Wandong History Group

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Registered Office: Affleck Street, Wandong, 3758

Telephone: 57871 314

Inaugural office bearers 2012/2013:

President - Karen Christensen

Vice President - David Moran

Secretary - Diana Vidal

Treasurer - Sandra Moran

The Wandong History Group was formed to collate, catalogue and preserve the past history of Wandong and Heathcote Junction for the benefit of future generations.

HISTORY

The Wandong History Group (WHG) evolved when a group of local residents recognised that before it was too late, there was the urgent need to collate, catalogue and preserve the past history of Wandong and Heathcote Junction for the benefit of future generations. Wandong - Heathcote Junction has a unique and interesting settlement and social history that included one of Victoria's largest timber and seasoning operations. Wandong was a hive of activity during the mid-1880s with tramways, a seasoning works, joinery and terra cotta lumber plant, as well as a coffee palace and boarding house, all built around a privately created subdivision owned by Robert Affleck Robertson. The Mt. Disappointment area was also home to prisoners of war who worked in forest camps during World War II. Wandong also laid claim to initiating the first Country Music Festival during the 1970s. Wandong and Heathcote Junction have many unexplored stories yet to be told

The WHG held its first formal meeting on 26 September 2012 when office bearers were elected and at a subsequent meeting it was unanimously decided to apply to be an Incorporated Group. The WHG is a not for profit group and any membership fees, donations, fund raising money will be put toward the collation, cataloguing and preserving our history.

The Wandong History Group has elected to adopt the Model Rules for an Incorporated Association [Associations Incorporation Act 1981]

MEMBERSHIP

Membership fees will be set at Annual General Meetings. Financial members are encouraged to participate in Group activities and in discussion at monthly meetings.

OPERATION

The Wandong History Group initially aims to collate, record and store information on the history of Wandong - Heathcote Junction. It is intended to meet monthly and all residents interested in the great history of our towns would be most welcome to participate.

The Group will meet regularly and consensus decision making will be adopted. Regular history presentations will be conducted for the benefit of residents and visitors.

Committee members for 2014- 2015 are:

President: Karen Christensen

Vice President: David Moran

Secretary: Di Vidal

Treasurer: Sandra Moran

Membership fees were set at $10 single and family $15

HISTORY BULLETINS - follow the links

JULY 2021

HISTORY GROUP

Vale - Gwen McIntosh

With much sadness I announce the passing of my dear friend Gwen. Apart from

knowing the family all my life Gwen and I have been involved on the same committees,

Wandong Public Hall, Tennis club, and the book committee for the research and

publication of “Ghost, Gold and a White Elephant”.

Gwen took on the role of President when the Wandong History Group formed in 2012.

Gwen together with husband Bob have played major roles in sharing their knowledge of Wandong and Heathcote Junction with the History Group. I interviewed Gwen for our What’s Old newsletter “Getting to know your neighbour” back in 2019. Gwen’s lifetime dedication to the community earned her the Australia Day Community Recognition Award that year as well.

Our deepest sympathy to Bob, Annette, Cheryl, Andrew, brother Kenny and family.

A beautiful lady, now at peace.

Update on Projects

Mitchell Shire at the June meeting finally passed the removal of the internment camp hut to the park, this has been over twelve months since we gained the grant and finally, we find we may now be able to move on this project.

Also on St Michaels Church, the permit is expected any day now with Heritage Victoria telling us it is almost finished, we expect to start on this project as soon as the permit is through.

Di Vidal

Wandong History Group

Attention, Businesses and Local groups

The Wandong History Group is putting together a pack of local information to help both new and old residents learn a little about our history and what services, businesses and groups operate in the area. If your business or group would like to be involved with this please contact the Wandong History Group via email wandonghistorygroup4@gmail.com or phone 57871314