A BRIEF HISTORY OF AIREYS INLET AND ITS SURROUNDING AREA
The first reported European in the area was convict William Buckley, having escaped from the Sorrento prison settlement in 1803.
The name “Aireys Inlet” is believed to have come from either John Moore Airey who was granted a pastoral lease in the area in 1842 or from George, his brother, who was a Crown Lands Commissioner in the district of Geelong.
Thomas Carter followed John Airey into the area and then Thomas Pearse (1809 - 1862) who built a bark clad hut which survived the rigors of the next 121 years only to be burnt down in the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983. I remember playing in the hut as a young boy not realising its significance to the area.
At the top of Reserve Road you can find the graves of Thomas and Martha Pearse where a cairn marks the spot.
In the 1860’s following Thomas Pearse’s death his land was purchased by J R Hopkins. Also during the 1860’s William MacMullen purchased the homestead, Angahook, the site of which remains with his descendants to this day. The original homestead was burnt down along with the bark hut on Ash Wednesday. I remember visiting the old homestead often and recalling that it was made of stone. Two old Norfolk Island Pines mark the area near the Allen Noble Sanctuary.
Many of the early settlers had roads and streets named after them, Pearse, Cowan, Anderson, Berthon, Lugg, Roadknight, Sutherland, Hartley and Hopkins.
In 1891on the 1st September the lighthouse, locally known as the “White Lady”, became operational. Maintained by 2 lighthouse keepers who lived with their families in the nearby lighthouse cottages. The lamp was powered by kerosene until 1919 when it was updated to automatic acetylene. In 1972 it was updated again to mains electricity with a stand by generator. The lighthouse was lucky to survive the Ash Wednesday fires and in 1991 celebrated its 100 birthday. I think for a lot of people this would have been the first time they would have seen the lighthouse from the inside and its breathtaking view from the top. The lighthouse is open for tours most days and is a must if the you visit Aireys Inlet.
A visit to the Split Point Lighthouse precinct will unveil the lighthouse stables and the 2 lighthouse cottages where the lighthouse keepers lived. There is a walking track down to the point where Eagle Rock stands around 200 meters away and looking southward down past Lorne to Apollo Bay is a fantastic view.
More on the Split Point Lighthouse
BOUNDARY ROAD / SUNNYMEAD BATHING BOXES
Charles Lane from Melbourne loved his 106-acre property ‘Sunnymead.’ He spent most of his time there between 1913 until 1925. This property also had a beach frontage under licence.
Charles had a bathing box there. In 1920 Lewis Grutzner at a game of cards, won the right to purchase one acre of the ‘Sunnymead’ homestead land fronting Boundary Road. He erected a holiday cottage known as ‘The Shack’ and also built a bathing box close to Lane’s at the then little known beach. After Charles Lane died in 1925 the ‘Sunnymead’ property was subdivided and sold. The 1936 fire burned Lewis Grutzners holiday abode. The two bathing boxes were still there after WW2. The bottom of Boundary Road became a popular camping area. The Shire later prohibited camping in this part. The bathing boxes were by then vandalised, and removed in the early 1960’s.
LANES ROAD TOLL GATES & SCOTCHMAN’S TRACK
By 1921 Charles Lane had acquired all of the land between Boundary Road at Aireys Inlet and the cutting below Anglesea’s lookout. At his own expense constructed a road (planned by the Country Roads Board) between these two points. This was opened to the public in 1924 and was soon cut up by heavy traffic going through to Lome. The inland Winchelsea Shire voted to have nothing to do with the maintenance of this coastal inconvenience at the far end of their boundary.
To keep the carriageway open the only alternative for Charles Lane was to charge the travelling public for the upkeep of this shorter track through his private property.
This proved unpopular with those living locally and a route known as the ‘Scotchman’s Track’ came about. This devious course entered the forest just west of Urquharts Bluff (where today’s slow car turnout is located) and went through to Aireys via Gilbert Street. This effectively by-passed the Toll Gate at the Sunnymead Homestead gate near Boundary Road.
To counter this the Tollgate was re-located to the east of Urquharts Bluff. It was not until 1930 the free use of Lane’s Road was offered to the mobile travellers.
SUNNYMEAD BLOCK NORTH
DAME JOAN HAMMOND’S ‘Jumbunna’ 1966/83
Operatic singer Dame Joan Hammond’s house was built on a sixty three acre site to the north of the Great Ocean Road. This spacious allotment also had frontages to Boundary Road and Gilbert Street. This block was once part of the old ‘Sunnymead’ homestead site lot 2a, which was subdivided after being split by the Great Ocean Road.
The single storey four bedroom home (constructed by RJ. Butterworth) featured an indoor heated pool, entertaining room, and large lounge.
The generous garage could accommodate up to 4 cars. There was also a caretaker’s cottage.
The splendid dwelling together with its contents was destroyed by the Ash Wednesday fire.
ANGAHOOK PRIMARY SCHOOL Bambra Rd.
During March 1892, Henry Buckhurst from Urquharts Bluff chaired an important meeting regarding the town’s education facility. Two resolutions were passed at this gathering. The first was that a proper schoolhouse should be provided and the second requested the Department of Education to select a suitable site. The Department replied that a school could not be provided unless 20 children attended. An Inspector’s report stated that with the children from the three lighthouse keeper families, plus those from local families, 23 children were available.
Also found at Hasty’s was a suitably detached room 30 feet long and 14 feet wide available at a rental of £6 per year. Over the years these premises proved unsatisfactory. New owner Albert Anderson removed the building to a different site in 1911. Presumably the School still used this re-Iocated building until it closed in 1919, due to a drop in attendance when the lighthouse went to automatic control. Only three children were left after the lighthouse children departed. The School re-opened part time between 1935/9, then full time 1940/2. A new school was built in 1965. Even as late as 1983 pupil numbers were a worry. It was not until after Ash Wednesday that fresh families came to the Inlet and rectified the situation.
‘KONTIKI’ Bambra Road 1891/1983
Kontiki was one of the first cottages to be built in Aireys Inlet. It was constructed on lot 3 section 25 Bambra Road by R. Anderson, builder of the lighthouse complex. The weatherboard abode was of similar design to the light cottages, with galvanised iron roof instead of slate. It was first known as ‘Loutit Villa,’ then ‘Hope Cottage’ and later referred to as the ‘McLennan Cottage’ when Harriet J. McLennan owned this and the adjoining lot 4. One of the McLennan sisters who later became Lady Clark named the cottage ‘Kontiki’. Bill Meredith owned the establishment when it was destroyed by the 1983 fire. The cottage has since been replaced and the large site subdivided.
GRAND HOTEL Bambra/River Roads 1894/8
Bambra Road was once the mail route into the first Aireys Inlet Village. Traffic from Anglesea came this way into town. During 1890 the mail coach from the Wensleydale Station also arrived via Bambra Road into Aireys. Mrs Esther Blake, in anticipation of a great influx of tourists passing the front door, opened a small Hotel named ‘The Grand’ in 1894.A thorough search and double check of maps and rate books, shows that the Hotel was on lots 5, 6 & 7, section 24, on the western side of Dambra Road.
These 3 blocks ran through to River Road at the rear ( in 1998 this would include house numbers 519 in Bambra Road. and house numbers 16120 in River Road at the rear). Even though special seaside excursion tickets were offered during each summer season, the anticipated railway tomist traffic did not come.
The Hotel was destroyed by fire in 1898. The Licence was cancelled after rebuilding was delayed. The Blakes later erected a house on the site. In 1928, rate book entries record that Mrs Sarah Roadknight (wife of Ivan) owned these three blocks with house. This parcel was later subdivided into six sites
THE WATTLES’ Bambra Road 1915/1983
Miss Lili Elizabeth DeC. Bertbon (1863/1946) moved to ‘The Wattles’ on lots 5 & 6 section 25 in Bambra Road during 1915. Her brother William Jnr. lived nearby at ‘LuIotte’ on the comer of Bambra Road and Philip street. Her parents at first lived at Inverleigh, and moved pennanent1y to ‘Wybellenna’ at Aireys in 1880. An oil painting by Lili Berthon entitled ‘Entrance to Aireys Inlet 1898’ is at the Geelong Art Gallery. Lili let her cottage during the Xmas period and lived at Wybellenna. She died in 1946 aged 83. ‘The Wattles’ was bmnt in the 1983 fire. The generous site was later subdivided and the cottage replaced.
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Bambra Rd. 1930/1983
The Anglican Church at Aireys was constructed during the early 1930’s. The Melbomne Diocesan Council purchased lot 2 Section 25 for their site. This was on the eastern side of Bambra Road, two blocks south of Philip Street. Robert Cowan of Fairhaven’ designed and built the Church for the cost of materials only. The Church was at first named ‘St Pauls.’ Bishop Booth from Geelong (later Archbishop of Melbourne) dedicated and opened the structure in 1939. It was in memory of William and Louis DeC. Berthon in recognition of their service to the Church. The ornamental gateway was presented in memory of Pte. Thomas Hartley 2/22 Battery A.1F. who died 2nd July 1942 aged 21 years. In 1959 a decision was made to rename the Church ‘St Aidans’ as there was a another St Pauls at Deans Marsh. The Church did not survive the 1983 bushfire. The Anglican Church was rebuilt on a site facing the Great Ocean Road, purchased from Lon Bandt of Mountain House
MOUNTAIN HOUSE’ 1900 -1983
Great Ocean Road. Mountain House, was east of the Aireys Inlet Hotel. It was erected at the turn of the century by John Wesley Anderson, and run as a guest house by his daughters Mary and Sarah Jane Anderson - Sarah married Oswald Ivan Roadknight. Ivan died in 1958 aged 69. Sarah died 1969 aged 85. Mary Anderson also owned Kingston Cottage over the road. She died in 1953.
The Anderson Roadknight Memorial Hall was opened by Sarah Jane who donated the land.
Relations Jessie and Bert Humphreys took over the running of the Guest House in 1946. Alan Rooks started a caravan Park there in 1955. Lou Bandt purchased in 1956 and developed the caravan park The Ash Wednesday fire destroyed ‘Mountain House’ and its huge pine trees. In 1984 the Bandt’s sold the seaside establishment
This old site is now a modern Caravan Park.
THE INLET HOTEL
Albert Anderson began the inlet Hotel during the early 1900’s. He realised that the Shire’s decision to upgrade Gilbert Street would change the main route into town. Albert purchased Batty’s Bambra Road cottage on lot 5 sec23, and moved it to the site oftoday’s Inlet Hotel. The Geelong Advertiser advised in 1904 that a colonial Wine Licence was granted for this establishment Six years later a Roadside Licence was obtained In 1911 Albert purcbased Hasty’s old boarding-house (on lot7,sect23) and mail run. The extra bedrooms and schoolhouse from this Bambra Road property were moved to the Public House precinct. A grocery, general business, butchers shop and Post Office were conducted from the rear of the Hotel. Albert Anderson advised that ‘Good accommodation was available for tourists and travellers, and stabling was there for your horse. The Hotel Licence was changed to his son Albert Percy Anderson in 1928. The Post Office license was transferred to the General Store on the opposite side of the Great Ocean Rd. on 1st December 1946. After the timber Hotel was destroyed by the 1983 fire. it’s patrons rallied around a temporary bar (once Joe Butler’s old room) until the new brick structure opened.
LAND’SEND 1949-1983 EagieRockParade
Both the Duval and Sayer families at first came to Aireys in 1912. They either rented McClellands or The Wattles’ from the Berthons. In 1949 the Duval family purchased a site from Percy Anderson, and erected ‘Lands End’ in Eagle Rock Parade. Their three bedroom holiday home bad delightful views out to sea and towards Lome. This was partly destroyed by a fire caused from an electrical fault, and later completely burnt by the 1983 fire.
Two cottages now occupy the land
CLIFF COTTAGE Sandy Gully 1945 -1983
Originally Buckhurst’s four room cottage at Urquhart Bluff. Moved to Sandy Gully by Ivan Roadknight Sold to mystery writer Arthur Upfield. who enlarged and updated the structure. Later purchased by Judith Venables at the end of 1953. Destroyed by the 1983 fire
‘THE CAPTAIN’ AND HIS CABIN
One of the early characters of early Aireys Inlet was former seaman Carl J. Carlgren. He was always popular at social functions, providing entertainment with his accordion, violin or old cylindrical phonograph. His detailed models of sailing ships were admired by the children of the district. His slab sided cabin, always neat and clean, was recorded as being on section 4, part of crown allotment 3, in Hartley Street, near Beatles Court. An old green one fire stove was used for cooking. A small garden was at the rear of the cabin.
The Captain often drove his horse and jinker down to the Hotel. After a long session, it was claimed that the horse navigated the way home along the narrow dirt track through the forest. The Captain died in 1947 aged 91.
BERT SUTERS’ POST OFFICE STORE 1946
The Suters family came to the district in 1933. They lived for three years at ‘The Neuk’ at Mogg’s Creek and then moved to their recently acquired property ‘Naygoondy’ at the comer of Bambra and Boundary Roads.
Elder brother Bert built the General Store on the opposite side of the road to the Hotel in 1946. He also acquired the Post Office licence. In those days when there was no density of traffic locals complained that the store was set back too far from the Highway. Small country towns at that time peaked around the period when the mail bus arrived in town. Aireys was no exception as the townsfolk seemed to appear from nowhere at bus time. Bert Suters sold the store in March 1952. His younger brother Harry and wife Joan for many years had a house high on the hill in Boundary Road. The Sutherlands ran the store and milk-bar in 1955.
SELBY CAFE 1950- 1983
The DeBeen family from Holland purchased the Selby Cafe from Mr. Arnold in 1953.
This business was originally established by the Harts during the early 1950’s. Ernest ‘Butch’ Stern established the Aireys Inlet Lighthouse Restaurant there in the late 1970’s. The establishment was destroyed on Ash Wednesday. Butch Stern rebuilt and opened within eight weeks as Ernie’s Cantina Mexican Restamant. He sold this in 1999.
AlREYS INLET FIRE STATION
Aireys Inlet Rural Fire Brigade was formed in 1948. At the first meeting Officers were elected. Later 12 knapsacks were acquired and distributed.
The original Fire Station building was on the high side of the General Store in the main street.
It was destroyed by the Ash Wednesday fire 1983. An improved building in Pearse Road replaced this.
CRA-AN-BIR
Ida Mary Grower purchased land at the south eastern comer of The Great Ocean Road and Beach Road in 1920. The
house (pronounced Cray and beer) was built 1921 and based on the plan of Tonge’s Debonair at Anglesea. A builder from Geelong constructed the abode.
The land has since been re-subdivided. The residence was destroyed by the Ash Wednesday fire 1983 and has since been replaced by one of a different design.
THE ‘BARK HUT’
Angahook’s ‘Bark Hut’ was clad with bark sheets stripped from local trees. These were attached with handmade nails to a frame made from stringy bark and ironbark poles. A lining of flattened zinc from old tea chests made the roof watertight. The floor was of packed earth and holes used for windows. This structure replaced the first hut on land associated with John Airey and Thomas Carter. It was burnt during the Black Thursday fire of 1851. Thomas Pearse and Robert McConachy rebuilt in the same position. In 1861 Robert McConachy married Sarah Pearse, one of Tom Pearse’s twin daughters. The hut was used for many years by Robert and his descendants while on fishing trips to Aireys Inlet from Mirnee. John Rout Hopkins bought the property and subdivided in the 1880’s. William McMullen purchased the homestead block and replaced the original timber chimney with a handmade brick one in the 1890’s. The structure was restored by Barrabool Shire in 1979 and classified “B” by the National Trust. It was destroyed during Ash Wednesday and later replica replaced.
Vandals pushed down the chimney in 2000. The Hut was renovated in readiness for a descendant reunion in November 2004.
Also a successful Heritage day at The Hut reserve was held in March 2007.
‘ANGAHOOK’ HOMESTEAD
The Shire of Winchelsea rate books do not give a clear picture as to when ‘Angahook’ was actually built. It is thought that Thomas B. Pearse started the homestead’s construction around 1862. A nearby quarry supplied stone for the building’s construction. Tom Pearse died from hepatitis in 1862. After this, his wife Martha continued to work the property with Robert McConachy until her death in l870. Robert then sold ‘Angahook’ and moved to a 270 acre property at Mirnee - to the west of Winchelsea. John Rout Hopkins took over the pre-emptive right and rented the homestead to Geelong wine merchant WiIliam McMullen in conjunction with his son William and George Cornelius Noble. They eventually bought the homestead and surrounding eight acres. Hopkins subdivided the remainder of the pre-emptive right into five acre blocks and town allotments. Over the years he gradually released these for sale under the name of ‘Eagle Hawk Estate’. George Noble in 1881 married William McMullen’s daughter Fanny and the homestead property eventually came to the Noble name. By 1927 the homestead site was consolidated and included original lots 1/11 sect 28. In 1978 part of this land was subdivided into 35 blocks. The original homestead was destroyed on Ash Wednesday 1983. Descendants of the Noble family still live on part of the original ‘Angahook’ homestead site. There are two large Norfolk Island Pine trees that survived the 1983 fires that still mark the spot of the homestead.
GRAVE OF THOMAS & MARTHA PEARSE
In 1964 a Memorial caim was erected and unveiled over the grave of two Airey Inlet pioneers - Thomas and Martha Pearse. Thomas died on the 9th August 1862 from hepatitis. He was buried in this grave overlooking the Ocean near today’s Lighthouse. His wife Martha died 10th April 1870 aged 52 years. She was buried aJongside her husband. The gravesite was originally protected by a picket fence which fell into disrepair. Its pickets matched those of the
AIREYS BRIDGE (MELLOR’S) 1932
Ray larke once mentioned that in winter George Noble from the Angahook homestead often rowed them across the flooded stream, as they proceeded from Eastern View to the Aireys School. Before the bridge was built, the vehicle track went around the back of Berthon’s Hill via The Old Coach Road to Moggs Creek, then along the dunes to Eastern View. The first bridge was designed by the CRR and financed by Bruce Mellors, to give easier access to Fairhaven properties. The Lieutenant Governor officially opened the crossover in conjunction with the road to Lome and Apollo Bay in 1932. This gave a more direct coastline route.
Sand drifts later disrupted vehicle’s progress along this new un-metalled carriageway. The old back road fell into disuse for many years after this. Mellor’s 1932 bridge was replaced by a larger one in 1972.
FAIRHAVEN 1931 -1983
Robert Cowan purchased land in 1931 from John Sutherland and built a corrugated iron structure in the Gully next to the Great Ocean Rd. He married Irene Mellor and they lived in the iron hut as they built ‘Fairhaven’ from handmade sandbricks. Bruce Mellors paid £725 for the erection of the first bridge over the Palnkalac Creek to give easier access to the Mellor and Cowan properties. From 1936 Fairhaven was run as a guesthouse. A large sign was prominent at the roadside entrance for many years. The Halls family succeeded the Cowans. They also ran a private camping ground and caravan park that became the annual holiday destination of many families. H. M. (Bert) Halls became an Estate Agent at Fairhaven, and later opened an Office next to the Aireys Store and Post Office. He continued there until he sold the business to McMahon’s Estate Agency in 1968. His Fairhaven property was also sold in 1968. Bert Halls died in Geelong in 1982 aged 82. Today’s Fairhaven area derives it’s name from his camping establishment The beacbftont opposite was rserved for public purposes during 1879. A Foreshore Committee was formed in 1961. The Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club was established at a meeting in 1958.
A new Clubhouse was opened in December 1960
‘THE GLEN’
The Glen was part of John and Catherine Sutherland’s lot 22, Angahook, County of Polwarth, in 1907. The former Banker at the age of 67 cleared some 100 acres of scrub, ferns and timber to start farming. The pasture was sown and improved with rye grass, clover, white paspalum and phalaris. His sheep sold well at the Colac market and a dairy farm with a 16 stall shed was commenced. Originally the fourteen paddocks were fenced with wire netting and had the creek running nearby. This property was sold to Woods and Maher in 1914 and later purchased by the Hartleys. John Sutherland died in 1922 aged 82. He was buried at Lome. A 1927 rate book entry shows the property in the name of Mrs. M. Milliken. This changed back to the Hartleys in 1931. The Hartley family also purchased the Lugg’s property of 134 acres during wartime 1942. In 1998 ‘The Glen’ holiday cottages and the Painkalac Pastoral Company are in Hartley Street /Old Coach Rd.
LUGG’S ORCHARD 1886 ‘The Rookery’
Thomas J. and Agnes Louise Lugg (known as Luggs from the Inlet) arrived at their 134 acre property of virgin bush (later known as ‘The Rookery’) on lot 19 in 1890. Thomas’ father had already settled there in 1886. They also leased the adjacent river frontage from The Crown. A small dairy farm with orchard was established. The roads to the area were then rough, winding unmade tracks. Thomas had a great knowledge of fruit growing. By 1893 their apples were amongst the most successful prizetakers at the Geelong Show and nearly always topped the market at Richardson’s in Gee1ong. In 1890 Thomas Lugg conveyed the mail in his wagonette from Wensleydale railway to Aireys Inlet on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This venture closed by 1892 as the anticipated railway patronage dwindled away. Some of Lugg’s land was swamp - this was drained in 1901. Thomas Lugg died 31/8/1904. The property changed to Mrs Agnes Louise Lugg’s name in 1907. Their son Joseph died from meningitis during WW 1. It was the Lugg’s who heard the first motor car arriving at the district (Charles Lane’s) - they mistook the noise for a swarm of bees approaching. In 1915 the property changed to the name of Charles Hy. Lugg. Mrs A.L. Lugg sold in 1942 to the Hartleys from ‘The Glen’ after her son Charles died. She died in 1953 at a Ballarat Nursing Home at the age of 92 years.
Their old abandoned cottage could be seen for many years some 200 yards west of Bambra Road. It was destroyed on Ash Wednesday.
‘WYBELLENNA’
Berthon’s ‘Wybellenna’ homestead (one of the earliest in the district) was once easily seen on the hillside to the west of the town. Benjamin Berthon was granted a licence for allotment 15 of 284+ acres in 1872. On his death in 1874 his brother William took over the lease and by 1878 he was shown as a freehold titleholder, with the creek frontage reserved permanently for public purposes. The road in originally went across Hopkin’s property to Wybellenna’s private bridge across the creek.
William lived at ‘Wybellenna’ from 1876 to 1878. This seven-roomed abode was clad with hand-sawn weatherboards, shingle roof and a stone fireplace built to the outside of the structure.
The property was offered for private sale 1879 but no offer came about. When William Berthon and his wife shifted to Geelong other members the family moved there permanently from 1880.
In 1928 ‘Wybellenna’ was in the name of Edward de C. Berthon. After retiring from a school teaching career in 1941, Louis de C. Berthon resided there until he died in 1947. Over the years the original house was replaced and the property sold and subdivided into smaller broad acre lots. The house did not survive Ash Wednesday. William Berthon Jnr. on retiring moved to Lot 1, Section 25, ‘Lulotte’ at the comer of Bambra Rd. & Philip Street. Miss Elizabeth (Lily) Berthon also had a cottage nearby. She named it ‘The Wattles’. This was at lots 5 & 6, section 25, Bambra Road.
‘THE NEUK’ MOGGS CREEK
The Neuk was constructed overlooking Moggs Creek around 1900 during William Reid’s time. Samuel Roberts obtained a grant in 1897, and sold to W. Reid The property passed on to William Boyd in 1905. Rate book entries show that the property on lot 22 originally of 1,280 acres , was owned by William Boyd of Belgrave, and occupied by John and Catherine Sutherland. They commenced a dairy farm on about 100 acres at ‘The Glen.’ Although venture proved unsuccessful, the family continued to live at ‘The’ Neuk’ where they established a small orchard. After John died in 1922, his wife Catherine and daughter Merran McDonald Sutherland remained until 1933.
‘The Neuk’ outbuildings were destroyed by the 1926 fire - Mrs Sutherland and daughter sheltered on the beach.
The Old Coach Road (used before The Great Ocean Road was constructed) ran through the middle of the property.
This carriageway caused the original lot 22 to be split into seven sections. The Fairhaven portion of the land was sold to Robert Cowan about 1930. ‘The Neuk’ on lot 22F was rented to Mr. & Mrs. A.C. Suters with their three sons, during period 1933 -1936. William Boyd retired there after the Suters departed to ‘ Naygoondy’ in Boundary Road There was a large Norfolk Island pine tree at the front of the house - a sign at the road advised ‘Norfolk Pine Country Club.’ The Boyd’s had a telephone connected to Clarke’s Eastern View Exchange - their number was Eastern View 2. An ornate glass front door featured at the main building. This disappeared from the vacant house after the Boyds left. Mrs Boyd (nee Katherine Margaret Sutherland) suffered badly from arthritis and moved about on crutches. William Boyd went for an early swim each day, summer and winter, opposite the mouth of the creek. He changed out of his wet his togs at this location.
The Boyds left for Melbourne when William (then aged 80) became unwell. The ‘Neuk’ was sold in 1970 to the Beach family. The original house, demolished and replaced in 1975. This was burnt on Ash Wednesday and replaced again. In 1950 the Wendt family purchased land from William Boyd and built on a site which overlooked the bridge and creek mouth - now called No.1 The old Coach road. This was the first house apart from ‘The Neuk’ on the east side of the creek. Over the years William Boyd’s land was subdivided and sold as The Neuk Estate, Old Coach Road Estate, Hilltop Estate, Bellbird Estate etc.
1763 Moggs Lighthouse Very Old Matured Whiskey?
This bottle has been in the family since the 60's. Not sure where my Grandfather got it from or its origins?
I have my suspicions that it might have been from some of the resident artists that set up camp there early
last century and could have been linked to the Moving Clickers?
EASTERN VIEW MEMORlAL ARCHWAY 1939.
Although the Great Ocean Road between Torquay and Lorne was officially opened during 1922, it was not until 1939 that today’s well known timber and stone crosspiece came into being. This was erected to the memory of W. T. McConnack, Honorary Engineer to the Great Ocean Road Trust and Chairman of The Country Roads Board. General Sir Harry Chauvel officially opened the structure in November 1939. This was later considered by the CRB to be too low and narrow, and was replaced with a wider span in 1974. The Ash Wednesday fire destroyed this in 1983. A new Memorial Archway was rebuilt at the same site.
EASTERN VIEW HOTEL 1924/57
Alfred Farthing came to Eastern View in 1924 before the Great Ocean Road was formed. At that time there were only four other houses in the isolated area. He built the first part of the property in 1924. This was extended and a Liquor Licence granted in 1927. Land was leased on the Ocean side of the Great Ocean Road (then a track) for a fully netted tennis court - this former ball hitting area is now used as a beach car park. The upstairs promenade deck was a popular gathering place in summer. Electric power was at first generated by it’s own unit and connected to SEC in 1938. The Hotel Licence was surrendered in 1957. Dr. Percy Jones from the Melbourne Conservatorium later occupied the structure. The Ash Wednesday fire destroyed the ex-watering place. Alfred Farthing died 1953 aged 81.
EASTERN VIEW GOLF LINKS 1936/9
Anyone for golf? Actually this cry was not heard on our part of the coast until 1936, when the Eastern View Golf course was opened adjacent 10 the Great Ocean Road archway near Coalmine Creek. On that particular day His Excellency The Governor after giving a keen speech, stepped forward to drive away the first ball to open the course - Yes, you’ve guessed it! Unfortunately in front of a huge gathering he did the dreaded air shot, leaving the little white missile motionless on tee. In true British spirit he seemed quite unperturbed and after swinging the club back for the second time, belted the ball a reported 130 yards straight up the freshly prepared fairway - followed by great applause from the intrigued onlookers. The 9 hole Eastern View Links was constructed by The Great Ocean Road Trust, on high ground of 120 acres just north east of the archway. This had room for future expansion to 18 holes. It used sand scrapes instead of greens, and was described as a sporting course with interesting natural hazards - An ideal picnic resort! The undulating links was closed at the beginning of World War 2 - and never re-opened. The Ash Wednesday Fire destroyed the old wooden bridges that connected the fairways, and also consumed the caretaker’s cottage (then privately owned). Golf Links Road is a reminder of this old sporting venture.
CLARKE’S EASTERN VIEW FARM 1879-1983
During 1879 pioneer settler Jonas Hollingworth with his wife Elizabeth, selected land in a very isolated area west of Aireys Inlet, and named it ‘Eastern View. At first their nearest neighbour to the west, was at Lorne, a day’s ride away over rough terrain. To comply with the conditions of his selection he cleared and fenced some of the land. Their first abode was a bark hut, and later a cottage constructed from driftwood and timber slabs. The Hollingworth family left in 1900 after Elizabeth became ill and was confined to Hospital. Their daughter Mary Ann married George William Clarke. They moved to back to Eastern View in 1910, and further cleared and established the farm which produced milk, butter, eggs and poultry. These were taken to Lorne by packhorse. A telephone was connected in 1913. Guest facilities plus a Post Office and a Telephone exchange switchboard were later included. After the Great Ocean Road was opened in 1922 they established a milk run through to Lorne. This lasted until 1958. Their telephone exchange closed in 1968 when automatic phones took over. The Post Office also closed at this time. Eastern View farm was sold in 1981 after 100 years in the family. The Ash Wednesday fire destroyed the original buildings.
GRASSY CREEK
The area was originally named by William Urquhart. Alfred Anderson occupied this delightful valley to the south west of Jonas Hollingworth’s ‘Eastern View’ in 1912. He built a South African style mud and log hut there. Anderson’s land was split when the Great Ocean Road was built. During the construction of the Great Ocean Road a camp was established there to accommodate the workers. A toll gate was later erected near the high rock formation known as Pinnacle, to help finance the road. This was manned by W. (Bluey) McKay. Catherine Jane Anderson opened a tea room to cater for Great Ocean Road traffic after her husband died. She also ran cattle in the area on land leased from The Crown.
During the 1950’s a caravan park and the Black Stump Roadhouse occupied the location This was subdivided in 1963. The Christian Brothers purchased some 25 acres of the land and established the Santa Monica camp, with caretaker residence, bunk houses, and recreation hut. The original camp and main road bridge were destroyed by the 1983 fire.
BIG HILL ESTATE
EDNA WALLING’S ‘EAST POINT’ 1948/65
Edna Walling was respected as one of Australia’s most noted landscape designers. She selected some 16 acres of sloping land, abundant with rocks, at Big Hill. With the aid of a few friends and local tradesmen she erected a small villa amongst the iron barks. This gave her an opportunity to blend the property and private driveway into the landscape without unduly disturbing the tranquil scene. East Point was one of her favourite places. The 2 storey holiday abode was constructed of fibro cement sheets. Stone steps linked the higher and lower sections. Roof water drained into two galvanised tanks. Edna preferred her abode to receive filtered sunlight through leaves of her beloved ironbarks. Her magnificent view of the ocean was through the trees, not from a cleared area. Unfortunately the unusual villa was destroyed by the 1965 bushfire which swept through that area. She moved to Buderim Qld. during 1967. The property was left to the Bird Observers Club. Edna Walling died in 1973.
‘ILUKA’ GUEST HOUSE 1923
Iluka was erected across part of the old bridle track at Big Hill, below Cinema Point, for Captain Edward Morley M.L.A. during 1923. It had accommodation for 35 boarders, with the patronage of holiday makers steadily growing. Captain Morley originally used it as a seaside residence, where he dispensed hospitality to his numerous Parliamentary and other friends. He once gave a luncheon there to fellow Masons to celebrate his installation as Masters of the Geelong Lodge. The property was managed by Mrs Campbell, who lived there with her two daughters and son.
The Melbourne Argus 8/12/1926 reported that the seaside guesthouse was destroyed by a late night fire, the cause of which was unknown. The property was valued at £2500 and could be rebuilt. It was burnt again on Ash Wednesday and rebuilt once more. Captain Edward Morley died in 1929 aged 56.
BUBBLE HOUSE 1968-1983
Great Ocean Road
John Scott’s holiday retreat was on a 0.5ha bushland block above the cliffs west of Cinema point on the Big Hill Estate. It was in three sections, based on a huge fibreglass ball of 7 meter diameter of 4 levels . This was connected by a perspex tube to a domed living area. It was best seen from the distance on the trip back to Geelong from Lorne. The startling structure was auctioned during 1982, and destroyed by the 1983 fire