HISTORY OF THE NEW PREMISES
The building recently purchased and to renovated and developed as a Community Centre at Rushworth has a fascinating history.
In 1916 Rushworth lost its oldest identity — very widely known and aged 84 — my Grandfather. George Anderson was born in March in Cambridgeshire in England- came to Australia and after having a look around arrived in Rushworth in 1857. After recognising the opportunity to establish a Blacksmith & Wheelwright Business he sent for his mate (the late Mr Merchant Coy) and the two established the very lucrative business at the south end of High street which he carried on till the time of his death (his partner having pre-deceased him by 20 years).
He was married at "All Saints" Bendigo in 1862 to Susan Stewart Coath from St Peter’s Port, Guernsey, so I imagine it was about this time that he had the fine large brick home built adjoining the workshop, It had a garden at the back — lemon & orange trees and so on.
The "Diggings" were at their zenith; gold fever raging and opportunities plentiful. He acquired interests in various mining ventures, later land at Waranga, (Canterbury Cake Farm) to which he and my Grandmother went for their "Sunday drives" by horse and buggy ( and he was reported to have been the first owner of a "spring-cart" in Rushworth).
The residence was built on a large block-of land and up at the back were various stone cottages where tools of trade were housed as well as horsefeed, timber, coffins (for the Undertaker Business) etc. He had an office on the north side of the house with a door opening from it outside to the side and in later years the local district Lighthorse Regiment used it in which to store their equipment.
The large front parlour (the full width of the house) had beautiful armchairs, a piano, secretaire, fine ornaments (some from Guernsey) books & the Family Bible (which I have now). Pride of place either side of the front door on the grey carpet were two large pieces of crystal quartz impregnated with specks of gold which had been given to my Grandmother by a grateful miner for her kindness to him.
It was gracious living-my grandmother came from well-known English families– Coaths, Tombs, Pascalls. The kitchen at the back was detached– meals cooked there and taken across a verandah to The dining room with its large table and leather upholstered dining chairs.
I remember a skylight in one room. I remember my grandmother’s cedar chest of drawers — in the centre square drawer she Kept her "bonnets" and in the bottom one were "bolts" of serge and materials bought on their annual trip to Melbourne where they stayed at the "Bull and Mouth" and went to the show.
My grandparents raised a family of 7 sons and 3 daughters (3 school teachers) all were pictured with their parents outside the house at the Golden Wedding in Rushworth. The brass band serenaded them at their residence after which the party adjourned to the Shire Hall where they were tendered a Complimentary Social.
I am delighted that after various tenants & minor alterations the fine solid old building will be used as a Community Centre – quite a fitting memorial to worthy pioneers of Australia.
NINA STEWART CLYDE (nee COYLE)
The House Gallery 