history at centenary
ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, BALLIANG
St George’s church was established within the Anglican Parish of Lara soon after Balliang became more closely settled. After much hard work by a building committee and the designer, Mr Frank Lee, Archbishop Henry Lowther Clarke of Melbourne (4th Bishop and 1st Archbishop), dedicated the church building on 3 July 1912 before a congregation of 70 persons.
The building is in the Early English Gothic style constructed of timber stud walls and an iron roof. It stands on a 1 acre (0.4ha) allotment purchased in March, 1910. Mr Lee was asked to replicate the design of Anakie C of E.
The Bacchus Marsh Express of 13 July described the church as having a distinctly different appearance to that of today:
“Gothic pointed windows and Gothic filling to its four gables, give it a decidedly ecclesiastical appearance, and the outside walls being painted a dark blue, with white trimmings, have a solid appearance. Inside it is lined with narrow boarding, with a dado of Indian red, the upper half a terra cotta, and the ceiling varnished the wood’s natural colour. Two principals, with heavy brackets, showing below the ceiling, are stained oak and varnished.”
The minutes of the first meeting of the congregation held in the school on July 6, 1912 and chaired by the vicar of Lara, Rev Fowler, record that the building fund had a debt of £230/15/3.
The meeting elected: Mr F Lee as Vicar’s Warden;
Mr A Coe and Mr O Burgess as People’s Wardens;
Messrs C W Bird, E H Prime, W Vanstan and C Best as Vestrymen,
Mr A E Whinfield and Mrs H Bissell as Auditors.
Development of the Church
What was perhaps the first ‘working bee’ to be held in the district was organised at 2.00 p.m. on 19 July 1913 for the purpose of beginning the erection of a fence around the Church grounds! A vote of thanks to Mr R Fry for his work erecting the fence at the front of Church was passed at the annual meeting in 1919, six years later – so it took quite a time to finish things in those days!
The vestry bought the oil lamps hanging in the nave of the church in 1920 at a cost of £3/8/-, and a further Alladin lamp was bought to hang in the chancel in 1925 for £6/2/6.
In May 1921 the vestry requested the secretary, Mr E H Prime, to write to the Macedon nursery regarding trees to be planted in the church grounds. A list of botanical names, perhaps these trees, appears in the back of the first service book. Some replacement trees were planted in October 1921 and dedicated to the memory of Mr Nathan Clark, the father of Mrs E H Prime.
A communion table (altar) was bought in 1924 at a cost of £10/17/6 to replace one previously loaned by Mr Lee. This has been loaned to Holy Trinity, Bacchus Marsh and the present altar which is more in the style of the other furniture came from the Anakie Anglican Church (now deconsecrated).
The stained glass window in the north wall of the chancel was donated by Mrs Prime in 1925, the same year that the first special Anzac service was held in the church on 26 April.
The kneelers were made by Mr G Fry in 1926, and curtains at the back, the original chancel carpet (since replaced) and the vestry cupboard were purchased in the same year. Vestry purchased the large wooden cross on the east wall of the sanctuary from B E Purnell in 1958, and Mr J T Fry donated the pedestal for flowers in 1959.
Recent changes
In 1980, the rapidly growing Parish of Lara became two parishes, one based on Lara and Little River (Lara), the other on Corio, Anakie and Balliang (Corio). However the rapid growth in the southern part of the Corio parish during the 1980’s and the distances between the centres lead a further change in parish boundaries. In 1991 St George’s became part of the Parish of Bacchus Marsh to which it was geographically closer and with which it had greater community associations.
An official changeover service was held in March 1993 with Bishop John Bayton, Revd Geoff Traill (Vicar of Corio) and Rev’d Graeme Perkins (Vicar of Bacchus Marsh) officiating. The Bishop planted a commemorative Ironbark tree near the front boundary of the church after the service.
A new building to meet our need for a meeting room and toilets was moved to the church grounds in 2009. Bishop Philip Huggins blessed the building after a St George’s Day Patronal Celebration Service.
75th Anniversary
The 75th anniversary year of 1987 was one of ‘enlightenment’ and greater comfort for St George’s! In that year the electricity was first connected to the church (after an abandoned move in 1960) and carpets were laid throughout. Celebrations during the year included a service of switching on the lights led by Bishop David Shand and a special anniversary service and function attended by many former and current residents of the district. Special anniversary spoons were made and have become quite a collector’s item! Do you have one?
Community Celebrations
In November 1998, a Thanksgiving Service for the 90th Anniversary of the Balliang District was held as part of the community celebrations. Over 130 present and former residents attended the service led by Rev Roy Gabb (Assistant Priest in Bacchus Marsh) with Rev Liz Bufton (resident in Staughton Vale) preaching.
After the bushfires in the Brisbane Ranges and Balliang in January 2006, which affected many members of the community, a Service of Thanksgiving was held on 12 February. Bishop Paul White and the Rev Darrell Couch (Vicar) led a congregation of 45 in prayer.
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Balliang Centenary was held on 2 November 2008. Rev Darrell Couch (Vicar) led the service and Rev Liz Bufton preached the sermon. Ninety present and former residents of Balliang attended.
Service by Balliang families
Many local families have served the Church over the years, and names such as Fry, Bissell, Vanstan, Prime, Griffiths, Dukelow, Davis, Beggs, Wilkie, Bird, Gilmore, Heath and Craig appear regularly over long periods.
Some long contributions of service to St George’s Church noted in the minute books include:
- 44 years as Churchwarden and Vestryman by each of Mr E H Prime (1912 – 1956), Mr E W Vanstan (1917 – 1961) and Mr C E Fry (1930 – 1974),
- 28 years as Secretary/Treasurer by Mr H Bissell (1924 - 1952),
- 35 years as Auditor by Mr Phillip Prime (1961 – 1996),
- 40 years as Vestryman, Warden and Secretary by Mr Ian Heath (1960 -2000)
Parish records
The Parish of Bacchus Marsh, of which St George’s is now part, retains the records of all parish services and meetings which survived the Lara bushfire in 1969. Some interesting dates extracted from those records is summarised below. The records contained in these books are probably not complete eg marriages seem to have been recorded in other documents not kept at the church.
You may find that these records contain historical records of your family or friends. Please contact the organising committee if you would like to see if more information is available.
MARRIAGES
WHEN
1913 22 October
25 October
1930 5 September
1947 15 February
1978 7 October
1982 27 June
2006 25 March
WHO
John Charles Davie and Fanny Bissell
William Thomas Beggs and Elizabeth May Smith
Robert Roberts and Bertha Rose Davis
Herbert Tucker and Audrey Vanstan
Malcolm Philip Gilmore and Lee Patricia Burridge
Robert Brent Davie and Juliana Kaya Prtic
Christopher John Sharkey and Kate Robinson
BAPTISMS
WHEN
1913 9 November
1915 28 February
1915
1916 22 October
31 December
1917 1 April
15 April
1920 7 March
3 October
1922
1924 13 April
1926 12 September
1927
1932
1935
1940
16 June
11 August
1942 4 October
1945 30 September
1950 26 July
1953 19 April
1953 7 February
3 October
WHO
Ellen Coe
Edith May Bissell
Edna May Beggs
William Joseph Beggs, Alma Adelaide Bissell
? three baptisms
Georgina May Peters and Lloyd George Peters
Mavis Martha Bissell
Len Peters
Emily Jane Dukelow
Kenneth Beggs
William Robert Vanstan
Audrey Vanstan
Audrey Beggs
Lawrence Beggs
Jennifer Anne Griffiths
Valda Elizabeth Griffiths
Jeffrey Laurence Young
Lois E Wilkie
Diana Jean Dugdale
Glenda Marjorie Wilkie
Roger John Charles Gilmore and Gregor Malcolm Gilmore
Lindsay John Vanstan (at Sunday School)
Gregory Wakely
Reginald Peter Bird
Malcolm Philip Gilmore, Philip Tucker
Lesley Ann Beggs
Shirley Margaret Beggs
Donald William Vanstan
Graeme Rodney Beggs
Leanne Vanstan and Rosalind Tucker
Malcolm Hunt
Ashley Hunt
Glenn William Towan
Adam Christopher Bird
Vicki Maureen Craig
Natalie Margaret Ward
Darren John Craig
Rachael Elizabeth Bufton
Malcolm David Craig
Melinda Kim Bufton
Russell Andrew Heath
Wayne Steven Heath
James Robert Peter Mar
Cherry Ellen Moodie
Claire Cowley, Tim Stokes
Susan Ann Heath
Bradley James Stokes
Ross Moodie
Amanda Jane Heath
David Joseph John Penny
Michael Alexander Jochum
Samuel Douglas Vanstan
Thomas George Vanstan
Tinonie Alice (Mar)
Anna Margaret Vanstan
Harry Bufton
Charlie William Creek
Jack William Sharkey
1955 17 April
1957 24 November
1958 2 February
2 March
20 July
23 November
1961
1962
1973 27 January
25 March
1 April
8 April
18 August
7 September
17 October
21 October
7 November
9 November
1980 8 June
1981 14 February
10 May
22 May
12 September
1985 31 March
3 November
1986 27 April
1990 28 January
28 August
1 September
1994 9 January
1998 14 June
2002 14 July
2007 28 October
2008 26 October
WHEN
1912 3 July
1913 21 March
1916 2 January
1916 22 October
1918 17 November
1919 2 March
20 April
20 July
1920 7 March
4 July
1924 15 August
1926 18 July
1 August
1927 19 January
1929 13 January
1929 14 July
1933 9 July
1935 23 June
1936 5 January
2 February
1937 9 May
1937 10 October
1938 3 June
1940 7 April
4 April
1943 21 February
1943 4 April
1944 17 September
1945 21 January
4 March
15 April
13 May
19 August
1949 9 October
1950 10 September
1952 February
1953 15 May
5 August
1958 28 September
1960 31 January
1960 4 December
1962 11 February
15 July
1969 3 August
1973 1 March
1986 13 April
1987 14 April
12 July
1990 17 March
1997 2 February
1998 15 November
2006 12 February
2008 1 February
4 February
2008 2 November
2009 26 April
WHAT HAPPENED
Dedication of the Church by Abp H L Clarke
“Story of the Cross” sung (Good Friday); solos by Mrs Prime & Mr Vanstan
Intercessions in connection with the War
Farewell to Rev H Fowler
Thanksgiving for victory in the War
Dedication of the font - a gift of Mrs Burgess
Dedication of the lectern - a gift of Messrs Lee and C Beggs
Holy Vessels first used - a gift of Mrs Edols
Memorial service for W Vanstan
Memorial service for Mr Richard Fry (dec 17/2/20)
Memorial service for Mr Clarke and Mrs Bissell
Confirmation of 15 candidates by Bishop Green of Ballaarat incl Myrtle Davis, Bertha Davis, Nancy Prime, Betty Prime, Lon Davis and Tom Davis
Services celebrating the fourteenth anniversary of the dedication of St George’s church
Funeral of Mr F Lee
Confirmation (at Lara) of Ellen Coe, Jack Coe, Edna May Davis, Herbert Victor Davis, Norman Francis Davis, Philip Prime, Christina Vanstan by Archbishop Lees
Memorial Service for Archbishop Lees
Thanksgiving for King’s recovery
Memorial service for Mr S C Bird Sr
Memorial service for Mr Dukelow
Memorial service for Lloyd Peters
Memorial service for King George V
Celebration of Coronation of King George VI
Memorial service for Mr T Beggs
Memorial service for Mrs Bird Snr
Memorial Service for Mrs M E Lee
Memorial service for Mr S Bird
Visit by Archbishop Booth of Melbourne
Memorial service for Mr S Bird
Last service taken by Rev Perry
Memorial service for Florence May Fry
Sunday School commenced under Mrs C W Bird
Geelong G S choir sang at Harvest Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving for Victory over Germany
Thanksgiving for Victory over Japan
Vases (brass?) dedicated to memory of Florence May Fry
Presentation to Organist, Mr Prime
Burial of Mr H Bissell
Memorial service for Mrs J F Fry
Youth service – lessons read by Barbara Vanstan and Peter Griffiths
First “Back to Balliang “ service
Farewell to Vicar, Rev R Butters
Farewell presentation to Mr & Mrs E W Vanstan
Sunday School started under Mr Brockenshire and Beverley Craig
Jubilee celebrations of the Church opening – Attendance 70
Special collection taken for the rebuilding of the church at Lara
St George’s forms part of the new Parish of Corio (with Corio and Anakie) – Vicar, Rev Mick Potter
First Blessing the Plough Service – Vicar, Rev Howard Langmead
Electricity connected for the first time to St Georges – lights switched on by Bishop David Shand, Bishop in Geelong
75 Anniversary of St George’s Thanksgiving with Bishop David Shand and 170 residents and visitors; new wooden candlesticks blessed.
St George’s becomes part of Parish of Bacchus Marsh (with Bacchus Marsh and Myrniong). Bishop John Bayton planted a tree (an ironbark) commemorating the occasion near the Church noticeboard. Rev Geoff Traill hands over to Rev Graham Perkins.
Farewell to Audrey Tucker
Thanksgiving Service for 90 years of settlement of Balliang District
Service of Thanksgiving – Brisbane Ranges Bushfire
Memorial Service for Betty Griffiths
Funeral of Elsie Bown
Celebration of Thanksgiving for Balliang Centenary
Patronal Festival and Blessing of the new relocated meeting rooms by Bp Philip Huggins (donation of Mr & Mrs C G Winfield).
CLERGY
PARISH TREASURERS AND SECRETARIES