Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), Thursday 24 May 1934, page 3


Pioneer Women of Portland A Book of Remembrance. There are many of our readers who will find the early history of Portland and the subsequent devel-opment of the South-Western pro-vinces of Victoria a subject of ab-sorbing interest ; and on the eve of Victoria's hundredth birthday it is only fitting to turn back the pages of history and envisage that sunny day. in November, 1834,. when the new territory now known as Victoria was invaded by that adventurous spirit, Edward Henty. We have been favored with a copy of the "Portland Pioneer Women's Book of Remembrance," which is designed to place on record the splendid work tliat has been accomplished by the pioneer vwomen in helping, with un-selfish, unwearying zeal, to make the Victoria of to-day. Copies may be obtained from Miss S. J. Wad-more, of "Annesley," Portland, and the price of the book is 2/8, includ-ing 2d. postage. It is a most noteworthy produc-tion, printed at the "Observer" of-fice, and contains a store .of valuable historical information concerning early colonial experiences, particu-larly in relation to the Portland Bay Settlement. The book is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Stephen George Henty, the first woman pion-eer of Portland. In a foreword, Mrs. A. M. Moss, who is chairman of the Women's Centenary Council, says she feels honored by the compliment Miss Wadmore pays her in the request to write a "Foreword" to the "Pioneer Women's Book of Remembrance." Mrs. Moss says: "This book will grow in value as the years pass, for .though the hurrying present may do its best to blot out the inspiring past, these records will stand as sentinels of achievement." Among the pioneer women whs are given pride, of place in the book are:—Mrs. Stephen George Henty, the first white woman to make her home in Portland ; Mrs. George God-win Crouch, who was spared to reach her hundredth year ; Mrs. Al-exander Laurie, wife of the first Presbyterian minister in Portland ; Mrs. William Lightbody ; Mrs. Henry McKinley ; Mrs. Fawthrop, wife of Captain James Fawthrop, who played a gallant part in the res-cue of the Admella ; Mrs. Thomas Ward ; Miss Sarah Jane Wadmore, the convener of the Portland Bay District Pioneer Women ; Book of Remembrance ; Mrs. Charlotte Hed-ditch ; Miss Ann Clarke, who opened the first ladies' school in Gawler St. in 1854 ; Mesdames Stephen and George Jarrett ; Mrs. Henry Cross Dusting ; Mrs. J. J. Peers ; Mrs. John Thomson Kennedy; the Mac-Leod family ; and a host of names of other worthy pioneer women. In addition to the records of the experiences of the women men-tioned above, the book contains a Roll of pioneer women of the Port-land Bay district, who were born or resided there prior to 1864. The publication will have a wide appeal, and we heartily commend it to our readers, particularly to the descendants of the two thousand women who have done their part in the development of the Portland Bay district. Host Holbrook says: Holbrook's Pure Malt Vinegar is clear, brilliant and mellow. Ah I It is a wonderful brew.