‘White Cliffs’

Journal of

THE RYE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

October-November-December 2013

‘White Cliffs’

Journal of

THE RYE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

President: Prue Found

Secretary: Pauline Powell. 5985 2797

Treasurer: Danny Jennings 5985 2231

PO Box 65 Rye 3941

http://ryehistoricalsociety.weebly.com index.html

Meetings – 8pm, Fourth Monday of each month

Rye Primary School Library

Visitors welcome.

The lime kiln at White Cliffs

2 President’s Report 2012-2013

Once again, another year has gone by more quickly than the last. We all seem to get busier as the years pass, but as my Mother says, it is better to ”wear out than rust out”. It has been a year of challenges and achievements, and as a society, we should feel very satisfied with the work we have done. However, it has not been all work, as we are a group with shared interests and the common bond of preserving the history of Rye. During the past year we have met together to enjoy some interesting speakers, films and events. We have also met socially at the RSL on a monthly basis, and we are known for our luck with the Friday night raffle. It is important that we support our fellow community groups, as they offer us invaluable support.

In May, Phil Grinter shared his experiences as a merchant seaman from 1942 to 1954. The sharing and recording of stories is a valuable way of preserving history, and a small sub-committee has started interviewing and recording members’ memories of Rye. There is a wealth of knowledge waiting to be recorded. The Friends of Rye Cemetery has grown in number and the work they have done is much appreciated by all who visit. The primary school children are also enthusiastic in their weekly sessions and they are a credit to their school.

Together with the Nepean Historical Society, we co-hosted the annual mid winter luncheon in July at the Rye Hotel. This is always a very social occasion. The guest speaker was Geoff Carson, Shire manager of arts, libraries and culture. On a cold Friday in July, members and friends enjoyed soup and poetry by the fireside in the Blue Water Room at the Rye Hotel. I am extremely grateful to Dorothy and Peter Houghton for their constant generosity and support.

Several members have spent many hours researching the people and places of inter-est in Rye. As the centenary of the first World War approaches, we are trying to uncover the stories of servicemen who were born or lived in Rye. We are also trying to uncover a long forgotten lime kiln in Rye. These and many other links with our past are a constant source of interest and intrigue for many of us who enjoy and value our local history.

We have continued to work closely with the Local History Network, organized and led by the local history officer, Sally Robins. This is an excellent way to meet with other societies and share ideas and resources, and to promote the work of the societies on the Peninsula. I believe the success of the Rye Historical Society lies in its strength as a team. We all have different skills and knowledge to contribute, and by each doing what they can, it is a combined effort.

There are many people who work tirelessly behind the scenes – sorting and cataloguing, data entering, making jams, organizing speakers, writing the newsletter, cooking sausages, researching, doing museum duty, running up stalls, applying for grants, and many other valuable functions. This work is ongoing, and we constantly need more help as our collection grows. As president for 2013, I have had wonderful support from the committee and the members, especially as it has been a busy year with my family. I sincerely thank the committee for their enthusiasm and commitment.

I would also like to thank all our members for attending the functions and events we have organized, and I look forward to your continuing support and good company.

Prue

3 Treasurer’s Report 2012-2013

General Account Bendigo Bank

RECEIPTS Memberships Donations Trading Table

Christmas in July Function and Raffle - Proceeds

Beleura Visit

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

Christmas Party and Raffle - Proceeds

Shire Grant re Computer Costs

Sundries

Total Receipts

PAYMENTS

Postage and Stationery

Newsletter Printing

Insurance

Christmas in July Function - Costs

New Power Points

Life Members' Plaques

Beleura Visit

Pickets for New Playground

Christmas Party - Costs

Interpretive Sign for Ernie Myers Dedication

New Gazebo

New Bookcases

Computer Costs - Shire Grant

Sundries

Total Payments ……………………………………..

Excess of Payments over Receipts for Year ……………...

Balance at Bank at Beginning of Year …………………

Balance at Bank at End of Year ……………………...

2 Term Deposits

(1) Deposit Balance at End of Year ….,……………..,,,,

(2) Deposit Balance at End of Year ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

1,185.00

328.00

1,428.60

1,206.00

540.00

1,226.00

960.00

1,000.00

163.05

8,036.65

618.47

286.00

605.30

1,155.00

416.48

330.00

440.00

150.00

694.45

2,114.20

179.00

598.00

1,000.00

972.79

9,559.69

1523.04

8,290.07

6,767.03

$8250.55

$5330.69

4 RHS Office steps into the 21st Century!

Things are progressing in the office of the Rye Historical Society. Some members may not as yet have seen our office since its refurbishment. In addition to the original refurbishments, we now have a partition built which separates the office and the access to the school room.

For some time now, the articles in our schoolhouse museum have been catalogued using the computer program FileMaker Pro. This is a museum-standard program and as well as putting into the database extensive information regarding our objects, archives, books, photographs, etc. we have also transferred photographs of each item into the database. It is an ongoing project and anyone with computer skills would be welcomed with open arms – (lessons on the FileMaker cataloguing program will be given)! We have recently had an upgrade of the computer program and also a new computer, monitor and keyboard. We also have a new printer with many up-to-date features. The Shire’s Digitisation Officer did a great job earlier in the year with the digitisation of many of our photographs, articles, etc. and the Shire also provided us with an external hard drive on which all the digitised items are kept. As well as putting our photographs into the computer, we have also put many of our photographs into albums, but still have many more to go, so if anyone could assist with this process, it would be a great help.

If anyone would like to learn more about our systems and give us a hand on a Tuesday morning, it would be greatly appreciated. If you feel you don’t have the necessary computer skills, we can use extra help in many areas such as collection displays, labelling library books, labelling items, etc. Just come along on a Tuesday morning to the old School house between 9.30am – 12.00 noon and see if there is a job that appeals to you. We’d love to see you.

Lynne Woollard Chair, Collections Committee.

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Sunday Volunteers. A new Sunday roster will be drawn up in the next couple of months. The Committee thanks those who have assisted over the past year. As several member will not be able to continue duties in 2014 we would welcome new names to the roster. The duties involve opening the Old Schoolhouse at 2pm and welcoming visitors to our museum. This is an opportunity to become familiar with our small museum and learn more of the history of Rye. 4pm is time to lock up and then you will not be called upon to help for another 12 weeks or longer depending how many new volunteers enrol. New volunteers will be paired with an experienced members. Contact Pauline Powell 59852797 or Bernie Woiwod 59852001

5 Happenings

.Sausage Sizzle. Our annual Sausage Sizzle will be held at Bunnings on Saturday 19th October (8am to 4pm). If you are able to help and not already on the roster please ring Bernie Woiwod 59852001

Bimblehurst Open Day. Sunday 27 October. As part of History Week 2013 the Society will hold an Open Day at Historic home ‘Bimblehurst’ . 2519 Point Nepean Road Rye. Entry is $5.00 and afternoon tea will be available. We will need volunteers to assist in setting up on the Saturday at 2pm, Sunday open11am to 4pm. If you are able to assist please contact Pauline 59852797.

Coming Event. Day trip to Barwon Park Winchelsea Wednesday 26th February. Full details will be available in the January 2014 newsletter http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/vic/barwon-park

Australia Day 2014. Advance information for Australia Day - The times for the celebrations in Rye have changed for 2014. Stalls have to be up and ready for trading by 2 pm. The flag raising is not until 5 pm. The Ambassador speaking at Rye is Pete Smith. Concert etc will finish at 9.30 pm. A stall site has been booked, and we will have the historic tour of the town starting 3 pm. Full details in next newsletter mid January'.

Monday November 25th

Christmas Party

6pm At Stoney’s Room

Rye RSL

Hot and Cold finger Food

Drinks Coffee & Desserts

$25 per head

Payment to Danny Jennings by Friday 22nd please.

“Dress to Impress”

It has been proposed that the Society conduct a day trip to Barwon Park Winchelsea on Wednesday 26th February 2014. Interested members and friends could contact Jill & Wayne on 59857535 for further details and to make early bookings.

Barwon Park, built in 1871 for Thomas and Elizabeth Austin is a majestic 42 room bluestone mansion and stables set in a sweeping rural landscape. This majestic 42-room bluestone mansion and stables is largely in its original condition, resonating with the glory of Victoria's pastoral heritage. The property has been owned by only two families, the Austins and the Batsons, and was left to the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) by Sydney Batson.

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Windy Blues Our first market day on Saturday 5th October was a battle with the elements but our members were determined not to be beaten and with some ropes tied to Prue’s car we were able anchor the gazebo and show off our new sign. For our next market in November we have put in a request for better weather.

6 Happenings

7 Rye a finalist in the Tidy Towns

The Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith recently announced the finalists for the 2013 Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria (KABV) Tidy Towns - Sustainable Communities Awards.

Mr Smith said “the KABV Tidy Towns, awards are a great way to celebrate the positive contribution made by regional communities towards a more liveable and sustainable Victoria,"

The KABV Tidy Town Awards are open to all communities in regional Victoria This year KABV received 151 entries from 41 entrants including councils and shires, local community groups, schools and individuals. There are 75 finalists across all 12 award categories including the six Tidy Town of the Year finalists.

Tidy Town - Sustainable Community of the Year Finalists Beechworth, Campaspe, Hastings, Horsham, Rye and Wangaratta

The winners will be announced at the Wycheproof Shire Hall, Wycheproof, Victoria on Saturday 12trh October.

Pictured are John Hazledine who received certificates on behalf of the Rye Cemetery Trust for ‘Looking after the Rye Cemetery’ which is a finalist in its category, and Pauline Powell on behalf of the Rye Historical Society for ‘Looking after our Heritage’

8 Major repairs required to the Old Schoolhouse.

Over the past year a matter that has caused the committee a lot of concern is the condition of our home, the Old Schoolhouse. Recently there have been some major changes to the office and museum and now the time has come to address the structural problems. The concrete schoolhouse was built in 1923 so it been with us for 90 years without any extensive repairs. One of the major problems to be addressed is the condition of a concrete lintel over the large window at the rear of the building and there are also other signs of smaller cracks in the walls which will need attention. Expert opinion is being gathered on all aspects of the building and a prioritized list is being drawn up. We are dealing with a heritage listed building and as an Historical Society we have a duty to see that all renovations retain its heritage character.

Pat Applefords’s publication ‘Rye Primary School No 1667. History of the Limeburners’ School, Village and Pioneering Families is there for those who wish to know more about what is now the home of the Rye Historical Society. It was the threat of the Old Schoolhouse being demolished when the new Primary School was being built in 2000 that lead to the formation of our Society. Continued are some brief extracts from Pat’s book

The first students moved into what was originally Tootgarook State School on the 8th November 1875 after many letters to the Education Minister complaining about the condition of the Church of England Common School. That school was located on the site of the present St John’s Anglican Church.

The first headmaster was Thomas Doyle. The new wooden school was to last some 47 years then again letters of complaint to the Minister stating it was dangerously overcrowded and with poor ventilation and sanitary standards. In December 1922. The wooden building was demolished and in 1923 school commenced in the Mechanics Hall as work progressed on the new school building.

Rye State School 1919

Demolition December 1922

9 New Banner

The new school pictured, was constructed of concrete at a cost of £920. Note that the original entrance led into a cloak room on the opposite side to where it is now located. On the 8th November 1923 the children of Rye moved into their beautiful new school, though it was to be a further 10 months before the new benches arrived. In 1942 water was connected and 1946 electricity connected to the school at a cost of £10. In 1950 that cloak room became another classroom and again there was talk of the need for expansion.

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OUR NEW BANNER

Recently our Society was lucky to receive funding from the Royal Historical Society of Victoria in their banner grant scheme, which is funded by the Vera Moore Foundation.

After much to-ing and fro-ing on computers between

four members we came up with the design we

thought applicable to Rye. This is the result, a most

striking addition to our group for publicity at events.

Two metres high and easy to read it succinctly gets

our message across.

10 Early land ownership in Victoria by John Bertacco

The acquisition of land in the early days of colonization played a fundamental role in the development of Victoria. After the abortive attempt at Sullivan Bay, settlement of Port Phillip began in 1835 with the advent of unauthorized "squatters" whose occupation of Crown lands was greatly discouraged by the Colonial administration. Squatters in Victoria were not ex convicts who ran a few sheep on a few acres. They were normally the sons and agents of the landed gentry, who had the capital to buy sheep, transport them to the pastures in Victoria and hire shepherds. A small number of people occupied vast tracts of Crown land and grazed sheep on what they considered to be their sheep runs. They had leases for which they paid a peppercorn rent to the Crown. The peppercorn rent also applied to freehold land and indicated allegiance to the Crown. That is, they were subject to the overlordship of the Crown. Thus the Crown had the right to compulsory acquire land.

The first sale of Crown land in Port Phillip was held on 1st June 1837, when Robert Hoddle, Surveyor in Charge, under instructions from Governor Bourke, auctioned allotments in Melbourne and Williamstown. The Port Phillip district of New South Wales became the self-governing Colony of Victoria on Separation in 1851, but the Government of Great Britain retained control of Crown lands until assent was given to the Constitution Act 1855. The first legislation by the Victorian Government for the purpose of regulating the sale and occupation of Crown lands was passed in 1860. Up until 2nd October 1862 land was under the Old Law (General Law) system. After that date the Crown alienated land under the Transfer of Land Act (TLA) (Torrens title). The two systems operate to this day. All ownership was in fee simple, which gave the owner the right to use, sell and bequeath.

An interesting aspect of land ownership is to investigate what constitutes land ownership.

To the layman, land is the earth or soil within a given set of boundaries. The first legal recipients of land from the Crown (Crown Grants) owned all the soil and minerals other than the Royal metals of gold and silver. Ownership extended to the center off the earth and up out into the heavens. Later Crown Grants were subject to a depth limitation of 50 feet (15 metres) below the surface of the property at the time of alienation. Thus preserving the ownership below this depth to the Crown. Other depth limitations of 25, 100 and 200 feet also exist in mining areas. On the 16th of August 1851 the Governor of Victoria issued a proclamation asserting the Crown’s right to all gold discovered in Victoria. In 1855, the Crown further increased its rights to all minerals, including the earth and soil.

11 Early land ownership in Victoria by John Bertacco

To get the actual statement of what belongs to the Crown it is necessary to go to the wording in the body of the Crown Grant. Subsequent Titles of land ownership are a précis of the Grant and must be read in conjunction with the original Grant. Since the Crown retains ownership of all minerals, it has the right to grant Miner's Rights and Mining Leases to enter onto land and take minerals. Finally, the dimensions of the boundaries shown on the grant do not always correspond with those on the ground.

Early surveys were often grossly inaccurate. Surveys were generally carried out with a surveyor’s chain (Gunter’s chain) and a magnetic compass or circumferenter (a compass-like device for measuring angles). A Gunter’s chain consisted of 100 metal links, each link being 7.92 inches (201.17 mm) long. The early cadastral surveys made in Victoria contained errors and mistakes and comparatively large inaccuracies in the measurements that were laid out on the ground. It was purported that some distances were laid out with knotted ropes and tagged fencing wire.

Example of a Circumferenter. Gunter’s Chain

The iron chains stretched with use and tended to clog up with dried earth. An error of one link in 5 chains was considered normal. In metric terms an error of 20 centimeters in 110 metres. So a 50 metres boundary could be out by one tenth of a metre. Bearings were based on compass directions. The magnetic compass was a major source of error as it was subject to daily, annual and lunar variations in the Earth's magnetic field, solar magnetic storms, and local attraction due to nearby rocks and metal objects (axes, shovels).

Continued…..

12 Early land ownership in Victoria by John Bertacco

A Royal Commission on Land Titles and Surveys in 1885 included lengthy inquiries into early surveys in Victoria. As a result procedures and a number of rules and regulations were introduced under the Property Law Act to give guidance on how to deal with the errors and safe guard ownership rights.

The following short (paraphrased) extracts of comments, given as evidence at the Commission give some indication of the circumstances at the time.

"In Crown grants issued about 1854 it is common for areas nominally 300 acres to contain 3 or 4 acres excess". "A very large number of private subdivisions were not surveyed, having simply been laid out on paper". "In town (Melbourne) a common circumferentor was the instrument used for the angles, and the chain was purposely kept four or five inches longer than 66 feet” "The country surveys now made (1885) under contract are to an accuracy of about 4 links in a mile". (0.5 meters in 1000 metres) The standard of Crown surveys and other surveys improved significantly after the Royal Commission. In summary the Crown owns all minerals including the earth and soil land ownership is generally limited in depth the Crown has the right to compulsory acquire land, and grant mining rights and mining leases.

John Bertacco

Licensed Surveyor Formerly Senior Lecturer, RMIT.

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Membership. Please note. A red dot on your newsletter indicates that your membership for 2013-2014 has not been paid.

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Memories

In the 1920s the beach inspector had the enviable job of checking the length of the ladies bathing costumes. If they were too short the women would be fined.

There used to be a long queue of applicants for the position.

13 ‘Michael Lizzie and Me’

In previous newsletters we have read the story of Michael Cain’s diary from John Hazledine’s writings, which he has named ‘Michael Lizzie and Me’. John insists it is not a book, rather stories, tales and rumors. The last instalment described Lizzie travelling from Sorrento to Zeehan in Tasmania where she married Joseph Hazledine who was a tailor. The next section of John’s writings concerns stories passed down by his grand-mother, his father and old family friends and relations.

Ship in a bottle made by a Mr Bardin who presented it to Lizzie as an engagement present.. Mr Bardin lived or was a boarder at McCrae Homestead.

Joe and Lizzie came back to Melbourne in 1909 and started a tailors shop in Swanston St Melbourne at one time having a staff of up to twenty people. I can Just remember (about 5) climbing up stairs to their work-room. There was material and people hand sewing suits, overcoats, etc. The depression nearly finished them, they settled in Box Hill and continued tailoring at home. Lizzie and Joe lived the rest of their lives in Box Hill.

Lizzie and Joe outside their home in Box Hill

14 ‘Michael Lizzie and Me’

They always came to Rye for holidays ,weddings etc., travelling by the bay paddle steamers (Weeroona , Hygeia ,Ozone) till their son was old enough to own a car (T. Model Ford). Ozone and Hygeia competed keeping fares low

at 4 shillings in 1935, only 6 pence higher than in 1925.

Joe and Lizzie loved Rye and their clan, the word would travel fast that Joe with his tape measure and cloth samples were at Rye. Joe always made their suits, measuring them up, picking a sample of suitable cloth then off home, tacked up then came down for a final fitting. Home again finishing the suits then posting them back to Rye

Left: Lizzie with sons Neville (dad) William (Bill)

Right: My sister Irene on dads shoulder. Lizzie and her mum Mary Agnes Cain

Lizzie loved Rye, she had five sisters and three brothers to visit. How many nieces and nephews did she have, how many uncles aunties, cousins to visit and anyone else she knew in her early days? Her house in Box Hill was a haven to everybody from Rye to visit and stay when they were in Melbourne, and an opportunity for Lizzie to get the latest news from Rye.

The PS Weeroona 310ft 1412 tons

Built Scotland 1910. Transferred

to Military duty in 1942 after 32

years service on Port Phillip Bay

15 ‘Michael Lizzie and Me’

In 1933 they had a shack moved to her 10 acre block which they called home when at Rye. A lot I will say about the shack later on. After Joe and Lizzie settled in Box Hill and my dad was old enough he went to Surrey Hills Catholic School then went to Xavier College. He became an apprentice engineer. In the 1940s was a foreman at Russell Burrows in Box Hill, making spray pumps for orchards. Dad was an Air Raid Warden in the war years, as he could not pass a medical-bad eyesight. Dad met his wife through playing football with her two brothers. Joseph William Hazledine died in 1947 and Lizzie Francis died in 1957.

They all played for the Box Hill Stars, which was opposite the current Box Hill ground.

Note all the odd jumpers

Left: My Parents:

Neville Joseph Hazledine 1907-1972

Harriet Frances Hazledine 1913-2004

Their children: Irene Elizabeth, Neville John, Colin Joseph, Kevin Francis , Gwenda (dec)

Most of their courting was around Box Hill. Dad had a new 1924 Singer Motor Bike ,which was the real thing in those days. They were great followers of motor bike racing. Mum said it took hours to get to Bendigo and back , especially at night as the bike had only carbine gas lights.

John Hazledine

Meetings and Guest Speakers

Saturday 19th October. Sausage Sizzle Bunnings

Sunday 27th October. Open Day at Bimblehurst.

Monday 28th October. General Meeting. Followed by David Woiwod’s documentary of Eruption of Mt Lamington when over 3000 perished

Saturday 2nd November. Stall at Rye Market

Monday 25th November. Christmas Party Rye RSL.6pm Stoney’s Room. Bookings essential.

Saturday 7th December. Stall at Rye Market

Wednesday 25th December Merry Christmas to all our members.

Sunday 26th January Australia Day

Wednesday 26th February . Day trip to Barwon Park Winchelsea,

Happy Hour. 5-6pm. Last Friday of the month. Rye RSL

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Home Page. http://ryehistoricalsociety.weebly.com/index.html

Several past issues of our newsletter may now be viewed in color on the Society’s website. Google ‘Rye Historical Society. Members may like to send our newsletter on to friends or review past editions. Go to our site and then click on ‘Newsletters’ then click on the ‘Download File’ icon. The latest newsletter will be uploaded within a couple of week of it being posted.

Signs of the Times

At an Optometrist's Office: "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

Outside a Car Exhaust Store: "No appointment necessary. We hear you coming." In a Vets waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"

On a Plumber's truck: "Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."

16 The Back Page