Love Story

I Preface

Print Notes

II TOC

III Chapter 1 Early Inhabitants, Explorers and Pioneers

ustralia has always been here, in its raw uninhabited The Next Wave of Migration state. Australian rocks, more than 2.5 billion years A old, are among the oldest known to man. Our - White Explorers continent was once located on the southern super-continent The second wave of inhabitants, some 40,000 of Gondwanaland which included Africa, Antarctica, South years later, due to European exploration in the America and some southern parts of the Asian continent. 17th century, were of British descent. In those days split from Gondwanaland about 40 million years exploration and discovery of foreign lands for ago. colonisation was sought after by many nations.

The first human migration of people to its shores ocurred Abel Tasman, on a voyage of discovery in 1642 roughly 40,000 – 50,000 years ago when the ancestors discovered ‘Van Diemen’s Land’, the original name of Australian Aborigines arrived from the north by traditional for . canoes, and with the aid of landbridges that existed. Many of the megafauna died out after this time too, with some anthropologists suggesting it was a result of hunting assisted by the Aboriginal practice of managing the land with burn- offs.

In , Indigenous people used to travel to Tasmania across a landbridge which existed between Wilson’s Promontary, across the islands of , to northern Tasmania. Bay was a lush grassy plain with a large river flowing through it. However, when the last Ice Age finished, around 10,000 years ago, ocean levels rose cutting-off Tasmania from the mainland and flooding the Victorian bays.

When Europeans first came to the Victorian region, there were 11,000 to 15,000 Aborigines divided into around 38 tribes, each with their own language and territory.

Around Bass, the local Indigenous people were from the Yallock- Bullock clan, which was part of the Boonwurrung people who belong to the Kulin nations. Captain James Cook, in 1770, took possession of the continent on behalf of Great Britain by The five Kulin nations are the Wathaurong, the Woiwurrung, securing a flag in . A later settlement by the Taungurong, the Djadjawurung and the Boonwurrung Captain Arthur King in , New South peoples. Wales secured the land as British.

The Boonwurrung (also spelt Bunerong, Bunwurrung, Boonwerung, Bunurowrung, Boonoorong) lived sustainably on the land, predominantly as hunters and gatherers for tens of thousands of years. They are the traditional owners of the coast and land along the northern, eastern and southern shorelines of Port Phillip Bay, the Mornington Peninsula, and its two main islands – and French Island, and land to the south-east down to Wilson’s Promontory which they shared with the Gunai-Kurnai people. in 1798 discovered Western Port. Woolamai (Wollamia) incidentally is the Aborginal word for Snapper. 1 Early Inhabitants, Explorers and Pioneers Early Contact Aboriginal people had sporadic contact with outsiders for hundreds of years before the first recorded accounts. Sealers and whalers hugged coastlines when seeking onshore provisions, so there were many sightings and meetings. Some of the earliest written accounts of contact between Impact On The Boonwurrung white people and the Boonwurrung people began early in the 19th century when Bass discovered the river, that later The Aboriginal clans in Victoria responded in different ways to took his name was a source of fresh water. Other ships the ‘white invasion’. Some realised the futility of direct conflict called in to replenish stocks of food and drinking water. whilst others defended their territory fiercely. According to Gary Presland, in the 1830’s... ‘There was an alarming increase Lieutenant John Murray’s log book from the voyage in the amount of conflict between Europeans and aborigines of Lady Nelson, 1802: Mr Bowen observed, “blacks in the Western District, and also closer to . ... sitting on the beach... and each of them with a However, attacks on aborigines were often unwarranted. ‘...... bundle of spears in hand.” What follows is a fascinating at Westernport Bay in March 1836, a party of men employed to description of the meeting of two cultures complete with collect wattle bark, fired on a group of aborigines, wounding six. gestured communication from both parties and the close One of the injured was a young girl who was shot through both examination of Bowen’s white skin. It was a friendly legs’. exchange that involved women and children who kept at a distance, until Bowen was asked to leave. The young The Boonwurrung ‘blacks’ were spoken of as being friendly aboriginal men, and one very old man were all “clothed except on rare occasions when the natives attacked in skins of Apossums as far as their middle”.1 the Westemport tribes. On one of these occasions, natives attacked the homestead of Robert Jamieson of Yallock and did Generally during this early stage of exploration by British considerable damage, but no lives were lost. and French expeditions, reports reveal the local natives were peaceable and amiable in disposition. By 1839, (only 4 years after the settlement of Melbourne) only 83 Boonwurrung remained in the Western Port Bay and D’Urville, described an aboriginal village located at the Mornington Peninsula area from a population estimated to be east end of Griffiths Point. “We discovered only some between 250 and 500 before 1800. old traces of the natives’ residence there, though their huts, 40 – 50 in number were still set up not far from By 1844 many new settlers had taken up grazing licences with the bank, surrounded by the remains of fire places and hard hoofed animals such as sheep and cattle destroying many fragments of shellfish which they had used for food. native plant foods vital to the Boonwurrung people. Some huts consisted of a framework of thick branches covered with wide pieces of bark.2 By 1850 Protector William Thomas estimated just 28 Boonwurrung people still survived. The dramatic decrease in 1 Horton & Morris, the Andersons of Westernport, 1986 population was due to the effects of alcohol, weapons, violence 2 ib id and introduced diseases in particular smallpox. Aboriginal birth numbers plummeted too, as the traditional people witnessed the dramatic and detrimental change on their lifestyle and lands.

2 Early Exploration of Westernport

George Bass

On a journey of exploration in 1798, sailing south from Port Jackson, Bass’ expedition encountered heavy seas which damaged their whaleboat. Bass and his men hugged the mainland coast seeking shelter, in order to repair the boat and replenish food supplies. They entered a large break in the land, (between Cape Woolamai and Griffiths Point) with a strong current against them. The tide changed and they were able to sail further into the bay. The mouth of the must have been a welcome sight. The men rowed round bend after bend of the winding river until they found the place above the tide line where the water was free from a brackish taste and they were able to refill their water casks. They had left with provisions for six weeks but by the time they entered Western Port they were into week 5, so food was a major concern.

The repaired whaleboat was then rowed back to the sea and some further exploring done. Kenneth Morris in his book, Bass in Westernport carefully analyses the “eye sketch” drawn by Bass and explains that the explorer did an outstanding job of mapping the area, and that Bass basically reached the narrows of Jam Jerrup at low water, before turning back and heading back to Sydney. The lack of food meant Bass’ prime consideration was to care for his crew. When George Bass was in Westernport he was 27years of age. His father in law described him as being, “ six feet high, dark complexion, wears spectacles, having a very penetrating countenance.” Bass has been praised for his vision, courage, strength. Skill and qualities of leadership, but most remarkably was not a professional seaman. He carried out this classic voyage (of which DARKER much more is written), without serving an apprenticeship in navigation, seamanship or ship handling.

3 to inundation.

The possibilities of Western Port were only just being discovered, both bark cutters and farming men saw advantages and vast quantities of black swans were havested and Wattlebark too, a valuable cargo at the time there for the taking. The first Wattlebark was stripped in November 1834 at Western Port, the labour came from Tasmania.

When the first permanent settlers did arrive in Western Port in late September 1835, it was the fresh water in the River Bass that provided the When Bass sailed out of Western Port it was the magic ingredient, the lure that fixed the position for western most point that had been charted, although it generations to call home. was quickly realised that another bay, Port Phillip lay further still to the west.

In 1801, the ship’s boat of The Lady Nelson made two different trips up the Bass River, also to take on fresh water. The area of the Bass River was proving rather enigmatic. Depending on the seasons, the particular part of Western Port that was explored, the reports back to Sydney varied remarkably.

Captain Wright: 26/1/1827

On our way to Port Phillip, being caught in the Straits by a gale of wind, which compelled us to pull into Westernport to repair, I ... walked for some miles through as rich a country as I have seen. It was thickly clothed of kangaroo grass upward of three feet high and on mentioning this at Port Phillip was informed that in this district there were excellent cattle stations but the ground was considered too wet for sheep.

Captain Wright continues, in a despatch to the Colonial Secretary dated 26/l/1827: “Commencing at the Eastern Passage a chain of hills run in a N.E. direction nearly parallel with the Bass River, and at a distance of three miles from it.

This chain, for six miles from the coast is thinly wooded and well clothed with grass. It then assumes a rugged and broken character, with thick impenetrable scrub.

The country between the foot of the ranges and the Bass River is low and marshy with the exception of a few spots of meadow land.

The north bank of the river down to within one mile of its mouth is open meadow land, with patches of tea-tree swamp. It bears, however evident marks of being subject

4 About July 1839, Robert Jamieson who had a station He states that for a considerable time after occupying extending along the eastern shores of Port Phillip Yallock, the only settlers beyond him were Messrs carted a whaleboat to Westernport, and explored Anderson and Massie who had an agricultural the land surrounding it. ln consequence he took settlement on the Bass River, and sent their produce possession of the run at the head of bay known to market by water employing, for that purpose small afterwards as Yallock and brought his stock there. vessels of from l0 to 30 tons burden. He remained there until the year 1845.

Anderson and Massie found that land travel to the new settlement of Melbourne was impossible in winter and very difficult in summer months because of the swamp at the northern end of Western Port. Five years were to pass before any European traversed this route. During the first year Anderson was dependent on a vessel from Launceston to bring him supplies and to take his first crop of wheat to market.

Ships from Launceston continued to collect cargoes of wattlebark from Western Port. Wattlebark was important because of its high tannin content, which was needed in the leather tanning industry. As the European population of Victoria grew so did the demand for leather products. The bark was so highly valued that large amounts were exported. By 1878, 96 tanneries in Victoria employed 1,140 people with an estimated double that number stripping, chopping, bagging and transporting wattle bark.2

Captain Hart 1883: We anchored abreast of the ruins of another settlement and landed the teams (bullocks, a dray) and some 20 men. Here were the remains of houses and gardens, grass was very abundant and the wattle trees the largest I have ever seen. We were employed for a fortnight collecting bark and saw traces of numerous cattle and shot a white bull. Finding the bark so abundant I loaded the schooner and Samuel Anderson proceeded to Sydney leaving the shore party behind to collect more bark.3

In 1837, Samuel was joined by his brother Hugh Anderson It was not long before Anderson acquired his own whaleboat (1808-1898), a former clerk in the crown prosecutor's office, and his means of travelling to Melbourne was to sail across who had some knowledge of medicine and who emigrated Western Port to the present site of Hastings and then travel by as a ship's surgeon. He successfully acclimatized plants from bullock dray and on foot to Port Phillip and the present site of Scotland and the Cape of Good Hope, but his treasured Frankston, then along the coast to Melbourne, a journey of at thistles from the Burns monument at Dumfries were to prove least four days, sometimes five. noxious. He took an active interest in civic affairs as a justice of the peace and Shire Councillor.1 Perhaps conjecture, but it is said that Samuel Anderson pioneer of Western Port purchased Rebecca at auction on 19 October In 1842, a third brother, Thomas Anderson (1814-1903), 1835, at Kings Wharf (The Cornwall Chronicle Launceston, master mariner, emigrated, farmed for several years with Tas. Saturday 10 October 1835) for the use of the partnership Hugh at a station on the , married in 1852, and of Anderson and Massie who operated from Bass in Victoria. finally settled with his brothers at Griffith's Point. In 1854 Rebecca was also the sloop used by John Batman when he they bought the freeholds of part of their squattage and built landed in Port Phillip Bay on 29 May 1835, and where, on 6 their homestead at Netherwood, San Remo. Resourceful and June 1835, he entered into a treaty with the enterprising, they pioneered agricultural methods, and were Aboriginal people for use of their land and chose the site of the widely respected as Scottish gentry. future city of Melbourne known as the Batman Treaty. The Andersons built the Pender House (Pender House on the 1 Australian Dictionary of Biography , Bass), Anderson House (on Anderson Hill), and 2 The Wattlebark Industry and the : Dow, Coral; the locality of Anderson is now named after the family. Gippsland Heritage Journal, No 10; 1996 3 A. W Elms extract from The Land of the Lyre Bird; and District Historical Society 4 Bass Historical Society: A Guide to the History and Beauty of the Bass 5 District; 1996 PHOTOS

6 Chapter 2 Places The area of the Bass River used by early expeditions to restock water and mend Bass’ whaleboat was eventually settled, although it was not until almost forty years later. Several names refer to the first permanent settlements: Bass Landing, Woolamai, The Bass, Bass River and eventually the township recognised today as Bass.

“This small stream has played a role in the , the importance of which is far out of proportion to its size, because it provided access for the first explorers to tread the soil of our state.”

The discovery of Westernport Bay by George Bass in 1798 marks the beginning of recorded history of Victoria. The River The Bass River is a relatively short coastal river located in the of Victoria. The river headwaters are in the north of the town of Korumburra, flowing west, then west- southwest before entering Westernport Bay near the town of Bass.

Early descriptions of the Bass River describe the mouth and the twisting nature of the river itself. It was large enough to take fair sized shipping. Bass: “The men rowed round bend after bend of the winding creek”.

Early sketches and etchings also reveal that huge forests existed.

The river seems diminished; the trees are, in most areas, gone. Perhaps the amount of clearing of land, and felling of timber affected the rainfall for there is an established link between tree clearing and rainfall changes. Trees access water deep in the ground and hold the moisture in their canopies. They absorb sunlight and emit heat which creates thermal currents that take the moisture from the leaves up into the atmosphere, where it condenses as rain. When trees are removed, heat is reflected rather than absorbed, which means less moisture evaporates into the atmosphere and, in the long run, less rain falls. 7 Did you know... • A drink came from the gullies and waterholes. • No boots or socks were worn by children except on Sundays. • Roads were unmade. • It took a week to get to Melbourne by horse and cart. • Milk was 1/3d gallon. • All feed grown for cattle was chaffed up by hand chaff cutter every day. It was hard work. • Horses did all the ploughing etc. • Land sold around 7 pound to 8 pound an acre, but some land at Grantville 5/- an acre (scrub). • .Cows sold for around 2 pound or 3 pount each for milkers.

8 Bass Landing

Bass Landing is a low lying marshy area and the Bass River Later still, schooners, Trucanini, Ripple, Lady Luck, Woolamai itself is fringed with mangroves. The Bullock Yallock people and Little Angelina travelled a regular route from Flinders – would have used it as a fishing place and it remains, today, a Cowes – San Remo – Newhaven – Bass Landing – Corinella quiet spot frequented by fishermen. As soon as settlers appeared – Grantville – French Island. in the area, the need for a seaport arose. Little remains of the thriving community and seaport that once From 1870 to the early 1900s Bass Landing was a busy serviced the entire area but it is a peaceful place to visit, to scan Port. The roads of the time were few, mostly rough tracks, horizons, and to imagine the comings and goings of that busy impassable during winter months so the main communication and productive time. with the outside world was by sea. Look also to the bare hills, devoid of trees, and pause to ponder A jetty was constructed to allow small ships to carry cargoes to the scope of the environmental devastation these early settlers various markets, Van Diemen’s Land and Melbourne. unwittingly wrought with their bare hands and back-breaking work. At that time the hills were covered with magnificent stands of Blackwood, Mountain Ash and Blue Gum.Some were more than 80 metres high. Initially the timber was brought down from the hillsby bullock wagon. Later a tramway ran along the line of road to Bass Landing. Henderson’s General Store and Boarding House combined to provide meals and The cattle belonging to the settlers who abandoned accommodation for sea hands and the sawmill hands. the early Corinella settlement were left behind and became the nucleus of a herd of cattle later found at The sawmill continued to operate until the early 1900s when Powlett Plains by one of the earliest explorers and the supply of timber was exhausted. settlers Samuel Anderson 1837. This herd of cattle was later sold to Anderson and Massie by the Government for £80.

9 Bass Landing refers to the town and port which sprung up about 500 metres1 from the mouth of the Bass River. Little remains except for the name itself. The landscape is little changed apart from the small farms dotted around the area.

Woolamai was both the name of the town and the locality, but the name of Bass was eventually preferred for the settlement area that was located upstream where the fresh water met the briney. In early records the name of Woolamai was synonymous with Bass, and the first primary school was originally named Woolamai State School.

The river, the locality, and the town, of course, all take their names from the remarkable explorer, the Surgeon George Bass.

1 Dowling, Doris M: Back To Bass; 150 Years Celebration ( Memoir)

10 St Paul’s Church of England

The Bass State School (1866) was the first major Residents will remember the Sunday school community building, the first investment into sessions which sometimes had as many as 50 the future of the young. Crown land was set children, or perhaps the annual Christmas aside for the site for a Church of England in Pageants. 1865. By 1874 church services were taking place at Bass in the school room as the need to meet In the mid to late 1980s the number of spiritual needs was undertaken by Readers who parishioners dwindled, and by the early 1990s travelled between communities. attendance was so poor the Parish Council suggested that St Paul’s Church at Bass be closed. The community was religious and God-fearing, However the community rallied, and felt they as was the norm for the times, and those who owed it to those had worked so hard to build and had grown up with regular church services must maintain the House of Worship that the decision have missed them. Sunday services were also was reviewed and the Church survived.3 traditionally a time to catch up with others and discuss matters of the day.

The first record of a service was in February (Endnotes) 27th 1874, by Lay Reader Mr R Shekleton who was licensed Reader for Phillip Island, French 1 Argent, Joan; History of St Pauls Church of England Bass- Island and Bass. Centenary 1878-1978

Reverend Veal: “ The Reader in charge was a 2 ib id; Church of England Messenger 1878 devoted fellow, lived at Cowes, took his services at Hastings and French Island, and sailing his 3 St Paul’s Anglican Church of Australia 1878-1998 First own boat took duty on the mainland from Church in the District – Bass Bicentenary publication San Remo to as far as the sawmills beyond Grantville...”1

On Sunday 24th 1878 the first official service was conducted in the new Church to a full congregation.

“The Church is a neat little wooden structure and although small, is large enough... for the population of this part of the Mornington District for many years to come.”2

Dr Hugh Anderson and his brother Captain Thomas Anderson were given much credit for the drive and effort behind the new Church. They were indeed a devout family remained involved with the Church.

The first extension took place in 1887 with the addition of the Sanctuary and a small room on each side. A Vicarage was built on adjacent land in 1933. In 1939 a Vestry was added and around 1956 it was doubled in size. In 1966 the church building was lengthened and the exterior walls were bricked. At the same time two stained glass windows were installed in memory of the long serving and hardworking parishioners.

The centenary of St Paul’s in 1978 was well attended, and was celebrated with special services and a Church Dinner. 11 St Josephs Catholic Church, Bass

St Josephs Catholic Church, Bass

St Josephs Catholic Church Bass opened much later, in 1905, and is one of the few old style wooden church buildings which is lovingly maintained by a friendly community.

Led by Parish Priest Father Malcolm Hewitt, who comes from Cowes twice weekly to celebrate Eucharist.

In 1968, the Glen Alvie R.C.Church was closed and the building was skilfully added to St Joseph’s enlarging the existing church – necessary as parishioners often welcome visitors who choose to worship on the way to and from holiday destinations. These people sometimes stay for a ‘cuppa’ after mass. At other times parishioners come together for a meal at the Bass Hotel, some help with Corinella St Vincent de Paul conference and some with the CRE program at Bass Valley School.

12 The Historical Bass Hall This old hall has served the town for over 100 years - in different locations

This wonderful historical Hall has been in three locations. It was officially opened on 18th February 1897 named The Queen Victoria Memorial Hall. It was built on site between St Paul’s Anglican Church and the Bass Hotel, along the old Bass Highway and here it stood for 59 years. As some may remember in the 50’s the story goes that a young child was hit by a car out the front of the Hall and it was deemed unsafe to have the Hall on this main road so the community rallied to move it. It went past the Bass Hotel, to Woolamai Road, where it stood for many years in a quieter location opposite St Joseph’s Catholic Church, on the Bass River side. It was officially opened on that site on 26th October 1956 with a new name The Bass Mechanics’ Hall and for 32 years it met the community’s social needs. In 1981 the new Bass Craft Group was formed and were using the old Bass State School building and through the success of the group it was necessary to expand and they looked to acquire the hall. The local community at the time worked tirelessly to see it moved again, it was actually gifted to the group by the Bass Shire and successfully moved on the 17th February 1988, with yet another opening event which followed. It still stands there today alongside the Bass Valley Community Centre and continues to serve as a community meeting space with quite a story to tell.

Wherever it was located, it holds a tonne of history and a lot of memories too, for many. The Church Guild ran flower shows each year in the Hall. There was a Christmas Tree in the Hall every year for the school children and a Christmas concert for the whole community, kitchen teas as well as Weddings and Balls. There was Square Dancing, The Alberts, Gypsy Tap and old time dances held regularly in the Bass Hall. When the electric power was turned on there were celebrations, a Ball was held. Events were also held for returning soldiers and servicemen. The Bass Hall was a favourite destination and going to the Hall meant it was a special event of some kind. Many will have favourite memories of running the length of the hall sliding on the polished floorboards, of the fabulous supper tables, and of hanging around the front of the stage to watch a 3 piece band, or sitting on the historical old pews that lined the length of the Hall. Many will remember the Back-to-Bass events celebrating the town’s significant history as well. So whether it was the annual Christmas Tree, Flower Show, Deb Ball, Dance or Concert many will have fond memories of times, where you’d see locals dressed up and together to celebrate, because on weekends everyone would be there. It’s had three name changes and been located on three sites and it’s had many dedicated hall committee’s over the 117 years, This old Hall will be in the memories of thousands who’ve been there, it’s a heritage Hall with all the character and charm of its day.

13 Queen Victoria Hall, Bass

The first attempts in the early 1890s to secure a community hall focused on the school building which had been closed, however the education department was not supportive and the idea was abandoned in 1892. By 1896 there are records of of requests from a citizen’s group to the Department of Health requesting information and plans for a hall. Land was donated by Mr Lyne and a fund of £60 had been collected. The owners of Fitzgeralds Sawmill had offered to supply all hardwood and Mr Dale supplied all timber for the stumps. The tender to build was advertised on the 9th June 1896 and was accepted by Mr Dunne of Corinella.1

The generosity and determination of community members saw the Queen Victoria Hall opened in 1897, with a committee of trustees overseeing its care and use. The site was 100 yards north of the Anglican Church.

As with many early buildings, community spirit and drive ensured the hall was built, then across the years committees have cared for it, raised funds and made major decisions concerning its fate.

The Hall remained unlined until 1909 when it cost another £85 to make it warmer and more comfortable.

Across generations the hall been the place for balls and dances, concerts and sing a longs, debutante balls, weddings, hens’ nights and kitchen teas, meetings, public gatherings and memorial services. Bass Memorial Hall

In 1946, due to the main road traffic, it was agreed the hall was located on a dangerous site, and the community began fundraising to to move it to a new place. Again fundraising took place with £516 raised, of which £312 was from the ‘ladies’ and £153 from the Woolamai Racing Club. Further fundraising, donations, guarantors and Government grants were needed before the building lumbered on the back of a truck through the streets of Bass to its new home where it was rebuilt and completed in October 1956. ( second address?)

It was officially renamed Bass Memorial Hall and opened by Mr L J Cochrane MLA on the 26th October 1956, with a celebratory ball held that night.

Over the many years of its existence the hall has had more moves than most. On February 17th, 1988 it began its third major journey to the grounds of the old state school where it has become an important part of a thriving community centre. (See Chapter.....) 1 WHITE, Joseph; One Hundred years of History

14 15 16 Bass: Early Community Chapter 3 Bass Returned Servicemans League – R.S.L Club

The branch of Bass RSL was formed in 1922 as a need for returned Soldiers to gather and also to commemorate the young men from the Bass community who gallantly gave their lives for their country. A Cenotaph was erected at Bass in 1927 and for sixty years remained the only Cenotaph in the Bass Shire until another was erected at San Remo in 1987. The Bass Cenotaph, when erected, recorded the names of those who were killed in action during World War 1 and subsequently the names of those from World War 2. In 1994 a plaque was added to honour those who served in the wars of Malaya, Korea, Borneo and Vietnam. The names recorded on the Bass Cenotaph are:

World War 1 – The Great War World War 2 Malaya, Korea, Borneo Argent A Hamilton l Alford F W & Vietnam (no names on plaque) Berryman E Milnes J Churchill F P MALAYA 1948 – 1960 Bothwell J Moss A Lynch G A KOREA 1950 – 1954 Chiltern J O’Meara L Morgan A BORNEO 1962 – 1966 Cunningham P Rodgers W Nowlan J A VIETNAM 1962 - 1973 Edmunds G Sharp D Rosevear C C Emery C Sloss R Goodman F Stratford C Gunn D Trew W Hade E E McGrath E Kent

The Cenotaph, which stands at 3.92 metres, was built at the 2005 state that only two members were attending meetings cost of 175 pounds, the plaque added in 1994 cost 315 dollars and that these meetings were now conducted at the home of and a refurbishment in 1995 cost 495 dollars. one of the members. It was becoming apparent that the branch was becoming unsustainable. In the last recorded minutes of When the Bass Shire became the Bass Coast Shire in 1994 2006 there was still a membership of two. It is understood that there were only two RSL clubs in the Shire; Bass and San the Bass RSL ceased to meet as a Sub branch in 2006 with Remo. With the amalgamation this became five with the interested parties either attending or Phillip Island inclusion of Inverloch, Wonthaggi and Phillip Island. RSL branches.

An Avenue of Honour was also planted in Bass by using Whilst the Bass community can be justifiably proud of every Cypress Trees, some of which are still there to this day. In person who not only sacrificed their lives but also showed earlier years the Bass Progress Association obviously had immense bravery in everyday battle, another example of this some concerns as they wrote a letter to the local Council, bravery: then situated at Archies Creek, stating that there was concern that the trees had become too large and could they either be On April 9th 1918, Ernest John Henry Berryman a Private removed or at least lopped. The Bass RSL in reply stated that in the 12th Australian Infantry, 4th Australian Division at their last General meeting it was proposed to remove every was awarded the Military Medal for an act of bravery. His second tree and replace with a flowering gum. Whether this commendation read: was achieved we do not know. ‘For coolness and courage during an enemy attack on our The earliest Bass RSL meetings were held at the forge of Mr lines near ALBERT 3.4.18. When the enemy artillery barrage Jack Williams, an early President of the Bass RSL. Quite ceased and the first waves of the attackers appeared, Private a number of minute books have been lost, somehow or the Berryman seized a bag of bombs, rushed across the rails other, hence there are large gaps in the official history of the exposed to machine guns and snipers, hid behind a hedge until Bass RSL. From the initial meetings others were soon held the enemy were in range and with his bombs greatly assisted in a building acquired by Bass RSL, in Hades Avenue, Bass. to disorganise the attack. He then used his rifle, and later on Meetings were being held on a monthly basis, annual services returned to our line with a wounded comrade.’ held every Anzac Day and money was raised to help returned servicemen in their day to day lives. By 2004 it was being Just another example of the sacrifice, bravery and honour recorded that membership numbers were dwindling but Anzac that the servicemen of Bass contributed to all armed combat House, Melbourne, were happy for the Bass RSL to continue to ensure that our Australian way of life would continue and being a Sub branch. Minutes of the meeting held in March flourish. 17 Some of the Bass RSL Club Members named:

L to R standing: Syd Greaves, Dave Stephens, Mick Thompson, Dave Hade, Harry Shackleford, Ray Kidd, Bernie Shackleford, Aub Bassett, Jack Casey, Mr Mille. L to R seated: Fred Booth, Bill Aplin, Ron Harman, Lou Faulkiner, Ted Thorn

18 19 Charles Rosevear’s Story ROSEVEAR. — On January 20, VX70858, Pte. C. C. (Charlie). A. I. F., killed in action, dearly loved son of Lillian and Harry, of Bass, loving brother and brother-in-law of Lil and Hugh, Win and Snow, Gordon and Win, Doris and Bill, aged 33 years. —Loved by all.

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956) Monday 15 February 1943

Lest we forget homegrown Private hero public meeting was held in Rosevear's hometown Charles Clifton Rosevear. of Bass. It was decided that The Private Charlie Rosevear Memorial Trust Committee be formed Charles was born on the 10th February to commemorate Rosevear's self-sacrificing act 1909 to parents Harry and Lillian Rosevear of bravery. in Bass, Victoria. At the ripe age of 31, in 1940 Charles enlisted in the Australian This committee began raising money for a trust army - blissfully unaware that in just three memorial fund; that was established to purchase years time he would become probably the books for the Bass State School’s Library, so last Australian to be killed in Papua New all children would have access to books to read Guinea. and learn; where Charles attended school as a child. The committee stated "in this way his January 20th 1943 is immortalised in contribution to Australian history will not be the mind of Mr. David Morgan, wartime forgotten, but will be the foundation on which companion of Charles Rosevear and witness future generations too may face their tasks in life with honour to the unaccompanied heroics that ultimately took his life. and courage", and the money was used for many years to buy Morgan recalled the day at Sananda where the 2nd 12th books for Bass children and the Bass Shire held the trust for infantry was battling to push the Japanese back to the sea. them. Later when Charle’s school closed the funds were handed Thirteen days had past with a mere 8 miles of ground and only over to Bass Valley Primary School, the new consolidated four men remained in Morgan's platoon. After enduring 17 school. A ceremony enshrining the heroic deeds of this young inches of rain, the men were bogged down just 30 yards from Bass soldier was held where the Shire presented the new School Japanese dugouts which they could not shift. The platoon was with the cheque for $1,000 and the Trust. After many years trapped. Incredibly, Rosevear jumped up and made a violent though, due to the price of books exceeding the worth of the dash toward the first dugout where he unleashed his arsenal. trust, the trust was spent and later closed. A commemorative The gallant Private did not take cover but instead proceeded plark was purchased, engraved and hung in the Bass Valley to charge toward the second dugout where his fate was sealed. Primary School’s Library in order to remember this piece It was at this moment the Japanese fatally wounded probably of Australia and local history and commemorate the act of their last Australian soldier as the next morning all remaining bravery of this heroic soldier from Bass. Charles was killed Japanese soldiers surrendered. Morgan believed for many years in action on 20th January 1943, laid to rest in a Soputa War that he was the sole eye witness to Rosevear's act of bravery. Cemetery Grave in New Guinea and is remembered. Charles’s Fortunately, Morgan later met another survivor who confirmed name is on the Roll of Honour in Bass, Victoria. the story and consequently sought means of recording this slice of history. Upon suggestion from the Minister for the Army a

Laurie Rosevear Remembers….On the Melbourne side of the bridge – a Butcher shop, owned by Bill & Doris Dowling (Doris Dowling was a Rosevear, the younger sister of Charles Rosevear) at the time and an early memory for me of Bass and my father shortly before the war was that he would load customer meat orders from Bill and Doris Dowling’s Butcher Shop into a small single horse cart, take Darby his dog to the Railway Station at Woolamai, unload a truck of sheep, leave Darby in charge of the sheep with the task of taking the mob back through Bass to Soldiers Road and the Abattoir. My father would then continue to Glen Forbes and into the Hills with meat deliveries, eventually returning via the Corinella Junction and south to the Soldiers Road Abattoir where his dog would be patiently guarding the mob of sheep waiting to be yarded. My Father proudly claimed that his dog never lost a sheep. Good days but tough days. My cousin Marlene Bird, Doris and Bill Dowling outside their house new daughter of Bill and Doris Dowling (nee Rosevear) and niece of Charles Butchers block Bass. Rosevear, lived at Bass for many years. Marlene attended Bass School from early 1940’s to Grade Six. 20 Jack Smith – Bass RSL Story

Most people associate the red of the poppy flower with the blood shed on the battlefields of WW1, however, in our family, we associate it with the blood pumping through the veins of one of our veterans, our very own Jack Smith. Kat Cox recalls.

Jack’s son, John, describes “Poppy” as a “man with a lot of history.” Undoubtedly, any man who has been shot in the head by a sniper sure has a story to tell. Jack’s hat (pictured below) with a bullet hole through the centre takes pride of place at his home in Corinella as an emblem of his time spent serving in the 24th battalion.

This veteran’s affair began in 1942 where as a young lad he was enlisted into the Australian Army. Jack joined what was initially a militia unit - the 24th Battalion.

It was a time of little choice. “You realized whichever way you turned your path was in the army,” he says. For some it was also a time of extreme fear when “some blokes would put a finger over the end of a rifle and shoot it off to get out of service.” Initially stationed in New Guinea before being moved to Bougainville, Jack rose to the rank of corporal. He was shot in Bougainville while on patrol. He recalls the others shouting “Smithie’s covered in Blood!” Fortunately, the bullet had just grazed the top of his head and he survived. He returned to Australia to recover.

In 1944 Jack was at Cowra, training rookies. On August 5 one of the largest prison escapes of World War 2 occurred, the Cowra breakout.

Four Australian soldiers and 231 Japanese soldiers lost their lives. Jack’s enthralling personal account of the Cowra breakout differs from the official version. His fourteen page Jack wearing his hat recollection is a challenging account of history as it happened showing the bullet holes and should be further investigated.

Jack has long held concerns about the enquiry into the breakout. “The details were cloaked in secrecy at the time and for many years afterwards”. The findings of the Coroner’s inquest into the 235 deaths was not made public for 34 years. In August 1944 there were 1104 Japanese prisoners in B compound, about twice as many as the place was built to hold. The B company whose job it was to guard the establishment had a total strength of 107 men, most of whom could not be regarded as combatant soldiers. Daily inspections were cursory. Weapons were not seriously checked for.

21 Jack claims that great interest was shown in how the mutiny had happened but not in why it had been allowed to happen. Following his service, Jack Did you know... returned to his job in the knitting mills in Richmond and later, qualified as a carpenter. Introduced to • The first licence for a Hotel in Bass was granted sleepy Corinella by a West Brunswick friend, he and in 1866, to Sam Laycock. Edna bought property there. They retired in 1982, twenty years later. “We fell in love with the peace • This first Hotel was built on the corner where the and quietness,” says Jack. Maplesons where. A member of the hall committee, Jack devoted hours to the hall and, until recently, was dedicated to • The township was surveyed in 1851 and setting up for various functions. proclaimed in 1896 to be known as “BASS”, before “Somebody had to do something,” he says, smiling. that it was known as the Woolamai District. Or Jack took pride in his role as President of the Bass known locally as ‘The Bass Landing’, and later RSL and in their own small building. When membership dwindled to just five, the building was just as ‘The Bass’, also humbly referred to at sold by the RSL head office which decided, says Jack, times as ‘Bass River’. that there was no point paying light bills just for five people. The remaining members were referred to the • Bass had a Butchers shop, Stockyards, a Wonthaggi RSL. general store, pubs, a post office and a telephone Jack’s self-sacrificing nature has survived 91 exchange, and with the highway going through, years, John says his father has never hesitated to the town was one of the busiest places in the do anything that was required. “if a position of secretary or president was vacant, he would take it region. on.” Always humble, Jack explains: “I’m not there to get a medal. I am there because I really like it and • The phone exchange was managed by the Malloy hope that I can help out the other fellas.” family for 32 years, many of you would remember Up until a few years back Jack took great pride in picking up the phone and saying hello Mrs running the Dawn Service. “The Dawn Service brings Malloy, can you please put me through to number it all to bear,” he explains. “You are standing up for 7 or number 10. Those were the days long before the fallen and the relatives are grateful for that.” It’s an opportunity to express thanks and gratitude, he says, dial tones! And I am sure a 24 hour job for the “When people shake your hand and say thank you it families who operated the service manually day makes you feel proud. They are acknowledging that you weren’t there for a joke - it was a serious business!” and night. Then he adds, grinning: “And you can meet the mates you haven’t seen for a while.” • The main highway to Phillip Island came through the town centre (before the bypass went in). His example reminds me that it is our privilege and duty to pause to remember all those who suffered • Almost every weekend there was a dance in the through wars just like our Jack. I asked him if he had any parting words. “You make them up!” he Bass Hall. laughed. OK Jack, here goes! Lest we not forget to shake Smithie’s hand at the Dawn Service next year. • The Bass Hall used to be over the bridge opposite Written by Kat Cox. Printed in the Bass Valley News where the Bass Hotel is now. November 2013.

Bass Dawn Service is well attended every year in Bass. Jack is the Bass RSL Club’s surviving member. 22 Early Life in Bass

he people who landed along the Bass River in the Imagine a time when: early days were truly pioneers. They discovered Tdense bush and trackless, vast forests of wilderness. • Bass was surrounded by tall forests They lived in a time and place we would barely recognise and most couldn’t survive. • A thriving port existed at the Bass Landings

In the early sketches and paintings, in the old sepia-toned • Life expectancy was late 40s (it is now around wrinkled and photos, we see a strange place and we search 84 for women and 79 for men) for familiar landmarks to connect us, to reassure us it is our place, our family, our story. The stick jetties, the bullock • Infant mortality was as high as 1 in 3 babies tracks, the rock and timber bridges, all built by hand, gave born ( 1840s) There were few roads, and those access to new lands, then the thwack and echoing ring of axes there were became almost impassable in winter heralded the claiming of forests for buildings and pasture. • Neighbours were miles away We stare into portraits of sombre or smiling people who actually existed, perhaps our forebears, people whose lives • There was no electricity, no gas supplies, no were so different and yet so much the same as our own – water supply just barrels then tanks. everyone seeking, needing, and giving food, shelter, and • There were no shops for food or anything else. love for family and friends. The hard physical work involved Supplies were shipped in or had to be grown in every aspect of life at that time is reflected in the stoop of and made locally. shoulders and early deaths, but we also see busy, laughing, loving community-minded people. Every man, woman and • Craft was a necessity not a choice. Knitting, child played vital roles in shaping life as we know it today. sewing, carpentry were everyday activities. History is created by people and the records they leave behind: the housewives and their everyday diaries; the farmers with their journals of weather and stock feed and financial accounts; the writers and poets and singers with stories handed down through generations; the boxes of family documents and deeds; the government officials and clerk with their records and archives.

But it is only when we add our imagination to these records that the people and their optimism and their amazing feats of physical endurance and courage come to life. A new life, a better life, an investment into the future for an easier, more prosperous life for their children.

23 Farming and the provision of basic services were the wheat, vegetables; animals were butchered for meat. fundamental activities of the early settlement. Opportunities to develop small industries were taken up where possible such If ever there were signals that a community was seeking as the salt mining and chickory crops, but the provision of definition, and striving for maturity, one of the first indicators basics underpinned all activity. would be the endeavours of members to provide communal buildings. For a disparate and far flung group of farming Timber was felled for lcal buildings and to clear way for families, enduring harsh and isolated lives, one of the most new pasture, and was also hauled by bullock teams to Bass basic needs was to gather and socialise, to sing and dance, and Landings jetty where small ships carried it to other markets. to celebrate their achievements. Sawmillers dressed timbers, builders worked on houses and shedding. A grain mill supplied flour, and tons of wheat left the port. Sheep were shorn, cattle raised, horses bred. Smithies worked with metal, forging tools and fittings for harnesses and wagons; horses were shod. The farmers grew crops of potatoes,

24 BASS HOTEL

By some accounts the first licence for the purposes of a hotel took place in the early years in 1866 just after the first township survey when the first allotments were taken up. Sam Laycock held the first licence and that hotel passed through several hands before Sam Laycock again took the licence in 1882. Joseph White1 quotes different names and dates and reports the original Bass hotel was built inin 1882 and leased to John B O’Meara.

Perhaps these discrepancies can be explained by the fact that the earliest drinking houses were commonplace, were sometimes in front rooms, or even under canvas, and a measure of uncertainty should be allowed as to whether the first drinking houses were at Bass or Bass Landing. None the less a hotel was always one of the earliest buildings in any township, and often provided food and accommodation as well as alcohol, and were important places.

Over the generations, the Bass Hotel has been a constant in the town and colourful charcters and incidents are plentiful.

25 26 Government Gazette 1875

The first site in Bass selected for police use was adjacent to the Bass State School BASS POLICE

POLICE bUTCHER gENERAL

Bill Twite : I remember I moved to Bass and took up my post as the Bass Policemen in Mostly my time was uneventful and road accidents seem to be 1963. the main concern. The law changed with the introduction of the .05 and we had to use the breathalyser from Dandenong. The police station was only a few years old when I arrived, and had been built on site, I believe the Police Station in Hade Ave The Bass Police was a 24 hour, one man station and Ernie Lee was the 3rd site for the station in Bass. from the Cowes Station was my backup.

On my first night at Bass there was a motor car accident, I retired in 1979 from the Police force and I enjoyed my years which was a fatality, at The Gurdies. The worst crime in the at Bass. area was a murder at Grantville in the early 1970’s; a wife shot her husband. There were two bad farm tractor accidents I then movedto San Remo and after a few years we moved to that I remember: they were Len Hanger and Robert Hands in Canberra but felt that we needed to move back to Wonthaggi, Corinella. I also arrested a young Melbourne man who had in search of a different lifestyle and a friendly community. shot his parents and was on the run. I found him asleep in a car at Grantville.

27 Did you know... • In 1914 Bass won their 1st premiership. • In 1927 Bass won their 2nd premiership. • In 1957 and Bass merged to become Killy Bass. • Bass had no electricity.

Bass Post Office & Phone Exchange Imagine the joy of receiving a letter from loved ones that you distance and the telegraph stations were still sparse in rural haven’t seen for years, perhaps family on the other side of the areas. globe that you sailed away from when you decided to seek a new life in a new country that took months to reach by ship. The first communications between the early settlers in Bass and Imagine not knowing for months that a parent or sibling has the outside world was more problematic due to isolation, and died, that the funeral has already been held, that they are in correspondents would have been dependent on ships to deliver fact long gone from this world. Imagine if, even then, a letter mail which was then carried by horseback messengers. that you send back is lost or damaged in a storm, or the ship sinks and never reaches them. A photo ( ...) of an early post office in Bass reveals the rough nature of the building, but like everything, time brought Just imagine how precious it must have been to receive a letter improvements and quicker, more reliable postal services. By in the early days. 1873-74 tenders were being let for the haulage of mail, once a week. This improved to two times a week and after 1888 three Imagine also the many hands that would have handled the mail times a week. The Post Master General provided a daily postal before it actually is held in your hands. service which travelled from Tooradin to Bass to Kilcunda to san Remo.1 Records of postal services in the Bass area are scarce, but recognised processes for the delivery of mail were quickly Rail services also became important in the delivery of mail. established in the new colonies. Prepaid postage was compulsory by 1852. By 1870 about 6000 horses were After federation in 1901, the PMG became responsible for all travelling up to 45,000 kilometres a week delivering mail across domestic telephone, telegraph and postal services. Australia. In the cities, telegraph stations were underway as early as 1854 and the first telephone exchange in Melbourne (Endnotes) was set up in 1880. By 1867 Victorians were sending 122,000 1 White, Joseph; One Hundred Years 1974 telegraphmessages a year, but the cost was huge and the 28 Butcher Shop

29 General Store

30 Chapter 4 Bass State School

All schools reflect their communities, growing and declining as populations surge and wane, most likely following sources of employment. Bass n January 1866, the site for Woolamai (Bass) State School State School saw stages of No. 847 was reserved. Bass, then known as Woolamai, was in growth and new buildings, then Ithe Parish of Corinella, in the township of Woolamai and the allocation was made of rough, unused land that was “plenty for closure, but it still remains the the taking”. focus of the Bass community since its regeneration into the thriving Bass Valley Community Centre.

The land allotment was one acre, three roods, five and a half perches. This imperial measure, quite alien now, equalled 1 ¾ acres or 0.7 hectares.

TENDERS. — The local committee of WoolamaiSchool, Bass River, having obtained a supply of bricks, which are now being delivered on the site ofthe building, are prepared to receive TENDERS for ERECTING the WALLS of, and otherwise completingthe school-house, with teacher's residence according to plans and specification, which may be seen by applying to Mr. Mitchel, at the temporary school, Woolamai; or the Rev. A. Duff, at Cranbourne. Tenders to be addressed to the correspondent Woolamai School, by Corinella, on or before Saturday, May 18, 1867.

ARGUS newspaper 1st May 1867

31 Want ed: A t eacher for Woolamai School N o 847. A verage at t aendance 22. A pply t o James Cut hbert Corresondent Woolamai Bass ARGUS newspaper Wednesday April 27th 1870

In March 1866, the position of a Head Teacher was advertised Unfortunately. the school was damp, poorly built and by the Department of Education and shortly after Mr Charles conditions were rough. The first teacher, Mr Mitchell died Mitchell was appointed as the first teacher of the School, with a 2 years after starting, the terrible conditions blamed for his salary of £50 per year. A School Committee was established of demise. In 1890, the school closed due to an outbreak of local men, (women were not considered), and by 1st June 1866, Diphtheria. The Shire Doctor blamed this on the terrible the Woolamai (Bass) State School No. 847 was operational conditions as well, and he demanded the School stay closed with 29 students. until a new building was able to be built on the site.

New Buildings

With much pressure brought to bear on the Department by the Shire through its health inspector and other local residents, a new school and residence were built. On 25th April 1890 a Government Proclamation set aside the site for a new school. In June1890 the head teacher was instructed to re-open the school in some other building, but none were available. The old school was sold off by the Department and removed after the new school re-opened in October 1890.

32 EXPANSION Within 10 years, the school, designed to accommodate about tough, the visiting State Education Superintendent even 45 children, had 80 students enrolled. The overcrowding tougher. School wasn't for fun, laughter and games and caused parents to begin agitating for extensions to the school. there wasn't very much that was gentle or nurturing about However the Department in 1919 decided that a new school education delivery. would again be built. It was opened in September 1920. Inside the classroom things were serious. There was no The old school residence was in bad repair so in 1921 the electricity for most of the School’s 121 year history. Bass like Department decided to move the residence to its present site nowadays, was hot in summer and freezing in winter. There and attach the old school building to the front of the residence. were no modern appliances or electric lighting and no heating In 1923 the school playground was extended and in 1927 or cooling. Food was cooked on a fire, your water for drinking a school plantation of two acres was obtained from the brought up and boiled from the river. recreation reserve. Children attended schools for no more than a few years. A final new and spacious school was opened in 1963 and Education by the 1900's was compulsory for all 6 year olds, served the community until 1987 when it closed. Like many but children were allowed to leave school at the age of 12 or 13. other small rural schools in the district, it closed to form the Later it became 14. government consolidated school Bass Valley Primary School, Most children didn’t even own a pair of shoes so came to located just off the Bass Highway, near the Corinella turnoff. school bare foot. If they did have one pair they were kept nice Unchanged, the School building, itself of heritage value, still for Sunday School, or whichever of the Bass Churches their stands in Bass, and is now used as a community centre – the family attended. Bass Valley Community Centre. Like many of the other small rural isolated schools, the teacher, If walls could speak imagine the voices, filled with spirit who was often a single male, boarded with one of his or her of hundreds of children, the echo of their voices, their pupil families. In later years a residence was built onto Bass achievements, their laughter their skirmishes, for some the School for the teacher to live in- quite the treat for those few. most enjoyable years of their lives. A single teacher was responsible for the total running of the The township of Bass looked different for the main road went school including teaching all grades and ages, sports, other right through the town. The road to the school was unmade activities, administration, and health and student welfare. The and it finished at the school. Pine trees lined the south and one teacher taught students the whole way through school, and west boundary fences of the school. every age level sat in the same room, all siblings together. Times33 were tougher back then though, the Teachers were The Sewing Mistress was an Assistant Teacher really… but no such title or position would be allowed of a woman. She School student were expected to chant the times tables by was a single women and the person most likely to be held in rote or were given the strap or cane across knuckles.They a fonder memory by those who still recall their school years. sang England’s national anthem ‘God Save The Queen’ every Women were simply expected to get married and have children Monday morning as the flag was raised, and knew the words of and once this occurred they were not allowed to work so the the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ by heart. position of Sewing Mistress would have turned over regularly. I love God and my country The curriculum was very basic. Reading, Handwriting and I honour the flag and will serve the Queen Arthmetic- the 3 Rs. There was emphasis on spelling and And cheerfully obey comprehension and writing stories, as well as craft and sports. My parents, teachers and the Law. “Before inked pens, there was a pen with a nib which was In later years the National Anthem became ‘Advance dipped into the ink. There was an ink well built into the Australia Fair’. desk, and you filled it up each day. You might have even been All Bass State School children were taught to swim in the Bass selected to be an ink well monitor, and have the job of going River. It wasn’t until 1978 that it was thought that it might be around and filling up the other kids’ ink wells. too dangerous because you couldn’t see the bottom and the Cursive script was very important and with long, quite fancy water was muddy and murky with debris floating and eels. connecting strokes you joined letters, ever so gently dipping This had always been the case yet the River had been utilised the pen into the bluish black ink well within the wooden desk. by teachers since the early 1900’s. It was simply that times were You had to remember to dip it in every few words or it would changing. The river continued to be used as a swimming hole run dry. and social meeting place for kids in Bass for decades. With handwriting you practiced too, hard, or you got the As far as transport goes, pupils most likely rode a pony to strap across the knuckles. It was just very important, even if School and left it in the pony paddock, or they walked. Those you didn’t know why, and of course girls had theirs beautifully on pony and jinker, or horse and cart, shared with three or polished, many boys struggled with their handwriting. four other children on too, perhaps all siblings of the one family on a horse’s back, or with some of the neighbour’s kids The desk had a lid that flipped up where you stored your books on too. and stuff. “ 34 Corporal punishment

Children at Woolamai State School, like school children everywhere, received the strap for misdemeanours. Sayings The boys at school used the art paint to like “Spare the rod and spoil the child” were seriously believed, so corporal punishment was very much part of schoollife and paint their faces and they marched around often homelife too. Children were physically punished with the school beating a drum like Indians, the a cane, strap, or by hand (or other items, depending what teacher then marched them inside and they was on hand) for matters of discipline, but also for lateness, daydreaming, or even for poor academic performance. all lined up for the strap.

Like all Schools, Bass had a corporal punishment register, a Mervyn Woodward (Brown). book for the teacher to write in, describing how many times a child had been hit and what it was for. School teachers were also known to grab children’s ears and fiercely pull them, or I remember getting hit across the knuckles whack children across the head with an open hand. A leather with a ruler for doing the wrong thing. strap or wooden cane was used to whack the child across the legs or hands. For the most part girls were not punished Sue Michael(nee Brown / Milner). this way, just boys, and for the most part it always went unregistered. This physical discipline of children was abolished in 1987, though it probably stopped earlier as more modern teachers arrived at the school with different approaches to discipline.

35 Kid’s days

A visit to the Bass General Store after school was a real treat, to buy a boiled lolly with the penny you earned by killing a rabbit and selling it to your neighbour.

Most, if not all children, had chores after school which were compulsory such as collecting hens' eggs and feeding the animals. Some had it harder than others, it depended if dad was around. Those on farms especially had to chip in, and the eldest boys were made the most of. For boys, trapping rabbits, fishing for eels, and collecting wood were common jobs and you had to do them. The girls were inside cooking, sewing, patching, knitting, mending and washing dishes to help mum.

At the outbreak of wars, boys aged 12 and 13 usually left school to work the farm while dad went off to war, the eldest child had the great responsibility of picking up dad’s jobs too.

36 “I remember the milk arriving every day in small glass bottles for us to drink.

Sue Michael (nee Brown / Milner).

“I remember the milk at school came in 1/3 pint bottles, unrefrigerated, hot and off, but we used to drink it anyway.”

Neil Le Serve. Free Milk

In July 1953 the Prime Minister of Australia, Robert Menzies, raised the matter of free milk for all school-aged children as part of a national health scheme. It was costed at about £1,500,000 originally and was thought to require 7,000,000 gallons of milk annually.

The Secretary of the Primary Producers’ Union of the time, Mr L J Johnstone said “the official recognition of the value of milk as a builder of health and stamina would also be a blessing to the dairy industry.”

Everyone who attended schools in Australia during the fifties, sixties, and early seventies will recall the morning distribution of milk before “playtime”. In the early days, small glass bottles of milk (1/3pt bottles - less than 200mls) with silver foil caps arrived early and, in summer, sat in the sun for several hours before being issued to students.

Neil le Serve remembers the milk, “ unrefrigerated, hot and off, but we used to drink it anyway.”

The extra protein and calcium from the free milk added considerably to the frugal but healthy eating habits of the post war years, however, the free milk scheme became a matter of contention in the latter years when the cost of the 12.4 million gallons had risen to over $10,000,000. There were also many plentiful sources of nutrition by the seventies.

Floris Miles in an earlier history of the Bass District recalls being part of “an exceedingly happy bunch of kids” and was known to murmur, “give me the good old days”. She may have been right.

Diets that relied on home cooking of breads, cakes jams and preserves as well as the raising and butchering of animals, even to trapping rabbits in frugal times, also resulted in healthy diets that many today envy and are beginning to emulate. It’s ironic that dieticians now urge parents to give their children milk or water instead of sugary juices and fizz. 37 38 Barry Webster - Bass State School

A School Committee made up of mainly parents, helped in the Daryl Mills’ plan was to locate several rural schools on the running of the school and were responsible for some policy and same central site and involved the relocation of several of the maintenance, such as cutting grass in season, and there was relocatable buildings, already at schools in the region. Daryl usually a Mothers’ Club. thought that the Bass Rec grounds were an ideal site as it was reasonably central and plenty of room to expend off the main For their time, these schools were extremely successful in road and had a maintained sports ground available for school educating many generations in basic subjects: Reading, use, as well as netball courts and tennis courts. The children Writing, Spelling, Poetry, Games, Singing, Nature Study, etc. not within walking distance were to be bussed in and the and most importantly, Discipline. The state schools turned out existing school teachers could relocate to this new facility. a steady stream of good citizens with good basic skills: loyal, trustworthy and employable. The primary school, along with Daryl outlined his plan to the Bass School Committee who the Church, was the hub of each of these small communities cautiously supported the idea. Invitations to representatives of and served them well. the schools involved were sent and a meeting arranged under the chairmanship of Daryl. The schools invited were: Bass, In my time at the small Bass School, where my three children Grantville, Corinella, Woolamai, Woodleigh, Kernot and attended, consisted of about 40 children from primary to year Kilcunda. The initial meeting was reasonably successful and 6 taught by a male head teacher and a female assistant. The held at Woolamai and further meetings were arranged and a Head Teacher had use of a residence adjoining the school and steering committee was formed to further develop the concept. the assistant boarded with parents. There were two classrooms, I think that each contributing school sent four delegates, the old weatherboard building and the adjoining portable quite a large group if all attended the meeting. The steering room. committee was not always a happy family as small town bias and parochial feelings were often evident in such discussions. Apart from the usual educational programmes at the School, Some of the teachers involved often saw problems and perhaps there were some ancillary programmes or activities each year these were due to self interest on their part. However, as time and, as I recall, were as follows: went on the advantages of consolidation became clear and consensus within the group started to consolidate. 1. Swimming classes in the Bass River organized and supervised by parents and friends. Imagine doing that Most opposition to this idea seemed to come from those in today. However, they were a welcome summer activity and the community and involved in the discussions. Some of these many people can thank their survival skills today to this objections were as follows: program. 1. The old schools had done a good job in the past. Why 2. The annual Sports Day, called I think the Kernot and change? District Sports Association, was attended by other rural schools in the region. This was a link between other 2. The closing of the small local school was another nail in children in the area and usually held at the Bass football the coffin of small towns. The hall was under threat, the ground and teachers and parents ran the event with much tennis club was not functioning, the store was threatening rivalry between schools. to close …. Now the school.

3. The break up concert at the end of the school year was an 3. Commercial interests - again the store would lose business, annual event well attended by parents and children as well lunches, etc. as members of the general community and was held at the Bass Hall. 4. Some of those involved in the scheme were just ‘drop-ins’ not real locals and what right had they to suggest change? I have no doubt that many people who in the past attended the old Bass School, remember their time there with much pleasure 5. A new school would be a focus for vandalism. and nostalgia. 6. It is okay to have a new school as long as it is in our small In the late 1970’s the then head teacher at Bass, Mr. Daryl town. Mills, was heavily involved in fostering co-operation with other teachers at other small schools in the area. This involved pooling resources with these sister schools; such as improved library facilities and group days and interchange of ideas and support between teachers and group days on a regular basis. This involved transporting children to a central venue though it tended to be expensive and difficult, but was a small step towards better co-operation between schools. The concept of group sharing probably spawned the idea of a more permanent arrangement on these lines. 39 Barry Webster - Bass State School

Very frequently these objections may have been partly valid. They ignored that change is often necessary and beneficial and lost sight of the fact that the main focus should be the benefit of the children. On the other hand, some of the matters discussed by the steering committee were as follows:

1. Better social interaction between a larger group of children. More chance of a child finding special friends in a larger group.

2. Far better resources at a larger school – both facilities and equipment.

3. Children being exposed to a much greater variety of staff with individual strengths of these staff who could solve problems in a group and get group support.

4. Provision of vastly improved facilities such as library, canteen, gymnasium, sports ground, special equipment, art, music, student welfare, secretarial support, cleaner, groundsman, swimming pool bus services.

It was a privilege to be part of a committee planning a new consolidated school. As the committee became established, strong friendships were formed and great ideas came to fruition. The new school was a great success and since the formation the succeeding School Councils have built on the early work and the school has moved forward to build on its early start.

By Barry Webster

40 41 42 Sporting

43 44 Sporting

45 46 Bass Valley Community Centre

47 48 Bass Valley Community Centre

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