Picnics on the Yallock Creek

I have found these two accounts of picnics on the Yallock Creek from 1914 and 1915, it is likely that many more picnics took place on the banks of the Yallock, but these are the only reports I can find at the moment. The headwater of the Yallock Creek is just south of Bayles and the mouth is at Western Port Bay.  Between 1939 and 1956/57 the Yallock Ourfall drain was constructed  from Cora Lynn, cutting across to Bayles and then essentially following the line of the Yallock Creek to Western Port Bay. This was a flood mitigation project to help protect Koo Wee Rup,  with the aim of diverting flood water from the Main Drain, down the outfall drain directly to the sea so the Main Drain could cope with the remaining water (read more here). There are three maps showing Yallock Creek, at the end of this post.

I am not sure where these picnics were actually held, apart from in a little nook among the trees. I presume close to Yallock, which is south-east of Bayles, so close to the headwater. Bayles didn't  actually exist in 1914 and 1915, it came into being in 1922 as the station nearest to Yallock on the Strzelecki Railway line (read about this here.)

Lang Lang Guardian, January 28, 1914 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119510151 

Monomeith Picnic

Although the heat was rather severe, there was a good attendance at the Yallock Methodist Sunday School picnic on Friday at Yallock Creek. Here grateful shade was provided, and in a little nook among the trees was a freezer containing ice cream, which was greatly relished. At intervals all were delighted to hear sweet strains of music produced by a dulciphone kindly supplied by Mr Reiter. During the afternoon a sports program was carried out to the satisfaction of all, after which games were indulged in by the young people. At 5.30 tea was provided, and a very pleasant day brought to a close. Sincere thanks are expressed to the teachers, officers and helpers for their generous assistance in making the picnic such a success. The results of the races were: 
Infant class, girls - Clare Reiter 1, Dorothy Hatty 2, Edna Hatty 3
Infant class, boys - Will Garnham, S. Cameron, Teddie Garnham
4th class boys - John Orchard, Fred Reiter, Ernest Henry
3rd class girls - Linda Bateson, Bella Garnham, Hollie Harker
Senior girls - Tillie Cameron, Beatie Harker.
Senior boys - Russell Collyer, Archie Bateson
Young ladies - M. McKay
Young men - W. Finck
High jump - R. Henry

(Lang Lang Guardian, January 28, 1914, see here)

Lang Lang Guardian, February 10, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119511940

Christian Endeavour
The Kooweerup and District Union of Christian Endeavor held a picnic at Yallock Creek on A.N.A. day. Luncheon was partaken of at mid-day. There was an attendance of about 100 C.E.'s and friends. Mr Ivory, Field Secretary, of Victoria,was present and addressed the gathering in the afternoon, his subject being, "The scene on the Mount." Some real good hearty singing was indulged in, it being led by Mr Binder, of Five Mile. Then tea was partaken of, and, after those who had home duties to attend to had left, the others enjoyed themselves as they felt inclined. At 8 p.m. there was a general meeting or rally at Cora Lynn hall and a splendid attendance, Mr Ivory again addressing the meeting, his subject being "Whole - hearted Service." The President of the Union, Mr G. Nichols, called the roll, each society being well represented. At the conclusion there were responses to an invitation to stand for Christ.
(Lang Lang Guardian, February 10, 1915, see here) 

Maps of Yallock Creek

1874 - The Koo Wee Rup Swamp, the Yallock Creek (south edge of the Swamp) and some of the squatting runs including Yallock, Mt Ararat South, I.Y.U, Toomuc, Cardinia Creek, Balla Balla.

Detail of County of Mornington, created by F.E. Hiscocks & Co, 1874. 

See the entire map at the State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/119519

1888 -  The Koo Wee Rup Swamp, with the Yallock Creek, and also shows the Parishes of Yallock, Koo Wee Rup, Yannathan etc. 

Detail of County of Mornington, created by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey, 1888.

See the entire map at the State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/115249

1930s - The Yallock Creek and the Yallock Outfall drain.

Detail of Plan showing flood protection and drainage works for Cardinia and Kooweerup Swamp lands  also watershed areas affecting same, created by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. Date - the map be 1920s (as suggested by the SLV) but the drains overlaid in blue are later as the Yallock Outfall was a result of the Royal Commission established after the  December 1934 flood, which reported in 1937 (see here). 

See the entire map here at the State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/115251

100 years ago this week - Yallock Methodist Sunday School Picnic

100 years ago this week, on January 23 1914 the Yallock Methodist Sunday School held their picnic on the Yallock Creek. Mr Reiter provided music from his dulciphone - which I believe is a sort of gramophone and there was a freezer containing ice cream - no doubt appreciated as the heat was rather severe. 

A report of the picnic

Lang Lang Guardian January 28, 1914,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119510151

Yallock Methodist Church being moved to Koo-Wee-Rup, 1932

Image: Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

The Methodist Home Mission Station was opened in Yallock in 1907, with the hall being used for services. The Yallock Methodist Church was opened in 1909, built by Thomas Pretty. In August 1932, it was moved from Yallock to Rossiter Road, Koo Wee Rup and used by the Methodists and later the Uniting Church. In 1978 this building was moved to a camp in Grantville and a wooden church, the Narre Warren East Uniting Church, was relocated to the site, it was given a brick veneer and a new hall added and opened on February, 3 1980.