Historical information

Dr Michele Matthews has been a local and social historian for nearly three decades since she first used correspondence held by the then Bendigo City Council for her Honours thesis. She is an ardent advocate for the use of local history records to tell Victorian and Australian history from a grassroots perspective. Michele’s MA thesis, ‘A forgotten “Father” of Federation: Sir John Quick 1852‑1911’ (2003), and her PhD thesis, ‘Survivors, schemes, Samaritans and shareholders: the impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925‑1935’ (2007), both drew heavily on Bendigo and district records.

Michele used this article for her research:

The article is about Gordon Glover's early life and community in Bendigo: Gordon Glover was born on March 17, 1917, and lived with his parents in a house in front of their aerated water factory at 31 Chapel Street. The house had four bedrooms, a dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and a cellar used for cooling drinks and storing yeast for the factory. Gordon was enrolled at Gravel Hill State School on September 11, 1922, as pupil number 2134.

The school served students from East Bendigo, Kennington, Bendigo proper, and a few from Quarry Hill. He had two head-teachers during his time: William M. Rowe (first two years) and James P. Cummins. Gordon was the first pupil at the school to own a bicycle, as shown in a 1926 photograph. The document describes Gordon's daily walk to school, passing notable local buildings and homes. The area was a close-knit community with recognizable family names.

Gravel Hill State School's choir was well-known, and Gordon participated in it as he advanced in grades. A 1932 photograph lists Gordon and other choir members, many of whom were familiar local figures. These points highlight Gordon Glover's upbringing, education, and the social environment of early 20th-century Bendigo.

History of C.J. Glover in Bendigo:Products: C.J. Glover made soda water, ginger beer, and cordials. The company used heavy embossed, aqua-colored, and amber glass bottles.Location: The factory was located on Chapel Street, which was a hub for local drink manufacturers. The peak production years were from the 1900s through the 1920s.

Physical description

Michele Matthews Collection: PHD Research - Gordon Glover, article from the Bendigo Weekly by James Lerk Friday Feb 11 2005

This item includes the following documents:

8672.24a Black and White photo of Gordon Glover about 1926 with his bike outside the aerated water factory, the outdated sign over the gateway says: Phillips who was the original factory owner. The photo is scanned from the newspaper article and is a good representation of the original.

8672.24b Black and White photo of Gordon Glover and the Gravel Hill School Choir. Gordon is in the back row fourth from the left. The photo is scanned from the newspaper article and may not be a true representation of the original.

8672.24c Newspaper Article - Discover Bendigo, Bendigo Weekly Friday Feb 11 2005