Henry Rankin and Rankins Lane

RANKINS LANE, MELBOURNE(Great and 2nd Great Grand-daughters visit in 2012) Well, what a year that was! Let me introduce my story with ‘In the beginning . . .’ When Covid-19 hit the collective consciousness and the Victorian lockdown was in it’s...

Indigenous People of Barfold

Customary Warning:Aboriginal viewers should be aware that this article may containculturally sensitive material – including names of people who have since died. In a previous article about Barfold Gorge[1], I wondered why we didn’t inherit any stories...

Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden

LOOKING ALONG THE LONG POND TOWARDS THE ENTRANCE OF THE GARDENS As part of Victoria’s centenary celebrations. in 1934 – 1935 a garden was established in the King’s Domain in Melbourne dedicated to honour the memory of our Pioneer Women Settlers. The...

The Mysterious Henry Elgar & His Crown Survey

Elgar’s Special Survey Henry Elgar was a West Indian merchant who purchased 5,120 acres in a Special Survey in Boroondara in the Port Phillip District, without having ever stepped ashore in Australia. True or False Bob Kerr, who lives on land which was part of...

Salt and Pepper and Princes Bridge

Lennox Bridge, on the Site of the Present Princes Bridge, Melbourne Artist: James Graham Boyd [1] – SLV Picture Collection When we think of tolls we normally think of modern day living, however Melbourne’s predecessor to Princes Bridge was just that. When...

Edmund Steel of Point Henry and Jan Juc

Location of Edmund Steel’s 2,000 acre South Beach Station at Present Day Jan Juc Edmund Steel, who sometimes appears in records as Edward Steele, was born about 1789 in England, the son of James Steel and Jane, nee Bulpit. He married Maria Thatcher on 30...