Late 1800s-early 1900s A horse-drawn furrow plough is an example of the type of farm implement widely used by pioneer market gardeners in the Moorabbin Shire following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852. Land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area. They supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. This heralded a time of prosperity for market gardeners, and an equally rapid expansion of the numbers of vegetable and produce growers in the area. The 'knock-on effect" resulted in an increased interest and development of the community in the Shire of Moorabbin.Following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852, land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area and they supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. Circa late 1800's to early 1900s. A horse-drawn furrow plough was the most common type of agricultural implement used by the pioneers of the 1800s and continued on into the 1940s when motorised tractors came into use. This plough is an example of a two furrow, mullboard plough which would most likely have been pulled by two horses. The long handle was used to lower the silver plates, (mullboards), to the chosen depth of soil. Painted yellow. Although this Box Cottage museum plough is unbranded, the most widely used plough in the Shire of Moorabbin was made by Oliver. This plough appears to be identical to that brand. brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, fruit, bentleigh, vineyards, vegetables, plough, market gardens, plow

Circa late 1800s early 1900s a horse-drawn plough, potato digger, is one example of the implements that were widely used by early market gardeners in the Shire of Moorabbin. The flat plate, seen to the right of the photo, dug down into the ground below the potatoes and "scooped" them up. Behind the plate, two driving chains on cogs, (these chains are missing from our exhibit), then "rocked' the dug potatoes to loosen the soil from the "spuds". The potatoes were then harvested by hand. Very large tracts of land in the Shire of Moorabbin were planted with potatoes. Harvesting commenced in October, into November and on into December. Potatoes were a necessary food staple. The market gardeners were always in a rush to be first to get their potatoes to market, and hence the best price. Some market gardeners were so keen to be the first to market, (and get the most money), that they dug their potatoes "green" (or new). The only downside of this practice was that these early potatoes had to be handled with extreme care as their skins were very loose, and came off easily - so decreasing their profits.As well as taking their produce to the Melbourne and St Kilda markets, they also sent produce off to Sydney markets. It is interesting to note that a group of Chinese market gardeners were the first to access the Sydney market. .Following the 'Dendy's Special Survey' 1841 and the Crown Land Sale of 1852, land allotments were sold to pioneer settlers who established market gardens in the area of Moorabbin Shire. During the 1850s gold-rush population boom the number of market gardeners increased significantly spreading throughout the Moorabbin Shire. Potatoes were considered a staple foodstuff, so crops were regularly sown throughout the whole Moorabbin area. Circa late 1800s early 1900s. A horse-drawn plough potato digger is an example of the machines used by early market gardeners in Moorabbin Shiremelbourne, sydney, markets, vegetables, potato, dendy henry, st kilda, market gardeners, gold rush, moorabin, chinese gardeners, ploughs

A Map drawn in 1852 that shows the 5,120 acres that formed Dendy's Special Survey of 1841. 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 Governor 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.This Map shows the birth of the Brighton and Moorabbin area. On 18th January1859 Brighton was proclaimed a Municipality and a Borough by October 1863. Meanwhile, following a Petition, the area of East and South Brighton, incorporating Mordialloc, Cheltenham, Mentone, Sandringham and Oakleigh separated from Brighton to form the Moorabbin District Roads Board becoming the first Local Government Authority. Col. William Mair was elected as the first Chairman of the Moorabbin Roads Board. Moorabbin Shire 1871 developed further and was declared a City in1934. The City of Moorabbin was the largest Municipality in Melbourne before the Amalgamation of Councils in 1994 when it was divided in the south to City of Kingston and in the north to City of Glen Eira A Photo-lithographed 1852 Map showing the 5,120 acres that formed Dendy's Special Survey of 1841. Henry Dendy & Jonathan Were chose an area 5 miles south from Melbourne, bounded by North Road, East Boundary Road, South Road and to the west by Port Phillip Bay. Moorabbin County of Bourke / Photo-Lithographed at the department of Lands and Survey. /Melbourne. / Price 1/- brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, dendy henry, bent thomas, were jonathan, special survey

Circa late 1800's to early 1900s. A horse-drawn furrow plough was the most common type of agricultural implement used by the pioneer market gardeners, in Moorabbin Shire, of the 1800s and continued on into the 1940s when motorised tractors came into use. This plough is an example of a single-mullboard plough which would have been pulled by horse. The long handle was used to lower the silver plate, (mullboard), to the chosen depth of soil. Following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852, land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area and they supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. An "Oliver" single mull-board plough in good condition with faded manufactures markings on shaftsPainted on shaft "MANF'D BY/OLIVER CHILLED PLOW WORKS/Southend Ind. USA/" Engraved on blade " 13 OLIVER"brighton, moorabbin, plough, dendy henry, east bentleigh, market gardens, horse drawn plough, plow, mullboard

This gold miner's pick from the Ballarat Goldfields c 1920 was donated by Mr David Hopcraft, a dealer at the Arkuna Market Berwick, Victoria in December 2010. When Gold was discovered in Victoria c1853 most of the labourers and some landowners left the market gardens and farms to try their luck on the goldfields. Local Blacksmiths made picks similar to this one for them. There was a great shortage of labour in Melbourne and at the same time, due to the huge influx of people lured by the Gold, there was an increased demand for food. The market gardeners were getting very good prices for their produce and many increased their wealth considerably and many of these tenant farmers were able to purchase their blocks of land and live a profitable life. There was such a shortage of labour that J.B.Were applied for Irish immigrants to work the farms. This pick is an example of the hand made tools many pioneers took with them when they abandoned their farms and market gardens in the District of Brighton to try their luck at prospecting when gold was discovered in Ballarat and Bendigo c1853. Some were successful , most were not and retuned again to the hard life of farming. A forged steel pick with a wooden handle. The steel pick-head was hand-forged by a blacksmith. This miner's pick was used on the Ballarat gold-fields c1920gold mining, ballarat, bendigo, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, mining equipment, gold rush, immigrants, blacksmiths, forges, tools

Contract of sale of real estate dated 21st July, 1965 between Sandhurst and Northern district Trustees Executors and Agency Company Limited of View Street, Bendigo as executors of the estate of Evelyn Julie Bidwell deceased (seller) and Mr. L.B. Smith & Mr. A. Heraud (buyers). Solicitor for vendor: Schleiger & Smalley, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: E.S. Cahill & Son, View Street, Bendigo. Property at No.261 McCrae Street, Bendigo being part of Crown allotment 6 section 92C being land described in certificate of title volume 4507 folio 334, together with all floor coverings, blinds, curtains and electric light fittings and shades. Price 1,300 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 11th May, 1957 between Mr. W.B. Nicholls (seller) and Misses D.M. & L.G. Smith. For land being lot 8 on vendor's plan of subdivision by Mr. Surveyor Pritchard, dated 2nd May, 1957 having a frontage of 59 feet to Alamein Court by a depth of 100 feet, being part allotment 7 section 31A land described in Crown grant volume 8113 folio 731. Subject to any registered appurtenant easements. Price 3,600 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale dated 26th September, 1957 between Mr. W.B. Nicholls (seller) and Mr. G. Stekelenburg (buyer). Solicitor for vendor: Messrs. Hyett, Willis & Hyett, Bull Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs. Hyett, Willis & Hyett, Bull Street, Bendigo. For lot 34, Alamein Court, Golden Square being lot 34 on plan of subdivision lodged in the office of titles No. A389550 being part of Crown allotment 7 section 31A, being land described in Crown grant volume 8113 folio 731. Price 3,850 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale dated 19th October, 1957 between Miss A.M. Sanger (seller) and Mr. C. Smith (buyer). Solicitor for vendor: Messrs. Tatchell, Dunlop, Smalley & Balmer, Williamson Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs. Watson, James & Rogers, Bull Street, Bendigo. For property No.121 Wills Street, Bendigo being part of Crown allotments 2 and 3 section 116C together with a right of carriage way over the road colored brown on the map on the title, being land described in certificate of title volume 8149 folio 666. Price 1,500 poundsorganization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale dated 17th April, 1958 between Mr. C. Mulvahil (seller) and Mrs. E.M. Smith (buyer). Solicitor for vendor: Messrs. E.S. Cahill & Son, View Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs. Morgan, Fyffe & Mulkearns, 108 Queen Street, Melbourne. For property No.239 Wattle Street, Bendigo, being land described in right to occupy residence area no.121, together with all floor coverings, blinds, electric light fittings and shades and all curtains with the exceptions of the curtains with the horse and coach design on them. The name plate on the house is not included in this sale. Price 2,400 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale dated 17th November, 1958 between Mr. J.S. Henderson (seller) and Mrs. A. Smith (buyer). Solicitor for vendor: Messrs. Watson, James & Rogers, Bull Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs. Watson, James & Rogers, Bull Street, Bendigo. For Property No.579 High Street, Golden Square, being Crown allotment 16 section 13A land described in certificate of title volume 1190 folio 879, together with all linos, inside and outside blinds, curtains, lamp shades, gas stove, gas copper and electric bath heater. Price 1,600 poundsorganization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 28th November, 1958 between Mrs. V. Hunt (seller) and Mrs. L.M. Salis (buyer). Solicitor for vendor: Messrs. Hyett, Willis & Hyett, Bull Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs. Watson, James & Rogers, Bull Street, Bendigo. For so much and such parts as lie above the depth of fifty feet below the surface of land being lot 1 on the vendor plan of subdivision situate at the corner of Victoria and Prout Streets, Bendigo part of allotment 420A section K land being delineated and colored red, blue and brown on the map in the margin hereof, together with all buildings thereon and with all floor coverings, internal and external blinds, curtains and electric light fittings and shades. Price 2,000 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale dated 20th March, 1959 between Mr. M.N. Robertson (seller) and Mr. R.W. & Mrs. B. Stretton (buyer). Solicitor for vendor: Messrs. E.S. Cahill & Son, View Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs. Watson, James & Rogers, Bull Street, Bendigo. For property No. 40 Wade Street, corner McKenzie Street, Golden Square, land being part of Crown allotment 0 section 44B described in certificate of title volume 7100 folio 878, together with blinds and linos as inspected. Price 1,550 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale dated 15th April, 1959 between Mr. F. Kupke (seller) and Mr. P. 7 Mrs. F.E. Stevens (buyers). Solicitor for vendor: Hyett, Willis & Hyett, Bull Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: E.S. Cahill & Son, View Street, Bendigo. Property in Sparrow Hawk Road, St. Just Point being allotments 65 and 66 section L containing 15 acres, 17 perches and being land described in Crown grant volume 7615 folio 125, together with all buildings and erections thereon, also stainless steel sink and cupboards. Also State Rivers and Water Supply Authority to irrigate for 3 acres. Price 1,000 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale dated 29th April, 1959 between Mr. L.C. Powell (seller) and Mrs. R.E. Steffan (buyer). Solicitor for vendor: Messrs. Tatchell, Dunlop, Smalley & Balmer, Williamson Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs. Hyett, Willis & Hyett, Bull Street, Bendigo. For property at No. 8 Thomas Street, California Gully, Bendigo being lot 3 on plan of subdivision No. 17846 lodged in the office of titles being part of Crown allotment 563 section K land described in certificate of title volume 7150 folio 604, together with linos, blinds, curtains and electric light fittings and shades. Price 1,300 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale dated 25th July, 1959 between Mr. J.M. Hovendon (seller) and Mr. P. & Mrs. F.E. Stevens (buyer). Solicitor for vendor: Messrs. Tatchell, Dunlop, Smalley & Balmer, Williamson Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs. E.S. Cahill & Son, View Street, Bendigo. For vacant land, Walker Street, St. Just Point, Long Gully, being part of Crown allotment 429, section A at St. Just Point, Parish of Sandhurst, County of Bendigo land described in certificate of title volume 8046 folio 521. Price 180 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale dated 9th October, 1959 between Mr. B. Williamson (seller) and Mr. E.C. & Mrs. I.A. Stevenson (buyers). Solicitor for vendor: E.C. Cohen, Victoria Lane, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs. Neal & Woodward, View Street, Bendigo. For property at No.23 Keck Street, Bendigo being lot 77 on plan of subdivision no. 16993 and being part of Crown allotment 441B section H land described in certificate of title volume 7389 folio 628, together with all floor coverings, blinds, curtains, lamp shades and electric stovette. Price 3,900 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale dated 3rd November, 1959 between Mrs. A. Hemley (seller) and Mr. G.F. * Mrs. P.E. Stacey (buyer). Solicitor for vendor and purchaser: H.E. Every, Dispensary Walk, Bendigo. Property at 44 Wood Street, Long Gully, being part of Crown allotment 4 section P described in certificate of title volume 8088 folio 607. Also that piece of land comprised in certificate of title volume 8202 folio 301 and that piece of land comprised in certificate of title volume 8202 folio 302. Together with all floor coverings, blinds, curtains, electric light fittings and shades. Price 3,700 pounds. Attached 2 copies of statement pursuant to section 34 of the estate agents act 1956 signed by H.A. Wilkinson and 1 copy of engagement or appointment in writing pursuant to section 33 of the estate agents act 1956 signed by the vendor.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 3rd December, 1953 between Mr. W.B. Nicholls (seller) and Mr. A.R. Reddie (buyer) for that piece of land that lies above the depth of 50 feet below the surface of lot 12 on plan of subdivision lodged at the office of titles in red ink No. 5394259 dated 19/1/1953 and being part of allotment 12 section 10 township Kangaroo Flat, together with all improvements thereon. Price 2,850 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

contract of sale of land dated 12th January, 1954 between Mr. C.H. Boyle (seller) and Mr. Keith Harold Roy (buyer) for land being parts of Crown allotment 144 section K at Iron Bark Gully described in certificate of title volume 7007 folio 363 and situate 25 Bannerman Street, Bendigo. Together with 5-roomed weatherboard dwelling and all sundry, also all window blinds, curtains and linos on kitchen and back bedroom floors and all electric light fittings and shades. Price 1,600 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 24th March 1954 between Mr. E.T. Fennell (seller) and Mr. L. Riddell (buyer) for that land situate Jackass Flat being described in right to occupy residence area right No. 0251, together with weatherboard dwelling and all sundry. Price 525 pounds. Also attached receipt no.81247, dated 13 April, 1954 from the department of Crown Lands and Survey, also a letter to Messrs T.M. Williams , Watson, James, Solicitors, Bull Street Bendigo dated 26 March, 1954 signed by Mr.. Fennell instructing to pay from the proceeds of sale of property, Grassy Flat, the sum of 400 pounds to Messrs H.A. & S.R. Wilkinson of 182 Mitchell Street, Bendigo as deposit on purchase of Mr. A.L. Stuckenschmidt's property Raglan Street, White Hills.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 29th May, 1954 between Mrs. E.M. & Mr. H.A. Knight (sellers) and Mr. W.H. Randall (buyer) for land being lot 2 on plan of subdivision No. 19227 being parts of lots 27 and 28 on plan of subdivision No. 4134 being part of Crown allotment 97 and being the balance of the land comprised in certificate of titles volume 6441 folios 021 and 022 and situate Albion Street, Bendigo. Together with weatherboard dwelling and all sundry. Price 2,200 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 21st June, 1954 between Mr. T.J. McCarthy (seller) and Mr. J.R. Rose (buyer) for land part of Crown allotment 13 section 97C being the land delineated and coloured red and blue on the map in the margin of certificate of title volume 6325 folio 837 and situate No.450 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo. Together with 7-roomed brick dwelling and all sundry. Price 2.500 poundsorganization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 11th December, 1954 between Mrs. H.F.M. Warlow (seller) and Mr. E.C. & Mrs. D.J. Rayner for land being Crown allotment 6 section 25 at Eaglehawk described in certificate of title volume 1217 folio 243293, situate in Junction Street Eaglehawk. Together with brick and weatherboard dwelling and all sundry. Price 700 poundsorganization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 7th April, 1955 between Miss G.M. Lee (seller) and Mr. R.A. Rae for land being part of Crown allotment 240 section E, land described in certificate of title volume 2708 folio 415 and situate 83 Arnold Street corner Uley Street, Bendigo. Together with weatherboard dwelling and all sundry, including all furniture, curtains and blinds. Price 850 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 26th September, 1955 between Mrs. I. Forster (seller) and Mrs. E.V. Raff (buyer) for land being lot 2 on plan of subdivision No.3905 lodged at the office of titles being part of Crown allotment 8 section 8 portion B described in certificate of title volume 4045 folio 961 situate No. 142 Myrtle Street, Bendigo. Together with right of carriage way over land at rear of property with weatherboard dwelling and all sundry, also all floor coverings, blinds, curtains, electric light fittings and shades and 'Pope' washing machine. Price 3,200 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 11th November, 1955 between Misses T.A. & I Pithie (sellers) and Mr. S.J. Quill (buyer) for land situate No. 6 Mill Street, Bendigo described in right to occupy residence area No.4878together with 5-roomed weatherboard dwelling and all sundry. Also all electric light fittings and shades, all blinds, cupboard in bathroom, cupboard in vestibule, electric stovette, electric sink heater, warm ray heather, all curtains and floor coverings with the exception of the curtains and carpet in front bedroom. Price 2,400 poundsorganization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 17th April, 1956 between Mr. F.L. & Mrs. M. Hopley (sellers) and Mr. A. & Mrs. V.E. Runting (buyer) for land being Crown allotment 2 section 60C having a frontage of 100 links to Mitchell Street by a depth of 250 links described in certificate of title volume 835 folio 996 and situate No.68 Mitchell Street, Bendigo, together with weatherboard dwelling and all sundry. Also all floor coverings, inside and outside blinds, curtains, electric light fittings and shades. Price 4,750 pounds. Also attached letter from Curnows (Bendigo) to Mr. A. Runting dated 23rd May, 1956 policy of insurance renewal.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 23rd May, 1956 between Mr. W.T. & Mrs. A. Fuzzard (sellers) and Mr. W.T. & Mrs. J.A. Rundell for land being part of allotment 5 section A, Sailors Gully, having a frontage of 66 feet to Sailors Gully Road, Eaglehawk by a depth of 82 feet 6 inches being land described in deed of conveyance book 463 memorial No.742 and situate No. 64 Sailors Gully Road, Eaglehawk, together with 5-roomed weatherboard dwelling. Also all linos, blinds, electric light fittings and shades and electric copper. Price 2,650 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Contract of sale of land dated 6th July, 1956 between Sandhurst and Northern District Trustees Executors and Agency Company Limited (seller) and Mrs. L.G. Ross for land being Crown allotment 10 and 10A section 68C described in certificate of title volume 5633 folio 519, together with and subject to the party well easement described in the said certificate. Also copper and troughs, linos, blinds and electric light shades. Property situate 16 Olinda Street, Bendigo. Price 1,700 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate