History of the WHS
The Waverley Historical Society was established in 1970 by a group of local residents concerned with recording and preserving the history of the fast growing Waverley district. Many of these members were descendants of the pioneer settlers and were able to use the knowledge of their local family histories to contribute to the recording of the rich fabric of the district development.
This table was originally compiled for our 30th Anniversary, in October 2000. It marks milestones year by year with now later additions.
| 1970 | Pres: Cr. June Bagel Sec: Morna Sturrock Tres: Fred Marriott |
Inaugural meeting held 30 November. Sub committees were formed as working groups – Pioneers, Families, Transport, Buildings, Churches, Schools. Meetings to be held every 2 months. First newsletter compiled by Shirley Westaway. |
| 1971 | ||
| 1972 | Pres: Laurie Ryan Sec: Francis Smyth Tres: Wilma Garnham |
Newsletter printed by N. R. Reid. |
| 1973 | Pres: Sidney Brown Sec: Morna Sturrock Tres: Bob Pepperell |
President began talks on our history to schools etc. |
| 1974 | Pres: Sidney Brown Sec: Morna Sturrock Tres: Bob Pepperell |
During the year death occurred of President Sidney Brown George Naunton was appointed as WHS photographer. |
| 1975 | Pres: Bob Pepperell Sec: Elsie Rhodes Tres: Bob Pepperell |
First Sidney Brown Memorial Lecture. |
| 1976 | Pres: Morna Sturrock Sec: Joan Bolch Tres: Bob Pepperell |
Efforts started to save the Closter House. WHS still had no permanent meeting place. |
| 1977 | Pres: Morna Sturrock Sec: Joan Bolch Tres: Bob Pepperell |
President arranged Patchwork Classes; $1000 raised. Nostalgia Unlimited Show at Old St Stephens – raised $500. |
| 1978 | Pres: Morna Sturrock Sec: Joan Bolch Tres: Fred Marriott |
First investment of $1500 by Tresurer. The Closter House took up nearly a year of hard discussions with the Council before the house was finally demolished. |
| 1979 | Pres: Bob Pepperell Sec: Paul Dudley Tres: Fred Marriott |
Society provides historical exhibition for launch of Cattlemen to Commuters. Photo negatives received from the Waverley Gazette. WHS Crockery/cutlery. |
| 1980 | Pres: Allan Cameron Sec: Joan Bolch Tres: Fred Marriott |
Display boards made by Allan Cameron and Bernard Lefrank (still displayed in WHS rooms). President Allan Cameron resigned and Irene Marriott was elected for remainder of year. |
| 1981 | Pres: Irene Marriott Sec: Joan Bolch Tres: Fred Marriott |
Acquired pew from St Stephens. Council granted free use of the Library Meeting room. Sir Billy Snedden presented Australian flag to WHS. Street Stalls. |
| 1982 | Pres: Irene Marriott Sec: John Bolch Tres: Fred Marriott |
10th Birthday of the Society celebrated. Wal Hastie became photographer. Meetings held every Month. Bus tours to other Historical Societies conducted. Photo collection expanded by Wal Hastie. |
| 1983 | Pres: Irene Marriott Sec: Max James Tres: Fred Marriott |
Society granted use of Mt Waverley Library upstairs meeting room as a permanent home. Photocopier and typewriter bought. Monthly meetings trialled. |
| 1984 | Pres: Irene Marriott Sec: Max James Tres: Fred Marriott |
Schools Essay Competition. Joined Red Cross Calling. Students helped with research. Society became incorporated. |
| 1985 | Pres: Irene Marriott Sec: Dorothy Hazle Tres: Fred Marriott |
Pioneer Service held at St. Stephens Church. Furniture received from Council for room. Bound copies of the Dandenong Journal received from Council. |
| 1986 | Pres: Irene Marriott Sec: Dorothy Hazle Tres: Fred Marriott |
Decision to compile a History of Waverley. Glass display cases purchased. Talks to Groups and Schools. |
| 1987 | Pres: Irene Marriott Sec: Dorothy Hazle Tres: Brian Fox |
Grant of $7000 from Bicentennial Commission towards Societies book – Waverley Past and Present. Book cost $23000. |
| 1988 | Pres: Irene Marriott Sec: Dorothy Hazle Tres: Brian Fox |
Book launched in May and account fully reimbursed in October. |
| 1989 | Pres: Dorothy Hazle Sec: Joan Bolch Tres: Fred Marriott |
Cataloguing of photos and research material started. Bill Irving appointed WHS Photographer. |
| 1990 | Pres: Dorothy Hazle Sec: Kath Price Tres: Brian Fox |
20th Birthday of the Society celebrated. Win Hatwell launches her book Wandering Around Waverley. Displays in Banks, Council Offices, Libraries. |
| 1991 | Pres: Fred Payne Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Brian Fox |
Displays at Syndal Hall and Exhibition Gallery – Images of Working Life. Historic exhibition in the refurbished Syndal Hall. |
| 1992 | Pres: Fred Payne Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Bev Yeoman |
Society held Eastern District convention at St Stephens. |
| 1993 | Pres: Col. Lee Archer Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Bev Yeoman |
Project to record all plaques and foundation stones. 3 Historic markers unveiled. Heritage week display in the Civic Centre. Computer purchased. |
| 1994 | Pres: Laurie Ryan Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Bev Yeoman |
Council offered old Glen Waverley School as meeting place but Society decided to remain above the Library and retained the name Waverley HS. |
| 1995 | Pres: Laurie Ryan Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Stewart Bradley |
Bob Halliday raised the flag on Australia Day. Regular monthly speakers. 25th Anniversary celebrations. |
| 1996 | Pres: Laurie Ryan Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Stewart Bradley |
Trips to the Mornington Peninsula. Bill Irving slides presented as Past and Present. Visit to Knox Historical Society. |
| 1997 | Pres: Bill Irving Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Stewart Bradley |
Visits to other Societies. Cataloguing of the Society’s records and photographs continued. |
| 1998 | Pres: Jim Tuhan Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Stewart Bradley |
Visit to Romsey and Lancefield. Visits to schools and other groups. Monthly guest speakers. |
| 1999 | Pres: Jim Tuhan Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Stewart Bradley |
Society advised on names for new Estate streets. Indexing of Wandering Around Waverley commenced. |
| 2000 | Pres: Jim Tuhan Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Stewart Bradley |
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| 01/02 | Pres: Jim Tuhan Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Stewart Bradley |
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| 02/03 | Pres: Jim Tuhan Sec: Val Tuhan Tres: Stewart Bradley |
Origin of Street names project begins |
| 03/04 | Pres: Jim Tuhan Sec: Marjo Angelico Tres: Jean Walkerden |
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| 04/05 | Pres: Jim Tuhan Sec: Marjo Angelico Tres: Jean Walkerden |
Local Newspaper indexing project begins |
| 05/06 | Pres: Ray Price Sec: Marjo Angelico Tres: Jean Walkerden |
General Meetings moved to Wadham House adjacent to the WHS rooms above the Library |
| 06/07 | Pres: Ray Price Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jean Walkerden |
General Meetings return to the WHS rooms above the Library Streets database now searchable on line via the Monash Public Library webpages |
| 06/07 | Pres: Ed Hore Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jean Walkerden |
Room layout re-arranged Once There Was Jordanville published Rooms flooded from roof leak. |
| 08/09 | Pres: Ed Hore Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jean Walkerden |
Membership over 120 |
| 09/10 | Pres: Ed Hore Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jean Walkerden |
Then and Now published Membership over 120 |
| 10/11 | Pres: Ed Hore Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jean Walkerden |
Membership over 100 |
| 11/12 | Pres: Ed Hore Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jean Walkerden |
Monash Schools’ history now available on WHS webpages Membership over 100 |
| 12/13 | Pres: Ed Hore Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jean Walkerden |
WHS Newsletter now named History Here and printed in colour Sands & McDougall Directory for Waverley assembled. Membership over 100 |
| 13/14 | Pres: Ed Hore Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jean Walkerden |
Monash Hotels’ history now available on WHS webpages WHS creates Facebook page (discontinued 12 months later) Membership over 100 |
| 13/14 | Pres: Ed Hore Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jean Walkerden |
Membership over 100 |
| 14/15 | Pres: MarJo Angelico Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jane Turton |
WHS recreates Facebook page with many supporters Membership over 100 |
| 15/16 | Pres: MarJo Angelico Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jane Turton |
WHS Newsletter History Here now available electronically Membership over 100 |
| 16/17 | Pres: MarJo Angelico Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jane Turton |
Many presentations to local community groups Membership about 100 |
| 18/19 | Pres: MarJo Angelico Sec: Norma Schultz Tres: Jane Turton |
Many presentations to local community groups Local historical walks Centenary of the Armistice Avenue of Honour in High Street Rd Membership about 100 |