Georgiana MCrae - National Trust

 

 

 

Georgiana MaCrae (1804-1890)

Georgiana McCrae, a pioneering figure in the history of the Mornington Peninsula, is featured in HERstory: Women of the Mornington Peninsula for her significant contributions to the region, her unique perspective as an early settler, and her role in documenting the Peninsula’s evolving landscape.

Born in 1804 in England, Georgiana McCrae came to Australia with her husband, Major Thomas McCrae, in 1839. They were among the first settlers to establish a home on the Mornington Peninsula, where they built their house at the foot of Arthurs Seat in 1845. Georgiana's letters and journals provide a vivid and intimate look at early colonial life, the challenges faced by settlers, and the natural beauty of the region.

Her home, which she named "Arthurs Seat," was situated in a prime location with sweeping views of the bay. Georgiana quickly became involved in the local community, providing support to other settlers and engaging with Indigenous groups. While her husband worked as a surveyor and military officer, Georgiana immersed herself in the daily life of the Peninsula, raising a family and becoming a key figure in the growing settlement.

But it is through her art that Georgiana McCrae’s legacy endures. As an accomplished artist, Georgiana documented the landscape and people around her. Her paintings and sketches provide a rare glimpse into the early days of the Mornington Peninsula, capturing the beauty of the land, the homes of the settlers, and the Indigenous people she encountered. Her watercolours, in particular, are valued for their historical significance and artistic quality, remaining an important part of Australian colonial art.