George Firmin

Eureka Veterans wearing their 50th anniversary ribbon, 1904

Background

George Firmin was born in Essex, England in 1832, arriving in Australia in 1852 on board the Windermere.

Post 1854 Experiences

In 1904 George Firmin was living in Yinnar near Morwell.

Family

Children:-

1. George Firmin Jnr (Arrived Australia aged 2 years. Died Jan 1915)

2. Alfred Firmin

3. William Firmin

4. Walter Firmin

5. James Firmin

6. Frances Firmin (Married Robert Morrell)

7. Mrs G. Bond

8. Miss A. Firmin

9. Miss E. Firmin

10. Jessie Firmin (Died 1946)

Obituary

General regret is expressed that the " Father of the district"-Mr George Firmin-is seriously ill. The grand old man is about 80 years of age.

DEATH OF OLD PIONEER. MR G. FIRMIN PASSES AWAY. One by one the old pioneers are passing away, and another, in the person of Mr George Firmin, snr., crossed the "great divide" on Friday last, at his late residence, Yinnar, which removes from our midst a grand old man, who has left behind him "footprints on the sands of time," that anyone might well be proud of, and during his lifetime accomplished what very few others have been able to do, or may even hope to do. He, however, has left behind him monuments in various forms that we live for long years after the builder has departed and gone to his rest. He was aman honorable in all his dealings, whose word was his bond ; who thought of others even more than himself, and was hono-red, respected and highly esteemed by all with whom he came in contact. Born in Essex, England, in 1832 (80 years ago) the late Mr George Firmin resolved when 20 yearsof age (shortly after being married) to leave the land of his birth for Australia-a land of sunshine and promise-which he duly reached in 1852, after a five months' sail in the s.s. Windermere. Although the voyage in those days was exceedingly rough, long, and trying, as well as dangerous, it did not deter George Firmin in any way. He was afraid of nothing in the shape of dangers, difficulties and hardships, and there was no obstacle he would not face, provided it could be overcome by hard work, energy, pluck, endurance and perseverence. At the same time he did not devote all his energies in his own interests, but spent much of his time in advancing the interests of his fellow men, as well as his country, and serving both faithfully and well. He was at the early gold rushes in Ballarat, and was an eye witness of the famous Eureka Riot. It was whilst on the diggings he discovered that far more gold could be obtained in the carrying business than the average miner obtained in seeking for the pre-cious metal under ground. He there-upon paid a man to teach him to drive bullocks, and as he proved an apt pupil at "the game," it was not long before he was driving a team of his own, and supplying various "rushes" with provisions. Subsequently, when things got quiet at the diggings Mr Firmin decided to move towards Gippsland, about which a good deal was at that time being heard. Several persons advised him to go up North, but he replied that, he would rather be drowned in Gippsland-which was reported to be an awful wet shop-than be roasted to death in the North. For about seven years he resided in the Cranbourne and Narre Warren districts where he sustained heavy losses owing to an outbreak of pleura among his bullocks and other cattle. When gold was discovered at Tanjil (some 40 years ago) he did a lot of carting and carrying in connection with the diggings that flourished there for some years. About the same time copper was discovered a few miles from Walhalla, at what is now known as the Coppermine, and George Firmin was the first man who made a track through and carted ore out. In order to do this he had to build a bridge-which still bears- his name across the Latrobe river. Later on the said bridge was taken over by the Govt. and paid for. He had also to negotiate a host of other difficulties, including the piloting of first mail through between Moe and the Coppermine. About this time the Gippsland railway line was being constructed between Warragul and Sale, and Mr Firmin turned his at-tention to it, accepting sub-contracts from Messrs Miller and James, Noonan Bros. and other contractors. He supplied all the piles for railway bridge over Morwell river, and for bridge across Latrobe river, between Rosedale and Sale, and for other bridges. Eventually he decided to settle down on the land. There were at the time two big cattle runs in the district, one being Hazelwood, in possession of the late Mr John Macmillan, and " Scrubby Forest" (Yinnar), in possession of the late Mr John Shield's, of Rosedale, who sold to Firmin in 1873. One of the first things Mr Firmin afterwards did was to build a bridge over Middle Creek to enable him to get his waggons and goods across to his new home, which was in centre of a dense forest of scrub and undergrowth, but on rich fertile soil. Soon after, Mrs Firmin and members of the family were also settled at "Scrubby Forest" and by their united efforts a marked change soon came over the place but great difficulties had to be overcome and many hardships endured. During the first year a trip was made by road to Dandenong for seed potatoes, and Rosedale was the nearest place at which provisions could be obtained. The construction of the Mirboo railway line, which passed through Mr Firmin's land, with station almost at his door, not only removed many difficulties, but practically made him a wealthy man. In 1876 Mr Firmin was elected a member of the Rosedale Shire Council and remained a member of that body until the formation of the Traralgon Shire, of which he was one of the first members-representing the West Rid-ing--which was subsequently severed from Traralgon Shire and formed into Morwell Shire, of which Mr Firmin was also one of the first six councillors elected. He filled the office of Shire Presi-dent on several occasions. He was a most regular attendant at council meet-ing and during the many years he retai-ned office he served the ratepayers most faithfully. In various other matters the late Mr Firmin played a very impor-tant part. It was due to him that the Hazelwood School, on the Ridge, was opened in the early days. He was the prime mover in the establishment of a co-operative butter factory at Yinnar, and for years was chairman of directors. He was also the founder of the Yinnar Mechanics' Institute, of which he was President for many years. He gave the land on which the Church of England at Yinnar is built. He was a guardian of the church and retained the office of Treasurer until the time of his death. He was also a member of the Hazel-wood Cemetery Trust from the time of its formation until a few months ago, when he resigned owing to ill-health. He was the originator of picnic held for years, on New Years' Day, on the Ridge at which people for miles in all directions gathered annually. It was, with-out doubt, the most popular picnic that has ever been held in the district. The holding of a race meeting at Yinnar, on New Years' Day, at which Mr Firmin for years acted as judge-resulted in the abandonment of the gatherings on the Ridge. In various other things Mr Firmin took a leading part, being always to the fore in all matters for the advancement of the district, until old age compelled him to take a back seat and rest on his laurels. In 1899, when President of Morwell Shire Council, deceased, accompanied by his wife and one daughter, paid a visit to the Old Country and spent a well-earned and pleasant holiday at the spot where he was born. For some months past the old man was far from well, and his demise was not altogether unexpected. He leaves a widow and family of five sons-George, Alfred, William, Walter and James-and five daughters-Mrs C. Morrell, Mrs G.Bond, and. and Miss A., Miss E. and Miss J. Firmin-to mourn his loss and much sympathy is expressed for them in their sad bereavement. The remains of deceased were interred in the Hazelwood Cemetery, on Sunday last, the funeral cortege being, as was naturally to be expected, a very large one. The Rev. E. Walker officiated at the grave, and the mortuary arrange-ments were carried out by Mr Geo. Billingsley. During the week Mr O'Connor, one of our most popular local station masters in the past, who is now in charge of the Caulfield station, paid a visit to Morwell and met a number of warm friends.

Newsworthy

Four Jolly Diggers - The Eureka Celebrations.

Four jolly old gentlemen were introduced to the representative of the "Echo" on Friday last by the secretary of the Eureka celebrations committee Mr Troup. They each wore the Eureka badge pinned on the lapel of the coat.

"These gentlemen have come from Morwell," said Mr Troup,"to take part in the celebrations. Allow me to introduce you to Mr Isaac Hayward. Mr David Maine. Mr John Kemp. Mr George Firmin.

Bows all round, and then there was a general conversation with so many "I remembers" in it that it was evident that memories of the past were falling thick and fast upon these four hale old pioneers, the eldest of whom is a ripe age of 80 years, and the youngest a comparative youth of 67 or so. Mr Kemp, the eldest is remarkable for his youthful appearance and cheerful demeanour.

In the roaring days of the goldfield each member of the interesting quartet followed the occupation of a digger, experiencing all the ups and downs which inevitably form part of that alluring calling. None of them made any sensational discovery, but what is more to the point, three were actual witnesses of the burning of Bentley' Hotel and all of them approve of the stand which the diggers in the stockade took against a tyrannical system of administration. There is reason to believe that Mr Kemp's box of matches helped to set Bentley's Hotel in the blaze which consumed it to ashes. There was a great surging crowd around the hotel and one of Mr Kemp's mates came alongside him and said, "Give us your matches, Jack," and not knowing at that time that they were used for the purposes of arson, Mr Kemp handed over his tin box of wax vestas, and saw them no more. Mr Hayward and Mr Maine were present at the conflagration, and the latter caught Bentley's cat as it leaped out of the flames, and, later, took it home with him to his camp as a souvenir of the tremendous occasion.

Mr Hayward had a claim near the Gravel Pits, and he saw the military stoned as they were entering the camp from the Melbourne road, a few days before the encounter. "That was an ill advised action," remarked Mr Kemp, and "It was, indeed," commented his three companions. There was no attempt at justification for that stupid attack on a body of men under strict orders not to act upon the offensive. "But," added Mr Hayward, "the diggers had a right to be excited and ndignant at the way they were treated. We had been worried out of our lives by the troopers compelling us to show our licences, and treating us like a lot of ticket-of-leave men. Beside we had many see the unfairness of paying a licence to dig in a small piece of ground when the squatters hold thousands of acres for a few pounds a year. We are the men who were making the country, and we were treated as if we were undesirable immigrants. No wonder the blood of the wilder spirits boiled under such conditions. Mr Firmin tells a sensational story of the brutality of one of the Commissioners. It appears that while the disturbances were in progress a miner named James Ralph was in trouble with the authorities. His wife went down to the camp one evening to get tidings of her husband, when one of the Commissioners came out of his tent and held a revolver at her head. "You coward." Exclaimed the woman, "that's all you're good for is to frighten women and children; you're afraid to tackle a man like my husband." The Commissioner was in a boiling rage, but he threw away his revolver, and it eventually passed into the possession of Mr Ralph it was found to be loaded in three chambers. Mr Firmin is now endeavouring to trace Ralph, and if possible, the revolver will be obtained for the Ballarat Historical Record society.

Mr Hayward had something very interesting to say about Sir Charles Hotham, and if what he was told was true the Governor's reputation is thereby cleared of the imputation that he was at last antagonistic to the diggers. When at the Custom House some years ago Mr Hayward was assured that a letter from Sir Charles Hotham to the Executive is extant, and which, in effect states that the diggers' complaints were on the whole justified, and that a conference should be held to enquire into the causes of their grievances. Mr Hayward believes that the Governor's good intentions were frustrated by the Attorney-General (Sir William Stawell. Afterwards Chief Justice) who, it appears, had no sympathy with the digging population.

Many exciting scenes were witnessed by the four pioneers we have been referring to, and they will, no doubt, prove to be valuable additions to the collection of Eureka veterans Mr Troup is gathering together for the demonstration.

Mr Maine is one of the survivors of the wreck of the London in the Bay of Biscay on January 11, 1866..</ref>

See also

Eureka 50, 1904

Eyewitnesses

Further Reading

Corfield, J., Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.

External links

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