Category: Articles – Essays

Thomastown’s 19th Century Scottish Landowners and Residents By Rob WuchatschThe Scots were influential in Thomastown’s development from the beginning of European settlement, either as landowners, occupation licence holders, graziers or farmers. Most of Thomastown’s land was owned by the Campbell and Brock families until the early 20th Century and Colonel Joseph Anderson, who owned Section 21 from 1850-64 and William...

Electricity – The spark that ignited development By Barbara Miller We take it for granted that electricity is connected to our homes, available at the flick of a switch when and where we need it. This has obviously not always been the case, but that convenience is still a relatively recent innovation for some. It’s worth considering that  we accept...

Carome Homestead in Mernda By Barbara Miller In 1840, Arthur Serjeantson (also written Sergeantson) purchased Section 19, Lot 11, in the Parish of Morang, a total of 842 acres for the price of 1,326 pounds. This large property covered as far north as Bridge Inn Road. He named the property Sergeantson Hall, although it soon became known as Carome, which...

Yan Yean, its hidden history By Barbara Miller It is generally accepted that the name ‘Yan Yean’ originated in the 1850s from the aboriginal tribes which frequented the swampy, fertile lands around the Plenty River. The waters were rich in fish, eels and birds, which provided an abundant food source for the inhabitants. Two scar trees were noted in the...

‘Heatherley’ at Whittlesea By Vance Bebbington The farm now known as ‘Castle Hill Farm’ was previously called ‘Heatherley’. Our grandparents Joseph and Edith Bebbington purchased the property in 1933 and moved there in September 1934. At that time, it consisted of 180 acres (72 hectares) with an additional 76 acres (30 hectares) being leased. The family sold the farm in...

Thomastown’s 19th Century Irish Families By Rob Wuchatsch The Germans and Wends who settled at Westgarthtown in 1850 were one of four different groups to settle at Thomastown during the 19th Century. The other nationalities represented at Thomastown were the English, Scottish and Irish. Thomastown’s most prominent Irish settlers were the Devine, Larmer, Lewis, Mahoney, McCoy and Perry families. The...

Gwen Hawke – Her Story By Bev Moore Dedications Photo / Articles from her loving Daughter Alicia Hawke, Mrs Beryl Patulo, Mrs. Wendy Lowry, Mr. Bruce Batten & Robert Wuachatsch This story is a dedication to a warm and wonderful individual Mrs. Gwen Hawke, of   whom I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time at the Whittlesea Courthouse...