Before 1850, Bendoc was peopled by a few Chinese settlers. History sources reveal little of its beginnings, Cattlemen used the spot as a temporary watering place and Ben Boyd sometimes brought his cattle down from the Monaro High Plains to be docked. “Ben's Dock” then is a possible derivation of the name Bendoc. (info. Bendoc Progress Association)This is a pictorial record of Bendoc in the late 19th -early 20th century. It shows early horse-drawn transport.A black / white photograph of a horse-drawn wagon and a man on a horse outside a wooden building.on back - "stop before Bendoc Hotel"bendoc transport-horse-drawn

This photograph shows land clearing at Bendoc. From 1845 the Bendoc area was part of pastoral leases. In the 1850s alluvial gold was discovered in the Bendoc River. This was quickly exhausted, and a number of mines began successful reef operations. At the head of the river, the settlement of Clarkville clustered round several other mines. Many miners, including numbers of Chinese, sluiced the rivers. The population of the area was as high as 500 during this period. The township was surveyed in 1869 and the hotel built in 1870. This building was burnt down in the early 1900s and rebuilt. A school was also begun at this time. In the 1870s there was a decline in gold mining. Some miners selected land, which in many cases is still held by descendants. Dairying was common in the early days, supplying a butter factory at the New South Wales border, and a milk factory at Orbost in more recent times. Wheat was grown for the settlers' own use and ground at Bombala. Now beef cattle grazing is the main occupation. (info. from Victorian Places)This is a pictorial history associated with the early settlement of Bendoc in East Gippsland.A badly distorted black / white photograph of a horse drawn wagon, three men and two women clearing land.on back - "Clearing land at Bendoc"bendoc-land-clearing bendoc-early-settlement

Located near the NSW border in the far east of Victoria, the Bendoc school served the needs of a rural population which opened the land to grazing at the turn of the century. It opened on September 8 1896. In December 1956 falling attendances forced the Education Department to close it. It is interesting to note that children here sought their secondary education in NSW. The first head teacher) was John M. Cass and the last R R King. In 1953-54 Lower Bendoc operated part-time with Goongerah. In 1955 it regained full-time status, but in 1956 worked part-time with Tubbut. Author, Dorothy Hepburn, attended Bendoc State School.This is a useful reference tool on the history of Bendoc.A spiral bound book with a plastic sheet front. The cover is white with black print and a b/w photo of a man sitting on a wooden chair outside a log building . Underneath is written "FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO FINAL CLOSURE".bendoc-state-school

There are records of members of the Helmers family attending Bendoc State School. George Helmers was a prospector who mined all the gold from the dry gullies that ran into Bendoc. George was born in 1866, in Bombala, New South Wales, Australia. He was married to Euphemia Lock, born on October 19 1870, in Bendoc Upper, Victoria, Australia.This photograph is associated with early settlers of Bendoc, East Gippsland.A large black / white photograph of a man standing in front of a wooden cottage. there is a horse beside him, a woman standing on a verandah in the background and on the left is a clothes line with what seem to be nappies pegged out. There is also a copy of the original. on back - "George Helmers, Errinundra"helmers-george-bendoc

Bendoc is in the far east of the State close to the border. Benduck is Aboriginal for plain, Wagra meaning `black-eyed crow' and Wagra Benduck means ‘noise in the trees'. On the 13th of December 1872 the Bendoc people had 2 roods of land reserved for a school and again on 22nd of May 1874 1 acre was also reserved. It was not until 7th of July 1876 that the Government authorised the building of the school. It was 24ft x 16ft with quarters (three rooms) for the teacher, total cost £446 1s 6d. The teacher paid £9 per year rent. School began on 11th of July 1873 which suggests that classes were held prior to the erection of the school building. The head teacher then was Frederick Jones. In 1962 the Department erected a new school of two rooms and the following year a new residence was provided. (info. from Schools East Gippsland) Bendoc Primary School closed mid 1980s.This item is associated with education in Far East Gippsland.A black / white photograph of 21 students standing outside a wooden school building.education-bendoc-state-school

Although this book is about the life of the family of William Alfred Shaw (1865-1943), it does contain references to his life in Orbost where he ran a painting and paperhanging business. Mr Shaw came to Orbost from Bendoc.This book is significant because it presents a well-researched life history of William Alfred Shaw who lived in worked in Bendoc and also in Orbost. An A5 sized book of 120 pages with a red/orange coloured front cover. The title and author are printed in white. A b/w photograph of a man is also on the front cover. On the back cover are two photos of houses.From Bedfordshire to Australia: the family of William Alfred Shaw (1865-1943). By Kevin Shaw.bendoc, orbost, william alfred shaw

This book was prepared by Mrs. C. D. Reed and the Division of Research and Planning of the N.S.W. Dept. of Education for the centenary of the Delegate Public School. Delegate is 118 km north of Orbost. In 1870 a petition was forwarded to the Council of Education to request educational facilities at Craigie, Corrowong and Delegate. In 1871 Delegate Public School was opened. This book is a useful research tool on the history of Delegate.A paper covered book of 24 pp. It has a white cover with black print and was produced to celebrate the centenary of the Delegate Public School. It is a short history of Delegate and the Delegate Public School from 1827-1971.On front cover in red pen -Bendoc Schoolbook delegate-history delegate -public-school

There is no information with this item. It may be associated with the Guthrie family of Bendoc. ( Peter Guthrie’s Grandfather was John Charles Guthrie, (born 1880), and the photo is of his brother Charles Henry Guthrie (born 1884 at Bendoc - from Patricia and Peter Guthrie who farm sheep and cattle at Bendoc).This photograph is associated with the Guthrie family , early settlers in Bendoc.A black / white photograph on a thick cream coloured buff card. It is of two me, both seated with one of the men resting an arm along the back of the other man's chair. It appears to be a studio portrait.on front - "Charlie Guthrie" on back - "Charlie Guthrie"guthrie-charles

There are records of members of the Helmers family attending Bendoc State School. George Henry Helmers was a prospector who mined all the gold from the dry gullies that ran into Bendoc. George was born in 1866, in Bombala, New South Wales, Australia. He was married to Euphemia Lock, born on October 19 1870, in Bendoc Upper, Victoria, Australia.This photograph is associated with early settlers of Bendoc, East Gippsland.A black / white portrait photograph of a man in a suit, hat and tie. He has a large moustache. on back - "George Helmers"helmers-george-bonang

This is a photograph of the wagon service to the Bendoc goldfields. The service commenced in 1887.This is a pictorial record of transport in the mid 18th - early 19th century. Pack horses were vital for the delivery of goods, responding to emergencies as they could travel in country inaccessible to larger horse - drawn carts or wagonA small black / white photograph of two men in a wagon pulled by a team of horses (5?). The wagon is loaded with bags and is on a bush track.transport wagon-horses

This photograph shows men working goldfields - possibly the battery mines at Club Terrace or near Bendoc? Clarkeville?This item is a pictorial record of the gold mining history of East Gippsland.A black / white postcard / photograph of a group of miners in the foreground with horses an wagons in the background on gold fields.gold-mining-east-gippsland

From the Temple estate. George Temple (1832-1918) started Temple's Store opposite the Post Office and packed stores to Bendoc. This item is an example of a hair accessory commonly worn by women in the early 20th century. It is associated with the Temple family.Tortoiseshell hair slide with diamantes along the top.hair-accessories combs hair-slides temple-george tortoiseshell

This item is from the Temple estate. George Temple (1832-1916) started Temple's store opposite Post Office. Packed stores to Bendoc area gold fields.This item is significant because it represents part of a woman's costume worn c. late 19th Century to 1910. It is highly decorative.Jet beaded belt . Large and small beads. Large jet bead fastener (Paris Jet).belt beads costume-accessories jewelry jet-beads temple-george

These items are from the Temple estate. George Temple (1832-1918) started Temple's store opposite Post Office. Packed stores to Bendoc area gold fields.Items worn by women early 20th Century and possibly available in an Orbost store.One long rope of jet beads and a pair of bobble jet beads. One jet bead applique piece.beading jet-beads costume-accessories haberdashery

This is a photograph of the home of Hamilton Reed who was an early settler at Goongerah. In 1868 Hamilton Reed and John Locke both of Bendoc secured a grazing area of 60,000 acres at Goongerah. About the year 1878 Hamilton Reed and C. W. Nicholson decided to, if possible, to go from Bendoc to Orbost via Goongerah, they accomplished the task in 4 days from Goongerah. (more info. Newsletter September 2004) Councillor Hamilton Rutherford Reed represented North Riding 1918 - 1936.This item is associated with Hamilton Reed an early settler of Goongerah who was a long -time member of Orbost Shire Council.A black / white photograph of a settler's wooden home surrounded by a garden. The house is made of upright slabs for the walls and has a stringy bark roof.reed-hamilton goongerah

This is a photograph of Councillor Hamilton Rutherford Reed who represented North Riding 1918 - 1936. Hamilton Reed was an early settler at Goongerah. In 1868 Hamilton Reed and John Locke both of Bendoc secured a grazing area of 60,000 acres at Goongerah. About the year 1878 Hamilton Reed and C. W. Nicholson decided to, if possible, to go from Bendoc to Orbost via Goongerah, they accomplished the task in 4 days from Goongerah. (more info. Newsletter September 2004)This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a moustached man in a suit. There is also a framed photograph.on back - "Cr H.R. Reed, North Riding 1918-1936"reed-hamilton-rutherford goongerah-history orbost-shire-council

This photograph shows George Temple's store which began operating C.1888 opposite the post office in the main street of Orbost. The store stocked other stores in Bendoc supplying the gold fields. The men with their pack horses are on their way to the survey camp. George Temple, born in Yorkshire on 26/2/1832 was of the earliest Orbost storekeepers. Temple's Store was on the corner of Ruskin and Nicholson Streets opposite the post office. He packed stores to the Bendoc area goldfields. The store building eventually became part of Herbert's store when he died in 1918. This item is associated with the very early history of Orbost. George and Mary Temple were early shopkeepers who operated a store opposite the Post Office for many years. Their daughters were very talented women.A black / white photograph of low set wooden buildings . In the foreground is a fence on the opposite side of the street. There are signs on the top part of the building which occupies the whole corner - "G. TEMPLE Wholesale & Retail Merchant, Building materials, furniture, ironmomgery, boots and shoes, grocery, drapery, Croajingalong General Store, The Orbost Equitable Grocery"orbost-19th-century temple-george retail-stores

This photograph shows George Temple's store which began operating C1888 in the main street of Orbost. The store stocked other stores at Bendoc supplying the gold fields. The men with their pack horses are on their way to the survey camp. George Temple, born in Yorkshire on 26/2/1832 was one of the earliest Orbost storekeepers. Temple's Store was on the corner of Ruskin and Nicholson Streets opposite the Post Office. He packed stores to the Bendoc area goldfields. The store building eventually became part of Herbert's store after Mr Temple died in May 1918.This item is associated with the very early history of Orbost. George and Mary Temple were early shopkeepers who operated a store opposite the Post Office for many years. Their daughters were very talented women, all were musical.A faded black / white photograph of men with pack horses standing outside George Temple's store, The Orbost Equitable, in the main street. It is on a cream coloured buff card.temple-george-orbost gold-fields-bendoc

items are from the Temple estate. George Temple (1832-1916) started Temple's store opposite Post Office. Packed stores to Bendoc area gold fields. The Temple store was one of the earliest in Orbost. Association with the Temple family and store.Two small glass containers with silver lids.Side of lid S*B. Anchor,lion.jars containers-domestic glassware silver

These items are from the Temple estate. George Temple (1832-1916) started Temple's store opposite Orbost Post Office. Packed stores to Bendoc area gold fields, also had a store in Cann River. This item is an example of a popular piece of jewelry worn by women in the early 20th century. These brooches were sold in a local store and could have been purchased for a local funeral.Black, bakelite brooch - three small sections form centre of brooch, one is a hexagonal cone-shape with hexagonal dome attached by link to smaller circular polygon attached by link to a smaller flat pentagon. Black mesh in the shape of wings form the backing featuring eight bakelite stars of varying sizes (two smaller stars missing from the assembly). A metal pin is attached to the rear in the form of a clasp.1900s jewellery, bakelite, mourning brooch, george temple, orbost store

This is possibly part of an old gold stamping machine from the Club Terrace/Combienbar/Bendoc area. It could have been used in the gold mining industry between 1890-1920. (Information from Lachlan Macalister - 11/11/2013.)A heavy solid iron octagonal shaped weight. One side is concave.iron-weight gold-mining-processing

These are from the Temple estate.. George Temple(1832-1918) started Temple's Store opposite the Post Office and packed stores to Bendoc. Donor was grand-daughter of Dr Kerr, first doctor in Orbost who was married to Hilda Kerr, one of the Temple daughters. These items are examples of common jewellery items worn by by women in the early 20th century.Assorted bead chokers and cuffs. Four cuffs and four chokers.jewelry beading costume-accessories temple-family

These stories are from the Orbost district, Snowy River flats, Conran, Bete Bolong, Marlo, Bonang, Goongerah, Combienbar, Club Terrace,Cann Valley, Cabanandra, Bendoc, Deddickand McKillop's Bridge' Mapping of Memories was first broadcast as four programs on A.B.C. Radio National in 1993.This item is a record of the lives and history associated with East Gippsland. It is a useful reference tool.Two copies of a D.V.D. titled, "Mapping of Memories The Telling of Place". There are also two tapes - 4 sides. The D.V.D.'s are in black plastic cases with 2 discs in each. The front cover has a colored photo of a child next to a giant pumpkin.memories-orbost-district mapping-of-memories

From the Temple estate. George Temple (1832-1918) started Temple's Store opposite the Post Office and packed stores to Bendoc. Donor was the grand-daughter of Dr Kerr, first doctor in Orbost. Dr Kerr's wife was Hilda Temple. This necklace was likely owned by Mrs Kerr. This item is an example of a piece of jewelry worn by women in the early 20th century.Small fine mother-of-pearl shell necklace with metal clasp.necklace jewelry costume-accessories pearl

These items were found in the ruins of a house/ hut located along the Clarkesville Road at Bendoc. The donor, David Buntine was stationed in Bendoc in 1969-1971 managing timber harvesting operations for VicForests. The swatches of curtain material are from Edward Arnold & Co Department Store of Oxford and Crown Streets, Sydney. The six tag labels are from Schute, Bell & Co Ltd - Wool & Produce Brokers, Sydney. There is a carbon copy of a receipt from the Shire of Orbost to Mr J. Dent. It is dated 9-10-1915 and is for the amount of 10 shillings. There is a receipt for a gun licence dated, 18-5-1920 and is from Edward Dent for 10 guineas. The invoice / receipt is for men's clothing and cups from Peter Joseph General Storekeeper at Delegate and is dated September 1920. There is an overdue notice to Isaac Dent, Bendoc for a 12 month subscription to "The Bombala Times" - W.G. Tweedie. Isaac Dent was married to Margaret Leslie and had six children - Isaac, James, Mary Ann, Charles, Elsie and Joseph. They made their home at Burrumbooka, near Bombala. The Bombala Times newspaper has been continually published since 1863. It was owned by the Johnson family between 1938 and 1975. These documents are early 20th century records of business transactions. The Dent family were early settlers in the Bendoc / Bombala district.A collection of invoices, receipts, labels and a card of material swatches. 3095.1 is a rectangular card with swatches of material stapled to it. 3095.2 and 3095.3 are rectangular pull apart labels. 3095.4 and 3095..5 are carbon copies of receipts. 3095.7 is an overdue notice. All documents have hand-written and printed information.dent-isaac-bombala edward-arnold-&-co schute-bell-&-co joseph-peter-delegate bombala-times

This book containes the story of Agnes Nixon (nee Ross) and some of the history of Nixon family in Orbost. Agnes Ann Nixon was born in Bendoc in 1879, came to Orbost at an early age and married Frances (Frank) Nixon. Also included are original poems by the author, copies of paper clippings, advertisements etc., and photographs.Local history of early families in the Orbost district.A black covered book with gold title lettering and author's name on the spine. 101 pages.To the Orbost Historical Society from Mary Ann Willis [the author]nixon family, frank nixon, agnes nixon, ross family, orbost

This is a photograph of Tambo and Orbost Shire Councillor, Hugh Cameron (born 1850 died 1921) who represented S R/ Bendoc Riding in 1184-1886 and from 1891-1892. Hugh Cameron was also on the Orbost Shire council from 1892-1915. (more info. in O.D.H.S. newsletter -Tambo Shire)This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. It is also associated with Hugh Cameron.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a bearded man in a suit.There is also a framed photograph.cameron-hugh orbost-shire-council

Peter Jensen came to Martin's Creek (35 miles north of Orbost) in 1890 having been told that Martin's Creek would be on the railway line. He was a cooper who made the casks from silver wattles. He cleared the area for farming and then built an accommodation house, Danebo., which was well used by travellers to Bonang and Bendoc. . Gippsland was a relatively less developed part of Victoria in the nineteenth century. Danebo Hotel, Martin’s Creek, would have been an important stopping point for travellers to Bonang and Bendoc. The hotel is no longer standing A black / white photograph of a timber building - a house and another building at an angle. There are three people standing in front - a man. woman and child. On the left is a flag on a mast. In the background is bush.danebo-hotel-martins-creek jensen-peter

The photograph shows the wagon and team owned by Mr Tom Malinn of Sardine Creek. On lst Juy 1926, Tom Malin took over the horse drawn coach run from Orbost to Delegate. After a few years he obtained an International 2-3 ton truck. On his first trip to Bendoc he did not carry mail, but brought Miss Cunning, the first lady head teacher and collected ballot boxes. On his next trip (March 1930) he made history as the first mailman on this route to deliver mail in a motor vehicle. (info. Bendoc History) Tom and Sophie Malinn farmed at Martin’s Creek. Sophie (nee Jensen) married Tom Malinn in 1926. Sophie’s family had run the historic “Danebo Hotel” at Martin’s Creek for many years, and in 1931, Tom and Sophie began farming at Martin’s Creek, initially cropping maize and beans. This is a pictorial history horse-drawn transport used widely in Orbost until the late 1920sA black / white photograph of a large wagon loaded with wool bails being pulled by a team of horses. a man is standing behind the horses in the background.on back -"Tom Malinn with wool from Bonang"malinn-tom-bonang transport-horse-drawn