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 1, Libby Skidmore read a paper called “The Yellow Peril” which is a newspaper account of a motor journey through Gippsland in 1923, in a yellow car.
Chelsea and District Historical Society
The September 2024 newsletter has a wonderful article on Ma Dodd, one of Victoria’s first “Lady Cabbies”. Born Louisa Shebler, she married George Dodd in 1910. They started a cab business in Chelsea and Louisa carried on the business after she separated from her husband. She retired from the business when she was 75. There is also a short article on the Waterproof Tile Company, established in 1925 in Chelsea.
Their new display is – Coast : Aspendale to Carrum Looking Back. Where: Chelsea Courthouse, 6 The Strand, Chelsea. When: Friday, November 22, 2024 – 12 noon to 3.00pm; Saturday, November 23, 2024 – 10.00am -3.00pm; Sunday, November 24, 2024 – 10.00am-3.00pm.
City of Greater Dandenong Heritage
The Importance of Oral Histories seminar -Thursday, November 28, 2024 from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Location: Benga, Heritage Hill Museum & Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. A free event, bookings are required as places are limited. More details and bookings here – https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1311016
Cranbourne Shire Historical Society
Their guest speaker at the meeting to be held on Thursday, November 28, at 7.30 pm is Sean Murphy, who will talk about his book, The Cranbourne Meteorite.
Dandenong and District Historical Society
Their AGM was held on October 20, at Benga, and the guest speaker was Rebecca Nassau. Rebecca is the Business Development Manager for VEOLIA and spoke about waste management.
Dingley Village Historical Society https://dvhs.com.au/
Dingley Village Historical Society has been active over the last few months. They have been manning a table at the local Farmer’s Market to try to improve their visibility in the community. They also had a table at the Kingston History Fest and have produced a calendar of historical photos for 2025. They are working on updates to some of their publications and hope to have other community engagement initiatives ready for release in the new year.
Friends of Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries https://www.focrc.org/
Raves from the Graves September 2024 has an article on the James’ Brothers of Mordialloc and Koo Wee Rup by Heather Arnold. They are the sons of Robert and Mary Ann James and owned for a short time part of the Richfield Estate at Mordialloc; and after selling that property farmed at Manks Road in Koo Wee Rup. John and Robert James are buried at the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery and their brother, Charles, at Cheltenham Memorial Park. Rosemary Reddick, President, reported on the good news that the Friends Group now have a home. The Cemetery Trust have allowed them to use the 1915 built office at Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery. Finally there are more memories of Carrum through to Chelsea from Mr W. Bruton.
Hastings – Western Port Historical Society https://www.hwphs.org.au/
The September 2024 newsletter has an article on the Shrine of Remembrance which turns 90 this year. The Society has received a grant from Public Records Office of Victoria which will be used to help preserve clothing and fabrics from the Pioneer Cottage, which is part of the Museum complex at Hastings.
The guest speaker at the Morning Coffee meeting held on October 16, was Peter McCullough whose topic was – Whatever happened to Dr Rohner – the mysterious disappearance of Hasting’s Doctor. Dr Rohner, Hasting’s first doctor, disappeared on January 9, 1890. You can read the story here in Peninsula Essence – https://peninsulaessence.com.au/the-curious-case-of-doctor-rohner/
Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
The September 2024 newsletter has an article on the Lubecker Steam Dredge by Heather Arnold. The dredge was imported by Carlo Catani from Germany in 1913 and worked on the Lang Lang River and the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. The October newsletter reported on some of the recent queries received and there was also an article on the 50th anniversary of the Westernport Light Opera Society’s production, The Originals. The November newsletter had a report on the 50th anniversary party of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society held on October 13 – over 90 people attended and it was a wonderful event. There was also an article on the opening of the Cardinia Public Hall, 100 years ago in December 1924. A celebration will be held at the Hall on Saturday, October 23 from 1.30pm until 5.00pm – details are here https://seha.org.au/event/cardinia-hall-centenary-celebrations
Lang Lang & District Historical Society https://www.langlang.net/historical.html
Lang Lang & District Historical Society’s final meeting for the year will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Venue: Wendy May’s Café, Westernport Road Lang Lang, starting at 11:30 am, followed by lunch.
Mordialloc & District Historical Society
The September 2024 newsletter has an article by Graham Whitehead on Parkdale born Kevin Coote. Kevin participated in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games and the 1956 Melbourne Games in the wrestling team. There is also an article, by Leo Gamble, on the Mentone New Theatre, which opened in 1928. Congratulations to Mordialloc Secretary, Peter Ratcliffe, who has been elected as a Paul Harris Fellowship by Mordialloc Rotary. This Rotary award recognises contributions of individuals to the community. Peter is acknowledged for his contribution in leading historical walks in Mentone, Mordialloc and Parkdale.
Mornington & District Historical Society https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/
The Leslie Moorhead Lecture was held on October 8, 2024 and at the same function the 60th anniversary of the Society was celebrated. The Guest speaker was Chris Crewther, Mornington MP. His talk was on modern Slavery. When Chris was a Commonwealth Parliamentarian, he was the chair of the committee investigating Slavery.
Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/
Peninsula Past Times November 2024 has an article by Diana Palayan, on her great, great grandfather, James Hookham; and her trip to England in May this year discovering more about him and his work as a builder. There is also part two of article on the early days of Hastings, looking at the lives of the owners of the first allotments in the township. It is written by Lance Hodgins. A regular feature of the newsletter is a list of all the updates to Ancestry and Find My Past, compiled by Pam Norman.
Narre Warren & District Family History Group http://nwfhg.org.au/
The August 2024 Spreading Branches reports on the member of the year, Lynne Bradley, past President, current treasurer, research officer and all-round good person. An article by Marianne Rocke looks at the life of Beaconsfield Upper orchardist Walter Henry Brown. Marianne reports on how young Walter came to the town – Vernon Lockey moved his wife Eleanor and his two daughters Phyllis and Joyce to Upper Beaconsfield, but continued to work in Melbourne, where he stayed at the Windsor Hotel during the week. He was the superintendent of the Electric Light and Traction Company, a forerunner of the State Electricity Commission. One day, in Melbourne, he happened upon a 14-year-old boy, sleeping in the doorway of his workplace. The boy was clearly in need of help, so Lockey suggested that he take him to Upper Beaconsfield where he could help the gardener with the upkeep of his property. This is how Walter Henry Brown came to our village in about 1916. Thanks to Vernon Lockey’s kind action and Walter’s work ethic, Walter became a successful orchardist.
Phillip Island & District Historical Society https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/
The September 2024 newsletter has the reminiscences of Lorna Collins (nee McFee) born in 1924 and who has just celebrated her 100th birthday. Lorna is Phillip Island’s longest-living resident who was born on the Island. Lorna’s story is about Washing and Ironing Days in the 1930s. The October newsletter has a history of San Remo State School by Pamela Rothfield. The School opened in February 1874, 150 years ago. On October 25, to celebrate History Month, the Society presented a series of 15-minute talks where different speakers presented on aspects of the Island’s history.
Rye Historical Society https://ryehistoricalsociety.au/
White Cliffs July -September 2024 newsletter has part two of the life of Lila Mary Rowley, a WW2 Army Nurse, who went to school in Rye; her name appears on the Rye State School Honour Board displayed at the Museum. There are also reports of the various activities and meetings of the Society.
Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
The September 2024 Plod essay was a history of the Wonthaggi Historical Society, who have just turned 65, they were formed in 1959. The October Plod essay are the memories of the late Zita Dalla Rosa. The story starts – It was 1927 and I was six years old when my mother and I left our Italian home forever to join my father in far off Australia. We left Villa Vella, Province of Vicenza, Northern Italy where generations of my mother’s and father’s families lived and headed into the unknown….. It took my father two years of hard work cutting wood to save enough money to get Mum and I from Italy. By that time, he had found work in Wonthaggi at the State Coal Mine, which he loved. He did not work in the mine, but for the mine. There was a workshop there where the mine was and he worked there on carpentry, but he never went down below. For the mine manager he made the most beautiful writing desk. It’s a delightful story.
The Society celebrated Seniors Festival on October events with a programme History is Alive & Well at Wonthaggi – presenting a range of subjects relating to local history and artefacts, a demonstration of the Society’s archival. Their Annual Dinner is on November 29 and celebrates the History of Wonthaggi Brass Bands. Guest speakers reflect on the role that bands have played in Wonthaggi’s history in particular the Wonthaggi Citizens’ Band.