What happened in Garfield in 1926

This is a look at what happened in Garfield and surrounds 100 years ago in 1926. 

January - A bushfire, caused by campers who were 'smoking out' rabbits, had started in the area on December 31, 1925, but was under control three days later. The Herald had this comprehensive report on the fire -
Bush Fire Dies. Breaks and Rain Defeat It
The dangers of the fire between Tynong and Garfield, has passed. The townships of Tynong and Garfield have been saved by the fire breaks cut in the scrub, and by the rain that fell on Sunday and early this morning. Mrs W. Johnson's home was twice threatened on Saturday, but after 30 hours' continuous work cutting firebreaks, the fighters turned the flames. But for the work of Mrs Johnson, two girls, and several neighbors, the fire would have reached the outbuildings in which were stored farm implements.

The flames rose 100 feet, and devoured gums and undergrowth. The outbreak, which began in Mr Wilkins' property, swept through Mrs Johnson's, then through dense scrub on to Mr Berry's land. It was checked there, and about 500 tons of firewood ready for trucking were saved. After a strenuous battle near Wallace's Creek, Weatherhead's timber mills were saved. On Berry's Hill a break of one mile long by about 30 chains wide was cut. Early on Sunday morning the fire was travelling towards the old Sale road. Here the property of Mr A.Megas was threatened. He worked all through Saturday night, clearing a break.

Fires were burning in many places at the same time, and men were rushed from one front to another when things began to get serious. Some of the fighters had been on the scene for 48hours, and many were suffering from slight burns. About 450 acres of grass have been destroyed, with firewood and fencing. The total damage will amount to about £1000. The chief sufferers are Messrs. H. Wilkins (50 tons of firewood and fencing), W. Johnson (grass and fencing), C. Sinclair and W. Berry (grass and fencing). Several other farmers have lost firewood and fencing. (The Herald, January 4, 1926, see here)

A sawmill belonging to the Weatherheads at Tynong North, 1920s.

January - About seventy children were confirmed at Iona recently by his Lordship, the Bishop  of Sandhurst, the Right Reverend Dr McCarthy. The girls are pictured below. (The Advocate, January 7, 1926, see here)

The Girls who were confirmed. The clergy standing in the back row are the Revs. T. O'Callaghan, P.P., Rev. J. Egan (Dalyston), Rev. L. Hartnett (lona), and the Rev. F. Merner, Dandenong. The sponsor for the girls, Mrs. Field, is seen standing to the right. [Unfortunately, the photo is so dark, we can't actually see Mrs Field]

 The Advocate, January 7, 1926  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171417927

January - Also in January was this interesting report from Cora Lynn -

A calf a day for three days is a record established by a cow owned by Mr. A. Wakenshaw at Cora Lynn. The calves were born on 4th, 5th and 6th January respectively, and they are all normal and thriving. The mother is recovering from an attack of milk fever. (The Age, January 14, 1926, see here)

March - In March, there were complaints about the town water supply in Garfield -

Local residents, for many months, have been endeavoring to impress upon the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission the urgency of a town water supply scheme, and have had indifferent replies. At the present time people of the town have to pay 2d per gallon for water for domestic purposes, drawn from the main drain, Iona. This water is contaminated by herds of cattle and scores of bathers. Fortunately it is a swift-running stream, otherwise public health would be menaced. During a season like the present many towns in West Gippsland depend on this source for their water supply.  (The Age, March 3, 1926, see here)  

April - In April, Martin O'Donohue, who built the Garfield Picture Theatre, left the town for Warragul -

Mr. M. O'Donohue, who has conducted the Garfield Hotel for the past five or six years, has purchased the freehold of the Royal Hotel, Warragul. Mr. O'Donohue's departure from Garfield parish and community will be a severe loss to the district. Last year he built a commodious picture theatre there, together with several shops and private dwellings. (The Advocate, April 1, 1926, see here) 

Martin O'Donohue's Picture Theatre, which opened in December 1924.

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society 

April - Also in April the following meeting was held in Garfield -

At a meeting of Bunyip and District Teachers' Union the following elections took place:- President, Mr. Noonan (Longwarry); vice-presidents. Messrs. P. Scouller (Iona), W. Waugh (Garfield); secretary and treasurer, A. Mackay (Bunyip); auditor, I. McAlpine (Bunyip). It was decided to donate £2 2/ to the testimonial to Mr. David Black, ex-president of the Teachers' Union, which is to be given by the latter body for services rendered. Mr. Black raised the members' roll from 700 to over 8000. (The Age, April 1, 1926, see here).  

June - In June, it was reported that - 

Garfield - The operation of moving a four-roomed weatherboard house six miles, to Tynong, was successfully performed by Mr. D. McLennan, of Fitzroy North. On the way bridges had to be widened, trees lopped, telegraph wires lifted. As the house was blocking a narrow road on Saturday night it had to be jacked up high enough to allow traffic to pass underneath. (The Age, June 25, 1926, see here) 

June - Also in  June the following statistics were published in regards to potato loadings at local railway stations -

It was estimated that the potato crop in the Koo-wee-rup area would reach £500,000, and by the record of truckings on railway this is not far short. The output of 29,403 tons from the nine stations was distributed as follow: - Koo-wee-rup, 6,952 tons; Garfield, 6,451; Bayles, 5,591; Dalmore, 3,346; Tynong, 2,580; Bunyip, 2,057; Nar-nar-goon, 1,814; Lang Lang, 443; Warragul, 169. At £10 a ton this would realise £294, 030. From December 1, 1925, to April 31, 1926, 498 trucks (6,945 tons) left Garfield, and during April 600 tons. From January 1 to May 30, 1926, 156,929 bags of potatoes left the Koo-wee-rup station. There are still many thousand bags in storage and on farms. The season so far promises to be excellent. (The Argus, June 11, 1926, see here)  

July - These figures, above,  show the importance of the potato industry to this region and in July it was reported that -

The largest meeting of potato growers ever seen at lona assembled on Monday evening to protest against the importation of New Zealand potatoes, the reported introduction of corky scab, and against the abolition of 10-ton railway trucks. Cr. J. Dowd, who was chairman, said that if once the scab got into the district it would never be wiped out. He knew that a sample of imported potatoes had turned black after being boiled. It was strange if New South Wales inspectors were passing such produce as sound. The menace was serious to farmers, and they should be active. Several speakers spoke against the importation of potatoes, especially if diseased, and urged that drastic action be taken at once. The local market was being glutted, and Victorian farmers could not compete against the low prices ruling at Sydney, £10 a ton, while it was reported that new Zealand potatoes were down to £9 10/ in Albury.

A number of motions were moved - a recommendation of a  protective duty of £4 a ton be placed on all potatoes entering the Commonwealth; the Agricultural Department take drastic steps to prevent corky scab from entering Victoria and the 10-ton railway truck should not be abolished. The Iona District Potato Growers Association was enthusiastically formed with the aim of State-wide organsation and communicating with all potato districts. (The Age, July 14, 1926, see here)

The 10-ton railway truck, with potatoes, from Garfield to Melbourne

State Library of Victoria image H92.301/93

July - In July, was this unusual legal case with a Garfield connection was reported - 

Not Abduction. Twins Were Taken Back to Aunt's Care

At Alexandra Court this morning charges against two men for alleged abduction were dismissed, as it was proved the girls were over 16 years of age. The defendants were Alfred Vincent and Charles Poylor Marshall. Mr M. Devine, who appeared for the defendants, said it was a pity more care had not been exercised in bringing the men up on such a charge. The girls' aunt had reared them, and they had lived with her until they were 15. The girls, who were twins, wrote and told her that they wanted to go back to her, and made an appointment. They were taken from Thornton straight to their aunt's place near Garfield. The girls' names are Nellie and Millie Taylor, and their parents live at Thornton. (The Herald, July 8, 1926, see here)   

August -  In August there was good news that a missing girl, Olive Bassett, was discovered unharmed - 
It was reported to the police that a girl named Olive Bassett, aged 11 years, was lost in the bush, and search parties scoured the locality for some hours, when a telephone message was received that she had been found at Nar-nar-goon, having walked nine miles from her home at North Garfield. The child was little the worse for her adventure. (The Age, August 6, 1926, see here).

In 1926, there was agitation to have a High School established in the area. The closest High Schools were either Warragul or Dandenong and a more central location was desired. It took another 30 years before there was any progress on this front - Drouin High School opened in 1956, Koo Wee Rup in 1957 and Pakenham  in 1967.  Here are three articles relating to the issue -

August - The following article explains the travel difficulties faced by local children to attend High School -
Garfield - Parents of children attending the Dandenong and Warragul High schools are agitating to have a railway motor bus service established between the intermediate towns for the convenience of pupils attending both schools. The Warragul school has a road service, which terminates at Bunyip, but the children attending the Dandenong school have to depend on a very inconvenient train service, which necessitates leaving home at 6.30 a.m. and returning after 7 p.m. It is understood that the Commissioners are giving the proposal favorable consideration, and that the service will be established during the summer. A public meeting was held at Cora Lynn, which lies in the centre of the Kooweerup Swamp area, to urge upon the Government the necessity of erecting a high school in the district, as children living at any distance from the rail and motor service - such as they are - are debarred from attending either Warragul or Dandenong schools. (The Age, August 26, 1926, see here)  

August - In August, The Argus reported on a local meeting to support the establishment of a High School - 

One of the largest meetings ever held in the district was convened by the Iona women's section of the Farmers' Union, to consider the establishing of a high school for the swamp area. Councillor P. Walsh (Berwick Shire) presided and Mr Wrigley, assistant chief Inspector of secondary schools, was present. Figures were given showing that on this side of the swamp there were 1,400 scholars on the rolls at the various schools and that 140 to 150 would be available for higher education. On the Koo wee rup side there were 450 children attending. Mr Wrigley promised to put the case before the Minister. A strong committee representing 22 school centres was formed to go into the matter with the branches of the women's sections, Councillor McCulloch to represent Cranbourne Shire, and Councillor Dowd Berwick Shire. A motion was agreed to that it was desirable to establish a higher elementary school in a central position in the swamp. (The Argus, August 27, 1926, see here) 

September - A later report suggested that a High School could be built at Cora Lynn or Bayles -  At a meeting of district representatives at Cora Lynn the high school proposal was further considered. Sites at Cora Lynn and Bayles were reviewed, and it was unanimously decided to recommend an area of Crown land at Bayles, which is above flood level and large enough for all requirements. It was resolved to ask the Education department for an early inspection of the site. An active canvass for subscriptions and guarantees from parents is to be undertaken. Mrs. Shreeves was elected president, and Mrs. Terrill secretary. (The Age, September 17, 1926, see here) 

September - In September, we had two stories connected to the Railways -
Milk by Rail. Complaint From Garfield.
Replying to a paragraph in "The Age" of Wednesday, 8th September, in which it was stated at Garfield that at certain stations in the Gippsland district cans of milk were being loaded in the vans of passenger and goods trains along with hides, skins, calf carcases, crates of fowls, the Railway Commissioners said that such action was contrary to regulations. Definite instructions had been issued that milk must not be loaded with such goods as fish, rabbits, meat, hides, and the inquiries that had been made into the complaint under notice failed to disclose any disregard of these instructions. The Commissioners added that if a specific instance were given of milk being transported in such a manner they would have immediate inquiries made. (The Age, September 16, 1926, see here)  

September - Garfield was (almost) the location of a  feature film, The Northbound Limited, being shot by a  talented and ambitious 17-year-old, George Palmer. George Frederick Thomas Palmer (1909-1994) founded radio station 3AK in 1931 and bought out radio 7UL in Ulverstone, Tasmania in 1933. George married twice and had four children the youngest being colourful politician, Clive Palmer. 
When a goods train was travelling about 30 miles an hour between Garfield and Pakenham on Friday countryside spectators were amazed to see a fight in progress on the tender of the engine, shots being exchanged, and two men in deadly conflict, while from a position on the train a cinematograph operator was busily engaged. One of the final scenes in The North-bound Limited was being filmed by the 17-year-old Australian actor producer George Palmer. The Sydney express was also the venue for some of the film story, including a dash by Palmer's motor car in front of the express travelling at 60 miles per hour. Scenes in Sydney, Melbourne, Ringwood and Powelltown will also be shown in the film, which will be released in a few weeks. (The Age, September 21, 1926, see here)

Advertisement for George Palmer's The Northbound Limited

The St George Call (Kogarah), January 13, 1928  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232071927

 
September - In September, the folks at Iona got a new telephone exchange -

A new telephone exchange has been established at lona, with a trunk connection with Melbourne, and over 30 subscribers are already paid up. This has done away with the costly service proposed whereby subscribers were to be charged as high as £10 or over to connect with Garfield. This was the proposal of an officer who upset a previous plan of another officer whereby local needs could be met at a reasonable cost. There was not any likelihood of the farmers undertaking such a costly telephone service, so that the department, instead of losing revenue by reason of its non-acceptance, will gain by the new exchange, which has given great local satisfaction. (South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 23, 1926, see here)

October - In October it was reported that feral Deer are doing considerable damage to orchards in Tonimbuk district. These animals are stripping the trees, and as it is almost impossible to fence them out, farmers are at a loss to cope with them. (The Age, October 27, 1926, see here)

November - In November, we find that it wasn't just milk that was badly handled by the Victorian Railways, it was also  potatoes - 

Railway Delays. Potato Trucks Go Astray.
Garfield - Indignation is expressed by potato growers regarding the Railway department's haphazard methods of handling the new season's consignments. Out of three trucks consigned from this district last week, two were lost on a journey of under 50 miles, and were only discovered after diligent inquiries extending over two days. The trucks had been left at wayside stations between here and Melbourne, with the result that it is doubtful if they will be salable. At the present market rates this means the loss of upwards of £100 to the consignors. At a meeting of the Gippsland Potato Growers' Association the matter was discussed, and the Railway Commissioners and their methods were severely criticised. Mr. J. Dowd, president of the association, was delegated to visit Melbourne and interview the Commissioners.  (The Age, November 29, 1926, see here)  

December - The year started badly with the bush fires and in December ended badly with a severe frost -    

A severe frost. Potato and Maize Crops Ruined.  Monday night's frost was worse than anticipated. With the exception of odd potato crops the whole of the Kooweerup area of 75,000 acres is devastated. Maize crops share the same fate. Growers hoped for rain on Tuesday, to help to recover the tubers, but an east wind and a hot sun completed the destruction. (The Age, December 16, 1926,  see here)