Riverview" has been owned by the one family since 1912. Benjamin and Henrietta Clements and their large Family moved from Canowindra, N.S.W. in approximately 1900 following a very severe drought in that area. The Family consisted of the parents Benjamin and Henrietta and a family of eleven children, four sons and seven daughters. They came to Benalla and lived in various places there, then moved to the Euroa area where a number of the younger children were born.
In 1912 they bought the property where the house still stands from Mr Cooke. It is not known how many of the children actually lived on the property at that time as many of them had married and had their own families and farms. In any event it was the Family Home to the Clements Family at that time.
In 1914 Henrietta and Benjamin Clements had ceased to be the main farmers at "Riverview" and the property was sold to their third son Patrick Stanley Osbert Clements. He had been an Inspector of Crown lands in the Seymour District. Upon his marriage to Miss Julia Carroll he made plans to buy "Riverview" from his parents. In a letter written by Henrietta to her son Patrick she advised that he should think carefully about buying "Riverview". She said…." It's not much of a farm, plenty of others around just as good, if not better" Undeterred by his mothers apparent ambivalence to "Riverview" Patrick bought the property and commenced to farm there. In 1916 and 1918 daughters Mary Irene (Molly) and Eileen Josephine Mary were born and raised on "Riverview". Patrick ran a very successful dairy farm and Julia and the Girls were all involved in the daily domestic and farming duties associated with dairying. In 1928 Benjamin died on "Riverview", and in 1930 Henrietta died in the Bush near Tolmie, after having been lost for a week, both are buried in the Moorngag cemetery.
Life continued on at "Riverview", the First World War came and went, the Great Depression and Second World War also. During these years rural and farm land continued on and life was fairly centred around the seasons and the weather. In 1951 Julia died also at "Riverview" and is buried in the Moorngag cemetery.
Patrick continued to farm, raising fat lambs and cattle. His daughters had also married in 1950 and 1954 and moved to Melbourne and to Archdale Junction. In 1969 Patrick died in Melbourne and is also buried in the Moorngag cemetery. "Riverview" is now owned by the Great Grandson of Benjamin and Henrietta Clements, Kevin Smith. Kevin is the son of Eileen Clements and John Smith of Archdale Junction. Johnny Smith, as he was known, died at "Riverview" in 2005 and is buried in the Bealiba cemetery.
"Riverview" has been a well loved Family Home and Landmark to many generations of the Clements Family. The giant and aged trees have seen many come and go over the years and have provided shade and shelter. The old Home, though renovated, still sits on its original site.
"Riverview" will be loved by many for a long time yet.
Walk into the garden of Nature. "Riverview" has many different types of wild flowers which spring into beauty at the different seasons. Come and see the absolute majesty of many different types of native orchids in the Springtime, flowers that clothe the Bush much more than the majesty of Solomon's Temple. Tiny little flowers that bequeathe beauty to all that have the time and ability to see them. Springtime is the time when Nature boastfully proclaims her beauty, shaking off the cold of Winter. Brilliant wattles show off their parades of yellow assuring us of the promise of lots of warmth and sunshine. The air is permeated with the delicate perfumery of flowers. Pink native heaths and purple Happy Wanderer proudly bow and curtsy in the springtime happiness. It is a magical and dazzling time, experience the beauty as Nature unfolds.
"Riverview" is a well loved property. It has been continuously owned by the one Family since approximately 1912. There have not been many owners of this most beautiful and diverse property since its formation. "Riverview" has been loved by generations of the Clements Family and continues to be loved and farmed by descendants to this very day.
The first European to own the area was an Englishman called Tolmie. His squatter run was huge and extended from almost Mansfield to almost Benalla. This country would have been wild and untamed, rich in natural resources, but harsh and unpredictable. It was an area that resisted the imposition of an English land system that had its basis in the feudal land system of England. Meanwhile great effort was made to superimpose this foreign system on Australia's soil. It was not without its sadness and regrets.
After the control and autocracy of the squatters was destroyed, large tracts of land were then made available to those who wished to pursue farming pursuits on a much smaller scale. The exact date is not known but a Mr William Cooke was the first farmer to own "Riverview". The area was uncleared and the native Bush was thick and huge gum trees grew along the rich alluvial soils near the creek. Mr Cooke set about wrestling the land from the Bush, trees were ring barked and clearing the Bush for farm land took place. It is not known what type of farm he had, the exact acreage and the length of time he farmed.
In 1902 the Certificate of Title details Mr William Cox of Benalla, Storekeeper as the owner. It was an accepted oral history that William Cox conducted a butchers shop in premises that had been built on "Riverview". It was said that this shop was conducted in the room that later became the kitchen. His wife Mrs Sarah Cox of Fern Hills, near Benalla. Widow owned the property in 1903.
In 1912 "Riverview" was bought by Benjamin and Henrietta Clements. It is not known whether they named the property or if the name was in existence already. The Clements Family had originally hailed from Canowindra N.S.W. and after a short period of time, settled at "Riverview", Fern Hills near Tatong. In 1928 with the death of Benjamin the property was sold to a son Patrick Clements. He raised his family on "Riverview", conducted a successful dairy farming business and farmed there till his death in 1969. The property is now owned by the great grand son of Benjamin and Henrietta, Kevin Smith
Observe and experience the sheer sacredness of water. "Riverview" is situated in the extremely fertile Fern Hills valley where drenching deluges and summer showers water the eco-systems abundantly. During winter many natural springs rise to the surface. Beautiful pure water runs plentifully in the Valley. Taste the absolute uniqueness of this most purest of water.
The Hollands Branch of the Broken River flows through "Riverview" at the foot of Mount Joy for approximately two kilometres. Many creatures use and rely on this water system to sustain their lives. Walk along the banks of the Hollands, observe her moods as she lazily meanders, spilling over the rocks peacefully and calmly or roars in thunderous anger as she sweeps everything before her in a flooded swollen rage. A unique water eco system exists along the banks. Here you can expect to see trees and shrubs hugging the banks, providing stability and support. Observe the herbage specific to water ways eco systems live and thrive together in partnership. Fish plop lazily as they break the surface to catch a tasty treat, perhaps a careless dragon fly or grub. At "Riverview" the Hollands Branch is home to an extremely complex plethora of aquatic life including micro organisms, fish, crustacea and other animals.
Marvel at the sheer smoothness of river stones as the Hollands continues to polish them as it has done for centuries. Reflect on long abandoned water courses of the Hollands. Experience the thrill of seeing platypus feeding in the water, Nature's own wonderful and natural indicators of water quality. See birds skimming the water or wading in the shallows, a magnificent kingfisher diving for food. Ducks paddling silently along the Hollands, ever watchful and careful to protect themselves from intruders.
Enjoy the pristine water. Along its course "Riverview" boasts many beautiful water holes. Swimming and paddling are wonderful ways to beat the heat. Floating along looking up at the blue skies is a relaxing way to spend a summer day. Privacy and peace can be assured in this most beautiful of Mother Nature's treasured play grounds. For those wanting to spend a reflective day they can be rewarded by fishing along the Hollands Branch. Here you are one with nature and totally immersed in it. Fish are abundant and a wonderful catch of the day can be savoured under the stars of night.
"Riverview" is a property that consists mainly of the valley floor being cleared for agricultural purposes. It is surrounded by the sheer majesty of Mount Joy which rises steeply on its western border and Mt Porcupine to the south. A natural mountain range completes the reality of being encased by hills. The mountains and ranges are still covered in their original eucalyptic mantle. Take a stroll through the Australian Bush. Here there are no sounds except the sounds of nature. The sound of the wind in the trees, the call and song of the birds, sometimes the complete brooding stillness, all these can be experienced. Look around, see all the different shades of green Mother Nature paints her landscape with.
Bright, bold, greyyish, muted, dark, and vibrant. See all the different types of trees and shrubbery all standing together, homes to a myriad of insect and bird life. Bush walks can be an exciting experience as one is immersed into the ancient world of herbage and plant life. See the different flowers of the gums, experience the sheer beauty of the yellow brilliance of wattle, the profusion of the purplish HappyWanderer as it drifts along the Bush.. Walks can be tailor made to accommodate the different levels of competency of Bush Walkers.
Some walks can be pleasant strolls through relatively easily traversed Bush whilst the more experienced bush walker may want to accept the challenge Mount Joy invites. Here, on the way to the summit of Mount Joy you can experience the different types of vegetation as the altitude gets higher. Observe the stunning and ancient rock formations as they sit where they were thrown from the mouth of active volcanoes millions of years ago. See a wedge tailed eagle as it patrols its territory or sits aloof and majestic in its eyrie. Close your eyes and you may hear the sounds of an ancient and sacred didgeroo rising from the mists of time.