Members Meetings held February to May 2022
May 2022: Guest Speaker Julie Scott relives the 2016 fire and the restoration
Julie’s presentation firstly was on the history of the Court House and the maintenance that occurred before the 2016 fire. She then explained the fire’s cause and showed its consequences both in material damage as well as the emotional stress on the EHS. The rebuild was detailed and the processes used. She ended with explaining how the broader community responded to the needs of the building and the EHS and thanked Mary Cahill, Bob Chambers and Terry Scott for their extraordinary effort.
April 2022: Guest Speaker Anna Lanigan and the Bridges over the Moonee Ponds Creek
Anna took the audience on a tour of the bridges that cross the Moonee Ponds Creek from Greenvale to Flemington Bridge. The Creek was an integral life source for the Wurundjeri. Since European settlement, the Creek has been a defining landmark. Early settlers used the Creek to map and survey the local area, and many of the oldest bridges were funded by wealthy landowners who sought to improve access to their own properties. Many of the newer bridges have been built with newer estates and have cultivated natural wetlands and flora which support local wildlife.
March 2022: Members Show & Tell
Amanda Watson brought a 100-year-old music stand that belonged to her great-grandfather, John Vosti, who was a member of the of the Essendon City Council Band.
Anne Hiller shared her story, ‘Who’s Been Living in My House?’ on her home, Handsworth (c. 1886).
Bob Mackay brought a folder of hand-drawn sketches from his uncle, Frank Fraser, which he completed of planes, ships and trains during his service during WWII.
Eve Park presented some artefacts relating to her children’s ancestor – Mungo Park, a Scotsman who explored the upper Niger River and theorised that Niger and Congo merged to form one river.
Bob Chalmers shared a selection of his sports memorabilia, including his first football book (a supplement to The Argus from 1955), a booklet on the centenary of cricket, another on 100 years of Australian rules football and a souvenir from the 1953 Australia XI tour, autographed by the players.
Julie Scott delivered a presentation on the relocation of the Temperance Hall Stone and the Bills Horse Trough.
February 2022: The guest speaker Margaret E. Fleming who shared the story of the Fleming Family.
Robert & Janet (nee Robertson) Fleming emigrated from Kirkliston (near Edinburgh, Scotland) to Van Diemen’s Land onboard the Drummore in 1831. They originally settled near Launceston, but, in June 1836, Robert came over to the Port Philip District on the Henry, driving sheep up the Salt Water River for Henry Brock at Sunbury.
John Wood Fleming, would later originate an oft-repeated myth that Flemington was named for the Fleming family; however, this is likely a family myth.
Robert and Janet’s son, John Wood, was born in the first week of the land sales in the Port Philip District – one of the first Europeans born in Melbourne. Robert Fleming bought land on Collins Street West and built the Edinburgh Castle Hotel while working as a butcher. The family relocated to Brunswick 1848; Robert would die at Mia Mia, Union Road, Brunswick in 1859.
Of Robert’s children, Robert and William, were both farmers and butchers whereas John Wood Fleming was a gentleman farmer who showed animals.
Robert’s eldest son, Robert, married a cousin from Scotland, Janet Fleming. Robert became an alcoholic and lost his wealth; consequently, the family moved from South Street, Ascot Vale to rented properties the Carlton area and, ultimately, Robert lived with relations.
The Weir family was another Scottish family who worked as butchers, owned land in the city and whose children went to the same school. Three of the Fleming children married Weirs. William & Janet (nee Weir) Fleming moved to Sydney with the Weir for business and health before returning to Fernhill Street, Ascot Vale. Their sons would play for Essendon Football Club. John & Janet (nee Fleming) Weir also lived in Sydney before returning to Melbourne – South Street, Ascot Vale and Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds. Mary Ann married Charles Breese and lived in Ascot Vale.
Margaret’s ancestor, John Wood Fleming, was proud to be born in the same month that Queen Victoria came to the throne and that Melbourne and Victoria were named. Later in life, he would send a photo of himself to the Queen and received a sprig of heather in return. Margaret, when sorting the family papers, found a twig which she regrettably disregarded. In 1859, John Wood Fleming married Mary Watson Weir with whom he had 11 children, although one died as an infant. The couple lived at Fleming House, Brunswick. John Wood Fleming served as a Brunswick Councillor for 52 years and was Mayor four times. From 1868, he was a Justice of the Peace and a Magistrate for fifty years. John Wood Fleming became the first President of the Australian Native Association, being the eldest of those present who was born in Melbourne.
