Looking Back - Local history with beards attached

By Leo Billington

In 19th century Australia, railway leagues were formed to lobby governments for construction of railways focussed on carrying produce to cities and ports.

On Friday morning September 2, 1910, about 20 representatives of five railway leagues in the Mirboo North and Bulga districts attended a meeting with Mr Alfred Arthur Billson in his Melbourne ministerial office. Mr Billson was the Minister of Railways, accompanied by colleagues, Mr Thomas Livingston MLA and Mr John M’Whae MLC.

There were two key reasons for this meeting on this date - to extract a promise from Mr Billson for the extension of the Mirboo North railway line to Balook, in the Bulga district, and then attend the final day of the Royal Melbourne Show. A record attendance for this final day was 55,000 people.

Pressure to have an extension to Balook never produced any positive results. But what apparently appealed to the Morwell Advertiser journalist at the time, was the “score of bearded farmers and settlers” who attended that meeting.

We must wonder about “bearded farmers and settlers.” Were they different from “ordinary farmers and settlers? Were they an odd bunch who looked untidy; did they look threatening; did beards keep some warm during a cold Gippsland winter; did beards show masculinity; did beards show superiority; was there a shortage of steel to manufacture razors; were they just too lazy to shave; did their beards hide food from previous meals, yet still available for the next meal - questions galore, and there could be more.

Beards, and moustaches, stand singularly proud in old photographs. Let us have a look.

Mr Billson’s biographical notes say “A sturdy, jovial figure with handlebar moustache.” Twitched at either end, his photograph shows pride and masterful command of his facial hair. Likewise for Mr Livingston and Mr M’Whae. However, theirs were not beards - perhaps neatness and tidiness in high office was required.

It is noted that Charles Darwin even believed that beards were a symbol of power used to attract women, and he tried to prove that bearded men are better at procreating. At other times in history, beards were considered unclean, even inappropriate. 

Writers of social history believe towards the end of the 19th century, men embraced a fuller, and sometimes unkempt look when it came to their facial hair. 

The accompanying photograph has been used countless of times - showing five local Morwell citizens seated outside a Commercial Road hairdressing saloon. John Caddaye, John Beaver Jones, John Flewin and Joe Buckley display their facial adornments. Being a portly person, Joe’s white beard may indicate masculinity, whereas John Caddaye perhaps not. Actually, Joe was a Morwell Shire councillor for 17 years, and his full white beard perhaps symbolises his social position.

Another well used photograph shows Mr and Mrs Henry Godridge and three of their six children. Henry proudly sits, telling the photographer how to portray his masculine role; and with beard as well.

There are other examples of beards seemingly displaying strength within their local community. Mr George Bolding, who died in 1910, was a “mover and shaker” in the fledgling Hazelwood North community. William Tulloch, 1849 - 1919, soon became prominent with his building activities - hotel and residential - alongside a wide range of small businesses and spending time and money to establish the Great Morwell Brown Coal Mine.

After his arrival in the Morwell area, Robert Porter, 1839 - 1926, rose to prominence through his farming pursuits on a large tract of land immediately south of the then small township. Walter Edney J.P, 1838 - 1904, was active in local affairs. He was elected a member of the first Buln Buln Shire Council, and filled the presidential chair on two occasions. He was a justice of the peace for nearly thirty years and sat regularly upon the local Bench. He was a guardian of the local Church of England, and frequently conducted services in the church. He was also a member of the committee of Traralgon Agricultural Society, and other community groups, particularly with cricket.

Beards and more beards, there are many more displayed upon our early community dignitaries. However, moustaches “squealed out” for attention.

Captain John Hall’s impact on Morwell’s commercial centre and various community activites is well documented. Records tell us he was an upright proud person, keen to expand his business interests - and his luxurious handlebar moustache underscored his success. However to a point in his life as it is recorded Captain John Hall later fell on hard (financial) times.

Early Morwell businessman, Mr Thomas Kleine produced a droopy moustache as did highly popular citizen, John Barton Hoyle. It could be said John’s spectacles made him look more like a school teacher or a family doctor. Even trustworthy.

Glancing back to Mr Billson, a really “clean cut facial appearance” was preferred, but with small handlebars. Mr Thomas Livingston MLA sported a “wrap round” and Mr John M’Whae’s dainty moustache fitted his round face. Local MLA between 1938 and 1952, during which he held 12 different ministries, Herbert John Thornhill Hyland’s friendly trilby hat was enough to signify his importance to country folk.

Another example establishing personal prominence, two Morwell Shire Councillors, Martin Walker and D J White are easily recognisable in photographs.

The question remains for local history enthusiasts; did beards (and sumptuous moustaches) show masculinity; did these adornments show superiority?