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
FEBRUARY 2018
Hello and welcome to 2018, hoping everyone enjoyed the festive season, and are now refreshed for the year ahead. Due to the wet weather in December the History Group didn’t attend the Kilmore Show as planned. Our Annual Christmas raffle shared with the community group was drawn at the Chemist celebrations at the Wandong Plaza, the three lucky winners were Debby Roberts (Heathcote Junction), Ken Bausch
(Heathcote Junction) and Peter Gough (Heathcote Junction). A big thanks to Allen Hall for organising the raffle prizes, and the others that gave up their time selling tickets.
The History Group are having a Sausage Sizzle day at Bunnings Craigieburn on the 18th March, so for anyone down in the area call in, your support would be much appreciated.
Due to the day at Bunnings our Back to Wandong Luncheon at the “Australiana Restaurant has been changed to the following week, March 25th. This day is open to all residents with an interest in our local history. If you have any memorabilia to share please bring it along. The Australiana Restaurant puts on a delicious smorgasbord for a cost of $34 a head. Please RSVP by 18th March if you’re interested in attending, contact numbers below.
The History Group congratulates Kath Christensen, Allan Ryan and Maurie Scanlon on receiving the Australia Day Awards for Wandong.
Sad to hear of Jim Robson’s passing in January, he reached the milestone of 100 last year. Jim was a much loved resident of Wandong for numerous years. Deepest Sympathy to all his family.
The Next History Meeting is March 1st, 7pm at the Wandong Hall.
Until Next Month
Di Vidal (Secretary) Contact: 57871 314 Email: wandonghistorygroup@gmail.com
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