THE EARLY YEARS

After being accepted as suitable for a Soldier Settlement block and deciding on Chatsworth House as their choice, Dad came by rail to Glenthompson from Foster, South Gippsland, in July, 1948, to inspect the land. After walking cross country from Glenthompson, taking note of the countryside en-route and covering every inch of blocks he was interested in, dad decided his first choice was Lot 6 and was fortunate to be allotted this block.

In October, 1948, those 12 settlers who were successful arrived to meet each other and discuss their plans, hopes and expectations for the future years.

Returning home to South Gippsland, Dad milled the timber required for their 20ft x 20ft garage home, and some scrounging for nails, etc, almost unprocurable in those days.
Dad and Mum arrived on the block in March, 1949, pitching the tent under a large, but dead tree (there were six living trees on our 676 acres). Dad worked on the boundary fences between Chatsworth House and settlement areas and built the hut - timber had been railed to Mortlake and came out by carrier. A 14 gallon cream can for their water supply, went with them everywhere, filling up wherever they called in, until the tank they had "aquired" gained some water. Sufficient iron for a roof was received from the Commission, also a tin chimney, and the rain in May was most timely and acceptable. June long weekend saw the arrival of our "bits and pieces" - 24 bricks made a hob for the tin chimney and a stove top from an uncle certainly made cooking easier and their first home quite cosy.

"Westgreys" was the original paddock name and they thought this quite appropriate when dad officially took possession of the block in June, 1949. As time progressed and materials became more available, a skillion was added either side of the hut.