Construction of the West Gate Bridge over the Yarra River

Construction of the West Gate bridge, over the Yarra River,  began on April 8, 1968. Tragically on October 15, 1970 part of the bridge collapsed and thirty five workers died. These photos were taken by my husband, John Arnold, between 1973 and 1976. John was working for some of this time on the tug, Elton Griffin. The bridge was finally opened on November 15, 1978.  

Raising of the wreck of the steam tug 'Melbourne', out of the main shipping channel off Williamstown. the "Melbourne' had been struck by a 40,000 ton cargo ship and sunk.

Image: John Arnold

Taken from the river bank, Fishermans Bend.

Image: John Arnold

Taken from river bank, Fishermans Bend.

Image: John Arnold

From the Yarra River

Image: John Arnold

From the Yarra River

Image: John Arnold

From the Yarra River

Image: John Arnold

From the Yarra River

Image: John Arnold

Taken from the Yarra on the Spotswood / Yarraville side.

Image: John Arnold

Taken from the Yarra River on the Spotswood / Yarraville side.

Image: John Arnold

Taken from the Yarra on the Spotswood / Yarraville side.

Image: John Arnold

This is the Empress of Australia - this ship replaced the Princess of Tasmania. Taken from Webb Dock.

Image: John Arnold

Taken from Lorimer Street, Fisherman's Bend, outside the Government Aircraft factory.

Image: John Arnold

 Taken from Lorimer Street, Fisherman's Bend, out side the Government Aircraft factory.

Image: John Arnold

Dr Gweneth Wisewould and her father, Frank Wisewould

Some years ago I read Dr Gweneth Wisewould's book, Outpost: a Doctor on the Divide (1) about her life as a doctor at Trentham. It is a great book, written in 1971 and republished in 2019, well worth tracking down. Dr Wisewould had sold her practice in Melbourne as she felt that the changing nature of city practices meant doctors were becoming clearing houses for the specialists, and anything more serious than cut fingers and gravel rash were referred on. Dr Wisewould's first love was for the patient as a whole individual in a general practice (2) and she found this in her practice at Trentham, where she lived from September 1938 until her death in 1972. 

Her work in Trentham and the surrounding district involved the usual duties for a country doctor such as operations, treating accident victims and illnesses and delivering babies; initially at a time when there were none of the modern aids to recovery, for it was before the discovery of penicillin, before the establishment of the 'Blood Bank' or modern laboratory aids (3). Dr Wisewould's less usual duties included Post Mortems, amputations, treating dogs in the absence of a veterinarian and baptising fragile new-born babies, if it looked like they might not survive. She was assisted by the local nurse who operated a 6-bed hospital in the town, Dr Wisewould described her as an elderly sister with long experience of bush nursing and game for anything nursing called for and who had war-time experience (4).  

Dr Gweneth Wisewould, in 1972. 

A very practical, highly skilled, caring and hard working woman.

Herald & Weekly Times collection, State Library of Victoria Image H38849/5818

Gweneth, born in Brighton, August 30, 1884, was the only child of  Frank and Isabel Wisewould. The family were at 27 Cromwell Street, Toorak in the 1903 Electoral Rolls, and from 1906 to 1919 at Ellematta, Seymour Road, Elsternwick, and they also had land at Pakenham Upper, more of which later. Gweneth, was educated at home, then studied at Melbourne University, graduating in 1915. 

Gweneth Wisewould was awarded her degree at a ceremony held April 17, 1915.

The Argus, April 19 1915. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1510952

After a few years working at various hospital she set up in private practice and holding a number of honorary posts, she performed ear, nose and throat work and general surgery (1918-36) at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital for Women and Children; she also instructed medical students in anaesthetics (1918-29) at the Alfred Hospital (5). During the First World War, Dr Wisewould was involved with the Young Women's Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.) and gave classes on Home Nursing and was involved in  First Aid classes, and in 1919, at the Y.W.C.A. she gave  a practical demonstration on how to treat influenza patients (6). She clearly understood the role women played in providing the primary health care to their families at that time. 

Dr Wisewould was also involved with the Free Kindergarten Union. For instance, in 1918, she gave six lectures on hygiene to women on their behalf. One of her more light-hearted associations with the Free Kindergarten Union was playing Father Christmas at their annual Christmas party held for the children.  In 1931 it was reported that she had undertaken this task every year, except one, for over twenty years. (7). She was also the Honorary Medical Officer at the Yoralla Free Kindergarten for Crippled Children. At their annual general meeting in 1920 it was reported that Dr Wisewould spoke eulogistically of the work done at the school in cramped quarters, and with small funds. Much was said about tubercular children but she thought that more should be done to assist children who though crippled in limb, were mentally sound and capable of being educated (8). 

I was trying to work out where her medical practices were - in the 1919 Electoral Roll Gweneth is at 31 Mitford Street, Elwood; 1922 to 1926 Electoral Rolls at 52 Broadway, Elwood; then in the 1934 to 1937 Electoral Rolls she is listed at at 3 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick. I presume, like most doctors at this time, her consulting rooms were part of her house.  

One of her more pleasant duties, before she moved to Trentham was judging a Baby Show a the St Kilda Town Hall, held to raise money for the Children's Hospital (9).  I feel this shows how well respected and involved she was in the local community. 

Dr Wisewould judges a Baby Show.

The Argus September 26 1932 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4500022

Dr Wisewould died in Trentham on January 20, 1972, where she is buried. In June 1968, four years before she died, she gave $20,000 to Melbourne University to establish a Trust fund to send Aboriginal students to University, it was called the Truganini Trust. There was enough money for three scholarships for three students to enrol in full-time courses. Dr Wisewould said that the foundation was set up on the principle that they should have equal chances...the opportunity for higher education will place some Aborigines on a par with other leaders, giving them a better chance of leading their own people (10). The first scholarship was to be awarded for the 1969 Academic year. She was a remarkable woman

I came across a programme of events of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria for 1910-1911 (11). It was an extensive program and included such activities as a trip to Eltham to see the silver wattles, a trip to Croydon to study entomology and botany and a trip to Williamstown to study marine life. The President of the Field Naturalists' Club was a  Mr F. Wisewould. I put his name into Trove  and discovered amongst other things that he was Gweneth Wisewould's father and that he had a property at Pakenham Upper.

The Field Naturalists' Club programme from 1910/1911. Frank Wisewould is the President.

This is the story of Frank Wisewould and we can get an overview of his life from his obituary, which was published in The Argus on November 29, 1926 (12).
The many friends of Mr Frank Wisewould, who was for years one of the leading figure in legal circles in Melbourne, will learn with regret of his death, which took place in a private hospital on Saturday. Mr Wisewould became suddenly ill at his residence at Pakenham Upper early in the week, and was removed to Melbourne for treatment. He showed some improvement after an operation, and the fatal ending of his illness was not expected. Mr Frank Wisewould was the son of Mr James Wisewould, an English solicitor who came to Melbourne in 1853, and a year or two latter founded the legal firm of Wisewould and Gibbs which is now known as Wisewould, Duncan and Wisewould. Mr Frank Wisewould was born at Brighton in 1858 and was educated at Scotch College, being one of Dr. Morrison's early pupils. He entered his father's office at the age of 15 years and subsequently became a partner in the firm. He retired in 1922, after having been connected with the firm for 49 years. He then purchased a property at Pakenham Upper, where he engaged in country pursuits until his death. Mr Wisewould was an ardent nature student and was one of the original founders of the Field Naturalists' Society, of which he was made a life member in recognition of his services. He was instrumental in inaugurating the wildflower show which has now become an annual fixture and was always one of its leading exhibitors. A keen interest was taken by Mr Wisewould in the Royal Society of Victoria of which he had been president, and at the time of his death he was a member of the council. While in practice he acted as honorary solicitor for the Melbourne Athenaeum and the Eye and Ear Hospital. He leaves a widow and one daughter, Dr. Gweneth Wisewould.

I will look at a few aspects of Frank's life that were mentioned in his obituary. Firstly the Field Naturalists' Society or Club. The Field Naturalists' Club was formed in 1880 for the purpose of affording observers and lovers of Natural History regular and frequent opportunities for discussing those special subjects in which they are mutually interested (13). During the meetings, members read papers on topics that they were interested in and could display nature specimens. In April 1882, Frank displayed Snakes, also opossums in various stages of growth in spirits (14). In December 1882, he displayed an English Viper and also snakes from the Darling River (15). Frank read a paper in July 1885 on a visit to Chudleigh Caves in Tasmania (16). In 1887 he displayed some carnelian from Tasmania (17). Frank clearly had an interest in snakes and in science more broadly as he was also a member of the Royal Society of Victoria and President from 1922-1923. The Royal Society was formed in 1854 for the promotion of science for the benefit of the community.

This photo from the Field Naturalists' Club photo album is of the Cardinia Creek bridge at Berwick, taken 1887. The album has been digitised by the State Library of Victoria. 

Did Frank go on this excursion?

Bridge over Kardinia Ck. [i.e. Cardinia Creek], Berwick. State Library of Victoria Image H2012.114/1

The obituary mentions that Frank Wisewould purchased his property at Pakenham Upper, after his retirement. However, the Shire of Berwick Rate books show that he purchased his property of 317 acres in 1894/1895. It was Allotment 17h, Parish of Nar Nar Goon, his land is bordered to the south by Army Settlement Road and Gordon Road to the west. The property was called Mona and I wonder if Frank kept all his specimens at the Pakenham Upper house or his house in Melbourne. It is likely that many of the wildflowers that Frank exhibited at the annual wildflower show came from his Pakenham Upper property.

Mr Wisewould took an active role in community life at Pakenham Upper - he was the legal advisor to the Pakenham Upper Fruit Company (18). He was a member of the Progress Association where at one meeting in 1914 he spoke of the advantages of forming a debating society (19). He was also the chair of various functions such as the Pakenham Upper Red Cross concert (20). Perhaps his greatest honour was that he was selected to unveil the Pakenham Upper Roll of Honour at a Red Cross concert on September 22, 1917, due to the absence of the local member, Mr Keast (21). His speech was reported in the Pakenham Gazette (22)
Mr Wisewould spoke of the bravery and unselfishness of the men who had gone. They did not go for gain, and if it was to be that they might not be spared to come back they gave their lives, counting it nothing more than their duty to die for their country. The imperishable bravery of our lads at the landing on Gallipoli had been re-enacted on the bloody fields of Pozieres and Ypres. They were sons worthy of the fathers who had begotten them and the mothers who had nurtured them and their names and gallant deeds would be handed down to their children and their children's children to posterity.

You can read about the Pakenham Upper Honor Board on Patrick Ferry's website A Century After the Guns Fell Silent: Remembering the Pakenham District's WWI Diggers 1914- 1918   https://www.pakenhamww1.com/   Three of Frank's nephews (who are, of course, Gweneth's furst cousins) are listed in the website - Albert, Frank and Harold Wisewould. They are the sons of Edward and Elizabeth Wisewould and appear on the Pakenham State School Honor Board.

Frank, was the son of  James and Sophia (nee Drewitt) Wisewould. He married Isabel Alice Field in Westbury in Tasmania on March 28, 1883. It was two years after his marriage that Frank presented his report on the Chudleigh Caves in Tasmania to the Field Naturalists Club. The caves are about 35 kilometres from Westbury - did Frank visit the caves when he was in Tasmania courting Isabel or did he take a trip to Tasmania to see the caves and when he was there he met Isabel, perhaps through mutual friends or was she on the cave expedition as well?  I cannot tell you, but I rather like the idea that they met and fell in love amongst the stalactites at Chudleigh Caves. Isabel was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (nee Lindsay) Field. Thomas was a member of the Tasmanian Parliament, you can read his obituary here.   Frank died on November 27, 1926 at the age of 68 and Isabel on October 27, 1928, aged 69,  and they are both buried at the Brighton Cemetery (23).

Footnotes

(1) Wisewould, Gweneth Outpost: a Doctor on the Divide (Lowden Publishing, 1971)
(2) Wisewould, op. cit., p. 1.
(3) Wisewould, op. cit., p. 98

(4) Wisewould, op. cit., pages 96 and 99

(5) Australian Dictionary of Biography entry by Farley Kelly -    https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wisewould-gweneth-12058
(6) Home Nursing - The Herald, July 19 1916, see here;  First Aid - Weekly Times, October 30, 1915, see here  Influenza - The Argus July 18, 1919, see here.

(7) Public lectures on Hygiene - The Herald, October 1, 1918, see here. Father Christmas - The Argus, December 21, 1931, see here.

(8) The Argus, November 25, 1920, see here.

(9) The Argus September 26 1932, see here.  

(10) Death date from her ADB entry, see footnote 5;  The Truganini Trust information is from The Age, June 26 1968 on newspapers.com, part of Ancestry.com.

(11) When I say I came across it, actually my research colleague, Isaac Hermann, who found it for sale on EBay.
(12) The Argus, November 29, 1926, see here.
(13) Field Naturalists' Club programme from 1910/1911, back page.
(14) The Age, April 27, 1882, see here.
(15) The Age, December 19, 1882, see here.
(16) The Age, July 14, 1885, see here.
(17) The Herald, January 24, 1887, see here.
(18) Pakenham Gazette, November 8, 1918, see here.
(19) Dandenong Advertiser, February 26, 1914, see here.
(20) Pakenham Gazette, August 30, 1918, see here.
(21) Willian Stephen Keast (1866-1927). Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1900 to 1917 https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/people-in-parliament/re-member/details/24/1328
(22) Pakenham Gazette, September 28, 1917, see here.
(23) Family information comes from the Victorian Index to the Births, Deaths and Marriages, see here; the Tasmanian Archives, see here; and Birth and Death notices in the newspapers on Trove.

A version of this post, which I wrote and researched, is on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our past and has also been published in the Brighton Cemetorians Journal. This post is an updated version.

World War One Soldiers with a connection to Bangholme

Bangholme is a small town near Dandenong - it used to be part of the Shire of Dandenong and then when the Shire of Springvale and Noble Park was created in 1955, it became part of this Shire. In 1961, the Shire became the City of Springvale and  the area is  now part of the City of Greater Dandenong (1). Much of Bangholme is now covered by Melbourne Water's Eastern Treatment Plant. This plant covers 1,100 hectares and opened in 1975 (2).

What was at Bangholme? Not a lot, it seems. The 1940 Victorian Municipal Directory had this to say - BANGHOLME - Agricultural district, with State School and tennis club. This wasn't quite correct as Bangholme also has a Soldiers Memorial Hall, in Worsley Road just north of Harwood Road, which was opened on August 19, 1931 (3). One report said that the Hall was originally the old Dandenong Fire Station (4). Thirty four years later The 1974 Victorian Municipal Directory has this to say about the town - BANGHOLME - Agricultural District, with State School and Public Hall (5). 

The State School, No. 3884,  had opened on January 23, 1915. There is a delightful account of the opening of the school, described as being on the corner of Harwood and Bangholme Roads (6), in the Dandenong Advertiser of January 28, 1915 - which reads in part - on Saturday afternoon the new State school, situated at the corner of Mr. S M. Keys' paddock, Harwood and Bangholme roads, was formally opened by Mr. W. S. Keast, M.LA. .....He had much pleasure in expressing his appreciation of the generosity of Mr S. M.Keys, (who was a bachelor in search of a wife) who gave the site for the school, and this was the only instance in Victoria where a landowner had contributed 2½ acres to the Education Department for school purposes...He hoped that in time to come Mr Keys would be the happy daddy of a large family, and they would learn the rudiments of their education at the Bangholme State School... Mr Scott proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies for the important and pleasing part they had taken in the good work. He said there were a number of married people in the district who were not blessed with children, and he hoped now they had a fine free school they would help to fill it..... Miss Dorothy Field is in charge of the school, which will be attended by about 25 children to commence with (7). 

What follows is a list of soldiers with a connection to Bangholme. I got all the names from newspaper reports of the time, so there may be others and if you know of them,  I would be happy to hear from you. I have included their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full record on the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au

Blackmore, Frederick William (SN 1825) Frederick, born at Bangholme, was a 22 year old market gardener when he enlisted on May 31, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Christina, of  Thomas Street, Dandenong. Frederick Died of Wounds September 23, 1917.

A memorial service was held for Private Blackmore at a Methodist service at the Bangholme State School on October 14, 1917.

 Spectator and Methodist Chronicle, November 28, 1917. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154178611

Cameron, Dugald (SN 2839A) Dugald was a 40 years old farmer when he enlisted, on March 11, 1916. He Returned to Australia January 16, 1919. Dugald was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file, here, on the Battle to Farm website.
Cameron, George William (SN 4172) George was a 32 years old farmer when he enlisted on July 17, 1915. George was Killed in Action on September 20, 1917.
The Cameron boy's next of kin was their widowed mother, Hughina Cameron and they lived in Harwood Road, Bangholme. Mrs Cameron died in April 1921 and there are a series of letters between Agnes Cameron (Hughina's daughter) and the Army regarding George's medals. Agnes claimed them as next of kin as their older brother, John, was in 'Portuguese East Africa' and had been there since 'he went over to the Boer War.' John wrote a letter from his home in Inchape, Mozambique, as Portuguese East Africa is now called, asking that the medals be given to Agnes.

George Cameron had been declared Missing, before it was confirmed that he was Killed in Action and the local paper reported this. 

Dandenong Advertiser November 8, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88818555

Gamble, John Clement (SN 1925) John enlisted on March 11, 1916, he was a 27 year old farmer. he was born in Malvern and his next of kin was his mother,  Mrs Mary Wines, whose address is listed as Mailor's Flat, Warrnambool. John Returned to Australia April 8, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds - Trench Fever and Pleurisy. John's address is listed as Dandenong in the Embarkation Roll, his address in the 1919 Electoral Roll is Harwood Road and in 1921 he is listed at Clyde North. John was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Gambles,  William Denis  (SN 887) William was a 19 year old farmer when he enlisted on August 18, 1914.  His next of kin was his mother, who lived in York in England. William was Killed in Action on September 20, 1917 in Belgium. What was his connection to Bangholme? The Dandenong Advertiser of November 1, 1917 had the following report - which mentions that William was working for George Williams of Hammond Road. Was Hammond Road considered to be Bangholme? It does connect to Bangholme Road and there is a report (8) that Mr Williams spoke at a  function at the Bangholme School on April 27, 1916, where local soldiers were given a presentation before they left the district, so that's enough of a connection to give William a place in this blog post.

Notice about the death of Private William Gambles

Dandenong Advertiser, November 1 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88819005

Giles - the papers report that A. Giles, along with other soldiers, was presented with a wristlet watch at  a function in April 1916 (see below) and  there is  also a report in July 1918 that Corporal Giles was welcomed home (9).  The only Giles with a connection to Bangholme that I could find is John Giles (SN 16015) and he wasn't a Corporal, he was a Driver, however I believe I have the right man. John enlisted January 19, 1916 and his address at enrolment was Boxleigh Farm, Dandenong and his next of kin was his sister, Mrs George Taylor, of said Boxleigh Farm.  I found an advertisement (10) for  a clearing sale at Boxleigh Farm in May 1914 and the address was Harwood Road, which is Bangholme.   John was  43 years old when he enlisted, he was a farmer and born in Portarlington.  John never reached Europe but was in India and South Africa where he was 'dangerously ill' with malaria and eventually returned to Australia in December 1917 where he was discharged on medical grounds on February 1, 1918.

A report of planning meeting for a 'send off' to be held for Bangholme soldiers, 

at the State school on April 27. 

The Pullar boys, their surname is actually Pillar.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal April 20, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66189742

Halshaw, J    There is a  J. Halshaw is listed, along with A Giles, whom I wrote about above, and others, as one of the men who would receive a wristlet watch at a send off on April 27, 1916 (see report, above)  You would think that he would be easy to find - but no. There are no soldiers who have a record at the National Archives called Halshaw, Halshore, Holshaw or Holshore. There is a Michael Holschier who enlisted (I have written about him, below) so was Halshaw a phonetic rendering of Holschier? I believe it was.

Hayes, Stanley William James (SN 2675)  I presume this man was known as James as he is listed as J. Hayes in the newspaper article, above, so that's what we will call him. James was born in Ireland and was a 23 year old labourer when he enlisted on March 1, 1916. He Returned to Australia April 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in July 1917. His next of kin was his friend, Hettie Williams, of Willaura, Hammond Road, Dandenong. As a matter of interest, there is a document in his file from 1956  saying that the Imperial War Graves Commission was trying to locate a Stanley Alan Anderson, but that he had actually served as Stanley William James Hayes, so not sure whether he was really Mr Anderson or Mr Hayes.

Holschier, Michael Herman (SN 2638)  Michael enlisted on March 1, 1916 at the age of 21, he was a farmer and his next of kin was his widowed mother, Margaret Holschier, of Frankston Road, Dandenong. Michael Died of Wounds, received while fighting in Belgium, on September 30, 1917. The family put a death notice in the paper for Michael (see below) and it mentions that his brother, Harry, was also on active service, but I cannot find any record of him. 

Michael Holschier's death notice.

The Age October 20, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155176752

The report of the 'send off' held on April 27, 1916 at the Bangholme State School for local boys - Corporal Holschier, G. Pillar, H. Pillar, F. Blackmore, D. Cameron, M. Thompson and J. Keating were present, and Privates D. Jamieson, J. Gamble and Lewis, J. Giles and Hayes, who could not be present. I believe, as I said before, that Michael's name was incorrectly listed as Halshaw in an earlier report of this function (see newspaper report under Giles)

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 11, 1916  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66189819

Hume, William  Reports of the 'send off' function held on April 27, 1916 said that two recruits joined up on the night - 'Wm Hume and Smith.'  I cannot find a Hume, who enlisted,  with a connection to the Bangholme or Dandenong area.

William Hume was recruited at the function at the Bangholme State School, held April 27, 1916

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 11, 1916  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66189819

Jamieson, Duncan (SN 1946)  Duncan was 35 years old when he enlisted on March 11, 1916. His occupation was farmer and his next of kin was John Jamieson, his parents were listed as deceased, so I presume John was his brother.  Duncan Returned to Australia June 10, 1919. Duncan was granted a Soldier Settlement farm in Lyndhurst, you can read his file, on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Keating, Thomas Francis (SN 6294)  There is a J. Keating listed in the 'send off' function of April 27, 1916  referred to previously and at first I thought it might refer to William Joseph Keating (SN 3204 of Dandenong) but he enlisted in August 1918, so that wasn't him. Then I found  a listing of Dandenong Shire volunteers (see here) (11)   and it lists a T. Keating -  and I believe Thomas is the man referred to. Thomas enlisted on May 24, 1916 - he was 35 years old and a labourer. He was born in Skipton and his next of kin was his mother, Matilda, of Skipton.  Thomas was Killed in Action on August 23, 1918. What was his connection to Bangholme?  His address on enlistment was Carrum. His Will lists his sister, Margaret Curley, of Carrum as his executor. The Electoral Roll in 1919  has Margaret Curley at Thompson Road, Carrum and her husband, Matthew Michael Curley,  at Thompson Road, Lyndhurst so in between Carrum and Lyndhurst is Bangholme.  I believe this discrepancy just reflects the fluidity of place names at the time.

Lewis, Albert Reginald (SN 83) Albert was a 25 year old farm worker from Dandenong when he enlisted on March 10, 1916. His next of kin was his father,  Samuel, who lived in England. Albert Returned to Australia June 12, 1919.

Pillar, George (SN 109) George enlisted on March 21, 1916. He was a 20 year old gardener, born in Carrum. George Returned to Australia May 27, 1919. George was granted a Soldier Settlement farm in Lyndhurst, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.
Pillar, Harvey (SN 1968) Harvey was 24 when he enlisted on March 2, 1916. He was a market gardener, born in Carrum and Returned to Australia June 2, 1919. Harvey was also granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Lyndhurst, read his file here.
Pillar, Stewart (SN 962) Stewart enlisted on March 1, 1915 at the age of 27, his occupation was Dairyman. Stewart was award the Military Medal. He Returned to Australia May 15, 1919. Stewart, was also granted a Soldier Settlement farm, near Cobden, read his file, here.
The Pillar boys all listed their mother, Catherine, as their next of kin. They had her address as Dandenong and once as Island Road, Keysborough. Island Road runs off Perry Road, and Keysborough also borders Bangholme. Catherine (nee Thompson) married Thomas Pillar in 1874. Thomas died in 1911. There is a Pillars Road in Keysborough and Bangholme, which is named after the family.

Solley, Henry (Captain)  Henry was 44 when he enlisted on February 23, 1916 as a Lieutenant. He was born in England had already served 21 years in the Army, including serving in India  and five years in the Civilian Military Force. His next of kin was his wife, Annie, they had three children and lived at 104 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park. Henry was promoted to Captain in October 1917. He Returned to Australia May 29, 1919. The connection to Bangholme came in June 1916, when Mrs Solley sent a letter to the Army Records that she had changed her address to Island Road, Dandenong. I feel she must have had relatives in the area. The family were obviously connected to the Methodist Church at Bangholme as Captain Solley was listed on their Honor Roll (see below).

A report on the first anniversary of the Bangholme Methodist Church and Sunday School, held on Janaury 14, 1917. It also mentioned that a Methodist Roll of Honor was unveiled.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal January 25, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66191400

Smith  Reports of the 'send off' function held on April 27, 1916 said that two recruits joined up on the night - 'Wm Hume and Smith' The only Smith that I can find, with an enlistment date after April 1916 and a local connection is Frederick William Smith  (SN 7085), but I am not convinced that he is the same man who volunteered on the night of the 'send off' function. I have Frederick listed in my Lyndhurst soldiers list (see here)  but here is a short record of his service -  Frederick was born in Lyndhurst and was living in Dandenong when he enlisted on September 17, 1916. He was 24 and his occupation was listed as grocer. His next of kin was his father, Robert Smith, of Dandenong.  Frederick Returned to Australia on February 19, 1919.

Thompson, Middleton Cooper (SN 1948)  Middleton enlisted on March 2, 1916, he was a 29 year old market gardener - his address in the 1914 Electoral Roll was Main Drain Road in Carrum.  Middleton was awarded the Military Medal. Middleton's next of kin was his mother, Jane, of Richmond. He Returned to Australia July 4, 1919.

Turner, Francis Herbert Blackley (SN 32421 / Lieutenant) Francis enlisted on September 11, 1916;  he was a 26 year old grazier. His address on the Embarkation Roll was Glen Innes, Dandenong.  His next of kin was his mother, Lucy Turner, who lived in Kew.  The South Bourke and Mornington Journal of September 21, 1916 (12) had this report of an event at the Bangholme State School where Cr Burden, on behalf of the residents, presented Private Turner (who will soon be leaving for the front) with a case of pipes, and in a few well chosen remarks expressed the pleasure it gave him to be present at such a gathering, it being the first since he became president of the shire, and concluded by wishing that Pvt. Turner would live long to enjoy a smoke out of the pipes he had the honor of presenting to him that evening. I am pleased to report that Lieutenant Turner did survive the War and  Returned to Australia May 22, 1919, Francis was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, read his file, here, on the Battle to farm website.

Presentation to Francis Turner

South Bourke & Mornington Journal September 21, 1916 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66190648

Trove list  - I have created a list of newspaper reports on Trove, about the soldiers who enlisted from the town of Bangholme, in the First World War. There are also some articles on the opening of the School and the Memorial Hall. You can access the list here

Footnotes
(1) Victorian Municipal Directory State Guide and Water Supply Record for 1974 (Arnall & Jackson, 1974)
(2) https://waterstory.melbournewater.com.au/content/our-sewerage-story/eastern-treatment-plant-opens
(3) Dandenong Journal,  August 27, 1931, see here.
(4) Dandenong Journal, December 2, 1942, see here.
(5) Victorian Municipal Directory and Gazetteer also Commonwealth Guide and Water Supply Record for 1940 (Arnall & Jackson, 1940); Victorian Municipal Directory State Guide and Water Supply Record for 1974 (Arnall & Jackson, 1974)

(6) School location - the article from 1915 says it was on the corner of Harwood and Bangholme Road; Vision & Realisation, says the school was also on the corner of the Bangholme and Harwood Rds .... Harwood Road has since been named Worsley Road at this point. The advertisement (see below) about the sale of the school property in 1993 has the address as Bangholme Road, close to Worsley Road, which is the location of the school in every Melway Street Directory from Edition 1, 1966 to Edition 21, 1991/92.  Harwood Road, is south of and parallel to Bangholme Road; I can't explain the inconsistencies with the address.   [Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria (Education Department of Victoria, 1973)]

Location of Bangholme School. 

Perry Road becomes Worsley Road, south of Bangholme Road. 

Image: from Map 94, Melway Street Directory 1977 Edition 10 (Melway Publishing P/L)

(7) Dandenong Advertiser, January 28, 1915, see here. the school closed around 1992 and the site was advertised for sale in April 1993

Bangholme School site advertised for sale

The Age April 15, 1993, p. 19 from newspapers.com

(8) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 11, 1916, see here.  

(9) Dandenong Advertiser, July 25 1918, see here.

(10) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 14 1914, see here.

(11) Dandenong Advertiser, September 20, 1917, see here.

(12) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 21, 1916, see here

A version of this post, which I wrote and researched, has appeared on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years.

The Ordiyal Estate at Clyde.

The Ordiyal Estate at Clyde was located at in the Parish of Sherwood - Sections 8 and 19, part sections 9, 10, 11 and 12 and Portions 47, 48 and 49 - all up just over 2,469 acres. It has connections to two notable names connected to the history of Victoria.

The land was originally part of John Bakewell's holdings. John Bakewell was a member of the influential partnership of Mickle, Bakewell and Lyall who arrived in the Western Port area in 1851. John Mickle (1814 - 1885) and John Bakewell (1807 - 1888) were business partners in Melbourne from 1847 and they were soon joined by William Lyall (1821 - 1888) whose sister Margaret was the wife of John Mickle.  In 1851 they acquired the Yallock Run (based on the Yallock Creek, south of Koo Wee Rup). In 1852 they acquired the Tooradin run and in 1854 they acquired the Great Swamp run and at one stage they occupied nearly all the land from Cranbourne to Lang Lang. After Government land sales in 1856 the trio subdivided their jointly owned land. Bakewell’s portion included Tooradin, Tobin Yallock, the Bluff and Warrook on the Yallock Creek. Mickle received the Upper Yallock blocks which he renamed Monomeith. Lyall received the Yallock pre-emptive right and the remaining land. William and Annabella Lyall built Harewood house in the 1850s and the property remained in the Lyall family until 1967. John Bakewell died in England in 1888 (1).

In the 1860s Bakewell leased out his properties - the Ordiyal property, also called Oordiyalyal (and listed as Cordigalgal by Niel Gunson in The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire) was taken up by W.S. Cox, who is the first notable name to own the property (2). Dr Gunson says that in October 1877, Cox purchased the land (3). W. S. Cox was William Samuel Cox (1831-1895). He was a racehorse owner, established the Moonee Valley racecourse in 1882 and is the namesake for the Cox Plate horse race. The race was established in 1922 and  is a race for three year old thoroughbreds. It was originally run over 9 and a half furlongs or 2,090 yards and is now 2,040 metres (4).The Racing Victoria website says that Cox took pains to ensure that the racing was honest and to offer sufficient prizemoney to attract a good class of horse. He also had a flair for timing, and he secured an October meeting on the Saturday before the VRC Derby, which remains today as the meeting at which the Cox Plate and Moonee Valley Cup are run (5). 

The first mention I can find in the papers of William Cox at the property was in The Weekly Times of August 17, 1877 Having seen one or two winners by Chieftain at Benalla and Deniliquin, it is evident that he imparts the family characteristics to his stock. He should have a most successful season at Oordiyalyal, near Cranbourne, where Mr. Cox has placed him at the service of the public at the low figure of 5 guineas (6).

In November 1883, Cox put Oordiyalyal as he called it, up for sale, along with his Sherwood Forest estate, which adjoined it to the south (7). 

Plan of Oordiyalyal and Sherwood Forest Estates, 1883. 

The northern boundary of the property is Ballarto road.

State Library of Victoria.

Click on this link if you wish to see an enlarged version of the plan http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/293703

I assume it was at this sale that Robert Chirnside (1830 - 1902) the second notable name connected to Ordiyal,  purchased the property.  Robert Chirnside was the nephew of Thomas Chirnside (1815 - 1887) and Andrew Chirnside (1818-1890).  Thomas had arrived in Australia in 1839, and Andrew the next year and they prospered and acquired various farming properties and their wealth was showcased by the construction of the grand mansion, Werribee Park, from 1873 which was completed late 1877 or early 1878. Robert was the son of Peter and Margaret (nee Bell) Chirnside and he arrived in Australian in 1857 to manage the Werribee run for his uncle Thomas (8). 

Werribee Park mansion built by brothers Thomas and Andrew Chirnside in the 1870s.

South East View of Werribee Park Mansion. (The Property of T. and A. Chirnside, Esqs.), 1880. Photographer: Fred Kruger.

State Library of Victoria Image H24834

In 1868, Robert married Margaret Forbes, whose grandfather was the Reverend James Clow (1790 - 1861).  Clow was a Presbyterian Minister, the first one in Victoria, who arrived in Melbourne in 1837 and had land and a house on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston Street. Clow took up the Tirhatuan Run in August 1838. This run takes in parts of modern day Dandenong, Endeavour Hills and Narre Warren  North, and he built  a homestead, just north of what is now Wellington Road, Rowville.  Clow Street in Dandenong is named after him (9).  Robert was the first cousin of Andrew Chirnside (1855 - 1834) the son of the Andrew Chirnside, mentioned above. Andrew Jnr was married to Winifred Sumner and they owned Edrington at Berwick. The couple both died within three months of each other in 1934 and Edrington passed to Lady Casey and her brother, Colonel Rupert Ryan, niece and nephew of Winifred (10).

Back to Robert Chirnside, he had extensive land holdings apart from Ordiyal. He owned and lived at Mount Rothwell at Little River and he also had Weering, Mowyong and Green Meadows. We know this because in 1886 he put the entire estate up lease for five years, as he was visiting Europe. Weering of 11,172 acres was advertised as being available as a stand alone property, but Little River, Mowying, Green Meadows and Ordiyal were to be let as  a whole - 16,838 acres, the advertisement said that It has been decided to let these properties as a whole, because they are found to work so well together. The Ordiyal property had a three-roomed cottage, kitchen and bedroom and was described as a fine summer country, and carries a large number of stock, Mr. Chirnside having had 7000 sheep on it from December until the end of April this year, and it carried them well (11). 

Lease of Robert Chirnsides properties, including Ordiyal

Australasian October 16, 1886 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142438195

Robert Chirnside died on May 3, 1902 and left an estate of  £83,000. The Geelong Advertiser said he was apparently not as wealthy a man as many people expected (12). The weight of expectation in being a Chirnside! In November 1902,  Ordiyal, listed as 2,469 acres was for sale.  It obviously did not sell as in January 1904 it was advertised for lease (13). In March 1906 it was listed for sale again, by the Trustees in the estate of the late Robert Chirnside - This estate comprises several hundred acres of rich black flats, running from the homestead down towards the railway line. It is all maiden country which has not been cultivated for a number of years, and has been used as a sheep run for a very long time, and is now in good heart. The situation is one of the best. The Great Southern line divides the property which runs right down to the Clyde railway station. The improvements consist of a good W.B house and stable (14). 

Sale of Ordiyal by auction

The Age March 24, 1906 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/18539860

The property did not sell this time either and it wasn't until June 1909 that it could be reported that the Sale on behalf of behalf of Mr. Peter Chirnside, of Mount Rothwell, Little River, his Ordiyal Estate, Cranbourne, containing 2,500 acres to Messrs. Hagelthorn and Keenan (15).  Peter was the third of Robert and Margaret's ten children (16).  Hagelthorn and Keenan quickly moved the property on as The Age reported on July 22, 1909 that Messrs. G. Power and Co. (Frank Boileau, auctioneer), Bourke-street (in conjunction with Messrs. Edwin Eagland and Co. Drouin), report the recent sale of 1200 acres and 248 acres of the Ordiyal Estate, Clyde, purchased in June last by Hagelthorn and Keenan from Peter Chirnside, to W. V. Bailey, of Garden House, Malvern, and Thomas Twyford, of Clyde, respectively, for close on £9500. It is Mr. Bailey's intention to improve his 1200 acres, and submit it to public auction, in small farms in the near future. The remaining 1000 acres of the Ordiyal Estate are under offer to northern and local buyers (17). 

Sale of Ordiyal

The Age July 22, 1909 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198486691

As this is when Ordiyal was sub-divided, then this is where we will leave the history of the property, apart from an explanation of the name.  On December 6, 1932 The Argus reported on a a scout camp at Gilwell Park in Gembrook - The camp will be known as the Lone "Oordiyalyal" a name new to scouting, but familiar to some of the Victorian aboriginals as a term for the "gathering of the tribes"  (18).

Trove list - I have created a list of newspaper articles on the Ordiyal property at Clyde on Trove, it can be accessed here. 

Footnotes
(1) I have written about Mickle, Bakewell and Lyall, here.
(2) Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (Cheshire, 1968), p. 123.
(3) Ibid.
(4) The Age, October 16, 1922, see here.

(5) https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/the-sport/racing/australian-racing-museum/hall-of-fame/associates/ws-cox-family
(6) Weekly Times, August 18, 1877, see here.
(7) The Herald, October 13, 1883, see here.
(8) The information about the Chirnside family comes from Wool Past the Winning Post: A history of the Chirnside family by Heather Ronald (Landvale Enterprises, 1978). Mrs Ronald (nee Lambert) and her husband Peter lived at Pakenham at Koo Man Goo Nong; P.B. Ronald Reserve is named after Mr Ronald, who was  local Councillor. Mrs Ronald's mother, Violet Lambert (nee Barry)  has the distinction of being  the first woman in Victoria to be elected a Shire Councillor, when she stood for the Shire of Fern Tree Gully in 1931.
(9) Reverend James Clow - read his Australian Dictionary of Biography Entry, here.
(10) Read Lord Casey's entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here;  read Lady Casey's entry, here. I have written about Lady Casey, here.
(11) The Australasian October 16, 1886, see here. 
(12) Geelong Advertiser, July 5, 1902, see here.
(13) The Argus, January 30, 1904, see here.
(14) The Age March 24, 1906, see here. 
(15) The Argus, June 2 1909, see here.
(17) See footnote 8
(18) The Argus, December 6, 1932, see here.

Another version of this post, which I wrote and researched,  has appeared on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past