Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Frankston Avenue of Honor and War Memorial

Frankton established a Avenue of Honor, to commemorate their Great War Soldiers in 1918. The first tree was planted on July 13 and The Age had the following report -
In wintry and showery weather conditions the State Governor on Saturday afternoon performed the opening ceremony in connection with the planting of an honor avenue in Point Nepean-road, Frankston, in memory of the men who enlisted from that district. There was a large attendance of local residents and about 200 invalided soldiers from the base, Caulfield, M'Leod and Highton military hospitals, in charge of Warrant Officer Arrowsmith. The men were convoyed to Frankston by about 50 cars belonging to members of the voluntary motor corps. The Langwarrin band attended, and there was also a guard of honor from Langwarrin camp. In planting the first of a line lot of eucalyptus botryoides in honor of Private A. Bolger, who was the first local soldier killed in action, Sir Arthur Stanley congratulated the people of the district on the splendid patriotism they had always shown, and the whole-hearted hospitality the lady members of the Wattle club had extended to the soldiers. He said the avenue of trees, individually supplied by the people, would be a lasting memorial to those brave fellows who had shown a magnificent example of self-sacrifice in the Umpire's cause. The names of those men would live for ever and be always cherished for generations to come....The trees were then planted under the supervision of Mr. Hartland, of the Forestry department, and extended for a distance of nearly a mile. (1)  


The planting of the Frankston Avenue of Honor
1. Mr. and Mrs. James Grice planting a tree in honor of their son, Lieut. Grice. 2. Guard of Honor. 3. The Governor (Sir Arthur Stanley) addressing the residents. 4. Tree in Honor of Pte. E. M'comb, planted by his brother-in-law, Sergt. Moon. 
Avenue of Honor at Frankston in Memory of Men of the District who have Enlisted.
Weekly Times, July 20, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129476803 


However, two years later the Avenue was a sorry sight, as recorded in this letter to the Editor of the Mornington Standard -  
Frankston Honor Avenue, Sir- The avenue of trees planted along the Melbourne road last year, after a years growth, do not at present give the indications of their ever attaining to the noble avenue of trees which is so much desired, considering the purpose for which they were planted, and it must be a disappointment to many to seen such unsatisfactory results. As it is, some trees that have been looked after have made good growths, one in particular having taken such a lead that may always leave it far ahead of the rest. This is not  desirable, as I take it an avenue should have for its greatest beauty and glory a uniform growth with each tree. This could best be attained by attention to each tree during the first year of planting, and by such attention as watering and stimulating the weaker trees by reinforcing the soil around their butts, an providing a litter to conserve moisture, they would have made a better growth, and perhaps all would have survived the past summer's long dry spells and the avenue being a fair way to become what we all wish: To glory and pride of all. Yours. etc, VISITOR. (2)

The Avenue did survive and in 1931 in a report of the  Provincial Press Association's Outing to Frankston we find that it was thriving -  
As the cars turned again toward the town along Point Nepean-road the Honor Avenue was passed. This is a double row of Australian Gums about half a mile in length. Point Nepean-road at this part is two chains in width and contains some beautiful homes and some of the finest hedges in the state. The Honor Avenue is in the centre and provides a sheltered walk for pedestrians. (3)

The Avenue was removed in the 1960s for road widening and there is now a memorial to mark the original location (4) 

This wasn't the only Great War memorial in Frankston, there was also a monument. The Frankston Soldiers' Memorial Committee was established in 1919 (5). There was much discussion as to the location of the memorial, outside the Mechanics' Institute was a favoured location, however, in the end the site selected in Bay Street, opposite the Post Office (or essentially outside the Grand Hotel, on the intersection of Bay Street (the Nepean Highway) and Davey Street)  (6).  In September 1921, designs were invited for the War Memorial, which was to cost £1200. (7) 


Designs invited for Frankston War Memorial
The Age, August 6, 1921 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206704866

In November 1921, the Frankston Standard could report that -
On Tuesday last, Cr Mason and Messrs Utber and Vicars, representing the Frankston Soldiers'
Memorial Committee, visited Melbourne and inspected the designs submitted for the Frankston Memorial in the competition arranged by the War Memorials Advisory Committee for Victoria. There were seven competitors, and the adjudicators placed Mr. Alex S. Hall's design first, a decision which was fully endorsed by the Frankston committee. This design is now on view in the window of Mr W. P. Mason, Bay Street, Frankston. (8)

Alexander Sergeant  Hall was a Melbourne Architect and had trained with the firm Bates, Peebles and Smart. Alec enlisted in the  A.I.F in July 1916 at the age of 21 and was discharged in June 1919.  In 1928 he won first prize in the competition to design the Ararat War Memorial; in 1935 he entered into a partnership with Architect Frank Stapley, who was also a Melbourne City Councillor from 1901 until his death in 1944. In 1948, along with Architect, E. E. Milston, Alec won the competition to design the memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War Two at the Shrine of Remembrance. He died on January 6, 1972 1972, aged76 and left behind his wife Eileen and sons David and Peter.  (9)

The project moved slowly as there was shortage of funds; in April 1922 the committee held £622 and still required another £500 (10). A year later in April 1923 a meeting was held to discuss modifications to the original design -
Mr. Hall, the architect whose design for a Soldiers' Memorial at Frankston was accepted, met the committee at the Council Chambers, Frankston, on Wednesday evening last. Cr. W. J. Oates was in the chair, and others present were: -  Cr. Mason, Dr. Maxwell, Messrs. P. Wheeler, M. Brody, H. Morrison, A. Hill, J. D. Jenings, W. M. Hanton, W. C. Young, and Lieut.-Colonel Lazarus (hon. sec.). The object of the meeting was to discuss with Mr. Hall the practicability of the proposal to reduce the cost of the memorial, without materially altering the original design. Mr. Hall agreed that granite and blue-stone could with advantage replace the free-stone provided for in the original estimates. It was ultimately resolved that the architect prepare a fresh estimate of cost, allowing for substituted material, but retaining the original brass tablet, bearing the names of soldiers. It is hoped that the revised specifications will permit of the Memorial being erected for about £800. The original estimate was £1180. (11)


Tenders invited for the construction of the War Memorial

Finally in June 1923, the Architect, Alec Hall, could advertise for tenders for the construction of the new memorial. (12) Seven tenders were received (13) and on June 27, 1923 the Frankston Soldiers' Memorial Committee met and -
The secretary then read a letter from the architect, giving details of the tenders received for the erection of soldiers' memorial at Frankston. The lowest tender was that of Messrs. Corben & Sons, and the architect recommended the acceptance of same. It was resolved on the motion of Cr. Mason, seconded by Mr. Brody that Corben & Son's tender at £580 be accepted. (14)

The Memorial was unveiled by the Prime Minister, Mr Bruce on Anzac Day, 1924. The Age began their report with a description of the monument -
A memorial to the Frankston soldiers, erected on an elevation in the main thoroughfare, was unveiled yesterday by the Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce). The monument, which takes the form of a sandstone drinking fountain, contains a bronze plate, on which are engraved the names of the local volunteers. (15) You can the rest of the article here and another account of the unveiling from the Frankston and Somerville Standard, here.


The Frankston War Memorial
Frankston and Somerville Standard, April 30, 1924  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73499570

Recently, I came across the photograph, below, which was the catalyst for all this research and when I saw the original illustration I realised that the memorial had been altered with a more elaborate addition, on the top. This addition took place in 1928, although not without some controversary as reported in the Frankston and Somerville Standard in the April -
The additions to the Soldiers' Memorial, the proposed alteration of which raised a good deal of controversy in architectural circles, are now being carried out. The work is being done at the direction of Mr. H. M. Collins, of "Gracehill," Frankston, and those who have been dissatisfied with the present memorial will be grateful to Mr. Collins for his generosity. Many, on the other hand, are opposed to any alteration of the original structure. Those versed in art and with an eye for the beautiful in architecture contend that the original design ranked with the finest war memorials in the State. (16)


The War Memorial, on the right.
Shopping Centre, Frankston, around late 1940s. Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. 
State Library of Victoria image H32492/6366

Henry Michael Collins, was the benefactor of this addition; he had previously donated £5 to the Memorial building fund in 1922 and another £10 towards the fund in 1925. He was a man to whom memorials were important; in October 1925 there was dedication service at St Paul's Anglican Church in Frankston of window in honour of his son, Major Percy Robert Murdoch Collins, D.S.O., R.G.A., who was killed in action near Ypres, on June 25, 1917 aged 26 and Percy's widow, Anne Elinor Lula Collins (nee Grice), who died on December 8, 1918 at the age of 23. At the same service a memorial tablet was unveiled to Henry's wife, Isabella Maria Collins, who died in England, on February 11, 1917. Sadly, the memorial window was destroyed by fire in 1957. (17)

Henry was born in 1844 in England and spent his working life with Reuters Agency; he worked all over the world and in 1878 he was appointed General manager for Reuters Australasia, a role he held for 30 years. Henry was also on the board of management of the Alfred Hospital from 1895. Mr Collins died on June 11, 1928. (18) His last local deed of benevolence was his order for the improvement of the Frankston Soldiers' Memorial. Although architects and artists differed on the question of adding to the centre portion of the memorial there is no room for argument that the scheme which was being carried out under Mr. Collins' direction for the beautification of the surroundings and approach to the memorial itself is a vast improvement. It is a matter for lasting regret that this public benefactor did not live to see the fulfilment of his plan for a more fitting tribute to the memory of those to whom he never tired of doing honor. (19)
There are not many photographs of the War Memorial (that I can find) but here are four of  various quality, which give some indications of the location and what it looked like.

Hard to see, but the War Memorial is on the left, you can see the steps which lead to it. 
Post Office and Portion of shopping centre, Frankston, around late 1940s. Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. 
State Library of Victoria image H32492/3649


The War Memorial in 1935
Adelaide Chronicle, January 17, 1935 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92363405


The War Memorial in 1946. 
Frankston Standard, November 14, 1946 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73594317


The War Memorial in 1947
Frankston Standard, May 1, 1947 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73596240


What happened to the Frankston War Memorial? It was removed around 1962 and the brass plaque with all the names of the soldiers was added to a new monument at the Civic Centre in Davey Street, which also honours service personnel  from other conflicts. The Civic Centre memorial appears to be just a number of plaques mounted on brick wall. (20) A  new memorial was created in 2016 in Beauty Park in Frankston in 2016, a half circle of concrete with the names of the 228 men and women who served in World War One engraved upon it (21).  It is equally as bland as the Civic Centre memorial was. 

The original brass plaque from the World War One soldiers does not appear to have been relocated to Beauty Park - where is that now? In fact, what happened to the original sandstone monument and Mr Collins's addition? 

Footnotes
(1) The Age, July 15, 1918, see here. 
(2) Mornington Standard, May 7, 1920, see here.
(3) Horsham Times, January 16, 1931, see here. 
(4) Virtual War Memorial Australia https://vwma.org.au/explore/memorials/6801
(5) I believe it was 1919 - that's the earliest mention I can find. Mornington Standard, August 16, 1919, see here. 
(6) Location - Mechanics' Institute - Mornington Standard, April 30, 1920, see here; Bay Street - Frankston and Somerville Standard, April 9, 1920, see here and  Frankston and Somerville Standard, June 29, 1923 see here;  Frankston Standard, October 17, 1941, see here.  
(7) The Age, August 6, 1921, see here.  
(8) Frankston and Somerville Standard, November 25, 1921, see here. 
(9) Alexander Sergeant Hall - WW1 enlistment papers https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3007001  The Herald, July 23, 1928, see here; The Argus, July 11, 1935, see here; Frank Stapley obituary The Argus, September 13, 1944, see here;  Sun News-Pictorial, February 28, 1948, see here.    


Death notice of Alec Hall
The Age, January 7, 1972, p. 13 from newspapers.com

(10) Frankston and Somerville Standard, April 7, 1922, see here. 
(11) Frankston and Somerville Standard, April 20, 1923, see here. 
(12) The Argus, June 9, 1923, see here.  
(13) Frankston and Somerville Standard, June 20, 1923, see here. 
(14) Frankston and Somerville Standard, June 29, 1923, see here. 
(15) The Age, April 26, 1924, see here.  
(16) Frankston and Somerville Standard, April 13, 1928, see here. 
(17) Henry Michael Collins - donations Frankston and Somerville Standard, August 30, 1922, see here and Frankston and Somerville Standard, March 4, 1925, see here; Church memorials - Frankston and Somerville Standard, October 23, 1925, see here and https://www.stpaulsfrankston.com.au/stained-glass-windows
(18) Henry Michael Collins obituary - Prahran Telegraph, June 15, 1928, see here. 
(19) Frankston and Somerville Standard, June 15, 1928, see here. 
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Monday, January 6, 2025

1909 in Cheltenham - the year of the Whirlwinds - part 1

In 1909 Cheltenham was hit by two whirlwinds - the first one was on January 27 and the other one on November 19. This post looks at the January whirlwind and I have written about the November whirlwind, here. In 1909, Cheltenham and neighbouring Highett were still very much country towns surrounded by market gardens. In fact, in 1906, The Australasian could report -
From the Highett railway station a lovely panorama of the highly cultivated gardens is to be obtained, and so perfect is the ploughing and sowing that to the casual observer the country looks as though it had been divided by parallel rulers. (1)


This is Cheltenham, dated 1928-1930, and you can see the extent of the market gardens. The building in the centre is the Methodist Livingstone Home for Children, it faces the Nepean Highway, the curved street to the right is Jamieson Street and the road at the back is Chesterville Road. The Children's Home site is now occupied by Southland. 
Photographer: Charles Daniel Pratt/Airspy. State Library of Victoria image H91.160/389. 
Click here for a high-res version http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/21085
The avenue of trees are part of the Avenue of Honor - read about it here https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/articles/348 and here https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/articles/659


The Brighton Southern Cross published this interesting report on the January whirlwind -
A phenomenal whirlwind swept through the Highett and Cheltenham districts on Wednesday afternoon. It was about 10 feet wide and travelled at a furious rate, carrying dust and all sorts of debris up out of sight. It was first noticed in Wickham-road, and travelled west, skirting Mr. Stayner's property, and going round Mr. Williams's house. A big pine tree in its course did not break it, and it continued on through Messrs. Allen, Brough and Davies' gardens. It made a track through Mr. Brough's tomato patch, scattering the fruit about, and dust, paper leaves, grass and debris of all kinds went up hundreds of feet high, and tea-tree boughs, kerosene tins and heavier materials were also caught up. It swept through Mr. Phillips's and struck the billiard-room of the Mechanics'-institute. This home of big breaks was too much for the cyclone, the building breaking up the wind in its course, and diffusing it down the Main-road. (2)

I have identified the people mentioned in the article through the Electoral Rolls - Messrs Stayner, Williams, Allen, Brough, Davie and Phillips. What follows, is a look at their lives as well as a short history of the Cheltenham Mechanics' Institute. 

Mr Stayner
George Alexander Stayner lived on Wickham Road, South Brighton and his occupation was a gardener, by which they meant a market gardener. He was married to Winifred Ann, whose address was Wickham Road, Moorabbin, so it appears there was some fluidity of place names at that time. George was the son of George and Flora (nee McLeod) Stayner, listed in the Electoral Roll at Nepean Road, South Brighton. George and Flora, the daughter of Alexander McLeod of Cheltenham, had married at the Presbyterian Manse in Brighton on December 14, 1870. (3) George Alexander was the third George Stayner living in the area as his grandfather George Christopher Stayner (1822-1895) first settled in Brighton in 1849.  

In 1894 the Oakleigh Leader wrote -
The patronymic of Stayner is among the historical ones of this district. Mr. George C. Stayner, sen.,
came to Brighton in 1849 from the old country, and although he did a little gardening his chief avocation was in the carting and carrying line. Like almost every one else he departed for the goldfields when the gold fever was on, but returned to this locality, and in 1854 took up land in South Brighton on the Highett road. (4)  The article continues with a detailed description of his orchard, and you can read it here.  

George Christopher Stayner died on August 14, 1895; 36 years after his wife Dinah (nee Wedmore) who died on August 16, 1859. They are buried at the Brighton Cemetery. (5)


George Stayner  (1847-1922)
Brighton Southern Cross, April 4, 1908  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164349902

George (the middle George) was also a market gardener and he died on May 30, 1922. His Probate papers show that he owned 12 acres of land on the triangle bounded by the Nepean Highway (also called Main Road or Point Nepean Road), Worthing Road and Wickham Road, in what was called Highett. This was where his market garden was located along with his house, Beaumont, which fronted the Nepean Highway.  The property also had 5 other cottages, constructed in 1888 and a Blacksmiths shop. (6)


George Stayner builds five cottages
The Age, November 14, 1888 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article193399677


George also owned ten acres of land in Keys Road, Moorabbin; two acres in Highett Road, Moorabbin; ten acres in Wickham Road East, Moorabbin and a small block adjoining the Wickham Road property on Sandford Street. His Will shows that his wife, Flora, was left £400; that the Beaumont property was left to his son George; and that the remaining property was to be sold and divided amongst his eight daughters - Mary Friday, Letitia Jane Allen, Flora Isabella Andrews, Ethel May Stayner, Lydia Grace Andrews, Lavinia Ivy Mills, Clarice Evelyn Hore and Christina Dinah Allen. (7)

The youngest George had married local girl, Winifred, in February 1903 at the Presbyterian Church in Cheltenham; she was the daughter of Sidney and Sarah Clayton of Wickham Road, Moorabbin. They had two children, Nancy and Sid. (8)  

George was also a Boer War veteran; he had served in the First Victorian Mounted Infantry Company. 
he was "welcomed home" at a function in December 1900 with three other local men and they were presented with a gold medal suitably inscribed, by the Shire President, Cr Bent, M.L.A. (who later became the Premier of Victoria). The Oakleigh Leader began their report with - 
Privates Matson (East Brighton), Stayner and Daff (South Brighton), and Rigg (Mordialloc) received a most enthusiastic welcome home from the South African war at the Shire Hall South Brighton on Monday evening last. As the result of a public meeting the demonstration was made a shire affair and arranged and carried out under the supervision of the shire officers and a large committee of rate-payers. The hall being too small for the large gathering that was expected a marquee was erected, and the exertions of a section of the committee made it a comfortable rendezvous for some 700 people. (9)

This wasn't his only military service, both George and his father were members of G Company of the Victorian Rangers, part of the Colonial Military Forces.  G Company was formed in July 1889 and its headquarters were at Cheltenham and in 1891 it became part of the 3rd Battalion, also based in Cheltenham. George (the father) retired from service in 1895 with the rank of lieutenant
and quartermaster. (10)


George Stayner (1878-1953)
The caption that accompanied the photo noted that George was well-known in athletic circles having twice won the Market Gardeners  Cup
Brighton Southern Cross, October 28, 1899 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165307065 


George died May 30, 1922 and Flora on August 28, 1919;  the youngest George died on December 10, 1953 and  his wife, Winifred, a year later on November 7, 1954.  They are buried together in a double grave at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery. (11)  Not long after the deaths of George and Winifred, Beaumont, on that triangle of land bounded by the Nepean Highway, Worthing Road and Wickham Road was subdivided into 67 superb residential sites, with two internal roads Stayner Grove  and Florida Court. (12)


The sub-division of the Stayner property, Beaumont.
The Argus February 23, 1956 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72537545


Mr Williams
The whirlwind was heading south as it ended up at the Mechanics' Institute which was on the intersection of Charman Road and the Nepean Highway, and it went around Mr Williams' house. This is likely to be Joseph and Hannah (nee Westlake) Williams who lived on Highett Road, Highett, as did their son Ernest Joseph. Ernest and his father Joseph were market gardeners, although  a few years later their occupations had changed to orchardist and their address to Highett Road, Moorabbin.

In 1942, Joseph and Hannah celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary (60 years) and The Argus reported on the occasion -
Mr and Mrs Joseph Williams of Mayfield Highett rd, Moorabbin will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow and members of their family will gather for the occasion. Mr Williams who is 85 came to Victoria from England when he was one year old and has always lived in the Moorabbin district. Mrs Williams was born in Victoria 79 years ago. They have spent all their lives on the land and still conduct an orchard market garden and dairying herd. Both are in excellent health.  (13)

Joseph, who died on April 21, 1946 and Hannah who died on May 2, 1943, are both buried at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery.  Their son Ernest married Adela Constance Swan in 1931. Her brother, Dr E.F. W Swan, a Minister of the Congregational Church, was appointed the Chairman of the Congregational Union in May 1945; her sister Miss Florence Annie Swan was the Principal of Box Hill Girls' Technical School. Ernest died in January 1961 and Adela in March 1976 and they are buried at the Cheltenham Memorial Park. They had no children.  (14)


Hannah Williams' death notice


Mr Allan
The whirlwind continued through Messrs Allen, Brough and Davies' gardens. 
The Electoral Rolls list five members of the Allan family (incorrectly spelt Allen in the article) -   Bertha Rosina, Edith Alice, Louis John, Percy Albert and William Leonard Allan at Highett Road, Highett.  Percy was a labourer, but Louis and Leonard, as he was known, were market gardeners. The three men were the sons of Charles and Emma Elizabeth (nee Blencowe) Allan.  Louis had married Edith Alice Hall in 1894 and Leonard had married Bertha Nelder in 1906 (15). I have no confirmed information about Percy.

The Allan family were long term settlers in the area. Charles' father, also called Charles, came to  Highett Road in the 1860s, perhaps earlier. His farming enterprise was profiled in The Leader in December 1891 -
Many of the first settlers planted orchards, which after a few years proved very profitable, the ground in the meantime having yielded a considerable profit in vegetables. Among these were Mr. Charles Allan, who planted an orchard, which was gradually increased to 20 acres, on the Highett-road, about a quarter of a mile westwards of that of Mr. Stayner, mentioned last week. Mr. Allan having some stalwart sons, was able to make the business so successful that in course of time he gave it up to them; about 20 years ago one of them, Mr. Charles Allen, jun., planted an orchard of 8 acres half a mile to the southward; and when his father retired about 15 years ago, and planted a small orchard further west chiefly for his own amusement, his other son was given possession of the original orchard, but left it after a few years, and Mr. Charles Allan became occupier, so that he now holds the two orchards, comprising 28 acres, and, not satisfied with that, has broken up a paddock of 5 acres alongside, and is gradually filling it with fruit trees of various kinds. (16) You can read the rest of the article here. The Leader's article about George Stayner, can be read here. 

It was Charles Allan, junior, who was the father of Percy, Louis and Leonard.  Sadly he died January 1896 at the age of 53 and The Leader had the following obituary -
The decease of Mr. Charles Allan, of Brighton, will be noted with much sorrow by a very large number of friends. Mr. Allan has been a representative man in Victorian horticultural circles for a very lengthened period, and the loss of his able and energetic association with all movements connected with the advancement of the gardening and fruit growing industry will be very much felt. (17)

There are at least three generations of the Allan family buried at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery. Charles Allan, the original settler who died January 29, 1901 is buried with his wife Ann (nee Anderson)  who died October 23, 1893. Charles junior, died January 17, 1896 and is buried in a double unmarked grave with his wife Emma, who died July 17, 1891, along with their daughter Lucy who died in 1910. Of the next generation - Louis who died July 15, 1930 and Edith on February 10, 1939 are also buried there. Leonard who died October 6, 1941 and Bertha on September 2, 1962 are buried at the Cheltenham Memorial Park, with their daughter Lily, who died in 1998. (18)


The death notice of Louis John Allan


The death notice of Leonard Allan


Mr Brough
The Brough family were also impacted by the whirlwind, especially Mr Brough's tomato patch. The Electoral Rolls of the time have Ellen Mary, Elsie Lillian and Horace Walter at Bay Road, Cheltenham. On Point Nepean Road, Cheltenham we have  Charles, Charles Richard, Florence Elizabeth, George John  and Mary. All the men were market gardeners and the women, no matter what they actually did, had home duties as their occupation. This is the family - Charles Brough married Mary Evans on December 25, 1875 at Ballarat; the service was conducted by the Congregational Minister at the residence of the parents of the bride. Charles and Mary had nine children - Florence, Ada, Clara, George, Charles, Horace, Ellen, Stanley and Amy. All the Broughs from the Electoral Roll are from this family and Elsie (nee Crittenden) is the wife of the eldest son George. It seems likely then, that as George and Elsie had a different address that the Broughs had two properties one on Point Nepean Road and the other on Bay Road, and this is confirmed by Charles' Probate papers - he had two farms one of 20 acres and the other 28 acres.  I cannot tell you at which property the damage to the tomato patch occurred. (19)


Death notice of Charles Brough
The Argus, May 17, 1920, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1702384

Charles, who died on May 15, 1920 and Mary on July 11, 1923 are buried at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery in a double grave with Charles' parents John and Sarah (nee Morton) Brough. John, a stonemason, died on November 14, 1892 and Sarah on December 31, 1902. John's death notice noted that he was from Whitby Cottage, Bay Road, Cheltenham and that he was one of the Eight Hours Pioneers. This was movement by stone masons and other building trades to gain the eight hour working day, with eight hours rest and eight hours recreation, which they did in 1856. (20)


Death notice of  John Brough
The Age, November 15, 1892 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197170929


Death notice of Sarah Brough
The Argus, January 1, 1903 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9822161


Mr Davie
The whirlwind then moved on to the Davie property. The Electoral Roll lists George and Beatrice Davie at Point Nepean Road, Cheltenham; and George, Robert Alexander and Jane Davie, of Bay Road, Cheltenham. The men were all market gardeners. George and Jane (nee Bain) were the parents of George junior and Robert Alexander. Beatrice (nee Roberts) was the wife of George junior. (21)

The Moorabbin News obituary of George, the elder, tells the story of the family -
Death of Mr Geo. Davie, senr. Another of our very early pioneers of the district, Mr George Davie, 
passed away at his home "Fern Hill," Bay Road, quietly, yet suddenly, on Wednesday morning. He was a man who possessed some of the finest qualities of the true pioneering Scot of the type of men to whom Australia owes so much. The sympathy of all is extended to Mrs Davie, and her family in their loss. There are two sons, Messrs George Davie and R. A. Davie, and two daughters, Mrs A. R. Judd and Mrs L. M. Penny. Miss G. Judd also lived with her grand parents, and there are twelve other grandchildren. Mr George Davie was a native of Aberdeen Scotland, arriving in Tasmania in 1852, and two months afterwards came to Melbourne and started for Bendigo, where in one month he secured 11lbs weight of gold. After a short pleasure trip to Tasmania, he went back to the diggings for three months, but not being successful, decided to return to Melbourne, which he did, and purchased 25 acres of land in Cheltenham which he held up to the time of his decease, and for which he paid £12 per acre. He first started wood carting to Melbourne, and after a time turned his attention to carrying to the diggings, in which he was engaged for eight years. He then left for New Zealand, but being unsuccessful there, returned to Victoria and subsequently went to Lachlan, N.S.W., New Zealand, Sydney and Queensland. In the latter State he worked as a carrier to and from the Peak Down Copper Mines for four years, clearing £1000 profit. He afterwards sold out, and went again to the goldfields of New Zealand, was unsuccessful and took a trip to the old country where he married. Returning to Victoria, he settled on his land at Cheltenham, where ever since he has continued in the market gardening industry. (22)

George, the father, died on June 2, 1915 and Jane on September 29, 1924, they are buried together at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery.  Their son Robert died April 16, 1958 and is buried in the same Cemetery, with his wife, Constance (nee Curtis), who died  eleven days  later on April 27. Robert and Constance had married at the Brighton Congregational Church on September 30, 1914. (23)


Robert was still growing vegetables as a hobby in 1937 and entering his produce into the Royal Melbourne Show, where the judge was fellow Cheltenham resident, George Alexander Stayner. 
(It's a bit hard to read, but is transcribed in footnote 24.)
Sun News-Pictorial September 25, 1937 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article278276672

The other son George, died January 4, 1935 and his wife Beatrice on November 25, 1955. They are also buried at the Pioneer Cemetery, in the same grave as Beatrice's parents James Neilson and Bridget Elizabeth (nee Devereaux) Roberts. James' 1899 death notice notes that he had been a Colonist of 60 years and a resident of Mordialloc for over 40 years. He was 62 at the time of his death, so had come to Victoria as a 2 year-old around 1839, quite an early arrival to the Colony. He was the son of James and Sophia (nee Neilson) Roberts, who are buried at St Kilda Cemetery (25)


Death notice of  James Roberts, the father-in-law of George Davie
The Argus, August 14, 1899 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9528439


Mr Phillips
From the Davie property the whirlwind then swept through Mr Phillips, who I believe is Mark Phillips, a market gardener, of Charman Road, Cheltenham. He lived with his mother, Mary (nee Comerford), whose husband Henry Phillips had died on April 24, 1872, when young Mark was only 5 years old, and his sister Sophia just one year old. At the time of his death, Henry's two children from his first marriage 18-year-old Caroline and 11-year old Henry Edwin were also living with the family.   

Henry was a market gardener and left assets of £181, including seven acres of land at Cheltenham. His Grant of Administration file at the Public Records Office of Victoria shows that one of the listed executors in his Will was Alexander McLeod, the father-in-law of George Stayner, who renounced this role in favour of Mary Phillips. As well,  James Roberts, the father-in-law of George Davie, signed an affidavit confirming the truth of Mary Phillip's affidavit regarding her husband's estate. These documents demonstrate how inter-connected these early residents of Cheltenham were.  (26)


Henry Phillips' assets at the time of his death.
PROV - VPRS 28/P0002, 11/679

Mary died on February 14, 1913 and is buried with her husband at the Pioneer Cemetery.  Mark died on September 10, 1926 and is buried at the same cemetery with his sister Sophia, her husband James Gregory and their son Norman. Also in the grave is Miss Alice Izett Bale, who died in July 1955, aged 85, I don't know what the connection is, and a matter of interest (but irrelevant to this story) in February the same year, another Miss Alice Bale died - 79-year old Alice Marion Ellen Bale, who was an artist (27)


Death notice of Mary Phillips
The Age, February 17, 1913 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article201132082 


The Cheltenham Mechanics' Institute


Cheltenham Mechanics' Institute and Temperance Hall, c. 1910
Two Acre Village: A Cheltenham History by Graham Whiteside (City of Kingston, 2012), p. 33

Which brings us to the Mechanics' Institute on  the corner of Charman Road and the Nepean Highway, where the whirlwind struck the Billiards room. The Cheltenham Mechanics' Institute and Temperance Hall site was reserved in July 1864 and the Trustees appointed in February 1865. The original Trustees were James McKnight, William Ruse, Henry Wells, Norman McSwain and Jonathan Stanway Parker. (28)


Original Trustees of the Cheltenham Mechanics' Institute
Victoria Government Gazette Tuesday February 7, 1865, p.291.  
https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1865/V/general/15.pdf

I don't have an exact opening date, however in January 1865, it was reported that a lecture was held at the re-opening of the Cheltenham Mechanics' Institute, would imply that it had already been opened and then closed for some reason. (29)


The re-opening of the Mechanics' Institute
The Leader, January 14, 1865 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197035672

Either way, early 1865 would seem to be a reasonable date to list as the opening of the building. In the late 1880s the building was expanded (30) and in 1906 the Billiard room and other works were undertaken, as the Brighton Southern Cross reported in the July -  
The usual monthly meeting of the Mechanics'-institute, Cheltenham, was held on Wednesday last; a full attendance of committeemen being present. The sub-committee recommended the erection of two ante rooms at the rear of the hall; a new fire-proof proscenium; alterations in accordance with the requirements of the Central Board of Health; extension of library, with necessary improvements; and the building of a billiard-room. The recommendations were adopted by the full committee with little discussion. Plans are to be prepared at once by the architect, Mr. Schreiber. (31)

As the whirlwind article noted This home of big breaks was too much for the cyclone, the building breaking up the wind in its course, and diffusing it down the Main-road, so there was no damage to the building. In March 1909, the Mechanics' Institute committee accepted a tender to extend the Billiard room and and in June they purchased a second billiard table. (32) In the late 1950s the Trustees made the decision to surrender the title of  the building to the Moorabbin Council and the original building was demolished in 1958 and replaced with the hall  which stands there today. However, the Billiard Room was relocated  to Highett for use a Scout Hall. (33). I have no information if it is still in use.

So this is the story of the January 1909 whirlwind which hit Cheltenham. To read about the November 1909 whirlwind, click here.

Footnotes
(1) The Australasian, August 25, 1906, see here. 
(2) Brighton Southern Cross,  January 30, 1909, see here.
(3) Electoral Rolls from Ancestry.com; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; George and Flora's 25th wedding anniversary - The Age, December 16, 1895, see here.
(4) Oakleigh Leader, November 3, 1894, see here. This wasn't the first account of  George's farming enterprise, The Leader wrote about him on  December 19, 1891, see here and earlier still in 1884 - The Leader, February 23, 1884, see here. There was also another story in the Brighton Southern Cross, April 4, 1908, see here. 
(5) George's death notice Weekly Times, August 24, 1895, see here; Information from the Brighton Cemetorians database - https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/
The Age, November 14, 1888, see here.
(8) Wedding report - Brighton Southern Cross, March 28, 1903, see here; George - death notice - The Age, December 11, 1953, see here; 
Oakleigh Leader, December 22, 1900, see here.
(10) Whiteside, Graham Two Acre Village: A Cheltenham History (City of Kingston, 2012). pp 93-97 and  Brighton Southern Cross, April 4, 1908, see here. 
(11) Death notices - George, can't find one, date death is from his Probate papers (see Footnote 6). Death notices - Flora - The Argus, August 30, 1919, see here; George - The Argus, December 11, 1953, see here; Winifred - The Argus, November 8, 1954, see here. 
(12) Land sub-division - The Argus February 23, 1956, see here.  
(13) The Argus, February 14, 1942, see here.
(14) Death notices - Joseph - The Argus, April 24, 1946, see here; Hannah - The Age, May 4, 1943, see here ; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Dr Swan - Suns News-Pictorial, May 1, 1945, see here; Florence Swan - Box Hill Reporter, August 11, 1950, see here. Friends of Cheltenham Regional Cemeteries https://www.focrc.org/
(15) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages
(16) The Leader, December 26, 1891, see here.
(17) The Leader, February 8, 1896, see here.
(18) Death notices - Charles - The Argus, January 30, 1901, see here; Ann - The Argus, October 24, 1893, see here; Charles - The Age, January 21, 1896, see here; Emma - The Herald, July 18, 1891, see here; Louis - The Age July 16, 1930, see here; Edith - The Age, February 13, 1939, see here;  Leonard - The Age, October 7, 1941, see here;  Bertha - The Age, September 3, 1962 (from newspapers.com)
(19) Marriage notice Brough/Evans - Ballarat Courier, December 29, 1875, see here; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Public Records Office of Victoria - Probate papers - https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/EE7244A1-F1ED-11E9-AE98-81591BA3CA23?image=1
(20) Death notices - Charles - The Argus, May 17, 1920, see here; Mary - The Argus, July 12, 1923, see here; John - The Age, November 15, 1892, see here;  Sarah - The Argus, January 1, 1903, see here.
(21) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages
(22) Moorabbin News, June 5, 1915, see here.
(23) Death notices - George - The Argus, June 3, 1915, see here;  Jane - The Argus, September 30, 1924, see here;  Robert  and Constance - dates from headstone photograph  https://www.focrc.org/;    Report of the wedding of Robert Davie to Constance Curtis - Brighton Southern Cross, October 17, 1917, see here.
(24) Giant Pumpkins article - 
Giant Pumpkins and Cabbages of Rich Green. Vegetable Quality There, But Quantity Disappoints Judge
There was no Good Fairy to turn the pumpkin into a Cinderella carriage at the Royal Show yesterday - but there should have been. Giant pumpkins, ruby red rhubarb and a new type of curled silver beet brought praise from the judge of table vegetables. The expert vegetable grower must have the artists' striving for perfect formation and color. For instance, rich green defeats the lighter green in cabbage judging. The carrot is not completely judged until it is sliced through the centre to reveal formation. Mr. R. A. Davie, of Cheltenham, who adopted vegetable growing as a hobby on his retirement, won the coveted prize for the best collection of 12 vegetables. Mr. Davie has won this prize for several years. Praising the high quality of the exhibits from a seasonal viewpoint, the judge Mr. G.A. Stayner) expressed regret at the small number of entries. The collection exhibits, he said, were well staged and everything they contained was of high quality. Cabbages won many points for their excellent formation, color and size. Cauliflowers were up to standard, but their centres showed faint yellow tinges front the effects of warm weather. Mrs. R. Brinsmead, of Leopold, Geelong, won the first prize with an outstanding lettuce exhibit. Almost perfect in formation and color, it dominated other lettuce entries. (Sun News-Pictorial September 25, 1937, see here.) 
(25) Death notices - George - The Age, January 7, 1935, see here; Beatrice - The Argus, November 28, 1955, see here; James Roberts - The Argus, August 14, 1899, see here; James and Sophia Roberts - James died December 17, 1893 and Sophia on April 14, 1874 - St Kilda Cemetery transcriptions on Ancestry.com. 
(26) Public Records Office of Victoria - Henry's Probate papers and Grant of Administration papers -- https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/E84C29ED-F1DE-11E9-AE98-CDFCF1B0D6DA?image=1 and https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/5CC8ABBA-F1CF-11E9-AE98-6F095347710E?image=1
(27) Henry, Mary and Mark- dates from headstone photographs https://www.focrc.org/;  Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages
(28) Victoria Government Gazette, Tuesday February 7, 1865, p. 291.    https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1865/V/general/15.pdf
(29) The Leader, January 14, 1865, see here. 
(30) Whiteside, Graham, op. cit.,pp. 31-41.
(31) Brighton Southern Cross, July 7 1906, see here.
(32) Brighton Southern Cross, March 6, 1909, see here; Brighton Southern Cross, June 19, 1909, see here.
(33) Whiteside, Graham, op. cit., p.39.
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1909 in Cheltenham - the year of the Whirlwinds - part 2

In 1909, Cheltenham was hit by two whirlwinds - one on January 27 and the other on November 19. I have written about the January whirlwind, here, and this post shows the impact of the November whirlwind on the partially constructed Benevolent Asylum and provides a short history of the building at Cheltenham.

On November 27, The Advocate reported on the whirlwind-
Much damage was done by the storm on Friday of last week. The new Benevolent Asylum in course of erection in the Cheltenham district was struck by a gale, and damage to the extent of £500 was done. At Brighton a yacht worth £50 was sunk and broke up. The wind attained a velocity of 50 miles an hour.  (1)

The Leader newspaper had the following photographs of the damage - under the heading -
THE WHIRLWIND AT CHELTENHAM - NEW BENEVOLENT ASYLUM UNROOFED.


1. Wing of Building From Which Roof Was Carried Away.
Photographer: Fraser and Vallance. The Leader, November 27, 1909 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197072796


2. Ruins Caused by Debris Falling Through Roof of Buildings, 100 Yards Away. 3. Damage to Roof on Which Debris Fell.
Photographer: Fraser and Vallance. The Leader, November 27, 1909 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197072796


4. Rafters of Roof That Was Carried Away.
Photographer: Fraser and Vallance. The Leader, November 27, 1909 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197072796


Short History of the Benevolent Asylum at Cheltenham
In November 1849 the Victoria Benevolent Society was established with the aim to relieve the aged, infirm, disabled, or destitute, poor of all creeds and nations; and to minister to them the comforts of religion. (2) To this end a Benevolent Asylum was erected in the area bounded by Abbotsford, Elm, Curzon and Miller Streets in West and North Melbourne. (3)

It opened on November 27, 1851 and  in its first year of operation it afforded shelter to 107 infirm and destitute individuals unable to earn a subsistence. This Society support their asylum chiefly by means of voluntary subscriptions, aided by a grant from the Government, added to which, they receive a portion of the fines daily imposed upon the drunkards at our city and district police-courts (4)  


The Benevolent Asylum in North Melbourne, 1870s.
State Library of Victoria image H11782

The Society continued to provide services at its original site in what was a very grand looking building, however by the start of the new Century the building was inadequate and had  long ago excited the disapproval of the Board of Public Health on account of their sanitary shortcomings, while the chief of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade has condemned it as an unsafe fire risk. (5) 

As well in 1902, the Benevolent Society received a bequest from Mr James Hingston of around £26,000, and he stipulated that it was "to be applied towards the purpose of rebuilding that institution on a ground-floor plan only, the present many-floored and stair-cased building being, in his experience as a committee-man of that charity, very troublesome to its old and rheumatic residents and patients." (6)

For these reasons, and as it was not possible to rebuild a one floor facility on the small inner Melbourne site, a new site off Warrigal Road in Cheltenham was acquired in 1904 (7)


The site of the  Benevolent Asylum, situated on 180 acres at Cheltenham, in 1913.
  Moorabbin Road is now known as Warrigal Road
Sketch map of Country around Oakleigh, including Mordialloc, Dandenong and Ringwood
Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 8168


The foundation stone of the new building was was laid on March 31, 1909, The Argus reported - 
A special tram that left Flinders-street yesterday afternoon at 20 minutes to 2 o'clock was crowded with visitors to Cheltenham to witness the laying of the foundation stone of the new Melbourne Benevolent Asylum. The ceremony was performed by His Excellency the Governor (Sir Thomas Gibson- Carmichael) The new asylum grounds are situated about two miles from Cheltenham railway station. They cover 180 acres of which 15 to 20 acres will be used for building purposes and the rest for farming. It is expected that the asylum when completed will accommodate 1,000 persons it is intended to shift the inmates of the present building at North Melbourne went to Cheltenham and it is further proposed to do the same with those living at the Immigrants Home on the St Kilda road.  The total cost of the new asylum is estimated at £100,000. Of this £20,000 has been found by the state and £30,000 has been received from the Hingston estate.  A large sum will also be obtained by the sale of the present grounds at North Melbourne but it is expected that in appeal will have to be made to the Government for a further contribution. (8) 

The new building was designed by Architect Charles Abraham D'Ebro and the builders were  C.Wadey & Co. Charles D'Ebro was born in London in 1850 and after he arrived in Melbourne, via Adelaide, he went into partnership with the late Mr. J. H. Grainger. Later he was a senior partner in the firm of D'Ebro, Mackenzie, and Meldrum. He became well known as an architect and engineer, and many large buildings and residences in Victoria were designed by him. Amongst them were the Masonic Hall, in Collins street; the M.C.C. pavilion, the offices of Dalgety and Co., in Bourke street and some of the same firm's wool stores; the Premier Permanent Buildings, in Collins street; Georges' Pty. Ltd., State Government House (built for Mr. John Wagner and formerly known as "Stonnington"), "Moora Kyne," at Toorak (built for Sir John Grice, and now the home of Mr. Bowes Kelly), and "Carngham," near Skipton (built for Mr. George Russell).  He died by suicide on June 23, 1920, having been in ill health for some time, and had suffered periods of despondency.  (9)

The Governor returned  to Cheltenham in 1911 for the official opening on April 11th. This is the beginning of The Argus report on the event - 
A great pile of red brick buildings, covering 10 acres of ground away out on the healthy heath land near Cheltenham, is the new home of the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum. The old quarters at North
Melbourne have been vacated and all the inmates officers furniture and equipment of the institution have been transferred to Cheltenham.  The North Melbourne building is to be sold in sections for demolition and removed, then Victoria street is to be continued through the block, and the land
sold in residential sites. Although the asylum has been in occupation of its new home for some time, the premises were, not officially opened until yesterday. (10) 


The New Benevolent Asylum at Cheltenham. 
Left: The arrivals by Ambulance. Right: Old inmates in their new home. 
Photographer: Fraser and Vallance. Punch, April 6, 1911 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175611695


The New Benevolent Asylum at Cheltenham. 
General view of the new buildings
Photographer: Fraser and Vallance. Punch, April 6, 1911 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175611695

Historian Graham Whitehead writes - The asylum was renamed the Kingston Centre in 21 October 1970 and the focus on its service dramatically changed. No longer was its prime attaetion given to catering for the long-term stay of the disabled, blind, infirm and elderly patients. It's more recent history had seen services focussed on rehabilitation. You can read Graham's article - The Melbourne Benevolent Asylum Comes to Cheltenham - on the Kingston Local History website, here https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/articles/302


Footnotes
(1) The Advocate, November 27, 1909, see here. 
(2) The Argus, November 17, 1849, see here. 
(4) The Argus, January 21, 1853, see here.  
(5) The Argus, September 16, 1907, see here. 
(6) The Argus, December 19, 1902, see here. Also - The Argus, May 14, 1902, see here.
(7) The Argus, May 6, 1904, see here; Brighton Southern Cross, August 13, 1904, see here; Brighton Southern Cross, November 19, 1904, see here; Brighton Southern Cross, November 26, 1904, see here. 
(8) The Argus, April 1, 1909, see here.
(9) The Argus, June 24, 1920, see here.  
(10) The Argus, April 12, 1911, see here. 
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