Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society: Remembering Pioneers

Pioneer Memorial at Schramm's Cottage

On the 26th January, the Pioneer Memorial, in the form of a pergola, was unveiled at Schramm's Cottage by the Mayoress of Doncaster - Templestowe, Mrs. Irene Jones. In a simple ceremony, she unveiled the memorial and symbolically planted a rose to grow over the stone pillars of the pergola.
Irene Jones is the daughter of Mr & Mrs. Cyril Bloom of King Street. The Blooms and other families she is descended from - Beale and Hewish - were among the first pioneers to arrive in the district.
As mayoress, Irene Jones is the first lady of the City and her connections with early families made her a most suitable person to perform the unveiling.
Also fitting was the fact that the builder of the memorial, Peter Verso, well-known mud brick builder, is also a descendant of the pioneer orchardist family from Hurstbridge.
The stone work has been carried out in the same character as Schramm's Cottage.

Source: 1985 03 DTHS Newsletter

Pioneer Memorial - Schramm's Cottage Museum Complex

Pioneer Memorial, Schramm's Cottage Mar2018

The arch commemorates the pioneer settlers of Doncaster and Templestowe was unveiled as part of Victoria's 150th Anniversary celebrations in 1985.

Location: Address: Victoria Street, Schramm`s Cottage, Rieschieks Reserve, Doncaster, 3108

GPS Coordinates: Lat: -37.77862 Long: 145.146373

(More Accurately: -37.778300399323996, 145.1457081748797

Monument Type: Structure

Monument Theme: Landscape

Sub-Theme: Settlement

Actual Monument Dedication Date: Saturday 26th January, 1985

Front Inscription: Pioneer Memorial. Perpetuating the memory of the pioneer settlers of the City of Doncaster & Templestowe. Unveiled as part of Victoria`s 150th Anniversary celebrations. 26th January 1985

Source: http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/landscape/settlement/display/31053-pioneer-memorial

Pioneers Day

The City of Manningham In conjunction with the Historical Society and the Rotary Club of Doncaster arranged a Pioneers Day at Schramm's Cottage at the beginning of March. On the day the lawns of Schramm's Cottage were alive with people standing around in groups or sitting in shady spots all renewing friendships or reminiscing of the past.

Commissioner Hector Davis, who had thought of the day, welcomed the guests then introduced Eric Collyer to talk about the heritage of the district:

"Today is an appropriate occasion for us to look back in time and remember the great contribution made by our forbears, to the early development of this municipality. In a very real sense they blazed the trail and laid the foundation of what was destined to become the leading fruit-growing area in Victoria for many years - not just the largest but the most progressive.

Many of the ''first liners' came to the area in the 1850s with little or no background in fruit growing. Their beginnings were small, and for them it was very much a trial and error approach without any great financial reward. Neither did they understand that local factors such as soil structure and climate were quite different from what they were accustomed to in their native homeland in Europe.

But their faith was the driving force in their life and sustained them through those early years of hardship. Worship was a vital part of their family and community life. It is often said that churches and schools form the backbone of a community. It is not surprising then, that churches were the first public buildings to be erected in the district.

Next in importance to worship was the provision of education for the children and so schools were also established as soon as possible. These operated on a private basis until such time as state education was introduced in the 1870s. In fact, Max Schramm conducted a denominational school on this very site as early as 1860.

A great spirit of fraternity permeated the district in the orchard days. People knew each other and shared a common purpose in life. One of the great strengths of this district was the way in which people supported one another when help was needed. If a dam was to be excavated on someone's orchard, for example, neighbours and friends would arrive with their horses and scoops to lend a hand. There was always a feeling of respect for others, and this was epitomised in the close ties that developed between the English and German communities.

Friendships were forged, and in time, families came to be linked through the inter-marriage of children Even later, in war time, ill feelings were put aside in the interest of harmony and community respect.

Fruit growing was very much a family tradition, handed down from father to son. When sons married and wanted to establish their own orchards, they had to move further afield, to more outlying localities such as Blackburn, Mitcham, East Burwood, Vermont, Wantirna and Scoresby

Many significant innovations in fruit growing had their origin in this district, and these had important ramifications for the fruit growing industry in general. The 'second liners' were men of foresight and vision and in some instances had the benefit of professional training which was then available at leading nurseries. Their knowledge and advice was frequently sought by fellow orchardists and was always freely shared. The concept of storing water in dams to provide much needed irrigation in the hot and dry summer months, was pioneered in this locality and became a widely established practice. It has been said that this helped influence the development of the great fruit growing districts of northern Victoria in later years.

Some notable inventions in orchard equipment also had their origin in this district., and ultimately were used in other fruit growing areas. The Bave U orchard sprayer, designed especially for local conditions and manufactured by Russell & Co. of Box Hill, was the first successful motorised spray pump built in Australia. The Petty plough, originally designed by members of the Petty family and manufactured by Daniel Harvey of Box Hill, became a household word among orchardists. The development of cold storage, in which Doncaster fruit growers played a prominent part, revolutionised the marketing of fruit and opened the way for the lucrative export trade of fresh fruit to Europe and Asia over many years. The establishment of local and central fruit growers associations also did much to promote the industry, and local orchardists provided leadership in this direction. Through this forum, for instance, such activities as fruit pruning demonstrations were organised and these became very popular.

I would also like to say a few words today about the ladies of the district who played a vital role in establishing the community. They were renowned for their hospitality and friendship and provided strong support for their menfolk. In the early years of fruit growing, it was the accepted practice to provide a hot meal for the orchard hands each day, as well as morning tea and so there was always the endless round of cooking and baking to be done and deadlines to be met. In spite of this, time would always be found in the busy harvest season, to help with the picking and packing of the fruit for market when it was very much a case of "all hands on deck".

Doncaster was also renowned for its lovely flower gardens and these were generally tended by the womenfolk - the men were too busy-in their fruit 'gardens' as orchards were known. Who will ever forget the beautiful garden of Mrs. Winnie Zerbe in Williamson Road? Flowers from the local gardens always decorated the churches on Sundays and for weddings, and a special effort was made for events in the local hall.

Many of you will also recall the great fruit and flower shows held in the Box Hill Town Hall for many years, and in fact, still held there today. Doncaster exhibitors always featured prominently amongst the prize winners for fruit exhibits and floral arrangements.

I would like to make special mention of Nell Noonan, who is with us today.. When Nell's husband died, many, many years ago and left her with a young family, she personally took over the remaining orchard, doing all but the heaviest work herself; and that epitomises so well the tenacious and practical qualities of the ladies of the district We salute you on this occasion, Nell!

We, today, have lived though a time of great change, just as previous generations saw change, but that same community spirit is still very-much alive today, perhaps in different directions, and that is what makes this municipality such a progressive and successful one. May it go from strength to. strength in the years to come."

Hector Davis then introduced Rebecca Rowe, a young member of the community, to say what the City means to young people now. Rebecca asked, could the pioneers, who with diligence and determination faced the hostile faced the hostile bush surrounding, have been able to visualise the prosperous, multicultural, community of the present City of Manningham.

Recently she visited Europe and was awed by. the magnificent old buildings and reminders of the past. She said we do not have these large buildings to remind us of our past She then read a poem by Frank Hutchinson; "We are the old world people.”

The visitors enjoyed the afternoon tea provided by the C.W.A. The day was a great success and one man was heard to say; "It is a pleasure for us to meet when it is not at a funeral."

Source: 1997 06 DTHS Newsletter

Pioneers Ball

The highlight of the Historical Society's Centenary Program was the Pioneer Ball. Over 500 people attended the ball, many elegantly dressed in costume. Extra space in the hall was gained by using the reception room for seating and serving punch and soft drinks. The Alberts, called by Beattie Beavis, was one of the main features of the evening, and the old time dances proved popular.

The motif used for the ball programs and the centre of the decorations was a cameo of Mary-Anne Newman, the daughter of our first pioneer, Major Newman. Mary-Anne was born in Templestowe in 1842.

The ball committee who organised and ran the ball consisted of a Chairman - Ivan Peter-Budge, Secretary - Muriel Green, Nell Elliott, Watty Tully, Peg Tully, Jean Blomfield, Harold Plumb, Mary Bullock, Evelyn Wagner, Len Hobbs, Irvine Green & Keitha Peter-Budge.

Source: 1975 08 DTHS Newsletter

The Ball

"Please take your partners for the Valetta waltz" cried the Master of Ceremonies at the Early Settlers' Ball. In response to this invitation, a crowd of elegantly dressed people in period costume, gracefully swept around the floor on June 1st at the Athenaeum Hall. This was the occasion of the old time ball to commemorate the arrival of John Batmen at Port Phillip Bay, and more particularly, the efforts of the pioneer settlers in early Doncaster.
"Do you remember the balls of the past ?"
"Isn't tonight just like the balls we used to have ?"
Throughout the evening, snippets of conversation like these were overheard, as past neighbours and friends, reunited for this gala occasion chatted over the past, reminisced over the days when Doncaster was mostly a sea of blossom in spring, and in autumn, a spectacular display of red and green apples.
To symbolise this scene, the ball committee led by that indefatigable organizer, Laurie Reilly, had spent the afternoon of the ball in blowing up hundreds of red and green balloons to form an apple tree as a focal point on the dance floor. Other reminders of our past adorning the walls were large charcoal drawings of land-marks in the district, as well as of Batman's arrival in Melbourne. Another memorable feature of the decor was the centrepiece of the stage - a facade of a slab hut, typical of the dwellings of the past, in a setting of lovely green plants.
To heighten the enjoyment of the evening, there were a number of attractions, adding to the old world atmosphere. Delightful individual programs, autographed by the Mayor, Councillor Jones, were read by the guests, in the intervals between dances. These contained articles on various aspects of local history, and will be treasured by many, as a memento of a wonderful evening.
A lucky guest was thrilled to be the winner of the lucky envelope prize - a beautiful painting by a local artist. The atmosphere became gayer as the evening progressed - the band played continuous old-time melodies and guests chatted at their tables decorated with colourful balloons, nibbling tasty morsels and drinking fine wines and fruit punch.
All at once it was supper time, held in two sittings in the old style. Guests sat down to a delightful nostalgic feast of all the old favourites - including cream puffs - complete with coffee and a glass of port. Then as people wandered back into the ballroom, the evening continued with a display of colonial dancing, by a troupe of dancers, thoroughly enjoyed by all.
A parade of costumes followed, with all those who had worn period clothes taking part, and a fine sight they were, with the jewel tones and pastels of the ladies blending with the more sombre hues of the cut-away coats and striped trousers of the gentlemen.
As the evening drew to a close, the last strains of the music faded, guests took their leave, farewelling each other, with the hope that in the not too distant future, further balls will be held, to continue the tradition of friendship, long a feature of the Doncaster scene.

Source: 1985 09 DTHS Newsletter

Five Fingers

The assumption has been made that these were formal portraits taken on a particular occasion for each. A 21st birthday perhaps? It would be really interesting to know more background to the portraits.

Henriette Finger, one of the five daughters of Henry Finger, was born in 1862 or 3. In 1883 she married August Rieschieck. She died in 1932. DTHS Archive DP0652.

The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 27 June 1932. Deaths. RIESCHIECK. - On the 25th June, at her residence, Main road, Doncaster (suddenly), Henrietta, the beloved wife of August, and loving mother of Annie (Mrs. A. Thiele), Emma (Mrs. A. Fankhauser), William, Walter (deceased), Herbert, Margaret, Victor, Dorothy (Mrs. E. Aumann), Hedwig, aged 70 years.

Martha Finger, one of the five daughters of Henry Finger, was born in 1864. In 1886 she married George Fankhauser, and died in 1920. DTHS Archive dp0649

Anna Finger, one of the five daughters of Henry Finger, was born in 1857. In 1879 she married Gottfried Baum. DP0650

Emma Finger, one of the five daughters of Henry Finger, was born in 1857. In 1880 she married Henry Thiele, and they lived in Doncaster Road, Doncaster. DTHS Archive dp0651

Emma

Emma looked at the little girl across the counter drinking raspberry vinegar. 'You will not always look so nice and clean', she said. Lillian, in her new dress with her hair freshly brushed and plaited into pigtails thought stubbornly 'Oh yes I will'. It was a warm morning and Lillian was going to ,school for the first time. As encouragement her mother teak her into Henry Thieleës Store for a soft drink. Lillian was a neat and clean girl. She had the satisfaction of often in later years hearing Emma say, in her thick german accent, 'Your mother keeps you very nice'.

Lillian Robinson is now one of our members, Mrs Sergeant.

Emma was the second daughter of Henry Finger and grew up in Waldau. Their home was in German Lane (now George Street). She lived a strict life in the discipline of a Garman household. One hundred years ago, at the age of twenty three, she married Henry Thiele.

Henry Thiele was the only survivor of the ten children of Gottfried and Anna Thiele. Emma went to live in the Thiele's general store in Doncaster Road. A few years later Anna and later Gottfried died. Emma ran the store and soon became well known and respected in the district.

She was very strict and stood no nonsense with school children. Those who wanted to play up soon became afraid of her, but young children found her generous with sweets. Every new boy and girl was given a gift of lollies wrapped in a twisted paper cone.

Henry Thiele's Store was on the site of the shops below the present council offices. It was demolished during the 1960's.

Source: 1980 11 DTHS Newsletter

Christine Finger was one of five daughters of Henry Finger, and was born in 1859. She married Frederick Winter in 1881, and they lived in High Street, Doncaster. DP0648

Annie Goodson (nee Serpell)

Mrs William Goodson (nee Annie Serpell) was born in 1876, married in 1906, and died in 1966. She lived in a house named Mount Edgecombe in Doncaster Road on part of the site of Doncaster Shoppingtown. Her husband was headmaster of Doncaster Primary School No. 197. They had no children. Some of the furniture in Schramm's Cottage came from her estate.
DTHS Archive dp0666

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Remembering Pioneers