Lilydale and the surrounds may have a small population but throughout its history there have been a large number of violent murders committed for various reasons.
Each murder is different and some had very different outcomes.
This year, the Lilydale and District Historical Society’s new exhibition will feature some of those murders from various times.
George Syme murdered his mother-in-law because she interfered in his family – his wife and 10 children. He was hung after he was found guilty.
Farmer Luigi Marchesi was murdered, burnt and buried on his Gruyere farm. The suspect, laborer Giacomo Tarca, was sentenced to eight years gaol and immediately deported to Italy.
Lilydale’s Main Street was turned into a crime scene when Philip Dobell shot John Nicholson over a cards dispute. Nicholson was shot in the street and stuffed into a culvert where he died. When Dobell served only 24 hours over the death, two effigies of him were hung in the street.
The society has also included Melba in the display featuring the operas in which she was murdered – and there are a few.
The display will be officially opened from 2.30pm, immediately after the March general meeting which begins at 1pm on Saturday 1 March.
The display will remain until the end of the year and can be viewed at the Old Lilydale Court House, 61 Castella Street. The Court House is open Sundays and Mondays 11am to 4pm. Everyone is welcome.
