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Land at Badger Creek, three miles south of Healesville, was at the time being thrown open for selection. This attracted the young couple, who at that time had a family of six children. So, with all their belongings, they set out to trek to Healesville to apply for one of the 20 acre blocks Into which the land was being subdivided. PIG IN CRATE UNDER BUGGYThe trip from Frankston to Healesville was an epic one. Mum drove a buggy with two horses attached. She had with her four of the children-John, Jim, Bill and Jay. Slung under the buggy in a crate, was a live pig, and protruding from the back was a crate of fowls! Dad drove a wagon loaded with furniture and household goods. Bert Thomas brought up the rear of the "wagon train", driving a mob of cattle. The writer was the baby, being three months old. This dates the journey as early September, 1893. Included amongst the goods was a Hamlyn and Mason organ and a cornet! The organ was a prized possession, and was to be of great comfort and entertainment in the years that followed. It later became the property of Oliver Langmead (a grandson). LIVED IN TENTSArriving at the "end of the silver thread, and within reach of the golden bauble," to use one of Dad's favourite expressions, they found the blocks of land were only being surveyed and were not ready for allotting. The survey was completed in May, 1894, by a Government surveyor, Mr. White. While waiting for the blocks to be thrown open for occupation, they pitched their first camp on a small reserve at the Yarra Bridge on the Lilydale-Healesville road. Later they moved to a reserve at the southern corner of the Dairy and Lilydale Roads. They remained here until the new block at Badger Creek was allotted to 0. H. Potts. Dad made a return trip to Frankston to bring the two eldest children-Violet and Olly - to rejoin the family. They had been left behind at the request of the school teacher at Skye (Mr. Haslam). He had asked that they be left at the school until after the examinations, as being smart at their work, they would give him a better average and add status to the school In those days, promotion of teachers was based on examination results. (They must have been smart kids!) A third trip was made by Dad to Frankston to bring the remainder of their worldly goods to Healesville.
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