Arymtage Own Scout Hall, Dandenong

This post looks at the construction and the official opening of the Armytage Own Scout Hall in Dandenong. When I was a girl (the 1960s and early 1970s) the main way to get from our home in Cora Lynn to Melbourne was along the Princes Highway through Dandenong and there were three 'landmarks' that I used to look out for in Dandenong - the Dandy Bacon neon pig; the rocket ship on the Coles New World and the Armytage Own Scout Hall, because it looked like a castle. 

The Armytage Own Scout Hall, Dandenong, c. 1950s.

Valentine Publishing. State Library of Victoria Image H2004.171/5a

The early history of scouting in Dandenong is a bit hazy (to me) but there was a Scout Troop in Dandenong in 1909; however there are also reports that the 1st Dandenong Scout Group was established in July 1917; it was also known as the1st Dandenong Troop of Boy Rechabite Scouts, and members had to belong the Independent Order of Rechabites. The Scout Master was Mr D. McFarlane (1). The troop did not appear to last very long as in June 1928 there are more newspaper reports of a newly formed troop of scouts - the 1st Dandenong Troop Armytage Own. It was named the Armytage Own (also Armytage's Own) after Miss Ada Armytage, who has taken a warm practical interest in the troop right from the time it was re-formed. (2).

In June 1928, a concert was held at the Boomerang Theatre in Dandenong, to raise money for the Scout Troop, and Miss Armytage presented the troop colours, comprising a Union Jack, an Australian flag, and a troop flag, to the 1st Dandenong colour party (3).  The Troop colours were blue and gold. (4)

Ada Elizabeth Armytage (1859-1939), was the second child and eldest daughter of Charles Armytage (1824-1876) and his wife Caroline Tuckwell (1832-1909). They raised their ten children, born between 1858 and 1875, at Como and the property was in the Armytage family until 1959, when it was handed to the National Trust. Caroline purchased Holm Park (built c. 1877) at Beaconsfield in 1883 as a country residence.  Ada became involved in the Scouting movement as early as 1902, when she invited the Richmond and Toorak troops to hold camps at Como. (5).

Miss Armytage also held scout camps at Holm Park - the 1929 camp was reported in The Argus - The 1st Dandenong Troop of Boy Scouts (Armytage's Own) has concluded a fortnight's camp at Holm Park, Beaconsfield, the property of Miss Ada Arymtage. A sports meeting was held for trophies given by Miss Armytage. One of the most interesting incidents of the camp was the campfire concert, held on sloping ground on the Holm Park home.....On behalf of the parents and committee of the troop, Councillor W.B. Tharle presented Miss Armytage with an enlarged inscribed finished coloured photograph of the troop, as a slight recognition of her generous assistance.... To commemorate the troops first birthday, Miss Armytage entertained the scouts at a party on the eve of breaking camp. The table decorations in the large Holm Park dining-room included a miniature scouts' camp from which rose a four-tier birthday cake. (6). 

The Dandenong Scout Hall

The Herald, August 21, 1929 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/244000117

In 1929, construction began on the Dandenong Scout Hall, the finest Scout Hall in Australia (7),  in Hemmings Park, on the Princes Highway near the High School. The Scout Hall was generously funded by Miss Ada Armytage, who commissioned Architect, Ivan Dimant, to design the building. (8). Hemmings Park was left to the Dandenong Shire by John Hemmings. Mr Hemmings had arrived in Dandenong in 1856; he was a Councillor, member of the Dandenong Water Trust and was a coachbuilder and wheelwright by trade. He died aged 84, June 29, 1922 (9). 

The Dandenong Journal had a detailed report of the building in June 1930 -
The work of erection was the task of Mr. Leslie G. Taylor, and every detail has been carried but with meticulous care, under supervision and direction of Mr. Woodcock, Shire engineer. In design, it is attractive, and like wise wholly imposing, having a frontage of solid brick, over which there is a surface of colored rough cast. Its turreted and battlemented entrance through a wide and imposing Gothic arch, is an adherence that is faithful to the original. From each front corner pillar there is swung a huge chain, carried in loops to smaller posts in keeping with the general design. Though the whole frontage is of brick, and of rough cast, the remainder of the spacious structure is of wood, to which has been added weighty steel columns, making for solidity; and, on the outside the rough cast has been completed, over the whole, whilst the inner walls are Leonite sheeted.

The area of the building is 50,000 feet, having a floor space of 40,000 ft., since four cloak rooms and an office accommodation has become provided at the entrance. The floors of the whole are of the best Victorian hard wood, and the dance room, which is the special feature of the whole, has been electrically planed, and is perfect. The walls internally are finished with a luxuriant Victorian timber dado and overhead is a ceiling of fibro plaster artistically affixed.

Originally it had been intended to provide a gallery, but thought of that was later abandoned. As things progressed, it was found possible to revert to that plan, and so there has now become provided a supper room, approached by a wide stairway. It is at the front of the building, where there has been provided a supper room, buffet and lounge. (10)

The Dandenong Scout Hall

The Australian Home Beautiful: a journal for the home builder. Vol. 8 No. 8 (1 August 1930), p. 66, from Trove.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2948710725

The hall was opened in July 1930 with a grand ball - Table Talk had an extensive report -

The Prince's Highway has gained another decorative note in the 1st Dandenong Armytage Own Scout Hall, which made a handsome landmark on Thursday evening, July 3, when illuminated for the opening ball, for it enabled its fine architectural features and battlement front and tower to be seen to advantage.

This beautiful hall, of which the Scouts are immensely proud, has been made possible largely through the interest and help of Miss Ada Armytage, whose home, Holm Park, Upper Beaconsfield, has always been an active centre for Scout Interests, as Miss Armytage has placed the lodge at their disposal as their camping centre. The Scout movement has always roused her admiration to such an extent that one of her proudest moments was when she herself was admitted to the ranks, and presented with one of their highest badges. Not only has Miss Armytage contributed largely to the cost of the hall, but she has given the furnishings, pictures, etc. (11).

At the opening ball, twenty-seven debutantes were presented to Miss Armytage; also in the official party was the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Melbourne, Cr. and Mrs. Harold Luxton and the local member, Mr Herbert Creamean and his wife.  The debutatntes were Misses Marjory Butler, Gwen Curtis, Lottie Roulston, Nola Verey, Rose Richardson, Phyllis Ryan, Dorothy Fletcher, Vera Donnelly, Rose Deal, Margery Talbot, Hazel Walker, Violet Richardson, Olga Merrett, Winnie Moloney, Verna Outtrim, Celia Maloney, Linda Verey, Clare Warren, Lisa Talbot, Edna Rout, Beryl Stuart, Ruth Beddoe, Eileen O'Neill, Thora Ennis, Edie Roulston, Mary Roberts, Myrtle Walker (12). The Dandenong Journal published the names of the partners of the girls and a description of the dresses of the debutantes; you can read it here. 

The Table Talk article continued with a list of guest and what they wore - this is the description for Miss Armytage who in her beautiful long gown of black chiffon with motifs at intervals worked with diamente, and graceful corsage finished of fine black chantilly lace laid over flesh pink chiffon in the centre front and back, recalled the grande dame of pre-war days, especially as her beautiful white hair was set off by a diamond tiara worn rather low on the brow, and an exquisite necklet of emeralds and diamonds was worn. She carried a gorgeous bouquet of splendid pansies and feathery chrysanthemums in tawny tones, tied with the Armytage Own Scout colors. (13).

The Scout Hall is still standing, but had ceased being used by the Scouts in the 1980s. It is on the Victorian Heritage Register. (14).

To finish this post we will look at the trip 180 Scouts made on January 7, 1935 to the Dandenong Scout Hall and Holm Park. The Scouts were attending the World Scout Jamboree held at Frankston (15). After arriving in Dandenong they visited Kelly and Lewis Pty. Ltd. and the  Dandenong Bacon Factory and from there they journeyed to the Armytage Own Scout Hall, where a surprise indeed was awaiting them. None realised so grand a hall could exist out of a metropolitan city. It was to them all an awakening. (16). 

An interesting ceremony then took place; interesting, of course, as I would have assumed that the foundation stone would have been unveiled during the construction stage of the building and not five years later  - At this point the company adjourned to the front entrance of the spacious hall. There followed a joyous ceremony - in the unveiling of the foundation stone, and to the honor of the lady (Miss Armytage), whose name is thereon inscribed in letters of gold on spacious tablet...... a silver trowel [was presented and] Miss Armytage received it with words of graciousness, and waved it appropriately over the stone, which she declared was truly placed. (17).

The Scouts then travelled to reception at the Dandenong Town Hall and their day was still not finished as they were to motor over through the glorious hills and to return via “Holm Park,” where Miss Armytage was to be their gracious hostess at afternoon tea. That was of surprising generosity, and so generously received, each visitor felt himself at home, as the name of the picturesque estate implies. (18). 

Miss Ada Armytage, with the silver trowel, unveiling the foundation stone at the 

Dandenong Scout Hall, January 7, 1935 (19)

Melbourne University Archives image 1968.0011.00255

As a matter of interest, another of Miss Armytage's project was the funding and establishment of the Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour in 1929. Hybrid Black Poplars were planted along the Princes Highway between the Cardinia Creek and the Berwick township to honour 123 local Great War soldiers (20).   Ada Armytage died on September 2, 1939. She was cremated at Springvale Cemetery and a memorial service was held at the Officer Union Church.  Miss Armytage left an estate of £139,557, but did not have a Will. She was survived a brother, two sisters, a niece and two nephews (21). 

Trove list - I have created a list of newspaper articles relating to this post, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) There is a photo of the Dandenong Scout group in Punch, January 6, 1910, see here; and an interesting account of their 1911 Christmas camp at Rosebud in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of January 12, 1911, here; the Dandenong  Advertiser of October 4, 1917, see here, reported that the Dandenong Troop was nine weeks old and the requirement to be a member of the Independent Order of Rechabites; the South Bourke and Mornington Journal of October 4, 1914, see here, called the troop the Boy Rechabite Scouts.
(2) Dandenong Journal, November 1, 1928, see here.
(3) The Argus, June 26, 1928, see here.
(4) Dandenong Journal, January 10, 1935, see here.
(5) Selzer, Anita The Armytages of Como: pastoral pioneers (Halstead press, 2003). 
(6) The Argus, January 11, 1929, see here.

(7) The Australian Home Beautiful: a journal for the home builder. Vol. 8 No. 7 (1 July 1930), p. 52.

 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2948710276

(8) Victorian Heritage Database https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/201973 
(9) John Hemmings - see various articles in my Trove list, here.
(10) Dandenong Journal, June 5, 1930, see here.

(11) Table Talk, July 10, 1930, see here.

(12) Ibid

(13) Ibid

(14) Victorian Heritage Database https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/201973 

(15) World Scout Jamboree, Frankston 1935 - the State Library of Victoria has digitised the official programme, access it here http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/132768

(16) Dandenong Journal, January 10, 1935, see here.

(17) Ibid

(18) Ibid

(19) The University Archives have this photograph dated January 7, 1933; but if the Dandenong Journal article of January 10, 1935 (as quoted) about the trip the Scouts from the World Jamboree to Dandenong is correct, then this photo must be from 1935.

(20) Just found this application from Miss Armytage to the Berwick Shire Council to plant the Avenue of Honour -

Dandenong Journal July 25, 1929, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/201028111

Penny Harris Jennings has researched the men from the Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour; read it here  - https://beaconsfield.org.au/beaconsfield-avenue-of-honour/

(21) Ada Armytage - see various articles in my Trove list, here. her only surviving next of kin were listed in the Dandenong Journal of March 20, 1940 (see here) as - Charles Norman Learmonth Armytage (brother); Leila Christina Armytage, Constance Caroline Fitzpatrick (sisters); Doris Mostyn Armytage (niece), and Gerald Mostyn Armytage and John Mostyn Armytage (nephews).

This is an expanded version of  a post, which I wrote and researched, which appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past.

Carrum Downs - a short history

Carrum Downs grew out of a 1908 sub-division of a sheep run, which created many small farms and that year the Mornington and Dromana Standard published this glowing report of the area - 

The Downs, Carrum.

This portion of Carrum has made great strides as an agricultural district. The area is dotted with residences, and improvements in the properties are plainly evidenced as one passes along. There are sixteen miles of new fencing, and two thousand pounds worth of new residences have been erected. There are new settlers on the Downs and their families total 50 persons. A school has been promised by the Education Department, to be situated on Frankston road, and about 30 children are awaiting erection.

400 acres of virgin soil have been ploughed and cultivated, and the farmers are perfectly satisfied as to the quality of the soil, and are growing oats, onions, and potatoes. The crops around about are promising to be heavy; in some cases cattle have to be put on to eat down the growing stuff. 
The owner of the Carrum Downs estate has generously given a block of land for the school.

As showing the profit to be made out of milk, a Carrum dairyman has made £10 per head (in the last five months), with his cows, selling the best milk. Another farmer recently had a cow met with an accident, and she had to be slung. Then she made £6 for milk in seven weeks. Some smart ploughing has been done by Mr John McCoombe, of Carrum, who ploughed 35 acres with two teams in five days. (1). 

Twenty years later, in 1929, the Dandenong Journal, published the following report which suggested that perhaps the early days were not so rosy -

A little over 20 years ago this prosperous little district, situated between Dandenong and Frankston, was a sheep run, infested with rabbits, and guiltless of a decent road. About this time it was taken over by a city firm, surveyed and divided into various sized farms, and sold to several people for very high prices. Most of the new settlers had no previous experience of farming, but they paid deposits and took possession of their new purchases with more hope in their hearts than cash in their pockets. The result with these was inevitable. 

After fencing their properties and building homes, funds had shrunk to the vanishing point, and although enthusiasm is a beautiful asset to start with, it is no good for buying cows and paying further instalments on the land. Therefore, vacant houses and mortgagees’ land ornamented Carrum Downs for a time. Gradually, however, the right class of people began to arrive, who built sheds and bought dairy herds. 

A school was erected, roads were made, and a post office opened. Motor buses now come through the district, taking the milk to the city and suburbs for distribution. About three years ago some energetic residents set to work to get a telephone service. The matter seemed quite hopeless at first, but eventually success crowned their efforts, and Carrum Downs now boasts a telephone exchange at the post office, with branch lines to many farm houses.

A public hall is now the ambition of those worthy people, who have an insatiable thirst for improvements. A strong committee, with Cr. Fairbairn, of Cranbourne Council, as president, has completed the financial arrangements, and its success is assured. A hall will be a great boon to the district. Church services will be held there, instead of in the school room, also socials and various other amusements to add to the content of the rising generation, and perhaps cheer them on to greater efforts in the cowshed, etc.  

When the hall is an accomplished fact, a movement will be set on foot to get electric lighting in the homes. With all these improvements, who shall say we are not a progressive people? It has been a matter of immense satisfaction to older residents to see this once rough, virgin land transformed into a fine looking dairying district, with comfortable farm houses and well dressed men, women and children journeying back and forth on business or pleasure in their own motor cars. (2).

The first school at Carrum Downs, No. 3613,  opened on March 22, 1909 in a house owned by Mrs Blades. This school was soon over-crowded and a purpose built school opened on Frankston-Dandenong Road on September 11, 1911. The head Teacher, Evelyn McIntire was in charge of  sixty students. Growth in the area was steady until 1960 when the school population rose to 100 and two more rooms were added. (3).

Overcrowding in the original school.

Mornington and Dromana Standard May 7, 1910 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70087474 

The Carrum Downs Memorial Hall was opened, by Cr Taylor, the Cranbourne Shire President, with a ball on Wednesday, May 21 1930. The Dandenong Journal reported that - 
Cr. Taylor said that it was a pleasing duty for him to perform, especially as it was a memorial to fallen soldiers, as too much could not be done to keep green the memory of those gallant boys who had given their all for their country, and who had done far more to put Australia on the map than all the politicians' propaganda, or overseas conferences put together. Following is the list of names of soldiers who enlisted in the district, and had made the supreme sacrifice (J.P. Chittenden, L. Matheson, J. Kershaw, W.W. Crabtree, R. Scrivener) (4) were to be engraved on a suitable tablet erected in the hall, and dedicated at a memorial service, of some such function held at a future date. He had much pleasure in declaring the hall opened, and hoped that it would prove a great acquisition to the social life of the district. (5). 

It appears that a suitable tablet was not installed in the Hall until 1950 when an Honour Board listing the names of the First and Second World War soldiers was unveiled on March 12 by Lieutenant-Colonel Ryan.(6).

Opening of the Carrum Downs Memorial Hall

Frankston and Somerville Standard  May 17, 1930  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73516919

Historically, the township of Carrum Downs was always split between the Shire of Frankston and Hastings and the Shire of Cranbourne - Frankston Dandenong Road being the boundary - the School was on the Shire of Frankston and Hastings side;  the Memorial Hall was on the Cranbourne Shire side as was the Recreation Reserve in Wedge Road and the Scout Hall. (7).  This led the community to feeling neglected by both Shires and in 1910  there was a movement to secede from both and go to Dandenong, as the article, below, notes.

Seeking annexation to Dandenong

The Argus, May 20 1910   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10857564

However, in 1918, there was a movement to secede from Cranbourne Shire to be entirely in the Frankston and Hastings Shire - 

Advocates and opponents of the proposal to sever Carrum Downs from Cranbourne shire and annex it to Frankston shire argued their cause at a deputation to the Minister of Public Works yesterday. The petitioners for the severance contended that Seaford and Carrum stations, which were in Frankston shire, were the natural outlets for produce from Carrum Downs, and much nearer their farms than Cranbourne or Dandenong stations. Frankston shire was willing to take in Carrum Downs, but would not improve the roads to Seaford and Carrum stations for the benefit of the petitioners unless the annexation was brought about. Cranbourne shire protested against the proposal on the ground that the petitioners represented neither a majority in acreage nor valuation in Carrum Downs. Mr. Robinson promised to reflect on the matter and advise the petitioners in due course of his decision. (8). Nothing came of these severance movements. 

Around April 1935, the Brotherhood of St Laurence (9) established a settlement for unemployed people on 45 acres (10) in Carrum Downs. The land was funded by Melbourne businessman, Mr G.J. Coles, the founder of Coles' chain of stores (11). The founder of the Brotherhood, Father Gerard Tucker (1885-1974) believed there needed to be an alternative to being unemployed and subsequent slum living conditions in the inner cities. On this farm -

One-acre blocks are to be allotted to single men at a rental of 6d a week after the first six months with community housing. Men who work their blocks successfully will be given five-acre blocks later at a rental of 2/6 a week. For married men with families in comfortable house and land are provided for 5/ a week. (12). 

Father Tucker explained the operation of the settlement in 1935 -
The scheme did not set out to deal with "all and sundry," but to help the better class of unemployed to help themselves. "Even the best type of man, if left to fend for himself when he is unemployed, tends to drift into the great army of unemployables," Father Tucker continued, "Our settlement scheme aims at taking him away from the overstocked labor market, and at making him, as far as possible, self-supporting. There would no great object in finding a job for him in the city, for that would mean displacing someone else from employment; our aim is to give him the new job of working for himself.

Under the scheme unemployed men, carefully selected, were taken from the city-slum areas, where they were required to pay about 15/ a week for an desirable house, and settled in a comfortable house, with a rental of only 5/, at the Brotherhood's settlement at Carrum Downs. Here each man was given a block of land, about half an acre, to begin with, and later, if he could make use of it, anything up to five acres, here he could draw vegetables or run poultry, and so gradually become self-supporting. At present eight carefully chosen families were, housed at Carrum Downs, where the Brotherhood also had a farm of about fifty acres for single men. This farm had been opened some four months ago, and within another month or so it was hoped to give each man a hut, a block of land, and stock of his own. Then as each man was started out on his own, his place on the farm would be taken by other unemployed single men."  (13).

The Settlement was officially opened on October 5, 1935 by Francis Marriott, M.H.R., who was also the Secretary of Toc H Movement (14). 

To support the families the Carrum Downs Truby King Infant Welfare Centre was opened in the settlement on April 14, 1945. The Dandenong Journal reported that - 

Mr. Martin has given the building in memory of his late wife. Dr. Vera Scantlebury Brown and Mr.

Martin both spoke and expressed the hope that the building would serve a useful purpose for the mothers and babes of the district for many years to come. (15). 

 However, after the Second World War the focus of the settlement changed from the young families and the unemployed to the Elderly. 

The book - The Carrum Downs story: an account of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence village settlement for elderly people at Carrum Downs notes that - 

Some thirty families lived in modest cottages on the property until the War years, when most of them returned to the city to take advantage of the new employment opportunities.

Towards the end of the war, numbers of elderly people in need of accommodation approached the Brotherhood, and it was decided to build some small cottages for elderly people at Carrum Downs. The first cottage was completed in October, 1945. (16). 

This cottage was built as a demonstration cottage in the grounds of  St George's Church in Glenferrie Road, Malvern, to raise publicity and support for the scheme. (17). 

On April 27, 1946 the first two bungalows were officially opened at Carrum Downs - The Age reported -

Funds for one of the bungalows, named Thanksgiving Bungalow, were subscribed as a thanksgiving for the safe return of men from the recent war. The second bungalow, financed from a radio station fund, was erected by students of Geelong Grammar School. The bungalows are comfortable and cosy, consisting of a bed-sitting room, bathroom, kitchenette and verandah. They will be occupied by elderly and infirm persons with low incomes. The Geelong Grammar students would eventually build eight bungalows. (18). 

Single cottages at the Brotherhood of St Laurence settlement. 

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/1625

Croquet Green and Cottages  at the Brotherhood of St Laurence settlement. 

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/1622

In October 1951, Collins Court was opened at the settlement for the elderly who needed some level of support. One of the residents was Francis Sherbourne, a veteran of the Boer War and World War One, who was interviewed by The Age at the opening of Collins Court - 

"You know, many of us older folk have been finding, it a bit hard to make do, especially since the war, but now Father Tucker and the Brotherhood have solved all that for us," he said.

"Here at Carrum Downs we have everything we want and all we have to pay is two-thirds of our incomes, whatever they may be. Collins Court is for people like myself who cannot manage to do much for themselves. We have our meals in a community dining room and use a common bathroom and laundry," Mr. Sherbourne explained. " Living here is the nearest thing to paradise I can imagine," said 77 -year-old Mr. Francis Sherbourne on Saturday. (19).

Francis Sherbourne, with Father Gerard Tucker (left) and Sir George Knox, M.L.A (right) at the opening of Collins Court at the Brotherhood of St Laurence settlement.

The Age, October 8, 1951 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205334014#

A Cottage Hospital was opened on September 10, 1952 at the settlement (20). It was built by members of the Melbourne Junior Chamber of Commerce, the 'Jaycees'. The Herald reported on the Hospital - 

The building of eight squares contains a men's and women's ward, with a self contained flat. It has

proved of splendid service for old people who may need temporary special attention at the settlement without being ill enough to justify removal to a public hospital.

Mr Leslie Perrott. Jnr., was honorary architect, and 166 Melbourne "Jaycees" worked 357 days on

the building. Including furnishings, the nominal cost was £3714. Of this amount £429/14/ was provided in cash donations, and £1577 in donations of materials. The work given free was valued at £1272. (21).

Cottage Hospital, Brotherhood of St Laurence settlement.

Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. State Library of Victoria Image H32492/1619

By 1952,  the settlement housed 80 elderly people (22). From the 1980s the old cottages were redeveloped. Footnote 23  has a link to a time-line of the Settlement at Carrum Downs.

From the 1970s the farms of Carrum Downs began being sub-divided into housing estates, an early one being the Botany Park 80 Estate. The 730 acre site was purchased in late 1972, the first housing block being sold in 1976. There were 1,400 blocks of land with a minimum size of 650 square metres. In 1977 they ranged in price from $13,500 to $17,000 and house and land packages could be purchased from $38,000 to $47,000, the house size being around 14 squares. (24).

The Botany Park 80 Housing Estate 

The Age, April 22, 1977, p. 23 newspapers.com

The Botany Park 80 Housing Estate. I have added the road names in red.

The Age, April 22, 1977, p. 23 newspapers.com

The Pinehurst, available for $44, 250 in the Botany Park 80 estate.

The Age, April 22, 1977, p. 23 newspapers.com

In common with some of the other towns in the old Shire of Cranbourne - Cranbourne, Hampton Park, Lyndhurst and now increasingly Clyde - Carrum Downs is now really a suburb of Melbourne and houses have taken over the farms. 

Trove list - I have created a list of articles, relating to this post, access it here. 

Footnotes

(1) Mornington & Dromana Standard, August 22, 1908, see here.

(2) Dandenong Journal, April 4, 1929, see here.

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

(4) The Honour Board installed in 1950 (see Footnote 6) lists 12 World War Soldiers - 

John Phillip Chittenden (Service Number 5670)

William Wordsworth Crabtree (SN 4774)

H. Davies, most likely Harry Alexander Davey (SN 2302)

Stewart James Forbes (SN 712)

Guy Griffiths (SN 725)

John Kershaw (Lieutenant)

L. Mathewson, most likely Alexander Mathewson (SN 2871)

Leslie Thomas Mathewson (name listed as Matheson in the 1930 report of the Memorial Hall opening)  - no record at the National Archives, but on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial, died 29/7/1915

Robert Scrivener (SN 825)

G. Taylor, most likely Ernest Taylor (SN 2461)

Albert Edward Temple M.M. (SN 1128)

Sydney Vialls (SN 2222). 

(5) Dandenong Journal, May 29, 1930, see here.

(6) Dandenong Journal, March 22, 1950, see here. There is a photograph of the Honour Board at Monument Australia https://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/107588-carrum-downs-roll-of-honour 

(7)  The Shire of Frankston and Hastings was split into two in 1960. The Shire of Frankston became the City of Frankston in 1966. The Shire of Hastings was amalgamated into the Mornington Peninsula Shire in 1994. After the 1994 Council amalgamations all of Carrum Downs was consolidated into the City of Frankston. (Source: Victorian Municipal Directory and the Melway Street Directories)

(8) The Age, May 22 1918, see here.

(9) Brotherhood of St Laurence - http://bsltimeline.pbworks.com/   Gerard Kennedy Tucker - Australian Dictionary of Biography entry https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/tucker-gerard-kennedy-9259

(10) The land size is listed as 45 acres or 100 acres in the newspaper reports; the Cranbourne Shire Rate books list the property in 1936/1937 as 2 parcels of land - one 12 acres and one 28 acres - thus 40 acres.

(11) George James Coles (1885-1977) Australian Dictionary of Biography entry https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/coles-sir-george-james-9788  

(12) The Argus, May 4, 1935, see here.

(13) The Age, August 9, 1935, see here.

(14) Opening report, The Age October 7, 1935, see here; Toc H - https://www.toch.org.au/

(15) Dandenong Journal, April 25, 1945, see here.

(16) The Carrum Downs story : an account of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence village settlement for elderly people at Carrum Downs, Victoria. Published in 1957. On-line at the State Library of Victoria, http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/213028 

(17) The Argus, November 1, 1945, see here.

(18) The Age, April 29, 1946, see here.

(19) The Age, October 8, 1951, see here.

(20) The Herald, September 8, 1952, see here.

(21) The Herald, April 17, 1953, see here.

(22) The Age, August 14, 1952, see here.

(23) Brotherhood of St Laurence Settlement at Carrum  timeline here  

(24) The Age, April 22, 1977, p. 23 on newspapers.com

This is an expanded version of a post I wrote in 2014 on Carrum Downs on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past. 

Arthur McKenna and his dear Clara

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

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

My Dear Clara,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the Emerald Hill Record (10) -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arthur McKenna's death notice

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

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

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

Footnotes

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) Arthur and Clara's wedding certificate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(11) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com

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

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

Elwood Mechanics' Institute and Infant Welfare Centre

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

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

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

Elwood c. 1925. 

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

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

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

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

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

Site reserved for Elwood Police Station and Public Hall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Library Conscience.

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

— ADVANCE CULTURE (Elwood).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and support of the whole community.

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

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

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

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

Image courtesy Port Phillip City Collection SK0947(2)

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

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

Image courtesy Port Phillip City Collection SK0947(1)

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

Image courtesy Port Phillip City Collection SK0947(10)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Footnotes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(12) The Age, May 25, 1935, see here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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