What happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1915

This is what happened in Koo Wee Rup and surrounds in 1915, 100 years ago. These references all come from digitized newspapers available on Trove, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper  There were many references to the War and the soldiers who enlisted and served, but this is a look at the non military activities in the town.

The year started off with an arrest -  Elizabeth Allen, a resident of Fitzroy, was arrested on warrant by Constable Anstee on Mr. Strafford's farm, Iona, on Tuesday. Allen and her husband band were digging potatoes on Koo-wee-rup Swamp and she had a serious quarrel with another married woman named Ellen Fielder on Tuesday morning. It is alleged that Allen went into the house occupied by Mrs. Fielder, and pulled her out of bed on to the road by the hair. Mrs. Fielder issued a warrant, and Allen was locked up on a charge of assault. She was admitted to bail, and will appear to answer the charge to-day  (The Argus January 7, 1915)

On January 8, the Wonthaggi Licensing Court granted  Denis McNamara a licence to operate a Hotel in Koo Wee Rup. This Hotel was named the Royal Hotel and opened in Koo Wee Rup on September 9, 1915. There were six applications to open a hotel at Koo Wee Rup, you can read about them, here.
(Powlett Express, January 15 1915)

On February 24 the Lang Lang Guardian reported on a severe storm in Yannathan. The storm was described as unprecedented.   All day the weather had been threatening, and thunder showers which visited other parts of the district left this locality untouched. But at about 4 o'clock, while about 30 ladies and gentlemen were witnessing a cricket match in Mr Stewart's paddock between the Lang Lang and Yannathan teams, a densely black cloud, lit up constantly by vivid flashes of lightning, was seen approaching from the south-west. When the first drops of rain fell players and spectators left the field for the shelter of the Mechanics' Hall, and while there the storm burst, and for about ten minutes the elements were in almost indescribable tumult. A hurricane blew jinkers about the hall yard, and everything in the shape of boxes and loose timber was lifted by its violence. Then something in the nature of a cloud-burst descended, and rain and pieces of ice fell in such density that looking across towards the Union Church, only a shadowy outline of the building could, be seen, and the hall yard was soon under water. Deafening peals of thunder and constant flames of lightning combined with the downpour, and twice the crash of a falling tree was heard. The door of the church being opened, all made a dash from the hall and entered, but were drenched in doing so. As suddenly as it broke, the storm abated, and very little rain fell during the remainder of the afternoon. 
Sadly, the storm also caused a fatality - seventeen year old Don Cameron, who was employed by Mr W.H. Gardiner, of Yannathan. He was working in a paddock was struck and instantly killed by lightning. His parents were from Beaconsfield and he was buried at Berwick Cemetery.

On March 3, the Lang Lang Guardian had a report headlined 'Tramps at Koo Wee Rup' - For some years past residents of the Swamp have complained, without any remedy being applied, of the great nuisance of tramps camping at the bridges and frightening horses. An example of the real danger of this habit was given on Saturday morning last, when Mr R. Glen was conveying a load of potatoes in a dray, and when at Mallcotl's crossing the horse shied at a couple of tramps camped at the bridge; with the result that the dray was capsised and the potatoes tipped into the drain. Mr Glen was thrown out of the dray and was badly shaken, but it was wonderful that be did not sustain severe injuries.

In March the Koo Wee Rup Railway Station handled 54,000 bags of potatoes and 14,500 bags of chaff, the whole of £24,000 (Lang Lang Guardian April 21, 1915)

Lang Lang Guardian April 28, 1915

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page13333589

In April there was an unusual sighting of an aeroplane flying over Koo Wee Rup - see the report above.

In July a 'Plain and Fancy Dress Ball' was held at Koo Wee Rup. The successful ball was a fund raiser for the Red Cross. Over 220 people attended the ball at the Mechanics' Institute (Hall) and £22 was raised. You can see a list of some of the participants and how they were dressed, here, in the Lang Lang Guardian of July 28, 1915.

Constable Anstee was busy again in September, when he along with Constable Allen seized a large quantity of whisky, beer, and stout in cases from the store owned by John, A. Kirwan at Iona. The report goes on to say that 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. Kirwan was charged with having trafficked in liquor illicitly. (Dandenong Advertiser September 23, 1915) Kirwan's store was actually at Vervale (Main Drain Road south and Fourteen Mile) and was taken over in 1916 by James and Edith McMannis, read about this, here.)

We will finish with this report about a 'Cinematograph' entertainment at Yallock held on November 25. A cinematograph is a motion picture film camera, which also serves as a film projector and printer. It was invented in the 1890s in Lyon by Auguste and Louis Lumière - according to Wikipedia.

Lang Lang Guardian December 1, 1915

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119513192

What happened in Garfield in 1915

This is what happened in Garfield in 1915, 100 years ago. These references all come from digitized newspapers available on Trove.  There were many references to the War and the soldiers who enlisted and served, but this is a look at the non military activities in the town.

January -  The building of the Iona Hotel at Garfield has just been completed. The old wooden structure which had been burnt down about six months ago has been replaced by a new brick building at a cost of £8500 containing 30 rooms, sewered and lighted by an Areogen plant, and it is without doubt one of the best and most commodious houses of its class in Gippsland. Mr T. O'Donohue is the owner and Mr T. J. Cryan licensee. (Dandenong Advertiser, January 14, 1915, see here.)  Read more about the Iona Hotel, here.

January - Mr Henwood was unfortunate enough to have a dairy cow run over by a train. Needless to say, the cow was severally damaged. (Bunyip Free Press, January 14, 1915, see here)

February - Many papers reported on the misadventures of Charles Gregory of Garfield. Charles had climbed the weight tower of the air-gas plant of the Iona Hotel, and remained at the top for some time and then jumped to the ground, a distance between 30 and 40 ft (9 to 12 metres).  His thigh and elbow were broken and his head was considerably battered.  He told Constable Anstee that he had been ‘studying astronomy’ but when he saw the moon fall, he thought ‘discretion the better part of valour and he jumped to prevent it falling upon him’. (The Age, February 26, 1915, see here)

Charles Gregory's misfortune

The Age February 26, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154929941

March - On St Patrick's Day - Late on Tuesday night two residents of Iona were driving home when they found a man lying on the road with his face considerably bruised. They drove him to the Bunyip police station and told Constable Anstee of their find. They left him with Constable Anstee and in a few hours the man began to realise it was St. Patrick's "in the morning," and was close to the lock-up.  There was scarcely any need for the man to explain that he had been ' keeping up' St. Patrick's Day, as Constable Anstee could see that without being told. On promising to go home he was allowed to depart without having to answer the common charge of being drunk. (Bunyip Free Press, March 18, 1915, see here)

May - A young man from the city named Edward Heffernan was charged with using obscene language at Garfield on May 6th. He pleaded guilty. Constable Anstee deposed that the accused was in front of the Iona hotel on race night and was using very bad language (sample produced) among a crowd. Witness arrested him, and accused bailed himself out, as he had a good sum of money on him. Accused said he did not remember anything about the matter as he had been drinking. Fined 20/- or 7 days imprisonment.  (Bunyip Free Press, May 13, 1915, see here)

June - Fire at Garfield - Shortly before 2 o'clock on Tuesday morning the. drapery, grocery and general store conducted at Garfield for many years by Messrs E. Harcourt and Co. was totally destroyed by fire, together with the whole of the contents, with the exception of a tin of kerosene and a few bags of chaff. How the fire started is at present a mystery, but as the Garfield railway station office was broken into during the night, it is thought that thieves broke into the store and afterwards set is on fire. Nothing of value was taken from the station. Harcourt and Co's. stock was insured for £400 in the New Zealand Insurance Company, and the building for £250 in the same company. As Harcourt and Co. recently went to much expense in renovating the premises, and had lately put in extra stock, their loss is a heavy one.  (Bunyip Free Press, June 24. 1915, see here.)

July - On Tuesday a young man named William McMillan was arrested at Iona by Constable Anstee, and was conveyed to Melbourne to undergo a sentence of three months' imprisonment imposed by the Carlton bench in June. It appears that McMillan was proceeded against at the Carlton court by a resident of Garfield for the maintenance of an illegitimate child, and the bench made an order that he should pay 10/- per week, and find a surety of £80 that he would comply with the order, in default three months' imprisonment. He did not attend the court when the order was made, and had been at large since, hence the arrest. (Bunyip Free Press, July 29, 1915, see here) 

September - It is apparent, by the  many visible signs, that an energetic committee has control of the Garfield Hall affairs. A good lighting system has been introduced with great success, and the interior generally has been improved. We may soon expect to see the interior proclaim the activity of the  aforementioned body. (Bunyip Free Press, September 30, 1915, see here)

October  - The young man Charles Joseph Lyons, who was arrested on the 24th September at Garfield by Constables Anstee and Allen, after his tracks had boon followed up for over 20 miles by the Dandenong black trackers, was charged with stealing two draught horses, valued at £40, the property of  Marshall Bros., of Kooweerup. He pleaded guilty. The evidence showed that accused drove the horses from Kooweerup across country to Ringwood, where he caused them to be sold by auction. Accused was committed to stand his trial in Melbourne (Bunyip Free Press, October 7, 1915, see here)

December -This is a lesson for everyone who runs a Post Office.  The Bunyip Free Press reported that for some year residents of Iona obtained their mail at Kirwans’ store. Since Mr Kirwan was fined for selling liquor without a license the Postal authorities have removed the post office to the residence of Mr Clark. (Bunyip Free Press, December 2, 1915, see here.)

First subdivision sale of Koo Wee Rup Township Estate in 1915

This advertisement for the 'First subdivision sale of Koo Wee Rup Township Estate' was from the  Gippsland Standard and Alberton Shire Representative  February 24, 1915. There is a fair bit of Real Estate agent hyperbole in the description - but it's a fun read about the area - they predict Koo Wee Rup will be a 'future city'!

 Gippsland Standard and Alberton Shire Representative  February 24, 1915

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121137812

First SUBDIVISION SALE OF KOO-WEE-RUP TOWNSHIP ESTATE.

The Future City of 100,000 acres of rich reclaimed SWAMP (AND ADJACENT) LAND.

Auction Sale on the Ground. On Account of Owner. By A. F. Witham, Agent, Dandenong

Local Agent - Albert Woodman.

On SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1915. at 2 p.m.

BUSINESS SITES, RESIDENCE SITES. CULTIVATION ALLOTMENTS, GRAZING ALLOTMENTS OF 1 to 6 acres.

Liberal Terms 10 per cent, deposit, balance equal quarterly payments over three years at 6 per cent.

Go and see Koo-Wee-Rup and District before the sale.

It's Future - A Big Town - will at at once appeal to your judgment.

The Shops and Residential buildings now on the Estate form a mere beginning of the future town. On

the Estate are Two Churches, Hall, School and Bank. A large Hotel to be erected at once.

Splendid Gravel Roads all round the Estate, and all over the district. Average Annual Rainfall 30 inches. Only 40 miles from Melbourne.

A Big Fresh Water Canal close to Estate. Water obtainable at Shallow depths.

This Estate is the only possible Town Estate at Koo-Wee-Rup.

Good Railway Service, Close Settlement all round, increasing and extending every month. Prosperous Settlers.

Koo-Wee-Rup District land grows some of the heaviest yields per acre in Victoria of Potatoes, Onions, Turnips, Cabbage, Maize, all cereal crops., Good Fruit Tree land. Milk, Cream, Butter, Cheese produced in yearly increasing quantities.

Koo-Wee-Rup will be the junction station of the authorised and surveyed new Gippsland Railway to be constructed shortly.

Koo-Wee-Rup is the natural and only future trading centre for that Immense and Richest Soil District,

All roads centre at Koo-Wee-Rup.

Koo-Wee-Rup must shortly be the biggest loading station for Agricultural produce on the Great Southern Line.

Koo-Wee-Rup must be a favorite residental town, it is so conveniently situated and very healthy. Western Port Bay and Inlets only three miles away.

P. C. SMITH and McEACHARN,

Solicitors,

285 Collins street, Melbourne.

Vendors' Solicitors.

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.

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.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119512856

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

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129630757 

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.

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

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page13333641

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

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.

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.

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.