by pppg | Jun 24, 2022 | History, Pioneers
As the Port Phillip District was being explored in the 1840s reports emerged of some strange sightings in the bush. Along with stories of Bunyips came news that white women had been seen living with groups of aboriginals. Though some of these reports came from the... by pppg | Jun 24, 2022 | Pioneers
Johanna Alice (Lalla) Gill Harding is possibly the last surviving child of a Port Phillip Pioneer. Lalla’s father, John Alfred Harding was born on 7 February 1849 at Piddlehinton, Dorset, England, the only son of John Harding and his wife Sarah, nee George. John... by pppg | Jun 24, 2022 | Places
The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne is the only surviving nineteenth century great hall which is still used for its original purpose. Melbourne had already staged several exhibitions before this building was erected for the 1880 Melbourne Exhibition. At this... by pppg | Jun 24, 2022 | History
The selection of Melbourne as the site for a village was largely due to it having a source of fresh water. A natural dam of rocks, known as ‘the falls’ crossed the Yarra River near to where Queen Street is today. Below this was a widening of the river that... by pppg | Jun 24, 2022 | History
I was interested to read the article regarding the Rev. James Forbes in the last newsletter, for it jogged my memory that he had officiated at the marriage of my great aunt, Catherine Kelly. Catherine, and my great-grandfather John Kelly, were two of the five children... by pppg | Jun 24, 2022 | History
Janine Rizzetti grew up in Heidelberg where a neighbour recounted stories about ‘mad’ Judge Willis who originally lived on her property. Later, after learning that Judge John Walpole Willis was sacked from his position in the Port Phillip District, Janine...