Doncaster Tower and the Tower Hotel. The Wenke's hotel was built in 1895 to replace the original hotel building that was destroyed by fire. A car is parked in front of the hotel. The 285 feet high tower was built in 1879 and demolished in 1914. DTHS DP0170
Much of the information recorded in these pages has been obtained from records and documents held by the Historical Society and Newsletter of the Society. The contributions of Ken Smith, Irvine Green and Mary Plumb in the publication of the previous edition (1994) on which this history is substantially based is acknowledged.
Eric Collyer
Places of Historic Interest in Doncaster
Places of Historic Interest in Doncaster
1. Glenfern
2. Morning Star Hotel
3. Eastern Golf Links
4. West Doncaster Cool Store
5. Toll House
6. Tram Shelter
7. Lawford’s Cool Store
8. Serpell’s (White’s Corner Store)
9. Site of Tower
10. Old Shire Hall
11. Schramm’s Cottage
12. Church of Christ
13. Doncaster Post Office
14. Holy Trinity Church of England
15. The Doncaster Athenaeum Hall
16. Government Cool Store
17. Doncaster Arms Hotel
18. Bismark Street
19. Trinity Lutheran Church
20. Waldau Church – Schramm’s Cottage
21. Waldau Lane
22. Wilhelm Street
23. Doncaster Recreation Reserve
24. East Doncaster School
25. Primitive Methodist Church
26. East Doncaster Hall
Embed in map image. Link to DTHS Google My Maps as a layer.
Chapter 1. Introduction
Doncaster today is an attractive residential suburb, with extensive shopping centres and community facilities. But for more than a century, it was widely known as one of Australia’s leading and most picturesque fruit growing districts. Many early innovations in fruit growing were pioneered and further refined by the orchardists of Doncaster and Templestowe, and this helped to shape the growth of the whole fruit growing industry in Victoria.
Doncaster township looking east c1900, taken from the Doncaster Tower. Shire Hall, school, ES&A Bank, and houses in the distance. In the grounds of the Shire Hall is a heap of left-over bricks, a privy, water hole, shed, and a picket fence along Council street The large tree in the school ground has been topped DP0005
DP0005 Simulation GoogleMaps 2018
The Beginnings
In 1837 Robert Hoddle a Government surveyor, surveyed the area between the Yarra River and Koonung Creek, and named it the Parish of Bulleen. The name Bulleen (or 'Bolin’) was the word used by the aborigines to designate a large billabong, a vestige of which still remains near the Veneto Club in Bulleen Road. There are many other small lagoons near by, and the area was a regular sojourn of the Wurundjeri tribe, whose territory encompassed much of the Yarra Valley. Here fish, eels and wild fowl were plentiful.No land in the parish of Bulleen was sold by the Government until March 1841, when Frederick Wright Unwin, a Sydney solicitor, purchased a 'Special Survey’ of 5120 acres (eight square miles) for the price of £1 per acre.
In 1843, a dispute concerning the distance from Melbourne of the Survey was resolved to Unwin’s satisfaction, and a new Crown Grant issued in the name of James Atkinson, to whom he had disposed of his interest in the meantime.
The new Survey took in all the land between the Yarra River and the Koonung Creek west of what is now Church Road; Foote Street also marked the northern boundary along that part of the Survey extending east of Thompsons Road.
Like Unwin, James Atkinson was an absentee owner, living at the time of his purchase at Parramatta near Sydney, and was an attorney.
Unwin’s Special Survey, as it is still shown on Government charts, was subdivided into farms having water frontages to either the Yarra or Koonung Creek. These were leased, with the tenants undertaking to clear their farms and to enclose them with post and rail fences. The sizes of most of the farms were between 100 and 200 acres, and were held for terms of seven years. Upon acquiring the property, Atkinson named it the Carleton Estate.
In 1851 James Atkinson sold the Carleton Estate to a Sydney merchant named Robert Campbell (commonly known as Robert Campbell tertius, in order to differentiate him from close relatives bearing the same name.) The purchase price was £12,500 (nearly £2, 12s per acre).
The discovery of gold in Victoria in mid 1851 and the ensuing influx of population over the next two or three years caused values of property, especially that in the proximity of Melbourne, to increase dramatically.
Because the leases encumbered the title to the Carleton Estate, Campbell was prevented from capitalising on its enhanced value. However in 1855, he employed the services of Robert Cooper Bagot, surveyor and civil engineer, to subdivide the estate into lots of various sizes to suit the requirements of all types of purchasers . At the crossing place of Koonung Creek by the main road leading from Kew to the Andersons Creek diggings (now called Doncaster Road), Bagot laid out a township that he called Carleton Village, but for many years it was commonly known as Kennedys Creek, after a family of that name who had rented one of the farms on the estate.
1920. Corner of Tram and Elgar Roads leading to Doncaster Road from the window of the Serpell's Corner Store looking towards Box Hill. The horse drawn fruit wagon came from Zerbe's orchard in Williamson's Road. The former tram shelter and refreshment room (then used as a private dwelling). The refreshment rooms were built by Edward A. Gallus during the period of the ill-fated Box Hill to Doncaster electric tramway. Power pole in Tram Road. On the east side of Elgar Road can be seen the residences of William Behrens, and Ernest Hanke. On the west side at the corner of Wilsons Road is the residence of Ernest Wittig. The photo was taken from an upstairs window of Richard Serpell's corner shop. This copy has a caption entitled "The tram shelter and refreshment room" Tea rooms, Behrens, Serpell DP0034
The road pattern set out at this time by Bagot included the roads now known as High Street, Williamsons Road, Ayr Street, Manningham Road, Wilsons Road, Elgar Road and Whittens Lane all of which were private roads.
Mr. Bagot was also appointed selling agent for the property, and he built a log bridge over the Koonung Creek, about the year 1855, where previously travellers had crossed by means of a ford.Land along Doncaster Road was sold at the price of about £9 per acre, and early purchasers included Thomas Petty, David Corbett, Thomas Tully, John Hardidge, Carl Aumann, and Andreas Zander, who together with their descendants, worked the land for over one hundred years.
In 1853 W. S. Burnley purchased over two square miles of land along what became Doncaster Road east of the Carleton Estate. He called his estate the Township of Doncaster and subdivided it into smaller allotments.
Chapter 2 Early Settlement
When the first European settlers came to the area, Doncaster Road was then only a bush track that wound its way through the “Stringy Bark Forest”The first white child born in Doncaster was Margaret Harbor who, in 1841, was born in a lonely bush hut in the vicinity of the present day site of Doncaster Shoppingtown. She later married William Beavis.
Joseph Pickering and his family arrived in 1850 and settled beside a fresh water spring in Church Road. His house was destroyed in a bush fire, which ravaged the area on Black Thursday, February 1851. In 1854, Pickering purchased land in Blackburn Road, East Doncaster from the Highland Estate, where he lived until 1856, when he moved to Doncaster Road and opened a general store in partnership with Thomas Bayley. He was appointed local postmaster in 1860 and was Registrar of Births and Deaths for the Doncaster district. Joseph Pickering played a prominent part in the establishment of Holy Trinity Church of England. He died in 1870.
John Robert Wilson settled in the district in 1852 and occupied land from Victoria Street to Blackburn Road. He ran the Doncaster Arms Hotel for a few years, and lived in a bark hut near Ruffey Creek.
Three important settlers arrived the following year. Thomas Petty settled beside Koonung Creek and lived in a tent until a small house was completed after which time he was joined by his wife and young family from England. Another settler who lived in a tent with his family while awaiting the erection of a small wattle and daub house was Gottlieb Thiele who had purchased 10 acres of land along Ruffey Creek. He called his house Friedensruh meaning peace and rest. The home still stands today and is one of Doncaster’s historic properties.
The Serpell family also purchased land near the corner of what is now King Street and Tucker’s Road, East Doncaster in 1853, although the family did not reside in the district until 1856. The family lived at Glenferrie and Richard walked regularly to his block at Doncaster to clear the land and plant vines and fruit trees.
These three settlers laid the foundation of fruit growing in Doncaster and their work was carried on by subsequent generations of their families.
Waldau
Johann Gottlieb Thiele was the first of several German families to settle in the area. He had established himself as a tailor in Bourke Street, Melbourne under vice real patronage, but after coming to Doncaster in 1853 turned his attention to fruit growing. Other families followed and soon established a closely knit community, which they called Waldau (meaning “a clearing in the forest”). Early rate records of Doncaster refer to these settlers at Waldau as “gardeners”.
They were Lutherans, who regarded worship as an integral part of their family life. After worshipping together in private homes during the early years, they built the first church in Doncaster in 1858.
Christmas was a highlight of the year with a community tea (traditionally called a tea meeting) held in the shade of the trees within the church grounds followed at dusk by a service in the church. A candle lit Christmas tree was the focal point and gifts were distributed to the children from under the tree at the close of the service.The German and English communities assimilated well. The Lutherans were happy to make their church available to the Anglicans for worship on Sunday afternoons. Families from both backgrounds inter-married over the years and orchardists , regardless of their national background, were always ready to help each other to establish themselves and offer support in time of family need. Max Schramm, for example, came to Doncaster in 1860 to teach the children of the German community, but welcomed pupils from non-German families in the locality. He later married Kate Pickering, daughter of Joseph and Eliza Pickering who were foundation members of Holy Trinity Church of England.
c1900 View to north east of Waldau orchards from the bell tower of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Victoria Street. George Street can be seen, with John Finger's house and out-buildings and also the the house of his mother, Mrs Caroline Finger, on the hill in the distance. DP0260
Early settlers at Waldau included such families as Thiele, Aumann, Uebergang, Zerbe, Fromhold, Pump, Finger, Walther, Straube, Lenkersdorf, Schuhkraft, Wittig, Stecher, Hanke, Fuhrmann and Dehnert.
Many of these families kept up the German traditions into which they were born and reared, such as the killing of a pig two or three times a year to provide ham, bacon and a variety of sausage meats for the daily family table. These were always cured by smoking them in small smoke houses, specially built for the purpose.
The name Waldau was gradually dropped in favour of Doncaster of which it was a small part. However the long standing names of surrounding streets, Wilhelm Street, Bismarck Street and Waldau Lane (or German Lane as it was often called) were retained until the outbreak of World War I. Wilhelm Street was then changed to King Street, Bismarck Street became Victoria Street and Waldau Lane was given the name George Street.
Chapter 3 Fruit Growing
For more than a century, Doncaster was widely recognised as one of the oldest and most successful fruit growing districts in Victoria.When the first European settlers arrived in the area during the early 1850’s, they faced the formidable task of establishing their homes and clearing the land. For many years large quantities of timber and firewood were carted by bullock wagon to supply the wood markets in Melbourne and Fitzroy where there was always a great demand for firewood.
When the first area of land was cleared, the settlers planted crops such as wheat. To provide a quick financial return, they grew berry fruits and vegetables, together with eggs and dairy products. Also vineyards existed in some areas of the district for many years.
Fruit trees were also planted, and as they reached maturity, became more profitable. The district proved to be well suited to fruit production. Early plantings included oranges, cherries, plums, loquats, pears, apricots and peaches. Doncaster was particularly suited to the cultivation of peaches, and over the years local orchardists developed many new varieties that were widely planted in the district as well as in other fruit growing areas of Australia.
By the 1870’s orchards had become well established, and as the process of clearing the land continued, new orchards were planted. The thriving industry was further encouraged when in 1893 the Victorian Government offered a bonus of £3 per acre for each new planting.
The early years were not easy. Clearing the land was an arduous and costly task that took many years and the first orchardists battled hard to overcome such problems as drought, crop failure, disease and depredation by native animals. Moreover, they were not all experienced horticulturalists and so had no background or previous experience on which to draw. Neither did they appreciate the fact that Australia was a new country with different climatic factors and soil conditions from those to which they were accustomed in their European homeland. Only by a process of trial and error were they able to establish what varieties of fruit were best suited to the locality and therefore most profitable to grow.
The orchardists and the sons who followed in their footsteps and who had the advantage of horticultural training, developed ways and means of turning failure into success. Water supply, for example, when most needed during the long dry summer period, was scanty and in an effort to supplement any natural rainfall, dams were sunk on orchards to provide additional water for irrigation. Doncaster’s first dam was excavated on the property of Frederick Thiele. So successful was his water reticulation scheme that it attracted Government attention and provided a model for local orchardists.
Alfred Thiele's Orchard dam in Church Road, Doncaster. A windmill pumped water to dams at Friedensruh near Victoria Street. DP0423
When wind caused fruit to drop or become marked from limb rub as it swept across the open hillsides, orchardists began to plant pine trees. Pine windbreaks soon became widely established throughout the district and were a dominant feature of the landscape for which Doncaster became renowned. Remnants of these pine windbreaks remain today.
Root borers became a major problem around the turn of the century, and on one property destroyed thirteen acres of apples in full bearing. The orchardists placed zinc traps around the trunks of trees to trap the borers as they climbed up to lay their eggs in the leaves of trees. They also paid children 3d (3c) per hundred to collect the grey beetle so that they could be destroyed.
Other diseases such as leaf curl, black spot, mildew, codlin moth and mites found their way into the district and became very invasive. These posed a great threat to orchardists and it was necessary to implement well regulated and effective spray programs to guarantee the production of clean fruit. In the early years hand operated spray pumps were used, but they were slow and difficult to operate. Jack Russell, an enterprising engineer manufactured Doncaster’s first mechanical spray pump for Tom Petty. It was known as the “Bave U Sprayer”, a name derived from “Bay View”, the name of Tom Petty’s home in Doncaster. This was a significant innovation as it meant greater efficiency in terms of time and spray coverage. At one time , most, if not all of Doncaster’s fruit growers used these orchard sprayers. In the latter years of fruit production, more powerful air blast mist sprayers were favoured.
In the early years growers were not able to keep their fruit, once harvested, for long periods of time. Stone fruits in particular had to be packed and marketed quickly, initially at the Eastern Market, and after this was closed, at the Queen Victoria Market. Orchardists tried a variety of methods in an effort to keep their fruit in marketable condition. They would often store fruit in the shade of trees and even covered it lightly with grass or straw to help keep the fruit cool. A few orchardists had cellars beneath their packing sheds, which at least kept the fruit at ground temperature.
However, with the advent of cold storage, some successful experiments in storing pome fruits were carried out and this later paved the way for the consignment of large quantities of apples and pears each year to European markets and elsewhere.
It also led to the establishment of local cool stores where orchardists could store and regulate the packing and marketing of apples and pears almost year round.
The first public cool store in Doncaster was opened in 1905, and was known as the Government Cool Store. It had a storage capacity of 7000 cases and was built by the Victorian Government at a cost of £2,500 ($5,000). The store was located to the west of Doncaster Hotel.
The previous year in 1904, Edwin Lawford built a cool store on his property in Williamsons Road. In 1911, the West Doncaster Co-operative Cool Store was built at the corner of Doncaster Road and Beaconsfield Street. It had a total capacity of 36,000 cases and 36 growers became members.
However, Doncaster’s largest cool store was built in 1914 at East Doncaster (on the present day site of Woolworths). This had a capacity of 120,000 cases and was the largest cool store in Australia. Visitors from interstate and overseas came out to inspect the building. It was a co-operative store built in four stages and was twice destroyed by fire, in 1937 and again in 1948.
Judging at a Doncaster orchardists fruit show at the Fruit Growers Association annual agricultural show in the old Box Hill Recreation Hall. DP0443
The fruit growers of Doncaster did much to promote the successful growing and marketing of fruit. In 1892 the Doncaster Fruitgrowers Association was formed to provide advice and assistance to orchardists. Among other things it staged local exhibitions of fruit at Box Hill and also organised orchard and pruning competitions. The Association soon attracted interest from fruit growers outside the district and continued to expand its sphere of influence. Its success led to the formation of the Victorian Growers Central Association in 1893, and in 1914 John Tully was nominated to represent the Association at an investigation into methods of handling and selling fruit at ports and markets in England.
The peak of fruit production in Doncaster was reached in the 1920’s when an area of some 20,000 acres was under production.
New methods and techniques in orchard management were pioneered in the district. There was a shift to mechanisation of farm equipment when tractor power displaced horse power. However, with the closure of long established overseas export markets, coupled together with rising costs in production and increases in rates and taxes as land values increased, many orchardists found fruit growing to be unprofitable.
With the return to prosperity in the post World War II years, land speculators began to move into the area during the 1950’s. Attracted by instant wealth, orchardists began to sell their properties, which in some instances had been in family ownership for three and even four generations. Some enjoyed their new found wealth. Others either established or purchased existing orchards further afield. Slowly the face of Doncaster began to change from that of a rural locality to an expanding urban community.
From 1950 to 1960 the population increased threefold from 5000 to 15,000. Shopping centres and community facilities sprang up where orchards had once been, and Doncaster quickly became a modern and much sought after residential area.
John Smedley set up a forge east of the junction of Doncaster Road and High Street. The long steep hill up to the Eastern Golf Links was known by local residents as Smedley’s cutting.
David Laurie had a forge west of the intersection of Doncaster and Williamsons Roads. This was later moved to the vicinity of Beaconsfield Street and in 1889 was taken over by the Hillman brothers.
Spencer built a brick forge for his “smithy” near the intersection of Elgar Road while George Hislop set up a blacksmith’s shop on the south east corner of Doncaster and Wetherby Roads. Several blacksmiths rented the business in subsequent years most notably Curtis Hillman. After Hillman’s death his wife kept the forge going until she married Fred Sleeth who then conducted the business.
The Hillmans were also coach builders and made wagons and carts for local orchardists and designed the “Low Jingle” a two-wheel cart with a dropped axle to ease the work of lifting heavy fruit cases onto the cart. These were used for all carrying jobs on the orchard. Four-wheeled wagons were used to convey fruit to the markets and were frequently also used as the family conveyance.
To service the requirements of residents in East Doncaster, W. Sell established himself as a farrier on the south west corner of Doncaster and Blackburn Roads.
The peak of fruit production in Doncaster was reached in the 1920’s when an area of some 20,000 acres was under production.
New methods and techniques in orchard management were pioneered in the district. There was a shift to mechanisation of farm equipment when tractor power displaced horse power. However, with the closure of long established overseas export markets, coupled together with rising costs in production and increases in rates and taxes as land values increased, many orchardists found fruit growing to be unprofitable.
With the return to prosperity in the post World War II years, land speculators began to move into the area during the 1950’s. Attracted by instant wealth, orchardists began to sell their properties, which in some instances had been in family ownership for three and even four generations. Some enjoyed their new found wealth. Others either established or purchased existing orchards further afield. Slowly the face of Doncaster began to change from that of a rural locality to an expanding urban community.
From 1950 to 1960 the population increased threefold from 5000 to 15,000. Shopping centres and community facilities sprang up where orchards had once been, and Doncaster quickly became a modern and much sought after residential area.
| Front view of the Orchardists' Cool Stores, Doncaster Road, East Doncaster. Cool Stores played a large part in the lives of the orchardists. They became more than just a place to keep fruit. The store became a centre of community life, filling a role similar to the English village pump or marketplace. There was always activity there. During the picking season, there was the excited activity of fruit coming in from the orchards. After the season, there were always groups sorting fruit or preparing loads for market. This was the communication centre for news of orchards and orchardists. DP0325 |
Blacksmiths
Blacksmiths were an integral part of any farming community in past times, and along the main Doncaster Road, there was a “smithy” at each major intersection. They were kept busy shoeing horses as well as making tools and repairing implements for local orchardists.John Smedley set up a forge east of the junction of Doncaster Road and High Street. The long steep hill up to the Eastern Golf Links was known by local residents as Smedley’s cutting.
David Laurie had a forge west of the intersection of Doncaster and Williamsons Roads. This was later moved to the vicinity of Beaconsfield Street and in 1889 was taken over by the Hillman brothers.
Spencer built a brick forge for his “smithy” near the intersection of Elgar Road while George Hislop set up a blacksmith’s shop on the south east corner of Doncaster and Wetherby Roads. Several blacksmiths rented the business in subsequent years most notably Curtis Hillman. After Hillman’s death his wife kept the forge going until she married Fred Sleeth who then conducted the business.
The Hillmans were also coach builders and made wagons and carts for local orchardists and designed the “Low Jingle” a two-wheel cart with a dropped axle to ease the work of lifting heavy fruit cases onto the cart. These were used for all carrying jobs on the orchard. Four-wheeled wagons were used to convey fruit to the markets and were frequently also used as the family conveyance.
Low Jingle
To service the requirements of residents in East Doncaster, W. Sell established himself as a farrier on the south west corner of Doncaster and Blackburn Roads.
James Sell's (farrier) blacksmith shop at the south west corner of Blackburn and Doncaster Roads. DP0600
The increasing use of tractors replacing horsepower in later years gradually brought about the demise of local blacksmiths and the last surviving business in Doncaster, at the corner of Doncaster and Wetherby Roads, closed about 1960.
Water Supply
In the early days, dams supplied the orchards with irrigation water, and every house in the district had either a well or rain water tanks for household needs. The first connection with the State Water Supply was by a two-inch pipe. Later a six-inch main was brought in from Mitcham on the understanding that the Shire Council guaranteed to return to the Metropolitan Board 6% per annum of the outlay, and a rate was struck on all properties abutting the main to meet this requirement. In later years larger mains were provided.Chapter 4 Churches
Trinity Lutheran
The first church in Doncaster was built by the small Lutheran congregation at Waldau on the present day site of Schramm’s Cottage in Victoria Street.
Waldau Church 1860s The cemetery and original wattle and daub Lutheran Church (built in 1858) in Bismark (later Victoria) Street, Doncaster. The church grounds are enclosed with a post and three rail fence on the west and by a picket or palling fence on the other three sides. Straube's house can be seen at the rear and large trees remain in the distance. The other house is the Finger's. The site of the church is now occupied by Schramm's Cottage and Museum. Inscription on the back "Old Lutheran Church and Graveyard, Doncaster(?) DP0452
In 1858, after the congregation had previously conducted worship services in the homes of members, it was decided at a special meeting of the congregation to build a church on land offered by Mr. J. F. Straube. They planned a church 40 feet long, 20 feet wide and 12 feet high. The walls were to be constructed of poles and laths plastered with mud. The roof was to be covered with shingles and the floor paved with stone.
August Lenkerstorf, carpenter and member of the congregation, was asked to carry out the building construction with the help of congregational members.
The church, built at a cost of £48, was dedicated by Pastor M. Goethe on 26th December 1858. Services were conducted in the German language. On Sunday afternoons, Holy Trinity Church of England used the church for their worship services. The church bell was an important part of the life of the Waldau community. It was rung daily at sunrise, midday and sunset to mark the time of day for workers on the hillsides and the valleys of surrounding orchards. It was also rung for ten minutes before every worship service and to announce the death of a member of the congregation.
A small burial ground was laid out around the church. Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, Director of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, donated shrubs and cypress trees for the garden. In all, 125 people - 80 children and 45 adults were buried in the cemetery before it was closed in 1888.
By 1890 the church building had begun to deteriorate. When mud started to fall off the walls, they were lined with timber, and the leaking roof had to be replaced. The increasing cost of maintenance was questioned, and a meeting of the congregation was called to consider the building of a new and more substantial church.
A site was purchased from the estate of Mr. Carl Aumann senior, and prominent architect J. A. B. Koch was asked to draw plans for a new church. Built by G. W. Freeman at a cost of £1,303 ($2,606) the church was opened on 21st April 1892. A brass band formed by members of the congregation led a procession from the old church to the new.
Max Schramm was the first resident pastor of the congregation, but lived in his own home. After his death in 1907, a manse was built for the new minister, Pastor S. Held.
Trinity Lutheran Church and manse, Victoria Street Doncaster. At the rear is the old hall. The church was built in 1892 and the manse in 1910. DP0454
In 1932, the congregation built a small hall at the rear and in 1976 a new hall incorporating a community kindergarten was erected.
On 22nd July 1867, Edward Tatham, a member of the congregation was able to announce: “The Government has granted a plot of land on which to erect a Church of England in the township of Doncaster”.
A building committee was formed to organise plans for the design and construction of a church. In October 1867, Mr. Bartlett, the architect, was instructed to design a church to accommodate 100 persons. The need for a larger building was felt, but the cost would have been too much.
Members, who were unable to contribute financially, gave their labour in carting sand and stone. Rev. Haywood of Holy Trinity Church Kew, who ministered to the congregation, took an interest in the project.
George Ince constructed the walls at a cost of £110 using stone from Beanlands quarry where Board Street is now situated. R. A. Snell built the roof and floor and completed the church for a price of £163. The forms (pews) and Lords Table (altar) cost £37 .
The church was opened on Easter Monday in 1869. It was a simple building with pleasing proportions. At the head of the nave was an arch opening into a small wooden sanctuary. The entrance porch was added in 1885.
In 1871, Alfred Hummel donated 2 acres of land alongside where the vicarage now stands. In 1886, a larger chancel and vestry of weatherboard construction were added. In 1930 the church replaced the weatherboard additions with stone to match the original, this time taken from Thiele’s quarry beside Ruffey Creek. Sixty-four years after the laying of the foundation stone, the completed church was consecrated on 11th June 1932 by Archbishop Head.
With the influx of new members to the congregation as Doncaster’s population expanded in the 1960’s and beyond, the original church soon became too small. The congregation decided to extend the existing church and commissioned architects Mockridge, Stable and Mitchell to draw plans for an extension on the east side leaving the existing sanctuary as a focal point from both the new and original sections of the building. The extension, skilful in its concept and construction was consecrated on Sunday 19th December 1971 by Archbishop Frank Woods of Melbourne. The new church was again extensively enlarged in 2002 eastwards, with the altar being moved into the east end of the new section. On the south side adjoining the church, a new hall was built and named the Pickering room after Joseph Pickering. The existing old hall is used as a worship centre for the Chinese community.
In 1864, a small weatherboard chapel measuring 22 ft. x 18 ft. was erected on a site along the Main Road donated by Mr. R. Williamson.
This served the growing congregation as a house of worship for a period of 25 years. For some time visiting preachers from Melbourne assisted by members of the congregation conducted services.
The first resident minister was T. H. Bates who remained until 1886. During the time of his ministry, there was talk of building a new church at Doncaster and also of commencing services at Box Hill. That year the congregation resolved to purchase additional land on the east side of the church so that a new Chapel could be built.
By June 1888, more than £500 had been promised and this encouraged the congregation to resolve “that the rising importance of the township and the probable increase of inhabitants justified the church in going to the expense of a building costing about £1000 - of a style in keeping with that of the State School opposite”. A new brick building completed at a cost of £600 was opened with special services on October 8th and 10th 1889. The old weatherboard building was moved to the rear of the new church for use as a school room and vestry. During building operations, services were conducted in the State School opposite for a weekly rental of 5/-. The new church with classroom additions made in 1911 was the spiritual home of the congregation for almost 68 years.
During the ministry of Mr. D. A. Ewers, afternoon Sunday School classes were commenced together with the Women’s Mission Band. A Christian Endeavour group, which numbered 30, was also formed.
By the turn of the century membership of the church reached 186 (including 30 isolated members), and in 1906 services were commenced at Blackburn and East Doncaster. It was noted in records kept by the congregation that “sometimes there was not too much room in the chapel yard on a Sunday morning for vehicles, and it was resolved to ask the brethren who brought vehicles to put them in some kind of order and not leave them all over the place”. Six months later it was suggested that the old stable be pulled down and replaced with a new 8 stall stable.
With a rich background in a fruit growing district, harvest festivals held each year in February have been a special feature in the worship life of the congregation for more than 70 years.
Holy Trinity Church Of England
Worship services were first commenced in 1854 in the home of Mr. J. Pickering. Later services were conducted in the Lutheran church at Waldau and then in Grant’s Chapel in Doncaster Road, a Baptist meeting house which was erected about 1860.On 22nd July 1867, Edward Tatham, a member of the congregation was able to announce: “The Government has granted a plot of land on which to erect a Church of England in the township of Doncaster”.
A building committee was formed to organise plans for the design and construction of a church. In October 1867, Mr. Bartlett, the architect, was instructed to design a church to accommodate 100 persons. The need for a larger building was felt, but the cost would have been too much.
Members, who were unable to contribute financially, gave their labour in carting sand and stone. Rev. Haywood of Holy Trinity Church Kew, who ministered to the congregation, took an interest in the project.
George Ince constructed the walls at a cost of £110 using stone from Beanlands quarry where Board Street is now situated. R. A. Snell built the roof and floor and completed the church for a price of £163. The forms (pews) and Lords Table (altar) cost £37 .
The church was opened on Easter Monday in 1869. It was a simple building with pleasing proportions. At the head of the nave was an arch opening into a small wooden sanctuary. The entrance porch was added in 1885.
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| Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Doncaster. 106 Church Rd, Doncaster VIC 3108, showing the temporary timber sanctuary added in 1885. DP0099 |
With the influx of new members to the congregation as Doncaster’s population expanded in the 1960’s and beyond, the original church soon became too small. The congregation decided to extend the existing church and commissioned architects Mockridge, Stable and Mitchell to draw plans for an extension on the east side leaving the existing sanctuary as a focal point from both the new and original sections of the building. The extension, skilful in its concept and construction was consecrated on Sunday 19th December 1971 by Archbishop Frank Woods of Melbourne. The new church was again extensively enlarged in 2002 eastwards, with the altar being moved into the east end of the new section. On the south side adjoining the church, a new hall was built and named the Pickering room after Joseph Pickering. The existing old hall is used as a worship centre for the Chinese community.
Church of Christ
Doncaster Church of Christ had its beginnings in 1863 when a small congregation was formed by nine foundation members at a meeting held in the home of Mr. Thomas Porter senior. Henry Crouch was the driving force in establishing the congregation and was appointed first secretary. In addition to meetings at the Porter home, gospel services were conducted in Grant’s Chapel, formerly used by the Baptists who had discontinued meeting in the area, and also under the peppercorn trees at Lauer’s corner on the south west corner of Tram and Doncaster Roads.In 1864, a small weatherboard chapel measuring 22 ft. x 18 ft. was erected on a site along the Main Road donated by Mr. R. Williamson.
This served the growing congregation as a house of worship for a period of 25 years. For some time visiting preachers from Melbourne assisted by members of the congregation conducted services.
The first resident minister was T. H. Bates who remained until 1886. During the time of his ministry, there was talk of building a new church at Doncaster and also of commencing services at Box Hill. That year the congregation resolved to purchase additional land on the east side of the church so that a new Chapel could be built.
By June 1888, more than £500 had been promised and this encouraged the congregation to resolve “that the rising importance of the township and the probable increase of inhabitants justified the church in going to the expense of a building costing about £1000 - of a style in keeping with that of the State School opposite”. A new brick building completed at a cost of £600 was opened with special services on October 8th and 10th 1889. The old weatherboard building was moved to the rear of the new church for use as a school room and vestry. During building operations, services were conducted in the State School opposite for a weekly rental of 5/-. The new church with classroom additions made in 1911 was the spiritual home of the congregation for almost 68 years.
c1900 Main (now Doncaster ) Road, Doncaster, the unmetalled road, Church of Christ, school, bank, Doncaster Tower in background, pine trees and picket fences lining the street. DP0001
By the turn of the century membership of the church reached 186 (including 30 isolated members), and in 1906 services were commenced at Blackburn and East Doncaster. It was noted in records kept by the congregation that “sometimes there was not too much room in the chapel yard on a Sunday morning for vehicles, and it was resolved to ask the brethren who brought vehicles to put them in some kind of order and not leave them all over the place”. Six months later it was suggested that the old stable be pulled down and replaced with a new 8 stall stable.
With a rich background in a fruit growing district, harvest festivals held each year in February have been a special feature in the worship life of the congregation for more than 70 years.
1903. 40th Anniversary of the Church of Christ, Doncaster. Large number of parishioners assembled in front. At the rear is the old church, built in 1863, and moved when the new brick church was built in 1889. A sign with the word "WELCOME" is in front of the porch door. Mr Henry William Crouch, one of the founders of the church, is in the second row, eight from the right wearing a light-coloured suit. DP0086
In July 1953, an important decision was made to proceed with the building of a new church, and a plan prepared by architect Joseph Smith was accepted. A building contract was let to R. J. Grills, and the foundation stone was laid on August 26th 1956 by Mr. Tom Petty, former Church Secretary. The final service in the old church was held on June 30th 1957 and the new building was officially opened with a service on the following Saturday July 6th 1957.
The need for a church soon became apparent, and a small building which had been used for worship services at Andersons Creek (now Warrandyte) became available. Poor attendance had led to its closure. It was purchased by Rev. Brown for £50. The building which at one time had been used as a butcher’s shop was partly dismantled, loaded onto bullock wagons and transported to the corner of Doncaster and Blackburn Roads. George Knee supervised the removal to the new site where William Bower re-erected the weatherboard walls and the iron roof. Mr. James Kent donated a portion of his orchard to accommodate the new church.
Methodist Church
The first Methodist service in the area was conducted in the home of Mrs. Mays in Wilhelm Street (now King Street), East Doncaster. Rev. J. H. Brown of the Primitive Methodist Church at Heidelberg was the preacher at this service. Later he was assisted by other local preachers,some of whom came from Eltham and Templestowe .The need for a church soon became apparent, and a small building which had been used for worship services at Andersons Creek (now Warrandyte) became available. Poor attendance had led to its closure. It was purchased by Rev. Brown for £50. The building which at one time had been used as a butcher’s shop was partly dismantled, loaded onto bullock wagons and transported to the corner of Doncaster and Blackburn Roads. George Knee supervised the removal to the new site where William Bower re-erected the weatherboard walls and the iron roof. Mr. James Kent donated a portion of his orchard to accommodate the new church.
c1900 Primitive Methodist Church at East Doncaster. On the right is the original Primitive Methodist 'chapel' of 1866, with the 1884 new church beside it on the left. DP0595
An opening service took place on Easter Sunday 1866, and a tea meeting was held the following day to celebrate the occasion. The newly acquired building served as a church, Sunday school and school for 18 years. When a new church was built in 1884, the old building was used for Sunday school classes for a further 45 years. James Kent, (or Father Kent as he was often affectionately known) organised the Sunday school. Henry White was appointed Superintendent, a position he held until 1910.
The Misses Faulkner commenced a school to teach young people in the area. Night classes were held in the church.
The small church building soon became inadequate to accommodate the growing congregation and a decision was made to build a larger church. This was completed in 1884 at a cost of £300 ($600). Visiting ministers served the congregation for a number of years.
In 1911, new Sunday school rooms were added to the rear of the church building by which time the enrolment had reached almost 40. Irregular attendances were considered to be brought about by the long distances walked or driven by some scholars. In 1916 electric light was connected to both church and Sunday school at a cost of £8, 10s.
Trust minutes record “social problems” during the war years. It was agreed “that Mr. Boundy speak to the Constable about making his presence felt in the Church, presumably to prevent acts of theft and delinquency by lads of the district. Reports to hand alleged interference to services by noisy youths, the theft of the small front gate, and the disappearance of cakes and other delicacies from tables prepared for a Tea Meeting”.
A piano was purchased in 1916 and later an organ to lead the singing at worship services. A young people’s guild was effective from 1927 to 1940, this marking the commencement of active youth work by the church in East Doncaster.
The Misses Faulkner commenced a school to teach young people in the area. Night classes were held in the church.
The small church building soon became inadequate to accommodate the growing congregation and a decision was made to build a larger church. This was completed in 1884 at a cost of £300 ($600). Visiting ministers served the congregation for a number of years.
In 1911, new Sunday school rooms were added to the rear of the church building by which time the enrolment had reached almost 40. Irregular attendances were considered to be brought about by the long distances walked or driven by some scholars. In 1916 electric light was connected to both church and Sunday school at a cost of £8, 10s.
Trust minutes record “social problems” during the war years. It was agreed “that Mr. Boundy speak to the Constable about making his presence felt in the Church, presumably to prevent acts of theft and delinquency by lads of the district. Reports to hand alleged interference to services by noisy youths, the theft of the small front gate, and the disappearance of cakes and other delicacies from tables prepared for a Tea Meeting”.
A piano was purchased in 1916 and later an organ to lead the singing at worship services. A young people’s guild was effective from 1927 to 1940, this marking the commencement of active youth work by the church in East Doncaster.
On one occasion, a visiting group from the Box Hill Christian Endeavour Society travelled from Box Hill to Doncaster by electric tram loading it beyond capacity. On the return journey down the steep grade in Tram Road, the brakes failed! The Endeavourers, unconscious of the danger that increasing speed presented, boldly sang, “Hold the fort for we are coming". The driver hung desperately to the useless brake lever muttering, “Yes, You re coming with this darned tram alright, but, after we hit the bottom, I don t know where you re all going”. However, the tram miraculously took the curve at the foot of the hill remaining on the rails as it crossed the bridge over Koonung Creek.
In the years following the 1939-45 War, changes began to occur in the district. Orchards were subdivided for housing estates with the emergence of a suburban character. Church membership increased as new families came into the area and looked for the nearest Methodist Church, Church financial income increased from £12 to £30 a week and so the Trust was established to proceed with the building of a larger hall to cater for the expanding congregation and work among young people. This was opened in April 1961, as an all purpose complex.
Chapter 5. Early Schools Of The District
The first schools in Doncaster were small private schools, generally conducted by teachers in their own home. About 1856 Mr. J. G. Walther established a school for the children of the German community at Waldau. Classes were held in his home. About the same time, a school was organised by Miss Finch in her home in High Street, Doncaster. Mary Anne and Robina Wilson also conducted a school known as the “Log School” in a log cabin at their home in Wilsons Road, and in 1866 the Misses Faulkiner established a school and conducted classes in the Methodist Church at East Doncaster.In 1860, Max Schramm opened a school at Waldau with an enrolment of 23 pupils and held classes in the Lutheran Church. This was a denominational school organised and supervised by officials of the congregation. In 1863, it became a Common School responsible to the newly established Board of Education.
c1978-1885. First Doncaster School. Pupils in lines. Mr. A. Oswald. Thiele is the Head Master. The School building was erected by Max Schramm in 1863. DP0077
With the closure of the small private schools in the area about this time, the church building soon became too small to accommodate the growing number of pupils, and an application was made to the Board of Education for a building grant to erect a new school. However, the application was withdrawn when the local community was unable to raise sufficient finance for the required matching grant.
Max Schramm then decided to erect a building at his own expense on Doncaster Road. It was a solid brick building with classrooms on the ground floor and two bedrooms upstairs in the garret.
c1914 Doncaster Tower and Doncaster Primary School. The cloak room on the east side of the school was added later. The tower was built in 1879 and the school in 1886. DP0081
Schramm taught the senior pupils in one room while his young wife Kate taught the infant class in a smaller room with a gallery or platform at the front. Kate’s mother, Mrs Pickering, was the sewing teacher. Children were frequently absent from school during the busy fruit picking season, as they were needed at home to help with the fruit harvest on the family orchard.
When the Education Act of 1872 was proclaimed, it made education free, compulsory and secular. As the teaching of religion had always been an important part of Schramm’s curriculum, he found that he could no longer remain as Head Teacher and, resigning his position, continued to operate a small Lutheran school in his home.
Max Schramm was succeeded by Mr. A. O. Thiele as Head Teacher of what was by then known as State School No 197. During his time the school was transferred to its present site, and a new residence was built for the Head Teacher. The Education Department negotiated an agreement with Mr. Richard Serpell to exchange the old school site for a larger site nearby. On this land a new building was erected in1886 .
Mr W. Goodson was appointed Head Teacher in 1899, a position he held for twenty-five years. Swimming contests had become popular among the local schools, and Mr. Goodson organised swimming practice for the boys in Serpell’s dam. This received strong endorsement from the community, and eventually led to the parents of the school, building a swimming pool in 1937.
With the change from a rural settlement to a rapidly expanding urban community from the 1950’s the school enrolment increased to more than 1000 pupils, and new classrooms were erected behind the old building.
Increased noise levels created by heavy traffic on Doncaster Road made it impractical for the old building to be used as classrooms. It was eventually taken over by the City of Doncaster and Templestowe and remodelled internally to become the Doncaster Playhouse.
The population of this location did not grow as expected, and by 1885 the enrolment had dropped from 28 to 16. The Head Teacher, Mr. A. Kelso, made application for the school to be relocated. An acre block on the corner of German Lane (now George Street) and Blackburn Road was purchased from Mr. Fred Pickering for the price of £40 ($80).
While the school building was being moved to its new site and made ready for occupancy, Mr. Kelso leased the Primitive Methodist Church at the corner of Doncaster and Blackburn Roads where Miss Faulkner had been conducting a private school.
The new schoolroom was lengthened to 36 ft and an additional room was added to the residence, together with front and rear veranda. The rebuilt school opened in February 1887 with an enrolment of 43 children.
Later that year a Post Office opened in the school with the Head Teacher as Postmaster. The children took home the letters and papers after school.
When the Education Act of 1872 was proclaimed, it made education free, compulsory and secular. As the teaching of religion had always been an important part of Schramm’s curriculum, he found that he could no longer remain as Head Teacher and, resigning his position, continued to operate a small Lutheran school in his home.
Max Schramm was succeeded by Mr. A. O. Thiele as Head Teacher of what was by then known as State School No 197. During his time the school was transferred to its present site, and a new residence was built for the Head Teacher. The Education Department negotiated an agreement with Mr. Richard Serpell to exchange the old school site for a larger site nearby. On this land a new building was erected in1886 .
Mr W. Goodson was appointed Head Teacher in 1899, a position he held for twenty-five years. Swimming contests had become popular among the local schools, and Mr. Goodson organised swimming practice for the boys in Serpell’s dam. This received strong endorsement from the community, and eventually led to the parents of the school, building a swimming pool in 1937.
With the change from a rural settlement to a rapidly expanding urban community from the 1950’s the school enrolment increased to more than 1000 pupils, and new classrooms were erected behind the old building.
Increased noise levels created by heavy traffic on Doncaster Road made it impractical for the old building to be used as classrooms. It was eventually taken over by the City of Doncaster and Templestowe and remodelled internally to become the Doncaster Playhouse.
East Doncaster School
State School No. 2096 opened as the Deep Creek School on 26th October 1878. It was built on the south west corner of Andersons Creek and Reynolds Roads. It was a simple building of weatherboard construction. The schoolroom was 24 ft by 16 ft with an attached three room residence.The population of this location did not grow as expected, and by 1885 the enrolment had dropped from 28 to 16. The Head Teacher, Mr. A. Kelso, made application for the school to be relocated. An acre block on the corner of German Lane (now George Street) and Blackburn Road was purchased from Mr. Fred Pickering for the price of £40 ($80).
While the school building was being moved to its new site and made ready for occupancy, Mr. Kelso leased the Primitive Methodist Church at the corner of Doncaster and Blackburn Roads where Miss Faulkner had been conducting a private school.
The new schoolroom was lengthened to 36 ft and an additional room was added to the residence, together with front and rear veranda. The rebuilt school opened in February 1887 with an enrolment of 43 children.
Later that year a Post Office opened in the school with the Head Teacher as Postmaster. The children took home the letters and papers after school.
1908 East Doncaster/ Doncaster East Primary School. The school was also the Post Office. Mr Willie Craig, Head Teacher and Postmaster (1895-1909) and Miss Finna Johnston and all the pupils assembled. A lean to shelter at the right-hand side does not appear in DP0594, an earlier photo taken from roughly the same position. According to the covering note, this photo, with others, is from the collection of the late Mr. A. Mahoney, who was a member of the 1973 Back to East Doncaster Primary School Committee. This photo is reproduced on page 3 of the souvenir booklet [DD11CF1D18]. According to the book 'German Pioneer Families in Australia', published in 1935, Albert George Mahoney is mentioned as the younger son of Mr Bartholomew Mahoney of East Doncaster and his wife Martha Bertha [nee Zerbe]. DP1183
In 1919, Mr. Hobbs was appointed Head Teacher. He was a man with ideas and the drive to carry them through. The school building had been in a bad state of repair for many years. Hobbs had the school closed, and during renovations, classes were held at the Orchardists Cool Store. Hobbs had the old classrooms widened to 24 feet, and the residence reconstructed to provide additional classrooms. A Head Teacher’s office was provided and a verandah added on the north side.
In 1920 a new residence was built on a site across Blackburn Road and a Sloyd room added for woodwork lessons.
Mr. Hobbs inspired a new spirit in the school and introduced, community activities raising money for the children of devastated Flanders, the hospital Sunday Fund, and record egg collections were donated annually to the Children’s and Women’s Hospitals. A Christmas Concert and Zoo picnics became annual events. As a memorial to past students, who lost their lives during the Great War, the school planted gum trees to form an Avenue of Honour along a section of Blackburn Road.
In 1928, East Doncaster School arranged a swimming contest between the four schools of the district, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Templestowe and Warrandyte. The contest was held in Mr. Fred Zerbe’s dam in George Street. When it was agreed to make this an annual event, a parent constructed a raft to be used as a starting platform. The Swimming Carnival was sometimes held at Doncaster in Serpell’s dam and once in the Yarra River at Warrandyte. In 1935, a swimming pool was built on a block of land alongside the school donated by Mr. Fred Zerbe, parents meeting the cost of construction.
In 1920 a new residence was built on a site across Blackburn Road and a Sloyd room added for woodwork lessons.
Mr. Hobbs inspired a new spirit in the school and introduced, community activities raising money for the children of devastated Flanders, the hospital Sunday Fund, and record egg collections were donated annually to the Children’s and Women’s Hospitals. A Christmas Concert and Zoo picnics became annual events. As a memorial to past students, who lost their lives during the Great War, the school planted gum trees to form an Avenue of Honour along a section of Blackburn Road.
In 1928, East Doncaster School arranged a swimming contest between the four schools of the district, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Templestowe and Warrandyte. The contest was held in Mr. Fred Zerbe’s dam in George Street. When it was agreed to make this an annual event, a parent constructed a raft to be used as a starting platform. The Swimming Carnival was sometimes held at Doncaster in Serpell’s dam and once in the Yarra River at Warrandyte. In 1935, a swimming pool was built on a block of land alongside the school donated by Mr. Fred Zerbe, parents meeting the cost of construction.
Swimming in Zerbe's large dam in the valley behind the present East Doncaster High School
The school closed in 1998 and the old building was relocated to Laburnum Primary School for use as a music centre. The original bell is now re- erected in the grounds of Schramm’s Cottage.
Chapter 6 Historic Homes
Schramms Cottage
Schramm’s Cottage was built in 1875 for Max Schramm on a 20 acre site that he had previously purchased on the hill in Doncaster Road in the vicinity of the present day Municipal Offices.
When Doncaster Road was realigned in 1971, the building had to be dismantled and was moved to its present location where it was reconstructed and officially opened in February 1976. This site was selected because in 1860 Max Schramm opened a small school for the Lutheran congregation and held classes in the original church building at Waldau where the cottage now stands. The school was conducted on this site for four years before being transferred to Doncaster Road.
c1970. Schramm's Cottage from the north-east. Gravel path leading to the front door. DP0540
The house has a central passage with two rooms on either side and a large room at the rear. This was built for use as a school room where Schramm continued to operate his school from 1876 to 1884 during the time when he was pastor of the Lutheran congregation.
A wide verandah skirted the house on two sides. A small kitchen at the rear of the house was entered by a door at the end of the verandah, there was no direct access within the house, and meals had always to be carried along the verandah and through the front door to the dining room. A bread oven supplied bread for the family and water was drawn from an underground well beside the kitchen.
After Max Schramm died in 1908, his wife Kate continued to live in the cottage until her death in 1928. The property was later sold and occupied by various tenants until purchased by the City of Doncaster and Templestowe for use as office space.
Classified by the National Trust, Schramm’s Cottage is one of few buildings to retain its classification after its removal from the original site. It is historically significant because of Max Schramm’s association with Doncaster’s early development and his standing in the community.
Friedensruh
At the head of Waldau Court on the south east boundary of the Ruffey Lake Park stands the old orchard homestead complex of Friedensruh, which dates from 1853. This property is historically significant in that it is the oldest surviving home in Doncaster and also the last remaining link with the origins of fruit growing in the Doncaster district.
c1900-1910. Friedensruh homestead (east side), 10 Waldau Crt, Doncaster. Home of the Thiele family since 1853,. Gable section on the left was built by Gottlieb Thiele in 1853. Pictured is the east side of the house. Photograph by Alfred Thiele DP0344
Friedensruh which means “peace and rest”, together with its outbuildings evolved over a period of many years. The original section of the homestead built in 1853 for Johann Gottlieb Thiele consisted of two small rooms of wattle and daub construction and incorporated an attic. The framework is of sapling poles and the original shingles still remain under the existing roof.
A separate stone walled building stood nearby and included a cellar where fruit was kept cool and milk set. Stone for these walls was carted from nearby Ruffey Creek and original shingles also remain under the iron roof of this part of the house today . The stone walls of this section were built by Gottfried Thiele (a brother of Gottlieb) who was a stone mason. Other rooms were added to accommodate a growing family, the last addition being made in 1898 to provide a large kitchen where orchard hands were provided with a midday meal each day. The section with the cellar was then linked to the rest of the house. Outbuildings of the complex include the original fruit packing shed, stables and implement sheds.
The orchard surrounding the homestead that was one of the earliest established in Doncaster was purchased by the City of Doncaster and Templestowe in 1966 and now forms the eastern section of the Ruffey Lake Park from Church Road to Victoria Street. So, in a unique way the homestead still overlooks the property so closely associated with its history for 160 years.
Friedensruh is classified by the National Trust and is also a designated building on the registers of Heritage Victoria and the National Estate under the Australian Heritage Act.
Plassey
Plassey, built for Martin Zelius in 1888 still stands at the corner of Doncaster Road and Dehnert Street, East Doncaster.Martin Zelius left Norway at the age of 14 as a seaman on a sailing ship. This ship reached Melbourne at the height of the gold rush. The crew deserted ship to go to the gold fields leaving the young lad stranded. He found a job washing dishes in a Melbourne restaurant, which he later purchased.
He purchased a steamer and traded along the Gippsland coast. Zelius built a house at Bairnsdale, but when the railway came he sold his steamer and returned to Melbourne.
Plassey. Home of Martin Zelius and his family, built in the early 1890s at the north-west corner of Doncaster Road and Dehnert Street, Doncaster. This photo shows the house with a wire fence in front, and a flyscreen door in front of the front door. DP1101
The facade of Plassey is characterised by delicate symmetry with slender cast iron veranda posts supporting a wide verandah trimmed with iron lace. The ridge of the slate roof is also capped with iron lace. The house was always well known for the beautiful chandelier that adorned the formal sitting room.
In its heyday, Plassey was the most elegant house in Doncaster and still remains the district’s finest example of a house of the “eighties”.
Henry Finger's Home
One of Doncaster’s most significant buildings (now demolished) was the home built by Henry Finger in Waldau Lane (now George Street) east of Rieschieck’s Reserve. The house built in 1870 and demolished in 1974 was classified by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
c1880. House built by Henry Finger on the north side of George street, in 1870. Shown before alterations. Man & woman in foreground, possibly Henriette Finger (later Mrs August Rieschieck) and one of her brothers. DP0205
Henry Finger came to Doncaster in 1870 and purchased 50 acres of land on the north side of George Street east of Victoria Street.
This ten roomed house was built on large slabs of stone to provide a solid and lasting foundation, and bricks for the walls were made and baked on the property. An unusual feature was the way in which the gable walls formed parapets at each end of the slate roof. The house was surrounded by a verandah.
The Finger homestead built by Henry Finger, on the north side of George Street, in 1870. The photograph shows the house as it was before alterations were made.
A cellar was incorporated under the house to store wine made from the vineyard. It also had a fireplace where a fire was lit to provide warmth when making butter on cold winter days.
After the land boom of the 1890’s labour was plentiful but there was no means of transport to the district. To accommodate workers for the orchard, outhouses were built and additions made to the house providing a new kitchen and men’s dining room. Outside was a small brick smokehouse where bacon and sausage meats were cured in the German tradition.
After the death of Henry Finger in 1884, the property passed to his son Ferdinand Finger. When he moved to North Balwyn in 1914, William Rieschieck (a grandson of Henry Finger) purchased the property. Built in a style reminiscent of Central Europe and framed by palm trees, the house had a unique character, which set it apart as one of the most charming homesteads of Doncaster.
In 1886 he bought 76 acres of land at Doncaster from Frederick Burcamp, a land speculator. The land with its high hill and tree studded pastures that swept down to a small stream was an ideal place for a country seat.
The following year he built a two storey, twelve-room mansion and called it Tullamore after his birthplace in Ireland.
This ten roomed house was built on large slabs of stone to provide a solid and lasting foundation, and bricks for the walls were made and baked on the property. An unusual feature was the way in which the gable walls formed parapets at each end of the slate roof. The house was surrounded by a verandah.
The Finger homestead built by Henry Finger, on the north side of George Street, in 1870. The photograph shows the house as it was before alterations were made.
A cellar was incorporated under the house to store wine made from the vineyard. It also had a fireplace where a fire was lit to provide warmth when making butter on cold winter days.
After the land boom of the 1890’s labour was plentiful but there was no means of transport to the district. To accommodate workers for the orchard, outhouses were built and additions made to the house providing a new kitchen and men’s dining room. Outside was a small brick smokehouse where bacon and sausage meats were cured in the German tradition.
After the death of Henry Finger in 1884, the property passed to his son Ferdinand Finger. When he moved to North Balwyn in 1914, William Rieschieck (a grandson of Henry Finger) purchased the property. Built in a style reminiscent of Central Europe and framed by palm trees, the house had a unique character, which set it apart as one of the most charming homesteads of Doncaster.
Tullamore
Tullamore which now forms part of the club rooms of the Eastern Golf Club was built in 1887 for Sir Thomas Fitzgerald, a leading Melbourne surgeon as a country home. Fitzgerald who had at the time been made a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons had reached the height of his eminent career.In 1886 he bought 76 acres of land at Doncaster from Frederick Burcamp, a land speculator. The land with its high hill and tree studded pastures that swept down to a small stream was an ideal place for a country seat.
The following year he built a two storey, twelve-room mansion and called it Tullamore after his birthplace in Ireland.
Early view of Tullamore homestead, showing the original two-storey timber verandah to its north and west sides. Source: The History of the Eastern Golf Club, p. 9. Republished in: Manningham Heritage Overlay Amendment - Heritage Assessment Tullamore C101 - Lovell Chen May2014 - f1 p10
It was built of red brick with slate roof and was surrounded by verandahs on the north and west sides. The building was rich in decoration, but without the extravagance of the prevailing boom style. The fluted red brick chimneys and imitation cement quoins at each corner followed the classical style, but the gable at the front and the gothic windows showed a departure from the strict adherences to the style of earlier years. A theme of circles, round holes and sweeping lines was used as a decorative motif throughout the building. A large stained glass window dominated the south wall and stairwell.
To the east, built into the slope of the land were the magnificent stables. Symmetrically designed with a high centre section between two skillions, the building was well proportioned. The centre section formed a wide aisle where the carriages were housed. Above was a high hay loft with clerestory ventilators. At each corner, brick rooms provided staff quarters, and two rooms with fireplaces of arched bricks served as living areas. On each side were the horse boxes.
After the death of Sir Thomas Fitzgerald in 1909, Tullamore was sold to William Stutt a well known citizen of Doncaster who had been a Shire Councillor and Member of Parliament, and ran the Doncaster Hotel. The Stutts were well liked and respected in the district.
Tullamore appealed to Stutt as a home for his retirement. The imposing house was a fitting climax to a successful life and the fine stables appealed to his interest in horse racing.
William Stutt died in 1912 at the age of 84, and Tullamore remained in the ownership of the family for forty years after his death.
In 1924 a committee of the Box Hill Golf Club leased Tullamore from Julian Stutt and laid out an eighteen hole golf course on the property.
In June 1924, Stanley Bruce opened the newly formed Eastern Golf Club. Tullamore has changed considerably during the club’s fifty years. The verandahs were removed and the brickwork painted white. The original front door and entrance hall no longer exist. Despite the changes however, Tullamore still stands proudly on its hill alongside Doncaster Road as the focal point of its beautiful surroundings.
The Dehnert Home
The Dehnert home, which still stands in George Street, East Doncaster, was built in 1897 for Reinhold Dehnert. Reinhold came to Doncaster in 1860 and after clearing his land established a successful orchard specialising in pear culture. He was known in the district as the “uncrowned pear king.” During the 1880’s he extended the orchard and at one time owned 90 acres extending almost as far south as Doncaster Road.
c1890. Rheinhold Dehnert's house. George Street, East Doncaster.Built in 1897. DP0214
The six roomed house was built of brick, plastered over and scribed to imitate stone, and the corners were decorated with imitation quoins. The house is entered by three doors from the verandahs on the north, west and south. The front door opens onto an elegant passage divided by high gothic arches supported on acanthus mouldings. Originally, the bathroom and laundry were located in a detached building at the rear of the house.
In the latter part of his life, Reinhold reduced his land holding considerably and by 1914 had only retained 6 acres. He lived in the house with two of his ten children until his death at the age of 102 years.
At night Reinhold always carried a candle to light the way to his bedroom and even after electricity was connected, he still preferred to use a candle.
Changes have occurred since the house was first built. The decorative timber fretwork on the verandahs was removed and extensions made to incorporate a new bathroom and laundry within the house. Despite these changes, the old home has retained its original appearance and character.
Electricity
Electricity was connected in March 1915 after five residents agreed to guarantee the Shire Council against loss for a period of five years. The scheme was a paying proposition from the outset and the guarantees were never called upon.Chapter 7 Doncaster Post Office
The first Post Office in Doncaster opened in 1860, with Joseph Pickering as Postmaster, and was located in a general store built on the front of Dodds wine shop. Prior to this, mail had to be collected first in Melbourne and subsequently at Kew. |
| Doncaster Post Office 1907. Woman & Child on verandah. Age and Leader advertisements. DTHS-dp0130. CollectionsVic791899 Daniel Harvey Collection |
In 1871 the Post Office returned to Pickerings Store. Joseph Pickering had died the year before and his son John was running the business. James Gill was appointed Postmaster in 1872 and in 1875 James Culliford purchased the store and became Postmaster.
The following year Henry Reynolds came to Doncaster from Collingwood and took over the general store. He was Postmaster for 30 years when the Shire of Doncaster was formed. In 1891, Reynolds was elected to the newly formed municipal council. On his election he declared, “I will give the same service on the Council as I have given the people of Doncaster for the past sixteen years”.
Reynolds advertised himself as a grocer, draper, general storekeeper, boot and shoe dealer. When he travelled to Melbourne to collect supplies for the store he used to carry parcels for a fee. In 1900, Henry Reynolds son Harry went into Melbourne to learn Morse code in preparation for a telegraph being installed at Doncaster. The store then became a Post and Telegraph office.
When Henry Reynolds retired, his daughter, Beatrice, and her husband, Ted Symons, took over the store and renamed it Symons Store. Additions were made to the front of the building to include a grocery section. Ted Symons enlisted during World War I and was sent overseas, but died of asthma on the ship. The work of running the business eventually became too much for Beatrice, so in 1917, E. Rolf took over the grocery section.
In 1919 a public phone was installed at the Post Office. It was a party line shared with the Cool Store and was operated from the Box Hill exchange. Fruit growers, who supplied jam factories, requested the phone, for they needed to keep in touch with the factories.
In January 1922 Beatrice Symons moved with her family to Bairnsdale, and W. Fidler became Postmaster for the next 5 years. In the 3 years following his term, Walhouse, McClaren, Dalrymple and F. E. Hoare held the position. Then in 1930 A. J. Affleck who had been in the district for three years was appointed Postmaster. He remained for 19 years running the Post Office and store with the help of his father and brother.
In 1949 the Afflecks sold the business and A. J. Williams became Postmaster for a period of 13 years. In 1954 he moved the Post Office to a new building across the road. A brick front was added to the old store. In 1962 following a fire, the old building was demolished and Doncaster Central Arcade was built on the site.
Doncaster Post Office c1920
Chapter 8 Doncaster Hotel
Ever since 1854 there has been a hotel at the corner of Doncaster Road and Victoria Street (originally Bismarck Street). The original hotel, owned by William Burnley and run by John Robert Wilson, was named the Doncaster Arms Hotel.At that time, Doncaster Road was only a bush track beyond the hotel. Wilson lived east of Victoria Street and travellers had to open slip rails on his land to pass further on. William Burnley died in 1860, and two years later the hotel with 140 acres of surrounding land was sold to Michael Egan, a timber merchant.
In the 1850’s, mail was carried to Warrandyte on horseback. As the mailman passed by, he left the mail bag for Doncaster at the hotel. In 1858 Matthew Hoare was appointed Postmaster for a period of three years, and during that time the hotel was called the Post Office Hotel.
Hotels were frequently used for official functions in the absence of a public hall, and in 1867 the Roads Board (Municipal Council) election was held there. Matthew Hoare had unsuccessfully stood for election to the Roads Board in 1866. This time, however, he offered free beer to all voters and was elected. Hoare sold the hotel in the 1870’s, and retired to his property in Blackburn Road. In the late 1860’s, horse races were held along Doncaster Road commencing at Blackburn Road and finishing at the hotel, a distance of one mile. During the 1890’s it is said that Mrs. Lithgow organised horse races in the 40 acre paddock alongside the hotel. A racing club was formed, and a meeting held each November. There were events for market gardeners and fruit growers, bread and milk cart horses and even for hacks. The main race was always the Doncaster Handicap. Most events were about one mile in length with prize money of £1 or £2 pounds ($3 or $4).
Coaches and cabs left the Royal Mail Hotel at the corner of Swanston and Bourke Streets on the day of the race and returned after the last race. Admission was 1/- (10c) to the flat and l/6d (15c) to the saddling paddock. Admission for ladies was free.
When William Stutt purchased the hotel in 1894, he took an active role in the event as Chief Steward. The last race meeting took place in 1899. William Stutt was a well-known identity in Doncaster and during his time the hotel was known as Stutt’s Hotel.
The Doncaster Hotel showing the original section built c1854 by Robert Wilson and the Recreation Hall at the rear of the hotel in 1900.
During the 1890s, when the hotel was owned by William Stutt, horse races were regularly held in the large paddock at the rear of the hotel. (Photograph mounted with caption) | Doncaster Doncaster Road|Doncaster Hotel DP0057
In 1960 the old iron roofed building was demolished in sections, in order to retain the license and the existing Doncaster Hotel was built closer to the corner of Victoria Street .
Chapter 9 The Athenaeum Hall and Library
The first steps to establish a public hall in Doncaster were taken in 1869 by a group of residents who had established a local branch of a temperance movement known as the Band of Hope. They sought to provide a public meeting place that might attract people away from local hotels for their entertainment and leisure activities.A meeting of residents held in November of 1870 elected Alfred Hummel, Chairman of a building committee. Hummel purchased an additional allotment of 3 acres on the south-east corner of Doncaster and Church Roads. He donated 1 acre for the erection of a public hall and 2 acres to Holy Trinity Church of England for the building of a church. Hummel was a generous man and also contributed £70 ($140) to the building fund for a hall.
Thomas Serpell, older brother of Richard Serpell, designed the building, which was erected by William Finger. Edwin Wilson supplied bricks and a water hole dug on the site by W. S. Williams, provided the water needed during construction of the building.
The Athenaeum Hall, as it was known, was completed at a cost of £259, 19s ($520) in 1871, and incorporated a public library containing 210 books.
Doncaster Athenaeum Hall, Before the supper room was added in 1914. Taken from the corner of Church Road. Shows the side wall of the original 1870 hall, as well as the timber additions at the rear containing the Library and Lodge Room. The adjoining paddock, belonging to the Church of England, is bounded by a post and 3-rail fence. DP0049
Max Schramm was appointed President of the library, a position he held for 30 years, and Edwin Lawford was librarian. In 1877 Oswald Thiele, Secretary of the library for 20 years, formed a committee to make plans for improvement to the hall facilities and library. Within a few years the library was expanded to contain a collection of more than 1000 books. W. E. Goodson, W. Craig and Mr. Jack served as librarians in later years.
The trustees built the original hall in 1897 and carried out remodelling in 1914 to provide a stage, ante room, lodge room and cloak room, together with a supper room and kitchen. Granite pillars flanking the front entrance from Doncaster Road were added in 1921 as a World War I Memorial.
Management of the hall was taken over by the City of Doncaster and Templestowe in 1964, and a new entrance on the eastern side was added. The old library fell into decline and was eventually closed. However, with the influx of new residents to the municipality in later years, it was realised there was a need for a new public library, and negotiations by the Council with the Box Hill Library Committee led to the establishment of a joint library service facility at Box Hill Central Library. A bookmobile operated on a weekly basis throughout the municipality, and in 1967 the M. J. McKenzie Library was opened in East Doncaster. Later this was moved to the Pines Shopping Centre. Also libraries were opened in Shoppingtown and Bulleen Plaza shopping centres.
c1900 Athenaeum Hall, Doncaster Road. Looking west towards Church Road. A horse and cart is approaching. Doncaster Tower is visible in the distance. DP0051
Chapter 10 The Tower
Alfred Hummel a wealthy Englishman settled in Doncaster in the 1860’s and became a gentleman farmer. He purchased William Bowers farm at the top of the hill on Doncaster Road and built a fine new home that he called “Bay View”.In 1877 the magnificent view from Doncaster Hill inspired Hummel to construct a lookout beside his home. The tower he built was destined to be the first of three; it rose 100 feet above the ground with a full view of the surrounding countryside. The tower was short lived however. Only three months after it was built, a strong windstorm toppled the tower.
Hummel resolved to build another tower higher than the first. It too, suffered the same fate. One morning Mrs. Pickering who lived close by, discovered that her door would not open properly. She pushed again, but still the door would budge no further. It was blocked by the tower that had blown down during the night missing her small cottage by inches.
Hummel was not to be beaten. Humiliated, he resolved to retrieve his prestige in the community and built yet another tower bigger, better and stronger than the previous two. He attached chains and cables to resist even the fiercest of gales.
He selected a new site on higher ground across the road. The tower, built of oregon beams, was to stand 285 feet high. He brought out shipwrights from England to construct the tower. They built the top half first, then built the lower section around it. Guy ropes were attached and the top section was hauled up into place. A network of thick oregon beams, some over 200 feet long, supported the tower.
c1910. Hummel's Tower and Tom Wenke's new Tower Hotel (the first hotel building was burnt down in 1895) on the north side of Doncaster Road between Williamsons Road and Council Street. Signs on cladding of tower: "Latham's prize ales - Con???". Sign on picket fence behind the lamp post: The signs reads "Tower Hotel - Martin Wenke - Afternoon Teas - Good Accommodation". Sign on front of hotel: "The Cyclists Rest", Sign on fence: "Central Motor Bus Company" DP1058
The tower, visible from miles around was a dominant landmark on the skyline. An enclosed staircase led to a platform 100 feet high. From the first landing open stairs led to the second landing. The flagpole was reached by a straight ladder from the second level. In the wind, the tower swayed and creaked. The view from the upper landing was awe inspiring extending from Bass Strait in the south to Mount Disappointment in the north and from Matlock Ranges in the east to Buninyong and Warrenheip in the west. Hummel named it the Beaconsfield Tower.
The tower was officially opened in 1879 with a grand dinner for two hundred guests in the entertainment hall. Hummel’s tower became a tourist attraction. It was featured in the illustrated papers, and during the International Exhibition the following year, the tower attracted visitors from overseas. Horse drawn drags brought picnic parties from Melbourne.
Hummel had ambitious plans to attract sightseers and picnic parties. There would be a refreshment room and a large hall at the base of the tower. He built tea rooms to cater for visitors, but when men preferred to go to a nearby hotel in the district, he resolved to build his own hotel alongside the entertainment hall. With 39 rooms and stabling for 20 horses, it was bigger than any other hotel in the neighbourhood. On the 13 acres surrounding the tower there were picnic grounds and a small racecourse.
In 1885 Hummel sold his properties in Doncaster and moved to Tasmania. The hotel was taken over by William Meader. In 1895 the timber building was destroyed by fire and replaced by a brick building. The hotel was delicensed in 1921 and eventually demolished when Doncaster Road was widened in 1971. The tower had been dismantled in 1914 because of fears for its safety.
Chapter 11 The Box Hill -Doncaster Tram
The first electric tramway in Australia and possibly the Southern Hemisphere ran between Box Hill and Doncaster from 1889 to 1896. It was beset with legal and financial difficulties for much of the time it operated and in the end fell victim to the after effects of the Depression of 1892. Seven years later, unable to meet its financial commitments and operate at a profit, the tram closed down.The tram was purchased at the Centennial International Exhibition held in Melbourne in 1888. The 15 hp engine and chassis was manufactured in Boston U.S.A. by the Thomas Houston Company, but the body was built in Australia. It was a simple open vehicle with six seats; each fitted with a tip over back, and had double running boards on each side. With room for six people on each seat, the car had a seating capacity of 36.
The Box Hill and Doncaster Electric Tramway Company Limited purchased the tram with a view to promoting tourism and land sales in the area. It would also provide a useful link for the residents of Doncaster with the railway at Box Hill. The company appointed William Meader as Company Chairman and Robert Gow as Secretary and Manager.
14 October 1889. Box Hill terminus. Opening day of Melbournes first tram from Box Hill to Doncaster. Tram company officials and dignitaries about or on the tram. Land sale hoardings in the background. DP0752
As no public road existed along the proposed route, it was necessary to traverse private property. Negotiations were made to construct a line through the properties of C. F. Taylor, the Box Hill Township Estate Company, W. Sell, R. Serpell and W. Meader as far as the Shire boundary at Koonung Creek. From there it was to zig-zag in a north westerly direction to the corner of Doncaster and Williamsons Roads. Unfortunately, some of the negotiations entered into were only verbal agreements and this led to complications and disputes later on. Also, a number of local residents felt that their peace and privacy was being invaded and that a tram would jeopardise any prospect of a train service to Doncaster that had been mooted at the time.
Despite such feelings, tenders were called for construction of the earthworks and permanent way, and work commenced in November 1888. The 2 1\4 mile line consisted of a single track of 4 feet 8 1\2 inch gauge. Embankments and bridges were constructed over Koonung and Bushy Creeks, and in places, where the terrain was hilly; cuttings were made to reduce the gradient.
Three quarters of an acre of land was made available at Bushy Creek for the erection of a corrugated iron shed to house the tram and generating plant to supply electricity. A dam excavated on Bushy Creek provided water for the boiler. The generating equipment and wiring was installed by the Union Electric Company of Australia at a cost of £2,300.
Mr. Cameron M.L.A., officially opened the tramway on Monday 14th October 1889, and a celebration banquet was held that evening at the Tower Hotel, Doncaster, to mark the occasion.
The tram travelled at a speed of 12 to 14 miles per hour down hill, but slowed considerably to 5 miles on up hill sections. The whole distance was covered in 20 minutes.
At the Doncaster terminus, Edward Gallus built a refreshment room on his land with a small verandah attached to provide a shelter for waiting passengers.
Three men were needed to run the tram - a driver, conductor and engine house attendant. The fare for a one-way trip was 6d (5c). However, visitors from Melbourne could purchase a combined train and tram fare for l/6d (15c).
Initially, the tram service was a great success, making ten round trips each weekday, with additional trips on Saturday afternoon. A Sunday afternoon service was also provided. Many Melbourne excursionists came to Doncaster, especially in spring, when the orchards were in blossom to take advantage of the spectacular view from the Beaconsfield Tower that stood close to the tram terminus.
A second saloon car was ordered from America. It was fitted with two 15 hp engines giving it twice the power of the first tram. The new car commenced service on Christmas Day 1890.
Eventually, problems began to surface; claims were made against the operating company for unpaid wages and debts, and there were increasing breakdowns and disruptions to the service because technical equipment was not being properly maintained. The Doncaster Estate Company Limited whose land the tram crossed demanded a more reliable service. When such guarantee was refused the Estate Company pulled up the rails on its land, put up barrier fences and dug a deep ditch across the right of way to stop the service. Local residents who supported the tram service reacted angrily by removing the fences and filling in the ditch. Determined in its resolve, the Estate Company chopped down the poles conveying the electricity. A stand off arose!
In protest against these acts of sabotage, an effigy of Alfred Tankard, secretary of the South Doncaster Estate Company, was hung from a crosswire at the Doncaster terminus. Attached was a placard that read:-
A. E. Tankard
The sad effects of rail lifting
The above will be burned in effigy on Saturday evening at 8.00p.m.
All are cordially invited
The dispute was settled when land owners agreed to transfer a portion of their land to the Shire Council on the condition that it be declared a public highway.
In 1892 the operation of the tram service was taken over by the newly established Doncaster and Box Hill Electric Road Company Limited. Henry Hilton, an enterprising engineer, was appointed manager and soon set about providing a more regular and cost efficient service. He later leased the service for 1/- (10c) a week and dubbed his enterprise the “bob-a-week” tram service. Even this was not enough to save the tram. Patronage declined and in the end it was no longer financially viable to maintain and operate the service. The tram made its last journey on 6th January 1896.
1892. The engine house and tram depot shed in Station Street near Bushy Creek, Box Hill (near present day Wimmera Street). The enclosed tramcar can be seen in the distance, and there are some spare rails in the foreground. DP0749
Chapter 12
The Shire Hall
The old Shire Hall at the corner of Council Street and Doncaster Road was built in 1892 for the Shire of Doncaster and in later years was the seat of government for the combined Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe.After a dispute was resolved between the residents of the Doncaster and East Doncaster Ridings, as to whether a hall should in fact be built, and where it should be located, Richard Serpell offered to purchase a site, provided that residents of the district subscribed an amount of £100 ($200). This offer was accepted, plans were prepared and tenders were soon called for the erection of a hall.
Fourteen tenders were presented to the Council by the Architect J. M. Anderson. The lowest tender of £498, 10s ($997), submitted by W. D. Harbet of Williamstown, was accepted in December 1891. Five months later the new building was completed.
 |
| Doncaster Shire Hall at the corner of Doncaster Road and Council Street, on election day. Built for the Shire of Doncaster and opened in 1892. Joan Webster (Facebook) In 1890 the Doncaster Riding had split from the Shire of Bulleen to go it alone as the Shire of Doncaster in its own Shire Hall in 1892. Quite likely this photo is of the declaration of the Shire of Doncaster. DP0157 |
It remains the same today as it was built, a simple rectangular brick structure with a slate roof. On either side of the small entrance porch are round arched windows with raised keystones. The Council Chamber measured 60 feet by 44 feet and was furnished with five splendid lamps. Wooden forms were provided for visitors and a table for press reporters. There were offices for the Shire Secretary and the Rate Collector.
The hall opened for Council business on 3rd June 1892, and the first Council meeting in the new hall was conducted three days later on 6th June. When the meeting opened, Councillor Reynolds congratulated the Shire President, Councillor Smedley, on being able to take the chair in such a beautiful hall and hoped at the same time that they would all be spared a long time to see the benefits of their work.
The Shire Hall was used until 1956, when the Council and its staff of six moved to larger premises on the site of the present Municipal Offices. This in turn became too small to adequately service the needs of a rapidly growing municipality, and the present building was erected on the same site in 1980.
The Shire of Doncaster and Templestowe was officially proclaimed the City of Doncaster and Templestowe on February 28th 1967 by His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe KCMG.
Chapter 13 Thiele's Store
For almost a century, one of Doncaster’s best known landmarks along Doncaster Road was Thiele’s General Store. It stood where the small row of shops is now located east of the Municipal Offices. Gottfried Thiele who had come to Doncaster in 1854 built a four roomed house in 1870 on land that he purchased from Carl Aumann. His wife Anna established a small shop in one of the front rooms. The shop was sparsely stocked as supplies were only replenished when Gottfried went to Melbourne or Kew by dray.
1890’s-1900. Henry Thiele’s General Store and residence DP0797
The shop had the atmosphere of a country store with groceries and sweets on one side and haberdashery on the other. Kitchenware and hardware was sold in the old section on the lower level. On either side, shelving extended from floor to ceiling and small wooden steps were always used to reach the higher shelves. Wearing a long white grocer’s apron, Henry’s was a familiar face as he stood behind the long wooden counter. Home deliveries were made by horse and cart to his customers.
Thiele’s shop was the favourite place for boiled sweets and aniseed balls. When times were busy and extra assistance was needed behind the counter, Henry would call loudly to his wife, “Shop, Emma!” The name stuck, and her family and friends would often address her as ‘Shop Emma.’
Henry Thiele was a kind and understanding person and whenever a resident of the district died, he would always close two wooden shutters, one on either side of the shop window, as a mark of respect. In 1923, the business was sold and later run for many years by the Mitchell family until it was demolished in the 1960’s to make way for the present shops on the site.
Chapter 14 Serpell's Store and Doncaster Shoppingtown .
At the height of the land boom in the late 1880’s Richard Serpell, a successful orchardist and businessman and one of Doncaster s prominent citizens, bought a large area of land at the corner of Doncaster and Williamsons Road. He was a member of the syndicate, which formed a company to run Australia’s first electric tram from Box Hill to Doncaster. It was thought that the new tram service would greatly boost an anticipated influx of new residents to the district.Richard Serpell subdivided his land and a successful sale of shop sites was conducted in a marquee bedecked with flags and bunting. The sale was widely publicised and attracted many people.
The Serpell family also owned the present site of Doncaster Shoppingtown where they had built their home along Williamsons Road and established an orchard. The land boom encouraged many ambitious projects, and in 1890 Richard Serpell planned for the erection of a row of brick shops along the Doncaster Road frontage of his property. He built the first of these on the north east corner of Doncaster and Williamsons Road. It was an imposing two storey building with polychrome brick decoration.
1890. Richard Serpell's newly built Store at the north-east corner of Doncaster and Williamsons Road, Doncaster. The tenants were Watkins and Collier Grocers, Ironmongers, Merchants, Storekeepers. Serpell's store No verandahs. Above the pair of windows on the upper storey is the date "A.D. 1890" DP1052
In the 1930’s, A. E. White of Mitcham rented the building, and it was then referred to as Whites Corner Store. Despite the fact that it was Whites store for only twenty of its seventy-seven years, the name stuck, and Serpells Store became known as Whites Corner. For many years Whites Corner was also a widely known bus interchange point for passengers travelling to Heidelberg or Warrandyte from Melbourne or Box Hill.
At the end of the 1960’s the Serpell family sold their property to Westfield Corporation for the development of the Shoppingtown complex, and this led to the demise of the old red store. The redevelopment of the intersection soon engulfed the old site and in the road realignment and levelling process even the soil of the old corner was carted away.
All that remains today is the bronze commemorative plaque near the Williamsons Road northern entrance. Set in the ground, it commemorates the old site together with other surrounding historic landmarks. Bricks from the old store were used to pave the surrounding area.
Doncaster Shoppingtown was officially opened on 29th September 1969 and was extensively remodelled in 1992 and again in 2008.
Westfield’s Doncaster Shoppingtown in 1970. BW dn4a_12-DSH
Chapter 15 Public Transport
The first transport to Doncaster was a horse cab from the Tower Hotel to Box Hill in 1886. Two years later an omnibus mail service was run by the railways between Kew and Doncaster. Later, mail was conveyed from Box Hill by a private carrier.In 1912, Victor Sonnenberg extended his horse drawn coach service from Box Hill to East Doncaster. The journey took 45 minutes. Five trips were made on weekdays, three on Saturdays and two on Sundays. The service had previously operated between Box Hill and the Doncaster Hotel.
1886. Victorian Railways "Horse Bus", carrying the mail from Kew Railway Station to Doncaster, outside the Morning Star Hotel, Doncaster in Doncaster Road near Koonung Creek. Driver with passenger alongside. Two horses. Lamp prominent in front of hotel. Caption states bus is thought to have run from the Kew Post Office to the Doncaster Hotel (corner Doncaster Road and Victoria Street. DP0042
The Doncaster Progress Association was keen to organise a bus service between East Doncaster Post Office and the Melbourne Post Office. An agreement was drawn up with the General Motor Bus Company. The fare was 2/- to Melbourne and 3d between East Doncaster and Doncaster. The Association agreed to pay a subsidy of £12 ($24) per week. This amount was subscribed by 200 local residents. Three trips were scheduled each day but the service closed after a few months as a consequence of insufficient patronage
In 1913, Mr. A. Withers offered to run a bus service to Warrandyte. This was commenced in April. The company for whom he worked was praised for the courtesy of its drivers and for its reliability. However it did not pay, and by the end of that year, ceased operation.
President of the Progress Association, Alfred Thiele and Mr. De Mole Secretary, then made arrangements with the British Motor Service. Instead of buses, touring cars or charabancs, as they were known, with a seating capacity of 20 passengers were used. Once again, there were insufficient passengers to make the bus service a viable proposition.
It was not until 1925 that Doncaster had a reliable bus service to Melbourne. It was then that Mr. A. Withers, who now operated his own company, commenced a bus service from Doncaster and Warrandyte to Melbourne. This continued until it was taken over by the Tramways Board in 1960.
There was also talk of providing a train service from Melbourne to East Doncaster in the 1970’s. Various routes were considered but the project was eventually shelved because of the cost involved.
Sonnenberg's charabanc bus held 20 passengers in seats facing the front and reached by an aisle on the left side. The service was from Box Hill to Doncaster, and operated in the 1920s. DP0045
Chapter 16 Sport
Cricket
As early as 1866, a cricket club played on a ground at the corner of Doncaster Road and Tower Street. About 1874 the Doncaster Cricket Club was formed and first played on a ground alongside the Doncaster Hotel. George Holden was captain of the team. Later, the club played on the Recreation Ground, on the corner of Leeds Street and Doncaster Road, for many years. The Recreation Ground was provided by the Shire Council with money obtained from the sale of a Government Reserve in Church Road together with funds raised in the district.In 1881, the Doncaster Heights Club was formed and played on a ground known as Serpell's Paddock where today the Doncaster Road entrance to Doncaster Shoppingtown is located. In later years matches were played at Federal Park behind the Doncaster State School.
East Doncaster Cricket Club
The origins of this club go back to the 1870’s with a group of players under the name of The Miserables. In its first 75 years, membership consisted almost entirely of the fathers and sons of fruit growing families of East Doncaster. Matches were played on an occasional basis between teams representing East Doncaster, Doncaster, Warrandyte, Templestowe and other nearby rural communities. Many players had to forgo cricket during the busy fruit harvest season.
East Doncaster Cricket Club, about 1922 at Mitcham. Rear: Umpire, S. Maggs. J. McKinley, P. White, Unknown, T. Buck, J. Snell, H. Zerbe, C. Hunt. Front : A Johnson, G. Spears, J Finger, C. Johnson. Image Source: https://www.edcc.com.au/
During the 1880’s, games became increasingly competitive, with matches being organised on seven or eight Saturdays.
An important change occurred in 1893 when The Box Hill Reporter, the main regional newspaper in Melbourne’s eastern region, encouraged and organised the establishment of a cricket association. East Doncaster was a foundation member and played in “The Reporter” Association until 1976.
During the war years, many players enlisted and competitive cricket had to be curtailed.
After the war in 1947 a new cricket ground known as the Deep Creek Reserve was established near the junction of Andersons Creek and Warrandyte Roads. Club members constructed the ground themselves using horses and scoops, axes and shovels, with the help of one or two tractors.
In 1947, the club had sufficient players to field a second eleven, and the following year the first eleven were promoted to the “A” Grade competition. The club held social events such as euchre nights, theatre outings, and occasional dances. In 1965 the club was granted a new home ground at Zerbes Reserve, and for the first time had its own clubrooms. Then in 1976 the Council installed a new turf wicket. In following years the club went from strength to strength, winning several premierships and using volunteer labour, erected a new social complex. In the 1976/77 season, the East Doncaster Cricket Club affiliated with the Eastern Suburbs Cricket Association and in 1985 won the Canberra Caps Trophy for the best administered club in the Eastern Suburbs Cricket Association.
Football.
It is difficult to establish when football was first played in Doncaster. If it was played before 1900, it may well have been on land belonging to the Doncaster Hotel. When the Government Cool Store was built in 1904, W. Stutt, proprietor of the hotel, offered to sell the Government part of his land “provided it did not interfere with the cricket ground.”
Before 1915. Doncaster East Football Club. Williams, Jack; Lorick, Fred Van; Underwood, Hugh; Britt, Les; Underwood, Frank; Smith, Dolph; Craig, Willie; Bullen, Arthur; Sleeth, Fred; Tolley, Fred; Toogood, Rex; Hooper, W.; Petty, Ed.; Symonds, Ed.; Mathews, Jim; Tong, Doug; Willie Craig was Head Master of Doncaster East School No. 2096 from 1895 to 1909. Private Percy Graham was killed in action at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915 [see Manningham Leader, 20 April 2015, page 8] DP0999
Doncaster played with the Ringwood District Football Association (now defunct) for a number of years and later in the Eastern Suburbs Football League. Then in 1939 Doncaster won the ‘B’ grade premiership. Since 1962 it has played in the Eastern District Football League. Home matches are now played on ovals at Schramms Reserve. A club was also formed at East Doncaster.
Tennis.
One of the earliest tennis courts in Doncaster was built in 1900 in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church of England. It was an earth court and owed its formation to the enthusiasm of Bert and Vic Hollow, sons of the vicar Rev. G. Hollow.
Group of tennis players at Federal Park, Doncaster. The park was on the site of the present Doncaster Primary School sports ground. Wiese, G. Jun DP1179
Other Sports Organisations
Rifle Shooting
With the outbreak of the Boer War in 1900, patriotic men formed rifle clubs and built rifle ranges. The Doncaster Rifle Range was built at the end of McGowans Road on Deep Creek. A smaller club built a miniature rifle range and clubhouse on Doncaster Road near the present intersection with Whittens Lane, and was looked after by the Thiele brothers. Also, ladies rifle shoots were conducted in a paddock alongside Koonung Creek.
1900-1914 Doncaster Rifle Club Miniature Rifle Range, Doncaster Road, opposite Henry Thiele's store. The range was for use of .22 calibre rifles. Small shed with 12-paned window. Verandahs front and back. Open shed in the back at a distance. The range is fenced approx 12 feet wide. Henry Thiele's sons looked after the range. DP0621
Early 1900s. Doncaster Rifle Club. Ladies shooting in a paddock adjacent to the Koonung Creek. DP0299
Bicycle Events
In the first decade of this century, bicycle races were popular. A well- known local event was the Oddfellows Picnic Day, held each year on Easter Monday at the Doncaster Recreation Ground. The events of the day included a wood chopping contest and bicycle races on a bicycle track around the ground.Bowls
A Bowls Club was formed at Doncaster in the early 1950’s at Schramms Reserve and a second green added later as the club membership expanded.Basketball/ Netball
In 1949 Mrs. Beryl Buck formed a Basketball - Netball Club at East Doncaster. Earth courts were built at the corner of Andersons Creek and Reynolds Road and also at Catjump Road. These courts were funded by private subscription and were closed when the Council built new netball courts at the Doncaster Recreation Reserve.
The Doncaster Recreation Reserve at the corner of Leeds Street. A woodchopping contest during the Oddfellows Picnic Day Source: Doncaster Road in the year 1900 Clague p174
Chapter 17 Doncaster Progress Association
The Doncaster Progress Association was formed in 1911 with Thomas Petty as President, and I. M. De Mole, Secretary. Vice Presidents were Mark Miles and William Sell and Committee Members were John Petty, H. G. Clay, J. J. Tully, Frederick Thiele, G. Wiese and P DArcy.The Association was active for a number of years and helped influence the decision to connect electricity to the Shire in 1916. After two unsuccessful deputations to the Council, a scheme to connect electricity was finally agreed upon after seven local residents, acting as guarantors, agreed to indemnify the Council against financial loss for a period of five years.
Efforts were also made by the Association to provide a direct bus service to Melbourne instead of going via Box Hill. Various options were tried, but failed through lack of public patronage.
Source: Doncaster - A Short History By Eric Collyer (2013) Published by Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society, 12 Blair Street Warrandyte VIC 3113. National Library of Australia Card Number and ISBN 978 0 947353 04 9 - Original Scan
This book is a revised edition of three previous publications produced by the Templestowe Historical Society.
Doncaster, Templestowe and Warrandyte since 1838.
Doncaster - A Short History 1981 ISBN 0950092029
Doncaster - A Short History 1994. ISBN 0947353046
Doncaster - A Short History 2013. ISBN 9780947353049
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