Wandong History Group
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
MEMBERSHIP
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:
Membership fees were set at $10 single and family $15
HISTORY BULLETINS - follow the links
APRIL 2018
Hi Everyone, the Back to Wandong Luncheon, held March 25th at the Australiana Restaurant was a great success with over 40 people in attendance. Some travelled long distances to meet up with relatives and friends to reminisce old memories of times living at Wandong. This year we were privileged to have one of the Australian Day Community award recipients Allan Ryan, long-time resident guest speak on the Ryan family history and his memories of living in Wandong. This was well received with a lot of laughter in between. Thanks Allan. The luncheon previously run by Marie Elson and the McIntosh family, for the last ten years, has now been taken over by the History Group. A special thank you to Cheryl McIntosh who generously donated the chocolates and Easter Eggs for the door prizes and raffles, Janette Kenny and the WHG committee for setting up the displays, making this day a huge success.
This month the Wandong History Group have a “ Walk Through the War”, display which will run from ANZAC Day to the following Sunday at the War Memorial. This display has been twelve months in the making and a dis-play not to be missed are hoping to see as many locals attend as possible.
Our next meeting is May 3rd, 7pm at the Wandong Hall
Until Next Month
Di Vidal (Secretary) Phone: 57 871314 or mob: 0438 811318
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