
Boer War, photograph
Other items from this collection
-
Mortlake and District Historical Society
Lone Pine
This pine tree (Allepo Pine, Pinus halepensis) a native of the Gallipoli Peninisula (Gelibolu, Turkey), was grown from a cutting obtained from the War Memorial Canberra and planted in the Mortlake Botanic Gardens in 2002. It replaces the original which grew outside the Mortlake RSL Hall which blew down in a storm c.2000. That tree (Allepo brutius)came from 'the original on Gallipoli' and was planted to commemorate 'fallen comrades' in 'the Jubilee year 1965.' However, two soldiers first brought home pine cones direct from that fateful battlefield. . One was Sgt. Keith McDowell of the 24th Btn. His aunt, Mrs. Emma Gray of Grassmere (Vic.) planted the seeds c. 1928 and four seedlings resulted. One was planted in Wattle Park, Melbourne, one at the Shrine of Remembrance, one at the Soldier's Memorial Hall at The Sisters (c.15 km. south of Mortlake) and one at the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens.
The First World War (or 'Great War') and in particular the battle for the Gallipoli Peninsula is of immense national significance. Lone Pine or Plateau 400 was the scene of a major offensive on August 6th 1915. All the trees on the ridge at this point were cut down but one, which was dominated by the 'Lone Pine'. In three days of fighting more than 2,000 Australians lost their lives and seven Victoria Crosses were won. Two Australian soldiers souvenired pine cones - one was brought back to Victoria (see above). Many young men from Mortlake and district volunteered to fight in the Great War and the presence of this tree in our Gardens reminds us all of the local as well as the national sacrifice.
l pine tree
Small plaque on railing western side.
gallipoli, lone pine first world war great war mcdowell, keith
-
Mortlake and District Historical Society
Queen Victoria's Oak Tree
This magnificent English oak tree is located at Tea Tree Lake park in Mortlake. This park was formerly the Botanic Gardens which were developed on what had been swamp land. An artificial lake was created there in 1988 as a Bi-Centenary project.The tree is located adjacent to the historic Montgomery Pavillion and was planted on the occasion of Her Majesty Queen Victoria's birthday on 24th May 1883.
An outstanding tree, planted to commemorate a much-revered Queen in an historically-significant Botanic Gardens (now much altered).
A very old oak tree planted 1883.
queen victoria, mortlake, mortlake botanic gardens, tea tree lake, montgomery pavillion
-
Mortlake and District Historical Society
The Peace Tree
This Norfolk Island pine tree was planted in 1919 as 'The Peace Tree'.
A community gesture signifying the embrace of 'peace' as a valuable concept symbolised by the planting of a tree. [from Mortlake Dispatch] PEACE DAY 1919. Throughout the Empire three days were marked as Public Holidays including Peace Day in July 1919. Mortlake observed Peace Day by Peace Medals being distributed at the State School, Union Jacks being flown from many buildings and houses and the Peace Tree being planted at the intersection of Officer Street, Jamieson Avenue and Shaw Street. Then followed a procession [of local people]. It is assumed the Progress Association, which undertook the Avenue of Honour, also was responsible for planting the Peace Tree.
Norfolk Pine tree located on eastern corner of Officer Street, Shaw Street and Jamieson Avenue intersection.
1919, peace, norfolk island pine
-
Mortlake and District Historical Society
Photograph - Montgomery Pavillion, Montgomery Pagoda or Pavillion, 1924
In July 1922 Rev. W. McBride of the St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Mortlake had a meeting with the Garden sub-committee to discuss how the 500 pounds sterling bequest from the Late Thomas Montgomery could best be spent. His suggestion was that the money should be spent on either a kiosk, pavillion or recreation hall and pavillion combines with kitchen and fireplace was agreed to with exact site to decided at a public meeting. Cr Montgomery, a local businessman and a councillor, had loved the gardens and had assisted to transform the area from a swamp into a thing of beauty. The design was chosed by his widow who had seen a smilar design in King's Park whilst in Perth so the plans were obtained from that City. The work was carried out by Archibald Cluny McDonald and completed in September 1924. In December 1924 the Montgomery Pagado was unveiled to the public by Cr Wells Brumley after which the Red Cross ladies served tea.
THIS TABLET IS DESIGNED TO COMMEMORATE THE GENEROSITY OF THE LATE COUNCILLOR THOMAS MONTGOMERY BY WHOM THIS PAVILLION WAS GRACIOUSLY BEQUEATHED TO THE TOWN OF MORTLAKE AND TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF HIS NOBILITY OF CHARACTER AND EXTREME WORTH AS A CITIZEN
pagoda
-
Mortlake and District Historical Society
Mt. Shadwell Bush Inn, photograph
This Mount Shadwell Bush Inn erected in 1854 was situated adjacent to one of the main routes to the diggings (Great Western Road), and was originally built from tufa stone obtained from a local quarry. It did a great trade after if first became licensed ub 1855, when it provided a valuable service to the travelling public and to the increasing agricultural population of the area. At that time it contained three sitting rooms, several large reception rooms, fourteen bedrooms, a bar and two taprooms and was the first known hostelry in Mortlake. In 1863 a bluestone addition (probably done by local architect Andrew Kerr) increased the size of the hotel to 23 rooms with a detached billiard room and ballroom, kitchen, servant's apartments, laundry, storeroom, 12 stalled stable, out office, and stock yards for travelling cattle. The present hotel with its 1928 rendered facade, has had an almost uninterrupted licence since 1855
-
Mortlake and District Historical Society
Mortlake Dispatch, Photograph
In 1880, when the Mortlake Dispatch printing office moved from A. S. Stewart's General Store in Officer Street to the site shown in this photgraph, the Editor William Manson and his wife and two daughters lived in the house on right side of the photgraph, William Manson continued from here as editor and printer of the newspaper with his daughter selling newspaper and magazines from the front shop until his death in 1903,after which his son William John took over as editor until his own death in 1910. His mother Mary carried on the business with the help of her two daughters and in 1910 she appointed William John Bray of the Port Fairy Gazette as the editor of the Mortlake Dispatch. Willam Bray or Bill as he was affectionately known married one of the Manson daughters, (Mary Swinton Manson) and the Manson family continued to own the newspaper until the death of Mary Manson Snr in 1928 when it was purchased by Bill Bray. When the shop and building were demolished in about 1938 William Bray moved his printing works and news shop further up Dunlop Street.
The Mortlake Dispatch was printed on this site for 58 years firstly by William Manson, then his son and then William Bray
Black and White photgraph
mortlake dispatch, william manson and william bray, editors of country newspapers
-
Mortlake and District Historical Society
Montgomery Memorial Fountain, Photograph
A memorial fountain was original originally sited at close to the gates of the Mortake State School and was unveiled by the citizens of Mortlake to perpetuate the memory of the late Cr Thomas Montgomery. The fountain was to be erected before the death of Cr Montgomery but as he died before this happened it became a memorial. Made of bluestone and Apollo Bay and Ceres stone it was designed by Messrs Wilcox Bros of Geelong. Cr Dennis as President of the Mortlake Shire Council was the first to turn on the water and take a drink from the fountain which was later removed to the front wall of the Mortlake Swimming Baths and then just recently to the east wall of the newly constructed bluestone toilets in Market Square.
Thomas Montgomery served on the Mortlake Shire Council for thirty eight years, and was a local businessman who owned the general store known as Thos Montgomery as well as being a partner in a similar store in Terang known as Montgomery and Bradshaw.
AD 1922 ERECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF MORTLAKE TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF THOMAS MONTGOMERY
thomas montgomery memorial fountains
-
Mortlake and District Historical Society
Bank of Victoria, Photograph
A branch of the Bank of Victoria was erected from bluestone in Mortlake in 1866. In 1860 improvements were made to the branch in in 1927 the Bank of Victoria mered with the Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney Ltd which later became the National Bank of Australia. This bluestone building was demolished in 1956 to make way for a new brick National Bank of Australia banking chamber and residence. The bluestone was taken to a local property called "Cattle Runs"