Picnics on the Yallock Creek

I have found these two accounts of picnics on the Yallock Creek from 1914 and 1915, it is likely that many more picnics took place on the banks of the Yallock, but these are the only reports I can find at the moment. The headwater of the Yallock Creek is just south of Bayles and the mouth is at Western Port Bay.  Between 1939 and 1956/57 the Yallock Ourfall drain was constructed  from Cora Lynn, cutting across to Bayles and then essentially following the line of the Yallock Creek to Western Port Bay. This was a flood mitigation project to help protect Koo Wee Rup,  with the aim of diverting flood water from the Main Drain, down the outfall drain directly to the sea so the Main Drain could cope with the remaining water (read more here). There are three maps showing Yallock Creek, at the end of this post.

I am not sure where these picnics were actually held, apart from in a little nook among the trees. I presume close to Yallock, which is south-east of Bayles, so close to the headwater. Bayles didn't  actually exist in 1914 and 1915, it came into being in 1922 as the station nearest to Yallock on the Strzelecki Railway line (read about this here.)

Lang Lang Guardian, January 28, 1914 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119510151 

Monomeith Picnic

Although the heat was rather severe, there was a good attendance at the Yallock Methodist Sunday School picnic on Friday at Yallock Creek. Here grateful shade was provided, and in a little nook among the trees was a freezer containing ice cream, which was greatly relished. At intervals all were delighted to hear sweet strains of music produced by a dulciphone kindly supplied by Mr Reiter. During the afternoon a sports program was carried out to the satisfaction of all, after which games were indulged in by the young people. At 5.30 tea was provided, and a very pleasant day brought to a close. Sincere thanks are expressed to the teachers, officers and helpers for their generous assistance in making the picnic such a success. The results of the races were: 
Infant class, girls - Clare Reiter 1, Dorothy Hatty 2, Edna Hatty 3
Infant class, boys - Will Garnham, S. Cameron, Teddie Garnham
4th class boys - John Orchard, Fred Reiter, Ernest Henry
3rd class girls - Linda Bateson, Bella Garnham, Hollie Harker
Senior girls - Tillie Cameron, Beatie Harker.
Senior boys - Russell Collyer, Archie Bateson
Young ladies - M. McKay
Young men - W. Finck
High jump - R. Henry

(Lang Lang Guardian, January 28, 1914, see here)

Lang Lang Guardian, February 10, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119511940

Christian Endeavour
The Kooweerup and District Union of Christian Endeavor held a picnic at Yallock Creek on A.N.A. day. Luncheon was partaken of at mid-day. There was an attendance of about 100 C.E.'s and friends. Mr Ivory, Field Secretary, of Victoria,was present and addressed the gathering in the afternoon, his subject being, "The scene on the Mount." Some real good hearty singing was indulged in, it being led by Mr Binder, of Five Mile. Then tea was partaken of, and, after those who had home duties to attend to had left, the others enjoyed themselves as they felt inclined. At 8 p.m. there was a general meeting or rally at Cora Lynn hall and a splendid attendance, Mr Ivory again addressing the meeting, his subject being "Whole - hearted Service." The President of the Union, Mr G. Nichols, called the roll, each society being well represented. At the conclusion there were responses to an invitation to stand for Christ.
(Lang Lang Guardian, February 10, 1915, see here) 

Maps of Yallock Creek

1874 - The Koo Wee Rup Swamp, the Yallock Creek (south edge of the Swamp) and some of the squatting runs including Yallock, Mt Ararat South, I.Y.U, Toomuc, Cardinia Creek, Balla Balla.

Detail of County of Mornington, created by F.E. Hiscocks & Co, 1874. 

See the entire map at the State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/119519

1888 -  The Koo Wee Rup Swamp, with the Yallock Creek, and also shows the Parishes of Yallock, Koo Wee Rup, Yannathan etc. 

Detail of County of Mornington, created by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey, 1888.

See the entire map at the State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/115249

1930s - The Yallock Creek and the Yallock Outfall drain.

Detail of Plan showing flood protection and drainage works for Cardinia and Kooweerup Swamp lands  also watershed areas affecting same, created by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. Date - the map be 1920s (as suggested by the SLV) but the drains overlaid in blue are later as the Yallock Outfall was a result of the Royal Commission established after the  December 1934 flood, which reported in 1937 (see here). 

See the entire map here at the State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/115251

Cr Jeune Matthews - first female Shire President

I have written about Miss Beatrice Thomas, the first female Shire Secretary of the Shire of Berwick (see here). Another pioneering woman in local government was Cr Jeune Matthews.

At the Council meeting held on Monday, August 15, 1979 Cr Jeune Matthews was elected Shire President (they are now called mayors) for the Pakenham Shire. Mrs Matthews was a Councillor from 1972 until 1988, originally for the Shire of Berwick and from 1973 for the Shire of Pakenham, which was created when the Shire of Berwick split - the area west of the Cardinia Creek was renamed the City of Berwick and the area to the east became the Shire of Pakenham.  With her elevation to Shire President, Cr Matthews had the distinction of being the female Shire President of the Shire of Pakenham, and its predecessor, the Shire of Berwick. This was a remarkable achievement given that local government in this area began with the formation of the Cranbourne Road Board in 1860 and the Berwick Road Board in 1862, the precursors of Shires of Cranbourne and Berwick, both of which were established in 1868.  The City of Berwick’s first female Shire President/Mayor was Cr Jan Bateman in 1980 and for the Shire of Cranbourne it was Cr Judy Elso, in 1988. (1)

Pakenham Gazette, August 15, 1979

The photo caption reads - Retiring President, Bob Bysouth, robes the newly elected President, Jeune Matthews.

The Pakenham Gazette featured Cr Matthews on its front page. The accompanying article read -

Shire's First Woman President. Records re-written in 117-year-old Shire. 

History was created last Monday afternoon when Cr Jeune Matthews was elected as Shire President. Never before, in the 117-year-old Pakenham Shire has a woman held this coveted position.

Cr Matthews was nominated by Cr Kel Anderson, and received the unanimous support of her colleagues. Earlier in the meeting the Presidential allowance had been fixed at at $2,500 - the same as last year.

Cr Matthews who was elected to Council seven years ago, was robed by the retiring President, Cr Bob Bysouth, who also presented her with the chain of office.

In thanking her colleagues for the  confidence they had displayed in her, she said she had seen seven Shire presidents come an go-"some thinner, some greyer, but all wiser.""

She was assured of the support of her husband and family, and having served a "fair probationary period," she would do her best to uphold the traditions of the Shire, and she looked forward to the 12 months ahead.

Jeune was born on February 26, 1929.  She trained as a nurse and in 1949 was working with Dr Martin, who practiced at Garfield (2)  and there she met local farmer, Cyril Matthews. They married on June 30, 1951. This report of their wedding was published in the Broadford Courier -

A very pretty wedding took place at Holy Trinity Church of England, Thornbury, on 30th June, when June [sic], elder daughter of Mr J. J. Johnston of "Grand view," High Street, Broadford, was married to Cyril Joseph James Matthews eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Matthews, "Benambra," Cora Lynn.

The bride looked very attractive in an old world gown of lace and tulle over magnolia satin which was designed with a full lace skirt falling away to a train. The front of the skirt was scalloped to form a redingate effect inlet with tiny frills of tulle from the waist to the hem. The fitting bodice was finished with a tulle yoke on which were appliqued flowers of lace. Her embroidered tulle veil was held in place by a coronet of orange blossom. White stocks, carnations and azaleas formed the bouquet.

The report also mentions that her sister, Phyllis, was her attendant; the flower girls were Yvonne Martin, the daughter of Dr Martin,  and  Lynn Wiltshire and  Cyril's best man was his friend, Clive Fisher of Colac. 120 people attended the reception at the Church Hall. During the reception - 

Dr. Martin in a humorous speech proposed the health of the bride and groom. The toast of the bride's parents was proposed by Mr. Henderson, and the bridegroom's parents by Mr. N. Kinsella, of Cora Lynn. Mrs. Sobey and Rev. G. Turner, of Bunyip, contributed items at the reception accompanied by the musicians engaged for the evening.

The couple spent their  honeymoon in Mildura and Adelaide. The report ends with - The young couple will reside at Garfield Park, Garfield. Jeune and Cyril raised their five children at Garfield. You can read the full report of their wedding in the Broadford Courier of July 27, 1951,  here.

Mrs Matthews was interviewed in the Pakenham Gazette, October 14, 2009, 30 years after her election as Shire President. The article was written by Jade Lawton.

‘First lady’ a pioneer

Jeune Matthews made history in 1979 as the first woman ever elected president of the Pakenham Shire. Cr Matthews was the first woman to hold the position since the shire was founded 117 years prior, and paved the way for a succession of female shire presidents and later mayors.

But her tenure was not without its difficulties, with Cr Matthews battling a serious, and secretive, illness during her presidency. 

“I first went on the council in 1972 and I was there until 1988,” Mrs Matthews, now 80, told the Gazette this week. “I was only in the chair for two weeks before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went to hospital and had my breasts removed, but only missed a few meetings. Cyril, my husband, stood in for me at a couple of things I had to go to,” she said. “It wasn’t really reported (the illness) but I wish that they had put it in the paper because it helps other people. I am very thankful to God I am still here.”

In the 17 October 1979 edition of the Gazette, a brief story on page three informed readers that the shire president had left hospital. Cr Matthews was apparently the centre of attention during her two-week stay at the Pakenham Bush Nursing Hospital.

“Her room was filled with many ‘get well’ letters and cards, as well as countless sheaves of flowers. To all who sent along messages by phone, letter, card or in the form of flowers, Cr Matthews has asked us to pass on her sincere thanks,” reported the Gazette. She was back in the chair for the 22 October 1979 council meeting.

Mrs Matthews said the highlight of her time on the council was her brush with royalty. 
“I met Princes Di and Prince Charles at the Hyatt. They were at the next table and when Di got up to dance with Charles she beckoned to me because she didn’t want to dance alone.” 

Mrs Matthews had five children with her husband, Cyril, who passed away in 2002. Still living in Garfield, she keeps up to date with council affairs, although she thinks the council has changed since she last she was last on it. “I don’t think it is as good as it used to be,” she said. “When I think about what I did, it was pretty hair-raising some of the time – just where you go, what you do.”

Read the interview here - https://berwickgazette.com.au/gazette/2009-10-14/first-lady-a-pioneer/

Mrs Jeune Matthews died on December 7, 2012, at the age of 83 and she should get more recognition than what she gets for being a pioneering woman in local government. 

Footnotes 

(1) See my timeline of local government  here -

https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2022/02/shires-of-berwick-and-cranbourne.html

(2) Jeune is listed in the 1949 Electoral Roll at Garfield as c/o Dr Martin, Garfield, nurse.

Read about Doctors in Garfield here - https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-doctors-house-1-main-street-garfield.html

This is an expanded and updated version of a post, which I wrote and researched which appears on my work blog Casey Cardinia Links to our Past. 

Shire of Cranbourne Certificate presented to Edwin Spencer Johnson

This certificate is from the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society collection and was presented to Edwin Spencer Johnson by the Shire of Cranbourne, in appreciation of your voluntary enlistment for active service overseas. It is dated March 27, 1943 and was signed by Shire President, Cr Matthew Bennett, M.L.A; Cr Leslie James Cochrane, M.L.A and Shire Secretary Allan Frank Buchanan.

The certificate was presented at a function at the Koo Wee Rup Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 27, 1943 and it was reported on in the Koo Wee Rup Sun (see full report at the end of this post).  The dance and presentation night was held under the auspices of the Koo wee Rup Citizens' Send-off and Welcome Home Committee. 250 people were present to farewell the sixteen local boys who enlisted - only four of whom were present - Ken Child, Wallie Ellett, Gordon Hobson and Keith Barnes. Cr Cochrane said that the Committee had farewelled 93 servicemen and each man (or their family) were given £2 and the Cranbourne Shire Certificate shown here. The twelve men who could not be present were listed as J. O’Brien, H.Jacob (R.A.N.R.), Ted Johnson,  J. Davey (A.I.F.), K. McInnes (R.A.A.F.), C. Loveday and L. Colvin (A.I.F.),  L. Seddon, B.L. Broadbent, A. Burton, Colin Burton, and C. Cuff (A.I.F.)

Here's some information about Ted Johnson, the man whose certificate we have -

Johnson, Edwin Spencer (VX117828 Australian Army) Ted was born in Dandenong on August 29, 1914 and was living in Koo Wee Rup when he enlisted on November 17, 1942. He was discharged January 11, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

On July 15, 1944, Ted married Gladys Warren, the second daughter of Mr and Mrs F. Warren of Glenfyne, Upper Yannathan, at St Johns Church of England in Lang Lang. Gladys wore a graceful frock of white chantilly lace, with an ivory tuille veil. There is a lovely report of their wedding in the Dandenong Journal of August 2, 1944, which you can read here.  The report also tells us that Ted Johnson was the eldest son of Mr & Mrs W. Johnson of Charles Street in Koo Wee Rup. Ted and Gladys are listed in the 1954 Electoral Roll in Lang Lang, his occupation was a butcher. Ted died on August 23, 1990 and Gladys on July 28, 1997 and they are both buried at the Lang Lang Cemetery.

Here is some brief biographical information  of the other men who are listed in the Koo Wee Rup Sun article. The information is from the World War Two Nominal Rolls, here. I have also included the link to their full service record at the National Archives. If I could find a photograph, I have included it. 

Barnes, Keith Henry  (119759 Royal Australian Air Force). Born in Swan Hill on September 22, 1924 and was living in Koo Wee Rup on enlistment, which was on October 15, 1942.  Discharged March 18, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Keith was one of the four servicemen present at the send-off. 

Keith Henry Barnes

Image: National Archives of Australia 

Broadbent, Benjamin Lane (VX112302 Australian Army)  Born in Northcote on October 26, 1910; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on October 21, 1942.  Discharged May 10, 1946. Ben Broadbent was well known in Koo Wee Rup as the owner of Broadbent's Drapery store and he and his wife Bronwyn (nee Williams) were involved with many community organisations. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Burton, Allan Edward  (VX123516 Australian Army).   Born on January 28, 1913 in Koo Wee Rup; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted February 18, 1943.  Discharged September 24, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Burton, Colin Stuart (VX113988 Australian Army) Born on May 16, 1916 in Koo Wee Rup; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted November 1, 1942. Discharged December 15, 1943. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Child, Kenneth Samuel (PM5468 Royal Australian Navy) Born on September 25, 1925 in Koo Wee Rup lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on December 2, 1942.  Discharged April 12, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Ken was one of the four servicemen present at the send-off. 

Colvin, Leonard Michael (VX122263 Australian Army). Born on December 26, 1920 in Koo Wee Rup; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on December 22, 1942. Discharged December 19, 1945. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Cuff, Gordon George (VX110054 Australian Army). Born in Lismore in NSW on August 1, 1905; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on October 1, 1942. Discharged June 2, 1948. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Davey, John Arthur  (VX117309  Australian Army) Born in Dandenong on March 16, 1917; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on November 3, 1942.  Discharged June 7, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Ellett, Walter Lyell (PM5217 Royal Australian Navy) Born at Koo Wee Rup on March 10, 1925; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on October 21, 1942. Discharged February 14, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Walter was one of the four servicemen present at the send-off. 

Hobson, Gordon James (VX67536 Australian Army) Born in Bunyip on December 7, 1920;  lived in Rythdale and enlisted on December 11, 1941.  Discharged January 8, 1944. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. Gordon was one of the four servicemen present at the send-off. 

Jacob, Harold Allen (PM5297 Royal Australian Navy)  Born in Murrayville on May 12, 1925 and enlisted on December 16, 1942.  Harold was discharged June 3, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Loveday, Cuthbert Lyall  (VX112913 Australian Army)  Born in Melbourne on December 6, 1917; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on August 15, 1940.  Discharged  October 31, 1945.You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

McInnes, Keith Gordon  (120614  Royal Australian Air Force)  Born in Rushworth on February 11, 1916;  lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on November 9, 1942. Discharged April 11, 1945. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

Keith Gordon McInnes

Image: National Archives of Australia 

O'Brien, J.  Not sure who this is. The Koo Wee Rup Sun article said that he joined the Royal Australian Navy, but I can't find a J. O'Brien with a Koo Wee Rup connection, who did that.  The only Koo Wee Rup O'Brien, I can find is Daniel Charles O'Brien (VX91602, Australian Army) who enlisted on March 3, 1943. He had been born at Koo wee Rup on December 22, 1905, lived in Koo Wee Rup and was discharged November 23, 1943. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here.

Daniel Charles O'Brien

Image: National Archives of Australia 

Seddon, Charles Leonard  (VX106720 Australian Army)  Born in Stanley on June 22, 1909; lived in Koo Wee Rup and enlisted on September 18, 1942. Discharged January 14, 1946. You can read his full service record at the National Archives of Australia, here. 

The men who signed the certificate were -
Bennett, Matthew (1862 - 1951) Owned a dairy farm at Catani. He was a Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1925 until 1951. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly for Gippsland West from 1929 until 1950 for the Country party and was succeeded by Leslie Cochrane. I have written about him here.

Cochrane, Leslie James (1894 - 1972) Cranbourne Shire Councillor from 1930 - 1964, Shire President 1935/1936, 1946, 1949/1950 and 1957/1958. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly for Gippsland West from 1950 to 1970. I have written about Cr Cochrane, here.

Buchanan, Allan Frank (1863-1965) Cranbourne Shire Secretary.  After spending 22 years as Shire Secretary at the Shire of Wycheproof, Mr Buchanan took up the same role at the Cranbourne Shire from February 1935.  In October 1950 he took leave of absence due to ill health and retired in April 1951. You can read about his retirement in the Dandenong Journal, here. He died in Torquay in July 1965, aged 72.

This is the transcription of the article about the send-off from the Koo Wee Rup Sun, of Thursday, April 1, 1943 

War Service Men Farewelled

On Saturday another dance and presentation night, under the auspices of the Kooweerup Citizens’ Send-off and Welcome Home committee, was tendered to local lads who\ have enlisted for active service overseas  in the Memorial Hall. About 250 persons were present and Rogers’ Orchestra supplied the dance music.  Unfortunately, only four of the 16 boys to be honored were able to be present, viz., Ken Child, Wallie Ellett (R.A.N.R.) Gordon Hobson (A.I.F.) and Keith Barnes  (R.A.A.F.).

Following supper, the president of the committee (Cr L. J. Cochrane) said they were present to do honor to another batch of local men who had voluntarily given their services to their country.

On behalf of the public of Kooweerup and district, Mr. E.R. Williams, J.P., said the armies of Australia to date comprise approximately 750,000 men, and of this number a little over half are in the volunteer army, which includes all in the R.A.A.F., Royal Australian Navy and Australian Imperial Force. The men who they were honoring that night, and those they had previously, belong to this glorious volunteer army of men – 400,000 Australians who do not recognise any line drawn on a map behind which to fight in defence of their country and the British Empire, but are willing to go anywhere their services are most needed. These men represent the true spirit of Australia; the spirit of the pioneers of this country, which has made it what it is to-day.

 Despite camouflage and propaganda, it cannot be denied that the Australian military war effort is still shackled  and bound by the narrow and tragic conception of  a divided army. However we can be thankful that we have 400,000 Australians loyal beyond party politics; who possess “the grander spirit and nobler vision,” and who have not forgotten pals in Singapore and Malaya. We also must make sacrifices, voluntary or by compulsion, to make sure that such men are properly equipped to do their part toward victory. This community is very proud of its fighting sons, and all wish them good health and an even brake, being quite confident that they will do the rest.

Mr W. Taylor, president of the local R.S.S.A.I.L.A, sub-branch, said on its behalf that the league stands for the soldiers of to-morrow, and he advised the guests on their return to throw in their lot with those who had already laid foundations in their interest. He was sure they would carry on the traditions of the old A.I.F.

In criticising the present Government  for turning down preference in employment to returned men, the speaker said that if men who fought for their country were not entitled to this preference he would like to know who is. He was sure the present servicemen would get a better spin on their return to civilian life than the old A.I.F. had received. He wished the guests God speed and a safe return.

Cr. Cochrane said the local committee had to date farewelled 93 servicemen. He congratulated the guests on the action they had taken and said he felt sure they would do their best wherever they went.

He then presented each guest with a money belt containing £2 in notes, also a Cranbourne Shire certificate. He said that owing to the inability to purchase wool without coupons the local R.S. Ladies’ Auxiliary was unable to make its usual presentation of comforts at such functions, but auxiliary members had asked him to convey to the guests their very best wishes.

Cr. Cochrane then made the same presentations to relatives of the following lads who were unable to be present:- J. O’Brien, H. Jacob (R.A.N.R.), Ted Johnson,  J. Davey (A.I.F.), K. McInnes (R.A.A.F.), C. Loveday and L. Colvin (A.I.F.)  [illegible] to make presentations to the following unrepresented boys at a later date: - L. Seddon, B.L. Broadbent, A. Burton, Colin Burton, and C. Cuff (A.I.F.)

The singing of “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” was followed by three lusty cheers, and after short responses made by each guest the dancing programme was resumed.