"Roughie" Peat at the Royal Hotel

Tom Peat, far right, at the bar of the Royal Hotel, Essendon, circa 1935.   Courtesy of Robert Hildebrandt.

Robert Hildebrandt shares with us the life of his grandfather, Thomas "Roughie" Peat, who in his younger days worked in timber camps as an axeman, and in later years as the strong arm of an SP bookie who operated in the lane behind the Royal Hotel. Robert's vivid collection of photos includes Tom Peat at work in timber camps, WW2 army camps, and of course the Royal Hotel. This kind of detail of the life of a labourer is not all that easy to find so we thank Robert for his lovely collection of photos.   See the Time Travellers website for more great photos, and the story of his grandfather Tom Peat.

Essendon Rail Bridge

Shirley Peat, circa 1948, courtesy of Robert Hildebrandt. 

This photo shows Shirley Peat standing next to Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon, outside her workplace.  The Essendon rail bridge is off to the right.  Click on the link to see a photo essay on the rail bridge and surrounds.  

For Wattle Day - A Spray of Wattle Blossom

Sisters Elsie and May Watkin operated a small school for girls called "Tweedside" in Robb St, Essendon from 1894 until 1905.   The address was variously given as No 7, 2 and 3, which probably does mean that they moved from house to house in Robb St.  The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works shows that No 7 is now No 9, and 3 is now No 5.  

The sisters were part of a large Methodist family which produced several missionaries.  May wrote stories for the Methodist newspaper Spectator, winning a prize one Christmas. In 1908 May published a book called A Spray of Wattle Blossom, which was described as being four stories of Melbourne, Sydney and the Riverina.  

A search through Trove from 1901 will find a handful of stories written by May Watkin.  

The first suggestion for a Wattle Day occurred, co-incidentally to the publishing of May's book, in 1908.  In the early days of Federation there was a nation-wide search for a meaning for the nation, and for national symbols, and as the wattle occurred right round Australia, it was thought to be appropriate for a national flower.  

I believe it would make an appropriate date for Australia Day, without any political overtones but the first day of spring. 

Happy Wattle Day, everyone!