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Meetings & Activities

Opening Hours
Our Rooms which are located above the Mt Waverley Library in Miller Cres. Mt Waverley, are open each Wednesday (except over the Christmas break) from 1pm to 5pm or by appointment, for individual research and working discussion groups.

Meetings
General meetings are held at the WHS Rooms above the Mt. Waverley branch of the Monash Public Library (41 Miller Crescent, opposite the Mt. Waverley Railway Station – North side).   Meetings are usually at 2 pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month during winter and 7.30pm during Daylight Saving  (but note some variations to days and times) .

History Walks
History walks are usually conducted on the weekends in various locations within the municipility with an experienced guide who is able to explain the significant features encountered. Although the walks are usually less than a couple of km they may take up to 1.5 hours to complete. Car parking is usually available close to the start location.

New Members
Prospective new members and visitors are welcome to all our general meetings and to visit us at our informal sessions on Wednesday afternoons.

At each meeting we usually have a speaker to tell us about some topic related to local history. Currently planned speakers and events include:

Our Programme 2023

  • Sun 26 Feb  –  Gary Stocking The History of Motoring   
  • Sun 26 Mar  –  Historic Walk  Pinewood
  • Sun 23 Apr – ANZAC Day Ceremony Glen Waverley Cenotaph
  • Sun 28 May – Mandy Bede   Ephemera
  • Sun 25 Jun –  Chris Norton and his First Fleet connection
  • Sun 23 July   2pm
  • Sun 27 Aug   2pm AGM, 53rd Birthday celebration
  • Sun 24 Sep –  2pm Barbara Minchinton talking about her book
  • Sun 22 Oct – 2pm
  • Sun 26 Nov – 2pm

Our rooms will close (last day) on 7 Dec 2022 and reopen 1 Feb 2023.  Research enquiries will be handled by Email, see link on Welcome page. Our rooms can be opened by appointment over this holiday period.

Current Projects
A number of projects are underway amongst society members including:

  • Cataloguing and indexing of documents and maps
  • Indexing of photographs
  • Indexing of local newspapers
  • Recording of significant plaques in the city of Monash
  • History of street namesBricks & brickworks in the district – research project
  • Origin of reserves – research project
  • Day trips:
  • Membership list and contact details (including other societies)

Our Programme 2022

  • Wed 27 Feb  –  Once there was Jordanville  virtual tour

  • Wed 27 Mar 2pm – Open day

  • Sun 24 Apr – ANZAC Day Ceremony Glen Waverley Cenotaph

  • Wed 27 Apr 2pm –  Dennis Frank : Fallen Diggers

  • Sun 29 May – Historic walk  Ashwood district

  • Sun 26 Jun – 2pm Peter le Grand :  Waverley Reminiscences

  • Sun 24 July   2pm  Eric Panther   Cartophilic Society    (Collecting Ephemera )

  • Sun 28 Aug   2pm AGM, 52nd Birthday celebration

  • Sun 23 Oct – 2pm Vist to Schramm’s Cottage, Doncaster East

  • Sun 27 Nov – 2pm  Melbourne Playing Card Collectors talk

Our Programme 2021

  • COVID   limited operations

Our Programme 2020

  • Wed 5 Feb  –  WHS Rooms reopen

  • Wed 26 Feb 2pm – The Burwood Cemetery (WHS Rooms)

  • COVID

Our Programme 2019

  • Wed 6 Feb  –  WHS Rooms reopen

  • Thu 26 Feb 7pm – Guest Speaker – James Nicholas : The Mystery of Fairyland Cottage Kew (WHS Rooms)

  • Wed 27 Mar 2pm  –  Golden Anniversary of Mt Waverley Library, Display and presentation

  • Sun 14 April 10am – ANZAC Wreath laying with RSL at War Memorial, Kingsway GW

  • Wed 24 April 2pm – Guest Speaker – Bill Brown : John Monash, more than just a Military Commander (WHS Rooms)

  • Sun 26 May 1pm  – Oswego Historical Walk (Glen Waverley area)

  • Wed 26 Jun 2pm –  A Virtual Tour of Stephensons Rd  (WHS Rooms)

  • Wed 26 Jun 2pm –  AGM,  Guest Speaker – Joy Olney Early Memories of Glen Waverley  (WHS Rooms)

  • Sun 27 Oct 1pm –  Historical Walk      Black Flat District – reservations essential

  • Wed 27 Nov 2pm  – Speaker :  Corina Leitch WWI Centenary 

Our Programme 2018

  • Fri 26 Jan 2016 – Australia Day Special Opening Display (12noon – 4 pm)

  • Wed 7 Feb  –  WHS Rooms reopen

  • Thu 22 Feb 7pm – Helen Doxford Harris OA : Women in Local Council

  • Sun 18 Mar 1pm   Historical walk  Cratloe Area, Mt Waverley

  • Thu 26 April 7pm – Dr Celestina Sagazio :The Heritage of Springvale War Cemetery

  • Mon 30 April 10am –  History of the Drive in Theatre  (Our May  Meeting ) in conjunction with Mt Waverley Library

  • Wed 27 June 2pm – Mick Woiwod Indigenous History & Plaques

  • Sun 15 July 2pm – Armistice Commemorative Ceremony

  • Sun 26 Aug 3pm – AGM and afternoon tea

  • Sun  15 Sep – Visit to Bishopscourt East Melbourne

  • Sun 28 Oct 12noon – 4pm Open Day

  • Sun 28 Oct 1pm – Historical Walk Mt. Waverley Central

Our Programme 2017

  • Thu 26 Jan 2016 – Australia Day Special Opening Display (12noon – 4 pm)
  • Thu  23 Feb 7.30 pm  – Dr Jim Poulter: Aboriginal Songlines
  • Wed 23 Mar  – No meeting
  • Sun 23 Apr  – ANZAC Wreath Laying Glen Waverley Cenotaph
  • Wed 26 Apr 2 pm  –  Dr Andrew Kilsby was not available and MarJo Angelico spoke on the Mountain View Hotel 
  • Wed 28 Jun 2 pm – Ian Bock Early Photography
  • Sun 27 Aug 1.30pm – AGM and birthday celebrations
  • Sun 10 Sep 1 pm – Visit to Ambleside (Knox Historical Society)
  • Thu 26 Oct 7.30 pm – Jane Turton: Murder & Mysteries in Mulgrave
  • Thu 23 Nov 7.30 pm – Dr Andrew Kilsby: The Rifle Club Movement in Victoria  (followed by Xmas Supper )

Our Programme 2016

  • Tues 26 Jan 2016 – Australia Day Special Opening Display (12noon – 4 pm)
  • Thu  25 Feb 7.30 pm  – David Godfrey:  The History of Melway Publishing
  • Wed 23 Mar  – No meeting
  • Sun 24 Apr  – ANZAC Wreath Laying Glen Waverley Cenotaph
  • Wed 27 Apr – General Meeting, Speaker : John Howell – The Only Woman at Gallipoli
  • Wed 11 May – 1pm Valley Reserve – Lawrence Rd, Historical Walk (Repeat of a previous walk – Reservations Required)
  • Wed 22 Jun – 2.00pm General Meeting, Speaker : Anne Miller – The 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, 60 Years On
  • Wed 27 July – TBA
  • Sun 28 Aug – 1.30pm AGM and Annual Birthday Celebration,  Talk Topic : A Virtual Tour along High Street Rd
  • Sun 25 Sep – 1pm  The Burwood Corner of Monash,  Historical Walk   (New Walk)
  • Thu 27 Oct – 7.30 pm General Meeting Speaker Jenny O’Donnell Kawarau – Home of the Cato family
  • Wed 23 Nov – General Meeting with Christmas celebrations
  • Wed 7 Dec – The last day WHS rooms are open.   We will reopen on 3 Feb 2017

Our Programme 2015

  • Mon 26 Jan 2015 – Australia Day Special Opening Display (11 am – 3 pm)
  • Wed 25 Feb 2015 – Roland Johnson: Norwood Historic Homestead  2pm
  • Wed 25 Mar 2015 – A Historical Walk in Mt Waverley (Around the Valley Reserve / Lawrence Rd area)
    (Bookings essential click here and advise – the number of walkers (plus others), the Name, Email and Phone No. of contact person).
  • Sun 19 Apr 2015 – WHS will lay a wreath at a service at the Glen Waverley Cenotaph (10.15am)
  • Wed 22 Apr 2015 – Betty Horskins : Local ANZACs
  • Wed 24 June – Duncan Burrows : Flour Milling in Early NE Victoria
  • Wed 22 July – Visit to Old St Stephens Church
  • Sun 23 Aug – AGM and 45th Birthday Celebration, Speaker MarJo Angelico
  • Wed 28 Oct –  Lt. Col. Bernard Mulholland  : John Monash  2pm in the WHS Rooms
  • Wed 25 Nov – Christmas Meeting

Our Programme 2014

  • Sat Jan 27 – Australia Day – Display Open to the Public
  • Thu Feb 27 – Jeff Whittington: History of the Royal Park Campus of Royal Melbourne Hospital
  • Sun Mar 23 – History Walk Mt Waverley area: Starting from WHS Rooms
    (Bookings essential click here and advise – the number of walkers (plus others), the Name, Email and Phone No. of contact person).
  • Sun Apr 6 – History Walk Mt Waverley area (repeat event).  (Bookings essential see above.)
  • Sun Apr 20 – Wreath Laying Monash City Memorial  10.15am
  • Wed May 28 – Social gathering
  • Wed Jun 25 – Speakers:  Jordanville History, Afternoon tea for members and guests
  • Wed Jul 23 –  Topic:  Floods in Waverley
  • Wed Aug 27 – AGM plus a Time to remember: A look back at the 1930s
  • Sun Oct 12 – 44th Birthday Celebration (WHS Rooms)
  • Wed Oct 29 –  Open Day (Monash Seniors and RHS History Week 12 noon – 4pm)
  • Wed 26 Nov – Xmas meeting (2 pm to 4 pm)
  • Dec – No Meeting

Our Programme 2013

  • Wed Jan 23 – Open
  • Sat Jan 26 – Australia Day – Display Open to the Public
  • Thu Feb 28 – John Spencer: CSIRAC The First Computer in Australia
  • Sun Mar 17 – History Walk: Starting from Black Flat State School
    (Bookings essential click here and advise – the number of walkers (plus others), the Name, Email and Phone No. of contact person).
  • Sun Apr 21 – Wreath Laying Monash City Memorial
  • Wed Apr 24 – General Meeting ANZAC theme : Speaker – Lambis Englezos
  • Sun May 26 – Visit to the Immigration Museum Melbourne
  • Thu Jun 27 – Dr Richard Broome : The Aboriginal Advancement League 1957
  • Wed 17 July – Afternoon Tea : Hear about recent activities
  • Wed Aug 7 – Open Day: Family History Week (maps, photos, old street directories, street names etc)
  • Thu Aug 22 – AGM with A time to Remember – Newsreel footage from the past
  • Sun Sep 8 – History Walk: Oswego. Starts from the Holmesglen TAFE carpark Waverley Rd at 1.30. Bookings required.
  • Sun Oct 6 – Society’s 43rd Birthday Celebration
  • Wed Oct 23 – Ray Price: Preserving Past and Present for Posterity (bookings essential, )
  • Thur Nov 28 – Christmas Meeting
  • Dec – No meeting

Programme 2012

  • Thu Jan 26 – Australia Day – Display Open to the Public
  • Thu Feb 23 – Jenny Davies: History of Flinders St Railway Station
  • Thu Mar 22- Ted Mason: Caring for Scotchmans Creek
  • Thu Apr 26 – Ed Hore: Mt Waverley Volunteers in WWI
  • Sun May 27 – Chris Norton : Photos of Melbourne over the last 100 years
  • Sun Jun 24 – Max Gilbert: Experiences as a POW
  • Sun Jul 22 – Ian Polmear: Historical Aspects of the Royal Botanic Gardens
  • Wed Aug 1 – Open Day: Family History
  • Sun Aug 26 – AGM with A time to Remember – Newsreel footage from the past
  • Thu Sep 9 – History Walk
  • Thu Sep 27 – Jack Martin: The Work of the Public Records Office, Victoria
  • Wed Oct 24 – Open Day: History Week
  • Thu Oct 25 – MarJo Angelico: The History of Scotchmans Creek
  • Thur Nov 22 – Christmas Meeting
  • Dec – No meeting Last open day Wed 5 Dec 2012, reopen Wed 23 Jan 2013

Programme 2011

  • Jan 2011 – no general meeting
  • Thu Feb 24 – John Schultz – Schultz Grocery Syndal
  • Thu Mar 24 – Ian Munro – History of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade
  • Thu Apr 28 – Jack Walker – Visiting the Somme, Anzac Cove & other Australian fields of battle
  • Sun May 22 – Ann Robertson – The Waverley Riding School
  • Sun June 26 – No meeting but the Heritage Steam train will run for the 81st anniversary. See Steamrail timetable for details.
  • Sun July 10 – Bus trip to Williamstown Historical Society  (Cancelled)
  • Sun July 24 – Michael Howes – The Victorian Education Department Readers
  • Sun Aug 28- AGM A time to Remember – A look back at our year
  • Thu Sep 22 – Judy Price – Researching your family’s ancestors – some easy steps
  • Sun Oct 23 – Birthday meeting
  • Thur Nov 24 – Christmas Meeting
  • Dec – No meeting

Programme 2010

  • Jan 2009 – no general meeting but we will open to the public on Australia Day 26 Jan from 11am – 3pm.
  • Thu Feb 25 – Warwick Woods – Australian Vintage Radio
  • Thu Mar 25 – Gerry Kennedy – A nostalgic ramble around some eastern suburbs cinemas
  • Thu Apr 22 – Ray Price – My Father’s Legacy
  • Sun May 23 – Ian Jenkin – Glen Waverley Railway 80 years
  • Sun June 27 – No WHS meeting but the Heritage Steam train will run for the the 80th anniversary
  • Sun July 25 – Barbara Hawkins – Port Phillip Pioneers Assn – The Melbourne Story.
  • Sun Aug 22 – AGM, A time to Remember – An Afternoon at the Flicks
  • Sun Sep 26 – Dan Prior – Two-Up schools in Melbourne suburbs
  • Sun Oct 24 – David Kemp – History of Syndal Baptist Church
  • Thur Nov 25 – Christmas Meeting
  • Dec – No meeting

Programme 2009

  • Jan 2009 – no general meeting but we will open to the public on Australia Day from 11am – 3pm.
  • Thu Feb 26 – Graham Jordan – The story of Melbourne’s Trams
  • Thu Mar 26 – George Dore – Building Mulgrave to Monash
  • Thu Apr 23 – Major General Frank Poke – Darwin WW2
  • Sun May 24 – Scott Brown – The Preservation of Old Photographs
  • Sun June 28 – No meeting but the Heritage Steam train will run for the 5th year
  • Sun July 26 – Prof. Frank Leahy – Burke & Wills
  • Sun Aug 23- AGM A time to Remember – An Afternoon at the Flicks
  • Thu Sep 24 – Remembering Waverley – A panel of pioneers reflect
  • Thur Oct 22 – Dr Fiona Hill – The Essex Heights Estate
  • Thur Nov 26 – Christmas Meeting
  • Dec – No meeting

Programme 2008

  • Jan 08 – no meeting
  • Thur Feb 28 – Ray Peace – Eliza’s Vision: The Story of Wattle Park
    ……………… Wattle Park’s growth from a paddock to a prized oasis in the eastern suburbs
  • Thur Mar 27 – Jeff Turnbull – A Pocketful of coins and penny for your thoughts
    ……………… Jeff explores some of the interesting coins used during the establishment and growth of Australia
  • Thur Apr 24 – Anzac Meeting: Julia Harris – A childhood in a Japanese internment camp
    …………….. A young girl’s experience during the WW2
  • Sun May 25 – Ray Galloway – The history of Ventura Bus Lines
    …………….A behind the scenes look at the growth Ventura Bus Lines from a one man business to large fleet
  • Sun Jun 22 – No meeting but the Heritage Train Shuttle will operate between Darling and Glen Waverley stations on 29 June
  • Sat Jul 19 – Open Day to the public
  • Sun Jul 27 – Kevin Morgan – Murder Most Foul
    …………… The background to Kevin’s Book — “Gun Alley: Murder, Lies, and Failure of Justice, the story behind the 1921 murder of
    …………… Melbourne schoolgirl Alma Tirtschke.
  • Sun Aug 24 – AGM “Two on the Aisle” a series of newsreel movies from the 40s and 50s
  • Thu Sep 25 – Laurie Burchell – Monash versus Moreland : a comparison
    ………….. An interesting comparison of a range of features of two suburbs at similar distances from Melbourne central
    ……………but with a different style of growth over the years
  • Thu Oct 23 – Clive Enticott – Melbourne’s Missing Mansions
    …………. A fascinating pictorial session of a range of mansions throughout Melbourne & suburbs that have been demolished.
  • Thu Nov 27 – Xmas Meeting format TBA
  • Dec – no meeting