Discussion Fourm

Being a newcomer in this interesting township of Gordon, I would like to know more of its history, which information unfortunately is not widely available.
Is there anyone who can assist me in gathering stories, photographs etc, so I can collate this info and put it in sequences of events and time periods?

Up at the library in Ballarat in the Australiana special reference section, there is a typed document that is a brief history of Gordon and it is the only one that I have seen.

The Ballan Shire Historical Society published "A Pictorial History of the Shire of Ballan" in 1989, and I was given a copy in 1996. Whether it is still available I am unsure. ISBN 0 7316 5415 3. Being a pictorial history, most of the references are more recent.

The book doesn't quote the origins of the name of Gordon, though it shows the licenced runs as of 1838, and the run of Boorambeta had the licencee George Gordon. It was to the west of the Ballan run, with its eastern boundary looking to be parts of the East Moorabool River.

There are some excerpts from "Ballarat Star" about gold discoveries in the area, dated 29th May and 21st Jun 1858.

I have been carrying out some family history research and I am collecting quite a bit of information on one Ambrose Delany. Ambrose was the publican of the Farmers' Arms Hotel (what is now I believe the local Gordon Hotel) from before 1880. His widow and family ran the hotel from 1884 (on Ambrose's untimely death) until about 1928. If anyone has any information on the Delany (or Delaney) family of Gordon, I would be very pleased to hear from you.

Also, the State Library has on film the complete collection of the Gordon, Mt Egerton & Ballan Advertiser, a weekly newspaper published from 7 January 1882 to 13 January 1921.

I'm also researching my family history. I'm interested in finding any info on George Robert Byrnes who married Norah Fahey in 1919. I believe they had a large family and was wondering if any of their descendants are still in the Gordon/Egerton area. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hello,
The original Farmers Arms hotel was situated in the carpark of what is now the current Gordon Hotel (which was built in 1936). The Farmers Arms was dismantled and the timber was used to build the Gordon General Store. I obtained this information from the late Fred Tudor in 2000, who family also owned the Farmers Arms and Gordon Hotels (probably sold to them by your family) when I was the licensee of the Gordon Hotel. I cant help you with any info on your family but I can tell you that there is a photograph in the bar of the hotel of the old Farmers Arms being dismantled. You could also try the Gordon Historical society.
AND
I live in Faheys Rd and Pa Joe Donegan was just telling me the other day about an old man called Fahey who died one week before he turned 100, he lived in Lyndhurst St...perhaps you could try Pa Joe for some more info

Fiona Williams
While the Billy Boils Cafe
93 Main St
Gordon



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/07/2010 02:32PM by Fiona Williams.

Hi Fiona,
Thanks for the info. I might just try the Gordon Historical Society. I've just started this family history research and mine is certainly very complicated, to say the least.
Anyway, I appreciate your reply.
Pam.