Koo Wee Rup Swamp History: Bayles General Store

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Bayles General Store

The General Store at Bayles opened in January 1921, and the proprietor was George Petrie Murdoch Junior (1872-1972). George also had the general store at Cora Lynn, which he opened in 1907 and operated until 1922. You can read about George Murdoch and the Cora Lynn store, here.

When I say the Bayles store opened in January 1921, that is actually the first advertisement that I found for it, and it was called the Yallock General Store. I was confused initially because I didn't know whether the Yallock Store referred to in the advert was actually in the 'old' settlement of Yallock or the 'new' Yallock, centred around the Bayles Railway Station. However, the Shire of Cranbourne Rate books confirm that Murdoch's store was actually in Bayles ('new Yallock') not 'old' Yallock. George Murdoch is first mentioned as owning the land in the 1920/21 Rate books.

I was also confused as to why George would have opened his store in January 1921 when the Koo Wee Rup to Strzelecki Railway line, of which Bayles was the first station from Koo Wee Rup, wasn't officially opened until June 29, 1922. I knew that Bayles, as such did not exist before the railway line, it was the Railway Station closest to Yallock settlement. However, the railway stations were opened earlier for limited transport of goods (not passengers), whilst construction work was still going on. In the case of Bayles, it was February 1921 so that would have bought traffic to his store; the next stop down the line was Catani and it was opened for limited operations from May 1921. I have written about the Strzelecki Railway line, here, and about Frederick Bayles, the namesake of the town, here.

First advertisement for George Murdoch's store at Bayles (then known as Yallock)

Koo Wee Rup Sun January 20, 1921, p. 1.

When the store opened in January 1921, Thomas Keys was the manager. However, as you can see by the advertisement, below, a year later he was no longer involved and George himself was operating the store and it had been renamed the Bayles General Store.

The store is now called the Bayles Store and Thomas Keys is no longer connected to the business.

Koo Wee Rup Sun, January 26, 1922, p. 3

By 1925, George was assisted in the store by his son Allan and daughter Mary Jane (according to their occupations in the Electoral rolls). In March 1927, the business was sold to Mr E. H. Kean, but George Murdoch retained ownership of the building (and had other properties in Bayles) until at least 1950. The Electoral rolls tell us that E.H. Kean was Edmund Herbert Kean and his wife, was Helen May Kean.

The Bayles Store is taken over by Mr Kean, and this advertisement shows the

huge range of stock available at the store.

Koo Wee Rup Sun, March 3, 1927, p. 4

Short advertorial advising the change of ownership of the store.

Koo Wee Rup Sun, March 3, 1927, p. 4

Edmund and Helen Kean were at the Bayles Store until July 1936 when they sold to D.J. Cole, who previously had a business in Daylesford. The departure of the Keans from Bayles was much regretted as they were most desirable residents, as the Dandenong Journal told us. The Keans moved to Parkdale, where they had a store and later to Isabella Street, Mentone, where the Electoral rolls list Edmund's return to his occupation of mechanic.

The Keans leave Bayles.

Dandenong Journal, July 2, 1936 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214740179

The new owner of the Bayles store was David James Cole. Also living there was his son Keith and his daughter-in-law, Joyce, as well as Joyce's sister Gwen Hoarth.

Mr Cole takes over the Bayles Store as a going concern.

Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 9 1936, p. 1

Mr Cole's first advertisement.

Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 9, 1936 p. 4

David Cole had the store until June 1943. The Dandenong Journal of June 30, 1943 (see here), published a lovely report of the farewell function-

Farewell To Popular Bayles Storekeeper

The monthly euchre party and dance run by the Bayles Red Cross attracted a bumper house on 16th. inst., owing to the occasion being taken to express the district’s appreciation to Mr. D. J. Cole, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Cole and Miss Gwen Hoarth before they left the district. The euchre tournament attracted a large number of competitors, and Mrs. P. Wildes carried off the honors. Rogers' orchestra provided a happy evening for dancers, while Mr. Gordon Potter in his usual capable manner, acted as MC. During an interval Mr. Potter, in inviting the guests to a seat of honor, said it was a happy thought on the part of the local Red Cross to invite the Cole family to the function.

Cr. L. J. Cochrane referred to the generous support always given by the Cole family to all social and patriotic functions and for any cause for the benefit of the district. Mr. Cole came to Bayles in 1936 when district affairs were at a low ebb, but by his energy and industry, built up a prosperous business, and people were grateful for the many kindnesses extended to them. Miss Gwen Hoarth had for two years proved herself efficient and courteous in the conduct of postal and switch-board duties.

Mr. Cole has one son (Laurie) in the AIF., the youngest member of the family, Colin, is serving in the RAN., while Mr. Keith Cole is about to enter the RAAF. Cr. Cochrane concluded by wishing the guests long life, health and happiness wherever they may go. Mr. Cole, senr. thanked the speakers for their kind remarks and the Red Cross for the invitation to be present. He was sorry to be severing his connection with district affairs, he said, but Keith’s desire to enter the services caused him to make his decision. Mr. Keith Cole, in his usual happy style returned thanks on behalf of himself, his wife and sister-in-law. For they are “Jolly Good Fellows” brought a happy event to a close. As usual the ladies provided a dainty supper.

Laurie, Colin and Keith all returned home safely from the War.

Mr Cole sells business to Mr Griffiths

Koo Wee Rup Sun June 10, 1943, p.4

From June 1, 1943, Mr A.J. Griffiths took over the store. I have not discovered his given names. He was only there for three years but in that time the Dandenong Journal (1) reported that in

February 1944 - Mr A. J. Griffiths advised that at a meeting of citizens at Bayles it was resolved, in view of the serious, menace of fire to the town and property in that area to form a bush fire brigade. Mr. J. G. Potter is captain, Messrs. E. Epps and S. McKay, lieutenants; and Mr. A. J. Griffiths secretary.

In September 1944, he sang the beautiful hymn, "Thine forever, God of love'' at the wedding of Peggy Hodgson to William Pearse, in the Koo Wee Rup Anglican Church, and also sang at their reception.

In October 1945, it was reported that a permit has been granted to A. J. Griffiths to erect a bulk food store at Bayies, at a cost of £450.

In January 1946 he unsuccessfully stood for Council.

Mr Griffiths was clearly a man who involved himself in the community life of Bayles. In June 1946, the store was taken over by S. & S. King - Stanley and Shirley Bonnaville King.

Mr Griffiths last advertisement in the Koo Wee Rup Sun

Koo Wee Rup Sun June 5, 1946, p. 2

The first advertisement for the Kings in the Koo Wee Rup Sun

Koo Wee Rup Sun June 12, 1946, p. 4

Stanley and Shirley King were in the Electoral rolls at Bayles in 1954, but the 1958 roll, saw them living in Seaford, where his occupation is a grocer. Interestingly, the 1954 roll lists both Shirley and Stanley as 'general merchants' - married women rarely had an occupation specified, no matter how much the worked in the family business or on the family farm, they were usually just listed as 'home duties'

What do we know about Stanley and Shirley? They were married 1940 at the Holy Trinity Church of England in Kew, and their wedding was reported in The Australasian of August 17, 1940. Shirley was the daughter of Cr and Mrs H.F. Mogg, the Mayor and Mayoress of Kew and Stanley the son of Mr and Mrs H.E. King of Bourke Road, East Malvern. Stanley died in May 1965, aged 54, at their home in Kananook Avenue, Seaford, and his death notice in The Age of May 17, 1965 lists three children, Robin, Clive and Mark. Shirley died in 1982, aged 71.