G’day. In 1864, Shepparton’s population was 30. We had six buildings, of which three were squatters’ huts — but we wanted a railway line.
At that time, and for several years, we were moving goods by riverboat. From 1878, Cobb & Co coaches came daily from Violet Town, Echuca and Seymour — bi-weekly from Benalla.
However from 1871 to 1881 the population grew by more than 1000 and, on August 1, 1878, Queen Victoria gave her consent.
The first stage of our railway was from Mangalore to Murchison East. The second section, from Murchison East to Shepparton, opened on January 13, 1880. (Am I wrong, or is 19 months — from Buckingham Palace to ‘toot toot’ at Shepparton — quicker than we can do now? I understand the historic build was simpler, but think of the machinery we have today.)
In 1934, the mayor, Mr W.S. James, opened the Farmers’ Convention, held in Shepparton. He spoke, in part, of the history of local wool production, which, in 1882-83, was valued at five and a half million pounds.
Our ‘wheat belt’ in 1883-84 totalled more than three million pounds. There is little doubt that the coming of the railway was a turning point in our growth. The Shepp/Mooroopna line also opened in 1880, and eight years later, the Shepp/Dookie line was constructed — opening on October 1, 1888. (The passenger service to Dookie closed in 1953.)
The trains played a large part in the lives of several generations. My father loved the railway; much preferred to ride than drive. One trip to Melbourne, for a medical appointment, he brought a stranger home to stay a few days. (As one does! — or doesn’t!)
The guy was an Englishman, new to Australia and new to Shepparton and, as he had no accommodation organised, was fortunate to meet my dad. From memory, my mum was less than impressed. And many of us will remember school trips, particularly to the Olympic Games.
Personally, I also loved the excitement of a train trip — especially the stop at Seymour. There I could buy comics to read during the last half of the journey — and a pie; I always bought a pie. We went by train for short holidays, to visit relatives or watch a game of footy. They are good memories.
When our new schedule is complete, with the trains faster, perhaps a train trip will, once again, be something we all enjoy; perhaps the train will become the ‘meeting place’ I remember it to be. There was always someone for my parents to chat to. (And perhaps the SAM traffic lights, adjusted to the new schedule, will be turned on!)
The township of Cashel
In 1888, Cashel was a thriving township. In a survey completed by Wilmot, the area had been called ‘South Dookie’; however, the town was once part of the Major Plains Station owned by Mrs Turnball and the name was changed to Cashel.
As settlers came to the area, so did early businesses, including two dressmakers, an undertaker, a photographer, two butcher shops, four hotels, a bootmaker, a general store, the National Bank, a mail carrier and a harness maker.
There was also a police station, showground, post office and several schools. However, after 15 years of growth, the busy little township was deserted. The railway had come to Dookie.
The people of Cashel had few choices. Some buildings were moved to Dookie (dragged by steam traction engines), many were abandoned and a very few were sold.
Dookie
In a booklet celebrating Dookie’s centenary, Mr Peter Ryan (son of an early settler) described a growing Dookie. He wrote:
“By the early 1900s Dookie was a flourishing township. There were three general stores, two of them with well-stocked timber yards, a drapery shop, which also sold and repaired boots and shoes, two blacksmith shops, each employing four men.
“One of the blacksmiths used steam power, (there were also) two butcher shops, one baker, two barbers, a newsagency, which advertised ‘everything from a needle to an anchor’ and carried among other things, jewellery and chemist lines, a hall, two hotels, the weekly Dookie and Katamatite Recorder, which was owned and operated by Charles Bollinger, a saddler, one (and at times two) dressmakers, a bicycle shop, two fruit and lolly shops and a solicitors.
“There were also the National Bank, post office, police station, hospital, three resident doctors (Doctors Farndale, Kelly and Rankin), Catholic and state schools, Catholic Church (1898), Presbyterian (1892), Church of England (1903), and the Union Church.”
Dookie became a part of the Shire of Shepparton in 1903.
The ‘old hall’ — called the Victoria — had been built in 1888 by Messrs Alexander and Torgrimson. It was privately owned and operated by a board of trustees, and was, by 1944, desperately in need of repair and extension.
It was used for pictures, sales, weddings, table tennis, meetings, dances, court cases and flower shows. Obviously of great importance to the town. With the Dookie Advancement League negotiating, the shire council purchased the hall.
With plans in place for a new stage, floor, supper room and kitchen, the Dookie Advancement Committee set about raising funds. The shire council applied for a government grant of 1500 pounds to complete the project.
The population of Dookie now totals 333. Don’t overlook it — it’s a very nice place to live.
Dookie Agricultural College – University of Melbourne, Dookie Campus
It was the astonishing foresight of Mr A.R. Wallis — way back in 1874 — that finally convinced the powers that be of the value, to the community, of establishing an experimental farm in the Dookie area.
In 1878, the Cashel Experimental Farm was established on the crown land grant of 4846 acres. (This was later extended to more than 6000 acres.) Enrolments grew as farmers from across the state sent their sons to learn the basics of farming and new techniques. However, around 1880, the government of the time changed its policy and the experimental farm became a home for wards of the state.
There was enormous disappointment because it had become clear that the need for agricultural advancement was there. In 1884, an Agricultural Act was passed, including the creation of a council of Agricultural Education to establish colleges. Fortunately, the farm at Cashel had not been forgotten. It was the site for the first college, now called the Dookie Agricultural.
Crown land was reserved as ‘endowment land’ to finance the project and it took a couple of years for finance to be raised — but in 1886 things got moving again.
Students took a diploma course that covered farm management and all aspects of agriculture. The Council of Agricultural Education functioned for 60 years when a new division of Agricultural Education was formed; the endowment land scheme was abolished and the Dookie Agricultural College was funded with annual grants.
Association of the college with the University of Melbourne began in 1910 when students of Bachelor of Agricultural Science spent a year at the site.
Today, Dookie College, is the Dookie Campus of the university. It still plays an important role in the development of agriculture and agricultural learning and remains a focal point for key research and technology development. It is helping to shape the future.
Please note: all photos on this page came from Geoff at Lost Shepparton. www.myshepparton.com.au
International Women’s Day
Tomorrow is a ‘special’ day — and that’s all I have to say about that! Or I can repeat last year’s explanatory effort if you prefer!
Well done to council
Greater Shepparton City Council has received the report on which it was waiting; the report recommended building over four of our car parks. And it is starting with the section in Rowe St. It is not the most attractive of choices, but it is convenient. With so many families needing affordable housing, I’m sure many of them would be grateful.
I fully understand why council is taking cautious and careful steps by not asking our opinion about all four car parks; some of you jumped pretty hard on it for its first attempt. Our community needs this to happen and happen quickly. So please everyone, be supportive.
In addition, I read, with relief, that council is taking steps towards the acquisition of land on the corner of Ford and Grahamvale Rds — sufficient to accommodate up to 1500 homes. It will take a long time, of course — and should have happened years ago — but it’s happening now. With hundreds of families waiting for a block of land on which to build, this will enable the city to grow, put more homes on the market and make renting easier. It will also encourage doctors and nurses to move here, to fully staff our hospital.
Now, I know I’m something of a weirdo, but I felt quite emotional to read that our Afghan community has a place to play a game they love, ‘sangi rag’. I have only spoken with a couple of people who have come here from Afghanistan, but they were so very grateful for our city, our freedoms and our welcome. I hope they have many hours of fun at Victory Park. (Didn’t we call it Billygoat Flat, once upon a time? Remember?)
I hope you all have a good week. Do what you please with International Women’s Day — and pray that it helps one woman, somewhere! And remember that phrase they put on cushions and welcome mats: Be yourself, because everyone else is taken!
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.)