In the Milton Ulladulla Family History Society Incorporated's search for the retailers/shopkeepers of Milton/Ulladulla and their families, a reminiscence of Helen (Butson) Astill pricked their interest.
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It is the first record of a retail business in the village now known as Burrill Lake.
The book the extract came from is titled "Beautiful Burrill by Alex McAndrew" and it is in the Family History Room at the rear of the Ulladulla Civic Centre if you want to read more.
This is an extract from Helen's story.
The Butsons of Burrill
".......the year 1920.......On the Easter Holidays there was quite a considerable increase in the number of tourists and we had to resort to the horse and sulky to carry sufficient supplies.......in 1922 Mum and Dad erected temporary buildings......built with large poles......the roof and walls were pieces of bark 3 feet wide and 8 feet long stripped from tree trunks........All cooking was done in large camp ovens................Dad constructed a building and we then took in boarders, and catered for forty-six at one sitting............" and so the story continues.
The Butson family farm is visible beside the Princes Highway near Slaughterhouse Road and still carries the original name, Romney Park.
From here to Burrill Lake on horseback through the forest was the daily routine for the Butson children during tourist seasons.
The first shop, café, postal service, telephone, and accommodation were provided by this remarkable family.
If you have a people-related retail story the family history society wants to hear from you.
People are welcome to come down and have a chat at the base in the Ulladulla Library.
Their room is open Monday and Wednesday from 10am to 2pm, Saturday from 9.30am to 1.30pm, their email address is mufhsinc@gmail.com and their website is www.mufhsi.org.
The start of retail shopping in Burrill Lake was submitted by Ron Smith Milton Ulladulla Family History Society Inc.
