John is gone but not forgotten

He had been sent to the creek to bathe by his foster father, Thomas Robinson, on a winter’s day when the maximum temperature could not have climbed above about 12℃.

The magisterial inquiry found the cause of death was “shock consequent of sudden immersion” in the creek at Molka.

The magistrate added a note that Mr Robinson did not show the discretion and care he should have, in looking after the deceased.

The doctor who conducted the post mortem on eight-year-old John found no evidence of violence on the body, and he believed the boy was alive before he entered the water.

In his opinion, the cause of death was “shock”. The GP noted the boy was ill-nourished and the muscles were in a state of “inanition” or a state of exhaustion caused by lack of nourishment.

The publication of the findings in the Euroa Gazette were picked up by a number of other newspapers in Victoria and interstate.

Duncan McBryde, the member for North Western Province, raised the issue in the Victorian Legislative Council in August, just a month after the body was found.

The Crown Law office “gave attention to the verdict” but nothing further is recorded.

“A society for the protection of children is very badly wanted,” a newspaper editorial in the Bendigo Independent opined just a month after John’s death.

“In the absence of a society for the prevention of cruelty to children, we suppose that this will be the last heard of this cruel case,” the article lamented.

“To us it reads very like one where there should have been a committal for manslaughter. The boy — a weak, starving little fellow — was driven into a creek in the depth of the coldest winter that we have had for many years, was compelled to remain there as the grazier in question says for five or seven minutes.”

Two years later, the Victorian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was established and the organisation is now known as the Children’s Protection Society.

There is now a monument to the life of John Edge on a quiet rural road in the Molka district. It would not exist if it were not for a series of events about five years ago.

John Gribben, who lives on Castle Creek near where it joins the Goulburn River, was told about John Edge’s story by Euroa community worker Max Burnside, and he could not forget the tragic tale.

“We tell the stories of famous people, so often, but here was a boy who had nothing. Abandoned by his parents and dying in a lonely place,” Mr Gribben said.

“I felt so sorry for the kid. He had no-one.”

Mr Gribben set about creating a memorial plaque and obtained permission from the current landowner to place it just inside the fence so people could stop on Geodetic Rd and read about the boy.

Mr Gribben made contact with an amateur family researcher in Shepparton, Kerryn Sanders, who set about investigating anything else she could on John’s past.

“John had also been exposed to terrible family violence, which may have also contributed to his health issues, and the demise of his family,” Mr Gribben said.

“John Edge certainly lived a life without love and support that children deserve.

“It’s hoped that the memorial will serve as a reminder to others to look after children, and to speak up if people encounter child neglect or family violence.”

Anyone wishing to see the memorial and read the plaque can view it beside the public road bridge over Castle Creek at 900 Geodetic Rd, Molka.

View a video about John Edge online at: www.countrynews.com.au

This is the final instalment in a three-part series.