1. Catherine Emma GREGG
2. Thelma Grace GREGG
3. Richard John GREGG
4. Daniel Neal GREGG
5. Sarah May GREGG
6. Flora May GREGG
7. Angus William GREGG

Notes

John Gregg, born at Clunes Road in the Shire of Creswick, was the fourth son of Richard and Catherine Gregg.

He was eight years old when his parents moved from the goldmining area, Maryfield, to the virgin forest of Poowong.

John told us how they travelled by train from Clunes to Drouin, thence by horse-drawn dray to the property of Mr. Alexander Gillan, at Poowong North. There they remained until provision was made to house the family on their own property, known as 'Woodland Park".

It was from 'Woodland Park that John, at the age of 10 years, was able to attend school regularly at Poowong. With his brothers and sisters, he walked two miles each way, along a rough road, which at that period, was shaded by tall timber, and consequently was very wet and muddy, most of the time.

Counting Koalas, known as 'native bears' was a favourite study when going to and from school. As many as one hundred were sometimes. John steadily improved the property by clearing all the dead timber and cultivating the land for growing acres of onions, peas and potatoes. Oats were grown annually, harvested with reaper and binder, then cut into chaff for use as extra fodder for dairy cows and working horses. John was quick off the mark when mechanised aids for farming became available. For many years, his was the only reaper and binder in the district and it was eagerly sought after at harvest time.

There was great excitement when a Benzine-powered engine was installed to drive the chaff cutter, previously operated by hand. A homemade elevator conveyed the chaff to a specially built room. This was sixty-four years ago, and the room is still there today. In 1920, one hundred and twenty acres, including the house, were sold to William McCord.

John then purchased three hundred and twenty acres at £14-17-6 per acre from the Colgan brothers. This land adjoined 'Woodland Park' on the eastern boundary. He named this property "Musk Vale". The remainder of 'Woodland Park' was farmed with "Musk Vale" and later transferred to his son, Daniel.

With his wife and five children, John moved to "Musk Vale" on 1st. July, 19 20. The transformation of this property, completely run down and smothered with bracken fern, to a flourishing farm in the space of eleven years, is another story. However, credit of the highest order must go to John for his foresight, management, and hard work. We must not forget the help and support given by his wife and family through a most difficult period of rural depression.

With the opening of the Poowong North State School, Number 4102, in May, 1922, the eldest four of his family transferred from Poowong School to Poowong North, which the whole family attended. John took an active part in establishing this school. He was President of the foundation Committee and held that office, giving wise counsel and valuable service, until he retired twelve years later.

It is pleasing to record that John lived to enjoy the benefit of his labours, and derived much satisfaction in transferring thirty-five acres of "Musk Vale", adjoining the original 'Woodland Park" to his son, Daniel; eighty acres adjoining John Tandberg's "Femgrove", to his daughters May and Flora Gregg; and the remainder, including the home, to Angus, the youngest of his family of seven.

In his latter years John lived with May and Flora and was admitted to the Korumburra Hospital on 21st. December, 1953, and passed away the following morning. The funeral was to the Poowong Cemetery from the Presbyterian Church, with the service being conducted by the Rev. Smale. John's passing closed the chapter in history of Richard and Catherine and their family.

"Musk Vale" is a living memorial to our parents, John and Grace Gregg.

Nichole Lynn GREGG