STORIES
(in alphabetical order)
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Mary was 107 years old when this interview was recorded at Fairview Homes in 2008. A formal presentation of this initial interview was held at Fairview but before a second interview could be arranged Mary died. Mary grew up in Croxton where her mother died when she was very young. She frequently stayed at her aunt’s small farm in Drouin South and went to school there. She often looked after other children from an early age and worked at Gleeson’s family hotel.
ANGLICAN CHURCH
Told by Iris Maxfield, Rosemary Blackley, Ian Maxfield, James White and Rev. Dean Spalding 2018 - 2019.
Iris Maxfield talks about the beginnings of the Anglican Church in West Gippsland and in Drouin. The little wooden church was built on land in Grant Street before being moved to its current site. The new church was completed in 1936 and Ian Maxfield (Iris’s son) reads the story of its construction written by Fred Armstrong at the Golden Jubilee in 1986. James White reads the story of the church hall which was dedicated in 1959 and Rosemary Blackley continues the story of this and the stained glass windows commissioned for the church built by Jean Orvall in the 1970s and the new windows built by local artist Andrea Tindle in 2007. Rev Dean Spalding records the sermon he gave at the dedication of the golden elm trees planted outside the church for Remembrance Day in November 2018.
ARMSTRONG, FRED & CONNIE
Fred Armstrong’s family has had a long association with West Gippsland. His grandfather worked at the historic Dwyerstead homestead from 1881. The oldest of 10 children Fred began work aged 14. When Alec and Ted Porter established Porter Brothers store young Fred did all the district deliveries endearing himself to all. Fred met Constance Arnold at the Drouin Anglican Church and they married in 1932 making their home in Drouin. When the Porter Brothers retired, Fred and his brother Jack purchased the store and ran it for 18 years. Fred and Connie were both very active in the community in many organizations.
Lyndel Kennedy and Jocelyn Bloye, their granddaughters share their grandparents’ story 2019.
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BILLS' TROUGH
Drouin had a Bills' Trough in its early settlement as did many other Australian towns. Bills horse troughs are watering troughs that were manufactured in Australia and installed to provide relief for working horses in the first half of the twentieth century. The troughs were financed by a trust fund established through the will of George & Annis Bills. The trough in Drouin was moved some time in the later years of the Buln Buln Shire to the Whiskey Creek (Drouin) Racecourse. It was sadly ignored and neglected for many years. But there are plans to restore and honour it.
This simple story told by Olive Lyon for a Gippsland Heritage segment was recorded about 2010 at community radio 3BBRFM. Another story is in the pipeline yet to be recorded.
BLACKLEY, DON
Told by Don and Rosemary Blackley 2016
Don grew up in Longwarry. He talks about his wide community service through Apex, Lions, Rotary and as part of the establishment of the Mawarra Opportunity Shop. This service to community has involved time as a Buln Buln Shire Councillor, Shire President, Drouin Cemetery Trust and Gippsland Water.
BLOYE, WILLIAM (BILL)
Told by Margaret Jackson 2015 and Jocelyn Bloye 2019
William J Bloye served as a Councillor of the Shire of Buln Buln for nine years from 1958 to 1967. He was a Board member for the West Gippsland Hospital for years, and President for two. He was a very keen naturalist campaigning strongly for, and securing the re-opening of Glen Nayook Reserve, after a period of closure of 40 years following the disastrous 1926 bushfires in this district. As a young man Bill served in the Royal Australian Navy for seven years before returning to the family farm at Hill End. He also worked as an electrical engineer, plasterer, and builder and was very active in community work. Margaret and Jocelyn are two of his grandchildren.
BOEYEN, LEO
Told by Jenny Boeyen, Karen Thomson, John Butler, Jeff Smythe and Dave Naylor 2016
Leo was the first Superintendent of Parks and Gardens for the Buln Buln Shire. Leo’s great vision and mentoring of young workers created what we appreciate today in terms of tree lined streets and beautiful parks and gardens. He has been credited with planting 6000 trees per year in the Shire in his 27 years of work. When the Buln Buln Shire built its new offices and moved in 1980 Leo was the visionary and designer for the surrounding Civic Park which won a Royal Australian Institute of Parks and Recreation Award. Leo’s wife Jenny and daughter Karen, and three of his staff share their memories.
BULN BULN SHIRE 1950 - 1990
Told by Keith Pretty 2017
Keith Pretty worked with the Buln Buln Shire for almost 40 years starting as junior clerk in 1950 and becoming the Shire Secretary until the title was changed to CEO in 1989. He worked with 57 Shire Councillors in his time and they said of him that “he was one of the very best of the best”. Keith describes the 40 years of his work at the Buln Buln Shire in terms of what ‘We’ accomplished, such was the trust and cooperation. He records details of the Shire Offices, Recreation Reserves, Parks and Gardens, Budgets, Quarries, Road construction, Residential subdivisions, decentralized industries, services and team efforts of the Shire staff.
BUTLER, JACK
Told by Bill Butler, John Butler and Robin Websdale, November 2018.
Bill, John and Robin talk about their father Jack who grew up in West Gippsland after emigrating from the UK as a young boy. Jack had a great love for the Australian bush and this is reflected in poetry he later wrote. During the Second World War Jack served in the army in the Middle East, New Guinea and Dutch New Guinea in the artillery. Many of his experiences profoundly affected him and he later wrote about this in a self published book ‘The Maidenhead warriors’. Jack went on to work for the Buln Buln Shire road crew, became a councilor and then Shire President, served for over 20 years in the Drouin RSL and also Legacy. He was awarded the Victorian Anzac of the Year Award in 1995.
CHEESMAN, ROY
Told by Roy Cheesman 2002
Roy describes with great detail what life was like for the farmers and their families who came to settle in this district. He talks about lighting of homes, food storage, ironing and early household tasks. He describes how the land was cleared, crops planted and harvested, the local wildlife, early schooling and later schooling.
COLQUHOUN, WES & FAMILY
Told by Doug Colquhuon and Graham Kraft 2017
Doug Colquhuon talks candidly about his father Wes who was a war veteran and well known in the community. Wes and his family were the butchers in Drouin for many years helping out families in the district during difficult times. They operated abattoirs in Slaughterhouse Road and developed the ‘rolling cage’. Uncle Bill was an excellent judge of cattle. Wes Colquhuon’s war experience is also added to by Graham Kraft’s memories.
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CORNISH, DR. GEOFF
Told by Adele Perry 2016
Dr Geoff Cornish was one of the members of ‘The Great Escape’ who survived. He remained as a POW in Germany caring for prisoners and was not liberated until the end of the war. Geoff studied medicine, first practicing in Bronte Park Tasmania before coming to Drouin as a doctor to work with Dr E Hamp in the 1950s. Geoff established the Red Cross service at the West Gippsland Hospital. He later set up a mobile anaesthetics program and the Cornish walking program for cardiac rehabilitation. Adele Perry his daughter tells his story.
COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION, DROUIN
Told by Yvonne Tindle in September 2018.
Yvonne talks about the origins of the movement of CWA as a national organization as well as describing the founding of the Drouin CWA branch in March 1939. CWA was born out of the needs of country women and their children during the great depression and 90 years on still aims to improve conditions for women and children. Founding members in Drouin were Jessie Goudie, Priscilla Kraft, Anne Porter and 30 ladies. Miss Hazel Porter was guiding light of the branch for more than 60 years. The CWA building in Sinclair was built in 1972 with the loan paid off in nine years. Life members of the branch are: Priscilla Kraft, Hazel Porter, Jessie Goudie, Lorraine Kinrade, Pam Pretty and Jean Kilby.
CRAIG, KEN
Told by Ken Craig 2016
Ken Craig talks about the Classic Weaving Mills in Drouin where his family came to work in the 1950s. He talks about school life in Drouin before becoming a plasterer’s apprentice. Plastering was a very different trade and Ken records the very different methods of making plaster sheets and mouldings when he owned the Drouin Plasterworks. He relates some amusing stories. The Drouin fire brigade, football and badminton are also talked about as part of Ken’s story.
CUSDEN, PETER
Told by Peter Cusden 2017
Peter Cusden shares many stories of his family who purchased the Northern Junction Hotel in Drouin West describing the hotel’s history. His family later set up a shop with a grocery business, tobacco licence, school lunches and later also the Post Office and a café. His mother ‘Mrs Cussy’ was very well known to the school children at Drouin West. Peter talks about growing up and life at Drouin West.
CUTHBERTSON, JACK
Told by Lorraine Currie and Peter Cuthbertson 2016
Lorraine Currie and Peter Cuthbertson talk about their father Jack. Jack was born at Hallora. He was a timberman, sawmiller, land clearer, dairyfarmer, roadbuilder, quarryman and earth moving contractor. At one time he and his business partner Ray Richards were the largest private sawmillers in Australia. He established 33 dairy farms and 3 quarries locally.
He was very involved in the Drouin community and was a generous man with his time, machinery, labour and money. Other topics include racing horses, ford cars and fishing.
DEVRIES, MICK
Told by Joan DeVries and Jan Artlett 2016
Mick DeVries began work at the Drouin Butter Factory in Lardner Road. Later with his brothers he bought a milk round with three trucks and this became a general carrying business including timber log hauling, hay carting, SEC contract work, bulldozer work etc. Mick had many ‘adventures’ driving the precarious roads of the district. He invented a self loading tandem jinker and lived in Drouin. Joan Devries (Mick’s wife) talks about living in Drouin and daughter Jan shares some stories from the book written about Mick.
DROUIN: A SMALL TOWN AT WAR
Told by Brian Milner 2015
Brian Milner gave this speech at the Australia Day breakfast 2016. In this recording he talks about the importance of the home town during war, giving background statistics, Drouin’s role in buying a spitfire, providing comfort packs, letters to service men, fundraising, the Drouin flaxmill, rationing, and denial of resources to the enemy, tasks of women and children at home and the repatriation of returned servicemen.
DROUIN CEMETERY WALK 2017
Stories of Antonio Debertolis, Harold Higgs, Leith family, Ellen Lampard, James Aikman and John Parker.
Told by Judy Farmer, Anita Coonans, John Parker, Ellen Burrows, Faye Vandyk, Brian Milner and Marilyn May
As part of the Ficifolia festival 2017 a Drouin Cemetery Walk was conducted. Anita Coonan talks about the history of the Drouin Cemetery including Mrs Josephine Smith gravedigger, Brian Milner talks about Harold Higgs Anzac war hero, Ellen Burrows talks about the Leith family owners of the Railway hotel, Faye Van Dyke talks about James Aikman early Buln Buln Shire councillor, John Parker talks about his great grandparents John Henry and Catherine Parker, Marilyn May talks about Ellen Lampard her great grandmother and Judy Farmer talks about Antonio Debertolis, the ‘Chairmaker of the Drouin swamp’.
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DROUIN CEMETERY WALK, 2018
In February 2018 as part of the Ficifolia Festival a cemetery walk/talk was conducted.
Tim Wills, head of the Drouin Cemetery Trust talks about the history of the cemetery including Mrs Josephine Smith gravedigger, the Arnup family and the Friends of the Cemetery group; Brian Milner talks about Mr JD Grubb serviceman of two world wars, shop owner and scout leader; Shelley Duncan talks about Dr E Hamp long serving doctor of Drouin who lived at historic home ‘Gillian’; Suzie Gallagher talks about long time Drouin family The Fuhrmanns; Bev Jackson talks about the Renton brothers Frank, Arthur and Harold all servicemen in the first world war and their contribution to local sport and the police force.
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Old Fire House, Drouin, 2004
DROUIN FIRE BRIGADE
Told by John Atkins and Duncan Holman 2017
Duncan Holman an older member of the Drouin Fire Brigade shares his memories of the Fire Brigade. He joined as a young boy of 14 years. Contrasted alongside these recollections are the descriptions of John Atkins long time member of the Drouin Fire Brigade and recipient of the 2018 AFSM (Australian Fire Service Medal). Both men talk about uniforms, fires of note, trucks, tankers, water supply, members, buildings and the team spirit of the brigade.
DROUIN: DEVELOPMENT OF
Told by Keith Pretty 2015
Keith Pretty talks about the development of the town of Drouin describing the early selectors John McNeilly, Ezra Cook, Jacksons Track and Waltons Run. The name of Drouin, the building of the railway, John Lardner surveyor, the land surveys, street names and early buildings are all described.
Also the first golf club, the first swimming hole, the rifle range, horse races at Whiskey Creek, the croquet club, other sporting clubs, churches, the fire station, the waterworks trust, the Mechanics Institute, the flaxmill, saleyards, war memorials, hospitals, doctors, newspapers, butter factory, schools and newspapers.
DROUIN MOTORS
Told by Rosemary Blackley (2019), John Morgan (2018) and John Franklin (2017)
Drouin Motors was established by Tup Pedersen and George Clark both of whom began work as young men for several of the town’s blacksmiths. Their business set up in 1937 flourished and the business became a household name for their automotive supply and services. Rosemary Blackley gives the history of both these men, based on interviews she did many years ago with Tup and George. She records stories of their business and the people who worked for them including Ruth Irons who worked in the office of Drouin Motors for 50 years. Tup Pedersen closed the business in 1990, but it began again in August 1993 with the business owned by John Morgan. John shares his memories of Drouin Motors where he started work in 1976 as a salesman.
John Franklin a long time Drouin resident also shares his memories of Drouin Motors and the people who worked there.
DROUIN STATE (PRIMARY) SCHOOL
Told by Brian Maunder 2017
Brian Maunder taught at Drouin Primary School for many years. In this compilation of research and talking with people, he has gathered together both history and memories of Drouin State (Primary) School from its opening in 1877.
Information includes head teachers, staff, the history of the buildings, two significant fires, students planting Ficifolia trees, the rare white oak trees and the coronation tree, the Bristol building, central classes, anniversaries, school councils and presidents, building projects and memories from both ex staff and parents.
DROUIN WEST CEMETERY WALK 2018
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In 2018 Drouin West cemetery held a cemetery walk.
Jill Bayly talked about the history of the cemetery and the Drouin West area. Geoff Mitchell spoke about his grandfather-dairy farmer and grower of flax in the war years. Bill Petschack spoke about the pioneering Petschack family. Bill Notman spoke about his grandparents George and Elizabeth Notman. Judy Farmer talked about Dr Robert Merry Smith.
EDWARDS, LUCY HAMMETT
Told by Brian Milner 2021 and recorded 2024
Lucy was the third daughter of Percy and Eunice
Edwards. The family lived at Drouin South. Lucy trained as a nurse and enlisted in the Australian Army in 1940. After the war's end she served in military hosptials before being appointed as the Matron of the British Occupation forces General Hospital in Japan. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross First Class Award in 1952 for her distinguished service.
In this recording Brian Milner shares her story first given at the Drouin Cemetery Walk Feb 2021.
EDWARDS, PHIL
Told by Phil Edwards 2015
Phil Edwards records the history of blacksmithing in Drouin through Bill Tritschler and then Ernie Edwards, his father, whose business was located just north of the Drouin Railway station in converted buildings from Walhalla. Phil became an engineer and converted the business to Edwards engineering where they did steel fabrication. The Moe butter factory was their first big metal job using 21 tons of steel. They also made semi trailer tippers, fire fighting tankers, abattoirs and wrought iron work. Phil also talks about sport.
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FERRIS WARD, ELIZABETH
Told by Elizabeth Ferris Ward to Lynn Wells 2009.
Elizabeth’s (Liz’s) interview was recorded in 2009 before this project began. At the time of interview she was living in Darwin and during a visit to Drouin came to radio station 3BBR wanting to tell her story. Liz grew up in Drouin before training as a teacher. She shares her early memories of Drouin and some of her early very rural teaching experiences. Liz has written an autobiography called ‘Paid in Advance’ which she read parts of during her interview.
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GLEESON FAMILY HOTEL
Told by Pat and Dennis Gleeson 2015
Pat Gleeson and his son Dennis share stories about their lives as publicans at the Family Hotel in Drouin; stables, drunk pigs, visitors, fires in the town, town’s lack of water, policemen, the railways, Drouin football club, army experience, renovations etc.
GOUDIE, ALEX
As told by Dora Scales and Murray Goudie 2015
Dora Scales and Murray Goudie talk about their father Alex who was a World War 1 returned serviceman. Alex farmed at Yannathan before moving into Drouin. He became a real estate agent and was generous to many families. He became a Buln Buln Shire councillor serving as President of the Shire three times. Alex was a conservationist and part of the ‘Save our forest’ campaign. Dora and Murray also talk about their mother Jessie and life in Drouin in their growing up years.
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GRANT FAMILY
Told by Don Grant in June 2018.
Don Grant talks about four generations of his family: George Grant inventor and manufacturer of ‘The Grant Plow’, farmer and shire councilor; Don Grant orchardist on land close to town; Keith Grant his father, orchardist and farmer; and Don’s own growing years in Drouin and farming. Don also shares some amusing stories of Drouin and the characters that were part of the life of the early town.
HAMILTON, EDWARD JAMES
Edward James Hamilton was born into a family with distinguished legal roots. He set up his legal practice in Drouin in 1907 being the first resident solicitor of the town with his office in Main Street. Life as a country solicitor was interesting and diverse. With marriage, land purchase and becoming a partner in the firm of Backhouse, Skinner and Hamilton life was good. World War 1 saw him enlist for service with the 13th light horse regiment. After the war Edward became the first president of the Drouin RSL. He returned to Melbourne but continued legal service to Drouin until 1932. He served as President of the Law Institute of Victoria in 1931-32. His name is recorded amongst the nine presidents of the LIV who fought in WW1. Judy Farmer presented this talk at the Drouin History Group in September 2019.
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The HARPER FAMILY
Told by Ron Harper, Ann Harper and Jo-Anne Wyatt 2019
The Harper family have lived and worked in Drouin for six generations. The family is well known in the trade of house painting over three generations painting many of the buildings and houses in the district including the Drouin Butter Factory. The Harpers have very close associations with both the Drouin Football Club and the Drouin Cricket Club. Fred Harper (Ron and Jo-Anne’s father) was instrumental in developing the Junior Football league in Drouin and coaching some of the AFL’s great players. Ron, Jo-Anne and Ann share many memories of Drouin, sporting clubs, schooling, work places and living in Longwarry Road.
HARVEY, JUNE
Told by June Harvey 2016
June Harvey shares her memories of life growing up in Lardner; farming, Hawthorn Grange and Husevale,Lardner Primary School, the Lardner hotel, the Lardner store, Lardner Post Office, church and sport. Her grandfather Mr Gregory, ran the Lardner Butchery shop. June shares some interesting stories and details about this shop and stories of her own life.
HATFIELD, DOUG & BARBARA
Told by Doug and Barbara Hatfield 2015
Doug shares his early memories of Drouin including the 1939 fires, the main street, Bill Kraft and the farm at Ripplebrook. Barbara remembers how basic life on the farm was to begin with and the early years. Becoming a voice for residents to improve roads led to election as a Buln Buln Shire councillor and advocacy for dairy farming. Doug and Barbara reflect on the plans for the Australian Dairy Centre which nearly happened and also their work to establish the Drouin Nature Reserve. Barbara shares some her story as a nurse and also a shire councillor.
HEDLEY, HAZEL
Told by Hazel Hedley 2015
Hazel shares her own life story and her memories of Drouin: the farm at Ripplebrook, school life and farm chores. Hazel became an invisible mender at Classic Weaving Mills Drouin and was involved in many activities and sports within Drouin. She reflects on the shops in the main street, the Coffee Palace, the Infant Welfare Centre, the Red Cross, the Methodist Church and her family.
HINE, MAX
Told by Max Hine 2016
Max Hine talks about his life in banking. As bank manager of the State Savings Bank of Victoria he shares what the role of a bank manager was in the community, the daily bank procedures, money handling, introduction of decimal currency and school banking. He also talks about life in Drouin, community and sport.
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JACKSON FAMILY
Told by Margaret Jackson 2015
Margaret Jackson talks about the Jackson family from the pioneer Joseph Jackson (her great great grandfather) who owned the first freehold land in West Gippsland. Jacksons Track is the track from the Bunyip River to the goldfields of Walhalla.
She continues with reflections of William Jackson, James Jackson and her father Wally Jackson’s war service, employment, marriage, community involvement, and family. She also talks about Porter Bros, McGiltons (Warragul), Longwarry theatre, Masonic Lodge, Drouin Rotary club, Drouin Probus.
KRAFT, WILLIAM L (BILL)
As told by Graham Kraft July 2015
Graham Kraft talks about his father Bill who grew up in Bunyip. Bill started at the Drouin Milk Coop(Drouin Butter Factory) as office boy at age 18, Secretary at 21 and then general manager at 30. Bill was a visionary thinker, changing the way farmers milked their cows, employing a veterinarian and expanding the supply of milk to the Melbourne markets. A new factory was built in Lardner Road and rapid expansion occurred. Bill pioneered selling casein to Japan. Graham talks about his own life growing up in Drouin, Drouin Primary School and other families; the Colquhouns, Wellwoods, Goudies.
KURNAI WOMEN: THREE STORIES
Five recordings as told by daughters and grand daughter
The sculpture (installed 27th May 2023 in Civic Park Drouin), of three Kurnai women acknowledges three women's leadership, tenacity, wisdom and cultural integrity as they raised their young people in adversity: they balanced the tightrope between honouring their Kurnai heritage while seeking to obey government decrees, living constantly with the fear of having their children 'removed'.
These three women, Dorothy, Euphemia and Regina, straddled two worlds.. They were leaders especially of the women and the children of the Kurnai clan that lived on Jackson's Track, Labertouche across two to three generations, from post WW2 years through to the late fifties and early sixties.
As leaders the three women also passed on cultural learnings and practices and ensured the traditional ways were not lost.
LYREBIRD VILLAGE, DROUIN
Told by Keith Pretty 2015
Keith Pretty talks about Lyrebird Village; the concept, the original Committee activities, name, funding of living units (Acacia Lodge), hostel, government grant, Catholic Church funds, Banksia Wing, Womens Auxiliary activities, Boronia Wing, Waratah Wing (public funding campaign), redevelopment and its currently being a community based facility.
MARKS, JANE
Told by Jane Marks and Terrylene Marks 2017
Jane and her daughter Terrylene talk about Jane’s life growing up at Jacksons Track and at Lake Tyers Mish (Mission). They share memories of family and moving in to Drouin. Jane became the first Koori liaison officer at Drouin Primary School a role she did for 25 years. She retired in 2000. Terry has taken over her mother’s role. They share memories of Tarago River and Robin Hood outings.
MARTIN, DR WILLIAM (BILL)
Told by Esther Martin 2016
Bill Martin was the first qualified Veterinarian to practice in Drouin. Coming from Glasgow, his registration was number 17 in Victoria. Esther Martin his daughter talks about what it was like for Bill as a country vet working for the Drouin Butter Factory, teaching farmers good animal husbandry and promoting good animal hygiene and nutrition. He was known as the “The man who loved cows”. His practice covered a huge area at a time when there was little communication and roads were poor.
MAXFIELD, IRIS
Told by Iris Maxfield 2015
Iris tells her story of a life in education through teachers college, end of the war and school postings. She taught at Drouin Primary School, then Central classes, Drouin High School, Oak Street Kindergarten and became the first remedial teacher at Drouin High School. Many people in Drouin remember Mrs Maxfield. She also shares about her marriage, family and involvement at the Anglican Church Drouin.
MAY, ARTHUR
Arthur May's memoirs of life in Drouin in the 1920s
As told by Simon May 2015
Simon May reads his father Arthur’s Impressions of Drouin growing up in the 1920s. Arriving in 1924 and stepping off the train, the friendliness and generosity of people, the butchers Colquhouns, Porter Bros stores, the cinema at the Mechanics Hall, Vaughans newsagents, Constable Matthews the policeman, Mr W Russell, Mr Tritscheler the blacksmith, Mr Grubb the undertaker, Mr Russell who sold second hand furniture, Mr Hayes ironwork and tools shop, Mr Black’s Coffee Palace, Mr Whitehead, Mr Kraft (DBF), the orchards and others.
MCDONALD, ETHEL
Told by Ethel McDonald February 2015
Ethel, a city girl, knew nothing about cows or animals when she married Mervyn McDonald but she learnt. Ethel tells some funny stories about her life as a young farmer’s wife. Ethel appears in the 1940s ‘Drouin a small town at war’ photo collection as the young woman tying her horse to the rail outside the livestock yards. She also shares five of her poems.
McNEILLY FAMILY
Told by June Sealey and Keith Shimmen in August 2018.
John and Eliza McNeilly were the first selectors in Drouin. They arrived in 1871 to virgin forest. June and Keith talk about the challenges for the family clearing the 320 acres, their children (Maryanne, Samuel, Jack and William), work establishing a school and other community facilities, Jack the lyrebird, other land purchases, ‘Lyndhurst’ Samuel McNeilly’s historic homestead and details of the McNeilly descendants. Until 1999 Geoffrey McNeilly still farmed his grandfather’s original 320 acres land selection.
MORGAN, KEITH
Told by Keith Morgan 2015
Keith Morgan talks about his life and coming to Drouin. He remembers the saleyards, the oak trees, the difficulties of clearing land and trying to plant crops, and milk rounds with his uncle both collecting the milkcans and also delivering bread, meat and butter. Coming back to live in Drouin, Keith talks about life at that time, marriage and farming in Ringins Road.
PALMER, WILLIAM (BILL)
Told by Bill Palmer December 2014
Bill Palmer talks about the standards for milk, cheese and butter production and the shipping of milk to Melbourne from the Drouin Milk Coop. Bill worked as an engineer at the Drouin Butter Factory. He also talks about the manager Bill Kraft.
PHARMACY IN DROUIN
Told by: Rob Stewart in November 2018 and Isaac Harris in January 2019.
Rob Stewart talks about the history of pharmacy in Drouin including his own years working for Wadhams Pharmacy, and then as proprietor of the business. Geoff Wadham began work in Drouin in the mid 1950s. A second pharmacy at 33 Princes Way was owned by William Monteath and Alan Rogers. Rob gives descriptions of his training and the way drugs and medicines were dispensed during his working life which is very different to today’s practice. Isaac Harris a current pharmacist compares what pharmacy is like in present day practice.
PRETTY FAMILY AND JINDIVICK STORE
Told by Keith and Jack Pretty and Lorna Parke 2017
Keith and Jack Pretty and their sister Lorna Parke share their memories of the Pretty family in Jindivick and the running of the Jindivick store, the Post Office and the telephone exchange. Keith talks about ‘the Jindi bus’ which provided various forms of transport all week and wartime rationing. Lorna talks about becoming postmistress and the Jindivick flower show. Jack talks about the many and varied products sold at the Jindi store, weights and measures, and all siblings talk about the coming of electricity and the phone exchange.
PROPOSCH FAMILY AND TIMBER MILLS
Told by David Proposch Oct 2017
David Proposch talks about his family, the Walsh family, the Pearson family and the Proposch family. David’s grandfather started the Longwarry timber mill ‘AC Proposch and sons’. The old Drouin flaxmill was purchased by Proposch Bros and converted into a sawmill.David talks about Bill Tampalini the boilerman, filming of scenes for the Lionel Rose movie at the mill and subsequent redevelopment of the land into housing.
RIVER LATROBE HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME
RAILWAYS IN DROUIN
Told by by Keith Cook in November 2018.
Keith Cook shares the story of his railway career starting as junior station assistant working for the Victorian Railways in Warragul and later becoming a level 8 then Line Station Master. Keith also shares the history of railways in Gippsland and Drouin including the railway station, goods shed, station masters, signals, various accidents and many other interesting facts and stories.
Told by Jocelyn Bloye 2019
The River Latrobe Hydro electric company was formed in 1920 to generate electricity from the Toorongo River for the Goodwood timber mills and the town of Warragul.
The scheme was beset with difficulties through the whole process with faulty second hand parts, significant challenges in terrain and lack of experience from any other schemes in Victoria at the time. Although electricity did make it to Warragul in 1922 it closed in 1932. William (Bill) Bloye was an electrical engineer involved in the project.
This story is read by his granddaughter Jocelyn Bloye.
ROTARY CLUB OF DROUIN
The Rotary Club of Drouin was established in 1954. The foundation members read like a who’s who of Drouin at that time: Fred Armstrong President, Bill McDowell Secretary, Bill McLaughlin Treasurer, and 18 other members.
Tim Wills the 2019-2020 President, records the story of the club and the many activities, projects, fundraising events, initiatives and works the club has been involved in for 65 years as well as a brief history of Rotary International.
Jungle Fighter
Memorial Park Drouin
SCOTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DROUIN
The Presbyterian church of Drouin began in the early years of Drouin’s settlement. A simple wooden church was built in 1880 amongt the forest of tall trees and many families worshiped here. A new brick building was dedicated in 1959 with street names in honour of several church members. The church was renamed Scots Presbyterian in 1968. Robyn Crocker a long term member of the church draws on the written history of the church by Keith Pretty to detail the development of the church, its buildings, the ministers, the long serving elders and leaders and the various church fellowship groups.
SMETHURST, JIM & DORIS
Told by Jim and Doris Smethurst December 2014
Doris Smethurst talks about life growing up in North Poowong before she married Jim. Jim talks about farming in Athlone, serving the Fire Brigade and serving as a councillor on the Buln Buln Shire. (On the honour board for the Buln Buln Shire it shows Smethursts have been involved for 61 years.)Both talk about raising their family and Doris shares about CWA, sport and homes crafts.
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SMITH, EILEEN
Told by Eileen Smith December 2014
Eileen describes her life working in retail in Drouin at the newsagency, Mrs McMillans and 20 years managing the ladies department in Bacon’s Drapery. She describes ladies garments and sizes and various kinds of knitting wools for babies and children’s garments. Eileen describes the changes in Drouin’s main street and also shares about the golf club, bowling and the Anglican Church.
SMITH, ROB
Rob Smith's Memoirs of Drouin
Told by Vicky Metcalf 2016
Rob Smith was the son of Dr Robert and Mrs Jessie Smith (nee Grant). After Dr Smith died young Rob stayed for a time in Drouin before he and his mother moved to Melbourne. Rob often spent holidays on his uncle’s orchard in Drouin and later in life wrote down his memories of Drouin. Vicky Metcalf, Rob’s granddaughter reads his memoirs and his family background for this collection of stories including Antonio Debertolis, the Howitt family, Main Street, Mr JD Russell, Mr Roland, Drouin Primary School, Presbyterian church, sporting clubs, street lighting.
ST ITA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, DROUIN
Told by Brian Maunder 2016
Brian Maunder wrote the history of St Ita’s church and has compiled some highlights for this story. He records the history of the parish, the church buildings and the school. He describes memories of some of the parishioners including the following families Notman, McHugh, Percy, Dore, Stevens, Minahan, Mona Jennings, Bibby, Gleeson, Knapping, Schlitz, and Burke. Brian also talks about organizations supporting the church such as the Catholic Womens League, St Vincent de Paul and Knights of the Southern Cross.
THE HOLLIES & BISHOP GREEN
The Hollies is one of Drouin’s most well known houses on Main South Road. The story of this property is also the story of Bishop Arthur Green. Educated in Melbourne, he was the first Bishop consecrated at St Pauls Cathedral Melbourne in 1894. He was Bishop of Grafton/ Armidale for seven years before taking on the role of Bishop of Ballarat. His brother in law Horace Tucker established settlement villages in the Drouin area in the 1890s.
The love of the area inspired Arthur to purchase land in 1902 and build a holiday retreat for his family. Described as a man of unquenchable vitality, Bishop Green had the role in Ballarat for 15 years. He owned The Hollies until 1913/14. Bishop Green planted the old trees still at The Hollies.
Judy Farmer gave this talk to the Drouin History group in June 2019.
THOMSON, CHARLIE
Told by Charlie Thomson (with Bill Palmer) December 2014 and Sandy Ward 2018
Charlie left school at 12 years old. He was up early to milk cows and chop wood to 5 foot lengths for carting to the Drouin Butter Factory. Logs would be stacked, 10-15 rows of five foot firewood behind the DBF and fed into the boiler. Charlie also talks about farming, milking, marriage and family. The interview was done with Charlie together with Bill Palmer. Charlie's daughter Sandy also reads the eulogy from her father's funeral.
TREES COULD TALK, IF ONLY THE
Told by Judy Farmer January 2017
Judy Farmer gave the Australia Day breakfast talk in 2017 titled “If only the trees could talk”. She tells the story of Drouin through its trees, from the Great Gippsland Forest, then timber milling, land clearing and farming, to the trees which still exist today, both remnant like ‘The Settlement Giant' and also exotics which were planted by early settlers. Leo Boeyen is acknowledged and some words of advice from our trees are shared.