Wandong-Heathcote Junction Community Group
P.O.Box 242, Wandong Post Office, Wandong, Vic. 3758
Phone: 0413 832 411
MEETINGS:
Wandong Public Hall, Wandong Avenue, Wandong
The group represents the residents of Wandong - Heathcote Junction, including with all levels of Government, on any issues that effect the township. Natural gas for Wandong - Heathcote Junction had been a focal objective for many years and finally delivered in 2017. Proper and appropriate development is also a high priority.
The group also undertakes many projects to improve the appearance of Wandong - Heathcote Junction and conducts many working bees that we encourage resident participation. The group also operates or participates in most events in the town.
Join the Wandong - Heathcote Junction Community Group now and have a say in the matters that affect our towns.
The Wandong-Heathcote Junction Community Group (WHJCG) was formed in May 2001 by locals wishing to take an active role in the community regarding the views of residents, to liaise with council and government and by instigating various projects around the towns. The WHJCG is dedicated to improve the appearance of Wandong-Heathcote Junction and to make it the best place to live. The comments of residents who have shown appreciation of our work is most gratifying, however like all volunteer groups we would love to receive more resident participation. Have a say in your community and come along to the next meeting of the WHJCG, held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Wandong Public Hall. If you cannot attend meetings but can provide other support then please contact Allen Hall on 0413 832 411.
FUNDRAISING: Sausage Sizzles at Bunnings Craigieburn and Wandong I.G.A.supermarket in Wandong Plaza
PROJECTS:
ROSE ARBOUR AT THE WANDONG BUSHFIRE MEMORIAL PARK
At very large expense to the WHJCG, and at the suggestion of Mr Vivian Kenney, we have installed a rose arbour at the entrance to the Wandong Bushfire / War Memorial Park and Wandong Rose Garden. To finish the project, we planted an additional fifty roses, all generously donated by Diana and Graham Sargent of Silkies Rose Farm.
BEAUTIFICATION OF WANDONG RAILWAY STATION RESERVE
The Wandong - Heathcote Junction Community Group (WHJCG) embarked on a project to beautify an unsightly area of land between the Wandong Railway Station and the Epping-Kilmore Road.
The WHJCG obtained a community grant from the Mitchell Shire Council and together with it's own funds and donations from V/Line, the Wandong-Wallan Lions Club, Whats News, WHJ Neighbourhood Watch and Robert Gordon Real Estate TURNED the area into a small bush and wetlands walk.
The project commenced in December 2005 when the blackberry bushes and weeds were poisoned and cleared. Heavy machinery then shaped the embankment and formed the pathway. A boardwalk bridge was constructed to cross the wetlands.
In April and May 2006, three community working bees were held to lay over 840 square metres of biodegradable weedmat and to plant over 1,100 native plants, all indigenous to the area.
The WHJCG has placed a large rock boulder at the station entrance with a plaque to describe the history of the Wandong railway station and the horse drawn tramways to the Mt. Disappointment State Forest.
Bench seating, wooden (red gum) chain sawed sculptures and a large "WANDONG" sign on the Wandong Station embankment have been installed. Two pathway lights have now been installed.
GRAFFITI REMOVAL
The WHJCG has also completed work to eliminate and prevent graffiti at the Wandong and Heathcote Junction Railway Stations and at Wandong Plaza. This included surface cleaning and painting, provision of sensor lighting behind Wandong PLaza, new platform lighting at Heathcote Junction station, heavy planting and mulching.
The WHJCG gratefully acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government, Department of Justice for making this project possible.
HISTORY BOOK
In 2008 the WHJCG successfully applied for a grant to collate and publish a book on the history of Wandong - Heathcote Junction. A committee was been formed and met on the last Wednesday of each month at the Sue Marstaeller Pavilion, Davern Reserve. The WHJCG gratefully acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund and Public Record Office Victoria for making this project possible.
After three years of research and gathering of photos and information, the book was written by Mr Ron Pickett and on 27th March 2011, the book called "Ghosts, Gold & a White Elephant" was launched at the Australiana Restaurant, Wandong by Mr Robert Mitchell, Federal Member for McEwen.
The grant also provided for a commemorative rock and plaque to be placed at the Heathcote Junction Railway Station to signify its past history as a branch line to Kilmore, Heathcote and Lancefield.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Wandong Heathcote Junction Community Group AGM was held at the Wandong Public Hall at 4pm on Wednesday 10th September 2025.
WHATS NEWS SEPTEMBER 2025 ARTICLE
WEBSITE: In August the <www.wandong.vic.au> website received 922 visits. If any business or group has noticed any content which needs to be corrected to their entry, please let us know. To add your business or group email: whatsnewswhj@gmail.com.au
Our representations to VicRoads regarding the lowering of the speed limit on the Epping Kilmore Road through Heathcote Junction has apparently been received favourably. We wait with anticipation.
Pickett Walk was affected by Inland Rail work to install a pipe from Rail Street to the Epping Kilmore Road. Most of the walk was closed for the work but much of it has reopened since. However the walk cannot be fully opened and regretfully will probably be closed for the duration of the project due to the unusable work area on Rail Street.
At very large expense to the WHJCG, and at the suggestion of Mr Vivian Kenney, we have installed a rose arbour at the entrance to the Wandong Bushfire / War Memorial Park and Wandong Rose Garden. To finish the project, we planted an additional fifty roses, all generously donated by Diana and Graham Sargent of Silkies Rose Farm.
We continue to clear rubbish from our town - it is a pity that we have to keep doing this with little help from the community. If only we had other residents with the same commitment to keep our town beautiful. Even collecting any rubbish around the street in front of your property would help - particularly on busy streets like Rail Street and North Mountain Road.
The Wandong Heathcote Junction Community Group will not be holding the Wandong Christmas Carols this year and will review the event for 2026 and beyond. Reasons for the decision are declining attendance each year - last year we even introduced a robovac door prize drawn at the conclusion of the carols so the audience stayed to the end, the probable requirement to secure a Council permit unless we do not hold any outdoor activities such as the BBQ, the aging and unwell organisers - Vivian and Jeanette included are not able perform, the cost of the event including food, magic show, etc.
We are sorry to call a halt to this event after 15 years and hope that new blood will come forward in the future to resurrect the Wandong carols in 2026.
At a recent meeting with Mittchell Shire officers the following issues are some of those raised:
Bushfire Memorial Park Car Park (Bitumen, Bollards, Drain) Plans
RESPONSE: This is currently going through DTP approvals. These can take some time and DTP have recently requested further information to consider this.
Footpath maintenance
Concerns were raised about cracked concrete pavement (35 sections) on Rail Street and deteriorating bitumen on North Mountain Road.
RESPONSE: These works would require a significant investment and would need to be considered as part of Council’s Annual Capital Works Program. The WHJCG is encouraged to submit a formal request …..
WANDONG SOUVENIRS
Wandong car window stickers $2 inside $1.50 external
