Showing posts with label 100 years ago this week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 100 years ago this week. Show all posts

Friday, December 14, 2018

100 years ago this week - Koo Wee Rup is overrun by hoodlums

100 years ago this week - this letter about crime in Koo Wee Rup was published in The Argus of December 24, 1918.


The Argus December 24, 1918


POLICE PROTECTION WANTED.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS
For some time the residents of Koo Wee Rup have had to submit to a large number of robberies, petty thefts without any hope of retracing the stolen property or punishing the offender. Added to that the conduct of a number of hoodlums at public functions had become so unbearable that promoters of public entertainments were fearful of the consequences. The  local  hall is generally  in a state of siege from the onslaughts of these ruffians, who rush the doors and endeavour to break into the supper room, using the most horrible language around the doors, and frequently bombarding the roof with road metal. 
All this was thrashed out at a public meeting some weeks ago and a letter was forwarded  to the Chief Secretary asking for police protection at Koo Wee Rup.  Up to the present time no reply his been received. 
It is no uncommon sight to see a stand up fight in the main street.  On Saturday night a number of men surged for over an hour in the main thoroughfare and into the early hours of Sunday,  while the air was filled with profanity, oaths and curses to which peaceable citizens had to listen. 
On Sunday night another scene took place when the great Australian adjective was heard to advantage as a preface to loud allegations of untruthfulness.  There is a policeman stationed at Lang Lang on the extreme edge of the district who has to patrol or endeavour to keep the peace in a district about 50 square miles in extent. Needless to say his energy must necessarily be somewhat distributed until it reaches vanishing point. 
Yours &c
A VICTIM
Koo Wee Rup December 23.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

100 years ago this week - An embrocation

Local farmers may find this embrocation of use, if you could actually still purchase the ingredients.


Farmers Advocate October 14, 1918

In October, Mr M.D. Dalley of Koo Wee Rup, wrote the following letter to the Farmers’ Advocate newspaper - Among the papers of my late father the following recipe was found; it has been used by him on many occasions, and found an excellent embrocation (lotion). For the benefit of farmers I give it: - 1 oz. Laudanum, 1 oz. Tincture of Myrrh; 1 oz. Tincture of Aloes; ½ oz. Sulphate of Zinc; 1 oz. Carbolic Acid. Mix with 5 oz. salad oil.

For the young readers of this article, the word oz is the abbreviation for an ounce which is about 28 grams. These ingredients were obviously freely available at the time; I am not sure how you would access them all now. Laudanum is opium mixed with alcohol and, not surprisingly, no longer available at the local shops; Myrrh is a type of tree resin and was one of the gifts given by the Three Wise Men at the birth of Jesus. I didn't actually realise that it was used anywhere outside the Bible; Aloes is made from the leaves of the aloe plant; Sulphate of Zinc is the dietary supplement; Carbolic Acid or phenol is used as an antibiotic or disinfectant and is considered to be a poison. Salad oil sounds like the least dangerous and easiest to obtain ingredient out of this list. As a matter of interest, Mr Dalley’s full name was Moorabool Darriwell Dalley, quite an unusual set of given names. He was born at Batesford, which is on the Moorabool River, and Darriwell is the name of a land administration Parish, just north of Batesford. Darriwell was also the name of the 1879 Melbourne Cup winner.

Sunday, May 28, 2017

100 years ago this week - Telephone charges

The rates charged for conversation with the undermentioned places from the Warragul exchange are as under for the first three minutes or portion thereof, and for each additional three minutes or portion thereof respectively:- 


West Gippsland Gazette May 29 1917

Thursday, September 17, 2015

100 years ago this week - Kirwan's store at Vervale

100 years ago this week - John Kirwan, store owner, was caught illegally selling alcohol. Kirwan's store, at Vervale, was on the corner of the Thirteen Mile and the south side of the Main Drain. I have written about the store and its owners - The Kirwan family and James & Edith McMannis, here.



Seizure of Liquour from John Kirwan.
Dandenong Advertiser September 23, 1915  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88661288

SEIZURE OF LIQUOR AT BUNYIP.
A large quantity of whisky, beer, and stout in cases, was seized on Koo-wee-rup Swamp on Friday by Constables Allen and Anstee, of Bunyip. For some time the police have suspected that there was trafficking in liquor at Iona, and they watched the store owned by John A. Kirwan. They saw a man leaving the store with a bottle of whisky, and he admitted to the police that he obtained the liquor at
Kirwan's. The police took the liquor to the Bunyip police station, and Kirwan will be prosecuted on one or more charges of having trafficked in liquor illicitly.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

100 years ago this week - Dalmore Roads

100 years ago this week comes this report from the Lang Lang Guardian  of September 8, 1915 about Dalmore ratepayers prepared to pay extra to get their roads fixed.  Apparently Dalmore was a 'quagmire covered with scrub'  The roads were partly bad as a great many tons of potatoes were being sent to the Dalmore Station. Dalmore Station had opened on October 1, 1888, it was originally called Peer’s Lane, then Koo-Wee-Rup West, then Dalmore. 

The School at 'the end of Ballarto Road' was the Cardinia State School, No. 3689, which had opened on November 3, 1911. The Church they are referring to is the Cardinia Presbyterian Church which was completed in October 1915.



Lang Lang Guardian  September 8, 1915.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

100 years ago this week - Junior teacher position available

Want a job as a teacher? Then apply to the Bunyip State School. You must be over 16, apply in your own hand writing, and prepared to pay a fee of 2/6 to sit the examination!


Junior Teacher wanted at Bunyip.
Bunyip Free Press,  August 26, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129630790

Junior Teacher.
The head teacher of the Bunyip State School (Mr. T. Slattery) has been instructed by the Education Department to invite applications for the position of junior teacher, which is now vacant in the school. The candidates must hold the merit certificate or have passed the Junior Public or higher examination of the University, and be over 16 years of age. They must apply in their own handwriting, stating full Christian names and date of birth to the head teacher, and be prepared to pay a fee of 2/6, to be handed to the officer conducting the examination.

100 years ago this week - Iona citizens support the War effort

It's always interesting to read local newspapers and see how they either make or report pronouncements on international matters. This report looks at the meeting of Iona citizens held around the anniversary of the declaration on the Great War. The meeting was held in Columba Hall, the hall at the Iona Catholic Church.


Meeting of Iona residents
Bunyip Free Press August 19,  1915

IONA.
The recent recruiting meeting held in Columba Hall was very largely attended. Cr. Carney (President of Berwick Shire) occupied the chair, and apologised for the absence of Mr. W. S. Keast, M.L.A., who had to preside at a meeting at Dandenong. When Cr. Carney took the chair the audience rose and sang the National Anthem. The chairman moved the following motion -

"On the anniversary of declaration of war, this meeting of the Iona citizens records its inflexible determination to continue to a vigorous end the struggle in maintenance of those ideals of liberty and justice which are the common and sacred cause of the Allies."

The motion was seconded and supported by Rev. Father McNamara and Mr. Minton, and on being put to the meeting was carried by acclamation. The Iona Brass Band (under Band master Legg) rendered a number of patriotic selections. The meeting closed with votes of thanks, ringing cheers for the Allies and Australian troops, and a cheer for the chairman.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Mr Rodger the baker at Bunyip - 100 years ago this week

Hers is  a great advertisement from Mr Rodger the baker and general storekeeper at Bunyip in the Bunyip Free Press of July 22, 1915. In keeping with the nationalistic and imperialistic times, Mr Rodger advertises No fancy Foreign cakes kept on my counter


Henry Rodger is listed in the Electoral Rolls as a baker in Bunyip from 1903 until 1924. In 1928 he is listed as a retired baker. He was married to Hannah and she died August 10, 1926 and is buried at Bunyip Cemetery. Henry died December 17 1937 and he may well be buried with his wife but he is not on the gravestone. They  had three children Aldred (died 1969, aged 72, buried at Bunyip), Ada and Jessie.

Boys' football match - 100 years ago this week.

From The Lang Lang Guardian of July 21 1915, comes this account of a a football match between the boys at Yallock and Yannathan State Schools. Yannathan won the match 8.8. to 2.3.


Lang Lang Guardian July 21, 1915

Lots of familiar names - McCraw, McKay, Lineham, Games etc.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

100 years ago this week - Potatoes

100 years ago this week, The Australasian, in the Country Gleanings column reported on the good potato season on the Swamp.

The Australasian  June 26 1915
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article142975577



This is how the potatoes would have been loaded. 26 tons, 310 bags, loaded from Garfield.
State Library of Victoria Image H92.301/92.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

100 years ago this week - St Joseph's Convent Iona opened

St Joseph's Convent Iona opened one hundred years ago, on April 11, 1915.  The Convent housed the Sisters of St Joseph, who established a school in Columba Hall (the Parish Hall) to provide the children with a sound secular and religious education. A report two weeks later  said that three Sisters of St Joseph on the teaching staff and sixty children attend daily. (1) School continued in the Hall until it was destroyed by fire on December 26, 1927. A new brick hall (the existing hall), also used for the school, was opened October 21, 1928. A purpose built school was opened at Iona on November 26, 1961. (2)


Opening of the Convent School at Iona
Bunyip Free Press April 15, 1915  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129631211

New Convent School, Iona
The ceremony of the solemn blessing and opening of the new Convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Iona, was performed by His Grace the most Rev. Dr. Mannix on Sunday afternoon last. There was a very large attendance, including some from the outlaying parts of the parish, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. 
The Rev. J. J. Malone, P.P., of Clifton Hill, gave an eloquent touching, and instructive address on the Religious Life at the 11 o'clock mass to a large congregation.
The contributions for the day amounted to nearly £400, while donations amounting to £246 had been previously received in response to a direct appeal to the parishioners.



The opening of the Convent  in 1915
Image:  100 years of a Catholic Faith Community: St Joseph's Iona 1905-2005 by Damian Smith. (The Author, 2005)


A more detailed of this momentous event in Iona was reported in The Advocate, of April 17, 1915 (see here)

OPENING OR A NEW CONVENT AT IONA BY THIS COADJUTOR-ARCHBISHOP.
His Grace Archbishop Mannix opened a new convent at Iona on last Sunday. Notwithstanding the severity of the weather and the long distance many of them had to travel, most of the parishioners from Iona itself and the outlying districts assembled on the occasion. Between two lines of people which stretched from the gate of the presbytery to the door of the convent, his Grace walked, accompanied by the pastor, Fr. Cusack, and his assistant, Fr. Macnamara, Frs. Gleeson and O'Connor, of Essendon, Fr. Malone, of Clifton Hill, and Fr. O'Ryan, of West Melbourne. Thanks to a fortunate break in the weather, his Grace was enabled to address the large gathering from the presbytery verandah. 

His Grace, in addressing the people, said that in consequence of the forthcoming meeting to be held in the Town Hall, Melbourne, on April 28th, he was prevented from discussing the new situation created by the recent decision of the Political Labour Council.

The convent itself, which was designed by Messrs. Kempson and Conolly, and erected and furnished at a cost of over £1100, is a commodious and elegant structure, worthy of the place and people, worthy of the pastor and his predecessor, who have done yeoman service in building up a very difficult mission, and worthy of the heroic Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who have undertaken the task of imparting a sound secular and religious education to the children. There was something stimulating in the enthusiasm and intense religious earnestness of the large gathering, which touched his Grace and thrilled his utterance. 

From the balance-sheet, which was read by Fr. Cusack before his Grace's address, he could see, he said, that priest and people had done great work there for God and religion, and felt sure that whatever decision may be arrived at by the Town Hall meeting, the Catholics of Iona could be relied upon to adopt it whole-heartedly, and, when the time comes, put it into active execution. Judging by the generous donations received in response to the appeal made to them, Fr. Cusack should have no difficulty in wiping out the balance of the debt which lies on the mission. The contributions for the day amounted to £385, while donations of £246 had been previously received in response to a direct appeal to the parishioners. The fact that his Grace's visit was coincident with the break up of the drought opened their hearts more freely and forced them to put their hands deeper into their pockets. 

Clearly, too, they appreciate the privilege of having a staff of self-sacrificing nuns in their midst to provide for the secular and religious training of their children. As one who revisited the place for the first time after a space of twenty years, I have only to add that I was astonished at its marvellous material progress and at the no less marvellous progress of its Catholicity.


The Convent in 1922
The Advocate November 16, 1922 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page20363246

The New Convent
The building is of wood, with Californian pine dado outside. The roof is of corrugated iron, walls of lath and plaster, ceiling of stamped metal, flooring of Queensland pine. The hall, front and back, is 6 feet wide. The oratory is 18ft. by 16ft.; refectory, 20 by 16; reception-room, 16 by 11; dormitory, 16 by 15½. Other rooms are 16 by 14. There is a verandah round the front and two sides, 6ft; wide. The building is well ventilated and lighted. The parish hall has been fitted up and renovated and furnished as a school in accordance with the requirements of the Board of Health.

The works have been carried out from designs and under the superintendence of Messrs. Kempson and Conolly, architects, Oxford Chambers, Bourke-street, Melbourne, by Mr. T. Bain, contractor, Coburg.

Footnotes
(1) Bunyip Free Press, April 29, 1915, see here.
(2) The Age, December 27, 1927, see here; The Advocate, October 25, 1928, see here; Smith, Damien, 100 years of a Catholic Faith Community: St Joseph's Iona 1905-2005 (The Author, 2005), p.  63.

Friday, March 6, 2015

100 years ago this week - Cora Lynn Ball

This report of one of the best balls ever held in Cora Lynn comes from the Bunyip Free Press of March 11, 1915.


The Ball at Cora Lynn
Bunyip Free Press, March 11, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129630397


Cora Lynn Ball. A Great Success
The annual Ladies' Ball at Cora Lynn was held at Keast Hall on Monday evening last. There was a very large attendance, the building being crowded. Visitors attended from Iona, Garfield, Tynong, Kooweerup and Bunyip, whilst the local residents were also well represented. The dressing of the ladies was above ordinary of such functions, whilst the supper and general arrangements were provided on such a scale that reflected great credit on the hon. secretary, Mrs. M. Rigby. Mr. D. Danson officiated as M.C, in his usual able way, and first-class music was provided by Miss Leight and Mr. Hoggin. During the evening a waltzing competition was held and the winners were Miss Stella Shipton and Mr. McMillan. The ball was voted by most of the visitors as one of best yet held at Cora Lynn or the district.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

100 years ago this week - Granite quarry

It seems that quarries haven't always been unwelcome in this area - this is a report form the Bunyip Free Press of December 31, 1914. Granite from Tynong was used in the construction of the Shrine of Remembrance

Bunyip Free Press  December 31, 1914

Monday, December 22, 2014

100 years ago this week - strychnine poisoning

This tragic report was in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal on December 24, 1914.  Sadly for this little girl, strychnine used to be readily available and was  used in many households, I presume, for rodent control. The little girl was called Olive and she was the daughter of Emanuel and Elizabeth (nee Black) Metzenthen. 



South Bourke and Mornington Journal on December 24, 1914.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Drainage of Bunyip - 100 years ago this week

Here's an interesting article about drainage (or lack of it ) in Bunyip. The drain went from the Hall, along Main Street to the Railway Hotel and the Hotel's urinals emptied into it and the householders also emptied all their 'bedroom and other slops' into it. Ah, the good old days - very smelly!


Bunyip Free Press    November 19, 1914

Sunday, November 2, 2014

100 years ago this week - Miss Bell, confectioner, fruiterer and caterer.

Feeling peckish? Then call in at Miss Bell's shop in Main Street in Bunyip and you can purchase "hot pies, tea, coffee and cocoa at all hours". You could have done this 100 years ago, as well as buying confectionery, postage stamps and many brands of cigarettes and tobacco. Miss Bell would also hire out crockery, glassware, cutlery and  a marquee for your party.

Bunyip Free Press November 5, 1914
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page14855597


We have met Miss Bell before, In January 1913, she applied to the Shire of Berwick for a permission to manufacture ice cream on her premises. We know from the Electoral Roll on Ancestry database that her name was Margaret. There is a report  of her wedding in the Bunyip Free Press of July 30, 1914 when she married Charles Marsden of Bunyip. Her father is listed as Hugh Bell, a farmer of Bunyip. The wedding took place on July 22 at St Thomas' Church of England in Bunyip and the reception was at the Cafe Cecil 'of which the happy couple are the proprietors' according to the article. I don't know if this was a different premises from her own business, because she was still paying for advertisements in the paper months after she was married, or the same business.



Bunyip Free Press July 30, 1914

What else do we know about Margaret Bell, confectioner? Cafe Cecil was still going in December 1915 as it was supplying the catering for Sports Day. 


Bunyip Free Press December 9, 1915

In the same paper there was also an account of another wedding, that of Arthur Weatherhead to Inez Coombs and they had their wedding reception or 'sumptious wedding tea' at Cafe Cecil after their wedding on November 11, 1915. This was of interest to me as Arthur, the fourth child of Horatio and Eleanor Weatherhead, was my grandmas's brother.  Grandma is Eva Rouse (nee Weatherhead) 

Bunyip Free Press December 9, 1915

Margaret is listed in the 1919 Electoral Roll as Margaret Marsden, Confectioner of Bunyip. Charles is listed as a carpenter. In  the 1924 and 1936 Electorial Rolls  Charles is listed as a farmer and Margaret as Home Duties, living at Tynong, so it seems that by then her confectionery days were behind her.

100 years ago this week - Patriotic Concert

Here's an account of a Patriotic Concert held at Koo-Wee-Rup on October 30, 1914.  The school children put on the concert, well trained by Mr and Mrs Eason and Mrs Morrison. Lots of familiar Koo-Wee-Rup names mentioned including  Colvin, Hudson, McNamara, Johnson and Mickle.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal November 5, 1914

Saturday, October 25, 2014

100 years ago this week - Rabbit Inspector resigns

A report in the Bunyip Free Press of October 22, 1914 said that Mr Kelleher, the Rabbit Inspector had resigned,


Bunyip Free Press October 22, 1914
I believe that Rabbit Inspectors were first appointed under the 1884 Rabbit Suppression Act. The Department of Crown Lands and Survey was the overseeing Government Department. The duties included rabbit extermination on Crown Land and serving notices on land owners who failed to eradicate rabbits on private land.   Rabbits were first introduced into Australia in 1859, when 24 wild rabbits were released near Geelong. They soon became a major problem throughout Australia and in 1950 there were 600 million rabbits in Australia.

Michael Kelleher was officially appointed on December 17, 1912 and his resignation dated from November 15, 1914 according to the State Government Gazette, where all Government appointments were listed.

State Government Gazette December 27, 1912


State Government Gazette  November 4, 1914



It appears that the life of a Rabbit Inspector was not  always a happy one and some land owners were against them and their methods as this article from the Pakenham Gazette attests.



Pakenham Gazette November 11, 1914
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89082964