Echoes of the Past Pioneering Families of the Whittlesea Shire An article from the Advertiser (Hurstbridge) published on Friday 23 March 1934. (Author Unknown) Amongst the many pioneering families whose descendants are still in residence in the shire are the McLoughlins and the Whittens. The famous old bluestone house known as Preston Hall, in Mernda is largely the work of Michael McLoughlin who...
An article reviewing the first Whittlesea Show in 1859. Article published in The Age on 7 May 1859. We have received the following, report of the first Fair held at Whittlesea, for the sale of horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, dairy produce, fruits and vegetables, which was held on Tuesday, there 3rd instance, and seems to have, far exceeded the...
William Batten was a Whittlesea pioneer from the well known Batten family of the Whittlesea district. One of twelve children born to Richard and Mary Jane Batten (nee Hazard), he was born at the “Cellar House” in Yan Yean on 7 November 1859, the fourth of their children. Siblings included Charlotte, Richard, Agnes, Albert, Mary, Maria, Robert, Leonard, Florence and...