Interesting People of Northcote
Most recent additions will be on top ...
See below for information about:
Rev Duncan Fraser, Old Northcote Boy: Shadows on the Screen, Ernest Bainbridge, Marie Pitt, Joan Rosanove, Ella Latham, Plant Dynasty (George Herbert & Frederick Joseph), Dennis Dynasty (William Henry & Samuel), C H James, Joe Fogg, Irene Donnett,
Note: All files are in PDF. (Where possible)
Three Northcote Women - Latham, Pitt & Rosanove. Details below.
Relevant dares here.
Nehemiah Guthridge
Melbourne Pioneer. With his nephew, Richard, built two substantial residences in Northcote in mid 1850s. Connection with Wesleyan schoolroom on High St. Substantial businessman with interests in land, insurance and ironmongery. Side interest in railways - involved with Hobsons Bay & Melbourne Railway Co. After leaving Northcote moved to Sale where he became involved in promoting the town.
Read about him and Turret House here.
Rev Duncan Fraser
Significant early identity in Northcote living here for some 24 years. In that time, he was, apart from being a minister, an instigator of Northcoe Health League, some early telephony, daughter with PLC and son with Vic Railways. He lobbied hard and was successful in moving the church from crnr Cunningham & High Sts to James St - a large brick structure. A big man on number of fronts.
Dennis Ward's article (2012) here gives an insight.
Shadows on the Screen ... by Old Northcote Boy.
1860-1880s reminiscences. Inc: Duncan Fraser & Science & horse ‘Charlie’, Old early Presbyterian churches, Aboriginals, N’cote's first cricket ground on top of Northcote Hill, other cricket reminiscences Alex Jamieson, Jim Morris (Morris & Meeks), Richard & Fanny Tobin, Paddy’s Market.
In the Oct 1920 a long article appeared in The Leader. Written by the 'Oldest Presbyterian'. First hand information on people above and cricket experiences.
Its in two parts in a JPG file: Part One and Part Two.
Ernie (Bainie) Bainbridge
World War 1 participant. Le Tour de France competitor 1928.
Read about him here.
Marie E J Pitt
Marie E J Pitt (nee McKeown 1869 – 1948) – ‘Clarke Street Lefty’
Lyrical & Romantic Poet, Socialist, Feminist, Pacifist, Unitarian.
Read about here here.
Joan Rosanove
Joan Rosanove (nee Lazarus 1897 - 1974). First Victorian female of the Bar.
Few Australian women have had as much influence on Australian women's lives than this famous divorce lawyer.
Read about her here.
Ella Latham
Ella Lathan (nee Tobin 1878-1964). Daughter of one of Nothcote's 'founding' families.
Married her sweetheart and later in life took over the reins of the Children's Hospital in Carlton. Implementing many changes. Husband became Attorney General.
Read about her here.
Plant family
The Plant family are an early family that settled in Northcote.
The most notable connection being as owners of the Peacock Hotel and contractors.
George Herbert Plant (1834-1895), Frederick Joseph Plant (1862-1934),
Read about them here.
Dennis family
Early settlers in Lower Northcote (Westgarth).
Contractors, builders and quarry holders. Significant family with much influence.
William Henry Dennis (1832-1909), Samuel Dennis (1869-1945), Annie Dennis
Read about this family here.
Charles Henry James
Irish Immigrant, Grocer, Land-boomer & Bankrupt. Developed much of Fairfield and middle Northcote. At one stage was arguably wealthiest man in Victoria.
Read about James here.
Old Northcote Baths - Fogg & Donnett
Frederick St (1923-1969). Early municipal swimming pool in Melbourne.
To encourage people to be more healthy but more importantly to 'drown proof' them.
Two significant people have connections:
Joe Fogg - Article in 1956 Northcote Leader about 'Foggie' and the pool: here is a link (p 1). Here is the second part of the article (p 14). Many older citizens of Northcote had their own tale to tell about Fogg!
Irene Donnett was a youngster when she participated in the Northcote Baths opening! Later becoming a springboard diving champion. Her family has produced many champions and trained countless others.
Joe Fogg biog here.
Jenny Donnett biog here.
page updated 17 Oct 2023