Webb Street, Narre Warren

Webb street, in Narre Warren, was named after the early settler, Sidney John Webb. Sidney Webb had arrived in Australia, from England, in 1854. He was a journalist and worked on The Age, Leader and Australian News. Sidney retired to Narre Warren in 1880 and was instrumental in the growth of the town. He was responsible for obtaining the Narre Warren Railway Station, he donated land for the school and the Mechanics' Institute. The Webb property of 445 hectares (1,100 acres) was called Holly Green, which later became Brechin. The Brechin garden can still be enjoyed, it is on Brechin Drive at Fountain Gate. Webb was a progressive farmer, he was the first in the district to use the double-furrowed plough and also the first reaper and binder. Webb's lasting monument is the avenue of oak trees, that are still thriving on the northern side of the Princes Highway at Narre Warren. The trees were planted in 1890. The seedlings came from the Nobelius Nursery in Emerald. Unfortunately the trees on the southern side were removed some years ago for road widening. Sidney and his wife, Ann (nee Hart), had 14 children of which ten survived to adulthood. The photograph above shows Sidney Webb in front of Holly Green.