History

The first European settlers

Although Victoria was relatively slow to be explored by white colonists, it was settled extremely quickly. The squatting run was known as "Glenmore", which then took in the majority of the Rowsley Valley, changed hands for the second time in 1840, less than 5 years after the settlement of Melbourne and Geelong.

The new owners were two friends from Ireland, Charles Giffiths and James Moore. Griffith wrote this in his diary:

"We entered an open valley bounded by wooded hills...The road up this ran under trees, all the side of the hill being thickly wooded. Having surmounted this, there opened up on us a most beautiful valley... and at the end of this distance arrived at McKenzie's hut which is situated in the middle of this beautiful valley with plenty of water, capital feed and fine timber all round."

Griffith also wrote on the 12th Feb. 1841: A number of natives came and settled here on Monday, they seemed harmless..."

At about the same time, the west end of the valley (known as Yalloak Vale) was purchased by Charles Labilliere from London. He was the fourth owner.

Squatters and selectors

Up to 1840, all the land was held under lease renewed annually for 10 pounds. However as the leases could be cancelled at any time and without explanation, the squatters seldom spent much effort in improving their properties. On the purchase of their "Glenmore" run in 1840, Griffiths and Moore took ownership of tens of thousands of acres of land, of which only 7 acres was in crop. Very little of the land would have been cleared of trees or fenced.

In 1839 the land was surveyed and divided up for sale. Conditions of purchase of the selections included tree clearing, building construction and other works. The natural environment of the Rowsley valley changed rapidly. The hills and scarps were virtually denuded. In 1865 rabbits began to spread across Victoria. Rowsley valley became infested with them. Erosion and ladn degradation were already in an advanced state by 1911.