Town talk | A cause worthy of your support

Of the 46,000 young Australians who died on the battlefields of France, one soldier left a very special legacy.

Before he died, he asked his mate to look after ‘the wife and kids’.

It is probable that the last words he heard were ‘She’ll be right, mate. She’ll be right.’

The practice of taking care of a deceased mate’s family spread over the years – and, in 1923, Legacy was formed – 100 years ago.

Uniquely Australian, we celebrate the centenary with a torch relay that left Pozieres, France on April 23 this year.

The torch will arrive at Shepparton Art Museum at 10am on Saturday and reach Legacy House (20 Edward St) around 11.15am-11.30am.

This is well worth your support, and what a great learning experience for our youngsters, especially if you tell them how and why it all began.

Hendersyde

I was originally contacted by Colin Waugh who, these days, lives in Ballarat.

We spoke on the phone and he, very kindly, sent me 11 pages of information about — what he refers to as — ‘the flea in my ear’.

Around 23 years ago, he and a friend travelled to see the sites of the former internment camps.

At this time, he purchased a Shepparton South Topographical Map.

Some years later, he noticed that Hendersyde was incorrectly situated.

And this was when he first became aware of that flea.

James Alexander Henderson was an orchardist; in fact, so were his neighbours.

He was also, like most of his neighbours, a returned soldier, having served in the 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment in World War I.

This area, in the parish of Toolamba, was a soldier settlement area.

Within a radius of two miles of the original Toolamba Hall, there were 50 homes and 600 acres of orchard, mostly owned by ex-soldiers.

It was necessary to take the fruit over rough, unmade roads (which became impassable when wet) to the railway station at Toolamba.

The lobbying of Mr. Henderson — over three years — finally resulted in a corrugated iron shed being erected near the ‘old’ Toolamba Hall.

To stop the train, a person would wave a flag or, at night, a red light.

It was first acknowledged by the Victorian Municipal Directories in 1927:

In 1927, Hendersyde station; in 1937, Hendersyde public hall, post office, tennis club, and station; but, by 1976, merely a postcode 3616.

As I understand it, Colin’s flea is about Hendersyde being remembered and being marked correctly on the maps.

I asked my husband about it and he said he couldn’t remember it as a railway stop but does remember going there, with his dad, to get a load of sand.

Apparently, there was a sandhill that provided sand for locals — legally.

Then, last Tuesday morning, I heard from another Colin:

Hi Marnie, my name is Colin, aged 78, and I lived not far from Hendersyde, our family farm was just down the road from Hendersyde station. The station was situated on the corner of Downer and Pogue Rds. The station structure was like a bus shelter — no platform. My eldest brother Baden got off there on his way home from National Service at Puckapanyal. People waved a red flag during the day and a light at night to get on the train. Mail was thrown from the train for people. There was also a hall at Hendersyde on Pogue Rd which got burnt down. You may call me if you wish.

Col

I called Colin, to thank him but forgot to ask if I should use his full name. As a result, I have deleted his surname.

I suspect, however, that this is a generational matter — and may not be passed down to children as a matter of interest.

Our sons, for example, had never heard of it while my sister-in-law certainly remembered it.

Then I heard from Robin:

Marnie

I’m interested in anything to do with Hendersyde, the forgotten locale within our Greater City.

Having driven through the area on-farm visits, I was familiar with Toolamba West and Tatura East. There are even named primary schools for those areas. But it was not until I saw the name Hendersyde on a map at the Visitor Information Centre that I started to find out more. It is also included on the Pozi maps on the City website.

Located at the corner of Pogue and Downer Roads, there is a small triangle of land that must have been the siding or stop for Hendersyde. Vic Rail still has a dedicated number for this stop. Small lanes at the site are Goodson Road and Hendersyde Road. The former looks to be a driveway now. While the latter must be the track alongside the rail line.

I asked John Gribben about Hendersyde, and he certainly knows the history, etc.

I was also drawn to it because of the Jewish hakhshara that was located at the corner of Waugh Road and Mooroopna-Murchison Road. This training farm was owned by the Melbourne Jewish community, but was described as being in Toolamba, not Hendersyde. (This is another interesting bit of local history about a cultural group that made their mark here and to some extent still does.)

I am looking forward to your article by Marnie on this subject.

Thanks,

Robin from Kialla

Robin, I noticed that in Colin’s material, there is a reference to an application by the Hendersyde Progress Association for a school. It was refused by the Education Dept in 1927.

Colin Waugh, in his correspondence with me, reports that, after contacting the DEL WP, visiting and finding an obliging staff member, and several emails, Hendersyde has been ‘recognised in its correct location’ (2018).

He felt then that it would take some time for the maps to catch up.

However, Colin’s second purpose was to tell me a little about Mr. Henderson. So, I’ll tell you what I know.

James Henderson fought in both world wars, but I have no detail about the second.

He was, at some point, asked to leave his property; Colin doesn’t know why.

It is believed he moved to the mountains but was burnt out in a bush fire.

Later in life, he lived in Healesville and Colin discovered that a third daughter was added to the family, after World War II.

And, there is a third purpose; this is to have the site recognised physically — something tangible.

He writes: ‘‘I am rather passionate about getting recognition of Hendersyde and J.A. Henderson; otherwise the information and significance will be forgotten and gone forever.’’

I understand Colin — and have done all I can do. Good luck.

Searching for painter

Who painted the former children’s ward at Goulburn Valley Health?

This week, I received a letter – forwarded from The News office – from a very old friend.

She wrote, initially, in regard to a story we published a couple of months ago, about Tatura’s new barber shop.

I will respond to her privately; however she asked a question I couldn’t answer and wonder if you can.

I’m writing this from hospital.

The Old Children’s Ward at the Goulburn Valley Hospital — where I am a patient is now a respiratory ward’ since they built the new children’s wards. I adore this room and know I am getting better just being in here, I feel humour and happiness just being in this 6-bed ward. You have probably seen it — large rabbits and frogs adorn all the walls, dressed, dancing, making daisy chains, having picnics, playing music. I have been in many hospitals, and many rooms over the years at the G.V. But nothing like this room. Love this room.

As I’m in isolation I can’t get out to the other rooms YET! But can see through the large glass windows happy elephants, dinosaurs, aeroplanes, bunting, and birds as this is a big admin, and office area these will not be painted over. I know there are other areas, but I can’t escape. I have taken photos of them in here — carting my Oxygen Bottle around.

I was wondering if you know who painted them. I was told they have been here for about 20 years and this room will be eventually painted over.

I love your write-ups but didn’t know it was you.

If you know anything about this artwork, please let me know.

Ronnie and I were once very new wives and mothers; also neighbours and I hadn’t seen her for more than 50 years.

However, we did have a long telephone conversation on Saturday afternoon. Now that we’ve found one another, it will be the first of many.

Under the clock

August 30, 1910

THE WONDERSCOPE – Many have been the moving pics, shown in Shepparton, and many have been the names of the systems adopted; and those who saw the ‘Wonderscope’ at the Star Theatre last Friday and Saturday, will candidly admit that the exhibition was an excellent one from every point of view, while the pictures served to satisfy all tastes – educational, comic and dramatic. Some of them were of an exceedingly instructive character of absorbing interest. The ‘Wonderscope’ is one of the latest evolutions of the parent cinematograph; the introduction of a gramophone worked on a novel principle, to introduce the vocalisation and the instrumental items of the originals in the animated photography was clever if not quite magical in effect; while the searchlight that was thrown over the town, with its effulgence sent streaming down the street was something to pull one up suddenly and make him think he was striking the tail of some stranded comet – if not exactly Haileys.

My comment: Well. Effulgence isn’t a word you see every day.

October 25, 1910

SPURIOUS COINS — Three spurious half-sovereigns were passed off on tradesmen in Shepparton during yesterday forenoon. People will have to be careful when accepting half-sovereigns to see that they are not only gilt sixpences. That spurious coins of other denominations are also about may well be conceded. Possibly they have come with some of the unenviable characters who have been attracted to this town by the Show.

My comment: Haven’t head spurious used lately, either.

That’s it for this week, folks. Keep well.

May it be easy, my friends.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish)