• EARLY CHURCH RECORDS DVD This new DVD was officially launched at the annual BDM Registry Volunteers' Christmas Luncheon last year by the Honourable Robert Clark, Victorian Attorney-General. The DVD contains over 80,000 early church records of baptisms, burials and marriages. The data is captured in summary as index records and in full as scanned images of the original hand-written church registers. You can pre-order the Early Church Records DVD online or by downloading the Early Church Records DVD Order Form from their website. Delivery will commence in February 2012.

• NOVEMBER MEETING At the November 2011 Meeting there was a talk by Meyer Eidelson of Melbourne Walks entitled "A Saint in the Slums - Social Reformers of Old Melbourne." Tony Hargreaves also gave a preview of his forthcoming book on the early pioneers.
  

• PIONEER SERVICE 2011 On Sunday morning, 6 November 2011, the annual Pioneer Service was held at St. James Old Cathedral, Melbourne. It was a traditional service of Morning Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The sermon was by Canon Dr. Evonne Paddison in which she outlined the history of the Church and State in Victorian Schools and the challenges that are still being faced today. Morning Tea was served in the Conference Centre next door where an historical display had been prepared. The Church Tower is currently surrounded by scaffolding whilst restoration works are in progress. Tax deductable donations towards the cost of this can be made through the National Trust.

• MICROFICHE AND READER The microfiche reader and box of microfiche have now been located.

• NEWSLETTER We are in desperate need of someone to compile our newsletter. A template and all assistance will be provided, if needed, to get the applicant started. Contact the PPPG President if you can help. News items and articles should be sent to the Acting Editor, Barbara Hawkins, by e-mail or post. Ideas for articles include an account of some of your research work in progress or a visit to a place associated with your ancestors. Why not share some of your tips for filing, organizing, scrap booking and storing your archives? The editor's closing date for the next newsletters are 10 February 2012 (February - March 2012 Newsletter); 10 April 2012 (April - May 2012 Newsletter); 12 June 2012 (June - July 2012 Newsletter) and 14 August 2012 ( August - September 2012 Newsletter).

• SUBSCRIPTION REMINDER Subscriptions for 2011/2012 are now overdue and those who have not paid have had their names removed from our mailing list. Past members can rejoin at any time upon payment of the current annual subscription. For any enquiries please contact the Honorary Treasurer, Susan Grant on 9822 2658. We are very grateful to the following people who made donations to the PPPG during 2010 and we extend our sincere thanks: Neil Beatty, Constance Blake, Rosemary Browning, Michael Butler, Beth Chamberlain, Don Charlwood, Susan M. Elliott, Kevin F. Fletcher, Virgil H. Gill, John D. & Barbara I. Gillespie, Wendy Graham, Michael Grogan, Rex Harcourt, Margaret Howes, Gary Leonard, Maureen A. Maynard, Carolyn McGreevy, Elizabeth McMurdy, Jocelyn N. O'Neil, Ruth H. Pendavingh, Yvonne Sartori, Bethany L. Scott, Margaret Stevens, Laurie Thompson, June Whiffen, and the ubiquitous Anonymous.

• UNITED KINGDOM CHURCH REGISTERS Laurie Thompson reports a useful free website. Called FreeReg, it contains searchable transcriptions of baptism, marriage and burial records from parish and non-conformist registers of the United Kingdom. Laurie recommends reading their Search Help information to be able to use the site most effectively.

• PPPG REGISTRAR With the retirement of Lester Stephen, the material he gathered as Registrar will now have the title of 'The Lester Stephen Port Phillip Pioneers Register. Volume 1'. The information will now continue to be recorded in the form of a spreadsheet compiled by Marilla James, Secretary, and will be titled 'The Lester Stephen Port Phillip Pioneers Register. Volume 2'. This will be available in digital form in the Group's computer at every meeting.

• RICHARDSON BELL Information on this pioneer is being sought. He arrived at Melbourne on 30 September 1840 per "Himalaya" and married Maria Maguire in 1842. He was noted in the Ledger of Dr. William Sinclair Sutherland of Portland, PPD in 1844, 1845 and 1846. Contact Anne Grant of the Portland Family History Group.

• SORRENTO AND PORTSEA Do you have Sorrento or Portsea ancestors? Then they may be mentioned in "My Reflections, Sorrento and Portsea Cemeteries" by Jenny Nixon ( Skelton ), PPPG Member No.1189, of 11 Ozone Avenue, Sorrento, Victoria, 3943.

• RECENT SEMINAR A Seminar was held by the Genealogical Society of Victoria on Saturday, 2 April 2011 entitled "The People and Places of the Port Phillip District 1835-1851." Speakers were Dr. Gary Presland; Dr. Ian Breward; Prof. Richard Broome and Susan Priestly. Because of the large numbers attending the venue had to be changed from the GSV Rooms to R. E. Ross House in Flinders Lane. Many PPPG members and prospective members attended and Marilla James and Jessie Handoll had a PPPG information table available on the day.

  

• FAMILY HISTORY MEETINGS & DISPLAYS PPPG President Barbara Hawkins and PPPG Examiner of Proofs Michael Grogan represented the Port Phillip Pioneers Group at the "AIGS Bendigo Family History Expo" on 20 March 2011. Assistance in setting up and staffing displays at future events and talks is sought from members. If you would like to help please contact a member of the committee or e-mail Barbara Hawkins.

• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Committee needs new people to continue the task of working to keep the Group alive. It is fun and you learn new things all the time. If you would like to take charge of running the electronics (computer, projector) at meetings we would love to hear from you. Do you enjoy compiling your family newsletters, or if you might like to learn, then being the editor of the PPPG Newsletter would help you. We need help!!!! Please chat to a Committee member to learn more.

• PIONEER PROFILES Material for Pioneer Profiles Volume 6 is being sought by editor Maree Posthuma. Profiles must be of a claimed and proven ancestor and should be a minimum of one A4 page and a maximum of four pages ( with or without images ). If submitting photos with your profile, please only send a copy, no originals. Remember if the picture is of poor quality it won't get any better with printing. Contact the Editor, Maree Posthuma for further details. See our publications page for information about Volumes 1 to 5.

• MELBOURNE DAY 2010 The 175th anniversary of the founding of Melbourne was celebrated on 30 August 2010. In the morning an official flag raising ceremony was held in Enterprize Park by the Yarra River. This included an aboriginal smoking ceremony and the delivery of a special message from the Mayor of Launceston by the Captain of the "Spirit of Tasmania."

  

  At noon another function was held in the City Square. This included an address by the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, musical items and the cutting of a large cake.

  

• SPECIAL OFFER Rex Harcourt, author of 'Southern Invasion, Northern Conquest' has advised that he has some copies of his book available at the special price of $15.00 per copy plus $6.00 for postage. Rex spoke about his book at our meeting in March 2002. Since then he has compiled a series of essays to bring the story up to date. He can also supply these for $10.00 per set, postage included. His address is: Rex Harcourt, A66 / 376 Cotham Road, Kew, Victoria, 3101.

• THE ABBOTSFORD CONVENT In September 2010 some PPPG members visited the Abbotsford Convent. They saw the English Oak known as the Separation Tree. One of our new members, Jocelyn Nina O'Neil is a descendant of Edward Curr, the 'Father of Separation' who lived at the original St. Helier's House and is though to have planted it. This tree could be regarded as Victoria's Separation Tree and is included on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees. Tours cost $15.00 ( $12.50 concession ).

• KEN McNAUGHTON, OUR PPPG REPRESENTATIVE IN THE USA made a brief visit to Melbourne in July to celebrate his 70th birthday, catch up with friends and family, and to launch a book about his great great grandfather. Ken and Alexander Romanov-Hughes spent an hour discussing matters genealogical at the Hopetoun Tea Rooms in the Block Arcade (established 1892). His book, "John Ross McNaughton (1814-1885): His Family, Descendants and Historic Properties," by Ken McNaughton, Diane Bergmeier and Neville Bergmeier, is sixty pages in letter-size format with color and is available for purchase for $20 (AUS) plus postage and handling from Neville and Diane Bergmeier, 3 Lobb Street, Bendigo, Victoria 3550, tel: (03)-5443-6109. Also available at $18 (US) plus postage and handling from Ken McNaughton, 3778 College Avenue, Ellicott City, MD 21043; tel: 410-418-9340.

  

• 175TH ANNIVERSARY This year is the 175th Anniversary of the founding of Melbourne in 1835. On Sunday afternoon, 6 June 2010 a small group of interested persons visited the place where John Batman is assumed to have met with native chiefs at the Merri Creek, Northcote. The PPPG was represented by Barbara Hawkins and Alexander Romanov-Hughes. Also present were local historians Rex Harcourt and Fred Bruton, Fiona Richardson, MP, and a group of local residents interested in caring for the site. Ian Hunter made an earlier visit. At the end of August the Melbourne City Council are planning a series of events to mark the anniversary of the arrival of the settlers on the "Enterprize." If you know of any other events planned to commemorate the occasion please advise a committee member.

• 40TH ANNIVERSARY At the May 2010 meeting we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the Port Phillip Pioneers Group. Festivities included gifts on arrival; a display of photos of past events by Barbara Hawkins; quizzes with prizes; and a guest panel of Val Farley, Ken Smith, Alexander Romanov-Hughes and Dorothy Samson who gave short talks and answered questions. The 40th Anniversary cake ( provided by Michael Grogan and Margaret Stevens ) was then cut by Anne Mavric and shared with other goodies over afternoon tea. ( Photo courtesy of Lynn and Ross Humphreys )

  

• FEBRUARY MEETING At our February 2009 meeting members had the opportunity to "show and tell" about various items of interest:
  

• ANNUAL PIONEERS SERVICE This is held yearly at St. James Old Cathedral in Melbourne to commemorate the laying of their foundation stone by His Honour Charles Joseph La Trobe in 1839. Refreshments are served in the adjoining Conference Centre after the 10.00am. service. On 2 November 2008 these were followed by a 30 minute presentation by the PPPG entitled "Glimpses of the Past" whereby members had the opportunity to give a short presentation about their ancestors, accompanied by projected images expertly prepared by Barbara Hawkins. There was also an information table and extensive displays.

• MELBOURNE DAY 2008 On 30 August 2008 the PPPG was represented by committee and other members at the Official Flag Raising Ceremony in Enterprize Park by the Yarra River. After an address by Melbourne Lord Mayor John So a message of greeting from the Mayor of Launceston was read by the Captain of the "Spirit of Tasmania." The raising of the flag was followed by a rifle volley and cannon fire by members of the Historical Re-enactment Society of Australia. The weather was fine and morning tea was served in the marquee afterwards.
  

  Hut at Porcupine Township near Maldon, Victoria	PPPG Stand at the VAFHO Treasure Chest, 2006

• FEBRUARY MEETING At our February 2008 meeting there was a display of family history memoribilia by members:

• MEMBER'S QUERIES If you can help with any of these queries please reply direct or e-mail Barbara Hawkins.

  LANCEY - Barbara Hawkins is looking for information on John Lancey ( of the Fawkner arrival ) and family. If anyone can help please contact Barbara direct.

  GALAGHER, MATHEWSON, ASH - Gloria Galagher writes: I have read "Pioneer Profiles" (volume 4) through and through many times and am just amazed at the lives of our Pioneers. The Robert Galagher and Isabella Mathewson article was of my husband's great-great-great-grandparents and is the reason I purchased it but I was blown away when I found two other articles on different members in my own family tree. One in particular I am interested in is the Ash family article by Cynthia Tate. If there is anyone out there who knows of Cynthia's planned book "The Ash's, Is Not Cricket" please contact Gloria Galagher.

  BOWMAN, HUTCHINSON - SUTTON GRANGE RUN - Debbie Hamilton has been given the task of finding descendants of William Bowman, who with his father-in-law William Hutchinson, purchased land at Sutton Grange in the Port Phillip District in 1838. She has other details and wishes to find this family as the Sutton Grange Run celebrates the 170th anniversary of settlement next year. She would be delighted to contact anyone who has contact or knows where some family members are.

  MILLAR/MILLER, WHITE, McCLUSKEY, WAREHAM, FORBES - Lynn Haines of Nagambie, Victoria is seeking information on Thomas Millar/Miller married Euphemia White. Owned property at Saltwater River (Maribyrnong) circa 1839. William McCluskey born Antrim, Ireland. Married Elizabeth Millar, daughter of above, March 1843 in Melbourne. William Wareham born Hampshire, England, circa 1805. Transported to Van Diemen's Land in 1831. Married Esther Forbes, September 1844 in Melbourne.

  ROBERTS, PEDRANA, CARR - John Lewis Roberts of Coleraine, Vic. states that in 1841 T. A. Roberts opened the Union Hotel in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. He also shows up in the census for the same year as Robert Arthur Roberts, Innkeeper, Union Hotel. The building was erected of brick and stone, and housed a family of 8 persons (6 female, 2 male) ranging in ages from 1 year to 45 years. John's great-great-grandfather was also in Melbourne at this time. He was in his mid-twenties and came from Lambeth, London (his birth and arrival dates are not known). He associated with Lewis Pedrana, a sometime Overseer of Roads at Melbourne who later operated the Dundee Arms Hotel. This is thought to have been a renamed Governor Bourke Hotel, which was owned by Michael Carr and his wife Kitty and located in or near Flinders Lane. John's great-great-grandfather married Mary Pedrana in May 1841 at St. James Church of England, Melbourne. She was Lewis Pedrana's only daughter and they had many children. John would like to find out more about the history of the Union Hotel and the family that operated it, including any family Christian names, and their descendants.

  BRYANS, BUDDEN, CORBETT, BAILLEIU/BAILLIEU, JACKSON, SHATNELL/SHACKELL, BLACK, NETTLEFOLD, HALLENSTEIN - Margaret Findlay of Davidson, N.S.W. is seeking information on William Bryans (Draper, of Collins Street, Melbourne) who first wife was named Anne who died in 1848. He married secondly in 1851 to Fanny Budden and had a son named William. William Bryans (snr.) went to Ireland to claim Magheramore Estate (there is a Rosborough connection which features in family names). His brother was Hugh Bryans who arrived in Melbourne in 1849 to join William in his Collins Street business. Hugh married firstly in 1855 to Jessie Corbett (d.1868) and had a daughter named Margaret (b.1858). Hugh married secondly in 1868 to Margaret Bailleiu (Baillieu?) and had a son named William (b.1873). They moved to Queenscliff in the 1860's and had a business in Hesse Street. Family names include Jackson, Shatnell/Shackell, Black, Nettlefold and Hallenstein.

  BROOKS/BROOKES, PATTERSON, THOMPSON, BAKER, DAVIS - Leanne McCann ( nee Brooks ) of Sydney, N.S.W. is the great-great-granddaughter of John Brooks ( or Brookes ) who was born at Stringybark, Port Phillip District in 1841, the son of Thomas and Sarah Brooks. A death certificate for Sarah Brooks ( wife of Thomas ) lists her as dying in 1845 at the River Plenty aged 27 years. No other information can be found about Thomas and Sarah Brooks. Leanne is the daughter of Norman Brooks ( & Ruvai Patterson ), son of George Henry Brooks ( & Frances Ruby Thompson ), son of Hugh Brooks ( & Naomi Jane Baker ), son of John Brooks ( & Mary Frances Davis ), son of Thomas and Sarah Brooks.

• HELP SOUGHT Isobel Fox of Cambridge, England writes that she is researching her ancestors, the Hutcheson family of Runnymede. This family features in the book "Cherry Stones" by our late member Helen Hudson. Isobel is concerned that Helen's research material may have been lost when she died and is trying to locate other family members that may have inherited them. If you can help please contact Barbara Hawkins on 9763 8252.

• MICROFICHE READER The PPPG has a microfiche reader and large collection microfiche available for short term loan (approximately two weeks at a time) to enable members to continue their personal research in the comfort of their own homes. A deposit of $20.00 is required, $10.00 of which is requested as a donation with the remaining $10.00 being refunded on return of microfiche and reader. Donations will be used to purchase further microfiche as they become available. If possible, it is requested that the microfiche and reader be collected from and delivered back to the Secretary. Contact Barbara Hawkins on 9763 8252 for further details.

• QUEENSLAND MEETINGS John and Elaine Bampton are willing to hold meetings at their Gold Coast home for local Port Phillip Pioneers Group members. Future meetings may include discussions about member's ancestors and the districts they came from or possibly audio tapes of speakers at our Melbourne meetings. Contact John and Elaine on (07) 5578 8382 if you would like to attend one of their get-togethers.

• ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA. The Port Phillip Pioneers Group is a "Society member" of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. Our members are therefore entitled to visit the Society and consult their extensive records. When visiting you will be asked for proof that you are a PPPG member. If you are planning to visit please contact Susan Grant and she will post you a membership card which you can use as proof of your membership. Please note that we will not be issuing membership cards to all PPPG members.

• PIONEERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC. We have ties with this organization whose membership is open to persons who are directly descended from one of the Pioneering Families who arrived in South Australia between 1836 and 1845. They are located at Stafford House, 23-25 Leigh Street, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000. Telephone: (08) 82315055 or e-mail..
  

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