Author: Heather A.

Here are the reports from the February 2016 meeting which was hosted by the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society.

SEHA reports February 2016

The content of these reports are the sole responsibility of each individual Society and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South Eastern Historical Association. In future, if you do not want your report posted on our website then please notify the Secretary.

This is a summary of the articles and events taken from the newsletters sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies. February 2016. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Chelsea & District Historical Society

• The newsletters report on the closure of the Court House Museum for total refurbishment which will take up to two years. They have re-located to the old Meals on Wheels building at 313a Station Street, Chelsea. Some of their material is in storage, but they will be holding mini displays and still providing a reference service for local history queries.

Dromana & District Historical Society  http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/

• A Twilight walk of Old Dromana will be held on Tuesday, February 16 at 7.00pm. It starts at the Old Shire Offices, 359A Point Nepean Road ,Dromana.

Friends of Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries http://focrc.org/

• FOCRC present ‘Ladies of the Cemetery Tour’ on Sunday, March 20 2016 at 2.00pm. The tour will concentrate on ordinary women who made a difference in times of hardship and very little assistance.  Venue: Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery, Charman Road, Cheltenham. Bookings and more information: 03 9497 1318 or email  info@focrc.org.
• The newsletter has an article by Doreen Seamons James on Alexander Seamons aka Doc Karl Stenning and Carl Stenning, a  professional wrestler who is buried at Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery.

Hastings Western Port Historical Society     http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/hastings/aHastingsFrontPage.html

• The December newsletter had an obituary of Edwin Mawson. Mr Mawson had spent all his life in Hastings and was a Life Member of the Society.

Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society

• The November newsletter had an article on the combined Presbyterian/Methodist Church at Cora Lynn by Heather Arnold; the December newsletter had an article on the Bunyip Dramatic Society, also by Heather Arnold. The February 2016 newsletter article was ‘What happened in Koo-Wee-Rup in 1916?

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

• The January newsletter reported on the passing of Nola Johnson, a foundation member of the Society. It also reported on the Committee meeting which established a list of priorities for the Society for 2016.

Mordialloc & District Historical Society 

• The newsletter has reports of the Societies many activities.

Mornington and District Historical Society     www.morningtondistricthistory.org.au

• The November newsletter reported on the audio tour, part of the Main Street Walk. You can access the tour by using the QR code attached to the plaques or listen to the tour and view the images on their website.

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

• Spreading Branches November 2015 had a story, by Steven Smith, on Indigenous woman, Lucy Pepper, who with her husband Percy had a Soldier Settlement farm at Koo-Wee-Rup and a bike shop in Tynong. The February 2016 Spreading Branches has an article, by Marianne Rocke,  about the upgrade to the the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages index – http://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/home/family+history/ and an article about their website Casey Cardinia Remembers http://www.caseycardiniaremembers.org.au/

Nepean Historical Society          http://nepeanhistoricalsociety.asn.au/

• The November  2015 Nepean has an article on the late Eileen McCraw, a foundation member of the Society in 1965; an article on new Life Member, Frank Hindley and a look back at Sorrento 100 years ago.

Rye Historical Society       http://ryehistoricalsociety.weebly.com/

• The Whitecliffs newsletter has part one of an article looking at road names in Postcode 3941; it also has article on a ‘high profile land dispute in 1869 between William Blair, lime merchant and Charles  Duffy, M.L.A. Both articles written by Noel Erbs.

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

• The December 2015 newsletter has an article by Ruth about growing up in Somerville and attending Frankston High from 1942 to 1945.

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

• The November  Plod newsletter has an article, by Kit Sleeman  about his days at Wonthaggi State School, especially the day a fire broke out in a house opposite the school

The Phillip Island and District Historical Society won an award from Museums Australia Victoria for their work on the Phillip Island and San Remo Oral History Radio Project in conjunction with South Gippsland Community Radio Station 3MFM.  You can read  a report about the awards from Insite Magazine, August – October  2015 by clicking on this link  Insite August to October 2015 Phillip Island Hist Soc

Insite is the magazine of Museums Australia Victoria http://www.mavic.asn.au/

Phillip Island & District Historical Society website http://www.pidhs.org.au/

The Dromana and District Historical Society has recently refurbished their Museum. Kitty Owens, Roving Curator of Museums Australia Victoria, assisted the Society. You can read  a report about the Museum refurbishment from Insite Magazine, May-July 2015 by clicking on this link  Insite May to July 2015 Dromana Hist Soc

Insite is the magazine of Museums Australia Victoria http://www.mavic.asn.au/

Dromana & District Historical Society  http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/

Here are the reports from the November 2015 meeting which was hosted by the Mordialloc and District Historical Society.

SEHA meeting November 2015 reports

The content of these reports are the sole responsibility of each individual Society and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South Eastern Historical Association.

This is a summary of the articles and events taken from the newsletters sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies. November 2015. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

 Chelsea & District Historical Society

• The August 2015 newsletter has an article on Captain Lonsdale’s cottage built in the 1830s in Wellington Street in Melbourne and later shifted to 694 Nepean Highway, Carrum by a Dr Cohen. It was later bought by the National Trust, who dismantled it but it has not been re-erected.  The September 2015 newsletter has a report on the current closure of the Chelsea Museum for refurbishment and an article about the Chelsea ‘Detention Yard’ or pound for stray animals written by Leonie Taylor. The October 2015 newsletter has a short article on the Edithvale gasometer and a report on the ‘Back to Chelsea’ held in September 2015.

Cranbourne Shire Historical Society

• The Annual Christmas Dinner will be held on Thursday, December 3 2015  at 6.30pm  at the Tooradin & District Sports Club.  The guest speaker will be Dave Wright who is the manager of the Jacinth-Ambrosia Mining Company silica sand mine north of Coober Pedy. See the Events column for more details.

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

• The October 2015 Gipps-Land Gate has two articles by Chris Keys about  Dandenong men who enlisted in the Great War; an article by Ken Masters about his relatives, Albert and Charles Masters, who served in the War – they were the sons of William and Sarah  Masters of Kirkham Road in Dandenong. There is also an obituary for Gwen Jarvis (nee McPhee) who passed away in August.

Dromana & District Historical Society  http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/

• The July 2015 newsletter has a report on the redevelopment of the Museum which was officially re-opened on August 22 2015.

Friends of Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries   http://www.focrc.org/

• The September 2015 issue of Raves from the Graves has a report about the 150^th anniversary celebrations of the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery; there is an article about the first person buried in 1865, John Fullerton Hunter, and the last person buried in 1865, Sarah Dwight.

 Hastings Western Port Historical Society     http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/hastings/aHastingsFrontPage.html

• The September newsletter has an article about the history of the Remembrance poppy written by Shirley Davies.

 Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society

• The August 2015 newsletter has copies of two articles from the Koo-Wee-Rup Sun about the formation of the Koo-Wee-Rup Girl Guides in 1961 and the opening of the Koo-Wee-Rup Scout Hall in October 1963; the September 2015 newsletter has a copy of a 1961 Koo-Wee-Rup Sun article on the ball held to mark the 50^th anniversary of the opening of Keast Hall at Cora Lynn in August 1911. The October 2015 newsletter has a copy of the Koo-Wee-Rup pages from a 1973 telephone directory.

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

• The Society has taken over the hosting of the Lang Lang Flower Show which has been running now for 109 years. The Flower Show will be held on November 7 2015 from 10.00am at the Community Centre, Westernport Road, Lang Lang.

 Mordialloc & District Historical Society 

• The newsletters have reports of the Societies many activities.

Mornington and District Historical Society     www.morningtondistricthistory.org.au

• The August  2015 newsletter has a report on the Order of Australia Medal (O.A.M) awarded to Val Wilson, for “service to the community of Mornington as an historian”

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

• Spreading Branches August 2015 has a report on the Annual General Meeting held in August and a report on the Group’s activities for the past year. Lynne Bradley was elected as the new President. There is also the story of Albert Lowerson, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in the Great War, written by Jeanette Angee.

Nepean Historical Society          http://nepeanhistoricalsociety.asn.au/

• The August 2015 Nepean has an article about Major James Welch who was a foundation member and the foundation President of the Nepean Historical Society when it was established on March 2, 1965.

Phillip Island & District Historical Society        http://www.pidhs.org.au/

• Christmas Function will be held on Saturday, December 5 2015 at 6.30pm for 7.00pm at the St Phillip’s Parish Hall, Thompson Avenue, Cowes. The guest speaker is Russell Kenery,  the author of  “Matthew Flinders Open Boat Voyages” See the Events column for more details.

 Rye Historical Society       http://ryehistoricalsociety.weebly.com/

• The Whitecliffs newsletter (October-December 2015) has a report on the Society’s activities for the past year. There is a history of the Rye Lions Club from 1972 to 1985 and an article by John Bertacco on Telegraph communication and the Flinders Cable Station.

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

• The September 2015 newsletter has an article about the Tyabb Tennis Club; remnisences of sing-alongs at Percy and Ruth Unthank’s home in Tyabb in the 1930s and an obituary of Lucy Shepherd who died aged 95 on September 4, 2015. Miss Shepherd had lived in Somerville all her life.

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

• The August 2015  Plod newsletter has an article, by Kit Sleeman,  called “Sounds of Silence” about the sounds of the town of Wonthaggi that he heard as a boy – the steam trains, the mine whistle, the frogs, the cattle etc. The September 2015  Plod Essay, written by Barbara Moyle, is about electricity supply in Wonthaggi – the first power was supplied by the State mine and later by the SEC. The October 2015 Plod essay is also written by Kit Sleeman and is about Space – Space movies at the Picture Theatre; space shows on T.V, the Sputnik satellite and the Space Race culminating with men landing on the moon in 1969.

• Wonthaggi & District Historical Society Annual Dinner will be held on Friday, November 27 2015 at 6.30pm at the Wonthaggi Hotel, McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi. The theme is the Wonthaggi Ski Club and a range of speakers will entertain with a history and stories of the Ski Club. See the Events column for more details.

This is a summary of the articles and events taken from the newsletters sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies. August 2015. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Chelsea & District Historical Society

• In the June newsletter reports that in 1955, sixty years ago, four Children’s Centres opened in Chelsea – Aspendale Infant Welfare Centre, Carrum Infant Welfare Centre, the Nola Barber Kindergarten at Aspendale and Edithvale Pre-school  – obviously it was baby boom time in the area. In the I remember when column Ron Jacobs talks about being a ‘lollyboy’ at the Chelsea Plaza Picture Theatre – not only did he earn some pocket money but he also saw the pictures for free!

Hastings Western Port Historical Society     http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/hastings/aHastingsFrontPage.html

• The June newsletter has an article about Jim Barclay whose murdered (and headless) body was found in the Wonangatta area in the High Country in 1918. The Barclay family were early pioneers of the Hastings area. You can read about the murder in John Ricketts’ book Victoria’s Wonnangatta Murders, available at Farrell’s Bookshop in Mornington or the Karingal Newsagency in Frankston or from the author – P.O Box 160 Beaconsfield Upper 3808 or 5944 3644.

Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society

• The May newsletter has an article about growing up on a dairy farm at Cora Lynn – the reminisces of Frank Rouse; the June newsletter has some advertisements from the Koo-Wee-Rup Sun  of 1925. The Society is in the process of digitizing the Koo-Wee-Rup Sun form 1918 to 1981.  The July newsletter has an article from the Koo-Wee-Rup Sun about the Yannathan State School reunion held in November 1964. It includes a long list of attendees,  if you are interested in the names you can read the full transcript here http://caseycardinialinkstoourpast.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/yannathan-state-school-re-union.html

Mordialloc & District Historical Society 

• The newsletter has reports of the Societies many activities.

Mornington and District Historical Society     http://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/

• The May newsletter reports on the launch of the book The names on the Mornington Honour Roll by Val Wilson held on April 24.
• There is also an account of a visit of Diane Basilone Hawkins, whose uncle John Basilone (1916-1945) served with the United States Marine Corp in the Second World War. The 1st Marine Division spent 9 months based at Mt Martha in 1943 at the Balcombe Army Camp. The John Basilone Foundation supports veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. http://www.sgtjohnbasilone.com/

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

• Spreading Branches May 2015 has an account of the Berwick Cemetery tour covering the 100 military personnel who served in World War One; the Groups tour to Springvale Cemetery and the trip to Williamstown. The Williamstown trip was help in conjunction with the West Gippsland Genealogical Society.

Nepean Historical Society          http://nepeanhistoricalsociety.asn.au/

• The May/June 2015 Nepean reports on the successful street stalls held by the Society, in three months they raised over $2,500 and a sausage sizzle raised nearly $1,300. The Society turns 50 in September.

Rye Historical Society       http://ryehistoricalsociety.weebly.com/

• The Whitecliffs newsletter (July-September 2015) includes an extract from the book White Pearls and Jersey Gold by Linda Berndt about the Jennings family of Rye. The book is available from the Society for $30.00. John Bertacco has written an article about the New South Wales/Victoria border. The border consists of the Murray River and the ‘straight portion’ the Black-Allan line named after the surveyors, Alexander Black and Alexander Charles Allan, who surveyed the line in 1870. They were assisted by Surveyor William Turton, who ‘received little recognition for his contribution. You can read more about the Black-Allan line here http://www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/217783/Surveying_the_Black-Allan_Line.pdf

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

• The June 2015 newsletter has a short story about Les Brown, a plumber from Pearceale in the 1930s and Ernest Duffield a tailor who worked in Somerville in the 1920s to 1950s.

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

• The May Plod newsletter has an article, by C.R. Landon, about May Day celebrations in Wonthaggi; the June Plod has an article, by Kit Sleeman, ‘Elephant hunting in Wonthaggi’ about  elephants who had visited Wonthaggi with the various  Circuses. The July Plod  has an article, also by Kit Seeman,  on Sir Arthur Warner, who was the Victorian Minister for Transport and made the decision in 1958 that the Wonthaggi mine would close in ten years. He was also a keen sailor and got ship wrecked in Bass Strait, luckily all the crew made it to safety just outside Wonthaggi. However so afraid was he of the reaction to his presence by the locals that he spent the time on the beach, rather than go to Wonthaggi, and was smuggled back to Melbourne.

This is a summary of the articles and events taken from the newsletters sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies. May 2015. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

 Casey Cardinia Library Corporation

• Casey Cardinia Heritage Festival will be held on  May 17 11.00am to 3.00pm, Narre Warren Mechanics’ Institute, 59 Webb  Street. Historical and Heritage Groups in the City of Casey and Shire of Cardinia are holding a Heritage Festival. Groups involved, so far, include the Beaconsfield History Interest Group, Berwick Mechanics’ Institute, Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, Cranbourne Shire Historical Society, Casey Cardinia Branch of the National Trust, Dandenong High School Ex-Students Association, Edrington History Research Group, Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society, Narre Warren & District Family History group, Narre Warren Mechanics’ Institute and Casey Cardinia Library Corporation. Free.

Chelsea & District Historical Society

• In the March newsletter Patricia Batchelor writes about her time spent working at the Dairy Queen shop in 1961 as a 14 year old. In the April newsletter Margaret Jacobs writes about her first cookery lesson in 1941, when she commenced High School. They were taught ’how to clean a rubbish bin’! The May newsletter has some reminiscences of Dorothy Meadows about her early married life and making sure the nappies were whiter than her neighbours! The Carrum Uniting Church had just turned 114, the Chelsea Air Scouts turn 50 next year and the Chelsea Red Cross branch are 75 years old.

Cranbourne Shire Historical Society

• Christmas in July will be held on July 23 at the Tooradin Sports Club. The Guest Speaker will be Alan Gray who will talk about the history of Puffing Billy.

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

• The April 2015 edition of the Gipps-Land Gate has an article on the Linton family written by Frank and Beverley (nee Linton) Hammond. Generations of the Linton Family were and still are involved in the nursery trade. There is an article by Jan Bateman on the history of Doveton and an article by Valda McCoy on the McCoy family who lived in Dandenong from the 1890s.

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

•  Held successful activities to mark the 150^th anniversary of Cheltenham Cemetery. The weekend  attracted over 280 people, many of whom went on the free tours.

Hastings Western Port Historical Society     http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/hastings.htm

• The March newsletter has an article by Edwin Mawson about his school days at Hastings Primary School, where he started in 1945.

Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society

• The February newsletter had an article, by Heather Arnold, on the beginnings of the Royal Hotel in Koo-Wee-Rup. The hotel opened on September 9, 1915. The March newsletter had an article by Andrew Slade, on Koo-Wee-Rup’s cycling heritage – including information on Percy Osborn who participated in the 1928 Tour de France.  The April newsletter had  a transcription of Freda Thomas’ memories of growing up in Yallock, between 1928 and 1940.
• Their Annual Luncheon will be held on May 24 at the Koo-Wee-Rup Community Centre. The guest speaker is Lambis Engelzos, The lost soldiers of Fromelle.

Mordialloc & District Historical Society 

• The newsletters have reports of the Societies many activities.

Mornington and District Historical Society     www.morningtondistricthistory.org.au

• The February 2015 newsletter reports that 530 visitors toured the Museum over summer school holidays.
• The publication The names on the Mornington Honour Roll by Val Wilson was  launched on April 24.

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

• Spreading Branches February 2015 has an article on Francis Langley – Melbourne Footballer and a Medical Doctor who practiced in Dandenong. He is buried at Berwick Cemetery. There is also a list of resources for World War One research.

Nepean Historical Society          http://nepeanhistoricalsociety.asn.au/

• The March 2015 Nepean has a report on the Australia Day luncheon, where Professor Robert Pascoe was the guest speaker. Joy Kitch has also written an account of attending a polo match at Portsea over summer.

Phillip Island & District Genealogical Society         www.piadgs.org.au

• Reflections newsletter from February 2015 has various articles including one looking at strange wills and one on newspaper articles about Phillip Island from 100 years ago.

Rye Historical Society       http://ryehistoricalsociety.weebly.com/

• The Whitecliffs newsletter (April-June 2015) reports that the book He volunteered for service: the men of Rye and districts who enlisted during WW1 will be launched on Anzac day. John Bertacco has written an interesting article on aerial photography – Historical studies from the air. The newsletter also has a list of publications available for sale. This  list is also available on their website.

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

• The March 2015 newsletter has a report on the recent storm that blew the roof of the Somerville Mechanics’ Institute.

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

The February Plod newsletter has an article about explosions, a dangerous by-product of the mining industry. The March Plod has an article on Durham’s Grocery store in Wonthaggi and  the April Plod newsletter has an article on the history of the word Anzac and the concept of Anzac Day and the music that was associated with the Day

This is a summary of the articles and events taken from the newsletters sent to the Secretary from SEHA Groups and Societies. February 2015. Compiled by Heather Arnold.

Chelsea & District Historical Society

• There is a short history of the Carrum Mechanics’ Institute in the November newsletter. The book The fallen: those who served and died in World War One from Chelsea and Carrum by Margaret Diggerson, was launched on January 15. It is available from the Society for $10.00. Leonie Taylor shares her memories of collecting ‘cow cakes’ from Kelberg’s dairy farm in Chelsea, when she was a girl.

Cranbourne Shire Historical Society

• The Annual Dinner was a success, with an attendance of 120 people. We were entertained by Award winning country singer and National Road Transport Hall of Fame inductee, Ian Castles.

Friends of Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries          www.focrc.org

• March 2015 is the 150^th anniversary of the first burial at the Cheltenham Pioneer cemetery and there will be three days of events to celebrate this milestone.
• The Friends would love to hear from you if you have any relatives buried at the Cheltenham cemeteries (Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery and the Cheltenham Memorial Park) and are happy to share your family stories.

Hastings Western Port Historical Society     http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/hastings.htm

• The newsletter has a copy of the Christmas Dinner menu from the Royal Hotel, Hastings from 1940 and 1950.  In 1950, the meal cost 20 shillings.

Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society

• The November newsletter had some advertisements from the Koo-Wee-Rup Sun from September 1964. The December newsletter had an article about the Great flood of 1934.

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

• They are re-printing Protector’s Plains, a history of the area, first published in 1988.

Mordialloc & District Historical Society 

• The Annual Report lists the many achievements of the Society over the past year.

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

• Peninsula Past Times from November  2014 continues their look at Pioneer women from the Mornington Peninsula. There is also an article on growing drugs on the Well’s farm at Frankston during the Second World War as there was a shortage of botanical drugs such as opium poppy and belladonna.

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

• Spreading Branches November  2014 has an account of the Berwick Cemetery tour which took place on October 26; and an article about Benjamin Muffett (1861-1903) one time assistant station master at Narre Warren.

Nepean Historical Society          http://nepeanhistoricalsociety.asn.au/

• The December 2014 Nepean has an article about Sorrento in 1914.

Rye Historical Society       http://ryehistoricalsociety.weebly.com/

• The Whitecliffs newsletter (January-March 2015) has an obituary on and some memories of Nell Arnold who passed away recently at the age of 103. Nell attended Rye State School and was the last survivor of the pupils who had their schooling at the original 1875 building, which was replaced in 1923 (and is now the Headquarters of the Rye Historical Society)

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

• There is a lovely account of some local Flinders girls attending a dance at the Naval Base, at the end of the Second World War. The truck run out of fuel and the seven young ladies had to walk home in their glamorous evening attire.

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

• In the November Plod there is an article by Alistair Stirton about holidaying at Inverloch in the 1940s or 50s (I think, there are no years mentioned) The Stirton/ Grieves family from Wonthaggi used to spend the six weeks of the school holidays at Inverloch. Their property was next door to the Chambers family and the Davis/Dobson family.