The Corner House Drapery and the Ordish Timber Yard, Dandenong East

This postcard of Dandenong 'East' shows The Corner House, on the corner of Walker and Langhorne Streets in Dandenong and the premises of E. Ordish, Timber Merchant, in Langhorne Street.  The photograph was taken around 1909. I am not sure of the boundaries of Dandenong East however State School No. 1403 Dandenong was known as Dandenong East from around the 1930s to the 1950s. The school is located on the corner of Foster and New Street. (1)

Postcard of Dandenong 'East' corner of Walker and Langhorne Streets.

The Corner House was a drapery, previously known as The Red House. The Red House, owned by George Dobson, was sold around March 1905 to Joseph Watts, who then held a Startling Clearing Sale. (2)

Startling Clearing Sale at The Red House.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 29, 1905 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66142986

The following advertisements tell the story of  The Corner House. In May 1905, The Red House was renamed The Corner House and it advertised on a regular basis in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal.  Around March 1910, Joseph Watts sold his stock to Wilson brothers, the Big Cash Drapers, of Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. 

The Red House becomes The Corner House.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal May 17, 1905 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66143213 

Advertisement for The Corner House

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, October 7, 1908 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66148406 

Wilson Brothers acquire the stock of The Corner House.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal,  March 2, 1910 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66201406 

Wilson Brothers advertisement

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 24 1909  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66199784 

Who was Joseph Watts?  Joseph Eacott Watts was born in Bristol in England to Joseph and Martha (nee Eacott) Watts.  On July 30, 1873 he married Elizabeth Gittus and they had three children - Elizabeth (1874, died aged 1 month), William Henry (1875, died in Perth in 1937) and Frank Cecil (1877, served in World War One, returned to Australia in 1919 and I have no further information.) Elizabeth's father, Thomas Gittus, was a Councillor at the City of South Melbourne and Mayor in 1893/94. Sadly Elizabeth died, aged only 28, on June 7, 1882 at their home, Clifton Villa, Palmerston Crescent, Albert Park. She was buried in the St Kilda Cemetery, and her parents, Susan and Thomas, were later buried with her. (3).

Less than six months later, the 32 year old James married 22 year old  Elizabeth Charlotte Richardson on November 6, 1882 at the Presbyterian manse in East Melbourne.  She was born in Birmingham, in England, the daughter of William and Mary Anne (nee Newport) Richardson. James and his new wife, Elizabeth had six children - Ida Beatrice (1883, known as Queenie, married Robert Ernest Crooke in 1909 and died 1949), Netta May (1885-1974), Rupert Carlisle (1889-1967), Eric Clarence (1892-1966), Vera Eacott (1896-1989) and Jean Elizabeth (1902, married Frederick Middleton in 1926, died in Adelaide in 1983). (4)

Joseph and Elizabeth were listed in the Electoral Rolls from 1905 until 1934 at 20 Elphin Grove, Hawthorn, except for the 1909 roll where their address was Dandenong, which fits in with the time frame of Watts owning The Corner House drapery. Joseph died January 30, 1937 aged 86 and Elizabeth on November 10, 1952 aged 92 years old. Joseph and Elizabeth are buried at the Booroondara Cemetery, with their daughters Netta and Vera. (5)

 The other business in the photograph was the timber yard of E. Ordish. The first reference I can find of Ordish being in Langhorne Street was from the start of October 1908 when Joseph Watts began advertising The Corner House as being next to Ordish's Timber Yard 

 

The Corner House - next to Ordish's Timber Yard.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, November 11, 1908 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66148572 

The first advertisement for the timber yard in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal was October 21, 1908, where Mr Ordish wishes to notify the public of Dandenong and district that he has opened large and commodious yards. A year later the firm became known as E.& J. Ordish. The brothers, Edgar and John, continued at the yard until at least 1912, but in 1913 J.W. Ordish was advertising as the oldest established Builder and Timber Merchant in and Dandenong. Plans arranged for Schools, Halls, Shops, Villas and all styles Farm Buildings. (6).

The opening of the large and commodious yards

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, October 21 1908 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66148472

J. Ordish joins the business.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, October 6, 1909 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66200820

By 1915 A.C. W. Bailey had taken over the yard.

South Bourke & Mornington Journal, October 21, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66188662

Edgar and John Ordish were brothers, the sons of Thomas and Mary Jane (nee Ward) Ordish. They were both born Dandenong - John Whiting Ordish in 1866 and Edgar in 1870. Edgar was a builder/contractor and John's occupation in the Electoral roll was listed as a labourer and later a timber merchant. (7).

John married Easter Louisa Blackmore in 1889. They had three children - Hazel (1890, married Albert Crump in 1913, and died 1973), Myrtle (1892, married Geoffrey Collins in 1940 and died 1949 ) and Frank (1895-1897). On January 15, 1915 John enlisted in the A.I.F. He said he was 44 years old, in reality he was nearly 50. John served in the Middle East but was sent home after a time in hospital due to an internal derangement of knee and discharged in July 1916. John died on August 26, 1922 at his home in Beena Avenue, Murrumbeena, aged 55. Easter died On June 12, 1946, aged 87. (8)

Easter Ordish's obituary.

Dandenong Journal, June 12, 1946 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214794040

Edgar married Jemima Lillian Anderson in 1901. They had the one son, John 'Jack' in 1904. Edgar died on May 10, 1936 at his home 42 Scott Street, Dandenong. Jemima died on July 2,  1942, aged 71. Jack married Myra Vizard in the Dandenong Methodist Church on November 23, 1935. (9)

Edgar Ordish's obituary

Dandenong Journal, May 14, 1936 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214739599 

Given the opening of Edgar Ordish's timber yard in Langhorne Street was in October 1908  and the sale of Joseph Watt's The Corner House business was  in March 1910, I believe we can safely date the photograph on this postcard to 1909 or a few months either side. 

There is one more element of the postcard - the sender and the addressee. The sender was possibly a Jane, I can't really decipher it. It was sent to Miss Lizzie Hawking, Kogan, Queensland. Kogan is a town west of Dalby and south of Chinchilla. I currently have no other information about Lizzie. 

The back of the postcard

Footnotes

(1) References to Dandenong East School - Dandenong Journal, December 25, 1930, see here; Dandenong Journal, May 21 1941, see here; Dandenong Journal, January 9, 1952, see here.

(2) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 14, 1904, see here.

(3) Watts/Richardson wedding certificate; Watts/Gittus marriage The Argus, August 12, 1873, see here; Indexes to Victorian and West Australian Births, Deaths and Marriages; First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 -  National Archives of Australia; Daley, Charles The History of South Melbourne (Robertson & Mullens, 1940); Elizabeth's death notice The Age June 8, 1882, see here and funeral notice The Argus, June 8, 1882, see here; St Kilda Cemetery records on Ancestry.com.

(4) Watts/Richardson wedding certificate; Indexes to Victorian and South Australian Births, Deaths and Marriages.

(5) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Joseph death notice The Argus, February 1, 1937, see here; Elizabth death notice The Argus, November 11, 1952, see here; Booroondara Cemetery   https://boroondaracemetery.com.au/

(6) Advertisements in South Bourke & Mornington Journal on Trove; J.W. Ordish advertisement South Bourke & Mornington Journal, April 3 1913, see here.

(7) Indexes to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com.

(8)  Indexes to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 -  National Archives of Australia; John death notice The Argus, August 29, 1922,  see here ; Easter's obituary Dandenong Journal, June 12, 1946, see here. 

(9) Indexes to Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Edgar death notice  The Argus, May 11 1936, see here; Jemima obituary Dandenong Journal, July 8 1942, see here. Ordish/Vizard wedding Dandenong Journal, December 5, 1935, see here.

Miss Beatrice Thomas - Berwick Shire Secretary

The Dandenong Journal reported on January 23, 1952 (1) that Miss Beatrice (Trixie) Thomas had been appointed as the Berwick Shire Secretary. Miss Thomas had been employed by the Shire for 27 years and had been acting as the Assistant Secretary for 'some time.'  She was the daughter of Albert Thomas, who founded  the Berwick Shire News, later the Pakenham Gazette in 1909 and the sister of Herb Thomas, who took over the paper from his father. As a matter of interest, Beatrice Evelyn Victoria Thomas was born on January 22, 1901, the same day Queen Victoria died, so not surprising she has Victoria in her name. She died on February 10, 1997. (2)

Miss Thomas followed Mr K. A. McKay in the role, who had served  for four years and resigned in December 1951. Keith McKay had taken over from the long serving James Joseph Ahern who was in the role from 1906 until he retired December 1947. (3)

Miss Thomas' appointment.

Dandenong Journal January 23 1952  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222356811

Clearly, Miss Thomas was well qualified for the position,  however the Returned Soldiers League (RSL) and the Pakenham Upper Progress Association protested against the appointment as the newspaper article from the Dandenong Journal of  February 27, 1952 reported (see below). I have transcribed the article as it gives the rationale for the appointment of Miss Thomas and the support she had from the Councillors. 

Miss Thomas' appointment challenged

Dandenong Journal, February 27, 1952   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222357570

Shire Challenged On Failure To Give Preference To Returned Servicemen. “Appointment of Secretary made in best interests of Ratepayers" it replies.

Challenged from two quarters over its failure to give preference to returned servicemen in its recent appointment of a new Shire Secretary, Berwick Shire Council last week replied that the appointment had been made in the best interests of returned soldiers. Chief defendant of council’s action was Cr. C. Greaves, himself a returned man, who said he was very happy over the appointment, but he did compliment the two organisations who had raised the matter, because it showed their vigilance - and vigilance was necessary if preference was to be preserved.

Emphatic Protest - Pakenham Upper Progress Association forwarded an emphatic protest against the departure from the principle of preference to ex-servicemen in the appointment of Shire Secretary.

R.S.L. asks for reasons - Pakenham Branch R.S.L. asked that council inform them of its reasons for departure from the established policy of extending preference to returned service men in the recent appointment. Members of the branch desired to know how many returned service men made application for the position, and, if any, what were their qualifications and experience in municipal administration.

Cr. Kinsella said that both organisations were entitled to a courteous reply. He thought they should be informed that council had been out to obtain the best service it could for the rate payers - and preference was always qualified by “other qualifications being equal.”

“Both bodies are entitled to a full explanation”. Cr. Greaves declared. “Among the returned soldier applicants were none known to us. Had there been a returned soldier applicant in the office with the necessary qualifications he would have got the job. ... I was not prepared to put a stranger into such an important position, especially at this stage. A few years ago this shire was the envy of every shire in the State, but since then we have drifted into financial morass and our present position is causing all of us a lot of concern. Our rates are high and those who are paying rates on broad acres are almost desperate. We had to appoint somebody who was not only capable but willing to economise. Miss Thomas has grown up in the right tradition. She has been 27 years in this office and she knows, as we know, that we have to practice economies. ... I am very happy about her appointment and in congratulating her on getting the position I would also like to congratulate her on the way she has carried out the business of the meeting today. . .I would also like to congratulate the two organisations who have asked this council for an explanation of its action. I think they are entitled to a full explanation. It is now seven years since the last war ended and the further away it recedes the less consideration will be given to returned men. I am afraid a lot regard preference as a penalty against the non - returned soldier. That is quite wrong. It is a just reward to those who suffered physically and mentally on war service. ... It has been remarked at this table today that preference only applies “other things being equal.” I must nail that! That is wrong - there is nothing in the  Act about that. Other things can’t be equal. We have in this council as good a proportion of returned soldiers as in any other council in the State. To be perfectly honest we are not always loyal to our comrades and the principles they stand for. It is necessary that these bodies should be vigilant, as public men are apt to forget and we need constant prodding to remind us of our duty. If Cr. Kinsella moves his motion I will second it.”

Cr. Kinsella said he didn’t want to make a motion of it. His approach, to the appointment had been to gain the best service for the ratepayers of the shire. “Although I sought it, I didn’t have the privilege of carrying arms for my country”, he added, “but my family has been well in it and I claim to have a fair inside knowledge of the feelings of a family that has had active service.

“Despite that, be I right or wrong, service to our rate payers and the efficient handling of their business is my main concern. You all know what my attitude was four years ago, and the past four years have justified my attitude then. If there had been anybody among the Returned Servicemen applicants who measured up to what I know this jobs takes, I would have considered them, but I think we did the right thing.” 

“I feel very strongly on this”, put in Cr. T. Houlihan. “Preference to returned soldiers is something I’ve come up against ever since I returned from the First World War. I found on more than one occasion that preference was always given when it was pick and shovel work, but not when there were administrative posts to be filled. I know in my case, and in others that preference hasn’t been given to returned soldiers when all other things have been equal. The League is doing nothing more than it should do in asking for an explanation. 

"I've listened to this issue for the last 30 years”, declared Cr. C. Harris, another returned man.. . . “I've fought for it for years, but in this case I seconded Cr. Kinsella's motion for the appointment of Miss Thomas. I still say we did the right thing and I’m sticking to my guns. If  they want a thorough explanation I’ll go along and explain the position fully.”

Cr. Rae : Their main query is that we got away from the minute we put on our books in 1941. Finally council, on the motion of Crs Kinsella and Greaves, resolved. “That though we appreciate the enquiries of both organisations we wish to state that the appointment made was made, in our opinion, in the best interests of ratepayers." (4)

Of the Councillors mentioned in the report, Cr Dan Kinsella had lost his brother in World War One. Bertram Kinsella as Killed in Action on September 25, 1917. His other brother, Norman, had also served. Cr Kinsella's sisters were both nurses - Kathleen did not survive the sinking of the Vyner Brooke in February 1942; Nancie served in the Middle East and then nursed the survivors of the Belsen Concentration camp.  Cr Thomas Francis Houlihan and Cr Claud Alfred Harris also served in the Great War. (5)

 

Dandenong Journal,  March 26 1952, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222358110

One month later, the R.S.L. requested more information from the Council about the appointment. Once again, the  Dandenong Journal  reported  - this is an abridged version of the report, read the full report here.

Pakenham R.S.L. Persists in Preference Probe 

Feeling that the Berwick Council had not given the information it asked for at its last meeting over 
the appointment of a non-returned service secretary, Pakenham R.S.L. last week repeated its request for this information: “How many returned servicemen applied for the position? What were their qualifications?”, it asked. It is getting the information it sought, but not before several brushes between councillors not over any desire to withhold the information but over the claim of some councillors that they had been in favor of giving the information in the first place, but couldn’t get support. This was challenged.

Cr Houlihan said he felt the R.S.L. was entitled to this information. Their purpose was to watch the interests of the returned servicemen and they couldn’t do this unless they had the information. When the advertisement appeared one clause in it was “Preference to Returned Soldiers.” There were 22 applicants for the position, but no one outside the committee of the council knew whether any returned soldier was included or not. Pakenham R.S.L., had been placed in a very awkward position. They were responsible to the League to see that preference was given to returned soldiers in their district. “They do know” proceeded Cr. Houlihan, "that the secretary who was appointed is not a returned soldier although our advertisement stated that preference would be given to returned soldiers. And while I’m in this council I hope to see that preference is given to returned servicemen, or an opinion voiced in support of that policy. ... I feel that the branch is entitled to this information so that they can take proper action. Cr. Houlihan moved that the information be supplied.

Seconding this motion, Cr. Greaves claimed that he had tried to get a more adequate reply in the first place.

There was some support for Miss Thomas - Cr. Kinsella said - I feel this matter has gone far enough. I came to this council table with one purpose only - and that is to get the best service possible for the ratepayers. I took the action in moving as I did in furtherance of that policy and I was supported by 10 councillors. I have nothing against telling the R.S.L. what it wants to know. Certainly tell them. I would say that ’when the position became vacant we should have appointed Miss Thomas there and then if that was our intention. We can’t appoint a member of the staff unless it is unanimous'. 'I may-be wrong', proceeded Cr. Kinsella, but I believe that for a returned soldier to serve this council he would have to have qualities at least equal with one who has given this council long and loyal service and who has nothing against them. I would always support the appointment of one whom I believe, rightly or wrongly, has served this shire well. ... I do object to councillors now getting up and saying they said things they definitely did not say when this matter first came before council. (6)

The controversy was still raging a month later when the Dandenong Journal conducted  a 'vox pop' on the issue.

The man in the street was asked their opinion

Dandenong Journal,  April 22 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23175326

Berwick Shire appointment is job for man, they say

The dispute that has thrown Berwick and Pakenham into two camps - whether Miss Beatrice Thomas should be Shire Secretary was settled at the Berwick Shire Council meeting yesterday. But the result is a closely guarded secret. Cr. A. G. Robinson, Shire President, said 'Miss Thomas's appointment was made with the full approval of council'

Mr. Vernon Clark, Pakenham R. S. L. branch honorary secretary,who wants an ex-serviceman appointed, was not admitted to the meeting. Mr Clark will seek the advice of a Queen's Counsel on whether the Council violated it's agreement to grant preference to returned servicemen.

Shire residents yesterday supported Mr Clark's protest.

Mr. L. C. Futcher, Pakenham shopkeeper, said: 'Rejection of the promises made to returned servicemen is a thing that should be stopped before it spreads to other Councils and other employees'.

Miss Alma Lang of Berwick: 'I have two brothers who went right through the War, so I'll always stick up for servicemen'.

Miss Joyce Berry, cook, at Berwick Hospital: 'How can we expect men to join up for the next War if those who fought in the last one aren't given a fair go'.

Misses Evande Trebilen and Pat Fritzlaff, Berwick dressmakers: 'The Shire Secretary's job is a man's job whether he's a returned soldier or not'. (7)

Counterblast to the R.S.L.

Dandenong Journal,  May 21, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222359127

The Dandenong Journal of May 21, 1952 published another article on the issue, this time reporting on some support Miss Thomas was receiving from a number of high profile women's groups.

Women Rally to Defence of Berwick's Shire Secretary. Counterblast To R.S.L.'s Protest.

The women are not taking the R.S.L’s. protest against the appointment of Miss Beatrice Thomas, as Berwick Shire Secretary in preference to an ex-serviceman, lying down. At Monday’s meeting, no less than five letters were received by council, congratulating it on having appointed Miss Thomas, and urging it to stand its ground.

The National Council of Women wrote: "We desire to express to the President and the members of council our appreciation of your action in not allowing any discrimination on the grounds of sex to 
prevent you from appointing the most suitable applicant for the position".

Dr Janet P. Cooper of Albert Park, wrote: "Having read of your selecting Miss Thomas as Shire Secretary, I am pleased to congratulate you on recognising her service and ability. While fully appreciating and remembering what we all owe to the ex-service people, there are situations when the ratepayers are entitled to the most efficient service".

"The League of Women Voters of Victoria congratulate your Shire Council on having appointed as Shire Secretary, your very experienced officer, Miss Thomas’ wrote the president of that organisation. 'The officers and members hope that, in spite of any protests that may be made you will continue to employ Miss Thomas in that position, and to enjoy her services, which after 25 years experience, must be entirely adequate".

Expressing concern at the press statement made by an R.S.L. representative, 'That we will oppose the appointment of a woman as Shire Secretary", the Women’s Christian Temperance Union of Victoria, wrote: "We feel that the appointment would not have been made unless the council is assured that the best interests of the shire would be served by this officer, and trust that your council will adhere to the decision to make qualifications rather than sex, or other issues the basis of the appointment".

Voicing their congratulations on the appointment the Business Professional Women’s Club of Melbourne stated: 'This club considers that in the interests of the community, appointments should made having regard only for the ability and experience of the candidates, and without discrimination because of sex". (8)

Berwick Shire Council, 1965, including Miss Thomas.

Image: From Syd Pargeter (second from right, middle row), Casey Cardinia Libraries.

So what happened in the end? Miss Thomas retained her appointment and served the Shire of Berwick until she retired in  January 1966.

The retirement dinner for Miss Thomas.

Miss Thomas, outside the headquarters of  Historical Society, 1980s.

Image: Shire of Pakenham photographer

Miss Thomas was an inaugural member of the Historical Society of the Berwick Shire, formed in 1962 (now called the Berwick Pakenham Historical Society) - this is the original headquarters in John Street, Pakenham, built on land donated in 1965, by Les Futcher, who was one of the locals who opposed Miss Thomas' appointment as Shire Secretary in 1952 (see 'vox pop' article, above). Mr Futcher was also an original member of the Historical Society. (9).

I first wrote this post in July 2017 for my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past, but as Miss Thomas is in the news again, I thought I would update and republish it here.  There is a new housing estate between Pakenham and Nar Nar Goon and the Cardinia Shire is looking for a name and I suggested it be named after Miss Thomas. Her name has been short-listed and the Pakenham Gazette published the following in their April 10, 2024 edition.

Pakenham Gazette, April 10, 2024, p.4.

To be honest, I think others suggested the name as well, but Corey Everitt, the journalist, gave me the credit! I will let you know what the result is. 

PS - at the Cardinia Shire Council meeting held on on Monday, July 15 2024 it was announced that the new suburb would be called Honora. Honora (nee Ryan) and Michael Carney took up land between Pakenham and Nar Nar Goon in 1869. They had married in 1861 and their children were Ellen (born 1862), Alice (1864), John (1866), Johanna (1868), William (1871), Mary Ann (1873) and Thomas (1879). After Michael died in 1880, aged 55, Honora continued to operate the family farm until her death on November 7, 1912, at her property Alpine View, the age of 77. There are still many descendants of the family in the area.

Footnotes

(1) Dandenong Journal January 23 1952, see here.  

(2) Headstone, Pakenham Cemetery   https://www.australiancemeteries.com.au/vic/cardinia/pakenham.htm

(3) In the Wake of the Pack Tracks:  a history of the Shire of Berwick (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, 1982)

(4) Dandenong Journal, February 27, 1952, see here.  

(5) Nancie and Kathleen Kinsella - https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/12/nancie-and-kathleen-kinsella.html

(6) Dandenong Journal,  March 26 1952, see here. 

(7) Dandenong Journal,  April 22 1952, see here.  

(8) Dandenong Journal,  May 21, 1952, see here.  

(9)  In the Wake of the Pack Tracks:  a history of the Shire of Berwick, op. cit and https://bphs.com.au/about-us 

Lyndhurst - a short history

Lyndhurst, part of the old Shire of Cranbourne, was a small township centred mainly on the Dandenong-Hastings Road, between Cranbourne and Dandenong. The town was proclaimed on February 18, 1861 and was named after Lord Lyndhurst (1772-1863), Lord Chancellor of England. There was for a time  a Lyndhurst South, as Skye was known by that name from 1894 until 1964. A murder in the area in 1894 had brought unwelcome attention to Skye and local residents had the name changed. The suburb of Lynbrook, registered as a place name in January 2001, was developed on land which was originally part of Lyndhurst. (1).

Some of the  first Europeans in the Lyndhurst area were the Wedge Brothers, Charles, Henry and John. They had arrived in Tasmania with their parents, Edward Davey and Lucy (nee King) Wedge. The family moved to Victoria in the 1830s and took up land at Werribee. Sadly, in May 1852 Edward, aged 76, Lucy, 64 and their daughter, Lucy, aged 45 were drowned when the Werribee River flooded. Another son, Richard, survived the flood. Edward was the brother of John Helder Wedge, a surveyor.  (2)

Charles, Henry and John leased Banyan Waterholes or Ballymarang and also called Bangam (hence the name Bangholme) from around 1839.  The run covered the area from around Dandenong to Frankston and was 42 square miles or 10,000 hectares. The held the land until 1852, when it was subdivided - Charles took the Banyan section and John and Henry the Ballymarang section. (3)  

Charles married Fannie Bethia Wright on July 21, 1852 and died in Malvern on  November 25, 1895 aged 86 (4).  John married Mary Wedge Darke on May 29, 1867. Mary was the daughter of William Darke, the Government Surveyer of New South Wales. John died in Queensland on April 29, 1883, aged 74.  They had a property called Johnswood at Lyndhurst and he was an original member of the Cranbourne Road Board, which was established in 1860 and an original Committee member of the Mornington Farmers' Society (5).   Henry Wedge married Mercy Rossiter in 1852. You can read about the Rossiter family, here.  Henry died on December 29, 1866 at the age of 47, at Ballymarang, the cause of death was 'measles and inflammation of the lungs' according to the death notice in the The Argus. (6). Richard had died in Sale on March 16, 1870, aged 56. (7).  

This map shows Banyan Waterholes/Ballymarang and the the other squatting runs 

around Western Port. Click on image to enlarge.

This map is taken from The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire by Niel Gunson, 

published by the Shire of Cranbourne in 1968.

Other early squatters in the area were the Ruffy Brothers. The Ruffy Brothers squatted on the Tomaque run, after having arrived from Tasmania in 1836 (though some sources say they left Tasmania in March 1837). Tomaque was situated between Dandenong and Cranbourne. The brothers had Tomaque until 1850, however in the 1840s they also took up the Mayune Run of 32,000 acres. Mayune was situated around what is now the town of Cranbourne. I have written about the Ruffy Brothers, here. 

Niel Gunson, in his book The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire notes that from the 1850s other settlers arrived in Lyndhurst. They included Alexander Norquay, Alexander Dunlop, George Bird, George and Frederick Hall (Hall Road was named after Frederick) , John Close, Donald and Alexander McClelland, George Howard, James Sime,  John Donnelly, Richard Gray and Frederick Sparks. (8). Community facilities developed - the post office opened in  January 1867 and closed in 1976. (9). In December 1854 an Anglican School opened at Lyndhurst, with 22 pupils on the roll. By 1861, the school population had increased to 86. A Catholic School, opened in 1856 in a fairly basic building, as the floor was made of sand, this school became the Lyndhurst Common School in 1865 and the Lyndhurst State School, No. 163, in 1873. It closed in March 1888. Another school at Lyndhurst operated from 1863 to 1869, closed for three years and then re-opened in 1873 as Lyndhurst No. 732. This school was known for  a time as Bald Hill State School and closed on February 26, 1980. The school building is still there but is now residential. (10)

A report of the Lyndhurst School closure - from the Koo Wee Rup Sun, April 1, 1980, p. 8.

Casey Cardinia Libraries collection.

Use of the name Bald Hill School for Lyndhurst school.

The Argus July 26, 1866 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5768890

As is usual in most towns a hotel is established early on and around 1871 Richard Taylor (1825 - 1912) opened his hotel, Taylor’s Half Way House. Richard was born in England and after arriving in Victoria, he spent time on the golf fields and then working in Melbourne, after which -

he took up the land at Lyndhurst, comprising 156 acres, upon which he has since resided, and on which stands the familiar house of call. Mr Taylor found good brick clay on his property, and by his own energy he excavated a clay hole, and after getting some little assistance in moulding bricks, he built with his own hands the Half-way House, and built it well and faithfully too, the work taking him two years. This was in the early seventies, and Mr Taylor obtained a publican's licence which he retained until the time of his death. (11). The Hotel was demolished in the 1960s (12) 

Taylor's Half-Way House Hotel

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

Richard had arrived in Victoria in 1854 and his wife wife Sidonia (c.1824-1865) and children Elizabeth (c.1852-1941, married Alexander Cairns in 1887) and Charles (c.1853-1857) arrived in 1857. Another three children were born in Victoria, Richard Charles (1858-1861), George Henry (1862-1907) and Walter (1865-1866). (13) The family, sadly is a typical example of the high infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate of the Victorian era - with little Charles dying the year he arrived in Victoria, little Richard dying at about 3 years old, little Walter dying at about one year old and their mother, Sidonia, dying the same year she gave birth to Walter.

An advertisement for the Half-Way House, 1877.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal September 12, 1877, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70010277

The Half-Way Hotel, taken in the early 1960s, when it was being used as a house.

Image: National Trust citation - https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/113052

Lyndhurst once had a Memorial Hall, built in 1921 and destroyed by fire on January 25, 1944. I have written about the Lyndhurst Memorial Hall, here. I have also researched all the Great War soldiers from Lyndhurst, you can read here. There is also a Presbyterian Church in Lyndhurst. The first mention I can find of it is 1886. I cannot find any reference to when it was officially opened or when the existing church was erected. I have created a list of articles on the Church on Trove; you can access it here.

For some people, the name Lyndhurst is synonymous with the ABC shortwave radio station. This was established in 1928 on the hill on the triangle of land formed by the intersection of the  South Gippsland Highway and Hallam Road. As the Radio Heritage website notes - 

This experimental transmitter was constructed by Post Office engineers and it emitted just 600 watts, usually on the 31 metre band frequency 9580 kHz. The broadcast callsign was VK3LR though when the transmitter was on the air with experimental transmissions, the callsign was VK3X. 

The post continues - In 1934, a new and substantial building was erected on the same property at Lyndhurst to house the shortwave transmitter which was rebuilt for the occasion. On March 12, transmitter VLR was re-activated with a regular relay for outback areas using a composite program format from 3LO & 3AR.

It was in December 1936 that a regular bulletin of news in the French language was introduced for listeners in the French islands in the Pacific, and in December 1937, the experimental callsign, VK3LR was regularized to VLR.

Right at the end of the year 1939, shortwave VLR was taken into the inaugural service of “Australia Calling” and it continued in use with a relay of the programming of Radio Australia until the 10 kW VLG was inaugurated on June 21 1941. From this time onwards, VLR was in use only for the ABC National Service with programming for the benefit of isolated listeners in the outback areas of Australia...........the ABC shortwave service from VLR was declared redundant and it was closed at 1402 UTC on Friday June 12 1987, at the end of nearly 60 years of international on-air radio coverage. (14)

Lyndhurst Station

Image: The Great Southern Railway: the illustrated history of the building of the line in South Gippsland by Keith Macrae Bowden  (Australian Railway Historical Association, 1970).

Lyndhurst also had a Railway Station on the west side of Lyndhurst Road (also called Dandenong Hastings Road and Western Port Highway), near Bayliss Road, which opened  October 1, 1888. It was on the Great Southern line that went all the way to Port Albert.  The South Gippsland Railway line now stops at Cranbourne. I have written about this line, here.  Passenger services beyond Dandenong ceased in June 1981 but goods services continued to operate. In 1992, the goods trains ceased and this is when the line beyond Leongatha was taken up. The passenger service was reinstated on December 9, 1984 and continued to run until July 23, 1993. Trains returned between Dandenong and Cranbourne when the line was electrified in March 1995.  Lyndhurst Station is no more, although it was used from 1979 until 2009 for cement; two large silos had been erected there in  1979. Lynbrook Station opened April 22,  2012, it is 500 metres south of the original Lyndhurst Station. (15).

This classic photo of Lyndhurst shows the Lyndhurst store in the background. 

It was taken by Peter Enlund on October 23, 1977. 

Source: Victorian Railways Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/383290015105229/

This photo -  I was told by a long-term Cranbourne resident the late Mrs Val Bourke - is of Lyndhurst taken in 1960s - with the general store on the right. 

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

One of the early European settlers in the area as we said before were Alexander Norquay (1813-1890) and his wife Barbara (nee Cromarty c.1815-1891) who migrated in 1852 from the Orkney Islands in Scotland. They came out with three children - William (born c.1836), Mary (c.1842) and John (c.1848) and had two more children in Victoria, James (1856) and Anna Bella (1857).  William, was a member of the Cranbourne Road Board from 1863 to 1864 and 1866 to 1868. William and his wife, Susanna Vessey (they married in 1865) farmed at Lang Lang and Koo Wee Rup after leaving Lyndhurst. Mary married Anthony Northey Facey in 1866; he was the Cranbourne Shire Secretary from 1884 to 1909 and Shire Engineer from 1909 to 1912. John married Lydia Carter in 1878.  James married Margaret Elizabeth MacPherson  in 1881 - their son Walter James was Killed in Action in Belgium on October 13, 1917. Anna Bella married William James Brown in 1884 (16).

The Norquay family have left behind a wonderful reminder of their presence in the form of the Morteon Bay fig tree  which is located in Figtree Walk at Lyndhurst. This tree was thought to have been planted by John Norquay, in the 1880s or 1890s. 

Moreton Bay fig planted by the Norquay family and a later farm house which was demolished in 2003. Photograph taken in 1966.

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

Norquay family house taken in 1966, demolished in 2003.

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

The original Norquay house - the photo was taken in 1966.  

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

Exterior shot of the original Norquay house, taken in 1966. What a classic photo!

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

Footnotes

(1) Gazetted - Victorian Government Gazette, February 25, 1861   https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1861/V/general/29-a.pdf ; Lord Lyndhurst - Blake, Les Place Names of Victoria (Rigby, 1977); The murder case was presumably the case involving the Chrozier (also called Chrosier)  family - Janet and her three daughters - Jane, Janet and Margaret, charged with the murder of  Margaret's illegitimate daughter on November 7, 1894. They were all acquitted - see report in The Argus of December 21, 1894, here. The changed name from Lyndhurst South to Skye -

Lyndhurst South officially becomes Skye on July 28, 1964.
Victoria Government Gazette August 5, 1964.

 https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1964/V/general/70.pdf

 Lynbrook - registered as a name  - Victorian Government Gazette, January 11, 2001   https://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2001/GG2001G002.pdf

Victorian Government Gazette, January 11, 2001  

 https://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2001/GG2001G002.pdf

(2) Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (Shire of Cranbourne, 1968), p. 34; Flood report - The Geelong Advertiser, May 25, 1852,  see here; John Helder Wedge  https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wedge-john-helder-2778

(3) Gunson, op. cit, pp 34 and 52.

(4) Charles Wedge -  Marriage notice, The Argus, July 24, 1854, see here; Death notice, Prahran Telegraph, December 7, 1895, see here.

(5) John Wedge - Marriage notice, The Argus, June 4, 1867, see here; Death notice - Maryborough Chronicle, May 1, 1883, see here; Gunson, op. cit. passim.

(6) Henry Wedge - Death notice The Argus, December 31, 1866, see here.

(7) Richard Wedge -  Death notice - The Argus, April 2, 1870, see here.

(8) Gunson, op. cit., p. 59.

(9) Post Office - The Argus, December 21, 1866, see here; closure - https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/lyndhurst

(10) Gunson, op. cit., pp. 61-62; Vision and Realisation : a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. (Education Department of Victoria, 1973)

(11) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, September 12, 1912, see here.

(12) Demolition of Hotel - I wrote this story originally in 2008, I had the date as 1966, but I no longer know where that date came from. The National Trust lists the demolition date as after 1963 - https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/113052 

(13) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District researched and published by the Narre Warren & District Family History Group in 2010

(14) Radio Heritage website - https://www.radioheritage.com/vlr-lyndhurst-anniversary/

(15) https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-south-gippsland-railway-line.html and VicSig website https://vicsig.net/infrastructure/location/Lynbrook  Lyndhurst Cement silos - erected 1979 - Koo Wee Rup Sun, June 26, 1979, p. 9.

(16) Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District, op. cit., Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Family notices in the newspapers.

A version of this post, which I wrote and researched in 2008, appeared on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to Our Past.

Robinson's Grocery Store at Pakenham

If you grew up in Pakenham or shopped at Pakenham in the 1950s to 1980s then chances are that you would have shopped at Robinson's Grocery shop or Robinson's 4 Square or Robinson's SSW -  so this is a look at the history of Robinsons in Pakenham, who took over the McAfee Brothers' business.

McAfee Brothers' Store, Main Street, Pakenham, c. 1910, later Robinsons.

Image: Not sure where this came from originally.

Stanley Clarke Robinson was born in 1891 to Edward Walton and Emma (nee Basham) Robinson. In the 1914 Electoral Rolls they are listed at Leongatha - Edward is a ‘boot dealer’, Emma, home duties and Stanley is listed as a grocer. In 1914, Stanley married Mary Ellen Knox. They had five children and sadly their two daughters died young and a son was killed in World War Two. The children were -  Errol Gordon (1916-1989);  Nancy Mary (1918-1924, aged 5); Joan (1922, died aged one day old); Jack Stanley (1924-1945) and Alan Edward (1927-2011) (1)

In 1924, the Electoral rolls show they were still at Leongatha  - he was grocer and Mary Ellen’s occupation was Home duties but in 1925 they are both listed at Main Street, Pakenham East, as it was known at the time (2).

We can fairly accurately pinpoint when they arrived in Pakenham in 1925 by a series of advertisements in the Pakenham Gazette.  

Pakenham Gazette March 27, 1925, p. 2.

In the March 27, 1925 issue we have the McAfee Bros advertisement as usual. I have written about Patrick O'Halloran, whose advertisement appears above McAfee's, here. 

Pakenham Gazette April 3, 1925, p. 2.

The next week, April 3, 1925 we have this intriguing ad – ‘Watch this space’

Pakenham Gazette April 10, 1925, p. 2.

One week later, April 10 1925, we see that S.C. Robinson has taken over McAfee Brothers and he is advertising ‘The House for Good Value’ - grocery, drapery, boots and shoes, produce and ironmongery.

 

Mr Robinson takes over from McAfee Brothers

 Pakenham Gazette April 3,  1925, p. 3.

A small article from the Pakenham Gazette of April 3 1925 confirms the purchase, even though the information about Mr Robinson being ‘late of Sunbury’ does not tally with the Electoral Rolls, however is confirmed by his obituary in the Pakenham Gazette in 1957, which is published below.

Shire of Berwick Rate Books, 1948/1949. Click on image to enlarge.

The Shire of  Berwick Rate Books (see above) show that Stanley Robinson leased a shop, grain store and house from David McAfee (or family members) from 1925 until 1949. In 1949 the properties were purchased in the names of Stanley, Mary Ellen and Errol Robinson.

The new Gift Shop

Pakenham Gazette,  June 19, 1953, p. 3

S.C. Robinson operated as a general store keeper and in June 1953 (3) he expanded to include a gift shop.   

Another advertisement for S.C. Robinson

Pakenham Gazette October 16, 1953, p. 10

In October 1953,  E.G. Robinson and A.E. Robinson advertised that they are taking over the General Store which had been conducted by their parents for the past twenty years. Stanley continued operating the Gift Shop.

Errol and Alan take over the business from their parents

Pakenham Gazette, October 30 1953, p. 10

E.G & A. E. Robinson, General Merchants

Pakenham Gazette, January 14, 1955, p. 10

Blinds at city prices at Robinsons.

Pakenham Gazette, August 9, 1957, p. 10

In the Pakenham Gazette of October 24, 1958, E.G and A.E Robinson advertise themselves for the first time as a 4 Square Grocery Shop. 

Now a 4 Square Grocery Store

Pakenham Gazette, October 24, 1958, p. 10.

In the May 15, 1968 Koo Wee Rup Sun, Robinsons announce they were becoming an SSW Store. 

Robinsons become an SSW

Koo Wee Rup Sun, May 15, 1968 p. 5.

Robinsons SSW Store, late 1970/early 1980s

Shire of Pakenham photographer

Robinsons SSW Store, late 1970/early 1980s. The two storey brown brick building, on the right,  is the Pakenham Hotel.

Shire of Pakenham photographer

Robinsons SSW Store, late 1970/early 1980s. The white building on the right is the Post Office. I have written about the Post Office, here. 

Shire of Pakenham photographer

Robinson's SSW Supermarket was later taken over by Safeways, which operated for a time in the Main Street building,  but moved to its new building behind Main Street around 1984 (4).  This was the beginning, in my mind, of Pakenham's transition from being a country town to a suburb, when people no longer did all their shopping at small, independently owned businesses in the Main Street.

Back to Stanley Robinson who started it all. Stanley died on September 19, 1957. This is his obituary from the Pakenham Gazette (5) -
With feelings of the deepest regret we record the death of Mr. Stanley Clarke Robinson, who for thirty-two years has played a leading part in the business and public life of Pakenham. Mr. Robinson who was 66 years of age, had not enjoyed good health for some months and over the past few weeks he became more seriously ill. He passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning. The heartfelt sympathy of the whole community goes out to his wife and two sons (Errol and Alan), and his sister (Mrs Williams of Kongwak) at this sad time.

Mr. Robinson was born at North Brighton and as a boy of two went with his parents to Korumburra. He spent his early life there and at Leongatha, later moving to Sunbury. In 1925, with his wife and family, he came to Pakenham, taking over the general store which is now conducted by his two sons. Apart from a short period when he was at Frankston, Mr. Robinson continued to conduct his business until a few years ago, when he retired, keeping on as an interest a gift shop on an adjoining property.

Over all these years he won for himself a reputation for integrity and straight dealing. Although his business interests allowed him little time for an active part in public affairs, he yet found time to give assistance to many organizations and he was most liberal in his patronage.

For many years he was a member of the Board of Management of Pakenham Presbyterian Church. He was also actively associated with the Masonic Lodge.

No one will ever know the full extent of the good work done by Mr. Robinson, for he delighted to give assistance in a quiet, kindly way. Pakenham is very much poorer by the death of this fine man, whom we and many others were proud to call "Friend."

A service will be held at the Pakenham Presbyterian Church at 9.15 this morning and afterwards the funeral will proceed to Springvale Crematorium, arriving there about 10.30.

There is a  Memorial stained glass window at the Uniting Church in Pakenham, commemorating Mr Robinson, dated 1960, placed there when the new Presbyterian Church was opened on October 1, 1960. His son, Errol, was the Session Clerk and Chairman of the Building Committee at the time of the construction of the new church. The Pakenham Gazette reported that the dedication ceremony was on the Saturday and the furnishings were dedicated at the service the next day. The list in the Gazette includes the window in memory of Mr S.C. Robinson and a pew in memory of Nancy Robinson. The lectern was donated by Mrs E.G. Robinson.  There is also a pew in memory of  Flight Sergeant Jack Robinson. (6)

Jack was the second of Stanley's sons to enlist to serve in World War two - Errol enlisted in the Air Force in August 1941 and was discharged in September 1945; Jack enlisted in February 1942 in the Army and then in 1943 he transferred to the Air Force. He died on January 19, 1945. He was a member of Beaufighter crew engaged in non-operational flight which crashed in a heavy snow storm in Lincoln in England. Alan enlisted in May 1945 and was discharged in January 1947. (7) 

Mrs Mary Robinson, the daughter of Robert and Mary (nee Vance) Knox  died On April 3, 1968, aged 79. She, like her husband, had her ashes interred at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery. (8)

Sadly, the day of the small owner operated grocery store is nearly over and this market segment has been taken over by the two big players, Coles and Woolworths, so there would be very few people who could these days list their occupation as 'grocer' like Stanley Robinson could.

Footnotes
(1) Electoral Rolls;  Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Ryerson Index https://ryersonindex.org/
(2) Pakenham East vs Pakenham - I have written about this here  https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2021/12/identical-post-offices-pakenham-east.html
(3) First Advertisement  - Pakenham Gazette,  June 19, 1953, p. 3
(4) The 1984 date is what my sister, Karen, remembers.
(5) Pakenham Gazette, September 20, 1957, p. 1.
(6) Pakenham Gazette, October 7, 1960, pages 1 & 12.
(7) World War Two Nominal Rolls https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ww2 ; Jack's obituary Pakenham Gazette, January 26, 1945, p.1 and Dandenong Journal, January 24, 1945, see here.
(8) Death notice The Age April 4, 1968. p, 17, from Ancestry.com

This is an updated and expanded version of a post which I wrote in 2015 for my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past