president, Mr. Walter Clarke (sic), of Glenara.(P.5, Argus, 26-6-1869.)
The Supreme Court have granted a rule nisi for a mandamus to compel the Keilor Road Board to pay the salary of Mr. Ely,clerk to the board, and whose dismissal had in a previous suit been set aside as informal.
((P.13, The Australasian,11-12-1869.)
My memory told me that Ebenezer Bonfield had succeeded Robert so I tried an ELY, BONFIELD search.
KEILOR ROAD BOARD.
The ordinary monthly meeting of the Keilor District Board on Saturday last lapsed for want of a quorum, but in consequence of the ruling of the Supreme Court in the case of Ely. v. Bonfield to the effect that the dismissal
of Mr. R. G. Ely was illegal, upon a technical point of law, written instructions signed by the Chairman and four of the members of the Keilor District Board, were handed to the Clerk requiring him to convene a special
meeting of the Board, and to give each member seven clear days notice in writing according to the provisions of the Local Government Act, No. 170, for the purpose of removing the said Robert George Ely from the offices
of Clerk, Treasurer, and collector, and to appoint E. Bonfield to the before named offices in his stead; also to appoint Messrs.E. Brown & Son Engineers to the Board, and for the appointment of valuators for the
ensuing year; the said special meeting to be held at the Court House, Keilor.
(P.4,The Bacchus Marsh Express,25-9-1869.)
TEACHER.
in the Crawford Harvie entry in DHOTAMA, I have quoted from a K.H.S. newsletter that William Savage and Robert George Ely were teachers at the Church of England school at the bottom of Bonfield St. As it was costing to much money for the Government to support competing denominational schools, common schools were introduced; Robert was one of the denominational school teachers whose positions became redundant.
MR.R.G. ELY.
Mr. M'MAHON moved "That this House will tomorrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider the propriety of presenting an address to His Excellency the Governor, requesting that provision may be made upon an Additional Estimate for 1864 for the balance of salary due to Mr. R. G. Ely, schoolmaster, Keilor." The hon. member remarked that Mr. Ely was one of those schoolmasters whose services had been dispensed with by the operation of the Common Schools Act, He had, however continued his duties for three months as the act came into operation, without receiving notice that his services were to be dispensed with, and it was for that period that he claimed payment. The subject had been brought before the Board of Education, but they had refused to pay the amount.
Mr. M'CULLOCH said that if the hon. member would withdraw the motion, he would endeavour to induce the Board of
Education to pay Mr. Ely the quarter's salary. Mr. M'MAHON agreed to withdraw the amendment.The amendment was accordingly withdrawn. (Second half of column 4,P.6, Argus,31-5-1864.)
CARELESS BUT LUCKY HARRY.
KEILOR.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT).
A GUN accident, happily unattended with fatal consequences, took place here on Saturday evening, when Mr. Ely's second son Harry, a lad about seventeen years of age, though generally very careful in handling firearms, was in this instance the unwilling cause as well as the victim of the occurrence. He was taking his gun from a corner of the storeroom, when the hammer got caught in a bag, and a charge of heavy shot caused a severe
laceration of the neck and scalp. Under Dr. Turner's care all danger is now over.
(The Bacchus Marsh Express (Vic. : 1866 - 1918) Saturday 22 July 1882 p 3 Article)
YOUNG ROBERT.
ELY - On the 4th December, Robert Alexander Ely (of the Bank of Victoria Collins Street,city) dearly beloved son of Robert George Ely, of Keilor, aged 32 years. (P.1, Argus,6-12-1900.)
ELY.--In loving memory of "Our Dear Bob," who died the 4th of December, 1900, "Glenely," Keilor.
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.(P.1, Argus, 4-12-1903.)
MRS ELY, POSTMISTRESS.