tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81271901476767247662024-03-21T02:09:30.380+11:00Barwon BlogAnything and everything to do with the Barwon River.Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-8077664242988332722018-05-21T23:41:00.000+10:002018-05-21T23:41:43.098+10:00...to the OceanSo with Mountain to Mouth 2018 underway (see Friday's walk <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2018/05/from-mountain.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and after a few hours rest, we once again gathered at Johnstone Park in darkness for the short stretch to the next station near the boat sheds on the Barwon River. This station is always a little different from the others as Canoe is timed to arrive in darkness, meaning the art installation on this occasion involved a display of lights.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An "eel" at Station 6, just as dawn was breaking</td></tr>
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Within minutes of our arrival however, we found ourselves in daylight. It always surprises me how quickly the sun comes up. At this point, there was just enough time for a quick coffee before beginning the long slog up the hill to Leopold and Station 7.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qI8atdsgPb2Peq8i8GJej_l11xBo6W9p1gku2jGVsBjtebxbICT8c6BLFxgPpwpEonN9s85LcE37CpvSl5_uGvA3srTm3gJg2x8NQW6hdPdkSKNZHGcv6thY61FULOn1v8VvZicq3jOR/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+240+composite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qI8atdsgPb2Peq8i8GJej_l11xBo6W9p1gku2jGVsBjtebxbICT8c6BLFxgPpwpEonN9s85LcE37CpvSl5_uGvA3srTm3gJg2x8NQW6hdPdkSKNZHGcv6thY61FULOn1v8VvZicq3jOR/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+240+composite.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Coral Consequences" invited participants to consider the effect of climate<br />change on coral reefs in Queensland which are the spawning ground for the<br />Short-finned Eels which inhabit the Barwon River</td></tr>
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Upon arrival we were greeted by more artworks, incorporated in the permanent walking circle located in parkland at Christie's Rd. The theme of this piece was the "Borron Birds", highlighting the role of birds in the environment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRd6Er99-CJ9lu0k2MWEYyy9b0mlfFp8ZFQS-ZgDKH7xdz53u50zjkW_cqX238ntC3LF2eFbv6ugW8JAOQC5Q_0_OOyyWlKpUyleS_fSzwyWg0TsZThYZ1WIxAnQzTH1407IKQ_xy6yLBB/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+259+composite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRd6Er99-CJ9lu0k2MWEYyy9b0mlfFp8ZFQS-ZgDKH7xdz53u50zjkW_cqX238ntC3LF2eFbv6ugW8JAOQC5Q_0_OOyyWlKpUyleS_fSzwyWg0TsZThYZ1WIxAnQzTH1407IKQ_xy6yLBB/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+259+composite.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birds on canvas, Christie's Rd, Leopold</td></tr>
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Walkers were encouraged to leave a leaf (and a wish for the planet) in a "nest", to be burnt with Canoe in the final ceremony.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMX9OVTyscRKzV39YlWpiX5oHH5E6aJVtBs3geJDEn4q0BSYrxHrimEHal4GdMP7m31bJ26xF-5DxRAiGYEXrVUmIM9rBZ2fh0WYpa0yIdLCTE7hlaj9_e5f_Z1EZcqM-OzdCnZ7BEQTz0/s1600/20180505_092850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMX9OVTyscRKzV39YlWpiX5oHH5E6aJVtBs3geJDEn4q0BSYrxHrimEHal4GdMP7m31bJ26xF-5DxRAiGYEXrVUmIM9rBZ2fh0WYpa0yIdLCTE7hlaj9_e5f_Z1EZcqM-OzdCnZ7BEQTz0/s400/20180505_092850.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take a leaf and make a wish</td></tr>
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From here, it was a relatively gentle walk to Station 8 at Drysdale where we were greeted by "Sounds from the Earth" performed by local singers and children beating stones in time. Also present were two large gowns, representing local pioneering women of the 1840s and '50s, Anne Drysdale and Caroline Newcombe, after whom the town and suburb were named.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqJHUOnrAicLP2P5kICPicXn7roAb0WmKq1ttbAh03T93c60sbjYAh2gAW_KAWsGfRUT1GS2cyTjWLqd0JbpHO03sT3D4mGFwwNg6mKxsj4ndfrqkbSopOL0EyquBJztqKoKAsoCAKOlt/s1600/20180505_105948a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqJHUOnrAicLP2P5kICPicXn7roAb0WmKq1ttbAh03T93c60sbjYAh2gAW_KAWsGfRUT1GS2cyTjWLqd0JbpHO03sT3D4mGFwwNg6mKxsj4ndfrqkbSopOL0EyquBJztqKoKAsoCAKOlt/s400/20180505_105948a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Echoes of the past: Anne Drysdale and Caroline Newcombe</td></tr>
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From Drysdale, walkers and Canoe faced the longest, driest section of the walk. With almost 50km already completed, this was probably the hardest stretch to walk. A second coffee at the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre was more than welcome as we were entertained by the tramways re-enactment group and took in the concepts of "The Caretaker is in - the grounding" which looked at the concept of care between strangers and invited participants to write about a care or concern.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VD46B0QbyucyozS6jLbZNUXskFIgB2KXdZxLWO_qawD6QiwSc75tndWnjD0btdKXOuYNtvbq1f05-KKXz8S8ESpuFQgEqsPL4lp2aYqZwmnYJ2vsrLXHO3W6ran-KGKhlgcvcyPJhc_x/s1600/20180505_135918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VD46B0QbyucyozS6jLbZNUXskFIgB2KXdZxLWO_qawD6QiwSc75tndWnjD0btdKXOuYNtvbq1f05-KKXz8S8ESpuFQgEqsPL4lp2aYqZwmnYJ2vsrLXHO3W6ran-KGKhlgcvcyPJhc_x/s400/20180505_135918.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Station 9</td></tr>
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With the arrival of Canoe, it was back on the track for a short and - by contrast with the previous section - pleasant walk around the waterfront.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmX-Z-qgijdOe3NWA_kyvrF4Acveat64ElG1dmMnBi9DYe52-5cwCV68OeuGMC-A8QR6_IA0e6qTcU2vtYP_pY9QDvBXezJNGgWWbIGznCfn1yWByaUPV7sjyANCX5zsq0427xS0woBf7/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmX-Z-qgijdOe3NWA_kyvrF4Acveat64ElG1dmMnBi9DYe52-5cwCV68OeuGMC-A8QR6_IA0e6qTcU2vtYP_pY9QDvBXezJNGgWWbIGznCfn1yWByaUPV7sjyANCX5zsq0427xS0woBf7/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+340.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performance art on the sand</td></tr>
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Our destination was Station 10 at Point Lonsdale where "In Motion" - a sculptural piece brought together land and sea and our tram conductors provided us with tickets for the next stage of our journey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31ZvyRB6AIqW1Yd1xWh7xfecfhWIb3Vjfzl24MeJ9d5C3btnqiXHRkXWcn7pQtYhbhtdTh0S_cq7a__Bfb4do5EoubFwvR0JnAuuPukKETLTj1qZ_3b1ypiENx9o6J5Zr13XlqZ1eHk3D/s1600/20180505_152235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31ZvyRB6AIqW1Yd1xWh7xfecfhWIb3Vjfzl24MeJ9d5C3btnqiXHRkXWcn7pQtYhbhtdTh0S_cq7a__Bfb4do5EoubFwvR0JnAuuPukKETLTj1qZ_3b1ypiENx9o6J5Zr13XlqZ1eHk3D/s400/20180505_152235.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"In Motion", Point Lonsdale foreshore</td></tr>
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In contrast to the previous two Mountain to Mouth walks in 2016 and 2014, this section involved only a short walk to the lighthouse car park, followed by a bus ride (for both Canoe and the walkers) to Ocean Grove. In previous years, we instead walked around 6km on the beach to Station 11 at Ocean Grove, on this occasion however, high tide prevented any beach access, so we had to settle for a short walk behind the dunes to the Surf Life Saving Club where Station 11 awaited us and we were treated to the small-scale but quite stunning "Blue Gold" installation featuring hanging ice drops melting into the sea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfpRvijoPg286Yi1UkE_U46vG6alCLHnLGspcgPeApu4AbECByGcF8e0Ahazfw3jhcpD52Z8IM1xLkub2IxtwIxm3LOBm7MaR1QQUj0HrkXfhYmJTWk7lF1Pd54ZKQYl2UCns56lc39mC/s1600/20180505_163939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfpRvijoPg286Yi1UkE_U46vG6alCLHnLGspcgPeApu4AbECByGcF8e0Ahazfw3jhcpD52Z8IM1xLkub2IxtwIxm3LOBm7MaR1QQUj0HrkXfhYmJTWk7lF1Pd54ZKQYl2UCns56lc39mC/s400/20180505_163939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice, sea and sand</td></tr>
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Then finally, it was time for the last - mercifully short - stage into Barwon Heads.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33dNq_uBmT4Xw4j94K4DUL0QxOlARk13mnVloJJoLF8IL5pHm63Oh-oowoVQ5LKMIrVfhWdG-2wHw0k3Wy_dgjLECYdUyf92H7YW5hFutWyJu_Zj9z3SXg5CUl4u8UblRZrbvXqkXIqtt/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33dNq_uBmT4Xw4j94K4DUL0QxOlARk13mnVloJJoLF8IL5pHm63Oh-oowoVQ5LKMIrVfhWdG-2wHw0k3Wy_dgjLECYdUyf92H7YW5hFutWyJu_Zj9z3SXg5CUl4u8UblRZrbvXqkXIqtt/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+420.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performance on the bridge</td></tr>
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Once there, and with the final page in our "passport" stamped to confirm our completion of the journey, we awaited the spectacular fire on water ceremony.<br />
This year, performers on the shoreline were bathed in lights whilst indigenous elders made their way back across the bridge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEwd75rWssYNU-Mst_nGetTtvBq7js8xYL2ElktjLrCzM1ChAOigW_6-vLEGei1xZqNxa0P7_x9XYBXNLqekaaZy2gIpnxfeZLFGpd40oeih7sOLCwP80Sk_A7kZE8sl5gfi-und9wK6g/s1600/20180505_181501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEwd75rWssYNU-Mst_nGetTtvBq7js8xYL2ElktjLrCzM1ChAOigW_6-vLEGei1xZqNxa0P7_x9XYBXNLqekaaZy2gIpnxfeZLFGpd40oeih7sOLCwP80Sk_A7kZE8sl5gfi-und9wK6g/s400/20180505_181501.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sound and lights on the foreshore at Barwon Heads</td></tr>
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As in previous years, the Gathering of the Elements Ceremony, culminated with Canoe which had accompanied us the entire way, set alight and drifting out to sea and into the darkness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4OTKtEfd9lMPfLqvG48mi2_-1vidvYrn5WPhFivFmDFXXFyjw4voFoWgd0DSnI0gSjDFEovFHDt1jB17B5zFJh2ZYLI7tWQMAHhMWyYCz-Nlh1tET4dyJ7_-UZDi1WDVc30j0WgKI0H9/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+2+031a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4OTKtEfd9lMPfLqvG48mi2_-1vidvYrn5WPhFivFmDFXXFyjw4voFoWgd0DSnI0gSjDFEovFHDt1jB17B5zFJh2ZYLI7tWQMAHhMWyYCz-Nlh1tET4dyJ7_-UZDi1WDVc30j0WgKI0H9/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+2+031a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoe's final journey</td></tr>
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<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-49231427843842625012018-05-09T23:33:00.001+10:002018-05-27T16:02:11.116+10:00From the mountain...Last Friday and Saturday for the third time, I participated in the Mountain to Mouth Extreme Arts Walk. Within minutes of the Gathering of the Elders Ceremony at Big Rock in the You Yangs, the rain stopped and the sky cleared.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGAwWR9hLauvrqm8Xaz5rNTZk5XJnruTQvkH9QAu6O0W7aIGYf0YjHOdXWMLFgIpNxb5d4_bZrMbnWfvIM6tsqm1LNiOgBIdGIaSqBFv9DmTlnb1wq_FJ7PSCMKvZ_bvJjk8X3Y9kNDHd/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+002a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1600" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGAwWR9hLauvrqm8Xaz5rNTZk5XJnruTQvkH9QAu6O0W7aIGYf0YjHOdXWMLFgIpNxb5d4_bZrMbnWfvIM6tsqm1LNiOgBIdGIaSqBFv9DmTlnb1wq_FJ7PSCMKvZ_bvJjk8X3Y9kNDHd/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+002a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performance art, Big Rock, May 2018</td></tr>
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The official business of "welcome to country" by members of the Wathaurong community was followed by the collection of water which - as in previous years - was to be carried in "Canoe" to the mouth of the Barwon River at Barwon Heads.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcN0NvSGG-aculvDfJXzYxQ-6Y8VO69VwGm71xzvoiMtdBBSx0ZweV7yaeWOaVZbdVT_9Sg_1qvlOsEUC5GqlSHjsDXbBpYfK_961GykiDDLmcjy3qdWTwkBe3Iuh-Q6XcvMVcDVaJogQ/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcN0NvSGG-aculvDfJXzYxQ-6Y8VO69VwGm71xzvoiMtdBBSx0ZweV7yaeWOaVZbdVT_9Sg_1qvlOsEUC5GqlSHjsDXbBpYfK_961GykiDDLmcjy3qdWTwkBe3Iuh-Q6XcvMVcDVaJogQ/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barry Gilson, Gathering of the Elders Ceremony, Big Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii77kX9YyZR4pd_A3ZhMpvBsepf_-4dbhd24ufg6xSMlLIcFMLkc7HSGZWWiF_6vDrlOtmwLMpN2qLyiYRcNqHd7PxYQGbi123W_EzmIIwgQkznWXIOjEGORy2nCPu420CleyrFekHjzA2/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii77kX9YyZR4pd_A3ZhMpvBsepf_-4dbhd24ufg6xSMlLIcFMLkc7HSGZWWiF_6vDrlOtmwLMpN2qLyiYRcNqHd7PxYQGbi123W_EzmIIwgQkznWXIOjEGORy2nCPu420CleyrFekHjzA2/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+018.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Bryon Powell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvTUzE6zyYEJjOA0HTvOcpIFEPKccl4rs0SmtFvas8VIB5M7xR3KEalLy3F-XuYE3vawwOGQGFf4cD1KQpU49p7CBR_WeVzE_SHnASvF4EHFW6yqdppVtl0NjwRyPGrC7vaXnm-w4GzPm/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigenous dancers performing in the dance circle</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvTUzE6zyYEJjOA0HTvOcpIFEPKccl4rs0SmtFvas8VIB5M7xR3KEalLy3F-XuYE3vawwOGQGFf4cD1KQpU49p7CBR_WeVzE_SHnASvF4EHFW6yqdppVtl0NjwRyPGrC7vaXnm-w4GzPm/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
After an array of speeches by various political representatives from federal, state and local governments, we were accompanied on our way by a forceful wind which pushed us onward to the second station at Lara.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6XJB3ut5krTPgsodkiLQdtj4SNty2dc-cS0rVn6E49yODnH-puCBNwKM6d1A6j1iLho3fSD7XTLnBfE9Oj_Oofj8OuTRiRO0F6L210B3fEnRWL7LhjCt3AfNBAONvNhySXD0MJjwxXNz/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+051a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6XJB3ut5krTPgsodkiLQdtj4SNty2dc-cS0rVn6E49yODnH-puCBNwKM6d1A6j1iLho3fSD7XTLnBfE9Oj_Oofj8OuTRiRO0F6L210B3fEnRWL7LhjCt3AfNBAONvNhySXD0MJjwxXNz/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+051a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoe ready to depart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPUwLl-wDemAAjgUW7og3ZaKXqzXlsVoHlA0bJU5ALA0vxhOChqkfHZSymImq2CMvVmzLTv9O5Xgyk2saAZBkt5IaaqxtuauycCqrL3YzQnU0ubqSf2ot2dOpBuMuvZTDNtjmqUpMuRUs/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+056a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPUwLl-wDemAAjgUW7og3ZaKXqzXlsVoHlA0bJU5ALA0vxhOChqkfHZSymImq2CMvVmzLTv9O5Xgyk2saAZBkt5IaaqxtuauycCqrL3YzQnU0ubqSf2ot2dOpBuMuvZTDNtjmqUpMuRUs/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+056a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road to Lara with the CFA</td></tr>
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This time around we started earlier and Canoe rested for longer at each station, meaning that there was ample time to take advantage of a sausage sizzle provided by the RSL and examine the artwork.<br />
The slower time schedule did not suit everyone, with some walkers finding they were keen to depart each station sometimes even in advance of Canoe's arrival.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOMJZ4Z-tdfA8bkekO7EbmVXVZ5S64AMVihYY-JZcAIqJ0i0-kLAYANdEzPt-E6CLCYvsLAY0Ijssz4Rvw4dedCkX0IlZ2HHj0X76Ad2quPvbW8K8Zny1qHdfdOlCRL4C90TXRcO2zgoN/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOMJZ4Z-tdfA8bkekO7EbmVXVZ5S64AMVihYY-JZcAIqJ0i0-kLAYANdEzPt-E6CLCYvsLAY0Ijssz4Rvw4dedCkX0IlZ2HHj0X76Ad2quPvbW8K8Zny1qHdfdOlCRL4C90TXRcO2zgoN/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+066.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Station 2: Sol Yantra, a mandala of harvest produce</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWDqvsW38yFLdLKZrwMQ_SSG98vp3x0m_GZazCMI8R-EDcffxpH40SvP5Qvb6-eQ2zrl93dDsxb4fSZXU3Smi16ExdXv5tJYSmLZjov9QvwIQofVWLCQpWORXpvbv9ZpY3L8zpcova7XO/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWDqvsW38yFLdLKZrwMQ_SSG98vp3x0m_GZazCMI8R-EDcffxpH40SvP5Qvb6-eQ2zrl93dDsxb4fSZXU3Smi16ExdXv5tJYSmLZjov9QvwIQofVWLCQpWORXpvbv9ZpY3L8zpcova7XO/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+076.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoe resting at Lara</td></tr>
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After departing Lara we followed the now familiar route beside Hovell's Creek and wound our way to Limeburner's Lagoon where we were treated to more displays of performance art and a rest at the third station where participants were encouraged to get involved in a tree planting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFoGr-bMHIVTX2BiijgAEX6MOTrHUQ4oKCPag9g3OREe-TLsfoa3kxcOLcJtBw5g_GrIbME8u0H6LdIISIR1V_vtStuapAxPqo_DrZ1MnDCBeYU6GKShqUv54pVHQMelhETURl9DT06ql/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+095a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFoGr-bMHIVTX2BiijgAEX6MOTrHUQ4oKCPag9g3OREe-TLsfoa3kxcOLcJtBw5g_GrIbME8u0H6LdIISIR1V_vtStuapAxPqo_DrZ1MnDCBeYU6GKShqUv54pVHQMelhETURl9DT06ql/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+095a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performing lagoon-side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbTqX9GIQmge3HEMvM0iSTsBxy9wzk8cBuXfd13yARYinpDBBijutay34QrVMXr4XMdP_hoDoQJRqeCBXgd2DHeGzavznHtQ_xee9XhtmQ_6hoQQ1xFFt_25nSuk0yZQRNHXLDemyJiVi/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbTqX9GIQmge3HEMvM0iSTsBxy9wzk8cBuXfd13yARYinpDBBijutay34QrVMXr4XMdP_hoDoQJRqeCBXgd2DHeGzavznHtQ_xee9XhtmQ_6hoQQ1xFFt_25nSuk0yZQRNHXLDemyJiVi/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+097.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Station 3: "Earthship base camp"</td></tr>
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Once again, after an extended break - and in my case, a change of shoes - we were underway, walking beside Limeburner's Lagoon as the sun set.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZcIDt0LsIQavRhHg928AZidpyErRBJGGiO2KEfgcIBGVfnqzNcglmGRtqR3r2rWpcSMyBH11QL1ktCF2K75ia9qDs4gJFRXt17zQv4OUpRuqJMgCkWMbp-oQQs6EZ10loVRqcEYXDW60/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZcIDt0LsIQavRhHg928AZidpyErRBJGGiO2KEfgcIBGVfnqzNcglmGRtqR3r2rWpcSMyBH11QL1ktCF2K75ia9qDs4gJFRXt17zQv4OUpRuqJMgCkWMbp-oQQs6EZ10loVRqcEYXDW60/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+111.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road to town</td></tr>
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By the time we reached station 4, darkness had fallen and so had the temperature, making the extended break rather chilly. As several took the opportunity to eat, we were entertained by recitals from Wathaurong man Brian Gilson and a local choir group as we waited for the arrival of Canoe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7QmGF9n40doB4DpRqdr671xSipgFmVE9px-nG5TkdG6zWgibZMqvJ9M5mVFlN_Q8S9BNcDmuvWA3l6h-c_4LZaadXiSfR2Ph7BNhmGgXeUibG866uALIHmebBYKcH4X5pxExXp-s-LOu/s400/20180504_180607.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Station 4: The Midden of Earthly Delights, Moorpanyal Park, North Shore</td></tr>
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By 7:30pm and in complete darkness, representatives from Deakin University took up the challenge of conveying Canoe to its resting place for the evening at Johnstone Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoQi1zHcHu8pOp6oe9H2N7MSj6TKDPivin9pCTiNDDyMjhUdxGN9p0UfObSpaMdOUzvu9ikHfbGz8DSkvEPQb2cyCCD_XGy032p2q9_T2VsT2XhWIlkV6LLc0I2IaiOb7_rYIP_2JxqrS/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoQi1zHcHu8pOp6oe9H2N7MSj6TKDPivin9pCTiNDDyMjhUdxGN9p0UfObSpaMdOUzvu9ikHfbGz8DSkvEPQb2cyCCD_XGy032p2q9_T2VsT2XhWIlkV6LLc0I2IaiOb7_rYIP_2JxqrS/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+177.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deakin leading the charge</td></tr>
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Along the way, we were regaled by more performance artists popping out of the night, including at one stage a pair of opera singers in full voice and full costume!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdejiIF2garkKWnWG_4MwJUXV0IP8sTKmpkgXk2yxGloOgMOoTxIbj2bmUZwkR2MeHNzLrUbNvG8P7goUPurOkLZH-nUi9FgOaLO0ixci5yNVCke40foYW3sI3R1OT5-dGdQevIUjkeF29/s1600/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+171a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1443" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdejiIF2garkKWnWG_4MwJUXV0IP8sTKmpkgXk2yxGloOgMOoTxIbj2bmUZwkR2MeHNzLrUbNvG8P7goUPurOkLZH-nUi9FgOaLO0ixci5yNVCke40foYW3sI3R1OT5-dGdQevIUjkeF29/s400/Mountain+2+Mouth+1+171a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opera in the dark</td></tr>
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Finally, in rather chilly conditions, walkers assembled with Canoe and we processed into Johnstone Park (Station 5) for a lap of honour before taking a front row seat to watch the spectacle of the Gathering of the City.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgimJl_FDfA3L44bifJ1see8GqYfarvC3Aas5sK3blj0FN61Q8Qi2g2arn1GDBCJ0J4-SqbaRNYNjy_VBN0qEblNCW-D1jhovqiDGUmTKRgUBlkhg2t345b2dbVX9kMQ64Ny89PzC_RD1x/s1600/20180504_214439a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgimJl_FDfA3L44bifJ1see8GqYfarvC3Aas5sK3blj0FN61Q8Qi2g2arn1GDBCJ0J4-SqbaRNYNjy_VBN0qEblNCW-D1jhovqiDGUmTKRgUBlkhg2t345b2dbVX9kMQ64Ny89PzC_RD1x/s400/20180504_214439a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigenous performers taking centre stage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrFD4nHlPgcSGXfTxgMIGPL5VLS56k4BIuX-7MiFrk4nxasPg2E7AIJhRDHLua3BkJAM7L6w9EGs_hM6DvgoIjnZ7iUIzpXpcBpXCjsREGP9X6_6LoePx65n8TWHCMBIyDgSLZ5C3m3HX/s1600/20180504_215328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrFD4nHlPgcSGXfTxgMIGPL5VLS56k4BIuX-7MiFrk4nxasPg2E7AIJhRDHLua3BkJAM7L6w9EGs_hM6DvgoIjnZ7iUIzpXpcBpXCjsREGP9X6_6LoePx65n8TWHCMBIyDgSLZ5C3m3HX/s400/20180504_215328.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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At some point after 10pm it all wound up and we headed off to rest for a few hours before convening once again in the pre-dawn for the walk to Barwon Heads.Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-6418731548298146032018-03-31T22:46:00.000+11:002018-03-31T22:46:51.579+11:00MoreepThe subject of my previous post was a short walk with a small group of interested individuals along the Moorabool River downstream of the Slate Quarry Road Bridge a short distance to the north east of Meredith. Following European settlement, this section of the Moorabool formed part of the boundary between the squatting runs of <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/branching-out-bavarian-invasion.html" target="_blank">Durdidwarrah</a> - established by Robert von Stieglitz - and <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/branching-out-coolebarghurk-creek.html" target="_blank">Borhoneyghurk</a> - first claimed by John Norman McLeod. As I have already written about each of these properties, I thought I would have a look a little further upriver at a third run, much smaller in size than the other two and sharing boundaries with both: 'Moreep'.<br />
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The earliest mention of 'Moreep' in the newspapers of the Port Phillip District as the area was then known, is in an 1848 listing of applications for squatting leases (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 29th April, 1848). The applicant was J N McLeod. This was John Norman McLeod, leaseholder of 'Borhoneyghurk'. According to <i>Victorian Squatters</i> (Spreadborough & Hough, 1983) however, McLeod originally took up the 'Moreep' lease in October, 1837 which was about the same time at which he took up the Borhoneyghurk lease.</div>
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At an estimated 4,300 acres (<i>Melbourne Daily News</i>, 13th February, 1849) 'Moreep' was less than a quarter of the size of the 24,700 acre Borhoneyghurk run It was estimated that the land was capable of grazing 2,000 sheep. By January, 1850, McLeod had transferred the licences for both the Borhoneyghurk and Moreep runs to Messrs Ball and Sinclair (<i>The Argus</i>, 22nd January, 1850) who continued to occupy the Moreep run - populated with 4,000 sheep - until 1853 (<i>Victorian Government Gazette</i> No 8, 16 February 1853, 205--page 220). By February, 1854 however, the lease had passed to the Rev. Thomas Nattle Grigg (<i>Victorian Government Gazette</i> No 13, 14 February 1854, 327 - page 418) who had also taken up the lease for the larger portion of 'Borhoneyghurk' which had by that time been subdivided.<br />
Grigg's tenure however appears to have been fleeting with Hugh Morrison installed as licensee by 4th April the same year (<i>Portland Guardian & Normanby General Advertiser</i>, 7th May, 1854). Whilst Morrison also occupied the run for a relatively brief time, he remained in the district throughout his life. Survey maps for the Parish of Ballark show that on 7th June, 1856 he was the first to purchase the pre-emptive selection for the Moreep run - a 640 acre block a little to the east of the Moorabool River and somewhat west of the Meredith-Ballan Rd. Today, most of that block is planted with pine trees but the nearby settlement of Morrisons is a reminder of his tenure.<br />
During the time of Morrison's occupancy, the gold rush was in full swing and an extension of what was called the Morrison's Lead, ran through 'Moreep'. Speaking in retrospect, Mr DM Morrison, son of Hugh, recalled the following (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 4th May, 1907):<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The northern extension of the lead through Moreep on the north side of the Moorabool gave a party of 20 for about 20 years a dividend of about £25 per man per week. Mr. Silas Hoyle, one of this party is still to the fore, enjoying the good things of this life upon his farm at Morrisons. </blockquote>
Before the close of 1856 however, Morrison had also sold up, moving to the neighbouring Borhoneyghurk run which he occupied for the remainder of his life. Morrison died at his Geelong residence in Pevensey Crescent in 1871 and was buried with other family members at the Eastern Cemetery (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 4th September, 1871).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L6fYAlFV1DaHlMDsMlcne_CXvtnV91yaKv4_227FjTQaHl_rkejPietyKOlAjALE5GnzPTdAC0O2qTORkhe_5U5jTZs1Iasv8KEIU56OzPtPCSuQShyphenhyphenrh7XB89RlxJ-1T1rPuvYz_O8o/s1600/Hugh+Morrison+grave+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L6fYAlFV1DaHlMDsMlcne_CXvtnV91yaKv4_227FjTQaHl_rkejPietyKOlAjALE5GnzPTdAC0O2qTORkhe_5U5jTZs1Iasv8KEIU56OzPtPCSuQShyphenhyphenrh7XB89RlxJ-1T1rPuvYz_O8o/s400/Hugh+Morrison+grave+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Morrison family grave in the Old Presbyterian Section, Grave 77 at the<br />
Eastern Cemetery, March 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
'Moreep' meanwhile, passed to Thomas and Joseph Bray in partnership with James Wood. Between them, they were running 10 horses, 40 cattle and 500 sheep on their property and parish survey maps show that on 24th June, 1856 they expanded the extent of their holdings with the purchase of a 518 acre block of land which connected their original block `to the Moorabool River as well as two smaller blocks to the east of about 142 acres, which provided frontage to the Meredith-Ballan Rd.<br />
Wood did not remain long in the partnership, leaving the Bray brothers to run the property alone which they did until 1861 when they were forced to declare their insolvency (<i>Victorian Government Gazette</i> No 177, 3 December 1861, 2325--page 2352). Originally, the pair were drapers who had been resident in Geelong since the 1840s (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 25th June, 1849), where they ran their business in the Market Square. Like many at the time it would seem they decided to try their hand as pastoralists, apparently with disastrous financial results.<br />
Following their failed venture at 'Moreep', the pair moved back to Geelong where Joseph returned to the trade he knew best, operating a drapery store (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 22nd December, 1869), a business he successfully pursued for many years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5TxSf1JIzIHh1xme6qcCah5uWVIS7UY_sBg0x0UA_P8J0oOdNlIFeChyphenhyphenFNcPWd0oaelGPzJD_yT3gTb6EdFsg3v1TmwWq7kwcvWfimvRdqzeJtBGPwqjhQP1pjaobETQugUfRbRUQb0n/s1600/Moorabool+Street+Geelong+1852.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5TxSf1JIzIHh1xme6qcCah5uWVIS7UY_sBg0x0UA_P8J0oOdNlIFeChyphenhyphenFNcPWd0oaelGPzJD_yT3gTb6EdFsg3v1TmwWq7kwcvWfimvRdqzeJtBGPwqjhQP1pjaobETQugUfRbRUQb0n/s400/Moorabool+Street+Geelong+1852.tif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An image of Moorabool St, Geelong 1852 looking south west. "Bray's Drapery<br />
Warehouse" is the light coloured building left of centre. Image held by the<br />
State Library of Victoria. Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By 1872, his brother Thomas had moved to Sebastopol near Ballarat where he entered into community life, serving as a Justice of the Peace. In 1871 he was elected mayor of the Borough of Sebastopol and held the position until 1873. By the 1880s however, Thomas had moved to Corowa in New South Wales where he owned a grocery and drapery store (<i>Weekly Times</i>, 29th June, 1929) and also a vineyard - Mossgiel - where he lived until his death in 1907 (<i>Melbourne Leader,</i> 2nd July, 1898).<br />
Joseph died at his Laurel Bank Parade home in Geelong at the age of 93 in 1919 (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 11th January, 1919) and was buried at the Eastern Cemetery.<br />
During their tenure at 'Moreep', it is clear that Thomas resided on the property with his wife and children as family notices show that two of his children died on the property in 1860 - one a stillborn baby (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 30th January, 1860), followed later that year by his five year old son Thomas Charles who contracted diphtheria (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 24th November, 1860). The child's body was returned to Geelong for burial at the Eastern Cemetery.<br />
With the departure of the Brays, the next tenant to occupy 'Moreep' was Charles Samuel Morrow who by that time was also the licensee at nearby 'Bungal' and like others his tenure at 'Moreep' was short-lived. By 1863, he was selling up and in May that year it was reported that Morrow had sold the property for the sum of £10,000 to George Bassnett and John Bennett Evans, stationers from Ballarat turned graziers (<i>Hamilton Spectator and Grange District Advertiser</i>, 8th May 1863). The brothers however had seriously overcapitalised and were declared insolvent by 1864, having paid only £2,500 of the purchase price (<i>The Argus</i>, 14th April, 1864).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5GfR_1UI_9p3Qvkk8mCfhGiIEZICG6dIsYV3jef9ncEDeTGVRmQwmbe9_bZ9o-CyQE_0RDVyGy4YdiMAYsjIQTk2UOq_tYYOxhr6_VgNmkuD0_k6fvnIUXm0uvWHr49RqrPI8G30V52D/s1600/Evans+Bros+Ballarat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1000" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5GfR_1UI_9p3Qvkk8mCfhGiIEZICG6dIsYV3jef9ncEDeTGVRmQwmbe9_bZ9o-CyQE_0RDVyGy4YdiMAYsjIQTk2UOq_tYYOxhr6_VgNmkuD0_k6fvnIUXm0uvWHr49RqrPI8G30V52D/s400/Evans+Bros+Ballarat.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Evans Brothers' substantial printers and stationers store in Lydiard St<br />Ballarat, 1861. Image held by the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
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And so, by early 1864 'Moreep' was on the market once again (<i>Ballarat Star</i>, 17th February, 1864). It was advertised as consisting of 2,030 acres of freehold land and a further 3,000 acres of land leased from the Crown. A house consisting of six rooms plus various outbuildings stood in in a ten acre garden which was planted with fruit trees and vines. Facilities for stock, including a wool shed and draughting yards for both sheep and cattle had been constructed and the titled land was fenced.<br />
The next owner of 'Moreep' was a Scotsman by the name of Donald McKinnon from the Isle of Skye who had moved from South Australia with his daughters and wife Elizabeth. However, his tenure was also brief as he died at the property later that same year. Despite this, his family remained at 'Moreep' for many years until 3rd March, 1898 when disaster struck. At around 4am Elizabeth who was living there with one of her daughters awoke to find their home (by now an eight-roomed timber structure) on fire. With no water to hand and no help nearby, the house burnt to the ground. It was suspected that a spark from the kitchen started the blaze (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 5th March, 1898). After this time, Elizabeth leased the property out and moved to St Kilda where she died at her home some five years later on the 26th September, 1903 (<i>The Argus</i>, 28th September, 1903). She was buried with her husband Donald at the Meredith Cemetery.<br />
The next chapter for 'Moreep' saw the property purchased from the McKinnon daughters in 1911 by Mr William Rhodes. The sale included a homestead which presumably had been rebuilt after the fire (<i>Hamilton Spectator</i>, 9th March, 1911). Whilst Rhodes and his family retained ownership of the station for many years, they chose to base themselves at <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/branching-out-settling-in.html" target="_blank">'Bungeeltap'</a> which they purchased in 1922, instead installing a manager - Rodolph Paulden - at 'Moreep'. The Paulden family were still in residence on the property at the time of Rodolph's death in 1952 (<i>The Argus</i>, 11th December, 1952).<br />
After this time, I can find little information about the property but do know that by October, 1970 it was on the market once again (<i>The Age</i>, 24th October, 1970). More recently, according to the Australian Government Business Register, the Parsons Moreep Pastoral Trust held an Australian Business Number (ABN) which was cancelled in 2016, however it seems that much, if not all, of the property is in the hands of a Colac-based company by the name of Australian Kiln Dried Softwoods (AKD Softwoods) who from the mid 2000s began planting the property out with pine trees to supply their various timber products.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOguffPO2FxAq7g3DQcVGF8o6m58xBk7iPtusaGQcf4LA-o95mLDGCy2Xv84RmQl4zA6duL9wAVtc2UMzeX6kliIUyFd-yzwBya0IAqQFSdUiIHvoL8FPJW9q3H3OZ8oPawPrh2qhF9Ww/s1600/Moreep+Google+Earth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1112" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOguffPO2FxAq7g3DQcVGF8o6m58xBk7iPtusaGQcf4LA-o95mLDGCy2Xv84RmQl4zA6duL9wAVtc2UMzeX6kliIUyFd-yzwBya0IAqQFSdUiIHvoL8FPJW9q3H3OZ8oPawPrh2qhF9Ww/s400/Moreep+Google+Earth.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Moreep' as seen on Google Earth today. The map shows the approximate extent<br />of the original squatting lease (red) as well as the 640 acres of the pre-emptive<br />right (green) and the current holding (yellow)</td></tr>
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Today, 'Moreep' is covered almost entirely by pine trees (see above) which continue to mature. The venture however is not without its risks as the company newsletter Splinter illustrated when its February/March edition for 2014 described the loss of 3.2 hectares of trees during a fire started by lightning strike in hot summer conditions.</div>
Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-87459085057711482112018-02-24T13:42:00.000+11:002018-03-18T07:28:42.228+11:00Branching out: a walk along the MooraboolRecently I had the opportunity to view a section of the Moorabool River which I had not seen before. At the invitation of Cameron Steele - co-ordinator of the community group <a href="http://mooraboolriver.org/index.php/palm" target="_blank">People for a Living Moorabool</a> or PALM as they are known - I accompanied a small group of interested walkers along a short section (a little over 3km) of the river heading downstream from Slate Quarry Road where it crosses the Moorabool to the north east of Meredith. The bridge of the same name which crosses the river at this point dates, I believe to 1922, and may be the topic of a future post.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_mqSx5IeABYB8k7OKqZ_ShEb3P4PAS2mF8tQl0tEPOqZtozFrI3-1XFNw2hCR_-4PIbucGHSNVUNudV0qKeh4S60lJtXQeqfK0OZnUrOTL_bDTwqJHkFiLH6kleVVBccZxoyWX_Ae0mB/s1600/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_mqSx5IeABYB8k7OKqZ_ShEb3P4PAS2mF8tQl0tEPOqZtozFrI3-1XFNw2hCR_-4PIbucGHSNVUNudV0qKeh4S60lJtXQeqfK0OZnUrOTL_bDTwqJHkFiLH6kleVVBccZxoyWX_Ae0mB/s400/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+103.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slate Quarry Bridge, February, 2018</td></tr>
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Over the course of several hours we made our way along the riverbank, sometimes walking easily, sometimes rock-hopping and scrambling, sometimes climbing up the occasional steep incline.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWeWmXKUzweqkEIPrSfHqX2s4bOuQhCQhyUeaX5A3257Q_fIwO_LlN_B_B4wlykaDgHVwJHCeWKT2qcOQwY1-QM47Qe0RW1l4NsmCrSbpgXJsN3nj0CldUXRbWeKw-6Vdje_Rf4EbEZWi/s1600/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWeWmXKUzweqkEIPrSfHqX2s4bOuQhCQhyUeaX5A3257Q_fIwO_LlN_B_B4wlykaDgHVwJHCeWKT2qcOQwY1-QM47Qe0RW1l4NsmCrSbpgXJsN3nj0CldUXRbWeKw-6Vdje_Rf4EbEZWi/s400/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small gravel island mid-stream</td></tr>
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The geology of the river through this section varies significantly. In some places, sections of the slate for which the nearby bridge and quarry were named can be seen whilst in others, aeons old granite is visible. The relatively newer basalt which flowed from nearby volcanoes active within the last few million years, now covers sections of the older landscape and in places, these relatively recent lava flows have even changed the course of the river, filling the original river valley and forcing the river to find a new course through the rocks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J50Za4BxuYTXFm-UBksqPxVK50OpiiQGrOF_5PYhjJDKG-GwusO8cJmgIvCKRmxI2vpZ9k7MRD1Den54sPHL40JrygNpahCjE7KsQz_8XicfUTT0T4Jy8xswATwfaCsIJo-R-Qu-67U1/s1600/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J50Za4BxuYTXFm-UBksqPxVK50OpiiQGrOF_5PYhjJDKG-GwusO8cJmgIvCKRmxI2vpZ9k7MRD1Den54sPHL40JrygNpahCjE7KsQz_8XicfUTT0T4Jy8xswATwfaCsIJo-R-Qu-67U1/s400/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHJxytM6X0WDQbhMkIDhD3XZNH05x5vG4X0SzsZeFiukpUXtPPzadh8aOQcdWi3QLLdU-w9TwSDktc7bPRz28vOBRnQPY_H4he7u8TTTM7ZfJTEWhyoOsMts-nvLtzR3u0PaWhuXyvg5O/s1600/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHJxytM6X0WDQbhMkIDhD3XZNH05x5vG4X0SzsZeFiukpUXtPPzadh8aOQcdWi3QLLdU-w9TwSDktc7bPRz28vOBRnQPY_H4he7u8TTTM7ZfJTEWhyoOsMts-nvLtzR3u0PaWhuXyvg5O/s400/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somehow, the eucalypts manage to gain a toehold in the rocky soil</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a number of places, large rocky outcrops such as this dramatic example<br />
tower over the river below</td></tr>
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In places along the length of the river, refuge pools - some of them measured at over 8m deep - provide protection for aquatic life during periods of low river flow and in drought conditions. At the time of our walk, water levels were falling after the release of an environmental flow or "summer fresh" designed to mimic the variable seasonal water flow of the river prior to European settlement.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CUFqumcKoZffjsqQIlmPBpkDMDZpopCwDInFMH9kkH5Vdaq3xpI7ifZ6mSrmwdhJTYl59W6cU6QhHw5-MK2ZFAsF7GOxpuSxeFW76fSoatmPPRCKAuzhl5lv0ipQSsGnW9B0WcJGSyQJ/s1600/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CUFqumcKoZffjsqQIlmPBpkDMDZpopCwDInFMH9kkH5Vdaq3xpI7ifZ6mSrmwdhJTYl59W6cU6QhHw5-MK2ZFAsF7GOxpuSxeFW76fSoatmPPRCKAuzhl5lv0ipQSsGnW9B0WcJGSyQJ/s400/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+036.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elevated view of a natural "beach" formed along the riverbank</td></tr>
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With the combined knowledge of the group we were able to observe a variety of native plant species such as cherry ballart - a native species of sandalwood - banksia and of course a multitude of eucalypts. Unfortunately, in addition to the native species, we also observed a number of invasive weeds in the form of willows, thistles, gorse bushes and some sizeable stands of blackberry.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaZr9U4IOvmwTLlNxjgh5iwlZI9BiSyAlUVrMcjwCt_tTHPANPrsiNT9XmuI1u5QyzRoCffOjT78hDw0VSo5_fi4_0pe6GHqtVnLNUcQryqM_WyuPbJuU1z5K8x25z3lJTOpOgaJSwKoB/s1600/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaZr9U4IOvmwTLlNxjgh5iwlZI9BiSyAlUVrMcjwCt_tTHPANPrsiNT9XmuI1u5QyzRoCffOjT78hDw0VSo5_fi4_0pe6GHqtVnLNUcQryqM_WyuPbJuU1z5K8x25z3lJTOpOgaJSwKoB/s400/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+054.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small stand of silver banksia finding purchase up the bank</td></tr>
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Finally, we completed our walk by removing our footwear and wading across a shallow, rock-lined section of the river; a pleasantly cool experience on a warm summer's day. From there, it was a short walk up an access track to where Cameron's trusty Land Rover was waiting to return us to our starting point.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnXgpK9ASKQjXDOyEdkZbv3tUXPCx1h9bywUr7-5cBroAdBhJpwefxedPA2kM_UPoGDewp998z3QviYSkZ6TpNmSD6JCHD-QKXBgKZcOGdZHplSOAx6WolQGFY9wVcbpK6Xg4Likk94A6/s1600/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnXgpK9ASKQjXDOyEdkZbv3tUXPCx1h9bywUr7-5cBroAdBhJpwefxedPA2kM_UPoGDewp998z3QviYSkZ6TpNmSD6JCHD-QKXBgKZcOGdZHplSOAx6WolQGFY9wVcbpK6Xg4Likk94A6/s400/Moorabool+walk+from+Slate+Quarry+Bridge+092.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River crossing at the end of our walk</td></tr>
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Whilst access to large sections of the river are at present limited, PALM are currently consulting with various agencies - including local landowners and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) to investigate ways in which interested members of the public can access and interact with the river at various places with a view to increasing public involvement and support for what has been described as Victoria's most stressed river system.<br />
More details on the Moorabool, its flora and fauna, cultural significance, maintenance and recreational opportunities can be found on the CCMA's <a href="http://www.ccmaknowledgebase.vic.gov.au/moorabool/" target="_blank">Living Moorabool Project</a> pages.<br />
<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-39845156348064509662018-01-30T21:54:00.004+11:002018-01-30T21:54:55.507+11:00Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race: 4th editionAcross the recent Australia Day long weekend the cycling once again rolled into town in the form of the fourth edition of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. The women raced on Saturday in warm sunny conditions however, the men's race on Sunday was contested in temperatures which rapidly approached 40°C.<br />
As I have done in previous years, I headed out onto the course to snap a few photos at various locations along the Barwon:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8X40jxmDKf-Mkl3j7srrIvt3t5U3F3hmstvqUXxQDEDbyBcfeu8bzq17SyFRxlOQxadCS8o9tCjSe-VEw_G6x-ivdzMH3H8Xi8N4DW8g61oroYmza8iEf3rcyXTgovk6bx-nN97JMMmmu/s1600/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8X40jxmDKf-Mkl3j7srrIvt3t5U3F3hmstvqUXxQDEDbyBcfeu8bzq17SyFRxlOQxadCS8o9tCjSe-VEw_G6x-ivdzMH3H8Xi8N4DW8g61oroYmza8iEf3rcyXTgovk6bx-nN97JMMmmu/s400/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+075.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Deakin University Elite Women's Race crossing the Barwon at Breakwater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7SilQ0ZKi3a0og6B9ChqHjF43SBmMzLkEIAF9Bjw1DdtL1-xVbUSmgMA6araJuZjTpsgmsA23CMxZdKTo90Ww5J4bYJrM1vRUNfifGAmve0MvhXdW8J0ASsWl4qs5x9zw1L6jsv0NAVy/s1600/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7SilQ0ZKi3a0og6B9ChqHjF43SBmMzLkEIAF9Bjw1DdtL1-xVbUSmgMA6araJuZjTpsgmsA23CMxZdKTo90Ww5J4bYJrM1vRUNfifGAmve0MvhXdW8J0ASsWl4qs5x9zw1L6jsv0NAVy/s400/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+196.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The breakaway in the Elite Men's Road Race about to tackle Challambra Cres<br />hill climb for the first time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ8W5ySpUDOif9EJobHmjpAou5Lv34ADlVA6j2QwO4bWIECk53kiuTUXC8X2C1KwXpizjrDRPvK6BrSooyZNq4a8_U8IpjaYx-tQWv4VN_uckabQIgYxbuPXKvlkfzryHsed_Vaab8Wf6/s1600/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ8W5ySpUDOif9EJobHmjpAou5Lv34ADlVA6j2QwO4bWIECk53kiuTUXC8X2C1KwXpizjrDRPvK6BrSooyZNq4a8_U8IpjaYx-tQWv4VN_uckabQIgYxbuPXKvlkfzryHsed_Vaab8Wf6/s400/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+234.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peloton about to tackle Challambra Cres</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw3C1gZzdl_dEG-KnBFIYqp2w79klMnbI97HLqhRZBH6zLLrV5oBR8IzWaU7hvMueWUjit4Z26jbU_bolDa56S_BbUhQl_eiQUkoVeKMpEzZaYTbSBLp4f5REQviUJN_5u3DqLgesnE98/s1600/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw3C1gZzdl_dEG-KnBFIYqp2w79klMnbI97HLqhRZBH6zLLrV5oBR8IzWaU7hvMueWUjit4Z26jbU_bolDa56S_BbUhQl_eiQUkoVeKMpEzZaYTbSBLp4f5REQviUJN_5u3DqLgesnE98/s400/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+256.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and then there were 3...the remains of the breakaway cross the Barwon at<br />Queen's Park on the first full lap of the circuit through town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3E0Y7185Bu1De7mwXPIysnVMmYc3M1LA9_8Yh8TIPrbH6ANv-4Ew-6Sf_rj1nYj7Wlke9O9ABquKZB-lJ8HlYhZmeEQchzxYpBn6qxytHYcIyZLrn8wl3mbSyHYkVZuwq8R5ldYenuK-/s1600/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3E0Y7185Bu1De7mwXPIysnVMmYc3M1LA9_8Yh8TIPrbH6ANv-4Ew-6Sf_rj1nYj7Wlke9O9ABquKZB-lJ8HlYhZmeEQchzxYpBn6qxytHYcIyZLrn8wl3mbSyHYkVZuwq8R5ldYenuK-/s400/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peloton crossing Queen's Park Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eKuK1R-XMZ1M72t-UonGoe-_gNapGn-8j0zxZvyqDlzhHXYGuEIUHxZtbRlQ-wBGHK96lkR5-92MfG6euy-umYLaPxoF3VvG2n7-PXZmyxEYHWaPgW0xKAdJHpy5DRwS9LX0xMpKMonL/s1600/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eKuK1R-XMZ1M72t-UonGoe-_gNapGn-8j0zxZvyqDlzhHXYGuEIUHxZtbRlQ-wBGHK96lkR5-92MfG6euy-umYLaPxoF3VvG2n7-PXZmyxEYHWaPgW0xKAdJHpy5DRwS9LX0xMpKMonL/s400/Cadel+GOR+Race+2018+314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up Barrabool Rd on the final lap</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the final lap the temperature had reached the high 30s</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tail end of the race</td></tr>
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<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-85421915646622468492018-01-06T16:36:00.000+11:002018-01-08T10:10:07.791+11:00Gellibrand and HesseOne of the most hotly debated tales of the early European settlement of the Barwon River is the story of "Gellibrand and Hesse". Over the years, much has been written about the disappearance of Joseph Tice Gellibrand and George Brooks Legrew Hesse, somewhere near Birregurra early in 1837. From modern scholarly papers to the romantic but factually dubious accounts of the 19th century, the topic is well beyond the scope of a single or even a series of blog posts, however a general account may still be of interest.<br />
Gellibrand was born in London, England in about 1786 where he was admitted as an attorney in 1816. On 1st August, 1823 he was appointed the attorney-general of Van Diemen's Land and arrived in the colony to take up his post in March the following year, however his tenure in the position was short-lived. Within months of his arrival he came into conflict with Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur and by February, 1826 had been suspended from his position.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph Tice Gellibrand</td></tr>
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After his removal from office he continued to practise as a barrister, purchased land and in 1835 was one of the investors who formed the Port Phillip Association. It was Gellibrand who drafted the terms of what became known as the "Batman Treaty", signed by John Batman and elders of the Wurundjeri Tribe.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Batman Treaty"of 1835, also known as the 'Batman Land Deed'.<br />
Item held by the National Museum of Australia</td></tr>
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By early 1836 Gellibrand was in the Port Phillip District and undertook a number of exploratory trips before returning to Van Diemen's Land. In February, 1837 he once again crossed Bass Strait, this time accompanied by his colleague George Hesse. Like Gellibrand, Hesse was a lawyer. Born at Chichester, England on 1st July, 1798, he was a Cambridge graduate who was admitted to the bar in 1819. On 5th March, 1833 <i>The Hobart Town Chronicle</i> carried a notice declaring Hesse's intention to be admitted to practise law in Van Diemen's Land as a "Barrister, Attorney, Solicitor and Proctor" of the Supreme Court.<br />
The pair, along with Mr John Sinclair from Launceston, landed at Point Henry, near Geelong on the 21st February, intending to spend a couple of days following the Barwon and then the Leigh Rivers upstream before turning east and passing behind the You Yangs to reach Gellibrand's own run on the Werribee River near present day Wyndhamvale. From there, they would return to the brig <i>Henry</i> which by then was expected to have finished unloading sheep and be waiting for them at Williamstown.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwoAFIhp7Ji5Rp_4GKV4hkDkQRISRKCwECJJHAs-yl_b66sMj5iHATmLrbewTACbk4Xmd8Tluuq6eenIgtlcPZfAlOtKEN-WkpK39FfIrLFn9Kyjlg1msXGhyphenhyphenA1LhB_DTyixk23LSE7-B/s1600/Wedge+map+of+Port+Phillip+1836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwoAFIhp7Ji5Rp_4GKV4hkDkQRISRKCwECJJHAs-yl_b66sMj5iHATmLrbewTACbk4Xmd8Tluuq6eenIgtlcPZfAlOtKEN-WkpK39FfIrLFn9Kyjlg1msXGhyphenhyphenA1LhB_DTyixk23LSE7-B/s400/Wedge+map+of+Port+Phillip+1836.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Map of Port Phillip from the survey of Mr Wedge and others" 1836. This<br />
image from the National Library of Australia produced from the work of the<br />
surveyor John Helder Wedge gives an indication of the existing tracks around<br />
the You Yangs and the extent to which the country was known at that time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From Point Henry, they headed to Dr Alexander Thomson's property 'Kardinia' on the south bank of the Barwon, however owing to an injury to his ankle, Sinclair was forced to turn back. Gellibrand and Hesse continued on to Pollock's, further up the Barwon where they obtained a guide, named variously as Akers, Akehurst or Aikers according to different sources. From Pollock's station, the party of three followed the Barwon with the intention of crossing the river at its confluence with the Leigh River and then following the latter upstream probably to George Russell's then outpost at today's Shelford. From there, they planned on returning east behind the You Yangs to the Exe (Werribee) River where both Gellibrand and Captain Swanston held land. As they only intended that their journey would be a short one, they carried very little in the way of provisions and equipment.<br />
The confluence of the Barwon and Leigh Rivers today is a clear t-junction with high water levels and it is hard to imagine how a mistake was made, but this was prior to the construction of the various dams and weirs or the advent of water licences which today affect the flow of both rivers. In 1837 there clearly was not much to distinguish between the Leigh and the various other creeks which enter the Barwon from the north and so the party continued upriver throughout the day, despite Akers' protestations that they had missed the crossing point which they had expected to find around nine miles upstream of Pollock's station.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDzUekQ7E4xEIo2oQJjIg5cGyHjOWT3wb1gdz9GPkBRhc5QuWeEO0SsYYrJc338_soqxjnOKYjmGQ7jWp5PlaSxSlckvXuyTVAkRrLNQ2ItkIayfm68sY-yQuyqgtWP-WvvZr__ypDPBi/s1600/Connor%2527s+birthday+and+Ceres%252C+Inverleigh%252C+Murgheboluc+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDzUekQ7E4xEIo2oQJjIg5cGyHjOWT3wb1gdz9GPkBRhc5QuWeEO0SsYYrJc338_soqxjnOKYjmGQ7jWp5PlaSxSlckvXuyTVAkRrLNQ2ItkIayfm68sY-yQuyqgtWP-WvvZr__ypDPBi/s400/Connor%2527s+birthday+and+Ceres%252C+Inverleigh%252C+Murgheboluc+066.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The confluence of the Leigh and Barwon Rivers at Inverleigh, 2017. In this<br />
photo the Leigh flows from the left and the Barwon from the right and the<br />
combined streams flow away from the camera towards Geelong</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Instead, having travelled around 35 miles, the party camped for the night on the banks of the Barwon and the following morning, refusing to go further, Akers turned back, reaching Pollock's station the next day. Hesse it seems also shared some of Akers' concerns, but these were dismissed by Gellibrand who by that time was convinced that the Warrion Hills which lie to the north west of Lake Colac were instead, the You Yangs (George Thomas Lloyd, <i>Thrity-Three Years in Tasmania and Victoria, Being the Actual Experience of the Author Interspersed with Historic Jottings, Etc</i>, Houlston and Wright, 1862, pp 485-486). This was not the first time that Gellibrand had expressed a confidence in his own knowledge and abilities which proved unfounded. In <i>The narrative of George Russell of Golf hill, with Russellania and selected papers</i> (Russell George (1812-1888) and Brown, Phillip L, 1935) Russell claimed that "he [Gellibrand] was under the impression that he knew a great deal of the country and of the names of the different landmarks in the neighbourhood of Geelong". Subsequent conversation revealed to Russell that this was not the case.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbziabZJZMAj3y3roD3GKAdJNxv1Mmxq9o-x7aeXUS7pEhm8C3TsXTDJmGUI0elzkFcZTH3WGIT6gvooRyvWYjU0cR0KCZj0SdPxzSso05n1YxIlawrmym3_6nierLYbKgOEtfugxehS7/s1600/Warrion+Hills+c1858+von+Guerard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1280" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbziabZJZMAj3y3roD3GKAdJNxv1Mmxq9o-x7aeXUS7pEhm8C3TsXTDJmGUI0elzkFcZTH3WGIT6gvooRyvWYjU0cR0KCZj0SdPxzSso05n1YxIlawrmym3_6nierLYbKgOEtfugxehS7/s400/Warrion+Hills+c1858+von+Guerard.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This 1858 sketch by Eugene von Guerard shows the Warrion Hills which<br />
Gellibrand most likely mistook for the You Yangs. Image held by the<br />
National Gallery of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Despite Akers' untimely return, it was around a fortnight before those at Geelong who were in a position to help, learned of the non-arrival of Gellibrand and Hesse at their intended destination. At that point a mounted search party consisting of Captain Pollock, John Cowie, David Stead, Thomas Roadknight and Thomas Armytage along with Akers set off to begin the search. Their first day's travel saw them reach the point at which Akers turned back, after which they followed the tracks of Gellibrand and Hesse a further four miles upriver before their path turned westward across a plain, finally losing all trace of them about 50 miles from their starting point at Pollock's. After searching the surrounding area for a further day, they returned empty-handed. Not long after, on the 31st March, a second search party which included Gellibrand's son Thomas, the escaped convict William Buckley and two members of the local Wathaurong tribe set out (<i>Launceston Advertiser</i>, 13th April, 1837) but they also returned, unsuccessful.<br />
By April, reports had begun to circulate that the missing men had been killed by "natives" (T<i>he Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser</i>, 25th April, 1837), that they had been murdered and the bodies found (<i>The Sydney Monitor</i>, 19th April, 1837), that Buckley had returned from searching but no trace of either men or horses had been found (<i>The Australian</i>, 25th April, 1837) and so on. On 18th April, a third search party led by Joseph Beazley Naylor and Charles Octavius Parsons, with the backing of the men's families set off for the Lake Colac district, accompanied by native guides and armed with the information that two white men had been killed by Aboriginals in that area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4L6V6KIEqFgyOWGcm_hlS2QeOcsZQv0My7UDb2CrdN-Jr11oH7vzaRTybVghxkiTSCLwOBePHcRMDUWrt0bnT8EHKBpcAC_gW_GC62PCmxXNs_9NaLpjKU8tl7pgcWGKHkdMw2Lm2SaF/s1600/O%2527Donovan+map+of+Gellibrand+and+Hesse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="960" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4L6V6KIEqFgyOWGcm_hlS2QeOcsZQv0My7UDb2CrdN-Jr11oH7vzaRTybVghxkiTSCLwOBePHcRMDUWrt0bnT8EHKBpcAC_gW_GC62PCmxXNs_9NaLpjKU8tl7pgcWGKHkdMw2Lm2SaF/s400/O%2527Donovan+map+of+Gellibrand+and+Hesse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The above image shows the likely route through the lands of the local indigenous<br />
tribes taken by Gellibrand and Hesse after leaving Point Henry. Image taken from<br />
Donovan, Paul Michael F, Clark, Ian D and Cahir, Fred , '<i>The remarkable<br />disappearance of Messrs Gellibrand and Hesse'. What really happened in 1837?:<br />a re-examination of the historical evidence</i>, Victorian Historical Journal, Vol. 87,<br />
No. 2, Dec 2016: 278-297</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At this point, inter-tribal politics came into play when two members of the Lake Colac Guldijin Tribe were murdered by armed members of the Wathaurong Tribe from the Winchelsea area who had joined the search party and were known to be in conflict with the former. The Wathaurong tribesmen captured a Guldijin tribesman by the name of Tanapia on the shores of Lake Colac from whom, they claimed to have extracted a "confession" for the killings. The bodies it was claimed, had been disposed of in a lake. Upon receiving this information the search party returned to Geelong (Rogers, Thomas, <i>'Friendly' and 'hostile' Aboriginal clans: the search for Gellibrand and Hesse</i>, History Australia, (2016),Vol. 13, Iss. 2, pp 275-285). Tanapia was later found to be innocent of murder, however he did admit to having speared the horses and other members of the tribe were found with some of the men's belongings.<br />
And there perhaps, things rested until 10th July, 1844 when the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> published the recollections of a squatter by the name of Henry Allan who - along with his brother - had settled on the Hopkins River. Allan claimed that a group of natives had shown him the location of a grave near Moonlight Heads a few months earlier. The description of the man fitted that of Gellibrand and the tribe claimed that he had lived with them for around two months after stumbling upon them, starving and exhausted, saying that his companion had died about 20 miles further upriver. Their horses it was presumed had been turned loose as they entered the thick bush some 20 miles or more to the north where presumably they were then found wandering by the Guldijin tribe of Tanapia.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaLXzoBbn_XdiCEWporYLo8icIO8K7ecL4Tka6503TbVaqVu5Pq_9xcsx_VpA-7h2aIHpehBLuu0e_icJ9Klu-d70P_F_TmyEn8w_WQKjCfuwmvOInbua6OCjQUasgIuIEeie_y03ccg4/s1600/Otway+Ranges+1890s.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaLXzoBbn_XdiCEWporYLo8icIO8K7ecL4Tka6503TbVaqVu5Pq_9xcsx_VpA-7h2aIHpehBLuu0e_icJ9Klu-d70P_F_TmyEn8w_WQKjCfuwmvOInbua6OCjQUasgIuIEeie_y03ccg4/s400/Otway+Ranges+1890s.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image of logging in the Otways during the 1890s shows how heavily<br />
wooded was the forest to the <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">south of Lake Colac</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> through which Gellibrand</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">and Hesse struggled</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. Image from a collection of lantern slides by Roger</span><br />
Holdsworth, image held by the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A similar article published in <i>The Dispatch</i> on 27th July, 1844 (taken from the Port Phillip Herald) gave a corroborative statement provided by John Allan, brother of Henry in which he claimed that an indigenous woman married to a tribesman who lived near the Allans remembered the killing of Gellibrand which had been perpetrated by members of a rival clan which lived a few miles to the east of Cape Otway. He sought the woman out, heard her story and arranged for Henry to travel to the site<br />
where he exhumed the body and took with him the skull and and some personal effects which had also been buried. The general location of Hesse's body was indicated but the weather did not at that time permit travelling to the site. The same information, along with the opinion of a medical practitioner was sent in a letter to Captain Foster Fyans. The letter and details of the report were published in the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 24th June, 1844 and as far as the <i>Advertiser</i> was concerned, solved the mystery of what had become of Gellibrand and Hesse.<br />
Then in 1846, whilst on his third expedition attempting to reach Cape Otway (Clark, Ian D., <i>Scars in the landscape: a register of massacre sites in Western Victoria 1803-1859</i>, Canberra Aboriginal Studies Press for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, 1995) Lieutenant-Governor La Trobe noted that the Allans showed him what they believed to be the burial sites of Gellibrand and Hes<span style="font-family: inherit;">se (<i><span style="text-align: center;">Donovan et al., 'The </span><span style="text-align: center;">remarkable </span><span style="text-align: center;">disappearance of Messrs Gellibrand and Hesse'. What really happened </span><span style="text-align: center;">in 1837?</span><span style="text-align: center;">: </span></i><span style="text-align: center;"><i>a re-examination of the historical evidence</i>, Victorian Historical Journal, </span><span style="text-align: center;">Vol. 87, </span><span style="text-align: center;">No. 2, Dec 2016: 278-297</span>).</span><br />
This however, was far from the end of the story. For about three years following Allan's discovery, the skull is said to have hung from the roof of his hut (<i>The Colonial Times</i>, 25th August, 1846) and it was not until that time that it was sent to Tasmania for further examination. Furthermore but somewhat at odds with this account is another, earlier description given by a traveller who met the Allans in September, 1839 and claimed that he was shown a skull with fractures - supposed to be from a tomahawk - which they believed to be that of one of the missing explorers (<i>The Austral-Asiatic Review, Tasmanian and Australian Advertiser</i>, 8th October, 1839).<br />
In <i>The Argus</i> of 13th November, 1909 Donald Macdonald published several letters he had received all purporting to give some information on the fate of Gellibrand and Hesse. Mrs Jones indicated that she was shown a box containing Gellibrand's body during a visit to the Allans in 1846 whilst George Somerville recalls hearing that Joseph Gellibrand's son had arrived from Tasmania in 1847 and with the assistance of Allan and the local indigenous tribe had located the body which he was taking back to Tasmania.<br />
And from there, things continue to get muddier, with differing reports of bodies being shipped to Tasmania or remaining some time with the Allans and with some even claiming that numerous skulls were sent for examination with no conclusive proof being found. Of course, Gellibrand and Hesse were not the only white settlers to have disappeared in the area over the years so it is not unlikely that other Caucasian skulls may have been discovered in the district.<br />
It would seem however that by the end of 1837 it was generally accepted that the pair had perished as on 27th November notice was given of the intent to apply for probate of George's will in the Supreme Court (<i>The Austral-Asiatic Review, Tasmanian and Australian Advertiser</i>, 12th December, 1837). Things were a little more difficult in the case of Gellibrand whose life was the subject of an £10,000 insurance policy - the first in Australia it is claimed according to Asteron Life (formerly Alliance Assurance). It was also the first life insurance policy paid out - albeit after a three year wait as no proof of death was available. The payment was eventually made however, to Gellibrand's widow Isabella.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtaTsSQvSI8cDHQ7DZbmztP2z8VbBheDtR8HkhRkzBpE_V0I-D-qMlrbAcP3kW8tyVueiNh6rs0FKAuOEat7p1FCr-IhHIodL_P2zfE6RI5f-bgd7j-o9A7fFhyRlxcDGxTI9MI7g-BEd/s1600/Gellibrands+writing+case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtaTsSQvSI8cDHQ7DZbmztP2z8VbBheDtR8HkhRkzBpE_V0I-D-qMlrbAcP3kW8tyVueiNh6rs0FKAuOEat7p1FCr-IhHIodL_P2zfE6RI5f-bgd7j-o9A7fFhyRlxcDGxTI9MI7g-BEd/s400/Gellibrands+writing+case.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mahogany and rosewood writing case belonging to Joseph Tice<br />
Gellibrand. Item and photo from the Joseph Tice Gellibrand Collection,<br />
National Museum of Australia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, despite or perhaps because of the many claims to have found the remains of the two men in the years following their disappearance, the general impression developed that Gellibrand and Hesse vanished without trace and their bodies were never found. Whether deliberately or not, various researchers have contributed to this impression and in the process created one of the most enduring legends of the 19th century Victoria.<br />
One such was Isaac Hebb who, styling himself as IZAAK, in November, 1888 wrote an account of the disappearance of Gellibrand and Hesse which appeared in consecutive editions of the <i>Colac Herald</i>. Dramatically titled "ROMANCE OF THE OTWAY--MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF MESSRS GELLIBRAND AND HESSE", it made the claim that no reliable evidence existed that the bodies were ever found, however more recently, there have been scholarly articles which cast the events surrounding the disappearance in a different light, particularly with respect to the role played by the various indigenous tribes of the region, whose oral testimony was of course not considered admissible evidence (Rogers, Thomas, <i>'Friendly' and 'hostile' Aboriginal clans: the search for Gellibrand and Hesse</i>, History Australia, (2016),Vol. 13, Iss. 2, pp 275-285). Likewise, <span style="text-align: center;">Donovan et al., '<i>The </i></span><i><span style="text-align: center;">remarkable </span><span style="text-align: center;">disappearance of Messrs Gellibrand and Hesse'. What really happened </span><span style="text-align: center;">in 1837?</span><span style="text-align: center;">: </span></i><span style="text-align: center;"><i>a re-examination of the historical evidence</i>, Victorian Historical Journal, </span><span style="text-align: center;">Vol. 87, </span><span style="text-align: center;">No. 2, Dec 2016: 278-297 re-examines the available sources through modern eyes, concluding that there is significant evidence to suggest that the mystery of Gellibrand and Hesse is not as much of a mystery as we have been led to believe.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mrKmb1LjtYxA1xhPCbV9OQKWDwbC5Biq3slx3nlyx0hmjOztyfJFd3_-S4BZkHwXaaaSUxiq9YtsLQIEzP-R8IAh2Mk-tLmcZIXPuu6PjG2hN771IY7yC7tjJpmj5S04w8lNn8eO52N1/s1600/Hesse+St.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mrKmb1LjtYxA1xhPCbV9OQKWDwbC5Biq3slx3nlyx0hmjOztyfJFd3_-S4BZkHwXaaaSUxiq9YtsLQIEzP-R8IAh2Mk-tLmcZIXPuu6PjG2hN771IY7yC7tjJpmj5S04w8lNn8eO52N1/s400/Hesse+St.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hesse St, Queenscliff, January, 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Whilst most may not realise it today, there are still many reminders of this episode in Victoria's colonial past, from the towns of Gellibrand and Gellibrand Lower; the Gellibrand River which rises in the Otway Ranges near the Barwon River, flowing west and south where the Barwon flows north and east; Mounts Gellibrand and Hesse on the plains west of the Barwon between Inverleigh and Winchelsea and the 19th century squatting runs of the same names which surrounded them; the town of Hesse; the Australian Electoral Division of Gellibrand incorporating many of the western suburbs of Melbourne; Point Gellibrand at Williamstown where the earliest European settlers landed their sheep and the associated Fort Gellibrand; to numerous Hesse and Gellibrand Streets including those in Colac and the coastal town of Queenscliff. The men themselves may be long gone, but their names live on.<br />
<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-55174144492861992552017-12-31T23:27:00.000+11:002018-01-01T09:42:33.852+11:00 Thomas and Ellen<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The starting point in researching my previous post about 'Ingleby' was Thomas Armytage, the eldest son of George Armytage and Elizabeth Peters of Bagdad, Tasmania. Thomas was born at Hobart on 17th January, 1820 and baptised just over two months later on 20th March (<i>Register of Baptisms in Tasmania</i>). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWL2zuCPNHn5GH13Pdd5N7J5Q-xAZnb_jSJaqxwNSADstetcN0HlNO0RvoSZ4APbXhY5X_NTbZLCk2EbH5_7D9DLljJN2HH7WjClpC9JstiQ9n8lqOGWj5XSgXrMUaF5qhyphenhyphenP367dN8V6k/s1600/Thomas+Armytage+baptism.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="108" data-original-width="1078" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWL2zuCPNHn5GH13Pdd5N7J5Q-xAZnb_jSJaqxwNSADstetcN0HlNO0RvoSZ4APbXhY5X_NTbZLCk2EbH5_7D9DLljJN2HH7WjClpC9JstiQ9n8lqOGWj5XSgXrMUaF5qhyphenhyphenP367dN8V6k/s400/Thomas+Armytage+baptism.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptismal record of Thomas Armytage taken from the <i>Register of Baptisms in<br />Tasmania</i> online</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He spent his early years in Tasmania - or Van Diemen's Land as it was then known - but in May, 1836 he and his father were amongst the earliest settlers to land at Point Gellibrand (Williamstown) with sheep, intending to establish a squatting run in the Port Phillip District. Following the abandonment of an earlier settlement at Mt Cottrell the Armytage sheep were moved to the banks of the Barwon where they were put in the care of John Charles Darke who held land in the Barrabool Hills. As mentioned in my previous <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/ingleby.html" target="_blank">post</a>, when the explorers Joseph Tice Gellibrand and George Hesse went missing somewhere along the upper reaches of the Barwon early in 1837, Thomas Armytage was one of a number of settlers to mount a search party to look for the men. It was during the course of their search that Thomas first saw the land - not far from the present day town of Winchelsea - which he would occupy as a squatting run on his father's behalf.<br />
By 1838, Thomas was advertising for shepherds willing to travel to Port Phillip to tend his flock on the newly established run, giving his address as Bagdad (<i>The Austral-Asiatic Review. Tasmanian and Australian Advertiser</i>, 16th July, 1838). Two years later in mid-1840 Thomas was advertising once again, this time seeking general staff to work on his grazing run (<i>The Hobart Town Courier and Van Diemen's Land Gazette</i>, 10th April, 1840) and in July he was granted an official licence by the government to depasture his stock (Port Phillip Gazette, 29th July, 1840).<br />
During this time as he established his base, Thomas travelled between the station and his father's property at Bagdad. It was presumably during one such visit that he made the acquaintance of a widow by the name of Ellen Richardson. Ellen was an English immigrant who had arrived in the colony on the 9th March, 1841 aboard the ship <i>Laura</i>. It was later stated that her late husband was a businessman who had died, leaving her impoverished and with no option but to take a post as a governess and it was in this role that she accompanied the merchant George Borrodaile and his family to Van Diemen's Land. (Note: whilst I have seen no suggestion of a relationship to the Borrodaile family, I did discover that this family were related to Richardsons through a maternal line.)<br />
Soon after her arrival, Ellen was employed by George Armytage at Bagdad as governess to his younger children and it was during this time she met Thomas (<i>Colonial Times</i>, 19th June, 1844). By all accounts, Ellen was an attractive woman - a point which was mentioned many times in the media - and despite an age disparity of perhaps 10 years or more - Thomas being around 20 and she possibly in her 30s - the couple undertook a secret affair. It was later revealed that a number of "letters" passed between the pair, arranging assignations in the garden or for Thomas to slip up to Ellen's room ("mind the stairs do not creek"(sic)) whilst the rest of his family were still in bed.<br />
Whilst it later transpired that some servants were aware of the liaison, it is not clear whether Thomas approached his father or the other way around, but he soon made it clear to his parents that he wanted to marry Ellen. Unsurprisingly perhaps, George Sr did not view the match favourably. Ellen was significantly older than his son and a widow of limited means; not an appropriate match for the son of a man who no doubt saw himself as a gentleman of note (his own convict ancestry notwithstanding). Eventually however, he agreed to the match, with several conditions.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 18px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OSajgDz62w9vlqSAB8LOGVBXrzBtjuHsLCQhDW84jul_2bKq3Or_0u9eY2FYVdg5nNsIo-0MdmVGoSE9cgI0pK52rnpY67sJSCvOIL5IOFO-HX8OHmMsKzYwjYhnXu96dhh7H4M0equA/s1600/George+Armytage+Sr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1134" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OSajgDz62w9vlqSAB8LOGVBXrzBtjuHsLCQhDW84jul_2bKq3Or_0u9eY2FYVdg5nNsIo-0MdmVGoSE9cgI0pK52rnpY67sJSCvOIL5IOFO-HX8OHmMsKzYwjYhnXu96dhh7H4M0equA/s400/George+Armytage+Sr.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">George Armytage Sr. Image held by the University of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Melbourne Archives</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Firstly, Thomas would to return to Port Phillip as planned and if upon his return to Van Diemen's Land, they still wished to marry, then they could do so. Even this stipulation however was conditional upon "satisfactory answers [being] returned to some letters which Mrs. Richardson had sent home to England" (<i>Colonial Times</i>, 19th June, 1844). Presumably the letters would confirm her widowed status and good character.<br />
Lastly, George Sr stipulated that Thomas and Ellen were not to correspond whilst Thomas was away. This last condition, the couple ignored. And so after staying several months, Thomas returned to Port Phillip to tend his flocks. In the meantime, Ellen who had decided even prior to Thomas' arrival to leave George Sr's employment, branched out on her own and established a boarding school for young ladies.<br />
Despite leaving his service, George Sr was impressed enough by Ellen's teaching skills, that he assisted her by providing a house from which she operated her school, known as 'Eleanora Cottage'. The syllabus included English and French, music, dancing, geography, history, writing, arithmetic, the use of globes and instruction in both plain and fancy needlework. Drawing, singing and Italian could be taken as extracurricular subjects. The cost per student was £50 per annum including washing (<i>Colonial Times</i>, 16th November, 1841).<br />
At first, all was well and the school flourished. With George Sr's patronage and his glowing endorsements that she was "very clever, and fit to teach the Queen's children in the palace (<i>The Port Phillip Patriot and Morning Advertiser</i>, 21st April, 1846) a number of notable citizens sent their children to be educated.<br />
Meanwhile at Port Phillip, Thomas continued to establish his property which included around 3,000 acres adjoined by a sheep run. His home station consisted of a fenced 5 acre garden with a further 50 acres under cultivation and his stock included 10,000 sheep, 100 cattle and 10 horses as well as working bullocks (<i>Colonial Times</i>, 22nd November, 1842).<br />
Life however, was far from easy as Thomas had to battle not only the elements and the isolation, but also disease and by June, 1842 he was struggling to control an outbreak of "scab" in his flock.<br />
Scab in sheep flocks was the scourge of the Australian wool industry during the 19th century. It occurs when the animals become infested with the sheep scab mite which feeds on dead skin cells, causing intense irritation of the skin - dermatitis - which results in loss of fleece and the appearance of yellow scabs on the skin. It can cause death if left untreated. Strict control measures were introduced to stop the spread of scab and infected animals were treated by dipping in a sulphur and lime solution or some other compound which killed the mites. A second dipping was then required to kill any eggs which subsequently hatched.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 13.5pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9f9cwyiNAxGvNr4DS9WOU9c4OYBwkWtjRdww0v1TgM0fgV7EXWxcJlwN9rvBxo6XkGaPMJpPlQe9yfih7pomRN4c11iZ15CKYD0vzGn8BoT9dIqBJ7DUUaU9lwva2KPmr4S1zS51ODt7/s1600/Sheep+washing+near+Goulburn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="1000" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9f9cwyiNAxGvNr4DS9WOU9c4OYBwkWtjRdww0v1TgM0fgV7EXWxcJlwN9rvBxo6XkGaPMJpPlQe9yfih7pomRN4c11iZ15CKYD0vzGn8BoT9dIqBJ7DUUaU9lwva2KPmr4S1zS51ODt7/s400/Sheep+washing+near+Goulburn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Whilst not on the Barwon, this sheep wash on the Goulburn River gives an idea</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">of what was involved (1857). Image held by the National Library of Australia</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other control methods involved restricting the movement of animals between properties and on 11th July, 1842 Thomas posted a notice in the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> warning others against driving scab-infested sheep across his property.</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
Sadly, it may have been this attempt to rid his flock of disease which resulted in Thomas' untimely death at the age of only 22 on 12th September, 1842 from what was described as 'typhus fever'. His final illness was indicated as being about ten days duration and later newspaper reports indicate that Thomas "died from going into water from sheep-washing after taking Calomel" (<i>Cornwall Chronical</i>, 29th June, 1844). Thomas was buried at the Eastern Cemetery in Geelong on the following day, the first burial in the austere Armytage-Hopkins family mausoleum. Later events reveal that upon receiving the news of Thomas' death, Ellen accompanied the family to church the following Sunday to mourn their loss (<i>The Port Phillip Patriot and Morning Advertiser</i>, 21st April, 1846).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lwj3W8ykhXLgbuh2lz9wORohI6UvHP-h6h_ksdkkAvD0LioqsatJ2iWSr7rqVrV6F5krGmt2wAgVY0bhWM6f10qtWtzUeWw3l-Yl600Web1NUCTuhtdmTTF_yETo-Ubc9klTxBMBFOiA/s1600/Armytage-Hopkins+Mausoleum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lwj3W8ykhXLgbuh2lz9wORohI6UvHP-h6h_ksdkkAvD0LioqsatJ2iWSr7rqVrV6F5krGmt2wAgVY0bhWM6f10qtWtzUeWw3l-Yl600Web1NUCTuhtdmTTF_yETo-Ubc9klTxBMBFOiA/s400/Armytage-Hopkins+Mausoleum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Armytage-Hopkins mausoleum at the Eastern Cemetery, Geelong,<br />
November, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Following his son's death, George Sr travelled to the property which, under the name of 'Glenmore' (the name 'Ingleby' is not mentioned prior to 1848), was advertised for sale or lease in the <i>Colonial Times</i> on 22nd November, 1842. Despite this, history shows that the property remained in the Armytage family with Thomas' younger brother George Jr taking up the reins.<br />
One consequence of Thomas' death was a flurry of correspondence between various parties in Van Diemen's Land and the Port Phillip District. Firstly, in the course of winding up his son's affairs, George Sr wrote to his overseer Edward Stockdale requesting that he forward Thomas' correspondence to him at Bagdad. Before Stockdale could do this however, he received a letter from George Jr instructing him to forward only those letters which were of a business nature, keeping aside personal correspondence which "might hurt his [George Jr's] father's mind" and specifically that from Ellen (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 9th April, 1845). This Stockdale did and after reading portions of Ellen's letters, he put them in a box.<br />
Ellen, meantime was well aware that the letters she had written to Thomas may fall into the hands of her hitherto generous benefactor and former employer George Armytage Sr with whom she had had a falling out over upkeep of the cottage in which she ran her school (<i>The Colonial Times</i>, 19th June, 1844). Concerned no doubt for her reputation and that of her school, Ellen wrote a number of letters; one to Mr Harrison (presumably James Harrison, editor of the Geelong Advertiser), another to a Mr Lloyd, a third to Edward Stockdale and a fourth to Solomon Austin, whom she knew from her voyage to Australia.<br />
She requested that Stockdale collect a letter from the Geelong Post Office which she had mailed on the very day news of Thomas' death arrived, however Stockdale discovered upon enquiry that Lloyd had already collected the letter. She also asked that Solomon write to his brother Josiah at Port Phillip where the Austins were neighbours of the Armytages and request that Josiah retrieve any correspondence Ellen had sent to Thomas from his personal effects.<br />
And this presumably should have been an end to it, however whilst Stockdale passed most of the letters on to the servant of Josiah Austin, he held several back, placing them in a wooden box. Then, some 17 months after Thomas' death, whilst George Jr was in Port Phillip, Stockdale rediscovered the remaining letters whilst searching through boxes and handed them to George who in turn handed them, unread by him, to his parents (<i>The Austral-Asiatic Review. Tasmanian and Australian Advertiser</i>, 29th June, 1844). It was claimed by Stockdale that he retained the letters for his own amusement because he considered them "curious".<br />
Reading between the lines however, the "missing" letters were just the beginning of Ellen's problems. By October, 1843 it seems that rumours were circulating about her character, many of them it was later alleged, traceable to George Armytage Sr. With the arrival of the letters carried by George Jr in February, 1844, his father perhaps felt justified in the claims he was making and spoke to a number of the parents whose children attended Ellen's school, which by this time she had moved to the town of Brighton. As a result of so much rumour swirling around the small community, unsurprisingly, Ellen's student numbers began to decline rapidly. George removed his own children during 1843 and by May 1844 the last of the students departed and what had been a thriving school closed finally in September, 1844 (<i>The Port Phillip Patriot and Morning Advertiser</i>, 21st April, 1846).<br />
By this time however, Ellen had been pushed too far and felt the time had come to take measures to obtain compensation for her loss of income. To that end, she took George Armytage Sr to court, suing him on eight different counts. Amongst the statements attributed to Armytage were comments such as [he] "could tell [witness] something about Mrs. Richardson...which would make her cap rise from her head", that Ellen was a "vile woman", that he had in his possession letters written by Ellen which "would be a disgrace to any woman upon earth" and that "the commonest prostitute would never have written such letters". He was also alleged to have shown the letters to a school parent saying "I hope that (meaning the letter) will convince you of the character of the woman" whom he claimed was "diabolical".<br />
Most damaging perhaps to Ellen's reputation was the allegation attributed to George's wife Elizabeth, that "we lost our son through her". During a conversation it was indicated that Thomas died "from going into water in sheep-washing after taking Calomel". "Yes" replied Mrs Armytage "but it was she caused him to take the medicine" (<i>Cornwall Chronicle</i>, 29th June, 1844). What is perhaps not clear now, but was common knowledge in the 19th century was that "Calomel" was a mercury-based compound used to treat syphilis.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQe7rbZP-kex02bY0Omo_Rpz99Fg0efNYpGWrdcn_4NRH891zMoqDpryMVCRO2diXaneJiJlfI2YkluMm0ocqMCpihq1GcF2CMBHuQtSDVW4im_9_nO66OWl0JVOsQHW3Wlf7s2dybcQus/s1600/Elizabeth+Armytage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="253" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQe7rbZP-kex02bY0Omo_Rpz99Fg0efNYpGWrdcn_4NRH891zMoqDpryMVCRO2diXaneJiJlfI2YkluMm0ocqMCpihq1GcF2CMBHuQtSDVW4im_9_nO66OWl0JVOsQHW3Wlf7s2dybcQus/s400/Elizabeth+Armytage.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Armytage, mother of Thomas and wife<br />
of George Sr. Image held by the University of<br />
Melbourne Archives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As mentioned earlier however, newspaper reports at the time of his death indicate that Thomas died of Typhus, a bacterial infection spread by the bite of some species of ticks, fleas, mites and lice, some of which may perhaps have been present on the sheep he was dipping/washing in the Barwon to treat the scab mite in his flock. Also unheard of now and perhaps not so well-known then is that Calomel was used in some cases to treat Typhus. Is it perhaps possible then that Thomas either contracted the typhus whilst dipping sheep, took Calomel and continued working, or (perhaps more likely) developed symptoms whilst working the sheep then went to Geelong where he was treated with Calomel for his typhus? I guess we'll never know, but after an illness of around ten days duration Thomas died at Geelong.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyXrvqEJmZR937CEmMwo98uW9P-8mTCUZcBjKsCAlTiPN7REOEi8CExhKos2BCzjJDz7h-fpSjno0GaNBPImM3FFuYxvtYn4lTJx5Ghfg6m5zSHnEExnRD-Ri1NP9fmzFz44ibOl0Kf2f/s1600/Calomel+bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="214" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyXrvqEJmZR937CEmMwo98uW9P-8mTCUZcBjKsCAlTiPN7REOEi8CExhKos2BCzjJDz7h-fpSjno0GaNBPImM3FFuYxvtYn4lTJx5Ghfg6m5zSHnEExnRD-Ri1NP9fmzFz44ibOl0Kf2f/s400/Calomel+bottle.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">A bottle of Calomel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally on 17th June, 1844, over a year and a half after Thomas' death, the Court hearing got underway. It ran for three days, with multiple witnesses called for both sides and involved much convoluted legal argument, contradictory witness statements and much impassioned speech. In the lead up to the case however, things had turned nasty. On 5th June, notice of Ellen's death late the previous month, appeared in the <i>Launceston Advertiser</i>. It was of course false. At the same time, threatening letters were sent to some of the witnesses due to give evidence. The case attracted huge public interest and newspapers around the country were of course, keen to provide every sordid detail. It was the civil case of its time.<br />
From their numerous accounts of proceedings it appears that Ellen's legal council - Mr Macdowell - gave a performance worthy of the best modern barristers, questioning motives, casting doubt upon defence testimony, inveigling information from witnesses and defending his client's reputation. It was suggested that Solomon Austin had been intimate with Mrs Richardson during the voyage from England, he later making offers of marriage which it was alleged Thomas had dismissed with a sneer saying that "he [Solomon] could not succeed while such a man as himself was in the way" (<i>Cornwall Chronicle</i>, 29th June, 1844).<br />
Ultimately it was found that the infamous "creeking" letter (alluded to above) was not written by Ellen, but was rather a forgery perpetrated by George Armytage Jr. The jury found for the plaintiff (Ellen) on six of the eight counts and awarded her £1,250 damages. Armytage was ordered to pay costs.<br />
Undeterred however, Armytage moved for a mistrial and a second hearing was set down for 19th March, 1845. Further evidence in the form of more letters (possibly those retained by Stockdale for "his own amusement") was presented and under cross-questioning by Macdowell, George Armytage Jr broke down on the witness stand and had to be taken from the court. Once again, the jury found in favour of the plaintiff, however damages were reduced to the much smaller total of £300 and it was found that the letter in question was not a forgery but was written by the plaintiff herself. By August, the matter remained unresolved and this time it was Ellen's council who moved for a third trial on the basis that the verdict was defective on several points. It was also alleged during the course of the trial that one of the jurors had expressed biased views prior to the case commencing (<i>The Tasmanian and Austral-Asiatic Review</i>, 22nd May, 1845).<br />
The third hearing finally concluded on 20th March, 1846 with two counts found in favour of the defendant but a further three in favour of the plaintiff with Armytage required to pay damages of £500 and there, finally, the matter rested (<i>The Observer</i>, 24th March, 1846).<br />
It would be tempting at this point to imagine that Ellen Richardson was able to salvage her reputation and her career, settling down to a life without further controversy, however this was far from reality. Whilst she did once again establish a seminary for young ladies in Hobart Town, in 1848 she was once again in the papers when she and an auctioneer by the name of John Charles Stracey (with whom she had stayed during her previous court appearances) absconded to Sydney under false names. Posing as man and wife they boarded a ship for London. They were apprehended at the last minute and Stracey was charged with attempting to abscond with £6,000 - the proceeds of sales. Ellen was also arrested and in true form, once released had the arresting officer charged with false imprisonment (<i>The Britannia and Trades' Advocate</i>, 16th March, 1848).<br />
Whilst her companion was deported back to Hobart to face charges (and his deserted wife), Ellen appears to have remained in Sydney where she continued to pursue various legal matters before - as far a I can tell - disappearing from the record by 1849. Whilst there was no happy ending to this tale, it is tempting to wonder what might have ensued had Thomas lived to old age.<br />
<br /></div>
Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-82613773569647154932017-11-29T15:43:00.003+11:002017-12-30T12:50:48.264+11:00'Ingleby'<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">George Armytage was born in 1895 at Ticknall in Derbyshire, England and migrated to Sydney in 1815 before moving to Tasmania the following year where
he established a farm at Bagdad about 30km north of Hobart. George continued to
increase the size of his property and also worked as a blacksmith. His
community standing was such that he held minor government posts such as pound
keeper and district constable, expanding his business interests with the
purchase of a hotel.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">By 1835 when John Batman landed at Port Phillip and signed his
historic "treaty" with elders of the Wurundjeri Tribe, George was looking to
expand his land holdings. According to his own later recounting of events, in
the first week of May, 1836 he sailed aboard the brig <i>Henry</i> to
Point Gellibrand (Williamstown) in the newly settled Port Phillip district
where he landed a small flock of sheep. Upon his arrival, he established
a partnership with Charles Franks (</span>Bride, 1898, <i>Letters from Victorian pioneers: being a series of papers on the early occupation of the colony, the Aborigines, etc.</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">) who it
seems arrived soon after. Whilst the newspapers do not record the passage of
Armytage, they do show that the <i>Henry</i> departed for Port
Phillip on 27th April with 700 sheep (30th April, 1836, <i>Bent's News and
Tasmanian Three-Penny Register</i>) and again on 11th of May (12th May,
1836, <i>The Sydney Herald</i>). The papers also show that Franks sailed
from Launceston aboard the <i>Champion</i> on 16th May (<i>The
Cornwall Chronicle</i>, 21st May, 1836), with a flock of his own sheep and his
overseer George Smith.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhja4rnq4F9BNK-RKIjEzY-csBZ2LLR7rBFXR7gF9xGnJjIdnH4Dt7tBDrT2lDbe1yu1CfJMJj9faxhYg6hJq-D68MH2e42zFRFpXAUf09mFhNJXuR_dQPM4bP7agjTy8pOMZ8dke3Cj_/s1600/Hobsons+Bay+from+the+Brighton+Beach.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1600" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhja4rnq4F9BNK-RKIjEzY-csBZ2LLR7rBFXR7gF9xGnJjIdnH4Dt7tBDrT2lDbe1yu1CfJMJj9faxhYg6hJq-D68MH2e42zFRFpXAUf09mFhNJXuR_dQPM4bP7agjTy8pOMZ8dke3Cj_/s400/Hobsons+Bay+from+the+Brighton+Beach.tif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early view of Point Gellibrand from Brighton Beach showing shipping<br />
in Hobson's Bay, by Charles Norton. Image held by the State Library<br />
of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whilst Armytage returned to Hobart, Franks along with Smith and Armytage's
shepherd (probably named Flinders), travelled overland with the stock to
establish a sheep run at Mt Cottrell on the Werribee River. By 2nd July they
had reached the intended site of settlement and began erecting yards to hold
the stock. Within days, Smith returned to Point Gellibrand to collect extra
supplies. Upon arriving back at the run on 8th July however, he found an
upturned cask of flour, no campfire and no sign of Franks or Flinders.
Unwilling to remain, he rode for help, informing other settlers in the region
of his fears (Rogers, Thomas, 2016, <i>Victorian Historical Journal</i>,
Vol 87, pp117-133).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The following day, a party of 23 men including Thomas Armytage,
the 16 year old son of George and other recognisable names such as Gellibrand,
Wedge, Thomson and Batman arrived at the campsite to begin a search (<i>Convincing
Ground: Learning to Fall in Love with Your Country</i>, Bruce Pascoe, 2007). A
letter from Thomas Armytage to his father confirmed the deaths and indicated
that the men had been killed by blows to the back of the head, inflicted it was
thought by tomahawks. He also stated that he and a Mr Malcolm had found
the bodies of the missing men (<i>The True Colonist Van Diemen's Land
Political Despatch and Agricultural and Commercial Advertiser</i>, 22nd July,
1836). These accounts are somewhat at odds with George Armytage's own
description in which he indicated that his son Thomas upon arriving to help
build the yards on the day the killings occurred, was the sole discoverer of
the bodies (Bride, 1898, <i>Letters from Victorian pioneers: being a
series of papers on the early occupation of the colony, the Aborigines, etc.</i>). </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">News of the deaths reached Hobart within days. On 21st July,
the <i>Launceston Advertiser</i> reported that confirmation of the
deaths of Franks and Flinders had come with the arrival of the <i>Adelaide</i> that
same day, following earlier reports they were missing. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">While they decided what to do, the Armytage flock was combined
with those of Judge Pedder and Mr Darke. Sir John Lewes Pedder was the first Chief Justice of Van Diemen's Land (1824-1836) </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">who oversaw the establishment of an </span>independent<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Supreme Court in that colony. In addition to his official role, Pedder also joined the speculators investing in Port Phillip where he held the lease to a 15,000 acre squatting run in the Western Port District (</span><a href="http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/pedder-sir-john-lewes-2542" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Australian Dictionary of Biography</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">). Mr Darke was John
Charles Darke, an English settler in Van Diemen's Land, an explorer and
surveyor who, upon failing to find secure a permanent position with the survey
department, moved to the Port Phillip District where his uncle (John Helder
Wedge) was surveying land for the Port Phillip Association.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Upon his arrival, Darke took up land along the Barwon River in the
Barrabool Hills, however he did not remain long in the district and by 1838 had
moved on to South Australia. During his brief occupation of land along the
Barwon, rather than run his own stock, he grazed the flocks of a number of
Tasmanian speculators as they, like the Armytages, searched for land on which
to establish their own runs (<a href="http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/darke-john-charles-1955" target="_blank">Australian
Dictionary of Biography</a>).<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7dRXUVW8SKaF-oBwEhQk4g__NlSoymNOvR1ZQL9l1ApbmMedcH2Gd5HFhU9w5d79RoVuV5sKZctNEpuIv0llIme8eD4I0U3u1w1Bgm0WdnAoiw7baBYjUc03pPx7iNTts1BrsoTaDRbv/s1600/Cementies+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7dRXUVW8SKaF-oBwEhQk4g__NlSoymNOvR1ZQL9l1ApbmMedcH2Gd5HFhU9w5d79RoVuV5sKZctNEpuIv0llIme8eD4I0U3u1w1Bgm0WdnAoiw7baBYjUc03pPx7iNTts1BrsoTaDRbv/s400/Cementies+046.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Barrabool Hills from Fyansford Hill, May, 2016. Looking towards<br />
the land probably occupied by John Darke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The next significant event in the eventual establishment of the
Ingleby run was the disappearance of the explorers Joseph Tice Gellibrand and
George Hesse whose deaths and final whereabouts have been the topic of much
discussion over the decades since their disappearance and which I will look at
in a future post. Suffice to say, that by the end of March, 1837, grave fears
were held for their safety. Several search parties were mounted in an
attempt to find them, one of which was a group of five which included John
Cowie, David Stead, Captain Pollock, Mr Roadknight and Thomas Armytage. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It had been the intention of Gellibrand and Hesse to follow the
Barwon to its confluence with the Leigh and then follow that river upstream to
a station belonging to Captain Swanston, however it appears their guide - a man
by the name of Aiker - missed the crossing point and in doing so, led the party
further up the Barwon. Realising his mistake, Aiker informed the others of his suspicions, but
they refused to heed his advice to turn back. Aiker left them and returned to
Pollock's station. Gellibrand and Hesse were never seen again.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The search party, including Thomas Armytage, traced the course of
the river to the point where Aiker had left the two men and followed their
tracks for a further few miles before all trace was lost. In doing so, Armytage
formed a favourable impression of the land through which they were passing and
upon his return it was decided that a run should be established near the spot which the group camped on the first night of their search. It was
this sequence of events which led to the establishment of the run which the
Armytages named 'Ingleby'. </span>Unlike some of the early speculators in the district, the Armytage family were successful in their squatting endeavours and by 1849 their run was estimated to extend to some 26,840 acres on which the Armytages grazed 100 head of cattle and 10,000 sheep (<i>The Argus</i>, 19th January, 1849). Life for the settlers however could be difficult. In June 1842, Thomas was battling an infestation of the parasite responsible for sheep scab in his fl<span style="font-family: inherit;">ock (</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 11th July, 1842). Ten weeks later, he was dead </span>(see my next post). His<span style="font-family: inherit;"> next eldest brother - George - took over the management of 'Ingleby' and for the time being, their father remained in Van Diemen's Land, making trips back and forth at intervals to visit his son and his land holdings at Port Phillip. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">At 'Ingleby', George faced his own battles. In early November, 1845 it was reported that gale force
winds destroyed huts and part of the woolshed (<i>Geelong
Advertiser and Squatters' Advocate</i>, 8th November, 1845). Despite such setbacks however, in 1846, George sent 112 bales of wool to London (</span><i>Port Phillip Patriot and Morning Advertiser</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, 17th February, 1846) and by 1847 according to the <i>Victorian Heritage Database</i>, things were going well enough that his father decided to relocate from Bagdad to 'Ingleby', although the <i>Colonial Times</i> of 18th May, 1849, shows George Senior, his wife Elizabeth and children Eliza, Sophia, Emma and Felix taking passage aboard the steamer <i>Shamrock</i> for Port Phillip, so perhaps the family were a little later in following.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRaP2zHd12WMvQLgF2GwuCSCtUpIzRZaHc_nFILJrRRUdeYR8ggvj8ZgHc8tflXzCoGtRyY0rfSrurLj5OFobsMHu3w_UOcwnus_lJs6I-Pyy3aySiVZHM4hK0fegnBPnfsOJufKkxikL/s1600/Paddle+Steamer+Shamrock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1000" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRaP2zHd12WMvQLgF2GwuCSCtUpIzRZaHc_nFILJrRRUdeYR8ggvj8ZgHc8tflXzCoGtRyY0rfSrurLj5OFobsMHu3w_UOcwnus_lJs6I-Pyy3aySiVZHM4hK0fegnBPnfsOJufKkxikL/s400/Paddle+Steamer+Shamrock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paddle steamer Shamrock, 1841. Image held by the National Library of<br />
Australia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Newspaper records also indicate that George Senior and his family spent some years living in Barwon Tce, South Geelong, between about 1850 and 1853. It was at this address in<span style="font-family: inherit;"> August, 1850 the announcement of the marriage of his eldest daughter Eliza Ann to John Rout Hopkins was made. Hopkins held the lease for 'Wormbete', the run neighbouring 'Ingleby' on the Barwon (</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Argus</i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, 5th August, 1850). A shadow was cast over the family however, when only a few days after Eliza's marriage, her youngest sister Emma died at the age of ten. She was buried in the family grave at the Eastern Cemetery, Geelong with her older brother Thomas.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">By 1859/60, George Senior had built an impressive new home on the site of a property he had purchase from former police magistrate Nicholas Alexander Fenwick. The building, which still stands in Pakington St, Newtown, he called 'The Hermitage' and probably warrants a post of its own.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At 'Ingleby' meanwhile, George Junior was also in a position to build a new residence, replacing an earlier stone house with a two-storey bluestone construction, designed by Geelong architect Edward Prowse.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX33XRWuqqwosGdQheJ9YAEuI-PPmEsqmSeJ_b2BV-uWnaXR3j-GKDcIcyjgXZokkPYYi5Pqq3cogeJaqasTR9KOyzA4SBh7LceUP2B-OBcEIxtgY-LwRaFqAb-v7MFEkgqy3zzaZMn3Wj/s1600/Ingleby+homestead.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><br /> <img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1000" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX33XRWuqqwosGdQheJ9YAEuI-PPmEsqmSeJ_b2BV-uWnaXR3j-GKDcIcyjgXZokkPYYi5Pqq3cogeJaqasTR9KOyzA4SBh7LceUP2B-OBcEIxtgY-LwRaFqAb-v7MFEkgqy3zzaZMn3Wj/s400/Ingleby+homestead.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingleby homestead, 1970. Image taken from the John T Collins Collection<br />
Held by the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">George Junior remained at 'Ingleby' and along with his father, began purchasing the land on which they squatted. The squatting license for the Ingleby run was cancelled on 29th October, 1861 (</span>Spreadborough & Anderson, 1983, <i style="font-family: inherit;">Victorian Squatters</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">) and the following year, substantial land purchases were made in the names of father and son as well as other family members. In 1882-3 significant additions were made to the property in the form of a large woolshed and other outbuildings which were designed by the architect AT Moran (<i>Victorian Heritage Database</i>).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>The break up of the Ingleby Estate began with the death of George Junior in London on 22nd January, 1892, leaving a large inheritance to be divided between his four sons. The section including the Ingleby homestead passed to his son Oscar Ferdinand Armytage who also held nearby 'Ripplevale' at Birregurra.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4OdJqRBVbh_doUfvzxTOyu7BH8ZPGTmCESV0kDbwZmUR1A5vLeNh4Eb1iqdFzt9jUEbbAnoDthnynE9qm1i77107ht_va7yI008N4imYeUOjSf0LifIXpeACT6NfawZgbLlROgHiobmB/s1600/Ingleby+woolshed.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1000" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4OdJqRBVbh_doUfvzxTOyu7BH8ZPGTmCESV0kDbwZmUR1A5vLeNh4Eb1iqdFzt9jUEbbAnoDthnynE9qm1i77107ht_va7yI008N4imYeUOjSf0LifIXpeACT6NfawZgbLlROgHiobmB/s400/Ingleby+woolshed.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Ingleby stables, 1970. Image taken from the John T Collins Collection<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Held by the State Library of Victoria</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Oscar remained in the district and in addition to running 'Ingleby', served long stints on the Winchelsea Shire Council, however in the five years leading up to 1911, he spent much of his time managing business interests in England. He also reduced the size of the estate with land sales occurring in 1910 and - more successfully - in 1911 when 'Ripple Vale' and parts of 'Ingleby' were sold at auction (<i>The Horsham Times</i>, 23rd May, 1911). In May that year, along with his family, Oscar made another extended trip to England, taking up residence at Sparkford in Somersetshire. 'Ingleby' was leased for three years to EH Lascelles (<i>The Horsham Times</i>, 9th May, 1911). By February, 1912 however Oscar had been struck down by a terminal illness which led to his death around five months later on 3rd July.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Following Oscar's death, the family remained in England for some time. Edward Oscar, the only son of Oscar and his wife Louisa, served with the Black Watch Regiment at Flanders during the First World War where he was seriously injured (<i>The Colac Herald</i>, 10th July, 1916). Following the war, Edward and his mother returned to 'Ingleby' at the beginning of 1920 (<i>The Australasian</i>, 24th July, 1920) however their tenure was short and on 19th April, 1923, <i>The Argus</i> reported having sold the property, consisting of the homestead, outbuildings and 4,150 acres of land fronting the Barwon River to Mr Phillip H. Lock of 'Airlie', Warrnambool. Less than a month later however, Lock had on-sold the property to W.O. Read of Colac (<i>The Age</i>, 17th May, 1923).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdzWt-U9_WOAlCszXq8DSLXAMd4DEsjaEwoknymeN3ngumHcGtsgsvl17GfrOG8aeBN3Mk2fn0hZHEmnmYV1_TYar0UA8MRu14eHAAvwC13YMhfxcMjggntmBqa6OdoYaTJXni00FU_ns/s1600/Ingleby+overlays.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="848" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdzWt-U9_WOAlCszXq8DSLXAMd4DEsjaEwoknymeN3ngumHcGtsgsvl17GfrOG8aeBN3Mk2fn0hZHEmnmYV1_TYar0UA8MRu14eHAAvwC13YMhfxcMjggntmBqa6OdoYaTJXni00FU_ns/s400/Ingleby+overlays.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google Earth with overlays showing the approximate area of the original<br />
squatting run (white); land purchased from the crown by the Armytage<br />
family (pink); the current extent of 'Ingleby' and 'Ingleby Woolshed' (yellow).*<br />
The line of the Barwon River is shown in blue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Following the Second World War, like many of the other original squatters' properties in the district, 'Ingleby' was compulsorily acquired by the government and subdivided under the <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/soldier-settlement-reaches-rivers.html" target="_blank">soldier settlement</a> scheme, designed to provide employment for soldiers returning from the war. The block including the homestead was sold to Harold Fowler (descendant of Dan Fowler and previous owner of the Sunnyside Wool Scour at Breakwater). At this time, the woolshed and outbuildings, located on the opposite side of the Barwon, became part of a separate property.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
The land including the Ingleby homestead on about 339 hectares (840 acres) then passed through the hands of a number of owners over the years. According to various real estate websites, it sold most recently in 1997 for a figure of a little over $1 million. By contrast, on the opposite side of the river, the woolshed and almost 80 hectares (196 acres) of land, now known as 'Ingleby Woolshed' sold as recently as 2014 for $1.8 million. The realestate.com.au website shows a number of photos of the buildings <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/3470-cape-otway-rd-birregurra-vic-3242" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Whilst the association of the Armytage family with 'Ingleby' may have ended, a number of family members can still be found to the present day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
*Measurements for the squatting run taken from Spreadborough & Anderson, 1983, <i style="font-family: inherit;">Victorian Squatters; </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">purchased land taken from Victorian Survey maps, current property boundaries from the land.vic.gov.au website</span></div>
</div>
Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-9949123357220108272017-11-06T08:49:00.000+11:002017-11-06T08:49:36.886+11:00A Ramble Along the BarwonIn my previous post I looked at the Geelong identity who was <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2017/10/the-poet-of-pivot.html" target="_blank">William Stitt Jenkins</a>. From 1853 to 1876, the Poet of the Pivot, the Bard of the Barwon or even the Water Poet as he was variously called wrote about anything which caught his attention; politics, religion, teetotalism - especially that. Another subject dear to his heart was water; access to it, the quality of it, the lack of it, the health benefits of it, the dangers of it, even the pleasure of living and walking by it.<br />
The poem below was published in the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> of 23rd October, 1861 and gives an interesting insight into Jenkins' life, his home, his opinions and his view of the Barwon River. On the latter, he was well positioned to comment. By March, 1861 Jenkins and his family were living in Noble Street on Newtown Hill, a location which commanded some of the best views in Geelong.<br />
According to a retrospective published in the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> (21st July, 1928), there were only three houses on the south side of Noble St between Shannon Ave (then known as the West Melbourne Rd) and the river when Jenkins lived there. One was the historic 'Chesterfield' (221 Noble Street today), next was Stitt Jenkins' house - a five roomed cottage on a one acre block - and the last was a bigger home closer to the river at the end of the street.<br />
From his doorstep, Jenkins could see the Barwon Valley laid out below him and he would often sit on a large, flat rock which he had positioned in front of his house. On the rock - unsurprisingly - he had inscribed a line or two of verse which invited passersby to have a rest and enjoy the view. Taking inspiration from the scenery spread out before him, Jenkins would also sit there to write his many poems and letters. The poem below may well have been one.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A RAMBLE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A week of anxious care is o'er,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I reach again my cottage door,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And free am I to work or play</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This afternoon of Saturday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Say, shall I in the garden dig,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or ride? Alas! I have no gig;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nor horse, nor ass, nor yet a cow!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quite poor enough, you must allow.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yet, not so poor; I have a wife</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To cheer and comfort me through life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And children more than two or three.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The childless, rich may envy me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then behold my humble cot,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Perched on a sweet romantic spot,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With seat of wood and one of stone,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There rest ye by the rhymer's home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzN-1ffKsWrvsYKwX4QrA7gtdk3DWsVnLQv3-cZqNoKuCZuTLMuJ0Ei0NHgezIDb0b_gK0H_ZGCx-fvHCbDBkFtFdXvDxjL2oCD6ewywZDo0xtNaZOGu5vgJp9AMgwDXGM3vLdlAf3FTF/s1600/von+Guerard+View+of+Geelong+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzN-1ffKsWrvsYKwX4QrA7gtdk3DWsVnLQv3-cZqNoKuCZuTLMuJ0Ei0NHgezIDb0b_gK0H_ZGCx-fvHCbDBkFtFdXvDxjL2oCD6ewywZDo0xtNaZOGu5vgJp9AMgwDXGM3vLdlAf3FTF/s400/von+Guerard+View+of+Geelong+cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Part of Euguene von Guerard's painting "View of Geelong" 1856, showing <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">site </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">of Jenkins' cottage, yet to be built. I believe </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">"Chesterfield" </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">is to the right of</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> the</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> bright green field. Jenkins' cottage would </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">have stood somewhere to its left</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Original painting held by the Geelong Art Gallery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lo. There the faithful wall-flower blows;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The China moss and monthly rose,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The proud geranium, ivy old,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The lily and the marigold,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The honeysuckle, sweet is there,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fragrant wattle scents the air,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And groves of green and azure sky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Together joint to charm the eye.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I see afar the glimmering sail</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of thy white mill, O, Riversdale,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And mill, and vale, and stream, and lake,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One bright harmonious picture make.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hear the hum of busy bee,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The magpie chatters on the tree,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The eaglehawk is soaring high,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He wants my chickens, so do I.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu6YsCX9yIHE8uoWJShuT9oprzdTKEmJse1gyZmww3g5zNDZZLofNnmowDS6U5I3D-cqrBXaPCJ5dgZnJe4ldhmBVTNeipIZze_ltmBMNo_ggYwDtoRzGJmLZeQoQGr3kfz6EbA1bnV2Q/s1600/Riversdale+Flour+Mill+1866.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="1000" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu6YsCX9yIHE8uoWJShuT9oprzdTKEmJse1gyZmww3g5zNDZZLofNnmowDS6U5I3D-cqrBXaPCJ5dgZnJe4ldhmBVTNeipIZze_ltmBMNo_ggYwDtoRzGJmLZeQoQGr3kfz6EbA1bnV2Q/s400/Riversdale+Flour+Mill+1866.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Riversdale Flour Mill on the Barwon at Chilwell, 1866. Image taken by<br />
John Norton, held by the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But leave the chickens and our home,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And come with me awhile to roam</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Over the hills and far away,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To spend, in peace, our holiday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Leave we awhile the cares of life,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Escape from envy's jealous strife,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let wrangling men say what they will,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It harms me not on this green hill.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Free from the strife and dust of town,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By river side we wander down,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then cross the bridge and soon, I wean,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enter the "Garden of the Queen"--</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A lovely spot where waters meet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sure Paradise was ne'er more sweet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See flower-decked sod and glittering pool</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where Barwon joins with Moorabool.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfHyYkJXOw2Nkius3k5wv2DLHU6Xdf0P_kchFPn0k7KjarEeUp8Hl6QGTBMy0kYRL0neQEBdRLaeFUtRY4KcRrzwhrDXuAIjfKSgz-Yb9fc4epGMiqKUndUZcuFsV-pdkMUGrpez5tyqC/s1600/Queen%2527s+Park+1866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="600" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfHyYkJXOw2Nkius3k5wv2DLHU6Xdf0P_kchFPn0k7KjarEeUp8Hl6QGTBMy0kYRL0neQEBdRLaeFUtRY4KcRrzwhrDXuAIjfKSgz-Yb9fc4epGMiqKUndUZcuFsV-pdkMUGrpez5tyqC/s400/Queen%2527s+Park+1866.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Queen's Park, 1866, showing Queen's Park Bridge and looking towards the<br />
confluence of the Barwon and Moorabool Rivers. Image held by the State<br />
Library of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See Fyansford in beauty lies,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See hills on hills majestic rise,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And tow'ring clouds together throng</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To crown thee verdant Buninyong,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Survey awhile the orphans' home!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once more by river side we roam,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The gallant boats glide swiftly by,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And all around is peace and joy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6HXnm7fLp_gxDuZz-204djiVdhiQGy1m9tKwRt1yOyXEWbHRrslvBV1it9ulbTjtI660uXw0iceX2kzQgn177axLzXHgv3mzcy0kEN_PM5efF7iYof43fkWPH0W4q5Ehyphenhyphen6dpEyJIiASu/s1600/Protestant+Orphanage+c1873+Thomas+J+Washbourne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="704" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6HXnm7fLp_gxDuZz-204djiVdhiQGy1m9tKwRt1yOyXEWbHRrslvBV1it9ulbTjtI660uXw0iceX2kzQgn177axLzXHgv3mzcy0kEN_PM5efF7iYof43fkWPH0W4q5Ehyphenhyphen6dpEyJIiASu/s400/Protestant+Orphanage+c1873+Thomas+J+Washbourne.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Protestant Orphanage, Herne Hill c1873. Image taken by Thomas J.<br />
Washbourne, held by the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blow balmy breezes through the dell,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Still tinkle thou melodious bell,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flutter ye insects 'mid the grass,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Aglow, O sun, o'er mountain pass.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ye herds, your lowing cattle bring,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ye rural maidens sweetly sing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And dance ye children on the green,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And sight more glorious ne'er was seen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, lo, what doleful sights are these?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What Goth or Hun hath felled these trees,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And borne the timber clear away</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On some unhappy bullock dray?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See, here a forest monarch stood!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What Vandal hand has fired the wood</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What Lord Tom Noddy has been here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some brainless dolt, to all is clear.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqz7VsZIbjPDzT8XgqWIwbrYnlfcGq-SR6A18BLinu619cn7IzmrUL9kWSB-8w745GRJIUr5wRDQYv2DsDdCXELXZeJQ8GXxhFXgWRqsX4FLgZrBSPa21PrgUBqfd0ILtk8pS8PpKrx0X/s1600/Queen%2527s+Park+near+1878+Kruger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1280" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqz7VsZIbjPDzT8XgqWIwbrYnlfcGq-SR6A18BLinu619cn7IzmrUL9kWSB-8w745GRJIUr5wRDQYv2DsDdCXELXZeJQ8GXxhFXgWRqsX4FLgZrBSPa21PrgUBqfd0ILtk8pS8PpKrx0X/s400/Queen%2527s+Park+near+1878+Kruger.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">View across Queen's Park towards Newtown Hill, 1878, by Fred Kruger<br />
showing the extent of deforestation. Image held by the National Gallery of<br />
Victoria, a gift of Mrs Beryl M Curl, 1979</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But come away, and let it pass</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Meanwhile I'll write him down an ass)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And let us hide from mortal eye,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where Buckley's falls leap foaming by.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Behold those most fantastic trees,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where sighs the mournful evening breeze,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How drear those huge mis-shapen rocks,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Worn by the torrents ceaseless shocks.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-_Db3S74LSkFvokrNZ9d-nGp8ymQLROgRCAZ2lZ38sgAdsSm2CvFIQytlKIY2VUWw4AvB-yEVrtzrEllXcmNIE56OCu1hWoMPwznHsUGYN5bZr3iLRrF_tF7-yg6yvAllXXCQVir69kT/s1600/von+Guerard+Buckley+Falls+sketch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="822" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-_Db3S74LSkFvokrNZ9d-nGp8ymQLROgRCAZ2lZ38sgAdsSm2CvFIQytlKIY2VUWw4AvB-yEVrtzrEllXcmNIE56OCu1hWoMPwznHsUGYN5bZr3iLRrF_tF7-yg6yvAllXXCQVir69kT/s400/von+Guerard+Buckley+Falls+sketch.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A sketch made c1855 by artist Eugene von Guerard from Buckley Falls<br />
again looking back towards Queen's Park and Newtown Hill. Image<br />
held by the State Library of New South Wales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which boils and bounds from shore to shore,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And rushes on for evermore.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What careth the wild mountain stream</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for Lord or Bishop, King or Queen?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The black man came and passed away</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before the white man's conquering sway.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When both are to oblivion gone</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The river shall go rolling on.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why start you now, and trembling shake?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You say you fear some awful snake;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ah, fear it not, but sit you down,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The snakes, dear friend, are gone to town.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There they in holes and corners lurk</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To do their most unholy work,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And spit their venom, when they can,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On those who serve ungrateful man.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But see, the fast declining day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Warns us, my friend, to best away!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The pelicans go shrieking by,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And all things tell that night is nigh.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The dragon flies with ceaseless hum,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With merry crickets singing come.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And, see, along you ancient log,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To serenade us, comes the frog.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMIFXbU9nCqWRe28MKHJMy1TwPwckus3EpHEsF1NS5cqDKFAU9aSL3i-Gsxjt5nZfiFMlZfFt54wakcVk3PK5LOtApebN7OWFcGO68MWrVBo_7cyIXOJne_E7NLJ-NQM5ZtrP22yVInjX/s1600/Maud+St+birds+%252B+sunset+%2526+moonrise+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMIFXbU9nCqWRe28MKHJMy1TwPwckus3EpHEsF1NS5cqDKFAU9aSL3i-Gsxjt5nZfiFMlZfFt54wakcVk3PK5LOtApebN7OWFcGO68MWrVBo_7cyIXOJne_E7NLJ-NQM5ZtrP22yVInjX/s400/Maud+St+birds+%252B+sunset+%2526+moonrise+088.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Moonrise over the Bunyip Pool and Buckley Falls, November 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The water-rat peeps from his hole,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And see the bat and miner mole;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And now from every rock and tree</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Burst forth the night's wild melody.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The laughing jackass hoarsely brays--</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"The man that has seen better days,"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The owl exclaims "too-whit--too-who,"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And says--poor sinners, off you go."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alas, how dark and drear,--but, soon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Appears the ever glorious moon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And gilds each hill and vale with light.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And reigns the radiant queen of night,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While in the vault of heaven on high</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bright hosts of stars now deck the sky.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Great Lord, who ruleth night and day,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From this green sod to Thee we pray.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We reach the bridge, we cross the stream,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Again the rhymer's home is seen:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There bathed in moonlight, see it stand,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An emblem of the happy land.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our ramble o'er, within we jog,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kettle singeth on the hob.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rejoice with us o'er day well sped.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good night--we now are off to bed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
WILLIAM STITT JENKINS</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 23rd October, 1861</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In addition to observing the industries and sights along the Barwon, Jenkins also makes mention of the Saturday half holiday which he had been instrumental in establishing in Geelong. In referencing snakes, he might well have been alluding to his - probably fairly numerous - detractors whom I suspect found his methods of campaigning on local issues somewhat tiresome.<br />
Regardless of Jenkins' personal crusades and contentious public life, the Barwon was clearly a favourite location where he spent enough time to gain an understanding of not only his built surroundings but also of the flora and fauna, expressing his interest in the latter as well as his dismay at the extent of the deforestation which had occurred along the river within a mere 25 years since the arrival of European settlement.</div>
Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-34384213252261668172017-10-26T22:31:00.000+11:002017-11-03T23:12:00.109+11:00The Poet of the PivotTowards the end of 2012 I posted about James Lister Cuthbertson, school master at Geelong Grammar, rowing coach and poet whose passion for the Barwon was often reflected in his verses. However, before the arrival of "Cuthy" in 1875, there was another poet who occasionally cast an eye towards the Barwon.<br />
The gentleman in question was William Stitt Jenkins; a temperance advocate, staunch royalist and frequent contributor to the columns of the <i>Geelong Advertiser, The Age, The Argus </i>and<i> The Ballarat Star</i>. William - or W. Stitt Jenkins as he styled himself when writing to the <i>Advertiser</i> - was an English migrant, born at Whitehaven on 30th June, 1812, who had arrived in the country in or around 1853. Before his ship had even reached port, he had already put pen to paper, crafting a ditty titled "Penned off Cape Otway" which was published in the <i>Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer</i>, 22nd March, 1854.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdtuPglf8KqDbqeWi0iNNbbf6H4vOTRtA0YTWfwMZ2QduVR6XuZc4FA4XELa86Av9JWntBZNse6WadgykRdlIE6gfZXV6BZTpcv7ezoD6VnJqdF_gh8Ytny_adF3TzdNyDb5cOkOf0N22/s1600/William+Stitt+Jenkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="274" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdtuPglf8KqDbqeWi0iNNbbf6H4vOTRtA0YTWfwMZ2QduVR6XuZc4FA4XELa86Av9JWntBZNse6WadgykRdlIE6gfZXV6BZTpcv7ezoD6VnJqdF_gh8Ytny_adF3TzdNyDb5cOkOf0N22/s400/William+Stitt+Jenkins.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Stitt Jenkins. Image from the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/ahf_event/william-stitt-jenkins-1812-1878-a-man-of-worth-and-sterling-mind/" target="_blank">National Trust</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Whilst I cannot find his name on the usual shipping records, I can deduce that his wife (Elizabeth neé Goforth) and at least three daughters - Evangeline, Victoria and Isabella - as well as a son Llewellyn must also have come to Australia. Sadly, their 15 year old daughter Evangeline died two days after Christmas in 1853 and was the first of a number of burials in what became the family plot at the Eastern Cemetery. A fourth daughter - Mary Jane - was born to the couple in 1854, however her death was also registered the following year.<br />
Jenkins worked as a storeman at Dalgety's in Geelong following his arrival and was quick to become involved in the public affairs of his adopted town. It was he who it is claimed first referred to Geelong as a "commercial pivot" (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 23rd May, 1922) and thus was born the 'Pivotonians' moniker which has stuck to the present day. The name I now suspect, came from a store which Jenkins owned for a brief time in 1854 soon after his arrival in Australia and possibly between stints at Dalgety's (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 4th December, 1854). The store was called The Commercial Pivot Hay and Corn Store and was located on Keera St near the Crown Hotel in Ashby (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 3rd October, 1845). The Crown was situated on the corner of Keera St and La Trobe Tce (now The Esplanade) on what is today the Hertz car rental site. Predictably, Jenkins advertised his wares in verse. The venture was short-lived however and by December 1854 the business had closed.<br />
As a devout Christian and strong advocate for the Temperance Movement (he went so far as to write to Queen Victoria, asking her to take the temperance pledge!), Jenkins' efforts were central to the acquisition of land for the Temperance Hall, built in 1858-9 on the corner of Little Malop St and Aitchison Place, the site now occupied by the Geelong Performing Arts Centre.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozRKCWbwSKXF8nvubV0r3J2x6_DFdu8GdsMyzr1PNXTBjpI_8Ipo659_GOd-I8AcExDhITX3T740TcaiwCQaKSktNBQ1IMG10xSDv5KZIAvHl5J7DklWrfaUPbSLJwPZq_dXlP-JqatO_/s1600/Temperance+Hall.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="831" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozRKCWbwSKXF8nvubV0r3J2x6_DFdu8GdsMyzr1PNXTBjpI_8Ipo659_GOd-I8AcExDhITX3T740TcaiwCQaKSktNBQ1IMG10xSDv5KZIAvHl5J7DklWrfaUPbSLJwPZq_dXlP-JqatO_/s400/Temperance+Hall.tif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portion of a 1927 photograph by Charles Daniel Pratt showing the old<br />
Temperance Hall in the centre. Image held by the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of particular interest to Jenkins were the youth of Geelong and in predictably vociferous fashion, he was instrumental in obtaining the use of a meeting hall and establishing a local branch of the Band of Hope - a Christian charity group first established in the United Kingdom which was devoted to educating children and young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.<br />
In the name of public entertainment and the betterment of the working classes, Jenkins also advocated for the establishment of a local version of the Penny Reading Movement which staged readings and performances at the indicated cost. In addition, he established the Recreative Society with the aim of providing evening concerts for the entertainment of the public (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 16th June, 1859), no doubt with a view to turning their attention from the lure of Geelong's many public houses, however as with many of Jenkins' ventures the Society appears to have struggled for patronage.<br />
By 1858, his credentials as - if not a poet, then at least a writer of verse - were well established, as was his propensity for commenting in the media on issues of local importance. On the 16th December, 1858 <i>The Age</i> referred condescendingly to "no less important a personage than the "celebrated" Geelong rhymer W. Stitt Jenkins", going on to describe his "admirable" - but in their opinion, no doubt misplaced - "zeal". In fact this seems to have been the attitude of many in the public arena - especially newspaper editors - towards Jenkins' frequent literary crusades which often attracted some rather strident criticism. On the 17th December, 1859, Jenkins was moved to write to the editor of the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, that "I shall not any more, Mr Editor, trouble myself to notice any further abuse with which I may be favored..."<br />
Of particular interest to Jenkins - and indeed most of Geelong - as the 1850's drew to a close, was the issue of water. For years Geelong had struggled to secure a clean, reliable water supply in the face of a disinterested and obstructionist Melbourne government (for further details see this <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/let-it-flow-let-it-flow-let-it-flow.html" target="_blank">post</a>).<br />
Presumably wanting to bring attention to the issue, Jenkins wrote a poem which was published in the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> of 4th April, 1859, bewailing the townspeople's plight and using such phrases as:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
We oft used to visit your capital plan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of mixing us water and mud in the dam.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The mud still remains, we are sorry to say,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But the water, your honors, has all gone away,</div>
</blockquote>
The dam in question was of course (Governor) La Trobe's Dam, now Johnstone Park. Mention was also made in the poem of Mr Gray whose water tank stood in the Market Square and was at the time, the main commercial water source for the town, pumped from a polluted Barwon River. In order to ameliorate the situation Jenkins began agitating for the installation of public drinking fountains for both man and beast, however his endeavours were met with the usual lukewarm response.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-V5PfiR551ZjxasE09ePsWK1EZHdsXsBFkcvRsuds65qAvDUnr3BLgqXt3f9-X0RHXaCNG5_v1gWF7iaUO3eZxV_HUwtlJXseWVZeQx5Vd4ydTEtDzTjf_O_fGOvvqS6R0drG-Qdyzx_s/s1600/Johnstone+Park+1930+Pratt.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1600" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-V5PfiR551ZjxasE09ePsWK1EZHdsXsBFkcvRsuds65qAvDUnr3BLgqXt3f9-X0RHXaCNG5_v1gWF7iaUO3eZxV_HUwtlJXseWVZeQx5Vd4ydTEtDzTjf_O_fGOvvqS6R0drG-Qdyzx_s/s400/Johnstone+Park+1930+Pratt.tif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnstone Park, 1930. Site of the former La Trobe Dam, looking north east<br />
across what is now Johnstone Park. Image by Charles Daniel Pratt 1930-<br />
1940. Image held by the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the 9th December, 1859 he wrote to <i>The Age</i> berating his fellow citizens for their failure to support a fundraiser he had organised in an attempt to raise money for the installation of the suggested fountains. In all, Jenkins claimed to have spent around £12 in staging the event which only raised around £6, leaving him to contemplate how to cover the rest of his costs and no closer to realising his ambition of providing water to the good citizens of Geelong.<br />
By 1860 Jenkins had raised enough money to erect a number of fountains in central parts of Geelong. A drinking fountain/trough suitable for both man and beast was erected "on the south side of the railway bridge in Mercer-street" (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 12th February, 1861) or in today's terms, somewhere near the corner of Mercer St and Railway Terrace, adjacent to Johnstone Park. The fountain contained a memorial to Captain Cook on one side and a poem and advertisement for the Geelong Total Abstinence Society on the other. It's life at that location however, was short-lived. Much to the disgust of Jenkins, it was torn down and unceremoniously dumped in the nearby railway reserve in 1867 by what he referred to as a "semi-military horde" (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 18th October, 1867). The horde in question was probably the local division of the Victorian Volunteer Rifle Corps, although why they would have had cause to dismantle the fountain is unclear.<br />
According to the Victorian Heritage Database the above fountain (which it claims was for animals only) was re-erected at the Market Square in 1879, however various contemporary articles from the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> show that more than one fountain was erected by Jenkins. <i>The Argus</i> (27th March, 1860) noted that "One or two small fountains for persons to drink at have latterly been erected in different parts of the town, and there is a rather superior one of Barrabool stone, just about being <span style="font-family: inherit;">finished in the Market Square."<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1Dw3tpEXe6k4RrbQaFOlFXtUN5U8AN6qRZwujUg6kt88AiJ_KqOmvivLrmLwOaycfj01ngLEnKnBz_gPI4xlDcxEGOS5M9nwFdeq5_fpB41VZ240RGsY5uOmoTNfMKAc48gqZabgNWVV/s1600/Jenkins+fountain+from+Solomons+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="686" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1Dw3tpEXe6k4RrbQaFOlFXtUN5U8AN6qRZwujUg6kt88AiJ_KqOmvivLrmLwOaycfj01ngLEnKnBz_gPI4xlDcxEGOS5M9nwFdeq5_fpB41VZ240RGsY5uOmoTNfMKAc48gqZabgNWVV/s400/Jenkins+fountain+from+Solomons+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An 1890s photo showing the fountain situated at the roadside on Moorabool St<br />
with the gardens and the Exhibition Building occupying the Market Square<br />
site behind. Image taken from a brochure titled "Do You Remember?"<br />
published by Solomons Pty. Ltd. in 1944, held at the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The same day, the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> noted the fountain in the Market Square had been officially turned on the previous day and on 28th March it provided the following physical description:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">It
is built of Barrabool stone, in pretty large blocks, and consists of one basin,
and two small ones for cattle and other animals which basins are supplied
through a lion’s mouth, while for those who experience human thirst there is a
bubbling fountain running over an artificial rock. At present in the absence of
drinking cups, the water which is tolerably clear, is either imbibed as it
wells up, or is diverted into the eye of the passer by, by small boys who have
evidently practised that kind of sport at the pump spout.”</span></span></blockquote>
In typical fashion however, the fountain was controversial from day one. Inscribed on the back by a person unknown to either newspaper was the inscription "whosoever drinketh of the water which I give unto you shall never thirst." <i>The Argus</i> was keen to point out that "the Barwon water is not by any means proverbial for promoting longevity, nor for quenching thirst, and a much less impious invitation would have suited the purpose better" whilst the <i>Advertiser</i> felt that "from the motto to the inevitable literal application is just the one step from the sublime to the ridiculous".<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05aku3e_3lRzQgPPILitkY4Qeea4H7tqEMOxARk5o4aJT2aWw8gYIrRFSooPGdybkPW-8Dzmih2d0C07RK5QDaBGuHfy4ejqsEvzdXch5fhO1rLiF08stL1Y0uVAv7ELZ7QiYu0kovj11/s1600/William+Stitt+Jenkins+Fountain.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1000" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05aku3e_3lRzQgPPILitkY4Qeea4H7tqEMOxARk5o4aJT2aWw8gYIrRFSooPGdybkPW-8Dzmih2d0C07RK5QDaBGuHfy4ejqsEvzdXch5fhO1rLiF08stL1Y0uVAv7ELZ7QiYu0kovj11/s400/William+Stitt+Jenkins+Fountain.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1934 photo of the fountain erected by William Stitt Jenkins on Moorabool St<br />
near the Market Square. Image held by the <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">State Library of Victoria</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nor was this the only problem. Within two months of its opening, the Market Square fountain had been vandalised and days later, "Mr Jenkins's dog-troughs" were "completely destroyed" (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 1st June, 1860). I can't help but suspect the vandalism was at least in part, the response of some in the community unhappy with Jenkins' particular form of zealotry, none-the-less, the fountain at the Market-square survived, unlike its counterpart in Mercer St.<br />
By 1875 the fountain was dry and in need of repair and in 1878 a petition before the Geelong Town Council asked that "the fountain in Moorabool-street be repaired, and that the name of the late Mr W. Stitt Jenkins who had died a month earlier, be inscribed on the base of the fountain as a mark of their respect (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i> 1st October, 1878).<br />
By 1910 moves were afoot to change the Market Square frontage on Moorabool Street after a deal was done between the Geelong City Council and Mr Julius Solomon who built new premises for his Solomons Department Store which opened on the site in 1913. At the time, there was concern that the Stitt Jenkins fountain should be "redressed and moved to a conspicuous location" (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 5th October, 1910). Two years later on the centenary of Jenkins' birth his son-in-law Rudolph Johan Frederick Steel, wrote to the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> reminding the community of the contributions Jenkins had made to the town including the implementation of a Saturday half-holiday, the establishment of Queen's Park as a public reserve, the building of the Queen's and Prince Albert Bridges (today's Queen's Park and Prince's Bridges respectively), the purchase of land for the Temperance Hall and the establishment of the Free Library in what was originally the Geelong Chamber of Commerce building on Moorabool St (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 4th July, 1912). Like others, Steel was concerned that some would see the fountain scrapped and instead felt it should be "renovated a little and placed in one of our parks in a prominent position..."<br />
On 28th July, 1912 the fountain was dismantled and put into storage at the City Hall depot (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 28th December, 1912), its fate presumably still uncertain. By December, 1914 however, it had found a new home in Johnstone Park, about 100m from the fountain erected on Mercer St.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG92iSiQLiTFO_GwKPTpsq53HJf1Eu8TcLfEcNY_qKwQqwgg-X77N3dxz8aTcLvNpLxDs3Sju4AD-IHHIOw9LXWYVAYCSwnSwNCVpPfqQfevWVBsO81QL8BYAqDLYKB6_Eeslir6KAQ5r/s1600/William+Stitt+Jenkins+fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG92iSiQLiTFO_GwKPTpsq53HJf1Eu8TcLfEcNY_qKwQqwgg-X77N3dxz8aTcLvNpLxDs3Sju4AD-IHHIOw9LXWYVAYCSwnSwNCVpPfqQfevWVBsO81QL8BYAqDLYKB6_Eeslir6KAQ5r/s400/William+Stitt+Jenkins+fountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More recent photograph of the Stitt Jenkins fountain, in Johnstone Park.<br />
Today, the sandstone has deteriorated even further. Image taken from the<br />
Victorian Heritage Database</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And this is where the sadly deteriorated remains of the fountain can still be found today. At the current time however, the site is inaccessible due to works being undertaken to upgrade the park.<br />
Also high on Jenkins' list of priorities was the establishment of the Geelong Free Library and to this end, he was instrumental in securing a site from which it could operate. First however, the usual public debate ensued as to the the location, the type of building (pre-existing or purpose-built), the cost, the type of library most suited, indeed, the need for a library at all. One punter even suggested a competition, with the winning design to be approved by a committee. The matter was finally settled in 1875 when the purchase of the former Chamber of Commerce building on the east side of Moorabool St was eventually negotiated.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb67KFmvsHVe_niS1j7t8c3w8BdpKgrSkU8rnkR7KppY73UeSMinUfuc_8mdFIHedv7T8qZ6yA_TV5J576gFyvCA8qL-E0YPj8qyBXdlaK9QO48Q5z8dWW1Xj0Q6wPR0AgxynL9Cuv3OXw/s1600/Geelong+Free+Library.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1000" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb67KFmvsHVe_niS1j7t8c3w8BdpKgrSkU8rnkR7KppY73UeSMinUfuc_8mdFIHedv7T8qZ6yA_TV5J576gFyvCA8qL-E0YPj8qyBXdlaK9QO48Q5z8dWW1Xj0Q6wPR0AgxynL9Cuv3OXw/s400/Geelong+Free+Library.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Geelong Free Library after 1875. Photograph by John Henry Harvey.<br />
Image held by the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By 1876 however, only a few short years after Geelong was eventually connected to a reliable water supply, Jenkins had had enough. In poor health and disheartened at the lack of support for his many causes, Jenkins and his wife left Geelong for Melbourne. In his own words, he left Geelong "quietly, sadly, and alone, heart-broken at the miserable apathy of most of its inhabitants", however he was not entirely bereft of sympathy and support as a bank draft to the value of £50 was forwarded to him by the mayor; a token of esteem from a number of his remaining supporters in the town (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 17th June, 1876).<br />
As he attempted to establish a new life in Melbourne, he took a position as a clerk in the Lands Department, however his health does not appear to have improved and on 1st August, 1878 William died. He was buried two days later in the family plot at the Eastern Cemetery in Geelong. Later that year, the Lands Department granted a gratuity of £12 - equivalent to one month's salary - to his widow Elizabeth (Votes & Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, 1878).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOthofAhL4gOjlcTjOa9ZouQB361wJm4wRSyCYq9eQSq1oPiyxdIK0iqz0cNdUQ2zViYPZ-egX0JQYPIRpzyItLis7UpFjOaYlwqYb90vmD17PO7v9ntVO2KfD4gSOFEfK0z_KW9ouU1Q/s1600/Stitt+Jenkins+grave+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOthofAhL4gOjlcTjOa9ZouQB361wJm4wRSyCYq9eQSq1oPiyxdIK0iqz0cNdUQ2zViYPZ-egX0JQYPIRpzyItLis7UpFjOaYlwqYb90vmD17PO7v9ntVO2KfD4gSOFEfK0z_KW9ouU1Q/s400/Stitt+Jenkins+grave+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stitt Jenkins' family grave at the Eastern Cemetery, Old<br />
Church of England Section, Grave 536, October, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A marble plaque placed on the headstone at the time of William's death reads:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Let him alone, let no man move his bones"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A REQUEST</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I am gone. When I am gone,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then bear me to the lonely spot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where birds with lullaby of Song</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shall warble fond Forget me not.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I am gone. When I am gone,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let no vain sculptures mock the dead;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But one umbrageous tree arise</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To wave its branches o'er my head</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I am gone. When I am gone,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let none approach in garb of woe, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who cared not for the living man;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What care they for the dead below.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I am gone. When I am gone, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Too late will tears bedew the sod;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Give me to earth and go your way,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And leave me to myself and God.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
One last poem; a parting shot at his detractors from the Poet of the Pivot.<br />
Yet even in death, Jenkins managed to cause a stir in the media. The content of his will was widely circulated in newspapers across the country when it emerged that it had - of course - been written in verse. And then, in a final twist - through no fault of his own - Jenkins' character was once again called into question in 1912 when media comment on plans to move his fountain from the Market Square went awry after a supporter, quoting the verse on Jenkins' grave inadvertently substituted the word "scriptures" for "sculptures". A local reader styling himself "Churchman" was quick to inform the <i>Geelong</i> <i>Advertiser</i> (29th June, 1912) that he felt the phrase "vain scriptures" was an insult to the good Christians of Geelong. This in turn led to a hue and cry from Jenkins' supporters, explaining the mis-transcription, at which point "Churchman" quickly withdrew his assertion that the best place for the fountain was on the scrap heap!<br />
Elizabeth survived her husband by a further 15 years. She died in Melbourne in 1893 and was buried with William and many of their descendants in the family plot.<br />
I will look a little more at Jenkins' poetry in my next post but will finish this one with an assessment of Jenkins published in the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> on 10th May, 1920, almost 42 years after his death:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
He composed a few really good poems, but he made the mistake of writing too much on trivial themes, and thus exposed himself to jibes of Melbourne jokers about "Sleepy Hollow" and its poet laureate. As to the suggestion that his poems should now be collected into a volume, I am afraid it comes too late, for a new generation of Geelongites has arisen that knows nothing about him, and is not interested in his work or personality. But although perhaps of not much value in the main as poetry, such a book would be of some historical interest, as Jenkins commemorated in verse almost every outstanding event in the annals of Geelong.</blockquote>
<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-88217020545981734142017-10-19T22:29:00.001+11:002017-10-19T22:29:53.954+11:00'Lawrence Park'The Learmonth family of squatting fame first arrived in Australia in the 1830s when Thomas Learmonth Senior established himself as a merchant in Hobart Town. In April, 1837 his sons Thomas and Somerville were amongst the first squatters to take up land in the newly-established Port Phillip District of New South Wales. As members of the Port Phillip Association (later the Derwent Company), they occupied land along the Barwon River up to its confluence with the Leigh River, beating out their competition in the form of the Clyde Company under the management of George Russell.<br />
With their preferred land on the Barwon unavailable, the Clyde Company instead set up operations along the Moorabool River, north from Fyansford and west across to the Leigh River at Shelford. However, the Port Phillip Association once again got the jump on the Clyde Company when the first land sales were held for the parish of Gherineghap in February, 1839.<br />
The Association disregarded the gentleman's agreement which prevented squatters from purchasing the land on which other land holders were squatting. Outbidding their rivals at the Sydney auction, they snapped up much of the land from Fyansford to the future site of Gheringhap along the Moorabool where George Russell was squatting and along the Barwon as far as Bruce's Creek. Their success however, came at a cost. Philip Russell (half brother of George and shareholder in the Clyde Company) was able to force the sale price up to 28 shillings per acre. The Russells meanwhile, quickly stripped the land of the improvements they had made - huts, stockyards, tents, even a wool shed - and retreated to what had until then been their outpost on the Leigh River.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VTVYrK4AbKKl2hB91Gs2mD5g5iGVWGqWQ4lseiBNTaUuUB3E5XTtextJN6PLP9fXXXTS7FElqhZjYj3Sv85n6q1rH8Wbb9gOF5yngmiN1JE0zD2mN3osnayKHMxJ9gMDVshg7khwyPyy/s1600/Port+Phillip+Association.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="681" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VTVYrK4AbKKl2hB91Gs2mD5g5iGVWGqWQ4lseiBNTaUuUB3E5XTtextJN6PLP9fXXXTS7FElqhZjYj3Sv85n6q1rH8Wbb9gOF5yngmiN1JE0zD2mN3osnayKHMxJ9gMDVshg7khwyPyy/s400/Port+Phillip+Association.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google Earth map showing the boundaries of the 1839 land purchases of the<br />
Port Phillip Association and the Learmonths as shown on the Gherineghap<br />
Parish Survey Maps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Amongst the members of the Port Phillip Association was Thomas Learmonth Sr who is widely reported to have taken up the land after purchase before passing it to his youngest son Dr John Learmonth. In addition, the parish survey map shows that 611 acres west of Batesford was also purchased in John's own name. Meanwhile, his brothers Thomas and Somerville had headed north early in 1838, establishing first the Boninyong Estate, then the property known as Ercildoune.<br />
In 1845 John began building a homestead on the property to replace an earlier building which according to the book <i>The Stepping Stone: A History of the Shire of Bannockburn</i>, Derek Beaurepaire (1995) had accidentally burnt down during an attempt to smoke out a swarm of bees.<br />
By 1846 along with his wife - Alicia Macwhirter - John was living at the property which he called 'Laurence Park' (later 'Lawrence Park') after his father Thomas Learmonth's estate at Falkirk, Scotland. It was here that three of their ten children were born. In January that year, Alicia gave birth to a daughter who died two days later (<i>Geelong Advertiser & Squatters' Advocate</i>, 10th January, 1846). A second daughter followed in 1849 and a son in 1852.<br />
In January 1854 however, John, his wife and their children (eight at that time) boarded the ship <i>Kangaroo</i> and headed back to Britain. 'Lawrence Park' was advertised to let as house and garden (<i>Geelong Advertiser & Intelligencer</i>, 7th March, 1854). It would seem perhaps that the lease was not taken up as the <a href="http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/learmonth-john-2345" target="_blank">Australian Dictionary of Biography</a> entry for the Learmonths indicates that after John's departure, his brother Andrew managed the property on his behalf from 1854-1855. By 1856 the property was once again up for lease, this time advertised "to be let for five years, with possession on the 1st April, the House, Garden, and Vineyard at Lawrence Park, Bates Ford, the property of Dr. Learmonth, together with about 200 Acres of fenced land" (<i>The Argus</i>, 30th January, 1856). John Learmonth and his family did not return.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZCXvI4ZC256TkmBPyKyTowg6h7S254kaQdeGQN4JfkGbza1zrNV0lk3SygxEzaNpyhy8LyUPEJM8yRcEXLrwEgc8Sb49dZHtxOMgop196MBY7VsACefGBbky_UuuYamF_9qM-GTBDf_u/s1600/Lawrence+Park+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1000" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZCXvI4ZC256TkmBPyKyTowg6h7S254kaQdeGQN4JfkGbza1zrNV0lk3SygxEzaNpyhy8LyUPEJM8yRcEXLrwEgc8Sb49dZHtxOMgop196MBY7VsACefGBbky_UuuYamF_9qM-GTBDf_u/s400/Lawrence+Park+2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Lawrence Park' 19th September, 1971. Image from the J.T. Collins<br />
Collection, La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
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Like John, all of the Learmonth brothers were essentially speculators who eventually returned to their native Scotland. By 1867, 'Lawrence Park' which had been tenanted for some time was in the hands of neighbouring land owner George Hope of '<a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/branching-out-darriwill.html" target="_blank">Darriwill</a>' who soon on-sold the property to settler George Hill who for a time had been a tenant of the Hope family (<i>The Leader</i>, 23rd February, 1867).<br />
The Hills were Scottish immigrants who had arrived in Australia in April, 1853 as assisted immigrants aboard the ship <i>Confiance</i>. With George on the voyage was his wife Sarah, and their young children James, Philip and George Jr. In the following years to 1870 a further seven children were born to the couple.<br />
At the time of the Hills' arrival, the house was described by the <i>Melbourne Leader</i> on 23rd February, 1867 as:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
possess[ing] historical interest, on account of its comparative antiquity; the walls are as massive as those of many a castle; the stone, probably, was found hard to work, but whatever the reason, the building has a rough and rather primitive appearance, although roomy, extensive and lofty.</blockquote>
After purchasing the property however, the Hills undertook extensions, adding a south wing during the 1860s and today, the Victorian Heritage Database gives the following description:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">an h-shaped colonial vernacular building with gabled roofs. The earliest part is brick, that is, the north wing and middle section of the H. The south wing constructed in the 1860s is of random rubble. There are verandahs on the north and east sides. The house has been altered over the years and little remains internally of the original features. The only section in original condition is the upper level of the stone wing. A steep, narrow timber stair leads up to it. The overall condition of the building could be described as good, although the soft early bricks are deteriorating at floor level.</span></span></blockquote>
George ran the farm until his retirement in 1889 when he held a clearing sale and let the property to tenants (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 4th April, 1889), retaining ownership until his death in 1909 at which time it was purchased at auction by his son Phillip. George and Sarah (died 1901) are buried in the Church of England section of Geelong's Western Cemetery in adjacent plots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7qI0tUnV_9v14eDT_jXiten_acyQOa7LibiCmzlrgrdnnk2VhDGOQ-9pSfxNXwiZRYU53JOUFVZUrXsp0neYrbGecLi3tZlMbyo4Had9nAxhyMacDHAHx_1bxkjmmifYtoTLgod_3FL5/s1600/Hill+graves+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7qI0tUnV_9v14eDT_jXiten_acyQOa7LibiCmzlrgrdnnk2VhDGOQ-9pSfxNXwiZRYU53JOUFVZUrXsp0neYrbGecLi3tZlMbyo4Had9nAxhyMacDHAHx_1bxkjmmifYtoTLgod_3FL5/s400/Hill+graves+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grave of George and Sarah Hill, Western General Cemetery, Church of England<br />Section, Row 1, Graves 1249 and 1250</td></tr>
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Philip in turn ran the property with his own family before retiring to Geelong in his later years. Philip died in 1931 and was buried next to his wife Mary Jane, not far from his parents. Newspaper notices suggest that his son George continued to,manage the property after his father's death until 1933 when the property was auctioned by the estate trustees (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 14th October, 1933). In August the following year, a clearing sale was held on the property (<i>The Argus</i>, 11th August, 1834) however presumably a sale was not negotiated as the lease of 'Lawrence Park', Gheringhap was listed in <i>The Age</i>, 18th April, 1934 and by 1940 Garry George Hill, son of Albert Alexander - Philip's younger brother - was running the property. Along with his wife Ella, Garry made a number of appearances in <i>The Weekly Times</i> during the 1940s and 1950s, promoting the benefits of the district and showcasing the prosperity of 'Lawrence Park'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsCc-PwUAsBnfia2K4rvIFSwFoj5Fq7FiEZGK6VsYyL440bAeVvh6jrI6zkUA1fah3TTQL8I9ZefDvUsWAYgSyGd-Q2J0nsrSjCsMgF-WUg6MeUZqnLf-mfbVPxlOrI8kSkh5sASGALUz/s1600/Hills+of+Lawrence+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="514" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsCc-PwUAsBnfia2K4rvIFSwFoj5Fq7FiEZGK6VsYyL440bAeVvh6jrI6zkUA1fah3TTQL8I9ZefDvUsWAYgSyGd-Q2J0nsrSjCsMgF-WUg6MeUZqnLf-mfbVPxlOrI8kSkh5sASGALUz/s400/Hills+of+Lawrence+Park.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph of members of the Hill family at the Geelong Sheepdog Trials,<br /><i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 31st August, 1949, captioned " Mr. J. Pettitt (right),<br />Chairman of the Sheep Dog Trials committee, with Mr. and Mrs. G. G.<br />Hill, Mr. M. Hill and Miss D. Hill from Batesford"</td></tr>
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<br /> The couple had four children but it was their younger son Ian James Hill who was noted as still being in residence in 1995 (<i>The Stepping Stone: A History of the Shire of Bannockburn</i>, Derek Beaurepaire (1995). Ian had married Sheila Pilkington in 1953 in Melbourne but I imagine that it was on the property at Batesford that the family made their home.<br />
Today, the property remains in the Hill family, with the current addressee listed as G M Hill and the house built by John Learmonth in 1845, then extended by the Hill family still stands as a reminder of the earliest days of European settlement in the Port Phillip District.<br />
Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-76188564171286955042017-09-17T11:54:00.000+10:002017-09-17T11:54:03.728+10:00Victoria and Albert<a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/seidels-farm_28.html" target="_blank">Seidel's farm</a> - the subject of my last post - was not the only vineyard sketched by Eugene von Guerard during his travels in and around Geelong and the surrounding districts. During one of his stays in the area he also visited (and of course, sketched) what was, even then, one of the region's best-known vineyards: Pettavel's Victoria Vineyard.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Undated sketch of Victoria Vineyard by Eugene von Guerard looking south<br />
west across Waurn Ponds Creek from what today would be private land to<br />
the west of Cochrane's Rd, Waurn Ponds <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(click to enlarge)</span></td></tr>
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David Louis Pettavel was born in 1817 at Boudry in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel. He arrived in the Port Phillip district in 1842 on the <i>Platina </i> and was amongst the earliest in a string of Swiss vignerons to migrate to the Geelong region in the mid-nineteenth century, encouraged to do so by Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe.<br />
In 1842 Pettavel along with Frédéric Breguet - another Swiss immigrant - established the earliest vineyard on the Barwon River at Pollocksford. As foreign citizens, they could not purchase their own land, instead leasing 25 acres from squatters William Haines and John Highett (John Tétaz, 1995, <i>From Boudry to the Barrabool Hills: Swiss vignerons in Geelong</i>). They called their vineyard Neuchâtel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Louis Pettavel</td></tr>
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In order to overcome this obstacle to land ownership, Pettavel and Breguet took the step of becoming denizens, a process requiring them to petition the governor who in turn sought the permission of the Secretary of State in London. They were amongst only 20 in the country ever to do so before 1849 when new law allowing naturalisation rendered the process obsolete (Wegmann & Rűegger,1989, <i>The Swiss in Australia</i>, ).<br />
Meanwhile, with vines planted, the first wine production and sale of grapes occurred in 1845 or 1846 according to the above sources. The partnership between Breguet and Pettavel did not last long however and by 1848 Pettavel was going it alone. On 1st March he purchased 585 acres, 3 roods of land at Waurn Ponds at a cost of £1 per acre. Today, the land Pettavel purchased is bordered by the line of Pettavel Rd to the west, Drayton's Rd to the east and Reservoir Rd to the south, running all the way to Waurn Ponds creek on its northern boundary. He named his property Victoria Vineyard.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south west across Waurn Ponds Creek from Cochrane's Rd to the<br />north-facing slopes of David Pettavel's land</td></tr>
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Some years after its establishment, an article in <i>The Age</i>, 18th May, 1863 claimed to describe how Pettavel came to select the land on which the vineyard stood:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The circumstance which led to the formation of the Victoria Vineyard, on the Colac road, is very singular. When Monsieur Pettavel was on the road to Pollock's Ford, he camped on the ground where the Victoria vineyard now flourishes; it was at that time a dense forest. During the night he dreamt that he was planting vines on that hill, and when the partnership at Pollock's ford, was dissolved seven years afterwards, the dream was fulfilled. The solitude of the wilderness has given way to splendid vineyards, and substantial dwellings, where peace and plenty reign supreme.</blockquote>
Pettavel planted his vines at the northern end of his block where they were best situated to take advantage of the sun. He did not just plant his vines and hope for the best however, instead he took an experimental approach to their cultivation. A report in <i>The Leader</i> of 16th April, 1864 indicated that he was testing a number of different types of manure, using different spacing and arrangement of vines and experimenting with a variety of grapes. Pettavel also wrote on the subject of viticulture, sharing his accumulated knowledge on the subject with other vignerons. For the 1861 harvest, Pettavel imported a screw press from his native country to better extract the juice from his grapes.<br />
He was also well known for his extensive use of local labour, employing many in the district, especially those who were newly-arrived from Switzerland. Of those Swiss who came to Victoria, skilled vine dressers and workers willing to fill the gap in the labour market created by the onset of the gold rush in 1851 were particularly encouraged. A number were members of the extended Pettavel family, including aunts, uncles and cousins bearing familiar names such as Tétaz, Marendaz and Barbier.<br />
Victoria Vineyard grew to include 45 acres of vines and nearby, alongside Waurn Ponds Creek, Pettavel built the homestead where he lived with his wife Esther Keanan whom he had married in 1847. The house was an eight-roomed stone structure with dormer windows across the front and a sizeable cellar measuring around 12 metres by 9 metres located beneath it. The cellar was divided in two with one room housing the wine press and the other holding casks.<br />
During harvesting, the vineyard employed as many as 30 men and at its height produced around 23,000 litres of wine. This was in addition to the sale of fruit - much of which was sent to the goldfields of Ballarat - and fruit trees.<br />
By 1851 Pettavel was advertising 10,000 assorted fruit trees and vines for sale at the "Victoria Vineyard and Nursery". On the list for sale were 34 species of apples as well as pears, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, figs, mulberries and strawberries (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 27th June, 1851). The following year, he had doubled his stock for sale (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 4th June, 1852) and by 1854 that figure had tripled to 30,000 trees (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 8th May, 1854).<br />
In about 1857 he paid a visit to his homeland, no doubt taking the opportunity to acquaint himself with any advances in the techniques of wine-making. Upon his return to Victoria, he established a second vineyard, also on the Colac Rd but a few kilometres closer to Geelong. This he called the Prince Albert Vineyard.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prince Albert Vineyard. Image taken from Wegmann & Rűegger, 1989,<br /><i>The Swiss in Australia</i></td></tr>
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In keeping with his policy of employing extended family members, he set up his nephew Charles Tétaz to run the Prince Albert Vineyard which grew in time to be as large as Victoria Vineyard and as he had done there, he also had a sizeable house built on the property. Tétaz had arrived in the colony in 1852 along with various other family members including his brother Henri François who died in an accident with a dray only a few years after their arrival.*<br />
It was at the Prince Albert Vineyard that Pettavel entertained British royalty in the form of the Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria who travelled to Australia in 1867, touring the district and paying a visit to the Austins at Barwon Park where he went rabbit shooting.<br />
Pettavel died on 22nd June, 1871 at 52 years of age. His funeral was one of the largest seen in the district at that time with both Swiss and English settlers turning out to pay their respects. The cortege travelled fro the Victoria Vineyard to Geelong's Eastern Cemetery with many joining the procession along the 14km route. According to the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> of 26th June, 1871 "every corner of Moorabool-street was crowded with spectators, and the cortege reached from the outskirts of the town to the Eastern cemetery. Altogether, the remains of the deceased when they reached the cemetery, were followed by eighty-two carriages, buggies, and carts, the aristocratic carriage following the market cart, besides a large number of horsemen and visitors...the pall bearers were...Mr Montandon, Mr Dunoyer, Mr Frey, and his first partner as a vigneron, Mr Breguet, senior. Altogether there must have been five or six hundred persons present."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7mkAoKTIJjrcj_Aiaxn9LaXxOjp4XJcV9H38MkWwS7sZdssiNbTVNJ16vDckZ-2s_52WXT3zQFD1IVvCwmNKY3aTK_rG_KmPzUS8p6AaumTAxc41Kk5TeUoRhXbWjaBvv3iz6lsBKvlb/s1600/Pettavel+grave+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7mkAoKTIJjrcj_Aiaxn9LaXxOjp4XJcV9H38MkWwS7sZdssiNbTVNJ16vDckZ-2s_52WXT3zQFD1IVvCwmNKY3aTK_rG_KmPzUS8p6AaumTAxc41Kk5TeUoRhXbWjaBvv3iz6lsBKvlb/s400/Pettavel+grave+025.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grave of David Louis and Esther Pettavel,<br />
Eastern Cemetery Geelong, Old Church of England<br />
Section, Grave 133</td></tr>
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Following David Pettavel's death, the property passed to his nephew in Switzerland, Henri Louis Pettavel. In 1872 Henri arrived to take on the running of the vineyard and the following year, he married his cousin Rose Cécile Marendaz. The Victoria Vineyard did not stay long in the family however, and by 1878 Henri was looking to sell. Throughout June that year, the property was advertised for sale in the Geelong Advertiser as a "splendid vineyard property fronting the Waurn Ponds and Colac Road."<br />
By April the following year, the property had been sold and Henri held a clearing sale preparatory to returning to Switzerland with his family (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 7th April, 1879). During the voyage, Rose gave birth to their youngest son David Louis. Their return to Switzerland was not permanent however, as registry records show that Henri died at Springvale in 1929 at the age of 77, predeceasing Rose by some seven years.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSDwR-tGUZVNgk6Q3BdJlKOMWGzTbuZClYNxgPsAIzfR6bTz6tVvy8j5M80hXKlMyOs1KGFT5FGjx3llZqonUO8HFDdk2ZjSdPkQpysYWCYqPca8SvLR4KSukQB5jT2nbhsFPAPIM4TxO/s1600/Pettavel+grave+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSDwR-tGUZVNgk6Q3BdJlKOMWGzTbuZClYNxgPsAIzfR6bTz6tVvy8j5M80hXKlMyOs1KGFT5FGjx3llZqonUO8HFDdk2ZjSdPkQpysYWCYqPca8SvLR4KSukQB5jT2nbhsFPAPIM4TxO/s400/Pettavel+grave+030.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial plaque in the grave of David Louis and Esther Pettavel commemorating<br />
David's nephew Henri François Tétaz</td></tr>
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The property meanwhile, was purchased by Philip McKim and remained in that family for a further 60 years. Over subsequent years, the property passed through various hands. In the mid-1950s the house was gutted by fire and suffered further fire damage in 1969. According to <i>From Boudry to the Barrabool Hills: Swiss vignerons in Geelong, </i>the vineyard and buildings had been dismantled by 1983 and by the 1990s, a new homestead had been built on the site of the old house which was owned by K.J. Lyons. Since this time, the property has changed hands a number of times, most recently according to real estate data, in 2003. The original 585 acre block purchased by Pettavel has been subdivided over the years and put to other uses, but today the south west corner (the land extending from the Princes Hwy to Reservoir Rd and bounded on the west by Pettavel Rd) once again operates as a winery.<br />
In 2001, Mike and Sandy Fitzpatrick established Pettavel Wines on this block, operating as a winery and restaurant until 2011 when mounting debt saw the business close. The property was eventually sold to the Scotchman's Hill Winery and re-opened to the public as The Hill Winery. Today the venue still operates as a winery and function centre under the name Mt Duneed Estate and in recent years has hosted concerts for A Day on the Green.<br />
The Prince Albert Vineyard, remained in the Tétaz family until 1897 when, suffering from poor health, Charles moved to Colac to be near other family members. He died there of Bright's Disease on 28th August, 1897 and was buried at the Highton Cemetery.<br />
The vineyard itself was allowed to run down and the house - similar to that built at Victoria Vineyard - was much altered, with the upper storey and a verandah being removed. By 1983 only ruins and the large, two-roomed cellar remained.<br />
In 1975 on a part of the original property in Lemins Rd, Bruce and Sue Hyett established a second Prince Albert Vineyard, growing pinot noir grapes. They harvested their first vintage in 1978. In 1998 the vineyard gained organic certification and today continues to operate under the current owner David Yates.<br />
<br />
*Whilst the above plaque gives Henri's year of death as 1856, Geelong Cemeteries Trust gives his date of death as 12th April, 1857 with his burial taking place at the Eastern Cemetery two days later. The letter written by his brother Charles informing his family in Switzerland of his brother's death indicates that Henri died on Tuesday 13th April, 1857 and was buried the following day. I could not find a record of his death in the Index of Births, Deaths and Marriages.<br />
<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-65652760862654654712017-08-28T23:13:00.000+10:002017-08-28T23:13:42.876+10:00Seidel's FarmLast year, I looked at a number of the works of the 19th century landscape artist <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/view-from-hill.html" target="_blank">Eugene von Guerard</a> who sketched and painted a number of locations along the Barwon River. With assistance, I was able to identify the locations from which von Guerard produced a number of his pieces. In addition to those drawings we studied, von Guerard also sketched another scene overlooking the Barwon, this time upstream from Geelong not too far from Ceres.<br />
The scene which caught his eye on the 18th March, 1854 was a vineyard in the Barrabool Hills, owned by German immigrants Alwin and Bernard Seidel, vignerons who arrived in the district on a wave of Swiss chain migration which saw members of extended families settle on the fertile banks of the creeks and rivers around Geelong. The Swiss vine-growers were encouraged to come to Australia by Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe whose wife Sophie de Montmollin was Swiss. La Trobe had spent time in Switzerland prior to their 1835 marriage and subsequent arrival in New South Wales in 1839 and would have been well-acquainted with Swiss wine production.<br />
The Seidels it seems, were also acquainted with von Guerard as he mentions in the diary he kept of his time on the gold fields that he was travelling with "Seidel" - possibly one of the brothers. Clearly, he spent time visiting with them at the farm after his return from his gold-seeking adventures.<br />
The Seidel's vineyard, was established in about 1849 (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 2nd February, 1861) around a kilometre east of Ceres on Barrabool Road. Facing north east, it was situated high above the Barwon, looking out across both the Moorabool and Barwon Valleys. Today, the site lies just to the west of the Ceres/Highton exit from the Geelong Ring Road and whilst much has changed, the view is still commanding.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ng_uO576Q-dXzOYgfrzHWyHNorr-CXfXUkS5_-fETdGX9LrW_AoaCzorD_UqF5efzMt5fPpkr-G5eaPl62ZIJUVyTl-ohahOUvF-GIJ6SmQh4ovdtKCiTJ2HFDDfYTHSXOO8h2h-0jQG/s1600/Fionn%2527s+party+and+Seidel%2527s+Farm+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ng_uO576Q-dXzOYgfrzHWyHNorr-CXfXUkS5_-fETdGX9LrW_AoaCzorD_UqF5efzMt5fPpkr-G5eaPl62ZIJUVyTl-ohahOUvF-GIJ6SmQh4ovdtKCiTJ2HFDDfYTHSXOO8h2h-0jQG/s400/Fionn%2527s+party+and+Seidel%2527s+Farm+038.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Looking towards the You Yangs from a position a little to the<br />east of Seidel's Vineyard</td></tr>
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Initially known as the Ceres Nursery (later the Ceres Vineyard), the Seidels grew fruit trees - plums, apples, apricots and peaches are all mentioned - as well as grapes. A report in the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> of 2nd February, 1861 indicates that the brothers may have farmed side by side rather than together. It states that "the Ceres Vineyard and nursery [is] the property of Alwin and Bernard Seidel, of which the former brother cultivates seven acres of vines and six of orchard and the latter six acres of either."<br />
That they were there at all however is a testament to their determination. Ten years earlier, their fledgling nursery was completely destroyed when on 6th February, 1851 the Black Thursday bushfires struck the district. The family were lucky to escape with their lives but - undeterred - rebuilt their home and replanted their orchard and vineyard. After the outbreak of the Victorian gold rush in August, 1851, much of their fruit was taken to Ballarat for sale.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fN7Z6V_XnZsi_V5phkZmzEr1LtRIOEq7TDZW4z0WXjnvrKFrYtbqp8JPbNijg6QSKpaEDhxoV6CNvwwk6-Y4M0sY3B-F2VS0b2AHlXQRuuT0K8COjukmCAAUoQb-hAIujK2PehLTzYUX/s1600/Winery+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="1360" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fN7Z6V_XnZsi_V5phkZmzEr1LtRIOEq7TDZW4z0WXjnvrKFrYtbqp8JPbNijg6QSKpaEDhxoV6CNvwwk6-Y4M0sY3B-F2VS0b2AHlXQRuuT0K8COjukmCAAUoQb-hAIujK2PehLTzYUX/s400/Winery+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">1854 Sketch of "Seidel's farm" by Eugene von Guerard. Click to enlarge</td></tr>
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The Seidels retained ownership of the vineyard until 1863 when Alwin was declared insolvent and the property sold to Mr Louis Kitz for £1,356 (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 5th March, 1863). Despite this setback, Alwin remained on the property as manager for some years.<br />
In what is perhaps a testament to the vineyard's success - or perhaps just its proximity to Geelong - the vineyard was visited by the Governor of Victoria Sir Charles Darling, on his first tour of the district following his appointment. The governor spent over an hour on the property whilst Louis Kitz showed him sights and elaborated on the finer points of wine-making before inviting him to sample the produce (<i>Geelong Advertiser,</i> 9th December, 1863).<br />
By 1870 however, Kitz in turn had moved on and the property was sold to another pioneering vigneron - Alexander Belperroud, originally the owner of the <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/where-did-it-all-go.html" target="_blank">Berramonga Vineyard</a> located further upstream near today's Merrawarp Road. Belperroud renamed the property Sebastopol and began getting things in shape. The <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> of 7th June, 1871 reported that:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Mr Alexander Belperroud from seven acres has made 25 hhds, as against 4 hhds last year, when his vineyard was in a neglected condition he having only just taken possession.</blockquote>
His tenure however was also short-lived. Barely more than a month after the above article was penned, Belperroud's wife Mary died and by 1874 with his own health beginning to fail, he sold the vineyard and retired to a cottage at nearby Ceres where he died in July the following year.<br />
Alwin Seidel died on 13th September, 1910 at the age of 88 and was buried with his wife Augusta (died 1895), in the Old Methodist section of Geelong's Eastern Cemetery the following day. His burial details record his name as Gustuv Alwin Seidel.<br />
I am uncertain what became of Bernard, however an elderly man of that name died after he was involved in an accident with a police officer on a bike in Melbourne in 1903.<br />
Today, little remains of the original farm buildings which are privately owned. The Victorian Heritage Database describes the remnant structures thus:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Intact cellar. There are also a concrete lined dam/water storage pond, a brick-lined cistern and an area of ruins. The cellar is rectangular, measuring approx 9.5 x 5m. It is entered through a standing sandstone porch, through double timber doors, of which one side remains <em>in situ</em>. Ten steps lead down into the cellar, which is of sandstone construction, with a barrel vaulted roof. There are two roof windows opening to the north. A further two windows in the south side of the vault are blocked but may once have been open. They are now covered on the outside by a stone pavement. There is a shallow niche in the west wall and what may have been another roof window, or a vent, above this. This window/vent is also blocked. A very old ivy bush is growing on the north corner of the porch. There may also have been a structure above the cellar but, if so, it has been removed. There is an area of stone pavement and a concrete slab to the south of the cellar. To the north are the cistern and an area of scattered building stone, bricks and concrete. The dam is located to the south, between the cellar and the road.</blockquote>
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One final point of interest is to note that almost a year to the day after the date on von Guerard's sketch of Seidel's farm, he made another two drawings. Like the earlier sketch, these works took in the Barrabool Hills and were the subject of one of my earlier <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/two-von-guerards-for-price-of-one.html" target="_blank">posts</a>. The photo below was taken from a similar position to that from which von Guerard sketched the view looking south along the Barwon. The site of Seidel's farm - which cannot be seen for the intervening hills - lies over the hill a mile south of the power line seen to the right of the photo.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmSQuZDswJO_cCK5Akkp_xjCP_PE0jvaHFm7bS_B4yTrrsKKeLOcuIpVM3-bxD5yvucJH8t-hEmqXdFM2zwhrjx1pI1-SQuaJ2R6t2txIPNwKX5Aiy1h8FO_834sTQTBSfifgtPrOljZB/s1600/Barrabool+Hills+von+Guerard+2+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmSQuZDswJO_cCK5Akkp_xjCP_PE0jvaHFm7bS_B4yTrrsKKeLOcuIpVM3-bxD5yvucJH8t-hEmqXdFM2zwhrjx1pI1-SQuaJ2R6t2txIPNwKX5Aiy1h8FO_834sTQTBSfifgtPrOljZB/s400/Barrabool+Hills+von+Guerard+2+038.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The view close to the location on the Barwon from which von Guerard<br />sketched the southerly aspect of the hills.</td></tr>
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When compared to the above sketch of Seidel's farm, the central hill in the above photograph is most likely the north face of the dark shaded hilltop to the left of the farmhouse.<br />
<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-66703272006775658802017-07-30T09:27:00.000+10:002017-07-30T09:27:24.216+10:00Fred KrugerFrom the earliest days of European settlement, artists recorded the environment in which they found themselves and often their sketches, paintings and later photographs included the creeks and river systems of the regions they visited or in which they lived. This was also true of the Barwon River catchment. In the earliest days of settlement, artists such as George Alexander Gilbert, Samuel Thomas Gill, <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/two-von-guerards-for-price-of-one.html" target="_blank">Charles Norton</a>, Louis Buvelot, <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/view-from-hill.html" target="_blank">Eugene von Guerard</a> and a host of others, recorded their surroundings and in the process created some of the region's best known artworks.<br />
By 1879, a noted landscape photographer by the name of Fred Kruger had established himself in Skene St, Newtown and was rapidly becoming known about Geelong. In November he was invited to photograph the opening of the new Corio Bay Rowing Club boat shed, located near the Yarra Street Pier (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 29th November, 1879). The following month, he was commissioned to photograph both the exhibits and the building when the newly-erected Geelong Exhibition Building hosted an Industrial and Juvenile Exhibition, boasting some 30,000 exhibits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXSWQNPRbYThi4nkJYnhIORVTo6lXZG5S9fybMm6WommpYvL6tlPwiGmLY8TgXFPUxxP0RvAKOu_NSqdFNZI-9ujBS14X8aOat6nklXSsAD8DlMg4yCdFH_3iiVMJtpIv1HnUIIVAO4mm/s1600/Geelong+Exhibition+Building+Kruger+1882.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXSWQNPRbYThi4nkJYnhIORVTo6lXZG5S9fybMm6WommpYvL6tlPwiGmLY8TgXFPUxxP0RvAKOu_NSqdFNZI-9ujBS14X8aOat6nklXSsAD8DlMg4yCdFH_3iiVMJtpIv1HnUIIVAO4mm/s400/Geelong+Exhibition+Building+Kruger+1882.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geelong Exhibition Building, Fred Kruger (1882), Image held by the<br />State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
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Over the course of the next eight years, Kruger contributed greatly to the photographic record not only of Geelong, but the entire region, including the Barwon, Leigh and Moorabool Rivers. So who was Fred Kruger?<br />
Johan Friedrich Carl Kruger was born in Berlin, Germany on 18th April, 1831 to a working-class family and as a young man, went into business as an upholsterer. By April, 1863 when his wife Auguste Wilhelmine Elisabeth Bauman and their three year old son Hans arrived in Victoria on the ship <i>Macassar</i>, Kruger had already settled in Rutherglen where he was a partner in his brother's furniture business which had operated since 1854. Soon after their arrival, a daughter was born to the couple and Kruger became the sole owner of the business which he sold before moving to Taradale where he established himself as a cabinet maker.<br />
The births of two sons were registered at Taradale in 1866 and 1867 but the family did not remain long in the area, instead moving to Melbourne where Fred established a photography business in Carlton, later moving to Prahran then Preston. He soon developed a reputation as a landscape photographer, winning awards both internationally and in Australia as well as receiving acclaim for his photos of indigenous Australians.<br />
Auguste and Fred went on to have a further six children, all born in Melbourne however at least five of their nine Australian-born children died as infants in their first year of life. Then, some time during the late 1870s or early 1880s Kruger and his remaining family moved to Geelong where they lived in Skene St, Newtown.<br />
During his time in Geelong he took numerous photos of local scenes, travelling also to surrounding towns including Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Ballarat, Werribee, Winchelsea, the Otways and many places in between.<div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmcEhCvRnFEXNBFCYQkNHuOajZDJL2NkhErFNM9fjzJM3jur3oZDa5lduDrXZweDFkFNFOZaRkurjayZHV3ryey33OHvioQ6enVntWCf8SWrMVrGnU92ISxOFcIC15G3munWCU3a4HzaW/s1600/Leigh+River+near+Inverleigh+Kruger.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1000" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmcEhCvRnFEXNBFCYQkNHuOajZDJL2NkhErFNM9fjzJM3jur3oZDa5lduDrXZweDFkFNFOZaRkurjayZHV3ryey33OHvioQ6enVntWCf8SWrMVrGnU92ISxOFcIC15G3munWCU3a4HzaW/s400/Leigh+River+near+Inverleigh+Kruger.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Leigh River, near Inverleigh, Fred Kruger, 1882. Image held by the State<br />Library of Victoria</td></tr>
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In order to make a living, Kruger accepted commissioned work both from the government and local landowners who wanted a visual record of their estate. He is also known to have taken photos of the Barwon in flood as well as shipwrecks off the coast at Point Lonsdale, as images of such events were popular with the buying public.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-NXYHcYTmvUoDry8xe6Kowz2TfSWdr0oArTTHbq6_fXM5Othg6_efFEOyjAFWFMV_IPxuA7FaoY4CDkR2S5HciAE8bpp79_psJpGkMThBvook0d3J4P77I6gSCThbp4JtZkfq0WCc_HP/s1600/Fyansford+Paper+Mill+Kruger+1881+NGV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1280" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-NXYHcYTmvUoDry8xe6Kowz2TfSWdr0oArTTHbq6_fXM5Othg6_efFEOyjAFWFMV_IPxuA7FaoY4CDkR2S5HciAE8bpp79_psJpGkMThBvook0d3J4P77I6gSCThbp4JtZkfq0WCc_HP/s400/Fyansford+Paper+Mill+Kruger+1881+NGV.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kruger's 1881 Photograph of the paper mill at Fyansford. Image held by the<br />National Gallery of Victoria</td></tr>
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I suspect, but do not know, that Kruger's photo of the paper mill may have been taken not long after extensive flooding hit the region. Kruger's photo above shows the ana-branch which connects the Barwon (left) to the Moorabool (right) a short distance above the confluence of the two rivers. Between the river and below the ana-branch is the almost completely denuded Redgum Island. In my image below, the course of the now tree-lined ana-branch runs through the middle of the shot with the lines of the rivers just visible to either side as an indentation in the trees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPanAERKhh2CrAsP2YsKSFctoPMIH7AeSw_SWiVQ4vPYUiztONLhzE3L0eV6viMDh-wIQQC4glxfKHF74VlXpu1WsOVb2D_w-0jwhlEoeTyExFzpJAMDoSVNJHZCHrJwO2rIKNs6R5NbB/s1600/Cementies+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPanAERKhh2CrAsP2YsKSFctoPMIH7AeSw_SWiVQ4vPYUiztONLhzE3L0eV6viMDh-wIQQC4glxfKHF74VlXpu1WsOVb2D_w-0jwhlEoeTyExFzpJAMDoSVNJHZCHrJwO2rIKNs6R5NbB/s400/Cementies+043.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A similar view of the paper mill taken May, 2016. At the time, I had no idea<br />I was standing so close to the spot where Kruger stood some 135 years<br />ago to take his photograph</td></tr>
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In addition to a number of photographs taken near Batesford and the now non-existent town of Viaduct on the lower reaches of the Moorabool, Kruger also visited both Lal Lal Falls and the nearby Moorabool Falls in 1882, perhaps on his way to Ballarat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlnnkpTytqihqOAR5EFm93xtGx3QclsgYvgiLPAKaPE9bvB4GCyLDE19ppDgyH770yqTRz38FsUh4hlUF5Ej1-ZNxcTCbJNOSbv5MDKSOy863j99hpKmetnPI3wG7j1aoY_7cGAL5q93u/s1600/Moorabool+Falls+Kruger+1882.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1000" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlnnkpTytqihqOAR5EFm93xtGx3QclsgYvgiLPAKaPE9bvB4GCyLDE19ppDgyH770yqTRz38FsUh4hlUF5Ej1-ZNxcTCbJNOSbv5MDKSOy863j99hpKmetnPI3wG7j1aoY_7cGAL5q93u/s400/Moorabool+Falls+Kruger+1882.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Moorabool Falls on the Moorabool River near Lal Lal, as seen by Kruger<br />in 1882. Image held by the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnuYNjCCfv4dkPzxvkOEynWllr_D-XJgoLQDx_WaVHgVH4aMAUiEfV1Dxx4Qhied77knvLipkwKtWTQh_gUqvX2lfzvC5au5A7gzzAvgcjfK3oftiv1QbThKZpC5eB8LF3rGPzWNt3Dj3/s1600/Ocean+Grove+and+Lal+Lal+332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnuYNjCCfv4dkPzxvkOEynWllr_D-XJgoLQDx_WaVHgVH4aMAUiEfV1Dxx4Qhied77knvLipkwKtWTQh_gUqvX2lfzvC5au5A7gzzAvgcjfK3oftiv1QbThKZpC5eB8LF3rGPzWNt3Dj3/s400/Ocean+Grove+and+Lal+Lal+332.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moorabool Falls, April, 2012</td></tr>
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On the 15th February, 1888, after contracting peritonitis, Fred died at the home of his son in the Melbourne suburb of Surrey Hills. His wife Auguste lived a further 25 years, dying at Preston in 1913. Over the years, his photographs have remained popular and as recently as 2012, the National Gallery of Victoria who hold a large number of his photographs, hosted the "Fred Kruger: intimate landscapes" exhibition. An earlier exhibition was held in 1983. Many of his works can also be found in digital format across the Internet.<br />
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Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-22015658767945481832017-06-16T23:08:00.000+10:002017-06-16T23:08:00.119+10:00The Deviation revisitedSeveral years ago I looked at a little of the history of Deviation Road, Fyansford then, whilst researching a recent post I came across further details which revealed the politics behind what became a 22 year battle to have the road constructed. Here's what I found:<br />
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Prior to 1933, the most direct way to travel from Fyansford to Geelong was via Hyland St up the steep, 1 in 10 grade of Fyansford Hill. Hauling drays up the hill required the harnessing of extra horses, just to make the climb and the heavy braking by vehicles travelling downhill caused damage to the road's surface. The steep incline was also susceptible to erosion during bad weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yTajUltE80_c8xlL-jhqE-ax1Xfl-JMcfodgjKFGCYjJ6ohcrWPqkooKb89wbdUYrOrVut1MbuuJH0SSoEYC1r4Bmx8D0tnRD_6_xcF0JKmg0Aa-gGafmD7eH2MUb7hdHOrAjXUltS7j/s1600/Fyansford+cement+works+aerial+1920s.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1600" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yTajUltE80_c8xlL-jhqE-ax1Xfl-JMcfodgjKFGCYjJ6ohcrWPqkooKb89wbdUYrOrVut1MbuuJH0SSoEYC1r4Bmx8D0tnRD_6_xcF0JKmg0Aa-gGafmD7eH2MUb7hdHOrAjXUltS7j/s400/Fyansford+cement+works+aerial+1920s.tif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial image of the Cement Works and Fyansford Hill prior to the construction<br />of Deviation Rd, dated (incorrectly) as 1939. Image by Charles Daniel Pratt,<br />State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
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By 1911, an alternative route was being promoted by Councillor McCann of the Corio Shire, one which was slightly shorter but most significantly had a gradient of only 1 in 20. The total cost, including land purchases, was estimated at £1,500 (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 30th November, 1911). The benefits would include easier access for Geelong to the bluestone and sand deposits in the Fyansford area whilst the journey would also be significantly easier for travellers and companies bringing produce into town. By February, 1912, the shire engineers of both the Shire of Corio and City of Geelong were in agreement that the project would be a significant improvement on the existing road. The surveyor for the Shire of Newtown and Chilwell agreed.<br />
By April, 1914 (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 30th April, 1914) four prospective routes had been proposed. The first was merely an upgrade of the existing route up Hyland St, whilst two other options also saw the road rerouted from the end of Fyansford Rd (now Autumn St) at the top of the hill. The fourth and preferred scheme, not only provided breath-taking views of the valley, but also provided the most direct route between Geelong and Fyansford as well as eliminating the need for several right angle turns. It was also the most expensive route, now estimated at £7,000.<br />
At this point, the outbreak of war intervened and it was not until 1919, that the required land had been purchased and the route pegged out. As always seems to be the case when multiple parties are involved however, progress on building The Deviation stalled. On 2nd June, 1921, the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> reported that Corio Shire was (understandably) reluctant to carry the sole cost of construction. In November 1923, Geelong West Council objected to the financial burden of the project (to be divided amongst various shires and councils) which it saw as having little benefit for its own town (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 1st November, 1923).<br />
By July, 1924, the longer, more picturesque route from the end of Aberdeen St had been accepted as the preferred option and on 4th July, the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> published the below map of what the new road would look like. (Note also, "Valley Rd" descending from the top of proposed Deviation to the river below. Traces of this older road can still be found today.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkNkLSTT3XErRegzLtFiuZN0H4-z5SfVP3nYk-bfoQI-5OdrfgEK-XU2l5rpUI_etVmgF3T_HNVh3cEap_-RnV95iBIC1WckiYId9TQpoVJtFi6Do2QyduBZ8JRfxh8OoIKEyqzw9eIi8/s1600/Fyansford+Deviation+proposal+1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="748" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkNkLSTT3XErRegzLtFiuZN0H4-z5SfVP3nYk-bfoQI-5OdrfgEK-XU2l5rpUI_etVmgF3T_HNVh3cEap_-RnV95iBIC1WckiYId9TQpoVJtFi6Do2QyduBZ8JRfxh8OoIKEyqzw9eIi8/s400/Fyansford+Deviation+proposal+1924.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proposed deviation from Fyansford to Aberdeen St, Newtown (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>,<br />
4th July, 1924)</td></tr>
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By this time, suggestions were circulating that day labour in the form of returned solders from the First World War could be used to build the road, keeping costs to a minimum.<br />
As with many major projects, politics was also a burning issue. In July, 1924, a stoush was brewing between the Nationalist Member for Barwon Edward Morley - in whose seat the road lay - and Labour Member for Geelong, William Brownbill. The latter was deemed guilty of a breach of etiquette when he intervened in the matter, approaching the acting chairman of the Country Roads Board to discuss funding and the use of day labour for the project.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGXhzJMpkAhXYB8Bdl7aFJJnahsK-_1KeaqD6ulvH1Iwf7diM1OuT4t03AVdhnp5FARy6UD2zwWQ0GxCrmhK_ZVZnMlfS_NG1D3UDBs2T6FYb3hYzFsp7pS321GtLABDzsd6IE7CRTA50/s1600/Brownbill+William.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="142" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGXhzJMpkAhXYB8Bdl7aFJJnahsK-_1KeaqD6ulvH1Iwf7diM1OuT4t03AVdhnp5FARy6UD2zwWQ0GxCrmhK_ZVZnMlfS_NG1D3UDBs2T6FYb3hYzFsp7pS321GtLABDzsd6IE7CRTA50/s400/Brownbill+William.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young William Brownbill. Image taken from the<br /><a href="http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/re-member/details/931-brownbill-william" target="_blank">Parliament of Victoria website</a></td></tr>
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By 1925 steps were being taken to secure finance which would allow the extension of Aberdeen St past Minerva Rd to the top of the proposed deviation, however objection to even this measure was raised by one <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/hanging-ten-at-heights.html" target="_blank">Louis Melville Whyte of 'The Heights'</a>, subject of one of my recent posts. Whyte - some of whose land had been compulsorily acquired by the CRB - was now being levied by the<br />
Newtown and Chilwell Council who had stepped in after the CRB declined to build the extension, to contribute to the cost of building the new road. He argued successfully (see the above post) that as a previous, rather than current owner, he could not then be charged for construction of what he claimed would be an under-utilised dead end road (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 12th August, 1926).<br />
Regardless, progress did continue, albeit slowly. In May, 1926 it was reported that the line surveyed by the CRB for The Deviation in about 1914 was about 18 feet south of the line of Aberdeen St, which if not fixed would have left a kink in the road once it was finally constructed (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 24th May, 1926).<br />
A further hurdle was faced by the unfortunate surveyor for Newtown and Chilwell Council who, when needing to take the new levels, was confronted by an angry bull. The council resolved to have the unnamed owner remove the animal whilst the surveyor was on site (Geelong Advertiser, 6th July, 1926). The issue with Whyte was finally resolved in his favour with the council ordered to pay costs in August, 1927 (<i>The Age</i>, 23rd August, 1927).<br />
And so it continued. By the middle of 1930, construction still had not begun as wrangling over finances continued. In June, the shires of Bannockburn, Corio, Geelong, Geelong West and Leigh sent a deputation to the Minister for Works, asking the government to undertake the project, once again citing local employment as a benefit, however the government were unimpressed with the lack of funding offered by the respective councils (<i>The Age</i>, 25th June, 1930).<br />
During August, the councils continued pushing to have the earthworks for the project funded from the Government's unemployment fund. By early 1931 however, these issues were sorted and 80 unemployed Geelong men were selected to begin work on 9th February. A few months later, an article in the <i>Weekly Times</i> (11th April, 1931) noted that workmen had discovered numerous fossils ranging in size from tiny shells to the bones of "huge beasts".<br />
In May the following year and with construction well under way, beautification works were being undertaken in the form of tree planting. On the 14th June, commemorative trees (does anyone know where?) were planted by Alderman William Brownbill, the mayor of Newtown and Chilwell and the President of the Shire of Corio.<br />
Finally on 28th April, 1933 a short paragraph in <i>The Age</i> noted that "the new Fyansford deviation road, which has been formed with cement penetration, has been opened to traffic."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd5SSQhZc6BlossMvrwVomOac9f95wzli1rF5aGkhMzwoqihdHT5lJv9SxZ4H0A2_hqx68X7SjhiJWkhrNl_HFICbIlnmkd2wYGQbjyqYV2VoUhizOccHsqdAEMmdjWBfhj3w_ghZdz27/s1600/Deviation+from+Button+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd5SSQhZc6BlossMvrwVomOac9f95wzli1rF5aGkhMzwoqihdHT5lJv9SxZ4H0A2_hqx68X7SjhiJWkhrNl_HFICbIlnmkd2wYGQbjyqYV2VoUhizOccHsqdAEMmdjWBfhj3w_ghZdz27/s400/Deviation+from+Button+Hill.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Deviation, 2016 from Button Hill, Fyansford</td></tr>
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Finally, after 22 years of delays, politicking, legal proceedings and financial wrangling, Deviation Rd, Fyansford was completed. Today, it remains the main entry point to Geelong from the Hamilton Hwy and still provides one of the most scenic views of the Barwon River; a view which has been painted, sketched and photographed from the earliest days of European settlement.<br />
<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-61222651386974694882017-05-31T22:38:00.000+10:002017-05-31T22:38:12.803+10:00Aussie Rules and the first AustraliansAs highlighted in my post about the <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/every-heart-beats-true-for-red-white.html" target="_blank">Barwon Football Club</a> from 2011, Geelong and the Barwon have long had a connection with Australian Rules Football (AFL) and last weekend, I noticed another connection in the media.<br />
Round 10, 2017 was the AFL's Sir Doug Nicholls indigenous round. According to the AFL website, the indigenous round is aimed at "recognising and celebrating indigenous players and [their] culture" and is named after indigenous footballer, advocate for reconciliation and the first Aboriginal person to be awarded a knighthood - Doug Nicholls.<br />
To mark the occasion, each club wore a jersey bearing an indigenous design relevant to the club and its history. This year, the jumpers worn by the Geelong Cats told the story of the Wathaurong people, the traditional owners of the land surrounding Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and beyond, extending north west to Ballarat and east as far as Werribee. The design on the jumpers was created by artist Nathan Patterson of Iluka Design, an indigenous artist born in the Northern Territory but now residing in Torquay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WMBr6EFWrWKLVVZNIOXTxHb6Qf9RMuyrfVQAQ82GxfLYVDTNkqiAKk-2DmdoKIqqHVEBqKw9wYz0Vaz3s38ICNP79GzAmP3M9w0v8nmd1UeXi3nLYuAeR1WdAy7QUwH-50ww1LI8UiNd/s1600/Geelong+2017+indigenous+guernsey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="319" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WMBr6EFWrWKLVVZNIOXTxHb6Qf9RMuyrfVQAQ82GxfLYVDTNkqiAKk-2DmdoKIqqHVEBqKw9wYz0Vaz3s38ICNP79GzAmP3M9w0v8nmd1UeXi3nLYuAeR1WdAy7QUwH-50ww1LI8UiNd/s400/Geelong+2017+indigenous+guernsey.JPG" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guernsey worn by the Geelong players during the 2017 indigenous round</td></tr>
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The jersey, designed to have a strong local focus, features a meeting place as the central design with the sun rising behind the You Yangs. In the Wathaurong language, Kardinia means "the first ray of light". In front of the You Yangs, the Barwon River flows to the sea.<br />
Over the decades Geelong has had nine players of known indigenous heritage play for the club at VFL/AFL level. Of those players however, only one - Allen Christiensen - was raised in the Geelong region.<br />
In recent years, the Geelong Football Club have developed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which aims to promote inclusiveness, respect and other cultural values amongst all club members for both the wider community and in particular indigenous Australians. To this end, they are involved with the local Wathaurong community as well as the larger indigenous population across the country, developing programs to both educate and promote the reconciliation message.<br />
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<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-61735518403513159192017-05-14T11:59:00.001+10:002017-05-14T11:59:42.406+10:00Installing art on Redgum IslandLast Sunday, along with a number of other community members, I attended an event on Redgum Island at Fyansford to acknowledge the installation of a new artwork.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9_KoIYYqwIL1YdhfmF8k_EQvWuEc1kTPBKCgH8uIY2E4GptQuxLrJLeK4EFH6apOATF9tM8fqcWY3DiWfFJGWsAO_353rbICjygsDn0Dp79ecS-_uVqiHVDDAGF0vqYFsJUjm5RbJiVJ/s1600/West+vs+Leopold%252C+Redgum+Island+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9_KoIYYqwIL1YdhfmF8k_EQvWuEc1kTPBKCgH8uIY2E4GptQuxLrJLeK4EFH6apOATF9tM8fqcWY3DiWfFJGWsAO_353rbICjygsDn0Dp79ecS-_uVqiHVDDAGF0vqYFsJUjm5RbJiVJ/s400/West+vs+Leopold%252C+Redgum+Island+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning's event</td></tr>
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For those who don't know, Redgum Island is the piece of land which lies at the confluence of the Moorabool and Barwon Rivers. It is divided from the rest of the land between the two rivers by a small ana-branch - a rivulet of only a few hundred metres which branches off the Barwon below Buckley Falls, joining the Moorabool to the south of Fyansford Common.<br />
This little island has been significant to generations of locals for thousands of years. The original Wathaurong inhabitants referred to the area as "Bukar Bulac" the place between two rivers. They set up eel traps along the ana-branch, fished in the rivers, harvested the native flora and hunted along the riverbanks. With the arrival of European settlers, the island was used for farming, with extensive clearing The the native vegetation taking place.<br />
In 1885, the island formed part of a 17 acre block of land which was purchased by William Francis Ducker, a former mayor of Geelong, businessman and one of the main backers of the neighbouring Barwon Paper Mill. The land continued to be used for farming purposes until as recently as the 1980s and whilst little of the original flora has survived, one of the spectacular River Red Gums for which the island is named did and can still be seen today at the northern end of the island.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqbzWfc9grRj_f5vnjxww2z6u4RlXyDQJewsYOToetRhDhVwnfcfIuKFpC6QEbatlBYnrkW6wvBG9rm1Jm8evuSSe4ixNEFBL5zN4dBOpFX0ewB6FtDQ79Ncz49uxYqqI3Uw9gfooIP-4/s1600/West+vs+Leopold%252C+Redgum+Island+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqbzWfc9grRj_f5vnjxww2z6u4RlXyDQJewsYOToetRhDhVwnfcfIuKFpC6QEbatlBYnrkW6wvBG9rm1Jm8evuSSe4ixNEFBL5zN4dBOpFX0ewB6FtDQ79Ncz49uxYqqI3Uw9gfooIP-4/s400/West+vs+Leopold%252C+Redgum+Island+033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The large River Red Gum at the north end of Redgum Island</td></tr>
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In the early 1980s, after protracted negotiations between local council and the Geelong Environment Council largely driven by Tony Woolford, a land swap was arranged which saw Redgum Island pass into public ownership. It was Tony who then became the driving force behind The Friends of Buckley Falls group who for the last thirty years have been responsible for the revegetation of the riparian strip along the Barwon from the Geelong Ring Road to Queen's Park. In recent years, the lower reaches of the Moorabool River have also become part of their brief. Over the years, the members of the Friends of Buckley Falls have spent many thousands of hours planting, weeding, cleaning up and reclaiming the land along the banks of the two rivers, including Redgum Island, which today bears little resemblance to the farmland it once was.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-yim_NYEDXHteo8rqufLOBE1gWtKLSfBVLdtbDMG_jOamLk5zSCTi4SK0MdjB-ljiWUdQLAWAOihSBahWZp5AvcR00AScfpG0gMtvqjwEcYxiznxJX4zQWlaxUMjf1bvmfK6xogxgQsB/s1600/Fyansford+cement+works+aerial+1920s.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-yim_NYEDXHteo8rqufLOBE1gWtKLSfBVLdtbDMG_jOamLk5zSCTi4SK0MdjB-ljiWUdQLAWAOihSBahWZp5AvcR00AScfpG0gMtvqjwEcYxiznxJX4zQWlaxUMjf1bvmfK6xogxgQsB/s400/Fyansford+cement+works+aerial+1920s.tif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This aerial shot of Fyansford c1920s shows most of Redgum Island lying<br />
between the two rivers towards the bottom right of the picture. Image held by<br />
the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
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The artwork which was the focus of our attention on Sunday is a collaborative effort conceived by the Friends of Buckley Falls and the City of Greater Geelong and designed by Mark Trinham and Glenn Romanis of Concept Design, Sculpture and Paving. The dry stone wall was erected by David Long and landscape design was undertaken by Gill Mexted.<br />
Carved from a single piece of reclaimed River Red Gum timber, the seat and pole reflect elements of the flora and fauna found on Redgum Island. The birds represented are the Lorikeet and the Swift Parrot which rely on the River Red Gums and other plants found along the rivers for food and shelter. The leaves of the gum also form part of the sculpture. The accompanying seat shows two of the endangered species of native fish - the Southern and Yarra Pygmy Perch - which are found in the two rivers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qLgVj9cO_HpJMGtSJb5f6V4J7uRwhiI71DqiebjgokCK3f-cqUhr8nEFrppc5u1g0_j05oVxqYlE8qaIu_Re2amK_0NHqkZ0xTt8K4UGqbHiz1qM3QZNjVV2Fxel01eKxEWI54KmrvVO/s1600/West+vs+Leopold%252C+Redgum+Island+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qLgVj9cO_HpJMGtSJb5f6V4J7uRwhiI71DqiebjgokCK3f-cqUhr8nEFrppc5u1g0_j05oVxqYlE8qaIu_Re2amK_0NHqkZ0xTt8K4UGqbHiz1qM3QZNjVV2Fxel01eKxEWI54KmrvVO/s400/West+vs+Leopold%252C+Redgum+Island+047.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The artwork on Redgum Island</td></tr>
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The basalt plains which are so dominant in the landscape through which both rivers flow, are represented by the basalt dry stone wall which partially encloses the work and by the paving which surrounds the wooden structures. The pavement, constructed from basalt and slate depicts a map of the region. Both the Moorabool and Barwon Rivers are shown flowing to their confluence with Redgum Island nestled between them.<br />
A sign at the site provides a more detailed description of the installation and the surrounding environment:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYtIavo5wgT9te-DbBaKfTZG8sK6opzqL5kv5fcTFHYcWHSIGmBhIziskWRyrEHCQTwW1mfgLfx1dGY-6cZOh1HFidGnjxmalA0KYjqLe1qEK9khxs-3tDXyOu9ap5L4Ffr4xYgZmrpLV/s1600/West+vs+Leopold%252C+Redgum+Island+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYtIavo5wgT9te-DbBaKfTZG8sK6opzqL5kv5fcTFHYcWHSIGmBhIziskWRyrEHCQTwW1mfgLfx1dGY-6cZOh1HFidGnjxmalA0KYjqLe1qEK9khxs-3tDXyOu9ap5L4Ffr4xYgZmrpLV/s400/West+vs+Leopold%252C+Redgum+Island+017.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The island and the art. Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For those who wish to visit, the art installation is only a short walk from the carparks on Fyansford Common (crossing the footbridge over the Moorabool, then that over the ana-branch) or from the end of the walking track on Lower Paper Mills Rd. A slightly longer walk from the lower carpark at Buckley Falls (about 1km) or from Queen's Park Bridge (about 1.7km), crossing the Barwon opposite the Queen's Park Golf Course takes in views of the river and The Deviation on Fyansford Hill. After crossing the bridge a short detour across the grass to the northern tip of the island will bring you to the remnant Red Gum whilst the path leads to the artwork and the bridge over the ana-branch.Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-30708802265977110612017-04-30T21:30:00.000+10:002017-06-15T17:12:39.240+10:00Hanging ten at 'The Heights'As I mentioned in my <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/things-that-go-bump-at-heights.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, I recently attended a "paranormal investigation" at 'The Heights', a National Trust property in Newtown, overlooking the Barwon River. Did we communicate with spirits? Well, I remain unconvinced, however as I also said, various people present claimed to have heard the word "white" issue from one of the electronic devices in use.<br />
To anyone with knowledge of the property's history, this is potentially very significant. Could the word in fact have been "Whyte"? You see, WHYTE was the surname of the man who in 1889 married Minna Ibbotson, daughter of the businessman Charles Ibbotson for whom 'The Heights' was built on "Newtown Hill" in 1854.<br />
Louis Australia Whyte was the second husband of Minna Elizabeth Ibbotson of 'The Heights' in Newtown. He was a keen amateur sportsman and in 1894 became Australia's first amateur golf champion and throughout the 1880s and into the 1890s he competed in a number of tennis championships across Victoria and New South Wales, also winning two titles in that sport.<br />
He and Minna married in England in 1889 and it was here that their only surviving son - Louis Melville - was born in 1890. Within two years, as a family of three, they returned to Australia where they lived at 'The Heights'.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUqjBWWLEjhwAvUCkqodArm2_KkXGpaUfgyIhDa1p53H8BnpEMhXHQ27Q2RbYWLTC77nNDp0cdcfG6DpEJicko_3WS30OmRnL1lT95SGk5hEtwXf2VvxpAABGrB0qIEOi5HWOC7-Ne5Mz/s1600/Louis+Australia+Whyte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUqjBWWLEjhwAvUCkqodArm2_KkXGpaUfgyIhDa1p53H8BnpEMhXHQ27Q2RbYWLTC77nNDp0cdcfG6DpEJicko_3WS30OmRnL1lT95SGk5hEtwXf2VvxpAABGrB0qIEOi5HWOC7-Ne5Mz/s400/Louis+Australia+Whyte.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis Australia Whyte. Image taken<br />
from the <a href="http://www.tennisarchives.com/player.php?playerid=9190" target="_blank">Tennis Archives website</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In June, 1892, a stillborn child - a younger brother for Louis - was born to the couple. Neither birth nor death was registered, however cemetery records show that a stillborn male child given the Whyte surname was buried in the Ibbotson grave at the Western Cemetery. On 18th July <i>The Argus</i> published a birth notice announcing the birth of a stillborn son to the wife of Louis A Whyte at 'The Heights' the previous month on 27th June.<br />
Despite the loss, life continued at 'The Heights' with both Louis and Minna regularly involved with the local community. On the 9th November, 1892, Louis spoke at a banquet to celebrate the recent election of a new mayor - Cr J.R. Hopkins (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 10th November, 1892).<br />
In September, 1907, Louis and Minna hosted an event to which they invited members of the Barwon Heads Golf Club - of which Louis was then president - to play on the private course which he had established on the grounds at 'The Heights'.<br />
All was not well however. For many years Louis had suffered from what was at the time of his death, described as "insomnia and neurasthenia". Whilst the term neurasthenia is not generally used today, during the 19th and early 20th centuries it was a common diagnosis for stress, depression and a variety of nervous conditions probably including post traumatic stress disorder as shell-shocked soldiers were also diagnosed with the condition. In many circles it was considered to be a disorder suffered predominantly by the wealthier classes and was sometimes referred to as "Americanitis".<br />
As a result of his ongoing mental health issues, on 3rd April, 1911, Louis took his own life. The subsequent inquest found that he had died from a single revolver shot to the head and that his body was discovered by his son who upon being unable to raise his father's attention, had gained access to Louis' bedroom by breaking a window.<br />
The <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> of 7th April, 1911 reported that Louis' funeral was a large one with the cortege consisting of the hearse, two mourning coaches and 30 vehicles. He was laid to rest at the Western Cemetery.<br />
Following his death Louis' widow Minna and their son - commonly known as "Lou" - remained at 'The Heights'. Like his father, Lou was educated at The Geelong College (1900-1908) and was also a keen sportsman. In 1919 he spent six months in Hawaii. Here, at Waikiki Beach he learnt to surf. Upon his return to Australia he brought with him four redwood longboards which he acquired from Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian man credited with introducing the sport of surfing to the world. Two of those boards can be seen today at the Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. This afternoon, I went for a visit:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA45XyMFc3RSmoAHXCoP_elLLtdazsRcEZ-qnkCJm_Y2rcOx0L5EwyXKchevmmWy9lHagVc0TxCALR0tuRj_vV7xy5i_l7XPZWSK-hEWJ_e_cmqIRadzS2IzG0uiq4uY7b8l0qfutkxWGn/s1600/GWS+Vs+St+Joseph%2527s+%2526+Surfing+Museum+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA45XyMFc3RSmoAHXCoP_elLLtdazsRcEZ-qnkCJm_Y2rcOx0L5EwyXKchevmmWy9lHagVc0TxCALR0tuRj_vV7xy5i_l7XPZWSK-hEWJ_e_cmqIRadzS2IzG0uiq4uY7b8l0qfutkxWGn/s400/GWS+Vs+St+Joseph%2527s+%2526+Surfing+Museum+098.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timber surfboards brought to Victoria by Louis Whyte<br />
in 1919, located at the Australian National Surfing Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGzWtClHNhyphenhyphenSLedbVYHi2RPsuXrI7_sHpQhSDFZnAKy-PEoZPU4naTEKz6rvcLAQNm7YIYCwQM6A5iJPcnWqwGMMTOGVTs8XFhmM7I5Uvxf34oJWMRKgzVV3okNJkjKi10haAL8rEn81E/s1600/GWS+Vs+St+Joseph%2527s+%2526+Surfing+Museum+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGzWtClHNhyphenhyphenSLedbVYHi2RPsuXrI7_sHpQhSDFZnAKy-PEoZPU4naTEKz6rvcLAQNm7YIYCwQM6A5iJPcnWqwGMMTOGVTs8XFhmM7I5Uvxf34oJWMRKgzVV3okNJkjKi10haAL8rEn81E/s400/GWS+Vs+St+Joseph%2527s+%2526+Surfing+Museum+088.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swim suit (left) worn by Louis Whyte, Australian<br />
National Surfing Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On his return to Australia, Lou took his newly-acquired boards to Lorne where the photo below was taken in 1920, in the process, bringing the sport of surfing to Victoria.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7gSSo7Bt1h_Q7U8Aaj6XMKB3UMy2xxUcnKXD7trWXPhyYYwdhpcfiM3WDUh1QWevPrCxWm1ThLOjjApuWsiQC0B5INVlDWLUT8H5OH3iUeUj7RnX75NpKrZNzyrcuhPn_a3jfGGwSCzD/s1600/Louis+Melville+Whyte+surfing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7gSSo7Bt1h_Q7U8Aaj6XMKB3UMy2xxUcnKXD7trWXPhyYYwdhpcfiM3WDUh1QWevPrCxWm1ThLOjjApuWsiQC0B5INVlDWLUT8H5OH3iUeUj7RnX75NpKrZNzyrcuhPn_a3jfGGwSCzD/s400/Louis+Melville+Whyte+surfing.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis Melville Whyte. Image taken from the <a href="https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/4f72b14997f83e0308604508" target="_blank">Victorian Collections website</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HlH0utAeSb6WRyhBATWrfxlBTLIMS_MePE1n-nY99822KvTxjd6TazXNuQpIaXXtrw5Q3IqM5A0Sq4BQMZUjhixj_5Swl2Mm2c-JqhF4IV7u2CUCjqHuonWd4zdRMTN6u3p1RM9EiXX7/s1600/GWS+Vs+St+Joseph%2527s+%2526+Surfing+Museum+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HlH0utAeSb6WRyhBATWrfxlBTLIMS_MePE1n-nY99822KvTxjd6TazXNuQpIaXXtrw5Q3IqM5A0Sq4BQMZUjhixj_5Swl2Mm2c-JqhF4IV7u2CUCjqHuonWd4zdRMTN6u3p1RM9EiXX7/s400/GWS+Vs+St+Joseph%2527s+%2526+Surfing+Museum+100.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis Whyte and friends with their boards at Lorne, 1920. Australian National<br />
Surfing Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lou's other passion was motoring and where his grandfather Charles Ibbotson had once stabled his horses, Lou now parked his cars. His 1957 Daimler can still be seen in the stables at 'The Heights' today.<br />
As a member of the social elite, Lou was no doubt considered a highly eligible bachelor, however it was not until 1936 at the age of 46 that Lou secretly married his partner of 15 years Ella Layton Wyett (known as Marnie). As described in a piece written for <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/NT-Vic-Magazine-2014_1_Feb.pdf" target="_blank">Vic News</a>, magazine of The National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Lou and Marnie only announced their marriage in 1938 after the death of Lou's mother Minna who strongly opposed any romantic match for her son.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HTIiL6vUR-vQD2eMbIRXAUNdm7koEb9rwXPvNNd9bTpW1Nz3pVFnLGvaanGg3aBdcehyXCeeWb62jf-oGdmSf1fiHbK5B_HjrZCasx61DSSQgwALuk9cQ9nxjlbkyRUSXc_fGLht6wJv/s1600/West+round+1+and+Western+Cemetery+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HTIiL6vUR-vQD2eMbIRXAUNdm7koEb9rwXPvNNd9bTpW1Nz3pVFnLGvaanGg3aBdcehyXCeeWb62jf-oGdmSf1fiHbK5B_HjrZCasx61DSSQgwALuk9cQ9nxjlbkyRUSXc_fGLht6wJv/s400/West+round+1+and+Western+Cemetery+168.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grave of Minna and Louis Australia Whyte, Western Cemetery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unsurprisingly, there were no children born to the couple who lived the remainder of their lives at 'The Heights'. Instead, with the assistance of architect Harold Bartlett, they turned their attention to the old house which Lou inherited from his mother and which over the years had undergone various additions leaving it dingy and somewhat ramshackle. The makeover of the house undertaken by Bartlett and the Whytes, saw 'The Heights' redesigned as a modern, fashionable home of the 1930s, light and open where the original house had been dark and enclosed. At the same time, the interior was transformed by the noted interior designer Reg Riddell and the garden underwent a transformation at the hands of Marnie.<br />
Over the years however, the land surrounding the house which was originally purchased by Charles Ibbotson was variously subdivided, sold, donated or compulsorily acquired for various purposes. One of the earliest pieces of land to go was a section which was acquired in the 1920s by the Country Roads Board with a view to building an extension to Aberdeen St which at that time stopped at Minerva Rd. This work was a precursor to the construction of Deviation Rd which, after a protracted battle, was opened in 1933. Contemporary newspaper reports indicate that Lou instituted legal action which culminated in the Supreme Court when the Newtown and Chilwell Shire Council endeavoured to have him pay part of the cost of construction of the road as a neighbouring landholder. Lou argued - successfully - however, that as the land had been compulsorily acquired, the council who by then had charge of construction, could not expect to claim costs from him as the previous owner.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSdOlWcGZCqwTHDojNX6goOhiArgVb_kmSXWucP0HB3i8WLKMBQumv5otOrGOkoCrGEmkUoA5mmU86jN2DcAjrM4zye3egaUnlxcpnD_CQilVy8lx48YasVtPFLEnXXYcO_OdcVlpCuW7/s1600/Louis+Melville+Whyte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSdOlWcGZCqwTHDojNX6goOhiArgVb_kmSXWucP0HB3i8WLKMBQumv5otOrGOkoCrGEmkUoA5mmU86jN2DcAjrM4zye3egaUnlxcpnD_CQilVy8lx48YasVtPFLEnXXYcO_OdcVlpCuW7/s320/Louis+Melville+Whyte.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis Melville Whyte in later years. Image taken from<br />
the website of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1295981400"></span>The Geelong College<span id="goog_1295981401"></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not all "The Heights'" land was acquired under such controversial circumstances however. As a former pupil of Geelong College, Lou was no doubt keen to support his old school. According to the College's <a href="http://gnet.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au:8080/wiki/WHYTE-Louis-Melville-1890-1975.ashx" target="_blank">website</a> he both sold and donated a total of around 49 acres of land extending between Minerva Rd and the Barwon River to the College beginning with an initial purchase of 15 acres in 1945. In 1960, the site opened as the junior school campus of Geelong College.<br />
Over the years, various parcels of land were sold and today, all that remains of Ibbotson's original purchases is the 1.13 hectares upon which the house and outbuildings stand. Lou and Marnie lived the remainder of their lives at 'The Heights'. Lou died on 10th April, 1975 and was buried the following day in the lawn section of the Western Cemetery. Marnie survived her husband by only a few months, dying on 18th September, 1975. She was buried with Lou the following day. Their grave is marked by a simple plaque.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybEOGv7CrQC5eU889cOboO8YCJS7ph3-yx-siWNPdg8pMbW5pdDdu808LQCw7nKkc0TW1sMu967aC96v8A4TSKAW_f-vHa2PsWI3eFpm-K0bxXOlv2JbNSpz40kcr78GoUfs9Q5uA4YJ9/s1600/West+round+1+and+Western+Cemetery+172a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybEOGv7CrQC5eU889cOboO8YCJS7ph3-yx-siWNPdg8pMbW5pdDdu808LQCw7nKkc0TW1sMu967aC96v8A4TSKAW_f-vHa2PsWI3eFpm-K0bxXOlv2JbNSpz40kcr78GoUfs9Q5uA4YJ9/s400/West+round+1+and+Western+Cemetery+172a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grave of Louis Melville and Ella Layton "Marnie" Whyte, Western Cemetery<br />
(NB note the misspelling of "Layton", spelled "Leighton" on the headstone)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Following Marnie's death 'The Heights' passed to the National Trust and today, is open to the public, providing a unique glimpse into a significant piece of Geelong's past and the life of the Ibbotson and particularly, the Whyte family. It is also interesting to note a number of the street names which now surround 'The Heights' and which stand on what was once land owned by Charles Ibbotson and the Whytes. Names such as Ella Close, Layton Crescent, Louis Court, Melville Avenue and of course, Whyte Court.<br />
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Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-86960462593429229782017-04-10T22:06:00.002+10:002017-04-11T06:27:23.573+10:00Things that go bump at 'The Heights'Over the years, my most popular blog post has transpired to be one in which I looked at ghosts. In <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/landlord-to-ghost.html" target="_blank">"...landlord to a ghost..."</a> I took a look at which of the old houses along the Barwon were believed to be haunted. As it happens, most of the oldest buildings claim to have acquired a ghost or two over the years. 'The Heights" in Newtown is no exception and it was there on a recent Saturday evening that I was invited to act as a volunteer whilst 'The Heights' played host to a "paranormal investigation".<br />
We arrived just on dusk and along with a further four volunteers proceeded to get things ready for the arrival of the living guests.<br />
Our hosts for the evening - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ParanormalXFiles/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Paranormal X-Files</a> - also arrived to set up an array of electronic equipment including infrared cameras, digital thermometers, spirit boxes, an Ovilus and REM pods. If you don't know what this equipment is or how it claims to work, a quick check on Google will set you straight.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83p8au-xBNqHRj8nwl7m69cRGLOd4YU2KtiFYRgReW_HCWAkUdfBMc-ynthJ9HeanLuP2fKJbdAgVjyJa-TwJUM8r8632QnKINNkDuQUHgq6RdurQ-IvJ9s72D2CVjxQGmEz4mhn0AUXu/s1600/REM+POD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83p8au-xBNqHRj8nwl7m69cRGLOd4YU2KtiFYRgReW_HCWAkUdfBMc-ynthJ9HeanLuP2fKJbdAgVjyJa-TwJUM8r8632QnKINNkDuQUHgq6RdurQ-IvJ9s72D2CVjxQGmEz4mhn0AUXu/s400/REM+POD.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A REM-POD similar to that used at 'The Heights'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Eventually, as darkness descended and with all the guests in attendance, we were divided into two groups and set off to investigate. Our group remained in the house where our investigation took us from room to room in search of spirits. At various points the equipment glowed as various coloured lights flashed and an array of electronic noises issued forth. After 3/4 of an hour the group concluded that they may have made contact with a spirit called "Ian" and some guests indicated that they had "felt" a temperature change, a "presence" or been "touched". Two unaccountable knocks were heard in reply to the investigators three knocks and the word "white" was also heard.<br />
At this point, we exchanged places with the other group and all trooped outside to investigate the cold room under the water tower and the stables. Once again the equipment flashed and screeched and people reported temperature changes. Whereas the other group claimed to have been told to "GET OUT!" of the stables, we were not.<br />
The night ended with a joint discussion of what had been seen, heard and felt and the guests were escorted through the darkness to the gate.<br />
So, if ghosts really were present at 'The Heights' who were they? So far I have been unable to find anyone named "Ian" who had an association with the property however the word "white" is a little mcore interesting when one considers the history of the place.<br />
'The Heights' is a pre-fabricated timber building which was purpose made in Germany, shipped to Australia and assembled at "Newtown Hill" for local woolbroker, merchant and pastoralist Charles Ibbotson in 1854. I have mentioned both Ibbotson and the property not only in the post about ghosts mentioned above, but also speculated that the European landscape painter <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/view-from-hill.html" target="_blank">Eugene von Guerard</a> may have paid a visit to Ibbotson and 'The Heights' during its construction whilst he was staying with <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/finding-fritzwilhelmberg.html" target="_blank">Frederick Bauer</a> - owner of 'Fritzwilhelmberg House' (now 'Raith') - not far away in Newtown. It was Bauer, a German ironmonger who ran a business in Ryrie St, who was responsible for the erection of 'The Heights'.<br />
The original building erected by Bauer consisted of 14 rooms. Verandas were also added then stables (1855), a groom's cottage (1856-7), water tower (c1860) a bluestone stable complex (1862) and in 1875, a billiard room. Towards the end of the 19th century, a dovecote was also built. According to the National Trust who now own the property, the original garden was designed by Scottish gardener Robert Hughes in the 1860s.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGruNy7H7do4kHVqscSD6kUANElVYT5GAx-b0iqnLYW5F_8jFMQdwHuP7llHk8D6s-rhcI_WPaH9ReGVr7f9NoxpEgzhqi-hYCBzGmkCejtiUkz6KrcR3uqQXknK8UU-1e1jD-6dTL4c9E/s1600/The+Heights+1866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGruNy7H7do4kHVqscSD6kUANElVYT5GAx-b0iqnLYW5F_8jFMQdwHuP7llHk8D6s-rhcI_WPaH9ReGVr7f9NoxpEgzhqi-hYCBzGmkCejtiUkz6KrcR3uqQXknK8UU-1e1jD-6dTL4c9E/s400/The+Heights+1866.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">'The Heights' 1866, image held by the State Library of Victoria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
'The Heights'' first owner, Charles Ibbotson was an Englishman, born in Derbyshire, England who migrated to Sydney in the 1830s. He and his wife Maryanne Dickens were married in Sydney in 1850 and moved to Geelong not long after. Whilst 'The Heights' was erected in 1854, the surrounding land was not purchased by Ibbotson until the mid-1860s. The original purchaser was Duncan Hoyle who bought allotment 3, Section 10 of the Parish of Moorpanyal at a government land sale in July, 1847 (<i>Geelong Advertiser and Squatters' Advocate</i>, 23rd July, 1847), allotment 5, Section 10 in December, 1847 (<i>Port Phillip Gazette and Settlers' Journal</i>, 11th December, 1847) and may well have purchased the neighbouring allotment 2 the previous year (<i>Sydney Morning Herald</i>, 6th February, 1846) as he is listed on survey maps as the original purchaser. 'The Heights' sits in the middle of allotment 2 but appears to have been built on around 2 acres of land already owned by Ibbotson at the time.<br />
In addition to his business interests in Dalgety & Co. Woolstores, Ibbotson sat on a number of boards and committees including the council of the Borough of Newtown and Chilwell, where he served a term as mayor. He was supportive of efforts to bring the railway to Geelong and was a member on the committee of management of the Botanic Gardens. On 16th December, 1863, he chaired the meeting which established the Geelong branch of the Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, whose aim was to introduce familiar and productive species of plants and animals from around the world to the Colony of Victoria (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 17th December, 1863). On 22nd July, 1867 it was reported in <i>The Argus</i> that a shipment containing "a number of larks, thrushes, sparrows, chaffinches, and other birds" had arrived for Ibbotson who is widely attributed with having introduced several such species to Victoria, releasing them from 'The Heights'.<br />
Towards the end of 1866, not long after purchasing the surrounding land from Duncan Hoyle, Ibbotson - then the mayor of Newtown and Chilwell - hosted members of the council and the press to a meal at 'The Heights', showing off his newly-acquired land and outlining his plans to develop it (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 22nd November, 1866). This included planting the slopes stretching down to the river with vines, fruits and vegetables.<br />
In 1882, Ibbotson's wife Maryanne died after an extended illness and was buried at the Western Cemetery, then, after also suffering a long health battle Ibbotson died the following year on 20th October and was buried with his wife.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbi9c0F4KncD6FbZb69bxc0_xAfojve9R1evlz7IvXbboFeyh2dnLd9q5V2iOqCMjHha2LCwkxZH1BeAMYoQBhbeOgVCNQyrfMZtH7gOiW9UoE9X0EA6lux8YRmB1J07OP6vSZuRuM-FWz/s1600/West+round+1+and+Western+Cemetery+161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbi9c0F4KncD6FbZb69bxc0_xAfojve9R1evlz7IvXbboFeyh2dnLd9q5V2iOqCMjHha2LCwkxZH1BeAMYoQBhbeOgVCNQyrfMZtH7gOiW9UoE9X0EA6lux8YRmB1J07OP6vSZuRuM-FWz/s400/West+round+1+and+Western+Cemetery+161.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Ibbotson grave in the Church of England Section, Row 1. grave 1515</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
His estate was divided amongst his two sons and four daughters, with 'The Heights' passing to his youngest daughter Minna Elizabeth.<br />
Although the Victorian birth, death and marriage records do not appear to show it, the Geelong Advertiser recorded on 4th November, 1887 that Minna married James Burnett. It did not indicate where the ceremony took place. The marriage however was short-lived as James died at the Grand Hotel, Spring St, in Melbourne on 6th January, 1888 at the age of 39.<br />
By June that year, Minna had placed 'The Heights' on the market. Advertisements throughout May and June indicate that "upwards of 80 acres" of the property was to be offered for sale by tender (<i>Geelong Advertiser</i>, 1st June, 1888). According to a later report in the <i>Geelong Advertiser</i> of 16th June, the property was snapped up amidst keen interest by a Melbourne syndicate who intended to subdivide the property. Although it is not made clear, the land sale presumably did not include the house and land immediately surrounding it as this remained in the possession of the family for decades to come, with significant areas sold to the Geelong College and St Joseph's College in later years.<br />
Not long after the death of her husband, Minna must have travelled to London as it was here on 28th September, 1889 that she married her second husband (<i>The Argus</i>, 31st December, 1889). Not long after, they returned to live at 'The Heights'.<br />
This gentleman went by the name of Louis Australia WHYTE ...Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-89003181455630103802017-03-19T22:25:00.002+11:002017-03-19T22:25:33.480+11:00Paddling the Barwon - Part 2<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the first part of this post, I gave brief descriptions of the sections of the river which I have paddled up to this point in time.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfTnfdVHgTs4_y8mz4xCmpi6U9-FnGblct4o698y94j0K0HBw0llhNBE6_UlLHiJl5S_ket9b-K89l0zTC13Y-KpXD_VT3cpqVHyAol_lGtAjjDMt2tCGOfLzHFaZjUihlFdJFcQqUNsr/s1600/Barwon+Baum%2527s+Weir+to+Merrawarp+Rd+162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfTnfdVHgTs4_y8mz4xCmpi6U9-FnGblct4o698y94j0K0HBw0llhNBE6_UlLHiJl5S_ket9b-K89l0zTC13Y-KpXD_VT3cpqVHyAol_lGtAjjDMt2tCGOfLzHFaZjUihlFdJFcQqUNsr/s400/Barwon+Baum%2527s+Weir+to+Merrawarp+Rd+162.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Barwon, January, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below is a table giving details of the various points along the river from which it is possible to launch small water craft such as kayaks and the type of access involved. I have also included links to a photo of each location.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Access Points<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Approximate GPS Co-ordinates<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Distance to next access<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Comments<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipPcAqjvvGJNZAd9IVEySawOYe2CXbSswgaqc6Mo?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Inverleigh</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bell’s Bridge,
Inverleigh-Winchelsea Rd, Inverleigh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 6.792’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 3.787’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">16.2km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Access from the
north bank via dirt track about 200m downstream of Bell’s Bridge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipP8yTrpNoQmBXY3h9tQQOURyjR2U3MORUDNQzpj?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Murgheboluc</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hamilton Hwy, Murgheboluc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 6.654’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 8.459’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8.2km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Steep bank access.
Entry via 400m grassed laneway to the north bank behind “please shut the
gate” sign opposite Murgheboluc Public Reserve, Hamilton Hwy, Murgheboluc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipN2CM1UlzDXRTEsq6kQ0wFVKD5-KX85IDN6oERX?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Pollocksford Bridge</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pollocksford Rd,
Gnarwarre<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 </span>º<span style="font-family: inherit;"> 8.627’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 11.206’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1.8km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Access from the east
bank via a rutted track to a small weir about 150m north of the bridge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipMitGHDIlcjXxsUw3bhDyMKLNgVpcRq-lpY-HuV?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Stonehaven</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear’s Lane,
Stonehaven<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 8.427’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 14.713’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9.9km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Steep bank access via
dirt track from the end of Dear’s Lane, Stonehaven<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipPx6nf2HbAecBqmiaBr6gsp8xfKSyXUDUuHM6qp?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Merrawarp Rd Bridge</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Merrawarp Rd,
Barrabool (Ceres)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 8.496’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 15.750’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5.7km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Steep access to the
south bank adjacent to the west side of the bridge via rough access track
(approx. 200m)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipO3L6dg0TADvGLTEH8J1Sjwtq1ZRcSN5UmmlYjm?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Ceres</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Track off Gully Rd,
Ceres<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 8.749’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 16.081’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">640m<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Access via shallow
bank. Entry via 550m gravel track from Gully Rd, however permission is
required<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipPL2O0ML-mjCZHjR8ohATuCwaVEtU0cuJrlLbBK?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Baum’s Weir</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cnr Cyril Synot Dve
and Degoldi’s Rd, Fyansford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 8.946’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 17.995’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5.1km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Access via 200m
gravel track to parking area. River entry from concrete-paved slipway or
timber deck<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipP07QpICqSs3fRG2mJiWJwEh3ult0ldhngxcznd?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Fyansford Common</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Moorabool River
west bank, Fyansford Common, Fyansford<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 8.672’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 18.691’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2.4km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Access to the
Moorabool about 450m upstream from the confluence with the Barwon via a paved
slipway. Portage of around 150m required from nearest parking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipPLquCvAM2aRJBUHMvXd1-qVPo44PQxtUKVHph7?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Fyans Park</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fyans Park boat
ramp, Cnr Gairloch and West Fyans St<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 9.389’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 19.280’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2.6km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Concrete ramp
access adjacent to parking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipMWBzQ7do1MLeARZPtH89-9o1dAwubaYWHWxQmE?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Newtown</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Marnockvale Rd,
Newtown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 9.893’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 19.970’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Access via timber
deck adjacent to the Geelong Canoe Club facilities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">South Geelong<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipM8wRTS3A_FiKnTMTtOtucNWd1rPFfBPtHrc4dA?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Rowing sheds, Barwon Tce, South Geelong</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Or</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipMhe0fgV4sLQuWQhfQKUHfl_PZ2-L84Qc63nBCH?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Boat ramp, Barrabool Rd, Belmont</a></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 9.930’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 21.261’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1.9km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Access either from
the deck at the rowing sheds (north bank) or ramp access from opposite bank
(access via Barrabool Rd)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Breakwater<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gun Dog Lane, Breakwater<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipMda-MbDfL6dQtZuCeESN__I2k39cq3R1EqvOn5?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Upstream</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipP08OCz5xDWb7MAkRbKRShE5pFfXsTdEFQSsMeP?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Downstream</a></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 10.906’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 21.861’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1.9km*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Upstream access
from timber deck adjacent to road bridge (west bank). Downstream access from
the west bank below the bridge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipPKOAoPdSqZeMn_I-uV_dP7larhPmSWhMm66PV-?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">St Alban’s Park</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wilson’s Rd, St
Alban’s Park<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 12.076’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 23.140’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3.7km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Access from the
bank adjacent to the Geelong Water Ski Club at the end of Wilson’s Rd<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lake Connewarre<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipNiMQqBgyqGUCV9rI3uScxEDXYJtyIrH6gqL0Ed?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Tait’s Point, Stacey’s Rd, Connewarre</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipP-JxQR5zzXFtV409q4bZ0Wpx0BVsrpjFY1-OHP?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Brinsmead’s Lane, Leopold</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 14.217’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 25.776’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 12.927’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 28.922’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7.4km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(5.2km from Tait’s
Point)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Access via
concrete-paved boat ramp or pontoon, end of Stacey’s Rd<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shallow bank access
via steep track from the end of Brinsmead’s Lane<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 141.45pt;" valign="top" width="189"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Barwon Heads<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipPvW7rfE33iIsPR2TN1J3njuWE1f8qMyXA01bu4?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">River Parade, Barwon Heads </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipO9RsKKb94bt_LqoqHbVOBfZV5nJq32TP4HiYfn?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Ocean Grove Jetty, cnr Peer’s Cres and Guthridge St, Ocean Grove</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111742189519761328366/album/AF1QipO5pED1cp2Q8IYoFs_gm5A_Tc8RoziIs-Z7_r2G/AF1QipN8LuiVQUo0eO6sn2fXdoxX9_Yw2xX4aRn_Efq-?authKey=CIrGvt_TvtWLzAE" target="_blank">Barwon Heads/Ocean Grove foreshore</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.4pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 15.922’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 29.795’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 </span>º<span style="font-family: inherit;"> 15.774’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 30.475’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">S38 º 16.884’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E144 º 29.682’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 2.0cm;" valign="top" width="76"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">11.2km<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 153.35pt;" valign="top" width="204"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Access via boat
ramp, River Parade on the west bank<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Boat ramp access from carpark<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Beach access from
either side of the river at Barwon Heads/Ocean Grove<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, there are other locations from which it is possible to launch small craft, however they either do not have close enough vehicle access, are on private property or there is another suitable access point with better facilities nearby. For example, it is possible to launch from the decks near the bridge at Queen's Park, but the boat ramp at Fyans Park is within 1km of the bridge and provides easier access to the river.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl4TjsVQ-taPzV-zDAFOr46KKWbvnF-d_pvqDc-zDLaWVhkK8DgmFg3gJmyVCf-lh7uHmMeqYpn1aOwrNEuEmil1HVN5FRy9iR4DU4ka7Zdlk7rs_vI7tob17NXmv8o_hcLVciONa7nE2/s1600/Boat+ramps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl4TjsVQ-taPzV-zDAFOr46KKWbvnF-d_pvqDc-zDLaWVhkK8DgmFg3gJmyVCf-lh7uHmMeqYpn1aOwrNEuEmil1HVN5FRy9iR4DU4ka7Zdlk7rs_vI7tob17NXmv8o_hcLVciONa7nE2/s400/Boat+ramps.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River access points plotted o Google Earth. Click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first part of this post can be found at <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/paddling-barwon-part-1.html" target="_blank">Paddling the Barwon - Part 1</a>. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy paddling everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-82878979742278655432017-03-19T22:24:00.000+11:002020-04-17T10:44:14.287+10:00Paddling the Barwon - Part 1Several times over the years, I have been asked for advice on paddling on the Barwon; what are the conditions like? Where are the best spots to paddle? Where to launch? How deep/shallow is the water? So I thought it might be a good idea to give a brief description of the sections I have paddled to date and to add a few photos for demonstration purposes.<br />
Before paddling however, it is worth knowing what conditions are like on the day. Below is a table listing some potentially helpful websites:<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 450.8pt;" valign="top" width="601"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk477631544"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Useful Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 52.05pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 52.05pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.35pt;" valign="top" width="170"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Waterways
Guide</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 52.05pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 323.45pt;" valign="top" width="431"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Information:<br />
paddling conditions (Inverleigh to Barwon Heads)<br />
rapid grades (if any)<br />
current river heights<br />
some river access points<br />
safety information including weather conditions, fire danger<br />
estimated paddle times*<br />
tips on safe paddling practises</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.35pt;" valign="top" width="170"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/?ref=hdr" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Bureau
of Meteorology</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 323.45pt;" valign="top" width="431"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Weather information and river heights</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.35pt;" valign="top" width="170"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.ccma.vic.gov.au/Home.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Corangamite
Catchment Management Authority</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 323.45pt;" valign="top" width="431"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Event details and river closures</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 127.35pt;" valign="top" width="170"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.gwsc.org.au/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Geelong Water Ski Club</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Event details and river closures</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://tides.willyweather.com.au/vic/barwon/barwon-heads-bridge.html" target="_blank">WillyWeather</a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://www.tideschart.com/Australia/Victoria/Queenscliffe/Barwon-Heads/" target="_blank">TidesChart</a></div>
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Barwon Heads tide times<br />
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<a href="http://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/duck/arrangements-for-duck-season" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Game Management Authority</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Victorian duck hunting dates and locations</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">* paddling times may vary depending on river height in some sections</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the past four years at one time or another I have paddled most sections of the river from about 1km upstream of Bell's Bridge, Inverleigh, downstream to Barwon Heads. At this point, I have not attempted to paddle further upstream and am not sure how far the river remains navigable by kayak. Below is a brief description of each section I paddled as I have found it at the time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Inverleigh to Pollocksford</b></span></div>
From Bell's Bridge for about 2km downstream to a small weir the river is relatively clear of obstructions and easy to paddle with no rapids.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqFBGdoHBG5P7FO3FwbbA6damIhzWnkwRPwhDsFpvjxq52d36v0f3GWjKb8RcQdMviDqMxcgH39JjQEu8rG4l5PUOPNE14IiKILQLg_kBxjrwh2I35rcrkNwGbf8KZw1gKpkM-XpmL2Pb/s1600/Leigh+and+Barwon+paddle+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqFBGdoHBG5P7FO3FwbbA6damIhzWnkwRPwhDsFpvjxq52d36v0f3GWjKb8RcQdMviDqMxcgH39JjQEu8rG4l5PUOPNE14IiKILQLg_kBxjrwh2I35rcrkNwGbf8KZw1gKpkM-XpmL2Pb/s400/Leigh+and+Barwon+paddle+120.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above the weir, November, 2014</td></tr>
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Below the weir conditions vary, with rocky, reed-lined sections interspersed with long stretches of clear water. During periods of low flow, regular portage is necessary, sometimes for a few hundred metres.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtEoJXH5ob9-2RpySK5tkoZi5eCNlhZM7ivGoDdQ8g_7eiV3Oqksej97XD4xvoBGre-Fh2BYw2HEQWMOBXgudwvP2Epjs42y7V-eCrxFv6HfPRDtJFDA0qk4krM5Dp4LlrtQgB74McMHY/s1600/Barwon+Inverleigh+to+murgheboluc+351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtEoJXH5ob9-2RpySK5tkoZi5eCNlhZM7ivGoDdQ8g_7eiV3Oqksej97XD4xvoBGre-Fh2BYw2HEQWMOBXgudwvP2Epjs42y7V-eCrxFv6HfPRDtJFDA0qk4krM5Dp4LlrtQgB74McMHY/s400/Barwon+Inverleigh+to+murgheboluc+351.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April, 2016</td></tr>
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We did not encounter any significant rapids. Higher water levels would reduce the portage required but increase the number and size of rapids encountered (grade II to III according to the <a href="http://www.waterwaysguide.org.au/discover" target="_blank">Waterways Guide</a>). The guide also estimates a travel time of around 4-5 hours. With low water levels (April, 2016) we took 6 hours to cover the distance from Bell's Bridge to Murgheboluc - around 8km short of Pollocksford.<br />
With the exception of a vaguely-remembered paddle around 30 years ago, I have not paddled the section between Murgheboluc and Pollocksford, but expect it would be similar to the section immediately upstream.<br />
The surrounding countryside is privately-owned farmland with a fringe of eucalypts lining the river.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Pollocksford to Merrawarp Rd</b></span></div>
We paddled this section of the river - also with low water levels - in early 2013. Once again there were minimal to no rapids, however there were significant obstructions in the form of several dozen fallen trees which either impeded our progress or required us to carry the 'yaks either over or around them, significantly slowing our pace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrnVkIcOMHkSfycxrK8FCOHS2PGjcbIDfdaOMUclR1_13TxpFVncSqd3xpksG38_YK1FTEw2MZ8rH6gjc77lKgBTc8UDquAdrlrec0Vsa5OlgrbiHE8IU7UAA8ojfhkBDH0zq02tAILyC/s1600/Pollocksford-Merrawarp+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrnVkIcOMHkSfycxrK8FCOHS2PGjcbIDfdaOMUclR1_13TxpFVncSqd3xpksG38_YK1FTEw2MZ8rH6gjc77lKgBTc8UDquAdrlrec0Vsa5OlgrbiHE8IU7UAA8ojfhkBDH0zq02tAILyC/s400/Pollocksford-Merrawarp+077.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low water levels downstream of Pollocksford, February, 2013</td></tr>
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With higher water levels, many of the trees would be submerged, making for easier paddling, but I imagine some portage would still be required. Water levels varied between ankle-deep shallows and deep sections which were easy to paddle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QrRtXaqn0eeT66Ph8L5YHXpVvxYPuRpQIVRUq-dUC5BW0K4u2QzuI7Li8Sv5CyTATDQcu8f1P5ByQpjo5VkmW5sphNAo9o4UXBPyLos8kpoMSNIiFDTAEYyWtz37ttcJMIXTNnGudEoj/s1600/Pollocksford-Merrawarp+173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QrRtXaqn0eeT66Ph8L5YHXpVvxYPuRpQIVRUq-dUC5BW0K4u2QzuI7Li8Sv5CyTATDQcu8f1P5ByQpjo5VkmW5sphNAo9o4UXBPyLos8kpoMSNIiFDTAEYyWtz37ttcJMIXTNnGudEoj/s400/Pollocksford-Merrawarp+173.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of obstructions, February, 2013</td></tr>
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I have regularly paddled the lower 2.5km of this section which is an easy paddle with minimal obstructions at any time of year. A further kilometre or more upstream of this is also a relatively easy<br />
paddle, however low water levels do increase the number of obstructions. On the occasion we paddled this stretch we took about six hours to complete the trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIgTvHPE72FU_k2l9yAajozYkBB4PneABs46HrfL_MtA56LcXiWP71EOmeQI3csRPtTN0dOih3sKvZDeEv8-l1hQWr5qLkgbJZehaW6mOvt1oGNFkyhEBClJXAeYNgRQhP7ROO7LafL2k/s1600/Pollocksford-Merrawarp+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIgTvHPE72FU_k2l9yAajozYkBB4PneABs46HrfL_MtA56LcXiWP71EOmeQI3csRPtTN0dOih3sKvZDeEv8-l1hQWr5qLkgbJZehaW6mOvt1oGNFkyhEBClJXAeYNgRQhP7ROO7LafL2k/s400/Pollocksford-Merrawarp+206.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February, 2013</td></tr>
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During periods of low water flow, the river surface at some points can become clogged with Azolla, a surface-growing species of water fern, which can impede paddling. As with the previous section, the surrounding land is privately-owned land which has been cleared for farming purposes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaHxkQKXaPVpeUVq0-7oAtwsw5JCNZ9_9zjCynbNzucVYMk7UyTSAUkzZK8myl_s8n__lR8vq1oxYCxpnyJV0_-1ibBNgAYuuaDJbD9_9DEjQ57_N17inHWYyHUxK89fGzjwJQORH2ktx/s1600/Baum%2527s+Weir+to+Merrawarp+Rd+%252B+again+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaHxkQKXaPVpeUVq0-7oAtwsw5JCNZ9_9zjCynbNzucVYMk7UyTSAUkzZK8myl_s8n__lR8vq1oxYCxpnyJV0_-1ibBNgAYuuaDJbD9_9DEjQ57_N17inHWYyHUxK89fGzjwJQORH2ktx/s400/Baum%2527s+Weir+to+Merrawarp+Rd+%252B+again+031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azolla bloom above Merrawarp Rd, March, 2015</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Merrawarp Rd to Baum's Weir</b></span></div>
I have paddled this section of the river many times. Even when the river height is low, this section provides easy paddling with minimal obstructions in the form of fallen trees and branches - many of which are submerged. No portage is required at any stage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwmi_NjbeZu3y3SkPy5d49zRv8953d9XIg_Qm9ZMsLdDNsYc-D0dSK6PYdK_1M5-sidX5MOnO0NunJXs0wbTGdzGLenm9XbuxHCDZ3rjdRDwi1zAHUOrgPVElDB_jEmfCpU65KYqgsPFb/s1600/Barwon+Heads%252C+Merrawarp+Rd+paddles+271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwmi_NjbeZu3y3SkPy5d49zRv8953d9XIg_Qm9ZMsLdDNsYc-D0dSK6PYdK_1M5-sidX5MOnO0NunJXs0wbTGdzGLenm9XbuxHCDZ3rjdRDwi1zAHUOrgPVElDB_jEmfCpU65KYqgsPFb/s400/Barwon+Heads%252C+Merrawarp+Rd+paddles+271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below Merrawarp Rd, February, 2015</td></tr>
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Once again, during periods of low water flow Azolla blooms covering several hundred metres or more may slow paddling speed. As a general rule, I would take about an hour to paddle between the weir and the bridge.<br />
It is not uncommon to see people fishing either from the bank or from kayaks on this section of the river and for some distance upstream of the Merrawarp Rd Bridge. Once again, the land to either side is mostly given to farming, with the Barrabool Hills rising above the south bank as you approach the Geoff Thom Bridge on the Geelong Ring Road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihb2cqtWrAFNLQDwA4jNwQYuv1k21mMFvr2lfYUPvAwVdGdf9EwYLp1kVWLgVTMlE9ufIg2g70C5q9Vw3fsMxEvyyU1G8Eb-Mw1_Hr04xl1fo9pO_wsxoCcslI829WPCSF5gqtCXZbhlTc/s1600/Merrawarp+Rd+paddle+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihb2cqtWrAFNLQDwA4jNwQYuv1k21mMFvr2lfYUPvAwVdGdf9EwYLp1kVWLgVTMlE9ufIg2g70C5q9Vw3fsMxEvyyU1G8Eb-Mw1_Hr04xl1fo9pO_wsxoCcslI829WPCSF5gqtCXZbhlTc/s400/Merrawarp+Rd+paddle+033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the Barrabool Hills, September, 2014</td></tr>
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From this point, the river enters the outskirts of Geelong and bare hills give way to houses and parkland.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Baum's Weir to Fyansford</b></span></div>
Between the weir and Fyansford, the river flows over a basalt (bluestone) base and is generally shallow and rocky for a distance of about 1.5km. Much of the water is diverted into the water race constructed for the Barwon Paper Mill in the 1870s. Whilst the mill no longer uses it as a power supply, the water still runs via the race making levels on the river bed too low for convenient paddling at most times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleHFYbg2LRtg7iTCpFl_Ke4n86E-iY0kXz33KrG9IEs4wEoaKB0iar2DEW04IDVteY3bCC6QdMXkL3GZsVuv6n_EQkWZwx3sRQeNVvRVsIRvRSJ2hc4H_lLg5O8OCKL9JH3wUs56Q3mDV/s1600/Benito%2527s+treasure+and+Queen%2527s+Park+to+Baum%2527s+Weir+170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleHFYbg2LRtg7iTCpFl_Ke4n86E-iY0kXz33KrG9IEs4wEoaKB0iar2DEW04IDVteY3bCC6QdMXkL3GZsVuv6n_EQkWZwx3sRQeNVvRVsIRvRSJ2hc4H_lLg5O8OCKL9JH3wUs56Q3mDV/s400/Benito%2527s+treasure+and+Queen%2527s+Park+to+Baum%2527s+Weir+170.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunyip Pool looking upstream, November, 2013</td></tr>
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The exception is during periods of flooding when more experienced paddlers often brave the torrent which pours down over the weir and through Buckley Falls in order to ride the rapids. A second smaller weir also dams the flow of the river immediately upstream of the Bunyip Pool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs6Bz0nzdVLaHCh-Euf7n17Ckf39iUp2zBGrSlGo5QNl9pojLnlZEMEeplxd3s-rgIkV3T3Kmt208bXQOf9NN8oqBtwa9MCCncUOVDB-IBbuvl9xSicWCmMvhHdVNitDFbCNse-kKLwWj/s1600/Barwon+River+flood+16.1.11+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs6Bz0nzdVLaHCh-Euf7n17Ckf39iUp2zBGrSlGo5QNl9pojLnlZEMEeplxd3s-rgIkV3T3Kmt208bXQOf9NN8oqBtwa9MCCncUOVDB-IBbuvl9xSicWCmMvhHdVNitDFbCNse-kKLwWj/s400/Barwon+River+flood+16.1.11+061.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In flood. Looking upriver from the Bunyip Pool, January, 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have not currently tackled this section, in part because there is pedestrian access along both banks throughout this section which is predominantly parkland.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Fyansford to Breakwater</b></span></div>
This section of the river is wide and free of obstructions, its water level being regulated by the breakwater. Above Queen's Park there is little traffic however, below this point and particularly through the "rowing mile" the river is heavily used during much of the year for rowing, water skiing, dragon boating, canoeing and of course kayaking.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTkpugKNEU1w5ZHf-KTDil9A9no623nFjgwrQwnDTdo6JA5QNHqUfxty6NicG8cG88vvyfCLCLHxJYbjleTTbBFSEOjEHMwzALaoLARNMmvSFRF-exgpB5udYN99kO1fuXXa_asyyk7QR/s1600/Barwon+paddle+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTkpugKNEU1w5ZHf-KTDil9A9no623nFjgwrQwnDTdo6JA5QNHqUfxty6NicG8cG88vvyfCLCLHxJYbjleTTbBFSEOjEHMwzALaoLARNMmvSFRF-exgpB5udYN99kO1fuXXa_asyyk7QR/s400/Barwon+paddle+079.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Barwon above Queen's Park, September, 2014</td></tr>
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During the summer months the river though Geelong is often closed to the public so that competitive water sports can be conducted. It is advisable to check opening times before paddling to avoid disappointment.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3QhjXJmwWQCT1PxD7Dbho4-rqwN_X44rs9RQkS4SVVJdXEWFUyepKzvbL2hxHmW1mb6JUBJwmbMqFpzxfy5zVttzS6MLroTCIhfX3wmggFSiKjGatpY0y1-13mPqMCitIgK2iF_GBBbD/s1600/Barwon+paddle+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3QhjXJmwWQCT1PxD7Dbho4-rqwN_X44rs9RQkS4SVVJdXEWFUyepKzvbL2hxHmW1mb6JUBJwmbMqFpzxfy5zVttzS6MLroTCIhfX3wmggFSiKjGatpY0y1-13mPqMCitIgK2iF_GBBbD/s400/Barwon+paddle+092.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "rowing mile" September, 2014</td></tr>
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I would generally take around 1.5 hours to cover this distance. The land to either side is public property with a walking/cycling track forming a continuous circuit (about 18.5km) around this section of the river. In some sections houses and in others some industrial buildings overlook the river.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Breakwater to Tait's Point</b></span></div>
Continuing downriver, portage is necessary to cross the breakwater or it may be a convenient point to start or finish a paddle. About 1.75km downstream of the break is Goat Island where the river divides briefly around a small piece of land about 250m in length. The island is crossed by the Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct. Built between 1913 and 1916 to carry Geelong's sewage to an outfall at Black Rock, the now decommissioned pipe is in a dangerous state of disrepair and passage underneath - either on land or water - is prohibited, with buoy lines crossing both river channels either side of the aqueduct.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSg_WTyPNpISi-pqydydfHRB6ivHJaUBIAsi9hJkzv7Y8UXsjlFXuwN-cZCm99oyrDoxRAbXgYtvfpmBrwGD90hZ701hPFRqhXIC4XQHhFgd_EcfDJvFxZl3Cphv-7W3xf-CgrWU_EhTl8/s1600/Zucchini+and+Barwon+Breakwater-Taits+Point+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSg_WTyPNpISi-pqydydfHRB6ivHJaUBIAsi9hJkzv7Y8UXsjlFXuwN-cZCm99oyrDoxRAbXgYtvfpmBrwGD90hZ701hPFRqhXIC4XQHhFgd_EcfDJvFxZl3Cphv-7W3xf-CgrWU_EhTl8/s400/Zucchini+and+Barwon+Breakwater-Taits+Point+038.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the Geelong Water Ski Club, January, 2013</td></tr>
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A further 1.75km below the aqueduct are the club rooms of the Geelong Water Ski Club who hold events on this section of the river which may therefore also be subject to closure at certain times.<br />
About 8km downstream of the breakwater is a second break, commonly called the Lower Breakwater for obvious reasons. Portage is necessary here also, however access to the west bank is relatively easy both above and below the break through gaps in the reeds at the river's edge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkfS7ONchs_CAfNkaP5qdN4OdAeYXO1yZkFaPPlC0dEG7tLNmdbDGQRnnsqDhk0x6gM7eTLvwaio1Aovt7WoUo-HQo7MCMgs0cJxak6_ohTr6reiA-I4D0u-f5L2dgEbYoIlI-aDwkMH6/s1600/Zucchini+and+Barwon+Breakwater-Taits+Point+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkfS7ONchs_CAfNkaP5qdN4OdAeYXO1yZkFaPPlC0dEG7tLNmdbDGQRnnsqDhk0x6gM7eTLvwaio1Aovt7WoUo-HQo7MCMgs0cJxak6_ohTr6reiA-I4D0u-f5L2dgEbYoIlI-aDwkMH6/s400/Zucchini+and+Barwon+Breakwater-Taits+Point+077.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River above the Lower Breakwater, January, 2013</td></tr>
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From the Lower Break, the river continues through a formed channel for almost 2km before flowing into a branch at the western end of Lake Connewarre. Whilst finding the lake is easy when paddling down river, I recommend using a GPS and marking a waypoint or two at the mouth of the river channel (I do this at home using Google Earth as a guide), to make sure you can find the channel again coming back upstream. There are numerous nooks and crannies which can make finding the river channel quite tricky when heading upriver.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Pith_VBrtkWnYpsOQ0abCdPeHL1dgsvuRiPl-NfTzDr9Mx2HcoGcUGSXHZZLIULSgEmfvQP2zuqYpS6Ssnhk5L6DL4WrpKe9wXx8hnSlzVXiebv_WhnXaU_ttXiJGbWKkyE2NlPC2DQl/s1600/Zucchini+and+Barwon+Breakwater-Taits+Point+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Pith_VBrtkWnYpsOQ0abCdPeHL1dgsvuRiPl-NfTzDr9Mx2HcoGcUGSXHZZLIULSgEmfvQP2zuqYpS6Ssnhk5L6DL4WrpKe9wXx8hnSlzVXiebv_WhnXaU_ttXiJGbWKkyE2NlPC2DQl/s400/Zucchini+and+Barwon+Breakwater-Taits+Point+089.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lower Breakwater, January, 2013</td></tr>
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By this point, the river which at Breakwater flowed through light industrial and semi-rural farmland has become both tidal and saline. The tree cover found above Geelong is mostly absent and thanks to the breakwaters, the river is wider and deeper. Downstream of St Alban's Park, the river channel becomes mostly lined with reeds which block much of the view of the banks to either side. To the left is Reedy Lake which is not naturally accessible from the river and to the right is more farmland.<br />
Below the Lower Break, the river channel is completely reed-lined with swamp to either side.<br />
After entering the channel and the reeds, it is less than a kilometre across the narrow western-most branch of the lake to Tait's Point. The water level in the lake is naturally quite shallow in places depending on tides, meaning some portage through shallow water may be unavoidable. The lake bed is soft and muddy which further complicates the issue. I have it on good authority however, that a seal was seen as far upriver as the Lower Break, meaning that it is - under some circumstances at least - possible to cross the lake without resorting to lugging your vessel. In total I take about 3 hours to paddle this section.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKiA6KeB_yA__AAJY2ODdNvbjf6_qaVb1htpCqxAsK3-QyQFFaO6i1qYhkI-5WHJgxU7TUFGiQKnq4Z6xVYdspuS4ncOnegJE76NwEOkA2N48nIXLgRBzzXo-lDzoNBd9yf3NP2x6VH3O/s1600/Barwon+Heads%252C+Merrawarp+Rd+paddles+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKiA6KeB_yA__AAJY2ODdNvbjf6_qaVb1htpCqxAsK3-QyQFFaO6i1qYhkI-5WHJgxU7TUFGiQKnq4Z6xVYdspuS4ncOnegJE76NwEOkA2N48nIXLgRBzzXo-lDzoNBd9yf3NP2x6VH3O/s400/Barwon+Heads%252C+Merrawarp+Rd+paddles+137.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Tait's Point, February, 2015</td></tr>
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This part of the river also includes both the Lake Connewarre Wildlife Reserve and the Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve, meaning that game hunting is allowed along some parts of the river, Reedy Lake, Hospital Swamp and Lake Connewarre during duck hunting season (generally from the 3rd Saturday in March to the 3rd Saturday in June).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tait's Point to Barwon Heads</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The lowest section of the Barwon is quite different to the upper reaches, being a marine environment, with quite different bird life in evidence. Between Tait's Point and the river channel at the south east corner of the lake, the water level continues to be quite shallow in places.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxC9hYlkY-rGoiXwh9DmcxgXgu8qdBxeZOPYWb1A2Y57dwlfDLx-FaZJYENniHTpUEdBlBK6oFboAbxxF-uZCXRcwG1SiXcFm8Rc65FtxcUhzGDwwXWtqBk47hi_C_uwo7NFO4hRkT02sS/s1600/Barwon+Heads%252C+Merrawarp+Rd+paddles+168a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxC9hYlkY-rGoiXwh9DmcxgXgu8qdBxeZOPYWb1A2Y57dwlfDLx-FaZJYENniHTpUEdBlBK6oFboAbxxF-uZCXRcwG1SiXcFm8Rc65FtxcUhzGDwwXWtqBk47hi_C_uwo7NFO4hRkT02sS/s400/Barwon+Heads%252C+Merrawarp+Rd+paddles+168a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Lake Connewarre, February, 2015</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Where the lake flows once again into the river, there are numerous sandbars and small channels which make it difficult at ground level to see which is the correct path to take. Once again I would suggest pre-loading some waypoints into a GPS device to make it easier to find the river mouth at the bottom end of the lake.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP87zY4gaoLAKbP1LquxWquvUVStJM57WjUp1K0BqQ80S1Xipi23jCCCV2Gsnq6DLaYsXrM0DaSyVcN83fq5HCepks0iYy2uums65oX8TpLzqf-TgeRiS3hOS22PeXgaViRlZthOmEfi_7/s1600/Barwon+Heads%252C+Merrawarp+Rd+paddles+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP87zY4gaoLAKbP1LquxWquvUVStJM57WjUp1K0BqQ80S1Xipi23jCCCV2Gsnq6DLaYsXrM0DaSyVcN83fq5HCepks0iYy2uums65oX8TpLzqf-TgeRiS3hOS22PeXgaViRlZthOmEfi_7/s400/Barwon+Heads%252C+Merrawarp+Rd+paddles+156.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandbar near the bottom of Lake Connewarre, February, 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once back in the channel, the land to either side is flat, swampy and saline and the banks are increasingly lined with mangroves, however there are no obstructions and the water level is suitable for paddling. See also the above comments about duck hunting season.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjWzSqrUIZL5VZEn-4hs4U9NSWLFnyYRWbpCs0XV_44FqP-gOFS8468zxhcmFSHA-BuoDYjTvNBHToFyeoA10W8cpsVJxzhXqGyMyZp2greCjRxm88U8aBMj8R6aEvxPBOlezS1WDr-ua/s1600/Breakwater+to+Barwon+Heads+paddle+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjWzSqrUIZL5VZEn-4hs4U9NSWLFnyYRWbpCs0XV_44FqP-gOFS8468zxhcmFSHA-BuoDYjTvNBHToFyeoA10W8cpsVJxzhXqGyMyZp2greCjRxm88U8aBMj8R6aEvxPBOlezS1WDr-ua/s400/Breakwater+to+Barwon+Heads+paddle+045.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangroves on the bank, October, 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
More of a concern along this length of the river can be tide and wind conditions which can make paddling in either direction hard work. Check weather reports prior to going out.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Closer to Barwon Heads, there will be increased traffic as this part of the river is popular with those fishing from small motor boats and with occasional jet skiers. Once past the boat ramp on River Parade, there are channel markers along the river for the boating traffic. Outside the channel, the river rapidly becomes too shallow even for kayaks, with sandbars and mudflats blocking passage, particularly at low tide.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once at Barwon Heads (a trip of around 2.75 hours), whilst it is possible to paddle past the bridge, caution should be exercised as the current can be strong, particularly with an outgoing tide. As you approach the river mouth, the water can also be quite choppy in windy weather.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-unE5d7LfnjRneDBDIcAo_rC6twB9qxXXvbpFM7zDx1aC7UkKE5SEMb7wr2VDVh3PC9UAQM3bU1Bc_ELHHenpV48-ypFoYwtcQH4KaNXewOVhRs0F2NLZeLbaofP9kdqVrWCLgjZc8Sp/s1600/Breakwater+to+Barwon+Heads+paddle+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-unE5d7LfnjRneDBDIcAo_rC6twB9qxXXvbpFM7zDx1aC7UkKE5SEMb7wr2VDVh3PC9UAQM3bU1Bc_ELHHenpV48-ypFoYwtcQH4KaNXewOVhRs0F2NLZeLbaofP9kdqVrWCLgjZc8Sp/s400/Breakwater+to+Barwon+Heads+paddle+071.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barwon Heads Bridge, October, 2014</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
In the second part to this post is a list of access points from which small craft such as kayaks and canoes can be launched. The post can be found at <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/paddling-barwon-part-2.html" target="_blank">Paddling the Barwon - Part 2</a>.</div>
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Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-42341632216926918242017-02-28T23:09:00.001+11:002017-02-28T23:09:19.523+11:00Mosaics on the Barwon<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According to Wikipedia:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">...the word </span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">mosaic</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> is from the Italian </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">mosaico</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> deriving from the Latin </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">mosaicus</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> and ultimately from the Greek </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">mouseios</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> meaning </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">belonging to the Muses,</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> henc</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit;">e artistic.</span></blockquote>
As an art form, mosaics have been around for thousands of years. The earliest known mosaics, dating to the third millennium BC were located in a temple in Mesopotamia. Both the Romans and Greeks used mosaics on the floors and ceilings of their villas whilst eastern and western Christians, Jews and Muslims all used mosaics to adorn their various places of worship.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9ASdmZGpEe6RYqC-NXon7Ws89mwbjJ_vxE1tQVuoj-sK1J6ee1m5CkiOgVPYO0OjQgUzzh6hIZ-hJrQ8AaqiYJ6rDFJCke9_lWI3CUwNfD7AnDOlRysNt1QKFaOyjgWy0glumR3JHT_0/s1600/Barwon+Mosaics+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9ASdmZGpEe6RYqC-NXon7Ws89mwbjJ_vxE1tQVuoj-sK1J6ee1m5CkiOgVPYO0OjQgUzzh6hIZ-hJrQ8AaqiYJ6rDFJCke9_lWI3CUwNfD7AnDOlRysNt1QKFaOyjgWy0glumR3JHT_0/s1600/Barwon+Mosaics+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>The use of mosaics has continued to the present day where they often take the form of public artworks. Conveniently for the topic of this blog post, the Barwon also boasts some modest mosaic pieces in the form of a large structure near Fyans Park as well as some drinking fountains which have been given the mosaic treatment at a couple of points along the walking/cycling path.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfLx1zaqxooFg8LkDdo8tXA281hU1mDa8JifkreY68i9GblfJAs__DlvKVzt2XVv-UhK0v8Tf5YvRm1JdDyg3ZMzavxqSX8Nc4J9uMbfFEoFQVg6OxSKLFlGuGfc7JiK4IQCPuFlKycKt/s1600/Barwon+Mosaics+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfLx1zaqxooFg8LkDdo8tXA281hU1mDa8JifkreY68i9GblfJAs__DlvKVzt2XVv-UhK0v8Tf5YvRm1JdDyg3ZMzavxqSX8Nc4J9uMbfFEoFQVg6OxSKLFlGuGfc7JiK4IQCPuFlKycKt/s400/Barwon+Mosaics+006.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic-coated drinking fountain near Breakwater<br />
depicting the bull-rushes found along the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC23iijem8xQTILCv-QGiFy8C75MUhC5dBog5ADIIMMXlIW-lgVkEIHMMGgcY9UAta5iZndQIpy2f9t79JccJc6DL6x9ps-fmo9jbVLV8O2aXZHU3iGeKCFW7NCqAqhO_GM-C7HEHhx0HP/s1600/Barwon+Mosaics+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC23iijem8xQTILCv-QGiFy8C75MUhC5dBog5ADIIMMXlIW-lgVkEIHMMGgcY9UAta5iZndQIpy2f9t79JccJc6DL6x9ps-fmo9jbVLV8O2aXZHU3iGeKCFW7NCqAqhO_GM-C7HEHhx0HP/s400/Barwon+Mosaics+013.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A second fountain at Fyans Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9ASdmZGpEe6RYqC-NXon7Ws89mwbjJ_vxE1tQVuoj-sK1J6ee1m5CkiOgVPYO0OjQgUzzh6hIZ-hJrQ8AaqiYJ6rDFJCke9_lWI3CUwNfD7AnDOlRysNt1QKFaOyjgWy0glumR3JHT_0/s1600/Barwon+Mosaics+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9ASdmZGpEe6RYqC-NXon7Ws89mwbjJ_vxE1tQVuoj-sK1J6ee1m5CkiOgVPYO0OjQgUzzh6hIZ-hJrQ8AaqiYJ6rDFJCke9_lWI3CUwNfD7AnDOlRysNt1QKFaOyjgWy0glumR3JHT_0/s400/Barwon+Mosaics+017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic structure at Fyans Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In recent times, working with mosaics has also become popular as a leisure activity with classes being offered to cater for a wide range of tastes and abilities. For the last few years, mosaic artist and teacher, Rosemarie Kviz has conducted <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Mosaic-Commissions-and-Classes-All-Things-Mosaic-172817356099391/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE" target="_blank">classes</a> in her studio at the Old Fyansford Paper Mills, Lower Paper Mills Rd in Fyansford.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyS_v_iTP77gjvuhJkMfSKRTLnl36pTKFA5-9KTnFXLgXURDXwz_Id0wK9U5z364XNb1If-I5VJaZgqbY5yHkxoP5ZbNWtw6vN29V6n4YbX2_n_lA5caa7Aafl_0BYTNFkwQ0bNreTYZu/s1600/West+vs+Leopold+and+Paper+Mill+133a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyS_v_iTP77gjvuhJkMfSKRTLnl36pTKFA5-9KTnFXLgXURDXwz_Id0wK9U5z364XNb1If-I5VJaZgqbY5yHkxoP5ZbNWtw6vN29V6n4YbX2_n_lA5caa7Aafl_0BYTNFkwQ0bNreTYZu/s400/West+vs+Leopold+and+Paper+Mill+133a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaics at The Mill, June, 2015. Piece by Rosemarie Kviz</td></tr>
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In 2015 I attended an open day at the Mill and saw the work of Rose and her students. It took almost a year however, before I finally took the plunge and started attending classes myself.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuZuagD3IbaB6kJJuMyYwy_6hCFkkLSly_tU9KuFS2L16dMNgDoEV_ukKK9CmEa8Yb5dIqdFQ1koDYOTwnXprDc2oPqqLj6lYYVHMcPmLayewOCjyKXALTPCmQ4DayEuoX1iE1T9UJu6l/s1600/Barwon+Mosaics+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuZuagD3IbaB6kJJuMyYwy_6hCFkkLSly_tU9KuFS2L16dMNgDoEV_ukKK9CmEa8Yb5dIqdFQ1koDYOTwnXprDc2oPqqLj6lYYVHMcPmLayewOCjyKXALTPCmQ4DayEuoX1iE1T9UJu6l/s400/Barwon+Mosaics+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The view of the Barwon from the classroom at The Mill</td></tr>
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So, for about a year now, I have been mosaicking everything from flat plywood pieces to candle-holders and even a mannequin. My starting point was - unsurprisingly - a view of the Barwon River.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qvu3PshcO4C4FgSoaIx4NQkhoA55vDh9aKxCNI7vSX1EbKGMZCmMFWIb4Gb9_5z0bS7jTAI26-ah9cOhZhfjK9BMn3RQcHELRAy0bVtZIHrm1k1dfWeW27HU2kiz3o4W3FQHXAjtiwGM/s1600/Barwon+Baum%2527s+Weir+to+Merrawarp+Rd+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qvu3PshcO4C4FgSoaIx4NQkhoA55vDh9aKxCNI7vSX1EbKGMZCmMFWIb4Gb9_5z0bS7jTAI26-ah9cOhZhfjK9BMn3RQcHELRAy0bVtZIHrm1k1dfWeW27HU2kiz3o4W3FQHXAjtiwGM/s320/Barwon+Baum%2527s+Weir+to+Merrawarp+Rd+137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jy9NphSQTn504PliUHbWxIDFkc8Dtbr1EzfAHhZCyiWh_EXWQM6rQpBT9YHc5cPz5Haibi1tDlVNWJEuvvNVeV_0z64qcB5_Nd9IVe6JwGgWfVmGJVw8TyOAE-4_jfCnHVgzwjahTHfq/s1600/Mosaic+Barrabool+Hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jy9NphSQTn504PliUHbWxIDFkc8Dtbr1EzfAHhZCyiWh_EXWQM6rQpBT9YHc5cPz5Haibi1tDlVNWJEuvvNVeV_0z64qcB5_Nd9IVe6JwGgWfVmGJVw8TyOAE-4_jfCnHVgzwjahTHfq/s320/Mosaic+Barrabool+Hills.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Barwon looking south towards<br />
the Barrabool Hills</td></tr>
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My second piece was also a Barwon scene, this time a depiction of the ruins of the Carrah Flour Mill on the north bank of the river about 3km south of Inverleigh and the topic of a previous <a href="http://barwonblogger.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/just-what-doctors-ordered.html" target="_blank">blog post</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouC0E1xB_lixL0jPXaUkMG80iS_E8agOXtzOGKUxzfehkQHP90Acn-dvktSo3yseWpRqVmpGe1PEY2fhrC6JIWXCoIJpFpBREpmTAPdtJN6DBBt5GPtYQqzF7ynCIScdDY6PG0jr3uUpV/s1600/Carrah+mill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouC0E1xB_lixL0jPXaUkMG80iS_E8agOXtzOGKUxzfehkQHP90Acn-dvktSo3yseWpRqVmpGe1PEY2fhrC6JIWXCoIJpFpBREpmTAPdtJN6DBBt5GPtYQqzF7ynCIScdDY6PG0jr3uUpV/s320/Carrah+mill.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayymlEmXIo3k8DnJmX7kEQE9x0wJfez2wcE37Sv5UX7dZHcWRYOYVmxsowgBbgdmNrLQXRxTomKCgbb-zRtrVPzOWjZUoIS3YBjLA2DZGcLyYSNCh0z4Yu052cCV_84_z3HBp90Grjgxd/s1600/Mosaics+Mill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayymlEmXIo3k8DnJmX7kEQE9x0wJfez2wcE37Sv5UX7dZHcWRYOYVmxsowgBbgdmNrLQXRxTomKCgbb-zRtrVPzOWjZUoIS3YBjLA2DZGcLyYSNCh0z4Yu052cCV_84_z3HBp90Grjgxd/s320/Mosaics+Mill.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruins of the Carrah Flour Mill near<br />
Inverleigh</td></tr>
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My third - and to date final - Barwon piece portrayed one of the many Rainbow Lorikeets I have seen along the river over the years.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5sv5uwRUM87IGlIpYg7Iz6Ko1677JQfIJUy6S6FGZpZuBXrUZu5mIlaQt6_NqJFkwzwBgk-OlmlBjtTgSt4elN1ynj7za_eoX7lxd7YxxYk84xfP0lgBpLQDqB2B0YYlY-uGcCXYT-B_/s1600/Lorikeet+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5sv5uwRUM87IGlIpYg7Iz6Ko1677JQfIJUy6S6FGZpZuBXrUZu5mIlaQt6_NqJFkwzwBgk-OlmlBjtTgSt4elN1ynj7za_eoX7lxd7YxxYk84xfP0lgBpLQDqB2B0YYlY-uGcCXYT-B_/s320/Lorikeet+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJTFgqMrDd0lb7EX7hXZ2_2Br8NGSffWn3aYopZIIRzRWdWEzarQKEjM890KBn1b6p6teBPkTiSJEc4Cliopogr8E_7RIu43nEEfjfA5caQBYKTXaFcX0AD_y2oRTo5upFuKBFZkWVss-/s1600/Mosaics+lorikeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJTFgqMrDd0lb7EX7hXZ2_2Br8NGSffWn3aYopZIIRzRWdWEzarQKEjM890KBn1b6p6teBPkTiSJEc4Cliopogr8E_7RIu43nEEfjfA5caQBYKTXaFcX0AD_y2oRTo5upFuKBFZkWVss-/s320/Mosaics+lorikeet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Lorikeet on the Barwon</td></tr>
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Whilst mosaics have traditionally been created by arranging tiles to create an image, in the computer age it has become possible to create digital mosaics and some time before I began creating physical mosaics, I also dabbled with creating a photographic mosaic. Realising I had amassed somewhere in the vicinity of 14,000 photos of the Barwon River (significantly more some two years down the track), I decided to see if it was possible to create a digital mosaic which used as many as possible of my Barwon photos.<br />
After a significant amount of time spent editing, manipulating, finding the right program and finally compiling, I had created a digital mosaic composed of 10,000 unique photos, each in some way related to the Barwon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfq4s1EjKXLG9jx30MYT5nWxD2Xn8GF3g8VY8qoz9OFO_lg5T0fzVEnImp3sFnzX_bZAWtPRGCz1JM2jMSt5iFGFj8wpPs8zTbr_Xi5EeaiGQcfvlsDOCyasU1v0oezFj4K5WLLl4RJnIg/s1600/6+June+5+Mosaic10K+current.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfq4s1EjKXLG9jx30MYT5nWxD2Xn8GF3g8VY8qoz9OFO_lg5T0fzVEnImp3sFnzX_bZAWtPRGCz1JM2jMSt5iFGFj8wpPs8zTbr_Xi5EeaiGQcfvlsDOCyasU1v0oezFj4K5WLLl4RJnIg/s320/6+June+5+Mosaic10K+current.tif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digital mosaic created using the <a href="http://www.andreaplanet.com/andreamosaic/" target="_blank">AndreaMosaic</a></td></tr>
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The end result was a 150cm x 106cm version of the above image which now hangs on my wall. Each "tile" in the photo mosaic is a high definition 15mm x 10mm image visible to the naked eye. The windmill in the image was situated slightly downstream of Wilson's Rd, St Alban's Park however, it now lies in pieces on the ground.<br />
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<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-57637846616944536292017-02-04T10:14:00.000+11:002017-02-04T10:14:51.285+11:00The Cadel Evans show rolls into town again...After Friday's paddle, I switched the 'yak for the bike and on Saturday morning headed out onto course to watch the women's event in the third edition of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. As I have done in previous years, I headed round the river and took up position along with one other interested local at the foot of the Breakwater Bridge to wait.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_S3xRW1fgdOdYmOb4PdoMa1wOXZV9MMJgnfVQXU657NL1xvU9Yislo_LVaUSpp6kVEFq6nvMJiBP-kq45qh_4rpx5DvWLpHq1xSzVJ2X53J4yxym49A05IGwRtJh8bcxWHBUQzLDcd6p/s1600/Cadel+-+women%2527s+race+063a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_S3xRW1fgdOdYmOb4PdoMa1wOXZV9MMJgnfVQXU657NL1xvU9Yislo_LVaUSpp6kVEFq6nvMJiBP-kq45qh_4rpx5DvWLpHq1xSzVJ2X53J4yxym49A05IGwRtJh8bcxWHBUQzLDcd6p/s400/Cadel+-+women%2527s+race+063a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peloton rides over Breakwater Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8X6ihrwxQTnnn23XCk20WCl_wWYgriqQ5-jLRdr14Bx9oOxAJgmgDnCcRPKwELnLCN6f249t6aJKMFVgZ_BjQkxVsZ4b4PXDrJvh3c7MurD71PoJgU54VpxvZZWRxA2vL1pGKYJURDUp/s1600/Cadel+-+women%2527s+race+070a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8X6ihrwxQTnnn23XCk20WCl_wWYgriqQ5-jLRdr14Bx9oOxAJgmgDnCcRPKwELnLCN6f249t6aJKMFVgZ_BjQkxVsZ4b4PXDrJvh3c7MurD71PoJgU54VpxvZZWRxA2vL1pGKYJURDUp/s400/Cadel+-+women%2527s+race+070a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tail end</td></tr>
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As usual, the arrival of the peloton was presaged by a barrage of scouts and photographers on motorbikes, police bikes, police cars, the race director's car, the commissaire and finally the lead car. Within minutes the riders had come and gone and whilst they made their way to Barwon Heads, I headed to Fyansford.<br />
After a stop for lunch under the shade of the peppercorns, I took up position at the bottom of The Deviation and waited for the riders to return. As I did so, I spotted <a href="http://geelongindy.com.au/indy/2014-03-20/marathon-rides-childs-play-for-our-sebastian/" target="_blank">Sebastian Flaccavento</a> on one of his modified kid's bikes, about to slog his way up the Fyansford Hill ("Cementies" to the locals). As he has done in previous years, I presume Sebastian was the last of around 3,500 riders up the hill in the People's Ride which preceded the women's race.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGggiwWfjCkwYrOq270pn79FdB6L5NxglaOb51cypuYHlL8v6f9KCNE6lEVmTOg0gc7X-QmOJFcunH5zZbWocA_j4iD5KPBr-Ki4nHZTx90QIlRFFrMDqjtmGV_7yPal64KDsj63qzT-q/s1600/Cadel+-+Men%2527s+race+2017+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGggiwWfjCkwYrOq270pn79FdB6L5NxglaOb51cypuYHlL8v6f9KCNE6lEVmTOg0gc7X-QmOJFcunH5zZbWocA_j4iD5KPBr-Ki4nHZTx90QIlRFFrMDqjtmGV_7yPal64KDsj63qzT-q/s400/Cadel+-+Men%2527s+race+2017+139.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Not happy with one ride, Sebastian also rode up "Cementies" prior to the<br />men's race on Sunday</td></tr>
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By about 2:15pm the helicopters filming the race came into view over Highton and a few minutes later the riders descended on Fyansford. Significant winds out on the couse had fragmented the peloton. The first rider to enter Fyansford was English rider Emma Pooley with a handy lead heading up "Cementies" however, in a sign of things to come the following day, she was reeled in with the race eventually being won in a bunch sprint by the Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten (Orica-Scott) ahead of Ruth Winder (Unitedhealthcare Pro Cycling Team) and <span style="background-color: white; color: #031b4a; font-family: "Graphik Regular"; font-size: 16px;">Mayuko Hagiwara (Wiggle High5).</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcYeb0_r3x1JmoMQ_BuIcsCwQhMvPWi9J2ZCQPEBkcQ_Bh9gZooxKoZDnSsQ86E6k5iomo7AWjAhSA6Z1CPOtMmgIM10ebFQBrEyVFbUe6H1cdW212B-2wDytDGR2rj6eIFKEewtotpT7/s1600/Cadel+-+women%2527s+race+109a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcYeb0_r3x1JmoMQ_BuIcsCwQhMvPWi9J2ZCQPEBkcQ_Bh9gZooxKoZDnSsQ86E6k5iomo7AWjAhSA6Z1CPOtMmgIM10ebFQBrEyVFbUe6H1cdW212B-2wDytDGR2rj6eIFKEewtotpT7/s400/Cadel+-+women%2527s+race+109a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lead rider Emma Pooley hits Fyansford</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuQ6OFv5zHxVYujczwJRgEI9nGU0xxTNu50ymapXXMQPfonyTyjEsrva6pDw61mi_bC6uEjhLuLxCj1wGSuLp8gutGQgjqA5m1wYWANrRUf3Z2nL7fLyjln0INN4DoT7FllgAZpsEtOtp/s1600/Cadel+-+women%2527s+race+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuQ6OFv5zHxVYujczwJRgEI9nGU0xxTNu50ymapXXMQPfonyTyjEsrva6pDw61mi_bC6uEjhLuLxCj1wGSuLp8gutGQgjqA5m1wYWANrRUf3Z2nL7fLyjln0INN4DoT7FllgAZpsEtOtp/s400/Cadel+-+women%2527s+race+113.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remains of a fragmented peloton riding down The Deviation</td></tr>
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On Sunday it was back on the bike and out to see the men's race. Once again I watched the riders leave town from the Breakwater Bridge before heading back to Fyansford. This time I opted for a position halfway up "Cementies" from which to view proceedings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ_sQ86OPXlnYv8EuknX9Ulzy-K-lJPuT95SEoEV9_bn2ljwd9DaEFIMBDAWJzA7U9SyZdGeoh3RfEgI2pX1DKEZIV0B94Gxy3L3ilxb2MVcomhMMi-TbJnW-ECY7rcxt6SlVBnTcd-Ka/s1600/Cadel+-+Men%2527s+race+2017+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ_sQ86OPXlnYv8EuknX9Ulzy-K-lJPuT95SEoEV9_bn2ljwd9DaEFIMBDAWJzA7U9SyZdGeoh3RfEgI2pX1DKEZIV0B94Gxy3L3ilxb2MVcomhMMi-TbJnW-ECY7rcxt6SlVBnTcd-Ka/s400/Cadel+-+Men%2527s+race+2017+084.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peloton crossing the Barwon at Breakwater</td></tr>
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The riders came and went, viewed by a cluster of interested locals and I headed off firstly to Queen's Park, then to the bottom of Challambra Crescent followed by a position on the rowing course to watch as the peloton proceeded to reel in a four man breakaway which had been out in front since the opening kilometres of the race.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding up "Cementies" with a glimpse of a Eugene von Guerard view<br />in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lap 1: racing onto the Queen's Park Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lap 2: heading for Challambra Crescent via the Barwon at Highton</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lap 3: the final time along Barrabool Rd</td></tr>
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With the third lap of the city circuit underway, I headed down to the Waterfront to watch what turned out to be a dramatic finish which saw German rider Nikias Arndt (Team Sunweb) win by half a bike length from Simon Gerrans (Orica-Scott) and an unfortunate Cameron Meyer (Korda Mentha Real Estate Australian National Team) who had led the final sprint only seconds before in third place.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100m to go as Arndt, Gerrans and Meyer sprint for the finish line</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-50445984382492334082017-01-27T22:34:00.000+11:002017-01-27T22:34:17.970+11:00A nice day for a paddleFor the first time in a while, I dragged out the kayak and headed upstream to a part of the river I have not visited too frequently over the past four years. A small group of us hit the water at Merrawarp Rd in Ceres and headed upstream for a distance of about 5km. The first 2km was fairly plain sailing - well, paddling - and I have done it many times.<br />
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Thereafter things became a little more complicated, with a number of obstructions - mostly fallen trees - and a short section of rocky rapids which hardly warranted the name, but still required some portage on the way upstream.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Negotiating the "rapids" on the way upstream</td></tr>
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A little unusually for this time of year, water levels were higher than on my previous visits, which made life significantly easier than in the past. As always, the birds were abundant and the weather was perfect for paddling; mild with no breeze to speak of in the early stages.<br />
As I was with a group (and as it turned out, short of batteries), most of the photos were of the scenic landscape variety but nonetheless, provide a picture of a section of the Barwon not seen by most of us.<br />
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<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127190147676724766.post-50110446627122372322016-12-31T22:36:00.001+11:002016-12-31T22:36:11.402+11:00Baaaaaaaaaa humbug!In previous years I have occasionally come up with a "Christmas" themed blog post towards the end of the year. This year as I considered my options, an idea came to mind. Sheep!<br />
Sheep are not usually associated with Christmas - except if you live at Meredith - and Meredith is not generally associated with the Barwon River. As I have discussed in previous posts however, Meredith lies on the banks of Coolebarghurk Creek which is a tributary of the Moorabool River and at Christmas sheep are all the rage.<br />
So, with this in mind, we headed off to Meredith to snap some photos, oh, and had a short walk along the creek while we were there. So, here are a few of Meredith's "Christmas sheep" to end the year:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think perhaps the red sheep has partaken in a little too much Christmas cheer!</td></tr>
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These were just some of the sheep to be found in Meredith this year. There were sheep at the hall, sheep at the shop, sheep at the churches and even sheep at the pub! Not to mention the members of the flock gracing the fences of any number of houses in town.</div>
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A very "Merrydith" Christmas everyone!</div>
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<br />Jo Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109720134974590748noreply@blogger.com0