When a road does not run straight there is often a reason behind it. McGowans Road in Donvale wanders off at an angle and after six bends ends in the bush. In 1863 the land east of Springvale Road was opened up under the terms of the Selection Acts. John Robert Wilson and his son Bob Wilson selected land in the area now at the end of McGowans Road and Garden Road. An access road was provided north. This was impassable in wet weather so Wilson applied for a new road.
The new road surveyed in 1892 followed a dry ridge of land. It cut through Leber's land, and across the corner of Herman Herr's selection and isolated a small part of Schmidt's land that later became Dempster's.
In 1872, Wilson had not complied with the conditions of selection that required a selector to build a house and to fence and cultivate the land. He consequently forfeited the land, so appealed, and a major row developed even reaching the Melbourne papers. On one side were the neighbors led by Leber, on the other Wilson enlisted the support of fifty Doncaster residents. Wilson complained that he did not have access to his land. The neighbors replied that
he had no trouble getting onto the land and was even selling firewood from it.
Wilson lost his appeal and the land went to Frederick Burkamp. During the land boom, Burkamp subdivided his 210 acres into 20 acre blocks, putting in Garden and Flora Roads to provide access.
In the 80's McGowan, a wood carter, lived on the site of Dempster Drive The road that till then had only rarely been used and was not named, was called "McGowan's Track". During the land boom, Samuel King built a large homestead complete with tennis court where McGowan had lived. In 1905, this was destroyed by fire and George Dempster bought the land.
It is a happy thought that the old enemies became reconciled. Wilson's daughter married Leber's son and Wilson ended his days in Leber's home.
Muriel Green writing in 1969 11 DTHS Newsletter
At the Shire of Bulleen Council meeting 6th September, 1875, Frederick Burkamp asked permission to erect a swing gate across McGowans Road. Council were of the opinion that they had no power under Local Government to close roads; therefore, they did not grant the request.
1975 11 DTHS Newsletter
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