Happy is the Bride
This year is the 45th anniversary of the first opening of Westfield Shoppingtown on 30th September 1969. As the suburb of Doncaster became larger because of the burgeoning population of Melbourne, a bigger shopping precinct was envisaged to satisfy the needs of the new residents. The undulating landscape and the release of land which had formerly been orchards, attracted developers who divided up large tracts of land, eagerly purchased by families looking for a pleasant, hilly environment in which to live. Main Road, Doncaster which was just a two lane road, needed to be widened to cope with t:he expected increase in traffic. This, of course had an effect which impacted on the Doncaster-Templestowe Historical Society. Schramms Cottage on Doncaster Road must be moved to make way for the new wider road. This was later done and the present site in Victoria Street is a most suitable one.
At the site of Westfield, the lovely old red brick store had to be demolished. This was much photographed and a spot beloved of local artists, so a comprehensive record of the store remains for historians.
In looking, through the November 1969 issue of our Newsletter, an article by Irvine Green helps us begin the story of the development. A commemorative plaque was erected at Doncaster Shoppingtown, which incorporated bricks salvaged from Serpell’s original reel brick store, located in front of the shopping centre (Williamson's Road - southern entrance). (This has now been altered several times as further changes were made to the centre.) The bricks were purchased for $20.00 by our Society from the wrecker. These, after cleaning by Irvine Creen and our present member Ken Smith, were stored in the interim between the demolition of the old store and the final building stages of Doncaster Shoppingtown. The setting and layout was designed by Mr Ruggeri, architect to Westfield Development Corporation. The wording on this plaque was drafted by Irvine Green and mentions the Tower, the Tram and the Corner store. The bronze plaque was set in the ground and was surrounded by the bricks funning out in a circle. A grassed area and a white seat form a circle round the plaque and brick paving. In our photograph collection there is a photograph of members gathered on the unveiling day.
We believe that this plaque area no longer exists due to further alterations to the site. A bus exchange is now near the area and the comer is vastly different to how it was in 1969. However, the Manningham City Council commissioned a series of commemorative stations, with photographs and a touch audio, along Doncaster Road from the Municipal offices finishing at the Shoppingtown Corner. These will help people to understand the historical background of the region.
In this same issue, m 1969, lvine Green made comment on the changes, which have taken place co this historic comer, The original corner no longer exists. In the 1860's, i.t was called Tully's Corner. This was the first in a series of names. Tuckerband's, Lauer's Gallus', SerpeJl's, and then the name that was generally used - White's. White was really not a resident but came from Mitcham. Irvine Green suggested in 1969 that a more apt name would be Doncaster Corner. However, most people would now agree that it is universally called Shoppingtown Corner.
Source: 2014-09 DTHS Newsletter
O, Perfect Love
The year 2014 is the 150th anniversary of the marriage of Max von Schramm to Kate Pickering. Early in the year, the Historical Society was looking for a significant event to celebrate and involve the public in the background of our local history. It was decided that we would contact the Schramm and Pickering families, with a view to holding a reenactment of the wedding and to display some of our extensive collection of wedding gowns. A sub committee was formed and the arrangements began to take shape.
The culmination was on the afternoon of November 15'h when over 250 people gathered on the North Lawn cottage for the ceremony. It was a pleasant day and the newly formed gardens of the cottage were bright with white roses and colourful annuals. The members of the Society, beautifully dressed in morning suits, and the ladies in lovely nineteenth century gowns, mingled with guests on the lawns. Huge flower arrangements in pastel hues decorated the Cottage and the verandah where the ceremony was to take place. Joan Middleton was the arranger of these lovely flowers and we offer her our thanks.
The lawn was covered with rows of chairs with a section set aside for the descendants of whom there were 60 people. The President of the Doncaster-Templestowe Historical Society, Eric Collyer welcomed guests and visitors. The notables included the Mayor of Manningham, Councillor Jim Grivokostopolous, Councillor Stephen O'Brien, Reverend Phillip Haar, of the Doncaster Lutheran Church, · Reverend Mr and Mrs Reid of Holy Trinity, Doncaster, Gerry Heilmann, stonemason for the re-building of Schramm's Cottage on this site.
Geoff Broome, Master of Ceremonies, and "Father of the Bride", . introduced the Mayor who gave a short address, and Eric Collyer introduced Stephen Digby, a great, great grandson of Max von Schramm. Stephen gave the audience a history of the family, with Max's arrival in Australia and subsequent residence in Doncaster, leading up to his Inarriage to Kate Pickering, a member of the prominent Pickering family with their British roots.
The ceremony then began with the Reverend Phillip Haar, who conducted the service in a humorous, light-hearted manner, but with overtones of the solemnity of marriage and the significance of this particular wedding to the Doncaster community. Two old style hymns were sung by all present and the ceremony concluded with many photos being taken of the bridal party resplendent in nineteenth century clothing.
It was most gratifying that so many members of the Schramm family were willing to take a prominent part in this historic re-enactment.
The guests were then invited to partake of a sumptuous afternoon tea laid out in the side marquees while admiring the delightful wedding cake set up on an historic cake stand.
The Master of Ceremonies Geoff Broome, and the Historical Society would like to acknowledge the assistance of many people. Philip Webb Real Estate for the advertising boards and loan of the marquees, Mr Herbert Mees for early German documents and translations, the Staff of the City of Manningham for other assistance.
Our grateful thanks also go to the stalwart members of the Historical Society who prepared the grounds, set up the lovely display of wedding gowns from 1867 to 1997 - 130 years and the display of documents and memorabilia set up near the entrance. Our very special thanks go to Geoff Broome for his wonderful work in inspiring this event and putting it into effect, and the Gardam family for the wedding cake and the delicious repast served which will be long remembered by all those present.
This was truly the event of the year!
Source: 2014-12 DTHS Newsletter
Advertised in the Royal Historical Society of Victoria and many other forums:
150th Wedding Anniversary – Doncaster – Templestowe Historical Society
Date: 15/11/2014 Time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Location: Schramm's Cottage
Celebration coommenced 2.30pm Saturday, 15 November with a re-encatmet of the wedding, speeches and afternoon tea.
Hundreds attended including many descendants of Max and Kate.
View Photo album
150th Wedding Anniversary – Doncaster – Templestowe Historical Society
Date: 15/11/2014 Time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Location: Schramm's Cottage
Celebration coommenced 2.30pm Saturday, 15 November with a re-encatmet of the wedding, speeches and afternoon tea.
Hundreds attended including many descendants of Max and Kate.
View Photo album
No comments:
Post a Comment