History News Issue.341 April 2019

HISTORY NEWS ISSUE.341 APRIL 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

President’s Report What’s On 2019 AGM Japanese Reconnaissance Flight Frances Barkman Norma Mullins Lucy Bracey Eaglehawk Mechanics Institute Heritage Report Art Captured Victoria House Around the Societies Books received History Victoria Bookshop

Prisoner at Camp 13 Annual AGL Shaw Lecture in partnership with the C J La Trobe President’s Report Society:

RHSV NEWS RHSV ‘Garryowen: The Voice of Early Melbourne’ by Dr Liz Rushen, Chair History Council of Victoria I am writing this from History House. I draw the attention of all members to the RHSV has long aspired to develop the notice of the Annual General Meeting Tuesday 16 April 2019, 6.30 for 7pm Drill Hall as Melbourne’s History House, that is to be held on Tuesday 21 May. RHSV Offi cers’ Mess Upstairs and in its March meeting Council agreed One important aspect of the evening will This lecture will explore how Edmund Finn’s that we should start using the title on our be consideration of a several changes to 1888 impressions of pre-1851 Melbourne letterhead, website, etc, as a small start in the RHSV Constitution. These are mainly shaped what people understood to be achieving our ambition. updates to recognise current practices relevant, important, democratic, and even As reported previously, we have been (such as the use of email addresses, and Victorian. focusing on strengthening the RHSV membership renewal via the website) Note to RHSV members: this is not a free Council, and the RHSV Foundation. It and clarifi cation of matters such as the event and bookings are available through is critical that the Foundation is able to capacity of the Council to make By-Laws. the RHSV website historyvictoria.org.au/ increase its activities so it can raise funds Details of the changes will be sent to whats-on/rhsv-events/ towards achieving a full History House. all members via email and they will be As part of this campaign we are renewing available on the website. We hope that Annual Weston Bate all members will fi nd the changes our encouragement of members and Oration supporters to donate generously to the appropriate and will support them. ‘Making History by Saving it’ by Foundation, and to remember the RHSV Kristin Stegley OAM, Chair of in their wills. Watch this space for further It gives me much pleasure to the National Trust of Australia information. welcome two new councilors. (Victoria) We are also (perhaps belatedly) setting Cathy Butcher has agreed to become Assistant Secretary and Tuesday 21 May 2019, 6.30 pm out to recognize more appropriately those after the AGM at 6pm who have donated and left bequests in will be the Council minutes taker. the past. An impressive new honour board Cathy was the OHS Coordinator with RHSV Offi cers’ Mess Upstairs listing our generous benefactors has been Victorian Trades Hall Council and in 2016 Bookings: historyvictoria.org.au/whats-on/ installed on the wall above the exhibition a member of a ministerial panel of three rhsv-events/ space. I mentioned in my last report the reviewing Worksafe Victoria’s compliance Kristin will explore the nexus between many donations that have been made and enforcement regime. Dr Charles history and heritage, especially the over the years by Gordon Moff att who, Parkinson is a barrister with a doctorate advocacy required to maintain and among other achievements, was the fi rst from Oxford University in constitutional strengthen the vitality and integrity of both. Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne. This history. Among his history publications are month we will hold an event to honour him a biography of Sir William Stawell and a Exhibition: Cold War chapter in Judging for the People. by naming the former Executive Offi cer’s Games: Espionage offi ce, now a meeting room, the Gordon Don Garden Chills Melbourne’s 1956 Moff att Room. We are deeply grateful to President Gordon for all he has done for us. ‘Friendly’ Olympics Research by Dr Harry Blutstein author, freelance journalist and adjunct professor at RMIT. Exhibiton open until 4 June, Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm To promote Melbourne’s ‘Friendly Games History News in a Cold War context, America’s Cold History News is the bi-monthly newsletter of the RHSV War warriors, the CIA, were told by ASIO not to attend. However, the CIA operated ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY covertly encouraged fifty defections OF VICTORIA INC. OF VICTORIA INC. among atheletes and offi cals, gaining a PRESIDENT Don Garden History House EXECUTIVE OFFICER Rosemary Cameron 239 A’Beckett Street Melbourne 3000 propoganda coup for the ‘free world’. ADMINISTRATION OFFICER Pankaj Sirwani Offi ce Hours: Monday to Friday COLLECTIONS MANAGER & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Jillian Hiscock 9am to 5pm History Week 2019 EDITORS Richard Broome [email protected] Library Hours: Monday to Friday starts on Sunday 13 October. More details Sharon Betridge [email protected] 9am to 5pm DESIGN & ARTWORK Centreforce Pty Ltd 5975 8600 Phone: 9326 9288 from RHSV soon. Start thinking. PRINTED BY First Class Mailing 9555 9997 Website: www.historyvictoria.org.au Items for publication should be sent to the Editor Email: offi [email protected] EMAIL [email protected] ABN 36 520 675 471 Congratulations to Copy closes 10th ‘January, March, May, July, September, November Registration No. A2529 Dr Simon Smith, PRINT POST APPROVED PP336663/00011 ISSN 1326-269 COVER a former RHSV Councillor and Vice Portrait of a fellow prisoner at Camp 13 Murchison by Hans-Wolter von President, for being awarded an OAM in Gruenewaldt 1942c. Courtesy of the Murchison and District Historical Society the Austraia Day Honours for signifi cant service to the law. 2 RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 Notice of Special General History Victoria Meeting and 2019 Annual Support Group RHSV NEWS (HVSG)

General Meeting GOOD NEWS: HVSG are pleased to announce that a limited All members are advised that a 8. To announce Awards of Merit number of grants of $1000 are available for Special General Meeting of the Royal recipients. societies to run their seminars for themselves Historical Society of Victoria Inc will be 9. To transact any special business and others. Further details can be obtained from held as follows: of which notice has been given in Rosemary Cameron EO, RHSV. Date: Tuesday 21 May 2019 accordance with the Rules of the Members of HVSG are happy to talk to societies, visit your museum or archival rooms, or off er Time: 5:00pm Society. helpful advice. Contact HVSG at the RHSV. The SGM and AGM will be followed Place: RHSV, 239 A’Beckett St, Two successful workshops on digitising by Melbourne VIC 3000 by the Weston Bate Oration, ‘Making Sophie Shilling have been held to date in 2019 History By Saving It’, to be delivered Business: at the RHSV. Please indicate if your society wants by Kristin Stegley OAM Chairman of To adopt amendments to the more workshops on this topic. The HVSG is the National Trust Australia (Victoria). presenting three more workshops set out below. RHSV’s Constitution. These practical workshops will address some of The proposed amendments will CALL FOR NOMINATIONS the current needs of societies. be available on our website for the Four ordinary positions on Council will calendar month prior to the AGM. be open for re-election/election. Three WORKSHOP ON PUBLISHING LOCAL Councillors are retiring by rotation as HISTORY BOOKS All members are advised that the their two-year terms are completed By RHSV author and History Victoria Bookshop Special General Meeting will be and are eligible to re-stand; a fourth manager’ Lenore Frost and Kay Ball (Murchison followed immediately by the 109th Councillor will not be standing. Historical Society), who has published many books, won awards, and obtained Holsworth grants. Annual General Meeting of the Royal Two offi ce-holder positions, those RHSV Drill Hall Friday 5 April 1.30- 4.30pm Historical Society of Victoria Inc which of President and Secretary, will be Bookings: historyvictoria.org.au/whats-on/rhsv- will be held as follows: open for re-election/election as their events/ Date: Tuesday 21 May 2019 two-year terms are completed. The Time: 5:15pm present incumbents are eligible to re-stand. WORKSHOP ON ARCHIVES STORAGE Place: RHSV, 239 A’Beckett St, STRATEGIES Nominations for ordinary positions on Melbourne VIC 3000 Castlemaine Historical Society, 7 Goldsmith Cres, Council and offi ce-holders will close Business: Castlemaine VIC 3450 on Tuesday 14 May 2019. Nomination Friday 17 May 2019 noon-4pm 1. To confi rm the minutes of the forms are available from the Executive 108th Annual General Meeting. Bookings: historyvictoria.org.au/whats-on/rhsv- Offi cer and the RHSV website. events/ 2. To receive the Annual Report for Cost: $20 for RHSV members and members of the year ended 31 December 2018. CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST affi liated historical societies, others $30. BYO 3. To receive and consider the lunch, free afternoon tea Financial Statement for the year Affi liated societies are encouraged There are four sessions after an hour’s networking ended 31 December 2018. to provide expressions of interest for at noon: 4. To appoint the auditor for 2019. membership of the RHSV’s History • storage of paper based material [Alleyne Victoria Support Group. These should Hockley, CHSI Archivist]. 5. To elect offi ce-bearers and be forwarded to the Executive Offi cer members of Council. • photographs – framed and unframed [CHSI by Tuesday 14 May 2019. member]. 6. To receive expressions of interest • digital archival fi les [David Langdon, HVSG, for the History Victoria Support Rosemary Cameron President Richmond & Burnley HS]. Group. • storage facilities [Dr Ken Gifkins, CHSI 20 March 2019. 7. To elect any members or Treasurer] members who have been Execu ve.offi [email protected] nominated for election as WORKSHOP ‘ENSURING SOCIETIES ARE Fellows. FINANCIALLY VIABLE’. June time date and venue to TBA Rapid changes in technology, extra financial A reunion for the 180th̀anniversary of burdens being imposed on societies and the the David̀Clark’s dropping anchor in need to balance the books are increasing the Are you Hobson’s Bay on 27̀October̀1839: pressures historical societies are experiencing. Practical advice will be imparted for societies to descended Sunday, 27 October 2019, at Gulf Station, understand their fi nancial requirements, comply 1029 Melba Highway, Yarra Glen, Vic. with rules and regulations, safe keeping of their from a assets and plan for their fi nancial futures. Descendants of those 229 passengers Bookings: historyvictoria.org.au/whats-on/rhsv- David Clark are invited. events/ passenger? For information as plans progress, Alleyne Hockley Convenor HVSG (RHSV) email now to: [email protected] RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 3 Bass Strait Lighthouses RHSV NEWS RHSV and a Japanese Reconnaissance Flight in 1942

The iconic lighthouses of Bass Strait are tower. Pilot Warrant Flying usually associated with maritime stories Offi cer, Nobuo Fujita, and and tragic shipwrecks. Few people Observer/Gunner, Petty however are aware of the important role Officer Second class four of these lighthouses played, in an Shoji Okuda, crewed the audacious flight made by a Japanese floatplane. The purpose reconnaissance plane over Melbourne of this daring fl ight was a in early 1942. reconnaissance mission Residing in Point Lonsdale on the Victorian over the Port of Melbourne. coast for many years, I heard tales The Cape Wickham about a Japanese two-seater Yokosuka lighthouse is situated in a E14Y (Glen) fl oat plane fl ying down the very remote location. But, Victorian coast during World War Two. because the lighthouse is The Japanese Navy categorised this such an obvious landmark, Schematic diagram of the approximate fl ight path type of plane as the Zero-type Small it would prove to be an Fujita fl ew on 26 February 1942 drawn by Lester Hunt. Reconnaissance Seaplane. The allies ideal landmark for the assigned it the codename: ‘Glen’. I was returning floatplane. Yokosuka E14Y & the I-Class submarine deck Courtesy inspired to probe deeper. Captain Tagami and David Jenkins, Battle Surface. The story of the Japanese reconnaissance Fujita had learned, when performing a reconnaissance beacons. He fl ew north towards the Cape flight began at the north end of King Otway lighthouse and then tracked along Island. The most prominent feature at mission in the same plane over Sydney Harbour on 17th February 1942 that the coast, towards the Point Lonsdale the northern tip of King Island is the lighthouse. Cape Wickham lighthouse. It is the tallest prominent landmarks were critical and lighthouse in Australia, constructed in essential. On that particular fl ight, fuel He turned more northerly and crossed 1861, standing 48 metres tall, with a range had become critically low, as the returning the coast west of the Point Lonsdale of 24 nautical miles. The lighthouse is an (Glen) fl oatplane, searched for the 1-25 lighthouse to avoid its defences. There amazing sentinel standing approximately submarine. were two Mk VII 6-inch guns that had been midway between Victoria and Tasmania. On 26 February 1942, just before installed on the sand dune-tops. There were also searchlights and machine guns On 26 February 1942, the Japanese dawn, the fl oatplane was moved from on the Point Lonsdale defence reserve. submarine 1-25 under the command its watertight hangar and quickly and of Captain Meiji Tagami was 10 miles effi ciently assembled on deck. There were Cloud cover on this particular day was off the Cape Wickham lighthouse. ‘The twelve main components. The wings were dense. It was ideal in that it allowed the submarine was 108 metres bow to stern. attached and then the fl aps and ailerons floatplane to fly undetected over the The I-25 was normally crewed by 12 unfolded, and the fl oats attached. The tail Bellarine Peninsula towards Portarlington. Officers and 88 enlisted men. It also plane was unfolded and the propeller was However, the cloud cover did not relent amazingly housed a small fl oatplane! fi tted. This incredibly only took about one and Fujita made the decision to descend hour! There was no spare set of wings, below the cloud, and confronted a terrifying On that particular day in February 1942, so the crew had to be very cautious sight! They were above the Laverton RAAF Captain Tagami ordered the launch of the regarding gusts of wind, which might blow air base. “It was a terrible place to come small (Glen) fl oatplane. It was an incredible one into the sea aborting the mission. piece of engineering. David Jenkins in down,” said Fujita, who survived WW2 Batle Surface published in 1992, wrote Once assembled, the dark green seaplane and recalled this and other fl ights to David that this ‘small two seater plane with wood was launched by catapult along a 20 Jenkins recorded in Battle Surface. and fabric wings and cumbersome fl oats metre long inclined ramp. At the end Aware that many ground crews would could remain aloft for more than 5 hours. of the ramp, the plane lifted clear of its have identifi ed the Japanese fl oatplane, The Yokosuka E14Y had a wingspan of supporting trolley. The submarine would Fujita fl ew in and out of cloud towards 11 metres and a length of 8.54 metres, a have increased its speed to 18 knots into Melbourne. The Lieutenant in charge of cruise speed of 165 km/hr and a range the breeze, to create the necessary lift for defences at Laverton RAAF base had of 880 kms.’ What is also fascinating, is takeoff . The seaplane would then climb not given the immediate order to open the fact that this small plane was stowed away at 90 knots. fi re. Instead, he phoned headquarters to with her wings removed, in a cylindrical On this particular mission Fujita, made full gain permission. The ground defences watertight hangar, forward of the conning use of the Bass Strait maritime navigation quickly lost sight of Fujita. By the time

4 RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 fi ghters were scrambled, the fl oatplane RHSV NEWS had disappeared. Fujita continued, flying over the Port of Melbourne, St. Kilda, Brighton and Sandringham. Flying south he identifi ed the next maritime beacon: the lighthouse at Cape Schanck. From this waypoint, he set his return course to Cape Wickham. On this incredible mission, Fujita and Okuda had noted the docks and ship repair facilities at Melbourne, nineteen ships at anchor in the Bay, plus one light cruiser and fi ve destroyers, line astern, Above: Frances Barkman House, 23 Maleela heading to Melbourne. Avenue, Balwyn, Victoria. Photo by Laurie Richards Fujita, was overwhelmed by the beauty October 1959. (Courtesy of Museums Victoria). and colors of the landscape. He recounted Left: Punch (Melbourne) Thursday 13 May 1915 to David Jenkins how he had thought that the large fl ocks of grazing sheep looked so much like ‘pieces of raw silk’. The Indefatigable Frances Upon Fujita’s return to Cape Wickham, he was most concerned to fi nd that the Barkman – Philanthropist 1-25 submarine had drifted to within six miles east of the lighthouse. The and Teacher (1885-1946) submarine would have been visible from the lighthouse. He landed successfully I encountered the late Frances Barkman was President of the Women’s Committee on the water, only to be further alarmed in 2009 while researching the family of the Free French Movement and a by the sight of four people in white history of a former resident of the Frances leading advocate of its cause during running near the lighthouse. He told Barkman House in Balwyn, Victoria. the German occupation of France. A David Jenkins: ‘I was scared to death’! Frances was a Jewish child refugee, born high-ranking officer of the Australian He expected the Australians to open fi re, in Kiev, Russia (now Ukraine) in 1885. Military Forces, wrote that, ‘nobody was but fortunately for the Japanese, no alarm Joseph, Anna and daughter Frances, had more welcome at the internment camps was raised. fl ed the Russian pogroms and arrived than Miss Barkman, and that nobody The ‘Glen’ fl oatplane subsequently was in Melbourne in 1891, where Joseph commanded the respect of commanding lifted by derrick onto the deck, disassembled Barkman taught Hebrew at Ormond officers more than this earnest and and stowed for the next mission, a fl ight over College, Melbourne. indefatigable Jewish lady’. Hobart on 1 March 1942. Frances (aka Fanny) was educated at the Frances Barkman who never married, US Army General, George S. Patton, told Rathdowne Street State and Secondary was instrumental in establishing Larino the offi cers under his command that, ‘you School, Carlton and trained as a teacher, Children’s Home, Balwyn, giving up many can never do too much reconnaissance…… graduating with a BA from the University hours of leisure time to teach them English. use every means available.’ of Melbourne. Her major areas of interest After her death the name of Larino Children’s were French and drama. She became an Home was changed in 1948 to the Frances The I-25 and the Glen fl oatplane certainly examiner in French at the University Public Barkman House, acknowledging her adhered to this dictum completing an Examinations, and was a lifelong member services as honorary secretary. extensive range of missions over Sydney, of Alliance Française, an international Melbourne, Hobart, Wellington, Auckland, Frances died in St. Vincent’s Hospital, organisation that promotes French Pacifi c Islands and the mainland United Fitzroy, Melbourne, on 28 September language and culture. She received two States. 1946, aged 61 years and was buried awards in the 1930s from the French in the Hebrew section of Fawkner Lester Hunt government for her ‘outstanding interest Memorial Park, Melbourne. Her will Despite significant investigation the and promulgation of French literature, art named the University of Melbourne and copyright holder of the plane’s images and teaching’. Frances joined the Lyceum the Australian Jewish Welfare Society as above could not be found. The RHSV Club, open to women graduates and those her chief benefi ciaries, with the AJWS and the author welcomes any information who have distinguished themselves in the providing bursaries for students in the on this matter. arts, education, science and philanthropy. Jewish Refugee Children’s Homes. The author acknowledges assistance In 1936, the Australian Jewish Welfare Professor Chisholm, Head of French at the for this article from David Jenkins, Battle Society (now Jewish Care) was established University of Melbourne wrote: ‘She was Surface. Japan’s Submarine War Against in Sydney and soon after in Melbourne. one of the most stimulating teachers of Australia 1942-44; Random House, Frances served as the Melbourne branch French in Victoria and turned out some of Australia. (1992); Heritage Victoria honorary secretary ensuring that refugees the best students we have had in French database: Point Lonsdale Lighthouse; arriving from Europe were guaranteed at the University’. Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Precinct. safe haven. Rose Raymen General Patton’s words are from In 1939, Mary Hutton, the headmistress The author wishes to acknowledge Headquarters; 3rd US Army; APO 9563; at MacRobertson Girls’ High School in the assistance of MacRobertson Girls’ 6 March 1944, Subject: Letter of Instruction Melbourne, appointed Frances, a member High School, Melbourne; Australian No1; To Corps, Division, and Separate Unit of the teaching staff, to oversee the Dictionary of Biography; Museums Commanders. school’s war relief. In 1942 the American Victoria, Melbourne; Trove – National Army took over the school’s site. Frances Library of Australia.

RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 5 Our an MA in Public History at Monash programs. These projects cover the University, her thesis being on history of suburbs such as Brunswick ‘Queens of Harlotry’ – sex, power and and Fitzroy; organisations such as the Youngest moral panics in nineteenth century Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Victorian Melbourne. More recently she AIDS Council and the Engineering RHSV NEWS RHSV Councillor ﬁ nished an MA in Information Studies Department at Monash University; from the University of Canberra. schools such as Bialik College and During her undergraduate degree Springvale Primary; events during the Lucy held a student placement at First World War; and buildings like the the Public Records Offi ce, Victoria, Rialto and Robert Blackwood Hall. working with archivists and record The RHSV Council benefits from keepers in developing a ‘how to’ Lucy’s presence in several ways. She guide for new researchers to the connects the RHSV into the world archives. During her postgraduate of public historians, those who earn degree Lucy completed an internship their living practising history outside at ABC Radio National, researching, the Academy. She is a member of the writing and producing an audio Professional Historians Association documentary for the then Radio of Victoria and Tasmania, serving National history program, Hindsight. as both President (2014-2015) and Moving into the paid history world, Vice-President (2010-2015). Lucy Lucy was an assistant curator at the has pertinent communications skills City Museum, Old Treasury Building honed by her MA in this area and and later the State Library of Victoria. her practice of professional history. Lucy joined the team at Way Back This is sorely needed on Council to When as a consulting historian in understand how the RHSV can best 2010. There she communicates the connect to its constituency. She has Historical Societies yearn for younger past in meaningful and dynamic ways, a great deal of historical knowledge members. The RHSV is fortunate to making it relevant and connected to also due to her experiences with the have Lucy Bracey as both member and the present. Lucy has worked on a ever-changing demands of doing Councillor (2013-2015), (2018 – present). variety of different commissioned commissioned histories. Lucy is also But youth is not Lucy’s claim to fame, history projects in the past ten years, a creative person, again honed by rather the skills and experience in public using archival research and oral her role as a public historian. Finally, history she brings to RHSV. history interviewing. Besides writing, she is hard-working and passionately Lucy completed a BA (Hons) from the Lucy is also an editor and presenter. committed to the role of history in the University of Melbourne in Australian Lucy has published four academic community. Thus, it is in her abilities history, her thesis on women, morality articles; and written or co-written eight not her youth, that her true value to and Melbourne winning the Jessie commissioned publications; curated the RHSV Council lies. Mary Vasey prize for the best thesis seven exhibitions; constructed four Richard Broome in women’s history. She completed websites; and made two audio

has strong memories of families in the A Life of street selling off possessions to make some money. Adventure She attended a business college in Norma Mullins has been a Thursday Malvern, then worked at the Returned volunteer with the Society for about Solders League in Collins Street. Her the last ten years. She came to us next move was the biggest change. after working as a guide at Como Her father who had been a wireless Phosphate Commissioners (BPC). She and in the Cabrini gift shop. Their operator, encouraged her to train married there and started a family. She loss was our gain! She has done at the Marconi School of Wireless, later managed the hotel and, at one much administrative work: managing which would enable her to join point, ran a general store with one of our regular mail outs – including the WAAF. Frognall in Mont Albert the locals. She lived on Nauru for over annual membership and insurance Road, Canterbury was being used thirty years. renewals and keeping our site search by the RAAF’s Melbourne Wireless The Society has greatly beneﬁ ted from and vertical ﬁ les clearly labelled and Telecommunications Station. Norma this rich life experience. Now aged an organised. worked there for about five years, amazing 97 – making her our oldest Norma was born in Maff ra but was there sharing a dormitory with twenty other volunteer – Norma is still managing our only a short time before her sawmill- women, and translating Morse Code major mail outs. Norma’s immaculate owning father moved the family to messages. dress sense has raised the bar high Glenhuntly. That is where she went to After the War, Norma ended up on and her dry sense of humour and vivid school during the Depression, and she Nauru Island, working for British stories keep us entertained.

6 RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 RHSV NEWS

Victoria May James (1898-1994) Hall of Fame: the last librarian Eaglehawk Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library Eaglehawk on the Loddon Highway, north nineteenth century library collection and 85) . The last was Mrs Victoria May James, west of Bendigo, is the site of one of the shelving, parts of the reference collection who was appointed honorary librarian of largest goldfi elds in Australia. After gold and the fundraising billiard tables. The all- the EMI Library in 1958, aged 60. When was discovered in Golden Square in 1851, important mineral collection, a valuable she retired in 1962, the library door closed, rapid development occurred at California teaching tool in the gold mining areas, but the library collection remains. Gully, Sailors Gully and Eaglehawk. remains in place. A painting of the In 2007 the building was handed over to Rows of tents, slab huts then shops, Opening of Federal Parliament has the City of Greater Bendigo by Trustee schools, transport and water emerged recently been returned to the EMI. There Owen Davies and a committee of over the next decade, culminating in the are also original building plans – framed. management appointed consisting of establishment of the Eaglehawk Borough Two displayed honour boards list the EMI local and user groups and the Eaglehawk in 1862. Many fine buildings revealed Presidents 1909-1944 and a restored WW1 Ward councillor. Conservation work to the heady aspirations and pride of place. Roll of Honour, which includes the names external facade, two internal rooms and A public meeting was convened by of three local WW1 nursing sisters. the roof began soon after. The building the Mayor, John W. Williams on 18 May The local community in Eaglehawk has has now been refurbished, painted with 1868 for the purpose of ‘taking steps to cared for this valuable heritage building part of the original border retained and establish a Free Library’. A committee for 151 years. Not only has it survived cedar shutters installed. The library books was formed, which requested the use intact, but a revival has taken place were cleaned, doors enlarged, street of part of the council chambers as a with upgrades to the building. The signage added, disabled access, heating public reading room. This opened on 27 Eaglehawk Public Library has occupied and cooling installed. May 1869 with a collection of 55 books, the former Reading Room since 2012, Fundraising is important and necessary various journals and newspapers. Botanist its contemporary collection, computers, to continue preservation of this building. Ferdinand von Mueller off ered volumes wi-fi , children’s story time and community In 2012 the Friends of the Library formed from his own collection, free of charge, activity space being appreciated by the and were part of the collaboration with boosting the collection to over 1,000 local community. the Goldfields Library and the council volumes. Serious fundraising for their own The Eaglehawk Heritage Society to expand the Goldfi eld Library services building in Sailors Gully Road began. In was formed in 1994 when council to the mechanics’ institute. Since then 1883 the Eaglehawk Mechanics’ Institute amalgamations placed Eaglehawk within the rooms have been utilised by the opened in a stately single-storey, red- the City of Greater Bendigo. This Society Annual Dahlia and Arts Festivals and let brick and white-rendered building of six has played a pivotal role in ensuring that to various organisations for art shows rooms serviced by a wide passage. It was Eaglehawk’s unique identity and heritage and book launches, and used by the designed by Henry Edmeades Tolhurst is preserved. Its members’ stoic eff orts to committee of management for meetings. (1837-1902), who designed the adjoining preserve and ensure the on-going use The library and community service legacy Eaglehawk Town Hall. of the Eaglehawk Mechanics’ Institute is proudly continues at the institute for the The Eaglehawk Mechanics institute to be applauded. The building is on the Eaglehawk residents, just as the early (EMI) and Free Library (FL) is now a time Victorian Heritage Register and ‘is rare committee envisioned in 1868. Well capsule. Not only does this stately original as an early and continuing lending library done Eaglehawk! It is now open six days building contain all the elements of a in Victoria and rare as a relatively intact a week from 10:00 in the morning until typical mechanics’ institute-library, reading although small building of its type’. 10:00 at night! room, museum/class room and billiard The fi rst librarian was James Abbott (1877- Pam Baragwanath room, but it also contains the original

RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 7 The Struggle

RHSV NEWS RHSV Over Local Heritage We are amid several major battles, most of which concern local heritage, the likely big issue of 2019.

The Queen Victoria Market and surrounds 1857, had a Heritage Overlay but that illustrate this point. Lord Mayor Sally Capp’s wouldn’t have protected it. At the time People’s Panel initiative seems to have of demolition, the authorities thundered saved the market itself because it is on the that the developers would have to rebuild state heritage register. However, we have the hotel, but last October, threatened lost most of the Queen Victoria Market with legal action from the developers, Historic Precinct, which was protected the authorities gave them what they only by a local Heritage Overlay. These would have got had they acted legally. buildings were not remarkable enough The Council and the Minister accepted to justify listing on the State Register, but a Planning Scheme Amendment that will they were essential parts of the market. allow the developers to build a 40 metre Demolition of early twentieth inter- The Council purchased the block south of apartment tower. war commercial buildings, south side Therry Street (opposite the Deli Section), This points to an emerging problem with of Therry Street between Queen and known as the Munro Site. The Council DDOs and other planning imperatives Elizabeth Streets (nos 97-141), 18 sought to make a profit from this site that override Heritage Overlays. Yarra January 2019 (photo C. Sowerwine). to pay for the proposed redevelopment Council is currently considering Proposed of the Market. A 196-metre tower was Planning Amendment C231 for the historic spoke at the meeting and pointed to the proposed but Planning Minister Richard Queens Parade shopping strip. It provides fact that the shops envisaged would be Wynne reduced the height to 125 metres that most of the shopfronts covered by too small to be viable. Council clearly heard or 41 stories. The new development is Heritage Overlay can be demolished, the community message. Cr Stephen Jolly now under construction. To maximise leaving only the facade and the front moved to refer the draft back to offi cers to the profit from the development, the six metres, and calling for six-storey revise in accordance with the submissions. Council voted for demolition of the same development behind the facade. That was passed unanimously. We’ll see in buildings on which it had earlier placed Ian Wight of our Heritage Committee has May what this brings. a Heritage Overlay, and the Minister led our opposition to this amendment. On So local heritage is the big issue. Professor agreed. The tower will be based on a Tuesday, 12 March, Yarra Council held a Stuart Macintyre, Chair of the Heritage fi ve-storey podium. Instead of a low-rise public meeting. There had been over 400 Council, heads a panel investigating the complementary historic facade opposite submissions, the vast majority seeking problems of local heritage. We hope for the Deli Section, we will have fi ve storeys significant change in the amendment. good news on this front and on Federation of fl ats looking down on the Therry Street Nearly everyone called for a four-storey Square by the next issue of History News. seating. I was there on 18 January this year limit or less. We called, and so did many and took this picture of the demolition. others, for retaining at least the front ten Chips Sowerwine, This case illustrates the vulnerability of metres or the main body of the shops. I Chair of the Heritage Committee, RHSV local Heritage Overlays to the whims of councils, which are the responsible authority for initiating any Heritage Overlay and for subsequent planning involving buildings covered by their own Heritage Overlays (subject to appeal to VCAT of course). We are facing increasing problems with Heritage Overlays as the state government presses councils to maximise development. Most areas of Victoria are covered by Design and Development Overlays (DDOs), which specify what development is regarded as appropriate. These DDOs coexist with Heritage Overlays (where they exist). The secret of the Corkman Hotel—illegally demolished in 2016—is that it was covered not only by a Heritage Overlay but also by a DDO. While we all thought that it was protected, in fact it was earmarked Early 20th-C commercial buildings, south side of Therry Street for intense development. This classic between Queen and Elizabeth Streets (nos 97-141) covered by gold-rush era Victorian pub, dating from HO7. Photo c. 2000.

8 RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 RHSV NEWS 9 . APRIL 2019 APRIL contains Hans-Wolter’s contains Hans-Wolter’s won the local history – small RHSV NEWS NEWS RHSV Hans-Wolter’s son gifted an extensive son gifted an extensive Hans-Wolter’s work to the portfolio of his father’s Murchison and District Historical Society. It then became obvious that Hans-Wolter’s ability to paint, draw and sketch extended far beyond the familiar style of the well- known murals of Murchison and accepted style ‘signature’ as von Gruenewaldt’s of art. the talent to paint serious had Hans-Wolter portraits, scenes around the camps, backdrops for concert and plays, illustrate and write in attractive script the text for a detailed concert production, and execute drawings of wildlife near the compound. His cartoons of the daily work party and quirky caricatures of his compatriots with a demonstrated his ability to portray, few simple strokes, the amusing features of daily life and the characteristics of the individuals with whom he shared his incarceration. Depression was common behind barbed wire as the years dragged on, with no ending in sight. Hans-Wolter added some humour and light-hearted contribution to the situation. Art Captured own account of his hazardous journey to life in the camps and contains Australia, many images of his art, showcasing his diverse talent and wide range of artistic styles. This book relates a unique and war-time unknown story of Australia’s history on home soil. It also answers to the often-posed question ‘what is the story behind these murals in Murchison’? Ball Kay Art Captured (2018) – publication award at the VCHA and is available from the RHSV bookshop and the M & DHS for $25 plus postage Left: mural painted on the wall of mural painted on the wall Left: Garrison Hall, and right, Camp 13 garden von and guard tower by Hans-Wolter Gruenewaldt. Courtesy of Murchison & District Historical Society. Arandora ed as a merchant seaman,ed as a , notable for the appalling treatment that was torpedoed by a German was an outpost timber cutting camp. Caught up in this mix, was civilian Hans- von Gruenewaldt, a German mining Wolter He was captured with other engineer. German nationals while trying to leave to avoid internment. He hadSouth Africa signed on as crew of a German vessel, but the ship was intercepted by a British his destroyer and he was taken prisoner, incarceration to last 6 and half years. His following journey was far from smooth being moved from one sailing. After he temporary holding in Britain to another, was placed aboard the ill-fated Star U-boat. Many lives were lost in this disaster. The second Things did not improve. means of shipping these prisoners to was the notorious ‘hell ship’ Australia Dunera on of the Jewish Internees and POWs board. Classiﬁ was eventually placed upon Hans-Wolter Camp 13. This disembarkation in POW west of Murchison, was the biggestcamp, of the compounds built and was able to accommodate 4000 prisoners. his talent as an artist, the Recognising Commanding Officer of the camp, Lieutenant Colonel Bush, asked Hans- to decorate the walls of the large Wolter the camp Hall. After Garrison Recreation was no longer required, this building was transported to Murchison township Soldiers League for use as the Returned meeting rooms and venue for local social occasions. The artwork adorning the interior was always an intriguing feature admired by users of the building. When the Hall was demolished in 1982 the murals on the walls were salvaged, framed and still hang in locations within the town. gures, ART CAPTURED cers, while at Graytown there

Seventeen large and colourful murals Seventeen large and colourful murals portraying caricatures and comical ﬁ today hang in three public venues in the central Victorian town of Murchison and are a unique feature of this small rural community. Questions are often raised: ‘where did the ‘What’s these paintings come from’? story behind this artwork’? The answers are War World connected to a part of Australia’s II history that is not widely known. numbers of the enemy were Large captured by the Allies in the North African II, reportedly War campaigns during World large numbers by April 1941. Also, 145,000 of civilians of European background living in Britain at the outbreak of war and considered to be a security risk, were interned when Winston Churchill issued the order ‘collar the lot’. An enormous logistical problem in housing, feeding and guarding arose concerning these internees and Prisoners Commonwealth countries (POWs). of War agreed to take some of them under an agreement with the British Government. detention camps were set In Australia, the Northern up in every state except who Civilians living in Australia, Territory. were were thought to be a risk to security, also detained and placed behind barbed wire in these camps. camp in for a POW In Victoria, except the north at Myrtleford, these purpose- built camps were clustered around the Basin, a large water storage Waranga central Victoria. in the Goulburn Valley, Camps 1, 2, 3, and 4 were for civilian internees. Military prisoners were held in Camp 13 Murchison. A large mansion nearby called ‘Dhurringile’ housed the German offi

the Art – Capturing the Story of of the Story Capturing RHSV NEWS RHSV Victoria House, London Editor: 2019 marks the existence of Victoria House on the Strand in London for 110 years. It is home to the Agent-General of Victoria in London. Victoria House played a key role in how Australia House, London came to be built, as is indicated in this abridged excerpt from Eileen Chanin, Capital Designs, Australia House and Visions of an Imperial London, Melbourne: Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2018. Available soon from the RHSV bookshop.

Victoria House, as the new building for scheme, the western corner of a larger the London offices of the Government of single building to extend eastward along Victoria came to be called, was officially the Strand and to face St Clement Danes. opened on 30 March 1909. It was the The Commonwealth had been negotiating first building erected on land cleared with the London County Council which on the Strand by the London County approved Burr’s scheme. London’s Daily Council to revive central London at the Telegraph endorsed Burr’s design, saying start of the twentieth century. At one that it would transform the Strand. Victoria hundred and twenty feet high, it fronted House was the keynote for the as yet the Strand for twenty-five feet, and ran unbuilt composition. For now, Victoria’s sixty-five feet deep along a new street that building merely signalled possibility. Victoria House, London. New Offices separated it from the Council’s vacant land Victoria House was an imposing presence for the Government of Victoria, surrounding Victoria’s block. Melbourne on its site on the Strand (as photographs Strand, 1909 (Alfred Burr, F.R.I.B.A., Place became the name of the new street taken in 1909 show). ‘Very like a sky- Architect). Courtesy State Library of leading from the Strand to Aldwych. scraper,’ is how the New Zealand Victoria. Designed by London architect Alfred Burr Herald described it. The paper’s report with modifications by the pre-eminent catches the significance of the building (as the new high-rise structures were architect R. Norman Shaw, Victoria House in terms of when it was built. Victoria known), when it soared high above the was a six-story building with entrances House went up when buildings were empty Strand land. Its upward thrust from the Strand and Melbourne Place. racing to the skies. Chicago’s Masonic was in marked contrast to the vacant Three distinct parts of the building (the Temple (1890–2), built just fifteen years space spread out beneath it. ‘The new ground space, the office space above ahead of Burr’s building, was briefly the ‘Cornstalk’ building that has arisen out of and the upper roof section) expressed tallest building in the world at twenty-two the Aldywch’ is how the building’s steel its intended purpose to serve as a storeys. The record holder in 1908–9 was frame appeared, being ‘conspicuously showcase and meeting place as well as New York’s Singer Building. Only seventy alone’ (just as The Age relayed English house offices. The basement was used feet square, it rose to a height of 612 feet comments on it). for storage, the ground floor was an (forty-seven floors). Four years later, Cass The State of Victoria led the Dominion and exhibition space for Victoria’s products. Gilbert’s Woolworth Building (1910–13), Colonial representatives in London, being Administrative offices occupied the next stood almost thirty per cent taller. With the first of them to build a permanent office three floors. The Agent-General used fifty-seven floors at 792 feet, it was the there. Unsurprisingly, many press reports the second floor; the third floor held an tallest building in the world, and remained of the building’s opening expressed office and a Board Room. The fourth floor so until 1930. their hope that the London offices of the displayed Mining Exhibits. The fifth was Because building regulations in London Commonwealth would arise alongside devoted to reading rooms and served strictly controlled height, Victoria House it. The Daily Telegraph carried a leader, as a rendezvous for Victorian visitors to could not match these buildings in two columns in length, devoted to the London. The sixth floor held storerooms height, but it was advanced. Taking opening of Victoria House. It suggested and could be used for additional displays high-rise building for granted, as we do that the Imperial ideal was at last finding and other purposes. The building was today, we should not underestimate the expression in London architecture: ‘The said to cost approximately £16,000. The boldness of the race to the skies made Commonwealth, New Zealand and British Architect acclaimed its design and by the first high-rise tower buildings South Africa must follow with edifices Victoria House was universally regarded in the early years of the past century. expressive of the greatest factor in as a fine structure. They were as revolutionary as were modern political life [the Empire], as the Anticipating that the Commonwealth or Gothic constructions that transformed medieval cathedrals were of the life of other Australian States would build on architecture in the twelfth century. their time’. the rest of the block it occupied, Burr Victoria House seemed a towering form, Dr Eileen Chanin saw Victoria House as part of a complete a ‘cloud-presser’ or ‘elevator building’ Australian Studies Institute, ANU

10 RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 We welcome Societies to submit an article/event of around 50 words, or email Around the SOCIETIES your Newsletter to us and we will write up around 50 words for you around twice per year. Societies FOR THE JUNE 2019 ISSUE please send details to Prepared by volunteer Glenda Beckley on [email protected] behalf of the History Victoria Support Group. by 10 May 2019.

AUSTRALIAN GARDEN HISTORY: ministers and prominent citizens through GEELONG MUSEUM: During 2019 the Thursday 11 April - Lecture by Su to paupers in common graves. The ‘Last Sunday Series’ of illustrated talks, Laird: ‘History of Japanese Gardens’. cemetery was originally designed by will continue on the Last Sunday of each Venue: Mueller Hall, National Herbarium, Albert Purchas in the manner of a public month, February to November inclusive. Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra. 6 for 6.30 park, with trees, shrubs and open space, These talks from 2-4 pm in the National pm start. and was the fi rst of its kind in Victoria Wool Museum, Geelong are followed by Sunday 28 April: Working Bee Mooleric, (possibly also in Australia). As originally afternoon tea (gold coin donation) and Birregurra. Contact Fran on 9853 1369 envisaged, the cemetery was an attractive sales of books related to the talk when or email [email protected] for details; place for passive recreation and peaceful available. Details on our Geelong Museum Sunday 12 May: Working Bee Mt contemplation. But the management Facebook page. Buninyong, Buninyong. Contact Fran of the cemetery has not always been Sunday 28 April: ‘Otway sawmilling history on 9853 1369 or mail franfaul@gmail. peaceful. Jeff Atkinson conducts the very exploration. 20 years of bush bashing com for details. popular cemetery tours, organised jointly – rugged fieldwork in the Otway’s for BALWYN: Thursday 11 April - ‘Wartime by the Princes Hill Community Centre sawmilling history’. Norman Houghton Experiences in Vietnam’ by John Haward and CCHG. The next tour is on Saturday has produced several books dealing with a Vietnam Vet and member of Box Hill 27 April 2019, from 10 am till 12 noon. sawmills and their tramways in the Otway RSL. Thursday 9 May ‘Orchards and Fruit Book online to secure your place. http:// ranges. In this presentation, he will discuss Shops in Doncaster and Box Hill’ by John princeshill.org.au/programs/history/107-2/ his methods and findings. Booking Barnao. He will cover the heyday of farm CIVIL AVIATION: 12:00 noon Friday 1 essential: https://trybooking.com/BBBWO. production in the Doncaster area and June - Special Event! Christine Negroni: Sunday 26 May: ‘History of the You Yangs’. how businesses along the Maroondah will speak on: ‘Human, Hazard or Hero? The You Yangs are visible from many Corridor, mainly Box Hill, catered for the What Malaysia 370 and the Miracle on the locations in Geelong and district, but few district’s orchardists. Meetings are held at Hudson Teach Us About the Role of the probably know much about them. Richard the Balwyn Evergreen Centre, 45 Talbot Human in Aviation Safety’. Christine writes Critchlow is someone with knowledge to Avenue, Balwyn. about aviation for The New York Times, impart regarding these interesting peaks. Air & Space (Smithsonian Institution), BRIGHTON CEMETORIANS: 19 May - Law Booking essential: https://trybooking. Travel + Leisure, the Chicago Tribune Week: “‘Guilty or not’ you be the Jury”. com/BBBXK This walk begins at the Cemetery Offi ce. and other publications. She is the safety As the Jury you will hear the case of the consultant to the American ABC News HOTHAM: Talk by Ian Shears ‘Greening death of two wives of a doctor; be asked and worked with the network in Malaysia Melbourne’. Melbourne’s urban forest who caused the death of the body found during its coverage of the disappearance includes approximately 20,000 trees in a lane; whether a brother’s dispute was of Malaysia 370. Christine is in Melbourne in the private realm. These trees help responsible for a murder; and while out to speak to the Australian New Zealand keep our landscape resilient, our city shooting rabbits was a death an accident? Association of Air Safety Investigators. For liveable and sustainable and maintain In total six cases will be heard and as the information contact https://www.asasi.org/ Melbourne’s character and heritage. City of Melbourne’s Exceptional Tree Jury you will be asked to consider if they FITZROY: On Sunday 5 May, as part of the Register was adopted by Council in 2012. are ‘Guilty or Not Guilty’. National Trust Heritage Festival, the FHS It enables us to recognise, celebrate and CAMPERDOWN: As well as the regular will conduct a guided walk with Michael protect the exceptional trees that exist on work of cataloguing, researching and Shelford of Melbourne Historical Crime privately owned or managed land in our hosting visitors, plans for new projects are Tours. The walk will commence at 10.00 city. 28 May, 7.30-8.15, North Melbourne always being discussed. A major project am on the northern corner of Gertrude and Library, 66 Errol Street North Melbourne, for 2019 is our ‘Businesses Project’. This Nicholson Street (outside Royal Terrace) Victoria. will entail listing the history of the shops, and fi nish about 11.00 am at the corner of owners and businesses carried out in the Napier and Little Victoria Streets. It will LEONGATHA: This year we are planning two main retail blocks of Manifold Street. A look at criminal activities in the area from a cemetery walk with an ANZAC fl avour. great deal of work has already been done the 1880s to the 1920s. The walk is limited On Sunday 14 April, Lyn Skillern will lead in preparation for this, including current to adults 18 years of age or older. Children a walk in the Leongatha cemetery telling photos of each of the premises. These 15-17 can attend with a parent or guardian. the stories of our war graves, graves of can then be compared with older photos The cost will be $10. noted personnel, and memorials to those from our catalogue. Lots of work still to be resting elsewhere in the world. The walk FRIENDS AND RELATIONS OF GULF done and it’s still in the planning stages will commence at 2:00pm. STATION: This year, Gulf Station will again but it’s going to keep members busy for take part in the Trust’s Heritage Festival. LILYDALE: On Saturday 6 April we will be some time! Last year, the Trust did us proud with our holding a society fi rst when we host ‘The CARLTON: The Melbourne General entry in the program, which resulted in Postie and the Builder Q & A’ session at Cemetery has been embroiled in excellent visitor numbers. If you are not the Old Lilydale Court House, 2.30pm controversy, scandals and criminal already a regular volunteer but think you after our general meeting at 1pm. This activity. Since its fi rst burial in May 1853, might be able to help on our 2019 date session will feature local former postie the cemetery has seen interments of (18 April), please send Irene an email at Ron Norman and builder Ray Oliver people from all walks of life, from prime [email protected] answering your questions about their

RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 11 lives growing up in Lilydale. Both now in on the ‘Life and Work of Maryborough’s SLV librarian, ‘Researching your Family their 80s, they have amazing memories Alec Chisholm’ at the local Library, open History at the State Library of Victoria’. of people, places and events. Come during library hours: Monday to Friday: 10- Note: order of speaking to be determined with your questions and our postie and 5pm; Saturday: 9 - 12pm. Alexander Hugh on the day. Admission: $25 ($20 for builder will try and answer them. Gold coin (Alec) Chisholm (1890-1977) was born WFHG, W&DHS; AIGS Members) includes donation for non-members. in Maryborough, (the now demolished morning and afternoon teas – BYO Lunch. SOCIETIES MALDON: Maldon’s involvement in the family home was opposite the new ﬁ re Enquiries: Mike Roche mroche001@gmail. Heritage Festival (18 April-19 May 2019) station in Napier Street) attended PS com coincides with Maldon’s own Easter Fair 404 and began his working life at the WAVERLEY: Wednesday 24 April 2pm. celebration. Events include: Maryborough Advertiser. He became a Our guest Bill Brown will speak on: prominent journalist, editor and naturalist, ‘An Enduring Thread’ by Maldon Museum ‘John Monash, more than a Military and was awarded an O.B.E in 1958. & Archives, at Maldon Museum. Easter Commander’. Bill will explore Monash’s Saturday & Sunday 1:30-4:00pm, Easter MORNINGTON: Coff ee mornings at the other skills and abilities. At the Society’s Monday 12:00-2:00pm. Entry by donation. Mornington Fire Brigade rooms – Cost rooms above the Mt. Waverley branch The ‘Easter Procession Pictorial’ exhibition $5. Tuesday 9 April at 10:30: ‘Dromana of the Monash Public Library, 41 Miller over Easter weekend reveals some of Drive-In’ by Paul Whittaker. His family Crescent, opposite the Mt. Waverley Maldon’s rich social and cultural history. has run this now heritage-listed venue Railway Station - North side. Bring your own photos, memorabilia for many years, and will take us down or stories of past processions to share. memory lane. Tuesday 24 May at 10:30: This year’s Easter Monday Procession ‘Rev George Cox – a Renaissance Man’, Enhance your next commences at 10:30am. by Joy Cullen who will share her research about this amazing Mornington resident. ‘Hidden Stories of Your House’ by Maldon book with an Index by Focus Inc. is at Maldon Community Centre PLENTY: On Sunday 23 June the Society on Sunday 5 May 2:00-3:30pm. Adults will tour the beautiful Mont De Lancey Terri Mackenzie $5, children free, afternoon tea included. Estate in Wandin North. The cost is $8 and includes: the homestead and gardens, St ‘Maldon - Notable Town’ by Maldon Mary’s Chapel, blacksmith’s shop, vintage Incorporated - brochures and a web- engine shed, and the extensive museum. based app at tours.maldonmuseum.com. au will help you discover historic gems. UNITING CHURCH: ‘Discovering Ecumenism and Asia: The Harvey Perkins ‘Ephemeral Artworks Reveal Maldon story’, by Assoc. Professor Brian Howe, History’ commissioned by Maldon at 2:30 on 28 April, in the Mountview Incorporated is a temporary art installation Uniting Church, Corner Whitehorse and of faux commemorative plaques during Doncaster East Roads, Mitcham. Further the Heritage Festival. It exhibits works details from Synod Archives on Thursdays by Castlemaine Secondary College art 95715476. students, mentored by local artist and Professional Back teacher, Clayton Tremlett. WARRNAMBOOL: Family History Seminar of Book Indexer - Saturday, 18 May, 2019 at Hammond MALVERN: Saturday 13 April at 10.30 am. Centre, Christ Church, cnr Koroit and Member of Australian and Join members of the Society for our walk Henna Streets, Warrnambool. Registration adjoining Heyington Station including New Zealand Society of from 9.15 am for 9.45 am start. Lawrenny Court, Torresdale Road and Indexers the northern sections of Lansell Road and Speakers: Bronwen Bennett, librarian, Heyington Place. Heyington House was bookseller, lifelong bibliophile: Jill Geise, Honorary Victorian an early home built by artist James Turner. author The Maddest Place on Earth: A Historical Journal Indexer Bookings: Lorraine 9885 9082 Members: Life in Victoria’s Asylums; Ken Flack, Gold coin. Non members: $5 All welcome! genealogist and historian from Horsham [email protected] on ‘Research – a different approach’; MARYBOROUGH: As part of the 2019 Janet Macdonald, President, W&DHS, on National Trust Heritage Festival April ‘Houses and Land in Warrnambool and [email protected] 18 – 19 May, we present an exhibition District – local records’; Kate Moneypenny,

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Community History We take pride in producing work of the highest possible quality, and provide a service Award 2014 that is personal, friendly, cooperative and confidential Call for appointment (03) 9878 9285 12 RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 RHSVBOOKS NEWS 13 ered to APRIL 2019 APRIL Cheryl Scott and Margaret rst colonial contact with the Marten A Syme, Port Fairy, Fairy, Port Marten A Syme, RHSV NEWS NEWS RHSV Aboriginal peoples in 1835, through Aboriginal peoples in 1835, through the buildingdevelopment of a township, hard years of and the war, of a railway, The second half the early 20th century. of the book focuses on the challenges Fairy faced moving in to the modern Port continued modernisation and its its day, triumphant transformation into one of the towns. most liveable world’s Victoria, Australia, 2018, pp ii – 295, ISBN 2018, pp Victoria, Australia, 9780957929531. This book is absolutely a labour of love who has for historian Marten Syme, Fairy for the last been a resident of Port forty years and spent the last ten years researching this work. The initial chapters cover the fi War Worn & Weary: The Convalescent & Weary: Worn War Nurses of Osborne House Geelong 1917 – 1919. Port Fairy: The Town That Kept Its Its That Kept Fairy: The Town Port Character. Phelan, Osborne Park Association Ltd, Association Ltd, Phelan, Osborne Park Geelong, Victoria, 2018, pp iv – 276, ISBN 9780646597744. When one hears the term ‘war wounded’, images of impossibly young men who were torn and twisted by the horrors of convalescing in pristine white ict, confl beds with pretty nurses bustling over them considered generally come to mind. Less is those nurses who were themselves requiring rest and battered by war, recuperation. This is an absolutely brilliant book, with short biographies of 47 nurses who were sent to recover at Geelong’s the same time pitiable At Osborne House. and inspirational, these women led the full gambit of experiences in returned veterans; some never recovered either physically or psychically and others went on to live full and happy lives. This book is a testament to them all. Ilya advanced read, butably uenced future Aboriginal Paul Nicholls, Australian Scholarly Australian Nicholls, Paul the bookshop by authors, please check the shop catalogue. please check the by authors, the bookshop Authors, publishers and Historical Societies are invited Societies Historical and publishers Authors, library and for RHSV for the books to the to contribute in Books Received. for inclusion consideration off listed are not necessarily these books Please note: A Delicious Bundle of Prejudices: A Delicious Bundle of Prejudices: Life of George William The Australian Rusden. The Enlightenment, Philanthropy andThe Enlightenment, Progress in Early the Idea of Social Race? Creating a Happier Australia: Publishing Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Melbourne, Publishing Pty Ltd, 2018, pp vii – 488, ISBN 9781925801507. If George William Rusden was asked as a child what he wanted to be when he grew his answer was probably ‘everything.’ up, Having migrated from England and his bright, Rusden put exceptionally mind to countless endeavours in his new and as such his name is peppered country, colonial history. throughout Australia’s a historian, a Rusden was an educator, founder of schools, an Aboriginal rights activist, a man of religion, a lawman and a holder of definite political opinion. contradictions Nicholls explores Rusden’s in this hefty and detailed biography with elegance and diligence. Lazarev, Routledge, New York, USA, 2019, 2019, USA, New York, Routledge, Lazarev, pp ix – 265, ISBN 9781138334298. PhD thesis, this An expansion on Lazarev’s book is a philosophical dive into Australia’s from early colonial ‘civilising missions’ discusses Lazarev around 1788 – 1850. adapted how the colonialists of Australia the ideals from the Scottish enlightenment with the view of creating a to Australia It also explores the progressive society. relationship between these social ideals and early Anglo-Aboriginal interactions, and how this infl policy. It’s a justifi It’s policy. sitting down with some of well worth it’s the concepts and considering the nature of civilisation. rst the gapslled Gideon Haigh, Gideon Haigh, Barry Stone, Allen & Barry Stone, By Lee Sulkowska Lee By Books Books Received Hamish Hamilton, Australia, 2018, pp 1 – Hamish Hamilton, Australia, ISBN 9780143789574. 310, Mollie Dean was always described with impersonal adjectives. A painter’s A girlfriend. A young schoolteacher. murder victim. A tragic bohemian muse. Mollie Dean died over 85 years ago and with the case gone cold and no closure gained, journalists, writers, musicians and artists have fi of her death with their own scandalous ctions. Mollie visualisations and even fi Yet has become a caricature of herself. in this riveting book Haigh attempts to telling the storyhumanise her once more, which has for too long been life, of Mollie’s overshadowed by her death. The Squatters: The Story of Australia’s of Australia’s The Squatters: The Story Pioneers. Pastoral A Scandal in Bohemia: The Life and The Life and A Scandal in Bohemia: Death of Mollie Dean. white settlers and emancipated convicts further decide to strike out of Sydney book wild heart. Stone’s into Australia’s is about their struggle and determination to make a life for themselves, often at the cost of Aboriginal blood on their hands. Those who succeeded became what was creating their aristocrats,’ known as ‘scrub own social class, and for good or ill, paving to be known as ‘the the way for Australia lucky country.’ Unwin, NSW, Australia, 2019, pp 1 – 245, 2019, Australia, Unwin, NSW, ISBN 9781760291532. in the present day is so Australia our populationsadvanced, our cities large, multicultural and our global impact so impressive that it sometimes remains colonial history unfathomable that it’s only spans a couple of centuries. Only a few short generations ago did the fi RHSV NEWS RHSV BOOKS

The Mannix Era: Melbourne Catholic The ANZACS of Maroondah: Lest We Ballarat’s Blooming Begonias. Friends Leadership 1920 – 1970. Patrick Morgan, Forget. Geoff Arnott, Croydon Historical of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Ballarat, Connor Court Publishing, West End, Society, Croydon, Victoria, 2018, pp 2 – Victoria, 2018, pp 1 – 40. Queensland, 2018, pp v – 304, ISBN 345, ISBN 9780648361701. This is a charming and informative booklet 9781925826166. This is an absolutely visually stunning for those interested in Begonias, their This book, a sequel to Morgan’s previous book and is similarly staggering in its history and how they came to be one of work Melbourne before Mannix, covers wealth and depth of content. As the title the biggest tourism draws in Ballarat. It the archdiocese in Melbourne from suggests Arnott chronicles the ANZACS details the diff erent Begonia categories, 1920-1970. Archbishop Mannix, trained of Maroondah, describing the townships growing and cultivation tips, how the in Maynooth lent Melbourne Catholicism of Croydon and Ringwood, how the call plants came to Ballarat and even their an Irish ﬂ avour. As a result, Mannix walks of war in 1914 took away many young multiple brushes with British Royalty. A the pages of a great number of historical men and women from the region and lot of history is crammed into this tiny events during the early 20th century, such never returned them. He documents their booklet; Begonias were once used to as the Irish rebellion, and the mid 50’s involvement in many major battles, life polish swords, and in 1946 the Ballarat Labor party split. However, this book also in the trenches, those who won medals Botanical Garden’s Begonia houses documents the interwar years, other key of bravery, many who perished and the were empty due to war and drought. A Catholic players during those decades, lives of those who returned post-war. fantastic booklet to pick up when visiting and the immense participation of the The book is rich with images and is a the Botanical Gardens in Ballarat. Catholic community during Mannix’s valuable source of ANZAC history for the Archbishopship. Instead of a purely Maroondah region. biographical angle, Morgan skilfully contextualises Mannix in the wider Catholic community of Melbourne.

Ballarat Old Colonialists. Old Victorian War Heritage. Celestina Colonists’ Association of Ballarat Inc, Sagazio, Southern Metropolitan Ballarat, Victoria, 2018, pp 1 – 33, ISBN Cemeteries Trust, Springvale Victoria, 9780646982250. 2017, pp 1 – 40. Founded The Old Colonists Association of Ballarat This booklet is a walkthrough of the was formed as an altruistic gold miners club Springvale War Cemetery, created in 1939. in 1867. It was created to help those diggers Most of the graves listed in this booklet are Over 30,000 items of down on their luck, the widows of the the dead from both World Wars and the Victorian and interstate unlucky and the community that was built up Vietnam War. Readers can plan their visit history, resources for family around the Ballarat Goldﬁ elds. This booklet with an excellent tour map with notable history and much more is a brief history of the club, documenting the internments whilst reading about the lives available for loan. ups and downs of its 150 years. It describes and military service of the Australian men the custom-built Hall, the club’s charity and women buried there. The cemetery 9510 3393 services, the achievements of its pioneers has a Garden of Remembrance for quiet www.pmi.net.au and its struggle to maintain patronage in reﬂ ection, after which you can wander to 39 St Edmonds Road, modern times. In true Association style, the Botanical Cemetery section. the proceeds of the booklet are going to Prahran the Charles Anderson Grove Fundraising Appeal.

14 RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 History Victoria BOOKS Bookshop New Books in store for April 2019

321 Imagined Settlement. Acland Street – The Grand Lady of Blacksmith’s Family: The lives of By Ray Jelley. St Kilda. By Judith Buckrich. Wandiligong blacksmith Thomas $20 $50 Gardiner Smith , his wife Frances and their family. By Philip W. Smith. $49.95

Century of Volunteering, A. From Devon to Australia: A 19th John Muston: draper, squatter, By Arthur Winzenried. century narrative through the speculator in Colonial Australia. $35 unpublished letters of the Merriﬁ eld By Robert Wuchatsch family. By Virginia Noonan. $40 $35

Tragedy and Triumph: Early Whisper Lake Tyers. White Hot Flame, A: Mary testimonies of Jewish survivors of By Jack & Grace Whatcoat Montgomery Bennett, author, World War 2. By Freda Hodge. $45 educator, activist for indigenous $34.95 justice. By Sue Taff e. $34.95

See our online catalogue at www.historyvictoria.org.au/bookshop/ or visit the Bookshop at the RHSV.

RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019 15 REMEMBERING MELBOURNE Returns - and for $35!

RHSV NEWS RHSV On Melbourne Day, 30 August, the updated version of Remembering Melbourne 1850-1960 was launched at the RHSV and is now on sale. This stunning book, which sold out at the RHSV in just four weeks, is currently available to enhance your book shelves and delight those who receive it as a gift. The price is again a sensational $35 (pick up from the RHSV), or plus postage and handling for mail orders http://www.historyvictoria.org.au/

All proceeds from sales will boost our growing Victorian Historian Journal Future Fund, aimed to secure our century-old journal, currently the second oldest, continuously published, history journal in Australia.

Flagstaff Gardens, which are just to your right, are Melbourne’s oldest gardens. They take their name from a ﬂ agstaff erected in GUIDED WALKSIN 1840 at the settlement’s highest point, in order to communicate between the harbour and town. This became known as “Flagstaff HISTORIC FLAGSTAFF Hill”. Before this, the area was used as a cemetery and was known as Burial Hill. (There is a memorial in the gardens that marks the GARDENS graves of the ﬁ rst European settlers.)

GUIDED WALKS EVERY MONDAY

Time 11am Where Meet here at the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, 239 A’ Beckett St Cost $10 Children under 16 free Duration 75 minutes Booking preferred At reception, or 9326 9288 email offi [email protected]

16 RHSV NEWS APRIL 2019