CASTLEMAINE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.
THE CARETAKERS.
Castlemaine Historical Society
www.castlemainehistoricalsociety.com/
The Castlemaine Historical Society was formed in 1965 to study, record and promote the historical heritage of Castlemaine and District. It operated for many years from temporary premises in various locations. In 1996 the Society was granted a lease to its present home in the historic Former Court House.
Meetings (with interesting guest speakers), exhibitions, a monthly newsletter, guided tours, the development, cataloguing and maintenance of an historic archive collection, indexing of records and the provision of a research service are the major activities of the members.
Archives held by the Society include early directories, voters lists, local newspaper index and some records and indexes concerning mining leases, rates, schools, churches and cemeteries.
The Society's records cover many localities including
Mt. Alexander, Forest Creek, Fryerstown, Vaughan, Campbells Creek, Barkers Creek, Chewton, Moonlight Flat, Harcourt, Muckleford, Walmer, Yapeen, Guildford
This journal and the Maldon journal were prompted by a nostalgic visit to both places a few days ago. I was involved at Castlemaine from 1965 till the end of 1967,living at the Thompson's Foundry Boarding house for the first two years while I taught at Franklinford and continuing my involvement in 1967 when I transferred to Maldon and lived three houses away from that school.
Moving back to Melbourne,I discovered that I was a different person from the teacher who had left the Big Smoke. People looked at me aghast when I said hello. It had been the norm in Castlemaine; in the process of walking one block there,it was not unusual to take half an hour and engage in three or four conversations.
Walking from the boarding house to St Mary's and later the Drill Hall to play or referee basketball was a most joyful activity but I had to allow at least half an hour to reach my destination because of the friendliness of Castlemaine residents. The beauty of the trees and wonderful historic buildings had me floating rather than walking until I reached the conversation zone. I hadn't realised until now that it was Castlemaine that gave me my love of local history. The Castlemaine residents would seem to be as lovely as ever, judging by the following incident. I can imagine what would have happened in Melbourne if I'd asked a stranger there about an old building.
EXCERPT FROM AN EMAIL.
Just for example, I wonder how many people in Castlemaine are aware of the history of THE HUB. A fellow called Neil (Heather's husband) has written the history of this building which was originally the single storeyed Council Club Hotel,with the second storey added shortly after 1900.
This information resulted from a casual question about the history of the building posed to a total stranger, the response to which showed why I have loved Castlemaine since I first met her in 1965. It is not only the historic buildings but also the friendliness and helpfulness of her people that make Castlemaine so special!
This stranger, a Castlemaine resident for 30 years and, while now living in Bendigo for more affordable accommodation, is adamant that the Maine is still the centre of her life, gave me what she knew, rang her husband, took me down Barker St a bit to an old friend, and at her suggestion took me to see Heather at the nursery next to The Hub (who told me what she knew and then rang her husband Neil to confirm this).
In researching the Maldon journal, I noticed that Dr.Preshaw was the coroner in early inquests at Maldon. His name more than any other has lingered in my memory from my reading of Castlemaine's history. His contemporaries had obviously formed the same opinion of him as I had.
SUDDEN DEATH OF DR. PRESHAW.
CORONER AT CASTLEMAINE.
Yesterday forenoon, Dr. Pounds, the district coroner, received a telegram from Mr. Colles, the sheriff of Castlemaine, announcing the sudden death of Dr. Preshaw, the coroner for the Castlemaine district, and requesting him (Dr Pounds) to attend at Castlemaine to hold an inquest on Long Poy, the Chinaman who is to be executed to-day. The news of the death of Dr Preshaw, on being circulated in Sandhurst, was received
with feelings of deep regret by many here to whom the deceased was personally known.
We extract the following notice of his death from the Castlemaine Daily News of yesterday:—
"The announcement of the very sudden death this morning of one of the oldest and most respected inhabitants of Castlemaine, namely, William Fisher Preshaw, Esq., Coroner, will be received with deep and wide-spread regret. It was only last night the deceased gentleman addressed a large audience in the Mechanics' Institution building, proposing in the most cheerful terms a vote of thanks to the ladies for the tea provided by them at the Presbyterian soiree, and appeared at the time to be in the enjoyment of full health and spirits. This morning, at half-past eight o'clock, just before entering upon the duties of the day, suddenly, and without a moment's warning, he dropped from his seat in his own house, and expired almost instantaneously. The cause
of death is stated to be disease of the heart.
The deceased was a Scotchman. He was always remarkable for his activity and earnestness in any movement for the general weal. He frequently lectured at Edinburgh and other places on behalf of charitable objects. Here, amongst us he was ever most conspicuous as a man of benevolence, and famous for his general usefulness as a prominent and leading citizen.
He came to this colony in the year 1851, and arrived on the old Forest Creek diggings in company with the Rev. Mr Lowe, who is now acting as Presbyterian pastor at Guildford. For some considerable time he held the honorary post of returning officer for the North-western Province, and it was only when he found his duties too numerous for his failing strength that he resigned it and was succeeded by Dr Mackay. On the death of Dr Howlett, some years ago, Dr Preshaw was appointed to fill his office, as coroner, which post he has held ever since. It is understood that the deceased had a life policy for some L1,000, but whether his family will derive any
substantial assistance from it is not known." (P.2,Bendigo Advertiser, 8-3-1866.)
ANOTHER CASTLEMAINE RESIDENT OF WHOM I FORMED A SIMILAR OPINION WAS GEOFF BRYCE.
Just as Castlemaine residents would be grateful that my late father in law, Jim Howarth,brought television to Castlemaine there would be many dribbling youngsters in Castlemaine who would be grateful to another S.E.C. employee for bringing basketball to the Maine, IF THEY KNEW THE STORY! The Mail had an article about a special milestone of the basketball association and I wrote to the association to tell the story. Not having received a reply, I stumbled across the Castlemaine Mail facebook page and wrote this post.
Having spent three wonderful years in Castlemaine from 1965 to 1967, I was involved in the formation of the Castlemaine Basketball Association, being one of the few who had played the game before. I sent an email to the Association a year or two ago giving some of its early history, particularly in regard to recognition of the bloke who got it all going, but I did not receive a reply.
I was doing a nostalgic google search regarding some of my mates from that era when I discovered that the founder, Geoff Bryce, was life member No. 57 of the Castlemaine Football Club. If he was made a life member of the footy club, he has to be a legend of the basketball association; I hope that is the case!
Geoff worked at the S.E.C. and despite having lost a couple of fingers, his skills were a model for all players to emulate. But above all, his drive and enthusiasm enabled the association to grow from nothing. We played our first seasons on an outdoor court at St Mary's school and later gained the use of the drill hall, a far cry from the facilities that players enjoy today.
Two of the original teams were High School and, believe it or not, Foster's United. I coached High School, which included David Broad, Robbie Ross and his brother Peter (Poss.), and also later had a female team. The experienced players carried a heavy load, having to also referee all the games.
Sadly, Jim Berry, a policeman, who was virtually Geoff's right hand man in those early days, was killed in an accident, as was Ken (Lanky) Howarth.
If it has not already been done, I hope that due recognition will be given to Geoff Bryce for the fantastic job that he did starting basketball in Castlemaine.
Castlemaine's "Premier".
Although I didn't notice it on my recent visit, this is another piece of Castlemaine's history etched in my memory. I can't remember whether the monument includes a statue but I do remember the pride that Castlemaine felt in one its citizens becoming Premier.
Patterson, Sir James Brown - Parliament of Victoria - Re ...
www.parliament.vic.gov.au › About Parliament › People in Parliament
Patterson, Sir James Brown
Born 18 November 1833 (Alnwick, Northumberland)
Died 30 October 1895. (Murrumbeena. Buried Melbourne General Cemetery.)
Parents: James, contractor, and Agnes, nee Brown.
Marriage: 1857 Glenlyon, Anna Merrick Walton; 2s. 1d.?
Occupation: Butcher and auctioneer
Religion: Church of England
Education: At local school Alnwick
Career: Arrived Melbourne 1852; went to the goldfields at Forest Creek, but had little success; briefly farming at Glenlyon, then established cattle slaughtering business at Chewton; commenced business as estate agent Melbourne; with Robert Richardson, firm of Patterson & Richardson c1876; later Patterson & Son. KCMG 1894. Mayor four years in succession at Chewton
Party: Conservative
House Electorate Start * End *
MLA Castlemaine December 1870 (b/e) October 1895
Other seats contested: Castlemaine 1866, 1868
Appointments: Commissioner Public Works 7 Aug 1875-20 Oct 1875; vice-president Board Land & Works 23 Aug 1875-20 Oct 1875; commissioner Public Works 21 May 1877-5 Mar 1880; vice-president Board Land & Works 28 May 1877-5 Mar 1880; postmaster-general 29 July 1878-5 Mar 1880; commissioner Railways 3 Aug 1880-9 July 1881; vice-president Board Land & Works 12 Aug 1880-9 July 1881; commissioner Trade & Customs 16 Apr 1889-5 Nov 1890; commissioner Public Works and vice-president Board Land & Works 17 June 1890-2 Sept 1890; postmaster-general 2 Sept 1890-5 Nov 1890; premier and chief secretary 23 Jan 1893-27 Sept 1894; minister Railways 23 Jan 1893-14 Aug 1893; royal commission local government legislation 1873, constitutional reform 1894
References: Australian Dictionary of Biography, 5
Initial data source: Thomson, K & Serle, G, 'A Biographical Register of the Victorian Legislature 1851-1900', ANU Press, 1972
Last update: 1972 (last date the record was checked and updated)
*The Start date for Members elected after 1900 is the date they were elected. The start date for pre-1900 Members is the date they were sworn in.
A less "rose coloured glasses", and more-detailed, view is presented in:
James Brown Patterson - Australian Dictionary of Biography
adb.anu.edu.au/biography/patterson-james-brown-4375.
FOOTY.
John Roth,a most dependable full back was one of my favourite Castlemaine players.He was a teacher (a trade teacher at Castlemaine Tech if I remember correctly.) Mal Stevens was retired but he was a legend in the mind of those who knew. Mal was a premiership coach in the Maryborough-Castlemaine Football League, as, to my surprise,was Rex Beach, my cricket captain at Maldon in 1967.
Bendigo Football League
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bendigo Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Bendigo region of Victoria, Australia.
A full grandstand at the Queen Elizabeth Oval for the 2007 Grand Final of the Bendigo Football League.
Formed in 1880, it is one of the oldest football leagues in Australia, and among its members are some of the oldest football clubs in Australia, including the Castlemaine Football Club, acknowledged as the second oldest football club in Australia and one of the oldest football clubs in the world.
I'd boundary umpired on the V.F.L.Reserve Grade list while at Teachers' College but when temporarily posted to the Ballan area, joined the Essendon District F.L. umpires under the legendary Puffer Sawyer as a field umpire and in one year boundary umpired the A Grade and B Grade Grand Finals on successive days. I was not the only new recruit from the bush,being joined by many Ballarat umpires who had gone on strike. In 1965, I was posted to Franklinford and joined the Bendigo umpires as a boundary umpire under a strange system. Each club supplied two boundaries who ran in only home games; this was probably to save travelling expenses because the league stretched north from Kyneton to Rochester and Echuca.
I did most of my training at Camp Reserve and soon got to know most of the players. Killer Kaine,ex-Hawthorn hard man was the coach in 1965. Kevin Delmenico dominated and was soon off to Footscray. It is most likely that
Kevin had a connection to his Maine team mate, Ian Sartori, Ronald Dale Barrassi,Jack Gervasoni (Fitzroy) and Tony Polinelli (Geelong.) The Swiss Italian pioneers had a strong representation at Hepburn, spreading to Yandoit and Guildford later. See:
Swiss Italians of Australia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Italians_of_Australia
Tony Polinelli and Jack Gervasoni played for Ballarat League clubs before being recruited to the V.F.L. but certainly had a connection to Castlemaine. The late Charlie Polinelli, a well-regarded Castlemaine resident for many decades, stalwart of the Anglers Club and war historian, was descended,if I remember correctly, from both families- residents of Yandoit- and his sister married Bruce Warren, from the Harcourt orchardist family; they also lived in Castlemaine,in Myring St and then near the STEEP Mt Alexander Golf Course,for years before moving to the peninsula after Bruce retired from a senior position at the Harris Bacon Factory. Their son,Peter,is my brother in law, having married Val's sister,Roslyn Howarth.
In 1966,Derek Cowen took over as coach and Robbie Thompson was a young star.
Derek Cowen (born 20 April 1939) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
A ruckman, Cowen was recruited to North Melbourne from West Coburg. He played 17 of a possible 18 games in 1960 but struggled with injuries over the next few seasons.[2]
In 1963 he joined Irymple for a two year stint as playing coach. Cowen then coached Castlemaine to the 1966 Bendigo Football League premiership.[3] He also won back to back Michelsen Medals while at Castlemaine, which are awarded to the league's Best and Fairest player, in 1966 and 1967.
Both David Broad and Robbie Ross were young stars. Both were defenders but both had their work cut out for them when opposing Kyneton's Tarz Plowman. Although built like a brick OUThouse, he could lead like Tony Lockett despite looking like North Melbourne's Galloping Gasometer,Mick Nolan. He'd pick up a too-short pass and dish it off by hand to either side like lightning. And when the ball came high to a contest,poor Robbie Ross leapt so high he needed oxygen but because Tarz was so large from bow to stern, Robbie's fist had no hope of reaching the footy to spoil.
The Castlemaine players were my mates and I didn't want to report them. To be fair that meant I didn't want to report their opponents either. Thus I learnt to read the warning signs and warn players that they were being watched when I observed those signs. My motto was "Nip it in the bud." Steve Parsons, an enthusiastic participant in the Windy Hill BLOODBATH while playing for Richmond, was trundling the ball near the left half back boundary in the V.F.A. second division grand final when it finally went out. Instructed to throw it in, I instead placed my body in front of Steve and told him to cool down; he had a murderous look in his eye. The replay showed a round-arm whack to his guts that I had not seen because my focus was on the ball and the line.My friendship with the Castlemaine players had prevented Steven from being reported!
Castlemaine Football Club - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlemaine_Football_Club
History
The Castlemaine Football Club was formed on June 15, 1859 at the Supreme Court Hotel and chaired by T Butterworth*.[1] Castlemaine played its first match on June 22, 1859 on the Cricket Ground Barkers Creek.[2]
*KEVIN BUTTERWORTH was one of my mates at Castlemaine!
The club was formed in an era before codified rules organised competition, but according to some sources, including Graeme Atkinson, "football" was popular in the goldfields region. Records for the foundation date was discovered in 2007 which rewrote history as many had previously believed the Geelong Football Club to be formed earlier.[3]
Without a league to participate in, the club was an irregular competitor during its first decade.
The original uniform was a white cap with royal-blue Maltese cross.
In 1925, Castlemaine joined the Bendigo Football League.
Alumni
Castlemaine Players in the VFL/AFL
Player VFL/AFL Clubs VFL/AFL Career Notes/References
Percy Bentley Richmond 1925–40
Jack Showell St Kilda 1936–38
Jack Titus Richmond 1926–43
Ron Barassi, Sr. Melbourne 1936–1940
Graeme Miniham St Kilda 1953–59
Bud Annand St Kilda 1956–62
Brian McMillan Richmond 1962–64
Kevin Delmenico Footscray 1966–70
Robert Thompson Essendon 1968–71
Peter Hall Carlton 1971*
Peter Fyffe Carlton 1970–73
Mark Cross Footscray 1974
Warren Jones Carlton, St Kilda 1978–85 **
Lazar Vidovic St Kilda 1989–97
Steven Oliver Carlton 1992–94
Paul Starbuck Sydney, Carlton 1990
Rod Keogh Melbourne, St Kilda 1990–98
Tom Kavanagh Melbourne, Fitzroy 1993–94
Heath Culpitt Carlton 1999–2001***
Dustin Martin Richmond 2010–
*Peter's sister, Judy, was a good friend of my wife Val (nee Howarth.)
** Wow Jones was an inmate of Castlemaine Gaol, which by the time he played for the Maine had become a lower security prison according to the present owner, and he was allowed out to play.
***Wally?-Rings a bell!
2006 - Wally Culpitt, a legend at Hawthorn and Castlemaine
AS a small boy in the Melbourne inner suburb of Richmond, Wally Culpitt was always getting into trouble from his mother for forgetting to run errands after school.
The reason he used to forget the messages – he could not pass cricket or football practice sessions until they finished.
His interest paid dividends. When he got beyond the running messages stage he qualified for the leading teams in both cricket and football with Hawthorn.
Culpitt became affectionately known as “Sandgroper” because he had been born in WA, but at the age of three moved to Victoria with his parents.
He was born at Mt. Hawthorn a few miles north of Perth, so it seemed a natural progression Wally would star with Hawthorn in his later years in Melbourne.
He first came into his own at school when he captained the Richmond State School football and cricket teams at the age of 10.
^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^
NO one asked him to play with Hawthorn …. he just attached himself to the club.
He played football with the East Hawthorn Collegians in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburban League, but cartilage problems even at this early career stage curtailed his enthusiasm for the bigger matches.
But it was when Carlton began to show interest in Culpitt that Hawthorn officials decided it was time to act.
That led to Culpitt’s nine years of VFL football for the Hawks for a total of 125 games, interrupted by two years of duty with a RAAF Catalina squadron in Darwin.
The RAAF duty fell during the years of World War 2.
Culpitt was one of those most sought after footballers who can play in a number of positions on the field. He starred at full-back, but was equally at home at full-forward.
Even though he stood at just 178 cm (5 ft 10 ins) Culpitt was a fine key position player.
In his debut game as a full-forward against Melbourne the “Sandgroper” booted 9.8 and was chaired off the ground as if he had captained a premiership side.
That was the year (1943) Hawthorn almost made the final four. They had only to beat North Melbourne in the concluding home-and–away game, but lost by a point to finish fifth: 7.16 (58) to North’s 8.11 (59).
The Hawks had gone into the match without Culpitt who had been posted to West Australia with his squadron the night before the key match.
After the war he returned to Hawthorn and made the Victorian side seven times after becoming widely acclaimed as a class full-back. He was in the 1947 VFL side which won the national carnival in Hobart.
Culpitt played alongside such Australian Rules legends as Lou Richards, Alan Ruthven, Phonse Kyne, Bert Deacon, Fred Flanagan, Les Foote and Max Oppy.
Kevin Curran, later an opposition coach for Culpitt in the Bendigo Football League, was also a member of the famous 1947 VFL side.
Minor injuries towards the end of the 1947 season probably cost Culpitt that season’s Brownlow Medal. He had to leave the ground on numerous occasions and finished equal third to Carlton’s Bert Deacon in the final Brownlow count.
He always said that he was more than satisfied, however, when he took out Hawthorn’s best and fairest award and finished in the top six on the VFL goalkicking table.
One of Culpitt’s greatest sporting moments was representing Hawthorn-East Melbourne against South Melbourne. The Aussie Test team had just returned from its 1948 all-conquering tour of England and he was pitted against Australian spinner Ian Johnson.
Wally sent four of Johnson’s deliveries into the nearby bowling greens for four sixes. After the first six landed in the middle of the green the bowlers knocked off to watch.
One of them caught the third Johnson delivery to disappear over the fence. It was quoted in the Melbourne press Johnson didn’t feel so bad when in the very next match Culpitt showed the same disrespect for Richmond and Australian leg spinner Doug Ring.
Culpitt dispatched Ring for five sixes in Hawthorn-East Melbourne’s next outing.
In 1948 Culpitt became the highest ever paid football coach to accept a post in the country when he went to Wimmera League club Minyip for £20 a week, a fortune in post World War 2 Victoria.
It was a sound investment by Minyip. The club made the finals during the two seasons he coached them and broke two Wimmera League records.
Minyip beat Stawell at Stawell for the first time in 28 years and also beat every other club in the competition at least once – a feat previously unheard of at Minyip.
In 1950 aged 31, Culpitt arrived in the Bendigo Football League as coach of Kyneton. The move from Minyip, where he was accorded a civic farewell, was made because of the higher educational facilities available to Culpitt’s family.
His time at the Kyneton Tigers was not a happy one and in 1952 he moved on to Castlemaine. This was a master stroke by Culpitt as he captain-coached the BFL’s Magpies to their first flag in 26 years.
Castlemaine defeated Sandhurst, led by his old Hawthorn teammate Kevin Curran, in a great grand final by 29 points: 15.9 (99) to 9.16 (70).
A highlight of the premiership celebrations was the team parade through Castlemaine’s main streets on the Saturday night. A circus was in town so players travelled down the streets atop elephants.
Culpitt was retained as captain-coach in 1953, but before the start of the season fell eight metres from a telegraph pole in a workplace accident.
His injuries meant he played only a handful of matches in 1953.
CRICKET.
John Harris, John and Graeme Bassett (died 2018) and George Skinner*, Charlie Oliver (North Castlemaine), Campbells Creek afternoon teas,Rex Beach (Maldon),David Broad (Barkers Creek), Max Glen(Guildford.)
* POSTSCRIPT.23-1-2016. John Bassett and George Skinner comprised the most feared pair of opening bowlers in A grade during my inglorious two years under Max Glenn at Guildford and the next under Rex Beach at Maldon during the late mid 1960's. Keeper, Graeme Bassett must have had bruised hands stopping balls that the batsmen never saw. I found this article when I googled George Skinner, Muckleford.
If you said the name George Skinner to those playing today
probably 95% would say George who! You can be assured that a
huge number of retired players are glad that they are not playing
against him. He, playing for Muckleford, was the fastest bowler
to play in the local competition. With a slinging type action he
swung the ball and had a vicious off cutter. Many batsmen carried
bruises for a long period of time. I am sure one Kyneton/Malmsbury
stalwart would agree with me. George was picked in country
Victoria sides and played against all touring countries. He played
a game against the Victorian State side. Bill Lawry was the opening
batsman. He stated that George was the fastest ‘white’ bowler
he had ever faced. When asked what was the greatest memory
he had playing against international sides he said, dismissing the
great Indian all rounder Kapel Dev. If asked, he added quietly if
the catch had not been taken it would have been a six.
I grew up with George tagging along with the Muckleford side
each week where we played junior and senior cricket together
with Winters Flat. I kept to a lot of bowlers around the State and
I can say that I stood back eight metres further than to any other
bowler when George was bowling. His fame started at Technical
School when we played a game at Echuca. He opened the bowling
claimed four wickets in the first over. The teacher who was
umpiring requested he not bowl any more so that there would be
a chance that some form of game could be played. He said this
kid will play test cricket .
George ensured Muckleford won several premierships. During
one game he delivered a ball which reared up and struck the
batsman in the middle of his forehead (no helmets then). It
stunned the batsman but did not cause any serious injury.
However the impression of the seam and stitching of the ball was
clearly indented on his forehead. Employment took him to Carisbrook,
where he performed as expected. He was invited to play
with Fitzroy where he did play some games and achieved a deal
of success. He did not continue as he could not comply with the
rule that he had to attend their practice. He was a very capable
batsman also. He still holds the record opening partnership at
Muckleford it being over two hundred runs.
What has this got to do with Mia Mia ? In a game played at their
ground he claimed a triple hat trick, clean bowling 5 batsmen in
succession. (Bridge Connection May 2015
www.redesdale.net/wp-content/.../06/Bridge-connection-May-2015.pdf)
Charlie Oliver was my hero. I couldn't wait to see the Sport reports in the Mail to see what miracles he had performed for Newstead in footy and North Castlemaine in cricket.The sad thing is that I never saw him play either sport and I was devastated to read that he had lost an arm.It was no surprise at all that Carlton Football Club fought tooth and nail to keep his son Stephen in the Big Smoke but I'd never heard of Stephen's young brother Ben. (See below.)
Retiring hurt, but not bitter - Sydney Morning Herald
www.smh.com.au/.../cricket/retiring-hurt-but-not-bitter-20111223-1p8t4.ht...
REX BEACH and DAVID BROAD. I wonder if Rex was like the mature, serious David Broad at the age of 17. David was one of the High School basketball team that competed bravely against teams composed mainly of grown men. One night I had been rostered to umpire an early game and having played our game,David and I were walking past the town hall when he asked me to attend a meeting with him,the Castlemaine Development Committee. I did but it was another six or so years before I reached David's level of commitment to the community (at Tullamarine.)
Rex was a rather dour shire secretary based at Maldon,probably of the same vintage as Guildford's Max Glen,and a very good captain of the Maldon Cricket Club. I'd never known of his involvement with footy until I googled Rex Beach,Maldon.
MCDFNL
Senior Football Premiership Coach
Club Coach
1952 Maldon Pat Baxter, Rex Beach
1953 C/Creek Perc Perry
1954 Carisbrook Bill Ebery*
1955 Maldon Rex Beach
1956 Maldon Arthur Cox
1957 Maldon Bob Lillie
1958 Dunolly Arthur Lacey**
1959 Dunolly Arthur Lacey
1966 Newstead Mal Stevens***
* The name is connected with Castlemaine Football Club in my memory.
** Perhaps related to Graeme Lacey whom I think I taught at Maldon.
*** Highly regarded Castlemaine Football Club player.
1915.
Mr Thomas Odgers, J.P., and Deputy Coroner for Castlemaine, was found dead hanging from a rafter in the hay
loft over the stable near his residence. At an inquest medical evidence showed that Mr.Odgers had been suffering for three months from chronic insomnia.(P.24, Weekly Times, 1-5-1915.)
on 2015-04-30 01:24:16
Itellya is researching local history on the Mornington Peninsula and is willing to help family historians with information about the area between Somerville and Blairgowrie. He has extensive information about Henry Gomm of Somerville, Joseph Porta (Victoria's first bellows manufacturer) and Captain Adams of Rosebud.
Comments
In a quest to find the earliest use of the name Campbells Creek, our one, I learnt a bit of geography. Probably like a lot of residents,I knew perfectly well where each of the streams was but I'd never given a thought to their destinations. I'd seen claims of Castlemaine's early prominence but the writer was really going for it! The lack of a seaport might have been the reason he was wrong and thankfully he was or Castlemaine would be steel and glass with little heritage or community spirit left,just like Melbourne.
London is the commercial capital of the world; but we are informed that it has a rival, for Castlemaine is the name of the puisne seat of Government of the rich auriferous province of Victoria. In a few years it will, no doubt, equal in extent and importance any city or town in the Australian colonies, for it is situated in the grand centre of the Victorian Diggings.
In its present appearance it presents a bold array of wood and canvass (sic) and is most pleasantly situated on a gentle rising eminence, with Barker's Creek, a small bush rivulet, though liable to sudden floods, running past the flat at the foot of the rising ground; immediately below Castlemaine, Barker's Creek unites with the celebrated Forest Creek, and the two creeks thus united become Campbell's Creek, which ultimately falls into the Loddon, and the Loddon into the great river Murray.
(Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer (Vic. : 1851 - 1856) Monday 11 October 1852 p 1 Article)
GOLF COURSES.
30508 Castlemaine Golf Club Bendigo District Original 1899 9 holes on Milkmaid’s Flat corner Parker and Urquhart Streets gradually extendeD North until 1928 18
holes Castlemaine history.
30508 Castlemaine Golf Club Bendigo District 1st change 1931 Moved to land owned by Miss Ross 3 miles (north?) of town on Pyrenees Highway at junction of Newstead
and Maldon Roads. Designed by Geo Lowe. 150 acres Castlemaine history
30508 Castlemaine Golf Club Bendigo District 2nd change 1941 Muckleford 165 acres purchased on adjoining block to old course owned by Rilen. Grass green established in 1971 Castlemaine history.
(GSA Vic-Country courses-by District 17.2.10for Website use ...
www.golf.org.au/site/_content/document/00015081-source.pdf)
THE NAMING OF CASTLEMAINE.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
......It was named by the chief goldfield commissioner, Captain W. Wright, in honour of his Irish uncle, Viscount Castlemaine......
The above claim is confirmed by a letter to the editor written in 1909 which also claims that W.H.Wright (a nephew of Viscount Castlemaine as stated above)about whom much detail is given, was also responsible for Bendigo's original name of Sandhurst. See:
NAMING CASTLEMAINE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS.
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Wednesday 17 February 1909 p 10 Article
I wonder if the mysterious writer, J.A.P., was a descendant of Dr.Preshaw. His letter was in response to the following article but does not challenge the claims that the late William Johnston had grown up on the Castlemaine Estate in Ireland with W.H.Wright and suggested that the place be named after the estate, mainly disputing the account of Wright's military regiment.
NAMING CASTLEMAINE. PIONEER'S ACCOUNT.
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Monday 15 February 1909 p 8 Article
My search for the Johnston article uncovered another (earlier and contradictory) explanation of the naming of both places from the account given by Colonel Bull after whom Bull St was named.
HOW CASTLEMAINE AND SANDHURST WERE CHRISTENED. CASTLEMAINE, FRIDAY.
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Monday 20 October 1890 p 7 Article
DES. DUGUID DIED AT HASTINGS.
How well I remember Des Duguid as the compere and singer at the St. Mary's dances at Castlemaine in the 1960's! I loved the man. Imagine my surprise to find out about his connection with the peninsula. I also thought he was a Maori so his ancestry came as a further surprise. It explains his niece's musical genre. He introduced his niece, Coleen Hewitt, to perform for the first time at Castlemaine when she was 14. My future wife needed to go to the loo just as my favourite tune started so I asked Coleen for a dance.
http://mpnews.com.au/2016/07/12/hastings-link-with-the-greatest/
DID OLD RESIDENT SAVE THE CAMP RESERVE? WHO WAS HE?
SALE OF THE CAMP.
Sir, — On passing through the Camp reserve, yesterday, my attention was drawn to parties scoring the ground, with semi-circles and straight lines.
Being a little curious, though not much given to interfere in matters which do not concern me, I asked one of the labourers what was up. He informed me
they were marking off tho ground for sale, which would take place in a few days. I could not help exclaiming, what a shame ! whoever could be so mad
as to destroy this reserve, which in a few years will be the only place left for recreation — more especially as so much land is being taken up under the 20 acre system? Why sell it? Is land wanted for buildings? If so, are there not many as eligible spots now lying idle ? Why, the occupying this land with a few brick houses, will not advance Castlemaine, but it will at once strike out one of its ornamental sites — those very trees are a beauty, and once sold, it is gone for ever. Sell, I say, the ground in front of the Market Square, and you will improve Castlemaine— rid it of a population that is a disgrace to it. Sell the land in front of Bruce's foundry ; sell the
Camp hill, and all tho buildings ; remove those on the flat, tho old post office, etc. ; hand over to the Town all that ground between the Creek, from the Sheriffs Bridge to the old lime kiln, and let the Municipal Council have it. Lay it out with walks,plant trees, and reserve a piece for cricket,etc., and an everlasting benefit will be conferred on the present and rising generation. What is to be gained by the sale of this reserve ? It may satisfy the proprietor of the Belle Vue Hotel, and a few others, but why should the inhabitants pander to the like ? Call it Victoria Parade, and let us have a place convenient for recreation. Think how much it would add to the appearance of Castlemaine, entering from Melbourne by railway, a handsome row of houses on the rise where the old gaol now stands,with a road leading from Sheriffs bridge in front, to the extension of Lyttleton Street, by the new bridge over the railway. That would benefit the residents of Campbell's and Barker's Creeks considerably, and bring them in close proximity — which road would be of great importance when the railway is opened, instead of having to drive all round by the Market-square and Governor's bridge. If this land is wanted, sell it, but it is not ; it will
not benefit Castlemaine one bit, and why sacrifice it to the whim of an old man and a few who join him ? If one lot is sold, it is useless, and gone for ever from the public for recreation purposes. I believe, Mr Editor, the sanitary state of this town will greatly depend on some such reserve. A
reservation of it at present will not prevent its sale in future years, if necessary. But I repeat it, it is not wanted now. We have hundreds of acres
around fit for building purposes, but not for recreation. I am sure, if a Committee was appointed to get up a petition to oppose the sale, hundreds would join signing it. It is never too late to do good.Any expense incurred in marking off the ground, if the Government made that an objection to with
draw it from sale, might easily be subscribed, but it is not likely such would be done, as it is not in other cases. I do not wish to be personal, but it is pretty well known who have interested themselves in getting this land brought into the market, not requiring it. Their personal interests ought not to weigh with public benefits. Hence thef length of
these remarks.— I am. Mr Editor.
October 12, 1861.
AN OLD RESIDENT.
(P.3, Mount Alexander Mail, 16-10-1861.)
By copying and pasting this link into your search bar, detailed historical detail about a tiny portion of Castlemaine near the old Gasworks site can be accessed.
http://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/files/Strategic_Planning/Expert_Evidence_Report_-_Roger_Beeston_of_RBA_Architects_and_Conservation_Consultants_on_heritage.pdf
I came across this heritage study in a google search for HOWARTH, CASTLEMAINE. It mentions my wife's late mother, Lorna Lillian Howarth, daughter of Owen Oswald Hughes and Florence Lillian, nee Smith. Lorna had married Jim Howarth and they had two daughters, Valerie and Roslyn. I married Val and Peter Warren, descendant of an early Harcourt orchardist,
married Ros. We all now live on the Mornington Peninsula.
Finding that the Howarth brothers, Thomas and James Henry had owned 30 acres south of Dromana by 1917 and until 1925, I had assumed that they were related to Val on her paternal side but maybe they weren't. I'd forgotten Lanky Howarth who was one of the leading basketballers when the game was started in Castlemaine circa 1965 by Geoff Bryce, with policeman, Jim Berry, and myself being among a small band of experienced players at the time. Two members of the Howarth family married Broad girls, who were probably in the family tree of David Broad, who, with Robbie Ross, was a member of my High School basketball team as well as a young star in the Maggies' senior football team.
Tragically Lanky and Jim Berry were both killed in car accidents after Val and I had moved to Melbourne. There was no known relationship between Val and Lanky but there may have been a connection back in the 1860's during the gold rush.
In an attempt to find whether Lanky and Val were somehow related or completely unrelated, I will be starting another journal called THE HOWARTH FAMILY OR FAMILIES OF CASTLEMAINE, CHEWTON,AND FARADAY/ SUTTON GRANGE, VIC., AUST.
History is being made every day. Castlemaine had one of the earliest football clubs (of any code)in the world. It can be equally proud of three children in the area, about whom I'd seen no mention until tonight, who have ensured that all Australian children became aware that they have a right to be heard and to inherit a healthy world.
It was in October last year that the "Castlemaine Three" — Ms O'Shea Carre and her friends Milou Albrecht and Callum Neilson-Bridgefoot — started the Australian SS4C movement in the town of Castlemaine, 120 kilometres north-west of Melbourne.
SCHOOL STRIKERS FOR CLIMATE
By missing school on Fridays these children were missing lessons, perhaps about the Eureka Stockade, where adults were protesting to assert their rights. This event started our move towards true democracy in which the downtrodden would no longer submit to unmerciful tyranny.
No longer will the coming generation of voters have no idea of which candidate deserves their vote and if it took missing lessons to gain such improvement in citizenship, it was education time best spent, in fact the best excursion they'll experience in their whole time in school.
Now, the school strikers could not be put down as the miners in the Eureka Stockade were, so the embarrassed politicians resorted to putting them down by claiming that they were too immature to understand the issue and were being used as pawns. They understand all right; their futures depend on it. Just like the captains of industry, car manufacturers etc.!
Tonight, A CURRENT AFFAIR trotted out "educator", Kevin Donnelly who parroted the politicians. He's the same bloke that has been blathering away about remaking Phonics the basis for children learning to read. I was one of the lucky ones who mastered phonics in my first years of school but in grade 2 after mastering the oi words, I just about had a nervous breakdown when I came across DOING and figured that it had to rhyme with that bouncy word,BOING. I was a good reader and proud of it and was not going to ask my teacher for help.
Well after that nightmare, it dawned on me that the children who relied on phonics to decypher unknown words were the least fluent readers. They doubled their fluency when they learned to predict words from the context.
As Kevin is so stuck in the past, I don't think he'd inspire thousands of children to do anything. These three Castlemaine youngsters did!
May these three children share a position in Castlemaine's history alongside two Victorian Premiers.
A LEGEND'S SON?
While watching the replay of the Northern Territory Football League preliminary final on SBS (CHANNEL 34), I heard one of Cameron Ilett's Nightcliff team mates mentioned and immediately thought of Castlemaine. Couldn't remember the Castlemaine star's name but soon found it: Derrick Filo. The Nightcliff player who aroused my curiosity was Brodie Filo, who was a co-winner of the NTFL's Best and Fairest, the Nichols Medal this season, having won the O and M b&f several times. Derrick is a legend of the Bendigo Football League and is apparently back at Camp Reserve helping the Maggies out, and if Brodie is his son, as I suspect, many Castlemaine and Kyneton oldtimers will be watching the Granny on channel 34 next Monday night (16-3-2020)and barracking for Nightcliff. Mornington (Victoria) people will be barracking for St Mary's because of Jackson Calder.
BRODIE IS DERRICK'S SON!
CASTLEMAINE FOOTY IN 1912.
CASTLEMAINE.— For the Castlemaine district
premiership the Castlemaine club and Thompson's
Foundry played on Saturday. There was a large
attendance. Ayles, a Melbourne League umpire,
was in charge of the game. The Foundry team
scored 8.10 (58 points) to 2.2 (14 points).(P.11, The Age,13-5-1912.)
Castlemaine Football Club - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlemaine_Football_Club
1925
In 1925, Castlemaine joined the Bendigo Football League, Coached by the West Australian champion Phil Matson, Castlemaine made the 1925 Grand Final, but lost to South Bendigo by 14 Points: 7.12 (54) to 6.4 (40)
After it was gutted by fire, Murphy's Castlemaine Hotel was not licensed again. Murphy's, established in 1854, was dismantled in December 1917, to supply building material for additions to Messrs. Thompson and Co.'s foundry.
Murphy's Hotel Fire
My son spent 20 years as a fitter and turner with Thompson's Foundry (Flowserve pump division, previously known as Thompsons, Kelly & Lewis Pty. Ltd. or TKL ) and what a marvellous history this foundry has.