Naming the Nameless - Abandoned Babies

This post looks at the interesting way that abandoned babies or foundlings were named and it all started because I came across this article in The Herald in February 1936, about a little baby girl being found in Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda  - 

Blue-eyed ten days baby found under palms
In a babes-in-the-wood setting, a 10-days-old baby girl, well clothed and nourished, was found by a young man on the lawn beneath a palm tree on the western footpath of Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda, a few yards from Fitzroy Street, at 9.30 a.m. today.

The young man, agitated over his discovery, stopped Mr and Mrs F. Coillet (1) in Beaconsfield Parade and asked what he should do with his find. "My daughter and I stood watch over the baby while the men got a policeman, " Mrs Coillet said today. "I caught only a glimpse of a black head, and she didn't cry until the policeman picked her up. She was wrapped in a pink bunny-rug, and in the darkness looked like a paper parcel, lying just off the footpath on the grass. We had passed the spot - 100 yards from Fitzroy Street - 10 minutes earlier, and I don't think the baby could have been there then."

The baby was taken by Constable M. P. Vernon to the Berry Street Foundling Hospital, where little time was lost by Matron McGain in supplying the waif with a name. Taking Beaconsfield and Vernon as a basis, it was easy to evolve "Verna Field."

It is believed that the child was left beneath the palm only a little while before it was found. It was not in need of food and had not suffered from exposure. "Verna" has blue eyes and does not cry.

No home has been found yet for "John Nolan," who was discovered on the doorstep of the nurses home at the Police Hospital, St. Kilda Road, on August 30. He has grown into a fine healthy child in the months of waiting, the foundling hospital reported today. "Stephen Bell," the last waif taken to the hospital, found at the gate of the institution by a nurse on October 4, was reunited with his mother through police inquiries. (2)

Verna Field, the foundling baby, with Sister Mandeville-Halls at the Berry Street home today.

The Herald, February 14, 1936 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244822295

The name of John Nolan, mentioned in the above article, came from the fact that the Police Hospital, where he was found,  was on the corner of Nolan Street and St Kilda Road.  Stephen Bell, who was found at the Berry Street Home gate, was probably named for the bell at the gate.

In 1922 the Weekly Times, reported on the Berry Street Babies' Home or Foundling Home, in East Melbourne, under the headline - Naming the Nameless - the article is partially transcribed below -

Naming the Nameless

[In] one of the spotless nurseries of the Foundling Home in Berry street, East Melbourne, there you will find babies in abundance, there are 33 of them at present. Every one of them seems anxious to

discover the good things that life holds for them. Some of them have only found the unhappy things so far.

To the Foundling Home come babies who have no real home. Abandoned on doorsteps, in public places, in parks, they find their way to the institution. When a mother dies, or is unable to care for the tiny newcomer, the child may, if necessary, find sanctuary there. Some, indeed, are born there, little nameless outcasts...

Many of the foundlings are anonymous gifts to the institution, and for these names must be found. Here is where the ingenuity of Matron A. Mowbray Flack, who is in charge, manifests itself....She chooses the names from the circumstances of the babe's discovery.

One laughing infant hails the stranger with a crow expressive of extreme good-fellowship. Blue-eyed and fluffy-haired, he lets you know that the world is a jolly old place after all. Yet he was found on an old verandah by a police constable and has seen his share of life in a courthouse. Therefore he has been named Bobby Court. So frail was he at first that for many weeks he lingered between life and death. But he was a sturdy little fighter, and now he howls for his favorite brand of baby's food as lustily as any.

One of the babies at the Foundling Home.

Weekly Times, September 2, 1922 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224006459

Worthy of a Heroine

A demure young lady toys with her rattle a few cribs away. She was found on the doorstep of the Home last March. She is Dora March. Lorraine Palmer has a past worthy of a heroine of melodrama. She was picked up in Palmer street, East Melbourne, one dark, cold night, when the rain was beating down in sheets. The miserable clothes which covered her were drenched.

Matthew Door was found on the back doormat. Belle Lane was found at the tradesmen's entrance to the Home, which has a bell and is in a lane Albert East - well, everybody knows Albert street, East Melbourne. (3)

Another Foundling Home baby

Weekly Times, September 2, 1922   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224006450 

In November 1935, the Sun News-Pictorial reported on the naming of two abandoned babies -

Abandoned Babies Named

The seven-weeks-old baby girl, found on the Swanston Street steps of St. Paul's Cathedral on Monday night, has been named Pauline Flinders by the police, who have transferred the child to the Royal Park home.

Another girl of the same age was found abandoned on the steps of the Broadmeadows Foundling Hospital at 9.30 p.m. on Monday. The child has been called Noeline Auburn. The surname was inspired by the color of the baby's hair. (4)

It was a sad reality of life that in the days before the single parent benefit and with the stigma of having a child out of wedlock, that many women thought abandoning their baby was the best option; but there was some sympathy for these mothers; the Sun News-Pictorial reported in 1924 -

Too many babies! Abandoned Ones

Although policemen are not without soft spots in their hearts for the mother who abandons her baby, knowing that it is often the climax of a despairing struggle with circumstances, the order has gone forth that too many babes are being abandoned, and that fuller inquiries are to be made in all cases reported in future. (5)

Trying to find the mother was essential, as having just given birth, she may have needed medical attention; and also she may have changed her mind, after the event. Many of the mothers made an effort to leave their baby in a safe space, such as the Foundling Home or, in the following case, on the door step of the home of Mrs M.T. Weilant (6), of Dryburgh Street in West Melbourne. The following is from a report in The Age from July 1922, which was very sympathetic towards the mother - 

A Child Abandoned. Mother's sad plight

A story was unfolded in the Criminal Court yesterday concerning baby Wellington, who, barely a month old, wrapped in warm clothing and a rabbit fur coat, with a feeding bottle and tin of lactogen tucked beside him, was gently laid in the night on a strange doorstep in West Melbourne. The child set up a yell that caused the occupants of the house to pull aside the window blind and look out. They saw him, and with the assistance of another neighbor picked him up. That cry secured him simultaneously a home and shelter at the country's expense and provided the ground work for the defence of his unhappy mother, who was lurking in the shadows on the opposite side of the road, and who, immediately she saw her baby safely picked up, disappeared in the night.

The mother of the baby, Ivy Wellington, of Footscray, was charged with abandoning a child, under the age of two years. As the paper  reported  the Wellington family had fallen on evil times - her husband had left her and was an admitted criminal. Then Ivy, with a child two years old and this new-born infant boy to care for she became desperate. She had no means. She went to the East Melbourne home, but they would not take in the child. Fearing the infant must starve, she resorted to desperate measures. She pawned her boots, and bought a feeding bottle and a tin of lactogen. Placing these beside the child, wrapping it up warmly, she tramped to West Melbourne, and selecting a house in Dryburgh-street she placed the infant on the doorstop and went across the road to watch....then she saw the woman come out and lift the baby. Then satisfied the baby would be cared for she went away.

The Jury, after hearing the evidence quickly returned a verdict of not guilty. Sadly, after this Ivy was also charged with breaking and entering.  I have no information as to what happened to her baby and toddler, but it is a tragic story all round. (7)

In another case, from 1928, a mother gave her baby to a woman whom she probably perceived to be a motherly type - 

Mother of 12 fosters abandoned baby. Put In Her Arms In Street

While standing on the comer of Lennox and Victoria streets, Richmond, at about 10 p.m. on Friday, Mrs H. Lewis of Oak street Richmond, was approached by a young woman carrying a baby and a parcel. "Will you mind my baby and parcel for one minute? I have caught my husband with another woman opposite. I want to catch him," she said.

Mrs Lewis took the baby and parcel; and the woman ran down Lennox street, apparently in pursuit of a man and woman some distance away. About 50 yards away a car was waiting, and the woman jumped into this and was driven in the direction of Kew. Mrs Lewis took the baby to the police station. It was dressed in expensive clothes. The parcel contained a number of good clothes and a note saying "Be kind to Beryl."

The baby, which is well nourished, is a girl, about a fortnight old. Richmond police are anxious to communicate with the mother, who could be identified by Mrs Lewis. In the meantime Beryl is finding a happy home with Mrs Lewis, who is married, with 12 children. Her husband is out of work. (8)

In May 1938, a little girl was named after the two policeman - 

Foundling Baby named after Police Officers
A baby girl, two hours old, found in a shelter at the corner of Beaconsfield Parade and Pickle Street, South Melbourne, on Monday night and taken to the Berry Street Foundling Home by Detective Wight man and Plainclothes Constable Hillman, has been named May Wighthill. Hearing a faint cry in the shelter, a woman found the baby wrapped in a paper parcel. She weighs 6 lb. and, according to her nurse at the hospital, “has the loveliest blue eyes.” Efforts are being made to trace the mother. (9)

Little abandoned baby, May Wighthill

Sun News-Pictorial, May 4, 1938 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article277676363

In two more examples - in 1934 a little girl found in Carlton was named Madeline Carlton, after the street and suburb where she was found. (10) Madeline Street was originally the northern extension of Swanston Street, from Victoria Street through Carlton to its intersection with Keppel Street. (11) In May 1949 a baby boy was found abandoned in Royal Park and taken to to Berry Street and he was named Charles, after Prince Charles, the new Royal baby, who was born in November 1948. (12) There could hardly have been a larger contrast in the circumstances of their birth, than foundling Charles and his namesake Prince Charles.

There are no winners in any of the many stories of abandoned babies -- the mother was desperate, the children were unwanted. The Berry Street Foundling Home was only for young babies and they had an uncertain future because as soon as the babies begin to toddle about, the time has come for them to go. Some of them are boarded, numbering 140 at present; some go to other institutions, and some are adopted. (9)

In a report in 1933 of the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Berry Street Babies' Home, the Secretary, Miss Margaret Roth (10) explained how the procedure for placing the babies worked -
"The adoption is really the simplest section of our work," continued Miss Roth, "I think there is an affinity between prospective foster parents and the children. Frequently, I have watched a woman walk into our nursery, and without a moment's hesitation say, "There is the baby I have been waiting for!" "Often that particular child is one of the most unattractive in our eyes!

"When our babies visit the Royal Show each year, they sometimes find foster parents among the crowds that file past our stand. Then sometimes a woman will walk up to the nurse, saying, "Here is Arthur. Do you remember, I adopted him three years ago at the Show?" 

"But our system of adoption is not as haphazard as it sounds. Foster parents are compelled to produce two testimonials - one from a clergyman or a doctor, the other from some prominent citizen. Then we visit their homes, after which there is no interference from hospital authorities."

"If a baby finds no foster parents for some reason, we try to board it out. In my opinion, this is more satisfactory in every way than leaving it in some Institution for the first 14 years of its life. Again we take the utmost care in the boarding-out system. Alter selecting the home, the members of the hospital committee visit it periodically to ensure the child is happy." (11)

Miss Roth also said this about abandoned babies - 

"Foundlings occupy only a small percentage of the hospital cots. The last foundling, baby Constance, who was discovered in a city park was adopted before she had been in the home for three months. Another was left on the Tandara verandah with the note, "This is Leslie. Please be kind to him." (12) Tandara was Berry Street's Mothercraft Training School in East Melbourne.

I can only hope that Verna Field, John Nolan, Stephen Bell, Bobby Court, Dora March, Lorraine Palmer, Matthew Door, Belle Lane, Albert East, Pauline Flinders, Noeline Auburn, May Wighthill, Madeline Carlton and all the other abandoned babies like little Leslie, had a happy life. 

Footnotes

(1) Mr and Mrs Coilett were, I believe, Francis Hilaire Coilett, a carpenter, and Olga Beatrice Coilett, listed in the Electeral Rolls at  74 Patterson Street, Middle Park.

(2) The Herald, February 14, 1936, see here;  There is also a report of finding Verna in The Age, February 15, 1936, see here.

(3) Weekly Times, September 2, 1922, see here.

(4) Sun News-Pictorial, November 27, 1935, see here.

(5) Sun News-Pictorial, September 3, 1924, see here.

(6) Mrs M.T. Weilant, was Myrtle Frances Weilant, who lived at 38 Dryburgh Street, West Melbourne,  with her husband Fred, junior, who was a butcher. (Source: Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com)

(7) The Age, July 18, 1922, see here.

(8) The Herald, January 3, 1928, see here. Other cases of babies abandoned in a safe place (or hopefully  a safe place) The Age, October 2, 1942, see here and The Argus, November 10, 1949, see here.

(9) Sun News-Pictorial, May 4, 1938, see here. 

(10) The Herald, April 12, 1934, see here.

(11) Carlton Community History Group http://www.cchg.asn.au/faq.html

(12) The Argus, May 11, 1949, see here.

(13) Weekly Times, September 2, 1922, see here.

(14) Miss Margaret Roth - died on September 8, 1936, aged only 43. She had been the secretary at Berry Street for eight years, until her resignation in the March. (Death notice, The Age, September 9, 1936, see here; short obit - The Age, September 9, 1936, see here.)

(15) The Herald, July 23, 1933, see here.

(16) The Herald, July 23, 1933, see here.

The sad death of George Ernest Biggs (1888-1914)

On Saturday, October 24, 1914, 26 year-old George Ernest Biggs of 65 Cecil Street, Williamstown, went to the picture show held at the Williamstown Mechanics’ Institute. Sadly, by early next morning, he was dead.

The program of films on the night of October 24, 1914 

Williamstown Chronicle October 24, 1914 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article69979633 

The program for the evening included The Leaves of Memory and seven other films; good value at price. George sat next to off-duty constable, William Black on the night, who gave evidence at the Inquest into his death. You can read George's Inquest at the Public Records Office of Victoria, here.  

I have transcribed the report of  George's Inquest from the Williamstown Chronicle of October 31, 1914 (1). After the article I have added some information about George Biggs and his family and the people mentioned in report. 

Man Drinks Disinfectant. Dies in an hour.
Seated side by side at the Mechanics' pictures last Saturday night for some time were Constable Black and George Ernest Biggs, aged 26, coal-heaver, of Cecil-street. The latter entered into conversation with the officer, at the same time producing a bottle of disinfectant from his pocket, remarking, "I'm going to put this down my neck to-night, an you will have a job taking my corpse to the morgue." Black replied, "Don't be a fool." Biggs then remarked it was only a joke. The officer was however, startlingly reminded of the conversation later by an untoward incident in the death of his companion of the moment.

On Thursday Mr. T. Lonsdale, J.P., held a magisterial inquiry into the surroundings.

Dr. C. Fetherstonhaugh stated that on Sunday, 25th inst., he performed an autopsy on the body of George Biggs, who died at 12.30 a.m. The corpse was that of a well-nourished man. The lungs, heart, liver and kidneys were all healthy. In the stomach was a strong smell of disinfectant. The cause of death was shock caused by swallowing a quantity of irritant, which is a product of coal tar oil, and is very poisonous if taken internally.

Jane McFarland Biggs, mother of deceased, deposed her son was born on October 1st, 1888, and had always resided with her. He had left home at7.30 p.m. on Saturday in apparently the best of health. Witness did not know of any trouble that would cause him to commit suicide.

Constable J. F. Smith said that he was on duty at the Mechanics' pictures last Saturday night. At about 9.30 p.m. he was told a man recently in trouble was worrying over his case and was going to drink poison. He inquired from another man if this person (who was a relative of the deceased) was about the hotel, and was told "No." Later he saw Biggs, who spoke about having a bottle of poison. Witness said, "Do you intend to take it?" His reply was "I've just come out to have a drink." Deceased walked back to the Mechanics' with him. He seemed to be in his usual health, was cheerful and in good spirits. Witness had shown the bottle produced to a local chemist, who stated that he could not identify it, as he had sold a dozen bottles of the same disinfectant that day.

T. D. Compton, secretary, described how, about 11 o'clock, he had discovered a man groaning in Electra street. The man remarked, "I have taken it," pointing to a bottle on the ground. Witness at once proceeded to the telephone and advised the police.

Mrs. L. levers [sic], married woman, said that Biggs at 10.25 p.m. had called at the hotel and had a glass of beer. He seemed quite sober. Later he came back and remarked, "I have done it," throwing a bottle on the counter which her husband had picked up and handed to the police. Constable T. J. Walsh told how he had taken deceased to the hospital in a state of collapse in Dr. Maclean's motor car. Biggs died in about an hour.

The Acting Coroner returned a finding: "That George Ernest Biggs died from an irritant poison self-administered, but that there is not sufficient evidence to show the state of his mind at the time."

So this is the sad tale of George's death. 

Dramatis Personae
Biggs Family - George was born, as his mother attested at the Inquest, on October 1, 1888 and was the sixth of ten children of William Biggs and his wife Jane McFarlane Dick. They had married in 1877 and had the following children - the first two were born in Warrnambool, and the others in Williamstown - Martha Jane (b. 1878); Anna Maria (1880); William Frederick (1882); John Benjamin (1884); James Henry (1886); George Ernest (1888); Clarice Edith (1891); Mary McFarlane (1892); Millicent Alma (1894) and Eileen Victoria (1897). William died on December 5, 1907 aged 53 and Jane died July 18, 1919, aged 63. They are both buried at the Williamstown Cemetery, as is George. (2)

The Disinfectant was Lysol.

 

Lonsdale, Thomas  Justice of the Peace, the man who conducted George's inquest. He was  also an undertaker; President of the Williamstown Hospital and a prominent Freemason. He died in 1929 and you can read his obituary in the Williamstown Chronicle of November 23, 1929, here. 

Black, William David - the constable who sat next to George at the pictures at the Mechanics' Institute; he was off-duty at the time. He gave evidence at the Inquest. 

Smith, John Ferrie - the Constable who was on-duty at the Mechanics' Pictures; he also gave evidence at the Inquest. 

Fetherstonhaugh, Charles - a doctor of Ferguson Street, Williamstown, who performed the autopsy. You can read his obituary in the Williamstown Advertiser, of January 6, 1917, here. 

Compton, Thomas Duncan - a secretary of Electra Street, Williamstown. He was a Freemason, secretary of the Williamstown Hospital and of  the Williamstown Mechanics' Institute. You can read his obituary in The Argus, of August 19, 1938, here. 

Ivers, Lily Elizabeth on the Morning Star Hotel, Electra Street, Williamstown. Married to Joseph Ivers, whose father Edward had the lease and the licence of the Hotel from July 1910.  By coincidence Joseph died on September 4, 1915 at only 32 years of age,  and his father two days later. Lily was born in 1884 to John and Elizabeth Booth and had married Joseph in 1911, they had no children. Lily remarried in 1927 to Sydney Davidson, who was employed by the Railways. They lived in Donald and she died in Ballarat on June 21, 1972, aged 87. She is buried at the Donald cemetery with Sydney, who died in 1962. (3)

Note: I came across this story when I was looking for something to fill a page in Useful Knowledge, the newsletter I do for the Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria  Inc.; you can read the back issues here  https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3179681849 You can see our soon to be replaced website, here  https://mivic.org.au/index.html

Footnotes

(1) Williamstown Chronicle, October 31, 1914, see here.  The Williamstown Advertiser, of October 31, 1914 also has a report of the Inquest. see here.

(2) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; William Biggs death notice - The Argus, December 6, 1907, see here; George Biggs death notice - The Age, October 26, 1914, see here;  Jane Biggs death notice - The Age, July 21, 1919, see here.

(2) Hotel notice - Williamstown Advertiser, July 9, 1910, see here; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Find  a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/232389752/lilian-elizabeth-davidson; 

Ivers In Memoriam notice - The Argus, September 4, 1916, see here; 

The history of Sebastian / Dynevor at 325 Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda

My aunty had her wedding reception at Dynevor, 325 Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda in January 1963. This is the story of the building and its two significant owners, Thomas Paul Anthony (1863-1929) who built the house, and Solomon Green (1868-1948). 

Dynevor, January 1963

Photographer: Frank Rouse (my Dad). This was originally a slide, which I scanned. 

Thomas Paul Anthony (1863-1929)
Dynevor was built around 1910-1912 for Thomas Paul Anthony, a manager of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, who named the property Sebastian, after the birthplace of his wife, Mary Robina 'Polly' Charlton. At the time, the street address was 45-46 Beaconsfield Parade; it was later renumbered as 51 Beaconsfield Parade and sometime between 1935 and 1940 it was renumbered to 325 Beaconsfield Parade (1)

This date of construction is based on a number of factors - firstly the 1910 Sands McDougall Directory list properties at 44 and 48 Beaconsfield Parade, with nothing in between. Secondly, Thomas and Polly Anthony were living at 15 Canterbury Road, St Kilda in February 1910, when their third child, Tom, was born but they are listed in the 1912 Electoral Roll at Sebastian, Beaconsfield Parade. Thirdly, in September 1909 the Bendigo Advertiser published the following -Messrs. Cordner, Reynell and Co announce that they have received instructions from Mr. T. P. Anthony to sell privately his mansion at the corner of View street and Barkly Place, known as "Sebastian." In the October the very superior modern art furniture, appointments, vehicles, harness, ponies, etc. to be sold on the premises, "Sebastian."  (2)  This would seem to confirm that the Anthony's were leaving Bendigo, and as we know they ended up in St Kilda. 

Thomas Anthony, born on May 20, 1863 was the fifth of six children of Thomas William Anthony and Mary Ann Kemball (also sometimes called Campbell) who had married in 1857; he had four older sisters and a younger brother. At the time of Thomas' birth his father was 44 and his mother was 27 (3) Thomas, like his sisters, was born in Creswick, where his father,Thomas senior, who had been born in Pennsylvania, operated the American Hotel.  In 1875, the family moved to Melbourne where Thomas senior opened Anthony's Farmers' Club Hotel, Bourke Street West. At the time of his death he was at the Victoria Hotel in Hotham (North Melbourne).  (4)

The Ballarat Courier had this touching obituary of Thomas senior after his death on January 31, 1880 -
We regret to record the death of Mr T. W. Anthony, for many years host of the American hotel, Creswick, but latterly of the Victoria hotel, Hotham. We suppose there is no name more intimately connected with the district of Creswick than the genial and liberal Tom Anthony. While landlord of the American hotel he made heaps of money, in old coaching days, and was never backward in spending it again in developing the resources of the district, and there are many now resident in the district who owe to him their success through his open-hearted assistance given them in the past. Latterly, however, fortune was not so kind to the deceased, although in a comfortable position when he died. He left Creswick for the metropolis, and became host of the Victoria hotel, Hotham, where he died on Saturday morning, after an illness of a few days, from English cholera. (5)

After the death of her husband, Mary Ann Anthony married James Adams in October 1882 and that is the last I can trace of her. (6)

On September 25, 1894 thirty-one year old Thomas married 27 year-old Polly Charlton at St Paul's Anglican Church in Bendigo. The Bendigo Advertiser this report of the wedding -

Fashionable wedding - At St. Paul's Church yesterday morning a very pretty and interesting ceremony was performed, when Mr. T. P. Anthony, local secretary of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, was married to Miss Polly Charlton, daughter of the late Mr. Charlton, of Sebastian. The church was splendidly decorated for the occasion, and the effect was highly creditable to the Misses Knight, of the firm of Knight Bros., who were entrusted with the work. Among the floral devices were a wedding bell, the initials of the bride and bridegroom, and a horseshoe showing "Good Luck." Tall graceful palms, ferns, and arum lilies were used in the decorations, the church being quite a bower of camellias and other choice flowers. The edifice was filled by friends of the contracting parties, the guests being accommodated in the centre of the aisle. Among those present were many prominent citizens.....he bride, who looked charming in a costume of ivory duchesse satin with full court train of handsome brocade falling from the shoulders; the front of bodice accordion pleated, with stylish draped Empire sash finished with orange blossoms and full puffed sleeves with duchesse lace from elbow, was given away by her brother, Mr. J. P. Charlton.  Her sister Elizabeth was one of the bridesmaids. (7)

Polly was the fourth of seven children of Robert and Mary Ann (nee Irwin) Charlton. At the time of her marriage only she, her brother John, sister Elizabeth, and their mother were still living. Robert Charlton had died in December 1878. The Herald had this short obituary - 

Mr Robert Charlton, J. P., died in Sandhurst yesterday. He was the opener of the Frederick the Great Company, Sebastian Reef, out of which he made a considerable fortune. (8)

The Argus had a longer obituary -

Mr Robert Charlton, a gentleman well known in connexion with the mining industry in this district, died at his residence, Sebastian, yesterday. The deceased first arrived in Bendigo in 1854, but after a brief stay proceeded to Maryborough and other places, finally returning to Sandhurst in 1864. He then, in company with some partners, commenced mining operations at Sebastian. The celebrated Frederick the Great claim belonged to him and his partners, and the proceeds of the mine not only gave fortunes to the party, but also added considerably to the income of the lessor of the ground by the royalty paid for the privilege of working the mine. The Frederick the Great plant is one of the largest in the colony. About 12 months ago operations at the mine were discontinued, and shortly afterwards Mr Charlton proceeded to England. The trip, however, would appear to have operated injuriously on his constitution rather than otherwise, for since his return a few months back he gradually failed, until yesterday morning, when he died, at the age of 45 years. Mr Charlton held the position of a justice of the peace for some time. He leaves a wife and family, who are well provided for. (9)

In January 1883, Polly's mother, Mary Ann, remarried to John Tawse Illingworth and she died in Bendigo in 1906 and left an estate of £7,860. (10)  

As you can see, both Thomas and Polly came from well-off families and this, plus the sale of their Bendigo mansion and his salary with the Australian Mutual Provident Society, no doubt allowed them to build the new Sebastian in Beaconsfield Parade. I don't know what his salary would have been, but in 1909 the Australian Mutual Provident Society had assets  of £24,522,715, so it was a large business of which Thomas was a district manager and later the sub-manager. (11)

Australian Mutual Provident Society; District Secretary was Thomas Anthony.

Bendigo Independent, November 6, 1909 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article227820775

Thomas and Polly had three children - Lila in 1895; Hector in 1900 and Tom in  February 1910.  The elder two were born in Bendigo and their last child, Tom was born at Windarra Private Hospital in Toorak, when as we know, they were living in Canterbury Road, St Kilda.  (12)

It was while they were living at Sebastian, Beaconsfield Parade that their daughter Lila was married  at Christ Church, St Kilda, on March 16, 1915 to Cyril Vane Lansell, the son of  George and Harriett Lansell of Fortuna Villa, Bendigo. (13)  George Lansell, the Quartz King, had made a fortune from mining. His obituaries noted his influence in the mining field and in Bendigo - 

Bendigo owed much to the pioneers, and of these Mr. Lansell was perhaps the most striking figure. The prosperity of Bendigo depended on its mines, and Mr. Lansell, by the payment of miners' wages, had given employment to a great many people. (14)

The great quartz "boom" which sent a wave of prosperity over Bendigo in the late "sixties" and early "seventies," gave Mr Lansell his opportunity, and he entered into a scheme of investment which proclaimed the astute and wary, though distinctly courageous, speculator, whose value to a mining field is not to be measured by mere money. If one thing more than another has earned for the departed mining magnate the thanks of the community, it is that he inspired the weaker and more timid investors with courage and confidence. (15)

George Lansell's estate was valued for  Probate at £339,000. (16)  Before we leave George Lansell, Punch had this interesting comment in their obituary - Most Bendigonians, so 'tis said, believe that when they die, if good, they will go to St. Kilda. Mr. Lansell never took much stock in St. Kilda. He reckoned that Bendigo was just as good a place to live as to grow rich in.... (17)

The Anthonys lived at Sebastian until March 1921, when they sold and moved to Brighton. Thomas died at 120 The Esplanade, Brighton on August 12, 1929 and Polly died in South Yarra on May 21, 1945. They are buried at the St Kilda Cemetery. (18)

The sale of Sebastian, March 19, 1921

The Herald, March 12, 1921 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article242251528

Sebastian was auctioned on March 19, 1921 and it was described as -

The residence is handsome in appearance, well designed, and contains:- on Ground Floor - Spacious entrance hall, with lavatory, drawing-room 20 x 16 and bay, dining-room 28 x 18 with two bays and conservatory, morning-room 16 x 17, maid's room 13 x 16 with wardrobe, kitchen with servery to dining-room, 2 pantries, storeroom, and laundry. Upstairs - Bedroom 20 x 16ft. 6in., with sleeping-out balcony and balconette leading off, dressing-room fitted with wardrobe and lavatory basin, bedroom 15 x 14, with balconette 18x 15ft. 6in., with bay 16 x 17; box room, and bathroom. Hot water service is installed. Land 99 x 165, laid out in garden, and lawns. Full steel garage. The house is modernly designed, tastefully finished, the rooms being large, well decorated and nicely arranged, and the position is one of the finest in this popular district, overlooking the bay, within easy walking distance of St. Kilda railway station, and convenient to pier, baths and cable car. (19)

Solomon Green (1868-1948)

Sebastian was purchased by Solomon 'Sol' Green, retired bookmaker, a racehorse owner and a business man, who had extensive property holdings - both rural and urban.  Sol, was born in England on August 1, 1868 to Judah and Elizabeth (nee Jacobs) Green. Judah was a publican, with an interest in horse racing. Sol came to Melbourne as a 15 year-old and after a few odd jobs became a bookmaker and was very successful, which gave him the capital to invest in property. (20)  

It was the Greens who renamed Sebastian to Dynevor. Dynevor Downs, near Cunnamulla, was one of Sol's pastoral properties in Queensland, which he had purchased in 1914, thus the house name came from this property.  Dynevor Downs was established in the 1860s and was possibly named for Dynevor Castle, a 13th-century castle near Llandeilo, in Wales. (21)

In 1926, the Sydney Truth newspaper published an article on Sol Green, under the headline The Romance of Solomon Green, and the writer noted that - if there has ever been a quicker thinker or more successful man in the betting ring of Australia, India and South Africa than Solomon Green, I, who saw him operating in each of those countries, have failed to notice the individual. (22)

On February 9, 1892, 23 year-old Sol married 18 year-old Rebecca Mendes, the daughter of George Mendes and his wife Amelia, nee Ottolangui. George was an ironmonger and they lived in Coventry Street, South Melbourne. The wedding took place at Arcadia, Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park, the service being  conducted by Rabbi Joseph Abrahams of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation (who had, as a matter of interest, conducted the marriage ceremony of General Sir John Monash and his wife, Hannah Moss in April 1891) (23) 

Arcadia was the home of Alfred and Emma Da Costa - Emma was Rebecca's sister.  Sol and Rebecca's marriage was quickly followed by the birth of a son, Robert Judah, on June 19, 1892; he was born at Arcadia. When their second son, Louis Horace, was born in January 1894, they were living at Sylvia, Beaconsfield Parade. In June 1903, their third son Arthur Jasper was born, also at Sylvia. (24)

Arcadia and Sylvia were part of Amelia Terrace, on the corner of Beaconsfield Parade and Harold Street, numbered in 1903 Electoral Roll as 208-211 Beaconsfield Parade. Rebecca and Emma's brothers, Albert and Morris Mendes were also living at Amelia Terrace. (25)

Amelia Terrace, then 208-211 Beaconsfield Parade - where Sol and Rebecca were married and where their three sons were born. 

Sands & McDougall Melbourne and Directory - 1900

Rebecca's father, George Mendes, was an early settler in South Melbourne and he died in November 1901 - the Emerald Hill Record had this obituary - 

One of the oldest residents of South Melbourne passed away on Monday last in the person of Mr. George Mendes, of Coventry-street. The deceased gentleman, who was 80 years of age, was one of the early settlers of the Hill, arriving here in 1852, and for nearly the whole of that period resided in Coventry street. He built largely in South Melbourne, and the building in Coventry street now occupied by the Salvation Army, was erected by him in 1877 as a theatre at a cost of £10,000. Mr Mendes was a member of the South Melbourne Cricket Club and the Albert Park Bowling Club, and in the early days took a keen interest in rowing. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Forester, and one of the founders of the first Druid Lodge in South Melbourne. His funeral on Tuesday was largely attended by a number of representative citizens. The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Abrahams. Mr.Mendes was married twice, and leaves a widow and grown-up family. (26)

Sol Green, c. 1947.

Possibly taken at what was to be named Sol Green Reserve in South Melbourne. Mr Green donated £2,000 to have the park made into a children's playground.

Photographer: Herald and Weekly Times, State Library of Victoria image  H38849/1677

Solomon Green died on May 11, 1948, aged 79. The Argus published this informative obituary outlining his life and his generous charitable donations  - 

Sol Green never failed the needy - Born of poor Jewish parents in London 80 years ago, Sol Green came to Australia when he was 19 to "make more than the 2/6 he was getting in London," and he travelled "fourth class because there was no fifth." He began as bookmaker's clerk, set up for himself as bookmaker at 22, and in a few years led his profession.

He bought racehorses and won well with them. He founded the Shipley Stud, at Warrnambool, in 1906, and bred Artilleryman and King Ingoda, both Melbourne Cup winners. He won again with Comedy King. He retired from the ring in 1910, a very wealthy man.  He dispersed the Shipley Stud eight years later, only to establish another - Underbank, at Bacchus Marsh - which he carried on until 1944. In all, his horses won almost £70,000 in stakes. But he did not concentrate on racing alone. He owned city hotels, shops, and warehouses, and several station properties.

His long series of charitable gifts - those known to the public - began in 1937, when he gave £100 for blankets for the poor, and subsequently increased it to £1, 000. Then in one year he gave the proceeds of a sale of thoroughbred yearlings, £1,500, to buy blankets for bomb raid victims in England. In 1943 he placed £50,000 in trust in perpetuity to enable returned servicemen to buy homes on easy terms, payments to be returned to the fund and reinvested in more homes.

Two years later he made substantial gifts to hospitals, and in September last year, on Yom Kippur, most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, as he lay sick in hospital, he gave £42,000 to be divided equally between Melbourne's five main hospitals. He followed it with two gifts of £5,000 each to the Royal Melbourne Hospital Centenary Appeal. Those are his recorded philanthropic activities. There were countless others, known only to himself and those he helped. He was not  a fool with money, but he never failed those in need.

His character is indicated best, perhaps, by portion of the letter to the Press in which he announced his Yom Kippur gift. "I came to Australia penniless, and this country gave me great opportunities to make my way in life," he wrote. "Today's gift is an expression of my gratitude. It is not made solely on my own behalf, but also on behalf of my many Jewish co-religionists to whom life has not been so kind. It is made, too, to support my plea that the people of this nation may always refuse to take part in any kind of religious or racial bigotry. I ask no personal credit for the gift. I am too old and tired for this to matter." (27)

Sol was buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery, as was his wife Rebecca who died on May 21, 1954. (28)  Solomon Green is remembered by the Sol Green Reserve in South Melbourne, which is bordered by City Road, Nelson Road, Montague Street and Coventry Street, the last named was where his wife, Rebecca, grew up. He donated £2,000 to have this park made into a children's playground.  (29)

Dynevor - Accommodation and later a Reception Centre

On December 7, 1950, Dynevor was auctioned, but passed in at £12,500.  In February 1951 the sale of the beautiful furnishings and effects of Dynevor were auctioned. (30)  

Dynevor for sale

The Argus, November 25, 1950 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23031483

The next reference I can find is in May 1952, after Dynevor must have been turned into a guest house/boarding house, when a room was listed for rent. A subsequent advertisement in January 1953, described Dynevor as 1st class accommodation. (31)

Outside Dynevor, January 1963 - all dressed up for our Aunty's wedding.

My sister, Megan, in pink flock nylon; Mum, Wendy, in green silk; my sister Karen in yellow flock nylon and me in pale blue eyelet nylon.  Mum, who was 28 at the time, made all these dresses. 

Photographer: Frank Rouse, our Dad. This was originally a slide, which I scanned. 

Dynevor's life as a boarding house was short-lived as by October 1953 it had become a reception centre, and from that date onwards the building featured in wedding reports, twenty-first birthday reports and reports of other functions. (32)  In 1963 it was operated by Vernard James Bell and Violet Irene Bell, I have no information as to when they took over the business. (33) Its next owners were George Henry Whittle and Myrene Nita Whittle, and again I have no information as to when they took over the business. (34) Dynevor's  life as a reception centre ceased around the end of 1969; George Whittle died on June 1, 1970 and in January 1971, Myrene Whittle put to auction the catering equipment and fittings and furniture from Dynevor Receptions; selling  due to the demolition of the property. (35)  And that was the end of Sebastian / Dynevor.

The sale of equipment and fittings at Dynevor Receptions.

The Age, January 16, 1971, p. 27 from newspapers.com

325 Beaconsfield Parade today

Dynevor was demolished and Breakwater Towers, designed by Architect Sol Sapir, was constructed. It consisted of 24 apartments, with prices starting at $36,500 and the first advertisement I could find for them was at the end of September 1974.  (36)

Advertisement for Breakwater Towers

The Age, October 2, 1970, p. 40 from newspapers.com

Trove List

I have created  a list of articles on  Thomas Paul Anthony and  Solomon Green and their extended families and on Sebastian / Dynevor. Access the list here.

Footnotes

(1) Entries from the Sands & McDougall Melbourne and Directories - on-line at the State Library of Victoria - for the Sebastian / Dynevor Property, Beaconsfield Parade, between Fraser and Cowderoy Streets, St Kilda.  They tell the numbering sequence of the property from 45-46 Beaconsfield Pde, to 51 Beaconsfield Pde to 325 Beaconsfield Pde. Also interesting to see how that block developed in 35 years. [Click on images to enlarge]

(2) Sands & McDougall Melbourne and Directories - on-line at the State Library of Victoria; Tom Anthony, born February 1910, birth certificate; Electoral Rolls at Ancestry.com; Bendigo Advertiser, September 4, 1909, see here; Bendigo Advertiser, October 13, 1909, see here.

(3) Thomas Anthony's birth certificate; Index to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.

(4) Ballarat Star, December 23, 1875, see here; Ballarat Courier, February 2, 1880, see here; Ballarat Star, February 3, 1880, see here.

(5) Ballarat Courier, February 2, 1880, see here.

(6) The Argus, October 10, 1882, see here.

(7) Bendigo Advertiser, September 26, 1894, see here; Anthony/Charlton marriage certificate.

(8) Index to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; The Herald, January  1, 1879, see here. 

(9)  The Argus, January 1, 1879, see here.

(10) The  Argus, January 2, 1883, see here; The Age, July 10, 1906, see here.

(11) The Age, May 15, 1906, see here; The Herald, August 13, 1929, see here.

(12) Index to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages;  Tom Anthony's birth certificate.

(13) Bendigo Advertiser, March 20, 1915, see here;  Bendigo Independent, March 20 1915, see here.

(14) The Argus, March 20, 1906, see here.

(15) Weekly Times, March 24, 1906, see here.

(16) The Herald, July 5, 1906, see here.

(17) Punch, March 22, 1906, see here.

(18) The Age, August 14, 1929, see here; The Argus, May 22, 1945, see here.

(19) The Herald, March 12, 1921, see here.

(20) Australian Dictionary of Biography entry by Chris McConville 

https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/green-solomon-6473 ; Sydney Truth, May 2, 1926, see here.

(21) Brisbane Courier, January 7, 1867, see here; Riverine Herald, February 28, 1914, see here; Encyclopaedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/place/Carmarthenshire#ref711294

(22) Sydney Truth, May 2, 1926, see here.

(23) Green/Mendes marriage certificate;  Monash/Moss wedding - 

https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2025/06/daughters-of-convict-sarah-simonson.html

(24) Da Costa birth at Arcadia - The Argus, December 26, 1891, see here; The Argus, June 23, 1892, see here; Weekly Times, February 3, 1894, see here;  The Argus, June 10, 1903, see here.

(25) Sands and McDougall Melbourne and Suburban Directory for 1900 - on-line at the State Library of Victoria; Electoral Rolls at Ancestry.com

(26) Emerald Hill Record, November 23, 1901, see here.

(27) The Argus, May 12, 1948, see here. 

(28) The Herald, May 21, 1954, see here.

(29) Emerald Hill Record, August 2, 1947, see here;  Emerald Hill Record, September 27, 1947, see here.

(30) The Argus, November 25, 1950, see here; The Argus, December 8, 1950, see here; The Argus, February 3, 1951, see here.

(31) The Age, May 23, 1952, see here; The Age, January 19, 1953, see here.

(32) See my Trove list here.

(33)  Sands & McDougall Melbourne and Directories - on-line at the State Library of Victoria; Electoral Rolls at Ancestry.com

(34) Sands & McDougall Melbourne and Directories - on-line at the State Library of Victoria; Electoral Rolls at Ancestry.com

(35) Date of closure - there were reports in The Age of functions at Dynevor up to 1969, but I can't find any in 1970; George Whittle death notice - The Age June 3, 1970; sale of fixtures, equipment etc of Dynevor Receptions - The Age, January 16, 1971. The Age is available on newspapers.com up to the year 2000. Myrene Whittle  died in July 1994 and like her husband her cremated remains are at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

(36) The first advertisement I could find in The Age was on September 27, 1974. Architect - Sol Sapir https://www.builtheritage.com.au/dua_sapir.html

Miss Helen Robertson - Secretary of the St Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society

In a previous post I wrote about Miss Robertson, one of two women who signed the petition in 1856 to alter the boundaries of the St Kilda Municipality. I identified her as Ellen Robertson from Fitzroy Street and have written about her here. 

There is another Miss Robertson who appears in the history of St Kilda, Helen Robertson (1)  who was from 1864 until her death in 1881, the Secretary of the St Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society. (2)  I wondered at first whether she was Miss Robertson, the petition signer, but I believe I have it right with Ellen, as the earliest I can place Helen in St Kilda is 1862.

Miss Robertson, of the St. Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society

The Argus, March 7, 1874 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5865409 

The St Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society was established 1859, and we will let J.B. Cooper, the St Kilda Historian, explain the origins and purpose of the  Society -

The ladies of St. Kilda were energetic workers in causes that appealed to their sympathies, and among such causes, was the plight of poor people, who struggled for a livelihood, on the margin line, that divides penurious existence from actual want. Any temporary cessation from daily employment, any visitation of sickness upon the breadwinner, and such families became distressed ones needing help in money or kind. Then too there were the families who suffered from the improvidence of the breadwinner brought about maybe by intemperance. Be the cause what it may have been, the ladies of St. Kilda were of that charitable nature, that they could not allow the children, and wives, to suffer, without making an attempt to succour them. It was adjudged that the best method wherewith to deal with such cases was to establish a Ladies' Benevolent Society, and a meeting of ladies was held at the residence of Mrs. Purchase on October 11th, 1859, for that purpose. Two resolutions were adopted:- 1. That such a Society was necessary for the purpose of visiting and relieving the poor and 2. that the Society be designated "The St. Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society." Mrs. A'Beckett was elected to fill the office of President, Mrs. Cooke that of Treasurer, and Mrs. Shaw that of Hony. Secretary. A code of rules was drawn up for the guidance of the Committee. A second meeting was held on the 25th, at which Mrs. Alicia Jennings acted as President in the absence of Mrs. A'Beckett."

The Society's first report gives a glimpse into the necessities of the poor in early St. Kilda. Indigent persons to the number of 58 were relieved, and assisted, during the first year of the Society's existence. Some deserted wives were given the means to earn money by presents of mangles. The receipts for the year from charitable people (including £50 from the Council) were £230, and the expenditure in relief £365/12/1. The committee of the St. Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society was in the the habit of distributing bread, groceries, clothing, and firewood. Many poor people also had assistance given to them to enable them to pay their rent. In 1863, the society advanced money to two poor women for the purpose of buying sewing machines. Several individuals, sick and poor, had been sent to the hospital, and some old people to the Benevolent Asylum, wholly through the efforts made, and the influence used by the ladies of the society. Numbers of children in St. Kilda, whose parents were too poor to pay for their education, were sent to school at the Society's expense. The committee of the society established friendly relations with the authorities of the Melbourne City Mission. At the society's request, a missioner visited St. Kilda, once every week to visit the poor. For this service the committee paid to the mission the sum of £10 per year. 

The society afforded help to all indigent persons, without distinction of creed. The only limit to its bounty was the extent of its resources. In the report issued, by the Society in November, 1863, acknowledgement was made of the generous way, in which the residents of St. Kilda, had supported the Society. The cash account showed that the Society had commenced its year with a balance of £35/3/74, and that the subscriptions had totalled £73/7/- and the donations and payments £172/3/- making a total of £280/13/7½. The expenditure for the year had been £257/17/6, leaving a balance in hand of £22/16/1½. The cash receipts were swollen by the receipt of £50 from the Municipal Council of St. Kilda, a body of men who had the highest opinion of the St. Kilda Ladies Benevolent Society, an opinion that still lives in the corporate mind of the St Kilda Council towards the present members of this very useful society. The £50 was handed to the secretary of the Society, to enable the ladies to arrange that the children of the poorer classes should participate in the rejoicings at St. Kilda in celebration of the marriage of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. (3)

St Kilda Day Nursery established

St Kilda Telegraph, April 3, 1875 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109630297

One of the achievements of the St Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society was the establishment of a Creche on April 8, 1875, and again we will turn to J.B. Cooper  -
Creches did not exist in the same way today [1931] as they did fifty three years ago, though the want of a place where infants could be left by working mothers was, in degree, just as pressing as it is today. The St. Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society recognised the want, and the ladies of that society, made provision to meet it. On April 8, 1875, they opened, what they called, "The St. Kilda Day Nursery" in Somerset Street. The nursery, it was stated, was for "the benefit of the working women to enable them to leave their children, from the age of one month to six years, during their necessary absence from home." Advertisements were inserted in the newspapers, informing the mothers, that full particulars could be obtained from the nurse on the premises, from the honorary secretary of the Society, Miss Robertson, Acland Street. (4)

St Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society ceased functioning in 1963. (5)  There were many women, apart from Helen Robertson, with a long-term involvement with the Society, but they are a story for another day. 

It was from  the paragraph, above, about the Creche, that I discovered Miss Robertson, and then wondered if she was the petition signer. Helen, born in 1834, was the daughter of Dr Archibald Robinson and his wife Agnes Hamilton, she was the fifth of their six children, all born in Scotland. 

• Isabella Gellie born 1824; died on May 9, 1856 aged 32.  
• Archibald Moodie born 1825; died December 1, 1862, aged 37. 
• Janet (known as Jessie) born 1828. Married John Russell Keays on October 8, 1855. Died February 8, 1857, aged 29, on the day she gave birth to a daughter, Jessie, who died 11 days later. 
• Louisa Mary born 1830. Married John McLachlan on January 8, 1851 in Adelaide. Died September 16, 1856 at Spring Bank, Avoca River, aged 26. 
• Helen born 1834. Died November 20, 1881, aged 47. 
• Agnes born 1839. Married George Thomson on September 6, 1866. Died on October 26, 1900, aged 60. (6)

The family arrived in Melbourne in January 15, 1849 on the Duchess of Northumberland, Dr Robinson had acted as the Surgeon Superintendent on the voyage. They, at some time, moved to Heidelberg where Dr Robinson died on July 27, 1854. He was the first of the family buried at the Warringal Cemetery in Heidelberg, in three adjoining plots. Sadly, he was soon followed by three of his daughters, who died between May 1856 and February 1857 and in time by his wife and his other three children. (7)

The first connection I can find between the family and St Kilda was with Helen's brother, Archibald Moody Robertson, who in 1858 and 1859 was listed in the St Kilda Rate books, renting an 

8-roomed wood and slate house in Acland Street from a Mr Lomas. Two questions of which I have no answers - were Agnes and her two unmarried daughters, Helen and Agnes, also living with their son and brother; and where was Archibald living in 1860, 1861 and 1862 before he died on December 1, 1862? (8) 

Miss Robertson presented with a purse of sovereigns. I wonder what she bought with them?

The Argus, August 31, 1875 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5900704

In 1862, Helen's mother Agnes began renting a 13-roomed iron house in Alma Road, next to a now demolished Congregational Church, which was on the corner of Alma and Barkly Streets (opposite the grand Presbyterian Church on the St Kilda hill).  The owner of the house was Mrs Fletcher, the widow of the Reverend Richard Fletcher, a Congregational minister, whose original church was also made of  iron and which could seat 250 worshippers. Mrs Fletcher was an original committee member of the Benevolent Society. (9)  Two years after that, in 1864, Helen took over as Secretary of the St. Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society from the original secretary Mrs Henry Steel Shaw. (10)  In 1866, young Agnes married George Thomson, at the house. The marriage was conducted by the Presbyterian Minister, Reverend Irving Hetherington and Helen was one of the witnesses. (11)

Agnes Robertson's property in Alma Street (now called Alma Road)

Sands & McDougall's Melbourne and suburban directory 1865, digitised at the State Library of Victoria

In 1873, Agnes senior and Helen moved to an 8-roomed brick house in Acland Street, rented from Robert Stroud. It was located on the corner of Jackson Street. They were still living there when Helen died of enteric fever on November 20, 1881, at only 47 years of age. (12)

Helen Robertson listed in the 1880 Sands and McDougall Directory. This was how I finally discovered her given name, all the newspaper reports of her activities as Secretary list her as Miss Robertson.

Sands & McDougall's Melbourne and suburban directory 1880, digitised at the State Library of Victoria

Helen's death notice

St Kilda Telegraph, November 26, 1881 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article107118170

After Helen's death, Agnes moved in with her youngest daughter, Agnes, who lived in Fawkner Street, St Kilda, and she was living there when she died on March 4, 1887 aged 89, having out-lived five of her six children. Agnes is also buried at the Warringal Cemetery. (13)

Helen Robertson and her colleagues at the St Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society provided a valuable service to the people of St Kilda in the days before aged pensions, widow's pensions and single mothers benefits, by looking after the elderly, the poor, the sick and their children. 

Trove list - I have created  a list of newspaper articles related to Helen Robertson, her work with the St Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society and her family, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) In all the newspaper mentions of Miss Robertson, her first name was never noted, I only discovered her name as she is listed in the 1880 Sands and McDougall Melbourne and Suburban Directory. Once I had her name I could start building the family tree.
(2) Helen became the Secretary in October 1864 -  The Age, October 14, 1864, see here.
(3) Cooper, John Butler The History of St Kilda from its first settlement to a City and after, 1840 - 1930, v. 1 (City of St Kilda, 1931), pp. 361-362. You can read this book on-line on the St Kilda Historical Society website - https://www.stkildahistory.org.au/publications/ebooks
(4) Cooper, op. cit., p. 363.
(5) Longmire, Helen St Kilda the show goes on: the history of St Kilda v.3 1930 to July 1983 (Hudson/City of St Kilda, 1989), p. 207. You can read this book on-line on the St Kilda Historical Society website - https://www.stkildahistory.org.au/publications/ebooks
(6) Dates of birth were estimated from age at death. Death dates and age at death taken from the headstones at Warringal Cemetery - photos taken by John William Constantine on Find a Grave;  death certificates of Archibald Robertson, Helen Robertson and Agnes Robertson (nee Hamilton) and death notice of Jessie and the birth notice of her daughter -  The Argus, February 9, 1857, see here.  I cannot find  a death notice for Archibald Moodie Robertson or any reference to his death in the Victorian Deaths Index. Marriage date of Jessie - The Argus, August 10, 1855, see here; Louisa - Melbourne Daily News, January 20, 1851, see here ; Agnes -  marriage certificate. 
(7) Arrival date - Shipping records at the Public Records Office of Victoria - Register of Assisted Immigrants from the United Kingdom VPRS 14; death certificate of Archibald Robertson.
(8) St Kilda Rate books are  on-line at the Public Records Office of Victoria - VPRS 8816 -  from 1857 and on Ancestry.com from 1859. 
(9) St Kilda Rate books, see footnote 8; The Fletchers are listed as living in the house in 1861, the Reverend Fletcher died on December 15, 1861 - death notice - The Age, December 16, 1861, see here;  J. B Cooper writes about the iron houses and buildings, including the Church, in his St Kilda history (see footnote 3) on page 243. Mrs Fletcher is listed in the First Annual Report of the St  Kilda Ladies' Benevolent Society, digitised at the State Library of Victoria, here. 

(10) Helen became the Secretary in October 1864 -  The Age, October 14, 1864, see here, due to Mrs Shaw leaving the district.
(11) Agnes Robertson/George Thomason marriage certificate.
(12) St Kilda Rate books, see footnote 8; 1880 Sands and McDougall Melbourne and Suburban Directory; Helen's death certificate.

(13) Agnes Robertson's death certificate.