South Brighton becomes Moorabbin

The town of Moorabbin used to be called South Brighton and I wondered when the name was changed. The movement to change began in 1906 when the Railways Department began discussions about changing the name of the East Brighton and South Brighton Railway Stations to avoid confusion with stations on the Brighton line (also called the Sandringham line). As was reported - Many people travelled on the Brighton line, expecting to reach the stations named, and a good deal of annoyance was caused. (1)  Both these stations had opened in December 1881 and were on the Frankston line. (2)

The Moorabbin Council (where South and East Brighton were located) discussed the issue in September 1906 and the Brighton Southern Cross asked for suggestions from their readers and these were published in their 29th of September issue (3) -

W. T. C. Kelly writes:- "Change South Brighton to Joyceville and East Brighton to Clementine."   The previous week, Mr Kelly - William Trench Clifford Kelly to give him his full name - expressed the opinion that let us have good old Moorabbin left common property to the entire district. (4)

Mrs. Annie Black, writing from "Swanpool," Carrum, suggests Dunlop or Whitmuir for East Brighton, and Morley or Baden Hill for South Brighton.

Mrs. Black writes: "I think with W. T. C.Kelly that Moorabbin would be misleading as a name for either East or South Brighton, and if they are to changed let it be to some of the old pioneers' names. Until late years, since 1853, I was a resident of South Brighton, arriving in March of that year with my parents (the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Knight, parents of Mr. A. Knight, secretary of the Market Gardeners' Association). At that time the property, now known as the Plough and Harrow Hotel, was owned by Mr. Jesse Morley, who, about the year 1855 or 6, opened the hotel. I think that Morley would not be a bad name for South Brighton. Coming to later days, the land which the& South Brighton station and shire-hall stand is part of a paddock that was owned by the late Mr. C. Tack, subdivided by him and called Baden Hill Estate. So I think Baden or Baden Hill would be appropriate. There are many other names of old residents in the vicinity - Cooney (Peter Cooney owned the land more recently owned by the late Mr. Gaskell and Mr. Reynolds); Exley was another old colonist, as well as his father-in-law, Werner. For East Brighton I would suggest Dunlop or Whitmuir. In the early 50's the Whitmuir Estate was owned and tenanted by Lady Dunlop; and, later, by Dessailly and R. G. Ford. As a reader and subscriber of the 'Southern Cross' since it was first published, I wish it success."

F. Rossiter, Tucker-road, suggests Ellindale as a suitable name for East Brighton, Mr. Ellin being one of the oldest residents. The Rev. J. R. Currie writes from the Methodist Parsonage, South Brighton:- "I can given very good reasons for the two following names should they be accepted - South Brighton, Morndawn ; East Brighton, Dews Park."

C. J. Long writes:- "I think the name of Eastville would be very suitable." Miss E. Long wiles: - "I wish to suggest that the new name for East Brighton station be East Lynne, as we would very much like to keep the first part of the old name."

"Early Eclipse'' writes : - Re Stations - Bent, Benton, Bentlea, Bentleigh, would suit East Brighton splendidly, and nothing better than Barnett suggests itself for South Brighton. Apart from its being the name of a family identified with local affairs for a long time, Barnett will be found in the map of England, and marks a battlefield in early English history. (5)

Suggested names for South and East Brighton

Brighton Southern Cross, November 24, 1906 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164418342 

At a Moorabbin Shire Council meeting held on December 3, 1906, a letter signed by eighty-two East Brighton residents requested that the Council recommend to the Railways that the station be changed to Bentleigh, after Thomas Bent. The Council were in unanimous agreement. (6) Thomas Bent (1838-1909) was the member for Brighton in the Legislative Assembly from 1871 until 1894, then 1900 to 1909; Premier from February 1904 until January 1909; a Moorabbin Shire councillor from 1871 until 1909 and a councillor of the Town of Brighton from1874 until 1909. (7)

The change of name to Moorabbin met with more resistance. At a previous Council meeting, held in November, it was reported that a  public meeting had been held in South Brighton and the meeting suggested the name of Moorabbin. (8) In response to this, a person using the pen-name "Early Eclipse" wrote to the Brighton Southern Cross and said that -

It would be extremely selfish on the part of  South Brighton residents to adhere to a determination to arrogate to themselves the name of Moorabbin for the local station and district, thus embarrassing all other parts of the shire...[and that] South Brighton people seek to rob their neighbours of their share in the name with out any consideration of their rights, title and interest. (9)

Then at the December Council meeting it was reported that a letter had been received, signed by 63 South Brighton residents,  recommending the name Moorabbin. Not all Councillors were in favor of this, Cr McIndoe noted that whilst 63 ratepayers had signed a letter in favour of Moorabbin, he thought 600 or 700 in the shire would sign a letter in opposition to that name. The name belonged to the whole shire and not to any little corner.  After more discussion the motion to change the name to Moorabbin was adopted 6 to 3. (10)

In January 1907 The Age reported that The Railway Commissioners have sanctioned the Moorabbin council's recommendation that East Brighton station shall be renamed "Bentleigh," and South Brighton "Moorabbin." Arrangements will be made to make the new names effective on the issue of the next general time table in May. (11)

The station names were quickly adopted and around May 1908 the name of the East Brighton Post Office was changed to Bentleigh (12)  however by April 1909, the South Brighton Post Office had not been officially changed to Moorabbin and so -

A deputation representing the Moorabbin shire council waited on the Postmaster-General on Thursday seeking important changes in the postal arrangement in the district. The deputation was introduced by Mr. Agar Wynne, M.P. and included amongst its members the president of the shire (Cr Scudds) and Cr. Sir Thomas Bent. It requested, first, that the name of the South Brighton post office be changed to Moorabbin. It was pointed out that the Railway Commissioners had called the local station by that name, and that the area served by the post office included the Moorabbin shire hall.  The Postmaster General said that  if the change in the name seemed to be justified by the geographical situation, and be more convenient to the residents, he would probably take a favorable view of the deputation's request. (13)

At a Council meeting in May 1909 a report was received from the Hon. Agar Wynne, the local Federal member, with some good news -

From the Postmaster-General regarding the requests of a recent deputation for increased postal facilities at Moorabbin, showing that the change of name from South Brighton to Moorabbin would date from 17th inst.  At the same meeting Cr. Mills reported that the Education Department had decided also to alter the name of the South Brighton State School to Moorabbin. (14) 

Thus from May 17, 1909 the South Brighton Post Office was officially known as the Moorabbin Post Office; the school name changed on May 6, 1909 (15). And South Brighton had officially become Moorabbin.

Trove list

I have created a short list of articles connected to the name change of South Brighton to Moorabbin, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) Brighton Southern Cross, September 22, 1906, see here.

(2) Brighton Southern Cross, November 24, 1906, see here; opening date of stations - https://vicsig.net/

(3) Brighton Southern Cross, September 29, 1906, see here.

(4) Brighton Southern Cross, September 22, 1906, see here. Mr Kelly was a Moorabbin Shire Councillor from 1908 until 1917 (source -  Cribben, John Moorabbin: a Pictorial History 1862-1994 (City of Kingston, 1995)

(5) Brighton Southern Cross, September 29, 1906, see here.

(6) Brighton Southern Cross, December 8, 1906, see here. 

(7) Thomas Bent - https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/thomas-bent/; Councillor dates from - Cribben, John Moorabbin: a Pictorial History 1862-1994 (City of Kingston, 1995) and Bate, Weston A History of Brighton (Melbourne University Press, 1983)

(8) Brighton Southern Cross, November 24, 1906, see here;

(9) Brighton Southern Cross, November 24, 1906, see here;

(10) Brighton Southern Cross, December 8, 1906, see here.

(11) The Age, January 24, 1907, see here.

(12) Brighton Southern Cross, May 30, 1908, see here.

(13) The Age, May 1, 1909, see here.

(14) Brighton Southern Cross, May 22, 1909, see here.

(15) Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. (Education Department of Victoria, 1973), v. 3

Double Lagoon, part of section 37 of the Parish of Moorabbin

Double Lagoon was a locality and landmark in what is now Highett, but was then referred to as South Brighton - which was later called Moorabbin (1). It was named after the shape of  a waterhole in the area, which is clearly seen on the map below, straddling sections 37 and 38 on the Moorabbin Parish Plan from 1864. A Parish Plan shows the owners of the land after the Crown, so those who purchased the land at the first Government land sales. Subsequent owners and subdivisions are not shown on a Parish Plan, unless the land was the subject of a government subdivision such as a Closer Settlement Board scheme or Soldier Settlement scheme or similar.

Detail of the Moorabbin Parish Plan from 1864, showing the Double Lagoon,

in sections 37 and 38.

Parish of Moorabbin, County of Bourke / lithographed at the Department of Lands and Survey, Melbourne, May 14th, 1864.

State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/123867

A later version (see below) of the Moorabbin Parish Plan, has street names which places the Double Lagoon around Wickham Road, between Bluff Road and the Nepean Highway. 

      

Detail of the Moorabbin Parish Plan from 1926 showing  sections 37 and 38 

and some street names.

Moorabbin, County of Bourke  / photo-lithographed at the Department of Lands and Survey, Melbourne by W. J. Butson, 1926. 

State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/112254

The part of the Lagoon, located in section 37, was shown in an 1853 subdivision map, with the annotation Fresh water lagoon.

Part of the lagoon is shown on this 1853 map.

Plan of subdivision of portion no. 37 in the Parish of Moorrabbin called Worthing near Brighton by Charles Laing, Surveyor, 1853.

State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/161550

The first mention I can find of  the  Double Lagoon in a newspaper was in 1854, when it was mentioned in the sale of building allotments in the Owensville Estate, on Arthur's Seat Road, Brighton.

Sale of land in April 1854, in the Owensville Estate in section 38, near the Double Lagoon

The Argus, April 6 1854 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4805438

The 1854 advertisement reads, in part,
Brighton. Building Allotments. Johnston and Co. will sell by public auction, at their rooms, Collins-street, on Thursday, 6th inst, at twelve o'clock, The unsold portions of forty seven really fine building allotments, portion of section 38, parish of Moorabbin, known as the Owensville Estate, as named after the celebrated Dr Owens, the Diggers' Delegate, from which gentleman the present vendor derives his title. This property is on the great three chain Arthur's Seat Road, a short distance from the well-known Key's Hotel, adjoining the Brighton Survey. The land is finely timbered, High and Dry, and has the great advantage of an abundant supply of good fresh water from the Double Lagoon, which forms the south-west boundary of the Owensville Estate. (2)

Arthur's Seat Road is the Nepean Highway. Dr Owen, as mentioned above, was Dr John Downes Owens (1809-1866). He advocated for miner's rights on the gold fields (thus referred to as the Diggers' Delegate) and his obituary noted that - To Dr. Owens's earnest and able advocacy the miners owe their release from the petty tyranny that the ruling bureaucracy imposed on them in the early days of the gold-fields.  He later purchased land at Brighton, in section 38, the subdivision of which was known as the Owensville Estate. (3)  As a matter of interest, Ripponlea, in the 1850s was also known as Owensville. (4) The Key's Hotel was Robert Key's Little Brighton Hotel, the licence of which was granted in  April 1847 at the Annual Licensing Session for the district of Bourke and the Argus noted in their report of this session that - A petition against the granting of this license was presented from a number of ladies, residing on the special survey at Brighton, who seemed to think that the concession of such a privilege to a bachelor applicant was a direct infringement of the vested rights of the fair sex. The magistrates, however, granted the license, no doubt expecting that the applicant would take the hint and provide himself with a helpmate before next licensing day. (5)  

In  June 1856, land being sold near Brighton, was advertised as being close to a large ornamental sheet of water, known as the Double Lagoon. (6)

Land near Brighton, close to Double Lagoon.

The Argus, June 30, 1856 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7132305

This 1856 advertisement has the location as Worthing, near Brighton. I presume this, like Owensville, was the name of the estate, but I can find no other information. It also notes that the land is nearly opposite the Plough and Harrow Inn. This Hotel, was opened by Jesse Morley in 1855 on the corner of South Road and what is now the Nepean Highway. (7)

In January 1859, the Double Lagoon Estate, part of section 37, was up for sale. The advertisement is transcribed below.

The Double Lagoon Estate for sale in January 1859

The Argus, January 20, 1859 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7308325

The advertisement reads - 

To be sold, by private, the DOUBLE LAGOON ESTATE, being part of portion No. 37 in the parish of Moorabbin, adjoining the Western Port-road, now metalled, and distant from Melbourne 9½ miles, half a mile from the South Brighton Post-office and the Plough and Harrow Inn, 1½ mile from the Brighton Railway Terminus, 1 mile from Pic-Nic Point, possessing a commanding view of the Bay, with a never-falling supply of spring water.

From its close proximity to the Railway Station, and the fact of two omnibuses passing dally to and

from Melbourne, this properly is well adapted for Villa residences, nursery and commercial gardens, &c  and will be divided in lots, as follows:-

Lot No. 1, containing 14 acres, upon which stands a four roomed brick house, partially finished, the greater part of the land being in a very high state of cultivation: and under crop.

Lot No. 2, 24 acres under cultivation, on which is erected a seven-roomed verandah cottage, with stabling, stock-yards, out offices, garden containing a large number of fruit-trees, including vines, &c., all of which are in full bearing.

Lot No. 3, 10 acres, half under cultivation.

Lot No. 4, 80 acres, will be divided in two, if required.

Lot. No. 5, 43 acres, will be divided to suit purchaser.

John Mackenzie, Queen-street. (8)

Pic-Nic Point (often written as Picnic Point) as mentioned in the advertisement, was an early name for Sandringham.

Parts of section 37 were put up for sale again in 1859, this time on  August 20. This was a mortgagees auction on behalf of  the insolvent John Wilkinson. The land consisted of 138 acres, divided into small farms of between 4 to 12 acres, and containing some of the richest soil in the Colony. (9) 

Mortgagee Auction on August 20, 1859 for land in section 37

The Argus, August 17, 1859

see the full advertisement here http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5686455 

The advertisement  doesn't mention the Double Lagoon,  however the subdivision map, which was created for the sale (see below) shows part of the lagoon marked with permanent good fresh water.

Plan showing the blocks, in section 37, which form part of  the mortgagee's auction 

on August 20, 1859

Plan shewing subdn, of part of portion 37, Parish of Moorabbin, 1859.

State Library of Victoria https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/204678

We know that John Wilkinson lived at Double Lagoon, as he advertised for firewood contracts in May 1857. 

Mr Wilkinson of Double Lagoon

The Argus, May 29, 1857 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7132643

In August 1865, we find  another reference to both Double Lagoon and Owensville. A sale at the Plough and Harrow Hotel included - 12 allotments of land, being a portion of the celebrated Owensville Estate, fronting the Point Nepean Road, near the South Brighton Post-Office and 6½ acres of very superior garden land, near the double lagoon, South Brighton. (10)

Sale of land at Owensville and near the Double lagoon

The Argus, August 14, 1865 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5785321

There was one later reference to Double Lagoon which I could find and it was published  in 1917. The Brighton Southern Cross published an article on long term Brighton resident, George Lawrence. George was born in  England in 1844, the family arrived in Melbourne in 1849 and moved to Brighton in 1850.  He remembers that  the day prior to terrible Black Thursday [1851] he was sent with others of the family to the Double Lagoon, between Sandringham and Cheltenham, to get two loads of rushes with which to thatch the roof. The next day the whole country was ablaze. He also mentioned that on the lagoons were to be found wild fowl of various kinds. (11)

What happened to Double Lagoon? I wonder if the area now Basterfield Park, which has an ornamental Lake and basically adjoins Spring Road. Was Spring Road named for the obvious reason that there was a spring, which was the source of the lagoons good fresh water? Basterfield Park, was established late 1960s or early 1970s and named for Cr Gerald Basterfield, Councillor of the City of Moorabbin, from 1954-1979, and Mayor in 1959-1960 and  1971-1972 (12)

Basterfield Park, with a lake. Was this lake originally Double Lagoon?

Image: https://www.google.com/maps

Basterfield Park, 1973, to the left of Spring Road.

Image: detail of map 77, Melway Street Directory for Greater Melbourne, edition 6, 1973

(Melway Publishing Pty Ltd, 1973)

Footnotes

(1) South Brighton becomes Moorabbin https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2026/03/south-brighton-becomes-moorabbin.html

(2) The Argus, April 6 1854, see here 

(3) Dr Owens - Obituary The Age, November 27, 1866, see here; Australian Dictionary of Biography entry https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/owens-john-downes-4352

(4) Owensville - Ripponlea - St Kilda Historian J.B. Cooper writes - The land absorbed, in the district of Rippon Lea, was, at one time, known by the long since forgotten name of the Village of Owensville. The late William Augustus Pay, of Rippon Lea, who came from London, and settled there, in the year 1857, and dwelt in Gleneira Road for 72 years, first knew the lands, and houses, in the vicinity of his home, as the Village of "Owens- vine." That name was probably a legacy from a land sale division of an estate. Auctioneers of the years of the fifties, had a strong partiality towards calling any large divisional land sale by the name of some projected village. [Cooper, J.B. The History of St Kilda from its first settlement to a City and after, 1840 - 1930, v. 1 (City of St Kilda, 1931), p. 99.]

(5) Key's Hotel - Melbourne Argus, April 23, 1847, see here.

(6) The Argus, June 30, 1856, see here. 

(7) The Argus, March 7, 1855, see here; 

Cribben, John Moorabbin: a Pictorial History 1862-1994 (City of Kingston, 1995), p.29. 

(8) The Argus, January 20, 1859, see here.  

(9) The Argus, August 17, 1859, see here.

(10) The Argus, August 14, 1865, see here. 

(11) Brighton Southern Cross, August 11, 1917, see here.

(12) In the 1966 Melway (on-line here) the land where Basterfield Park was later located was just vacant land. The 1973 Melway is the earliest one I own. 

Dates of Cr Basterfield's service from Cribben (see footnote 6)

Bobbie Pearce (1891-1928) - the Singer from the Trenches

Robert Murdoch Pearce was born in Tallangatta, on May 2, 1891 the fifth child of Henry Heath Pearce and Arabella Grace Murdoch, who had married in Tasmania in 1880. Three children were born in  Tasmania - Heath, Madeline (known as Madge) and Henry (known as Tom). In 1885 the family moved to Wagra Park Estate on the Mitta River at Tallangatta, and Robert (known as Bobbie (1)) and his older sister Grace were born there. Arabella died in 1894 and the next year Henry married Kate West, who was the governess of the Pearce children. They had four children together - William, Athol, Mary Eleanor and  Mitta. (2)

Bobbie Pearce

 The  Herald, April 19, 1928 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243991807

When the War began, Bobbie enlisted on August 25, 1914 in the 4th Battalion, and he embarked on the Euripidies on October 20. He served in Gallipoli, landing there on April 25, 1915 and on May 8  was wounded, shrapnel wound to the left foot. His overall health was impacted by on-going pain from an operation to have his appendix removed two years previously, and this plus a hernia meant he couldn't lift heavy items. Bobbie returned to Australia in August 1915 and was discharged on medical grounds on November 10, 1915 - his disability listed as - Adhesions following general peritonitis. (3)

On his return Bobbie gave up the farming life and became an entertainer. He had already had a taste of this whilst in camp in Egypt - It was at Mena Camp that he got his first professional engagement, when he sang at a leading Cairo music hall for 60 piastres an evening. Frequently he would come back to camp with his piastres changed into good things for his comrades' supper. (4)

The first reference I can find of this new career in Australia was in January 1916 when he was performing at the Tivoli Theatre - R.M. Pearce and the Anzac Heroes appeared in a stirring military act was listed in a report of the theatre's activities. (5) In February, under the director Faulkner Smith, Bobbie teamed up with another returned soldier, Tom Skeyhill, for performances at the Athenaeum Theatre - With the Australians at ANZAC. (6)

Thomas John Skeyhill, was born in Terang on January 10, 1895, and enlisted on September 14, 1914. He was  blinded by an exploding shell at Gallipoli, on May 8, 1915 - the same day that Robert sustained his injury. (7) The Camperdown Chronicle reported that Tom was a very successful elocutionist a few years ago at the Hamilton and Ballarat competitions and while on active service Signaller Skeyhill wrote a number of verses and issued them in book form. According to the "Bulletin," it had a tremendous sale in Egypt, and that paper attributes it not to the serious work, but to a savage summing-up, in the manner of Dennis' "Sentimental Bloke" (rather flattering comment), of the stay-at-home brigade. (8)

With the Australians at ANZAC, featuring Tom and Bobbie

The Winner, February 16, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154556639

After performing at the Athenaeum, Bobbie and Tom started their own company, the Skeyhill Lecturing. Co., (9) and they commenced a tour of Victoria and the other States. The Border  Morning Mail reported in July 1916 -  

Signaller Skeyhill and Private Pearce are on a lecturing and concert tour through the States, and last night gave an entertainment at the Wodonga Shire Hall, which attracted a crowded and appreciative audience eager to hear at first hand the thrilling narrative of the landing  and subsequent fighting at Gallipoli.  Signaller Skeyhill's recitations of his own compositions, and Private Pearce's songs were also of a high order of merit. (10).  

In February 1917, they were in Zeehan, Tasmania and this is one report of the show - No public performer in Australia could wish for better Press opinion than those hold by Signaller Tom Skeyhill, the blind Anzac soldier, who is to lecture on the Gallipoli campaign in the Gaiety Theatre tonight. Although bereft of his sight, this young soldier is an orator in a million, and possesses that infinite something in his voice that enables him to grip and thrill his audiences. Other war lecturers speak from without. They viewed operations from a distance; but it is entirely different with Skeyhill - he was in the thick of things, and therefore knows what he is talking about, and, what is more, knows how to talk..... During the evening Private Bobby Pearce, another returned wounded soldier, will sing several popular songs. He is a brilliant songster, and no doubt will be in great demand before the entertainment is over. (11)

They were still touring in January 1918 when they performed at Leongatha, where the local newspaper reported -
When they came here last they were only new to the stage but two years' touring throughout the Commonwealth, including long and phenomenally successful seasons in all the capitals, has knocked the rough edges (if there were any) off their work. Both have improved out of all knowledge. Skeyhill, as a war lecturer, is easily the finest in the Southern Hemisphere, whilst Pte. Bobby Pearce is right  in the front rank of baritones. The Signaller on this occasion is not going to again tell us the story of Gallipoli, but is going to review and analyse the war, and advance his opinion as to where, when and how the end will come. He has a thorough, practical and theoretical knowledge of his subject. Fighting on three battle fronts has given him the practical side of the war, and long association with some of the world's greatest war experts should not leave him wanting for theories. Vivid word pictures, bursts of impassioned oratory and humorous stories of the fighting will hold the interest right throughout, whilst Private Bobby Pearce, the singer from the trenches, will intersperse the war oratory with songs. His voice is wonderfully improved, and he is acknowledged to be one of the finest baritones in the land. (12)

In May 1918, they had their last Australian performance at Corryong as the partnership split up and Tom headed to the United States. It appears that by then their show had expanded considerably to also showing films as it was reported that -

Messrs. Oxley and McLeod, who have recently come to Wangaratta as picture entertainers, have purchased from Messrs. Pearce and Skeyhill the whole of the plant, good will, etc., of Pearce's Peerless Pictures. They will adopt their circuit. Under the new arrangement Messrs. Oxley and McLeod have secured the right of showing the picture "Lest We Forget" at Beechworth tomorrow night. (13)

Tom was said to be an instant success in the United States, he met President Roosevelt and through his lectures was credited with raising 100 million dollars for war funds in America. (14) Also in America he recovered his sight after osteopathic treatment and married an American Marie Adele, they had one daughter, Joyce. Tom died in an air accident in Massachusetts, on May 22, 1932, aged 37. (15) Interestingly in his will he left a library of 500 books which he requested should be given to his home town. (16).  I wonder if they ever made their way to Terang?

Bobbie had married Florence Agnes Sutherland on September 4, 1917 at the Presbyterian Church in Alma Road in St Kilda. Florence was also a performer; she was with the Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company. She was born in St Kilda in 1888, the daughter of Alexander Buchanan Sutherland and Agnes Wilkie Kennedy, who had married in Scotland in 1870. Bobbie and Florence lived at various addresses in St Kilda until 1925 when they moved to Wagra, 3 Newstead Street in Caulfield. (17)  In 1921, Bobbie was performing with the Famous Diggers troupe which presented songs and skits, but in common with many returned  soldiers he suffered from ill health, in his case it was heart disease, and some newspaper reports note that he was in the Caulfield Military Hospital  from 1922 until 1926. (18)

Bobbie meets Dame Nellie Melba, he was conveyed by van to the theatre from the hospital  to watch her perform. 

Table Talk, October 2, 1924 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146559110

In February 1924 a benefit was held for Bobbie. As Table Talk reported -

"Hello People!" Company at the Lyric Theatre, St. Kilda, have arranged a benefit night for Bobby Pearce (late of the Famous Diggers), to take place on Thursday, February 7. Bobby, with Tom Skeyhill, it will be remembered, was instrumental in raising large sums for charitable institutions. He is now, owing to the after effects of war wounds, an invalid himself. During the evening Bobby will sing from his cot-bed two of his favorite songs, which, among many others, earned for him the big reputation he enjoyed whilst with the Famous Diggers Company. (19)

Bobbie organised a concert at the Melbourne Town Hall in April 26, 1928, with other returned soldiers where they presented comedy sketches, solos, duets, choruses and patter. (20) This may have been his last performance as he died of heart failure at only 36 years of age on July 7, 1928.  (21)

The Prahran Telegraph had this obituary, which is a lovely tribute -

The Passing of Mr. Robert Murdoch Pearce. Impressive Funeral Ceremony.
Widespread sorrow was expressed when it became known that "Bobbie" Pearce had suddenly passed away at his home in Newstead street, Caulfield, on Saturday last. "Bobbie," the name by which he was familiarly known, had been ailing for some considerable time, as the result of the injuries received by him whilst on active service, in the Great War of 1914-1918. He left Australia with the first troops who went to Egypt, being attached to the 4th Battalion of infantry, A.I.F. This battalion was amongst those which landed in Gallipoli, and it was on May 8th, 1915, that "Bobbie" was wounded in an engagement with the Turks. For many months he was an inmate of the Military Hospital after being invalided home. After his discharge from the hospital, his injury was of such a nature that it necessitated his admission again at frequent intervals for further medical attention. Although his friends were aware of the nature of his case, it was not expected that his end would be so sudden, as he was always of a cheerful disposition and bore his trouble with remarkable fortitude. 

At the time of his death the Digger, who was beloved by all who knew him, was comparatively a young man, being 36 years of age, and born at Tallangatta, in the north-eastern district of Victoria. "Bobbie" was a gifted vocalist, and his voice was on many occasions heard on wireless programmes which were broadcasted throughout the state. On occasions he rendered valuable service to organisers of various charitable functions which were organised for the relief of distressed families. In this work he took an exceptionally great interest, and his services as a fine vocalist were always appreciated by all those people who attended these concerts.

The funeral cortege left the Caulfield Military Hospital on Monday, and the hearse, which bore the coffin draped with the Union Jack, was followed by over one hundred motor cars and vehicles to the Cheltenham Cemetery, where the remains of the late Mr. Pearce were interred. The funeral service was conducted at the graveside by the Rev. Mr. Ingram, of Geelong, who was a close personal friend of the late Digger and his family. The closing remarks of the clergyman had a marked effect on those 200 comrades and friends who had attended to pay their last respects. Some were visibly affected and moved as the coffin was lowered into the last resting place in the Presbyterian portion of the cemetery. A Masonic service was conducted afterwards by the officers and members of the Henty Lodge, of which Mr. Pearce was a member. In a quiet spot on the hill, overshadowed by towering pine trees, the remains of a noble citizen, a brave soldier, and the beloved friend of all who knew him, rests peacefully sleeping, awaiting the Great Reveille. The heartfelt sympathy of many people is extended to the widow who is left to mourn his loss. Floral tributes were forwarded from the Caulfield Hospital staff, Nurses' Association, Limbless Diggers' Association, Blind and Partially Disabled Soldiers' Association, Branches of the R.S. & S. Association, the Broadcasting Companies, Red Cross Organisations, Sth. Caulfield Progress Association, and many other similar bodies, also from many leading public citizens and business people, showing the high esteem in which "Bobbie" Pearce was held. (22)

After his death a vocal scholarship at the Albert Street Conservatorium of Music was established in his memory. There were many fundraising activities to achieve this, led by his wife Florence, and a generous donation was received from Dame Nellie Melba. Florence was quoted as saying that when it was suggested that money be raised to erect a monument over his grave she said -  Decidedly not. Bob would not have liked it. Better that something be done to assist annually someone worthy, and anxious, to succeed in music, which was my husband’s soul. (23)

Bobbie and Florence did not have children and when Florence died on July 30, 1968, she was still living at their marital home at 3 Newstead Street in Caulfield. She is buried with Bobbie at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery. (24)

Trove List

I have created a list of articles on Bobbie Pearce, his family and his career, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) Bobbie is how his name is spelt on his grave and in his death notice, although many sources spell the name as Bobby.

(2)  Birth certificate; Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Tasmanian Archives; Obituary of Henry Heath Pearce in the Corryong Courier January 26, 1939 see here; report on the inquest in to the death of Arabella Pearce  Upper Murray and Mitta Herald, May 24, 1894, see here.

(3) Bobbie's Attestation papers from the National Archives of Australia (Service No. 517)   https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=11522765

(4) The Herald, April 19, 1928, see here.

(5) The Argus, January 31, 1916, see here.

(6) The Winner, February 16, 1916, see here.  

(7) Birth Certificate; Tom's Attestation papers from the National Archives of Australia (Service No. 1182)   https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=11499772 A book was published on Tom Skeyhill in 2010 by Jeff Brownrigg, in which he claims that Skeyhill was a fraud and was not really blind,  but I am not dealing with that claim in this post.

(8) Camperdown Chronicle, October 23, 1915, see here.

(9) Colac Reformer, June 8, 1916, see here.

(10) Border Morning Mail, July 12, 1916, see here.

(11) Zeehan and Dundas Herald, February 6, 1917, see here.

(12) Great Southern Star, January 8, 1918, see here.

(13) Ovens and Murray Advertiser, November 13, 1918, see here.

(14) Sydney Morning Herald, December 13, 1919, see here.

(15) Australian Dictionary of Biography entry - 

https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/skeyhill-thomas-john-tom-8444

(16) Contained in Tom Skeyhill's  Attestation file at the National Archives (see footnote 7) is a letter written in 1968 from  Betty Root, a real estate broker in California, to the Australian Consulate seeking information about Tom, whom she knew had enlisted as an Anzac in the First World War. She wanted to know what town he came from to fulfill his wishes of having his Library given to the town. There are also two other official letters in his file concerning this matter, but the Department of External Affairs didn't  know where he was born and it wasn't listed in his Attestation papers. 

(17) Marriage Certificate; Engagement notice in Table Talk, May 24, 1917, see here. From Ancestry.com -  Scotland, Select Marriages, 1561-1910; Electoral Rolls. 

(18) Table Talk, February 24, 1921 see here;  Hospital reports - various article in my Trove list, here.

(19) Table Talk, January 24, 1924, see here.

(20) The Herald, April 19, 1928, see here.

(21) Death certificate; it noted that he had been suffering from Ulcerative Endocarditis Bradycardia for ten years. 

(22) Prahran Telegraph, July 13, 1928, see here.

(23) Upper Murray and Mitta Herald, March 11, 1937, see here.  See my Trove list (here) for other reports on the establishment of the scholarship. 

(24) Death date from Probate papers at Public Records Office of Victoria address from Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

Wattle Path Palais De Danse, St Kilda

The Wattle Path  Palais De Danse was built in 1923 on the Esplanade in St Kilda, next to Alfred Square,  and Table Talk reported on its grand opening -
The Path of Pleasure. Flashlight at opening of Wattle Path Palais at St Kilda - The "Temple for the Dancing Muse," which has been erected on the Upper Esplanade, St. Kilda, and which claims to have the largest and finest dancing floor in Australia, was opened to the public with great eclat on Wednesday, October 31. It is an exceedingly handsome addition to the architecture of St. Kilda, with a very fine outlook over the waters, and the interior is splendidly appointed both for dancing and dinner parties, with an admirably selected orchestra each afternoon and evening. (1)

The Wattle Path Palais De Danse

Image from my collection

The opening of the Wattle Path Palais

Table Talk, November 8, 1923  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146466608

The Prahran Telegraph had reported on the building a few days before its opening and as it is a detailed description we will post the entire article -

Temple of the Muse - Wattle Path Palais - Splendour at St. Kilda.

On Wednesday, October 31, the most beautiful dancing hall and cafe erected in Australia will be opened at St. Kilda. For some months past many who have wandered along the Esplanade, St. Kilda, have wondered what the superb building being erected on the site of the once famous open air theatre known as Paradise was? At the end of seven months they are enlightened. It is the Wattle Path Palais de Danse and Cafe, St. Kilda, and it can accommodate 6,000 people! Something like a Palais!

In every way the Wattle Path is an asset to the St. Kilda Esplanade. The front of the building, facing the sea, is handsome in appearance, and later on there will be a rockery, set with palms, before the entrance. This is tiled in blue, to tone with the artistic colour scheme of blue, gold, and white, which is carried out through the building. In every season of the year the Wattle Path will be a place of brightness and exhilaration, filled always with bracing ozone. The typhoon system of ventilation pumps out the used air and floods the building with fresh air six times during the hour. The huge ballroom presents a magnificent sight with its expanse of gleaming white, studded overhead with deep orange and blue shades veiling the lights. Blue upholstery on the cane seats, blue carpets, and dark woodwork complete the scheme. It has been chosen for good effect by day as well as by night, for there are to be dance matinees twice weekly.

Around the sides of the ballroom is a wide balcony, really a second ballroom. Its kauri floor is similar to the big one downstairs. Here, the public may also dance, but it is expected that the balcony will he largely used for private parties. Sections of the sides can be screened off, and separate self-contained serveries deal with the refreshment problem. When the tables are set at one side, there is plenty of room to dance, the screened section forming a miniature ballroom for the party, if they so prefer it.

To cater for the thirst and healthy appetite that dancing invariably creates, there are several soda fountains and a large catering plant at Wattle Path. The man in charge of the soda fountains has evolved some "specials" sure to tempt the palates of thousands during the coming warm months. Light refreshments are served to order, but for those who desire something more substantial a cafe seating 400 persons runs the breadth of the building in front. Through the many windows may be seen the splendid sweep of the bay, and there is an open-air promenade over the entrance to the lounge downstairs. It is intended to conduct this as an all-day cafe, and bathers, visitors, and passing motorists should find it a boon. From 8 till 11 p.m. -  while the dancing is in progress -  the cafe will be reserved for patrons of the Wattle Path. The appointments in the cafe match in beauty and good taste the remainder of the building, and the smart uniforms worn by the staff tone with the general scheme. Downstairs in the kitchen the latest appliances are installed, which ensures that the food will be stored, prepared, cooked, and served in thoroughly hygienic manner. The big oven, the cost of which ran into four figures, can bake 3,000 pieces of pastry an hour. The engineer had to start the furnace three weeks ago, and kept it burning continuously, in order that the oven shall be in perfect condition to bake the first batch of Wattle Path cakes. (2) 

The Wattle Path Palais. In the window bottom left, Joe Aronson and his orchestra are advertised. 

There is more about Joe, below.

Detail of View of the Esplanade, St Kilda.  Valentine Publishing Co., State Library of Victoria image H2018.253/6    

See full image here https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/4182132

The Wattle Path was built for the Wattle Path Palais de Danse and Cafe Ltd. This company was registered in August 1922 and it had a capital £40,000 in £1 shares. (3) The Subscribers were -

Stanley Manuel Young Freeman. Stanley was the managing director of the company and listed in the electoral rolls at Hornby Street and later The Avenue, both in Prahran; his occupation was a teacher. Stanley died September 25, 1945, aged 56. (4)

James Percy Griffen Sargent. He was the secretary of the company and the manager of the Wattle Path Palais de Danse. His address in the electoral rolls, where his occupation was listed as a clerk,  was Wild Street, Preston (also called Regent); however he moved for  a time to St Kilda, and then back to Wild Street in Preston, where he died on May 13, 1960, aged 80.(5)

Gilbert Macpherson Johnstone. Gilbert was a solicitor from Tasmania, but by 1924 he had moved to St Kilda. Gilbert died in New South Wales, on November 28, 1954, aged 70.(6)

Eustace Duncan. Eustace was an accountant from Alfriston Street in Elwood, who later moved to South Yarra. I have no other information. (7)

James Eustace. Presumably a brother to Eustace, but I can't confirm any information about him.

One of Stanley Freeman's first tasks was to advertise for a Musical Director for the Wattle Path, at a salary of £1000 per annum, a huge salary for the time. (8)  In 1920, for instance a factory worker was earning around £200 per annum and a manager or clerk around £300 per annum. (9)

Advertisement for Musical Director

The Herald, May 7, 1923  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244024341

The building was designed by architects, Beaver and Purnell and it was built by H.H. Eilenberg of Caulfield. (10) The Architect, Isidore George Beaver (1859-1934) had worked in Adelaide until 1893, when he moved to Melbourne to work on the National Mutual Life Association building in Collins Street. His work in Melbourne then consisted mainly of private  houses. In 1915 he formed a partnership with Arthur Purnell (1878-1964). They also had many residential commissions, but in 1924 they designed a new wing on the Homeopathic (later Prince Henry's) Hospital. Their partnership was dissolved in 1925. (11) 

The Architect's sketch for the Wattle Path Palais De Danse

The Herald, May 16, 1923 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244026751

Henry Harris Eilenberg of Kooyong Road, Caulfield, was the builder. In an article on Arthur Purnell by Melbourne University lecturer, Dr Derham Groves, he notes that Henry Eilenberg was Purnell's favourite builder. (12)  He built, amongst other things, the grandstand at the St Kilda Cricket Club in 1925; the St Kilda Synagogue in Charnwood Grove in 1926 and the Samuel Meyers Hall at this synagogue in 1940. (13) 

The Interior of the Wattle Path Palais. 

The caption reads - At Wattle Path Palais de Danse and Cafe on a recent Sunday afternoon.  Tables are laid on the dancing door for over a thousand guests, and, in consequence of the appreciation and patronage of the public, the management are now considering the advisability of throwing open the balconies. Music by a full orchestra is given every afternoon and evening (Saturdays included) under the direction of Mr. Joe Aronson. 

Tables can be reserved on application to the management. Telephone, Windsor 5441.

Table Talk, May 8, 1924 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146459399

I came across this programme (on EBay)  for the Wattle Path Palais  from 1926. 

The programme advertises Joe Aronson's Roseland Orchestra, who was playing on Sunday, November 7, 1926. This is the detail of the playlist from the programme.

Joe Aronson, was an American, and was a popular musician and the first reference I can find to him being in Australia was in April 1924, when he appeared Direct from New York at the Wattle Path. (14)  

The Wattle Path presents Joe Aronson direct from America

The Herald, May 14, 1924  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244219597

During 1927 and early 1928 Joe and his Syncopating Symphonists played live on Radio 3LO, and listeners from all over Australia could tune in to hear him. The music programmes for 3LO were published in newspapers interstate, with the Western Australian papers reminding listeners that Melbourne time is two hours ahead of Perth. Joe left radio in February 1928 and played at the Green Mill Dance Hall in St Kilda Road for over a year. (15).  Joe returned to the United States by 1929 or 1930, and he was back in Australia in 1933 and also back on radio as Sports and Radio reported - 

One of the first saxophone players in the world, and now regarded as a leader in conducting jazz orchestras, Joe Aronson, of Chicago, has returned to Australia, and, as in 1927, is going to delight listeners in all States with his “Syncopated Symphonists,” which is the name of the band he has organised. In furtherance of his policy of building up the programmes of the Australian Broadcasting Commission throughout the national network, Major Conder, general manager, who in 1927, when controlling wireless stations in different States, had Aronson booming as an entertainer, has engaged the Chicago conductor and his band for a season of six months. All the States will be visited by the combination, which has been specially organised in Australia, and has been in rehearsal for over a month.  (16)

Joe Aronson

Australian Jewish Herald, December 22 1932 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article262185226

The Wattle Path was sold in June 1933. The Herald reported that the price paid for the Wattle Path

Palais is said to be approximately £23,000. The building cost £83,000 before it opened its doors as a dance resort about 10 years ago. (17)  It was purchased by Frank Thring, the film and theatre entrepreneur of Efftee Film Productions and became a modern talking picture studio. (18) However by December 1935, the building had returned to its original use and became the Streets of Paris  the first real continental cabaret ever presented in Melbourne. (19)  This was operated Henry Hans 'Harry' Kleiner, who in 1939 transformed the building into the St Moritz Ice Rink, advertised as the fourth largest in the world. It opened on March 10, 1939 (20) Harry still owned St Moritz in March 1953, however at this time he sold the lease to two Melbourne ice-skating enthusiasts, Ted Molony and John Gordon. (21)  

As you can see from the circa 1950s photograph, below,  the St Moritz building changed very little externally from when it was first opened as the Wattle Path Palais de Danse in 1923, having been designed by Isidore Beaver and Arthur Parnell and built by Henry Eilenberg. 

St Moritz closed in 1981 or early 1982 and was demolished in 1982 (22)

St Moritz Ice Rink, c. 1950s. The structure on the left is the St Kilda Boer Memorial in Alfred Square, designed by Arthur Peck (see more about this here)

Detail of Upper esplanade, showing St. Moritz, St. Kilda, c, 1950s. Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. 

State Library of Victoria image H32492/6549. 

See full image here https://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/128416

Footnotes

(1) Table Talk, November 8, 1923, see here. The Herald report on the opening, published November 1, 1923, can be read here.

(2) Prahran Telegraph, October 26, 1923, see here.

(3) The Herald, August 24, 1922, see here.

(4) Freeman - Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Sydney Sun, April 17, 1923, see here. Death notice: Suns News-Pictorial, September 26, 1945, see here.

(5) Sargant - Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; The Herald, May 16, 1923, see here;  The Argus, March 6, 1925, see here. Death notice: the Age, May 16, 1960, p. 16; on newspapers.com.

(6) Johnstone - Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com. Death notice: Sydney Morning Herald, November 29, 1954, see here.

(7) Duncan - Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(8) The Herald, May 7, 1923, see here

(9) State Library of Victoria https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/whatitcost/earnings

(10) The Herald, May 16, 1923, see here

(11) Architects Database - George Isidore Beaver- 

https://architectsdatabase.unisa.edu.au/arch_full.asp?Arch_ID=146  Homeopathic Hospital illustration - The Argus, April 19, 1934, see here.

(12) Groves, Derham The Barlow File published in University of Melbourne Collections, Issue 5 November 2009 

https://library.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/1378873/collections5.pdf  

(13) Henry Eilenberg - buildings The Argus, February 9, 1925, see here;  Australian Jewish Herald March 11, 1926, see here; Australian Jewish Herald, May 30, 1940, see here. The Synagogue and the Samuel Meyers Hall were designed by Joseph Plottel (1883-1977) - I have come across him before and written about him here - https://thepalmtreeblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-palm-trees-in-palm-grove-deepdene.html. Harry Eilenberg died on October 16, 1960, aged 68. Death notice: The Age, October 17, 1960 p. 16, on newspapers.com

(14) The Herald, April 14, 1924, see here. 

(15) Perth Daily News, February 8, 1927, see here; Adelaide News, February 20, 1928, see here. The Green Mill opened in 1926 and was on the site where the National Gallery of Victoria is now located - corner of St Kilda Road and Sturt Street.

(16) Brisbane Sports and Radio, June 17, 1933,  here.

(17) The Herald, June 23, 1933, see here.

(18) The Herald, June 23, 1933, see here.

(19) The Age, December 23, 1935, see here.

(20) The Herald, March 8, 1939, see here.

(21) The Age, March 4, 1953, see here. 

Harry Kleiner - At the time of his death on January 18,  1959,  at the age of  72, Harry was listed as an auctioneer and also  owned the Central Hotel in Brighton. Death notice: The Age, January 19, 1959, p. 12 on newspapers.com; Obituary - The Age, January 19, 1959, p. 5 on newspapers.com

Ted Molony (1900-1975) - https://icelegendsaustralia.com/legends-2/bio_molony.html; 

John Gordon (1894-1989) - https://icelegendsaustralia.com/legends-2/bio_gordon.html

(22) The last reference to skating at St Moriz, which I can find in The Age on newspapers.com is August 1981, which doesn't mean, of course, that it didn't last longer. Demolition had commenced by May 1982, then it was stopped by the Builders Labourers Federation for a short time, but by then demolition work has already cleaned out much of the inside of the building and removed the verandah (see article below)

The Age, May 4, 1982, p. 14 from newspapers.com