Phillip Island Historical EARLY LIFE ON PHILLIP ISLAND AND SURROUNDING AREAS FROM 1798 Issue One
FIRST EDITION
RING OF ROSES OPENS COWES JETTY (1870)
$3.00
Pictures courtesy of the La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
At a cost of £ 2153, Cowes Jetty was opened in 1870
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST GRAND PRIX, HELD AT PHILLIP ISLAND (1929)
WOLLAMAI WINS 1875 MELBOURNE CUP Get the story on the trainer, Page: 8
KOALA’S NOT NATIVE TO PHILLIP ISLAND. See Page: 9
TEN YEARS OF RACING See Page 16
S.S. SPEKE WRECKED Whole story on page 26
Indoor fishing Lake fishing Sheltered BBQs Fully licensed Open for lunch & dinner Fresh & smoked trout
INDOOR GARDEN WEDDINGS CATERED RECEPTIONS & PARTIES 36 Rhyll-Newhaven Road, Rhyll Ph. 5956 9255
www.rhyllfishingpark.com.au
EARLY EXPLORERS WHO CAME FIRST? (1433) Recorded history does not reflect the achievements of the Portugese. This seafaring country had accurate maps of our bays and seas in 1433.Once again they were drawn here by whales and seals for skins and oil, and mutton birds for food and oil.
GRANT'S PLANTS (1801) Lieutenant James Grant, captain of the 'Lady Nelson', has commanded his crew to establish a garden from the seeds supplied by John Churchill esq. of Dawlish in Devon. Vegetables, grains, coffee, and fruit trees have been planted. Grants gift, 'For the future benefit of our fellowman, be they countrymen, Europeans or savages". Grant also had trees felled so as to build a block house'. The Island will now be known as 'Churchill Island'. NOTE: Victoria's first official European building The Lady Nelson by courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library NSW
'LADY NELSON' NOT SUCH A LADY (1805)
HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW? (1803) Lieutenant John Murray (Captain of the Lady S u
Surgeon George
lson . On a voy age to Jerv is Bay
She upped her skirt and fired a shot across the stranger' s bow, later boarding and seizing her log and ship's
N e
Matthew Flinders Bass’ Whale Boat by courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library NSW
Surge e on Georg n e Bass was 24 years old when he arrive d in Sydne y aboar d the H.M. S. Relia nce in 1795. He was the ships surgeo n, and his 21 year old friend , Mathe w Flinde rs, was the maste r's mate. On the journe y from Engla nd the two seame n had made friend s with the soon to be new gover nor of N.S.W . John Hunte r. It was Hunte r who
s h
p a p e r s .
oats, barley, onions and potatoes surviving. bearing down on her. Never underestimate a lady.
LAD Y NEL SON SHO CKE D BY NAK ED ME N (180 2) 3RD January 1802 account by First Mate Mr. Bowen. The Aborigi nes were not alarmed but, as Mr. Bowen approac hed, they were greatly surprised at Bowen' s white skin. They made signs suggesti ng that he must have washed
hi ms elf ver y har d ind ee d to be co me tha t col our . All the nat ive s we re we ari ng po ssu m ski ns an d ea ch on e car rie d a bu ndl e of sp ear s. On e ver y old nat ive wit h a lar ge bu sh y be ard
a n
h a d h i s f a c e s m e a r e d w i t h r e d o c h r e . T h e f i r i n g o f a g u n i n t o t h e a i r h a
by courtes y Mitchel l Library , State Library NSW
'BAS S A VAN DAL ?' (1798 ) Surgeon George Bass has been excused for carving his name on a rock in the south east corner of Churchi ll Island. He was the first British subject to set foot on this lovely lit- tle Island on the 5th of January 1798. Unfortu nately this carving has been lost with time and erosion.
WES T OF WHA T? (1798 ) When Surgeon George Bass found himself
horrible i mines is n indeed A certain death in L a very T few years to the unfortuna te creatures condemn ed to it, for the mineral so pervades the system that they cannot remain above ground again, without suffering dreadful attacks of cold, fever and shivering ague." As told by James Francis Hogen (1891)
S
L a
has met her
e n
EARLY EXPLORERS
UNION JACK FLIES (1826)
A FRENCH INTERLUDE (1826)
Captain Nicholas Baudin
The French explorer Captain Dumont D'Urville, while engaged in an expedi-
1826 - 27
Four s cleared, o water, l pound d Union i ae officers, r s ( C C a r p t a i n W r i g h t & L i e u t e n a n t B i r c h e l l ) a n d t w e n t y c o n v i c t
s, having sailed from Sydney in the "Dragon and Fly" have successfully estab- lished Sealers’ Hut "Fort Dumaresq" in La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria Rhyll. more suitable strategic point on the eastern shore of the bay, 2 miles to the east of Red Point (Corinella).
FAMOUS EXPLORER DIES IN TRAIN ACCIDENT (1840’s) Captain Dumont d’Urville
Captain
Dumont
tion collecting specimens to take back to Franc e and to map Weste rnport Bay, has encou ntered what is now know n as a sealer s party. They have establ ished what is thoug ht to be the very first settleme nt on Philli p Island . With garde ns and huts, sever al sealer s and 5 Abori ginal wome
DESERTED (1828)
n
e
h a v e
l e a d e r
b e e n l i v i n g p e a c e f u l l y f o r o v e r 2 y e a r s . T h
FORT DUMARESQ
The F have o successful r t D u m a r
SANDY ISLAND DISAPPEARS! (1800’s)
o r
t h i s
mission to claim P Western Port for the o r t
m a n
was
i f N a p o l e o n
'LE
engaged in the skinning of NATURALISTE' seals and the boiling down of their (APRIL 1802) oil. As D'Urville had no objection to Captain Nicholas a man Baudin and his making an honest living, he returned to crew of the ship 'Le Naturaliste' has
" O l d S c o d
East of Observation Point at Rhyll, an Napoleon" Napoleon Land (now Island of several acres has disap- Victoria).
u
o w n ,
ly married his Aboriginal wife
a s
of the French people (now French Island). The surrounding mainland is marked on their maps 'Partie de la Terre
t h e i r
l e g a l -
k n o w n
I s l a n d
a s
h a v i n g
a
a n c a i s "
n a m e d
a n d
w a s
i t F r
h a s
S c o t t
p a r t y
i s l a n d . H e
J o h n
o f
e s
on.
t t "
Sydney with some of the sealers on discovered the large promontory board and left the Scott family to described by carry Bass is actually an
o f t h e 1 9 t h C
entury, has been killed in a train accident near Paris. D'Urville first entered Westernport Bay (then
h a d
British Empire.
c o n q u
THE SENTINEL (1800’s) How a guard Station at Flinders
e xth e
pe ar ed ! Ea rly pi on ee rs ha d su nk a be ef ca sk et
The crew of the d’Urville expedition, fishing from Sandy Island. La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
supposed ptain Arthur Phillip Esq. La Trobe of the resident Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria island. C a
channel. He then contin- ued to New Guinea, New Zealand and the South West Pacific. D'Urvilles' next expedi-
THE NAMING OF OUR ISLAND (1800's)
The first fleet ever to leave England's shores for Botany Bay consisted
fleet was shepherd ed by Captain Arthur Phillip R.N. Followin g this
Island (and the rest of Victoria) was a part. The Island was ceremon ious-
A t t e n d ! I f a i n w o u l d s i n g t o y o u Of Fli nde rs isla nd wat erl oo. Th e wa tch wa s lon g, the tas k wa s har d.
Adelie Penguins (after before its demise. into A surdrinking had crops his wife). A sea and a vey tripod and ti o beacon n w a s t o A n t a r c ti c a
a very and naming of Adelie n the d r e s u l t e d i n t h e d i s c o
Land
F r e n c h A n t a r c t i c
s e h a d a l s o
e e n e r e c t e d . ly named after this great
B a of eleven vessels con-
b Captain Phillip became
taining one thousand people in the 1800's. The
the C Governor a of N.S.W. for 4 years, of which the
and
o n o y u r e . a r O s v e t r h e t h e
a r e n a m e d i n h i s hT
he w ir el es sst ati on' sd ou ble gu ar d.
waves just covered it.
OH WHERE OH WHERE HAS MY LITTLE HOUSE
S t o o d t o p o s t , w h i l e n i g h t f a l l ' s h u s h E n v e l o p e d a l
l the drea ming bush .
GONE? (1870's)
A small farm has been engulfed in the
bushfires,
people
and
digging
o t o
CAPE WOOLAMAI PENAL SETTLEMENT? (1857)
In the year 1857 it was proposed that Cape
tlement. Up until the time when the mutton
Woolamai may be a good location for a Penal set-
b i r d s s t a r t e d m a ti n g a n d n e s ti n g , w h e n it w a s
When Mr. Heath met Mr. Dixon, s He he was justishifti ng.
e d
decided it wasn’t big enough for both of them.
A
vici 'The shocked sand began to blow he nity recalls fiably to discover and of had built his For rest Cav es. Mr. Gar net
A
nightjar said his dreary say The treefrogs crooned and creaked and croaked.
A n d a l o n e s o m e n e s s t h r o u g h n a t u r e s o a k e d W h e n h a r k ; a s u d d e n t h
Dixon has returne d home to find his stables , dairy, and his pigsty gone. Mr.
ump was heard ! A l e r t , t h e s e n t r y g a v e t h e w o r d , " w h
produced an effect almost home on top of Mr. unbelievDixons old farm! Mr. able.' When it stopped the farm was Dixon was adamant his farm was buried 50 feet
o " 'B uW a
o h a d te m pt ed fa te U nt il th e d ay co ul d h ar dl y w ai t. T he n ca m e th e d a w n of
w a t e r l o o H e ' d
sh ot an ol d m an ka ng ar oo !
D i x o n h a s b e e
n g movin o g his farm slowly back after erosion caused by rabbits ,
below on the former landscape. Watch that wind!
NOT SO CIVIL!
A CIVIL INVITATION
AN ACT OF WAR (1869)
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
Amess Amasses a Fortune (1872) Samual Amess and his wife have purchased Churchill Island after amassing a fortune on the Australian goldfields. He has commemorated
Captain Waddell of the Shenandoah recruited 4 local crewmen from the Melbourne Docks, for his return journey to America. This is forbidden under the flag of neutrality. So the ship's departure has been stopped! Police blocked the launching of the Shenandoah by any Australian dockworker. To this Waddell replied his ship had been "seized". This would entitle him to fight his way out! He notified the government that he was pre- pared to use four smooth bore 69 pounders and two rifled 32 pounders to shoot up Melbourne to enable his escape. This could be seen as an act of war. The recruits were returned to land and the Shenandoah was granted clearance on 17th February 1869 after three and a half weeks in port.
The Shenandoah at war
SHENANDOAH SINKS 37 WHALERS MASSACHUSETTS the occasion by planting
Y aopening Norfolk Pine on of the Melbourne Island and naming
Sam, our Lord homestead Mayor
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
A T La Trobe M Picture E Collection, RI State Library of C Victoria A N CI VI L W A R C O M ES
( 1 8 6 9 ) T h e o w n e r o f C h u r c
Af ter lea vi ng M elb ou rn e, the Sh en an do ah ha s tra vel led to the No rth Pa cif ic wh ere it wa s re po rte d sh e su nk 37 U S hill Isla nd, Mr. Sa mue l Am ess (Ki ng Sa m), has bee n elec ted as the Lor
whali ng fleet has sent oil pri ces fro m 14 0 po un ds a ton to 24 0 po un ds per ton ! Th e US A ha s tak en the ir cas e to
d May or of Melb ourn e, follo wing a disti ngui shed caree r in the Melb ourn e coun cil.
Our lord
new
Above: Samuel Amass Below: Captain Waddell
Aft er hav ing his shi p imp oun ded for recr uiti ng fou r Au stra lian cre w and thre ate nin g to blo w up Me lbo urn e, Ca ptai n Wa dde ll of the She nan doa h has pic ked up 70
(1869)
me whalin g ships. n The are US Gover to figh nment t in is the furious Civi the Shenan l War doah was as conf not eder seized while ate sea in men Melbo urne, , whi as the war ch goes was dire official ctly ly over agai when she nst the took to instr sea. uc- The tion loss of its s for war ded to the Cap tain fro m the Col ony of Vict oria. Captain Waddell may not have been aware that war was
A u s t r a l i a n c r e w m e n a t W i l l i a m s t o w n D o c k ! T h e s e
the Geneva Tribunal which foun d the Britis h Colo ny of Victo ria respo nsibl e, order ing ÂŁ802, 375 comp ensati on to be paid to the USA by the Britis h Gove rnme nt.
A CANNO N OF THANKS
ma yo r ha s vo we d to op en ou r rec ent ly fin ish ed
equalled. For this, he has employe d Mr. Horsley erate flag, the (the leading musician in Australia ) to compose Shenand oah has docked the music and Mr. Henry Kendall, the poetry. Mr. in Melbour ne. Her Amess will not accept any financial assistanc e Captain, James from council, and has paid the 8,000 pounds, for Waddell, has made it the entertain ment, himself. k n o w n s h e i s s h o r t o f
L
P S A
A ful ly rig ge d ste a m
Town hall with a fancy dress ball, never to be sloop flying the confed-
c o a l a n d
s t o r e s a n d i n n e e d o f r e p a i r s . S h e i s c a r r y i n g Y a n k e e p r i s o n e r s , t a
s u l a t e , h a s s t a t e d
p m u s t o n l y b e a l l o w e d
t h a t ' At s o Bs r t i a t y a i i nn i p s o r nt e uf t o r r a l 4 , 8 i nh o t u hr i s s , c o n f l i c t , t h e
a s i t i s w e l l
s hk i n
o w n s h e h a s b e e n e n g a g e d i n a t t a c k i n g u n d e f e n d e d w h a l i n g a n d m e r c h a
n t s h i p s , a n d w a s o u t t o c r i p p l e t h e U . S m e r c h a n t m a r i n e . ' T h e g o v e r n o
o v e r. T h e N o r t h h a d w o n !
The Capt ain and Crew of the Shen ando ah whic h has been dock ed in Melb ourn e for three and a half week s, wish to exten d their gratit ude to the Lord May or, Mr. Sam uel Ame ss, Cowes, for show ing them a splen did time. As a gift of appr eciati on he has prese nted Mr. Ame ss with a cann on Fax: and cann
Rhyl l Gen eral Stor e
onballs from his ship. He also wishes to thank Mr. John Cleeland for his stay at his Albion Hotel and Melbourne's
high society for being such gracio us hosts. Mr. Amess has vowed to fire the cannon every New Year much to the delight of Captai n Wadde ll. Note: The canno n on display at Churc hill Island is this very canno n. It was brough t to the Island by Mr. Amess' sons betwee n the years of 1877 1919. It was fired every New Year up until the 1950's.
e x p
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
YAN KEE PRIS ONE RS ESC APE (1869 ) Escape or let go? Captain Waddell of the Shenand oah, now docked in Melbour ne's port, has reported the escape of his prisoners . He is not
overly concerne drumour and has it he the left door open! Less mouths to feed.
gre ete d Cap tain Wa dde ll and his cre w. The Ma yor of Mel bou rne, Sa mu el Am ess, and Mel bou rne' s hig h soci ety hav e gon e to all len gth s to sho w we can win e and din e wit h the best of the m. The Alb ion Hot el
in n Me lbo urn e ow ned by Mr. Joh n Cle ela nd of Phi llip Isla nd has als o ext end ed a war m gre etin g to Ca ptai n Wa dde ll. Mr. Cle ela nd, a sy mp athi ser of the 'sou ther n' cau se, has i h m e p r e s s e d t h e C a p t a i n
& Lic enc ed Po st Offi ce
41 Lock Road, R hy ll Vi c
WOLLAMAI WINS
FUZZY MIGRANTS NO DRINKING! MELBOUR NE CUP
I t
e ,
w a s
a s
d u l y n o t e d t h a t A b o r i g i n a l s c a l l e d t h e ' k o a l a ' b y t h i s n a m
i n t h e i r l a n g u a g e i t m e a n s ' n o d r i n k ' . O b s e r v a t i o n h a s s h o w
KOALAS NOT NATIVE TO THE ISLAND (1880)
n that this is true; koalas don't drink unless fevered through illness or infec-
Koalas are flourishing, but are
Below is a picture of 'Edward', Mrs. Oswin Robert's Koala. This is the only Koala e v e r
not native to Phillip Island. Bill and Jack Walton, while hunting with George Smith and his brother, at the Bass River in 1880, bought back 3 baby koalas and let them loose in the cemetery paddock. Twelve months later they were seen fully grown. If they tion in which case seen to drink fresh only they whichnew is what usually resort. It was also that Aboriginals usually couldn't Hotel’ Erehwon Guest House to the (1920's) was located a where Erehwon Park is situated on the Esplanade, Cowes. Below is an add from the 1900's. A hang out for the rich and famous; Erehwon spelt backwards is Nowhere.
GOING NOWHERE
‘EDWARD’
The Albion Hotel, Burke Street, Melbourne (1869)
Trained on the beaches of Newhaven by Captain John Cleeland owner of Wollamai House, Phillip Island, and the Albion Hotel, Melbourne. This magnificent thoroughbred has romped home in the 1875 Melbourne Cup. Captain J.B. Loch built a special stall on the deck of the vessel the "John and Elizabeth" to transport him to Stoney Point from Newhaven. The skip- per even borrowed 2 ton of chaff for the horse's stall so the horse would be comfortable. It seems to have worked.
B o t h p i c t u r e s a r e c o u r t e s y o f L a T r o b e
Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
a l l o w e d
b e o w n e d
t h e l a n d
p r i v a t e l y .
A notorious bushranger has stolen 'Victoria'. Victoria is one of Captain John Cleeland’s, of Wollamai, up and coming racehorses. The bushranger rode from Melbourne to the Murray River, (Victoria's border),
R o b e r t s d o n a t e d
t o
VICT ORI A STO LEN (1870 's)
M r s .
w h e r e where he was shot. Mr Cleeland has commented "he rode her too hard for too long, she'll never race again"
C U P T R A G E D Y (1 8 7 0) Shenand oah, winner of the Australia n Cup has been
t h e c u r r e n t K o a l a P a r k i s l o c a t e d . the victim of a racetrack accident. While lining up for the Melbourne Cup, she has bolted out of control around the track, resulting in a fall which broke her neck. We extend our sympathies to John Cleeland, her owner and trainer. Wollamai House, Newhaven, Phillip Island (1870’s)
u ww w.h otel phill ipisl and .co m
Private functions available along with private cocktail bar with great Jetty views. Open 7 days a week
11 - 13 Thompson Ave, Cowes, 3922 Ph. 03 5952 2060 Mob. 0415 777 388 Fax. 03 5952 1829 Emai l: info @ho tel.c om.a
A FRIEN D CALL ED PERC Y! E d w a r d h a d a
l o t
nstant comp anion when Mrs. Robe rts had other com mitm ents. His name was Percy Draw bridg e, and he was a dwarf that lived with the Tho mson s of ‘Talo fa’.
o f a d m i r e r s a n d o n e w a s a c o
Both picture are courtesy of La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
Phillip Island Daryl Sallmann Licenced Estate Agent
Tel. 03 5952 2670 Fax. 03 5952 3092 A.H. 03 5952 2801
Mob. 0417 502 001
56-58 Thompson Email: ljhooker@waterfront.net.au
Visit ljhooker.com
ISLAND CHARACTERS
ISLAND CHARACTERS THE McHAFFI ES (1842)
beacon at McHaffies reef, and her many talents included breeding silkworms, the profits
The first settlers of Phillip Island were the McHaffie family.In1842 the brothers William and John leased the Island for 10 pounds and set about clearing the land, buy burning teatree. The ensuing bushfire lasted for weeks, with the end result being grazing areas suitable for stock.
Bass river tribe, Elizabeth and Peter. Georgiana was responsible for the
Mrs. Georgia na McHaffi e, 1850’s Accompanying the brothers were Georgiana McHaffie, the wife of William, and two aboriginals from the
1 3 YE A RS Y O U N G
J
fro m the silk bein g don ated to hos pital s. Eliz abet h and Pete r help ed on the far m. Joh n Mc Haf fie bre d cattl e shee p and hors es, one of thes e bein g 'Wo ola mai ",
trai ned by Mr Cle elan d, and won the Mel bou rne Cup . Wh en land was ope ned for sele ctio n in 186 8, the Mc Haf fie's hold ings wer e redu ced to 500 acre s. This pro ved to be too restr
icting so they moved to 'Yanakie', a very well known property in South Gippsland . But that's another story
SHOT. ES (1850's) J.D. TH McHaffie, who has E held the BE lease of AC Phillip Island O since 1842, N while out (18 shooting has 62) become the victim of a would be pig shooter. The party had become separated, and Mr McHaffie became hidden by bush. He received a bullet in the leg, but as no doctors could attend, his brothers wife has nursed him back to health. The bullet will remain in his leg.
U P G O
On 25th March 1862 Mrs Georgiana McHaffie successfully placed a beacon at Gossard Point. The beacon warns of the dangerous conditions caused by a 700m reef, which extends towards the channel. In tribute to Mrs McHaffie and the many lives she saved, the reef has since been named McHaffie Reef. We would also like to thank Mrs McHaffie for the generous dona-
Eliza James (1873)
and Duffus
DIGGI NG UP BUSIN ESS! (1869) It appears Mr George Walton Snr was a very adaptable man. After purchasing 8 acres of land adjoin- ing the township of Rhyll, he went about sinking a water hole, being one of the first needs of a settler.
"She can r crack e walnuts with n her teeth" and o was the w oldest n subject of e Queen d Victoria. Her name was f Miss Eliza o Coghlan. r This h remarkable e woman was r employed by h Mr James a Duffus, who r had selected d Block 142 i around the n year 1873. e She had s worked for s two generations a of the n Duffus d family and was i n s i s t e n c e
n to Island ers, was once met walkin g to Cowes (about 5 miles distance), carryin g a heavy turkey for sale. When asked why she walked the journey, she replied "The servant must not drive with the Master ".
o n
Kitty Miller Bay is the home of some beautif ul exampl of Oldes topaz (1876) and W agates banded H with O white, W blue, yellow, AS brown, KI red, and T almost black. T It is Y also M the resting IL place of 'The L Speke'. E Shipwr R? ecked in An 1906. Islan der's prett y daug hter!
R E E T
SHEE PS AHOY (1864) Mr and Mrs McHaffie of Phillip Island have successful ly loaded 2503 sheep aboard the "Island City". The ship is departing for New Zealand on
MELBOURNE It is to be noted that our annual dinner will be all Australian
The hole was sunk exposing a
James Duffus and Eliza’s wattle and daub home (1860 - 70’s)
M r
deposit of clay suitable for brick
12th May 1864. Sellin g sheep to New Zeala nd? Nice to know the kiwis are weari ng Aussi e wool jump ers.
MUTTONBIRD S AND PENGUINS SAY THANKS!
AC CL IM ITI ZA TI ON SO
C I E T Y O F
V I C T O R
I A
ANNU AL DINNE R OCTO BER 15TH, 1861 MENZI ES H O
T E L L A T R O B E S T
making. A business is born! He then set about building a kiln. Mr Richard His Graydon, at the children squelched around the turn ofin the century (1900) mud pit to mix the mud whicha related was story about a vixen then formed into shape and left pup kept on toa crayfishing in the sun. bake The bricks boat. The were pup had crawled laid, the kiln complete, into baked the brick folds of the main
worms.
game. 70 guests only. Among the chef's specialties are: L e s B a n d i c
Most Le of the au game Wombat is Lievre supplie d by Mr McHaf fie of Phillip Island. We trust it
sail. As the sail was run up in low wind, the little fox was thrown into the sea. She was
b y t h e d o z e n !
the same time. The male fox jumped into the surf and swam away towards the Island. The coming of foxes to Phillip Island. Not long after this the evi-
among islanders, would be sent a message by bush tele- graph if a fox was suspected in a neighbour hood. A day or two later a kill would be reported. All this was done
dence of foxes prey lay everywhere . The names C. West and R. Forrest should
voluntarily. The penguins and mutton birds and hence our tourist industry would
L I M E ( 1 8 7 0 ' s ) will be a great success.
THE SOCIETY
Above: Eliza and Peter. Below: Peter
FIL L YOU R TUC KER BAG S! (187 0)
A party of escaped convicts have landed their open whaling boat, sailed from Tasmania, and stolen food and supplies from J.D McHaffie's. Not one to be trifled with, Mr McHaffie has chased the scoundrels across the bay to Hastings. The convicts escaped through the bush but Mr McHaffie is the proud new owner of a Tasmanian whaling boat.
< Eliza and Peter La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
A
REASON ABLE
l ast seen swi mmi ng stro ngly It app ears Mr. Walt on Snr. has bee n for the Isla nd. W. Had dino at tt it agai n. He has bee n gath erin g of And erso n rem emb ers corshel ls at low tide and float ing the m neri ng a mal e fox on the in at high tide. He then digs a pit beac h with his dog s arou nd mea suri ng 5m long x 3m wid e x 2 m d e e p . M r . W a l t o
n t h e n c o v e r s t h e b o t t o m w i t h f i r e w o o d
h e s h e l l s l a y e r s t h e m o v e r t h e w o o d .
a n d
I t s
a f t e r
t h e n
c l e a n i n g a n d d r y i n g t
b u r n t a n d a l l o w e d t o c
o o l , a f t e r w h i c h t h e r e s i d u e
m a t e r i a l i s l i m e . W h a t w i l l
i s
h e
c a r e f u l l y
d o
r i d d l e d o f f . T h e r e s u l t a n t
n e x t ?
TAL LY HO (187 0’s) Mr Harbison of "InnesHowen"
be noted in history, Fox. because Charlie for the next forty years and they kept a constant vigil Bob, - declar- ing war on Mr The AN acclimatizati EXTRAC on society T FROM was MRS. established MCHAFFI to endeavour to make ES DIARY Australia more European. ‘And when Hares, deer, I lie in the gorse bush, green and other Kirkyard plants and with the animals were mould upon released, my breast often s reaching a plague y proportions in a short n amount of o time. t J.D. McHaffie s received a h medal for his e efforts, even though time d proved this i an d unsuccessful approach. w e l l o r i l l o n l y s h e d i d h e r b e
as they were known s t ’
not exist today, were it not for these gentlemen.
Thanks Charlie and Bob.
REQUEST (1842) W.J. and J.D. McHaffie having taken up the license on Phillip Island have request- ed that Charles Manton of 'Manton Villa' Flinders please remove his pigs forthwith. The letter was addressed Charles Manton Esq, Westernport, and thats how they settled it with the Mantons!
P h i l l i p I s l a n d h a s s o l d h u n d r e d s o f h o r s e s t o t h e I n d i a n c a v a l r y
i n t h e B o a r W a r . H e h a s a p p l a u d e d t h e a r m y ' s d e c i s i o n t o p a y u p
t o
t o
b e
1 0 0
u s e d
g u i
n e a s ( $ 3 5 0 A u s t r a l i a n ) f o r s o m e o f h i s s t a l l i o n s . N O T E : A g u i n e a i s a f o r m e r B r i t i s h c
o i n ,
t i n g
o r i g i n a l l y
v a l u e ,
o f g o l d f r o m G u i n e a a n d f o r t r a d e w i t h G u i n e a . O f f l u c t u a
i t
w a s
o r t h
c h i e f l y
1
w
1
p o u n d
s h i l l i n g .
ISLAND CHARACTERS
THE McGREGORS OF PYRAMID ROCK. (1870)
HER MAJESTY'S MAIL Below: Coxy’s fishman hut (1850 60’s)
George Cox was the first to bring Her Majesty's mail official- ly to Phillip Island. At
HOW MANY COXY? (1850's) Mr Cox of Cowes has reportedly caught 100 snapper in 1.5 hours off the Cowes Th the t first e h he Mc Isl c Gre an e used gor' d, a s small im the mi Mc boat gra Gr the ted fro eg 'Bella' m ors and La Trobe the Picture we then 'Isl Collection re a , State and Library of vic larger of Victoria tim one, Isla s name y', of d one pro 'Alert' of gre . the ss. In mo Th his st ey latter rug ow days, ged ne he spo d a was ts ver on grant y the ed a suc Sco fisher ces ttis sfu h man's l coa licen coa st, ce, ch and whic bui sel h ldi ect allow ng ed ed bus thei him ine r to ss lan build in d at a hut Me Pyr on lbo ami the urn d fores e, roc hore. but k, Local wit one s h broug of ht the Mr. wil des t pla ces on Phi llip Isla nd' s coa stline . Bef ore co mi ng to
foreshore. They ranged from 10 to 14 pounds (4 to 5 kilo). What wasn't sold
' E R I C T H E R E D ' R E D F A C E D ! ( 1 8 8 0 ) ' E r i c t h e R
H E R COXY' I S N WEAT to the local, was shared with his dogs.
shelf, it has been
e d
A H u
(1880) It was common knowledge that of the two fresh water lakes, Swan Lake and Green Lake, near Kitty Miller Bay, only the Green Lake was stocked with fish. It was such a lovely sheet of water that Monsieur Bauer, of the Isle of Wight Hotel, had a jetty and boat shed built for the purpose of hiring out boats for fishing. During an uncommonly dry season, Green Lake became a victim of the drought. Jessie and Charlie McGregor were rid- ing past and found the lake almost dry. The small remaining
Cox hot soup etc. It is believed that one day as he was walking along the beach he suf- fered a heart attack and was taken out with the tide.
THE GREA T WHIT E CHIE F (1840) The Warwo orong tribe have honour ed their adopte d white chief 'Grand pa O'Grad y', with charge over the Mornin gton Penins ula. Fluent in the langua ge of the Aborig ines, Grandp a has had to explain that Queen
Victoria, the white woman who has claimed this land as her own, has decided to sell it all to white settlers for one pound an acre, and to expect and influx of neighbours. Unable to purchase their land back, the tribe (now considered squatters) have chosen to relocate and Grandpa O'Grady has decided to marry. He and his new wife are to move to Phillip Island where he will work taking people across the passage in his 26 foot boat.
JACKASS! (1870)
f o
h a v e w a s h e d u p a t ' S t o r m B a y ' a n d ' P y r a m i d R o c k ' . D u n c a n M c G r e g o r s u g g e s t s
'
pool was alive with Perch. These two youngsters then filled Charlie's hat with water
CHARLIE 33-
Captain Wragg was a skipper l who new Australia well. e With his crew, newly arrived from England, they were lying
h e d e c k a n d o v e r t o t h e r a i l s ,
better be quick' I as thetocanny have admit to being a fan of the McGregor children from and perch and hightailed it to Scot is already adding rooms Pyramid Rock, and while walking from Red Rocks towards Swan Lake on their horses.
b u t , a f t e r p e e r i n g i n t o t h e
n s to his home with the salvag ed Ventn or found an engra ving in the rock. It simply says ' ti C a m b n e r.
T h
just jac kas ses lik e yo urs elv es'. N OT E: Ja ck ass wa s the fir st na me
O D D J O B S
f o g a n d
(
h e a r -
t h e s i r e
T
a n S w
given to the 'Kookabur ra'.
S AND
a n o t h e r
f r o m
C o
La Trobe Pictur e Colle ction, State Libra ry of Victor ia The Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Gra dyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visite d by Archb ishop Clark e (1904 )
ODD
i n g
p e a l
heard the Captain laughing. 'They're
SOD S C th h
s e p h a n d J o h n M a n t o
n
d
t h e
m a k e r s
f a m o u s
(1870'S) In Gippsl and they're fencin g with logs In the west they'r e fencin g with stone But the Murra y's, of the Island ,
i n v e n t o r s a n the astonishing sum of 10 shillings each. his life in the effort. Monsieur UPDATE (1880's) It is sad to report that the Osprey of Bauer reports that he will Pyramid Rock has been shot by a hunting party of tourists. The whisky brandy must make aorhandsome profit be after Osprey is a bird of prey commonly known as the fish hawk. resale to a customer.
BEER PIGS! (1880's) T h e M c G r e g o r c h i l d r e n , J e s s i e a
be er B a
n d
of firearms, Are using their in cows, London They're in the fencing with 1790's sods on there own. have produced the perfect duelling of the pistol. Gentlemen
given to them!
day now choose to settle their love quarrels and other differences by standing up and shooting at one and other. In modern 'parlance', the usual catch cry would be, 'Right, we'll settle it with Mantons'.
PHILLI P ISLAND O N L Y F I T
F O R P I G S ! ( 1 8 4 0 ) T h e y o u n g e s t s o n o f J o s e p h M a n t o n , m a k e r o f
r s ol f a t n hd e . M a H ne t oh na Ds u e r ll e i m no gv Pe i d s t t oh l, e Cm h a f rl r e o s m , hh a i s s r e p l r e o a p s e e r dt s y e v' e M r a a n l t bo on a tl V oi a l dl s a o' f po i f g s M oa nn Pt ho il n li s p I C
r e e k n e a r F l i n d e r s . H e t r u s t s w i t h t i m e t h e m u s t e r w i l l b e p l e n t i f u l .
P h
I
c e s s f u l t h e y w e r e s t i l l t h e r e 8 0 y e a r s l a t e r !
Phillip Island Historical Page 13
ISLAND FERRIES
The S.S. Genista La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
S.S GENISTA “GINNY” PHILLIP ISLAND FERRY (1889 - 1930) FORTY YEARS OF RELIABLE SERVICE
FIRST CHICORY KILN OPENED (1870)
WEST OPENS GENERAL STORE (1870's)
A lavish banquet has been held at the Isle of Wight, Cowes to celebrate the opening of John West's chicory kiln. This will improve and simplify production considerably and together with their mustard seed exports to Holland are to establish a future filled with growth. I'm sure Mr. West would like to thank Mr. Knights for bringing
J.S. West has opened a general store next to his chicory kiln. The store will supply the Island with the essentials for a good family life, and a few extras for the ladies.
WHAT CAN'T A WEST DO? (1870's) Outside of the West's family concerns with La Trobe Picture Collecti on, State Library of Victoria
P T H h e
Chicor y kiln and genera l store, main street, Cowes (1870)
>>>>
THE ALVINA (1887-1950)
w a s t h e p l a y t h i n g o f a b e a u t i f u l a c t r
e s
the Ge ner al Sto re and chi cor y kiln in the mai n stre et, Co wes one of the fam ily,
JUST A POIN T! (1912)
This was follow ed by some 80 points on Bryant West, has turned a hobby of makin g
violins into 70 pieces
Phillip Heads, PHI and then the LLI Phillip Island ferry. The P dear old girl ISL was then stripped of AND her elegant FER fittings, and RY became an underworld (192 gambling den. 8But her life was not over 1932 yet; she was ) re-fitted in the BE 50's, and became the LO W: headquarters AL of the L Launceston TO SEASCOUTS ON , still to this E day. SID E PL EA SE OR YO Uâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;L L BE SW IMMI NG WI TH TH E PE RR Y BR OS. CI RC US EL EP HA NT
ng records, equal to the most efficient in the state, on Phillip Island from 1912 to 1952.W hen asked to comme nt on his findings , Mr Thomps on recalls, 'The greatest downpo ur ever recorde d on the Island was in January, 1946, when 168 points fell on the 17th, 195 points on the 18th and another 65 points on the 19th.
the 23rd, making a total of over 5 inches. The driest year was 1938, with 18 inches, and the wettest 1924, with 39.27 inches. The wettest month was April in 1935, when 750 points were recorded. For 56 years ending 1943, the official average annual rainfall for Cowes was 29.91 inches. For 30 years unbroken, being 1911 to 1940, the figure was 29.06 inches. Note: 100 points to an inch, an inch equals 25 mm.
of wood c in their o
N O T E : T h T h e Al vi n a La Trob e Pict ure Coll ectio n, State Libr ary of Victo ria
e T h o m p s o n f a m i l y a r e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r m a n y o t h e r c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o
t h e
S i l v e r
I s l a n d ,
S p r u c e
o n e
sonally imported from Alaska. Small Thompson's Avenue quantities of this are obtained from a man was named after
engaged in salmon m trawling; the a timber is i them in n recognition
o f these being the magThis comprises of English Willow, Swiss nificent mile of goldPine, Ebony from Ceylon, en European Cypress in the
s t r e e t .
matured under snow from one season to the of their generosity to
next. Celebrities praise the p quality of e his r
Rosewood and Maple and
The Killara La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria Below: The ferry S.S. ALVINA ariving at Cowes Pier (1930â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s)
instru ments.
Pictures above La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Vic
the community.
WATT PRIME MINISTER? (1912)
THE PHILLIP (1933 - 1943) The KILLARA and was originally Sydney Harbour. of the harbour were no longer was snapped up Sambell to become ferry serv- ice She could take 1000 passengers Unbelievably,
people The naming of Watts Point and Watts Road, Grand transporting one that ironically, in
in honour of W.A. Watt (Bill). Eleventh child of a Phillip Island farming family, who rose to the highest political position in Australia. At the age of 26 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly. Two years later he became Post Master General and in 1912 Premier of Victoria. Transferring to the Federal arena, in 1917 he was the Right Honourable
W.A. Watt Acting Prime Minister of Australia. Our local boy was one of the stalwarts who laboured hard to create Federal Parliame nt, in which he became a cabinet min- ister and later
Spea ker of the Hous e of Repr esent ative s. From small acor ns grow large oaks.
THE BEGINNING OF MOTORSPORTS
TEN YEARS OF RACING ON PHILLIP ISLAND (1928-1938)
IN AUSTRALIA TEN YEARS OF RACING ON PHILLIP ISLAND (1928-1938)
Th e foll ow ing Sat urd ay a rec ord cro wd co nv erg ed ont o the Isl an d an d wit h the we ath er fin e an d ex pec tati on hig h the rac es we re on. Th e sm all est (75 0cc ) an d the lar ges t (20 00 cc) car s rac ed in the mo rni ng.
Many, many events were held over the next ten years. O i l c o m p a n i e s w e r e o r g a n i z e d t o s p r a y l o w g r a d e c r u d e o n t h e t r a c k , t o c o m
b a t
f o r
i n g
d u s t ,
t h e
s u p p l i e d
r o a d s
a n d m e t a l It was in December of 1927 that the' Victorian Light Car Club' first approached Phillip Island residents with a proposal to run the 'Australian Grand Prix'; the first time ever in this country. As the Island had self contained roads, no through traffic, and plenty of accommodation, it was agreed that this would be the ideal location. A horse and dray measured out the dirt track using a rag tied to its wheel, so each revolution could be counted. Different corners were given names such as 'The Needles Eye', 'The Bridge of
w a s
f r e e o f c h a r g e t o c o m b a t t h e d u s t .
b e o f d i r t t r a c k s t a r t e d t o r e s e m b l e
b y t h e a t o r s a r r i v e d o n t h e S u n d a y , 2 5 3 -
a E v e n t u a l l y , t h e 6 ½ m i l e s
r a c i n g c i r c u i t . M o s t s p e c t
1 9 2 8 . T h e y c a m e o n t h e f e r r
y w i t h t h e i r
e n t r y t o t h e
f a m i -
r a c e ,
l i e s ,
a n d
c a r s , m o t o r b i k e s a n d t e n t s . T h e y p a i d 1 / a l l o w i n g t h e m
t h e y o c c u p i e d e v e r y h o u s e , b a r n , a n d s h a d y p i e c e o f t e a t r
e e a v a i l a b l e . S u n d a y w a s a d a y f o r t h e y o u n g t o s h o w o f f t h e i r p r o w e s s b e h i n d t h e
wheel, much to the delight or fear of the
The two middle classes (1100cc and 1500cc) racing in the afternoon. Everything went off without a hitch and it all proved to be a huge financial success for everyone concerned. The winner clocking an average speed of 56.25 m.p.h (approximately 100km). All was going well, until the government of 1929 decided all of this was not exactly legal. The club lob-
'Diamond Dolly Quarry', in Rhyll. T h e
l o c a l
I s l a n d s
b u s i n e s s
r e p u t a t i o n
a n d s p o r t s
w a s
a s s o c i a -
s i m i l a r
t i o n s
t o t h a t
p r o v i d i n g
o f ' T h e
g o o d
I s l e
p r i z e
o f M a n '
m o n e y , i t
a n d w i t h Sighs', 'Young and Jackson's', Gentle Annie' and 'Heavens Corner'. The date was set ,
Monday March 26th 1928.The eight hour day holiday, our Labour Day.
As the day drew nearer, competito rs keen to
set to work to improve the surface together. Melbourne firms collected waste oil and delivered it to the Island
b e c o m e t h e b e s t k n o w n m o t o r
onlookers, and then it happened. Well it still happens today! Down came the rain. The track turned to mud and to every persons dismay the race was postponed to the La Trobe following Saturday. But Picture nobody listened! Collection, People still State flooded onto the Library of Vic Island despite the rain, and the officials were forced to hold an impromptu meeting, running three demonstration laps in the mud.
Continued page
r a c i n g v e n u e i n t h e s o u t h e r n h e m i s p h e r e . Over the years the Islands popularity began to wane. With poor visibil-
h a d
THE ity, from the RACING dust, it was becomingCOWES, STRAIGHT CIRCUIT, PHILLIP ISLAND
try the trac k, ca
me down to practise, only to declare it dangerous. The clubs
funds were already stretched to the limit so the call went out for help to businesses and locals alike. Heard loud and clear by the Islanders they all
next
bied uns ucce ssfu lly to mod ify the high way act but it took a cha nge of gov ern men t to give the assu ranc e "No lega l acti on wou ld be take n, if they did not offe nd the law. 'Thi s was later ame nde d, in 193 0, to 'Roa ds may be clos ed for the purpose of mot or raci ng'. No w the pap erw ork was don e,
this allowed the 'Motor cycle Club of Victoria' to also hold their events on the Island. The track now hosted 'Australian Grand Prix', The 'Australian Premier Annual Road Race' for cars, and the 'Australian Tourist Trophy' for motorcycles.
more dangerous the higher the speeds achieved. Competitors com- plained of 'Watching the treetops to see where they were going' and then C. Graham and his mechanic were killed when their car overturned. This changed the mood forever. Sealed tracks were springing up around the country, attracting the best of the racing fraternity. Inevitably without sealing the track the islands racing days were num- bered, with no major events held after 1938, although smaller race days continued up until the war.
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
DIAMOND DOLLY QUARRY (1930- 1940)
Photos by Charles Daniel Pratt with permission from La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
desired sites. One of their customers was the Phillip Island Racetrac k, but the metal proved unsuitabl e because of its high clay content and the quarry was abandon ed in 1940. Note. The Quarry is now a sight of national geologic al significance, as the rock formatio n was
Alex Finlay, Winner of the Australasian 200 mile T.T. Championship on his 4.93 O.H.V. B.S.A. La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
The Diamond Dolly Quarry found to be from in Rhyll, the lower was worked in the 1930's to supply road Cretaceous period which is metal to the Island. Part unlike any of the cliff other found in would be blasted and the men would Westernport. The rock has been come in to load the given the trucks and drays name 'Rhyll Arcose'. using picks and shovels and take it to the
ISLAND INDUSTRIES
'EUREKA' (1840)
CUNNING SMUGGLING (1870's)
COALS ON TIME (1890) A mutton birding party, note the baseball bat.
The Steamer "Time" has been wrecked on a sandbank eastward
It may MYS as well be gold! TER Phillip Y? Island has been (1880 inundated 's) with
SELLING GRASS! THE SILVER MINE
The escaped shallow convicts, 2mpirates, at sailors, end some with Watts aboriginal has wives, all known in search locally of one forthing, asseals. silver A gang mine. of sealers When can mine easily flooded slaughter with 5000 seals water in an eight and week were period, forced and with leave, skins two returnenterprisi ing 25 ngshillings miners each paid ($2.50) visit and thecopious McGrego amounts r of oil Displayin collected g at 4 samples, shillings a Jessie gallon (40 McGrego cents per r 4.2 litres) recollects it's a they lucrative a trade. attractive They appearan have well ce'establishe nobody d garknew what
Melbourne and local police are of Cowes. Its cargo has conveh a p p y t o r e p o r t t h a t a s m a l l n i e n t l y w a s h e d a s h o r e , p r o v i d i n g s c h o o n e r , b o u g h t i
n repair, coal the families of island. has the source of a local blacksmi th, Duncan drunken evening. The vessel McGrego r, insists customer s
d u c t s
found to be must coal fine work Quantities spirits were
h a s
ashore dark BLUFF when boats bay completely police.
l e f t
of Mystery drink
R h y l l
extracted stone from the soft reddish coloure d rock in a cave on the face of the 'Red Bluff'. He hopes it is suitable to make paint and red ochre. years Christma s cakes. And a Merry Christma s to all! Note: It wasn't
(S e
industry. Not only do farmers use it in times of drought to feed their stock, it has also been found to be
T H E SP O N G E
WS A (1880's) T T L E
A n i n d u s t r y i n s w a n p r o
BEAT 'EM GOOD! (1880's) Melbourne cake manufacturers are overjoyed with this years' yield of mutton bird eggs. In all, 20,000 eggs have been collected from Phillip Island, mostly to be used in this
s t r e w n w i t h r o t t i n g c a r c a s s e s . O i l , e g g s , f e a t h e r
, y a s n k d i r n o tt a i n n d g d o w n i s u s e d . W e a r e n o w w i t n e s s t o a n o n m a s s s l a u g h t e r d a i l
fi c r e r e si st a n t. It ’s u s e s d o n' t st o p t h e r e. S e a g r a s s is al s o a n i d e al i n s u la t o r f o r t h e h o m e; it is e v e n r e p la
B 1
birds are piled high. We trust this can not ing horse hair as stuffing for furniture. A few whinnies of relief in the air.
SEAL ED DEA L (1860' s)
co nti nu e. Coarse sponges for the cleaning of horse and vehicle can be obtained in abundan ce during the winter season, on the shores of the whole southern coast of Phillip Island. Soft
MDA RVID
CHARLES JUSTICE (1898)
Ships are now bein g loade d snak es. Resi dents belie ve with tons of West ernp ort the roug hness of the rope wattl ebark and maki ng their stops the snak e enter ing,
way to Engl and. It has been and are placi ng rope acros s foun d to conta in an incre didoor ways to deter them . bly stron g dye used in the It has been sponges tanning reported of of the that only finest leather. approxquality At 13 imately are also pounds 100 seals plentiful per ton are left on . it's Phillip attracti Island. ng many a taker.
“DINNY”
(1880
C R I
8 7 0 8 0
’ s
L a T
WHERE ’S THE BOAT? (1870’s)
WHAT A WHOPPE Ov er R! (1901)
The Crayfish are the size of the dog!
Both images are courtesy of the La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
Phillip Island Historical Page 18
80 A 91 pound 0pumpkin! Now tee that's a pumpkin. This certainly has th taken the prize, pul grown on Phillip led ,Island, 1901. (In picture) no Surrounded by an pumpkins from aes French Island. the tic s
Phillip Island Historical Page 19
Dentist Blacksmith Maker of dental equipment Coach builder Farrier Agricultural Engineer
WOOLAMAI GRANITE (1891)
QUARRY UP AND The magnificent pink granite, found at Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island, has been rated as some of the best in the world. The granite is to be used in the construc- tion of the 'EQUITABLE LIFE ASSUR- ANCE SOCIETY OF THE USA' on the corner of Elizabeth and Collins Street, Melbourne. Finn and Company, of
Bendigo monumental stone masons, have secured the lease to remove the granite to supply the contract. This entails 26 thousand cubic feet in 5 to 10 tonne blocks and up to 14 tonne pillars. The quarry will be fitted out with a tram line, jetty and crane, and will employ 80 - 100 men.
SHIPPING (1890's) Up to 50 tonnes of granite is being loaded onto small ships at the Woolamai granite quarry. The granite is extracted by drilling holes into the block wanted, and then the holes are plugged with wooden pegs. The tide comes in, soaking the pegs so they swell, subsequently splitting off the blocks of granite ready to load.
PHILLIP ISLAND HOTELâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AH POY (188090's) HAWK ER OF: TEA FANC Y GOO DS SHIR TS PRET TY UNDI ES WHA TNOT S.
CHICOR Y GROWING (18701950's) Chicory has been grown on Phillip Island
HE RB AL IS T. C U
Above: Isle Of Wight, since built in 1870
and After harvest they are topped, bagged, washed,
MELB OURN La E FOR Collection, REPAI Library R Victoria
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria ABOVE: Quarry and Jetty, Cape Woolamai (1890â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s)
( M U C H
THE' ISLE OF T WIGHRU S T' T (1870)WO
sliced and then dried. Chicory is the root of the endive and many use the tops in salads. It has long been regarded as an excellent beverage with health giving properties. It was used wide- ly during the war, mixed with coffee.
The 'Isle of Wight' hotel was licensed to Mr. Francis Bauer in 1870. Mr. Bauer came to Victoria in 1856, as the chef to Governor Barclay. Around 1870 he came to Phillip Island, and bought a small private house, on the site of the
R T H Y ) O N T H E I S L A N D F O R
INVESTOR WANTED (1850's)
ISLAND HICKORY HOLDS
present hotel. He added to it from time to time until it became one of the most comfortable and com-
S I X W E E K S .
An investor is required for the following proposal
rats will breed and be fed to the cats. The suitable cats will be harvested and skun, the rest left to
UP WOUNDED (1914)
The Red Cross and local
An upsurge in the demand for cat skins has encour- aged the idea of establishing two giant sized hold- ing yards, in the desert. One is to be stocked with cats, the other is to be
breed. The skun cat carhave combined
schoolboys
to provide cass will then be fed back wounded WW1 to the rats. Leaving La Trobe soldiers with hundreds of Picture no tea-tree Collection, expense to the investor, walking sticks. The except the initial tea-tree has been found to fencing have and skinning. Anyone similar properties to
modious watering holes in Victoria. By 1925 the hotel had 60 rooms and
catered for 100 people, but once La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
again, fire destroye d another Phillip Island landmar k. Strangel y enough the walls of the two original rooms, built of wattle and daub nearly 60 years before, were the only ones left standing in the midst of the charred ruins. The ISLE OF WIGHT hotel was rebuilt, and still runs to this day
Above: Ah Poy look alike
CHINAMANS ROOM 1880's A h P o y h a s b e a t e n
the patrons at the' Isle of Wight' hotel again. After bets were laid, the heavily laden baskets - which the wiry chinaman balances
ac ss ro Island sto i cke n d wit h rats . The the ory goe s like this . The
t r ESt ua rA ob p e a n h ic k o r y. K e e p u p t h e g o o d w o r k la d s!
his room 'The Chinaman's Pictur e Collec tion, State Librar y of Victori betwa
een a bamb oo pole
"OYSTERS, ALIVE ALIVE O" 1850's
on his shoul ders, and lifts
Abundant oysters in Westernport were the call that was heard by up to thirty fishermen in the 1850's. Westernport Bay and around the Rhyll area was populated with oyster fishermen making a living dredging the bay. All that was left, by 1862, was a ghost town, consisting of twenty to thirty well
Room' in honour of his
THE 'PHILLIP ISLAND HOTEL 1870
WESTERNP ORT OYSTER
with ease while trotting
JACK WHO? (1880's)
INDU STRY (1910 1930's )
Around the year 1910 an oyster industry was springing up again in Rhyll. It had been fifty years since the bay had been fished out and the oyster population had recovered. Once again up to forty boats were to
oriental friend.
seal, to greet incoming
bag limits the dumping of debris, from the boats, covered the oyster beds destroyin g their breeding ground. Note: That's now over seventy years ago, who knows what's down there.
r u n n i n g o u t o f t h e 'I s l e o f W i g h t' H o t e l, t h o s e i n t h e k n
ow, suspect 'Jack' is at it again. It has become a favourite past time of 'Jack', Monsieur Bauer's
guests halfwa built cottage s and the remnan ts of a bygone era.
y n dow b e
f
Cowes o shed La Collection, Library
Overgro wn gardens, the remains of dredging equiptm ent, anchors, old ropes, broken boats, and the most telling sign of all, oyster shells strewn everywh ere, but not a live one to be found. The natural enemies of the oyster were evident, w i
s t
H O T E L B U R N S ! 1 8 6 0 ' s provided power for the pub kitchen lights. Up until then they The had ale used house of Mr. John Dunsmore has burnt to the candles stuck into beer ground. bottles. While away picnicking in Hastings with his Unfortunately, like so family, many other the establishment, which was the first hotel on Island icons, the hotel Phillip was Island, was lost. Mr. Dunsmore was originally
des tro ye d by fir e in the 19 60' s.
connect ed with the 'Dunsm ore Hotel' in the
Note: the hotel site was where Glenrowen area demise. An attempt at reseeding in 1862 failed dismally.
where
the 'Kelly Gang' used to fre'Harry's restaurant' now located Island early 1860's tois build
Islands first generat or in 1920. This
on the esplanad e.
UNDERAGE DRINKERS! (1870)
JETTY SHED (1870'S) Mr. R. Thornton has been given permission to install a goods shed at the shore end of the jetty. The structure is to cost 349 pounds.
quent - and came to the
his hotel. Dunsmore Rd, Cowes Industrial Estate, was the loca-
tion.
One very warm day, a few unexpected locals strolled into the Woods family hotel for a 'snort'. The mother and her 13 offspring lay down on the floor and all 13 lined up, one for luck! The other patron's laughter alerted the publican his pet sow (female pig) had pulled up a chair and she was drinking like a pig. The hotel was known as the 'Pig and Whistle' from then on.
GETTING AROUND! GAMBLE DOESN'T PAY
GOING TO THE OFF (1869) It was reported that Mr. Gamble, a settler on END OF THE Phillip Island, has had an unfortunate LINE (1889) encounter while swimming his mare and The train line has been extended from Hastings to Stoney Point. Stoney Point is now expected to become the major terminal for Westernport ferries, making coach travel to the
THE COMMUNITY EASTER
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Vic.
M O N D AY S P O R T S (1875)
foal across the eastern passage. A shark has bit- ten the young foal's leg off, thus, losing it to the current. James Forest, a local since 1869, has been swimming up to 20 horses a day across in his row boat, says it was bad luck.
Easter Monday Sports will once again be held at the Cowes Esplanade and tuck in the mud (1870’s - 80’s) The Launch-Towed Punt (1930’s)
PENINSULA POST Friday, January 14, 1914. Geese with Shoes on.
da thin g of the past.
COWES BATHS
Ventnor. High jumps for men, rolling
S Islan
pin OPENED (1893)
F O A L
Above: Annual community easter picnic
F O U N D
Above throwing for ladies,
1893 sees the opening of the wheat sheaf Cowes Baths. A throwing red flag will depict ladies' bathing hour. A blue and barefoot races for flag will depict men's bathing hour. This will be
F L O A T I N G R o u g h R o a d s M a d e T h e m
( 1
F T
Below: First aerial bread delivery in Australia (21-03-1921). Hot
the children. The followed on the beach also. We trust the baths
A nine day old chestnut foal has been found by Mr. Bob Forrest, struggling through the surf west of
Forrest Bluff. It was obviously from
c r
alon usual g with the o r
POUNDS (1869)
y e m o
t h e m o b o f S h e t l a n d p o n i e s b r e d b y M r . C l e e l a n d . T h e y w e r e b r e d f
t h e W o n t h a g g i c o a l m i n e s , a n d r u n o n h i s C a p e W o o l a m a i p r o p e r t
y .
s a i m a
s c a r c e l y e v e r i n l o t s o f m o r e t h a n a hundred. Sometimes the geese are assembled in places remote from a railroad, and must be driven miles before they can be loaded. The driving
Evidently, after falling off a
dering down half the August Tues 3rd to building kitchen
NEW HOME UNDER
NOT ROWING, TOWING
c l i f f , i t h a d b e e n c a u g h t i n a c u r r e n t a n d c a r r i e d a
d i s t a n c e o f a b o u t 2 m i l e s ! T h e l i t t l e g e l d i n g , c o
l d a n d
course pulling the dray, where their is compar atively easy, but before the long march over the rough and rugged road is started, the geese must be shod. Rough roads will make even a goose
owner then unharnesses the dray and continA boatload of boys has been seen jetting past the Cowes exhausted , was not much Pier out to sea. The speed achieved by this small row boat bigger than a dog. After a was truly remarkab le and on further investigat ion, it was warm drink of cow's milk, found they had hooked a shark. The shark put up a good Mr. Forrest named him
chimney 3 pounds 91 yds to lathing, plastering parlour 109 yds to lathing, plastering
k
ues the
bare P race back Hto the I finis Lh. LAll entra I nts P welc ome.
EC ITIO SN L(186 A8) N D
itchen
8 1 yds to lathi ng, plast ering bedr oom 281 yds, @ 1/per yd
O P E N F O R TOTAL
footsore . Shoeing geese is a simple matter to the goose raiser. The birds are driven over soft tar or pitch, and then onto beds of fine sand. The sand and tar form a soothin
S E L g mixture, which affords great protectio n to the feet on the long marches.
1 4 p o u n d s 1 s h i l l i n g
19 pounds 11 shillings
fight dragging the small boat for miles. But the lads landTony, and wased their informed he catch and their families have eaten well for a was allowed to keep him. week.
13 Rh 2 yll lot s an of d ru we ral re la nd au ha cti ve on be ed en so for ld ei by gh ba t llo po t at un Ph ds ill ($ ip 16 Isl an .0 d. 0) To pe w r ns hi ac p re. lot s P w H er e I a v L a L i I l a P b I l e S a r o u n d C o w e s ,
THE SMOKIER THE BETTER! (1870's)
V e n t n o r ,
The ferryman 'Bluenose' and 'Blackguard Harry' wish to inform that transport across the bay can be summoned by lighting a fire and waiting. They hope to be there within two hours.
N e w h a v e n a n d
L A N D D E C L A R E D A D I S T R I C T ( 1 8 7
1 )
s
W i t h
b e c o m e
t h e
a
s e l e c t i o n o f c r o w n l a n d , n o w s o l d a t a u c t i o n , P h i l l i p I s l a n d h a
d i s t r i c t , s u p p o r t i
WHA T THE? ? Astonishm ent spread among the men of a fishing fleet far out in the western passage,
n g
l i n c o m e
3 1 8 r a t e p a y e r s
o f 1 4 3 p o u n d s
w i t h a n
( $ 2 8 6 ) .
a n n u a
found the horses had been sold by William Harbison of "InnesHowen" to a property in Hastings. They swam home. "InnisHowen" is gaelic for
THE ROAD TO THE NOBBIES (1880â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s)
PHILLIP ISLAND AMALGAMATES (1874) E x t r e m e s i n f a r m i n g , c a t e r p i l l a r p l a g u e s a
n d g e n e r a l h a r d s h i p , h a v e s e e n a m a s s e x o d u s o f r e s i d e n t s o f f P h
when I 5 runa s way horse s swam past! Later invest igatio n has
i l l i p I s l a n d . T h e p o p u l a t i o n h a s p l u m m e t e d t o 5 2 r a t e p a y e r s . I t
h a s b e e n d e c i d e d t h a t P h i l l i p I s l a n d w i l l a m a l g a m a t e
Y
o l a m a i
The first schoo l on the island was run by John
S h i r e , o n l y
t h e W o
S O L
While hunting deer in the Rhyll
CO WE S FO RE SH OR E (188 0â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s)
Cheyne and opened in 1871 in his private home in
swamp, Mr. Walton of Rhyll Rhyll. Cowes state school opened in 1874 because
found the water to be at a very
La Trobe Pictur e Collec tion, State Librar y of Victori a.
t h r e e
of gro win g dem and, and at this time 95 chil dren wer e enro lled on the Isla nd fro m ten fami lies. S.
La Collection, Library Victoria. The Salt Creek Ventnor Store.
y e a r s a f t e r b e i n g d e c l a r e d
NEWHAVE N NEWSAGE NCY
a w i t h
(18 70' S)
W E E K D A Y S
d i s t r i c t .
MYSTER Y
4 : 3 0 A M 5 :
3 0 P M W E E K E N D S 4 : 3 0 A M 2 : 3 0 P M Ph. 59567250 J. West - 8 Children The Burtons - 8 children Gall Family - 8 children Morrison Family - 10 children Richardson Family -11 children Smith Family 13 children Soloman Family - 3 children
McFee l
o w l e v e l . P e n e t r a t i n g t h e a r e a f u r t h e r t h e n u s u a l , h e w a s s u d d e n l y
s c o n f r o n t e d b y a h u m a n s k u l l w i t h r e e d s g r o w i n g u p t h r o u g h i t s e y e l e s
s o c k e t s ! T h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n d e c i d e d t h a t t h e g r u e s o m e d i s c o
v e r y
n
c l e a r e d
M r .
u p t h e m y s t e r y o f t h e d i s a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e s o
o f
C h e y n e t h e e a r l y s c h o o l m a s t e r m a n y y e a r s b e f o r e .
JURASSIC AND ON
(150,000,000 YEARS)
AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE! JURAS SIC LAKE Phillip Island was once a part of a great Jurassic Lake that spanned approximatel y 800 kilometres east to west and 145 kilometres north to south across Southern Victoria. This lake was frequented by dinosaurs that ruled the land, large swimming reptiles that ruled the sea and huge ugly winged lizards that dominated the sky. This was only 150,000,000 years ago.
THE CLA W While drilling for coal at Cape Patterson (32km from Phillip Island) the claw of a carnivorous dinosaur has been exposed and recovered. Dating back 150,000,000 years, this sample is an example of the Jurassic period when this entire area was a giant lake.
La Trobe Picture Collecti on, State Library of Victoria
I â&#x20AC;&#x2122;
Resea rch can often turn up little unexp ected surpri ses, and no more surpri sing than finding my Great Grand father was indire ctly respo nsible for a small part in Philli p Island' s histor y. While readin g a beauti ful book on Rhyll "WIT HIN THE PLAI NS OF PARA DISE', one word was writte n that grabb ed my attention. The "Ragn a".
The name was so familiar to me it jumped out screaming for attention, and within minutes a part of my very own
history was unfolding. The Menu A La Forest "Ragna" Caves was my Great Rufous Bellied Grandfather's Wombat Marsupial boat. His Mouse Mutton Bird name was Penguin Captain MuttonSimon Bird and Emu JĂśrgensen Eggs and Mussels he moved people and cargo around the trade routes of the world. In 1886 one of these people was Jack Jansson. The Janssons have had a long asso- ciation with the Island purchasing land in Rhyll in 1891 and building "Jansson Cottage," the following year. They had five children, producing many grandchildren, some of which are still living on the Island today.
C a
HAPPY 1,000,000th BIRTHDAY Woolamai is Aboriginal for Snapper Head. The shape of the 109 metre elevation, called Woolamai, reminded Bass of this at his first sighting. This Cape is over a million years older than the rest of the Island as it was not submerged before the Ice Age.
HOW BIG? From the tip of Cape Woolamai to the Nobbies, the distance is 26 kilometres. The greatest width is 8.5 kilometres on the Pyramid Rock Road. The area is 24,320 acres and there are 100 kilometres of coastline.
T H A T’ S A L O T O F F O O D ! The rem ains of 12,0 00,0 00 mea ls hav e bee n fou nd at For est Cav es. Was h this dow n wit h a fres h wat er spri ng and you' ve got an Abo rigi nal cam pin g gro und that'
p t a i n
Simon Jacob Englehardt Jörgensen (on the left)
Johann es
s 18,00 0 years old.
D R O W N I N G T H E T A R A G O R I V E R S Y S T E M (WH O DUG OUR SHIP
PING CHANNELS ?) 20,000 years ago, Phillip Island experienced significant fault movement which changed our sea level. This result-
Janssons and Jörgensens (1890’s)
Nielse n. Photo
An acre is the amount of ed in the land a man could plow with flooding of a horse in one the Tarago day! River system which originally surrounded Ventnor, Richardson's, Philip Island. Watts, McHaffie and This fine Quoins Hills are all river system remnants of old volcanoes. is what now Volcanic activity ceased on makes the island 40,000,000 years Westernport ago. The iron content in the so valuable lava is what gives the for shipping. island's rocks such These huge magnificent colours. As the ancient rivers iron rusts, the reds, oranges became our and purple colours are shipping created. The most obvious channels. lava plug is that at Quoins Well, where Hill, where a quarry is did you think operating. It produces blue they came metal for roads and from? concrete.
ISLAND VOLCANOES
Cap e Wo ola mai ‘Th e Pin nacl es’
STEPPI NG ON EGGS HELLS
The exquisitely delicate p a p e r n a u t i l u s s h e l l w h i c h c r a d l
graphed in 1890
e s t h e e g g s o f a n o c t o p u s h a v e b e e n f o u n d o n r o c k p l a t f o r m s a n d
beaches around Cat Bay and Shelly
Johan August Jansson and Evelyn Ann Powell, Married 1 January 1894 1890
The Jansson house and family 1892 The ‘Ragna’, Co-owned by Simon Jörgensen and his brother
THE CAPTAIN
Captain was "Storm to craft that journey
Beach. east or onnorth/east winter, erly wind, tide be aware. You could be walking on eggshells
hit by oil tankers and whales alike but
survived to Above: their inhave achievement Left: exhibited recognised Adelaide with a ticker
FROM SMALL BEGINNI NGS BIG THINGS GROW
paint-
unsinkable lifeboat and was offered to had several children, one of which was i n g .
Justu s Jörg ense n. Justu s was an artist and resp onsi ble for build ing 'Mon tsalv at" in
ABORIGIN AL BURIAL
tape parade in Sydney. The "Storm King" was then put on dis- play in the Adelaide baths for the people
Newhaven, where he would row Ironically the Jörgensen family also has out to to see. The ship was Island history. Captain Simon Jörgensen designed to be an his little couta boat to go fishing or
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
O NL Y FO UR TE EN
Max (,my father ,Justus's son), met my
tive to the original mother Mavis lifeboats They at the "Westernport" hotel. refused and we all know how that story
the ow ner s of the 'Tit ani c' as an alt ern a-
Y E A R S ( 1 8 3 0 1 8 4 4 ) The sealers attracted to Phillip Island are said to be responsible for the demise of the western port aboriginals. White flour, sugar, alcohol, tobacco, and the introduction of white man diseases all contributed to the
destruction of a proud race, which had walked these lands for 40,000 years prior to European occupation.
GRO UND ? A stone tool factory has been discovered at Cat Bay containing stone chips, spoiled tools, scrapers, axe heads, points of jasper, crystals, anvils, grinding mills and aboriginal skeletons. Aborigina l skeletons? Is Phillip Island the site of an ancient burial ground, or some horrific mass murders, where the white man buried the
Hillcr est Aven ue, Eltha m, Victor ia. "Mont salvat " is now run by the Natio nal Trust and is open to the public . In itself it aborig inals in mass graves ? The sad truth is there are no survivi ng local tribe memb ers who can verify.
At the time he was a fisherman and at
ended! Later, Simon was one stage he was the harbour employed to service the Master in Perth but eventually retired in lighthouses in Bass Strait, resulting in
Melbourne.
is a representation of Melbourne's historic buildings pre 1930's as "Yergie" (Justus's nickname) best friend was "Whelan the Wrecker". The entire place has been built from salvaged This magnificent Melbourne display of building materials natural sculpture of which many can be found at where historically low tide on the significant. The rock platform artists that lived between Smiths their created and Beach and built a legacy for Sunderland bay. us by preserving materials that would have otherwise ended up as road fill. The ultimate in re-cycling.Yergie owned the land "Parks and Gardens" are situated on in San-Remo, on the esplanade. He was frequently seen driving his yellow 1920's Willies Jeep, across the bridge to
LOOK FAMI LIAR?
him surviving two complete shipwrecks. To finish the story I am also a resident of Cowes. The "Jansson's", the "Jörgensens",
what would have happened if that ship hadn't made it .History would be somewhat different and some of us wouldn't
be here. Thankyou to the Janssons for remembering how you got here, and
than k you to our brav e ance stors who gave
us a rea- son to Montsalvat be proud. Hillcrest Edgars Garage Avenue, Eltham was purchased • Café by Justus Jörgensen in the 1940’s and • is now ‘Parks and Gardens’ Functions Open 7 offices. (To days Ph. #### right)
• Galleries
GOING DOWN! SUICIDE CREW Captain S Kennon has purchased the wreck of the 'Speke' for the figure of 12 pounds. He intends to sal-
TRAGEDY
THE LONELY GRAVE (1868)
THE S. S. SPEKE WRECKED (1906)
vage as much as possible using a great barge he has built out of the salvaged timbers. Locals have called them the 'suicide crew' because of the rocks and tides, but if anyone can do it, Captain Kennon can!
THE ARTI SAN
(1901)
SHIP BUIL DING
WRECKED NEAR SAN REMO
It was the beach, waiting for the McHaffies to see his 16th of expected sigDecember, 1868, when Captain William Phillip Grossard left Captain Lock's ship, 'The John and Elizabeth', and in a small rowing boat, headed for Phillip Island. He beached his boat and lit a fire. The retired Captain of the Merchant Service was just a visitor to the island; almost a pioneer to the thousands of tourists who now flock to the island every year. He had come to stay with the McHaffies, the Island's first settlers, who often took people into their home. And, although food was not always assured, Captain Grossard of Bideford, Devon, looked forward to an enjoyable stay, with hunting as the main activity. As he sat by his fire on the
Captain smiled. T h i s a n s w e r w a s g r e e t e d b y a c h e e r a n d t h e n e v e r y o n e s a t d o w n t o d i n n
e r . C a p t a i n G r o s s a r d w a s n o t t h e o n l y g u e s t a t t h e h o u s e t h a t n i g h t . F r
e d e r i c k S h e p p a r d G r i m w a d e a n d
s o e n j o y i n g t h e h o s p i t a l i t y o f
a M r . C o n c h e , b o t h o f M e l b o u r n e , w e r e a l
t h e h o m e s t e a d . A g r e a t m a n y s t o r i e s w e r
e t o l d a r o u n d t h e o p e n f i r e
a l l .
r r o w
T h e
a n d
g e n t l e m e n
e v e r y o n e
h a d p l a n s
a n d
t o
a n
g o
e n j o y a b l e
p h e a s a n t
t i m e w a s h a d b y
The biggest three masted full rigged ship in the world 'The Speke' has come to grief on the rocks of 'Kitty Miller Bay', Phillip Island.
h u n t i n g
w e n t t o b e d w i t h e x p e c t a t i o n s o f a
o n t h e m o
The tragedy occurred crew at three pm February strewn 22 1906 and by 8 pm along the word had reached immediat Cowes. Rescue e parties immedi- ately coastline. boat set out for the area Fatal accident in and began locat- ing the bay.
p h e a s a n t
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Vic
It was reported that two lifeboats were lowered but smashed to pieces on
d i n n e r t h e n e x t n i g h t . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , i t w a s n o t t o b e s o .
the rocks. The men after a terrible fight for life managed to reach shore. The second mate Mr Cook, and a young apprentice named 'Kingcross' then
risked their lives again by attaching a lightline to allow the remaining crew to come ashore.
A final headcount revealing one seaman called Henderson had lost his life. The 'Speke' was built by T. R. Oswald and Co, Canarvon, Wales, in 1891 at a cost of 22,000 pounds.
The Speke at home in Scotland La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Vic
OLD PHIL DISAPP EARS (1870's) Two ladies knitting on the beach of Cowes have reported seeing 'Phil the Ferryman' fishing from his boat in the passage. Without a sound he disappeared and sadly has not been sighted again. Phil was well known in the 1870's as the local ferryman between San Remo and Newhaven. His boat leaked like a sieve, but not being one to bother with repairs, was quoted as saying "the bucket was cheaper". Maybe the bucket had a hole in it too.
(1873) The very first ship ever built on the Island was the 'Trusty', in 1873. A 100 ton ketch, built by Captain McLeod of Newhaven. It was a red letter day for the Island and most Islanders attended the launch.
C R U S T Y' TR U S T Y ' T R A G E D Y . (1880's) It has been reported that the 'Trusty', the first ship ever built on the Island, has been encrusted with marine growth and put to shore between the jetties at San Remo. A shocking tradgedy then followed with the shore giving way, under the weight, leaving the 'Trusty' with no support. The 100 ton ketch then lurched and tipped over trap- ping and crushing poor Captain McLeod, to death. His family run the Newhaven P.O. and are devastated.
A GREEK TRAGEDY (1870's)
Islanders were at a loss today as five Greek men who had set up a
nal and pic k hi m up, he tho ugh t of the tim es to co me. Wh y, wit h Chr ist ma s co mi ng up, he cou ld exp ect qui te an enj oya ble cou ple of we eks . Litt le did he kno w that an eve nt wo uld occ ur whi ch wo uld cha nge his life .
It was gettin g dark when John McHa ffie's bulloc k dray stoppe d above the beach and McHa ffie called to him. Gross ard was deligh ted upon hearin g of the prospe ct of roast deer as a specia l dinner prepar ed by Mrs. McHa ffie. It was not the captai n's first visit. The childr en even had a nickname for him, 'Sardy' , which endear ed him to the McHa ffie family . Event
ually the two men arrived at the homestead. Smoke was pouring out of the chimney, and as they entered, the cooking fire added a homely effect to the atmosphere. The delicious smell of the meat brought a smile to Grossard's face. "Hello Sardy. Look everybody, Sardy's finally here" said one of the children. "Are you going to tell us another sea story?" came the chorus. "Oh, I might get around to it." The
THE SINKING OF
The next place on the island, now day was known as Grossard the 17th Point. December , 1868. Captain Grossard and Fredrick Grimwade were at the homestea d. Mr. McHaffie and Mr. Conche were out look- ing for a place to hunt pheasant. Grossard handed Grimwade a loaded, double bar- rel shotgun. Grimwade was an inexperienced shooter and was unaware that the right hand barrel was fully cocked and ready to fire. Grossard, who was very fond of children, carried the 7 month old McHaffie child to the nursery and laid her in a cot. He then walked onto the veranda, in front of Grimwade. Then the tragedy occurred. The gun went off, hitting Grossard and knocking him off the veranda and into the garden below. Mr. McHaffie and Conche heard the shot and ran to meet Mrs. McHaffie's distressed nurse, Margaret Riley, who told them of the tragic occurrence. Captain Grossard was alive for an hour after the shot. In that time he forgave the man who shot him and expressed his wish to be buried at his favourite
At 11 am Captain William Phillip Grossard died. The inquest into his death found that the tragedy was an accident and that there were no suspicious circumstances. But no one knows what went through Grimwade's mind l o s t a t s e a w h i l e f i s h i n g i n t h e
' K E R M A N D I E ' ( 1 8 9 0 ' s ) W e s t e r n P a s s a g e . T h e m
when he pulled the trigger. Did he secretl y dislike Grossa rd? Had they argued ?
Perhaps he was insane? Nobody knows.
FI RS T GR AV E IN
CEME TERY (1810) In 1870 Mary Smith, a very young child, was the first buried at the Phillip Island Cemetery. Her father, Mr Smith Snr., had to make a crossing to Hastings and walk to Mornington to
sponge industry at Cat Bay were
obtain permission, as the cemetery has been surveyed, but not officially opened. The casket was carried 2 miles through dense scrub to reach her final burial site. A baby boy of the McGregor family was buried next. R.I.P. Young pioneers.
e n h a d T h e K e r m a n d i e h a s b e e n l o s t w i t h n o a p p a r e r e c t e d a s e r i e s o f s q u a r e s i n t h e e n t s u r v i v o r s , w h i l s t s h i p p i n g W o o l a m a i w a
t e r , w i t h a p o l e a t e a c h c o r n e r , g r a n i t e t o M e l b o u r n e . T h e c a p t a i n w a s o n h i s w i t h l i n e s h a n g i n g b e t w e e n . T o s e
c o n d t r i p w h e n t o l d t o s e c u r e h i s l o a d d u e t o t h e s e , t h e s p o n g e s w e r e a t t a c h e d h e a v y s e a s . T h i s a d v i c e h e i g n o r e d , c o s t i n g d u r i
n g t h e p r o c e s s o f p r e p a r a t i o n . h i m s e l f a n d h i s c r e w t h e i r l i v e s . T h e q u a r r y i s T h e i r i n n o v a t i o n a n d s e l v e s w i l l
b e to cease operations.
missed.
"THE BRIDGE" (1940) Here we are on the last page. I find it fitting that the bridge that spans the Eastern passage, between SanRemo and Phillip Island, should be the final story. The bridge was built after relentless lobbying by Mr. Richard Graydon. Committed to the task, Mr. Graydon led the committee that eventually succeeded in purchasing the suspension cables used to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge. With a little adjustment, and at a cost of $124,000, the 530 metre long bridge was completed on the 29th of November, 1940. At the time, this was the longest bridge in Victoria. The steel and con- crete replacement built in 1969 cost
The bridge saw an end to an era. Ferries and timetables were no longer necessary for the Islands population. They could now come and go as they pleased. Day-trippers could pack a picnic lunch and be back in Melbourne by nightfall. The weather was no longer a factor as to when you got home. This was so unlike the pioneers who would walk, ride, boat, train, coach and swim if they had to, to reach their Island home.
La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
$3,000,000 .
Modern times were upon us, and with this came prosperity and development. The pioneers burnt the trail so the Island could become what it is today. I wonder: would they like
Friday, January 8, Australia's People. PENINSULA POST
what they see?
Five Millionth Arrival.
THE TWO BRIDGES (1940) NOTE: On the right, the original suspension bridge coming from the point in San Remo
Other Nations: Astonished.
CAPE WHAT AM I?
We are waiting for the five millionth Australian. With a little luck we shall get him or her this year. He won't be branded. He will never know his claim to distinction, and we shall never recognise him. A month after his arrival the statisticians will announce that he is here, but they will never be able to pick him out from his ten thousand comrades, and nothing more shall be known than that "the population of Australia reached 5,000,000 in the month of -------." Recent research by Dr. J. F. Watson, editor of the Historical records of Australia, shows that the original nucleus of white population in Australia was 1024. This was in 1788. It dropped to 645 the next year. Our map is still more white than piebald, with only a few black dots indicating proper density of population. But no other country can show such an achievement as the multiplication of its population by 8000 in a century and a quarter - about five generations. Not even America can show such progress as this. It is only when we see how remarkably well we are doing that we appreciate the difficulties of the long task before us. We reached our first million in 1858, soon after the discovery of gold showed itself an influential factor in bringing
Time can often be responsible for alterations. Spelling errors in publications about the rapid settlement of the country. The second milcan be interpretated as fact and before you know it an unsuspecting name lion arrived in 1877, the third in 1889, and the fourth in 1905. Droughts delayed the fourth; there is always a close change has taken place. Cape Woolamai, as it is now known, was originally relationship between plenitude of food and plenitude of life; called ‘Cape Wollamai’ as quoted in George Bass’s journal. It was named prosperity means more Australian babies, more adult this as the cape reminded an aboriginal, travelling aboard the ‘Tom Thumb’, Australians for the future. A period of unequalled prosperi-
of a snapper head as they entered Westernport Bay for the first time. ty has hastened the five millionth, and he should be here in Wollamai is aboriginal for snapper. Wool am ai is a remark a sheep might the record time of nine years from the fourth. make. Baaaaa!
Modern Times! ur forebears brought with them their traditional
O
cookware and utensils … cast iron pots and frypans, woks, cleavers, meat mincers, wooden
chopping boards, spoons & rolling pins, ceramic pudding basins … and, guess what, we still sell them today! Cleanskin Kitchenware specialise in everything for the kitchen from fish tweezers to litre stockpots! Come and enjoy good music while you browse next time you’re in Cowes.
... Fine Food In The Making ...
Professional Knife Sharpening Service While You Wait 26 The Concourse, Cowes Melways Ref: 634 F3 - Ample Parking
Phone: 5952 3494 Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 5:00 Sunday 10:00 to 4:00 Also at 24 Main Street Lilydale
Lay-by, Gift Vouchers and Delivery Service Available
Phillip Island Historical
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