Author: Heather A.

This is a summary of some of the articles taken from the newsletters and other correspondence sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Balnarring & District Historical Society
• The February 2024 Snippets has an article on the Balnarring Beach Ladies’ Mid-week Tennis Group written by Robyn Agg and Betty Patching. It was established in 1974. There is a short history of the Fenton Hall and a tribute to Lorraine Cole, daughter of Thomas and Elsie Cole, of Larnoo, Merricks. Lorraine and her sister, Phyllis, worked on the family farm and after her parents died she took over the management of the farm of 1800 acres, plus another 200 acres at Shoreham and conducted Southdown and Corriedale Sheep studs. Lorraine was also a member of the Red Hills Show Committee. Lorraine died in 1987, aged 69.

Bass Valley Historical Society
• Jenny Wolswinkel, author of Eucalypts of the Ranges and Surrounding Areas: Mornington Peninsula, Wilson’s Promontory, Gippsland Plains and Lakes, was the guest speaker at the meeting held on March 3, 2024.

Brighton Cemetorians http://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/
• The Cemetorian has many interesting articles on the people buried at the Brighton Cemetery. The March 2024 edition includes profiles of John Crowther (1857-1922), Superintendent of the Melbourne Orphan Asylum; Arthur Ringwood (1874-1966), the owner of Ringwood Shoes and President of the Boot and Shoe Retailers’ Association; William Monteath (1860-1921), the maker of the Monteath Cast Iron Urinal, seen on the streets of Melbourne; John Smerdon (1854-1914), publican and the first husband of Margaret Kerr-Paterson, inaugural member of the Victorian Country Women’s Association.

Chelsea and District Historical Society
• The March 2024 newsletter has a reprint of a 1987 article written by Frank McGuire on the Chelsea Palais Theatre, which was situated on the corner of The Strand and Bath Street and opened in 1927. There is also a history of the Chelsea Court House.
• The April newsletter has a report of the recent AGM and an article Memories Written on Butchers’ Paper, written in 2012 by Leslie C. Williams O.A.M., J.P., recalling life in Edithvale during and after the Second World War. Heather Scott (nee James) has also written “Mick and Bluey” about Leslie (Mick) Coleman James of Station Street Aspendale, with his mate, Ron (Bluey) Kohn, who enlisted for service in World War Two, they said they were 18, they were actually only 17. The lads both survived the War and remained friends throughout their life. The last article in this newsletter looks at the unveiling of the Carrum War Memorial in November 1922.

City of Greater Dandenong https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/cultural-heritage
Heritage programs at Benga
• Trees – Sustaining their Cultural Significance on May 22 https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/events/trees-sustaining-their-cultural-significance
• Valuing our Trees: an Important Community Resource on June 19 https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/events/valuing-our-trees-important-community-resource

Dandenong and District Historical Society http://ddhs.com.au/
• Annual Lunch at the Dandenong Club, Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 12.30pm. Guest Speaker: Christine Ware – “The Netball Complex at Greaves Reserve is named after Gloria Pyke. Who was she?” More details to come.

Frankston Historical Society https://www.frankstonhs.org.au/
• The May-June 2024 newsletter notes that Ballam Park is open every Sunday from 12 noon to 4.00pm. There is a short history of the windmill at Ballam Park, which provided water from an underground source from 1929, when the property was owned by Dr Charles Dennis.

Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries https://www.focrc.org/
• The April 2024 Raves from the Graves has an article, by Heather Arnold, on the Follett Family, a name synonymous with Heatherton and Cheltenham, as one newspaper article noted. Four children of Joseph and Harriet Follett, who arrived in Victoria in 1852, are buried at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery and 24 of their grand-children are buried at the Pioneer Cemetery or the Cheltenham Memorial Park. The Recollections of Mr. W. Bruton continues in this issue. William Henry Bruton, when aged 75 and blind, dictated his memories of Cheltenham and district to his daughter Eva during the late 1920s. They were published in 1930 as Local History: Carrum to Cheltenham.

Hastings – Western Port Historical Society https://www.hwphs.org.au/
• The March 2024 newsletter has an article by Shirley Davies on the history of the Orange Lodge. A Disaster Preparedness Workshop was held on February 9, 2024, at the Museum and was very useful.
• Amongst the Vales was this one for Diane Mentiplay who passed away November 30, 2023. Diane was born a few months before World War Two, lived with her family in Hampton and went to a local school, St. Mary’s, followed by Holy Redeemer Secondary School. Diane trained as a nurse at the Mt. Eliza Orthopaedic Centre (part of the Royal Children’s Hospital in those days). She met husband, Doug, whilst she was nursing, they married in October 1966, and soon afterwards moved into their new house in McCallum Street, Hastings. Diane did voluntary work at the local hospital in Hastings as a Pink Lady as well as working for the Hastings Catholic Church. She and Doug were members of the Hastings Fire Brigade, Hastings Seniors, the 1066 Club and the Hastings Junior Football Club. She and husband, Doug, have been long time, valued, members of our Society. Diane was buried at the Tyabb Cemetery, Hastings. She is greatly missed by her family and the community.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
• The March 2024 newsletter essay is entitled Some random Population figures of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp for people and livestock. The April essay is on World War One soldiers connected to Cora Lynn. The War Memorial at Cora Lynn was unveiled February 22, 1922. The May newsletter has a short history of the town of Koo Wee Rup and the obituaries of John Colvin (1863-1941) and his daughter, Margaret O’Riordan (1895-1955). John Colvin built Mallow House, now the headquarters of the Historical Society, for his daughter Margaret when she married Les O’Riordan in 1918.

Mordialloc & District Historical Society
• The March 2024 newsletter has a report of the Mordialloc College Centenary celebrations held in February 2024 and a history of the school. There are also interesting photos of the tower of Kilbreda College in Mentone (the former Mentone Coffee Palace built in 1887) being removed for some necessary repairs. Congratulations to Paula McCarthy, who has represented both the Historical Society and the Mordialloc College Alumni at the SEHA. Paula has been appointed Historian Librarian at City of Kingston Libraries, a role she shares with Tania Richter.

Mornington & District Historical Society https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/
• The February 2024 newsletter has a history of The Briars and St Peter’s Church of England taken from the book Between the Bays by Leslie Moorhead and Joan Bognuda, published in 1979.

Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/
• Peninsula Past Times May 2024 – Lynne Emblin writes – In the August 2023 Past Times, I shared with you my research on John Sanders Ross that I had undertaken for the Society’s publication “Naming Mornington Streets”. At the time I thought he was a strong contender behind the naming of Ross Street, however my research raised doubts. So now I will share with you my second contender – Captain Ross. Perhaps he is the right one? Captain Ross was not the right person and to find out who Ross Street was named for, you will need to read the book.
• The newsletter also has the continuation of Jen Baker’s story about the life of her grandmother, Winifred Neomie Brooks (nee Takle, 1893-1932) who was tragically murdered.

Phillip Island & District Historical Society https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/
• The February 2024 newsletter has an article on Peter and Eliza, who along with Jimmy Dunbar were the last of the full-blood Western Port Bunurong people. Peter and Eliza had been employed by John McHaffie on his Phillip Island property. Peter died in 1874 and Eliza and Jimmy in 1877. The March newsletter has a brief history of Cowes State School, No. 1282, established 150 years ago in 1874. The Society had a display at the school of historic photos.
• The April newsletter reported on their first meeting for 2024 where Lyn Skillern, O.A.M., spoke about her book Forgotten for too long: the Gippslanders in Lark Force 1941-42. Pamela Rothfield has written an article on William Alexander Watt (1871-1946) – The Boy from Ventnor who was served as the Victorian Premier and acting Prime Minister of Australia.

Somerville, Tyabb & District Heritage Society https://home.vicnet.net.au/~stdhs/
• The March 2024 newsletter reports – The Mechanic’s Hall closed on 13 March and will reopen 31 May. Thanks to the Minor Renewal Program, this $150,000 project will include roof and stormwater upgrades, façade repairs, and more. It was a huge effort to pack up the gallery and workroom, but we were lucky to have lots of help from the boys in the Machinery Shed and the Shire. There is also an interesting article – The Gomm and Graf families and their many street names. Henry and Margaret Gomm were early settlers in Somerville and in 1909 their daughter, Beatrice, married David Graf. Seven streets in Somerville are connected to the family, including Gomms Road and Graf Road.

Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
• The March 2024 Plod essay is by Frank Angarane and is a history of the Hospital Garden Party, which started in 1953 to raise funds for the hospital. The article also covers the other fund-raising activities held by the community from 1910 to establish and support the hospital. The April Plod essay looks at recent acquisitions at the Museum – a Morse Telegraph Key; a Tenor Horn & Mouthpiece and an Industrial Lampshade from Cyclone Forgings, a local Wonthaggi business.
• The May Plod essay is a history of the Powlett Express newspaper by C.R. Landon. To quote the first paragraph – Malachy Gannon, who had established the Korumburra Advocate in 1899, had one daughter (Frances) and three sons (Vincent, Ignatius and Thomas) all of whom were destined to become newspaper proprietors to fulfil their father’s ambition of a family dynasty. As the offspring came of age, their father set up family properties and thus newspapers in Warragul and Wonthaggi, which, along with the Advocate in Korumburra, would become their destiny. Vincent took over the Express in Warragul. Their sister became proprietor of the Advocate. Ignatius, the older of the two remaining brothers, was put in charge of the new Powlett Express in Wonthaggi and Thomas, who was still learning the printing trade, would become his brother’s partner. Thus, in 1909, when many Wonthaggians were still living in tents, The Powlett Express & Victorian State Coalfields Advertiser, established itself as the first newspaper in town with editions coming out like clockwork every Tuesday and Friday morning, due to Thomas’ newly acquired expertise. Upon the untimely death of his brother, young Thomas was left to become the owner and publisher of the Wonthaggi paper at a young age.

This is a summary of some of the articles taken from the newsletters and other correspondence sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Balnarring & District Historical Society
• The November 2023 Snippets has a history of the house Konda, built in 1905, located at the corner of Sandy Point and Balnarring Beach Roads for William (Lad) Mairs and his wife, Eugenie (Ninette), neé Symone. As the article notes – Lad was one of the sons of settler, David Mairs, who during his lifetime built up an extensive grazing property covering over 2,000 acres. David Mairs Snr. died in 1902, leaving the land to his three surviving sons…. Originally the name was Karonda, given as a tribute to the home in Germany where Ninette’s parents’ family had come from. Lad and Ninette had two children, Ninette and Tom. When he was small, Tom could not get his tongue around the name Karonda and called it Konda, and the name stuck.
• Bruce Bennett has written an account of an emergency landing of the Golden West at Balnarring aerodrome in 1935. This air strip was used in occasions as an emergency landing site, due mainly to bad weather, for the mail planes flying to and from Tasmania. There is also a history of the Coolart property written by Ilma Hackett

Berwick Pakenham Historical Society https://bphs.com.au/
• The Society is hosting a series of Family History talks on the third Thursday of the month at 11.00am, presented by Jane Rivett-Carnac, President of the Narre Warren & District Family History Group and Heather Arnold, President of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society. Details are here https://seha.org.au/event/getting-to-know-your-family-history-beginning-family-history

Brighton Cemetorians http://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/
• The Cemetorian has many interesting articles on the people buried at the Brighton Cemetery. The December 2023 edition includes profiles of George Davidson (1870-1921) a Newsagent; Henry Deane (1847-1924) Civil Engineer and Botanist; Edward Asling (1813-1897) source of the name Asling Street in Brighton and William Weston (1882-1948) – Bill and his brother Charlie were champion axemen, who competed in wood chops all throughout Australia.

Chelsea and District Historical Society
• The December 2023 newsletter had a report on their 60th Anniversary Celebrations. An exhibition celebrating six decades of Chelsea history was held at the Old Court House in November. A fabulous birthday cake was made for the anniversary and President Shirley Simpson had the honour of cutting the cake. At the same function held on November 23, Secretary Leonie Taylor, a member since 1990, made a speech on the history of the Society.
• The newsletter also publishes Ivy Deakin’s “Memories of Carrum”. Her parents and their four young children arrived in Carrum in 1901

Frankston Historical Society http://www.frankstonhs.org.au/
• The February-March 2024 newsletter reports the sad news that our long standing Treasurer, Marilyn Foster had passed away. Marilyn had been a volunteer for 37 years and Treasurer for 29 years, life member, and vice president for 25 years. What an amazing and valuable contribution Marilyn made to the Society and to the preservation of the history of Ballam Park and Frankston.

Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries https://www.focrc.org/
• The December Raves from the Graves has an article, by Rosemary Reddick, on Sir George Jones (1896-1992). He served at Gallipoli, then transferred to the Australian Flying Corps, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1921 he joined the Australian Air Force. During WW2 George was promoted to Vice Air Marshall, and amongst his other duties he represented the RAAF at the Japanese Surrender on board the USS Missouri in September 1945. One of George’s greatest achievements during his time in the RAAF was organising and expanding the Air Force in the South West Pacific, as he had committed forces to the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) and the Korean War (1950-1953). Sir George Jones died on 24 August 1992 at Mentone and was buried with full military honours at the Cheltenham Memorial Park. His first wife Muriel and their two sons, and his second wife Gwendoline all predeceased him. There is a memorial bust at Rushworth to Sir George; he attended primary school in the town.

Hastings – Western Port Historical Society https://www.hwphs.org.au/
• The December 2023 newsletter has an article by Peter McCullough and Sandra Beckett on the centenary of the Hastings Methodist (now Uniting) Church. As the article notes – On 24 September 1871 the new Wesleyan church was officially opened. It was a ‘neat brick building in the Gothic style and capable of seating comfortably about 150 persons’. Unfortunately this church was subject to flooding and eventually it was decided to demolish and rebuild on higher ground. Accordingly this relocation took place and the ‘new’ church was opened in October 1923 by the President of the Conference, Rev. Thomas S. Woodfull. The bluestone foundation stone simply records “Methodist Church. Erected 1871, Re-erected 1923”.
• Amongst the obituaries is this one of Carl Bryant – Carl passed away on 12 November, 2023, aged 95 years. He was a member of our Society for many years and had led an interesting life. He was born on 22 September, 1928, one of 10 children and brought up in Victoria Street, Hastings – the family suffering during the Depression when Carl was young. His working life was varied, commencing at Stony Point Train Station. He then went on to work on the “Julie Burgess” fishing boat, later becoming a fitter and turner, a Melbourne wharfie (in the days when the work was arduous) and a brick factory worker. He also worked for the PMG as a linesman. He then elevated himself by becoming a PMG Cable Jointer. Carl designed his own fishing boat, built by his brother Fred. He fished for shark all around Tasmania and Bass Strait – all very dangerous waters. The boat was named “Jean Bryant” after his beloved wife. Jean had been a nurse at Hastings Hospital. Carl and Jean bought a poultry farm in Stumpy Gully Road, Bittern and, after his working life, this is where Carl spent his retirement. He loved hunting and was good at target shooting. His father was born at Coode Island, Melbourne, but Carl’s ancestors were fishermen from the Orkney Isles, Scotland.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
• The December 2023 newsletter has Acrostic history of Koo Wee Rup, where the first letter of each theme spells out Merry Christmas (M is for Mickle family, E is for Education etc). The February 2024 newsletter has a look back at what happened in Koo Wee Rup and surrounds 100 years ago in 1924; the highlights are a flood, a case of bigamy and this from June – On Thursday morning last Mrs. J. Macain, of Kooweerup, while attending to domestic duties, had the misfortune to run a darning needle into her right hand. She was conveyed to Dandenong, where under X-rays, the needle was discovered deeply imbedded in the flesh. She had to undergo an operation to have it extracted, and it is pleasing to record she is making satisfactory progress. Only the previous week Mrs. G. Follett, of Kooweerup, met with a similar accident, and had to go to Dandenong. She is also making rapid recovery. Both articles written by Heather Arnold.

Lang Lang & District Historical Society
• The Society had a stand at the Lang Lang Show held in January. The Society recently presented Life Memberships to Lyn and Warren Wealands. Congratulations to them both.

Mordialloc College Alumni Association (MCAA) http://mordialloccollegealumni.org/
• The Summer 22024 Ventured was very much abridged compared to the normal issues as the production team are concentrating on the School Centenary on February 16 and 17, 2024

Mordialloc & District Historical Society
• The December 2023 newsletter notes that Life Memberships for 2023 were awarded to Dorothy Booth and Graham Whitehead. Congratulations to Dorothy and Graham. There is a lovely article by Leo Gamble which begins – It was 1950 and at sixteen I had my first job. For two weeks I was to be a mail sorter at the local post office for the pre-Christmas rush. The Society turned 60 in 2023 and Graham Whitehead has written about the establishment of the Society and the important role played by Laura Ferguson in this. Graham has also written a history of the Parkdale Life Saving and Swimming Club.

Mornington & District Historical Society https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/
• The November 2023 newsletter features an article The Mornington Telephonists of the ‘Call Girls’ – the memories of women who worked at the telephone exchange. The article is based on a 2012 interview with the women by Joe Paris Lees.

Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/
• Peninsula Past Times November 2023 has an article, by Leonie Marshall, on the history of Canning Street in Frankston. In 1999 Frank Purcell wrote an article on given names commemorating battles or soldiers from World War One and it has been republished. Babies were named Anzac, Gallipoli, Kitchener, Mena etc. Frank’s survey was done using the Digger Great War Index CD, where you could search by given name only. It can’t be repeated on the on-line index as you need to add a surname to each search.
• Peninsula Past Times February 2024 has an important article by Barry Wilson Writing Your Own History. Historians are always recording how others lived their life, but often neglect their own stories. Jen Baker writes about the life of her grandmother, Winifred Neomie Brooks (nee Takle, 1893-1932) who was tragically murdered.

Narre Warren and District Family History Group http://nwfhg.org.au/
• The February 2024 Spreading Branches lead article is by Jane Rivett-Carnac – Seventy years at the Melbourne General Cemetery: The Clowes Family. The family had arrived in Melbourne in the 1840s. The issue also looks back at activities from 2023. The Group turns 35 this year and will be celebrating on May 18, 2024.

Phillip Island & District Genealogical Society https://www.piadgs.org.au/
• Reflections November 2023 has an article by Pamela Rothfield on Lorna Collins (nee McFee) and her memories of the devastating 1934 storm which claimed 35 lives. Mrs Collins was a school girl at Rhyll at the time. The same storm resulted in the sinking of the Coramba, off Phillip Island on November 30, 1934, with the loss of all seventeen crew. In the years following the shipwreck, items from the Coramba washed up on Phillip Island’s beaches. Lorna’s older brother, Jack, found a sturdy wooden bench seat from the crew’s mess on Smiths Beach.
• There is also a report of Heather Arnold’s talk to the Society on Trove and how valuable it is for family history. Heather is the President of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society,

Phillip Island & District Historical Society https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/
• From the December 2023 newsletter – John Jansson was presented with life membership for his outstanding contributions to the island’s history, particularly his invaluable maritime expertise. John’s wealth of knowledge has greatly enriched our Society. Congratulations, John.
• The editor Pamela Rothfield also reported – During December, I received an urgent call from the producers of the Channel 10 television series What’s Up Down Under, who were in the region requesting a guided tour through our museum. So it was action stations – in the midst of the ‘silly season’, taking them through our wonderful displays – where they spent a couple of hours filming all sorts of exhibits. The episode will air in the new year – let’s hope our part does not end up on the cutting room floor!

Rye Historical Society https://ryehistoricalsociety.au/
• White Cliffs newsletter January-March 2024 reports on the activities from 2023, including a visit they made to the Dromana Historical Society in October. At their first meeting for 2024 the members will be shown some unlabelled/mystery photographs from the collection, with the hope that someone might be able to identify the people or places. That’s a great idea for a meeting activity.

Somerville, Tyabb & District Heritage Society https://home.vicnet.net.au/~stdhs/
• The December 2023 newsletter reported that the Somerville Soldiers’ Memorial turned 100 on November 4, 2023 and a ceremony was held to commemorate the event.
• There is an article on John Watson, born in Coleraine in Ireland; he had a Hotel in Melbourne before he took up land in Somerville in 1857 and by 1865 owned close to 900 acres in the area. He had ten children, one from his first wife Rachel and nine with his second wife Annette. He died in 1884. Watson Ward, part of the Mornington Peninsula Shire, is named after him.

Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
• The February 2024 Plod essay is by Bruce Phillips on his memories of his time at Wonthaggi Technical School.
• The ’15 Minutes of History’ talks held daily from 6th to 20th January were hugely successful. They had 751 attend in total averaging 50 persons per day. President, Fay Quilford noted – Whilst incredibly time consuming and requiring lots of background preparation the results are most rewarding.
• Aspects of Wonthaggi’s History Through Street Names written by Sam Gatto will be launched on Saturday 10th March at 2.00 pm at the Baptist Church.

This is a summary of some of the articles taken from the newsletters and other correspondence sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Berwick Pakenham Historical Society https://bphs.com.au/
• The Society was open each day from October 5 to October 8 to celebrate History Month and had a pleasing number of visitors.

Brighton Cemetorians http://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/
• The Cemetorian has many interesting articles on the people buried at the Brighton Cemetery. The September 2023 edition includes profiles on Albert Thurgood (1874-1927), who played for Essendon in the VFA; William and Amanda Pooley, the parents of Father Wilfred Pooley who established Maryknoll, a Catholic community in 1949; Stella Vagg (1898-1942) of Cobden, buried with her husband Frederick Vagg, who died at the Caulfield Military Hospital in 1923, from wounds received in WW1; Theodore Nave (1899-1993) Naval Officer and code-breaker.

Chelsea and District Historical Society
• The August 2023 newsletter revisits an article by Frank McGuire on the first 20 years of the Society. There is also an article written by Nancie Edward whose family moved to Edithvale in 1911. The October newsletter has photos of their resource centre and a history of the Chelsea Bush Nursing Hospital.
• The Society is celebrating 60 years with an exhibition of some of the photographs, artefacts and stories collected since 1963. The exhibition, Six Decades of History, will be open to the public over 3 days – Friday, November 24 to Sunday, November 26 at Chelsea Court House, 6 The Strand, Chelsea. Open daily between 10.00am and 3.00pm. Entry is free and local history books will available for purchase.

City of Greater Dandenong
• Talk – Emigration, dress and Australian colonial society, 1820s – 1860s. This presentation will consider the nature of colonial society and the emigrant’s experience through the lens of dress. What did people bring with them to start a new life in Australia and how did this match with what they found on arrival? Location: Benga House, Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street Dandenong. Date: Wednesday November 15, 2023. Time: 1:30 – 3:30pm. Bookings https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/events/emigration-dress-and-australian-colonial-society-1820s-1860s

Cranbourne Shire Historical Society
• The CSHS has received recognition for 51 years of membership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV). On September 14, RHSV president Professor Richard Broome presented the Society with a certificate of recognition to four of its members – Barry and Polly Freeman, Sue Tobin and 93-year-old Derry Francis who was an original member of the Cranbourne Shire Historical Society when it was formed in 1968.

Dandenong and District Historical Society http://ddhs.com.au/
• At their AGM on October 15 the following committee was elected – President: Chris Keys; Vice-president: Christine Ware; Secretary & SEHA delegate: Jenny Ferguson;Treasurer: Bruce McBain; Committee members: Sally Carson, David Nassau, Susan Stone and Lorraine Webb.

Dromana and District Historical Society https://avoca.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/
• Invitation to launch of book The larger than life of Melbourne Brindle by Fred Wild on November 17, 2023.

Frankston Historical Society https://www.frankstonhs.org.au/
• The October-December newsletter provides an update of activities at Ballam Park Homestead, of which the Society is the custodian. Ballam Park Homestead was built in 1855, for Frederick Liardet, the second son of Wilbraham Liardet, pioneer of Port Melbourne.

Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries https://www.focrc.org/
• The September 2023 Raves from the Graves has an interesting article on the life of Gertrude McKenzie (nee Curtin, 1904-1960) – an extraordinary woman who operated a flight school, having gained her pilot’s licence in 1937 and who was elected to the Mordialloc Council in 1955, becoming their first female Mayor in 1958. Her grave was unmarked until the Aviation Historical Society of Australia campaigned to have a headstone erected. There is also an article on Amelia Chinn (1863-1928), Matron of the Cottage by the Sea in Queenscliff.
• The Group held a tour of the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery on October 22 with the theme of Murder, Mayhem and Misadventure.

Hastings – Western Port Historical Society https://www.hwphs.org.au/
• The September 2023 newsletter has an extensive report of their 50th anniversary celebration held on July 16.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
• The September 2023 newsletter has an article on a proposed High School and a proposed Hotel in Bayles, neither of which eventuated; the October newsletter looks at the establishment of the Country Women’s Association in Koo Wee Rup in 1929. The inaugural president was Margaret Kerr Paterson, who was also on the first committee of the Victorian CWA when it was formed in 1928. As a matter of interest, her father, Samuel Davis, was a jockey who won the 1864 Melbourne Cup, on Lantern. The November newsletter had an article on the racehorse Koo-wee-rup, who sadly had to be put down after breaking a leg in 1871.

Mordialloc College Alumni Association (MCAA) http://mordialloccollegealumni.org/
• The Spring 2023 Ventured has an amusing article by Trevor Philpot, who was at the school in the 1970s. He wrote about the game bonker-ball, which evolved out of the old time favourite, wall-ball, where a dozen or so boys would take random turns at hitting a tennis ball with the hand into the ground then up onto a brick wall. If you stuffed up the shot, you were out, and the numbers quickly dwindled until there were only two left. Then it was a grand final of sorts. But bonker-ball twisted the rules of wall-ball somewhat. … The difference with our game was that every time you missed a shot and were out, everyone else was obliged to punch you on the arm as hard as they could, as you sprinted from the court. Once you crossed the line and were off the court, you were safe. Trevor finished the story with – No bones were ever broken in bonker-ball. The newsletter also has various profiles of past students.
• The School is celebrating 100 years on February 16 and 17, 2024

Mordialloc & District Historical Society
• The September 2023 newsletter has a report on the popular walking tours conducted by Peter Ratcliff; a day at the Mentone Races in 1945 by Leo Gamble and a short history of racing at Mordialloc by Veronica Hahn.
• The Kingston Council is installing a lift in the Museum which will diminish their work and storage space, thus the Society is looking at ways to increase this space and have proposed a first floor extension.

Mornington & District Historical Society https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/
• The August 2023 newsletter looks at Port Phillip Bay shipping. The Society conducted a tour of the Mornington Cemetery on October 29.

Narre Warren and District Family History Group http://nwfhg.org.au/
• The August 2023 Spreading Branches showcases some photos from the Max Thomson collection, on the theme of picnics. There was a report on the recent AGM where Patrick Ferry was the guest speaker. Di Christensen has provided a story on Luke McCoy of Diamond Hill, a location just east of Dandenong, who died in 1898. The Dandenong Choral Society held a concert as a fundraiser for Luke’s widow and children. The concert raised £6 8s, and a separate fund raised £80.
• The November 2023 Spreading Branches announced that Barbara Sharp was awarded the member of the year at the recent AGM. There is an article, by Barbara Sharp, on Laurie Dyer (1915-2002) Methodist Pastor. In 1945 Laurie was teaching religious instruction (RI) to 3,500 children, visiting 30 State Schools, and 300 children in hospitals. He rode his bicycle 500 to 600 miles in the month in all weather… Laurie had taught RI at many schools over a long period of time. At Narre Warren North school his was the longest teaching appointment, visiting the school one day a week for 35 years. He remained involved with the Methodist Church in various roles until his death. The issue also contains photographs of the Group’s recent tour of the Dandenong Cemetery which was held on October 29, and focussed on people with a connection to what is now the City of Casey and Shire of Cardinia.

Phillip Island & District Genealogical Society https://www.piadgs.org.au/
• Reflections August 2023 has an article by Pamela Rothfield on Eliza Coghlan, who lived to the age of 113 and is the source of the name Coghlan Road on Phillip Island. In her 80s and 90s, she thought nothing of traversing 8 kilometres to Cowes, carrying substantial loads such as turkeys and other produce for sale. Eliza died at Rhyll in 1910.

Phillip Island & District Historical Society https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/
• In the October 2023 newsletter there is an article by Pamela Rothfield on Robert Walpole, the source of the name of Walpole Street in Cowes. Pamela writes – In 1883, Robert, who by this time was well connected, was appointed as the Secretary of the Calcutta Exhibition in India, marking the beginning of his career as an event organizer. Robert’s career flourished as he was chosen to serve as the Commissioner for Victoria at two prestigious World Fairs: the Centennial International Exhibition in Melbourne in 1888 and the Paris Exhibition in 1889. He and his wife Jane moved to Phillip Island in 1908.
• The November newsletter reports on the opening of the new Cultural Centre at Cowes, named Berninneit on November 2, 2023. This is the new home of the Historical Society. The Museum has many digital displays, which you can also view on their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDA8QncrWfz0-hrLagM5lsg
• Christmas Dinner 2023, will be held on Friday, December 8, at St Philip Parish Hall, 102 Thompson Avenue, Cowes. 6.00pm for a 6:30pm start. The dinner will be catered for by our Island’s amazing chef, Jayne Messendorf. Cost – $45 per head , BYO drinks. Please RSVP to Judy Gittus at gittus43@gmail.com

Rye Historical Society https://ryehistoricalsociety.au/
• White Cliffs newsletter October-December 2023 reports on the reopening of the Museum on August 6. The refurbishment works were made possible by a bequest from the founding president, Pauline Powell. The Museum has been named in Mrs Powell’s honour. From the collection – a Maori Club. In the late 1800s a group of Maori lived at Rye on the beach, where they were keen fishermen. The club came into the possession of early settlers, the Thompson family, who later donated it to the Historical Society.

Somerville, Tyabb & District Heritage Society https://home.vicnet.net.au/~stdhs/
• The September 2023 issue has articles on the visit of Sir Robert Menzies to the Hastings Shire Offices, illustrated with colour photos from the Horton family and a reprint of a 1904 Weekly Times article on fruit growing in Somerville.

Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
• The September 2023 Plod essay, written by Frank Coldebella – Danny Carr, The Man who could make anything. Danny undertook a fitting and turning apprentice at the State Coal Mine, starting in 1942 and after the mine closed established an engineering works in McKenzie Street. He is now in his 90s and still going strong.
• The October 2023 Plod essay looks Wonthaggi in War time – WW1, WW2 and the Vietnam War. The November 2023 Plod essay looks at the life of Wonthaggi resident and Master Muralist, Dennis Leversha. Dennis was born in Castlemaine in 1945, studied painting at what is now RMIT; painted stage sets at the Princess Theatre; became a teacher and ended up in Wonthaggi, where he began to paint murals, which can be seen in the town and throughout Gippsland.
• Wonthaggi and District Historical Society Annual Memorial Dinner. Theme – Memories of Wonthaggi Technical School and Wonthaggi Higher Elementary School. Guest speakers will share how their time at these schools contributed to their employment, experiences and success in life. When: Friday, November 24, 2023 at 6.00pm. Where: Wonthaggi Workmens Club, 75 Graham Street, Wonthaggi. Cost: $45.00 per head, two course meal.Bookings: Admission by pre purchased tickets only, Wonthaggi Workmens Club – phone: 03 56721083, email enquiries: enquiries@wonthaggiworkmens.com.au. Bookings close November 17.

This is a summary of some of the articles taken from the newsletters and other correspondence sent to the Secretary from S.E.H.A. Groups and Societies. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Balnarring & District Historical Society
• The May 2023 Snippets has an article, by Cheryl Jackson, on Fred Bleasdale (1883-1966), a Bittern farmer who enlisted in the Great War. On his return at his Welcome home he was presented with a framed certificate from the Shire of Flinders, which is now in the collection of the Historical Society. There is also an article about Ern and Annie Stone, who came to Balnarring in 1908 to take over the running of the Junction Store, the area’s general store; and a history of the Balnarring C.F.A.’s involvement in brigade competitions.

Bass Valley Historical Society
• The guest speaker at the Bass Valley Historical Society meeting held on June 4 2023 was Libby Skidmore, who presented a paper – “The Yellow Peril”, the story as reported in the newspaper of 1928 of an adventurous trip by car through Gippsland.

Brighton Cemetorians http://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/
• The Cemetorian has many interesting articles on the people buried at the Brighton Cemetery. The June 2023 Cemetorian has a profile of Washington Greville (1862-1927) who claimed to be the rightful heir to the Earl of Warwick; Patrick Macgillicuddy Alexander (1940-2005) a poet; Thomas Vincent Cormick (1917-2002) World War Two veteran and John Cox (1860-1926) who was gored by a bull that he was preparing to show at the Royal Melbourne Show.
• The AGM was held on August 6 and the guest speaker was Terry Young of the Chinese Australian Family Historians of Victoria. Terry’s grandfather arrived in Victoria in 1896 and had a market garden in various locations including Bentleigh and Coburg. Terry’s father took over the garden in Coburg after his father returned to China. Terry is the creator of the Chinese Market Gardens of Melbourne website https://chinesemarketgardens.wordpress.com/ The Chinese Australian Family Historians of Victoria have indexed the Certificates Exempting from Dictation Test records (1904-1959), which list many Chinese people, names and occupations https://www.cafhov.com/resources/vic-cedt-index/

Chelsea and District Historical Society
• The June newsletter has a report of their successful Memories of the World Wars Exhibition, held at the Court House in April. There is also a tribute to Dorothy Meadows (1928 – 2023). Dorothy was a long-time member of the Chelsea District Historical Society and was co-author of the publication, Women of Chelsea. Dorothy was active in a number of local community groups and a respected teacher at Mordialloc High School. The newsletter also has a history of the Beazley family – Henry and Susannah (nee Lineham) Beazley – who settled in the Carrum/Chelsea area in the 1890s.

Cranbourne Shire Historical Society
• Christmas in July was held at the Tooradin Sports Club on July 9. The guest speaker was to be Megan Angel, who has recently restored the Dalmore Hall. However, she is also a C.F.A. volunteer and was in Canada helping fight their bush fires; she couldn’t make it home in time, so Colin Butler ably read her talk for her. The Dalmore Hall was in a state of very poor repair and Megan did a wonderful job restoring it to be a residence.

Dandenong and District Historical Society http://ddhs.com.au/
• The Society celebrated its 60th birthday at a function held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the Dandenong Club. Members of the Society gave interesting short speeches on the history of Dandenong and the Society. Gaye Guest also spoke on the campaign to save the 1877 Keysborough Methodist Chapel from demolition. Follow the group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfKeysboroughHistoricChapel

Frankston Historical Society https://www.frankstonhs.org.au/
• The May-June newsletter reports of happenings at the Ballam Park Homestead, of which the Society is the custodian. Ballam Park Homestead was built in 1855, for Frederick Liardet, the second son of Wilbraham Liardet, pioneer of Port Melbourne.

Hastings – Western Port Historical Society https://www.hwphs.org.au/
• The June 2023 newsletter had an article by Lynda Tredwell on Vivian Bullwinkel, World War Two nurse, POW survivor and later the President of the Royal College of Nursing.
• Planning is underway to bring the ‘Church Porch’ back home. Originally built in 1887/88, for the Reorganised Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the church building was constructed by volunteers, many from the Hastings community, and was situated in Salmon Street, near Herring Street. The building was moved to Frankston during 1952 where it remained for the next 19 years, before being demolished to make way for a new brick dwelling. The church porch was saved and spent the following years on a property in South Cranbourne before it was kindly donated to the Hastings-Western Port Historical Society in 2018.
• The Society celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Hastings Club on Sunday July 16. It was a well attended event where members of the Society spoke about different aspects of the history of the town or the Society. The speakers included Valda Cole, O.A.M., Shirley Davies, O.A.M., and John Woolley who also acted as MC. Valda and Shirley had the honour of cutting the birthday cake.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
• The June 2023 newsletter has a short history of Hospitals in Koo Wee Rup – the Bush Nursing Centre opened in July 1918; the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in May 1923 and the Westernport Memorial Hospital in December 1955. The July newsletter looks at Annie the circus elephant, who died at Koo Wee Rup in October 1948 after eating carrot fern. The August newsletter article is on the early licensees of the Royal Hotel in Koo Wee Rup – Denis and Alice McNamara, John O’Brien and John and Marie Daniher. All articles written by Heather Arnold.
• The Annual Luncheon was held on May 28 and the guest speaker was Gerry Cunningham, who spoke about the early days of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. Gerry’s 1972 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Thesis from Monash University was titled The Draining and Settlement of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp.

Mordialloc College Alumni Association (MCAA) http://mordialloccollegealumni.org/
• The Winter 2023 Ventured has an article by Paula McCarthy and Michelle Roberts on the school houses, which were initially named Carrum (Blue), Cheltenham (Green), Mentone (Yellow), and Mordialloc (Red). The names reflected the immediate areas from which the school drew its students. In 1994 they were renamed Bunurong, Yerlonga, Kalura and Iwala.
• There are obituaries of Dorothy Meadows, O.A.M. (1928-2023), a past teacher; Ron Jacobs, O.A.M., (1928-2023) local historian, Councillor and a past student of the school; plus short reports on the activities of past students.

Mordialloc & District Historical Society
• The Society has launched a new Bulletin, and the second issue is dated June 2023. The Bulletin reports on the Heritage listing of the 1911 Water Tower at Mordialloc Railway Station. The Museum is having a lift installed which requires some re-organisation of the workroom and collection, but which will make the display area on the first floor fully accessible. There is a history of Nylex Industries in Mentone; the original Nylex clock and sign has recently been restored and installed in front of Bunnings on the Nepean Highway.

Mornington & District Historical Society https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/
• The May 2023 newsletter continues the memories of Rose Wilmhurst, who held the position of ‘Lady’s Companion’ in the household of Sir James and Lady Grice, of Moondah, in Frankston from 1908 until 1912.
• The Leslie Moorhead lecture will be held on Tuesday, October 10 2023 at 10.30am. The guest speaker is Lorraine Smith, the Journey of a lost manuscript. Lorraine and her husband run a second-hand book shop in Warrnambool and discovered an Elizabethan era manuscript on vellum, inside a copy of Alice in Wonderland. This is the story of their research into the manuscript.

Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/
• The August Peninsula Past Times has an article by Lynne Emblin, co-author of Naming Mornington Streets: The People and Their Stories, about tracking down the correct Ross of Ross Street. Lynne writes – I rejected not one but two men named Ross before I found the Ross of Ross Street. Here is my first rejected story, a story of an early settler and a successful business man – John Sanders Ross. There is also an article by Diana Palayan about the history of wooden rocking chair, which has been in her family since 1876. This article serves to remind us that it is important that we write the history of our more important or sentimental possessions, for future generations, so their story does not get lost.

Phillip Island & District Historical Society https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/
• Note the new website address https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/
• The June-July 2023 newsletter has an article by Pamela Rothfield on the First House on Phillip Island, which according to a Weekly Times article of August 29 1925, was built in 1861. The article includes a photograph. As Pamela writes the Island was not opened up for subdivision and general settlement until November 1868…[however] Captain John Barnard Lock, a master mariner was engaged in trading oysters between Western Port and Geelong….. By 1860 he had secured a license which permitted him to erect a home on the foreshore at Rhyll. The Weekly Times article may possibly be referring to his house.

Rye Historical Society https://ryehistoricalsociety.au/
• White Cliffs newsletter April –June 2023 has an article by Tony Heyes about sightings of Melbourne from the Rye foreshore and how sometimes you can see more than just the tops of the tallest buildings, and this is due to atmospheric phenomenon, refractive looming and sometimes a Superior Mirage. There is also a review of and images from the 1973 book by T.K. Fitchett, Down the Bay: the story of the Excursion Boats of Port Philip. From our Collection: Accoutrements made from Jet.
• White Cliffs newsletter July-September 2023 has a short history of the Rye Cemetery by Ian McBeath. The Cemetery was gazetted in 1868, although there had been burials from 1859. From our Collection: a card signed by returned ex-servicemen at a Welcome Home to Rye event held at the end of World War Two.
• On Sunday, August 6 the Museum was officially re-opened by the Mayor of the Mornington Peninsula Shire, Cr Steve Holland.

Somerville Tyabb & District Historical Society http://home.vicnet.net.au/~stdhs/
• The June 2023 newsletter has an article on the Hawken family – Henry and Susan (nee Coad) and their five youngest children settled in Somerville in c.1888. The children were Henry, Annie, Emily, Bert (Albert) and Tot (Edith). Emily married John Scott, son of one of the very first settlers; Annie and Edith (aka Tot) married brothers – James and Augustus (aka Gus) Murray, also descendants of very early settlers. Bert married Anne Pedlar and Henry married Florence McLellan, daughter of an early settler family from Moorooduc. Hawkins Road in Baxter, which was originally spelt Hawkens, is named for the family.

Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
• The May 2023 Plod essay, written by C.R. Landon, looks at the original settlement at the coal fields – Tent Town. Within a few weeks of the establishment of the mine, 300 men were living in tents, some with their families and this soon grew to 700 residents. The tents were laid out neatly in streets, named Bourke, Collins and Spring and shops and a church soon followed.
• The June Plod essay looks at President Fay Quilford’s memories of growing up near Mortlake. The July Plod essay looks at dance halls and dances in the area and two wonderful Wonthaggi women, Doll Keily, who loved to dance the Charleston, and Ruby Connelly, orchestra leader extraordinaire. Mrs Connelly was the leader the Cairo Orchestra, the most sought after band in the area and said We’d play thirty dances in a night: sets, waltzes, foxtrots, one-steps, the three-hop polka, the Yale blues, which was a slow one. They liked the slow ones. They also loved the Quadrilles. The girls would form a circle and they’d swing around with such energy that some of the girls ended up under the seats!
• The August Plod looks at Hanley’s Dairy, which operated on McKenzie Street from 1960 until 1983, based on the memories of Peter Hanley.

This is a summary of some of the articles taken from the newsletters and other correspondence sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Balnarring & District Historical Society

• The February 2023 Snippets has a history of Somers Pre-School, taken from a talk by Rod Nuske on its 30^th anniversary. The Pre-School was officially opened on May 12, 1957. Other items include some memories of growing up in Balnarring in the 1930s by Jack Cavanagh and Joan Sweeney’s story of enlisting in the Woman’s Australian Auxiliary Air Force (W.A.A.A.F.) when she turned 18 in 1943. Joan was posted to the Initial Training School in Somers.  

Bass Valley Historical Society

• The guest speaker at the Bass Valley Historical Society meeting held on March 5, 2023 was Heather Arnold, who spoke on the history of postcards and the stories they tell.

Brighton Cemetorians      http://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/

• The Cemetorian has many interesting articles on the people buried at the Brighton Cemetery. The March 2023 Cemetorian  has a profile of Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Ahern (1877-1969), a member of the Victorian Socialist Party, a Trade Unionist , Feminist and a ‘socialíst agitator’; Arthur Corfield (1874-1957) World War One veteran and railway employee; Inspector Nicholas Rowe (1884-1940), Officer-in-Charge of the Police Traffic Control branch; and John Howard Grey (1909-1940) who was drowned at Brighton whilst attempting to rescue a young woman companion.

Chelsea and District Historical Society

• The February newsletter has some recollections of Edithvale written by Mr William Brothwell. There is also a reprint of a prize-winning essay by Miss Frances Gloster, aged 12 years, The Township of Chelsea. It was first published in Sea Side News c.1913.It’s a delightful essay and here is just one paragraph –  Last November, father bought a block of land and built a house on it for us to live in. It was the first block sold on the Henley Estate. The ti-tree is so thick on one side, that if you go 100 yards away from the house, we can hardly find our way back.
• April newsletter has an obituary of Ron Jacobs (1928-2023), former President of the Historical Society for sixteen years and City of Chelsea Councillor. In the 1960s, Bertha Armstrong, recorded her memories of Chelsea, for A Short History of Chelsea compiled by Frank McGuire and they are reprinted in this newsletter.  

City of Greater Dandenong

• Free exhibition – Optimism, Opportunities and Achievement: a reflection on the Centenary of Local Government in Dandenong in 1973 exhibition.  On display until 31 May at Benga, Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, Wednesday – Friday 10.00 – 2.00pm. More information – https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/events/optimism-opportunities-and-achievement-reflection-centenary-local
• Free talk on May 17- Our Community Objects: Exploring 150 years of Local Government through Objects and Stories from the City of Greater Dandenong Civic Collection & afternoon tea. Details here https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/events/our-community-objects-exploring-150-years-local-government-through

Dandenong and District Historical Society http://ddhs.com.au/

• The Society celebrates 60 years at their Annual Luncheon to be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the Dandenong Club. More details to follow. At their first meeting for 2023, held on April 23, Dawn Dickson spoke on the history of Noble Park Public Hall.

Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries   https://www.focrc.org/

• Raves from the Graves April 2023 – the feature article is by Toni Grinberg on Samuel and Ann Clayton. Samuel and his eldest son, Richard, had arrived in Melbourne in November 1852, and established themselves as market gardeners in Moorabbin (or South Brighton as it was then called). In March 1858, Ann and eight of their children (aged from 5 to 17) sailed to Melbourne. The eldest daughter Charlotte, who was 21, remained in England. In1862, Samuel was first Rate Collector for the Moorabbin Roads Board in 1862; he was later appointed the Valuer. He was also a Moorabbin Shire Councillor from 1874 to 1880. The article also looks at the lives of the nine children who came to Australia. Samuel died at the age of 63, in December 1884 and Ann, died in May 1886, aged 71. They are buried at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery.
• Anne Rigg, an artist, writes about the art that she was inspired to create by her research into the lives of members of the Keir family, buried at the Pioneer Cemetery. Sadly, there are five children listed on the headstone and three un-named infants.  You can see her artwork on her website https://anneriggs.com/ Rosemary Reddick has written about Private George James Giles, WW1 soldier, who was awarded the Military Medal. George died in 1942 aged 57 and is buried in the Cheltenham Memorial Park.

Hastings Western Port Historical Society  https://www.hwphs.org.au/

• The Society is turning 50 and are celebrating on Sunday July 16. The March 2023 newsletter notes the passing of members Dorothy Field, caretaker of the Museum, Committee member and Museum volunteer; Ron Wood, a member of both Hastings and Somerville-Tyabb; and Eunice Matthew, co-founder of the Hastings Community House and Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Citizen of the Year in 2004.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society

• The March 2023 newsletter has a history of the Cemeteries which border the Koo Wee Rup Swamp – Bunyip, Lang Lang, Cranbourne and Pakenham; the April newsletter looks at the life of Kitty Harris Townson and Margaret O’Riordan Hamilton of Koo Wee Rup. Both women worked towards the establishment of the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital at Koo Wee Rup which opened on May 23, 1923. The May 2023 newsletter has a story on the first Bush Nurses at Koo Wee Rup – Ellen Amelia Homewood and Mary Ellen Walsh. The Bush Nursing Centre opened in the town in July 1918.  All stories written by Heather Arnold.

Lang Lang and District Historical Society  http://www.langlang.net/historical.html

• The February 2023 newsletter outlined meeting dates for the years and had photos of an old plough, used on a local farm and donated to the Society.

Mordialloc College Alumni Association (MCAA) http://mordialloccollegealumni.org/

• The Autumn 2023 Ventured looks at the history of the school established in 1924 as the Mordialloc District High School, and later that year the name changed to Mordialloc –Carrum High, and other names followed after that. The school started life in the Mordialloc Mechanics’ Institute, with 148 students. There are also stories of past students including sisters Leslie Colsey and Pam Nisbet. The Fletcher sisters, who attended the school in the late 1940s (Leslie) and early 1950s (Pam), both pursued singing careers after they left school. There are many short profiles of ex-students who have celebrated mile-stone birthdays (those birthdays which end with a zero!)

Mordialloc & District Historical Society

• The Society has launched a new Bulletin, and the first issue is dated March 2023. The Bulletin reports on Society events including the recent presentation of Life Membership to Dick Fowler, long-term Treasurer and to Veronica Hahn, President for sixteen years. Veronica is also their SEHA delegate. Congratulations to Veronica and Dick. Their Museum is called the Laura and Charles Ferguson Museum and the Bulletin has a profile on the couple, who moved to Mordialloc in 1948 and soon became involved in many community organisations. Laura was also a foundation member of the Historical Society. There is also a short history of Parkdale Railway Station.

Mornington & District Historical Society  https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/

• The February 2023 newsletter prints the memories of Rose Wilmhurst, who held the position of ‘Lady’s Companion’ in the household of Sir James and Lady Grice, of Moondah, in Frankston from 1908 until 1912. Rose’s duties were to look after the clothes and the bedroom of their 20 year-old daughter, Nancy.  Moondah had at least eleven other indoor staff including a housekeeper, laundress, cook, upstairs maid, downstairs maid and a Silver maid.

Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/

• The Society launched their new book – Naming Mornington Streets: the people and their stories on February 18, 2023.
• The February 2023 Peninsula Past Times has an article by Sylvia Tanti on her search for the location of her grand-parents house on Cranbourne Road, Frankston. After much research, it turns out that the house is still there and is a pathology clinic. There is also an extensive list of new resources which can be found on Ancestry and Find My past.
• The May 2023 Peninsula Past Times  has an article on the history of the Flinders Hotel, built 1889, burnt down 1926 and rebuilt in 1928. Allison Knight has written an article about finding eight relatives named William Brown in her family tree.

Narre Warren & District Family History Group    http://nwfhg.org.au/

• The May 2023 Spreading Branches reports that the Group is taking part in the Collections and Community Resilience Project, a government funded state-wide initiative from AMaGA (Australian Museums and Galleries Association)  which provides regional communities with the opportunity to digitally preserve their collections and receive onsite training in collections care, preventative conservation and disaster mitigation. Di Christensen reports on happenings in the Ballarat region, including the unveiling of a statue of Dr Vera Scantlebury Brown in Linton; she was Director of Infant Welfare in Victoria from 1925-1946. On a sad note, there is an obituary of their long-term and very active member, John Elliott, who was also a proud Vietnam vet. John was a lovely man and will be sorely missed.

Phillip Island & District Genealogical Society     http://piadgs.org.au

• Reflections February 2023 contains news and events of the Society and also has an article by Pamela Rothfield on Thomas Cameron Hull (1851-1904). Thomas only spent nine years on Phillip Island but when he left he was presented with an illuminated address, dated June 27, 1896, acknowledging him as a firm friend and, in a word, a true man in every sense.

Phillip Island & District Historical Society  https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/

• Note the new website address https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/
• The February-March 2023 newsletter has an article by Pamela Rothfield on Florence Mary ‘Zing’ Oswin (1875-1957). After operating the Grand Coffee Palace in Melbourne, in 1912 she purchased the Broadwater Guest House in Cowes. She married Eustace George Roberts in 1924. Zing had interest in nature conservation and after a bushfire in 1944 destroyed half of Phillip Island’s Koala Reserve she opened a koala hospital at Broadwater Guest House. Zing generously donated 150 acres of remnant bush to the people of Victoria and it is known as the Oswin Roberts Reserve.
• The April-May newsletter looks at the Strawberry Farm at Rhyll, established by Jack and Sophia Underdown in 1921. Jack had been a chicory famer, but with the increase in tourist numbers to Phillip Island, added to the fact their house had a scenic view over the Rhyll Inlet, they diversified into strawberries and added a cafe, so they not only grew strawberries but served them with cream to the tourists. After Jack and Sophia both died in 1924 (Sophia in January and Jack in November), their son Oswald, known as Ozzie, continued the business until the 1950s. Article was written by Pamela Rothfield.

Rye Historical Society   https://ryehistoricalsociety.au/

• White Cliffs newsletter January-March 2023 has a history of the Rye Community Group  Alliance by Mechelle Cheers. The group was started in 2015 to provide a united voice to address community issues in Rye. This is a great example of recording the recent history of your area, while it is still fresh in the memory. From Our Collection – Robert Rowley’s Nature Study Work Book. Robert attended Rye State School and in 1937 recorded notes about nature – mosquitoes, local grasses, how to propagate dahlias were some of the topics. The book is decorated with his illustrations and pressed flowers and leaves. It’s a treasure.

Somerville Tyabb & District Historical Society http://home.vicnet.net.au/~stdhs/

• The March 2023 newsletter has an obituary of Arthur Devlin who died at “Bungunyah,” Hastings, in 1893, aged 83 years, having been born in Australia in 1811. His father, also named Arthur Devlin, was one of the five ring leaders of the Irish rebellion of 1798, who were exiled to the colony of New South Wales. Arthur was a foundation member of the Athenaeum Club in Melbourne. He married three times and had twelve biological children and two adopted children. He was staying with his daughter, Jessie Watson, when he died.
• The newsletter marks the passing of Ron Wood (1937-2022), who was their SEHA delegate for many years and a lovely man.

Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/

• The February 2023 Plod essay, written by C.R. Landon, on the No. 5 Brace – No.5 Brace was built in early 1910. It was intended to become the main screening plant for several mines in the area. The mine manager, Mr Broome, a man at the top of his game and highly respected, oversaw the creation of a very large and modern brace, incorporating large coal bunkers and modern coal tipplers to accommodate all the coal coming – at first – from six connected shafts in Central Area all at once.
• The March Plod essay has the life of Archie Beveridge, one of the thirteen men who died on February 15, 1937 due to a gas explosion in the No. 20 Shaft at the State Coal Mine. He left behind a widow, Rose, and their 14-month old daughter, Rosie. The story was researched by Barbara Moyle, from the memories of Jack Moyle, friends of the Beveridge family.
• The April Plod essay, also by C.R. Landon, is on Alex Scott (1861-1935) who founded Alex Scott & Co., Stock and Station Agents.

This is a summary of some of the articles taken from the newsletters and other correspondence sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Balnarring & District Historical Society
• The November 2022 Snippets has an article by Richard Day on George Gunning. George was born in 1904 and in 1927 arrived in Merricks and commenced work an 1800 acre property owned by Elsie Cole, and her daughters Phyllis and Lorraine. He had his own shack on the property, never drove a car or tractor, but could do all his work with a team of draught horses or from the back of a stock horse. George lived on the property until his death in 1985.
• There is also an article by Marlene Weston on the Beach store at Merricks Beach. Her father-in-law, Alf Weston purchased land in the area in 1926 and in the 1940s built a store at the beach to cater to holiday makers; the Westons also operated the Merricks General Store. Marlene and her husband John operated the Beach store in the 1960s and early 1970s.
• Wes Wade has written about the Balnarring Halls, the first hall opened 1896 and it was replaced by the new hall in 1969.

Bass Valley Historical Society
• The guest speaker at the Bass Valley Historical Society meeting held on December 4, 2022 was Maureen Matthews who spoke on Euphemia Henderson (1822-1907), botanical illustrator, at one time engaged to Baron von Mueller, Director of the Botanic Gardens. You can read more about Euphemia here https://pidhs.org.au/essay/131

Berwick-Pakenham Historical Society https://bphs.com.au/
• Long term Secretary of the Society, Audrey Dodson, was named Cardinia Shire’s 2023 Senior Citizen of the Year. The Society now has a Facebook page.

Brighton Cemetorians http://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/
• The Cemetorian has many interesting articles on the people buried at the Brighton Cemetery. The December 2022 Cemetorian has a story by Patsy Crotty on Sister Louisa Curtain (1879-1962). Louisa was one of twelve children, one brother served in the Boer War; during the First World War, two brothers enlisted and Louisa and three of her sisters served as Army Nurses. After the War she worked at the Caulfield Military Hospital and from the 1930s operated a nursing home at Upwey. Sister Curtain left Upwey in 1960, where she was actively involved in the community and well respected, and moved to St Kilda House, the rest home for retired Army Nurses and ex-servicewomen.
• Others profiled include John Stewart Dethridge (1865-1926), State Rivers & Water Supply Commission engineer and the inventor of the Dethridge Irrigation wheel; Elvis ‘Ricky’ Thurgood (1958-2021) a jockey, who died 41 years after a catastrophic fall at Caulfield Racecourse in 1980 and John Walter Stokes (1887-1947) a fishmonger.

Chelsea and District Historical Society
• The November 2022 newsletter reported on the successful exhibition of historical photographs held at the newly renovated Chelsea Court House, in November – [it] was a great success. Held over 6 days, we had over 260 visitors, lots of book sales and welcomed new members. Whilst many of our visitors were local, we also had visitors who had grown up in the area and moved away or had a connection to one of the early families.
• There is also a short history of the Chelsea Tip, established in 1959 and closed in the 1980s.The tip was redeveloped as a 1988 Bicentennial Project and is now a well-used park with facilities for people of all ages. Tips are one of the least glamourous, but one of the most essential parts of our life and their history is rarely recorded.

Frankston Historical Society http://www.frankstonhs.org.au/
• The February/March newsletter is the first one since before the start of Covid. Over the past few years, the Frankston City Council has undertaken a massive amount of work at Ballam Park Homestead including a complete electrical rewiring, refurbishing the verandah, installing a new security system including CCTV, repairs to the out buildings, new kitchen and repainting the building. After being closed for a long time, Ballam Park re-opening to the public of February 5, 2023 at 1.00pm.

Friends of Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries https://www.focrc.org/
• Raves from the Graves December 2022 – the feature article is by Toni Grinberg on Thomas Sidney Smith, the manufacturer of Tom Smith’s Superior Tomato Sauce. His factory was in Bay Road, Moorabbin, next to the Highett Railway Station. Thomas Smith died on June 8, 1934 at the age of 74 and is buried in the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery. There is also a short history of the Marlo Cemetery, by Rosemary Reddick. The first recorded burial took place in 1908.
• Some of the FOCRC committee members attended a morning tea at Box Cottage, organised by the City of Moorabbin Historical Society. Also in attendance were members from Mordialloc & District Historical Society, the Mentone Friends group, and Chelsea Historical Society, as well as the recently retired Kingston historian Graham Whitehead. It was great opportunity to meet the other groups and discuss their shared heritage.
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Hastings Western Port Historical Society https://www.hwphs.org.au/
• The December 2022 newsletter has an article by Linda Tredwell on the 1914 Christmas Truce of World War One. At the October Morning Coffee meeting Di Moloney and John Woolley displayed photographs of Hastings and invited the audience to identify buildings and who lived/worked in them, as well as identifying owners of cars, boats etc. The new information was recorded. They plan to repeat this once a year. It’s a great idea and an excellent way for people to share their memories and for a Society to add to their historical information.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
• The November 2022 newsletter has an article, by Heather Arnold, on the five Sate schools which carried the Koo Wee Rup name – Yallock State School, later called Koo Wee Rup; Koo Wee Rup South, later called Koo Wee Rup North (or Five Mile); Koo Wee Rup North, later called Bunyip South then Iona; Koo Wee Rup Central, later called Cora Lynn and Koo Wee Rup East, later called Modella. The December newsletter has accounts of close encounters with snakes on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp and the February 2023 newsletter looks back 100 at what happened in Koo Wee Rup in 1923.

Mordialloc College Alumni Association (MCAA) http://mordialloccollegealumni.org/
• The October 2022 Ventured looks at the passing of the Queen and the participation of past students in Royal events such as singing God Save the Queen at Assembly. Past student, Tony Edwards, has written an account of his time in London in the early 1970s when he was working as an Architectural Draftsman. The firm he worked with was involved in various renovation projects at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Palace and it was his role to draw up the plans which gave him an opportunity to see behind the scenes at both Palaces.
• The issue also looks at the lives of various past students and teachers including Norma Ellis (later Mrs Nethersole) who taught Physical Education at the school 1952-53, as well as at Frankston High. Norma was a talented tennis player, played at a State level and in 1955, reached the quarter-finals in Singles at the Australian Open and the semi-finals in the Doubles. A past student featured is Heather Scott who was at the school from 1962-1964. Heather is now on the Committee of the Chelsea & District Historical Society (and their delegate at our SEHA meetings) and with her long connection to the area would be a font of local knowledge.

Mornington & District Historical Society https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/
• The November 2022 newsletter reports of the re-opening of the Museum on October 28. The building has been repainted, has new carpet, new lighting and new display panels. The interpretive panels were purchased through a grant from the Public Records Office of Victoria and the building renovations were carried out by the Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/
• The November 2022 Peninsula Past Times has an article, by Janice McCarthy, on Annie Moriah Sage (1895-1969). Born in Somerville, she trained as a nurse and midwife at the Royal Melbourne and the Women’s Hospital and was later the Matron of the Victorian Baby Health Centres Association Training School. Matron Sage joined the Australian Army Nursing Service in 1940 and served in the Middle East. On her return to Australia, she was appointed Matron-in-Chief of the Australian Military Forces and promoted to the rank of Colonel. After the War, Colonel Sage was appointed Matron of the Women’s Hospital; she was founding President of the College of Nursing and was Honorary Colonel of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps from 1957 to 1962. An extraordinary career.
• Ric Norman has written on why death certificates may not always be reliable, even though they are the ‘official’ source of information for family historians.

Narre Warren & District Family History Group http://nwfhg.org.au/
• The November 2022 Spreading Branches reports that the Casey Cardinia Combined Index now has over 200,000 records. The members of the group have been busy since 2004 indexing local history books and adding the names of people, places, organisations and businesses to the on-line index. It’s a great resource of you have family who once lived in the old Shires of Berwick and Cranbourne (which is essentially the Casey Cardinia area).
• There is also a sad but interesting article by Laurence Stephenson on George Ritchie, whose grandfather was the Pastor of the Church of Christ in Pakenham. Born I906, he joined the Navy and was murdered in April 1924 on the H.M.A.S. Brisbane. The Inquest found that it was most likely George Brown, a cook on the ship, who was the perpetrator, and he was found to have hung himself the same day. Because George did not die on Active Service, he wasn’t entitled to a free Military headstone, but finally in 2022, after intensive lobbying by Mark Fleming of the founder of the Naval Graves Project, a headstone was erected. The newsletter also reported on the very successful walk around the Berwick Cemetery, held in October, with more than 80 people attending.
• The February 2023 Spreading Branches has a feature on Kel Anderson, by Eileen Durdin. Kel (1912-1985) of Bunyip was the District Inspector of State Schools for the Pakenham area and later a Councillor for the Shire of Berwick, then Shire of Pakenham. Inspector Anderson, as we called him, used to visit Pakenham Consolidated School when I was a student there in 1960s. The issue also takes a look at the Biographical Database of Australia bda-online.org.au

Phillip Island & District Genealogical Society http://piadgs.org.au
• Reflections November 2022 has an article by Pamela Rothfield – The day the 1875 Melbourne Cup came to Phillip Island. Woolamai, owned by John Cleeland was the winner of the race that year. The Cleeland family have a long-term connection to Phillip Island. At the AGM, Malcolm Swaine, Secretary of the Society, was awarded Life Membership.

Phillip Island & District Historical Society https://pidhs.org.au/
• The November newsletter has an article on Charles Grayden, by Pamela Rothfield. Charles, a fisherman, arrived on Phillip Island in 1867 with his wife Margaret. They had nine children and many descendants still live in the area. The December newsletter reports on the successful Christmas dinner and looks at the life of Kitty Miller (1853-1917), the namesake of Kitty Miller Bay. In the January 2023 newsletter, Pamela, takes a look at the history of rabbits on Phillip Island, introduced by John and William McHaffie, who held the pastoral lease on the Island from 1842 until the first land sales in 1868.

Somerville Tyabb & District Historical Society http://home.vicnet.net.au/~stdhs/
• The December 2022 newsletter looks at the history of the Copsey Cup, awarded to the winning team at a Somerville sports meeting. Local teams competed in cricket, running races, tug-of-war and other events. The Cup was donated by the licensees of the Somerville Hotel, Charles and Alice Copsey, who had the business from 1919 to 1925 and then 1927 to the late 1930s. There is also a sub-division plan of the Tyabb Small Farms Estate, developed in the early 1890s.

Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
• The November Plod essay is entitled Enemy Aliens, published to highlight the complexity of the Italian experience in Australia and to demonstrate their resilience and commitment to this country and the Italian contribution to Wonthaggi.
• The Society once again presented their successful series of talks in January – 15 Minutes of History – a short talk held daily on various aspects of the history of Wonthaggi and surrounds.