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Volume 11 No.4
December 2011
Mildura & District
Genealogical Society Inc.
P.O. Box 2895
Mildura Victoria 3502
[email protected]
W
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lc om e t
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a wa it ed
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Library Acquisitions
3
Margaret Agnes Smith
4-5
Crozier family
6
John T. W. Dedman
12-13
John Heron Shilliday
7
Research report
14
J. P. Crozier
8
Paul Emil Greatz
15
Arthur and Florence Rains
9
Book review
15
Jean Irene Roberts
10
su e of
at es
n of
ct .
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 2
e d i t o r i a l
This edition of Grapeline celebrates the completion of the M&DGS Mildura Cemetery Project. It
includes readers’ contributions on family members buried at the local Nichols Point Cemetery
along with photos. In fact some articles and information had to be held over for the March 2012
edition as this is a bumper issue. We have to keep our newsletter a certain thickness for postage!
I gratefully acknowledge the contributions members have sent for this edition
Special thanks to Lyn Grant and her Projects Group on the completion of the mammoth cemetery
project. See the list of resources they have created on the Library Report page. The next move is to
look at producing copies for sale. Meanwhile local people can use the library edition and see
photos of any headstone at the Nichols Point Cemetery and the burial details. It has taken many
long years of hard work, cataloguing cemetery and funeral director records. Also each headstone
had to be washed down and photographed. It was only achieved with the dedication and hard work
of members.
Thanks to the dedicated work of our Librarian Lyn Grant and the Projects Group, the Mildura
& District Genealogical Society Inc. now has an up-to-date who’s who of the Mildura Cemetery
at Nichols Point.
Our guest speakers this quarter have included Renata Byra speaking on her family’s experience as
Migrants in Australia and Daphne Theobald who spoke on her early life in Ceylon and war-torn
London. I also spoke on my current research project on the school at the Lock 7 and Lock 9
construction camps in the 1920s and 1930s. In addition MDGS hosted a very successful “Just
Digitise It” workshop conducted by PROV. Information was provided about ways to preserve our
materials both as a group and as individuals.
The photo on the front of last edition of Grapeline elicited some lovely photographs from member
Flora Noyce, whose husband Neil was Mayor of Mildura at the time of the 1964 car rally.
Unfortunately I don't have space this issue to print them.
I welcome contributions from you so please send contributions to [email protected]
Wishing all readers a happy and peace-filled Christmas.
Helen StaggH e a d l i n e
Till next time, Happy Ifamily
n s searching,
i d e
S t o r y
Duty Roster
This story can fit 75-125
words.
images that appear to be
out of context.
article. Be sure to place the
caption of the image near
the image.
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regularly
‘man’in-the society rooms so that our research can take
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choose and import into your
often
the ‘turns’ come round.
It’s a great chance to meet new people, familiarise yourself with
newsletter. There are also
theThink
amazing
library
ofand
resources
we have and help others at the same time. You will probably
about your
article
several tools you can use to
yourself
if the picture
getask
some
of your
own research
done
while
you are there. Phone Kaylene on (03)
5021 4763.
draw shapes
and symbols.
Caption describing picture
supports or enhances the
message you’re trying to
convey. Avoid selecting
or graphic.
Once you have chosen an
image, place it close to the
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 3
Library Acquisitions
BOOKS
DONATED BY: Thelma Bock
LOXTON: THE FIRST 75 YEARS 1907 - 1982
DONATED BY: Chris Celegon
MANANGATANG
DONATED BY: M.D.G.S. PROJECT
MILDURA (NICHOLS POINT) CEMETERY VOLUME 1: MONUMENTAL & LAWN REGISTER 1891 - 2010
MILDURA (NICHOLS POINT) CEMETERY VOLUME 2: MONUMENTAL SECTION INSCRIPTIONS 2010
MILDURA (NICHOLS POINT) CEMETERY VOLUME 3: LAWN SECTION INSCRIPTIONS 2010
DONATED BY: Phil McCallum
A GUIDE TO HISTORIC WILLIAMSTOWN; BIG RIVER GLENELG; COLONIAL
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: ITS PEOPLE AND BUILDINGS; HILLS OF FIRE: A COMMUNITY'S FIGHT AGAINST FIRE IN
THE DANDENONG RANGES, VICTORIA; OUTDOORS IN THE DANDENONGS; WALKING HAMILTON;
"POPPA'S CRICKET TEAM OF COCKATOO VALLEY": A FACTUAL AND HUMOROUS TALE OF PIONEER LIFE
ON THE LAND; ABORIGINAL MELBOURNE: THE LOST LAND OF THE KULIN PEOPLE; BORDER COUNTRY:
EPISODES AND RECOLLECTIONS OF MOOROOLBARK & WONGA PARK; FOUNDER OF THE DANDENONGS;
MARYBOROUGH VICTORIA: GOLDFIELDS HISTORY; MELBOURNE: THE BIOGRAPHY OF A CITY;
REFLECTIONS OF THE PAST: A PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF BELGRAVE, UPWEY, TECOMA AND UPPER
FERNTREE GULLY; THE VAGABOND AT SLEEPY HOLLOW: BEING EXTRACTS FROM THE GEELONG
WRITINGS OF JOHN STANLEY JAMES
DONATED BY: Lois Nelson
BIRTHS ST. CATHERINE: WHITNEY BIRTHS, REGISTRY AT ST.
CATHERINE'S HOUSE, LONDON
DEATHS ST. CATHERINE: WHITNEY DEATHS, REGISTRY AT ST. CATHERINE'S HOUSE, LONDON
MARRIAGES ST. CATHERINE: WHITNEY MARRIAGES, REGISTRY AT ST. CATHERINE'S HOUSE, LONDON
ST. CATHERINE MARRIAGES: ST. CATHERINE'S MARRIAGE INDEX MARCH QUARTER 1849
DONATED BY: Marion Paul
CORNWALL 1851 CENSUS VOL 1 PART 1: PARISH OF ST. DOMINICK:
COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTION & INDEX
CORNWALL 1851 CENSUS VOL 1 PART 3: PARISHES OF CALLINGTON AND SOUTH HILL: COMPLETE
TRANSCRIPTION & INDEX
CORNWALL 1851 CENSUS VOL 2 PART 1: PARISHES OF MENHENIOT AND ST. CLEER: COMPLETE
TRANSCRIPTION & INDEX
CORNWALL 1851 CENSUS VOL 2 PART 2: LISKEARD BOROUGH: COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTION & INDEX
CORNWALL 1851 CENSUS VOL 4 PART 8: PARISH OF BODMIN: COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTION & INDEX
CORNWALL 1851 CENSUS VOL 6 PART 2: PARISH OF ST. TYWARDREATH: COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTION &
INDEX
CORNWALL 1851 CENSUS VOL 6 PART 3: PARISH OF ST. BLAZEY: COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTION & INDEX
DONATED BY: Julie Primmer
ETHEL MAY GIDDINGS
DONATED BY: Liz Williams
DWYER & RYAN FAMILY;
MCMAHON & O'BRIEN FAMILY
MAPS
DONATED BY:
M.D.G.S. PROJECT MILDURA CEMETERY (NICHOLS POINT) 31ST DECEMBER 2010:
CATHOLIC, CONGREGATIONAL & CHINESE SECTIONS
CHURCH OF ENGLAND SECTION
CHURCH OF ENGLAND, BAPTIST & GREEK ORTHODOX SECTIONS
METHODIST SECTION
PRESBYTERIAN & MUSLIM SECTIONS, VAULTS, & MEMORIAL WALLS
PRESBYTERIAN, CHURCH OF ENGLAND, SALVATION ARMY, OTHER DENOMINATIONS,
GREEK ORTHODOX & LUTHERAN SECTIONS
LAWN SECTION MONUMENTAL SECTION
TREES
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 4
Margaret Agnes Smith, nee Gallagher
Written by Jean Firth.
Margaret Agnes Smith with
Bill & Ruth and other
friends and family gathered
at her husband, Samuel's
grave in 1931.
Below: The grave of
Margaret Agnes Smith who
is buried with her husband
Samuel at Nichols Point
Margaret
Gallagher
was born 13th Sept 1875,
and left New Zealand at the age
of sixteen.
She worked in
Brighton Melbourne where she
met and married in February
1902 at 28 years of age, Samuel
Smith, 50 years, who was a widower and who had ten children
to his previous wife Julia Race.
The couple first lived in Tasmania where Ruth was born at
Sandy Bay and Bill, at New
Norfolk. Interestingly two of Sam’s deceased children by his first wife were named Ruth and William.
The family sought work back in New Zealand at Timaru but after 12 months were discouraged by
the outlook in the building industry. They returned to Melbourne where the architect and builder
of the newly to be constructed site of the National Bank in Mildura, on seeing Samuel’s tools of
trade in his bag, suggested he might try work there , hence his bricklaying commenced at the National Bank.
“Samuel Smith was a man of great integrity and was highly esteemed in the district. He was actively engaged in his business up until the age of 76. He worked on the old Railway Station, the
Presbyterian Church and many other buildings in the Shire.”
Samuel Smith – Born 22.03.1851 Manchester England,
Died 30. 12 .1931 Mildura Australia
Married 22.03 1875 England (Julia Race):Married 22.02.1902 (Margaret Agnes Gallagher)
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 5
Margaret appointed herself unpaid Laundress to her invalid neighbor, Margaret’s equipment being kerosene tin, two flat irons, a washing board and a tub. Her husband disapproved (he did until
the day he died). Margaret Smith found herself in the laundry business. She was a beautiful
ironer and ironed the frilly blouses for the girls working in Bowrings shop.
As Ruth and Bill grew older they called on boarding houses collecting parcels of work for the
small laundry. Work collected in a small handcart (a wooden box on wheels), before school was
ready to be delivered when they returned home from school.The business grew and Mrs. Smith
acquired land in Seventh St. The first commercial job was for the Warren Guest House which
stood where the Commodore Motel now stands; it was for £1 and delivered by horse and cart.
The death after a stroke on November the 3rd 1951 brought to a close the astonishing life of a
very remarkable woman. Her motto throughout her life was “Service before self” and believed
that the satisfaction received in Service was the best reward of all.
Those close to Margaret Agnes can recall her refusal to take money for tasks done by her, those
weekend phone calls from the various establishments wanting linen because they had run out.
Margaret would turn on her stubborn Irish, and bluntly refuse anything that was requested, only to
quietly submit - she could be found slaving away on her own, ironing BY HAND, serviettes etc.,
they would then be promptly dispatched to the recipient.
Into her 76 years Mrs. Smith put a fine record of accomplishment and her life stands as an object
lesson in upright courage, tenacity and thorough good citizenship. Margaret was a Life Governor
of the Mildura Base Hospital in which she died. Her many charitable interests (such as the darning of socks for the service men and donating a “four” (their first NEW Boat) to the Rowing Club
which they named after her the (“M.A. Smith”) absorbed a lot of time and money and she died a
comparatively poor woman. She lived upon the principle of giving her very best.
Personalities like Margaret are an inspiration to us all. She was the kind who does good in the
best human sense and her record of achievement is a splendid one. It can truly be said- “Here was
a pioneer in the development of Mildura and Victoria.”
"SMITH'S LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANING PTY. LTD 1910 – 1972" by Jean Firth is in our
M&DGS Library. GENO 4 COMPUTER 994.59.
From The Barrier Miner, Friday 12th of June 1942
page 8.
Tornado Hits Cemetery
Mildura: – heavy marble slabs were torn from their
bases, large trees were uprooted or smashed, and
hundreds of wreaths and several concrete sections of
monuments were picked
up and scattered like
paper when a tornado
swept through a section
of the Mildura cemetery
on Tuesday.
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 6
The image to the left is
of the Catholic section
at Nichols Point
cemetery, just one of
the many resources
now available at the
Mildura and
Genealogical Society
Rooms. You can
purchase an
inexpensive copy to
help with your search
at the cemetery.
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 7
John Heron Shilliday
John Heron Shilliday was born in Rathfriland, County Down, Ireland to James Shilliday and his
wife Jane Heron in 1855 and came to Australia in 1886 arriving in Mildura in 1888 from Moree,
N.S.W. In Mildura John worked for Sam McKay (brother of H.V. McKay) in Madden Avenue.
John Shilliday married Mary Elizabeth Guest in Mildura in 1890 and in 1891 he established his
own business and then a larger store on the corner of Madden Avenue and 9th Street.
The coming of the railway in 1903 moved the commercial centre of Mildura from Madden Avenue
to Langtree Avenue and fire destroyed George Wittman’s business on the corner of Langtree Avenue and 8th Street. Shilliday made an offer for the land which was accepted, and so he built the
largest store in Mildura on the site. He was a keen businessman, but when he trusted a person, he
allowed credit for an almost indefinite period. During the depression of the 1890s he carried many
people for a long time, and they never forgot his kindness.
Interestingly, after his death the same policy helped even more through the depression of the
1930s. No other business in Mildura has been so loved as Shillidays.
John Heron Shilliday was known for his Irish wit, and his story-telling ability. He did not seek
public office, though he did serve as a commissioner for the Mildura Urban Water Trust from
1919 until his death.
He was one of the founders of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and for a long time was its treasurer. At his death he left a widow and six children, Bessie, Elsie, Marjory, Stan, Ernest and Fred.
John’s elder brother Thomas died in Mildura in 1910 aged 64 years and is also buried in the
Mildura Cemetery.
The funeral of the late John Heron Shilliday, one of the most highly respected residents of the Mildura district, took place yesterday and
the cortege was a very long one, more than 70 cars following the remains to their last resting place in the Mildura Cemetery. The Rev.
W.E. Blackwood, Presbyterian minister conducted the burial service, and afterwards the impressive service of the Masonic Lodge was conducted by the W.M. Bro. Harold Brown, assisted by Bros. S. Risby, R. Becher and Chas. Gair, with Mr Bert Hodgcock as
organist. The coffin-bearers as the body was borne from the residence were Messrs. D.F. Gordon, T.C. Rawlings, S. Risby, Colin
Campbell, Wm. Burrows and R.W. Linton. The many old residents of the district at the graveside paid silent tribute to the sterling worth
of a man who had earned the respect and esteem of the whole community. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Hutchinson Bros.
Former Shilliday home, Chaffey
Avenue Mildura.
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 8
Photo 13472 from
Mildura and District
Historical
Society: available on
Trove.
Thanks to Joyce Ablett
for this article.
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 9
Arthur Edward Rains
&
Florence Ethel Rains
Arthur Edward Rains was born on November 24, 1881 in Prospect, South Australia. He married Florence
Ethel Bentley on February 21, 1911 at Nildottie, SA. His marriage certificate states that he was a laborer at Bakara
at the time. In 1915 he began work on the construction of the River Murray Locks and Weirs. After 8 years at
Blanchetown building Lock 1 he and his young family moved to Paringa for the construction of Lock 5 followed by a
move to Lock 6 and then Lock 7, completing his work there in 1935; this made a total of twenty years involved in lock
building. The 1931 electoral role lists his work on the locks as that of engine-man associated with the many steam
powered engines utilised in the construction.
After that he moved the family to Mildura, purchasing a block of land at 52 Eaglesham Street where the family lived
in a tent while he and his son Walter (Bunny) built their house which still stands today. In Mildura he undertook other
work as a labourer until on 18 June 1941, he enlisted at age 60 for the war effort. He was in Unit 3 District Workshop
AAOC, Home Service. He served for a total of 1005 days before his discharge on health grounds in March 1944. He
died on 23 October 1959 at Mildura and his funeral was held at St. Margaret’s Church of England. His grave is in the
monumental section of the Nichols Point Cemetery.
Florence Ethel Bentley Rains nee Hintz. Florence Ethel Bentley (Hintz) was born in Melbourne in 1894. On her
marriage certificate she is listed as a servant at Nildottie SA. She raised a family of six children with Arthur in the
remote lock construction camps and life would have been a struggle. The children were Gladys, Walter (Bunny) Les,
Sid, Evelyn and Jack. She was noted for her kind and gentle nature. Her daughter Evelyn recalled the wonderful
baking she did especially the German cake which she sold to the neighbours at the lock camps. Her death notice in the
Sunraysia Daily in May 1944 said this about her: ‘Many friends and relatives attended the funeral of the late Florence
Ethel Rains. The cortege left the Mildura funeral parlour at 3 o’clock for the Church of England portion of the Mildura
cemetery. Canon Horner officiated at the burial. Many floral tributes accompanied the casket among them being
wreathes from the workshop foreman and the workmates of Stuart and Harrison. Coffin bearers were George Boseley,
Cliff Telfer, Charlie Adams, E. Glen, Tom Cawley and I. Dadds. A
tribute inserted by her family in a later paper says: “We will always
remember you smiling.”
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 10
Jean Irene Roberts 1890-1969
Prepared by her grandniece Bronwyn Zrna
Jean Irene Roberts was born in Essendon, Victoria on the 26th December 1890. She was the
fourth of five children born to Edward James and Marianne Roberts.
Soon after Jean’s birth the family made the arduous journey to the new Mildura Irrigation
Settlement in far north-west Victoria where her father had earlier purchased land and established
a home and fruit growing property.
Jean and her siblings grew up in the family home “Kombacy” at Irymple, a few miles from the
township of Mildura. The district’s pioneers experienced a very difficult first decade during which
they struggled to establish their properties because of insufficient access to water and the
geographic isolation from markets.
Edward Roberts survived these adversities though persistence, initiative and hard work. His
motto was “A man can do most things if he is determined to succeed.” He established the highly
successful Irymple Packing Company, which would become, at one time, the largest dried fruit
packing company in the southern hemisphere. He was also a prime-mover in the development
and betterment of the dried fruits industry in Australia and at the time of his death was described
as “The Grand Old Man of the Industry.”
As a young woman Jean attended Methodist Ladies’ College in Kew where she was a boarder
and a school prefect. She did not marry, although it was said by family members that “there was
someone who did not come back from the Great War.”
After the First World War, Edward Roberts made his son and four daughters shareholders of
Irymple Packing Company, and this gave them financially security throughout their life. Some,
including Jean, became directors of the company.
As a young adult Jean moved to live at 22 Balmoral Crescent, Mont Albert. Like many young
women of independent means, she did not engage in paid work, but was highly committed to
helping charitable organisations both financially and with her time. This was a value modeled by
Edward and Marianne Roberts and instilled in their five children.
When Jean was in her early thirties, her parents moved to Melbourne to live with her and she
later became her ailing mother’s carer. For many years her father commuted 350 miles (555
kms) weekly to Mildura by train to manage his business interests.
Jean was well travelled. As a young woman, she accompanied her parents on business trips
around the world and continued to enjoy world travel throughout her life.
Like her parents, Jean was a committed member of the Methodist Church and many of her
charities had Methodist or church connections.
Although Jean did not have children of her own, she took a keen interest in the children and
grandchildren of her brother and sisters and they were frequent visitors to her home in Mont
Albert during their boarding school days, and later when visiting Melbourne.
In late 1969, at the age of 78 years, Jean was afflicted with a brain tumour and died in Melbourne
on the 11th November, 1969. She is buried with her parents in the Methodist section of the
Nichol’s Point Cemetery, near Mildura.
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 11
The Argus 15th
of August 1950
“Honour for
aborigine”
Mildura:
Jean Roberts as a
young girl (above
left) and later in
life, (above right).
Left: Roberts family
grave Mildura.
An appeal has
been launched
here to raise
funds for the
erection of a
headstone and
sealing the grave
of Mary
Woorlong, last
of the Kulkyne
aborigines.
The Sunraysia
Field naturalists
club began the
appeal.
Mary Woorlong
who was the last
of the Kulkyne
tribe of
aborigines from
northern Victoria
died a few years
ago. She was
buried in
Mildura
Help needed: Are you able to take on this/these rewarding positions which do
not require a big time commitment?
Raylee has been doing these jobs in addition to the many other tasks she does for our
society, not least of which is writing SUCCESSFUL grant applications for the group
over many years. You may be able to take on one or both these positions.
1. Publicity Officer: entails letting media know about our guest speakers etc.
2. Guest Speaker Officer: entails organising speakers for the meetings.
If you are interested in one or both of these positions please contact Raylee Schultz
50238778
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 12
John Thomas William Dedman
15/12/1915-23/05/2008 (Courtesy Dedman family.)
John (Jack) Dedman was born on 15 December 1915. The 15th became a significant date for
Jack throughout his life. He was the first son of Margaret and John Dedman and the second eldest
of six children. He had three brothers, Gordon, Frank and Bob, all deceased, and two sisters,
Irene, (deceased) and Joan.
Jack lived on the family fruit block in San Mateo Avenue and attended the Lake Primary where
he walked to and from school daily. He vividly remembered swimming carnivals held at Lake
Hawthorn. He completed his education at Mildura High School.
Jack worked on the family fruit block and earned additional income laying drainage pipes through
newly settled fruit blocks. He played cricket for both Sunnycliffs and Mildura South in the district
Association, was a snooker player at Settlers Club and won trophies for roller-skating. He also
enjoyed the Murray River and fishing which he continued to do right up until his 80s.
Jack enlisted for military service during World War II and these experiences greatly influenced
his view on life. Included are some brief extracts from his experiences during this time which the
family urged him to record:
I was a soldier in 1939 to 1945 war and most importantly, was a prisoner of war of the
Japanese for 3 1/2 years. About three weeks after the surrender of the Japanese in 1945 I
embarked on the Esperance Bay and sailed first to Darwin, and then to Sydney. Finally to
Royal Park, near the Melbourne zoo. Here I was, after a few days in Heidelberg hospital,
demobbed and discharged. Over five years in the AIF.
On November 24, 1947 Jack married Vanice Horne and settled on a fruit block in
Etiwanda Avenue in a house he built himself. He also built houses for two brothers. Jack and
Vanice raised a family of two children, Ann and Philip, while living and working their fruit
block. Jack saw in the transition from manual to mechanised operations on his block, including
the change from horse operated to using a tractor. He ran an efficient and well maintained fruit
block and took responsibility for the picking arrangements for his brothers’ blocks, mother’s
family block and his own fruit block each season. The extended family and relatives all assisted
with the picking. Visiting workers were welcomed and well treated and they returned in
subsequent years to pick. Smokos in the block were always a highlight as were the pickers parties
to celebrate the completion of harvest.
Jack always ensured the family had a holiday each year with favourites being visits to the
sea or up into the mountains. Jack was someone with great general knowledge gained from his
years of experience and from being such an avid reader. He would often quote a passage or verse
from Burns, the Bible, C.J. Dennis’s ‘The Sentimental Bloke,’ Banjo Paterson, Henry Lawson
and many others.
His pride and joy was his family, warmly welcoming his in-laws into the family and providing
them with great support and assistance as they established their homes and families. The arrival of
Over the Range by A. B Patterson
Child, you are wise in your simple trust, for the wisest man knows no more than you,
Ashes to Ashes and dust to dust..
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 13
grandchildren was a sheer delight to Jack and
he shared many stories and experiences with
them.
In his retirement Jack maintained an extensive
garden of native varieties as well as an
impressive vegie garden. He still enjoyed
many trips throughout the state catching up
with relatives and wartime acquaintances. He
and Vanice were Meals on Wheels volunteers
for many years.
He also loved sport and watching it on TV. He
had plenty of advice for football umpires and
the Australian cricket team all from the
comfort of his lounge chair. He followed
Footscray and Imperials.
In 2007 Jack and Vanice celebrated their 60th
wedding anniversary with their family. Jack, a
modest and humble man had lived a very full
and satisfying life, thankful for his health and
good fortune.
Apologies to those whose stories have not
appeared this issue, They will be in
forthcoming issues in the New Year.
The Advertiser, 13 June 1946, Page 8
Points from Letters
Mildura Cemetery from L. R. Spencer, Parkside.
Having read letters regarding the condition of
some of our war cemeteries, describing how
beautifully they are laid out in some of the
most remote places in the north, it would
perhaps interest readers to know the condition
of one at Mildura, where there is an
abundance of water and facilities to uphold
the dignity of the 50 odd airmen, mostly pilots,
who have lost their lives at the operational
school a few miles away. I have made two
visits to my son's grave and it is very
disheartening to travel all those miles and
look upon that little corner, poked away in a
far corner of the public cemetery, in a small
patch of bare sand with not a blade of grass or
bowers to give one the impression that they
are being cared for. Some of those poor
fellows have seen much operational service in
New Guinea and Bismarck battles, and I think
something could really be done for the sake of
those who cannot pay their respects.
A huge welcome to any new members!
Christmas
Greetings to all!
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 14
Research report
Can anyone help with the following research enquiries?
1. Information on Kathleen Abernethy nee Taylor. She was married to Alexander
Abernethy 11th of March 1928. It is thought that there were four children.
2. Information on Royce Oliver French, born in 1921. His parents were Gordon
Stewart French born 1899 and Amiena French born 1900, believed to have lived in
Seventh Street Mildura.
3. Information on Angus McCormack and his wife Maryanne Walton who lived at
54 Lime Avenue Mildura. The children were:
Archibald John-George Angus born 1897 Mildura
Thomas William born 1890 Mildura
Harold William Thomas born 1903 Mildura
Allan Murray born 1907 Mildura.
4. Information on Olive Myrtle Davies born 1923, daughter of Walter William
Davies and Jane Page.
5. Information on Albert George Adams and Shirley Joyce Adams who lived at 58
Ninth St, Mildura. Albert was known as Peter and was a labourer and jackaroo.
6. Information on Mary Alice Baulch born 1926. Mary went to school in Red Cliffs
with her brother Norman Baulch. Her father was Leslie Leith Baulch and his 2nd
wife was Kathleen Rosine Baulch.
7. Information on Albert Edward Sutton, born 1883 and died in Mildura 1962. His
address in 1954 was Charcoal Bend, Mildura and later it was 50 Pine Ave. Mildura.
If anyone can help out with these requests, please email “Attention Thelma Bock’ to
[email protected] or write to her c/- PO box 2895 Mildura Victoria
####################################################################
M&DGS Membership Benefits:Free use of library; Receive quarterly Newsletter. Free research queries published in Newsletter.
Meetings: - Ist Monday of month except January and December, 7.30 p.m Carnegie Centre,
Deakin Avenue Mildura.
Library Hours: - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday: 11.00am-4.00pm
Library Fees: - $5.00 for non members per day. Photocopying A4 10c Colour 20c
DEADLINES:
# 15th February 1st Quarter March Issue # 15th May 2nd Quarter June
Issue # 15th August 3rd Quarter September Issue, # 15th November 4th
Quarter December Issue
Members are invited to submit stories of interest, enquiries re their
research, or questions about research for inclusion in our Journal.
Material needs to be received by the deadline to be included in the next
available issue.
Volume 11 No.
4
Page 15
Paul Emil Greatz (courtesy June Greatz.)
Paul Emil Greatz, born March 25, 1886 in Friedrichswalde, later Tarnma,
South Australia was the youngest of six sons and one daughter. At the age of 9
he went to live with with Dr Zwar of Stockwell for his schooling and he worked as
the “boy” around the farm till he became independent and went to Cobar as an
engine driver and carpenter. After this he moved to Renmark to work on the
riverboats, “Kookaburra” and “Merle” for Mr Diener. Some of the older brothers
were working in Mildura and Irymple in the dried
fruit industry. He purchased a property in
Benetook Ave. Sect. 47, Lot 13 first and later
another in Etiwanda Ave., Sect. 33, Lots 16 &17.
Paul married Hedwig Louise Traeger in 1919 and
brought her to Mildura to live and gathered friends
to form the local
Lutheran Church.
Paul died on Jan. 4,
1964 aged 77 years
and is buried in the
Lutheran Section of
the Mildura
Cemetery.
Walhalla – Graveyard to Cemetery- Yolanda Reynolds:
a review by Jenny
Dedman
This book is well worth reading if you have relations in the Walhalla goldfields in
Gippsland. There are many stories about the struggles of life and death in Walhalla from
when gold was discovered in January 1863. Due to the remoteness and impenetrable
terrain of the new find, supplies could not be replenished, leading to the name
“Starvation Creek.” There has been a great deal of research into the background of the
district of Walhalla, and its residents.
The first recorded death in Walhalla was that of Margaret Davis in October 1863 who
had a fatal apoplectic fit from an overdose of laudanum which she habitually had taken.
The book lists all dates and causes of death, burials and all headstone transcriptions
Also included is a map of the Walhalla cemetery and where each individual is buried.
Some of the causes of death listed include; accidental fall from a horse, accidental
drowning, shock, crushed abdomen, thrown from skip, 'supposed to be' natural causes,
and many with injuries relating to accidents from mining operations.
Yolanda included many stories regarding the mines in the district and the tragedies that
occurred including the drowning of six Italian men and children in January 1900. The
book has been indexed.
Just Digitise It Training Program conducted in Mildura by PROV
Digitisation Workshops were held at the Carnegie Centre 74 Deakin Ave Mildura Thursday 15 th and
Friday 16th September. Topics covered included
Project planning, copyright, privacy and other rights issues, Files and formats and digital preservation,
Metadata and Publishing, Preparing your originals, Setting up the space, Digitising and Question and
Answer. This link contains the notes and other materials provided on the day.
http://prov.vic.gov.au/just-digitise-it
The M&DGS Inc. gratefully acknowledges the contribution of
Mr Peter Crisp Member for Mildura
whose office has printed this newsletter, free of all cost, as a
community service.
MILDURA & DISTRICT
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC.
P.O. BOX 2895 MILDURA 3502
POSTAGE
PAID IN
MILDURA