History Week Grants Flyer HHististoorry Inside

Issue No. 328 February–March 2017 Royal Historical Society NNEWSEWS of

The Many Faces of p3.

President’s Report ...... 2 Helen Coulson OAM Honoured ....4 Vale Peter Holloway ...... 8

Remembering Historical Society Excels 5 Moorabbin Historical Society’s Launch ...... 4 Around the Societies ...... 6 WW1 Memorials Project ...... 9 The Many Faces of Hector Crawford ...... 3 Inroducing Alleyne Dawn Hockley ..7 Books Received ...... 10 INSIDE RHSV NEWS

The opinions expressed here are personal and not those of the RHSV. Remembering Melbourne a Smash Hit PRESIDENT’S REPORT The Royal Historical Society of Victoria, in collaboration The RHSV is set for a very good year in 2017, building on an with QBD books, has produced Remembering Melbourne excellent 2016. On a number of occasions late last year I described 1850-1960, a 368 paged book of images with captions and 2016 as ‘the most successful year ever for the Society’, and so far no-one has challenged that view. On numerous occasions the Drill introductions. This follows the successful Lost Brisbane Hall was buzzing with crowds of people for exhibitions, launches, produced by RHSQ in 2014. book sales and special events. The Melbourne book was produced by an RHSV committee led by Two major projects that came to fruition during the year were the Richard Broome, and comprised of Richard Barnden, Don Garden, publication of Judging for the People in April and of Remembering Don Gibb, Elisabeth Jackson and Judith Smart. It showcases over Melbourne in November. Together they demonstrated the high level 400 images from the RHSV collection and 300 from 22 historical of historical skill and expertise among our members, volunteers and societies, contained in forty chapters, each written by an expert. In supporters. They drew on the support of up to 150 of the ‘RHSV all, over a hundred people contributed to the book. family’ and in doing so illustrated the high level of community Remembering Melbourne was launched by the Hon. Richard Wynne support and involvement that we enjoy. These two projects have Minister for Planning in Victoria on 15 November 2016, who also made a wonderful contribution to our fi nances. pronounced it a ‘beautiful book’, and one that ‘you cannot put The RHSV’s enhanced income was further stimulated by a down’. Over one hundred people attended the launch, which was signifi cant bequest and a number of generous donations in 2016. one of the best ever events at the RHSV in the minds of many people. Our more fortunate fi nancial position is enabling the RHSV to put Richard Broome spoke for the book committee and Nick Croydon, aside a substantial sum to support the publication of the Victorian the joint CEO of QBD spoke of the book’s inspiration, Lost London, Historical Journal in coming years, and to inject money into the which he published some years ago under another imprint. That preservation and development of our invaluable collection. We are book was a huge success selling 100,000 copies. also looking to undertake further major IT developments, including a much more sophisticated and labour-saving software management The launch was followed by a lecture in the offi cer’s mess upstairs system for Ged Horgen’s accounting and event booking tasks, and by the Hon. Richard Wynne, who spoke on current planning issues, to help Lenore Frost operate the bookshop. particularly the new Fishermen’s Bend development and the ongoing Docklands site. Our staffi ng position is also becoming stronger. Kate Prinsley and Ged Horgen are full time, and Christine Worthington is almost Sales of the book were brisk at the launch, some people leaving with full time as well. Assisting them are two young women graduates two or four copies. Thanks to the RHSV publicist, Dr Samantha who share a position – Maddy Lewis and Claudia Kurrle – while Smith, Richard Broome appeared on the Red Symons ABC radio studying curatorial and teaching postgraduate degrees. program the next morning. Subsequently, the RHSV sold 500 copies of the book in the 24 hours following the launch! Publicity The RHSV Foundation has been building a comfortable emergency on page 2-3 of the Melbourne Age the following day, and in the fund, but as we become more secure we are considering how the Herald Sun fi ve days later led to a further fl ood of orders. Richard Foundation Fund might be best used to ensure the vitality and Broome also appeared on Philip Brady’s ‘Remember When’ Sunday development of the RHSV in the next decade. night program on 3AW. By Christmas closure the RHSV had sold The biggest challenge still facing us is security of tenure in the Drill over 2,300 books. Hall. The government has promised security, but the terms and The book is available while stocks last from the RHSV for $35, plus conditions have not been fi nalised. $20 postage anywhere in if not picked up, and from QBD Meanwhile, our normal programme continues into 2017 with books in major suburban shopping centres. exhibitions, lectures and History Victoria Support Group seminar days. We hope to see you there. The RHSV wishes all its members, supporters and volunteers a very successful 2017. Don Garden History

NEWS ESTABLISHED 1909

The RHSV acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria

239 A’BECKETT STREET MELBOURNE 3000 History News is the bi-monthly newsletter of the RHSV. The Launch of Remembering Melbourne. From left , Nick Croydon CEO Offi ce Hours: Monday to Friday ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA INC. President Don Garden QBD Books, Don Garden President RHSV, The Hon Richard Wynne MLA, 9am to 5pm Executive Offi cer Kate Prinsley Richard Broome Vice President RHSV. Courtesy George Fernando Library Hours: Monday to Friday Administrative Offi cer Gerardine Horgan Collections & Volunteer 10am to 4pm Co-ordinator: Christine Worthington Phone: 9326 9288 Editor: Richard Broome Cover: [email protected] Cast of about a Melbourne family in WW2. Hector Crawford (front Fax: 9326 9477 Design & Artwork: John Gillespie and centre), and Paul Cronin (on his left), who played Dave Sullivan. Lorraine Bayly 0419 135 332 website: www.historyvictoria.org.au who played his wife Grace is not pictured. Here the Melbourne cast gathered in Printed by: First Class Mailing 9555 9997 the early 1980s to celebrate the fi ctional end of the war in an episode. The series email: offi [email protected] (1976-1983) was aired in 70 countries, and still attracts tourists to its fi lm locations. Items for publication should be sent to the Editor Courtesy Crawfords Australia ABN 36 520 675 471 email: [email protected] Copy closes 10th of the month Registration No. A2529 PRINT POST APPROVED PP336663/00011 ISSN 1326-269 2 www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au RHSV NEWS

The Many Faces of Hector Crawford

Consider Your Verdict was fi lmed at the Fitzroy tele theatre. Technically this was the fi rst drama produced for television and the fi rst time Australians heard their own voices dramatized on TV. The show ran between 1960 and 1964. Courtesy Crawfords Australia program. Cast with a few actors, well-known lawyers, and members of the public, who were given a scenario to deliver the story, Consider found an immediate audience despite the lack of a formal script. The company was sustained through

Hector Crawford, with daughter Joanne on his knee, sister Dorothy (left) and wife Glenda these tough years by Hector and Dorothy (right), c. 1963 watching a recording session. Courtesy Laurie Richards, Arts Centre reinvesting their years of radio profi ts. Also Melbourne, Performing Arts Collection signifi cant was Hector’s fi rst move towards Hector Crawford Productions, founded in As part of Crawford Productions planned lobbying the Menzies government to apply the 1930’s in Melbourne, was one of the transition to television, Hector and Dorothy, Australian content requirements to the benefi ciaries of the boom in radio before and established a TV school to train actors, new licences. With Consider on air, he self- after the war, producing programs for live writers, and technicians, and even developed published Commercial Television Programs in performances at Music for the People and for their own camera systems to capture the Australia, known as the ‘Yellow Booklet’. commercial radio. When Dorothy, Hector’s programs. But when the fi rst TV licences This set out reasons for government sister, left the ABC to join the company, granted by the government were issued intervention, which he mailed directly radio drama became a major part of their to media companies that already owned to the prime minister, government and output and together they became hugely newspapers and radio stations, it became opposition ministers, and all state and federal successful, exporting their programs around clear that there were new rules in play. politicians. the world. Independent program producers like ConsiderYour Verdict ran for four years, until in Television came late to Australia. In 1936 Crawford who had taken big profi ts from 1964, eight years after TV began in Australia. the fi rst public TV broadcast took place in radio were shut out as the new TV owners Channel 7 fi nally commissioned Homicide – the US. In the same year the Coronation of determined to control every facet of the fi rst fully scripted drama to draw huge King George VI was broadcast in the UK production. Rejection of all his proposals for ratings for Australian-made TV. with an early prototype, its expansion halted music, variety and drama programs, came as Over the next 25 years, Crawford Productions only when transmission shut down due to a shock to Hector; suddenly his company’s with Hector at the helm, went on to produce World War 2. existence was threatened. Other established a huge list of highly successful shows. These In Australia, these advances seemed to be radio producers, seeing no pathway into TV included: , , The passing us by. Radio continued to fl ourish in production, and with radio income drying Box, All the Rivers Run, Carson’s Law, Cop Australia and reigned supreme particularly up, hit the wall. Shop, Young Ramsay, Fortress, Acropolis Now, during the post war years when political Crawford did everything he could to keep and The Flying Doctors, and perhaps the warring between Prime Minister Ben Chifl ey his company going, producing radio and most remembered, The Sullivans. In the and opposition leader Robert Menzies was live music events, using every means at his process, Crawford Productions made some paramount. disposal. He never gave up. His persistence Australian actors into household names, and launched the careers of generations of Despite the growing number of voices paid off. One week before HSV 7 in fi lm and television writers, directors, editors, urging the government to allow television Melbourne started transmission in 1956 a producers and technicians. transmission, Menzies after being re-elected call came. Crawford Productions became as prime minister in 1949 still declared his the fi rst independent company on air in the Rozzi Bazzani apprehension, saying: ‘I hope this thing fi rst week of TV in Australia. It was neither Rozzi Bazzani, free-lance journalist, won [television] will not come in my term of music nor drama, but a reality show called the History Publication section of the offi ce’. Wedding Day. It was a far cry from what they 2016 Victorian Community History had imagined or what they had prepared for. Awards for her book Hector: the Story of Hector Crawford had no such apprehension. But it was a start. Believing that audio, visual and Hector Crawford and Crawford Productions, communication technology was the way A further long six years would pass before Melbourne, Arcadia, 2015. Here she to enrich our culture, he said television Hector and Dorothy achieved a breakthrough refl ects on aspects of Hector’s career and his could ‘make a vital contribution to the into drama, converting their hugely popular dedication to Australian-produced television development of a specifically Australian radio program , to a low drama. consciousness and sense of national identity’. budget, high production value, television www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au 3 RHSV NEWS Helen Coulson OAM Honoured

Mrs Helen Coulson arrived in Echuca became Port manager until 1990. During in 1960, and was intrigued by a decaying that time the restored P.S. Pevensey, star of wooden structure on the riverbank, which the fi lm ‘All the Rivers Run’, operated from proved to be the historic wharf. She became the wharf area. a founding member of the Echuca Historical Society in 1960, served as secretary for many Helen Coulson has published four histories years, and remains a strong member. of paddlesteamers and the Port since 1979, he latest being PS Pevensey in 2016. Helen was a passionate supporter of the Society’s efforts to urge the Echuca City Helen Coulson was honoured with an OAM Council to apply for government funds to in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours make the port a historic precinct. Helen List for 56 years of service to history and also led the effort to bring a paddlesteamer heritage in Echuca and district. The award back to Echuca. The P.S. Adelaide, built in was presented on 19 October at Government 1866, had previously towed barges laden House by the Victorian Governor, Her Helen Coulson receives her Order of Australia with Barmah Forest timber to Echuca. It Excellency Linda Dessau, who is also patron form the governor and RHSV patron, Her was purchased in 1960, but remained in of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. Excellency Linda Dessau, at Government House dry dock until recommissioned in 1985. The 19 October 2016. Courtesy Riverine Herald. Port itself was opened in 1974 and Helen Echuca Historical Society

 Crowded Volunteers Lunch

The GDP of Australia is boosted by the efforts RHSV for their efforts during the year. their efforts declaring 2016 the best in of hundreds of thousands of volunteers. These efforts include, working on the the RHSV’s recent history. He referred to Most volunteers give their time because image, book and manuscript collections, the success of Judging for the People and they believe they can make a difference to mounting exhibitions, providing catering the related conference and again thanked society - and they clearly do! Volunteering for our events, editing History News and Simon Smith for his great efforts. Vice is the life blood of our own organisation the Victorian Historical Journal, running President Richard Broome congratulated all bringing together a diverse group of people our lecture series, providing administrative concerned on the production of Remembering with one aim - to advance the RHSV. Of support on membership and other such course we all gain enormous satisfaction tasks, and staffi ng the various committees Melbourne, particularly the book committee from assisting in many and varied ways, that make our Society operate effectively. and designer John Gillespie, and for the huge but essentially people volunteer as a selfl ess logistic efforts on sales: Ged Horgan, Lenore act, which takes not only time, but money. The food was magnifi cent and all concerned Frost and Claudia Kurrle. Fifty people attended a fi ne lunch on 13 enjoyed the luncheon. President Don December to receive thanks from the Garden congratulated the volunteers on Richard Broome

4 www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au RHSV NEWS Echuca Historical Society Excels

Echuca Historical Society premises. Courtesy of the EHS

The Echuca Historical Society at 1 Dickson provenance for research purposes. The sesquicentenary of our premises and Street Echuca (on the corner beneath the Echuca rate books are digitised from 1865 policing since 1867 on the one location at old Moreton Bay Fig trees) was formed to 1930’s. The local newspaper (Riverine 1-11 Dickson Street Echuca. The exhibit in 1960 to save the Echuca wharf from Herald) is on fi lm 1863 - 1997, digitised opened on 20 January and runs until end demolition and bring several riverboats back from 2005, and the Society now receives March 2017. to Echuca for restoration. a direct web feed of the current issues. The Society actively partners with Port of In 2012 the Society became a Committee Some 6,000 museum items are catalogued Echuca Discovery Centre, of Management under the Crown Land together with 130,000+ indexed items in Paddlesteamer and Echuca Paddlesteamers, Act, and was able to gain funding to build a the document fi les. and supports other tourism attractions in Echuca and the district. modern archive and administration centre. The Echuca Historical Society has In 2013 the society obtained funding for experienced volunteer researchers, who Museum visitors can take a guided tour restoration of the 3 Cells Complex within provide advice via all media genres, to on Fridays at 11.30am conducted by the old police premises, this area houses authors, students, businesses and local our volunteer retired riverboat captain. A a storage area, which is part of the POD government requiring historical facts and Treasure Hunt for children, gives parents a program of PROV and one cell is available fi gures. Those wishing to conduct research, chance to interact with them in a fun way, for visitors to enjoy – the kids love it. In should make an appointment to ensure a while they all learn about our history. One June 2014 the Society became a Museums staff member is available to assist, as our hour walking tours of the Heritage Precinct Accredited Museum. records are not suitable for self searching. are available for groups of four or more adults or students. Bookings essential. The Society’s collection, housed in the The collection is open seven days a week National Trust listed former Police Station from 11am till 3pm. Email enquiries The Society provides guides for tourist & Cell complex (1867-1969), is historically welcome. coaches and guest speakers for clubs and organisations. For students and teachers significant and much of it is unique to The Society has a publishing and exhibition we offer a School Resources program, the district and to the era 1850 – 1960, program. In July 2016 it published PS including visitations and website www. as it includes material from many of the Pevensey by Helen Coulson OAM, to echucahistoricalsociety.org.au and a Junior prominent local families of the era. celebrate the ’s 150th History Group Facebook https://www. It records early settlement along the Murray birthday, and as fundraiser for the Society, facebook.com/EchucaJuniorHistoryGroup/ River, which is integral to understanding the In March/May 2016 the Society held an signifi cant of Echuca to the development of exhibition ‘Chinese Footprints’ which told Echuca Historical Society Museum & grazing and commerce in the region. The the story of Echuca’s Chinese Heritage. Archive can be contacted on 0354801325 collection provides comprehensive material Our current Exhibition ‘UPHOLDING between 11am and 3pm daily or by email relating to people, places, social events and THE RIGHT”: 150th Anniversary of at [email protected] commerce, most items having a reliable the Old Police Station’, celebrates the Echuca Historical Society www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au 5 AROUND THE SOCIETIES

AROUND THE SOCIETIES 2017) during 2017 with a dinner at the Yarra NEWSTEAD: The Newstead & District We welcome societies to submit an Valley Country Club on Saturday 22 April. Historical Society Inc. is taking an excursion article/event of around 50 words, or email Other activities for the year are being planned. to Maryborough on 8 February to visit the your newsletter to us and we will write up See the website: www.vicnet.net.au/dthsoc/ Museum of Australian History & Art Gallery. around 50 words for you around twice per ECHUCA: Echuca Historical Society’s A further excursion, with lunch, is to be taken year. For the 1 April 2017 issue, please current Exhibition at 1 Dickson Street is: to the Maritime Museum and to send details to offi ce@historyvictoria. ‘”UPHOLDING THE RIGHT”: 150th Queenscliff on 15 February. For further org.au by 1 March 2017. Prepared by Anniversary of the Old Police Station’. It details contact Wilson Bunton on 5472 3185. Greg Buchanan on behalf of the History celebrates 150 years since the premises (the PORT FAIRY: The Port Fairy Historical Victoria Support Group. Old Cop Shop) was built for Victoria Police Society Inc. is holding their annual general AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS: The and of Policing from the one location at meeting on Tuesday 14 February at 7.30pm Australian Railway Historical Society is 1-11 Dickson Street, Echuca. The exhibition at the History centre in Gipps Street, Port planning an interesting diary of events for opened on 20 January and closes at the end of Fairy. Enquiries phone (03) 5568 2263 or 2017 including a visit to the Goulburn Valley March 2017. It is daily 11am till 3pm. Phone www.historicalsociety.port-fairy.com Model Railway Club on 25 February and 03 54801325 for further information PORT MELBOURNE: The Port Melbourne other meetings with guest speakers being HASTINGS: The Hastings-Western Port Historical and Preservation Society Inc. is arranged. Enquiries to Barry Matthews on Historical Society Inc. is meeting on Thursday meeting on Monday 27 February at 7.30pm 0448 817 775. 9 February for morning coffee and a talk by when the guest speaker will be Perce White, BALLAN: The Ballan Shire Historical Lance Hodgins on the ‘History of Hodgins the former Port Melbourne Councillor and Society will be holding their Annual General Road and the James Hodgins Story’. For Mayor and Foundation President of the Meeting on Wednesday 22 February at 8pm. further details call 0490132 011. The Society Society. The Society meets upstairs in the Port The venue is the Old Ballan Court House is also participating in the Western Port Melbourne Town Hall and new members and at 45-47 Steiglitz Street, Ballan. The guest Festival to be held on Saturday 25 February visitors are welcome. Further details from Jill speaker will be Les Hotchin and the topic, the & Sunday 26 February. The Museum will be Dawson on 9005 9709. Ambulance Service in Ballan. New members open on both days. PRAHRAN: The winner of the Prahran welcome. Enquiries to the Secretary Rick LOCKINGTON: The Lockington & District Mechanics’ Institute’s 2016 Short History Biden on 5368 2544. Living Heritage Complex Inc. is holding their Prize is Neville Lee of the Camberwell History th BOX HILL: The Box Hill Historical Society 20 Annual Vintage Tractor & Machinery Group for his entry ‘The Story of Ashburton Inc. welcomes visitors to its meeting on Rally on Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 April. The Through the Ages’. The annual Short History Thursday 16 March when Carolyn Landon, Complex is located at 2-10 Market Street, Prize is judged by panel from the Professional an oral historian, will speak about Celia Lockington. A special feature will be a static Historians Association (Vic.). Details of next Rosser – the banksia artist. This acclaimed display of ‘Cropping in the Twenties’. The year’s prize may be found at http://www.pmi. botanical illustrator painted every species of hours are Saturday 10am – 4pm and Sunday net.au/pmi-short-history-prize/ banksia over a period of twenty-fi ve years. The 9am – 4pm. Camping, showering and toilet QUEENSLAND: The Royal Historical meeting commences at 8pm at the Heritage facilities will be available. Enquiries on (03) Society of Queensland is offering a guided Centre, Suite 7, 27 Bank Street, Box Hill (Any 5486 2515. bus tour of Warwick ($80.00 cost including enquiries phone 9285 4808). At the meeting MELBOURNE: The Melbourne Steam lunch) on Saturday 18 February. The tour will on Thursday 20 April the guest speaker will Traction Engine Club Inc. welcomes visitors visit Glengallan Homestead and the historic be Grace Swiney on ‘Life in England during to the Club’s 2017 Scoresby Steamfest to buildings of Warwick. Further details on (07) WW2’ and on Thursday 18 May, Alan Ritter be held on Saturday 11 March, Sunday 12 3221 4198 or email: info@queenslandhistory. on ‘Mont Albert Primary School – 100 years’. March & Monday 13 March 2017 at the org.au BRIGHTON: The Brighton General National Steam Centre at 1200 Ferntree ST KILDA: The Friends of St Kilda Cemetery has a number of walks planned Gully Road, Scoresby. The event is on Cemetery are holding a ‘Writers, Booksellers including Sunday 12 February at 2pm between 10am – 4pm. Further details can and Literati’ tour of the Cemetery on Sunday on ‘Market Gardeners of the District’ be obtained on the Club’s website at www. 26 February at 2pm. This tour will hear about and Sunday 19 March at 2pm ‘Mother & melbournesteam.com.au the lives of some truly fascinating residents of Daughter, Father & Son: an activist, a painter MORNINGTON: The Mornington & the cemetery who led a literary life. Further & a convict and a premier of Victoria’. The District Historical Society Inc is holding a tours are planned for Sunday 26 March at walks cost $10.00 for members and $15.00 coffee morning on Aboriginal Art. This will be 2pm when sports persons will be featured for non-members. Further details on the held on Tuesday 14 February at 10.30pm at and on 23 April 2017 at 2pm to coincide Facebook page: Brighton-Cemetorians. the Mornington Fire Brigade Rooms. Robert with Anzac Day. This latter tour will include CAMBERWELL: The Camberwell Austin will share his indigenous knowledge. the graves of Albert Jacka VC, Matron Mary Historical Society Inc. welcomes all to a Visitors are warmly welcomed. Cost $5.00. A Finlay and many others and will be engaging talk on Tuesday 28 February at 8pm by bus trip to visit historic places on the Southern and have something of interest for everyone. Dr Anne Vale on ‘Australia’s Influential Peninsula is also planned for Monday 6 The Cemetery is on Dandenong Road, St Garden People’- from Edna Walling to Luis March (Details to come – Any enquiries Kilda East (Melways 58-F9). Tour cost is Barragan to Contemporary Landscapers’. phone the Museum (03) 5976 3203). $10.00 and enquiries can be directed to the The talk will be held in the meeting room of NAVAL: The Naval Historical Society website: foskc.org or by telephone on 9531 the Camberwell Library at 340 Camberwell of Australia Inc. is helping to arrange the 6832. Road, Camberwell. Enquiries to George Creswell Oration on Wednesday 1 March WOADY YALLOCK: The Woady Yallock Fernando on 9885 9927 or enquiries@chs. 2017 as a celebration of Australian Navy Historical Society manage the Smythesdale org.au Foundation Day. The luncheon will be held Market that is held on the 3rd Saturday of every DONCASTER: The Doncaster- at the William Angliss Institute restaurant at month from 9am to 1pm at the Historic Police Templestowe Historical Society Inc. is 550 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne at 12 Precinct. Everyone is welcome. celebrating their 50th Anniversary (1967- midday for 12.30pm. Enquiries to Mr Frank Cronin on 9874 2134.

6 www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au RHSV MEMBER PROFILE

RHSV Councillor Profi le: Alleyne Dawn Hockley Victorian Historical Alleyne Hockley is a resident of Castlemaine and passionate Journal Future Fund member of the Castlemaine The Victorian Historical Journal, now 106 years old, is among Historical Society Inc., where the oldest, continuous historical journals in Australia. It is she has served in the roles of one of the RHSV’s most distinctive contributions to Victorian President, Executive Officer, culture. Archivist and Liaison Officer. Proceeds in 2016 from the publications, Judging for the People She also served as Co-ordinator and Remembering Melbourne; the Law and History conference for the restoration works and the development of the heritage-listed on the Supreme Court; and the new patrons of the VHJ 1852 former Court House at program; have together created an important fi ghting fund Castlemaine. to secure the future of the VHJ for the coming years. Already the future fund will ensure print publication of the VHJ for Alleyne has completed a three- the next fi ve years. This will relieve the RHSV’s budget of this year Diploma of Applied and Local History at the University burden, providing funds for other projects. of New England (1996) and has Those wishing to become patrons of the journal are invited written and self-published two to contact the RHSV on 93269288 or offi ce@historyvictoria. books two family history books, org.au or contact the Chair of the Publications Committee at Gold, Cobblestones and Sand (1986) [email protected]  and 8 Brown Threads (1992).

She has served on the Public Enhance your next book with an Index Record Offi ce of Victoria Advisory Council (2000-2009); the Bendigo Regional Archives Centre Advisory and Operations by Terri MacKenzie Committee (2010 – 2016); and for the Mount Alexander Shire has been a member of the Heritage Advisory Board, the Shire’s Professional Back of Book Indexer Honorary Archival Record Agent, and was the organiser of Shire’s Member of Australian and New Zealand Society annual Heritage Festivals (1996 – 2010). of Indexers Honorary Victorian Historical Journal Indexer Alleyne has been a member of the History Victoria Support Group [email protected] (2004 – 2016). In 2016 she was appointed as a member of the RHSV Council to provide a voice for country and regional historical societies on Council.

Alleyne’s work for history and heritage in Castlemaine and state- wide, was acknowledged by a RHSV Award of Merit in 2006 and an RHSV Distinguished Service Award in 2015.

Alleyne’s interest in history is driven by the depth and diversity of [email protected] primary source material now available for new interpretations of local history. She has found that once a ‘fact or an event’ has been published, it becomes lore. It is often used and re-used perpetuating that error. However, a logical survey of this accepted ‘local history’ reveals that it cannot be correct. The time consuming research of original material to correct it, is extremely satisfactory when an elusive ‘fact’ can be pinpointed and proved either right or wrong. Founded Her special interest is the administration of the Mount Alexander Over , items of Victorian gold fi elds in the formative period 1851-1856. By examining, and interstate history, resources for photographing and transcribing correspondence from government family history and much more available for loan. departments and establishments operating on these gold fi elds, with offi cials in Melbourne, Alleyne hopes to create a daily diary of events at Mount Alexander. This will establish the context and practices www.pmi.net.au of law and order on this premier gold region in the roaring fi fties. St Edmonds Road, Prahran Richard Broome 

www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au 7 RHSV NEWS

Dromana @ 150: A Community History Vale Peter Holloway 1861-2011: and Lest We Forget – Dromana 23/8/1943 – 19/10/16 and WWI. Peter was involved in numerous history and heritage projects in Dromana and on The RHSV was deeply saddened to hear the Peninsula. He was a staunch advocate of the death of Peter Holloway, a leading for heritage, especially where planning fi gure in the community history and heritage issues were involved. He participated in the movement on the . Mornington Peninsula Shire’s ‘Thematic Peter trained as an English teacher at History Study’, ‘Heritage Reviews I & Monash University, completing his BA, Dip. II’, several structural plans, and countless Ed. and MA. After a stint in the classroom submissions to panel inquiries, He was well became a lecturer in English Language regarded by the Shire’s planners. and Literature at the Melbourne College Peter was well known in the Shire’s Local of Advanced Education. He collected and History Network and a great supporter edited critical writing on the Australian of that organisation. His amazing ability theatre in his book Contemporary Australian to connect with people opened many Drama published by Currency Press in 1981. doors across the Peninsula. He was a great He then ran an interior decorating business inspiration and example to the committees in Hawthorn before moving to Dromana on to which he belonged. the Mornington Peninsula. Peter joined the His other interests included art, architecture local branch of the National Trust in 2000 and classical music, and he was extensively and served on the committee until the time involved with the arts on the Peninsula, of his death. He was Secretary from 2001 - including the Regional Gallery. He was 2003, President 2004 - 2006 and re-elected a founding committee member of the Peter Holloway’s contribution to heritage to the chair in October 2015. Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society and to community life on the Peninsula Peter also joined the Dromana & District (Mornington Peninsula Branch) and served was very signifi cant and he will be long Historical Society, became a Committee on the committee of both the Peninsula remembered. He is sadly missed. He is member in 2006 and then Vice President in Music Society and the Mornington Peninsula survived by his partner, Ken Falconer, and 2009, President 2010-14 and Vice President Summer Music Festival. his children and grandchildren. in 2015. He wrote and published four books Other involvements included the Dromana Compiled by Don Garden from information for the Society: Art Deco on the Mornington Foreshore Committee and the Point Nepean provided by Judy Walsh, Jean Rotherham Peninsula; Heritage Signs of Dromana; Community Reference Group. and Ken Falconer ‘Getting it Right’ HVSG Seminar Saturday 25 March 2017 Topics include: Citizen advocacy, copyright, working with volunteers, building/property issues, securing your fi nancial future, and digitizing. Full details to follow

International Women’s Day PROV Seminar History of Medicine Conference ‘Women and Welfare in Colonial Victoria’ The Australian and New Zealand Society of the History of PROV Conference Room Medicine 15th Biennial Conference will be held on 11-15 99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne July 2017 at the Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy 1.00-2.30pm on 8 March 2017

Campus. The theme is ‘Health, Medicine and Society: Speakers: Nell Musgrove (ACU)

Challenge and Change’. Call for papers closes on 20 ‘Women creating kinship care’; Charlie Farrugia: February, registration opens 3 April. (Senior Collections Advisor, PROV); For further information visit Nikki Henningham: (CEO, AWAP) www.dcconferences.com.au/hom2017 Inquiries: Rosemary Francis: [email protected]

8 www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au RHSV NEWS Moorabbin Historical Society’s WW1 Memorials Project

Victorian WW1 memorials often include an inscription naming the architect or sculptor who designed the memorial, sometimes the manufacturer, but hardly ever the stone carver who interpreted the design and created the sculpture. The Moorabbin Historical Society (MHS) calls on fellow community historians to help remedy such omissions. The Society is on a quest to record more information about public memorials erected across Victoria after WW1. Its members are particularly interested in Digger fi gures or statues designed and manufactured from white marble by monumental sculptors and stonemasons H.B. Corben & Sons (Corbens), 624-630 Smith St, Clifton Hill. Many, if not all their fi gures were carved by August Rietman (1877–1951), a stone artisan of German-Swiss heritage. Corbens employed August Rietman in late 1915, despite xenophobic attitudes in the community. Corbens may even have sponsored his immigration to Australia. Rietman certainly had the skills and artistry August Rietman working at H.B. Corben & Sons, c1919-22. Courtesy of Moorabbin Historical Society required to carve statues from blocks of local marble or marble imported from Carrara in Italy. At the very least, he would have added pedestals or plinths, to sombre, non- the fi nishing touches or details to most, if figurative cenotaphs, obelisks, granite not all, the marble Diggers manufactured by pillars and columns. Some of the latter are Corbens. August Rietman is remembered by extant at: Wyndham (1920), Moe (1921), family members as a pacifi st. In 1930 he left Williamstown (1924/5), St Kilda (1925) Corbens to work on the Malvern Memorial and North Melbourne (1926). We can (in the foyer of Stonnington Town Hall) with another pacifist, renowned sculptor Paul identify three Digger fi gures attributed to Raphael Montford. Corben & Sons. All were designed and made between 1919 and 1921. They stand August and his wife Frieda leased the Box at Coleraine, Bonnie Doon and Boort. At family property in Ormond in 1917 and MHS’s last count there are roughly thirty purchased it in 1935. It contained an early Digger statues across Victoria. Although settler’s cottage, a Victorian ‘Big House’ some would have been manufactured by (since demolished) and outhouses on an acre rival monumental masons such as Vaughan of land in Jasper Road. The Box Cottage is & Lodge and Morgan Jaguers or imported now a museum run by the MHS. To mark the readymade from Italy, MHS members expect centenary of the couple’s arrival in Ormond, that August Rietman had a hand in carving MHS is working on a project to highlight August Rietman’s mostly unrecorded some of the unattributed monuments. contributions to Victoria’s WW1 ANZAC MHS hopes that community historians will heritage — with advice and assistance from help its members identify those unrecorded the Museums Australia (Victoria) Roving Digger memorials manufactured by H.B. Curator. Corben & Sons which, by extension, were Digger monuments carved or detailed by August Rietman. Further information and images will be In the aftermath of WW1, H.B. Corben & gratefully received and acknowledged. Please Sons branched out from manufacturing August Rietman ‘rough carving’ the Stonnington contact MHS by email: moorabbinhs@gmail. headstones for Victorian cemeteries to (Malvern) Town Hall sculpture at his studio com or write to PO Box 4028, McKinnon tendering successfully for an unrecorded workshop in the original Box Cottage, c1930- number of WW1 memorials. These ranged 3204. 31. Courtesy of Moorabbin Historical Society from Digger fi gures standing on stepped Frances Bader, Moorabbin Historical Society www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au 9 BOOKS RECEIVED

Books received: Authors, publishers and such societies and presents his fi ndings by Resolution Historical Societies are invited to contribute location. He partly draws on previous work AN Wilson, Atlantic, London, 2016, pp. books to the RHSV for the library and for some areas, but a comprehensive index 278, $29-99. ISBN for consideration for inclusion in Books provides leads for many often transient 9781782398288. Received. societies. A starting point for more studies of the self-improvement movement in late 19th An engaging novel century and early 20th century communities. focused on Cook’s voyage on the Up Came a Squatter, Niel Black of The Vagabond Papers Glenormiston 1839-1880 Resolution seen through John Stanley James, Michael Cannon (ed.), the eyes of George Maggie Black, New Monash University Forster, son of Johann South Publishing, and State Library of Sydney, 2016, pp. Victoria, expanded Reinhold Forster x + 318, $49-99. edition 2016 (1st whose published ISBN9781742235066. published in 5 vols journal sparked the Niel Black was the 1877-78, abridged author’s interest. central figure in edition 1969), pp. Margaret Kiddle’s liv + 278. ISBN Moments in Time, A Book of Australian wonderful Men of 9781922235985. Postcards Jim Davidson, NLA Yesterday published Michael Cannon’s in 1963. An edited 1969 edition. Publishing, Canberra, extraordinary man, is reprinted including 2016, pp. 207. ISBN he bestrode Western District settlement for his searching scholarly introduction along 9780642278777 more than 40 years and left a rich legacy of with new contributed material from Robert A beautifully presented letters that attest to the extraordinary. In Flippen on James in Virginia and Willa this book, a great grand-daughter eloquently McDonald on James in New Caledonia. book that provides an and precisely charts Black’s remarkable life James’s work constantly reminds us of worlds expert guide to the using those letters and many more. She that his contemporary journalists rarely history of the postcard presents the many sides pf Black’s complex visited. His writings deserve to be reprinted. in Australia and highlights the breadth of cards personality – his vigorous defence of what He remains a distinguished 19th century in the National Library collection. The author he considered his rights, his attitudes to scallywag about whom mysteries remain. Aborigines, his ideals of civilisation, his discusses the ‘rise, fall and persistence of the conception of morality and sometimes his Picturing and Re-picturing Bonegilla postcard’ in an introductory essay. Postcard own corruption of it, his loyalty to family even Bruce Pennay, Wodonga City Council, 2016, themes (over 40 of them) follow, arranged in when it was not reciprocated, his relationship pp. 98. ISBN 9780959988529. with his Scottish partners, his striving for alphabetical order from ‘Aboriginal People’ to Bonegilla excellence in stock management, his sense of ‘Women in the World’. The whole is visually has been a noblesse oblige despite his ‘common’ origins, attractive as well as notable for its substantial continuing and much more. In all, this is an excellent interest for research and skilful writing. study of an exceptional man and the times the author that made him a ‘man of yesterday’. The Colonial Experience, The Port Phillip and has District /Victoria 1834-1860 Ubiquitous and Necessary: Australia’s been the mechanics’ institutes and schools of arts etc: focus of a Richard Broome, A Research Guide substantial La Trobe Studies Pam Baragwanath and range of in History, La Ken James, the authors, publications. In this latest item, Pennay Trobe University 2016, pp. 696. ISBN arranges picture collages (40 in all) and invites History Program, 9780994470164. ‘readers to see and consider how the place www.latrobe.edu. The authors’ These Walls [Australia’s largest and longest-lasting post- au/archaeology SpeakVolumes has already war migrant accommodation centre] was been noted. This volume -and -history, 4th. perceived and represented by government, publishes a compilation Edition, 2016, pp. of the primary sources by the contemporary press, and by resident used in research for that volume and extends staff, migrants and refugees’. His approach xii + 170. ISBN 9781875585106. the coverage to interstate records. They have is linked to those of museums that seek to Written for a section of VCE Australian certainly unearthed mountains of material on create exhibitions that encourage visitors History and arranged accordingly with well- these early adult educational bodies. in critical engagement with the material chosen readings and images and questions Victoria’s Mutual Improvement Societies as opposed to teaching them. His photos designed to encourage student analysis, this Ken James, [email protected], come from offi cial, contemporary media book also has much that engages the general 2016, pp. 169. ISBN and residents. These are associated with reader in a valuable introduction to the early 9780994470157. written memories, published or importantly The societies of this study taken from museum visitor books and colonial period in what became Victoria. tended to focus on debating comment cards. In all, an interesting and The images used include the RHSV’s prized and literary pursuits ‘William Barak’s Corroboree’. all in the name of self- thoroughly researched study with relevance improvement. The author to museology, local and family history writing has discovered a great many and much else.

10 www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au BOOKS RECEIVED

Dandenong Market, Fresh & Vibrant by boiling by the Ondit Salt Company owned Since 1866, Celebrating 150 Years (1866- by Henry Berry and the smaller Victoria 2106) Salt Company, both of which closed in the Michael Shmith, 1890s, and scraping, a practice continued Slattery Media successfully by locals until the 1960s. Group on behalf of Heart of the Elmhurst District, The Dandenong Market, Elmhurst Bush Nursing Centre 1916-2016 40 Cleeland Street, Robyn M. Wood & Dandenong, 3175, Katie Wood, Elmhurst 2016, pp. 128. I850. Bush Nursing Centre, SBN 9780987342. 2016, pp. 97. ISBN A well-written 9780646964201. RHSV and illustrated narrative that celebrates Written to an important part of Dandenong’s commemorate the FELLOWSHIPS infrastructure. Originally a stock market on centenary of the the far outskirts of Melbourne, its growth Centre and dedicated and changes mirror those of its city that to the bush nurses and & AWARDS grew from a country town with strong local committees that farming links to one with massive industrial have run the centre that serves the Elmhurst works, with a burgeoning multicultural mix. district east of Ararat (including Nowhere of MERIT The stock market closed in 1998 but the Creek!). Its history of this institution tells produce market continues along with general much about its community, perhaps its Nominations for 2016 Fellowships merchandise in refurbished buildings, and ‘Heart’, as well as the challenges of providing opens 4 days each week. A justly celebratory medical services in local areas. and Awards of Merit are now being book but much more in that it proclaims a invited. The awards are a means of Dandenong story about stall-holders and Sale O, Hooroo and Sundries, They Came customers, the market ‘experience’, and the They Went and What They Did In Between, peer recognition within the RHSV adaptations and adjustments over its 150 1890-1899 for an outstanding contribution years, that can be related to other market Margaret Williamson (compiler), Pyramid made to history in Victoria. histories and to the growth of the Melbourne Hill & District Historical Society, PO Box metropolis. 83, Pyramid Hill, 3575, 2016, pp. xxix + 217, $30 + $15 postage. ISBN 9780980814446. Closing Date for Fellows God’s House, A History of churches in Colac and District Items from the Pyramid Hill Advertiser edited Nomination Norman Houghton, by SG Seales assiduously compiled and Friday 17 March the author, PO Box presented in chronological order covering events and people in the local area. Names 1128, Geelong, 3220, Closing Date for Awards 2016,, pp. iv + 156. of people are indexed and there is also a large series of survey maps of the area. A valuable of Merit The Colac district addition to the public availability of Pyramid Friday 14 April has been well-served Hill’s history and a further credit to the hard by the author in this work of its historical society. latest book. Arranged Guidelines are available from by denominations Gentlemen Only, A History of the Riverine Kate Prinsley: 9326 9288 or and by locations, Club, 1881-2016 [email protected] this is a substantial Murrumbidgee Nominations should be sent to guide to the building Gentlemen, History the Executive Offi cer, RHSV, and sustaining of Christian churches and of Narrandera’s 239 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne associated institutions. The whole shows Murrumbidgee Club, 3000. that communities were quick to build 1903-2003 places of worship, sometimes long-lasting Norman Houghton, structures but as the many cases of collapse Announcements will be made the author, PO Box and fi re show, not always. Well-illustrated at the RHSV AGM on Tuesday 1128, Geelong, 3220, and researched. 16 May and published in our 2016, pp. v + 67; pp. June newsletter. Scrapers and Boilers, Beeac’s Lake Salt 65. Trade 1868-1968 Short histories of two Norman Houghton, Riverina gentlemen’s clubs, one located By publicly recognising the the author, PO Box and still operating in Wagga Wagga and the outstanding work of volunteers 1128, Geelong, 3220, other at Narrandera that ceased in 2003. The in local history, we hope these 2016, pp. 26. author has previously written about a similar awards will inspire others. Not only a further club in Geelong. These are useful additions to contribution to the local history, as well as the study of exclusive history of Colac male clubs. and district but also an instructive investigation of industrial archaeology sites at Beeac where salt was extracted both www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au 11 Remembering Melbourne Launched and Acclaimed Over a hundred people, most of them contributors to the book, celebrated the launch of Remembering Melbourne, 1850-1960, 15 November 2016.

Professor Patricia Grimshaw after receiving her award of a Fellowship from the Federation of Australian Historical Societies for services to women’s and other histories. It was presented by Don Garden, President of the FAHS and the RHSV. Courtesy George Fernando

Richard Broome, Vice President of the RHSV, presents John Gillespie of Kiplings Business Communications Pty Ltd with his Award of Merit, for his excellent service in designing History News, the Victorian Historical Journal and many other visual communications for a decade.

12 www.historyvictoria.org.auwww.historyvictoria.org.au