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John and Elizabeth Munro Cameron

21/1/2021

John Cameron came from Scotland, arriving in Australia in 1853 at the age of 20. He married Elizabeth Munro Gunn on 16 August 1867 in Geelong. They were early settlers in Connewarre. Their children were:
William — born on 9 August 1869, married Louisa Ethel Challis on 31 January 1900 at Connewarre East, died on 9 May 1958 at Geelong
Annie — Born on 19 May 1868, married John Taylor on 16 November 1892, died in 1953 at Lismore
Catherine Ann Martin — born on 18 June 1871 at Connewarre, married Willie Hirst in 1901, died on 1 January 1965 at Geelong, buried in the Methodist section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Malcolm — born on 27 July 1873, married Margaret Miller Fuller in 1902, died on 15 April 1934 aged 61 years, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Elisabeth Ann Martin — born on 27 December 1875, married Robert Ewing Blyth in 1896, died in 1931 aged 55 years at Camperdown, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
John James — born on 13 April 1878 at Connewarre, married Helen Sarah Jane Fuller in 1912, died on 6 August 1946, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Flora — born on 3 February 1882, married George Henry Charles Fuller on 28 May 1913, died in 1976
George Alexander — born on 23 July 1884 at Connewarre, married Violet Maude Golightly on 27 May 1917, died on 23 September 1970 aged 86 years at Geelong, buried at Queenscliff Cemetery
Charlotte Amelia — born on 17 January 1887, died on 13 June 1909 aged 22 years of scarlet fever, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery

from Geelong Advertiser 9 Nov 1868

from Geelong Advertiser 1 September 1913

from Geelong Advertiser 20 December 1923

John died on 18 December 1923 aged 90 years at the home of his daughter, Annie, at Camperdown and was buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery with Elizabeth who died on 23 August 1913 aged 68 years and daughter, Charlotte.

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Alfred Hooper

20/8/2020

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Alfred Hooper, son of Michael and Ann (née Lloyde), was born on 15 January 1835 at Littleham (near Exmouth) in Devon, England. He arrived in Victoria about 1855 and moved to the Geelong area soon after.

On 14 January in 1857 Alfred married Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (née Puddle) Blackwell, in Geelong. They had the following children:
Charles — born 15 January 1857 in Geelong, married Maria Gowty on 13 December 1857 at Connewarre, died on 21 May 1892 aged 35 as a result of drowning in a boating accident
Alfred — born on 1 March 1859 at Moolap, married Bridget Agnes Bensted on 10 May 1886 at Connewarre, died on 19 April 1897 aged 38 as a result of drowning at Mornington
Mary Ann — born in November 1860 at Geelong, died on 11 March 1866 aged 5 years at Reedy Lake as a result on drowning
Sarah Miranda — born on 19 June 1862 at Connewarre, married James Elliott on 26 August 1880 at Geelong, moved to Donald after her marriage where she was the postmistress and owned a real estate agency, married William Willey, died on 27 June 1945 aged 83 at Donald
Eliza Louisa — born on 11 October 1863 at Connewarre, married James Broughton on 1 February 1881 at Donald, died 8 February 1937 aged 73 at Avoca
Robert Michael — born 4 November 1865 at Connewarre, married Rosseannah Eileen Nolan in 1893, died at the Alfred Hospital at Prahran aged 56 on 27 June 1921
Mary Ann Elizabeth — born in August 1867 at Geelong, died on 19 January 1876 aged 8 years
Eva Georgina — born on 13 February 1870 in Geelong, married William Henry Blencowe in 1889 in Geelong, died on 14 November 1958 aged 88 years at Northcote
Alice Martha Jane — born 13 June 1872 in Geelong, died on 29 March 1873 aged 9 months at Geelong
Archibald Arthur Oliver — born on 10 October 1873 at Geelong, died on 19 December 1888 aged Geelong aged 15 years as a result of being kicked by a horse
Margaret Louisa — born in 1874 in Geelong, died on 22 January 1875 aged 10 weeks
David Harry Edward — born on 1 October 1875 at Geelong, died on 29 January 1876 aged 4 months, buried at Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Mabel Ethyl Maria — born on 6 November 1876 at Geelong, married Archibald Alfred Oscar von Sierakowski in 1905, died 26 June 1893 aged 76 years at Clifton Hill

Alfred died on 1 June 1876 aged 41 on the Werribee River as a result on a boating accident. He was buried in the Church of England section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery. Sarah died on 27 November 1884 at Ocean Grove.

from Geelong Advertiser 6 January 1877

from Geelong Advertiser 3 June 1876

from Geelong Advertiser 15 March 1866

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Samuel Johnson

16/7/2020

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Samuel Johnson and Louisa English lived in Collingwood Street, Bethnall Green, London. He was the son on Thomas Johnson, a labourer and she was the daughter of John English, the local publican. When Samuel was 21 and Louisa was 17 they married at St Bartholomew's Church at Bethnall Green. They emigrated on the Sussex, a ship that later came to grief between Barwon Heads and Bream Creek (now Breamlea) on New Year's Eve in 1871. They arrived in December 1854. They lived at Connewarre for many years and were still living there when Joseph married in 1884. By 1888 Samuel's farm on the corner of Dickins and Torquay Roads was auctioned. It obviously did not sell as it was advertised again in 1897 when Samuel was living at Fyans Street, Chilwell. Samuel complained about the drainage at his farm for 20 years, a complaint that continued for decades with later owners. Samuel suffered from a kidney complaint for eight years and he praised Doan's kidney pills in the Geelong Advertiser from 1898 until 1906.

Samuel and Louisa had the following children:
Matilda Ann — born in 1853 at Bethnall Green in London, married Thomas Stone on 29 June 1871 at Geelong, married Thomas William Johnson on 3 July 1885, died on 14 December 1923 aged 70 years
Louisa Maria — born in 1855 at Geelong, died on 18 September 1856 at Geelong
Helen — born in 1857, married George Edward Breadmore in 1874, died on 29 July 1917 aged 60 years at Geelong, buried in the Methodist section of the Geelong Western Public Cemetery
Mary Ann — born in 1859 at Breamlea, married James Henry Harper in 1888
Samuel Henry — born in 1861 at Mount Duneed, married Elizabeth Bickers in 1882, died on 24 October 1941 aged 80 years at Geelong, buried in the Church of England section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Emma Jane — born in 1863 at Connewarre, married James Thomas Griggs in 1880, died on 4 July 1921 aged 58 years at Cheltenham
Joseph — born in 1865 at Connewarre, married Jennie Mullen on 16 July 1884, died in 1913 at Geelong
Anna Maria ( Annie) — born in 1868 at Mount Duneed
Albert Edward — born on 9 November 1869, married Annette (Annie) Victoria May Richards on 10 August 1896, died on 6 August 1967 aged 87 years at Sunbury, buried at Brighton Cemetery
Emily Ann — born in 1871 at Duneed

Samuel died on 17 May 1909 as a result of drowning in the Barwon. An inquest held the same day concluded that he had died from suicide. He was buried in the Church of England section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery with Louisa who died on 29 June 1873 at Connewarre.

from Geelong Advertiser 18 May 1909

On 28 January 1888 land on the corner of Dickins and Torquay Roads belonging to Samuel Johnson was auctioned

from Geelong Advertiser 30 August 1890

from Geelong Advertiser 27 March 1897

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John Southwood and Elizabeth Fry Melhuish

21/5/2020

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John Southwood Melhuish (1817 - 9 December 1901), arrived at Point Henry on the Agincourt in February 1854 at the age of 34 with his wife, Elizabeth Fry (née Mitchell) (1820-1891). Elizabeth was the daughter of George and Amelia (née Fry) Mitchell. They came with four children who were born in Devon:
George Mitchell — born 23 January 1842, married Margaret Pattie on 16 October 1879 at the residence of Mr A Stokes of Foundry Lane in Geelong, died 1904 aged 62, buried in the Church of England section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
John Southwood — born 15 December 1844, married Charlotte Fivash in 1874, died 1 April 1828 at his residence Balmoral in South Geelong on 1 April 1928, buried in the Methodist section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Mary Ann — born 15 August 1846, married Archibald Samuel Silk in 1876, died 7 October 1931 at Bell Street Coburg, buried in the old Methodist section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Elizabeth Amelia — born 16 October 1848, married Frederick Challis in 1874 at the Wesleyan church at Barwon Heads, died 14 May 1908 aged 59 years at Barwon Heads, buried in the Methodist section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery

Another son William Thomas, born 15 April 1852, died 4 May 1853

John was a farmer, living in Mount Colite (Barwon Heads) Road in East Connewarre. Early in 1872 John was appointed to the local committee of Common School No. 138, Connewarre. The following year he was elected to the Board of Advice for the Connewarre School District. John was a wood-worker by trade and before migrating to Australia he is said to have worked at Buckingham Palace to put a new floor under the throne for Queen Victoria.

John's great granddaughter owns a very sturdy child's chair made by John which has been used by many of his descendants. This chair was made from timber from the Sussex, a ship which came to grief on New Year's Eve in 1871, between Barwon Heads and Bream Creek (Breamlea). The story has been passed down through his family that in the early hours of the morning there was a knock on the door. When asked who was there, the men said that they were shipwrecked sailors from the Sussex. This story differs in its details from newspaper reports at the time. The Geelong Advertiser reported that a Mr Anguish had seen four rockets and went down to the beach where he saw a full-rigged ship rocking to and fro. The sea was too rough to enable a boat to land. The Argus gave a report of passengers being transferred to a steamer which took them to Melbourne. Six lives were lost. The third officer and six crew took off in a boat during the night in an attempt to reach Queenscliff. The boat capsized and only one man was saved.

On 4 November 1891 John's farm in East Connewarre was up for sale.

Elizabeth's sister, Amelia Toogood Mitchell married John Land who died in 1867 and is buried in an unknown location at Mount Duneed Cemetery.

John died at his daughter, Mary Ann Silk's home at 34 Little Myers Street in Geelong at the age of 84 years on 9 December 1901. Elizabeth died at the age of 71 at her son's residence in Printers Lane off Corio Street in Geelong on 21 October 1891. They were buried in the front row of the Church of England section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery with Elizabeth's sister, Amelia Toogood Land who died in 1891.

John left an estate of £526 which was mainly divided between three of his surviving children.

Elizabeth Fry (née Mitchell) and John Southwood Melhuish were buried on the left of this double plot. Elizabeth's sister Amelia Toogood Land (née Mitchell) was buried on the right. There is a memorial for John Land who was buried in an unknown location of the Mount Duneed Cemetery

from Geelong Advertiser 3 July 1873

from Geelong Advertiser 30 October 1891

A child's chair made by John Southwood Melhuish out of timber from the wreck of the Sussex

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George Tilley Vagg

9/4/2020

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George Tilley and Ann Vagg — photos contributed by Brian Truscott

George Tilley, son of John and Mary (née Tilley) Vagg, was born on 4 September 1819 at South Petherton in Somerset. He married Ann Harding before emigrating as bounty immigrants to Port Phillip on the Himalaya, arriving at Hobsons Bay in September 1840. Shipping records give George's age as 21 years and Ann's as 18 years. They were the first of the Vagg family to arrive in Australia. They brought with them a bible containing a farewell message from the vicar of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul of South Petherton. It was presented to them on the eve of their departure on 6 June. On their arrival in Melbourne they made their way to the Yarra River which they crossed in a punt. They found John Harrison of Merri waiting to take them to his farm where they were to work for him for a period of twelve months for a salary of £30, plus rations. After this George worked as a blacksmith on a site where the Royal Arcade now stands.

George and Ann soon began their large family:
Mary Jane — born in 1841 in a small shack on the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke Streets In Melbourne, married John Richard Musgrove in 1848, died in 1920 at Ballarat
George John — born in 1844 at Connewarre, died in 1865 at Connewarre aged 21 years
James Henry — born in 1847 at Geelong, married Sarah Monk in 1867, died in 1931 at Cobden
Samuel Edwin — born in 1848 at Geelong, married Mary Jane Matthews in 1871
Thomas Alfred — born in 1851 at Saltwater Creek, married Alice Louisa Edsall in 1880, died on 27 June 1911 at Colac, buried in the Methodist section of the Colac Cemetery
Esther Ann — born in 1851 at Saltwater Creek, married Alfred Kidwell Shaw in 1884, died in 1926 at Geelong
William Tilly — born in 1855 at Saltwater Creek, married Sarah McKinnon in 1885, died in 1917 at Frankston
Caroline Matilda — born in 1856 at Connewarre, married John George Graham in 1888, died on 28 December 1912 at Connewarre East, buried in the Methodist section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Louisa Harding — born on 15 September 1857 at Connewarre, married William Henry Middleton in 1880, died on 25 June 1941 in Geelong West
Richard Dabbige — born on 1 February 1859 at Connewarre, died in 1860 at Connewarre
Charles Priddle — born in 1860 at Connewarre, married Adelaide Mary Edsall in 1886, died in 1900 at Coorgulmerang
Leslie Edward — born in 1862 in Connewarre, married Lily Butterworth, died on 5 February 1952 at Colac, buried in the general section of the Colac Cemetery
Elizabeth Frances Amelia — born in 1864 at Connewarre, married George Angus in 1891, died in 1925 at Colac, buried in the Church of England section of the Colac Cemetery
Victoria Adeline — born in 1865 at Connewarre, died in 1869 at Connewarre aged 3 years, buried in an unknown location of the Mount Duneed Cemetery

In 1842 the Vagg family headed for Geelong on the paddle steamer Aphrasia, landing at Point Henry. George secured a small piece of land at Barrabool Hills. During George's time there his work was mainly cartage, using his bullock team and wagon, to deliver goods for the early settlers. When the gold rush started he was often away for months at a time earning £100 per trip to the goldfields. His prosperity induced his brother Harry and his family to emigrate, settling in the Western District. Later both George and Ann's sisters were to arrive with their families.

George's family settled east of the mouth of Bream Creak (now called Thompson Creek). He became a member of the Connewarre Road Board for six years. By 1864 he was a joint auditor of the board for which he received £1/1/-. By 1895 he was a joint auditor for the Connewarre Farmers' Common.

By the time of his death he was living at Point Henry. He died on 18 August 1901 aged 81 years at Connewarre and was buried in the Methodist section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery. Ann died in 1902 in Geelong aged 81 years and was buried with him.

Ann Harding

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Breamlea

3/4/2020

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The Committee of Management of the Bream Creek Recreation Reserve was formed in 1912. Two shillings and sixpence could secure a campsite on the Crown Land for a year. By 1915 shacks had started to be built, many with whatever had swept onto the beach by south westerly winds from many shipwrecks in the vicinity. At a time when the 1930s depression left many begging or joining soup kitchen queues it attracted self sufficient people who could eke out an existence in the pleasant surroundings. Fish were plentiful in the surf or the creek, but there were no roads, telephone, shops, school, power, reticulated water or sewerage.

In 1942 the reserve was divided into 87 lots which were auctioned, but interest was only expected from the existing shack owners.

Some of the names of original purchasers whose blocks were later taken over by another generation:
EJT Kerrison
CC Wall
L Burfield-Galland
WC and ER Wilson
LM Mahon
WJ Wilson
FH Hamblett
MN Murphy
MJ Bogan

from The Argus (Melbourne) 17 October 1941

from The Herald (Melbourne) 24 March 1942

The street names of Breamlea — Blyth, Vagg, Green, Scott and Challis appear as signatures of the 1912 Committee of Management of Bream Creek Recreation Reserve. Vic Whittingham and J Horwood were early campers.

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Joshua and John Hobbs

26/3/2020

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Joshua and John Hobbs were early settlers in the Strathbogie region. They arrived in Australia in July 1852 with their parents, Edwin and Susan (née Horton) Hobbs, and siblings. They were the first of their extended family to arrive in Australia. Joshua was 9 and John was 5. Their father, Edwin, was a brother of John Lowe Hobbs, who arrived with his family the following year in August. The two men married sisters, Joshua marrying Fanny and John marrying Isabella, daughters of James and Eliza (née James) Smart. Another sister, Jane, married Harold, son of Harold and Hester (sometimes called Esther) Humphrey of Connewarre. They also went to Strathbogie where Jane died in 1928 aged 73. Harold died at Strathbogie in 1931 aged 78. They were buried together at Euroa Cemetery.

Records of the Germantown (Grovedale) Wesleyan Sunday school mention the brothers being presented with bibles and hymn books in 1878 to help them carry on their Sunday school work in the district they were going to. The Strathbogie area was being opened up for selection at the time they moved there and this would have assisted them to each set up a farm. John was first mentioned when he attended the Sabbath school meeting as a visitor in 1868. He became a teacher in 1871, secretary in 1872 and superintendent in 1873 to 1878. Edwin Hobbs was recorded as donating fruit and the wagon to take the children to picnics. Later generations of Hobbs also served the church and Sunday school.

Joshua married Fanny Smart in 1876. They had the following children:
Susan Eliza — born 1878 at Mount Duneed, died on 12 July 1887 at Mr H Hinton's residence at Euroa aged 9 years of inflammation of the lungs
Arthur James — born 1880 at Strathbogie, died in 1947 at Euroa
Harriet Elizabeth — born 1882, married Albert Anker, died 18 September, 1915 at Binney Street East, Euroa aged 33
Ethel Jane — born 1883 at Strathbogie, died 1887 at Strathbogie aged 3 years
Eda Bell — born 1885 at Strathbogie
Fanny Robena — born 1888 at Strathbogie
Elsie May — born 1890 at Strathbogie
Beatrice Alice — born 1891 at Strathbogie
Phillip Henry Horton — born 1894 at Strathbogie, married Eliza Jane Mackrell, died 1975 at Euroa, buried at Euroa Cemetery
Thomas Edwin — born 1896 at Strathbogie, died 1974 at Parkville aged 78

Joshua died on 1 August 1915 aged 72 at Strathbogie and was buried at Euroa Cemetery. Fanny died in 1939 at Strathbogie and was buried with him.

John married Isabella Smart in 1871. Their children were:
Edwin James — born 1872 at Mount Duneed, died 1888 at Euroa aged 16
Mary Jane — born 1873, died 1926 at East Melbourne aged 52
Isabella May — born 1878 at Mount Duneed, married Herbert John Thoms, died 1968 at McKinnon aged 90 years
Eliza Ann — born 1880 at Strathbogie
Sarah Elizabeth — born 1881 at Strathbogie
Lily Maud — born 1883 at Strathbogie
John Herbert — born 1886 at Mount Duneed, died 1973 at Euroa aged 87 years

John returned to Connewarre, probably about 1885 where he died aged 38 on 29 November 1886. He was buried in an unknown location at the Highton Cemetery. Isabella died at Brighton in 1934.

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George William Goodman

28/2/2020

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George William, son of John and Elizabeth (née Radford) Goodman, was born at Leeds, Yorkshire, England on 29 June 1821. He was the nephew of Sir George Goodman, an English wool-stapler, a magistrate in the borough and county of Leeds, a former mayor of Leeds and a Liberal politician.

He died on 6 Novmeber 1865, aged 44, after slitting his throat with a razor at his home. He was unmarried and lived alone. He had suffered from heart disease and used Laudanum to relieve his sufferings. He was buried in the Church of England section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery

The administrator of his estate was Samuel Clapham, a cousin who lived at Portland. His estate was mainly left to his father with bequests for his two brothers, Benjamin (born 8 Oct 1822) and Alfred (born 4 August 1828), who were named in the will as executors. As his immediate family lived in England, an administrator was appointed to wind up his estate.

This land is in Brearleys Lane south of Tannery Road

from Geelong Advertiser 2 April 1868

This land is on the corner of Horseshoe Bend and Lake Roads. It was later known as Hooper's paddock.

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George Alexander Cameron

31/10/2019

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George Alexander, son of John and Elizabeth Munro (née Gunn) Cameron, was born on 23 July 1884 at Mount Duneed. He married Violet Maude Golightly on 27 May 1917. They had two children:
Joan — born on 29 May 1919, married Charles Olley, died on 8 May 2002, buried in the lawn section of the Highton Cemetery
Lorna — born on 5 March 1922, married Joe Eaton, died on 25 March 200l, buried in the rose garden of the Highton Cemetery

He was the longest serving South Barwon councillor from 1913 when he was elected unopposed until 1968. During this 55 years he served seven terms as president — 1918-19, 1927-29, 1938-39, 1944-45, 1950-51, 1953-54, and 1962-63. He was elected as a member of the Connewarre Hall Committee in 1921 when a fund was set up for a memorial hall. When the first tram to Belmont ran in December 1927 he declared the route open. He drove the last tram from Belmont in 1956. He was elected chairman of the Breamlea Foreshore and Reserve Committee when it began on 25 September 1959 and served until 6 November 1968.

Violet died on 2 May 1932 and was buried at the Queenscliff Cemetery. George died on 23 September 1970 and was buried with her.

George Cameron

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Robert Albert Scott

18/10/2019

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Robert Scott

Robert Scott's house, Barwonside, was once owned by George Gardiner and later Charles Palmer

Robert Albert (Nip), son of William and Elizabeth (née Tait) Scott, was born in 1901 at Connewarre. He married Ethel May, daughter of Charles and Mary Ann Johanna (née Tonacia) Dunn. Robert and Elizabeth had the following children:
Robert Tait — born on 27 June 1927, married Margaret Mary, died on 17 May 2001 aged 73 years, buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Norma — born on 7 November 1928, married Oswald (Ossie) Middleton, died on 3 December 2007
Brian Albert — died in a car accident aged 13 years on 15 March 1946

Robert ran a dairy farm at the end of Kings Lane, Marshall with a small herd of guernsey and fresian cattle. He successfully showed the cattle he bred at Melbourne, Geelong and Colac shows. He was a committee member of the Geelong Agricultural Society.

He was a South Barwon councillor for 19 years, serving from 1949 until 1967. He was president in 1954-55 and 1963-64. He was a life governor of Glastonbury Children's Home in Belmont, a foundation member and president of Marshall Progress Association, president of the Marshall Grovedale Rural Fire Brigade for ten years, president of Southern District Cricket for ten years and president and life member of Marshall Grovedale Football Club.

Robert died on 16 May 1974 at Geelong and was buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery with Ethel who died on 7 January 1971 aged 70 years at Geelong and son, Brian.

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William Scott

4/10/2019

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William Scott

William was born in 1853. He came to Geelong as a small boy and grew up in Connewarre. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James and Helen (née Easton) Tait. They had the following children:
William John — born in 1894 at Mount Duneed, died on 9 August 1918 in France
Esther Helen — born in 1885 at Mount Duneed
Esther — born in 1886
George Tait — born on 10 March 1896, married Elsie Florence Lange, died in 1952 aged 56 at Geelong
Alexander James — born in 1887 at Mount Duneed, married Queenie Irene Carson
Margaret Janet — born in 1889 at Mount Duneed, married James Couzens
Elsie Gordon — born in 1892 at Connewarre, married Lewis John (Jack) Challis in 1914, died in 1968 at Highton
Elizabeth Ann — born in 1898 at Mount Duneed, married Lawrence MacDonald in 1926, died in 1987 at West Wyalong
Celia Agnes Scott — born in 1905 at Mount Duneed, married Hector Lawrence Drew in 1940, died on 4 January 1983, buried at Highton Cemetery.

William had a farm and also shot ducks on Lake Connewarre for sale in the Geelong market. He was a South Barwon Councillor for 18 years, serving from 1887 until 1890 and from 1898 until 1913. He passed away on 5 October 1915 aged 63 years and was buried in the Church of England section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery. Elizabeth died on 8 July 1926 aged 66 years and was buried with him.

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John James Cameron

26/7/2019

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John James, son of Scottish parents John and Elizabeth Munro (née Gunn) Cameron, was born on 13 April 1878 at Connewarre. In 1912 John married Helen Sarah Jane Fuller. He took an active part in district activities.

His death occurred suddenly on the morning of 6 August 1946 at the age of 67. He had risen early to do his usual farm work. He returned to the house for refreshments about 10 o'clock leaving after a short time to continue his work. He died soon after.

John and Helen had four sons and four daughters — Jack, Keith, Donald, Alexander, Betty (married Clifford Stacey), Daphne, Mary (Bonnie) and Susie (married John Zula).

His property "Green Hills" in Barwon Heads Road was auctioned on 11 September 1947 and sold to Arthur Ernest Graham. It was described as 270 acres and 17 perches, extensively subdivided and watered by a well with a windmill, elevated tank and concrete troughing. A comfortable weatherboard house of 6 rooms, scullery and bathroom, washhouse, garage, dairy, cowshed and feed room, with separator and wash-up room, and a machinery shed attached. It had a 3 stall stable and loose box, chaff house, engine-room, waggonette shed and storeroom, fowl accommodation and yard.

The country comprises good agricultural grazing and fattening land, and runs from a dark loam to heavier grey and black soil, with some of the land suitable for onion growing.

John was buried on 8 August 1946 in the Presbyterian section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery beside Helen who died on 5 March 1950 at the age of 63.

from The Argus 7 August 1946

from The Argus 6 September 1947

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Robert Ewing Blyth

19/4/2019

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Robert Ewing Blyth was the sixth child of Ewing and Agnes Blyth, born on 8 September 1872. In 1896 he married Elizabeth Ann Martin Cameron, daughter of John and Elizabeth Munro (née Gunn) Cameron. Their children were:
Elsie Ann Martin — born 1899 at Mount Duneed, married James Edward Clery in 1921, died 4 June 1987 aged 87, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Elizabeth Victoria — born 1901 at Connewarre, married Henry George McErvale on 16 March 1932 at Geelong, died 1975 aged 73 at Camperdown
Daisy — born 1904 at Geelong, married Allan Thomas Lawrence in 1936, died 1985 aged 80
Charlotte Amelia — born 3 July 1907 at Connewarre, died 3 December 1973 aged 66, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Isobel May — born 23 May 1910 at Mount Duneed
Robert John — born 23 November 1912 at Connewarre, married Hilda May Harrison in 1938, died 21 February 1992, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Raymond Douglas Haig — born 1919, died 21 February 1922 aged 2 years, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery

The children attended the bluestone school three miles away, travelling across paddocks with high grass in summer and mud in winter, the girls in starched white aprons and collars and black stockings.

In 1909 he purchased 126 acres, previously owned by William Underwood, on the south east corner of Barwon Heads and Black Rock Roads, Connewarre. He called the property Elsinore. He cleared the farm of sheoaks and planted fruit trees. He built dams and bought dairy cows and pigs.

He took an active interest in community life. For about 50 years he was secretary of the Connewarre Presbyterian Church and was on the hall and school committees. He became a South Barwon Shire councillor, serving for 25 years and served three terms as president — 1915-16, 1924-25 and 1935-36. He was appointed a justice of the peace for the Southern Bailiwick by the State Executive on 11 June 1918. He was a director of the Geelong and Cressy Trading Company for 32 years.

Robert died on 12 April 1949, aged 77 years, and is buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery. He is buried with Elizabeth who died in 1931 aged 55 years.

Robert Ewing Blyth

from Geelong Advertiser 1 October 1910

Elsinore was on the south east corner of Barwon Heads and Black Rock Roads

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James Theophilus Mallett

5/4/2019

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James, son of Thomas and Mary Ann (née Ordige) Mallett, was born in 1848 at Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He arrived on 1 November 1849 with his parents on the Travancore. He spent his early years at Geelong. He farmed land at Maindale Park, Strathbogie North. He married Susannah, daughter of John and Isabella (née Abernathy) Gardiner on 22 April 1873 at Aberdeen Street Baptist Church, Geelong. Their children were:
Mary Isabella May (May) — born 1875 at Geelong, married Phil Herbert Harold (Herb) Ibbott on 29 July 1903 at Maindale Park, Strathbogie North, died 4 May 1951 at Cootamundra, buried at Box Hill Cemetery
Thomas Gardiner (Gard) — born 1876 at Horsham, died 1944 at Caulfield aged 67. He was manager of the Strathbogie North Butter Factory. He served in 2nd Battalion in South African War and WW1 NZ Expeditionary Force. He suffered severe gun shot wounds in the left thigh in France in 1918.
Lucy Flora Elvina — born 1878 at Geelong, married William Irwin Thoms on 25 December 1902 at Strathbogie North, died in 1966 at Newtown aged 87, cremated remains interred at Altona Memorial Park
James Theophilus — born on 5 October 1879 at Murtoa, married Ada Emily Marshall on 11 April 1873 at Aberdeen Street Baptist Church at Geelong, died on 4 July 1954 at Geelong aged 74, buried in the Methodist section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Emma Jane Adeline (Jean) — Born 17 June 1882, married Albert Charles Shields on 15 July 1908 at Strathbogie, died on 15 August 1960 at Ballarat, buried at Bungaree Cemetery at Pootilla
Muriel Grace (Grace) — born in 1884 at Geelong, died in 1964 at Camberwell aged 79
Florence Susannah — born on 8 August 1886 at Marshalltown, married Albert George Morley on 23 February 1910 at Maindale Park, Strathbogie North, died on 5 September 1952 at Camberwell aged 66
William Arthur (Will) — born on 18 November 1889 at Strathbogie North, married Georgina Margaret Ellen Jupp on 10 March 1920 at Waitara Taranski in New Zealand, died on 27 October 1958 at Waitara Taranaki as a result of an accident, buried at Waitare Cemetery
Ruby Myrtle — born on 8 November 1889, died one month later on 8 December at Strathbogie North as a result of an epidemic throughout the district (first burial at the Strathbogie Cemetery)

In 1911 James and Susannah shifted to Bullerook, near Ballarat. James died at the home of his son-in-law, Mr PHH Ibbott, "Thurloo", 29 Stanhope Road, East Camberwell on 16 October, 1921 at the age of 73. He was buried in the Methodist section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery. He left his estate of £3182 to his wife. Susannah died on 3 June 1937 at the home of her son-law Mr AG Morley, 10 Cross Street, Canterbury at the age of 87. She was buried with James at Geelong.

James Theophilus Mallett still owned land at Connewarre on the corner of Barwon Heads and Reserve Roads when he died. The railway line to the former Geelong Racecourse ran throuogh this land by this time. He also owned land at Leopold. Part of this land was 47½ acres selected by his father, Thomas, on 17 September 1956. Thomas was born about 1823. He died in Geelong on 5 November 1905 and was buried in the Baptist section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery.

Two blocks in Sparrovale Road between Reserve and Tannery Roads (lots 22 and 28) were left to his sister, Lucy Emma Adams. Lot 28 was on the corner of an unnamed road. He also left lot 26 to her.

from Geelong Advertiser 17 April 1885

Back row — James Theophilus Mallett, Emma Jane (Jean) Mallett, Thomas Gardiner Mallett, Florence Susannah Mallett, William Arthur Mallett Front row sitting — Mary Isabella (May) Mallett, James Theophilus Mallett, Susannah Gardiner, Lucy Flora Elvina Mallett, Sitting on ground — Muriel Grace (Grace) Mallett

Herb Ibbott, May Mallett, Alan Ibbott

Thomas, James and William Mallett

May Ibbott (née Mallett)

Gard Mallett

Gardiner Mallett — Bungaree 1935

Alan Gardiner Cope Ibbott — Malaya 1942

Ada and James Mallett with their two children

photos contributed by Sue Gommans

Susannah Mallett (née Gardiner)

James Theophilus Mallett and Ada Emily Marshall

Emma Jane Adeline (Jean) Mallett and Albert Sheilds

Emma Jane Adeline (Jean) Mallett

Murial Grace Mallett

Florence Susannah Mallett and Albert George Morley

Will and Lucy Thoms

Back — Florence Susannah Morley (née Mallett) Front — Jean Sields (née Mallett)

Mary Isabella (May) Mallett

Jean Mallett

Left to right — Florence Morley, Lucy Thoms, Grace Mallett, Jean Sheilds and May Ibbott

Grace Mallett

Arthur Clive Thoms

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John Bogan

15/3/2019

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John Bogan was born in Wexford in Ireland in 1831. He migrated from Ireland, probably about 1856. At first he was superintendent of the mounted police.

In 1859 he married Mary Murnane. They had the following children:
Richard Patrick Bogan — born in 1860 in Geelong, married Catherine Mary Eadey in 1903, died on 4 August 1936 aged 75 at Connewarre, buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Honoria — born about 1863, married John Joseph Stafford in 1903, died on 2 September 1932 aged 69 at her home at Marshall. She was buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Michael — born in 1863 in Geelong, died one month later on 25 April, buried at the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Michael — born in 1864 at Connewarre, died on 25 June aged 5 months, buried at the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
John — born in 1865 at Connewarre, died in 1947 aged 81 at Geelong, buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Michael James — born in 1867 at Geelong, married Hannah Margaret, died on 7 September 1917 aged 49

Mary died on 29 April 1868 aged 27 at Connewarre and was buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery.

In April 1862 he was granted the license for the Breakwater Hotel in Marshall. Before and after this short period his father-in-law, Michael Murnane held the license.

John had bought up a good amount of real estate in Connewarre, Marshall and Mount Duneed on which he grew oats and had milk cows, pigs and poultry. With three his sons, the cows were milked by hand. They had a milk run, delivering this milk around Geelong. This land was rich in marl (calcium carbonate) which he dug up and spread over his land and ploughed in to improve it.

When he died he owned the following land:
67 acres of fenced land in the parish of Connewarre being allotment B of section 7, used partly for cultivation and partly for grazing.
83 acres being allotments N and M on which is erected a 5 roomed weatherboard house. This land was used for cultivation and grazing purposes.
40 acres being allotment P section ? This land was fenced and used for grazing purposes only.
Part of section 7 on which was erected a six roomed weatherboard house which was very old and delipidated which was occupied by the deceased up until the date of his death.
8 acres fenced land being part of allotment 6 section 6
The total value of this real estate was £2080. The land was divided between his sons as set out in his will. Daughter, Honoria, was to receive a regular allowance until she married.

John died on 16 September 1895 at Connewarre and was buried with Mary in the Roman Catholic section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery.

The family plot is marked with a monument by Charles Wilcox, together with railing costing £70. Six members of the Bogan family were buried there:
John and Mary Bogan
Richard and Catherine Bogan
Honoria and John Joseph Stafford

from The Argus 27 August 1938 — Wife and daughter of Richard Patrick Bogan

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Taits Point, Lake Connewarre

11/1/2019

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Taits Point was named after an early settler in the area, James Tait, who arrived in Melbourne on the Palmyra on 25 November in 1839 with his wife Helen (née Easton), his son Alexander (aged 2) and daughter Agnes who was born as the Palmyra was coming into port. Agnes married Ewing Blyth on 26 October 1859 at Connewarre. An older daughter, Ann (aged 4), died during the voyage. James was the son of Alexander and Margaret (née Younger) Tait. On arrival they were employed by Charles Williamson. In 1840 James Tait was employed by John McVean on a run at Connewarre. On 5 November 1855 they selected 126 acres at what is now Taits Point at the end of what is now Staceys Road. They called their land Connewarre from an aboriginal name meaning black swan. They cleared the land and planted a market garden. Their children born in the Geelong district were:
Alexander — born in 1842 in Geelong, died on 18 June 1917 aged 75 at Connewarre, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
George — born in 1844 in Geelong, married Jane Gill in 1872, married Mary Jane Blair in 1887, died on 3 June 1923 at Mount Duneed, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Ann — born in 1846 in Geelong, died on 9 April 1940 aged 93½, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
James Easton — born in 1851, died 16 December 1894
Robert — born 1851, died 15 March 1933 aged 46 at Mount Duneed, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Helen Younger — born 1854 at Geelong, married Robert Henry Blair in 1875, died in 1926 aged 72 at Port Campbell
Margaret Janet — born 1856, died 17 November 1935 aged 79 at Geelong, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Elizabeth — born 1859, married William Scott, died 8 July 1926 aged 66, buried in the Church of England section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery

James was a member of the Connewarre Road Board for five years.

Connewarre had been a tribal area for members of the Wathaurong tribe for hundreds of years. Convict William Buckley who had escaped from the first penal settlement at Port Phillip in 1803 lived with the tribe in this area for many years.

Between Geelong and Barwon Heads the Barwon River flows through a series of shallow tide-affected lakes and swamps. These are Lake Connewarre, Reedy Lake, Hospital and Salt Swamps. Taits Point was formed by a basalt flow from Mount Duneed damming the river to form Reedy Lake. The lakes were subsequently connected when the river channel finally eroded through the basalt. Prior to European settlement the river was salty upstream of Geelong. Two breakwaters were built to provide fresh water for the early settlement and industry in Geelong.

The number of Wathawurrung people who occupied this area had declined rapidly after 1830.

James Tait died on 12 October 1883 and is buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery. His wife, Helen who died on 3 November 1899 is buried with him. Many of their descendants are still living in the Connewarre and Mount Duneed area today.

James Tait — contributed by Martin Klabbers

Ann and Janet Tait — contributed by Martin Klabbers

The Tait dairy — photo contributed by Elizabeth Spencer

Headstone in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery by Charles Wilcox

James Tait purchased 126 acres of crown land in 1855 at Taits Point.

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1868

21/12/2018

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The principles of total abstinence from all intoxicating drink were making great headway in the country districts around Geelong. New divisions of the Sons of Temperance and tents of Rechabites were in a fair way to being launched. Yorkshire evangelist Matthew Burnett, who had arrived in Australia in 1863 had toured the area advocating temperance. Hundreds of drunkards were redeemed. Thousands signed pledges during his campaigns.

Members of the Order of Rechabites residing at Freshwater Creek, celebrated the new year with a grand tea meeting in the schoolhouse at which up to two hundred were present.

from Geelong Advertiser 27 April

from Geelong Advertiser 6 July

from Geelong Advertiser 10 October

from The Ballarat Star 13 April 1868

from The Argus 25 February — Charles Henry, son of Gottlieb and Maria (née Gatz) Usebach

Matthew Burnett (1839-1896) spent more than 20 years denouncing alcohol in the Australian colonies — from the National Portrait Gallery

from Mount Alexander Mail 26 January

from The Argus — Arthur Robert Hobbs (1861-16 November 1868) was the son of Edwin and Susannah (née Horton) Hobbs. He was buried in an unknown location at Mount Duneed Cemetery

from Bendigo Advertiser 21 Novmeber

Waurn Ponds Bridge was built in 1868 by Clement Nash — JT Collins Collection, La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria

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Mysterious Death

13/9/2018

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On 16 January, 1930, Margaret Elizabeth (née Mill) Quinlivan, aged 50, who married James (Jim) Leo Quinlivan in 1907, died suddenly at her home near Barwon Heads. The Quinlivans had come to live at Connewarre East about 1922 when Jim took a job collecting fees from the campers at Barwon Heads.

Dr J E Piper, who made a post mortem examination of the body, saw signs which indicated that death was due to poisoning. The stomach was forwarded to the government analyst, who reported that death was due to poisoning.

Margaret and James lived at Connewarre East with their three children, James Alexander (Jim), Mary and Jane. She had not told anyone she was feeling unwell. James was out for some time on the night of 15 January, and on his return home he saw that his wife had had a hot drink. He made a drink for himself, using the same cup. Early in the morning he heard his wife making a noise as if in her sleep. As this continued for some time he struck a match and saw that his wife was ill. She died before a doctor could be summoned.

Margaret had three brothers, George, William and Alexander Mill. She was buried in the Presbyterian section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery. James, who died on 28 July 1961 at the age of 83 was buried with her.

May Quinlivan — 1924

Jim Quinlivan — 1924

from The Argus 20 February, 1930 — photos and newspaper article contributed by Martin Klabbers

The Quinlivans with campers at Barwon Heads Caravan Park — photo contributed by Jan McCawley

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Ewing Blyth

2/6/2018

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The anchor from the Earl of Charlemont, built in 1849 and wrecked on Barwon Heads Reef (now Charlemont Reef) on 19 June 1853, which was raised by Barwon Grove skindivers on 25 June 1972

Ewing Blyth aged 70 outside his home in Barwon Heads Road, Connewarre — contributed by Elizabeth Spencer

When Ewing Blyth was 21 in 1853, he left Norwich England to come to Australia on the Earl of Charlemont. His name on the passenger list was Ewing Bligh. He had been accused of shooting the squire's bullock and was in fear of being deported as a convict. He had allowed his name to be incorrectly used so his whereabouts could not be easily traced. After the ship was wrecked, he repeated this event by shooting a bullock to feed the survivors off the ship. This beast belonged to James Tait who had settled at Tait's Point on Lake Connewarre and who later became his father-in-law.

Ewing Blyth gained work in the district and two years later married Agnes, the 16 year old daughter of James Tait at Connewarre. They spent all their lives living in Lake Road on the banks of the Barwon River. Their family of five boys and six girls were:
James Tait Blyth — born 20 September 1860 in Connewarre, died 26 Jun 1943 in Preston aged 83, buried in the Presbyterian section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Frances Blyth — born 31 July 1862, married William Spencer 1888, died 19 March 1940 Geelong
Ellen Blyth — born 29 October 1864 in Connewarre, married John Elijah Kempton 1888, died 19 May 1953 Geelong
Benjamin Blyth — born 1 April 1867, married Ann Ford 1895, died 24 November 1918
Ewing John Blyth — born 1869 at Connewarre, married Emma Isabella Taylor 1905, died 26 October 1951 at Flinders
Robert Ewing Blyth — born 1872, married Elisabeth Ann Martin Cameron 1896, died 1949
Mary Ann Blyth — born on 5 November 1874, married John Ford 1897, died 1945 in Geelong
Elizabeth Blyth (Bessie) — born 1877 at Mount Duneed, died 1898
Agnes Blyth — born 1879 at Mount Duneed, married Charles Marriott Burt, died 24 November 1952
Annie Blyth — born 1882 at Mount Duneed, died 22 May 1914 at Geelong
Alexander Tait Blyth — born 1884 in Mount Duneed, married Esther Hannah Challis in 1910, died 1970 in Connewarre

Ewing was a South Barwon Shire councillor serving from 1874 until 1875.

Agnes died on 25 February 1920 and is buried in the Church of England section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery. Ewing died on 1 June 1925 and is buried with her. Their daughter Annie who died on 22 May 1914 is buried with them. Ewing Blyth Drive, a road which runs south from the Barwon Heads Hotel, is named after him. Many of their descendants still live in the district.

Monument by Joseph Smith

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John Gardiner

4/5/2018

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John and Isabella Gardiner — contributed by Karen How

John Gardiner was born at Chappelgarry, Aberdeenshire Scotland about 1815. He arrived in Tasmania in the ship Augustine in 1843 and went as overseer to Samuel Martin of Exton. Later he worked as overseer for Blythe and De Little. In 1850 he was moved to Victoria to work at De Little's station at Hamilton. He was still at Hamilton on Black Thursday. He kept newspapers printed in Geelong in 1851 describing the suffering after the fire.

When gold was discovered at Ballarat he decided to try his luck and he was there at the time of the Eureka Stockade.

He selected land in Connewarre on the corner of Charlemont and Lower Duneed Roads about the mid 1850s.

He enjoyed reading and was still doing this within a few days of his death. He liked reading about politics and once rode seven miles to record his vote after he was ninety.

He married Isabella, daughter of Alex and Jaen Abernathy in Aberdeenshire in 1842. They had the following children:
Isabell — born about 1846. died 10 January 1919 at Strathbogie aged 73
Jane — born 1848 in Tasmania, married William Spencer in 1869, died 13 March 1887 at Connewarre, buried in the Methodist section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Susannah — born at Black Hill Tasmania, married James Theophilus Mallett on 22 April 1873 at Aberdeen Street Baptist Church, died 1927 at Canterbury
Flora Gilchrist — born 1855 at Ballarat, married John Green in 1882 died 10 December 1893 aged 38, buried in the Church of England section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery
Helen — born 1852 at Geelong, married James Hill in 1876, died 1926 at Murtoa
John Arthur — born 1858 at Connewarre, married Emma Thomas Folks on 31 March 1885 at Dry Creek

A number of John's family and friends selected land at Strathbogie after 1882 and many stayed for the rest of their lives.

Isabella died on 17 April 1900 aged 85 at Strathbogie and was buried at Bonnie Doon. John died in October 1908 at the age of 93 years and 9 months and was buried with Isabella on 29 October 1908.

At the time of John's death he had 5 children, 31 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.