I tried to include the bird’s nest (most likely from a magpie)
in the top of the oak tree, but was determined to not have to
get down on the soggy ground to do so! Not much dedication
shown there, then.
Botanical textures underfoot
Snowdrops flower resolutely along one side of the little church
Hard to resist taking a photo of a road-killed buck kangaroo,
who clearly didn’t find salvation for his troubles at this chapel.
In researching the history of Roseneath, I found the following information on the Heritage Victoria website:
The land on which St. Catherine’s Anglican Church stands was donated by Mr. Charles Simson of nearby Roseneath, a squatting run which his father, Rev. Charles Simson, a Presbyterian Minister had acquired with partners, in 1853. He also donated the timber for the building. Tenders were called in the Casterton Advertiser newspaper in August 1904. It is not known who designed the church, as no early minutes or other sources have been found, but the builder was Mr. Foster, who carted the timber to the site and constructed the church in 1905. The first service was held on 12th March 1905, with a congregation of 70 attending. Although this was the first service in the present building, Parish documents suggest that the Roseneath area had services from 1847. The earliest services were probably held at the Roseneath homestead and subsequently services were held, usually monthly, in the Red Cap Common School. The Education Department ‘supplied a school-house “of brick or stone” to accommodate 40 pupils’ which opened in June 1876 (Dept. of Education, 1973, Vol. z., p.61). The first Bishop of the Diocese of Ballarat, Bishop Thornton held a service in May 1887 at the Common School at Red Cap (Black, 21). The last service at the Common School was held on Sunday 12th February 1905 (ibid.). In 1905, the Roseneath Run was subdivided as 15,210 acres (7,084ha) of first class agricultural and grazing land (Casterton News, 19 October 1905). The successful sale of much of the land would have increased the local population and may have put pressure on the use of the school. It may also have provided the money for Charles Simson’s patronage.
The church was officially dedicated to Saint Catherine of Sienna, although it is believed that this was because Mr. Charles Simson’s wife was also named Catherine (also spelt Katherine). The trees around the church were planted in July 1937 to commemorate the gifts and support of the Simson family. The church was recently sold into private ownership.
precious ruthless captures 