The President’s May Newsletter
Key Dates
May 6 Monthly Meeting — Carolyn Stok: The Geelong College’s 50 Years of Co-education
June 3 Monthly Meeting – Jim Happ: Geelong’s public health and engineering history
July 1 Monthly Meeting – Ben Petkov from the City of Greater Geelong: on ‘Beating the Bounds’.
August 15 – (11am to 2 pm) Excursion to Noel Sharkey’s Horse Drawn and other Heritage Vehicles Collection
Hello, Fellow Society Members!
I hope you are well and bracing yourselves for winter. Snuggle up in front of the fire and read my newsletter and the Investigator. I’m certain our winter will not be as cold as my March visit to Antarctica.
A Personal Reflection
I’m sitting in my study typing this newsletter using Microsoft Word on my HP Pavilion Laptop computer. The autumnal sun still provides some warmth even though the sun is retreating northward. Deciduous trees in the backyard are preparing for their seasonal hibernation.
On my desk rests a portable, small, polished, wooden writing desk owned by a distant relative from the 1850s. It is there as a reminder of the way we communicated by letters using ink, a nibbed pen, blotting paper and the post. The writing desk is 35 cm long and 25cm wide. When the two lids are opened, it transforms into a small desktop with a blue velvet surface, designed to keep writing paper in position. The lid is composed of a small and a large section kept closed by a lock whose key has been lost.
Beneath the smaller lid are two small, covered compartments for a quill and pencils. On each side is a space for ink jars. There is space to store spare paper and letters under the larger lid.
When I first started teaching, personal computers were just beginning, and a word processor, email, digital photography, and the Internet were science fiction. Today, we share our electronic letters with one or multiple friends in nanoseconds. When the writing desk was used, letters were written in ink or graphite pencil on paper, and it took days or even months to deliver them to friends.
My gaze changes in my study shifts to my favourite photograph of my recent trip to Antarctica. In the foreground is the hybrid-powered (battery and diesel) ship that took me to the Antarctic continent in luxury. A link to my computer immediately came to mind. In my warm and spacious onboard cabin, I could use my email, browse the internet, and call Australia via Wi-Fi. That was when I wasn’t watching movies and looking at the BBC or CNN News on TV at night.
Gone were the days of the early explorers who faced hardship and communications conducted from the last port of call at Ushuaia in Argentina.
Let’s extrapolate my personal reflections into a message for our Society.
Only two years ago, when I took over as President, we had 22 email addresses for members, and now we have 150 email addresses. We communicated via printed copies of Investigator, which was posted quarterly, and the magazine was solely in a print format. Today, we can communicate via email regularly at no cost and with considerable speed. Our magazine now has links to audio via internet connections, and we have an electronic flipbook version that doesn’t require printing.
Our former website was a static information page with little changes being made during the year. It no longer suited our needs. Now our website is dynamic, progressive, constantly being expanded, while communicating in text, audio and video formats. There is a section for exclusive use by members. Not just the conveyor of new information, the website is an archive of our Society’s past and a forecast for our Society’s future: immediate, relevant, and ever-expanding. It is the vehicle through which we are constantly recruiting new members and entertaining and informing existing members.
Our Society is marching forward and embracing the new communication age. Our database has been updated, but we still don’t have every member’s telephone number and email address. I know we have loyal members who find the new electronic age of communication a challenge, but we ensure that no member is left behind. The Investigator will always be available in a printed format. My newsletter will also be posted to those who don’t have email.
Our Society must embrace changes in communication or suffer the same fate as my old writing desk – being a quaint reminder of the past. It begs the question: What if we didn’t move forward and adapt to changes in communication?
One final personal indulgence related to my trip to Antarctica.
Passengers on the ship came from countries all over the world. Most were elderly, but there were young people too. Of course, there was great interest in the animals and landscapes, as well as the chance to land on the world’s most isolated continent.
What I also noticed was the huge interest shown, among staff and passengers, in the exploration of Antarctica and the artefacts used and buildings occupied by explorers. History was a key and major theme of conversation. Special onboard presentations explained the journeys and struggles of those brave and daring men who fought the elements. The crew explained that constructed dwellings were revered and protected for the importance of perpetuating the explorers’ legacy. For many people, like me, it was also an opportunity to see, understand and experience the places and hardships where explorers ventured.
April Annual General Meeting
April 1st was our Annual General Meeting (April Fool’s day! – no link implied!)
A new General Committee was installed with the same members as the previous year and one new member. I am pleased that the team that has achieved so much last year is still in place. I thank them for their previous service and look forward to working with them again. A new Committee Member has also volunteered for the Committee. Julia Thompson has decided to become more involved. Julia’s decades of experience in school libraries will be of great benefit as we look to engage the younger generation in our Society. I welcome her to the Committee and thank her for volunteering.
A copy of my President’s Report was read to the meeting, and a copy is available on our website. Treasurer, Tony Cust, also gave a report. He was extremely pleased with our bank balance because of the prompt payment of fees this year. Even though it looks very strong at the moment, most of the fees being paid now mean we can’t expect the account to grow much in the future.
Excursions
Moorabool Antiques
Our visit to Moorabool Antiques on April 11 was a great success. Twenty-four of our members were entertained and enthralled by Paul Rosenberg’s very informative presentation on the Ryrie Street shop building, which was constructed in 1853. Paul’s father moved the family business from Moorabool Street to the Ryrie Street shop in the year 2000.
Paul gave a detailed chronological account of the building’s changes in size and purpose over the past 160 years. Paul related many interesting events that occurred, including death and injuries to employees and the use of the building from a small produce store, through to the famous Herne’s Pharmacy and Volkswagen dealership.
Now the three-storey building is filled with antiques and Geelong memorabilia that Paul and his parents have collected. Our members were in awe at the number and variety of antiques crammed into every available space on the first two floors. I’m sure many members will return to purchase at least one of the objects Paul has for sale. Thank you to Paul for his informative presentation and to his family for allowing our Society members to visit on a very busy Saturday morning.
Transport Museum – August 15th this year
On August 15, our Society will be visiting a local collection of vehicles from the mid 1800s to more recent times. It is a Horse Drawn and other Heritage Vehicles Collection. The private collection belonging to Noel Sharkey is located at 34 McCurdy Road, Gheringhap, and it will be available for our Society to visit between 11 am and 2 pm. Organised by Jennifer Bantow, the visit will be of great interest for everyone, not just those whose interests may be related to transport in a specific period of time.
Attendees will be able to take morning tea and or lunch and drinks, because there are sheltered eating areas available.
Being a private viewing, there are restrictions that apply:
- Photographs for personal use, but these cannot be posted or shared on Facebook. Instagram, or other forms of broadcast media.
- No charge
- No Children
Noel Sharkey needs our help!
Noel is trying to find a photograph of the 1943 Gala Parade. It is a photograph of Noel (aged 5) and his father, Alec. Please contact Jennifer or me if you are able to help.
Thank you, Jennifer, for your excellent organisation of the excursion.
If you are interested in attending, then please notify me by phone, email or at our monthly meeting.
An Agreement to Collaborate with the Geelong Club
An approach from the Geelong Club was received in February this year to collaborate with them in the promotion of events and exhibitions. This proposal has been seriously considered by our Committee. The Committee visited the Geelong Club on March 27th and met with the Club president, Mr Glenn King. As a result of the visit, the Committee met on April 23 and decided that collaboration would be beneficial to both the Geelong Club and our Society and the Geelong community.
The Geelong Club was established in the 1850s, and it has been on its present site since 1889. The Club’s central location in Brougham Street will be of considerable advantage for the staging of events, exhibitions, and conducting Society meetings. The Queen Ann design of the building, which has changed little since 1889, adds a special ambience to the events and exhibitions that it will host.
I am presently in a stage of planning how that collaboration will occur, and will be meeting with their President in late May.
Lost Causes
Two Causes we have supported have not been successful. Our arguments and efforts have not been rewarded, but we have made our presence known, and we have clearly and forcefully expressed our views.
Lane Names
In the last President’s Newsletter, I wrote:
“On January 20, I wrote to the Registrar of Geographic Names, Victoria, to express our objection to the naming of three Laneways in a block of largely residential land to the south of South Geelong Railway Station. The city wants to name the three lanes as Flint, Graphite and Cinder. These generic names are derived from an association with the nearby former SEC Briquette Depot.”
Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct
We received notification, not directly from the Registrar’s Office, that our Objection was unsuccessful.
On April 13, I received an email from Mr Cal Whitehead, the Strategic Community Engagement Advisor at Barwon Water. It was a notification that our effort to save the Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct was unsuccessful.
“Barwon Water has been granted a heritage permit that allows it to safely demolish the Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct near Breakwater with the retention of pier bases at ground level and the stair landings at either end, including stabilisation works to those features. The permit also allows for opportunistic salvage during demolition and delivery of a comprehensive interpretation program near Breakwater.”
“The decision follows extensive expert investigations, which confirmed there is no safe way to maintain the aqueduct’s towers and spans. The approved works pave the way for a key stretch of the Barwon River corridor to safely reopen, more than 30 years after it was closed to the public. ”
However, Mr Whitehead did mention that:
“The permit requires Barwon Water to prepare a pre demolition heritage strategy, including opportunities for a commemorative public event or events. Barwon Water is also required to develop a comprehensive Heritage Interpretation Strategy that recognises the aqueduct’s historic, scientific, aesthetic and architectural significance.”
Our Society first joined the ‘Cause’ to save the Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct near Breakwater in the mid 1990s, and late last year we wrote to Heritage Victoria to not grant a permit for demolition to Barwon Water.
Despite these setbacks, our Society will continue to support worthy causes that protect Geelong’s Heritage.
Charles Brownlow Story in print
Many members will recall (either through their attendance or by reading a summary on our Website) the presentation about Charles Brownlow by Bob Gartland and Tony Joel at our 2025, September monthly meeting. It was extremely popular.
Bob has notified me that their story was published in the International Journal of the History of Sport. The Journal is a leading peer-reviewed academic journal which has a worldwide emphasis. The Journal publishes original articles that explore historical, social and cultural aspects of sport.
We heard the story first at our September meeting! You can read the article online at:
https://www.geelonghistoricalsociety.org.au/the-man-behind-the-medal/
Well done, Bob and Tony.
Investigator
The Committee wishes to update members on recent arrangements for the production of Investigator. The magazine is our Society’s important flagship, and we must ensure its quality is excellent. We would like to begin by acknowledging Lana Capon’s contribution during her period as Editor and thanking her for preparing the March edition. As with all volunteer roles in the Society, the work requires time, coordination and sustained attention, and we appreciate the effort she has given.
Producing a quality magazine is a substantial undertaking, and recent experience has highlighted that the workload placed on a single editor is simply too great, particularly for volunteers who are also managing work, family and other commitments.
After reviewing the process, the Committee has concluded that the publication of Investigator is best supported by a small team rather than by one person alone. To ensure continuity and maintain our standards, we will be reinstating a publications subcommittee to oversee the compilation, editing and production of the magazine.
The new subcommittee will take responsibility for the June edition onwards, and we welcome Lana’s ongoing involvement as part of that group.
Can you help?
Do you have stories you want to tell in Investigator? We can help you to achieve that goal. The investigator’s original goal was to include member contributions. Finding articles for the Investigator is not an easy task, and we tend to rely on the same people all the time. We are always on the lookout for articles. Articles can be short or long, but they must be related to Geelong’s history in some way. Your story could be about an event, a person or a place. If you are not confident in your writing, then we can assist you. Please contact me if you want to submit a story.
Wool Museum Invitation
We were approached by the Wool Museum to deliver two 15-minute talks to assist them with their Geelong Transport Exhibition in July. I have accepted and will prepare two talks: on Early Geelong Roads and River Crossings and Motor Vehicles in Geelong to 1925.
The Early Geelong Roads presentation commences during the first trip made by Foster Fyans to Geelong. He travelled along the native’s road under the direction and accompaniment of William Buckley. Extracts relating to the condition of the roads, from direct accounts of visitors to Geelong in the 1840s, are also included.
The Automobile presentation commences with the first automobile purchased in Geelong by Mr E. H. Lascelles – a steam-driven car. Various aspects of the motor vehicle construction and development, as well as road regulations, are mentioned up to the start of the Ford Factory production in 1925.I am very happy if two members could volunteer to deliver the presentation on July 26. Please let me know if you can assist.
Payment of Membership Fees
Thank you for the prompt payment of your membership fees. We have received an overwhelming response to the Invoice we sent at the time of my February Newsletter. Your prompt payment means we don’t have to scratch around for funds to print and post Investigator and pay expensive bills such as our compulsory Society Insurance and website costs. Your prompt and timely payment is deeply appreciated. If, for some reason, you didn’t get around to renewing your membership, then perhaps mark it on a calendar or use some other memory device.
Lest We Forget – Ruth Alice Hill (13 June 1926 – 9 Sept 2006)
Ruth Hill made a significant contribution to our Society. She was involved in many aspects of our Society’s activities
13 June 1935 – 9 Sept. 2006
Ruth’s contributions to Investigator articles included:
- From Fleece to Fabric – book review
- Geelong – Chronology 1901
- Recreation and Entertainment in Geelong 1920s
- Geelong – Chronology – 1902
- Send the Boy to Sea – book review
- Geelong – Chronology – 1903
Comments about Ruth come from another Society hero, Gladys Seaton, who passed away just recently. Gladys made a vast contribution to our Society. Her contribution will be featured in another newsletter.
Gladys knew Ruth well, and on Ruth’s passing, she wrote a very moving eulogy in Investigator. I am reprising that article here. (Investigator Volume 41, Number 4, December, 2006, pages 125 and 126).
RUTH HILL – A Tribute
by Gladys Seaton
The following is the slightly edited tribute delivered at the funeral service of Mrs Ruth Hill by Gladys Seaton. Ruth Hill was a life member of the Geelong Historical Society and, for over a quarter of a century, a prolific contributor of articles and biographical studies for the Society’s journal, the Investigator, as well as a painstaking indexer of the Society’s holdings. The author of the following tribute adds that it has also been pointed out to her that the publication of Ruth Hill’s historical writings went beyond the Investigator. In addition to compiling the histories of the Catholic parishes at North Geelong and Drysdale, Ruth Hill also contributed to Footprints, which was, for thirty years, the journal of the Historical Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.
Ruth and I first met at a meeting held in the Clonard library, probably late in 1978. Both of us had by then been members of the Geelong Historical Society for some years. The history of Clonard, which Ruth herself edited, explains that she began her work there in 1973. A measure of the library’s infancy is that the history also reports staff hastily removing their books – their own books – from the shelves, lest they be classified and incorporated in the collection permanently!
How quickly we forget the times of scarce resources and embryonic ventures! Flags around Geelong are now proclaiming Clonard’s fiftieth year.
After Ruth retired, as it were, from Clonard – and travelled overseas with Vivian [her husband], and wrote the Karingal history, 1982 – she became more active in the Geelong Historical Society, and another fledgling enterprise, the Geelong Historical Records Centre.
To her work in these she brought her many interests and abilities, together with a librarian’s training and general inclination to make it easier – by direct or indirect means – for others to find information. Add to that [her] great willingness, and her characteristic desire to be useful and helpful.
The result, over the years, was a considerable number of articles for the Investigator, countless hours of indexing, and a steady succession of biographical articles. Some of the articles were published within the pages of the Investigator, but most were within the accompanying pages, the Geelong Biographical Register, as part of that series, initiated by the late Ian Wynd. Indeed, a very large proportion [of entries] has been written by Ruth. Cumulatively, this is a substantial body of work. The style of writing required involves a need to be as accurate as possible – hence thorough – and yet concise. In these articles she was, as usual, meticulous and painstaking. I remember a few ‘phone calls from her about one source I’d mentioned rather vaguely. She succeeded in taking the matter further and finding the required evidence.
Her voluntary indexing for the Records Centre – now the Geelong Heritage Centre – was significant, making certain basic reference works even more useful to enquirers. A personal name index to a three-volume set on the history of Victorian state schools is no small undertaking, and it was not the only such endeavour.
Ruth’s honorary life membership of the Geelong Historical Society, conferred in June 2005, was recognition of – and this phrase is a quote – “her outstanding work for the Society”, [including her contribution] as a Committee Member in the mid-1980s, as a compiler of annual indexes to the Investigator, and, from 2003, [her compiling of] annual chronologies in that journal, [as well as] a contents index to articles in Volumes 1 to 28 [of the Investigator], and her many contributions to the Geelong Biographical Register.
Her major contributions to Geelong history encompassed the fields of education, business, the performing arts, and women’s history. To it she brought her strong work ethic and commitment to education and the arts, including the domestic arts. I remember her showing me, quite some years ago, a set of dainty, well-made knitted figures, characters for a Nativity scene, ready for the grandchildren’s Christmas visits.
Most of you know Ruth was interested in the arts, something she shared with Vivian. This included the visual and performing arts, and crafts, and an appreciation of the natural beauty of this land, and, indeed, of the whole of Creation, but never personal artificiality.
Sincere, genuine, kind, generous and compassionate – but clear-sighted – and hospitable, would be some appropriate adjectives to describe Ruth.
One might dare to speak for many in local historical circles, and not a few beyond, and say that we have lost a true friend. The Geelong Historical Society has lost a most valued, and valuable, loyal member. All this, of course, is not comparable with the loss felt by Vivian and family, to whom we extend our deep and sincere sympathy.
Kindest regards
Harry Roberts
