No 20 (November 2011)

Select Abstracts:


"Baptisms by Rev John Roberts". Analysis of baptisms by Reb John Roberts of Presbyterian Church at Maffra and Stratford 1965-1915. Carried out baptisms regularly as far afield as Delvine, Lindenow and Bairnsdale. pp8-9

"Map of Stratford 1855" Analysis of the 1855 map, original held in the National Library in Canberra, which also shows handwritten names later than 1855. All names on map are listed. pp9-11

"Kelly, the grocer at Stratford". List of names P to W from 1890 index to records of Kelly the grocer at Stratford. pp12-15.

SUBJECTS

CHURCHES
MAPS
SHOPS

No. 19 (March 2011)

Stratford Historical Society Bulletin, new series, no19 (March 2011)

Select abstracts

"Autobiography of James Albert Brennan (1859-1955)". Continued from previous issue. Life in a shop in Melbourne. Established a form of farmer's co-operative that ran for 21 years until closed in 1941 due to the war, when the government took over wheat, wool, jute etc. One brother was five times Mayor of Sale. (pp6-9)

"Index to Kelly the Grocer at Stratford, records 1890" Letters J to O inclusive. (pp12-14)

"Museum Piece - Briagolong Rabbit Suppression League Poison Cart"

No. 18 (July 2010)

No. 18 (July 2010)
Select Abstracts

"Autobiography - James Albert Brennan (1859-1955) from Len Randall via Irene Randall".  Continued. Writes of horse racing at Longford, shops in Melbourne. pp4-9

"Kelly the grocer at Stratford". Part of the 1890s index to the accounts kept by Kelly, grocer at Stratford. provides letters D-H. pp11-13.

"Museum Piece" Plaque from CRB bridge at Blackall Creek. p14.

SUBJECTS

HORSE RACING
BRIDGES

No.17 (March 2010)

Select abstracts

"Autobiography - James Albert Brennan (1859-1955) from Len Randall via Irene Randall". Continued. Writes of life in Melbourne, business during 1890s depression. pp4-9

"Kelly the grocer at Stratford". Part of the 1890s index to the accounts kept by Kelly, grocer at Stratford. provides letters A-C. pp11-13.

SUBJECTS

SHOPS

No. 16 (September 2009)

Select abstracts

"Autobiography - James Albert Brennan (1859-1955) from Len Randall via Irene Randall". Continued. Writes of kangaroo dogs, kangaroo hunting on the the Ninety Mile Beach, the Swing Bridge, Aboriginal hunting and customs, working as a baker in Sale, bore water in Sale, boxing (and Tom Curran) in Sale, Coupar the baker. pp5-10

"Recollections of Llowalong". Report of visit to "Allendale" at Llowalong by relatives of Kevin Nolan, who purchased the property in 1946, but sold it so he could be granted a soldier settlement block in 1950. pp12-13.

"Museum Piece - Theodolite". Photograph and details of William Tennant Dawson's theodolite, held in the Society collection. Dawson, the government surveyor, died in 1873, but the theodolite stayed within the family, and was severely damaged by fire at Roseneath in 1921. pp14-15.

SUBJECTS

BAKERIES
ABORIGINAL LIFESTYLE
DOGS
SURVEYORS

No 15 (May 2009)

Select abstract

"Autobiography - James Albert Brennan (1859-1955) from Len Randall via Irene Randall". Author's family left Ireland in 1856, coming direct to Port Albert, and thence to Sale. Family had a shop in Sale and then a hotel in Longford. Writes of early Catholic education in the area, working at Airly, the Tichbourne case, Rotamah Island. pp4-9

SUBJECTS

CHURCHES
HOTELS

No 14 (September 2008)

Select abstracts

"Book Review: Riders of Destiny" Details of autobiography of Patrick M. Hamilton, born at Stratford in 1892. He served in WWI in the Light Horse in the Filed Ambulance. This book is based on his diary. While still at war, in 1917 he was elected Rhodes Scholar for Victoria, and started study at Oxford immediately after the war. He had an international career as an educator and administrator, and died in 1977. pp6-7.

Hahn, Geoff. "Peter has closed the Door". Poem written to mark the retirement of garage proprietor Peter Thompson (c.1980). pp8-10

Vranek, Denise. "The Ducret Family, part II". Wrotes about The Knob, home life in a French family, the Methodist Church in Stratford, dairying, transport, tractors, fram life. pp11-15

"Front Cover Photograph: Boot Jack". Details of boot jack and boots held in the society collection, property of Normal McLean of Maffra, who served in the Boer War. p15.

SUBJECTS

WORLD WAR, 1914-1918
GARAGES
CHURCHES
BOER WAR, 1899-1902

This issue is out of print, and is available as an e-mail attachment only.

No 13 (June 2008)

Select abstracts

"Walhalla's Water Wheel". Details movement of large water wheel from Port Albert to Walhalla in the 1870s. (pp3-7)

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with children's games, Salvation Army meetings, William de Treacy Treacy, families with convicts in them, Leonard Bolden saving newspapers. (pp7-10)

Vranek, Denise. "The Ducret family - part 1". Details of the Imrie/Ducret family. Emily Bean (later Imrie) married Alphone Ducret in 1866. The families Ducret, Keneally and Fitzpatrick were later associated with the tannery in Stratford, until is washed away in the 1891 floods. The family then farmed on Inverbroom Road. (pp11-14)

SUBJECTS

FLOODS
TANNERIES

No 12 (March 2008)

Select abstracts

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with Miss Lister (teacher gaoled from Stratford), Rose/Despard family in the post office, piano sold to Bouchers, death of member of Cherry family (delivered newspapers), Crockett and Logue, sadlers. (pp4-7)

"From Wartime England to peaceful Stratford". Story of Audrey Shingles, as told to her grandson. Describes life in England, leaving there in 1949. They settled in East Malvern, where Audrey met and later married a member of the Shingles. They moved to Nuntin in 1953, to the Shingles farm, then to one of their own about 1958. Describes life on the farm. (pp8-13)

Museum Piece. Photographs and description of Theodolite used by William Tennant Dawson, Government Surveyor in the 1850s, much degraded by fire at Roseneath in 1921. (p15)

SUBJECTS

POST OFFICES
ROSE family
CHERRY family
SURVEYORS

Number 11 (December 2007)

Select abstracts

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with shonky horse salesmen and other characters, brief mention of 1885 bushfires. (pp4-6)

Peters, Meredith. "Joseph Clement Furnell Cox (1893-1959)". Biography, by subject's daughter. Son of a Gippsland teacher (Bendoc and Rosedale), Cox studied at Longrenong Agricultural College, and was appointed manager at "Stratfieldsaye" at Perry Bridge in 1912, until he and his family moved to "Maida Vale" at Munro in 1939. He remained there until his death in 1959. Much discussion on agricultural practices and social life. (pp6-10).

Thatcher nee Asher, Bev. "Memories of Llowalong". Author's grandfather was one of the first soldier settlers at Llowalong after WWI. Memories of school there, building the hall, the Anglican church, dairy farming, party-line telephones. Names other families in the area.

SUBJECTS

CRIME
HORSES
BUSHFIRES
AGRICULTURE
SCHOOLS
CHURCHES
HALLS

No 10 (September 2007)

Select abstracts

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with Captain Mayhew, Father Hegarty, drinking. (pp 5-7)

"Extracts from a Wesleyan Minister: The Rev James Bickford's Autobiography" Excerpts from diary of Methodist minister, including visit in 1873 to Stratford, reporting on laying foundation stone for the church. (pp8-9)

SUBJECTS

CHURCHES
ALCOHOL ABUSE

Number 9 (April 2007)

Selected abstracts

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with various characters and their negative traits, picnics, tension with Catholic school students. (pp4-7)

"Stratford Methodist Church Harvest Festival Cloth". Details of a 1918 signature cloth donated to the Society, along with an index to all names. (pp7-10)

SUBJECTS

SCHOOLS
CHURCHES

Number 8 (December 2006)

Hannington, David. "From the Archives: Stratford Railway Weir". History of Railway Weir three miles east of Stratford in 1888, with gravity-feed pipe to the railway yards at Stratford to supply water for steam trains. Used until 1929. (Reproduced originally from 1964 Gap). Includes photo of tank at railway station. (pp4-5)

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with holidays (hop picking and the beach), building new Anglican Parsonage, Curran family. (pp5-8)

"Bits and Pieces". Harry Milner was in the Australian Light Horse in WWI, and began logging north of Briagolong in the late 1930s. His daughter writes of an unusual lunch in the bush. (page 8)

"Museum Pieces". Photograph and description of the cabinet showing names of office bearers for the Shakespeare Lodge GUOOF. Includes list of names from 1866 to 1932. (pp10-11)

SUBJECTS

RAILWAYS
TIMBER INDUSTRY

Number 7 (September 2006)

Select abstracts

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with Tom HOLT, from a distinguished family in England who had disgraced himself, Tom TWEEDIE (who died in WWI) and eels. (pp5-7)

"Let's take a stroll down Memory Lane" reprinted from Bulletin 5 Feb 1980. Includes roadmakers (and their horses), 1916 floods, Invermichie school (and teacher Mr HAMBROOK), the TWEEDIE family, notable students from Stratford school, fighting at school to settle differences. (pp8-10)

"Wonderful Discovery" Discovery of 1866 voters roll for Shire of Avon, including early Maffra and Dargo areas, and women voting in the 1860s. (p.11)

"Museum Piece". Photographs and text re the KOERSTZ wool press recently donated to the museum by the STOTHERS family of Llowalong.

SUBJECTS

SCHOOLS
ELECTORAL ROLLS
WOMEN

Number 6 (June 2006)

Select abstracts

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with Ducret family, buried money that was lost, axes and chopping wood. (pp5-7)

"Country Womens Association of Victoria: Stratford Branch". Part 2. Details of activities 1937 to 1997, when the group went into recess, and joined with the other Stratford branch. (pp7-13)

"History of Stratford Historical Society Church Building". Building was a Methodist church, commenced 1873, which became the home of the Society about 1980". Deals with recent restoration. (pp13-15)

SUBJECTS

CHURCHES
WOMEN

Number 5 (March 2006)

Select abstracts

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with various buildings in the town, the Swan and Ducret families. (pp3-6)

"Country Womens Association of Victoria". History of Victorian CWA, then details of formation of the Stratford branch. (pp6-12)

"Recorded Rainfall at Stratford 1878-1882" (page 12). Chart includes rainfall at Rosedale for the same period.

Reproduces photograph of boxing match between Burns and Johnson. One man is Aboriginal, one European, and with Aboriginal and Europeans seconds. (p.14)

SUBJECTS

SWAN Family
WOMEN
RAINFALL
SPORT
ABORIGINES

Number 4 (December 2005)

Select abstracts

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with the school, and teachers including Mr Burbank, buildings in Tyers Street, Vick the builder etc. (pp3-7)

"In Remembrance: Clifton John Arnold 20 July 1915-11 October 2005". Obituary of long-time Society member, who came to live in Stratford in 1922. Includes photograph. (pp8-9)

"Have Wheels, Will Weigh". Story of member Edie Blake, of Providence Ponds. She attended Perry Bridge school. After office work for a time, she began to train as a nurse towards the end of WWII at Sale, then trained in midwifery in Carlton, then in Maternal and Child Welfare. She worked first at Sale, then relieving all over Gippsland. (pp11-14)

SUBJECTS

SCHOOLS
TEACHERS
INFANT WELFARE CENTRES

Number 3 (September 2005)

Select abstracts

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with early resident (especially Mrs WILLIAMS) and businesses, life as the son of a clergyman. (pp4-8)

Reproduction of photograph of Sir Emmerson Tennant Hotel

"Cows and Stamps". Story of Mrs Una STOTHERS nee BLACK. Life on a Soldier Settlement farm at Airly, teachers boarding and riding horses to school, then operation of Airly Post Office and telephone exchange. Social life in the 1930s and 1940s, especially at Briagolong. (pp11-14)

SUBJECTS

BLACK family
POST OFFICES
SCHOOLS

Number 2 (June 2005)

Select abstracts

"Stratford in the 1880s". Extract from the published work of the same name, written by Dr Arthur South. Deals with naming of Stratford from the "Straight Ford" and the "Slanting Ford" (Weir's Crossing). General reminiscences. (pp3-6)

Reproduction photograph of Stratford Mechanics' Institute c.1910 (page 7)

"Members Story: From Umbrellas to Lollies". Story of Molly MAGUIRE nee HAWKINS, who arrived in Australia c.1926. She lived with her family in Ivanhoe, while her father was a gardener at the Fitroy Gardens. On leaving school she went to work for Grant Barnett and Co, umbrella manufacturers. Aged 23 she arrived in Stratford in 1947 to help set up the company's umbrella factory. She boarded with Miss Alice Mitchell. Discusses factory operation, and her later married life in Stratford. (pp8-11)

SUBJECTS

NAMES
MECHANICS INSTITUTES
FACTORIES

Number 1 (March 2005)

Select abstracts

"Arrival of Joseph Sharp". Extracts from the shipboard diary of Joseph Sharp, who arrived in Melbourne aboard the "Merlin" in January 1854 with his family. Sharp died in 1925 aged 90 years, and often stayed at Stratford with his daughter Harriett Struss. (4 pages, unpaginated)

"The Formation of the Stratford and District Historical Society". History of the Stratford and District Historical Society, dealing mainly with its formation in 1968. (1 page, unpaginated)

SUBJECTS

SHARP family
HISTORICAL SOCIETIES


NB1 These are selected abstracts only, the Bulletin always includes other chit-chat and Society news.

NB2 we are a bit strange, we only add families in subjects when the surname is one that may be in common use elsewhere, such as the GREEN, BROWN, BLACK, WHITE families. Thus SHARP appears here, as we have many objects where "sharp" would otherwise appear in the catalogue.