Early days
mid 1850 - The Crown first disposed of land
in the Nunawading district.
1889 - The Lake itself was formed by the damming
of Gardiner's Creek. The Freehold Investment & Banking Company, an early
land speculative syndicate in Blackburn, is credited with having built it for
the purpose of enhancing land values & to provide a reservoir for local
orchardists.
Picnic excursions
1889 - The Company built a refreshment room
& a jetty at the water's edge. Four rowing boats were available for hire.
Picnic excursions were organised from Melbourne, & the passengers rode in
converted cattle trucks: the journey took up to 2 hours by steam train.
Heidleberg artists
1893 - Around this time, the artist Frederick
McCubbin set up his easel in the bushland surrounding Blackburn Lake & painted
some of his best known works, eg. "Down on his Luck" & "The
Bush Burial". His home, where he lived for a short time, was situated at
Lot 52(no. 7) Wolsley Crescent. Blackburn Lake was to have been the centerpiece
of a model township planned during the boom years of the 1880's. In the 1890's,
the land boom burst, & the Freehold Investment & Banking Co went bankrupt.
The legacy of their planning - curving streets, tree planting & the Lake
itself, as a focal point, remain today as an excellent example of the "garden
suburb" type of urban planning.
1903 - The Blackburn Lake Paddock was first subdivided
for sale.
Adult Deaf Society
1909 - The Adult Deaf & Dumb Society (now
Adult Deaf Society of Vic), purchased a 75 acre (30.4 ha) block which included
the Lake. They built a substantial home in Central Road, established a men's
wing, cleared the land & cultivated a flower farm. A women's wing was later
constructed. The property was known as "Lake Park", a place for the
"aged, infirm & feeble minded deaf mutes" to live & work in,
growing flowers & vegetables, for selling at the Victoria Market.
Flower Farm
1916 - 14 acres were under cultivation, the
remaining land remained uncleared with an abundance of wildflowers. The flower
farm grew beds of narcissi, gladioli, chrysanthemums, dahlias, carnations, roses,
gaillardias, violets, jonquils, daffodils & watsonias.
1914 -1918 - during the war years, large gatherings
of wounded soldiers were frequently brought to the Lake for picnics, as part
of their recuperation. On these occasions, the whole northern bank would be
dotted with groups of soldiers & nurses.
1921 - Following a decision by the High Court,
the flower sales ceased, as a charity could not earn money & would be liable
to pay municipal rates.
Learn to Swim
1927 - The Herald "Learn to Swim" drive
was held & continued until 1931. Many major swimming carnivals were organised
by the Blackburn Swim Club at the Lake.
Protecting the area
Because the Lake was owned by the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society its immediate
surrounds were protected from development for many years after the society ceased
to use the property as a flower farm
1938 - Residents feared the loss of this environment.
The Blackburn Progress Association was keen to acquire the lake and surrounding
land for development as a public reserve. The government of the day promised
to assist with "improvements, construction of baths etc." While ownership
of the entire 75 acre site remained in the hands of the Adult Deaf and Dumb
Society, the area continued to be popular with the general public.
1954 - The Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works
(MMBW) Planning Scheme zoned the area around the Lake as public open space but
it was still owned by the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society.
1962 - The MMBW (now Melbourne Water), decided
to deepen the Lake to form a ponding basin, to stop flash flooding. This would
have meant complete destruction of the "natural" Lake concept. Many
local conservationists urged the Nunawading Council to discuss with MMBW an
alternative plan. Nunawading Council invited Edna Walling & Ellis Stones
"to give an opinion on the Lake's potential". Both ranked the Lake
area with the Botanical gardens of Melbourne. The Council accepted their findings
& a plan was developed to build a retaining wall & outlet at the southern
end of the Lake. It would to be constructed in such a manner, that the vegetation
surrounding the Lake's edge would not be destroyed.
During the 1960's, high intensity & often
incompatible uses of the Lake, such as: speed-boating, water skiing, illegal
rubbish dumping, canoeing, yachting, fishing & open fire barbecuing began
to threaten the fragile environment. The sensitive vegetation along the lake
fringe, which provides a vitally important habitat for wildlife, was destroyed
in many parts.
1964 - The Adult Deaf Society sold 13.4 ha, including
the Lake & some surrounding bushland to the MMBW & Camberwell Grammar
purchased 6.5ha of land east of the Lake.
Becomes a Sanctuary
1965 - A Committee of Management, comprising
of local residents, was formed to preserve the flora & fauna in the reserve.
Blackburn Lake was declared a "Sanctuary" by Council in response to
concern over motor boating on the Lake.
Early 1970s - Adult Deaf Society demolished their
premises & constructed a new complex further west, at the corner of Central
& Lake Roads. During the summer months, when the grass dries, the foundations
of the old home, dormitories & outsheds are clearly visible on the lawn
between the playground and the Visitor Centre.
1975 - Following extensive efforts by local residents,
the City of Nunawading purchased 14.3 acres (5.8 ha).
1976 - A further 33.1 acres (13.4 ha) purchased
by the City of Nunawading. An environmental assessment & master plan was
prepared by the Committee of Management & Nunawading Council's Park's &
Recreation Department.
First Management Plan
1980 - Land owned by Camberwell Grammar, south
of the Lake, came under threat of subdivision. Following a report on the land,
prepared by the Committee of Management, the area was acquired by the City of
Nunawading, bringing the total area of Blackburn Lake Sanctuary to 63.8 acres
(25.8 ha). Deliberate measures to reduce visitor impact & encourage regeneration
began. The network of walking tracks & access to the Lake's edge was reduced
& stabilised with landscaping to reduce erosion. Several areas were fenced
off, including the old picnic site (now relocated to the present area).
Education Program
1985 - Friends of the Lake Education Program
was initiated
1986 - A revised Blackburn Lake Master plan was
prepared.
1991 - The Visitor Centre extended to accommodate
the expanding Education Program. The project, jointly funded by Nunawading Rotary
Club, State Government Eastern Area Scheme & Council cost $143,000. An hexagonal
activity room, storage areas, & landscaping including pond & enclosed
courtyard were built.
1992 - Land for Wildlife status achieved. Council
purchases 0.5 ha along Central Road, at the north east corner of the Sanctuary,
from the MMBW.
1994 - Fire burns 8 ha of bush to the east of
the Lake & reburns 4 ha of bush in 1997.
1995+- Major playground upgrade & extensive
lake edge revegetation works begin. Committee of Management became Advisory
Committee.
It belongs to the community now
1998 - Final payment made on the Camberwell Grammar
land.
Sources
Blackburn: A picturesque history. Robyn da Costa. 1978
Windows on Nunawading. Diane Sydenham. 1990