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| THE UEBERGANG FAMILY STORY |
The Ubergang family have been closely connected with the Allansford
district since the 1850's, originally owning properties at 'Hopkins Hill',
'Briarwood' and 'Tooram Park'. The Ubergang family originally migrated
from Silesia (now part of Germany) in the 1840's. Their reasons for leaving
Silesia for what must have been a most uncertain future were varied, but
included the desire for freedom of
religious worship and an escape from the rigorous military regulation of
civilian life.
In 1906, Charles Uebergang, the fourth generation of Uebergangs to live
and farm the Allansford district, wanting to see his sons established on
farms of their own, purchased sections of the 'Tooram' estate, south of
Allansford.
Further purchases were made in 1906 and 1912, the second of these
being on the Hopkins River, where the manager's residence was situated.
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Charles farmed "Tooram Park' with his sons, Percy and Thomas, until
1914, when Thomas Uebergang passed away suddenly at the age of
eighteen. Three years later, Charles too, passed away. Mrs Eliza
Uebergang continued on at 'Tooram Park' until 1924, then moved to
Warrnambool when her eldest son, Percy, married. Percy and his wife,
Myrtle, had two children in 1926, twins Ray and Joyce Uebergang.
Percy took a keen interest in dairy farming, producing his own cheese on
the property until 1938. When he died suddenly in 1950, his wife
continued on the farm until her own death in 1971. "Tooram Park' was
then left to the twins, Ray and Joyce.
Ray Uebergang managed the estate until his death in June, 1985. He left
everything he owned to Joyce, who remained at 'Tooram Park' until she
herself passed away in March 1992. Since neither Ray or Joyce ever
married and had no close relatives to inherit their estate, Joyce decided to
set up a trust fund in honour of her brother, Ray, to be administered by
Taits Solicitors and Coffey Hunt and Co. who together have represented
her family since 1890's.
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| THE UEBERGANG COLLECTION |
The Uebergang Collection is administered and maintained by the
Uebergang Foundation set up under the conditions of Joyce Uebergang's
will. The Foundation also administers a trust fund, which is used to
provide assistance to local charitable organisations such as churches,
youth groups and educational bodies.
Joyce was particularly keen that any items of historical interest that had
been accumulated by her family over the years should be put on public
display for the benefit of the people of Warrnambool and surrounding
districts.
When Cheese World was considering setting up a display of historical
artifacts, they contacted the Foundation about the possibility of housing
part of the Uebergang Collection in their new museum. As you can see,
this has resulted in visitors to the museum being provided with a
fascinating insight into the everyday life of a local farming family over the
best part of a century.
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