Time Travellers in Essendon, Flemington and the Keilor Plains

SURVEYING THE LAND

In September 1836 Deputy Surveyor General of New South Wales Samuel Perry laid out his general instructions for the survey of the Port Phillip District, directing Robert Russell to first survey the harbour (Port Phillip Bay), then to trace the shores of the harbour, to then survey the river (Yarra Yarra) which emptied itself on the northern side of the harbour, and then to trace the other rivers and creeks on the west side of the harbour. 

The surveyors were directed to observe what lands were occupied, and by whom, and to note any establishment on the banks of the rivers and creeks.  This information would be provided to the Police Magistrate "in order that a record be made of the licences that would be granted to them".   They were also to record "the capabilities of the country", as to "what parts are best adapted for sheep and cattle grazing, and what for agriculture".  As well, they were to observe "what passes may be favourable for the tracing of roads", and "what points may be convenient for the establishment of bridges or ferries, and what parts are fordable."  Russell was also instructed to be conciliatory with the First Nations People, and to record their numbers, disposition, and how armed. 

Little progress was made by the surveyors under Robert Russell, and in March 1837 Robert Hoddle was appointed to take charge. 

On 11 December 1837 Hoddle instructed Surveyor Henry William Hutchinson Smythe (the brother-in-law of William Lonsdale) to survey the "Monee Monee Creek, a chain of ponds running into a salt water swamp, adjoining the west boundary of Melbourne Reserve.  You will trace that creek to about 40 or 50 running miles".  Smythe had evidently completed the survey by 18 January 1838, when Hoddle instructed him on the Geelong survey.

Surveyor Robert Hoddle, circa 1865.  (State Library of

Victoria.  La Trobe Collection).

William Wedge Darke, nephew of John Helder Wedge who surveyed for the Port Phillip Association, was surveying the Yarra and Salt Water Rivers during June to August 1837, and in September 1837 he  extended the Salt Water survey further to the north.

Surveyors in the Port Phillip District followed the policy earlier laid down in New South Wales of using First Nations People's place names where ever possible.  This is particularly evident in the naming of parishes of the Port Phillip District.  While 'Dutigalla' was a term already in use by the 'Geelong and Dutigalla Assocation' (later changed to 'Port Phillip Association'),  there is no known origin for the term and appears to have been based on a misinterpretation. The Association used the term to describe the territory around Port Phillip Bay.

While the surveyors were busy tracing the route of the watercourses, the European settlers laid down their own roads, often overlaying pre-existing First Nations People pathways, particularly to fords across the rivers and streams.  Prior to a punt being established at Footscray in 1840, the easiest access to the western district was across the Moonee Ponds Creek at Flemington, then north along the Maribyrnong to Buckley Street, across a ford at Steele's Creek just north of Buckley Street, then northwest to a Maribyrnong River crossing at Solomon's Ford in Avondale Heights.

Heavily laden wheeled vehicles were unable to make the difficult crossing at Solomon's Ford, so they continued north to join the Keilor Road (also known as the Portland Road) to Keilor where they were able to use a less difficult ford to cross the Maribyrnong, or a range of ferries and bridges throughout the 1840s.  Vehicles would then head north through Keilor, and turn west at Sydenham.

Overlanders brought their cattle from southern New South Wales roughly along the route of the Hume Highway, then at central Victoria they would head towards a crossing of the Great Dividing Range near Kilmore, to the east of Mount Macedon.    They could then turn their stock south west to find the Deep Creek which led them to the left bank of the Maribyrnong River.  A different route to the south allowed them to follow the Moonee Ponds Creek towards Melbourne.  This route was for a time the main route to Sydney, but is now known as Pascoe Vale Road.

Overlanders, by S. T Gill 1818-1880.  Courtesy of the La Trobe Library Collection, State Library of Victoria.

Between 1840 and 1844 a severe recession struck Melbourne.  In that period only three large sections were purchased from the Crown on the northern boundary of Doutta Galla, two by J F L Foster and Major St John.  In 1844 Michael Scobie and Henry Moor purchased allotments along what is now Epsom Road, at the time the main through route in the district.  A handful of allotments were purchased in 1846 and 1847 along the Moonee Ponds Creek.

In 1847 Hoddle proposed a new line for the main route through the local area further to the east, taking the line onto higher ground to ensure an all-weather road.  This road  became known as the Mount Macedon Road. 

This detail from Albert Purchas's 1854 'Map of the settled districts around Melbourne', shows the main routes to the goldfields:  along the old stock route to a crossing of the Salt Water (or Maribyrnong) River, and then towards the Geelong and Ballarat Roads; and along the new new road proposed by Hoddle in 1847 heading towards the Mount Alexander goldfield near Castlemaine. Diggers could branch off at Essendon towards Keilor, or Bulla. (Latrobe Library Map Collection.  State Library of Victoria.)

                                                                                     ©  Lenore Frost

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