In 1840 Henry Dendy, a farmer in Surrey, England acquired a "Special Survey" from the Commissioners for Land and Emigration which gave Dendy the right to choose land in Port Phillip for the "bargain basement" price of only £1 per acre for 5120 acres, (an area of 8 square miles). The Special Survey also included the right to "the shipment of a worker for every £20 spent on land, whose free passage was paid by the Crown, equalling a total of 100 workers ". Accordingly Dendy sold his English holdings and paid the required £5120 and arrived in Melbourne in February 1841. However by this time land in the new colony was selling for £5 - £40 per acre. Because Henry Dendy possessed the order from the Colonial Office in London he was able to successfully oppose Super-intendant LaTrobe's attempts to alter the price of the land. Dendy appointed Jonathan Were, (an entrepreneur, who had arrived in 1839), as his Manager and who later became a partner. Together, Dendy and Were decided on an area 5 miles south from Melbourne, bounded by North Road, East Boundary Road, South Road and to the west by Port Phillip Bay. Were and Dendy pitched their tents in the area now known as ' Park St, Brighton' and sank a well near the corner of 'St Andrew's St and Wells St'. By 1845 J.B Were and Company had bought almost half of Dendy's land and Were built himself "Moorabbin House" in Were St Brighton made from stone, quarried from local cliffs. It was still standing in 1924. Legend records Moorabbin is named after the Aboriginal word for ' Mother's Milk ' The soil is very fertile and well supplied with water especially in the area called 'East Brighton' - now known as Bentleigh and East Bentleigh - By 1850 the area had developed with numerous market gardens, dairy farms, fruit gardens and vineyards supplying food for the growing population of Melbourne.In 1840 Henry Dendy, a farmer in Surrey, England acquired a "Special Survey" from the Commissioners for Land and Emigration which gave Dendy the right to choose land in Port Phillip for the price of only £1 per acre for 5120 acres. This land was called Brighton in the Parish of Moorabbin, County of Bourke and emigrants developed the land establishing market gardens , dairy and poultry farms that provided the food for the growing population of Melbourne. A photocopy of the Genealogy Chart of the Dendy Family that Henry Dendy brought with him when he emigrated to Melbourne 1841Genealogy signs and descriptionsdendy henry, dendy's special survey brighton 1841, governor gipps, captain lonsdale, super-intendant latrobe, port phillip, melbourne, new south wales, squatters, emmigrants, county of bourke, parish of moorabbin, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, dairy farmers, fruit farms, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, were jonathan binn,

Beaumaris includes two early estates in the parish of Moorabbin developed by Josiah Holloway from 1852. Named Beaumaris Town and Beaumaris Estate (after the pastoral run in the area and ultimately after Beaumaris in Wales), the lots comprising them were marketed by Mr Holloway's suggesting that the railway was imminent and a canal would be built. The township developed slowly, a Post Office opened on 1 March 1868, but was replaced next month by Gipsy Village office (now Sandringham) In 1862 Beaumaris was one of the early settler communities within the boundaries of the Moorabbin District Roads Board , the region’s first local government authority. Beaumaris is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 19 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. .Since the Amalgamation of Councils 1994 the local government area is the City of Bayside which includes Brighton. A Photocopy of the Plan of Beaumaris 1853 A3moorabbin, county of bourke, brighton, beaumaris, pioneers, early settlers. market gardeners, cheltenham, king. john, holloway josiah, whorral charles, arthur’s seat road, nepean highway, morabbin district roads board, sandringham, mordialloc, mentone

A chamber pot is a portable toilet, meant for nocturnal use in the bedroom. It was common in many cultures before the advent of indoor plumbing and flush toilets. A typical chamber pot used in City of Moorabbin c1950White enamel chamber pot c 1950chamber pots, toilets, nightcarts, iron maidens, septic tanks, sewerage, sandringham, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b. bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, early settlers, pioneers, post world war 2 estates, plateway,

A horse collar is a part of a horse harness that is used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wooden pieces, called hames, to which the traces of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling, essentially enabling the animal to push forward with its hindquarters into the collar. It is a padded appliance that conforms well to the shape of the horse's body and is constructed so that at all points of contact with the body of the horse it avoids the air passage.The early settlers in Moorabbin Shire depended on the draught horse to pull the equipment need to plough the fields, grade the roads, pull their wagons of produce and small carts for transport as they developed the land after the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841Horse Collar, 20thC mediumearly settlers, pioneers, draught horse, ploughs, farm equipment, saddles, leatherwork, blacksmiths, cheltenham, sandringham, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, horse drawn wagons, plateway, vegetables, poultry farms, dairy farms,

shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wooden pieces, called hames, to which the traces of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling, essentially enabling the animal to push forward with its hindquarters into the collar. It is a padded appliance that conforms well to the shape of the horse's body and is constructed so that at all points of contact with the body of the horse it avoids the air passage.The early settlers in Moorabbin Shire depended on the draught horse to pull the equipment need to plough the fields, grade the roads, pull their wagons of produce and small carts for transport as they developed the land after the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841 Horse Collar small 20thCearly settlers, pioneers, draught horse, ploughs, farm equipment, saddles, leatherwork, blacksmiths, cheltenham, sandringham, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, horse drawn wagons, plateway, vegetables, poultry farms, dairy farms,

A horse collar is a part of a horse harness that is used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wooden pieces, called hames, to which the traces of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling, essentially enabling the animal to push forward with its hindquarters into the collar. It is a padded appliance that conforms well to the shape of the horse's body and is constructed so that at all points of contact with the body of the horse it avoids the air passage.The early settlers in Moorabbin Shire depended on the draught horse to pull the equipment need to plough the fields, grade the roads, pull their wagons of produce and small carts for transport as they developed the land after the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841Horse Collar large 20thCearly settlers, pioneers, draught horse, ploughs, farm equipment, saddles, leatherwork, blacksmiths, cheltenham, sandringham, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, horse drawn wagons, plateway, vegetables, poultry farms, dairy farms,

The original small, pioneer cottage was built in the late 1840s to early1850s, by an unknown pioneer. It was located on part of a 30 Acre allotment that was originally part of Henry Dendy’s 'Special Survey Brighton' granted in 1841 (5120acres). There is a small display of external cladding shingles from the original pioneer cottage. Wooden shingles were usually thin (3⁄8 to 3⁄4 in or 10 to 19 mm), relatively narrow (3 to 8 in or 76 to 203 mm), of varying length (14 to 36 in or 360 to 910 mm), and almost always planed smooth. The traditional method for making wooden shingles was to rive - hand split - them from straight-grained knot-free sections of logs pre-cut to the desired length known as bolts. These bolts were quartered or split into wedges. A mallet and axe were used to split out thin pieces of wood. The wood species varied according to available local woods, but only the more durable inner section of the log was usually used. The softer sapwood generally was not used because it deteriorated quickly. Because hand-split shingles were somewhat irregular along the split surface, it was necessary to dress or plane the shingles to make them fit evenly on the roof. This reworking was necessary to provide a tight-fitting roof over typically open shingle lath or sheathing boards. These are the original shingles found on Box Cottage by L Lewis 1970 and used in the reconstruction in 19843 x wood Shingles used on roof of Box Cottage c 1850box cottage museum ormond, henry dendy special survey brighton 1841, brighton, moorabbin shire, parish of moorabbin, county of bourke,cottages, pioneers, ormond, colonial, mckinnon, dendy henry, box william, box elizabeth, reitman william, convicts, lewis timber co. ltd., deam h, museums, box alonzo, smith a,

Early settlers had to clear the land of trees and shrubs to establish and maintain their farms and market gardens. Some settlers worked in the Gippsland region felling timber for transport by bullock wagons to Melbourne. Two-man crosscut saws were primarily important when human power was used. Such a saw would typically be 1 to 4 m (4 to 12 feet) long, and sometimes up to 5 m (16 feet), with a handle at each end. The technique in using a two-man saw involved a sawyer standing at each end and together the sawyers would alternate pulling the saw through the wood. If the kerf -slit- began closing, causing the saw to bind, wedges would be inserted behind the saw blade in order to keep the kerf open.Two-man saws were designed to cut in both directions. Careful tooth design was necessary to clear the sawdust during the cut. This is a typical two-man tree felling saw that was necessary to clear the land when the pioneers were establishing their market gardens and farms in Parish of Moorabbin c1850A long steel blade saw with 2 wood handles c1900tools, saws, axes, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, dairy farms, orchards, vineyards, timber mills, bullock wagons, tree felling, timber mills, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis,

Stephen Charman, aged 21 years arrived in Melbourne in 1842 as one of Henry Dendy's emigrants. He established purchased land in 1852 and established a market garden at Spring Grove Cheltenham with his 2nd wife Mary nee Gettens. Stephen died 1906 in Gippsland. He wrote letters to his brother Michael who had remained in England Stephen and Mary Charman were pioneer market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire 1842 and were involved in the development of Church, school and community in the area now called Cheltenham. Charman Road Cheltenham was a boundary of their land. Letter, handwritten from Stephen Charman to his brother Michael in UK 1853 x 3 pages Handwritten signed Stephen early settlers, pioneers, spring grove, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, charman mary, gettens mary, marigold flowers, pharmacy, methodist church, state schools, education, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardens,

John Hitchen was the manager of the first Cheltenham Post Office that opened 1/8/1857 in a boot and shoe store. Mail was transported to and from St Kilda to Cheltenham by coach 6 days a week and an additional service twice weekly to Tootgarook via Frankston also by coach. 1868 Post office Savings Bank began operation and the Telegraph office was established at the Railway Station 1885. A new building was built 1891 in Point Nepean Road for the official Cheltenham Post Office and a new manual telephone exchange began 1899 with 24 subscribers. By 1909 100 subscribers, 1951 there were 1700 and in 1974 12,000 subscribers . Hence this new building was designed by Oscar A. T. Gimsey & Assoc. and built by T W Morris & Sons Mordialloc. Mr G Clayton Federal MP Isaacs, opened the Post Office with Moorabbin City Council Mayor C.R McHutchison, Mr WJB Pollock, Director Posts and Telegraphs, and hands the Key of the post Office to Mr L De Longville Postmaster.The Post Office was an integral part to the development and prosperity of the Cheltenham area as the area grew from pioneer settlers in the 1850's to flourishing market gardens c1900 and industrial diversity of 1974.Program for the 'Official Opening of the Cheltenham Post Office' November 29th 1974 with a black and white photo of the building.city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b., bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, post office, telegraph, st kilda station, tootgarook, frankston, clayton g mhr, mchutchison r.p mayor, pollock w j b mp, market gardens, early settlers, horse coach, de longville l postmaster

Harry Smith, aged 7 years, received this Certificate from the Bentleigh Methodist Church Sunday School 1908. The Smith family managed the Grain and Chaff cutting store on the corner of Centre Road and Jasper Road Bentleigh.The family of Harry Smith were early settlers in Bentleigh and managed a Grain and Chaff cutting store. Certificate awarded to Harry Smith, aged 7 years, by the Bentleigh Methodist Church 1908'Ministering Children's League'city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b., bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, smith harry, stanley helen, early settlers, pioneers, chaff cuters, bentleigh

Harry Smith aged 7 years had an item exhibited in the Victorian State Schools Exhibition 1906. He was a pupil at East Bentleigh (East Brighton) State School No 2083. In 1912 Harry was awarded him first prize for his workmanship in making a small chip-carved table.J.L. Smith was an early settler in Bentleigh ( East Brighton) who established a Grain and Chaff cutting Store in Bentleigh Harry was a his son who attended the local school, East Bentleigh State School No 2083.Paper Certificate for Harry Smith, aged 7 years, an exhibitor in the Victorian State Schools Exhibition 1906printed certificateeast bentleigh state school 1906. smith harry, smith j l, grain and chaff stores, bentleigh, stanley helen, early settlers, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b., bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis

Mary Ellen Dunbar nee Johns 1873 - 1936, Mary was born in Walhalla, married Hugh Dunbar at Traralgon 1900 and had 3 sons. Hugh's daughter from his 1st marriage, Ada was blind and she was well cared for by Mary Ellen and later her brothers.After Hugh died 1910 she moved to Bentleigh ( East Brighton) and joined the Methodist Congregation Mary was appointed Trustee of the the Bentleigh Recreation Ground 1914 - the other Trustees were men. The family moved to a farm in Carlsruhe near Kyneton 1920. Mary is buried in Kyneton. The family sold the farm in 1970 .Mary Ellen Dunbar was a well respected and accomplished woman in Bentleigh and was appointed the only woman Trustee for the foundation of the Bentleigh Recreation Ground 1914A Black and White photograph of Mary Ellen Dunbar and family c 1917bentleigh methodist church, bentleigh recreation ground, walhalla, traralgon, dunbar hugh, dunbar mary ellen, johns mary, johns william, smith j l , stanley helen, the pines bentleigh, , city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis,

The Butcher Mr Bill Ellin delivering meat to Mrs J.L.Smith in front of the house Law Muir Den 510 Centre Rd Bentleigh c 1915. Groceries, Ice, Milk, Bread, Eggs, Poultry were delivered to housewives by the traders in horse drawn carts, Also Hawkers and Pedlars plied their wares by visiting the cottages. John Logan Smith 1860-1932 , the son of Irish immigrants James and Marianne Smith was born at their home near the 'Toll Gates' on Point Nepean Road and Dendy Street. East Brighton. At that time the area had many orchards that were later replaced by market gardens. J.L.Smith at first rented a cottage 'Law Muir Den' & Shed from Mr Box and commenced business as a wood merchant - sawing logs into shorter pieces using one horse to power the saw. He purchased the property, added to the buildings , began trading in fuel and fodder as well and installed a chaff cutting mill powered by 10hp steam engine. The business prospered 1909 following the death of Tommy Bent, J/L Smith was nominated for Councillor of the Shire of Moorabbin. WW1 1914 - 18 both John and Mary Ann supported local War Relief Auxiliaries and their son Vic served as a Signaler in AIF. As Motor transport was increasing 1926 J L Smith built a small Garage on the opposite corner (Woolworths Supermarket 2005) , employed a good mechanic ( Reg Hunt ) and developed another successful business. The Grain Store was managed by family until 1930. In 1932 JL Smith assisted a man whose car had broken down, pushing it to the garage and sadly suffered a heart attack and died. He is buried in Cheltenham Cemetery. J.L.Smith was an early settler in East Brighton now Bentleigh and established successful Wood cutting, Grain & Chaff cutting and Motor garage businesses in Centre Road . He was elected Councillor of the Shire of Moorabbin and, with Mary Ann, his family were involved with local Church, Red Cross, and other community organizations.A Black and white photograph c 1915 showing the Butcher delivering meat to Mrs J.L Smith Bentleighsmith j l, smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, smith harry redvers, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, bent thomas, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards, william ellin, butcher

John Logan Smith 1860-1932 , the son of Irish immigrants James and Marianne Smith was born at their home near the 'Toll Gates' on Point Nepean Road and Dendy Street. East Brighton. At that time the area had many orchards that were later replaced by market gardens. J.L.Smith at first rented a cottage 'Law Muir Den' & Shed from Mr Box and commenced business as a wood merchant - sawing logs into shorter pieces using one horse to power the saw. He purchased the property, added to the buildings , began trading in fuel and fodder as well and installed a chaff cutting mill powered by 10hp steam engine. The business prospered 1909 following the death of Tommy Bent, J/L Smith was nominated for Councillor of the Shire of Moorabbin. WW1 1914 - 18 both John and Mary Ann supported local War Relief Auxiliaries and their son Vic served as a Signaler in AIF. As Motor transport was increasing 1926 J L Smith built a small Garage on the opposite corner (Woolworths Supermarket 2005) , employed a good mechanic ( Reg Hunt ) and developed another successful business. The Grain Store was managed by family until 1930. In 1932 JL Smith assisted a man whose car had broken down, pushing it to the garage and sadly suffered a heart attack and died. He is buried in Cheltenham Cemetery J.L.Smith was an early settler in East Brighton now Bentleigh and established successful Wood cutting, Grain & Chaff cutting and Motor garage businesses in Centre Road . He was elected Councillor of the Shire of Moorabbin and, with Mary Ann, his family were involved with local Church, Red Cross, and other community organizations.Black & White photograph of J L Smith Hay & Grain Store and Crushing Mill Jasper Rd / Centre Rd Bentleigh 1916. A veranda has been added to the store, new signage attached and a Gas light and hitching post are in foreground. 3 Horse drawn carts loaded with grain bags and drivers sitting on top of loadV. Smithgas street light, hitching posts, smith vic, photography, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, smith harry redvers, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

The Melbourne Hunt Club was founded by Mr George Watson in 1852 with hounds brought to Australia from Ireland and moved its headquarters a number of times as the city grew between 1897 and 1929, The kennels were originally at Kirk's Bazaar, in Bourke Street, Melbourne, subsequently they moved to St Kilda, Caulfield, Deer Park, Oakleigh, Cranbourne and finally to their current location in Packenham. Oakleigh was the favoured spot, mainly because of the railway and the unloading ramp at the station. Riders and horses arrived on special trains and hunted over the surrounding market gardens, but not without friction. After 1929, significant numbers of Hunt Club members had access to motorized horse transport and besides, Oakleigh was becoming too built up. The Hunt Club moved on to Cranbourne The club maintains the oldest continual pack of hounds in Australia. The Melbourne Hunt Club was founded 1852 by George Watson and imported foxhounds from Ireland. As the Melbourne suburbs spread the Club moved several times. 1920 it was in Oakleigh and now is possibly situated in Packenham Black & White photograph showing men riding horses with a pack of hounds coming down a dirt road . Houses and vacant land in backgroundwatson george, oakleigh, melbourne hunt club, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, smith harry redvers, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin shire, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

J.L.Smith was an early settler in East Brighton now Bentleigh and established successful Wood cutting, Grain & Chaff cutting and Motor garage businesses in Centre Road . He was elected Councillor of the Shire of Moorabbin and, with Mary Ann, his family were involved with local Church, Red Cross, and other community organizations. Herbert John Higgins ran a dairy farm with 40 cows on some acres fronting Jasper Rd ( Higgins Rd today ) he grew corn crops to feed his herd and also bought grain from J L Smith.Herbert Higgins , Dairy farmer, along with the Allnutt, and Long families were members of the Methodist Church Bentleigh from 1880s and involved in community organizations, J.L.Smith was an early settler in East Brighton now Bentleigh and established successful Wood cutting, Grain & Chaff cutting and Motor garage businesses in Centre Road . He was elected Councillor of the Shire of Moorabbin and, with Mary Ann, his family were involved with local Church, Red Cross, and other community organizations.Black & White photograph showing an upended Ford truck that has been overloaded with bags of grain with Herb Higgins and 2 men and a boy. They are outside J L Smith Chaff & Grain Store Centre Rd Bentleigh c 1926 higgins,herbert, dairy farmer, allnutt victoria (queenie), smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, smith harry redvers, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards, methodist church bentleigh, milk,

John Logan Smith 1860-1932 , the son of Irish immigrants James and Marianne Smith was born at their home near the 'Toll Gates' on Point Nepean Road and Dendy Street. East Brighton. At that time the area had many orchards that were later replaced by market gardens. J.L.Smith at first rented a cottage 'Law Muir Den' & Shed from Mr Box and commenced business as a wood merchant - sawing logs into shorter pieces using one horse to power the saw. He purchased the property, added to the buildings , began trading in fuel and fodder as well and installed a chaff cutting mill powered by 10hp steam engine. The business prospered 1909 following the death of Tommy Bent, J/L Smith was nominated for Councillor of the Shire of Moorabbin. WW1 1914 - 18 both John and Mary Ann supported local War Relief Auxiliaries and their son Vic served as a Signaler in AIF. As Motor transport was increasing 1926 J L Smith built a small Garage on the opposite corner (Woolworths Supermarket 2005) , employed a good mechanic ( Reg Hunt ) and developed another successful business. The Grain Store was managed by family until 1930. In 1932 J L Smith assisted a man whose car had broken down, pushing it to the garage and sadly suffered a heart attack and died. He is buried in Cheltenham Cemetery. J.L.Smith was an early settler in East Brighton now Bentleigh and established successful Wood cutting, Grain & Chaff cutting and Motor garage businesses in Centre Road . He was elected Councillor of the Shire of Moorabbin and, with Mary Ann, his family were involved with local Church, Red Cross, and other community organizations.2 x Black & White photographs showing horse drawn carts loaded with (a) Hay and (b) bags of grain outside J.L.Smith Grain & Chaff Store Centre Rd Bentleigh c1920smith frank, smith arch, smith tom, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, smith harry redvers, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

Although the Railway line had been planned for some time Sir Thomas Bent MP was responsible for making it happen in order to revitalize the fortunes of the Moorabbin Shire that he had represented for so long. The train line opened in 1881with 8 Stations between Caulfield and Mordialloc.The first Steam engine carried dignitaries and local residents. Bent also ensured that the Station houses in his constituency were built in a distinctive decorative cottage style. Bent faced severe criticism for diverting the rail line through his local area and for the expenditure on the Stations. Local residents established and cared for Gardens at the Stations and Cheltenham was awarded Best Garden c1910. The arrival of the Railway Line saw the traders move from Point Nepean Rd to Charman Rd and by 1910 various shops and business were present. 2016 - current has seen large protest rallies against the destruction of Mentone Station and Cheltenham Station as the Victorian State Government proceeds to remove Railway Level Crossings. A compromise to retain the Station buildings whilst placing the Rail Line underground is desired.Cheltenham Railway Station is one of the original cottage style stations ordered by Sir Thomas Bent when the rail line was extended from Caulfield to Mordialloc 1881Photograph Black & White Postcard showing the entrance to Cheltenham Railway Station c1920Valentine &Sons Pub Co Ltd Melb railways, cheltenham station, mentone station, south brighton station, railway level crossing removal 2016 -19, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, smith harry redvers, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

Teacher Miss Reynolds is shown with her 'Upper Class' in 1906 and '2nd Class' in 1907. West Beaumaris School No 84 in Charman Road Stephen Charman, 1821-1906 a market gardener, donated land for the first Methodist Chapel, Cemetery and School in Charman Rd Cheltenham 1855. The enrolment was 36 pupils with Mr Frederick Meeres as Teacher. 1863 the school is called Beaumaris Common School No 84 with 70 pupils and Walter Meeres as Teacher. 1869 another 2 acres in Charman Road were granted by the Education Board and brick building built . 1872 State School 84 Beaumaris was increasing enrollments and 1878 a new brick school was built to accommodate 174 pupils and the name changed to Cheltenham State School No.84 1894 Mentone State School No.2950 amalgamated with Cheltenham SS No.84. 1910 the buildings were in disrepair, overcrowding was increasing and renovations were made 1912 with further additions in 1925 and 1937. Post WW11 extra prefabricated Classrooms were added as enrollment increased to 1038 in 1955.. Cheltenham East State School 4754 was opened as housing development spread over the City of Moorabbin . ( J Larson Sandringham HS)1855 Stephen Charman donated land to the Methodist Church so that a School could be established to educate the children of the early settler market gardeners and farmers in the Cheltenham area . Education was valued by the general community and as well as schools they established mechanics Institutes and Libraries in Moorabbin Shire. Cheltenham State School No. 84 was among the first schools in Melbourne.2 x Black & White Photographs of Beaumaris State School pupils with Miss Reynolds in 1906 and 1907Hand written ; Warburton, B. Wooff, R. Whelan, Miss Reynoldscity of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, cheltenham state school no.84, methodist chapel cheltenham, methodist school cheltenham, beaumaris west state school, meeres frederick, meeres walter, education, early settlers,

Henry Dendy , a farmer from Sussex England, purchased 5,120 acres of land in the area of a 'Special Survey 1841' that extended from Brighton bayside North Road, East Boundary Rd to South Road. This area became known as Dendy's Brighton and as part of the sale 139 emigrant workers arrived in 1842 however Dendy was unable to find work and lodgings for these people. J.B.Were, financier took over the management of the 'Special Survey 1841' area and began to sell and lease allotments. 1850 the Squatter King brothers sold land south of Dendy's 'Special Survey 1841' to Josiah Holloway who sectioned it into 2 acre lots @ £10 each for market gardens - 'Two Acre Village' and Charles Whorral opened a small hotel - 'The Cheltenham Inn' on the main Road - Arthur's Seat Rd, later Point Nepean Rd, now Nepean Highway. Notable settlers who moved into the area were Keys, Charman, Bruton, Le Page, Fairlam, Meeres and 1862 saw the separation from Brighton and the formation of the Mooorabbin Roads Board District. .By 1879 1000settlers were living in 'Cheltenham' serviced by a Post Office with Bank, Mechanics Institute, State School No 84,Keys Hotel, Meeres Store, Sir Thomas Bent ensured the new Railway Line from Caulfield to Mordialloc went through his constituency of Cheltenham 1881 and this changed the development to the bayside area of Cheltenham away from the 'Two Acre Village ' side causing some dissention, However Cheltenham as whole prospered and this house in Pine St is typical of the cottages built c 1890- 1900 in the area. This weatherboard house c 1890-1900 in Pine St Cheltenham is typical of those built for early settler families. Photo taken 1981 by CMHS member 3 x Colour photographs of an early c 1900 weatherboard house in Pine St Cheltenham taken by CMHS member 1981Kodak Aug. 81 / Handwritten Pine St Cheltenhamkeys robert, holloway josiah, king brothers, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

Known as the Rosellas, the early Cheltenham Football Club sides began playing on a regular basis in 1890, and would travel long distances by steam train to play country teams, such as Ballarat where they would arrive at their destination, play the match, socialize then return to the station. Opposition players and supporters would give three hearty cheers on their departure. The Cheltenham home games were played on a paddock on the corner of Park and Charman roads in Cheltenham. In 1907 the Cheltenham progress committee made an application to the board of land works for land in Weatherall Road for recreational service to the public. That application was received and granted, then developed where Cheltenham Recreational Reserve now stands. The land in the early days was virgin bush and the response for voluntary help to clear the area was outstanding. Nearly all the market gardeners in the district along with horses, ploughs, axes, shovels completely cleared the area in three weeks. The Moorabbin council then leveled the playing area and erected a post and rail fence around the ground. Pine tree shrubs were then planted on the west side of the ground. The ground was opened in 1909 and the first Cheltenham side entered in the newly formed Federal Football Association along with seven other foundation members, Mordialloc, Mentone, Moorabbin, Frankston, Glenhuntly, Elsternwick, and Ellindale. The grand final for that year, 1909 was a hard encounter between Cheltenham and Ellindale with Cheltenham coming out victors, thus becoming the inaugural Federal Football Association premiers. Cheltenham went onto win five senior premierships in the Federal Football Association by the end of the 1920s, they won the flags in 1909, 1911, 1913, 1922 and 1925, with the late Percy Woff playing in all 5 premiership sides and was captain in 1922. 1928 saw the start of an outstanding career from our oldest living player Tom Connor. Cheltenham continued to win premierships in the 1920’s and 1930’s with juniors taking out the 1929 and 1933 flags, under the guidance of Woff, and that continued in 1934 when Cheltenham took out the 1st XVIII and 2nd XVIII premierships. Cheltenham produced its only Brownlow medallist in Peter Box who played in the late 1940s, before going to Footscray where he became a champion. The 3rd XVIII went through the season undefeated in 1974 winning the premiership, with Trevor Barker a key player before going to St Kilda the following year. The club won three senior premierships under coach Barry White in 1992, 1993 and 1995. ( from CFNC website 2019) Cheltenham Football Club was formed 1890 and succeeded in winning many Premierships as a member of the Federal Football Association, Outstanding players Peter Box Brownlow Medalist 1956 Footscay VFL, , Trevor Barker and Kevin Roberts St Kilda VFL.3x Black & White photographs of the players in the Australian Rules Cheltenham Football Club 1909, 1913 and 1946 extra photo of Peter Box Folio 10 MAV 01059a) CHELTENHAM FOOTBALL CLUB 1909 Cheltenham Football Club 1909. Back row: A Chandler, committee member; R. Robertson, back-pocket; J. Harris, half back flank; J Adams, ruck and forward-pocked; M. J. Monk, club president; L. Woff, back-pocket; W. Adams, ruck and back-pocket; P. Woff, rover and forward-pocket; A Monk, committee member. Middle row: W. Hore, back pocket and ruck; A. Towns, half-forward flank; W. Carson, full back; F. Andrews, captain-half forward flank; H. Butler, centre half back; J. Warburton, centre half-forward; A. Slater, half-back flank; F. Fisher, half-forward flank; C. Sherwood, trainer. Front Row: G Gouldthorpe, wing; H. King, full-forward; W. Johnston, ruck and forward-pocket; P Spears, rover and forward-pocket; F. Bichl, wing; A. Bichl. rover and forward-pocket; F. Butler, centre player. Courtesy, Lionel Seal. ( from CFC website 2019) b) CHELTENHAM 1913 PREMIERS c) CHELTENHAM -1946 / Back row - J. Fisher, G.Corrigan, N.Hocking, F.Virtue, R.Craven, L.Baker, M.Blundell / 2nd Row - J.Phillips, T.Connor, E.Hawkins, A.Blakely, G.Baker, A.Dark, J.Barker, D.Craven, J.Pickering, P.Cameron,/ W.Hicks, G.Hoskings, R.Beihl, A.Hubbard, R.Kier, C.Russell. / Front Row - Clark Taylor, J.Slade, N.Niel, J.Brooks, T,Butler, H.Hosking, C.Hacusler, E.Hornibrook, W.Briggs, B.Russell, L.Biehl, / W Ripponcheltenham football club, australian rules football, victorian football association, victorian football league, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, , chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards, cheltenham, two acre village, holloway josiah,, woff percy, connor tom, box peter, barker trevor, white barry, browlow charles,

Moorabbin played initially in the Federal Football League, making their debut in 1909 and competing until 1950. The club wore a black and white jumper like Collingwood. During this time the club won 12 premierships, including winning all six premierships staged over the nine years between 1940 and 1948 (the competition was in recess from 1942 until 1944) Moorabbin had a comparatively brief but quite successful stint in the Victorian Football Association between 1951 and 1963. The club won premierships in 1957 and 1963, and managed a highly impressive overall success rate of 62.5%. However, there was a sensational aftermath to the 1963 flag as Moorabbin fell foul of the VFA after agreeing to sell its ground to VFL club St Kilda. After a bitter wrangle the eventual upshot was that the Moorabbin committee voted 19-2 to disaffiliate from the Association. Before joining the VFA Moorabbin had spent four highly successful decades as a member of the Federal Football League and its precursor the Federal Football Association. During its debut season in the VFA the club played its home matches at Cheltenham, but the development of a new ground in Moorabbin had been a condition of entry. By 1952 that new ground, Moorabbin Oval, was ready, and over the ensuing eleven seasons it would become one of the most difficult grounds in the VFA for visiting teams to win at. Prior to entering the VFA Moorabbin enjoyed premiership success in the Federal Football League on a dozen occasions, including four times in succession between 1945 and 1948.. The Moorabbin name is now used by the Moorabbin Kangaroos Football Club in the Southern Football League. The club was originally known as Moorabbin West Football Club, taking on the new name from 2003. Moorabbin Football Club was established 1909 and was very successful playing in the Federal Football League, Victorian Football Association. Sadly was removed from the Linton St. Oval 1963, after winning the Premiership, by Moorabbin City Council and St Kilda VFL team took over.Black & White photograph showing Moorabbin Football Club 1946 Premiership in Federal Football LeagueMOORABBIN - PREMIERS 1946 / Back Row C.Thomas, S.Cato, D.Murnane, F.Stone, / Standing - H.Dolman (trainer), A.Ayers, K.Burke, W.Cann, A.Cann,J.Carpenter, J.Carpenter, J.Erickson, G.Emblin, A.Leitch, W.Comber (trainer) / Sitting - E.Freeman (trainer) E.MxInerney, F.Smith,S.Plowright, R.Fox (Captain Coach) R.Bailey (vice.Captain)F.Keogh, R.Stafford, C.Jones (Secretary)moorabbin football club, victorian football association, victorian football league, moorabbin kangaroos football club, st kilda football club, linton oval moorabbin, north melbourne football club, smith j l, smith mary ann, stanley helen, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b., bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards, sport

The Cheltenham parish was created in 1865 by excising a portion of the parish of St Andrews Brighton. A small brick church was completed in 1867 to serve a rural community stretching from Brighton South (Moorabbin) to Mordialloc. 1867 St Matthew's Church of England was erected in Cheltenham beside the Nepean Highway near Charman Road. The early settlers established a tennis club, cricket team and social groups.St Matthew's Church of England Cheltenham was erected in 1867 and was integral to the spiritual well being and social life of the early settlers.Black & White photograph of the St Matthews Church of England Cricket team Cheltenham c 1940Front ; Church of England Cricket Team 1940 Back ; Written - Ladies / Hilda Biehl, Bertha Schneeberber, Mrs Wootton, / We made afternoon tea from / a kerosene tin for 30 players / each Saturday they played at home !!smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards,