The Axedale Platypus is a sculputre that sits alongside the Campaspe River on the Axedale Riverwalk. In 2013, the Axedale River Reserve was rejuvenated, and the platypus was an addition that was made at the time. The reason for choosing a platypus as the sculpture to depict Axedale, was because native playpus are known to inhabit thie Axedale section of the Campaspe River.
environment.nsw.gov.au
Victorian artist, Yvonne George was the artist selected to create a sculpture depicting “an exciting aerial view interpretation of a platypus, moving through and creating, rippled water movements” – axedale.com.au
Before the form of the statue was decided, the artist held an outdoor workshop at the River Reserve, with residents, who gave her their inpu, and contributed ideas towards the design of the statue.
The finished statue is made of steel and stands over two metres tall. If you are on the Axedale River Walk, which is abutts the Reserve, and forms part of the O’Keefe Rail Trail, you cannot miss the imposing presence of The Axedale Platypus.
Along with the installation of the Platypus structure, at the Axedale Riverwalk, there are now native plantings, new picnic tables and benches.
The Axedale Riverwalk is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit in any season, and while there, I never tire of looking at this sculpture. Unfortunately, I’ve never seen a platypus in the river, but I always look when walking or riding by.
From: The Riverine Herald, Saturday, 07 March 1908, Page 2
ROCHESTER. PLATYPUS IN THE CAMPASPE Friday. March 6
In yesterday’s “Bendigo Advertiser” a paragraph appeared, re the finding of a platypus at Axedale, and also stating that the animal is rarely found in Victoria. There are numbers of Ornithorinchi, in the Campaspe, in the neighborhood of Rochester, and on any evening, they can he seen disporting in the deep holes, by anyone who can keep quiet.
The rivers in Gippsland, notably the Morwell, Tyers, Tarwin, and the Traralgon Creek are alive with them. In the Morwell river a dozen can be seen at a time in one hole. There is also a goodly number in the Merri and Hopkins rivers at Warrnambool. The Gellibrand and Carlisle Rivers, in the Beech Forest are a favorite haunt. Dozens of streams, which the writer has visited, contain the animals, but they are generally to be found away from towns. – The platypus is far from being extinct in Victoria.
This sign can be seen on the Axedale Riverwalk
*Ornithorinchi – refers to Ornithorhynchus anatinus which is the species name of the platypus, sometimes called the duck billed platypus. The platypus is a semi aquatic, egg laying mammal.
Sources: ROCHESTER. (1908, March 7). The Riverine Herald (Echuca, Vic. : Moama, NSW : 1869 – 1954; 1998 – 2002), p. 2. Retrieved February 24, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114862518 wikipedia.org
From: The Bendigo Advertiser, Wednesday 28 October, 1874, page 3
INQUESTS The district coroner held an inquest yesterday at the Raglan Hotel, Axedale, on the body of Ann Mulcare, a child ten weeks old, who had been found dead in a cradle on the previous day. The evidence given showed that the child had been left at home, in charge of an elder sister, whilst the mother was in Sandhurst.
The child had been put to bed, but on going to the cradle afterwards, the sister found that the child was dead. In putting her to bed, care was taken that the clothes did not cover her face, and these were in the same position when it was discovered that the child was lifeless.
Dr. Macgillivray stated that he had made a post-mortem examination of the body, which was that of a well-nourished child. The brain was much congested, and the lungs in part only, showing that the child had not been suffocated. The cause of death was congestion of the brain. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.
An inquest was subsequently held at Drake’s Hotel, Campaspe, on the body of Bertie Gloster, a child five months old, who also died on the previous day. Rosa Gloster, the mother, stated that a week ago, the child took a cold, but finding that it was not getting better she determined to come to Sandhurst for medical advice. On the road, about two miles from her place, the child died. Dr. Macgillivray stated that the cause of death was acute pneumonia and pleurisy, and the jury returned a verdict to that effect.
*Please note: Punctuation and paragraphs have been added to the above transcription for ease and speed of reading
The Society for One-Place Studies have put out a series of prompts for One Place Study bloggers and for Social Media posts. I was very keen to include Axedale Then and Now, as prompts such as these, make me stop and think and often lead to me publishing posts on topics that I may not have thought about, otherwise. They also keep me accountable. The prompt for February is Tragedy.
From: Bendigo Advertiser, Tuesday 18 May 1886, Page 2
From: Bendigo Advertiser, Tuesday 18 May 1886, Page 2
FATAL ACCIDENT AT AXEDALE.
The district coroner, Mr R. Strickland, P.M., held a magisterial inquiry, at the Bendigo Hospital, into the cause of the death of a farmer named James Conroy, who was admitted into the hospital on the 3lst of March last, and died on Sunday, as reported in our issue of yesterday.
Patrick Conroy, a farmer, residing :at Axe Creek, deposed that the deceased, his father, was a widower, 60 years of age. On the 30th of March last, deceased left his home to go to the Perseverance Hotel in order to meet a baker, and obtain the week’s supply of bread. Next day witness was informed that the deceased had been found in the Axe Creek, near the hotel. Deceased suffered from bad eyes, and witness had no doubt but that he had accidentally fallen into the culvert. Witness had frequently seen the deceased in the hospital since the accident, but the latter never blamed anyone for the accident.
John Ryan, a laborer residing at the Campaspie, deposed that on the 30th inst., he, the deceased, and others were in the Perseverance hotel drinking. Deceased left the hotel about ten o’clock at night, no doubt the worse for liquor. Next morning early, as witness was crossing the bridge he heard a man moaning. On looking over the bridge witness saw the deceased lying on his back in the creek. Assistance was obtained, and the deceased was removed to the hospital. In answer to a question from witness, deceased told him that he did not know how he got into the creek. There was an opening in the bridge at the place which was dangerous to the travelling public.
Dr. Colquhoun, resident surgeon at the Bendigo Hospital, deposed that the deceased was brought to that institution on the 31st March, suffering from fracture of several ribs on the left side, which lacerated the lungs. He gradually sank and died on Sunday 16th instant.
A verdict was recorded to the effect that the deceased died from injuries received through accidentally falling over a culvert at Axe Creek.
*Please note: Punctuation and paragraphs have been added to the above transcription for ease and speed of reading
These are the first three pages of the Axedale Antics, February 2021 edition. To read the entire issue, just click here The Axedale Antics is published monthly. There is no January edition due to the summer holidays.
OUR COUNTRY SERVICE AXEDALE 16th December. A farewell social was tendered to Mr. T. F. Bissett in the Presbyterian Church last night on the occasion of his leaving the district. A large number attended, including a few invited guests, to pay their respects. Mr. J. Hamilton presided in the regrettable absence of Rev. Thompson, through illness. Mr. Hamilton, in a few introductory remarks, regretted the departure of the guest, and was supported by Messrs. Mill, Deane, Brewster, Drake and Millington, who fully endorsed all that the chairman had said. Mr. V. Deane, on behalf of the congregation, then presented the guest with a heavy pair of gold cuff links, with initials inscribed. Mr. Bissett feelingly:responded, and stated the gift would serve as a connecting link between him and his Axedale friends. Musical honors were accorded. Mr. Bissett has acted as organist to the church for the past seven and a half years, and his services will be much missed. Mr. J. Hamilton favored with a song in fine style. Excellent Patho selections were given by Mr. Deane. Thanks were accorded the ladies by Mr. Bissett for the repast, which was tastefully provided. A most enjoyable evening closed with singing the National Anthem and “Auld Lang Syne.”. Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Hamilton carried out arrangements creditably. 18th December. A very large gathering of parents and friends met in the newly erected shelter shed at the local State school, to say goodbye to Mr. Thomas Bisset, head teacher, who has been connected with the school for the past 10 years. Refreshments were provided by the ladies. The children were first attended to, and afterwards the adults sat down to tempting eatables neatly arranged on small tables. Cr. S. Doak, who presided, spoke at some length on the many good qualities of Mr. Bisset, and the great interest he took in the education of the children; also the training of the children in connection with school concerts, which enabled the school comittee to erect such a fine shelter shed : Mr. Bisset has done his part in inducing the Government to remodel the school, owing to the increase in attendance, which ‘is due to the teaching ability of Mr. Bisset. Mr. Doak’s remarks were supported by all the gentlemen present, who expressed regret at Mr. Bisset’s departure from Axedale. The chairman then presented Mr. Bisset with a beautiful solid leather dressing case, bearing the following inscription:-‘ To T. F. Bisset, H.T., from parents and friends, Axedale State School, 1008, 17/12/14..” Master Thomas O’Neill then read an address on behalf of the scholars. Miss Daisy Earl handed Mr. Bisset a gold sovereign case with his initials engraved thereon. Mr. Bisset made a feeling response, thanking the parents and friends for the very nice present, and also the children for their gift. He referred at some length to his connection with the school, and expressed much pleasure with the manners and work of the scholars. He would cherish greatly the gifts he had received. A vote of thanks to the ladies, and “Auld Lang Syne” brought a pleasant afternoon to a close. The presents, which were greatly admired, were purchased from the stock of Messrs. Prescott and Dawe, Mitchell Street, Bendigo.
OUR COUNTRY SERVICE. (1914, December 22). Bendigonian (Bendigo, Vic. : 1914 – 1918), p. 11 (Morning). Retrieved December 8, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92053551
This is the first three pages of the Axedale Antics, December edition. To read the entire issue, just click here The Axedale Antics is published monthly. There is no January edition due to the summer holidays.
From: Bendigo Advertiser, Monday 4 July 1905, page 5
A pleasant evening was spent in the Axedale Presbyterian Church on Wednesday evening, the occasion being, (writes our correspondent), a farewell social and presentation to Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Whitelock.
Owing to the inclemancy of the weather the attendance was not so good as it would otherwise have been, and the vocalists who had volunteered their services were unable to attend for the same reason. The musical program that had been arranged had to be abandoned, but it speaks volumes for the popularity of the guests that on such a wild night a goodly number of friends and well wishers assembled to say goodbye.
The Rev. T. Ray was appointed chairman. A few items were rendered by the local quartet party. Parlor games were indulged in, and just before coffee and refreshments were announced, Mr. Ray presented Mr. Whitelock with a handsome entree dish on behalf of the members of the church, and in doing so referred in eulogistic terms to the many sterling qualities of that gentleman.
Mr. Whitelock has filled the post of organist to the church during the four years of his stay here, with credit to himself and satisfaction to the members and adherents, and he always took a lively interest in all matters connected with the church and Sunday School. Mr. Whitelock has been appointed to the State School at Ellenbank, near Warragul, and leaves Axedale this week.
From: The Bendigo Advertiser, 31 July 1879, page 3
AXEDALE PLOUGHING MATCH The Axedale annual ploughing match was held yesterday at Mr. M. Boyle’s paddock, about a mile and a half from the Perseverance Hotel, Axe Creek, or thirteen miles from Sandhurst. The weather being exceedingly propitious for the day’s outing, a fair proportion of visitors attended the match from Sandhurst, including Mr. D. C. Sterry, the Mayor of the city, but the general attendance was not very large, and chiefly consisted of the farmers and their families, from the immediate neighborhood, who, however, appeared to take a lively interest in the match, and displayed great concern as to the result.
The convincing ground, which is rather prettily situated on the banks of the Axe Creek, was, although perhaps not the best that might have been choson, on account of the circumstance, that when the paddock was ploughed last, the furrows were cut very deep and run crosswise, was fairly suitable for the purposes of the match.
Notwithstanding tho slight disadvantages mentioned, however, the competitors appeared to be quite satisfied, and the work done was, as a general rule, of an excellent character. The committee, which consisted of Messrs. T. Donnellan, T. O’Rourke, D. Mills, J. Burke, A. Whitlock, J. White, W. S. Cahill, W. Cuthbert, R. O’Brien, J. W. Bywater, T. Craike, J. Martin, J, Harris, and J. O’Loughlin, deserve every credit for the interest they took in getting up the match, which it was at one period feared would have fallen through, and Mr. H. F. Dodd, the secretary, who was untiring in his energies in collecting subscriptions, ably backed up the committee in their efforts, which proved an unqualified suc-cess, and must be highly gratifying to these gentlemen. The judges were Messrs. J. D. Bywater, J. Patten, and F. Poynting, who performed their duties admirably.
The booth on the ground for the supply of comforts for the inner man was conducted by Mr. Drake, of the Campaspe Hotel, Axedale, who also catered for the committee, and served up a very good cold luncheon. As usual on such occasions some of the card sharping fraternity were in attendance, but business with them was apparently any thing but brisk.
Of the ploughing nothing but praise can be written, and on the whole, for its general excellence, the competitors in each class are to be highly complimented, the judges in some cases finding it exceedingly difficult to discriminate as to the merits of the work done by different competitors.
In Class C. (boys) the work was considerably beyond mediocrity, and it compared in a very favorable manner with the ploughing in the senior classes. The youngsters, however, had some advantage over the competitors in the adult classes, as the ground allotted to them was the pick of the field, that upon which the others operated being of a crumbly nature which rendered it hard to show off a crown to advantage, and the want of some rain to bind it together hotter, militated considerably against the appearance of tho work in the senior classes.
In Class A, the champion class, there were only four competitors, and the first prize was awarded to A. Mills, of Axedale, who used a plough of Lennon’s make, The chief points in Mills’ work were the neatness of his furrows and the excellence of his crown and finish.
The taker of the second prize, A. McKinley, of Redesdale, who used a Gardiner plough, did remarkably good work; his finish, however, was somewhat faulty, a point which greatly influenced the opinion of the judges, but his crown was so wall finished that he was awarded first prize for it as being the best of the whole.
The third prize was awarded to T. Mofiitt, of Axedale, who handled a plough of McVey’s make. His crown also was very good and the furrows were very straight and well packed.
In class B there were twelve competitors, the first prize being given to J. McGachey, of Bagshot, who used a Lennon plough. The furrows were exceedingly neat, although the ridges were perhaps a little narrow, but they were well packed, and the crown and finish being excellent the judges were fully warranted in giving him first prize.
The second prize was given to J. Slattery, of Leichardt, with a Leslie plough, who did good work, and the third to A. Wallis, of Marong, also with a plough belonging to the same maker.
The prize for the best finish in this class was given to J. McGachey, In class C, or the boys’ class, the work was of a really excellent character, and reflected great credit on the youthful competitors, among whom were several boys under fifteen years of age.
Out of eight who competed,, Wm. Wallis, of Marong, with a Leslie plough, was awarded the first prize, with W. Lyons, also of Marong, with the same make of plough, gaining second prize, and M. White, of Axedale, with a McVey plough, being awarded third honors. The work done by each of the competitors being of a first class description.
Annexed is the result of the competition:-
lass A.—1st prize, £5; {2nd, £3; 3rd, set of swingle trees, valued £1 1Os., presented by Mr. Cuthbert. Open to all, except those whom the committee shall consider as professionals. Entry, 7s. 6d. A. Mills, Axedale (Lennon) … 1 A. M’Kenly, Redesdale (Gardiner) … … 2 . Mofitt, Axedale (M’Vey) … … … 3 P. O’Sullivan, Wagamba, (Lennon) 0
Class B.—1st prize, £4; 2nd, £2; 3rd, set of plough back bands, valued 17s. 6d., presented by Mr. Probts, saddler, Clare Inn; 4th, pair of swingle trees, presented by Mr. M’Vey. No ploughman allowed to plough in this class who has ever won a 1st or 2nd prize in class A, or 1st prize in class B. Entry, 5s.
J. M’Gachey, Bagshot (Lennou) … … 1 John Slattery, Leichardt (Leslie) … … 2 A. Wallis, Marong (Leslie) ….3 J. Conroy, Axedale (Henderson) … … 4 T. White, Axedale (Cockburn) ….0 W. O’Loughlin, Sweeney Creek (Lennon) … 0 J. Martin, Axedale (M’Callum and Gade) … 0 M. Donnellan, Axedale (M’Vey) ….0 H. Ryan, Axedale (M’Vey) ….0 J. J. Sullivan, Wagamba (Lennon) ….0 A. Wirth, Axedale (M’Vey) … 0 M. Fitzpatrick, Axedale (Lennon) … … 0
lass C.—For youths not exceeding 17 years of age. 1st prize, £3; 2nd, £2; 3rd, pair of elastic-side boots, value £1 Is., presented by Mr. Whitlock. Entry, 2s. 6d.
W. Wallis, Marong (Leslie) … … … 1 W. Lyons, Marong (Leslie) ….2 M. White, Axedale (M’Vey) ….3 M. Hawkins, Axedale (Lennon) ….0 M. Quin, Axedale (Lennon) ….0 J. Harris, Axedale (Lennon) ….0 J. Whitlock, Axedale (Lennon ….0 J. Lynch, Axedale (Lennon) … 0
For the best crown, Wallis secured first prize and for the best finish, J. Whitlock was awarded first honors. Besides the prizes above stated, several others, consisting of articles of clothing, were given, which allowed each competitor to have a prize. After the judges had given their decisions, the assemblage dispersed, although a good many left the ground before that time, as it was nearly dark before the results were made known, and some of the visitors had to travel long distances over bush roads.
It was remarked that the committee would have acted wisely if they had appointed more judges, or allowed the competitors in the champion class to judge the work in Class C., which would have been the means of facilitating the judging.
In the evening a ball was held at Drakes Campaspe Hotel, Axedale, which concluded the annual contest. In a pecuniary sense the match was so successful that after all prizes and expenses are paid, a surplus will remain, to go towards next year’s match, at which it is proposed to offer a silver cup, valued at £10 10s., to be competed for in Class A.
*Please note: Punctuation and paragraphs have been added to the above transcription for ease and speed of reading
The obsequies of the late Mr. James Lynch took place at the Axedale Cemetery yesterday.-The cortege consisted of about 100 vehicles, and amongst those present were Crs. Burns and Burke, Messrs. J. Harrington, J. Ryan, J. Brown, T. Clarke, Hawkins, O’Dwyer, Barry, Slattery, Code, and Mr J. Davies. The chief mourners were Messrs. J., T., W., and James Lynch,sons of the deceased Mr, D. Graham son-in-law, and Mr. D.Downey, nephew. The pall-bearers were Messrs. White (2) and Donnellon (2). The service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. Father. Rooney, Mossrs. Fizelle and Mulqueen carried out the mortuary arrangements.
Margaret Lynch
Advocate (Melbourne) Saturday 17 December 1910 LYNCH—At Axedale, on the 9th of December, Margaret Lynch (maiden name Donnollon), wife of the late James Lynch, Sugar Loaf, Campaspe, aged 80 years, native of County Clare, Ireland, a colonist of 66 years standing, and mother of Michael, John, Patrick, James, Thomas, the late Mrs. W. Downey, late Mrs. J. Brown, Mrs. M’Carthy, and Mrs R.Graham. R.I.P. —Inserted by her loving granddaughter, Nellie Downey.
sacred to the memory of james Lynch died march 25th 1903 aged 75 years and his wife margaret died december 8th 1910 aged 79 years also their daughter margaret brown r.i.p.
