There is some contention as to the text of the Gettysburg Address so the Whittlesea Court House Association, WCHA, probably did not infringe Copyright when it declared a motto “‘Of the Community, For the Community and By the Community”.
President Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address used similar wording, but even he may have quoted others.
At the April meeting of the Combined Probus Club of Whittlesea there was no doubt about the authenticity of the address delivered by Nesta Russell representing WCHA. The association’s visitor information centre resides in the historic building (Circa 1864) which was formerly the Whittlesea Court of Petty Sessions.
It is a volunteer service, dedicated to providing tourist information for visitors to the township and district of Whittlesea. Open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm (except New Year’s Day, Good Friday and Christmas Day) it helps support many attractions and features which the region has to offer.
Ms Russell explained the service delivery and how unfamiliar with our town and district many visitors are. It became slightly obvious that even town residents have some learning to do.
WCHA has uniqueness is the custodian of the mysterious local land mark Bear’s Castle. Built in the eighteen forties Bear’s Castle is closed to the public except by arrangement with Whittlesea Courthouse Visitor Information Centre.
Information about WCHA and other local undertakings are published in the Whittlesea Historical Society’s Town Crier produced monthly except in January. Close to four thousand copies are distributed each month and contain local community news and events, giving non-profit organisations valuable media coverage at no cost. It also provides an outlet for businesses to pay for advertising and promotion.
John Bear with his wife Ann (nee Hutchins), sons John and Thomas and daughter Ellen Ann, arrived at Williamstown in the ship ‘Brothers’, on October 20, 1841. Soon after his arrival Bear purchased from the Crown for one pound per acre, the freehold of Section 20, Parish of Yan Yean, and comprising 935 acres to the east of the Plenty River.
The life of John Bear, his family and associates is comprehensively documented at chapter three of the book Up the Creek by Bruce Draper [ISBN 978-0-6483636-0-6]. From the first purchase he spread across Victoria and had control of over seventy thousand acres of land. Bear’s Lagoon 209 kilometres from Melbourne, takes its name from the said gentleman. This indicates his reach. Arguably he was Victoria’s earliest land baron.
In 1853 the Government bought most of Bear’s land to establish the Yan Yean Reservoir. On it was Bear’s Castle which was left in situ and has since been placed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
It was a small two story structure built with the method knows to John Bear as cob. The technique is a walling method using clay, straw and gravel. Overtime the building fell into disrepair so an effort was made to combat the ravages of “living on a windswept hill”. Apparently the contractor took the easiest action and simply rendered the outside. But the original construction method and layout are discernible.
The WCHA invites readers to contact the office about arranging a tour which includes a morning or afternoon tea. Contact (03) 9716 1866 or www.whittleseainfocentre.net.au
Abraham Lincoln would accept that Whittlesea Courthouse Association was developed of the people, by the people, for the people. It is only the people that will ensure the association survives.
Volunteering underpins the various community support that is delivered so if you can assist please do so.
