The Lake Hotel

The Lake Hotel, South Heathcote (State Library of Victoria)

This fantastic photo, recently posted in the Old Heathcote and District Facebook group, transports me immediately back in time to the story my father used to tell of the clearing of the land on the McCarthy family selection on Warrowitue Road, Heathcote.

The Boughyards - the fences have stood for over 100 years

The selection was named the Boughyards due to the post and rail fences that were erected from the cleared timber for the stock yards. The remnants of these fences were still in place when I visited the old property in 2018.

Patrick McCarthy, my Great Grandfather selected the land in 1875.  During the required clearing of the selection at the Boughyards, much timber was harvested.  The timber that was not required for fences or buildings was carted by horse and dray to the South Heathcote rail yard.  At the end of a long day one of the party would head to Etheridges Hotel (the Lake Hotel) to have the billy filled with beer.  A two-quart billy could be filled with beer for sixpence.  The billy would then be duly passed around between the thirsty men.

I can almost imagine that these men were my ancestors, my great grandfather, my grandfather and his brothers. I wonder who they actually are? Unfortunately the photo is not dated.