Joseph Panton- the man history forgot

The small village of Panton Hill, in the Shire of Nillumbik was named after Joseph Anderson Panton, Commissioner for the Anderson's Creek and other goldfields and later magistrate at Heidelberg.  A new book is about to be launched on the life of Panton, who's portrait was painted by Frederick McCubbin in 1904.

Born in Scotland in 1831 he arrived in Victoria in time for the Gold Rush of the 1850s.  He became a Golfields Commissioner and officical, a Metropolitan Magistrate, public servant, artist, winemaker, geologist, explorer, speculator and pioneer pastoralist.  He died in St Kilda in 1913.

Vivienne Worthington, whose family were early settlers in Panton Hill, has written a small biography on Panton :“The man history forgot".  She will be launching the book and unveiling a photographic reproduction of Panton’s McCubbin portrait at the A.E.Cracknell Recreation Reserve Hall, Panton Hill on Sunday 14 October 2.00pm - 4.00pm.  All welcome.

Yarra Plenty Regional Library will also have copies in our collection to borrow and access from Eltham Library's local history collection.

Gala Day Panton Hill - 100 years ago

This photo comes from our Shire of Eltham Pioneers Collection and research has perhaps pinpointed the day it was taken.  Easter Sunday - April 23, 1916 - One hundred years ago today.   Our initial information stated: Three horses with cart decorated with passengers for Gala Day. Mr. W. Smith & horse float, passengers include Beatrice and Ruby Cracknell, Lily Harris and Rose Smith - 1916

Searching local historical newspapers in Trove and some lucky guesswork revealed this reference:

The Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record reported on April 28, 1916 on the Red Cross Carnival at Panton Hill.
“The Red Cross Carnival in aid of local Patriotic Funds' held on the Panton Hill Recreation Reserve on Easter Saturday, sand instant, proved a gratifying success, so much so that £70 was netted on the occasion….
The fancy dress procession, although not as lengthy as the previous one for the Belgium Carnival, lost nothing of its effectiveness, and those who helped In this part of the entertainment deserve the very best thanks. The prize for the best decorated vehicle (which was kindly provided by Mr. Wm. Smith) was awarded to Miss Goldman's bevy of young ladies representing the "Allies."
Arbor Day was once a big celebration, especially celebrated in schools usually acknowledged on the last Friday of April.
Wikipedia reports that the first Gala Day was held on November 3, 1916, to raise money for the Red Cross Society at the height of World War I in Geelong.
Sources:
RED CROSS CARNIVAL AT PANTON HILL. (1916, April 28). Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), , p. 3 (MORNING.). Retrieved April 3, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60664371
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gala_Day

Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection 243

Oak Trees at Panton Hill

There are lots of stories relating to our local history – just as there are within families.

This one has recently come to my attention and unfortunately all attempts to verify it so far have come to nought - :

There are some big “amazing” oak trees at Panton Hill Primary School. The story is that these trees were “either planted by Prince Albert to commemorate a visit or his engagement to Victoria”.

There is a brief history of the school given on their website

In the past, there has been research conducted on students of the Panton Hill School honour Board

We have not been able to find any references to the trees in local history publications including a history of the School, nor have we been able to find any references online in “The Argus” via TROVE.

Local historians consulted so far have no knowledge.
We do not know that Prince Albert visited Melbourne in 1881.

If you have any knowledge of the origins of the oak trees at Panton Hill Primary School we would love to hear from you.