I have divided a one-paragraph story into six paragraphs, in the hope it will be easier for you to read.
But I’ve left the punctuation as it was 144 years ago.
I love the phrase ‘the valley of the Goulburn’. (It paints a word picture — remind me to use it sometime.)
New public buildings at Shepparton
“With the extension of our railway system many townships have sprung up within the last few years where before nothing was to be seen but the squatters’ cattle. In no district of the colony has this gratifying change been more rapid than in the North-eastern district particularly in the valley of the Goulburn where fine agricultural land has attracted a class of yeomanry that is now the strongest element in the prosperity of the colony, and which has converted Victoria into the granary of Australia.
Of the many agricultural townships that have come into existence during the last ten or twelve years, none occupies so stable a position as Shepparton, situated on the Goulburn, and about 150 miles from Melbourne. The township which is in the centre of a large agricultural and pastoral district, had a population of thirty people in 1870, whereas it at present contains over 2000 inhabitants and is an eminently thriving and prosperous place.
Several fine public buildings grace its streets, and branches of the leading banks are established. The mechanics institute is a handsome and commodious structure and boasts the possession of an extensive and varied library, whilst hotels are sufficiently numerous and good to meet all the requirements of the town. Shepparton is also an assize town, and is the centre from which business is conducted for many miles round.
The growing importance of the place has been brought under the attention of the Government on many occasions, and lately a strong local agitation has been set on foot to induce the Ministry to provide it with suitable public buildings. After the usual delay the request was acceded to, and we give a sketch of the buildings as they will appear when finished. The whole of the offices are on one site, but the fixing of this was delayed for a considerable time owing to the difficulty experienced by the residents in deciding on which would be most central. It was not until several polls of the ratepayers had been taken that Wyndham was finally determined as the locale, but once this knotty point was decided that work was at once proceeded with.
The plans of the building were prepared by the Public Works department, and are arranged to accommodate the post and telegraph offices, with the usual quarters; the sub-treasury and courthouse, each of which will contain the proper accommodation for those doing business therein. The building is of dark brick, with coloured brick strings and Waurn Ponds freestone dressings, and a tower rises from the centre to an elevation of 70 feet. A four-dial clock will be placed in the tower, and will provide the township with the time of day.
The cost of the building when completed will be about 9000 pound and will be not only a great convenience, but also an ornament to the town.”
This column, and last week’s story about Ada and Edmund Vibert, have both come to light from a stained-glass window in Scots Church. I’ll tell you more about it next week – if you are very good.
And don’t forget the Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture Hidden in plain sight; stained-glass in the Goulburn Valley. There are two free sessions at Eastbank on Wednesday, June 17 at 1pm and 5.30pm for 6pm.
And one of our trusty informants tells me that the large stained-glass window at the back of Wesley Church was installed by an apprentice, Les Young.
May it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187
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