The town of Portarlington has a mixed history. Once it was a major potato, peas and onion growing area, it was famous for its cheese making with the local cheese factory winning a major prize at the Great Exhibition in London in 1850.

There is little evidence of how the town became named. In Victoria Place names and their origin 1907 there is a listing, Portarlington named in 1851. I read that it was named Drayton after the surveyor but the only reference I have located was from a plan of proposed township of Portarlington surveyed by assistant surveyor Robert Mason dated 1850. In this plan the name Drayton is crossed out and Portarlington has been added.
I am more inclined to believe the findings of J.S.Ryan who wrote in the Victorian Historical Magazine that, "Leix gives several names to the new colony, Port Arlington, named after in 1851, is the new version of Portarlington, the market town in both Leix and Offaly counties, on the River Barrow and near a branch of the Grand Canal."

This material is not to be copied without permission of the author

Portarlington Racecourse, Sproat Street.
The Portarlington Racecourse Reserve, now the local football ground, was managed by a group of trustees selected from the town.
They held their meetings at the Rotunda, and set the fees (annually) for race meetings at five pounds for the race meetings, two pounds for the football club and only ten shillings for the cricket club. Although, some say Portarlington held its first race meeting in 1859, it is not recorded that it was near the mill.
The local papers advertised the race program, complete with prize money. As you can see from the advertisement the winnings for the Bellarine Handicap were 35 sovereigns, quite a substantial sum at the time.
In a letter dated 4/1/1882 from Richard Webber, Secretary of the Portarlington Improvement Association, the fencing of the racecourse, was discussed and a letter from the Minister of Lands gave permission to the trustees to fence the course. In The Turf Register the record of the Victorian Racing Club, the first official race meeting at Portarlington was on the 6/1/1883 with the last meeting held on March 20, 1906.

2.Source: Queenscliffe Historical Society.

In 1883 the Geelong Advertiser, describes the first race meeting on the new course. The meeting was hurried arranged for scarcely more than four days notice hade been given. There were nearly 500 spectators present. The course may claim to be the heaviest in the colony, for in some parts the horses had to plough through sand knee deep. The running ground is close to the beach, and about 300 yards from the township. Portarlington Steam Flour Mill,Turner Court.A view of the races almost from start to finish is obtained from a sloping embankment overlooking the course.
In 1901 the local newspaper, reported that there was a record entry of people attending the races. The Geelong Garrison Artillery Band entertained the spectators between races. The popularity of the race meetings, also attracted a devious lot.

One pick pocket in particular was arrested trying to board the Edina for the return trip to Melbourne with the evidence in his pocket. On another occasion, a local woman who was watching the race had her purse removed from her pocket.

This particular thief was a member of the notorious gang called, “Rats” who frequented the Chinese quarters, in Melbourne well known for hiding criminals. Once apprehended, and taken before the magistrate the penalties were severe. For stealing a woman’s purse the offender received three months imprisonment. Large numbers had made the journey from Geelong by the steamer, “Excelsior” as well as from Melbourne on board the “Courier” and the “Derwent”.
The numbers were well over 900, with over 36 pounds taken at the gate. Following improvements to the track the ground was considered one of the best outside Metropolitan area.
In 1902 The Bellarine Shire Council declared a public holiday for Race Day. In 1908 a visit by an inspector from the Public Health Department describes the racecourse, “About a mile from the Post Office there is a football ground enclosed by galvanized iron fence. Outside the fence is the racecourse. Except for a judges box there are no other buildings.” The local Catholic Church financially gained from the races. The priest at the time, Father Conlon was very successful in making applications to the committee to hold race meetings on certain dates to raise money for the parish. “A written application was received from Father Conlon for the use of the reserve for a race meeting…enclosed was the 5 pound fee. However the trustees were not totally reliant of the fees of the Catholic Church, when Father Conlan requested a donation from the trustees to build a church hall on the corner of Harding and Fenwick Streets it was refused, as there were in-sufficient funds.
The races were held when the boats from both Geelong and Melbourne were running on a regular basis. So popular were the races outside Metropolitan Melbourne. The well known Melbourne Gambler, John West sought to have a financial input into the race meetings, but the trustees declined his offer.
The Trustees also issued grazing rights and granted permission to the Defence Department in 1929 for permission to occupy the rifle range. As well as only presiding over the racetrack, and maintenance of it, they were also responsible for the management of land for camping purposes. As a result of the growth of the camping ground, the Racecourse committee were approached by the Foreshore Reserve Committee to rent some of the land that the Racecourse Committee owned.
In the 1950s they agreed to a further development of land for camping on the south side of the existing area from Sproat Street going westerly, subject to legal advice from the Lands Department. However, by 1960 this arrangement had turned sour, with few fees being paid by the Foreshore Committee, who wanted to manage the land.
The Trustees agreed they would not give up any land under their control and would seek 7000 pounds per year for compensation. An enquiry was held by the Lands Department with the final report going to the Minister of Lands, Hon. N.M McDonald who made the decision on the future of the Racecourse and Recreation Reserve.
As a result of this inquiry the trustees agreed to cooperate with the Foreshore Committee and set fees from seven and six to fifteen shillings. In 1970 the final meeting of the trustees was held, with the remaining bank balance sent to the Lands Department in Melbourne, along with the Deeds that had been held by the Trustees for over 80 years.

Portarlington Golf Club

In 1909 several Portarlington men and women were anxious that a golf course should be built in Portarlington.
The Town and District Improvement Association had considered such a plan for some time. Land had been considered, and the formation of the Golf Club was to be addressed at the next meeting of the Town District Association. One of the elected office bearers in 1909 was Mr P.M Browne, a resident of the property, Tarina. The annual fees were set at five shillings. A letter was sent to the Geelong Golf Club asking members to visit Portarlington and express their opinion on the proposed links in the racecourse reserve. Boyhood memories I remember seeing them putting the clubhouse into position… it was where the BP Station is now. ( Corner Sproat and Geelong Road corner)
The Club House was a farmhouse from the top of the hill in Port and it was moved into place using Clydesdales in the front and Clydesdales at the back…they used wagon wheels with poles underneath as axles a very amateur job it was.
It was so steep, one false move and it will be down the bottom of Sproat Street. I played golf there myself…you used to tee off from the BP Petrol Station across the road then down towards the water. It wasn’t the first course, they used to practice on the Esplanade, but it was my great uncle that brought the game to Port. He used to play at St Andrews in Scotland, and then set up a little course on the Queenscliff Road but it was mostly bracken in those days. I really took to the game well I was small for my age therefore couldn’t play football, although I did try out for cricket. My Aunt continued with the golf…the back nine holes are on her 10 acres that she owned behind the present golf course... Actually her name is on the Honour Board that is hanging up in the Club House.

Other Boyhood memories
A former resident now is his nineties recalls.”Many times I tramped around it-both caddying and searching for lost golf balls which we would endeavour to sell to golfers-with or without damage to the surfaces-the latter we would endeavour to disguise with white paint.
The tee for the number 1 fairway (or no.1 hole) was located almost at the intersection of the Portarlington-Geelong Road and the small road or street leading almost directly to the Old Mill building at the north east corner of such intersection. The 9-holed golf course circumnavigated the football oval. I cannot visualise the location of the 9th fairway. The course was roughly grassed and was virtually a track through dense fern growth. One hit off from an elevated level to a green at the adjacent level roughly aiming towards Geelong. I believe such was the case for the 3rd and 4th tee to enable the course layout to wend its way towards the sea front and finally become parallel to it. One chap I caddied for never paid me for my efforts. In those days golf was confined to the social elite; no humble fisher-folk. WG Golf continues to be a social and sporting outlet for many people in Portarlington. In 1967 plans were drawn for a new club house.
Today, 2007, the golf club has fully licensed eating facilities, Pro Shop, and an 18 holed course that attracts many competitors from outside Portarlington. Many golfing tournaments are now held annually, on land that was once owned by the Day family, and the Honour Board acknowledges its owner Leila Day.

Portarlington Steam Flour Mill,Turner Court.

It is said that this area was once Corroboree ground where William Buckley met with the local tribes. Some recall the wonderful clay deposits on the cliff face, used by the local aborigines, and in later years by the local school children for making marbles.
The Portarlington Steam Flour Mill Company was formed in August 1856 with a capital of 3,250 pounds to build a mill. The architect, Mr Andrew McWilliam called for tenders for making the 150,000-200,000 bricks August 1856, and in December of the same year, an advertisement appeared in the Geelong Advertiser for Masons, for the “excavations and masonry for the foundations of the Portarlington Steam Flour Mill. The plans and specifications for the engine were to be discussed at a meeting at Mr John Henderson’s of Bellarine, but the meeting was postponed, as the plans were not sent in time from Melbourne.
A Geelong architect, Andrew McWilliam was in charge of selecting the successful tenders, and in December 1856, a decision was made that both tenders for the brickwork and masonry could be submitted as one. It is not known if there was a shortage of either skill at the time, or it was considered cheaper to employ men who could undertake both tasks. As there was no suitable accommodation, the men lived nearby in tents.
In 1858, “tenders were called for the erection of four cottages- labour only”. The timber merchant required separate tenders for the brickwork and carpentry. Although located in Geelong, Andrew McWilliam served as secretary and engineer of the Bellarine Shire from 1865 to 1899, and designed the stone bridge at Waurn Ponds and the St. James Church of England in Drysdale.
The mill was built from stone quarried on site in 1857, six years after Portarlington was gazetted as a town. It was one of the first of a spate of mills to be built to use the newly developed steam power for its operation. As a result of this, the mill fills an important milestone in the growth of Victoria. Of all the mills designed and built at that period only two or three still exist.

It appears that the proprietors of the Mill were too trustworthy and in 1862 their agent was alleged to have absconded with a considerable sum of money, belonging to a gentleman who had paid 412 pounds ten shillings for 30 tons of Portarlington Mill Flour, but was never received.
The mill served as a flourmill for 14 years before being taken out of commission and its machinery transferred to Hamilton. “The Mill could be kept going by locally grown produce…however thanks to the progress of settlement…and the increase in the number of sheep farmers moving into the wheat growing district of Portarlington local produce was not available. “In 1866 T H Widdicombe took over the flourmill before it proved too costly to run. He turned to another product; bricks considering them to pay better than flour.
The clay available at Portarlington was of superior quality and mixed with sandstone produced a brick that was as hard as stone. Among some of the bricks that were manufactured are red and white bricks, some of which are still visible on chimneys in Portarlington today. Mr Widdicombe returned to Ballarat once the brickworks were running smoothly for approximately seven years before returning to Portarlington to clear out all the stock before closing the works down.”

In 1907 J.H Rudd and Co., a Melbourne pastoral company bought the mill.
This company used the mill for many purposes. For example, seaweed from the adjacent beach was processed and sold as an insulating material, “Alpinite’. Sheep dip and other goods were manufactured on the premises. The seaweed was gathered from as far away as Swan Bay. . The local grave digger used seaweed (treated) for the upholstery in the coffins in the early days.

4.(Source: Old Mill Collection)

During the 1920’s Rudd and Co only had one man actually working at the mill, but Mr Turner who lived next door was employed as the caretaker. Mr Turner’s old home still stands next to the mill, and Turner Court was named after him. Rudd and Co. featured the mill in much of their advertising and many of their goods carried the line” A product of the marine mill-Portarlington. Their 10 pound tins of “Homestead” tea, specially blended from teas imported from Ceylon and India always had a free cup and saucer buried in the tea.
The SS Edina carried the raw materials and the finished products between Portarlington and the North Wharf in Melbourne. One of the Directors of Rudd and Co, a Mr H. Shepherd brought his wife and two small sons to stay in the Mill during the Christmas holidays.
One of the pastimes of the boys was to go out the top window and climb down to the ground using the vines as a rope. The local boys also used to get in on the act.
"Now that I am in my nineties, I can confess that I used to climb up on to the Old Mill, take the birds eggs, blow the eggs, and swap them with other boys at school."
When the Shepherd family returned to, Melbourne the mill was used as a holiday retreat by the Gordon Boy’s Home. For some during the depression years this was the only holiday they had.
"I used to deliver meat there on my bike…I had to carry it up the stairs to the very top floor. The kitchen was at the front on the top floor…gosh the boys ate a lot of chops and sausages in those days."

In the 1950s Mrs Dora Dye used the Mill for holidays; however the building was allowed to deteriorate. In 1952 the Mill was converted into two flats. The carpenter was Tom Foran, and the plumber Bill Clark. A George Duim and his family lived in one for about 15 months and Jack Scruit lived in the other flat until they found other accommodation.
In the early 1960s a demolition order was served, although moves were made to save the old mill, it wasn’t until a last minute reprieve by the Council the building was saved.
In 1970 the Shire of Bellarine purchased the building and placed it in the hands of the National Trust who have spent over $40,000 restoring it and opening it to the public. Today the building is open to the public and is supported by a team of volunteers.

Portarlington Pier

The pier was once considered the life support of the town, moving both people and produce across the bay to Melbourne. Built in 1859, the pier was extended further in the 1870s to allow larger ships to visit.
Tenders were advertised in 1897 for the much needed repairs, and the, “Specifications may be seen at the local police station”.
The first breakwater was built in 1884, and extended a further 100 feet in the 1900s. It was taken over by the Geelong Harbour Trust in 1905, and the outer breakwater was built in 1935.
The location of Portarlington was ideally suited as a Port, and was the closest point to Melbourne across the bay.

There were a number of ships who visited Portarlington, such as the Dispatch, the Weeroona, Hygeia, Excelsior, SS Coogee, SS Eumerella, SS Burwah, and the old favourite the SS Edina. The bay steamers moved hay, butter, eggs, cheese potatoes, wheat, flour, onions and farm animals to Melbourne. This picturesque spot is the first port of call for Melbourne and Geelong steamers. The distance from the Gellibrand Lightship to Portarlington is 22 miles, and the “Courier “covers the distance in a few minutes over the hour.

The export of onions for the last week amounted to 2461 bags which went to New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia The return cargo was wine beer coffee tea sugar and farm supplies.
The farmers of Bellarine and Portarlington were not happy with the rates charged by the shipping companies and “requested a reduction on the rates charged for the carriage of produce from Portarlington to Melbourne as the rates charged from Geelong were lower.

" My father grew carrots, and took them to the market square where the Post Office is now. The cartage costs on the Edina were far too expensive so he brought t hem home again. He decided that farming was tough, so turned his hand at building."

A shed was built to hold the produce waiting to load. At one stage there were double railway lines up the middle of the Pier to load and unload goods. (Much to the delight of the local children, who used to ride on the trolleys up and down freely?)

Then in the 1900s dredging took place around the pier to allow deeper vessels to cater for the ever popular the passenger trade. Day trippers came from Geelong, enjoyed picnics in the park, with a few of the males frequenting the local hotels. The land includes the Portarlington Jetty and its approaches and control of the area will be transferred to the Ports and Harbour Branch of the Public Works Department who propose to spend about 20,000 pounds on a new pier in the interests of commercial fishermen; 6,000 pound will be spent in the first year.

The Geelong Harbour Trust is no longer interested in the Pier since the cessation of seaborne commerce to Portarlington. In the 1950s attempts to extend the pier were stopped when strong winds tore apart the construction site. The new pier (narrower than the old one) had been built as far as the first jetty. On the 19/1/1951 the dismantling of the shed on the end of the pier began. This was to be re-erected at the bottom of the Pier as a store shed for fishermen, and a refrigerating plant installed.
A shelter for sightseers is to be erected in its place at the end of the pier.
Then in the 1980s it was announced that $500,000 was to be spent on rebuilding the beach to address the issue of the disappearing sand. First, a concrete and steel groyne was built alongside the pier. The next stage was to pump sand from Point Richards and from outside the harbour to restore the beach.
In 1994, a submission was sent to the Port Of Melbourne Authority by the Development Association requesting funds to upgrade the Pier.
The local fishermen were concerned that the pier was unsafe during bad weather, and the current pier did not provide adequate shelter during storms.

In December the same year, the Port of Melbourne Authority responded to this requested by allocating a grant of $200,000 for work to the pier. In 2006, the area around the pier was again pumped of sand. This time it was in reverse with all the sand and other materials dumped in the shallows of the public swimming beach.

Women’s Land Army

The outbreak of World War Two increased the demand for the production of wartime necessities such as flax for clothing, and vegetables for dehydration. The flax was required for its linen thread. The threat was used in soldiers coats, canvas, ropes, fire hose, and of course parachute harnesses.
The outbreak of war saw Britain loose its flax supply from Russia, Belgium and Ireland. Therefore Britain turned to its friendly neighbours to assist with the supply. They sent tons of flax seeds to Australia. It was planted in the districts where the rainfall and moisture were suitable. The demand for flax, was also matched with the demand for labour, and with many men serving their country, farmers were demanding that the government provide some assistance with production.
Following a conference in Sydney in 1942, the Women’s Land Army was officially established under the Directorate of Manpower. The main purpose of the Women’s Land Army was to provide assistance in the rural areas of Australia where labour for the “war effort” was in short supply.
One of the conditions of joining the WLA was to go” when and where directed”.

In Victoria about 1,500 young women enrolled (they were never considered enlisted as they were privately employed) and a training school at Werribee was established.
"I was working in Melbourne at the time, and I hated it. I said to the boss I want to join the Land Army. He said, “Go for it girl”
"There was the Land Army office in Swanston Street, and after a series of medical tests I was sent to Werribee Research Farm for two weeks training. " Some of those who enrolled had never been out of the city before, had to learn how to use outdoor tools, and undertake various exercises to strengthen their muscles.
"I learnt how to pick strangers (weeds) out of the crops, and identify oats from barley. I was able to harness the horse, “Dancer” to the wagon and we slowly went to Werribee to meet the new girls who arrived via train. "
Once the training was completed, the women were directed to go where they were needed. Several farms on the Bellarine Peninsula such as the Hutchinson’s, Becks and Founds applied to take girls for farm duties. On the Wiffen property there were about 30 girls at one time.
Guidelines were set up to ensure that all those who applied for assistance on the land met the criteria, and the women would be capable of doing the job.

All applicants had to have Workers Compensation cover, and suitable accommodation.
A housemother or matron was employed to look after the girls on the properties. "I lived in Surrey Hills at the time, but I was directed to go to Portarlington. I was one of 30 girls on the farm. We were about 3-4 to a room, and the toilet was a long drop with two seats. Our meals were provided, and we each had a straw mattress. After a while I moved into the house and had a bed, I was treated like one of the family. The owners were very good to us ensuring that we had time off, and once some of us went to Ballarat. I worked in the dairy milking, and between milking we picked peas, weeded the onions and garlic. Sometimes we worked on other farms if they were short of girls." VM

Uniforms were provided and the girls were paid 30 shillings or two pounds, with half a day off a week. Some of the towns rewarded their hard work by putting on a dance, or in the case of Portarlington, “we were taking out in the boat”. I recall one night we went to the Palais in Portarlington…we all wore our uniforms, and the town folk turned up. We danced with old men, young boys did the hokey pokey (dance) over the seats up on the stage around the hall and everyone joined in. Another time the girls organised a church service in the town.

The Land Army Gazette writes” A service believed to be unique in Australia was conducted at Portarlington (Vic)…by 20 Land girls who work on vegetable farms in the district. To show appreciation to the members of the congregation who entertained them in their homes the girls conducted the service except preach the sermon. The handed out hymn books, read the announcements and scripture lessons played the organ, sang and took up the collection that was a record for the church. Page 121 Down to earth

Life on the land created new friendships and the girls looked after each other. Those from good homes used to share their money, and assisted those who were preparing for marriage. The rationing system meant some items were not available but the girls became resourceful. We bought wools in little balls, as there were no coupons, but we used to make sleeveless jumpers, another brought pressed felt and made a dressing gown, while another made pyjamas out of curtain material. The end of the war saw the disbanding of the Land Army with men returning to jobs that the girls had while they were away. While some return to the city, impending marriage saw some stay on the land.

Unfortunately, those memories of the wonderful work these girls undertook are just that. All the official Land Army records were disposed of after the war.

Portarlington Red Cross

Like many other small country towns, Portarlington saw the need during the Great War to provide assistance in any way they could to alleviate the suffering of those fighting in unknown elements.
Several voluntary agencies were established to ensure that these men had access to basic necessities such as bandages, socks, cardigans, and scarfs. The Portarlington Women’s Patriotic League organised regular meetings or working bees to sew items for the Geelong branch of the Red Cross.
These goods were transported free of charge to Geelong by Mr G Woolnough. They met every Wednesday at the St Johns Church Hall to sew for the Red Cross.

Demand was so great that they had to obtain an additional three sewing machines to cope with the work. In the same year (1915) the President of the Bellarine Shire forwarded 92 pounds eleven shillings and 5 pence to Melbourne to be divided between the Red Cross Society and the Belgian Relief Fund.
However, despite this activity, this group who relied heavily on donations and subscriptions had difficulty in raising the money to purchase material. The wife of a country gentleman, Mrs PM Browne financed the activities, and worked closely with the Geelong Red Cross, to find a solution to the financial situation. “The ladies of Portarlington decided to make garments for wounded soldiers in accordance with the request of lady-Munro Ferguson, wife of the Governor General” At the suggestion of Mrs PM Browne the Geelong Branch began to supply cut out material for pyjamas and wool for the knitting of socks.

In May 1915, this group was officially known as the Portarlington branch of the Red Cross Society, although it was not until August that the group had their first meeting. At this meeting on August 11, 1915 the Portarlington Red Cross held their first annual meeting in St Johns Hall. The election of office bearers took place that resulted in Mrs PM Browne as President, Mrs W McLean and Mrs Joseph White-Vice Presidents, Mrs Kendall, Secretary and Mrs D Jones as Treasurer. However it was due to the demise of the Portarlington Women’s Patriotic League, (PWPL) that the Red Cross became the main funding force.
The PWPL held regular sewing meetings in the Portarlington to provide articles such as Cardigans, jackets, socks, mittens and quilts to the Geelong Red Cross. By 1916 the members decided to attaché themselves to the Red Cross.
The membership which now consisted of over 73 members, assisted by the Geelong Branch discussed ways to raise funds so they could continue their good work. At the suggestion of Miss Blakiston of Geelong they decided to travel to all parts of the district to sell Australian and British badges, flags and buttons. Men working in paddocks were requested to purchase items; however there were some who refused to support the cause.
In one instance, a young man noticed the ladies approaching and sough refuge in a shop. Escaping through the side window, he ran to the rear of the building, only to be caught by the women and forced to pay up. On another occasion, the ladies canvassed those on the Portarlington Pier. A young man who noticed them approaching hid until the ladies left.

With the continual demands for goods the Portarlington Red Cross established a young women’s’ group. This group called the “Young Women’s Guild of Service consisted of girls over the age of 14. The group was located at the Temperance Hall free of charge and after three weeks had 27 members. As well as knitting socks and making scarfs the girls raised money to purchase cans of condensed milk for the soldiers at the front. In the book, “Bellawein” it is stated that the Red Cross were granted permission to use Eastern Park, Portarlington for a carnival and charge an entrance fee to raise funds.
With the support of the Paywit and Bellarine Shire Council a public holiday was proclaimed from noon so everyone could attend. An unfortunate accident caused the wife of the Governor General lady Stanley, to cancel her trip, and the founder of the Bush Nursing Association, Dr Edith Barrett performed the official function of opening the carnival.

William Buckley and Portarlington

Walk in the footsteps of William Buckley, ‘The Wild White Man’, who spent 32 years with the local Wathaurong people after escaping from the brief convict settlement at Sorrento in 1803. With the idea of heading northward to blend in with Sydney’s growing population, Buckley actually circled Port Phillip Bay and found himself on the Bellarine Peninsula looking across a short stretch of water to the settlement from which he had just escaped.

It is recorded that Buckley visited the Aboriginal camp that was located near where the Old Mill is built.

Years later in the Todd’s Diary it is noted that Buckley and John Helder Wedge (Batman’s surveyor) leave the Encampment and head directly to Portarlington, along the way naming “Hat Rock or “White Woman Rock” at Point George before continuing on to Portarlington and what is now called “Point Richards”.

In Todd’s Diary, (1/9/1835) is a sketch done by Wedge that shows the You Yangs. Even today you can see that it was done from this bend on the foreshore.
The William Buckley Trial has been extended to include this area, and it is appropriate that signage has been erected to acknowledge an important part of Bellarine Peninsula’s history.
Portarlington plays an important in the story of William Buckley as it was the last known recorded site and documentation of him before he returned to Melbourne in October 1835 with Batman to receive his pardon from Governor Arthur before traveling to Tasmania where he married a Julia Eagers.

Master Mariner Captain William Chalmers Forbes.
The late Jack Loney suggested Geelong should honour the memory of Captain Forbes as one of their famous harbour masters.
I would like to take this a step further and recommend that Captain Forbes be acknowledged for his contribution to Australian Maritime History.
I came across reference to a Captain Forbes when I was researching the SS Edina ; people today still have many stories of him in his later years. His grandson still lives in Portarlington, and he has fond memories of Captain Forbes taking him to school in the horse and jinker. Captain Forbes and the Edina worked together for 40 years carrying passengers, and local produce across the bay. In an interview in 1898, Forbes stated that he had to date, made over 5000 trips and carried over three quarter of a million passengers.

Timeline

http://www.zades.com.au/bellhs/patimel.html

Street Names

The Bellarine Historical Society has produced a comprehensive list of Portarlington Street names.
http://www.zades.com.au/bellhs/pastreet.html