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On The Block: Rocks, Rabbits and Reptiles
On The Block: Rocks, Rabbits and Reptiles
On The Block: Rocks, Rabbits and Reptiles
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On The Block: Rocks, Rabbits and Reptiles

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This is the second edition of a book originally published in 1987. It is a history of post WW2 Soldier Settlement in the Western District of Victoria, Australia.
From the introduction: 'After getting out of the army in 1945-46 we were left to our own devices and were a bit lost. That was when the settlement scheme came into being. It gave us some direction, and we were ready and willing to take up the challenge. I think we would all vote it a resounding success, although you will see by this book it was no pushover. The women worked beside their men, and we felt a bit like pioneers. We were given a living allowance, until we had an income; after all we had to eat. Many of us milked cows to survive, nearly all the trees you see now on the soldier settlement were planted by the settlers, as well as the improved pastures; there was very little improved pasture on the earlier settlements.'

LanguageEnglish
PublisherMerv McRae
Release dateSep 16, 2014
ISBN9781311330901
On The Block: Rocks, Rabbits and Reptiles
Author

Merv McRae

This is the page for Mervyn Alexander McRae, Australian, born 27th November, 1914, died 2nd July, 1997.He published two books, both now very difficult to obtain. They are important history, which is why they are now to be republished as new editions.

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    Book preview

    On The Block - Merv McRae

    Chapter 1

    On the Block

    When we first gazed upon the block,

    We suffered quite a culture shock,

    Not much there but tussocks and rock,

    And rabbits swarmed upon the block.

    We built a fence to hold our stock,

    (The rabbits had to take the knock.)

    Quite soon we owned a thriving flock,

    And lush green grass upon our block.

    We built a hut upon our block,

    With doors that never knew a lock,

    And raised our kids upon the block,

    Without advice from Doctor Spock.

    And now that life’s relentless clock,

    Has made of us almost a crock,

    Our hearts and minds are chock-a-block,

    With happy memories of the block.

    Published by Merv McRae

    Introduction

    The purpose of this book is to record the early memories of Soldier Settlement, and the good and not so good times we had. With this in view, who better to do it than the people who lived it?

    Mortlake Shire has many soldier settlers, this book covers those in the Darlington area. I think the majority of the settlers were in a similar position to myself.

    After getting out of the army in 1945-46 we were left to our own devices and were a bit lost. That was when the settlement scheme came into being. It gave us some direction, and we were ready and willing to take up the challenge. I think we would all vote it a resounding success, although you will see by this book it was no pushover. The women worked beside their men, and we felt a bit like pioneers. We were given a living allowance, until we had an income; after all we had to eat. Many of us milked cows to survive, nearly all the trees you see now on the soldier settlement were planted by the settlers, as well as the improved pastures; there was very little improved pasture on the earlier settlements.

    I am grateful for the marvellous help and enthusiastic response that was given by so many. I must thank the contributors and acknowledge the great assistance I received from Molly and Bill Lyon, Alice and John Robertson, Joanne Jackson, Doris Brewer, and not the least, Alison my wife. I also must thank Jill Parker and her merry band of girls in the computer room at Mortlake High School, as well as Mr. Howard Mills for the use of those computers which I will never understand.

    I am responsible for the compiling and editing of this book, but am not responsible for the total accuracy of the authors who made this book possible.

    Merv McRae

    *

    COMMENT BY JOANNE JACKSON

    I appreciate Merv asking me to act on a committee to prepare this book, and also for asking me to contribute an article.

    We were not Solder Settlers, but our farm, being part of Barnie Bolac estate, is surrounded by Settlement, and as a family we have been involved in Darlington RSL activities since 1951.

    Settlement in the Darlington-Dundonnell area is of particular interest, in that an earlier attempt in 1923 at Closer Settlement and Migrant Land Settlement failed miserably. The blocks on Mount Violet estate were too small, liabilities too great, houses too dear, supervision lax, and in the case of ex-servicemen, a desire to recognize a debt of gratitude for war-service, resulted in many inexperienced and unsuited men being allocated blocks. The scheme was a disaster. A Royal Commission published in March 1933 included the Mount Violet settlement in its examinations. It concluded that the settlers themselves were not to blame for their failure.

    The lesson was well-learned; the World War Two Soldier Settlement scheme stated that settlement should be undertaken only where economic prospects were reasonably sound, and holdings were of sufficient size to enable settlers to operate efficiently and earn a reasonable income. Importantly, applicants should satisfy a competent authority as to their eligibility, suitability and experience for farm work. The Commission also stated that adequate guidance and technical advice should be available to the settlers. That’s the theory of it all - the practicality will be borne out through the stories told to us by Merv and his mates.

    My first knowledge of the Soldier Settlement Commission was when a large part of the property on which I lived at Woorndoo was acquired for settlement. Although the seventeen blocks on Bolac Plains: and Connabar" are not included in this book, historically it would seem appropriate to make some mention, as similar circumstances applied elsewhere.

    In 1948 the Federal Government offered a pegged price of twelve dollars a dry sheep area. At the time of valuation, stocking rates on Bolac Plains and Connabar were low, as losses in the 1944 bushfires had not been fully replaced. Fourteen dollars per acre was offered and accepted. Soon after, the pegged price was lifted, and similar land was bought for fifty-six dollars per acre. The Commission sought large holdings for sub-division, and properties occupied by absentee owners. One of the immediate consequences was the break-up of many of the large fine-wool clips of the Victorian Western District.

    Settlement in this area is now approaching forty years of age. The Mortlake Shire grew by some 248 families, schools expanded to accommodate the post-war baby boom, and every small township had its varied sporting teams. Today Ellerslie is the only rural primary school still open, and in many cases where settlers have decided to sell, their blocks have once again become part of the original property. Where the houses have been removed, the ubiquitous boobyalla (surely the emblem of Soldier Settlement) marks well the place, for posterity.

    Explanatory notes:

    boobyalla, a deep green tree that grows thick, is great for kids to climb, and is resistant to bushfires. A grouping of boobyallas can protect a house from being consumed by bushfires, (or so it is said.)

    Chapter 2

    LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

    Explanatory Notes:

    The RSL is the Returned and Services League (of Australia.)

    The SEC is the State Electricity Commission.

    Dundonnell RSL:

    The sub-branch was formed at a meeting held at Dundonnell on the 9th of January 1936. Those at the meeting were: - Messrs. Small, Williams, Alison, Fasham, Woods, Blomeley, Cooke, Harding, Warren, Doherty, W. Grant, G. Grant, with Smith, McDonald, Dayment, Milne, Jeffries, and Morrison joining later. J. Small was elected chairman and A. Doherty secretary-treasurer.

    The branch was inaugurated at a Smoke Night on the 30th of February, 1936. Adjoining branches at Mortlake, Skipton, Terang, Lismore, Camperdown and Derrinallum were represented at this function.

    In 1937, J. C. (Cliff) Smith was elected president, thus starting a long occupation of that office, broken during World War 11, when K. Alison was Chairman.

    Prior to 1947, the sub-branch meetings were held alternately in the public halls at Pura Pura, Darlington and Dundonnell. Early in 1947, with the prospect of a dramatic increase in membership due to Soldier-settlement, the branch felt it needed a hall of its own. At that time Cliff Smith was president and Charles Luckock, secretary. These two men were energetic and tireless workers for the branch, and through their efforts they were able to purchase an ex-army hut from the war-time Darley Camp for 130 pounds, and have it moved to a block at Darlington donated by Charles Luckock, who also provided the trees to surround it. Many working-bees were needed to bring the building to the standards required by the authorities for a public hall. Money was raised for these improvements by holding gymkhanas organised by J. C. Smith and C. M. Luckock, with a great deal of assistance from Mrs. Luckock and Mrs. Smith. The entrance-porch was added later and long hours of voluntary work put the building in order. All in all, a great community effort. Existing members still make considerable contributions keeping the surrounds tidy. Over the years the clubrooms have been comfortably furnished, and the kitchen facilities modernised with the result that the local community finds the building very useful, particularly for smaller functions.

    The membership grew to fifty-nine at its peak in the 1950s, and has slowly slipped in later years through death of members and others leaving the district. At present, a faithful few, with strong support from the Ladies’ Auxiliary, keep the branch going – the annual smoke-night still being a popular outing well attended by members from neighbouring branches.

    Anzac Day services are held locally each year, thus keeping before the general public the heritage preserved for us by our military forces and individual sacrifices made in so doing.

    Support has been willingly given to all worth-while district causes. The welfare of disadvantaged ex-servicemen and women and their dependants, through the RSL’s own institutions and organisations, such as Legacy, is given high priority, plus financial support where possible. The RSL can be proud of its district members.

    Among the Office Bearers over the years were: -

    Presidents: - J. Small, K. Alison, J. C. Smith, T. Muir, R. Smith, J. Robertson, G. Maconachie, G. Bishop, F. Kennedy.

    Secretaries: - A. Doherty, C. M. Luckock, K. Broadbent, B. Sullivan, A. Monds, N. Watson, C. Creen, W. Cook.

    Treasurers: - Mick Blain, Jack Edmunds, Col Green.

    By G. R. Maconachie incorporating notes by J. Harrison and J. Robertson.

    *

    SOME OF THE MAIN ORGANISATIONS OF DARLINGTON

    Country Womens Association

    A branch of the Country Womens Association was founded at Dundonnell in 1938 and one at Darlington in 1948 – Both branches were well established by the time wives of Soldier Settlers started to arrive in the district and it wasn’t very long before membership increased rapidly - we helped organise Welcome to the District evenings and afternoons to welcome the new settlers and offered to help where we could. Quite a number remained with our branches for many years as members. With the increase in membership we held many successful concerts and Arts and Craft Exhibitions. New members also brought along their various skills and shared them with us. Now with so many settlers moving away and retiring elsewhere, our membership in both branches has decreased rapidly – we look back and thank these ladies for sharing their times in the district with us.

    Doris Brewer

    *

    RSL Ladies Auxiliary (Dundonnell)

    The Auxiliary was founded about the time the first settlers arrived in the district. Membership rose rapidly and friendships were kindled. Meetings were held once a month and great assistance was given to the Sub-branch and to the furnishing of the Clubrooms. An Annual Ball was the highlight of the year when husbands and wives forgot about the daily chores and donned evening wear and danced away the hours in the gaily decorated Hall and feasted on a super supper prepared by the auxiliary. Anzac Day Service is always followed by morning tea and a chat – the Annual Smoke Night catered for by the auxiliary is well known for the meal provided, as is also the Annual luncheon when auxiliaries travel from as far away as Geelong - Point Lonsdale and St. Leonards down to Apollo Bay in the south and Skipton and Rokewood in the north; the auxiliary now has a very small membership but the warmth and hospitality remains. This is evident at the Annual Christmas Party – this year 1986 – 60 people sat down to the Christmas meal – former members of the Sub-branch and the Auxiliary travel many miles to attend this reunion - we hope it will continue for many years to come.

    Doris Brewer

    *

    Darlington and Dundonnell Cricket Clubs

    The Darlington and Dundonnell Cricket Clubs were a little bit more fortunate in gaining players from among the ranks of the settlers than the Football Club.

    Both clubs gained players that helped them to enjoy quite a bit of success over a number of years.

    Although Dundonnell has ceased to exist as a club, Darlington is enjoying success with quite a few of the sons of settlers, also grandsons playing.

    John Robertson

    *

    Darlington Football Club

    The Darlington Football Club was re-formed after the war by the time the settlement commenced and it was a big rush by recruiting officers to be first to gain the signature of a prospective player. There were not many players to don the guernsey but a lot were very good supporters and officials, which helped the club to a very successful period of about five premierships over a number of years.

    John Robertson

    *

    Darlington State School

    The original Darlington State School No. 777, was built in 1865, of stone, however in 1946 it was replaced by a one-roomed timber building, following a tragedy at Coleraine where a similar building collapsed and a child was killed. The Education Department supplied the school building, necessary furniture and teachers. Everything else was left to parents and committee. Mothers’ Club met every month and besides being a social outing, we were able to raise quite a lot of money as we always had a stall filled with jams, cakes and home-grown vegetables.

    In 1955 a new and larger room was added, we were able to help with the sanding of the floor and staining.

    Other items bought were coffee urn, pie heaters, projectors, heaters and playground equipment. It was rather sad that when the school was moved all these Goodies were lost to Darlington.

    A small bus started by Mrs. Pilgrim (later Mrs. Gray) came out seven miles on a school run, this was a popular and much-loved bus and driver.

    Later the Department supplied buses to Camperdown and Derinallum. So No. 777 has gone to Warrnambool and is used for S. E. A. L. in Hyland Street. The No. 777 is still on the building.

    Molly Lyon

    *

    The Mount Fyans Telephone Exchange

    There are so many things in life that are taken for granted, but when as we were, without any means of communication, the thought of a telephone loomed like a shining light.

    Most of us, by that time, had small children, so the need for a phone was very real – we had been here for five years! However, after a period of applying several times to the GPO, the glorious day arrived, when we were eventually wired in. The GPO attached large two-piece phones to our walls, and there we were - in touch with the world!

    Alice Robertson had the Exchange, and I am certain it was the best Exchange that ever existed – it was certainly the friendliest. There were definite hours when the Exchange was officially open, but if Alice was

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