Jean Pierre Trouette^[1]

Abt 1833 - 1885  (~ 52 years)

• Name	Jean Pierre Trouette
  	The Age , Saturday, March 25, 1944 Pioneers of Great Western The Story of St Peter's Vineyard By L.L.B St. Peter's, St. Ethel's , St Nocholas', St George, small but once prosperous vineyards in the sheltered valley where Great Western lies midway between Ararat and Stawell, are now little more than remembered names and buildings fallen into ruins. St George has been absorbed into one of the larger vineyards which has made Great Western wines known throughout Australia, and soon all trace of St. Peter?s , which has the most romantic history of , will have vanished from the hillside where, over 80 years ago, the brothers-in-law, Trouette & Blampied, commenced the culture of the vine in a climate which they found similar to that of the south of France. The story of the French colony at Great Western began in 1852, when a girl aged 20 and a boy of 15, members of a large family of Lorraine farmers, seceretly left their home after inducing their father of landlord to make the necessary ariangements for their passage to Australia abroad an English ship. News of the gold discoveries had fired the imagination of the pair and induced them to venture across the world. They never separated. The sister married a Frenchman among the miners at Beechworth, and eventually the party reached Great Western and became the pioneers of the wine-growing industry there. They were not, however, the first the first French settlers at Great Western. In 1857 Monsiur Durant and another Frenchman established a vegetable garden near the scene, in the later years, of the Shakespeare diggings, finding a good market among the thousands of miners then camped on the Ararat gold fields. In 1858 their garden was purchased by Jean Pierre Trouette, whose old homestead and wine cellars, built on the plan of an old French farmhouse of last centuary, have been offered for sale, and will soon pass into the wrecker?s hands. Magnificent Orchard Here M. Trouette, with the assistance of his wife's brother, began to cultivate the vine in 1863. They first planted half an acre:in 1864, 4 acres: in 1865, 3 acres: in 1866, 7 acres. In his nursery in 1867 he had 50,000 vines 2,000 fruit trees of many varieties. The road leading to the house was planted on one side with cherries, on the other with plums. Lines of trees marked the boundary fences and divided one plantation from another. On two terraces near the creek cherries and quinces were planted, and along the margin of the creek were weeping willows, bamboos and poplars. Twenty-five acres of rented land was used for the production of root crops and cereals. Of all this pleasant cultivation only a few hardy quince trees, by the creek, and two or three old poplars by the gate of the once busy and prosperous homestead now remain, and sheep graze on the slopes where the maturing sun conspired ?to load and bless with fruit and vines. An experienced vigneron of the Department of Gers, M. Trouette was soon competing successfully with the older vineyards of the colony. In 1866, three years after his first vines were planted, he made 500 gallons of wine, and was awarded a gold medal for his white wine and a first- class certificate for his red wine at the Intercolonial Exhibition. Friendly with the Trouettes, and noting their success, the late Joseph Best, an uncle of the present Archdeacon of Ballarat, planted vines on the west side of the valley in a vineyard which was afterwards developed into the largest champagne vineyard in Australia. Gold was discovered in the vicinity in February, 1858. Diggers brought in their train storekeepers, shanty owners and all the flotsam and jetsom of humanity. . By June Great Western could boast "a police camp, post office, dissenting chapel and reading room." Nightly performances were given at a small theatre at the Hotel de Paris, billiard tables, and gambling rooms helped to part the digger from his hard-earned gold: a German band arrived, and the Golden Age Hotel was from Ararat to gladden the hearts of the inhabitants of the west. Even the school master followed the rush, and without seeking authority removed the school building from Armstrongs to Great Western, his enterprise resulting in his immediate dismissel. The usual trouble in cases where gold fields adjoined squatting leases occurred, and it was not long before the miners were holding indignation meetings to protest the impounding of their cattle and pigs, and the steps taken by the owner of Alan Vale Station, Mr. Ewbank, to remove their tents from the roadside. Short-Lived boom The hectic excitement of the gold rush was short-lived. A year later, on April 8, 1859, the reporter observed:- ?Great Western presents a very dejected appearance to the scene of the once-buisy township, being a perfect picture of ruin and desolation, as if an invading army had passed over it.? Those who remained had enough faith in the future to send a petition that a township be sold, and the district surveyer marked it out between Wilson?s Bull?s Head Hotel and Cook?s Half-Way House. The first blocks were sold at a land sale on January 20, 1860. At this time the population was 500 Europeans and 130 Chinise. Among old residents there is a tradition that the name suggested by the inhabitants of the new was Great Eastern, after the well known paddle boat of that day which laid the trans Atlantic telegraph cable. The mining Warden, J. G. Taylor immediately replied:-"No, Great Western, for these are the most important westerly diggings in the colony." It is significant that most of the names of the Great Western streets (Nell, Stephenson, Rennie, Locke, Brunel, Cubitt, Paxton) are those of old -time shipping engineers or of men associated in some way with Great Eastern. None of the customary signs of a decayed mining centre are evident at Great Western now. The Inner-State highway passes here through an avenue of English trees, and solid brick stores, cottage gardens bright with flowers: two or three well cared-for little churches have a background of vineyards and eucalypt forests. A white gravel road branching easterly leads to the old home of the Trouettes & the Blampieds. The rusty wine press, the kitchen with its stone-flagged floor and large open fireplace fitted with iron hooks are mute reminders of the kindly, industrious French colonists whose hospitality was a feature of Great Western life in the 70's and 80's of last centuary. Memorable Feast At one of these fate days, held on the Queen's birthday in 1883, Hubert de Castella was present, and he vividly describes the scene in his second book of Australia sketches, "John Bull's Vineyard." "Over fifty guests sat at the tables, which were covered with white cloths, and laden with fat turkeys, fowels, game, pies, fruit and flowers. To the English profusion of meat." De Castella says, "to which was added the good French cooking of vegetables: the best wine of the vignoble was abundantly supplied." "Mrs. Trouette," de Castella writes, who 38 years before led her young brother to show him the road to independence, was tall and strong, though a little bowed by toil: her dress was that of the good old time in France: the slow candenced accent of her Lorraine dialect, of which she had lost nothing, was in harmony with the kindliness and dignified simplicity of her looks. She called to us her son and daughter, two young people, speaking both French and English. Her brother, a large handsome man of 48, had one of those faces which inspires confidence from the first. He had married the daughter of an Alsatian, his friend at Beechworth, and their numerous little children completed the Patriarchal family. Less than three years later these happy times at St. Peter's were but memories. Jean Pierre Trouette died first, and some months afterwards his son, Nicholas, gave his life to save a young employee who was overcome by fumes while cleaning out an underground fermenting tank.
  Born	Abt 1833	Estampes, Gers, Midi-Pyrénées, France
  	TROUETTE Jean Pierre - 1 Viticulteur à Great Western - AUSTRALIE Naissance : 1833 ( Source ) Emigration : 1862 à Australie ( Source ) Décès : 1885 à Great Western - Australie ( Source ) Union : BLAMPIED Anne Marie Françoise ( < 1841 - ? ) Mariage : 1856 à Great Western - Australie ( Source ) Enfant : TROUETTE Nicolas Name: Jean Pierre Trouette Gender: Male Initiation Age: 38 Birth Year: abt 1833 Initiation Date: 5 Apr 1871 First Payment Year on Register: 1871 Year Range: 1863-1887 Profession: Vigneron Lodge: The Euroka Lodge Lodge Location: Pleasant Creek, Victoria Lodge Number: 987 Folio Number: 165 Bartholomy ( ~ 1860 - 1886 ) (Fiches individuelles) Geneanet England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921 Antoine Jean-Marie TROUETTE Born 13 June 1854 - Estampes, 32170, Gers, Midi-Pyrénées, FRANCE Cultivateur à Estampes - viticulteur en Australie Trouette, Antoine Jean-Marie, naturalisation (1878) TROUETTE Antoine Jean-Marie, Emigration 1878 à Australie ( Source ) Trouette, Antoine Jean-Marie, naturalisation (1878) (NAA Name Search) Location: Canberra A Mr A. Trouette, age 45 departed from Victoria in June 1885 on the ship Yarra. The destination of the Yarra was Marseilles, France (Index to Outward Passengers to Interstate, UK, NZ and Foreign Ports 1852-1923) (Born 1840) Conscription, 7 Jun 1876, Gers, Midi-Pyrénées, France Conviction, 29 Sep 1885, Gers, Midi-Pyrénées, France
  Gender	Male
  Life Story	25 Mar 1844	The Age, Melbourne, Victoria
  Emigration	1853	From Estampes, Gers, South-Western France, via Uruguay & Adeliade to Victoria, Australia,
  	Migrants from the GERS to the New World : Union Généalogique Midi Pyrénées TROUETTE Jean Pierre
  Naturalization	1862	Victoria, Australia
  	Jean Pierre Trouette was naturalized in 1862. Another Trouette was naturalized 1888 Trouette, Antoine Jean-Marie, naturalisation (1878) TROUETTE Antoine Jean-Marie, Emigration, 1878 à Australie ( Source ) Naissance: avant 1878 ( Source ) 1874 : Residence - Melbourne, AUSTRALIE Sources: Registres Matricules des Bureaux de Recrutement de Mirande, d'Auch - RegistreMatricule_01 - IBeyrié A Mr A. Trouette, age 45 departed from Victoria in June 1885 on the ship Yarra. The destination of the Yarra was Marseilles, France (Index to Outward Passengers to Interstate, UK, NZ and Foreign Ports 1852-1923) First name(s) A Mr Last name Trouette Age 45 Birth year 1840 Departure year 1885 Departure month Jun Destination Marseilles, France Ship name Yarra Ship's master Rolland A State Victoria Record set Victoria Outward Passenger Lists 1852-1915 Category Immigration & Travel Subcategory Passenger lists Collections from Australia & New Zealand Victoria Outward Passenger Lists 1852-1915
  Land	1865	Concongella, Victoria
  	First Name: J P Last Name: Trouette Title: Year: 1865 Subject: Title Deeds Page: 1033 Country: Australia State: Victoria Location: Concongella Record set: Victoria government gazettes Government Gazettes, Victoria 1858-1900
  Personal	23 Oct 1868	Geelong Advertiser, Victoria
  	THE BALLARAT NATIONAL SHOW. (From Our Special Reporter) The National Exhibition of the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society, under the auspices of the Board of Agriculture commenced yesterday. The Ballaratarians have been boasting that this show would eclipse all others of the kind held in the colony. Whether they are altogether right cannot yet be decided, as the show is not finished, but as far as it has yet gone it certainly surpasses all previous exhibitions. The society's grounds are situated near the swamp, or as our Ballarat neighbours are pleased to call it, Lake Wendouree, why or wherefore we are unable to determine, for it bears about as much resemblance to a late as a gutter does to a noble river, and therefore we prefer to call it "the swamp." The society's ground borders one portion of this swamp, and being in close proximity to the town is admirably suited for the purposes to which it is devoted. It has been considerably enlarged since the last show, which has made it more useful. Ballarat had a half-holiday appearance yesterday, and cabs were running to and from the exhibition grounds all day long. But although the attendance may be considered to have been numerous it was not very large, the general public seemingly keeping themselves for to-day when his Excellency the Governor is expected to be present, and when horses, cattle, dairy produce, and poultry, more interesting exhibits to a mixed community than those of yesterday will be shown. The weather was splendid. In the morning there were signs of rain, but fortunately the clouds cleared off and during the remainder of the day the temperature was mild and genial, a gentle southerly breeze counter-balancing the effects of the heat of the sun. Visitors from all parts of the colony were to be seen on the ground, and Geelong and its surrounding district furnished its quota. The morning and mid-day trains were crowded with passengers from Melbourne and Geelong, and on the line numbers were taken up at the Moorabool, Leigh Road, Lethbridge, and Meredith stations. We do not know of any agricultural show in which such interest has been taken as the one now under notice. Such exhibitions have lately been on a descending scale as regards public interest, and bade fair soon to become extinct, but the smart Ballaratarians have infused some new life into the matter, and have caused a renewal of public attention to an event of the highest importance to a community whose welfare to a great extent depends upon its agricultural resources. This revival, if we may so term it, is due entirely to the indefatigable exertions of the committee of the society. And their secretary deserves a large share of the credit. He has evinced a thorough knowledge of his duties, and under his superintendence the general arrangements were complete. He has an easy systematic way of transacting his business that the secretary of our local society would do well to imitate. Any information we required we found him ready and willing to impart, and he had not that fussiness which has characterised the officers of the Geelong society, and which has prevented the public from being acquainted with facts they would on several occasions have liked to know. We repeat, a lesson might be taken from Mr. Morrison's book that would tend to the advantage of exhibitions, and the public generally. We have remarked, that visitors from this district to the show were numerous. Not so were exhibitors. It was a noticeable fact, that Geelong cut a very sorry figure as far as exhibits were concerned. The only firm who showed anything of importance from this town was Humble and Co, of the Vulcan Foundry, who had placed on the ground a steam four-horse spiked drum threshing and chaff- cutting machine. There was a novelty about this machine that was much admired by farmers and others; it was that the shaker, instead of being hung from the top, takes its bearings from the bottom of the frame, and the drum consists of iron instead of wooden plates. The oats threshed from this machine came out cleaner than those from that which took the prize. Mr. Baum, of the Barraboool Hills, whose ploughs have figured so prominently in the local ploughing matches, had not an implement on the ground. Besides Humble and Co, the only other competitor from this district worthy of notice was Mr A. M. Campbell, of Kensington, who exhibited a two-tooth merino ram, and obtained a second prize. This appears extraordinary. Either this district does not possess anything fit to compete with other neighbourhoods, or the inhabitants are in such a state of lethargy that they care naught for their own advancement or that of their neighbours. The judges of the various departments at the Ballarat Show have been chosen mostly from localities distant from that place. This was wise policy on the part of the society, as Ballarat had gained an unenviable notoriety for partial decisions. Now none can cavil at the results. In every case independent men have been chosen, and these have done, and will perform their duties honestly and to the best of their ability. The exhibitions yesterday were sheep, agricultural and dairy implements, and machinery. There were no less than an hundred and seven entries of sheep, and the show may be considered as one of the finest. The merino ewes were especially of first class quality, and there were some well-bred Leicester and Lincoln rams. These commanded much attention among gentlemen interested in the breeding of sheep. Messrs T. and S. Learmonth, of Ercildoun, took the first prize for two and four-tooth merino rams, and a pair of Saxony four-tooth ewes, and also the Board's prize for the champion ram. For a pair of Merino two-tooth ewes Mr Phillip Bussell of Carngham, carried off first prize. Messrs. Thos. Shaw, jun., of Mortlake, Alexander Armstrong of Warrnambine, and Alex. Campbell of Geelong, also took, prizes for this kind of sheep. Mr Dugald M'Pherson took the Board's prize for Down or black faced rams and ewes; and Mr B. L. Bell of Mount Mercer, obtained a first prize of £4 for three rams, cross-bred with merinos; Mr John Calvert, and Mr Alexander Armstrong, taking respectively second and third prizes. Mr Duncan Robertson of Burrumbeet, exhibited the best three cross-bred merino ewes, and was awarded first prize. A pen showed by Mr Calvert was disqualified, owing to a wether being placed with the ewes. Among the long woolled sheep, the best Leicester ram (four-tooth) was penned by Mr David Marshall, of Baringhup, who was awarded the Board's prize of £10; and the best two-tooth, by Mr Stephen Holgate, of Mount Bolton, who was awarded first prize. For the best pair of two-tooth Leicester ewes, Mr John Swannell, of Myrinong, took the first prize. A Cotswold ram, exhibited by Mr Calvert, was a fine sheep, and took the first prize. The same gentleman took the Board's prize for a pair of Cotswold ewes. For the best Lincoln ram, Mr J. W. Fleming took first prize. Mr R. M. Fleming and Mr B. L, Bell also took prizes for the same description of sheep. The best pen of two tooth Lincoln ewes was shown by Mr Duncan Robertson, of Burrumbeet, who was awarded first prize. Messrs T. and S. Learmonth, J. Calvert, B, L. Bell, and Duncan Robertson took various prizes for fat sheep; and Messrs. Lowe and M'Kenzie, of Geelong, received an honorary certificate. The judges for merino sheep were Messrs. Geo.Peppin, of Deniliquin ; Dugald M'Pherson, of Bungaltap ; Angus Robertson, of Mount Emu, and John Kelsall, of Buninyong; and those of long woolled sheep were Messrs. John Edols, of Ballan, Thomas Brown, of Yalloak Vale, and Thos. Asford, of Ballarat. A pen of Angora goats were exibited by Mr Stephen Holgate, of Mount Bolton, and that gentleman was awarded a prize of £2. Never before in the colony has there been such a show of agricultural implements and machinery.-Mr J. Buncle, of the Parkside Ironworks, Melbourne, had on the ground several chaff cutting machines, one of which had several improvements for the saving of labor and oil. Lennon of Melbourne, and Grant of the same place, with Tynam of Ballarat, were the competitors in ploughs. The first named took the most prizes. His instruments certainly looked well but there were many practical men on the ground admired the ploughs of the other makers quite as well, and who considered that the best test for these implements was to try them in the ground. Besides the ploughs, Lennon exhibited some harrows with a double joint in the centre, suited for hollow ground. Messrs. T. Robinson and Co., of Melbourne, exhibited one of Ransom and Simms (Ipswich) patent threshing, bagging, and cleaning machines, which gained the first grand prize, and gold medal at the Paris Exhibition. To this was attached a straw elevator, made by Robinson and Co., with a single belt, which is more simple and effective than the double belt. This firm also showed a stripping machine, with a patent lever comb, an improved horse bay rate, a bill-side plough, and other machinery, and obtained several prizes. To enumerate the various machines and implements which were on the ground would occupy more space than we have at command, but we may mention that prizes were given to Messrs. Hutchison and Walker, Gibb & Co, Robinson & Co, Joseph Nicholson, T. Henderson & Co, H. Clyne, J. T. Monk, Wilson and Kinnersley, J. Buncle. J. Stevenson & Co, G. G. Norman, and Percy Morehouse, other manufacturers receiving honorable mention. There was a magnificent show of carriages, buggies, and other vehicles on the ground, the greater number of which were from the factory of Cutter and Lever. M.r W. Proctor also exhibited several vehicles. Although not in the classified list, prizes were awarded for many of these exhibits. Messrs. Hawkes and Davis, of Ballarat, had a splendid show of saddlery and harness of every description, and received several prizes; and deserving of mention were the fancy bronze stands from the Queen's Foundry. Mr Higgins who exhibited these gained prizes for them and also for ovens. The judges of the implements were Messrs. William Anderson, of Bacchus Marsh, Jas. Piper of Barrabool and John Baker of Geelong. The judges of machinery were Messrs. John Anderson of Smeaton, Mr Matthews of Coghill, Thomas Smith of Melbourne, and Thomas Davey of Ballarat. Joseph Askunas of Melbourne, gained a prize for an exhibition of phosphatic guano, and M'Meickan and Co. for bone dust and phosphate of lime. A model of railway breaks, exhibited by George Adams of Asbby, Geelong, also gained a prize, as also did timber waggons shown by Mr Jones of Little Bendigo. M'Millan and Ginn of Ballarat, Bartley of Ballarat, George Jones of Ballarat, a machine belting by Perdue; a set of Scotch harness, by Allen of Ballarat; and a three- furrowed plough, by Lutze of Smythesdale. The colonial wines sent for trial were not on the society's ground, but were stored in a building near Craig's hotel, where the judges, A. Lewers of Creswick, R. Le Poer Trench of Ballarat, Dr Bleasdale of Melbourne, J. A. Penton of Heidelberg, Edward Wild and John Campbell of Melbourne performed their duties. There were in all sixty-one entries of wine. Prizes were awarded as follows:?Red wine, 1867, Jeanne Peirre Troutte, of Pleasant Creek. White wine, 1867, Brown Brothers, Quondone Vineyard, Wahgunyah. Red wine, 1866, Heine and Griffinhagen, of Strathfieldsay. (A second prize was awarded in this section, the quality of the exhibit not being considered worthy of a first prize.) White wine 1866, Galland & Co, Ballarat. Hon mention to Vlaeminck Bros, of Stathsfield say, whose wine was light and elegant. Red "Wine, 1866?"Weber Bros. Moorabool, White Wine, 1865?B. C. Hope, Batesford. It will thus be seen that Geelong had a fair share of honors in the wine department. An admirable plan was adopted in judging the wines. So names were affixed to the exhibits; thus the judges could not be guilty of partiality, but could only give their decision according to the merit of the wines. In the evening a dinner was given at Craig's Hotel, when toasts usual on such occasions were drank. To-day the grounds will be re-opened- The show of cattle, it is anticipated, will be especially large. Geelong Advertiser, Victoria, Friday, 23 October 1868
  Awards	23 Oct 1868	The Ballarat Star, Victoria
  	THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION. Class L.-Colonial Wines Section 3-. Six bottles of red wine, vintage of 1867-Board's prize, L5. Prize Jean Pierre Trowette, Pleasant Creek, twenty entries. The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924)Friday 23 October 1868 - Page 2 Trouette spelt Trowette
  Personal	24 Jun 1869	Geelong Advertiser, Victoria
  	CURRENT TOPICS. The Pleasant Creek News reports:-A German who passed through Pleasant Creek yesterday with the view of taking up land somewhere to the northward, informed us that it was the intention of some wealthy countrymen of his to start a vineyard company in Victoria, and take up some large and favorable area of ground for the culture of vines. A great number of choice vines would he said, be carefully packed, and forwarded here for cultivation, as it is thought that there are descriptions which will make better wines under the climatic conditions of Victoria than those usually cultivated. If the report be correct in reference to the proposed enterprise, a more promising country could not be taken up for the purpose than that which is procurable in the vicinity of the Great Western. The best wines of Mr Trouette and of the Messrs Mooney, which are cultivated in this lie of country, are unequalled for body and flavor, by those obtained in any other part of Victoria. Geelong Advertiser, Victoria, Thursday, 24 June 1869
  Personal	22 Jul 1869	Geelong Advertiser, Victoria
  	Says the Ararat Advertiser:-" We observe in the window of Mr M'Gibbony, silversmith, a handsome cup for presentation to Mr Trouette, for his success in wine exhibits at the last show, of the Geelong Agricultural Society. The cup is prettily moulded, and has neatly engraved upon it the following inscription:-'To P. Trouette, Esq., as the first and second prizes for red and white wines. Geelong and "Western District Agricultural and Horticulral Society, March, 1869.' The intrinsic value of the article is insignificant compared with its value as an evidence of the wine producing capabilities of the district, and as such we have no doubt it will be esteemed by the possessor. Geelong Advertiser, Victoria, Thursday, 22 July 1869
  Awards	22 Jul 1869	Geelong Advertiser, Victoria
  	Says the Ararat Advertiser:-? We observe in the window of Mr M?Gibbony, silversmith, a handsome cup for presentation to Mr Trouette, for his success in wine exhibits at the last show, of the Geelong Agricultural Society. The cup is prettily moulded, and has neatly engraved upon it the following inscription?:- ?To P. Trouette, Esq., as the first and second prizes for red and white wines. Geelong and Western District Agricultural and Horticultural Society, March, 1869.? The intrinsic value of the article is insignificant compared with its value as an evidence of the wine producing capabilities of the district, and as such we have no doubt it will be esteemed by the possessor. Geelong Advertiser (Vic. : 1859 - 1929) Thursday 22 July 1869 - Page 2
  Personal	11 Sep 1869	Leader, Melbourne, Victoria
  	WINES AT THE WIMMERA SHOW. Sir,-We are sorry to have to trouble, but you have unfortunately copied the mistake of another newspaper, viz., the. Ararat Advertiser of the 21st inst. In giving the list of prizes for wines at the late Wimmera Agricultural. And Pastoral Society we are mentioned as having , taken 1 first, and 2 second prizes ; it should be, 3 first and 2 second , viz., 1st. for white of any age ; 1st for rod of any age ; 1st for white of 1869; 2nd for red of 1868 and 1869. We trust that you will be good enough to rectify the mistake, find oblige, TROUETTE AND BLANCPIED. Great Western, 31st August. Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918, 1935)Saturday 11 September 1869 - Page 7 Blancpied as signed.
  Personal	26 Nov 1869	Northern Argus, Clare, SA
  	What appears to be one of the most complete cures of snake-bite yet heard of, by the application of liquid ammonia to the part was effected at the Great Western, on Tuesday last (says the Pleasant Creek News). It seems that a man who was employed moving some grass by the creek side, at Mr. Trouette's vineyard, was severely bitten in the leg by a large snake. On raising the trousers two distinct punctures were visible, both of which were bleeding freely. A ligature was immediately applied above the wound, and strong liquid ammonia used as quickly as possible to bathe the bite. A weaker solution of ammonia was also continued all night and through this timely application of the remedy, no symptoms of snake-poison whatever have been felt. This is another and notable example of the value of ammonia in such cases, the bite in this instance being very severe, and at the season of the year in which the snake-poison is likely to be the most active and virulent." Northern Argus, Clare, SA., Friday, 26 November 1869
  Personal	2 Jan 1871	Illustrated Australian News for Home Reader, Melbourne
  	The committee for the relief of French wounded soldiers have forwarded home, by last mail, through their treasurer, Mr. J. Mathosou, a draft, for £120, out of which £100 was sent by Mr. Trouette, of Stawell, and £18 17s. by Mr. W. H. Grano, of Ararat. The total amount transmitted up to that date is £735. Transcribed from the "Illustrated Australian News for Home Reader, Melbourne, Victoria," Monday 2 January 1871
  Personal	21 Mar 1871	The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria
  	Tho finest show of hops that we (Pleasant Creek News ) have seen produced in any dis- trict in the colony is now on view at Messrs Trouette and Blampied's place, grown, by Messrs. Brierly and Wilson, of Eversley. If hops can be grown to such perfection here, it is evident that farmers have a chance of raising the most profitable crop that can be produced. Few other branches of agricul- tural industry can compete with this in point of remuneration, and it is surprising that in those parts of the district favourable to such a growth settlers do not turn their attention to this product. The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria, Tuesday 21 March 1871
  Personal	5 Aug 1871	Geelong Advertiser, Victoria
  	TOWN TALK. The Pleasant Creek News has received from Messrs Trouette and Blampied a sample of some excellent prunes grown by them at Great Western, and preserved after the style in vogue in France. The fruit as preserved forms a delicious addition to a dessert, and can be produced at a far cheaper rate than the imported article, even with the limited appliances at present in the growers' possession. Mr Trouette next year proposes drying a large quantity of plums, currants, grapes, and peaches. Geelong Advertiser, Victoria, Saturday, 5 August 1871
  Personal	26 Feb 1872	"The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria
  	At the Great Western, 10 miles from Stawell, Messrs Trouette and Blampied have 37 acres of vineyard, and their Chasselas and Burgundy, both in large local demand, have gained first prizes in Melbourne, Ballarat, and Geelong Transcribed from "The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria", Monday 26 February, 1872
  Personal	1873	Stawell, Victoria
  	First Name: Jean Pierre Last Name: Trouette Title: Year: 1873 Subject: Shareholders Southern Cross Reefing Company Country: Australia State: Victoria Location: Stawell Record set: Victoria government gazettes (Government Gazettes, Victoria 1858-1900)
  Interests	26 Feb 1873	Hamilton Spectator, Victoria
  	Wine on the Wimmera.- A member of the firm of Messrs. Tronette and Blampied, of St Peter?s Vineyard, Great Western, near Stawell is now on a business trip in these parts, with samples of the wine produced in that locality. We have before expressed the opinion that the climate and soil of some parts of the Wimmera were adapted to the production of a wine fully equal to the growths of. the Murray Valley, but we were scarcely prepared to find that such excellent wines were already produced as those we had the opportunity of examining. Upwards of dozen different samples were shown, and they were all of them good, sound wines, but the Burgundy and Reisling were especially remarkable as combining character, favour, body and character and bouquet the wines were four years old, and totally free from admixture of brandy. As the price asked is reasonable, a good business will be done, and we believe that should sufficient inducement offer, it is the intention of Messrs. Tronette and Blampied to open a depot here. The St Peter?s Vineyard is an extensive property, there being forty acres in full bearing, and a large stock in the cellars, so that a demand once created, there no fear of customers to obtain regular supplies when wanted. Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918) Wednesday 26 February 1873 - Page 2
  Awards	17 Mar 1873	The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria
  	ARARAT AGRIGULTURAL SOCIETY. AUTUMN SHOW. (from our own correspondent.) A week of fine settled weather-something of an unusual occurrence this season brought a full list of exhibits and a large gathering of spectators at the autum show of the Ararat Agricultural Society on Friday. he fruit stands would have called for notice at a metropolitan show. Some of the grapes were magnificent as regards size and the sym- metry of the bunches, but backward as to ripeness. Messrs. Trouette and Blampied's collection of 30 varieties of fruits, which carried off the silver medal, was as nearly perfect as could be looked for in a window in Covent Garden-30 dozen of pearn, apples, peaches, plums,&c, without a blemish on the surface. Transcribed from "The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria,' Monday 17 March 1873
  Personal	2 Apr 1874	The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria
  	TRANSFER of LAND STATUTE-No 6307 JEAN TROUETTE, of Great Westrn, near Stawell, in the county of Bunning, vigneron, has applied to bring the land described at the foot hereof under the above statute, and the Commissioner of Titles has directed notice of tne appltcation to be advertised in "The Argus" newspaper, and has appointed fourteen days from such advertisment a cut after which time the land will be brought under the operation of the statute, unless a caveat shall be lodged forbidding the Bamo Dated the 28th day of March, 1874 LAND REFERRED To Crown Allotments 4, 6, 6, and 7, township of Great Western, parish of Concongella, county of Boroung. The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria," Thursday 2 April 1874
  Personal	1875	Concongella , Victoria
  	First Name: Jean P Last Name: Trouette Title: Year: 1875 Subject: Grazing Permits Country: Australia State: Victoria Location: Concongella Record set: Victoria government gazettes (Government Gazettes, Victoria 1858-1900 )
  Personal	1875	Great Western , Victoria
  	First Name: Jean Pierre Last Name: Trouette Title: Year: 1875 Subject: Persons Licensed to Keep Stills Country: Australia State: Victoria Location: Great Western Record set: Victoria government gazettes (Government Gazettes, Victoria 1858-1900)
  Personal	25 Mar 1875	Bendigo Advertiser, Victoria
  	The Pleasant Creek News reports. The wine growers at the Great Western have every reason to be gratified with the prospects of a remunerative vintage. The unusual dryness of the season to some extent justified fears that the grapes would not attain to perfect maturity, but the heavy fall of rain some time since had a marked effect on the vines, and though the grapes of the younger plants are a little smaller than desirable, the total crop is fully up to the average. Wine making will be started next week at Messrs. Trouette and Blampied's vineyard. The extensive cellerage lately constructed by the firm is now completed, and affords accommodation for an immense quantity of wine, but is expected to be filled. Messrs. Trouette and Blampied intend forwarding samples of their produce to the great International Exhibition to be held at Philadelphia. As the firm was highly successful at the last great Exposition held at Vienna, there is every reason to hope that their wines will give a good account of themselves and the district when submitted to the judgment of our Yankee cousins. Transcribed from the "Bendigo Advertiser, Victoria," Thursday 25 March 1875
  Personal	26 Jun 1875	Border Watch, Mount Gambier, South Australia
  	REFUSING THE RITES OF BURIAL . The Pleasant Creek News of June 19 gives the following particulars of a circumstance that has caused, great excitement and indignation at Stawell, Victoria. The funeral of our late townsman, Mr. Vincenzo Bercich, took place yesterday afternoon, and was largely attended. He was held in great estimation by the old alluvial minors of this field, to whom he and his respected widow many times showed acts of friendship that are not likely to be soon forgotten. A paiuful impression was created when it became known that the resident Catholic clergyman had declined to perform the usual offices of the church at the grave. It is stated that Father Moore was first applied to in the usual way, but refused to officiate, alleging as a reason that the deceased had not attended church regularly. On Father Herbert being applied to, he is said to have at first pleaded indisposition, but subsequently to have intimated plainly that he would take no steps in the matter, as the non-performance of the customary sacred rites would act as a warning to those Catholics who habitually neglected attending church. The rev. gentleman is also credited with having added that but few Catholics would be found joining the funeral procession. A layman, who has sometimes, before a Catholic clergyman became resident on Stawell, read such parts of the worship as are not reserved exclusively for the clergy, was next appealed to, but he also declined. Whether the above be correct or not, it is certain that no priest attended the funeral, and that the only ceremony performed at the grave was the reading of a prayer for the dead by Mr, J. P. Trouette, an old and valued friend of the late Mr. Bercich. Mr. Trouette will ever be remembered kindly both by his own and other churches for preventing unmerited contumely being shown to the remains of one of the most respected of our local citizens. Possibly he may sleep as well and rise as happily through the Humbly-uttered prayers and wishes of many earnest neighbours and friends, who vulued his good and kindly qualities, as though all the available power of the most aspiring church in the world had been exercised on the occasion of his obsequies. Transcribed from the "Border Watch, Mount Gambier, South Australia," Saturday 26 June 1875
  Personal	2 May 1878	Stawell Chronicle
  	St Peter's Great Western La Vendage of 1878 Another of those pleasant social gatherings with which Messrs Trouette and Blampied celebrate the completion of the ingathering of the produce of their vineyard came off on Wednesday evening. Many to avoid the crush took the 3p.m. Up train, but the majority waited for that starting at 9.p.m. This was crowded and each compartment showed a closely packed party of Stawellites, beguiling the way either by singing or playing. In due course all arrived at Great Western Station and as the almost empty train continued its journey to Ararat, formed an irregular procession through the township, down Cubitt street, and so on to the gate of St Peter's. .. Few, resident in this part of the country, are unacquainted with the homestead in question. The quadrangle is roofed, and its floor is the covering of the third cellar, along the centre tuns a table which accomodated the orchestra and some of the male wallflowers. From the dancing floor doors open into rooms on three sides. Of these one was sacred to music, and the piano presided over by various volunteers was kept fully engaged, and further on card rooms and other outlets leading to the gardens. The west end was covered by evergreens. The crowds overflowed everywhere into the grounds outside, and when the moon rose very many showed a preference for a stroll along the walks between the fruit trees and on the banks of the Concongella, with its fringes of willows and evergreens. Messrs Trouette pere and fils, Mrs and Miss Trouette, Mr and Mrs Blampied, ably seconded by volunteer assistants, and the employees of the establishment were to be seen at every turn providing refreshment solid and liquid, and in an unobstructive way showing the true hospitality which seeks to place all at their ease. A favoutite lounge with many was the dimly lighted store-room at the rear of the main building standing over No 1 cellar. Here was bottles galore and the finest cru with choicest cheroots and sandwiches,and a few of the guests enjoying a quiet chat. It is pleasing to be able to state that despite all this profusion and the abandon of the occasion, there was no sign of excess. Towards morning it is true, there was evidence of increased geniality in many quarters with a tendency to hilarity, but there was no one who could be considered in a state of intoxication. The lamps had long been extinguished, and it was time to visit the rail St., if the 8 o'clock train was to be caught before the last of the dancers made up their minds to rest from their labours. Then Mr. Trouette in accordance with custom, beaker in hand sang the song of the master of the feast. "Allons aux vendage". Then came handshakes, parting, and in the garish light of the far-risen sun the last of the guests departed. (Stawell Chronicle) From the First Vineyard Many hundreds of people experienced the lavish hospitality of the Trouettes and at St Peter's. Their home was built with a large room in the centre, from which doors led to numerous other rooms. The large hall was fifty feet long by 30 feet wide, and the roof was supported by five large squared off trunks of trees. To entertain their many guests the Trouettes set up tables covered with white cloths between the large wooden pillars of the centre room. Sometime up to a hundred quests would sit down at tables decorated with many flowers. Quite often the menu would contain fat turkeys, fowels and ham. With these meats would come the delightful French flavoured cooking of home grown vegetables and fruits, and complemented by the best of wines. Each year, after the grapes had been gathered in, the "Vendage" or "Harvest Home" was celebrated at St Peter's. The night of entertainment was originally intended for the vintage workers after the harvest had been completed. A few special guests were invited, but before long many people came to join the festivities, not only from the local area, but from as far afield as Ballarat, Melbourne and Geelong. Upwards of 500 people would come to help celebrate the "Vendage". With the advent of the extension of the railway line as far as Stawell , people began coming to the night's entertainment by special train. Although the travellers received protection from the weather in travelling to Great Western by train, much of the romance and excitement of the journey was lost. In the pre-train days of horse travel, there were buggy races, sometimes hair breadth escapes, when a dozen or more buggies travelled together. The occupants sung lustily to a varity of instruments on their journey. The celebration of the "Vendage" would begin late in the afternoon and continue on until daybreak the next morning. A local band would be hired and there was dancing throughout the night. Not everyone danced-some would go into other rooms to play cards, some would merely talk, while others spent their time singing. Some of the singers were also very accomplished. They spent their time singing national songs, patriotic songs and almost every other type of song with great enthusiasm. Jean Pierre Trouette always provided an ample supply of the best wines, but it was very seldom that their was any drunkeness amongst the guests.
  Awards	17 Aug 1878	The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria
  	THE STAWELL AGRIGULTURAL SHOW. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) STAWELL, FRIDAY. The weather today has been wet and unpleasant enough to have militated seriously against the attendance at the show in almost any other town than Stawell, but in spite of the rain visitors trooped in during the afternoon, so that financially the society must have done very well. -The season and the soil must both be favourable to the produce of vegetables, or so good a representation could not have been made as by Mr. Metcalfe, of Great Western, Messrs. Brown, Urquhart, and Macpherson. Mr. W. Ihompson, the local seedaman, contributed complete collections of agricultural and horticultural seeds collections of conifers in pots, and a number of plants in bloom, including camellias. From Mr. C. Ayrey, Warranooke, came some well coloured oranges, and from Messrs. Brierley and Wilson, of Eversley, a second dish; whilst peas of large size were shown by Messrs. Trouette and Blampied, of Great Western. The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria, Saturday 17 August 1878
  Interests	8 May 1880	The Ballarat Star, Victoria
  	THE VENDANGE AT ST. PETER'S VINEYARD. P. C. News, 7th May. The annual ingathering of the gripe harvest having been completed at St. Peter's Vineyard, Great Western, Messrs Trouette and Blampied on Wednesday night provided another of those enjoyable reunions which are now, becoming considered one of the institutions of the district, and of which the fame, has penetrated to all parts, of the colony.-No suceinct account of the proceedings can very well be given, and properly speaking the fete began soon after midday. At this time a number of guests had put in an appearance and the mayor of the borough, the president of the shire, and some of their colleagues "assisted" at a substantial collation, which initiated the the proceedings. By nightfall the stream of arrivals had become continuous. They came by so many different modes of conveyance and from so many directions as almost to bewilder those watching the, process by which the countryside made itself represented at the homestead. From silver-plated harness to pedestrianism all modes of locomotion assisted in crowding the establishment, and after the arrival of, each train another contingent came up and merged, itself in the assemblage. Messieurs the proprietors found their time fully occupied in receiving such of the guests as the rush would-allow them to extend the hand of welcome to; and time after time the crowded dance, room absorbed fresh crowds. There were many from Ballarat and not a few from Melbourne, but Stawell sent by the hundred. The dance room presented a scene to be remembered. Many of our readers are aware that the salon da danse at St. Peters consists of the large building of which the floor forms the roofing of a portion of the cellarage. This year it was made half as large again by the fact that a fourth cellar has just been completed. This was expected to ease off the crowding, but the assemblage was too great. Where there was a foot available ground a couple would be found to occupy it, and the mystic evolutions of the Lancers often to be gone through when the eight dancers had a space about equal to the surface of an ordinary kitchen table to perform upon. The round dances wore simplicity itself. The partners grasped one another firmly, and allowed themselves to be washed away with the stream, and carried round the room. Those who could keep time with the music did so. Those who could not, twirled and jumped and travelled round in a state of perspiration that was eminently satisfactory to the wall flowers. The true pleasure-seeker cares for no obstacles, and there was abundant evidence that all the drawbacks arising from the swamping; so to speak, of the establishment, were, the veriest bagatelles to those who meant to enjoy themselves. Toes might be trodden upon, dresses torn, "at the gather", and ribs and elbows brought into somewhat sudden collision, but no one seemed to trouble or care. Even when in the galops half a dozen couples would come to sudden grief, and cause a temporary embankment to the circling stream, none laughed more heartily than the victims themselves. All was hilarity and good-fellowship from first to last, and the dances of that night Will be remembered by very many. Mr R. _M'Clure, in his old position as M.C., did much to assist in the securing of general enjoyment, and was never idle. The music was good as it could not help being when.supplioe by the Messrs Jenkins (peri et fils). Chandler, and Knuckey, and these also worked hard. A quieter but no less thorough enjoyment was that of those who sat and contested the supremacy of the card-table. Many wore the games played, and hearty was the merriment,which resounded from the rooms set apart for this purpose. Mingling with it at times came the sound of music from the room sacred to vocalists, where the piano resounded to the touch of one after another fair performer, and where male and female voices followed in quick succession in ballads, or blended in duets and joyous choruses. In yet another department the Swiss vinedressers and, their friends sang the songs of their fatherland, by the dozen. Meanwhile and everywhere the staff of waiters were busy with the work of supplying the pure juice of the grape to the guests, there, being abundance everywhere, and of the best. At times one or other of the proprietors would collect a few friends for a "quiet glass". This implied a visit to a spot near the yawning gap leading to No.1 cellar, where in the dim twilight wine only to be mentioned with reverence was dispensed. Here was no "quaffing the flowing bowl". The wine discussed in this sanctum had to be used as an eyeglass, chewed, and in a general way subjected to all those processes by which connoisseurs show that they are connoisseurs, and not mere bibbers. As the night wore on these "quiet glass" reunions followed in such rapid succession that one of other of the heads, of the firm, was almost continuously employed. Hour after hour passed, without any cessation of the pleasant hum,formed of many mingled sounds of pleasurable token; and when the express train took away quite a crowd of those to whom early hours were absolutely necessary, there was no appreciable difference.in the appearance of the rooms beyond the absence of some familiar faces. Before this, however, supper had been served, and vast mounds of sandwiches, and coffee by gallons, had been disposed of. The attendants wore heavily worked, but they wore cheerful and obliging and it is only fair to say that to them much of the success of the whole affair, is due. Daylight was the only effective disperser of the gathering, and when, the dawn broke the sharp frosty air sent laugh and chat music far across the sleeping township as vehicle after vehicle set off with its load: At the pressing request of the hosts- who in place of being glad their night's labours were over, appeared to wish to prolong them indefinitely quite a number assembled, at the breakfast table at about 9 o'clock, where all the luxuries of the country were, added to those, procurable in town, and where all gave practical proof of, the truth of the proprietors, assertion that wine was a capital thing to give an appetite. Soon after the long deferred parting had to take place, but prior to this Mr G. F. Sooullar, in one of those neat ittle speeches he is noted for on similar occasions, proposed health and success to Messrs Trouette and Blampied and all their belongings. It was duly responded to,and with mutual expressions of a desire to reassemble under similar, circumstances next year, the remaining guests took their leave and the vendage 1880 came to an end. The Ballarat Star., Vic., Saturday, 8 May 1880
  Personal	21 Aug 1880	Hamilton Spectator, Victoria
  	The firm of Trouette and Blampied, the well-known vignerons of St. Peter's Vineyard, Great Western, has received a very flattering testimonial from the celebrated Dr. Reid, of Geelong, whose opinion, of course, is of great value in connection with the medicinal properties of anything submitted to him. The wines were brought under Dr. Reid?s notice by a gentleman resident in Geelong, and in a letter to him the former says that he has carefully framed his opinion, which is to the effect that the white wine is the best he is able to obtain for fever cases, and as it contains the salts of the fruit which brandy does not, he prefers it to that liquor and continually prescribes it. The red wine also he considers invaluable in cases of nervous debility arising from mental exertion and other causes. Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918) Saturday 21 August 1880 - Page 4
  Interests	25 Mar 1881	Jewish Herald, Victoria
  	SELECTED AUSTRALIAN WINES, Tronette and Blampied's Chablis, Sauterne, Reisling, Hock, Burgundy, Hermitage, Claret, &c., on sale in bulk or in one dozen cases at vineyard prices, by S. A. TUCKFIELD & Co., No. 35 and 36 Cellars, Now Eastern Market, Melbourne. Jewish Herald (Vic. : 1879 - 1920) Friday 25 March 1881 - Page 15
  Personal	15 Nov 1881	The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria
  	ST PETER'S VINEYARD, Great Western. We beg to notify to our friends and customors that Mr JOHN WELBY is no longer authorised to act on our behalf. All accounts are to be paid direct to us Trouette and Blampied. November 14, 1881. Transcribed from "The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria,' Tuesday 15 November 1881
  Personal	23 Oct 1882	South Australian Register, Adeliade, SA
  	Ammonia for Snake Bite.-"What appears to be one of the most complete cures for snake bite yet heard of, by the application of liquid ammonia to the part, was effected at Great Western," says the Pleasant Creek News. "It seems that a man employed mowing grass by the creek side, at Mr. Trouette's vineyard was severely bitten in the leg by a large brown snake. On raising the trousers two distinct punctures were plainly visible, both bleeding freely. A ligature was immediately applied above the wound, and strong liquid ammonia used us quickly as possible to bathe the bite. A weaker solution of ammonia a was continued all night, and through such timely application of the remedy no symptoms of snake-poisoning whatever have been felt." This is another and notable example of the value of ammonia in such cases, the bite in thin instance being very severe, and at the season of the year in which the snake-poison is likely to be most active and virulent. Transcribed from the "South Australian Register, Adeliade, SA," Monday 23 October 1882
  Awards	23 Oct 1882	South Australian Register, Adeliade, SA
  	SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. [From our London Corresnondent.] [Received October 21, 11.5 a.m. ; and October 21, 11.25 p.m. ] LONDON, October 21. THE BORDEAUX EXHIBITION. LIST OF AUSTRALIAN PRIZE TAKERS. The awards to Australian winegrowers exhibiting at the Bordeaux Show have been published. The Wine Jury are favourably impressed with the excellence of the Australian exhibits and speak in high terms concerning them. Bronze Medals. Hugh Frazer, Olive Hill, Burns Plains ? Verdeilho, white, 1881. G. Sutherland Smith, All Saints' Vine yard, Wahgunyah? Shiraz, red, 1877. Caldwell & Co., Sunbury? Hermitage, red, 1879. Trouette & Blamfield, Great Western ?Burgundy, 1878. Transcribed from the "South Australian Register, Adeliade, SA," Monday 23 October 1882
  Personal	7 Nov 1882	The Horsham Times, Victoria
  	LOCAL TOPICS We observe by the P. C. News that Messrs H. H.Wettenhall and J. P. Trouette have been chosen by the Stawellshire council to represent that shire on the United Wimmera Water Trust. (The Horsham Times, Victoria, Tuesday 7 November 1882)
  Personal	5 Jun 1883	The Western Australian, Perth, WA
  	The Australian Wine Industry In France, every farmer almost devotes a few acres to planter la vigne with out dubbing them " vineyard." He makes his own wine, or sells his grapes to a neigh- bouring vigneron. Of other colonial vine- yards lately brought into notice are those of Trouette and Blampied, in the Great Western District, 55 acres Transcribed from The Western Australian, Perth, WA, Tuesday 5 June 1883
  Awards	17 Aug 1883	The Horsham Times, Victoria
  	LOCAL TOPICS At the Amsterdam exhibition Mr G.A. Johnston, Melbourne, got a diploma for wines; Mr Trouette, of Stawell, also obtained a gold medal, with several other Victorians. Transcribed from "The Horsham Times, Victoria," Friday 17 August 1883
  Personal	10 May 1884	The Australasian, Melbourne, Victoria
  	Messrs Trouette and Blampied's St Peter's Vineyard, situated near the Concongella Creek, contains 40 acres of old vines, and 45 acres of new. The new vines are three, two, and one year old, and from the three-year-old portion of the vineyard a fair crop has been obtained this season, averaging about 100 gallons per acre. The yield on the old vines has been about 300 gallons per acre, being a great improvement upon last year. A portion of the vineyard near the creek is on a loamy soil of medium quality, but the greater part is on rising ground, where the soil is sandy, with a plentiful mixture of gravel On the flat the yield is generally the heavier, but Mr. Tronette prefers the hills as giving the best quality of wine "This will be the prime part of the vineyard," said Mr. Trouette, as he showed me some new vines growing in a gravel bed on the top of a rise, "for here we will get the fine delicate wine." It was further explained that the rich clay was only five or six inches below the gravel, and the proprietor explained, " We do not want rich land on top to grow weeds and draw the vine roots to the surface, where they are subject to the effects of drought This poor, gravelly soil is easily kept clean, and the roots go down into the clay, while the surface keeps in the moisture and reflects heat on to the grapes." It was here also that Mr. Trouette said a sheep could not be kept on 20 acres, while each vine, yielding from 801b. to 501b. of grapes, was worth more than a sheep. Upon the St Peter's Vineyard stakes are not used for the old vines, all the original stokes having been removed to the new vineyard. The vines are not topped or tied in any way, but allowed to spread out in every direction. The system of planting is 8ft by 4ft., the plough and scarifier being used in cultivating between the rows only. Very satisfactory success had attended the planting out of the new sections. Cutting are used, and they are preferred to rooted vines. The 14 acres planted last year are looking well, hardly a miss being seen. The chief varieties cultivated on St Peter's Vineyard are Hermitage, Burgundy, Esparte, Reisling, Chasselas, and Nice Blanche, and the wines are clarets, hocks, as well as reisling, chablis, burgundy, and Hermitage. Messrs. Trouette and Blampied obtained a gold medal at Amsterdam, and their fine, generous, well flavoured wines, which are never sent out under three years old, meet with an increasing demand. It has been the growing demand for the wine that has induced the proprietors to extend the vineyard, and the increasing favour which the wines meet with must be largely attributed to the system of maturing in the cellar before sending to market The underground storage which has been provided enables the system of maturing to be carried out, and the proprietors have every reason to congratulate themselves upon resisting the tempting prices which were offered to those who would sell their new wine. Great convenience is experienced from pumping water by means of a steam engine from the creek into a large elevated tank which supplies the cellar, residence, and stables. The system has also been employed in irrigating the orchard trees with highly satisfactory results. Mr. Trouette pointed out an apple tree from which he had taken a ton of fruit this season. If a vine is better than a sheep, such a tree must be better than a cow. The Australasian, Melbourne, Victoria, Saturday 10 May 1884
  Buried	Nov 1885	Great Western Cemetery
  Died	24 Nov 1885	Great Western, Victoria, Australia
  	Death Registration Name: Jean Pierre Tronette Death Place: Great Western, Victoria Age: 52 Father's Name: Pierre Mother's name: Marie Jeanne Sorbetei Registration Year: 1885 Registration Place: Victoria Registration number: 12215 [Victoria Pioneer Index 1836 -1888]
  Obituary	27 Nov 1885	Horsham Times, Victoria
  	We (P.C. News) regret exceedingly to have to announce the death of Mr. Jean P. Trouette, of St Peter's Vineyard, Great Western, which melancholy occrrence took place on Tuesday night. For months past Mr Trouette has been suffering first from inflammation of the lungs and subsequently front diseases of the heart and liver, and but little hopes, despite his splendid outward physique, were entertained of his recovery. Transcribed from the "Horsham Times, Victoria", Friday 27 November 1885
  Obituary	30 Nov, 1885	From Marie Francoise Trouette's scrapbook and The Ararat Advertiserr.
  	From Marie Francoise Trouette's scrapbook Death Jean Pierre Trouette, 24th. November 1885, aged 52 years Native of Estampes, in the department of Gers, in the south-west of France, arrived in the colony in 1853, and after trying his fortune on the goldfields for some few years, he settled at the Great Western in 1858, where he combined market-gardening with a produce buisness. In 1861, Mr. Trouette began to plant vines,.. the pioneer of the industry in this part of the colony. The technical knowledge and experience gained amidst the vine-clad hills of France enabled him not only to establish himself as a vigneron, and to gradually extend his sphere of operations... but his example was followed by others who always found him most ready to aid and assist them by his advice. Took a prominent part in all movements having for their purpose the advancement of the district ...Stawell shire councillor and ex-president. As a public man Mr Trouette had no enemeies, his unswerving probity and scrupulous integrity gaining the esteem of all classes of the community, whilst as a private gentleman his frank and generous hospitality, suave courtesy to all, his rectitude of purpose and liberality, of thought and action endeared him to a large circle of friends. Both in the social and public life of the wine village his death will cause a gap which cannot readily be filled. His remains were interred at Great Western, about 400 people paying their last tribute of respect to his memory. Those assembled for the funeral formed one of the most polygot assemblies ever seen at Great Western. That there were English, Irish and Scots goes without saying; but beside those there were people hailing from France, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Holland and China and all came to pay a last tribute to a man who by his sterling qualities had endeared himself to all he happened to come in contact with. The Ararat Advertiser. From another paper. Born in Estampes in 1833, as a young man emigrated to Montevideo, Uruguay, South Anerica, spent 3 years there, took passage to South Australia, and landed in Adeliade in 1852, worked for 6 months at Burra Burra copper mine and at the end of the year came to Victoria, and in common with the greater portion of the then population went to the diggings, first at Forest Creek, then at the Ovens, Daylesford and other planes, with varying success. At Daylesford he met his wife and married in 1856. Joined by Mr. Emil Blampied as a mate partnership which continued until his death. When the Port Curtis rush broke out, Mr Trouette went there but returned sadly disappointed. In 1858 he came with his partner Mr Blampied to Great Western where they worked as diggers. Afterwards purchased the property of some Frenchman who had a small garden which was the foundation of their present magnificient vineyard. Mr. Trouette now gave his attention to gardening and as evidence of man's perseverance need only indicate that in the early days he went to Lamplough, Redbank, Landsborough and other places with his produce. Being an experienced vigneron, Mr. Trouette, early saw the possibilities of the land about the Western for the production of the grape. Owing to mining objections it was some time before he could purchase land. Eventually he got the freehold of a block of about 20 acres and in 1861 planted the first 4 acres. As his vineyard has grown in extent, so has his wines grown in favour. At his house the visitor is fairly dazzled with the display of cups and medals of silver and bronze won in France, Vienna, America and the sister colonies and our own district. Mr. Trouette proved of great value to those who subsequently started vine growing. Mr Trouette had an eminent degree, the happy faculty of making friends, his bonhomie and equable temperament seemed to grow upon one, and his hospitality was unbounded; his house was always open to his friends, and at his harvest of the grape ("La Vendage")people from the whole district for many years, used to flock to his house. All were welcome, high or low made no difference to Mr. Trouette. The date of day is approximate.
  Personal	18 May 1886	The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria
  	THE VINTAGE IN THE GREAT WESTERN DISTRICT. (BY TELEGRAM FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) STAWELL, MONDAY. Mr Henry Best completed his vintage on Saturday, the vintage in the Great Western district being thus brought to a termination, as the other leading vignerons, Messrs. Trouette and Blampied and Joseph Best, finished some days earlier. The season has proved a most successful one, both for quantity and quality. The total quantity of wine made by the three vignerons named is estimated at about 15,000 gallons, which would have been very largely exceeded had not some 30 or 35 tons of grapes been sold in the market. The grapes brought a fair price and will prove scarcely less profitable, taking interest into account, than the wine. They were sold chiefly because the vintage promised to be so successful that the cellar accommodation at the disposal of the vignerons would have been in- sufficient. The dry and sandy soil such as that included in the district vineyards is shown by experience to promote such hardy growth that the dreaded scourge, phylloxera, may be defied. The growers whose areas under vines are smaller than the vignerons mentioned have been no less successful. Transcribed from "The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria", Tuesday 18 May 1886
  Personal	18 May 1886	The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria
  	THE VINTAGE IN THE GREAT WESTERN DISTRICT. (BY TELEGRAM FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) STAWELL, MONDAY. Mr Henry Best completed his vintage on Saturday, the vintage in the Great Western district being thus brought to a termination, as the other leading vignerons, Messrs. Trouette and Blampied and Joseph Best, finished some days earlier. The season has proved a most successful one, both for quantity and quality. The total quantity of wine made by the three vignerons named is estimated at about 15,000 gallons, which would have been very largely exceeded had not some 30 or 35 tons of grapes been sold in the market. The grapes brought a fair price and will prove scarcely less profitable, taking interest into account, than the wine. They were sold chiefly because the vintage promised to be so successful that the cellar accommodation at the disposal of the vignerons would have been in- sufficient. The dry and sandy soil such as that included in the district vineyards is shown by experience to promote such hardy growth that the dreaded scourge, phylloxera, may be defied. The growers whose areas under vines are smaller than the vignerons mentioned have been no less successful. Transcribed from "The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria", Tuesday 18 May 1886
  Personal	9 Jul 1887	he Australasian, Melbourne, Victoria
  	THE GREAT WESTERN VINE YARDS. (By our Agriculture Reporter) GREAT WESTERN, ST. PETER?S, AND OTHERS. Mr. Best like most of his neighbours, following the example of the late Mr. Trouette, who was the pioneer of the industry in the district With regard to the width of the vines apart, and the system of pruning and training, the same remark applies, Mr Trouette?s methods having been found best suited to the conditions of the district. The soil is much the same as in the vineyards already described, the subsoil being the same kind of variegated clay, but the sandy loam of the surface is not quite so deep. The ground is kept free from weeds, and well cultivated between the vines, and as much manuring as practicable has been carried out. The vineyard always yields good average crops, and the quality of the wine is not surpassed in the district The vintage of 1886 was a heavier one than usual, the quantity of wine being 12,000 gallons, but that of this year has been under average, owing to the dry season, being 8,000 gallons. The quality this season is excellent, the weather having been favourable. The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946) Saturday 9 July 1887 - Page 10
  Interests	22 Jul 1911	The Ballarat Star, Victoria
  	ARARAT. SALE OF A VINEYARD. St. Peter?s vineyard and orchard, one of the oldest and first planted at Great Western, has changed hands, Mr James Tiller being the, purchaser. This property was originally owned by Messrs Trouette and Blampicd, and ,and became famous, the proprietors holding a havest home every year, when visitors from Ballarat, and. miles around gathered at the festive board. On the death of Mr Trouette the property was disposed of to ex-Councillor. Murton, J. P. who held it up to the present time. The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924) Saturday 22 July 1911 - Page 1
  Life Story	1862- 1927	From France to St Peter's Vineyard, Great Western, Victoria, Australia
  	Frenchman, Jean Pierre Trouette, was one who had great difficulty obtaining a block in Great Western, and it was only after much persistence, that, in about 1862, he was permitted to purchase a small allotment on the Concongella Creek. Trouette was born in 1833, in the town of Estampes, in the south of France, and was one of many Europeans attracted to the Australian gold rushes in the 1850's. Brother and sister, Emile and Marie Blampied, from a farming family, were two others drawn to the antipodes from France during the same period. They made their long journey south in 1852, when Marie was 20, and Emil 15, leaving home without informing their parents. The three Gallic fortune seekers met at Daylesford in 1856, where Jean Pierre married Marie, and formed a mining partnership with Emil. Two years later they joined the rush to Great Western. Trouette from a wine growing area of France, began to believe that the vine could also flourish in the gravelly and sandy, undulating country about the gold field, so, although some locals called them fools, in 1863, he and Blampied began planting vines on their plot beside the creek. The two men were actually not the first grape growers in the district. Many of the early squatters planted vines, as well as fruit trees around their homesteads, and in 1861, at Concongella, near Stawell, another Frenchman, Louis Metzger, had also managed to secure a block of land on the Concongella Creek. He began a vineyard the same year, two years before his compatriots ten kilometeres upstream. Being closer to the large population of Stawell, Metzger had an additional difficulty to combat to those faced by Trouette and Blampied; that of the townsfolk who were fond of of grapes crossing over Big Hill to raid his vines. In 1874, the two families were joined, when Emile Blampied married Louisa Metzger, the eldest daughter of Louis. After clearing away the piles of gravel and sludge left by the miners around the creek, Trouette and Blampied put in half an acre of vines in their first year of plabting. Although their land was not of the higest quality agriculturally, it is not always the richest soil that brings forth the best vintage. As they were later to discover for themselves, vines planted on the hills were lower in yield, than those grown on the flat, but they produced a wine which many people preferred. The French vignerons gradually enlarged their operations, and by 1878 they had forty five acres under vine, as well as many fruit trees, of numerous varieties. They employed six workers year round , and thirty more during the making of the vintage. After overcoming some more opposition from the Mining Board, they had been able to expand into a two hundred acre block behind their original holding. In another development in the 1970?s, the partners began to sell the fruit of their labours, in a store they opened in Main Street, Stawell. The winery that Trouette and Blampied established was called St. Peter's, and an unpretentious weatherboard home was built there, with sections added to it as the need arose. In 1887, the dwelling was described as being built after the old French model-a large dining room in the centre, office on one side, and the dwelling rooms on the other. One room was full of trophies, won by Great Western vignerons for their wines, at exibitions all over the world. Underneath and behind the homestead were the cellars, built with large red gum rafters, which contained thousands of gallons of wine, in bottles, barrels, and huge oaken casks. Wine maker and writer, Hubert de Castella, visited St. Peter?s in 1886, and was very impressed with the operation, as well as the hospitality of his French hosts. He desribed Marie Trouette as,"Tall and strong though a little bowed by toil; her dress was that of the good old time in France; the slow candenced of her Lorraine dialect, of which she had lost nothing, was in harmony with the kindliness and the dignified simplicity of her looks". Not only did the French winemakers at Great Western work hard, and achieve a certain amount of prosperity, but they also appeared to enjoy themselves, something Anglo-Saxons have always seemed to have more difficulty with. The celebratory attitude of the vignerons was most in evidence at La Vendange, the annual festival held at St. Peter's to commemorate the completion of the harvest. In the 1870's this event became an instiution, with the Pleasant Creek News reporting in 1876 that it, "Bought together a whole countryside to pass the evening of social enjoyment, such as does not often fall to the lot of residents in the country." One of the main storerooms was converted into a dance hall, where rom about eight in the evening until broad daylight the dancing scarcely ever flagged. There was also singing around the piano, while some of the more sedate guests played cards, and upstairs a room was provided for infants. In another area a banquet was laid out, tables with white cloths being laden with fat turkeys and fowell, with hams, pies, fruit and flowers.Throughout the proceedings the wine flowed freely, although people often commented on the absence of drunkenness. The Stawell newspaper described the last few hours of the La Vendange of 1876, as the celebration slowly wound down. "As the day approached , the rooms began to wear a less crowed appearance, as one vehicle after another drove off with its load of homeward bound guests. Then the Swiss and the Italian vinedressers sang their loudest choruses, and a general gathering of English, Irish, Scotch, Welsh, French, German, Itilian, Swiss, Danish, and possibly half a dozen other nationalities joined in chanting the refrain of Allons a vendange: To the vintage home, song of the master of the revels-the senior partner of the firm. In the light of the new day Jean Pierre Trouette and Marie would serve breakfast and coffee to their remaining guests, giving no indication of wanting to end the festivities. It was not surprising they were such a popular couple. At one celebration there was much laughter when Marie Trouette was invited by a guest who had risen and proposed her health. In her slightly uncertian English, the surprised Frenchwoman had thanked those present for their attendance, and said she hoped to see them more seldom. The Trouettes had two children, Nicholas and Marie, who, in the 1880's, took up full time duties at the vineyard. Life at St. Peter's continued successfully, and the harvest celebrations remained popular, but there were bad times ahead for the French wine makers. In 1885, twenty-seven years after he had come to Great Western to seek his fortune, Jean Pierre Trouette died of lung desease. He was only fifty-two years old. His son, who had studied and worked in the wine industry in France, then took charge of the vineyard. On March 1, 1886, just over three months after of the elder Trouette, a St. Peter's workman, named David Simpson, was told to go into a four meteres deep underground tank, and bring up some grape stalks and refuse it contained, which material was used for the making of brandy. Simpson had been down the tank many times the week before, and had felt no ill effects, but the container had been sealed for three days over the weekend, and, in a test done later, when a lighted candle was placed only ten centimeteres below the tank entrance, it was extinguished through lack of oxygen. Unaware of the danger, Simpson was lowered down on a rope by another workman, John Coby. After he had untied himself, the lack of air took effect, and he fell to the tank floor. Coby shouted for him to grab hold of the rope, which he did, but had only been hauled half way out when failing consciousness caused him to lose his grip, and the worker dropped to the bottom again, insensible, Hearing the shouting, Nicholas Trouette came running out of a nearby cellar, and immediately went down into the vat. He tied a rope around Simpson, and while the workman was being pulled to the surface, where he regained consciousness, Trouette passed out on the tank floor. His mother and sister joined the dismayed gathering of workers at the tank entrance, and in turmoil and confusion the younger Trouette woman, insisted on being lowered to her brother. But she to passed out, and was brought to the surface, where she was revived. Then John Coby returned with a ladder he had fetched, which he placed in the tank and climbed down. In a repeat of what had taken place before, the rope was fastened to Trouette, who was brought to the surface, and Colby collapsed. Constable Moony, of Great Western, heard screams coming from St. Peter's, and on arriving at the scene he too tried to climb down the ladder into the fatal vessel. However, realizing the air was too bad, he ascended, and fastened a hook to the end of a rope, which he managed to place around Coby's belt, and so drag him out. But it was to late for Coby, as well as Trouette. Despite attempts to revive them, both men died of asphyxiation. Some bad seasons apparently followed the deaths of the male members of the Trouette family, and the winery ran into difficulties. It was sold in 1894 to the Murton family, originally from England, and the Blampieds, who had a one third share in the enterprise, shifted to Nhill. The two Marie Trouettes moved to the smaller Hermitage vineyard, which was in sight of St. Peter's. The mother passed away there in 1906, and her daughter, the last of the family, who never married, died in 1927. All that remains now of St. Peter's are a few straggling trees, and several underground tanks. (From Good Country For A Grant, A history of the Stawell Shire, by Robert Kingston, First published, 1989)
  Person ID	I5571	Hickey, List, Bundesen, Thomsen, Jensen, Jessen
  Last Modified	21 Feb 2021

  
  

  Father	Pierre Trouette,   b. France ,   d. France
  Mother	Marie Jeanne Sorbet/Sorbetei,   b. France ,   d. France
  Married	24 Feb 1824	Estampes, Gers, France
  	Place : Estampes Departement ou region : Gers Day : 24 Month : 2 Year : 1824 Husband Name : TROUETTE Husband First Name : PIERRE Wife Name : SORBET Wife First Name : JEANNE MARIE (Estampes - Marriage (1803 - 1902) - 340 Records (Updated on September 26, 2017)
  Family ID	F2881	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family	Anne Marie Blanpied/Blampied,   b. 24 Mar 1825, Bourthecourt, Burthecourt-aux-Chênes, Murthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine, France ,   d. 30 Dec 1905, Great Western, Victoria, Australia  (Age 80 years)
  Married	9 Apr 1856	St Monica's Chapel, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
  	Marriage Registration Surname: TROUETTE: Given Names: Jean Pierre: Event: Marriage: Spouse: BLAMPIED Ann Marie: Year: 1856: Reg No 1495 [Victoria Pioneer Index 1836 -1888] Jean Pierre Trouette, age 23, birthplace, Estampes, Gers, France, son of Pierre Trouette and Marie Jeanna Sorbot. Ann Marie Blampied, age 31, birthplace, Vic Meurthe, France, daughter of, Pierre Blampied and Marie Francoisa Jardin. Married 9 Apr 1856 in St. Monica's, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
  Children	1. Nicolai Barthelmy/Bartholomew Trouette,   b. 1859, Ararat, Victoria, Australia ,   d. 3 Mar 1886, St Peter's Vineyard, Great Western, Victoria, Australia  (Age 27 years)   2. Marie Françoise Trouette,   b. Abt 1859, St Arnauld, Victoria, Australia ,   d. 29 Jul 1927, The Hermitage, Great Western, Victoria, Australia  (Age ~ 68 years)
  Headstones » Slide Show		Jean Pierre Trouette, Anne Marie, Nicolas & Marie Francoise
  		Jean Pierre Trouette, Anne Marie, Nicolas & Marie Francoise Lower part of headstone
  		Trouette historical plot
  Last Modified	15 Feb 2021
  Family ID	F1800	Group Sheet

  
  

• Headstones

  Pierre Trouette and Family

  
  

• Sources

  [S66] Mrs Laurina Collins.