Have you any memories of rural Victorian guesthouses?
February 2, 2017 by J-Wire Staff
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The Victorian Australian Jewish Historical Society is anecdotes and memories of rural holiday spots frequented in the past by Jewish families.
Carrington House, Daylesford
There must be many members of the community who remember the various Jewish-owned guesthouses in rural and semi-rural Victoria. They had their heyday in the immediate post-war decades and attracted Jewish Melburnians, particularly those of European origin, who were out on Sunday drives. These guesthouses acted as venues for coffee, cake and conversation, and thus promoted social bonding. Some could also be booked for family vacations.
Dr Howard Freeman writes: “As co-editors of the Journal of the Australian Jewish Historical Society (Victoria), Dr Hilary Rubinstein and I are hoping to include an article in a forthcoming issue about these guesthouses, their characteristics, role and significance.
We would be interested in receiving reminiscences about such venues, which could be woven into such an article.
To our knowledge, there were, for example, such venues at Bayswater, Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, Warburton, Mt Buffalo and the Dandenongs. The latter, we believe, was favoured by a Yeshivah-oriented clientele. There was also, we understand, one at Kalorama called “Yosemite” whose Czech-born owner, hoping to expand his business, decorated the driveway with international flags. A furore erupted over the inclusion of a German flag, and existing clientele deserted in droves.
I would like to hear from anyone with memories or anecdotes to impart.
or by phone on (03) 9686 0044.
