READERS of a certain age would remember there were many garages in central Bendigo, including those in View Street and Hargreaves Street. All have disappeared, but one remains – Doherty’s Garage in St Andrew’s Avenue.
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This garage was opened 60 years ago and was originally called Aldos Auto Repairs after its two owners, Alf and Dorothy Doherty. Alf was born in Shepparton, served in New Guinea in World War II, was wounded and returned to Australia, where he was put in charge of German “interns” at Graytown. Dorothy came from Mount Camel, near Tooleen.
After Graytown, Alf worked in Melbourne and he rode his motorbike to the Heathcote Dance to see Dorothy. He later worked at Bendigo’s Provincial Motors. In 1954, he bought land on the present site of the garage, plus the block next door and a brick “Council House” at the back of the garage in Market Lane which is still standing. Alf also built the garage as it is today.
There were originally four of these “Houses” which were used for stall holders when markets were held in this area.
Alf specialised in front-end work and people still come from all over regional Victoria to have this kind of repair work done at Doherty’s. He was a perfectionist and always kept his workshop clean.
Alf’s son, Howard Doherty, started his apprenticeship with his father under the watchful eye of Scot, George Fotheringham, who had an office at Specimen Cottage, now home to the Bendigo Historical Society.
Howard was able to point out the numerous businesses and houses on both sides of St Andrew’s Avenue. Readers may recall some, if not all these: on the south side, starting from the now Centrelink building were offices of the State Electricity Commission, a fruit shop, Ron Barker’s second-hand place, the rear entrance of which led to Abbott’s Supply, a laneway which once led to a powder magazine, a solid brick house with granite steps belonging to Mr and Mrs Lang, which was directly opposite Doherty’s Garage, Jack Henderson’s Joinery, a vacant block and a hotel in Myers Street.
On the garage side, beginning at Myers Street, were two-storey town houses with magnificent cast iron fence and gates (this gate may be seen on the entrance to the chartered accountants in 61-65 Bull Street). All the buildings were bulldozed to make way for Oakley’s funeral parlour.
Next door was Vic Smyth’s commercial airconditioning factory, the brick Commonwealth bank manager’s house, Doherty’s Garage and Cowling’s grain store. There were three buildings like the present Parking and Animal Office, Alan Semmens’s Chain Saws and the Sandhurst Hotel, which when demolished made way for the present day council offices. Three large oregon beams in the garage came from this hotel.
Doherty’s Garage still has the petrol bowsers from Mobilgas and the Golden Fleece service station with signs attached, one of which was later found at the Dohertys’ Marong farm and re-attached to the bowser.
Would any reader who has memories of the “old” St Andrew’s Avenue please contact the Bendigo Historical Society at Specimen Cottage on 5441 3443 on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 10am and 4pm-4pm?
Thanks to Howard Doherty for his assistance with this article..
Christmas history books
Books by well-known Bendigo historians James Lerk, Rita Hull, John Kelly and Carol Holsworth, plus Bendigo Historical Society publications on Major-General Rankin, Railways 150th, Historic Guides, and photos and postcards all at very reasonable prices at Specimen Cottage. See also the Rotary New Generation Calendar with fine photos of “old Bendigo”.
Tours
Shamrock Hotel every Sunday at 2pm. Cost $10 includes cake and coffee. To book, call 5443 0333.
Specimen Cottage (178 Hargreaves Street) Tuesdays at 11am. Cost $5 includes morning tea.
Visit the Bendigo Historical Society website at www.bendigohistory.com