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25.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW? That Arnotts confectionery and luncheon rooms, adjoining the Moorabool Street pier, were razed by an outbreak of fire, noticed a few minutes before 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28th, by Watchman W. A. Peterson. The flames were then confined to the front of the building, and were scarcely through. The City firemen responded promptly, and with their arrival began a series of regrettable incidents, first of which was their inability to locate the fire plug. It ...showed the need for a monthly examination of all the tapping points. There is a box at the intersection of Moorabool Street and Victoria Terrace, but it was covered with gravel, and could not be seen. The searchers went west for a plug near the pier - and found it after the fire, covered with road metal - and meanwhile the blaze had completely gripped the shop and Messrs. J. Bannister and Sons offices adjoining on the south. After a delay of 15 minutes the plug opposite the Sailors Rest was unearthed, and when the hydrant was turned on to two lengths of hose, a mere dribble emerged. A big crowd of onlookers became satirical, but while they cheered the pressure improved with a bound, and two branchmen, who should have first seen to the fire, turned the jet on to the onlookers. Vigorous hooting was indulged in until the fire was tackled in earnest. (News of the Week, 5 June 1913.) DID YOU KNOW? That ladies have become seriously remiss in the observance of the City by-law requiring protruding hat-pins to be guarded with a capsule. Six months ago it was the exception to find a dangerous point brushing past ones face, now it is almost as difficult to find a guard. City inspectors and police have noted the reversion to the old order, and give a fortnights warning that from the end of February, every hat which does not carry guards will land the owner in the Police Court. The descent will be sudden, and the investment of 1/- at any of the fancy goods shops will save humiliation and questions as to chivalry (News of the Week, 10 February 1916.

25.01.2022 Next Wednesday at 8pm, at our usual meeting place at the Church of Christ Hall at 275 Latrobe Tce Geelong, Kaz Paton will be giving a presentation on "My Churchill Fellowship Experience." Supper to follow. All welcome.

24.01.2022 GEELONG STREET NAMES Bell Parade (Drumcondra) Until comparatively recent years the northern end of the Esplanade at Drumcondra was blocked at Church Street (Glenleith Avenue) by private property which went down to high water mark. Eventually these estates - Drumcondra and Lunan - were subdivided, the foreshore road was extended northerly and a road to service the subdivision on the northern side of Lunan was constructed and named apparently after John Bell of Woolbrook Statio...n, Teesdale. John Bell acquired Lunan in 1903 and subdivided the property in 1911. Yuille Street (Geelong West) In 1840, Archibald Buchanan Yuille became the owner of approximately 25 acres of land bounded on the east by Pakington Street and on the south by Autumn Street from which land the northern 25 feet of that street was excised. His name was apparently perpetuated when the land was subdivided. Archibald B. Yuille and his cousin William Cross Yuille were youthful squatters from Glasgow who, after a short stay in Van Diemens Land, crossed to the mainland with the early squatters and settled, for a short period, near Inverleigh. Later they moved further north-west, their run being established at Lake Wendouree then called Yuilles Swamp. Their run probably included the Ballarat goldfields not yet discovered.

24.01.2022 FYANSFORD HOTEL Many hotels were built in the areas surrounding Geelong in the eighteen-forties. In those days of bullock drays a days journey did not take the traveller far from Geelong, particularly where steep hills and river crossing were involved. The Fyansford Hotel was one hotel on the outskirts of Geelong which catered for the traveller. Today it is one of the oldest buildings in the district. DID YOU KNOW?... The Geelong Mechanics Institute was formed in December 1846. Foster Fyans was the first president and C.J. La Trobe its patron. That C. W. Dickins was Mayor of Geelong West on three occasions, 1893,1910 and 1911. He was a member of the family which produced the celebrated grocery empire of S. E. Dickins Pty. Ltd. That Donaghys Ropeworks, carries the name of John Donaghy, a son of the founder, Michael Donaghy. John Donaghy was an M.L.A. and was twice Mayor of Geelong West. He presented the municipality with the Town Hall Clock. That reaching Geelong West was a hazardous undertaking in the days when La Trobes Dam and the Western Gully cut off the suburb from the city. In later times the Dam was transformed into Johnston Park and the Western Gully was filled in to become Gordon Avenue.

22.01.2022 CHRONOLOGY 1876 January 1876 Fyansford State School No. 1691 opened - head teacher Frederick Hobbs. January 7 1876...Continue reading

22.01.2022 1880 saw the following events: G.A. reported that the Loch Vennachar had commenced to load wheat, there being insufficient wool available. Note: This seems to be the start of Geelong as a wheat export port. Captain Moonlite (George A. Scott) hanged at Sydney. He was stated to have made a written statement about the Egerton bank robbery.... William Stinton, gardener and florist, advertised in G.A. that he had removed to Belmont, his nursery being south of the Belmont Hotel on land owned by E.T. Sichlau of "Wyuna" which was nearby. Charles Andrews, bricklayer, of La Trobe Terrace, Geelong, advertised in G.A. his application for a patent for "improvements in domestic cooking apparatus." G.A. reported that Dr. George Morrison had received word that his son Ernest who left Queenscliff on December 30, 1879, had reached Adelaide having travelled around the coast on foot! (He was later to be known as Chinese Morrison.) Corridon & Bourke announced in G.A. that they had taken over the Olive Branch Hotel, Moorabool Street. J. Corridon had had 12 years experience as a barman at the Victoria Hotel, Geelong. New police barracks, McKillop Street, formally opened for business. Charles Andrews, bricklayer, La Trobe Terrace, advertised his new patent stoves of various sizes - largest catered for 40 persons. They were fitted by E. Backwell, Aberdeen Street, Geelong West. Dr. D.B. Reid resigned from Geelong Hospital following a dispute with the Committee - he had been approximately 20 years at the institution. Thomas W. Wills, founder of Australian Rules Football and a celebrated cricketer, died by suicide at his Heidelberg residence, aged 45 years. He had been drinking heavily for some time. The greatest flood ever known in the district hit the Barwon and Moorabool valleys. Severe damage was caused to the Victorian and Barwon Woollen Mills, tanneries and fellmongeries, as well as the rowing sheds of Barwon, Connewarre and Geelong Grammar School Clubs. Dr. R.C. Hopes flour mill at Batesford was destroyed - it had been operating for 30 years. Partnership of Caroline Bull and Alfred J. Owen, chemists, trading as Bull & Owen, Malop Street, dissolved by mutual consent. A. J. Owen was to carry on under the old name. "Union Bank" corner transformed into a place of entertainment. The Pantechnethica Exhibition was one of them. It was short lived and a dining room followed it. Death at his residence, Yarra Street North, of Xavier Demillo, 54 years. He was buried at Eastern Cemetery. (He was at one time licensee of the Clare Hotel, Bellerine Street, later to be called the Sir Charles Darling Hotel).

21.01.2022 SOME EVENTS OF 1891: E. Backwell advertised that as from January 1 his Aberdeen Street smithy would be carried on as E. Backwell & Son; and Robert Joseph Reeves, son of Robert Reeves, was said to be opening a grocery store in W.C. Kernots former premises on the east side of Moorabool Street, as from January 1. The refrigeration plant of Geelong Refrigeration Co., corner of Gheringhap and Little Malop Streets, installed by Humble & Nicholson, came in to operation for the firs...Continue reading

19.01.2022 GEELONG STREET NAMES Albert Street - Geelong West There is little doubt that this street was named after Prince Albert - Queen Victorias consort - they married in 1840 a time when names for Geelong streets were being considered.... Balmoral Crescent - North Geelong This street, the southern end of which was formerly known as St. Andrews Terrace, is so called because it traversed the very early Balmoral estate - St. Andrews Terrace also crossed an estate of like name. Further back, of course, both streets have obvious Scottish origins. Clarence Street - Geelong West More than likely this street which runs parallel with Albert St. also commemorates a royal personage - the Duke of Clarence and St. Andrews, later William 1V. He died on June 20, 1837 shortly after the settlement of Geelong and was therefore a likely candidate for a commemorative street name. Cowie Street - North Geelong Running south of and virtually parallel to Cowies Creek, this street bears the name of John Anthony Cowie the pioneer squatter who with David Stead first landed sheep at the mouth of Cowies Creek before pushing inland initially to the Bell Post Hill area. Edols Street - North Geelong Is believed to commemorate Thos. Edols who, with his son-in-law John Cullen, were pioneer butchers in Geelong as well as speculators in land. Tate Street - East Geelong This street and its associated state school commemorates Mr. Frank Tate, Director of Education at the time of the opening of the school.

19.01.2022 This Wednesday night, Dianna Sawyer will be presenting a lecture on `Queenscliff and other Victorian Botanical Gardens. All welcome Time: 8:00pm Place: Church of Christ Hall, 275 Latrobe Terrace, Geelong

19.01.2022 HOTELS OF GEELONG WEST It is difficult to be certain who opened the first hotel in the Geelong West area or what its name was. According to one source William Gundry was running the Ashby Village or Imperial Inn in 1841. Certainly in November 1842 Gundry was advertising the Wheatsheaf Inn, Ashby, to let. It is not clear whether the offer was taken up by anyone but the Wheatsheaf does not feature in the licensing lists late in the forties. Gundry, however, does, for in 185...4 and 1856 he is listed as the licensee of Gundrys Hotel which was situated on the west side of Pakington Street, south of the Petrel. The hotel is not listed after 1861 when Richard Powell was licensee. On October 5, 1844 George Gude was granted a licence for the Ship Inn, Ashby. The 1851 Directory indicates that this was situated in Melbourne Road, that is Pakington Street. It is generally believed that it was established at the north-east corner of Wellington Street, but it has been suggested that the site was further south. Whatever its situation, the inn became the headquarters for the Clyde Companys draymen when they visited Geelong, while their employer, George Russell, put up at Macks. Henry Nickless became the licensee in June 1853, but the hotel does not appear in the 1854 Directory. The Shearers Arms, when it was first built, would have been considered as being part of Newtown, but today it is situated in Geelong West territory. According to one source the hotel was opened by John Sheppard in 1843, but the first definite evidence indicates that it was John Day who began business there in April 1847. The building was situated on the north side of the Great Western Road (Aberdeen Street) near the Shannon Avenue corner. The building still stands today. to be continued:

18.01.2022 HOTEL NAMES: A study of the names of the hotels is interesting. Many of our hotels carried names indicating the national origin of the licensee. This was done partly out of nostalgia and partly because it was thought that such names would attract the custom of their compatriots. The Irish were responsible for such names as Brian Boru, Limerick Castle/Arms, Clare, Shamrock, Daniel OConnell, Green Isle, Harp of Erin, Hibernia and Rock of Cashel. The Scots chose Argyle, Bal...moral, Caledonian, Comunn Na Feinne, Culloden Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Scottish Chiefs, Sir William Wallace and Thistle. The English used names like Arthur the Great, Britannia, British, City of Norwich, Clarendon, Cavendish, Cremorne, Derby Arms, Elephant and Castle, George and Dragon, London, Oxford Arms, Rose and Crown, St. George and Windsor Castle. There were names of course, which indicated an Australian background: Australian, Rising Sun, Bunyip, Emu, Bush, Shearers Arms and Woolpack. See more

18.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW that in November 1844 the "Geelong Advertiser" welcomed the erection of a bathing house which would be thrown open to subscribers in a few days. " In fact, it only required these additional facilities to make Geelong unexceptionable as a watering place, as it contains the advantages of a healthful and pleasant situation, and affords highly respectable and fashionable society, just possessing enough of the busy excitement of a town to relieve the ennui of a rural... retreat". A fortnight later the Corio Bathing Establishment placed its first advertisement: " The proprietors having at considerable expense erected the above commodious buildings in four feet water in Corio Bay, containing ten dressing rooms, beg to inform the residents of Geelong and the surrounding district, that it is now open to those who are desirous of enjoying a pleasant and healthy bathe, with the further advantage of having a Private Dressing Room at their service, without as heretofore, being subjected to the disagreeable agremeny of exposure, and a sandy beach for the arrangement of their toilette. Tickets for the season, only 10s. each, may be had by applying to Mr W. Rea, Cabinet-maker, Corio-street, or to Mr. Noble, Storekeeper, Corio-street. A charge of Sixpense each will be made to non subscribers. Geelong. Nov. 16, 1844. See more

17.01.2022 Next month Stephen Due will be speaking on Geelongs Earliest Doctors. We look forward to this and members of the public are welcome to attend, Wednesday May 6th at 8pm at the Latrobe Terrace Church of Christ Hall, 275 LaTrobe Terrace, Geelong (cnr LaTrobe Terrace & Lt Myers Street).

17.01.2022 HOTELS OF THE LATER 1840S Hotels are an important aspect of our history - in some cases they are the first buildings to appear in a settlement, the towns later developing around them. If the number of hotels is an indication of a towns progress, then Geelong showed remarkable progress in the later eighteen-forties. This article, the first of two on the hotels of the period, gives some idea of the proliferation of hostelries to the end of 1847. There are numerous gaps in t...Continue reading

17.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW that in May, 1848, police charged twenty persons with vagrancy? A number of them was ordered from the town, others were sentenced to the treadmill. Their friends had taken note and had made themselves scarce. Because of the shortage of police a number of traders had joined forces and hired a watchman to protect their property. This was despite the increase in the numbers of police from four to ten; they were paid 2s.3d. per day plus a clothing allowance of 3d. per day.

16.01.2022 GEELONG STREET NAMES Highett Road - Highton This road carries the name of John Highett, after whom Highton was named. Above Buckleys Falls it leads in the general direction of Highetts Barrabool Water Mill, where most of the grain of the Barrabool Hills was ground into flour in the early days of settlement.... Hopetoun, Stradbroke and Tennyson Streets - Norlane These three streets virtually lead into one another and no doubt commemorate the following Governors-General of Australia and Governors of Victoria - Earl of Hopetoun, first Governor General of Australia and earlier Governor of Victoria; Earl of Stradbroke, Governor of Victoria 1921-1926; Lord (later Baron) Tennyson, second Governor-General of Australia. Mundy Street - South Geelong Lieutenant Alfred M. Mundy in 1838 was associated with H. W. H. Smythe in such movements as the founding of the Melbourne Club and he was associated with the first cricket club in Melbourne. He also took what was probably the first overland trip to Adelaide (1839). No doubt his name was added by Smythe in 1838 to those of Ryrie, Verner etc., who had little, if any association with Geelong, but whose names are perpetuated in its street names. Storrer Street - East Geelong This small street commemorates H. R. H. Storrer, grocer, who was a member of the Geelong Town Council from 1896-1908, or two of his sons who were killed in action in World War 1. Strong Street - South Geelong James Strong was one of three brothers engaged for many years in the manufacture of footwear. Their best-known premises were on the west side of Moorabool Street between Ryrie and Lt. Ryrie Streets. James Strong was mayor of Geelong 1890-91, and it is useful to record that his son, George Moore Strong, was the original owner of Rosnashane, Aberdeen Street, then probably known as Clivedon. Twitts Road - Moolap The name of Joseph Twitt first appeared in the Directory of 1882-3, address Moolap, and succeeding directories added the names of John and Thomas. Joseph Twitt was well known to travellers on the Queenscliff Road as he had a blacksmiths forge somewhere near Twitts Road. Wills Crescent - Pt. Henry Fittingly this crescent near "Bellevue" on the Geelong-Portarlington Road is named after Horatio Spencer Wills, who built "Bellevue" as a model farm.

14.01.2022 GEELONG SEWERAGE HISTORY For those who may be interested, Susie Zada will be speaking on "Sewerage records: untapped magnificent resource" Where: Ocean Grove Library on July 28, 2015... Presidents Avenue, Ocean Grove VIC 3226. Time: 6:30 pm 7:30 pm Significant and interesting historical information can be revealed from researching sewerage records, and Susies detailed research will no doubt be enlightening.

13.01.2022 Geelong Chronology 1881 August 1881 William N. Sommers transferred his interest in Macks Hotel to the Geelong Club.... August 21 1881 Tenders closing 31.8.81 were invited for that portion of Macks Hotel not required by the Geelong Club. The successful tenderer was required to cater for the Club at a fixed tariff. Henry Hill of the Melbourne Club was successful tenderer. Geelong Club continued to use several of the rooms for a number of years until it erected its own premises. Mr. M. J. Corridon, formerly of the Victoria Hotel, later took Hills lease.

12.01.2022 GEELONGS EARLIEST DOCTORS. We were fortunate to have Mr Stephen Due presented a lecture last month on Geelongs Earliest Doctors. Stephen presented an insightful history of Dr Alexander Thomson 1800-1866, Dr Johnathan Clerke 1804-1869 and Dr Forster Shaw 1841-1883. Whilst Doctor Thomson was more of a pastoralist and politician, and Dr Clerke a pastoralist and holder of a government post, Dr Shaw was the first real practicing GP in Geelong, and was pivotal in ushering i...Continue reading

11.01.2022 Our Autumn tour will be running on Sunday May 24th, 2015. The cost will be approximately $35 per head, visiting Ingleby Homestead Birregurra. The Ingleby Homestead stands on land which was first settled by Thomas Armytage, one of the earliest pastoralists initially arriving at Port Phillip in 1836. Ingleby Homestead is historically significant for its association with the Armytage family who developed throughout the Western District extensive pastoral holdings. The homestead was designed by Geelong architect Edward Prowse who also designed The Hermitage in Geelong. The Society will also visit Apollo Bay & Lorne places of historical significance. For more information please inbox our facebook page or email our Secretary at [email protected]

10.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW that Geelong had a gang of convicts who helped build the breakwater and the stony jetty? In September, 1843, there were eleven convicts including Samuel Thistlewood, whose task was to scourge the other convicts when they misbehaved. One convict received 50 lashes for insolence and abusive language. The Advertiser commented: " As the whole of the prisoners will be removed before the end of the year... we may hope that all traces of the convict system will for ever disappear from this community."

09.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW that when Captain Foster Fyans was appointed police magistrate at Geelong he was given an establishment to assist him? This consisted of a clerk of the bench, one district constable, two ordinary constables, together with a convict establishment of one carpenter, two sawyers, two bricklayers, and three labourers. The party was to be rationed from Melbourne. The Colonial Architect supplied plans for the "rude buildings" which the convicts would erect under Fyans... orders. He would be allowed to enclose a fifty acre paddock for his own use and that of any government cattle, while the clerk was allowed half an acre and the constables a quarter of an acre each for gardens. William Buckley, the "wild white man" was also to be allowed a garden proportioned in size to the number of natives he could induce to work in it. Fyans was advised to set up his camp on the rising ground above Geelong Harbour where Assistant Surveyor DArcy had pitched his tents when surveying the bay. And he was reminded that "It is perhaps of importance that you should exercise a sound judgement in the selection of the spot upon which you place your Huts, as it may form the nucleus of a future Town."

08.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW? That Arnott's confectionery and luncheon rooms, adjoining the Moorabool Street pier, were razed by an outbreak of fire, noticed a few minutes before 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28th, by Watchman W. A. Peterson. The flames were then confined to the front of the building, and were scarcely through. The City firemen responded promptly, and with their arrival began a series of regrettable incidents, first of which was their inability to locate the fire plug. It ...showed the need for a monthly examination of all the tapping points. There is a box at the intersection of Moorabool Street and Victoria Terrace, but it was covered with gravel, and could not be seen. The searchers went west for a plug near the pier - and found it after the fire, covered with road metal - and meanwhile the blaze had completely gripped the shop and Messrs. J. Bannister and Son's offices adjoining on the south. After a delay of 15 minutes the plug opposite the Sailors' Rest was unearthed, and when the hydrant was turned on to two lengths of hose, a mere dribble emerged. A big crowd of onlookers became satirical, but while they cheered the pressure improved with a bound, and two branchmen, who should have first seen to the fire, turned the jet on to the onlookers. Vigorous hooting was indulged in until the fire was tackled in earnest. (News of the Week, 5 June 1913.) DID YOU KNOW? That ladies have become seriously remiss in the observance of the City by-law requiring protruding hat-pins to be guarded with a capsule. Six months ago it was the exception to find a dangerous point brushing past one's face, now it is almost as difficult to find a guard. City inspectors and police have noted the reversion to the old order, and give a fortnight's warning that from the end of February, every hat which does not carry guards will land the owner in the Police Court. The descent will be sudden, and the investment of 1/- at any of the fancy goods shops will save humiliation and questions as to chivalry (News of the Week, 10 February 1916.

08.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW that in February 1850 Dr. Thomson wrote to Superintendent La Trobe on behalf of the Geelong Bench recommending an increase in the police force of five and in their pay of threepence per day? He supported his case by saying: "At the present time robberies are committed almost nightly and the thieves invariably escape detection, in fact the insufficiency of our Police force has become so notorious that all the bad characters from Melbourne and other Districts have... taken up their abode in or pay frequent visits to Geelong, and set at defiance our small band of Constables". Not long after he was requesting horses for use by the police who currently hired them when needed. La Trobes memo on this letter read: "Will Capt. Fyans be so good as to determine with Mr Sturt what spare brokendown horses can be made available for the service of the constabulary at Geelong pending the vote for fresh animals." See more

08.01.2022 GEELONG COLONIAL ARTISTS The Geelong Art Gallery planned an exhibition of Geelong's colonial artists to be held in 1991. There are many more of these than one might think and already the following list was compiled. Lillie Berthon, H. A. Burkitt (surveyor), Margaret E. Cathcart, Chassie Cole, A. C. Cooke, James Curtis, John Gabb, F. E. Gilbert (surveyor), Henry Hayward, C. A. Van Den Houten, George Kirkland, Samuel Knight, E. T. Luke, G. A. Gilbert, T. A. McAlpine, Miss McVe...an, Dr. Charles Mackin, Lieutenant T. F. Morkham, Henry H. Nash, Joseph A. Panton (P.M.), Augustus B. Pierce, Henry Stow Pincott, Edmund Sasse (and daughters), Miss Kate Sheppard (Mrs. Streeter), Edward Snell (engineer), Frederick Woodhouse, Samuel Mossman, Francis Liardet. Some of these had only a fleeting connection with Geelong but others were long-term residents of the town. See more

08.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW that in December 1850 the Victoria Colonist and Western District Advertiser commented on the improvement in the Geelong Police? It said that the old and decrepit were disappearing to be replaced by the young and stalwart who showed more civility than their predecessors. Six to eight new constables were still required: they must be able to read and write, be able bodied and of "proper height".

07.01.2022 GEELONG COLONIAL ARTISTS The Geelong Art Gallery planned an exhibition of Geelongs colonial artists to be held in 1991. There are many more of these than one might think and already the following list was compiled. Lillie Berthon, H. A. Burkitt (surveyor), Margaret E. Cathcart, Chassie Cole, A. C. Cooke, James Curtis, John Gabb, F. E. Gilbert (surveyor), Henry Hayward, C. A. Van Den Houten, George Kirkland, Samuel Knight, E. T. Luke, G. A. Gilbert, T. A. McAlpine, Miss McVe...an, Dr. Charles Mackin, Lieutenant T. F. Morkham, Henry H. Nash, Joseph A. Panton (P.M.), Augustus B. Pierce, Henry Stow Pincott, Edmund Sasse (and daughters), Miss Kate Sheppard (Mrs. Streeter), Edward Snell (engineer), Frederick Woodhouse, Samuel Mossman, Francis Liardet. Some of these had only a fleeting connection with Geelong but others were long-term residents of the town. See more

05.01.2022 GEELONG HISTORICAL SOCIETY will host guest speaker Patti Manolis, tonight at 8pm, speaking about Geelongs New Library. Members of the public are more than welcome to attend. Location: Church of Christ Hall, 275 Latrobe Terrace Geelong (Cnr of Latrobe Terrace and Little Myers Street).

05.01.2022 Charles Vigar, grocer, of Melbourne Road, North Geelong, was actively associated with most local movements for the benefit of the community. He was connected with the Moorpanyal School Board of Advice and served on the local Roads Board in 1862-63. His descendants were actively associated with the grocery trade in Geelong until recent years. James S. Sharland served the Shire of Corio from 1902-1908 - he was the second shire secretary and also shire engineer. He was later ass...ociated with the Geelong Waterworks & Sewerage Trust. Fred Sutcliffe was engineer of Corio Shire for many years following the Second World War until succeeded by Mr. B. F. McMurrich. He was instrumental in the carrying out of the numerous civil engineering works of that boom period. Michael McShane ran the Station Peak Hotel, Little River, in the 1860s and served on the Corio district Roads Board in 1862-63. The famous McShane footballers who played with Geelong in its heyday are believed to have descended from Michael McShane.

05.01.2022 CHRONOLOGY 1869 February 25th 1869 Death in London of John Calvert, aged 62 years. He had been born at Ecclefechan, Scotland in 1807 and was the first owner of "Morongo".... April 30th 1869 S.S. Edina struck Pt. Lonsdale Reef and floated off but was in danger of sinking on journey up Pt. Phillip Bay. May 1869 Wm. Humble and a Mr. Gaulton made the first velocipedes (forerunner of the bicycle) to be seen in Geelong. June 19th 1869 S.S. Edina stranded at Point Gellibrand - towed off two days later by P.S. Resolute. September 4th 1869 Death of John Pascoe Fawkner at his residence in Smith Street, Collingwood. He was buried in Melbourne General Cemetery. October 31st 1869 Clipper "Lightning" burnt at Yarra Pier. It was towed off the end of the pier and scuttled. Cannon fire from shore assisted. December 11th 1869 Tender of H.B. Donaldson & Co. of Sandridge, to raise the "Lightning" and its cargo for 3,600 pounds was accepted,

04.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW that shearers in the Geelong district exhibited the "work and burst" syndrome witnessed elsewhere in Australia? In November 1842 the Advertiser lamented that there was every reason to expect that as the wool season advanced the town would witness the "usual scenes of drunkenness and thoughtless extravagance " and that it would be infested with a number of those "sponging petty-larceny characters" who are ready to relieve the shearers of their money. To forestall... this the constable should pick up those vagrants without any visible means of support. That in June 1849 a fire engine made in Sydney arrived for use in Geelong? It had suffered some damage in transit but it was easily repairable. It would be housed in a shed which would be built at the rear of the watchhouse. Chief constable Frederic Carman was appointed Inspector of the Geelong Fire Brigade at 25 pounds per annum, Thomas Beech was foreman at 8 pounds per annum, other members were James Kirby, William Lloyd, Francis Coy, George Wellbank, Henry Jiles, William Miller, Nathaniel Rolffe, William Simmons - each received 4 pounds per annum. Customers - if that is the right word - could expect to pay 1 pound 10 shillings for the first load of water. 1 pound 5 shilings for the second, 15 shillings for the third, and 2 shillings and 6 pence. thereafter. Two months later the firemen were equipped with a belt to carry a tomahawk and a coil of rope, and a stout leather helmet. A few days later they spent almost a whole day practising with their new engine which could direct water on to the loftiest building in town.

04.01.2022 CHRISTMAS IN JULY - HERITAGE TRAIN RIDE AND DINNER History and train enthusiasts may be interested in an upcoming Christmas in July Heritage Train Ride and Dinner. Organised by our Societys `Investigator magazine Editor Mr Michael Menzies (also President of the Geelong & South Western Rail Heritage Society), the trip will take place on Saturday 18 July 2015....Continue reading

02.01.2022 Our new website will be up and running soon.

02.01.2022 The next monthly meeting of the Society is tomorrow, Wednesday 4th November at 8pm. LaTrobe Terrace Church of Christ Hall, 275 LaTrobe Terrace, Geelong, (cnr Lt. Myers Street & LaTrobe Terrace). Our evening speaker is Lindsay Smail who will give a talk on Weather Wonders of Geelong, 1830s to today. Supper to follow. All welcome.

02.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW that tenders were accepted in February 1850 for alterations to the Police Office and Watch House to make it fit for the Circuit Court? William Candys tender of 88 pounds, 9 shillings was accepted for lining the existing cells, raising the floor, and providing seats for the jury box and a divisional screen on the bench. Thomas Richardsons tender of 11 pounds, five shillings was accepted for providing a judges chair, desk and footstool; so was his tender of 30 pounds for a circular table and seat for counsel, a reporters desk and enclosure, and a desk for the Clerk of Arraigns.

02.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW GEELONG VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS Geelong holds a place of honour in the annals of Victoria's early military history. Following a public meeting held in Geelong on February 3, 1854, a resolution was submitted to the Colonial Secretary requesting permission to form a Rifle Corps for the protection of this town and neighbourhood following the outbreak of the Crimean War. So the Geelong Volunteer Rifle Corps came into being on May 13, 1854 - Victoria's first volunteer un...it JANUARY 4 1895 On January 3, at the Geelong Rifle Butts Major C.E. Umphelby of the Victorian Permanent Artillery created an Australian (and later claimed world) record with a score of 101 out of a possible 105 - the previous Australian record was 96. MARCH 15 1895 William Dearnley said to have won second prize in the Geelong and Western District Agricultural Society's competition for sparrow's eggs collected - he collected 8,694 eggs but was beaten by W. Beckley who collected 10,747 eggs APRIL 8 1895 Moorabool railway viaduct, recently redecked, passed with flying colours a 300 ton test on April 7. APRIL 18 1895 Frederick J. Bryant, partner in the firm of Walker & Bryant, omnibus proprietors,suicided in Eastern Park on April 17: a miller and former mayor of Colligwood, he had been 51/2 years in Geelong.

01.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW? That a Geelong family name was intimately associated with the finding of gold in New Zealand. Thomas Gabriel Read, and son of Cpt. G. F. Read of Van Diemens Land and a brother of G. F. Read Junior, who settled first at Modewarre and later at Borhoneyghurk and Cargerie, near Meredith, and St. Helens (now Stella Maris Convent) North Geelong, discovered gold in June 1861 at a spot in Otago Province later called Gabriels Gully. He made no attempt to keep his fin...d secret and by reporting it immediately to the authorities received little benefit from his discovery. He did, however, receive the reward of 1,000 pounds for finding the first gold in New Zealand. Gabriel Read was said to have had a bitterness against the squatters. He left Van Diemens Land in 1849 to try his luck at the Californian diggings where he had only moderate success; he was later wrecked at Hawaii and returned to Hobart from whence he left to try his luck at the Victorian diggings. His experience In California and Victoria stood him in stead when he arrived at Otago, New Zealand from Hobart with a cargo of horses aboard the schooner Don Pedro 11, for he was able to follow up rumours of gold strikes and knowing what to look for soon had success. In later life he returned to Hobart, his last years being spent in an institution at Sandy Bay, where he died on October 31st 1894. ***** That Jules Francois Archibald, "Archibald of Kildare", donor of the famous art prize, first awarded in 1921 (following his death on 10th September, 1919), and first editor of the Sydney Bulletin, was born in Church Street, Kildare (near Geelong West Oval) on 14th January, 1856. His father was a sergeant trooper stationed at the Kildare police barracks in Church Street. A monument to his memory was erected in 1960 outside Geelong West Oval, by the Australian Journalists Association. A much more elaborate "Archibald" Memorial is, of course, to be found in the shape of a fountain, in Sydneys Hyde Park. It was handed over to the citizens of Sydney by the trustees of Archibalds will, on 14th March, 1933. ***** That Geelongs first chief constable, Patrick McKeever, became a publican? McKeever had been Captain Fyans batman and had arrived with him in 1837 to administer law and order in the Geelong district. Ten years later he became the licensee of the Retreat Inn in Fyans Street. In 1849 he opened the Petrel Inn in Ashby. Later he ran the Corio and Court House Hotels.

01.01.2022 HOTEL LICENCES From the number of hotels that were granted licences it might be thought that anyone could open a hotel, but the magistrates were quite clear about the standards which they applied to the granting of new licences and the renewing of old ones. The police sometimes opposed the granting of a licence and their advice about how a hotel was run was often crucial to the final decision. In 1851 Thomas Fulton was refused a licence for the Woolpack in Moorabool Street ...on the grounds that he kept a disorderly house: "The house was a perfect nuisance, being filled with fiddlers and fifers". In 1871 John Connelly was refused a licence for the Thistle because it was a house of ill repute. In 1855 James Grant was refused a licence for the Shearers Arms because the house was a rendezvous for thieves and badly disposed persons. Patrick Purcell of the Scottish Chiefs was warned in 1850 to keep the house clean - a warning he ignored, for, in 1851 he was refused a licence on the grounds that "there was not accommodation for the meanest bushman". In 1858 James Beard was refused a licence because the house was frequented by prostitutes. Proposals for new hotels were also closely vetted. William Bulls 1849 proposal to open a hotel in Corio Street was refused because the house was not erected and the Bench would not grant a licence for a house in a lane. In the same year George Elliotts application for a hotel was refused because the house was too small and reason was given for refusing Japhet Wilcocks application in 1849 for a hotel in Corio Street - an inferior hotel would do harm to the business of Abram Atkins at Macks Hotel!

01.01.2022 DID YOU KNOW GEELONG VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS Geelong holds a place of honour in the annals of Victorias early military history. Following a public meeting held in Geelong on February 3, 1854, a resolution was submitted to the Colonial Secretary requesting permission to form a Rifle Corps for the protection of this town and neighbourhood following the outbreak of the Crimean War. So the Geelong Volunteer Rifle Corps came into being on May 13, 1854 - Victorias first volunteer un...it JANUARY 4 1895 On January 3, at the Geelong Rifle Butts Major C.E. Umphelby of the Victorian Permanent Artillery created an Australian (and later claimed world) record with a score of 101 out of a possible 105 - the previous Australian record was 96. MARCH 15 1895 William Dearnley said to have won second prize in the Geelong and Western District Agricultural Societys competition for sparrows eggs collected - he collected 8,694 eggs but was beaten by W. Beckley who collected 10,747 eggs APRIL 8 1895 Moorabool railway viaduct, recently redecked, passed with flying colours a 300 ton test on April 7. APRIL 18 1895 Frederick J. Bryant, partner in the firm of Walker & Bryant, omnibus proprietors,suicided in Eastern Park on April 17: a miller and former mayor of Colligwood, he had been 51/2 years in Geelong.

01.01.2022 Hi all, If you are interested in attending our monthly lectures that are free to the public, please visit our website for more details. On the first Wednesday of every month at 8pm, we have a topic of historical interest. Our webpage is www.geelonghistoricalsociety.org.au