Hi — here we are again.
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Two weeks ago, when the immigration story was published, I had a phone call from Glenice Holmes.
Glenice lives in Numurkah, is a long-term member of the Town Talk family, and the granddaughter of Hector McNeill.
Here is the first section of the McNeills’ story, as told by Glenice.
From Glasgow to Shepparton, 1910
Hector McNeill wanted to pack up his family, which consisted of wife Jessie and eight children, and leave Glasgow.
He had taken a trip to the United States and returned saying “we are not going to America”.
He had a responsible job at the large Singer Factory but couldn’t see a positive future for his family.
However, he had seen advertising that suggested he “come to the Goulburn Valley in sunny Australia”.
A sunny country sounded pretty good to a Glaswegian.
This would have been prior to the brochure, we have discussed, being circulated in Scotland.
The response to that advertising came in 1912, when a number of Scottish families were settled around Orrvale.
When the McNeill family arrived in Melbourne, Hector had just seven children — because the baby had died during the voyage.
His son John (Glenice’s father) said it was the saddest thing he had ever seen; he and his father took the tiny casket on to the deck and watched the ocean claim it.
John was the eldest son, 11 years of age, and he was 90 before he talked to his family about it.
After taking a train to Shepparton, Hector led his family into the town and into ‘Annie Davis Department Store’ (on the north-west corner of High and Corio Sts).
He explained he was looking for accommodation for his family. Mrs Davis offered them a house in Fryers St, until they found more suitable accommodation, free of charge.
She walked with them to an old but very clean home.
About an hour later, they were surprised to see a horse and cart pull up outside.
It was loaded with household items, including blankets and kindling wood, courtesy of Mrs Davis.
Hector met up with Mr Florence, while walking out Benalla Rd. (The crate that contained his bike had yet to arrive from Melbourne.) Mr Florence strongly advised against dairy farming as “there isn’t enough people to buy the milk”.
He recommended that Hector talk to Mr Ford and took him to Ford Rd in his horse and cart. Mr Ford wasn’t enthusiastic about dairy farming, but this was why Hector had travelled 12,000 miles.
So, Hector visited the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, which told him that the dairy blocks had all been allocated.
But there were two-acre blocks in Wheelers Lane still available.
The next day, Hector went to see a solicitor, Mr Matthew Grant, who recommended he buy a plot, in Wheelers Lane, to grow fruit.
He offered Hector work as a gardener and suggested that his growing family members would also be able to find jobs.
Hector took the advice — he built a home in Wheelers Lane and planted pear trees.
Please note: Matthew Grant owned a house called Ambermere, which has been mentioned lately.
There is more of the McNeills’ story to come.
However, next week, for a change of pace, let’s have a chat about the world we currently live in.
Please let me know if you have a favourite topic.
May it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187.
Town Talk