A CHRISTMAS GIFT -A FREE COMIC LINK 2021

 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year approaching.

Here is a free comic for surviving 2021.

No emails needed, no mailing lists to join.

Just click & download.

All stories by me and art by a list of the most talented illustrators in the business.

Ric McClune KICKSTARTER.

 Ric McClune KICKSTARTER.

Over the past year during CoVid, myself and a team of talented folk have been building up to this under the guidance of Reverie Publisher Gary Dellar.

Ric McClune as a loveletter to Reverie publisher/creator/writer Gary Dellar's late father.

Ric McClune is a Western style character based comic featuring enigmatic Ric in the main role.

Now all has come to fruition as Ric McClune "The Second Fastest Gun In The West" has started its KICKSTARTER campaign for release in March 2022.

CLICK FOR LINK

It's already begun strong by becoming fully funded within 3 1/2 hours of the campains release.

Unlike most comic Kickstarter campaigns where you pledge your money, wait a few months get a single issue and then hope in vain there may be a second issue to complement the "to be continued" first issue. Ric McClune is 5 full colour "single shot"  story issues, each building on the character that is Ric McClune and with all issues complete, there is no waiting for funds to complete the the process/ pay the artists / whatever the usual pit falls are in this kind of fund raiser.

The list of writers and artists is a who's who of local new talent include Ben Sullivan, Dave Dye , Jeff Edis (colours) , Rob Lislr, Darren Close (letteres) James Broadhurst, Haydn Spurrell, Clovis Batebola, Don Ticchio with Erwin J. Arroza doing all covers. And of course me, writing the sciece/horror/Western that is The Badlands for Issue 3.

Reverie. Revitalizing the Western genre. GET ON BOARD.

THE IMPOSSIBLES

 The IMPOSSIBLES - a revisit. with song.

Source: Wikipedia 

ORIGINAL POST

Posing as a trio of young rock 'n roll musicians, The Impossibles were actually crime fighters, with superpowers, dedicated to battling evil supervillains of all shapes and sizes. When performing for their adoring fans,the lads would play their mod, futuristic-looking guitars atop an equally futuristic bandstand (emblazoned with their "Impossibles" logo on the side) that could convert into a car (the "Impossi-Mobile"), or a jet (the "Impossi-Jet"), a speedboat, or even a submarine. Their standard catch cry when called into action was "Rally ho!"

Each member of the Impossibles had a specific and visual superpower:

Coil-Man - Short, barrel-chested and sporting a mod haircut, blond "Coily" could transform his arms and legs into impossibly stretchable or coiled springs, allowing him to bounce to avoid attacks, deliver long-range punches, or drill through walls. Coil-Man usually drove the Impossi-jet, and his guitar contained a small TV receiver through which "Big D" (voiced by Paul Frees, who also served as the voice-over narrator in almost every episode) could contact the group and deliver orders (Big D used Multi Man's guitar in "The Fiendish Dr Futuro," "Beamatron" and "The Diabolical Dauber"). Because of his presumably metal coils, Coily could be held in place by a super magnet, but could also conduct heat or electricity with his coils. He hid in a closet disguised as a wire coat hanger, further implying that he was at least partially made of metal. Coil-Man's costume was purple and blue and included a purple mask and a cowl crested by a triangular fin.

Fluid-Man - Dark-haired Fluid-Man, a.k.a. "Fluey", could morph parts (or all) of his body into a liquid form, allowing him to, for example, sneak up on an enemy though a water faucet. He could also vaporize himself into a cloud or storm, but could be soaked up and trapped by a sponge ("Televisatron" and "Return of the Spinner"), or frozen solid inside a block of ice ("Not So Nice Mr. Ice"). Fluid-Man's costume resembled a lime green wetsuit complete with diver's mask and swimfins. Fluey's speaking style indicated that he was the beatnik of the group.

Multi-Man - Multi-Man, a.k.a. "Multi", could create infinite duplicates of himself that were often destroyed, leaving only the original behind. His duplicates rarely, if ever, functioned independently, and were often used as camouflage, a bluff, for extra strength or transportation (he could fly by continuously creating replicas above himself). When duplicating himself, he could push tons of rocks out of the way or crack a block of solid concrete (in which he and the others were entombed). The character had shaggy orange hair that covered his eyes (his eyes, in fact, are never seen) and he usually holds a shield for apparently decorative reasons. Multi showed the ability to repel bullets with his bare hand ("Fero, the Fiendish Fiddler"). Multi-Man's angular, red and black costume resembled a stylized 'M', and included a short, triangular red cape. Favorite saying: "You got them all except the original."

And of course the catchy hit song.

Navigating the N.D.I.S and discovering A Twist of Willow.

 Navigating the N.D.I.S and discovering A Twist of Willow.

Originally published boronia and the Basin Community Newspaper March 2019

Click on the icon in the bottom right-hand corner to enlarge.

The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) created a lot of expectation and stress for many Australians as it was gradually rolled out over the last year.  Regardless, it’s a fantastic concept that helps those who are severely injured, disabled or mentally and physically disadvantaged to become more active in society. Having a young adult child who qualified for assistance under the scheme was an exciting prospect for us as parents, to be able to have new opportunities present themselves so that our child would have a better chance for the future and more importantly a better quality of life as they grow older were encouraging.

Of course, it was never going to be easy. The scheme is a massive bureaucracy responsible for billions of dollars annually. There are plans and budgets and new people to meet and for many who qualify for the scheme (not just their carers), it was a leap into the unknown and a scary process.

The NDIS kicked into gear July 2018 and to say we were fully satisfied with what could be achieved was far from the truth, it wasn’t the scheme’s fault or the organization as a whole, there were just so many options and roads to travel that we accepted the fact that experience was something we would learn on the way and probably seconds after we really needed it. It is not without its faults, but we got lucky. I write that because without the NDIS and the constant meetings and toing and froing we would never have discovered A Twist of Willow. (Now known as the Yarra Valley Nocturnal Zoo)

A Twist of Willow is a bed and breakfast accommodation – nocturnal zoo in Mt. Evelyn run by Steven Handy and Loo Scoon.

Steve and Loo moved to the current location 12 years ago with their growing family with the plans of operating a Bed and Breakfast on the property. Steve who had some building experience built the accommodation on weekends and holidays whilst both he and Loo worked their normal day jobs for the Department of Human Services.

The zoo and its collection of native animals grew as an extension from the B&B as many Asian tourists were keen to see native Australian animals.

 When the NDIS was being developed, both Loo and Steven with their years of experience working with people with disabilities in the DHS realised that the zoo would be a perfect placement under the scheme. Thus, the development of the Zoo Keeper program.

A wonderful idea where NDIS participants, usually young adults with a love of working with animals come in up to three days a week and get a chance to prepare, feed, clean, and all other assorted duties in relation to caring for the animals.

This was perfect for our daughter and the instant results from her demeanour and self-esteem were evidence of the success of the program

Loo and Steve’s experience was evident with their attitude and patience with their charges and the lines of communication that they keep with parents and carers. They even attend outside of work parties of their charges such is their dedication and level of care.

The Zoo though not open to the general public is host to tours by International visitors and recently schools which the NDIS participants are helpful guides, something that proves the success of the program because I could never believe our child could do this anytime last year.

We were very fortunate this Christmas, as part of the A Twist of Willow holiday break up party we were treated to a night tour of the animal enclosures.

At night the zoo takes on a whole new appeal. With many natives held at A Twist of Willow being night creatures, it’s the best way to see things many Australian’s rarely see, even though some of these animals may visit their backyards any other night. Marvelling at how an owl can silently pass by your head even though it is flapping its wings or have a Sugarglider fearlessly sit on your shoulder are some of the experiences that are on offer.

The Lodge and zoo itself are very low key and easy to pass unnoticed from the road, even from the footpath. But the layout is a testament to Steven and Loo’s imagination and creativity.

The property is on a sloping incline and the zoo enclosures built behind the family home and guest accommodation. Paths intertwine a citrus grove onto the animal enclosures which are made of recycled wood and other materials to give a lovely rustic charm. A fake church fascia here a wagon over there that doubles as a food store a mine tunnel complete with coal trucks in another spot, these structures holding anything from dingoes, wombats, possums, a crocodile and even several species of Owls. This doesn’t mean that everything is on top of each other as the back of the property opens out and there are open paddocks that hold kangaroos, emus, horses and even a wedgetail eagle. As well as some real surprises like a white peacock and kangaroo.

Running around among all this are the house cats,  chickens, ducks and Red Dog the local legend farm hound.

A Twist of Willow being a registered zoo also is active in many breeding programs to help endangered and threatened species. They just recently procured four quolls’, a species extinct on the Australian mainland since the 1960s and an animal closely related to both the Tasmanian devil and tiger (Thylacine).

As mentioned earlier, though not open to the public for day visits, the zoo has recently invited schools to visit as educational excursions and with the help of the NDIS helpers are able to give a helpful happy and informative tour that is helpful for both student and guides.

A Twist of Willow is a great initiative and it’s fantastic to see people putting so much back into the community and the things they are passionate about, if you want to know more about the accommodation and the zoo visit the website. www.atwistofwillow.com.au or visit their facebook page.

Alien Vs Pooh

For the life of me, I don't know who this is or who made it. I must have known who it was a decade ago because I linked them in one of the group music challenges in the old Redbubble days. All I know is the author goes by the name Godxiliary. This is their work Alien Vs Pooh by C.H Burger.

Bands and artists that have been Simpsonized Part Three

 

Bands and artists that have been Simpsonized Part Three

Bands who have been immortalized and parodied on the world's longest-running prime time cartoon show.

Actually, there has been so many bands and artists that I had to cut this into three posts -this being an update from the two earlier ones from 2013.

FIRST POST HERE   PART TWO HERE

Judas Priest: "Steal This Episode"

Justin Bieber: "The Fabulous Faker Boy"

Sigur Ros: "The Saga of Carl"

Ted Nugent: "Politically Inept, With Homer Simpson"

The Village People: "Simpsons Tide"

Fall Out Boy: "Lisa the Drama Queen"

Moody Blues: "Viva Ned Flanders"

Morrissey & Johnny Marr: “Panic On The Streets Of Springfield”

Pious and Mole's misadventure in Rattown

 Pious and Mole's misadventure in Rattown

After over a decade on the backburner. Pious and Mole's misadventure in Rattown is now available as a webcomic.

Previously available in a very limited print given away at the Festival of the Photocopier in Melbourne way back in 2007. It is now available to view free and uncensored.

Starring the immoral Rats from Rat Tales created by my brother Joe for Wombat Comicz in the early 1980s it tells the story of a land where older, famous and more beloved illustrated characters live in alternate worlds but sometimes things slip through the cracks.

My Hobbit hole Part 3

 My Hobbit hole Part 3

Every now and again I like to build something or do home repairs. What else is a shed full of tools for? We have a small dog, a Cavoodle named Gracie, Who, I joking refer to as my favourite child.

Gracie has a big heart and since we live on a corner there is a lot of property to protect. There is nothing Gracie likes to do more than anything (besides tummy tickles) is to bark angrily at passers-by who dare walk on the other side of the fence. One of Gracie’s problem is that unfortunately for her, we have a high fence that surrounds the property and she is so small she can’t see what or who it is, not that matters, she’s happy to tell them that she’s on her side and they better not come over and try anything.

This can be annoying, but it’s part of her personality and over time you get used to it and in my case, I started to feel a bit sorry for my poor pooch.

So I thought I would remedy the situation. Using a door from an old clothes dryer I found on hard rubbish, I cut a hole in the fence approximately at Gracie’s height. I thought the domed glass would help her look beyond the fence and protect her from larger dogs. This didn’t work as the glass gave a distorted view to the sides and Gracie wouldn’t use it.

So, I resorted to my default position when making things in the garden, I made a Hobbit hole.

I removed the dryer domed door and replaced it with some steel mesh and then spruced up the surrounds to recreate Bilbo’s hangout. I added a lamp and some flowers and made it all pretty.

Gracie still won’t use it.

The OTHER parts of the Hobbit Saga

Hobbits on the Move

My Hobbit House Adventure

Sight seeing in Middle Earth

 Adventures in Quilting

I wrote this a few years ago through frustration when I felt my home was being taken over by my wife's quilting hobby. I won't call it an obsession because she has been doing it for half her life and is never in a hurry to complete anything. She just leaves wherever and get backs to her when the mood suits.

Since this piece, kids have moved out and we have repainted, re-carpeted, and got new furniture and she even has a new workroom.

But the problem remains the same.

Boronia: borders, billabongs, abattoirs, and billy carts...

 Boronia: borders, billabongs, abattoirs, and billy carts...

I have always marvelled at the boundaries that make up the suburb of Boronia. The suburb where I grew up its boundaries was made up of four main roads, basically, a square, whereas Boronia tends to duck in out of streets, alongside creeks and in some cases in and out between people’s backyards. If you don’t believe me type Boronia into Google maps and check out the Devenish and Millers Roads boundary. It kind of explains Knox council’s urban and rural zones, but that is something for another time. Things that I assumed were in Boronia due to their proximity to the railway station has always thrown off my locality radar, for example, the Arboretum – which is in Ferntree Gully, the old Boronia Marine site which is in Bayswater and by comparison, our daughter who lived near Knox City at the south end of Lewis road which I thought was Knoxfield but is still Boronia. It looks like a very drunk man was given a pencil and was told to draw a picture of a cat on a large map.

Because of this, I keep getting confused and forget where Ferntree Gully starts and Boronia ends. (Bayswater too, for that matter) Not, just me either, as I found out and this led me down another local history rabbit hole.

I was looking at a new local history Facebook page a while back (the amazing Boronia, “The good old days” A fantastic source of old photos and memories) and I saw mention of a Boronia Abattoir. This was corrected by another post as I scrolled down the comments. It was actually the Ferntree Gully Abattoir and was situated smack on the border of both suburbs that is divided by Blind creek. Prior to the late 1960s early 1970s, there were no roads that crossed Blind creek between Dorset and Scoresby roads. The demarcation line was firmly set. These days Blind creek has a lovely walking and bike path and the roads once separated are all continuous. This means that you have a novel situation where things like houses with the progressive numbers 59  and 61 Rankin road are in different postcodes.

Now, Rankin road heading south is quite a steep hill and is known by the locals as Piggy Hill, why?

There seems to be a few theories.

In 2013 the Herald Sun in its Black & White section requests were made if anyone knew why it was so-called. I don’t know how serious it was but here’s a couple of the answers received.

One man says he lived at the bottom of Rankin Rd and recalls one early morning when a stolen car came speeding down the hill, failed to take the slight right-hand kink at the bottom and ploughed into the large tree. It then glanced off the tree and levelled the boot of his sister's car. Stating   "We didn't know it was called Piggy Hill. We just thought it was a pig of a hill.”

Another one is that in the early 1960s there were two piggeries in the area, and one farmer wished to buy the other out, but he would not sell. The first farmer moved all his pigsties along the neighbouring farmers' fence and said “I will smell him out” and it became known as Piggy Hill because of a farmers feud.

I doubt this one. I don’t think an owner of a piggery would be upset by the smell of more pigs. My wife, who has live in the area for over 35 years, told me she thought it was from all the squeals from the kids when they rode their billy carts and later skateboards down the steep incline. But I still think the fact the road terminated at a creek that looked straight onto a slaughterhouse sounds a good enough reason for such a name.

The Abattoir floor plan prior to demolition 

Long before the Rankin road literally crossed postcodes or the Blind Creek walking trail existed. Back before Boronia existed (in name only, that was done in 1915) a slaughterhouse existed on the south side of Blind creek. From earliest records approximately 1896 and an abattoir from the early 1900s. The originally allotted land was owned by a J. McMahon and his lot (54A) ran from Burwood highway all the way down to Blind Creek and who’s eastern boundary is where the road named after him-McMahons road- now runs.

The green wedge

Archived reports from the Box Hill Reporter in 1903 wherein an article reporting the sites upgrade to an abattoir by its owners the Pegler Brothers so upset and divided the then Ferntree Gully Shire that three councillors resigned. Including one A.E Chandler, the one who named Boronia. After a fragrant flower, could there be a link? (of course not, I’m being facetious)

The old Robinson clay site

This small animal slaughter yard operated in the south-west corner of the site from about 1896 to 1954. The site was then purchased by the Castricum family in 1954 and a slaughterhouse, a sheepskin drying shed and a pigsty were developed on the southern third of the site - For reference picture, the end opposite Norvel Reserve- The remainder of the site was used to hold sheep and for wastewater disposal. Then in 1978, the Castricum family under the business Castricum Bros. Pty Ltd built the Ferntree Gully Abattoirs (I  have also seen it referred to as the Rankin road meatworks) to complement their works in Dandenong and comprised (on the southern third of the site) an office building, abattoirs (slaughtering building); concrete paved holding yards, holding pens, water storage tanks, wastewater treatment facility (including chemical storage tanks) and an underground petrol tank. Other infrastructure included stormwater drains, sewer pipes, electrical power lines.

Old-time residents recall awful smells in the summer and others have said being allowed onto the killing floor to watch the animals being put down, yes, they were different times, obviously long before WorkSafe.

The Castricum family business continued to expand, and the business ventured into export, eventually building new export processing facilities at Dandenong in 1987 making the Ferntree Gully site redundant and were eventually sold by the start of the 1990s.

The abattoirs were demolished in late 1993 to early 1994 in preparation for the residential subdivision. At roughly the same time the Castricums’ were establishing their site in the mid-1950s, Robertson Industries had started operation of the clay pit quarry next door. Robertson’s, for anyone who travelled to the city by train, would know them by their tall brick and paver kiln chimney next to Nunawading station. The station and the factory are gone now but the chimney still stands.

Whilst all traces of the abattoir are long gone and a well-kept housing estate occupies its place, the clay pit property still remains, though empty cleared and surrounded by a rusty cyclone fence at the approximate seven-hectare site. Running down the middle of both areas is a five-metre green belt that runs down to the creek and a pleasant shortcut on a sunny day from Norvel road. At the back of the clay pit site is an area being developed by the Knox council as a nature preserve and is where the Blind creek billabong is situated. The front section of the site was sold by Robertson Industries in 2016 for 30 million dollars and is yet to be developed.

Sadly, I couldn’t find any pictures of the abattoir from any era or even the clay pit when it was in operation When the Knox Historical Society and local library opens again I can have a good dig through their archives. Hopefully, this article will shake a few memories loose and they might end up on social media. Local history, it wonderful and you never know what you’ll find in your backyard, even if you’re not sure where you are.

Originally published in BBCN Dec 2020 Edition

JET SCREAMER

 JET SCREAMER

Jet Screamer is a character in The Jetsons.

Jet is a teenage musician considered a teen idol. He is the star of The Jet Screamer Show.

Another insert from a Hanna Barbara Show where the writers were oblivious to the teens of the times.

 Sex Bob-omb

Sex Bob-omb is the band from the popular comic series Scott Pilgrims. It is an indie rock band, comprising of Stephen Stills (vocals and guitar), Scott Pilgrim (bass), Kim Pine (drums) and Young Neil (biggest fan and understudy bass). The name is a double reference to Bob-omb, an enemy from the Super Mario series and either the Flipper song "Sex Bomb" or the Tom Jones song "Sex Bomb." Also a reference to real-life band Sex Pistols.

They are an average band, neither wildly popular nor terrible, though the tedium of later recording their album results in the band hardly ever playing gigs or practising and getting rusty.

When the movie was released based on the comic . Singer/songwriter Beck was brought in to write songs appropriate to the band.

Scott Pilgrim VS the World - VS The Katayanagi Twins. 

FROM THE MOVIE SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD.

More interesting stuff from around the place where I live.

 More interesting stuff from around the place where I live.

The Chandelier tree.

For more of these articles see LOCAL HISTORY in the ARCHIVES tab.

Originally published in the BBCN August 2013

 Joe Bussard King of record collectors.

A lot of people are proud of their record collections, some put unrealistic and overstated importance on their vinyl and its worth.

Joe Bussard is a living legend who has a  priceless collection of early American blues, country and folk recordings that is s important as much as it's historical.

What he will do with it after he passes is anyone's guess. 'Cause he ain't telling.

 HARRY GOLD'S - Homer’s Career Before The Simpsons | Documentary

Australian artist/satirist Harry Gold is an underrated Youtuber who has work that has appeared in MAD magazine and is a 2D animator for Alt.vfx .  I'm posting this because I think it is brilliant and deserves a bigger audience. 

Not that he'll find it here.

Local Comic Creator Day April 2021

 

Local Comic Creator Day April 2021

You know when things are getting back to pre-COVID normal when people can come together to celebrate their hobbies and interests that are not related to a church or a sporting event.

Before the pandemic, Melbourne was awash with exhibitions, conventions and “swap meets”. There wasn’t a weekend that went by that didn’t have some event scheduled. Antiques, quilting, cars, toys, records, cards, many bundled together as collectables fairs. Some of the biggest of these events (along with the quilting and home shows) were the pop culture conventions. Events like Supanova, Pax and Oz ComiCon are annual shows that ran the whole weekend including Friday and attracted 20000 people a day. Ironically, the venues where these shows are usually held -The Exhibition building and Centre-are now the venues for the mass COVID vaccinations.

As well as these 3 massive pop culture conventions were several smaller lowkey versions, but as the big ones became larger and more expensive to be part of, or enter, the smaller ones became dominated by Identity Politics and became somewhat exclusive.

So, after everything shut down Alternate Worlds co-owner Joe Italiano entertained the idea of running his own comic convention when things began to return to some

Joe (Left) & Peter Hughes- owners of AW

semblance of normal. Joe had had experiences with such a task as he and a group of friends were responsible for one of the first comic conventions in Australia in the late 1970s. His idea was simple, a small comic creator convention where local artist and publishers could present to the public, similar to his original concept. The larger conventions like those mentioned earlier had become bloated circus’ full of merchandise, cosplay (where fans dress as their favourite characters) and last chance arenas for near-forgotten actors from once popular shows that were cancelled decades ago. It had got to the point where comic creators were allocated an area in the corner, sometimes in a separate building from the main event. Joe wanted to get back to basics. COVID set the scene for this to happen.

 On April 17, Melbourne had its first comic convention in nearly 18 months at Alternate Worlds in Bayswater. Under the more accurate title Local Comic Creator Day.

So, like the fanboy I am, I strolled down the road to pay it a visit.

Gerald Carr

It goes a lot towards a show’s credibility when the calibre of the talent attending is bordering on legendary.  Foremost was veteran cartoonist Gerald Carr, winner of The Jim Russell Award, given by the Australian Cartoonists' Association for significant contribution to Australian Cartooning and the 2019  Ledger of Honour recipient. (the Ledgers being the OZ Comic Industry’s equivalent of the Oscars). With him, he had samples of his work that spanned nearly 60 years.

 

Gary Dellar of Reverie

Coming all the way from Sunbury was Gary Dellar publisher of Reverie comics whose first publications came out in the early 1980s, Gary had recently revived the publishing house after a long hiatus and is now producing a high volume of titles that include some of Australia’s greatest and newest talent. Some which he shared the table with artist and writers like Rob Lisle, Peter Lawson, Haydn Spurrel and George Hall. Also among the older crew were bona fide underground comic royalty Steve Carter and Antoinette Ryder, collectively known as SCAR who appeared in just about every major publication in Australia, as well as several international titles and have the dubious honour of being banned by the Bjelke -Petersen Government in the 1980s. Amongst this lot was Darren Close, whose creation Killer Roo is one of the more popular and best-selling titles in Australian comics for the last 10 years. These and many other up and coming creators were more than generous with their time.

As the show was being held in the warehouse adjacent to the Alternative Worlds shop, space was at a premium, but it added to the cosy atmosphere and the shop still managed to set up a display of classic Australian comics and magazines, some worth several hundred dollars and important parts of this country’s publishing history. I will admit it was a nice change not being surrounded by 50 stalls selling Pop Vinyl figures and dodging people dressed up as the Hulk, Thor and Spiderman or 25 different girls dressed as Sailor Moon in every aisle.

It was pleasant to go back to the roots of the comic convention scene, to meet the creators and check out their work. Because I know in a year or two it will be back to full bore circus mode.

Edna Walling and my weird 6 degrees of separation summer

Edna Walling and my weird 6 degrees of separation summer

Young Edna

This year , early as it is , one person has been constantly appearing as a footnote to events that have happened  to me or I have been involved in. That person is a legendary garden design/ landscaper, writer, photographer, conservationist and godmother of the girl power movement - the late Edna Walling.

It’s like some weird six degrees of separation that involves Miss Walling and me.

I recently found out from a Facebook group dedicated to the suburb where I grew up, that within 200 metres of  my family home in Jordanville (now Chadstone were two Edna Walling gardens.

 Our house was on the very eastern edge of the Housing Commission estate and up the hill situated on the aptly named Grandview Parade was a very fine property called Robin Hill that was so out of place it resembled the mansion above the suburbs in the movie Edward Scissorhands. The home belonged to Lewis B Milne an executive for the company that owned Skipping Girl Vinegar. The house was built in 1946 during the height of Walling’s popularity. In its position, it commanded views almost equal to that from the top of Mt Dandenong. 

The original owners had long sold it and moved on before I arrived. The Commission estate began construction in 1949 and the view from the front yard was rapidly changing, instead of empty paddocks was now rows of concrete houses. 

I’d move too.

Robin Hill today

The high walls and steel gates only offered a glimpse through the bars but I always remember the gardens were so lush and well maintained, whoever the owner was at the time. The other was supposedly on the other side of the railway tracks on Salisbury road but I don’t recall any house even remotely impressive as Robin Hill on that street.                 

 But it was there, I’ve seen the plans.

Robin Hill before the estate with acres of paddocks.Circa 1946

Robin Hill (highlighted) during construction of the Housing Commission estate

The Lady, the legend.

Edna Walling was born in England in 1895 and came to Australia with her parents and sister via New Zealand in 1914. Settling in Melbourne Edna enrolled at the Burnley School of horticultural graduating when she was 22. (An institute many would be aware of, I, myself have three close relatives I can name who have been there.)  She first started working as a gardener when a chance encounter to plan a garden by an architect began a whole new career. More commissions followed and within five years she had built a flourishing practice in garden design.  Walling developed a unique style and attracted many rich, influential and famous clients. These included many industry leaders, professionals, and exclusive clubs. Dame Elizabeth Murdoch, Dame Nellie Melba and Frank Packer were among her clients. Soon her reputation spread to other States. Her regular gardening columns (1926-46) in Australian Home Beautiful enhanced her reputation and extended her influence. She was also a regular contributor of articles to many other magazines.

Edna at work

By the 1940s Walling's was a household name and she capitalized on her popularity by publishing a string of successful books, as well as this she was a keen photographer with well above-average skills. She obviously liked taking photos more than being in them, for finding multiple images of her is difficult.

Interconnecting Universes.

Tudor Village at Mawarra Sherbrooke

In early March a rather influential gentleman and talented artist was taken from us before his time. Jamin Swaneveld. He had a remarkable memorial service in Lake Emerald Park the same month and it stirred up some long dormant memories. 

Jamin building the Village

 About 15 years ago Jamin and I often chatted in his little shop in Belgrave. One of our conversations was how he and his family were temporarily lodging in a bungalow that was part of an estate next to Sherbrooke Forest in the Dandenongs. This particular estate had a garden that was designed by Edna Walling and it was still in pristine condition. He said he was going to make a Tudor Village that would fit perfectly with the aesthetic of the garden. I remember saying how that would be a novel idea and that was the last I thought of it. After Jamin’s death, I was looking through old photos and found a picture of him in his shed working on the almost complete village. 

The Village prior to installation

Then, whilst researching Miss Walling a bit more discovered the estate he was referring to was Mawarra, a famous example of Edna Walling’s design work and incidentally one of her own personal favourites. To add sugar to the dessert I found an old video from a mid-2000s episode of channel 9’s Postcards, and right at the end, we have the presenter Lauren Phillips tiptoeing through the miniature village that Jamin constructed.

It was a glorious find.

Before

 

After

 

A new home another connection

There are a few local connections to Miss Walling. When she was in her mid-20s she established a residence in Mooroolbark and named it Sonning. This became her base for almost 40 years establishing her nursery and gathering around her a group of like-minded people for whom she designed picturesque 'English' cottages and gardens. She named the area BickleighVale village in honour of the town she grew up in England. It became a sanctuary of sorts and its residence were predominantly female. The village still remains, and its roads are still unpaved, it was and remains an extraordinary experiment in urban development.

A retired Edna

I was looking through the excellent collection of Walling designs at the StateLibrary online, and discovered a plan for a Mrs Jessie Cook of Boronia but as yet haven’t been able to locate the address or if it was a commission piece.

Edna Walling’s style was influenced by her memories of the English gardens of her childhood, the stonework of the aptly named Ellis Stones and her love of Australian flora. Her designs were often water coloured to give clients a more intimate feel of how the finished garden would appear.

The Boronia Garden for Mrs Cook

An example of Walling's water coloured plans

Walling left Melbourne in 1967– though she travelled far and wide during her career  for her work- to the warmer climes of Queensland and died in 1973.

Edna Walling was truly a great Australian who left a massive legacy and I recommend researching or even visiting her existing gardens in the area if the chance arises just like I have, thanks to a few chance events and some great memories.

EXAMPLES OF EDNA WALLINGS WORK

 

Bibliography

www.adb.anu.edu.au/biography/walling-edna-margaret-11946

Wikipedia

State Library Walling Design archives

www.bickleighvalevillage.com.au/