HOLBROOK - the Submarine Town
Travel back in time to when there was gold in them there hills,
Cobb & Co coaches rolled and bushrangers were lerking,
scan for website
On 29 July 1840 he was granted the
licence of the Woolpack Inn, with
Ellen running the Woolpack Inn,
while Johann was working as a
shepherd and a coach driver. In
1840, travellers passing through the
area referred to the hotel as “The
Germans” or “John the German’s.”
The Wiradjuri tribe called the Ten
The Post Office and Store was
Mile Creek, “Thug-wug-minniabinnis” or “Thug-wug-mungyelThe first to settle on the present site opened by James Ford on 1 January
bingyel”, meaning something like
of Holbrook were John and Elisabeth 1857. It was situated on the corner
of Murray and Albury Streets.
“jumping waters” or “something to Mitten who squatted on the north
do with rock wallabies”. Hume &
bank of the Ten Mile Creek in early
In August 1858 surveyor Sam
Hovell were the first white men to
1838. On 26 June 1839 John was
disturb their hunting and fishing
granted a publican’s licence for the Parkinson surveyed the township
calling it Germanton which was
land, when they crossed from
Woolpack Inn. This was situated
gazetted in 1876. John Purtell built
Tumbarumba into the Greater
near Holbrook’s current swimming
the Criterion Hotel (the present site
Hume Shire region on 10 November pool.
of the Woolpack Inn Museum). The
1824. They likened the area to
first licensee was John King, who
Camden Forest and called the
In April 1840 the Pabst family
highest point Friday Mount
moved into Ten Mile Creek. Johann came from the Criterion Hotel in
Albury. During the gold rush to the
(Mt Pleasant). The Rev John Joseph Christopher Pabst, a German
Kiandra diggings in the 1860’s, the
shepherd, arrived in Australia in
Top from left: Enjoying a light
Pabst family kept a store and sold
1825 to work for the Australian
refreshment at the Planes, Trains &
bread to the travellers. This was near
Agricultural Company founded by
Submarines Festival, Holbrook; Hot Air
the site of the Holbrook Hotel. With
John Macarthur, the pioneer and
Ballooning near HMAS Otway, Holbrook. founder of Australia’s wool industry. the influx of new settlers from the
Holbrook is situated approximately
half way between Melbourne and
Sydney on the Hume Highway and
is primarily a service centre for the
surrounding region and visiting
highway traffic.
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greater hume shire
Therry was the first white man
licensed to settle in the Holbrook
area, being granted the “Billy Bong”
lease in January 1837, which
covered an area of 6400 acres,
including the site of the present
township of Holbrook, with its
headquarters at “Yarra Yarra.’’
Street Map of Holbrook
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Cemetery
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Library
BBQ
golf course
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sports &
show ground
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railway
Major Road
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WILSON
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Accrediated Visitor Information
Centre
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ST
Robertson Land Act in the late
1860s, the Pabst family opened the
Germanton Hotel on 2 November
1868. Mrs. Pabst owned most of the
land from the Presbyterian Church
to the Germanton Hotel.
Hotel was rebuilt, which included a
shop, billiard room, bar and
bathroom. In September 1913 the
second story was added to the
Criterion Hotel. The Criterion or
“Bottom Pub” continued to trade
until 30 June 1965, the last licensee
The first Criterion Hotel was
was Kevin Murphy. February 1971
severely damaged by fire, twice, in
the Holbrook Promotion Committee
April and September 1895. In
purchased the building from Harry
November 1895 half of the Criterion Jarvis for a Museum. The Woolpack
Inn Museum opened its doors on 18
Attraction
December 1971. In April 1972 Sir
Roden Culter VC officially opened
the Woolpack Inn Museum.
Holbrook Miniature Railway
The Holbrook passenger carrying
Miniature Railway runs in the
beautiful Ten Mile Creek Gardens
in the centre of Holbrook on the
2nd & 4th Sundays of the month.
Available for special bookings
- birthday parties, school classes
& tourist coaches. Please follow
signs on the day.
Ph: 02 6036 2253
Mob: 0427 362 253
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greater hume shire
during World War I. Lt Holbrook, on
13 December 1914, had taken the
British Submarine B11 on a
hazardous journey into the
Dardenelles to torpedo and sink the
Turkish battleship “Mesudiye”.
Back in Germanton, Cr John Ross’
suggestion that Holbrook be a fitting
name for the town was greeted with
great enthusiasm and the first
meeting of the newly named
Holbrook Council took place on
24 August 1915. During the years
following the name change,
Commander Holbrook made a
Why does Holbrook, a farming
number of visits to the town before
community 400km from the nearest his death in 1976. In 1982 his
seaport, have a life size submarine?
widow, Mrs Gundula Holbrook
In the main street of the township,
donated his medals to the town. On
lies the above water line
13 December 2009, the original
superstructure of HMAS Otway
medals were donated on loan to the
about 90 m from bow to stern.
Australian War Memorial in
Located in parklands nearby is a 1/5 Canberra. Present at the ceremony
scale model of a World War I B11
were representatives of Mrs Gundula
Submarine dedicated in 1972, a
Holbrook, school children and
statue commemorating Commander residents from Holbrook and Greater
Norman D Holbrook which was
Hume Shire councillors and staff.
unveiled in 1988, a life size Mark VIII
Torpedo unveiled in 1992 and
The unlikely link between the inland
Duck’s Arse installed in 1995.
farming town and the RAN
Holbrook’s unique link with
Submarine Squadron was developed
submarines began during World War by Holbrook between 1986 and
I when the town’s forefathers
1992 when submariners were given
believed Germanton was no longer Freedom of Entry to the shire.
an appropriate town name.
In 1995 the Navy gifted the fin of
About that time, Lt Norman
the decommissioned HMAS
Holbrook’s name hit world headlines Otway. This gift created a
for the most daring underwater raid submarine working party which was
formed to investigate ways of
obtaining a real submarine and
overseeing its erection, several
thousand dollars was raised along
with a generous gift from Mrs
Gundula Holbrook. HMAS Otway
was purchased creating the problem
of moving the submarine inland,
hence the structure was cut into
sections and transported by
semi-trailer down the Hume
Highway. The spectacular, traffic
stopping inland submarine is a
fitting memorial to those brave men
who serve and have served in
submarines in both war and peace.
An official dedication of the
Submarine Memorial was staged
during the Queen’s Birthday
weekend on 7 June 1997 with Mrs
Gundula Holbrook the official guest.
In 2013 Holbrook will be bypassed.
However the township will still be
Things to See and Do
nvisit the Submarine Park and walk along HMAS Otway or go through
the Submarine Museum which now houses photographs, an amazing
new 3D hologram depicting the exploits of Lieutenant Commander
Holbrook, submarine components and mock areas of the submarine
interior such as control room and living quarters and working
periscope. Open 10 am to 4 pm, daily, contact 02 6036 2422.
nWoolpack Inn Museum - Provides a wonderful display evoking the
pioneering past of Holbrook in themed rooms. There is also an
extensive display of early transport and machinery used in the
district, and several outside buildings which have been reconstructed
on site. Open 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, each day, contact 02 6036 2131.
nNational Museum of Australian Pottery - Dedicated to 19th and
early 20th century Australian Pottery. Over 1200 pieces are on
display from over 120 Australian pottery companies. Open 9.30 am
to 4.30 pm Thursday to Tuesday. Closed Wednesdays and in August,
contact 02 60363464.
ntake a ride on Holbrook’s Miniature Railway, located in the beautiful
Ten Mile Creek Gardens. The train runs on the second and fourth
Sunday of each month throughout the year, every Sunday during
School holidays, and by arrangement for parties etc, contact
02 6036 2253.
nrelax in Holbrook’s great parks including Ten Mile Creek Gardens,
Submarine Park and Circus Flat.
ntake a walk along Ian Geddes Bushwalk located on the western side
of the highway, behind Grimwoods Craft Store and Woolpack Inn
Museum. This lovely tranquil bushland walk follows Ten Mile Creek
away from the highway. The entrance features a shelter with a map
of the walk and the names and pictures of the birds which you are
likely to observe as you meander along the trail. The walk can be
comfortably completed in half an hour.
nstroll along Albury Street (Hume Highway) and enjoy historic
buildings of a bygone era such as the Court House, Police Station,
and Knox Uniting Church or St Paul’s Anglican Church.
ngo for a skate in the skate park at Submarine Park.
very accessible to passing traffic
with convenient on and off ramps at
either end of the township, making
Holbrook the ideal stopover
destination for the weary traveller,
with its relaxing parks, ample car, RV
and van parking, petrol stations,
super markets and excellent eateries.
Also on offer are delightful antique
and craft shops as well as interesting
museums.
There are excellent sporting
facilities, including the Equine
Centre currently being developed at
the Holbrook Racecourse to cater
for polocrosse, pony club, campdraft
and rodeo as well as other equine
sports. The Sporting Complex, golf,
bowls and swimming facilities
provide for all sporting tastes.
A number of wineries are being
developed to the east of Holbrook.
The district is also very proud that
Holbrook is home to one of the
most successful Landcare programs
in Australia, having won many
national awards.
The Airpark on the outskirts of
Holbrook sees a high level of activity
and is particularly popular with
ultralight pilots, and regularly sees
pilots fly into its precinct in light
planes from around the world.
HOLBROOK IS A DESTINATION
FOR THE FOLLOWING TOURS:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cobb & Co Way
Round the Top Circuit
Mountains to the Plains Expedition
Murray River Experience
Birdwatchers Trek
Bowlers Drive
Golfers Swing
Eco Adventure
Cemetery Journey
Museum Exploration
Opposite top from left:
Woolpack Inn Museum, Holbrook;
School children on HMAS Otway,
Holbrook.
greater hume shire
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Commander Norman D Holbrook
A challenging underwater mission with a brave crew.
November 1914 saw Lt Holbrook
and His majesty’s Submarine (HmS)
B11 (British B Class) part of a mixed
flotilla of British and French ships
and submarines patrolling from dusk
to dawn off the entrance to the
Dardanelles. B11s being of primitive
design had a crew of 15, were 47 m
long with a displacement of
287 tons surfaced and 316 tons
submerged. a single 16 cylinder,
600 hp petrol engine gave a
maximum surface speed of 12 knots
and a 290 hp electric motor, fed
from storage batteries, could
produce 6 knots submerged for 1
hour (longer at slower speed).
in December 1914 a decision was
made to send a submarine against
the movement of shipping seen
20 km further up the Straits from
the entrance. The Straits were
Top from left: Looking through the
Periscope; a real Torpedo. Pioneers
memorial; 3D Hologram depicting the
story of Holbrook, Submarine museum.
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gREaTER HUmE SHiRE
covered by numerous guns at point
blank range, with powerful
searchlights sweeping the surface
and at least 5 lines of mines moored
across the Straits as well as those in
the Narrows. a submarine fitted
with guards around the hydroplanes
and wires from bow/stern to the
highest point on the conning tower
could pass through the minefield by
pushing the mooring wires aside.
at 3 am on 13 December 1914, the
26 year old Lt Holbrook and HmS
B11 set off. at 4.15 am when B11
was 5 km from the entrance to the
Straits, Lt Holbrook shut down the
motor to await dawn when the
searchlights were switched off. at
5 am, Lt Holbrook started the engine
and trimming down low in the water
with just the conning tower above
water, crept closer inshore. as first
light appeared, B11 dived and
proceeded submerged, navigating by
the raised periscope. a strange
vibration shook the boat , the mine
guard around the port hydroplane
was bent out of shape, forcing Lt
Holbrook to discard it before
proceeding, thus exposing the
hydroplane to the risk of hooking a
mine. as dawn’s light grew, B11 sat
exposed on the surface, fortunately
calm, as the crew worked frantically
to free the hydroplane. By 6 am, B11
was again submerged at periscope
depth, on course up the Straits.
at 8.30 am, B11 trimmed to 25 m
and entered the first minefield. For
an hour they proceeded ‘blind’,
conscious of the lines of mines
overhead with the risk of the
exposed hydroplane. at 9.30 am, Lt
Holbrook guessed they were through
the minefield and rose to periscope
depth to fix their position. as Lt
Holbrook swung the periscope
around, he discovered they were
further up the Straits than expected.
a battleship came into view about
1.6 km away, bow on, too far for
their 45 cm torpedoes. Lt Holbrook
swung B11 90 degrees to starboard
to close the range and to allow the
current to sweep him onto the
battleship’s beam. Rising to
periscope depth 5 minutes later, Lt
Holbrook swung B11 to point at the
battleship and fired two torpedoes.
With the current now sweeping B11
dangerously inshore, Lt Holbrook
swung to port and watched the
torpedo tracks going straight,
towards the battleship. Water closed
over the lens and the submarine was
violently shaken by the shock of an
explosion.
Holbrook cautiously brought B11 to THE CiTaTiON FOR THE ViCTORia
periscope depth and finding clear
CROSS giVEN TO COmmaNDER
water, headed back down the Straits. HOLBROOK REaD:
“Norman Douglas Holbrook,
The long burst at full speed had
Lieutenant, Royal Navy, Date of act
taken a lot out of the battery and
of Bravery: 13th December,
with safety still 28 km away,
1914. For most conspicuous bravery
B11 was forced to proceed at slow
on 13th December when, in
speed. Without a compass B11
command of the Submarine
needed to be at periscope depth to
B11, he entered the Dardanelles and,
navigate. The next hour was to be
notwithstanding the very difficult
the most trying of the mission. B11 current, dived his vessel
had dived for over 5 hours and the
under 5 rows of mines and
air was becoming foul. By noon they torpedoed the Turkish Battleship
The Turkish battleship “mesudiye”,
passed safely through the minefield, “mesudiye”, which was guarding
although hit, began to fire at point
but they were right under the guns
the minefield. Lt Holbrook
blank range, fountains of water
of the forts on either side. With
succeeded in bringing the B11 back,
sprang up all around the periscope
about 14 km to safety and the
although assailed by gunfire and
and the crack of shells was striking
battery almost as exhausted as the
torpedo boats, having been
closely overhead. B11 was now in
men, Lt Holbrook issued food and a submerged on 1 occasion for 9
some difficulty, the compass tube
lot of rum. at 1 pm, Lt Holbrook
hours”.
was flooded and the current was
surfaced near a British destroyer.
sweeping her further inshore. Lt
after 8 hours submerged, a long,
Holbrook was now deep inside the
long time in such a primitive
bay, with no compass, only land
submarine, the petrol engine refused
visible all around his periscope (only to start, until the foul air in the boat
centimetres above the water), and
had been ventilated. B11 then sailed CmDR HOLBROOK’S mEDaLS
after concentrating on the attack he on to safety.
Victoria Cross (takes precedence
had only a rough idea of his position.
over all other orders and medals; as
Lt Holbrook pointed the submarine
B11 became the first submarine to
of 2012, a total of 1360 VC’s have
on the estimated course and
sink an enemy warship in waters
been awarded, of which 99 were
proceeded.
theoretically safe from attack. For
australians).
this fine achievement Lt Holbrook
1914-20 British War medal
Ordering the boat to be dived to
was awarded the Victoria Cross and 1914-15 Star Victory medal
17 m as a torpedo boat appeared,
the French Legion of Honour; Lt T
1914-1919. Bronze Oak Leaf
the submarine hit bottom at 12 m.
Winn, the 1st Lieutenant, the
1939-1945 Defence medal
guessing his position by the charts, Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
1939-1945 War Service medal
Lt Holbrook proceeded at full speed and the remainder of the crew either Coronation medal (King george Vi)
and for the next 10 minutes
the Distinguished Service Cross
Coronation medal (Queen Victoria)
frequently touched bottom until
(DSC) or the Distinguished Service
insignia of Chevaliar of the Legion of
finding deeper water. at 10.20 am Lt medal (DSm)
Honour.
gREaTER HUmE SHiRE
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