collingwood historical society, inc. annual history...

CopyrightCollingwoodHistoricalSociety,Inc. Reg.No.A0030731L

CollingwoodHistoricalSociety,Inc.

AnnualHistoryWalk:EastCliftonHill14November2015

WeacknowledgetheWurundjeripeopleastheoriginalinhabitantsofthisland.

Thisisanexpandedversionofthehandoutusedonthedayofthewalk.SeetheendofthedocumentforSourcesandFurtherReading.

Melbourne and its Suburbs, compiled by James Kearney, draughtsman, Andrew

Clark, Surveyor General. Detail. For the full map, see CollingwoodHSMapsStartingpointHallReserveatendofSpensleyStreetTheareanowknownasCliftonHill(anamefirstusedin1871)was(mostly)Crownlanduntillate1855whenitwasannexedtothenewlyformedmunicipalityofEastCollingwood.However,atthisdateeastCliftonHillhadalreadybeensettledbyanumberofinhabitants,includingseveralcontractorswhousedthelocalbluestonetobuildthemselveshouses,shownontheca.1855mapabove,andstillinexistence.Thesepeopleweremostunimpressedbytheannexationapplication,butwereunsuccessfulinopposingit.

Thethemesoftoday’sWalkarebluestone,bothquarryingandbuilding,abattoirsandbutchers,backlanes,andandthepatternoflocallife,housing,andworkovermorethanahundredandfiftyyears.ThisareaincludestheoldesthousesinCollingwoodaswellasearlytwentiethcenturysubdivisionsandhousingdevelopments,andpocketsofinterwarhousing,whichareanindicationofchangingpatternsoflanduse.Insomecases,thiswasbecausefamiliesretainedlargelandholdings,inothersbecauseindustriesoccupiedsizabletractsofland.Thepresenceofnoxiousindustries,andthedistancefrompublictransportofthefurtherreachesofeastCliftonHill,mayalsohavehadanimpact.Ofcoursetherehasalsobeenthemorerecentpatternofdevelopmentduringthelast20yearsorsoandwhichcontinuestodayespeciallywiththechanginguseofmanyfactorysites.

MostofeastCliftonHilliscoveredbytheCityofYarra’sHeritageOverlay316.http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/planning--building/Heritage/Heritage-Precincts/

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HallReserve,TheEsplanade. Thesmallstonehutinthereservewasbuiltaspartofthesustenanceworkprovidedfortheunemployedduringthe1930sDepressionyears.Itwasa gardener’s shed but, having been unused in recent years, was being considered fordemolitionbyCouncil.Alocalprotestreversedthedecision.Recentworkshaveimprovedthebuildingandaconsultationwasheldwiththecommunityaboutpossibleuses.

Ifyouhavetime,youmaywanttolookatthehousesofsomeCollingwoodNotablesbeforedescendingtothecreek:

StAsaph77HeidelbergRoad:Robert“Sugar”Roberts,bookmaker,associateofJohnWren,andLaborcouncillor1930-34,1937-48.

22TheEsplanade:Collingwood-bornWilliamRuthven,WW1VictoriaCrosswinnerandCollingwoodcouncillor.

12TheEsplanade:CharlieUtting,Collingwoodfootballerandcouncillor.

WalkontotheMerriCreekPathFollowthepathsouthashortdistanceuntil,awayfromtheroad,youcanlookaroundforsomesenseofwhattheareamighthavebeenlikepre-Europeansettlement.

ThelocalIndigenouspeople,theWurundjeri-willam,wereariver-basedpeopleandtheMerriCreekandtheYarrariverprovidedthemwithfoodandotherresources.Theareawasacentralcampingsiteforthem.NotfaruptheMerriCreek(inNorthcote)isthesitewhichhasbeensuggestedastheplacewhereJohnBatmansignedaTreatywiththelocalAboriginalleadersin1835,markingthestartofmajordisruptionoftheirwayoflife.IntheearlydaysofEuropeansettlementlargegroupsofvisitingAboriginalsfromothernorthernareaswouldstillmeettogetherinthisarea(fromHallReservetoDwyerSt)forceremonialandotherpurposes.

TheLettsomRaid1840

TheareaofHallsReserve(wheretheHeidelbergRoadcrossestheMerriCreek)hasbeenidentifiedasthesiteoftheinfamousLettsomRaid.TheraidillustratessomeofthetensionsbetweentheauthoritiestryingtoprotecttheAboriginals(thefewappointedProtectors)andthosetryingtoprotectthesettlersandtheirflocks(troopersandpolice).

MajorLettsomhadbeendispatchedfromSydneytoapprehendAboriginalleaderswhowereseenasresponsibleforattackingsettlersontheGoulburnRiver.HefollowedthemtoMelbourneafterlearningtheyhadgonethereforaceremonialgathering.HedemandedProtectorWilliamThomashandovertheGoulburn‘troublemakers’butThomasrefusedastherewerenowarrantsfortheirarrest.LettsomthengainedpermissionfromSuperintendentLaTrobetomaketheraid(whileThomaswasabsentfromMelbourne).

On11October1840MajorLettsomledalargegroupofarmedpoliceandtrooperstoraidabigencampmentofAboriginalfamilies‘aboutthreemilesfromMelbourneontheHeidelberg-road’.Twomenwerekilled,includingtheyoungchieftainWindberry,otherswereinjured,andmen,womenandchildrenweremarchedawaytothestockadeinMelbournewheretheywereimprisoned.Thepressatthetimereported:

GreatexcitementprevailedintownonSundayinconsequenceofanumberofblacks,aboutfivehundred,havingbeenarrested,andduringthedaysuccessivecrowdsofpersonswereattractedtowardstheplacewheretheywereconfined.

(TheColonistSydney24Oct1840p.2,3quotingTheHerald12Oct1840)

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ThepressdescribedtheraidbyMajorLettsomandhisforces:

Thebivouacwasreachedaboutbreakofday…thewholebodyweresurroundedbeforetheywereawareofthenearproximity...Onperceivingthemilitary,theblacksappearedgreatlyalarmed,andsomeattemptsweremadetoescape.

Thenewspaperdescribedoneofthemenshot:‘ThenameofthesavageisWindberry,achieftainandamostdeterminedscoundrel.’

IncontrastAssistantProtectorWilliamThomaswroteinprotest:‘WindberrywasoneofthenoblestmindedblacksIevermetwith–hehadsavedthelivesofmanyshepherdsandtravellersontheGoulburnRiveranddeservedamuchbetterfate’.

Whathappenedtotheimprisonedfamilies?EdwardParker,ProtectorfortheGoulburnregion,managedtofreeallbut30oftheGoulburnmen,10ofwhomwereputontrialandsentencedto10yearsfortheft–withoutthebenefitofdefencelawyersorinterpreters.

TheareawheretheMerriCreekmettheYarraandwhatisnowYarraBendParkbecameagovernmentreserveandinthe1840swasthesiteoftheMelbourneAboriginalProtectorateHeadquarters(1842-9),theNativePoliceCorpsHeadquarters(1842-3)andtheMerriCreekAboriginalSchool(1845-51.However,after1847fewAboriginalsanylongervisitedtheareaasnumbersdwindledduetodisplacement,deathanddisease.

ContinuetofollowtheMerriCreekpathsouthEnjoytheambienceofthepathwhichisnowalovelytreedrouteforustoenjoy,listeningtobirdsongandthedistanttinkleofflowingwater.LooktothelefttoseetheMerriCreekanditshighbanksontheeast.Looktotherighttosee,firstly,remainsoflowstonewallsbuiltbysustenanceworkersduringthe1930sDepression,thentheremainsofthehighbasaltcliffswhichwereexcavatedforbluestone.

StopbytherockyoutcropjustbeforethepathuptoQuarriesPark.

Hereyoucangetaclose-upviewofthestone.Andperhapsthosepiecesofrustingmetalinthecrevicearesomeremainderofquarryingwork?Quarries.LavaflowsleftarichresourceofbasaltforearlyMelbournecontractorswhichwastocreateadistinctivelooktolanes,gutters,andbuildingsinCollingwoodandsurroundingdistricts.BothMelbourneCouncilandCollingwoodCouncilhadquarrieshere.Thebasalt,whichformsthesteepsidesoftheMerriCreekvalley,wasfromlavaflowsupto2millionyearsagoandthecliffshavethedistinctivecolumnarformofweatheredbasalt.

ThequarrieswerelocatedalongandwestofMerriCreekneartheendofRamsdenandNooneStreetsandbecamelongtermfixturesinthearea.Quarryingwascarriedoutfromthelate1840suntiltheclosureoftheCollingwoodCouncilQuarryin1963.ThequarriesprovidedmuchofthebluestonethatissomuchpartofMelbourne&Collingwood’slanes,guttersandbuildings.ThequarriesbecameatiponclosureandarenowQuarriesPark.ContractorsSamuelRamsdenandCharlesandHenryBrownwereearlyexploitersofthequarry.TherewillbemoreonRamsdenlaterinthewalk.Viewofthequarry:http://www.picturevictoria.vic.gov.au/site/yarra_melbourne/Collingwood/9148.html

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Thequarryworkershadadangerousanddifficultjobintheearlydaysgettingthebluestoneoutbyhand.Thehourswerelongandcontinuedinallweathers,sixdaysaweek.Mechanisationmadeitabiteasierinlateryearsbuttherewasstillthedangertoworkersandthepublicfromexplosionsgoingwrong.

TheMelbourneCityCouncilQuarryinWrightStreetclosedin1939,maybeduetoblastingoperationsin1934,whichcausedrocksupto13lbstobethrownhundredsofyardsintothehousesinWright,Yambla,Caroline&DwyerStreets;anumberofhousesweredamaged,andadultsandchildrenwereinjured.MrThompsonofTheRatePayersandPropertyOwnersDefenceLeague,wasstruckwhilstrepairinghiscarinDwyerSt.MrDunkin,aformerMayorofCollingwoodandPresidentoftheLeague,said‘residentshadbeenfightingfor20years,againsttheQuarry,whichtheyregardedasamenacetolifeandproperty,ashasnowbeenproven.’

ToseethelocationofquarriesintheearlytwentiethCentury,usetheStateLibrarycataloguetoviewMMBWDetailPlans1277and1279.

TheLabyrinthisa2001additiontotheMerripath.Anotheruseforbluestone!

YarraBendAsylum.AcrosstheMerriCreek.In1845,theNSWLegislativeCouncilallocated£1000towardsYarraBendAsylumandin1848,TheArgusreportedthatthenewasylum,thefirstofitskindinVictoria,was‘nowopenforthereceptionofitsunfortunatevisitants.’ItremainedtheonlyasyluminVictoriafor20yearsandwasthereforecentralintheearlyhistoryofcareforthementallyillinVictoria.Seton620acres,thesitecouldinitiallyaccommodate25patientsbutthenumberswelledto700withinonlytenyearsofopening.By1870onereportcommentedthatYarraBendwastheeighthlargestasylumintheworld,whichwhencomparingpopulationsizesput‘Victoriainthemostunenviablepositionofbeingthemaddestplaceintheworld’.

Problemsofovercrowdingwerecontributedtobythehastyadmissionofinappropriatelyassessedpatients,includingalcoholics,paupersandgold-fieldcriminals.Theasylum,runinitiallybynon-medicallytrainedsupervisors,workedforitsdurationunderthepracticeofrequiringonlyonesignatureforadmissionbuttwofordischarge.Retiredmilitaryofficer,GeorgeWatson,wasthefirstSuperintendent.Admissionswererarelyreviewed,leavingmanyinmateslingeringunnecessarilyforyears.Overcrowding,coupledwithreportsoframpantmistreatmentandneglectwerepersistentandtheimpetusfornumerousEnquiries.Despitecallsforitsclosurefromasearlyasthe1850s,thelastremainingpatientisrecordedasbeingtransferredtoKewAsylumin1925.

Theoriginalstructureconsistedofbluestonecottagesandlaternewwardsofmakeshiftwoodenstructures.Highbluestonewallsweresupposedtoblockviews,buttherearealsostoriesofCliftonHillresidentstalkingtopatients.Atypicalcottageconsistedofadayroom,storeroom,tworoomsforattendants,andtwopatientdormitorieseachholdingapproximately16patients.Thefirstinmateswereputtoworkonpigandpoultryfarmingaswellastendingtovegetablegardensthatslopedtowardsthepollutedriver.TheAsylumwaslocatedbeyondthemunicipality,soCollingwoodCouncilwasnotconcernedfortheinmatestormentedbyairpollution.

Inmateswerepredominantlytreatedwith‘moraltherapy’–awayofdissolvingtheirlevelofdeviance.Physicalpunishmentwasappliedindiscriminately–straightjacket,handcuffs,

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gloves,chainingtotrees.Inmateswerelefttosimplyroamtheairingyardsallday,nomattertheweather,andpatientfightsandviolationswereleftunchecked.

YarraBendistheonlyasyluminAustraliathathascompletelydisappeared,yetitisstilltheburialplaceofupwardsof1000patients.Alonebluestonegatepillar,and,forthekeenobserver,alineofdeciduoustreesthatwouldhaveformedtheentry,aretheonlyvisibleremnantsofthesite’shistory.Urbanlegendhasitthatthephrase‘goingaroundthebend’referstotheYarraBendAsylum.Howevermostinstitutionsaroundtheworldatthistimeweresituatedattheendoflongdrivewayswiththemainbuildingsaroundacurvesothatpeopleapproachingcouldnotseewheretheywereheading…

FollowthepatharoundtothebeginningofRamsdenSt,nearthesportsoval.Ifyouhavetime,walkuptothehighpointbetweentheMerriCreekpathandRamsdenStforafineviewofthesurroundingarea

Abattoirs.Bythemid-1850s,theprivatelyownedmeatworksofCharlesAlexanderandlaterthemunicipalabattoirsofEastCollingwood(establishedin1861andextendedafewyearslater)werecharacterisingtheindustrialfocusalongtheMerriCreekinCliftonHill,andcreatingprocessingworkswhichincludedtanneries,fellmongering,soapandcandlemanufacturingandwoolscouring.

DespitethebadreputationtheygaveCliftonHillandtheodourandsqualortheycreated,themeatworksandtheabattoirswereoffinancialbenefittoCouncilthroughlettingandgrazingfees.For24years,councillettheabattoirstoacoupleofbutchers,includingCharlesAlexander.Theychargedfeestoothersbutcherswishingtoslaughter.Forafurtherfee,thecouncilpermittedbutchersandstockownerstograzetheiranimalsonnewlyacquiredreservesinCliftonHill.Butchersworkedkneedeepinbloodandoffalinthemunicipalabattoirs.Theywereconsideredpoorlymanagedandundersized,soillegalbackyardslaughteringanduseofpublicspaces-suchasatthebottomoftheReillyStdrain–remainedrife.Dozensofbutcherswerewillingtorisktheoccasionalfineinordertomaximiseprofits,andaddedbloodandoffaltothewaterandsewagewhichraninopenchannelsdowntotheflat.

Inthemid1860sepidemicsforcedclosureoftheabattoirsforatime.Butchers,whoincludedresourcefulandinfluentialmen,campaignedtowintolerationfromcouncillors.JohnPritchard,leaderoftheabattoirsboycott,eventuallybecameoneofthewealthiestSmithStreettraders,withastylishresidenceat217GoldStreetCliftonHill.

Bythe1870stheabattoirs,filthierthanever,werebeingusedmainlybybutchersfromoutsidethedistrict.In1880withepidemicoutbreaksimminent,alargenumberofCliftonHillresidentsattendedameetingtodiscusstheremovalofseveralnuisancesinthearea,includingtheabattoirs.Theabattoirsweredeemed‘highlyprejudicialtothehealthofresidents’andparticularlyinjurioustothehealthoftheasyluminmatesbecauseofnightsoilandexcreta‘buriedsoshallowitcouldbeuncoveredwithacommonwalkingcane’.Theabattoirsclosednotlongafterwards,butillegalslaughteringandboilingdowncontinuedwellintothe1890s.

WalkwestalongRamsdenStreettowardsBrockenshireStreet

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RamsdenStreet.Thiswastheoriginalaccessroadtothequarries.Nowitdisplaysamixtureofarchitecturalstylesfromvariousperiodsofdevelopment,withVictorian,FederationandEdwardianstylesrepresented.Morerecentlymodernhousingdevelopmentshavebeencreated,startingatFeildStreetwhichhadnotpreviouslybeensettled.

Theformerquarrysitebecameatipandisnowapark.Viewofthetip:

http://www.picturevictoria.vic.gov.au/site/yarra_melbourne/Collingwood/9493.html

BrockenshireStreet.Thisisalatesubdivisionlinedwithhousesbuiltatthesameperiodandthusshowingconsistencyinbuildingstyle.Thesubdivisionoccurredin1925/26.TheCollingwoodCouncilcalledfortendersfortheconstructionofBrockenshireStreet,offRamsdenStonDecember16th1925.In1926thehouseswerebeingbuiltwithsevencompletedontheeastsideofthestreet,withthreebeingvacant.Fourhousesonthewestsidewerebuiltandallwereoccupied.In1928eighthouseswerebuiltontheeastsideandsixhousesonthewestside.By1930allhouseswereoccupied.InSands&McDougallDirectoriesthestreetislistedasbeingoff109RamsdenStreet.

ItwasnamedafterEdwardBrockenshire,wholivedat109RamsdenStfromaround1912untilhisdeathin1943aged78.Hewasresponsibleforthesubdivisionandbuiltthehouses.Edward,borninMaldonin1864,wasajeweller,originallyhavingashopinSmithStreet,Collingwoodandlateranoptician.

ThehousesinBrockenshireStreetrepresentafineexampleofagroupoftimberbungalowsoftheinter-warperiod.Thesebungalowstylehousesweredetached,onestoreywithgabledroofforms,expressedchimneys,weatherboardandcorrugatedironroofing.

WalkwestalongbluestonelaneatendofBrockenshireStreettoHorneStreet

Aswellasbeingusedforbuildingsbothgrandandsmall,bluestonewasextensivelyusedforkerbing,channeling,andpavingandhascreatedaverydistinctiveinfrastructureintheinnersuburbs.Aswewalkdownthebacklanemadefromthequarriedbluestone,notethatbeforetheseweragesystemwasinstalledbytheMelbourneMetropolitanBoardofWorks,theselaneswereessentialforthe“dunnycart”manwhoremoved“nightsoil”.Insomelanes(notthisone)youcanstillseesignsoftheoldopeningswhichenabledaccesstothepan.Itiswellworthawalkaroundthebacklanestoidentifythefewthatremain.

1and3HorneSt.1850s,formerly97RamsdenSt,residenceofHenryBrown(greatlyaltered).2FordSt.Builtby1853,originallyresidenceofCharlesBrown,acontractor inpartnershipwith Samuel Ramsden andHenry Brown. Formerly 87 Ramsden St. Brown purchased theCrownlandallotmentofoneacre32percheson8May1851for£37/4/0.FordSt.Atthispointlookattheca.1855maponpage1whichshowsthreehousesinarow.YoucanalsolookatMMBWdetailplan1223showingthesamehousesaround1905.WearestandingoutsideCharlesBrown’shouseat2FordSt.OnthecornerisHenryBrown’shouse,nowknownas1and3HorneSt.Eachofthethreehousesappearstohavehadaseparatekitchen,whichinthecaseofHenryBrown’sandRamsden’shouseshaveendedupasseparateproperties.Withthecurrentarrangementofstreets,andtheencroachmentoflaterhouses,itishardtogetanideaofwhatitwaslikeforthe1850sresidents.Ifwelooktothesouth,where,mostconvenientlyfortoday’swalk,ahousehasbeendemolished,wecangetafeelingoftheformerlandscape.AlthoughtheiraddressesuntilwellintothetwentiethcenturywereRamsdenSt,thehouseswereorientedtolookdownthehillandacross

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CollingwoodtowardsMelbourne.Withnoencroachinghighbuildings,theywouldhavehadavistathatstretchedformiles.

CharlesBrownlaterlethishousetoabuildercalledWilliamCooperandduringhislongtenancyMissCooperranaprivateschoolwithinthehouse,from1886to1894.Enrolmentsstartedat7,peakedat34in1891,thendropped,perhapsbecauseSpensleyStStateSchoolopenedinDecember1891.Therewerelotsofsmallprivateschoolsinthisera.MrCooperpurchasedSamuelRamsden’ssubdividedlandwhenitwasauctionedin1888.AlaterresidentwasCharlesBatty,awoodandcoalmerchant,whoisbelievedtohaveaddedtheFederationstyleveranda.FordStwasconstructedinthe1920swhenlandsubdivisiontookplace,andwasnamedafteralaterowner,WilliamFord.

ToseeSamuelRamsden’shouseyouwillhavetofirstpeepoverthebackfencesfromFordStforaviewoftheroofs,thenretraceyourstepstoHorneSt,turnleft,leftagainintoRamsdenSt,andleftintoCliftonAvenuetoseethefrontofthebuildings.

27and29CliftonSt.Early1850sstonebuildings.ResidenceofSamuelRamsden.FormeraddressRamsdenSt.

SamuelRamsdenarrivedinMelbournein1844,asajourneymanstonemasonfromYorkshireintendingtomakehisfortune,andsoonsetupbusinesswithCharlesandHenryBrown(friendsfromEngland).Theyhadasuccessfulcontractingandbuildingbusiness,gettingthecontractstoprovidepavinginCollinsSt,workingonYarraBendAsylum,buildingtheNorthMelbourneBenevolentAsylumandmanyotherbuildings.SamuelalsohelpedinthebuildingofthecourthouseinPortland.

RamsdenandtheBrownsacquiredthedeedstoplotsofsuburbanlandinJikaJikain1851.Samuel,afterbuildingwiththeBrownstheearliesthouses(madeofbluestone)inRamsdenSt,wentontootherbusinessesafter1854,notablyaflourmillinCarltonandthefirstpapermilllocatedonthesouthernbankoftheYarrainwhatisnowSouthbank.ItwasaverysuccessfulbusinessandeventuallybecamepartofAPMin1895.ManypeopleinCollingwoodcollectedragsforthepapermillthusprovidingthemselveswithasmallincome.Theragswereusedinthemakingofpaper.Around1855SamuelbuiltFitzroyTerraceinClarendonSt,EastMelbourneandthenasubstantialhousenextdoor,whichhewastoliveinuntilhisdeath.ThesebuildingsweredemolishedfortheMercy&FreemasonsHospitals.HehadalsoacquiredasheeppropertynearHamilton.RamsdenwasaCollingwoodCouncillorin1857-59,andwasparticularlyconspicuouswhenstoneworkwasunderdiscussion.

Hediedin1877survivedbyhissecondwifeandfoursons.Hisfuneralhadacortègeofover120vehiclesandtheMayorofMelbournewasapallbearer.HehadbecomeanimportantbusinessmanofMelbourneandhadmadehisfortune. The1888AuctionBrochureforRamsden’sproperty:http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/MAIN:SLV_VOYAGER1171288

Ifyouareinterestedincricket,youmightliketodetourto50DallySttoseethehomeofJackRyder.ReturntoRamsdenSt

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Untilabout1908,MrsThompson’sdairy,with6cows,occupiedtheblockbetweenCliftonAvenueandMyrtleSt,onabout1¾acresland,withastonehouse.Thelandwaseventuallysubdividedandbythelate1920s,shopsbetweenCliftonAvenueandMyrtleStprovidedmostdailyneeds.TherewereMrsMills,confectionerandgrocer,MrOlding,DryProduce,MrAdams,pastrycook,DJones,hairdresser,JosephEdney,butcher,MrWebb,grocer,MrGuinanegreengrocer,andfinallyanotherbutcherwhosebuildingremains:47RamsdenStreet.Marshall’scornerbutchershopwhichclosedjustafewyearsago.

40RamsdenSt:LookacrosstheroadatClydebank,therathersadlyalteredcornerresidenceofaseriesofCollingwoodnotables:JohnChristopherson,Collingwoodheadmaster;DonaldCampbell,CliftonCollegeprincipal;andtheValefamily.

33RamsdenStreet.Theresidenthaslivedhereallherlife.ShedescribedhermanymemoriesofwhatlifewaslikeinCliftonHill,theshops,theresidents,andrecreationsuchastherollerskatingrinkinGrantSt.SheattendedSpensleyStstateschoolandlatertheCollingwoodSchoolofDomesticEconomyinVereSt.TherewereshopsonboththeGrantStreetcorners:18RamsdenStformerconfectioner’sshop.14RamsdenStsiteofformergrocer’sshop.

WalknorthalongGrantStreettowardsSpensleyStreetThebuildingsinGrantStrepresentamixtureofstylesofvariouseraswhichindicatethedevelopmentofeastCliftonHill,fromformerindustrialsitestohousingstartinginthelate1880sthroughtotheunitsoftoday.

19–29GrantStreet(westside)WilliamBrewerownedalargesawmillandtimberyardherefrom1891formanyyears.By1902thebusinesswasproducingportableironhouses,packingcases,doors,sashes,windowsandotheritemsforhouses,windowframesandmouldingsandusingimportedoregon,deal,walnutandcedaraswellasavarietyofNewZealandandTasmaniantimbers.Italsodealtinironmongery.

Thetimberyardssufferedaverylargefireon15thApril1910.TheattractedalargenumberofspectatorsandthefirealsocauseddamagetotheplatformbuildingsontherailwaystationandhousesinJohnSt.Theinadequatewatersupplymadefightingthefireverydifficult.

Thefactorywasexpandedinthe1920s.Thetallredbrickchimneystilljustvisiblebehindthemodernflatsisthelastreminderofthesawmill.Thechimney,squareinplan,tapersasitrisesandhasacorbelledcap,embellishedwithscallopedwroughtirondecoration.Breweralsohadaplaceat8GrantSt,officesandatimberyardandhousesandanothertimberyardat25-35GrantSt,whichisnorthoftheintersectionwithSpensleyStreet.

WilliamBreweralsoownedhousesinGrantSt(numbers25-35).Thebuildingat29GrantSt(c1910)wasprobablyusedasanofficeandstorefortheBrewersawmillandboxfactory.

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1926 advertisement Brewer’sbusinesswasgoneby1930.Inthe1930sMillsom&SonsPtyLtdwhowereplastermanufacturersoccupiedthissiteanddevelopedpartofitastheCliftonHillRollerSkatingRink(whichopenedin1936).Theyhadfirstconsideredusingitasapicturetheatreordancehall.TheCliftonSchoolofPhysicalCulturewasalsolocatedhere.By1944theRollerSkatingRinkhadgone,andthebuildingwasastoragefacilityfortheDepartmentofImportProcurement.TheSchoolofPhysicalCulturewasreplacedbytheEurekaYouthLeaguein1944andin1948bytheCollingwoodandAbbotsfordAnglingClub,whichwasstilltherein1975.

JJMillerwasalaterproprietorofthesite.By1962Millerwasoperatingaprintingworkswhichwasstilloperatingin1978.J.J.MillerstartedAustralia’sfirstsweepstakesandinlateryearspublishedTheMiller’sGuide,sometimescalledtheAustralianRacingBible,until1952whenitwasacquiredbyTheHeraldandWeeklyTimes.

OntheeastsideofGrantStreetatnumbers10–24,thereisasmallbutdistinguishedgroupofinter-warsemi-detachedvillasthatwerebuiltbetween1938and1940,onlandthathadbeenpartofBrewer’stimberbusiness.NotetheArtDecoinfluenceonthedesignofthevillas.In1956HousingCommissionflatswerebuiltatnumbers5-17.

WalkeastalongSpensleySttowardsBerryStcorner33SpensleySt.Ramsdenbootfactory/Staggglovefactory

Aseriesofbootmakerswerelistedatthissiteintheearly20thcentury,forexamplePeterPhillipsin1910.Itisbelievedthebuildingdatesfromabout1920.Itwasasinglestoreyfactoryconstructedinbrickwithstuccoedparapet.In1930ALRamsden,bootmanufacturer,waslistedhere.Ramsden(norelationtoSamuel)waspreviouslypartnerinthefirmJames&RamsdeninKeeleStreet,Collingwood.Duringthe1930sitbecamethehomeoftheStaggGlovefactory.Localnewspapersgiveglimpsesofitshistory.TheArgus9September1935hasapublicnoticesayingthepartnershipbetweenThomasWilliamStaggandSidneyEdwardRamsdencarryingonthebusinessstyledStaggGloveManufacturinghadbeendissolvedbymutualconsenttobecarriedonbyStaggwithRamsdenretiring.Accordingtotherealestatepages(notalwaysaccurate)theoldStaggGlovefactorymadehelmetsforWW1pilots.StaggdidhowevermakeleatherjacketsforWW2uniforms.

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TheArgus31July1934reported:Shortlybefore8a.m.yesterday,thievesbrokeintothewarehouseofMr….Stagg,glovemanufacturer,Northterrace,CliftonHill,andstole£230worthofleatherovercoatsandjackets.

StaggGloveswasadvertisingforworkersat33SpensleyStinthe1940sandformachinistsasrecentlyas1973.StaggLeathergoodscontinuestodayasawholesalerfromaQueenslandbase,advertisingas:

‘Australia’s leading supplier of Quality Leather Motorcycle Apparel since 1929’34BerryStreet.TheCliftonHillGrammarSchoolwasrunherefrom1893to1901,firstbyMrsJenkinsandthenbyJosephandMaryRoughan.LaterMrRule,whowasborninthehouse,taughtmusichere.28BerryStreet.ThisfinedoublefrontedtwostoreyhousewasthehomeofJohnBrewer.24BerryStreet.ThiswasthehomeofJohnPrescottDyason,theproprietorofDyason’sCordials,whosefactorywesawinOxfordStonlastyear’sWalk.CornerSpensleyandBerrystreets.Anothertypicalearlytwentiethcenturyshoppingcentre.Therewasabutcher’s,dairy,grocer,confectioner,andgreengrocer,butwithinafewyearstherewasalsoanewsagent,hairdresser,tobacconist,draper,hamandbeefshop,chemistandironmonger.AtriptoQueen’sParadeorSmithStreetwouldhavebeennecessaryonlyrarely!Lookupattheparapetsofthesinglestoreyshopsonthesoutheastcornerandyouwillseetheywerebuiltasagroupinthesamestyle.TheRoyalHotel.Thehotelwasbuiltin1889-1890forJohn&JosephineAnderson.Itisanimposingthree-storeybuildingbeinginadecorativeItalianatestyle.ThearchitectwasGeorgeJobbins.Ontheoriginaldesigntherewastobeacornertowerwhichwouldhavemadethishotelanevenmorenotablelandmark.ItnowremainsastheonlythreestoryhotelinCollingwood,afterthedemolitionoftheEarlofZetlandandMac’sHotel.

TheAndersonsquicklybecameinvolvedinthelocalcommunity,especiallyJohn,whowasakeensportsman.HehostedsmokenightsfortheCliftonHill&NorthcoteCyclingClubaswellasbelongingtovariousothersportingclubsliketheCliftonHill&NorthcoteHarriers.TheAndersonsranthehotelformanyyearsandafterJohn’sdeathin1938,hissister-in-lawElizabethGrahamtookoverthelicence.BothElizabethandherbrotherErnest(Josephine’ssiblings)hadworkedinthebarformanyyears.Elizabethgaveupthehotellicencein1941.From1942until1972theHotelwasrunbytheVenticichfamily.EssentiallytheRoyalHotelfromitsbeginningstothepresentday,hasbeenrunbythreefamilies.

IfyouwanttowalkfurtheralongSpensleyStreet,lookforthefollowing:57SpensleySt,builtasacornershopaspartofaterraceoftwostoreyhouses;itwasagrocer’sorgreengrocer’sformanyyears.77ASpensleySt.formerfactoryofSidchromefrom1934to1959;thesitehasbeenre-developedashousingbutpartofthetwostoreyfactoryisstillthere.

ThereisanothergroupofshopsonthecornerofFenwickSt,includinganotherbranchofMarshall’sbutcher’s,adairy,andaconfectionerandpastrycook.)

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SourcesandFurtherReadingGENERALSandsandMcDougalldirectoriesCityofCollingwoodratebooksBarrett,TheinnersuburbsMelbourneUniversityPress,Carlton,1971.Cummings,KarenT,Bitterroots,sweetfruit:ahistoryofschoolsinCollingwood,AbbotsfordandCliftonHill,CollingwoodHistoricalSociety,Abbotsford,2008.ginal and historical Hall,Roger,MerriCreekParklands:Aboriginalandhistoricalheritagesurvey,MerriCreekCo-ordinatingCommitteeLaTrobeUniversity,1989.Hibbins,G.M,AshorthistoryofCollingwood,CollingwoodHistoricalSociety,Abbotsford,1997.Inthosedays:Collingwoodremembered,CarringbushRegionalLibraryinassociationwiththeCityofCollingwood,Richmond,1994.Stremski,Richard,KillforCollingwood,Allen&Unwin,Sydney,1986.Sutherland,Alexander,Victoriaanditsmetropolis:pastandpresent,2vols,McCarronBird,Melbourne,1888.www.collingwoodhs.org.au

MAPSMelbourneanditssuburbs,compiledbyJamesKearney,draughtsman,AndrewClark,SurveyorGeneral,1855.MelbourneandMetropolitanBoardofWorksmapsanddetailplans(availableStateLibraryofVictoria).Detailplans1223,1224,1225,1276,1277availableonlineSLV.

ABORIGINALHISTORYEidelson,M2014,MelbourneDreaming:aguidetoimportantplacesofthepastandpresent,Secondedition,AboriginalStudiesPress,Canberra(pp72-3);Clark,I&Heydon,T2004,AbendintheYarra:AhistoryoftheMerriCreekProtectorateStationandMerriCreekAboriginalSchool1841-51,AboriginalStudiesPress,Canberra;TroveTheColonist(Sydney)Sat24October1840,p2,3.Ellender,IsabelPeopleoftheMerriMerri:theWurundjeriincolonialdays,MerriCreekManagementCommittee,EastBrunswick,2001.ForfurtherreadingontheLettsomRaidseehttp://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00849b.htm

GooglebookColonizationandtheoriginsofhumanitariangovernance

http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1281&context=ltc]

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QUARRIESReport into the 1934 explosion at the quarry – The Argus Monday 30th April 1934. http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Planning--Building/studies-strategies-and-guidelines/heritage-studies/https://blessedbluestone.wordpress.com September 20, 2011 post: Bluestone Quarrying in Melbourne.

ASYLUMhttp://trove.nla.gov.au/work/37675958?q&versionId=17666966http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Libraries/Local-history/History-of-the-City-of-Yarra/

ABATTOIRShttp://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/DownloadDocument.ashx?DocumentID=589http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/DownloadDocument.ashx?DocumentID=1779

BREWER’STIMBERViewsofBrewer’sTimberYardFire:www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/gid/slv-pic-aab66294(black&whitepicture)http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/MAIN:SLV_VOYAGER1805754 (colourpictures)ArticleonfireinKalgoorlieWesternArgus19thApril1910p.35:

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/33335289VA2904DepartmentofPublicHealth,VPRS7882/P1Unit931PublicBuildingFile7947SkatingRink.

STAGGLEATHERVines,GandChurchward,M1992,NorthernSuburbsFactoryStudy,HistoricBuildingsCouncilandMelbourne’sLivingMuseumoftheWestInc.p.241http://www.domain.com.au/news/house-of-the-week-20150205-136yna/

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/uniforms/ww2-ww1-australian-made-issued-jerkin-572318/

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/10969461

http://www.staggleathergoods.com