Coladjins Inc. No. A0022664A ABN 29618437272 Autumn 2018 Issue no 104 1914-1918 Colac Pioneer in Outback Grave lmost 700 kilometres north of Adelaide, near the write and her religion was protestant. The Orient also A Birdsville Track, a half-submerged metal fence carried a mixed cargo which included a bull, cow and and small concrete headstone mark the final resting calf, and crates and kegs of champagne, flour, pork, place of early Colac settler Phoebe Milner. hock, books, cotton goods, cordage, oatmeal and peas. Phoebe’s interesting yet sad story emerged during Less than two years after her arrival, Phoebe married research for the “Almost Forgotten” project. George Milner, a squatter from Orton, Westmoreland. Born in Kent in 1815, Phoebe was the older of two The couple settled at Pirron Yallock Station where children of Thomas and Phoebe Durling. Thomas George developed a successful enterprise, specialising died in 1837 and his wife Phoebe died the in horse breeding. Ralph and John Milner, second following year. It was a time when the colony of cousins of George, were also working at the station. Victoria was in its infancy, offering hope of a bright In 1860, George a “well-known and highly respected future for young people like 23 year old Phoebe. gentleman”, died of lung disease, aged 41 years. He In 1840 Phoebe joined the 273 other passengers on was buried in the Colac Cemetery three days later and the barque Orient and set sail for Melbourne. Phoebe his grave was marked by a large obelisk memorial, gave her occupation as general servant, could read and clearly etched with details of his origins. Cont. page 4 Information Contents Page Opening Times Colac Pioneer in Outback Grave 1 Phoebe Milner nee Durling Monday & Tuesday 10:00am to 2:00pm Information 2 Thursday, Friday 1.30pm to 4.30pm Contents, Contact Details etc. Sunday 2:00pm to 4:00pm Changing of the Guard 3 Closed Public Holidays President steps down after 4 years $10 fee applies to open out of hours. Colac Pioneer in Outback Grave Cont. 4 Phoebe Milner’s story Contact details on the door at History Centre Almost Forgotten 5 George Milner’s story Dates to Remember Curious Minds Solve Mysteries 6 Wednesday, March 28 at 7:30pm Journey of a Lost Manuscript Historical Society Meeting - Guest Speaker Photograph Behind Fireplace All invited - See page 6 for details From The Librarian 7 Wednesday, April 25 Anzac Day New additions to the library Anzac Crosses at Colac Memorial Digital Access to Sands & McDougall Tuesday, May 8 at 2:00pm to 4:00pm Bits & Pieces 8 General Meeting Photographs, Visitors & Celebration Guest Speaker, Mothers’ Day raffle drawn Bits & Pieces 9 Friday, June 15 Award, Wanted, Mothers’ Day Raffle Winter Newsletter Bits & Pieces 10 All contributions by June 1 please Pioneer Stories, Digitising the Collection World War 1 Commemorations 11 PRINTING OF THE NEWSLETTER Honouring our servicemen and women This newsletter has been kindly printed by Memories 12 the staff at the office of member for Preparing for Kana Polwarth, Richard Riordan MP. We CONTACT INFORMATION appreciate their generosity and support. Colac History Centre COPACC, Newsletters from other Genealogical/Family Gellibrand St Colac, History Groups PO Box 219, Colac 3250 We currently receive digital copies of Newsletters Phone: 0352315736 from several other groups. If you would like to Email: [email protected] access these newsletters, send us an email with Website: www.colacfamilyhistory.org.au ‘Newsletter’ in the subject line. Each week a Facebook: www.facebook.com/ group email will be sent. You can opt out at any colacdistrictfamilyhistory time. Email: [email protected] COMMITTEE Alternatively, all newsletters are printed and made President: Liz Spence available at a specially designated area in the Email: [email protected] Family History Section for members to read. Secretary: Norma Bakker QR CODE Email: [email protected] Treasurer: Merrill O’Donnell Click on this Quick Response code to Email: [email protected] check out the latest on our website. Research: [email protected] ALMOST FORGOTTEN PROJECT Cover Image Email: [email protected] Gordon Kay, who wrote about Phoebe’s grave in Facebook: www.facebook.com/ 2010 for his blog, “Outback Australia”, titled: almostforgotten1900 Milners Drive up the now Birdsville Track. 2 CHANGING OF THE GUARD oan Rowlands has many other one-off events. There was the 1914- J stepped down from 1918 Commemoration, including “What We Did the position of president in the War” exhibition, “Last Man, Last Shilling” of the Family History centenary, the Convict Bonnets luncheon and the Group, which she has Weekend of Family History to name a few. held for the past four At all times, the family history group has years. During her term as sought to work with other organisations, schools president there have and businesses and we have formed lasting been many changes and relationships with many different groups. memorable events. Joan co-hosted the unveiling of the memorial at Joan worked with the Wyelangta Cemetery, possibly one of the most Historical Society and the Shire to negotiate a satisfying tasks of her presidency. Dorrie Lawson, new, fifteen year lease which provides stability for a foundation member of the family history group both groups for the foreseeable future. She also and a dedicated volunteer, had invested 25 years has overseen a growth in both numbers of active in gathering the history of the cemetery and volunteers and volunteer hours. During her time information about the people buried there. at the helm there has been a major upgrade in Having already celebrated her 90th birthday, equipment and technology and a vast expansion Dorrie did not believe the memorial would be of the digitisation of the records. constructed and installed in her lifetime. The group has also embarked on some major, On November 12 2014, Dorrie and two other long-term projects, including “Almost Forgotten long term members, Shirley Anderson and Molly - Pre 1900 Burials”, “Duty Called - Identifying Veale unveiled the memorial in front of more our Servicemen, Servicewomen and Nursing than a hundred people who had travelled from as Corps” and “Surname Connect”. far as Queensland to witness the event. There have also been several new initiatives, It has been a busy four years for Joan who will including the introduction of a series of Saturday now be able to resume the hobbies and other workshops, a story writing competition, cemetery activities that were put on hold during her walks, afternoon teas for volunteers and presidency. We thank you for your service. RETURNING AFTER A BREAK fter a break of four Liz is looking forward to another productive year A years from the role, we which has already begun, with a complete audit of welcome Liz Spence back the family history group collection underway. to the position of president The audit will be followed by a planning day, for 2018-2019. Liz, who where members will be able to have input into was previously president the priorities of the group for the next twelve from 2007-2013, is a life months. Liz has already signalled that she is keen member and has continued for the major projects to continue, particularly for to be an active volunteer. the photographic collection to be completely Passionate about all aspects of family history, Liz digitised, making it readily accessible. believes that it is in her blood. When she was Liz has researched several of her own ancestors young, her grandmother and mother enjoyed for the “Almost Forgotten Pre-1900 Burial” showing her their photographs and telling stories project. It has now been running for almost three about the people in them. She is thankful that the years, with approximately one third of the burials different generations were wise enough to save investigated. Liz is particularly pleased that the the photographs and other small treasures that results will be useful for our group and will also connect her family to their ancestors. benefit the Colac Cemetery in helping to make Even though it was later in life that Liz became their records before 1900 accurate. active in family history, the importance of Also keen to have some social activities, Liz is researching and recording the stories had been interested in receiving suggestions from the instilled in her from a young age and Liz enjoys members for outings or activities that the group passing her knowledge on to others. could organise this year. 3 Colac Pioneer in Outback Grave From page 1 - PHOEBE’S STORY hoebe’s only sibling, John Durling was also name and the marriage is recorded under Milner- P in Victoria by 1857 and had married Jane Dirling. (Durling). Soon after the marriage, Faulkner from Inverleigh. Although the couple Ralph and Phoebe set off with John on an were living in Berwick, it seems that the Phoebe ambitious expedition, attempting to drove the and John were able to stay in contact. first mob of sheep from Adelaide to Darwin. When John’s wife gave birth to a son in 1859, he was named George Milner Durling after his uncle. Sadly the baby boy died that same year. In May 1860, when George was ailing with lung disease that was soon to claim his life, another child was born to John and Jane, this time a baby girl who was named Phoebe Milner Durling. Just four months after George Milner died, the death of five month old Phoebe was recorded. Milner’s Pile, south of Etadunna Station was built by Ralph as a navigation marker and is still visible to travellers. Following the path of explorer John McKinlay, During this time, Phoebe would have received the party reached Coopers Creek during a some comfort from Joseph Jewell Westwood, a prolonged drought and remained there for seven travelling evangelist, who called on the Milner years.