1993

In 1993, the Rural City of Bellarine was abolished and merged into the City of Greater Geelong. Before the merger, their seat was in Drysdale, a town with intriguing beginnings. 

In 1848 Scottish-Australian farmer Anne Drysdale and her partner Caroline Newcomb acquired a 10,000 acre property in the Bellarine area and built the homestead ‘Coryule’ (also spelt Coriyule).

Slowly the rural town of Drysdale began to grow, and the pair were active members of the community. Anne died in 1853, and Caroline continued to run Coryule until her death in 1874. 

The two were buried together at Coryule, but have since been moved to Eastern Cemetery, Geelong. Coryule homestead still stands today and is heritage listed. 

Kenneth Jack’s Shops on the hill, Drysdale, Victoria depicts Drysdale’s main street in 1959. Jack’s work is a linocut printed in colour inks from six blocks, and produced in an edition of 30.