BY Pam Richmond
THE first ferryman to French Island, Les Peterson, was once required to deliver a baby on a trip to the island.
When author Christine Dineen related this story to a roomful of fascinated locals in Corinella recently, Les’s daughter happened to be in the audience and told how she was named after the ferry.
Local history doesn’t get much more immediate than that!
U3A BASS Valley combined with the Corinella District Community Centre to host Christine’s fascinating presentation about French Island’s history, people, flora and fauna.
THE first ferryman to French Island, Les Peterson, was once required to deliver a baby on a trip to the island.
When author Christine Dineen related this story to a roomful of fascinated locals in Corinella recently, Les’s daughter happened to be in the audience and told how she was named after the ferry.
Local history doesn’t get much more immediate than that!
U3A BASS Valley combined with the Corinella District Community Centre to host Christine’s fascinating presentation about French Island’s history, people, flora and fauna.
Her pocket guide to the island, French Island - A Visitor’s Guide, now in its third edition, is written for people who plan to visit the island or would like to gain an insight into what it has to offer and why French Island is such an amazing natural asset that needs to be preserved for future generations.
It contains not only the wisdom and insights of French Islanders collected over 30 years, but also interesting anecdotes and stories not found elsewhere. She talked about the hardship faced by an early teacher who described how the schoolroom floor often flooded with water.
We were also aghast to hear that at one time a former Premier of Victoria, Sir Henry Bolte, considered it a suitable site for a nuclear power plant. Things have come a long way since. Now about 70 per cent of the island is national park.
It contains not only the wisdom and insights of French Islanders collected over 30 years, but also interesting anecdotes and stories not found elsewhere. She talked about the hardship faced by an early teacher who described how the schoolroom floor often flooded with water.
We were also aghast to hear that at one time a former Premier of Victoria, Sir Henry Bolte, considered it a suitable site for a nuclear power plant. Things have come a long way since. Now about 70 per cent of the island is national park.
Pam Richmond, left, presented Christine with flowers. Christine’s presentation was well received and the U3A Bass Valley Committee is considering organising an excursion to the island to make full use of her collected knowledge.
This was the first in our series, Learning with Locals, designed to share local stories and experiences from our community. There are so many extraordinary stories from ordinary people that we want to hear about.
Pam Richmond is president of U3A Bass Valley.
This was the first in our series, Learning with Locals, designed to share local stories and experiences from our community. There are so many extraordinary stories from ordinary people that we want to hear about.
Pam Richmond is president of U3A Bass Valley.