Taken from: http://www.altongarden.com/history/history.htm
In January 1875 a bushfire slightly damaged Verdon's selection, destroying 20 chains of paling fencing and 80 fruit trees. 'Wanderer' commented that 'Although depressed by the misfortune ... Verdon again set to work to improve his little estate, and in this Sir George says he was greatly helped by Mr A. Turner of the Mount'.
Alfred Turner (1837-1916) was born at Owlpen, Gloucester, England and landed with his father in South Australia in 1838. They came to Mount Macedon in 1853 where his father was a timber splitter in the period prior to the advent of the saw mills. Turner apparently served his apprenticeship with Taylor and Sangster and his obituarist claimed that he 'superintended the preparation of the ground for residences of Sir George Verdon (Alton), R.L.J. Ellery (Hascombe), C. Ryan [Derreweit], and Professor McCoy and Gordon, C.E.'.
He took charge Alton from its early beginnings and remained there until Verdon's death in 1896. Alfred Turner purchased a block of just over six acres at Mount Macedon in 1888 and is described on the land title as a 'Farmer', perhaps indicating that his role at Alton was more akin to that of land steward than head gardener.
Note: Taylor & Sangster was a prominent firm of nurserymen with premises in Toorak and Macedon, Victoria. The business ran from c1875 until c1919.
DEATH
Alfred is buried with Martha (his wife) at the Mount Macedon cemetary.
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