Sixteen months after the construction of the Patterson River Bridge it was destroyed beyond repair. Engineers recommended two separate bridges, one for railway and one for road traffic. In March 1882 a contract was published for the erection of a timber bridge. A week before Christmas 1894 the bridge collapsed. By 1901 a more substantial bridge had been constructed but in 1910 the condition of the bridge was the focus of controversy. Improvements were made in 1937. A major reconstruction took place in 1995.
The Sister of St Brigid established two schools in 1904 at Mentone; one in the iconic building built as the centre piece of Mathew Davies vision of Mentone. Originally built at a cost of £16,000 it was bought for £2050. The article details building developments, the contributions of various principals and the growth of student number.
In 1922 Council purchased land in Parkdale covered in scrub to be set aside as a reserve. Additional land was purchased from R Marriott. The new reserve was opened in 1925 with the assistance of an overdraft of £300. A Gymkhana & Sports Day was organised in 1930 to raise money. More than £30 was raised. The councillors of Mordialloc recognised the contribution of Cr Gerry Green in various community organisations and named the reserve in his honour.
This article concerns correspondence between two soldier who became mates in WWI. John Allnutt had his ankle shattered and was repatriated home. George Groat wrote to John expressing his frustrations with the war and conditions at the front. The letter is presented in full.
Carl Wilhelm Janssen of Barry Street Mentone wrote letters to family and friends about his experiences as a soldier at Mena Camp in Egypt. He also took many photographs. Carl was wounded at the landing at Anzac Cove and died the next day. His photos were sent home to family and are now keep at the Victorian State Library along with his letter.
Malcolm and Archibald Corstorphan had been warned not to go near Treeby’s waterhole but ignored this advice. Archie drowned, and his younger brother fabricated a story to explain the tragedy. He did this to avoid a thrashing from his father. Mr Candler, investigating the circumstances f the death ruled it as accidental.
Early in 1927 Fred Hoysted , a race horse trainer moved his family from Wangaratta to Mentone. He became a leading metropolitan trainer. Two of his sons also became trainers. Bob for a time worked for his father. Bob and brother Bon took over the business in the mid-1960s. From 1985 till 1997 Bob was president of the Australian Trainers Association working to improve the industry.
The Parkdale Reserve Committee organised a gymkhana in 1930 to raise money to liquidate the money owed on the purchase of the land. There were some ‘games of chance’ as part of the day’s activities. Several of the volunteers were arrested by police for conducing illegal games, faced court and were fined. large sums of money.
Curl a Mentone boy was a real pest. Often engaged in annoying activities, cadging kicks, selling golf balls with suspect origins, pestering the ice man for a lump to suck and making farting noises at solemn moments. But race days were best. He sold pencils to race goers at a ridiculous mark up and making money selling papers. Not a bad Day!
The citizens of Mentone and Mordialloc gained their separation from the Shire of Moorabbin. An initial task of the new council was to establish a municipal headquarters. The problem was gaining a unanimous decision on the location. By February 1922 a temporary building in Mentone was occupied. New chambers were constructed in 1934 and remained the centre of municipal administration until the creation of the City of Kingston in 1994.
