Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society: July 2017

McAuley Cottage, 2 Russell Road, Warrandyte

The McAuley Cottage 2 Russell Road, Warrandyte.

This modest timber cottage, which dates from the 1870s or earlier, has associations with district miners. However, although A.Fairweather held the Miner's Right to the property (Crown Allotment 6A Section 18) in 1892 and became the registered owner in 1893567 , he was not listed in early district rate records.

Photos from: Realestate.com.au - 2 Russell St Warrandyte Oct 2014

Russell’s Cottage, Warrandyte

The oldest house in Warrandyte stands on a hillside east of the town in Russell Road. James Russell built the cottage 120 years ago during the early gold rush days.

James Russell came to Melbourne in 1354. Two years earlier at the age of twenty he had married Ruth Houghton in the historic Alvestock Church at Gosport in Hampshire. After working in a brickyard at South Yarra for a few weeks the Russells came to the Anderson’s Creek goldfield and camped in a tent.

At that time, the township was merely a collection of tents inhabited by men who had left homes, families and jobs to make their fortune on the goldfields. It was a rough life for a woman and Ruth Russell was the first woman to settle in Warrandyte. While they were living in the tent, a band of bushrangers went through the camp robbing the tents. As they heard the bushrangers approaching, Ruth was terrified and then her baby started crying. She heard a voice outside the tent say, "Leave that tent, there's a woman with a baby in it."

Soon a permanent population formed in the township and houses were being built. The Russell’s cottage was outside the area surveyed for the township. It was on the land pegged out for their mining claim. The holder of a miner's right on Crown Land is entitled to engage in certain consequential activities, which includes the erection of a house to live in. The miner could keep the house, while he worked the mine, but did not own the house. In 1890, Russell applied for and was granted a title to his land.

Russell’s cottage was a house that grew. Originally it was a hut built from bark and hardwood slabs. Slabs were fixed to both sides of bush timber posts. Later these slabs became internal wall and were covered with plywood from tea chests. They formed walls up he 12 inches thick. Extra rooms were added and a new roof of yellow box shingles covered the house. When she shingles split and started to leak, galvanised iron was nailed over the roof.

Other huts and houses were built during the gold rush days in the area. Russell’s house is the only one to remain. The 1939 bushfires claimed the other remaining houses.

A slab hut at the rear of Russell’s was used by his partner Harry Stiggants. In 1866, a bushranger, Robert Bourke, spent a night in this hut. Bourke arrived at Warrandyte on a cold wet night. Mrs. Russell reluctantly gave him a meal , and allowed him to sleep in Stiggants hut. Next morning, her brother, Harry Houghton, rowed Bourke across the river where he was later caught.

Russell planted a cherry orchard behind the house. The orchard yielded beautiful black cherries without needed water, for seepage from the hillside kept the trees moist, even in dry weather.

In 1922, Russell sold his home to McPerson who lived there till 1940. Then it went back to the original family when Pridman took it aver for many years.

The cottage had started as a bark hut and grew into a weatherboard house. The house is still growing, for even new extensions are being added to the front of Russell’s old home.

Irvine Green & Eric Houghton writing in 1975 08 DTHS Newsletter

8 Russell Road, Warrandyte - Heritage Listing

Historical SocietyStatement of Significance: Of local significance for its historical associations with James Russell and his family; potentially of regional significance should substantial elements of the original building remain.

http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/22658

8 Russell Road, Warrandyte - Sale: Oct 2015

https://www.realestate.com.au/property/8-russell-rd-warrandyte-vic-3113

8 Russell Road, Warrandyte - Heritage Study

Integrity Altered - major alterations. If anything original remains, it has been subsumed in the current house. Detailed internal examination is required.

Built in the 1860s by James Gray Russell, this timber house has undergone major alterations.
Russell arrived in Melbourne in 1854, moving to the Andersons Creek goldfield soon after. With his wife and child he lived on his pegged mining claim. In 1890 Russell applied for and was granted title to this land [63]. He was still described as a miner in the Voters' Roll of 1899.
The cottage was originally a timber slab construction; as the dwelling was extended these slabs apparently become internal walls. Extra rooms were added and a new roof of yellow box shingles replaced the bark roof. These shingles are believed to remain underneath the corrugated iron roof.
Henry Stiggants, the original proprietor of the Pig Tail Mine, had a slab hut at the rear of this house; Stiggants was apparently Russell's partner.
Russell sold the house in 1922; in 1940 it was sold to a member of Russell's family. It is one of few Warrandyte buildings to have survived many bushfires, especially the 1939 fire which decimated the region and State.

Creation Date: c1860s
Associations: James Gray Russell. Also Henry Stiggan
Local Themes: 4.02 - Gold mining houses

Of local significance for its historical associations with James Russell and his family; potentially of regional significance should substantial elements of the original building remain.

Manningham Heritage Study, Context Pty. Ltd. Pg 474
BIBLIOGRAPHY [63] Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society Newsletter, 9(1), Aug. 1975.
http://images.heritage.vic.gov.au/attachment/3604

"Springbank" then "Clarendon Eyre"

Former Springbank

5-6a Robb Close BULLEEN, MANNINGHAM CITY

The site of Springbank (Clarendon Eyre) is notable historically for its association with early pastoral settlement in Victoria. J& H. Wood had a pastoral run on the site which was later purchased by John Hunter Kerr & Robert Laidlaw. Robert Laidlaw was president of the Shire of Bulleen for many years.

Former Springbank VHD-66020

Robert Laidlaw

ROBERT LAIDLAW J.P. vas one of the first pioneers of the district. In 1840 he took over Woods sheep station and started a farm in Bulleen Road where the Drive-In Theatre has been built.

Laidlaw became a successful farmer and commissioned David Mitchell to build a house. Laidlaw's two storey mansion, "Springbank" now called "Clarendon-Ayre", was given a National Trust classification. Robert Laidlaw was elected Shire President on three occasions, 1876, 1878 and 1881. He left the council in 1884.

1975 05 DTHS Newsletter

Photograph of an early motor car at the Laidlaw mansion 'Springbank', now called 'Clarendon Eyre', Bulleen Road, Bulleen. Early 1900. DTHS Archive do0275

Robert Laidlaw horseback behind stables Springbank Clarendon Eyre DTHS-dp0285

Robert Laidlaw dressed in formal attire. DTHS-dp0286

Chapter 2 - A Settler

Robert Laidlaw arrived on the 'Midlothian' in 1839, one of the first migrants from Scotland. A native of Aramulloch near Abbotsford in southern Scotland, he had worked for Sir Walter Scott. This young man of twenty three years together with a friend John Kerr, purchased Wood's sheep station on the river flats at Bulleen.

Their earliest accommodation was very primitive, being a rough slab hut shared with two hired shepherds and a stockman.

At first fortune favoured them, but soon after, the economic depression of the 1840's hit Melbourne. The partnership foundered as the sheep which had cost 36/- each were now reduced to 4/6. John Kerr left and Laidlaw formed a partnership with Alexander Duncan, who was a dairy farmer, near the comer of Thompson and Bulleen Roads.

This association flourished and soon the fertile fields were covered with waving ears of wheat, and barley. The quality of wheat was so high that a parcel sent to Edinburgh in 1847 won a congratulatory letter for the grower.

Robert Laidlaw in 1843 married Annie Gordon from the Western District pastoralist family and over the years they had eight children, two boys and six girls.

Ninety extra acres were bought by Robert Laidlaw in 1853. This part of the Carlton Estate had a river frontage and cost two thousand, four hundred pounds. This farm, which Laidlaw named "Springbank: proved to be so successful that the Department of Agriculture regarded its owner as one of the best farmers in the Melbourne area.

For a time "Springbank" was leased while the Laidlaws took up the 22,000 acre Longlands Station in the Western District where Laidlaw had earlier connections.

On his return to the Bulleen area he became interested in local affairs and was a foundation member of the new Shire of Bulleen. He was a councillor for nine years and was elected President on three occasions 1876,1878, and 1881.

Laidlaw was a prominent citizen of the district having been Chairman of the Templestowe Roads Board and a Justice of the Peace and Magistrate of the Heidelberg Court.

In 1907 Robert Laidlaw died at the ripe old age of 91. His wife Annie had predeceased him by two years. He had been the Bulleen areas' earliest permanent settler and had played an important part in the opening up of agriculture in Bulleen in addition to being a prominent figure in the development of the Shire.

'Springbank' still exists as one of the loveliest mansions in the district. Now named 'Clarendon Eyre', from the cattle stud owned by J.V.M. Wood, owner of the land from 1925 to 1946 when it was purchased by the White family. Springbank is on the register of the National Trust. The dairy farm, famous in the 1920s for quality was one of the last dairy farms operating in Bulleen.

Caws grazing on the river flats at Ben Nevis. Now the site of the Sentimental Bloke Hotel.

Source: Bulleen - A Short History (1991). By Judith Leaney. Illustrated by Irvine Green

John Delaney

JOHN DELANEY was a Templestowe resident. His association with the district went back to the land sales in 1853. Delaney purchased 40 acres of land at the corner of Foote and Anderson Streets. John Delaney remained in the council till 1883 and later left the district.

1975 05 DTHS Newsletter

James Kent

JAMES KENT lived in East Doncaster. He bought land in Burnleys Estate at the corner of Doncaster and Blackburn Roads. The Methodist Church is built on part of this land donated by James Kent. He selected land in Old Warrandyte Road at Deep Creek, where his son, Sam Kent, was well known for his bullock team. James Kent was an active member of the Methodist Church and initiated the Sunday School. When the Shire was subdivided into ridings the next year, James Kent was not re-elected.

1975 05 DTHS Newsletter

Probably sam person as:

James KENT (Baptised 28Jan1838 Died: 1911 Doncaster, Victoria, Married (1859) Jane Trevenen NICHOLAS, Born: 1838, Penzance Registration District, Cornwall, England Died: 1906, Doncaster, Victoria, Australia

https://lizandstu.com/yelland/getperson.php?personID=P25905&tree=hooper

Death of Mr. James Kent. Mr. James Kent, a highly respected resident of the Doncaster district for nearly half a century, passed away after a short illness at his residence, East Doncaster, on Tuesday. The deceased had engaged for many years in the fruit growing industry and at one time he was a prominent contractor. In the early days he was a member of the local road board and later on he was a member of the Doncaster shire council. The late Mr. Kent was a man of up-right character and unquestioned integrity, and a live interest in church and total abstinence matters was only a natural bent for a nature such as his. Consequently he was a prominent worker in the Methodist church and Sunday school, and he was also one of the first, if not the first, of the members of the local tent of the I.O.R0., which was established 10 years ago. He leaves a grown up family of three sons and three daughters to mourn their irreparable loss, his wife having predeceased him by several years. - At the meeting of the Doncaster shire council on Tuesday night sympathetic reference was made by Cr. Tully and the president (Cr. Zerbe) to Ex-Cr. Kent's demise, and the secretary was instructed to forward a letter of condolence to the bereaved relatives.

1911 'Death of Mr. James Kent.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 26 May, p. 7. , viewed 29 Jul 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89696667

Doncaster Road

Why "Doncaster" ???

John Robert Wilson, from Doncaster in Yorkshire, England, built the Doncaster Arms Inn on the track through the stringybark forest to the Warrandyte gold diggings. The track was later named Doncaster Road.

https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/2269

Doncaster History (from Victoria Collections)

Doncaster, formerly an orchard area, is a residential area east-north-east of Melbourne. It existed as a municipality from 1890 to 1994.The first settlement in the area began west of the later Shire of Doncaster, with Unwin's Special Survey in Bulleen in 1841. In 1854 John Robert Wilson, from Doncaster in Yorkshire, England, built the Doncaster Arms Inn on the track through the stringybark forest to the Warrandyte gold diggings. The track was later named Doncaster Road. William Burnley, a Richmond land developer, sold land in the area in the 1850s. He was also from Doncaster, England. Either may be the source of the name Doncaster.

By the 1850s settlements had begun to develop along the Koonung Koonung Creek and other streams in the Doncaster area. Some of the settlers were German immigrants, including Gottlieb Thiele, who built a two roomed-mud and lath homestead in 1853 which he named 'Friedensruh' meaning 'rest in peace'. Gottlieb was a military tailor and unsuccessful prospector with little knowledge of farming, but he built a successful orchard with his family. Deeply religious, he held services in his house until a Lutheran church opened in the area in 1858. A Lutheran school opened two years later, and a denominational school in 1861. The German community was named Waldau, but the name Doncaster prevailed.

Early settlers earned income from timber and fire wood. The cleared land proved suitable for growing cereals, vegetables and fruits. Orchards were more profitable and predominated in the long term, including citrus and stone fruits.

In 1877 a rustic look-out tower was built beside Doncaster Road. It attracted visitors from the 1888 Centennial International Exhibition in Melbourne. The Exhibition also featured an electric tram, a prototype for a service from Box Hill to Doncaster that opened in 1889. The service only lasted until 1896 with services running intermittently, mainly to carry visitors to the look-out tower that was a popular recreation spot on weekends and public holidays.

Between 1875 and 1890 Doncaster was part of the Bulleen Shire. On 30 May 1890 the Shire of Doncaster was established. Fruit growing developed as the basis for Doncaster's economy, and a fruit growers' association was formed in 1892. In 1897 the Shire issued a medal for Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria [NU 20187].

In 1902, when the Shire issued a medal to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII (NU 20243), it boasted four churches, two state schools, three hotels, a bank and a post office. It had a population of 1,037 living in 215 houses, and covered 13 and a half square miles. Doncaster did not develop as a residential area until the 1960s and 70s.

By 1911 Doncaster was home to 1158 people. Four years later in 1915, Doncaster and the former Bulleen Shires were united as Doncaster and Templestowe Shire. By 1947 the population had expanded to 1538 people. Between 1950 and 1955 the Shire's population grew at an annual average of 5%, and in the next five years the annual average growth was 28%.

In 1963 G. J. Coles and Coy. Ltd. acquired a nine acre site at the intersection of Doncaster and Williamsons Roads, were the lookout tower previously stood. The corner then had a landmark two-storey general store. Later in the decade Westfield built Doncaster Shopping town on the site.

On 15 December 1994 part of City of Doncaster and Templestowe, and part of the Shire of Lillydale, united to form the Manningham City Council. On the same day the remaining part of the City of Doncaster united with the Cities of Croydon and Ringwood, part of Templestowe and Shire of Lillydale to form the Maroondah City Council.

At the start of the 21st century Doncaster had several primary schools, a secondary college and several neighbourhood reserves. The Doncaster Municipal Gardens provided large-scale open space.

References:

Australian Places website, Monash University, http://arts.monash.edu/ncas/multimedia/gazetteer/list/doncaster.html, accessed 11/12/2003.
Municipal Association of Victoria website http://www.mav.asn.au, accessed 11/12/2003.
Blake, L. (1977). Place Names of Victoria.
Victorian Heritage Register on-line http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/hvolr.nsf, accessed 11/12/2003.

Keywords: Medals, Municipal Government
Localities: Doncaster, Victoria, Australia
Authors: Ms Deborah Tout-Smith
Article types: Party

Tout-Smith, D. (2003) Municipality of Doncaster, Victoria in Museums Victoria Collections https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/2269 . Accessed 29 July 2017

Edward Tatham

Needs Research

An article about Edward Tatham, one of the first settlers of Doncaster. He was elected to the Templestowe Roads Board (the forerunner of local government in the district) in 1873. When the Shire of Bulleen was formed in 1875 Tatham was elected and appointed Shire President.
A description of two buildings classified by the National Trust. They are the Smith house on the corner of Atkinson and Clarke streets in Templestowe and the house built by Edward Tatham in Falcon Court Doncaster.
Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society Newsletter August 1973

Edward Tatham

EDWARD TATHAM was the perfect choice for the first Shire President. He had gained the experience and knowledge necessary for running the Shire from his years on the Roads Board and the eight years when he was Chairman. Tatham also had the social assets to be the leading citizen. He and his sisters, Martha and Carrie were well liked and respected in Doncaster, where they contributed to the social life of the community.

Tatham had come to Doncaster in the 1850's. He built a stone house called "Hurley Cottage" in Leeds Street. The house, now in Falcon Court, has been placed on the National Trust Recorded List. Tatham retired from the council in 1876.

Source: 1975 05 DTHS Newsletter

Photograph of portrait in oils of Edward Tatham as a young man. He was the first chairman of the Templestowe Roads Board in 1874. He settled in Leeds Street, Doncaster, Victoria, where he built a stone cottage DP0308 also Pictures Victoria

Edward Tatham - Our First Shire President

Edward Tatham was one of the first settlers in Doncaster and bought land on Burnly’s estate in Leeds Street. He built a timber cottage and added two stone rooms at the front. The stone section of the home was remarkable. The walls were built of local stone the same as Schramms Cottage but the there were no windows, instead three French doors opened along the front and another door at the entrance. Inside, ceiling high doors connected the rooms with hinges that raised the doors to open above floor mats.

During the 1970s, the Tathams added to the social life of the small community of Doncaster. The two daughters, Martha and Carrie Tatham with their brother Edward, were all good vocalists who often entertained visitors to their home.

In 1873, Edward was elected to the Templestowe Roads Board - the forerunner of local government in the district. During the next twelve years, he was chairman of the Board on ten occasions and during his term he was responsible for having the Board Office, later the Shire office, built at Templestowe. When the Shire of Bulleen was formed in 1875, Tatham was elected. Gaining the highest number of votes, he was appointed our first Shire President.

Recently Mr. John Handfield, a descendant of the Tatham family, presented the Doncaster-Templestowe Historical Society with a copy of the Ancestry of Edward Tatham.

A family called Tatham were living in the town of Tatham in Lancashire, at the time of the Norman Conquest. In 1513, the Lord of Tatham led the archers of Tatham during the battle of Flodden Field. James IV of Scotland was invading the north of England and King Henry led an army of 26,000 men men to defend his country against the 60,000 troops from Scotland. They met on 9 September 1513. The Lancaster bowmen decoyed the Scots to make a false attack down hill leaving an opening in their ranks. Seeing this, the Lancashire bowmen attacked and routed the Scots. This success kindled fresh courage through the English ranks ending in a complete overthrow of their enemies.

The achievement of the bowmen was celebrated in the Ballad of Flodden Field and for their services that day is derived the hand grasping three arrows in the crest of Tatham.

Edward Tatham of Melbourne was descended from John Tatham, of 1580. He was born in 1800 and married Dorothy Mennel in 1830. They had nine children born between 1831 and 1847.

Edward Tatham retired from council after one year and died in January 1879. The family had left the district and the house changed hands several times.

Then in the 1930s, Paul Fisch purchased the house and planted a garden of rare Australian plants.

In 1977, after Paul Fisch had died, Mrs Fisch sold the house. It was was then demolished and the land subdivided.

Source: Irvine Green writing in 1996 12 DTHS Newsletter

Deaths

TATHAM.—On the 1st inst., at Rowena-parade, Richmond, Edward Tatham, of Burley-cottage, Doncaster, in his 74th year.

1879 'Family Notices', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 3 January, p. 1. , viewed 22 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5927078

Funeral Notices

THE Friends of the late Mr. EDWARD TATHAM (for many years president of the shire council, &c., of Doncaster) are informed that his funeral will take place THIS DAY (Friday), leaving the residence of Mr. T. Handfield, Gloucester-lodge, Rowena-parade, Richmond, at 3, and arriving at the Boroondara Cemetery about 4 o'clock.

1879 'Family Notices', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 3 January, p. 8. , viewed 22 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5927104

ALF. AUG. SLEIGHT, undertaker, No. 83 Collins- street east, and High-street, St Kilda.

The Argus, Melbourne, Friday 3 January 1879

In another column we record the decease of an old and much respected colonist, Mr. Edward Tatham, J.P., of Burley-cottage, Doncaster, near Kew. Mr. Tatham belonged to a highly respectable Yorkshire family, and emigrated from the old country to Adelaide in the year 1849. In 1851 he removed with his family to Melbourne, and for some time resided in the neighbourhood of Richmond, ultimately purchasing land and settling down at Doncaster, in 1856. There he continued to reside down to within a few weeks of his death. The deceased gentleman was much respected in the Bulleen district, and was selected as the first chairman of the Templestowe road board, and was for some years president of the newly-formed Bulleen shire. Latterly, Mr. Tatham had taken no part in public matters, confining himself to the occasional discharge of his magisterial functions. Mr.

Tatham died at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. W. H. Handfield, Richmond, on the evening of New Year's Day, at the ripe age of 74. The funeral takes place at Kew this afternoon.

1879 'FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1879.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 3 January, p. 4. , viewed 22 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5927089

Charles Pasley

Our Parliamentary Representatives - Charles Pasley M.L.A.

South Bourke October 1856 - March 1857
Democracy can be said to have commenced in Victoria with the introduction of responsible government in 1856. Till then the Victorian Government had been part elected and part appointed. During the days of the gold rush, all classes, labourer, professional and gentlemen, had worked alongside each other. All were equal and called each other digger. In this ambient, the idea of democracy took root and resulted in the formation of a government fully elected by the people.

The Ruffy Brothers

Ruffy Bros.

With the formation of the municipal gardens in the Ruffey's Creek area, Ruffey's Creek has become important to the district. The Ruffy brothers, after whom the creek is named, have been ignored by historians in our city, yet they were among the first three to settle in the district.

The Ruffy family of five brothers, came from Van Dieman‘s Land in 1836. They went to Cranbourne, where they claimed a grazing run and built an inn. They were the first to settle east of Dandenong. In 1837 an additional sheep station was formed in Bulleen. Their hut and sheep yard was on the site of the Yarra Valley Country Club. They did not stay long for, two years later, they had left the area.

When Templestowe Village was surveyed, the streets were named after pioneers of the district. Foote, the surveyor, spelt the name Ruffey, as it had been misspelt by wedge when he surveyed Koonung Creek in 1837. The creek was called after the street and by 1860, was being officially called Ruffey's Creek.

Twenty years later a map was issued, naming the creek after a land department surveyor, but the name Ruffey's Creek remained.

1975 05 DTHS Newsletter

Ruffy Brothers of Cranbourne

The Ruffy Brothers were some of the earliest European settlers in the Cranbourne area. They squatted on the Tomaque run, after having arrived from Tasmania in 1836 (though some sources say they left Tasmania in March 1837). Tomaque was situated between Dandenong and Cranbourne. The brothers had Tomaque until 1850, however in the 1840s they also took up the Mayune Run of 32,000 acres. Mayune was situated around what is now the town of Cranbourne. The Brothers held Mayune collectively, until Frederick took over the lease from 1845 to 1850. The Ruffy brothers also owned the Cranbourne Inn, which some suggest was the original source of the name of the town of Cranbourne. Cranbourne is a town in Berkshire, England.

Frederick Ruffy. Drawn by George Henry Haydon. Reproduced from The Good Country : Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson

Who were the Ruffy brothers?
There is not a lot of information on the brothers but from various sources we can piece together a bit of their family history. William Joseph Ruffy and Louisa Ann Kingham were married at St Martin in the Fields in Westminster in London on May 15 1799. Ruffy was a joint editor of the Farmers Journal and Agricultural Advertizer, an English publication, from 1808-1832. The Farmers Journal was one of the first Agricultural journals in England. They had nine children of which five sons lived at Western Port - Thomas (1800 to 1882) William James (1802 to 1884) Frederick (1804 to 1872) Henry (1808 to 1847) and Arthur Wiggett (1817 to 1893). William Joseph Ruffy died in Launceston in 1836 aged 61 and Louisa Ruffy died in Campbell Town in 1859 aged 79.

Of the five sons who came to Cranbourne - Henry died while the brothers where at Tomaque, Arthur married Caroline Sawtell in 1852. She was the daughter of Edwin Sawtell. I presume that this is the same Edwin Sawtell, after whom Sawtell Inlet in Tooradin is named. Sawtell was a storekeeper who arrived in Melbourne in 1838. It seems likely that he had land in the area and that Thomas Rutherford, after whom Rutherford Inlet is named, managed his run. Sawtell died in 1892 aged 94. William married Janet Stewart in 1867. I cannot find any record that the other Ruffy brothers married and the only off spring I can locate of the two married brothers were the two children of Arthur & Caroline, of whom the eldest Frederick lived only 15 months (1853 to 1854). Their other son was Arthur Edwin Sawtell Ruffy, born in 1861.

Squatter hut, drawn by George Henry Haydon. Reproduced from The Good Country : Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson.

By the 1850s the Ruffy Brothers had moved on and had taken up leases on various runs around Seymour, Avenel, Longwood and Molesworth, and since the township of Ruffy is in the centre of these runs they presumably had the township of Ruffy named after them. Frederick Ruffy was at one time (from 1860-62) the licensee of the Royal Mail Hotel in Avenel. There are accounts of the Ruffy Brothers and other early squatters in the novel The Australian Emigrant : a rambling story containing as much fact as fiction by George Henry Haydon. Haydon spent New Years Day in 1845 with the Ruffy Brothers at Mayune, and sketched them and their hut - shown above. Haydon himself was an adventurer, who arrived in Melbourne in 1840 and returned to England in 1845. During this time he spent six months on French Island chopping mangroves and reducing them to ash for use in salt making, he also sold illustrations to the news papers. Collections of his illustrations are held at the National Library of Australia.

http://caseycardinialinkstoourpast.blogspot.com.au/2009/06/ruffy-brothers-of-cranbourne.html 4Jun2009

RUFFY.—On the 31st ult., at Miss Thomas's, 351 High-street, Prahran, Arthur W. Ruffy, late of Brighton, seventh son of the late W. J. Ruffy, of London, aged 76.

Source: 1893 'Family Notices', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 3 June, p. 1. , viewed 31 Dec 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8559764

The town of Ruffy is in the Strathbogies, south of Longwood and several early landowners appear to have had a familial relationship through their wives. See History of Ruffy; Wikipedia

Marraige Record: RUFFY, William James. Marriage: STEWART, Janet. 1867. 2984/1867

Strangely, the link is Stewart. Both families came from around Launceston in Tasmania. In 1842, Gideon Stewart married Georgina Stewart, and it was Georgina's sister, who married W J Ruffy in 1867. All marriages in this group involved early pastoralists in the area from Seymour to Benalla.

Dearth Record: RUFFY, William James. Death <Unknown Family Name>, Louisa Ann KINGHAM

<Unknown Family Name>, William Joseph SEYMOUR STEWART, Jessie

Date at Death: 82. Year: 1884. Record: 6155/1884

William Ruffy was 30 years older than Janet Stewart. I cannot explain the reference to "Jessie". William's father is also listed as William J Ruffy, Esq. of London in a couple of newspaper articles. Here is one:

ATKINS—RUFFY.—On the 10th inst., at the residence of T. W. Pinniger, Esq., Seymour, by the Rev. James Gilbertson, Edward Atkins, Esq., of Northcote, to Francisca Dorothea Ruffy, youngest daughter of Wm. J. Ruffy, Esq., of London.

Source: 1867 'Family Notices', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 15 August, p. 4. , viewed 01 Jan 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5775239

Source: Ron Meehan DEC2022

John Branscombe Crews

Our Parliamentary Representatives

J.B. Crew M.L.A. Member for South Bourke 1868 - 1877

At the time of the formation of the Shire of Bulleen, the district was represented in parliament by John Branscombe Crews. "King" Crews, as he was often called, had led a varied and active life as a businessman, councillor for Prahran, politician and leader in various public positions.

Crews was born at St. John's Newfoundland in 1815. As a boy, he went to England and became a printer for the Chartist Movement. His association with the forward thinking ideas of the Chartists, gave Crews the inspiration and broadminded approach that later led to his life of public service. In 1852, John Crews arrived in Melbourne and obtained work at the government printing office. Then began a varied life. After five years as a baker and confectioner, Crews set up as an auctioneer. In 1856, he was elected to the Prahran Council, where he served four terms and had the distinction of being the first Mayor of Prahran. Crews' work with the Land Convention led to his election as M.L.A. for St. Kilda in 1864. Four years later, he was elected for the seat of South Bourke as a supporter of Premier Sir James McCullock.

The Templestowe Shire Hall

The Templestowe Shire Hall stood at the corner of Parker and Ruffeys Streets. It was placed back from the road in the centre of a block of land that has now been made a reserve.

The Hall was built in 1872 as an office and meeting place for the Roads Board. The first meetings of the Roads Board were held in the Upper Yarra Hotel. Then the Board had to face the realities of lack of finance, so they economised by meeting in the home of the Secretary, John Turner.

Templestowe Shire Hall 1872

The Jenkins Homestead

The Jenkins Homestead 1875 (built by Richard Serpell)

The Jenkins homestead stands on a hill at the corner of Blackburn and Reynolds Roads. From these roads, only the slate roof can be seen, for the verandah with its cast-iron lace and walls of hand-made bricks are hidden by the surrounding fruit trees.

Jenkins Homestead 1875

Bulleen

(3105, 12 km NE, Manningham City)

Bulleen Google Maps May 2019

Bulleen is located opposite Heidelberg between the Yarra River and the Eastern Freeway. Frederic Unwin derived the name Bulleen from a Yarra billabong. Applied initially to his 1841 Special Survey, it was also the original name for the Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe. The district's proximity to Melbourne and its rural nature attracted John and Sunday Reed, whose farm Heide, established in 1934, was frequented by artists like Sidney Nolan and Joy Hester. The area remained rural until after World War II when housing began to replace dairy farms and orchards. Bulleen has Melbourne's third highest rate of home-ownership and has attracted many Italian-born residents, whose Veneto Club opened there in 1973.

Source: Mary Sheehan writing in http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00261b.htm . May 2019

Bulleen

1975 is an important-historical year for our Society. One hundred years ago the Shire of Bulleen, the origin of the City of Doncaster and Templestowe, was formed.

The Historical Society has planned a program of events for its part in celebrating the Centenary. On 22nd March, our Society will be hosts to the Eastern Region of Suburban Historical Societies for the annual Regional Meeting. The theme of the meeting will be "fruit growing".

In the afternoon a tour of the district will visit an orchard, and afternoon tea will be served at Schramm's Cottage. The evening will take the form of a dinner. Speakers will talk about some interesting an unusual aspects of fruit growing. In May an enlarged souvenir issue of the Newsletter will be published. In June, the Society will participate in a stage presentation of "100 Years of Music". As a climax to the Society's program, a "Pioneer Ball" is to be held on 28th June in the Athenaeum Hall, Doncaster Road. It is hoped that guests will wear period costume for the ball will be held on the lines of Balls of Olden Days. Members of pioneer families will be welcome and we intend to invite past Shire Presidents if they can be located.

Members are asked to let people know about the ball. Ideas for the evening are welcome and members are invited to help.

Source: 1975 02 DTHS Newsletter

The Shire of Bulleen

On 7th May 1875, the Victorian Government Gazette proclaimed the Templestowe Road District to be the Shire of Bulleen. Elections for the new Shire were held on 1st July. The returning officer, Joseph Thompson, after whom Thompsons Road is named, conducted elections at three polling booths: The Shire Hall at Templestowe, the Court House at Warrandyte and the most popular, the Doncaster Hotel.

Six councillors were to be elected from eight nominees. Edward Tatham topped the poll with 160 votes. Mathew Hoare received 150 votes; John Smedley 157. James Kent 101; John Delaney 97; and Robert Laidlaw 90. Joseph Smith with 77 votes and Robert Hunter with 70, were defeated.

The first meeting of the new council was held on 21st July at the Shire Hall in Parker Street, Templestowe. Edward Tatham was the first Shire President and Thomas O'Brien was appointed Shire Secretary.

Source: 1975 05 DTHS Newsletter

The City of Bulleen by any other name

The announcement of the new name for the City of Doncaster and Templestowe has caused some disappointment. Most people do not know that name Bulleen has great significance for our city. Our area was the Shire of Bulleen when the municipality was first formed in 1875.

Before that, in 1841, when the area was surveyed, it was named the Parish of Bulleen. Bulleen is the aboriginal name for the White Cockatoo that still lived in the area.

The problem with the name started when the Doncaster riding severed rom the Shire of Bulleen in 1890 forming a separate shire. The remainder of the old Shire then only covered part of Bulleen so it was renamed the Shire of Templestowe.

In 1914, Templestowe was told to join with Doncaster.

In the 1920s, the Templestowe people objected to being part of Doncaster and wanted their name included. They ignored the rest of the area such as Warrandyte, so we were stuck with the cumbersome name “the Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe” - then later, the City.

The suburb of Bulleen, once being part of Doncaster and part of Templestowe, was named in the 1950s when its Post Office was formed.

If people look at the title of their land they will see that they are in the Parish of Bulleen.

They have been living in Bulleen all the time.

Source: Irvine Green writing in 1994 12 DTHS Newsletter

Shire of Bulleen Statement of Receipts and Expenditure from the 17th of October, 1874

The Foundation of Democracy - Sir George Reidy Q.C.

I am honoured by the invitation of your Society that I should be your guest speaker this evening.
I thought I should like to have a few things to say on the foundations of our system of democracy. I shall endeavour to make reference to the life and work of several of the illustrious members of the Victorian Parliament.

Over the years, Britain established the convention that the Ministry responsible for the government of the country should have the support of the majority of the members constituting the lower house of the Parliament, I have described this as a convention, advisedly, because although it is a highly important principle in our constitution, it is not set down anywhere in any Act of Parliament in black and white, whether in Britain, in the Victorian Constitution or in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is one of the unwritten laws of our Constitution.
The strength and prestige of Parliament depends in a large measure on the character of the man who, for the time being, holds the office of the Speaker, who, as you know, is the presiding officer of the lower house.

We have had some very great men as Speakers of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, but I want to make particular reference to the man who held office as Speaker between the years 1880 and 1887. This was the famous Peter Lalor. Emphasis has naturally been placed on the more colourful side of Lalor's life, namely his leadership of the Eureka rebellion, but equally important is the contribution which Lalor made to the maintenance with dignity and impartiality of the office of Speaker.
To quote from Professor Ian Turner's recently published brochure on Peter Lalor, "he acquired an extensive knowledge of Parliamentary procedures during his term as Chairman of Committees and he took great pride in the office of Speaker." In Lalor's own words, "'The first duty of a Speaker is to be a tyrant. Remove him if you like but while he is in the chair obey him.î The Speaker is the embodiment of the corporate honour of the House. He is above party. He is the greatest representative of the people.

ìLalor became a great stickler for Parliamentary propriety, maintaining the strength, dignity and impartiality of the chair, and he was rewarded with general acclaim."
Lalor's contribution to the dignity and impartiality of the Speakership has been matched by those of other great men who have held this office. I believe that the outstanding figure in this group of men was George Higinbotham. Few people who pass by the stature of Higinbotham outside the Old Treasury building realise that it commemorates a man who, as Attorney General and later as Chief Justice, gave brilliant and dedicated service to his fellow men. He was a controversial figure. He was a man of great culture and charm but, at all times, was the champion of the underprivileged. He was a man ahead of his time and often espoused unpopular causes. In 1873, he was ridiculed by the press because he advocated votes for women.
To his mind, Victoria had become a self-governing colony and the Queen's representative was bound, in carrying out the functions of government, to follow the advice of the ministers who were members of the Victorian Parliament, and not that of ministers or bureaucrats ensconced in the British Colonial Office. Thus he developed one of the principles of responsible government that the ministry should be responsible only to the Parliament from which it originates and not to any outside body.
Sir Isaac Isaacs, early in his political career, was dramatically involved in an incident associated with the basic principles of responsible government. If a Minister differs from the rest of the cabinet on some important matter of principle, he must leave the Cabinet. He cannot stay in the Cabinet, and at the same time publicly criticise its decisions.

Isaacs, after a comparatively short time in Parliament, was appointed to the office of Solicitor General. A question arose whether several of the principals concerned in the conduct of a bank, including a former member of Parliament of high social standing, should be prosecuted for conspiracy. The Attorney General of theëCabinet who was a senior to Isaacs as a law officer of the Crown, decided not to prosecute. He was supported in his decision by the rest of the Cabinet, apart from Isaacs who voiced his opinion publicly. The upshot of the controversy was that Isaacs was asked by the Premier to resign from the Cabinet, which he did.

We are indeed fortunate that there was an abundance of men so well endowed intellectually and morally when the States and the commonwealth were attaining self-government.
Those who at present carry the burdens of Parliamentary life, whether in the State or Federal sphere, have inherited the task of maintaining and developing this cherished system of responsible government. It is meeting and will always meet certain challenges.

Excerpts from an address by the Hon. Sir George Reidy Q.C. at the Society's Annual Dinner, 28th November, 1974.

Orchardist Cool Store, Doncaster - Newspaper Articles

Doncaster Doings.
The state government has agreed to erect a cool store a Doncaster for the benefit of the local fruit industry. The "Age" says that the fruit growers have entered into the guarantees necessary to put the venture on a business basis. It will cost them much less to take advantage of the government cool store than for each grower to provide his own cool storage. Much fruit that is now wasted or dumped on an over-supplied market will be profitably stored. The banquet tendered recently to the Bent ministry at Doncaster has evidently had the desired effect. We congratulate the socialistic fruit growers of Doncaster on their success.
1904 'Doncaster Doings.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 30 September, p. 5. , viewed 11 Jul 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90310631

Victorian Notes. (From Our Melbourne Correspondent.)
With a view to meeting the requirements of the fruitgrowers of Doncaster (says the "Argus"), the Victorian Ministry is contemplating the erection of cool stores in the district. No risk will be entailed on the part of the State, the growers having agreed to guarantee the interest on the undertaking.

DP0216 | Eastern Golf Links c1930 | Photograph of the Club House of the Eastern Golf Club. The oldest section of the building was built for Sir Thomas Fitzgerald, the eminent surgeon of the Melbourne Hospital. The property was later purchased by William Stutt, the owner of the Doncaster Hotel. This photograph is a copy of one that appeared in a newspaper or magazine, and shows the new additions on the east side. Dr Fitzgerald named the property 'Tullamore', by which name it was known for many years after Fitzgerald ceased to be the owner. (Photograph mounted with caption) | Doncaster Doncaster|Eastern Golf Club|Tullamore|Fitzgerald, Thomas|Stutt, William|Doncaster Road|Doncaster Hotel|Scanned images |

Floods

1974 has been one of the wettest years recorded. The Yarra has risen frequently but, fortunately, without the disastrous floods that have been known in Bulleen and Templestowe.

There are records of repeated floods in the early 1840's and the early 1860's when the Warrandyte bridge and the bridge behind Finn's Hotel were washed away.

In 1954 another flood covered the flats at Templestowe and rose above the Heidelberg bridge.

1974 11 DTHS Newsletter

Doll's Eye Making

(From the Morning Chronicle's Special Correspondent.)

"I make all kinds of eyes," he said, "both dolls' and human eyes; the birds' eyes aro mostly manufactured in Birmingham. Of dolls' eyes there are two sorts - the common and the natural, as we call it. The common are simply small hollow glass spheres, made of white enamel, and coloured either black or blue (only two colours are made). The bettermost dolls' eyes, or natural ones, are made in a superior manner, but after a similar fashion to the others. You see this blue one : it has the iris correctly represented. I have been in the trade upwards of forty years and my father followed it for sixty years before me. The price of the common black and blue dolls' eyes is 5s. for twelve dozen pairs of the small ones, and about 6s. for the same quantity of the large ones. We make very few of the bettermost kind, or natural ones. The price for those is about 4d. a pair, but they are only for the very best dolls. A man may make about twelve dozen pairs of the commoner, and about two or three dozen pairs of the better kind, in the course of the day. Average it throughout the year, a journeyman dolls'-eye maker earns about 30s. a week. There are very few journeymen in the trade. We employ only two men, and the other party in the trade has, I believe, six workpeople, three of whom are females.

A Victorian Childhood

In the early part of the nineteenth century, shades of the earlier aristocratic power remained. During the previous century a very large gap between the privileged rich and the people existed. Consequently, the very few toys from that period which remain, belonged to the children of the very rich. In this age, the attitude of people to their children was very different from our own. Children were expected to become adults very quickly. Life spans were very short, and children, particularly those of the rich, who survived infancy, often married young to provide heirs for the great aristocratic houses. Famous oil paintings, done at this time, show children exquisitely dressed as replicas of adults, nursing dolls similarly adorned as stiff formal ladies. As the century progressed the growing Industrial Revolution produced a vigorous middle class with changing values toward many things, including their children. The strict conformity and severity relaxed and people began to believe that children should enjoy a measure of childhood.

Girl with a bisque doll, c1895. Doll is probably Simon & Halbig for Heinrich Handwerck (sundayvisit)

Warrandyte Lilac Ball

The Warrandyte Auxiliary for the Women's Hospital, Melbourne, was formed in 1930. In October of 1933, they held their first lilac time ball. It was one of the social events of the year and was held at the Warrandyte Mechanics' Institute Hall with people from miles around the district coming in all manner of transport. The price was 7/6d. a double, with prizes donated by members of the committee for all types of competition dances, one being the “bob” dance. Milne's band from North Ringwood was the band for many years.

The gardens of Warrandyte would be robbed of their lilac so that the hall could be decorated. The women would, of course, have a new frock each and the men always wore ties and kept their coats on no matter how hot they became doing all the old time dancing. The night would not be complete without the first set Alberts and always finishing with the Royal Irish. (These were a form of square dance with an M. C. calling the figures.) In addition, waltzes, a marathon progressive barn dance, gipsy tap, you name it, we danced the lot at the lilac time ball. Supper was served halfway through the evening - not like we have it today, cabaret and buffet style, etc. Our custom was that everybody who could, moved to a seat around the hall and then cups and plates would be handed around, then the plates of sandwiches and home-made cakes and sponges were served by the local girls and ladies. By this time the coffee would be ready, having been prepared in a kerosene tin on the open fire in the kitchen. The men would carry this around to the people in jugs, with somebody following behind with the sugar and I can still remember that beautiful coffee. After that huge supper, everybody found enough energy to finish off with the Royal Irish.

In the 1940’s Mrs. Reynold trained local girls and boys for a debutante set which was an added attraction. The debutante set and their partners were presented to many important people in the years following, one being Dame Patti Menzies. My own mother, Mrs. G. M. Robertson, was presented with a service medal from the Women's Hospital Board of Management.

These are my own recollections of the Lilac Time Ball. Many of the details were destroyed in the 1939 bushfires when the then secretary's, Mrs. Craker’s home was destroyed. The money raised from the balls went to the endowing of cots and beds in the names of Mrs. W. Hussey, Mrs. M. Houston, and Mrs. V. Hawkes.

For many years after my marriage in 1937, I always attended the Lilac Time Ball. My son Craig partnered his cousin Laurie Smith of Warrandyte at a ball in the late 1950's. Like a lot of functions, with the advent of television, the Lilac Time Balls finished but I'm sure the memories to a lot of people will always live on. The work still continues for the hospital. Many of the people on the committee are foundation members. The reigning president, Mrs. B. Leake, has been in office for the last twenty years.

Mavis Chivers writing in 1974 08 DTHS Newsletter

Warrandyte Mechanics Institute Hall

In its next phase, the hall was still used regularly for dances, deb balls, Lilac Time Balls, New Year’s Eve dances, meetings, weddings and also as a cinema up to 3 times per week until the advent of the drive-in in the 50s. During the war, it was used for fund raising events for patriotic purposes and it also served as a Bush Fire Relief Centre during the Black Friday fires of 1939 and again in 1962. It was shortly after this that the timber building at the rear of the Hall was built as a Group Headquarters and radio room for the Warrandyte Fire Brigade. This same building became the Pottery Studio when the New Fire Station was built in Warrandyte in 1881.

Extract from: The Warrandyte Mechanics Institute Hall

Lilac Ball Time

The Warrandyte Hall was decorated attractively on Saturday for the lilac tune ball, organised to raise funds for the Warrandyte bed in the Women's Hospital, Melbourne. White and mauve lilac transformed the' hall into a spring pageant, with the windows framed In green and with mauve butterflies flutter-ing over the blossoms, The stage was arranged to represent an old-world garden.

Visitors carne from Melbourne and the surrounding district. The large gather-ing included the president of the Don-caster and Mulgrave Shire (Mr. H. G. Adams) and Mrs. Adams,- the president of the Warrandyte auxiliary for the Women's Hospital (Miss E. Till), the honorary' secretary (Mrs. M. Jones), the honorary treasurer (Mrs. G. Cracker), and members of the committee, shire councillors, and others interested - in the auxiliary's work.

1937 'LILAC TIME BALL', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 11 October, p. 6. , viewed 14 Jul 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11114220

The Blackstone Engine - Mullum Creek

The Nunawading Historical Society Newsletter for June refers to a mysterious piece of machinery on the north bank of Mullum Creek. The engine was built in Stamford, England. Its horsepower was 10 h.p. with one piston which was 6 1/2 inches across and the piston pad was 3 feet long. With two flywheels 3 feet across, it ran on power kerosene and was started by a blow-lamp, the flame being directed on to a hot bowl. To start it, you would draw a charge in by holding a valve open then close the valve, stand on the spokes of the flywheel, throw the piston back on the compression and it would start immediately. The large oil gauge on top of the piston with a quart of oil would allow the engine to run all day without any attention. It was water cooled. One very interesting item was the fuel tank built in the block of the engine and held eight gallons.

It was installed on the bank of the Mullum Creek in the year 1936 for the purpose of pumping water on to the Petty orchard. To install it, we used the flywheels as wheels by disconnecting the piston rod of the crankshaft and placing large planks under the fly wheels, thus allowing it to roll along by winching. The engine pumped water from the year 1936 until 1962 when it had rather a sad ending. It was in the great bushfire of January, 1962. It was very economical and never had one cost of repair.

C. Petty writing in 1974 08 DTHS Newsletter

Orchardists Cool Store, Doncaster

In the years between the wars, the area from Templestowe through Doncaster to Wantirna was notable for large cool stores. The biggest of them all was the orchardist's cool stores in East Doncaster. In fact, for many years, it was the largest cool store in southern hemisphere. In January this year the orchardist cooperative cool stores closed down.

Templestowe Primary School 1395

Location: Cr. Anderson & Parker Streets,

Templestowe

The Templestowe Primary School originated from two Common Schools situated one on either side of the Templestowe District. With the passing of the Education Act in 1873, the newly formed Education Department decided to close these two schools and establish a State School in the township. On 1st May, 1874, the little brick building, with its steep gabled roof, was opened.

Yarra River

The Yarra River forms the boundary of the City to the north. At its western end are the Yarra Valley Metropolitan Park and two municipal reserves, which occupy former farmland.

Vegetation varies from site to site but includes remnant indigenous trees, mature exotic trees from farm plantings, and recent park plantings of indigenous species or exotic decorative species.

The parks have car access and are designed mainly for family, passive recreation with bike paths, picnic areas, barbeques and children's play equipment.

At the eastern reach of the river is Warrandyte State Park which extends upstream well beyond the municipal boundary. Nonetheless, there are large tracts of parkland within the municipality both along the river edge and inland.

Individual park sites vary in facilities provided but share regional and local significance for their scenic, biological and cultural values which include remnant bushland, native animals and birds, access for water sports and former gold mining sites.

Excerpt from: City of Doncaster and Templestowe Heritage Study 1991 Richard Peterson p. 21
http://www.manningham.vic.gov.au/file/26126/download

The Yarra Valley

A combined meeting of our Society and the Doncaster and Templestowe Conservation Society was held at Templestowe in March. The subject for the evening was the Yarra Valley.

The early history of the valley was told by the Secretary who read a description of Bulleen and Templestowe in 1841. Templestowe was described as wooded hills and well grassed river flats. The flats and bends of the Yarra were composed of a deep black fertile loam, eminently suited for orchards, cereals, and root crops.

In the area where Thompsons Road now meets Bulleen Road was a river flat heavily timbered with gum and honeysuckle and deep reed-fringed lagoons. The only denizens of that period were a pair of sawyers, thither attracted by the unusual size and straightness of the timber which grew in the flats and bends of the winding Yarra. Owing to the prevalence and sinuous shape of the lagoons, coupled with the dense nature of the thickets, it was no easy matter for a stranger to find his way through the maze.

The deepest lagoon, later called the Bulleen Lake, was fringed with a wide border of reeds, growing in deep water. It had in the centre a clear lakelet or ìmereî, upon the waters of which disported the black duck, the wood duck, the magpie goose, the mountain duck, the greater and lesser diver, while among the reeds waded or flew the heron, the sultana hen, a red-billed variety of the coot, the bittern, the land rail, and in season an occasional snipe.

Mr. Chris Bailey speaking for the Conservation Society said that when riding a bicycle along Bulleen Road in 1908, he came upon a big lake. He was amazed by the number of birds, including the black swan. He said the aborigines called the Yarra area "Birra Arun", which roughly translated means "river flowing through land of mist and leafiness". Mr. Bailey told a story about a vineyard in Munich when the people were asked how they could afford to have a vineyard in the heart of the valuable land, they said that they could not afford to not have a vineyard in that area. Like the people of Munich, the people of Doncaster-Templestowe cannot afford to not conserve the Yarra Valley.

1974 05 DTHS Newsletter

A Trip to Victoria Market while Melbourne Sleeps - Clive Petty

This year a series of talks by members has been arranged. The first of these given by Mr. Clive Petty at the April meeting was a great success.

The subject "A Trip to Victoria Market while Melbourne Sleeps", was about the days of horse and cart when orchardists left home at the time when everyone else was going to bed or already asleep to make the long trip to market. Mr. Petty was only sixteen when he first started taking fruit to market. He had to face the long drive through the night in all weather to be ready at 4 a.m. to start bargaining with fruiterers from shops around Melbourne.

During the winter when nights were freezing cold the drivers would often get down from the wagons and walk up hills to keep warm. Back on the cart, they could always put their feet in the horseís feed bag where the chaff would keep them warm. The horse knew the way and soon the driver would doze off to sleep. Mr. Petty said that one night he woke up to find that he was heading back for home. Some wag had turned his horse around while he was asleep.

The growers rented stalls in the open sheds of the market. Here their carts were backed in and fruit sellers cam to buy cases of fruit. The orchardists had to have their wit about them. There was always someone ready to take them down with such tricks as counting out a wad of notes with one note folded over to count as two. On the trip home during the day when the sun was hot the location of horse troughs was most important. Some of these troughs still remain around the outer areas of Melbourne. The return trip was also an opportunity to bring home a load of manure.

Mr. Petty had taken a lot of trouble to prepare his talk and the exhibits dramatically produced were really interesting.

1974 05 DTHS Newsletter

Probably Clive Petty:
Clive George Whitten Petty 1907–1993
http://www.norburys.info/individual.php?pid=I71&ged=norburys

The Place of Folklore in History

The word "folklore" was first used in 1846 by W. J. Thomas, an anthropologist who needed a word to cover the traditions, customs and superstitions of the uncultured classes in civilised nations. Scientists have made a serious study of folklore, but among historians there is considerable divergence of attitude.

Although history is the study of "What Happened", it is not sufficient for an historian to merely discover and record events. Every event has a cause and events themselves effect the future. For an historical study to be complete, cause and effect must be discovered and understood. In this process of discovery, the historian will frequently find information that is purely folklore, and, as with all other information, he must know how to use it.

Templestowe Cemetery Memorial Gardens and Chapel

A History of the Templestowe Cemetery Trust
Templestowe Cemetery, Memorial Gardens and Chapel is separate from the City Council, although, from time to time, Councillors have been Members of the Trust concurrently with their council position, It is managed by an autonomous board of trustees reporting to the Victorian Department of Human Services, Cemeteries and Crematoria Section. The responsible State Government Minister is the Minister for Health.

Templestowe Cemetery View of Valley. Photo: FindaGrave

John Smedley

John Smedley came to Australia in 1855 and set up a smithy in Richmond. Smedley said that on the voyage out he was afraid the ship would break up - it creaked and groaned so much up. The ship left to return to England and was not heard of again.

In 1859 he came to Doncaster and purchased the land, that is now the Doncaster Park primary school. Here he opened a smithy and farm. His son William became a Wheelwright setting up shop further up the hill in Doncaster road.

His home was well back from the road and the forge alongside the Doncaster Road gate. On the forge door was his symbol, a small horse shoe upside down inside a larger one. Smedley said that in those early years most of the settlers lived in huts near water. The roads became very muddy in the wet weather. Sometimes the horses sank up to their flanks in mud and the mud took all the hairs off their legs!

John & Bethia Smedley's head stone at Templestowe Cemetery.
- Grave Location

Susanne Armstrong https://www.facebook.com/MissAnthropi Jul2017

JOHN SMEDLEY Jnr. was a blacksmith. His forge was in Doncaster Road on the site of Doncaster Park School. He came to Australia with his parents and four brothers in 1855. After first setting up a forge in Richmond, they came to Doncaster in 1859. The family has always been well known in the district. The youngest brother, William, was a wheelwright and Frank was an orchardist in Blackburn Road. John Smedley was elected Shire President in 1877 and again in 1880 and 1883. He left the council in 1888.

1975 05 DTHS Newsletter

Pages

The McAuley Cottage 2 Russell Road, Warrandyte.

Russell’s Cottage, Warrandyte

8 Russell Road, Warrandyte - Heritage Listing

8 Russell Road, Warrandyte - Sale: Oct 2015

8 Russell Road, Warrandyte - Heritage Study

Former Springbank

Chapter 2 - A Settler

Why "Doncaster" ???

Edward Tatham

Edward Tatham - Our First Shire President

Our Parliamentary Representatives - Charles Pasley M.L.A.

Ruffy Brothers of Cranbourne

J.B. Crew M.L.A. Member for South Bourke 1868 - 1877

The Templestowe Shire Hall

Bulleen

Bulleen

The Shire of Bulleen

The City of Bulleen by any other name

Warrandyte Mechanics Institute Hall

Lilac Ball Time

Yarra River

The Yarra Valley

Templestowe Cemetery Memorial Gardens and Chapel