Donation of 20 Cents gratefully accepted to help with publication of this newsletter
------------------ Issue Number
9. End of Year, 2005 -------------------
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President: Jan Lier. Publicity Officer: Basil Stafford
Contacts: Cheryl Elmes & Jim Kent, P.O. Box 48, Casterton, Victoria. 3311
Newsletter layout: Alistair Boyle, P.O. Box 186, Casterton, Victoria. 3311
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Meetings: Please see back page for days, dates and times.
Held at the R.S.L rooms, 158, Henty Street, Casterton.
Wishing Everyone a Very Happy Christmas
And a Prosperous New Year
from all the team at the Historical Society
A History of Christmas
The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions
were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the
bright fires, the Yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals (parades) with floats, carollers who
sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can
all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians.
Many of these traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Year. The
Mesopotamians believed in many gods, and as their chief god - Marduk. Each year as
winter arrived it was believed that Marduk would do battle with the monsters of chaos.
To assist Marduk in his struggle the Mesopotamians held a festival for the New Year. This
was Zagmuk, the New Year's festival that lasted for 12 days.
The Mesopotamian king would return to the temple of Marduk and swear his faithfulness
to the god. The traditions called for the king to die at the end of the year and to return
with Marduk to battle at his side.
To spare their king, the Mesopotamians used the idea of a "mock" king. A criminal was
chosen and dressed in royal clothes. He was given all the respect and privileges of a real
king. At the end of the celebration the "mock" king was stripped of the royal clothes and
slain, sparing the life of the real king.
The Persians and the Babylonians celebrated a similar festival called the Sacaea. Part of
that celebration included the exchanging of places, the slaves would become the masters
and the masters were to obey.
Early Europeans believed in evil spirits, witches, ghosts and trolls. As the Winter Solstice
approached, with its long cold nights and short days, many people feared the sun would
not return. Special rituals and celebrations were held to welcome back the sun.
In Scandinavia during the winter months the sun would disappear for many days. After
thirty-five days scouts would be sent to the mountain tops to look for the return of the
sun. When the first light was seen the scouts would return with the good news. A great
festival would be held, called the Yuletide, and a special feast would be served around a
fire burning with the Yule log. Great bonfires would also be lit to celebrate the return of
the sun. In some areas people would tie apples to branches of trees to remind themselves
that spring and summer would return.
The ancient Greeks held a festival similar to that of the Zagmuk/Sacaea festivals to assist
their god Kronos who would battle the god Zeus and his Titans.
The Roman's celebrated their god Saturn. Their festival was called Saturnalia which
began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of "Jo Saturnalia!" the
celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends,
and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits).
The Romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles.
Again the masters and slaves would exchange places.
"Jo Saturnalia!" was a fun and festive time for the Romans, but the Christians thought it
an abomination to honour the pagan god. The early Christians wanted to keep the
birthday of their Christ child a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and
merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia.
But as Christianity spread they were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan
customs and Saturnalia among their converts. At first the Church forbade this kind of
celebration. But it was to no avail. Eventually it was decided that the celebration would
be tamed and made into a celebration fit for the Christian Son of God.
Some legends claim that the Christian "Christmas" celebration was invented to compete
against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans
but also the Persians whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianity's main rivals at
that time. The Church eventually was successful in taking the merriment, lights, and gifts
from the Saturnalia festival and bringing them to the celebration of Christmas.
The exact day of the Christ child's birth has never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it
has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the
birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of
Rome, Julius I, choose December 25th as the observance of Christmas.
2
The first mention of December 25 as the birth date of Jesus occurred in A.D. 336 in an
early Roman calendar. In the late 300's, Christianity became the official religion of the
Roman Empire. By 1100, Christmas had become the most important religious festival in
Europe, and Saint Nicholas was a symbol of gift giving in many European countries.
During the 1400's and 1500's, many artists painted scenes of the Nativity, the birth of
Jesus.
The popularity of Christmas grew until the Reformation, a religious movement of the
1500's. This movement gave birth to Protestantism. During the Reformation, many
Christians began to consider Christmas a pagan celebration because it included
nonreligious customs. During the 1600's, because of these feelings, Christmas was
outlawed in England and in parts of the English colonies in America. The old customs of
feasting and decorating, however, soon reappeared and blended with the more Christian
aspects of the celebration.
Gift giving
The custom of giving gifts to relatives and friends on a special day in winter probably
began in ancient Rome and northern Europe. In these regions, people gave each other
small presents as part of their year-end celebrations.
Other customs
In the 1800's, two more Christmas customs became popular decorating Christmas trees
and sending Christmas cards to relatives and friends. Many well known Christmas carols
including “Silent Night" and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," were composed during this
period. In the United States and other countries, Santa Claus replaced Saint Nicholas as
the symbol of gift giving.
The Modern Image of Santa
At the beginning of the 1930s, the burgeoning Coca-Cola Company was
still looking for ways to increase sales of their product during winter,
then a slow time of year for the soft drink market. They turned to a
talented commercial illustrator named Haddon Sundblom, who created
a series of memorable drawings that associated the figure of a larger
than life; red-and-white garbed Santa Claus with Coca-Cola. Coke's
annual advertisements, featuring Sundblom drawn Santas holding
bottles of Coca-Cola, drinking Coca-Cola, receiving Coca-Cola as gifts,
and especially enjoying Coca-Cola, became a perennial Christmastime
feature which helped spur Coca-Cola sales throughout the winter (and
produced the bonus effect of appealing quite strongly to children, an
important segment of the soft drink market). The success of this
advertising campaign has helped fuel the legend that Coca-Cola
actually invented the image of the modern Santa Claus decking him out
in a red-and-white suit to promote the company colours or that at the very least, Coca-Cola chose
to promote the red-and-white version of Santa Claus over a variety of competing Santa figures in
order to establish it as the accepted image of Santa Claus.
***************
23rd NOVEMBER - End of year society dinner to be held at the Casterton Hotel. 7.30 pm
3
“THE WAINES MURDER”
By the late Jack Gorman
Taken from, “Tales of Casterton; the Waines Murder and Other Stories”
Part 3.
Thomas George CUE, the Clerk of Petty Sessions at Casterton in 1858 was a most
remarkable man, and was looked upon as “The Sir Oracle” of the District. Prior to coming
to live at Casterton in 1853, George Cue had had a most adventurous life. As a Naval
Officer he had been First Mate to his uncle, Sir James CLARK-ROSS, had made several
trips to Australia and even did some exploring of the South Pole.
Many of the earliest citizens of Casterton were poor and illiterate. They could neither
read nor write, and many of our earliest documents are marked with a “His” or “Her”
cross. To all his neighbours George Cues was counsellor and friend.
At Forest Farm, in its original state, the homestead was made of brick and plaster. It was
a lovely property with spectacular views of the amphitheatre hills - it overlooked
Casterton - and watering places for horses. Sarah BAKER and Charlotte STEVENS were
constant visitors to Forest Farm. One of them, a shepherd’s wife, had done chores such as
washing and cleaning up the WAINES’ home. She had also called at HUNT’S hut on the
day after their disappearance. To George CUE she allayed her suspicions and fears about
the missing HUNTS.
Subsequently, George CUE with the information he was given, got in touch with Mr.
FEATHERSTONHAUGH, the Police Magistrate for the district who lived in Hamilton.
He also wrote a letter to the Chief Commissioner of Police in Melbourne.
Later, WAINES was arrested by the local Police and lodged in “The Logs” on suspicion of
murder. He was arraigned before Mr. JACKSON, J. P. of Sandford, and was discharged
as there did not seem to be the slightest grounds for detaining him. Mr. JACKSON was
highly indignant at Mr. CUE for having WAINES brought before him on what he
considered highly incredulous evidence.
But Mr. CUE’S suspicions were not to be deterred. Constable AHEARN arrived at the
Casterton Police station early in November 1858. He had never known HUNT or his wife.
He had an advertisement inserted in the Police Gazette, circulating all over the colonies,
4
at various Police Stations, at Penola, South Australia, and Guichen Bay, seeking
information of the missing HUNTS but to no avail.
Cocksure from his acquittal in the Justice’s Court, WAINES now had a much more
confident air. In June of 1859 he called at the Casterton Police Station, and putting on a
very bold front told Constable AHEARN he had heard the government was going to
plough up his garden searching for the HUNTS’ bodies. He told them, “If such the case I
would like to get it done immediately before putting my crop in, otherwise it will put me
to great expense in losing the Spring of the year”.
No proceedings had then commenced, but on the same day as WAINES called at the
Police Station, several witnesses had been examined and he could have got wind of this.
In January of that year, a Search Warrant had been executed and a number of articles
including jewellery, clothing and a Marriage Certificate belonging to the HUNTS were
taken into custody from WAINE’S home.
In the spring of 1959, a swagman out of work, got off the Portland to Casterton Coach at
Sandford, and humping his bluey into Casterton enquired from the CHAFFEY’S at the
Glenelg Inn, the direction to Forest Farm.
As a swagman - Ticket of Leave men were constantly on the move in the colony - George
CHAFFEY took little notice of the man, except to remark to his wife Phillipa, that despite
the swagman’s attire, there was something about his muscular build, clean cut face and
bronzed arm he liked.
Having made George CUES acquaintance, Charlie BROWNE as he was called was put up
for the night at the CHAFFEYS INN. He was reputed to be a single man, a good dancer,
and became quite an attraction for the young ladies of the district
What the locals couldn’t understand was why he became so friendly with the WAINES.
He was constantly in George WAINES’ company at the Inn, frequently took grog to the
WAINES’ selection and had more than his share of the dances at the local Balls. Fishing
in the Glenelg became a popular pastime for Charles BROWNE, and he spent a lot of his
evenings off casting a line near the Watering Place.
To be continued…….next year
Historical Presentations
TO ABC RADIO HORSHAM
Commencing on the 21st November, 2005, Mondays 6.15 am
The Society has been successful in negotiating with ABC Radio,
Horsham, to have Historical Presentations relating to the towns of
Harrow, Balmoral, Coleraine and Casterton.
The initial idea was put forward at the Casterton Business and Tourism Association AGM
by Cliff Tischler and was originally to only have Casterton present the history of the town.
5
Following negotiations with Fiona Parker from the ABC Radio
Horsham, a proposal was put forward by the Casterton
Historical Society to involve other Historical Societies from
within the viewing region to present historical presentations
relating to their town. This was met favourably with our Society
co-ordinating the proposal.
Five Historical Societies were asked to be involved: Balmoral,
Coleraine and Casterton took up the challenge, Harrow whilst
supportive of the idea was unable to commit and a person has
been found to represent this town. The fifth historical society
was unable to commit resources.
The groups will rotate on a weekly basis; each group presenting a 7 minute segment
related to an historical account of their town.
Tune in to ABC Radio Horsham and hear the history of the towns!!!
ROSTER for 2005
21ST NOVEMBER 2005
28TH NOVEMBER 2005
5TH DECEMBER 2005
12TH DECEMBER 2005
HARROW
BALMORAL
CASTERTON
COLERAINE
ROSTER for 2006
23RD JANUARY 2006
30TH JANUARY 2006
6TH FEBRUARY2006
13TH FEBRUARY 2006
20TH FEBRUARY 2006
27TH FEBRUARY 2006
6TH MARCH 2006
13TH MARCH 2006
20TH MARCH 2006
27TH MARCH 2006
HARROW
BALMORAL
CASTERTON
COLERAINE
HARROW
BALMORAL
CASTERTON
PUBLIC HOLIDAY
COLERAINE`
HARROW
****************
Well now after looking at the names adorning the streets to the south
of Henty Street and located on the western side of the Glenelg River,
we return to the banks of this river to start an exploration of the
names which indicate the streets to the north of Henty St. Before
doing so, I would like to make a profound statement, to which I
consider should be given some thought by those people in higher up
authority that have the capability to implement the desire expressed.
It seems to me that of all the ‘right-of-ways’, lanes, crescents, avenues, streets and other
forms of public access to the various sections of our lovely old town, not one, to my
knowledge , contains the name of a family who most rightly can be considered veritable
pioneers of Casterton. That is the name of RICHARDSON, coming to this town while it was
in its very early embryonic stage, namely 1847.
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John Richardson, who was at that time aged 27yrs, swelled the then population to 13 (6
women and 7 men). He built the first house in Casterton, married Ellen in 1851, and
raised a family of 5 girls and 4 boys, their first born being the first white child born in
Casterton. He worked first as a cook then as a roof shingler and builder. He lived to the
age of 90 years - 63 of these years in Casterton and is buried with his wife in the new
cemetery. Surely a man of this repute is entitled to have his name recorded by the
naming of a street in the town he helped found.
Now, having unloaded all that, may I suggest that there are no less than TWO
opportunities to remember these two very worthy pioneers by so naming streets after
them, with their full title?
Firstly, there is a very tidy and well kept street branching off the Glenelg Highway almost
opposite Carmichael Street terminating at its junction with Hansen Road. Why not name
this thoroughfare THE JOHN RICHARDSON DRIVE?
Secondly, another very well kept street close to the aforementioned one runs off Henty
Street and down to its junction with Miller Street. Why not name this one THE ELLEN
RICHARDSON DRIVE?
If you agree on this, lobby your local councillor to affect this long overdue honour on this
worthy couple. Now over to you on this matter….I rest my case!
Now back to Tyers Street which runs parallel to the Glenelg River before branching into
Murray Street; which is a long one, crossing quite several other streets before it becomes
Silvester St. In 1876, Alexander Sutherland Murray owned ‘Springbank’ of 25.000 acres,
while in 1840 a Mr. W. Murray in Partnership, owned ‘Dunrobin’ of 153.600 acres…any
relationship? I don’t know but imagine that there could have been, but I do know that in
1876, Mr. A. S. Murray was a shire councillor, so the presumption is that Murray Street is
named after A. S. Murray.
Murray Street runs into Silvester Street; without a doubt named after Cr. T. W. Silvester of
1869. This name is also synonymous with large landholders and those engaged in the legal
profession.
Silvester Street runs into Mc.Evoy Street but before doing so there is running off it to the
South, a thoroughfare called of all names, “Oak Ave.” With not an oak tree in sight, this
particular street came into being to service the residents living in dwellings which were
originally used as the accommodation houses during the construction of Rocklands Dam.
Thomas Mc.Evoy was an original settler in the Bahgallah area and also a Glenelg Shire
Councillor in 1873, so, again, we observe that these civic “fathers” were celebrated by having
streets named after them.
Mc.Evoy Street terminates at its junction with the Dunrobin Road but before doing so it has
Mitchell Street running off to the west. No Councillor bearing this name appears to have
been listed before 1908, when Councillor A. Mitchell became a member, so an argument
could be raised, was this street called after Cr. Mitchell or was it named after explorer Major
Thomas Livingstone Mitchell who was the first white man to see this area in 1836. You be
the judge.
Just a note of interest on Mitchell Street - it once gave access to WEST and FELL’S property
known as ‘Daffodil Farm’ from where bulbs of this flower were exported world wide.
Mitchell St. terminates at Hansen Rd. which connects the Glenelg Hwy with Dunrobin Rd.
7
Now Hansen Rd is so named after James B Hansen who, in 1953 joined the Shire of Glenelg
as its Secretary and Rate Collector. He was a dedicated and capable person in this capacity.
Just west of Hansen Rd is a small dead end street called Marshall St, so named after a family
of that name who resided there after emigrating from Tasmania.
Don’t forget to get in the ear of our local Councillor re The Richardson Street naming!!!
James P Kent.
November 2005
THE CHANGES IN TIME
By Des Murphy
Part 7
My first modes of transport were riding a pony or on the seat of my parent’s buggy. In my
early school days all children rode a pony or walked up to five miles. Then the bicycle
started and children rode up to eight miles for their education. Remember NO sealed
roads existed in those days. The average family travelled in a buggy or in a gig drawn by
one horse. There were very few cars on the roads in the mid 1930’s.
All country schools had a pony paddock where the pony was turned out in the day and
caught for use for the home trip in the evening.
When I started going to the Convent, I left my pony in the horse boxes at the Glenelg
Hotel in Casterton. There were six lots of horse boxes serving the area at that time. For
the last two years I rode a bike to school.
In those days there were schools in every settlement. For instance, on the Apsley Road
were Dunrobin, Nangeela, Red Cap, Dergholm, Poolaijelo, Langkoop and Apsley. It was
the same throughout the whole area with small schools dotted all around. This trend
continued through the War years when petrol rationing was introduced and no new
vehicles were available to expand the education and transportation of students to better
equipped schools.
One teacher, 20 students, 7 classes were a no no.
The 60’s, saw the start of closures and one by one the small rural schools, including the
bigger settlements of Dergholm and Chetwynd were closed and the bus system of taking
children to bigger, better equipped schools was used and the roads were sealed.
Later, students travelled up to 80 kilometres to the bigger schools in the area for Higher
education and on to University.
Starting in a one teacher school, there were 25 pupils in 8 grades. From that to 30 pupils
in 3 grades with a teacher of higher standards, the pass rate was greater
Going to school on a pony or a bike in all weather in 1933 is different to going to school in
a bus in 2004.
Continued Next Year ………………
8
A Brief History of the Casterton Railway and Station Masters
The Station Building:
It comprises a substantial standard building with a cast iron platform veranda. The detail
to the entrance gable end and booking lobby remains intact. Casterton Railway Station is
historically significant in recalling the dominance of the Port of Portland as an outlet to
the Glenelg and Wannon Rivers, Wool and livestock traffic as well as the rivalry for that
traffic shown by the South Australian Railways and the town of Hamilton.
It is also historically significant as an important example of a standard station building
that arose from the ‘Octopus’ Act of 1884. The Railway Station is architecturally
significant as a substantially intact example of the ‘Casterton Style’ of railway buildings.
The ‘Casterton Style’ represents the first departure by the railways department from the
previous classical/Italianate station designs to use the Gothic and Tudor detailing. The
stations were typically located at major points on the main lines.
Sources: Government Buildings Register Review of Country Railway Places-Former Casterton Railway
Station Complex, Beeston, R., 1995.
The Casterton News February 1977
Activity at the goods sheds. Date Unknown
The railway line to Casterton was opened in September 1884. Construction of the
Railway Station started in 1886. The Architect/Designer was Robert Watson. The
Architect style is known as Victorian Period Gothic (1851-1901). The opening ceremony
consisted of a banquet; the principal guest was Hon. W. Sheils M.L.A., representative of
Normandy.
A mixed passenger/goods train continued to operate on the Casterton line until 1949
when the passenger service was withdrawn. On 15th March 1954, a rail-car service
between Branxholme and Casterton was started on a trial basis. Unfortunately, this was
9
also removed on 31st July 1954. Goods trains continued to use the line until 1977, with the
railway station closing on 3rd February 1977.
The engine shed was built by John Patterson for ₤881/9/5. The water supply and the
turntable by P. Denholm for ₤16/6 and the Station building by G. and AC Findlay for
₤1754/18/2. The Branxholm to Casterton Railway line was built by Neil McNeil Junior;
contract number 1610, for ₤90,514/3/9.
Records of Station Masters are not complete, however Victorian Railways have provided
the following dates and names:
1920 - 1929
1925 - 1926
1926 - 1929
1929 - 1931
1931 - 1933
1933 - 1948
1948 - 1950
1950 - 1953
Mr. W. Naughton
Mr. E. M. Fitzgibbons
Mr. L. Norwood
Mr. A. Larkins
Mr. J. Clarke
Mr. A. J. Smith
Mr. E. Cooper
Mr. J. Crack
1953 - 1955
1955 - 1958
1958 - 1961
1961 - 1966
1966 - 1967
1968 - 1975
1975 - 1976
Mr. A J Coleman
Mr. L. W. Hivon
Mr. W. J. Smith
Mr. W. L. Hedges
Mr. A. J. Williamson
Mr. L. J. Nelson
Mr. C. Williams
******************
J.R. MacPherson Esq.
Have you ever noticed the bronze statues in the front of the Casterton Town Hall? There
is a noteworthy story of where they originated and this year marks the 100th anniversary
of their bequest to the Casterton Community.
August 5th 2005 was the 100th anniversary of the death of one of the early settlers of the
area, a Mr. John Russell (J.R.) MacPherson who lived at “Phoines”. It is an interesting
story of his life and death and legacy that deserves to be told on the centenary of his
death, as he made quite a contribution in his quiet way to this district and beyond.
J.R. MacPherson was born in Kingussie, Scotland in 1832 and was the son of Mr. Duncan
MacPherson and his wife Georgina MacPherson. The family came out to Australia on the
ship “The Courier” arriving on the 11th September 1849. A description of the voyage is
given in a book entitled “Perilous Voyages to the New Land” by Michael Cannon. Chapter
20 details the rather wild trip characterised by drunken and debauched behaviour, which
lasted three months. Duncan, his wife and their six children apparently had a dreadful
time on the voyage.
They settled in the Port Fairy area (Belfast) briefly and subsequently took up land at
Carapook, purchasing two blocks of 350 acres. They then took up “Phoines”, building the
homestead where J.R. MacPherson and his brother Donald were to live. Another brother,
Duncan, worked at Glenthompson Station. None of the brothers married. It is difficult to
acquire memorabilia or photographic records about these three men and I believe that is
because they had no family to preserve such items.
Phoines was a large run, and they would have had sheep and cattle. Mr J R MacPherson
was obviously a successful grazier, and his property prospered. Of the few records
available, he paid £594 shire rates in 1874, which was a good amount of money at the
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time. It is remembered that he had a naturally retiring personality and a quiet
disposition, so it is interesting to note that he served as a Glenelg Shire Councillor from
1872-1875.
Mr MacPherson obviously loved to collect and read a wide variety of books, as evidenced
by some still stored in the old storeroom at Phoines. He was obviously a thinker and
enjoyed literature and the arts; he had travelled widely, back to Scotland and even to
India. He was planning another trip to Scotland when he became unwell. His brother,
Donald, had died from stomach cancer earlier at the age of 44, and then he also
contracted this disease.
He remained at Phoines and was cared for by a nurse, Nurse M J Gardiner. His doctor,
DR. F. Laidlaw would travel from Hamilton to see him. He was also cared for by a Dr.
Newman from Casterton. He died in the early hours of the 5th August 1905 at Phoines
aged 73.
His funeral left the homestead on the 11th August at noon. He was buried at the Casterton
Cemetery with his brothers Duncan and Donald. Their impressive grave can still be seen
today.
Following his death, his property and possessions were dispersed. He was extremely
generous towards his employees. Some of those working at Phoines at the time included
Mr. George Pretlove, Station Manager, Charles McCombe, Rebecca McCombe and Carrie
McLean the housekeeper. A Mr. Alexander Kennedy who had been employed by the
family for 60 years but was by then retired was also remembered in the will. A sum of
money was given to the “New” Casterton Cemetery.
A trust was set up called the John Russell MacPherson Fund and this was administered
by trustees who managed and distributed money to very many organizations locally and
across Victoria for quite a number of years. The trust donated an enormous amount of
money over the years, right up until 1955 when it was wound up.
In his will, J.R. MacPherson left three large bronze figures to the Mechanics Institute of
Casterton and interestingly two large pictures of the Roman ‘Coliseum’ and ‘Forum’. The
three large figurines are the Spanish Painter Bartolo Estaban Murillo, the Spanish author
Miguel De Cervantes, who among other works, wrote Don Quixote, and a third statue
depicting two soldiers, one on a horse. It seems to indicate that an appreciation for the
finer things of life and an interest in the arts is a heritage from our earlier days that
Casterton can be proud of.
John Russell MacPherson typified those pioneers that came to a strange new land and
through their vision and determination have helped build what we now enjoy.
Linda Edge “Phoines” Casterton
Note: The Casterton & District Historical Society will endeavour to collaborate with The
Shire of Glenelg to seek some funding in order to maintain these valuable artefacts.
As seen above, the subjects of two of the three bronze statues have been identified. One
remains a mystery and appears over the page to see if anyone can recognise the subject
and supply Linda Edge with the details.
11
Can anybody name the figures/scene depicted in this bronze?
Editor’s Note: Jim’s original submissions for the newsletter were
designed for two separate issues, one in November and one in December.
Owing to the fact that we have decided to take a break in December and
issue one end of year newsletter now, Jim’s second part appears here. It
would be wrong to delete or alter anything of Jim’s work so it appears as
he intended it. The fact that it has not given you a month to lobby the
council is our fault not his. However, I’m sure that in the New Year you
will do as you will.
Well now good morning to you all, how is your lobbying of our Shire Councillors going, re
having the 2, as yet, unnamed streets in Casterton becoming identified by having them
named after the Richardson couple, who were without doubt, truly pioneers of Casterton.
No doubt you will come up against a barrage of objections from the bureaucrats and also
Australia Post, they will raise all sorts of arguments as to why this naming cannot be
implemented.
Should the same bureaucrats and Australia Post wish to change your postal address, it is
done with a stroke of a pen, whether you like it or not. For instance take my case, 15 years
ago I built a house on a block of land 3kms out on the NOSS Road, during the past 15
years, although I have not moved from the house, my postal address has been changed 3
times. It is now 284 whatever that means, Noss-Retreat Road. Retreat Road is miles
away from where I live! Don’t let up, it is a golden opportunity to perpetuate the names of
12
this deserving couple. Now after that bit of a blast, we will return to the job in hand which
is looking at the reasons, or people, that the streets in Casterton are so named.
We now turn our attention to ADDISON St. There is no record of a Mr. Addison ever
being a Glenelg Shire Councillor, but we know that both he and Mr. Murray came up
from Portland and as his partner; they owned or took up considerable land known as
SPRINGBANK. ADDISON Street runs parallel to MURRAY Street starting at McPherson
Street and running into Silvester Street so as they were partners in land settlement prior
to our town being surveyed, they are also alongside each other by having 2 residential
streets named after them.
KIRBY Street also runs parallel to ADDISON Street in an east-west direction; without
doubt named after James and Edward Kirby who were store keepers in Harrow prior to
owning SPRINGBANK STATION from 1854-1862.
KIRBY Street runs into LEAKE Street, so named after a pioneering family who once
owned the Glenelg Inn. Descendants of this family still live in Casterton.
And that, my dear people, accounts for the names streets on the WESTERN side of the
Glenelg River.
We now cross over the once proud Glenelg River, reduced today to a mere congested
trickle of water, some of the cause of this tragedy can be attributed to interference by
man and some by natural causes such as drought and erosion. Immediately over the
bridge is a road running off to the north and named NOSS Road. It leads up to and past a
large pastoral property of the same name. One time part of the 25.000 acre
SPRINGBANK Station, it was in the late 1800’s and in the early 1900’s owned by a
colourful character, John Manson Scott. The word NOSS has a distinct Caledonian
connotation and as J.M. Scott was a Shire Councillor from 1889-1904, it is safe to
presume this is the origin of the name of this road.
Directly opposite the NOSS Road turn off is the RACECOURSE Road, so named because
it leads to, and, terminates at, the gates to the magnificent Casterton Race Course. Self
explanatory. Branching off Racecourse Road to the west is CEMETERY Road, again, self
explanatory as this road passes the entrance gates to the Casterton New Cemetery. And
again, the road to the east of Racecourse Road runs down to the Wannon River. It is,
unnamed on the maps, but in my youthful days, was always referred to as DALEY’S RD,
so called after a family of that name that lived at its terminus.
Branching off Cemetery Rd is FLOAT Rd, so named by me! Years ago, after much
lobbying, our Racing Club convinced the Shire Council to construct a road over the hill so
as to allow horse floats to access the rear of the Race Course with their race horses. I
erected a large sign at this turnoff directing FLOATS down it, and today, it is recorded as
such on maps.
Another interesting aspect to the Cemetery Rd is before it goes down over the hill and
flood plain to the Glenelg River, where on the opposite bank it becomes the Old Mt.
Gambier Rd, there is another street, this time branching off it to the south. For reasons
unknown, one shire map calls this MAY St, while another one has it labelled as QUIET
CLOSE, you take your pick, the residents who in the past lived in this street would have
had 2 postal addresses. Nearly as confusing as me being listed in the recently delivered
Glenelg Local Phone Book as 717 Noss-Retreat Rd, instead of 284!
We gain access to the residential streets east of the river by means of SHEILS TERRACE;
actually there are 2 of them, one old, one not so old. ANDERSON Road, which runs east
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to west, crosses Race Course road is of recent making. Whether it was named after Cr. A.
T. Anderson 1884-1887 or Cr. C.A. Anderson 1940-1950, I don’t know, but I would settle
for the latter.
James P Kent.
December 2005
PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE:
Casterton Historical Street Walk from Flour Mill to Glenelg Inn - $10.00
Extracts from the Casterton and District Historical Society Inc. 1966-1996 - $10.00
Corndale State School Honour Board Booklet - $7.00
Casterton Cenotaph WWI soldiers - $20.00
Casterton Cenotaph WWII soldiers - $10.00
Major Norman McDonalds Photograph Album CD - $20.00
History in the Depths – Gallipoli - DVD - $20.00
Vern McCallum’s CD’s – Casterton High School - $20.00
Vintage Tools of Trade - $10.00
Phone Jan on 55 752578
Society Meeting Dates for 2005/6:
General Meetings:
Wednesday, 16th November at 8.00 pm
------------December 2005 and January 2006
No Meeting
------------Wednesday, 15th February 2006 – A.G.M. at 7.00 pm
Wednesday, 15th March 2006 at 7.00 pm
Wednesday, 19th April 2006 at 7.00 pm
Wednesday, 17th May 2006 at 7.00 pm
-------------Monday, 19th June 2006 at 2.00 pm
Monday, 17th July 2006 at 2.00 pm
Monday, 21st August 2006 at 2.00 pm
------------Wednesday, 20th September 2006 at 7.00 pm
Wednesday 18th October 2006 at 7.00 pm
-------------
Any material for inclusion can be left at P.O. Box 48, or passed to Basil Stafford or Jan Lier.
Any ideas or comments can be left at P.O Box 186.
Next issue will be in February 2006. Happy New Year!!
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