Martin Family History
Alan’s great great grandfather, Francis Stimpson Chapman (1823 – 1906), selected farm land at Lilicur (near Avoca) in central Victoria in the second half of the nineteenth century.
The farm was passed on to his daughter, Hannah, and her husband, Frank Martin (1884 – 1935), on his death in 1906.
Frank’s son, Arthur Martin (1908 – 1986), purchased additional property at Adelaide Lead in 1943 and relocated the house and family to be closer to the town facilities of Maryborough. His wife, Lalie, ran the Adelaide Lead Post Office from the house from 1943 until the mid 1950s – one of the few female post mistresses at the time.
Alan’s father, Frank Martin, worked with his father on the family farm and taught his sons the skills and knowledge of farming, and also encouraged their love of the bush and the environment.
Adelaide Lead
Gold was discovered at Adelaide Lead in 1854 and at its peak there were over 5000 people living in the district. However its glory was short-lived and the area became a farming community from the mid 1860s although there are many remnants of the golden years.
The area now consists of farming land, lifestyle living blocks and the Paddy’s Ranges State Park. |