Let's dish up some history from The Plough

Martin Deveny came to Pentland Hills as a 41-year-old after a full and adventurous life in England. After serving in the military for over 17 years as a Private in the 88th Infantry he married Mary Cannon in 1854. Their first son, Patrick, arrived in mid-1856. Early the following year, the family headed to Australia for the 3-month journey, boarding the “Anne Roydon”. They landed in Melbourne in April 1857 and shortly after arrived in Pentland Hills. Martin quickly made connections with the locals, renting land from Robert Lawson before acquiring pastures of his own. He purchased many hundreds of fenced acres in Blackwood and Pentland Hills, as well as acres for the family homes. The family home was eventually settled at “Churchbank” which is still present today, located at what was referred to as “Deveny’s Corner”. Once settled in Pentland Hills, Martin and Mary added another eight children, including one set of twins – their last child being born when Martin was 62 years of age. This...

Last week we explored the controversy and "blame games" when the Ballan Shire Hall was in such disrepair that it required a re-build.  Plans were drawn up and tenders were submitted. Rigorous debate surrounded the most suitable location for the new hall. Once the dust had settled and the new building opened, the materials for the original building we dumped and forgotten about until a most unfortunate incident brought the bluestone back to life! Lunchtime, Saturday 26 January 1901. A devastating fire destroyed John Foley’s Plough Inn Hotel at Myrniong, along with the out-houses and 12-stall stables, which is where the fire was alleged to have started. Reports indicate that an “unhinged tramp” was seen loitering about the stables and possibly knocked over an oil lamp which quickly ignited, resulting in the enormous blaze. Two valuable horses belonging to Mr Tracey, and the pigs in the sty, were all roasted. The weatherboard hotel was connected to these outbuildings. Strong win...

This week, we explore the fascinating and controversial processes of construction, deconstruction, and design associated with the various Ballan Shire Halls. Back in October 1867, the Ballan Shire Council were working on modified plans for the Shire Hall. These improvements included the arrangement of the front elevation window to create a more “ornamental” appearance. It was suggested that the plans be on display at the Courthouse, coinciding with the Secretary being present, so ratepayers “may gratify their natural curiosity to know what sort of building their money is to be expended upon”. The enthusiasm for the Hall’s plans waned. A Funeral Notice was entered into the local newspaper on 12 March 1870 summing up the sentiment of the Hall contract as “Anti-Jobbery,” however as the entry was not authenticated, it was omitted from being published. In March 1870, the Hall’s proposed site was reserved, and the Shire Engineer proudly opened it the following year. At the Ploughing Match ho...

Today we continue the stories of John Tyson, a pioneer of our region and fascinating chap, and we ride back in time to appreciate the importance horses played in everyday life. Alex Cameron, a young lad who worked for John Tyson for about six months around 1860, was heading home to Melton one Saturday night, riding “Midnight”, John’s horse. As Alex rode through the Box Forest to the top of Stamford Hill (west of Bacchus Marsh township), he was chased down by one of the three bushrangers camping in the forest. However, it wasn’t Alex they were after – it was the horse, who proved too fast to be caught. Horse racing was a frequent pastime. John was a proud member of the Bacchus Marsh Cavalry. The Victorian Racing Club conducted a racing program for cavalry horses, with prize money of over £100. John won with his prized horse “Midnight”, a well-bred, jet-black beauty. Weekly horse races were conducted in early 1867 and the Annual Ballan jumps races were held on 30 March 1867. John, as al...

We continue our tale of John Tyson, following his adventures throughout Myrniong and Bacchus Marsh in the late 1800s. Whilst assisting some workmen in July 1868 to pull down the old blacksmith’s workshop to make way for a new one, John Tyson met with a rather nasty accident. As he passed under a beam, it fell on him, injuring his shoulder, fracturing a bone in his hand and, more seriously, cutting his head badly in a few places resulting in him narrowly escaping death. As fortune would have it, Dr William Bone was close by at the time and promptly attended to the patient. The newspapers were pleased to report on their “respected neighbour” John Tyson as being “out of danger and progressing favourably”. Dr Bone first arrived at Bacchus Marsh in September 1865 and lived at Parkside Cottage, Stamford Hill, where he also conducted his medical practice. He and his wife quickly became respected members of the community. However, 1867 brought controversy which hit the national papers and the ...

John Tyson arrived in the Pentland Hills area around 1856 however it was not until 1879 that he purchased The Plough Hotel after spending the previous 23 years as an integral contributor to the establishment of our township and his new life in Australia. Editor's warning: there are numerous "Johns" mentioned in this story, so I suggest you concentrate! John Tyson was born in Sandwith, Cumberland (now Cumbria) England in 1823 and worked in that region as a Blacksmith until 30 years of age when he boarded the ship "Fulwood" in Liverpool and sailed to Australia as an unassisted passenger, accompanied by his older sister Mary and her husband John Johnson. He quickly found his way to Bacchus Marsh, working as a blacksmith for an old town identity and its first blacksmith since 1851 – Vere Quaille (a.k.a. Quail, Quayle). The forge was located near the corner of Main Street and Gisborne Road, Bacchus Marsh, and a set of horseshoes cost £1. It was mid 1850s, when John s...