Historical Australian Towns: February 2024

Avenel, VIC: An Important Stop of The Overland Mail

Avenel, VIC, located 127 km north of Melbourne, is a peaceful and attractive town with historic buildings.

The region is renown for sheep production, horse studs and wineries.

Taungurung (Daung wurrung) People

Traditionally, Taungurung (Daung wurrung) one of the clans of Kulin people, lived as hunter/gatherers and occupied much of central Victoria.

Yam daisy (Murnong) roots were a staple food for Aboriginal Australians across south-eastern Australia.

There are nine clans who spoke the Daungwurrung language

Their country encompasses the area between the upper reaches of the Goulburn River and its tributaries north of the Dividing Range.

Painting. Yorta Yorta RAP - Taungurung RAP. Goulburn River, Northeast, Victoria, Australia. 1895. 'Native Fight on the Lower Goulburn River in 1842' painted by artist Caroline Le Souëf in 1895. The painting depicts a fight between members of the Bangarang (spelt by Le Souëf as Pangarang) and the Oorilim tribes in 1842 witnessed and later described by Caroline's husband Mr. Albert A. Le Souëf. During his teens Albert spent three years at the Goulburn River protectorate station, managed by his father, where he gained lasting knowledge of Aboriginal culture and bushcraft. It was during this time that he witnessed the fight depicted in this painting. Museums Victoria

1820s

The first Europeans in the area were the explorers Hume and Hovell, who crossed Hughes Creek at Avenel in 1824.

1830s

A pastoral run on Hughes Creek was taken up in 1838 by Henry Kent Hughes. The town's name may have been inspired by Lady of Avenel, from two novels "The Monastery", 1820, and "The Abbot", 1820), by Sir Walter Scott.

A town soon developed where coaches and livestock crossed Hughes Creek, and drovers and coaches used Hughes station sheds for shelter and changing horses.

The first Overland Mail from Melbourne to Sydney began in 1838, travelling on the Old Sydney Road, crossing Hughes Creek at a shallow ford and camping by the creek.

In the "New South Wales Government Gazette" of October 11, 1837, appeared a notice relating to the carriage of mails, commencing January 1, 1838, from and to Goulburn and Yass, via Mutmutbilly, twice a week, from and to Yass and Melbourne once a fortnight. from Yass to Melbourne. The distance is about 380 miles, and it would take 10 horses to carry the mall bag. Could take 10 days from Sydney to Melbourne. Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954)

1840s

"As far back as 1840 Mr. John Clarke,
the proprietor of the Royal Hotel,
Sydney Road, bad erected a bark hut
at the old crossing of the river Goul-
burn, then much used by cattle drovers."

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Monday 25 August 1930

A wooden bridge built in 1847.

The old Royal Mail Hotel at Avenel, Victoria, built in 1847. Ned Kelly, later famous as a bushranger, saved the owner's son from drowning in the creek near the hotel.

1850s

In 1850, Assistant-surveyor Wedge laid out town allotments either side of the creek. Frst town allotments were sold in May 1851. Avenel's first cemetery was gazetted 1851. Thirty burials here, but only two headstones survive.

Australia's first telegraph line began operating between Melbourne and Williamstown in 1854. Within four years, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide were connected.

The Royal Mail Hotel was built near the bridge over Hughes Creek by James Hilt in 1855-56, operating as a store until Hilet was granted a District Publicans licence in 1857.

The Royal Mail Hotel, in the 1850s, during the gold rush, was a coach staging post on route to the Beechworth goldfields.

Avenel Primary School was opened in 1856 by the Church of England. There were 20 students at the school.

The Post Office opened on 2 June 1858, built by William Campion, who also operated a store and library.

The stone Bridge at Avenel was erected in 1859 by the Board of Land and Works. "The payment of toll was demanded from all drivers of vehcles and horsemen, who desired to cross, and was in force sometime after the bridge was opened." (1.)

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 3 February 1859

1860s

Avenel school became a common school in 1863.

The Cemetery on its current site was established on the 30th March 1863. The gates to the Avenel Cemetery also serve as a war memorial.

Ned Kelly, who would later become an infamous bushranger, and family, rented a 40-acre farm in Avenel from 1864 to 1867.

Royal Mail Hotel,Avenel, VIC, 1860s, SLVIC

Ned and some of his siblings attended the Avenel Common Scool from 1864 to 1865.

Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1887 - 1953)

John "Red" Kelly (Ned's father) passed away in 1866 at an age of 46, shortly after being released from 6 months in jail for the charge of "unlawful possession of a hide". Buried Avenel Cemetery.

By 1868, the coach change station was transferred from the Royal Mail to the Avenel Arms on the other side of Hughes Creek.

As a boy, Ned Kelly, who later became an infamous bushranger, attended school at Avenel. Kelly also risked his life to save a boy from drowning in Hughes Creek. The boy's parents, Esau and Elizabeth Shelton, proprietors of the Royal Mail Hotel, presented Ned with a green sash, which he wore under his armour at the Kelly Gang's Last Stand in 1880.

Ned Kelly's green shash, awarded to him for bravery when he saved a young boy from drowning. He wore the sash under his armour in the final seige at Glenrown, His blood stains still remain on the sash. bronzebrew

Seymour Express and Goulburn Valley, Avenel, Graytown, Nagambie, Tallarook and Yea Advertiser (Vic. : 1882 - 1891; 1914 - 1918), Friday 8 August 1884

1870

"The Grain Store", located in Bank Street Avenel, was built around 1870 by G. Morrison.

Harvest Home Hotel in Bank Street was built in 1870. The second storey added in the early 1900s.

A flood in 1870 washed away two stone arches of the bridge, which were later repaired.

An Aboriginal man called Captain John and his wife were some of the Aboriginal people who lived around the area at this time. Their camping ground was "Mr Lloyd Jones, and not very far from his homestead. Hunting and fishing were their chief means of livelihood, and the residents had always a kindly feeling for them." (2.)

The railway line began running through Avenel in 1872. But as the station was some distance from the old town, a business centre began to develop around the station.

Esau Shelton built the Imperial Hotel (Originally The Avenel Arms) in 1872 near the station, but the building was destroyed by fire in 1946.

State Bank built 1873.

Gadd's general store first opened in 1873.

Avenel Court House, constructed 1876.

Bush prison or lockup with trooper in the uniform of Victorian Mounted Police at Avenel, VIC, 1870, SLVIC

1880s

The Avenel Football Club was established in 1881.

Seymour Express and Goulburn Valley, Avenel, Graytown, Nagambie, Tallarook and Yea Advertiser (Vic. : 1882 - 1891; 1914 - 1918), Friday 13 November 1885

ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY AT AVENEL : THE BLACK TRACKERS AT WORK.Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil (Melbourne, Vic. : 1873 - 1889), Saturday 21 October 1882

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Friday 19 April 1895

1900s

The bulletin. Vol. 23 No. 1189 (29 Nov 1902)

Cyclone at Avenel, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 30 July 1904

WWI

Colt automatic machine gun outside Avenel, VIC. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 22 January 1910,

LANCE-CORPORAL W. H. BODGER (of Avenel). Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 - 1917), Wednesday 13 December 1916

Honour Roll, Seymour Express and Goulburn Valley, Avenel, Graytown, Nagambie, Tallarook and Yea Advertiser (Vic. : 1882 - 1891; 1914 - 1918), Friday 25 October 1918

Avenel Courthouse, VIC, in 1910, SLVIC

Great flood of 1916 and 160mm of rain caused much damage.

Avenel Township, from Bald Hill, VIC, 1915, SLVIC

1920s

Bridge, Avenel, VIC, Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Wednesday 27 January 1926

1930s

Avenel was involved in extensive wool and grain trade.

I. Bridge over Hughes Creek. 2. BankStreet and Soldiers' Memorial. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 15 October 1932

Avenel, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 15 October 1932

Avenel Post Office, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 15 October 1932

Foot -bridge across Hughes Creek at Avenel (Vic.), constructed by Mr Willis and a neighbor. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 15 April 1933

Avenel School, VIC, 1934, State Records

An old cottage without a front door, it was built in 1850's at Avenel, Vic. 1934, SLVIC

Avenel's Centenary celebrations, VIC. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 3 September 1938

Centenary celebrations at Avenel, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 3 September 1938

Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Saturday 1 January 1938

1940s

John Thomas Shelton, born at Avenel (24 January 1905 – 1 May 1941), was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda and South Melbourne. He was killed in action in Tobruk in 1941. Jack's father, at age 7, was saved from drowning in Hughes Creek, Avanel, by a young Ned Kelly, aged 10.

Sister E. Schrader with mothers and babies at the Health Centre, Avenel, VIC. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 4 August 1948

Employes at Green Brothers' cement tile works, with Mrs Green (Sec.) in centre of front row, Avenel, VIC. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 4 August 1948

1950s

During the 1950s-60, a pool near the stone bridge was a popular swimming spot.

Office-bearers and some of the foundation members of the Avenel CWA Branch photographed at the branch's 21st birthday party recently. Back row, from, left: Mrs A. J. Burgoyne (vice-president), Mrs C. Ewing (vice- president), Mrs James Melbourne, and Mrs J. M. Holden. Front row: Mrs A. Taylor (secretary) Mrs G. A. Stagg (one of the early presidentsof the branch) Mrs S. C. Shelton (pres.) and Mrs C. H. Dore (treasurer).Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 19 August 1953

Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), Sunday 18 July 1954 # Ned Kelly's uncle, Jim Kelly, was arrested for cattle rustling, and eight-year-old Ned made his first court appearance to testify on his behalf

Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 28 January 1954

1960s

The Goulburn Valley Horse Trials Association is one of the longest continually running horse trials in Australia, operating since 1967.

The Avenel Court of Petty Sessions closed on 25 March 1969.

1980s

A Hume Freeway bypass of the town opened in December 1981.

2000s

December 2014, fifty firefighters and water-bombing fight fires near Avenel.

2020s

Eartags linked to satellites reduce livestock theft in the area.

Around Avenel

The Grain Store' located in Bank Street Avenel, VIC, was built around 1870 by G. Morrison

Harvest Home, in the heart of Avenel, VICwas built in 1870

Avenel Court House, VIC, was erected in 1876

The Hughes Creek Bridge was built in 1859 at Avenel, VIC

Heritage house, Avenel, VIC

In the 1850s, this building operated as a store, and then the Royal Mail Hotel, Avenel, VIC

5 Bank Street, Avenel, VIC, was once the Commercial Bank of Australia

Things To Do and Places To Go

Avenel Nature and Heritage Trail

Local Walking Guides

Wikitree: Category: Avenel, Victoria

Seymour Railway Heritage Centre

Mrs Kelly, is the astonishing story of one of Australia's most notorious women and her wild family, by Grantlee Kieza

Glenrowan, VIC: Kelly Country

Located in the Wangaratta local government area of Victoria, Glenrowan is 236 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, Australia.

Glenrowan is most well known for the Kelly Gang's Last Stand, which brought an end to the bushranging of Ned Kelly and his band of outlaws.

The Pangerang Aboriginal People

Traditionally occupying large parts of north-eastern Victoria stretching along the Murray River to Echuca and into the areas of the southern Riverina in New South Wales, the Pangerang are thought to belong to the Yorta Yorta people.

Edward M. Curr, a pastoralist, and Aboriginal administrator and ethnologist, published various books and wrote about the culture and language of the Pangerang people. He noticed that Pangerang language differed markedly from those of surrounding tribes.

Weapons, such as spears, were used in Australia by Aboriginal people for hunting and fighting purposes.

Below are some of Curr's observations about the Pangerang people.

Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 9 June 1883,

1820s

In 1824, explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell, arrived in the region.

1840s-50s

Brothers James and George Rowan were among the first European settlers in the Glenrowan area between 1846 and 1858.

Bushrangers were active in north-east Victoria during the gold rush, which began in 1851. This was a period of incredible growth for Victoria, with the arrival of people from other parts of Australia and the world.

1860s

The ruthless bushranger, Dan "Mad Dog" Morgan ( born Jack Fuller), held up traffic on the Sydney Road between Benalla and Glenrown the 1860s. There were other bushrangers in the region, too.

Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Monday 22 August 1864

Mount Alexander Mail (Vic. : 1854 - 1917), Tuesday 11 April 1865

Tumut and Adelong Times (NSW : 1864 - 1867; 1899 - 1950), Monday 17 April 1865,

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855 - 1955), Tuesday 11 May 1869

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855 - 1955), Thursday 18 November 1869

1870s

Wine production dates back to 1870 in the Glenrowan area.

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855 - 1955), Wednesday 30 April 1873

A railway station opened on 2 November 1874, with a platform located on the western side of the line.

Some Facts About Ned (Edward) Kelly and the Siege

Ned Kelly was born in the small town of Beveridge, north of Melbourne, about 1854.

Ned Kelly's parents were Ellen Quinn and John "Red" Kelly. Red was an Irish convict transported to Australia for stealing pigs, and he was identified as a Police informer.

According to the book Selectors, Squatters and Stock Thieves by Doug Morrissey (2018), the myth surrounding Ned Kelly is of squatter tyranny, police oppression and selector poverty and despair.

In 1869, 14-year-old Ned Kelly spent almost two weeks in police custody and is charged with assaulting a Chinese trader named Ah Fook.

In 1870, Kelly was arrested as an accomplice of the bushranger Harry Power, known as the "Gentleman Bushranger".

Mugshot of Ned Kelly, aged 15

Later, in 1870, Kelly was arrested again for assaulting Jeremiah McCormack and for being involved in sending McCormack's childless wife a pair of calf’s testicles. Ned was sent to Beechworth Gaol and received a six-month sentence of hard labour.

1871, Kelly rode a stolen horse past the police station in Greta and was arrested for horse theft.

Kelly resisted arrest and was sentenced to three years’ jail. The Kelly family was part of a family clan with a history of horse theft. (later n the Jerilderie letter, Ned-confessed to being a stock thief)

The Kelly family saw themselves as victims of police persecution, even though they were involved in large scale cattle and horse stealing.

In 1877, Kelly is arrested for drunkenness and resisted arrest. During the scuffle, one policeman, Lonigan, "blackballed" him, and Kelly said to him "Well Lonigan, I never shot a man yet, but if I do so help me God you will be the first".

Ned's brother, Dan, is sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in 1877 for damaging property. Not long after his release, in 1878, a warrant was issued for his arrest for stealing horses.

A Police trooper named Fitzpatrick goes to Mrs Kelly’s home to arrest Dan in April 1878, and in a scuffle Ned Kelly shoots Fitzpatrick in the wrist. Fitzpatrick is also struck on his helmet with a fire shovel by Mrs Kelly.

The Kelly family's versions of the events, according to historian Grantlee Kieza,“…will change every time they open their mouths, but Fitzpatricks will hardly deviate in the 35 years between 15th April 1878 and when he is interviewed for newspapers in 1911”.

Carte de Visite showing Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick holding a riding crop with left elbow resting on a pillar. No date

A reward of £100 each was offered for the arrest of Ned and Dan Kelly .

Ned and Dan go into hiding in the Wombat Ranges along with Steve Hart and Joe Byrne.

Bushranger Dan Kelly, member of the Kelly gang, taken about 1870.

In October 1878, four police were sent out to arrest the Kelly brothers. The Kelly Gang kill three police at Stringy Bark Creek. Their bodies are looted of watches, rings, and other items. Only Sergeant McIntyre escapes.

Clockwise from top left: Constable Lonigan, Sergeant Kennedy, Constable McIntyre and Constable Scanlan

The Kelly Gang were declared outlaws.

On 10 December, 1878, Ned, Dan and Steve hold up a bank in Euroa, stealing £2260 of cash and gold.

8th February, 1879, the Kelly Gang capture two local police and lock them up at Jerilderie. The outlaws dress as police, and rob a bank. They commit crimes to fund life on the run.

More than 200 police were hunting the Kelly gang, and 50 soldiers were sent to guard seven banks.

Six Aboriginal men from the Queensland Native Police were brought down to Victoria to track the Kelly Gang. Kelly called the trackers "those six little demons" and was "astounded and terrified of them".

Aboriginal men were expert trackers as hunter-gatherers learned to follow animal footprints and to read the landscape in order to survive and obtain food. This tracking ability was used to track the Kelly Gang.

Queensland Native Police contingent, Kelly Gang. Queensland Native Mounted Police contingent sent to Victoria to help hunt the Kelly Gang, 1879. Standing at the Benall Police Paddock. At QLD Police Museum

1880s

At the start of June 1880, Ann Jones was running a popular inn at Glenrowan. Her business would soon be ruined. Theinn comprised five rooms: a parlour, bar and dining room at the front and two bedrooms at the back. (1.)

June 26, 1880, former friend Aaron Sherritt is shot dead by Joe Byrne, lieutenant of the Kelly Gang. Many police suspected Sherritt was a double agent working for the Kelly gang and the police.

On 26 June, 1880, the gang rode to Glenrowan and destroyed part of the railway line to derail the train, knowing that police would send reinforcements from Melbourne by rail.

Many Glenrowan residents were held by the kelly Gang at the Jones' hotel.

MRS. JONES'S GLENROWAN INN, AS IT APPEARED BEFORE IT WAS FIRED, Glenrowan, VIC

Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954)

IN SMOULDERING HOTEL a clergyman found the bodies of Kelly’s brother Dan, gang members Hart and Byrne. Glenrowan, VIC, Pix.Vol. 26 No. 17 (28 April 1951)

Ned Kelly let Thomas Curnow, the school master, go home, but Curnow did not go home. He took his wife's red scarf and a candle and managed to stop the train with the red glow from the scarf held around the candle, saving the train and the police and trackers.

Thomas Curnow (1855 - early December 1922) was primarily involved in assisting the capture of Ned Kelly

The Kelly gang were dressed in armour fashioned from plough mouldboards weighing 44 kilograms and engaged in a gun battle with police.

Daily Mirror (Sydney, NSW : 1941 - 1955)

From the trees there emerged the strange figure of an iron-clad man.

STEVE HART'S ARMOR (made from plough mouldboards), Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954)

POLICE take cover from Kelly Gang bullets behind trees while smoke begins to rise from Glenrowan Inn, VIC. Pix.Vol. 26 No. 17 (28 April 1951)

WANGARATTA police contingent saw weakness in Kelly’s armor, shot low, wounded and captured him. Pix.Vol. 26 No. 17 (28 April 1951)

Ned Kelly, the only survivor of the siege, was tried, convicted and sentenced to death at the Old Melbourne jail. He went to the gallows at 10.00am on 11 November 1880.

STEVE HART'S ARMOR, Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954)

Photograph were taken on the day, Monday June 28th 1880. The view from Glenrowan Railway Station, VIC, looking back to the remains of Ann Jones’ Hotel, the Glenrowan Inn, (left rear). Jones’ Hotel was where the final confrontation between Ned Kelly and the Victorian Police began

Ned Kelly the day before his execution

1890s

Mawson & Sons Quarry at Glenrowan began operating since 1890, to supply ballast for the Melbourne to Sydney railway.

1900s

Mrs Adelaide H. Hennessy, who is a retired State school teacher and a much respected resident of Glenrowan, VIC, has just reason to be proud, as she certainly is, of her two sons They are both members of the 1st Contingent which left Victoria for South Africa, both have distinguished themselves at the war, and both have been promoted on the field. SERGEANT VICTOR HENNESSY, CORPORAL HENRY STEPHEN HENNESSY. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 19 May 1900

Township and railway station, Glenrowan, VIC, 1901, SLVIC

H. A. DUNCAN (S.A.) MENDS THE TYRE OF HIS OLDSMOBILE BETWEEN W1NTON AND GLENROWAN.Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wednesday 22 November 1905

The Story of the Kelly Gang, was an Australian silent film released in 1906. Ned's mother Ellen and younger brother Jim were still alive at the time.

Glenrowan, VIC, (The hotel on the right is built on the ground where the Kelly gang was captured).Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 4 May 1907

THE OLD GLENROWAN INN, WHERE THE GANG MET WITH DESTRUCTION. THIS BUILDING ALSO WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE, AND WAS REPLACED BY A BRICK ONE.Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), Thursday 31 August 1911,

North Eastern Despatch (Wangaratta, Vic. : 1907 - 1913), Wednesday 21 August 1912

LAWRENCE HUBERT DWYER and THOMAS DWYER (of Glenrowan),who have not missed a day from school for 7 years and 4 years, respectively.Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 18 October 1913

WWI

PRIVATE GEORGE TIPPETT, Glenrowan, Killed in Action, Wangaratta Chronicle (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), Saturday 5 June 1915

1920s

In 1923, George Earp moved to Glenrowan, established a stud at his property, "Athlea".

GLENROWAN STATE SCHOOL, VIC, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 24 April 1926

1930s

Aeroplane view of Glenrowan, VIC. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 6 February 1932

North Eastern Ensign (Benalla, Vic. : 1872 - 1938), Friday 20 August 1937

1940s and WWII

Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Saturday 7 June 1941

Glenrowan, VIC, 1941, SLVIC

Morgan's Lookout, Glenrowan, VIC, 1941, SLVIC

1950s

"At least 15 houses and three churches have been destroyed and thousands of
sheep and cattle are believed to have perished in fires--the worst in the district's
history - which swept through Kilfeera, Lurg, Molyullah, Winton, Glenrowan,
Docker and Greta districts on Tuesday."

Benalla Ensign (Vic. : 1938 - 1954). Thu 7 Feb 1952

1970s