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Outside
the Visitor Centre is this sculpture with a plaque that reads:
The story
starts here...
The indigenous people of Churchill Island are the Bunurong.
They call this place Moonahmia after the special trees that grow here.
Bunurong people regard the Moonah as a sacred tree
which is part of an ancient legend.
This sculpture captures a moment from the legend,
which is a story of forbidden love....
History of
Churchill Island, courtesy of
Welcome
to Victoria
Victoria's first European settlement
Churchill Island was discovered, along with Phillip Island,
by George Bass and Matthew Flinders in 1798.
Three years later Lieutenant James Grant constructed a simple cottage on
Churchill Island
and planted corn and wheat with seeds supplied by his friend John
Churchill,
after whom he named the Island. This was the first European settlement in
Victoria.
From
cottages to a homestead
In 1866 John Rogers took up residence on the island and built two small
cottages.
Six years later the island was purchased by Samuell Amess,
who built a weatherboard homestead.
These buildings are still standing and are the principle historic attractions on
the island
along with the fragrant herb and flower gardens.
There are also ranger talks, machinery demonstrations and festivals throughout
the year
and you can enjoy morning or afternoon tea and lunches in the new Visitor
Centre.
Olive trees to the right of
the pathway.
The sign says:
Olive
Tree
Olea europaea
Planted c. 1880
This olive tree is part of the original orchard planted by the Amess family.
The orchard provided abundant fruit for family and guests
as well as welcome shade from the hot sun.
Listed on the National Trust's Victorian Register of Significant Trees.
Inside the homestead
See the layout of the homestead and grounds here.
The Drawing Room
The Master Bedroom
The Nursery
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