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/)
Mary Grundy
Mary Grundy was born in 1932 in Geelong. She lived in Queenscliffe as a child and trained as a teacher. Mary had 8 children and eventually returned to Queenscliffe to live. She recounts her experiences in her early years detailing her memories of the bay area. Mary recalls the war years in Queenscliff and the effects of the war on the town.
She has wonderful memories of her working mother which include working as agent for the paddle ship and the her involvement in the shipping through the heads. Mary’s story is coloured with anecdotes of her life as a child as well as several of the town's characters.
Audio ->