Most viewed - Carrucan and Sweeney Photo Galleries

Most viewed

Carrucan Family Bible 211 viewsJohn Sweeney died on 24 May 1909 at age 65 and this Bible was given to his daughter Mary on the occasion of her marriage to Michael Carrucan in 1910. It stayed in their house in Dalton Street until the property was subdivided and the old house demolished in 1976.

The following inscription is found inside the front cover pages

Dec 2nd 1887
I John Sweeney became a teetotaller for twelve months.

This Bible was published in 1877.

11 viewsFrancis William Carrucan (1895-1967) and Thelma Stoney (1900-1988) were married at St Mary's Church, Glenferrie Rd, Glenferrie, on 30th April 1924. Frank was the grandson of Peter Carrucan and Hannah Woods. These two photos show Frank and Thelma on their honeymoon at Lorne, Victoria, immediately after the wedding. Photos compliments of their grandson Kieran Magee.

2012 - Fanore - general shots on a walking daytrip10 views

1998 Carrucan Reunion10 views1998 Carrucan Reunion

10 viewsFrancis William Carrucan (1895-1967) and Thelma Stoney (1900-1988) were married at St Mary's Church, Glenferrie Rd, Glenferrie, on 30th April 1924. Frank was the grandson of Peter Carrucan and Hannah Woods. This photo, taken in 1944, features Frank with children Gavin, Peter, Estelle, Ann, and Moya (left to right: Gavin, Peter, Estelle, Frank, Ann and Moya). Photos compliments of Ann's son Kieran Magee.

1965 Circa - Family portrait of all the children of Gavin Carrucan and Gwen Lodge9 viewsFamily portrait of all the children of Gavin Carrucan and Gwen Lodge. The children are Christine (born 1953), David (born 1955), Louise (born 1957), Michael (born 1958), Andrew (born 1959), Anthony (born 1962) and Suzanne (born 1964). Photo sourced from Gavin's and Gwen's son Michael and passed on by his nephew Kieran Magee, who is a great great grandson of Peter and Hannah.

9 viewsAnn Margaret Carrucan (b 1931) and Francis Xavier Magee (1931-1997) were married at East Kew in January 1956. These two photos are taken immediately after their wedding. Photos compliments of their son Kieran Magee.

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - view from the paddock Home Beautiful7 viewsThe Home Beautiful magazine issue of 1st February 1940 contains a wonderful 6 page article on 'Sweeneys'. This is one of a number of historically significant photos from that article. Peter Cuffley has a copy of the original magazine issue.

1820s Cove of Cork7 viewsThis Irish harbour was known as COVE until 1849 when it was changed to Queenstown after a visit from Queen Victoria.

1953-02-07 Gavin Carrucan and Gwen Lodge wedding party6 viewsGavin Michael Carrucan (1928-2020) and Gwenda Marie Lodge (1927-) were married on 7th February 1953 in Camberwell, Victoria. Gavin was a great grandson of Peter Carrucan and Hannah Woods. This photo shows the wedding party - Gavin and Gwen, Pauline Lewin (Gwen's sister) and Des Sullivan (Michael's friend & best man), Ann Carrucan) and Keith Lodge (Gwen's brother). Photo sourced from their son Michael Carrucan and passed on by his nephew Kieran Magee, who is a great great grandson of Peter and Hannah.

1953-02-07 Gavin Carrucan and Gwen Lodge wedding photo 16 viewsGavin Michael Carrucan (1928-2020) and Gwenda Marie Lodge (1927-) were married on 7th February 1953 in Camberwell, Victoria. Gavin was a great grandson of Peter Carrucan and Hannah Woods. Photo sourced from their son Michael Carrucan and passed on by Kieran Magee, who is a great great grandson of Peter and Hannah.

6 viewsAnn Margaret Carrucan (b 1931) and Francis Xavier Magee (1931-1997) were married at East Kew in January 1956. These two photos are taken immediately after their wedding. Photos compliments of their son Kieran Magee.

1922-04-16 Ellen Sweeney in Mrs Cox's garden Eltham Easter Sunday 19226 viewsThis photo shows Ellen Sweeney in Mrs Cox's garden in Eltham on Easter Sunday 1922. The writing on the back is as follows

Jackson St Casterton Aug 18. 23
Dear Girls,I was very pleased to receive your nice letters with news of your doings in Eltham. You put Casterton S.A., so your letters were a long time reaching me. As I hope to see you all very soon I shall just send a p.c. of me taken in Mrs Cox’s garden Easter Sunday 12 months ago. The river here has been in flood twice and people who lived along its banks had to move. I believe the Eltham PS is greatly improved. Betty says I shall get lost there now. Casterton is on the Glenelg R. in Vic so you will remember that next time. Best wishes to you all.
From E. Hooley

Ellen Sweeney was a former student of Eltham State School in the 1880s, She became a teacher at the school from 1891-1898. She returned in 1915 until her marriage to William Hooley of Casterton at St Marys, Eltham, Tuesday, April 24, 1923. see the following 2 articles, recording her wedding (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56655781) and her death (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57491650).

1920s Culla Hill buildings 1840s right and 1850s left6 viewsThis old photo, from one of Betty Carrucan's albums, shows the Culla Hill homestead, date unknown but probably in the 1920s or 1930s. It shows the original 1840s building on the righ and the 1850s homestead on the left.

1924-04-30 Marriage of Francis Carrucan and Thelma Stoney5 viewsFrancis William Carrucan (1895-1967) and Thelma Stoney (1900-1988) were married at St Mary's Church, Glenferrie Rd, Glenferrie, on 30th April 1924. Frank was the grandson of Peter Carrucan and Hannah Woods The wedding is captured wonderfully in the Wedding Notices of the magazine Table Talk. See https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146459979?searchTerm=madge%20carrucan. It was an impressive outfit and is described in detail in the article.
Certificate compliments of their grandson Kieran Magee.

1953-02-07 Gavin Carrucan and Gwen Lodge wedding photo 25 viewsGavin Michael Carrucan (1928-2020) and Gwenda Marie Lodge (1927-) were married on 7th February 1953 in Camberwell, Victoria. Gavin was a great grandson of Peter Carrucan and Hannah Woods. Photo sourced from their son Michael Carrucan and passed on by Kieran Magee, who is a great great grandson of Peter and Hannah.

1954-01 Gavin Carrucan and Gwen Lodge at the christening of their first child Christine Mary Carrucan5 viewsGavin Carrucan and Gwen Lodge at the christening of their first child Christine Mary Carrucan, who is being held by Gavin's father Francie William Carrucan. Christine is a great great grand daughter of Peter Carrucan and Hannah Woods. Photo sourced from Gavin's and Gwen's son Michael Carrucan and passed on by his nephew Kieran Magee, who is a great great grandson of Peter and Hannah.

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - Old Longhouse5 viewsThe Home Beautiful magazine issue of 1st February 1940 contains a wonderful 6 page article on 'Sweeneys'. This is one of a number of historically significant photos from that article. Peter Cuffley has a copy of the original magazine issue.

This stone built building was part of the original homestead. In 1940, it served as a guest room.

1930 circa at Culla Hill - Nellie Sweeney, Nellie Oliver, Nellie Murray and Nellie (Nana) Hooley nee Sweeney - Nana owned Culla Hill at this stage5 viewsA wonderful 1930 photo showing 4 Nellies on the front verandah of the Culla Hill homestead.

Ellen Mary (Nessie) Sweeney (1869-1955) - daughter of Patrick Carrucan and Mary Fitzsimons
Ellen (Nellie) Oliver nee Smith (1885-1956) - daughter of Jack Smith and Annie Sweeney
Ellen Mary (Nellie) Murray (1907-1938) - daughter of James Murray and Julia Brennan
Ellen Irene (Nelly) Hooley nee Sweeney (1874-1940) - daughter of John Sweeney and Ellen Kenney

A note on Ellen Mary (Nessie) Sweeney. She never married and worked at the Foy & Gibson factory in Collingwood. In later life, she lived with her niece Nelly Oliver so to save confusion people called her 'Nessie'.

I notice in lots of old references that people used both spellings, Nellie and Nelly. Patrick 1838-1919 calls his sister Ellen 'Ellie'. so that's another variation!

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - House and Dairy5 viewsThe Home Beautiful magazine issue of 1st February 1940 contains a wonderful 6 page article on 'Sweeneys'. This is one of a number of historically significant photos from that article. Peter Cuffley has a copy of the original magazine issue.

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - Sitting Room4 viewsThe Home Beautiful magazine issue of 1st February 1940 contains a wonderful 6 page article on 'Sweeneys'. This is one of a number of historically significant photos from that article. Peter Cuffley has a copy of the original magazine issue.

1952-01 Culla Hill detached kitchen, Burston family collection4 viewsIn this photo, dated January 1952, you can see how a section of the back wall has collapsed and other parts have been given props. You can also see an opening to the cellar. I wonder how they accessed it. Perhaps there was a trap door in the floor. The building was soon to be demolished

1830s Coastal Cutter - Peter Cuffley4 viewsUpon obtaining his Ticket of Leave in 1831, Thomas Sweeney set about becoming a coastal trader in the Sydney colony. By 1833, he owned a half share in a small vessel called Sarah and was building a craft of some 40 tons. This sketch, provided by Peter Cuffley, is typical of the sort of boat that Sweeney would have sailed.

1923 Frank and May Ryan with Shiela Kitty and Ellie on way to Eltham on Indian motorbike for Ellen Sweeney's wedding4 viewsFrancis Michael "Frank" Ryan (1887-1965) was one of the children of John Francis Ryan (1855-1921) and Ellen Sweeney (1845-1932).

He married Mary Ann "May" Smale in January 1916.

Frank and May are shown on their Indian motorbike with children Cecelia Mary "Shiela" (born 1916), Catherine Ellen "Kitty" (born 1917) and Eileen Margaret "Ellie" (born 1919). They had one further child, John Francis "Jack" who was born in 1924. At the time of this photo, there were only the 3 older daughters.

1973 Cullahill Farm outbuildings, Parish of Bourney, Tipperary North - taken by Brian Cuffley4 viewsPhoto taken by Brian Cuffley in 1973, when the Guider family were still in residence. Photo shows the barn and outbuildings at Cullahill, Tipperary.

1952 circa - Culla Hill, old long house with buttress, Burston family collection4 views

1950s or 1960s - Culla Hill homestead east side, Burston family collection4 views

1840s Robert Hoddle map of Parish of Nillumbik4 viewsThis Robert Hoddle map of the Parish of Nillumbik shows that a number of the subdivision blocks have names allocated to them but not all. Thomas Sweeney has a 110 acre block adjoining the Yarra River. An annotation on blocks 6 and 7 records "Sweeney bark range thickly wooded".

As supplied by Peter Cuffley to Alan Marshall for his book Pioneers and Painters.

1850s Culla Hill Main House - cross view drawing Dr Roger Luebbers4 viewsDr Roger Leubbers' 1997 study of Culla Hill confirms family stories of there being two upstairs spaces which, by their remnant samples of paint and wallpaper, would have been used as bedrooms. These can be seen in the cross section drawing.

1850s Culla Hill Main House - floor plan Dr Roger Luebbers4 viewsThe new house at ‘Culla Hill’ was of a type often seen in colonial Australia which displays a simple ‘bungalow-style’ hipped roof which also covers the recessed verandah. It was given twelve-paned windows and the brickwork was rendered with stucco. Materials and fittings such as cedar doors and architraves would most likely have been brought by dray from Melbourne. One of the three floor plans Dr Roger Leubbers has based on his close inspections and old photographs shows the internal layout as it would have been in its first decade.

1831 Thomas Sweeny Ticket of Leave4 viewsAfter 8 years as an assigned convict within the confines of the NSW Colony, Thomas Sweeney's Ticket of Leave allowed him to work for himself. His Ticket of Leave is dated the 31st of July, 1831. There is a notation on his Ticket of Leave butt dated 21st of March, 1834 which reads: ‘The holder of this Ticket is permitted to voyage between Illawarra & Sydney for trading purposes.’ It is signed, Alexander McLeay, Colonial Secretary’s Office. The Ticket of Leave ha a further notation in 1835: ‘Allowed by the Colonial Secretary’s letter No. 35/613 dated 9th November 1835, Trade between Manning River and Sydney but not allowed to cut cedar.’

1895 circa Eltham State School No. 209 Dalton Street Eltham4 viewsThe Eltham Elementary School in Dalton Street (School Number 209) had been started in the 1850s and all the Sweeney children attended. At its peak, 2 teachers had to teach up to 100 children ranging in age from 3 to 14 in the old sandstone schoolroom. The early schooling was general in nature and focused on rudimentary reading and writing and basic farming capabilities.
Sourced from the Eltham District Historical Society.

1907 circa - Thomas and Kathleen Sweeney, postcard to Mary and Fran in WA4 viewsThis is the back of the photo of Kathleen (Kas) and Thomas (Tom) Sweeney which was sent as a postcard to older siblings Tom and Mary in Western Australia. It says in part

"Tom Prior took it as we were returning from a ride. You will recognise the hill; our young stock.....Pigs send their love. Only another 3 weeks to live....Tell Frank to try and come home this year. Anxiously waiting for your next letter. Dad's neck is a bit troublesome now. He is making a new fowl house and it is nearly finished. Went for a ride on my own today."

1922 Prayer Book Gift 24 viewsThe small prayer book 'The New Key Of Heaven' had been originally presented to Mrs Foley from her sincere friends the Bayswater Altar Society in October 1912. She gifted it to her little niece Betty Carrucan, Christmas 1922. At that time she was living in Western Australia. Her words to her niece: Pray for me sometimes dear Betty.
Mrs Foley was Annie Cecile Sweeney (1969-1947),the eldest child of John Francis Sweeney and Ellen Mary Kenney.
Erickson Collection

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - View of Original Buildings3 viewsThe Home Beautiful magazine issue of 1st February 1940 contains a wonderful 6 page article on 'Sweeneys'. This is one of a number of historically significant photos from that article. Peter Cuffley has a copy of the original magazine issue.

Sweeney's first home was a 12 ft x 10 ft shack of roughly sawn timber palings with a chimney of handmade bricks, standing and seen on the right of this photo. In 1940, it served as a laundry.

In the background is seen the cottage and barn which also belonged to the original homestead.

1960s Sweeneys Aerial Photos3 viewsThe 4 aerial photos here are from Mike Burton and provide a wonderful snapshot of the Culla Hill (now called Sweeney's) property. The aerial views are undated but would likely be from the 1960s or 70s.

In this photo, we can see what seems to be a house site on the other side of Sweeneys Lane which would be on 'Yarra Braes'. There is a good photograph of a substantial weatherboard house with cast-iron-lace verandah titled 'Yarra Brae Park' in the Eltham District Historical Society Collection. I believe this would have been built by John Francis Rutter 1842-1906 and his wife Elizabeth, possibly in the 1890s. I presume this is the same dwelling burnt out in the 1939 Black Friday fires. It was then owned by Hubert Rutter and family.

1966 Culla Hill drawing by Peter Cuffley3 views

1960s Culla Hill painting by Peter Cuffley based on 1940 Home Beautiful photo3 viewsThis painting of the Culla Hill property, based on the 1940 Home Beautiful article, was done by Peter Cuffley in the late 1960s.

1902 John Francis Ryan and Ellen Elizabeth Sweeney with children Thomas John Margaret and Francis (Frank)3 viewsEllen Elizabeth Sweeney (1845-1932), one of the daughters of Thomas Sweeney, married John Francis Ryan in 1880 in Cormandel, NZ. They are shown here with their 4 children Thomas Joseph "Tom" (born 1882), Margaret Katherine "Tissa" (born 1883), John Desmond "Des" (born 1885) and Francis Michael "Frank" born 1887. They were living in Waihu, NZ, at the time.

1902 - John Francis Ryan and Ellen Elizabeth Sweeney with children Thomas John Margaret and Francis (Frank)3 viewsEllen Elizabeth Sweeney (1845-1932), one of the daughters of Thomas Sweeney, married John Francis Ryan in 1880 in Cormandel, NZ. They are shown here with their 4 children Thomas Joseph "Tom" (born 1882), Margaret Katherine "Tissa" (born 1883), John Desmond "Des" (born 1885) and Francis Michael "Frank" born 1887. They were living in Waihu, NZ, at the time.

Vi Burston interview for DV News3 viewsThis interview with Vi Burston, the owner of Culla Hill (now called Sweeneys) in the late 11980s or early 1993) was published in the Diamond Valley news.

1921 Eltham Elementary School grades 3 and 4 - Patrick and Jack Carrucan Nellie Sweeney Teacher3 viewsThe Eltham Elementary School in Dalton Street (School Number 209) had been started in the 1850s and was just a stone's throw from the Carrucan farms and not too far from Culla Hill. All the Carrucan and Sweeney children attended and this photo of the 1921 Grade 3 and 4 class shows 40 children ranging in ages from about 10 upwards. Nellie Sweeney is the teacher on the right. Patrick and Jack Carrucan are amongst the children.

1924 - Frank Sweeney, Perth3 viewsFrank Sweeney, who was born 26 May 1882 and who died 18 August 1952, was a grandson of Thomas Sweeney. He relocated from Eltham to Perth somewhere around 1904. In the 1906 Electoral Roll, he is a driver living in Park St, Subiaco. He and his wife Ellen (Sullivan) had 7 children, born between 1912 and 1925.

This photo shows him at work in his carrier business. The photo is captioned "With Compliments, Autocars (1924) Ltd. The tray is painted "CARRIER FRANK CARRUCAN SUBIACO".

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - House and Hut3 viewsThe Home Beautiful magazine issue of 1st February 1940 contains a wonderful 6 page article on 'Sweeneys'. This is one of a number of historically significant photos from that article. Peter Cuffley has a copy of the original magazine issue.

1940-02 Culla Hill Homestead floor plan Dr Roger Luebbers3 viewsWhile the name Culla Hill is used for the road in a subdivision of part of the original 110 acres, the name ‘Sweeneys’ has been generally used since 1939 for the house and barn precinct. The owners at that time, Colin Stanfield Gibson and his wife Beatrice Ebsworth ‘Betty’ Gibson, were from Tasmania and thankfully their thoughtful renovations at Culla Hill in 1939 were influenced by an understanding of the Colonial tradition and its revival. While stone from the demolition of a large fireplace and chimney became a new garden path and garden edging, most of the refurbishment kept the essence of the original fabric. The plan here shows the layout of the rooms as they were at the time of the 1940 Home Beautiful article.
Diagram Dr Roger Leubbers, 1997

1940-02 Home Beautiful - Page 13 viewsPage 1 of the February 1940 Home Beautiful article on Culla Hill

668 files on 14 page(s)