Explore the history of the Sebire family and Mont De Lancey

Henry Sebire is born in Guernsey (an island in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy) to French speaking parents, Jean & Judith Sebire.

At around 12 years of age, Henry starts training as a quarryman and stonemason.

2 October 1849: Henry boards the Maitland in Plymoth, England.

9 January 1850: Arrives in Melbourne

Henry marries Martha Rihoy, cousin of his first wife, Sophie Renouf.

Henry and his family live in the suburb of Pentridge (renamed to Coburg in 1870). He works as a quarryman on the construction of HM Pentridge Prison.

His daughter Mary Anne is born while he is working on the prison.

Indigenous people of the Wandin area are moved to an area called Coranderrk near Healesville, which becomes an Aboriginal Reserve.

Parcels of land are made available by the Victorian Government under ‘The Land Act 1865 (Grants Land Act)‘. The land was to be rented for three years, during which time improvements had to be made. Once those conditions were met, the land could be purchased outright.

Henry and his family move to Wandin Yallock, build a wooden house on land secured under the The Land Act 1865.  They plant raspberries and other fruit crops.

The first Sebire baby is born on the property. Henry and Martha welcome their son, Wandin.

Henry applies to purchase the land on which his house is built.

Henry helps build the brick Methodist Church, replacing the earlier wooden one.

Henry builds Mont De Lancey with bricks made on site. Six of his eight children live in the house.

Henry’s son Thomas trains in fruit tree propagation and pruning at the ‘Royal Horticulture College’ in Burnley, Victoria.

The Sebire family business is awarded the Blashki Trophy for Horticulture.

Henry dies.

Thomas inherits the farm known as Mont De Lancey. He marries Linda Caroline Fairless. Their four children are brought up in the house.

Henry’s daughter Lily Sebire writes ‘The Early History of Wandin Yallock’.

First World War

Henry’s grandson Francis (Frank) is killed at the Battle of the Somme (France).

Downturn in the fruit market. Income from fruit and vegetable growing is supplemented by cutting chaff.

Thomas buys a herd of Jersey cows, builds the milking shed and operates as the ‘Wandin Hygienic Dairy’ – selling locally and to the “Model Dairy” (Kew) & “Moran and Cato” (Fitzroy).

Son Delancey Francis (Lance) is born.

Second World War

Thomas dies and his son Reg inherits the farm and grows fruit and vegetables.

Nine children are brought up in the house.

Reg adds an extension for a washhouse, toilet and bathroom to the house.

The family farms chickens for meat and eggs.

Reg dies and his son Graeme inherits the house and farm. He grows cherries and other fruit.

Mont De Lancey becomes a museum and local community project, with the support of the Sebire and other local families.