RAAF plane crash at Garfield, January 17 1958

This report of the crash of an RAAF aeroplane at Garfield  is from the The Age, Saturday January 18, 1958 p. 3.  

Air Cadets unhurt in R.A.A.F. Crash

Schoolboys were on First Flight.

Twenty-five schoolboy members of the Air Training Corp escaped unhurt when an R.A.A.F. Dakota – taking them on their first air force flight – crashed in a paddock near Garfield, in West Gippsland, yesterday. Five members of the crew also escaped injury as the plane careered along the ground on its belly.

The aircraft was on a routine flight from Laverton to Sale where it was taking an Air Force scientist, Mr W. Rice, of Altona. The cadets who had been on a two-week camp at Laverton, were taken along for the ride to gain experience.

Wing-Commander G.H.N. Shiells, commanding officer of Aircraft Research and Development Unit at Laverton, who authorised the flight, said that if the plane had come down anywhere else but on a flat paddock everyone on board could have been killed.

The pilot, Flight-Lieut. L.A. Evans, of Laverton, did a magnificent job in missing power lines as the plane first crashed through a boundary fence and then bounced and jolted its way more than 500 yards across the rough paddock.

The plane blazed a shallow furrow in the hard ground before it finally came to rest in a great cloud of dust only 80 feet from a road which had high tension power lines along its edge.

 

The plane after the crash

 The Age, Saturday January 18, 1958 p. 3.  

No panic
Flight-Lieut. Evans said that they were half way to Sale when the port motor cut out. He decided to try to return to Laverton, but five minutes later the starboard motor also cut out.

“I didn’t have much time to think as the aircraft plunged down. I sighted a fairly large paddock and decided to try a ‘belly’ landing,” he said. “This is the second time I have made a wheels-up landing. The first was during the war when the under carriage of a Lincoln bomber failed and I made a forced landing at Townsville, in Queensland.”

One of the cadets on board, 14 year-old M. Latham, of Frankston, was sitting by a window near the port engine. He said his only thought as they were approaching for the crash landing was…”What happened if it explodes?”

“The first I knew of the crash-landing was when I saw shattered fence posts flying past my window,” he said. “None of the boys showed any signs of panic as we hit the ground and I only felt a series of severe bumps and jolts before the aircraft finally stopped.

“As soon as we stopped moving we all started talking and shouting, but we were told to leave the plane as quickly as possible.”

The cadets line up with the damaged aircraft in the background.

 The Age, Saturday January 18, 1958 p. 3.  

 
Girl Watched
Patricia Terrill, 16, who lives just opposite the paddock in which the plane landed, was watching it when the engines failed. “I watched the plane coming down towards the paddock and then I raced into the house as it came full-pelt towards me,” she added. An R.A.A.F. official said last night that a full investigation would be held into the cause of the accident. He said the aircraft would be dismantled and conveyed to Laverton in pieces to be examined by experts.

About six hours after the crash an R.A.A.F. bus arrived from Melbourne and the cadets were taken back to camp.

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Note: Article has been re-paragraphed. The Age article is from newspapers.com, and original is below.

 The Age, Saturday January 18, 1958 p. 3.

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Bunyip News article

The December 2022 issue of the Bunyip News had an interview with, and photos of, Ken Sumsion, who was one of the cadets on board the RAAF plane when it crash landed at Garfield. He was 15 years old at the time. The article was written by Roman Kulkewycz and you can access it here  https://bunyipnews.org.au/#editions

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ADF-SERIALS: Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History website

This website - ADF-SERIALS: Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History - RAAF A65 Douglas C-47, C-49, C-50 and C-53 http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/2a65.htm has the following information about the ill-fated RAAF plane which crashed at Garfield. It says the plane took off from Moorabbin; The Age article says Laverton, which is where the Air Force base is located. 

RAAF Serial - A65-99 

Radio call-sign - VHRFP 

Model/Type C-47B-30-DK 

C/N - 33103 

USAAF Serial - 44-76771 

C-47B-30-DK constructed under USAAF Contract AC535-AC-40652- #2032. Ex 44-76771 ordered under Indent 2415 (6th of 10 C-47B Aircraft Batch, delivery from USA to Australia May 45). Rec 3AD ex USA 11/05/45. Renumbered and given DAT Rego VHRFP. Rec 13ARD ex 3AD 17/05/45. Rec 35 Sqn RAAF ex 13ARD 23/05/45. Coded BK-O. Rec 2ADex 35 Sqn RAAF 11/12/45. Issued 35 Sqn RAAF ex 2AD 21/12/45. Rec 36 Sqn RAAF ex 35 Sqn RAAF 12/04/46. Cat B Storage ex Schofields UE 20/05/48. Issued 86 Wing Det Garbutt Townsville 20/05/48.Rec 86 Wing ex Garbutt 20/06/49. Rec 3AD ex 86 Wing 12/08/49. Rec 86 Wing ex 3AD 10/11/49. Rec 86 Wing Det Darwin ex 86 Wing 19/05/50. Rec 86 Wing ex 86 Wing Darwin Det 20/07/50. Rec DAP ex 86 Wing 22/08/50. Rec 1AD ex DAP Parafield 25/08/51. Rec R/S East Sale ex 1AD 08/06/51. Rec 86 Wing ex R/S East Sale 17/08/51. Damaged from storm 10/11/52. Rec DAP ex 86 Wing 16/11/53. Rec 86 Wing ex DAP 10/05/54. Rec DAP ex 86 Wing 26/01/56. Rec ARDU ex DAP 02/08/56. Rec DAP ex ARDU for SARAH Modification 02/01/57.Rec ARDU ex DAP 19/02/57. Accident 1000hrs 17/01/58 after taking off on a ILS Check flight to East Sale from Moorabin Vic, when in flight, port engine failed, followed soon by the starboard engine, near Warragul Vic, forcing pilot to make an emergency forced landing in a paddock( owned then by Mr Edward Walters) damaging some 25 yards of fencing, one mile southeast of Garfield, Gippsland Vic. Crew; F/Lt L A Evans Serv#022135, W/o F Russell Serv#A31517, Sgt W R Ross Serv#A33211, A/c G F Green Serv#A218463, Mr Rice Scientific Officer ARDU(Civilian) and twenty Melbourne ATC members were not injured. Aircraft retrieved by 1AD, deemed unrepairable by unit and listed for disposal 06/01/59.TTHrs 4886.35. Rebuilt by Bristols 1960. VH-PNA Papuan Air Transport 'Mount Victoria' Registered 23/08/61. Ansett Airlines of PNG Registered 01/07/72. Withdrawn 30/10/72 Madang. Used for fire practice 11/72. Scrapped . Pics held of aircraft post forced landing.

Doctor and Mrs Appleford, M.M. arrive in Lang Lang

Lang Lang had good news in September 1919 as Dr Appleford and his wife, Nurse Alice Ross-King decided to settle into the town -

Lang Lang is about to have a longfelt want filled, namely a resident doctor, Dr Appleford, a returned soldier, having decided to take up his abode at Lang Lang. The doctor is at present on his honeymoon in the Lakes district. His wife (nee Miss King Ross) is also a returned "soldier"- and holds the M.M. for bravery under fire - the Huns having shelled the hospital in France in which she was working. The doctor and his wife will be a great acquisition to the district, and we wish them the best of good luck. (1).

Dr Appleford comes to Lang Lang

South Bourke and Mornington Journal September 11, 1919

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66196736

Dr Appleford also consulted at Koo Wee Rup, at Mr T. Burhop's  and Grantville on 'sale days'.

Where to consult with Dr Appleford

Koo Wee Rup Sun Nov 12 1919, p. 1

The Applefords lived in a house beside the Butter Factory in Station Street (2) and started operating a private hospital. Dr Appleford treated the usual range of ailments and incidents common in a country town, including treating the 54 people injured in the Christmas Eve train accident of 1928, when a passenger train hit a stationary goods train at Koo Wee Rup (3).  Here are some other reports of his medical cases, including happy births and sad deaths.

Birth of Jean Chisholm at Dr Appleford's Hospital

The Argus, January 15, 1921 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1732810

Birth of baby Goudie at Dr Appleford's Hospital

The Argus,  January 26, 1924 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1914771

Death of young William McCord at Dr Appleford's Hospital

The Argus, May 3 1920 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1697513 

Other reports of Dr Appleford's cases -

Bee Attack - Unbeknown to his mother, Colin Leeson, the 14 months’ old child of Mr. and Mrs. A. Leeson, of Caldermeade, followed his mother to the garden and sat down in front of a bee-hive, and as a result the bees attacked him and stung him severely round the head. The child’s screams attracted his mother’s attention, and she was severely stung in rescuing him. He was hurried to the surgery of Dr. Appleford, of Lang Lang, who ordered his removal to a private hospital for observation, in case poisoning and shock should supervene. The child has since returned home apparently none the worse for his adventure (4). 

Snake bite - A resident of French Island was attacked and bitten by a tiger snake during the week-end. He was brought into Lang Lang, where he was given treatment by Dr. S. T. Appleford, who ordered his removal to a public hospital (5).

Shooting accident - Stanley Jackson, aged 16 years, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Jackson, of Lang Lang, nearly lost his left hand as the result of an accident while he and three friends were out shooting. The gun exploded while he was trying to fix the safety catch. One of his companions stripped his shirt and bound the arm. After supporting Jackson in turn as they made their way back to the vehicle, they brought him into Lang Lang, where has was treated by Dr. S.T. Appleford, who ordered his removal to Melbourne. An operation was immediately performed, and it is believed that the youth's hand will be saved. (6)

The Applefords also joined in with the community life of Lang Lang - Alice Appleford was a member of the Lang Lang State School Mother's Club and President in 1934 and 1935. The couple's four children - Isobel, Marion, John and Richard -  all attended Lang Lang State School. She was also a member of the Lang Lang R.S.L. Women's Auxiliary.  Sydney Appleford was a founding member of the Lang Lang Tennis Club and President for the first fifteen years; a member of the Lang Lang Golf Club Committee (7).

The Appleford's farewell function

Dandenong Journal March 6, 1940 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216060046

In 1940, Dr Appleford sold his practice to Dr Alan Hewitt of Koo Wee Rup, as he had enlisted in the Australian Medical Corps. The family left Lang Lang at this time and moved to 255 Buckley Street, Essendon. 

Dr Sydney Appleford

Image: Geelong College

https://gnet.tgc.vic.edu.au/wiki/Print.aspx?Page=APPLEFORD-Sydney-Theodore-1891-1959

Sydney Theodore Appleford was born on August 29, 1891 in Geelong to John and Mary (nee Knight) Appleford; he attended Geelong College and then studied Medicine at Melbourne University. Sydney applied for a Commission in the Australian Army Medical Corps on August 24, 1915 when he was 23 years, 11 months old. He left for service overseas in the October and then returned to Australia in September 1916 on medical grounds (gastritis). He recovered and was sent back overseas in February 1917. In July 1918,  he was promoted from Captain to Major. Dr Appleford Returned to Australia January 14, 1919. It was during the voyage home that Sydney Appleford met his future wife, Sister Alice Ross-King, and they married in Melbourne on August 20, 1919.  Dr Appleford re-enlisted in the Army in the Second World War on April 12, 1940 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and was discharged in January 1949. (8). He died on September 20, 1959 and is buried at Fawkner Cemetery. (9).

There  is a short and interesting biography of Dr Appleford on the Geelong College website, here. 

Sister Alice Ross King

Weekly Times October 6, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132695390

Dr Appleford's wife, Alice, had also served in the First World War, and as we saw in the article at the top of the post, she holds the M.M. for bravery under fire - the Huns having shelled the hospital in France in which she was working. Alice Ross-King was born on August 5, 1887, in Ballarat, the daughter of Archibald and Henrietta (nee Ward) Ross King. She was actually christened Alys, but generally used Alice. She trained as a nurse at the Alfred Hospital and also worked at the Austin, Mildura and Wentworth Hospitals. Alice enrolled in the Australian Army Nursing Service on November 5, 1914.When she arrived in Egypt she was assigned to a Clearing Hospital for Gallipoli casualties. In April 1916, the Australian General Hospital, to which she was attached, was transferred to France. On July 22, 1917 the hospital was bombed and for her bravery, Sister Ross-King was awarded the Military Medal, one of only seven Australian Nurses who received this award during World War One. The award was gazetted in the London Gazette of September 25, 1917 and appeared in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on January 24, 1918 (10). 

Sister Ross-King awarded the Military Medal

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. January 24, 1918, p. 83. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232463297

In November 1918, Sister Ross King was awarded the Royal Red Cross decoration in recognition of her valuable service with the Army in France and Flanders. The Royal Red Cross decoration was the initiative of Queen Victoria to reward women who showed exceptional service and dedication in nursing sick and wounded servicemen, whether at home or abroad. (11).  Sister Ross-King's diary, 1915 - 1919, has been transcribed and can be read on the Australian War Memorial website, here.

Sister Alice Ross-King awarded the Royal Red Cross decoration

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. November 7,  1918, p. 2111. 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232462776

Lorna Finnie, the author of Sister Ross-King's Australian Dictionary of Biography entry describes her service in World War two - She enlisted for full-time duty with the V.A.D.s and her husband was commissioned as a medical officer in the army. By 1942 the V.A.D.s had developed into the Australian Army Women's Medical Services and Alice Appleford was commissioned as a major and appointed senior assistant controller for Victoria. Untiring in her devotion to duty and hard work, with responsibility for some 2000 servicewomen, her organizing skills had great impact on fund-raising activities during World War II. She was fully committed in assisting Red Cross and Service charities, supporting war widows and children and demonstrating concern for the well-being of members of the A.A.W.M.S. (12). 

Major Alice Ross-King

Australian War Memorial Image 080772 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P11013368

Alice Appleford died August 16, 1968 in Sydney and she is buried with her husband at Fawkner Cemetery. (13)

Footnotes
(1) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, September 11, 1919, see here.

(2) Coghlan, Barbara Protector’s Plains: history of the Lang Lang Primary school No.2899, 1888-1988 and district (CBC Publishing, 1988), p. 22.

(3) Photographs here - https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2020/02/railway-accident-at-koo-wee-rup.html ; Accounts of the accident -  The Argus, December 26, 1928, here; Weekly Times,  December 28, 1928, here; The Australasian, December 29, 1928, see here. There are varying reports of the number of people injured - The Argus says it was 54 passengers; The Weekly Times 48 passengers and the Koo Wee Rup Sun of January 2, 1928 says it was 52 passengers. 

(4) Dandenong Journal, January 25, 1934, see here.
(5) Dandenong Journal, April 11, 1935, see here.

(6) The Age, July 9, 1935, see here.

(7) Dandenong Journal, May 11, 1933, see here and Coghlan, op. cit; The Age, July 16, 1937, see here; Great Southern Advocate, September 24, 1936, see here; Great Southern Advocate, April 23, 1936, see here.

(8) Military Service - WW1 Attestation file at  the National Archives of Australia, see here; WW2 Attestation file at the National Archives of Australia, see here.

(9) Death notice, The Age September 22, 1959, p. 15.

The Age September 22, 1959, p. 15. newspapers.com

Isobel Appleford married Arthur Roy Mansfield Watson in 1941;  Marion Appleford married Lieutenant Geoffrey Howard Sanders, RAN, on July 19, 1948, see a report of the wedding in The Argus June 21, 1948 here;

(10) Finnie, Lorna M  Alice Ross-King (1887 -1968), Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/rossking-alice-8276. Military Service - WW1 Attestation file at  the National Archives of Australia, see here.

(11) Royal Red Cross https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/cultural-collections/medals/collection/royal-red-cross/history/

(12) Finnie, op. cit.

(13) The ADB entry has her death date as August 17 1968,  but the death notice from her son, John has the date as August 16.

The Age, August 19, 1968, p.14. newspapers.com

The Age, August 20, 1968, p. 21, newspapers.com

This is an updated and expanded version a story, which I wrote and researched, which appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years

Welcome Home at Koo Wee Rup

In April 1918, Koo Wee Rup boys, Les Cochrane, Bill Gilchrist and Billy McGree arrived home after fighting in France. They were welcomed home by their friends at the Railway Station. 

The boys were welcomed at the Railway Station

Lang Lang Guardian, April 20, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119515345

On Friday, April 26 1918 a Welcome Home was held for the trio at the Koo Wee Rup Hall. We are fortunate to have this photograph of the occasion. 

Welcome home to Les, Bill and Billy.

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

The Lang Lang Guardian of May 4, 1918 (see here)  reported on this well attended Welcome Home - 

KOO-WEE-RUP WELCOMES SOLDIERS.

About the biggest and best function of its kind ever held at Koo wee-rup took place on Friday night last, when the local hall was crammed, jammed and packed to its utmost capacity, over 300 being present. Koo-wee-rup was honoring its returning heroes, Corporal Gilchrist, Privates Cochrane and M'Gree. On arrival the schoolchildren formed a guard of honor, and Mr W. Eason welcomed the soldiers on behalf of the committee. At the local hall, which was most tastefully decorated by the ladies, Councillor O'Brien presented each man with a ring, bearing the colors of their respective battalions. They were enthusiastically received, and made suitable responses. The returned men all fought in France. Corporal Gilchrist was injured in the body with shrapnel, a piece still lying close to his heart. Private Cochrane was wounded in the hand and elbow, and Private M'Gree's leg was injured. The latter was on board the Ballarat when that troopship was torpedoed in the Channel.

Dancing, interspersed with songs, was carried on to a late hour. A splendid supper was also provided by the ladies, whose efforts would be hard to beat. The returned warriors were present at the local school on Anzac Day, when they were given a stirring reception by the scholars.

Here is a short biography of each of the three men.

Leslie James Cochrane (1894-1972)
Les (Service Number 2162) was born in Bentleigh in 1894 to David and Lucy (nee Burgess) Cochrane. The family moved to Caldermeade when he was eight. Les, a farmer, enlisted on May 2, 1916 at the age of 21 and his next of kin was his father.  He served in France and was twice wounded in action. Les Returned to Australia February 15, 1918 and in the December of the same year he married Ivy, the daughter of Harry and Sarah Wildes of Yannathan. Mr Cochrane later became a Cranbourne Shire Councillor and a Member of the Legislative Assembly - you can read more about him here. You can view his Army service record, held at the National Archives of Australia, here.

William John Gilchrist

Bill (Service Number 1648) was born in Collingwood in 1889 to Robert and Florence (nee Hiam) Gilchrist. He was 26 year old farmer when he enlisted on January 13, 1916.  His brother, Albert, of Koo Wee Rup was listed as his next of kin, as his parents were deceased. After serving overseas, Corporal Gilchrist Returned to Australia January 31, 1918. He was discharged on medical grounds on May 25, 1918 - his disability was listed as Myocarditis. Bill applied for a Soldier Settler block and was granted 40 acres (Allotments 106 and 119, Section 0, Parish of Koo Wee Rup East, off Little Road in Iona) in May 1921 but had to give up the land due to his on-going ill health two years later. His application form said that he was receiving a pension of 14 shillings per week due to shell shock. 

Bill married Minnie Mary Ellen Forsyth in 1920. Bill lived to the age of 86 and died on June 23, 1975; Minnie died at the age of 81 on August 9, 1983. You can read his Soldier Settler file at the Public Records Office of Victoria, here and his Army service record, held at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

William Francis McGree
Billy (Service Number 3110) was born in Launceston, in December 1893 to Michael and Mary (nee Walsh) McGree. He was a 23 year old farm labourer, when he enlisted at Dandenong on February 2, 1917 and his next of kin listed was his father, who lived at Karoola in Tasmania.  Billy served overseas and was wounded in action (gun shot wound to left leg) in France. He Returned to Australia February 15, 1918. Billy was given a Soldier Settlement Farm in 1918 and like William Gilchrist, had to give up his land in July 1921 due to ill health. His land was of 84 acres, Allotment 23a, Section J, Parish of Koo Wee Rup - off the Pakenham-Koo Wee Rup Road. 

Billy married Elizabeth Margaret (Maggie) Neal in 1919. Billy died in Ararat in 1957 aged 63. I can't find any reference to the death of Maggie. You can read his Soldier Settler file at the Public Records Office of Victoria, here and his Army service record, held at the National Archives of Australia, here

Koo Wee Rup Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital evacuated in the December 1934 flood

The worst flood in the history of Koo Wee Rup occurred on December 1, 1934 and the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital had to be evacuated. I was hoping that the local paper, the Koo Wee Rup Sun, which was published weekly, would have had an account of this,  however they did not produce an issue until December 20, 1934. As they reported -
It is rather late for us to have anything to say in regard to the ruinous flood which occurred on the 1st inst., and which day no doubt in the future will be known as “Watery Saturday." We, like all others in the township, came in for more than our share of Adam's ale. The plant was inundated in over 4ft of water; type was carried by the strong current out of open doors, and hardly a dry sheet of paper was available after the bottled-up waters had receded sufficiently on the 3rd inst. to regain admittance. Being prisoners on the roof of the Premises for over 16 hours, one did not care about writing “Sun Spots” (1). 

However, there was this report in The Argus about the evacuation of the Hospital
Koo-wee-rup Hospital was flooded to a depth of 7ft within a few minutes, and the patients, some of whom were seriously ill, were trapped before they could be moved. Mr Clarence Renner, who had undergone an operation for appendicitis a few hours beforehand, was in bed, and unable to help himself. His father, who was on the railway platform, waded and swam through the swirling water to the hospital, and climbed on to the roof, where with the assistance of Mr Gannon, he cut a hole in the galvanised iron and pulled his boy to safety up through the hole. Aided by others who came to the rescue, the 10 remaining patients in the wards were taken out in the same manner.
Heroism and Fortitude
Mrs Mary Ann Bolleman, aged 59 years, another patient, held a baby in her arms above the water for 15 hours with the water surging above her neck before they were rescued. Mrs A. Adams and her baby which was born only the night before were being pulled out when the child was dropped into the water. She grasped the child's clothing frantically and saved it from drifting away. Both were raised through the opening to safety. (2). 

Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in a flood; must be the 1924 as in 1929, an enclosed verandah was erected around the original building. 

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society 

The report mentions four people by name and I thought we would look at who they were.

Clarence Fenner
Clarence's surname was listed as Renner in The Argus report, but listed as Clarence Fenner in a Morwell Advertiser report (3) about the evacuation. As I cannot find any reference anywhere to a Clarence Renner, I believe this is actually Clarence Charles Fenner, born February 6, 1919 to Charles Stanley Victor and Esther (nee Burden) Fenner in Frankston, so he would have been about 15 during the flood (4). 

Charles was listed in the Electoral Roll as a contractor and the family were living in Frankston, when Clarence was born. They then spent a few years in Morwell in the early to mid 1920s, where perhaps Charles was employed on State Electricity Commission projects such as the construction of the Yallourn Power Station. The family then moved around various Melbourne suburbs, until the early 1940s when they lived at 30 Sutton Grove in Richmond. Clarence, or Clarrie, as he was called, had three older brothers - Harold, who worked for the Brighton Gasworks Company and tragically died in 1927 when he fell 30 feet whilst constructing a new gasometer; and Stanley and Frank (5). 

Clarrie, whose occupation was a driver, married Evelyn Smith in 1937 and enlisted in the Army in June 1940 and was discharged in October 1945. From the 1960s, the Electoral Rolls show the family was living at 1 Biran Court, in Reservoir. Clarence died March 6, 1999 and is buried at Fawkner Cemetery with his son Brian (1947-2013). His wife Evelyn who died in 1980 is buried in the adjoining grave with their son Stanley (1939-1963) (6). 

Why was Clarrie having an operation at the Koo Wee Rup Hospital in 1934 when, according to the Electoral Rolls, his parents were living in the suburbs of Melbourne? The doctor in Koo Wee Rup was Dr Alan Hewitt and in Lang Lang, Dr Sydney Appleford, so the family may have had a connection to either doctor or there was possibly a family member in the town, who could have visited him, but I don't the reason. I wonder how many times during his life, Clarrie told people the exciting story of being evacuated through the roof at the Koo Wee Rup Hospital? It was very fortunate that Charles Renner and Mr Gannon had the nous and the ability to cut a whole in the roof to enable the rescue of the patients. 

Mr Gannon
Helped Mr Fenner rescue his son through the roof. I can’t find a Gannon listed on the Electoral Rolls in the area during this time, so he remains a mystery.

Mrs Mary Ann Bolleman

Mrs Bolleman, known as Madge, held a baby for 15 hours. We do not know who the baby was.
Mary Ann was born in Glengarry in 1874, the only child Agabus and Sarah (nee McAuley) Barden (7). Agabus, died on August 12, 1903 as a result of an accident whilst riding his horse. Sarah died the next year on July 1, 1904 and she was buried with her husband at the Traralgon Cemetery. 

The death notice of Agabus Barden

Gippsland Farmer's Journal, August 18, 1903 

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/264475283/29600346

The obituary of Sarah Barden

Gippsland Farmer's Journal July 5, 1904 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article264512746

On July 10, 1904, just over a week after her mother died, Mary Ann married fellow Gippslander,  George Henry James Bolleman.  The ceremony was conducted by the Methodist Minister in Morwell. They had the following children -

· Melchoir Francois Albert, known as Francis or Frank, born in 1908 in South Melbourne. He died in Dandenong in 1986, aged 74.
· Marie Agnes. Born in 1910, in Foster; married Maxwell Timmins in 1929 and she died in Drouin in 1954, aged 44.
· Florence Mary. Born in 1912 in Leongatha; married Albert Herbert in 1929 and she died in Melbourne in 1946, aged 35.
George Bolleman died in 1918, aged 37 in Pound Creek (near Inverloch), leaving Mary Ann to raise her three young children alone. (8). 

 

Obituary for George Bolleman, Mary Ann’s husband

Powlett Express November 8, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130666138

Death notice for George Bolleman, Mary Ann’s husband

Great Southern Star December 6, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89256304

According to the Electoral Rolls, Mary Ann continued to live in Pound Creek after her husband's death and later at Leongatha. In 1934, she was living in Station Street, Koo Wee Rup. Her two daughters and their husbands were also living in Koo Wee Rup in 1934; son-in-law Maxwell Timmins was a labourer and son-in-law, Albert Herbert a railway employee. Mary Anne was still in Koo Wee Rup in 1937. In the 1942 to 1949 Electoral Rolls she, her son Francis, her daughter Marie, and son-in-law Maxwell, were living in Tooradin (9). 

Mary Anne died at Berrybank, near Lismore (Victoria) on December 29, 1951. It would be interesting to know why she was living there at that time. Her son Francis, was listed as the informant, and his address was Dandenong. Mary Ann was buried in the Lismore Cemetery (10). As with Clarence, I wonder how many times Mary Ann told the story of her rescue from the flood and how she bravely and kindly saved the life of the little baby by keeping them out of the water for fifteen hours. She may well have been too modest to tell anyone. 

Mrs A. Adams and her baby
This took some detective work to work out who this was. I found Albert and Annie (nee Davies) Adams listed in the 1934 Electoral Roll at Dalmore. His occupation was a farmer, so I thought it was a good chance that this was the right family. I put their name into Trove to see what I could find and  discovered this death notice of their son, John Thomas, who sadly died in 1951, aged 25.

Death notice of John Adams

Dandenong Journal, September 19, 1951http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222354800

The death notice lists John's siblings as - Brenda who married Vivian Powell in 1943; Charlie; Oliver, who enlisted in the Army in 1943 and his birth date is February 15, 1924 (11). The last child listed is Toby, who was at Tooradin North State School in 1946, as the report, below tells us.

Toby Adams at Tooradin North State School

Dandenong Journal, July 3, 1946  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214794288

The book Tooradin: 125 years of coastal history has a section on local families including the Adams family. Albert Adams served in World War One, and took up a Soldier Settlement farm on Manks Road in 1921. The book lists his children as Brenda, Charlie, Oliver, John and James (Toby). There is also a list of the students of the Tooradin North School and James Percy Adams started in 1939. Given that children started school at around the age of five, that means he was born around 1934, so I felt he would be a likely candidate for the little flood baby (12). 

 I looked on some family trees on Ancestry.com and one lists James Percy Adams, son of Albert and Annie, born at Koo Wee Rup, November 20, 1934. Which means he was ten days old on the day of the flood, which doesn't fit in with The Argus story, of him being born the day before, but it was confusing times, so it is not surprising the dates are a bit inconsistent. The family tree lists his death date of April 28, 2021.

 
Given all this, I believe that the Mrs A. Adams referred to in the article is Mrs Annie Adams of Manks Road, Dalmore and her little baby who was dropped in the water was James, also known as Toby. You can hardly image the horror and panic Mrs Adams must have felt in those few seconds before she regained a hold on her baby. 

Albert Adams passed away December 7, 1956, aged 65 years old and Annie on September 29, 1984 aged 90. They are buried at Cranbourne Cemetery (13). Again, I wonder how often Annie Adams and her son Toby, told the story of their dramatic and in the case of young Toby, his very lucky rescue from the December 1934 flood.

 
Footnotes
(1) The Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 20 1934, p. 4
(2) The Argus, December 3, 1934, see here.

(3) Morwell Advertiser, December 6, 1934, see here.

(4) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Date of Birth from World War Two Nominal Rolls, see here.

(5) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages and Tasmanian Archives. Clarrie's brothers -  Harold (1902-1927) was the product  of Esther's first marriage to Robert James Stevenson, but he used the Fenner surname. Then Stanley (1913-1969) and Frank (1915-1982) and Clarrie were the sons of Charles Fenner. The eldest three were born in Tasmania.  Charles Fenner died April 1953, aged 65 and Esther died March 1963, aged 84 - they are buried at Springvale Cemetery. 

Harold Fenner's tragic accident

Morwell Advertiser, May 13, 1927 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65924805

(6) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, World War Two Nominal Rolls, see here; Fawkner Cemetery is part of the Greater metropolitan Cemeteries Trust and their records are on-line https://www.gmct.com.au/deceased

(7) Information from Mary Anne's marriage certificate.

(8) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages and Mary Anne's marriage certificate.

(9) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(10) Death Certificate of Mary Ann Bollerman.

(11) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, World War Two Nominal Rolls, see here.

(12) Tooradin: 125 years of coastal history - Blind Bight, Cannon's Creek, Sherwood, Tooradin North, Warneet 1875-2000 State school No. 1503 compiled by John Wells and the 'Tooradin Celebrates Together 125 Years of Education Committee' published in 2001.

(13) Cranbourne Cemetery information - http://www.ozgenonline.com/~vic_cem/cranbourne/cranbourneaf_data.htm 

Maryknoll - an early history and the buildings designed by Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock

Maryknoll, originally known as St Mary's, was established in 1949 by Father Wilfred Pooley (1912-1969) (1) as a Catholic community based on the principals of faith, family life and co-operative enterprise. This was part of a broader movement in the Catholic community, encouraged by the Melbourne Archbishop, Dr Daniel Mannix, for Catholics to move away from the distractions of the city to a rural environment and become closer to God. A National Catholic Rural Movement was established in 1939 to support Catholic farmers and Father Pooley was very keen to establish a 'City of God' in a rural area. In March 1949, 529 acres (2) of land in North Tynong off Snell Road, was sold by Reg Sykes to Father Pooley for this purpose. Father Pooley paid the deposit of 100 pounds on March 25th, 1949 and the rest of the purchase price of 4,400 pounds was lent by the Handley family of Dandenong. (3)

Father Wilfred Pooley. 

The Maryknoll settlers were encouraged to keep a few goats on

 their blocks to supply milk. (4)

Weekly Times November 5, 1952 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/224873939

The Dandenong Journal reported in August 1949 that the Berwick Council had received a letter from Fr. Pooley, who had previously been the priest at St Mary's in Dandenong , but was now of St. John’s Presbytery, West Footscray - 

stating that St. Mary’s Co-operative Society Ltd. (Reg.) has been formed with the object of establishing a co-operative settlement. “The object of the Society, he wrote, is to bring about a form of decentralisation that has not been attempted hitherto. Approved city family share holders of the Society will be provided with well constructed homes, and their own homestead blocks of from 3 to 4 acres to enable them to provide the greater part of their food requirements. A number of secondary industries suggested by the Secondary Industries Board of the Commonwealth Government, will be established to provide permanent employment. These industries will be owned and operated by the members of the Society on a co-operative basis (5). 

Father Pooley, and a goat, at the bell tower at Maryknoll

Image:  In the Wake of the Pack Tracks:  a history of the Shire of Berwick 

(Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, 1982)

As Father Pooley stated in his letter, Catholic families would relocate to the community, own a few acres of land to build a house and work in the co-operative industries which were established including a housing co-operative, a joinery, hardware store, an aerated water factory and a dairy farm (6).  In April 1951  The Advocate reported that Two Dutchmen - Peter Keysers and Gerald Hermans - industriously maintain the farm and garden and are giving every satisfaction (7).  One of the interesting projects for community was the building of the Catholic Memorial Chapel at Puckapunyal. This report is from The Age in June 1953 - 

The names of Australian soldiers who passed through Puckapunyal and Seymour camps and who were killed in the two world and Korean wars will be inscribed in a roll of honor to be placed in the Roman Catholic memorial chapel at Puckapunyal.Most of the woodwork for the building is being obtained from St. Mary's rural settlement at Tynong North (8).

The first settlers lived in 'temps', very basic dwellings without running water, electricity, gas or other 'mod cons'.  Families then moved onto their block, where a modest three bedroom house was built. The size of the land eventually decided on - two to three acres - would enable the families to grow fruit and vegetables, run chickens and keep a cow and thus be able to supply most of their own food.  (9)

Ted Knox and son, Martin, in 1959 outside their Maryknoll home.

Image courtesy of Jen Rouse.

By March 1950, The Herald reported that seven families were living at Maryknoll and another forty were waiting to move but were prevented from doing so as there was still a post-War shortage of material for housing (10).  The 1950 Shire of Berwick Rate books (see below)  list these first seven families. The entry is under St Mary's Co-operative and the settlers are -  Benjamin Desmond O'Connell, Trevor and Iris Hunter, Henry and Rita Ward, Patrick and Nancy Clancy, Thomas McSweeney, Peter and Dorothy Corcoran, Vincent and Peggy Tyler. An Argus report noted the previous occupations of the men - among the pioneers at St. Mary's are factory hands, a transport driver, a delicatessen proprietor, and a mattress maker. Only one man, Peter Corcoran, is a builder by trade. (11). It was planned that eventually 150 families would settle at Maryknoll. (12).

1950 Shire of Berwick Rate books with a list of the seven original families at Maryknoll.

One interesting fact reported in The Herald article was this - St. Mary's is becoming known for the beautiful church vestments that the womenfolk are making their spare time. The vestments, made in St. Mary's kitchens, are adding to the color of the Mass in Catholic churches throughout Australia. (13) 

 Original caption: Miss May Woollard (left) and her sister, Mrs T. Hunter, fitting Father

Pooley with one of the Mass vestments they make in their spare time.

The Herald, March 30, 1950 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244326628

In June 1950, The Argus reported that the community had already built  a temporary schoolroom, a cottage for the priest, and a large sanctuary, sacristy, and classroom, which will be extended into the permanent school...and were at work on one of the permanent five and six roomed homes into which they will move in a few months. (14) Some of these early buildings were designed by the Architectural firm of Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock, which I have written about below. 

Father Pooley (centre) talks over the plans for the settlement with some of the men 

who are doing the construction.

The Argus, June 9 1950 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22834306

One of the first buildings in Maryknoll was a small shelter shed, erected in 1949 and used for a Church and a School. On January 29, 1950, Father Pooley celebrated the first Parish Mass in the building. The school commenced on February 13, 1950 with five pupils taught by Sister Chanel, who came from Pakenham everyday. From 1954 until 1978, the building, located next to the current Church, was used as a Baby Health Centre. The site of this original building is marked by a plaque on a granite rock and an interpretive sign (see footnote 15 for images). 

The memorial plaque on the site of the building which served as the 

first Church and School.

Click on image to enlarge.  Image: Heather Arnold, April 2023

September 3, 1950 was red-letter day for the St Mary's settlement, when the cornerstones of community life, the Holy Family Church and the Holy Family School, were both blessed and opened by Archbishop Dr Daniel Mannix at an event attended by more than 3,000 people. This is part of the Archbishop's speech on the day, supporting Father Pooley's vision of a 'City of God' in the bush  - 

Australia needs a great many movements like that initiated by Father Pooley. We are tired of listening to people talk about the drift from the country to the cities and the necessity of decentralization. People and Governments talk much but little is done. Father Pooley, however, doesn't talk very much but he is certainly very active, and I am confident he will succeed in this great project. In all that has been done so far he has been successful, and I hope he will succeed in a greater measure in the future. When I came here today I was amazed to see this immense gathering. It shows that many people are greatly interested in the movement and are ready to give it financial help and to work and to pray for its success. I am confident that success will come.  I have unbounded confidence in Father Pooley. I hope to come here on other occasions and see all the hopes of Father Pooley justified. I thank all who have come here today. It is a great encouragement to Father Pooley, with whom, of course, I feel more or less identified in this undertaking. Without Father Pooley there would be no rural settlement here, and naturally he and I are interested in its success. The settlement has been placed under the protection of the Mother of God, and I hope that she will guide a project that will mean much for the welfare and prosperity of Australia. (16).

Holy Family Church, Maryknoll, 1980s. 

Photographer: Shire of Pakenham

The settlement was nearly destroyed by a bush fire in April 1951, as The Advocate reported -
More than 300 of the 600 [sic] acre settlement were destroyed by the fire, which got as close as 30 yards to the church, opened last year. Nearly all night the small working party at the settlement worked diligently to protect the homes which are in course of erection in different parts of the area. (17).  Perhaps Saint Mary herself did indeed protect her namesake settlement.

In 1955, the name of the settlement was changed from St Mary's to Maryknoll, to avoid confusion with other towns named St Mary's. The Pakenham Gazette of August 19, 1955,  published the following Berwick Shire report about the forthcoming opening of the Post Office, and the fact that they have put quotation marks around the word Maryknoll, suggests that the term was new and novel then.

Forthcoming opening of the 'Maryknoll' Post Office

Pakenham Gazette August 19, 1955, p. 2

The Maryknoll Post Office was officially opened on October 3, 1955, by the Berwick Shire President, Cr C.F. Greaves, and it was officially blessed by the Archbishop, Dr Daniel Mannix. Three hundred people attended the event. The Pakenham Gazette reported that the Archbishop pointed out that as far as he knew this was the first time in history a post office had ever been blessed. The report also noted that Mr Strange, Director of Post and Telegraphs, congratulated Father Pooley and said it was the first time he had attended the opening of  a non-official post office and he wished them great success and assured them of further co-operation from the Department. The Post Office building also housed the general store (18).  

As reflects a town established by people of the Christian faith, there were a number of statues around the town, including Jesus on the Cross. 

Photographer: Shire of Pakenham, taken in the 1980s.

Saint Mary and baby Jesus still look over the Maryknoll township today.

Image: Heather Arnold, April 2023

The Architectural firm of Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock

I came across the following images of early buildings at Maryknoll designed by the architectural firm Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock. You can read about the firm on the website, Built Heritage in the Dictionary of Unsung Architects section, here. This is the introduction to the article - Smith & Tracey was formed in 1949 by recent graduates Des Smith (1918-2003) and Dan Tracey (1916-1992). Shortly afterwards, they were joined by Eric "Ric" Lyon (1918-2006) and Les Brock (1920-2006), and the firm re-branded as Smith, Tracey, Lyon & Brock. It operated as such until Lyon and Brock both left around 1960, whereupon it reverted to its original name. (19). The article on the website also has a list of the firm's works.

Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock worked on many projects for the Catholic Church including Christian Brothers College in Warnambool in 1950; St Joseph's School in Springvale in 1952; St Joseph's Benalla in 1953 and  St Vincent de Paul's Homeless Men's shelter on Flemington Road (Ozanam House) in 1954 (20).Their other projects are listed on the Built Heritage website, referred to above.

They also designed the Holy Family Church at Maryknoll.

Original Caption - This is Holy Family Church-School, opened by Archbishop Mannix of 

St. Marys Rural Settlement, Tynong North, on September 3. The building was erected from a design by Smith and Tracey, architects, Sydney-road, Brunswick, who also prepared the large-scale map of the settlement which appeared last week. The erection of the first seven permanent homes is now being undertaken and these will be occupied by settlers, at present housed in temporary quarters in the vicinity.

 The Advocate, September 14 1950 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172514072

This is the large-scale map of the settlement prepared by Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock, referred to in the caption, above. 

The Advocate, September 7, 1950, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172513827

Proposed Presentation Convent, St Mary's North Tynong Convent at Maryknoll designed by Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock. It was never built.

 The Advocate, March 20, 1952. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172523794

Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock also designed houses for the Maryknoll settlement.  One of these designs was reported upon in The Argus in November, 1954.

House designed by Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock for Maryknoll

The Argus, November 1, 1954 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23459042

This is the transcription of the article about the Maryknoll house -

Home for County - by Harry Perrott,  Argus Property Writer

Until comparatively recent years, it was not unusual to see a house, originally planned for a suburban allotment, built on a farm or in a rural setting. Many country people evidently thought they could not have the convenience of "town" living without using a "town" house plan. This, of course, is not so, and the small house illustrated here has all the conveniences of modern planning, but is essentially rural in character.

The plan is a simple rectangle in shape and has a low pitched roof, covered with corrugated asbestos cement sheets. External walls are of 10in. Baltic weatherboards. Provision has been made for another bedroom and a verandah to be added. The door into the third bedroom will be in the space now used for a cupboard between the bathroom and bedroom. The two bedrooms are 11ft. x 10ft. and 13½ft. x 10ft. and both are fitted with built-in wardrobes.

The kitchen, 13½ x 10ft., is divided by a fitment so that one section can be used for meals or other purposes. For economy, the kitchen and living room fireplaces have been combined in a common chimney stack. The sun room, 10½ x 10ft., is another interesting and useful feature of this part of the house. The living room, 15 x 12ft., has deep windows and double doors opening on to a 6ft. wide verandah. There is a service hatch from this room into the kitchen.

The house is one of a series of low cost houses designed by Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock, architects, for a rural community at St. Mary's, via Nar Nar Goon, in Gippsland. (21). 

Plan of the house, described and shown above, designed by Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock for Maryknoll.

The Argus, November 1, 1954 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23459042

Trove list - I have created a short list of newspaper articles from Trove on the establishment of Maryknoll, access it here. I also have a list of articles which mention the firm of Smith, Tracey, Lyon and Brock, you can access it here.

Footnotes

(1) Wilfred Alexander Pooley was born in 1912 in Geraldton, Western Australia to William Horace Pooley and his wife, Amanda Josephine Anderson, who had married in Geraldton in 1905. William was born in Fitzroy in 1882 to Alfred and Ruth (nee Sparrow) Pooley. Amanda was also born in Victoria, in 1886 to Joseph and Mary (nee Kenny) Anderson. Why they both ended up in Geraldton, I cannot tell you. William and Amanda had four other children -

Doris - born in Geraldton in 1906, married Maurice Henry Wighton in 1928 and died in Malvern in 1982. 

William Alfred - born in Geraldton 1909 - died aged 15 months in 1910.

Melva - born in Geraldton in 1918, married Cornelis McMahon in 1941 and died in 2005.

Reginald Victor - born in Fitzroy in 1922, married Doris May McIvor in 1945 and died in 1996.

William had a number of occupations over the years - whilst living in Geraldton, the Electoral Rolls list his occupations as a Railway employee and then a Fisherman.  Around 1920, the family moved to Victoria and in 1921 and 1924 the Electoral Rolls show the family lived at 343 Smith Street in Fitzroy and William was a Confectioner. In 1927, they were listed at 501 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy and William had changed occupation again - he was now a carrier. In the late 1920s they moved to 201 Plenty Road in Preston and William was still listed as a carrier. They were in Preston until around 1936 (last address there was 21 Jessie Street) and the next we know of William is that in 1943 he is living in Meeniyan in South Gippsland and working as a plumber. By 1949 he is back in Melbourne, living with his daughter Doris at 7 Park Road, Glen Iris, and still a plumber.

Perhaps Amanda wanted a more settled life because she did not move to Meeniyan with her husband; from the 1937 Electoral Rolls she is listed at 10 Holyrood Street in Hampton. Reginald lived with her until he enlisted in the Army in December 1938, he said he was 18 years and 8 months old. In reality, he was two years younger as he lied about his age. In April 1942, Reg was discharged from the Army and joined the Navy, where he served until  December 1945. Amanda died on Christmas Eve, 1949, aged 64; and William on December 20, 1952, aged 71. They are buried together at the Brighton Cemetery.

Death notice of Amanda Pooley

The Argus, December 26, 1949 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22800810

Obituary of William Pooley

The Advocate, January 8, 1953 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175357509

Father Pooley was ordained in 1941 and served at St Mary's Parish, Dandenong, from August 1942 until December 1948. He then served at St John's West Footscray until the establishment of Maryknoll. He was at Maryknoll until 1968, when the Maryknoll Parish combined with the Iona Parish and Father Pooley went to Iona and Father Herman Hengel took over the Maryknoll Presbytery. Father Pooley died on April 13, 1969, aged only 57 years old, and is buried at Maryknoll Lawn Cemetery. 

(Sources: Maryknoll: history of a Catholic Rural Settlement by Gael White (The Author, 1982 and republished in and updated and expanded edition by Artistic Wombat in 2002); A Parish carved from the Bush - The Centenary history of the Dandenong Parish, St Mary's, 1883-1893 compiled by Greg Dickson (St Mary's Centenary Committee, 1983); birth and death notices and Indexes to Victorian and Western Australian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com and WW2 Nominal Rolls, see here.)

Father Pooley's modest plaque on his grave at the Maryknoll Lawn Cemetery.

Image: Heather Arnold, April 2023

(2) The land had  been listed in some sources as 540 acres but the Shire of Berwick Rate books list the acreage as 529, part Crown Allotment 135, Parish of Nar Nar Goon. 

Shire of Berwick Rate book entry from 1949, in the name of St Mary's Co-operative Society Ltd, c/o 76 Eleanor Street, West Footscray. 

Click on image to enlarge.

The Rate Books from 1950 have this list under St Mary's Co-operative - the original settlers, but still part of 529 acres, Crown Allotment 135.

(3) White, Gael Maryknoll: history of a Catholic Rural Settlement (The Author, 1982 and republished in and updated and expanded edition by Artistic Wombat in 2002)

(4) The Advocate, April 27, 1950, see here - Goats supply a higher nutriment content in their milk - are less difficult to feed and they live mainly on surplus food and scraps usually found about any area. A special breed of goats - the Saanen - will be reared, three being already at the settlement. These supply milk and butter for some of the children.

(5) Dandenong Journal, August 17, 1949, see here.

(6) White, op, cit

(7) The Advocate, April 5, 1951, see here.

(8) The Age, June 20, 1953, see here.

(9) White, op, cit.; and various articles on the settlement in my Trove list, see here. 

(10) The Herald, March 30, 1950, see here.

(11) The Argus, June 9, 1950, see here.

(12) Various articles on the settlement in my Trove list, see here. .

(13) The Herald, March 30, 1950, see here. 

(14) The Argus, June 9 1950, see here. 

(15) Interpretive sign, installed next to the existing Church by the Maryknoll Historical Society.

The Maryknoll Historical Society Interpretive sign.

Click on image to enlarge.

Image: Heather Arnold, April 2023

The plaque on the granite rock, marking the site of the first Church/School.

Image: Heather Arnold, April 2023

(16) The Advocate, September 7, 1950, see here.

(17) The Advocate, April 5, 1951, see here.

(18) White, op, cit.; '300 at blessing of Maryknoll Post Office', Pakenham Gazette, October 7, 1955, p. 6

(19) Built Heritage P/L https://www.builtheritage.com.au/dua_smithtracey.html

(20) Ibid

(21) The Argus, November 1, 1954, see here.

This is an updated and expanded version of two posts, which I wrote and researched, which appear on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to Our Past.