It is the hope of the organisers that many will come and those who can will bring fruit and fruit products. So everyone can get together round some tasty fresh fruit and catch up. It should be a pleasant morning. So see you there at 9:00 am, earlier if you want to enjoy the peace, quiet and tranquillity which awaits the visitor to this small haven.
From Howard:
Over the years, Cassilis has had a number of precedents and unique features that have added considerable wealth to the history of Gippsland.
Gippslands first reef gold was discovered here on the Cassilis road.
Historic Cassilis Cemetery and Recreation Reserve
An ideal scenic spot for a picnic and a bit of relaxation whilst the kids run about in a safe and picturesque environment.
Mount Hepburn - King Cassilis Mine 1888
Rich superfine nuggety gold was mined with a “state of the art” gold recovery process that has been described recently by mining consultant/historian Dr Sandra Close as “world significant”
In its heyday employing 200 people, the remnants of this amazing mine are still in good condition and can still be observed.
The Cassilis Gold Mining Company (CGMC) 1897
The principal mine of Cassilis, rising to a height of 3300 feet above sea level this rich reef was discovered by Robert Howard and Ed. McLaren in 1890.
Water for the works was piped from ” The Springs” a natural watercourse in the head of a gully heading up onto the Great Dividing Range a short distance from the mine.
Between 1898 and 1916, the CGMC produced approx. 3.5 tons of gold, today worth about $50 million
The Springs
The Springs later became a small mining community made famous by Eddie Clements and Keith Shepherd in their book “Around The Campfire Ashes” recollections and stories of their life in the bush as kids.
Jirnkee Water Race 1899
Construction started in 1899 and commenced operations in 1901 the race was cut with a fall of 1 inch in the mile for a length of over 50 miles to service the sluicing company operating at Tongio West.
Tongio West State School 3419 1903
When the Cassilis School (1890-1903) prematurely closed a great deal of debate took place as to where a replacement might be built. It was decided it would be situated midway between Tongio West and Cassilis.
In 1911, the school was put firmly on the map when under the leadership of teacher Mr. Ronald MacDonald it was awarded a massive 11 scholarships out of Victoria’s possible 40. Only two schools in the State where awarded scholarships that year and Tongio West had a record number.
Hydro Electric Scheme 1905
Victoria’s first Hydro Electric Scheme was constructed for the King Cassilis Mining Company to overcome the rapid loss of timber used in the furnaces for gold recovery.
It covered almost 16 miles of country from the Victoria River north of the divide to terminate at Tongio West.
Markey Line Gold Reef
Mt. Markey Winery & Micro Brewery Est. 1992
Almost exactly 100 years after the first official pub was opened at Cassilis, the regions first winery
Was granted a license on the same premises.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CASSILIS by Howard Reddish
ReplyDeleteThe Omeo Region was the gathering place of Pioneers and Explorers; it was the birthplace of Gippsland.
The Township of Cassilis is midway between Swifts Creek and Omeo along the Cassilis Road, a Great Alpine Road diversion loop and scenic goldfields drive.
This road crosses the Great Dividing Range at one of its lowest point and is a direct route from the Southern Ocean catchments through to the Murray in the North.
Local Aborigines roamed the high plains hunting and gathering giving descriptive and evocative names to local places.
Omeo is definitely an Aboriginal name as is Bun Jirrah Gingee Munjie the name once used for Swifts Creek meaning,
“Big kangaroos go to that place”
Recent archaeological discoveries suggest they could have inhabited this area for 20,000 or more years. Artifacts suggest continual occupation using tools made from local stone and other materials found only in this region being interrupted only by European exploration and occupation.
Grazing of the Alpine pastures was well established long before McMillan’s journey through Gippsland and there is enough evidence to suggest that Gold was discovered at least 10 years before it was officially announced in 1851.
Alluvial gold attracted thousands to the “diggings” including a large contingent of Chinese and Europeans but it was here on the Cassilis road in 1858 where Gippslands first reef gold was discovered.
The Name Cassilis did not exist until 1861 when John Kennedy a descendant of the “Earls of Cassilis” Ayreshire Scotland purchased the northwest corner of one of Gippslands earliest grazing stations, Tongio Station.
Kennedy badly wanted the site because it resembled the landscape of the country of his forebears, also the home of poet
Robbie Burns who describes Cassilis beautifully in his epic poem “Halloween”.
“Upon that night when fairies light,
On Cassilis Doonans dance”.
Kennedy was familiar with the of legends of Cassilis (pronounced Cass-ills in Scotland) It’s mischievous fairies and a Gypsy’s
Tragic love affair with a Kennedy girl, celebrated today in the song “The Gypsy Rover”
However, it was the “pleasant rocky hills” known to him as the Doonans of Scotland and the uncanny similarity that urged Kennedy to adopt Cassilis as his Home away from Home.
The White Iris is an emblem of the Clan Kennedy and grows prolifically throughout the Cassilis Valley to this day, a legacy left to us by John Kennedy.
From humble beginnings the Cassilis Township slowly developed, the mining of gold began to grow and with it the prospect of prosperity and security.
People came from all over the world for a new life, but on May 16, 1870, for the parents of Louisa Richard, tragedy struck and Louisa, aged 4 months became the first interment at the now historically listed Cassilis Cemetery.
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