Sunbury Historical Tours in Sunbury, Victoria | Tourist information centre

Sunbury Historical Tours

Locality: Sunbury, Victoria

Address: Circular Drive, Jackson's Hill, Sunbury 3429 Sunbury, VIC, Australia

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25.01.2022 Peter Quigley Admitted in Sunbury Lunatic Asylum on the 22nd day of March in the year 1912. Peter was brought into the hospital at 7.20pm. Peter was a 21 year fellow residing in Tynong Victoria. In Peter's file the section of his family history notes a cousin on his father side who was diagnosed with insanity. Below is a letter that had been written by Mrs. Quigley to the Medical Officer regarding her son Peter .........(re-typed to make it easier for you to read) Replies to ...3.4.1912 Case Book Sandon Tynong April 2nd 1912 Dear Sir, Re letter Peter Quigley, My son Peter once had a hit on the left side of the forehead, with a hurley when he was playing at school. He had the side of his forehead cut opened with the blow and the school teacher said that he was with in a 1/8 of an inch of being killed. Since then he has bad turns yearly and he would get better again but this was the worse turn that he has ever had. Please write and let me know he is getting better or if he has any chance of recovering his sense again as I would take him home if he was out of danger or if it would be safe I am yours faithfully Mrs. Margaret Quigley Peter would end up being discharged in late November 1912 (of that same year). He was a farm labourer out in Tynong Victoria and had been incarcerated due to recent episodes of Mania. During his Admission Assessment the Medical Officer had noted down that he had been allegedly placing obstructions on the railway line for a lark (joke), could not reply coherently to any questions that he was being asked. According to Police Officers he would attempt to rip his blankets when he was placed in the lock-up trying to get himself out. Peter was observed by Medical Officers to not seem to realise the gravity of the charges placed upon him for his actions and when questioned about his actions Peter displayed delusional behaviour stating he was being persecuted by men and explained unusual, and odd things he had been hearing. Medical staff stated in his medical file that his memory appeared to be good and his orientation correct. No prognosis had been made for his recovery at the time of these entries.

23.01.2022 Yarra Bend Asylum Alfred John Williams admitted in the year 1896 Mr. Williams had be found wandering in what appeared to be an apparent state of amnesia, unable to recognise his family members or where he had come from, was frightened and acting strangely. Below attached to his patient file and found to be contained within Alfred's Medical Records is a blue piece of paper of which he had written a suicide note for his beloved wife ....... This note reads "I am tired of my life. You do not know what my feelings are or you would pity me when I hear Mother speak of her troubles.I am a burden on everyone In [sic] think it is best if I were gone I have kissed the children. You must kiss poor Herbert for me. Ask them to forgive me." In Alfred's Medical File it had been noted that his cause of his insanity was a result of Melancholia (Severe Depression) It is not understood if Mr Williams wrote this suicide note prior to or after he had been found with his state of memory loss. Alfred John Williams would after a period of time be from Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum and returned back to live with his family.

21.01.2022 Annie Branchflower Admitted into Sunbury Lunatic Asylum early in the month September, the year 1907. Annie was just 26 years of age. At the time Annie had been admitted she was married with two children, the youngest just 5 weeks old. The Medical Superintendent & Senior Medical Officer, who had both assessed Annie at the time, had determined that the cause of her Mental Health Condition had come as a result of being upset after a funeral. The formal diagnosis noted in Annie...’s patient file had been ‘Delusional’, however her prognosis was considered to be good. After approximately eight weeks Annie was discharged from Sunbury Asylum on the 24th of November in the year 1907, considered to be cured. One of the Photo's attached is that of Elgin Street in Carlton just as it were back in the day that Annie had resided there. This is a copy of the original letter that Annie had penned to her husband Bert on 30th of September 1907. Mr. H. A. Branchflower 265 Elgin Street, Carlton Vic Dear Bert, I know when I come out you will have nothing to do with me because I have been such a bad women, but for the sake of our dear children I hope you will forgive me for doing what I have done. But I will have to go to the dogs, no one to look after me, I have thought of it when it is too late. But never mind what is to be will be. But for God’s sake do try and forgive me for doing such a wrong. But when I do come out, I will do what is right but then it will be all over with you and me. But you might let me have my darling Ida, you know I have always loved her but I know you would like to give baby to Florrie that is why I think Florrie would like to have her. I do hope that mum, dad, Jack and Florrie will forgive me. But I know you will be all against me for doing such a bad act. My dear Bert look after baby Ida for me and come out and see me as soon as you can. But I now what you wrote this morning you do not mean, why would you try and be happy with such a bad women. But I have got to make the best of it until I come out again and I hope it will be very soon. Bert, I hope you would ask Florrie to send me out a clean pair of clothes with you on Sunday. Bert, do try and do what you said in your letter this morning and God will thank you for keeping me from going to the streets as a lost sheep for the sake of the children don’t let Ida know what a bad she has got and don’t let everyone know in Carlton because they will get to know about me and that will be awful. If you will only do what you say in your letter I will try and be a good wife and mother to any children. That is all at present, I remain your loving wife Annie.

21.01.2022 National Library of Australia Sunbury Industrial School for Children Friday 1st day of December in the year 1871 INQUEST into the Deaths of two boys ..... The District Coroner, on the 29th ult.. held an Inquest at Sunbury, on the bodies of Sydney Jones & Thomas Barker, boys in the Industrial School. On the afternoon of the 28th ult, between dinner and school time, seven or eight of the boys went to a waterhole near a hill to bathe, against orders and without any of the officers. Jones threw his hat into the water, and made Barker go to get it, and Barker going in after it slipped, fell down and was floating on the water. Seeing he could not get out, Jones then went in and tried to get him by the hand, and both were drowned. Two others who went after them were nearly drowned also. Barker was eight years and a half old, and received into the School on the 18th of August last from Prahran, for seven years; Jones aged 10 years was received on the 23rd January , 1869, from Steiglitz, for seven years. Mr. Scott, Superintendent of the school, stated that the boys were frequently informed, individually and collectively, where they might go, that they must not go near the quarries in the creek, and other localities specially indicated, or outside of the school boundaries, without being specifically sent. They were frequently admonished and punished for infringements of these regulations, and the attendant had directions to see that the boys did not disobey these regulations; but the area was so large that the boys might escape his observation and reach the places indicated. Witness attributed no blame to him, as he might be very vigilant, and yet the boys might get away unobserved. Neither of the boys drowned was a criminal. Both were neglected children. The waterhole was in an old quarry, which was fenced off from the public, but there was no fence around the hole. The bodies of the boys were got out a few minutes after the accident by the Wardsman, who was alarmed. A verdict Accidental Drowned was found.

20.01.2022 SUNBURY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL for CHILDREN 1864-1879 Below is a letter written to ‘The Hon The Minister Of Public Education’ dated 6th of July in the year 1878. This Letter was written by Catherine Rickarby who had been a School Mistress teaching at the Sunbury Industrial School for Children. Catherine’s husband George also taught children at the Industrial School. ...Continue reading

18.01.2022 Weekly Times Melbourne Victoria 1869 1954 Saturday 21st of March CHILD MURDER The District Coroner (Mr. Chandler), Tuesday, proceeded to Sunbury, and there held an inquest upon the body of a newly-born female infant, who was found lying in a cavity on the hill near the Sunbury Lunatic Asylum on Thursday last. ... The discovery was made by an attendant in the asylum. A women was seen about the locality shortly before the infant was found, but she could not be identified. The child was wrapped in a linen dress, and there was not anything to lead to the identification of the person who had abandoned it. Dr. Neild who had made a post mortem examination of the body, said the child had been born alive, but that it had not lived more than an hour. It had not been suckled or fed. The cause of the death was suffocation, which might have been either wilful or accidental. After hearing some further evidence, none of which pointed to the identity of the person who had abandoned the child, the jury found a verdict to the effect that it had been wilfully suffocated, and that some person or persons unknown were guilty of wilful murder. See more

18.01.2022 In 1945, Maraquita Sargeant, was a young mother a teacher, and concert pianist who had resided in rural Victoria. She was admitted into Sunbury lunatic asylum unjustly for 22 painful years, incarcerated against her will whilst she remained completely sane of mind. Many years later Psychiatrists would describe Maraquita as being nothing more than a mildly eccentric individual who should not have been committed at all. The reasoning for her supposed ‘lunacy’ in 1945, was the... result of not wishing to have any more children. Her youngest Son, Tony, who was just 18 months old at the time his mother was snatched away from him, calls this now empty former lunatic asylum nothing more to him but black territory...... a very black place. Copy and paste the link below into your browser to watch this short video about his mother produced by Washington’s famous Smithsonian Institute. https://www.smithsonianmag.com//wrongfully-admitted-to-su/

17.01.2022 WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH TRIAL OF MARIA BLACK. WEST MELBOURNE MURDER The trial of Maria Black, a single woman on a charge of having murdered Mabel Georgina Love Weston, at West Melbourne, on October 13, took place before Mr Justice Hood in the Criminal Court yesterday Mr Woinarski, K.C., prosecuted. Mr Jacobs (instructed by Mr P. J. Ridgeway) appeared for accused and intimated that the defence would be one of insanity....Continue reading

17.01.2022 MARIA BLACK Date of Admission 16th day of March in the year 1916 Maria had been transferred from a Melbourne Jail to Sunbury's Women's Refractory Prison after having been sentenced to death for Murder in January 1916. Incredibly Maria would only end up serving just 3 short years out of her original sentence before being discharged on the 31st of October in the year 1919 - 'Recovered' by Order of the Governor of Victoria ... Shooting Fatality. WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER. (By Telegraph). Melbourne, Wednesday Oct. 14th 1915 Mrs Mabel Weston, aged 45 years, was shot dead while at dinner at her residence, Capel-street West Melbourne, today. Maria Black, 29years of age, a single woman, living at Flemington-road, North Melbourne, has been arrested in connection with the affair and charged with murder. It appears that the man Black was in love with a Spaniard named Valdo Pinsack, who boarded with the Westons, Black alleged that Mrs Weston was endeavouring to estrange Black from Pinsack. Black entered Weston's house and shot Mrs Weston, using a heavy revolver. The Spaniard, who was present, wrested the revolver from Black. Deceased's husband was at work at the time of the tragedy. Article The Melbourne Argus Newspaper 1915 Bursting-into a house at 6 Capel Street West Melbourne, Wednesday afternoon, a woman named Maria Black pointed a revolver at Mrs Mabel Weston, and fired three shots at her. The woman fell dead. Black was subsequently arrested by Detective Neil Oholm and Constable Harrington, of West Melbourne and taken to the City Watch house where she was charged with murder. The cause of the shooting appears to have been jealousy. Kilmore Free Press Kilmore Victoria 1870 1954

16.01.2022 National Library of Australia Friday 21st day of August in the year 1908 IN A PUBLIC MENTAL ASYLUM - [The Nursing Mirror ] A Nurses personal experience ...............Continue reading

16.01.2022 Historically ........ People who were perceived as being ‘mad’ or insane would be driven out of towns and villages, hidden away in family cellars or attics in their homes or committed to custodial care in gaols or lunatic asylums. Physical restraints (stone walls with chains, straitjackets, tranquilliser chairs), shock therapy with water, ice packs, insulin or electricity and even major surgery such as lobotomy were thought to be the only ways to deal with severe mental illn...ess. As sedating medicines became available, sufferers could be drugged into oblivion with narcotics (Opioids) and early hypnotics such as (bromides, alcohols, Paraldehyde, chloral hydrate and the barbiturates). Psychiatry is a specialist branch of medicine that had started in the late 19th century, and the scientific aspect to psychiatry in the 1920s, with studies to define and classify types of mental illness and relate them to inheritance or traumatic events. Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) was discovered as an effective form of treatment of severe depression, with the first specific drug treatment being discovered in 1949 Lithium was recognised by Doctor Johnathan Cade (who had worked as a Medical Superintendent at Sunbury Hospital for the Insane) and a respected Melbourne Psychiatrist, as being an effective treatment for mania. Reserpine (from the plant Rauwolfia Serpentina ), an Indian drug used to encourage meditation and introspection, was demonstrated to have tranquillising and antihypertensive effects but had caused severe depression and parkinsonian effects. The first safe ‘major tranquilliser’, or neuroleptic drug (Chlorpromazine), was developed in 1952 and an effective antidepressant drug (Imipramine) soon followed. These newly discovered drugs, doctors learning more about and developing a better understanding of the roles of Central Nervous System neurotransmitters played and developing a more humane approach with treating the mentally ill, really revolutionised research into and treatment of mental illness. People would now be successfully treated and able to remain with their families, continue working in their jobs and socially interact within their communities. More specific, safe and effective drugs are continually being developed and used clinically, e.g. the serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) in depression and the atypical Antipsychotics in schizophrenia. See more

14.01.2022 Buildings and Grounds we had explored when we had run our tours ....... https://www.youtube.com/watch

14.01.2022 Sunbury Industrial School for Children This site was first surveyed back in 1842 where a 1,000 acres of land was reserved for the purpose of building an Industrial School for Children. In 1864 construction commenced on the first of 10 bluestone dormitories (which are the same buildings now being used by Sunbury Primary School & Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialst School). The buildings were constructed on the side of Jackson's Hill and were referred to as Hill Wards back in ...Continue reading

09.01.2022 Richard Brooks was admitted to Sunbury Lunatic Asylum on the 27th of August in the year 1892. Richard was 49 years of age and a married father of two at the time of his admission. Looking through Richard's Admission File the Medical Superintendent stated that Richard had apparently suffered from a severe case of sunstroke as a 13 year old and this has contributed to his current state of insanity. Observations taken of this patient claim he is fairly quiet and well behaved as ...a rule, however will do no work and is fairly clean and tidy as a patient in the dormitory. Below is a copy of 2 original letters/correspondence from his daughter Francesca Deans to the Superintendent of the Mental Hospital explaining why she has been unable to visit her father. When she speaks of one of her sons going to the Front she is referring to (World War 1 - 1914 to 1918) Australians were on the Western Front from 1916-1918 and after Gallipoli, Australian soldiers and Airmen fought in each of the major British Campaigns on the Western Front. The first letter is two pages long dated 11/3/1916 and the second letter is dated 29/03/1916 where Francesca clarifies to the Medical Officer of the hospital that in her first letter she had forgotten to refer to her father by his name Richard Brooks so as not to have caused any confusion as to who she was writing for. RE: Richard Brooks 11/3/1916 Dear Sir, Referring to your letter of the 19/6/1915 I wish you to break the news to my father gently as I think it would be too much for him. Please ask him to forgive me for not seeing him for so long, my reason is I am sorry to say that I have had to suffer from the cruelty of my husband also I have brought up a family of 7 sons and 3 daughters and one of my sons is going to the front Thursday next I very pleased to say, and now that my husband is in the military force I feel free. Sir I will be able to see my father soon, God bless him till I see him again From his daughter Yours faithful Mrs Francesca Deans Albert Street W.Brunswick RE: Richard Brooks 29/03/1916 Dear Sir In reference to my Letter of the 11th I forgot to refer to my fathers name was Richard Brooks, kindly excuse me for forgetting I am yours faithful Mrs Francesca Deans Albert Street W.Brunswick

08.01.2022 Sunbury Industrial School for Children

06.01.2022 PUBLISHED DAILY Castlemaine, March 14, 1866 - Regarding Thomas Devereux Industrial School Inmate. THE SUNBURY SCHOOLS AGAIN ...Continue reading

04.01.2022 Hey Canada! Celebrity Ghost Stories is coming to you and it's premiering Tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on @teontv - Don't forget to tune in! Let me know your thoughts after the premiere ? Enjoy the show

03.01.2022 Patient Elizabeth Gillebellif Elizabeth Gillebellif was a 25 year old single female who had been brought into Sunbury Lunatic Asylum by her friends on the 30th August 1894. Elizabeth had previously spent time in Yarra Bendand Kew Asylums. ... Dr. Steel had reported in Elizabeth’s Admission File; In good bodily health, suffers from chronic mania and is at times restless, excitable and violent generally fairly clean and tidy, helping in work of wards. Case book notes also describe Elizabeth to be excited, using vile language, and deliberately exposing herself and being prone to violence. 04.1902 Chronic Mania, recurring attacks at frequent intervals, then very troublesome and apt to be violent. 10.02.1896 Appears quite well, has been up and about assisting in the kitchen for 10 days in a fortnight. The period of excitement has passed also. Records also show that Elizabeth spent many hours in seclusion for excitement, violence, & being destructive. During the week of the 25th February 1899, she spent 45 hours in seclusion over four days. Several smaller stints of time spent in seclusion were also documented for Elizabeth. 17.10.1910 Sent to hospital today. Is weak and run down. 28.10.1910 appears to be going downhill rapidly. Much thinner and weaker. 31.10.1910 steadily going from bad to worse. I saw her 3 times during the day. At 6.30pm Nurse Braun informed me that she had taken a turn for the worse. On my arrival in the ward it was evident she was dying. She died at 9.10pm Elizabeth Gillebellif is buried in an unmarked grave at the local Sunbury Cemetery.

02.01.2022 Sadly Sunbury Historical Tours closed after the Government obtained the site back from Victoria University. But if you are looking for more tours .......... I highly recommend [J Ward Historical Day Tours] Tours are conducted by Friends of JWard (Volunteers). Group bookings can be made by special arrangement. Click on this link; https://www.jward.org.au/ Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, J Ward and Aradale are closed until further notice ...... once self isolation restrictions have lifted give these guys a call and be sure to book your tickets :)

02.01.2022 The Argus - 6th Day of July 1869 The district Coroner, Mr. Chandler, held an inquest on Monday at Sunbury, on the body of a boy named John Tait, aged 10 years, an inmate of the Sunbury Industrial Schools. The deceased was received into the establishment on 30th of January 1867. He was in delicate health at the time, but able to attend school. He was taken into the hospital on the 28th of June last, and an abscess behind his left ear opened; for several days a discharge conti...nued to flow from the ear, and on 3rd inst. He died suddenly. The Post-mortem examination showed the presence of a large quantity of matter under the brain and that the bone of the skull on the side of the abscess was completely gone. The case of death was congestion of the brain, bought on by the abscess. The jury returned a verdict to that effect. A neck abscess occurs during or just after a bacterial or viral infection in the head or neck such as a cold, tonsillitis, sinus infection, or otitis media (ear infection). As an infection worsens, it can spread down into the deep tissue spaces in the neck or behind the throat.The deadliest complication of otitis media is a brain abscess, an accumulation of pus in the brain due to an infection. The most common symptoms are headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, neurological deficits and altered consciousness. With modern neurosurgical techniques, most brain abscesses can be suctioned or drained, followed by IV antimicrobial treatment for six to eight weeks, but sadly in Johnathan's the era with which he had lived in, these modern techniques that could have possibly saved his life were just not available at that time.