Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary was developed in Linton on Linton-Happy Valley Rd by Gordon Clarke O.A.M. Mr Clarke donated the Sanctuary to the Bird Observers club of Victoria in the 1980s On his death the Clarke-Cooke families raised a memorial stone and plaque in the sanctuary.Photograph taken at Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary 1.12.1996 at the unveiling of a memorial plaque to Gordon Clarke O.A.M. - Rock and plaque."Rock dedicated to (late) Gordon Clarke".gordon clarke, memorials, clarkesdale bird sanctuary

A stile is a structure or opening that provides people passage over or through a boundary via steps, ladders, or narrow gaps.[Photographs of a Stile at Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary. stile, fence, path, timber

James (Jim) Smith, (died 03/08/1974, aged 93 years) established an orchard growing snow apples near in Happy Valley after returning from mining activities in South Africa. The orchard was called "Springdallah" and was beside the Linton/Happy Valley Road across from the old Happy Valley railway station. Jim was the son of George Henry Smith (18/12/1840 - 26/11/1903) and Emma Keys Smith born Keys (07/08/1842 - 28/08/1888). George and Emma left Liverpool with other unassisted immigrants on the "Bates Family" ship with baby Clara on 08/06/1863 arriving in Melbourne on 08/06/1863. George and Emma emigrated to Australia on the invitation of Emma's brother Edward Keys who owned a property near the school at Happy Valley on which there were two houses. Teddy offered George and Emma the smaller one to live in. When "Teddy" decided to go into hotel keeping George took over the 200 acres of his property and made it a pleasant orchard and garden called "Cress Green Gardens". George had various secretarial jobs - rate collector; paymaster at the mines; until he became Shire Secretary for the Shire of Grenville, whose centre was Linton and Government Auditor for Western Victoria (1894-1903), the means of transport being horse and buggy. Another son followed his father as Shire Secretary. George and Emma had 14 children, Emma dying giving birth to Emma Keys who lived for 16 months. George later married Annie Bolte with 2 more children being born. Annie later sold the property. The land was used for grazing and the two houses fell into disrepair. In 1995 George's grandson Ernest (Alf) Alfred Watson visited the site and reported a wrought iron gate at the site and a mulberry tree near the site of his grandmother's family home. Bluestone blocks can still be seen in the paddocks from the roadside. The child in the photograph is Phyllis Joy Smith, Jim's eldest daughter. Jim Smith was the brother of Clara Emma Yung nee Smith.Sepia photo of two men and a girl. One of them is Jim Smith who established on orchard at Happy Valley. He also went to South Africa - mining activities. The orchard is now part of Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary located at 360 Linton-Piggoreet Rd, Linton, Vic. 3360. Verso: Jim Smith South Africa (Mining) Established orchard halfway near Linton and Happy Valley. Clara Emma's brother. jim smith, james smith, clara emma smith, happy valley, yendon, piggoreet, south africa, mining, orchard, edward keys, george henry smith, emma keys smith, clara emma yung, annie bolte, shire of grenville, clarkesdale bird sanctury

Gordon Clarke (1906-1996) was the grandson of David Clarke who bought Piggoreet West in 1855. His parents were John Clarke and Mary Jane Newcomen. Gordon Clarke purchased land between Piggoreet and Linton, known as the 'Bird Paddock', and began to intensively plant indigenous species, with a view to providing habitat for native birds. This land was afterwards expanded and is now known as the Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary. In the 1970s, Gordon donated the sanctuary to the Bird Observers Club of Australia.Black and white copy of original photograph a boy sitting bareback on a horse with no bridle.horses, gordon clarke