An historic photograph of the southern side of Main St in Drouin.
Amongst the stores is the C.W Sunley's wheelwright, blacksmith and undertaker business.
It was located on the parcel of land running between Memorial Park and the Anglican Church.
Mr Sunley began his business in 1898 on the site known as Crown Allotment 2, Section 18, Drouin township.
In 1907, he expanded the business by adding the premises next door.
The business featured in an advertisement in "The Gippsland Independent and Express" in 1908.
"Horses carefully shod, buggies and all other vehicles made and repaired, repainted and trimmed," it read. "Undertaking business; horses and coaches supplied if required. Funerals conducted in any part of the district. Grave stones and railings supplied at Melbourne prices."
In January of 1913, a fire destroyed all of the other stores occupying the allotment in Main St. Mr Sunley's premises were the only ones that survived the fire.
Those destroyed were J Blacker's two-storey brick general store, M. Roe's bakery, The Coffee Palace, and a shop and dwelling belonging to Andrew Bosanko.
Mr Sunley arrived in Drouin around 1893 and had previously worked with Allan Coombe in his Church St blacksmith shop.
He married Rosa Holthouse Jackson at Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) in 1892. Rosa was the daughter of early Drouin settler Franklin Jackson.
The Sunley family home, known as "Sylvandale", was located in Lardner Rd, on the corner of Oddy St. It comprised three allotments.
All of his seven children were born in Drouin.
After selling the business, Charles and Rosa continued to live in Drouin and were both buried in the Drouin cemetery alongside two of their children.
Charles sold his blacksmith business in February of 1915 to Stanley Hall and Co. It was then sold in June of 1916 to Longwarry blacksmith Frederick Deunert. In 1918, it was again sold to Alfred Ernest Miles who continued the business as a blacksmith and wheelwright until 1923.
The site was occupied by Ankertell Motors from 1955 until it was sold to Roger Manson Panels in 1976.
Photograph courtesy of Drouin History Group.
Visit drouinhistorygroup.org.au to find out more about the group.
