Paynesville Probus members were recently treated to a wonderful presentation about Paynesville’s history recently by Peter Stokes.
Peter is the author of several books about the history of the area: Village of Toonalook (Paynesville), History of Boat Building in Paynesville as well as The Pioneers of Yachting on the Gippsland Lakes.
Peter’s background in teaching and involvement with the Science Museum of Victoria, along with his lifelong love of history, meant members were in for a fascinating presentation.
Peter took them back to the 1800s and told of how the population of the new village stayed the same between 1888 and 1940 – a far cry from the population growth Paynesville has experienced in the recent past and that appears to be continuing.
Peter walked the group through history, explaining how the first fishermen had come to the area due to the decimation of fish stocks in Port Phillip Bay and the fact a rail link was established between Sale and Oakleigh that played a vital role in getting the fish to market.
Plying his audience with tales of land ownership, land owner rivalry and the trials and tribulations of the first settlers, kept members enthralled.
Many members purchased a copy of the book, The proposed Township of Paynesville A sketch, August 1879.
