The 12 Days of Cachemas (TDOC23) is a series of 78 caches, events and adventure labs placed across Victoria to celebrate Cachemas in July in 2023. The series is a joint initiative of Geocaching Victoria and the local community to release caches in a different category each day across the state. We hope you have as much fun finding this series, as we had placing them. Now on to the cache.
On the eleventh day of Cachemas, Signal gave to me,
eleven multis staging,
ten mysteries solving,
nine letters boxing,
eight gadgets tricking,
seven TOTTs a-needing,
six events meeting,
five adventure labs,
four active CITOs,
three quirky challenges,
two earthcaches
and a wherigo up in a tree.
Werribe Cemetery was established in the 1860s. The monuments and markers found across the grounds represent a broad cross-section of Werribee's diverse multicultural history. The cemetery is also home to both a public mausoleum and a number of impressive private ones. Opening hours are 0700 - 1730, and 0700-1930 during daylight saving. This cache will introduce you to three notable members of the local community who all served as Shire President or Mayor.
Councillor William Henry Lohse was born in 1881, in Victoria, and married Lillias Georgina Gunn in 1911. About 1913 William became Secretary of the Richmond Football Club, a role he held until 1916. He was the inaugural President of the Werribee District Cricket Association (1921), Laverton School Board (1922), Laverton Progress Association (1923) and served on the Werribee Mechanics’ Hall committee. In 1928, on his third attempt, that he was elected as the East Riding representative on the Werribee Shire council. William served on the council until his retirement, from council, in 1945 having served as Mayor from 1928 to 1939. He died suddenly on 18 May 1955 at his Geelong Road, Werribee home, leaving his wife and five adult children. Lohse Street Laverton is named for him.
Councillor Joseph John O'Connor, also known as J.J, or Joe, was born in Co.Kerry, Ireland on the 5th April 1866. He emigrated to Melbourne in the late 1880's and worked on the O'Connor farm in Mt Blackwood, and on various Council projects with his Uncles Michael and Maurice and his cousins Joseph & Michael. In 1895, the O'Connors relocated to what is now known as Werribee South. Joe's uncle, Michael O'Connor had already leased some land from the Chirnsides in the Werribee South area which he later bought, and also bought 75 acres from the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1901. Their farm was located on the land between, what later became known as O'Connor's Road, and Duncan's Road. After marrying Ellen Crowe ( a farmers daughter from Pentland Hills/Myrniong area) in 1897, Joe moved around between Carrum, Werribee, Lara/Little River as a farmer for nearly 30 yrs, He moved back to Werribee about 1925 and got involved in Werribee politics. On 22nd August 1935 he was voted onto Council for the first time. In 1941–1942, he was appointed President of the Shire of Werribee Council. On 23rd February 1942 at the Werribee Magistrates Court, Joe was sworn in as an Honorary Justice, and sat on The Bench at the Werribee Courthouse. On 13th August 1945 he announced his retirement from Werribee Council. He died at his residence ''Rivergrove'' near the Ballan Rd on 29th December 1950. He is buried at Werribee Cemetery along with his wife Ellen and his younger brother Matthew (d; 1926). Joe had no children.
Councillor James Dennis Bellin was born in the Werribee district in 1913. James enlisted in the Australian Army during WWII on 21 March 1941 and served with the 32nd Battalion. Following the end of WWII, he returned to Laverton to live and work. James served on the Shire of Werribee council for 27 years (1955 to 1982) representing the East Riding until 1961 and then the South Riding following a redistribution, also in 1961. He served as Shire President in 1957 – 58, 1966 – 67 and then 1978 – 79. James married Doreen Lily Fisher on 7 January 1942. James passed away on 8 November 1989 and Doreen on 23 August 2015. Both are buried in the Werribee cemetery. Bellin Street in Laverton is named for the Bellin family.