A photograph of the back of the house on the "Weebar" property of William and Flora Martin in Drouin from 1969.
Built by Franklin Jackson, William purchased the property in 1892. The property was named "Ferntree Ridge" by Jackson but was renamed "Weebar" by William and Flora. This gave the name to the road leading to their farm.

Flora Martin (nee Campbell) is recognised by the Royal Botanic Gardens of Victoria as being a significant contributor to the field of mycology and botany. Flora's story has been told after many years of being largely ignored for her contribution.
William's story is as interesting as his wife's. He was born in Scotland and migrated to Australia with his first wife in 1854.
A building contractor, William shortly went into partnership with John Peacock. The firm Martin and Peacock were the builders of many well-known buildings in Melbourne, including Government House.
Martin and Peacock commenced this build in early 1873 and had until December 1874 to finish the contract. William was a clever businessman, with shares in the Hoffman brick factory that supplied the bricks for the building. They had more than 100 men laying bricks as well as masons and carpenters.
Other builds included the Royal Melbourne Mint, Fitzroy Cable Tram House, many churches and chapels as well as the New City Markets that replaced those on the site of what is now Flinders Street Station. They had offices in Spencer St, Melbourne and were in partnership until 1893.
Following the death of his first wife Jane in 1885, William married Flora at the age of 57 in 1888.
It is believed William and Flora moved to Drouin because of Flora's heath problems. However, Flora later claimed it was because the country life offered opportunities to study and conduct experiments in vegetable pathology.
William took a little longer to get used to the country life, having lived in the city since arriving in Melbourne and worked as a busy contractor for more than 30 years.
Flora wrote to an acquaintance in March 1894 asking for his help in having William appointed a Justice of the Peace. He was appointed in July 1894.
It followed William unsuccessfully standing for a position on Buln Buln council the previous year. As a result, Flora was concerned he may return to Melbourne and start working again.
There are many articles about William conducting trials for new strains of oats. However, it is thought to have been Flora, as many of her works were attributed to her husband.
Women at the time were largely known by their husband's name and she would have been referred to as Mrs W. Martin.
William died in 1909 leaving a substantial estate to Flora. She stayed on the property, purchasing more land in 1911 on the other side of the road.
Flora continued farming until her death in 1923.
Photograph and information courtesy of Drouin History Group.