A History of Homebush
(These webpages have been converted from a self-contained CD produced originally by Douglas Wegener.)
Including Lower Homebush 37� 2 Sth. Lat. 143� 29 E. Long.
Homebush is a postal and Road Board town in the Parish of Homebush and the County of Gladstone and the electoral district of Avoca, situated 4 miles N. E. the Avoca River, and 2 miles s.w. of the Bet Bet Creek. It is 805 feet above sea level. The township of Avoca is 4 miles s.w. and there as communication 3 times per week. Homebush had a railway station and was linked with the Maryborough and Avoca line, 124 miles n.w. Melbourne and fares were 20s pd and 13s pd in 1888.
Hotels:
- Homebush
- Working Miners and 2 others
- Flour Mill:
- Joyces [6 miles north of the township]
Imperial Hotel
Schools:
Upper Homebush #1579 [incorporated # 336] with residence
Police Station:
the nearest was in Avoca ?
Public Hall:
Churches:
Wesleyan Chapel
Union Church
Boarding House:
Miss Blighs
Squires Store includes Post Office and Savings Bank
Bradleys Store
Miss Welchs Drapery Store
Bostoks Butchery
Harriss Store
Wilkinsons Store
Dress making was a very popular occupation carried out by some people who resided in the stores. Miss C. E. Smith nee Squires was a very well known and much loved dress maker in the village for many years.
Population:
1859 to 1865 – gold rush years estimated at 20,000 including Chinese, Cornish and other nationalities.
1888 450
1899 170
1982 35
1999 0
2000 first new house in 100 years [2 persons to reside when completed]
Alluvial and deep lead: the gold was coarse and bright in colour. The Working Miners # 1 was the richest with 7, 000 ounces per week being extracted for some time. The largest nuggets found were 103 and 73 ounces respectively. The Working Miners # 1 drove 700 feet underground to strike payable gold. Unfortunately, a burst of sand and water took place, which terminated the career of one of the best mines in Victoria.
Working Miners # 1 estab. 1875 Mr. James Pearce Mgr.
Golden Lake Co. estab. 1876
Working Miners # 1 restab. 1877/78 Mr. T Walters Mgr.
Working Miners # 2 estab. 1879
Amalgamated Working Miners # 1 & 2 estab. 1880
Sons of Freedom Co. estab. 1872 [very small]
Try Again Co. etab. 1873 [very small]
Other mines in the area:
Excelsior
Wilson & Shiells ,
Iron Bark Gully
North Homebush
Phoenix
Housing:
calico tent
log and slab huts with bark roofs
tin huts with bark roofs
milled timber buildings with bark roofs
milled timber buildings with tin roofs
Recreational Activities:
The people of Homebush were very industrious and musical by nature and it was recognised as a happy locality. The township had a brass band, a Homebush Field Artillery [re-enactments only] a Mounted Rifle team and Childrens Pony Club. Many concerts were held to raise money for school and church activities.
Sporting Organizations:
Cricket– 3 teams
Football- 3 teams
Fishing Clubs for angling and cray fishing
Hunt Club- with beagle hounds
� Copyright 2003 by Mr Douglas Wegener and the Avoca and District Historical Society Inc.