Historical information
Beatrice Irvine was the daughter of former Victorian Premier Sir William Irvine. From age 13 she lived at ‘Killeavey’ off Laughing Waters Road (later accessed from Reynolds Road). In 1923 she married James Morrison and the couple received Killeavey as a wedding gift. The property supported fruit and vegetable growing as well as an impressive botanical garden. But James died in 1936 after a period of ill health, leaving Beatrice to support their six children. To make matters worse, the house was totally destroyed in the Black Friday bushfires in 1939 but was rebuilt.
Beatrice became involved in community issues. In particular, she was an active member of the Eltham Women's Auxiliary, which was formed in 1945 to raise funds for the establishment of an Eltham War Memorial. From the outset, it was decided that this would take the form of a Baby Health Centre, a Pre-School and a Children’s Library, set in a garden of remembrance. Thanks to tireless fund-raising, the project came to fruition in the 1950s when, one by one, the three children's welfare buildings opened in Main Road (having previously been in temporary premises): they are collectively known as the Eltham War Memorial site.
Beatrice continued to live at Killeavey and became well regarded as a botanist and naturalist. She died in 1989 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with her husband and one of their sons. The (rebuilt) house has since been demolished. All that remains is a fragment of the garden.
In Fond Memory Of
James Hans Morrison Croix de Guerre
Born St Peters Pass Oatlands Tasmania 6th June 1880
Died Killeavey Eltham 16th November 1936
And his beloved wife
Beatrice Wanliss Morrison (nee) Irvine
Born St Kilda Victoria 22nd January 1899
Died 5th November 1989
Who rest here
James Hans Irvine Morrison
Born Melbourne 11th October 1927
Died Gorora New Guinea 1st October 1971
Physical description
Born Digital
Subjects
References
- THROWBACKTHURSDAY: BLACK FRIDAY, WARRANDYTE, 13TH JANUARY, 1939
- BEATRICE WANLISS MORRISON NEE IRVINE (1899-1989)
- THROWBACKTHURSDAY: ELTHAM WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING PRECINCT, 1968
- OBITUARY MR. JAMES MORRISON Death in Victoria (1937, March 5). The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), p. 11 Mr. James Morrison, a son of the late Andrew Morrison, of St Peter's Pass, Oatlands, recently died in Victoria. He was born in the Oatlands district in 1880. Although not taking an active part in public affairs, he was known for his kindly and philanthropic interest in all matters for the benefit of the district and was a prominent member of the Midland Hunt Club. During the Great War he made every endeavour to enlist in the A.I.F., but for health reasons was not accepted. He there-upon went to England, and his efforts to serve were successful, and he secured an opening in the Munro Voluntary Am-bulance Corps. Mr. Morrison was decorated with the French order Croix-de Guerre, and later recognition of his work on active service brought two bars to this decoration. After service with this voluntary corps, Mr. Morrison was forced through persistent ill-health to decline the rank of major in the regular French Army. He married Miss Beatrice Irvine, a daughter of the late Sir William Irvine, Chief Justice, and Lieut-Governor of Victoria. Mrs. Morrison is residing in Melbourne. Mr. Morrison was held in high esteem by members of the Oatlands sub-branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A.
