Monday, September 6, 2021

Bill Parish's History of Garfield 1951 - 1960

The Souvenir booklet for the Back to Garfield celebrations held in June 1962 included a history of Garfield for each decade, written by Bill Parish (1915-1994). This is the chapter from 1941 - 1950.
I have added the footnotes. Heather Arnold

Garfield 1951-1960 by Bill Parish

This period was marked by a wave of prosperity which followed immediately after the effects of war had been obliterated.

Many old properties were cleared and made into farms, particularly in the Garfield North-Tonimbuk area. Many new homes were erected in Garfield at the east and west ends of the main street, and also on the hill in Archer Road and Campbell Street. Television also made its appearance, with the result the picture theatre closed down (1).

Sporting facilities were greatly increased, with new tennis courts, a bowling green and a T.Q. Midget Car race track (2). There were now two cricket clubs, three tennis teams, and three football teams.



Garfield Main Street, 1952

The Cannibal Creek Reserve was developed by a committee of Management with Mr F.C. Cox as president, Mr C. W. Parish as secretary, and Mr G. Fry as Resident Warden. A committee was also formed in Garfield to build a swimming pool (3),  with Mr C.G. Simcocks as its President.

There were many changes amongst the businessmen of the town, and some of these were: Cation & Warren, P.T. Wharington, J. Dunkley, J. Greening, J. Laurie and B.C. Robert (storekeepers); A. Rose, Little, V. Quinton and J. Dunkley (café proprietors); W. Gilmore (hairdresser); L. Marsh and J. Fawkner (butchers); Maud, Umlauft and Badstone (bakers).


Garfield Post Office Staff - Mr & Mrs A.F. Tanner, Miss K. Kitchen and Miss I. Marshall.
Weekly Times June 18, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224019417

Doctors were Dr Martin, Dr Laidlaw and Dr Gild (4). Chemists: Messrs Sarah and Taylor. Post Masters: Tanner, Coleman and Jarvis; Bank Managers: Macrae, Marshall and Wallace; Police: Pringle and Smith; Publicans: Smith, Fuller, Bevan and Hurley.

By the end of the decade, inflation had become a problem, but a slight “squeeze” organised by the government had only slight effect on this area.

The Boy Scouts made great progress, with the 1st Garfield Troop reaching the highest possible standard in camping proficiency in Victoria under the leadership of SM F. Cox and ASM J. Marsh. By the end of this period Scout groups were established in all local centres.


Garfield Scout Group
Weekly Times June 18, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224019417

The electrification and duplication of the Gippsland railway line (5) gave Garfield a rail service comparable with suburban areas, and electricity was now being supplied to almost every house in the district. 

Roads were improved, and a long term sealing programme was made by the Shire to cope with the ever-increasing road traffic.

So, after 120 years, the district has reached a very high standard of progress and achievement which, let us not forget, has been laid on the cornerstone of foresight provided by our early pioneers.

Footnotes
(1) The Garfield Theatre re-opened at weekends from 1970 to 1971. I have written about the Picture Theatre here https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2014/03/garfield-picture-theatre.html
(2) T.Q. Midget Car Track - see page 15 of the April 2020 Spectator http://www.garfieldspectator.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Garfield-Spectator-April-2020-website-.pdf 
There are also four videos of Midget Car Racing at Garfield on You Tube filmed c. 1959/1960 by Geoff Blackwell and posted by Cee Jones  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHlhxodT484  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20m0NyX98Rs
(3) The Swimming Pool was officially opened by the Governor, Sir Rohan Delacombe, on Saturday February 11, 1967.

From the Vice Regal Column - notice of the Pool's opening.
The Age, Monday February 13, 1967 from Newspapers.com

(5) Electrification of Railway line - July 21, 1954. Duplication of line between Tynong and Bunyip - August 19, 1956. Source:  https://vicsig.net/infrastructure/location/Garfield  More on the Garfield Railway Station here  http://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2014/05/garfield-railway-station.html


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Sunday, September 5, 2021

Bill Parish's History of Garfield 1941 - 1950

The Souvenir booklet for the Back to Garfield celebrations held in June 1962 included a history of Garfield for each decade, written by Bill Parish (1915-1994). This is the chapter from 1941 - 1950.
I have added the notes about Garfield’s World War Two service people.  Heather Arnold.

Garfield 1941-1950 by Bill Parish

The World War took many young men from the district in this period, and rationing was introduced for most commodities. The fruit industry was controlled by a Board, which gave growers approximately double the pre-war price.   

The Red Cross and Comforts Fund did much valuable work under the presidency of Mr. J Kierce.  


Some Garfield Red Cross Members, 1945
Weekly Times August 22, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page24110267

After the War, business began to improve, and by the end of the decade, prosperity had put all people firmly on their feet. Many new residents and businessmen came to the district, and the old properties, selected 70 years previously, were developed further. In fact, so much land was cleared that it affected the physical geography of the locality to such a degree that many streams became non-perennial and water catchment and conservation was affected.


Garfield Country Women's Association, 1945  -  Miss A. Doherty, Mesdames L. Chappell,
 F. Rigg, L. Haigh, N. Sturzaker,  C. Simcocks.
Weekly Times August 22, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page24110267


Townspeople at this stage: A. Mauger, B. Robert, J. Scott, and Cation and Warren (storekeepers); V. Maud (baker); R. Petty, W. Walker, G. Minton, C. Breman, J. Jessop and J. Fawkner (butchers); K. Sarah (chemist); N. O’Halloran and C. Pringle (police); C. Jackson, G. Hosking, W. Johnson and C. Webber (bank managers); C. Chapple and G. Fischer (school teachers); N. Graham (Station master); Doctor Martin; G. Hamm, F. Dean and J. Brenchley (garage proprietors).

The Boy Scout Troop was reformed under the leadership of C. W. Parish, F. C. Cox and F. R. Rigg.


Garfield Progress Association, 1945 - Messrs C.A. Chappell, F.A. Rigg, First Constable N.A. O'Halloran, Messrs H.A. Hourigan, D. Simcocks, C.G. Simcocks, T.K. Sarah.
Weekly Times August 22, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page24110267


Garfield’s World War Two Service people
The World War Two Nominal Rolls https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ are divided into three lists - people who were born in a locality; people who lived in a locality at the time of their enlistment and people who enlisted in a locality. The figures for Garfield are - 86 people who were born in Garfield enlisted; 86 people lived in Garfield at the time of their enlistment and 77 people enlisted in Garfield. Of course, some people are in more than one of these categories, but overall, 205 different people who enlisted had a connection to Garfield. 

We won’t look at all these people, but we will look at the nine women who served who had a connection to Garfield. The National Archives of Australia are in the process of digitising all WW2 Service Records. Of the women listed here, only the records of Florence and Bertha Green are digitised and they are both only two pages, so I have limited information about everyone’s service.

Crouch, Doreen Mina (SN 96389). Doreen was born in Garfield on June 6, 1924. She was living in Glenhuntly when she enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in August 1942 and was discharged in April 1946. Doreen is the daughter of William and Marjory Crouch, they are listed in the Electoral Rolls of 1925 through to 1936 at Garfield, and his occupation was a storekeeper. Doreen married William Henry Walker in 1947. He was a teacher and they lived in the Geelong area. 

Dawes, Dulcie May (SN 174202). Dulcie was born in Garfield on April 11, 1926, the daughter of Alfred and Gertrude (nee North) Dawes. She was living in Springvale when she enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in May 1944 and was discharged in February 1946. Dulcie married Ernest James McNab in 1946, and sadly was only 47 when she died in 1973. 

Dore, Eileen Greta (SN VF396618). Eileen was born in Garfield on January 6, 1924. She was also living in Garfield when she enlisted in the Army in December 1942 and she was discharged in April 1944. Eileen was the daughter of Patrick and Greta (nee Monaghan) Fawkner; he was the butcher in Garfield. Eileen married Robert James Dore in 1944. I presume she left the Army to get married, so I was surprised that her records are under her married name, not Fawkner, which would have been her name on enlistment.
 
Green, Bertha Alice Amy (SN WR3051) Bertha, born on August 15,1925, enlisted in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service in June 1945, and served until July 1946.
Green, Florence May (SN WR/1995) Florence was born on May 6,1920 and enlisted in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service in March 1944. She was discharged in June 1946.
Florence and Bertha were both born in Garfield to Daniel and Eliza (nee James) Green. They are listed in the Electoral Rolls of 1912 through to 1931 at Garfield. Daniel’s occupation was a farmer. I have no other information about the two sisters.

Griffin, Elsie Blanche (SN VF346647) Elsie was born in Garfield on April 30, 1921. She enlisted in the Army in February 1942 and was discharged in October 1943. Elsie married Maxwell Henry Griffin in 1943. Elsie is the daughter of William Herbert and Blanche Harriet (nee Moore) Shreeve. They lived on the Eleven Mile Road, at Tynong. As with Eileen Dore, Elsie’s official records are listed under her married name, not Shreeve, the name she would have enlisted under.

Jack, Elizabeth (SN 90028) Born in Garfield on October 28, 1921, Elizabeth enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in April 1941 and was discharged only a month later in the May. Perhaps she was medically unfit. Her parents, Richard and Ruby Jack are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Garfield from 1921 to 1926; he was a Baker.

Jolley, Ida Lillian (SN VF516239) Ida was born in Garfield on December 5,1924 and she was living in Garfield when she enlisted in the Army in August 1944.  Ruby was discharged in May 1946 and married Geoffrey Charles Gribble in 1948. Ida is the daughter of Alexander and Ruby (nee Johnson) Jolley. 

Lewis, Muriel Anna (SN VFX114955 / V145392) Muriel was born in Korumburra on February 24,1919 to James and Elsie May (nee Cox) Attrill. She was living at Garfield when she enlisted in the Army in November 1942 at Bonegilla. Muriel was discharged in December 1943, and she married Stephen Leslie Lewis the same year. Stephen was also in the Army; he was from New South Wales and they lived there after the War. Muriel is another woman who enlisted under her maiden name, but all her records are in her married name. James and Elsie Atrill had moved to Garfield from Korumburra sometime after 1924. Sadly, their fifth child died at Bunyip in 1929 at only one day old, and then on April 18,1930 James also died. He was 35 years old. Elsie remarried in 1935 to Ernest John Watts and continued to live in Garfield.


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Bill Parish's History of Garfield 1931 - 1940

The Souvenir booklet for the Back to Garfield celebrations held in June 1962 included a history of Garfield for each decade, written by Bill Parish (1915-1994). This is the chapter from 1931-1940.
I have added the footnotes. Heather Arnold.

Garfield 1931-1940 by Bill Parish
This period commenced with the Depression which affected all sections of the community, businesses becoming insolvent and many primary producers losing all their assets and, in some cases, having to take advantage of the Debt Adjustment Scheme. Public works were done for Sustenance or ‘Susso’ as it was then called. This included a number of surveyed but unmade roads. 

There were a great many fires during this period and many shops and public buildings were burned (1). This resulted in new shops, a new football pavilion and new public hall. The 1939 bush fires reached North Garfield, with Messrs Towt Bros being badly burned in Break Neck Gully. A fire patrol, under Lieutenant G.H Limmer had a narrow escape.


The Garfield Public Hall burnt down and was rebuilt in 1937. 
This new hall, pictured, burnt down in 1984.
Image: Berwick Pakenham Historical Society.

Primary producers were barely scraping out an existence. Orchardists, for example, received only 1/6d clear for export apples and before resorting to sales to agents many received debit notes instead of cheques for overseas consignments.

At the end of this decade came World War Two. Many young men volunteered as previous; some paying the supreme penalty. These included I. Leask (2), F. Watts (3), J. Frawley, K. Frawley (4), K. Kileen (5), Poorock (6) and T. Fitzgerald (7). 

The businessmen of this period were: A.C Nutting (8), Pease & Co, E. Cotter and W. Edney (storekeepers); C. Simcocks (newsagent); A. Casey (Iona Hotel); R. Wall and J. Jennings (bakers); Haig & Little, Holloway, Edwards (butchers); Simcocks, Barnes, Harris, Pascoe, Schmutter (cafes etc); Edis (blacksmith); E.C Cox, R. James (builders); S. Howell, A. Wilson (bank managers); O’Brien, E. Cahill, W. Lawson (police); W Waugh and N. Barrett (school teachers)

Largely through the efforts of Mr C. Webber, the Garfield Church of England (9) was built from money raised in the Twenties by Mrs Beswick. Another new building to be erected was the E.S & A Bank in Main Street (10).

Footnotes
(1) Fires – various reports in the newspapers about fires – February 1930:  Mr Pitches’ 2-storey brick shop used as a general store was destroyed by fire; August 1933: Mrs Wild’s four room house burnt; September 1933:  the unoccupied Police Station partially destroyed by fire; October 1933:  Mr M. Kennedy’s 6 room weatherboard house burnt; April 15,1937:  Garfield Hall burnt (it was rebuilt the same year and burnt down again in 1984); January 1939:  James McGrath’s large weatherboard house burnt. I cannot find any information on the Football pavilion.

(2) Leask, Ivan George. Born in Bunyip on September 9, 1919, or so he said. Ivan was actually born in 1921. He enlisted in the Army in June 1940 and was Killed in Action in Papua on August 30,1942 at the age of only 19. He was the son of George and Jessie Leask. His father, George, had served in World War One.

(3) Watts, Francis Thomas. Francis was born October 16,1909 and enlisted in the Army July 1940. He died of illness in Burma on September 26, 1943. Francis was the son of Ernest John and Rose Matilda Watts who lived on Walker’s Road, Garfield. 

(4) Frawley, John William. Born October 1,1917 and enlisted in the Army September 1942. Killed in Action in Papua on January 18, 1943.
Frawley, Kevin Dennis. Born May 12,1920 and enlisted in the Army December 1941. Killed in Action in New Guinea on September 4, 1943.
John and Kevin were the sons of James Patrick and Margaret (nee Bannan) Frawley of the Iona Hotel, Garfield. The Frawley’s had previously been at the Floodgate Hotel in Raglan Street, Port Melbourne. The license of the Floodgate Hotel was transferred in March 1940, so I assume they arrived at the Iona Hotel, around this time. Their other son, James Patrick Frawley, also enlisted. He was born September 23, 1919, enlisted January 1941 and was discharged September 1944.
I have written more about the Frawleys here

(5) Killeen, Kenneth Francis. Kenneth was born October 4,1921 and enlisted in the Navy November 1941. He was Killed in Action on June 1,1942 on Sydney Harbour. Ken served on the H.M.A.S. Kuttabul and was killed when three Japanese midget submarines attacked in Sydney Harbour. Ken was the son of Francis Patrick and Veronica ‘Vera’ Hazel Killeen. They were listed in the Electoral Roll at Bayles in 1931 and at 14 Mile Road, Garfield from around 1935. 

(6) Poorock – Cannot work out who this is. Tried various spellings, different phonetic spellings, looked at the Electoral Rolls but no similar names listed.

(7) Fitzgerald, T. I cannot find a T. Fitzgerald with a local connection or one who is on the Roll of Honour. The Bunyip War Memorial lists a T.R. Fitzpatrick, this may be who Mr Parish is referring to. This was Thomas Ray Fitzpatrick, born March 31,1900 in Morwell. He was living in Clifton Hill when he enlisted in the Army in June 1940, but his next of kin was his brother, James, of Tynong. Thomas died of illness in Thailand on December 25, 1943.

(8) Arthur Charles Nutting - I have written about him here

(9) The Anglican Church, St Mary’s, was opened on March 28,1935 by Archdeacon Weir of Sale. It was demolished in 2010.

(10) The A.N.Z Bank (now Miss Franky’s) opened as an E.S. & A. Bank around 1931. I have written about the Bank, here

Garfield Baby Health Centre
The Garfield and the Bunyip Baby Health Centres opened in 1935 or 1936. They are first listed in the Victorian Baby Health Centres Association Annual Report of 1935/36 Annual report. Garfield was open Fridays 10.30am to 12 noon and 12.30pm to 1.30pm; Bunyip was open Fridays 2.00pm to 4.30pm. In the 1936/37 report the President of the Garfield Centre was Enid Patterson, the wife of the Dr John Patterson and the Secretary was Connie Nutting, whose husband Arthur, owned a store (read more about the Nutting Family, here). You can access the Victorian Baby Health Centres Association Annual Reports here - http://www.qec.org.au/professionals/corporate-documents

Other posts of Bill Parish's History of Garfield - 
1901-1910 https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bill-parishs-history-of-garfield-1901.html

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