Compiled by Janet Wilson, this is the first instalment of a comprehensive account of the history of the Korumburra and District Historical Society.
September 26, 1966 Suggestion from Mrs. Ludge that a portion of land between the old and new Leongatha Road should be preserved as a park, together with the Crown land at Coal Creek, also a portion of a coal tunnel for future interest. The membership in 1966 was £1, or £10 for a life membership.
In October 1966 a letter was written to the shire asking for use of the reception room at the shire for use in the holding of meetings, also asking for financial assistance, and provision of accommodation for the storing of historical objects.
June 1967 Discussion as to restoration of the old shire hall, and the possibility of it becoming a museum. Jaycees invited to the next meeting to discuss their plans for the establishment of a park in Leongatha Road.
July 1967 Jaycees, represented by Ted Brown, told of their plans to establish a park in the area between the South Gippsland Highway and Silkstone Road. They would welcome something of historical interest, suggesting an old style bullock dray, of which there were a couple in the district. They were interested in converting an “eyesore into a civic attraction”. Mr. Cedric Rolfe had suggested the purchase of a steam engine would be a significant tourist attraction. Mr. Rolfe was invited to the next meeting to discuss his proposition. It was felt that it was reasonable given that the State Government, had given financial assistance to Bendigo for the restoration of an old mine. The secretary to make inquiries. Cr. Miles was intending to bring to the notice of council an area of land in the Leongatha Road mine lease which was still in its natural state, with the thought that it be preserved.
August 1967 Cedric Rolfe attended and spoke about obtaining a steam engine to be kept as an historical relic. D3 quoted at $600, $640 for an A2. Neither would be engines that had hauled coal from Korumburra. It was decided to make further inquiries in relation to this.
Mr. Rolfe’s offer of the services of the Model Railway Association to build a model of the first engine to have hauled coal from Korumburra was accepted. Mr. Burnet spoke to the group about the establishment of the Bourke Street park.
September 1967. Approach to shire to support restoration of old shire building to become a museum.
October 1967 Mrs. Rough (nee Bowden), Mrs. Donnelly (nee Mackinolty) former residents and Mrs. Engleman (nee Emma Rusk), her brother an early bootmaker were welcomed to the annual meeting. Filing of material was becoming a problem. Dr. Bowden’s history of the town had been serialised in the local paper. Histories of Korumburra C.W.A. and Korumburra Choral Society were presented for the collection.
December 1967 Deputation to shire with view to restoration of old shire hall, and possibility of space to store the society’s collection, and museum.
February 1968 Members inspected an area of temporary accommodation in the old shire hall.
March 1968 Membership increase of 13 as a result of the display at the Rotary Fair in the Parish Hall. Rotary Fair historical display was of a good standard and well received. A house classified ‘C’ by the National Trust was in danger of demolition. National Trust to be asked to visit the property.
April 1968 Log house at Poowong, the only log house in the district to be discussed with the National Trust as to its preservation. It had been classified ‘C’. The Korumburra Cemetery Trust to establish a lawn cemetery. Also to install a tablet recognising district pioneers. Change of name of society – to be known as “Shire of Korumburra Historical Society.” 200 pioneers questionnaires to be distributed. Ken Wallace-Dunlop informed the group that the log house had been built by his great-grandmother, Flora Rachel Wallace-Dunlop. She came to the district with her son John, and this was the original selection in Poowong. The building of the house was supervised by John Anthony Wallace-Dunlop, completed around 1880. The house was one a few to survive the 1898 fires. Mr. Burnet spoke on the Jumbunna brick house, built by Mr. John Glew in 1879, one of the first in the area, and certainly the first brick house. The family had a brick kiln. The roof was brought in through Grantville. The area was known as Cora Lynn, and later as Jumbunna.
June 1968 Log house at Poowong in sound condition, owners looking to rebuild on the site in approximately five years. Guest speaker spoke on family of William Salmon who selected land in 1877, not related to the Salmon family in the area as at 1968. William Salmon married Catherine May Holmes, daughter of L.E.C. Holmes. The speaker, Miss Dossitor, had diaries written by Mr. Salmon from 1878. John Salmon and Arthur McKenzie Salmon, also at Poowong were brothers of William. Dr. Cutts (of Melbourne) bought the block that William Salmon was to develop. John Salmon built the first store in Poowong in 1879. The wedding of William Salmon and “Kitty” Holmes was held in the log house. Christenings were also held in the log house. The first cattle sale was held there in 1882, and was followed by a dance. 300 copies of the pioneer questionnaire were to be printed.
1968 July Speaker Mr. Adams from R.M.I.T. speaking on library collections said that “a town without a history is like a man without a soul”. He stressed the importance of history as a study by school children, and that often it helped to broaden one’s outlook. He recommended several books he considered to be valuable resources. He recommended that the society set up a biographical file of early settlers, and the formation of an historical committee to organise and plan research.
1968 August Brian Blake had interviewed Mrs. Henry Petersen, a member of the Olsen family in relation to the Danish settlement at Poowong. Brian also gave a reading of a published interview with the late Mr. Albert Olsen, which revealed quite a deal about the Danish settlement.
1968 September President, Mr. Burnet in his annual report indicated that the greatest fillip of the year was the shire’s provision of storage space for the society. The room in the old shire hall was ideal. He noted that “the future was not secure in this regard, but he felt that the needs of the society would not be overlooked”. The staging of an historical display at the Rotary Club’s event
1968 December Mr. Lerk of Wangaratta is working on a project on cordial factories and like establishments. He mentions a cordial factory run by Messrs. Andrews and Son in Korumburra in 1896.
1969 February Arrangements made for display at Korumburra Show.
1969 December Display at Poowong Trade Fair had been well worth putting on. Boston’s buggy available for use by the Historical Society to enter in the Korumburra street parade. Dinner to be held at Loch Haven on 6 December. “Early History of Korumburra” by Dr. Bowden to be launched.
1970 February Book launch had been most successful. Honary Life Membership conferred on Miss Daisy Hardwick, a pioneer in her own right, and daughter of the Coal Creek Company’s first mine manager. Back-To Korumburra had been most successful.
1970 March In lieu of meeting in April, weather permitting a trek to be made to pinpoint the locations of the various mines which had operated in and around Korumburra.
1970 May Passing of inaugural president, Mr. J. Burnet noted. Mines Department to be contacted in an effort to obtain a map of former mine sites. Mr. Peter Neil notified the meeting that a “Weisser” wall clock had been donated to the Society by Mr. Alan Burgess of the Victoria Hotel.
1970 June Report on Jaycees project of planting tree ferns at Ritchie Park, along Coal Creek. Visitors book containing the names of former miners who had attended the Back-To Korumburra was presented to the Society. Records of the once famous Choral Society were being held by the Society.
1970 July The court house loaded and ready for delivery to Coal Creek. Miner’s statue constructed by former Korumburra coal miner, Mr. Bob McMaster of Wonyip had been completed.
1970 August Annual meeting to be held on the evening of Saturday 3 October at Loch Haven. Ken Wallace-Dunlop spoke on the construction of the log house at Poowong built by his grandfather in 1880.
1970 October Speaker at annual meeting, Mr. Roy Ward said “History, was a fascinating exploration of the personality of an area”. Mr. Hugh Hendry in responding to Mr. Ward’s speech said that Korumburra was unique in being the first coal mining town in Victoria, and at one time supplied the whole of Victorian industry.
1970 December Historical Exhibition at Sanders Pavilion a great success. $1,374 taken at display. Much discussion around the necessity for the Society to have a permanent “home” for storage etc.
1971 April. Repairs to value of $250 to be carried out on court house (at Coal Creek). Syllabus adopted. Mr. & Mrs. Cedric Rolfe spoke on the history of Jeetho and highlighted the talk with photos.
May 1971. Cost of repairs to court house $143.00. Thankyou to Rob Freene for his work. Meeting to May to be forgone in favour of an excursion to Phillip Island. Public appeal to be launched to raise funds for the purchase of a steam engine.
July 1971. Excursion planned for June had been cancelled. Wording for plaque to accompany miner’s statue was arranged.
August 1971. Mr. H.G. Hendry, President of the Coal Creek Committee spoke to the group on progress of Coal Creek Park.
September 1971. Annual dinner meeting to be held at Loch Haven. “WigWag” to be purchased from Victorian Railways. Agreement to have a stall at the Poowong Trade Fair. Street stall to be held, using the shire caravan at the cost of $2.00. Excursion to Grantville area to take place in October @ $1.50 per head. There had been a successful deputation to the state government for funds to work on Coal Creek
October 1971. Annual dinner meeting at Loch Haven.
March 1972. Stall at Poowong Trade Fair had been successful. The passing of Mr. John Ritchie was noted. There was a motion to the effect that the society would make available all assets and property for the park.
April 1972. Success of the “Yes” vote in the referendum for the historical park. There was the feeling that the poll had done a lot of good in making the community aware of Coal Creek Park. Working bee organised to clean the interior of the court house. A letter to be drawn up for sending to all residents re financial support for the park. Account for $850 for work done at the park to be forwarded to the shire. All cash and assets of the society to be offered to the shire for Coal Creek. FRloat to be prepared for Bacn-To Loch celebrations.
1972 May. Lack of direction from shire was noted in respect to Coal Creek. It was felt that the society could no longer collect for this cause. Decision to write to the shire and ask for a declaration of policy on the park and some direction with regard to the society’s role is any in assisting with the park’s development.
1972 June. Train account to be closed and balance sent to Shire.
1972 July. Train account holding $3,000 to be closed and passed over to the Coal Creek committee. Back-To Loch had been successful. Poowong Back-To committee urged to consider restoration work on the cemetery prior to the Back-To, pointing out that the graves of many pioneers were located there.
1972 July 23 Special meeting to discuss possibility of holding an historical display later in the year. Representatives of service clubs attended.
1972 October Possessions of the society removed from the old shire building, and placed in a room at the rear of the Korumburra theatre. Building of the new library had commenced. Membership to remain @ $1.00. Annual dinner to be held at Loch Haven in November. Vintage train trip in November to be catered for, also a bus to be arranged for members of the Railway Historical Society. The train is available for the trip to Nyora and return. The cost for adults $1.50, 75c. for children.
1972 November Meeting held at ‘Korumburra Times’ office due to a power strike. Final arrangements for vintage train visit made. No further meetings until February 1973.
1973 February Further $1,600 donated to Coal Creek.
1973 March. Members working on miner’s cottage at Coal Creek. Also work had taken place in the court house.
To be continued in next edition.
0 Comments