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Moorabool Shire Council – Heritage Advisory Service

Bacchus Marsh Sand Stone Court House opened in 1859

Moorabool Shire Council offers a free expert heritage advisory service for property owners with an existing or proposed heritage overlay on their property.

The service is provided by Councils Heritage Advisor, who is a highly experienced heritage professional, with over 16 years industry experience in the provision of strategic and statutory heritage advisory services to Councils across Victoria, and state government bodies including Heritage Victoria, the Victorian Planning Authority and others.

Council’s heritage advisor can assist and provide advice on a range of heritage matters, including;


• Pre-application advice for planning permit applications
• Changes to an existing heritage building including additions, alterations and repair works.
• The colours, design, materials and finishes of a building
• Resources, including builders and tradespeople, and conservation/restoration techniques
and materials
• Identification and management of Heritage trees
• Education and advice on general heritage issues

For all enquiries regarding the Heritage Advisory Service please email info@moorabool.vic.gov.au or call 5366 7100.

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Bacchus Marsh Train Turntable

The review of certain heritage sites by Officers of the Moorabool Shire has raised a number of timely questions. Specifically, their current status and use. The historical train turntable (Circa 1887) situated northeast of the main Railway Station building is a good example.

The Bacchus Marsh railway yards boasted an 1887 operational turntable. Restored steam locomotives visited the town and used it to turn the engines around for the return visit. Photograph courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh Heritage Guide, Entry 49, Page 66.

Improvements to the Melbourne-Ballarat rail line and a significant upgrade to the Bacchus Marsh Railway Station placed a number of rail heritage structures at risk. These being the Station building, wooden clad signal box, railway warehouse and train turntable.

Turntable Survives the Upgrade

All seem to have survived – but for how long? Does the turntable still work? In years past, restored steam locomotives made day trips from Melbourne to Bacchus Marsh. To return they used the turntable to realign the engine.

Train Turntable at Bacchus Marsh Railway Station, February 2021. Maddingley Park in background.

Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc.

The good news is that it appears that lines have been laid to align with the old turntable and special gates installed for the walkways.

Train lines on Melbourne side, leading into Turntable at Bacchus Marsh Railway Station, February 2021. Railway Warehouse in background right.

Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc.

Train Turntable at Bacchus Marsh Railway Station looking in Melbourne direction, February 2021. Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc.
What stories do you know about the turntable?

That begs the question – do steam locomotives still use the turntable? Does anyone know? Do you have any photos or stories about it being used? If so we would like to hear from you on our Facebook page. Help us rediscover and celebrate our local heritage.

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Rex Thorburn – Shire President 1994-1995

SHIRE OF BACCHUS MARSH PROCLAIMED ON 23 JANUARY 1871

To celebrate the 150 anniversary, the Society remembers some of our past Shire Presidents.

Rex Thorburn – Shire President 1994-1995.

Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

Rex was born in South Gippsland. He joined the Victorian Police Force and married in 1965. Rex and his wife moved to Bacchus Marsh where they raised their family.

He joined the Council in 1990 representing the  Parwan Riding and was elected Shire President in 1994. Local Government amalgamations in 1995 marked the end of the Bacchus Marsh Shire when it merged with a number of other shires to form the new Moorabool Shire. His Shire Presidency didn’t quite last a year and he was the last elected representative to hold the position. Now retired, Rex can still be spotted about town these days.

Do you have some stories and photo of Rex to share? If so we would like to hear from you on our Facebook page. Help us celebrate our past community leaders.

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Delwyn Leggatt OAM – Shire President 1989-1990 & 1990 -1991

SHIRE OF BACCHUS MARSH PROCLAIMED ON 23 JANUARY 1871

To celebrate the 150 anniversary, the Society remembers some of our past Shire Presidents.

Delwyn Leggatt – Shire President 1989-1990 & 1990 -1991. Courtesy of the Moorabool News.

Born in Glen Waverley in 1934, she married Francis Leggatt and moved to Bacchus Marsh in 1959. Elected to the Bacchus Marsh Shire Council in 1985, she became Shire President in 1989 and again in 1990.

First mayor for the moorabool Shire

Notification of the formation of the Moorabool Shire in 1994.

Courtesy of the State Library of Victoria, Victoria Government Gazettes online.

Prior to a new Council being elected, Commissioners and CEOs were appointed by the State Government to manage the newly formed Councils.

Notification of the appointment of Mr Stuart Bond and Mr Frank Frawley as the Commissioners of the Moorabool Shire Council and Mr Jim Elvey as the Chief Executive Officer.

Courtesy of the State Library of Victoria, Victoria Government Gazettes online.

Del was appointed the first Mayor of the newly established Moorabool Shire Council in 1996.

Her contribution to the local community was publicly acknowledged when she received the Order of Australia Medal in the 2004 Queen’s Birthday Honours (Australia).

Delwyn Bernice Leggatt – For service to local government and to the community of Bacchus Marsh through health care and sporting organisations.

In 2018 , she was also named Moorabool’s citizen of the year.

Del passed away in May 2020.

Do you have some stories and any photographs of Del to share? We would like to hear from you on our Facebook page. Help us celebrate our past community leaders.

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John Tyson – Shire President 1879-1880

SHIRE OF BACCHUS MARSH PROCLAIMED ON 23 JANUARY 1871

To celebrate the 150 anniversary, the Society remembers some of our past Shire Presidents.

John Tyson – Shire President 1879-1880. Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

John was born in Cumberland, England and came to Myrniong in 1861. In becoming a successful businessman, he purchased significant amounts of land in Myrniong. One property included the Plough Inn, which he reportedly obtained at a bargain price.

Notice of John Tyson’s purchase of the Plough Inn from the late Mr Thomas Ryan – Bacchus Marsh Express – Saturday 20 December 1879 – page 3.

Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

Plough Inn today at night, Myrniong. Courtesy of the Plough Inn website.

The current Moorabool Shire recognises the historical significance of Myrniong’s historical Plough inn and has placed it on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Plough Inn – Statement of Significance – Moorabool Shire

A hotel first licensed in 1861, but rebuilt in 1901 in ashlar bluestone.

It is locally historically significant for its association with social and hospitality developments and hospitality in the life of the township and as a hotel continuously licensed for 135 years. It is also historically significant as a representative embodiment of a way of life and its social values in a small rural settlement. It is architecturally significant as a relatively intact surviving hotel building.

Courtesy of the Victorian Heritage Database.

When John first came to the district his initial trade was that of a farrier and blacksmith. In later years he also demonstrated his clerical skills in carrying out the duties of the Deputy Registrar for Births, Deaths and Marriages for the town. On the Bacchus Marsh Shire Council he represented the Pentland Hills Riding and for one year held office of Shire President.

He died on the 22 August 1887 at his Myrniong Hotel, leaving a wife and several children and is buried in the Maddingley Cemetery.

John Tyson’s Death Notice – Bacchus Marsh Express – Saturday 27 August 1887 – page 2.

Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

Do you have any stories or photographs of John to share we would like to hear from you on our Facebook page. Help us celebrate our past community leaders.

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Kenneth McDonald – Shire President 1985-1986

SHIRE OF BACCHUS MARSH PROCLAIMED ON 23 JANUARY 1871

To celebrate the 150 anniversary, the Society remembers some of our past Shire Presidents.

Kenneth McDonald – Shire President 1985-1986. Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

Ken was born in Yarraville, after school he took up part time accountancy. He married Sue in 1967, they moved to Long Forrest Road in 1972.

Ken took up farming around Shire on leased land. In 1980 he successfully became a Shire Councillor and was elected Shire President in 1985. Ken remains active in the local community.

The Coimadai Avenue of Honour – Remembering 129 WW1 enlistees

Photograph of the Coimadai Avenue of Honour taken on 12 April 2019.

Courtesy of Monument Australia website.

He is currently the President of the Coimadai Avenue of Honour Restoration Association Inc. The not-for-profit association manages the maintenance and upkeep of the Coimadai Avenue of Honour . The Coimadai Avenue of Honour, originally planted on the 26 June 1918, predated the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour by almost two months.

Honour Roll and Memorial pavilion at Coimadai Avenue of Honour.

Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

Unfortunately many of the trees did not survive in the rural settlement. The remaining trees were submerged underwater with the construction of Lake Merrimu. The avenue was re-located and re-planted in 2015 along part of the Diggers Rest – Coimadai Road.

If you are related to Ken and have some family stories or photos to share we would like to hear from you on our Facebook page. Help us celebrate our past community leaders.

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George Grant – Shire President 1871-1872 & 1882-1883

SHIRE OF BACCHUS MARSH PROCLAIMED ON 23 JANUARY 1871

To celebrate the 150 anniversary, the Society remembers some of our past Shire Presidents.

George Grant – Shire President 1871-1872 & 1882-1883. George wears the uniform of the Bacchus Marsh Troop of the Prince of Wales Light Horse. Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

Commissions have been received during the past week by Captain George Grant, and Lieutenants Cornelius Mahoney and William Henry McFarlane, of the Bacchus Marsh Troop of Cavalry. The seniority of Lieutenant Mahoney dates from 28th January, 1873. Ten Martini-Henry rifles have been received for distribution among the troop.

Bacchus Marsh Express – Saturday 22 April 1876 page 2

George Grant was born in Caithness Scotland in 1833, he emigrated to Geelong in 1852 with his 12 brothers and sisters. His father settled at Broadlands Estate, Bacchus Marsh and later at Parwan. George married Christina Grant and they lived at ‘Ballochoyle Springs’, Pentland Hills.

George was involved in many community groups and was noted for improving the local roads in the area.

The Rifle Club’s – Mr. George Grant’s Prize

Results of the Bacchus Marsh Rifle Club competition for the Mr. George Grant’s Prize. Bacchus Marsh Express – Saturday 14 July 1883 – page 2.

Copies of the story of the Rifle Club ‘Club Number 4: A Short History of the Bacchus Marsh Rifle Club‘, can be purchased from the Society’s online Shop.

Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

He died suddenly on the 31 December 1914 at his home ‘Glen Park’ in Eltham and was buried at the Eltham Cemetery early in 1915.

Do you have some stories or photographs of George to share? If so we would like to hear from you on our Facebook page. Help us celebrate our past community leaders.

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Shire of Bacchus Marsh Proclaimed

On this day 150 years ago (23rd January 1871) Bacchus Marsh was proclaimed a Shire. What did our township look like when this significant step in local governance occurred?

An image of what the main street of Bacchus Marsh looked like at the time it was proclaimed a Shire in 1871.
Main Street Bacchus Marsh looking West late 1860s – early 1870s. Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.
Armorial Bearing for the Shire of Bacchus Marsh. Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

The Bacchus Marsh Shire’s Corporate Seal.

Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

To celebrate this historical occasion the Moorabool Shire in cooperation with the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. and community members has produced a digital publication to celebrate this major milestone.

Check out the list of past Shire Presidents who led the Shire at the Shire’s website.

Follow our Facebook page today and learn about local history and heritage and early Shire Presidents.

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Alf James Wignell – Shire President 1965-1966

SHIRE OF BACCHUS MARSH PROCLAIMED ON 23 JANUARY 1871

To celebrate the 150 anniversary, the Society remembers some of our past Shire Presidents.

Alf James Wignell MBE – Shire President 1965-1966. Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

Alf was born in Euroa in 1912 to Alf Wignell Snr. and Rachel Wignell (nee Finklestein). From an early age Alf became skilled at communicating with people with hearing loss. His family learnt to communicate with their hands because of his father’s acute deafness.

A career in serving others

Alf’s early career began at the age of 18 where he went to work at the Victorian School for the deaf. He then moved to the Melbourne Orphanage, followed by the Burwood Boys Home. In 1950, Alf became the Principal of the Lady Northcote School in Rowsley where he remained for the next 26 years. 

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Alf was awarded an MBE for his work in 1970 and he retired from Lady Northcote School in 1976. He belonged to a number of community groups around Bacchus Marsh when he was living in the area.

The 1970 Queen’s Birthday Honours were appointments to orders and decorations of the Commonwealth realms to reward and highlight citizens’ good works, on the occasion of the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. They were announced in supplements to the London Gazette of 5 June 1970.

At this time honours for Australians were awarded both in the United Kingdom honours on the advice of the premiers of Australian states, and also in a separate Australia honours list.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) – State of Victoria – Councillor Alfred James Wignell, JP, of Bacchus Marsh. For services to education and local government.

He married Gertrude Eileen Schwab from Brunswick in 1931. After Gertrude died in Bacchus Marsh in 1978, he remarried and moved to Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Alf passed away on the 11 June 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States at 97 years of age.

If you are related to Alf and have some family stories and photo to share we would like to hear from you on our Facebook page. Help us celebrate our past community leaders.

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William (Bill) Shea – Shire President 1973-1974 & 1979-1980

Shire of Bacchus Marsh proclaimed on 23 January 1871

The Age reports on Monday 30 January 1871 on page 3 official notifications from the latest Victorian Government Gazette.

It includes the Bacchus Marsh and Maddingley Road District to be made into the Shire of Bacchus Marsh – along with Shires of Braybrook, Broadmeadows, Bungaree, Mount Franklin, Heidelberg, Moorabbin and Springfield.

Courtesy of the NLA, TROVE Website.

To celebrate the 150 anniversary, the Society remembers some of our past Shire Presidents.

William (Bill) Shea
William (Bill) Shea – Shire President 1973-1974 & 1979-1980. Courtesy of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society Inc. Collection.

William (Bill) Shea was born in Bacchus Marsh and educated at St. Bernard’s Catholic School. He married Lynette Love and they have 4 children.

The Village Shopping Centre is Born

Bill was in local government for 17 years. As Chairman of the Directors of the Marsh Dairymen’s Co-operative, he led the negotiations for the sale of its land for the construction of the Village Shopping Centre in Bacchus Marsh.

Whilst Shire President he officially opened the Senior Citizens centre and the new bridge spanning the Werribee River on Fisken Street.

Bill is still a member of our community and lives on his farm on Werribee Vale Road.

If you are related to Bill and have some family stories and photo to share we would like to hear from you on our Facebook page. Help us celebrate our past community leaders.

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