The Ocean Grove Settlement
On Monday forenoon a number of members of the Bellarine shire council proceeded to
Ocean Grove, and were entertained by the manager of the Coffee Palace at that settlement
Mr Jas. Brooke, J.P. The object of the visit was to ascertain the requirements of the
place, the recently formed Ocean Grove Improvement Association having formulated a scheme.
A very cordial welcome was given to the municipal representatives by Messrs Jas.
Brooke, Joseph Ingamells, T. Blackwell, R. Purnell, Geo. Nielson and E.E. Brown, members
of the association, who stated that what was wanted included improvements to the road
leading to Ocean Grove, and the fencing and planting of the reserves. The council were
asked to cause certain parts of the cleared road leading from the Queenscliff main road to
the Ocean Grove estate, to be formed and metalled, as in the winter months the
thoroughfare became almost impassable. The road is about two miles in length, and for a
short distance it has been metalled.
The other request was that Tuckfield road within the private area should be formed,
metalled and gravelled, the works to include the Parade, Eaglestone-street and the Terrace
leading to the front of the palace, a total distance of 114 chains. With regard to the
last request, it was pointed out that the council could not legally expend the money
necessary for the works until the streets were handed over to the council, but it was
agreed that the surveyor should prepare a report showing what ought to be done to the
streets and the cost of metalling and gravelling them.
Regarding the cleared or grubbed road leading from the estate to the Queenscliff main
road, it was pointed out by Mr Purnell that the thoroughfare was now greatly used by the
public, but that the traffic was principally a foreign one, although conveyed by local
vehicles. The visitors to Ocean Grove chiefly came from Melbourne, Ballarat, and other
distant localities; and also from Queenscliff and the road was cut up. A just claim on the
Government could be made for a special grant for constructing the road.
After a lengthy consideration of the question, it was resolved on the motion of Cr.
Williamson, seconded by Cr. Grigg, that the Hon. J.F. Levien, M.L.A., should be written
to, asking him to arrange with the Minister of Public Works for the reception of a joint
deputation of the council and the association on the subject. It was intimated by the
members of the association that a special contribution of money would be made by the
owners of properties within the estate towards assisting in defraying the cost of the
works in Tuckfield-road, etc., a sum of about £60 having been partly received in cash and
promises.
The councillors were informed that gravel, limestone and ironstone were to be obtained
on the estate, and every facility would be afforded the municipal authorities to secure it
free of cost if possible.
That Ocean Grove is rapidly becoming a popular resort is evidenced by the fact that
whilst in 1888-9 the ratable value of property within the estate was £1,392, it is valued
for the year 1889-90 at £1,695. The rates derived by the council for the past year from
properties in the estate amounted to £69.12s, but next year the sum to be received
amounts to £84.15s. There are now thirty houses at Ocean Grove, all are constructed of
weatherboard with corrugated iron roofing. They are of new, and in many respects, handsome
designs, adding greatly to the attractiveness of the pretty and quiet resting place, which
commands a most excellent view of the points of interest along the coast line.
The chief building at the Grove is the very handsome and commodious coffee palace,
containing 56 rooms, all well lighted and ventilated, and comfortably furnished. The
palace, which cost £5,000 to build, has a splendid tower in the centre, 10 feet in
height, and in which are located the billiard and smoking rooms. Attached to the palace
premises are tennis, croquet, cricket and bowling grounds, and every effort is made to
provide amusements for the visitors to the snug sanatorium where rest and relaxation may
be obtained from the busy turmoils of everyday life in the cities and towns, and at the
same time all the comforts of a well-furnished home with best attendance.
Mr Francis Brown has completed his private boarding establishment, containing 17 rooms,
at a cost of £2,000. It is situated in a very pretty part of the Grove, and about 200
yards from the palace, is nicely furnished, and offers many attractions. A croquet lawn
has been formed in front of the residence, and workmen are now engaged in making a tennis
ground.
The Rev. Thos. Grove and Messrs Kimberley, Thos, Blackwell, Duncan, and Pescott have
had erected for themselves pretty dwelling houses, each of six rooms, representing an
investment of from £100 to £150 for each cottage. A splendid residence of eight rooms is
in course of erection for Mr M.L. Hutchinson, of Melbourne, who is expending about £500
in improving his piece of land. The contractors for the building are Messrs Nielson and
Guille, who have erected the majority of the houses at Ocean Grove, and they are now
building an eight-roomed dwelling for Mr Ingamells, who until recently was manager of the
Coffee Palace at the Grove. Mr Ingamells' residence, which is to cost about £450, will be
completed about the end of February next.
A large store and timber yard has been established in the settlement by Mr Jas.
Swinburn, at an outlay of about £800, and Mr M.K. Armstrong, of St. Kilda, has arranged
with Messrs Neilson and Guille for the erection of a six-roomed dwelling immediately after
Christmas.
The pretty church erected for the Wesleyan denomination at a cost of £600 by the
contractors named is situated at a picturesque part of the Grove, and the Coffee Palace
Company have added to the other attractions of the settlement with a well-appointed
bathing establishment in the Barwon river, at the cost of £500.
There are six coaches in and out of Ocean Grove, running daily to and from Geelong,
Queenscliff, and the railway station, whilst the company provide all kinds of conveyances
for use of visitors, and at any hour well appointed buggies and good horses may be
obtained. In fact, the coaching arrangements are as complete as they are extensive and the
many beautiful sights within easy distance of the settlement fully test the capabilities
of Cobb and Co., as visitors to the delightful home by the sea create a good demand for
their vehicles and horses.
There is in course of erection in a pretty part of the estate, within easy distance of
the sea, a home intended for occupation by sick children. It is being erected at the
instance of the Rev. C.N. Cherbury, of Melbourne.
