Issue 127

Winter 2020

The information on the left is when normal activities are held. All meetings, activities and open times are dependent on government restrictions. We will always work within government guidelines. Currently all bookings for speakers have been cancelled or postponed. When we are allowed to have meetings and outings again, we will notify all members.

Photographs can be ordered by email or phone. All jpeg and TIF files are sold at $5 per copy, with the understanding that these will be used for the purpose for which they are purchased and will not be on sold in any way.

RESEARCHING FROM HOME

Many institutions are ramping up their online activity in response to the current situation. Here are a few examples:

State Library of Victoria online SLV is scheduling online events. Go to: https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/whats-on

The National Archives of Australia The NAA reminds us that you can still find records, view exhibitions and get research assistance online: https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-research visit virtual exhibitions at Flickr and Google Cultural Institute engage with us on Twitter and Facebook

National Library of Australia Digital Community The NLA has made a short video to help users explore the online library. Go to: RHSV online collection available at: https://ehive.com/collections/6420/royal-historical-society-of-victoria-rhsv

Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) A reminder that the RHSV lecture podcasts are available at: https://www.historyvictoria.org.au/resources/lecture-podcasts/

RHSV online RHSV online collection available at: https://ehive.com/collections/6420/royal-historical-society-of-victoria-rhsv

A&DHS collection A reminder that you can view 386 objects from our own collection at: - district-historical-society#collections-records https://victoriancollections.net.auorganisations/anglesea

Historical Society Committee

President: Jan Morris 0448 526 311 Email: davejanmorris@bigpond.com Sec. & Vice Pres. Karl Jacklin 0412 619 219 Email: karlj@netspace.net.au Treasurer: Chris Guerow Phone 5263 7602 Email: chrisguerow@gmail.com Museum Curator: Susan Clarke 0438 070 560 Email: susanclarke3230@hotmail.com Researcher: Bruce Bodman Phone 5263 1249 Email: bodman@netspace.net.au Committee Members Barry Davidson Phone 5263 1293 Email: barrydavo@yahoo.com Keith Hornibrook Phone 0425 893 230 Email: gleebrook@gmail.com Jim Tutt Phone 5263 1227 Email: jimltutt@gmail.com

ARE YOU A FINANCIAL MEMBER? Historical Society is $20 for the first family member and $15 for other family members (this includes insurance). People over 90 free (no insurance). Family History optional extra is $15 per family. Please notify if extra $15 is Family History or extra family member fee. FEES DUE SEPTEMBER. Pay direct: Bendigo Bank- BSB 633 000, Account 1430 28421 – reference your name, OR post to PO Box 98, Anglesea 3230.

Anglesea & District Historical Society Box 98 Anglesea, Victoria 3230

MUSEUM OPEN TIMES Second Sunday of the month 2.00-4.00 pm or by Appointment Phone 0448 526 311 or 0412 619 219 Open for browsing when groups in attendance. Mondays 1.30 – 3.30 pm Tuesdays 10.30 am – 1.00pm Saturdays 10.30 am – 1.00pm

The museum is also open at other times when working groups are present.

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OUR OUTING TO HISTORIC MOORAMONG

Jan Morris The last outing, we had before the Corona Virus caused all activity to cease, was to Mooramong. There were only 21 of us after some last-minute withdrawals due to illness. However, we had a wonderful day despite a few hiccups with stuck railway boom gates. Morning tea was supposed to be beside the historic Shelford bridge. We enjoyed scones but the tea and coffee were in the car stuck at the railway crossing. After a stop at the former Leigh Shire Hall and Toll House at Warrambine we travelled on to Mooramong. Mooramong was an amazing place, redecorated and extended in the art deco style by Claire and Scobie Mackinnon in the 1940s. Scobie had brought Claire, a Hollywood star, back to his property at Skipton, after a whirl-wind romance, followed by a 12-month honeymoon around the world, which was somewhat unusual for 1939.

Ian, our guide, was excellent, and always happy to answer questions. He provided chairs and tables for us to have our lunch and a barbecue to cook our chicken on. Lunch was delicious thanks to the cooks Keith, Heather and Doreen. Our barbecue was matched with delicious salads made by Bev, Susan, and Ilma. We not only had lunch but also morning the tea that we had missed earlier.

The shade in the garden was most welcome on the beautiful warm sunny day. Everyone helped get lunch and reluctantly pack up. This is the furthest we have ever been for an outing, but everyone voted it well worth the long trip.

Photos: Susan Clarke

Bev Davies, Dulcie & Doug Anderson arrive at Mooramong

Keith Hornibrook, Ilma Dite, Doreen Titter, and Heather Hornibrook cooking lunch.

RIGHT: Jan Morris, Betty Butterworth, Liz & Rex Bills, Chris & Maree Davis relaxing under the shade after lunch.

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GLISSY HAS GONE Jan Morris

Another part of Anglesea’s early history has been demolished to make way for new development. Glissy the former home of George and Fanny Noble has recently been demolished. Glissy was one of the early houses built by the Noble family in what was once called Gladstone, now the western side of the Anglesea River. Glissy was rebuilt by George Noble in 1920. Lindsay Braden in his book Early Anglesea Houses and Structures, tells us:-

George and Fanny Noble shifted from ‘Angahook’ homestead at Aireys Inlet, to Noorah at the corner of The River Esplanade and Noble Street, Anglesea in 1915. After residing at Noorah for five years they moved to Glissy in nearby Colledge Avenue (now Holmwood) during 1920 and rebuilt it. George Noble died in 1933. His Estate was auctioned and sold in 1936. Rate books record that Glissy was sold to Mrs S.J. Walker for £400. Mrs. Walker re-subdivided and sold to Mr. A. R. Monks for £675 in 1944. Glissy's land on lot 22 originally fronted the River Esplanade. This lot was later cut into two parts by the formation of Diggers Parade, and then subdivided into shop and home sites in 1944.

In 1881 it was to the original Glissy that the crew from the ill-fated Hereford were taken. George Noble had rowed out to the ship stranded on the rocks, taking a line that allowed all the crew to reach land safely. The story has been passed down that the crew were fed by cooking soup for them in the washing copper. The Captain showed his gratitude to George Noble by presenting him with the ship’s bell. The bell has been

professionally preserved and stands proudly in History House. After the Second World War, Noble’s low-lying land between Diggers Parade and the present main road was gradually filled. It later became the sites for what we now know as the Colledge Reserve, as well as the Shell service station, motel and surf shop. Today's corner shopping centre and Surf Coast Resort occupy the former location of George Noble's original home Noorah. Until recently Glissy could still be seen behind the Diggers Parade shops. Like so much land near the river and beach it is now being further developed.

‘Glissy’ prior to demolition Photo: Jan Morris

The original ‘Glissy’ built in Gladstone Photo: Lindsay Braden Collection

The last of remains of ‘Glissy” being demolished.

Photo: Peter Matthews

The Hereford bell presented to George Noble

Photo ADHS Collection

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Life has certainly been different over the last few months as we “Stayed at Home’. This has given me great research time and allowed me to discover things about Anglesea, about my own family and about other families. I hope you have used your time to pursue your passions of history and family history. Please share with us any interesting bits that you have found. I really miss our meetings and our outings. We were fortunate to get our trip to Mooramong in before the restrictions were announced. It was unfortunate that we had to cancel Fred Cahir speaking about his book My Country All Gone: The White Men Have Stolen It. There had been a lot of interest from the community. We are intending to reschedule this meeting for a date after the restrictions have been lifted. One thing that has been continuing, via zoom meetings, is our discussions regarding the vision to extend History House. Various people have come up with numerous suggestions. We have decided to put our plans in to three stages. These stages will be progressed as money becomes available.

Stage 1 To reorganise the space we already have to make better use of it. In doing this we plan to hold general meetings at either the Community House or the Senior Citizens Hall. Stage 2 To reorganise the space currently taken up by the current kitchen, toilet, laundry and old bathroom. Asbestos will be removed from the house in this stage. Stage 3. To build a new room on the back of the History House.

We have set up a committee to develop recommendations for each stage of our vision. Of course, if the money became available to do the whole project at one time, this would be our preferred model. These changes may mean we will be having our General Meetings, usually held on a Sunday at History House, at the Community House. We will make sure everyone knows if we have a change of venue. Nicky Angus, Community Project Development Officer, has indicated that she will bring our vision for this project to the June Surf Coast Shire meeting. This will be the initial mention of it. We are very pleased to welcome Barry Davidson to our committee. Barry is third generation Anglesea resident and has a vast knowledge of Anglesea history. Barry has been a member of Anglesea and District Historical

Society for several years. He is the only person on the committee who has spent his whole life in Anglesea. Welcome Barry

Anzac Day was certainly very different this year. We rose early and were on our balcony with the TV on broadcasting the Dawn Service. It was exhilarating and very moving to see the torch lights along the street and hear the Reveille and the Last Post being played across the darkened town. Anglesea did not forget. I hope you were able to see the film on 24 April about the building of the Great

Ocean Road. If you missed it, we have a copy of The Story of The Road and will screen it as soon as we are able. It is an excellent collection of photos and explanations of how the Great Ocean Road was built. We have lots of enquiries while we have been closed. Obviously, lots of people are now working on projects they had put to one side. We have been happy to help several people with research and provide photos for others. Our most exciting request was from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning regarding a nomination to have the Loveridge Lookout on the Victorian Heritage Register. We had a visit from an assessor gathering information about its use during WW2. We will wait with excitement to find out the result of this nomination. Have you looked at our Facebook page lately? Susan Clarke has been putting up interesting pieces of Anglesea and district history. There has been a lot of people watching and many making comments. To view it just go to Anglesea & District Historical Society Facebook and it will come up. Stay Safe!

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Who remembers the Tailwaggers Club?

Susan Clarke In recent weeks the number of people looking to acquire a dog has increased immeasurably as those in isolation from COVID19 seek the companionship of a four-legged friend. It seems timely, therefore, to focus on one of the items in our collection which is very much concerned with dog ownership. This unassuming token was produced by an organisation called The Tailwaggers Club, which started in Victoria in September 1931. Apparently, Victoria was the first state in Australia to open a branch, after the idea originated in London. The club was a fundraising activity and a way to identify lost dogs. Tailwaggers was also a radio program for more than 20 years, the first that focused on animal welfare in Australia. The first dog adoption centre opened at Burwood in 1964, was named ‘Tailwaggers’. An article in Melbourne's Weekly Times just two days before Christmas 1933 written by 'The-Tail-Wagger-in-Chief' indicated that the year had been quite a good one for the organisation. Membership had increased to 8000 dogs on the register. The cost of annual membership had been raised to 2/6 because of increased expenditure on expanding the business to include boarding kennels. There was also the Tail-Wagger Guide for dog owners, compiled and published by the Tailwaggers Club, which had been in great demand and “very good value indeed for the 6d charged”. A letter from Chief to Boys and Girls, published in the Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record in May 1940, indicated that in the last year of the decade, 4193 animals were handled at the Dogs' Home at Mitcham. “Fox terriers seem the most popular of the breeds sought by people, as 113 found new homes, next in favour were spaniels and then kelpies”. The letter ended by encouraging the boys and girls to listen in to 5D.N. and 5R.M. at 4.30 pm on Tuesdays when they would hear their names and numbers over the air. Identification of dogs is now achieved by microchipping, but this token still generates nostalgia amongst visitors to our museum.

Sources RSPCA Victoria History: https://rspcavic.org/about-us/history/ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110290481#

A PANORAMA OF ANGLESEA 1946

Looking up Harvey Street hill. Note the lack of trees. Originally there were few big trees on the Harvey Street Hill. The ones there today have all been planted. When William Buckley came to Anglesea in

1804, he couldn’t find any shade on a hot January day. 6

Photo: Marilyn Wendt