Some random population figures of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp for people and livestock

Here are some population figures for Koo Wee Rup and the Swamp. We will start with cattle and other livestock.

In November 1840, Samuel Rawson compiled an inventory of the stock on the Yallock Cattle run, which he had operated with Robert Jamieson since the previous year. The property was on the Yallock Creek, and was the first European settlement on the southern edge of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. The inventory showed that the property had 291 breeding cows, 80 heifers, 199 female calves, 86 fat bullocks, 222 steers, 112 male calves, 6 bulls, 12 working bullocks and 6 horses – 937 animals in total, valued at £7808. (1)

In 1858, when the Yallock Station was owned by William Lyall, the 3000 acres stocked 1200 cattle, 180 horses and 500 sheep. (2) In December 1862, Lyall had 990 ewes, 254 'Homebred' sheep, 148 horses and nine pigs. (3) 

The Koo Wee Rup Swamp main drainage works commenced in 1889 and the area was considered ready for settlement in 1893, thus we begin to get some population figures for people. The Ballarat Star reported that in August 1894 there were 295 families on the Swamp, with a population of 1250. (4) However, the Cranbourne & County Herald reported in September 1894 that there were 230 families and a population of 1280. (5)  Another set of figures has the 1895 population as 546 settlers of which 348 were children. (6)

In 1896 there were 1887 settlers of which 1171 were children. (7)  With that many children two new schools were built – one at Koo Wee Rup North (Five Mile) and the other at Iona, which both opened in July 1894. The Koo Wee Rup North School was 40 ft x 18 ft (13 x 6 metres) and in the 1890s had 106 pupils, which seems like a lot of children for the size of the building. (8)

Moving on to 1898, there were 1669 settlers on the Swamp of which 1068 were children. In 1901: 2192 settlers of which1360 were children; 1904: 2024 settlers with 1424 children. (9)

The earliest population figure for the town of Koo Wee Rup that I can find is from 1920 when there were 500 people; Cranbourne at the same time had a population of 250. (10)  Because Koo Wee Rup was the largest town in the Shire of Cranbourne, in 1923 there were discussions about moving the headquarters from Cranbourne to Koo Wee Rup. In support of this move Cr Edward Hill, quoted population figures from the Municipal Directory-
[in 1908] I find under the head of Cranbourne that its population was 200. Koo-wee-rup is mentioned merely - was so small that there is no population given. The 1923 edition, 15 years later, says Cranbourne population is 250, so they have increased 50 in 10 years. Koo-wee-rup's population is 500, and this is the place that they have the effrontery to tell you to your face is a decadent town, and that Cranbourne is going ahead by leaps and bounds. Remember these figures are none of mine; they are taken from the census returns, which cannot lie, or else those that made them are liars. (11)

Cr Hill continued - Now, what other advantage has Koo-wee-rup? First, it is almost the centre of the Shire. Next, the station is in the town. Not a mile away like Cranbourne. Next it is the junction of the McDonald's track and Strezlecki line. Next there are banks built there, not yet to be built, but actually built, and further in the not distant future it will be a port to supply the mammoth steamers that will as assuredly come to Westernport, as night follows day. (12)

The Shire of Cranbourne headquarters never did move to Koo Wee Rup, and nor did it ever become a port. Did Cr Hill think that the steamers would have come up the Main Drain? It seems a bit fanciful.

Around 150  Returned Soldiers were provided with farm blocks under the Soldier Settlement scheme on the Swamp after World War One.  Many of these servicemen were placed on the large estates purchased and sub-divided by the Government such as Haglethorns at Rythdale, the Caldermeade Estate and Waori Park at Monomeith.  The three parishes of Koo Wee Rup, Koo Wee Rup East and Yallock (essentially the area of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp)  had 3,385 acres made available to soldiers; the average allotment size was 54 acres. (13) One of the consequences of  this closer settlement was the increase in the number of dairy cattle in the area. It was  estimated that the parishes of Koo Wee Rup, Koo Wee Rup East and Yallock had 12,000 dairy cattle in early 1920s. (14)

Rouse family farm at Cora Lynn in 1928. 

We had some of the 12,000 dairy cows in the parishes of Koo Wee Rup, Koo Wee Rup East and Yallock. 

In 1927 there were three to four hundred Italian potato diggers on the Swamp.. In the same year Italian interests owned over 5500 acres on the Swamp. (15)

The 1930 population figures for Koo Wee Rup and Cranbourne were 500 and 300; 1940 - 650 for Koo Wee Rup and 500 for Cranbourne. It wasn’t until 1960 that the population of the two towns equalised at 800 each. (16)

In November 1884 when the Koo Wee Rup Primary School opened it had 22 students; in 1904 there were 48 pupils; 1926 - 132 students; 1929 - there were  172 students enrolled.  It currently has an enrolment of around 350. (17)    

The other primary school in Koo Wee Rup, St John the Baptist, opened in August 1936 with 67 pupils on the school register. Their two teachers were Sister Mildred and Sister Padua who travelled by car from the Iona Convent. They currently have just over 200 pupils. (18)

When Koo Wee Rup High School opened in 1957 there were 164 students enrolled, with 15 teachers and 3 support staff.  In 1967, the school enrolment was 507 and in 1977 it was 618. It now has 1100 students. (19)

The population of Koo Wee Rup today is around 4200 (20), but just image what it might have been if Cr Hill's vision of Koo Wee Rup as a port had ever come to fruition!

Footnotes
(1) Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (F.W. Cheshire, 1968) p. 27
(2) Gunson, op. cit. p. 76

(3) Gunson, op. cit., p. 78
(4) Ballarat Star, August 7, 1894, see here.
(5) Roberts, David From Swampland to Farmland: a history of the Koo Wee Rup Flood Protection District (Rural Water Commission, 1985), p. 18

(6) Roberts, op. cit, p. 22

(7) Ibid

(8) Vision and Realisation : a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. (Education Department of Victoria, 1973) v. 3.; Roberts, op. cit., p. 19.

(9) Roberts, op. cit, p. 22

(10) Gunson, op. cit., p. 272

(11) Frankston & Somerville Standard, June 27, 1923, see here.

(12) Ibid

(13) Gunson, op. cit., p. 273

(14) Gunson, op. cit., p. 195

(15) Gunson, op. cit., p. 202

(16) Gunson, op. cit., p. 272

(17) Jewell, Don Schooling on the Swamp: the Centenary History of Primary School No., 2629, Koo Wee Rup 1884-1984 ( The School, 1984, revised 2009), passim. Current enrolment from school website https://kooweerupps.vic.edu.au/

(18) Parish of St John the Baptist Catholic Church: 40 years  anniversary as a Parish 1946-1986 (St John’s Catholic Church, 1986), passim.  Current enrolment from school website  https://www.stjohnskwr.catholic.edu.au/

(19) Hooper, Fred The tale of the Blackfish: a history of the Koo Wee Rup High School 1957-1977  (Koo Wee Rup High School, 1977), p. 122. Current enrolment from school website   https://www.kwrsc.vic.edu.au/

(20) https://profile.id.com.au/cardinia/about?WebID=180 

Mount Cannibal - the origin of the name

The Pakenham Gazette of June 1, 1962 had the following article 

"Cannibal" or "Connibul" Creek

Pakenham Gazette, June 1 1962, p. 9

"Cannibal" or "Connibul" Creek
The Historical Society has been endeavouring to ascertain whence the name "Cannibal Creek" was derived. Incidentally that was the name of Garfield until about 75 years ago.

Mrs P.B. Ronald has found in "Pioneer Families of Port Phillip" by Billis and Kenyon, a possible clue.

Amongst pastoral runs in existence about 1845 were "Connibul Creek" (leased by Michael Ready and James Hook), north of Kooweerup; and "Connibul Creek No. 2 (leased by O'Connor and Hayes), north of Bunyip River.

Could "Cannibal Creek"' be a corruption of the original "Connibul Creek."

 In response to this, a letter from E.C. Henry appeared in the next issue of the Pakenham Gazette, June 8, 1962

Origin of name "Cannibal"
To the Editor
Sir, - The square-topped mountain north of Prince's Highway and due north of Garfield, from which the creek and surrounding ranges get their names is known far and wide as Mount Cannibal.
One of the many droving trips between Warragul and Pakenham with my brother, Alan, in the early part of the century, I asked how the name Cannibal originated, thinking it referred to Cannibalism amongst the black tribes which were about Gippsland in the early settlement days.
The old generations who kept the hotels where we stopped at various stages, were always willing to impart what they knew of early-day history, and I regret that I did not record some of the things we were told as they would make interesting reading to-day.
Mount Cannibal got its name from the following incident, which is said to have happened:
A timber cutter camped near Mt. Cannibal left his dog tied near his camp, with water and food (probably a carcass of a kangaroo) for a couple of days, while away getting supplies. On his return to camp he was horrified to find only the dog's head. The dog had been eaten by dingos, which were known to be in the adjoining ranges.
Dog ate dog, hence the name Cannibal.
This may be the answer to the query.

Yours, etc.
E.C. HENRY "Glen Falloch," Berwick.

Pakenham Gazette, June 8, 1962, p. 9

Note 1: Mrs P.B. Ronald -  Heather Barry Ronald (nee Lambert, 1928-2007), of Koo-man-goo-nong, Pakenham. Wife of Peter Ronald. Mrs Ronald was the author of  various books including Wool before the wind: a history of the Ronald family and the Australian Mercantile Land and Finance Company; Hounds are running; a history of the Melbourne Hunt; Wool past the winning post: a history of the Chirnside family and Farewell my heart : the life of Violet Barry Lambert O.B.E., J.P.

Note 2: E.C. Henry - Evan Clarence Henry (1887-1980). From his obituary -  Mr Evan Clarence Henry, who died in the Berwick Bush Nursing Hospital last Tuesday, aged 93 years, was indeed, a part of the history of the town. He played an important role in establishing the character of the township and during his lifetime influenced the direction taken by many of the organisations around the Berwick district.

A living memorial to Mr Henry are many of the beautiful trees lining the streets of Berwick. He, together with Dr. Percy Langmore, worked at establishing the trees over a period of fifty years.

He was a life member of the Berwick Agricultural Society, of which he was President on several occasions, a member of the Board of Management of St. Andrew's Church for over 40 years. Chairman of the Berwick Cemetery Trust for 22 years, a foundation member of the Berwick Historical Society, author of histories of the pioneers of the Pakenham and Berwick district, a Justice of the Peace since 1946 and served on the Bench for 14 years. Chairman of the Berwick branch of the Liberal Party for a number of years. President of the Men's Auxiliary of the Berwick Hospital for three years, and a foundation member of the Berwick Masonic Lodge formed in 1924. (Pakenham Gazette, January 23, 1980, republished here https://upperbeaconsfieldhistory.au/g0/p413.htm#i12383)

Naturalization Ceremony at Koo Wee Rup December 1960

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of  Wednesday,  December 14, 1960  reported on a Shire of Cranbourne Naturalization Ceremony held on December 8  at the Memorial Hall in Koo Wee Rup. 

It is of interest for a number of reasons - firstly it lists the full name and address of each person - obviously no privacy concerns in 1960; secondly it gives us an idea of the main nationalities of the local migrants - Dutch and Italian -  and lastly I love the bit about Mrs Glasscock inviting the ladies to join their local Country Women's Association branch. I am sure they would have been made welcome, but I wonder how many took up the offer. The article is transcribed, below.

Report of the Ceremony

Koo Wee Rup Sun December 14, 1960, page 2

37 naturalized at Kooweerup ceremony last Thursday
Australia's march to nationhood was speeded on its way on Thursday evening when 37 people accepted full Australian citizenship at a Naturalization ceremony at the Kooweerup Memorial Hall. Shire President, Mr Russell Smith, administered the oath before a large crowd. Present also were Shire Councillors L.J Cochrane, M.L.A; P.B Fechner; McL Greaves and H. Evans; Shire Secretary Mr Tom Grant and the Rev Father J. Opie.

Cr Smith congratulated the candidates on the wonderful steps they had taken in becoming Australian citizens and wished them every success in the land of their choice.

Mrs M. Glasscock on behalf of the Kooweerup C.W.A., presented each lady candidate with a spray of flowers and invited then to join their respective C.W.A branches.

Rev Father Opie warmly welcomed the candidates into full Australian citizenship. He said that the parents had made great sacrifices for their young families who were already full Australians in every sense of the word.

After the ceremony the people present enjoyed a supper provided by the Pre-School Association.

Those naturalized were: Mrs Elizabeth Catharina Boekel, Boundary Road, Kooweerup; Petrus Boekel, Boundary Road, Kooweerup; Vito Castello, Salmon Street, Kooweerup; Antonio de Pasquale, Station Street, Kooweerup; Alfridus Johanus Hoogenboom, Olive Road, Devon Meadows; Eugen Kohler, 79 William Street, Cranbourne; Mrs Hedwig Katharina Kohler, 79 William Street, Cranbourne; Mrs Ursula M. Meiberg, 84 Walter Street, Cranbourne; Gaetano Pepe, Station Street, Kooweerup; Mrs Marianna Pepe, Station Street, Kooweerup; Luigi Raffa, 28 Gardiner Street, Kooweerup; Adrianus van den Bogaart, McDonald Drain Road, Kooweerup; Mrs Petronella Gerarda van den Broek, 'Spring Meadows', Clyde North; Mrs Johanna van der Valk, South Gippsland Highway, Tooradin; Johannes van der Valk, South Gippsland Highway, Tooardin; Loduvicus van der Valk, South Gippsland Highway Tooardin; Catharine van der Valk, South Gippsland Highway, Tooradin, Mrs Catharina Susanna van Os, Victoria Road, Pearcdeale; Wilhelm van Os, Victoria Road, Pearcedale; Douwe Winsemius, Pakenham Road, Kooweerup; Miss Janke Winsemius, Pakenham Road, Kooweerup; Mrs Trijntje Winsemius, Pakenham Road, Kooweerup; Mrs Francisca van den Bogaart, Kooweerup.


This post, which I created, first appeared on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past 

Sand Train Derailment at Koo Wee Rup, August 1979

On Tuesday, August 28, 1979 a sand train was derailed at Koo Wee Rup - this is the report from the Cranbourne Sun, Tuesday September 4, 1979, p. 6

Train Derailed at Koo-Wee-Rup

The reason why five railway bogie wagons loaded with sand came off their tracks when being diverted from the railways main line outside the Koo-wee-rup Station last Tuesday evening is not yet known.

The derailment, which occurred at 5.45.pm on Tuesday evening, has caused considerable damage to the railways permanent way and Station Master, Mr Ray Brown, feels it will be about a week until everything is ship-shape again.

Commuters using the Yarram line were quickly transported wither by bus or taxi. Taxis were more practicable for transporting the passengers whose destination was Dandenong, as only a handful of people were involved and the Yarram line was completely operational again within one and a half hours.

The Koo-wee-rup Police assisted railways employees in diverting traffic across a temporary cross over at the east end of the railway platform, until the road was cleared. “Each bogie wagon, with its load weighed 75 tons, so the task of getting them back on the tracks was not an easy one,” said Station Master Brown. 

 An emergency derailment crew from Melbourne, assisted by two mobile cranes, finally were successful in re-positioning the wagons. An exact estimate of the damage is not yet available, but it was extensive. Members of the Railways Traffic and Ways and Works Branches are still trying to determine the cause of the derailment.

Train derailed at Koo Wee Rup

Cranbourne Sun, Tuesday September 4, 1979, p. 6

Train derailed at Koo Wee Rup - Because of the bogie wagons weight, they sank quickly into the ground when derailed and workmen had a tough job getting them back on the tracks.

Cranbourne Sun, Tuesday September 4, 1979, p. 6

Train derailed at Koo Wee Rup - Two mobile cranes assisted the emergency crew in re-positioning the bogie wagons.

Cranbourne Sun, Tuesday September 4, 1979, p. 6

What happened in Garfield in 1924

This is a look at what happened in Garfield and surrounds, 100 years ago, in 1924, as reported in the newspapers.

The first issue of The Age for the year reported on this snake bite incident -
A Dangerous Plaything. Child bitten by Snake - Edith Jackson, aged 6 years, was bitten by a snake on the calf of the leg whilst playing with other children on a farm at Iona, on Saturday. It appears that the children were amusing themselves with the reptile, when it attacked the little girls and struck her on the leg. Several young men who were playing cricket nearby applied first-aid measures, and motored the child to Bunyip for medical treatment. She is now out of danger. (The Age, January 1, 1924, see here)

In February the Garfield Railway Station burnt down -
The Garfield railway station, on the main Gippsland line was totally destroyed by a fire which broke out about two o'clock this morning. The station master, Mr Bartlett, locked up at 10.30 last night, when everything appeared to be safe, and the origin of the outbreak is a mystery. The crew of a goods train gave the alarm, but the fire had gained such a hold that nothing could be saved. (The Herald, February 21, 1924, see here)
Another report in The Argus gave us more information about the fire -
The Garfield railway station was completely destroyed by a fire which occurred about 2 o'clock on Thursday morning. The fire was first noticed by the crew of a goods train who awakened the station master. Owing to no water supply being available, the onlookers were unable to prevent the flames from spreading. A few milk cans were rescued from the goods shed. A number of parcels, including two bicycles and a perambulator, and a quantity of passengers' luggage, were destroyed, in addition to departmental records. The origin of the fire is unknown. (The Argus, February 25, 1924, see here)

Garfield Railway Station. I am not sure if this is the original station or the replacement.

Berwick Pakenham Historical Society photograph.

 
In March a robbery occurred at the Bunyip races – the Koo Wee Rup Sun reported –
Race meeting sensation. Man covered with revolver - A sensation was caused at the Bunyip races on Monday, when it became known that the ticket office had been robbed, and that one of the suspected thieves had been captured at the point of the revolver. While one race was being run, the clerk in charge of the ticket office, which is near the entrance gates, had his attention diverted by several strangers, who engaged him in conversation. A moment later he discovered that his cash, believed to amount to £116, was missing.

A young man was moving away from the office, and the clerk, producing a revolver, ordered him to halt. Immediate investigations were began by the police, and later arrests were made. Those arrested were William Barnett, 22 years; Maurice Brennan, 22 years; and Arthur Cohen, 24 years. They were charged with having stolen from the ticket office a sum supposed to total £116. An unsuccessful attempt was made to obtain bondsmen for the accused, who were locked up. The arrests were made by Plains-clothes Constable Lanigan, Constable Robinson (Bunyip), and Constable Barrett (Warragul). (Koo Wee Rup Sun, March 13, 1924, page 5).

The men faced trial at the end of April in the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court. Maurice Brennan was found not-guilty; and Arthur Cohen and William Barnett were convicted and, as they had prior convictions, they were both sentenced to 18 months in gaol.

March was a rainy month -
Bunyip - Since the rain commenced on Wednesday evening, 533 points have been registered. The water in the main drain, the outlet for the Bunyip River, through the swamp country, has risen 11 feet since Thursday night. Grave fears are entertained that the country around Cora Lynn will again be flooded. (The Age, March 29, 1924, see here) There are 100 points of rain in an inch and an inch of rain is 25mm.

In April there was a report of the goods traffic at the Garfield Railway Station -
During the last season 9000 tons of potatoes and 2000 tons of general merchandise and produce were consigned for the local station. (The Age, April 8, 1924, see here)

Also in April there was a serious fire at Iona -
A serious fire occurred at Iona on Monday morning, when the general store and drapery business of Messrs. Burton and Yates, together with the Iona bakery and the local branch of the E. S. and A. Bank, were destroyed. The total damage amounts to close on £2000, and is only partly covered by insurance. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is surmised that it started in the bakery, where the bread for Monday morning's rounds had been baked. (The Age, April 9, 1924, see here)

What could have been a very serious accident occurred in May -
Whilst driving along Vervale-road, Mr. W. Simpson, a local farmer, was thrown from his jinker. The horse bolted, but the driver retained the rein, and was dragged a considerable distance. He finally brought the animal to a standstill, but the horse backed, and the jinker wheel passed over the man's neck. Fortunately he escaped with a few abrasions and bruises. (The Age, May 2, 1924, see here)

In June, a tin mining venture was refused -
Opposition to Tin leases - Garfield - Some time ago a syndicate was formed to work tin bearing country in the ranges to the north, but on application to the Government it met with unexpected opposition from the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. This body opposed the granting of any tin-mining leases on the ground that the syndicate's operations would probably be carried on within the watersheds of the Bunyip and Tarago rivers, and cause a pollution of the waters destined to supply the Westernport naval base scheme. The applicants declare that such would not be the case, and consider that if a well capitalised company were allowed to go into the industry something might be done towards opening up a tract of country which at present is a "no man's land." (The Age, June 6, 1924. see here)

Local roads have always been an issue –
The Country Roads Board has refused to consider a proposal that it should take over the 13-Mile as a developmental road to link up the main Gippsland railway, at Garfield, with the Great Southern line, at Lang Lang, through the centre of the Kooweerup Swamp. The shire council has let a section of this road for metalling between Garfield and Iona. (The Age, July 12, 1924, see here)

A fatal accident occurred in July - 

Garfield - On Wednesday Mr. W. Bellman met with a serious accident whilst ploughing with a two-horse team on his farm, on the Modella-road. While turning one of the horses slipped and fell into a table drain, and in his efforts to extricate the animal Mr. Bellman was knocked on the forehead. He was taken to a private hospital at Bunyip, and immediately operated on. Little hope of his recovery is entertained. (The Age, July 18, 1924, see here) A later report said that Mr. William Bellman did sadly pass away a few days later. He was 64 years of age.

Garfield Weighbridge Directors – the weighbridge was erected in 1916.
Garfield Weighbridge Co. Ltd. Registered office, Garfield. Capital, £250 in £1 shares. Directors: John Wylie Wright Barker, Albert Stirling Barker, John Dowd, William Frederick Schmutter, Thomas Cole Green, John James O'Leary, and Charles Nicholas Barnes. (The Herald, August 4, 1924, see here). I presume that the two men named Barker and Thomas Green were connected to Barker, Green and Parke P/L - produce merchants.

Also in August was this report of a criminal case with a Garfield connection -
Country Visitor's Pistol. An expensive mistake - Harry Close, 23 years, laborer, who came to Melbourne last week from Garfield, Gippsland, was charged at the City Court yesterday with being in possession of an unregistered pistol, and also with carrying it without a permit. Plain-clothes Constable O'Connell gave evidence that in investigating a case of supposed larceny at Garfield, he arrested Close at 11 p.m. on Saturday on the arrival of the Gippsland train. Nothing was found to connect accused with the larceny, and he was allowed to go, and his swag was detained at Russell-street. When the latter was searched an old pattern revolver was found, which was loaded in one barrel and capped. When Close came to the police station next morning he said the pistol had been given him by a man named Miller at Garfield. He had tried to get it registered, but there were no police at Garfield. Close told the bench that the pistol was practically useless. When it was fired the barrel fell off. He regarded it as a keepsake. On the charge of having an unregistered pistol Close was fined £2. (The Age, August 5, 1924, see here)

 

Daniel Laurence McNamara (1876-1947)

State Library of Victoria Image H93.359/44

In August local man, Daniel Laurence McNamara (1876-1947), joined the Ministry in the Victorian Labour Government ; he was a Berwick Shire councillor 1901-1910, and in the Victorian Parliament from 1916 until 1947 (Source: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/daniel-mcnamara/)
General satisfaction is expressed at the inclusion of Mr. D. L. McNamara in the Labour Ministry. Mr. McNamara is practically a native of Iona, where his people still reside. He was one of the original pioneers, and when almost a boy was elected to the Berwick Shire Council, where he displayed sound progressive and democratic views. He was also Shire President. (The Advocate, August 7, 1924, see here)

The excellent state of the Garfield Recreation Reserve was reported on in August -
Some three years ago the Garfield Reserve and Racecourse was an eyesore to the district, but active trustees were elected and nearly £800 raised and spent on improvements, and today the football ground and racecourse is equal to anything in Gippsland. Seven trustees elected again during the week are Messrs. Parker, Crouch, Dowd, Gardner, Olson, Reidy and Waugh. (The Advocate, August 7, 1924, see here)

A shooting incident at Tynong in August -
Man shot instead of Bullock. George Cousins was accidentally shot in the thigh at Tynong (Gippsland) this morning. A relative of Cousins fired at a bullock, and Cousins, unaware of the preparations for killing the animal, walked in front of the rifle, as it was discharged. The injured man was taken to the Bunyip Hospital and, after having received treatment, returned to his home at Tynong. (The Herald, August 7, 1924, see here)

August was also a month of heavy rain and wide-spread flooding on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp -
Garfield - Further heavy rains have caused a flood on the swamp, in the vicinity of the main drain. On the 14 mile road, the paddocks of Messrs Filer, Golding, and Voll are under water. The water is a foot deep in Mrs. McLean's house, and Mr. J. Kavanagh's home is surrounded by water. In spite of the efforts of workers the waters crossed the road and the paddocks of Messrs. O'Leary, Leask, and B. Kavanagh are covered. Mr. O'Leary had 10 acres just planted with potatoes. At Vervale, the water rose over the banks of the main drain, and the properties of Messrs. Henwood, McGrath, and Baker are inundated. The Iona school-ground is under water. The flood swept across the farms of Messrs Lennox, Tyrell, and McManis. On the 13-mile road, the pipes were washed away from a new culvert, and the banks of the new subsidiary drain etc were carried away. In the township the shops of Messrs Khan, Hourigan, and Isherwood were flooded. The footpaths had to be cut in several places to turn the water from the road to the township flats. The drain through Mr. Jones's farm could not carry the flood, and portion of Garfield Reserve is submerged. Three inches of rain fell in 24 hours. (The Argus, August 28, 1924, see here)

Dingoes in the hills -
Garfield - Dingoes are more numerous in the hills to the north than they have been for years. Deer have multiplied in these timbered districts, which probably accounts for the presence of the dogs. (The Age, September 4, 1924, see here)

Women form an Association -
A Women's Progress Association has been formed at Garfield to assist in matters of benefit to the district. Mrs Limmer has been elected president, Mrs Martin secretary, and Mrs. Gardner treasurer. (The Argus, September 15, 1924, see here)

The on-going issue of the price paid to primary producers versus the retail price -
Dairymen in the Garfield district complain of the disparity between the price paid to them by wholesale metropolitan dairymen and the price charged the consumer. They state that while they are paid only 7½d. a gallon, the householder is charged 7d. a quart. The establishment of milk-cooling factories throughout dairying areas should revolutionise the milk supply. Longwarry Co-operative Factory proposes to pay suppliers 9d. a gallon, and, after treatment, to pass the milk on to the consumer at 1/3 a gallon. (Weekly Times, October 4, 1924, see here)

 Garfield Picture Theatre, 1932

Museums Victoria Collections https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/770388

On December 22, 1924 the Garfield Picture Theatre opened. It is still going strong and I wonder what gala centenary celebrations are planned for 2024.
The Garfield Picture Theatre was opened on Monday night. lt is one of the finest theatres outside the suburban area, and cost Mr. M. O'Donohue more than £5,000 to erect. In addition an electric-lighting plant, costing £1,000, has been installed. Mr. Meagher, of Collins street, was the architect, and the builders were Messrs. Rose and Wales, of Melbourne. The opening ceremony was performed by Councillor Dowd, and short addresses were delivered by Messrs. H. Coombs, H. Gardner, R. James, and H. Hourigan. Councillor P. Walsh occupied the chair. Mr. O'Donohue afterwards entertained about 700 guests, who enjoyed dancing and supper. The theatre will seat about 800 people. (The Argus, December 30, 1924, see here)  I have written about the Garfield Picture Theatre, here.

What happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1924

This is a look at what happened in Koo Wee Rup and surrounds, 100 years ago, in 1924, as reported in the newspapers.

Excitement at the Koo Wee Rup Railway Station!
An uncommon sight – Excitement was caused at the Kooweerup railway station on Tuesday evening on the arrival of the 6.20 Melbourne train, when a woman was found lying face downward on the floor of a second-class carriage. The attention of the stationmaster was drawn to the matter, and on inquiries being made it was found that her destination was Kooweerup. Evidently, she had been imbibing too freely, as the remains of a bottle of wine was found on the seat. Considerable difficulty was experienced in having her removed to the ladies waiting room, and later she was taken away in a motor car. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, February 28, 1924, page 3)

Mr Johnson meets with an accident - 
On Tuesday, February 12th, Mr. H.G. Johnson, of Cora Lynn, met with a painful accident. He was engaged feeding a bull, and on putting his arm through a fence to attend to the feed box the animal dashed at him and made a nasty wound in his left arm, and also considerably bruised his shoulder. Mrs. Johnson rendered first aid, after which the sufferer was brought into the Kooweerup Hospital, where an operation was performed by Dr Andrews. The patient is making a good recovery and hopes to leave the institution on Saturday next. Mr. Johnson speaks eulogistically of the medical and nursing treatment received, and says people do not fully realize what an asset the institution is to the district. It is, he says, one that should have the support of every resident. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, February 28, 1924, page 4)

The deplorable state of Manks Road
Mank's Road (?) – Whoever is responsible for the care and upkeep of Mank’s road have nothing to exult over. It is in a wretched and deplorable condition, and the authorities are deserving of the most severest censure for allowing it to drift into such a state. It is impassable, and farmers are anxious as to how they will manage during the winter months. It is heart breaking for the producer, after undergoing great expense in purchasing land, paying exorbitant rates, and putting in arduous labor, to find himself in the “slough of despond” through being unable to get his products to market. Its present condition is a disgrace, but language will be inadequate to express its position when winter comes unless something is done at once. We trust that the Tooradin representatives of the Cranbourne Shire Council will be seized with the urgency of having this road attended to at once. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 10, 1924, page 4)

In April there was a report of a case of bigamy, with a local connection -
Mrs. S. McKay of Kooweerup was charged before Mr. W. Cole, J.P., at the Lang Lang Court on Monday with alleged bigamy. She was remanded to appear at the City Court on Tuesday next. Bail was granted to the amount of £100 - self £50 and another surety of £50. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 24, 1924, page 4)

The Argus reported on the next hearing held on May 23 –
Married Four Times - Bigamy Charge Withdrawn - Elizabeth Ellen Butler, alias Forbes, alias O'Brien, was charged before the City Court yesterday with having on November 25, 1918, being married to Henry Butler, gone through the form of marriage with Edward William O'Brien, her former husband, Henry Butler, being then alive. The Bench comprised Mr. R. Knight, P.M., and Messrs T. O'Callaghan, C. R. Smithwick, and W. H. Curtis, J.P. 's. Sergeant Stephens said that at the time the accused married Butler, in August, 1908, she was a widow. The prosecution had been unable to find any person who had seen Butler since his separation from the accused, and consequently he asked that the charge be withdrawn. The police could not say whether Butler was dead or alive. The accused believed that Butler was dead when she married a man named O'Brien. When she found that Butler was not dead she left O'Brien and married again. She was now Mrs. McKay. The charge was withdrawn. (The Argus, May 21, 1924, see here)

In July, the Koo Wee Rup Sun published a follow-up report, which gave Mrs McKay's point of view –
Ambiguous – Mrs. S. McKay, of Five Mile, who was only recently acquitted on a charge of bigamy at the Melbourne court, desires to state that the report which appeared in the press was ambiguous and left an impression detrimental to herself. She states she was a widow when she married Butler, and alleges that owing to rough treatment received she had to turn him out of the home, which belonged to her. She afterward heard that Butler died in a New South Wales sanitorium. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, July 17, 1924, page 5)

  
In May, local baby Eileen May Moylan, of Bayles was selected as one of the 18 Victorian babies in the Empire Baby Quest. The Herald explained –
The first stage of the Empire Baby Quest, which "The Herald" is conducting on behalf of the British Empire Exhibition authorities, has been completed by the selection of 18 competitors from each State. The names of the Victorian 18 selected from 1372 entrants, are given below. These will be among the 108, from all over Australia, to go before the Federal judging committee, which will select 18 to represent Australia against the rest of the Empire…. [The article lists the names of the 18 children]….Professor H. J. A. Berry of Melbourne University, was chairman of the judging committee, and was assisted in the medical work of judging by three specialists. All the doctors remarked on the high physical standard of the competitors. The 20 or so in each class , who reached the final judging were classed as 100 per cent fit, and the Victorian 18 are all practically perfect and far above British or American standards. The artists on the judging committee were Mr. James MacDonald, portraitist, and Miss M. Butler George, sculptress. The woman's point of view in judging baby perfection was expressed by Sister Peck, matron in charge of the Baby Health Training centre, and Mrs. Whyte. (The Herald, May 10, 1924, see here) 

Baby Eileen Moylan, of Bayles, an entrant in the Empire Baby Quest

The Herald, April 11, 1924 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244225204

In June, the Koo Wee Rup Sun reported on the dangers of darning - 
On Thursday morning last Mrs. J. Macain, of Kooweerup, while attending to domestic duties, had the misfortune to run a darning needle into her right hand. She was conveyed to Dandenong, where under X-rays, the needle was discovered deeply imbedded in the flesh. She had to undergo an operation to have it extracted, and it is pleasing to record she is making satisfactory progress. Only the previous week Mrs. G. Follett, of Kooweerup, met with a similar accident, and had to go to Dandenong. She is also making rapid recovery. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, June 5, 1924, page 4)

The on-going saga of the Koo Wee Rup-Pakenham Road
Koo Wee Rup–Pakenham Road – A correspondent in Saturday’s “Age” directs attention to the incompleted portion of the above road. It is only a small strip of road, a few chains long, but it is almost impassable, and would only cost about £700 to finish. The action of the board in leaving the road in such a state is inconceivable, especially after spending thousands of pounds in making the thoroughfare up to this point. It is tantamount to making a strong chain with one weak link in the centre – the whole thing being thereby made useless. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, August 21, 1924, page 4)

Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Station Street, 1924 flood.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society image

 

In August there was widespread flooding in the State and Koo Wee Rup was hard hit – this is the report from the Sun News Pictorial. 
Swamped! Koo-wee-rup – Thousands Lost - Township Isolated. - Flood waters inundated Koo-wee-rup to-day, and made an unromantic Venice of the place, with rowing boats in the main street. Shops and private houses are under water, and the main street has become a swirling stream four feet deep in parts. The whole town is practically cut off from outside communication by seas of water on all sides.

Patients at the local hospital bush nursing centre were hurriedly removed when the water began to rush on the township from the upper reaches of the swamp. Settlers from outlying parts flocked into Koo-wee-rup to-day in drays containing whole families. They got cramped accommodation in the township. In many cases they were forced to leave even this refuge as the water crept ominously up over the doorways. Some of the houses were two feet under. Many of the bolder spirits made a last stand in the Royal Hotel, a two-storey brick structure, facing the railway station. But they had to beat a retreat from this fortification when the water swamped in and invaded the whole premises. All the guests spent a damp night in the upstairs rooms.

These floods have given Koo-wee-rup residents a rude shock. With the thousands of pounds spent on drainage schemes they imagined they would be better protected from the flood menace which has been looked upon as a necessary evil, ever since the first settler selected here. The present downpour showed up grievous flaws in the drainage scheme, and settlers flooded out and temporarily homeless, bitterly complain to-night that the State River and Water Supply has let them down badly.

Already settlers throughout the 80,000 acres of ordinary fertile Koo-wee-rup swamp land have lost thousands of pounds since Sunday. Many were about to plant potato crops, but will be unable to do so for weeks, and the seed will be ruined. Live stock is also in danger.

Mr. Joseph Lee, of Koo-woo-rup, whose home is on the outskirts of the township between two over-flooded drains, had to scramble on to his roof this afternoon and signal for help to rescue his stock. Willing helpers hastened out to his assistance, and tried to persuade him to leave his home. Like other settlers in a similar plight, he refused, saying he himself was in no danger, and had better stay and look after the place. Protecting banks higher up the main drain have been badly weakened by the rush of water, which in some places has completely overflowed them. Once over the embankment the water is free to overrun the low parts of the country for miles.

Midnight is expected to bring the critical hour. Then residents who have experienced past floods anticipated the water will reach its highest level. Mr. Pomp Colvin, a local resident, who in the fishing season runs yachts to Tooradin, enterprisingly brought a dinghy this afternoon into the town, and rescued many marooned families. Later in the day he was called upon to rescue his own family, as the flood water crept unswervingly on. At Dalmore the full significance of the watery waste is realised. Here miles upon miles of country are under water, and settlers’ homes rise up desolately out of the yellow sea. Water began to trickle through the back door of the Post-office to-night, and the postmistress, who had had a very busy day, was afraid that she might have to leave during night. (The Sun News Pictorial, August 28, 1924, see here). There are more accounts of this flood, here.

An unusual arrest took place in the town in November -
Alleged Bogus Clergyman. Arrested at Koo-Wee-Rup. A man who, it is alleged, had made arrangements to preach at the Methodist Church at Kooweerup yesterday, was arrested on Friday night by Senior Detective R. P. Brennan on a charge of larceny. The man, who gave his name as James Haslam, 28 years, clerk, was remanded at Lang Lang court on Saturday on a charge of having stolen a suit of clothes, valued at £11 11/, from Frank Stuart. He will appear at the City Court on Tuesday when a further remand to St. Kilda will be asked for. In his possession the police found a suit of clothes, a wristlet watch, a safety razor and complete outfit of clerical clothes, including bishop's gaiters. It is alleged by the police that the man is identical with a Rev. Donald Harvey, who boarded during last October at St. Kilda. It is also alleged that he arranged to preach at the Kooweerup Methodist Church yesterday. Six weeks ago it is stated that he preached a sermon at the Baptist Church Hawthorn. Haslam was arrested at a farm house at Catani, eight miles from Kooweerup, where he had been working. (The Age, November 24, 1924, see here)  Haslam, who had a previous conviction for larceny and false pretences was sentenced to nine months in gaol.

James Haslam, arrested at Koo Wee Rup

Public Records Office of  Victoria -  (VPRS515) - VPRS 515/P0000, 

Central Register for Male Prisoners 37230 - 37713 (1924-1925)

In December the Cardinia Hall was opened – this is an abridged version of the Koo Wee Rup Sun report 
Cardinia. Opening of Public Hall - On Wednesday evening, the 17th inst. , an event of more than passing importance took place in Cardinia. It was the official opening of the new Public Hall, which occupies a nice dry position next to the State School. The hall is a spacious building, with a side platform and ladies and gents’ dressing rooms. It was tastefully decorated, for which the ladies deserve great credit. The hall was to have been opened by the Minister of Lands (Hon. A. Downward) and the Government Whip (Mr. Groves), but owing to the political situation they were unable to be present. .. The President of the Cranbourne Shire (Cr. Croskell), who had previously been asked to take the chair for the occasion, had been further asked if he would officially open their Public Hall, and he kindly consented to do so.

Cr. Croskell stated that he was very pleased to be there that night, which was an auspicious occasion for the district. It must be very gratifying to the committee to have such a fine gathering present, and he hoped on every future occasion the gatherings would be as large.... He would like to congratulate the people of Cardinia upon the success which had attended their efforts to obtain a Public Hall for Cardinia. He also congratulated them on their foresight in having their public buildings so close together, as in many townships one public building is placed on one corner and another about a mile away. With the public buildings close together it was much easier to get facilities, such as footpaths and drainage. He also congratulated the various committee and especially the chairman (Mr. M. Conroy) and the secretary (Mr. George Beazley), upon the success which had attended their efforts. The hall is a long felt necessity, and the residents must be gratified upon the consummation of their hopes, and he hoped they would all be long spared to enjoy the social intercourse which would be possible through having such a fine building in which to meet, and it gave him much pleasure in declaring the hall open.

Mr. Conroy, in moving a vote of thanks to Cr. Croskell, stated that the hall had cost over £600 and over half had been already met. A first-class programme was given by Dandenong, Melbourne and local district artists… After the conclusion of the concert the hall was cleared and a large programme of dances was gone through. The dancing was in charge of Mr. T. Richards, who rendered his well-known efficient service as M.C. (Koo Wee Rup Sun, December 24, 1924 page 4) You can read the full report, here.

Western Port - a short history of early European activity

This is a short account of the early European activity in Western Port.

Western Port Bay was 'discovered' by George Bass  (1) on January 5, 1798. Bass had left Sydney (Port Jackson) on December 3, 1897 with the purpose of discovering whether a strait existed between Tasmania (Van Diemen's land) and the mainland. As we know the Strait did exist and it was named after him. Bass named Western Port thusly as it was the most westerly port that was known at the time - as he wrote in his journal - 
I have named the place, from its relative situation to every other known harbour on the coast, Western Port. It is a large sheet of water branching our into two arms which end in wide flats of several miles in extent, and it was not until we had been here some days that we found it to be formed by an island and to have two outlets to the sea - an eastern and western passage. (2)  The Island he mentioned was Phillip Island, named for Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor, who had arrived with the First Fleet in January 1788. (3)

Bass navigated around what was to be called Phillip Island, but did not realise that the land mass that became known as French Island (4), was indeed, also an island. They were also unaware of Port Phillip Bay - I wonder what Western Port would have been called if they were. The journey was a remarkable feat of navigation and enterprise, the party was away for eleven weeks, had eked out the original six weeks of supplies they took with them, they sailed 600 miles of uncharted coast line all in an open boat that was only 28 feet, 7 inches (8.7 metres) long. (5) 

Western Port on the south coast of New South Wales from Mr. Bass' eye sketch, 1798.

National Library of Australia MAP G8991.S12 1798 https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2619130509/view 

After Bass, the next official European activity was carried out in the Lady Nelson, under Lieutenant James Grant (6)  - they arrived at Western Port on March 21, 1801. The crew charted the Bay and planted a garden on Churchill Island, the first garden planted in what was to become the state of Victoria. Grant notes in his journal - 
I sowed in it wheat, seeds of different sorts, planted onions and potatoes, with cucumber, pumpkin, and mellon seeds; also threw in several sorts of  apple seeds, and some stones of  plumbs and peaches, together with a few grains of rice and coffee. (7)

The cairn on Churchill Island commemorating Grant's planting of wheat in 1801, erected by the Victorian Farmer's Union in 1968.(8)

Photographer: John T. Collins, taken November 11, 1984. 

State Library of Victoria image H98.250/1690

The Lady Nelson returned in December 1801 under First Lieutenant John Murray (9) and harvested the wheat crop planted by Grant the year before, and on January 5,  1802 they 'discovered' Port Phillip Bay, however did not enter the Bay, instead sailing to King Island. They returned to Western Port a few weeks later and on February 14, became the first European crewed ship to enter Port Philip Bay. (10) 

In April 1802, the French Captain Hamelin in the Naturaliste reached Western Port and circumnavigated  and mapped French Island. Hamelin was part of a French expedition, under the command of Nicolas Thomas Baudin (11),  of the Geographe,  whose mission was to map the Australian coast and undertake scientific studies. (12)

The French interest in this region prompted the British Government to establish, in 1803, a settlement in Port Phillip Bay, at what is now Sorrento, under Lieutenant Governor David Collins (13). In Western Port, enterprising sealers had moved in - seals were hunted for their skins and their oil. Sealers also abducted Aboriginal women, to act a sex slaves and to exploit their hunting knowledge. (14).  

In 1826,  the British sent the Dragon, under the command of Captain Samuel Wright; and the Fly, under the command of Captain F. Wetherall to Western Port, they landed at what is now Rhyll and claimed formal possession on December 3, 1826 and on December 12 they claimed formal possession of a site near Corinella. (15)

Captain Wetherall's 1826 map of Western Port

Image: Western Port Chronology 1798-1839: Exploration to Settlement by Valda Cole 

At Corinella, a settlement was soon established - gardens, roads, wells, buildings including Government House, military barracks, storehouse, hospital, blacksmiths, stables etc - most of the labour was supplied by the 21 convicts. This was a short lived settlement and was abandoned in January 1828. (16)

Monument to the early settlement at Corinella (17) It was unveiled in 1972 on behalf of the South Eastern Historical Association and incorporates some of the original convict bricks. 

Photographer: John T. Collins, taken February 19, 1985 

State Library of Victoria image H94.200/1183

Later on pastoral settlements took place - in 1835 Samuel Anderson and Robert Massie (18) settled on the Bass River.  Moving  around to the Bay,  in 1839 Robert Jamieson and Samuel Rawson settled at the Yallock Station, on the Yallock Creek. Frederick and Charles Manton took up Manton's Old Station in 1840; the Balla Balla run was taken up by Robert Innes Allen in 1839; Thomas Rutherford took up the station (Bourbinandera) based around what was to be known as Rutherford Inlet in 1842; the Lang Waring run was taken up in 1843 by William Willoby. (19)  Later on, from around the 1850s,  all these  large runs were broken up and sold and other European settlers arrived, but that's another story.

French Island an Quail Island are other islands in Western Port and I have written about French Island here and Quail island  here.

Acknowledgement: This post is based on the research of Valda Cole and Keith Bowden, the authors of the following two books -

• Western Port Chronology 1798-1839: exploration to settlement by Valda Cole (Shire of Hastings Historical Society, 1984). The book looks at the European activity at Western Port prior to the establishment of Melbourne. Mrs Cole, O.A.M., is also the author of Western Port: Pioneers and Preachers (Hawthorn Press, 1975), the story of the Anglican Church at Western Port.
• The Western Port Settlement and it leading personalities by Keith Bowden (South Eastern Historical Association, 1970). The book looks at the Western Port settlement at Corinella in 1826. It includes a full list of the 21 prisoners with personal details and has information about many of the military personnel.

Footnotes

(1) George Bass (1771-1803), Australian Dictionary of Biography entry   https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bass-george-1748

(2) Cole, Valda Western Port Chronology 1798-1839: Exploration to Settlement (Shire of Hastings Historical Society, 1984), p. 3.

(3) Arthur Phillip (1738 - 1814),  Australian Dictionary of Biography entry    https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/phillip-arthur-2549

(4) I have written about the European history of French Island here   https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2020/01/french-island-short-history.html 

(5) Cole, op. cit., chapter 1.

(6) James Grant (1772-1833), Australian Dictionary of Biography entry  https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/grant-james-2117

(7) Cole, op. cit., p. 11.

(8) Inscription - This cairn was erected by the Victorian Farmer`s Union to commemorate the first cultivation of wheat in Victoria by Mr. James Grant in 1801 on this land known as Churchill Island.

The Minister of Agriculture the Hon. G. L. Chandler C.M.G., M.L.C. unveiled this cairn on the 4th day of Nov. 1968

(9) John Murray (1775-1807), Australian Dictionary of Biography entry   https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/murray-john-2496

(10) Cole, op. cit., chapter 4.

(11) Nicolas Thomas Baudin (1754-1803), Australian Dictionary of Biography entry 

 https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/baudin-nicolas-thomas-1753

(12) Cole, op. cit., chapter 5.

(13) David Collins (1756-1810), Australian Dictionary of Biography entry   https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/collins-david-1912

(14) Bowden, Keith The Western Port Settlement and it leading personalities (South Eastern Historical Association, 1970), p. 3.

(15) Bowden, op. cit., chapter 1.

(16) Bowden, op. cit., passim.

(17) The plaque on the cairn. Inscription - This cairn which incorporates original convict made bricks, commemorates the settlement established near here from December 12th 1826 to February 19th 1828 by a party of soldiers and convicts commanded by Captain Samuel Wright. Unveiled on December 10th 1972 by Dr. K. Bowden on behalf of the South Eastern Historical Association and the Shire of Bass.

Photographer: John T. Collins, taken February 19, 1985 

State Library of Victoria image H94.200/1184

(18) Samuel Anderson (1803-1863) and Robert Massie (1809-1890). Read Anderson's obituary in The Argus of August 10, 1863, here.  Read Massie's obituary in the Riverine Grazier of September 30, 1890, see here. The Andersons of Western Port by Thomas Horton and Kenneth Morris (Bass Valley Historical Society, 1983) looks at the life of Samuel Anderson and his brothers Hugh and Thomas.

(19) Settlement dates are from  Pastoral Pioneers of Port Phillip by R.V. Billis and A.S. Kenyon (Stockland Press, 1974). Also The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson (Shire of Cranbourne, 1968) has information on these early settlers.

This is a version of a post, which I wrote and researched, which appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past.