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 MAY 2026 ARTICLE
For many years the WHJCG has asked VicRoads and Mitchell Shire to provide safety turning lanes on the Epping Kilmore Road at Heathcote Junction, Wallan Whittlesea Road, Beveridge Road, etc but has largely been ignored. Then recently to accommodate a detour when Rail Street was closed for ten weeks, Inland Rail and John Holland widened the roadside by a metre of bitumen to create a half baked turning lane and a chicane on the Epping Kilmore Road, must be for the houligans. Another opportunity missed to fix one of our safety issues.
For 22 years the Community Group has had a great relationship with the management of Wandong Plaza always through consultation and always with both our best interests for the Plaza, but also the Wandong Heathcote Junction community which the Community Group represents in so many ways and to so many departments and organisations. The beautification of Wandong township has been largely due to the efforts of the Community Group - the tree lined avenue, the gazebos, bushfire / war memorial / rose garden park, etc and the cleanliness of THE PLAZA. Our members regularly visit the Plaza after 8pm at night when the car park is empty and spend hours to shovel and sweep up all the dirt and rubbish between the concourse and the car tyre barriers. We spray weeds that accumulate at the edge of the concourse and clean rubbish around the Plaza including the four rubbish bins inside and out. The WHJCG recently raised a issue with Alpine Petroleum which lead to this statement aimed at ending our 22 year relationship: "The Plaza is privately owned and is maintained by Alpine Petroleum in conjunction with our appointed agents who now handle any issues relating to ongoing maintenance and general management of the Plaza. We do not require the Community Group to be involved in any aspect of this endeavour. We would rather rely on our own staff and Management Company to direct any and all activities at this location." The WHJCG has asked Alpine Petroleum to post their contact numbers in the Plaza for reporting issues now the WHJCG has been given the flick.
WANDONG SOUVENIRS
Wandong car window stickers $2 inside $1.50 external
