Updated 19 March 2025
On Robertson Descendants Day, Sunday 12 February, 2012,
descendants of early Victorian pioneers,
William Robertson, 1795-1891 and Marion McGilchrist, 1793-1866,
came from far and wide to gather at the Robertson Family Pioneer Cemetery, Wooling Hill Garden Estate, 372 Barringo Road,
New Gisborne, Vic, to commemorate the memory of
William Robertson - Marion (McGilchrist) Robertson,
and Robertson descendants for whom the
pioneer cemetery is their final resting place.
The pioneer cemetery memorial service, organised by
fifth generation - third great granddaughter,
Lyn (Power) Maher and husband Alan,
supported by the then property owners,
Helen and Roger Smith,
of Wooling Hill Garden Estate,
took place in beautiful countryside at the foot of
Mount Macedon,
on what was once part of Wooling,
the original Robertson homestead.
Invited Guests,
Ms Joanne Duncan, MP, Member for Macedon,
Cr Henry McLaughlin,
Mayor, Macedon Ranges Shire Council,
Cr's Rob Guthrie, Helen Relph, MRSC South Ward,
Helen & Roger Smith, Wooling Hill Garden Estate,
Phyllis and Ian Boyd,
Mount Macedon Districts Historical Society,
were joined by a large gathering of Robertson descendants,
many of whom had not previously visited
the Robertson family pioneer cemetery.
The memorial service, was opened by,
Ms Joanne Duncan, MP, Member for Macedon,
with
Cr Henry McLaughlin,
Mayor, Macedon Ranges Shire Council,
providing the opening address.
providing the opening address.
Pastor George McConaghie
St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Gisborne,
conducted a Church service in recognition
of William Robertson's strong commitment
to the Gisborne Presbyterian Church.
St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Gisborne,
conducted a Church service in recognition
of William Robertson's strong commitment
to the Gisborne Presbyterian Church.
William Robertson and Marion McGilchrist,
provided a summary of their 1833 departure from the
Port of Leith, Scotland, bound for the New World.
Di (ROBERTSON) Smith, a third great granddaughter,provided a status report on a nomination to Heritage Victoria,
(supported by the owners of Wooling Hill Garden Estate)
for the Robertson Family Pioneer Cemetery
to be included on the Heritage Victoria Register.
a sixth generation - fourth great granddaughter,
provided a vocal rendition of;
Advance Australia Fair, Amazing Grace,
and
and
"How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds",
from the
from the
Scottish Book of Hymns.
Bruce Hocking, Head Piper for the
Victorian Scottish Pipe Association,
provided a piped rendition of
Scotland the Brave, Amazing Grace.
and
Teach Chlan Donnachaidh
"The Robertson's Have Arrived"
Victorian Scottish Pipe Association,
provided a piped rendition of
Scotland the Brave, Amazing Grace.
and
Teach Chlan Donnachaidh
"The Robertson's Have Arrived"
of Wooling Hill Garden Estate,
unveiled the Rock Remembrance Wall,
purpose built by Wooling Hill Garden Estate,
for Robertson Descendants Day, 2012
to commemorate the memory of each of
William Robertson and Marion McGilchrist's
six children who accompanied them to Australia in 1833,
Elizabeth - 1818-1853, Marion - 1821-1858, \
James - 1823-1908, William - 1825- 1892,
Lillias - 1826-1913, Jean - 1832-1920
A seventh child, Johanna, 1830 -1832,
had passed away prior to their departure.
placement in the Robertson Family Pioneer Cemetery,
to commemorate the memory of a loved Robertson ancestor.
Barbara (KERSLEY) Moore, a fourth great granddaughter,
planted a tree in the Robertson Family Pioneer Cemetery,
on behalf of all ROBERTSON descendants,
to commemorate
Robertson Descendants Day, 12 February, 2012
Robertson Descendants Day, 12 February, 2012
At the conclusion of the Robertson Family Pioneer Cemetery,
Robertson descendants were invited to follow the
Robertson descendants were invited to follow the
Robertson Trail Map,
which highlighted points of interest along the way from
Wooling Hill Garden Estate to the Gisborne Mechanics Institute Hall
relating to the life of William Robertson
which highlighted points of interest along the way from
Wooling Hill Garden Estate to the Gisborne Mechanics Institute Hall
relating to the life of William Robertson
Gisborne Mechanic's Institute Hall
Wooling Hill Robertson Descendant's Day Wine
The old Gisborne Court House home to the
Gisborne and Mount Macedon District's Historical Society,
was opened for Robertson descendants' to research family History
Gisborne and Mount Macedon District's Historical Society,
was opened for Robertson descendants' to research family History
A timber framed (95cm x 45cm) mounted photo ofWooling Homestead - The Residence of William Robertson JP
Barringo Road, New Gisborne
depicting the Robertson family home and other buildings
is available upon request
Robertson Descendants upon request.
Copies are available at the
State Library
Gisborne Library
Gisborne Historical Society
Details at http://www.robertsondvd.blogspot.com
Copies are available at the
State Library
Gisborne Library
Gisborne Historical Society
Details at http://www.robertsondvd.blogspot.com