Thomas Antonio from Port Melbourne bought land in Whitehorse Road in the early1890s. This land corresponded closely with the present Antonio Park Primary School site, A week-end shack was built soon after, sited close to where the Antonio Park children's playground now stands.  The family later bought land to the east of the original block, extending east to Deep Creek Road and north to Edgerton Road.  In the early 1900s they moved to Mitcham and built a family home in Deep Creek Road just north of Whitehorse Road, close to the pine trees and old fruit trees which remain from their garden.

Thomas Antonio and his wife had five sons - John, Ernest, Alfred, Walter and Joe - and a daughter who died in infancy.  John and Ernest remained bachelors and continued to live in the house until they died in 1955 and 1963 respectively.  In 1953, John and Ernest donated to original property to the City of Nunawading.  When John died in 1955, Ernest donated the remainder of the land to Nunawading, with the condition he be allowed to live in the house until he died. 

In September 1955 the Education Department began negotiations with the City of Nunawading to purchase 5 acres of the Antonio's land as a school site.  The present site was transferred with the approval of the remaining Antonios in October 1958, with the proviso that the purchase price be used by the council to purchase another area of parkland.  This took place in 1975 when the land known as 'The New Lands' was purchased from Charles Schwerkolt, a descendant of August Schwerkolt who built Schwerkolt Cottage.  This extension to the Park extends north from Edgerton Road to Wattle Valley Road. 

The original week-end shack was burnt down in a bush fire some time in the first half of the 19th century and was rebuilt. In February 1962, a bush fire began somewhere north of Kangaroo Ground and reached Warrandyte early on 6th February.  It continued past Park Orchards and reached Antonio Park in the afternoon.  The week-end shack, which was being rented at the time, was burnt down for a second time, but the family home was saved.  The fire crossed Whitehorse Road and the railway and was finally stopped in Linlithgow Avenue. 

After the death of Ernest Antonio in 1963, the Council took full control of Antonio Park and the main house was demolished in 1964.   In general, the remaining bush between the pine trees and Edgerton Road was in excellent condition, with a very varied indigenous flora.   During the following 20 years, the main Council involvement in the Park was in development of the barbeque area.  There was a period when an area in the centre of the bush was used as a meeting place for the local youth and their cars.  During that period an area became devoid of plant life and the soil compacted.   However, after fencing kept cars out of the area it regenerated excellently and is now indistinguishable from the rest of the Park. 

back to homepage
                plantlist
                park photos                
                picnic & playground area
                working bee photos
                links
                contact