Author Archives: Waanyarra Admin
Welcome to Waanyarra
This site is dedicated to the historic “Golden Triangle” locality of Waanyarra, in Central Victoria, Australia. Information of its history, pioneering families and fabulously rich gold mining past will be found here. The efforts of the “Families and Friends of Waanyarra” and other interested people to keep the history of the area alive—bring the descendants … Continue reading
1868
Burns caused the death of John Frayne, a native of Devonshire, England, aged 38. The inquest was held at the White Swan Hotel in July, 1868. The verdict was that he had died from burns received when he fell into a fire. Mr. John Frayne, who was the cousin of Dunolly Publican, Peter Frayne, had … Continue reading
1865
Cholera was believed to be the cause of death of Mr. Peter Campbell of Waanyarra. Mr. Campbell took ill and died only a few hours after returning from Dunolly on 15th April. Seik Cassin, a native of Calcutta, died in his tent at Long Gully on the 24th August. The inquest revealed that he died … Continue reading
1863
“On Saturday night last, the 14th instant, I was milking the cows in the yard when I heard a child scream. I ran to the house immediately and saw the deceased outside the door with her clothes on fire. I ran to her and tore her clothes off.” This is part of the statement made … Continue reading
1862
In January, 1862 temperatures soared to 118 degrees F and 120degrees F in the shade. The following week temperatures went as low as 45 degrees F.
“Murderer’s Hill”
(A Waanyarra tale of Murder, Lust ?, Betrayal and Revenge) Double Murder at Jones’ Creek On Sunday, 29th November, 1857 while crossing the ranges between Dunolly and Jones’ Creek, William Henry Dean, (“a black man”) whilst heading for a new “rush” at Jones’ Creek he had heard about, found the bodies of two men in … Continue reading
The “White Swan” Hotel
From Tarnagulla Courier 15 June 1912. “The Licenses Reduction Board sat at Dunolly recently to hear evidence in connection with the Waanyarra Hotel. Mrs Susan Gray, licensee and owner, appeared on her own behalf. Superintendent Callender said the present owner had purchased the place for 150 pounds. The buildings were old and rather poor. There … Continue reading
The Founding of Waanyarra
Surveyor Phillip Chauncy surveyed the district between Tarnagulla and Dunolly in 1861 and officially named it Waanyarra. Prior to survey, Beverly had been chosen by Lieutenant Governor of Victoria LaTrobe, as the name for the future township. This title was only used by the first discoverers of gold in the area. Charles Jones was prospecting … Continue reading
Waanyarra Reunion Sunday 27 March 2011
The next Waanyarra Reunion will take place at its usual venue at the Waanyarra Recreation Reserve on Sunday 27 March 2011. Although a number of the Newsletters sent out in February 2010 were “Returned to Sender” or the emails bounced, there are a number of new names on the mailing list and hopefully we will … Continue reading