Sam Farmer's Story...

A Frankstonian through and through

To help spread the word about Frankston and its rich history through the community, Frankston City Council has launched a program inviting residents to share their folklore and tales of life in Frankston down the ages. 

Sam Farmer, 77, of Langwarrin, was one of dozens of residents to contact Frankston City Council this month wanting to know more about the project and how they can take part. 

Mr Farmer said he is a Frankstonian through and through. Both sides of Mr Farmer's family were early settlers; his mothers family came to the area in the 1860s and his father's family emigrated from England and Ireland in the late 1880s. On the phone over the space of a few minutes, Mr Farmer reminisced about a handful of characters from the early days of Frankston.  My father's father George Farmer was one of the first ratepayers in this area while my mother's father James Millard was one of the first telephone subscribers at Frankston.  Grandfather James had his line in as early as 1911, he said.

Frankston City Council will conduct interviews to collect information from older residents who may have trouble typing or recording their stories. Mr Farmer said people were always telling him he should get all the history in his head on paper. "I have plenty of tales, but I am not too confident about writing them down", he said.

Mr Farmer's mother's family lived in the residence above the livery stables on the corner of Playne Street and Nepean Highway. Grandfather James Millard ran the livery. Hector Gamble, who was the blacksmith and undertaker, was a neighbour of grandfather George.  Grandfather Millard used to drive General Sir John Monash in a special four-in-hand carriage.  Few predicted the coming of the motor car when the railway was still the main form of transport for most. I recollect going on the steam train to Melbourne and to Crib Point. People used to call it the wailways. Locals loved complaining about the trains. The platform is too small, the trains are always late. The Millards were the first to have motorised hackney carriages on the Mornington Peninsula. They had a T-model Ford and a Talbot. They did good business.

The Frankston Fire Brigade which was formed in 1889 is also a source of pride to Mr Farmer. Grandfather George appears in a photograph taken in 1934 of the brigade. He was a little man with a big moustache and a big presence, Mr Farmer said. 

Growing up in the 20s and the 30s, said Mr Farmer, Frankstons shopping district was vastly different to the vibrant area it is today.  Back then, there was Petries grocery shop which was situated on one corner of Young Street and a traditional sweet shop and tea house managed by Mr and Mrs Pass was on another. It was the highlight of our week to go in there to buy lollies. The couple was very, very English, Mr Farmer said. I am sure that these people would be delighted with how this part of town has turned out. Very exciting.

Mr Farmer's aunt, Rose Royle and her husband Ted, who was a guard for Victorian Railways, lived in a stucco house at 6 Spring Street. This house wasn't new then, so its probably over a 100 years old now, but its still there. There are more old houses around the municipality than you think and there would be people who should still remember their old neighbours.

The collected information was be uploaded onto the Council Web site. The program Tell Your Frankston Story continued into early 2005.  Photographs, memorabilia and winning entries were placed on display at the Mayors Family Picnic.

For further information and for assistance in capturing your special Frankston story, contact the Council's Marketing & Public Relations Unit on 9784 1888.