Williamson's Dairy Farm
This section of the park bordered by Church Road, King Street, the Boulevarde and the row of Monterey Pines used to form part of the Williamson family's "Springfield" dairy farm.Robert Williamson arrived in Victoria from Scotland in 1854 with his new, young wife Elizabeth. in 1855, he took charge of the Carlton Estate its the Parish of Bulleen and acted as Bailiff of it for 15 years.
In 1858, when the estate was subdivided, he bought 250 acres of it, including 100 acres in Middle Road (now Williamsons Road) for 746 pounds, where he established 'Springfield' farm and raised his 12 children.
In 1863, Robert Williamson was elected a Bulleen Shire Councillor and later became a Justice of the Peace.
The Williamson family continued dairying operations until 1969 with a mixed dairy herd of jerseys, guernseys, shorthorns and fresians, supplying milk to dairies in Doncaster, Box Hill, Mitcham, Balwyn and East Kew and cream to butter factories in East Melbourne and Fitzroy. Hand milking continued until 1939 when a Boltie-Simplex milking machine was introduced. Crops grown on the farm included oats, field peas, millet, maize and hay, which were all used as fodder for the dairy cattle and horses.
Ruffey Lake Park Heritage Trail (Doncaster) - https://www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/ruffey-lake-park-heritage-trail-doncaster
In May 1965, Hooker Town Developments Pty. Ltd. of 327 Collins Street, Melbourne purchased 20 hectares of land on the north-west comer of Williamsons and Manningham Roads (1) from Alan David Williamson, a descendent of the Doncaster pioneer Robert Williamson, who settled in the district in the 1890s with his brother David. Hooker began subdividing immediately and by 1966 had built part of Olympus Drive. A later subdivision to the north completed the subdivision.
Manningham Heritage Study Review 2005 - Manningham Council (Vol 2 Citations Final 16 feb)
https://www.manningham.vic.gov.au/file/34386/download
Robert Williamson's "Springfield" Orchard Farm on Williamstown road, Doncaster.
These photos were taken and donated in 2019 to DTHS by George Coop who used to be a staff member of the original Templestowe High School on Williamsons Road (c 1970/80).Vantage points for these photos included the heights around Nambour Drv. and St. Georges Ave. Others came from the side of adjacent Williamson’s Rd.
Williamson's "Springfield Farm 1968 DP0040
Elizabeth Williamson (nee Caldwell), wife of Robert Williamson, an early landowner in Templestowe and after whom Williamsons Road is named. Elizabeth was born in 1835, married Robert Williamson (on 3rd Oct 1854 in Straiton, Ayr, Scotland - Source Lynton Clay) and died at Springfield Farm, Williamsons Road Templestowe in 1909. DP0885
Robert Williamson, an early landowner in Templestowe, whose property Springfield Farm in Williamsons Road, was owned by the Williamson family for over 110 years until sold in 1969. Robert was born in 1823 and died in 1894. He was a member of the Templestowe Roads Board and its successor the Council of the Shire of Bulleen. DP0886
Elizabeth Williamson c1900 widow of Robert Williamson of Springfield Farm, Templestowe, with four of her children (Jessie, Jim, Tom and Jennie) and five unidentified grandchildren.
DP0888
Springfield Farm was situated on the east side of Williamsons Road, and King Street now passes through it.
Robert James Williamson was born on 12 November 1918, and died on 12 November 2010
Templestowe Williamson, Tom|Williamson, Maud|Williamson, Robert James [Bobby]|Williamson, Verna|Springfield Farm|Williamsons Road|King Street
DP0887
Thomas Caldwell Williamson died on 6 November 1946
Templestowe Springfield Farm|Williamson, Thomas Caldwell|Scanned images |
DP0889
Templestowe Springfield Farm|Williamson, Robert James (Bobby)|Williamsons Road
DP0890
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