Dairying 1901-1930
Between 1901 and 1909 there were several changes of landownership that opened up some more country giving a considerable boost to the local population. Ballarto, 1901 and St. Germains (along Ballarto Road), 1906 were sub-divided while land south of Clyde was purchased by Joseph Kennan (1909).
From the turn of the century Clyde had experienced slow but steady growth with farmers taking advantage of the rail service to transport produce. “Even at this time there was little knowledge of the use of lime or anything else, other than superphosphate, to improve pastures and the land grew beautiful wild-flowers, but there was a constant fight against bracken, sorrell and rabbits" (Keith Escott - letter Memories of Clyde 1910-12).
During the years of World War I, Clyde (North), the old post office town became officially known as Clyde North (1915) and the rail town became Clyde. At Clyde the Post Office had been located at the railway station. In late 1913 the Post Office was transferred from the station to the General Store. It was also 1915 when Mr. T. A. Twyford retired from teaching, after teaching at Clyde (North) for 36 years, and often teaching more than one generation of the same family. During 36 years he was Trustee of the Clyde (North) Hall, conducted the school post office and was treasurer for the Cranbourne Shire. Upon his retirement from teaching, the Clyde Primary School No.3664 was established as a school in its own right.
Later in the 1920's Keenan's property, south of Clyde, was purchased by Bailey who used the estate as a holiday and week-end recluse until 1920 when he sub-divided the property. His two sons, Les and Ray, built houses on sections of the estate along Moores Road.
With additional properties developing into dairy farms, the Clyde railhead became a hive of activity as farmers met the trains to consign their produce. Dozens of milk cans were bought in from surrounding properties by horse and cart to meet the milk train; some from as far as Thompson's Road, Manks Road and Cardinia.
During these years it is believed that more milk was transported from the Clyde railway station than any other in Victoria. With up to 30 farmers bringing milk for collection at the railway station each day, several small businesses sprang up to take advantage of the daily activity. At first Cranbourne bakery brought their bread to the station for collection by the farmers.
Prior to the 1920's meat deliveries from a Cranbourne butcher were made house to house by cart. Henry Peterson used such delivery carts and operated an abattoirs at Five Ways. In a wooden two-roomed shop owned and built by Owen (roughly opposite the present fire station). Adolphus S F Opperman (father of Hubert famous cyclist and politician) business partner to lawyer Alf Facey occupied one room and commenced trading there as a butcher. When Opperman left the business in 1927, Alf Facey took over from Law as Opperman's partner and became the sole proprietor. Within the other room of the shop (to the south) Pope a boot maker worked, and was later replaced by Jack Jenner a harness maker.
A second butcher’s shop was built and opened by Ash in 1926 and operated by his son Len. The shop was situated opposite the present General Store. Meat was brought from Cranbourne and sold from the shop. Henry Peterson later also opened a butchers shop in Clyde. His shop was in a brick building, he built to south of the first butchers shop. Facey had apparently abandoned the business, possibly because it was too hard to manage the Cranbourne business as well as the Clyde one.
Dolly Ferguson replaced Faceys butcher's in the wooden building by selling home-made cakes. This operated it for a short time.
Note: (In 1915 Peter Peterson, a butcher, enrolled 3 of his children, in the Clyde Primary
School No. 3664)
JUDICIAL AND LAW NOTICES
| NOTICE is hereby
given, that the PARTNERSHIP heretofore subsisting between us, Alfred
John Seymour Facey, and Adolphus Samuel Ferdinand Opperman, carrying
on business as butcher at Cranbourne, Clyde, and Crib Point under
the style or firm of "Opperman & Facey," and/or "A.
J. S. Facey,” and / or "Opperman & Son," has been
DISSOLVED by mutual consent as and from the eighth day of September
1927. All debts due to and owing by the late firm or firms in connection
with the businesses carried on at Cranbourne and Clyde will be received
and paid by the said Alfred John Seymour Facey, |
who will continue to carry on
those businesses, and all debts due to and owing by the late firm
in connection with the business carried on at Crib Point will be received
at paid by the said Adolphus Samuel Ferdinand Opperman, who will continue
to carry on the Crib Point business. Notice is also given, that Alexander
Opperman, who appeared in the Register of Firms as a member of the
said firms of "Opperman & Son" and A.J.S. Facey,"
retired therefrom as and from the eleventh day of May 1927. Dated the thirtieth day of September, 1927. A.J. S. FACEY. A. S. F.OPPERMAN Witness - C Thos. Hoath |
See the list of Store Keepers. Businessmen and Tradesmen in the Who's Who section of this website.
For more Clyde Dairy Industry Stories, click the headings below.
| Dairying- Perce Hardy Remembers | |
| Dairy Industry-Keith Escott remembers | |
| Clyde Dairymen Fined for Adding Water to Milk | |
| The Milk Dock at Flinders Street Station (Photos and historic details) |
Sources
1. The Argus Newspaper
2. Local District Knowledge 1978
3. Clyde School Pupil Register
4. Post Office Directories