The Darriwil Sutherland‘s Creek area was predominately a farming community. In times past the horse race meetings conducted by the Darriwil Racing Club attracted a large following. Shooters were well catered for by a very active Rifle Club. Fr.Rankin pastor of the Little River Mission, established in December, 1857, arranged with Geelong architect John Shaw, for a church building at Darriwil.
St John‘s church Darriwil was built on 1 ½ acres of land donated by Michael Fitzgerald, and opened in 1858 as a school and church. The gothic style chapel was constructed of locally quarried quartzite and is thought to be the only one of its type in Victoria. Originally it had a slate roof- now iron. Cost of the building $396 for the carpentry and $460 for the stonework. Mr.C.O‘Grady was the first teacher appointed to the school, designated as school No 200. John Connelly who died in 1877 a victim of T.B. was the head teacher at the school. Miss Bolger may have followed John Connelly. Miss Ellen Mulrooney (later Mrs.Sutton) was the last. Fr.Rankin was the first and last parish priest of Little River. He built himself a residence at Little River and there he passed to his eternal reward on February 10, 1863. The district following Fr.Rankin‘s death reverted to Geelong.
The Advocate.” October 27, 1877. Darriwil.
In this mission the Catholics appear to be determined to support their schools at all hazards, and to have nothing whatever to do with the establishments erected by a kind and paternal Government. Miss Bolger was appointed to Darriwil school upon the capitation grant being withdrawn, and the average attendance has been fully maintained, being 34. Fr.Hegarty in a letter dated October 17,1878 to the Editor of the Argus. I can tell Mr.Baldwin (Inspector of schools) a fact, namely, that the teacher employed at Sutherland‘s Creek under the capitation clause of the Education Act, while left, I assure him, quite free to do as she pleased, refused the proffered position of head teacher of the new state school; and with it a salary more than double that which I paid her.
1879 August 2nd, A adjourned meeting of the Catholic Education Defence Association was held at Sutherland‘s Creek, on Sunday, 20th, July; Rev.Gerald.Byrne in the chair. The chairman pointed out the necessity of united action, and hoped no one would be wanting in his duty at the next elections. It was only by unity and determination Catholics could secure their rights. The following resolutions were then carried unanimously: Proposed by Thomas Slattery, senior, seconded by Patrick Horan- “That the time has arrived when Catholics should use every lawful means in their power to secure a share of the education vote.” Proposed by Thomas Bolger, seconded by William Slattery- “That the Catholics of this district pledge themselves not to support any candidate for Parliament who is not favourable to Catholic views on
the education question.
The Slattery-Bolger wedding, celebrated by Fr.Michael.Ryan parish priest, assisted by former parish priests Fr.J.L.Hegarty and Fr.D.Murphy, was reported in the Advocate dated March 9th,1889.
MARRIAGE Slattery-Bolger. On 30th, January at St.John‘s Darriwil, by the Rev.M.Ryan, assisted by the Rev.J.L.Hegarty,of St Kilda, and the Rev.D.Murphy, of Fitzroy,Thomas Patrick, youngest son of Thomas Slattery, of Sutherland Creek to Maggie Gertrude, fourth daughter of the late Walter Bolger, of Darriwil.
The Advocate May 8th, 1915
A branch of the Australian Catholic Federation formed at Darriwil.
The Advocate January 22nd, 1925.
A remarkable landmark on the Geelong and Steiglitz main road is the old stone church at Darriwil, on Sutherland‘s Creek. At one time used as church and school, it was the centre of a populous district; it now stands a solitary sentinel, with but the gum trees to sing its past glories. In a radius of 2 miles only one house is to be found. The visitor is tempted into the realms of romance by the simple legend rudely carved over the door, “A.D.1856.” New flooring and complete renovation have added to the appearance of the church.
Some of the parishioners who attended Darriwil, (supplied by Mrs.Eileen Rowe).
Delahunty, Sharkey, McDonald, (Fr.Hugh McDonald comes from this family), Anderson, Callery, Ryan, Lowndes, O‘Neil, Masterson, Tanner, Brogan and Ted Dillon.
Due to a dwindling population Sunday Masses ceased in 1939. For the next 15 years, Mass was celebrated on one Saturday each month. St John‘s was finally closed in the 1950‘s by Fr.C.J.McCarthy.
Mr.Tom Lynch assisted Fr.McCarthy remove the fittings from inside the church. The crucifix is now in St.Mary‘s Church Lethbridge and the pews found use in the Meredith Church with the balance going to the Redemptorists at Apollo Bay.
A special committee of the Geelong Masonry and Brick Guild was formed to oversee the removal of St John‘s. In 1986 the structure was taken apart stone by stone and re-erected to become the Campus Chapel at Deakin University Waurn Ponds.
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