Koo Wee Rup Potato Festival 1987

Here are some photos from the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society collection of the 1987 Koo Wee Rup Potato Festival. I have written a history of the Potato Festival, which operated from 1973 - 2000, here.

 

 A professional photo, probably the Cranbourne Sun photographer. 1987 Koo Wee Rup Potato Festival - Annette Turner, Fassifern Festival Queen, 1987 Queen - Lynette Schroeder and 1986 Queen Michelle Hansen.

An engaging, but slightly out of focus photo of the Festival Princesses.

1987 Koo Wee Rup Potato Festival - Bag picking champions with A.P.D Sponsor, David Roberts. The winner is listed as Neville Marson, anyone know who the others are? They are with Queen, Lynette Schroeder and Fassifern Queen - Annette Turner

Koo-Wee-Rup Potato Festival

The first Koo-Wee-Rup Potato Festival took place on February 17, 1973. Over 4,000 people attended the event. It started with a Grand Parade of thirty floats from business and community groups. The floats assembled in the Railway yards, took in Station Street, Rossiter Road and other streets and then ended up in Cochrane Park. The official opening then took place at 11.45am by Sir Gilbert Chandler, the Minister for Agriculture. After that the spectators could choose from a wide range of activities including dancing exhibitions, decorated bikes, a gem display, a pet parade, vegetable competition and a cooking contest with prizes for the best sponge, fruit loaf, scones and lamingtons.

However, the highlights of this Festival and the many that followed were the Australian Potato Picking Championship, the Potato Loading competition and the Potato Carrying competition. The potato picking competition required the entrants to pick two bags of potatoes - each the standard size of 150lb (about 68 kg). The inaugural winner of this competition was Frank Spano. The potato loading competition required two men to load a 150lb bag as high as they could onto a load of pallets, the height of which was raised after each round. Winners would lift up to eight feet or about 2.4 meters. Barry and John Hester were the first winners of this event. The potato carrying competition required the men to carry the bag of potatoes over 40 yards (about 36 metres) and Norm Bethune was the first winner of this event. It all sounds like a bit of a health and safety nightmare, but men were obviously tough in those days.

 
The first festival also introduced the Festival Queen. The first Queen was crowned at a ball held on Friday, February 9 at the St Georges Hall (Wattle Theatre). The ball was organised by the W.H.Y.L.O.S. (or the Westernport Hospital Young Ladies Organisation, a fund raising group for young women to supplement the efforts of the Hospital Ladies Auxiliary). The inaugural Queen was Jenny Burton. Jenny received a sash and a transistor radio. Subsequent entries into the Queen competition, the Princesses, had to be sponsored and raise (in 1974) at least $50.00. The entrants were also judged on appearance and dress, the ability to speak in public, general knowledge of the potato industry and a willingness to represent the Koo-Wee-Rup Festival at the Fassifern Potato Festival in Queensland. The Queen was always crowned at the Festival Ball.

The Festival was promoted in the media and attracted some high profile visitors – it was opened by the Premier of Victoria, Sir Rupert Hamer, in 1979; the next year by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Winneke and in 1981 by media personality, Sir Eric Pearce. From 1975, the Festival had a float in the Moomba Parade, where the Festival Queen rode on the ‘King Spud’ float. In 1977, a new ‘King Spud’ was made as a potato costume and worn to publicise the Festival. We have this costume at the Historical Society. As the Festival grew other events were added, for instance in 1974 the Australian Potato Peeling competition was introduced (the inaugural winner was Mrs Joyce Mills); in 1977, the heaviest potato; in 1978, junior bagging and carrying competitions and in 1981 the Ladies potato bagging.

The 1979 Potato Festival Promotion in Bourke Street, Melbourne

Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society photo

The whole idea of the Potato Festival was to raise money for the Westernport Memorial Hospital and the first Festival raised over $2,000. The concept of a Festival was discussed in 1972 and in the October of that year the Chamber of Commerce Sub-committee for the Koo-Wee-Rup Potato Festival met for the first time. Those present were Keith Ridgway, Ken Huxtable, Ron Townley, C.Fisher, J. Acciarito, Keith Doherty and Harry Graham. Harry Graham was elected Chairman and the planning and organisation undertaken by this group resulted in the first successful Festival. Around September 1973, the Koo-Wee-Rup Potato Festival Committee was formed, with Harry Burton as inaugural President, and the members of this Committee continued to manage successful Festivals with great support from local business and community groups.

The last Festival was held on March 25, 2000. From reports that we have at the Historical Society it appears that in the previous years support in some quarters was dwindling, plus there was some uncertainty over the future of the Hospital, which was renamed Koo-Wee-Rup Regional Health Services in February 1997. On Friday, February 16 2001 the former Potato Festival Committee members met to ‘farewell a community institution’ as the Pakenham Gazette reported. The Committee had an opportunity to reflect on the success of past Festivals which raised large amounts of money to support the local Hospital and put Koo-Wee-Rup and its potato festival on the map.

There are photos of the 1987 Festival, here. 
 

The late Fred Hooper, Head Master at Koo-Wee-Rup High School for close to twenty years from 1963, has written a book on the history of the Potato Festival, At King Spuds Court: the story of the Koo-Wee-Rup Potato Festival’s first ten years (1972-1982). It is available from the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society for the very modest price of $5.00.

Inaugural meeting of the Koo-Wee-Rup branch of the Country Women’s Association in 1944

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of November 9, 1944 reported on the inaugural meeting of the Koo Wee Rup branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA). I have transcribed the article and researched and added some biographical information on everyone mentioned in the article. [Update September 2023 -  I have since discovered that there was an earlier CWA in Koo Wee Rup, established in March 1929, with Mrs Margaret Kerr-Paterson as the President. I have written about this here.]

On Wednesday afternoon, 25th ult. [October 25 1944] a most important and pleasing event took place in the Kooweerup Memorial Hall, viz the inaugural meeting of the local branch of the Country Women’s Association. Mesdames Nicholson, Keighery, Mortimer, Riggall and Harder transformed the hall into a delightful meeting place. The stage end was banked with shrubs and flowers and the eastern end was set with tables to hold a delicious afternoon tea provided by Mrs H. Bourke and Mrs C. Einsiedel. 

Cr Cochrane, as deputy for the Shire President, in a few well chosen words assured the convenors of the personal interest of the councillors in the formation of a local branch and welcomed and introduced the official party. Mrs Sewell, M.A., representing headquarters, was the speaker for the afternoon and seldom have the ladies of Kooweerup listened to a more able speaker who clearly and concisely and interestingly covered the whole of the functions and aims of the association. As a result 30 members were later enrolled. Miss Kent, [West Gippsland] Group President and Mrs Ellwood, Secretary installed the following office bearers. President , Mrs E. Glasscock; vice presidents Mesdames H. Bourke and Nicholson; secretary, Mrs A Mortimer; treasurer, Mrs R. Levey; committee Mesdames C. Einsedel, C. Keighery, A. Hewitt, E. Holley, W. Levey and W. Henry. 

On taking the chair Mrs Glasscock assured those present that she fully realized the importance of the office she had been elected to. After hearing Mrs Sewell’s account of the activities a branch can undertake she also realized the great importance a branch is to a district. She congratulated Mrs Nicholson and Mrs Bourke for the way they had organised the meeting. Afternoon tea was then partaken of and the function closed with the President passing a vote of thanks to the visiting ladies for their attendance, also the local ladies who had supported the effort. 

As is usual in newspaper reports of this time first names are rarely used, you only get the first initial of the person and in the case of women, they don’t even get the initial of their own first name, it is the initial of their husband’s first name. I have done some research in the Electoral rolls, old newspapers and indexes to marriages to give these women a name (and I believe the names are all correct) so, below, is an alphabetical list of all the people mentioned in the article. 

Bourke, Aileen (nee Donoghue). Wife of Hugh Bourke, grazier, of Monomeith.

Cochrane, Leslie James. Cr Cochrane was a Shire of Cranbourne Councillor from 1930 to 1964 and Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1950 to 1970. Cochrane Park is named after him.

Einsiedel, Agnes Constance (nee Grant). Wife of Percival Gustav Claude Einsiedel, grazier, of Monomeith.

Ellwood, Margaret Jean (nee Mason). Secretary of the West Gippsland Group and a member of the Harkaway Branch. This is Margaret Ellwood, wife of Allan, who was the Manager of the Boys Home (Melrose Training Farm for Boys) at Harkaway.

Glasscock, Phyllis (nee Witty). Wife of Eric Gordon Glasscock, grazier, of Monomeith.

Harder, Alma Evelyn (nee Sevior). Wife of Dudley Grenfell Harder, Bank official, of Sybella Avenue.

Henry, Alma Constance (nee Sturley). Wife of William Henry, Bank Manager E. S. & A. Bank at Koo-Wee-Rup.

Hewitt, Vera Wakefield (nee Mann) Wife of Dr Alan Hewitt of Rossiter Road.

Holley, Constance Mary (nee Feild). Wife Edward John Holley, Theatre Manager, of Koo-Wee-Rup.

Keighery, Eva Emily Adeline (nee Misson). Wife of Christopher Keighery, saddler, of Rossiter Road.

Kent, Kathleen Valetta. This is Kathleen Kent of Wilson Street, Berwick. She was elected as President of the West Gippsland Group on March 16, 1944 at the half yearly group conference held at Dandenong, attended by nearly 100 delegates, according to the report in the Dandenong Journal. Kathleen belonged to the Berwick branch, she was the granddaughter of William Wilson, who established the Berwick quarry in 1859 (now Wilson Botanic Park)

Levey, Marie Alice (nee Jackson). Wife of Wilfred Levey, farmer, of Manks Road.

Levey, Mollie Enid (nee Humphries). Wife of Raymond Wallace Levey, farmer, of Manks Road.

Mortimer, Adele (nee Lamb). Wife of Afton Lindsay James Mortimer, hairdresser, of Rossiter Road.

Nicholson, Jane Stewart (nee McDougall). Wife of Norman Nicholson, farmer, of Bayles.

Riggall, Edna Muriel (nee Flack). Wife of Horton Riggall, surveyor, of Gardner Street, later lived in Charles Street. They were married in 1932 and the wedding was reported in Table Talk  June 23, 1932, a newspaper that reported on popular culture - theatre, movies, sport and the activities of the ‘social set’. Mrs Riggall is pictured, left.

Sewell, Alice Maud (nee Cunning). Wife of Sir Sidney Sewell, a Melbourne surgeon noted for his research into tuberculosis. The Sewells lived at 'Roads End', Berwick. Lady Sewell went to Melbourne University where she obtained  a Master of Arts in 1906. She founded the Lyceum Club in 1912 with Ethel Osborne, a club for women who had graduated from University or had achievements in their own right.

Lady Sewell is pictured above with the Duchess of Gloucester and Mrs McDonald.

The Argus December 13, 1945 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12158410

Back-to Bayles, February 25, 1967

The Koo Wee Rup Sun of March 1, 1967 had a full report on the ‘Back-to’ Bayles held 50 years ago. It is transcribed below.

Caption from top photograph: Violet Kimber, travelled all the way from Mildura for the "Back-to Bayles. She is seen with her daughter, Mrs. Dulcie Jukes of Fawkner Caption from second photo: Back to Bayles after 40

years are Mr. and Mrs. F. Secomb of Dandenong (right) with their son Fred of Heathmont and

daughter. Freda (Mrs. Bissett) of Benalla.

Many Re-unions at Bayles ‘Back-to’ Celebrations

Last Saturday, February 25th was a memorable day in the history of Bayles when the first ever ‘Back-to’ was held, with hundreds of people present during the whole of the day. An estimated one thousand people were catered for over the day, which commenced with a roll call at the school and climaxed with a barbecue and dance at night. President of the ‘Back-to’ committee, Ray Fechner, said the day had been a fantastic success. He paid tribute to the hard working committee, headed by secretary, Vic Walker, for their great work in preparing for the day.

ROLL CALL

At 10.30 a.m., the proceedings were opened by Mr. L. J. Cochrane, M.L.A. who welcomed all the visitors, and his wish of ‘get around and meet your old friends’ was hardly necessary, as on all sides were happy greetings and re-unions. Ray Fechner started off calling the roll, which included many well known district names. A former teacher at the school, Alan Cairns of Loch continued, assisted by the present teacher, Gary Robbins, with 370 names being read out on the roll. Dressed for the part in true school-boy style was a former pupil, Keith Ridgway of Kooweerup, complete with cap, short pants and school bag. Morning tea was served at the school before visitors moved over to the hall, the focal point for the day's events.

  

ATTRACTIONS FOR YOUNG AND OLD

Bayles took on a really festive air for the celebrations with coloured bunting erected in the Main Street. Picnic tables and seats were set out in the park, pony, donkey and camel rides proved very popular with the youngsters. Hilarious entertainment was provided with the ‘catch a greasy pig’ contest and pillow fights on a slippery pole. A demonstration by the Bayles Fire Brigade with teams taking part in target practice brought its share of excitement.

  

DOG COMPETITION

A highlight of the day was a dog competition organised by well known dog fanciers, Mr. and Mrs. K. A. Boxshall of Bayles. Sections for pedigree dogs as well as novelty events for the best dustbin fossicker, best ball chaser etc. proved most entertaining and a real delight to the children. Mrs. Boxshall judged the pedigree events and Mr. R. Toogood assisted her with judging the novelty sections. Trophies were awarded to the winners.

WELCOME TO VISITORS

During the afternoon, Mr. Ray Fechner extended a welcome to all and called on a former resident, Cr. P. B. Fechner, who said what a pleasure it was to attend such a wonderful day. He congratulated the ‘Back-to’ committee for their splendid job - an all in effort, calling for the co-operation of each one. He said that he was pleased to see so many elderly people present, including some of the earlier settlers.

MEMORIAL PLAQUE PRESENTED

The Shire President, Cr W. Thwaites, joined in welcoming the visitors, but his special duty was in presenting the Bayles Hall Committee, with a memorial plaque, in memory of the late Daly Ridgway recently deceased, who had been secretary of the hall committee for a period of 34 years. He called for a minutes silence for the late Mr Ridgway who had been Bayles’ main citizen.

PRESENTATION TO FIRE BRIGADE CAPTAIN

As a token of appreciation for his twenty two years service to the Bayles Fire Brigade, as Captain, Sam McKay was presented with a silver tray and set of crystal glasses. Cr Thwaites made mention of the fact that the first Captain of the Brigade, Gordon Potter was present. He was the Captain for one year, and ever since then Sam McKay has held the position. Mr. McKay expressed his appreciation for the gesture.

OLD RESIDENTS PRESENT

The ‘Back-to’ committee felt especially pleased and honoured to welcome some of the districts oldest residents. These included, 95-year-old, George Murdoch of Carnegie, who was the oldest visitor present; an early Yallock settler, Mr. H. J. Boxshall; 90-year-old Harvey Games of Lang Lang; Jim Ridgway of Lang Lang; Fred Secomb of Dandenong; Albert Kuhnell of Ivanhoe and Bumpa Gee of Kooweerup were amongst the older people who joined in the days celebration and had a wealth of stories to tell of the early days at Bayles.

RETURNED AFTER 40 YEARS

Mr and Mrs Fred Secomb of Dandenong who were present with their son, Fred, of Heathmont and daughter Freda (Mrs K. Bissett of Benalla), left Bayles forty years ago in August 1927. Their children attended the Five Mile School, which has since been closed down. Mr Secomb, Snr said he saw the Bayles railway line go through.

FIRST BAKERS SHOP

One of the happiest reunions took place between Albert Kuhnell of Ivanhoe and Bumpa Gee. Mr Kuhnell who left Bayles 42 years ago in 1925 built the first bakers shop in Bayles in 1919, when George Murdoch, ran the local store. Business was brisk in those days as the rail line went through the town to Catani. Bumpa Gee brought the bread across from Garfield before Mr Kuhnell commenced baking, and then worked with him for a short time. Mr Kuhnell sold out to Mrs Owens. His two sons Robert (Rosanna) and William (Heidelberg West) accompanied Mr Kuhnell ‘Back to Bayles’.

TRAVELLED THE LONGEST DISTANCE

Visitor all the way from Mildura, Mrs Harry Harker (nee Violet Kimber) travelled the longest distance to the re-union. Old-timers recalled her husband, the late Harry Harker, a former League footballer with Melbourne and renowned for his stab kicking. He also played in local teams including Nar Nar Goon and Garfield.

  

BARBECUE AND DANCE

Hundreds stayed on for the monster barbecue at which 250 lbs of chops and sausages were consumed, the barbecues were setup outside the hall. An estimated 600-700 people attended the gala dance held in the hall to climax the day's activities with Ray Fechner as the M.C. The dance band included well known locals Bumpa Gee and Bill Huntingford.

  

MISS BAYLES

During the evening, a panel of three judges, Mesdames M. Thwaites, K. Burton and E. McKenzie, selected Miss Bayles from the very large crowd of dancers. The choice was Miss Joy Gibbons, with other finalists being Val Ridgway, Norma Tierney and Lynette Barker.

At the 'Back to Bayles' held February 25, 1967.

Photo: Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society

Space does not permit the publication of all who attended but some of the visitors who returned are mentioned below. Mrs I. Smethurst, Frankston; Alma Feild, Dandenong; Mrs Jean Footit, William Footit, Dandenong; Ray Maddock, Dandenong; Mrs M. B. O'Connell, Dandenong; Mrs J. M. Watson, Huntingdale; Mrs S. Rouse, Mt. Waverley; Mrs J. Kitchin, Burwood; N. A. Bethune, Mrs Bethune, Altona; Bob Jarred, Olive Jarred, Paynesville; C. Flewin, Moorabbin; Alan Cairns and family, Loch; S. Flewin, Moorabbin; G. McKay, Yallourn; Lyn Barker, Moe; D. Maunder, Dandenong; Ron Finck, Bentleigh; F. Stronach; Bob Wheatley, Tooradin; E. Kuhnell, West Heidelberg; G. L. Williams, Mitcham; J. J. Williams, Mitcham; N. V. Smythe, W. Smythe, Balwyn; D. Davies, N. Davies, Fairfield; E. Hickmott, Berwick; W. G. and Mrs Black, Korumburra; F. N. Secomb, Heathmont; Mrs K. Bissett (nee Freda Secomb), Benalla; Mr and Mrs Fred Secomb, Dandenong; G. V. Carroll, East St Kilda; L. Armstrong, Stanhope; Mrs E. Evans, Stanhope; Mrs N. Goldsworthy (nee Quigley) Yallourn; J. Rees (Quigley), Kerang; W. McCallum (nee Wilma Harker); F. M. Harker, Casterton; B. Quigley, Morwell; Mary Sanders, (Murdoch) Coburg; Arthur Murdoch, Ormond; A. Richardson, Lang Lang, (Scanlon's Drain, 1916); V. Knight, Dandenong, L. Knight; K. Quigley, Pakenham South; Bob Hampton, Zeta Hampton, Dandenong; L. M. Clapperton; Mrs E. Jenkins, (Eva Bethune), Maribyrnong; Harry Taylor, Mrs H. Taylor, Upwey; Mr and Mrs G. Barnes; G. Potter; H. Flewin; C. Flewin, Dandenong North; Moya Cameron, E. Keilor; A. Kuhnell, Ivanhoe; R. Kuhnell, M. Kuhnell, Rosanna; S. Gill; D. Louder, Morwell; Hughie Murdoch, Narre Warren; R. Cutler, Fred Cutler, Eagle Point; H. Gudgin, Nar Nar Goon; Stephens family, Laverton, Braybrook; Alison Nicholson, Hawthorn; MoIIie Pouris, Pascoe Vale; L. J. and Mrs Allen, Melbourne; Mrs A. Casey, Drouin West; W. Garnham, E. Bentleigh. Dulcie Jukes, nee Harker, Fawkner; Arthur Jukes, Fawkner; L. H. Finck, Girgarre; M. McGhee; D. J. McGhee, Oakleigh; R. W. Maisey and daughter Val Rodgers of Bunyip; N. Williams, Oakleigh; T. McClure, Bunyip; S. Collyer, Isabelle Collyer (nee Games); L. Robbins (nee Dalrymple) Kyabram; R. J. Norman, M. Norman, Forest Hill; L. Colliver, Tynong; Dave Harker, Warragul; S. V. Colliver; E. Geddes, Forest Hill; Bill and Mary Marshall, Dandenong; Jean Mitchell (Murdoch); Lily Bertram (Murdoch), Lilydale; E. Wildes, Oakleigh; Ron Hayward, Noble Park; Joan Hughes (Hansom), Elsternwick; B. Cox, Highett; E. B. Henry, Mountain View; A. Wildes, Oakleigh; J. G. Roden, Fawkner; T. Boyle of Toorak; Adele Turner; R. B. Birrell, E. Malvern; F. Saunders, Coburg; Goonan family, Seaford; Gloria Kane, Newborough East; K. Garnar, Dandenong; S. Mitchell, Glenhuntley; Tony Pellissier, Snr; Les Huntingford, Thornbury; R. E. Peck, Frankston; A. Feild, Carrum Downs; L. Huntingford, Thornbury; Jack Gray, Bub Gray (Feild) Modella; Vin and Mary Doherty, Thorpdale; E. J. Cox, Dandenong; C. Weaver, Tecoma; H. vandersloot, Pakenham; J. Coleman, Heathmont; Nellie Rowley, Spotswood, Arch Murdoch, Hughesdale; Tom O'Brien, Glenrowan; Rene Games, Highett; Bill and Joyce Archdall, Springvale; J. and L. Schramm, Tatura; J. J. O'Neill, Dandenong; Vin Cartwright, Thornbury; Bill Woodman, Korumburra; J. McKenzie, Moe; Mr and Mrs Bill Gray, Dandenong; Gallasch family; Cliff Cartwright; Kevin and Valmai Morton, (Sommers), Glen Iris; Peter Johnson, Yanakie; V. Cochrane, Wal Cochrane; Mrs Mills (Sylvia Henwood), Mt Waverley.

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

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68646497

Letters to Aunt Connie of the Weekly Times: Koo Wee Rup, Lang Lang and Five Mile

The Weekly Times used to have a ‘Young Folks’ page, edited by ‘Aunt Connie’ and 'Uncle Ben' and children would write letters to them and have them published in the paper. The letters are quite descriptive and the children would write about their gardens, the town they lived in, their farms, school life etc. In this post we look at how the children described Koo Wee Rup Lang Lang and Five Mile. In another post we look at what they wrote about Garfield, Bunyip, Tynong and Cora Lynn. I have researched some biographical information about the writers.

Letters from Linda Ellis of Koo Wee Rup

Linda wrote about grasshoppers in 1902 -

The grass is very poor about here, and the grasshoppers are numerous. They eat all the grass up. They ate the leaves off our turnips, and now they have started on the fruit trees. A couple of weeks ago the crows started on the grasshoppers, and they are having such feeds. It is amusing to watch them fight to get the most grasshoppers. There is a lot of work going on here at present, as all the drains are being enlarged. It will be a good thing when they are done, as it will keep the people from being flooded. We are only milking four cows at present; they do not give much milk. [Weekly Times, February 15, 1902, see here]

In September 1903 Linda wrote again, this time a much more poignant letter-

The crops around here are looking splendid. We have a nice lot of cabbages in, but just as soon as they begin to look nice and green the hares come and eat them off. My father is away from home just now, working, and we do miss him so much. Since I last wrote to you we have lost a little sister, and just six weeks before she died one of my aunties died in New South Wales. Mother took my little sister to the Children's Hospital, but the doctors could do nothing for her, and about three months afterwards she died. My father's mother died, too, so you see we had a very bad misfortune last year. Our flower garden looks very nice this year; especially the violets.....Some of my cousins are saying what they would like to do when they grow up. I think I would like to always stay at home. I do not like going from home. [Weekly Times, September 19, 1903, see here]

Linda was the daughter of Henry Ernest and Jemina (nee Milroy) Ellis; she was the eldest of ten children, born in 1890. They are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Koo Wee Rup in 1903 and 1906; by 1909 the family had moved to Abbotsford. Linda married Richard Semmens in 1911 and she died in 1966. 

In May 1902, Priscilla Rundle wrote about Koo Wee Rup 

Our township consists of two general stores, a blacksmith’s shop, a draper’s shop, a bakery and also a butcher’s shop.  We have a nice Presbyterian Church and a Sunday school combined. The Roman Catholics have recently called for tenders for the erection of a chapel. A few months back some of the leading spirits of our town called a meeting, in view of building a public hall. It has been decided to do so, so we now have the prospect of another building in our small township. The local agent for the Massey-Harris machinery has arranged with my father to hold a field trial of their farm implements in one of our paddocks on Tuesday, the 20^th. Everybody seems to think that it will be a fair trial, as everything looks very favourable so far. As we live about four miles from the township, we do not see much life, so we expect to have a pleasant day the day of the trial. [Weekly Times, May 31, 1902, see here]

Priscilla Rundle, was born in 1888 to James Charles and Jessie (nee Campbell) Rundle, so she was 14 when she wrote this letter ; her parents had a farm at Koo Wee Rup. Priscilla is listed in the 1909 Electoral Rolls as a school teacher, and her address was also Koo Wee Rup. She married William Freeman in 1913 and they farmed around Traralgon. She died in 1965.

Eight year old, Dorothy Gray wrote about  her life  in Koo Wee Rup, in 1904

I am eight years old, and in the third class. I have one little sister, her name is Vera Muriel. She is two years old. I am learning to ride. We have a large orchard. Kooweerup is a small place. It is very wet in winter. There is a township and in it there is one butcher, one baker two grocers, one saddler, one blacksmith one bootmaker and a draper's shop. The people get their living by sowing oats and maize mostly, and dairying. There are three orchards altogether. My father has been taking "The Weekly Times" for a great number of years. My favourite hymns are "Holy, Holy, Holy" and "Jesus Loves Me."

My father planted 600 fruit trees. I like going to school, I wish there were six school days a week. We are milking six cows, and we also have a separator. We send the cream away once a week now. We used to send it twice a week in the summer time. My little sister is such a chatterbox. My pets are a cat, parrot, calf, and a pup. Please Aunt Connie, would you mind sending a name for him. My favorite flowers are Cape Forget-me-not, sweet pea, carnation, dahlia, and chrysanthemum. [Weekly Times, July 2, 1904, see here]

Dorothy was the daughter of Richard and Margaret Mary (nee Browne) Gray. As Dorothy wrote, they had a farm at Koo Wee Rup.  Dorothy was married in 1916 to Albert Jack. A report in the paper said that she had been in charge of Christies Post Office, Wonyip for the past three years and the couple would be making their home at Daylesford. [Toora & Welshpool Ensign, August 4, 1916, see here]  Dorothy died in 1985.

Ethel Glover of Caldermeade wrote about family life and  Lang Lang in 1904 

 It has been a cold, wet day to-day, but Nellie and I went to school. Bertha has a bad cold, and she has been home from school all the week. My sister gives her lessons at home. We have skipping at school to keep us warm these cold days. I passed in everything except mental arithmetic at our last examination. I am in the higher sixth, and Nellie is in the fourth class. We go to Lang Lang State School. I will tell you a little about Lang Lang. It is becoming quite a flourishing little centre. There are four grocers' shops, two blacksmiths', two drapers', a chemist's, a green grocer's, a saddler's, barber's, baker's, and two dressmakers'; a butcher's, a printing office and butter factory, besides many private residences. So you will see it has made great headway since the railway has been constructed. When my father came to Gippsland first, 15 years ago, Drouin was the nearest railway station, and he says the roads were in a fearful state then. We have got good roads at Caldermeade. It will soon be twelve months since we came here to live. My little sister Alice is sixteen months old now, and she does torment us sometimes, when we are doing our lessons. She likes to get hold of a pen and if we don't watch her she will make a dive at the ink bottle. She races about all day like a little rabbit, and she can say a few words. We have a nice little pony to ride now. I am very fond of riding, and so are my sisters. When we lived in Lang Lang East we sometimes rode to school over the hills and small creeks, "gullies," we call them. One evening, when crossing the last gully, our pony stumbled, and tipped us over her head, splashing into the water. We were not long in scrambling up the bank, dripping wet, and the pony was quietly waiting for us. It was good of her not to clear off home and leave us. [Weekly Times, July 23, 1904, see here]

Samuel and Johanna (nee Bindt) Glover had six children - Gertrude (born 1887), Edwin (1890, died aged 7 months), Ethel (1891), Nellie (1894), Bertha (1897) and Alice (1903).  Glover. Ethel married David Scott Donaldson in 1917, they lived in Lang Lang and she died in 1971.

In 1908, 12 year old Hazel Charman of Koo Wee Rup wrote

One of my sisters and both of my brothers are away from home. One brother is driving bulls through Queensland up to the Gulf, and the other brother is with my sister in New South Wales. The cows are not milking well now. We are milking 23 cows, and we feed them with ensilage. We are making a flower garden, find we have many nice flowers. We also have an orchard, and we sell the fruit sometimes. I am 12 years old, and I am in the fifth class at the Yallock school. [Weekly Times, September 19, 1908, see here]

Hazel was the daughter of Stephen and Mary (nee Ward) Charman, who had a farm at Koo Wee Rup. She was the second youngest of their eleven children.  Hazel married William Robert Hopkins in 1920, and she died in Queensland in 1970. 

Letters from Catherine 'Kate' Garbellini of Five Mile (Koo Wee Rup North) 

In 1916, when she was 13 years old, Kate wrote -

I will take for my subject a flood that we have just had. It began to rise one Saturday afternoon and we were not able to get out until the following Friday. There were two little boys drowned, one having been swept off his feet from the flow of the water. We had to paddle out in the water to milk our cows, while my brothers had to take the horses away. I have one brother at the front. He has been in the trenches for about six months, but has not been wounded yet. He left home on May 4, 1915, to sail to Egypt. I have five sisters and seven brothers. Four of us go to school, which is about a quarter of a mile away. There are 49 children attending our school. I am 13 years and eight months old, and in the seventh grade at school. [Weekly Times, November 4, 1916, see here]

In March 1917, Catherine, as she called herself,  wrote again -

I will take for my subject ‘Our Farm’ There are 110 acres in our farm, of which 65 acres are under potatoes. The potatoes are looking well after this rain. We had about 40 acres sown down with oats and barley, but it is now cut and stacked, and the rest of the land we have sown down with grass for the horses and cows. We have six horses and a little foal, besides seven cows. We separate our milk, and send our cream to the factory, where it is made into butter. My brother at the front has been in hospital for about two months. My age is 14. [Weekly Times, March 17, 1917, see here]

Katie, as she now called herself, wrote in July 1918, this time about Koo Wee Rup -  

Koo-Wee- Rup is a large, one sided township. It consists of a large hotel, a coffee palace, a school, a baker’s shop, two butcher’s shops, three churches, four general stores, a lollie shop and a blacksmith’s shop. Large quantities of oats, barley and potatoes are grown, but some of the farmers are talking of growing flax. I have left school and am helping at home. I wish this War was over. I have had one brother killed. Many of the boys from here have gone and some of them have returned. [Weekly Times, July 6 1918, see here]

Katie was the eighth child of Pietro (Peter) and Jane (nee Crombie) Garbellini. She married David Blackwood from Pakenham South in 1923 and they had four children and lived in the Pakenham area. She died in 1983. Her brother, George, enlisted in February 1915 at the age of 23 and was Killed in Action in France in May 1917.

Letter from Airlie Ragg, eleven years old, of Lightwood Park Yannathan, 1919

I will take for my subject, the district where I live. There is no township at Yannathan. Our nearest town is Lang Lang, eight miles away. There are a school, hall, church, and butter factory here, but they are all situated in different parts of the district. The chief thing that is done here is dairying. Some of the farmers send their milk to Melbourne. others send their cream to the factory. The country all around here is very flat, and is often flooded in the winter. The Lang Lang River flows through Yannathan. Most of the farmers around bore for water, and have windmills to pump the water for the cattle. It is good grass country, mostly rye grass and clover. There is no railway here at present. Our nearest station. Caldermeade, is eight miles from here. There is a branch railway line being made from Koo-Wee-Rup to a place called McDonald's Track, and the Yannathan station is going to be on the farm where I live. My brother and I go to the Heath Hill school, which is nearer for us than the Yannathan school. I have a little sister, her name is Nancy. She is just four years old, and is going to school next year. My father has been taking the "Weekly Times" for a long while and I always enjoy reading the Young Folks' page. I am eleven years and three months old, and in the seventh grade at school. [Weekly Times, May 31 1919, see here]

Airlie was the daughter of Thomas and Rose Amelia (nee Newbound) Ragg. She married Thomas John Collins in 1937 and they lived (according to the Electoral Rolls) in Flowerdale and they had five children.

In this post we looked at how the children described Koo Wee Rup Lang Lang and Five Mile. In another post we look at what they wrote about Garfield, Bunyip, Tynong and Cora Lynn.

Letters to Aunt Connie of the Weekly Times: Cora Lynn, Garfield, Tynong and Bunyip

The Weekly Times used to have a ‘Young Folks’ page, edited by ‘Aunt Connie’ and 'Uncle Ben' and children would write letters to them and have them published in the paper. In  this post we will find out how they described Garfield, Bunyip, Tynong and Cora Lynn. In another post we looked at what the children wrote about Koo Wee Rup, Lang Lang and Five Mile. I have researched some biographical information about the writers. 

Twelve year old Alice Greenham from Bunyip, wrote in October 1900  - 

I have a little duck of my own. I saved it from dying the other day. Mother is in town at present, with one of my sisters. I am 12 years old, and in the sixth standard. I received my certificate two years ago. My brother Bertie is a terrible boy for reading. Whenever he has a chance he gets a book and reads it through. It is a very bad winter this year, too wet. Bunyip is rather a small township. There are two hotels, one grocer, one baker, one butcher, one blacksmith, and a few other houses. Most of the people live at the Koo-wee-rup Swamp. We have to walk about four miles to school, but the creeks are up now, and we cannot cross. I have two sisters and one brother. My sister in town has two little girls,  May and Elsie. [Weekly Times, October 20, 1900, see here]

Alice was born in 1888 to Edward Langdon and Annie Maria (nee Baum) Greenham. They are listed in the Shire of Berwick Rate books for the year 1900/1901, rated for 458 acres and by 1903 they are in East Malvern. Alice married Otto Pump in 1909 and she died in 1961.

Ten year old Eva Siedeberg wrote to Aunt Connie in September 1903 -

My sister, and I both go to school at Garfield. Our head teacher is Mr Daly, and Miss Skinner is our sewing mistress. They are both very nice. I am in the fourth class, and Madoline, my sister, is in the fifth. Nearly all of the children have a garden each, and the big boys have a garden between them; they grow vegetables. We have a garden in the shape of Australia, and for the towns are cactus, and for the ranges are violets; the edge of it is made of bark. Mr Daly and the boys have planted a lot of pines and blue-gums, and other sorts of trees. We also have a library in our school, and there are many nice books in it. We live about three miles from Garfield, and about four from Bunyip. I have a nice little kitten, and it jumps if you put your hand out. My brothers have two dogs; they often go out hunting with them. The bigger dog's name is Captain, and Baden is the smaller. .. We had an arbor day at our school not long ago, and each child planted a pine. [Weekly Times, September 26, 1903, see here]

I don’t know much about Eva, apart from the fact that she was the daughter of Hugo and Mary Ann (nee Edge) Siedeberg and by 1909 they are listed in the Electoral Rolls at Prahran, so weren’t in Garfield that long. The only other thing I know was that, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, she applied for a divorce from her husband, Austin Corcoran, on the grounds of desertion in October 1927. They had been married at Winton in Queensland in 1916.

In 1906, 14-year-old Inez Coombs wrote from Tynong - 

Christmas Day was hot, so stayed at home. On Boxing Day we went to the Nar-Nar-Goon sports, where I enjoyed myself. I went in a race but did not win. All the rest of the week I did not go anywhere very particular. On New Year's Day we had our school picnic. It was a lovely day. We got there early and had a few games; then we had dinner. After the races were run, I won two races and came second in two. After tea we had our photos taken. Then we went home and milked the cows and separated the milk. When we were done we got ready and went back to the hall, where we had a dance. We all enjoyed ourselves very much. There were crowds at the picnic, and nearly all stayed for the dance. Tynong is getting quite a nice little township. There is a store, school, and a good many houses. Most of the people have orchards and some have farms. We have a farm and an orchard, too. My father is making our farm very nice. He has a lot of stumps grubbed out and he has a lot of ground ploughed. We have a lot of potatoes, peas, pumpkins, melons, sunflowers, carrots and turnips in this year. [Weekly Times, February 3,  1906, see here]

Inez born January 1892 in Queensland, was the daughter of  Harry and Inez (nee Frost) Coombs. She married Arthur Weatherhead in 1915 and the couple lived in North Tynong. Inez died in 1952, predeceased by her husband Arthur, who died in 1945. 

Ethel Brent, 13 years 10 months wrote in October 1907 -

I live in Tynong which is situated 43 miles from Melbourne, on the main Gippsland line. I am going to tell you a little about this district, and also an account of a ramble in the bush. Tynong is a small township, consisting of two stores, a railway station, post office, hall, and a bank. The school is held at present in the hall, but a new school, which is being moved from Cardinia Creek, will be ready for occupation at the end of October. The town itself is on a flat, but hills rise towards the north. A vast swamp occupies the southern portion. To the east of Tynong is Garfield, and to the west Nar-Nar-Goon. The chief occupation of the residents is farming and dairying. The cream is sent to Melbourne to the butter factories to be made into butter. By the station is a sawmill, to which wood is sent to be cut into blocks. On 13th September our teacher took us for a ramble in the bush. We went up the Quarry Hill, which lies north of the school. The children collected nature study specimens and brought them to the teacher, who had a box to put them in. Several kinds of mosses were gathered, also a variety of orchids. We then journeyed on till we came to some large rocks, which are on the northern slope of the hill. The teacher sat on one large rock, and the children gathered around her to hear some of the letters of the Young Folks' Page read. We then visited an old quarry, which had been made some years ago. From here we saw Western Port in the distance. We then travelled on making observations as we went, till we reached the school, from which the children dispersed to their various homes. I am 13 years of age, and am in the upper sixth class at school. The school was opened two years ago last May. There are 32 children's names on the roll, and the average for last week was 27. We are going to have a concert to celebrate the opening of the new school.   [Weekly Times, October 26, 1907, see here]

Ethel was the daughter of Felix and Emma (nee Larcombe) Brent - Felix was a farmer.  Ethel married Geoff Bryant in 1921 and she died at the age of 44 in February 1938.

In November 1907,  Arthur Murdoch, aged 10 years 3 months, wrote from Cora Lynn - 

I go to school every day, and I am in the second class. I have two miles to walk to school. We have a football at school, and we have great fun with it. My father is getting a new store built in Cora Lynn. It will only be about two chains from the school. We are having lovely weather here now. The grass is looking beautiful in the paddocks. My sister has a little pet lamb. There are a good many hares about here. My father shot one yesterday. There are a great many snakes here this season. I killed a small one last week.   [Weekly Times, November 16, 1907, see here]

Arthur was the son of George and Emma Rose (nee Parker) Murdoch who owned the Cora Lynn store from 1907 to 1922. Arthur (Service Number 2636) served in the First World War; he enlisted at the age of 19 in October 1917. His name is on the Cora Lynn War Memorial and he died in 1984.

In June 1911, Selyna Ida Juers, aged 10 years, 11 months wrote - 

Garfield is a small town. It consists of three stores, one hotel, two blacksmith's shops, one post-office, one butcher's shop, a hall, a State school, a bank, and a lot of private houses. The farmers around here are growing potatoes, onions, and fruit. We are having very wet weather this year. I go to school. I am in the second class at school. I have one sister and two brothers. My sister and one brother go to school. [Weekly Times, June 3, 1911, see here]

Selyna was the daughter of Herman and Elizabeth (nee Starrick) Juers of Garfield. She married Alfred Bull in 1920 and died in 1990 aged 89. 

Dorothe Nelson, 14 years old, from Bunyip, wrote in October 1915 - 

Bunyip is a very small but picturesque township. It is situated on a hill overlooking an extensive and promising plain. Bunyip has a background of a small forest of eucalyptus (generally called gum-trees), which extends back about 20 miles. The population of Bunyip is nearly 500. It is increasing every month, as many people are buying and settling on the swamp, because the land is very fertile owing to a river, known as the Bunyip River, flowing through it down to Westernport. Potato crops are just showing above the earth now, and the orchards are a mass of pink and white blossom. Of course, crops and orchards are not grown and kept in the township, but on the plain which Bunyip overlooks. [Weekly Times, October 30, 1915, see here]

Dorothe (sometimes listed as Dorothy) was the daughter of Albert Horatio and Ada (nee Pendleton) Nelson. Albert was a farmer, and by 1916, according to the Electoral Roll they had moved to Croydon. Dorothy married Charles Hancy in 1925 and she died in 1984.

In November 1915, 14 year old Eva Weatherhead, of Tynong, wrote to Aunt Connie -   

Tynong is a small country township situated on the main Gippsland line. In it are two stores, a boarding-house, post office, station, school and some very nice private residences. We live over five miles from Tynong. There are some pretty fern gullies. They are made beautiful by different sorts of ferns and shrubs, with creepers climbing everywhere. Some of the ferns grow to a great height—30 feet and 35 feet. A very good view can be obtained from the mountains, and on clear days one can easily see the sea. Tynong is on the edge of Kooweerup Swamp. The people around here make a living by farming, dairying, and fruit growing principally. There are many wild flowers out now. Some are very pretty. Kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits, foxes, wild dogs, and wombats frequent the bush. We have a pony which I ride and drive. I have two soldier brothers. One is at Seymour and the other at the front. I have three cousins at the front. One was killed, and another wounded. [Weekly Times, November 6, 1915, see here]

Eva was the daughter of Horatio and Eleanor (nee Hunt) Weatherhead and married Joe Rouse in 1922 and they lived at Cora Lynn. She’s my grandma and died in 1982.

Marion McDonald, 11 years 11 months, wrote to Aunt Connie in April 1924 about Cora Lynn -

I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters, one sister is staying in Queensland with my auntie and uncle, so she is a long way away, isn't she? We live on a farm of 80 acres three miles from the township of Cora Lynn. There is a State school, 2 shops, a bank, a hall and a cheese factory in the township of Cora Lynn. We go to church in the hall, and we also go to the Cora Lynn school. [Weekly Times, April 12, 1924, see here]

Marion was the daughter of John James and Marion Leslie (nee Wilson) McDonald. He was a carpenter and coincidently built my grandparents house - Joe and Eva Rouse, see above - when they married in 1922. Marion married William Rodber in 1935 and she died in Queensland in 2009.

In January 1925, 12 year old Jean Chilcott wrote to Aunt Connie with this description of Tynong - 

Tynong is 42 miles from Melbourne. Tynong is a very small township. There are two grocers, two butchers, two fruit shops, two blacksmiths, one draper, and one dressmaker's shop, and also one post-office. The school is about a quarter of a mile from the township. Our teacher is Mr Giles. There are about 50 children going to Tvnong school. Our school is called the State School. The number is 2854. We are about three-quarters of a mile from the station.  [Weekly Times, January 31, 1925, see here]

Jean was the daughter of William Henry and Gertrude (nee Cubit) Chillcott.  William was a farmer. By 1928 William and Gertrude are in Tasmania, according to the Electoral Rolls. Jean married Reg Diprose of Yolla, in Tasmania, in 1939 and she died in 1954, aged 42.

In  this post looks at how children described Garfield, Bunyip, Tynong and Cora Lynn in their letters to Aunt Connie. In another post we looked at what the children wrote about Koo Wee Rup, Lang Lang and Five Mile.