Historical and Other Notes

LISTEN TO A PODCAST AND BALLAD ON SPOTIFY  I  MADE ABOUT THIS ORIGINAL PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTS These historical accounts chronicle the  engineering achievements  and  social celebrations  surrounding the nineteenth-century development of the  Buninyong Railway . The documentation highlights the  technical challenges  faced during construction, detailing the extensive  excavation works , numerous  culverts , and the specific  geographic elevations  required to navigate the undulating Victorian landscape. Beyond the physical infrastructure, the records capture the  community spirit  of the 1889 opening, where over  one thousand local children  participated in festivities supported by regional businesses. The narrative also examines the expected  economic impact  on existing townships and the eventual  industrial utility  of various stations, such as the military-focused Butts station. Fin...

 

  The hut was built around the 1920s by Victor Lafranchi, son of Swiss migrant   Giulio (Julian) Lafranchi, who came to Australia in 1855 for the gold rush.  He married an Irish girl, Ann Bridget Phelan, who was a midwife despite losing her arm to an infection. They had fourteen children . Lafranchi Hut stands alongside the site of the Lafranchi home, which was burnt down in a fire in the early 20th century. Remnants of the home can still be seen today.  Some restoration work has been done on the hut which originally had a bark roof which has since been replaced with metal. The builder of the hut, Victor Lafranchi (1886-1970) is at the top left. One of his sons is next to him Victor is a son of Giulio (Julian) Lafranchi, Giulio and Andrea are 3rd cousins. Creswick Advertiser (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), Friday 19 June 1914, page 2 MINING NEWS. NORTH PRINCE ALLUVIAL G.M. CO. The prospectus of the North Prince Alluvial G.M. Co. has been issued. This company is being form...