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25.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Remembering shopkeepers in Main Street. BILL AND EILEEN CROAGH... Eileen Croagh was born Eileen Atchison in Portland, Victoria in 1907. Due to family illness, Eileen came to live in Mornington with her Aunt and Uncle, Alice and George Hooper when she was four years old. Uncle George had lost his brother Charles and 13 year old nephew Charles in the Football disaster in 1892. Eileen attended St. MacCartans Parish School, and so started a lifelong association with her church. On leaving school, Eileen worked as a shop attendant at Wilson & Lovick. The store was on the corner of Blake Street and Main Street and sold clothing and manchester. This is where she met her future husband William (Bill) Croagh. Bill Croagh was working in the other half of Wilson & Livock which was on the other corner of Blake Street, selling groceries and hardware. Eileen and Bill married in 1931 and were in business for many years, running a ham and beef shop (delicatessen) on the corner of Main Street and Albert Street. They eventually bought the shop that had been originally built by Thomas Allchin After her retirement from business, Eileen took over the running of St. Vinnie’s op shop until well into her 90’s. When Eileen turned 100 in 2007, she was still living in her own home and the day was celebrated widely. Eileen died in Melbourne at her daughter’s home in 2010 aged 103 years. A lovely lady with a smile and a kind word, will be long remembered in Mornington. THE CROAGH FAMILY. Eileen’s in laws Frances Bland and William Croagh were both born in Ballarat and on the 25th January 1893 they married in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In 1900 Frances, William and four children moved to Schnapper Point to join Frances’s sister and brother in law, Emma and William Foster. William Foster had already built a General Store on the corner of Vale and Main Street. On arrival in Schnapper Point his brother in law William Croagh set up business in the shop, originally built by Thomas Allchin on the corner of Albert Street and Main Street. This shop would be bought by their son and daughter in law, Bill and Eileen Croagh many years later. Both families became part of the Main Street shopping trade for many years. Frances and William went on to have a family of eleven children Gordon, Violet, Frances, William, Gerald, Eileen, Hilda, Evelyn, Kathleen, Rita, and Sheila The family made news in 1910 when Dr. Somers performed a skin graft on three year old Violet, after she was seriously burnt. Their eldest son Gordon enlisted in the A.I.F. in 1915, but sadly was killed in action in 1917. In 1931 William Croagh married Eileen Atkinson and they were to set up a business also in the corner store, which eventually became their own. The Croagh families were well respected and have many descendants in the area.

24.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Moorooduc Quarry Moorooduc Quarry Flora and Fauna Reserve.... This quarry is believed to have been started in 1887 by a Mr David Munro who used the stone for ballasting railway lines in the district. Local timber was cut to provide fuel. Rock at the quarry was blasted with explosives, then loaded by hand into horse-drawn Dobbin carts. The rock was then taken to the steam-powered crusher, located about halfway down the hill, loaded into larger carts and transported by rail to the Frankston-Mornington rail line. In 1923 the Frankston-Hastings Shire Council purchased the site and began quarrying, using the stone for decorative building work, road making, railway line ballasting, and repairs to the Mornington Reservoir. In 1927 electricity replaced the steam crusher and from 1935 the cartage of stone by rail was replaced by trucks and this form of cartage continued until the closure of the quarry in 1961. It later became a popular swimming hole for locals, but the quarry site was subsequently closed due to a number of accidents and was later transformed into the Moorooduc Quarry Flora and Fauna Reserve, Two Bays Road Mt. Eliza.

24.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES The Baxter Family. One of the earliest graves we have out at the Mornington Cemetery belongs to Jane Baxter who died October the 25th 1860, the daughter of Benjamin and Martha Baxter.... Jane the third of Benjamin and Martha’s nine children was born in 1838, in a small two-roomed cottage that was serving as Melbourne’s first Post Office, in Flinders Street Melbourne. Her father Captain Benjamin Baxter of his Majesty’s 50th Regiment had arrived in Sydney early in 1837 in escort of a convict ship, the Royal George. Deciding to stay on in Australia, he resigned from the Army, moved his family to Victoria and was appointed to the positions of Postmaster and Clerk of Petty Sessions Benjamin Baxter was Melbourne’s first Postmaster and Martha Baxter dispatched the first home mail from Hobson’s Bay. He became a large landowner and his cattle grazed where St. Kilda now stands. In 1840 Captain Baxter took up land on the Carrup Carrup Pastoral Run in the Moorooduc/ Baxter area. It has been said that Captain Baxter was the first white man to settle permanently on the Mornington Peninsula and to build a substantial home. The two storey residence was built entirely by ticket of leave men. The bricks were made on the property and timber was sawn from their own trees. The family moved to Carrup Carrup in 1842 and Captain Benjamin Baxter became involved in the local community, a member of the first Mornington Roads Board for many years, eventually a councillor and Shire President of the area. Captain Baxter was an ardent lover of sport and in the early 1850’s the Government gave a grant of land in close proximity to Carrup Carrup to the Mornington district. Supported by Baxter, a committee including Baxter’s son-in-law John Sage laid out a Racecourse and meetings were held periodically. People flocked to the meetings in great numbers, riding their working horses to the course, then riding them again in the races. Known as Baxter’s Flat Racecourse it was the first to be laid out on the Mornington Peninsula. The family who were among the first settlers on the Mornington Peninsula, carved their home Carrup Carrup situated at the eastern foot of Mt. Eliza from virgin bushland and where they lived a long life.

24.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Shire of Mornington. Bosky Nook... Mornington’s first Shire Office. The Mt Eliza Roads Board was created in 1860 and initially were responsible for the formation, construction, and maintenance of roads between Carrum to the north and Portsea in the south. Meetings were held fortnightly in a room in the Tanti Hotel until 1867 when the Roads Board met in the newly built office on the corner of Cook Street and the Esplanade In 1871 the Roads Board became known as the Shire of Mornington. Then on the 31st May 1893 the Shire of New Mornington was formed owing to the division of the Shire between Shire of Frankston and Hastings, while its western riding was severed and renamed new Mornington to avoid confusion with its previous entity. Finally in 1894 it was renamed Shire of Mornington once more. A rate of one shilling in the pound was struck and H.E.Moors who had held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer and Engineer in the original shire, was appointed Secretary with a salary of $350 per annum. Among others an Inspector of Nuisances was appointed to carry out the Shire’s regulations with regard to mixed bathing, which was becoming prevalent on the beaches plus control barking dogs. In 1905 it was decided that a new Shire Hall was necessary to be built on land adjoining the Mechanics Institute, a loan to be raised for the purpose. The question of the disposal of the present Shire Hall came under question. Cr. Jones thought it unwise to sell as in a few years it would become one of the most valuable sites in Mornington. This opinion however was not shared by his brother councillors whose experience was that things were hardly what they were in the good old boom days. The current Secretary Mr Butler purchased the hall and remodelled it into his family home and renamed it Bosky Nook. The Office had been used as the Mornington Shire Office from 1871 1906 Bosky Nook was used as a residence until the 1970’s when it was demolished and four townhouses built on the site. A memorial plaque on the corner of Cook St and the Esplanade marks the site of Mornington’s first Shire Office. The Shire Offices in Queen Street remained in use until 1961 when they were demolished to make way for the present Civic Centre.

23.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Miss Bessie Grover’s Autograph Book Elizabeth Grover was born in Mornington in 1888, the daughter of Joseph Dale and Ellen Grover, her father was a builder and built many homes in the area including Morven now Morven Manor.... Sadly in 1892 Bessie lost her brother William aged 17 and her Uncle William aged 25 in the boating accident known as The Football Disaster. We would like to share more of the Grover family later on. Meanwhile Bessie was a young lass of 20 years in 1908, hope you enjoy her autograph book.

23.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES IRVINE’S ROYAL PUBLIC BATHS The proprietor William Miller Irvine was not only a Shire Councillor, a Justice of the Peace, he was also secretary of the Mechanics Institute and librarian of the local library located in the Institute... Early reports tell of Mr. Irvine’s Royal baths being erected in 1892 and situated in a secluded position and within easy distance from the township. The bath’s enclosure is all that can be desired and without contradiction it may be claimed as one of the most complete outside the city. It is surrounded with a substantial fence of hard wood, thoroughly shark proof and containing 30 to 40 bathing boxes with soft wood flooring makes it most comfortable for bathers. Separate bathing times for men and women. But some Shire Councillors were at odds with the bathing costume requirements of the day, or I should say the lack of them. Cr. Cornford in the years 1902 to 1905 proposed unsuccessfully to the Mornington Shire Council that a bylaw be adopted enforcing the compulsory wearing of bathing costumes by men at the Mornington baths. This motion was consistently rejected and opposed on the grounds that it would be an infringement of the liberty and rights of the people using the baths. It would also harm tourism as the wearing of bathing costumes was not compulsory at any other baths on the Bay Cr. Cornford was supported in his motion by Cr. Stephens who contended that costumes should be worn. It was shameful to see the bathers; he would not say they were Mornington people running along the spring board! The motion was finally granted in December 1905. As salt air was deemed good for the lungs, so with sea bathing it was thought that salt penetrating the pores of the skin was beneficial for good health; the more skin exposed the better. Until 1917 open sea bathing was illegal and the sexes were strictly confined to separate bath houses. High walls ensured that the public were not exposed to the sight of male bathers who it seems in accordance with the practice of the day took to the waters naked. Strict codes on the wearing of bathers were introduced by councils as mixed bathing became increasingly accepted. After all the years romping around bare, the times had changed and it was not until 1938 that men were officially allowed to bare their chests on Victorian beaches. The Baths were severely damaged by fire in 1947, operated as a kiosk and boat hire business for some time but was eventually demolished in 1981.

22.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Oriental Bank Pioneer resident Thomas Allchin constructed this building with bricks made from his clay pit on the lower corner of his Sutton Grange Estate (in Gordon St, behind the Target shopping centre).... He leased the building to the Oriental Bank which traded there from 1875 to 1880. The Colonial Bank took over the building from 1880 to 1890 when they then moved to their new premises in Main St. The building was later converted into retail premises, becoming Herb Dickinson’s The Point Furnishing store in 1923 and then The Point Hardware store for many years. The building now reveals little of its former appearance except for the characteristic splayed corner and rectangular upper level double-hung windows.

22.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES. The Grover Family. Pioneer Builders of Mornington William Grover.... William and Elizabeth Grover arrived in Victoria in 1852 with their five children, three more children were born in Schnapper Point. A successful business man, William was a storekeeper, a builder involved in the construction of many fine buildings including St. Peters Church of England, St. James the Less Church, Mt. Eliza, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the grand home Beleura and many more. William was the Chairman of the District Roads Board for many years and then became the first Shire President of the Mornington Shire Council, he was a Magistrate for the local court and a Justice of the Peace. He was also instrumental with others, in obtaining a school for Mornington. William Grover died in Mornington in 1863 aged 59 years. Sadly, William and Elizabeth’s youngest son William Edwin Grover, aged 25 and father of a one year old daughter, drowned in the Football Disaster in 1892, as did their grandson William Grover, aged 17 years son of Joseph Dale Grover. When Elizabeth Grover died in 1901 aged 79 years, she was living in the family home Ealing in Albert Street Mornington. Joseph Dale Grover Joseph Grover arrived in Mornington as a young child with his parents William and Elizabeth. Apprenticed to his father at a young age, Joseph was a Carpenter and Joiner, and a Building Contractor. He and his family had a Timber Supply Company, a Hardware business on the corner of Main Street and Barkly Street and were also the local undertakers. In 1888 Mr Alexander Cook commissioned him to build a home in Tanti Avenue as a wedding present for his son William Cook on the occasion of his marriage to Miss Ellie Allchin. This was Morven, later to be called Morven Manor, the contracted price was 1606 Pounds and six shillings. Joseph was a Councillor and like his father before him he was elected a Mornington Shire President, he was heavily involved in the local community and was a keen tennis player and sportsman. As mentioned earlier, Joseph and Ellen’s eldest child William Edwin was lost with his Uncle William in the Football Disaster. Joseph Dale Grover died at the age of 74 years in 1924 and is buried in the Mornington Cemetery with his wife Ellen and his sister Sarah Grover.

21.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES The Kiosk at Mount Martha In the 1922 Rene Ferrero and his wife, Annie, opened their store on the Esplanade near Kilburn Gve, Mt Martha initially, little more than a kiosk.... Being directly opposite the best access to the beach south of Balcombe Creek, it was patronised by locals, day-trippers and guesthouse visitors. In 1935 they installed a petrol bowser outside their store, a sign of the times as it coincided with the building of the beach road from Mt Martha to Dromana. At the same time, the store was extended and a small tearoom was opened. The store, or The Kiosk as it was known, became the terminus for the Peninsula Bus Lines buses running between Frankston and Mount Martha. Unfortunately the Store was destroyed by fire in 1993. Although rebuilt, it could not succeed as a store and it ultimately became a successful restaurant. Thanks to Mount Martha Lands and People by Winty Calder 2002 for assistance in compiling this post.

20.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Mornington Park A plaque in Mornington Park tells us that this land overlooking Mornington harbour was donated to the people of Mornington by early pioneer Alexander Beatson Balcombe of the Briars.... Originally known as Victoria Park, it was reserved temporarily in 1863, then legislation was passed in Government in 1864 enabling the park to be reserved permanently for the purpose of promenade and recreation. Alexander Balcombe, along with Edward Lintott, James Butchart and William Preston Cobb were appointed to be a committee of management of the site at Schnapper Point The many features of the park included a running track, cycling track, cricket ground and pavilion, band rotunda with area for dancing, a playground and a fountain. Mornington Park became a very popular picnic spot with many Melbourne firms bringing down their employees for a day’s outing, the annual works picnics. It happened that on one day when the two paddle steamers had disembarked their picnickers and the train arrived with their visitors, there were 3.000 people in Mornington Park enjoying their day out. Another plaque in the park pays tribute to Joseph (Tat) Garlick who was caretaker of the park for 43 years from 1891 until 28th February 1934 the day of his death. Council was often busy discussing the issues the picnic days brought up: Councillor Walker considered the charge on Sundays should be half as much again as on week days. He alluded to the recent Foresters picnic and stated that this was not the class of people wanted here. They did not want men like Prendergast bellowing out on Sundays flood the paths with blood and burn the houses If they came on weekdays they could say what they liked. He moved that the charge on Sundays be Two Pounds and two shillings and that dancing and sports be prohibited. The secretary stated that the picnickers in question had given no cause for complaint, other than their unreasonable speeches. Facilities in the park were further improved when the Shire constructed a bitumen running track enabling the Fire Brigade to hold Competitions And a Band hall. Sadly the fountain was turned off due to drought restrictions. Matthew Flinders, an early visitor stands tall and came to view all. Our lovely park is still a jewel in Mornington’s crown, always ready for our promenade and recreation.

19.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Roy, Clive and Hugh Stone Lest We Forget...Continue reading

19.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES The Schleebs Family. The death of Mrs Sarah Schleebs which occurred at her residence Warilda 35 Queen Street, Mornington on Sunday morning after a brief illness, removed another of those sturdy pioneers who did so much toward the early settlement of this colony.... In the very early days, with her husband the late Mr William Schleebs, who predeceased her by 11 years, they were well known residents at the Briars where Mr Schleebs acted as Overseer for Mr Henry Money Miller. After leaving the Briars Mr Schleebs was well known as the driver of Tom Pope’s coach to Frankston and back, with headquarters at the old Cricketers Arms hotel (next door to the Grand Hotel). He afterwards engaged successfully in a carrying business to Frankston on his own account. Sarah Schleebs aged 73 years had reared a large family of seven sons and two daughters and was interred in the Mornington Cemetery in September 1925. Obituary Mornington Standard 1925.

18.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Phyllis Jackson Reserve, 12 Colstan Court, Mount Eliza Phyllis Jackson was a noted equestrian who lived at Dalkeith in Mount Martha.... In 1954 she brought out Mr Kornel Feuchtersleben, one of Europe’s leading riding instructors, to improve the training of her horses and riders (The Argus, 23 Sept, 1954 p.9). She also owned racehorses one of which, Helion, came 2nd in the 1954 Melbourne Cup, behind the great Rising Fast. It is not known why this reserve in Mount Eliza bears her name, but what is confirmed is that it was established by Ken McArthur, a Mornington Shire engineer. Ken successfully lobbied the Shire to work closely with residents of Colstan Court to establish garden beds that would attract wildlife and provide an enjoyable space for families to use. Ken McArthur, who was once Australia’s youngest Shire Engineer was passionate about the environment for his 27 years’ work with the Mornington Shire. The wetlands at The Briars in Mount Martha is named in his memory. The Ken McArthur Memorial Boulder has been placed in the Phyllis Jackson Reserve recognizing his work in retirement in maintaining and improving the Reserve for the enjoyment of local residents. Ken McArthur died in 2010, a month away from his 80th birthday.

15.01.2022 Old Postcards to enjoy, compliments of HistoryonthePeninsula

14.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES DEVILBEND RESERVOIR. Devilbend Reservoir situated in the Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, Moorooduc is the largest inland body of water on the Peninsula.... Some information and photos for you to enjoy. See more

14.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES. Thomas Cogger Allchin One of the most enterprising early settlers of Mornington was Thomas Cogger Allchin who was born in Kent, England in 1825. He was a Carpenter and Builder by trade who came to Victoria in the mid 1850’s.... Thomas Allchin commenced building operations in Schnapper Point including the first Tanti Hotel and when on business trips would stay with John Carr and his wife of Frankston. Here he met his future wife Sarah Jagger, Mrs. Carr’s sister. Sarah had emigrated from England in 1855. Thomas and Sarah were married in St. James Old Cathedral on June 2nd 1857. Sarah wrote in her diary: We stayed in town until Saturday evening, then came out to Cheltenham, walked to Mordialloc and next morning walked to Frankston, there being no conveyance. In 1859 Thomas Allchin built a general store at the corner of Main and Albert Street, managed by his wife Sarah, which he supplied with goods that he brought to Schnapper Point from Melbourne using his boats Governor Latrobe and Maggie. He had a contract for supplying sleepers to the Geelong Railway line and he also had a contract to supply firewood at 17/6 a ton (approx. $1.50) to the Army Barracks in Melbourne. Thomas Allchin bought the land opposite their shop and built a bank which was leased to the Oriental Bank in 1875, later leased to the Colonial Bank in 1880. Thomas and Sarah Allchin had four children, Emmy, Thomas, Ella and Charles Allchin who at the age of 20 years drowned in the Mornington Football Club boating disaster of 1892. Plans were made for their family home Sutton Grange in Tanti Avenue in 1877, the bricks being made in Thomas Allchin’s brick field in Gordon Street, purchased from William Irons. Included in this residence was a tower overlooking the bay that enabled Thomas, with his long brass telescope to scan the shipping movements in and out of the harbour. Thomas Cogger Allchin lived the rest of his life at Sutton Grange and died at Mornington on November 17th 1901. Sarah lived on until 1918.

12.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES. The Hutchins Family. A small hamlet developed in the area of Balcombe Creek, as settlers arrived in the 1850’s. Among them was George Hutchins who had reached Melbourne in 1852.... In 1856 he selected two blocks of Crown land on the flat south of Balcombe Creek estuary, where he hauled fishing nets, developed a market garden and grew peach trees. By 1860 he had also gained five township lots between Victoria Crescent and the estuary, in the area known as Osborne, where in 1862 he had a house built of brick and wood. George and his wife Harriet raised a large family. Together with Robert Olley, George made application for a school to be established at Osborne, he also with two other partners owned a gold mine at Tubba Rubba. George Hutchins sadly died in 1878 as a result of falling from his fish cart on his way home from the Melbourne Market. There were seven surviving sons of George and Harriet Hutchins, all of whom became fishermen in Port Phillip Bay. The family built their first boatshed about 1890 on Fisherman’s Beach, mostly from Oregon timber washed up on shore, a second shed was built in 1910 after the first one was washed away in a storm. A fish shed run by the fifth generation Hutchins brothers still exists in the same spot today and many family members still live in the district The Hutchins families have had a long history of involvement in the Mornington Fire Brigade, the Mornington Football Club true pioneers who have contributed greatly to the local community.

11.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Frean & Ride A short trip back in memory lane to have a look at Frean & Ride, Mornington’s Hardware and Timber Supply business.... Mr George Frean was a builder in Mornington who built many houses in Mornington including his own. It was 1924 that George Frean and family moved into their home at 36 Bath Street. As well as his home construction George Frean commenced business with a Timber Supply and Hardware outlet in Barkly Street. He became involved with the community, being on the Foreshore Committee and the Progress Association. Soon to become known as Frean & Ride and although Mr Frean retired in the late 30’s to become a grazier, the business served Mornington for some 70 years. As progress would have it Frean and Ride was demolished in the year 2000

11.01.2022 Always on the lookout for donations for our collection, photos, we scan and return, stories, artefacts. We wouldn't be able to share these stories of our local history without the generosity of past donors. Help us collect for the future generations. Thank you

11.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES John Thomas Smith (1816- 1879) Seven Times Lord Mayor of Melbourne.... John Thomas Smith was born in Sydney in 1816, son of John Smith a Scottish shoemaker and his wife Elizabeth. In 1837 John Smith sailed for Melbourne and became a teacher at the Church of England Aboriginal Mission Station on the Yarra River. J.T. Smith married Ellen, daughter of Michael Pender a pioneer publican who encouraged his sons in law to enter the trade. In 1841 Smith took over the Adelphi Hotel in Flinders Lane. The following year he won Bourke ward on the first Melbourne Council, and was Mayor of Melbourne seven times between 1851 and 1864, and remained a councillor for the rest of his life. Then in 1845 he built the Queen’s Theatre Royal Melbourne’s first theatre, next to his tavern. It held 1200 people and was the first home of George Coppin’s professional Company. Coppin is well known locally as the Father of Sorrento. John Thomas Smith was a well known figure in his white hat, white shirt frills smoking a cutty pipe. A generous man who was involved in many charities, he instigated the campaign for a Benevolent Asylum and helped Melbourne Hospital, the Central Board of Health and the Lunatic Asylum. In 1854 he purchased 280 acres on the coast of Mt. Eliza, this area was called Nyora and later Ranelagh. Mr Smith, immediately after purchase, built the first home in the area, close to Rosserdale Cres. Later for his own use he built the house now known as Ranelagh House, also in Rosserdale Cres. The bricks used for the building were made from clay taken from the shore of Canadian Bay, so called because three Canadians were camped there cutting and shipping timber. It was not until many years later, in 1926, that this land was subdivided and some of it was acquired by the Committee under whose guidance Ranelagh Estate was planned and laid out by the famous architect, Walter Burley Griffin. John Thomas Smith died in 1879 and is buried in the Anglican section of the Melbourne General Cemetery. A Monument commemorating John Thomas Smith was erected in 1973 by the Ranelagh Residents Association using red bricks from his original cottage built on the land he had purchased there.

09.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Charles Samuel Bennett. A noted artist, Charles Bennett was born in South Yarra in 1869 and later employed by David Syme and Co. as an engraver for the Age Newspaper.... Charles married Zilpah Pike in 1888, but their only son Royden Bennett, died in France during the First World War. It was in the late 1880’s that Charles Bennett became active in the Melbourne Artistic Community. Louis Buvelot and his wife took an interest in him and encouraged him in his art. He exhibited in London and Melbourne over time. The Latrobe Library has a collection of his work and he became famous for his watercolour sketches. 1909 saw him living in Mornington, before moving to Healesville, where he also did a lot of his work. Then in 1921 he was living at Glen Point 25 Naples Street Mornington, then in 1924 through to 1928 he was living at Glen Point Vancouver Street Mornington, it seems the house name travelled with him when he moved. In a letter he wrote, now in the archives of Mornington & District Historical Society he describes his friendship with the local doctor. A little girl friend of mine, age 2 had a birthday last Sunday, she is the Doctor’s only daughter and I had to go, we had a lovely time as baby knows me better than her grandparents- of course I had to sit in the family group to have our photo taken. On Thursday we took her in the Doctor’s car, on a 60 mile trip- the Doctor goes professionally every week to Flinders and I looked after her all the time and then again last night. The Dr and his wife wanted a night off to go to the pictures, and as they have no maid, I went and took charge of baby, the new house and the surgery (I only had a pen knife) and Mum and Dad went off to the pitchers. I sat in the drawing room in style waiting for patients that didn’t come and listening that the baby was breathing all right. I sat in the best chair, a big fire and plenty of medical books, in case a patient had a pain and I knew what to do before calling out the Fire Brigade to go and try and find the Doctor. One thing the baby lived till Mum came home and gave me my supper and I departed at midnight to the united thanks of the household. At the time of his death in 1930 he was living in Mornington and is buried in Mornington Cemetery.

08.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Dr James L Edgeworth and Mrs. Frances Mabel Somers On a corner of the Nepean Highway and Main Street Mornington is a small reserve called Dr. Somers Memorial garden. There stands a sundial erected on a stone base, the inscription reads;...Continue reading

07.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Is saying goodbye, Thank you all for your support for the 60 odd stories that have been posted on our Face Book page since June.... The stories were researched from the archives of our Mornington & District Historical Society, to help fill an empty spot on our FB page during Lockdown. I hope you enjoyed learning more of our local history and please support our Historical Society when you can. They have been busy since the 1960’s preserving our past for the future. We will post the occasional story for your interest, keep safe and all best wishes for Christmas and 2021 Val Wilson Mornington & District Historical Society.

06.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Gladstone bag. The Shire’s Local Digitisation Officer recently contacted M&D.H.S to ask whether we had a Gladstone bag in our collection.... He had been restoring an old Rose postcard and noticed that one of the beachgoers had such a bag. Well we do have a Gladstone bag in our collection and for interest a photo of Alfred Downward M.L.A. carrying his Gladstone bag. We would be interested in hearing of any stories you may have of the uses these bags were put to.

05.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES VP Day- Victory in the Pacific 75 th Anniversary of the end of World War 11 We will Remember Them.

05.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES The First European Discoverers Walk Commemorating Matthew Flinders entrance into Port Phillip Bay in 1802, the walk runs for approximately six klms starting from Birdrock Ave, along the cliff top to the Matthew Flinders Memorial in Mornington Park.... There are tracks and steps along the way that can take you down to hideaway coves, sandy beaches and rocky coast lines and always stunning scenery. An historic walk for your Covid exercise day See more

04.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES THE DAY WE FOUND AN ACTING PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE MORNINGTON CEMETERY. It was in October 2010 while conducting the Annual Cemetery Walk for the Mornington & District Historical Society with our President Diane White, we discovered the Hon James Edward Fenton C.M.G (Companion of the most distinguished order of St. Michael and St. George)...Continue reading

04.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES. Joseph Harris M.L.A. J.P. Joseph Harris Scout Camp... Marina Joseph Harris was born near Bristol England in 1833, his father had a three acre plant nursery and seed shop in Bristol, but Joseph set sail in July 1856 to visit the gold fields of Australia, after spending a year looking for gold, he returned to Melbourne and bought a seed and floral nursery in South Yarra. He married Eliza Nicholson in 1863 and they raised three daughters and a son. In 1875, he became Mayor of Prahran and had become a noted horticulturalist and politician by the late 19th century. A Member of Parliament from 1889 to 1894,he was also Chairman of the Metropolitan Parks and Gardens, a founder of the Burnley Horticultural Society and a Board member of Dookie College. Upon completion of the construction of the Royal Exhibition Building, Harris designed the surrounding gardens. One of the earliest ‘public gardens’ in Victoria was created by Joseph Harris in the 80 acre site he purchased in 1876 on the summit of Mt Martha. Later known as Joseph Harris Scout Camp and Bay Park, he experimented in planting seeds he had gathered from over the world, and was often accompanied by Baron Von Mueller of the Royal Botanical Gardens of Melbourne. Some trees he planted still remain in Mount Martha Park, adjacent to the Joseph Harris Boy Scout camp. This camp was built on land donated by Mrs. Rose Pitt, daughter of Joseph Harris in 1931. Also in 1876 he bought a waterfront property and built a six roomed holiday villa. From his home Marina on the Esplanade Mornington he edited the horticulture columns in the Argus Newspaper and The Australasian journal "Marina is located on the cliff top above Marina Cove, named after the house. His property originally extended to the intersection of Strachan’s Road and the Esplanade, where the Joseph Harris memorial is now situated, this was once known as ‘Harris’s Corner’. By 1903 he had established an ornamental garden of 12 acres around the house highlighted by a Heritage listed Japanese Tea House, said to have been exhibited at the 1888 International Exhibition When an unfortunate fire destroyed his home Marina in 1915, Joseph Harris’s notes and records, a work of a lifetime were lost. He rebuilt the house and at the time of the gift of the Scout Camp was the home of his daughter Mrs. Rose Pitt. Joseph Harris died in 1925 and is buried in the Mornington Cemetery.

04.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES MORNINGTON GIRLS CLUB/ GIRL GUIDES Mornington Girls Club under the auspices of St. Peter’s Church of England commenced in July 1918. Meetings were held in the Mechanic’s Hall.... The aims of the club were threefold. 1. That a spirit of good fellowship and co-operation among girls of all classes. 2. That girls might develop spiritually, mentally and physically. 3. That the girl’s talents might be made use of as a social and national asset. 1921; The club came under the auspices of the Y.W.C.A. 1935; The land on the corner of Barkly Street and McLaren Place was donated by local Estate Agent Mr J.G. Barrett for the construction of a hall for the Girl’s Club. The Girls Club paid for the building of the hall. Now under the auspices of the Girl Guides Association of Victoria, the young girls of Mornington enjoyed their own hall and grounds for some sixty years. 1987; Because of a need for a car park in McLaren place, negotiations with the Mornington Shire Council began to exchange the hall and land for new premises in Mitchell Street. The new Guide hall opened in October 1987. 1994; The Barkly Street hall was eventually demolished. Notes and photos donated by the late Balcombe Divisional Commissioner Joan Downward.

04.01.2022 Mornington & District Historical Society has recently been advised that the Museum may be opened, subject to strict guidelines set down to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Having given these guidelines lengthy consideration, it has been decided that it would be unworkable for us to attempt to manage any visitors to the Museum at this time. We will re-assess the situation later in the year. In the meantime we would like to share stories and snippets of our local history on this... FB page. These will be randomly generated and we hope to post them regularly, as they are prepared. They may be stories of how things were named, e.g. Males and Bentons Roads, or the history of a house or location, or an answer to a question that has been asked. We hope that you enjoy the stories from the Archives and you will respond with any further information that you may have. Thank you for your understanding in these unusual times Diane White President, M&D.H.S. See more

03.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Herbert Dyce Murphy Adventurer, Lady Spy, Sailor, Raconteur...Continue reading

03.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES HANS LINDAU Hans Lindau was born in Berlin in 1895. He was residing in England when he was interned there in 1940. The interns considered enemy aliens despite being Jewish and themselves victims of the Nazis, were to be brought to Australia on the internee ship the Dunera. ... Some 2,500 men and boys were to be interred in camps in Australia, in time to be known as the Dunera Boys. Hans was to spend three years in Hay N.S.W and later Tatura Victoria Internment camps. Whilst there Hans Lindau wrote the Botany of Australia, a volume of Australian Flora written on 2,500 sheets of toilet paper all beautifully hand inscribed. Pens and powdered ink were supplied to him by the Quakers. This tome with its own handcrafted box went on display in 2010 as part of the National Library’s Treasures of Australia Exhibition. This was followed by the Exhibition travelling to every state in Australia. To this day the Lindau box can be viewed at the National Library Canberra. About 1950 Hans came to Mornington to live and was a colleague of Leslie Moorhead’s at Mornington High School. Whilst on the staff of the High School he was in charge of the Library, taught Geography classes and ran a Gardening Club for the pupils. Hans planted the Eucalypts that are still growing along the frontage of the old school. In his retirement he was heavily involved in the Community life of Mornington, being a member of the Historical Society and the Senior Citizens and was a great support to the European migrants that were arriving in the area at the time, helping them with communication, language and any difficulties they were having. A tip of the hat and a warm smile as you were passing by, is how many would fondly remember Hans Lindau of Mornington.

03.01.2022 A Message from Diane At this time of the year during Seniors/Heritage month, we would normally conduct our fundraiser - our Mornington Cemetery Walk but unfortunately we won’t be able to do it this year. We hope you have all enjoyed reading the stories we have put on our Facebook page during our lockdown. If you feel you would like to join us in the Mornington & District Historical Society, a member ship form can be downloaded from our website....Continue reading

03.01.2022 Our little Pioneer girl down the bottom of Main Street outside the Old Post Office Museum showing the way. Keep well and keep masked.

03.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES. The Peninsula Post. Amongst our Archives, amongst our treasures at the Old Post Office Museum, we have an invaluable resource in The Peninsula Post. First printed in late 1913, it was purchased in 1914 by Mr Fred Grantley who had recently retired to Adelaide.... Mr Grantley had previously been involved with the Warracknabeal Herald and went on to establish the Birchip Advertiser. Mr Hugh Cheyne a former co-worker of Fred Grantley, who was now working at the Peninsula Post may have been the one to coax Mr Grantley out of retirement and over to Mornington from Adelaide. Mr Fred Grantley died in 1923, but Mrs Grantley continued running the newspaper until the 1930’s. Hugh Cheyne was to remain with the Peninsula Post for the rest of his working life. Hugh’s son Leslie Macartney Cheyne later became part owner of the Peninsula Post. The Cheynes built new premises at 97 Main Street Mornington to house the publication of the newspaper, it later moved again to Wilson’s Road. The Peninsula Post was published weekly until 1963. It is interesting to look back 100 years ago and see what was happening regarding the Influenza Epidemic that had the world in its grip at that time, and what the pages of the Post had to say about the Epidemic in Mornington. Keep safe everyone.

01.01.2022 FROM THE ARCHIVES Mr Thomas Dunstan and Mr James Bradbury of Mt. Eliza Way The first building to appear on Mt Eliza Way which was to develop into the village area of Mt. Eliza, was erected by Captain John Davies and his wife on the south side of Mt Eliza Way (then Nepean Highway and before that Point Nepean Road) near Canadian Bay Road (then Boundary Road).... Boundary Road so called because it marked the boundary of the domain of the Shire of Mornington and the then Shire of Frankston and Hastings, now the city of Frankston. The building incorporated a post office, and Captain Davies would drive into Frankston in a horse and cart to collect the mail. Captain John Davies and his wife Clara had retired to Mt Eliza after he had as a Master Mariner spent 35 years sailing the world in sailing ships. They lived at West Point, Old Mornington Road Mt. Eliza Mrs Stone’s obituary declares her as the pioneer of the Post Office in Mt Eliza. Mr Thomas Dunstan and his wife took over the management of the store, well stocked with groceries and a small tearoom that for many years catered to the day trippers from Melbourne. Another store was built by Mr James Bradbury in 1928. The two storey building was made of granite which was quarried on his own property and every block trimmed by himself. It is said that when the store was demolished the granite blocks were numbered and buried on a private property in Mt. Eliza in case of possible restoration. In the 1930’s the post office was relocated in Bradbury’s Store. Mr Bradbury was an ardent rose lover and had a beautiful garden at his residence at the rear of the building. In 1935 his son Mr L. J. Bradbury added a garage to the side of the store, which he and his wife conducted until 1963. Neither of these buildings stand today but they are remembered as among the only stores in Mount Eliza until the 1950’s.