Last week it was necessary to edit the article that ran in the Illustrated Australian News, July 8, 1882.
The paragraph I deleted was this:
It may be that the science of farming has not yet attained with us that position that would meet the approval of a Mechi, as, in truth to say, our farmers in the matter of retaining in the land its natural vigour are somewhat improvident; but there are signs of a steady advance in the art of scientific agriculture in the older farming districts of the colony which must have its effect on the more recently settled localities; and it may be hoped that all our agriculturalists will in a few years recognise the principle of so tilling their land that they may return a profit for the outlay of time and money expended on them.’
In other words — our local farmers aren’t very efficient yet — but they’ll learn.
They might even make some money, in a few years.
But, after considerable research, I don’t know who or what a Mechi is.
It appears to be a surname connected somehow with the biblical Matthew.
The article also mentioned that our population, in 1870, was 30, and by 1882, was 2000.
This is difficult to confirm; the official census in 1891, included the surrounding districts and recorded a population of 3781; the estimated population of Shepparton was 1679. This would be the white population; our Indigenous people were not included.
How we grew
In 1891, the Goulburn Weir was completed; it was the first of its kind in Australia and put us on the national stage.
The project was so technologically advanced that images were featured on the nation’s 10 shilling notes and half-sovereign coins.
In 1910, there was an international marketing campaign, designed by our government, which brought many hopeful families to our region.
When I sat down with a calculator, and figured out just how much money many people would owe our government, I was sickened.
It was far too complex and far too misleading. (But I’ve written about that previously.)
In 1923, innovative Sheppartonians sent out invitations to 650 previous residents.
It was suggested that they come back for a reunion and have a look at Shepparton’s improvements, catch up with old friends and visit some of their old haunts.
It was hoped that the event would bring people back to stay.
Apparently, it was very successful.
And, in 1938, there was the centenary.
The population of Shepparton, at this time, has been estimated at 6000.
Beverley Vibert Snell
In 2022, Beverley published an exceptional book entitled The Viberts of Shepparton – who were they and where did they come from?
Beverley was in her late 80s then, and the amount of research necessary was mind-boggling.
It traced the local family back to Jersey (the Channel Islands) and detailed the families who had married into the Vibert family tree.
It also included the article I have mentioned here and included in last week’s column.
Beverley has written that articles such as this one may have influenced her grandparents to come to our town.
And there is a fascinating history of the Channel Islands, focusing on World War II.
Of course, I also found the personal stories of Ada and Edmund Vibert (Town Talk, June 2).
I am very grateful to Beverley and fully aware of the time and effort put into this wonderful book, and the stories included.
I’d love to write about the Channel Islands; they have fascinated me for a long time. (But it would have to be in the Silly Season wouldn’t it? — such as when I wrote about King Arthur, Ancient Rome, Bosnia’s pyramids.)
See you on Wednesday, June 17 at the Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture, which pointed us to all of these stories.
May it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187
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