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e-newsletter Issue 5 June 2023 |
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| There is always a buzz and a lot of activity at the family history group and the preparation of the latest window display moved that to a new level this week.
The historical society had featured local cafes in a window display and, to add to the theme, we decided to feature the Denning’s Lolly Shop which operated in Colac between 1902 and 1938.
As Liz and Robyn were putting the display together, other volunteers came up with suggestions and paraphernalia to enhance the display. |
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Some original items from the shop were loaned to us – the scales used to weigh the lollies, ice-cream sundae dishes and some of the boxes that the lollies were displayed in. Shop plans were found and also put in the display, along with photographs of the Denning sisters who ran the shop following the deaths of their parents.
We also decided to make it a bit of fun for the local children and offer a free competition – guessing the number of jelly beans in a large display jar – which is also the prize. The competition will run until the end of the (Victorian) school holidays.
It was great to see extra members interested or involved and making suggestions and contributions to the display. Diana McGarvie, President |
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Nancy McGarvie wrote her memories of her grandparents, William and Bella Denning’s, confectionery business in Colac. William, died in 1906, the business proprietorship then passed to his widow, Bella who was assisted in the business by her youngest daughter - Nancy’s mother - Eliza. |
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It is believed that they continued the business until Eliza married Milton Brown in 1914 and then another daughter, Frances, came from Geelong to take her place. Bella subsequently died in 1928, and Frances carried on the business till her death in 1938. Several typed versions of these memories were amongst Nancy’s papers, and from these Diana McGarvie has pieced together the story as accurately as possible. |
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John Walker and Diana McGarvie, checking entries in the Denmead family history. |
It is pleasing to be meet our remote members and it was no exception when long-time member, John Walker and his wife Jenny, called into the History Centre recently.
John grew up in Colac and attended Colac South West School - he was one of the earliest students - and later went to Colac High School. Like so many other young people from the country, John went to university in the city and later settled there.
By co-incidence, Diana McGarvie was at the history centre during John’s visit and some family connections were quickly established. John and Diana are both related to John Pell, an early resident who is known for building the notable Colac Post Office, the Prince of Wales Hotel and many other buildings throughout the town.
John was surprised, and pleased, to discover that the family history group has a large amount of history on several of his ancestors, including the Denmead family. We look forward to future visits from John and other remote members.
If you are making plans to come to Colac, please contact the secretary on e: secretary@colacfamilyhistory.org.au and let us know you are coming. |
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The monthly Tuesday webinars are proving to be very popular and we look forward to more members coming into the History Centre to join us in the future. |
| Can you identify with this?
You have you done lots of research and amassed heaps of information, stories documents & photographs.
If you are now wondering what to do next, then this webinar is for you. |
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How to make sense of all the research you have done - and to put it all together. This webinar is one and a half hours long and we will have a break in the middle to stretch and have a cup of tea or coffee. |
Tuesday, 11th July at the History Centre, Colac commencing at 2pm. All members and guests are welcome. RSVP: secretary@colacfamilyhistory.org.au by 10th July |
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The excursion to the State Library of Victoria has been confirmed for 4th October, with the guided tour of the family history section commencing at 10:30 am.
If you wish to travel by train from Colac, we will be making a group booking as soon as it is possible, to ensure that we are travelling in the old first class carriage, which is far more comfortable than the rest of the train. Payment is $10 per person and numbers are required by Thursday, 22nd June at the latest. Bookings will be able to be refunded if a person’s circumstances changes.
As well as Colac members, we will be joined at the library by members from Geelong, Melbourne and Warrnambool, who are making their own way there. A full itinerary will be provided closer to the date. |
To book a place, or a reserve a seat on the train or for more information, email Clare on secretary@colacfamilyhistory.org.au or text Merrill on 0400 055709 |
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Infant’s death sparks community compassion |
In July 1899, Colac and Elliminyt Primary Schools had to be closed due to an outbreak of whooping cough. The measure appears to have been effective as the only fatality recorded was of four-month-old George Malcolm. However, bronchitis and influenza took their toll during that winter and little Edmund Bourke, fourteen-month-old son of James Bourke and Susan Pell of Corunnun, succumbed in early July.
Edmund had been teething for about two weeks when he contracted bronchitis and sadly died ten days later. His death saw an outpouring of sympathy from the local community, which turned out in large numbers to attend the funeral. |
| It was rather unusual, as noted in the Colac Herald, for so many to attend the funeral of an infant. Henry James Pell,
an uncle, was named as a witness of the burial.
Edmund was one of nine children of James and Susan and the family mostly remained in Colac. |
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Other surnames associated with the family are:Dwyer, Burley, Monkivitch, O’Bryan, Tansey, Baker, Wilkins |
Check here for more stories from the Almost Forgotten - Pre-1900 burial project |
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