This post is a short history of the Bembridge area and is a companion post to my history of the Bembridge State School, No. 4557, which operated from 1937 until 1953. You can read this here.
Before we start, the name Bembridge comes from the Old English and means place lying this side of the bridge (1)
This map, based on the Tyabb Parish Plan, was drawn by Leila Shaw and appears in her book The Way We Were. (2) You can see the location of Bembridge, formerly The Saltmans, top right.
The Saltmans
The area was originally known as The Saltmans or Saltmans Plains, presumably due to its low-lying situation on the edge of Western Port Bay, and the earliest references I can find to it are in connections to bushfires in the 1890s.
The Argus in February 1895 reported - The plains known as Saltman's, which adjoin Westernport Bay, have been blazing for days past, and the thermometer has varied from 98deg. to 102deg. for the last four days. The place is enveloped in smoke, and news is still coming to hand of further destruction by a fire which is now raging towards Langwarrin. (3)
Three years later in February 1898, The Argus had this report -
On Sunday, another fire was raging on the "Saltman's" Plains, which is a reserve of several thousand acres bordering the Westernport Bay, and kept the beaters busy to stop it from running into the properties of Messrs. Batchellor, Pike, Morrison, and McKirdy. Nearly the whole of the Langwarrin Estate is burnt, and there is hardly any of the "Saltman's" unconsumed. (4)
Another fire occurred in January 1905, as reported by the Mornington Standard -
Several large fires have broken out in this district during the past week. A large portion of the Saltman's Plains, extending to the Westernport beach, has been burned. (5)
The area, possibly Crown land, was leased as a whole and in November 1902, Mr E. A. Sage placed this public notice in the Mornington Standard -
All Stock running on Saltman's Plains, Tyabb, will be impounded from this date. E. A. SAGE, Lessee. (6) This is, I presume, Edward Arthur Sage, listed in the 1903 Electoral Rolls as a butcher from Somerville. The term, The Saltmans was still in use to describe the area in the 1930s - for instance in a report of yet another fire in 1932 -
Bush Fires - Several fires broke out on Saturday last. In two cases homes were endangered at The Saltmans, a dozen neighbors had difficulty in keeping the fire at a safe distance from the home of Mr. Beglehole. (7)
In 1934 we learn of young John Nash's accident -
While playing in a paddock near his parents' residence, John Nash, the four-year-old son of Mr and Mrs S. Nash, of The Saltmans, was kicked on the head by a horse. He received a compound fracture of the skull. After examination at Somerville he was removed to the Children's Hospital. (8)
However, by 1936 when there was agitation for the School, newspaper reports always referred to the area as Bembridge - with this exception in December 1936 when the Frankston and Somerville Standard reported on the new school thusly - The news that the Education department has decided to build a school at Bembridge, usually known locally as "The Saltmans," has intense satisfaction to resident that quarter. (9)
Detail of Plan of the agricultural area of Tyabb, 1865.
Click on image to enlarge.
The Saltmans is top right, in the vicinity of Tyabb Water Holes
Office of Lands and Survey, Photo-lithographed by J. Noone.
State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/166429
Bembridge Estate at The Saltmans
In January 1906 the following advertisement appeared in various newspapers for the new Bembridge Estate which was, as a later advert noted, A rare chance for you to get a farm of your own (10). Bembridge Estate - We have just received instructions to sell this wonderfully well situated land, in blocks from 10 to 50 Acres: price £5 per acre. £1 per acre deposit, balance to suit. See this immediately, as it is specially good. Birtchnell Bros. & Porter, 82 Swanston-st. (11)
Sales may well have slowed down two months later when yet another fire swept through the area -
The Saltman's Plains, about 2000 acres bordering Westernport Bay, took fire, and the flames spread with great rapidity, crossing into Mr. Miller's property. A large quantity of fencing was burned, and the orchard, which was laid out in English fashion, was destroyed. Some of the out-buildings were also burned. On Monday the property owned by the executors of the late Wm. Craig, adjoining the Saltman's, was severely damaged by the fire, the house and fencing being burned. (12)
Whether or not the land at the Bembridge Estate was a suitable purchase for farmers was a matter for debate. In April 1907 the Somerville Fruit-growers', Horticultural, and Agricultural Association, invited Dr Cherry, of the Agricultural Department to inspect the land and give a lecture to the locals as to the result of his inspection (13). The Weekly Times reported -
The settlers on the Bembridge estate, Saltman's Plains, have been given an encouraging opinion regarding the producing qualities of their holdings by Dr. Cherry, Director for Agriculture. In response to a request, Dr. Cherry recently inspected the land and told the settlers that it only required working to sweeten it and make it productive. Old farmers, who have spent the best of their lives in the district, have stated that the land is practically useless as it had never produced anything but sparse, stunted timber and short scrub. (14)In January 1912, an advertisement for the re-sale of two of the blocks, promoted the area's orcharding credentials.
Bungower Road, part of Bembridge's Estate. 4 miles Somerville, 3 miles Tyabb - 45 acres of Orchard Land, in two blocks of 10 and 35 acres, being lots 2 and 7, on plan of sub-division 4716, and being part of Crown allotments 29 and 30. 12 acres cleared, 1000 fruit trees. 3 and 4 years planted, together with a 3-roomed horse, stable and shed. This property is situated in the centre of the finest fruit growing district in Victoria. Title, certificate. Terms--£50 cash, and balance by yearly instalments of £5 with 5 per cent interest added. For further information apply Birtchnell Bros and Porter, 82 Swanston-street. (15)
It appears then, that many fruit trees had been successfully planted and they had survived 3 to 4 years, so perhaps the land wasn't practically useless as some of the old timers had opined in 1907. Alternatively, the poor land may have been the impetus for farmers to find another source of income, such as coal mining. This report is from October 1910 - Mr V. J. Fraser, of the Bembridge Estate, Somerville, is continuing his boring operations for coal on his property, near Somerville. About 12 feet of stuff has been passed through, which shows signs of good coal. Mr Fraser's bore has reached a depth of 140ft, and he has procured additional lengths, and continued boring on Friday. It is highly probable that a good quality seam will be struck within a few feet from the present depth, as the prospects are very promising. (16) In spite of the optimism, there is no evidence that coal was ever found.
Bembridge Progress Association
The push for the School also seemed to inspire other civic zeal - the Progress Association was formed in May 1937, as reported by the Frankston and Somerville Standard -
Convened by Mr. McAllister, a meeting of residents of Bembridge district was held at the property of Mr. C. Roach, jnr., on Saturday. At the meeting a body to be known as the Bembridge Progress Association was formed. Mr. C. W. Roach, senior, was elected chairman, and Mr. C. Rolfe, secretary. (17) These men were John James Duncan McAllister, Somerville, a labourer; Charles Winfield Roach jnr, Somerville, a farmer and Cedric Charles Rolfe of Waikato, Tyabb. (18)
Convened by Mr. McAllister, a meeting of residents of Bembridge district was held at the property of Mr. C. Roach, jnr., on Saturday. At the meeting a body to be known as the Bembridge Progress Association was formed. Mr. C. W. Roach, senior, was elected chairman, and Mr. C. Rolfe, secretary. (17) These men were John James Duncan McAllister, Somerville, a labourer; Charles Winfield Roach jnr, Somerville, a farmer and Cedric Charles Rolfe of Waikato, Tyabb. (18)
This report on the Progress Association from July 1945, tells us something about organisation and mentions a few local people - A pleasant function was held in the Progress Association's rooms on July 14 when Mr. Harry Boakes was farewelled prior to his departure for Bungower Road, Somerville. Mr. Boakes who had been a resident of Bembridge for 20 years, was thanked by the president (Mr. W. A. Elliott), for his grand work for and on behalf of the Association. Mr. Elliott said that Mr. Boakes was one of the oldest members, and his wisdom and counsel would be missed. Mr. Roach Senior, said that when the Association held a social evening that Mr. Boakes was the first at the rooms and helped with all the work getting the rooms ready for the evening's entertainment. He would (and felt sure he spoke for all others), miss Mr. Boakes, and trusted that he would be able to attend sometimes at the social evenings held by the Association. The president, on behalf of the Association, presented the guest of honor with a gift. Mr. Boakes, in a neat speech, thanked one and all. Mr. Felmingham has purchased the property recently occupied by Mr. Boakes. (19)
Bembridge Social Club and the Hall
At some time during the Second World War, a Bembridge Social Club was also established; this report of the 1945 Annual General Meeting lists some of the members -
The Annual General meeting of the Bembridge Social Club was held last Saturday night in the club rooms, Bungower Road, when the new committee was elected; all retiring members with the exception of the secretary (F. Kahl) who resigned and did not offer himself for re-election, were re-elected as follows: President, Mr. Geo. Spence, vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Douglas and Mr. W. Perritt; committee, Messrs. Turner, Dobby, Pratt, Spriggs, and Levy; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. Manby. (20)
There was a need for a local hall, and after the school closed temporarily in February 1942 the Education Department allowed the Bembridge Social Committee to hold card parties for Patriotic purposes in the building as well as fortnightly social evenings. (21) However after the re-opening of the School in September 1943, another venue was required and the Bembridge Social Club took up the challenge and in January 1944, as reported, the resourceful residents at Bembridge have purchased a suitable building, which they intend to erect as a public hall. (22) The Hall was put into good use straight away with two Euchre parties being held in aid of the Red Cross. (23) The Hall was located in Bungower Road, and regular card nights, followed by a supper, where held throughout the War years.
The Annual General meeting of the Bembridge Social Club was held last Saturday night in the club rooms, Bungower Road, when the new committee was elected; all retiring members with the exception of the secretary (F. Kahl) who resigned and did not offer himself for re-election, were re-elected as follows: President, Mr. Geo. Spence, vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Douglas and Mr. W. Perritt; committee, Messrs. Turner, Dobby, Pratt, Spriggs, and Levy; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. Manby. (20)
There was a need for a local hall, and after the school closed temporarily in February 1942 the Education Department allowed the Bembridge Social Committee to hold card parties for Patriotic purposes in the building as well as fortnightly social evenings. (21) However after the re-opening of the School in September 1943, another venue was required and the Bembridge Social Club took up the challenge and in January 1944, as reported, the resourceful residents at Bembridge have purchased a suitable building, which they intend to erect as a public hall. (22) The Hall was put into good use straight away with two Euchre parties being held in aid of the Red Cross. (23) The Hall was located in Bungower Road, and regular card nights, followed by a supper, where held throughout the War years.
Detail of the Bembridge section of Mr Roach's Mail Run map, as drawn by Leila Shaw, showing the Hall location in Bungower Road and the school location in Tyabb-Tooradin Road.
Click on image to enlarge.
Image: The Way We Were by Leila Shaw (24)
The local Council was initially unaware of this new public building in their Shire, and it was the subject of discussion at a Council meeting - Without realising that it was breaking a Council by-law, Bembridge, in a spirit of enterprise, arranged for the removal of a building from Pearcedale for use as a hall. This was explained in a letter to Frankston Council on Friday night. As the building complied with Council regulations, it was decided to issue a belated permit. (25)
The Hall receives a belated permit
Frankston Standard, February 11, 1944 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75049512
In March 1945, the Frankston Standard could report that the Bembridge Social Club has decided to offer its rooms in Bungower Road free to any religious order caring to avail themselves of same for services, Sunday School, etc. It is hoped that the churches will be able to accept this offer. (26)
In May 1945, the following report of the Progress Association meeting was published in the Frankston Standard -
At a public meeting convened by the Progress Association the following matters were discussed and the attendant motions passed:
Re public telephone: "That the sectary write to the P.M.G. Department re a public phone at Bembridge, and find details of cost,, etc." It was stated that Mr. C. Grice had some time ago promised financial help. Mr. A. Sullivan informed the meeting that, if it was necessary to have a caretaker that the phone could be erected at or near Mr. Sullivan's home.
Re roads: "That the secretary write to the Council requesting that a deputation meet the engineer and inspect roads in the district."
Re bus: "That further representation for a bus be made, and that the route be from Pearcedale along the Somerville Road to Eromosa Road corner, then along Mc Kadies Road to junction, of Tyabb-Tooradan Road, thence along Tyabb-Tooradin Road to Pearcedale, thence to Dandenong, returning the same way." Views expressed by various speakers showed how this, service could and would help the district.
Re public hall: "That the secretary write to the Social Club inviting the Social Club Committee along to discuss ways and means of transferring the Social Club's rooms to a committee to be appointed, and known as the Hall Committee." Speakers pointed out that as the district had no public hall, and as a block of land has been offered on which a hall could be erected, it seemed as if the money spent on enlarging and improving the Social Club's rooms would be more to the advancement of this district than building a new hall. The matter rested in the hands of the members of the Social Club (it was pointed out), who only can say whether they are prepared to co-operate and make their rooms into a hall which the district can be proud of. It was suggested that the Hall Committee should consist of nine members, three from each of the Social Club and the Progress Association and three from outside of both these, with an outside chairman. It was also pointed out that neither side would lose its individuality. (27)
I have no information as to the fate of the Bembridge Hall.
The locals were not just concerned about the state of the roads in 1945, this had been an issue since the Bembridge Estate was established in 1906. In May 1909, for instance the Frankston and Hastings Shire received the following letter from - Messrs Dawson, Park, Cornack, Sullivan, Malony, Thornell, Anderson, and Koersten, residents on " Bembridge Estate," requesting early attention by council to bad road on north side of the estate before the winter sets in. (28)
Eight years later in 1917 the Engineer for the Shire of Frankston and Hastings presented this report on the road to The Saltmans -
This road traverses a wet, peaty flat and no useful results would be obtained by forming the road unless it is drained and gravelled. This work would cost say £200. Some useful work could be done by forming about 15 chains of the Bungower road at the Eastern end. This work would only cost £6. A motion to work on the 15 chains of road was carried. (29)In May 1945, the Frankston Standard reported that -
The Bembridge roads are in a bad state, and to obtain improvements the Centre Riding councillors (Messrs. Noble, Firth and Webb), and the shire engineer were invited to meet the Progress Association in Bembridge. About 12 members met the councillors, engineer and assistant engineer, and after a discussion the party set off on a tour of inspection of the different roads. On the tour Messrs. Rolfe and Elliott acted as spokesmen for the residents, and put the case for improvements, which were promised on different roads, also drains to be cleaned and culverts repaired. The councillors said improvements would be carried out as soon as possible if the residents would help with the labor problem. (30)
By 1948 the area actually had a bus service, but the roads were still so bad that, as reported in the Dandenong Journal, residents were in danger of losing the Frankston-Bembridge bus service because of the bad state of Boundary Rd between Robinson’s Rd. and Golf Links Road. (31)
This short history of the Bembridge area and is a companion post to my history of the Bembridge State School, No. 4557, which operated from 1937 until 1953. You can read this here.
Government Services
A convenient service to the locals was provided by the Government in late 1937 when a rural mail delivery service was established (32) with Charles Roach being the first delivery man. His memories of this are published in Lelia Shaw's book The Way We Were -
I organised the first Road-side Postal service from Somerville via Frankston/Flinders Road, Dandenong Road, Pikes Road, Witney's Road, Bungower Road and return to Tooadin -Tyabb Road and right to Boundary road and end of run.....When the Postal Inspector came around, he altered some of it and said that those living off the road in isolated houses could put their mail box on the roadway as set out. I was not allowed to go to isolated boxes.
I won the first contract in 1937 and delivered the mail and daily papers on a push bike. The roads in those days were bad and hard on the bike when loaded......When I first started, I think it was over 20 miles...a big post box was erected on on the corner of Bungower Road and Tooradin-Tyabb Road and residents could post their letters there. I did the delivery for fourteen years.... I was sick on two days during the 14 years and my niece did the delivery one day and nephew the other day (Gwen and Lyall Roach) (33)
Gwen Roach, who helped her uncle out with his mail run, on her wedding day, October 6, 1945, to Frederick Stephen Piper.
Image and wedding report - Frankston Standard, October 18, 1945, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75055339
Charles Roach's Mail Run map, as drawn by Leila Shaw.
Click on image to enlarge.
Image: The Way We Were by Leila Shaw (34)
Detail of the Bembridge section of Mr Roach's Mail Run map, as drawn by Leila Shaw, showing the Hall location in Bungower Road and the school location in Tyabb-Tooradin Road.
Click on image to enlarge.
Image: The Way We Were by Leila Shaw
In 1948, the following letter was published in the Frankston Standard regarding electricity supply (or lack thereof)
Sir,--It was a pleasure to read in this week's' "Standard" your outspoken comments regarding the lack of electricity on the farms throughout the Mornington Peninsula. People between Somerville, Tyabb and Bembridge have asked for it many times. Apart from the inconvenience of petrol irons and kerosene lamps, they are too expensive. Could the Commission help the farmers, who, if several yards off the road, are charged £36 or more to bring electricity to the house, and that, usually has to be paid within a month ? Could that money be spread over the five years, like the guarantee, as the initial expense has prevented many farmers having electricity installed?
Again thanking you for bringing to the fore such an important matter as the need for electricity on our farms.-Yours etc.,
G. A. CAMM, Somerville, 20/3/48 (35)
I have no information about when Bembridge was supplied with electricity.
War Service
I can find two men with a Bembridge connection (apart from Clement Greenwood, the first teacher at the school, whom I have written about in the School history, here) who enlisted in World War Two, but there would be more than that - nearly 200 men who were born in Somerville enlisted and over seventy men had Somerville as their address on enlistment (36) and some of these men would have been from Bembridge. The ones we know about are Sergeant Jim Coghlan (VX126854 (V80138) and Corporal Cedric Rolfe (VX5678) (37)
Sergeant Jim Coghlan
Weekly Times, December 6, 1941 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224829265
Corporal Cedric Rolfe
Frankston Standard, January 7, 1944 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75049137
Last References
The last two reference on Trove I can find to Bembridge both concern Stanley Spencer and as he was the last teacher at the school that seems to be appropriate. In August 1952, he was listed as transferring to Bembridge and in May 1953, there was a report of his marriage to Miss Constance Rowe. (38) The school closed the next month.
Stanley Spencer's appointed to Bembridge.
The Argus, August 5, 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23181120
Stanley Spencer gets married
The Herald, May 16, 1953 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245162703
We'll finish off this potted history of Bembridge with the following report which appeared in the Country News section of The Age in 1941 -
With the aid of traps and ferrets, a Bembridge trapper caught 500 rabbits at Bembridge in two days.(39)
Many rabbits
The Age, August 22, 1941 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205172951
Bembridge is remembered today by Bembridge Road, which runs off Tooradin-Tyabb Road. A Bembridge golf course was located on Bembridge Road from 1995 until around 2019 (40). It is now the Mornington Green Cemetery.
This short history of the Bembridge area and is a companion post to my history of the Bembridge State School, No. 4557, which operated from 1937 until 1953. You can read this here.
Acknowledgment - It was through the map (at the top of this post) in Leila Shaw's book The way we were: adventures, feats and experiences of pioneering families of the Mornington Peninsula (Somerville, Tyabb & District Heritage Society, 1998) that I found out that the Bembridge area was originally known as The Saltmans. Leila Shaw (nee Brunning, 1927-2016) was a local historian and her collection formed the basis of the Somerville, Tyabb and District Historical Society.
Trove list - I have created a list of articles from Trove, on Bembridge and The Saltmans. Access it here.
Footnotes
(1) Mills, A.D A dictionary of British Place names (Oxford University Press, 2003)
(2) Shaw, Lelia The way we were: adventures, feats and experiences of pioneering families of the Mornington Peninsula (Somerville, Tyabb & District Heritage Society, 1998). Map is from page 6.
(3) The Argus, February 15, 1895, see here.
(4) The Argus, February 2, 1898, see here.
(5) Mornington Standard, January 14, 1905, see here.
(6) Mornington Standard, November 15, 1902, see here.
(7) Frankston and Somerville Standard, January 23, 1932, see here.
(8) Frankston and Somerville Standard, November 2, 1934, see here.
(9) Frankston and Somerville Standard, December 11, 1936, see here.
(10) The Australasian, March 17, 1906, see here.
(11) The Age, January 3, 1906, see here.
(12) The Age, March 7, 1906, see here.
(13) The Argus, April 1, 1907, see here.
(14) Weekly Times, April 27, 1907, see here.
(15) Mornington Standard, January 27, 1912, see here.
(16) Mornington and Dromana Standard, October 8, 1910, see here.
(17) Frankston and Somerville Standard, May 21, 1937, see here.
(18) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com
(19) Frankston Standard, July 26, 1945, see here.
(20) Frankston Standard, February 22, 1945, see here.
(21) Bembridge School Building files at the Public Records Office of Victoria - VPRS 795/P0000, 4557 (1936-1956 and 1960-1961)
(22) Frankston Standard, January 21, 1944, see here.
(23) Frankston Standard, February 4, 1944, see here.
(24) Shaw, Lelia, op. cit., p. 191
(25) Frankston Standard, February 11, 1944, see here.
(25) Frankston Standard, March 15, 1945, see here.
(27) Frankston Standard, May 3, 1945, see here.
(28) Mornington and Dromana Standard, May 8, 1909, see here.
(29) Mornington Standard, September 15, 1917, see here.
(30) Frankston Standard, May 31, 1945, see here.
(31) Dandenong Journal, February 18, 1948, see here.
(321) Frankston and Somerville Standard, January 21, 1938, see here.
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