July 31...

1860

A case heard before the  Dunolly Court involved the 'magical property' of Professor Eagle, Wizard of the World having been taken by a fellow wizard, Professor Montague, from the Dunolly Hotel where Professor Eagle had left his items.
Professor Montague was arrested in mid-performance using the stolen items at Kingower.

Yep, as believable as the Household Fairy....who has missed my house of late.

July 30...

1938

The Waanyarra Farm Club was reported to be doing well with both teacher and pupils greatly enjoying the club activities with sheep and pastures being shortly introduced as projects.

Word is there was a lot of kidding around...

July 29...

1939

The delicensed Windsor Castle Hotel at Dunolly, scene of a grisly double murder in 1938, was destroyed by fire, then later demolished.

Best time for a cuppa.

July 28...

1887

The first sod of the Dunolly-Inglewood Railway line was turned by Tommy Bent’s daughter at Inglewood, with all dignitaries in attendance, after which a banquet was enjoyed.

And a right proper knees up, Mother Brown, was enjoyed by all.

July 27...Vegetarian Laksa Soup

Into a saucepan drop 1 teaspoon (per person) of laksa paste.
Add chilli or other spices of choice (to taste).
Add a small handful of seaweeds (optional).
Dice vegies - celery (with leaves) carrot, zucchini, cabbage, leek/spring onion (substitute with other vegies).
Cover with water, bring to the boil then let simmer.
Before serving add 1/2 - 1 cup of rice or soy milk, stir to blend.

July 26...

1900

Councillor Desmond urged the council to support the Penny Post, saying it would be a great boon for the colony.
Resolution was carried to support it, asking the local government representatives to show similar support.

Here is the map they issued...possibly the same one they use to this very day...

July 25...

1890

It was announced that Mr Tatchell was formally elected to the Dunolly electorate.

Which let him do exciting things like open church fetes and judge bathing beauty contests...

July 24...

1917

A chap from Dunolly was fined 20 pounds in the Dunolly police court for having given a seditious toast in a Dunolly hotel of ;
"Here’s luck, down with the King!"in a public bar.

Which is not nearly as seditious as this portrait...

July 23...

1873
A meeting was held at Frayne’s Commercial Hotel by a collection of interested local men to form the Dunolly Football Club.

And the cheer squad was easily found...

July 22...

1891

Sister Mary Mackillop stayed overnight in the Dunolly Presbytery whilst checking on orphans in Maryborough who had been adopted from the Sisters of St Joseph and Children's Orphanage in Melbourne.

Where hopefully they got some dental treatment...or decent dentures.

July 21...

1872

Dunolly local known as Possum Jack while standing upon a heap of clay to see a friend’s funeral pass by saw a glint at his feet and picked himself up a nugget worth 36 pounds which he used to pay off his small debts before spending any money on himself.

With a moniker like his one hopes he spent a little coin on this...

July 20...Steak and Vegie Casserole with Rhubarb Brandy Baskets

As there's no event for this date I'll throw in another recipe.

• In a stock pot satuee chopped onions in a little oil, then add finely chopped celery (leaves included), carrot, cabbage (red makes a nice dash of colour), zucchini and then whack the lid on for about 10 mins to let it heat through and start to release the moisture and flavour from the vegies (vegies do so have flavour).
• Chop up a steak - whichever cut of beef takes your fancy, doesn't matter cos the destination is the same.
• Splash about a cup of red wine into the pot, add a handful of salad mix, bring to the boil then chuck in the meat.
• Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of chicken stock and another of Vegeta vegetable stock, one shake of the cayenne pepper spice jar and do not look at the bottle of chilli.
• Let simmer on low heat for about 30 mins, then turn off and allow to have a think about what it wants to do in life.
• Mash the spuds after boiling, throw in some grated cheese, cracked pepper, an egg and serve as a base on the plate for the casserole to sit in.

Rhubarb sweets

• Wash, chop and chuck rhubarb into a saucepan.
• Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of sugar (no more as there is plenty in the brandy basket).
• Sprinkle in some Mixed Spice, ground ginger, coriander, nutmeg, cinnamon and Allspice.
• Add enough water to not quite cover the rhubarb.
• Bring to the boil, turn down heat then let simmer for about 10 - 15 mins.
• Turn off heat and let sit - this can be made well ahead of time and served hot or cold.
• Serve into a store bought brandy basket, top with yoghurt of choice then sprinkle pomegranate on top.

July 19...

1939

The Dunolly Old Boys and Girls Association held a reunion dance in the Nicholas Building in Swanston Street, Melbourne.

Masks were probably optional on the night....

July 18...

1906

The Archdale Estate was offered for sale at Bealiba with the homestead block of 640 acres sold to John Ross of Archdale for 6 pounds 2 shillings per acre.

Which was not, I dare guess, used as a camping block for school hols...

July 17...

1935

The Dunolly branch of the ANA (Australian Natives Association) celebrated its golden jubilee with a social night.

Those party animals...

July 16...

1898
A bicycle road race was held; starting from Laancoorie to Eddington and back , 10 miles in total, 6 starters with the results as follows 1. Hodges 6mins, 2. Scott scratch, 3.Nicholson scratch.

With many a lovely local lass to cheer them on like her above...

July 15...

1879
Archibald McDougall returned to Dunolly for a visit for the first and last time since he sold up and moved away.

And everyone got out their dancing shoes for the occasion...

July 14...

1862

The coach overturned in a creek then smashed into McTaggart’s store at Burnt Creek also crushing Mr Warnecke’s milk cart.

This is not the suspected horse at the heart of this ruckus...

July 13...

1876

George Boston, an African American, died at Dunolly, aged 52; he was credited with being the co-discoverer of gold in the St Andrews/Queenstown area.

July 12...

1858

An inquest was held at the Spread Eagle Hotel in Dunolly by Dr Quinlan, Coroner, into the sudden death of Mrs McPherson who was found dead in an uncovered hole filled with water by the road.

July 11...

1927

It was reported that a Swine Fever outbreak at Betley resulted in both the Bet Bet and Tullaroop Shires being quarantined.

Get thee gone, thy foul plague-ridden heathen swine!

July 10...

1911
It was reported that additional land in connection with the Dunolly Drill Hall was needed and its acquisition had been under consideration by the Defence Department since April with a reminder issued in June.

The person looking for logic, commonsense and progress in the Defence Dept is still on the hunt....

July 9...

1859

The forged bank notes of the Union Bank, in Dunolly, were traced to the forgers, a woman ‘of ill-repute’ and 2 men.

Unlike this delicious chimney pot that could never be forged....

July 8...

1859

It was reported that gold duffing was going in the Dunolly neighbourhood;  inferior gold was brought in from the Castlemaine and Jim Crow neighbourhoods to hoodwink the banks which reduced their price for gold owing to the high price paid for the inferior stuff.

Which probably went a long way to titivating grand homes up and down the breadth and width of Victoria...

Celery and Sweet Spud soup

Hack your way through 3 stalks of celery - with leaves.
Throw 'em into a pot of water, put onto boil.
Chop a medium sized Sweet Spud, add to the pot.
Toss in Cajun seasoning and Cayenne pepper to taste.
Gently toss in 1-2 handfuls of salad mix (I keep telling you lettuce can be cooked) and allow to wilt on top of the soup.
I threw in a half a tomato I found blobbing in the fridge but you can use one of your own rather than raid my fridge.
Add 1 -2 teaspoons of Massel chicken stock, stir.
Let simmer for 30 mins, then blitz with stick processor.
Serve with crusty bread.

July 7...

1900

The Dunolly and District Hospital was in receipt of a donation of 15 pounds from the Edward Wilson Charity trustees.

So bust out the bubbly and peel me a grape...er, plum...

Chicken & corn & vegie & noodle soup & tortilla chips....with maybe the kitchen sink

Chicken & Corn & Vegie & Noodle Soup

• Grab a pot...aka a saucepan....fill with water (that liquid stuff from the tap).
• Snaffle a corn cob and slash all the sweet, delicious lil corn kernals off the cob then toss into the water (the water in the pot).
• Get the water on some heat....staring at it won't get it cooked.
• Slice some leeks, chop madly some zucchinis, throw in a small eggplant that met a Musketeer' sword, a little celery top or three (with leaves), a random handful of salad mix (yes, you can cook lettuce).
• With the pile of vegies growing you may wish to chuck 'em in the pot.
• Throw in a teaspoon of Massel chicken stock, wave the magic wand of cajun seasoning over the pot and crack some pepper into the mix.
• Plop a boned chicken thigh/breast into the pot, whack the lid on, walk away and watch some drivel on telly for 15 mins.
• Go back and fish the chicken out of the soup, shred with 2 forks (hold the slippery sucker down with one fork and shred with the other fork).
• Throw the chicken back into the pot and follow it up with a single serve packet of rice vermicelli noodles.
• Stir, let the heat waltz the flavours all about the kitchen before you mix 3 teaspoons of cornflour in a mug with enough water to make a thick but runny paste.
• Bring the pot to the boil and pour the cornflour into the pot stirring constantly.
• This will slowly thicken whilst tormenting you with the scrumptious scent of food about to pummel your tastebuds and stomach. 

Tortilla chips.

•  Take a soft tortilla, spray with oil, sprinkle with garlic and salt, fry on a griddle.
• Spray other side...then flip it over.
• Cut into 8ths and serve with Chicken soup for dunking.

July 6...

1859

A slaughterman named Curran, recently moved to Back Creek (Talbot) from Carisbrook, walked into a hole 70 feet deep but, luckily, some water at the bottom broke his fall.
He was dragged up to the top of the hole with a broken thigh and managed to slip from the rope and fall to the bottom of the hole again which he survived to be dragged up by the rope again and was in good hands with Dr Bunce.

Ouch!

Yes, he probably earned himself a bowl of ice cream after that effort!

July 5...

1910

The Assistant Teacher at Waanyarra State School, Mr T Cousins, was presented with souvenirs from the residents and children on the eve of his departure for Corak East.

July 4...

1882

To the Bordeaux Wine Exhibition in France Mr Warnecke, FJ Dear, PH Costello and F. Mellon of Dunolly sent 28 gallons each of their 1882 Hermitage.

July 3...

1891

A vacancy for a First Female Assistant, Second Class, at Dunolly School was advertised by the Victorian Education Department.

July 2...

1899

The Man of Kent hotel at Bromley, 2.5 miles from Dunolly, was destroyed by fire.

July 1...

1894

A (private) Preparatory School for Children, run by Mrs. O’Neill, opened on the corner next to Roses’ Boot and Shoe Warehouse, in Broadway, Dunolly.
The hours were 10am-12 midday then 2pm-3.30pm.
Music was also taught with liberal terms.