FRIDAY'S HISTORY LESSON: AUSSIE WORD "FURPHY".

A furphy, also commonly spelt furfie, is Australian slang for a rumour, or an erroneous or improbable story.

An original Furphy
The word is derived from water carts made by a company established by John Furphy: J. Furphy & Sons of Shepparton, Victoria. Many Furphy water carts were used to take water to Australian Army personnel during World War I. The carts, with "J. Furphy & Sons" written on their tanks, became popular as gathering places where soldiers could exchange gossip, rumours and fanciful tales.
Originally it was synonymous with "rumour" and "scuttlebutt", but the modern meaning (especially in Australian politics) is "an irrelevant or minor issue raised to specifically divert attention away from the real issue".
A scuttlebutt, however, originally was a term for a cask of drinking water on a ship.

DESCRIPTION: furphy n. (pl. furphies) 1 a false report or rumour. 2 an absurd story. • adj. (furphier, furphiest) absurdly false, unbelievable: that’s the furphiest bit of news I ever heard.
This Ozword comes from the name of [John] Furphy, a blacksmith and general engineer, who went to Shepparton from Kyneton in 1871 and set up a foundry. John Furphy designed a galvanised iron water-cart on wheels and his firm, J. Furphy & Sons, manufactured them. Each cart had the name FURPHY written large on the body. So successful were these carts that during World War 1 the Department of the Army bought many Furphy carts to supply water to camps in Australia and especially to camps in Palestine, and Egypt.

So there you have it!

FRIDAY'S HISTORY LESSON: DAME NELLIE MELBA 1861-1931

Helen Porter Mitchell adopted the professional name "Melba" to acknowledge her birthplace, Melbourne. Melba was the eldest of 10 children. Although she first sang in public when 6, forming a lifelong attachment to 'Comin' thro' the Rye', it was her humming that visitors noticed. Unwittingly she had hit upon what she would later describe as an effective vocal exercise. She also whistled, and generally behaved like a tomboy.

Melba began to study and singing seriously after her marriage in 1882. Following appearances in Sydney and London, she made her operatic debut in Brussels in 1887. It was the start of a phenomenal 38-year career on the World stage.
Melba won acclaim at Covent Garden, London, and the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and then in most of the leading opera houses of the world until her retirement. Divorced in 1900, she could be forthright, vain and scandalous, so the papers said. Australians saw her living a gilded lifestyle among the best of international society, and she became the epitome of glamour and fame. She was mobbed on her return home in 1902.
In 1909 Melba undertook a sentimental tour of Australia, and was greeted with adulation wherever she went. During the war, international travel was restricted, but she was energetic in her war work. Melba was appointed a Dame of the British Empire in 1918 and elevated to Dame Grand Cross in the order in 1927. It was as 'the Voice' that Melba sometimes chose to describe herself. "Good singing", she stated, "is easy singing"; nature had given her an almost perfect larynx and vocal cords. Her range was fully three octaves, while her registers were so well blended that even an eminent throat specialist thought they were one. A scientific measurement of her trill produced twenty feet of undulations between perfectly parallel lines. Instrumentalists admired her, not least for the way that, despite her imperious temperament, she scrupulously sought to realize the composer's intentions.

From 1904 Melba began recording, she issued over one hundred records and helped to establish the gramophone. In 1920 she also became the first artist of international standing to participate in direct radio broadcasts.
In 1928 Melba performed in Geelong where she was to sing in her last Australian concert. Feeling that she had been away too long, Melba left for Europe for two years, and sang in Brighton before moving on to Paris and Egypt, where she developed a fever. She never quite shook it off, however, she did manage to sing one last time at a charity entertainment at the Hyde Park Hotel, London.

Dreading another Northern winter, Melba decided to return to Melbourne, but her health grew worse on board ship. Partly in the hope of getting better medical care, she later went to Sydney where, in St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, she died on 23 February 1931 of septicaemia, which had developed from facial surgery in Europe some weeks before. Dame Nellie Melba was aged 69.

I could not leave you without having a link to have a listen to Dame Nellie Melba's voice could I? Nope..so HERE it is..enjoy! Oh, and one more HERE.

FRIDAY'S HISTORY POST: A Few Things I know...

This is an image of the White City Dog Track that my nan and pop were caretakers of back in their day. I cannot safely say what years they were caretakers there, or if it was pre or post WW2. I do know my mum was little and she has happy memories of living in a house right next to the dog track. It was weatherboard and had a big verandah right around it which was great on hot dry days of Summer. Nan was a wizz with picking dogs for a win..well, that was her story and she was sticking to it right!

UDL - The Original Aussie Mix

Variants:Can: Vodka Lemon, Lime and Soda, Vodka Lime and Soda, Vodka and Raspberry, Vodka and Orange, Vodka and Passionfruit, Gin and Tonic, Gin and Bitter Lemon, Scotch and Cola, Ouzo and Cola( That's my favourite right there!), Sambuca and Cola.
Did you know?UDL was invented by two Aussie mates playing golf together. One would bring a bottle of spirits – the other would bring the mixer and they would mix their drinks on the course. However, one day they had a brainwave – why not sell it pre-mixed in a can? Anyway, it is a nice way to have a drink at a BBQ or down at the beach after a hot Summers Day... consuming responsibly of course!

Lithium was revolutionised here in Melbourne Australia post WW2 by Doctor John Cade. He was living in the grounds of Royal Park Hospital where many a war neurotic patient was being treated....well, treated as best they could be with what was known at the time. At the time, electroconvulsive therapy and the radical lobotomy were all that was known to try to stem the manic episodes patients were experiencing. Dr Cade dug into his own pocket and got some guinea pigs and rabbits and had the nurses obtain urine samples from patients...one was a control patient, one was a schizophrenic patient, one bi-polar or manic depressive as it was known then and the other was from a patient with complete mania. Dr Cade then injected the animals with the urine and recorded some remarkable findings. The animal that had the urine of the bipolar patient died alot earlier. It was found that the urine had concentrated amounts of the compound Urea in it. Through his own findings, it was devised that Lithium Carbonate was the only way to decrease the amount of Urea in the blood of a patient/animal and therefore decrease the amount of psychotic behaviour. Side effects of vomiting and diarrhea and resultant deaths of some patients made this treatment difficult for some medical fraternities to adopt. With careful monitoring of blood levels of patients on this medicine, the patients soon turned from mania or depression to convalescence and out to the real world with family and working. So was born the age of psycho generic medication. A wing of the royal Melbourne Hospital is named after Doctor John Cade...a wonderful attribute to a man that tried to do his best to relive such malaise in those afflicted with psychological problems.

"I believe the brain, like any other organ, can get sick and it can also heal." Dr John Cade.

Cobbledicks Ford was the place I most loved to ride my horse Mabel to. It took about 2 hours to ride there from home and I would take my lunch and a drink of cordial or water with me. There was a steep hill to go down to get to the waters edge there and Mabel would gallop all the way down it to get to the water. She may have been an old mare but she had alot of go in her that's for sure! Once we got to the water she would have a guzzle of it but then she would not set foot in the water. I would go for a swim and have a swing off of the fallen tree you can see there in the image. There was a big old rope to swing off of...like in the movie Bridge to Terabithia..have you seen that movie yet? If not you should, it was great.

I remember as a kid there were a few years in a row that the motorbike gangs would get together and have some sort of major meet over the weekend. Thousands of bikes would take the backroads past our place to get to the Ford and bands were set up and the noise from their loud speakers could be heard all week end. Mum thought it was a bad thing..we thought it was awesome!! They had signs at the front gate "Onions FREE ENTRY"...that meant girls, haha.

The Ford is one of the historic crossing sites along the River built during the 1850's of bluestone. The name Cobbledicks is from the family name of the tenant farmers of the area. Anyway, now I believe the place has "gone to the dogs". People have taken cars there and burnt them out and made a right old mess of it..sad...I hope someone one day could restore it as a great picnic place to go to.

FRIDAY'S HISTORY LESSON: BRIGHT...

Bright is situated in the Ovens Valley at the foot of the Victorian Alps, offers beautiful scenery and landscape. The air is so clean and fresh and the weather surprisingly mild. It isw 308 kilometres drive away from Melbourne in a N/E direction.

Explored, like so much of Victoria, by Hume and Hovell in 1824, the first pastoral runs in the Bright area were taken up in the late 1830s - one of them by Hume's brother-in-law, Dr Mackay, whose difficulties with the local Aborigines caused him to move to another property. In 1845, Thomas Buckland established the area's first cattle run near the river which was later to bear his name.

(The Weston Family in front of their fruit and confectionary store in Bright, Victoria, about 1865. Source: Museum Victoria Collection)

The real development of the district began in 1853, when W.H. Pardoe discovered gold along the Buckland River. Despite his attempts to maintain secrecy, 3000 diggers swarmed into the valley within six months, turning the river into a filthy alluvial gold mine. 1000 died of disease and others fled until only 500 remained.
The Chinese arrived in large numbers to sift abandoned claims. But in 1857 Bright saw a massive uprising, a riot if you will, between the Chinese and other prospectors. There is so much more to the history of Bright and the Gold rush that it cannot all be said in one post alone.

There are many ski resorts surround Bright, with Mt Buffalo National Park being the closest. This is obviously one attraction to the area, although Bright offers various activities all year around. Fishing during the summer time is also a great experience. I got to have a go at fly fishing back in year 9 in High School whilst on student camp there. It was just so relaxing too.



Mt Buffalo in snow.



Hang gliding Bright, a post card.



A vineyard near Bright.

There are a whole host of walking trails around Bright which are great for bush walkers and cyclists. There are often fabulous lookouts along the way, giving spectacular views of the surrounding area. If you want to look at the area from a different view, then hold on tight to one of the popular hang gliders.
Around the town there is an interesting museum where you can learn about the history of the area, as well as a winery and the pretty Centenary Park.

Bright Post Office.

The post office in Bright reflects the feel for architecture of old Victorian times. I guess you could say that each old town in Victoria has a building similar to this one. I just love the attentiojn to detail both inside aswell as outer of these buildings.

Staying in Bright, and not in the mountains, means you can pick and choose which mountain resort you want to visit each day. It's viable to travel to Mount Buffalo (27 kilometres), Mount Hotham (51 kilometres) or Falls Creek (58 kilometres).

Simone's restaurant is THE PLACE to eat when you visit Bright. It has been there for 20 years and is run by George and Patrizzia Simone. It is set inside a lovely old Victorian Cottage in the very heart of Bright. Italian cuisine at its finest. People from Melbourne have been known to go to Bright to celebrate their wedding anniversary at Simone's.

Bright, a terrific place for a weekend break or a week long vacation, no matter the season. The scenery, arts, the history, the local foods and of course the wines are just wonderful.

Friday's History Lesson- The Chirnside Family.

Thomas Chirnside was born in 1815 in Berwickshire,Scotland. He was a pastoralist who came to Australia to buy land and run sheep stations. He arrived here in January 1839, in Adelaide to be exact. Then he went on to Sydney a month later. He ended up here in Melbourne after a failed shot at running a sheep station in the drought stricken area of the Murrumbidgee. Meeting up with his brother Andrew Spencer, they acquired a few alotments of land and sheep and station hands. The land at Wyndham(Werribee) was purchased in 1846, just prior to the Gold rushes. There Thomas settled, building a bluestone mansion(pictured above) and gaining a freehold of 80,000 acres in the 1850's. Andrew settled elsewhere. He was soon to return to Wyndham in the 1870's with his family to live with Thomas.

Thomas Chirnside sadly committed suicide during 1887. He was found dead in the laundry at Werribee Park with a shotgun lying beside him. Andrew Chirnside died in April 1890. They left behind a gorgeous estate with priceless furnishings within the Mansion that we can see today. You can look at more of their story HERE if and when you have the time. Here is an image of the lovely gardens at full bloom. It is a lovely place to picnic, or even get married, as we did. Each Good Friday there is an Easter Egg Hunt, in order to raise money for the Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. The Werribee Mansion gardens is the setting for this great event to take place. We have been a few times, but this year we will be going to the Telstra Dome Event.
This is an aerial View of the Victorian State Rose Garden that is featured within the lawns of the Werribee Mansion. Many couples choose to get hutched there, sadly, the ones who chose to do it on our same wedding day got rained out. We luckily chose the Chapel to have our ceremony.

Here is an image of the massive billiard table. The room is just amazing!!

Here is an image of the parlour. Soft pastel colors throughout. Lovely ornaments and paintings adorn the walls. I felt like a Queen when I walked through here in my wedding dress :)

Here is one of the bedrooms with gorgeous furniture and drapery. Each room has an open fire place and the original paint works on the walls and ceilings. So much to take in!

We got Wedding pictures taken within the mansion including on this lovely staircase pictured here. When I acquire a scanner, I will post some of these images, it is just beautiful.

As you walk through the mansion, you can see the style of living the Chirnside's were accustomed too. You can also see images of the families, the station hands and look at the pieces of clothing and everything. It is a well set out museum, complete with biography of the families who lived there. Restorative works are ongoing to parts of the mansion.

The Mansion serves as a magnificent backdrop for the Annual Christmas Carols event, Spring Harvest Picnics and many more events. The grounds also incorporate The National Equestrian Centre which is the nucleus of Victoria's growing Equine Tourism industry. Neighbouring this is the Werribee Open Range Zoo, this is certainly a place to bookmark for any event.

Friday's History Lesson...on a Saturday...

Below is an image of the Old Melbourne Gaol. It was the place that the notorious Ned Kelly was hung. I should point out, Ned was notorious and a bit of a local legend to some, and yet others would beg to differ, naming him nothin' but an Outlaw.

Ned Kelly was a bushranger. Bushrangers used the Australian"bush" as a refuge to hide from the authorities between committing their robberies, roughly analogous to the British-American "highwayman". Their targets often included small-town banks or coach services.

Born in January 1855 and was hung to his death on the 11th November, 1880. Born near Melbourne to an Irish Convict father, as a young man he soon came into conflict with the police. After killing three policemen, he and his gang became known as The Kelly Gang , and entered a two-year career of killing and bank robbery. A final violent confrontation with police at Glenrowan, with Kelly dressed in home-made plate metal armour and helmet (Pictured below), led to his capture and trial. He was hanged at Melbourne Gaol in 1880. His daring and notoriety led to him becoming an iconic figure in Australian history, and the subject of literature, art and film.

Melbourne Gaol (more commonly known as The Old Melbourne Gaol) is a museum and former prison located in Russell Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It consists of a bluestone building and courtyard and is located next to the old City Police Station and City Courts buildings (both now occupied by RMIT University).
Built in 1864, the gaol was the setting for 135 hangings, the most infamous being that of bushranger Ned Kelly in 1880. The jail was closed in 1926. Special candlelight night tours can also be arranged and enhance the already spooky environment of the Gaol - reports of strange sights and sounds occur more often at night.

Ned Kelly in his famed suit of armour.

The Glenrowan statue of Ned Kelly. Take a short tour of Glenrowan HERE, it is a great place to visit and to stop through for a Devonshire Tea, not a disappointment.

Friday History Lesson Number 3...

Welcome to my history lesson number three....here I will let on about Melbourne's Shrine Of Rememberance. In April, April 25th to be exact, we will be remembering the fallen from wars past and present on our ANZAC Day. I will post more about this then.

(Gathering of people on Anzac Day at the dawn service on what marked the 90th anniversary of the ANZAC's landign at Gallipoli, also the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in August 1945 and the fall of Saigon 30 years prior that spelled the end of the Vietnam War)

So, The Shrine of Rememberance is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Victoria. It is located on St Kilda Road in Melbourne, just South of the CBD. You can walk from the train station down to the shrine, as I did many a time on ANZAC Day as a little cadet...or take a tram ride to the shrine. Either way, it is a nice little trip. The tours of the Shrine are free and very informative, be sure to catch one when you venture this way.

( The Shrine up top of the image, and our trams running on StKilda Road )

( This statue, in the basement of the Shrine of Remembrance, represents fathers and sons who fought in WWI and WWII)

The Shrine was built between 1928 and 1934 with funds that were raised by the residents of Victoria. The forecourt area was not finished until 1955. This is the area that people who participate in the ANZAC Day Parade march up to and convene.

The design of the Shrine resulted from a world-wide architectural competition, won by Victorian returned soldiers, Philip Hudson and James Wardrop. Their entry was influenced by details from classical Greek monuments, with the cubic form stepped pyramid roof derived from the mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. Amazing isn't it?

This is an image of the inside of the Shrine, with beautiful friezes around the ceiling. One side of the pyramid roof has a small hole in it, which allows light to shine on the marble floor panel at 11am on November 11th. That image, I will share on Rememberance Day itself.

Gathering back on Nov 11th, 1934 at the Shrine of Rememberance.

So, whether you like to have a look at nice architecture, or if you are certainly interested in learning about our history, the Shrine of Rememberance is a must see. Right next door are the lovely Royal Botanical Gardens, and Domain Parklands and my favourite place of all The National Gallery of Victoria.

Next Friday, I might introduce to you some fine history about a man and garbage can for a hat, so stay tuned for some surprises....and "'ave-a-goodweekend..orrrighty!!!"

Friday History Lesson...Number 1

In reading a blog called Old Dog New Trick, Betty gave me an idea for a post...originally, she didn't have an idea for a post and it turned into one of the best I have read!! It was about her trip to Northern California. Betty spoke of the people's love of their trees, how they are named and made into tourist attractions.

So it made me want to write about something very special here inAustralia. We too have memorial trees, these are for our fallen soldiers from WW1. In the township of Lakes Entrance in Victoria, there was an Avenue of Honour of Monterey Cypress Trees planted ( in 1924). This was to remember the 26 local men that were killed in that war.

Story goes that some of the trees were removed for various reasons over the years and back in 1997 the council was going to remove the remainder, with much upheaval from the local community.

Following a public campaign by the Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society the trunks of six of the trees have been preserved and transformed into memorial sculptures by chainsaw artist John Brady. These sculptures are regularly waxed and oiled to preserve the wood.

Wounded Soldier and Donkey. CARVED BY JOHN BRADY, JUNE 1998.

Family waiting for dad. Carved by John Brady, Feb 1999.

WW1 Nurse. CARVED BYJOHN BRADY, AUG 1998.

SIMPSON* HELPING A WOUNDED SOLDIER TO WHERE HIS DONKEY AND ANOTHER PATIENT WAITS CARVED BY JOHN BRADY, SEPT 1998.

Soldier WWI SOLDIER byJOHN BRADY, MAY 1998.

Each sculpture has a plaque attached similar to:THESE SCULPTURES HONOUR THE MEMORY OF FIRST WORLD WAR DEAD AND INJURED PLEASE TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT LAKES ENTRANCE R.S.L.

* Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick was a stretcher bearer on Gallipoli who used a donkey to rescue wounded soldiers.

So there you have it, a small history lesson for everyone. Have a wonderful and safe weekend my friends :)