People – Page 14 – Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society

Allan Whittaker Commemoration 2013

People, Port Melbourne HistoryNovember 7, 2013

Frank Vincent Port in the twenties - a difficult, suffering place Former Supreme Court Judge Frank Vincent spoke about Whittaker in the Port Melbourne and wider social and political context of the late 1920s. Here is a transcript of his speech: "Port Melbourne in the twenties was a place of considerable poverty. It was a place where men were engaged in what…

A Melbourne Cup Special

People, Port Melbourne HistoryNovember 3, 2013

Rose with her future husband, Norman Barry Melbourne Cup Day prompts this recollection from member Helen Barry: “Mum was a milliner. She was busiest at racing time. I always went to the Melbourne Cup with her. We used to walk past the members’ enclosure trying to spot the hats she had made. Rose Welsh began her apprenticeship as a milliner at Susanne et Cie…

A bit early?

People, Places, Port Melbourne HistoryOctober 30, 2013

Robert Gooding at Olive's corner in Port Melbourne Walking through Olive's Corner earlier this week, saw a person reading the PMH&PS book 'Chartered Scoundrels: A Brief History of Port Melbourne Hotels'. Couldn't let this go unremarked and stopped for a chat. Robert Gooding enjoys visiting Port. By 9 am he had already taken two buses and a train to get here. With…

Remembering Letty Bellion

People, Port Melbourne HistorySeptember 26, 2013

Letty Bellion Margaret Bride tells the story of her grandmother Letty Bellion. Her story is a window into Port life through the 1890s depression, the First World War and the difficult post war years that followed. The story tells of a disappeared cluster of shops in Graham St, and the shadow cast on this family and community by the First World War.…

William Darke and Sandridge

People, Places, Port Melbourne HistorySeptember 19, 2013

Surveyor Darke's camp, Sandridge W.F.E. Liardet, State Library of Victoria William Darke gave the name Sandridge to the area now known as Port Melbourne. He was one of three surveyors sent by Governor Bourke in 1836 to survey the shore of Port Phillip Bay and plot the course of the Yarra River. The name described the 'mile upon mile of sand…

The electorate of Melbourne Ports

People, Port Melbourne HistorySeptember 5, 2013

Existing since Federation, Melbourne Ports has been held by the Labor Party since 1906 and has had only five members in 107 years since. Former members of the seat were Jim Matthews 1906 - 1931 E J Holloway 1931 - 1951 Frank Crean 1951 - 1977 Clyde Holding 1977 - 1998 Michael Danby since 1998 Postscript: On 5 July 2018, Michael Danby announced he would not contest…

Random post about dogs

Collection, People, Port Melbourne HistorySeptember 4, 2013

There is something in the Society's collection for every interest. A leather bound alphabetical index book lists all dogs registered in Port Melbourne in 1892 by owner surname. Even in 1892 there were dogs large and small - from Newfoundlands to poodles. The names of the dogs are not recorded - that would have been revealing. Register of Dogs 1892. PMHPS…

Maskell and McNab

People, Port Melbourne HistoryAugust 1, 2013

Maskell & McNab Memorial What is a monument to railwaymen doing on the foreshore so far away from trains? The monument commemorates engine driver Frederick William Maskell and fireman James McNab who, along with three passengers, were killed in a rail accident at Windsor in May 1887. Maskell was 46, McNab 21. One hundred and fifty four people were injured. Mr Maskell…

Water according to Walter

People, Port Melbourne HistoryJune 28, 2013

George Samuel Walter Memorial Garden Picking up on last week's watery theme, this post turns to Councillor Walter's connection with metropolitan water supply. This week, price increases for water were approved by the Essential Services Commission. The increases were largely attributed to the desalination plant. The Argus of 28 March 1936 contains an article Story Behind the Tap: Our Water Supply cost millions…

Edwards Park

People, Places, Port Melbourne HistoryMay 22, 2013

The layout of Edwards Park has adapted to a range of activities over time. The radial paths meeting in the centre create a setting that lends itself well to Port's current preoccupation with exercise, health and fitness. A playground for children has been a part of Edwards Park from the beginning. Edwards Park was once part of the tapering Sandridge Lagoon. The…

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians