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.
WHATS NEWS JULY 2024 ARTICLE
WEBSITE: In June the <www.wandong.vic.au> website received 1166 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 written to V/Line regarding the unsightly old wood yard (pictured) between the Wandong station car park and Wandong Plaza. Weeds including two metre high blackberries dominated the area and we asked that we be permitted to remove the weeds and plant natives to make it available as public space. It would join the current landscaped area pictured. The plan would allow for the area to be used for an extension to the car park or other use in future. We have not received a response but do note contractors were engaged to level all the growth which does help with the appearance of our main street.
Following requests from walkers along Rail Street, the WHJCG has placed a bench seat at the top of the hill.
We have asked VicRoads what is being done to remove the tyre dumps all over the Shire but no response to date. Hopefully Mitchell Shire Council and the E.P.A. are also pursuing Vicroads. Dumping is a huge problem for our environment and we need us all and the authorities to do more to curb it. Two weeks ago we took another load of roadside rubbish to the Wallan transfer station but already rubbish is returning to the freeway ramps and the Epping Kilmore Road. Come on fellow ratepayers, this is your Shire, your towns and we need your help to keep our environment beautiful and healthy.
The WHJCG has for many years asked Mitchell Shire to fix the problem when the drain in Rail Street (around the corner from Affleck Street) continually blocks and the water runs over the street. It is still a problem and the only time it is not a problem is when the WHJCG clear the blockage
The WHJCG has also asked Mitchell Shire to renovate and replace missing interpretive signage on the Say G’Day trail.
Wandong Heathcote Junction residents - this is your town and we are sure you have the same wishes as our members. GIVE US A CALL and become a member.
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