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.

Bass Valley Historical Society
At the meeting held on September 7, 2025 the guest speaker Neil Daly gave an interesting presentation on the Mangroves of Western Port. The final meeting for the year is on December 7 and members are invited to give a short talk about a precious or special item they own.

Brighton Cemetorians https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/
The September 2025 issue of The Cemetorian celebrates the 170th anniversary of the establishment of the Brighton General Cemetery. It also has profiles of some of the people buried in the Cemetery including John and Bridget Andrews, who purchased a farm at Hallam in 1854; Jessie Shmith (1891-1956), a popular Australian vocalist; and Charles Wickens(1872-1939), a statistician who worked for the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics and who was appointed the supervisor of Census in 1913.
A well attended function was held at the Cemetery on October 19 to celebrate the 170th anniversary.

Chelsea and District Historical Society
The October 2025 newsletter reported on the various projects of the Society, including giving talks to community groups and working towards uploading their collection onto Victorian Collections. There are also the memories of Elsie Longthorpe (nee Waddell) who came to live in Chelsea when she was a teenager. The memories of a long life were recorded in 1986 when she was about 90 years old. Elsie was the first bride to be married at the Congregational Church in Chelsea, which was in 1915. Her husband had already enlisted, he had five days leave to get married and was then sent overseas and she didn’t see him again for over four years. There is also an article about the naming of Chelsea by Graham Whitehead.

City of Greater Dandenong Heritage
The City of Greater Dandenong presents – The Place To Be: Dandenong Town Hall exhibition on until February 20, 2026 at Benga House, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong – details, plus those of associated events, are here https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/exhibitions/place-be-dandenong-town-hall
For other events and news, subscribe to their newsletter https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/heritage-hill

Dandenong & District Historical Society
Congratulations to Chris Keys, who was awarded Life Membership of the Society at their recent Annual General Meeting. Christine has been President since 2011

Friends of Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries https://www.focrc.org/
The August edition of Raves from the Graves has an article on Arthur Hall, M.M. (1895-1961), a World War One veteran and an article on Henry and Elizabeth Leah of Mordialloc. Mr Leah featured in the newspapers in 1939 as he had to rescue his dog from a nine foot long octopus at the Mordialloc Beach. Both articles by Heather Arnold. Gail Erwood, the editor of Raves from the Graves, has an interesting article on the graveyard and charnel house at Hallstatt in Austria.

Hastings – Western Port Historical Society https://www.hwphs.org.au/
The September 2025 newsletter has an article on Heart, the Rubbish Boat, owned by Samuel McLennan. The boat is made of rubbish collected by Samuel and he spends his time raising awareness of mental health issues and the pollution of oceans. This is his website – https://projectinterrupt.com/ Samuel was also the guest speaker at the Morning Coffee held on October 9, 2025. At the recent AGM, John Woolley was elected as the President and Lance Hodgins as Vice President.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
The September 2025 newsletter has an article on local Agricultural Shows; the October newsletter on the six applications to establish a hotel at Koo Wee Rup, which were heard at the Wonthaggi Licensing Court on December 17, 1914. The successful applicant was Denis McNamara, whose Royal Hotel opened in September 1915. The November newsletter has an article on the Seventh War Loan Tank visit to Koo Wee Rup and surrounds in 1918. All articles written by Heather Arnold.
As part of Seniors Month in October, two talks on the history of the drainage and settlement of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp were held at the Museum. 28 people attended the talk on Sunday, October 12, and 19 people on Wednesday, October 15. On Friday, October 24 the Nar Nar Goon History Group held a tour around the Koo Wee Rup Swamp and visited the Museum for morning tea.

Lang Lang & District Historical Society https://www.langlang.net/historical.html
Their AGM was held on October 21, 2025.

Mordialloc & District Historical Society
The September 2025 Bulletin has many articles and includes news about the proposed amalgamation with the Friends of Mentone Heritage Station Gardens group; there are articles entitled The Mordialloc Pier: a Place of History and Fun and St Matthew’s Ten Miles Walking Race 1904, the latter being written by Graham Whitehead.

Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/
Peninsula Past Times November 2025 contains an article by Cheryl Grey, Show Business in the Family. The article commences – I always knew from my Mum that her cousins (who were born in America) were dancers on Broadway in the 1930s but through research with my family history and contacting a second cousin from Ancestry DNA in America, I have discovered a lot more. An article by Anne Pelemis tells the story of an embroidered sampler, made in 1854 by Margaret Usher, and the discovery that Margaret was her mother’s great grandmother. There is also a comprehensive list of the updates to Ancestry and Find My past compiled by Pam Norman.

Narre Warren & District Family History Group http://nwfhg.org.au/
The August 2025 Spreading Branches has an article by Lynne Bradley on the value of the information contained within old newsletters, with many of the family stories therein not available on-line. The Group has scanned many of these older journals and they are available in their rooms at 110 High Street, Berwick. The Groups project – the Casey Cardinia Combined Index – is now 21 years old. The CCCI has 257,691 searchable records and 340 resources have been indexed. It is the best tool to use when researching people and places within the Casey Cardinia area, and is also available in their rooms. Eileen Durdin continues her story on the Wanke family and some of their activities in 1918, as gleaned from a diary kept by Oscar and Minnie Wanke.
The guest speaker at their November 19th meeting is Paula Taylor talking about the illustrator Ellis Rowan. The next day, November 20 they are presenting a talk Researching Military Ancestors

Phillip Island & District Historical Society https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/
The November 2025 newsletter reports on Society events such as their Annual General Meeting held in September. Doug Waugh is the President and Pamela Rothfield the Secretary.

Rye Historical Society https://ryehistoricalsociety.au/
The third White Cliffs newsletter for 2025 reports on their 25th Anniversary celebrations. The From Our Collection article highlights the Rye State School Roll of Honor 1914-1918. The names listed on the board are – E. Myers, J. Albress, G. Carlton, J. Connop, O. Cain, W. Darley, P. Edmonds, N. Edmonds, S. George, J. Hayes, W. Hill, R. Myers, J. McMeikan and R. Perrin. There is also an article – Rye Memories 1955 to 1970 by David Trunfull.

Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
The September 2025 Plod essay is from Tent Town to Model Town by Linda Cuttriss, a look at the development of the town of Wonthaggi. The October Plod essay is The ‘34 Strike & The Emergence of a ‘Real Community’. The November Plod essay is Snippets from the newspaper archives of W&DHS focussing on the Wonthaggi State School Mothers Club compiled by Nola Thorpe.

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.

Bass Valley Historical Society
At the meeting held on June 1, 2025 Geoff Guilfoyle, the editor of the Western Port Times, spoke about the newspaper and read a small selection of short quirky articles. The Western Port Times can be read here https://www.grantvillehistory.com.au/

Brighton Cemetorians https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/
The June 2025 Cemetorian edition looks at 20 years of the Brighton Cemetorians, formed at a meeting held on June 20, 2005. It includes interviews with early members including inaugural President, Elizabeth Paine; inaugural member and current Treasurer, Lois Comeadow; Jan Rigby and current President David Thomson.

Chelsea and District Historical Society
The June 2025 newsletter reported on various promotional activities such as their Facebook page; the opening the historic Chelsea Court House as part of the Australian Heritage Festival on May 17 and 18; talks to local school and community groups. There is also a short history of the Aspendale Park Racecourse written by Margaret Jacobs.

City of Greater Dandenong Heritage
Heritage Hill House & Garden Tours – free tours of the museum and historic gardens with expert heritage staff, will be held on the first Thursday of the month during 2025. More details here https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1388901 For other events and news, subscribe to their newsletter https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/heritage-hill

Cranbourne Shire Historical Society
Their well attended annual luncheon was held on 20/7/2025. The guest speaker was Judy Rand, who purchased the Balla Balla property at Cannons Creek in 2003 from the Jackson family who had owned it since 1938. Judy talked about the history of the property and some of the past owners. The Balla Balla homestead is thought to date mainly from the 1870s; however the original section dates from the mid 1850s.

Dandenong & District Historical Society
The entertaining guest speaker at their annual luncheon held on July 19, was musician, Stan Ciuchak who spoke (and sang) on the history of Australian bush songs – Waltzing Matilda and Click Goes the Shears.
Gipps-Land Gate journal of May 2025 had been published and distributed. This is the first edition since October 2019, and as such the second part of the history of Dandenong High School was also included in the mail-out; it had originally been planned for distribution in 2019. The articles in the May 2025 issue include an obituary of Frank Holohan, O.A.M., twice Mayor of Dandenong and involved with many community groups; Jenny Ferguson has written a history of the Historical Society, founded in 1963; there is a history of the Swords family, founders of the Dandenong Advertiser in 1874. There is also an article looking at the people associated with Laurel Lodge, written by Christine Keys and Colin Skidmore.
Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 2.00pm – Annual General Meeting to be held at Benga, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Guest Speaker: Ross Dawson – Old Sale Road: our Gippsland history. Ross has written a book on the Old Sale Road and Dandenong Historical Society helped with his research. The stage coach travelled from Melbourne through to Sale from 1850 until about 1879.

Dromana & District Historical Society
The June newsletter reports on the April AGM were Alex Christie, Managing Director, Christie Barbeques was an entertaining guest speaker regaling us with the history of Christie Barbeques. The original Christie barbeques were developed by his grandfather Sandy Christie who was instrumental in the formation of Dromana & District Historical Society. The organization has now moved from its roots in Dromana to Carrum Downs due to the need for larger premises and supplies barbeques all over Australia and to some overseas countries. An article looks at some of the women who signed the 1891 Women’s Suffrage Petition who had a connection to Red Hill. Read about this petition here https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/history-and-heritage/people-who-shaped-parliament/women/womens-suffrage-petition/
In July, Jean Rotherham gave an interesting talk on local Guest Houses. On September 16, Tess Clarke will talk about Red Hill’s Little Italy.

Friends of Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries https://www.focrc.org/
The tour of the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery on 25/5/2025 had a military theme and there was a good turnout. Heather Arnold gave a talk on 30/7/2025 on the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery Cottage and its architect, Solon Alonzo Peck; as well as the 17 children buried within the confines of the building.

Hastings – Western Port Historical Society https://www.hwphs.org.au/
The June 2025 newsletter has a history of the Granny Smith apple; a report on the launch of Lance Hodgins book Fish Town – Hastings the First 50 Years, held on 28/5/2025. The Society conducted a walk at the Tyabb-Hastings Cemetery on 25/5/2025, 44 people attended some of whom were descendants of local families who were able to add personal anecdotes to the stories. Dennis Mirabella was the guest speaker at the Morning Coffee held 16/7/25. His family connection to fishing in Hastings goes back 150 years.

Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
The June 2025 newsletter published an article Yallock Outfall Scheme Completed – written by W.T. Griffiths, Dip. C.E., E.W.S., Executive Engineer, and first published in the January 1966 edition of AQUA, the official journal of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission.
The Annual Luncheon, held on Sunday, May 25 was attended by 125 people, and was an outstanding success. The guest speakers told their family stories of life in The Netherlands and their arrival and new life in Australia and on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp.
The July newsletter has a tribute to Audrey Mills (nee McCraw, 1933-2025). Audrey was Secretary of the Society from 1982 until 1994; Treasurer from 1995 until 1998; Secretary again from 1999 to 2020 and made an immense contribution to the Society.
The August newsletter has a history, by Heather Arnold, of the Koo Wee Rup Brass Band and the Koo Wee Rup Choral Society.

Mordialloc & District Historical Society
The June 2025 Bulletin includes an article on Hugh and Zillah Brown. Hugh Brown, born in Northern Ireland, arrived in Victoria, in 1856 and worked on Thomas Baxter’s orchard at Parkdale. He married Thomas’ daughter Zillah in 1857. He bought his own farm, on the banks of the Mordialloc Creek and his orchard produced thirty varieties of apple trees, twenty varieties of pears and various other fruit. Zillah died, aged 28, giving birth to her sixth son who was stillborn in December 1866. There is also an article on the Women’s Rural Co-operative Project at Mordialloc in 1915 by Sandra Pullman and photographs of the 1934 flood.

Mornington & District Historical Society https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/
The May 2025 newsletter has an article on Elsie Dorrington (1903-1995), the Mornington Peninsula’s first woman councillor at 48. It was written by her grand-daughters Petrina and Rhyll Dorrington. The August newsletter looks at the house Inverell, Canadian Bay Road, Mount Eliza, which dates from the early 1870s.

Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/
Peninsula Past Times August 2025 has a delightful article written by Val Wilson of the history of her house in Kent Street, Mornington, built 100 years ago in 1925. There is a tribute to Leonie Marshall (1942-2025), long term member of the Society, past secretary and joint-author of Naming Frankston Streets: The People and Their Stories and Naming Mornington Streets: The People and Their Stories.

Narre Warren & District Family History Group http://nwfhg.org.au/
The May 2025 Spreading Branches reported on the tour of the Pakenham Cemetery, held on 18/5/2025. The tour looked at some of the women buried at the Cemetery. A function to thank all their volunteers was held at the historic Edrington property in Berwick. Eileen Durdin wrote about the Wanke family and some of their activities in 1918, as gleaned from a diary kept by Oscar and Minnie Wanke.
The Group are holding a Discovery Day on August 21, 2025 at their rooms 110 High Street, Berwick. It’s a free event.

Phillip Island & District Genealogical Society
We received the February and May editions of Reflections, with the sad news that – After 133 editions, our committee decided at our last meeting that we would no longer produce our Reflections magazine. With falling membership, we have reluctantly come to this conclusion. The February issue has an article on William Watt by Pamela Rothfield. William grew up in Ventnor and became the Premier of Victoria and the acting Prime Minister. The May issue has another article by Pamela, this time on George Cox, who from 1873 carried mail from Frankston to Phillip Island three times a week. George later moved to Cowes and on June 23, 1920, disappeared, presumed drowned

Phillip Island & District Historical Society https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/
The June 2025 newsletter has a tribute to John Jansson (1948-2025). He was born in Cowes to one of Phillip Islands long established families and descended from a proud line of mariners. John was an engineer, historian, sailor and boat builder and a valued member of the Historical Society. The August newsletter has an article by Pamela Rothfield on William and Lucy Eastwood. William was a founding director of the Cyclone Woven Wire Fence Company, a business he established in partnership with Leonard Chambers in the late 1890s. The Eastwoods moved to Cowes in 1912 and made a large contribution to the community. Their lasting legacy, as noted by Pamela – In 1912, W.E. Thompson proposed planting trees along Cowesʼ main street. He personally supplied the Golden Cypress saplings and tree guards, and the community came together – schoolchildren, families, volunteers – to create what would become one of the most iconic avenues in regional Victoria.

Rye Historical Society https://ryehistoricalsociety.au/
The June newsletter has a report on the meetings held this year. The Society participated in the Heritage Festival Event held 18/5/2025 at Mount Martha House, organised by the Mornington Peninsula Shire, and were very happy with the day. There is also an article by Phil Cain on the story of a drowning tragedy in Rye of two Maori fishermen, Patrick Wee and Paul, who died whilst fishing off Rye in 1869.

Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
The June 2025 Plod essay has part two of Greyhound Racing in Wonthaggi: The Boom Years, written by Sam Gatto. Part three of Greyhound Racing in Wonthaggi: The Demise of the ‘Dog Course’ was published in the July 2025 Plod. Part one of the Greyhound story appeared a year ago in the August 2024 Plod. The August Plod 2025 essay is Saving the State Coal Mine Rescue Station by Wendy Crellin. The Rescue Station was built in 1928 and after the State Coal Mine closed in 1968, the community made the effort to preserve the building and find an on-going use for it. It is now an Arts Co-operative – Rescue Station Arts.