FIRST SETTLERS

Kenneth Scobie Clarke

Kenneth Scobie Clarke was the first non-indigenous inhabitant to arrive in the district that later became known as Bacchus Marsh.  He came in November 1836, working for a group of men who formed an agricultural company from Van Diemans Land. He settled on the Lerderderg River in a location that lies now in part of the Bacchus Marsh Golf Course.

In 1848 Captain William Bacchus arrived and Clarke moved from the valley up into the Pentland Hills. He stayed there until 1850.
(Moore & Oomes, p.3)

The valley where Bacchus Marsh lies is where two rivers converge, the Lerderderg and the Werribee. These rivers were notorious for flooding, a problem which was not dealt with until the early 20th century when channels were built around the hills to catch the water. Clarke, therefore, was happy to leave the valley and let Bacchus live there. He is said to be the one who coined the name for the valley, after the Captain had settled there, as 'Bacchus's Marsh'.

BACCHUS FAMILY

Captain Bacchus was the second European settler in the township which has been named after him.  

Captain William Bacchus arrived in 1838 with his son Henry.  They commenced farming in the district. They were successful farmers and built a substantial residence known as the Manor House in the 1840s which still stands today, located in Manor Street.


Image source, 'Back to Bacchus Marsh' booklet 1930, 
Latrobe Collection, State Library of Victoria 

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OTHER SETTLERS

R. N. Clarke 
An early patron of the Bacchus Marsh National School (the early name of the Bacchus Marsh Primary School) in 1852. 
(Williams, p.14)