Coldstream-+The+Early+Years

 ** COLDSTREAM - The Early Years. media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=killara+rd+coldstream+australia&sll=30.902225,-86.572266&sspn=23.33933,42.099609&ie=UTF8&ll=-37.64849,145.436325&spn=0.168972,0.328903&z=11&output=embed" width="425" height="350"**

Coldstream is a quaint little town approximately 36km north-east from Melbourne’s C.B.D, in the Shire of Yarra Ranges. It was registered as a locality in the Shire of Lillydale in 1895. There is no record of why the name was chosen but it is thought that Robert Black (one of the original local pioneers) named his property “Coldstream”, which later became the name for the local railway station and developing township. [] The railway line ran from Lilydale to Coldstream with the station being opened in 1888, with its final destination of Healesville in March 1889. It brought with it a new freedom for the local residents, businesses and tourists. For the first time people were able to travel in comfort and safety and the local produce was able to transported efficiently.The main industry in the local area was dairy farming, cattle and sheep farming, and wine making. By the 1890’s the then St Hubert’s vineyard (not the site of the present vineyard of that name) was the largest in Australia producing more than 360,000 litres of wine.

“The Lodge” was a home in Coldstream, it was thought to have been built as an entrance lodge for “Château Yering”. William Hussey and his wife Mary Ann moved to The Lodge with their family, where William took out a beer licence so that he was able to serve beer from the parlour of their home. On September 10th 1868 William took out a hotel licence on the house which was then to be known as the “Sportsman’s Arms Hotel”. After the death of William Hussey the hotel licence was transferred to his wife Mary Ann, who later married William Park and the licence was transferred to him. They used part of their home as a hotel, which was the only source accommodation in the area .Which ever name was used, it was the centre of early social life in Coldstream, with a post office, general store, a blacksmith’s shop, a grain store and a town hall. The Coldstream hall was first built in 1891 by William and Mary Ann Park on part of the Sportsman’s Arms Hotel land. The hall was the venue for many of the town’s functions including church services, meetings, dances and balls.

To the locals Coldstream is synonymous with Dame Nellie Melba and Coombe Cottage. The actual property had several owners and changes until 1909, when Melba brought the then called “St Leonards”. The name was soon changed to “Coombe Cottage” which came from a house Melba had rented in England while she was preforming at Covent Garden. Melba soon set plans in motion to create a garden that could be enjoyed and appreciated, as well as the plans to extend and renovate the house. Coombe Cottage still stands today at the crossroads to Yarra Glen ( Melba Hwy) and Healesville (The Maroondah Hwy), which is considered by some to be “The Gateway to the Yarra Valley”. Melba’s descendants still live at Coombe Cottage, with all the grace and charm of yesteryear, and from its tower the faint strike of the clock can still be heard over the town. 

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A thank you to The Lilydale & District Historical Society for their help and the use of the photos.