St Patrick's Catholic School, Pakenham, Honour Roll

On Saturday,  April 20, 1918 the Honour Board at St Patrick's Catholic School in Pakenham was unveiled. Here are a few of the salient paragraphs from the Pakenham Gazette report - 
A very interesting and impressive function took place at St. Patrick's Catholic School, Pakenham, on Saturday afternoon last, when an Honor Board was unveiled by the Rev. Father Merner. The Board is a very handsome one, the panel being of blackwood, with a massive frame of Queensland figured oak. It hears the names of 22 old pupils of the school who have enlisted and gone on active service, five of whom have already made the supreme sacrifice......Mr James J. Ahern occupied the chair and the gathering was a very large one, representative of every section of the community, independent of class or creed. It was intended that the function should take place in the school-room, but owing to the large attendance this was found impracticable, and it took the form of an open air gathering the speeches being delivered from the verandah in front of the school-room...... Speaking of the Honor Roll, he said it bore the names of 22 old pupils of the school, and as the daily average attendance at the school for the past ten years was about 20, they would recognise that the school had put up a good record in providing recruits. The idea of having an Honor Board had, he said, originated from Miss Hunt, the school mistress. The pupils desired to make her a small presentation, but when the matter was mentioned to her, Miss Hunt asked that the money proposed to go towards a presentation to her should be devoted to the purchase of an Honor Board for the school. This kindly suggestion was adopted, and the sum in hand was supplemented by other donations. (1)

The names on the St Patrick's Honour Board

Pakenham Gazette, April 26, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92152180

The St Patrick's Church opened in 1872 and a school opened at the same time and operated for  a short  time, but closed  following the abolition of aid to religious schools in 1872, and then reopened in  June 1888 (2).  The Advocate reported - 

The Catholics of Pakenham have of late contributed generously towards the erection of a Catholic school, which was opened on 26th inst., when the Rev. W. Quilter introduced Miss Butler, the lady teacher to the children. Although the Catholic population is widely scattered, thirty-five children were present at the opening ceremony, and, as the greater number of these children were attending the State school, very likely this establishment will be closed in a short time. (3) [The State School did not close!]

 St Patrick's Catholic Church at Pakenham, built in 1872. It would have been a familiar sight to all the men listed on this Honour Roll.

Image:  North of the Line: a pictorial record (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, 1996)

What follows are the 22 names listed on the Honour Roll including their Service Number (SN) so you can look up their full service record at the National Archives of Australia, www.naa.gov.au

Rhoden, Norah Sister. Sister Rhoden is listed as Norah in the report but her first name was spelt as Nora on her enlistment papers. Nora enlisted in Ismaila in Egypt on March 15, 1916. She was 35 years old and served in France and England and Returned to Australia February 2, 1919.  Nora died on July 22, 1952 an her informative obituary appeared in The Age -
Miss Nora Rhoden, one of the best known members of the Australian Army Nursing Service, died on Tuesday in Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital after a long illness. Miss Rhoden, who was born at Sale, enlisted in the A.I.F. in April, 1914, serving in Egypt at No. 1 A.G.H. Heliopolis, at Atalier and Ismailia.

Transferred to France in 1916 she served at Abbeville, Doullens and Gainzacourt before returning to No. 1 A.G.H. at Rouen as senior sister. Miss Rhoden transferred to Southall Hospital, Middlesex, England, in 1917, and returned to Australia in 1919, when she was appointed night superintendent of Caulfield Military Hospital.

Her service with the A.A.N.S. included 10 years at Caulfield, 10 years as matron at the Anzac Hostel for incapacitated soldiers and a term at Stonnington during the last war. Miss Rhoden will be buried at Pakenham at 10 o'clock this morning. (4)

Nora, born in Sale in 1881, was the daughter of John William and Kate (nee Connor) Rhoden. Kate's father, David Connor had a hotel at the old Bunyip township from the mid 1850s and in 1869, John Rhoden became the proprietor. David Connor also built in 1863 the Halfway House Hotel, on the Gippsland Road, west of Abrehart Road. It was de-licensed in 1899. The building was much later moved to the Gippsland Folk Museum. I have written about these early hotels, here. Nora's father died in March 1886 at Warragul, aged 45. Kate then married Ernest Staveley in 1889, the marriage ending with his suicide in 1895. (5)  The West Gippsland Gazette had the following obituary of Kate after her death in June 1905 -
We regret to record the death yesterday morning of Mrs. Staveley, of Pakenham, mother of Mr. George Rhoden, manager for A. McLean and Co., Warragul, and of other members of the family well-known in the district. Mrs. Staveley was one of Gippsland's pioneers and for many years has been resident at Pakenham where the family are widely known and highly respected. The deceased lady is a sister of Mr. David Conner, and she built the Railway hotel, Warragul, in the early days of this town. (6)

Matron Nora E. Rhoden of Stonnington Convalescent Home, c. 1941

Argus Newspaper Collection of Photographs, State Library of Victoria image H99.201/1154

Bourke, James Harrison (SN 2781) James enlisted on November 11, 1914 - he was 28 years old and an Auctioneer. He Returned to Australia August 17, 1916 and was discharged on medical grounds on October 9, 1916 due to a 'recurrent high inguinal hernia'
Bourke, Robert Ievers (SN 1885) Robert enlisted on June 16, 1915 aged 28. He was also an Auctioneer. Robert was wounded in action in August 1916, gun shot wound to back and chest, which he recovered from and he returned to fight again and gained a promotion to Lieutenant. Robert was wounded again in May 1918 - a gun shot wound to the left leg where his tibia and fibula was fractured and was sent back to Australia in November 1918.
Robert and James were the sons of Daniel and Frances (nee Ievers) Bourke who were living in Stratford when their sons enlisted.   Daniel had previously owned 400 acres in Pakenham, Mount Bourke (7) which was part of Thomas Henty's Pakenham Park. Daniel's parents were Michael and Kitty Bourke who took up the 12,800 acre Mintons Run property in 1843 and in 1849 built the La Trobe Inn (also known as Bourke's Hotel for obvious reasons) on Toomuc Creek.

Clancy, Arthur John (SN 557) Arthur was a nearly 32 year old labourer when he enlisted on February 16, 1916. He was Wounded in Action in Belgium and died four days later on October 8, 1917. There was a short obituary for Arthur in the Pakenham Gazette -

The many friends of Mr and Mrs W. B. Clancy, of Pakenham, will learn with deep regret of the death of their son, Arthur John Clancy, which took place on the Flanders front on the 8th inst., from a gun-shot wound in the head, whilst nobly fighting in our defence and that of our Empire, in his 34th year.  "Greater honor hath no man than this." In his domestic life he was a good son and brother, high principled and unselfish, whilst socially he was greatly liked, a good footballer and tennis player, and on the cricket field his "'deadly left" was invaluable to his side and a constant menace and danger to the opposing batsmen. His loss will he greatly felt in future years on both these fields of sport. It may truly be said of him that he "played the game" equally honorably in his daily life and on the battlefield, and it must be a source of some consolation to the bereaved parents to know that he died bravely fighting our foes. Requiescat in pace. (8)

Clancy, David Edward (SN 11927) David enlisted on November 6, 1915 at the age of 21. he was a clerk. He Returned to Australia on September 25, 1919.

Arthur and David were the sons of William Bailey Clancy and his wife Elizabeth (nee Paul) of Wyuna, Pakenham.

Arthur Clancy's death notice

The Argus, October 23, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1657939

Dwyer, Thomas Kelly (SN 7243) Thomas enlisted on November 20, 1916 in Blackboy Hill in Western Australia. He was a 26 year old Hospital Attendant. Thomas was Killed in Action in Belgium on March 12, 1918.

Dwyer, William Joseph (SN 7233) William enlisted in Sydney, on January 25, 1917. He was a 25 year old Coal Lumper. He was Wounded in Action in France in May 1918 (Gun shot wound to left buttock) but recovered and rejoined his Battalion and Returned to Australia July 23, 1919.
Thomas and William were both born in Pakenham. Thomas' next of kin was his father, John Kennedy Dwyer, of Claremont in Western Australia and William's next of kin was his mother, Mary Dwyer, also of Claremont.

Tom Dwyer's death notice

The West Australian, April 11, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27474612

Fahey, Edward Joseph (SN 1671A) Edward was 21 when he enlisted on May 4, 1915. He was born in Pakenham and was a grocer. He Returned to Australia March 28, 1919.
Fahey, James (SN 1695) James enlisted at the age of 31 on August 10, 1915. He Returned to Australia December 18, 1918. He was born in Carlton according to his enlistment paper, but the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriage Index have him listed as being born in Pakenham. His occupation was labourer. James died in 1954 aged 65.
Fahey, Patrick (SN 2316) Patrick enlisted at the age of 24 on November 16, 1915. His occupation was a wheeler and he was born in Pakenham. Patrick Died of Wounds received in Action in Belgium on October 16, 1917.
Fahey, Thomas (SN 3289B) Thomas was born in Pakenham and enlisted, at the age of 25, on July 21, 1915 in Liverpool in New South Wales. He was Killed in Action in France on November 18, 1916.
Fahey, William Alexander (SN 377) William enlisted on January 22, 1915, he was a 26 year old labourer. He was born at Pakenham. William was awarded the Military Medal - For most conspicuous gallantry in action at Mouquet Farm on 26th August, 1916, in continuing to fire on the enemy after he had been wounded in both arms. William Returned to Australia on March 13, 1918 and was discharged ion medical grounds in July - he had Tachycardia - an abnormally rapid heart beat. William died in 1956, aged 65.
The Fahey brothers all had their mother Margaret of Carlton as their next of kin. She was listed variously as Margaret Christopherson, Margaret C Fahey or Margaret Christopherson Fahey. I think we can assume that their father John Fahey was deceased (I believe he died in 1895 aged 45 and is buried at the Pakenham Cemetery) but I cannot find a marriage of Margaret to Mr Christopherson, although I did find her death in 1927 at the age of 64 where she was listed as Margaret Christopherson. John and Margaret (nee Kelly) Fahey had six boys - there was also a John, born in 1886, so he was the second eldest. I don't have any information about him.

Fennell, James Patrick (SN 33181) James enlisted on October 25, 1916 aged 25. His occupation was a driver. James, born in Pakenham, was the son of  Michael and Elizabeth (nee Hurley) Fennell.  He Returned to Australia July 8, 1919. James died December 13, 1950, aged 59 and his death notice in The Age said he was the beloved father of Mary and the loving father of Francis, Eileen and Donald. (9)

Halloran, Timothy  (SN 3134) Tim was born in Pakenham  the son of John and Joanna Halloran of Pakenham and they were both listed as his next of kin when he enlisted on July 19, 1915 at the age of 33. He was a labourer.  Ironically, he was Killed in Action in France, exactly one year later on July 19, 1916.

Timothy Halloran

Photographer: Darge. Australian War Memorial DA12570

Obituary of Tim Halloran

Pakenham Gazette, September 21 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92152822

Hayes, John Edward (SN 2451) John enlisted on May 10, 1916 and said he was 18, born in Pakenham and an orphan - he also said his name was Robert Campbell Pattison. In reality, as he said in his Statuary Declaration of October 29, 1917, he was actually John Hayes and had been born June 24, 1899, which would have only made him 16 when he enlisted.  John was the son of Jeremiah Joseph and Ellen Mary Hayes of Pakenham.  John Returned to Australia on October 8, 1919 and he died in 1966, aged 66. 

John Hayes' statuatory declaration

National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au

First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Hogan, Albert William (SN 14434) Albert enlisted on September 23, 1916 at the age of 22. He was a motor driver. He was born in Pakenham, the son of Charles Francis Hogan and his wife Margaret (nee Fitzgerald). The family were living at 20 Lisson Grove, Hawthorn when he enlisted. Albert Returned to Australia July 5, 1919. Albert 'Bert' died in Pakenham on June 27, 1959, aged 65 and his death notice in The Age lists his only relatives as his deceased parents and his deceased brother, Harold. (10)

Kelly, John  Patrick (SN 5388)  John was born at Nar Nar Goon; his parents James and Ellen (nee O'Brien) Kelly had a property, Garryowen at Nar Nar Goon. He enlisted on March 10,  1916 at the age of 36. His next of kin was his wife, Mary Kelly, of 71 Keppel Street, Carlton and he was a  rubber worker. He died of disease in England on October 26, 1918, just eight days after his father, James Egan Kelly,  who died October 18 (11). His Roll of Honour Circular at the Australian War Memorial notes that he was a cousin of William Fahey, and thus also the other Fahey brothers. (12)  

Death notice of John Patrick Kelly

The Argus, November 19, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1406133 

Keogh, Eustace Graham (SN 14516) Eustace was an 18 year old student when he enlisted on May 18, 1916. Eustace Returned to Australia on March 22, 1919. His next of kin was his father, Dr Arthur George Keogh, who was listed in the Electoral Rolls at Pakenham in 1908 and 1909 and then at 14 Droop Street in Footscray, the same address as Eustace. We can't actually access his World War one record on the Australian National Archives website as they have been 'amalgamated with this person's later service documents.'  In World War Two he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Australian Army (13). Colonel Keogh died November 9, 1981, aged 82 and his death notice in The Age lists his wife Jean, daughter Barbara and Barbara's family (14).

Eustace's brother, Basil Hewlett Keogh (SN 14353) also served. Basil enlisted March 1916 at the age of 24, he was an electrician and joined the 1st Australian Wireless Squadron, He resigned from the AIF in May 1918 to take up a commission in the Indian Army.
The Footscray Advertiser published this paragraph on April 21, 1917 -
Driver Keogh, eldest son of Dr. A.G Keogh, of Droop street, is with the Australian flying corps in Mesopotania. He has invented an improvenment to aeroplanes, which is now being favorably considered by the Imperial War office (15).  This is presumably Basil. 

Keogh, Francis Leslie (SN 896). Listed as F.A. Keogh, but I believe it is Francis, who was known as Leslie (see below). Leslie was the son of  Constable Patrick Keogh and his wife Margaret (nee O'Brien). Constable Keogh was stationed at Pakenham from 1904 until 1911 (16) when he was transferred to a  Melbourne posting and they moved to 144 Cobden Street, South Melbourne, which was Leslie's address when he enlisted on July 9, 1915. He was 19 years old and a rubber worker. He Returned to Australia, January 25, 1919. Leslie died in 1968, aged 72. 

Pakenham boy - Les Keogh

Dandenong Advertiser,  June 21 1917  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88662421 

Mulcahy, Richard Lindley (SN 5129)   Listed as L. Mulcahy on the Honour Board, so presumably known as Lindley.  Lindley enlisted at the age of 22 on January 18, 1915 - he has various enlistment papers - one of the others say he enlisted on July 14 1915;  his mother Bridget (nee Tobin) was his next of kin on one and his father John on another - but they did have the same address 133 Charles Street, Ascot Vale. His occupation was a joiner and he was born in Nagambie. His father, John, was a policeman stationed at Pakenham. In July 1904 he was promoted to Senior Constable and  transferred to Russell Street, which created a vacancy at Pakenham which was filled by Constable Keogh (17). Lindley Returned to Australia January 31, 1919. As you can see from this excerpt (below) from the article in The Advocate about the unveiling of the Honour Roll, Mr Mulcahy of Ascot Vale had two sons who served -  Lindley, who was listed on the  roll and who had been wounded three times, and Thomas Edward Mulcahy (SN 773). Thomas died of wounds on August 14, 1915 at the age of 30, whilst fighting at Gallipoli. He died at the Alexandria 19th General Hospital - he had fractured ribs and gun shot wounds to the back and shoulder. 

Mr Mulcahy's speech at the unveiling.

The Advocate, May 4, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152191831

Sadly, Lindley died as  a  result of being thrown from  a cart, drawn by a bolting horse on February 3, 1926, aged only 30. 

Obituary of Lindley Mulcahy

The Advocate, March 4 1926 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171419644

Maher, Thomas Francis (SN 50190) Thomas was 18 when he enlisted on October 22, 1917. His occupation was student and the son of Stephen and Bridget (nee Ryan) Maher of Pakenham. He Returned to Australia July 23, 1919. Thomas was granted  a Soldier Settlement Farm (80 acres in the Parish of Nar Nar Goon). You can read his full Soldier Settlement Record, here.  Thomas died in 1970, aged 73. 

Ward, Arthur  (SN 20154)  Arthur Ward was two months off the age of 42 when he enlisted at Blackboy Hill in Western Australia, on November 19, 1915. He was born at Ballarat and his occupation was a miner and his next of kin was his sister in law, Ellen Hawes of Cowwarr. As his death notice, below, states he died of wounds on April 17, 1918. He had received a gun shot wound the previous day in the shoulder that penetrated the spine, fighting in France. Arthur was the son of Arthur Ward and his wife, Eliza (nee Mulcahy). Arthur died in 1874, the year little Arthur was born, leaving Eliza with three young children. She married Alexander Fraser in 1878 and in 1881 they moved to Pakenham, where she took over the Pakenham Hotel on the west side of Toomuc Creek. I have written about Eliza here. 

Arthur Ward's death notice

The Argus, May 4, 1918 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1657017

Sources -

• Early Settlers of the Casey-Cardinia District ( Narre Warren and District Family History Group, 2010)
• From Bullock Tracks to Bitumen: a brief history of the Shire of Berwick (Historical Society of Berwick Shire, 1962)
• In the Wake of the Pack Tracks - a history of the Shire of Berwick now the City of Berwick and the Shire of Pakenham (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, 1982)
• Sacrifice and Patriotism: a World War One walk in Pakenham Cemetery (Narre Warren and District Family History Group, 2016)
• Berwick Shire Rate Books.
• Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com
• Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages and family notices in the newspapers on Trove.
• Australian War Memorial www.awm.gov.au

Footnotes
(1) Pakenham Gazette, April 26, 1918, see here; there was also a report in The Advocate, May 4, 1918, see here and The Tribune, May 2, 1918, see here. 
(2) A Parish carved from the Bush: the centenary history of the Dandenong Parish (1883-1893) (St Mary's Centenary Committee, 1983), pp 17-18.
(3) The Advocate, June 30 1888, see here.
(4) The Age, July 24, 1952, see here.
(5) Warragul Guardian, August 20, 1895, see here.
(6) West Gippland Gazette, June 6, 1905, see here.
(7) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, March 20, 1907, see here.
(8) Pakenham Gazette, October 26, 1917, see here.
(9) The Age, December 14, 1950, see here.
(10) The Age, June 29, 1959, p 12 on newspapers.com

(11) John's mother's bereavement notice  in The Advocate, July 25, 1908 lists the family property as Garryowen, see here;  Father's death notice The Herald, October 19, 1918, see here.

(12)  I couldn't identify this John Kelly until I  found an entry for him in the Narre Warren & District Family History Group's book Sacrifice and Patriotism: a World War One walk in Pakenham Cemetery. 
(13) WW2 Nominal rolls - https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/ww2 

(14) The Age, November 10, 1981, p. 42 on newspapers.com
(15) Footscray Advertiser, April 21, 1917, see here.
(16) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, July 6, 1904, see here; South Bourke & Mornington Journal,  January 19, 1911, see here; 
(17) South Bourke & Mornington Journal, July 6, 1904, see here.

This is an updated and expanded version of a post I wrote in 2016 for my work blog Casey Cardinia Commemorates.

Wangaratta Water Tower collapse April 1925

On Sunday April 5, 1925 the recently erected Water Tower, in Docker Street, Wangaratta collapsed. The builders were A.A. Hargrave for the Wangaratta Waterworks Trust. There were many reports in various newspapers, all a bit different, but all essentially the same and this is what the Benalla Standard wrote - 
At 7 o'clock on Sunday night the new concrete water tower erected at Wangaratta at a cost of £3800 suddenly collapsed, and fell with a loud crash, portion falling on the verandah of Mr. L. R. M'Donald's house. The tank, which was 104 feet high, and had a capacity of 240,000 gallons in three compartments, had been erected about six months. First the floor of the top chamber gave way; then, amidst tongues of flame and smoke, caused by the fusing of electric wires, two-thirds of the structure fell. Mr. L. R. M'Donald, signalman at the railway station, was standing at his gate, 30 yards away, when he saw the tank falling. He reached the door of his house, and was knocked down by the concussion. His mother was on the verandah, and his wife and child were imprisoned in the diningroom, the doors of which were jammed. Fortunately they escaped injury. The tank, which was about three parts full, had not been taken over by the engineer from the contractor. (1)

Wangaratta water tower one week before it collapsed, March 1925.

Photographer: G. E. Roberts, Wangaratta

Museums Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/772801

The Age report noted that - The electric lighting system of one section of the town was thrown out of order. The Cathedral, where people had assembled for evening service, was in darkness. In a few minutes 1500 people were on the scene of the collapse. (2)

There were various people reported who were impacted by the collapse - there was Mr L. R. McDonald, his wife Mrs McDonald, who was in the kitchen and was treated for shock; Mr McDonald was reported to have been talking to a W. McDonald; Mr McDonald senior was said to be with the baby in the dining room and Mrs McDonald senior was reported to have been on the verandah and was thrown heavily down, but beyond shock sustained no injuries. (3) L.R. McDonald was Leslie Roy McDonald, the signalman. He was born in 1898 to William and Lily Ann (nee Churchill) McDonald at Mount Egerton. His father was also employed with the Victorian Railways and may have been the man he was talking to when the tower collapsed, which does not explain how he was also in the dining room with the baby. Leslie had enlisted in the  Army, in the Railway Unit, on May 7, 1918 at the age of 19 years and 10 months; his address was Railway Cottage, Whitehorse Road, Deepdene.  Leslie embarked at the end of August, served in England and France and Returned to Australia July 1919.  In 1922 he married Mary Ialean Kirk. Perhaps not surprising, they left Wangaratta soon after the water tower collapsed and in 1926 are listed in the Electoral Roll at Whitehorse Road, Deepdene, presumably living with his parents. Mary sadly died on May 18, 1935, aged only 36 years old, leaving behind their three children, Leslie, Ian and Joan. At the time of her death the family was living at 42 Nungerner Street, Balwyn. Leslie died in 1993, aged 95. (4)

Wangaratta Water Tower collapsed 5.4.25.

Photographer: G. Roberts Studio.

Museums Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/768014

The Age also reported -

The tank was portion of a scheme to improve the water supply of the west end of the town. Its capacity was 240,000 gallons, and the shell was 8 inches thick. The tank was divided into three equal sections by two floors. When the first floor was being put in, at 33 feet from the ground, the scaffolding gave way, and apparently weakened the wall. For several days there had been some water in the top and bottom sections of the tank, but none in the centre. It was hoped that the defects could have been remedied with the balance of the money held by the trust, but the total collapse puts a new aspect on the matter, and it remains to be settled whether the contractor will have to rebuild the tank or whether the trust will have to incur the additional expense of the whole loss. Already over £8000 has been borrowed for the improved scheme, without benefit to the ratepayers so far, although the works have been in progress for eighteen months. (5)

What went wrong? As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the wall had already been weakened.  The Age later reported -

The reinforced concrete water tank which collapsed on Sunday evening has been inspected by Mr. F. Neville, engineer of the Water Commission; Mr. J. T. Noble Anderson, engineer of Wangaratta Water Works Trust, and A. A. Hargreave, contractor for its construction. Mr. Anderson has notified the contractor that the conditions of contract require him to replace the structure. In a further report to the water works trust Mr. Anderson states that he was misinformed when he reported that there was no water in the second chamber of the tank. He ascertained that it contained 17½ feet of water, weighing 180 tons, and that the floor itself gave way. This floor also fell when under construction. Negotiations were proceeding between the engineer and contractor to have this floor strengthened by a central pillar when the tank collapsed. Mr. Anderson states that he did not know how the water came to be in the second section of the tank. (6)

The Construction and Local Government Journal: the weekly supplement to Building and the Australasian Engineer covered the story in June 1925 and were clearly not impressed with either the construction or the aesthetics of the tower -

This service reservoir was constructed in three sections with two intermediate floors, the latter being carried, without intermediate support, by the outer walls, which also sustained the pressure due to the various superimposed heads of water. By comparison with an ordinary reinforced concrete column with its essential hooping these thin 8-inch walls would appear to be rather inefficient for purposes of weight sustaining, when they have also to resist large secondary stresses. (7)

The residents of Wangaratta will at least have some consolation for the loss of their water tank, in the knowledge that their skyline will look better without it; for surely something less of an eyesore than this 106 feet length, of Brobdignagian (8) stove-pipe could have been devised to serve the same purpose. Much less architectural treatment has been provided than is commonly, given to a chimney stack. (9)

This image shows how close the fallen water tower was to the McDonald's house, and how lucky they were to escape serious injury.

The Australasian, April 11 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140772794

A month later the Construction and Local Government Journal had more to add -

This fallen monstrosity stands - or rather lies - as a warning to those who would trifle with this scientific building material. While it remains to be proved wherein the real responsibility lies, the disaster should deter others from copying this design for a storage reservoir, from structural considerations, even if not from the aesthetic. After completion, one of the floors was found to be weak. The section above was filled by mistake, and the floor giving way under the strain near one side, the falling avalanche of water burst out the wall and a total collapse of the water tower resulted. (10)

So who was to blame? There was protracted negotiations to establish liability and how everyone could move forward. It wasn't until August 1928 that the issue was resolved - 

Finality has been reached in the negotiations in connection the concrete tank which collapsed in April, 1925, the Wangaratta Waterworks Trust has settled its action as against the contractors (Messrs A.A. Hargrave and Co.) Under the settlement the contractors will bear half the loss on the collapsed water tower. The trust with the approval of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and its consulting engineers (Messrs B.A. and D.B. Smith), has entered into a contract with Mr. A.A. Hargrave for the construction of a new water tower at a cost of £4000. The new tower will be constructed on the old site and the work of construction will begin immediately, and will be completed within six months. When completed the tower will resemble in appearance the Wodonga water tower. It will be 100ft. high, and will be of 100,000 gallons capacity. (11)

The Water Tower, almost completed.

The Argus, March 9 1929, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3992195/468312

The tower was completed around March 1929, four years after it collapsed. (12)

The 1929 water tower can be seen in the centre of this photograph. The brick water tower on the left is the railway water tower, constructed in 1873, the year the railway arrived in Wangaratta. (13)

Railway Yards, Wangaratta. Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co.

State Library of Victoria image H32492/1289

Trove list - I have created a short list of articles in the collapse of water tower at Wangaratta, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) Benalla Standard, April 7, 1925, see here.

(2) The Age, April 6, 1925, see here.

(3) See my Trove list, here, for the various reports.

(4) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages;  Leslie's Attestation papers, National Archives of Australia, see here; Mary's death notice, The Age, May 20, 1935, see here. 

(5) The Age, April 6, 1925, see here.

(6) The Age, April 11, 1925, see here.

(7) Construction and Local Government Journal, June 17, 1925, p. 7, see here.

(8) Brobdignagian - Brobdingnag was the country of  giants in Jonathan Swift's 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels - hence brobdignagian meaning colossal

(9) Construction and Local Government Journal, June 17, 1925, p. 19, see here.

(10) Construction and Local Government Journal, July 1, 1925, see here.

(11) The Argus, August 29, 1928, see here.

(12) The Argus, March 9, 1929, see here.

(13) The rail line from Benalla to Wangaratta opened October 28, 1873; Wangaratta to Wodonga opened November 21, 1873 (Harrigan, Leo J Victorian Railways to '62 (Victorian Railways, 1962), p. 285)

The Endeavour Hills Captain Cook statue

In an act of ignorance and senseless vandalism, the statue of Captain Cook in Fitzroy Gardens was cut down by barbarians in late February 2024.  This follows the same destruction of the Catani Gardens, St Kilda,  Captain Cook statue just before Australia Day (1) and the toppling of a Captain Cook commemorative plinth in the Edinburgh Gardens, North Fitzroy.  Astoundingly the police still, apparently, have not made any arrests. 

This is the report written by Alex Crowe, published in The Age February 27, 2024 -

A bronze statue of Captain James Cook has been hacked off its plinth in a Melbourne park, prompting a police investigation. The sculpture of the British explorer at Cooks' Cottage in East Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens was cut off between 5pm on Sunday and 7am on Monday. A video posted to an anonymous social media account shows masked vandals using an angle grinder to saw the statue off at its ankles, before pushing it over. The words '' the colony will fall'' were painted beside the fallen statue, according to the account.

'' Yet another monument to the imperialist James Cook has been felled in so-called Melbourne. Rumour has it that this was the last remaining Cook statue in the city,'' the post on Instagram says. '' Monuments such as this only serve to prop up the narrative that enables so-called Australia's continuing theft and desecration of land and life, and to legitimise its ongoing violence. '' This narrative is as hollow as a monument to a long dead coloniser who met his just fate, being speared by first nations warriors in Hawaii.''

According to the Captain Cook Society, the statue was sculpted by Marc Clark in 1973, and was owned privately before it was gifted to the City of Melbourne in 1996. The sculpture was moved into the garden at Cooks' Cottage the following year. Built in 1755, Cooks' Cottage was the Yorkshire home of Captain Cook's parents, with the two-storey brick house and its adjoining stable taken apart and shipped from England to be rebuilt in Melbourne. The attraction opened in 1934.

The targeting of Cook's statues follows similar incidents in Melbourne on the eve of Australia Day.
Cook's statue in St Kilda's Catani Gardens and Queen Victoria's memorial on St Kilda Road were both vandalised, with vandals scrawling the same message in red paint. The St Kilda foreshore statue is currently being repaired and will likely be returned to Catani Gardens , after Port Phillip councillors voted earlier this month to reinstate the statue.

Meanwhile, the City of Yarra is considering permanently removing a memorial to Captain Cook from Edinburgh Gardens and scrapping it from its collection after the memorial was repeatedly vandalised.
The granite monument at the entrance to Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy was most recently broken from its base and spray painted in red with the words '' cook the colony'' on January 29. (2) 

The Fitzroy Gardens statue has an interesting history, which I wrote about in 2017, when I was Local History Librarian at Casey Cardinia Libraries,  for my blog Casey Cardinia Links to our Past As the statue is in the news, what follows is an updated version of my original post.  

Endeavour Hills was officially gazetted as a suburb on July 14 1971, and the first land sales took place on November 24, 1973. The project was first conceived in 1970 when Lewis Land Corporation purchased the 1,032 acre site (about 420 hectares). As the suburb was being developed at the same time as the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Captain Cook in the Endeavour, it was considered fitting to name the suburb after the Endeavour. (3) The Endeavour carried members of the Royal Society, who were on board to observe the Transit of Venus in Tahiti as well as sailing crew and military personnel,  as after leaving Tahiti, Cook was instructed to 'find' the southern continent. (4) Around 80 Endeavour Hills streets are named after the Endeavour crew and passengers. (5)

The statue of Captain James Cook was unveiled in Endeavour Hills in November 1973 outside the first sales office on the corner of Joseph Banks Crescent and Heatherton Road; the building was still there in 2017, but it appears to have been demolished now.  

Lewis Land Corporation Sales Office, c. 1973.

The Sales Centre was on the corner of Heatherton Road and Joseph Banks Crescent.

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

The statue was created by Marc Clark. The community newsletter, the Endeavour Gazette of March 30, 1974 reported on the event -

Heavy rain drove guests to shelter at the unveiling of Endeavour Hills statue of Captain Cook last November. Mr Norman Banks, who officiated at the unveiling, compared the weather with that of Yorkshire - Captain Cook's birthplace.

Sheltered by an umbrella, Mr Banks left the guests under cover and preformed the ceremony in a downpour. Only the sculptor Mr Marc Clark and some press photographers braved the elements with him.

Applause broke out as Mr Banks pulled the cord, and the sheet veiling the statue fell to the ground. The applause was probably as much for the efforts of the participants as for the statue itself.

In his address, Mr Banks - descendant of Sir Joseph Banks, botanist aboard the "Endesvour" - sais that the seven-foot statue of the navigator was the most authentic likeness yet.

"The face is modelled after the only two portraits for which Cook sat in person, and there has been tremendous attention to detail of the uniform," Mr Banks said.

He said the sculptor Mark Clark's wife was curator of costumes at the National Gallery of Victoria and had provided valuable aid to her husbands in this respect.

Mr Paul Day, project Manager of Endeavour Hills, said the statue would eventually be moved from its present site to the shopping & community centre planned for the development.

Mr Day said the statue was the symbol of Endeavour Hills and he hoped it would help develop  strong sense of local identity. (6)

The Statue unveiling, November 1973

Image: Endeavour Gazette March 30, 1974.

The statue was used on early sales brochures - this is from 1974.

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

A new sales office opened around July 1979 on the corner of Matthew Flinders Avenue and Monkhouse Drive. The statue was then moved from the original location to the new sales office in Matthew Flinders Avenue. The Endeavour Hills Gazette of July 1979 reported that The statue of Captain James Cook has been moved to the new location and has been sited in a commanding position on a large area of undulating ground which has been sown to lawn. (7)

The statue remained outside the sales office building, even though it ceased being a sales office around 1993 and was leased out to a Radiology group.  In March 1996,  the building and the statue went up for auction. 

Sales flyer for the statue, March 1996

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

Sales flyer for the building, showing the statue in situ, March 1996

Image: Casey Cardinia Libraries

When I wrote this post in 2017 all I knew about the fate of the statue after the sale was that It was later donated to the City of Melbourne for display near Cook's Cottage, in Fitzroy Gardens. It was installed in July 1997. (8)  However I have now found a report from The Age of January 26, 1997, which fills in some missing details.

Cook lost in a sea of read tape, by Royce Miller.

The textbooks told us that he was one of the world's great navigators, and that he discovered Australia, but on Australia Day, 1997 this Captain James Cook is all adrift.

The life-size statue of Cook has been in limbo at a Fitzroy gardens depot since it was donated to the City of Melbourne last year by Endeavour Hills dentist Dr Mark Hassed.

Valued at around $45,000, the statue by sculptor Marc Clark was unveiled in 1974 to help launch the Endeavour Hills housing estate in Melbourne's south-east.

After trying to sell the statue, Dr Hassed offered it to the City of Melbourne to be displayed near Cook Cottage in the Fitzroy Gardens.

In a letter dated 21 June 1996, the councils cultural development manager, Ms Kate Brennan, wrote that the Melbourne Open Air Sculpture Museum Trust was "pleased to accept the gift."

Then, in a letter dated 26 November 1996, another council officer, Mr Vince Haining, wrote that "no decision has yet been made on whether the council will finally accept the statue and where it will ultimately be sited."

A City of Melbourne spokesman, Mr Scott Darkin, said council officers had decided to accept the statue in late 1996. He said the council expected  to identify a suitable location for it soon. (9)

The statue was moved to the Cook Cottage site in July 1997. (10)

The artist who created the sculpture was Marc Clark. On the back of the sales flyer for the sculpture, there are some biographical details of Mr Clark. He was born in London  on October 20, 1923, studied at the Canterbury School of Art, served in the 9th Queens's Royal Lancers from 1942 to 1947 and then studied sculpture at the Royal Collage of Arts in London.  After various jobs he arrived in Australia in 1962 and lectured at the Caulfield Institute of Technology, was Drawing and Sculpture Master at the National Gallery Art School and later lectured at the Victorian College of the Arts. Other works he was commissioned for include  a statue of the late Queen of Tonga; a statue of the first Australian  Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton in Canberra; a  statue of Governor Bligh in Sydney and  a statue of Matthew Flinders in Mornington. Mr Clark died September 12, 2021. (11)

The statue being moved into position, near Cooks Cottage, July 1997

Image: The Age July 24 1997 p. 7 from Ancestry.com

I hope the Melbourne City Council reinstates the statue that honours one of the greatest navigators of all time and doesn't cravenly and pathetically let ignorant vandals dictate their public art installations, as the City of Yarra appear to be doing. If the issue is there are too many memorials to 'colonisers' then add some interpretive signs, add more memorials and statues, add a broader range of public art from a diverse range of artists. Surely, Councils can think of something creative instead of just condoning destruction.

Footnotes

(1) I have written about the Catani Gardens Captain Cook statue here  https://carlocatani.blogspot.com/2019/09/carlo-catani-andrew-stenhouse-and.html
(2) https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/captain-cook-statue-toppled-in-latest-attack-on-melbourne-monuments-20240227-p5f81r.html (may be behind a paywall)
(3) Harding, Maria Doveton: a brief history (Friends of Doveton Library, 1993). p. 26; Endeavour Gazette: the official newsletter of Endeavour Hills, November 28, 1973.
(4) https://www.captaincooksociety.com/

(5) https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2024/03/endeavour-streets-in-endeavour-hills.html
(6) Endeavour Gazette: the official newsletter of Endeavour Hills, March 30, 1974.
(7) Endeavour Gazette: the official newsletter of Endeavour Hills, July 1979
(8) The Melbourne Encyclopedia https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM02040b.htm

(9) The Age, January 26, 1997 p. 3. From Ancestry.com

(10) The Age July 24 1997 p. 7 from Ancestry.com

(11) Nicholas Gledhill & Co., sales brochure; Birth and Death dates     https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/artist/650/

'Endeavour' streets in Endeavour Hills

Endeavour Hills was officially gazetted as a suburb on July 14 1971, and the first land sales took place on November 24, 1973. The project was first conceived in 1970 when Lewis Land Corporation purchased the 1,032 acre site (about 420 hectares). As the suburb was being developed at the same time as the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Captain Cook in the Endeavour, it was considered fitting to name the suburb after the Endeavour. Around 80 Endeavour Hills streets are named after the Endeavour crew and passengers. (1)

I first wrote this post in 2016 when I was Local History Librarian at Casey Cardinia Libraries,  for my blog Casey Cardinia Links to our Past  As Captain Cook is in the news again due to the vandalism of two of statues of him in Melbourne, I thought I would revisit a memorial to him that can't be so easily destroyed, the street names of Endeavour Hills. 

What follows is a list of these Endeavour streets, the person they were named for and their position or role  on the ship. I am unsure now where I found this list of the Endeavour crew, so can't tell you the original source.

ANDERSON - Anderson Court - Robert Anderson, A.B. (Able-bodied seaman - a seaman with four years experience - they start as a Boy, then spend  two years as an ordinary seaman and then a year as seaman and then you can become an A.B.)

BANKS - Joseph Banks Crescent - Joseph Banks (1743-1820) Natural Historian. You can read more about Sir Joseph Banks in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here.

Sir Joseph Banks painted by Thomas Phillips, c. 1814.  

National Portrait Gallery https://www.portrait.gov.au/portraits/2011.18/portrait-of-sir-joseph-banks

BOOTIE  - Bootie Court - John Bootie, Midshipman.

BRISCOE  - Briscoe Court - Peter Briscoe, Joseph Bank’s servant.

CHARLTON  - Charlton Court - John Charlton, Captain’s servant.

CHILDS  - Childs Rise - Joseph Childs, A.B.

COLLETT - Collett Rise - William Collett, A.B.

COOK  - James Cook Drive - James Cook (1728-1779)  Captain. You can read more about James Cook in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here.

Captain James Cook R. N., F. R. S., from an original engraving published in London, 1784

State Library of Victoria Image H96.160/298

COX  - Cox Court - Matthew Cox, A.B.

DAWSON  - Dawson Court - William Dawson, A.B.

DOZEY  - Dozey Place - John Dozey, A.B.

DUNSTER  - Dunster Court - Thomas Dunster, Private.

EDGCUMBE  - John Edgcumbe Way - John Edgcumbe, Sergeant.

ENDEAVOUR  - Endeavour Crescent - Name of ship  

GATHREY  - Gathrey Court - John Gathrey, Boatswain or Boson. A boson was foreman of the seaman, they were the link between the Officers and the seaman.

GOLDSMITH  - Goldsmith Close - Thomas Goldsmith, A.B.

GOODJOHN   - Goodjohn Court - John Goodjohn,  A.B.

GORE  - Gore Rise - John Gore, 3rd Lieutenant.

GRAY  - Gray Close - James Gray, A.B.

GREEN - Charles Green Avenue - Charles Green, Astronomer.

HAITE  - Haite Court - Francis Haite,  A.B.

HARDMAN - Hardman Court - Thomas Hardman, Boatswain’s mate.

HARVEY  - Harvey Place - William Harvey,  Zachery Hick’s Servant.

HICKS - Zachary Hicks Crescent -  Zachary Hicks, 2nd Lieutenant.

HOWSON - Howson Close - William Howson, Captain’s Servant.

HUGHES  - Hughes Close - Richard Hughes, A.B.

HUTCHINS  - Hutchins Avenue - Richard Hutchins, A.B.

JEFFS  - Jeffs Court - Henry Jeffs, A.B.

JOHNSON  - Johnson Place - Isaac Johnson,  A.B.

JONES -  Jones Court - There were three Jones on the Endeavour - Thomas Jones, William Monkhouse’s servant;  Samuel Jones, A.B. and Thomas Jones, also an A.B.

JORDAN  - Jordan Court - There were two Jordans on the Endeavour - Benjamin Jordan, A.B., and Thomas Jordan, a boatswain and Gathrey’s servant.

JUDGE  - Judge Rise - William Judge, Private.

KNIGHT  - Knight Court  - Thomas Knight, A.B.

LEGG  - Legg Court - John Legg, A.B.

LINDSAY  - Lindsay Close - Alexander Lindsay, A.B.

LITTLEBOY  - Littleboy  Rise - There were two men with the surname Littleboy on the Endeavour -Michael Littleboy, A.B., and Richard Littleboy, also an A.B (2)

MAGRA  - Magra Place - James Magra, A.B.

MANLEY  - Manley Close - Isaac Manley, Robert Molyneux’s servant.

MARRA  - Marra Court - John Marra, A.B.

MOLYNEUX  - Robert Molyneux Avenue - Robert Molyneux, Master.

MONKHOUSE  - Monkhouse Drive - William Monkhouse, Surgeon. Jonathan, the brother of William was also on the Endeavour, he was a Midshipman.

MOODY  - Moody Place - Samuel Moody, A.B.

MOREY  - Morey Rise - Nathaniel Morey,  John Gore’s servant.

MORGAN  - Morgan Court - Peter Morgan, A.B.

NICHOLSON  - Nicholson Close - James Nicholson, A.B.

NOWELL - Nowell Court  - George Nowell, A.B.

ORTON  - Orton Rise - Richard Orton, Clerk.

PARKER  - Parker Court - Isaac Parker,  A.B.

PARKINSON -  Sydney Parkinson Avenue - Sydney Parkinson (1745-1771) Natural History Artist. You can read more about Sydney Parkinson in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here.

Sydney Parkinson, by James Newton.

National Library of Australia https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136094412/view

PAUL - Paul Court - Henry Paul, Private.

PECKOVER - Peckover Court - William Peckover, A.B.

PERRY  - William Perry Close - William Perry, Surgeon’s mate.

PICKERSGILL - Pickersgill Court - Richard Pickersgill, Master’s mate.

PONTO -  Ponto Court - Antonio Ponto, A.B.

PRESTON - Preston Avenue - Daniel Preston, Private.

RAMSAY - Ramsay Court - John Ramsay,  A.B.

RAVENHILL  - Ravenhill Crescent  - John Ravenhill, Sailmaker.

REARDEN  - Rearden Close - Timothy Reardon, A.B.

REYNOLDS - Reynolds Court - John Reynolds, Charles Green’s servant.

ROBERTS  - Roberts Court - There were two Roberts on the Endeavour - James Roberts, Joseph Bank’s servant and Daniel Roberts, a Gunner’s servant.

ROSSITER  - Rossiter Avenue  - Thomas Rossiter, Drummer.

SATTERLEY  - Satterley Close - John Satterley, Carpenter.

SIMMONDS  - Simmonds Place - Thomas Simmonds, A.B.

SMITH  - Isaac Smith Street -  Isaac Smith , Master’s mate.

SOLANDER  - Daniel Solander Drive - Daniel Solander (1733-1782)  Naturalist. You can read more about Daniel Solander in the Australia Dictionary of Biography, here.

Daniel Solander by Harriet Gunn

National Library of Australia https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136114687/view (image has been cropped)

SPORING - Sporing Court - Herman Sporing,  Assistant Naturalist.

STAINSBY  - Stainsby Close - Robert Stainsby,  A.B.

STEPHENS  - Stephens Close - Henry Stephens,  A.B.

SUTHERLAND  - Sutherland Court - Forby Sutherland,  A.B.

TAYLOR  - Taylor Court - Robert Taylor,  Armourer.

TERRELL  - Terrell Close - Edward Terrell, John Satterley’s mate.

THOMPSON  - Thompson Court - John Thompson, Cook.

THURMOND  - Thurmond Court - John Thurmond, A.B.

TRUSLOVE  - Truslove Court  - John Truslove, Corporal.

TUNLEY  - Tunley Close - James Tunley, A.B.

WILKINSON  - Wilkinson Way - Francis Wilkinson, A.B.

WILSHIRE  - Wilshire Court - William Wilshire, Private.

WOLF  - Wolf Court  - Archibald Wolf,  A.B.

WOODWORTH  - Woodworth Close - John Woodworth, A.B.

Footnotes
(1) https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-endeavour-hills-captain-cook-statue.html
(2) There were two Littleboys on the voyage. The other was Richard Littleboy, A.B. A copy of the Endeavour Gazette,  the Endeavour Hills community newsletter lists Littleboy Rise as being named after Michael.

Clydebank Mechanics' Institute

In November 1893 the Gippsland Mercury reported on an Avon Shire Council meeting and one of the items on the Agenda was the Clydebank Mechanics' Institute. It is published here in full as it gives some information about other local Mechanics' Institutes  -
A deputation consisting of Messrs M'Ilwain, Mitchell, and Miller waited on the council. Mr M'Ilwain said that they wished to see if the council would give them some assistance towards putting up a Mechanics at Clydebank, as they wanted some place for recreative purposes and to hold meetings in. They had thought that they would have been able to build it themselves, but found that they were unable to do so, as times were so bad, and then, thought that they might get a little assistance from the council.

The President: Monetary assistance? Mr M'Ilwain: Yes. Cr Latham: Where do you think of erecting it? Mr M'Ilwain: Near the schoolhouse. The President: Have you no other Mechanics? Mr Mitchell: There are a number of young people there, and they have no place to go to except Sale.

Mr M'Ilwain: I do not come to ask for £10 and take £5, but have come to ask for what I think the council can afford to give - £50. Cr Latham said that he had been president when the Stratford Mechanics had applied for £100 or £200, and they were granted £20, and it was then agreed that any other portion of the Avon Shire erecting a Mechanics' should have a donation of the same amount. The Heart people had received that amount, and it was held in trust until they commenced to build, and was bearing interest, and they were going to build shortly, and there was an expression given then that when the Stratford Mechanics was given £20 any other portion of the shire building an institute was to receive one donation of a similar amount.

The President: I do not think that it is right to get money from the council and put it in the bank, unless they are going to build at once. Cr Latham: I think The Heart people ought make an effort with respect to it. Cr Killeen said that he had made some remarks at a recent meeting at The Heart, and he thought that they would bear fruit.

The Secretary then said that the Dargo Mechanics had received £5, The Heart £20, in December, 1889; Stratford £20, in November, 1887, and a second donation of £10 in December, 1889. Cr. Killeen: When The Heart people got the £20 it was said that the Stratford Mechanics had received £75 altogether. The Secretary: It was only £30. The President: We have placed the limit at £20 and cannot exceed it, and Mr M'Ilwain says that be does not come to ask for £10 and get £5, but if he asks for £50 he cannot expect to get that. I would be happy to support a motion that they get £20, but we cannot, give any larger sum.

Mr M'Ilwain said that the reason that made him ask for £50, was that in consequence of the Clydebank creamery having been erected the council would not now have to spend money on roads that had hitherto been used. He would be thankful for the £20 to-day, and the council might put it on the minutes that they would allow them another £20 next year in consequence of not having to spend money on the roads that he had referred to. The President: The council cannot bind their successors.

Mr M'Ilwain : Can I apply next year? The President: Oh! yes; but I cannot say what answer you will get. Cr Crockett: I wish that this application had come in at an earlier date, as I think that the east riding will be in a curious position as regards paying their share, as they have so little placed on their estimates for contingencies. The east riding estimates are fixed, but personally I am in favour of it. Cr Thomson moved, and Cr Killeen seconded, that £20 be given towards building a Mechanics at Clydebank. The motion was carried unanimously.

The President: I would suggest that the money be not drawn until it is wanted, as I do not think it is right to do so. Cr Killeen: I think they should get the cheque before they go away. Mr Mitchell said that the council had behaved very well to them, as that was the limit they had set on granting in such cases. Several councillors suggested that if The Heart people did not soon erect their Mechanics that the £20 granted to them for that purpose should be given to the Clydebank people. Cr Latham said that Cr Killeen should take what had been said to heart, and The Heart people should make a commencement. They had been in possession of this money since 1889, and had done nothing yet. The President said that he was of the same opinion as Cr Latham.

Mr M'Ilwain: I would be thankful if you gave me the cheque to-day to show the people down there. The President: You will get it all right. Have you a properly constituted committee, secretary and treasurer?  Mr M'Ilwain said that they had not appointed any yet. The President: We cannot hand it over till you have properly constituted officers. Cr Thomson: Show them the resolution in the paper. The deputation then withdrew. (1)

That seemed like a good result for the people of Clydebank and in March 1894 a public meeting was held at Clydebank to discuss the erection of a Mechanics' Institute. (2) The meeting was held at Mr Rouse's Residence, this was my great-grandfather, James Rouse (3).

Public meeting for a Mechanics' Institute at Clydebank

Gippsland Mercury, March 22 1894 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/268337832 

It appears that nothing came of this early attempt to erect a Mechanics' Institute, and in 1904 a new committee was formed and the early minute books list the members (or the regular attendees) as - President J.R Jenkins; Secretary Mr McKay and committee- J.M. McIlwain, Murphy Brothers, Miller Brothers (J. & R. Miller) and Mr Robb. (4) The 1903 Electoral roll gives a few more details about these men - John Roberts Jenkins, Grazier; James McIlwain, farmer; Murphy Brothers - George, James, John, Robert and Williams, all farmers, are listed on the Roll; Miller Brothers - presumably John and Robert - farmers; William John Robb, a farmer. (5) Angus McKay was the head teacher at Clydebank school, he left in May 1908, after four years as he was transferred to Sale North school. (6). James Rouse, who was involved in the 1890s effort to have a Mechanics' Institute,  had left Clydebank in 1903, to take up land at Cora Lynn, on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. 

From 1905 the community raised money for the Hall with raffles, dances, euchre tournaments and donations. (7). In February 1906 tenders were invited for the erection of the Clydebank Hall by the architect, G.H. Cain. This was for labour only, the committee having already acquired the timber, based on Mr Cain's calculations, from Mr Treloar,  £69/12/6.  The builder of the hall was C. Poole, whose tender price was £20. (8)

Tenders invited for the erection of the Clydebank Hall

Gippsland Times February 15, 1906 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65326899

 

The Architect, George Henry Cain, born in 1870 and was based in Sale. In 1895 he took over the business of of the late Mr J. H. W. Pettit of Sale, having worked with him for the previous four years. G.H. Cain designed many buildings in Sale, was the Architect for the Anglican Diocese of Sale and thus designed many Gippsland Churches. In 1904 he also designed the additions and alterations to the Cowwarr Mechanics' Institute. In the 1880s his father, George Cain had been the President of the Sale Mechanics' Institute. (9)

The Clydebank Hall was opened by June 1906, but I don't have an exact date. As you might expect the usual range of activities took place - dances, concerts and public meetings. In October 1908 Dr Cherry gave  a lecture on Fodder Plants and Lucerne Growing under the under the auspices Clydebank Mutual Improvement Society and the North Gippsland Agricultural Society.  Other functions included a Maypole Fair to raise money for the Anglican Church building and a concert for the Methodist Church. (10)

Dr Cherry's lecture

Gippsland Times October 12, 1908 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65263771

During World War One events included a Belgium Relief Fund concert and other patriotic concerts; recruiting meetings and farewells to local soldiers  Robert Miller, Willie Jenkins and Johnnie McFadden and at a later function, Trooper Hagan, and Privates White, Scott, H. Sanders, W. Sanders, Wilson and Pickup. (11) In April 1918 a welcome home was held for Lieutenant T.J. Adlard. (12)

In April 1921 the Gippsland Times reported on this interesting function -

In the Clydebank Hall on Saturday afternoon the ceremony of handing over the machine gun allotted Clydebank as its war trophy eventuated in the presence of a large assemblage, both young and old. The machine gun has been placed under the honour roll in the hall, on which was placed a floral wreath in commemoration of Anzac Day, and in memory of the local soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice. Cr. Chinn, who presided (in the unavoidable absence of the President of the Shire), intimated that the trustees appointed by the shire to take care of the gun were Messrs. Johnson Thomson (father of two soldiers), Arnold Hagan (a returned soldier), and himself. He pointed out that the trophy would serve to remind the people of the part played by the people of the district in the war. (13)

In November 1936 the Gippsland Times noted in a report from of an Avon Shire Council meeting that correspondence had been received From Public Health Department, stating that the plans and specifications for alterations and additions to Clydebank Mechanics' Institute had been approved of. Tenders were called that same month, but as reported in March 1937 -

Clydebank - Public Hall Meeting - There was only a moderate attendance at the public meeting called by advertisement to consider matters effecting the public hall. It had been proposed that the hall be removed from its present location to another site about four miles towards Airly. The meeting after due consideration, decided that it would be as well to let the hall remain where it is. A short while ago tenders were called for enlargement but only one tender was received and that was considered to be too high. (14)

In May 1937 another interesting meeting was held at the Hall - 

Farmers and residents at Clydebank and The Heart showed their oil-mindedness by attending in force the meeting at the Clydebank hall on Wednesday evening last. A representative gathering included Mr J. Breheny, secretary of the Gippsland Oil League, Crs Harrison and Mawley (Avon Shire) and Ronchi (Sale), Mr W. Leslie and Mr J. W. McLachlan. ....Mr. Breheny in his opening remarks said that the rate-payers of The Heart and Clydebank district were anxious to have a scout bore put down in their locality. That oil was lying in this area was proved when its presence was seen in shallow bores sunk on Messrs. Jas. Murphy's and P. Collins properties. (15)

There was more discussion about the importance of oil, how much Australia imported and Federal government inaction in drilling for oil and the report continued -

Mr W. C. Leslie said that all oil-minded people should be very grateful for the work done by the 

Gippsland Oil Propaganda League. Gippsland is the only place in Australia where crude oil has been found and 100,000 gallons have been obtained at Lakes Entrance.....The Chairman (Cr Harrison) said the Government was importing equipment which would bore to a depth of 3,000 feet. At the Lakes Entrance a good deal of money had been lost through faulty equipment. He hoped that private enterprise would commence operations in the Heart-Clydebank district. Mr W. J. Chinn (Clydebank) said the residents there believed oil was to be found in the locality. He urged that the Federal Government be approached for assistance. (16)

During World War Two the reports I could find of functions in the Hall were all of a patriotic nature. In July 1940 the Stratford War Service Fund Committee held a dance and euchre night. In January 1941 a  farewell was held at the hall for Private Norman Fox, where he was presented with a brush and comb set and a wallet; a few months later in the June Pte. Reginald Nicholls and Gunner Campbell Thomson were each presented with a pen and pencil set from the Clydebank residents. In July 1942 the local school children held a concert to raise money for the State Schools' Patriotic Fund and at the same event the young ladies of Clydebank organised a stall which was so well stocked that along with several cash donations the sum of £12 16/ was raised - the money going to the Avon Shire Prisoner of War Fund. In November 1943 a euchre and dance night was held in aid of the State Schools' War Service Fund; in March 1944 euchre and dancing was once again held at the hall, this time in aid of the Prisoners of War Fund and a year later in March 1945 in aid of Red Shield and the Y.M.C.A. patriotic funds. (17)

In June 1947 it was reported that - the Clydebank hall on Wednesday night was the scene of a pleasant function when the certificates printed and framed by the Avon Shire Council were presented to Members of the fighting forces  who enlisted from the Clydebank district. Certificates were presented to Messrs. Robin and Malcolm Cowie, Gordon Chinn, Jock Fulton, Tom Granger, Matt Harris, Gordon Hughes, Allan Murphy, Vincent Murphy, John Login, Eric Murphy, Reg Nicholls, Michael Purcell, Thomas Purcell, Lloyd Ross, Roy Smith, Campbell Thomson, Colin Thomson and David Thomson. (18)

On May 24, 1955 a wind-up meeting was held by the Clydebank Hall Committee and the balance of the funds were transferred to the Clydebank Airly Hall Committee.  The Hall itself was also moved to Airly and is known as the Airly Clydebank Hall. (19).  Airly, just to the west of Clydebank,  was a Soldier Settlement community, purchased by the Closer Settlement Board in 1920 and sub-divided the next year. (20).

The Clydebank Hall, with additions, at Airly (and now known as the Airly Clydebank Hall) in 2019.

Image: https://www.facebook.com/AirlyClydebankHall

Acknowledgement - Thank you to Judith Dwyer, organiser of the Mechanics' Institutes Resource Centre scanning project, for access to the Clydebank Hall Committee minute book scans. The Clydebank entry in These Walls Speak Volumes: a history of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria by Pam Baragwanath and Ken James (published by the authors in 2015) was a useful starting point for this post. 

Trove list - I have created a list of articles on the Clydebank Mechanics' Institute, access it here  

Footnotes

(1) Gippsland Mercury, November 9, 1893, see here.

(2) Gippsland Mercury, March 22 1894, see here. 

(3) James Joseph Rouse (1862-1939) married Annie Glover of Clydebank in 1892. Mr Rouse could actually be his brother Robert Albert Rouse (1864-1943), who married Scena Catherin Hansen, also of Clydebank in 1897. James moved to Cora Lynn in 1903 and Robert to Oakleigh sometime after 1909 and before 1919. I am claiming it was James and Annie's house where the meeting was held, rather than the house of his then bachelor brother, Robert. 

(4) Clydebank Hall Committee minutes have been digitised by Mechanics' Institutes Resource Centre scanning project.

(5) Electoral Rolls are on Ancestry.com

(6) Gippsland Times, May 11, 1908, see here.

(7) See my articles in my Clydebank Mechanics' Institute Trove list here.

(8) Tender advertisement Gippsland Times February 15, 1906, see here. Timber purchase from Mr Treloar -  Clydebank Hall Committee minutes of November 7, 1905; C. Poole - building tender -  Clydebank Hall Committee minutes of February 22, 1906.

(9) I have created a list of articles on the life and work of George Henry Cain, access it here.

(10)  See my articles in my Clydebank Mechanics' Institute Trove list here.

(11) See my articles in my Clydebank Mechanics' Institute Trove list here.

(12) T.J. Adlard - I believe this is actually Lieutenant John Evan Adlard. Gippsland Mercury, April 16, 1918, see here.

(13) Gippsland Times, April 28, 1921, see here.

(14) Gippsland Times, November 12 1936, see here; Gippsland Times, November 26, 1936, see here; Gippsland Times, March 15, 1937, see here.

(15) Gippsland Times, May 3, 1937, see here.

(16) Ibid

(17) See my articles in my Clydebank Mechanics' Institute Trove list here.

(18) Gippsland Times, June 2, 1947, see here.

(19) Clydebank Hall Committee minutes of May 24, 1955.

(20) See my articles from 1920 and 1921 in my Clydebank Mechanics' Institute Trove list here.