Combined Journal of the East Family History Group Inc. and the Historical Society Inc.

October 2008: No. 76 the Black Sheep O.GilpinAn Girl Remembers at O.Gilpin ofBairnsdale at recalls HansonBetsy her days

ing in 1930s Catching a ride school to She Signed Her Name

Gwen Murrell Murrell Gwen recalls morn- the 1891the signed petition women who Gippsland transcriptofallA East

East Gippsland Family History Group Inc. 21 Morgan Street (off Moroney), P.O. Box 1104, Bairnsdale 3875 Contents Email: [email protected] Telephone: 5152 5590 October 2008 No. 76 http://home.vicnet.net.au/~egfhg/ OPENING HOURS TUESDAY 10am to 4pm THURSDAY 10am to 4pm (up to 7.00pm when volunteers available) SATURDAY 10am to 4pm (except 2nd Saturday of month 9am to 1pm) bethink …. 3 Charges: Non members $10 per day RESEARCH FEE $15 MEMBERSHIP FEES Compulsory Reading 4 Joining Fee $5 All members of the Family History Group are required to fully Ordinary Member $30 read this page. You will be tested on it - I joke - however your Extra Family Member (same address) $15.00 input is genuinely sought. Committee Members 2008-2009 President Tony Meade 5152 1111 Vice President Deirdre Bennett 5152 6753 Catching a ride to school in the 1930s 5 Secretary Debbie Squires (resignation pending) Gwen Murrell recalls her childhood morning routine to “catch” Treasurer Neil Cox 5157 1260 a ride to school. Librarian Lorna Prendergast 5152 4556 Publicity Officer Leanne Dyson 5152 8484 Editor Debbie Squires 5152 2378 An O. Gilpin Girl Remembers 6 Members Michael Bruse 5157 1486 EGFHG member Leanne Dyson recently sat down with her Tracey Waddell 5152 3861 mother, Betsy Hanson, and talked to her about her days as an Cheryl Brooks 5152 4178 O. Gilpin girl in Bairnsdale. Gwen McInnes 5153 1270

Subscriptions due on 1 July in each year She signed her name 10 A transcript of all East Gippsland women who signed the 1891 “monster” petition, complete with amendments. East Gippsland Historical Society Inc. 40 Macarthur Street, Bairnsdale Tantalising and Torturous 14 P.O. Box 8, Bairnsdale 3875 A short exhibition for October - November at the museum of Telephone: 5152 6363 Tanatalising and Torturous undergarments and unmentionables Email: [email protected] from the past 100 years. http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/eghs/web

OPENING HOURS WEDNESDAY 1pm to 4pm Accession Register 14 SATURDAY 1pm to 4pm SUNDAY 1pm to 4pm “Post It” Notes 15 MUSEUM ADMISSION CHARGES Sundry notes of interest for members including follow up Adults $4: Children $2 information and forthcoming events The museum houses furnishings, artefacts, machinery and memorabilia of local history, Calejero log cabin c1880 and Union Bank coach house. Heritage planted gardens are maintained by the Bairnsdale Garden Club RESEARCH FEE $10 MEMBERSHIP FEES Joining Fee $5 Ordinary Member $20 Couple Membership $30

Committee Members 2008-2009 President Tim Gibson 5153 0296 Vice President Debbie Squires 5152 2378 Secretary Jackie Hocking 5153 0053 Treasurer Ian Hollingsworth 5153 1080 Committee Leanne Dyson 5156 8484 Dianna Wolter 5152 1961 Don Love 5149 8368 Ted Gibson 5152 7823

The Black Sheep is the official journal of the East Gippsland Family History Group Inc. and the East Gippsland Historical Society Inc. , who are both members of the East Gippsland Heritage Network. It may be mailed to non Cover: Arriving in style at the Riversleigh is Ann Burrows, Head -members anywhere in Australia for receipt of $20 per Librarian of the Helen Macpherson Centre of the State library of annum. on a recent visit to Bairnsdale. The opportunity for her The opinions expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the respective committees, but of the author [of any to be chauffeured by Neil Cox in his 1922 Nash was too much for article] only. The contents of the Black Sheep are copyright. her to resist. Copyright remains with the author, or where no author is Above: Activities at the Ensay State School, see Catching a ride to attributed, the EGFHG Inc. school in the 1930s on page 5. ISSN 1035-6363 © EGHFG Inc. bethink . . . .

Well if you have been actively You were also at the Family Topics such as the Eureka involved in either of the groups in History rooms when Anne Stockade, Gallipoli campaign and the past few months—you have had Burrows, the head librarian of the more recent history of the Whitlam a very busy time. Helen MacPherson Genealogical dismissal are to be included. Early Centre of the State Library of Aboriginal, convict and white You have been at the PROV Victoria, visited and gave an in settler history will also be part of two day workshop at Bairnsdale depth outline of what is available world history. and Lakes Entrance learning about the Both of the groups Public Record Office, should be making the record management and most of this. We have the digitisation of much to offer the schools photographs and in the way of assistance records. You have also by having our resources seen all the Historical available to students and Societies (HS) and as an excursion and Family History Groups research destination. In (FHG) in our region fact all historical presented with their societies and family Certificate of history groups should be Appointment as PODS seizing the opportunity (Places of Deposit) for to open their doors to a records. previously hard to reach age group. As Robin And of course you Williams famously said went to the Annual “Carpe diem”! Let’s seize General Meeting of the the day and make the FHG or the HS (or both) most of the additional exposure. and saw the same usual faces (and in person and online through the On a positive note We are a few fresh ones) hold up their centre. You may have even seen a . hands to ensure the continued delighted Anne being chauffeured optimistic that the RSL will assist futures of the groups. And you have away in Neil’s 1922 Nash to her the Historical Society with helped sell tickets for the FHG and accommodation. manpower to get the newly restored Honour Roll back up on the wall you checked out the display at the And thanks to the recent Library during the fortnight it was before Remembrance Day on 11 announcement by Prime Minister November and that a suitable there. (If you missed that display Rudd we should be having an you have a second chance when the ceremony will also take place at even busier time in the future. that time. FHG will have the display at the East Gippsland Shire foyer cabinet For a long time we have And on a pessimistic note …. next month). said that history, particularly see page four. Australian history, has been on You have also been to the the back burner in the education I regret to say that this is the museum and seen the whimsical system and that “kids” today have last Black Sheep for the year as I new “Tantalising and Torturous” little or no understanding of their cannot see how we will get another exhibition of women’s underwear past. Perhaps our PM has been out before Christmas given Leanne and unmentionables; been on a reading Santayana? (See this and my present commitments to joint car club excursion out to issue’s quote below.) family and work. So … Merry Delvine Cemetery and beyond; Christmas everyone and we will visited the “occasional” display of There have been some small have more Black Sheep for you in the “new” women’s petition and you concessions to history with the the new year. have purchased several copies of limited development of family Debbie the 2009 calendar that has just history in some curriculum but by been printed for Christmas gifts. all accounts much is to be added.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. George Santayana The Life of Reason, Vol. 1, 1905 US (Spanish born) philosopher (1863 - 1952)

t h e B l a c k S h e e p 3 Compulsory Reading

The East Gippsland Family History Group is moving .…... we don’t know where .... .we don’t know when …. and we certainly don’t know how! ….... but we are moving. This has come about due to the fact that the rooms have been for sale for two years and the East Gippsland Shire, who hold the umbrella lease for all the user groups that occupy the site, are not taking up their lease option at the end of April 2009. They have chosen not to do so because the present overseas owners (Sea Sun P/L) have shown no intention of maintaining the site to keep it to Australian standards. The council, understandably, is not prepared to meet its obligations with the building when the owners are not prepared to do the same and council has no ongoing commitment to the site.

This was the basis of a letter we received just before the PROV visit and since then, the FHG committee has met (twice) to formulate a plan (or start thereof), has met with Council officers and U3A. The conclusions we have come to are:

 At the meeting with Council officers they could give no firm commitment on the future level of financial support for the group. We need to seek a solid financial commitment from Council - be this in the form of land for us to build on or assistance with rent. One councillor has already suggested we need to lobby, and lobby hard the individual councillors. Who wants to stand for the elections in November?  We have met with U3A about shared facilities in the short term and calculate that over 500 “ratepayers” are directly affected by this situation.  We are also hoping to clarify the suggestion that was made some twelve months ago by Council of a new library complex with combined community facilities.  Tony has been to see Craig Ingram and is investigating what can be done on a governmental level.  We are actively promoting the group in the newspaper and drawing attention to our situation in conjunction with U3A.  Tony and Cheryl both attended the recent Shire council meeting and registered our concerns and request for assistance.

All members are asked to consider what options you feel the group has. Do you know of an empty building that would be suitable. Do you use all of your home? Would you be prepared to lend funds to the group long term should building our own premises be our only option?

At this point we are considering ALL of our options and would value input from YOU.

So help us find a home—give this some serious and considered thought as to a solution to our problem. Please talk to any of the committee members with any ideas that you may have no matter how silly you may think they are ….. believe me we have probably thought of some sillier ones ourselves.

Help us find a home.

4 t h e B l a c k S h e e p Catching a ride to school in the 1930s

EGFHG member Gwen Murrell recalls her childhood morning routine to “catch a ride to school”.

Our school day would begin when approach and galloped towards Time of departure, around we, my sister Joyce and I, climbed the other end of the paddock 8am would depend on whether it from a pleasantly warm bed, hastily where they would patiently wait was necessary to catch the thrice dressed and headed outside to the until we were nearly close enough weekly mail delivery and collection saddle shed for the bridles, then to to put out our hands, ready to at “Numbie Mungie”. Mail days, the horse paddock to catch our place the bridle on their heads we would always call at “ Numbie ponies, our transport to school. and then, away they would gallop Mungie” on our way home from back to the gate. This game of school, in order to collect the A warm summer’s morning or ‘catch me it you can’ would family’s mail. inches of frost on the ground during continue until the ponies tired of winter, our morning’s exercise While riding, our dresses it or, we were quick enough to would begin around 7 am. The would be kept clean by the bib-and- corner and catch them. amount and time of that exercise brace overalls which would be would be determined by the mood of Once caught and bridled removed once we reached school. those ponies. they would quietly let us lead An essential part of our school them to the saddle shed, where wardrobe was an oil-skin coat, If they were feeling kind, they would be saddled and then similar to a modern Drizabone. they would be patiently waiting tethered to a convenient post, food If not being worn to protect us from near the gate for us to place the within reach, to wait until we a rainy morning, the coat was bridle on their heads but, should were ready to set off to school neatly rolled and tied to the saddle they decide that some exercise after changing and eating our --- a warm and sultry summer’s would be more fun, the fun would breakfast morning could mean a thunder begin as they turned at our storm by afternoon.

1 2

3 4

Catching a ride to school in the 1930s and 1940s 1. Time for a drink 2. Gwen and Joyce Burden and Betty Nicholson (Hayward) 3. The girls tending the garden at Ensay school 4. The shelter shed at Ensay

5 t h e B l a c k S h e e p An O. Gilpin Girl Remembers EGFHG and EGHS member Leanne Dyson recently sat down with her Mum, Betsy Hanson, and talked to her about her days as an O. Gilpin girl in Bairnsdale.

When you look down the Main cake or a slice of the original Whites, Mathesons, and Hamilton’s Street of Bairnsdale in the central Adams Madiera cake - for her where Bonnie Morrison (Douglas) business district there are still mother, Ada Porter (Youngson, worked. Separating the shoe shops shreds of evidence of what it looked nee Ah Chow) or a tin of oval were Harding’s chemist, Johnson’s like back in the 1930s. The gardens, shaped lollies that were similar to drapery, Ah Yee’s chemist, Mona the rotunda and the facades of some humbugs for herself. She would Macleod the photographer where of the buildings, although painted pass Pallot’s the jeweller, Dotty Neilsen worked, Lloyds and festooned with modern hardware where Miss Coster trim, still echo scenes of the was the manager of the past. One building, the maroon crockery and Jack Scott, his of Collins Bookstore on the father and auntie worked, north side, has had a face lift, Morecroft’s sports store, the but high on the back brick wall Capital café, a bank then facing Nicholson Street, fading Digby’s where Jack Porters evidence of its past can still be Electrical is now, to John seen. It was one in a large Cook’s Corner on Bailey and chain of well known Main Streets. As the girls department stores, ‘O. Gilpin’s’. window shopped they would The store sold everything from keep an eye back across the haberdashery to crockery and Main Street to Adelaide House, cookware, to clothing, now Aussie Disposals, where stationery, toiletries, the latest the O. Gilpin manageress in headwear for men and would often board. When the women, rugs, furniture, stoves, manageress proceeded across scales, barrels, brooms, Main Street to O. Gilpin’s the children’s toys and much more. girls would quickly make their way back to O. Gilpin’s to begin My mother, Betsy their day’s work. Hanson (Youngson), worked at the Bairnsdale store during the Each morning there were late 1930s and early 1940s. As two girls on the roster to clean a young working girl, Betsy, the floors and windows and wearing her uniform - a black Edith Dean, Margot Varney, Ruth White, Belle Charl- polish the brass trim with slub linen dress with a little ton,Bernice Paterson, Linda Bailey and Betty Youngson Brasso. They would water the white false collar, her black taken at the rear of O.Gilpin’s Bairnsdale November 1941. floors with a watering can to stockings, black shoes and last keep the dust down while they but not least her neat little hat; Campbell’s the butchers, Tony swept, they also cleaned the toilets would hop on her bicycle and cycle Johnston and Mr Ennis menswear as no outside labour was used. and tailors, Russo’s the fruit shop around from her home in Rupert These rostered cleaning duties had and cafe where her sister-in-law, Street, past the old saleyards into to be completed and the girls were Kath Youngson (Willis) worked. Service Street, across Main Street, required to be at their counter by On past Pascoe’s the barber, (no traffic lights then, the State 9.30am ready to serve the all- Bank and Darts store, were on the Freds Emporium where her important customers. Her fond brother, Clyde Youngson worked, corners) around into Nicholson recollections of working at O. past Comley’s the grocer, then two Street, up the lane between what is Gilpin’s were of some of the staff tiny shops stepped back into an now Safeway and the bakery, into that worked alongside her and the alcove; Wigney’s the tailor where the back of O. Gilpin’s, now Collins many different manageresses who Bookstore. Her memories of the Joyce Wigg (Clothier) worked, continually moved on to other shops and businesses that occupied their doorway facing east and Mrs stores as part of their training and Bills the hairdresser’s facing Main Street at that time are vivid. promotion. south. Betsy then arrived at the She recalls the State Bank building shop front of O. Gilpin’s which Among the O.Gilpin girls she on the corner of Service and Main had an island display window in remembered were: Linda Bailey Street, now Terry White Chemist, (Hocking), Queenie McNamara, walking East passing Ashdale- the front entrance. She recalled Edie Dean, Molly Nunn (Laird), Smith the chemist, Betty Finn’s the how, if the girls got to work early they would walk up the street Gloria Spencer (McAdam), Ruth cake shop where she would often window shopping, looking at White, Miss Oliver (Haylock), buy a special treat - a piece of Cow shoes in the various shoe shops, Phyllis Doyle (Arthur), Lillian Rich Slip cake which was a light fruit

6 t h e B l a c k S h e e p and Faye Limpyer; 2. Be just to one another. Manageress Belle Charlton 3. Do unto others as you moved on to work at Sharpes would like to be done by. in Traralgon or and 4. Realise your Wyn Gladstone (from NSW), responsibilities and married Norm remember the six Landau,solicitor from principal qualifications Bairnsdale; they boardered which lead to success are at Adelaide House). Edna loyalty, honesty, Nicholson (Worth) from enthusiasm, initiative, Lindenow was an O’Gilpin ability and morality. girl from the Korrumburra There was also half a page on Store. “ALWAYS” The burglar alarm was  Always wear scissors. set every night by the  Always show an manageress and turned off assortment of goods. by her first thing in the  Always put lid under box morning. when serving. There were no cash  Always be willing and registers in the store; instead help other girls. there was a special overhead  Always introduce pulley system throughout Manageress to well known the store. The system had a customers. central point, being the  Always recognise manageress’s station. When customers out of shop. a sales girl sold an item she  Always work with would write out a docket in routine and method, planning their docket book, collect the your work a day ahead. cash from the customer,  Always closely watch place both the docket and the Hazel Deal (manageress) and Nettie Westerman detail. (first assistant) taken at the back of the shop in March 1942 cash in a cup like container  Always read Circular and attach it to the pulley which staff would lose their jobs as a Letters thoroughly. system and send it to the result of the quality of service she  Always read rules so as you manageress, the manageress would received and what she had observed. understand them. then record and approve the sale There were specific rules and  Always have cleaning then send the receipt and change finished by 9.30am. guidelines to follow if you were an O. back to the sales girl via the same Gilpin’s employee. That was followed by the “DON’Ts” system. Many would remember the  Do not call out across the whirring capsules as they zoomed O. Gilpin Ltd. shop. overhead. Rules for the Guidance of Staff  Do not hesitate in going To be employed by O. Gilpin’s to be Read At Least Once a Month forward to a customer. was not only a job; it was both a  Do not leave your docket book privilege and honour. If you didn’t This rule book was virtually a on counter; always have one come up to measure, failed to follow textbook that covered the following fixture in which to place your procedure or stepped out of line in subjects: Banking, Statements, book. any way, you were fired. Just like Gratuity and Overtime, Dockets,  Do not swing scissors. modern “Mystery Shoppers” who Sales, Lay-by System, Display and  Do not say “Good-oh”, “Right- report your conduct and methods of care of Stock, Management, oh” or “I seen” sale and customer satisfaction, O. Correspondence, Orders, Claims, Gilpin’s had special managers who Transport, Holidays and Staff. Under “Management”  Manageresses or assistants would randomly inspect each of The 1935 version, with a few are not allowed to entertain their stores and their employees’ amendments, contained 42 typed or idle their time away with performance. They would give their foolscap-sized pages, with rules and report to the store’s manageress their friends in the shop. instructions to cover everything from and depending if the inspector was how to dress, how to speak to and There were also O. Gilpin Quotes happy or not would predict your address a customer, how to behave, and Rhymes such as: future with O. Gilpin’s. Betsy fill out a docket, clean the store, and ‘Wasting time is stealing.’ remembered a Miss Velt who would so on. ‘People wrapped up in themselves make come to inspect the store; nobody very small parcels.’ knew what she looked like so the Four Rules under “STAFF” ‘The worker who insists on looking at staff were always wary of new 1. Honesty is the best and only the clock usually remains one of the customers. Miss Velt would report policy. hands.’ her findings to head office after ‘Be first to listen, last to speak.’

t h e B l a c k S h e e p 7

Ruth White (later Cooper) at the back of the shop. Belle Charlton Note the Sharpe’s General Drapery signage on the adjacent building provide twenty one year old branch manager. The marriage INITIATIVE Oliver with assistance to open his only lasted five years ending in What is initiative? first store in Korrumburra; a year May 1926. Initiative is doing the right thing, later he took over the Busy Bee On 17 February 1928 he at the right time, without being Clothing Co. Oliver married a married Muriel Doris Round, a told. dress maker, Annie Pease, in his former director of the company, and home town of Euroa on 26 they had a son, Oliver who was TOMORROW TO SUCCESS! January 1897. Stand up to be seen, born in 1930. Oliver had many ideals and speak up to be heard, Needless to say the man who and shut up to be appreciated. his motto was ‘Small Profit Quick began this chain of stores was truly

Returns’. All the goods were to be a remarkable thinker and marked in plain figures and at Oliver Gilpin was born on the innovator for his time. Oliver prices. His stores were 8 July 1874 at Sheans Creek near Gilpin operated his first O. Gilpin known for everything being priced Euroa, Victoria. He was the second Store in from 1895- son of William John Gilpin, born with a halfpenny at the end. c1901. Subsequent stores were in 1837 and Diana, born 1842 both in Irregular deliveries began Jumbunna (1896-c1905), Foster County Tyrone in Ireland. They to frustrate Oliver so in 1899 he (1898-c1908) and Leongatha (1898- married on the 14 April 1868 in and his family moved to 1908). He then branched out into Seymour, Victoria. Oliver’s siblings Melbourne. In 1905 the family the gold mining and other areas were Mary Ann, Elizabeth, William moved into their first newly built such as Rutherglen, Yarrawonga, John, George Robert, John amd home ‘Nyora’ at 25 Normanby Echuca, Beechworth, Kerang, Dinah Margaret. By the time Oliver Ave, Thornbury. By 1910 there Warracknabeal, Mildura, Stawell, was six years of age his father had were 21 stores in the chain. The Shepparton, Nhill, Horsham and set up a dairy at Sheans Creek and family then built and moved into Castlemaine. Three years later he had 582 acres. ‘Kia Ora’ in Finch Street, East opened another fifteen stores in, When Oliver was seventeen Malvern. They had five children - Hamilton, Warrnambool, he commenced work at Messers A. Daphne, Muriel, Thelma, Casterton, Ararat, Maryborough, Miller & Co., a drapery firm in Raymond and Eric. Oliver drove a Colac, Camperdown, Sale, Benalla, Euroa, and approximately two Rolls Royce Silver Ghost which Bendigo, Daylesford, St. Arnaud, years later he joined A. P. Gardiner was a dead give away on his Swan Hill, Wangaratta and finally another drapers’ business in Euroa. surprise store visits. Bairnsdale. Later he moved to Melbourne and Annie divorced Oliver in A stage one store opened in joined the Carlton branch of the 1920 on the grounds of desertion. Bairnsdale in 1910. The typical way firm Ball and Welch. On 25 February 1921, Oliver Oliver Gilpin set up business in a Oliver’s parents were able to married again to Ruby Gertrude town was to rent a premises for a Brewer of Williamstown, a former number of months or years to see

8 t h e B l a c k S h e e p how the business After Oliver would succeed, then if Gilpin’s death in 1942, he felt there were good Foy & Gibson gained prospects in the town controlling stock in O. he would either build Gilpin’s in June 1944. or purchase a new On 22 April 1951, G.J. store in a prime Coles negotiated with location. His stores Foy & Gibson to always operated purchase the 91 stores strictly on a cash for £1.25 million. basis, although lay-by In 1981 and 1983 was available, and sold Betsy Hanson (nee a variety of clothing, Youngson) attended manchester and O. Gilpin reunions in the haberdashery lines, Korumburra region. latter adding crockery, These reunions sparked cookware, toiletries, memories and renewed luggage, saddlery, friendships. Muriel shoes, millinery, Staff at Bairnsdale 1941 Perry, Oliver Gilpin carpets, home-wares, Linda Bailey, Ruth White, Miss Varney, Miss Deal, senior’s granddaughter, tools, sporting goods Gwen Roberts, Miss McNamara put pen to paper and among other things to finally in 1995 she the vast stock. In 1921 the store By 1931 Oliver had 94 published a book called Just a Pocket was located in Main Street and stores, approximately 30 in New South Wales, 3 in Tasmania, 3 in For the Money. The Story of Oliver extended in 1938. Oliver Gilpin Gilpin and His Stores. She has paid cash for all his purchases South Australia and around 58 in dedicated the book ‘to All the Gilpin subsequently getting extremely Victoria, with 11 in the suburbs of Girls that she has met whose good deals on large quantities of Melbourne. enthusiasm for their company goods. He imported most of his Oliver Gilpin was a forward encouraged her to undertake this stock from England, Europe and thinker in many ways, although project’. There were also O. Gilpin later Japan often purchasing from today some of his practices and scrap books distributed with the makers and doing away with theories would be classed as sexist fascinating anecdotes, stories, photos, the middleman. He passed on his and possibly racist. He almost advertisements donated by many of good deals selling at very close to exclusively employed women the O. Gilpin Girls. The camaraderie cost to his customers. many of whom were managers, of the O. Gilpin Girls is very strong, The goods were packed and decision makers and buyers. He Betsy has found over the years many sewn into hessian, resembling wool believed that women were women that she has met from bales to be sent via rail to the excellent organisers and hard different regions of Victoria, have all various stores throughout Victoria. workers and that was why he had memories of shopping in The railway was the vital link in employed them. It was also said O. Gilpin’s, more often or not they too transporting goods to the stores. It that he wouldn’t employ Catholics have been O. Gilpin Girls. The girls wasn’t until about 1929 that Oliver although that has been disproven tread the shop floors of O. Gilpin Gilpin purchased his own lorries to to a certain extent. Stores spanning a period of almost deliver to all his stores. The Some of his radical fifty years, 1895-1944, of over a warehouse’s own fleet of twenty practices were: Women on the hundred chain stores. A mighty trucks and trailers at that stage Board of Directors, an Employee achievement by anyone’s standards. were Australia’s largest privately Share Scheme, an Employee owned diesel fleet. The goods were Gratuity Scheme, Staff Training wrapped in brown paper and (once a staff member was trained Sources string, then packed with straw or to manageress status she could woodwool in large heavy cane expect excellent wages), Company Just A Pocket For The Money-The Story of Oliver Gilpin and His Stores by Muriel Perry hampers measuring 4 ft in length, Owned Transports, Mail Order O. Gilpin A Collection of Memorabilia…The O. 2 ft wide and 3 ft deep with hard Business Combined with Retail Gilpin Chain Stores Supplementary wood runners underneath and O. Gilpin A Collection of Memorabilia…The O. Business and Recycling. Although Gilpin Chain Stores 2nd Supplementary Issue lockable lids or alternatively in these innovations were ahead of Foy & Gibson Pty Ltd rep. of original 1923 Catalogue large boxes/crates. Betsy their time Oliver Gilpin didn’t like Dictionary of Biography, Volume 9, Melbourne University Press, G. F. James, 'Gilpin, Oliver (1874 - remembers unpacking the large the newly developed telephone 1942)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Online cane hampers, the straw causing system. Many of his stores didn’t Edition, Copyright 2006, updated continuously, ISSN 1833-7538, published by Australian National her to sneeze uncontrollably. They have telephones installed and the University http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/ were delivered into the specially warehouse in Malvern only had A090016b.htm built storeroom at the back of the one telephone. store.

t h e B l a c k S h e e p 9 She signed her name …. The East Gippsland women who signed the 1891 “Monster” petition. The monster petition has been a favourite subject this year with all the centenary celebrations. This list is a full transcript of all the names that are available on the website including others that have not been attributed to this region. These are marked as *1. On viewing the digitised pages it can be ascertained they belong to the respective towns. As can be expected there are some “local” signatures we can read that Melbourne based transcribers have struggled with. These have been corrected and indexed under their correct name with the transcribed name bracketed. Some anomalies appear to have occurred and these are also noted. Digitised copies of the signatures can be found at www.parliament.vic.gov.au/womensPetition/background.htm BAIRNSDALE Chauncy, E. (Chancey) Forrest, S. Kellie, Louisa Allingham, E. *1 Chapman, E. Fountain, M. Kendall, E.M. Anderson, M. Chapman, M. Freer, Mary Snr Keogh, T. Mrs *1 Arthur, M.M. Chappell, E. (…, Mary 774,10) Keogh, T. Mrs *1 & *2 Atkin, Caroline Chase, Ann Garland, M. Kerton, Sarah Bain, A, Clarke, E. Garner, Mrs King, Mrs Baker, C. Clarke, E. Gerrard, Annie Kinley, J. Mrs Baker, M. Cole, Ann Giles, Mrs Kreymborg, Frances Balcombe, M. Cole, Ann Gray, Emma Kreymborg, L.A. Balsom, A, Collins, M. *1 Griffin, Mrs Lachlan, M.M. Barnes, Mrs Cooper, A. Grose, S.R. Laird, E.A. Batteres, L. Cooper, F. Hackett, Annie Lavell, Louise L. (Luvell) Baulch, Lydia Corker, Sarah Ann (Cosher) Hadley, Mrs Lawrence, M.A. Baulch, M. Costello, Mala Haines, Mrs Lind, A. Baulch, Mrs Coster, Mrs Hamilton, Annie Locke, E.? (fold covers name) Beckley, Annie Cottrill, J. Handley, M. Mrs Lovell, J. Mrs Beckley, Mary Creelan, E.M. Handley, Mary Ann Lovell, Mary Jane Begg, M. Crocker, H.M. Handley, Mrs Lucas, Alicia Bennett, Amelia Croker, A. Hares, Ellen Macalister, M.H. Bennett, C. Mrs Davett, Mrs Harrands, K.A. Macleod, A.M. Berry, J. Mrs Davey, Mrs Harris, Janet Macleod, F.A. Berwick, S. Dawson, Annie Hawkins, M.A. Maddocks, E. Bills, E.J. (Rills) Dawson, W. Mrs Healey, Elizabeth Mahla, M.A. Mrs Bindan, Ellen A. Day, Annie Healey, Kate Mann, S.G. Bird, Mrs Dean Ada Healey, Margaret E. Marriage, Mrs Birkin, Eva Dean Fanny Healey, Mrs Marriott, Annie Sophia Bishop, E.M. Dean, Mary An Heathcote, E.J. Martin, E. Bishop, Maggie Dean, Mrs Hegarty, T. Martin, E.M. Bisson, S.S. Dee, B. Miss (Der) Henderson, F. Mrs Martin, T. Mrs Blair, Nellie Derrett, Mrs Henderson, L.B. Mathieson, M. Bonwick, Sarah, E. Desailly, C.D.J. (O’Reilly) Henderson, Mrs McAllester, F.C. Bowden, J. Mrs Dixon, Eliza Ann Higgs, Ellen snr McAlpine, Isabella Boyd, M. Doherty, Miss Higgs, Florence McEwan, H.C. Brabet, A.C. Mrs *1 Doyle, E.L. Higgs, Nellie McInerney, Ann Brindler, Emily Dwyer, E. Hoffman? T. (Higgins) McKie, E.J. Bristow, Elizabeth Ann Dyamond, Mrs Holford, Mrs McKie, Mrs Brooker, J.S. Mrs Dyer, Ann Hollenson, Annie McKnight, I Brown, J. Mrs Dyer, M. Hollenson, Mary McKnockiter, A (McSmockiter) Bull, Mary A. Dyte, Isabel (Isabela) Holloway, A McLachlan, E.D. Burke, M. Eastlake, Mrs Holloway, Winnifred McLaren, Mrs Burnett, M. Eastwood, L.M. Holt, S. McMahon, Mrs Burns, A. Eastwood, M. Hopwood, Mary Anne McRorie, A (…, 776,22) Burns, Eva M. Ellis, Isabella Hosie, Emily H Membrey, M.E. Cacroft, Elizabeth Emmott, M.A. (…,Emily 781,24) Mentiplay, Alice Cambridge, Agnes Emmott, M.L. Howlett, S.C.B. Mersuglia, C. Cameron, M.A. *1 Ewing, Paulina Humphrey, Eliza Morgan, M. Mrs Candy, J. Finden, E. Hunniford, Catherine Morrison, L. Candy, M. Fitzgerald, Hannah Johnston, Fanny Morrison, T.C. Capon, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Mary C. Johnstone, Ruth Moss, Catherine Carbutt, Rebecca Flood, Mrs Jondson, L. Mullett, E.J. Casey, L. Forrest, Olivia Jorgenson, E. Murphy, Bridget

10 t h e B l a c k S h e e p Neilson, Mary Steminger, Mrs BROADLANDS Huggins, Harriette Nelson, Alice Stephen, Catherine *1 Phillips, Jane Jeffrey, E. Mrs Nicker, M Stevens, N. Jones, Lydia BRUTHEN Nicker, Pauline *4 Stewart, Miss Lewington, M.G. Boucher, J.E. Nunn, A. Mrs *1 Stewart, Barbara (Stewat) Lucas, Annie Nunn, Mrs Stone, Eleanor BUCHAN nil O’Sullivan, B.

O’Brien, S. Strang, Janet BULLUMWAAL nil Payne, Alice O’Byrne, M.J. Strang, Nettie Reid, M.W. (Reid M.M.) O’Grady, M. Suding, Helen (Luding) BUMBERRAH Skipworth, Alice M. Oldfield, Alice Swan, C. Mrs Broome, Ada Sloan, Helen Oliver, E.E. Swan, J. Mrs Broome, Frances, A. Smith, Isabella Osborn, M. (Oslom) Tait, Mrs Broome, Kate H. Spencer, J.E. Page, K. Taylor, C. Mrs Woodhouse, Ida Strange, C.M. *5 Palmer, Elizabeth Taylor, Catherine M Walker, A. Sutton, Emily Paterson, Agnes E. Taylor, E. Walker, E. Weaver, S.E. Payne, G. Mrs Thorne, E. Walker, M.A. IGUANA CREEK Payne, Isabel Tinsley, H. Mrs Walker, S. (indexed as Ignana Creek) Payne, M. Tobin, R. BUNDARA Warren, B. Payne, M. Miss Tomlin, Mrs West, Frances M. Payne, T.E. Tomlins, Sarah JOHNSONVILLE CANN RIVER Peacock, A. Toole, E Anderson, Rosa Pettersen, Frances E. Pearson, Elizabeth Townsend, H. Batten, Jane E. Pearson, Lottie Townsend, Mrs CLIFTON CREEK nil Bird, C. Burley, A. Peatterson, Mary H. J. Turnbull, S. CUNNINGHAME nil Peck, S.C. Turner, A. Mrs Burt, A. DEPTFORD nil Burt, Alice M. Perkins, Mrs Turner, I. Mrs Porter, M Turner, P. Mrs EAGLE POINT nil Carter, P. Power, Kate Turner, T. Mrs Duke, A.A.

Power, Kate *2 Twentyman, C. (…, C. 776,23) FORGE CREEK Eaton, M.A. Power, Mary Tyrer, M. Bailey, Edith Fiedler, Elizabeth (Liedler) Pritchett, M. Tyson, Mrs Greenwood, Harriette Foley, C. Quail, E. Veith, Rose Hathaway, Susan Foley E.A. *1 Randall, Mrs Veith, Rosanna (…777, 12) Humphrey, Eliza Foley, Elizabeth Read, J. *1 Vickers, A. Matthews, Mary Fraser, Elizabeth Simpson, Mary Reeid, C.I. Vincent, G. Kenney, E. (Kennay, C.) Reeves, Mary Voss, A. (Noss) Smethurst, Alice C.M. Kilmartin, A. Reid, N. Voss, A.M. Smethurst, Marrianne Lane, A. Reid, S. Waddle, E. (Paddle) Smethurst, Minnie Phillips, Elizabeth Reynolds, E.J. Walden, A. (Waldau) Woodman, Ann Patison, E. (Pitison, E.) Woodman, Matilda Mary Richmond, Annie Walker, H. Mrs Roadknight, A.M. Robertson, Mrs Walker, Mrs GIPPSLAND Shepherd, M.A. Rogers, Bridget Ward, Alice Sommerville, Ada *6 Smith, E.A. Rolfe, M. E. (Holfe) Welsh, Margaret Smith, M. *2 HINNOMUNJIE Rowlands, E. Whelan, T. Mrs Smith, M. *2 Braid, J. Royle, Mrs Whitbread, Emma Walker, A. *2 Braid, M.E. Scott, M.E. White, Annie Walker, A. *2 Byers, E.B. Shanklin, H. White, E.N. Wills, Frances A. Byers, L.A. Shannon, M. White, M. Condon, Agnes KALIMNA nil Shiel, E.A. (Shiels) White, Mary Condon, Christina Simpson, Mrs White, Mrs LAKES ENTRANCE nil Condon, Emma Skipworth, Mrs (Shipworth) Wigg, S.J. Condon, Frances LINDENOW Smart, M.A. Williams, M. Condon, Matilda Race, Tillie (Irace) Smart, W. Mrs Williams, Margaret Cook, Elizabeth LUCKNOW Smith, Kate Williams, Mrs Cook, Mary Arthur, C. Smith, Mrs Wilson, M. Coughlan, Sarah Campbell, J.M. Smith, S. *1 Young, Mrs *8 Garton, Ethel Cross, M (Cuts, U.) Sommers, A.M. BENAMBRA Gill, M.A. Day, A. (…,A.M. 74,28) Higgins, Mrs Green, Robert Mrs Erfurth, Grace Spenser, A. McCallum, Agnes Greenwood, S.J. Hollingsworth, Mrs Staniforth, Elizabeth McCallum, Emily Harm, H.R. (Harm, H.A.) Hollingsworth, S. Staniforth, M. (Stainforth) McLean, Annie Hirland, O.S. Howlett, Mary Steer, Lydia Murch, Frances Hitchcock, Sarah Jew, C. Stein, S. *1 Whyte, Mrs Huggins, Elizabeth Kennedy, Mrs

t h e B l a c k S h e e p 11 Lilley, E. Mrs Barratt, Mary Kate Ray, Ann Vipond, M. McKenzie, Sarah Ann Blacklock, Matilda Rosalind Roberts, Charlotte Vipond, Maria B. Munday, Jane Blaine, Beatrice Robinson, Elizabeth Vipond, Mary Ann Read, Elizabeth Borland, Isabella Robinson, Ellen Wallace, E. Ross, J. Mrs *1 Bourke, C.M. Stone, Emma nil Rourke, M. Cameron, A. *1 Wallace, Jane Scott, C. Cameron, Charlotte Walsh, Emily U. WY YUNG Scouller, E. Cameron, Jeanie Wilkinson, Caroline Quigley, S. Seymour, M. Cameron, Jennie Wilson, Sarah (no address transcribed Terry, Mrs Cameron, M. Wortham, Elizabeth however copy reveals Thorburn, E. Cameron, P. address as Wy Young and PICNIC POINT Wilson, Mrs Clark, Kate that Young was transcribed Abbott, S. *1 Cooke, N.M. as a surname with no MEERLIEU nil Atkinson, C. Coote, Maggie G. details.) Betts, M.A. nil Drew, Margaret *1 This name has not been Cameron, M. Forsyth, C. MOORMUNG Douglas, M. attributed to the town in the (indexed as Mooruning) Forsyth, H.A. website transcription. Faulkner, J. Forsyth, Mary Ellis, Annie Goodman, E. *2 This is not a duplication, Hillyard, Isabel NEWMERELLA Goodman, M. there are two identical names Hossack, Charlotte P. Greenaway, J.H. signed by different women. Ashby, Edith A. (Holyack) Ashcroft, M.E. Harwell, M.O. *3 Omitted from website index. Hossack, Rachel Herrmann, M. Brown, Mary Hossack, Penual *4 Pinnock St listed as Pemish Fisher, Anne Hopkins, K. * 3 Street. (Hossaeh, Ponnet) Furnell, C. (Turnell) Hopkins, S.J. Irvine, Sabrina H. *5 Address given as Moreland Grove, Annie Jefferson, E. Irwin, Mary but listed with Hinnomunjie Morris, Agnes Jefferson, H. Irwin, Rebecca signatures. Morris, G.M. King, M. Johnston, A.M. *6 A single entry for Gippsland O’Shay, M. Price, May McNair, Maggie (Nair) is found in amongst signatures Robertson, Amy Peart, A.E. Nixon, E. from Collingwood. An Ada Robertson, Esther Peart, E.A. Perry, E. Mrs Sommerville had a daughter in Robertson, Grace Peart, H. Bairnsdale in 1892. Pleydell, E.S. Potter, J. Smith, Elizabeth Ann Pleydell, S. *7 These two entries are on the Read, M.G. Stewart, Kate Ross, Mary Ann page of Nicholson, Bumberrah Thompson, Ella C. Sandford, I. Rowe, Annie and Swan Reach signatures. Waller, Lillias (Lillian) Stuart, Mrs Elizabeth Moughten nee Russell, Elizabeth Maud Tulloch, E. Henderson had two children NICHOLSON/ Story, Marg Flora Walsh, Annie registered at Swan Reach in NICHOLSON RIVER Story, Rosalind 1893 and 1895. Broome, Alice Taylor, E.A. SARSFIELD *8 The first entry on one of the Broome, Mary D. Temple, Lillie (Indexed as Scarsfield and Swisfield) Bairnsdale sheets listing her Walker, W.A. Watt, Margaret address as Westward Ho. Where Allen, ...ine (Allen 645 25) Winchester, Elizabeth Ann was this and could it be a local /OMEO PLAINS Croker, Lea (Cracker) Cameron, Maria PAYNESVILLE property name? Crofts, Jane Affleck, Mary Gibson, P.A. Hall, Ada E. Many of the entries also Alexander, Elizabeth Gill, Maia James, Marion include the street name in Harg, Ellen Mc. (M.) Anderson, E. Morgan, Annie the description but this has Hibbs, Emily Bird, Helen jnr Reeves (fold covers name) been excluded from this list Lewington, H. Carstairs, Agnes for space constraints. Todd, Grace Lewington, L.A. Christie, Mrs The following page is Lewington, S.J. Clancey, Emma STRATFORD nil a sample of the publication Morphy, Mary Day, B. Mrs SWAN REACH She signed her name …. Pendergast, Annie Fleischer, A. (also listed as Swan Beach) that Debbie Squires is Pendergast, Matilda Gronheit, M.J. Butler, I.H. working on. She aims to give Pendergast, Sarah Is Jerram, Rebecca George, A. a biographical outline of Sears, Harriet Jones, Mary Henderson, Louisa *7 each of the signatories listed Shanahan, N. King, Emma Rachel Moughten, Elizabeth *7 for this region. If you have Sheean, Catherine May Mentiplay, A. Richardson, Ellen any further information or Smith, Fanny Mentiplay, M. Robertson, Agnes photographs of these women, Weir, M North, L. Robertson, Mary *2 please contact her at PO Box Worcester, L.E. Page, Ellen Frances Robertson, Mary *2 816, Bairnsdale or Paul Robinson, Mary [email protected] Prosser, M. Barden, E. Shortman, Isabella S. Rashleigh, Caroline

12 t h e B l a c k S h e e p t h e B l a c k S h e e p 12 Tantalising and Torturous An exhibition of women’s undergarments and unmentionables for the last 100 years is now on at the museum.

thanks to di and leanne and grace

t h e B l a c k S h e e p 13 Accession Register

The library continues to expand and grow with more group purchases and donations. PLEASE NOTE that these items are yet to be catalogued onto the shelf. If you are looking for one of them, please consult with whoever is on duty. The new accessions are:

CD Microfiche Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment Directory WDYTYA Bendigo Hospital Admissions (Index) 1866-1880

London 1908 Olympic Games Official Report WDYTYA Publications New South Wales Government Gazettes 1832-1863 100 years of service: Centenary of Warrnambool College Rookwood Cemetery Transcriptions Brecon to the Monaro and Beyond Vol 1& 2 Sydney Morning Herald BDM Notices 1831-1853 Kiama General Cemetery Wiltshire Friendly Society (from 1828) WDYTYA Maria Island Convicts 1825-1832 Wiltshire Wills WDYTYA Papers from the VAFHO Group Meeting 2008 Conference Telephonists 30 Year Reunion East Gippsland *WDYTYA = Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine (BBC) Yarra Valley Historical (newspaper) Vol 1 Issue 1

“Post It” Notes

Email Addresses and the like. The wonderful thing thnaks to leanne for the pics in this issue FHG members may be about the site is that you can reluctant for one reason or another register as a user and then not to give their home email actually make corrections to the address to the Secretary. If this is digitised translation whenever the case for you we can help you set errors occur. Understandably up a hotmail account (talk to word recognition by computers on President Tony) if you don’t want to old typeface is not perfect so avid give the group your home email researchers are assisting the …. address to receive the blurbs. thus enabling a keen, enthused Please consider giving him your workforce onto the records. But be address or setting up a hotmail warned …. correcting can become address because it is much easier to addictive! keep you informed and up to date of pressing matters in between issues Google Earth/Maps of the Black Sheep. Have you seen, do you know, about Google Earth/Maps? Ancestry.com If not, do yourself a favour and Researchers will be delighted acquaint yourself with it. The to learn that the Family History worldwide aerial views can give Group is only a smidgen away from yet another insight into the having Ancestry.com online at the history of the region but better rooms for member use. Further still, if you are lucky enough to be news on this as it comes to hand. in an area that the street view has been done, you can actually Exciting new online newspaper go to street level and look at the website building where your ancestor The ….. has recently lived. It is a very useful research launched a new website that has (at tool. this stage) a number of Australian newspapers digitised and available online. Just because the Victorian coverage is “light” at the moment don’t be put off from having a look online convict records at it. We have found many entries for Gippsland, Bairnsdale, Omeo

14 t h e B l a c k S h e e p

the Black Sheep Journal is published by the East Gippsland Family History Group Inc. and East Gippsland Historical Society ISSN 1035-6363

Research queries should be sent to The Secretary, P.O. Box 1104, Bairnsdale, 3875

Letters and contributions should be sent to The Editor, Black Sheep P.O. Box 1104, Bairnsdale, 3875

Print Post Approved PP325809/00019 POSTAGE SURFACE PAID AT If undeliverable return to BAIRNSDALE EAST GIPPSLAND FAMILY HISTORY GROUP INC. MAIL 3875 P. O. Box 1104, Bairnsdale Vic 3875 VIC., AUST

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~egfhg/ email: [email protected] http://mc2.vicnet.au/home/eghs/web email:[email protected]