My father went to Helen Street school. This is a photo of him in 1912 – fourth from the right bottom row. His name was Harold Louis Gravenall, born 1906 died 1970. He was the ninth of ten children born to Albert Gravenall and Louisa nee Bishop.
Preston Soccer Club
Obviously a well-meaning amateur “happy-snap”, this photo is believed to be the Preston Soccer Club circa 1954-55s, the goal-keeper in the distinctive uniform possibly one George Peak or Peake. Other than the club playing in the “B” Division of the Victorian Soccer Association and appearing in the Dockerty Cup (a knockout competition for clubs in all […]
Preston and Northcote School Sports
The Preston and Northcote School Sports While recently researching the history of Preston and Gowerville Park (aka Preston City Oval), I came across a long forgotten phenomenon of the 1950s and early 60s that I’m sure will strike a chord with many readers of “a Certain Age”. With a drop-off in interest and attendances in Association football in those years, […]
Diamond Creek Country Fire Authority
“Seeing the old Diamond Creek fire trucks made me smile. My late father Albert Cole, while at Diamond Creek Police Station was often called on to be Santa’s helper – a big burly bloke with a loud laugh, he was an ideal candidate. One Christmas, as planned, a fire truck came and Santa knocked. My […]
Memories of Montmorency State School
I attended Montmorency State School in the years 1942-46 from 4th Grade to 7th Grade. Our school grades covered 1st to 8th year. Although ‘Mont’ school (the ‘y’ was not added until recent years) was fairly close to Melbourne, it was considered a rural school. I well remember coming from a large inner city blue […]
Janefield Presbyterian Church / St Petka’s Madedonian Church, Mill Park
This three –bay bluestone Gothic Church was built in 1861. It is believed to have been designed by Patrick Scanlon. The Advertiser described it as “a fine model of a country church” when it opened. The community were mainly Scottish settlers in a rural pastoral area. On the west end, there is a gabled porch […]
Mill Park Farm
Mill Park dates back to 1841 when George Coulstock named his farm Mill Park after a water driven mill he had begun to build on the Plenty River. George grew wheat, winning a prize in the first Agricultural Show in 1842. Coulstock died that same year, leaving the mill unfinished. The business was sold to […]
Early Days of the Diamond Creek Op Shop
Mr Charlie Milthorpe is the first known occupant of the Op Shop. Charlie’s father and family arrived in the district from Bournemouth, England in 1870, and took up a local property. In the 1880’s the family moved to N.S.W. byt Mr Milthorpe’s son Charlie, moved back to Diamond Creek as an orchardist with a property […]
Lyndhust Hall
This building stands on an impressive site near the top of Coonans Hill. It’s believed to have been pre-fabricated and imported by Edward De Carle in 1852 and first erected near Nicholson St and Merri Creek in East Brunswick. The house was later dismantled and re- erected for Mr Alan Strange to its current site. […]
The Airfield
The airfield, which commenced operations in 1920, was bounded by Widford, View, Hartington, Rowan and Trevannion Streets. Then the boundary went east along Heather and Gordon Courts back to Widford. It was an unlicensed field which operated for 4 years. Its most notable visitor was a Airco DH-9 which in late 1920, carried two daring […]