Arthur McKenna and his dear Clara

I purchased this postcard, sent in December 1910, because of the painted gum leaf on the front, but the letter on the back, from Arthur to 'dear Clara', turned out to be so romantic. 

Friday Morning 12.20A.M. Leongatha Dec 30/12/10

My Dear Clara,

I received your welcome kind letter. I was so glad to get it my Queen. I hope that you are in the best of health and that you are looking well after your Precious self. I will be glad to see my love down the hill to meet me. Dear Clara I am baking to suit myself next week. Eddie don't mind. I told him that I wanted Monday night off. I will tell you all about [it] on Saturday my love one. Please excuse the writing my love you know that I wont write much on a card. Best love and kisses xxxx  From you ever loving Arthur xxxxxx

At top -  I bought a jug and two glasses for my love one like from? your mother.

After I showed this postcard at a talk I did at the Narre Warren and District Family History Group I had an email from Marianne Rocke, their newsletter editor and Upper Beaconsfield historian who wrote -
Possible match for Arthur and Clara are Arthur Hugh McKenna and Clara Elizabeth Simpson. Married 1911, first child Joseph Purcell McKenna at Leongatha in 1912, others at Kyneton. Arthur is a baker ...

This was a great discovery on Marianne's part, so this is the story of Arthur and Clara. 

We'll start with Arthur. Arthur Hugh McKenna was born in 1877 to Hugh and Sophia (nee Stevens) McKenna. Arthur was the second of four boys all born in Brighton - Hugh (1876, died aged 20 days old); Arthur; Frederick James (1879) and Horace Elliott (1882). (1)  His father, Hugh, was a blacksmith and was found drowned at Brighton Beach on January 24, 1884, aged only 28 years old. 

The Inquest into Hugh's death heard evidence from his brother Michael who stated that he knew of no reason why deceased would commit suicide as he was in good health, in a prosperous condition, and lived happily with his wife. The witness had seen deceased alive on the same day the body was found, and there was then nothing unusual in his appearance though he had been drinking a little.  Sophia also gave evidence that he had been drinking to excess for some days previously. The Verdict - The Coroner having summed up, the jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict that the deceased was found drowned, but there was no evidence to show how he got into the water. (2). Hugh is buried at the Brighton Cemetery, in the Church of England section.

Sophia, being left a widow with three young boys,  married Joseph Granger, a carpenter, in 1885 and had nine children with him - Joseph Francis (1886), George Edward (1888-1889), William John (1890), Ernest Stanley (1893), Emin Pasha (3) 'George' (1895), Charlotte (1898), Annie Isabella (1901), Henry (1903-1903), Roy (1903-1904). Francis was born at Prahran, George at Essendon and the others at Brighton. From around 1908, Joseph and Sophia lived at 2 Grant Street, North Brighton and they were still at that address when Joseph died on July 16, 1931 aged 77 and Sophia died on September 18,1933 aged 76. They are buried together at Brighton Cemetery, in the 'Other Denominations' section. (4). 

Before he met Clara, in 1899 Arthur had married Mary Caroline James and they had three children - Hugh Arthur (born in Ballan 1901), Ruby Myrtle (Brighton, 1903) and Charles Gilbert (Avenel, 1906, died aged 6 months). On Arthur's marriage certificate to Clara it states that he was widower with the year 1905; I can't find  a record of Mary's death, but it is possible she died in childbirth and little Charles died six months later. The next we know of Arthur is that he is listed in the 1909 Electoral Roll at Anderson Street, in Euroa, occupation baker. (5). Where the children with him or were they being looked after by their grandparents? I don't know. 

By December 1910, Arthur had moved to Leongatha, where he was courting Miss Clara Simpson, of Kardella. Why did he move to Leongatha? That is something else I don't know.

Clara had been born in Nundah, in Queensland on September 28, 1887 to Tobias Percell Simpson, a plumber and dairy farmer and his wife, Clara Elizabeth Hosler. She had a brother Thomas William, born in 1884, another brother Tobias Percell born in 1885 and a sister Cordelia, born in 1889. The family then moved to Victoria where daughter Eliza was born in Collingwood in 1891. Kardella had been settled from 1893 as a Village Settlement, and it is likely the family moved to a property there around this time as the next five children had their births registered at Korumburra - Joseph Alexander (1895), William Henry (1897), Rachel (1898), Alex (1900) and Alice (1902). Ten children in all. (6)

Arthur's wooing of Clara was a success as they were married on June 28, 1911 at St Paul's Church of England, Korumburra. She was 23 and he was 33. Cordelia and Thomas were the witnesses (7).  Charming though Arthur no doubt was, taking on a widower with a ten year old and an eight year old was a big task, however being the eldest girl in the family with seven younger siblings Clara would have been well trained in that area. 

Kyneton as it would have looked when Arthur and Clara lived there from 1913 until 1919.

Mollison Street, Kyneton, c. 1914. State Library of Victoria Image : H90.140/633.

As Marianne discovered Arthur and Clara's eldest child, Joseph Percell, was born in Leongatha in 1912. He was followed by George Tobias in 1913, Alexander Horace in 1914 and William Frederick France in 1918 (8). The last three were born in Kyneton and the Electoral Rolls show that Arthur and Clara lived in High Street, then Mollison Street at Kyneton until 1919 when they moved back to Melbourne to 116 Moray Street, South Melbourne. (9). Even though Arthur was always listed in the Electoral Roll as a baker, it seems that in South Melbourne he operated a grocery shop, because in April 1920 he appeared at the South Melbourne Court House, having been charged with selling groceries after 6.00pm on March 24, 1920. 

From the Emerald Hill Record (10) -

Before Messrs. Kelly, P.M., M. J. O'Bryan, Machin, and Russell, JsP., at Thursday's court, two shopkeepers, named Howard E. Watt and Arthur H. McKenna, were charged with selling groceries after 6 p.m. on March 24th. Miss Elizabeth Michell, factories and shops inspectress, said that she bought half a pound of tea at 7.15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, in Watt's shop. Reports had been received at the department about Mr. Watt.  

Mr Watt was found guilty and fined 20 shillings. Miss Michael continued her evidence -

Miss Michael stated that at 7 o'clock the same evening she visited McKenna's shop, which was open for the sale of confectionery. She purchased a packet of cocoa. When she spoke to the defendant he said, "The little girl who served you had been told not to sell groceries to anyone." He then said, that he would apply for a permit to sell confectionery. This had been granted to him on the condition that after 6 p.m. he must keep the groceries locked up.  

Arthur was also fined 20 shillings. You forget how restrictive shopping hours used to be.

In 1924 they are listed at 153 Park Street, South Melbourne. That same year the family had a 'tree change' and moved to Goulburn Street, Cheltenham, when it was little more than a country town. 

Cheltenham as it would have looked when Arthur and Clara moved there in 1924.

Charman Road, Cheltenham, c. 1915. State Library of Victoria Image H90.140/37

From 1926 the family are listed Chesterville Road in Cheltenham, where they remained. Ruby was also living with them, she had the interesting occupation of  a book binder. Ten years later the Electoral Rolls tell us that their son Joseph was an engineer;  Alexander a printer and George a sign writer. Through all this time, Arthur was still a baker. (11)

Arthur died on October 3, 1940 at his home 13 Chesterville Road, Cheltenham. His funeral notices showed he was a member of the Star of Victoria Lodge, No. 15, a United Ancient Order of Druids Lodge. (12)

Arthur McKenna's death notice

The Age October 4, 1940  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204392290

Clara died September 19, 1950.She is buried with Arthur in the Brighton Cemetery, in the same grave as Arthur's father Hugh, who was found drowned at Brighton Beach all those years ago in 1884 (13).

Acknowledgment - Cannot thank Marianne Rocke enough for discovering who Arthur and Clara were. 

Footnotes

(1) Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages

(2) The Herald, January 26, 1884, see here.

(3) Emin Pasha - the name is from Mehmed Emin Pasha (1840-1892) who was born as Eduard Schnitzer, and while serving the Ottoman governor of northern Albania (1870–74), he adopted a Turkish mode of living and a Turkish name.  He was a physician, explorer, and governor of the Equatorial province of Egyptian Sudan who contributed vastly to the knowledge of African geography, natural history, ethnology, and languages. Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mehmed-Emin-Pasha

(4) Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, Electoral Rolls on Ancestry and Brighton Cemetorians website  https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/  Joseph's death notice in The Age, July 17, 1933, see here  Sophia's death notice in The Herald, September 19, 1933, see here and the children are listed as - Arthur, Horace, and Frederick McKenna (deceased). Joseph, Edward (deceased), John, Stanley, George, Charlotte (Mrs Hunter), Annie (Mrs Stockwell), Roy and George (deceased).  I was having trouble locating the Georges - then I found that the oldest George was born Emin Pasha Granger and I suspect that the youngest George is actually Henry, who was born in 1903, presumably Roy's twin. 

(5) Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Arthur and Clara's wedding certificate; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(6) Arthur and Clara's wedding certificate; Index to the Victorian and Queensland Births, Deaths and Marriages. Kardella - Victorian Places https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/kardella 

(7) Arthur and Clara's wedding certificate

(8) Arthur's children with Mary James and then Clara Simpson - and any information that I currently know about them. Sources - Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages;   https://smct.org.au/;   https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/;   mytributes.com.au/notice/condolences/bill-mckenna/4534034/ ; https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ww2

Hugh Arthur born Ballan in 1901. Married May Josephine Oates in 1929 (died 1930), then married Rose Deane (nee Howie) in 1937. Died in Brighton in 1957 and buried at the Brighton Cemetery. 

Ruby Myrtle born Brighton in 1903. Married Bernard Charles Cameron in 1950. Died in 1960, cremated at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. 

Charles Gilbert born in Avenel in 1906, died aged 6 months in Avenel.

Joseph Percell born in Leongatha in 1912. Died in 1991; cremated at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

George Tobias born in Kyneton in 1913. Married Patricia Constance Flinn in 1939. Served in the Australian Army in WW2 from November 1943 until June 1946, service number VX93731.  Died in East Bentleigh in 1978 and buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

Alexander  Horace born in Kyneton in 1914. Married Mary Teresa Armstrong in 1934. Served in the Australian Army in WW2 from March 1942 until October 1945, service number 31142 (VX77224). Died in Highett in 1983 and cremated at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.

William Frederick France born in Kyneton in 1918. Died 2012.

(9) Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages and the  Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(10) Emerald Hill Record, April 24, 1920, see here.

(11) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(12) Death notice The Age, October 4, 1940, see here;   Funeral notice The Age, October 5 1940, see here. 

(13) Brighton Cemetorians website  https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/ 

Elwood Mechanics' Institute and Infant Welfare Centre

On January 25, 1916 at the fourth annual meeting of the Elwood and South St Kilda Progress Association, on the motion of the newly elected President, Mr J.M. Balfour, a committee, consisting of Captain Wills, Messrs. J. F. Allen, M. Cohen, Russel, Brown, Allitt, and the president and secretary (ex officio) were appointed to consider the desirability of building a public hall at Elwood. (1). 

The editor of the Prahran Chronicle, thought the idea an excellent one -
The proposal contains all the more merit because of the fact that the idea is that Elwood people should own and manage their own public hall. Every community, large or small, is entitled to its own meeting place, and it is the duty of the Elwood Association, as one of the principal guardians of the interests of the residents, to bring the proposal to a satisfactory conclusion. The President mentioned that it might be possible to have a building on the lines of a Mechanics' Institute, and thus secure financial assistance from the Government. To such assistance Elwood would be fairly entitled. Then, again, as time goes on branches of the various friendly societies will be established in Elwood. An Elwood branch of the A.N.A., an Elwood Masonic Lodge, and likewise branches of the. I.O.O.F., M.U.I.O.O.F., Druids, and organisations of a kindred character are all possibilities of the near future, they are essential sources of income in the way of rents and in this connection Mr Balfour and his co-workers will no doubt give some consideration when planning out the scheme for the proposed building. It would be advisable to look a little ahead. In itself the principle that Elwood people should own their own public hall is an excellent one. (2)

The Committee recognised there was little prospect of building a hall during the present stress (3), however they sought the support of the St Kilda Council to approach the Government with a request that they reserve an allotment of land at Glenhuntly road, Elwood, for the purpose of erecting a Mechanics' Institute at an early date, adjoining or in proximity to those allotments already ear-marked for the building of the proposed post office (4), fire brigade and police stations (5).  The Council was supportive and in July 1916 a deputation from the Council and the Hall Committee met with the Minister for Lands, Mr Hutchinson, and he promised to set aside and on the corner of The Broadway and Glen Huntley Road for a public hall and library (6).

Elwood c. 1925. 

Intersection of Glen Huntley Road (runs from top to bottom of the photo) and The Broadway (comes from the left of the photo) and Ormond Road (comes from top right of photo on the diagonal). 

The building on the bottom corner of the vacant land is the Elwood Post Office, erected in 1925 (see footnote 4). It faces Glen Huntley Road. The blocks reserved for the Police Station and Public Hall are to the left of the Post Office in The Broadway. The building with the tower/spire is the now demolished Maison De Luxe dance hall. 

Image: Detail of Elwood area on Port Phillip Bay, c. 1925. Photographer Charles Daniel Pratt, Airspy. 

State Library of Victoria Image http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/20531 

No doubt due to the War, things moved slowly and in July 1924 it was reported that the St Kilda Council has decided that the Lands Department be asked to forthwith permanently reserve such allotments, and in the case of the site for the public hall to appoint trustees (7). It wasn't until September 24, 1924 that the land, Allotment 17, Section 5, City of St Kilda,  was officially reserved from sale. The allotment closer to Glen Huntly Road, Allotment 16 was reserved for the Police Station, which was built in 1952. (8)

Site reserved for Elwood Police Station and Public Hall

Victoria Government Gazette, October 1, 1924, pp. 3110-3111 

https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1924/V/general/169.pdf

Two years later in June 1926, The Age could report that -
A proposal will be submitted by Elwood Progress Association for consideration at a meeting of residents next month for the establishment of a local mechanics' institute, to include a public hall, reading room, library and billiard room. The association hopes that residents will co-operate towards this end. The money to finance the scheme will be raised by means of debentures. It is expected that the institute will become a payable proposition, and that the income received will soon liquidate the initial expenditure. (9).

Nine years later, in 1935, there was still no progress on the matter, in fact the site was so overrun with weeds that it was an eyesore (10). That year the Elwood and St. Kilda Progress Association had approached the Carnegie Trust for the funding of  a Library. The Carnegie Trust was established by Scottish born American, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) who led and benefitted from the expansion of the American steel industry. He sold his company, Carnegie Steel, to J.P. Morgan in 1901 for 480 million dollars and then devoted his life to philanthropic activities including Libraries and managed to give away 350 million dollars in his life time (11).

However, the Carnegie Trust was not prepared to subsidise the proposed Elwood Library, as The Age noted -  At a meeting of Elwood and St. Kilda Progress Association, Mr. W. Bleaszby reported that practical assistance from the Carnegie Trust in establishing a public library at Elwood could not be expected. He had ascertained that the trust was not prepared to subsidise a library at which only a care-taker would be in charge.  It would, however, make the services of a qualified person available to assist in the conduct of an established library. The chairman (Major Kean) said that when a representative of the trust had last visited Australia he had been reported to have said that this country was the most backward in availing itself of the opportunities offered by the conditions of the trust for the establishment of libraries (12).  

There was some local frustration about the pace of the project, as well as at a State Government level as in May 1936 the -

St. Kilda council last night received a reminder from the Secretary for Lands that a block of land in The Broadway, Elwood, reserved in 1924 as a site for a public hall, had not been developed. The Minister of Lands was now considering the revocation of the resolution, with a view to putting the land to some use. Cr. Robinson said he intended to convene a meeting of ratepayers to discuss an issue of debentures to build a hall. The Minister should be asked to stay his hand until that meeting could be held. Cr. Morley said the Dunstan Government seemed to be possessed with earth hunger. It was remarkable that it should suddenly concern itself about a 60 foot block of land at Elwood. A motion that the Minister for Lands on asked to defer action in the meantime was carried. (13) 

This missive from the State Government, as well as the fact that the Boys' Scouts Association had asked for permission to erect their own hall on the land, created some action. Thus on June 10 1936 a meeting was called to discuss the erection of the Mechanics' Institute attended by the trustees of the land Councillors Robinson, Burnett Gray and Morley of the St. Kilda Council; Mr Michaelis M.L.A.; and representatives of the St Kilda and Elwood Progress Association and the Boy Scout movement in the district (14).  The meeting resolved to request the St Kilda Council engineer to prepare plans for the Hall, to cost £2500. At the meeting Cr. Burnett Gray, in moving that the request be granted, said the land had a frontage of 60 feet to the Broadway and a depth of 200 feet. He estimated its value at about £1800. The provision of a public hall and library would be of great benefit to the district. Portion of the land could be used later for the erection of a baby health centre. Cr Robinson said that councillors had frequently expressed regret that St. Kilda did not have a public library. It was desired by the progress association that the building should be of a good type, in accordance with the high standards of premises in the neighborhood. (15). 

The money for the hall needed to be raised and one avenue was Unemployment Relief Funds and in August 1936, both the hall and Infant Welfare Centre were listed as part of the Councils proposed works using these funds, but seemingly nothing came of  this (16). 

A year later, in May 1937, the St Kilda Council offered to contribute £1,250 to the cost of erecting a public hall on a site reserved for the purpose in Broadway, Elwood, on condition that citizens should provide £1,250 more. (17). This decision was not made without some debate about the need to spend money in Elwood - 

Cr. Robinson said it would be to the advantage of St. Kilda if a reading centre was established. The upkeep of the hall would be defrayed by rentals. The Mayor [Cr Levy]: I am strongly in favor of a library in the civic centre. It is not needed at Elwood. Cr. Dawkins said it was preposterous impudence for a deputation to ask the council to foot the bill for a hall at Elwood. It was not until recently that there had been any local effort to do anything with the site. He favored a central library. (18).

The Elwood Library debate even made it to the letters page of The Age on November 8, 1937, when the following two letters were published  - 

Library Conscience.

Kindly permit me space in your valuable columns to refer to your able leader and the commentary thereon by our respected chief librarian (Mr. E.R Pitt), so far as St. Kilda is concerned as follows:— (a) St. Kilda city council was first instrumental in obtaining grant of a valuable site in Broadway, Elwood, for a public, hall and library, adjoining Elwood P.O. (b) The council then made a special grant of £1250 to assist same, (c) Site for carnivals on the foreshore to assist this cause granted, also patronage for all functions. (d) The mayor, mayoress, councillors, their wives, innumerable other ladies, and well-known citizens helping voluntarily, most generously and energetically with all entertainments, and expert advice on all beach events and masters generally, to bring into being as speedily as possible this very vital element of practical utility, pro bono publico. South St Kilda, now officially Elwood, is admittedly a very large, important, valuable and prosperous area of St. Kilda city, and all are doing their utmost here to have the hall and library an accomplished fact. 

— ADVANCE CULTURE (Elwood).

While the library correspondence is proceeding the impression has arisen in some quarters that the St. Kilda city council and the residents of St. Kilda and Elwood are not awake to the value of library accommodation. May I through your columns correct this impression? The citizens of Elwood have acquired a site near Elwood post office, valued at £1700, upon which to erect a public hall, library and cultural centre. St. Kilda city council has made a grant of £1250 towards the building. An active committee has been formed, the first £100 is within sight, and many functions are being organised to augment the funds, to enable a first class cultural hall and library to be established, so that this progressive district shall be among the foremost where intellectual development is paramount, — 

W. T. JONES, Org. Secretary, Elwood Hall and Free Library Fund. (19).

Some of the functions organised by the community to raise money for what was now often called the  Elwood Culture Hall, included a a gala variety night at the Broadway Theatre in Elwood; carnival dance at the Maison de Luxe dance hall in Elwood in November 1937; a Beach Carnival with  a scooter derby held over Easter in 1938 and the Elwood Horse Club's Gymkhana in November 1938. (20).

Even though the Elwood Mechanics' Institute was still in the planning stage, there was a potential supply of books for the Library. In November 1937,  it was reported that 

the St Kilda council appointed a committee to inquire into and report on the question as to whether a municipal library should be established.....Many years ago St. Kilda possessed a municipal library which was allowed to lapse. The books which formed it, how ever, were retained, and have for a long time been stored at the town hall. It has been suggested that if it is decided to re-establish the library these volumes, or such of them as are worth retaining, could be restored to the shelves. If the committee of the council referred to reports adversely to the proposal it is felt the books could appropriately be made the nucleus of a library at Elwood. (21).

A hall and library was not the only community facility needed in Elwood. In  August 1940, an Infant Welfare Centre was established in St Bede's Church Hall in Elwood (22). This proved to be most inadequate and there was community agitation to have a new Infant Welfare Centre in conjunction with a public hall. 

Mrs K. A. Wills, of Elwood, wrote to The Argus in April 1944 - 

May I direct the attention of all concerned to the dire need of a public hall in Elwood. Though a suitable site is already provided, the women have no place in which to meet. The Baby Health Centre, at which 79 babies are enrolled, is located - most inadequately and uncomfortably - in two small rooms at St Bede's Church, thus depriving the ladies' guild and the Sunday school of badly needed accommodation. The scholars of the central and other schools have to go to the Melbourne Public Library for information to help them in their studies. A united and determined effort to build a community centre would have the wholehearted support of all. 

(Mrs) K. A. WILLS (Elwood). (23)

She wrote to The Argus on the same topic two years later in August 1946 -

Sir: Although the needs of babies and their mothers are increasing, the so-called baby health centre at Elwood is still the cold, fireless, ill-equipped, and cramped room it was, and the trials of mothers and nurses must have been very severe during the recent winter months. The municipal elections will be held soon, and one question that should be asked of candidates is: "Will you do all in your power to ensure that a baby health centre is provided at Elwood commensurate with the importance and needs of the district?" No consideration should be given to any candidate who does not give a decisive affirmative answer in reply. And what about that public hall, that is still non-existent? And why not a public hospital at Elwood to relieve congestion in the city hospitals? 

(Mrs) K. A. WILLS. Hon Secretary St Kilda-Elwood Branch AWNL. (24)

Mrs K.A. Wills, was I believe Kathleen Adelia Wills, a teacher. The Electoral Rolls show her at various addresses in the area - 40 St Kilda Street, 483 St Kilda Street, Elwood and Hartpury Mansions, 9 Milton Street, Elwood. She died in June 1955, aged 59.  The AWNL was the Australian Women's National League, a conservative group whose objective, amongst other things, was to educate women in politics and safeguard the interests of the home, women and children. (25).

Mrs Wills happily wrote to The Argus again in March 1947, with good news - 

Sir: The gratitude of every woman and child in Elwood will be extended to the St Kilda Council

when the baby health centre and the public hall, the building of which was approved at the last

council meeting, become visible facts. The council can be assured of the wholehearted co-operation

and support of the whole community.

(Mrs) K. A. WILLS (Hon Sec, Elwood-St Kilda branch AWNL). (26).

In the end, the Infant Welfare Centre, named after Cr Burnett Gray (27) was erected on the land set aside for the Public Hall (28) and it was opened on August 22, 1950, as The Argus reported - 

Many mothers with their babies yesterday crowded the new Burnett Gray Infant Welfare Centre, Elwood, for the official opening by Cr. F. W. Binns, Mayor of St. Kilda. The most excited visitor, however, was Sister Margaret Dobbin, who will take charge of the centre today. This attractive centre, which cost £3,300 to build is a triumph for the St. Kilda Council. It replaces the temporary centre at St. Bede's Church of England. Visitors were particularly interested in the sound-absorbing roof treatment, which reduces noise to a minimum. There is also a treatment between the ceiling and roof, which will help to stabilise the temperature of the building. Walls are the softest pastel green and colourful chintz curtains frame the windows. (29).

Opening of Burnett Gray Infant Welfare Centre, August 22 1950.

Image courtesy Port Phillip City Collection SK0947(2)

Those on the platform - Mayor Frank W. Binns, Mayoress Miss V. Buntine, Mr Burnett Gray, Mrs Burnett Gray, Dr Elizabeth Wilmot (Assistant Director Maternal Infant & PreSchool Welfare), Dr Norma Kelso (Infant Welfare Division), Dr S. Allen (Medical Officer of Health), Sister Dobbin, Mr W. H. Greaves (Town Clerk) (30)

Opening of Burnett Gray Infant Welfare Centre, August 22 1950.

Image courtesy Port Phillip City Collection SK0947(1)

Opening of Burnett Gray Infant Welfare Centre, August 22 1950. The empty block to the right is where the Elwood Police Station was built in 1952 (see footnote 8)

Image courtesy Port Phillip City Collection SK0947(10)

This photo below, was also published in The Argus. It would be interesting to know how Mrs K. A. Wills and all the other women from Elwood who had fought for a decent Infant Welfare Centre, felt about the headline - It was all his idea. 

Original caption - Mr. Burnett Gray former Mayor of St. Kilda, was present when the Burnett Gray Welfare Centre, named in his honour, was opened at The Broadway, Elwood, yesterday. He is seen weighing the first baby to be admitted to the centre - seven-months-old Deborah Mahoney.

The Argus, August 23, 1950 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22908461

The new Infant Welfare Centre was a great outcome for the Elwood community but 107 years after it was first proposed to build a Mechanics' Institute; or a Public Hall and Library or the Elwood Culture Hall, whatever name you choose to use, it has still not been built, even though as the Prahran Chronicle opined in 1916  in itself the principle that Elwood people should own their own public hall is an excellent one. They also wrote -  It would be advisable to look a little ahead - I wonder if they could have looked ahead and saw the future, how amazed they would have been that the Elwood people never had their own Hall.

Acknowledgment - Thank you to Anne, from the Emerald Hill Library and Research Centre, for supplying the copies of photos from the Port Phillip City Collection.

Trove list - I have created  a list of articles on the long hoped for  Elwood Mechanics' Institute, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) Malvern Standard, January 29 1916, see here.

(2) Prahran Chronicle, January 29, 1916, see here.

(3) Malvern Standard, June 3, 1916, see here.

(4) Elwood Post Office - I have written about it here  https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2021/12/identical-post-offices-pakenham-east.html

(5) Prahran Chronicle, June 24, 1916, see here.

(6) The Argus, July 6, 1916, see here.

(7) Prahran Telegraph, July 11 1924, see here.

(8) Elwood Police Station - Public Works Department tender advertised in The Argus, December 15, 1950, see here; In March 1952, the builder George Hurse, advertised for brick-layers for the project - 

The Age, March 8, 1952 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206199403

(9) The Age, June 15, 1926, see here.

(10) The Age, May 25, 1935, see here.

(11) Andrew Carnegie - https://www.americanheritage.com/deal-century; https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andrew-Carnegie

(12) The Age, May 25, 1935, see here.

(13) The Age, May 26, 1936, see here.

(14) The Argus, June 10, 1936, see here.

(15) The Age, June 24, 1936, see  here.

(16) The Age, August 4, 1936, see here.

(17) The Argus, May 25, 1937, see here.

(18) The Age, May 25, 1937, see here.

(19) The Age, November 8, 1937, see here.

(20) See various reports in my Trove list, here. 

(21) The Age, November 10 1937, see here.

(22) The Age, August 27, 1940, see here.

(23) The Argus, April 5, 1944, see here.

(24) The Argus, August 10, 1946, see here.

(25) Mrs K.A. Wills - Electoral Rolls on Ancestry; death notice The Argus, June 13, 1955, see below. The only thing I don't understand is that she use Mrs as a title, but she seemed to be unmarried; in spite of this discrepancy, I still believe K.A.Wills, is Kathleen. Her parents in the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages are listed as John Wills and Catherine Adelia Baker. Kathleen is buried in the St Kilda Cemetery.

Australian Women's National League - more information   https://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0269b.htm 

The Argus, June 13, 1955, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71887886

(26) The Argus, March 11, 1947, see here.

(27) Alfred Charles Burnett Gray was born in Geraldton, W.A, on August 21, 1884; he married Queenie Hilary Margaret Smith in 1908 in Victoria. Burnett enlisted in the 22nd Battalion, 19th Reinforcements in October 1915 and returned home at the end of 1919; he was a Sergeant. Burnett was a City of St Kilda Councillor from 1914-1915, when he resigned to joint the AIF., and then from 1920 until 1948. When he was elected Mayor in 1922, he was the first returned soldier to become a Mayor in Victoria. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly for the seat of St Kilda from 1927 until 1932. He died on May 27, 1968 age 83 and he was cremated and is interred at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. Queenie died in 1974, aged 86.(Sources: Indexes to Victorian and Western Australian Births, Deaths and Marriages,; WW1 Enlistment papers at the National Archives of Australia and https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/people-in-parliament/re-member/details/24/1247 )

(28) On LASSI, https://maps.land.vic.gov.au/lassi/  you can see the location of the Burnett Gray Infant Welfare Centre is Allotment 17, Section 5, the same site as set aside for the Public Hall back in 1924.

(29) The Argus, August 23, 1950, see here.

(30) List of names from Port Phillip City Collection website  https://artheritagecollection.portphillip.vic.gov.au/

St Kilda Park State School Great War Honour Board designed by George Dancey

The St Kilda Park Primary School, No.2460,  is located in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. The School opened on August 1, 1882 and a noted alumni is Sir Zelman Cowen (1919-2011), Governor General of Australia (1). The School was designed by Education Department Architect, Henry R. Bastow and the Victorian Heritage database describes it thus -The two storey school building is designed in the Gothic style, which was commonly adopted for larger school buildings from the late 1870s. It is a brown brick building with polychromatic contrasts in black, cream and red brick, set on a bluestone base. Asymmetrically composed on a corner site, it contains an unusual two storey splayed corner element which provides a visual transition between the two facades. Steep slate gable roofs, tall chimneys and a prominent tower provide a picturesque skyline, and pointed and trefoil arches with render label mouldings give a Gothic character. (2). 

St Kilda Park School, c. 1970s. Photographer:  Laurie Burchell. 

State Library of Victoria Image H2006.165/356

Not only is the school itself an elaborate confection of design, but it has a elaborate Great War Honour Board, one of the most glorious school Honour Boards I have seen. It commemorates the 150 past students who served overseas.

St Kilda Park School Honour Board

Image: Isaac Hermann, 2023

The Honour Board, designed by George Dancey and was unveiled by the Minister for Railways, and M.L.A for St Kilda,  Frederick Eggleston (3)  after  the Empire Day celebrations on May 23, 1924. The Herald reported on the event -

Mr Eggleston told the children that if the qualities exhibited by the men whose names appeared on the honor board wore displayed in the civil life  of the community, all its problems, social and political, would be solved. He reminded them of the splendid examples of courage and chivalry set by the Australian fighting forces during the war. Messrs Syme Harris, chairman of the school committee; R. Davey, district inspector; R. H. Trembath, headmaster; B. Ramsay, ex-headmaster, and Cr. Burnett Gray also spoke. The new honor board is a handsome piece of work designed by the late Mr George Dancey, the artist. It was executed in opus sectile by Brooks Robinson Pty. Ltd. The composition is tile-like and assembled in mosaic effect, the colored design being burnt in by a special process. The whole is enclosed in a copper frame. From the children's point of view the best part of the ceremony came this afternoon. Every State school child in the St. Kilda district was entertained at the Palais pictures by the Mayor and councillors and presented with a packet of sweets (4). 

Detail of the St Kilda Park School Honour Board, encased in the copper frame, showing George Dancey's signature. Fecit - 'He made'

Image: Isaac Hermann, 2023

The Honour Board was designed by George Henry Dancey. George was born in London on March 26, 1865 to Joseph and Clara (nee Bursill) Dancey (5).  He trained as an ecclesiastical artist at Clayton and Bell in London, one of England's most prolific stained glass studios in the Victorian and Edwardian eras (6).  Whilst at Clayton and Bell he worked on the stained glass windows for St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne, which were then installed by Brooks, Robinson Pty Ltd, who made the St Kilda Park Honour Board (7). After his arrival in Victoria, he married Annie Maria Wills (nee Jenkinson) in 1893. She was the widow of John Wills and they had a daughter Ethel, who had been born in South Africa, where her parents were from.  In 1903,  Ethel married Alek Williams. Williams was an illustrator and cartoonist whose work appeared in the Bulletin, Punch and Smith's Weekly, under the name of Alex Sass. Alex died December 1, 1922 aged 44. George and Annie had the one daughter, Clara, in 1896 and she married Cyril Devenport in 1923. Just three weeks after the death of Alex, another tragedy struck the family when George died at his home at 11 Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda on December 23, 1922 at the age of 58 years old, so he did not get to see see the Honour Board completed. He is buried at the Brighton Cemetery, with his wife Annie, who died in 1934, aged 78 (8).

George Dancey, 1908

Photographers: Johnstone, O'Shannessy & Co. 

State Library of Victoria Image H28902/17

The Prahran Telegraph printed a very informative and touching obituary - 

GEORGE DANCEY'S DEATH. Mural Painter and Cartoonist. Resident of St. Kilda.

Recently there passed away at his home in Beaconsfield parade, St.Kilda, one, George H. Dancey, cartoonist and mural painter. It would be interesting to know what this signifies to the ordinary St. Kilda citizen. It is very certain that he does not realise what a great artist had he had his opportunities and been appreciated as his merits deserved, has been lost to Australia. George Dancey was, unfortunately, a martyr to an art, mural decoration, which is in little demand as yet in this young country, still in the crysalis stage of commercial progress. But it is safe to say that had Mr. Dancey remained in England his fame would have been known throughout the civilised world. 

St. Kilda is fortunate in having two very fine examples of his work in war memorials, which are

to be found in Christ Church, Acland street, (9) and Holy Trinity Church,  Balaclava (10). It is a great pity that he was not commissioned to decorate in fitting manner the St. Kilda Town Hall. It would then have numbered among its visitors art lovers, who would have been further impressed with this beautiful city, and the city fathers might have had the pleasure of boasting of another reason for their pride in the 'Queen City of the Metropolis.' But, alas, the chance has gone by!

As a cartoonist on Melbourne 'Punch' Mr. Dancey was best known to the public. While his inclination was not towards this work, he persistently applied himself to it, for bread and butter reasons, and succeeded. His best cartoons are on nobles lines, seldom found in other work of this nature. After fifteen years study at the Kensington Art School, London, Mr. Dancey was forced by ill-health to come to Australia, some twenty-five years ago, and finding small demand for mural decoration, he became a cartoonist. In his mural painting Mr. Dancey was deeply influenced by Lord Leighton. Several of Mr. Dancey's original cartoons were shown in London about five years ago, when they attracted much attention. 

Among other branches of his art Mr. Dancey devoted himself largely to the designing of stained glass windows, at which he had been engaged for many years. Among his works of a purely decorative nature are two panels, Comedy and Tragedy, which adorn the proscenium slope of Her Majesty's Theatre.

To those who knew him personally the late artist was the most gentle, kindly sympathetic man imaginable, who had a good word for all, especially for those who tried to appreciate his art. For many years he was an invalid, and was attended by a devoted wife, who with a daughter and a stepdaughter, wife of the late Alex. Sass, the cartoonist, he has left behind to mourn his loss. As a result of his long illness and lack of support of his art, the family is not well provided for. The Victorian Artists' Society, it is understood, will hold a gift exhibition, at which the works shown will be presented by the artists and the proceeds will go to the dependents. (11). 

This was not the only time the Prahran Telegraph had bemoaned the lack of recognition and respect for George Dancey's art by the Australian public. This was written after the Honour Board was unveiled - 

The Honour Board at the St. Kilda Park Central School is a specially fine one, being the conception of that very fine artist, the late George Dancy, whose artistic worth was barely recognised in this country, we being apparently not sufficiently cultured to appreciate what a master he was in mural decorative art. In Europe Dancy would have found the fame and the fortune which lack of appreciative knowledge of this form of a great art failed to give to him in his own country. (12).

The Dancey Memorial Exhibition was held in May 1923 and raised for than £500 for the family (13).

Acknowledgment

Thank you to my research colleague, Isaac Hermann, for telling me about this wonderful Honour Board and allowing me to use his photographs, and thus leading me to George Dancey, whom I had not heard of before.

Trove list - I have compiled a short list of newspaper articles relating to this Honour Board and George Dancey, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria edited by Les Blake (Education Department of Victoria, 1973);

(2) Victorian Heritage Database https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/1109 

(3) Sir Frederick William Eggleston (1875-1954) see Australian Dictionary of Biography entry here  https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/eggleston-sir-frederic-william-344

(4) The Herald, May 23, 1924, see here.

(5) Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923, London Metropolitan Archives on Ancestry.com

(6) Clayton and Bell - https://www.visitstainedglass.uk/artist-page/clayton-bell and 

https://www.claytonandbell.org.uk/home 

(7) George's entry in Who’s Who in Australia, 1921-1950, on-line at Ancestry.com, lists his connection to Clayton and Bell.  

Brooks, Robinson Pty Ltd - more information https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01420b.htm 

Who’s Who in Australia, 1921-1950, on-line at Ancestry.com

(8) Victorian Indexes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages; Family notices notices - see my Trove list; and his obituary, as transcribed above. Alex Sass - obituary in Smith's Weekly, here; and Sydney Evening News, here.

(9) Christ Church, Acland Street - read about George's work here. It was unveiled December 11, 1921.

(10) Holy Trinity Church, Balaclava - read about George's work here. It was unveiled August 6, 1922. 

(11) Prahran Telegraph, February 2, 1923, see here.

(12) Prahran Telegraph, May 30 1924, see here.

(13) The Herald, May 26, 1923, see here.

The Narre Warren Cool Store

In 1891, William Bailey purchased 50 acres of land at Narre Warren, and began planting out his orchard, which was the first commercial orchard in the area (1). Other orchards soon followed as Narre Warren was considered to be a very suitable area for orchards. The Australasian in April 1919 reported on the advantages of fruit growing in the area -

The orchards and areas available for planting are within comparatively short distance from the railway station, where a central packing shed is in operation; the district is but 22 miles from Melbourne; the climate and soil are well suited for apple and pear culture, and, in addition, the district is settled by progressive fruit growers, who have an intimate knowledge of most matters affecting fruit production. When a district is within comparatively easy reach of the metropolis it has an enhanced value that, while difficult to estimate on an acreage basis, is nevertheless considerable.

In the first case it means that the cost of delivering produce on the market, an ever-recurring expenditure, is far less than that incurred by the up-country grower, and this same question of freight expenditure applies to everything that is purchased for use on the orchard; implements, spraying materials, manures, wrapping paper, cases, and numerous other items that must be obtained from the city, and this also applies to the initial costs connected with settlement. Then, too growers may, if they so choose, put their fruit on rail overnight, and travel to Melbourne by the evening train to sell their own produce. Several hundred acres now planted with fruit trees are within three miles of the local station and packing shed, served by a good level road, and this means easy haulage and expeditious handling of the crop during the height of the season. The co-operative fruit packing shed has been in operation over three seasons, and already there has been some talk of establishing cool stores so that the fruit may be held over for late season marketing (2).

The article also had profiles on local fruit growers including James Bailey, President of the Victorian Fruit Growers' Association (and son of William Bailey). James had 68 acres planted out in fruit trees - 34 acres of apples, 30 acres of peaches and 4 acres of pears (3).

Narre Warren Cool Store

Weekly Times August 21, 1926 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/223334041

In the endeavour to establish a Cool Store at Narre Warren, the Narre Warren Orchardists' Co-operative Cool Stores Co., was formed in 1923, with James Bailey as Chairman of Directors (4). Mr Bailey was the driving force behind the Cool Store as The Australasian reported - Although possessing a cool store of his own, sufficient for the requirements of his orchard, he has been the dominating figure in bringing about the erection of the new chambers (5).

The method of financing the construction of the Cool Store was reported in The Age newspaper - a first call of 6d. per share was made, which enabled the company to purchase the land. Later the share holders contributed 3/10 per 10/ share, making a total amount of £1700, and £2400 having been advanced by the State Savings Bank, the erection of the store was commenced. They had sufficient machinery to run a store of double the capacity, so that any additions would cost considerably less (6).

Aerial of Narre Warren - taken January 20, 1974. The Cool Store, which is opposite the Narre Warren Railway Station, is circled. The Railway Station moved from original location (west of Webb Street) to it's current location (east of Webb Street) in 1995.

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries.

The Cool Store at Narre Warren, built on an acre of land near the Railway Station (7) was officially opened on Saturday, March 7, 1925 by the State Minister for Agriculture, Murray Bourchier (8), who congratulated the share-holders on their enterprise and co-operation, and said he felt honored at being invited to start the machinery working (9).

Narre Warren Cool Store

Weekly Times April 27, 1929 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/223187736

The benefit to the area of having a Cool Store was explained in The Australasian newspaper - Owing to the demand for Jonathan apples for export, and also because this variety may usually be profitably disposed of within three or four months of harvesting, the cool chambers will be utilised mainly for the storage of the Yates and Rome Beauty kinds which are among the best storing varieties of apples grown. In the past many of the growers have been obliged to part with the bulk of their crops at prices which purchasers considered would leave them a margin of profit after paying storage expenses. With the local stores in operation there is the prospect that much of the fruit will return a more lucrative price to those who hold it until late in the season (10).

The Cool Store was designed to hold 10,000 cases of apples, but provision had been made to add two extra chambers if required. These chambers, each holding 3,000 cases were added in early 1928 (11). 

As with all primary production, some years were better than other and 1933 was a record year for fruit export in the Narre Warren area - Approximately 51,000 cases of fruit - 5000 cases of pears and the remainder apples - were exported from Narre Warren this season. In addition, 8000 cases were sold on the Melbourne and inter-State markets, and it is expected that a further 23,000 cases will be held in cool storage for the late markets. The quantity of fruit exported constitutes a record for the district. Last year two new cool stores were erected by individual orchardists, making four stores for the district (12).

One of these two Cool Stores was erected by Robert Haysey, which held 80,000 cases (13). An unusual cool room was built in 1932 by Arthur Robinson, on his Hillsley property, at Narre Warren North. The Dandenong Journal reported on the construction - a store had been built of bluestone boulders, some of which weigh over one ton; it was cut into the side of the hill, and the walls are built of the huge stones, which were after wards cemented. Mr. Robinson is of opinion he will be able to store many thousands of cases for a considerable period, and that they will keep equally as well as in a cool chamber (14).

Arthur Robinson's bluestone cool storage shed built on his Hillsley property in 1932.

Image: Oak Trees and Hedges: a pictorial history of Narre Warren, Narre Warren North and Harkaway (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, 2002)

The Narre Warren Cool Store wasn't the first one built in the district. As we saw James Bailey already had one on his property, however as early as 1908 Captain Jones installed a cooling plant in his packing shed at Narre Warren, you can read about it here. Captain David Jones (15) of the Victorian Stevedoring Company had purchased 560 acres of land in Narre Warren around 1898 and established a large orchard (16). Captain Jones' property was called Tan-y-dderwen, which means "Under the oak" in Welsh (17). After his death in 1926, his son Thomas Evan Jones (18) took over the property - Tandderwen Court and Tom Jones Court in Narre Warren North are named after him.

The Cool-Air machine and oil engine driving it - photographed on Captain Jones' Narre Warren property, in 1908.

The Australasian, May 2, 1908 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/139213622#

I do not know when the Narre Warren Cool Store ceased operation, but in February 1953 the Crossley Engine was advertised for sale by tender.

Tender for sale of the Narre Warren Cool Store engine

The Age February 28, 1953 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206116830

The Cool Store was demolished in the late 1970s or early 1980s. 

The Narre Warren Cool Store in the process of being demolished.

Some of the cars in this photo have been dated - a 1977 Torana Sunbird, a post 1978 Datsun 200B and possibly a 1977 Corolla and the green car in the centre is a HG Monaro. These identifications date this photo to at least the late 1970s.

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries.

Acknowledgement
This post, which I wrote and researched, originally appeared on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past. Thank you to Tracy Howard and her friends, for helping to identify the location of the Cool Store in the 1974 aerial, shown above.

Trove List
I have created a list of articles on Trove, connected to the Narre Warren Cool Store, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) I have written about William Bailey here https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2023/05/william-bailey-orchardist-of-malvern.html
(2) The Australasian, April 26, 1919, see here.
(3) The Australasian, April 26, 1919, see here.
(4) The Age, March 9, 1925, see here.
(5) The Australasian, January 24, 1925, see here.
(6) The Age, March 9, 1925, see here.
(7) The Argus, August 17, 1923, see here.
(8) Murray Bourchier, read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bourchier-murray-goulburn-madden-12235
(9) The Age, March 9, 1925, see here.
(10) The Australasian, January 24, 1925, see here.
(11) Weekly Times, August 21, 1926, see here and Dandenong Journal, April 5, 1928, see here.
(12) The Age, May 23, 1933, see here.
(13) Dandenong Journal, January 26, 1933, see here.
(14) Dandenong Journal, January 26, 1933, see here.
(15) Captain David Jones, read his obituary in The Age, December 28, 1926, here.
(16) Weekly Times, December 26, 1908, see here.
(17) Weekly Times, December 26, 1908, see here.
(18) The following information comes from family notices in newspapers and Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District (Narre Warren & District Family History Group, 2010) - Thomas Evan Jones (1898-1964) married Margaret Alice Asling in 1921. Margaret, born 1897, died July 15, 1925 at Tandderwen, at the age of 28. She left behind a son, Evan David, who had been born on March 18, 1922. Margaret was the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (nee Meade) Asling, of Narre Warren North.
Tom Jones remarried in 1928 to Alice Asling. Alice Asling was the half sister of Edward and thus an aunt of Margaret.
Edward Asling (1869-1961) was the son of George Asling (1846-1934) and Margaret Neville (1839-1874). After Margaret Neville died in February 1874, George married Sarah Martha Webb (c. 1854-1923) in December 1874 and one of their children was Alice (1889-1972) who became the second Mrs Jones. Sarah Martha Webb was the sister of Sidney Webb of Holly Green, Narre Warren.