Bunyip Magistrates Court

The establishment of the Court of Petty Sessions at Bunyip was ‘gazetted’ in the State Government Gazette in an announcement dated February 14, 1905. (1) The first court session took place in Kraft’s Hall which was a privately owned hall operated by William Kraft, of the Gippsland Hotel. The Mechanics' Institute Hall opened on June 15, 1906, on the site of Kraft's Hall, Mr Kraft having donated the land. This 1906 building burnt down March 14, 1940 and the existing hall opened October 8, 1942. (2) 

The Court at Bunyip is established.

 Victoria Government Gazette, February 22, 1905, p. 834.

 https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1905/V/general/24.pdf

The first sitting of the Bunyip Court was held on Wednesday, March 15, 1905.  The South Bourke and Mornington Journal reported - 

As reported in my last, a court of petty sessions was held in Kraft's Hall on Wednesday, March 15. Naturally, being the first, some little speechifying was looked forward to, which however did not come off. Mr. Cresswell, P. M.,(3) and Messrs. Ramage and a'Beckett. J's.P., occupied the bench. Only two cases were listed. Myrtle Morris was charged by Constable J. Ryan with having no visible means of support, and was remanded to Prahran for further hearing.

John Mannix, aged twelve, was charged with endangering the property of R.McAllister by setting fire to some scrub whereby a quantity of grass and fencing was destroyed. After hearing the evidence the Bench stated its unwillingness to record a sentence, and on the father entering into a recognaissance for the boy's future good behaviour, the case was dismissed. (4)

This article shows how the legal system has changed, for better or worse depending on your view point, as a 12 year old would never have his name mentioned in relation to a legal trial today (if it even made it to Court)

In another case, heard on March 16, 1910 before Presiding Magistrate Harris (5) and Justices of the Peace, A’Beckett and Pearson, George Nicklen, a farmer of Iona was charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on his 15 year old niece, Elizabeth Bidwell. This report was in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal - 

Evidence was given by Mesdames Gully and Robinson two neighbours, that Nicklen was in the habit of beating the girl unmercifully, and the case had been brought under the notice of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Dr. Withington said he had examined the girl, who was covered with welts and bruises. She had apparently been subjected to a severe handling. Lizzie Bidwell, the girl in question, said her uncle, Nicklen, had chained her to her bed for days at a time, and on one occasion threatened to hang her with a rope. She was compelled to run away to Mrs. Gully's place, and that lady took her to the doctor. Nicklen denied giving the girl more than she needed. He was fined £10, with £3/5 costs, or three months in gaol. (6)

Ironically, on the same day the Court fined a man £8.00 for stealing four heifers or three months in gaol, if he didn’t pay. I don’t know what happened to poor Lizzie Bidwell but it’s sad to think that the Court valued her suffering at about the same rate as the theft of four cows.

Parents who did not send their children to school often faced court, here are two cases - 

In August 1910 Constable Ryan proceeded against J. Mannix for neglecting to send his child to school the required time. The constable stated that the teacher's report was that the child had played the truant. There were two charges against defendant The P.M. warned parents against future occurrences, as the new Act empowers the Court to deal with children by sending them to a reformatory or other suitable place. A fine of 5/ was imposed in each case. (7)

March 1914, Frank Gallagher was charged with neglecting to send his child to school - 

Constable Anstee said the boy in question had not attended school from 7th Nov. till January, and had evidently been kept at home to weed onions. The police magistrate said the case was a bad one, and defendant would be fined 5/- or three days. (8)

The Bunyip Free Press of January 15, 1914 reported that the court was crowded  when four charges of sly grog selling  were launched against an aged Assyrian with the very Anglicised name of  John Ellis. Ellis was represented by Mr M. Davine and had brought his own interpreter as he didn’t speak English. A Revenue Detective, Joseph Blake, had been working undercover in the area and he had visited Ellis  on a number of occasions as Ellis had a little shop, at Iona, with general stock; Ellis also did hair cutting.  Blake alleged that Ellis sold him alcohol, Ellis denied this.  Patrick McGrath, who leased the house to Ellis and had known him for nine years, called Ellis one of the best and straightest men on the Swamp. Mr Davine presented evidence that Joseph Blake was a professional liar and an informer.  In the end, the case was dismissed with the payment of costs; the Presiding Magistrate said we will give Ellis the benefit of the doubt if he will pay costs.  The costs were just over £17.00 but were reduced to £15.00 after some haggling; a report a few months later said the costs had been paid and the case was withdrawn. (9)

In April 1916, Ellis was back in Court -
Mr. W. W. Harris, P.M., presided at a special sitting of the Bunyip court yesterday to hear a charge of attempted murder which was preferred against a Syrian named John Ellis. The evidence of two young immigrants named Cyril and Frank Borwick showed that Ellis brought a revolver from Melbourne with him on 30th March. He was drunk, and told them he intended to shoot Constable Anstee. During the night Ellis consumed about half a bottle of whisky, and the brothers alleged that Ellis fired at both of them whilst they were asleep in bed. Cyril was shot in the hand, and Frank was shot in the left cheek. Accused was committed for trial in Melbourne. (10)

Ellis' trial was held in May 1916 and at the sentencing, Mr Justice Cussen, was reported as saying - 

said prisoner appeared almost to have been temporarily insane owing to certain charges made against him which he said were false. At the same time prisoner ought to consider himself lucky that he was not standing in the dock on a capital charge. Sentence, two years' imprisonment. (11)

Another case  involving a revenue officer was this gambling case from Garfield, heard in July 1914.

Bunyip - A young man named Frederick Carpenter in January last was convicted of conducting a common gaming house, at Garfield, and was mulcted in fines and costs totalling £15. The alternative of two months imprisonment was also imposed, but as Carpenter, who is an ex-jockey and a cripple, promised not to offend again, time to pay the fine was given him. That time was extended, but the fine was not paid. To-day Carpenter was ordered to pay £18 11/2 (fines and costs imposed previously), and was also fined an extra £10, in default two months' imprisonment, for failing to comply with the previous order of the court. Carpenter fainted in court when the decision was given, and lay across the barristers' table, but was carried out bodily by two constables and the revenue officer. The P.M. remarked that it was more "drink" than "faint." (12)  I had never come across the term mulcted before, but have discovered that a mulct  is a fine. 

In March 1915 a case concerning Cora Lynn farmer, John Rutter was heard at Bunyip and was reported in The Age and picked up by some rural newspapers -

A case of great importance to farmers was heard by Mr. W. W. Harris, P.M., at Bunyip police court, when a Cora Lynn farmer named John Rutter was proceeded against by Constable Anstee for having failed to produce a book showing the records of cattle slaughtered by him. The charge was laid under section 32 of the Butchers and Abattoirs Act. Superintendent Fowler, who conducted the prosecution, stated that on 24th February Constable Anstee and Thomas Garrett, an inspector of Berwick shire council, visited defendant's farm. Rutter told them he kept a book containing his general business transactions, but refused to let either Anstee or Garrett see it. 

For the defence Mr. Dunn contended that no offence had been proved. Every farmer was allowed to slaughter one beast weekly for his own use. Mr. Harris, P.M.: But he is not allowed to sell portion, and he must keep a book. Mr. Dunn contended that it would prove a great hardship to farmers if they were deprived from killing one beast a week for their own use. If a conviction was recorded it would probably open up many legal points. Mr. Harris, P.M., reserved his decision. (13)

Mr Harris made his decision a month later, and this was also reported in The Age - 

The police magistrate held that where a wrong construction was placed on the wording of the Government Act injustice should not be meted out to any defendant. He therefore dismissed the case without costs. Some months ago two young farmers were fined at the same court for slaughtering several calves on their farms and sending them to market for sale. Since then farmers have been afraid to kill beasts for fear of a prosecution. The decision given on Wednesday will relieve them of much anxiety. (14)  The two young farmers referred to were Victor Little and Thomas McGuire who were found guilty of slaughtering without a license in October 1913,  see here.

The sitting times for Courts were set by the Government, and they were on occasions altered, with the new hours published in the Government Gazette, but it did appear to sit weekly on a Wednesday from 1911 (15)

Sitting times in 1911

Victoria Government Gazette, November 15, 1911, p. 5528 

https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1911/V/general/171.pdf

Sitting times from January 5, 1938

Victoria Government Gazette, November 24, 1937, p. 3852 

https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1937/V/general/328.pdf

 

The newspaper reports of Court cases at Bunyip show that the Bench dealt with the whole range of legal matters including murder, theft, assault, arson,  traffic matters, incest, debts, using bad language and having no visible means of support.  I presume that the Court met at the Bunyip Hall, so I would be interested to know if that was the case.

The Bunyip Court officially closed on May 1, 1981. The announcement  in the Victoria Government Gazette stated that the  books and other records of the said Court and of the Clerk thereof be delivered to the Clerk of the Magistrate’s Court at Warragul. (14)

Closure of the Bunyip Court

Victoria Government Gazette, April 15, 1981, p. 1207.

https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1981/V/general/33.pdf

Having said that, last case I could find in the newspapers concerning a hearing at the Bunyip Court was from May 1953 when the Dandenong Journal reported that Berwick and Cranbourne Shire rate payers will be pleased at the success Health Inspector K. N. McLennan is having in his war against roadside rubbish dumpers. Mr McLennan successfully prosecuted at the Bunyip Court,  J. Lyon, grocer, of Boronia, fined £3, with £3/6/6 costs, for depositing rubbish on the Princes Highway near Tynong. He also had four cases at the Pakenham Court. (17) The same paper noted in August 1953 that Mr Tom Drake was the chairman of the local Bench at the Bunyip Court. He had been appointed as a Magistrate on November 8, 1949. (18)

Tom Drake appointed as a Magistrate to the Bunyip Court

Victoria Government Gazette, November 16, 1949, p. 6120. 

https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1949/V/general/901.pdf 

When I first researched this in 2014, my parents, Frank and Wendy Rouse, said they had no memory of the Bunyip Court at all, in spite of the fact that Dad had been at Cora Lynn for his entire life, having been born in 1933 and Mum had been there since she was married in 1956, so perhaps it didn't sit on a regular basis after the mid 1950s (or perhaps they just didn't know anyone who was involved in Court cases).

Footnotes

(1) Victoria Government Gazette, February 22, 1905, p. 834.   https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1905/V/general/24.pdf

(2) Nest, Denise Bunyip Mechanics' Institute 1906-2006: a place of learning and entertainment (The Author, 2006)

(3) Charles Alfred Costley Cresswell - Traralgon Record, March 17, 1908 see here.

(4) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, March 22, 1905, see here.

(5) Walter William Harris - West Gippsland Gazette, June 6, 1916, see here.

(6) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, March 23, 1910, see here.

(7) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, August 17, 1910, see here.

(8) Bunyip Free Press, March 12, 1914, see here.

(9) Bunyip Free Press, January 15, 1914, see here. Bunyip Free Press, March 12, 1914, see here.

(10) The Age, April 27, 1916, see here.

(11) The Age, May 27, 1916,  see here.

(12) The Age, July 16, 1914, see here.

(13) The Age, March 16, 1915, see here.

(14) The Age, April 16, 1915, see here.

(15) Victoria Government Gazette, November 15, 1911, p. 5528
https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1911/V/general/171.pdf 

 Victoria Government Gazette, November 24, 1937, p. 3852
https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1937/V/general/328.pdf

(16) Victoria Government Gazette, April 15, 1981, p. 1207.   https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1981/V/general/33.pdf

(17) Dandenong Journal, May 6, 1953, see here.

(18)  Dandenong Journal, August 26, 1953, see here; Victoria Government Gazette, November 16, 1949, p. 6120.      https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1949/V/general/901.pdf 

Garfield Bush Nursing Hospital

The Bush Nursing Hospital Movement began in 1910 with the establishment of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association (V.B.N.A.). At the time the current medical system consisted of big hospitals such as the Royal Melbourne which were run along charitable lines and whose role was to treat poor people, who could not afford to pay a Doctors fee. There were also private hospitals which only the wealthy could afford. To help offset medical costs Friendly Societies or Lodges were established which people could join for a yearly fee. This gave them access to the Friendly Society doctor and access to medicine dispensed from the Friendly Society Dispensary. There was also a growing move to nurse people in their own homes through what is now the Royal District Nursing Service.  People in the city and the suburbs could have a nurse visit them to help recover from confinements and general illness. This type of service took pressure off the public Hospitals. Lady Dudley, the wife of the Governor General, was aware of these visiting nurses and had also seen first hand the need for skilled nurses in the bush, so from these experiences came the idea of Bush Nursing Hospitals. Lady Dudley (1867-1920) promoted and raised money for the idea and thus the Victorian Bush Nursing Association began in 1910 (1).

To obtain a Bush Nursing Centre, the local community had to raise the money to fund the cost of the nurse’s salary, board, uniform and a ‘means of locomotion’. The salary was set by the Bush Nursing Association at the rate of around £80.00 per annum, the rate of pay for a hospital nurse with five or six years experience. The first Victorian nurse was appointed to Beech Forest in March 1911 (2). Eventually some towns provided cottages for the nurses to provide accommodation for both the nurse and the patient. Koo Wee Rup was an early example of this where the original nurse, Nurse Homewood, started work in the bush nursing centre in July 1918. On May 23, 1923, a Bush Nursing Hospital, which was named the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, to commemorate the local soldiers who died in the First World War, was opened (3).  Pakenham’s Bush Nursing Hospital opened in June 1926 in temporary premises and in a new brick building on February 11, 1928. (4)

Denise Nest in her History of Shelley Memorial Hospital noted that the push to get a hospital in Garfield started about 1930, when Dr Kenneth McLeod proposed the idea (5). Dr McLeod had arrived in Garfield around 1928 (6).  The Annual Report of the Bush Nursing Association, released in September 1928, stated - there are now 59 bush-nursing centres and 13 bush-nursing hospitals. New hospitals are in process of organisation at Katamatite, Garfield, Yarra Junction, Gisborne, Violet Town and Broadford (7). It would thus appear that Dr McLeod began work to establish a hospital in Garfield soon after his arrival in the town. 

Mrs Nest notes that the community soon raised around £340, but due to the Depression the momentum for Hospital slowed (8). One of the fund-raisers was a Pony Race meeting held on October 11, 1928.

Pony races in aid of the Bush Nursing Centre at Garfield.

The Age October 2, 1928 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204119213

On December 4, 1940 a meeting was held and the Garfield branch of the V.B.N.A., was formed with an Executive and twenty-six Committee members, so there was obviously a lot of enthusiasm for the idea (9). The President was local store owner, Arthur Nutting, and the Vice-Presidents were Cora Lynn farmer and local Councillor, Dan Kinsella and Garfield Orchardist, Alfred Parish; the Treasurer was A.H. Wilson and the Secretary was T. Phelan. (10).  In August 1941, the Committee purchased No. 8 and No. 9 Railway Avenue and a design for a Hospital was drawn up. The planned building could accommodate five beds and would cost about £1500. However the hospital was put on hold due to the War. (11).

The fate of the Hospital over the next few years can be summed up by these reports in the newspapers -

August 1941 - Notiftying council that it had been definitely decided to proceed with the erection of a Bush Nursing Hospital at Garfield, the Garfield B.N. committee appealed to council for a grant towards the building costs. Cr Kinsella said that the cost, including land, would be £1350. He had hoped that the building would be deferred until after, the war, but as the committee was going ahead he thought they should support them (12). 

February 1942 - As a permit to build cannot be granted for some considerable time, Mr. T. Phelan advised that the proposed Bush Nursing Hospital at Garfield had been shelved. He hoped that council’s promised grant of £100 would hold good when it was decided to carry on with the project.(13)

September 1943 - When the Tynong and Garfield Baby Health Centres were being discussed, and it was revealed that the latter centre had now been made “water-tight,” Cr. Kinsella said that Garfield was not anxious to go on with the erection of a separate centre as it hoped eventually to have it incorporated in the Bush Nursing Hospital when erected. Cr. Anderson said that Mr. Barker had generously offered to have a site ready for a centre if it was needed, but Mrs. Patterson now said that there is actually some hope that they would be given a permit to build their Bush Nursing Hospital.(14)

A new Committee was elected towards the end of 1944. The President was John Fallon, a farmer from Iona; Vice-Presidents - Alf Parish and E. Schmutter - presumably Edward Schmutter of Vervale; Treasurer was Cecil John Jackson, Bank Manager at Garfield and the Secretary was Garfield plumber, Frank Marsh. There was also a committee of thirteen. (15).

Notice of public meeting to elect the Bush Nursing Hospital committee

Dandenong Journal November 22, 1944 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214168056

In January 1945, it was decided that the hospital would be a Branch of the Warragul Hospital instead of a Bush Nursing Hospital. To this end, in June 1945 the Garfield and District Hospital Committee was formed and all the assets of the Garfield branch of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association were transferred to this new committee. From 1946 to 1948 land in Jefferson Road was acquired; some was purchased and some was obtained by swapping the Railway Avenue land with some of the Jefferson Road blocks. All in all blocks 16 to 24 were acquired and plans were drawn up in August 1946 for a 15 bed hospital. This lapsed due to the shortage of material and labour after the War. The Committee went through various changes in personnel, other plans were drawn up but Government finance was not available. By 1948, the Hospital Committee had raised over £2,600. Various submissions were made in the 1950s to the Hospital Commission to get the Garfield Hospital established but to no avail.  (16). 

No money for the Garfield Hospital

Koo Wee Rup Sun, January 13, 1954, p. 1

In spite of the rejections, even as late as September 1954, there was still hope that a hospital could be built in Garfield. The Dandenong Journal  reported -

Nine years ago the Berwick Council promised Garfield Hospital Committee a grant of £1350 towards the cost of erecting its proposed new hospital. At the same time it promised £300 to the Building Fund of the Westernport Memorial Hospital at Kooweerup. But for one reason and another both projects were held up. Now Kooweerup Hospital is being proceeded with and the Garfield Hospital Committee, in asking council to redeem its nine-year-old promise, said that it was now probably that the Garfield Hospital would be built within three years. Although most councillors had forgotten the promise, it was recorded in the minutes and there was no question whatever about it not being kept. Garfield asked for payment of its £1350 over the next two or three years and council decided to provide for one-fifth of the joint total of £1650 on next year’s estimates (17). 

The Hospital at Garfield never eventuated due to a generous gift received by the Bunyip township. On January 8, 1944, Mr Emile Shelley, the chemist at Bunyip, passed away. The contents of his will were detailed in a letter his Trustees sent to the Berwick Shire Secretary -

“We beg to advise that the company is applying for probate of the will of Emile Henry Shelley, late of Bunyip, retired chemist, who died on the 8th. ult. Under the will, the whole of the estate, both real and personal, is devised and bequeathed upon trust for the widow, for life without impeachment of waste. On the death of the widow, the sum of £1000 is payable to the trustee for the time being of the Bunyip Mechanics’ Institute, and £1000 to the trustees of the Bunyip Agricultural Society.

The remainder of the estate is to be known as the Emile Henry Shelley Trust and is bequeathed upon trust as to capital and income to be administered by the trustee and expended as it in its absolute discretion shall decide for the beautification and advancement of the township of Bunyip, and the trustees may seek the advice of F. S. Dodge, J. A. Cock, G. B. Calderwood, all of Bunyip, or the survivor or survivors of them. From data prepared to date it would appear that the value of the trust will be in the vicinity of £7000, but it will be appreciated that this figure may vary by the time the trust is established." (18). 

The money became available after the death of Mrs Ethel Shelly on June 3, 1950 (19).  In 1957, the Trustees of the Shelly Trust decided that the money should go towards a Hospital. In the end, the money that had been raised by the community for the Garfield Hospital, plus the £1,330 realised from the sale of the Jefferson Street land was put together with some of the Shelley Trust money and the Shelley Memorial Hospital Society was established in 1960. The Shelley Memorial Hospital at Bunyip was officially opened on March 19, 1966 and closed on May 1, 1991. The building is now part of Hillview Aged Care (20). 

Trove list - I have created a list of articles on the Garfield Bush Nursing Hospital, access it here. 

Footnotes

(1) Priestley, Susan Bush Nursing in Victoria: 1910-1985, the first 75 years  (Victorian Bush Nursing Association/Lothian 1986). Lady Dudley (1867-1920, nee Rachel Gurney) - Obituary in The Argus, June 29, 1920, see here; Australian Dictionary of Biography, entry here.

(2) Priestley, op. cit.

(3) A detailed report from the Koo Wee Rup Sun on the opening of the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital at Koo Wee Rup, is here. 

(4) Pakenham Bush Nursing Hospital - South Bourke and Mornington Journal, August 5, 1926, here; The Argus, February 13, 1928, see here. 

(5) Nest, Denise History of Shelley Memorial Hospital, A'Beckett Road, Bunyip 1930-1991 (Bunyip History Committe, 2000)

(6) Dr Kenneth McLeod - I have written a bit about him, here.

(7) The Age, September 21, 1928, see here.

(8) Nest,  op. cit., p. 1.

(9) Ibid. The Committee listed in the book -  F. Marsh, P. Nilsson, P. Pratt, Mr Downer, E. Cox, R. Wall, J. Grigg, H. Burleigh, E. Oram,  Gilligan, W. Masters. J. Anderson, F.S. Hodge, D. James, H. Hourigan, K. Sarah; Mesdames E. O'Donohue,  E. Paterson, Gilligan, E. Cox. L. Tutton, Folks, G. Whelan, N. Sarah,  E.L. Towt, Parish. 

(10) Arthur Nutting -  I have written about him here; Dan Kinsella - I have written about the family, here; Alfred Parish - the father of Bill Parish, Garfield Historian. Not sure who A. H. Wilson and T. Phelan were, but they were also Treasurer and Secretary of the Garfield Red Cross in 1941, see The Argus, July 23, 1941, here.

(11) Nest,  op. cit., p. 2. Also see various articles in my Trove list, here.

(12) Dandenong Journal, August 20, 1941, see here.

(13) Dandenong Journal, February 25, 1942, see here.

(14) Dandenong Journal, September 22, 1943, see here.

(15) Nest,  op. cit., p. 2. The Committee is recorded as E. Cox, M. Tobin, K. Sarah, Dr D. Martin, W. Parish, W. Masters, H. Hourigan, J. Kierce, F. Rigg and Mesdames Frawley and E. Towt; Miss Costigan and Miss M. Kierce. 

(16) Nest, op. cit, pp 2-4.

(17) Dandenong Journal, September 29, 1954, see here.

(18) Dandenong Journal, February 23, 1944, see here.

(19) The Argus, June 5, 1950, see here.

(20) Nest, op. cit., passim

Medical matters at Koo Wee Rup

The Bush Nursing Centre

The Bush Nursing Centre at Koo Wee Rup was established in July 1918. The Bush Nursing Hospital Movement began in 1910 with the establishment of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association (V.B.N.A.). At the time the current medical system consisted of big hospitals such as the Royal Melbourne which were run along charitable lines and whose role was to treat poor people, who could not afford to pay a Doctors fee. There were also private hospitals which only the wealthy could afford. To help offset medical costs Friendly Societies or Lodges were established which people could join for a yearly fee. This gave them access to the Friendly Society doctor and access to medicine dispensed from the Friendly Society Dispensary. There was also a growing move to nurse people in their own homes through what is now the Royal District Nursing Service.  People in the city and the suburbs could have a nurse visit them to help recover from confinements and general illness. This type of service took pressure off the public Hospitals. Lady Dudley, the wife of the Governor General, was aware of these visiting nurses and had also seen firsthand the need for skilled nurses in the bush, so from these experiences came the idea of Bush Nursing Hospitals. Lady Dudley (1867-1920) promoted and raised money for the idea and thus the Victorian Bush Nursing Association began in 1910. (1)

To obtain a Bush Nursing Centre, the local community had to raise the money to fund the cost of the nurse’s salary, board, uniform and a ‘means of locomotion’. The salary was set by the Bush Nursing Association at the rate of around £80.00 per annum, the rate of pay for a hospital nurse with five or six years experience. The first Victorian nurse was appointed to Beech Forest in March 1911 (2). The first Bush Nurse at Koo Wee Rup was Nurse Homewood, who commenced work on July 1, 1918. 

Ellen Amelia ‘Nell’ Homewood was born October 2, 1891 in Rockhampton, in Queensland, to Alfred and Margaret (nee Burns) Homewood, of Lavendale, Kunwarara. She was the seventh of their thirteen children. Ellen undertook midwifery training at the Rockhampton Women’s Hospital; four of Ellen’s sisters were also nurses, and two of them, Martha and Grace, served in the Australian Army Nursing Service in World War One. In 1917, Ellen was the Bush Nurse at Cowangie Hospital and from there she came to Koo Wee Rup.(3). 

The Lang Lang Guardian reported on her arrival in the town - Almost as soon as she arrived Nurse Homewood's services were called into action at Kooweerup. Little Jim Ellis had the distinction of being the first patient. On Tuesday night the nurse was called to Dalmore, but got back in time for the welcome. (4).

The President of the Koo Wee Rup Bush Nursing Association in Koo Wee Rup was William Eason and the Secretary was George Burhop. At the function to welcome Nurse Homewood, Mr Eason said -
Bush nurses filled a great want in districts where the services of a medical man were unobtainable. They had a great many trials and difficulties to contend with, and it was their duty to alleviate suffering and save life. It was to their interest to join heartily in the movement and make it a great success. He welcomed Nurse Homewood to Kooweerup. The Lang Lang Guardian report continued Nurse Homewood, who is quite a young-looking girl, made an appropriate response, and hoped they would all work well together (5). 

After the speeches  A musical programme was rendered. Miss Jessie Johnson played a selection by Beethoven in fine style. Songs were rendered by Mrs C. Donald excellently. "An Old Love Dream" and 

"Sleep, Little Ruflly, Fluffly Bird," Mr Lupson was in great form, and rendered several songs, "Take a Pair of Spark ling Eyes." "Glorious Devon," and was warmly encored, giving "The Land of I Dunno Where," and "Shirts," a comic item which elicited much laughter. Mr Wallace sang "My Old Shako" and "On Dooley's Farm," both items being well rendered and loudly applauded. Refreshments were abundant and choice, presided over as usual by Mrs Morrison. A dance was held afterwards, the company separating at 1am. (6).

Nurse Homewood was at Koo Wee Rup until March 1919, when she took up a position at the newly opened bush nursing centre at Toolondo which is between Horsham and Goroke (7). At the May 1919 Koo Wee Rup Bush Nursing Association Annual meeting it was reported that in the past nine months the nurse’s attention was called on 753 occasions (8) so she would have been extremely busy.

On May 13, 1920, Ellen Homewood married Archibald McBride Broderick. Arch, as he was known, had served in the AIF, enlisting in April 1916 and returning home in July 1919. He was a Bank Manager with the Commercial Bank and in the first decade of their marriage his career took them all over Australia – the Electoral Rolls show they lived in Mildura, Maryborough in Queensland and Cairns in Queensland. From the 1930s they were back in Melbourne. Ellen died February 9, 1975 and her death notice lists one daughter, Margaret, and two grandchildren. Arch died in January 1974, aged 84. (9).

The next Bush Nurse was Nurse McKay, and I have no other information about her. Nurse McKay was followed by Mary Ellen Walsh, who took up the role April 21, 1920 (10). In February 1920, the Koo Wee Rup Sun reported that the Bush Nurse was forced to live three miles out of the town because while residents are desirous of having the services of a  nurse in connection with the Bush Nursing Centre, yet there are no homes willing to take one in. This enforces her to stay at a residence three miles out, but she drives in very day to attend her duties. The position is very unsatisfactory. (11).  

Since I wrote this, Barry Hester contacted me and told me that Mary Walsh was a very good friend of his grandmother, Margaret Hester (nee Knopp). When they were both living in Gisborne she delivered  four of Margaret's children. Mary then moved to Koo Wee Rup to take up the position of Bush Nurse and convinced Margaret to also move to the area, which she did, buying a farm on McDonalds Drain Road. One of the incentives for the move was that Nurse Walsh said there would be work for the five Hester sons. Margaret's husband was a miner and so was  frequently away. It is more than likely, as Barry said, that Nurse Walsh, after she arrived, that she lived out on McDonald's Drain with the Hesters. (12)

Mary Walsh, Bush Nurse at Koo Wee Rup

Photo: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society 

In July 1920, the Koo Wee Rup Sun reported that the Koo Wee Rup Bush Nursing Committee would like to employ an assistant for the Nurse, but they could afford to do so. They did however decide to pay the rent on the consulting room as it was unfair that their nurse should be saddled with this expense (13).

Nurse Walsh was the Matron at the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital after it opened on May 23, 1923 and due to a healthy financial situation in the October of that year it was decided to grant  her a board allowance. As it was explained at a Committee  meeting she has increased responsibilities, and the success of the centre was largely due to the able and faithful services Nurse Walsh had given. They also said it would not cost much, as the public largely donated edibles to the institution. (14). 

Nurse Walsh was granted six months leave in January 1924, due to ill health, and at her farewell function it was noted that she had been connected with the centre for about four years. The Koo Wee Rup Sun reported on her farewell function - By her fondness for duty; capable attention to those needing her aid, and lovable disposition she is held in the highest esteem by every individual in Kooweerup and district. Nurse Walsh was presented with a travelling rug, leather suit case and an envelope containing, it is hoped, enough lucre to bring her back again to Kooweerup. As a matter of interest, whilst she was in Koo Wee Rup, Mary Ellen Walsh brought to life no fewer than 66 babes. She was a mother not only to the children, but to mothers she had nursed, as well as men. (15). 

Sadly for the town, Nurse Walsh, did not return to Koo Wee Rup and in August 1924, she was still residing in Western Australia and making good progress. (16).  In the 1925 and 1926 Electoral Rolls there is a Mary Ellen Walsh, Nurse, listed at 225 Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park. This address was Salerno, a boarding house. This may well be 'our' Nurse Walsh, but I can't trace her life otherwise. (17)

Update on Nurse Walsh

Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 7, 1924 p. 4

It was not surprising that Nurse Walsh  needed so much time off to recover when you consider just how busy these Bush Nurses were, how much responsibility they had and how little professional support they had, as they so often worked alone.

 The Nurses Cottage constructed in 1921

In 1920 it was decided to erect a hospital in Koo Wee Rup and in May of that year the following advertisement appeared in the Koo Wee Rup Sun.  In the July it was announced that plans would be drawn up for a Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. (18).

Donations sought for a Hospital

Koo Wee Rup Sun May 20 1920 p.1

The plans from the Architects were for a wooden building, with verandahs, which would accommodate four beds. The estimated cost of the building was £1970, or if it was built in brick £2160. The Koo Wee Rup Bush Nursing Committee considered this to be too expensive, they had only wanted to spend £700, so it was suggested that they should initially proceed with the nurse's quarters (19).

Mr Burhop said he had had a conversation with Mr Colvin [the local builder] re the erection of quarters for the nurse. He had suggested a working bee to have the place put up in 24 hours. Mr Colvin said he was prepared to take the lead and supervise the work. If this could be done they would only have to bear the expense of the timber. (20). 

The first working bee was scheduled for April 14 and 15, 1921 and everyone is expected to become busy bees (21). And not just the men were to help - Ladies will be present to encourage the menfolk by providing morning and afternoon lunch (22). The building wasn't completed in the two days, and another working bee was scheduled the next week. In the end J. Bould finished the building, the chimneys were bricked by the Whiteside Brothers and  a sub-committee of ladies furnished the Cottage (23). At the Annual meeting held June 15, 1921 the Committee could announce that the Cottage was completed; they would consider finding an assistant for their nurse [who] was nearly run off her feet and that two midwifery patients could be taken into the Cottage at a time. (24)

The working bee to construct the Nurse's Cottage

Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 7, 1921 p. 1

The Working Bee to construct the Nurse's Home in 1921.

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

The Working Bee to construct the Nurse's Home in 1921.

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

The Working Bee to construct the Nurse's Home in 1921.

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

Koo Wee Rup Bush Nursing Centre, Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital opened in 1923

In May 23, 1923 the Bush Nursing Centre, Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital was opened in Station Street. It was opened by the Shire President, Cr E.Simpson Hill. During the ceremony, Mrs Margaret Hamilton officially opened a ward in honor of the late Kitty Townson. I have written about these two women, here.  The Hospital could accommodate medical, surgical and midwifery patients. There is a full report of the opening, here.

At the ceremony a plaque was unveiled to honor the local soldiers who had not returned from the War. The names engraved on the memorial tablet are: - J. Banbury, D.G. Bethune, S. Blake, J. Bryant, T. Bryant, M. Callanan, L. Coates, P. Davis, J. Davy, C. Garbellini, H. Hamilton, J. Hannaker, R. Martin, C. Osborne, J. O’Shea, J. Randle, J. Slocombe, A. Williams, C. Woods. I have written about these men, here. 

Advertisement for the opening of the new Hospital
Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 3, 1923, p.1

The Fallen Soldiers' Memorial  Hospital

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

Random Medical Matters at Koo Wee Rup

In May 1923, the first Resident Doctor,  Dr Lyell Andrews, arrived. In February 1925, Dr Alan Hewitt and his wife, Vera, who was a trained nurse, took over Dr Andrew's practice. Dr Alan retired from practice in 1963; his son  Dr John worked in Koo Wee Rup from 1951 until 1955 and another son, Dr Ian, commenced practice in the town in 1955 and retired in 1995. On July 20, 1925, Chemist, Felix Tattam, opened his pharmacy in Rossiter Road. Felix sold his business in 1934 to Mr Brewis (25)

Felix Tattam's advertisements from the Koo Wee Rup Sun during 1926

On June 9, 1930 he married Sister Olive Tuffin, who was the Matron of the Hospital. Olive had arrived in Koo Wee Rup sometime in 1928, but was certainly there in the December as she helped treat the people injured in the Christmas Eve train accident, see below. Olive Tuffin was born in Tasmania and 'trained at the Hobart General Hospital. Her fellow trainee, Sister Morley, also worked at Koo Wee Rup (26). 

Sister Tuffin retires from duty due to her forthcoming wedding

The Argus, May 30, 1930 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4090543

Marriage notice of Olive Tuffin and Felix Tattam

Launceston Examiner, July 9, 1930 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51646783/3302467

Dr Hewitt and Dr Sydney Appleford, the Lang Lang doctor,  gave medical attention to the victims of the railway accident at Koo Wee Rup. The accident occurred on December 24, 1928. Fifty two people were injured (27)

In October 1929, The Argus reported -

The serious railway accident which occured at Koo-wee-rup station on Christmas Eve last year and the growing needs of the town impressed upon the committee of the Koo-wee-rup Bush Nursing Hospital the necessity for increased accommodation and the result has been the addition of an enclosed verandah of the type common to the majority of bush nursing hospitals in Victoria. This verandah was opened on Saturday by Lady Barrett, in the presence of a large gathering of residents of Koo-wee-rup and surrounding districts. Of liberal dimensions the verandah has ample room for 10 bed, which means the accommodation of the hospital has been doubled. (28)

In the first week of September 1930 there were five babies born at the Hospital. Daughters to Mr and Mrs Tom Burton, Mr and Mrs Frank Egan, Mr and Mrs S. Games, and sons to Dr and Mrs Hewitt and Mr and Mrs Blythman (29). 

During the flood of December 1934, patients were evacuated through the roof. The Argus of December 3, 1934 had this report -

Koo-wee-rup Hospital was flooded to a depth of 7ft within a few minutes, and the patients, some of whom were seriously ill, were trapped before they could be moved. Mr Clarence Fenner, who had undergone an operation for appendicitis a few hours beforehand, was in bed, and unable to help himself. His father, who was on the railway platform, waded and swam through the swirling water to the hospital, and climbed on to the roof, where with the assistance of Mr Gannon, he cut a hole in the
galvanised iron and pulled his boy to safety up through the hole. Aided by others who came to the rescue, the 10 remaining patients in the wards were taken out in the same manner.

Heroism and Fortitude
Mrs Mary Ann Bolleman, aged 59 years, another patient, held a baby in her arms above the water for 15 hours with the water surging above her neck before they were rescued. Mrs A. Adams and her baby which was born only the night before were being pulled out when the child was dropped into the water. She grasped the child's clothing frantically and saved it from drifting away. Both were raised through the opening to safety. (30).

The baby was James (also known as Toby) the son of Albert and Annie (nee Davies) of Manks Road in Dalmore (31).

In October 1935, the new operating theatre was opened. Lady Mitchell, the President of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association, congratulated the Koo Wee Rup committee on the addition to the Hospital (32). 

In 1938, for the first time, rates of pay and conditions of work were set for nurses in Victoria. Nurses were to work a fifty hour week (33). 

In August 1939 the annual meeting of the Hospital re-elected the out-going committee. President – J.L. O’Riordan ; Treasurer – W. Dick; Secretary - G.R Burhop; Committee Mesdames J.L O’Riordan and G.R Burhop and Messers Gilchrist and Powrie (34). 

Towards the end of 1945 a Committee was established to build a new Hospital in Koo Wee Rup, to be called the Westernport Memorial Hospital. (35).

In 1946 an Infant Welfare Centre was established in the R.S.L room at the Memorial Hall. It moved to a new building in Alexander Avenue, where it opened July 26, 1949. In 1953 a Pre-school was established in the Infant Welfare Centre grounds. In September 1960 they both moved to a new building in Rossiter Road (36). 

On December 4, 1955 the Westernport Memorial Hospital was opened. On July 28, 1955 a public meeting had been held to establish a Ladies Auxiliary (37).

Notice of meeting to establish the Hospital Ladies Auxiliary 

Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 20, 1955, p.4

Footnotes

(1) Priestley, Susan Bush Nursing in Victoria: 1910-1985, the first 75 years (Victorian Bush Nursing Association/Lothian 1986). Lady Dudley (1867-1920, nee Rachel Gurney) - Obituary in The Argus, June 29, 1920, see here; Australian Dictionary of Biography, entry here.

(2) Priestley, op. cit. 

(3) Sources on Ancesty.com and Indexes to the Queensland Births, Deaths and Marriages. Her mother, Margaret Homewood, died aged 57 in 1919, read her obituary in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin of June 21, 1919, here.   Her father, Alfred William Homewood, died aged 90 in 1944, read his obituary in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin of September 23, 1944, here. 

(4) Lang Lang Guardian July 5, 1918, p. 2.

(5) Lang Lang Guardian July 5, 1918, p. 3

(6) Ibid

(7) The Argus, March 3, 1919, see here.

(8) Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 7 1919, p. 1

(9) Marriage Certificate; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry; Arch Broderick (SN 3763) Attestation file at the National Archives of Australia, see here; 

Death notice Arch Broderick

The Age January 15, 1974 newspspers.com

Death notice Ellen Amelia Broderick

The Age February 10, 1975 newspapers.com

(10) I can't find the exact dates of the appointment of Sister McKay. Sister Walsh's date comes from the Koo Wee Rup Sun of May 24, 1923, p 4., transcribed here  https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2023/03/official-opening-of-fallen-soldiers.html 

(11) Koo Wee Rup  Sun, February 12, 1920, p. 1

(12) You can read an interesting obituary of Margaret Hester, in The Advocate, June 18, 1937, here. Margaret's great-grand daughter, Louise Blake, has written about her life in Woods Point and the scrapbook Margaret compiled from when she was 14 years old - read it here - https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/provenance-journal/provenance-2009/woods-point-my-dwelling-place  (Thank you to Barry Hester for the link to the story)

(13) Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 1, 1920, p. 4.

(14) Koo Wee Rup Sun, October 25, 1923, p. 2

(15) Koo Wee Rup Sun, January 31, 1924, p. 3

(16) Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 7, 1924, p. 4

(17) Electoral Rolls, an Ancestry.com.  Salerno, 225 Beaconsfield Parade

The Argus, April 8, 1916 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2110221

(18) Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 22 1920, p. 1

(19) Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 11, 1920, p. 5

(20) Ibid

(21) Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 7, 1921 p.1

(22) Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 14, 1921 p. 5

(23) Mickle, David J. Mickle Memories of Koo Wee Rup (The Author, 1983) p. 77; Koo Wee Rup Sun June 16, 1921, p. 4.

(24) Koo Wee Rup Sun, June 23, 1921, p. 4.

(25) Mickle, David J. Mickle Memories of Koo Wee Rup (The Author, 1983) and More Mickle Memories of Koo Wee Rup (The Author, 1987); notes compiled by Jack Mills at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society; Felix Tattam had an advertisement in the Koo Wee Rup Sun in July 1925, advertising to be opened July 20, 1925.

(26) The Koo Wee Rup Sun published a letter from Sister Tuffin on January 10, 1929, thanking the many kind helpers who assisted with the treatment of the injured in the train accident. David Mickle, in volume 2 of his Memories listed Matron Tuffin and Nurse Morley as being in charge of the Hospital in July 1929.

Nurse Tuffin and Nurse Morley pass their nursing examinations in Hobart and were both later to serve at Koo Wee Rup.

Hobart News November 29, 1924 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article233536721

(27) Links and photographs here 

https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2020/02/railway-accident-at-koo-wee-rup.html

(28) The Argus, October 28, 1929, see here.

(29) Mickle,  David J More Mickle Memories of Koo Wee Rup op. cit p. 40

(30) The Argus, December 3, 1934, see here.

(31) More information about the people involved   https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2023/04/koo-wee-rup-fallen-soldiers-memorial.html

(32) The Argus, October 28, 1935, see here.

(33) The Argus, November 11, 1938, see here.

(34)  Mickle,  David J More Mickle Memories of Koo Wee Rup op. cit p. 162.

(35) Dandenong Journal, December 12, 1945, see here; Dandenong Journal,  January 30, 1946, see here.

(36) Mickle, David J. Koo Wee Rup: a brief history of 130 years, 1839-1969 (published for the 1969 Back-to celebrations); Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 8, 1949.

(37) Westernport Memorial Hospital opening report, see here;  Koo Wee Rup Sun July 20, 1955, p. 4; Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 14, 1960, p. 1 and 3. 

This post was first written in 2014 and updated and expanded in 2023.