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 December 1, each person was asked to talk about something that held a family or Christmas memory, such as a decoration, picture or a family Christmas tradition. This was followed by afternoon tea.
Brighton Cemetorians https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/
The Cemetorian newsletter has many interesting articles on the people buried at the Brighton Cemetery. The December 2024 edition includes profiles of Henry Forde Scott (1840-1910), Anglican Minister and Chaplin at the Melbourne Gaol and Melbourne Hospital; Jule Levi (1872-1914), Soprano; Rose Isaacson (nee Danglow) whose brother, the Reverend Jacob Danglow, Rabbi, who was the Jewish Chaplin of the First A.I.F; James Murphy (1843-1891), owner of the largest hog farm in Australia, situated at Monomeith, near Koo Wee Rup.
2025 is the 160th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War and the four American Civil War soldiers buried at Brighton will be commemorated in a service this year.
Chelsea and District Historical Society
The December 2024 newsletter has an article on Seacombe House, Nepean Highway, Carrum, built by Hugh Rigby in 1900 as a guest house. It was destroyed by fire in 1924. There is also biographical information on Hugh and his niece, Nellie Sommerville, who lived with Hugh and his wife, Ruth. Congratulations to Heather Scott, Chelsea’s Treasurer and SEHA delegate, who was recently the recipient of a Volunteer Service Recognition Award for her contribution to the local community. Heather, a life-long resident of the area, is very active in the local community.
The February 2025 newsletter has an article on Clarrie Inchley and his memories of Chelsea. Clarrie was a foundation member of the Chelsea and District Historical Society and was actively involved many other local groups….Clarence Inchley was born in 1901 at Richmond where his father had a piano and music shop. The family holidayed in the Chelsea area from 1910 until 1923 when Mrs Inchley bought a holiday house in Edithvale. Clarrie began his electrical contracting business in the district during 1923. He had been employed by the Melbourne Electric Company and had worked on the installations in many large factories, shops and leading residences. He had a business in Richmond for some time before coming to the Chelsea district in 1924. Clarrie opened his electrical contractor and supply store in Point Nepean Road, Chelsea, next to Carr’s Timber yard.
City of Greater Dandenong Heritage
As part of the National Trust Australian Heritage Festival 2025, the City of Greater Dandenong Heritage presents two free tours –
Heritage Hill House and Garden Tour – a tour of Laurel Lodge, Benga and surrounding gardens on April 24. Bookings and more information https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/greater-dandenong-council/events/heritage-hill-house-and-garden-tour
Heritage Collection Store Tour – a guided tour of Greater Dandenong’s Civic and Cultural Heritage Collection Store, which is not normally open to the public, on May 9. Bookings and more information – https://www.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/events/heritage-collection-store-tour
Dandenong and District Historical Society
Re-opened on February 5; they are open every Wednesday between 10.00am and 3.00pm.
2025 events – General meeting, Sunday 13 April, 2.00pm at Benga House; Annual luncheon in July; Annual General meeting – Sunday 19 October, 2.00pm at Benga House.
The Gipps-Land Gate magazine has a new editor Peter Simcock, and an edition is expected in May.
Friends of Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries https://www.focrc.org/
Raves from the Graves December 2024 has an article, written by Heather Arnold, on the lives of Alice Morris (1852-1912) and Sarah McTavish (1860-1923), buried together in an unmarked grave at the Cheltenham Pioneer. In an occasional series looking at other Australian cemeteries, Rosemary Reddick writes about the Gerringong Cemetery, south of Kiama, with amazing views over the ocean. The Cemetery was established in 1863. There is also a report of the Where History Rests Cemetery tour held in October and more memories of Carrum through to Chelsea from Mr William Bruton (1854-1930).
Hastings – Western Port Historical Society https://www.hwphs.org.au/
On December 4, local MP, Paul Mercurio was the guest speaker at the Morning Coffee. Paul‘s topic was Looking back on Strictly Ballroom, the 1992 film he starred in with Tara Morice.
The December 2024 newsletter has a history of Jack’s Beach, Crib Point. Named for the Jack family who settled there in 1908. A plaque marks the site of the tanning pit – the inscription reads – This trough was used by the twin brothers Blinker and Biddy Jack to tan their fishing nets and lines which were made of cotton. Tanning was done by boiling wattle bark before soaking the nets in the boiling mixture. The Jack family lived at the entrance to this reserve at the turn of the century.
Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society
The December 2024 newsletter has a report of the Cardinia Hall Centenary celebrations held in November and photos of the wonderful new mural, opposite the old Railway Station in Koo Wee Rup, showing a steam train and view of the station. The February 2025 newsletter article looks back at what happened 100 years ago in Koo Wee Rup and surrounds.
Lang Lang & District Historical Society https://www.langlang.net/historical.html
The Society is hopeful of acquiring the original Church of England in Lang Lang and are in discussion with the Bishop of Sale. The progress of this venture with be discussed at the first meeting for 2025 on February 18.
Mordialloc & District Historical Society
The December 2024 newsletter reports on the recent AGM where Rob Linnell was elected President, Pete Ratcliffe, Secretary and Wayne Imlach, Treasurer.
There was a wonderful tribute to past President Veronica Hanh – Veronica (Ron) Hahn completed more than twenty years as President of the Society and did not nominate this year. Veronica returned to study as a mature-aged student in the late1970s; she studied at the Cheltenham High School evening classes and obtained her VCE certificate in 1984. At Monash University in Clayton, she completed a B.A. in1991; M.A. (Asia Studies) in 1995 and another M.A/ (Public History) in 1999, when her thesis was on the history of the Mentone Race Course. Veronica co-authored a book Epsom: From racing to training 1889-1998 with John Macnaughtan. Always meticulous in her research and very inclusive on any project at hand.
After training as a nurse at St Vincent’s Hospital and marrying Frank Hahn, a local Mentone boy and baker, they raised their family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. Both Ron and Frank were members of the MDHS and other societies as volunteers, meeting interest in local history.
Veronica was one of several women who have made significant contributions to the development of the MDHS; as team leader, and representative of the Society at the South Eastern Historical Association and Kingston Network Group. The quality and quantity of her work over many years was recognized by being awarded the highest honorary the society had to give, an Honorary Life Membership. She was always promoting the work of the society, welcoming members and visitors, pointing out features of our exhibitions, answering questions about our history, distributing tea, coffee and refreshments, and visiting schools to present and explain our history. Congratulations, Veronica.
Mornington & District Historical Society https://morningtondistricthistory.org.au/
The November 2024 newsletter has photographs of the 60th Anniversary Celebrations, held in October. Their next Coffee morning with be held on Tuesday, March 11 at 10.30am. Venue: St. Mark’s Church Hall, corner Barkly Street & Waterloo Place, Mornington. Cost $10.00. Guest speaker is Joan Simpson who will take us back to London in war time during Operation Pied Piper. You have read some of this story a while ago in the newsletter but Joan has more to tell and some things to show.
Mornington Peninsula Family History Society https://www.mpfhs.org/
Peninsula Past Times February 2025 has articles by Leonie Marshall on her discovery of a convict in her family tree; Cheryl Gray writes about her addiction to family history and Val Latimer writes about Frank Gledhill from Frankston who served in World War One but in 1929 was charged at the South Melbourne Court on Friday with having loitered on the beach at South Melbourne while clothed in a bathing costume…. [The Magistrate] Mr. Baragwanath said: – Many other seaside councils are lax in regard to keeping the beach clear of this sort of thing. The South Melbourne Council is to be commended in this regard. A fine of 10/- was imposed.
Narre Warren & District Family History Group http://nwfhg.org.au/
The November 2024 Spreading Branches has a report on the successful walk held at the Emerald Cemetery on October 27. Eileen Durdin has written an article – Treasures of the Oscar Wanke Collection . Oscar Wanke was the grandson of Ernst Wanke, who came to the Harkaway area in the 1850s and purchased over 950 acres in the area. Over the years Ernst subdivided this land and sold it to various German families, leaving himself with 400 acres which he named Zion’s Hill. The Oscar Wanke Collection was donated to the group by Oscar’s granddaughter Barbara Sharp. The collection consists of photos, documents and diaries, giving great insight into the development of the Harkaway area. The collection is currently being digitized and catalogued.
Phillip Island & District Historical Society https://phillipislandhistory.org.au/
The November 2024 newsletter has an article by Doug Waugh, A Letter from the Top: Gratitude from the Prime Minister. He writes – Cataloguing at the Historical Society is a bit like treasure hunting. Most days, it’s about methodically recording and describing donations, assigning registration numbers, and cross-referencing items so future historians can uncover their stories. But every now and then, we strike gold, an item that seems to pulse with history, begging to be explored. Recently, we found such a gem: an envelope addressed to Mr. W. Jeffries, Esq. of Cowes. The sender? None other than the Prime Minister of Australia at the time, Stanley Melbourne Bruce. Inside, a typewritten letter, dated December 3, 1925, offered thanks for ‘splendid work’ during Bruce’s campaign. The letter is pristine – light brown with age, neatly folded – and signed in the flowing hand of the Prime Minister himself. It’s a fascinating find, but the question arises: Is this letter just a ‘trophy,’ or does it hold real significance for Phillip Island’s history? To answer that, we need to dive into its context and the stories of the men behind it…..
The December 2024 newsletter has an article by Pamela Rothfield – Berryʼs Beach: A Name, a Story, a Legacy. The Beach is named for George Berry, who selected 136 acres of land on the Island in 1870 and had left by the late 1870s. The January 2025 newsletter looks at the origin of Australia Day.
Rye Historical Society https://ryehistoricalsociety.au/
White Cliffs Issue 1, 2025 newsletter: From Our Collection – a model of the South Channel Light, built by John Hazledine, along with a history of the Light; there are also reports of recent events including a Sorrento cemetery tour.
Wonthaggi and District Historical Society http://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
We received the flyer promoting the 15 Minutes of History programme held between January 4th to 17th. The November 2024 Plod essay has an article by Catherine Watson on the plan created by Sir Roy Grounds, for a 60-acre Pioneer Village on the grounds of the old No 5 Brace mine area. Sir Roy is the designer of the National Gallery of Victoria and the Melbourne Arts Centre. The original plans are held by the Society, but the Pioneer Village was never constructed.
The February 2025 Plod essay is A long Innings: Towards a 150 years of history across Bass District by Steven Oates.