Pioneer Pathway
The Pioneer Pathway is an initiative of the Dromana and District Historical Society. Several members of the society are descendants of the early settlers who came to the area before 1875. They felt that the pioneering work and achievements of their forebears should have permanent recognition. Hours of researching family histories and two years of fund raising were to pass before the project was ready to commence. Then a team of members spent many weekends working together to construct the pathway and plant out the garden. Hillview Quarries kindly donated the three large rocks on which the plaques bearing the names of the first family members and the date of their arrival are placed. The plaques were paid for by the families.
On 10 November 1990 several hundred friends and relatives were present at the dedication and unveiling of the first twenty plaques naming families who settled around the district, including such places as Jamieson’s Special Survey, Dromana, McCrae, Boneo Rosebud and Red Hill.
Five years later, on 8 April 1995, twelve more plaques were added to the Pathway and the occasion was again celebrated by many friends, descendants and members of the community.
The Pathway is maintained by members of the society.
Pioneer Pathway - Main Plaque
THIS 'PIONEER PATHWAY'
IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SETTLED PERMANENTLY
IN THIS DISTRICT PRIOR TO 1875
AND THROUGH THEIR STRENGTH AND DETERMINATION
PAVED THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
A PROJECT OF
DROMANA &DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC.
DEDICATED 10th NOVEMBER 1990
Smaller Plaques for each Family
| Family Members | Year of Arrival |
|---|---|
| Adams Capt. Henry Everest and Eliza | 1845 |
| Arkwell John and Hannah | 1862 |
| Blakeley William and Martha | 1865 |
| Bucher Henry and Ann | 1865 |
| Burrell Joseph and Charlotte and Family | 1851 |
| Cairns Robert and Mary | 1852 |
| Chapman George and Elisabeth | 1859 |
| Chapman George and Isabella | 1870 |
| Cleine Charles and Elizabeth | 1867 |
| Clydesdale James and Julia | 1860 |
| Crichton John and Jane | c1860 |
| Dyson John and Mary Ann | 1863 |
| Gibson Walter and Margaret | c1855 |
| Gibson William and John Thomas (Red Hill) | 1871 |
| Griffith Abraham and Rebecca | 1854 |
| Huntley John and Catherine Evelyn | 1851 |
| McLear Mary Anne and Children | 1851 |
| McIlroy William and Margaret | 1862 |
| McKeown James and Catherine | 1864 |
| Moat William and Esther | 1864 |
| Oswin John and Georgina | 1867 |
| Patterson James and Sarah | 1852 |
| Peaty George and Susan and Family | 1858 |
| Rudduck Nelson and Jane | 1872 |
| Shand Alexander and Charlotte and Family | 1872 |
| Shaw Benjamen and Elizabeth | 1875 |
| Simpson Joseph and Maryann | 1873 |
| Singleton William and Christine | 1864 |
| White Robert and Mary Hannah | 1875 |
| Wilson Henry W and Thamer | 1860 |
| Wilson Sarah and Family | 1855 |
| Wiseman James and Christina | 1862 |