Christmas 1908 – Miss Sutherland and children

The year 1909 was pivotal for the beginnings of Sutherland Home at Diamond Creek and it was the year that both Auguste Elise Meglin and Selina Murray Sutherland passed away.

The children’s home was of course named for Miss Sutherland and some who have been familiar with Sutherland Homes over the years will also be familiar with the name Meglin.

Auguste Meglin was an independently wealthy lady having inherited much of her brother’s fortune on his death in 1874 – he was one of the original prospectors with the Walhalla Company and on his death was one of its largest shareholders. Over the following years, she was known for her generosity to many and various causes and those in need. A newspaper article in October 1909 describes her well – A Victorian eccentricity was Miss Meglin, who recently “passed out.” The railway men loved the sight of her has she took journeys up and down to town per rail, as she usually tipped in sovereigns and rarely demanded change. Living first in East Melbourne, she removed to Diamond Creek, where she died. Her house was a storing place for all the things she used to buy on her spending outbursts. She would go to town with a bag of sovereigns on her arm (up to as many as two hundred), and supply hampers anonymously to poor people, and buy all manner of things, which were sent to her home. These things ranged from rabbit traps to cholera belts. Her charities were so veiled that not even her banker knew of them, as they were always entered up as “Household expenses.” She had inherited the bulk of £30,000 left to her (and a sister, who died) by a brother. As she lived simply (except, for her benefactions), much of this must still exist. It is all left (with exception of a few legacies) to her favorite charities — the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Miss Sutherland’s Home.

The bequest from Miss Meglin’s will to Miss Sutherland, following her death in July, was arranged in advance with
‘40 acres of land, with a number of cottages and a large building as a suitable home for the waifs and strays under
Miss Sutherland’s care’. Miss Sutherland had long been involved with efforts to save and support neglected children
in Melbourne. Her earlier years after arriving in New Zealand from her native Scotland saw her philanthropic efforts
put towards nursing and hospitals. On her arrival in Melbourne in 1881 she was appointed lady missionary of the
Scot’s Church Neglected Children’s Aid Society. Two years later she established the Melbourne Maternity Home,
then in 1885 founded the Melbourne District Nursing Society, both institutions were to save the lives of infants and
make safe many children of destitute parents. Miss Sutherland was appointed in 1886 the first lady missionary to the
Presbyterian Church and followed by being the first in Victoria approved to receive children under the Neglected
Children’s Act. Her involvement with the Presbyterian Church continued into the 1890’s when she established the
Presbyterian Neglected Children’s Aid then the Victorian Neglected Children’s Aid Society.

Selina Murray Sutherland

The new society prospered and added to its city receiving centre with a home in Parkville which was extended twice and in 1905 named the Sutherland Home. In mid-1908 Miss Sutherland and her supporters set up the The Sutherland Homes for Orphans, Neglected and Destitute Children in the centre of the city.

Miss Meglin’s generous gift in 1909 of the buildings and property at Diamond Creek plus a substantial share of her estate, would allow Miss Sutherrland to extend and carry on her work at this new location. Plans to remove the main operation there were completed in September that year. However, Miss Sutherland died suddenly on 8th October, the day she was to take possession.

Members of Miss Sutherland’s committee voiced the opinion that the most enduring monument they could erect to her memory was to enthusiastically carry out the work she had left behind. The committee took up the property soon after her passing and her work was to continue. The Diamond Creek home received its first 10 children and Miss Selina Sutherland. The original 68 Latrobe Street home in the city continued under Miss Sanderson who had worked with Miss Sutherland for many years as matron. A permanent matron was needed for Diamond Creek and in November, Miss Sturt, daughter of the late explorer Captain Sturt, was put in charge of the home and the children there.

By the end of 1909 it was reported that Sutherland Home at Diamond Creek had been received without immediate funds to support it, so appeals were raised to do so. Generous donations from across the city were given.

The committee intended that when annuities from Miss Meglin’s will ceased in 30 years the home at Diamond Creek would be self-funding. It did continue for many years beyond that, and some of us well remember either going to school with or playing sport with and against students from Sutherland Homes and Meglin.