The mystery of the Stanford Fountain bluestone seats

In 1872, a fountain was erected near Parliament House in Spring Street in Melbourne. It is in a reserve which had been severed from the Parliamentary Reserve in 1863 as a site for the Burke and Wills statue, and is bounded by Spring Street, Macarthur Street and Carpentaria Place. Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills and their exploration party were the first explorers to cross the continent from south to north, leaving Melbourne on August 20, 1860 and reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria on February 9, 1861 - hence the name of Carpentaria Place. As we all know, they never made it back. A statue, by Charles Summers (1825 - 1878), was made to honour the men and erected, not in the reserve, but on the corner of Russell and Collins Street in April 1865.

This 1872 engraving shows the four bluestone seats, an integral part of the fountain design. There are some sources that say there were originally eight seats, I have addressed that issue further down.

Fountain designed and executed by William Stanford. Artist: Albert Charles Cooke. Engraver: Winston

Published in The Illustrated Australian News February 29, 1872.

State Library of Victoria Image IAN29/02/72/56

The fountain erected around May 1872 was of  bluestone and was created by William Stanford, who was a prisoner at Pentridge at the time. It had been at Pentridge, since it was completed, around September 1871.   The Illustrated Australian News of February 29, 1872 reported on the fountain and also had the illustration of it, above - This work has been designed and executed by Mr. William Stanford, who, for the last seventeen and a half years, has been an inmate of the penal establishment, having been therein immured from the early age of fifteen. It is, therefore, unnecessary to add that he is not merely self-taught in the usual acceptation of the term, but it is an actual fact that he literally never saw a work of art, worthy of the name, previous to his recent liberation from his long captivity. You can read the full article here and more of his life story in his obituary, here.  There are many reports of his life in various newspapers - they differ a bit  -  so here's one version - Stanford had been sentenced in 1853, when he was 15 (some reports say he was 13) for being involved in bushranging, then released and was caught stealing horses, so returned to gaol, but was pardoned by the Government  after he created the fountain and opened a monumental yard in Prahran. One article says that it is not surprising that William Stanford's talent was recognised by prison authorities and others. He was given lessons by Charles Summers (born in 1825), the first artist to practise sculpture in Melbourne, and creator of the Burke and Wills statue. (The Age, March 19, 1949) This makes it rather fitting that Stanford's fountain was located in the space designed for the Burke and Wills statue.

How great is this photo? It is titled, Fountain in the Parliament Reserve, Melbourne.  It is from the State Library of New South Wales collection and is dated c. 1872 -  c.1878,  so not long after the fountain was erected in Spring Street and you can see three of the bluestone seats that originally surrounded the fountain.

Views of Victoria and N.S.W., ca. 1872-1878 - photographic album, Bequeathed by D. S. Mitchell, 1907. State Library of New South Wales Image FL1059770   http://archival.sl.nsw.gov.au/Details/archive/110318895

On January 5, 1933 there was an article in The Herald (read it here) with the headline Mystery of the Missing Fountain Seats - 8 tons of basalt vanishes. The author, B.M.G. writes -
The graceful fountain carved by the prisoner Stanford was originally designed to be surrounded by four seats, each carved in bluestone in a decorative design conforming with the general scheme of the fountain. The seats were part of the whole; the fountain is incomplete without them. Stanford carried out the work on the four seats as part of his conception. They were completed and placed in position in the small open reserve in front of the Old Treasury buildings. They were there for many years, each separated from the coping of the fountain by a few feet. They were certainly in position in 1907.  Between that year and 1924 they had disappeared into thin air— a matter of six or eight tons of solid basalt. Nobody saw them being removed and nobody knows what became of them.

The next day The Herald had a follow up article - Officials of the Public Works Department are unable to throw any light on the mystery of the four stone seats which have been missing for years from around the fountain in the reserve beside the Old Treasury Building. The Public Works Department attends to the reserve.

The day after, on January 7, The Herald published this photograph with the head line There's no doubt the seats were there! But the Mystery remains unsolved.  Some of the article reads - The  mystery of the disappearance of four ponderous seats from the fountain between Parliament House and the Old Treasury Building has not been solved, but the accompanying photograph should remove any possible doubt that they really were there in years gone by.

The  Stanford Fountain photo published in The Herald on January 7, 1933 proving that the seats did exist.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243190614

This article from January 7 mentions interviews with some 'older public servants' regarding the seats - Like the Secretary for Lands (Mr Fricke), many of the older public servants remember the seats distinctly. But they cannot fix the time when they last saw them any more definitely than that it was "many years ago." They stated that about 30 years ago, when the seats were in their position around the fountain, the garden was fenced. Later the fence was removed, and the lay-out of the garden was changed. It was possible that the rearrangement of the garden was carried out when the present King, as Duke of York, visited Australia. But they could not be certain of this.

The improvement of most of the gardens around the Treasury and Parliamentary buildings was carried out under the supervision of the late Mr Carlo Catani, who was then Chief Engineer for Public Works. The early records of this department might reveal some trace of the seats, but so far no examination of them has been made.

A Letter to the Editor on January 11, 1933  from Mr E. Wilson Dobbs of Caulfield, confirms they weren't there in 1927 and they are also not in a photograph published in Isaac Selby's "Memorial History of Melbourne" which was published in 1924.

In the end The Herald could offer no solution to the mystery of the bluestone seats. As  a matter of interest, one report (Weekly Times, May 4, 1872) says that the seats were in fact to have been pedestals for the reception of marble statues, but the Government refused to supply so expensive a material. How grand would that have been?

You can see one of the bluestone seats (or pedestals)  on the right. Beautiful photo, it's a shame the photographer is unknown, so we can't give them credit.

Stanford Fountain, 1910. 

Harold Paynting collection, State Library of Victoria Image H2009.60/52

I have included this photo as I have a crop of it below - it shows General Gordon's statue, with the Stanford Fountain, behind on the left - showing only four bluestone seats.

Spring St. from the Treasury steps Melbourne, c. 1891 - c. 1897. Photographer: J.W. Lindt

State Library of Victoria Image H2009.48/23

Was the fountain surrounded by four bluestone seats or eight bluestone seats? The Victorian Heritage Database entry on Gordon Reserve says that there was originally eight seats, but doesn't list any sources (read the report, here) The 1872 illustration looks like it had an octagonal base and according to The Illustrated Australian News of February 29, 1872  there were also eight drinking fountains, which form the principal ornaments of the lower basin: these are zinc castings of a complex character, consisting of eagles standing on shells, in the act of seizing lizards. So were there eight seats to match the eight eagles, which were cast by the talented Mr Stanford? If so, why do people only remember there being four seats in 1933? Had four already disappeared, pre-1907 when The Herald states the four seats were certainly in position? I find this unlikely, I believe there were only ever four seats, not eight. The photo from the 1870s, Fountain in the Parliament Reserve, Melbourne, only shows three seats, the fourth being obscured by the fountain; the photo from the 1890s - Spring St. from the Treasury steps (above, and with cropped version below) - clearly only shows four seats. Happy to be proven wrong, but where is the evidence that there were originally eight seats?

This photo from the 1890s, clearly shows only four bluestone seats surrounding the fountain, and I believe there were only ever four seats, not eight. See the original photo on the State Library of Victoria website, here.

Cropped  version of - Spring St. from the Treasury steps Melbourne, c. 1891 - c. 1897. Photographer: J.W. Lindt

State Library of Victoria Image H2009.48/23

Gordon Reserve was formally named in 1961. It also has also a statue by Hamo Thornycroft (erected in 1889) of Major-General Charles Gordon who died at Khartoum in 1885 and a statue of the poet Adam Lindsay Gordon erected in 1932. This statue was done by Paul Montford, who also did the Carlo Catani bust at the foot of the Clock tower in the Catani Gardens in St Kilda. You can read Montford's entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here. The poet's statue replaced the Eight Hours Day Memorial that was erected in 1890 and then moved to its current location intersection of Russell and Victoria Streets.  This information, and the information at the top of the post about the severance of the reserve for the Burke and Wills statue comes from Melbourne's Historic Public Gardens: a management and conservation guide by Rex Swanson. (City of Melbourne, 1984.)

The Victorian Heritage Database also lists two other items of significance in Gordon Reserve - a series The women's underground public toilet is one of a group of eleven such facilities built by the City of Melbourne between 1902 and 1939. Underground toilets were then thought to be more discreet than street level toilets, as they were out of direct public view. This group is now unique in Australia.  The other feature are the Canary Palms - The five Canary Island date palm trees that can now be found at the site were planted in the early 20th Century when the plantings were rationalised and the link fences were installed that delineate the site and cordon off the General Gordon Memorial. This coincides with the time that Carlo Catani worked on the Treasury Gardens (see here) and he was an advocate of palm trees, so it is possible that they were planted under his direction. The Victorian Heritage Database citation can be found, here.

This is the fountain taken in 1949. Photographer: Colin Caldwell.

State Library of Victoria Image  H84.276/1/4C

Trove list - I have created a short list of articles on Trove, on the missing seats and the Standford fountain, you can access it here. All the articles referenced here are on the list.

I originally posted this on my Carlo Catani blog, http://carlocatani.blogspot.com, but there is only a very tenuous connection to Carlo, the post is a  better fit on this blog.

Dr Clemente Malouf, the Bishop of Cæsarea Philippi, visits his relatives in Victoria

In 1928, Dr Clemente Malouf, visited Australia. He was the Bishop of Cæsarea Philippi, but also called the Bishop of Syria. Dr Malouf was in Australia to attend the International Eucharistic Congress held in Sydney from September 6th to 9th. This was the first time this Catholic Congress was held in Australia and celebrations started with the consecration of St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. Bishops, Archbishops, Monsignors and Priests attended from all over the world and the event was considered to be a great success for the Catholic Church and it also had pleasing support from other Christian churches and other faiths - 
New South Wales Premier Thomas Bavin, a devout Protestant, spoke from the pulpit of St Mary's Cathedral during the official opening ceremony – an unprecedented occurrence. Later, a garden party held at Government House to celebrate the Congress and to honour Cardinal Cerretti, Australia's first papal legate, was attended by the Anglican Archbishop, John Wright, the Prime Minister, Stanley Bruce, and the leader of the New South Wales Jewish community, Rabbi Francis Lyon Cohen (1). The Congress ended with a procession through the streets of Sydney, watched by a crowd estimated to be 500,000 (2). 

After the Congress, the Papal Legate, Cardinal Ceretti, and many of the Congress delegates visited Melbourne. They stayed at various Presbyteries throughout Melbourne;  Dr Malouf was billeted at St Georges, Rathdowne Street in Carlton (3). The Argus reported that on Sunday, October 7, the Right Rev. Dr. Malouf, Bishop of Mt. Lebanon (Syria), will celebrate Pontifical High Mass in the Syro-Chaldaic rite at St. George's, Rathdown street, Carlton, on Sunday, at 11 o'clock. Members of the Syrian community are specially invited to attend (4). 

There were other reports in the newspapers about Dr Malouf - he was 66 years old and had studied at the University in Beirut (5). He resides at Banias, a little village on a pleasing site, 990 feet above the sea-level at the foot of Mount Hermon. In the diocese there are 4000 Catholics and twenty priests (6).  He had a great personality, and is loved by all who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance (7).  The Bishop was also found to have  a charming, graceful personality (a notable characteristic of the Syrian race) (8). During his time in Australia, Dr Malouf was accompanied by Father Nicholas Caba, who acted as an interpreter and a Secretary. Father Caba, is sometime erroneously listed in newspaper reports as Father Nicholas. (9).

Bishop Clemente Malouf

The Advocate, August 30, 1928 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171651637

Dr Malouf took the opportunity of visiting his relatives whilst he was in Victoria. The first visit was to Crib Point on October 13th and 14th,  where he visited his cousin, Charles Malouf, who owned a store in the town, Charles was married to Mary and they had one son, also called Charles who was married to Nazela (10).  As a matter of interest, Charles and Nazela were married in 1916 at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne; they then held a reception at the bride's parents house in Carlton and then another reception at the Crib Point Hall for 300 people, as the newspaper report said - the parents of the bridegroom gave a cordial invitation to everyone (11). 

The Catholic Press of Sydney published an account of his visit to Crib Point -
After the close of the Eucharistic Congress, the Right Rev. Dr. Clement Malouf, Bishop of South Lebanon, Syria, visited the Syrian colonists in Victoria. Dr. Malouf was accompanied by Rev. Father Nicholas, of Sydney, and was the guest of his cousin, Mr. Chas. Malouf, at his residence at Crib Point, during the week-end. A reception was given in his honour on Saturday afternoon and evening by Mr. Malouf, at his home, at which Catholics from the surrounding district were presented to him. His Lordship, assisted by Father Nicholas, and attended by Mr. Jim Bachous (as acolyte) celebrated High Mass in the Syrian rite at 10.30 a.m., at Hastings, a town five miles away. Dr. Malouf preached the sermon in the Arabic language, which was interpreted by Mr. Boyd, of Ballarat. The subject of his discourse was the two great Commandments given to man by God: Thou shalt love the Lord, &c, and thy neighbour as thyself.

The Bishop presided at luncheon to a hundred visitors at Mr. Malouf 's home. An address of welcome, on behalf of the English-speaking section of the gathering, was read to the Bishop. The good wishes contained in it were conveyed to the recipient by Mr. Boyd, who also interpreted Dr. Malouf 's reply. A very fine musical programme was given by the Syrian community, which was much enjoyed by the large gathering. His Lordship, who had duties in Melbourne, was given a rousing send-off. The thanks of the Catholic residents are due to the Malouf family, in particular, and the Syrians in general, for their lavish hospitality, and for the opportunity given of meeting their distinguished co-religionist, whose charming, graceful personality (a notable characteristic of the Syrian race) won the hearts of all whose good fortune it was to meet him. The Bishop was delighted at the arrangements made for his comfort, and has promised to pay another visit to his friends in Crib Point before returning to his homeland. Dr. Malouf was motored to various points of interest, and was shown over the Naval Training Depot by Rev. Father O 'Callaghan, chaplain, R.A.N. (12). 

Visit of Bishop Malouf to Crib Point to see his cousin Charles and his family, 1928

State Library of Victoria Image H92.250/1196

Mary Malouf, died June 5, 1939 and her short obituary in The Argus noted - Many friends on the Mornington Peninsula learned with regret of the death of Mrs. Mary Malouf, wife of Mr. Charles Malouf, sen., at her home at Crib Point. She was born in Mount Lebanon, and she arrived in Melbourne with her husband in October, 1890. They had lived in Crib Point for 27 years, first establishing a business in the part of the township known as the Settlement, and later, after the occupation of Flinders Naval Depot, near the Crib Point railway station. There is one son, Mr. Charles Malouf, Jun. (13). Her husband, Charles, died December 11, 1942; they are buried at the Crib Point Cemetery (14). 

From October 19th to 22nd, Bishop Malouf was at Maffra, visiting his cousins, Henry and James Malouf, who are listed in the Electoral Roll as grocers. Also listed in the Electoral Roll for 1928 was an Amelia Malouf, who was, I believe Henry's wife. On the Sunday in Maffra, it was reported in the The Advocate that Bishop Malouf celebrated Solemn High Mass at Maffra, in the presence of an overflowing congregation. The Mass was according to the Greek-Melchite rite, and liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. After vespers in the evening his Lordship held a levee at the presbytery, and large numbers of parishioners were presented to the distinguished visitors by Very Rev. Fr. Curran, P.P., who is fluent in the Arabic language. (15). 

We are also fortunate that we have another report of the Bishop's time in Maffra - from 12 year-old, Mary O'Brien, who wrote about the occasion in a letter published in The Advocate, the Catholic newspaper. The letter was addressed to Kango, who edited the Children's Corner column in the paper - 

Dear Kango,—Some time ago Bishop Malouf visited Maffra. He arrived here on a Friday and on the Sunday celebrated High Mass before a very big congregation. The Mass was beautiful; it was sung all through to the end. After Mass Bishop Malouf gave a sermon in his own language, which afterwards was interpreted into English by Mr. Boyd, of Ballarat. After Mass Bishop Malouf received an address of welcome from the community of Maffra and district. The following day being Monday, Bishop Malouf visited the school, where he received a hearty welcome from the children. After announcing that we should have a holiday he passed out amidst much cheering. Shortly after visiting the school he went to Melbourne. We will always remember Bishop Malouf's visit to Maffra. Well, Kango, I will close.—I remain, yours sincerely, Mary O'Brien. (16). 

  

Bishop Malouf at St Mary's Catholic Church in Maffra 

His Eminence, Bishop Malouf, supported by Father Nicholas and the Rev. Father Curran (Parish Priest) 

at St. Marys R.C. Church, Maffra.

Weekly Times, November 24, 1928 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/223180647

The Malouf Brothers had purchased the Maffra store in 1926, and were obviously still in town in 1928 when the Bishop visited, but by the 1931 Electoral Roll, Henry and Amelia were listed at Murchison Street in Carlton. (17). 

On Saturday, October 27, Bishop Malouf visited another cousin as the Herald reported -
Dr. Clement Malouf, Bishop of Syria, who came to Australia to attend the Eucharistic Congress, was the guest on Saturday evening of Mr Joseph Malouf, a cousin, at Heidelberg road,  Clifton Hill, when a dinner was given to him prior to his departure for Sydney. Among the large gathering present were Mr Perry, of the English Speaking Union; Mr C. Ramia, who represented the Syrian community in Melbourne; and Father Nicholas, Bishop Malouf's secretary (18). 

On Monday, October 29 Bishop Malouf went off to Mansfield, to visit more cousins, this time Michael Malouf, who with his wife Emily conducted a cafe and greengrocery business in the town (19).  The Age had a short report of the visit -
Bishop Malouf, of Syria, who was a central figure at the eucharistic Congress in Sydney, arrived at Mansfield on Monday night. He is on a visit to his cousin, Mr M. Malouf, who is in business in Mansfield. He was entertained at a dinner on Monday night, and celebrated mass at the Roman 

Catholic church on Tuesday morning. Bishop Malouf is accompanied by Father Nicholaus, the head of the Syrian church in Sydney. The Malouf family has had a bishop of the name in the Syrian church for several hundred years. Bishop Malouf will leave for Albury on Thursday. (20)

Michael Malouf, died May 27, 1947 at Mansfield, aged 63; his death notice lists that he was the father of Pauline, Marjory, Mavis, Kevin, Patsy and Valerie. Emily died in 1972, aged 77 (21).

Bishop Malouf returned to Sydney after his visit to Victoria, where he stayed with his brother. In April 1929, he laid the foundation stone for St Clements Church in Brisbane, the first Syrian Church in Queensland. Dr Malouf, died at the age of 82 in 1941, in Syria (22). 

Trove list - I have  created a list of articles connected to Bishop Malouf's visit to Australia, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Frappell, Samantha International Eucharistic Congress 1928 from The Dictionary of Sydney  https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/international_eucharistic_congress_1928
(2) Ibid
(3) The Advocate, September 27, 1928, see here. The article has a full list, interesting as it shows how many Churches and Presbyteries there were in Melbourne at the time.

(4) The Argus, October 6, 1928, see here.

(5) The Age, October 17, 1928, see here.

(6) The Advocate, August 30, 1928, see here.

(7) Frankston and Somerville Standard, October 19, 1928, see here.

(8) The Catholic Press, October 18, 1928, see here.

(9) Father Nicholas Caba died at the age of 44 in 1932. Read his obituary in the Catholic Freeman's Journal of November 17, 1932, here.

(10) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(11) Wedding report in the Mornington Standard, February 12, 1916, see here.

(12) Catholic Press, October 18, 1928, see here.

(13) The Argus, June 9, 1939, see here.

(14) Frankston Standard, December 18, 1942, see here.

(15) The Advocate, October 25, 1928, see here.

(16) The Advocate, November 22, 1928, see here.

(17) There is a report in the Gippsland Times of October 28, 1926, see here, which says Mr H. Malouf recently purchased the grocery business. Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

(18) The Herald, October 29, 1928, see here.

(19) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com list Michael's occupation as greengrocer, but an article in The Age of December 5, 1931, see here, about an attempted arson attack on his property, describes him as a cafe and fruit proprietor. 

(20) The Age, October 31, 1928, see here.

(21) Death notice in The Argus, May 28, 1947, see here. Emily's death date from the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.

(22) Freeman's Journal of December 6, 1928, see here, has an interview with Bishop Malouf, who was staying with his brother at Rose Bay. Foundation Stone at St Clements - Southern Cross, April 5, 1929, see here. Short obituary of Bishop Malouf in The Advocate of August 28, 1941, see here.

Hallam and Hampton Park World War One Soldiers

The areas that are now known as Hallam and Hampton Park have gone through a few name changes over the years. In the case of Hallam this is a relatively new name for the area, dating from around 1905. Before that, the district was known as Hallam's Road after William and Mary Hallam. Earlier than that it was sometimes referred to as Dandenong and sometimes  as Eumemmerring, which covered the area basically from the Dandenong Creek to what is now Hallam Road and  both sides of the Princes Highway - so essentially the current suburbs of Doveton, Hallam, Endeavour Hills and the modern day suburb of Eumemmerring (gazetted May 20, 1981) (1).  William and Mary Hallam purchased the 50 acres (20 hectares) in 1856 on the corner of what is now called the Princes Highway and Hallam Road. They established a store and a Post Office and eventually operated a 'licensed house' which they sold, with their land to Edmund U'ren, in 1885. Edmund operated the premises as a Hotel until his death in 1892, when his wife Elizabeth took over (2).  This Hotel has also being known as Hallam's Road Hotel, Uren's Hotel, Hallam's Eumemmering Hotel and various other combinations of those names which reflects the fluidity of the early place names. 

An early photograph of the Hallam Hotel, taken sometime before 1931 when it was modernised and extended. This would have been a familiar sight to the soldiers in this list.

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

Hampton Park  - The first European settlers in the area were the Edey family, Isaac and Catherine and their two sons William and Tom. They selected 231 hectares (572 acres) of land around Hallam Road in 1842. Their homestead was situated about where Ormond Road is now. Isaac (1808-1886) and Catherine (nee Davis 1820-1875)  had two sons, William and Tom. William married in 1874 to Mary Anne O'Leary and they had five children - Emily, Maggie, Lily, William and Percival Isaac, who all worked at home on the farm. Other early settlers in the area were Peter Davis who purchased 128 hectares (316 acres) of land in 1852 and then another 358 hectares (885 acres) in 1854. This land was purchased for one pound per acre. The other early settler was David Duncan who purchased 163 hectares (156 acres) in 1863. These three original land owners subdivided their land during the last part of the nineteenth century into smaller farms of up to 40 hectares (100 acres). (3).

The name Hampton Park comes from a 1917 sub-division by the developer Edward Victor Jones of Somerville Road, Footscray. Until then rate payers of the area were listed variously as living in Eumemmerring, Dandenong or Lyndhurst. Further subdivision at Hampton Park took place after the World War One into blocks between five to 50 acres (4).  Niel Gunson in his book The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire notes - The area had originally enclosed the Dandenong Pound (later known as the Cranbourne Pound).  The ‘pound’ Paddock was later owned by the Garner family of Diamond Hill, well known in Dandenong as undertakers and coach builders. When W. Garner was gored by a bull the paddock was purchased by E.V Jones of Somerville Road, Footscray (5).You can read about Lyndhurst soldiers, here and you can read about the Garners and Diamond Hill, here.

Hampton Park Estate sub-division plan, c. 1920

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/169514

This post looks at any Great War Soldiers that I could find that have a connection to the Hallam and Hampton Park areas, so thus will also include Doveton, Endeavour Hills and the  Eumemmerring suburb area. There were around 250 soldiers who enlisted with a  Dandenong address or were born in Dandenong, some of whom may be eligible to be in this blog post so if you know that I have missed some Hallam  or Hampton Park soldiers, then let me know.

Some of the information in this post is from the booklet, Hallam 1830-1930 written by  Dr Deborah Stephan and published in 1993 by the City of Berwick. The booklet includes material provided by Mrs Marie Carson, the great niece of Elizabeth Andrews.   Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Bridget Andrews who settled at Hallam in 1854.   Some of the information about  Hampton Park comes from The history of Hampton Park by Roy R. Scott, written in 1970 and  published in the Dandenong & District Historical Society Journal, Gipps-land Gate.

Mrs Carson remembers attending an ANZAC Service at the Hallam State School  I remember about that time..my mother taking me along a rough and bumpy track in a a 'go-cart' as they called a baby pusher in those days, to an ANZAC celebration at Hallam State School. Someone pinned an ANZAC medal with red, white and blue ribbon on it on me and I had it for many years and felt very proud of it....this ANZAC day must have been a very early one - 1919 or 1920 perhaps (6). 

What follows is a list of soldiers, their connection to the Hallam and Hampton Park areas, their fate (i.e. when they Returned to Australia after active service or when they were Killed in Action) and their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record on the National Archives website (www.naa.gov.au)

Andrews, Louis John  (SN 4493) Louis was born in Dandenong and enlisted at the age of 22 on September 30, 1916. He was a printer and his next of kin was his wife, Ellen, of Glenferrie Road, Malvern. He Returned to Australia on April 30, 1919.  Louis was the  grandson of the aforementioned John and  Bridget Andrews, early pioneers of the Hallam area. 

Battersby, John Henry  (SN 2582) Henry, as he was known,  was a 23 year old timber worker when he enlisted on July 14, 1915. He Returned to Australia on March 28, 1919. His next of kin was his father, John Battersby of Hallam Road, Dandenong. John and Susan (nee Skinner) had ten children and built Cloverdale Cottage in 1870. Cloverdale Cottage is still standing in Hallam North Road and is  listed on the City of Casey Heritage Conservation Study (7). Henry is listed on the Narre Warren North War Memorial, see here.

Brown, John Alfred (SN 64160) John was born in Hallam but was living in East Caulfield when he enlisted on May 7, 1918. He was 20 years old and a clerk with the Victorian Railways.  He left Australia in September 1918, suffered from pleurisy (right lung, very severe was the notation in his record) and he Returned to Australia on July 26, 1919 and was discharged on medical grounds on September 13, 1919.

A welcome home to Hallam soldiers.

South Bourke and Mornington Journal October 16, 1919 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page6365314

Brown, W There is a W. Brown listed in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal article of October 16, 1919 (see article above)  I believe that this is William Reginald Brown (SN 125) as he (or someone by the same name)  is listed in the 1919 Electoral Roll at Hallam Road, Hallam, occupation farmer.  William enlisted on January 11, 1915 aged 24 and a labourer.  His next of kin was his sister, Stella, of South Melbourne. He is listed twice on the Embarkation Rolls - once with his address as Yarram and once as South Melbourne.   He was sent overseas and Returned to Australia on June 10, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds on October 2, 1916 as he was suffering from 'otitis media'  or deafness.

Brunet, Harry  (SN 52808)   The South Bourke and Mornington Journal has  a report of the Dandenong  Exemption Court hearings from October 16 & 17, 1916. Harry Brunet of Hallam,  applied for an exemption and the paper noted that he was an engine driver and mechanic and could plough 12 acres per day where man and three horses could only plough three and thus could take the place of at least four men in the harvest field.   The Court refused to exempt Harry and he enlisted at the age of 23 on December 18, 1917.   He Returned to Australia on July 26, 1919. His next of kin was his father, Antonio Brunet, of Clyde. The family are listed in the 1917 Electoral Roll at Hallam Road, Hallam and obviously moved to Clyde that year and are in the 1918 Electoral Roll at Clyde.

What was an Exemption Court?  The government made a proclamation at the beginning of October 1916 declaring all unmarried able-bodied men between the ages of 21 and 35 were to undertake military training leading to the possibility of service within the Commonwealth. All men meeting those criteria had to enrol at enrolment centres where they were assessed for suitability. However, there was a procedure whereby men classified as suitable could appeal and be granted exception from service (8).

Harry Burnet's application to the Dandenong Exemption Court

South Bourke & Mornington Journal October 19,1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66190827

Crean, Andrew Norman (SN 1230)  Andrew enlisted on July 17, 1915 aged 22. He was a carter. His next of kin was his father, also Andrew, of Hallam's Road, Hallam. Andrew was awarded the Military Medal. He Returned to Australia on May 15, 1919.  Andrew's mother, Annie Florence Crean, was a member of the Hallam State School Mothers Club in 1921, see photo below between James Meehan and Charles Morris. 

Dempsey, William Stanley (SN 3519)   Mrs Carson writes that her uncle, William Dempsey, enlisted in the First World War. Her father, Walter Dempsey (William's brother) had married a niece of Elizabeth Andrews and the family was living at Hallam 'near the turn of the century' - there was a Patrick Dempsey in the Rate Books at Hallam in 1903 and a Patrick, Clara, James and Walter Dempsey in the Electoral Roll at Hallam in 1906. William's mother Clara was his next of kin when he enlisted on September 27, 1915 at the age of 23, although she was living in Geelong then. His occupation was listed as a waiter. William was discharged on medical grounds on May 18, 1917 as he had suffered  a nervous breakdown. I believe this is the  correct William Dempsey.

Eccles, James Leslie  (SN 72595)  James enlisted on August 19, 1918. He was a 28 year old farmer and his next of kin was his father, James, of Dandenong.  As you can see by the article below he had a 'grand concert and send-off' on October 11. James did not get to serve overseas and was Demobilized on December 24, 1918.

Send-off for James Eccles and Frederick Ganders

South Bourke and Mornington Journal October 31, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page6365118

Emerson, Walter Cecil (SN 1559)  Walter enlisted at the age of 18 on August 4, 1915. His occupation was Railway employee.  His father was his next of kin and his address was Richmond, but was later changed to Berwick Road, Hallam. His parents, Alfred and Carrie Emerson, are listed in the Electoral Roll at Hallam for  a few years from 1917. Walter served overseas but was discharged on medical grounds, 'Nerves' was listed as the condition, on May 30 1917. However, Walter re-enlisted on September 17, 1918 and was demobilized as the War ended. In 1929 Walter wrote a letter asking for proof of his service as he was then employed by the Post Masters General Department and as they gave preference to returned soldiers he needed this proof. His address on this letter was the quaintly named 'Cosy Tea Shop', Point Nepean Road, Chelsea.

Letter from Walter Emerson of 'Cosy Tea Shop', Chelsea.

National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Frawley, John (SN 2172)  According to Mrs Carson - John was known as Jerry, so that's what we will call him. Jerry was born in Hallam and enlisted on April 28, 1916 at the age of 36 years and ten months. He was a labourer and his next of kin was his sister, Rosanna, also of Hallam.  Jerry Returned to Australia on June 10, 1919. Frawley Road is named after the family - Mary Frawley purchased 60 acres in the area in 1857 and Jerry and Rosanna were her grandchildren (9).

Gander, Frederick (SN 1550) Frederick enlisted for the first time at the age of 28 on June 4, 1916. His occupation was farm labourer. Frederick was born in England and his address was Narre Warren. He was sent overseas to England but Returned to Australia on May 4, 1917 and was discharged on medical grounds as he suffered from 'Hammer toes, both feet'  Frederick re-enlisted on June 4, 1918 and missed his send-off that was being held with James Eccles (see newspaper report, above under James Eccles' entry) as he had already sailed. By this time he was 30 years old and living in Hallam. Frederick served in New Guinea and was again discharged on medical grounds this time on August 16, 1919.

Higgins, Thomas (SN 4641) Thomas enlisted on October 15, 1917 at the age of one month off 22 years of age. His next of kin was his father, Edward, of Hallam (the Embarkation Roll has the address listed as Hallam, Mt Dandenong, which is incorrect). Thomas was a 'turner and fitter.' Thomas left for Egypt on April 30, 1918 and Returned to Australia on December 22, 1918. Thomas was farewelled along with Clarie Pool and  Henry Waite by over 200 people on January 31, 1918. (see report below)

Farewell to Thomas Higgins, Clarie Poole and Henry Waite

South Bourke and Mornington Journal February 7, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66193494

Hill, David Ernest (SN 4645) David enlisted on October 4, 1915, He was a 21 year old labourer. David Returned to Australia August 29, 1919.
Hill, Robert (SN 1591) Robert was a 19 year old farmer when he enlisted on August 2, 1915. Less than a year later on July 20 1916 he was Killed in Action in France.
Hill, Thomas Frederick (SN 4516) Thomas enlisted on September 6, 1915 at the age of 23. He was a Police Constable. He was wounded in action, gun shot wound right arm, and Returned to Australia March 12, 1918 and was discharged on medical grounds in the June.
David and Robert were both born at Lillimur, between Kaniva and Serviceton, so very close to the South Australian border and Thomas was born in Murtoa. Their parents were George and Mary (nee Jackson) Hill and they were living at Hallam or Hallam's Road as it was listed on Robert and Thomas' file, when the boys enlisted.

Robert Hill. Photographer: Darge Photographic Co.

Australian War Memorial Image DASEY1537

A report in the Horsham Times of the death of Robert Hill.

Horsham Times August 29, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72981350

Liston, A   Private A. Liston is named in the report from the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of October 16, 1919 (reproduced further above between John Brown and William Brown)  as being welcomed home with 'other Returned Soldiers connected with Hallam District.'  Who is he? I can't find any Listons listed in the Electoral Roll at Hallam, so no clues there. There was an Alexander Liston (SN 3569) who enlisted on July 28, 1915 in Seymour, his next of kin was his wife Rebecca of South Melbourne. He was a 32 year old labourer. Alexander's his medical examination was carried out in Dandenong, so that's the closest connection that I can find between a Liston and the Hallam area.  Alexander Returned to Australia on January 31, 1918. Ironically, on the Nar Nar Goon Honour Board (see here), there is a C. Liston listed who I can't find either, my best guess is that it is Thomas Liston, who enlisted at Tynong, so I don't know why Listons have proved to be so puzzling.

Masters, Albert Ernest (SN 428) Albert enlisted on February 8, 1915 aged 28, at Morwell. Albert Returned to Australia on December 11, 1918 and was discharged for medical reasons (flat feet, was the disability listed) on March 24, 1919.
Masters, Charles Henry (SN 2893) Charles was 23, a grocer, when he enlisted on June 7, 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Charles Returned to Australia on January 15, 1919 and was discharged for medical reasons (Gassed) in April 24, 1919.
Albert and Charles were the sons of William and Sarah Jane (nee Blythman) Masters of Kirkham Road in Dandenong. They are listed in the report from the  South Bourke and Mornington Journal of October 16, 1919 (reproduced further above between John Brown and William Brown) as being welcomed home with 'other Returned Soldiers connected with Hallam District' but I am not sure what the exact connection to Hallam was, apart from being the adjacent town.

Meehan, James Joseph (SN 2112)  When  James enlisted on July 5, 1916 at the age of 24, he was living in Sea Lake.  He was wounded whilst serving in France. He Returned to Australia on May 12, 1918 (incorrectly listed as May 12, 1919 on the Nominal Rolls) and was discharged on medical grounds on July 23, 1918.  What is his connection to Hallam? A report in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of  February 11, 1915 said that Mr J.J. Meehan  was farewelled by the residents of Hallam before his departure to Sea Lake. There is a James Joseph Meehan in the Electorate Roll of 1914 at  Hallam's Road - also listed is a Thomas Michael and Ellen Meehan of Hallam's Road - I am surmising that they are his relatives (Uncle and Aunty perhaps)  - then in 1915 he moved to Sea Lake where he enlisted. In the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of May 29, 1919 there is a report about an unfortunate accident which befel Mr J. Meehan, a  Returned Soldier farming at Hallam (10).   I am confident that this is our James, and that he returned to Hallam after his war service. James Joseph Meehan and Ruth  Rebecca Meehan are in the 1921 Electorate Roll at Hallam's Road. Mrs Meehan is pictured in the Hallam State School Mothers Club photograph from 1921. 

The Hallam's Road School Mothers Club, 1921. Standing at back - left to right - Mrs Boles, Mrs Crean, Mrs Gatter (nee Wallace), Mrs J. Meehan, Mrs Rout, Miss T. Morgan (teacher) and Mrs Blackley (nee Wallace).

 Seated at front - Mrs Opperman, Mrs Butcher, Mrs Wallace, Mrs Service (11)

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries donated by Mr Jim Alexander. Mr Alexander was an inaugural Councillor for the City of Berwick from 1973 until 1982. James Alexander Reserve in Endeavour Hills is named in his honour.

Morris, Charles (SN 7578) Charles was born in England and was working as a farm labourer in Hallam when he enlisted on April 2, 1917 aged 24. His next of kin was his father who lived in Mansfield, Nottingham in England. Charles was married to  Gertrude Jones in Mansfield on July 12, 1919 and was discharged from the AIF in England on October 2 the same year. Did they return to Australia? I don't know.

Poole, Clarence Edward  'Clarie' (SN 50194) Clarie was living in New South Wales when he first enlisted at the age of 18 on January 17, 1916 and he was discharged February 16 the same year -  a notation in another enrolment paper says that it was because he was underage, although his date of birth was listed as July 24, 1896, so possibly he didn't have his parent's permission as his next of kin was a friend, Mrs Chandler of  Campsie, NSW. His occupation was listed as dairy hand. Anyway he re-enlisted on February 2, 1918  at the age of 21 and this time his next of kin was his mother Amelia Poole of Canterbury in New South Wales.  Clarie's address on the Embarkation Roll was Hallam's Road, Hallam.  He was farewelled along with Henry Waite and Thomas Higgins on January 31, 1918 (see report above between Thomas Higgins and the Hill brothers). Clarie was Killed in Action in France on October 4, 1918.

Possibly Somerville Road, Hampton Park, 1920s

From the Hampton Park Estate sub-division plan, c. 1920

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/169514

Hampton Park, c. 1920. This is how Hallam and Hampton Park would have looked 

during the First World War

From the Hampton Park Estate sub-division plan, c. 1920

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/169514

Reedy,  Albert George (SN 1956) Known as George, he enlisted at the age of 22 on February 9, 1916. he was a labourer.  George Returned to Australia on May 15, 1919. Albert was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here. 
Reedy, John Thomas (SN 1220) John, known as Jack, was a 32 year old farmer, when he enlisted on July 19, 1915. He Returned to Australia on May 8, 1919. Jack was awarded the Military Medal. John was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here. 
Jack and George were the sons of James and Elizabeth (nee Kirkham) Reedy, their father had already passed away when they enlisted and their mother was listed as the next of kin. The Reedy family had  along association with the area. Michael Reedy, the grandfather of Albert and John, had arrived in Victoria in 1841 and his 1883 obituary said that the greater portion of his Colonial life was spent in the Dandenong district (12).   The men were born in Dandenong and this was the address on enlistment, although they actually lived in what we now call Hampton Park. 

Seymour, Francis Joseph (SN 2391) Francis was 18 and a farmer,  when he enlisted on May 31, 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Edith Sarah Seymour of Hallam's Road, Hallam. Francis served overseas and wounded by shrapnel and gassed and spent six months in hospital in England and then Returned to Australia on January 31, 1918 and was discharged as being medically unfit on May 18, 1918. 

Waite, Henry  (SN 50467)  Henry was farewelled at a function on January 31, 1918 along with Clarie Poole and Thomas Higgins (see report above between Thomas Higgins and the Hill brothers). Henry enlisted on December 11, 1917, he was 21 years old. His next of kin was his sister, Elizabeth Waite of Broadford. He was a labourer, presumably working for Mr C.A. McKenzie as his address was C/O Mr McKenzie, Hallam's Road, Hallam. Henry was sent overseas to Egypt and Returned to Australia on March 14, 1919. Henry was granted a Soldier Settlement farm, you can read his file on the Battle to Farm website, here.

Footnotes
(1)  Stephan, Deborah Hallam 1830-1930 (City of Berwick, 1993). the date of the gazettal of the suburb if Eumemmerring comes from Harding, Maria Doveton: a brief history (Friends of Doveton Library, 1993)
(2) Stephan, op. cit.
(3) Scott, Roy R. The history of Hampton Park written in 1970 and  published in the Dandenong & District Historical Society Journal, Gipps-land Gate.

(4) Ibid

(5) Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (Shire of Cranbourne, 1968), p. 212.

(6) Stephan, op. cit., p. 29.

(7) City of Casey Heritage Conservation Study - https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/63177

(8) https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/articles/264

(9) Stephan, op. cit.

(10) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, May 29, 1919, see here.
(11) More information on these women. According to the Electoral Rolls - Mrs Boles - I can't find Mrs Boles in the Electoral roll; Annie Florence Crean, Hallam, home duties, husband Andrew, a farmer; Mrs Gatter - I can't find Mrs Gatter in the Electoral roll; Ruth Rebecca Meehan, Hallam's Road Hallam, home duties, husband James Joseph, farmer; Ellen Rout, Hallam, home duties, husband Charles Rout dairyman; Miss Morgan - I can't find Miss Morgan in the Electoral Roll but she may not have been 21 years old; Mrs Blackley - I can't find Mrs Blackley in the Electoral roll; Bertha Opperman, Berwick Road Dandenong, home duties, wife of Adolphus Samuel Opperman, water carter; Amy Louise Butcher, home duties, wife of Alfred Butcher, dairy farmer; Augusta Emma Wallace, home duties, wife of Jeremiah Wallace, farmer; Elizabeth Duncan Service, home duties, wife of John Service, Berwick Road, Dandenong, Dairy farmer. 

(12) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 14 1883, see here.

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

Construction of the West Gate Bridge over the Yarra River

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

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

Image: John Arnold

Taken from the river bank, Fishermans Bend.

Image: John Arnold

Taken from river bank, Fishermans Bend.

Image: John Arnold

From the Yarra River

Image: John Arnold

From the Yarra River

Image: John Arnold

From the Yarra River

Image: John Arnold

From the Yarra River

Image: John Arnold

Taken from the Yarra on the Spotswood / Yarraville side.

Image: John Arnold

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

Image: John Arnold

Taken from the Yarra on the Spotswood / Yarraville side.

Image: John Arnold

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

Image: John Arnold

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

Image: John Arnold

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

Image: John Arnold