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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 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHJCG Statement of Purpose

WHATS NEWS MARCH 2024 ARTICLE

WEBSITE:  In February the <www.wandong.vic.au> website received 1344 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

The WHJCG has for many years implored Mitchell Shire to place the drain between the Bushfire          Memorial car park and the Epping Kilmore Road underground, remove the bollards and seal the car park to make it the showpiece it should be as a major entrance to Mitchell Shire.   The toilets at this location are the most used in Mitchell Shire but the Council chooses to prioritise lesser deserving projects.  For a copy of our submission to Mitchell Shire Council please refer to pages 34 and 35.

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

A HUGE THANKS to Rob Jensen, Ricky and   Dylan (Broadford) and Jeanette Kenney for helping to remove rubbish from the Epping Kilmore Road between Wandong and Heathcote Junction and around Wandong Plaza.   It was disappointing that we did not get more helpers so we could cover a larger area  -  maybe next year. 

Something has to be done about all the car / truck tyres being dumped on our roadsides.  Most are dumped on Vicroads controlled roads such as the Hume freeway and ramps so we will pursue the issue with Vicroads.  Maybe tyres should be marked as they are removed from vehicles so   owners / perpetrators can be prosecuted.  

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