"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.
