When we left the Halpin family last week, they were comfortably settled into their new home in Corio St and the family business was located in Fryers St.
Michael’s shop had been strengthened by the sale of bikes, which the people of Shepparton had eagerly adopted.
The ease and speed of getting from one place to another, on flat terrain, was greatly appreciated — by the men.
For some time, Mike’s wife, Ellen, was the only female cyclist, and she paid a price.
She suffered abuse from other women, with one ‘lady’ shouting “Go home and do your washing.”
Another, passing in a buggy, tried to hit her with a whip.
However, Ellen was undeterred and continued riding until a bad fall caused a miscarriage.
She was active in the community, working for the hospital auxiliary, the Red Cross, the Benevolent Society and many church events.
Perhaps the most beneficial to our town was when she was asked to open a Baby Health Centre, which was located in a small building in the Queen’s Gardens.
Halpin Crescent was named in Ellen’s honour.
Mike was also busy with the Shepp Band, the Fire Brigade and the cricket club, and was secretary of the gun club from 1885 to 1918.
However, as the years passed and the business continued to grow, he gradually withdrew from some organisations.
The fire
It was a hot February night and most of the children were sleeping on the wide verandahs that surrounded the house – only Mike, Ellen and Bernard were sleeping in their bedrooms.
Eileen awoke to hear the crackling of fire.
She opened the back door and found the kitchen ablaze, so ran to wake her parents.
Still half asleep, the young ones stumbled down the hall, blinded by smoke.
Very quickly, the whole house was engulfed — even the front fence.
The fire brigade was there, but the water pressure was poor and there was little the firefighters could do.
However, they did manage to save the house next door, which had caught fire.
Doreen has written “It was Ash Wednesday, February 5. There we were, eight children and our parents, with only our night attire left.”
This stopped me in my tracks, because I realised that, in last week’s story, I had left out the birth of Marion, known as ‘Girlie’.
There were nine children. Had Doreen left one out too?
A conversation with Annette clarified the situation.
John had died of an illness much earlier and Doreen had not mentioned his passing in her book.
The community response to the fire was wonderful.
A gentleman associated with the Methodist Church offered Michael an interest-free loan to rebuild.
Mike was grateful for the offer, but declined.
By 10am, that day, the children had been accommodated with friends and neighbours.
Ellen and Mike remained in the large room, behind the burnt home, that had previously served as a classroom for the Catholic College, run on the huge block (Corio through to Orr St.)
By my calculations, they kept the two youngest children, Girlie and Bernie, with them.
And two years later, Brian and Kevin died in a swimming accident.
It was 1915; that was the year the new house was finished.
But I’ll have to tell you about that next week.
The photo
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, with one of the returnees (new word? – I think) Alfred Leahy, eldest son of Harold Leahy.
That interested me, because I have scheduled the Leahy family history for February.
I can’t work out what street the photo shows us.
Wyndham? High? What do you think?
May it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187
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