Most viewed - Carrucan and Sweeney Picture Galleries

Most viewed

1912 circa St Mary's Catholic Church cnr Main Road and Henry Street Eltham16 viewsSt Mary's Catholic Church, cnr Main Road and Henry Street, Eltham was opened/blessed October 13, 1912. The wooden church was built to replace an earlier brick church also known as St Mary's (1865-1912), which had been situated on the main road near present day Wingrove Park. The church and land cost £1,400 (Evelyn Observer). The wooden church was destroyed by fire in 1961.
Sourced from the Eltham District Historical Society.

1922 Prayer Book Gift 216 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 daytrip15 views

1952-01 Culla Hill detached kitchen, Burston family collection15 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

1970s Sweeneys Aerial Photos15 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.

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.

1999 Cullahill Farmhouse, Parish of Bourney, Tipperary North - taken by Brian Cuffley15 viewsBrian Cuffley returned in 1999 and captured the Cullahill homestead in this photo. This is the same homestead that Thomas Sweeney tried to burn down. In those days, it would have had a thatched roof which would have easily caught fire.

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - House and Hut15 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.

1833 Darling Harbour Sydney National Library of Australia15 viewsHaving obtained a Ticket of Leave dated 29th of November 1831, Thomas Sweeney is increasingly reported in Sydney newspaper lists of coastal trading vessels between Wollongong and Sydney. To sail into Sydney was no mean feat as the captain had to negotiate ‘The Heads’, the entrance to Port Jackson, and then navigate a passage to a selected mooring such as in Cockle Bay (Darling Harbour).

1909-06-16 Nellie Bourke postcard to Frank Ryan - Bridge St and Bourke Residence - Ryan Collection - writing on back15 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.

1843 - Michael Connors, Absolute Pardon, 1st of May 1843, 44-9, 36715 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 daytrip14 views

1950 - Frank Carrucan at home in Ballarat14 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.

1940-02 Culla Hill Homestead floor plan Dr Roger Luebbers14 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

Ireland Map showing Limerick Tipperary (inc Clonmel) and Cork Harbour14 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.

1924-04-30 Marriage of Francis Carrucan and Thelma Stoney13 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.

1920s Culla Hill buildings 1840s right and 1850s left13 viewsThis old photo, from one of Betty Carrucan's albums, shows the Culla Hill home, date unknown but probably in the 1920s or 1930s. It shows the original 1840s building on the right and the 1850s main house on the left.

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - Old Longhouse13 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.

1956-02 Culla Hill & Petty's Orchard, LANDATA Aerial view, Eltham District Historical Society13 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.

Sweeneys photos - Burston Collection13 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.

1834 - 1867 Thomas Sweeney Signatures13 viewsThomas Sweeney could sign his name and could probably read well enough to survive in business, but he always had a friend or professional scribe write the letters he sent to government departments.

Peter Cuffley has collected a number of signatures from Thomas Sweeney, ranging from 1834 to 1867.

1927 Christmas Card - Mary Ellen (Nellie) Murray13 viewsCard signed "Sincerely Yours,Nellie, Xmas 1927
Nellie Murray, Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia"

The AGE of Wednesday 3rd August 1938, p14, reported

DEATHS: On August 2, at a private hospital, Albert Park, Mary Ellen, beloved and only daughter of James and the late Julia Murray of Eltham, and beloved sister of James, aged 30 years, RIP

1950s Culla Hill - possible Jan 1952 - Burston Family Collection13 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.

1922 Prayer Book Gift 113 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 - Sitting Room12 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 - View of Original Buildings12 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.

1950s Culla Hill main house with extensions, Burston family12 views

Sweeneys photos - Burston Collection12 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.

1835 Illawarra Lake painting by Conrad Martens, Wollongong Art Gallery12 viewsThe 1835 painting 'Illawarra Lake' by Conrad Martens shows remnant forest including a Cabbage Tree Palm, along with a horse and figures and the lake beyond. Thomas Sweeney was one of those who transported the cut wood from the Illawarra to Sydney in his coastal cutter.

Coastal Map of area from Sydney to Illawarra12 viewsAfter a number of years as an assigned convict within the confines of the NSW Colony, Thomas Sweeney became master of a succession of coastal traders transporting goods between Sydney and Wollongong. The first such reference is in the Sydney General Trade List of Thursday the 22nd of October, 1829.

1940-02 Culla Hill Home Beautiful - Front View11 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.

1970s Sweeneys Aerial Photos11 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.

1924 - Frank Sweeney, Perth11 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.

Thanks to Frank Sweeney for this photo shows him at work in his carrier business. The tray is painted "CARRIER FRANK SWEENEY SUBIACO".

Sweeneys photos - Burston Collection10 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.

1960s Culla Hill painting by Peter Cuffley based on 1940 Home Beautiful photo9 viewsThis painting of the Culla Hill property, based on the 1940 Home Beautiful article, was done by Peter Cuffley in the late 1960s.

Mary Ann (May) Ryan 1889-1937, gravestone at Eltham Cemetery9 viewsEllen Sweeney (1845-1932), one of the daughters of Thomas Sweeney and Margaret Meehan, married John Francis Ryan in 1880 in Coromandel, NZ. Their son Francis Michael (Frank) Ryan (1887-1965) married Mary Ann (May) Smale (1889-1937) in 1916.
The grave of May Ryan nee Smale is close to the Sweeney and Murray graves. May's grandson Peter Cuffley explains further:

My mother said that the North Fitzroy cousins somehow held a gravesite which they gave to Frank Ryan. I am not sure if that meant Nessie Sweeney or Patrick Sweeney's granddaughter Nellie Oliver. I am so glad that my brother Brian and I were inspired to get a properly marked grave which was made by Lodge Brothers, along with a Tynong granite ledger. Visits to the grave had been a regular trip for the family since the burial in 1937. Given that our grandmother convinced the Committee for the Shrine of Remembrance to use Tynong granite, with Lodge brothers re-opening the Tynong quarry in the late 1920s, it was good to have that firm refashion her grave. I did the wording for the headstone and first had it approved by our mum and all the cousins. We had hoped she would be able to be taken to Eltham to see the finished work but it was a long project and she got too frail by then to make the trip. She saw photos and was very pleased.

1993-11 Sweeneys Lane subdivision sale9 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 page 108 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.

1986 Ellie Goss, Jim Murray, Noel Murray with wife Marcella and Cath Cuffley8 viewsThis photo, of cousins Ellie Goss, Jim Murray, Noel Murray and wife Marcella, and Cath Cuffley, was taken at the Murray property, Laurel Hill, Etham North in 1986.
James Eugene ‘Jim’ Murray lived until 1993 and always welcomed cousins to the old house on the hill.

1847 - Edward Dunn convict 1769-18508 viewsA legal dispute between Thomas Sweeney and one of his employees, Edward Dunn, was reported by the Port Phillip Herald of Thursday 22nd July 1847. Peter Cuffley has investigated the background of Edward Dunn and this information is captured in the attached image.

1927 - Obituary for Mary Carrucan nee OBrien6 viewsWith the passing of Mary Carrucan nee O'Brien,the widow of Patrick Carrucan, in 1927, the following comprehensive obituary was was published in the Hurstridge Advertiser, Friday 18 November 1927, page 5

DEATH OF ELTHAM PIONEER. MRS. MARY CARRUCAN.
On November 2 at Dalton St., Eltham, the death of Mrs. Mary Carrucan, relict of the late Patrick Carrucan, removed from our midst another of the fine old pioneers of this district. The deceased lady, who had reached the ripe age of ninety years, had been in failing health for the last two years, so that her demise was really a happy release. She and her late husband arrived in the colony from County Clare, Ireland, over 70 years ago, and settled in Eltham soon after their arrival. The latter pre-deceased her by 34 years. They reared a large family (two sons and seven daughters) who, with the exception of the elder son Michael, have all settled down elsewhere. Both the parents were very highly re-spected for their thrift and industry and soon acquired several blocks of land in and about Holloway's town ship, of which Dalton St. formed the southern boundary line. Like many of the early pioneers, the deceased lady was a fine type of helpmate, and was fond of outdoor life. When the Eltham tannery was in full swing, her husband was engaged as a first-class hand, but left this occupation to carry on fruit growing and mixed farming. Mrs. Carrucan's remains were laid to rest in the family portion of the Eltham cemetery, after a requiem service had been conducted in the local Catholic Church by the parish priest, the Rev. Fr. Lande. The funeral was attended by a large number of the family, relatives and friends, many of whom travelled long distances to pay the last tribute. The Rev. Fr. Lande also officiated at the grave. The funeral arrangements were very well carried out by Mr. Frank Usher, of Apps and Son, Fitzroy.

1842 Campbell's Wharf Sydney by artist John Skinner Prout6 viewsHaving obtained a Ticket of Leave dated 29th of November 1831, Thomas Sweeney is increasingly reported in Sydney newspaper lists of coastal trading vessels between Wollongong and Sydney. This 1842 view of Campbell's Wharf in Sydney illustrates the Sydney docks as Thomas Sweeney would have known them.
Credit: National Library of Australia.

1843 Sweeney Boroondara holding - a modern map6 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.

1970-11-19 Letter from Alan Marshall to Peter Cuffley6 viewsThe following letter from writer Alan Marshall to Peter Cuffley, dated 19th November 1970, acknowledges Peter's contribution to his book "Pioneers and Painters" and generally discusses Thomas Sweeney. His letter ends with the words "What you should do is later on write a book dealing with the Sweeneys. It would be most interesting."
It took Peter another 55 years to fulfill that request, with The Sweeney Family of Culla Hill Eltham finally published in February 2025.

1843 letter of Thomas Sweeney5 viewsAn important insight into the lives of Thomas and Margaret Sweeney prior to taking up their land in Nillumbik comes from a letter written by Thomas in Melbourne on January 27th 1843 to G.S. Airey Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands. This letter is reproduced below.
Sir, this is to inform you that I am a Squatter on the South side of the Yarra distant about seven miles from Melbourne – That there is a Mr Bellfleur a Superintendent for Mr. Walker who is a Squatter upon the lands adjoining me – And he makes a continual practice of driving the Cattle under his Charge over my lands and with all I can do or say he still persists in doing so – That some part of my land being under crops it is of a most serious consequence – It grieves me much to have to make a complaint of this kind, but the Law of self protection induces me so to do. I trust therefore that you will take the matter into Consideration and aid in the procuring the wanted – restoration of my rights – Your kind interference in this behalf will Exceedingly oblige – Your very humble and obedient Servant. Thos Sweeney.’
This letter is reproduced courtesy of the Public Record Office Victoria "VPRS-96.P2, Unit 1".

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