Walter Burville was born in Whites Road in 1871. His parents were John and Mary Ann (née Radford) Burvill. The spelling of the name changed from Burvill to Burville in this generation. He purchased part of Armstrong's station and old homestead and took his bride Sarah née Barlow, to live there. The aboriginals were living near Armstrong's Creek and often called at the homestead for food and tobacco. The old property was bought to become the cemetery and crematorium for the Geelong district. He took an active part in activities of the Grovedale Methodist Church. He was secretary of the Sunday School from July 1892 until 1899 when he became superintendent, a position he held until his death in November 1946, at the age of 75 years. He served for a total of forty seven years. He was a trustee of the church and proposed the following scheme in 1922 to raise £1,000 to go towards the erection of a new and larger church: "That 20 acres of peas be planted each year for 10 years to yield on average 7 bags per acre. These 140 bags could be sold at 5/- per bushel to yield £105. Threshing and manure costs per annum £20. £85 net return per year with compound interest would in ten years yield £1,000." This money was raised and stayed in the building fund for decades. His wife Sarah was an organist in the church for over forty years. The Ladies' Guild donated a new pulpit in her memory after her death in July 1952 at the age of 83 years 11 months. His sister Alice, born 1873, was a Sunday School teacher and treasurer. She married August Hartwich and had two daughters and three sons. She died on 10 September 1958 at the age of 84 years. They are buried at the Geelong Eastern Cemetery. The name Hartwich was changed to Hartwick, probably about the time of WW1. His son Harry became a Sunday School teacher in December 1929 and took over as superintendent at the end of 1946. He stayed in this position until July 1956 when he went to Bellbrae to help with their Sunday School. He became a trustee at Grovedale Methodist Church on 30 March 1933, serving for many years. He sang in the choir for many years and is remembered for his lovely tenor voice. He died in December 1974 at the age of 66. Harry and his wife Eunice lived on their dairy farm in Burvilles Road. Harry's schooling was in Mount Duneed. In later years they built on the corner of Whites and Torquay Roads. Their four children attended Mount Duneed School. Eunice died on 7 January 2011 at the age of 96 years. Walter's grandmother had a millinery business in Geelong for many years trading under the name of "Burwell". John Burvill bought the land on the corner of Torquay Road and Whites Road in 1854. He and his wife had three sons and five daughters. He was a teacher and superintendent of the Grovedale Methodist Sunday School for thirty-six years. Fourteen acres of this land was sold to Robert Broughton in 1876. Mr L Burville was president of the Grovedale Methodist Cricket Club which was formed in 1933 in the Geelong and District Churches Association. On two occasions it reached the final series. The Burville family were of French descent. They have been traced back to France to about 1600 when the family name was "de Burville". As Hugenots, they fled to England for religious and political reasons where they settled in Kent. In the 1850s members of the family migrated to Australia. Burvilles Road, Mount Duneed is named after the Burville family who lived along the road, and remained there until relatively recently. The earliest member was probably John Burvill. Later Walter Burville lived there. |
5 Comments
Tracey Staynes (was Burville)
15/2/2018 06:29:39 pm
Hi my name is Tracey Staynes and was a Burville to Winston & Glenys Burville. My grandparents were Harry & Eunice Burville. My dad was there son. I would love to know more about my family history as I'm very interested in my family and the history. Been doin a lot of searching for what my family did. Hope u can help. I'm very much a family girl who wants to know history as some family members won't help. Thank u in advance
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Lois Geall
19/3/2018 04:01:57 pm
My grandmother was a Burvill, from Burvill's Rd Mount Duneed. She was the daughter of Aurther Burvill. My Great, Great Grandfather was John Burvelly died 1902 and was married to Mary Ann Polly Radford.
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Sandra Graziano
8/2/2020 09:05:31 am
Hi Lois
Lois Geall
8/2/2020 01:42:33 pm
Hi Sandra
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Leigh Chapman
15/10/2021 06:43:26 pm
I lived in the house at 1 Burvilles Rd from about 1976 to 1978 and from memory I believe the Burville that lived in the house last was Harry
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