Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Lyonville by Eva Weatherhead

This letter was written by my Grandma, Eva, to Aunt Connie, the editor of the 'Young Folks' page in the Weekly Times.  Eva, the daughter of Horatio and Eleanor (nee Hunt) Weatherhead, lived at Lyonville, before most of the family moved  to North Tynong in 1909. Eleanor and Eva, the youngest child, stayed at Lyonville until Eva finished school around 1914. Eva married Joe Rouse in 1922 and they farmed at Cora Lynn. This letter was published December 7, 1912.


Eva Weatherhead's letter
Weekly Times December 7 1912 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224035245


Lyonville

Eva Weatherhead, living at Lyonville writes:
Dear Aunt Connie,  I will take for my subject Lyonville. Lyonville is situated on the side of the Dividing Range. The Loddon and Coliban Rivers flow past Lyonville. Not far away there are several mineral springs and the Bullarto reservoir. It supplies Daylesford with water. The reservoir is a nice picnic resort. In Lyonville there are two hotels, two shops, the English and Roman Catholic churches, a hall, two boarding-houses and a school. A great many visitors come here every year to enjoy the mineral water. One of the mineral springs is situated at the bottom of Babington's Hill. It is nice to walk up to the top of the hill. I go to school, and am in the sixth grade. Please may I write again? Age, 11 years. 
(Yes, Eva; write again next month. -  Aunt Connie)

Two Soldier Brothers by Eva Weatherhead

This letter to Aunt Connie, the editor of the 'Young Folks' page of the Weekly Times was written by my Grandma, Eva Rouse (nee Weatherhead) It was published in the Weekly Times on November 6, 1915.  It has an interesting description of the town of Tynong.


Eva's letter about Tynong and her brothers.
Weekly Times November 6, 1915  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132708870


Two Soldier Brothers

Eva Weatherhead, who lives at Tynong, writes:
Dear Aunt Connie, It is a very long time since I wrote to you. Since then we have shifted from Lyonville, where we formerly lived. Tynong is a small country township situated on the main Gippsland line. In it are two stores, a boarding-house, post office, station, school and some very nice private residences. We live over five miles from Tynong. There are some pretty fern gullies. They are made beautiful by different sorts of ferns and shrubs, with creepers climbing everywhere. Some of the ferns grow to a great height - 30 feet and 35 feet. A very good view can be obtained from the mountains, and on clear days one can easily see the sea. Tynong is on the edge of Kooweerup Swamp. The people around here make a living by farming, dairying, and fruit growing principally. There are many wild flowers out now. Some are very pretty. Kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits, foxes, wild dogs, and wombats frequent the bush. We have a pony which I ride and drive. I have two soldier brothers. One is at Seymour and the other at the front. I have three cousins at the front. One was killed, and another wounded. My age is 14 years and 1 month. Please may I write again?
[Yes, Eva. I hope your brothers will come safely home to you all. Aunt Connie.]

The two brothers Eva writes about are Frank and Alf - you can read about them here.