Koo Wee Rup Swamp History

Monday, May 2, 2022

Mechanics' Institute - Soldiers' Memorial Hall - Nar Nar Goon

The Nar Nar Goon Mechanics' Institute was officially opened on September 17, 1886. The building was located in Racecourse Road, just to the west of the current Post Office. The South Bourke & Mornington Journal reported on the opening.

NAR NAR GOON MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.
The opening of the above hall took place on Friday evening, 17th inst., by a concert and ball. The hall was festooned with flags and the walls decorated with mountain and coral ferns, intermixed with wild heath, while two mountain ferns stood on each side of the stage. Practically speaking the building presented on Aden like appearance. The Hon. Dr. Dobson, M.L.C,, presided, and in his address said it gave him great pleasure in being able to come before the people of Nar-Nar-Goon, it being portion of his constituency, and he was very pleased to see such a noble edifice raised by the people of the district. The concert, which was a well-arranged one, in which Mr H. Allnut and the Misses Brooks took part, was then proceeded with, and passed off very satisfactorily. At the conclusion the hall was put in order for dancing, which was kept up till a late hour, Mr. McRae acting as M.C.--Mr. McKay gave great satisfaction in conducting the concert. The entertainment as a whole was quite a success, and passed off pleasantly (1).

Advertisement for the opening of the Nar Nar Goon Mechanics' Institute.

From the Dandenong Advertiser, reproduced in Richard Myers' Berwick Mechanic Institute and Free library (2).

In the nineteenth century the term ‘mechanic’ meant artisan or working man. The Mechanics’ Institute movement began in 1800 when Dr George Birkbeck of the Andersonian Institute in Scotland gave a series of lectures to local mechanics. The lectures were free and popular. They led to the formation of the Edinburgh School of Arts (1821) and the London Mechanics’ Institute (1823). The movement spread quickly throughout the British Empire. The first Victorian Mechanics’ Institute was the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institute established in 1839 and renamed The Melbourne Athenaeum in 1873, which continues to operate in its original building on Collins Street. Over a thousand were built in Victoria and over 550 remain today (3). The buildings were essentially a public hall with usually a Library

An early photograph of the Nar Nar Goon Mechanics' Institute

Image courtesy of Jean Chatfield from the booklet produced for the opening of the

Nar Nar Goon Community Centre in March 1980.

In the early days it appears that Mechanics' Institutes had to send in a return to the Government and these returns were published in the annual Statistical Register for the Colony of Victoria compiled from official records in the office of the Government Statist. Nar Nar Goon appears in the 1887, 1889, 1890, 1892 and 1893 editions of the Statistical Registers. The 1887 issue tells us that the building cost £350 to erect and of which £109 came from the Government and £100 from other sources, £209 in total, which meant that £141 pounds was still owing. They had a collection of 200 books and in the first year 700 visits. In 1890 the book stock was listed at 130 and there had been 200 visits. In 1893 the opening hours had declined from daily to 'when books are required'. The book stock had further declined to only 130 volumes and there were only 50 visits (4).

The book In the Wake of the Pack Tracks (5) notes that in 1885 a group of residents formed a trusteeship, borrowed money, and built the front portion of the hall. Because of the land boom collapse and bank failures of the early 1890's Michael O'Brien had to pay off the debt, and the hall became his property. He used it to store grain and chaff which had to be stacked aside when the hall was needed for functions and religious services (6).

In the time that Michael O'Brien owned the building it was called interchangeably the Mechanics' Institute, Mechanics' Hall, the Public Hall and O'Brien's Hall (7) and it was made available for the usual activities held in halls, such as voting in elections and for public meetings. In 1902, for instance, meetings were held throughout the State on the question of parliamentary reform including one at Nar Nar Goon held on April 5 - it was reported on in The Argus (8)

Meeting held at the Nar Nar Goon Mechanics' Institute

The Argus April 9, 1902 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9635213

Dances and concerts were held there, especially during the First World War to raise funds for patriotic causes and in 1914 it was reported that A syndicate has been formed at Narnargoon, and during the winter months skating will be indulged in at the Public Hall. A start will be made next Saturday night, April 4th. The price of admission is 6d, skates 6d, and floorage 6d. extra. Mr. F. N. Chatfield is the manager (9). This was roller skating, a popular past-time in those days.

Roller skating at the Nar Nar Goon

Bunyip Free Press April 2, 1914 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129628603

Who was the generous Michael O'Brien who owned the Hall? (10)

He was the son of Daniel and Brigid (nee Walsh) O’Brien who built the Limerick Arms Hotel on the corner of Wilson Road and the Gippsland Road (now called the Princes Highway) at Nar Nar Goon in the 1860s. Daniel, Brigid and their one year old daughter, Ellen, had arrived in Melbourne in September 1841 on the ship, the Forth. Also on the same ship were the Dore family - John (c. 1808 - 1895) his wife Betty (nee Elizabeth O'Connor, c. 1808 - 1876) and their children Edward, Thomas, Patrick and Ellen, six more children were born in Victoria. In 1844, John Dore and Michael Hennessey took up the Mount Ararat Run at Nar Nar Goon of 1,900 acres. The partnership existed until 1855. Michael Hennessey then moved to Dandenong and built the Bridge Hotel and later took over the Eumemmerring Hotel. In the 1860s, John Dore purchased the 640 acre Mt Ararat pre-emptive right. He later purchased another 387 acres and his son Thomas 300 acres so they held a total of 1,300 acres. The property was later bisected by the railway line when it was built in 1877.

Back to the O'Briens - Daniel was a builder and the plan was to work in Victoria for four years save enough money and then return home, as it was they never did return to Ireland. The family first went to Waurn Ponds near Geelong where Daniel worked as a builder. They then decided to buy some land - Waurn Ponds being too dry looking they decided to buy in Gippsland and brought a farm called The Swamp at Mt Ararat or Nar Nar Goon. They were perhaps influenced in this decision by the Dores.

The O'Brien's had more eight children in Victoria - Michael James born 1843 at Saltwater; Patrick Francis 1845, Jeremiah Gerald 1846, Johanna Mary 1848, Catherine, 1853 - these four were born when they were at Nar Nar Goon. Bidelia Amelia 1853, Mary Ann 1856 and Daniel 1859 were born in North Melbourne.

Because the children needed an education the O'Briens moved back to town and built a house in North Melbourne so the children could go to school. Daniel was again working as a builder but his business partner stole the proceeds of the business and this forced the family to move back to Nar Nar Goon where they opened the Limerick Arms. This was a success as the Gippsland Road went as far as Sale and there was lots of traffic; it was also a Cobb and Co Coach stop. The hotel also had a reputation for being spotlessly clean and offering good meals. Every six months a Priest would visit, and conduct a mass and also baptise any babies that needed that sacrament. The services were either held at the Limerick Arms or the Dore's House.

The Limerick Arms Hotel, operated by Michael O'Brien's parents.

Image from Solid Bluestone Foundations by Kathleen Fitzpatrick (Penguin 1986)

A succession of tutors were employed by the O'Briens until they settled on Daniel Ahern. The O'Briens and the Dores also built a school on Mt Ararat Creek for their own children and the the neighbouring children and Daniel Ahern was the teacher. Mr Ahern later taught at Eumemmerring State School, later called Hallam State School from 1870 to 1890. Daniel was the father of James Joseph Ahern, Shire of Berwick Secretary from 1906 until 1948. Daniel died in 1886 at the age of 82 and Brigid in 1888 at the age of 77. The Limerick Arms was delicensed in 1908 and the building has been demolished.

Michael, the second child and eldest son of Daniel and Brigid, married Johanna Mulcahy in 1883, the same year he opened the Nar Nar Goon Hotel. He also built the first general store in the town, next to his Hotel. This was the Michael O'Brien who paid out the mortgage on the Hall and still allowed it to be used for public functions. Michael and Johanna had four children - Katherine Mary (1885-1942); Eileen (1887 - 1892); Julia Mary (1889 - 1943), married Keith Joseph Cahir in 1924) and Daniel Francis (1891-1947). Michael O'Brien died on November 6, 1915 at the age of 74, his wife Johanna, having died on March 4, 1914 (11). You can read his informative obituary in the Dandenong Advertiser, here. His obituary said that he was a strenuous worker and had amassed considerable wealth. A sale of his estate was held on October 31, 1918 and as you can see from the advertisement below, he had extensive land holdings including Hotel, the Hall, the Store, the Blacksmiths, the Post Office, the cattle yards, the racecourse and other farm land.

Sale of Michael O'Brien's Estate

Pakenham Gazette October 25 1918 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/92154783

The Shire of Berwick Rate books note that the Hall and the Store were purchased at this sale by John Spencer and his business partner, Ernest Oram, who already operated the Store. In 1920 (12) the Hall was re-purchased by the Community and renovated and it became the Nar Nar Goon Soldiers' Memorial Hall. It was opened on April 22, 1921 and the Honor Board was unveiled at the same function.

The Pakenham Gazette of April 29 1921 had an extensive report on this event, which is transcribed in its entirety here -

Nar Nar Goon Memorial Hall - Opening ceremony

Friday last was a red letter day in the history of Nar Nar Goon, the occasion being the opening of the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall and the unveiling of an Honor Board.

The young men of the district were quick to respond to the call of duty during the war period 51 enlisted and 11 paid the supreme sacrifice – and it was only fitting that the people of the district should show their appreciation of the gallant services rendered by the lads on their behalf and on behalf of the Empire as a whole.

During the past five years the residents have marked their appreciation in various ways – by farewells to the men who enlisted, by joyous welcomes to those who returned after taking part in the battle for freedom and liberty, by Red Cross efforts, and by assistance to the hospitals and rest homes that have been established to help those men who were disabled in the fight. Generous support has been given by the residents of the district to every effort put forward, and there has always been a band of energetic workers ready to help forward every movement initiated.

The war being over the question of establishing a suitable memorial in honor of the soldiers was discussed, and it was eventually decided to purchased the public hall and renovate it. This had been done and Nar Nar Goon has a hall that any district might justly feel proud of. It is attractive and well appointed, and on Friday the Australian flag was flying from its flagstaff.

As anticipated, the opening ceremony attracted a large attendance and great interest was taken in the proceedings.

Brigadier-General Grimwade wrote stating that he was sorry that he unable to be present, owing to a prior engagement. He wished the residents of the district every success. Mr W.F. Startup, J.P., president of the league, occupied the chair. The school children marched into the hall to the strains of “Men of Harlech” and proceedings were then opened with the singing of the National Anthem.

The chairman said that it was with a feeling of relief to the committee that the time had arrived for the opening of the hall. The hall was finished in February, and ready for the opening ceremony, but the delay had been caused in connection with the Honor Board, which had just come to hand. He said the movement to assist the solders was started about three years ago, toward the close of 1917. A league was then formed in Nar Nar Goon to arrange for farewelling and welcoming soldiers and to assist in settling returned soldiers in the district. In 1918 a public meeting decided to hand this work over to what was known as the Nar Nar Goon Soldiers’ League, which was comprised of private citizens who undertook to help the soldiers. Later on it was recognised that this name gave a wrong impression, as it was not a soldiers’ league and it was then decided to adopt the present name Nar Nar Goon Soldiers’ Memorial League.

When the question of erecting a soldiers’ memorial was first discussed there was a difference of opinion as to the form it should take. About this time the hall became available, and it was decided to buy it, renovate it and make it worthy of the soldiers’ cause. It had been purchased and renovated and was now an ornament to the town. It could be used by the soldiers and their dependents and also by members of the general public, and the committee believed that all will agree that it was a fitting memorial for the soldiers and one that would compare favourably with memorials erected in other parts of the State.

As regards the financial position, he pointed out that before the hall was purchased an allotment of land adjoining was presented to the committee by Miss and Mr O’Brien, as a site for a memorial, and when it was agreed to buy the hall they generously allowed their gift to stand. The hall and half an acre of land had cost £200, and the total outlay for purchase and renovation was approximately about £640. Against that sum about £380 had been raised, leaving an overdraft of about £200. The property was not mortgaged, the amount of the overdraft being guaranteed by 15 or 16 residents. Of the sum raised £112 had been received in donations. A number of persons in the district had not given a donation because they had not been asked. To these he wished to say that either he or their energetic secretary– Mr J.R. Spencer – would be pleased to receive donations toward this fund.

Mr Frank Groves, M.L.A., said it gave him great pleasure to be present at the opening of their memorial hall. They recognised by the remarks of the chairman that the committee had done large amount of work and had done it well. It was their duty to stand by the committee, as the movement could not be made a success without the co-operation of the whole of the people. All had received a great advantage by the work done by the soldiers. All had benefitted by their glorious achievements, and it was their bounden duty to help. The soldiers had laid the foundation stone of new nation for us but this could only be built up while the Union Jack was flying over it. Those who thought otherwise were living in a fool’s paradise. It was necessary that we should be a united nation and any undermining influence must be stamped out. He appealed to the people to give the committee every assistance.

The Hon. A.E. Chandler, M.L.C., said the committee had fixed on an appropriate time for the opening of their hall as the people were about to commemorate some of the bravest deeds in British history, when some of our boys scaled the cliffs at Gallipoli. By that act we had lost many of Australia’s best, and it fell to our duty to see that those they left behind were properly cared for. Many overlooked the fact that provision had been made by the Federal government for the education of the children of soldiers who had fallen. It was up to the people to see that these children got what they were entitled to. The Australians had proved themselves soldiers and men and had conquered where others had failed. The speaker then went on to refer to the need for more population in Australia, and also the need for spending more money in reproductive works.

Cr Chas. Pearson congratulated the people of Nar Nar Goon on having such a fine hall. He did not know whether they had a library, but if not he advised them to get one as quickly as possible. A library was a great boon in any town, both to young and old. All agreed that the soldiers had done their work nobly, and we were under a debt of gratitude to them, as well as to the sailors, the nurses and the great army of workers who had take their part in the great war.

The chairman then called on Lieut. Mays to perform the ceremony of unveiling the Honor Board.

Lieutenant Mays said this duty was one that most soldiers liked to shirk, if possible. It was a sad duty but it had to be performed. On the Honor were the names of 51 gallant boys who had left Nar Nar Goon, and of these 11 had failed to return. They were all fine fellows, and the people were proud to know and live with them, and if needs be to die with them. They had died for the liberty and Christianity of the British Empire. 60,000 of Australia’s noble dead had given their lives in Egypt, Mesopotamia or France, and there were memorials all over the country to perpetuate their memory and brave deeds.

On the 25^th of April, 1915 – a Sunday morning – the cliffs of Gallipoli were scaled, and not all who went out returned. He extended his deepest sympathy and the sympathy of the people to the relatives of the fallen – the men who gave of their best – their all. The people of Nar Nar Goon desired to keep their memory green, and that was why the hall had been bought, renovated and handed over by patriotic citizens. The soldiers at Gallipoli had shown the true fighting spirit and were never down-hearted. They fought shoulder to shoulder for the British Empire. There was no sectarianism and there were no political parties; and this was at it should be in Australia. They fought for the great cause of freedom. When the Union Jack falls, said the speaker, it will be an end to all the great ideals of the Commonwealth. Referring to the Honor Board, he said memorial halls and tablets will decay, the written history of the war may be destroyed, but the memory of the deeds of our soldiers will live forever.

As the Honor Board was unveiled the audience stood for a minute in silence, with bowed heads. The names on the Board are as follows: -

THOSE WHO RETURNED

Alto, A. (M.M.) / Blackwell, G.D. / Blackwell, R. B. / Cahir, K.J. /Chatfield, F.N. / Castle, W. / Carter, G. / Drummond, W.N. / Edwards, E.S. / Ferguson, A. / Gaskett, A. / Gaskett, W. / Huby, C. / Holcombe, A.J. / Jones, A.A.C. / Kidd, J. / Liston, C. / Lia, M. (M.M.) / Ledger, J. / Moore, W.F. / Madden, F (M.M.) / Matthews, G. / Mortimer, T.E.G. / McCarthy, D. / O’Brien, J.J. / O’Brien, D.F. / Olsen, R.H. / Prior, J.S.G. / Perry, S. / Pettman, T.W. / Rogers, T.A. / Richardson, W.S. / Richardson, H.C. / Reid, K. / Rowe, W. / Startup, R.W. / Warren, R.J. / Wilson, R. (D.C.M.) /White, S. / Wade, A.

THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
Child, A. / Dore, D.J. / Harris, L. / Lamb, C.H. / Madden, T. / Nash, H. / Ord, A.L. / Olsen, C.C. / Pepper, H.H. / Smith, J.F. / Taylor, W.D.

Mr Fink returned thanks on behalf of the soldiers for the many kind things said by the speakers and for the interest generally taken on behalf of the returned men. He said that some people often criticised the actions of the soldiers, but if they only thought for a moment of the conditions the men had passed through, both mentally and physically, while in Egypt and France they would be more sympathetic. After referring to some of his experiences in France he again thanked all for their efforts on behalf of the soldiers.

The chairman, in moving a vote of thanks to the speakers, said he had forgotten to refer to the new piano .This, he said, has been obtained mainly through the energetic work of Mr W. Kenny and Mr H. Spencer, jun. By collecting and other efforts they had been able to present the committee with a piano, with crockery, and also with utensils, the whole costing considerably over £100. For their good work they were created life members of the League. Cr Stephenson had also helped them in connection with the building of the hall, and as he was present he was sure all would be pleased to hear an address from him.

Cr Stephenson said he was pleased to be present, and he thanked them for the honor of taking part in the celebration in connection with their hall. Opinions differed, he said, as to the form memorials for our soldiers should take. Some favoured halls others drinking fountains, memorial parks or stones. But to his mind it did not matter much which form the memorial took – it was the spirit which prompted the movement. No doubt it was pleasing to returned men to see their efforts on behalf of the people were greatly appreciated. Referring to the incapacitated soldiers, especially those who had lost their sight or their limbs, he said nothing the people could do would compensate them, but it was our duty to see that they lived in comfort and had all they required. Speaking of their new hall he said the amount for renovating it might seem large, but they had to take into consideration the high cost of material. He could assure them that prices in every instance were cut down to bedrock and that not one penny was wasted in the work.

Mr R. Raftis, in seconding the vote of thanks, referred to the good work of the secretary in arranging for the opening ceremony, and his inability to get the services of any leading military officer, as all were engaged in connection with the Anzac celebrations. He also said the committee and people of the district were under debt of gratitude to Cr Stephenson for the assistance he had given in connection with the renovation of the hall. Although a busy man he had found time to come and assist them, and helped to get the building completed much sooner than it would otherwise have been. All, he said, were delighted with the hall. He had great pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks.

Mr Groves, in returning thanks for the speakers, made special reference to the manner in which Lieutenant Mays had performed his duty of unveiling the Honor Board. He said the people were more indebted to Mr Mays than they would be to one of the heads of the military department. He was sure all were greatly pleased with the way in which he did his work and they appreciated his action of coming forward at the last moment. At the close of the proceedings afternoon tea was served by the ladies and was greatly appreciated.

In the evening a grand concert was held when there was a crowded hall. A very fine programme was given by the following artists: - Miss I. Hughson, Miss Emily Mitchell, Miss Ida Mitchell, Mr Sherwood and Mr W. Mitchell. The various items were greatly appreciated.,

At the close an enjoyable dance was held, which also attracted a very large attendance. Splendid music was rendered by Mr Dug Lancefield, assisted by Mr T. McGrath . Mr W. Kenny was an efficient M.C. The floor was in excellent order and dancing was kept up to 3 a.m.

The best thanks are due to the President and committee who had charge of the days arrangements and to the ladies for their valuable assistance. To the hon. sec. (Mr J.R. Spencer, J.P.) special thanks are due for his energetic and untiring work.

I have written about the soldiers on the Nar Nar Goon Honour Board, here.

The Nar Nar Goon Soldiers' Memorial Hall

Image from the Pakenham Gazette, February 2, 1968 courtesy of Jean Chatfield.

The Trustees for the Soldiers' Memorial Hall were John Dore, W. Carney, R. Raftis, C. Davis, John Smith, M. Cunningham and F. Chatfield (13). The last named Trustee, Fred Chatfield began organising dances and Euchre card games to raise money for the Hall in 1923. This money helped fund additions to the Hall such as the Supper room, kitchen and toilets. Like many country dances at the time, whenever a ball or dance was held Euchre was also on offer for the non-dancers. Fred continued to run the Euchre until 1972, when his son John took over. More recently another son Jim, took over the role (14).

Twenty years on in July 1942, the Pakenham Gazette had the headline - Public Halls fall on evil days. Berwick Council considers plan to assist them. The plan was that if the Halls were transferred to the King then the Council would advance the money to pay off any overdraft and to give a yearly grant. The reason many halls were in such dire straits was because revenue had declined due to the War and many functions which were being held were not being charged for. At the meeting -

Cr. Dore asked what would be the position of Nar Nar Goon Soldiers’ Memorial hall under such a scheme. Residents had some years ago bought, renovated and added to the old hall and it was now about out of debt. It was run in conjunction with the Recreation Reserve. Revenue from the hall now was almost nil, as most entertainments were run for patriotic purposes and the present committee had decided that for these the hall should be made available free of charge. However, certain expenses still had to be met, and without some method of financing the hall would slip back into debt. Some residents had collected £20 for the hall funds or it would be more in debt. In response, the Shire President, Cr McBride said he would take the matter up with the Minister for Lands (15). It appears that nothing came of this.

In 1950 the War was still effecting the Nar Nar Goon Hall. They had applied for a new floor but due to shortages of material

the Building Directorate advised that a permit would not be available for the replacement of 1,200 square feet at a cost of £300. It was suggested that work be confined to the expenditure of £150 within the present financial year. Cr. Dore said that he had pointed out to the Directorate that this was the only hall serving the district and that the floor had reached such a stage that it could no longer be used. With no revenue coming in, the committee was at its wits end (16). The Building Directorate was established in October 1945 to control the procurement and allotment of building material and to ensure a balance between the construction of new houses and the construction of infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and factories (17).

The floor was obviously replaced at some time as the Hall was in use for nearly 30 more years. In 1953 it was reported that the Trustees were going to transfer the Hall to the Crown (18). In 1979 the Hall was transferred again, this time to the Pakenham Shire, in exchange for an alternate parcel of land in Spencer Street near the Recreation Reserve. A new Hall (or community centre as they now called) was erected and this building was officially opened by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Winneke on March 29, 1980. The old Hall, which had served the Nar Nar Goon community for 94 years was demolished and the land sold (19).

The old Nar Nar Goon hall features as a mural on the Community Centre.

Image courtesy of Casey Cardinia Remembers http://www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au/

Acknowledgment

Thank you to Mrs Jean Chatfield, of Nar Nar Goon, for supplying some of this information as well as some very useful documents including copies of an article on the history of the Hall which appeared in the Pakenham Gazette on February 2, 1968 and the booklet produced for the opening of the Community Centre in March 1980.

Trove list - I have created a list of articles on the Nar Nar Goon Mechanics' Institute / Memorial Hall, you can access it here.

Footnotes

(1) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 29 1886, see here.

(2) Myers, Richard Berwick Mechanic Institute and Free library (BMI & FL., 1999), p. 81. Thanks to Jean Chatfield for telling me about this advertisement.

(3) http://www.mivic.org.au/history-of-mechanics-institutes.html

(4) Statistical Registers - available here on the Victorian Government Library Service website. I found out about these Registers from the book These walls speak volumes: a history of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria by Pam Baragwanath and Ken James (published by the authors in 2015)

(5) In the Wake of the Pack Tracks: a history of the Shire of Berwick (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, 1992)

(6) Ibid. pp 137-128.

(7) See my Trove list, here, for examples.

(8) The Argus, April 9, 1902, see here.

(9) Bunyip Free Press, April 2 1914, see here.

(10) The information about the O'Brien family comes from

Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District by the Narre Warren & District Family History Group, published 2010

From Bullock Tracks to Bitumen: a brief history of the Shire of Berwick (Historical Society of the Berwick Shire, 1962)

Solid Bluestone Foundations and other memories of a Melbourne girlhood, 1908-1928 by Kathleen Fitzpatrick (Penguin 1986). Kathleen Fitzpatrick was the great grand-daughter of Daniel and Brigid O'Brien.

There is a bit more about the O'Brien family in this post about the Nar Nar Goon Honour Boards as well https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2022/01/nar-nar-goon-and-nar-nar-goon-north.html There are three O'Brien's on the Honour Board and also information in Footnote 2.

(11) Information on Michael O'Brien's family comes from the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Michael's death notice in The Argus, November 8, 1915, see here; Johanna's death notice in The Age, March 6, 1914, see here.

(12) The Shire of Berwick rate books show that Spencer & Oram owned the Hall in 1919/1920. The Local Government year (and thus the Rate books) used to run from October to September, so we know they owned it until at least September 1920. As it was opened as Mechanics' Institute April 1921, I am assuming the sale took place in the last 3 months of 1920 or the first three months of 1921.

(13) The Trustees list is from the Pakenham Gazette of February 2, 1968

(14) Information supplied by Jean Chatfield.

(15) Dandenong Journal, July 22 1942, see here.

(16) Dandenong Journal, January 11, 1950, see here.

(17) Building Directorate - The Age, October 30, 1945, see here; The Argus, October 31 1945, see here and The Age, February 2, 1946, see here.

(18) Dandenong Journal, February 25, 1953, see here.

(19) Booklet produced for the opening of the Community Centre in March 1980.

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Voters' Roll, compiled July 1927, for the Koo Wee Rup Riding, Shire of Cranbourne 1928.

Voters' Roll, compiled July 1927, for the Koo Wee Rup Riding, Shire of Cranbourne 1931. This booklet is from the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society collection. There are 191 people on this list, of which 23 are women. The more valuable your property was, the more votes you got. Eleven people had property valued over £200 - Mary Dunlop of Koo Wee Rup £646; Percy J. Einsiedel, Monomeith £485; James Greaves, Yannathan, £390; John Mickle of Malvern £327; Matthew Bennett, Caulfield, £245; Alice Mickle, Yallock, £242; Charles Hornbuckle, Catani, £240; William Paterson, Koo Wee Rup, £235; Clements Greaves, Yannathan, £231; David Coles, Bayles £219; Keith Cameron, Catani, £215.

You can see the Voters roll for 1931, here.

Voters' Roll for the Koo Wee Rup Riding, Shire of Cranbourne 1928 - cover

Voters' Roll for the Koo Wee Rup Riding, Shire of Cranbourne 1928 -

Roll numbers 1-60.

Click on image to enlarge.

Voters' Roll for the Koo Wee Rup Riding, Shire of Cranbourne 1928 -

Roll numbers 61-119.

Click on image to enlarge.

Voters' Roll for the Koo Wee Rup Riding, Shire of Cranbourne 1928 -

Roll numbers 120-173

Click on image to enlarge.

Voters' Roll for the Koo Wee Rup Riding, Shire of Cranbourne 1928 -

Roll numbers 174-191

Click on image to enlarge.

I have transcribed the list - just the names and the addresses - so the names can be picked up in a Google and other Internet searches. Many of these people are also on the 1931 list, some with a slightly different spelling, so it is worth looking at that list as well, see it here.

Anderson, Andrew P. - Koo Wee Rup
Armstrong, John J. - Catani
Ashby, Arthur W. - Yallock
Bailey, Alfred P. - Yannathan
Bath, Olive C. - Koo Wee Rup
Bath, Wilfred J. - Koo Wee Rup
Beattie, Henry - Caulfield
Bennett, Matthew - Caulfield
Bethune, Allen J. - Koo Wee Rup
Bethune, Alexander J. - Koo Wee Rup
Bethune, James - Koo Wee Rup
Bethune, John W.M. - Koo Wee Rup
Bethune, Norman - Bayles
Bickerdike, Arthur -Sandringham
Blyth, Edward V. - Bayles
Body, William H. - Catani
Bourke, Mrs D.J. - Koo Wee Rup
Boxhall, Henry - Yallock
Burgen, Frederick T. - Koo Wee Rup
Burhop, Thomas - Koo Wee Rup
Burton, Charles H. - Clyde
Burton, Thomas - Koo Wee Rup
Bush, Robert J. - Portarlington
Byron, Johnson - Koo Wee Rup
Cahill, Dennis - Yallock
Cahill, John - Yallock
Cahill, Mary - Yallock
Callanan, John - Koo Wee Rup
Callanan, J. Patrick - Koo Wee Rup
Cameron, Keith - Catani
Campbell, Alister - Koo Wee Rup
Carson, William - Koo Wee Rup
Cleversley, Edgar - Catani
Cochrane, David - Koo Wee Rup
Cochrane, Lucy - Koo Wee Rup
Cochrane, Albert W. - Koo Wee Rup
Cole, David - Bayles
Collins, Mary L. - Koo Wee Rup
Colvin, Andrew C. - Koo Wee Rup
Colvin, Mrs John (Junr.) - Koo Wee Rup
Colvin, Oliver - Koo Wee Rup
Conway, Michael - Koo Wee Rup
Cougle, Ernest - Lang Lang
Davenport, Wilton Rowan - Koo Wee Rup
Davey, John (junr) - Koo Wee Rup
Davies, James - Catani
Davis, Charles J. - Koo Wee Rup
Dick, William - Koo Wee Rup
Duncan, David H. - East Malvern
Dunlop, Mary - Koo Wee Rup
Dunning, A.A. - Melbourne
Dusting, Robert - Koo Wee Rup
Egan, Francis - Bayles
Einsiedel, Percy J. - Monomeith
Ferguson, Robert - Koo Wee Rup
Forster, George - Koo Wee Rup
Gardiner, Reginald E. - Catani
Garnett, Garibaldi - Koo Wee Rup
Giggins, Ernest - Bayles
Gilchrist, Albert J.- Koo Wee Rup
Gilchrist, Lillian - Koo Wee Rup
Giles, John -Koo Wee Rup
Gill, Samuel C. - Koo Wee Rup
Goble, William - Koo Wee Rup
Gray, George - Yannathan
Gray, Margaret - Koo Wee Rup
Grayden, Samuel - Yallock
Greaves, Clements - Yannathan
Greaves, James - Yannathan
Greaves, William H. - Dandenong
Griffiths, Bertram - Koo Wee Rup
Griffiths, Cornelius - Koo Wee Rup
Griffiths, Henry - Koo Wee Rup
Guest, William - Koo Wee Rup
Heffernan, Kate J. - Koo Wee Rup
Henwood, William - Catani
Hewitt, Allan - Koo Wee Rup
Hobson, Edward - Catani
Hogan, John - Caldermeade
Holloway, Percy - Catani
Hopkins, George F. - Koo Wee Rup
Hornbuckle, Charles - Catani
Hornbuckle, Robert J. - Myrnong (presumably Myrniong)
Hornbuckle, Thomas - Melton
Hornbuckle, William - Essendon
Hubbard, Ward - Koo Wee Rup
Hudson, James - Koo Wee Rup
Hyland, John - Koo Wee Rup
Jack, Thomas (Senr) - Koo Wee Rup
Jack, Thomas M. - Koo Wee Rup
Johnson, Eliza - Koo Wee Rup
Johnson, John G.B. - Koo Wee Rup
Johnson, Walter - Koo Wee Rup
Kane, John - Koo Wee Rup
Kean, Edmond H. - Bayles
Keighery, Christopher - Koo Wee Rup
Kershaw, Benjamin J. - Ankie
Killeen, Thomas - Koo Wee Rup
Kirwin, Thomas H. - Koo Wee Rup
Knowles, James R. - Koo Wee Rup
Kraft, Miss S.A. - Bunyip
Lalor, V.S. - Koo Wee Rup
Lavelle, Michael - Koo Wee Rup
Leeson, Mary - Yallock
Leyden, Edward - Koo Wee Rup
Light, Thomas - Bayles
Lineham, Benjamin - Yannathan
Lineham, Frederick J. - Yannathan
Lineham, George J. - Yannathan
Lineham, William J. - Bunyip
Livock, Glenelg - Koo Wee Rup
Lyall, Ewen - Murray River
Lyall, Helen, Manly, N.S. W.
Mackin, Debbie - Koo Wee Rup
Mackin, John Charles - Koo Wee Rup
Malcolm, John W. - Catani
Mallcott, William J. - Koo Wee Rup
Marshall, Edward - Koo Wee Rup
Marshall, Samuel - Koo Wee Rup
Marshall, William - Koo Wee Rup
Martin, Lawrence - Koo Wee Rup
Matthews, John - Catani
Methven, Thomas J. - Koo Wee Rup
Mickle, Alice - Koo Wee Rup
Mickle, John A. - East Malvern
Millard, Albert E. - Koo Wee Rup
Mills, Vern - Koo Wee Rup
Misson, Edward W. - Lang Lang
Moore, James H. - Koo Wee Rup
Morrison, Joseph A. - Drouin
Mortensen, Henry - Koo Wee Rup
Mortensen, William - Koo Wee Rup
McCord, Ellen - Yannathan
McCord, Mary - Yannathan
McDonald, John J. - Cora Lynn
McEarchan, James - Melbourne
McKay, John - Yannathan
McKay, John - Koo Wee Rup
McKissock, John T. - Bunyip
McLeod, C.S. - Koo Wee Rup
McNamara, James - Koo Wee Rup
McWilliam, Ernest - Koo Wee Rup
Nestor, Patrick - Koo Wee Rup
Nicholson, Jane S. - Bayles
Nicholson, Norman - Bayles
O'Hehir, Richard - Koo Wee Rup
Ollson, Karl N. - Catani
Ollson, Louis William - Catani
O'Neill, Annie - Catani
O'Neill, Francis J. - Catani
O'Neill, James P. - Koo Wee Rup
O'Neill, John - Koo Wee Rup
Osborne, Henry - Cora Lynn
O'Toole, Mary - Albert Park
Parkes, John R. - Koo Wee Rup
Paterson, William K. - Koo Wee Rup
Patullo, Abraham - Catani
Patullo, Elsie M. - Catani
Peck, Frederick - Yannathan
Peck, William R. - Yallock
Pollock, William J. - Koo Wee Rup
Potter, Gordon - Koo Wee Rup
Quigley, Thomas (Junr) - Cora Lynn
Ridgway, Mark - Yannthan
Rutter, John - Cora Lynn
Sage, Michael - Gardenvale
Sage, William T. - Bayles
Salmon, William E. - Melbourne
Saunders, William H. - Bayles
Savage, Roy - Koo Wee Rup
Secomb, Frederick S.L. - Bayles
Sluiter, Cornelius - Koo Wee Rup
Sluiter, William Ed. - Koo Wee Rup
Smith, Francis G. - Melbourne
Stephens, Francis P. - Yallock
Stewart, John A. - Yannathan
Tattam, Felix - Koo Wee Rup
Taylor, William - Koo Wee Rup
Turner, Ben - Koo Wee Rup
Turnbull, Mary D. - Koo Wee Rup
Wadsley, Thomas H. - Koo Wee Rup
Walsh, Mary Ann - Catani
Walsh, Thomas - Koo Wee Rup
Whiteside, Robert - Koo Wee Rup
Wilkinson, Ernest - Cora Lynn
Wilkinson, Sarah E. - Cora Lynn
Wilkinson, William - Cora Lynn
Wilmott, Milford M. - Koo Wee Rup
Wilson, James - Koo Wee Rup
Wise, William - Bayles
Woodman, Henry J. - Bayles

List certified on July 25, 1927 - D.S. McCulloch - Chairman; Fredk C. Curtis - Councillor; Geo. R. Burhop - Councillor; L.T. McLaren - Shire Secretary.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

The Body was conveyed to.......

One of the unusual uses for Hotels in the past was their use as a temporary morgue and a place to carry out autopsies and Inquests. There are accounts after account of this in newspapers and often the newspaper uses the term 'and the body was conveyed to [name of Hotel]' so I thought we would have a look at some of these reports.

It seems surprising that Hotels would be used for this purpose, but I assume it was because they had space, access to water and perhaps a solid table for holding the autopsy. It was, however, a practice that was frowned upon by the authorities. As early as 1867, the Legislative Assembly in Victoria had the issue brought to their attention by Mr Cook, M.L.A. - To call the attention of the Chief Secretary to the practice of the police of conveying dead bodies to hotels for the purpose of holding coroners' inquests; and to ask if he will give instructions that in future such bodies may be conveyed to the nearest public morgue as may be available. (The Argus December 13, 1867) The Chief Secretary may have given instructions to the police, and it may have altered the practice in the City, but it was a less practical idea in rural areas, due to logistical issues and the lack of morgues. There are accounts of Hotels being used as temporary morgues and places of Inquests up to the 1920s.

Here are just a few examples from the Koo Wee Rup Swamp and neighbouring areas of this happening. I have added a link to the Inquest record at the Public Records Office of Victoria (PROV), if available. Sometimes the names in the newspaper reports were incorrectly spelt - the name in the heading is the correct spelling.

WARNING - newspapers were much more graphic in their reporting than they are today, so these excerpts may contain information that is upsetting.

Joseph Edward Watts
Dr. Candler held an inquest at the Gippsland Hotel [Beaconsfield] on Tuesday week on the body of a boy named Watts, who was drowned in Cardinia Creek on the previous Sunday. It seems that deceased, aged about six years, with other lads of the same age, was fishing in the creek, when he over-reached himself and fell in. By the time information was given of the occurrence, and the body recovered, it was lifeless.

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, December 12, 1877, see here) Inquest at PROV, here.

George Ritchie
A fatal accident occurred near the Eumemmerring Creek bridge on Thursday morning last, between the hours of twelve and one a.m., by which a farmer named George Ritchie, residing at Lyndhurst, lost his life. It appears that he had been at Hennessy's races [at Eumemmerring] and had imbibed, rather freely during the day. On the way home George challenged his companion to a race (they were both riding horses); his horse fell and George hit his head and he sadly died. The body was taken to Taylor's Half Way House Hotel in Lyndhurst, where an enquiry was held the same day and the verdict given to the effect that the deceased had met with his death on the morning of the 27th December by accidentally falling from his horse whilst in a state of intoxication.

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, January 2, 1884, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. George was 32 years old.

Julius Fisher Masterton McMillan
Yesterday afternoon, at Cranbourne, Mr. J. F. M. M'Millan, of Ballarto, dropped dead while marking at the rifle club ranges. It was at first believed that Mr. M'Millan had been shot, but this was found to be incorrect. He had been shooting at 600 yards, and had made 21. He became somewhat excited, as this was his highest score at this range, and he suddenly dropped down. The services of Dr. Park were requisitioned, and on his arrival he pronounced life extinct. The body was then conveyed to Nurse's Hotel, [Mornington Hotel] Cranbourne, where the doctor made a careful examination of the body to see if there were any bullet marks. He could find none however, and he came to the conclusion that death was due to heart disease. A post-mortem examination will be held. Mr. M'Millan was the second son of the late Mr. Alexander M'Millan, of Caldermeade Estate, of which he was part owner with his brothers at the time of his death. He had a few months ago purchased the Ballarto property from Mr. James Gibb, of Berwick, and had had extensive improvements carried out to the buildings. Since his arrival in the Cranbourne district some two years ago he had entered heartily into all public movements, and he was very highly esteemed. He leaves a widow and one child.

(The Argus, July 20 1900, see here). Julius was 32 years old. Ballarto was the name of the property at Cranbourne. Julius' wife, Mable (nee Crozier), gave birth to a little boy, named Julius Douglas, on November 8, four months after his death.

Birth notice of Julius McMillan's son.

The Australasian November 24, 1900 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/139167108

Edward John Milne

No doubt we have had more than our share of excitement during the past few days. Two days after the robbery at Mr. Hudson's store, news was brought to Constable Dwyer of a man named Edward John Milne, who had previously been engaged in farming at Lake Bogan, near Swan Hill, having shot himself whilst in close proximity to the Police Station. Deceased was on a visit to Mr. G. C. Egerton, of Tooradin, in August last, and having disappeared rather suddenly, the fact was communicated to the police, but without result. On Wednesday morning, 12th inst., Mr. F. Bethune, who was driving from Tooradin, observed a man standing near the Police Station, and was horrified at seeing him place a revolver to his head and fire. Constable Dwyer had the body conveyed to Nurse's Hotel [Mornington Hotel, Cranbourne] and Dr. Parks was called in, but the unfortunate man died soon afterwards A magisterial inquiry was conducted by Mr. J. W. M'Lennan, J.P.. on Thursday, when a verdict of suicide was returned.

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 19, 1900, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. Edward was 35 years old.

Benjamin Muffett
On Saturday night a sad fatality occurred here, when a line repairer named Benjamin Muffit was killed on the railway line. The body of deceased was discovered by a Mr. Asling at midday on Sunday, lying on the side of the line, the head being split open right across the forehead, and there being a deep gash behind the ear. There were no marks of any kind on the body, and death must have been instantaneous. Deceased evidently had been hit by the axle box of the engine, as the face was covered with grease therefrom. Muffit had been to Dandenong on business on Saturday evening, and returned to Narre Warren by the 7.40 p.m. train from there. He left Narre Warren prior to the arrival of the 9.2 p.m. passenger train from Gippsland, and it was presumably this train that caused his death. From the position of the body when found, it would appear as though deceased had been on his knees, and had probably fallen at the crossing in the darkness, and was climbing up the embankment when the train approached. Deceased re-sided in a gate house on Lalor's-road, about a quarter of a mile from the station, between Narre Warren and Berwick, and the spot where the accident occurred is only a short distance from the house. Muffit, who was about 42 years of age, leaves a wife, and four children unprovided for. The body was removed to Bain's Hotel, Berwick, by Constable Steele, where the magisterial inquiry was held. Deceased was a general favorite with those whom he came in contact with. The funeral took place on Tuesday, and was well attended.

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, April 8 1903, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. Benjamin was 42 years old.

Death notice of Benjamin Muffett, husband of Mary and father of John, Lizzie, Phillipa and Annie.

The Age, April 11 1903 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197902478

Martin Tobin
Late on Tuesday night a man named Martin Tobin, an old identity of this place, was run over in the station yard [at Garfield] by the 10.30 up goods train from Warragul, and was literally cut to pieces. It is surmised that the unfortunate man attempted to cross the line as the train was running through at a high speed. At one point a boot was picked up with the foot in it severed at the ankle, and further on a hand and a portion of the forearm, and other portions of the body were picked up. Mr Thomson, a line repairer, discovered the unfortunate man at about 6 a.m. on Wednesday, and immediately telephoned to Constable Ryan, at Bunyip, who arrived an hour later and took charge of the remains. An inquest was held at the Iona Hotel, and deceased was interred in the Bunyip cemetery.

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, November 8, 1905, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. Martin was 60 years old.

George Gilchrist
Whilst riding from Kooweerup to the Iona St. Patrick's Day sports this afternoon a young cyclist named Gilchrist was killed. From the particulars to hand it appears his bicycle encountered a rut on the road near the Iona Roman Catholic Church and Gilchrist was thrown forward on to his head, his neck being broken. The body was conveyed to the Railway Hotel, Bunyip, and the parents of deceased came over from Kooweerup this evening.

(The Age, March 18, 1910, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. Martin was 21 years old.

Death notice of George Gilchrist, son of William and Margaret.

The Age March 19, 1910 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196077302#

Thomas Buchanan
Thomas Buchanan, who was in receipt of a remittance from relatives in Canada, hanged himself at Labertouche this morning. Buchanan was well known throughout the district as "Sailor Tom." He received a draft for £61 15/ from Canada about three weeks ago, but when found he had no money. Constable Anstee, of Bunyip, removed the body to the Longwarry Hotel. An inquiry will be held at Bunyip.

(The Argus, January 12, 1912, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. Thomas was 49 years old and the Inquest recorded a verdict of suicide.

John Thomas Duncan also known as James Little
On the 22nd inst. it was reported to the local police that a man named James Little, a laborer, had shot himself at Kooweerup. Constable Cole proceeded to the place and had the body removed to the Palace Hotel [Lang Lang], where an inquest was held before Mr Cohen, P.M., Coroner. After hearing the evidence, which was to the effect that the deceased took the loan of a gun of 410 calibre from a farmer named Johnston, with the intention of shooting rabbits, but instead of doing so he fastened a strap round the trigger, and then round his foot, using his foot as a lever to discharge the gun, the charge from which entered his forehead, killing him instantly. The Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased died from gun shot wounds self inflicted.

(South Bourke & Mornington Journal, April 2, 1914, see here) Inquest at PROV, here.

George Cooper
On Thursday morning last word reached Constable Anstee, of Bunyip, that a man was lying dead on the road near Kirwan's Post Office, on the south side of the Main Drain. Constable Anstee secured the services of Dr. Withington, who drove to the spot indicated, whilst Mr. A. H. a'Beckett drove Constable Anstee down in his motor car. When the party arrived at a point about 1 mile past Kirwan's they found the body of George Cooper, an elderly farmer and a well known resident of the district. The body was removed to the Gippsland Hotel, at Bunyip, and Constable Anstee wired to the relatives of deceased in Melbourne. There were marks and bruises about the head and face which gave the impression that deceased had been injured in some way before death took place. Constable Anstee at once set to work and made inquires to ascertain how deceased came by his death. He learned that Cooper and a man named Henderson went to Drouin a couple of days previous to transact some business. They returned to Bunyip on Wednesday night by the train which arrives at 8.20 o'clock, and both had a drink at the two hotels. Later on they were joined by three young men who are residents of Iona and they all had drinks. The party of five then left to drive home in a vehicle. They reached Iona at about midnight and some of the party had flasks of whisky. They halted near Baillie's forge where most of the whisky was drunk. The party then separated and Henderson and Cooper, who left a horse and jinker at Iona till they returned, then got into the trap and started for home. Henderson, in an interview with Constable Anstee, stated that Cooper fell from the vehicle. He also stated that Cooper fell against the barb wire fence and injured his head and face. On Friday afternoon Dr. Withington made an examination of the body and gave a certificate for burial purposes. An inquest into the cause of death was opened by Mr. A. H. a'Beckett, J.P., but was adjourned for a week in order to allow Constable Anstee to make further Inquiries. Relatives of deceased visited Bunyip and made arrangements for the remains to be conveyed to Melbourne for burial and they left by the 11.20 train on Saturday.

(Bunyip Free Press, May 14, 1914, see here). Inquest at PROV, here. Kirwan’s Post Office was at Vervale, corner of Main Drain Road and Thirteen Mile Road. George was 55 years old. The Inquest returned a verdict of accidental death.

Death notice of George Cooper from his sisters and brother.

The Argus May 14, 1914 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7227800

Jimmy
At about 8 o'clock last night an old, disused shop [at Garfield] was totally destroyed by fire, and an elderly man, known as "Jimmy," was burnt to death. Deceased had been drinking heavily and was taken by two companions to the building and put inside. About an hour afterwards it was noticed that the place was on fire. When the alarm was given, a Mr. Scanlon endeavoured to effect a rescue, but the fire had by this time got a complete hold of the building. Mr Scanlon made his way out through the, smoke, thinking "Jimmy" was following, but deceased was either overcome and fell or turned back for some of his belongings and was cut off by the fire. Constable Anstee, of Bunyip, was sent for, and removed the body to the Iona Hotel, where it lies awaiting identification. The coroner has been notified.

(The Argus, March 22, 1916, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. We still don't know his real name; the Inquest is in the name of Jim.

Peter Lynch
A resident of Garfield named Hull was walking along a lonely track on Thursday when he came across the dead body of a man. Word was sent to Constable Anstee, at Bunyip, and the remains were conveyed to the Iona Hotel at Garfield. The body was decomposed, and Dr Cowan, who conducted the inquiry, was of opinion that death took place fully a month ago. From letters found upon the body it is thought the man's name is Peter Lynch, from Cork, Ireland. The remains were buried in the Bunyip Cemetery on Friday.

(The Age, July 1, 1916, see here) I wonder if Peter's relatives back home in Ireland ever heard of his death or if his disappearance always remained a mystery to them.

Augustus Erskine McMillan
A post-mortem examination was held at the Pine Grove Hotel [Beaconsfield Upper] on Wednesday by Dr Griffith, of Berwick, on the body of A. McMillan, who was found dead on the main Gembrook road near Beaconsfield Upper, on Tuesday midday by school children. Dr. Griffith found that death was caused by the effects of drink and exposure. There was no injury likely to have caused death. The body was that of a healthy man, aged about 50. Evidently the body had lain where it was found for about a fortnight.

(The Argus September 7, 1917, see here) Inquest at PROV, here. Augustus was 56 years old.

John "Scotty" McDonald

There is an interesting account of an inquest held at the Royal Hotel, Koo Wee Rup, in the Sydney Truth newspaper of March 10, 1925. Great story, read it here.

Trove list

I have created a list on Trove, of articles that report on Post Mortems and Inquests being held in local hotels, you can access it here.

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

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Mr Elliot's cheque to J. Jackson and Sons of Pakenham

This is a cheque, below, for two pounds, 12 shillings and six pence written to J. Jackson & Sons, by John Elliot (1). It's a Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd cheque, from the Nar Nar Goon branch. Every picture tells a story as they say, so this is the story behind the various elements of this cheque.

J. Jackson & Sons
J. Jackson & Sons was a general store and bakery in Main Street, Pakenham. J. J. Jackson and Sons' first advertisement appeared in the Pakenham Gazette on September 2, 1927 in which they stated that they desire to inform the public of Pakenham and District that they have taken over the general storekeeping business carried on for many years by Mr P. O'Halloran and it is their intention to conduct the business on up to date lines, at all times giving the requirements of customers their first consideration. You can read about Patrick O'Halloran, here.

Jackson & Sons first advertisement in the Pakenham Gazette.

Pakenham Gazette September 2, 1927.

This was a change of occupation for Mr John James Jackson, who had previously been in the coal mining industry at Korumburra. Mr Jackson and his wife Margaret (nee Sutton) had a large family to support - five sons and nine daughters - so it appears the move was designed to create employment opportunities for his sons. The family still operated the store until October 1951, when it was taken over by Mr C. C. Lack (2).

The local paper at Korumburra had this short report on Mr Jackson's

new venture into retail.

Great Southern Advocate, August 18, 1927. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/254594380

Sadly, Mr Jackson died only 20 years after his move to Pakenham, on April 25, 1948 at 66 years of age. The Pakenham Gazette of April 30, 1948 published the following obituary of Mr Jackson, which I have transcribed below.

Mr Jackson's obituary

Pakenham Gazette of April 30, 1948

Obituary - Mr J. J. Jackson
By the death on Sunday morning last of Mr John James Jackson, Pakenham district has lost one of its best known and most highly respected citizens. He had not enjoyed good health for some years and for the last ten weeks had been a patient in the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he passed away.

Born at Appin, New South Wales, 66 years ago, Mr Jackson was in his younger days closely associated with the coal mining industry, mainly in the Newcastle and Korumburra districts.

Coming to Pakenham from Korumburra 20 years ago, he and his sons took over a general storekeeping business.

Although latterly ill health debarred him from an active part in public affairs, he retained to the last a lively interest in all the local organisations, with which he was formerly predominately associated. He was a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Cemetery Trust, and an enthusiastic worker for the various sporting clubs and the Country Party. The district has benefitted greatly by his public service through the years, and by his death loses a fine citizen.

As an individual, Mr Jackson was a huge friend to many. A man of the highest principles, he delighted in giving a helping hand where it was most needed, and not even continued ill health could dim his cheery outlook on health.

The heartfelt sympathy of the whole community goes out to his widow, four sons and nine daughters in their great loss.

The funeral took place at Pakenham Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, following a service at St James Church of England. The church was crowded for the funeral and the attendance was one of the largest seen at Pakenham for many years. Rev. W. P. Daunt officiated at the Church and at the graveside. Four sons – John, Clive, Ray and Norman – acted as coffin bearers and the pall bearers were Messrs J.R. Marshall, R. Ramage, J. J. Ahern, W. Stephenson, E. Sutton, B. Jackson and R. Webster and Dr W.G. Farrell. Messrs W. Garnar and Sons carried out the funeral arrangements.

Mr Jackson's death notice listing his fourteen children.

The Argus April 26, 1948 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22554886

Mr John Elliot
Mr John Elliot wrote the cheque, he is listed in the Electoral Rolls as being a farmer, of Nar Nar Goon. John first appears in the Shire of Berwick Rates in the 1898/1899 book, where he is listed as owning 97 acres, Lot 77a Parish of Nar Nar Goon. This property was located on the south side of Bald Hill Road, a bit west of Seven Mile Road. Mr Elliot married Josephine Hayes in 1887 and they had two sons, James Ross (known as Ross), born in 1897 and Hector John, born 1901. John and Josephine are buried at the Pakenham Cemetery, Josephine died in 1924, aged 62 and John died June 17, 1937 aged 85.

Their two sons had quite different lives The Electoral rolls show that Hector was a timber worker and lived his life at Nar Nar Goon and then Pakenham. Ross became a State school teacher and had many appointments - Woods Point, Cora Lynn from 1925 to 1934; then Tetoora Road, south of Warragul, then to Stanhope from 1940 to 1949; then three years in Coleraine and from there to Commercial Road State School in Morwell. He was at Morwell from 1952 until 1957and then transferred to Newton in Geelong, which was his last appointment before he retired in 1962. His file at the Public Records Office of Victoria, which includes reports from the Inspectors, praises him as a hard working and cooperative head teacher who gives excellent service and that his energy, initiative and pupil understanding have been distinctive (3).

John Elliot's death notice

The Argus June 19, 1937 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11073161

Commercial Bank at Nar Nar Goon
This brings us to the other element of this cheque - the Commercial Bank. The Commercial Bank of Australia merged with the Bank of New South Wales in October 1982, to become Westpac. The Commercial Bank in Nar Nar Goon was constructed in 1893/1894. The Cardinia Shire Heritage Study (4) describes the building as a parapeted and stuccoed Italian Renaissance styled bank typical of 19th century branch bank designs. It is significant to the Cardinia Shire as the oldest architect designed commercial building in the Shire, the relative sophistication of its design and for its associations with its early history of the small Nar Nar Goon township.

Commercial Bank, Nar Nar Goon in 2017.

Sold by Gerard Collins Real Estate in 2017

The Weekly Times of April 8, 1893 had a list of all the Commercial Bank branches. Pakenham and Nar Nar Goon were listed as agencies of the Berwick bank.

List of Commercial Bank branches in April 1893.

Weekly Times, April 8, 1893. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221779842

It appears to have been a very short-lived agency as it was closed in August 1893, perhaps due to the economic depression, however, it re-opened as a branch during 1903/1904.

Notice regarding the closure of the Nar Nar Goon and Pakenham Commercial Bank agencies.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal August 30, 1893. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70015880

The Commercial Bank re-opens at Nar Nar Goon, 1903/1904.

Adelaide Observer, July 30, 1904. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/163051331

The Bank Manager at Nar Nar Goon at the time Mr Elliot wrote his cheque to J. Jackson & Sons was Arthur Ahern. Arthur had been transferred from Pakenham to Nar Nar Goon in June 1927 (5) and then in September 1928 he was transferred to Moulamein in southern New South Wales (6). Arthur was the second of eight children of James Joseph and Marion (Trewartha) Ahern. J. J. Ahern was the Shire of Berwick Secretary from 1906 until 1948.

I don't have the exact date of the closure of the Nar Nar Goon Bank, which possibly took place in the 1970s. In the early 1980's it was the home of Witchetty Grub Children's clothing, established by Maree Cunningham (7). There was double page spread in the Australian Women's Weekly of March 31, 1982, advertising her garments on offer.

Fashion spread for Witchetty Grub children's clothing, made in the old Commercial Bank

at Nar Nar Goon.

Australian Women's Weekly March 31, 1982. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52264380/4480137#

The text reads - Nar Nar Goon seems an unlikely birthplace of a children's fashion label, but that's exactly where Maree Cunningham, a Gippsland farmer's wife, faced with dressing her own four children, started to design and make their clothes. Her very first range was produced for three Melbourne boutiques. Today, the Witchetty Grub label, with all its fashion charm, is marketed through some 40 outlets around Australia, and it's still designed, manufactured and dispatched from its all-Australian birthplace, Nar Nar Goon.

From left: Witchetty Grub - Grey check shirt $36, navy flannel shorts $45 and navy jumper $32. Peach sleeveless quilted jacket $47, matching divided skirt $49 and Liberty print shirt $47. Blue quilted jacket $57, matching skirt $42 and shirt $45. Taupe shirt $35, check knickers $48 and grey jumper $32. Black cord dress with detachable collar $74. Red check dress $74.

Footnotes
(1) I bought this cheque on Ebay. Thank you to my fellow historian, Isaac Hermann, for finding it for me. As soon as he pointed it out to me, I knew there was a story there.
(2) The first advertisement for Mr Lack appeared in the Pakenham Gazette of October 5, 1951. There was an interview with Clive Jackson, John's son, in the Pakenham Gazette of December 5, 1955 and it appears that he took over the business again in 1955, see below.

Pakenham Gazette December 5, 1955

(3) The information about the Elliot family comes from the Shire of Berwick Rate Books, the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com and the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages. Informatition about Ross' teaching career comes from the Teacher Records at the Public Records Office of Victoria, Series 13579 and Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria (Education Department of Victoria, 1973
(4) Cardinia Shire Heritage Study, v. 3 - Heritage Places by Graeme Butler & Associates (Cardinia Shire, 1996), pp. 284-285.
(5) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, June 9, 1927, see here.
(6) The Dandenong Journal, September 20, 1928, see here.
(7) Thank you to my mother Wendy and my sister Karen for telling me about Witchetty Grub clothing and it's connection to the bank.

A version of this blog post, which I wrote and researched, also appears on my work blog - Casey Cardinia Links to Our Past.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Voters' Roll, compiled July 1930, for the Koo Wee Rup Riding, Shire of Cranbourne 1931.

Voters' Roll, compiled July 1930, for the Koo Wee Rup Riding, Shire of Cranbourne 1931. This booklet is from the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society collection. There are 243 people on this list, of which 47 are women. The more valuable your property was, the more votes you got. Fifteen people had property valued over £200 - Agnes Dunlop of Yallock £646; James Greaves, Yannathan, £410; John Daniher, who owned the Royal Hotel, Koo Wee Rup, £403; John Mickle of Malvern £327; Christopher Coughlin, also of Malvern £286; Charles Hornbuckle, Bunyip, £285; Alice Mickle of Koo Wee Rup £285; William Paterson, Koo Wee Rup, £269; Henry Beattie, Caulfield £234; David Coles, Bayles £234; Matthew Bennett, Caulfield, £231; Robert Jeffers, Cora Lynn £226; John Bethune, Koo Wee Rup, £219; George Benham, Bayles, £218; Keith Cameron, Catani, £218.

You can see the Voters roll for 1928, here.