Wandong-Heathcote Junction Community Group
P.O.Box 242, Wandong Post Office, Wandong, Vic. 3758
Phone: 0413 832 411
MEETINGS:
7:00pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (except December).
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:
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 WHJCG has now passed ownership and remaining copies of the book to the Wandong History Group.
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.
WHATS NEWS FEBRUARY 2025 ARTICLE
WEBSITE: In December the <www.wandong.vic.au> website received 1,456 visits and in January it received 2387 visits.. If any business or group has noticed any change which needs to be corrected to their entry, please let us know. To add your business or group email: whatsnewswhj@gmail.com.au
After years of campaigning Mitchell Shire for the revamp of the Wandong bushfire park car park, we have been advised that the plan will be produced within six weeks. Hopefully we will get a say in the design and it will be displayed to the community for comment.
Mitchell Shire has received 12 submissions for a replacement artwork in the Lions Park adjacent to the Wandong railway station car park. We were involved in the evaluations and a decision will be announced shortly with a view of the project being completed by May 2025. The WHJCG and the Wandong History Group, have favoured the submissions that display our history, but a more contemporary artwork may have been selected. If that is the case the WHJCG will pursue other avenues to implement a history based artwork on Pickett Walk.
The Wandong Community Carols returned to the Community Centre at Davern Reserve following its $800,000 renovation. Another great carols proceeded by a free sausage sizzle, magic show and face painting. We thank the Wandong CFA for providing Santa on the Wandong fire truck. We thank all the choirs and our main sponsor, the Bendigo Community Bank. See page 15 for photos and raffle winners.
We have written to Mitchell Shire asking why some of our healthy trees have been removed while the trees overhanging the mesh fence on Rail Street remain and sooner than later will fall on and further damage the fence and block traffic on Rail Street.
The grate for the drain in Rail Street around the corner from Affleck Streeet continues to cause a problem. It is regularly blocked with mud, leaves, etc causing water to cross Rail Street at road level. Despite asking Mitchell Shire to fix the problem, the only time that the mud, etc is removed from the grate is when the WHJCG removes it.
Clean up Australia day is on Sunday 2nd March 2025. We would appreciate help from the community to help clean rubbish from our roadsides. We meet at the Wandong railway station car park at 9am and conclude with a light lunch at 12 noon. Vests, gloves and water is provided but volunteers should bring a hat and use sunscreen. Children are welcome and will be asked to clean areas without vehicles but they do need to be accompanied by an adult.
The Australia Day 2025 breakfast and ceremony was sponsored by the WHJCG, the Wandong History Group, Wandong Wallan Lions and the COM Wandong Public Hall and was very well attended. Congratulations to our community award winner Pat Leddin and thank you to Rob Mitchell MP, and Councillors Humm, Hanson and Evans for their support.
The WHJCG has had discussions with ARTC and contractor John Holland representatives regarding the rail bridge project, Pickett Walk, etc and we will do the sausage sizzle for ARTC and Saturdays 1st and 15th March when ARTC and John Holland will display the project plan to the community. See page 27 for further information.
VALE PASTOR ALAN LAURENS
The Wandong Heathcote Junction Community Group members were saddened to learn of the death of Pastor Alan Laurens. Pastor Laurens was not a well man for many years but it was still distressing to hear of his passing. Our sincere condolences are extended to his wife Ruth and the family.
PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING US IN 2025 AND PARTICIPATING IN OUR MANY PROJECTS.
WANDONG SOUVENIRS
Five Wandong souvenir spoons and five Wandong fridge magnets are now available.
"Ghosts, Gold & A White Elephant" $50
Wandong History on DVD $10
Wandong post cards $1.50 or 8 for $10
Wandong car window stickers $2 inside $1.50 external
Wandong souvenir spoons $7 or $30 for set of five
Wandong fridge magnets $3.50 or $15 for set of five