Bellarine Historical Society

17/06/2026

Found this article about the Mechanics Institue, so Ithought I'd share it with some of our members from BHS. Enjoy.

16/06/2026

18th CENTURY LOVE STORY
The great love story of young heiress F***y Matilda Ibbotson and groomsman John Clee (1860-1923) had a rocky start with F***y’s parents’ disapproval of their romance and desire to marry. F***y was Charle’s Ibbotson’s 2nd daughter (1846 -1919). He gifted Spray Farm, Bellarine to her in 1882, the year before his death, along with Hermsley at Curlewis and another property now part of Clifton Springs near Drysdale. John Clee was her father’s English groom and coachman. In 1887 F***y (age 41) defied her parents by eloping with John (age 27) and marrying him. Parental disapproval faded after the ministers blessing so they returned to Spray Farm. Their love story did have a happy ending, with their marriage lasting for 30 years. When F***y died childless aged 73, the farm passed to her husband John Clee who died 4 years later in 1923 aged 63. Their love story was only revealed after they had both died.

Source: extracts from Sun News-Pictorial 6.11.37 (p.44); and https://history.harding.com.au/charles-ibbotson which provides a fascinating insight into the Ibbotson family history in Australia (author Ken Harding).
Photo: Spray Farm built in 1851; Painting of Charles Ibbotson. Image Mark Darlow-Joy, distant English relative and descendant of one of Charles Ibbotson’s nieces. Research about the Ibbotson family history in Australia, written by Ken Harding.

https://www.bellarinehistory.org/

15/06/2026

Bellarine Historical Society MUSEUM, next opening day - 21st June, 10.30am to 12.30pm.High Street, Drysdale.

15/06/2026

12/06/2026

BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY, ONE VOLUNTEER AT A TIME!
The wonderful Bellarine Historical Society Volunteers got together yesterday for a tour of historical houses in the area followed by lunch at Café Zoo, Drysdale. It was 50 years to the day that the BHS was formed.
Our society is entirely run by volunteers who work ‘front of house’ on open days and special events, as well as contributing hundreds of hours working on projects at the museum and from home. Without them, this museum would not exist, so a big thank you to all.
The Old Courthouse building is located at 11 High Street Drysdale. You are welcome to visit during open days – every Sunday 10.30 to 12.30pm.
https://www.bellarinehistory.org
[email protected]

11/06/2026

WE'VE BEEN IMMERSED IN LOCAL HISTORY FOR 50 YEARS!
The Bellarine Historical Society is a community-based Museum which showcases the history of the Bellarine Peninsula. 2026 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Historical Society. This milestone has inspired a series of special events, all of which will be open to the publics. The society has a wide range of resources for those who have an interest in local and family history, including rate books, historical images, church records, maps, pioneering material including farming tools. Our dedicated group of volunteers have spent years collated and cataloguing a vast collection of historical material.
The Museum is located in the old Courthouse building at 11 High Street Drysdale. You are welcome to visit during open days – every Sunday 10.30 to 12.30pm. For more information you can email us on
[email protected] or visit our website https://www.bellarinehistory.org/

08/06/2026

PIONEER FARMING on the Bellarine Peninsula
Lincoln’s Farm (also known as ‘ROSEDALE’ and Lincoln's Place) in Portarlington, was first acquired by Edwin Collins in 1862 from Joseph Birkett, the first Crown purchaser in 1849 who had established ‘one of, it not the best and most productive farms in the whole of the Bellarine district’. According to Heritage Victoria and the National Trust, the property pre dates the National Trust listed Portarlington Mill. Collins sold the farm in 1876 and it was later named ‘Lincoln’s Farm’ after William Lincoln, owner in the later 19th century. The farm remained a fully functioning dairy farm until the 1950.’s.
Sadly, this old Australian Pioneer farm (original house, stables and dairy) no longer stands having been demolished in 2020.

There have even been a number of books written about the farm, amongst the more well known, 'Lincolns Place' by renowned author Colin Thiele (Storm Boy) and illustrated by Robert Ingpen.

Source: Extracts from City of Greater Geelong Theme Four - Transforming & Managing Land & Natural Resources

01/06/2026

'PIQUE-NIQUE' ANYONE?
Simple pleasures of the past (and present for that matter) is picnicking – a timeless activity that has been enjoyed for generations across multiple continents. Picnics became the cornerstone of colonial life in the 1800’s. They were organised by churches, schools, workplaces, and community groups, and served as some of the most anticipated events on the social calendar.
The word "picnic" itself likely comes from the French pique-nique - originally described as a potluck feast; a fashionable social gathering indoors where each guest brought a dish, or a bottle of wine, or paid a share to contribute to a shared table.
Victorian-era picnics on the Bellarine were elaborate social affairs — families would arrive by steamer or train with hampers of food, set up on the foreshore reserves, and spend the day swimming, fishing, and socialising. Church groups, friendly societies, and schools regularly organised large community picnic excursions to the peninsula's coastal towns throughout the 1880s–1910s.

For more information click on the link below to read
'History of picnics in Australia and the Bellarine Peninsula' written by Deb Seymour for the Bellarine Historical Historical Society.
https://www.bellarinehistory.org/files/History%20of%20picnics%20(1)DEB.pdf

Photos courtesy State Library Victoria

31/05/2026

Jetty, Boat Ramp, Pier, used for gaining access to waterways. Some of them are located at Clifton Springs, Portarlington, Point Richard's, St.Leonards around the Bellarine.

24/05/2026

Three Lighthouses on the Bellarine coastline, located at Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale. The Black one at Queenscliff,located in QueenscliffFort(Shortland Bluff), built in 1862. The other lighthouse was painted white todistinguish it from the black one. Point Lonsdale lighthouse, located on the south end of town on a public reserve