Clarke’s Marsh Newsletter THE BACCHUS MARSH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC. President’s Report OnceQuarterly again greetings publication to ofall the members Bacchus and Marsh families & District of the Historical Society, Society I hope Inc. you, 215 are Main all well St Bacchus and coping Marsh with 3340 the changes brought on by winter. It is ideal weather for sittingth near a warm heater and reading our second newsletter for 2019. Established 4 October 1968 Spring No 3/2019 ISSN ONLINE: 2652-1210 ISSN PRINT: 2652-1202 Editors Katrina Lyle & Katrina Bradfield Many of our members will recognize the beautiful woman pictured at right. For those who do not, read about her connection to the Bacchus family, and Inside this Issue her support of the Bacchus Marsh & District Historical Society. A Brief History of the Mona Denny Trust: page 2 President’s Report BMDHS Members visit to the Manor House: pages 3-4 Greetings to all members and families of the Society. This will be my last report as President before our Annual General Meeting at Historic owners of the Manor House: the end of October. I do hope you are all well as the days grow pages 5-7 longer and we start the inevitable preparations for the Christmas break and summer The Bacchus Marsh RSL Celebrates a holiday period. Centenary of Service pages 8-9 The last twelve months proved to be a challenging period for the Committee, especially Marking 150 Years of the Myrniong when the Vice-President’s position remained vacant for the entire period. Elected Mechanics Institute: pages 10-12 representatives and active volunteers were all on a steep learning curve as we ensured continuity in the Society’s activities and projects. I am extremely thankful to those members who stepped up and helped out during this difficult time. Once again your Society has been involved in a number of activities representing the interests of our members and the protection and promotion of local heritage. The The Archives following is a brief summary of some of the worthy highlights since my last report: Join the Friendly crew at the Archives • Steve McGhie MP (also a Society Member) kindly paid for the printing of the Society’s Clarke’s Marsh Newsletter so that we could make it available to more Address: 215 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh local community members - promoting local history and heritage. (ask the library staff if unsure where to go) • The Society was invited to do a presentation at the monthly BacchChat which is 2019 Archives Opening Hours held in the Lerderderg Library. I stepped up and did our first presentation on Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-4 pm Captain Moonlite (our local Lay-Reader turned Bushranger) and the topic turned Also Sunday 1-4 pm: on these dates: out to be a good choice and attracted a record attendance. October 27, November 17: • Members are attending a series of six RHSV workshops, which the Society Archives phone number: purchased to gain more knowledge and skill on cataloguing, scanning and systems. This knowledge is not only informing the Information Technology 03 53679336 Working Group, but will also be invaluable once we commence this important Enquiries [email protected]/ project. Facebook: Bacchus Marsh & District • The Society organised a visit to the Manor House. This attracted a big turnout Historical Society Inc. and the owner Marie was the perfect host. Although still being her home, she allowed us to explore all the house and gardens. John took some great photos, Mail: PO Box 223 Bacchus Marsh 3340 including one of James Elijah Crook’s signature on the glass window pane. At the Remaining Members Meetings 2019: end of the visit a small presentation was made to Marie and we all retired to Baby st Black Café for a coffee, where Chris provided some interesting historical pictures AGM October 31 for people to guess the location and period. At the James Young Room, Lerderderg Library • The Committee decided to purchase three high resolution pictures with th accompanying descriptions of early aboriginals from the district for our Archive. Christmas breakup Thursday 28 November This remains an area that requires far more research in the future. • Our Facebook account continues to grow and now has 400 plus followers. 1 President’s Report (continued) President’s Report (continued) Elaine Greenhall was the guest speaker at our September • 17 Nov (1 to 4PM) History Night. She gave us a very informative talk on the Add your name to the roster in the Archive or phone history of the Victoria State Rose Garden and the Rose Garden in Maddingley Park. Elaine followed that with explaining the 03 5367 9336 and ask for your name to be added or email techniques used in the successful growing and propagation of [email protected] roses, covering topics from planting, pruning and pests. There was even a small demonstration using specialist tools, Finally, don’t forget our AGM on the 31 October, if you are including a very sharp Japanese weeding implement. The talk interested in becoming a Committee or Executive member or was very well received by those who attended and she finished volunteer – this is your chance. The current Committee is the evening by revealing the names of her favourite roses, pleased with the progress we have made since our last which a number of members quickly wrote down. Newsletter and hope you also share in these achievements for our Society. Remember, you are all invited to help out on projects and/or assist when the Archive is open to the public. Volunteering for Your help and support is always wanted. one of the remaining Sunday openings is a great way to learn the ropes with experienced members. Please let us know if you Bruce Carboon can help for any of the following dates and times: • 26 & 27 Oct (Flower and Garden Show) President A Brief History of the Mona Denny (Bacchus) Memorial Trust which inspired Betty to write “The Bacchus Story”, Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. (1973). Mona Winifred Beaufoy Denny nee Greene Mrs. Mona Denny was the first life member of Bacchus Marsh (16 Sep 1894 - 17 Feb 1975) and District Historical Society Inc. and on her death, she became its greatest benefactor. In her will, with no living direct “To those who corresponded with her and relatives, Mrs. Denny bequeathed a third of her estate to the to those who had the good fortune to Society, the other two thirds going to a Mrs. Norah Saunders meet her, she revealed a most loveable and Mrs. Pamela Glennie-Carr respectively. Her only request and generous nature. Her sense of humour never flagged.” was that the Society maintain the last resting places of her family in Kew. Bacchus Marsh Express (27 Feb 1975) In the late 1970s through to the early 1980s, the Society established the Mona Denny (Bacchus) Memorial Trust using Very little was known about the Bacchus family until Mrs. Betty funds from Mrs. Denny’s bequest. Since its establishment there Osborne, one of the Society’s future life members, took on the has been a long succession of members of the Society who have task of researching this early pioneer family during the late volunteered their time to be a Trustee. 1960s. Her research via a Lieutenant Commander A. H. The Trust’s schedule clearly outlines the purposes for which the Bacchus and Mr. Guy Bacchus, led to Mrs. Mona Denny who funds can be used. They are: was at that time residing in London. Mrs. Denny was the last • * the purchase of any documents or photos relating to Bacchus remaining descendant of Captain Bacchus. She was born Mona Marsh history, which is to be made available to the community. Winifred Beaufoy Greene at “Yamba”, Dooen near Horsham on • * funding projects of a historical nature related to Bacchus 16 September 1894. She married Dr. Cedric Roland Denny of Marsh. Colombo, Ceylon, in 1922 and spent the following years in Ceylon, before finally settling in London. • * ensuring that the graves of the Bacchus family are kept in good repair. Betty and Mrs. Denny maintained contact and formed a strong friendship until she died on 17 February 1975. During that The current Trustees are Ros Johnson, Joyce Porter and Bruce period Mrs. Denny shared many stories and donated a number Carboon and they can be contacted via the Society. of items from the Bacchus family to the Society’s collection, Bruce Carboon 2 BMDHS Members visit to the Manor House Photos John Hannah, Gordon Vearing, Chris Bronchinetti and Clive Lyle. Built for Captain Bacchus between 1846-1847, no building in Bacchus Marsh symbolises our pastoral and colonial history as elegantly as the Manor House. Framed with freestone quoins and with its central entrance and windows strikingly outlined in the same material, the Manor House expresses the dignified symmetry of the Georgian era. On Wednesday the 14th of August, a sizeable group of BMDHS members took the opportunity to visit this historic building, thanks to the generosity of the current owner, Marie Gosnold. Free to explore the house, members passed under the Also located in the hallway is a lovely antique cedar writing graceful fanlight window of the central doorway and into the desk. In one of its many compartments is a drawer marked spacious entrance hall with its beautiful pendant glass ceiling “Pound Keeper” indicating that the desk was once used by lamp, perfectly preserved and believed to date from Captain James Elijah Crook who held this position, among his many Bacchus’ time. Note the chains with “on” and “off” tabs.