The Bain family of the Border Hotel / Berwick Inn in Berwick

Robert and Susan Bain were the proprietors of the Border Hotel, also known as the  Berwick Inn, in  High Street in Berwick, at the intersection of Lyall Road.

The Border Hotel in 1858.

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

The hotel was established by Robert Hudson Bain (1831-1887) in 1857 which was four years before the town of Berwick was gazetted. (1) The book, Early Days of Berwick has this to say about the name of the establishment -  at a very early age, possibly the late 1840's the district was marked out for Police administrative purposes embracing the Port Philip area and with its limits at Bacchus Marsh and Berwick respectively. This theory that Berwick was the 'border' of this administrative area and thus the hotel was named the Border Hotel, is supported by the fact that there is an historic hotel in Bacchus Marsh called the Border Inn, construction of which started in 1850. The book goes on to to say  when the original Port Phillip Farmers' Society was formed [in 1848] two branches one at Berwick and one at Bacchus Marsh were formed so that district links existed between these two places. (2) The other theory suggested by Early days of Berwick is that Bain named it after his birth place, the border town of Berwick-on-Tweed, however Richard Myers, author of the book, Berwick Mechanics' Institute and Free Library has dismissed this idea, as  Bain was born in Falkirk in Scotland. (3)

Robert Bain came to Australia in 1855, on the George Marshall, when he was 24 years old. (4) He married Susan Stewart in 1859 and they had eleven children, but more about them later.

Robert was very much involved with the civic life of Berwick. He was Post Master from 1859 to1872, he was the first secretary of the Berwick Road Board which was formed in this building in 1862, and held their meetings there until the Council chambers were built further up High Street in 1865. He was on the board of the Berwick State School from 1862. The hotel was the venue for the first Police Court in 1865. It was also the first meeting place for the Berwick Mechanics' Institute. A block of land had been reserved for a Mechanics' Institute on the corner of Peel Street and Rutland Road (previously known as Irby Street) and a building was constructed on the site in  1866. This building was moved to its present site in High Street in 1877 or 1878. The site was donated by Robert Bain on a 500 year lease on the condition that the land continued to be used for a Mechanics' Institute. The rental was one shilling per annum, if demanded. A framed copy of the original lease can be seen at the Berwick Mechanics' Institute. (5)

The Border Hotel in 1877

Township of Berwick, Australasian Sketcher October 27, 1877

State Library of Victoria image A/S27/10/77/125

The Berwick  Inn  is one the oldest buildings in the area. The earliest section of the building, the triangular single storey part, dates from 1857. This is made of hand-made bricks from local clay. An archway to the rear garden was erected in 1876; and the next year, in 1877, a two-storey section was added facing High Street. Between 1887 in 1891 another two-storey section was added to the  Lyall Street frontage. (6)

The Border Hotel in 1887. The building on the right with the colonnades is the Post Office and Court House; the next building up the hill is the Rechabite Hall, then the Church of Christ. St Andrew's Presbyterian Church is on top of the hill.

Berwick 1887 (28 miles from Melb.), 1887. Photographer:  Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. 

State Library of Victoria image H2012.114/2 

Robert Bain died on February 24, 1887 at the age of 56. His obituary in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal can be read here but it reads in part - 

Connected with school, with Mechanic's Institute, with Cemetery, with everything that concerned the town ship; he was always ready to do his part, and, though latterly he could not help with his presence, his interest remained as keen as ever. He was possessed of a rare simplicity of spirit; and, although he made little show or pretence, did many kindly things in a quiet way which reflected great honor on his heart. Even within the last few days I have discovered many actions of this sort, and I know of one action especially which I shall never forget, showing a delicacy of sensibility that is only too rare among.us. Scandal, whether to hear or to utter, was abhorrent to him. He was full of humanity toward all, ever ready to give honor to whom honor was due, and help them who were in need. His end came peacefully and was such as we could wish our own to be. His funeral was held at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Reverend John Martin, and he is buried at the Berwick Cemetery. (7)

Rose Series post card of High Street, Berwick, c. 1923, which was the year Mary Byrne and her brother Daniel took over the Hotel.

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

The Berwick Inn, 1949. Photographer: Colin Caldwell

State Library of Victoria image H84.276/6/5a

The Berwick Inn, 1949. Photographer: Colin Caldwell. This shows the 1877 two storey extension facing High Street.

State Library of Victoria image H84.276/6/5b

The Berwick Inn, 1949. Photographer: Colin Caldwell. This photo shows the 1876 archway to the rear garden.

State Library of Victoria image H84.276/6/5d

We know that Robert gets much deserved credit for his role in public life, but Susan was in the background raising their eleven children and when her husband died in 1887 and her youngest child was only eight, Susan took over as the licensee of the hotel, and operated it until shortly before her death at the age of 69 on June 26, 1908. This is her obituary from The South Bourke and Mornington Journal - 

It is our painful duty to record the death of one who was most highly respected in Berwick and surrounding district  - we refer to the recent death of Mrs. Bain, senr., aged 69 years. The sad event occurred at Heidelberg on Friday, 26th inst. It will be remembered that in April last the late Mrs. Bain relinquished the management of the Border Hotel, and went to Heidelberg for the benefit of her health, and, notwithstanding constant attention by Dr. Buchanan, and trained nursing, the end came peacefully, as stated above. For years deceased had been a patient sufferer, and was at all times satisfied to make little of the pain she endured. Deceased had resided in Berwick for 50 years, and it is now 21 years since her late husband died ; her many good deeds will long be remembered by residents in and around Berwick. On Sunday last the funeral took place, and was probably the largest seen in Berwick, the remains being interred in the Presbyterian portion of the local cemetery, where a most impressive service was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Cope, many at the grave-side being moved to tears. Mr Grant attended to the mortuary arrangements, in conjunction with Mr Apps. To the bereaved relatives we extend our deepest sympathy. (8)  

Susan was born on December 28, 1838 in Scotland, the daughter of Robert Stewart and Catherine Campbell, and she arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and as we saw before, married Robert two years later. (9) Her sister Margaret also lived in Berwick with her husband George Brown. George owned a drapers shop in the town. Margaret died July 28, 1884 at the age of 50. Her only child, George was killed in 1887 at the age of 23, accidentally hit by a train whilst walking back to Berwick from Beaconsfield along the railway tracks. George Brown later married Mary Jane Patterson and built Inveresk in 1891, the house on the corner of High Street and Rutland Road in Berwick. I have written about them here.  (10)

The Bain family taken in the 1880s.

Photo: Berwick Mechanics' Institute and Free Library by Richard Meyers, p. 41  (see footnote 3)

The Hotel, Mrs Bain (seated) watching the croquet, 1900

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

Death notice of Susan Bain

South Bourke and Mornington Journal, July 1, 1908 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66147962

As you can see from the death notice, above, by the time Susan passed away in June 1908, only three of her eleven children were still alive.  

Here is a list of Robert and Susan's children. (The date of birth is actually the date the birth was registered)

• Catherine - born 1860 - died October 4, 1900, aged 40 - known as Kate, married John Murray Leggatt in 1878. (11)  
• Jane Hudson - born 1861 - known as Jean, she is the Mrs W.S Withers listed in the death notice. Jean married Walter Seward Withers in 1886, they are listed in the 1911 English Census, living in the town of Goodworth Clatford, near Andover, in Hampshire and she died on June 7, 1926 at Andover. (12)
• Margaret Anne Stewart  - born 1863, known as Maggie, married Charles Allen Champion in November 1889 and died on February 28, 1891 at the age of 28 - the same day as her stillborn son (13) 
• James - born 1865 - died January 15, 1908, aged 41 (14)  
• Robert - born 1867 - died January 18, 1902, aged 34  (15) 
• Harry Wilson - born 1869 - died April 1, 1902 aged 32. (16)   
• George Alexander - born 1871 - cannot confirm death date, however as he is listed in his mother's death notice he was still alive in 1908 (17)
• Edwin Clarence - born 1873 - died 1875. (18)
• Susan Stewart - born 1875 - died 1876. (19)
• McCulloch Stewart - known as Jock - born 1877 - died January 19, 1908, aged 29. (20)  
• Donald Stewart - born 1880 - died January 24, 1937, aged 56. (21)  

Sadly, there were two deaths in early 1902 - Robert and Harry - then in January 1908, James and McCulloch died in a heat wave. The South Bourke & Mornington Journal reported -

Berwick - The heat wave that has just passed over a greater part of the continent has been the cause of many premature deaths. Our small community has been smitten by the death of two brothers, comparatively speaking young men. Their ages being respectively 43 and 39 and the eldest and fourth son of Mrs. R. Bain of the Border Hotel. Much sympathy has been expressed for Mrs. Bain in her sad bereavement, more especially as she has been ill herself for close on a fortnight. The funeral of both her sons were largely attended, Mr. J. C. Bain who has been in business here for some years as estate and land agent leaves a wife but no children. Mr M. S. Bain was unmarried. As he was a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge here the members attended the funeral and walked in procession at head of the hearse to the cemetery. (22)  

Licensees after the Bain family

The Bain family owned the Hotel for a few more years after Susan died, but the Berwick Shire Rate Books are a bit unclear about when it was sold from the family.

Here is a list of all the licensees and owners of the Border Hotel/ Berwick Inn after the Bain family; it is as complete as I can make it. Note: the Local Government year used to run from October 1 to September 30, thus for instance the 1914/1915 Rate books cover activities from October 1, 1914 to September 30,1915. You will see that the information from the Rate Books does not always correspond with the newspaper reports. I don’t have the Rate Books after 1960, so I have just had to rely on advertisements for the licence transfers in The Age (on newspapers.com). It appears that after the Blackburnes the Hotel was owned by a company and later sold to other companies. 

Shire of Berwick Rate Books	Licensee as listed in Rate Books and Owner (if listed).	Newspaper  report
1906/1907	Susan Bain
1907/1908	Alfred Britchnell Steele Owner: Donald Bain	South Bourke and Mornington Journal 1/4/1908 - Licence transferred from Mrs Bain to  Alfred Steele at Dandenong Police Court hearing held 31/3/1908. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66147509
1908/1909 1909/1910	Alfred Britchnell Steele
1910/1911	Alfred Britchnell Steele Owner: Englehardt
1911/1912	Alfred Britchnell Steele Owner: Inglehardt [sic]
1912/1913	Alfred Britchnell Steele	South Bourke & Mornington Journal 14/8/1913 – Sale of Hotel from Steele to Triado. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66183831
1913/1914	John  Peter Michael Triado	Berwick Shire News ad 17/9/1913 lists A.B. Steele as licensee;  Berwick Shire News ad 24/9/1913 - licensee is John P.M. Triado
1913/1914 again		South Bourke & Mornington Journal  2/7/1914 – lease of hotel for nine years from Triado to ‘Mrs Falkiner’ (Mrs F was not there for 9 years). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page6367531 Berwick Shire News ad 22/7/1914 lists J.P.M. Triado as licensee;  Berwick Shire News ad 29/7/1914 – licensee is J. Faulkner - Proprietress
1914/1915	George Fawkner Owner: John  Peter Michael Triado	Police Court hearing  23/7/1914 Licence transferred from Julia Fawkner to John Triado. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66185742
1915/1916	George Fawkner Owner: John  Peter Michael Triado	South Bourke & Mornington Journal  6/7/1916 – Mrs and Mrs Triado took over management of Border Hotel. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66190157
1916/1917 to 1919/1920	John  Peter Michael Triado
1920/1921	John  Peter Michael Triado and from 4/2/1921 L.A. Parish	The Argus 31/5/1920 Transfer of licence from  J.P.M. Triado to  Selina Parish. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1707160
1921/1922	L.A. Parish and from  10/4/1922 Margaret Graham	The Argus 8/10/1921 Transfer of licence from Laura Selena Parish to Margaret Graham. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4640971
1922/1923	Arthur L. Morrow (Margaret Graham crossed out)	The Argus 31/7/1923 – transfer of licence from Arthur L.H. Morrow to Mary Byrne. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2009036
1923/1924	Miss Mary  Byrne and Daniel Byrne
1924/1925	Miss Mary  Byrne and Daniel Byrne. Owner: A.L. Morrow
1925/1926	Mrs N. Wright  (Byrnes crossed out) Owner: A.L. Morrow	Sun News Pictorial 9/6/1926 - Transfer of licence from Mary Byrne to Nora Wright. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article274984054
1926/1927	A.  Hartshorne [name also spelt Hartshorn]	The Age 14/6/1927 – transfer of licence from Nora Wright to Annie Hartshorn. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205803860
1927/1928 1928/1929	A.Hartshorne Owner: A.L. Morrow
1929/1930	Helen Struth – date of takeover  8/8/1930	1.Dandenong Journal 29/5/1930 Miss Struth has vacated Springvale Hotel and is taking over Berwick Hotel. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201079860 2. The Argus 30/7/1930 – sale of furniture etc at Berwick Hotel. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4102544 3. Dandenong Journal 7/8/1930 – Hartshornes leaving district. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201080596
1930/1931 to 1946/1947	Helen Struth	Helen Struth  died in Cheltenham aged 76 on June 15, 1959. She is buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery (23)
1947/1948	George Robert and Royall Blackburne - 3/9/1948 is the date of take-over as listed in Rate books	Dandenong Journal 9/6/1948 – licence passed from Miss Helen Struth to Mr & Mrs Gordon Blackburne on 26/5/1948. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214581727
	Blackburnes	Information about Gordon Blackburne (1905-1979) here https://upperbeaconsfieldhistory.au/g0/p842.htm#i25245 including an informative obituary which appeared in the Pakenham Gazette. Blackburne Square in Berwick is named for Mr Blackburne.
September 1960	Transfer of licence from the Blackburnes to the  Ye Olde Berwick Inn P/L	The Age 17/9/1960, p. 53
May 1964	Freehold of Hotel auctioned on 20/5/1964	Various advertisements in The Age
July 1965	Application for transfer of licence from Ye Olde Berwick Inn P/L to John Francis Fallon	The Age  17/7/1965, p. 53
March 1969	Application for transfer of licence from Ye Olde Berwick Inn to George Kevin Barfoot and Betty Ann Barfoot	The Age , 15/3/ 1969, p.92
July 1971	Application for transfer of licence from the Barfoots to Francis Barry Johnson and Ann Therese Johnson	The Age, 10/7/1971, p. 53
November 1984	Application for transfer of licence from the Johnsons to Carl David Strachan	The Age,  21/11/1984, p. 64.
2017	Sale from ALE Property Group	https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/a-good-time-to-sell-ale-puts-berwick-inn-on-the-market-20171004-gyu1hx

Hotel freehold for auction on May 20, 1964

The Age, April 29, 1964, p.18

The Hotel, November 26, 1961. Photographer: John T. Collins

Border Hotel, Princes Highway, Berwick. State Library of Victoria image H2010.1/499

The City of Berwick was proclaimed on October 1, 1973 and the inaugural City of Berwick Council meeting was held that day at 10.00am at the Berwick Inn.  Cr Barry Simon was elected as Mayor. 

Barry Simon is at the front, then the other councillors are (left to right)  David Lee, Jack Thomas, Keith Wishart, Sid Pargeter, Jan Bateman, Jim Alexander, Joan Phillips, Ron Irwin, George Chudleigh, John Byron and Bill Hudson. 

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

Acknowledgment - This is a much expanded  and updated version of a post, which I wrote and researched, which appeared on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to Our Past.

Footnotes

(1) Berwick was gazetted on February 25, 1861, same day as Cranbourne and over 250 other towns - https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1861/V/general/29-a.pdf

(2) Early days of Berwick and its surrounding districts - Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Harkaway, Narre Warren and Narre Warren North, complied by Norman Beaumont, James Curran and R.H Hughes. It was first published in 1948. 3rd edition, p. 20.

(3) Myers, Richard Berwick Mechanics' Institute & Free Library: a history (BMIFL, 1999)

(4) Early Settlers of the Casey-Cardinia District compiled by the Narre Warren and District Family History Group (2010)

(5) Early Days of Berwick, op. cit; Myers, Richard, op. cit.

(6) Context P/L Heritage of the City of Berwick: identifying and caring for important places (City of Berwick, 1993), pp. 311-313

(7) South Bourke and Mornington Journal,  March 16, 1887, see here.

(8) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, July 1, 1908, see here.

(9) Early Settlers of the Casey-Cardinia District, op. cit.

(10) https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-arthur-streeton-painting-of-brown.html

(11) The Argus, October 6, 1900, see here. 

(12) From Ancestry.com -  England Census 1911; England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995

(13) The Age, March 2, 1891, see here.

(14) The Argus, January 17, 1908, see here.

(15) The Argus, January 20, 1902, see here.

(16) The Herald, April 2, 1902, see here.

(17) Many sources on Ancestry.com list George Alexander Bain's date of death as October 25, 1945; however I purchased the death certificate of this person - it lists his name as Alexander,  his place of birth as Seymour; his father as Robert, occupation railway foreman and his mother as Margaret, maiden name unknown. This is clearly not the George Alexander born in Berwick in 1871 (registration number 14310/1871). This death certificate of Alexander Bain refers to the man born in Seymour to  Robert and Margaret (nee Bourke) in 1872 (registration number 19676/1872)

(18) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages

(19) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages

(20) The Age, January 21, 1908, see here.

(21) The Age, January 25, 1937, see here.

(22) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, January 22, 1908, see here.

(23) Death certificate

Agricultural Shows in the Shires of Berwick and Cranbourne

September is Royal Melbourne Show Time, so this month we will look at some Show related history.

The first reference I can find to the Royal Melbourne Show and the local area (old Shire of Berwick and Cranbourne) is in 1890 when Mr Alexander Cameron of Mayfield, Cranbourne won the champion bull at the show with six year old, Sir Robert Stout. The next year his Ayrshire bull, Aisla Crag won first prize in its category. (1)

Alexander Cameron's champion bull

State Library of Victoria image IAN01/09/91/22-23a

 

In 1894, a report from  the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of September 5, 1894 tells us that -  A. Dunlop of Koo Wee Rup won first prize at the Melbourne Show for his ‘cheese suitable for export’ and second prize for his ‘cheese over six months’. This was Alexander Dunlop (1832-1902) who at one time leased the Harewood Mains property at Dalmore from William Lyall. He later purchased Holmwood, a property of 660 acres (270 hectares) at Yallock where he established his cheese factory. (2)  

A report in the same paper from September 8, 1897 noted that Mr John Lyall of Koo Wee Rup won first prize for his Romney Marsh champion ram. His father, William Lyall, had imported Romney Marsh sheep and had exhibited them at the Port Phillip Farmers’ Society Annual Show in 1863.(3)  

In 1899, Mr M. McNamara of Bunyip won prizes for his Berkshire pigs, as reported in The Age. In the Boar over 12 months old category, Mr McNamara’s Sir Charles, won second prize. In the Boar under 12 months old category, he was awarded second place with his pig named Mark Twain. This was Mr McNamara’s first time exhibiting at the Show (4).    

In September 1914, the Bunyip Free Press could report –
A fine collection of farm produce from district farms has been collected by Mr. James Young and forwarded to Melbourne for exhibition at the Royal Show. The produce will be shown on the stand occupied by Wischer and Co, manufacturers of manures, and visitors to the show should certainly call at the stand and inspect the collection. The following forms part of the produce with names of the farmers :-White Belgium field carrots, from Mr. J. Mclnerney, Iona ; Carmen potatoes from Mr. Bradshaw, North Bunyip; 'Up-to-date' potatoes from Mr. John McKay, Iona; Brown Spanish onions from Mr. J. Pincott; Yellow Dent maize cobs from Mr. Silvester, Iona; and Brown Spanish onions from Mr. J. McKendry, Iona.The area was a major producer of dairy products and in 1918 both the Iona Cheese Factory and the Cora Lynn Cheese Factory gained prizes –At the Melbourne Show this week several local exhibitors have been successful. The Iona Cheese Factory was awarded 1st prize for cheese, over six months old; 1st for cheese, under four months old; 2nd for cheese suitable for export, not over three months old; 3rd for for cheeses not over 12lbs each, over four months old. Cora Lynn Factory - 2nd for cheese over six months; 2nd for for cheeses not over 12lbs each, over four months old. (5)

In September 1920 - The Iona cheese factory practically "scooped the pool" at the Royal Show in Melbourne. For years past Iona .has won the bulk of the cheese prizes. (6)  

The Royal Melbourne Show began with the ploughing competitions organised by the Port Phillip Farmers’ Society which was established in 1848 (and initially called the Moonee Ponds Farmers' Society)  and which was the forerunner to the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.   Early Days of Berwick (7) explains -  The aims and objects of the Port Phillip Farmers’ Society were to encourage a spirit of emulation amongst agriculturalists and makers and importers of agricultural implements by offering prizes to be competed for annually - for the best samples of grain and other agricultural produce; for the best stock for agricultural, grazing and dairying purposes and for the best agricultural implements, also by offering prizes to be competed for at annual ploughing matches and for the encouragement of district farming societies. (8) 

The Moonee Ponds Farmers' Society wasted no time and held their first ploughing on July 28, 1848. You can read a report in The Argus about this event here. On August 18,  1848 a meeting was held and the name of the Society was changed to the Port Phillip Farmers' Society. You can read about this,  once again in The Argus, here. (9)  Another name change occurred in 1870 when the Port Phillip Farmers' Society became the National Agricultural Society of Victoria (NASV). At the same time the organization moved their show grounds from Sydney Road in Parkville to St Kilda Road in South Melbourne (near Dorcas Street). They remained on St Kilda Road until 1883 when they moved to Flemington.  In 1890, the NASV became the Royal  Agricultural Society of Victoria. (10)

Back to the Port Phillip Farmers' Society which  had three branches - Gisborne, Bacchus Marsh and the Mornington branch, which was established in October 1856. It was named Mornington from the County of Mornington. For land administrative purposes Victoria was divided into Counties and the Mornington County took in the Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast region, Phillip Island, Cranbourne Narre Warren and east to Bunyip and parts of Emerald and Gembrook. 

We will return to Early Days of Berwick to find out how the Mornington branch was established - At a meeting at Bowman's Hotel on the Cardinia Creek in 1856, for the purpose of forming a District Roads Board, Mr Alexander Patterson brought forward a proposal to form a district Pastoral and Agricultural Society as a branch of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society, of which he was a district member. The idea was heartily approved by the meeting and about twenty enrolled as members. Shortly afterwards, on 6th October 1856, a meeting was held in Dandenong, when it was resolved that a Society be established and named the Mornington Farmers' Society in accord with the title of the central society. It was further resolved that there should be a committee of nine member and the following were elected by ballot: Dr James Smith Adams, Dr James Bathe, Messrs Abraham Gardiner, Isaac Keys, William Lyall, Alexander Patterson, Charles Rossiter, Thomas Walton and John Wedge. Mr Patterson was elected Secretary and Treasurer. (11)

The Mornington Farmers' Society held their first Ploughing match on Wednesday April 29, 1857 at 'Mr Walton's Farm near Dandenong' - this was Thomas Walton, who came to what is now called Narre Warren in 1852 and built Holly Green - his farm is now occupied by the Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. The Early Days of Berwick has the location of this first ploughing match taking place at Cranbourne, but this report, below, from The Argus contradicts this (this not to denigrate the research published in the Early Days of Berwick which was first published in 1948 - we now have a huge range of resources available to us on-line that were unheard of then).  

Advertisement for the first Ploughing match at Mr Walton's near Dandenong

The Age, April 24, 1857 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154825319 

This is a report of the first ploughing match - 

1st Mornington Ploughing Match April 29, 1857

The first district ploughing match of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society, in the county of Mornington, took place according to advertisement on Wednesday last at Mr. Walton's farm, near Dandenong.
The ground selected proved to be admirably adapted for the match, and all the arrangements made by Alexander Patterson, Esq., a member of the society residing in the neighbourhood, were calculated to give entire satisfaction to the competitors and spectators assembled on the occasion.

Messrs. Thomas Miller and William Dewar attended as judges from the central society. Mr. Charles Forrester, who had been appointed to act with them as the local judge, preferred entering the lists as a competitor, and as will be seen from the awards subjoined, succeeded in carrying off a second prize, thus practically showing that his appointment by the Committee was a judicious one.

The number of entries at the hour for starting amounted to twelve, viz.,-seven horses and five bullock teams. The quantity of ground allotted to each competitor was half an acre, and, in the majority of instances, the work was completed in excellent style. The judges expressed themselves highly pleased with the ploughing in both classes, and their decisions gave entire satisfaction to all parties interested.The awards were as follows :
Class 1, Ploughing with Horses.
First Prize- A Gold Medal awarded to Mr. A. Patterson -ploughman John Gellie.
Second Prize -First Silver Medal, awarded to
Messsrs. J. and P. Brisbane - ploughman James Rutherford. 

Class 2, Ploughing with Bullocks.
First Prize - Gold Medal, awarded to Mr. John Mills - plough held by himself.
Second Prize - First Silver Medal, awarded to Mr. Charles Forroster - plough held by himself.
Mr. James Buchanan's ploughing highly commended.

Best Team of Mares or Geldings at work in the field -
First Silver Medal, awarded to Mr Isaac Keys for a pair of very superior mares.
Best team of Bullocks, at work in the field.
First silver medal, awarded to Messrs. J. and P. Brisbane.

Although, from various causes, the number of competitors was not quite so large as expected, still, as a commencement, the meeting was a most satisfactory one.. The attendance of spectators throughout the day was numerous, and comprised all the agriculturists of note in the locality. Their previous support of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society has been most cordial, while the spirit evinced regarding the match, coupled with the successful result of the day's proceedings, speaks favourably as to the desire for agricultural improvement existing in this rapidly rising district.

After the termination of the match, the gentlemen present sat down to a dinner, hospitably provided by Mr. Walton, and eventually separated, with the determination to support next year's ploughing match with increased spirit. (12)

2nd Mornington Ploughing Match June 4, 1858
The second ploughing match was held on June 4, 1858 at Mornington Farmers' Society - ploughing match at Cranbourne in 1858 at the property of the Reverend Alexander Duff in the township of Cranbourne. Reverend Duff owned most of the block bordered by Russell, Bakewell, Cameron and Childers Street - the site is now occupied by Cranbourne Primary School.

Ploughing Match Mornington Branch of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society
The second annual ploughing match of the Mornington branch of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society took place, according to appointment, on the property of the Rev. Alex. Duff, in the township of Cranbourne, on Friday last, and was in every respect a successful gathering of the friends of agricultural progress in that district.

The number of teams and ploughs assembled on the ground amounted to 15; viz., eight horse and seven bullock ploughs, being three in excess of last year ; and it is but justice to state, that in the display on this occasion a very decided improvement was evinced, both as to the quality of the teams and the care and skill of the workmen contesting for the prizes.

On the completion of the work allotted to the various competitors, the Judges, Messrs Dick, Wade and Leckie, proceeded to their inspection, and handed in their awards, as follows :

PLOUGHING WITH HORSES
First prize - Gold medal, or £6 - To John Tait, ploughman to Mr. Creighton.
Second prize - £3-To Nicholas Fowler, ploughman to Messrs C. and T. Rossiter.
Third prize - £2, or first silver medal-To George Wooff, ploughman to Mr. Cameron.

PLOUGHING WITH BULLOCKS
First prize - Gold medal, or £6 - To James Buchanan ; plough hold by himself.
Second Prize - £3 - To James Darnach, ploughman to Messrs Brisbane,
Third Prize - £2, or first silver medal - To Thomas Mitchell, ploughman to Mr. R. Patterson.

BEST TEAM OF MARES AND GELDINGS AT WORK IN THE FIELD
First Prize - First silver medal -To Messrs. C. and T. Rossiter.
Second Prize - Second silver medal-¡To Messrs Creighton.

BEST TEAM OF BULLOCKS.
First Prize - First silver medal – Mr M. M’Lelland
Second Prize-Second silver medal-Mr. J. Buchanan
Most of the leading gentry and agriculturists of the district, together with a sprinkling of the fair sex, visited the field during the progress of the match, and in the evening were hospitably entertained by the worthy proprietor.

The vice chair was occupied by A. Patterson, Esq., to whose exertions in the capacity of hon. secretary the success of the society is in a great measure to be attributed. A variety of excellent speeches followed, in the course of which frequent allusions were made to the fact of the grain-growers of the district taking some of the principal prizes, in competition with those of Adelaide and Victoria, at the late show of the Port Phillip Farmers' Society, and all present expressed their satisfaction at the results of the second annual ploughing match of the " Mornington Branch."  (13)

From 1860 the shows alternated between Berwick and Cranbourne, until the late 1890s when the shows were held at Berwick, the 40th show was held at Cranbourne in 1897.  The name Berwick and District Agricultural & Horticultural Society was adopted by the Mornington Farmers' Society at the Annual General Meeting held July 25, 1918. (14)  The Duke of Gloucester visited the Berwick Show in 1934, see report and photographs, here. 

Local Agricultural Societies

You may remember if you went to the Royal Melbourne Show before the 1980’s that the focus was on agriculture rather than show-bags and rides. I have photos of the 1960 Royal Melbourne Show, taken of a potato washing and packing display of J. & F. Rouse, Cora Lynn, here.  It was the object of organisations such as the Royal Agricultural Society to encourage and promote improvements in agriculture and the shows allowed the farmers to display their best stock or produce and show off their ploughing skills. To this end, local Societies were established .

View of the Bunyip Showground 

The Leader, March 9 1907, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196649532

The Bunyip Agricultural and Horticultural Society was established in December 1899 and they held their first show on March 17, 1900. (15) There were prizes awarded for cattle, dairy produce, grain, fruit, preserves and miscellaneous. Here are the winners and the second place awards for the last two categories -
Preserves
Collection Homemade Jam - Mrs Lougley and Mrs Mortimer.
Two Bottles Tomato Sauce - Mrs Rintel and Mrs Greenham.
Two Bottles Honey-Mrs Greenham and E.Holgate.
Collection of Pickles.- S. P. Nicholson.
Collection Preserved Fruit - Mrs Rintel and D. Topp.
Miscellaneous
4lb Loaf Home-made Bread - Mrs Rintel and Mrs Ellis.
Dish of Home-made Scones - Mrs Glenister and Miss Topp.
Home-made Fruit Cake - Mrs Williams and Mrs Bell.
Home-made Plain Cake - Mrs Ellis and Mrs Morris.
Best Dressed White Shirt and Collar - Miss M'Namara and Miss Bell.
Collection of Fancy Work - Miss Bell, Miss Topp.
Pair Hand-knitted Socks or Stockings - Mrs Morris, Mrs Rintel.
Collection of Flowers - Miss Heales, Mrs Nelson.
Colored Map of Australia (for children attending Bunyip, Bunyip South, and Garfield State School) - Jessie Tutton and Albert Ellis. (16)

Bunyip Agricultural Society - Group of officials

The Leader, April 7, 1906 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198363773

In February 1907, two thousand people attended the Bunyip Show where the special guest was the Governor, Sir Reginald Talbot. The Governor and his party had arrived by special train at Garfield; they were then transported to Iona to view the settlement and thence by way of the Main Drain to the show ground attended by an escort of the Australian Light Horse under Captain A'Beckett (17) 

Arrival of the Vice Regal Party at the Bunyip Show

Punch, March 7 1907 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175792177

The grandly named Lang Lang Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Society started on December 3, 1900 and their first show was held on February 27, 1901. (18) This report of the first show was in the Western Port Times –
The Lang Lang A.P. & H. Society held their first show on Wednesday. The attendance was large and there must have been nearly a thousand persons present. The exhibits were also very numerous being nearly 900. The show of stock and farm implements were shown in the sale yards, farm produce and other small exhibits were in the Mechanics' Institute. This society has done well with their first show and it is hoped by next year that suitable yards will be erected. (19)

Lang Lang Agricultural Show.

1. Committee and Officials of the Lang Lang Agricultural Society. 2. General view of Show Grounds, judging hacks. 3. Mr H.G. Gamble's (Lyndhurst)  First Prize Yearling Heifer 'Queenie' 4. Mr A.J. N. Facey's (Cranbourne), Champion Ayrshire Cow 'Bud of Glen Elgin.' 5. In the ring: Judging Ayrshire bulls. 6. Mr J. T. Smethurst's (Yannathan), Champion Jersey bull. 

Weekly Times, March 3, 1906 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221220483

The Pakenham Agricultural and Horticultural Society was established in September 1911 and their first show was in March 1912. (20) 

The first Catani Show was held in April 1941 with proceeds going to the War Aid Auxiliary. The Show made a profit of over £100. (21)  Prizes were awarded in a number of categories including Draught Horses, Ponies, Ayrshires, Jerseys, Red Poll and Dairy. There was also a Women’s Section which had prizes for Cut flowers, Preserves, Pickles, Bread & cakes, Fancy work and Produce. A highlight of the show was, as The Argus reported, an exhibition by the Longwarry Butter Factory created considerable interest, as exhibits of cheese, butter, cream, pasteurised and brine-cooled milk, milk powder, and other products manufactured from milk and cream supplied by the farmers of the district, gave an idea of the productivity of the soil. (22)


Footnotes
(1) The Leader, October 11, 1890, see here and here; South Bourne and Mornington Journal, August 26, 1891, see here. 

(2) South Bourke and Mornington Journal of September 5, 1894, see here. Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (F.W. Cheshire, 1968) , pp. 124-125.

(3) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, September 8, 1897, see here. 

(4) The Age, September 6, 1899, see here; The Weekly Times, September 9, 1899, see here; 

(5) Bunyip Free Press, September 10, 1914, see here. 

(6) Yarragon Settlement News, September 23, 1920, see here. 

(7) Early days of Berwick and its surrounding districts - Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Harkaway, Narre Warren and Narre Warren North, complied by Norman Beaumont, James Curran and R.H Hughes. It was first published in 1948, I used the 3rd edition. Early Days of Berwick has a very comprehensive chapter on the Mornington Farmers' Society and the Berwick & District Agricultural & Horticultural Society on pages 55 to 66. 

(8) Early Days of Berwick, op.cit.  p. 55.

(9) The Argus, August 1, 1848, see here; The Argus, October 10, 1848, see here. 

(10) EMelbourne https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01279b.htm; 

Noble, Frederick Harwood and Morgan, Robert  Speed the Plough: a history of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV, 1981)

(11) Early Days of Berwick, op.cit.  p. 57. 

(12) The Argus, May 2, 1857, see here.  

(13) The Argus, June 9, 1858, see here.  

(14) The Argus, December 17, 1897, see here; Pakenham Gazette, July 19, 1918, see here. 

(15) ) Nest, Denise Call of the Bunyip: a history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847 - 1990  (Bunyip History Committee, 1990), pp. 86-89.

(16) Warragul Guardian, March 23, 1900, see here.

(17) Bunyip and Garfield Express, February 28, 1907, p. 2. 

(18) Coghlan, Barbara Protector’s Plains: history of the Lang Lang Primary school No.2899, 1888-1988 and district (CBC Publishing, 1988), p. 72.

(19) Western Port Times, March 1, 1901, see here.

(20) South Bourke and Mornington Journal, August 24, 1911, see here;  South Bourke and Mornington Journal, September 7, 1911, see here; South Bourke and Mornington Journal, March 28, 1912, see here.    

(21) Dandenong Journal, April 23, 1941, see here.       

(22) The Argus, April 15, 1941, see here.