Acknowledgement of Country
This website contains stories of towns established on the land of the Bengalat balug of the Wadawurrung people. We acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners of these lands and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and Aboriginal Elders of other communities who read these stories.
Several interviews include copies of photographs sourced from either:
• the person being interviewed,
• The Bellarine Historical Society (https://www.bellarinehistory.org)
• Barwon Heads Association. (https://www.barwonheadsassociation.com/new-site/heritage/)
Ken Hose
Ken Hose is the great grandson of Tom Blackwell, one of the first settlers in the Ocean Grove area in the 1850’s. He built the house that has been occupied by his descendants to the present time. In this interview, Ken shares his memories of growing up in Ocean Grove with his remarkable parents,Frank and Jean Hose, who together developed many of the early social facilities in Ocean Grove. They helped found the football club and its grounds, the baby health centre, the fire brigade and many other projects. The family were one of the first to attend Ocean Grove Primary School when it only had about ten students.