Author Archives: mort30
Campbell
John and Margaret CampbellJohn Campbell– born March 29 1832 Laigh Glencroe Farm, Lochgoilhead Parish, Argyll, Scotland Arrived in the Colony of Victoria at Port Phillip on the 11th March 1853 at the age of 21 years from the port of Greenock, Scotland on the ship “Malabar.” The ship carried all Scots emigrants. He was accompanied … Continue reading
Barelli
Gail Cox (Great Grand daughter of William Barelli)writesEdwin Barelli was born in Bristol England on 21st August 1822, he was a Coachbuilder,he and his wife Ammelia Hiatt migrated to Australia (unassisted passage) aboard the “Vanguard” in 1862. Four children accompanied them, Maria aged 16, William aged 10, Rosa aged 5 and Henry 1 year old. … Continue reading
Ballier’s 1868 Victorian Directory for Jones’ Creek
BAILLIER’S 1868 VICTORIAN DIRECTORY JONES’ CREEK; Loddon District; Postal Village; Dist from Melb 113 miles Samuel Heming, C Sch Teacher, Thomas Comrie Postmaster ———————————- Allen William, storekeeper Anderson James, miner Argnani Augusto, inkmaker Aubrey David, miner Baker Charles, miner Barns Thomas, tailor, Grassy Flat Benson Robert, dairyman, Mosquito Gully Berry John, farmer, Grassy Flat Boan … Continue reading
Chinese people on the goldfields
CHINESE ON THE GOLDFIELDS CHINESE MAN ON GOLDFIELDS NEAR WAANYARRA Note the use of flattened out kerosene tins on the walls. By early 1857 things had quietened down at the Jones’ Creek diggings. But there was still the steady stream of “locals” and Chinese working the gullies, some having large finds. The Chinese were well … Continue reading
Edmund and Isabella Thorp
EDMUND & ISABELLA THORP Edmund Stephen Thorp The background stories of this man and his wife Isabella show them to be two of Waanyarra’s most interesting early pioneers. Edmund was the fourth child of John Robert Thorp and Mary Ann Stevens who were married on January 12th. 1821. He was christened on the 15th. of … Continue reading
The “Penny” School
A privately run school, so named because (apparently) families could send their children there at the cost of one penny (less than one cent) per week. The Gibbs’ mud brick house was constructed with stone at the bottom five courses and corners and resisted erosion very well until the shingle roof collapsed about 30 years … Continue reading
Jones’ Creek School No.339
Victoria was the first colony to institute free, compulsory and secular schooling. But this was not achieved without argument, debate and conflict between Church leaders, politicians and colonial dissenters. By 1872 Jones’ Creek School had become one of the many secular schools in Victoria. The first school at Jones’ Creek was at Secret Hill. Its … Continue reading
Waanyarra State School No. 1879
LETTER TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION from Waanyarra residents (c1873) Dear Sir, We, the inhabitants of Waanyarra desire to draw your attention to the fact that we are desireable of the means of instruction for our children, having no school in the locality and would earnestly pray that you would use your influence to establish … Continue reading
Fence Restoration and Signage
Some photos of the fence restoration work done by “The Families and Friends of Waanyarra” and information signage installed. This sign was one of the first projects completed by the Families and Friends of Waanyarra. It was made by photo engraving the text and images into the surface of a sheet of stainless steel—the etched … Continue reading
Michael Morton’s amazing transportation journey to Australia
MICHAEL’S JOURNEY. Many interesting stories of how Michael came to Australia have been handed down through the various branches of his descendants. Each of these stories has been checked, but no records can be found to verify them. Ireland to Australia No ships carrying either assisted or unassisted immigrants to Australia listed a Morton from … Continue reading