Melbourne - Seventh City of the Empire

Melbourne:  seventh city of the Empire.  Artist: Percy Trompf

State Library of Victoria Image H2008.73/23. SLV dates this as c. 1930-c.1960

I came across this wonderful poster of the Manchester Unity Building and the Melbourne Town Hall, by chance on the State Library of Victoria website. It's a beautiful image, the Manchester Unity building is a jewel, it was designed by Marcus Barlow and officially opened in  1932.  I was interested in the 'Seventh City of the Empire' slogan. Why was it the seventh city? It refers to population.

I put the term into Trove and the first mention of Melbourne being the seventh city was in 1888. It was in a discussion as to whether the Borough of Port Melbourne should join the City of Melbourne, Melbourne was about the seventh city in the Empire at the present time, and if she got Port Melbourne she would be about the fourth or fifth. (1)  Which brings up the issue as to what constitutes Melbourne - in this case they are just referring to the City of Melbourne, but over the years I feel the term referred to Greater Melbourne.

In 1896 an article in the Herald said that as Melbourne was the seventh city that it should set an example to the world by closing all places of business on Saturday (2). The next year, 1897, the Weekly Times provided us with some more information on the status of Melbourne - Melbourne, in point of population, is the seventh city of the Empire. The six which stand before it are London, Calcutta, Bombay, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester. If the cities of the whole world are included, Melbourne has to be content with twenty-fifth place (3).

By the end of the nineteenth century it seems that it was established that we were the seventh city of the Empire, but it wasn't always that. In 1887 we were the fifth amongst the Capital cities of the Empire according to a report in The Age (4) and in 1891 we were listed as the fifth or sixth in the world with this colonialist and racist proviso Setting aside the mere collections of native population in India, Melbourne is to-day the principal city of the empire outside of the mother islands, and having achieved that position, the task will now be to maintain it (5).

We went into the 1900s firmly in seventh place - by 1906 The Argus reported that our population of 515,350 was less then the following cities of the Empire -  London, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Sydney (6). Our seventh status was reported on in 1913 and 1927. However, there was one dissenting report in 1917 which put us at eighth spot behind London, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Sydney and Cairo (7).

In 1934, the centenary of Victoria' s European settlement  we were still the seventh city, but a few papers did honestly report that we were the seventh largest city in the Empire containing a white population (8).

The claim to be the seventh largest city was repeated in 1942 in reports of the centenary of the incorporation of the City of Melbourne. However,  a year later there were glowing reports that our status as the seventh city was based on pre-war populations and  by virtue of a great increase in population in the last two years, it might now rank as the fourth city in the Empire, with a population greater than that of Bombay, Glasgow or Birmingham (9). The last mention I can find of our status as the seventh city of the Empire is in 1953 (10).

I love this poster, although I understand that the status of Melbourne as the seventh largest city of the British Empire can only be valid if the population of 'non white' cities such as those in India are ignored or dismissed. It's not as if these population figures were hard to come by - even in 1911, the rural newspaper, Mildura Cultivator, had a very comprehensive list of  population figures of Australian and cities around the world. They listed the most populous cities of the British Empire (11)
Greater London - 7,252,963.
Calcutta - 1,031,206.
Bombay - 977,822.
Manchester, including Salford - 960,990.
Glasgow - 881,505.
Liverpool - 767,606.
Sydney - 617,102.
Melbourne - 591,830.
Birmingham - 570,113.
Montreal - 500,000.

The claim that Melbourne is the seventh city of the Empire is a product of the times and  I think we just need to enjoy the image and graphics of the poster, which has both the Victorian Railways logo and the City of Melbourne logo on it, so it was clearly produced by the Government for tourism purposes.

The artist, Percy Trompf (1902-1964), was  a commercial artist who produced many posters for the Australian National Travel Association and the Victorian Railways. He was born in Beaufort in Victoria, served in the Air Force in World War Two and while President of the Rotary Club of Camberwell he helped establish the Camberwell Art Show. You can read his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, written by Kate Spearritt and Peter Spearritt, here.

As a postscript - the reference on this poster to Melbourne being the seventh city of the Empire reminds me of the claims over the past few years that Melbourne was the worlds 'most livable city', and I think it was Red Symons, back when he was on ABC radio, who said that Melbourne is the world's most self-congratulatory city and it clearly has been for at least 130 years.

Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove which have a reference to Melbourne being the Seventh City of the Empire, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) The Age May 29, 1888, see here.
(2) The Herald August 5, 1896, see here.
(3) Weekly Times February 13, 1897, see here.
(4) The Age June 18, 1887, see here.
(5) The Argus May 13, 1891, see here.
(6) The Argus May 1, 1906, see here.
(7) Corryong Courier, July 5 1917, see here.
(8) The Age July 19, 1934, see here.
(9) The Herald July 7, 1943, see here.
(10) The Age, January 9, 1953, see here.
(11) Mildura Cultivator, November 15, 1911, see here.

Albert Drayton's accident - an epic tale of survival and mateship

I bought a postcard of the Melbourne Fire Station, mainly because it was very pretty with the horse shoe of forget-me-not flowers. The post card is addressed to Alice Drayton, Jumbuk, Yinnar, Gippsland. The letter reads -
Dear Alice,
I must send you a few words and tell you that I am back in town now and very happy and busy. I stayed a days [sic] at Trafalgar and had a good with [sic] my uncle. I will send you my photo as soon as I get it taken. How is your brother Albert and all of you. Hope you are all well, as it leaves me. 
M. Blucher.

The message to Alice Drayton

Who were the Draytons? Alice and Albert were the children of  Robert and Mary Drayton. They had married in 1878 and had six children -

Mary Jane  - born 1879 and registered at Yea.  Died at King Parrot Creek in 1879 aged 10 days old.

Ada Caroline Brown - born 1881 at Yea.   Died in South Melbourne in 1883 aged 2 years old.

William Albert  - born in 1883 at Yea.  Married Matilda Henrietta Koenig in 1921. Albert died in Traralgon in 1960,  aged 77;   Matilda Henrietta died in 1979, aged 82. They are both buried at the Hazelwood Cemetery. Matilda was the daughter of John and Annie (nee Cameron) Koenig. John Koenig was born into a German Lutheran family at Harkaway, read about this here. He was also a pioneer of the Jumbuk area, read his obituary, here. 

Ellen Maud (known as Maud) - born 1884 at Yea. Maud married Peter James Jarvie in 1905. Peter was a Boer War Veteran, and sadly took his own life in 1915, at the age of 43, leaving Maud with five young children. Maud married Arthur Cecil Vere Pritchard in 1918; he died in 1936 aged 48. Maud died in Dandenong, in 1950 aged 66. 

Alice Mabel - born in 1887 at Yea.   Died in Dandenong in 1972, aged 85.

Caroline Anne  - born in 1889 at Reedy Creek.   Died in Prahran in 1971,  aged 82.

To finish off the genealogical information - Mary Drayton was born Mary Firth, the daughter of James Firth and Mary Loutett. She had been married in 1867  to James Duff and they had two boys - John Firth Duff born in 1868 and  James Duff, born in 1870. I don't have any information about the fate of James, Mary's husband, but I presume she was a widow when she married Robert Drayton. Mary died in Garfield, in 1925 at the age of 78; Robert also died at Garfield in 1927, aged 79.

The 1903 Electoral Roll has the family living at Yinnar and Robert is listed as a grazier and in the 1909 roll the family are listed at Jumbuk, the address on the postcard. The writer of the card, M. Blucher (of which more later) asks Alice - How is your brother Albert? As it turns out, we can find out how Albert was because on July 3, 1908, Albert had an accident which was reported on in the newspapers. It was an epic tale of survival, community spirit and mateship. The report, transcribed, below, is from the Morwell Advertiser, July 10, 1908 (see here)

Morwell Advertiser, July 10, 1908  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65871831?

THE JUMBUK ACCIDENT.

ALBERT DRAYTON CARRIED TO MORWELL. A JOURNEY OF 20 MILES.

As briefly mentioned in our last issue, Albert Drayton and William Langford met with a serious accident whilst engaged felling a huge tree in the hills. Langford, we are pleased to say, has almost recovered from injuries received, but Drayton, who was much more seriously hurt, is still in a critical condition, but is progressing as favorably as can be expected.

It appears that both men were felling a giant tree, about seven feet in diamater, for the purpose of split ting palings out of it. As is customary with these large trees, which enormous butts, a "landing" was fixed some twelve or fourteen feet from the ground. As a general rule these big trees begin to "crack" some minutes before they fall, and men on landings are thereby warned in ample time to reach the ground and stand clear. In this case the tree, which was about a mile from Drayton's home, gave practically no warning. This was due partly to the fact that the cuts on each side were put in above one another so that the tree would fall in a certain direction, and the tree was really cut through before it gave any warning of falling. A slight crack was heard, and on looking up the men saw that the tree was falling, and then jumped for their lives. In all probability they would have escaped injury, but for the fact that soon after starting to fall the tree crashed into the top of another, tree threw it back on the men. The head of the tree, which was broken off by the collision, came down where the men were standing, and it is a marvel they were not killed on the spot. Both men state that they fully expected to be killed, and can scarcely account for their escape, as huge limbs and large pieces of wood that came crashing down are strewn all over the ground where they were.

Langford believes that the axe handle which he held in both hands above his head saved him and partly turned off a limb that struck him on the head. Drayton fell once and on getting to his feet again was struck by a huge limb across the hips and pinned against another log. Fortunately Langford, who was in a very dazed and injured condition, was able with much difficulty to get the log off his mate, and call for help. Albert lay in a helpless state, but was quite conscious. His father, brother and sister were soon on the spot, and assisted by Langford, they carried him home on a mattress placed on a door. Dr M'Lean was summoned, but as the night was dark and roads bad, it was some hours after the accident before the doctor was able to treat the injured men. On examination, the doctor found that Langford had escaped with a few severe bruises and shock, but Drayton was badly crushed across the lower portion of back; the pelvis was broken, hip joint fractured, and he was otherwise seriously injured. 

Subsequently Dr McLean (Morwell) and Dr. McLean (Traralgon) held a consultation in
connection with the case, and it was resolved that the injured man should be carried on a stretcher into Morwell, being in too critical a condition to stand the journey in a vehicle. This meant a great undertaking as the distance to Morwell was twenty miles, and the road in a bad state. The recommendation was, however, no sooner made than there were ample volunteers for the arduous
task. A stretcher was procured from Morwell on Monday, and early on Tuesday morning practically all the men in Jumbuk and Jeeralang were at Drayton's home ready to render wholehearted service. 

Dr. McLean visited the patient on Monday and remained with him all night and prepared him for the journey next morning. A start was made at ten o'clock, there being nearly forty men present, and carrying the injured man in relays of six they set out on the trying journey. Steady rain was falling, and the road was muddy and slippery, but nevertheless splendid progress was made, the "team" being changed at frequent intervals. Dr. McLean accompanied the "caravan" most of the way as it was thought possible the injured man, may collapse during the way and the doctor's services would be required. Fortunately such was not the case, which was no doubt due to the great care exercised throughout the journey by the bearers of the stretcher. At Billy's Creek ford which was running strong, two of the strongest men took the stretcher, and with boots off, waded across the stream without a mishap.

The party arrived at Miss Townsend's private hospital, Morwell, at five o'clock, the journey having been accomplished in seven hours, which is considered excellent time considering the state of the country passed through. The men have to be congratulated upon their efforts and there is something about their actions that one might call "practical Christianity" that cannot be too highly commended. We understand that Drayton is now progressing favourably, and the doctor has every hope of his recovery. (Morwell Advertiser, July 10, 1908, see here)

We came across this postcard addressed to Albert Drayton, No. 1 Ward, Melbourne Hospital, City. It is just a classic postcard - the writing on the front at the bottom left says I believe this gum leaf came from Jumbuk - well I think it says that. Albert may have been in the hospital for further treatment related to his accident.

The postcard reads - Morwell 4-6-09 Was surprised to hear you had gone to town. Hope you will soon be quite well again. Am laid up myself with poisoned foot. Will be glad when over and I get about again. Sincerely yrs [yours] K. Sheen. There is a Kathleen Bertha Sheen listed at Morwell in the 1909 Electoral Roll.

The tale of Albert Drayton became part of the folklore of the area and the story was revived in 1942 in the Morwell Advertiser as part of their Harking Back column written by E.L. Vary, J.P. There is a description of the accident, along the lines of the report transcribed, above, and Mr Vary ends with
I cannot remember the names of all these men but amongst them were W. A. Young, Christie Kleine, Jim Duff, Geo. Firth and W. Gow. He, was taken to Miss Townsend's hospital, then situated in Commemcial Road, where he spent many months and now Albert, though not the powerful man he was, is like Johnnie Walker, "Still going strong," (Morwell Advertiser,  October 1, 1942, see here).  It is interesting to see the names of some of the men who helped Albert out - Jim Duff would be his half brother and George Firth is no doubt another relative, perhaps a cousin on his mother's side.

We know Albert married Matilda Koenig in 1921, I don't know if they had any children. Albert was involved in the Jumbuk Rifle Club, in fact he was stilling winning competitions at rifle clubs when he was 66 years old (see here).  According to the Electoral Rolls, they spent most of their married life on the farm in Jumbuk. They had the misfortune of having their hay shed, buggy shed, separator room and pig-stye destroyed by fire in 1922 (see here). As for Alice, she never married and by 1949 was living at 29 Scott Street in Dandenong with her sister Caroline. She must have kept the post card all her life, then after her death in 1972 it was obviously kept by someone else - maybe a niece or nephew until 2020 when it found it's way to EBay.

Who is M. Blucher, the writer of our postcard? The 1909 Electoral Rolls have a family of Bluchers living at Jumbuk that year - Augusta, Frederick, Herbert, John, John Jnr, Margaret Frances, Margaret Frances (she is listed twice) and Sophia. I believe our writer is almost certainly connected to this family. In 1908,  Jane and William Blucher (incorrectly spelt as Bloucher) were listed in the Electoral Roll at Trafalgar - he was  a farmer. William is possibly the uncle that the writer stayed with at Trafalgar. That's as close as I can get to identifying M. Blucher.

I have created  a list of articles on Trove on Albert Drayton, his accident and his family and connections, access it here.

Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co. World War One Memorial

In Hopkins Street in Footscray, just over the Hopetoun Bridge and near the corner of Moreland Street,  on the site of the now demolished Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co. Tannery is a memorial to the employees of the firm who nobly gave their lives to a just and righteous cause. Before we look at these men, here is a short history of Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co., taken from the 1959 publication Footscray's first 100 years: the story of a great Australian City (1).  The book was published by the City of Footscray for the centenary of the establishment of Footscray and it's a proud look at the community, history and businesses of the town.  Well worth tracking down if you have an historic connection to Footscray.

The story goes that in 1864 Isaac Hallenstein,  a wagon driver who worked between Melbourne and Ballarat had a wagon break-down and called in at the tannery to seek help. The owner of the business, Mr Cleghorn, said 'I'd be off to the diggings if I could find  a buyer for my tannery' so Isaac purchased the business and within a year his uncle, Moritz Michaelis, joined the firm and Michaelis, Hallenstein was born. In 1959 when the book was written, the business occupied 25 acres on the corner of Hopkins and Moore Street and employed 430 people.  Businesses were also established in other states and New Zealand and in 1948 they came under the holding company of Associated Leathers Ltd, the chairman of which in 1959 was Sir Archie Michaelis, former member of the Legislative Assembly.

Apparently, Mr Cleghorn did not become rich and he returned to the business and became the Manager. The Company produced leather for shoes, upholstery and suitcases and also had a large export business. The Company was one of Footscray's big industries that provided the population  with steady well paid employment. Footscray's first 100 years says they were the first large organisation to introduce the eight hour day for employees and  the first business to install an electric power plant.

The business eventually occupied the area bounded by Wingfield, Moreland, Hopkins and Maribyrnong Streets (2).

Aerial view of works of Michaelis Hallenstein & Co. Pty. Ltd. manufacturers of high grade gelatine,  c. 1930. 

State Library of Victoria Image H2003.54, click here to see a high-res version http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/365270

Descendants of Isaac Hallenstein and Moritz Michalis also worked in the business - including grandsons Albert (Hal) Hallenstein and Roy Michaelis and three family members who enlisted and lost their lives in the Great War and whose names appear on this monument Dalbert Hallenstein, Frank Michaelis and Grant Michaelis. Footscray's first 100 years records the deaths of the three boys - Three members of the two families paid the supreme sacrifice during World War 1. Lieut. Grant Michaelis fell at Gallipoli in 1915. A plaque installed overseas in his honor was eventually reinstalled in the offices of the company at Footscray. Stg. Frank Michaelis, A.I.F., died in the service. Lieut. Dalbert Hallenstein was killed while leading his men in action at Peronne. Commemorative plaques to the three stand above the stairway today.  

There is also a report in the Footscray Independent in November 1918 where a memorial scroll was unveiled in Frank's honour. It was described thus the copper scroll, which is enclosed in a plain kauri frame, the whole being covered with glass. The  entablature, with repousse medallion encircled by a wreath of laurel leaves, with raised copper architraves, bore a bust representation of the deceased in the uniform of the A.I.F., with the following inscription: Dulce et Decorum est pro Patria Mori. In Affectionate Memory of Sergeant Frank M Michaelis, A.I.F., Who gave his life for King and Country, 14th May, 1917. "To know him was to love him." Erected by his fellow-workers. (Footscray Independent November 9, 1918, see here.)  Was this the same plaque referred to in Footscray's first 100 years or was this another memorial?

The tannery was demolished in 1987 according to the book Footscray: a pictorial record of the Municipality from 1859 to 1988. (2)  I wonder where the three plaques in honour of Dalbert, Frank and Grant are and where Frank's copper scroll enclosed in a plain kauri frame is?

Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co., Footscray works, over  25 years later than the aerial photo shown above.

Image: Footscray's first 100 years: the story of a great Australian City (1)

Sadly, like most businesses and families in Australia Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co., was impacted by the First World War and many large companies produced an Honor Board to commemorate the service of their employees, but it is unusual to have  a granite memorial.  The memorial was unveiled on August 17, 1920 and there was a report of this occasion in the Footscray Independent of August 21, 1920, see here.

FIRM PAYS TRIBUTE
Memorial Unveiled at Footscray Tannery
Further proof of the feeling of mutual respect and regard existing at the Footscray Tannery between employers and employed was given on Tuesday afternoon, when a memorial, erected by the members of the firm as a tribute to their employees who had died in the Empire's cause, was unveiled.

In addition to members and employees of the firm there was a numerous attendance of other residents, including the Mayor and councillors and the Town Clerk. The ceremony was simple and direct, but very impressive. Those present stood with bared-heads, and the flag for which the men had died flew at half mast near by. 

Mr. Frederick Hallenstein was the first speaker. In a few sentences he expressed the gratitude which he and his fellow directors felt for those gallant men who heard the call and answered the summons to beat down the forces of tyranny and oppression. He then asked the Mayor (Cr. H. W. C. Jenkins) to unveil the memorial. The Mayor thanked Messrs. Michaelis, Hallenstein and Co. Pty. Ltd. for having granted him the privilege of performing the ceremony. He felt honoured in being allowed to do so. The Australian soldiers had proved Australia's nationhood by their wonderful work at Gallipoli, Pozieres, Amiens, and other places. They did not like war, but they went to war to save the world. He hoped that none of those present, nor their children, would experience another conflict of such a nature as had raged between 1914 and 1920. 

The firm of Michaelis, Hallenstein and Co. Pty. Ltd. was a good one for the city of Footscray, and
had always been ready to assist any movement that tended to forward the district. When approached to give a donation to the Memorial Hall a cheque for £200 was given at once, and later £100 was given towards the Footscray and District Hospital. Now a further sum had been expended in providing a monument to keep green the memory of those who had gone from the Footscray Tannery to fight for freedom, and who had died that others might live.

The Mayor then pulled the cord, the draping fell to the ground, and the monument was disclosed. Fashioned out of grey granite, the main pillar, which is 10 feet in height, stands on a base, also of grey granite, 7 feet by 5 feet. The stone is neither smoothed nor polished, except for a panel bearing the following inscription: In memory of Our Fallen Employees, who, in the Great War, 1914 1920, Nobly Gave their Lives for a Just and Righteous Cause. The article listed the names (which are below) and  continued with Brave Spirits! Mourned with Fond Regret." Erected by Michaelis, Hallenstein and Co. Pty. Ltd.

The monument, which weighs 2½ tons, was the work of Messrs. Jas Taylor and Sons, of Nicholson-street, Footscray, and is an excellent specimen of the mason's art. Rev. Danglow, who saw active service as a chaplain, Cr. A. A. Harris, and Mr. Fred Brown, a returned soldier, also briefly spoke, referring in warm terms of appreciation of the brave souls who had given their all for right and justice.  (Footscray Independent  August 21, 1920, see here.

The Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co., Memorial - no longer standing outside the tannery, now in front of housing.

Image: Isaac Hermann.

Here are the men listed on the memorial, I have included their Service Numbers (SN) so you can look up their full military record on the National Archives of Australia website, www.naa.gov.au. I can link some of these men definitely to Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co., but some I can only link to the tannery or leather production industry and some I can only link to Footscray or surrounding areas such as Spotswood or Yarraville,  but I do believe I have the right men. There are three I cannot identify at all.

The men honoured on the The Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co., Memorial.

Image: Isaac Hermann.

Austin, Reginald Victor   (SN 3696)   Reginald was born in Footscray and enlisted at the age of 23 on July 12, 1915 in the 5th Infantry Battalion, 12th Reinforcements.  He was a labourer, the son of William and  Annie Austin of O'Farrell Street in Footscray. He was declared Missing in Action on July 25, 1916 and  a Court of Enquiry held in November 1917, found he had actually been Killed in Action on that day.

The Footscray Advertiser had this report of the fate of some local boys, including Reginald Austin.

Footscray Advertiser January 19, 1918  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88798360

Barnes, George  (SN 565)  George was a 22 year old tanner when he enlisted on August 20, 1914, in the 7th Infantry Battalion, E Company, this was the same day as Arthur Hetherton, who is listed below. He was born in Footscray and his next of kin was his father, John Barnes of Castlemaine.  George was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on May 26, 1915. George is listed as E. Barnes on the monument.  The report in the local paper, below, describes George as sturdy built - he was 5 foot 9 inches and just over eleven stone when he enlisted. He was also a popular employee at Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co.

The report of George Barnes' death.

Yarraville Weekly News July 17, 1915  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119677649

Bye, Bertie David Lester  (SN 31639)  Bertie enlisted on September 30, 1916 at the age of 29. He was born in Richmond, was a tanner and living in Melbourne Road, Spotswood.  He was in the 24th Howitzer Brigade, 9th Reinforcements. Bertie was Killed in Action on March 3, 1918. He left behind his wife, Lavinia, and two little girls - Edna and Jean.

Bertie Bye's death notice.

The Age May 18, 1918  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155098739

Cunninghame, T   This man is listed on the monument, but I cannot identify him. There are no Cunninghames on the Roll of Honor at the Australian War Memorial, so I presume his surname is Cunningham - but I still can't find a T. Cunningham with a Footscray connection and who did not survive the War. It is possibly Willliam Thomas Cunningham (SN 2056), a 23 year old warehouseman, born and lived in Albert Park and was Killed in Action August 31, 1918. My other thought is that is is Major Trevor Russell Cunningham, Killed in Action August 4 1916, He was from Geelong but his Roll of Honor circular lists his occupation as a manufacturer of salt. I believe salt is used extensively in the tanneries, so maybe Trevor Cunningham was a valued supplier to Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co.

The Michaelis, Hallenstein building 23-27 Lonsdale Street, 1865

Photographer: Charles Rudd. State Library of Victoria Image H12684

Evans, Alwyn Morris  (SN 5682) Alwyn was 29 years old, a clerk and he enlisted on August 19, 1915 in the 6th Infantry Battalion, 18th Reinforcements. His next of kin was his mother, Mary Stewart of Coburg. Alwyn Died of Wounds on May 31, 1918. A death notice from his workmates at Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co, is below.

Death Notice from Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co., for Alwyn Evans. 

The Age June 20, 1918  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155097840

Gilchrist, Harold   (SN 2474)  Harold enlisted on June 22, 1915 in the 6th Infantry Battalion, 7th Reinforcements. He was a ledger keeper and nearly 22 years of age. His next of kin was father, Robert Gilchrist of Glenferrie.  Lieutenant Gilchrist was Killed in Action on October 4, 1917. Michaelis, Hallenstein & C0., held an annual picnic at which the entertainment included a sports program. The picnic and sports results were reported in the local paper and in 1911 Harold won the Warehouse Handicap. In 1912 he won the event again as well as the M.H. & Co Handicap race - both over  120 yards. (Footscray Independent, November 23, 1912, see here)

Part of the report of the Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co., Annual Picnic day in 1911, where Harold Gilchrist won the Warehouse Handicap by three yards.

Footscray Independent November 25, 1911. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/73479029

I had found the reports of the race results and thought it was more than likely that this was the H. Gilchrist on the monument, but it wasn't until I found this short report below in The Argus, that I could establish the full identity of H. Gilchrist.

Short report of the death of Harold Gilchrist.

The Argus October 20, 1917  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1657471

Harold Gilchrist. What a handsome looking man. 

Image: Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1729664

Hallenstein, Dalbert Isaac    Lieutenant Hallenstein was 21 when he enlisted on January 16, 1915 in the 5th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements. He listed his occupation as a tanner and his next of kin was his father, Reuben Hallenstein of St Kilda. Lieutenant Hallenstein was Killed in Action on September 2, 1918. You can read about his military service in his obituary, below.

Report of Lieutenant Hallenstein's death

Footscray Advertiser  September 14, 1918 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88797982#

A reminder of the Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co., tannery - a street named after the Hallenstein family.  It's the continuation of Moreland Street, on the north side of Hopkins Street, which has been renamed Hallenstein Street.

Image: Isaac Hermann.

Harding, William Alfred   (SN 2318) William was a 28 year old salesman and he enlisted on August 22, 1916 in the 39th Infantry Battalion, 4th Reinforcements.  His next of kin was his father, Charles, of West Brunswick. William was Killed in Action on June 20, 1918. His fellow employees at Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co. put a death notice in paper for William.

William Harding's death notice inserted by Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co.

The Argus July 6 1918  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1444041

Hetherton, Arthur   (SN 596)  Arthur was born and lived in West Footscray. He enlisted in the 7th Infantry Battalion, E Company on August 20, 1914, same day as his work mate, George Barnes (see above). He was 22 year old labourer and his next of kin was his mother, Florence Hetherton. Arthur was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.

Report of the death of Arthur Hetherton.

Footscray Advertiser July 3 1915  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/89111467

Lloyd, P   I cannot work out who this is. There are no Lloyds on the Roll of Honour who have  a first or middle name starting with P and have also checked spelling variations of the surname (Loyd, Lloyde, Loyde) and no result. I have looked at all the six Lloyds from Victoria who enlisted and did not survive the War and there are none with an obvious connection to Footscray or the Tannery industry, so Mr Lloyd is a mystery.

Louis, Adrian  (SN 2623) Adrian enlisted on June 17, 1915, in the 8th Infantry Battalion, 8th Reinforcements, he was 24 and his occupation was 'beamsman' which according to a website that explains old occupations - a Tanner's Beamsman draped part-cured skins over a Tanners Beam, a flat slab of wood or stone, to scrape off the remaining flesh, fat and hair (Hall Genealogy - Old Occupations, see here) Adrian's next of kin was his father, A.D. Louis, of Ryan Street in Footscray. Adrian was was Wounded in Action (gun shot wound to the head) in September 1916, returned to Australia and died April 15, 1917 at the Caulfield Hospital. Corporal Lewis was buried with full military honours at the Footscray Cemetery. His funeral was written up in the Footscray Independent of  April 21, 1917 (read it here), here is an excerpt - The last obsequies were most impressive. The coffin was mounted on a gun carriage wreathed in flags. A firing party and bandsmen from Broadmeadows Camp headed the funeral procession, while club mates of the Junior Football Club the Rowing Club and the Tannery followed.

Corporal Adrian Louis

Footscray Independent of  April 21, 1917  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74256363

Lowe, Hugh Mosman  (SN 1053)  Hugh was born in Scotland and enlisted at the age of 20 on October 19, 1914 in the 9th Infantry Battalion, C Company. His next of kin was his mother, Jessie Lowe, of  Lufra, Glen Eira Road, East St Kilda. Hugh died of wounds received while serving at Gallipoli, on June 3, 1915. Hugh and his three brothers are listed on the Elwood Presbyterian Church Honor Board, I have written about this here. The lovely death notice from his work mates at Michaelis, Hallenstein is reproduced below.

Hugh Lowe's death notice inserted by Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co.

 The Argus July 17, 1915  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1538065

Matthews, C.  I have looked at all the C. Matthews and C. Mathews on the Roll of Honour and there is none with a connection to the Footscray area or the tannery business. There is a Lieutenant Charles Matthews who enlisted December 24, 1914. He was 23, born in England, his mother was his next of kin and she lived in England. Charles was Killed in Action October 12, 1917. He was living at 162 Cecil Street in South Melbourne before he enlisted and a sweet notice was put in The Age after his death (see here) by Mrs Johnston and Mrs Bell, whom I presume were his land-ladies. The only flaw in this is that Charles' occupation was a Draper's Assistant, so not tannery related. There is one Matthews with a Footscray address - James Edward Matthews (SN 1232). He was a 27 year old labourer and enlisted  January 25,  1915 in the 22nd Infantry Battalion, A Company. His next of kin was his mother Mrs J. Madden of  31 Greig Street, Footscray. However for some reason his file is not digitised at National Archives and also he is not in nominal rolls and not in Roll of Honour. At the moment the full identity of Mr Matthews is a bit of  a mystery.

Michaelis, Frank Moritz   (SN 31586) Frank enlisted on August 23, 1916 at the age of 24, in the 6th Field Artillery Brigade, 12th Reinforcements.  He was  a tanner and his next of kin was his father, Frederick. Frederick David Michaelis (1861 - 1935) was a member of the St Kilda Foreshore Committee and the Chairman of the Carlo Catani Clock Tower Memorial Committee (read about this here). Frank later married and his next of kin became his wife, Kathleen. Frank died of acute meningitis in London on May 14, 1917.

Sergeant Frank Michaelis

Footscray Advertiser May 19, 1917 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/89110557#

The Footscray Advertiser had wonderful tribute to Frank Michaelis, which shows how popular the family was with their employees  - By the death of Sergeant Frank M. Michaelis, at Salisbury Plains, England, Footscray is the poorer by one of its most popular employers of labor. He was the second son of Mr and Mrs F. D. Michaelis of Robe street, St. Kilda, and up to the time of his enlistment had for 5 years been learning the business at the Tannery. He was only 24 years of age and was educated at Wesley College and afterwards at Harrow, England. He was beloved by all who knew him, and the employees of the tannery, amongst whom he worked just as one of themselves, held him in high esteem. When the news of his death was received on Wednesday Messrs. Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co. closed the works for the day. Before leaving, however, the whole of the employees met together under the flag in the Tannery gardens and after tributes to the worth of the deceased soldier had been paid by several speakers a motion of sympathy was passed to be forwarded to the widow, parents and family. Mr and Mrs Michaelis have only one other son, Lieut. Archie Michaelis, and he has been on active service since the day after the outbreak of war. Another director, Mr Ed. Michaelis, lost his eldest son at Gallipoli. It will be remembered that Sgt. Frank Michaelis was "sent off" at a pleasant function at the Barkly Theatre some 10 months ago. (Footscray Advertiser May 19, 1917, see here)

Michaelis, Grant    As mentioned in the newspaper report of Frank Michaelis' death, another director of the Company, Mr Edward Michaelis, also lost a son. This was Grant Michaelis. Grant and Frank were first cousins.  Grant's military history can be found in this obituary published in the Footscray Advertiser, of October 9, 1915 (see here) Though not a resident of Footscray, Lieut. Grant Michaelis, son of Mr E. J. Michaelis, of Michaelis, Hallenstein and Co., was well known in this district, especially to employees of the firm named and to those who patronise the social activities of the firm and its employees. Regret is therefore freely expressed locally at the news received by cable that Lieut. Grant Michaelis met his death in action at the Dardanelles on 23rd September. Lieut. Michaelis, who was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Geelong, left for England about four years ago to study engineering with Messrs. Alien Bros., electrical engineers, at Bedford, and when war broke out was lieutenant in the East Anglian Engineers. He at once volunteered for active service abroad, but, with his company, was retained for service in England until the end of August this year, when he left for the front. He can, therefore, have been only a few weeks in the fighting line when he met his death.  (Footscray Advertiser, October 9, 1915, see here)

McCall, James Patterson   (SN 6401) James  enlisted on October 23, 1916, in the 22nd Infantry Battalion, 18th Reinforcements. He was 29, born in Scotland and his next of kin was his mother, Mary McCall of Caulfield. James was awarded the Military Medal in June 1918 and was Killed in Action on October 4, 1918. James was listed as a postal clerk on his enlistment papers, the Electoral Roll has his occupation as warehouseman and the  Roll of Honour Circular has his occupation as Leather Worker.  The  Roll of Honour Circular was completed by the family, thus you would assume it is correct, and this links him to the tannery industry. I don't know why there are these discrepencies in regard to James' occupation, but as the only other J. McCall on the Roll of Honour is from Dubbo in New South Wales, I believe I have the right man.

James Patterson's Roll of Honour Circular listing his occupation as Leather Worker.

Image: Australian War Memorial https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1068880/document/5578522.PDF

Neale, Henry   (SN 3101) Henry was 19 when he enlisted on July 13, 1915. He was a plasterer, the son of John and Eliza Neale of 18 Sydenham Street in West Footscray. He was part the 14th Infantry Battalion, 10th Reinforcements. Henry was reported as missing on August 8, 1916 and at a Court of Enquiry held in April 1917 it was determined that he was Killed in Action on that date.

Private Henry Neale

Footscray Advertiser May 19, 1917  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/8586925

Henry's short obituary in the Footscray Advertiser, confirms he worked at the tannery - Mr and Mrs J. S. Neale, of 18 Sydenham street, West Footscray, received word on Monday that their son, Pte.Harry Neale, was killed in action France on the 8th of August, 1916. He was previously reported missing. Private Neale enlisted in July, 1915. Previous to enlisting he was employed at the Footscray tannery and was just turned 19 years when he volunteered. Pte. Neale was a member of the Footscray A.N.A. His brother, Pte Alf. Neale, has just returned home after a long illness and nearly two years of active service. (Footscray Advertiser, May 19, 1917, see here)

Ravenstrunck,  Arthur  (SN 1991) Arthur enlisted on June 19, 1915 in 21st Infantry Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements. He was 19 and 9 months years of age, a labourer and his next of kin was his mother, Sarah, of Buxton Street West Footscray.  Arthur was wounded in action (gun shot wound to the head) and died four days later on November 24, 1916. His surname is spelt as Ravenstraunk on the Memorial,  Ravenstrunch at National Archives, Ravensctrunck on the Embarkation Roll and Ravenstrunck on the Nominal Roll and Roll of Honour - which is correct because that is the way Arthur signed his name. He looks very young in the photo below, and that is because he was young, he lied about his age. His brother Clifford completed his Roll of Honour Circular and listed Arthur's age as 16 years and 9 months on enlistment, which meant he was only 18 when he died.

Private Arthur Ravenstrunck

Footscray Advertiser December 16, 1916 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/89109752

Arthur's obituary in the Footscray Advertiser which mentions his employment at Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co.

Footscray Advertiser December 16, 1916 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/89109752

Sarah Ravenstrunck (nee Carmody) died on April 14, 1918 aged 58, she is buried at the Footscray Cemetery. There were reports in the newspapers in 1917 that Sarah had been charged with assault. There had been an altercation between Mrs Ravenstrunck and Mrs Misken. Mrs Misken, who was reported to be of German background, had allegedly insulted her and Mrs Ravenstrunck had fought back, you can read reports here  and  here and here. One interesting thing that comes out of Arthur's obituary is that his brother also enlisted. I cannot find a record of his service under any variation of his surname, however the National Archives has this record - see below.

Clifford Ravenstrunck's alias

National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au

It appears that Clifford had used W. Anderson when he enlisted and I found his record - William Anderson (SN 7) - enlisted December 8, 1914,  in Oaklands, a suburb of Adelaide.  He served in France and then Returned to Australia September 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds in the November (nephritis). Clifford said his address at enlistment was Footscray and his next of kin was his uncle, A. Anderson of Footscray. Why did he enlist under  a false name? Perhaps because of anti-German feeling at the time and perhaps because he, like his brother Arthur, lied about his age. He said he was 21, in reality he had been born in June 1895, so was only 19. Maybe his mother wouldn't give him permission to enlist.

Tognini, William  (SN 16065)  William enlisted on December 11, 1915, in the 17th Reinforcements. He was a 22 year old labourer. He was the son of  James and Elizabeth Tognini,  of the Bridge Hotel, which was located on the corner of Maribyrnong and Wingfield Streets, Footscray. William was Killed in Action on August 21, 1918. His brother Charles, who also served, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct medal (see here)

Report of William Tognini's death

Yarraville Weekly News September 7, 1918  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119683908

.............................................................................................................................

Acknowledgement: Thank you to my friend and research colleague, Isaac Hermann, for taking the photographs of the Memorial for this post.

Footnotes and sources:
(1) Footscray's first 100 years: the story of a great Australian City (City of Footscray, 1959)

(2) Footscray: a pictorial record of the Municipality from 1859 to 1988 (City of Footscray, 1989).  Some of the photos in this book are in Footscray & Yarraville:  a pictorial record (Footscray Historical Society, 2005)  which is still available for purchase from the Historical Society  https://footscrayhistoricalsociety.org.au/




This is an interesting history of the firm - The Michaelis, Hallenstein story 1864 - 1964 one hundred years in leather. It is available as part of the University of Florida digital collection - see  here   - https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00004165/00001

Cliffy Island - lighthouse, Dr Rutter, the Gledhills and the Myrtle Burgess.

At the South Eastern Historical Association meeting held on Sunday, February 9, 2020 at the Hastings Western Port Historical Society, John Woolley gave a talk about the Myrtle Burgess  a wooden, copper sheathed two masted ketch of 71 feet 6 inches, which was built in Hobart in 1917 for Bernie Burgess a member of a cray fishing family of Tasmania who also worked on the Victorian coast. John and Ron Bryant made a model of the boat and it is on display at the Museum in Hastings (corner of Marine Parade and Skinner Streets).

The model of the Myrtle Burgess on display at the Hastings Western Port Historical Society, made by John Woolley and Ron Bryant, 1987-1989. 

Rigging and final touches by Arthur Woodley, 2005.

As John told us, Bernie Burgess died in tragic circumstances on November 3, 1920 off St Helens, having been shot by the police for allegedly sailing to avoid arrest for illegal cray fishing. You can read a report of the Inquest in the Burnie Advocate of November 6, 1920, here. You can read accounts of the trial of Trooper Raymond Smith who was charged with the killing of Mr Burgess in the Hobart Mercury of December 1, 1920 here and the same paper on December 2, here. Trooper Smith was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The Myrtle Burgess had been confiscated by the officials after the shooting but returned to Mr Burgess' widow after intervention by the Tasmanian Premier.

The boat was then purchased by John Ray and skippered by Jimmy Wilson and worked out of
Port Welshpool and Stony Point. In June 1943, the Myrtle Burgess was requisitioned by the Navy and worked in New Guinea where it remained after the War and was last seen in the 1950s eaten out by the Toredo worm. So that's the basic story of the Myrtle Burgess, however John introduced us to two other people - Mrs Gledhill and Dr Rutter. I have taken John's story and added some more information.

Mabel Annie Gledhill, was the wife of the lighthouse keeper, Ernest Bennett Gledhill,  on Cliffy Island, an island to the east of Wilson's Promontory, and in Victorian waters. Cliffy Island, named because if its cliffs (1) is part of Seal or Direction Island Groups, which consist of White Rock, Seal Island, Notch Island and Cliffy Island

Cliffy Island, part of the Seal Island group. The pink symbol represents a light of some sort and Cliffy Island is the light on the right. The chart also shows Wilson's Promontory, the Port Albert entrance and Port Albert, all referred to below. 

Image cropped from: Australia Bass Strait Maritime Chart - Surveyed by Commr. J.L. Stokes and the Officers of H.M.S. Beagle 1839-43, with additions and corrections from Australian Government charts to 1950. (2) State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/127832

Ernest had married Mable (nee Cronk) in England in 1918. After they moved to Australia, we can trace their locations through the Electoral Rolls - 1921 they were in Parkville; 1924 Ernest was the assistant lighthouse keeper at Cape Everard (now called Point Hicks); 1927 they were on Cliffy Island; 1931 - Wilson's Promontory; 1934 - Cliffy Island; 1936 - Cape Nelson near Portland; 1942 - Cape Schanck and also listed at Cape Schanck in the 1949 and 1954 Electoral Rolls, although an article in the Herald  (read here) in 1945 had  a short interview with Mr Gledhill and he was stationed at Wilson's Promontory lighthouse.

Cliffy Island lighthouse - the photo well illustrates the bleak nature of the island and the difficult access. 

The photo is from Bass Strait: Australia's Last Frontier (3).

 Cliffy Island lighthouse was built in 1884 and converted to automatic in 1971 and the buildings destroyed (4).  

It was on their second stint on Cliffy Island that we meet Mrs Gledhill. The Gledhills were on the island with two other men - both light house staff, the wife of one of the men and  a number of children, so there was other female company for Mabel. In February 1934, The Argus had visited Cliffy Island and interviewed the Gledhills. The island was described as three acres in size and a huge granite rock.  The article says - A few months ago a bunch of gum-tips was sent to Mrs. Gledhill, wife of the head keeper at Cliffy. "It was more than six months since I had seen gum," she said. "I was so pleased to see it that I nearly cried. For more than six weeks I kept it in water." But she is content with her lot on the lonely island, though the lack of change is depressing. "We are quite happy here," she says. "There is the wireless and our own work. The only thing wrong is that there is nowhere to walk, nothing to see, and no gardens."  (The Argus, February 17 1934, see here.)

Five months after the interview, Mrs Gledhill took ill and they contacted the Wilson's Promontory lighthouse keeper, Mr H.  Dickson, who then contacted Dr Rutter of Yarram. Dr Rutter engaged the  Myrtle Burgess and they set out for  Cliffy Island, a journey of about twenty miles. This was on Tuesday, July 10 1934 however due to rough weather they couldn't land until the Thursday. Dr Rutter finally saw Mrs Gledhill and she was eventually lowered in a basket to the cliff base, back to the Myrtle Burgess where, accompanied by her husband she was the taken to Port Welshpool and then by car to St Elmo's Private Hospital in Yarram. It was thought that she had appendicitis but it turned out Mrs Gledhill had an abscess on the kidney. The Gledhills were soon after  transferred to Cape Nelson, near Portland. Mable Gledhill died in 1970, aged 78 years old and her husband Ernest, died in 1979 aged 93 years old.

The crew of the Myrtle Burgess who went to Mrs Gledhill's rescue were James Wilson (skipper), Edward Scanlon (mate), Jack Floyd (cook) and two hands, George Swords (18 years old) and Len Norman (17).  Dr. Rutter is himself is a good seaman. He has for many years tended the lighthouse dwellers. (Burnie Advocate, July 13 1934, see here)

Dr John Rutter (1880 - 1944)

The Herald July 13 1934. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243170339

Which brings us to Dr John Hemphill Rutter, who was born in Melbourne in 1880 to John and Elizabeth (nee Hemphill) Rutter. John married Carol Dodgson in 1910 and he served in the First World War in the Army Medical Corps. He died at the relatively young age of 65 in May 1944, having practiced in Yarram for  thirty five years, and left behind his widow, Carol and four children - listed in his obituary as Dr John Rutter (naval surgeon, R.A.N.V.), Joseph (A.I.F., prisoner of war), Elizabeth (W.A.A.A.F.), and Ellen (nursing sister at Yarram District Hospital) (The Argus, May 10 1944, see here)  As a matter of interest Dr Rutter's parents, John and Elizabeth,  had purchased 976 acres of land at Tooradin in 1877; he later had other property, including Moorlands at Tooradin which was operated by his grandson, Joseph, the one who was the Prisoner of War.  Rutter Memorial Park in Tooradin was left to the Tooradin Community by Dr John Hemphill Rutter. (5)

Cliffy Island and lighthouse October 31, 1933. Photographer: Russell Grimwade.

University of Melbourne Archive http://hdl.handle.net/11343/77186

There are reports in the newspapers of two other occasions where Dr Rutter attended the folk on Cliffy Island. On Saturday, February 1 1919 and fire took hold in the lighthouse keepers house and Mr and Mrs Owen were severely  burnt and the house was completely destroyed. Dr Rutter set out on Saturday night but it wasn't until Sunday morning that he could land and attend to Mrs Owen. She was then sent down in a basket to  awaiting surf boat, conveyed to the Lady Loch and lifted up in a derrick and then taken to Melbourne to recover (The Argus February 14, 1919, see here)

The Age of February 14, 1919 also had an account of the rescue of Nellie Owens which came from Mr N. Lockyer, who had been spending time at Yarram - we will just quote some of it to show you the conditions Dr Rutter and the crew faced. They has set out in Dr Rutter's motor launch, a vessel of  around 12 to 15 tons. He had enlisted the assistance of four fishermen - Goodwin Clarke, Charles Goulden, Cyril Robertson and Andrew Robertson - as a crew. The party left the wharf at Port Albert at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, 1st inst. The distance to the entrance is seven miles. The wind had been blowing fresh from the eastward for two days, and a fairly heavy sea was running. There was a heavy sea on the bar, but the boat got out safely, and reached Cliffy Island after dark. ..... It was found quite impossible to effect a landing in the dark, and the state of the sea at that time, even if it were daylight, would have made such an attempt impracticable. The doctor and his crew held off until daylight. It was not possible to sleep, and they experienced a very rough time. At daybreak next morning the sea had slightly moderated, and Dr.  Rutter left the launch in a 12-ft. dinghy, pulled by Charles Goulden, to seek a landing. There is no safe landing place on the island, except in calm weather and at low tide, and then only by means of a crane and cradle. Notwithstanding this, the dinghy was taken close in, and by extreme good fortune, as well as by good management, the doctor, with a box of medical requisites strapped to his shoulders, succeeded in leaping on to the rocks waist deep in water. He scaled the cliffs with difficulty, and on reaching the station one of the men, on seeing a stranger dripping wet, exclaimed, 'Who in the hell are you' ? His astonishment was not lessened when he learned that it was "the doctor". Dr. Rutter did all he could to alleviate the sufferings of Mrs. Nellie Owen, who was severely burned, and attended to her husband, who was similarly injured. (The Age, February 14, 1919, see here)

Dr. Rutter was awarded the bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society for his bravery  and the
four fishermen were awarded certificates.

Cliffy Island October 31, 1933. Photographer: Russell Grimwade. 

It makes you dizzy just looking at it.

University of Melbourne Archives http://hdl.handle.net/11343/77393

In September 1930, Mrs Evelina Myers of Cliffy Island gave birth to a premature baby girl. Sadly Dr Rutter was too late to save the baby but he did save the life of Mrs Myers. After temporary assistance, Dr. Rutter decided to take Mrs. Myers ashore. The plucky woman although in great agony, went stoically through the ordeal. of being lowered 40ft. in a basket to the open boat. She is now in hospital at Yarram. (Gippsland Times, September 22 1930, see here)

These stories show us the perilous life that lighthouse keepers and their families lived and for women, I imagine, it would have been especially isolating. After the publicity of Mrs Gledhill's case there was a letter to the editor of The Argus, signed Sympathy-  It seems to me that a change is necessary with regard to the keepers at this isolated station. I think that single men should operate at the Island, and, further, that they should only be there for a limited time. If the authorities took this step it would relieve the great anxiety we have for the welfare of our womenfolk. (The Argus July 16, 1934, see here)

However, not everyone agreed with with this letter and this was published in response, showing how good conditions were - it was signed 'Here's to the Service'  - In reply to "Sympathy's" letter to-day suggesting the substitution of single men for married men at Cliffy Island, I would like to say, having spent many years in the lighthouse service-two and a half of which were spent on Cliffy Island that it is practically impossible to condemn single men to service there. Unmarried men have never at any time been encouraged In the service. The nature of their duties necessitates that they be properly housed and fed. Commodious, comfortably furnished houses, one for each keeper, are provided. The term spent at such a place rarely exceeds two and a half years, and, as in my own case and that of many others I know, the time may be very happily and profitably spent.

There is a weekly supply steamer, bringing mail and reading, and such fresh provisions as meat, vegetables, &c. A steamer arrives every quarter to deliver the dry goods and lighthouse stores. Goats are kept for milk supply, and fowls can be raised in large numbers. Fresh fish is often obtainable. Under Federal control the service enjoys many privileges unknown in former days, when each State controlled its own coastal lights. Women and children now receive special consideration. Lightkeepers of 30 and 40 years ago suffered far greater hardships than do their present day successors. Cliffy Island had a boat calling only once in six months then. To-day, the public is at last awake to the conditions under which the people of the lighthouse service are living, and is beginning to realise the value of their services to the community. (The Argus, July 21 1934, see here)

I found John Woolley's story of the Myrtle Burgess really interesting and I am glad that he introduced me to the Cliffy Island, Ernest and Mabel Gledhill and Dr John Rutter and Dr Rutter led me to Nellie Owens and Evelina Myers.

Trove list
I have created  a short list of articles on Trove relating to this story - the Myrtle Burgess court case and the stories connected to Mrs Gledhill, Mrs Owens and Mrs Myers. All the articles referred to here are on the list, which you cab access here.

Footnotes
(1) Names of Bass Strait by P. D. Gardner (Ngarak Press, 1996)
(2) Hard to believe that the charts of Bass Strait made by Commander Stokes and the crew of the Beagle from 1839-1843 were still being used, which shows you how accurate their mapping was and how skilled they were. We purchased a chart of Bass Strait  (Eastern Portion) Chart 1695A in June 1989 from Boat Books at 268 St Kilda Road, St Kilda and it was still based on Captain Stokes original chart printed with updates to 1982, and then of course updated to the date of purchase by Boat Books. John Lort Stokes (1812-1885) served on the Beagle for eighteen years, you can read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(3) Bass Strait: Australia's last frontier edited by Stephen Murray-Smith (ABC books, 1987)
(4) From Dawn to Dusk: a history of Australian lighthouses by Gordon Reid (Macmillan, 1988)
(5) Tooradin : 125 years of Coastal history, compiled by John Wells and the Tooradin Celebrate Together Committee (The Committee, 2001)