Anderson and Gardiner - The Corner Store, Koo Wee Rup

In August 1946 the Koo Wee Rup Sun reported that
Mr L. Anderson and Mr T. Gardiner wish to notify the people of Kooweerup and district that they have purchased The Corner Store business of Mr E.R. Williams, Kooweerup. The public is assured that they will maintain the popularity of the store by giving only the best value, quality and friendly service. From Monday, August 12, a full delivery will be commenced, when orders will be called for and delivered throughout the district. (1) 

Report of Anderson and Gardiner taking over the business

Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 7, 1946, p. 1.

The first advertisement of Anderson and Gardiner in the Koo Wee Rup Sun

Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 7, 1946, p. 4.

1953 - you can see Anderson and Gardiner's store on the left.

Weekly Times, March 18, 1953 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224028894

Weddings

Leigh Edgar Anderson and Thomas George Anderson had come from Sunshine where they were both employed with the McKay Massey-Harris works. They both married after their arrival in Koo Wee Rup. Thomas married on March 12, 1947 to Miss Loris Lilian Naylor of Sunshine.  The Sunshine Advocate reported on the wedding -

St. Andrew's Church, Footscray, was the setting, on March 12th, for the marriage of Loris Lilian, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ern Naylor 24 Sydney St., Sunshine, to Thomas George, only son of Mrs. Gardiner, and the late Mr. Gardiner of Caulfield. Rev. Stevens officiated. A gown of lace and net over satin was worn by the bride with a finger tip length veil held with a coronet of orchids. A bouquet of orchids, frangipanni and gladioli completed a charming ensemble.

Mrs. J. Davies attended as Matron-of-Honor, in a frock of hand painted white taffeta. She carried a bouquet of pink dahlias and gladioli. Mr. Alan Polson supported the groom as best man. The bride's mother chose a black crepe frock and black hat, both trimmed with blue. A black tailored coat over a floral frock with small black hat was worn by the bridegroom's mother.

A reception was held at the Hotel Federal, Melbourne where 20 guests were entertained. When leaving for the honeymoon, spent at Lakes' Entrance, the bride travelled in a blue suit with black accessories. The happy couple will reside at Kooweerup, where the bridegroom has recently entered into business. (2)

 

Leigh married on November 12 the same year to Miss Doreen Rosetta Walpole of Footscray, at St John's Church of England, in Footscray. I can't find a full report of their wedding, however the Sunshine Advocate reported on their engagement function at the Sunshine Golf Club - Last Saturday evening a most pleasant Social Evening was held and a presentation made to those very popular players, Miss D. Walpole and Lee [sic] Anderson on the occasion of their engagement. (3)

Engagement report of Leigh Anderson and Doreen Walpole

Sunshine Advocate, October 24, 1947 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74776370

The Koo Wee Rup Sun published a short report on their wedding -
A wedding of local interest is this afternoon (Wednesday) to take place at St. John's Church of England, Footscray, the contracting parties being Miss D. Walpole, of Footscray, and Mr E.L. Anderson of the Corner Store, Kooweerup. The Rev. Brand will be the officiating clergyman and the reception will be held at the Federal Hotel, Melbourne. Following a honeymoon of two weeks the newly married couple will reside in Kooweerup. (4)

Marriage report of Leigh Anderson and Doreen Walpole

Koo Wee Rup Sun,  November 12 1947 p. 1

The Store

Anderson and Gardiner were fairly regular advertisers in the Koo Wee Rup Sun and in 1958 they re-modelled and modernised the store and introduced self-service.  It was also around this time that the store became a Foodland. (5)

1958 - the new-look store

Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 10, 1959, p. 7

Anderson and Gardiner advertisement 

Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 9, 1959, p. 4

Thomas Gardiner obituary

Thomas Gardiner died on February 25, 1961 aged only 56 years old. The Koo Wee Rup Sun published an obituary - 

Mr. T. Gardiner dies suddenly. The death occurred on Saturday night of Mr. Thomas George Gardiner of Kooweerup. The late Mr. Gardiner and his wife were on holidays at Rye, when he was suddenly taken ill and died a short time later. Mr. Gardiner appeared to be in excellent health and his sudden death came as a great shock to his many friends throughout the district and beyond. Sympathy of the district is extended to his widow in her sad loss. 

Residents will remember Tom Gardiner first and foremost as a gentleman. He carried this quality into his business and social life and it was indeed a feature of his everyday living.

Born in the Shepparton district fifty-six years ago, the late Mr Gardiner learnt the grocery trade in his father's business. Later he went to Melbourne and worked at the McKay-Massey Harris plant at Sunshine. At the age of eighteen he became friendly with another employee at the plant, Mr Leigh Anderson, and that friendship has existed closely ever since. 

In 1946 the partnership of Anderson and Gardiner took over the management of the Corner Store at Kooweerup, and in that same year Mr. Tom Gardiner married Miss Loris Naylor and the couple made their home in Kooweerup.

The partnership of Anderson and Gardiner built the typical country general store into a flourishing business and some three years ago they opened their modern self-service and hardware store on the site of the old "corner store."

Many arm-chair critics said that Tom and Leigh were a little too far-seeing in their plans. However, the policy put into practice by the two partners had proved successful, not only to themselves, but has been of great benefit to Kooweerup as a town. The present building stands as a tribute to the late Tom Gardiner and to the remaining partner, Mr. Leigh Anderson.

The link of friendship which had existed between Tom and Leigh over a  period of nearly 40 years could not be broken by the frailities of human misunderstanding, nor by the worries and differences of business life.  It remained to the bitter hand of fate to strike  the blow which severed the seemingly undissoluble partnership. It was a sad stroke of luck that Mr. Tom Gardiner, having helped to lay the foundations of a successful business, was not spared to enjoy the fruits of his labours for  a least a few additional years. 

Many Kooweerup and district friends attended the funeral which took place on Tuesday at the Fawkner Crematorium. (6)

Obituary of Thomas Gardiner

Koo Wee Rup Sun, March 1, 1961 page 1

Thomas was born in 1905 to Samuel and Ellen (nee Cooper) Gardiner. He and his wife Loris did not have any children.  Loris was listed in the Electorate rolls at Koo Wee Rup until 1967 and she was then listed at 5 Holland Grove, Caulfield. This is the last I can trace of her. (7)

Leigh Anderson obituary

Leigh Anderson died on June 25, 1966. This is his obituary from the Koo Wee Rup Sun - 

Sudden Death of Well Known Kooweerup Businessman. It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of one of one of Kooweerup's leading citizens and businessmen, Mr Edgar Leigh Anderson at his home in Charles Street, Kooweerup on June 25th.

His death came as a great shock to his large number of friends in this area. Although he had been way from his self-service store for a number of days his sudden death was totally unsuspected by his family and close friends. 

The late Leigh Anderson was born on the country at Mt. Clare near Ballarat and attended Ballarat High School. A great part of his early life was spent in the Sunshine area, where he was on the staff of McKay-Massey Harris. Here by his meticulous attention to detail and quite efficiency he became one of the firm's leading moulders, a position he held for many years.

It was during this time at the Sunshine plant that he met Tom Gardiner and a friendship developed which brought both men to Kooweerup and into the life of business and close friendship, which lasted until death severed the link. Anderson and Gardiner became a well known business in this area when the partners took over the Corner Store in 1946.The store was formerly occupied by the late E.R. Williams.

Shortly after coming to Kooweerup Leigh Anderson married his wife Doreen and the couple settled in the town.

The advent of the partners to Kooweerup was the forerunner of big things for Kooweerup. In 1958 the flourishing business was expanded into a modern self-service grocery and hardware store. It was the greatest single lift the town had ever had, at a time when its trade seemed certain to go to bigger centres. 

The late Leigh Anderson was an excellent sportsman and showed the same application and determination he had in his commercial life. He played cricket at Sunshine in his younger days and for a short time with Kooweerup. He was also a very good golfer playing on a handicap of 11, but he gave up the game for as he said, "I could just not master the darn game." He was president of the Lang Lang  Club when the course was located on the site nearer Lang Lang. 

Leigh then took on bowling, again with the same determination and developed into the best bowler the club has produced. He won many of the club events and his knowledge put many a bowler on the way to success. The illness which caused his sudden death also forced him to give up competition bowls some time ago.

The extremely large and representative crown which attended his funeral today was  a tribute to a man who was respected for his ability and sincerity of manner who will be a great loss to the community. The service was held at St. George's Church, Kooweerup and the funeral then proceeded to the Springvale Crematorium. The officiating minister at both places was Rev. Fuhrmeister.  The sympathy of the district is offered to his wife and two sons, Ron and David. (8)

Obituary of Leigh Anderson

Koo Wee Rup Sun,  June 29, 1966 page 1

Leigh was born in 1904 to James and Lillian (nee Cooke) Anderson. Doreen, born in 1918, was listed in the 1972 Electoral Roll at Koo Wee Rup. She died in August 1998. (9)

After the death of Leigh Anderson, I assume the business was sold. The last advertisement for the store, under their name was in the Koo Wee Rup Sun of September 6, 1967

Last advertisement for Anderson and Gardiner in the Koo Wee Rup Sun

Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 6, 1967, p.4

The advertisement the next week was this one, now just known as the Corner Store.

Corner Store advertisement

 Koo Wee Rup Sun, September 13, 1967, p. 3

Footnotes

(1) Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 7, 1946, p. 1.

(2) Sunshine Advocate, March 28, 1947, see here.

(3) Sunshine Advocate, October 24, 1947, see here.  

(4) Koo Wee Rup Sun,  November 12 1947 p. 1.

(5) Self service - Leigh Anderson's obituary - Koo Wee Rup Sun,  June 29, 1966 p.1; Foodland - advertisements in the Koo Wee Rup Sun

(6) Koo Wee Rup Sun, March 1, 1961, p. 1.

(7) Indexes to Victorian Births; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(8) Koo Wee Rup Sun,  June 29, 1966 p. 1.

(9) Indexes to Victorian Births; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Cremated at Springvale https://www.smct.org.au/deceased-search/detail?id=49cd4053-529a-ef11-8a69-00224811c475

The Police at Koo Wee Rup - the early days

Koo Wee Rup's first policeman arrived in 1919; previous to this the town relied on police from either Tooradin or Lang Lang. David Mickle, local historian, wrote about these early police - 
From the sparse information we have of our Police in these early days it would appear that Constable McCormick was in charge at Tooradin in 1888 and Constable William Cole took over (from Constable McCormick) in 1890, and remained in Tooradin for 19 years until the closure of the station. He was transferred to Lang Lang in 1909 where he was in charge until his retirement  on 25th January, 1923. He joined the force at the age of twenty-seven and Tooradin was his first appointment.... William Cole died at Lang Lang on the 1st of July, 1946, aged 86 years. Tooradin was in the Lang Lang Police district until it was transferred to the new Koo Wee Rup district under Constable Whiteside in 1922. (1)

Constable Alexander Orgill (1877-1939) took over at Lang Lang after Coles' retirement; Constable Orgill retired in 1936 (2).

The first policeman stationed at Koo Wee Rup was Constable O’Connell, who arrived in March 1919 (3).  The only reference I can find to his activities is this arrest in the April-

On Saturday evening, it was reported to Constable O'Connell that a man had been assaulted and robbed of £9. Shortly afterwards the constable saw a man near the Royal hotel, answering the description of one of the offenders, and he arrested him. (4) 

Constable O'Connell was transferred only four months later in the  July.  The Koo Wee Rup Sun reported -

Constable O'Connell left Kooweerup on Tuesday, being recalled to the depot. Thus Kooweerup is once more without a resident policeman, but the effort to establish a permanent station here is not being relaxed. A petition for presentation to the Chief Secretary had been forwarded to the President of Cranbourne Shire (Councillor M'Gregor), who was to call on the Chief Secretary or the Superintendent of Police and urge claims of the residents. On account of the maritime strike many police are being taken away from the country (5).   

Constable Robert Whiteside

Image: More Mickle memories of Koo Wee Rup: chronicles of a prosperous district once known as the Great Swamp, 1928-1940  by David Mickle.

He wasn’t replaced until February 1921 when Constable Robert Whiteside arrived to take charge of the newly created Koo Wee Rup Police district. Constable Whiteside, born in 1890 in Melton (6), had previously been in the Bunyip Police district. He remained at Koo Wee Rup until his retirement in July 1945 (7).  In 1923, whilst he was at Koo Wee Rup he married Ruby Crespin and they had two children, Bill and Beryl. (8) The family lived in the seven-roomed police residence in Sybella Avenue. The police office, a single room, was part of the house. A new station was built in 1956 at 260 Rossiter Road, corner of Icke Road and replaced by the current building around 2012 (9)

Koo Wee Rup Police Station, in Sybella Avenue

Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 10516/P0001

It was during Constable Whiteside's time at Koo Wee Rup that the lock-up, which is now on display at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society, was installed in the town. The lockup is listed on the Cardinia Shire Heritage Study as being of local significance for its connection to the early policing in the area. It is the only structure remaining from the establishment of the force at Koo Wee Rup in 1919. (10)

The Koo Wee Rup Sun reported on the arrival of the lock-up -

While building operations are a sign of the progress of a township, it must be queried whether the erection of a lock-up comes within that category. Nevertheless it a necessary adjunct to meet the social conditions of society. Our civilisation is such that there are numbers who refuse to conform with the laws society says are needed for its protection and safety, and there must exist an abode where delinquents should be retained with the object of paying the penalty for their misbehaviour. This week a lock-up was erected at the Kooweerup Police Station. Perhaps to some this will be unwelcome news. In the past offenders have had to be taken to the Lang Lang lock-up, which meant a strain on their financial position, for the usual custom had been to not only inflict a fine, but the costs of an exhilarating "joy ride" by car had to be met. There is also another side with regard to the elimination of the use of the car, in that the individual who "looks upon the wine when it is red" will have more money to satisfy his craving. Others, again, may act more discretely, as no doubt owing to the cost and trouble of getting to Lang Lang, only worse and most abusive cases were apprehended, but now with better facilities, the police will not be handicapped in discharging their duties. So far we have not heard when the opening ceremony of this new residence is to take place. (11)

The Koo Wee Rup Lock-up at the Historical Society

Image: Heather Arnold, 2010

The duties of  a country policeman were many and varied and as well as his police duties Constable Whiteside accepted these appointments - Wharf Manager at Tooradin in March 1923; Honorary Assistant Inspector of Fisheries in April 1925; Nuisance Inspector and Prosecuting Officer on behalf of the Cranbourne Shire in January 1926 and Electoral Register for the Koo Wee Rup sub-division of  the Gippsland West electorate in June 1927. (12)

Here are some of the cases Constable Whiteside was  involved with. In March 1923 the Dandenong Journal reported on this unusual case -

Mysterious fleshy remains found tied in a bag in the Yallock Creek at Bayles, near Koo-wee-rup, were examined to-day by Constable Whiteside and a veterinary surgeon. Their discovery caused a stir in the district. John Gardiner, a Scotsman employed by the State Rivers and Water Commission clearing a track through the dense scrub fringing the creek for the big bucket dredge now at work widening the watercourse, came on the remains on the surface of a stagnant pool.

When he tried to lift the bag out of the water the rotten sacking gave way, and half the contents fell back with a splash into the pool. He recovered a thickly wedged mass of fleshy substance, which appeared to be heavily coated with lime. It burnt and gave off a fatty smell when a match was applied to it.

[The police were informed] Constable Whiteside, with Mr. H. J. Rush, a Korumburra veterinary surgeon, drove out to the camp, five miles away, this afternoon. After a careful scrutiny, in which he used a magnifying glass, Mr. Rush concluded that, far from being human, the mystery package was part of the body of a calcified sheep. How it got there, carefully tied in a bag, in a deep pool in the middle of a thicket of densely matted wattle and scrub is still a mystery. (13)

Both Constables Whiteside and Orgill attended at the railway accident of December 24, 1928 when 52 people, where injured after the Melbourne to Yarram train collided with a shunting engine at Koo Wee Rup Station, in an awe inspiring shower of flying glass and splintered wood work. 350 passengers were on board, so you can understand how chaotic the scene must have been.  The police took the injured to the Koo Wee Rup Hospital and organised local residents to look after the less injured. Local doctors - Dr Alan Hewitt of Koo Wee Rup and Dr Sydney Appleford of Lang Lang - were involved in treating the wounded. (14)

Whiteside and Orgill were involved in the rescue work after the December 1934 flood, when water was two metres deep in some parts of Koo Wee Rup. The Argus reported on his role -

Senior-constable Whiteside, who, assisted by recruits from the police depot and scores of volunteers from Tooradin and elsewhere, led the rescue work, said that had the flood arrived in the middle of the night the death roll would have amounted to hundreds. Of the 600 inhabitants of the town of Koo-wee-rup and about 3,500 settled on farms on the reclaimed swamp, Senior-constable Whiteside said that all had been accounted for except an unknown elderly man who had been camped near the main canal. It was believed that he was washed away after having refused to heed the warning that the flood was coming. (15) It's worth remembering that whilst carrying out these recovery operations that Constable Whiteside's own house would have been inundated like the rest of Koo Wee Rup.

The prison farm on French Island which operated from 1916 until 1975, gave Constables Whiteside and Orgill extra work. Up to 1939, thirty five men attempted to escape from the Island, of which two drowned and the others were recaptured. (16). A few months after he started at Koo Wee Rup in August 1921, Whiteside was involved in this arrest of escaped prisoners -

William Smith, Sydney Turnbull and Reginald Alison were charged at the City Court yesterday with having escaped from legal custody at the M'Leod Settlement Reformatory Prison, French Island, on 13th August. It was stated in evidence that Turnbull and Allison had been declared habitual criminals. Constable J. Cole said he and Constable Whiteside made the arrests a few miles out of Lang Lang. (17)

Constable Whiteside (left) and Constable Orgill searching the scrub near Lang Lang for escaped prisoners from French Island.

Sun News-Pictorial, September 19 1934 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article278926487

This report comes from 13 years later in September 1934 when two prisoners escaped in a dingy -

A very likely spot was searched yesterday by well-organised official parties. A launch cruised in the stretch between French and Phillip Islands, and searched the coast of Phillip Island from Cowes to Rhyll, also the southern coast of French Island. First Constables Baker (Loch), Orgill (Lang Lang) and Whiteside (Koo-wee-rup) travelled down the shore from Corinella to Stony Point. They used a car where possible, but most of the trip was on foot, and every hiding place among mangroves from 3ft. to 12ft. high was examined. This party found the footprint. Constable Bilson, on horseback, searched south from Bass Landing to San Remo. (18) The escapees, Thomas Fullerton and Eric Pike, were arrested four days later in Melbourne. (19)

Robert Whiteside died in May 1969. The Koo Wee Rup Sun had the following obituary - 

Death of former Kooweerup policeman. The death occurred on 12th. May, 1969 at the Westernport Memorial Hospital, Kooweerup of Mr Bob Whiteside after a long illness. The late Mr. Bob Whiteside retired policeman, spent 25 years of his service at Kooweerup and another 25 years in retirement and was widely known and respected in the area.

Bob spent his youth at Melton and after joining the Police Force served at various times in Melbourne, Sale, Garfield and Bunyip, until his transfer to Kooweerup. 

A true "country policeman," he was a firm favourite in Kooweerup and district. He was readily available for duty at all times and was often called upon for assistance and advice over and above his duties. His direct approach to his work often changed the wrongdoer to the correct path. He was ready to lend a helping hand to those in need or distress. He supported all causes for the betterment of this district, which he came to affectionately regard as his home town. 

The late Bob Whiteside was a keen sportsman - he often reminisced over his marksmanship with the gun, both clay and wild game. However his real sport was fishing and his thoughts were often directed to the lazy days spent on the Bemm.

He met his wife, former Miss Ruby Crespin of Briagolong, a trained nurse from Prince Henry's Hospital, when she was nursing at Kooweerup and the couple soon carved a deep niche for themselves in the hearts of the townspeople. Mr Whiteside is survived by his wife, son Bill, daughter Beryl and three grandchildren, Susan, Jennifer and Judith. (20)

Ruby Whiteside died on August 20, 1970 and the Koo Wee Rup Sun published an obituary which included some of her interests - 

She was a member of the Red Cross, the Blind Auxiliary and actively associated with the Westernport Memorial Hospital Ladies' Committee and St George's Church of England Guild. (21). Bob and Ruby are buried at the Springvale Cemetery.

Footnotes

(1) Tooradin: a history of a sportsman's paradise and the first 100 years of State School No. 1503 compiled by D.J. Mickle and the Tooradin "Back to" Committee (Tooradin 'Back to' Committee, 1975), p. 36.

(2) Protector's Plains: history of Lang Lang Primary School No.2899, 1888-1988 and district compiled by Barbara Coghlan (CBC Publishing, 1988), pp. 20-21.

(3) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, March 13, 1919, see here.

(4) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, April 17. 1919, see here. 

(5) Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 2 1919, p. 1.

(6) Robert Whiteside was born in Melton in 1890 to Edward and Jeanie (nee Singleton) Whiteside. He was the second of five brothers, all born in Melton - John (born 1889), Edward (1892), William (1895) and Thomas (1899). Two brothers died in World War One -  John enlisted in the A.I.F in October 1916 (SN 2182) and died in Egypt in September 1918 of acute nephritis; William (SN 3995) enlisted on February 1915 and Died of Wounds in July 1916. Jeanie, also known as Janet, died in 1904 aged 40 and Edward  in 1933, aged 73. They are buried at the Melton Cemetery. 

(7) Mickle, David,  Mickle Memories of Koo Wee Rup: for young and old - to 1927 (The Author, 1983), p. 77; Mickle, David More Mickle memories of Koo Wee Rup: chronicles of a prosperous district once known as the Great Swamp, 1928-1940  (The Author, 1987), p. 24; Dandenong Journal, July 11, 1945, see here.  

(8) Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Obituary - Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 21, 1969, p. 3. Beryl married Donald Jeffrey Johnson in 1950 and they were the parents of Susan, Jennifer and Judith; Beryl died in 2007. I don't have any information about Bill, Beryl's brother. 

(9) Cardinia Shire Heritage Study; a Heritage Study of parts of the Shire previously in the Cranbourne and Sherbrooke Shires - Volume 2: Heritage Places - by Graeme Butler & Associates (Cardinia Shire, 1999), pp. 106-107.

Police house at 260 Rossiter Road and the police station was behind it, off Icke Road, March 2010.

Image: Google Street View.

Another view - Police house at 260 Rossiter Road and the police station was behind it, off Icke Road, March 2010.

Image: Google Street View.

(10) Ibid.

(11) Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 9, 1925, p. 4.

(12) Victoria Government Gazette https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/ 

(13) The Sun News-Pictorial, March 20, 1923, see here.

(14) Reports of the accident - The Herald, December 24, 1928, see here; The Argus, December 26, 1928, see here; The Age, December 26, 1928,  see here; The Age, December 28, 1928, see here. See photographs here https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2020/02/railway-accident-at-koo-wee-rup.html 

(15) The Argus, December 4, 1934, see here. I have written about the 1934 flood quite a bit, for instance -  https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-great-flood-of-december-1934.html and here https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2018/10/1934-flood-at-koo-wee-rup-photos-from.html 

(16) Koo Wee Rup Sun, November 9, 1939, p. 1.

(17) The Age, August 27, 1921, see here.

(18) Sun News-Pictorial, September 19 1934, see here.

(19) The Age, September 21, 1934, see here.

(20) Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 21, 1969, p. 3.

(21) Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 26, 1970, p. 6.