Category: Society News

This is a summary of some of the articles taken from the newsletters sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies, November 2021. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Balnarring & District Historical Society

The August 2021 Snippets has a comprehensive history of the property Elgee Park at Dromana and a report of the formation of the Balnarring East & Palm Beach Progress Association in 1927. There is also a report of the wedding of Emma Vansuylen and William O’Neill in 1884. Her father gifted the couple a block of land – 154 acres – at Crib Point, the land faced Hann’s Inlet.

Brighton Cemetorians       http://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/

The Cemetorian has many interesting articles on the people buried at the Brighton Cemetery. The September 2021 issue includes Musician James Billingsley (1913-1941); Actress Miss Fanny Dango (Mrs Samuel McKay, 1878-1972); William Hay, politician and grazier (1816-1908) and Alice Devany (nee Rendell, 1891-1924), sadly found drowned in the Yarra River. There was also a report on the unveiling of a plaque on the grave of World War One nurse, Sister Leah Rosenthal QAIMNSR, MM, ARRC on May 16, 2021.

Chelsea and District Historical Society

The July newsletter profiles Committee member and Historical Society historian Margaret Diggerson, who moved to Chelsea in 1933 when her father was transferred to the Chelsea Railway Station. The August newsletter features committee member Ron Jacobs, who has lived in the area for 80 years and was a City of Chelsea councillor for 15 years. The September newsletter includes a brief history of Aspendale, and the October newsletter congratulates member, Marjory Flynn (nee Olsen) on her 100^th birthday.

Friends of Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries     https://www.focrc.org/

Raves from the Graves June 2021 has a lovely article by Sue Beazley on Sister Esther, an Anglican Nun, who commenced working at the Mission to the Streets and Lanes in 1888. The next year the Mission purchased land at Cheltenham for a home for ‘fallen women.’ A home for neglected children was established at Brighton in 1894; St Georges Hospital in Kew in 1912, their work was never-ending. Sister Esther, born Emma Caroline Silcock in 1858, died in 1931. The newsletter also has an article on the history of Cheltenham Railway Station, also by Sue Beazley. Raves from the Graves September 2021 has the final instalment of the memories of Fairlie Taylor and her life in Cheltenham and Beaumaris from early times. There is an article on Edward Youngman Cotton (1817-1891) who arrived on the Exile ship, The Maitland in 1846. It also includes part two of Sue Beazley’s history of Cheltenham Railway Station.

Hastings Western Port Historical Society   https://www.hwphs.org.au/

The September newsletter has a history of the Tyabb Youth Hall, built in the 1880s and after years of neglect now requires major work. ‘On June 24, 2021, Shirley Davies, OAM, Past President and inaugural member of our Society, was surprised by Laurie French with the presentation of a sign ‘Shirl’s room’ for the room in the museum which she used when working at the Museum’. Congratulations Shirley. The Museum at Hastings is getting a new roof, guttering and insulation.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

The July newsletter has a history of Rythdale by Heather Arnold; the August newsletter takes a look at floods and fires in the area in the 1920s and 1930s; the September newsletter has a short history of Cora Lynn in the early years, also by Heather Arnold. October and November newsletters has lists of the students and teachers from 1957 to 1963 from Koo Wee Rup High School.

Lang Lang & District Historical Society http://www.langlang.net/historical.html

The Museum has a new sign acknowledging the Bunurong People.

Mordialloc College Alumni Association (MCAA) http://mordialloccollegealumni.org/

The September 2021 Ventured includes memories of past students including brothers Ray and Ian Maddocks, who were at the school in the 1940s.  The Alumni Committee is establishing an Honour Board of veterans who attended the school. This is a huge project to match students on the school roll with those on the Nominal Roll and then trying to find family members for both confirmation and more information. They have received a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs for the project.

Mornington & District Historical Society  https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/

The August newsletter reports that Janet Groves, a long-term member has received Life Membership. Val Wilson has a delightful story of her house in Kent Street, Mornington, built in 1925 as a State Savings Bank house.

Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/

The August 2021 Past Times has an article Ilma Hackett on the Harley Motorcycle Club house at Balnarring. ‘Built between 1926 and 1928 The Club House was a centre where members could come at weekends for both social and sporting events. On the longer reliability runs it was a halfway point. It was also where the Club’s trophies and photographs were displayed’.By the 1980s the use had declined, and it was sold in the 1990s.

Narre Warren & District Family History Group     http://nwfhg.org.au/

The August 2021 Spreading Branches featured a report on the Volunteers Morning tea and award presentations which this year took place at the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society Museum. In common with all our organisations they are run entirely by volunteers, and it is interesting to see the number of different people who volunteer for the many roles in the Society. The newsletter also promoted the October Cemetery walk at the Cranbourne cemetery – sadly it was cancelled once again.

Phillip Island & District Genealogical Society http://piadgs.org.au

From Reflections August 2021 – ‘The first meeting to form the Phillip Island and District Genealogical Society was held in the Phillip Island Library in June 1991 and the group was incorporated on 14 October 1991’. Congratulations on your 30^th birthday!

Phillip Island & District Historical Society   https://pidhs.org.au/

The June 2021 newsletter has an article on Bill Richardson’s Cottage built in 1876 in Rhyll. Bill was a jetty, boat and house builder. The July 2021 newsletter reports on another historic house in Rhyll – Heath Hill, built by James and Annie McIlwraith shortly after they moved to the Island in December 1868. There is also an article on two Shire Halls, the first one was opened in 1884 and burnt down in 1933. The next hall was built in 1934 and was used until 1978. The August 2021 newsletter features Rimutara, the house built in 1887 by William and Annie McFee in Rhyll. The September 2021 newsletter reports on the AGM – Graeme Clauscen – President; Anne Davie – Vice President; Judy Gittus -Treasurer, Pamela Rothfield -Secretary. Committee – John Jansson, Julie Box, Bruce Proctor, Gaye Cleeland, Bev Forrest, Phil Dressing and Doug Waugh. The featured Rhyll house this month is Stradbroke House, built in 1902 for William and Louisa Smith.

Rye Historical Society http://ryehistoricalsociety.weebly.com/

Whitecliffs July-September 2021 has a very informative and comprehensive article by Noel Erbs on the Canterbury Jetty. Canterbury was at one time the name for an area 4km west of Rye. The jetty was built in the 1870s. The newsletter also has a history of early boat wrecks off Rye by John Hazledine. October-December 2021 Whitecliffs looks at pre-World War One farming in the Rye area.

Somerville Tyabb & District Historical Society http://home.vicnet.net.au/~stdhs/

The July 2021 newsletter has an article on John Maddox, the Frankston hermit. There is also an article on the Somerville Hotel; a photo of the students at Tyabb State School in 1962 and an article on Edward and Mary Counsel. The Counsels were amongst the first settlers in Somerville.

Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/

The essay in The Plod of July is on the history of Mitchell House, the Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre, which is housed in the Station Master’s Residence.  The August Plod essay looks at Alternate Energy where prior to electricity ‘residents utilised a wide variety of energy sources to “get the job done”.’ A variety of machines are discussed including the McIlwraith Stirrup Water Pump – energy required was physical effort and the Primus Blowtorch – kerosene. The September Plod essay has a history of the Hollins Selections, Crown Allotments 31 to 34, Parish of Wonthaggi, County of Mornington, selected in 1885 by the Hollins family. The article was written by Margaret Rixon (nee Hollins). The October Plod essay is part 1 of Hotels and Licensing in the Wonthaggi district – Kilcunda, Dalyston, Archies Creek and Wonthaggi.

This is a summary of some of the articles taken from the newsletters sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies, June 2021. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Balnarring & District Historical Society

The May 2021 Snippets has an article on Harvey Crimp, a teacher at Balnarring State School from 1913 from 1919; he and his wife Georgina were also involved in many community activities. Other articles are on Captain John Smith, who died at his property, Wingland, Merricks in 1898; Frank Johnson, who purchased a holiday house at Merricks in 1928, based on an interview with his grandson, Phil who is a keen sailor. The other story, Polling Day at Merricks, written by Wendy Doube is a lovely story about a day at the Merricks Polling Booth in 1968 with Phyllis Cole, of Larnoo, Merricks.

Brighton Cemetorians http://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/

The Cemetorian has many interesting articles on the people buried at the Brighton Cemetery. The June 2021 issue includes Selina Powell (1881-1964), who nursed with the Imperial Nursing Service during World War One; James Goold (1820-1883), early pioneer; Paula Barry (1928-2017) teacher, Principal and author who received an A.M. in 2016 for services to primary education; and Arthur Rice (1881-1951), considered at one time to be the strongest man in Australia.

Chelsea and District Historical Society

The May newsletter reports on their AGM, the new President is Kaye Musgrove. The Chelsea Clock, a landmark on the Nepean Highway had been dismantled, brick by brick to make way for railway construction. It will eventually be reassembled in a new location. The June newsletter announced that Dr Graham Whitehead, City of Kingston Historian since 1997 is retiring. You can read some of Dr Whitehead’s research on the Kingston Local History website https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/

Hastings Western Port Historical Society  https://www.hwphs.org.au/

The June newsletter has part two of the history of the Hastings Boy Scouts, written by Lance Hodgins. Part one was in the March issue. Interesting story and the June article includes their attendance at the 1934/35 Scout Jamboree at Frankston – over 20,000 Scouts and Guides attended, with 35,000 spectators on New Year’s Day 1935 alone.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

The April newsletter has part two of a visit to the Koo Wee Rup region in 1886, an interesting look at the Swamp before drainage works started in 1889. The May newsletter has an article by Heather Arnold on Koalas at Yannathan; in 1887 a newspaper report said the area was swarming with ‘bears’ as koalas were called. There is also a report from the Koo Wee Rup Sun of September 7, 1981 of the centenary celebrations of the Yannathan Primary School. The June newsletter has an article, also by Heather Arnold, about the Koo Wee Rup Electric Light and Power Company, formed in 1927 to supply electricity to the town before S.E.C power arrived in 1935.

Lang Lang & District Historical Society http://www.langlang.net/historical.html

The June newsletter reports that the Society has recently received an elegant, carved lectern. It was donated in 1919 by the Head family of Yannathan to St John’s Anglican Church in Lang Lang. The Society also received some 16mm films from the late Gordon Sampson. They have since been digitised and one is of the 1956 Lang Lang Rodeo and another on the construction of the local water scheme, also in 1956.

Mordialloc College Alumni Association (MCAA) http://mordialloccollegealumni.org/

The March 2021 Ventured includes memories of past students, including Robyn Fleming who had completed Grade 6 at Somerville, then the family moved to Parkdale and she enrolled at the school in 1957, when she was still only ten years old. The Alumni Webmaster, Mitchell Sundstrom, was named the 2020 City of Kingston’s Young Citizen of the Year.

Mornington & District Historical Society  https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/

The June newsletter reports on the refurbishment to the Museum including internal painting and new shelving courtesy of the local Mens Shed. One of their members, Libby Gillingham, knits scarves out of teabag strings. Each scarf requires about 9,000 strings. It is a laborious procedure – staples need to be removed, the strings are then tied together and then knitted in garter stitch – the ultimate in recycling, as the heading said. The scarves are used as raffle or auction prizes to raise money for charity.

Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/

The May 2021 Past Times has an article by Sheryl Opie on Carl Niehoff, born in Hanover in 1820. He and his family make their way to Victoria where they operated a hotel in Talbot. Carl and his children were talented musicians and had a family band. There are topical newspaper reports from 1919 about quarantines and lockdowns in response to the Spanish Flu.

Narre Warren & District Family History Group http://nwfhg.org.au/

The May 2021 Spreading Branches has a story by Marianne Rocke on Fred and Annie Sheard, murdered in their house in Beaconsfield in 1921. The murderer was never found. The Group is the custodian of the Max Thomson collection of photographs and this issue features some of the photos of Harkaway and Beaconsfield Schools. The accompanying article was written by Eileen Durdin.

Phillip Island & District Genealogical Society http://piadgs.org.au

Reflections May 2021 has a story by Elaine Alexander on her 7th great-grandfather, James Pride (or Pryde c. 1678-1748). He was a collier from Prestonpans and worked at the Prestongrange Coal and Salt Works. At the time workers were not much better than slaves and in 1746 James and other family members petitioned Lord Prestongrange asking for improvements in their working conditions. It is unlikely it had any effect and emancipation of miners and salters in Scotland did not occur until 1799.

Phillip Island & District Historical Society  https://pidhs.org.au/

The May 2021 newsletter has an article on Jansson Cottage in Rhyll, built in 1892 for Captain Johan August Jansson and his wife, Hannah. Pamela Rothfield records 96 year-old Lorna Collins (nee McFee) memories of the worst storm in Victoria’s history on November 29 & 30, 1934. The conditions of this storm resulted in the loss of the Coramba, off Phillip Island. None of the seventeen crew members survived. The President of the Society, Graeme Clauscen, has recently written a book on the history of the Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club, Wild About Wooli.

Rye Historical Society http://ryehistoricalsociety.weebly.com/

Whitecliffs April-June 2021 includes an obituary of and a tribute to Pauline Powell, founding member and inaugural President of the Rye Historical Society. Pauline passed away in January this year. There is an article about ‘Welcome Homes’ to Rye service personnel in 1946, including some great photos.

Somerville Tyabb & District Historical Society http://home.vicnet.net.au/~stdhs/

The March newsletter has some interesting newspaper articles looking at various aspects of the area’s history including the sale in 1914 of Samuel Peacock’s Tyabb Park Estate.

Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/

The essay in The Plod of April 2021 is by C. Landon, Shooting at North Wonthaggi, is about an incident in 1926 when Michael Dunne was shot at close range by his hunting partner, Henry Hitchings. His death was said to be instantaneous. There is an extensive look at the Coroner’s reports and the verdict was that it was an accident. The May Plod essay is an adaption of the presentation notes of Tony Hughes from the launch of his book, Two Rivers Run: the story of Gippsland’s first pioneer-settler, Samuel Anderson on May 1st, 2021. Tony’s book is available to purchase from the Historical Society. The June Plod essay is by Mark Robertson, The Joy of the Toy, a look at toys. Local resident, Edith Dowson, still has a doll she was given ninety years ago on her first birthday.  The Society has a pre-World War Two clockwork tin toy of a monkey riding a donkey. It is Tippco make. They also have a Mamod steam-powered wagon in the original box.