Most viewed - Carrucan and Sweeney Picture Galleries

Most viewed

1956-02 Culla Hill & Petty's Orchard, LANDATA Aerial view, Eltham District Historical Society130 viewsThis LANDATA aerial shot, taken in February 1956, shows Culla Hill and Petty's Orchard, LANDATA. Photo purchased from the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning.

1909-06-16 Nellie Bourke postcard to Frank Ryan - Bridge St and Bourke Residence - Ryan Collection - writing on back130 views Tim Keary, brother of Eliza Bourke married Kate Sweeney. The Bourke residence was named "Woodville" after the town in Galway where the Keary family lived. Tim wrote letters home to the family in Galway from 'Little Eltham' and two of them are in the Sweeney Family book. Nellie has headed this postcard "Woodville" and written "Bourke's Road" at the bottom of the postcard. She writes about last going up to Culla Hill the day John Sweeney was buried in 1909. It is dated 16th of June 1909.

1922 Prayer Book Gift 1130 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

2012 - Fanore - general shots on a walking daytrip129 views

1942 - Wal Dempsey on his honeymoon with Mary Dempsey nee Carrucan129 viewsMary Cecilia CARRUCAN (1917-) married Walter McInnes DEMPSEY (1910-) at Kew in Melbourne in 1942. This photo of Wal is taken on the honeymoon.

1953-02-07 Gavin Carrucan and Gwen Lodge wedding party129 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.

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - View of Original Buildings129 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 stone and hand-made bricks, standing and seen on the right of this photo. In 1940, it served as a laundry.

In the background are seen the longhouse and barn which also belonged to the original group of buildings.

Sweeneys photos - Burston Collection129 viewsMike Burston was brought up at Culla Hill during the period when the Burston family owned the property. These are photos from the Burston family photo albums which are now in Mike's possession. The photos are from the period from the 1950s onwards.

These colour photos of the interior rooms were taken before the property was sold in 1997 and were possibly used for publicity.

1941 Mary Frances (Molly) Kelly nee Ganly with her brother Malachi128 viewsMary Jane (Girlie) Carrucan (1889-1961), a grand daughter of Patrick Carrucan, married Michael Joseph (Mick) Ganly (1881-1955) in 1911 and they had eight children: John (Jack), Ellen (Toppy), Mary Frances (Molly), Kathleen, Margaret (Peg), Michael (Mick), Malachi and Alicia.
This photo is taken at the wedding of Molly in 1941. Her brother Malachi is behind her on the right.

2008 Wyuna in Brighton128 viewsSusan Carrucan (1862 - 1943), the third eldest child of Patrick Carrucan and Mary O'Brien, married Edward Shae (Ned) Kent (1858 - 1907) in 1881. Ned died in 1908 and Susan moved to Brighton in 1910, firstly living in 'Rothwell' at 143 Church St and then at 'Wyuna' in Black Street. This historic property is still occupied and these photos, taken recently, show its grand nature.

1950s Culla Hill main house with extensions, Burston family128 views

1970s Sweeneys Aerial Photos128 viewsThe 4 aerial photos here are from Mike Burston 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 1970s.

2012 - Fanore - general shots on a walking daytrip127 views

1968 - Jack Carrucan and Terry Erickson at the milking sheds, Dalton St Farm127 viewsPatrick Carrucan and Mary O'Brien settled on a farm in Eltham, with their farmhouse on the corner of Dalton and Bibles Street. The farm stayed in the family until their grandson John Francis (Jack) Carrucan died in 1976. At that stage what remained of the property was subdivided and sold. This photo shows Jack with his nephew Terry Erickson circa 1968 at the milking sheds opposite the farm house.

1953-02-07 Gavin Carrucan and Gwen Lodge wedding photo 1127 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.

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - House and Hut127 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.

Ireland Map showing Limerick Tipperary (inc Clonmel) and Cork Harbour127 viewsMichael Connors and Thomas Sweeney were charged under the Whiteboy Act for a felonious assault on the house of Patrick Guider, at Cullohill, south of Roscrea in Tipperary, and with having set said house on fire. Being found guilty in Clonmel, their death sentences were commuted to life transportation to New South Wales. On the 14th of May, 1823, Sweeney and Connors left Clonmel Gaol and under armed escort were transferred to the Convict Depot at Cork. From there they were later taken by steam packet to the Cove of Cork (Cobh) and placed on the Prison Hulk Surprise in Cork Harbour.

2012 - Fanore - general shots on a walking daytrip126 views

1990 - Cahil, Jimmy, Jacko and Mick Carrucan126 views

1955 approx - Monica Kathleen Simpson nee Carrucan126 viewsMonica was the eldest child of Myles Charles Carrucan and Phyllis Alberta Kennedy and was a great grand child of Patrick Carrucan. She was born on Jul. 18, 1918 in 14 Emerald Street Collingwood and died on Feb. 17, 1957 in Warragul. She married Wilfred Robert Simpson on Oct. 5, 1940 in Melbourne. Wilfred, son of David William Simpson and Amelia Truran, was born on Nov. 18, 1899 in Mount Edgerton Victoria and died on Apr. 1, 1949 in Ringwood Victoria.
Monica and Wilfred had two children, Edna Simpson who was born on Mar. 19, 1942 and Valerie Ann Simpson who was born on Oct. 18, 1943 in Yallourn hospital.

1953-02-07 Gavin Carrucan and Gwen Lodge wedding photo 2126 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.

1843 Sweeney Boroondara holding - a modern map126 viewsThomas Sweeney's land in Boroondara occupied under licence by the Sweeneys was basically an alluvial river flat with lagoons, some surviving trees and a stockyard. The alluvial flats with flood enriched soils were generally ideal areas for cultivation and grazing, with timber-getting being a reliable income as long as it lasted. The trees were initially felled by squatters for huts and fences, and wood was always needed for cooking and heating. Floods were a problem for anyone living close to the river and when they were severe, crops had to be replanted, huts repaired and fences rebuilt.
This modern map, to which Peter Cuffley has added words and boundaries, shows exactly how the Eastern Freeway has now cut through Thomas Sweeney's 146 acre Boroondara leasehold. Thomas was keen to buy it in the 1840s, but was not to know it would mostly become reserved land and later be affected by a freeway and the Burke Road on and off ramps.

2012 - Fanore - general shots on a walking daytrip125 views

1993-11-27 Sweeneys subdivision125 viewsIn late 1993, the Burston family did a major subdivision and offered 12 allotments, ranging in size from 1 to 3 acres. Once this was done, the Burstons were left with the single house block.

1971 Pioneers and Painters Front Cover125 viewsIn the years leading up to 1971, the centenary of the Eltham Shire's birth, the Council felt that the publication of a Shire history would fittingly mark the century of achievement. Well known author Alan Marshall, who was an Eltham resident, took on the task and the end result was the wonderful Pioneers and Painters book. As part of his research, Marshall reached out to many people including Peter Cuffley (who was his source for information on Thomas Sweeney) and my uncle Jack Carrucan (who was also very knowledgeable about the early days of the Shire).
Front Cover
Pioneers and Painters is a wonderful history of the early settlement of Eltham and the surrounding towns - Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown, Panton Hill, Christmass Hills, Yarra Glen, Kinglake. It is still generally available for purchase at second hand bookshops and via online vendors and I would recommend it to everyone.
This book is also the first to acknowledge Thomas Sweeney's early footprint in the Eltham district and his pioneering settlement at Culla Hill.

1971 Pioneers and Painters page 12125 viewsIn the years leading up to 1971, the centenary of the Eltham Shire's birth, the Council felt that the publication of a Shire history would fittingly mark the century of achievement. Well known author Alan Marshall, who was an Eltham resident, took on the task and the end result was the wonderful Pioneers and Painters book. As part of his research, Marshall reached out to many people including Peter Cuffley (who was his source for information on Thomas Sweeney) and my uncle Jack Carrucan (who was also very knowledgeable about the early days of the Shire).
Front Cover
Pioneers and Painters is a wonderful history of the early settlement of Eltham and the surrounding towns - Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown, Panton Hill, Christmass Hills, Yarra Glen, Kinglake. It is still generally available for purchase at second hand bookshops and via online vendors and I would recommend it to everyone.
This book is also the first to acknowledge Thomas Sweeney's early footprint in the Eltham district and his pioneering settlement at Culla Hill.
For completeness, here are the 2 pages in 'Pioneers and Painters' that refer to Thomas Sweeney.

1946 - Betty Carrucan Basketball team Stawell High School124 viewsCareer opportunities for women were few in the late 1940s and Betty (Elizabeth Agatha) Carrucan embarked on a teaching career after becoming the first Eltham girl to graduate from Melbourne University. As was the case in those days, her first teaching appointments were in the country regions. She spent a few years at each of Korrumburra, Leongatha, Wangaratta and Stawell. This photo, taken in 1946 at Stawell High School, shows her in basketball coach mode.

Sweeneys photos - Burston Collection124 viewsMike Burston was brought up at Culla Hill during the period when the Burston family owned the property. These are photos from the Burston family photo albums which are now in Mike's possession. The photos are from the period from the 1950s onwards.

These colour photos of the interior rooms were taken before the property was sold in 1997 and were possibly used for publicity.

1998 Carrucan Reunion123 views1998 Carrucan Reunion

1915 circa postcard J.H. Clark- Eltham from Bolton Street123 viewsThis photo postcard shows an early view of Eltham looking east from Bolton Street between Bridge Street and Brougham Street (Wellington). The fenced road reserve on the right is Brougham Street.
Originally dated as pre-1877 introduction of the Telegraph (the Telegraph was connected to the Post Office on Thursday, June 7, 1877) given the lack of poles and wires visible, a more recent higher resolution scan has revealed the presence of several Telegraph poles: one about half way between Brougham Street and Dalton Street, one opposite the Police Residence, another opposite W.B Andrew’s Corn Store (Zen Den site), one possibly near the Fountain/Evelyn Hotel. Also, given the photo was originally marked “J. H. Clark Photo” it is safer to assume the image is dated circa 1915.
Sourced from the Eltham District Historical Society.

1911 Elizabeth Martha Wiltshire nee West with her two children Bertha Frances and Clive Gordon122 viewsMartha Coleman (1858-1924), the second child to Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman, married William West in 1878.
They had 13 children between 1979 and 1896, the first 8 born in Eltham and the remaining 5 born in Research where they moved in 1890. They lived the remainder of their lives in the Research Hotel where William was the proprietor.
This photo shows the seventh child, Elizabeth Martha Wiltshire nee West, with her two children Bertha Frances Wiltshire and Clive Gordon Wiltshire. Bertha was born in 1909 and Clive in 1910. Clive died in QLD in 1998. Bertha died in Sandringham in 2001.
This photo was passed onto us by Clive's grand daughter Karen Hough.

2012 - Fanore - general shots on a walking daytrip122 views

1900 approx research hotel and post office121 viewsMartha Coleman (1858-1924), the second child to Bridget Carrucan and John Coleman, married William West in 1878.
They had 13 children between 1979 and 1896, the first 8 born in Eltham and the remaining 5 born in Research where they moved in 1890. They lived the remainder of their lives in the Research Hotel where William was the proprietor.
This photo was passed onto us by Karen Hough and shows the hotel and post office, circa 1900. This image is from http://www.pictures.libraries.vic.gov.au/. Yarra Plenty Regional Library own the image but it is on public access.

Frank Carrucan's carrucan crest table121 viewsFrank Carrucan of Ballarat likes to work in wood so what better than a coffee table with the Carrucan crest inscribed on the top.

121 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.

1952 circa - Culla Hill, old longhouse with buttress, Burston family collection121 views

2012 - Fanore - general shots on a walking daytrip120 views

120 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.

1843 - Michael Connors, Absolute Pardon, 1st of May 1843, 44-9, 367120 viewsThomas Sweeney and Michael Connors arrived in Port Jackson on the Convict Transport Isabella (3) in December 1823. Connors received a Ticket of Leave dated the 15th of December, 1832 which allows him to remain in the District of Bathurst. He was subsequently granted an Absolute Pardon dated May 1 1843. ‘Captain Rock’ had certainly come a long way since that historic night in 1823 at Cullahill, Parish of Bourney, Barony of Ikerrin, County Tipperary.

2012 - Fanore - general shots on a walking daytrip118 views

2012 - Fanore - general shots on a walking daytrip117 views

1950s Culla Hill - possible Jan 1952 - Burston Family Collection116 viewsThis photo, from the Burston Family Collection, shows the Culla Hill barn which closely resembles the barn at Cullahill Farm, the old Guider property south of Roscrea in Tipperary. Thomas Sweeney’s parents, Patrick and Mary Sweeney, were probably humble farmers who lived in the area.

1942 Sept 19 - Mary Carrucan marries Wal Dempsey114 viewsMary Cecilia CARRUCAN (1917-) married Walter McInnes DEMPSEY (1910-2010) in 1942.
Also shown is Mary's sister Eileen Carrucan (1919-2000) who married John O'Sullivan in 1953.
Mary and Eileen were great grand children of Patrick Carrucan and Mary O'Brien.

1950 - Frank Carrucan at home in Ballarat113 viewsFrank Carrucan, who lives in Ballarat, is the great great grandson of Patrick Carrucan who migrated from Co. Clare to Eltham in the 1850's. Frank is one of the children of Cornelius Patrick (Con) and Clare (nee McArdle) Carrucan and a grandson of Kack and Maggie (nee Doherty) Carrucan. He is one of the main cogs in the active family history group. Frank was born in 1948 and this photo shows him as a very young child, circa 1950.

1997-10-19 Pat Sweeney with Peter Cuffley111 viewsThis photo shows cousins Pat Sweeney and Peter Cuffley.
It was taken in 1997 when Pat Sweeney was visiting Victoria from his home in Western Australia.

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