Neilborough life in photos.

Life at Neilborough

Neilborough was the centre of the life of this family for many decades. The Webster family moved here in the 1870s as goldminers on the Elysian Flat goldfield. Elysian Flat was the original name of the area, the township of Neilborough was gazetted in 1860.

The Websters had originally run a crushing mill at nearby Epsom, then another at Huntly before moving to Neilborough.

When the widowed Dorothy Judd married Jim Crapper they stayed in Preston for some years but eventually they moved to Neilborough to take over the running of the Shamrock Hotel and Store from Jim's mother Alice Crapper. The Hotel was owned by Jim's father Thomas and after he died in 1909 his wife Alice continued to run the hotel and store until Jim and Dolly came back to Neilborough around 1928.

The first two photographs of the Crappers standing outside the Shamrock were probably taken on the same day. The first one was used in a newspaper article in 2000 and the family members were identified in it. I am unable to verify that they are correct.

The Crapper family outside the old Shamrock Hotel c1900.

The Shamrock Hotel, circa 1900

A local outside the Shamrock in the 1930s

The Shamrock in 1979

The Shamrock in 1908

The backyard at the Shamrock, 1930s, with old stables in the background.

Looking towards the backdoor of the Shamrock in the 1930s. Boy is unknown

Looking towards the Shamrock's back door in the 1980s

The Shamrock Hotel 2021

Jim Crapper died in 1938 and Dolly carried on the hotel and store with the help of her children Kevin and Carrie. Arthur by this stage had left home for the Police Force. It seems the war brought about the demise of the Shamrock as a business, I remember it was said that the hotel truck was comandeered for the war effort and Kevin went to Melbourne to work on the wharves. The licence had been surrendered in March 1942. Both he and Dolly are recorded in the 1942 Electoral Roll living in Marybynong. However I don't think that Nana and Mum ever left the Shamrock. Nana and Mum were living there in 1943 when I was born. They were still there in 1945 when I nearly drowned in the dam across the road and Kevin had returned as it was he who saved me.

The photographs that follow are of some of the people, not all are family, that were part of life around the Shamrock.

Group at the Shamrock. Group includes Nana and Bob Hollow at back right and Carrie seated on the running board

The Shamrock crew on a picnic, from left unknown, Kevin Judd, Arthur Judd and Les Downie.

Kevin Judd, Carrie Judd, unknown, Les Downie

Shooting outing at Neilborough incuding Unknown, Kevin Judd, Harold Judd (Uncle), Kathleen Judd (cousin), Carrie Judd and sitting in front, unknown, Bill Downie.

Another employer was the Eucalyptus Industry. This Photo taken in front of a Eucalyptus distillery. From left Unknown, Gwen Basset, Carrie Judd, Kathleen Judd.

Neilborough Football Club premiers 1920

Les Downie at Neilborough

At the back gate of the Shamrock. The horsewoman could be Carrie Judd although she had no love of riding horses in later life. She preferred to bet on them.