bushfires
Fires and Floods
Writing from the perspective of the Federation and interwar years, James Chester Draper recounts the arduous realities of agricultural life and livestock management across the…
Barton Hill
These reminiscences by James Chester Draper (1905–1998) detail the daily life and agricultural challenges of the Draper family at their Barton Hill property in Arthurs…
The 1900 Bushfire at Arthurs Creek
On 26 February 1900, a catastrophic bushfire devastated the Arthurs Creek and Yan Yean districts, obliterating fencing, livestock, and homes across a fifteen-mile front. Drawing…
Running Creek Station - Ardchattan
Established in 1857 by John Archibald Macfarlane, the Running Creek station at the foot of the Plenty Ranges became a central fixture of the Arthurs…
Glen Ard Station
The Glen Ard station, located on the upper reaches of Arthurs Creek, evolved from a nineteenth-century pastoral run into a significant orcharding enterprise. This history…
The Willows and the Running Creek at Charnwood
The Draper family property Charnwood, situated along the Running Creek in the Arthurs Creek district, serves as the focal point for this examination of environmental…
Dr. Willliam Ronald of Yan Yean
Scottish-born physician Dr. William Ronald (1808–1882) established his practice at Yan Yean in 1842, serving as a vital medical presence for the pioneering families of…
Epic of the Outback - Mercy Flight Rescues Cattleman
In January 1944, a remote cattleman named Robert Goldie sustained severe injuries following a fall from his horse on the rugged slopes of Mount Wellington…