04/08/2026
Some interesting facts from how the golf course started all those years ago, check out this page for lots of history of the Golf course and Goulburn in general.
The Historic Photo (Inset) shows the Golf Links Club House, the site of Joseph Hobley’s Cottage and Market Garden, viewed from “Rocky Hill”. This view shows clearly the line of Weeping Willow Trees, after which Captain Hovell’s original Market Garden was named. Hobley’s “Willow Gardens” was the “Principle Orchard” in Goulburn, established across the Mulwaree Ponds and ‘opposite the Scots’ Kirk’, also referred to as “opposite the Manse”, and as the song goes, “he must have been a gardener that cared a lot…”
…but the best ground to establish a farm can also be the most dangerous, and during Goulburn’s regular record-breaking floods, the family had to flee to higher ground to their nearest neighbour John Blackshaw’s stone white two-storey house, and witness their Market Garden being wiped out.
Even two-storeys, was not enough, and though “Blackshaw’s Garden” was slightly more protected, the Old Goulburnites not in immediate danger could only watch on or listen…for the firing of guns or the waving of handkerchiefs, to signal that Goulburn’s farmers were in distress.
In a reprint on 6th Sep 1899 of the Flood reported 15th Jun 1864, it was reported that “Several head of pigs, one or two cows and horses, and some dogs, were observed floating down the stream; but we believe no sheep. It may be remembered that in 1860 an entire flock belonging to Mrs. Gibson, were swept away. A stack of straw which Mr. Blackshaw had recently purchased from Mr. Hobley, adjoining whose garden it stood, was washed away. Mr. Hobley, who till recently rented the garden known as the Willow Garden, from Captain Hovell, was a considerable loser by the flood of 1860, and only a few weeks ago he removed to Bungonia…”
Vernal Hobley succeeded his father at the “Willow Gardens”.
Captain Hovell still retained ownership as well as the “Slaughter-house Paddock”.
7th Jan 1865
“THE UNDERSIGNED having put a new fence round his land, known as the Willow Garden and Slaughter-house Paddock, opposite this town, the whole being marked with a saw VI and the butts of the posts charred, Notice is hereby given that if any of the said fence should be carried away by floods and picked up, a reward will be given at the rate of twopence each for rails, and sixpence for every post delivered to me.
WM. H. HOVELL.
Goulburn, 6th January, 1865.”
The “Willow Gardens” were then rented from Captain Hovell by John Blackshaw. The Blackshaw name first published residing at “Willow Gardens” as “BIRTH. On the 6th instant at her residence, Willow Garden, Towrang, Mrs. C. BLACKSHAW, of a son.”
The next was John Blackshaw advertising the availability of cherries on 19th Dec 1866.
On 5th Apr 1881, Thomas Henry Byrne commenced advertising for hands from the “Willow Gardens”.
On 19th Feb 1887, an auction was announced for Thomas Byrne’s Farm Implements, Hay Stacks, and Equipment from the “Willow Gardens” to take place Mon 28th Feb 1887.
THE CAUSEWAY – NOW GOLF AVE
On 30th Nov 1895, Ald. Barrett moved "That tenders be called for a causeway or other suitable crossing over the Mulwarree River near Willow Gardens, subject to a satisfactory agreement being made with the University authorities and other property owners interested."
Seconded by Alderman P. McShane.
Alderman Ayling opposed the motion. The causeway would lead into a paddock, in which at present a notice was standing that trespassers would be prosecuted.
Aldermen Wilkie and Knowlman also opposed it, the latter describing the motion as being most vague. -
Alderman C. J. JcShane supported the resolution.
Alderman Barrett, in reply, resented what he called the firing of " cheap" and " alleged" wit about the room. This work was very necessary considering the number of railway people and others crossing the creek every day. Unless the agreement with the University was satisfactory nothing would come of the matter.
The motion was carried.”
GOULBURN GOLF LINKS
“GOLF MATCH AT GOULBURN.
The members of the Goulburn Golf Club, who have now very good links at Eastgrove, invited a party of Sydney players to Goulburn last week to play a match-not with any hope of proving victorious, but with the view of encouraging the game in Goulburn.”
(For the Full Story, see related articles on “Hobley’s Garden”, “Willow Gardens”, “Stewart’s Garden”, “Grunsell’s Garden” the “Mulwaree Gardens” and “Blackshaw’s Gardens”, and related places of interest including the Golf Links and “Blackshaw-road”.)
In relation to the Tannery, and a bit about Baxters -not 'since 1850'...
Haywood’s tannery became Teece’s in 1864, but didn’t become Baxter’s until 1886. Young Baxter arrived with his parents in Goulburn to become Teece’s apprentice, joining W. T. Wood to carry on Teece’s Boot Factory in 1884, & Teece’s steam tannery from 1885. In 1886, Baxter carried on both businesses & in 1907 built a new factory close to the old tannery. The tannery caught fire in 1938, & closed in 1953… but in 1957 came a familiar announcement that both before and after has plagued Goulburn History … that another ‘old landmark’, would go…
(See related Article on Baxters Boots and the History of the Tannery).
For subsequent republishing of any information, sources and citations contained in any articles and images, please acknowledge: Mousey the Historian – Goulburn’s Amazing Past, its buildings, stories and secrets
Harvard/Australian Citation
1864 'LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL.', The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle (NSW : 1864 - 1881), 15 June, p. 3. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104607955
1866 'Family Notices', The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle (NSW : 1864 - 1881), 27 October, p. 4. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100872155
1866 'Advertising', The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle (NSW : 1864 - 1881), 19 December, p. 3. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100871577
1881 'Advertising', Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940), 5 April, p. 2. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102821926
1884 'Correction.', Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940), 16 September, p. 2. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98434739
1887 'Advertising', Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940), 19 February, p. 3. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98463894
1895 'BOROUGH COUNCIL.', Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940), 30 November, p. 6. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98550425
1899 'GOLF MATCH AT GOULBURN.', Goulburn Evening Penny Post (NSW : 1881 - 1940), 25 July, p. 4. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98689176
1899 'FLOODS IN GOULBURN', Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1881 - 1907), 6 September, p. 2. , , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102215810
