This is a look at what happened in Garfield and surrounds 100 years ago in 1925.
January 1925 - the year started with this tragic incident on Saturday, January 10th -
At Garfield North, George Brew, aged 12 years, was fatally shot by his cousin, John Brew, aged 14 years. George Brew was sent on a message to his aunt's house. While there John told him of a Winchester repeating rifle, which belonged to a visitor from Melbourne. John brought the rifle out from the house, and in some unknown way it was discharged. George was shot in the back of the ear. He was hurried to Warragul Hospital, but died soon after admittance. Much sympathy is felt for both families, who are pioneers of the district.
(The Argus, January 16, 1925, see here)
The formal findings of the Coroner into this sad event were - Albert George Henry Brew died at Warragul from a bullet wound in the head, from a pea rifle, and I find that the pea rifle was accidentally discharged whilst in the hands of John Aloysius Brew, no blame being attachable to anyone. (1)
Death notice for young George.
The Argus, January 21, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2028802
January 1925 - This interesting look at Tynong was written by 12 year-old, Jean Chilcott, to Aunt Connie, the editor of the children's pages in the Weekly Times. -
Dear Aunt Connie - This is my first letter to you. I will take for my subject Our District. Tynong is 42 miles from Melbourne. Tynong is a very small township. There are two grocers, two butchers, two fruit shops, two blacksmiths, one draper, and one dressmaker's shop, and also one post-office. The school is about a quarter of a mile from the township. Our teacher is Mr Giles. There are about 50 children going to Tynong school. Our school is called the State School. The number is 2854. We are about three-quarters of a mile from the station. I am 12 years old, and in the sixth grade at school.
(Weekly Times, January 31, 1925, see here)
February 1925 - Apples exported
Heavy crops of well conditioned apples are being gathered in the Nar-Nar-Goon, Bunyip, and Tynong districts. Prices are satisfactory for apples and pears. Last week 6000 cases were despatched from the Pakenham station, 4000 of which left by the steamer Mooltan on February 17 for the British markets.
(Weekly Times, February 28, 1925, see here)
Shipment of 40,125 cases of apples from Victoria including Garfield
Weekly Times, February 17, 1923 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223856734
April 1925 - Racing at Garfield and Cora Lynn
Special Train for Garfield - In connection with the Garfield races on Tuesday; a special train will leave Flinders street station at 10 am., leaving on return at 5.10 p.m. Owners and jockeys must obtain coupons, as no refunds will be made. The club has announced that two gold mounted riding whips will be presented - one to the rider of the winner of the 14.2 Pony Race, and one to the most successful jockey at the meeting.
Cora Lynn Weights - Mr. W. Cahill's weights for the Cora Lynn pony races, to be held on Easter Monday, April 13, appear to-day. Owners are notified that they should make early application to the Railways department for horse-boxes, which should be sent to the Tynong railway station. A special train will leave Flinders street at about 9 o'clock, on the morning of the races.
(The Argus, April 4, 1925, see here)
April 1925 - Miss Peverill leaves Garfield North School
Miss Peverill, head teacher of Garfield North State school, was farewelled by residents, prior to her departure, and presented with a leather bound writing case, a silver jewel case from the tennis club, and a case of perfume and other gifts, from the scholars. (The Age, April 20, 1925, see here)
Charlotte Elizabeth Peverill had been at the school since September 1921; after Garfield she taught at Tungamah until June 1927, when she resigned from the Education Department. She had to resign as she married William Costigan and married women were not allowed to continue teaching. In fact it wasn't until the Teaching Service (Married Women) Act of 1956 was passed which made it possible for women teachers to remain on permanent staff when they married. (2)
May 1925 - A lucky escape
May 1925 - A peculiar accident
A lad named Frederick Gross, aged 17 years, of Garfield, met with a peculiar accident which was attended with fatal results, while fishing on Sunday. He tripped and fell while walking through the bush, and his head came in contact with a log. The boy returned home, and after taking several fits he was removed to a private hospital at Bunyip, where he died on Monday.
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 14, 1925, p. 4.)
May 1925 - The Main Drain silts up
Berwick shire council has passed a resolution to close the roads during certain winter months against sand carting, but it is powerless to prevent sand coming into the shire. The main canal is in a fair way to become obliterated with thousands of tons of this material, which is silting up year after year. Already through the Vervale and Cora Lynn districts it has reduced the carrying capacity of the waterway to less than half, and the danger of flooding has increased proportionately.
(The Age, May 27, 1925, see here)
The Main Drain near Walkers Drain, between Cora Lynn and Iona, in 1939, when siltation was still a problem.
State Rivers & Water Supply Commission photograph
May 1925 - A Priest farewelled and a Priest welcomed at the Iona Parish
At the Columba Hall, Iona, on Tuesday, 19th inst., the parishioners assembled to say farewell to the Rev. Fr. M. T. Keenan, who was recently transferred to Balaclava, and to welcome his successor, the Rev Fr. O'Callaghan, A well-organised concert by the pupils of Iona and Cora Lynn Convent schools, was greatly appreciated. Two little girls from the Cora Lynn Convent, and two from Iona, presented Fr.Keenan a set of stainless cutlery and carvers, and a tea-set was presented to Fr. O'Callaghan.... [After various speeches] The shire president, Cr. J. G. Dore, then presented Fr. Keenan with an Australian oak roll top desk, an Australian oak chair, suitably inscribed, an easy chair and down cushion, an American clock with silver plate inscription and a handsome wallet.
(The Advocate, May 28, 1925, see here)
For two nights, John Noble, of Garfield North, was pinned beneath a dray which had capsized in going over rough country. The horse freed itself, but in its exertions kicked Noble in the head. The imprisoned man had to dig himself out with a small stick. The skin was worn off both hands in his efforts to extricate himself. He finally found his way to a neighbor's place in an exhausted condition, and is now recovering from the effects of his trying ordeal.
(The Sun News-Pictorial, June 1, 1925, see here)
July 1925 - The route of the 100 mile cycle race is announced
The annual cycle traders' 100-mile road race, one of the most important events of the season, is claiming attention of the organisers and officials. Early this week the route followed on previous years was inspected by officials of the association, and though in the main the course will be the same again this year, owing to the bad state of portions of the road to Drouin and farther along the old Gippsland road, that part of the route has been eliminated. The following is the course which will be followed: Starting at Kelly's Hotel Oakleigh, along the Dandenong road to Cranbourne and Tooradin, thence to
Bayles, Cora Lynn, Iona, and Longwarry (one of the principal checking stations), and along the Princes' Highway, to Bunyip, Garfield, Tynong, Nar-nar-goon, Pakenham, Berwick, Narre Warren, and Hallam; on striking Dandenong there will be a direct return to the starting point. Feeding stations at convenient distances have been arranged.
(The Argus, July 4, 1925, see here)
The race was held on August 15 and 1930 riders participated. The winner was C.M.F. Shillito of the Coburg Club in four hours, 56 minutes. (3)
The start of the 100 mile cycle race.
Three of the men pictured, Hubert Opperman, Ern Bainbridge and Percy Osborn (who was from Koo Wee Rup) participated in the 1928 Tour de France cycle race.
The Sun News-Pictorial, August 17, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article277183735
August 1925 - Another lucky escape
Garfield - Frank Harris, an old League footballer, met with a severe accident on Saturday. He was falling a tree when it fell back on him and broke his leg at the thigh. Notwithstanding that the bone was protruding, the unfortunate man crawled half a mile through the bush to obtain assistance.
(The Age, August 25, 1925, see here)
September 1925 - New Presbyterian Minister
The Rev R.G. Butler has been inducted into the charge of the Presbyterian Church, and will have charge of the districts of Garfield, lona, Cora Lynn, Bunyip and Longwarry. Mr and Mrs Butler were given a welcome social after the service.
(The Argus, September 8, 1925, see here)
September 1925 - Young Patrick thrown from his horse
Patrick Quigley, 15 years, son of Mr. Martin Quigley, of Cora Lynn, whilst riding a young, restive horse was thrown and injured. He is an inmate of a private hospital, but his condition is not serious.
(The Advocate, September 17, 1925, see here)
September 1925 - Burglary at the Hotel
At an early hour on Monday morning the Iona Hotel [at Garfield] was entered by burglars, and the cash register, together with a hospital collection box, rifled. About 4 a.m. the licensee was disturbed by a noise in front of the house, but on investigating failed to locate the origin. At a later hour on opening the bar door, he was surprised to find a railway service lamp and a steel jemmy on the counter. An examination of the cash register proved that £1 in small silver had been removed and the hospital collection box broken open. It is evident that the thieves were disturbed as the shelves, lined with cigarettes, cigars and spirits, were left untouched.
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 25, 1925. p. 4.)
November 1925 - Presbyterian Church fund raiser
From a queen competition and other sources the adherents of the Presbyterian Church raised 3/0, which effort was considered very satisfactory. The queens were Miss Ferguson (Cora Lynn), 1 ; Miss Barker (Garfield), 2 ; Miss Leithhead (lona), 3; Miss Wilson (Bunyip), 4. The crowning of the successful queen took place at a crowded concert in the Garfield Theatre on Thursday night. (The Argus, November 9, 1925, see here)
November 1925 - Asparagus season
Now in the middle of the asparagus season, Mr Roxborough's farm [at Vervale] is a scene of activity. Four men are constantly employed tending the crop, and when matured extra hands are engaged for cutting, trimming, washing and packing. The harvest, commencing in September, lasts until late December. The original nine acres planted has been extended and about 30 acres are now under cultivation. An average of over half a ton per day is despatched to the metropolis, the bulk being consigned to canning factories, while the balance is retailed to leading hotels, cafes and shops.
(Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 26, 1925, p. 4)
Footnotes
(1) Inquest into George's death - Public Records Office of Victoria can be read here
(2) Charlotte Peverill's teaching record - Public Records Office of Victoria
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/3D7FF25D-F7E4-11E9-AE98-DD3948FEC58C?image=249 Information about the Teaching Service (Married Women) Act of 1956 from Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. (Education Department of Victoria, 1973), v. 1.
(3) Sporting Globe, August 15, 1925, see here.
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