GRAHAM, John Alexander

John Alexander Graham

John Alexander Graham was born in Creswick in 1869.  His parents William and Sarah (Stephenson) emigrated on the Omega in 1856 from County Tyrone, Ireland and married in 1859.  On arrival in Australia, William gave his occupation as Labourer and became involved in the local mining industry. 

John’s two older brothers were William, born in 1861 and Thomas in 1863.  They were two of the three “Lost Children”, a tragic story in Daylesford’s history.  In June 1867, William aged 6, Thomas aged 4 along with friend Alfred aged 5, wandered off into the bush and became lost.  Despite an extensive search they were not found until their bodies were discovered months later.  In 1967 the Daylesford Historical Society erected a cairn on the road to Daylesford to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of their disappearance.  John also had a younger sister Jessie, born in 1869.

John was educated at the Creswick Grammar School in Cambridge Street from 1882, the school being founded in 1869 by the Reverend Alex Pyne of St John’s Church of England.  Many successful Australians were educated at the Grammar School including Sir Alexander Peacock, Premier of Victoria during the early 1900s.

The Creswick Grammar School history was written and compiled by John A. Graham in 1940.  The book included lists of teachers and scholars, and reminiscences by former scholars.

Mr Graham’s second book, Early Creswick: The First Century, serves as a testament to Graham’s commitment to preserving and sharing Creswick’s rich heritage.  He developed an appreciation for the town’s history from an early age, with his research and accuracy cementing his reputation as an author and historian.

Published in 1942, Early Creswick: The First Century remains an achievement in the field of regional history.  A comprehensive history, it traces Creswick’s evolution from its humble beginnings to a flourishing township.  Through a combination of archival records, firsthand accounts and documentation, Graham’s book reconstructs the social, economic and cultural tapestry of Creswick’s inaugural century.

The Foreword to the original edition of Early Creswick, written by Lady Millie Peacock as President, Creswick Branch of the Red Cross Society, acknowledges John Graham’s generosity in donating the proceeds from the sale of the book to the local Red Cross during the time of World War II.

The book records the arrival and work of the early explorers, settlers and squatters during the 1830s and 1840s, who brought cattle and sheep to the area and established large land holdings, including Captain John Hepburn and the Creswick brothers.  As recorded, ‘The squatters held no legal title to the land, the boundaries … being arranged by mutual agreement’.

It is interesting to note that Alexander Creswick, son of Henry, stated ‘It was correct to clearly articulate the ‘w’ and that the custom adopted by many old residents of deleting the letter and turning the name into ‘Cres’ick’ was not in accord with his father’s pronunciation’.

The first sale of land in the district commenced from 1856 and many of these properties have remained with the original families since then.

At the turn of the 20^th century, John Graham was living in Raglan Street, Creswick, possibly with his sister.  Later he bought and resided in the house on the corner of King Street and Clunes Road.

John Graham was among the founders and first President of the Old Creswickian Association in 1922.  A need was seen, as the families of the miners, with few employment opportunities in the district, moved away from town resulting in a loss of contact with the town and each other.  In 1912, a reunion of former Creswick residents in Melbourne saw 150 men present.  Following World War I, in 1921, the first ‘Back to Creswick’ was held with 700 people attending.  This led to the formation of the Old Creswickian Association whose gatherings strengthened former residents’ links with their hometown and kept friendships alive.  The organisation lasted until the late 20^th century.

John Graham died on the eve of the 1951 Annual Reunion, the 30^th Reunion, and at his request, the event was held with those who attended observing two minutes silence in his honour.

 Broomfield Monument to Gold Mining

In April 1939, around 300 people, including John Graham, were present at Broomfield Road, Broomfield for the unveiling of the Broomfield Memorial which includes these words: ‘This discovery of gold led to the opening up of the Spring Hill Leads, the richest deep alluvial goldfield in the world.’  Among the crowd were descendants of gold mining families, including John’s father, William Graham. At the unveiling, John Graham presented the Memorial to the President of the Shire of Creswick.

John Graham’s recording of oral history of the early families had started many years before the book was published and depicted what he described as, ‘the rough but interesting days of the gold rush'

A few quotes –

          ‘The summer of 1853-54 was very dry, and we …. had great difficulty in getting drinking water.  When an occasional shower fell, we were obliged to save as much as possible from the tent roof.’

          ‘I have seen a woman take her wedding ring off to buy a loaf of bread for 1/6d.’

          ‘It is hard for old Creswickites to believe the progress that has been made in hydraulic sluicing and dredging.  In the early days the tub and cradle, and then the advanced puddling machine were the best appliances.’

A description by John Graham of the Chinese during the gold rush –

          ‘Some of the inhabitants of China Town were to be seen heavily laden with baskets swung by ropes from the ends of bamboo poles …. The bearers moved with the characteristic rhythmical trot of the Chinese.’

The Creswick Contingent Eureka Stockade

Memorial Inscription – Calembeen Park

          ‘The Creswick contingent set out on 30 November 1854 from a grog shanty at Long Point, Creswick ….. it proceeded along the densely crowded Clark’s Flat, where stump orations were delivered and licenses burnt.  ….The scratch army swelled … until it reached 400 to 500.  …. But ‘a heavy thunderstorm not only drenched their bodies but cooled their ardour, and not many reached the Eureka Stockade.’