Last week I was searching for a photo of stained glass to show you.
There were many small images, so I selected a couple at random.
When I could increase the size and see them properly, I noticed something I found interesting; a beautiful example, in Scots Church, was dedicated to Ada and Edmund Vibert.
I have written extensively about the Vibert family; about Nancy and Vince whose contribution to our city was mind-boggling, and about one of their sons, Tim, who had purchased 102 military tanks.
He was in the process of selling them — or hiring them to movie makers.
However, I had never read or heard about Ada and Edmund, so I called another Vibert son, Peter.
I asked him “Do we know Ada and Edmund?”
And he gave me the anticipated response, “Yes. We know them. They were my grandparents.”
Some Vibert history
Vibert is a French name, which, if you go far enough back, was from the German.
A charter of King Stephen mentions Benedict, son of Wibert. (There is no sound for W in the German language; it is pronounced as V.)
A Vibert family was situated in France and later in Jersey.
In 1292, Pierre Vibert is listed as a member of a jury.
This places them in Jersey.
Another Pierre Vibert is mentioned in 1338 and, yet another in 1479.
The Channel Islands, though situated much closer to France, were English, and remain so today — but that’s another story.
Edmund Vibert
Edmund was born in the Parish of St Peter, Jersey, in 1867.
At 19, he went to the United States, but didn’t stay long.
In 1889, he immigrated to Australia, with his older brother, Phillip, and decided on Shepparton.
With a building background, they set up a business and built a house in Mason St.
Phillip then decided to relocate to Western Australia, and in 1929, Edmond formed a company — E.J. Vibert Pty Ltd.
Ed was a staunch churchman, a member of the choir and board of management of Scots Church for 40 years.
He was a member, and former president, of the Shepparton Mechanics Institute for many years.
In the early 1900s, when the first Shepparton Progress Association was formed, he was a strong advocate for a lake.
This plan was frequently referred to as “Clearing the Swamp”.
I read that he fought to prevent the government selling land “on the west side of the old High School building”.
He wanted the land kept for educational purposes, but lost the battle.
He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Edmund passed away in 1938.
At his funeral, the Rev Scarfe said Edmund was “a clear and logical thinker who believed in doing things in an orderly manner. As an employer, he stood by his trusted servants and, in the Depression, made every effort to retain his men in their jobs. At the church, he would be remembered for his faithful service on the Board of Management and the choir.”
Ada was born in 1866 in St Helier, Jersey.
Her mother and Edmund’s mother were sisters, and Ada travelled to Australia with “the remaining Vibert family” in 1889.
She married Edmund in 1896, in Woori Yallock, which, if you are wondering, is situated about 56km east of Melbourne CBD.
Like her husband, Ada was heavily involved in the community.
She passed away after a long illness in 1935.
The beautiful stained-glass window was installed in Scots Church in 1948.
I am indebted to Peter Vibert and his excellent memory.
Also to his sister-in-law Janet Vibert; both of whom have strongly supported this column and remained patient with my endless, sometimes dumb, questions.
Take care (especially at roundabouts and speed bumps) and may it be easy, my friends.
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187
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