Wandong History Group

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Registered Office: Affleck Street, Wandong, 3758

Telephone: 57871 314

Inaugural office bearers 2012/2013:

President - Karen Christensen

Vice President - David Moran

Secretary - Diana Vidal

Treasurer - Sandra Moran

The Wandong History Group was formed to collate, catalogue and preserve the past history of Wandong and Heathcote Junction for the benefit of future generations.

HISTORY

The Wandong History Group (WHG) evolved when a group of local residents recognised that before it was too late, there was the urgent need to collate, catalogue and preserve the past history of Wandong and Heathcote Junction for the benefit of future generations. Wandong - Heathcote Junction has a unique and interesting settlement and social history that included one of Victoria's largest timber and seasoning operations. Wandong was a hive of activity during the mid-1880s with tramways, a seasoning works, joinery and terra cotta lumber plant, as well as a coffee palace and boarding house, all built around a privately created subdivision owned by Robert Affleck Robertson. The Mt. Disappointment area was also home to prisoners of war who worked in forest camps during World War II. Wandong also laid claim to initiating the first Country Music Festival during the 1970s. Wandong and Heathcote Junction have many unexplored stories yet to be told

The WHG held its first formal meeting on 26 September 2012 when office bearers were elected and at a subsequent meeting it was unanimously decided to apply to be an Incorporated Group. The WHG is a not for profit group and any membership fees, donations, fund raising money will be put toward the collation, cataloguing and preserving our history.

The Wandong History Group has elected to adopt the Model Rules for an Incorporated Association [Associations Incorporation Act 1981]

MEMBERSHIP

Membership fees will be set at Annual General Meetings. Financial members are encouraged to participate in Group activities and in discussion at monthly meetings.

OPERATION

The Wandong History Group initially aims to collate, record and store information on the history of Wandong - Heathcote Junction. It is intended to meet monthly and all residents interested in the great history of our towns would be most welcome to participate.

The Group will meet regularly and consensus decision making will be adopted. Regular history presentations will be conducted for the benefit of residents and visitors.

Committee members for 2014- 2015 are:

President: Karen Christensen

Vice President: David Moran

Secretary: Di Vidal

Treasurer: Sandra Moran

Membership fees were set at $10 single and family $15

HISTORY BULLETINS - follow the links

FEBRYARY 2021

HISTORY GROUP

“Happy New Year” hoping everyone enjoyed the festive season, as much as they could, hoping this year we get back to some form of normality, hard to believe we are now in the second month already.

Fantastic news for us, work will finally commence on the restoration of St Michael’s Church. This has been a long drawn out process, to have it returned to its former glory and stabilised is very exciting.

The History Group held a sausage sizzle at Bunnings Craigieburn in early January. Thanks to everyone who assisted on the day and supported us, the proceeds always help to keep our group running.

Mark this date in your calendar - Sunday March 28th, for the “Back to Wandong Luncheon at the Australiana Restaurant”. This day is open to all residents past and present with an interest in our local history. If you have any memorabilia to share please bring it along. This is a great day to catch up with those who don’t see each other throughout the year. Sadly last year we lost two of our regular attendees. Our deepest sympathy to the families. This year’s guest speaker is Sharon McCarthy. A long-time resident, sharing her family memories of growing up in Wandong. The Australiana Restaurant puts on a delicious smorgasbord for a cost of $36 a head. Please RSVP by 21st March if you are interested in attend-ing, contact numbers below.

The History Group congratulates John Simpson, on receiving the Mitchell Shire Citizen of the Year award. John and wife Denise were also the recipients of the Recognition Award for Wandong.

Local resident Allan Ryan, a very proud grandfather, shared his news of grandson Daniel Anthony Ryan (pictured) being awarded an OAM for meritorious service as an Armidale Class Patrol Boat Marine Technician while deployed on Operation RESOLUTE from 2007 to 2020. “CONGRATULATIONS” Daniel from the History Group.

Until Next Month

Di Vidal

Secretary

Phone: 0357 871314

Mobile: 0438 811318 27

Attention, Businesses and Local groups

The Wandong History Group is putting together a pack of local information to help both new and old residents learn a little about our history and what services, businesses and groups operate in the area. If your business or group would like to be involved with this please contact the Wandong History Group via email wandonghistorygroup4@gmail.com or phone 57871314