Proclamation of Geelong West As a Town by His Excellency Colonel The

Souvenir.

Geelong West

PROCLAIMED A TOWN,

MARCH 22nc]. 1922. ~ ' ', . .t' . V

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•St'?,'"' -J. PROCLAMATION OF GEELONG WEST AS A TOWN BY

HIS EXCELLENCY COLONEL THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE EARL OF

STRADBROKE, K.C.M.G., C.B., C.V.O., C.B.E.,

GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA,

ON THE 22ND DAY OF MARCH, 1922.

THE. TOWN HALL.

NAME. YEAR OF ELECTION, LIST OF T. STONEMAN .. 1875, 1876,1877 I. BOYNTON 1878 MAYORS. J. DON.AGHY 1879, 1885 D. O'BRIEN .. ., 1880 E. HOPTON .. .. 1881 H. BANNISTER .. 1882, 1892,1898,1899,1900,1901 \V. S. HOBBS 1883 J, INCE 1884, 1888 A. DICK 1886 F. HODGES ., .. 1887,1889,1894 E.J.JONES.. .. 1890 H. SARGEANT .. 1891, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898 C. W. DICKINS .. 1893, 1910, 1911 E. J. F. SAYERS .. 1902,1903 T F. J. BENNELL .. 1904, 1905 R. W. DALTON .. 1906 H. F. CHRISTOPHER 1907, 1908, 1909 H. J. D'HELIN .. 1912, 1913 . G. J. SEARLE 1914 W. G. MADDEN .. 1915 J. HANCOCK 1916 J. A. BREGUET .. 1917 G. F. MORELAND 1918 B. ROSENBERG .. 1919 JAS. SHONE.. .. 1920 J.R. COXON .. .. 1921 LIST OF TOWN CLERKS.

NAME. YEAR APPOINTED. E. HOPTON .. 1875 E. NETTELL 1877 W. HARRIS .. 1879 H. B.'^iNNISTER 1903 H. J. GIBBS .. 1915 J. H. LESTER 1916 H. R. H. FRENCH 1916

LIST OF SURVEYORS. T. M. GOODWIN.. 1875 H. R. H. FRENCH. E. NETTELL .. 1877 Pre$enf Town Clerk A. McWILLIAMS 1879 J. R. TUFFS.. .. 1896 A. T. ANDREWS .. 1908 ME.M6E.RS OF THE COUNCIL. Back row, from left to right-Cr. J. T. Lewis, Cr. J. A. Breguet. J.P., Cr. Jas. Shone, Cr. J. D. Robertson, front row - Cr. F-J, Newberry. Cr. W. G. Madden (Chairman of Public Works & Markets), Cr. J. R. Coxon. J P. (Mayor), Cr. P. E.. Judd (Chairman of Finance), Cr. G. F. Moreland (Chairman of Parks and Gardens). Cr. T. 5TONE.MAN, Mr. P. H. IRICKETT, First Mayor of the Borough. 38 Myers S'-. Geelong. one of (fie members of ihe Separation Committee in 1874. and a strong committee was formed to collect infoi mation and take any necessary action in conncction with the movement. A petition was presented to the Town Council conveying the motions passed at this meeting, and representations were also made to the members of Parliament for the district. Several public and committee meetings were held during the next two months, but, apparently, without any encouraging results, for no further records appear until the year 1869, when a further effort was made to obtain the power to separate. This effort also failed, and there were no other meetings until the 28th of July, 1874, when it was arranged to hold a public meeting in the St. (jcorge Hotel on the 3rd of August. The p^iblic meeting was presided over by Aid. J. Nixon, and amongst those who addressed the the Hon. (later Sir) Graham Berry,

Pakinglon St. (the main thoroughfare), from Aberdeen St. looking North.

HE Town of Geelong West originally com- prised part of the Thompson Ward of the then Town of Gcelong, and, in consequencc of the desire of its inhabitants to separate from the Town and govern their own local affairs, elYorts to obtain separation were, according to minutes of the separation committee, commenced in the year 1863, when a public meeting, presided over by Mr. T. Davoren, was held in Kelly's Crown Assembly Room, on the 19th of February of that year, At this meeting a motion was passed expressing the opinion of those present—that in consequence of the rising importance of Thompson Ward it should be formed into a separate Municipality, and thus have the power to govern its local afTairs. It was further decided to endeavour to obtain the necessary legislative powers. Glenleith Avenue. Drumcondra, looking towards the Bay. OFFICLRS OF THE. COUNCIL. Back row, lefl to right-Dr. F. J. Newman (Medical Officer of Health), J. W. Smith (Health Inspector), W. H. Z-immer (Prosecuting Officer), A. T. Andrews (Suiveyor). Front row-E.. E.. Wilson (Solicitor), H. R, H, French (Town Clerk), Miss M. M. Westacott (Clerk and Typiste), A. H. Madden (Treasurer). M.L.A. 'Ihc Committee met almost every week about this time to reccivc rci)orts and organise and direct the campaign which proved successful, for, on the 31st December, 1874, the Chairman of the Committee reported that the new Local (iovcrnment Bill had been passed by Parliament, and the Ward had thus attained power to separate.

No time was lost in proceeding. A public meeting, with an attendance of 200 residents, was held in the St. George Hotel on the 12th of January, 1875, Mr, G. Gibson bekig the Chairman. It was unanimously decided that application be made by petition to have the Ward separated. The petition was prepared and signed within the next two months, and, on the 8th of March^

Panoramic View, looking Norili from Aberdeen Street, sliowing the You Yangs in Itie disiance-

M.L.A., who urged upon those present the necessity for combined action; also R. Dc B. Johnstone, M.L.A. The following motion was unanimously carricd,—"That it is the opinion of this meeting that the right of Separation from the Town of Geelong should be granted to Thomp- son Ward by Parliament, if requested by a majority of the burgesses and ratepayers." A Committee of 54 was formed to draw up the petition and obtain signatures, and have same presented to Parliament.

These Committeemen decidcd to leave no stone un- turned in obtaining a succcssful result; for, at their first meeting, they divided the Ward into small districts for canvass purposes, allotting the districts amongst them- selves. They also arranged to obtain plans of the Ward showing the made and unmade streets. In two weeks' time the Chairman of the Committee reported that 1020 signatures had been obtained to the petition, and on the 28th of August he reported that the petition had been Panoramic view of Geelong West, looking North-west. presented to Parliament by the Hon. Graham Berry, Taken from Aberdeen Street. Taylor, G. Day, R. Hcdley, T. Shekel], W. Dolley, Geo. Anderson, T. Craven, John Treacey, G. Thompson, W. Trethaway, T. Kelly, W. Lucas, R. W. Dunt, E. H. Taylor, John Taylor, - Walton, J, Donaghy, G. Wilson, T. Griggs, W, Ford, J. Molyneux, M. Donaghy, G. Gos- ney, J. Snowdon, J. Haines, W. Morgan, C. Outtcn, J. Audsley, W. List, J. Saunders, S. Clarke, G. Brunger, J, Patterson, J. J, Smith, J. W. Hotchin, G. Pettitt, J. Cressord, F. Moore, J. Buck, (j. Trembling, J. Wood, W. J. Gough, S. Ross, J. Baxter, J. O'Meara, D, Smith. M. Smith, T, Robertson, P. McMahon, P. 0'F>rien and Dr. Howell.

Post Office, Pakinglon Street. it was presented to the Chief Secretary by Messrs. •Graham Berry and R. Do B. Johnstone, M's.L.A.

The Order in Council constituting the 15oroug'h of Geelong West was passed on the 29th of May, 1875, and the following Councillors were appointed l)y Pohce Magistrate on the 7th .August, viz:—J, J. Ikickland, J. Nixon, ]). O'Brien, and T, Stoncman. The first meeting of the Council was held on the same day, when Cr. T. Stoncman was clcctcd Mayor,

Amongst those instrumental in achieving this result were the first elccted Councillors, and Messrs. Robert Parkinson, l\ Stirling, T. Davoren, Jas. Oddv. P. H. Trickett. W. Trickett, G. Gibson, \V. Hunter, 'P. Shannon, 'P. Hawkes, Wm. Fynney, M. 'Preacey, Joseph Sf. Palrick'$ Scfiool. Established 1911 No. of Scholars, 400. MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS. 'I'hc Town Hall Building was previously used by the late Mr. J. D, Mowbray as a school. The building, ac- quired immediately after separation, was afterwards al- tered and improved, and provision made for a Free Library therein. It might be mentioned that Mr. Mow- bray was the first head teacher of Ashby State School, which has advanced in size and status until it now ranks as one of the principal state schools of Victoria, particu- lars of which are given herein. The Council, as oppor- tunities have occurred, have purchased additional land in Albert Street, at the rear of the Town Hall, in order to cope with the municipality's activities. On this land there has been erected an up-to-date residence for the use of the Council's foreman, also stables, engine shed, concrete sheds, comprising storeroom, blacksmith's shop, mi.xing room, and plant shelter.

Geelong West Bowling Club.

STATISTICS RELATING TO THL MUNICIPALITY

Year. Assessments Population Houses. Valuation Revenue. t875 ... (461 4577 (approx.) 1085 £15,753 £2806 1885 1433 4628 1102 £19,430 £3000 1895 ... 1992 6230 1483 £28,997 £3322 1905 ... 2004 6226 1500 27,983 £3104 1915 ... 2547 8655 1900 48,619 £7050 1922 ... 2800 9638 2200 £64,648 £10,500 Fire Station, Autumn 5t. The Council has reserved the use of theatre for municipal and other purposes on fixed days throughout the year.

PARK5 AND GARDENS.

The following Parks, Gardens and Reserves arc held and maintained by the Council, viz;—

1. West Park (jardens. 2. Children's Playground, Autumn Street. 3. Railway Reserve, I.atrobe Tcrracc. 4. Children's Playground, Madden Avenue. 5. Cannon Hill Reserve on Foreshore. 6. Sports Oval, Church Street,—area 9 acres.

West Park Gardens, sliowing captured German Field Gun.

MUNICIPAL MARKE.T BUILDINGS. This building was crccted by the Council about two years ago, and comprises 16 stalls, including a hutchcr's shop. The market enables the producer to dispose of

WL5T PARK PICTURL THEATRL. "w-e i This Theatre, with a seating accommodation for about 1200 persons, was established by the Council as an open air theatre in the year 191S, and was, after a period of about 2 years, roofed in. It has since been floored, artistically lined and brought up-to-date by the lessee upon his being granted a lease for 15 years. It has been recently sewered, and proper sanitary accommodation and appliances installed throughout. West Park Gardens ROAD CONSTRUCTION. DRAINAGE.. The length of road surface, whose maintenance is At all times the foremost attention of the Council debited to the general revenue account, totals approxi- has been given to the most efficient methods of drainage, mately 25 miles, with a metaHed area of approximately and though minor opposition was arrayed against the a quarter of a million square yards. In every constructed Council's loan proposals for this object, time has justified, street, channels, frequently of basalt pitchers with cement on the score of public health, the expenditure of large joints, have been laid for reccplion and conveyance of sums of money in channel construction thrcmghont the drainage. municipality. ^

The area covered by tar paved footpaths amounts to The main arterial storm-water sewer extends, in the southern area, from the West Melbourne Road to La- 76,192 square yards—nearly 16 acres, trobe Terrace, where the effluent traverses the City terri- tory to the bay; and in the northern area, from Waratah PLANT AND MACHINERY. Street along Pakington and Waterloo Streets, and by Griffen's Gully Section to Latrobe Terrace whence it The Council has been alive to the impossibility of is continued to the bay. constructing and maintaining roads, footpaths and channels without the aid of up-to-date and complete equip- Drumcondra and Lunan Estates have each their own ment, and implements and plant include amongst oth- systems of underground storm-water drainage. ers:— PUBLIC UTILITIES. 10-12 ton Invicta Road Roller. Horse Roller. WATER AND SEWERAGE.. Tar paving rollers. An adequate supply of water is provided by the Two Tar Carts (285 gals. each). Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust, under which Street Water Wagon. body the sewering of the Town is rapidly proceeding. The first sewerage area was proclaimed on the 1st April, Street sweeper. 1916, since when provisions have been made to sewer Street scraper. 1795 properties, 1500 of which have been connected to Concrete Channel Roller. the sewer. Three horses and drays. The Town's representative on the Trust is Com- missioner H. F. Christopher, who was elected as the The street cleansing is efficiently carried out by day nominee of the Council in 1908. Afterwards in 1908, labor, and much of the improvements effected by the when additional powers were given to the Trust, consti- Council has been accomplished by the regular employ- tuting it under a special Act of Parliament, and granting •ees. powers to proceed with sewerage. Commissioner Christ- THE. COUNCIL'S OUTDOOR STAFF. Back Row (from left to right) J. Smith. F. Thornton, E.. Wood. C. Stewart, A. J. Stewart. Front row—M. Hewlett, T. B. Johns. C. Winter (Foreman of Works), L. Paul (Curator), and C. Hudgell. opher was- elected by . the ratepayers, and has since re- or footpath. The separation marked an epoch in the tained that position. He was for 12 years a men-iber corporate aspirations of the people. Whatever progress of the Council, and held the position of Mayor for 3 Pakington Street could make meant the Borough's pro- years in succession. gress, and, inspired with pride for their Borough, trad- ers there encouraged and maintained the trade of Geelong TRAMWAYS. West from Aberdeen Street in the south to Fisherman's Gully on the north. West Melbourne Road and Manifold Under powers conferred to the Melbout-ne Electric Heights on the west, and Latrobe Terrace on the east. Supply Co. Ltd., and by agreement with the Councils concerned, the Company's trams are operating in Aber- deen and Pakington Streets to and from the wharf and Less than 40 years ago school children in any part railway station. An extension of the service to North of the Borough could reach the then State School pres- Gcelong is to be proceeded with in the near future. The ided over by the late Mr. Mowbray, almost as the bird first tram entered the municipality on the 13th of March, flies, owing to the vacant spaces—known in those days 1912. as the "greens"—where the stalwarts of a generation ago developed the tissue which marks the present generation. The area from St. James' Street to Coronation Street was PUBLIC LIGHTING. the arena for many fine football and cricket contests. At the time the Borough was proclaimed, the streets To-day there is scarcely a vacant block to be found upon were lighted by means of kerosene lamps; these were re- the area mentioned. Geelong West is one of the most placed by gas lamps -in the year 1879, and in the year thickly-populated places outside the metropolis, and is 1912 lighting by electricity was introduced. There are going ahead rapidly. This was indicated in the inspect- 144 public and street lamps in use at the present time. or's report furnished to the Council on Wednesday last, when it was stated that the applications lodged within a couple of months for new buildings totalled 11 dwelling houses, 8 shops (all of which had been or were being Extract from "The Geelong jldxiertiser" of Jan. 16th, 1922. erected in Pakington Street), and one shop and dwelling combined, whilst, in addition, applications had been received for improvements to be carried out to 13 different PAKINGTON ST. DEVELOPMENT. places. .'Vs to the Borough itself, its most extraordinary feature is the development of Pakington Street, which is not a main road, but had to be fed for many years by people who came in along Kcera, Church, Autumn and .Aberdeen Streets. As a result it has developed into the RESIDENTIAL AREAS INCREASE. backbone of a decidedly prosperous suburb. At the time With the exception of Donaghy's Kope Works, Gee- that Geelong West received its charter as a separate long West has not been regarded as a manufacturing dis- municipality, Pakington Street, which is now a very live trict. It has been the residental area of an ever-increas- business place, was practically without kerb, channels. ing industrial community, and now that those areas east •N.. ••

Ashby State School (E-stablished 1875). 1st Head Teacher, Mr. J. D. Mowbray. Present Head Teacher. Mr J. J. Pearf, B.A. No. of Scholars on Roll, 1030. of Pakington Street have been thickly built upon, ex- cellent prospects are afforded for residental advancement on the Heights in the vicinity of Elizabeth Street and West Melbourne Road. During the past decade phenom- enal progress has been made in that area extending from Gcelong and Melbourne railway to Corio Bay, where in quick succession the Harbor Estate, Drumcondra Estate, Lunan Estate, Glenleith Estate, and the Western Beach Estate, have advanced, constituting one of the finest residential areas in this State, with ideal drainage and prox- imity to the Bay,

Certainly the Borough councillors have not been backward in floating loans, but by their aid the council has been enabled to carry out innumerable works for the general improvcm.ent of the Borough, which may easily claim to be amongst the first of the municipalities as re- gards good drainage, footpaths, roads, and cleanliness.

iSLW 5TATL SAVihGS BAM<. A commencement has been recently made with the erection of a new Savings Hank, which is to cost (ex- clusive of land) £3675. Messrs. Laird and Buchan are the architects, and Messrs. H. Beach and Sons arc the contractors. The building is to be a substantial two- IAIS.0 BUCMAN Arch'fs e ii..;., storied edifice, and will have spacious banking chambers c with living accommodation for the manager. The new SAYINGS 5>AN LOI^ G W. bank will occupy a prominent position at the corner of Clarence and Pakington Streets, and is indicative of the increasing prosperity of the Town.

installed, and to-day the great establishment fronting the main streets of West Geelong hums and vibrates with the rotation and thrust of many machines. The present Company was incorporated in 1905. '['wo generations have passed away in the creation and development of the works; and Mr. Frank Donaghy, the grandson of the founder, and the son of John, now pre- sides over the concern. So far, Australia has been able to supply, with minor exceptions, none of the raw materials required for rope and mat-making, although in the early days of her history attempts were made to culti- vate the flax, or New Zealand hemp, as it is called. That articlc is imported from New Zealand; the abaca, or Manila hemp, from the Philippines; the coir yarn from India and the islands, and the sisal, a fibre from a species of the agave, from Java and New Guinea. A good deal of linseed-flax is now being grown in Australia, particu- larly in Gippsland. Some is used at the works with highly successful results. Much of the Australian grown M. Donaghy & Sons Ply. LU1., Ropeworks, Pakington 5(. linseed-flax is exported. A large quantity was recently sold to the Belfast Rope Company, Ireland. The culti- vation of this flax in Australia should have a big future. Exliacl from ""Uhe Industrial Australian an J Coining Standard,' Sisal is now being cultivated in Queensland. Jugust 26th, 1920. The initial treatment of some of the fibres produces an article so soft, silken and light hi color that it might M. DONAGHY & SONS PTY LTD.. ROPE.. HARVE.ST TW!NL be likened to the tresses of a fair Saxon. Indeed, it AND MAT WORKS. wo^ild seem eminently suitable for making such a wig as Sixty-eight years ago, the late Mr. Michael Donaghy, would be worn on the stage by Marguerite in Faust. shortly after his arrival from England, founded the first rope works in Victoria, at Marnock Vale, Geelong. In The rope-walk is 2500ft. long, and when yoijr cor- those days everything in connection with the industry respondent visited the works, there had just been finished was done by hand or leg-work, and a rope walk was really a splendid cable of extraordinary strength and beautiful a rope-walk, The business prospered beyond the limits workmanship. •of its site, and in the early seventies a move was made to The binder twine, "Kangaroo Brand," is another West Geelong, where five acres of land had been ac- branch of the industry, and is well known throughout the quired. That area has since been considerably increased. Commonwealth; the mat-factory, in which mats, of vari- In the meantime, steam propelled machinery had been ous and artistic designs, are made from the coir yarn, is interesting to the visitor. In this particular factory, part ing the machinery, and experimenting, with a view to of the work is performed by a large number of healthy, perfecting methods and increasing- production. good-looking girls, whose skill and quickness arc re- The business of the firm extends to all parts of the markable. Commonwealth, and the Pacific Islands; it has also a The firm has its own engineering works, at which large export trade to Europe and other parts of the everything necessary for the repair and manufacture of world. The extent of the works at West Geelong may its machinery, except the casting, is done. During the be gauged by the fact that 350 persons are employed there. last ten years the factory has been remodelled and en- larged by fully a third, the number of hands by fifty to Geelong West is justly proud of this industry, which sixty per cent., and the turnover by upwards of fifty per is a monument to the energy, perseverance and enterprise cent. A staff o£ experts is constantly employed improv- of its founder, and his successors.

The object of the Council in submitting this Souvenir is to place on record a brief history of the municipality, noting various present features reflecting the progress- iveness of the district.

All available records have been carefully examined and checked before being committed to print, and the compiler takes this opportunity of thanking all those who have kindly given information and have otherwise assis- ted in the production of this souvenir. PROGRAM of CLLLBRATION5

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22nd, 1922. 1 p.m. Luncheon to His Lxcellency the Governor of Victoria. and Party, at A.B.C., Geelong. 2 p.m. Civic Reception fo His Lxcellency at Town Hall. Geelong West. 2.30 p.m. Proclamation of Geeiong West as a Town by His Lxcellency the Governor of Victoria. 3.30 p.m. Inspection of West Park Gardens and Tree Planting by His Lxcellency and Party. 3.35 p.m. Picture Lntertainment for School Children. 4.15 p.m. inspection of Messrs. Donaghy & Sons' Rope Works by Government Party. 7 p.m. Dinner at Town Hall. SATURDAY, MARCH 25ih, 1922. Monster Sports Carnival at Geelong West Oval. Pnntefi by Henry Thacker, Ply. Ltd.. Ryrie St.. Geelong. >i •* Pi ..•A--;.''- ^t- f I ' ) 1

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