Eaglemont Was A Premiere Picnic Spot
In the late 1800s until after the First World War our Eaglemont - early referred to as "Mt. Eagle near Heidelberg" - was a destination of choice for picnic outings for Melbournians.
The natural beauty of the elevated site's sweeping views of the Dandenongs, the Yarra Valley and the city drew in young and old alike.
There are many contemporaneous newspaper records of schools, church groups, businesses and political groups who caught the steam train to Heidelberg, then traipsed up to Mt Eagle.
The local school children celebrated the end of WW1 with a huge picnic outing at Eaglemont.
Nilss has recently extracted some examples:
Independent (Footscray, 1883 - 1922), 04.01.1902, Page 2
CHURCH ARMY.
All those who accepted " Captain " Phair's invitation to form a picnic party to Heidelberg on New Year's Day spent a most enjoyable time in the Eaglemont Estate.
The party numbering some thirty-two persons were favoured with ideal picnic weather, and chose an ideal spot for the day's outing.
Cricket, rounders, and other games were freely indulged in. No hitch occurred to mar the proceedings from start to finish.
It was well past eight o'clock before the party reluctantly left the field for home. Everybodys verdict was “ It is the most enjoyable picnic I have been at for many years.“
Mercury and Weekly Courier, 03.12.1897, Page 3
Eaglemont Picnic.
A most enjoyable picnic was held at Mount Eagle, near Heidelberg, on Saturday afternoon.
The weather was all that could be desired, and there was a fairly numerous attendance of ladies and gentlemen. [..]
Music was supplied by Oysten's band, and Mr. Goodall, caterer, served up afternoon tea.
A programme of cycling, footracing, and pony racing was gone through satisfactorily.
A slight hitch occurred in the pony race, which was undoubtedly won by P. Finn's Daphne, but was declared a dead heat. In the run off Mr. McCracken's pony, Charlie, being bigger and stronger, won easily.
Among the minor events "tailing the pig" was the most interesting. A number of ladies blindfold endeavoured to place a tag on a pig's tail. (A picture of a pig only, of course.) [..]
A dance was held at the hall in the evening.
Table Talk, 26.12.1889, Page 10The Victorian Artists' Society gave their annual picnic on Saturday, December 14, when about 60 members of the Society, including a large number of students of the National Gallery, proceeded to Eaglemont for the day.
Tennis and rounders formed a great attraction to a number of the guests, the large grounds of the "art camp" at Eaglemont leading themselves admirably to amusements of this kind.
Several artists and their friends, disinclined for this too active exercise, contented themselves with passing a lazy but pleasant day, admiring the scenery, especially the outlook towards the Dandenongs, and the long winding drive through the pines.
An al fresco lunch and teawere held in the great room of the camp, and after the latter meal dancing engrossed the general attention. An orchestra of silver (presumably) whistles was improvised and created great amusement by their combined musical efforts, after which a parting song “ We are na' fou' “ and toast in the great room, was given with much animation before the party left the camp.
The homeward way was enlivened by the picnickers forming themselves into a body and marching to the train, illuminating their progress by carrying numerous lanterns of all degrees of size and colour.
The Tocsin (Melbourne, 1897 - 1906), 26.12.1901, Page 1
Co-operative Commonwealth have arranged to hold a picnic at Eaglemont Estate, Heidelberg, on 1st January, 1902.
Hot water, tea, and sugar will be provided on the ground.
Trains running from Princes Bridge every quarter-hour.
The Argus, 18.02.1901, Page 6
The employees of the London Tailoring Depots held their annual picnic, sports, &c., on Monday last at Eaglemont, Heidelberg (kindly lent by Mr Chas Davies). In the evening they adjourned to the Heidelberg hall, when dancing, interspersed with singing, reciting, &c., was enjoyed until time to return to the city.
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.
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