Lani Mulgrave Blair

M, #3181, b. 1883, d. 16 Jan 1900
Lani Mulgrave BLAIR
Adoptive father*Dr John Blair1 b. 9 Mar 1834, d. 9 Mar 1887
Adoptive mother*Mary Hunter1 b. 1838, d. 2 Aug 1921
Birth*1883 QLD, Australia.1 
Death*16 Jan 1900 17 Crimea street, St Kilda, VIC, Australia, #D3719 Age 18 [par unknown].1 
Death-Notice*18 Jan 1900 BLAIR.—On the 16th January, at 17 Crimea street, St. Kilda, Lani Mulgrave Blair, dearly loved adopted Queensland aboriginal boy of the late Dr. Blair, of Collins-street and M. Blair. He heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto Me and rest." A peaceful and happy death.
BLAIR.—The Friends of Mrs. Dr. BLAIR and the schoolmates of the late LANI MULGRAVE BLAIR are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment in the Melbourne General Cemetery.
The funeral will leave 17 Crimea-street, St Kilda, THIS DAY (Thursday, the 18th inst ), at 2 p.m.2
 

Grave

  • Presbyterian Section N 404/405, Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton, VIC, Australia, John BLAIR MD died 9 Mar 1887; our Lani died 18 Jan 1900 age 17 yrs.3

Newspaper-Articles

  • 13 Dec 1889: " HOW should a ' Kindergarten ' celebrate its breaking-up for the holidays ?" is a question that has puzzled a good many teachers, for it is not the easiest thing in the world to carry out a programme when the performers are for the most part under eight years old.
    Miss Violet Neild, however, of the Kindergarten, Simpson-street, East Melbourne, managed to surmount all difficulties when she brought the half year to a close on Thursday evening, December 5, at the Independent Hall, Russell-street, Melbourne, amidst an attendance of between 70 aud 80 pupils, and a large number of friends. The first item on the programme was a festive tea, at which the Rev. Dr. Bevan said a few words of grace. The tables were beautifully decorated with flowers, an attraction only second to the piles of cake and other toothsome trifles.
    An adjournment was then made to the larger hall, where recitations, songs and piano duets were given by Misses Vyoyenne Goldie, Verna Goldie, Edith Baskerville, Emma Wynne, Annie Crawfurd, Masters Edward Boothman, Lani Mulgrave (Blair). Charlie Kirkby, Frank Harper, Tom Kerr and Willie Henderson. Miss Herz played some attractive piano selections to the enthusiastic admiration of the young people. The children acquitted themselves most creditably, and gave emphatic proof of the careful training to which Miss Neild had subjected them. The prizes were distributed by Dr. Neild, who aroused considerable amusement by his humorous remarks. The prize-takers included—Masters Russell McLean (history) ; Lani Mulgrave (Blair) (writing); Murray McLean (calisthenics) ; Charles Kirkby (music) ; Tom Kerr (drawing) ; Edward Boothman (singing) ; Archie King (good marks) ; Frank Harper (Scripture and good conduct) ; Misses Vyoyenne Goldie (singing) ; Yerna Goldie (good conduct) ; Alice McLean (good marks) ; Alice Rowe (highest marks) ; Mabel Long (marks). Mr. Thomas Long then gave an exhibition of magic lantern pictures, which were received with shrieks of delight, and finally everybody returned to the tea-room to partake of refreshments. The National Anthem concluded the entertainment, which passed off with every success.4
  • 26 Dec 1890: Miss Violet Neild, principal of the private school and kindergarten, George-street, East Melbourne brought the present-term to a conclusion on Thursday afternoon, December 18, when a large number of visitors were present. The occasion, was also intended to celebrate the opening of the new schoolroom, which was prettily decorated for the festivity with masses of foliage and flowers. At the end of the room stood a Christmas tree glittering with gifts for the small people, who were also treated to various toothsome delicacies, previous to the all important business of the afternoon. A number of songs, piano solo and recitations were pleasantly given by Misses Alice May, Mabel Brockhoff, Mercy May, Edith Baskerville, Beatrice Sargeant, Masters Clifford Anderson, Edward Stabb, Charley Kirkby, Frank Harper, Judy Herz, Tom Ker, Larry Herz, Alexander Herz and Lani Blair, all of whom bore testimony to Miss Neild's careful and intelligent training. The musical arrangements were under the direction of Miss Beaty Neild. A pretty juvenile comedietta, Mother Goose's Party, brought the programme to an end, after which Dr. Neild presented the prizes, with many kind little speeches to the children. A juvenile dance in the evening brought the festivity to an appropriate conclusion. The following is the list of prize-takers Senior class—Charles Kirkby, dux of school, first prize music and highest marks; Thomas Campbell Ker, good marks and first prize drawing : Mabel Brockoff, second prize drawing. Intermediate class—Frank Harper, highest marks; Lani Mulgrave Blair, first prize for writing, also special prize (writing desk), from Dr. Neild ; Alice M'Lean, first prize Scripture ; Larry Herz, first prize singing; Clifford Anderson, good marks. Junior class—Ettie Hunter, good conduct ; Alexander Herz, highest marks.5
  • 27 Jan 1900: THE LATE LANI MULGRAVE (BLAIR.) THE PATHETIC LIFE STORY OF A QUEENSLAND NATIVE.
    The hamlet of Goldsboro, situated on the Mulgrave River, North Queensland, is about 26 miles from the town of Cairns, near Trinity Bay, and close upon 2000 miles from Melbourne. It lies at the foot of a spur of the Main Divide, which runs from the far north down to the south, and from the coastal range separating the eastern and western waters. The height of the range varies from 3000 to 5000 feet, and the altitudes of the tablelands are regulated accordingly, falling off to the west. In the year 1884, Goldsboro was a very primitive mining camp, with one principal store, one or two huts of diminutive size, and scattered tents. To this place Mr F. J. Wimble (then of Cairns, now of Sydney) paid frequent visits; as he was greatly interested in and connected with one of the principal mines of that district, well known as "The Welcome."
    On the occasion of one of these periodical trips, when deciding to return to Cairns, his companion, Davidson, suggested that instead of climbing over the range where the claims were situated they could take a much easier track, by skirting round the foot of them. The lower track was accordingly taken, and certainly proved easier, and in every way more pleasant, even though slightly longer than the upper one.
    While walking along and leading the horses, Davidson, with the quick ear of an experienced bushman, discovered that there must be a camp of blacks in the neighborhood, as certain unmistakable sounds had reached him. The travellers carefully approached the spot, so as not to disturb the natives before they came within view of them. They beheld a large open space, surrounded by grand old trees, close to the banks of the Mulgrave River, and I am indebted for a picture of the place to the kindness of Mr A. C. Macdonald. In the space I have described was a gathering of over thirty or forty Myals (North Queensland natives), men, gins, and children. Of the latter, three little toddlers, all about the same age, were playing round a sand hole, close to the clump of trees, where Mr Wimble and his companion were standing concealed, watching the animated and interesting scene. Forgetful of where they had taken their stand, and anxious to approach closer to the spot occupied by the adults, who apparently were holding a kind of corroboree, the onlookers thoughtlessly stepped forward, thus suddenly exposing themselves to view. On the instant there was a general uproar, loud cries, and shrieks rose from the lips of the assembled natives, and before many moments the whole company had decamped, and entirely disappeared from sight.
    It is a recognised and remarkable fact, and has often been commented upon, how exceedingly well these people must be drilled among themselves, that each member of the company knows exactly what it is his special duty to do. Without some system or rule, inextricable confusion undoubtedly would be the result, when an entire encampment of Queenslanders, in the shortest time given clears out and utterly disappears, the Myals generally taking with them all belongings, and leaving not a stick behind to tell of their late presence there.
    On this occasion, however, the natives did leave something behind them, for after gazing with astonishment at the vanishing blacks, on turning round Mr Wimble observed the three baby pickaninnies, who had remained hidden behind him and Mr Davidson when they both
    stepped forward between the children and their elders. There were two boys and a girl, still playing as before, and far too young to be aware of what had taken place. Knowing perfectly well that the children would probably be lost or perhaps starved if left where they were (as it was hardly likely that the parents would return for them, for it would be against their rules to do so) the two travellers took charge of the three deserted children, taking them on horseback to Goldsboro, where they were well fed and kindly looked after. Mr Gordon, the storekeeper there, took charge of the girl, and decided to keep her. The two boys, however, were first taken to Alley's Hotel, at Riverstone, and then on to Cairns; one in the care of Mr Davidson, the other looked after by Mr Wimble, to whom I am much indebted for the greater part of the authentic particulars contained in this article.
    From the first, Mr Wimble was attracted by the smaller of the two, whom he noticed particularly on account of his remarkably fine curly hair and pretty little face. This boy later on became known as Lani Mulgrave Blair, though at the time of his being found Mr Wimble gave him another name, which the little fellow perfectly understood and acknowledged. It might perhaps appear cruel that no effort was made to return the children to their parents, but not only would it have been almost impossible to find them, but also it would have proved a most dangerous undertaking for the sake of the children, as it is well known that when once a black leaves his tribe in Queensland, whether by chance or from intent, he dares not go back to his people. If he did, certain death, it is stated, would be his fate.
    On reaching Cairns, Mr M'Kay, the butcher there, took Mr Davidson's boy, with the intention of teaching him the trade. The other little one was accommodated in Mr Wimble's house, and the youngster took very kindly to his surroundings. At Christmas time of 1884, having occasion to pay a visit to the capital of Victoria, Mr Wimble telegraphed to a friend in Melbourne, asking him if he would like to have a specially good-looking, curly-haired, handsome little native boy. He replied in these exact words, "Yes, if he has good teeth."
    Thereupon Mr Wimble took the child with him to Melbourne, and lodged him with his friend, Mr Goddard (who then resided in Hawthorn), much to the delight of his young children, who looked upon him as a sort of new toy, or a pet animal, intended specially for their amusement and entertainment, and having never seen one of his kind before, they innocently believed that, being black, he could not possibly be the same as themselves, nor, perhaps, even have the same feelings. They took him with them to Sunday school, treating him very much like a favorite doll, and his singular appearance created such a disturbance that the pupils refused to attend to their lessons, and the class had to be dismissed. Change of climate, and perhaps lack of the necessary precautions and care on that account, did not agree with the boy, and he took a severe cold on the chest, ending in pneumonia. It was then that Dr Blair come upon the scene. This gentleman, as may not be generally known, was one of the principal movers of the building of the Alfred Hospital,
    and was for years, up to the time of his death, senior surgeon, and also secretary of the Medical Society of Victoria. His genial, sympathetic disposition made him generally liked, and he was known never to have turned anyone from his door who needed help. As a friend, Dr Blair happened to be on a visit to Mr Goddard's house, and was asked to advise what should be done for the little Queenslander. The kind-hearted doctor immediately took an interest in the native child, a stranger amongst strangers in a strange land, and so far away from his own kind; and perceiving that he would want more care than could perhaps conveniently be given to him, he talked the matter over with Mr Wimble, and expressed his desire to take the boy home with him. Mr Wimble advised Mr Goddard to let the little fellow go, particularly as he had seven children of his own, and Dr Blair had none. Consequently, one day, when the latter called as usual to see his patient, he brought a large possum rug, and, wrapping the boy in it, took him home in his buggy to the Collins
    street house, where he lived.
    At that time, Mrs Blair was at Sorrento, and knew nothing of the little arrival, and when Dr Blair informed his wife of what had taken place, she was astonished and naturally uncertain as to what she could do with a black child, but on her return to Melbourne she saw him, and then decided to look upon him as her adopted son.
    A complete handsome outfit was bought, a special servant instructed to look after him, and as he grew he improved in every way, and developed refined tastes, which appeared to he born with him. The boy's christening fell upon a night when there was the firemen's torchlight procession, and a number of friends had congregated in the house to witness the demonstration. Among them was the Rev. Robert Scott, of Chalmers Church, who, after the procession was over, christened the little black boy Lani Mulgrave Blair, the second name being given in memory of the river near which he was found.
    For some years the boy attended Miss Neild's kindergarten school; then he was removed to All Saints' Grammar School; and there had a first-class record from the master, which proves that natives can be educated. Young Blair for some time attended the Working Men's College, specially giving his attention to free-hand drawing, carpentering, and plumbing; but his particular fancy was architecture or civil engineering. He received many prizes at school for good writing, and a gold medal for rifle shooting. As a bicyclist, he came in second in a race not long since; he could skate well, and was fond of all sports. Recently Lani entered an architect's office in Temple Court, where he was doing well when, sad to say, he was stricken down with illness, which terminated in death on the 16th inst., at St. Kilda.
    He had been a member of the Australian Church since his childhood, and the Rev. Dr Strong read the prayers over the grave, and alluded to him during service on the following Sunday evening, in a few well chosen words. The boy was a general favorite with his school friends, who came to see him during his illness. He was devotedly attended to by his adopted mother, and his last words prove how fondly he was attached to her. They were these: "Whisper into my ear, mother dear. I am satisfied. Say a little prayer for me, and let me go. Don't cry; it is for the best." He had not the slight est fear of death, having always been trained as a true Christian, and he passed away peacefully and happily. Every respect was shown from all sides, and the funeral was largely attended. Letters, telegrams, cards, and flowers came in abundance, proving that young Blair during his short life had made many friends. He was laid to rest in the Melbourne General Cemetery with his adopted father, the late Dr Blair.
    Probably Lani is the first aboriginal who has been able to fill such a position as he had achieved. It is undoubtedly a fact that the Australian natives are by nature gifted with some talent for drawing and modelling. I read lately the following interesting little paragraph, which may prove the justice of my remark. "The Age," 3/8/99: — "A blackfellow's water bottle of curious design has been found in a cave in the Maitland district. The bottle appears to have been fashioned of clay, on the end of a small round stick, and burnt until it assumed the consistency of rude pottery ware. The Watagan Caves are known to have been a favorite camping place for the blacks sixty years ago, and on the walls are seen many specimens of aboriginal rock paintings."
    As a fact the late Dr Blair and Mrs Blair are not the first who have undertaken to civilise a native child. It is well known that the late Princess Alice, while travelling, took home with her a little native boy, and made a great pet of him. She alludes to this child in one of her letters, which appear in the Biographical Sketch of Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse, Princess of Great Britain and Ireland, as follows;— "You will be amused to hear that I have got a little black (a Malay). He is a dear, good boy, was brought over two years ago by a gentleman to whom he was given away by his own parents, as a mark of gratitude for some service done. This man has had him here two years, but has never had him taught anything. I am going to have him taught, and later christened. He is very intelligent"
    In conclusion, it is interesting to notice that mention was lately made in one of the Melbourne papers of the intention of Lady Lamington to take home with her to the old country two little Queensland boys, whom she proposed to have educated in England. This proves how the idea is gaining ground that Australian natives can be trained and made useful members of society.6
  • 16 Jan 1901: IN MEMORIAM.
    BLAIR. —In loving memory of my darling Lani, who passed so peacefully away on January 16, 1900. Deeply regretted and mourned by Lily (Mrs. Wood) and family.
    BLAIR.- Passed to the higher life 16th January, 1900, after a short illness. Lani Mulgrave Blair, the dearly beloved adopted boy of the late John Blair, M. D., Collins-street, and M. Blair, aged 18 years. "In the beautiful valley of sometime. " M. B.
    BLAIR -In loving memory of Lani Blair, who departed this life January 16, 1900, at St. Kilda. (Inserted by the members of Armadale Baptist Cricket Club and Sunday-school, of which he was a member).7
  • 22 Feb 1930: When Trident Won The Derby. AN OLD PICTURE. By H. P. BRENNAN
    When Trident won the Derby Melbourne was slowly but surely working up to that delightful period which preceded the bursting of the boom in the early '90's. Trident won in 1886. It was not until about 1892 that Melbourne awoke to the fact that the great and glorious times which it had enjoyed had come to a more or less abrupt end. In the office of Mr Selwyn L Gerity, solicitor, of Queen street is an old picture showing the assemblage on the lawn, while Lady Loch, gowned in the mode of the period, slips the blue ribbon over Trident's head. Close behind her is the Governor (Sir Henry Brougham Loch), and near her Mr Byron Moore, who at that time had not long been appointed secretary to the Victoria Racing Club. To the picture someone has provided a key, so that those who are present may be identified by others than that diminishing army of veterans who probably still remember the faces.
    ...
    On the lawn, close to the winning horse, is a sturdy little figure marked on the key as "Mrs Blair's aborigine." Mrs. Blair was the wife of a Collins-street medical practitioner, and the aborigine in Eton uniform was a conspicuous figure at functions of the kind. It was said that a relative of Mrs Blair saved him just as he was about to be offered as a sacrifice in his native wilds. One wonders what became of him in after years. Did he grow tired of civilisation and "go bush," or did he rise to the rank of a butler in some distinguished house?8
  • 8 Mar 1930: "MRS. BLAIR'S ABORIGINE."
    Mr. C. T. Willis (Bendigo) writes-Regarding Dr and Mrs. Blair's aboriginal boy Lani Blair, mentioned by Mr. H. P. Brennan in '"When Indent Won the Derby" in the Camera Supplement on February 22, I think I have read that be died young. I remember seeing in earlier days a newspaper illustration of him, taken when aged about 12 years, in which he is shown standing with his bicycle beside Dr. and Mrs. Blair. The newspaper account stated that he was found alone by a party of whites by the bank of a creek or river in Queensland, having been for some reason or other deserted by his parents. A tribal fight was the supposed cause. He was wrapped in blankets, taken care of, and finally adopted by the Blairs. Whether Dr. Blair was himself a member of the party that found him I cannot now say. The report also stated that he was studying with a view to becoming an architect.
    Two other correspondents have written to say that the remains of the aborigine Lani Blair are interred in the Blair family grave in the Presbyterian section of the Melbourne General Cemetery with the inscription, "Our dearly beloved Lani, died January 18, 1900, aged 17 years." This indicates that in 1883, when Trident won the Derby, Lani was aged 3 years. In the picture referred to by Mr. Brennan, Lani is shown in an Eton uniform, a sturdy little fellow aged about 8 years, but that may be another error, like the discrepancy of the illustration of the Earl of Roseberry among the spectators at Trident's Derby, although the Earl was not in Australia in that year.9
  • 15 Mar 1930: MRS. BLAIR'S ABORIGINE
    Mr. L. A. Vail (South Yarra) writes: In his interesting article in the Camera Supplement on February 22, Mr. H. E. Brennan is incorrect when he suggests that Lani, Mrs. Blair's aborigine boy, was dressed in an Eton "uniform," and would no doubt become a butler. In the period which Mr. Brennan describes Lani would be attired in an Eton suit which was the gala dress of the period for all public and grammar school boys. Lani was never destined for domestic service. He was educated at All Saints' Grammar School, St Kilda, and I first met him there about 1892. He would have been born about 1879. This does not agree with the tomb stone inscription, but if the two people standing in the picture are Dr. and Mrs. Blair, then the little aborigine is Lani, for, as far as is known, this lad was the only aborigine adopted by them.
    Although the boy was not by any means energetic, he entered into his work and games with as much zest as most scholars. At cricket and football he adopted an air of listlessness, which quickly changed to that of speed and alertness when called upon to do his part. He was never robust - rather the reverse - and was usually seen outside of school horns with his bicycle. He started "hot favourite" for an old boys' bicycle race on the St. Kilda Cricket-ground. The trophy for this event is dated December, 1898. His fellow competitors had not seen him for about two years, and it was noticed that he was, if possible, thinner than ever.
    Mr. W. Murray McLean (West Wyalong) writes:-I was Lani Blair's greatest friend. He was found, I believe, at a deserted camp of aborigines in North Queensland. - Mrs. Blair had told friends of hers in that locality that she would like a "boy" for a butler, but Lani was sent to her as a child. Mrs. Blair adopted him and gave him the name of Lani Mulgrave Blair. At this time Mrs. Blair lived in Collins street, but shortly afterward she lived very near to St. Ives private hospital, East Melbourne, which was at that time my father's residence. Lani and I attended kindergarten together and he was far above the average, his work being particularly neat and his writing excellent. Mrs. Blair later moved to St. Kilda, and Lani attended All Saints' Grammar School, where he had a splendid record. On leaving that school he was employed by a Melbourne architect. I think this record proves that he suceeeded both as a scholar and an athlete. He was a cadet, and he gained a medal as ? shot, and was a good runner, ? and cyclist.
    Mr. Brennan mentions that Lani appeared in the old picture in ? I well remember that, and he remembered it. Mary Hunter10
  • 22 Mar 1930: Mrs. Blair's Aborigine. Some More Memoirs
    Mr Sydney H. Wilson (Portsea. writes: -I was very much interested in learning about Lani Mulgrave, Mrs Blair's aborigine boy, who was mentioned by Mr H P Brennan in the Camera Supplement on February 22 as appearing in the old picture 'When Trident Won the Derby'. I well remember him from his childhood. He usually made weekend trips to Sorrento with Mrs Blair to Dr Blair's sanitorium Balgowie. Lani was usually dressed in a sailor suit. After he had completed his studies at All Saints Grammar School Mrs Blair articled him to the profession of an architect under my care. He showed considerable skill in drawing and took a great interest in his work. After he had served two years as a pupil, one Saturday afternoon he ventured after yabbies in Albert Park lake, with the result that he caught a chill and succumbed to pneumonia.
    Mr. L. Herz (Mordialloc) writes:- Lani was sent from Queensland by the late Dr. Blair, and, after about three months, was legally adopted by Mrs. Blair. Lani first went to Miss Violet Neild's kindergarten in George Street, East Melbourne. He became then one of my best friends, and was so until his death. The photograph mentioned by Mr. H. P. Brennan is undoubtedly that of Lani, as I drove to that Derby meeting with Dr. and Mrs. Blair and Lani in a drag and four. " Lani was a splendid cricketer, and he first played for the Sunbeams cricket team. East Melbourne, of which club the late Sir William Clarke was president. - Lani died at St. Kilda at the age of 18 years, and he was buried at St. Kilda.
    Miss M. T. James (Surrey Hills) writes: Mrs. Blair was in search of a boy for domestic work. She asked a friend staying at her house when he went to Queensland to send her a young aborigine. She was eventually told to meet a certain boat with the boy on board. When the vessel arrived and the cargo was being put ashore, she asked the captain where was the boy. To her surprise a bag was brought, pulled up at the top, and tied with rope, from which peeped a tiny black head with large, rolling eyes. The child had not been taken out of the bag from the time the boat left Queensland. Mrs. Blair hurried into a cab, and home to Collins street, where she cut the bag off and gave him a warm bath. He was only a baby, and she decided to adopt him. He was christened, and I had some of the cake. He was named Lani Mulgrave Blair. Mulgrave was the name of the river where his tribe lived, and where he was born. Mrs. Blair had him educated, and he became a remarkable French scholar and a clever dancer. He was indeed an engaging and attractive personality, and I always enjoyed his visits when he and his adopted mother came to stay with me at Blairgowrie. Mary Hunter11
  • 5 Apr 1930: MRS. BLAIR'S ABORIGINE. AN EXPERIMENT IN ETHNOLOGY
    Mr. W. A. Larkins (Fitzroy) writes:- "My father and Dr. Blair were great friends, and every week-end they travelled together to Sorrento in the late '70's. I was nearly always there, and frequently I listened to discussions of Dr. Blair's theory that, given equal chances, the aboriginal brain would compare favourably with the 'white' brain. It was to test his theory that Dr. Blair arranged with a captain of one of the inter-colonial steamers to obtain a Queensland native for him. The first child died on the voyage down. A second attempt resulted in Lani being landed safely, but the dear old doctor did not live to complete his experiment."
    Miss L. T. James (North Fitzroy) writes:-"The late Dr. John Blair made a study of Australian aborigines, and intended that an infant aborigine trained and educated from birth would be equal to any British subject or scholar. Lani was quite a costly specimen before Mrs. Blair met him in the old sack with a pannikin tied to it with a hayband.
    "Lani came from his Queensland home to prove Dr. Blair's theory, but Mrs. Blair did not want a black boy, or any boy. The Blairs had had a staff of Indian servants, as was the custom then among people who lived in good style and could afford the luxury. One of them - the butler - remained a good and faithful servant until he died at Sorrento, where he lies buried. His name was Lani. ' When Mrs. Blair saw the sad little black baby a maternal instinct was aroused, and she was a mother to him, and he a loving son. She said, "I will call him Lani", as soon as he was dressed in conventional infant clothes. He had two playmates - Rose and Lily Fisher, the twin daughters of Dr. and Mrs. Fisher, of Collins street. They were in the next house, and they assisted greatly in Lani's happiness and culture. With their nurses they played in the gardens, always guarded by Donald Dinnie, Lani's Scotch terrier. Dr. Blair died while Lani was quite young, and Mrs. Blair then lived much more at Sorrento in Rinneel, her seaside home, near the beach and viillage, which none of your correspondents has mentioned. It was a later purchase than Blairgowrie, three miles distant. Lani's mother was shot dead, and he was taken from her breast while her body was yet warm. Dr. Blair told me this, but I do not know in which circumstances the shot was fired. The Mulgrave River tribe were murderers at one time, I was told, and there were raids upon them after trouble." Mary Hunter12

Citations

  1. [S2] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Federation Index Victoria 1889-1901.
  2. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 18 Jan 1900, p1.
  3. [S45] Index of monumental inscriptions in the Melbourne General Cemetery,
    "GSV Index."
  4. [S14] Newspaper - Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic.), Fri 13 Dec 1889, p12.
  5. [S14] Newspaper - Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic.), Fri 26 Dec 1890, p9+10.
  6. [S14] Newspaper - Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic.), Sat 27 Jan 1900, p9 ( BY THE BARON.).
  7. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 16 Jan 1901, p1.
  8. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 22 Feb 1930, p2S.
  9. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 8 Mar 1930, p8S.
  10. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 15 Mar 1930, p.2S.
  11. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 22 Mar 1930, p.10S.
  12. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 5 Apr 1930, p.10S.
Last Edited24 Dec 2016

Archibald Dickson Hunter

M, #3182, b. Aug 1850, d. Sep 1922
Father*Archibald Hunter b. 1804, d. b 1876
Mother*Jane Butterworth Dickson b. 1820, d. 18 May 1855
Birth*Aug 1850 Bo'ness, Linlithgowshire, Scotland. 
(Migrant) Migration/TravelSep 1854 Sailing with Archibald Hunter, Jane Butterworth Hunter, David Hunter, Mary Hunter, James Hunter, John Hunter, Jane Dickson Hunter to Port Phillip, VIC, Australia. Ship Cheviot
Age 3.1
Land-UBeac*1877Selection: PAK-114. 19a 1r 13p - Land File 402/49
Selected by A. D. HUNTER (no date). Crown grant to M. H. BLAIR on 24 Oct 1889.2 
Land-UBeac13 Jan 1886 PAK-79.79A.111.112.113. Transfer from Charles Swift to Archibald Dickson Hunter.3,4,5 
Land-UBeac*23 Jan 1886 GEM--42. Transfer from Euphemia Isabella Frances Nicol to Archibald Dickson Hunter. Transfer of Lease to A D Hunter. 99a 3r 38p - Land File 3794/19.20 Crown Grant issued to A. D. HUNTER on 4 Feb 1886.6 
Land-Note*4 Feb 1886 GEM--42. A D Hunter purchased the property for £100. Grant sent to office of titles 14 Apr 1886.7 
Land-UBeac*26 Mar 1886 PAK-115. Transfer from Dr John Blair to Archibald Dickson Hunter. Now tenants in common.8 
Land-UBeac26 Mar 1886 PAK-79.79A.111.112.113. Transfer from Archibald Dickson Hunter to Dr John Blair. Dr John BLAIR & Archibald Dickson HUNTER were tenants in common.3,9 
Land-Note*1 Dec 1886 Mortgagee: The Federal Bank of Australia Limited. The Federal Bank of Australia Ltd provided a mortgage over the land PAK-79.79A.111.112.113 and possibly PAK-114. It was discharged on 31 Oct 1890.. Mortgagor was Archibald Dickson Hunter Dr John Blair. 
Land-Note*6 Apr 1887 Mary Blair After the death of her husband, Mary BLAIR inherited all his assets, including the land at Beaconsfield, which she now jointly holds with her brother. Within a week, Archibald D HUNTER was declared insolvent, and Robert Elwall JACOMB was appointed Assignee in his estate. 
Land-UBeac*14 Apr 1887 PAK-79.79A.111.112.113. Transfer from Archibald Dickson Hunter to Robert Elwall Jacomb. Archibald Dickson HUNTER's insolvent estate was transferred to Robert Elwall JACOMB, his assignee.10 
Land-UBeac14 Apr 1887 GEM--42. Transfer from Archibald Dickson Hunter to Robert Elwall Jacomb. Archibald Dickson HUNTER's insolvent estate was transferred to Robert Elwall JACOMB, his assignee.11 
Land-UBeac14 Apr 1887 PAK-115. Transfer from Archibald Dickson Hunter to Robert Elwall Jacomb. Archibald Dickson HUNTER's insolvent estate was transferred to Robert Elwall JACOMB, his assignee.12 
Land-Note*abt 1888 GEM--42. David Smyth On a sketch in land file GEM--148 (Matthew LADD) the name D Smyth 42 is on the western boundary. Listed in rates 1888/9 Smyth D A Farmer N50 £2.10 unpaid - the following year as Hunter, but paid for by Fry & Co.13 
Land-UBeac*24 Oct 1889 PAK-114. Transfer from Archibald Dickson Hunter to Mary Blair. 19a 1r 13p - Land File 402/49
Selected by A. D. HUNTER (no date). Crown grant to M. H. BLAIR on 24 Oct 1889.14,15 
Note6 Dec 1890 Victoria Court of Petty Sessions at Kyneton. Samuel John Jones against Archibald Dickson Hunter. 
(Migrant) Migration/Travel6 Oct 1892 To Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Ship Waihora travelling in saloon from Bluff NZ
Age 41.16
Marriage*15 Dec 1898 Spouse: Mary Brown Clavering. Corio Street, Geelong, VIC, Australia, #M6765.17,18
(Migrant) Migration/Travel28 Feb 1899 Sailing with Mary Brown Hunter George Anderson to London, England. Ship S.S. Yarrawonga departing Melbourne Dec 1898. Presumably travelling in 1st class / saloon (steerage listing starts below them) no age given (Vic Outward shipping shows ages)
Mr Hunter traveller.19,20
(Migrant) Migration/Travel11 Jun 1914 To Southampton, England. Ship possible travel from Cape Town to Southampton on Grantully Castle. Mr A Hunter, age 64, merchant, usual residence Scotland.21
 
WidowerDec 1916Archibald Dickson Hunter became a widower upon the death of his wife Mary Brown Clavering.22 
Death*Sep 1922 Croydon, Surrey, England, Sep Q [Croydon] 2a 265.23 
Note*2006 From: "Susie Zada" Subject: Archibald Dickson HUNTER - big update (20 Jul 2006) — Hi Folks, For those who have shown an interest in this chap - the "infamous" deodorant manufacturer of Geelong in 1882, well here's a brief summary of what I've found out to this stage
And Alwyne it looks like your Bertie Archibald Dickson SILK possibly got his third name in "honour" of Archibald Dickson HUNTER!
Well I've got a lot of the "before" now just need to sort out where he went and died!
1850 August and September
Born and baptised Bo'ness (Borrowstounness), Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. Youngest son (six children) of Archibald HUNTER, Cloth Merchant, and Jane Butterworth DICKSON
1851 March: Census - living in Borrowstounness, Scotland
1854 September: Archibald and Jane HUNTER and all six children arrived as unassisted immigrants in Victoria on "Cheviot"
1855 May: Jane Butterworth HUNTER nee DICKSON died at Collingwood, buried Melbourne General Cemetery
1855 - 1861: Archibald HUNTER with children Jane and Archibald Dickson (and possibly other children) returned to Scotland - haven't found but know they did. If daughter Mary returned with them she was back here by 1867
1861 April: Census - Archibald (Senr), and children Jane and Archibald Dickson living in Broxburn, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland
1867 April: Mary HUNTER (sister of Archibald Dickson HUNTER) married in Northcote, Victoria - may have stayed here since 1854. Husband died in 1887 - can't find any further trace of her. Interestingly her husband, John BLAIR was a surgeon and co-founder of the Alfred Hospital.
1876 January: Jane HUNTER (sister of Archibald Dickson HUNTER) married John Henry Talbot JOHNSTONE in Edinburgh - Archibald D HUNTER was witness (both their parents were both deceased at this stage)
1876: Geelong Advertiser reported that Archibald Dickson HUNTER started business in 1876 with no capital
1880 - 1886: Archibald Dickson HUNTER - various confirmations located in Geelong
1880 February - March: Patent applied for and granted for "improved combustible composition for rabbit and vermin destruction" - dynamite???
1880 April: Australasian Deodorising, Disinfecting & Fertilising Co, Mercer Street, Geelong. Henry JOHNSTONE (brother-in-law) one of the partners, Archibald Dickson HUNTER was patentee.
1884 January: A D HUNTER's compressed fuel project at Lal Lal said to start operations
1884 August (and back to c.1880): Archibald Dickson HUNTER of Geelong reported by Geelong Advertiser to have found Kerosene shale on the property of John BUNTINE JP of Toongabbie, Gippsland. HUNTER had purchased the freehold and 1200 acres adjoining; he had been prospecting the area for 4 years.
1885 July: Reference to a goldstrike at the Albion Quartz Goldmine at Steiglitz. Archibald D HUNTER said to be representative of the Melbourne Shareholders.
1886 July: Archibald D HUNTER's "Laurieston", Halstead Place, off Villamanta Street [Geelong] for auction - weatherboard, 10 rooms.
1887 March: John BLAIR, brother-in-law of Archibald D HUNTER, died. Did this trigger the Insolvency?? HUNTER was in partnership with his other brother-in-law and more than likely borrowed from this one - surgeon and co-founder of Alfred Hospital. Will need to check probate papers!
1887 June - September: Archibald Dickson HUNTER filed Insolvency Schedule and appeared in Insolvency Court in Melbourne (late of Geelong)
1891 June: Jane JOHNSTONE (sister of Archibald Dickson HUNTER died in Geelong, buried Melbourne General Cemetery with mother). Death notice in Geelong Advertiser said "youngest daughter of late Archibald HUNTER, Broxburn, Scotland (home and NZ papers to copy). Can only presume that NZ papers included because siblings in New Zealand (does this include Archibald Dickson HUNTER?)
Other odd references to A D HUNTER in the region up to 1895 which may or may not be him.
So did he go to New Zealand?
Did he marry in 1910 in New Zealand? or was this a son? Have ordered this marriage from NZ.
Did he die in New Zealand?
Can't find a death in Victoria - based on now knowing when he was born.
Can't find a death in Scotland at this stage.
This puzzle has been stimulating and amazing - considering how little I knew of this person when I started just over a week ago - will definitely be an article for the Pivot Tree (Geelong Family History Group) but might also warrant one for the Australian Family Tree Connection if NZ connections prove to be true.
Oh what fun .......... Susie Z.24 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
30 Mar 1851Branfield Cottage 26, Borrowstouness, West Lothian, Scotland(Head of Household) Archibald Hunter;
Age 7 months
Member(s) of Household: Jane Butterworth Hunter, Mary Hunter, James Hunter, John Hunter, Jane Dickson Hunter25
7 Apr 1861Broxburn, Uphall, West Lothian, Scotland(Head of Household) Archibald Hunter;
Age 9
Member(s) of Household: Jane Dickson Hunter26
31 Mar 19019 Crown Crescent, Richmond Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, EnglandHead of Household: Archibald Dickson Hunter. Age 50 - Patent Agent own account
Member(s) of Household: Mary Brown Hunter.27
190869 Mayford Road, Wandsworth, London, England28
bt 1909 - 191155 Galveston Road, Wandsworth, London, England28
2 Apr 191197 Gosberton Road, Balham S W, London, EnglandHead of Household: Archibald Dickson Hunter. Age 60 - Manufacturer's Agent fibre and cotton manufacture
Member(s) of Household: Mary Brown Hunter.29
bt 1912 - 191597 Gosberton Road, Wandsworth, London, England28

Newspaper-Articles

  • 1878: PATENT FOR "HUNTER'S COMPRESSED FUEL."
    THIS is to notify that Archibald Dickson Hunter, of Melbourne, manufacturer, did, on the twenty-eighth day of August 1878, deposit at the office of the Registrar-General, in Melbourne, a specification, or instrument in writing, under his hand and seal, particularly describing and ascertaining the nature of the said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed; and that by reason of such deposit the said invention is protected and secured to him exclusively for the term of six calendar months thence next ensuing : And I do further notify that the said Achibald Dickson Hunter has given notice, in writing, at my chambers for patent cases, of his intention to proceed with his application for letters patent for the said invention, and that I have appointed Wednesday the second day of October next, at Twelve. o'clock noon, at my said chambers, to hear and consider the said application and all objections thereto ; and I do hereby require all persons having an interest in opposing the grant of such letters patent to leave, on or before the twenty-eighth day of September, at my said chambers for patent cases, in Melbourne, particulars in writing of their objections to the said application, otherwise they will be precluded from urging the same.
    Given under my hand this twenty-ninth day of August A.D. 1878.
    BRYAN O'LOGHLEN, Attorney-General.
    Attorney-General's Chambers for Patent Cases, Registrar-General's Department, Queen street (north), Melbourne.No. 226330
  • 1878: PATENT FOR "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATING MATTERS HAVING AN OFFENSIVE SMELL."
    THIS is to notify that Archibald Dickson Hunter, of Collins street east, in the city of Melbourne , manufacturer, did, on the ighteenth day of October 1878, deposit at the office of the Registrar -General , in Melbourne , a specification, or instrument in writing, under his hand and seal, particularly describing and ascertaining the nature of the said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed ; and that by reason of such deposit the said invention is protected and secured to him exclusively for the term of six calendar .month , thence next ensuing: And I do further notify that the said Archibald Dickson Hunter has given notice, in writing in my chambers for patent cases, of his intention to proceed with this application for letters patent for the said invention , and that I have appointed Friday the fifteenth day of November next, at Twelve o'clock noon, at my said chambers, to hear and consider the said application and all objections thereto ; And I do hereby require all persons hawing an interest in opposing the grant of such letters patent to leave, on or before the eleventh day of November, at my said chambers for patent cases, in Melbourne, partitulars in writing of their objections to the said application, otherwise they will be precluded from urging the same.
    Given under my hand this twenty- first day of October A.D. 1878.
    BRYAN O'LOGHLEN, Attorney-General.
    Attorney-General's Chambers for Patent Cases, Registrar-General's Department, Queen street (north), Melbourne.
    No. 271831
  • 1878: APPLICATIONS FOR PATENTS FOR INVENTIONS.
    SPECIFICATIONS have been deposited at this office by the undermentioned persons upon the dates stated, under the provisions of The Patents Statute 1865, No. 240, and under the Act to amend the same, No. 432 :-
    No. 2560. Archibald Dickson Hunter, of Melbourne, manufacturer, for " Hunter's compressed fuel " ; 28th August 1878.32
  • Oct 1878: Applications for Patents for inventions deposited: No. 2585. ARCHIBALD DICKSON HUNTER, Of Collins street east, in the city of Melbourne, manufacturer, for " Improvements in compositions for treating matters having an offensive smell"; 18th October 1878.33
  • 10 Dec 1879: A NEW DEODORISER. By incitation a number of the leading residents of Ballarat and others including Dr Holthouse (health officer), Dr Blair (Alfred Hospital, Melbourne), Dr Bunce, Sergeant Carden, and several of the city councillors, attended at Mr Roxburgh’s office, Mair street, on Tuesday morning to witness some experiments made by Mr A. D. Hunter of a new disinfecting, deodorising, and fertilising powder, which has received favorable notice in Melbourne and other towns in the colony. The first test made was with nightsoil, which was treated in various ways with Hunter's disinfectant, as also with Sullivan’s disinfectant. The second test was with some of the drainage from the Webster street drain, then some refuse from a soap factory, and last of all with some blood from one of the slaughteryards. Each experiment was performed by placing the material to be operated on in two buckets, and a small quantity of Hunter's compound being dusted over the contents of one bucket, while the same process was adopted by dusting the contents of the other bucket with Sullivan’s disinfectant. In every instance Hunter’s mixture gave the greatest satisfaction to those present, the general opinion being that the new deodoriser did its work more effectually, and left no smell behind. Several buckets of the material operated on were deposited away for the purpose of a further inspection to-day.
    Mr Hunter claims for his disinfectant that it absorbs the ammonia and retains it, while other deodorisers throw it off, thus rendering the material treated useless for purposes of manuring. Mr Hunter exhibited a block of manure, treated with his disinfectant and pressed in the form of a brick, while other portions were in a powdered state, and from the remarks made by several agricultural experts present, it will no doubt form a valuable assistant to the farmer and market gardener, the manure as treated, being quite free from the slightest smell, or in any way offensive. Mr Hunter also stated that when manure has been disinfected by means of his deodoriser it will have very beneficial effects both in promoting the growth and intensifying the colors of flowers, and as a valuable stimulant to fruit trees, especially the orange, during the long drought this country is subjected to.
    Dr Blair states that it is used in the Alfred Hospital, and proves a valuable assistant. We recommend the City Council to try its effect in a much more extensive form on the notorious Webster street drain, for if the stench arising from it, is anything like that from the sample tested on Monday, the sooner something is done the better. Mr Roxburgh, of Mair street, has been appointed the local agent, and will no doubt be pleased to give every information to persons interested in such matters. Dr John Blair34
  • 1880: No. 2778. ARCHIBALD DICKSON HUNTER, of Mercer street, Geelong, manufacturer, for " An improved composition to be used in the destruction of rabbits and other vermin" ; 21st January 1880.35
  • Feb 1880: PATENT FOR "AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION TO BE USED IN THE DESTRUCTION OF RABBITS AND OTHER VERMIN."
    THIS is to notify that Archibald Dickson Hunter, of 1 Mercer street, Geelong, manufacturer, did, on the twentyfirst day of January 1880, deposit at the office of the Registrar-General, in Melbourne, a specification, or instrument in writing, under his hand and seal, particularly describing and ascertaining the nature of the said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed ; and that by reason of such deposit the said invention is protected and secured to him exclusively for the term of six calendar months thence next ensuing : And I do further notify that the said Archibald Dickson Hunter has given notice, in writing, at my chambers for patent cases, of his intention to proceed with his application for letters patent for the said invention, and that I have appointed Friday the twenty-seventh day of February instant, at Twelve o'clock noon, at my said chambers, to hear and consider the said application and all objections thereto ; and I do hereby require all persons having an interest in opposing the grant of such letters patent to leave, on or before the twenty-third day of February, at my said chambers for patent cases, in Melbourne, particulars in writing of their objections to the said application, otherwise they will be precluded from urging the same.
    Given under my hand this third day of February A.D. 1880.
    BRYAN O'LOGHLEN, Attorney-General.
    Attorney-General's Chambers for Patent Cases, Patent Office, Registrar-General's Department, Queen street, Melbourne.
    No. 48936
  • 16 Nov 1881: MR A . D . HUNTER'S DEODORANT
    Yesterday afternoon, pursuant to arrangement, Mayor Wilson and Crs Hickman, Lewis, and Claxton, together with Mr G. Perry (city clerk), Mr Woods (clerk of works), and the representatives of the local press, in a couple of conveyances, visited the Botanical Gardens to see the result of Mr Hunter's deodorising process on a some what extensive scale. Arrived at the place, the party found Mr Hunter with his assistants ready to explain the nature of the operation, that is, so far as could be done without disclosing the secrets of the trade. The first thing that met the view was an excavation 25 feet long by 4 feet wide and 2 feet 6 inches deep, which had been filled with nightsoil, there being, as computed, about three tons in the pit. Over this Mr Hunter had spread a quantity of his deodorant, which certainly kept down all unpleasant stench. Underneath the deodorant layer, however, as was found on stirring the mass with a shovel, the smell existed ; but Mr Hunter explained that there would be no smell at all if the stuff were mixed by machinery, as he purposed doing, as the nightsoil would be completely deodorised in the tanks. He also explained that in his process the liquid would be separated from the solid matter in the pans, and that his primary object was utilising the nightsoil as a manure. He intended to offer his deodorant to the public at a cheap rate, and if they would purchase it and use it according to instructions he would purchase from them their nightsoil. Some of the night soil that had been mixed with the deodorant was lying on the bank of the excavation, where it had been placed on last Saturday, and it appeared to be very well deodorised. Mr Hunter stated it to be his intention to remain until he would thoroughly deodorise the nightsoil in the excavation. He next showed the party what may be called an earth-closet. It was made of zinc, and so constructed that by moving a receptacle in the rear a little of the deodorant could be showered down each time the closet was used, thereby keeping the place free from any unpleasant stench. The cost of the closet would only be a few shillings. Mr Hunter next showed another ingenious invention, as a sort of closet from which the urine overflowed, and was received into a deodorising pan, where it was subjected to chemical action in a simple and apparently effective way. Many samples of nightsoil which had undergone the deodor ising process were submitted, and they seemed to be free from unpleasant odours. A piece in the form of a brick was amongst the exhibits, and this elicited the remark that there would be houses of nightsoil built by and bye. The mayor and councillors seemed to take a great interest in the subject, and the mayor remarked that a great deal had been claimed for the process and a good deal said against it. He thought, how ever, that there was evidence that it had accomplished a considerable result. Cr Claxton spoke in favor of the deodorant from a practical knowledge of its properties, and Mr Longley, curator of the Botanical Gardens, bore strong testimony to the value of the manure as a fertiliser. There was then a start made for home. One of the Jehus brought his load of passengers into Drummond street, and Cr Hickman kindly invited the whole of the party to McDonald's Foundry hotel to freshen the olfactory nerves as well as the system with a goblet of “mountain dew.” After partaking of the friendly draught, and congratulating each other on the improved sani tary conditions of society in the present age, the party separated, believing that they had been witnessing useful though somewhat unpleasant experiments.37
  • 5 Dec 1884: Patent for "An improved composition for deodorizing wine and other liquids."
    THIS is to notify that Archibald Dickson Hunter, of the Exchange, Collins street west, Melbourne, manufacturer, did, on the eleventh day of July 1884, deposit at the office of the Registrar -General, in Melbourne, a specification , or instrument in writing under his hand and seal, particularly describing and ascertaining the nature of the said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed ; and that by reason of such deposit the said invention is protected and secured to him exclusively for the term of six calendar months thence next ensuing : And I do further notify that the said Archibald Dickson Hunter has given notice, in writing, at my chambers for patent cases, of his intention to proceed with his application for letters patent for the said invention, and that I have appointed Monday the twenty-ninth day of December instant, at Eleven o'clock in the forenoon, at my said chambers, to hear and consider the said application and all objections thereto; and I do hereby require all persons having an interest in opposing the grant of such letters patent to leave, on or before the twenty-fifth day of December, at my said chambers for patent cases, in Melbourne, particulars in writing of their objections to the said application, otherwise they will be precluded from urging the same. Given under my hand this first day of December A.D. 1884.
    GEO. B. KERFERD, Attorney-General.
    Chambers of the Law Officer for Patent Cases, Patent Office, Lonsdale street, Registrar-General's Department, Melbourne. 657838
  • 9 Feb 1886: TO LET. BEACONSFIELD, Walnut grove, Eight rooms, comfortably furnished, 120 ACRES, Subdivided. Plentiful supply rain and wellwater. Stables, sheds, dairy, storerooms, horse and cow, buggy, and choice fowls large fruit and vegetable garden, 3½ miles station, 30 minutes walk from Post office and ladies' college. Invigorating mountain air.
    Apply to the proprietor, Mr A D Hunter (who is going to England). Robb's buildings, Collins-st west.39
  • 14 Jan 1887: NOTICE is hereby given that the partnership hitherto subsisting between James Davis, of the Clarence River, New South Wales, and Archibald Dickson Hunter, of Melbourne, Victoria, as sawn timber merchants and contractors, under the name or firm of " Davis & Hunter," has been this day dissolved by mutual consent. The business will in future be carried on by the said James Davis alone, who will receive and pay all debts due to or owing by the late partnership.
    Dated this thirtieth day of December One thousand eight hundred and eighty-six.
    ARCH. D. HUNTER.
    JAMES DAVIS.
    Witness--FRANK MADDEN, Solr., Melbourne. 18740
  • 11 Mar 1887: The funeral of the late Dr. Blair took place yesterday, and was attended by a very large number of representative citizens. The interment took place in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The pall bearers were:—Messrs. Archibald D. Hunter and H. J. Johnstone (brothers-in-law of the deceased), J. F. Anderson (secretary of the Alfred Hospital), N Wimble, J. Morris, W. Greenlaw, G Wragge, T Roxburgh, Thomas Loader, and Dr Figg. The Rev. Charles Strong officiated at the grave. Dr John Blair41
  • 19 Mar 1887: Patent Office, NOTICE is hereby given, that I have accepted an application for a Patent, and the complete Specification annexed thereto, received from Archibald Dickson Hunter, of Collins street West, Melbourne, Victoria, for an invention described as "Improvements in Compositions for Treating Matters having an Offensive Smell."
    Notice is hereby further given, that unless within two months from the date of the first appearance of this advertisement in the Queensland Government Gazette it is proved to my satisfaction that the applicant is not entitled to a Patent for such invention , it is my intention to recommend that a Patent be granted for the said invention to the said Archibald Dickson Hunter, in accordance with the provisions of " The Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1884."
    WILLIAM T. BLAKENEY, Registrar of Patents, &c.42
  • 5 Jul 1887: NEW INSOLVENTS. Archibald Dickson Hunter, of Collins street west, Melbourne, merchant, compulsory sequestration. Causes of insolvency— Having as a director of the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Co. Limited became personally responsible, in connection with others of the directors of the said company, for the sum of £8,347 19s. 5d., and adverse judgment in an action brought against him by the Bank of Australasia to recover the amount of their claim against him as one of the directors of the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Co. Limited. Liabilities, £16,153 14s. 7d; assets, £2,713 19s. 11d; deficiency, £13,039 14s. 8d. Mr. Jacomb, assignee.43
  • 6 Jul 1887: THE INSOLVENCY OF MR A. D. HUNTER. Mr A. D. Hunter, of Collins street, merchant, filed his schedule on Monday. This estate was compulsorily sequestrated on the 14th April. He gives as the cause of insolvency his becoming personally responsible, with other directors of the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Company, Limited, for £8,347. His debts are stated at £16,153 14d 7d (including two unsecured creditors £10,244 4s 7d, secured £5939 10s). Assets, £2713 19s 11d (real property, £2160; personal, £282 17s 4d; good debts due, £271 2s 7d); leaving a deficiency of £13,439 14s 8d. The largest secured creditors are Federal Bank, £2840; James Fry and Co., £3000 (contingent on guarantee to Federal Bank), and £999 10s on account; University Building Society, £500; Federal Bank, £1600 (guarantee for Dr Blair for advance on land at Beaconsfield). The principal unsecured creditors are Bank of Australasia, £1097 on overdraft of the above Mutual Company; Thomas Learmonth, £1080; and Thomas Learmonth and James Mirams, £650 (amounts paid to the bank on joint liability of the directors of the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Company); £5520 to holders of six promissory notes for £920 each; the estate of Dr Blair, £850 (money lent to firm of Davies and Hunter). His losses in mining are put down at £1316; in the partnership of Davies and Hunter, £4571; and in the Essendon Brick Company, £465. Mr Jacomb is the official assignee of the estate. — Telegraph. James Fry & Co44
  • 1 Sep 1887: THE INSOLVENCY OF MR. A. D. HUNTER. In the Insolvent Court, on Wednesday, August 31, before his Honour Judge Worthington, an examination sitting was held in the estate of A. D. Hunter, of Melbourne, merchant, Mr Braham appearing for the assignee and Mr Hood for the insolvent.
    The schedule of the insolvent was filed on the 15th June, and it showed that his liabilities then were £16,158 14s. 7d, and his assets £2,713 19s. 11d., leaving a deficiency of £13,439 14s. 8d.
    A D Hunter, the insolvent, examined, said his unsecured assets amounted to £553 19s. 11d. He was a merchant and had carried on business in Melbourne since 1876. When he started in 1876 he had no capital, and he traded on borrowed moneys. He accounted for the deficiency in his estate through having incurred liabilities in connection with the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Company, for which he became liable to the extent of £8,547. That sum was included in the recorded liabilities of his estate at sequestration. Besides the £8 547, he sustained losses in mining, £1,316; losses in the Gippsland Shale Company, £200; losses through lending money, £547; and losses in the Essendon Brickworks, £465. He had put down in his schedule a loss of £4,571 on account of his connection as a partner with Davis and Hunter, timber merchants, but he hardly thought the loss was so great as was set down. When he set down the amount he was not sure about it because he could not get access to the books of the firm. He could not give any idea of the loss he sustained in that partnership, and he put down £4,751 in his schedule because he was obliged to do so having got the figures from the accountant. His partner ship business of Davis and Hunter was carried on from March 1885 to December 1886 when the partnership was dissolved. Davis retained the business and the assets and was to pay the liabilities. He believed Davis was solvent now. Since the dissolution witness had to pay £800 of the partner ship liabilities. He had not paid the £800 yet, but was liable for it. When he went into the partnership business he put £2,000 into it which he borrowed from the Federal Bank and when he retired from the firm in December 1886, Davis paid the £2000 back to the bank. He believed it was part of the agreement of dissolution that Davis was to pay back the £2000. He (witness) must have lost very heavily in that partnership.
    Mr BRAHAM-How do you say you sus tained a loss by the business carried on by Davis and yourself as arising out of the partnership.
    The witness replied that it was a loss through losing his credit at the banks. He felt that he had made a loss but could not say what it was without re ference to the books of Davis and Hunter, which were now available, but were not available before. The losses which he felt that he had sustained were liabilities incurred on account of the partnership that were not taken into account at the dissolu tion. It was undoubtedly a fact that Davis wss to pay all the liabilities, but the liabilities to which he (witness) was referring were omitted from the agreement through an error. The agreement was that Davis was to pay all the liabilities appearing in the books, but the liabilities to which he was referring did not appear in the books because he had not had time to enter them before the dissolution. Those liabilities amounted to £800.
    There was only one liability that he was aware of omitted from the books. It was owing to the estate of the late Dr Blair. He had borrowed the £800 from Dr Blair and applied it to the proceeds of the partnership. The £800 had never been paid back, and he was liable for the amount to the representatives of Dr Blair. According to his evidence it would appear that the only loss he made in the Davis and Hunter business was £800, but he felt that was not so ; there were other losses that he could not explain. He could not say the £800 was the only loss until he had seen the books of the firm and his own books. When he transferred the partnership assets to Davis he was ruined. He was told that he was ruined but he could not say that he knew it and he thought then that he would be able to pull through. There had been an alteration for the worse in the state of his affairs since the date of dissolution. When the dissolution took place he owed all the debts that he owed at sequestration and he had no more assets then than at sequestration except his interest in the assets of the firm of Davis and Hunter. The reason why he dissolved with Davis was that his connection with the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Co was ruining the partnership business. The banks stopped his credit. Stock was taken before the dissolution but he did not take it or assist in making out the balance sheet. Davis did so, and he accepted Davis's figures as correct. He could not say whether the balance sheet showed a surplus or a deficiency. He believed it showed a deficiency, but had no idea as to the amount of the deficiency. The dissolution was effected out of consideration for Davis, because he (witness) was powerless and in making the arrangement he did not at all consider his creditors. In March, 1886, he had some property at Geelong which he sold in August 1886. He could not say that when he sold it he was involved with the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Company, but he believed he was not then involved. In March, 1886, he had 3,000 shares in the Australian Deodorising Disinfecting, and Fertilising Company, and was agent for several firms in Great Britain and New York. He was also agent for James Davis timber merchant of Gratton New South Wales, his partner in the Victorian firm of Davis and Hunter ; the latter agency was worth £500 or £600 a year. He had also several Govern ment contracts in March, 1886, and one with the Alfred Hospital. All those agencies and contracts and the shares in the Deodorising Company were transferred by agreement to Fry and Co. on January 1, 1886. The agreement was made out in March 1886, but the arrangement for it was made before then and it was to date from the 1st January, 1886. The arrangement was made in January, and the properties taken over then, but the agreement was not signed until March. The suggestion that Fry and Co. should take over the agencies emulated from witness. He wanted to part with the properties because he had been struggling for years to establish his business especially the disinfectant business and he thought that Fry and Co., owing to their business connection, would be the most likely to help him. At that time he was embarrassed financially, and without the means neccesary to carry on his business and that was his sole reason for transferring the properties to Fry and Co. He had then a heavy overdraft at the Federal Bank, but he could not give any idea now of what his assets and liabilities were then. He had no other assets except what he sold Fry and Co., excepting some land held by the Federal Bank which was not worth anything like the amount owing to the bank. By the agreement with Fry and Co. he was to get from them for the properties transferred to them, £500 per annum for assisting to develop the disinfectant business and a number of shares in Fry and Co. not to exceed 6,000. The number of shares was to depend entirely on the success of the agencies and the disinfectant business. Fry and Co. were to determine how many shares he was to get. He got the £500 a year, but no shares. Altogether he got £1,000 from Fry and Co. of which £750 was salary and £250 advanced as loans. A document now produced was a statement of accounts between him and Fry and Co., and if it showed that he owed them £1,000 it was correct. The document debited him with £600 commission owing by James Davis, of Grafton which he never received, and which Fry and Co. were entitled to, under his agreement with them. He earned the commission for Fry and Co., who were the agents for James Davis, he did not receive the £600 in cash but he was not aware whether it might have been debited against him in Davis's books.
    On the application of Mr Hood the sitting was then adjourned until the 26th inst. James Fry & Co45
  • 2 Sep 1887: INSOLVENCY COURT. Wednesday, 31st August. (Before Judge Worthington.) Re A. D. Hunter.— An examination sittings was held in the estate of Archibald Dickson Hunter, of Melbourne, merchant. Mr. Braham appeared for the assignee, and Mr. Hood for the insolvent. The insolvent stated that he filed his schedule on the 15th June, 1887. It showed a deficiency of £13,439 14s. 8d., the unsecured assets being £553 19s. 11d. He was a merchant by occupation, and carried on that business at sequestration. In 1879, when he started, he had no capital, but traded on borrowed moneys. His deficiency arose through having incurred liabilities on account of the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Company Limited. He became liable through that company for £8547, all of which he owed at sequestration. The remainder of his deficiency was made up by losses sustained in mining, £1316, £200 in the Gippsland Shale Company, £547 in moneys lent by him, and £465 on the Essendon Brick Works. He had £4571 down in his schedule for losses in connection with "Davis, Hunter and Co.," but as he had had no access to the hooks he could not be sure of the amount. He thought the loss was hardly so great. His partnership with James Davis was in a timber merchant's business. They carried it on from the 27th March, 1885, to December, 1886, when the partnership was dissolved. Davis returned the business and the assets, and was to pay the liabilities as well. Since the dissolution insolvent had had to pay £390? of the partnership liabilities. He had not yet paid it, but he was liable for it. He contributed £2000 to the partnership of Davis and Hunter. He borrowed £800 from Dr. Blair, and had applied the proceeds to the purposes of the partnership. This money had never been paid back to Dr. Blair or his representatives. At the time of the dissolution he owed £10,000. The reason he dissolved with Davis was be cause his connection with the Live Stock Com pany was ruining the partnership business. In 1886 he had property at Geelong, which he sold, but he believed he was not then involved with the company. He had also 3000 shares in the Australian Deodorising, Disinfecting and Fertilising Company Limited. He was also agent for James and John G. Scott, and Wylly and Lockhead, of Glasgow, Thomson, Bindford and Company Limited, of New York, and for other businesses. He likewise had Government contracts. These were all transferred, together with his shares in the Deodorising Company, to Fry and Co. on the 1st January, 1886. He was to receive £500 a year for developing the "disinfectant" business and working the agencies, together with a number of shares in Fry and Co. He got the money, but not the shares. In all, the company advanced him about £1000, including salary. The examination was then adjourned. James Fry & Co46
  • 27 Sep 1887: INSOLVENT COURT. MONDAY, Sept. 26. (Before His Honour Judge Worthington.) RE ARCHIBALD D. HUNTER An adjourned examination sitting was held in the estate of A. D. Hunter, of Melbourne, merchant. Mr. Braham appeared for the assignee, and Mr. Bryant for the insolvent.
    A. D. Hunter, the insolvent, was further examined respecting his business transactions. He said that at sequestration he owed the Federal Bank £2,700 on account of an overdraft, which Fry and Co. had guaranteed ; that £2,700 was expended in the purchase of the properties at Gembrook, Geelong, und Ascotvale, in paying off an overdraft he had with the National Bank at Geelong, and in carrying on the Essendon brickworks. The Federal Bank held the properties he had mentioned as security at the time he become insolvent. He first became connected with the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Co in July, 1883, as a shareholder of 100 £1 shares, and paid £15 in cash for them altogether. That was all he had ever paid on the shares. He did not pay the calls that were made on the shares, because he was never asked. There were at least three calls made on the shares. He was elected a director of the company in August or September, 1885, soon after the company was incorporated. He had the means to pay the calls, but not without borrowing. When he first incurred obligations on behalf of the company he had an overdraft at the bank, but he was solvent then. The only assets he then had were the properties at Geelong, Ascot Vale, and Gembrook, and those were all under mortgage to the Federal Bank for more than their value. He could not say what his liabilities were at the time. He first incurred a liability for the company after he had transferred everything to Fry und Co. He joined with the other directors of the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Company, in giving a guarantee of £1,000 to the Bank of Australasia, at Geelong, on behalf of the company. The other directors told him it was necessary to give the guarantee, and said it would be cowardly if he did not give it. He next became liable for the company in August or September, 1886, and he believed he was solvent then. The second liability he incurred on behalf of the company was for a guarantee to the bank of Australasia, but he could not remember the amount of it. In August or September he incurred a third liability for the company. With the other directors he signed six promissory notes for £920 each. He got nothing for signing those notes, and received nothing on account of them. Tunmer, the manager of the company, told him when he signed the notes that they were intended to pay off the Bank of Australasia. He (witness) did not know how much was due to the bank then, and did not inquire. When he signed the notes he considered that he was solvent. He now knew that he was deficient to the extent of £13,000 when he had signed the promissory notes, and that, therefore, he could not have been solvent at the time he did so.
    The insolvent was ordered to file a debtor and creditor account with the Federal Bank, and an account of the manner in which he disposed of moneys that be received from the bank ; also an account of his dealings as agent for Davies, with whom he was formerly in partnership, showing how they stood at the dissolution of the partnership, an account of his liabilities when he entered into an agreement with Fry and Co ; an account of his dealings with the late Dr. Blair ; and an account of his liabilities and assets on each of the three occasions when he entered into obligations on behalf of the Mutual Live Stock Financial and Agency Company.
    The examination was then adjourned to the 2nd November. Dr John Blair, James Fry & Co47
  • 8 Jun 1888: The Insolvency Statute 1871.—In the Court of Insolvency at Melbourne.—In the matter of ARCHIBALD DICKSON HUNTER, of Melbourne, in the colony of Victoria, merchant, an insolvent. The above-named Archibald Dickson Hunter intends to apply to the Court of Insolvency at Melbourne, on the sixth day of July One thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight, at Half-past Ten o'clock in the forenoon, for a certificate of discharge, pursuant to the provisions of the Insolvency Statute 1871, and for an order dispensing with the condition mentioned in section 136 of the said Statute.
    Dated this seventh day of June One thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight.
    HUGH CALVERT NANKIVELL, Imperial Chambers, Bank place, solicitor for the above-named insolvent. 387048
  • 10 Aug 1888: ROSEDALE SHIRE COUNCIL. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 8TH. CORRESPONDENCE,
    From A. D. Hunter, Collins-street East, intimating that at the request of the president (Cr. Slater), and Cr Irwin, he had sent an exhilbit of Gippsland marble to the Centennial Exhibition. The slabs were highly finished and would no doubt attract considerable attention.-Received.49
  • 24 Jul 1893: No. 10576. By Archibald Dickson Hunter, of Tower House, City-road, South Melbourne, Victoria, manufacturer, and Jonathan Ranken Henderson, of 31 Queen-street, Melbourne, Victoria, agent, for "An improved fusee for pyrotechnic displays or signalling at sea." 3rd June. Provisional.50
  • 17 Aug 1893: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATIONS ACCEPTED
    10576. July 18. Archibald Dickson Hunter and Jonathan Ranken Henderson. An improved fusee for pyrotechnic displays or signalling at sea51
  • 28 May 1894: APPLICATIONS ABANDONED.
    10576. March 4. Archibald Dickson Hunter and Jonathan Ranken Henderson. An improved fusee for pyrotechnic displays or signalling at sea52
  • 4 Apr 1895: Patent Applications. No. 12041. By Archibald Dickson Hunter, of Victoria Buildings, Swanston-street, Melbourne, Victoria, agent, for "An improved coffin." 22nd February. Provisional.53
  • 28 May 1898: Prospectus for Nugget Gold Dredging Co. Growlers' Flat, Upper Waikaia, with Capital of £4,200 has Archibald Dickson Hunter as one of its provisional directors.
    This Company is being formed to acquire and work mining areas by Dredging, and particularly the Special Claims of 80 acres (more or less), being Sections 6 and 8, Block VI, Waikaia District. These claims lie at the mouth of the gorge, which extends from them to the upper reaches of the Waikaia River, and they form a natural basin for the auriferous drift washed down from the well-known deposits of gold found above. The celebrated Canton, Anglo-Swiss, and other claims higher up this river have for many years past got fabulous returns of gold, and as the banks right along the gorge are exceedingly rich, and are being worked now, there is no doubt that in the river and banks comprised in these claims highly payable returns of gold will be dredged. The claims may be said to be virgin ground for dredging. Good returns of gold were got from the shallow workings in all places in the immediate neighborhood, where also many nuggets of gold-some of large size-have been found. Reliable and satisfactory reports as to the richness of the ground and river by experienced miners and others can be seen at the office of the Broker, 1 Bond Street, Dunedin. It is proposed to build a Dredge with all the latest appliances for saving gold at a cost of about £3,300 to work the claim, and as the Dredge will be able to work all the year, steady and handsome dividends may be expected by the Shareholders. Mr. Leslie H. Reynolds, M.I.C.E., has assured the Provisional Directors that the Dredge can be on the ground and at work within six months from the registration of the Company. Coal and timber can be supplied to the Dredge from the immediate neighborhood very cheaply.54
  • 18 Aug 1898: EXPRESS PASSENGER LIST. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17. For the South. including Mr. A.D. Hunter.55
  • 18 Aug 1898: OVERLAND PASSENGERS. Yesterday's Through Trains. From the North for Dunedin.-List including Mr. A. D. Hunter.56

Citations

  1. [S36] Inward & outward passenger lists to and from Victoria. Series: (VPRS 14; 7666; 7667; 7786); PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), B 076 003.
  2. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/1314     1165/40.4 MARY HUNTER BLAIR ARCHIBALD HUNTER PAKENHAM 114 19--1--3     1877 - 1889.
  3. [S66] Berwick Shire Rates, 1870-1965 SWIFT 1885, farmer 80 acres N30 - paid by A D Hunter 9 May 1886.
  4. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), V 1803 F 360447 issued on 26 March 1886 to John BLAIR of Collins Street East, Doctor of Medicine and Archibald Dickson HUNTER of Collins Street West, Merchant, both of Melbourne - Proprietors as tenants-in-common.
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1565-912 - Archibald Dickson Hunter of Collins Street West Melbourne Merchant.
  6. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria).
  7. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 626/P0/1597 3794/19.20 - viewed 1 Dec 2015.
  8. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1803-445 - Archibald Dickson Hunter of Collins Street West Melbourne Merchant and John Blair of Melbourne Doctor of Medicine - tenants in common.
  9. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1565-912 - Archibald Dickson Hunter to John BLAIR of Collins Street East, Doctor of Medicine and Archibald Dickson HUNTER of Collins Street West, Merchant, both of Melbourne - Proprietors as tenants-in-common - C/T 1803-447.
  10. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), V 1803 F 360447.
  11. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1809-603 - Memo No 148 On the 14th April 1887 Robert Elwall Jacomb of Bank Place Melbourne was appointed assignee of the Estate of Archibald Dickson Hunter of Collins Street West Melbourne Merchant. Dated 31 July 1888.
  12. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1803-445 - On the 14th April 1887 Robert Elwall Jacomb of Bank Place Melbourne Esquire was appointed Assignee of the Estate of Archibald Dickson Hunter of Collins Street Melbourne Merchant.
  13. [S66] Berwick Shire Rates, 1870-1965 Smyth D A Farmer N50 £2.10 unpaid 100 acres Lot 42.
  14. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/1314     
    1165/40.4. MARY HUNTER BLAIR. ARCHIBALD HUNTER. PAKENHAM 114. 19--1--3. 1877 - 1889.
  15. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2170-929 - Mary Hunter Blair of Melbourne.
  16. [S36] Inward & outward passenger lists to and from Victoria. Series: (VPRS 14; 7666; 7667; 7786); PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), Unassisted Passenger List.
  17. [S376] Michael STEWART, viewed 22 Dec 2016, Email received 22 Dec 2016.
  18. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  19. [S65] Ancestry - various indices, UK, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960.
  20. [S36] Inward & outward passenger lists to and from Victoria. Series: (VPRS 14; 7666; 7667; 7786); PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), YARRAWONGA DEC 1898 LONDON VIA NATAL AND CAPE TOWN [DEC 1898-001]
    HUNTER ARCHD 50
    HUNTER —- MRS 35
    HUNTER —- MASTER 15.
  21. [S65] Ancestry - various indices.
  22. [S9] Free BMD. Index. Online @ https://www.freebmd.org.uk/ "Deaths Dec 1916 Hunter Mary B 55 Croydon 2a 530."
  23. [S9] Free BMD. Index. Online @ https://www.freebmd.org.uk/ "Deaths Sep 1922 Hunter Archibald D 72 Croydon 2a 265."
  24. [S50] Miscellaneous Source, was originally posted on Rootsweb mailing list AUS-VIC-GEELONG-DISTRICT in July 2006 - no longer online.
  25. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Parish: Boness; ED: 2; Page: 13; Line: 7; Roll: CSSCT1851_173; Year: 1851."
  26. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Parish: Uphall; ED: 1; Page: 9; Line: 5; Roll: CSSCT1861_121."
  27. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Class: RG13; Piece: 1188; Folio: 60; Page: 1."
  28. [S65] Ancestry - various indices, Electoral Registers. London, England: London Metropolitan Archives.
  29. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Ancestry.com. 1911 England Census - Class: RG14; Piece: 2299."
  30. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 1878, p2158 or 2207.
  31. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 1878, p2590.
  32. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 1878, p2254.
  33. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette Oct 1878, p2910.
  34. [S235] Newspaper - The Ballarat Star The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924), Wed 10 Dec 1879, p4.
  35. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 1880, p374.
  36. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette Feb 1880, p336.
  37. [S235] Newspaper - The Ballarat Star 16 Nov 1881, p2.
  38. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 5 Dec 1884, p3273.
  39. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 9 Feb 1886, p8.
  40. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 14 Jan 1887, p108.
  41. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 11 Mar 1887, p5.
  42. [S14] Newspaper - Queensland Government Gazette Supplement 19 Mar 1887, p1059.
  43. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 5 Jul 1887, p7.
  44. [S14] Newspaper - The Ballarat Star (Vic.), Wed 6 Jul 1887, p4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/207771044
  45. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 1 Sep 1887, p11.
  46. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), 2 Sep 1887, p6.
  47. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 Sep 1887, p7.
  48. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 8 Jun 1888, p1731.
  49. [S14] Newspaper - Gippsland Times (Vic.), Fri 10 Aug 1888, p3.
  50. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 24 Jul 1893, p3288.
  51. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 17 Aug 1893. p3556.
  52. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 28 May 1894, p2109.
  53. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 4 Apr 1895, p1331.
  54. [S336] Newspaper (New Zealand) - Evening Star (Otago), 28 May 1898, p3.
  55. [S336] Newspaper (New Zealand) - Press (Canterbury), 18 Aug 1898, p6.
  56. [S336] Newspaper (New Zealand) - Otago Daily Times (Otago), 18 Aug 1898, p6.
Last Edited19 Mar 2023

Archibald Hunter

M, #3183, b. 1804, d. b 1876
Christening27 Dec 1803 Possible baptism Archbald Hunter [par David Hunter & Alison Thomson] bapt 27 Dec 1803.1 
Birth*1804 Uphall, West Lothian, Scotland. 
Marriage* Spouse: Jane Butterworth Dickson.
 
(Migrant) Migration/TravelSep 1854 Sailing with Jane Butterworth Hunter, David Hunter, Mary Hunter, James Hunter, John Hunter, Jane Dickson Hunter, Archibald Dickson Hunter to Port Phillip, VIC, Australia. Ship Cheviot
Age 38.2
Death*b 1876 
Note*28 Jan 1876 Listed as late Railway Clerk on Jane Dickson Hunter's Marriage Certificate. 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
6 Jun 1841Broxburn, Uphall, West Lothian, ScotlandHead of Household: Archibald Hunter. Age 35 - Cloth Merchant
Also in household Elizabeth Ralston 25 and Jessie Arthur 15, both female servants
Member(s) of Household: Jane Butterworth Hunter, David Hunter, Mary Hunter, James Hunter.3
30 Mar 1851Branfield Cottage 26, Borrowstouness, West Lothian, ScotlandHead of Household: Archibald Hunter. Age 46 - Cloth Merchant
Member(s) of Household: Jane Butterworth Hunter, Mary Hunter, James Hunter, John Hunter, Jane Dickson Hunter, Archibald Dickson Hunter.4
7 Apr 1861Broxburn, Uphall, West Lothian, ScotlandHead of Household: Archibald Hunter. Age 57 - Agent
Member(s) of Household: Jane Dickson Hunter Archibald Dickson Hunter.5
2 Apr 1871Broxburn, Uphall, West Lothian, ScotlandHead of Household: Archibald Hunter. Possible match: Age 64 - Fire Insurance Agent - Widower - born Broxburn, Linlithgowshire.6

Family

 Jane Butterworth Dickson b. 1820, d. 18 May 1855
Children 1.David Hunter+ b. 1836, d. 12 Jul 1914
 2.Mary Hunter+ b. 1838, d. 2 Aug 1921
 3.James Hunter b. 1840
 4.John Hunter b. 1844
 5.Jane Dickson Hunter b. 12 Jan 1849, d. 2 Jun 1891
 6.Archibald Dickson Hunter b. Aug 1850, d. Sep 1922

Newspaper-Articles

  • 1 Mar 1860: BROXBURN. The Robin Redbreast.—During the severity of the snow-storm this winter, a robin redbreast hopped into the kitchen of Mr Hunter, draper, Broxburn, in search of crumbs. As he seemed in no hurry to retire, he was put into a cage, and supplied with ...7

Citations

  1. [S204] Find My Past, online unknown url, Scotland Births and Baptisms 1564-1950 Transcription (from family search).
  2. [S36] Inward & outward passenger lists to and from Victoria. Series: (VPRS 14; 7666; 7667; 7786); PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), B 076 003.
  3. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Parish: Uphall; ED: 1; Page: 23; Line: 1390; Year: 1841."
  4. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Parish: Boness; ED: 2; Page: 13; Line: 7; Roll: CSSCT1851_173; Year: 1851."
  5. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Parish: Uphall; ED: 1; Page: 9; Line: 5; Roll: CSSCT1861_121."
  6. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Parish: Uphall; ED: 1; Page: 8; Line: 15; Roll: CSSCT1871_153
    ancestry states that he lived at the Schoolmaster's House, but the image does not reflect this."
  7. [S334] Newspaper (Scotland) - The Dunfermline Press (Dunfermline, Fife), 1 Mar 1860.
Last Edited27 Dec 2016

William Henry 'Bill' Russell

M, #3186, b. Mar 1902, d. 2 Aug 1989
Father*Thomas Henry Russell b. 1876, d. Sep 1930
Mother*Celia Brown b. 7 Jul 1873, d. Apr 1971
Probate (Will)* 1019/293. WILLIAM HENRY RUSSELL Date of grant: 05 Jan 1990; Date of death: 02 Aug 1989; Occupation: GENTLEMAN; Residence: Berwick.1 
xref-link* See History of the General Store. 
Birth*Mar 1902 Easington, Durham, England, Mar Q [Easington] 10a 479.2,3 
(Migrant) Migration/Travel17 Mar 1927 Sailing with Celia Russell Elsie May Russell to Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Ship Baradine London
Age 25 - farmer. Previous address 6 Mill Street, Guisborough Yorkshire.4
Marriage*1932 Spouse: Lily Louise Sizer. VIC, Australia, #M5901.5,6
 
Occupation*abt 1933 Worked at Neerim East as bush carpenter and later as share farmer until Black Friday fires incinerated their home. Then moved to Berwick.2 
Residence*abt 1940 "Rosemont", A'Beckett Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia, lived there initially - then Windarra - then back to Rosemont, and finally to the back of the Berglund shop in Beaconsfield Emerald Road (where later Butcher shop was.)7 
Land-Note*25 Sep 1943 PAK-60.62.X (part) LP5390 (Lot 1.2 (part). Stewart St Leger Burton note in Rate Book: House burnt, NAV reduced from L30 to L6. Tenants at that time were Bill Russell's family.8 
Land-UBeac*20 Sep 1950 GEM-D-2 (part). Transfer from William Alexander Berglund to William Henry 'Bill' Russell. SW part of land - measuring 0a 2r 31p (nearly 3/4 acre.)9 
Widower28 Feb 1962He became a widower upon the death of his wife Lily Louise Sizer.10,5 
(Mentioned) Village Bell2Jan 1980 WITH LOVERIDGE’S GOING, AN ERA PASSES
David Russell, whose untimely death is reported elsewhere, worked most of his life with the Berwick owned business of Loveridge's, and succeeded his father as Manager of the B. U. store on Bill’s retirement shortly after his 70th birthday.
Bill Russell recalls the scene at Charing Cross around the outbreak of World War 1:
The Milk Bar (presently leased by Tom Van der Dolder, previously by Allens and Cooks, and owned retrospectively by Beckwith, Stuckett, Pingo, Colles and Mrs G. Thompson) was a confectionery and fruitmongery conducted by Horner and Funnell. Immediately adjacent (now Mick O’Riley and Anne McKay's art/craft enterprise) was a grocery conducted by Bill Berglund, whose father created “The Towers” on the road after his own name.
Across Halford Road was Tom “Sport” Brady’s hire coach shed (now still exhibiting well-weathered petroleum advertisements). A former garage owner in Melbourne, Tom retired to B. U. and lived in a small in-built section of the building which was formerly the co-operative fruit packing shed at Beaconsfield railway station. Across the Emerald Road, now Jack Stephen’s butcher's shop, was “Boss” Shorthouse’s headquarters for a Royal Mail and passenger horse coach/bus service. (Later Bill Berglund’s grocery moved to this site).
Alongside it, now Loveridges, was John Nathan’s general store. (Nathan’s first store opposite the Cenotaph, now Cr Keith Ewenson’s, was burnt down. He set up next door to the Salisbury Road Hall, then moved to the Loveridge’s site in 1929. Here John Glissman had constructed the present building, employing some of the timber from the Village's first school.)
Bill Russell, who lived with his family in Berwick, came into Loveridge’s employment as counter hand and delivery man in the early 1930’s when Loveridges bought the business from Nathan.
Trading at that time continued to 10 pm. on Saturday nights to cater for the influx of weekend holiday-makers. Wednesdays were closed days. Bill slept in the store for a month then brought his family to rent "Rosemont" in A’Beckett Road (now Mrs Atkinson's).
When Bill Noblet managed Loveridge’s (succeeding Syd Dean), Bill Russell moved into the Berglund shop and cottage at the rear, and subsequently purchased it. When Mrs. Russell died about 18 years ago, the former grocery shop (then acting as a bed-sitting room) was leased to Jack Stephens. Prior to this Jack was a taxi cab operator in Emerald.
Among Bill Russell’s regular chores some 40 years ago was the delivery of 44 gallon drums of lime-sulphur to the many orchards, by horse and dray. Later it was in the comfort of a 13 model Ford motor truck.
Bill ultimately took over the management of Loveridge’s for 4 years, before son David was to give him a well earned rest. Like the publicity he received when phasing out of a long association with the store, Bill's mother Celia came very much into the limelight when she celebrated her 100th birthday at the Pine Grove Hotel.
These few lines have been penned to recall the family’s association with a district entity about to fade into the past.7 
Death*2 Aug 1989 VIC, Australia, (Age 87.)11 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
2 Apr 191170 Essex Street, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, England(Head of Household) Thomas Henry Russell;
Age 9 - School
Member(s) of Household: Celia Russell Elsie May Russell12
1954"Windarra", Salisbury Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: grocer. With Lily Louise Russell.13
1967Wondara, Salisbury Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: grocer.14
1980Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: grocer.13

Grave

  • Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, VIC, Australia11

Family

 Lily Louise Sizer b. 14 Mar 1895, d. 28 Feb 1962
Child 1.David William 'Toke' Russell b. 20 Jul 1934, d. 19 Jan 1980

Newspaper-Articles

  • 30 Jan 1980: RUSSELL, David. Bill Russell father of David, wishes to thank relations and friends for their kindness and expressions of sympathy in the family's recent bereavement. David William 'Toke' Russell15

Citations

  1. [S35] Probate Records, PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 7591/ P15 unit 78, item 1019/293
    VPRS 28/ P20 unit 5, item 1019/293.
  2. [S54] Rob Hansen, A Century Partnership, p97.
  3. [S9] Free BMD. Index. Online @ https://www.freebmd.org.uk/.
  4. [S65] Ancestry - various indices, Ancestry.com. UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 [database on-line].
  5. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  6. [S6] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Marriage Index Victoria 1921-1942.
  7. [S15] Newspaper - Village Bell 010-1980, p10 by Paul Easton.
  8. [S66] Berwick Shire Rates, 1870-1965.
  9. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 5452-322 - William Henry Russell of Upper Beaconsfield Grocer's Assistant.
  10. [S352] St John's Church, St John's Memorial Book, Lillian Louise Russell born 14 Mar 1896, died 28 Feb 1962
    (her birth was registered in Jun 1895 - so I believe that the year in the memorial book is incorrect).
  11. [S47] Index of burials in the cemetery of Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
  12. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Class: RG14; Piece: 29304."
  13. [S101] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1903 - 1980.
  14. [S167] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1967.
  15. [S18] Newspaper - Pakenham Gazette (Vic.), 30 Jan 1980, p2.
Last Edited31 Jul 2023

Lily Louise Sizer

F, #3187, b. 14 Mar 1895, d. 28 Feb 1962
Married NameRussell. 
Birth*14 Mar 1895 Saffron Waldon, Essex, England, Jun Q [Saffron W] 4a 720.1,2 
Marriage*1932 Spouse: William Henry 'Bill' Russell. VIC, Australia, #M5901.3,4
 
Death*28 Feb 1962 Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia, #D4121 (Age 66) [par William SIZER & Anna Maria WOODGATE].5,3 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
192881 Miller Street, Northcote, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: home duties.6
193135 Thomas Street, Brunswick, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: sales.7
1954"Windarra", Salisbury Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: home duties. With William Henry 'Bill' Russell.8

Grave

  • St John's Church Memorial Garden, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia9,5

Family

 William Henry 'Bill' Russell b. Mar 1902, d. 2 Aug 1989
Child 1.David William 'Toke' Russell b. 20 Jul 1934, d. 19 Jan 1980

Newspaper-Articles

  • 29 Mar 1950: MOTHERS’ CLUB. AT THE annual meeting of the Mothers’ Club Mrs. W. Russell, who has been secretary for several years; was thanked for all her work for the club and the interest she has taken in the children.10
  • 23 Mar 1962: Beaconsfield U. mourns death of Mrs. L. L. Russell
    Upper Beaconsfield learnt with deep sorrow of the death at her Emerald Rd. home, of one or the district's most highly esteemed and public-spirited citizens, Mrs. Lily Louise Russell.
    Mrs. Russell was the wife of Mr. William Henry Russell, mother of David, Louis, Margaret (Mrs. Sanger) and foster-mother of Janet. She was aged 66.
    During her 20 years' residence at Upper Beaconsfield she worked untiringly for the good of her district, and made a wide circle of friends, particularly at the store, where her husband was employed for that period.
    She was one of the first workers for the local pre-school; 12 years treasurer of Upper Beaconsfield C.W.A., and a member of the State School Mothers' Club for 18 years, holding at various times the office of both secretary and treasurer.
    An accomplished knitter, she made a selection of garments for not only the local school, but various charitable organisations. Sporting clubs in the district found her a wonderful friend who was always willing to lend a helping hand at their functions.
    The largely attended funeral, which left St. John's Church of England, Upper Beaconsfield, for the Springvale Crematorium, was a tribute of the affection and esteem in which she was held.11

Citations

  1. [S9] Free BMD. Index. Online @ https://www.freebmd.org.uk/.
  2. [S332] UK - General Register Office Indexes "Birth registered Jun Q 1895 - mother's maiden name Woodgate."
  3. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  4. [S6] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Marriage Index Victoria 1921-1942.
  5. [S352] St John's Church, St John's Memorial Book, Lillian Louise Russell born 14 Mar 1896, died 28 Feb 1962
    (her birth was registered in Jun 1895 - so I believe that the year in the memorial book is incorrect).
  6. [S128] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1928.
  7. [S131] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1931.
  8. [S101] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1903 - 1980.
  9. [S47] Index of burials in the cemetery of Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
    Cremated at Springvale. Remains collected.
  10. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 29 Mar 1950, p16
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219300739
  11. [S18] Newspaper - Pakenham Gazette (Vic.), 23 Mar 1962.
Last Edited2 Jun 2020

David William 'Toke' Russell

M, #3188, b. 20 Jul 1934, d. 19 Jan 1980
Father*William Henry 'Bill' Russell b. Mar 1902, d. 2 Aug 1989
Mother*Lily Louise Sizer b. 14 Mar 1895, d. 28 Feb 1962
xref-link* See History of the General Store. 
Birth*20 Jul 1934 VIC, Australia.1,2,3 
Education*7 Jul 1941 State School 2560, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia. Left 18 Dec 1947 to Dandenong HS.4 
Death*19 Jan 1980 Officer, VIC, Australia, #D03299 (Age 45) died of heart attack.1 
Death-Notice*23 Jan 1980 RUSSELL, David (Toke). January 19th, 1980. Fond brother-in-law of Bob and Bev, dear uncle of Leonie, Glenys, Judy and Greg.5 
(Mentioned) Village Bell2Jan 1980 WITH LOVERIDGE’S GOING, AN ERA PASSES
David Russell, whose untimely death is reported elsewhere, worked most of his life with the Berwick owned business of Loveridge's, and succeeded his father as Manager of the B. U. store on Bill’s retirement shortly after his 70th birthday.
Bill Russell recalls the scene at Charing Cross around the outbreak of World War 1:
The Milk Bar (presently leased by Tom Van der Dolder, previously by Allens and Cooks, and owned retrospectively by Beckwith, Stuckett, Pingo, Colles and Mrs G. Thompson) was a confectionery and fruitmongery conducted by Horner and Funnell. Immediately adjacent (now Mick O’Riley and Anne McKay's art/craft enterprise) was a grocery conducted by Bill Berglund, whose father created “The Towers” on the road after his own name.
Across Halford Road was Tom “Sport” Brady’s hire coach shed (now still exhibiting well-weathered petroleum advertisements). A former garage owner in Melbourne, Tom retired to B. U. and lived in a small in-built section of the building which was formerly the co-operative fruit packing shed at Beaconsfield railway station. Across the Emerald Road, now Jack Stephen’s butcher's shop, was “Boss” Shorthouse’s headquarters for a Royal Mail and passenger horse coach/bus service. (Later Bill Berglund’s grocery moved to this site).
Alongside it, now Loveridges, was John Nathan’s general store. (Nathan’s first store opposite the Cenotaph, now Cr Keith Ewenson’s, was burnt down. He set up next door to the Salisbury Road Hall, then moved to the Loveridge’s site in 1929. Here John Glissman had constructed the present building, employing some of the timber from the Village's first school.)
Bill Russell, who lived with his family in Berwick, came into Loveridge’s employment as counter hand and delivery man in the early 1930’s when Loveridges bought the business from Nathan.
Trading at that time continued to 10 pm. on Saturday nights to cater for the influx of weekend holiday-makers. Wednesdays were closed days. Bill slept in the store for a month then brought his family to rent "Rosemont" in A’Beckett Road (now Mrs Atkinson's).
When Bill Noblet managed Loveridge’s (succeeding Syd Dean), Bill Russell moved into the Berglund shop and cottage at the rear, and subsequently purchased it. When Mrs. Russell died about 18 years ago, the former grocery shop (then acting as a bed-sitting room) was leased to Jack Stephens. Prior to this Jack was a taxi cab operator in Emerald.
Among Bill Russell’s regular chores some 40 years ago was the delivery of 44 gallon drums of lime-sulphur to the many orchards, by horse and dray. Later it was in the comfort of a 13 model Ford motor truck.
Bill ultimately took over the management of Loveridge’s for 4 years, before son David was to give him a well earned rest. Like the publicity he received when phasing out of a long association with the store, Bill's mother Celia came very much into the limelight when she celebrated her 100th birthday at the Pine Grove Hotel.
These few lines have been penned to recall the family’s association with a district entity about to fade into the past.6 
Village Bell*Mar 1980 VALE: DAVID “TOKE” RUSSELL
With the district Union Church at Officer overflowing, mourners recently observed the final tributes to David Russell.
Manager of Loveridge’s store until a comparatively short time before passing away in his sleep, David had carried on his father’s tradition as “leader of the crew” after spending a lifetime (30 years) employment with the firm.
Many district residents gathered with David’ s family, relations and Officer friends to recall the man, father, sportsman and community-minded citizen whose life closed all too quickly.7 

Grave

  • Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, VIC, Australia, GARDEN OF NO DISTANT PLACE, GNDP - JULY, 208

Newspaper-Articles

  • 30 Jan 1980: RUSSELL, David. Bill Russell father of David, wishes to thank relations and friends for their kindness and expressions of sympathy in the family's recent bereavement. William Henry 'Bill' Russell9

Citations

  1. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  2. [S54] Rob Hansen, A Century Partnership, p98.
  3. [S25] School Records - Beaconsfield North 2560.
  4. [S25] School Records - Beaconsfield North 2560: Pupil 42. David William Russell, born 20 Jul 1934, admitted 7 Jul 1941. Father William Russell, labourer, Upper Beaconsfield. Living 1½ miles from school. Previously at Berwick SS. Left 18 Dec 1947 to Dandenong HS.
  5. [S18] Newspaper - Pakenham Gazette (Vic.), 23 Jan 1980, p2.
  6. [S15] Newspaper - Village Bell 010-1980, p10 by Paul Easton.
  7. [S15] Newspaper - Village Bell 010-1980 p7.
  8. [S47] Index of burials in the cemetery of Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
  9. [S18] Newspaper - Pakenham Gazette (Vic.), 30 Jan 1980, p2.
Last Edited8 May 2023

Thomas Nelson

M, #3191, b. Dec 1894, d. 13 Jan 1968
Birth*Dec 1894 Whitehaven, Cumberland, England, Dec Q [Whitehaven] 10b 655.1 
Marriage*1933 Spouse: Vera Kimpton Watson. VIC, Australia, #M6994.2
 
Land-UBeac*3 Dec 1958 GEM-C-12.13. Transfer from Josephine Mary Stewart to Thomas Nelson Vera Kimpton Nelson. 19a 3r 12p + 19a 3r 28p.3 
Death*13 Jan 1968 Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia, #D1083 (Age 72) [par John NELSON & Elizabeth BOUCH].4,5 
Land-Note*18 May 1970 GEM-C-12.13. Vera Kimpton Nelson Vera Kimpton Nelson is now the surviving proprietor.6 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
1942Comport Street, Cheltenham, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: sales. With Vera Kimpton Nelson.7
1963"Lo Yuang", Split Rock Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: engineer. With Vera Kimpton Nelson.8

Grave

  • St John's Church Memorial Garden, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia9,5

Citations

  1. [S332] UK - General Register Office Indexes "mother's maiden name BOUCH."
  2. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2097-397 + 4464-741 - Josephine Mary Howard-Smith to Thomas Nelson Engineer and Vera Kimpton Nelson Married Woman both of "Lo Yuan" Upper Beaconsfield - joint proprietors.
  4. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  5. [S352] St John's Church, St John's Memorial Book, Thomas Nelson died 13 Jan 1968.
  6. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2097-397 + 4464-741 - Vera Kimpton Nelson is now the surviving proprietor.
  7. [S142] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1942.
  8. [S101] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1903 - 1980.
  9. [S47] Index of burials in the cemetery of Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
Last Edited24 May 2018

Vera Kimpton Watson

F, #3192, b. 1905, d. Nov 1978
Married NameNelson. 
Birth*1905 Carlton, VIC, Australia, #B8883.1 
Marriage*1933 Spouse: Thomas Nelson. VIC, Australia, #M6994.2
 
(Transfer to) Land-UBeac3 Dec 1958 GEM-C-12.13. Transfer from Josephine Mary Stewart to Thomas Nelson Vera Kimpton Nelson. 19a 3r 12p + 19a 3r 28p.3 
Widow13 Jan 1968She became a widow upon the death of her husband Thomas Nelson.4,5 
Land-Note*18 May 1970 GEM-C-12.13. Thomas Nelson Vera Kimpton Nelson is now the surviving proprietor.6 
Land-Note*3 Jan 1974 GEM-C-12.13. Boundaries changed.7 
Death*Nov 1978 Spot, VIC, Australia, #D26124 (Age 72) [par Gilbert WATSON & Martha Mary INCH].4 
Land-Note24 Apr 1979 GEM-C-12.13. Vera Kimpton Nelson died on 3 Nov 1978 - probate granted to Royale May Vautier of 14 Cobden Street Highton Married Woman.8 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
1942Comport Street, Cheltenham, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: home duties. With Thomas Nelson.9
1963"Lo Yuang", Split Rock Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: home duties. With Thomas Nelson.10
1968Lo Yuang, Split Rock Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: home duties.10

Grave

  • Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, VIC, Australia11

Citations

  1. [S3] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Edwardian Index Victoria 1902-1913.
  2. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2097-397 + 4464-741 - Josephine Mary Howard-Smith to Thomas Nelson Engineer and Vera Kimpton Nelson Married Woman both of "Lo Yuan" Upper Beaconsfield - joint proprietors.
  4. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  5. [S352] St John's Church, St John's Memorial Book, Thomas Nelson died 13 Jan 1968.
  6. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2097-397 + 4464-741 - Vera Kimpton Nelson is now the surviving proprietor.
  7. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2097-397 + 4464-741 - Vera Kimpton Nelson changed the boundaries of the property - C/T 9006-418 + 419.
  8. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2097-397 - Vera Kimpton Nelson died on 3 Nov 1978 - probate granted to Royale May Vautier of 14 Cobden Street Highton Married Woman.
  9. [S142] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1942.
  10. [S101] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1903 - 1980.
  11. [S47] Index of burials in the cemetery of Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
Last Edited16 Mar 2016

Rev Ernest Thomas Leslie

M, #3195, b. 3 Jul 1877, d. 11 Sep 1965
Rev Ernest Thomas Leslie (1877-1965)
(Image from ancestry)
(Witness) History At St John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia, Visiting minister on several Sundays. Came from the Belgrave area.1,2 
Birth*3 Jul 1877 Mt Egerton, VIC, Australia, #B4154/1878 (par Thomas LESLIE & Emma HIATT) - as Ernest Thomas LESLIE.3,4 
Marriage*18 Aug 1906 Spouse: Margaret Jane Maggs. Bombay, Maharashtra, India.5
 
Death*11 Sep 1965 Vermont, VIC, Australia, #D20031 (Age 88) [par Thomas LESLIE & Emma HIATT].6 
Anecdote*2002“THE BISHOP WHO WALKED” (by Simon Leslie) condensed
THE RT REV. KENNETH LESLIE
Ernest Kenneth Leslie was born at his parents home “Ellora” in Hitchin England on 14th May 1911.
His father was a young Australian missionary, Ernest Thomas Leslie, 1877-1965, who was born in Mount Egerton, a gold mining town in Victoria, who had won a scholarship to Wesley College, Melbourne and had then won another scholarship to Queens College, at Melbourne University. He received his M.A. Degree and became a Methodist Minister in Bunyip, Gippsland Victoria, but then decided to become a missionary in India. In 1901 when he arrived in India, he was posted to Secunderabad as the Superintendent of the Boys Boarding School. There he met his counterpart, the Superintendent of the Wesleyan Girls Boarding School, Margaret Jane Maggs [Jenny], who had been in India for four years. Within a few months, Ernest had proposed marriage to Jenny and she had accepted his proposal. Her health had suffered from four years in India, therefore she returned to England for a rest, before returning to India and marrying Ernest in 1906.
On the 12th August 1907 Lillian Joyce was born. In January 1910, Ernest was due for furlough, so it was decided to return to England via Australia, where Ernest’s family lived at Moonee Ponds in Victoria, where they spent a few enjoyable weeks, before continuing on to England.
Ernest decided that he did not want to continue as a Wesleyan missionary and after study, was ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican Church on St Thomas’ Day 1910. He was sent to St Mary’s Church at Hitchin, about 30 miles from London, where they found a small house and called it “Ellora”, where Ernest Kenneth Leslie was born.
Ken loved the bushland around his home and he and Joyce played together in the bushlands and have shown a photograph of them there. As “Ellora” was too small for the growing family, they moved to a larger house at 66 Queen Street Hitchin, where Ken’s younger brother, Douglas was born on 3rd February 1914. On the 4th August 1914, the First World War commenced and Jenny took her young family down to Melksham, Wiltshire where her parents lived.
As the war continued, Ernest sought permission to become an Army Chaplain and in 1915 was appointed to the Northumberland Fusiliers. Ernest left for Egypt and then Palestine and it was two years before his family saw him again.
Two of Ernest’s brothers, Percy and Leslie had come over to England and would often visit the young family.
The Armistice was declared on 11th November 1918 and soon after Ernest returned home, but he was only home for a short while, before he was posted to Italy. In 1920, Ernest was demobilized and he was appointed to the Parish of Stopsley, Luton, Bedfordshire.
The year 1921 was a great strain on the family as Ken developed rheumatic fever and his room had to be kept at a temperature of 60 degrees F. Joyce contracted anaemia and Douglas contracted pneumonia. Ernest was having trouble settling down after the war and suggested to Jenny that maybe it would be best for the health of the children to go to Australia.
Within a week, Ernest had gone to London and booked passage to Australia on the “Largs Bay”.
At that time, anyone who had served in the army, could get free passage for himself and his family to Australia.
On 3rd January 1922, the Leslie family left Tilbury docks for their voyage to Australia. Ken and his mother were both violently seasick. It took a month to sail from England to Australia and on Friday 3rd February 1992 the “Largs Bay” arrived in Freemantle. The “Zealandia” was in the next berth to the “Largs Bay” and both ships set sail for Adelaide on the 4th February 1922. The two ships passed each other many times on the trip to Adelaide and Ken got to know the “Zealandia” very well, and later would wish that he hadn’t known the “Zealandia” as well.
The “Largs Bay” arrived in Adelaide at 9-00 am on Wednesday 8th February and the family took a train trip to Adelaide, did some shopping and returned to the “Largs Bay”, which left for Melbourne at 9-00 pm that night.
The Victorian coast was sighted early on Friday 10th February 1922 and the entire ship erupted with wild applause. The new homeland had been reached.

part 2
Ken Leslie’s father, the Rev Ernest Thomas Leslie was pleased to be back in Australia, the land of his birth, as he had not seen it for 12 years. He was born at Mount Egerton, a small gold mining town in Victoria, where his father, Thomas, had a small store. He had won a scholarship to Wesley College in Melbourne and then another scholarship to Queens College at Melbourne University. He received his M.A. Degree in Melbourne and then became a Methodist Minister in the wild bush town of Bunyip in Victoria’s Gippsland. After a short time there he decided to become a missionary in India and then his father died and his mother married again.
In 1922 when he and his family arrived in Australia on the “Largs Bay” his mother was living in Sandringham, Victoria, with her two daughters by her second marriage to William Daniel Williams, Ivy and Wyn Williams. Ernest had met the Bishop of Ballarat when the Bishop was visiting London and had been told that there was a vacancy for a Parish Priest in Maryborough, about 120 miles from Melbourne and appointed Ernest as Vicar.
The three children, Joyce, Kenneth and Douglas spent the first two weeks with the Williams family while the house at Maryborough was being prepared, and then Ken and Douglas spent the next two months with two of Ernest’s sisters, while Joyce became a boarder at the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School [Merton Hall] in South Yarra.
There was so much for the boys to do at Maryborough. Explore “Bristol Hill’, go boating on the lake behind the Vicarage and Ken was also interested in seeing the steam trains at the local level crossing. Ken was very interested in wireless, as radio was then known and made a “crystal set” and then a two-valve radio on which they could listen to the cricket matches in Melbourne. Despite all the freedom the boys had, they still had to wear collars and ties.
Ken enjoyed Maryborough High School, although his parents thought that it had a limited curriculum, in particular, no Latin as Ken had learnt Latin at St Gregory’s in England. Trinity Grammar School in Kew, Melbourne, was offering scholarships to the sons of clergy and Ken sat for one and passed. At the end of 1922, Ken left home for the first time and set out for Trinity Grammar boarding school.
Ken entered Merritt House, the main boarding house of Trinity Grammar, four months before his twelfth birthday. For the first two years, Ken worked well, but missed the company of his brother Douglas and the “Mildura Express” was a lifeline to home. He saw more of his sister Joyce at the weekends, when he went over to Merton Hall and they went for walks and they also went to Sunday school at St Hilary’s, East Kew. It was the holidays that he remembered most for the return to Maryborough on the “Mildura Express” with Joyce.
A letter home in 1924 suggested an inclination towards a Ministry of some description,
Dear Mum, Daddy and Tiddle,
Mr Clarkes mission is now over. We got our Scripture Union Cards with all the lessons to be read each day. I think that I have seen them at the Maryborough Sunday School. The mission has left me with a desire to be a missionary in India or Africa, preferably in India.
In the same year, Ken was confirmed by Archbishop Harrington Clare Lees at Holy Trinity, Kew, Melbourne.
At the beginning of 1925, Douglas joined Ken at Trinity Grammar School and to distinguish the two brothers, Ken was called Leslie One and Douglas Leslie Two. Ken’s mother, Jenny decided to return to England for a few months to see her mother and she left on the “Esperance Bay”.
While his wife Jenny was in England, Ernest often came to Melbourne to spend time with the children. On a number of occasions, Ernest hired a rowing boat at the St Kilda Pier.
Ernest was rather a perfectionist and although he was an excellent priest, a good Pastor and an above average preacher, he accepted a post as Travelling Secretary with the Australian Board of Missions, but only after an exchange of cables with Jenny on the matter. Ernest toured the country showing silent films about the mission fields and on Sundays, preaching about the mission work at the local services. Ernest found the work with the Australian Board of Missions very strenuous and left in 1926 to go to Cowes on Phillip Island, so the boys had to revert to full time boarding, but were able to spend the holidays on Phillip Island which they reached by train to Stony Point and then by steamship.
Ken Sillcock, a farmer’s son came to Trinity soon after classes started in 1925. He had won a Junior Government Scholarship, but no one knew what class he should start in. The headmaster asked Ken Leslie to go through the form V work, so that the level of his work could be gauged. That evening of work between the two of them was the start of a long and lasting friendship.
Trinity Grammar had a sporting programme including cricket, football, athletics, swimming and rifle shooting on a miniature range. In 1927 those boys who were not in the inter-school cricket or athletic teams were encouraged to take up rowing. Douglas Leslie coxed the Trinity all-boarder crew of 1927, the rowers being Ken Leslie, John Hague, Ken Sillcock and his brother Ron, who had also won a Junior Government Scholarship. They were placed third.
Ken and Douglas went home to Vermont almost every weekend and sometimes at the monthly weekend allowed to boarders, Ken and Ron Sillcock accompanied them. In the school holidays, the Sillcocks returned the hospitality. The four boys formed a firm friendship that continued as a foursome until Ron Sillcock was killed on war service in 1942.
Ken Sillcock always considered himself to be part of the Leslie family. He regarded the entire family as friends with whom he could feel completely relaxed and at home. Ken Leslie felt the same way about the Sillcock family and during the long vacations and on subsequent occasions when he visited the Sillcock property at Yinnar in Gippsland, he would feel completely at home.
In 1928, Ken Leslie was vice captain of the school, and along with Ken Sillcock was a prefect in 1927 and 1928. Academically Ken Leslie and Ken Sillcock ran fairly close to each other. In their final year Ken Leslie was dux and Ken Sillcock was runner up.
To be continued in a later newsletter.
Barrie Leslie Gordon NSW.7 

Grave

  • Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, VIC, Australia8

Newspaper-Articles

  • 7 Dec 1938: The Rev. E. T. Leslie, of St. Luke's Church, Vermont, has been appointed to St. Paul's, East Kew, and will be leaving Vermont towards the end of the year. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie spent many years in missionary work in India. Mrs. Leslie has outstanding ability as an organiser in church activities. The Rev. Kenneth Leslie, of Alice Springs and Tennant Creek mission, Central Australia, is their eldest son, and another son is Dr. Douglas Leslie. Their only daughter is married to Mr. George Nethercote, of Vermont.9

Citations

  1. [S61] Upper Beaconsfield History Archive ,"Ken Hudson's memories of his time as a vestryman."
  2. [S59] John Milligan, Book: The History of St. John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield.
  3. [S26] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Births) (online) "#B4154/1878 (par Thomas LESLIE & Emma HIATT) - as Ernest Thomas LESLIE, Birth registered at Eg Er, Australia."
  4. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, Ancestry Tree Name: Leslie Family Tree, Tree ID: 5136830
    Person viewed: Ernest Thomas Leslie, Birth Date: 3 Jul 1877, Death Date: 11 Sep 1965.
  5. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, Ancestry Tree Name: Leslie Family Tree, Tree ID: 5136830
    Person viewed: Margaret 'Jane' Maggs, Birth Date: 30 Nov 1879, Death Date: 15 Feb 1982.
  6. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  7. [S50] Miscellaneous Source, https://www.electricscotland.com/familytree/newsletters/…
    Vol 42002 Oct-Dec 2002
    GF DU Apr-Jun 20003.
  8. [S47] Index of burials in the cemetery of Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
  9. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 7 Dec 1938, p12.
Last Edited7 Feb 2022

Rev Edward Ince Gason

M, #3196, b. 1879, d. 7 Mar 1936
Birth*1879 Cranbourne, VIC, Australia, #B8431 [par John Boyle GASON & Annie Elizabeth DUFF].1 
Marriage*1907 Spouse: Phyllis Dorothy Vance. VIC, Australia, #M2867.2
 
Death*7 Mar 1936 Mornington, VIC, Australia, #D14090 (Age 56) [par John Boyle GASON & Annie Elizabeth DUFF].3 
Death-Notice*9 Mar 1936 GASON.-On the 7th March (suddenly), at the vicarage, Mornington, Edwin Ince, dearly loved husband of Phyllis Dorothy, loving father of John, Harriett, Nancy, and Pat, aged 56 years.4 

Family

 Phyllis Dorothy Vance b. 1880, d. 1967
Child 1.Rev Patrick Edward Duff Gason b. 3 Mar 1916, d. 7 Dec 1968

Newspaper-Articles

  • 9 Mar 1936: OBITUARY. Rev. E. I. Gason
    The death occurred suddenly from heart trouble on Saturday night of the Rev. E. I. Gason, who had been minister of St, Peter's Church of England, Mornington, since 1927. Mr. Gason entered the ministry in 1903, and from that period until 1927 had officiated at St. Stephen's Church, Richmond, Dean's Marsh, Broadmeadows, Mentone, St. John's, Malvern, Winchelsea, and St. Paul's, Ascotvale. He went from Ascotvale to Mornington.
    A service will be held in St. Peter's Church, Mornington, at 1.30 p.m. to-day before the funeral at Springvale.5

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S3] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Edwardian Index Victoria 1902-1913.
  3. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  4. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 9 Mar 1936, p1.
  5. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 9 Mar 1936, p10.
Last Edited16 Aug 2018

Phyllis Dorothy Vance

F, #3197, b. 1880, d. 1967
Father*George Oakleigh Vance
Mother*Harriet Catherine Cresswell b. 1837, d. 1915
Married NameGason. 
Birth*1880 Kew, VIC, Australia, #B16775 [par George Oakley VANCE & Harriett Cath CRESWELL].1 
Marriage*1907 Spouse: Rev Edward Ince Gason. VIC, Australia, #M2867.2
 
Widow7 Mar 1936Phyllis Dorothy Vance became a widow upon the death of her husband Rev Edward Ince Gason.3 
Death*1967 Brighton, VIC, Australia, #D1823 (age 86) [par George O VANCE & Harriett C CRESWELL].3 

Family

 Rev Edward Ince Gason b. 1879, d. 7 Mar 1936
Child 1.Rev Patrick Edward Duff Gason b. 3 Mar 1916, d. 7 Dec 1968

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S3] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Edwardian Index Victoria 1902-1913.
  3. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
Last Edited16 Aug 2018

Rev Patrick Edward Duff Gason

M, #3198, b. 3 Mar 1916, d. 7 Dec 1968
Father*Rev Edward Ince Gason b. 1879, d. 7 Mar 1936
Mother*Phyllis Dorothy Vance b. 1880, d. 1967
(Witness) History At St John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia, Vicar Jan 1955-Apr 1961 (Parish of Berwick, Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield.)1,2 
Birth*3 Mar 1916 Winchelsea, VIC, Australia, #B8160 [par Edward Ince GASON & Phyllis Dorothy VANCE].3 
Marriage*30 Dec 1939 Spouse: Viola Gertrude Lillias Garrett. Melbourne Grammar School Chapel, VIC, Australia, #M13525.4
 
Occupation*bt Jan 1955 - Apr 1961 Vicar at St John's Church Jan 1955-Apr 1961 (Parish of Berwick, Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield.)2 
Death*7 Dec 1968 Strathmore, VIC, Australia, #D29231 (Age 52.)5 

Grave

  • St John's Church Memorial Garden, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia6,7

Newspaper-Articles

  • 30 Dec 1939: MANY NEW YEAR'S EVE MARRIAGES. Bride Wears Mother's Gown.
    Pink larkspurs and carnations were arranged with delphiniums in the Melbourne Grammar School Chapel, this afternoon, when the marriage was celebrated of Miss Viola Gertrude Lillias Garrett and Mr Patrick Edward Duff Gason, the bride wearing the gown which her mother wore on her wedding day.
    The Rev. P. St. J. Wilson officiated at the ceremony, and the bride was given away by her father. She is the only child of Mr and Mrs P. T. Garrett, Raleigh Street, Essendon, and the bridegroom the younger son of Mrs Gason, of Armadale, and the late Rev. E. I. Gason, formerly of Mornington.
    Of Edwardian Inspiration, the bridal gown was of cream satin and Brussels lace, and the long court
    train was embroidered with pearl horseshoes and lovers' knots and cream roses.
    A picture frock of delphinium blue marquisette was worn by the brides maid, Miss Jean Stewart.
    Two little trainbearers, Ann Garrett (cousin of the bride) and Jill Dynson, were in similar frocks, Mr David Staley was best man and Messrs. Mervyn Cook and Hugh Allnutt ushers. Viola Gertrude Lillias Garrett8
  • 1 Jan 1940: GASON-GARRETT
    Her mother's wedding gown of cream ? and ? ?with a ? train embroidered with flowers ? and horse shoes of pearls was worn by Miss Garrett at her marriage
    at the Melbourne Grammar School Chapel on Saturday.
    The bride who is the only child of Mr and Mrs P ? Garrett of ? ? Street Essendon was attended by Miss Jean Steward and Jill D? and Ann Garrett.
    The bridegroom who is the younger son of Mrs Ga? formerly of ? ... Viola Gertrude Lillias Garrett9
  • 1 Jan 1941: GASON (nee Viola Garrett).—On October 27, at Epworth Hospital, Richmond, to Mr. and Mrs. Pat Gason, of 3 Raleigh street, Essendon —a son. Viola Gertrude Lillias Gason10

Citations

  1. [S61] Upper Beaconsfield History Archive ,"Ken Hudson's memories of his time as a vestryman."
  2. [S59] John Milligan, Book: The History of St. John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield.
  3. [S4] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Great War Index Victoria 1914-1920.
  4. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  5. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  6. [S352] St John's Church, St John's Memorial Book, Patrick Edward Duff GASON Former Vicar of this parish born 3 Mar 1916 died 7 Dec 1968.
  7. [S352] St John's Church, St John's Memorial Book, Viola Getrude Lillias Gason
    wife of former Vicar of this Parish Patrick Gason
    born 11 Aug 1918 died 29 Feb 2012.
  8. [S14] Newspaper - The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Sat 30 Dec 1939, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243346906
  9. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Mon 1 Jan 1940, p6
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11277593
  10. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Sat 1 Nov 1941, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8213937
Last Edited25 May 2018

Dandenong Cemetery

?, #3199
Trustee*19 Nov 1857 Alexander Watt Bowman: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 19 Nov 1857 to 3 Jun 1877.1,2 
Trustee*19 Nov 1857 George Keys: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 19 Nov 1857 to 8 Oct 1873.1 
Trustee*19 Nov 1857 James Smith Lavender: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 19 Nov 1857 to 18 Mar 1863 (non-resident.)1 
Trustee*19 Nov 1857 Robert Caldecott Walker: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 19 Nov 1857 to 31 Jul 1874 (left district.)1 
Trustee*19 Nov 1857 Thomas Herbert Power: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 19 Nov 1857 to 28 Nov 1873.3 
Trustee*18 Mar 1863 John Savage Dobson: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 18 Mar 1863 to before 5 Aug 1889.4 
Trustee*18 Mar 1863 Michael Reedy: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 18 Mar 1863 to 10 Mar 1883.4 
Trustee*31 Jul 1874 Frederick Henry Searle: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 31 Jul 1874 to bef 4 Mar 1889 (presbyterian denomination.) 
Trustee*31 Jul 1874 Martin Egan: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 31 Jul 1874 to 22 Feb 1889. 
Trustee*31 Jul 1874 Henry Powis: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 31 Jul 1874 to 6 Dec 1895. 
Trustee*5 Aug 1889 Daniel James Ahern: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 5 Aug 1889 to
(Representing the Roman Catholic Denomination.) 
Trustee*5 Aug 1889 Thomas Bruce Hutton: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 5 Aug 1889 to
(Representing the Shire Council.) 
Trustee*5 Aug 1889 Alexander Thomas McLean: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 5 Aug 1889 to
(Representing the Presbyterian Denomination.) 
Trustee*5 Aug 1889 Joseph Weller: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 5 Aug 1889 (representing the Wesleyan Denomination.)5 
Trustee*6 Dec 1895 William Pryn Renfree: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 6 Dec 1895 to ? - Secretary from 1903 to 1910 when he handed in his resignation. 
Trustee*1896 Alexander William Pearson: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery? - employed as Secretary at a salary of £5 per quarter. 
Trustee*1911 William Peter Cadle: Hon. Secretary of Cemetery Trust. 

Newspaper-Articles

  • 1 May 1857: DANDENONG CEMETERY.-The members of the respective religious denominations in the Dandenong locality are requested to attend a MEETING, to be held at the Dandenong Hotel, Dandenong, on TUESDAY, MAY 5, at two o'clock p.m., for the purpose of ELECTING TRUSTEES for the Dandenong Cemetery, and to submit such election for the approval of his Excellency the Governor. R. C. WALKER.6
  • 11 May 1857: DANDENONG CEMETERY.—In pursuance of public notice, a meeting of the members of the respective religious denominations, was held at Dandenong, on the 5th inst., for the purpose of electing trustees for the Dandenong Cemetery, and submitting such election to the approval of his Excellency the Governor, Mr. R. C. Walker being called to the Chair, opened the proceedings by drawing the attention of the meeting to the desirability of enclosing the Cemetery Reserve, which had become a general burial place. Having been frequently called upon by neighbours to move in this matter he had communicated with the Bishop, and been referred by the Bishop to the Registrar of the Diocese, Mr. T. T. A'Beckett. The Chairman here read a letter from the Registrar pointing out the necessary steps to be taken to procure the appointment of Cemetery Trustees—viz., that a meeting should be called to select names for presentation for the Governor's approval. It was proposed by Mr. George Dunbar and seconded by Mr. Alexander Patterson—"That the following gentlemen are fit and proper persons for the appointment of trustees for the Dandenong Cemetery : R. C. Walker, J. L. Lavender, A. W. Bowman, G. Keys, T. H. Power.
    The motion was carried ; and it was proposed by Mr. A. Gardner and seconded by Mr West—"That the proceedings of the meeting be embodied in a memorial to his Excellency the Governor, for his approval." This motion being carried, a memorial was drawn up and signed by the meeting, praying his Excellency to appoint the above-mentioned gentlemen to act in the capacity of trustees for the Cemetery.7
  • 21 Nov 1857: NEW APPOINTMENTS.-The Government Gazette contains the following appointments :-
    Robert Caldecott Walker, James Smith Lavender, Alexander Watt Bowman, George Keys, and Thomas Herbert Power, to be trustees for the General Cemetery ground at Dandenong ;1
  • 19 Mar 1863: John Dobson, and Michael Reedy to be additional trustees of the Dandenong Cemetery, the former being in the room of James Smith Lavender, non-resident.4
  • 24 Sep 1879: There were three interments in the Dandenong Cemetery on Sunday last-one being the man that was found dead in the scrub on the banks of the creek on the previous day.8
  • 27 Feb 1889: There has been an unusually large number of deaths in Dandenong during the past few weeks. Among them was Mr. Martin Egan, one of our old and most respected residents, who died on Friday, 22nd inst. He was shrewd and clever in many ways, as an auctioneer had few equals in the colony, and has followed that business in Dandenong for over fifteen years. He was an easy tempered man, with an amount of jollity in his general domeanor which pleased all with whom he came in contact. As is well known he was an Irishman, and had a deal of humor always at his disposal. The deceased was buried in the Dandenong cemetery on Sunday, the remains being followed,to, their last resting place by a very large number of friends and acquaintances. Martin Egan9
  • 10 Jul 1889: SHIRE OF DANDENONG. — A PUBLIC MEETING of the Inhabitants of the Shire of Dandenong will be held at the MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, DANDENONG, on FRIDAY, 19th inst., at 12 o'clock noon, for the purpose of NOMINATING THREE TRUSTEES for the Dandenong Cemetery.
    T. BRUCE HUTTON, President.
    July 9, 1889.10
  • 10 Jul 1889: DANDENONG SHIRE COUNCIL, MONDAY, JULY 8, 1889. Present—Colonel Hutton (President) and Councillors T. Keys, Pearson, Potter, Howard, Brown and Greaves.
    The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspondence approved.
    CORRESPONDENCE
    From Central Board of Health, forwarding names of three persons who have been proposed as trustees for the Dandenong cemetery, and desiring to know if the Council supports their nomination, and if not requesting that a public meeting be held at which suitable persons might be selected. The names were-Messrs T. Ladson, A. McLean and W. Handley.—It was mentioned that two of the gentlemen named were likely to leave the district shortly, and it was resolved that a public meeting be held for the purpose of nominating trustees to fill the present vacancies, the meeting to be held at twelve noon on the 19th inst.11
  • 24 Jul 1889: At a public meeting held on Friday last the following gentlemen were chosen as trustees of the Dandenong cemetery:—Messrs. Joseph Weller, D. J. Ahearn, A. T. McLean and Colonel-Hutton.5
  • 14 Aug 1889: Improvements are being carried out at the Dandenong Cemetery. The infusion of new blood into the management seems to have had a good effect.12
  • 8 Jan 1890: For the information of persons visiting the Dandenong Cemetery it might be well to mention that snakes appear to he rather plentiful in that locality this season, several of the reptiles having been killed recently. On Saturday afternoon a black snake about three feet long was killed in a paddock adjoining the cemetery, and on Sunday afternoon a resident of the township despatched another about the same size on one of the by-walks within the cemetery grounds. The cemetery is frequented very much by ladies and children, and it is right they should be advised of the danger. Children should not be allowed in the ground without a guardian. The grass is very high, and the management would do well to have it burnt-off occasionally, by which the danger would be greatly lessened.13
  • 18 Feb 1891: A meeting of the trustees of the Dandenong cemetery was held in the town hall on Friday evening. Messrs. Ahern, Searle, McLean and H. Powis (secretary), attended. Matters in connection with the condition of the cemetery received consideration, and some improvement was deemed necessary. Mr. McLean moved and Mr. Mr. Searle seconded that a meeting be held to revise the regulations.
    This meeting, it is expected, will result in the alterations and improvements desired.14
  • 4 Nov 1891: A meeting of the Dandenong Cemetery Trustees was held on Monday, there being present Messrs. Searle (chairman), Ahern and H. Powis (secretary). The secretary reported that the secretary to the Public Health Department had finally approved of the rules and regulations of the Dandenong Cemetery, and it was resolved to have same printed. Other routine business having been transacted, the meeting adjourned.15
  • 23 Nov 1892: The Dandenong Cemetery Trustees invite tenders, returnable on December 1, 1892, for the privilege of cutting, and removing grass from the cemetery. Tenders should be addressed to Colonel T. B. Hutton, J.P., at Dandenong.16
  • 1 Feb 1893: About half-past two a.m. on Thursday morning a wooden tenement opposite the Dandenong Cemetery was discovered to be in flames. A crowd of people at once collected, but they were unable to stay the progress of the fire, and the building was soon reduced to ashes, the inmates barely escaping, with their lives. Some excitement was aroused through the explosion of a headed revolver which was left in the house, and though several persons claim to have heard the bullet whistle past their ears, no serious injury is reported. The origin of the fire is unknown, and a great deal of mystery appears to hang round the affair.17
  • 27 Nov 1895: Mr Wm. Renfree has been gazetted a member of the committee of management of the Dandenong cemetery.18
  • 22 Apr 1896: Oakleigh and Dandenong Cemeteries,
    The following are the respective balance sheets of the Dandenong and Oakleigh cemeteries for the year ending December 31, 1895:
    DANDENONG CEMETERY.
    RECEIPTS
    Balance ... ... .... £26 2 4
    Fees for graves, &c.... ... 97 3 0
    £ 123 5 4
    EXPENDITURE.
    Salaries ... ... ... £43 4 0
    Office expenses 2 6 0
    Works ... .. ... 5 17 9
    Grave-digging ... ... 26 8 6
    Balance in the late secretary's hands, and not accounted for 12 0 7
    Balance ... ... ... 33 8 6
    £123 5 419
  • 10 Feb 1897: The annual statement of the Dandenong Cemetery, which we have received from the Secretary, Mr. A. W. Pearson, shows that the year just ended commenced with a credit balance of £33 8s 6d, and fees for graves, &c., amounted to £75 11s. 9d., bringing the total up to £109 0. 3d. On the expenditure side appears :—Salaries &c., £43 12s 10d; office expenses, £4 4s. 1d; works, including new fence on the main frontage, £32 7s. 3d; grave digging, £17 7s. 6d; leaving a balance in hand of £10 11s. 11d., a very satisfactory state of affairs.20
  • 7 Jul 1897: The trustees of the Dandenong cemetery intend to plant 100 ornamental trees during the next few days. They are to be commended for this step, for at present the local cemetery is a very bleak place indeed.21
  • 9 Feb 1898: Dandenong Cemetery. The following is the balance sheet of the above, from 1st January to 31st December, 1897:—
    Receipts.
    Balance £10 18 11
    Fee for graves, &c. 79 7 0
    Other sources of income... 2 15 0
    £93 0 11
    Expenditure
    Salaries £34 8 0
    Office expenses .. 5 11
    Works ...20 8 0
    Grave-digging 21 10 0
    Balance ... 11 3 10
    £93 0 11
    T. Bruce Hutton
    Wm. Renfree
    D. J. Ahern Trustees
    Declared at Dandenong the 7th day of January, 1898, before Augustus W. Rodd J.P.22
  • 20 Apr 1898: The lad Payne, who succumbed to the injuries he received at the Loch Races on Easter Monday, was 25 years of age. He was riding a horse named Mulberry in a six furlong race, and, after going five furlongs, the horse fell, throwing Payne to the ground on his head. A horse named Anger, following closely, galloped over Payne, and fractured his skull with a kick. The occurrence was purely accidental, as shewn by the evidence at an inquest held in Melbourne by Mr. Candler. The reason of an inquest is known only to the authorities. The unfortunate young man's remains were brought to Dandenong on Friday, and interred in the local cemetery, the funeral arrangements being efficiently carried out by Mr. A. J. Raybould, of 232 Chapel-st. Prahran. The body was buried in the same grave occupied by a twin brother who died shortly after birth, and whose interment is the earliest record in the books of the Dandenong Cemetery Trust.23
  • 28 Dec 1898: Mrs Christopherson, who resides opposite the Dandenong cemetery, had a rather startling experience day last week. Her children playing in the yard when she saw one of them crying, and on hastening she discovered one of them chastising the other with a snake about a foot long. No time was lost in despatching the reptile, and to make assurance doubly sure it was placed in the fire and consumed. Providence must have been watching over these babies, whose ill effects have resulted from playing with their dangerous toy.
    While on this subject, it might be as well to warn visitors to the cemetery to keep as much as possible to the paths, as a couple of rather large snakes have been seen there of late. These have not been killed, and it behoves those who visit the cemetery to be very careful.24
  • 1 Mar 1899: The balance sheet in connexion with the Dandenong Cemetery, dating from January 1 to December 31, 1896, reads as follows: Receipts.—Balance, £11/3/10; fees for graves, &c., £88/10/ , refund late secretary, £5; total, £104/13/10. Expenditure.—Salaries, £34/8/ ; office expenses, £8/1/10; Works, £12/6/2; Building, £9/15/ ; grave-digging, £24/8/ ; balance, £15/14/10; total, £104/13/10.25
  • 7 Jun 1899: Dandenong Public Cemetery.
    REWARD.—A reward of Twenty shillings is offered by the Trustees for the conviction of the person or pesons who on or about the 20th May, wilfuly removed certain plants from private graves in the cemetery.
    A. W. PEARSON, Secretary.26
  • 8 Nov 1899: At a meeting of the Dandenong Cemetery Trust held last week, a matter of general interest to residents of the district was discussed, viz., the practice indulged in by persons unknown of removing plants and flowers from graves in the cemetery. It was resolved that the master of the State school be asked to warn scholars from trespassing in the cemetery and stealing plants, &c. This was done, and Mr. White duly notified his charges to refrain from wrong-doing.27
  • 20 Jul 1910: DANDENONG CEMETERY TRUST.
    A meeting of the trustees of the Dandenong cemetery was held on Thursday afternoon, when there were present Col. Hutton (chairman), and Messrs. Ahern, W. Renfree and McLean.
    The hon. secretary (Mr. Renfree) reported that since the last meeting there had been five interments. He had renewed at the Commercial Bank a deposit of £50 that had matured. His action in this matter was endorsed.
    The monthly financial statement showed the receipts to be as follows :--Receipts Cr. balance, last report £130 4/11 ; interest on fixed deposit, £1 10/; interments, £ 6 12/6; sale of land, £5; total. £143 17/5. The only item on the expenditure side was the sexton's account for burials, amounting to £2 12/6. With a slight amendment it was passed for payment.
    It was stated that the Trust has now £125 at fixed deposit.
    The Trust then adjourned.28
  • 20 Jul 1910: The Dandenong cemetery trustees intend to erect a neat waiting house at the grounds as soon as funds will permit. They already have £125 earmarked for this purpose.29
  • 15 Sep 1910: A meeting of the Dandenong Cemetery Trust was held on Thursday, when, in addition to some routine business, the resignation of the hon. secretary (Mr. W. Renfree) was received. He has acted in this capacity for seven years and his colleagues spoke highly of his splendid services. William Pryn Renfree30
  • 29 Dec 1910: Dandenong Cemetery.
    The trustees of the Dandenong Cemetery hope to shortly carry out their cherished idea of erecting a caretaker's cottage. They have nearly £150 in hand, and the estimated outlay is £250. The trustees, knowing that the Melbourne cemetery trustees have over £80,000 hoared up for which they have virtually no use, intend to apply to the metropolitan body for a grant of £100. Should the request he granted the erection of the cottage will be at once proceeded with. Such a structure is a necessity at the cemetery, and with a resident caretaker the grounds would be greatly improved, ??? ??? each denomination would be willing to pay a yearly sum to have their section of God's acre properly looked after.31
  • 23 Mar 1911: Dandenong Cemetery Trust.
    The Dandenong Cemetery Trust met to deal with general business the other evening and got through their work expeditiously and well. There were present Col. Hutton (president), and Messrs. Ahern, McLean and Cadle (hon. secretary). The annnual return for the year 1910, duly certified to as correct and attested, was ordered to be sent on to the Chairman of the Board of Health. The Trust has economised and managed their business so well of late years that there is in hand a balance of £145, and the meeting resolved to apply to the Central Board of Health for assistance in building a cottage for the caretaker, who would then be a residential employee. The Trust has a new sexton in E. Harrison. Accounts amounting to £7 10/ were passed for payment and the meeting adjourned.32
  • 25 May 1916: We draw attention of the management of the Dandenong Cemetery to the vandalism that is practiced by miscreants or children to the glass of those interred. Glass frames of memorial wreaths, etc, have the glass frames smashed, thus causing the rain to spoil the heartfelt syampathies of affectionate relatives; iron railings are also destroyed. Surely this should be met by offering a reward that would cause the detection of the culprits. As a sufferer by the above wretches, we would subsidise any reward given by the management.33
  • 26 Oct 1916: TENDERS wanted by 31st for renting land, Dandenong Cemetery. W. Cadle, secretary.34
  • 6 Jun 1918: NOTICE: The trustees of the Dandenong cemetery request the owners of graves, to keep same in good order; if not convenient to do so they will arrange with caretaker to do single graves 7s 6d, double 10s per annum.
    Address to W. Cadle, secretary.35
  • 6 Jun 1918: Dandenong Cemetery.
    Mr W. Cadle, secretary to the Dandenong Cemetery Trust, requests by advt. in another column, that the owners of graves in Dandenong cemetery keep the sacred grounds in order, or employ the caretaker to attend to same at a very moderate charge. Many persons who have their beloved ones reposing beneath the cold ground are too far away, or too poor to attend to the graves personally, and there is no doubt the caretaker, who ever he may be, is the person to see that the last resting place of the dead is kept in order. It is a very ancient sepulchre, open in the past to all denominations, and where "the beloved sleep," we should not forget them. Still there is a certain amount of sentiment about such matters, and one person we know, who has been away from our district for quarter of a century has come along to visit the grave of a departed one, found out the grave, placed a simple bunch of violets on the earth, shed a few tears, and silently withdrew. If that woman had the money at her command there would be a railing around that little mound of clay, and a suitably inscribed tombstone at its head. But we think if this poor woman knew that this particular grave could be kept in order for 7s 6d per year she would gladly contribute.
    The trustees are trying to improve the cemetery by employing a caretaker five days a week, and according to the Cemetries Act, owners are compelled to keep same in good order. The act says every grave, monument, tombstone, headstone, wall, fence, or other erection in any public cemetery shall be maintained in thorough repair and proper condition by or at the expense of any person having the exclusive right of burial or interment in such grave or vault, and in the event of such person failing to comply, with the provisions of this section within seven days after receiving notice to do so from the trustees of such cemetery, the trustees may repair the said grave, vault, etc. and may recover the costs, and expenses of so doing from such persons in a summary way before two justices.36
  • 6 Jun 1918: Dandenong Cemetery.
    The Dandenong cemetery trustees are trying to improve the general appearance of the local cemetery, and now employ a caretaker five days a week. In another column appears a notice to grave owners.
    According to the Cemetery Act, every grave, vault, monument, tombstone, wall, fence or other erections, in any public cemetery, shall be maintained in thorough repair and proper condition, by, or at the expense, of any person having for the time being the exclusive right of burial or interment in such grave or vault. Failing to do so, the trustees may repair the said grave, etc., at the expense of the owner.37
  • 28 Jan 1926: The Dandenong Cemetery.
    A deputation from the Dandenong Cemetery Trust waited on the Dandenong shire council on Monday and asked that the council make a grant to the trustees or take over control of the cemetery. The council eventually agreed to take over the control of the cemetery.38
  • 1 Sep 1927: Dandenong Shire Council. Correspondence. From Trustees, Dandenong Cemetery, appealing for grant to enable them to remove wooden office and replace it with a new brick building.—Finance Committee and trustees to discuss the matter.39
  • 1 Mar 1928: Dandenong Shire Correspondence: From Dandenong Cemetery Trustees, enclosing balance-sheet for the year, which showed that there was £70 in hand, as against £20 last year. The Trust had been able to meet its obligations during the year without any assistance from the Council. It was requested that representatives from the Council meet members of the Trust on Monday, 5th March, to discuss the removal of the small weatherboard building at the cemetery gates and the erection of a brick building.—The President and Cr. Trebilco were appointed to confer with the Trust.40
  • 15 Mar 1928: Snakes.
    On Saturday, 4th inst., Mr. Tom James, Prince's Highway, Dandenong, saw a copper-headed snake about 3ft: 6in. long, on the road in front of Mr. Fleming’s residence. After disappearing in the grass, the snake was obliging enough to cross the footpath into Mr. Fleming’s property, where it was eventually cremated. Mr. John James killed another copper-head in the Dandenong cemetery on the following day. Killing these snakes is evidently a family failing.41
  • 18 Jul 1929: Shire of Dandenong — TENDERS.
    SEPARATE TENDERS are invited, and will be received up till Noon on Saturday, July 27, for the following:
    1. Erection of brick office at Dandenong Cemetery, Kirkham road, Dandenong.
    2. Painting of Auctioneers’ Offices at the Dandenong Market.
    Plans and specifications may be inspected at the Shire Hall, Dandenong, during office hours.
    Deposit of 2½ per cent, must accompany tenders.
    Lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted.
    K. G. McALPIN, Shire Secretary.42
  • 7 Aug 1929: £225 is the amount of the tender of Mr L. G. Taylor of Dandenong, which has been accepted for the erection of new brick offices at the Dandenong Cemetery.43
  • 26 Sep 1935: Dandenong Shire Council, Correspondence. From Dandenong Cemetery Trustees, asking that provision be made for £30 for cemetery expenses on next year’s estimates.—Referred to estimates.44
  • 3 Sep 1936: Dandenong Shire Council, Correspondence. From Secretary, Dandenong Cemetery Trust, asking the Council to authorise £30 being placed on the estimates.—Received.45
  • 30 Apr 1941: COUNCIL is to meet members of the Dandenong Cemetery Trust in conference next Friday evening, to consider certain aspects of the cemetery position.46
  • 21 May 1941: A RECOMMENDATION that council contribute £60 annually, towards the maintenance of the Dandenong Cemetery and that three councillors from the South, East and West Ridings be appointed to the Cemetery Trust, was unanimously adopted.47
  • 5 Nov 1941: Dandenong Cemetery Beset With Financial Difficulties. Trustees Approach Council For Increased Grant
    FAILING RELIEF, CEMETERY MAY BE CLOSED, DECLARES TRUSTEE
    BECAUSE of the increased financial burden thrown on it recently, the Dandenong Cemetery Trust fears that it might be compelled to close the Dandenong Cemetery unless it can obtain outside financial aid.
    Such a prospect naturally appalled Dandenong Shire councillors when the position was placed before them by a deputation at their last meeting, and ways and means of overcoming the difficulty are now being sought. IT was pointed out that the cemetery was the last resting place for most of the district’s early pioneers and that it was therefore unthinkable that the cemetery should be closed and allowed to fall into disrepair.
    A SUGGESTION by Cr Fleming that the Spring Vale Cemetery Trust should be approached and asked if it would take over the administration of the Dandenong cemetery, is being investigated. In introducing the deputation, Cr J. New said that the Trust now found that its finances were not as good as it thought they were.
    UNION’S BOMBSHELL. Mr E. C. Butler, the chairman of the Trust, said that that body had no funds at all, except from the sale of graves and the council's grant. It kept a man on part-time at the cemetery, but about four years ago found that its finances were slipping back at the rate of £50 a year. It had since had rather a “bombshell” from the Union, which insisted that it must pay its employee £4/14/ a week plus 2/ each day he digs a grave. That meant that they were now going to go back at least £100 a year. Personally, he had expressed the opinion that they would have to close the cemetery down. It had been said that the Government would not allow them to do that, but the bailiffs would soon close it for them if they didn't get assistance.
    The Spring Vale cemetery was too close, and the Crematorium was also taking a lot of their burials. Consequently the position was not improving, but going from bad to worse. “We don’t like to suggest that our cemetery be closed,” concluded Mr Butler, “but unless the council takes it over I think we will have to close it.”
    Mr P. A. Singleton, secretary of the Trust, said that prior to last December it was paying a man 4½ days a week at 14/6 a day, but their employee had sent them an account for £15 back pay. After an interview with Inspector Howard they had agreed to pay £5. Now they had to pay their employee a full week’s pay (£4/14/) plus 3/ a day for every day on which he dug a grave, whether he worked the full week or not. Now it had received a claim for £47/6/ arrears of wages. In his judgment there was no claim against the trustees up to Sept. 7th, but that had to be decided.
    “The question is,” pursued Mr Singleton, “will the council accept the responsibility of the cemetery? It means it will have to find from £120 to £130 a year to keep it going and employ a man full-time.
    Cr New: How do your prices compare with Spring Vale’s? Mr Singleton: Our charge is uniform at £2/10/ per grave. Spring Vale may be a little cheaper for some sites, but not for picked positions. They also charge a percentage commission if memorials are erected. I consider our charges quite reasonable.
    In reply to a question, the speaker said the Trust’s present overdraft was £137/0/2. This was guaranteed by the council.
    To Cr Titcher, he said that it was a rather remarkable thing, but approximately about the same number of people seemed to die in the district each year. The revenue over the past three years had been: 1938 £222 18/, 1939 £222/5/9, 1940 £213/2/. The Trust’s finances had gone back
    £63 this year to date. Cr Fleming: How was the Trust formed, and under whose direction does it come?
    Mr Singleton: It is under the direction of the Public Health Dept., which authorises each of four denominations to appoint two trustees,
    “HAND CONTROL OVER TO SPRING VALE”
    “I can’t see how council can take over that responsibility,” stated Cr Fleming. “My suggestion is that the Trust and council go to the Spring Vale Trustees and ask them if they are prepared to take it over and work it in conjunction with Spring Vale. That seems the only way out of the difficulty. Otherwise the position is going to become worse each year.”
    Cr Titcher: Even if the Trust kept going now, in a few years’ time it would be faced with the position that it would have to close.
    “CAN’T DO IT” “This cemetery is a public utility. You can’t just carry a resolution closing it,” protested Mr Singleton. “We’ve sold ground to hundreds of people in good faith.” Mr Butler: Tell us how we are going to keep it open, then. Mr Singleton: Those people have paid for that ground. They can go and use it, and we've no power to stop them!
    “ASHAMED OF STATE OF CEMETERY”
    “This is our cemetery. "We all have friends buried there,” said Cr J. New, in taking a stand against any suggestion that it be closed. “I was there
    only last Monday,” he went on, “and I was ashamed to see the state it was in. When we see the names of some of our old residents resting
    there in what is almost a wilderness, don’t you think it hurts?”
    COUNCIL SHOULD COME TO THE RESCUE
    “I know how the council finances are,” proceeded Cr New, “but I say we should come to the Trust’s assistance. I would not say, however, that we should take the cemetery over. The Trust is doing an honorary job very well. Let the Trust and the council go to the Government and ask it to come to the rescue and give us a 'clean sheet.’ ”
    “As long as I sit at this table I will never be one to shelve our responsibility in this regard,” Cr New wound up.
    Cr Burden: Don’t you think the Spring Vale Trust would look after it if it took it over? They are in a far better position to handle it.
    “OWE A DUTY TO THE PIONEERS”
    “We owe a debt to the grand old pioneers of this municipality,” put in Cr R. Williams. “I say that if we can’t do something for the cemetery Trust, then we are falling down on the job. We’ve all got friends buried there and it is up to us to see that their resting place is cared for, even if we’ve got to put up our rates to do it. It’s compulsory to bury our dead, and we’ve got to do it in decent circumstances.” “We just can’t shelve this matter,” agreed Cr Titcher. “It is our duty to look after the cemetery and we’ve got to shoulder this very necessary re sponsibility.”
    Cr A. W. Bowman concurred. They had a responsibility to the pioneers to keep the cemetery open. Some of them had their forefathers buried there, and he contended it was council’s duty to stand to the Trust. He, definitely, would do so. In reply to Cr Leber, the secretary said that the cemetery comprised 10 acres, two of which were unoccupied. Although he would like to see an immediate decision made, Cr Williams said that there were certain aspects which would have to be considered first. One was, if council could possibly do the work through its day men. Then there was Cr Fleming’s suggestion about Spring Vale taking it over.
    “For myself, I wouldn’t like to see an outside Trust ruling our cemetery,” Cr New declared. “We should be in a position to give a decision in a fortnight, and I think we should hold a special meeting then.”
    Other councillors agreed with the suggestion for, a special meeting, and on the motion of Crs Fleming and Leber, it was resolved to defer a decision for a fortnight to enable the Shire secretary to see if the Spring Vale Trust was prepared to take over, or if the part-time work could possibly be done by the shire day-men.48
  • 6 May 1942: Town Hall Cooling Tender Let. Installation By May 20
    A £288 tender for the installation of a cooling system in the Dandenong Town Hall has been let and the contractor has undertaken to complete the work by May 20th. Dancing patrons in particular will appreciate the innovation, which will relieve the stifling atmosphere which has marred so many of the dances during the past few months.
    SURPLUS FOR CEMETERY TRUST
    Including the £70 which the Shire had on hand at the outset, the Citizens’ Committee raised £398 for the purpose in just on three months—a wonderful achievement. If the installation costs £300 there will be a surplus of approximately £100.
    This surplus is to be handed to the Dandenong Cemetery Trust to help liquidate its overdraft and so relieve it of a pressing problem. At one time it was feared that the cemetery might have to be closed but this timely assistance from the Citizens’ Committee will give the Trust a fresh start.49
  • 7 Apr 1943: A Dead Loss
    THE BALANCE SHEET of the Dandenong Cemetery Trust for the past year showed that receipts totalled £367/6/6, and expenditure (including debit of £100/14/10 brought forward) was £403/17/5, leaving a debit balance of £136/10/11.
    Cr. New said that council’s annual grant of £30, since paid, reduced the overdraft to £106/10/11.
    TRUSTEES APPEAL TO DEPARTMENT
    later on in correspondence, a letter was read out from the Public Health Department in which it was stated that the trustees had appealed to the Minister for assistance in the control of the cemetery. Before coming to a decision he would be pleased to know if the council was prepared to accept appointment as trustees of the cemetery.
    TRUSTEES CAN’T CARRY ON AT PRESENT
    “Would we have to take over and pay off any deficit if we did so? queried Cr. New. “This opens up a big question,” he proceeded. “Some councillors are determined we won’t pay any more than we are. We do contribute £30, but the trustees cannot balance their budget under present conditions and can’t see how they can carry on.”
    Cr. Williams: They keep slipping back every year.
    Cr. New: People seem to be going to Spring Vale instead of helping out our own cemetery. Before we reply I would like to know if we would be assuming any financial burden if council accepted office as trustees.”
    Cr. Williams: Notify them that three councillors are already trustees.
    Crs. Fleming and Tharle moved that a reply be sent to this effect and adding that if the Minister expected council to take over any financial responsibility in connection with the cemetery, it couldn’t see its way clear to do so.50
  • 30 Jun 1943: Dandenong Council Doesn’t Relish Prospect Of Being Forced To Take Over Cemetery.
    FACED with the prospect of having the control and management of the Dandenong Cemetery thrust upon it, Dandenong Council on Monday made it abundantly clear that it is not at all anxious to enter the cemetery business.
    Cr. J. C. Mills reported that at a conference with the Cemetery Trust on Friday a position was disclosed that was definitely unsatisfactory to the trustees and council alike. Council had guaranteed an overdraft at the bank and the financial position of the Trust was deteriorating.
    They wanted to find some way of getting over the present difficulties.
    Mr. F. A. Singleton, the Trust secretary had received a letter in which it stated that the Public Health Commission was recommending to the Minister that council be appointed trustees of the cemetery. If that went through the Dandenong Council would take the cemetery over and would be liable for any overdraft and any loss incurred. Councillors had decided to send a very strong letter denying responsibility and at the same time seeking a deputation to the Minister on the matter. They believed that they should see if it was possible to get a grant for the cemetery. “We must do something about it," urged the president. "We can't let it go on as it is. When this was first brought up the cemetery overdraft was £100. Today it has grown to £183.
    I think the loss is something about £100 a year, I hope we will be able to have a deputation to the Public Health Commission and come to some solution."51
  • 25 Aug 1943: Cr. Fleming had defied the people who said you mustn’t plant trees on creek banks and thanks to him the east section of the creek was fairly well looked after. He had got trees without cost and had got them planted. On the west side of the bridge, however, nothing had been done. He had tried, but couldn’t create one cent of interest among the West councillors in any proposal to improve it. If Cr Fleming had been able to do it at no cost to the ratepayers, it could be done.
    It was a scandalous thing that the Dandenong Cemetery Trust had got into the position it had. That cemetery to him was hallowed ground and should be to every person living here. Surely as a council they could do something to help maintain it as it should be maintained.
    These were just a few of the things he would endeavour to do if elected.52
  • 8 Sep 1943: Dandenong Council Decisions and Discussions At Last Week's Meeting
    Deputation Regarding Dandenong Cemetery
    THE PRESIDENT reported that the Minister for Health (Mr. Mackrell) had agreed to receive a deputation regarding the future of the Dandenong Cemetery one day this week.53
  • 29 Sep 1943: Public Health Dept. Thrusts Dandenong Cemetery On To Council
    DESPITE its vigorous protests the Dandenong Shire Council now finds itself burdened with the control of the Dandenong Cemetery—and to add insult to injury the current cemetery debt of over £100 has also been bequeathed to council.
    COUNCIL is not a bit pleased with the Minister’s arbitrary decision and after consulting with Messrs. Isaac and Gartside, M’sLC., and F. Field.. MLA., at its special meeting last week, again conferred with the lastnamed on Monday morning.
    Following these consultations a motion, moved by Crs. Podmore and Ericksen was carried, stating, that as council had been forced, against its will, to take over the cemetery and its liability, would the Premier arrange for a grant to the trustees so that the cemetery may be handed over free of debt. A letter embodying this motion is to be sent through Mr. Field, MLA.54
  • 22 Dec 1943: Dandenong Council Now Controls Cemetery
    REALISING that it was inevitable that it was going to find itself in control of the Dandenong Cemetery, whether it wanted to or not, Dandenong Council got its parliamentary representatives to work to try and induce the Premier to accept responsibility for the existing
    debt of £197/2/4, thus landing the cemetery over debt free.
    At its recent meeting, the Public Works committee was advised by Messrs. F. Field and M. Bennett, M’s.L.A., that the Treasurer had now approved of the grant being increased to £197/2/4 to cover the commitments of the former trustees.
    Messrs. Singleton and Garnar attended the meeting and discussed with the council matters connected with the cemetery.
    Suggestions for raising certain fees were put forward. Messrs. Singleton and Garnar promised to assist the council with their advice when required.
    Council subsequently appointed Crs. Fleming, Podmore, Baker and Mills to act as a cemetery committee.
    Letters of thanks are to be sent to Messrs. Field and Bennett for their assistance in obtaining grants for the cemetery and asking them to convey council’s thanks to the Premier.55
  • 12 Jan 1944: Shire Of Dandenong. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council has been appointed Trustees of the Dandenong Cemetery.
    INFORMATION for inquiries regarding Cemetery to be made at the Shire Office, Dandenong.
    By Order, R. BOOTH, Shire Secretary.56
  • 19 Jan 1944: Dandenong Cemetery Now Shire Controlled
    DANDENONG Cemetery is now under the control of the Dandenong Shire, The Cemetery sub-committee recently appointed by the council last week inspected the cemetery and later met to discuss the future conduct, of "God’s Acre,” which as the last resting place of so, many of our pioneers, is hallowed ground.57
  • 9 Feb 1944: Cemetery Clean Up
    SINCE TAKING over control of the Dandenong Cemetery, council has decided to have the notice board re-painted with altered charges and fees, the front fence repaired and renovated where necessary, the entrance gates and portion of the adjoining fencing re-painted, and wickers and bushes along the road and inside the fence removed. All work at the cemetery will in future be under the supervision of the shire engineer, who has been instructed to prepare a special report on what work is required, specifying urgent jobs.
    The late Mrs. Jewis deposited £50 in the bank, interest from which is to be used for the annual upkeep of her grave in the cemetery, and the bank is being asked to transfer the deposit and authority to operate the account, to the new trustees.58
  • 8 Mar 1944: CLEANING UP DANDENONG CEMETERY
    On the recommendation of the finance committee the engineer is to prepare a report of the expenditure required to put the cemetery in proper order, and an application is then to be made to the Minister for Public Health for funds to carry out the work. If no funds are available at present, the suggestion will be made that money be made available in the post-war programme.59
  • 31 May 1944: Around the Council Table At Dandenong
    Council Still On Track Of Cemetery Grant
    COUNCIL’S fresh application for a grant to place the Dandenong Cemetery in order brought a polite: “the Minister regrets’’ type of letter from the Secretary of the Public Health Department—but no grant. The writer went on to suggest that council should investigate ways and means of making the cemetery pay, and advocated the employment of a part-time sexton as one measure of economy.
    The secretary reported that he had replied that this was already being done.
    “This is a very serious matter,” Cr. Podmore declared. "This cemetery has been foisted on us without as much as ‘by your leave.’ They say they have no money, but in an earlier letter the same Department speaks of spending £70,000 on the Heatherton Sanatorium. A letter like this doesn’t suit me, and it shouldn’t suit this council. I am going to move: ‘That the Department be informed that this council is not satisfied with the reply received; that council desires the cemetery to be surveyed and improved to a satisfactory standard, as in its present condition it is a disgrace to the district; that any financial loss incurred in its upkeep and management is to be paid by the Government, and that if these conditions can not be arranged by June 30, council will not accept further responsibility.’”.
    Cr. Edwards: We’ve already accepted it.
    Cr. Podmore: But we don’t have to continue accepting a thing that is foisted on us!
    Seconded by Cr. Tharle, the motion was carried, as was also a motion by Crs. Tharle and Baker that letters be sent to Messrs. F. Field and M. Bennett, M.’sL.A., asking them to interview the Minister for Health (Mr. I. Macfarlan) with the object of having him visit the cemetery as promised. Both members are to be invited to accompany him.60
  • 28 Jun 1944: INSPECTION OF DANDENONG CEMETERY
    MR. F. FIELD, MLA., advised that the Minister for Health (Mr. Macfarlan) has indicated that it will be extremely difficult for him to make a personal inspection of the Dandenong Cemetery, but if he cannot come he will arrange for Mr. Rowe, the secretary of the. Department of Public Health, to make the inspection. Council instructed the secretary to write thanking Mr. Field for his help.61
  • 5 Jul 1944: Can’t Escape From Cemetery Control
    COUNCIL’S declaration that it would refuse to continue control of the Dandenong Cemetery unless the Government first of all put it in order, brought a prompt and emphatic rejoinder from the Department of Public Health.
    It was to the effect that council was not at liberty to disclaim responsibility for the cemetery—only the Governor-in-Council could permit it to do that.
    The Department also pointed out that council had full authority to apply municipal funds towards the upkeep of the cemetery.
    Cr. Podmore’s colleague looked towards him for his reaction. “A perfectly good reply," he conceded," but that doesn’t alter the fact that the cemetery should have been put in order before it was forced on to us. At present it is a disgrace and we haven’t the money to do it up.”
    “WEAR ’EM DOWN”
    “We’ve now aroused the Department’s curiosity,” he added, “and we should proceed to handle them the way they handle us. If we keep at them we’ll wear them down to the stage where they might grant our request out of sheer tiredness! If local government bodies don’t show a bit of fight and spirit they will get nowhere. We have a genuine case, too, for this was not of our doing.”
    Cr. Podmore later moved that the Public Health Department be again written to through Messrs Field and Bennett, M’s.L.A. stating that its reply wasn’t at all satisfactory to council; that the cemetery was just pushed on to it and that council expected the Minister or his deputy to make the promised inspection before finality is reached.
    The letter, too, the mover declared, should again point out that council had no funds available to meet any deficit on the upkeep of the cemetery and any such deficits must therefore be borne by the Public Health Department.
    Cr Fleming thought that if the Department would only pay for the survey, and improvements it would be OK.
    The motion was carried unanimously.62
  • 19 Jul 1944: Persistence May Be Rewarded. GOVERNMENT MAY HAVE CEMETERY RE-SURVEYED
    REPORTING on a visit from Messrs. Yateman and another officer of the Public Health Department, Cr. J. C. Mills said that in company with councillors they had made an inspection of the Dandenong Cemetery and had pointed out to them the alterations and expenditure necessary.
    Although Mr. Yateman didn’t think council would get all it asked for, he readily agreed the cemetery was in a bad state and that a survey was the first improvement necessary. He indicated that he would recommend to the Department that at least they survey the cemetery and put it in order to this extent before finally handing it over. Regarding the rest of their requests there might get something, he said, but he didn't hold out much hope.
    “It just shows what you can do by keeping on trying,” commented Cr. Temple.63
  • 16 Aug 1944: Persistence Pays £120 Dividend
    SPURRED on by Cr. Podmore, Dandenong Council struck out for a better deal from the Public Health Department over the Dandenong Cemetery, and asked for a further grant of £135 to enable it to put “God’s Acre” in something like decent order if it was to be expected to control it in the future.
    COUNCIL’S persistence has been rewarded by the promise of a further grant of £120, and at Monday night’s meeting Cr. Podmore was praised by his colleagues on the success of his persistent advocacy.64
  • 23 Aug 1944: Dandenong Council - Decisions, Pars, And Sidelights. £120 Grant To Straighten Up Dandenong Cemetery
    LAST week’s advice that the Public Health Department had re-considered its previous unfavorable decision and decided to make a grant of £120 to the Dandenong Council to help it put the Dandenong Cemetery in order, was good news to councillors.
    The letter was a sequel to a conference at the cemetery between the, chief clerk and some of the councillors. It stated that the Minister is prepared to recommend a grant of £120 for the following purposes, to be carried out in order of priority shown: 1. Survey to ascertain where burials have taken place. 2. Search of records with a view to locating owners of sites, names of buried persons and graves occupied by them. 3. Preparation of sectional plans to record information obtained, vide (1) and (2) above and the making of any necessary adjustments where overlapping of used graves with unused sites, paths, etc. is shown, and 4. remaking of road's and paths.
    “In order to permit of the necessary recommendation being made, the Minister would like an assurance by the Shire Council that it is prepared to continue the management of the cemetery,” the letter concluded.
    Expressing satisfaction at the outcome, Cr. Podmore said that one of the main points was the very different attitude the Government, took toward them when it found they could look after themselves. Instead of quoting a regulation saying they “must do this and that,” the Department now made what appealed to him as an ordinary, decent businesslike approach instead of —— “Stand and deliver!” interposed Cr. Fleming.
    “Tell them we’ll do the best we can with the £120 but might be back again,” counselled Cr. Mills.
    Cr. Podmore said that the records were a bit of a tragedy.
    Cr. Fleming reminded councillors that the Department had recommended closing one part of the cemetery altogether. If this were done they might make the £120 do.
    The President: To close up that part would simplify the survey and also the records.
    Cr. Podmore: The main thing is we’ll have a decent cemetery when we finish.
    Cr. Temple expressed appreciation of Cr. Podmore’s business acumen in refusing to take the Department’s first “knock back” and said he should be commended for “getting on to his hind legs” and keeping at the Department until success was achieved.
    “I heartily agree,” declared the president.
    At the instance of Crs. Podmore and Temple the letter was received and a reply is to be sent, thanking the Department for the promised grant and advising that council will spend this on the items as specified, and that it is prepared to continue the management of the cemetery, but the state of its finances compel it to stipulate that any loss must be borne by the Department.65
  • 18 Apr 1945: CEMETERY FINANCE
    The Shire Secretary presented, the financial statement for the Dandenong Cemetery—now under council control—for the 12 months ending December 31st.
    This showed that burial fees for the year were £211/4/-, and total receipts of £213/14/4. By making use of the grave-digger on municipal work when not engaged at the cemetery, council was able to reduce these costs from £250 to £173, with the result that at the end of the year there was a credit of £32/13/- in the bank.
    There was also, a credit of £52/3/6 in a perpetual maintenance account. During the year 61 burials took place at the cemetery.
    A letter is being sent to the Department asking when it will be making available the money promised for a resurvey of the cemetery, also pointing out that as council was charging £52 a year for administration, there was a deficit on the year’s operations, which council had decided should be the Department’s responsibility.66
  • 13 Jun 1945: Cemetery Condition Pleases
    Following complaints by Cr. Temple at the last meeting that burning off had taken place at the Dandenong Cemetery contrary to instructions, the engineer reported that no instructions to burn off had been given by him. He added: The Sexton states that it is the only way of keeping the cemetery tidy and it has always been the practice to burn off annually; that is the reason for doing the work without instructions.”
    Cr. Fleming said that following the remarks at the last meeting he had had a look at the cemetery on Friday and was terribly pleased with the state it was in. It was easily 200 per cent better than when council took over. The man in charge had done a good job and the fire had done no damage. Only the uncared for graves had been burnt over.
    The state of the paths, too, was a credit to the man responsible considering he was not there all the time, and the cemetery was very tidy.
    Cr. Williams: I think he’s doing a very good job.67
  • 13 Jun 1945: Council Handing Back Control Of Cemetery
    UNLESS the Department of Public Health is willing to undertake to make up any deficit each year, the Dandenong Council is not prepared to continue control of the Dandenong Cemetery.
    Notice to this effect was served by council on the authorities some time ago, and Cr. W. L. Podmore pointed out at Monday night’s council meeting that so far no reply had been received. He thought that at this stage council should again remind the Department that it was relinquishing control of the cemetery from June 30th, failing acceptance of these, conditions.
    What he wanted to avoid, he added, was that between them they might inconvenience the public to such an extent that it would become a scandal. Council would be wise to keep the matter under the notice of the Department so
    that no mishap could occur. He, therefore, moved, and Cr. Baker seconded: “That taking into consideration that council has heard nothing in reply to its previous letter, it now gives the department formal notice that it is not having anything more to do with the control of the Dandenong Cemetery after June 30th.”68
  • 27 Jun 1945: Council Must Continue Cemetery Control -- No Option, Says Dept. “PIFFLE”, Declares Cr. Podmore
    DANDENONG COUNCIL [?] reminder that as from June 30th it was washing its hands of the [?] Dandenong Cemetery, brought a prompt rejoinder from the Public Health Department. Quoting page and section of the Act it firmly informed council that having been appointed as Trustees it cannot divest itself of these Responsibilities by its own action.
    When this was read out at last Monday’s council meeting, councillors looked expectantly at Cr. W. L. Podmore, who right from the time control of the cemetery was pushed on to council, has led the fight to ensure that council isn’t involved in any loss from “God’s Acre.”
    “ADAMANT”
    Cr. Podmore was equal to the occasion “It is not a matter of this council’s action,” he said. “It is a matter of the Department not honoring its promises to this council. It was to arrange for a re-survey of the cemetery and to put it in proper order and condition, and do certain repairs. It was only on those conditions that we accepted the Trust.
    We have requested them to carry out this work and they haven’t taken any heed. Until those conditions are carried out we don’t intend to carry on. I take it this council doesn’t propose to spend any money from its own funds on the cemetery. They say we cannot divest of our responsibilities but the whole committee could resign and if none of the councillors would agree to act how would they get on? I’m adamant on the point that if they don’t carry out their promises or the conditions under which we took the cemetery on, we will again advise them we don’t intend to carry on after June 30th.
    COUNCIL NOT CONSULTED
    The secretary pointed out that the first intimation council had of its appointment as trustees was the appearance of the notice in the Government Gazette.
    The whole thing was put through with out any reference to council at all. The Department was after council’s unqualified assurance before it would fulfil its promises, but once council gave that unqualified assurance it would be unable to divest itself of the Trust. Their only loophole was that there might be a doubt that the Minister had power to appoint them as he did.
    Cr. Podmore: Nobody can just come along and just say, “Here—run this show.” We had to run after them before they would pay off the debt on the cemetery when they pushed it on to us. We cannot be put in the wrong. We are in the position to say we will not carry on until they agree to carry out their promises. We didn’t ask to have the cemetery given to us unconditionally with all its debts. It was put on to us in a parlous state and if we hadn’t been wise enough we would have had to take over liabilities as well.
    It would have been the reasonable, decent thing for them to have come and asked us first. But they didn’t do it that way. We have only agreed to carry on under certain conditions, and I propose that we stand by that. We must protect ourselves. They can’t force us. After quoting from the Act, the secretary expressed the opinion that there was no provision in the Act which would prevent, council from resigning and refusing to carry on. They must have the same rights as individuals.
    Cr. Temple: What concerns me is this What is the position of people holding, ground in the cemetery, and wishing to hold a burial after June 30th?
    Cr. Podmore: That is not our responsibility. We made it quite clear to the Department in plenty of time that we finished on June 30th. At no time did we ever say that we would take on the cemetery without a provision that they guarantee us against any loss.
    “We’re not the only people in the State that have a dilapidated cemetery,” Cr Temple declared. “They are the same right throughout Victoria. One point is very clear: Unfortunately people do die, and it is the duty of some responsible authority to undertake the keeping and care of the burial grounds. Even the blackfellows did that! I am glad to have the assurance that council doesn’t want to relieve itself altogether of that responsibility and that the financial aspect is the only point at issue. But we have definitely stated we are not “stand ing Sam” after June 30th. What about people who want to carry out burials after that date. Where do they stand?”
    Cr. Podmore: The responsibility is not ours. The Department has had ample notice of our intentions. There are two sides to every contract and we have the right to say what we will do. If we don’t stand up to our rights we will come to be treated like children. The closing paragraph in the department’s letter is a lot of piffle!' If we didn’t have the right to divest ourselves of the Trust it would not be justice.
    Crs. Podmore and Mills moved: That the Department’s letter be received, and that it be notified that council’s decision still stands and it will not be accepting further obligation in regard to the cemetery from June 30th. This was carried.
    “Perhaps we’d better go and see them and see if we can straighten this matter out,” observed Cr. Mills. “I’m in favor of the motion,” he added, “but I do not want it to be said that this council held up any burials. The matter has gone further now and we should have a showdown. We do not want to come to June 30th and find no provision has been made for burials. . . . . The wheels of Government grind slowly, remember.
    Crs. Temple and Williams moved that Mr. Field. M.L.A., be asked to arrange for Crs. Mills and Podmore to see the Minister before June 30th and try and iron out the difficulties.
    Until the outcome of this visit is reported council agreed to carry on until July 31st but no longer.
    Cr's. Fleming and Mills wound up the discussion by moving that the legal opinion of the Municipal Association's solicitor be sought.69
  • 22 Aug 1945: Dandenong Council To Continue Control Of Cemetery
    THE FOLLOWING letter received from the Department of Health through Mr. Field. M.L.A., and supported by legal opinion which council obtained from the Municipal Association, explains why council has reconsidered its decision not to continue as trustees of the Dandenong Cemetery, and will remain in control.
    “With reference to your recent personal representations to the Minister concerning the question of trusteeship of the Dandenong Cemetery, I am directed to inform you that this matter has been referred to Cabinet which has decided that the council in view of its clear statutory duty, should remain as trustees. However, on behalf of the Government, the Minister, renews the offer to make a grant of £120 on the clear understanding that the council continues with the management.
    The view of Cabihet is that with an annual revenue of £36,000 the Council should not have any reason to fear its ability to meet small deficits, which in the past two years has amounted to a total of about £40. The council of course has full statutory authority to apply its funds for the purpose.
    The Government considers that it would be most undesirable from every point of view to have to take legal steps, to compel the council to discharge its statutory duty, and, therefore, hopes that it will continue its responsibilities voluntarily.
    Tlie Minister desires me to add that there are 600 cemeteries in the State, and it would be most unwise for the Government to set a precedent to guarantee deficits for cemeteries, generally.”
    Cr. Podmore moved that under the circumstances they accept the £120 and carry on. He repeated, however, that he didn’t like the principle of being handed something without first being studied, nor did he like the manner in which the whole thing was handled. It seemed that they were being compelled to accept.70
  • 21 Nov 1945: DANDENONG CEMETERY GRANT HELD UP BY DEFEAT OF GOVT.
    THE HEALTH Department’s promised grant of £120 for the Dandenong Cemetery has been held up by the defeat of the Government. It was on the estimates, but the Government was beaten before these were passed.
    However, the Department has advised the council that there is no reason to doubt that the item will be retained in the estimates.71
  • 16 Jan 1946: Although Cr. Temple strongly objected, it was decided to burn the grass at the Dandenong Cemetery under the supervision of the engineer.72
  • 3 Apr 1946: £120 Grant For Dandenong Cemetery
    TO ENABLE it to carry out the very necessary re-survey of the Dandenong Cemetery, the Dandenong Council has received a grant of £120 from the Public Health Department.73
  • 5 Jun 1946: DANDENONG GENERAL CEMETERY
    RECEIPTS
    To Balance, 1/10/44 .... £23 0 0
    Receipts 199 1 6
    Balance, 30/9/45 .... 60 12 2
    £282 13 8
    EXPENDITURE
    By Shire’s Exp.—
    Wages, etc £282 13 8
    £282 13 874
  • 8 Jun 1946: SHIRE Of DANDENONG. QUOTATIONS are invited from licensed Surveyors for a complete Resurvey of the existing graves and areas set aside for graves at the Dandenong Cemetery.
    Particulars from Shire Engineer, Shire Office, Dandenong, returnable up to noon June 24, 1946.
    R. BOOTH, Shire Secretary.75
  • 4 Sep 1946: COUNCIL accepted a tender of £135 to carry out a re-survey of the Dandenong Cemetery. As the Government grant for this work was only £120, application is to be made for the extra £15.76
  • 9 Oct 1946: THE RE-SURVEY of the Dandenong Cemetery is now in hand the engineer reported.77
  • 23 Oct 1946: NO MONEY is available for an additional grant to the Dandenong Cemetery, the Department of Public Health advised.78
  • 5 Feb 1947: MONUMENTAL WORKS NEAR CEMETERY
    AN APPLICATION for lease of portion of the Dandenong Cemetery ground upon which to establish Monumental Works, was received from T Woodlock and Cos.
    —The letter was referred to the Cemetery Committee for report.79
  • 5 Mar 1947: STONE MASON SEEKS LEASE OF CEMETERY SITE
    FOLLOWING his application for a lease of a site, 50ft. x 50ft., in the Dandenong Cemetery, Mr. T. Woodlock is to be advised that council will make a site available to him south of the office and fronting the main drive, subject to conditions laid down by council at an annual rental of £25.80
  • 5 Mar 1947: COUNCIL entered into an agreement with the Imperial War Graves Commission for the annual upkeep of war graves in the Dandenong Cemetery.81
  • 21 May 1947: Council rescinded its previous resolution leasing portion of the Dandenong Cemetery to Woodlock and Co. for stonemason work.82
  • 31 Mar 1948: SATURDAY MORNING BURIALS DEARER
    IN FUTURE an extra charge of £1 is to be made for Saturday morning burials at the Dandenong Cemetery.83
  • 4 Aug 1948: NEGLECT OF CEMETERY
    AT THE last meeting of the Public Works Committee a letter was received from Mrs. C. Cussen complaining of the neglect of the Dandenong Cemetery.
    The letter was received and acknowledged and the engineer was instructed to inspect and repair fencing at the cemetery where necessary.84
  • 1 Dec 1948: ANOTHER £15 GRANT FOR CEMETERY
    Mr. Dawnay-Mould, M.L.A., advised that the Minister of Health had approved of a further grant of £15 for the re-planning of the Dandenong Cemetery. (Previously council was granted £120, but the survey cost £135, and makes up the balance). Mr. Dawnay-Mould is to be written to and thanked for his efforts.85
  • 16 Feb 1949: Clean-up For God’s Acre
    DANDENONG COUNCIL on Monday had a request from the Dandenong A.L.P. that it should make available a full-time member of the staff to keep the grounds of the Dandenong Cemetery in presentable condition.
    Cr. E. C. Smith in moving that the request be granted, said that he felt ashamed of its condition every time he went down to the cemetery. He knew council didn’t have much money to spend but it was only a Christian act that they should endeavor to keep the cemetery in order. It might not be possible to have a full-time man but it should be possible to do more than they were doing. It must be hard for relatives with loved ones laid to rest, in the cemetery to go down and find such a wilderness.
    Cr. McPhee said he would second the motion if Cr. Smith would limit the time to three months. The mover did so, and the motion was carried with five councillors voting for it.
    Later, council, on the motion of Crs. Terry and Smith, moved that application be made to the Minister for Health for a further grant.
    Cr. Smith said that the cemetery was a disgrace and for a Government department to “force it down the throat of council,” and then hand it over in such a state was unfair and unreasonable.86
  • 1 Jun 1949: Even The Cost Of Dying Is Going Up!
    AT ITS LAST meeting the Dandenong Cemetery Committee decided to recommend to Council that cemetery charges be revised on account of increased costs. This could hardly be called an increase in the cost of living !87
  • 5 Oct 1949: Council Losing Money Over Cemetery
    FORCED to take over the management of the Dandenong Cemetery against its will, the Dandenong Council is finding it a losing proposition. At the last meeting of the Public Works Committee the secretary reported that the Cemetery A/c was over drawn approximately £247. In order to reduce this, council paid in £100 which had been set aside in the estimates. In view of the state of the finances the Minister for Health is to be approached and asked for a further grant.
    GRAVE DIGGING CHARGES INCREASED
    GRAVE DIGGING charges are to be increased to 10/- above the cost to the council, and other cemetery changes, too, are to be brought up for review.
    VANDALISM AT CEMETERY
    GANGER SCHRIEVER’S report on vandalism at the cemetery was referred to the police. A maintenance man is to be employed at the cemetery one day a week. The engineer was asked to repair the cemetery fences, but if the cost is likely to be extensive, to report back to council.88
  • 16 Nov 1949: Shire of Dandenong. DANDENONG CEMETERY
    OFFERS ARE INVITED for use of each of the two small paddocks at the Cemetery for grazing only, comprising approximately 1½ acres each. Horses not permitted.
    Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.
    PERIOD: 21 months ended September 30th, 1951. Closing date December 11th, 1949.
    Particulars obtainable from the Shire Office.
    R. BOOTH, Shire Secretary.89,90
  • 1 Mar 1950: £150 Grant For Dandenong Cemetery
    MR. W. R. DAWNAY-MOULD, M.L.A., advises that he has been able to obtain a substantial grant for the maintenance of the Dandenong Cemetery—it now being increased to £150 for the current financial year.91
  • 24 May 1950: FOLLOWING Mrs. C. Cussen’s complaint about graves at the Dandenong Cemetery being left in an untidy condition, the engineer reported that these had now been attended to and cleaned up.92
  • 16 Aug 1950: £270 Improvement Program For Cemetery
    WHEN THE Cemetery Committee met on August 8th the engineer submitted the following list of works required at the Dandenong Cemetery.
    Painting 700 ft. front fence, £150.
    Re-grading, maintenance and sheeting, £40.
    Rotary hoeing, etc., general maintenance, £20.
    Provision of incinerators, £10.
    Providing 200 grave pegs, £50.
    On the motion of Crs. Podmore and Jeffers the works set out, and estimated to cost £270, are to be carried out; on their completion a claim to be made to the Health Department for a grant to cover this amount.
    MONDAY BURIALS
    Owing, to the difficulty of procuring labor for grave-digging, it was decided that no burials take place before 3 o’clock on Mondays.93
  • 29 Nov 1950: LUXFORD & BRITTON, of Spring Vale, were the successful tenderers for the supply of 200 grave number plates for the Dandenong Cemetery at a cost of 7/9 each.94
  • 14 Feb 1951: £250 Cemetery Grant
    MR. W. R. DAWNAY-MOULD, M.L.A., advises that he has been successful in getting the Dandenong Cemetery maintenance grant increased to £250 for the current financial year.95
  • 28 Feb 1951: Neglected Cemetery
    STRESSING the need for more attention to the maintenance of the Dandenong Cemetery, the Dandenong A.L.P. enquired what work had been done, and also what are council’s plans for the future maintenance of the cemetery? Its present neglected state caused unnecessary distress to visitors who had relatives buried there, the letter claimed.
    The engineer said that only routine work had been carried out at the cemetery for sometime. No maintenance work had been done there for the past five months.
    In view of Mr. W. Dawnay-Mould’s intimation that a grant of £250 had been obtained for the cemetery, Cr. Smith moved that the letter be referred to the Cemetery Committee, with the hope that something would be done with this money to improve conditions. “I feel sure the engineer will spend it wisely”, he stated.96
  • 23 May 1951: NO GRANT FOR CARETAKER'S COTTAGE AT CEMETERY
    ONLY maintenance grants are made for cemeteries, the Department of Public Health advised in turning down council’s application for a grant for a caretaker’s cottage at the Dandenong Cemetery.97
  • 4 Jul 1951: Application is to be made for a further grant of £200 for the maintenance of the Dandenong cemetery.98
  • 28 Nov 1951: (P.S.—Incidentally, the late Edward Kirkham was in charge of the first burial in Dandenong Cemetery.)99
  • 23 Jan 1952: Gratitude For £150 Grant But Council Asks For More
    When a letter was received by Dandenong Council on Monday, from the Minister of Health
    (through Mr. Dawnay-Mould, M.L.A.), advising approval of a grant of £150 for maintenance
    expenditure at the Dandenong cemetery, the engineer stated that almost that amount had already been spent.
    “Why not ask for more?” interjected a councillor.
    Eventually the secretary was asked to write expressing thanks for the grant, and requesting that consideration be given to increasing the amount.100
  • 12 Mar 1952: Dande. Cemetery Fees Increased
    DANDENONG council last week adopted a new and higher scale of charges for the Dandenong Cemetery.101
  • 30 Apr 1952: Another £100 For Dandenong Cemetery
    Following representations by Mr. Dawnay-Mould, M.L.A., the Minister for Health has supplemented the Dandenong Cemetery Grant of £150 with a further grant of £100.102
  • 17 Sep 1952: SHIRE OF DANDENONG. Lease of Cemetery Paddocks
    TENDERS are invited returnable at the Shire Office before noon Monday, 22nd September, 1952, for the lease of the East and West paddocks at the Dandenong Cemetery. Separate tenders are required.
    The highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.
    R. BOOTH, Shire Secretary103
  • 21 Jan 1953: "DANDENONG CEMETERY IS A DISGRACE TO MUNICIPALITY"
    SIR, —The Dandenong cemetery is a disgrace and the essence of neglect. It is overgrown with weeds. Most graves have no numbers and monuments that have been there, for 60 years or more are in a neglected condition. In some cases all relatives have passed on. The few people who place flowers on their graves in the present condition of the cemetery are like a pool of water in the Sahara. I have known the cemetery for nearly 70 years when half of it was gum sapplings, wattle and sheoak, but have never seen it like it is today. When the council took it over people looked for some improvement but it is worse than ever. Fifty years ago the late Wm. Bartlett was in charge. Paths were clean, grass and weeds eradicated, but not so now. Surely a grant could be obtained from the Government to improve “God’s Acre.” Eighty-five per cent. of Dandenong’s pioneers are buried there, their graves forgotten and neglected. I am sure those of the few relatives left would rally to the cause and clean the place up if the council moved. I suggest a trip to Box Hill cemetery to see how it is kept.
    Of course, we'll hear the old cry, “no money.” It would be better to revert back to the Trust or else close the cemetery altogether, which would be hard on the relatives of the pioneers.
    Something should be done to put the place in order. What an eye-sore for visitors it is at present.
    Dandenong is in the limelight in many ways—some not to the advantage of the town—and still they talk of Civic Centres!
    Yours, etc., J. H. JESSON (Tooradin).104
  • 4 Feb 1953: The Dandenong Cemetery
    SIR,—I noticed in last Saturday’s “Sun” a letter re the above stating that, a herd of cattle was grazing in the cemetery. This is a shocking state of affairs and what is wrong with the public today that they stand such things?
    Vandalism is bad enough but this is ten times worse. They talk of the pioneer’s if I know anything about them they would not stand for this desecration of the graves of the pioneers, and turning the place into a cowyard.
    —Yours, etc, J.H.J.", Tooradin.105
  • 11 Nov 1953: Tenders. Shire of Dandenong
    TENDERS are invited for the lease of the paddock on the Western side of the Dandenong Cemetery and will be received at the Shire Office up to 12 Noon, Friday, November 20th, 1953.
    R. BOOTH, Shire Secretary106
  • 23 Feb 1954: Cemetery Grant Cut
    THROUGH Mr. Les Coates, M.L.A., and Hon. R. R. Rawson, M.L.C., Dandenong Council has been notified of a £100 grant towards the maintenance of the Dandenong Cemetery this year. This is £50 less than last year.107
  • 1 Dec 1954: CEMETERY CLEAN-UP
    Quotations are to be invited for clearing and cleaning up the built-up portion of the Dandenong Cemetery.108

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    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214332712
  71. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 21 Nov 1945, p7
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214333878
  72. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 16 Jan 1946, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214791955
  73. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 3 Apr 1946, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214793084
  74. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 5 Jun 1946, p2
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214793995
  75. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Sat 8 Jun 1946, p23
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206105227
  76. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 4 Sep 1946, p14
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214795336
  77. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 9 Oct 1946, p6
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214795874
  78. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 23 Oct 1946, p5
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214796059
  79. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 5 Feb 1947, p7
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218501008
  80. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 5 Mar 1947, p6
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218501480
  81. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 5 Mar 1947, p6
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218501423
  82. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 21 May 1947, p11
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218502693
  83. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 31 Mar 1948, p11
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214580661
  84. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 4 Aug 1948, p5
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214582623
  85. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 1 Dec 1948, p14
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214584440
  86. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 16 Feb 1949, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222208835
  87. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 1 Jun 1949, p7
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222210725
  88. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 5 Oct 1949, p5
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222212858
  89. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 16 Nov 1949, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222213535
  90. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 14 Dec 1949, p13 (Re-advertised)
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222214116
  91. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 1 Mar 1950, p7
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219300253
  92. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 24 May 1950, p11
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219301733
  93. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 16 Aug 1950, p11
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219303357
  94. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 29 Nov 1950, p7
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219305171
  95. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 14 Feb 1951, p1
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222350476
  96. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 28 Feb 1951, p9
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222350888
  97. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 23 May 1951, p10
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222352518
  98. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 4 Jul 1951, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222353383
  99. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 28 Nov 1951, p11
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222356038
  100. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 23 Jan 1952, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222356783
  101. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 12 Mar 1952, p10
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222357852
  102. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 30 Apr 1952, p9
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222358803
  103. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 17 Sep 1952, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222361604
  104. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 21 Jan 1953, p5
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215816567
  105. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 4 Feb 1953, p1
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215816871
  106. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 11 Nov 1953, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215823718
  107. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Tue 23 Feb 1954, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218507521
  108. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 1 Dec 1954, p16
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218514289
Last Edited25 Sep 2023

Rev William Percy Daunt

M, #3201, b. 25 Oct 1883, d. 6 Jan 1976
(Witness) History At St John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia, Vicar Jan 1944-Aug 1948 (Parish of Berwick, Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield.)1,2 
Birth*25 Oct 1883 Rathdown, Wicklow, Ireland, Dec Q [Rathdown] 2 785.3 
Marriage*18 Jun 1912 Spouse: Alice Maria Webb. Christ Church, St Kilda, VIC, Australia, #M3280.4
 
Widower9 Oct 1965Rev William Percy Daunt became a widower upon the death of his wife Alice Maria Webb.5 
Death*6 Jan 1976 Brighton, VIC, Australia, #D2239 (age 92) [par Edward Stephen DAUNT & Sarah Gertrude WHELAN].6 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
1942The Vicarage, Cranbourne, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: clergyman. With Alice Maria Webb.7
1963The Vicarage, Berwick, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: clergyman. With Alice Maria Webb.8

Grave

  • 4-275-B, Berwick Cemetery, Berwick, VIC, Australia, Daunt Alice Maria 1965 81 wife/ William P., mother and grandmother ; Daunt William Percy 1976 92 hus/ Alice9

Newspaper-Articles

  • 4 Jul 1912: MR. WILLIAM PERCY DAUNT TO MISS ALICE WEBB.
    The marriage of Mr. William Percy Daunt, second son of the Rev. E. S. Daunt, M.A., rector of Greystones, Ireland, and Miss Alice M Webb, eldest daughter of the late Mr. W. T. Webb and Mrs. Webb, late of Rochester, and now of St. Kilda, was celebrated at Christ Church, St. Kilda, on Tuesday, June 18, by the Rev. Canon Watson, of Eaglehawk, assisted by the Rev. J. E. Stannage, also of Eaglehawk, Bendigo. The church was artistically decorated and the service full choral.
    The bride, who was given away by Senator McColl, wore a beautiful gown of ivory crepe de chine, with a tunic skirt, embroidered with seed pearls and finished with a fan train, caught with a spray of orange blossom. The bodice was entirely composed of Limerick lace with pearl embroideries. Her veil was arranged with a spray of orange blossom, and she carried a shower bouquet of orchids and shell pink roses, which, together with a gold wristlet watch, were the bridegroom's gifts. The bridesmaids were the Misses Lillian and Ella Webb (sisters of the bride). They wore simple frocks of ivory ninon over silk, large picture hats of pale blue satin, lined with black panne velvet and trimmed with violets and pink fairy rosebuds. They carried shower bouquets of violets and roses, gifts from the bridegroom, together with a brooch and aquamarine and pearl necklet, respectively. Mr. Batten (Eaglehawk) acted as best man. After the ceremony a reception and wedding tea were held at "Hartpury," St. Kilda, over fifty guests being present. The bride's mother received in the hall, wearing a grey crepe de chine coat and skirt, and black velvet toque with grey mount. The bride and bridegroom received congratulations in the drawing-room, which was prettily decorated with golden chrysanthemums and autumn foliage.
    Mr. and Mrs. Daunt left by motor for Mentone, where they spent a few days prior to their departure for England by the R.M.S. Orvieto on June 26. The bride travelled in a grey tweed coat and skirt, with grey French toque trimmed with cerise, and a set of squirrel furs. Alice Maria Webb10
  • 17 Nov 1948: THE SOCIAL EVENING arranged by the Vestry and Ladies’ Guild recently was much enjoyed, the occasion being to welcome Rev. and Mrs. Mountney and say farewell to Rev. and Mrs. W. P. Daunt. Mr. J. Royle, the chairman, in welcoming and farewelling them respectively, aptly described it as “the changing of the Guards.” Musical items from Mrs. Noblet, her daughter Irene and Mr. Royle were much enjoyed. Bouquets were presented to Mrs. Daunt and Mrs. Mountney by Margaret Royle and Valray Harris. Rev Robert Griffith Mountney, Alice Maria Daunt Eva May Mountney11
  • 28 Jan 1976: Obituary - Rev. W. P. Daunt
    Many throughout the Berwick - Cranbourne district learnt with deep regret of the death at the age of 92 years of Rev. William Percy Daunt who several years ago was vicar of Christ Church of England, Berwick.
    Mr Daunt was born in Ireland and came to Australia as a young man. For a short time he was farming at Yea before entering the Church of England ministry. He was at times at Myrtleford, YacKandandah, Yea, Kilmore and Cranbourne and Berwick parishes. On his retirement from the ministry he continued to reside at Berwick.
    Some time ago he fractured his hip, and he had been in a rest home for the past few years.
    As well as in his Church work Mr Daunt made a tremendous contribution to the community life of Berwick district and over a wide area there will for many be a sense of personal loss in the passing of a wonderful gentleman.
    His wife pre deceased him some ten years ago but he is survived by four children, ten grand children, and four great grand children and we join in extending sympathy to them.
    After a service which Rev S. Cherry conducted at Christ Church, the funeral proceeded to Berwick Cemetery.12

Citations

  1. [S61] Upper Beaconsfield History Archive ,"Ken Hudson's memories of his time as a vestryman."
  2. [S59] John Milligan, Book: The History of St. John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield.
  3. [S65] Ancestry - various indices, Ireland, Civil Registration Births Index, 1864-1958.
  4. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  5. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online) "#D22353/1965 Place of birth Rochester."
  6. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  7. [S142] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1942.
  8. [S163] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1963.
  9. [S44] Index of burials in the cemetery of Berwick,
    4-275-B Daunt Alice Maria F 81 12/10/1965 1528
    4-275-B Daunt William Percy M 92 8/01/1976 1714
    Daunt Alice Maria 1965 81 wife/ William P., mother and grandmother
    Daunt William Percy 1976 92 hus/ Alice - photo bw0741.
  10. [S14] Newspaper - Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic.), Thu 4 Jul 1912, p13
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146181236
  11. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 17 Nov 1948, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214584224
  12. [S18] Newspaper - Pakenham Gazette (Vic.), 28 Jan 1976, p2.
Last Edited24 Aug 2023

Rev Robert Griffith Mountney

M, #3202, b. 1912, d. 1986
(Witness) History At St John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia, Vicar Sep 1948-Apr 1951 (Parish of Berwick, Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield.)1,2 
Birth*1912 Adelaide, SA, Australia. 
Marriage*1939 Spouse: Eva May Keane. VIC, Australia, #M1429.3
 
Death*1986 Croydon, VIC, Australia, #D7971 (Age 74) [par William MOUNTNEY & Katie Priscilla GRIFFITH].4 
Widower1986Rev Robert Griffith Mountney became a widower upon the death of his wife Eva May Keane.5 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
1949The Vicarage, Berwick, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: minister of religion. With Eva May Mountney.6

Newspaper-Articles

  • 21 Aug 1948: The Rev R. G. Mountney. of Warburton, has been appointed to the parish of Berwick. He will take up his duties at the end of September.7
  • 17 Nov 1948: THE SOCIAL EVENING arranged by the Vestry and Ladies’ Guild recently was much enjoyed, the occasion being to welcome Rev. and Mrs. Mountney and say farewell to Rev. and Mrs. W. P. Daunt. Mr. J. Royle, the chairman, in welcoming and farewelling them respectively, aptly described it as “the changing of the Guards.” Musical items from Mrs. Noblet, her daughter Irene and Mr. Royle were much enjoyed. Bouquets were presented to Mrs. Daunt and Mrs. Mountney by Margaret Royle and Valray Harris. Rev William Percy Daunt, Alice Maria Daunt Eva May Mountney8

Citations

  1. [S61] Upper Beaconsfield History Archive ,"Ken Hudson's memories of his time as a vestryman."
  2. [S59] John Milligan, Book: The History of St. John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield.
  3. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  4. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online) "#D7971/1986 Place of birth Adelaide South Australia."
  5. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online) "#D830/1986 Place of birth Lochwinnoch Glasgow Scotland."
  6. [S149] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1949.
  7. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 21 Aug 1948, p20.
  8. [S218] Newspaper - The Dandenong Journal (Vic.), Wed 17 Nov 1948, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/214584224
Last Edited23 Nov 2018

Rev Richard Stephen Cherry

M, #3204, b. 18 Feb 1934, d. 29 Mar 2018
(Witness) History At St John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia, Vicar Nov 1967-Dec 1972 (Parish of Berwick, Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield.)1,2 
Birth*18 Feb 1934 
Occupation*bt Nov 1967 - Dec 1972 At St John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia, Vicar Nov 1967-Dec 1972 (Parish of Berwick, Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield.) 
Death*29 Mar 2018 VIC, Australia. 
Death-Notice*2 Apr 2018 CHERRY Richard Stephen (The Rev'd R Stephen Cherry) 18.2.1934 - 29.3.2018
Eldest son of the late Richard and Alice (née Varley). Much loved brother and brother-in-law of Edward & Diana, and Winston & Diana. Loved uncle of David, Peter, Kate & Sarah, and Jill, James & Suzanne; and a loving great-uncle.
A life lived for others.3 

Newspaper-Articles

  • 3 May 2018: Vale Stephen Cherry - kind, eccentric and grounded in faith
    The Revd Richard (Stephen) Cherry, who died on 29 March aged 84, was ordained to the priesthood in 1961. He ministered in the Melbourne parishes of Essendon, Vermont, Reservoir West, Berwick, East Malvern and more recently at St Faith’s Burwood; lectured at Ridley College and Deaconess House, and was Area Dean of Dandenong. He also served in the dioceses of Riverina and Bendigo. Psalms and Readings, which he did for TMA over a number of years, was seen in the paper’s print version and then online.
    In 1965 a young Stephen’s series of lectures at an Evangelical Union conference in Sydney greatly impressed a third year Arts Student, Charles Sherlock, who recalled that these addresses “rang bells – scripturally grounded, they mixed theological analysis with mildly eccentric passion and humour”.
    A decade later both men were members of the Melbourne Diocesan Liturgy Committee. “Stephen was its secretary, and I was teaching theology and liturgy at Ridley,” Dr Sherlock wrote. “Its meetings were never dull when Stephen was there! His Minutes were extraordinary – notes on Greek phrases, comments on BCP rubrics, asides on what some Father or Reformer wrote, quotations from people like Gerald Manley Hopkins... and full accounts of our discussion... ”
    The two men, who shared “a common interest in lectionaries”, remained friends until Stephen’s death.
    “I thank God for Stephen Cherry, especially his eccentric kindness that kept him true to himself, the Christian theological tradition, and the Lord Jesus Christ in whom he put his trust,”
    Dr Sherlock said.
    The Revd Emily Payne, vicar of St Faith’s Burwood, preached the homily at Stephen’s funeral and she too used the words “eccentric” and “kind” to describe him.
    “I suspect that Stephen didn’t quite realise the worth of even the small things he did,” she said. “Even in my own relationship with him, late in his life, I knew him to be unfailingly kind, thoughtful and generous; and if he was also eccentric, with a critical eye for details of liturgy and preaching (the “feedback email” on Sunday afternoon with half a dozen dot points was a feature of my life for a while), his intellectual passions were always exercised on behalf of a truth he knew had the power to transform human lives. I hope that when he does see with the eyes of eternity, he’ll be delighted to discover just how much the Lord did with the seeds Stephen sowed in his lifetime.”4

Citations

  1. [S61] Upper Beaconsfield History Archive ,"Ken Hudson's memories of his time as a vestryman."
  2. [S59] John Milligan, Book: The History of St. John's Anglican Church, Upper Beaconsfield.
  3. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), 2 Apr 2018 - viewed online Oct 2018.
  4. [S14] Newspaper - The Melbourne Anglican, 3 May 2018, By Beryl Rule.
Last Edited21 Mar 2023
 

NOTE

Some family sections show only the children who were associated with Upper Beaconsfield.

Some individuals may be featured because members of their family were associated with the Upper Beaconsfield area, even though they themselves never lived here.