Pride Family

William Pride was a Saddler in Malop Street Geelong, He took a leading part in the establishment of the Torquay Improvement Association and will always be remembered for his association with the wreck of the Joseph H Scammell.

On the morning after the wreck, the Joseph H. Scammell broke up on the rocks and the deck house floated to shore. Mr. Pride paid forty pounds to the owners of the ship, and moved the deck house by Clydesdale horses and rollers to The Esplanade. With sub division in the front of the house, the rear today faces Pride Street

William built a second storey on the building and his family used this as their holiday home. Our own Centenarian Margaret Ganley still resides in the home and has done since a child. She is the Grand daughter of William Pride. When World War One broke out her father joined the armed forces. He was killed in action and Margaret’s Uncle, William Jnr assisted in her upbringing. He had inherited the house on the untimely death of his father.

On his death he bequeathed the Scammell House to Margaret. A unit was added to the north side of the building where Margaret lives, but she always climbed the staircase to sleep in her old room. Margaret is still an active member of the Torquay community and until recently only stopped playing Golf, she walks along the grasslands of the Front Beach, and maintains a keen interest line dancing. It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Margret last Saturday 4th January 2020.