Coriyule is the oldest residential property still in use on the Bellarine Peninsula.
The home was built by ‘Lady Squatters’ Anne Drysdale and Caroline Newcomb.
On Wednesday 21 November genealogist and Historian Susie Zada will conduct a free event for community members to hear about these very early, very successful and unique pioneers in Victoria.
The event will be held at Kings Funerals, Newcomb.
“Anne Drysdale was an independent woman from Scotland who arrived in 1839, already experienced in farming,” Susie says.
“She met up with Caroline Newcomb, an Englishwoman, who came to Port Phillip in 1836 as the governess to John Batman’s children. Their successful partnership saw them progress from a small cottage on their first property, Boronggoop, to their beautiful two-storey architecturally designed colonial Gothic property of Coriyule.”
As well as covering the lives of the Lady Squatters, Susie’s presentation will discuss the property owners before Anne and Caroline and those who followed through to the present-day owners.
“The gardens of Coriyule were also famous for their design as well as their award-winning productive orchards,” Susie says.
“In recent times the grounds of Coriyule have been open as part of the Open Garden Scheme. More than 175 years of documented evidence tell the story of this amazing property and its owners.”
Anyone wanting to attend the free presentation shoudl contact Kings Funerals at 130 Bellarine Hwy, Newcomb, by phoning 5248 3444 or emaiingl rsvp@kingsfunerals.com.au.
