Community
23 October, 2024
History of Cobden captured through the lens
THE Cobden and District Historical Society is showcasing the community as it was more than 100 years ago through the eyes of a prominent business identity.
Society members this month launched the William Orton Glass Negative Collection, a collection of images from around the turn of the 20th century which had been captured by William Orton, who was among the early pioneers of the Cobden district.
The images were captured through glass negatives, an early analogue type of film in which images were exposed to glass plates.
Cobden and District Historical Society secretary Delia Kerr said members were “ecstatic ” with the turnout at the recent launch of the collection, which features 47 restored and digitised images on display with a running slideshow.
“We were very happy with the launch,” she said.
“We’re hopeful that the more people to come along, the better chance we have of identifying some of the people and areas in the photos.
“We’re planning to keep the collection on display for a couple of months, depending on how well it is received.”
Mrs Kerr said the collection had been restored thanks to a grant from the Public Records Office of Victoria,
“Early in William’s life in Cobden he obviously became interested in photography as one of the glass negatives is dated 1891,” she said.
“His choice of subjects was wide and varied and shows social history of Cobden’s early years.
“Among the glass negative collection donated by his family are a selection of scenes from overseas – these were apparently sold in the store to be used in Magic lantern shows.
“Some of our senior members are familiar with these – in which lighting was used to project the images.”
The Cobden and District Historical Society had pieced together what information they could on Mr Orton’s life, including information on his family, businesses, properties and his eventual death in 1928, aged 71, after moving to Geelong.
“Upon searching the Cobden Times and Camperdown Chronicle in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the first reference I found for William was an advertisement in the Camperdown Chronicle on November 6, 1887 which shows that he was the honourable secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Cobden,” Mrs Kerr said.
“William started advertising late in 1889 that he was opening a store in Cobden called Melbourne Cash store trading as W Orton & Co, that sold all manner of wares from food to clothing and footwear.
“This shop was on the south east corner of Curdies and Victoria Street, and he also had a store at Limestone Creek in Timboon which was near the railway camp.
“I also found William listed as a director of the Cobden Cheese and Butter Factory in April 1888, and there are references to him in the Tandarook Co-op Cheese Factory in 1894.
“The last advertisement I could find for the shop was in November 11, 1896.”
In attendance at the launch of the collection was Lynette (Blake) Orton and her daughter Leigh, who are the daughter and granddaughter of Mr Orton’s youngest son, Lindsay (born 1899).
“It was amazing to have them there,” Mrs Kerr said.
“To know that our efforts meant something to someone was wonderful.”
Mrs Kerr said the collection provided a fascinating insight in to the life of one of Cobden’s early settlers, and in to Cobden itself.
“This is just a snippet in to Williams’ life, he like other who have streets named after them were the pioneers of Cobden and district,” she said.
“As a historical society and repository for local history, we welcome input from descendants as we are preserving the past and the present for the future.”
The William Orton Glass Negative Collection is on display at 43 Grayland Street, Cobden, which is open every third Sunday from 11-3.30pm, every Sunday during school holidays, and open by appointment for groups.
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