It was a wish to have a touch of home that saw plants and animals introduced from England in the mid to late 19th century, some with dire results. Other exotic animals arrived too, such as monkeys. But it was ostriches that offered a monetary return, with their feathers in demand in the fashion industry. However, ostrich farming was not all it was cracked up to be, as Samuel Wilson of Longerenong and an unsuspecting carpenter found out in November 1868. The ostriches, owned by the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, were acclimatising at Wilson’s property and had given the first impression they were tame, but as the two men found out, “familiarities are likely to breed contempt”
MISCELLANEOUS. (1868, November 16). Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser (Vic. : 1842 – 1876), p. 3 Edition: EVENINGS. Retrieved October 2, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64691135
LONGERENONG HOMESTEAD, PRE 1940. Image courtesy of the State Library of Victoria. Image no. H2006.161/4 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/165898
Samuel Wilson must have grown tired of the ostriches as they popped up 13 years later at Murray Downs Station, on the opposite side of the Murray river to Swan Hill. It was owned by Suetonius and Charles Officer. Seems they had more of a clue about ostriches than Samuel Wilson. The birds had gone wild at Longerenong, probably after the trousers incident, with no one game enough to go near them. Rounding them up to move to Murray Downs was a major operation but once there, the Messrs Officer paired the birds off and accommodated them in small yards, and calm returned…somewhat.
Ostrich Farming in Victoria. (1881, May 21). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 – 1893), p. 6 Supplement: Second Sheet to The Maitland Mercury. Retrieved October 2, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article817426
MURRAY DOWNS HOMESTEAD. Image Courtesy of State Library of South Australia. Image no. PRG 1258/2/1721 http://images.slsa.sa.gov.au/godson/2/01750/PRG1258_2_1721.htm
OSTRICH FARM, PORT AUGUSTA, SA. Image courtesy of the State Library of Victoria. Image No. H82.43/140 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/57060
After Suetonius died in 1883, Charles sold Murray Downs and the ostriches were on the move again, this time to Charles Officer’s new property near Kerang.
- Ostrich Farming. (1885, January 13). Kerang Times and Swan Hill Gazette (Vic. : 1877 – 1889), p. 4. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65601344
OSTRICH, HALLS GAP ZOO
Two years later, and the ostriches had settled in to their new home and were producing feathers of a high quality.
VICTORIAN OSTRICH FEATHERS. (1887, October 21). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 – 1953), p. 1 Edition: EVENING, Supplement: SUPPLEMENT TO THE PORTLAND GUARDIAN. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65410783
Twenty-six years later, the next generation of Officer Bros. had taken over the ostrich farming.
OSTRICH FARMING. (1913, March 29). Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45239223
If you are wondering if any of the 1913 ostriches where a part of the group that started out in 1868, well, so was I and it is possible. In the wild an ostrich can live to up to 40 years and up to 60-70 years in captivity. The Officer Bros. fed their ostriches well so you never know.
Western District Families 