Florence especially had a long connection to Tooradin. Florence Victoria McCarthy was born in Zeehan in Tasmania on December 30, 1900 to Francis George McCarthy and Annie (nee Ellis), who had married in 1881. There were ten children in all and Florence was the second youngest. Two older brothers Francis Claude (known as Claude), born in 1882 and Leon Charles, born in 1887 were also connected to Tooradin. At some time the family moved to Victoria. In the 1913 Electoral Roll, Francis, a blacksmith; Annie and Claude, a carpenter were listed at Dandenong. In the 1917 Electoral Rolls son Leon, also a carpenter, was also living at Dandeong. In April 1915, Annie passed away at the age of 56 and around 1918 Francis and presumably Florence were living at Tooradin; Claude later also moved to the town. (2)
In 1922, Claude and Leon built St Peter's Catholic Church in Tooradin, which was opened on December 3, 1922 by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Mannix. The Church was designed by ecclesiastical architect, Augustus Andrew Fritsch. St Peter's at Tooradin later closed and the building was moved to St Peter's College in Cranbourne in 2003 where it is used as a Chapel. (3) Claude lived in Tooradin until his death in May 1943 and during this time built, amongst other buildings, the Stella Maris Guesthouse in 1924 for James Dudley Singleton. (4)
Florence's father died in August 1944 and this is part of his obituary from the Dandenong Journal -Passing of Old Tooradin Identity - The Passing of "Daddy" F.C. McCarthy of Tooradin, last Wednesday, at Caritas Christi Hospice, Kew, removes a highly esteemed, and popular identity of the angling fraternity at Tooradin. For the past quarter-of-a-century the late Mr. McCarthy keenly pursued his sport, angling for the elusive bream at Tooradin. Prior to coming to Victoria, he was a mining ’smith at Zeehan (Tas.). Of his five sons and five daughters, two sons, Claude, and Leon, predeceased him within the year. His-wife passed away in 1915. (5)
The first marriage in the new church of St. Peter's has just been solemnised, when Miss Florence McCarthy, of Tooradin, has joined in holy matrimony with Mr. W. Williams, of Murtoa. Rev. L. McCarthy, M S.C., cousin of the bride, came over from Sydney, N.S.W., to perform the ceremony. (6)
Cova Cottage soon proved popular with the locals and the tourists. The first mention I can find of it in the newspapers was this report from the Dandenong Journal in May 1948. The Guest House the snippet, below, refers to is the Stella Maris Guesthouse, built by Florence's brother Claude.
Two years later, in October 1950, the Dandenong Journal could report the good news that Cova Cottage was doubling in size and modernising to handle the public.
Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 13 1959 p. 6.
Bobby, who comes from Bentleigh, wandered over to the spillway while his parents were having afternoon tea. A little girl who was with him rushed back to the cafe with the news that he had fallen in. Mr. Williams immediately rushed across from his cafe and dived in just as the little lad was being sucked into the rushing current. He brought him back to the shore, where a rope was thrown to him. Mrs. Arnold Osborne applied artificial respiration, and the lad, rolled up in blankets, was hurried to the D. & D. Hospital. He came through his ordeal with nothing worse than bad shock.
This is Mr. Williams’ second rescue at this spot, as he previously pulled a dazed truck-driver from the water when his truck went over the cause way into the water. (10)
Bill died on June 30, 1975 and his obituary from the Koo Wee Rup Sun, records his extensive community involvement (however makes no mention of his wife, Florence) -
Tooradin lost a loyal and valuable citizen in Bill Williams - With the death of Bill Williams on 30 June, Tooradin lost a loyal and valuable citizen. The Guard of Honour by the Fire Brigade, was a fitting tribute. For his services and work in this aspect of community service, he was awarded the Queen’s medal, which came to hand after his death. In this sphere, Bill had served the community for over 20 years and was largely responsible for the present buildings, fire engine and equipment, and more recently the billiard table and other recreational facilities for the youth of the village, in whom he was extremely interested.
The large crowd at the church and funeral, was probably one of the most representative gatherings seen in Tooradin – this too was fitting, for it wasn’t only to the Fire Brigade that Bill had given constant and tenacious service. He had worked for many causes – if help was needed, his was available, and, if he believed in the cause the opposition was secondary. A trustee of Rutter Park Memorial Park Land, member of the Foreshore Committee, the hall trust and the representative of the St Vincent de Paul Society in this area.
He had taught swimming in the village and had been commended for saving the life of one child in the dangerous floodgates, and with the help of a friend, had walked the District from end to end and started the football club in Tooradin when he recognised such need.
He had been a prominent member of the Tooradin Men’s Club, which had its meeting at the ‘Palais de Danse’ attached to the Tooradin Hotel in days gone past. Bill could talk at length, and did, on all aspects of the growth of Tooradin, as he had records and experiences of worth, which he was happy to share.
He had been, for 50 years, part of the village in so many aspects – Cova Cottage, which he had built during the war years, when he saw the needs of a tea house. Materials were scarce and the obtaining of these was a big problem (if one felt strongly about the illegalities of the ‘black market’ as he did) – for he was a man of strong principles and honour. Before he had a small general store where Peddle’s Milk Bar now operates.
As a Justice of the Peace, he had helped and counselled many; particularly the young, and, whilst aggressive in defence of what he believed in, his patience, kindness and generosity (which he hid under a self conscious shyness) was without bounds and his gratitude of a kindness or a courtesy was overwhelming and sincere
His coffin bearers were fellow Knights of the Southern Cross, a distinguished order of Catholic laymen, to which Bill had the honour to belong. Five priests, including past Parish Priests, came very long distances to have the privilege of paying their tributes at a con-celebrated Mass. It was fitting that he should have been buried from the Church, where his had been the first marriage over 52 years ago – a church he had personally cared for over so many years. (12)
I have limited information on Florence's activities after her husband's death, but she died 25 years after him on April 1, 2001, aged 100 years old. At the time of her death she was living at the Nursing Home in Koo Wee Rup. Florence and Bill are buried at the Box Hill Cemetery with their little daughter, Mary. Also in the grave is 23 year old William Blakeley who died in May 1942; he was the nephew of Bill, the son of his sister Rose. (13)
I also have limited information on Cova Cottage after the Williams. In 1977 it was owned by Sue Dow and her daughter Ann. They were featured in the Koo Wee Rup Sun in the November, and had been in the shop for nine months. (14)
Now here is a mystery - this was the photograph of Cova Cottage in the Koo Wee Rup Sun in November 1977. It is quite different from the original Cova Cottage erected in the 1940s.
If you have any information about Cova Cottage, especially after the Florence and Bill left, please let me know in the comments.
Footnotes(1) It's hard to tell when it was built, but the 1946/1947 Shire of Cranborne Rate books, still have the Williams' address as Box Hill; the 1947/1948 Rate Books have their address as Tooradin and that they have a 4-roomed weatherboard residence. The 1948/1948 Rate Books list a 4-roomed weatherboard residence and cafe.
(2) Family information from Tasmanian Archives and the Tasmanian Names List - https://libraries.tas.gov.au/slat/#search Electoral Rolls are on Ancestry.com and Francis McCarthy's death notice, see below.
(4) Claude McCarthy obituary - Dandenong Journal, May 19, 1943, see here; 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' (The Committee, 2001) p. 95.
(6) Marriage Certificate; The Advocate, January 17, 1924, see here.
(7) Marriage Certificate. Index to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; head stone at Box Hill Cemetery
(10) Dandenong Journal, August 30, 1950, see here.
(13) See Footnote 7; Tooradin: 125 years of coastal history op.cit p. 35.
(14) Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 16, 1977, p. 15
