The Courthouse and The Furniture

Stratford Courthouse and Shire Office (with the old bank on the left), about 1950.

STOP THE PRESSES!!!!


We have been setting up the Courthouse furniture in time for it to be on display for the Fair on the 6th - the first time it has been out together since it was handed over by the Shire about 1980.

So we started off doing a little more research (we knew it was by the Richmond firm of Bell Brothers, made in 1885), and we got hooked.


So now there is a book (40 pages, comb bound), that will be joining our Dairy Factories books at the Fair.


Do come and have a look at the furniture on the 6th.

Our President, Wemyss, in the Witness Box by Bell Brothers.

Lest We Forget

Charles Christie Stewart, from Stratford, enlisted 12 June 1915, aged 22 years. He served at Alexandria and in France, before being killed in action in Belgium, 4 Oct 1917. One of the far too many young men we lost.

Lest We Forget

Dairy Factory Books

We are getting very excited about the Dairy Factory Books. Yes, that is right - Books in plural. The Book got so big it has been split into two. Part one covers Stratford, Inverbroom, Craigielee, Bundalaguah, Munro and Dargo. Part two covers The Heart, Clydebank, Sale, Redbank and the Avodale Condensed Milk Factory at Clydebank.


We are especially excited about Avondale, as we have by a minor miracle and some detective work, found a photograph. Here is just a peep at part of the photograph, on the left. It was this vent on a kiln-like structure that was the giveaway on an unknown factory.

The original photograph was found in a private collection (thanks Ann!) covered in writing identifying it as the Sale Butter Factory (which it obviously wasn't). The writing is now gone (thanks Terry!), and the photograph identified. Ross has been to the spot, and found retaining walls and floors that match this photo.


Like to see the full photo? The book will be released on 6 May, at the Village Fair at Stratford. 


And, almost immediately after we had identified the photo, with found this photograph of some vents still existing on a dairy factory in Warragul. With another one of them HERE.

Did I mention that we are very excited?

Archie's Quilt

The Society recently received a donation of Archie's Quilt from the Luxford family. Archibald James Bower enlisted in World War I in November 1915, and was killed in action in France in August 1916.

Before Archie left Australia, he drew designs on linen for his mother, Harriet Bower nee Harper, to embroider a quilt - mainly flowers, butterflies and moths.



Mrs Bower finished the quilt, which was then used for many years by her grandson, Archibald William Luxford. He went to sleep every night, knowing the designs were drawn by the uncle he had never known, after whom he had been named.

Museums Conference

Linda has been across at the Museums Australia (Victoria) Conference at Ballarat. If you have always had a sneaking desire to attend one (this was the first!), you can check out the posts on her blog.