A Picnic On Mount Eagle

Imagine taking a large party of picnickers across Melbourne by train, seeking out the beauty spot of the hills above the Yarra at Eaglemont.

A favoured destination in 1897. Gather at the church in North Melbourne early a.m., take the steam train service from Spencer Street Station to Heidelberg.

Look up at the huge Austin Hospital that the good Widow Austin had funded for all those people afflicted by incurable poor health.

Time for a quick prayer for them, and a solemn thanks for being blessed with good health.

Then off up the hill to Mount Eagle with boxes, baskets and blankets. But no clinking of bottled alcohol............

The Temperance Society of St Mary's Church of England are having a picnic day out in the country, taking the summer airs and taking in the views across the Yarra Yarra to the distant Dandenongs..........

North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser, 19.11.1897, Page 3
ST. MARY'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
THE senior members and friends of the above society held their annual picnic on the Prince of Wales' birthday, at Heidelberg. As there was a general invitation extended to all to join in, a large number availed themselves of it, and they had no reason to regret their decision, for, it being a perfect day for picnicing, a most enjoyable time was spent. Arriving at their destination about 10.30, they "camped" (through the kindness of the owner) in a most picturesque spot on the Eaglemont estate, facing Doncaster. During the day the usual picnic games were indulged in, and at dusk all seemed pleased to move homewards, after having spent a true Australian holiday.

Well "a true Australian holiday" has evolved a tad since 1897.

A trip to Dan Murphy's to stock up, a range of technology to keep track of the cricket scores, organising a jumping castle and some monkey bikes to keep the kids occupied while we are on the iPhones and "on the piss".

The St Mary's Church of England Temperance Society did not have to dodge the breathalysers on the way home, nor avoid traffic jams from other holidaymakers heading home.

A good clean up of the picnic spot, a head count, share the baggage around, back down to the Heidelberg Station, back home to North Melbourne.

Thank the Lord for the toilets at Heidelberg Station, for both Temperance Society types and others.