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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