Plenty Road is one of Victoria’s oldest, starting—as far as Bundoora, and northward is concerned—in 1838, when Robert Hoddle, as part of the process of laying out the Parishes of Keelbundora, Morang, Yan Yean and Toorourrong, allowed an easement for a Government Road. In the early days the Southern end of Upper Plenty Road (or […]
The History of the Formation of the Shire of Whittlesea, S.T. Grey
S.T. Grey worked for the Leader Publishing Company of Northcote, publishers of “The Whittlesea Post”. Grey moved from Preston to Gladstone Road, Briar Hill 1935. He was also secretary of the Whittlesea Agricultural Society and a tentative candidate in the 1935 Eltham Shire elections. In 1961, at the direction of the Shire of Whittlesea, Grey […]
Whatmough Park
This land in Greensborough was owned by Jonah Britnell and then William Poulter however the orchardists Robert and Emmett Whatmough leased the land for many years and lived on the property for a while hence the name. The Partington family took possession of the property in about 1946 and replaced an existing building with a […]
Bundoora Park
The 450 acre park in Plenty Road when first established was a joint project with the adjoining (former) Councils of Preston, Diamond Valley and Whittlesea. It includes a golf course, scenic drive and picnic sites amidst beautiful mature gum trees, including an Aboriginal Canoe tree. The picnic sites are used to capacity in the warmer […]
Preston Market
Construction on the Preston Market began in October 1969 when Preston Mayor W. K. Larkins drove home the first stake in the site of the former Broadhurst Tannery. The original investment in the site was $2 million. The market opened in 1970 and by 1976 the market had grown to include 46 green grocers, 15 […]
The Golden King Mine
Mining activities in the area date back to the late 1800’s when many hundreds of Chinese miners searched for gold among the banks of Plenty River. One popular area was known as Smuggler’s Gully, a farm area recently owned by Walter Stuchbery and family, and now part of Plenty Gorge Park. During the 1940’s and […]
The Northcote Inebriates Retreat
Would many of the thousands of students, teachers and staff of Northcote High School ever have realised their every-day activities at the school were conducted on the former site of Melbourne’s largest institution for treating alcoholism? The Northcote Inebriate Asylum (a.k.a. the Northcote Inebriate’s Retreat) was originally a private organisation opened by Dr. Charles McCarthy […]
Yan Yean Public Cemetery
Yan Yean Public Cemetery: an historical overview By Lindsay Mann Copyright © Yan Yean Public Cemetery Trust, 2009. The Yan Yean Public Cemetery had its genesis in either 1853 or 1854, when the first death occurred among the labourers employed by Joseph Martindale, the contractor who constructed the Yan Yean Reservoir’s Embankment. Martindale was legally […]
Westgarthtown Lutheran Cemetery
Original article titled: In Urban Lalor the ancient craft of dry stone walling encloses an historical oasis From Inherit Heritage Council Magazine Issue 21 March 2005. From Westgarthtown — A History and Guide by Robert Wuchatsch and David Harris (revised 2004 edition, published by the Friends of Westgarthtown). Situated on the corner of German Lane […]
Sugarloaf Reservoir
Christmas Hills Sugarloaf Reservoir in Simpsons Road, Christmas Hills is a stunning body of water used extensively by the local sailing club, canoers and anglers. The area is open between 8.30am and 8pm during daylight saving, and is home to an abundance of rainbow trout, brown trout, redfin, roach and European carp. A Victorian Amateur Fishing […]