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Have a question? Contact Halls Gap & Grampians Historical Society
In early 1900, three Emmett brothers, with support from George Mason, set about following up a report of gold in the area. Confirmation of gold led to a gold rush in June 1900. Traffic from Ararat and Willaura passed Mason's Farm and it was on Mason's land that the first settlement, Ladysmith, sprang up.
Road leading to Mt William goldfield 1900. George Mason's farmhouse on right hand side of road.
Photo has been taken from Boroka Peak/lookout, of the Fyans Valley and the township of Halls Gap. The Grampians/Dunkeld Road can be seen running North/South along the right edge of the valley and Lake Bellfield is the water at the end of the valley. Photo is typical of those taken by Forrests Commission at the time
a photo of a valley, mostly cleared, flanked by two mountain ranges. A large body of water can be seen at the far end of the valley (middle of photo). Buildings and roads visible in the valley. Plains can be seen beyond the far mountain range on the left side of the scene.
no.42
scenery, fyans valley
the three women appear to be in 'Silent Street', part of the Wonderland Range on the pathway to The Pinnacle lookout.
3 young women sitting and standing amongst 2 rock cliffs with tumbled rocks that appear to form steps. a railing can be seen behind standing girl. Clothing is suggestive of the 1970s period.
scenery, wonderland range
The two men are standing at The Pinnacle Lookout, overlooking Bellfield Reservoir in the Fyans Valley
Two men standing behind cyclone wire three panel fence. Man on left is wearing a white shirt and long pants, the other in a checked shirt and long dark pants. They are on top of a large rocky outcrop overlooking a body of water and another mountain range
scenery, lookouts
Photo depicts Fyans Valley. The road is The Grampians/ Dunkeld Road, leading to Dunkeld towards the right or Halls Gap travelling towards the left. Fyans Creek is visible in parts at the foot of the range (middle of Photo). Photo appears to have been taken from Bellfield Pk area. Photo is typical of those taken by Forests Commission of Victoria in the 1960s
Photo shows a mountain range in the background with a valley. The Valley has a band of a mostly cleared grassy section (middle of photo) with a fairly dense treed area in the foreground. A road and some buildings can be seen where the cleared land meets the treed area.
scenery, fyans valley
Photograph is taken at the Pinnacle in the Wonderland Range. The valley below is the Fyans Valley.
Three men and a woman laying, sitting and standing on top of a high rocky outcrop. The woman and two men wear hats and the man standing is holding a stick. A mountain range can be seen opposite them with a valley far below, between the two ranges. A group of buildings can be seen in the valley. The style of dress worn by the people suggests early 1900s.
The Pinnacle Wonderland Grampians
scenery, wonderland range
large waterfall. In the front foreground on the left are three people, two men and a woman. One man rests against the rocks. A woman stands beside him looking towards the waterfall whilst the third man is kneeling, looking over the edge of the ledge on which they are standing, down towards the falling water. On the right hand side many ferns are growing
scenery, waterfalls
Photo is of the 'Nerve Test' and is a tourism promotion photo taken by the Victorian Railways.
Photo shows woman standing at end of narrow ,rocky ledge. Large rock formations flank ledge on both sides. Woman is wearing black pants and a cardigan.
scenery, wonderland range
Man In photo is Gilbert Rogers a well known photographer & tourist guide in the Grampians. He is looking out over the Wonderland Range from an are a close to the Balconies.
Postcard shows a man standing on a rocky outcrop looking out over a range of peaks. The man is wearing a hat similar to a scout hat similar to a scout hat, is wearing shorts and long leather boots. He is carrying a back pack.
Post card; Correspondece; Address only
scenery, grampians ranges
The Langley family (see inscription ).
Photo show a group of four men, three women and a boy. Some are seated and some are standing. All are wearing hats. They are in a bushy area with many trees behind them. A gate can be seen in the background.
"The Langley family, Arthur L. Charles (Sen) b.1853 Dad,Alice Maria (Freeman) b.1855 (Mum), Walter, Lucy & friends. Halls Gap late 1890's. Lucy m 1907 C/E to Thomas Waldron, Bellfield, Halls Gap by John William Davison (Vicar of Stawell)." written on back in blue pen.
people, langley
Rock formation was known as " The Monolith " and situated on Mt.Victory.
Postcard shows a large rock formation sitting on a rock base. A gum tree stands higher up on the left. Photo has been taken and looking up at fomation.
The Rose Series P 4981. The Monolith, Mt.Victory.Grampians Vic.
scenery, grampians ranges
This is a Rose's Australia stereocard of Morningside. Built c1875, Morningside was the residence of John and Catherine D'Alton, it was located on site of present (2010) Colonial Motor Inn. c1900 it was owned by Langley family and was taking in paying guests. In 1909 it was leased by James and Grace D'Alton who continued to run a small guest house. In the late 1920's a small building was erected to serve as PO and telephone exchange. C1980 the guest house closed. In 1982 Morningside was demolished.
A computer print of a State Library of Victoria Catalogue entry for a stereograph card. The card shows a building, surrounded by trees, standing in large grounds. There is a picket fence with a gate in the foreground and two people leaning on either side of the gate facing each other (as though in conversation). Hills are seen in the background.
guesthouses, morningside
Man in photo was well known photographer and bushwalking guide Gilbert Rogers. He was also a Forest Officer so knew the Grampians well.
Postcard shows a man standing beside a waterfall holding up a cup. the waterfall is flowing rapidly over rocks. The man has on a backpack and long hiking boots.
'Good luck and good health from your old friend'( written on front) Rogers - (bottom Right) no,264
people, gilbert rogers, scenery, waterfalls
The photo shows the opening ceremony of Henham Township by Lord Stradbroke (the man on the right of the structure). A strip of land 2 kilometres long and half a kilometre wide had been approved as suitable for subdivision into 591 quarter acre blocks valued at 30-35 pounds each. Unfortunately it turned out to be a "fizzer". For further information see Victoria's Wonderland pp 93-95, 103.
Photo shows a group of people sitting on and standing behind a low pile of rocks that sweeps around a wooden structure, which is three rough logs standing and lashed together to form a rough pyramid. A pulley is attached to the apex of the pyramid and a large stone block is suspended from it. Two men stand, one in front of and one beside the structure, both wear suits and are holding pieces of paper. A young boy sits in the left foreground in front of one of the poles.
events, ceremonies
Photo is of Mackey's Peak.
Photo shows high rocky peaks covered in bush, A further range can be seen in the background. Abank of cloud can also be seen,
"Valentine Series. No4024. Copyright. Mackey"s Peak.Grampians"(on front) Valentines Real Photo Series.
scenery, wonderland range
Rocky outcrop is known as the "Elephant's Hide' part of the Wonderland Range.
Photo shows rocky outcrop with some vegetation and two larger gumtrees in foreground.
The Rose Series P12198. Elephant's Hide,Grampians,Vic(on front) Post Card,a Real Photograph,produced in Australia(on back)
scenery, wonderland range
Photo is located on Fyans Valley floor below Bellfield dam,
Photo is of nine deer in a grassy paddock with bushland at the rear. A large gumtree stands middle foreground. A dead gumtree stands in the background,
Fujicolor paper
natural history, feral animals
Group would have been typical of tourist parties of the day, Such groups stayed at and were catered by local guesthouses offering walking activities with guides.
photo shows a group of people (5 women,1 girl,9 men) standing on rocky platform and lookout. A wire fence surrounds edge of lookout on three sides.
people, tourists
Some of the people in the photo are said to be members of the Balmain family. James and his wife Amy Sophia (nee D' Alton) had three children. Amy died suddenly in 1902 at the age of 37. See p45 Bridging the Gap.
Photo shows group of people seated and standing by a waterfall,three men seated on top of waterfall, next level a man and a young woman ( who is holding a hiking stick), top level a man and woman both holding hiking sticks. In front of them seated on a rock is a woman holding a hat. on her lap Waterfall is split into three and they flow over a larger rocky platform.
Balmains c1900
recreation, bush-walking
The photo shows the opening ceremony of Henham Township by Lord Stradbroke (the man on the right of the structure). A strip of land 2 kilometres long and half a kilometre wide had been approved as suitable for subdivision into 591 quarter acre blocks valued at 30-35 pounds each. Unfortunately it turned out to be a "fizzer". For further information see Victoria's Wonderland pp 93-95, 103.`
Photo shows five men, middle foreground all standing, with others seated and standing in the background. The man stranding closest to the camera is holding a piece of paper in his hand. A rock pile and low stone fence can be seen middle foreground. A pulley is attached to a tripod of tree posts and is holding up a large cut stone. Mountains are visible in the background.
events, ceremonies
Photo is probably a copy of a postcard. A caption "The Grampians " is written bottom left. The creek is Stoney creek/site Venus Baths.
Photo shows man standing by a swiftly flowing creek. He is standing on a rocky platform. Slabs of rock can be seen in background. The man is wearing a cap with suit and tie.
Quality paper made in Germany
scenery, stoney creek
An article describing the Henham Township project as well as the Knight Family Tearooms built on the Henham site in 1925. For further info see "Victoria's Wonderland" pp 93-95, 103.
A newpaper article from "The Stawell Times" , "Halls Gap Extra" Supplement of 24 November 2000, page 16, entitled Henham v- Not even a ghost town!
townships, henham
Article about the proposed Henham township site and its subsequent failure.
Copy of a newspaper article from the Hamilton Spectator, Saturday Magazine, Saturday June 1, 1996.
townships, henham, media, newspaper articles
The name " Balmain " has been attributed to the photo, James Balmain and his wife, Amy Sophia [D'Alton} purchased a vacant school cottage from the area and moved it to their land and called it Bellfield. Amy died at age 37, James returned to Scotland with their 3 children.
Photo shows 2 women sitting on a rock formation, both are wearing hats adorned with flowers and appear to be wearing long skirts and high buttoned blouses. They are both holding sticks which seem to be decorated with flowers,
recreation, bush-walking
Arnold John Pickering chopping wood in 1910-1915,
A man standing with an axe in his hand. He is dressed in a singlet and trousers.
people
Cottage could be Gray's cottage, situated in the Fyans valley.
Photo showing 2 horses hitched to a carriage in which there are 4 people, a man and a woman in the front and a man and a woman in the back. Another woman is standing inthe doorway of a cottage in the background.
peoplebuildings
See 'Bridging the Gap' p65. Grampians Road Halls Gap.
Group of shops with numerous advertising signs. A woman is leaving a shop, a young girl is standing in front of her. Two cars are parked in front of shops. Gravel road. Large gum trees in the background.
buildings, shops
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
