Our next park for 7th March 2023 was the Warrambine Flora Reserve VKFF-2479. It was only a short 12 km drive from Mount Mercer before reaching the park.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Warrambine Flora Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

Right alongside the park is the old Warrambine Shire Hall, a beautiful bluestone building that was constructed in 1871. Despite its relatively small size, Warrambine in the late 1800s was the administrative centre for the Shire of Leigh and the site of its shire hall.

The Wadawurrung Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of the land around Warrambine.

Warrambine takes its name from the Warrambeen pastoral run which was one of the early land leases in the Portland Bay District, Geelong. It had an estimated area of 26,301 acres. Major William Drummond Mercer (b. 1796. d. 1871) held the lease on the property from 1842-1846. It was then leased and owned by “Big John” Bell (b. 1821 d. 1867).

Above:- John Bell. Image c/o bellarmstrong.kohlstrom.com.au

The land was then taken up by Alexander Armstrong (b. 1823. d. 1890). His children attended the state school in the village. Following the closure of the school in 1883, Armstrong provided a hut on his property for a private school, paying the teacher £28 p.a. with lodging. In 1890 this was closed at the time of Armstrong’s death.

His wife Betsy remained on the property until December 1892 when the lease expired.

Above:- part of an article from the Geelong Advertiser, Sat 17 Dec 1892. Image c/o Trove.

In 1863 alongside the Warrambine Creek, Halfway House Inn was built. It was so named due to being located near the halfway point between Geelong and Ballarat on a Cobb & Co. coach route. It was located on the opposite side of the road to the Shire Hall.

The Warrambine Flora Reserve is located on the northern side of the Rokewood-Shelford Road.

Above:- Aerial view of the park. Image c/o Google Earth.

The park is 6 hectares in size and was established on the 17th day of November 1988.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3VIN
2. VK3BBB
3. VK2CCP
4. VK5AYL
5. VK1AO
6. VK2MET
7. VK3PF
8. VK3NP
9. VK5IS/p
10. VK7JFD
11. VK7NRT

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3VIN
2. VK3BBB
3. VK2CCP
4. VK5AYL
5. VK1AO
6. VK2MET
7. VK3PF
8. VK3NP
9. VK5IS/p
10. VK7JFD
11. VK7NRT
12. VK7EE
13. VK5BJE
14. VK3SMW
15. VK3MCA
16. VK3APJ
17. VK3MIJ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4FW
2. VK8MM
3. VK2IO
4. VK5IS
5. ZL3DMH

References.

1. Australian Dictionary of Biography, 2023, <https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mercer-william-drummond-2843>, viewed 3rd May 2023.
2. Bell-Armstrong Connections, 2023, <http://bellarmstrong.kihlstrom.com.au/pages/now_2.htm>, viewed 3rd May 2023.
3. Homes To Love, 2023, <https://www.homestolove.com.au/warrambeen-garden-10014>, viewed 3rd May 2023.
4. Westrn District Families, 2023, <https://westerndistrictfamilies.com/tag/armstrong/>, viewed 3rd May 2023.