Historical information
‘Worlingworth’, Yarra River, Eltham
Original homestead on the property ‘Worlingworth’, a large residence and surrounding farm site standing on a knoll above the River Yarra in Banoon Road, Eltham.
The present house was built about 1922 and was originally owned by Mr A.R. Read, a stock and station agent and member of the Stock Exchange (who left the district in early 1926 to take up permanent residence at his Warburton property). It became the home of notable anthropologist Prof. Dr. Donald Thomson (1901-1971) and Mrs. Gladys Thomson who were married in 1925 and had twin sons in 1934 and is considered historically and aesthetically significant to the Shire of Nillumbik.
Significance
This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.'
It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.
Physical description
Digital image
4 x 5 inch B&W Neg
Subjects
References
- Lecturer, wife fail to get divorce (1952, March 24). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 2. Lecturer/ wife fail to get divorce - Mr Justice Sholl today dismissed a petition and counter-petition for divorce by Dr. Donald Ferguson Thomson, well-known anthropologist and University lecturer, and his wife, Mrs Gladys Thomson, of Blackburn. Mrs Thomson left her husband in 1946, but returned to his home, Worlingworth, Etlham, where he was still living. She stayed there from August, 1947, until November, 1950. Then, during her temporary absence, Thomson wrote to her saying he did not want her to return, and intended to institute divorce proceedings. In a 50-page judgment. Mr Justice Sholl said that although their relationships were strained at Worlingworth, he was not satisfied that the rift between them was wide enough to constitute desertion by either party for the required three years. The hearing lasted nine days and has become a leading case on several aspects of the law relating to desertion. The Thomsons were married in 1925. They have twin sons, aged 18. Thomson has led a number of well-known expeditions accompanied by his wife. During the war he was decorated for bravery for special duties with the Air Force. Mr P. E. Joske, QC, and Mr S. H. Collie (Instructed by Arthur Robinson & Co.) for Dr. Thomson; Mr Trevor Rapke and Mr H. G. Ogdcn (by Secombe & Tlbb) for Mrs Thomson.
- About People. (1926, February 19). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 3 (AFTERNOON). Mr Read of ‘Worlingworth’, a stock and station agent and member of the Stock Exchange left the district in early 1926 to take up permanent residence at his Warburton property.
