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The Bellarine Historical Society Inc. on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, Australia ABN : 32 278 055 160 |
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The History of Bellarine Visitors and locals could all be forgiven for being confused about the town of Bellarine. Originally the name was used for what we now know as Drysdale, and the small settlement to its east on the Portarlington Road was called East Bellarine. Even its actual location was a point of contention with early gazetteers placing it 1½ miles from Portarlington and later at 3 miles away! Today, Bellarine is considered to be the area around the junction of Church and Portarlington Roads, although previously it was considered to cover a much greater area. In 1865 the population was stated as 350 but by 1891 it was recorded as only 56. The first Bellarine school was established in the early 1850s - here there is also confusion as references to a Bellarine school may have been to Drysdale, rather than "East" Bellarine. The Bellarine Church was built of Portarlington bricks and opened in 1873. The town also boasted a Church of England school, and the East Bellarine post office, established in 1859 was next to the school. The Wesleyans also had a church and school at Bellarine - in fact Church Road is appropriately named with three churches surviving on this road.
The Farmers' Arms Hotel existed briefly opposite the Church of England and at the other end of Church Road was the Mechanics' Institute, next to the Presbyterian School.1 References :
Members of the Bellarine Historical Society and residents of the towns of the Bellarine Peninsula have commenced a major project to document the history of their local areas on the Internet. These histories will includes towns, buildings, families, schools, environment - in fact any subject which adds to the history of the Bellarine Peninsula. These are not all encompassing histories and certainly will not replace the need for researchers to visit or contact the Bellarine Historical Society and other local repositories for more detailed information. The purpose of these histories is to increase the awareness of the depth of history on the Peninsula and to encourage further research into local archives.
We'd love your input to the history of Bellarine. This is how you can help :
Please don't be bashful - your contribution can be anonymous or we'll happily put your name to it. If you don't have email access, please mail information or questions to :
Record Sources for Bellarine
Brownhill, Geo. H. Illustrated Guide to Geelong And District, Facsimile edn., Deakin University Press, Geelong, 1990. Campbell, A. J. Tourist Guide to Geelong and Southern Watering Places, Henry Thacker, Geelong, 1893. Richardson, John. The Lady Squatters : Miss Anne Drysdale and Miss Caroline Elizabeth Newcomb : 'Boronggoop' and 'Coriyule', Bellarine Rural City Council, Drysdale, 1986. Wynd, Ian. Balla-wein : A history of the Shire of Bellarine, Shire of Bellarine, Drysdale, 1988. Wynd, Ian. Geelong The Pivot : A Short History of Geelong and District, Cypress Books, Mont Albert North, 1971.
Created by : Susie Zada |
