VALE'S SUBDIVISION PLAN

THE ABOVE LINK IS PROVIDED IN A SEPARATE JOURNAL BECAUSE I CAN NEVER REMEMBER WHERE I HAVE INCLUDED PARTICULAR INFORMATION SUCH AS MAPS AND THIS PLAN.

From my journal A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROSEBUD, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.
CROWN ALLOTMENT 17.
This was a working farm in early days.
"129 acres superior agricultural land, having a large frontage to Hobson's Bay, and described in the Government plan as having water at a short distance from the surface , together with a neat cottage containing four rooms and a garden, fruit trees, fenced in. (P.2, Argus, 4-3-1857.)

By the second Kangerong Road Board assessment of 5-9-1865, "Woolcott" was assessed on 129 acres, Wannaeue. In 1879, Woolcote was assessed on squiggle acres! Despite such helpful detailed rate records, subsequent research indicates that the following was the SON OF THE man from whom George and Susan Peatey bought the 2 acre lot 76 of Woolcott's subdivision on the south corner of Jetty Rd and McDowell St in 1878, occupying it in 1888 when they had repaid Nelson Rudduck's loan. (PINE TREES AND BOX THORNS, Rosalind Peatey.)

EventDeath Event registration number2040 Registration year1904
Personal information
Family nameWOOLCOTT Given namesRichd Robt SexUnknown Father's nameWoolcott Wm Mother's nameElizth Ann Way (Spark) Place of birth Place of deathMvern Age68

At the height of the land boom when Jack Jones' store across Jetty Rd was probably still the only store on the inland side of the beach road west of Peatey's Creek, Woolcott made a determined effort to dispose of the many unsold blocks on his estate. Louis Anderson may have bought lot 41 at that time on which he ran Rosebud's first proper post office 1891-7.

"ROSEBUD BAY
That picturesque neighbourhood a little to the south of Dromana on the main road to Sorrento. The remaining unsold lots in the estate of R.R. Woolcott Esq, being part of portion 17 parish of Wannaeue each lot having an
area of 1 1/4 acre and upwards. A new Jetty, state school, and other Improvements have recently been added to the attractions of this place, which must ultimately become one of the most popular of our suburban watering
places." (P.2, Argus, 27-1-1888.)

He may have had more success if he'd promoted a Gumbuyah Park type of water-play park where children could row boats on the Rosebud Lagoon* without them getting out of their depth or being swept out through the heads!
(* Photo of the lagoon, which was drained in about 1950, is attached to the brief history journal.)

In 1910, "Vale", agent, Melbourne was assessed on 84+ 84 acres 17 Wannaeue. Something wrong there as c/a 17 only consisted of 129 acres. The other 84 acres may have been in the Clacton on Sea estate. In 34 years or so, Woolcott had only sold about 45 acres! W.F.Vale had divided the 84 acres remaining into 300 lots.

Extracts from the huge advertisement on P.21, Argus, 9-1-1909.
"ROSEBUD,NEAR DROMANA. 300 SEASIDE LOTS AT TWO POUNDS EACH.
IN SAME ESTATE AS THE ROSEBUD POST-OFFICE AND SCHOOL.
ONLY 10/ DEPOSIT EACH LOT.
BALANCE 5/ MONTHLY, WITHOUT INTEREST.
No reservation as to taking adjoining blocks. Adjoining part of Clacton-on-Sea, but being portion of the block closer to Dromana. 50ft. frontages.----- NOTE the nearness of our Lots to Post Office,Jetty, Beach, Mechanics' Institute, and the homes of the residents of the Township. Take a walk along Foreshore, and notice the particularly safe sandy Beach, beautiful clear water, perfect bathing, and play-ground for children.---- CALL AT ONCE FOR PLAN AT W. F. VALE & CO.,"