Chronology of Chelsea 1802-1952

1802

Port Phillip discovered by Murray and Flinders independently.

1803

Surveyor Grimes examined the coast of Port Phillip.

A convict settlement established at Sullivan's Bay (Sorrento) . Transferred to Van Dieman's Land 1804.

Re-enactment of the landing of Charles Grimes, Surveyor General of New South Wales on Long Beach in 1803. Marine Paul Winnell and Stuart Petchey as Charles Grimes.

Collection:

Kingston Collection, City of Kingston

Photo enquiry

1826

A convict settlement established at Western Port. The settlement was abandoned in 1826.

1827

Hovell explored the Country from Cape Patterson to the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp, thence to Port Phillip and Frankston. He followed the coast to Point Ormond and returned along the coast after rounding the Carrum Swamp.

1835

Port Phillip colonised.

1837

Michael Solomon squatted at Moodie Yallo (Keysborough).

1839

A Mr Newton squatted at Moody Yallock (Mordialloc), followed by Major James Fraser in 1840.

1843

Joseph Stewart squatted on the Dandenong Run, taking in the Long Beach.

The Long Beach run was transferred to James McMahon in 1852, who obtained pre-emptive rights to the land where he built Half Way House or The Long Beach Restaurant later the Long Beach Hotel, now the site of the Riviera Hotel.

1851

An Aboriginal Depot was established south of the Mordialloc Creek about this date.

1854

The first bridge over the Mordialloc Creek was being built.

1861

A Farmers Common established on the Carrum Swamp.

1865

First land sale The Long Beach Allotments in the City of Chelsea, December 22, 1865.

1870

The first Bridge Hotel built in 1868. The present Hotel built in 1870.

Hugh Brown established Pine Vale, a market garden and orchard south of the Mordialloc Creek.

Bridge Hotel, Mordialloc.

Date:

1997

Collection:

Kingston Collection, City of Kingston

Photo enquiry

1871

The Carrum Swamp thrown open for selection.

1875

P Carroll selected land that was later to become the Aspendale Racecourse. Mark Foy selected land from Embankment Grove to Chelsea Road.

James Nixon also took up land and his selection covered the area on the east side of the Carrum Railway Station.

George Whitehead selected 300 acres north of Nixon and it was between their selections that the Patterson River was later created.

1879

The Patterson Cut to drain he swamp cut through to the sea.

1882

First train from Mordialloc to Frankston travelled on the single line on July 31. The regular service commenced the next day, August 1.

1885

First Post Office established on the Carrum Railway Station.

1891

Aspendale Park Racecourse opened, together with Railway Station.

1896

Methodist Church Services commenced for people living on the Carrum Swamp in rooms of disused Richfield Racecourse situated on the Corner Wells and Edithvale roads.

1900

A fire destroyed a large area of the foreshore.
Methodist Church at Carrum opened.

1901

Carrum State School opened at the newly established Methodist Church.

1902

The first meeting of St Aidan's Church, Carrum was held following the efforts of Mrs Black and Mrs Guinn in convincing the Anglican authorities that a Church of England was needed in the district.
Image L248 Mrs Armstrong centre, a founder of St Aidan's Anglican Church Carrum with Rev C T Holloway vicar, and Miss Nellie Somerville. Last service to be held in that building before construction of new church. 1964 Courtesy Leader Collection, City of Kingston.

1905

Land was offered along the beach front at £25 per acre.

1907

The Chelsea railway Station opened.

1908

Chelsea District Scout Association formed.

1909

The first meeting to establish the Mechanics Institute held at Carrum.

1910

Aspendale Progress Association formed.

1911

The Chelsea Congregational Church was the first church to hold regular meetings in Chelsea, commencing at the home of Mrs. Kriss, Williams Grove. The church was built that year with the official opening on October 29.

Hoadley’s Hall, the Joss House, staff and some pupils at school. Taken in 1913 a year after Chelsea Primary School began.

Date:

1913

Collection:

Kingston Collection, City of Kingston

Photo enquiry

1912

The first meeting of the Anglican Church was held at Argyle Crossing.

The Chelsea State School opened at Hoadley's Hall.

The Chelsea Progress Association established.

The Carrum and Chelsea Volunteer Fire Brigades were formed.

1913

The second fire along the sea front destroyed most of the houses between Chelsea and Bank Road, Aspendale (now Edithvale).

The first service held at the St Columba Church in Lochiel Avenue on June 1, following the laying of the Foundation Stone on May 10.

The Aspendale State School (now Edithvale) was opened with 30 pupils. Aspendale at that time extended to Berry Avenue.

Aspendale (now Edithvale) Methodist Church opened.

1914

The Chelsea Red Cross formed with Mrs A.M.A. Black as President.
Keast Park Committee established.

Tree planting to commemorate 50 years of Service by Chelsea Red Cross. Mayor Cr L Payne, Mrs Payne, Mrs Moore, Mrs Mossenton, Mrs Meier and Mrs Mether.

Collection:

Leader Collection, City of Kingston

Photo enquiry

1915

The Carrum Electrical Supply Co Ltd commenced operations at its plant in Swanpool Avenue and electricity gradually took over from kerosene lamps and candles. (On 31 December 1944, the SEC took over from the Carrum Electrical Supply Co.).

Carrum Red Cross Branch formed.

Chelsea Methodist Church built by working bee in one day, in Sherwood Avenue.

1916

Mr Bert Wright established the Lifesaving Movement at Chelsea.

1918

A Repatriation Committee was formed at Chelsea to assist men and women returning from the war.

1919

Proposed Water Supply from Bunyip River.

Chelsea State School turned into a hospital for pneumonic influenza patients.

Chelsea and Aspendale Football Clubs in B Division of Federal League.

Mrs J Shillinglaw granted subdivision of land 60 feet by 165 feet in Thames Promenade.

Chelsea Cricket team defeats Aspendale.

The weekly newspaper the Gazette established with a part time office at Chelsea, in opposition to the Cheltenham based Seaside News.

Edithvale Railway Station opened.

1920

The first Council of the Borough of Carrum was elected on June 10.

Chelsea Football Club expelled in August. but later reinstated following appeal.

Salvation Army commenced with Services on site, corner Barnes Grove and Nepean Highway, Chelsea.

1921

Mr W B. Thomas appointed own Clerk served to 1930.

Mr A. S. Collings appointed City Engineer served to 1951.

1922

The newly established Borough of Carrum Gazette published by W.A.

Young's Frankston Standard opens a full-time office at Chelsea with Mr Albert Ludford in charge in 1923, followed by Mr Roy Beardsworth in 1924.

1924

The Church of Christ Missionary started at Chelsea in a marquee set up on the north-east corner of The Strand and Bath Street. The Mission was opened every night during the summer and attracted much attention.

Mordialloc-Chelsea High School opened at Mechanics Institute Mordialloc.

Regents Park and Chelsea Recreation Reserve purchased.

1925

The newspaper war between Mr Young's Frankston papers and Mr Ould's Moorabbin papers ended when the two companies amalgamated to become Standard Newspapers Pty Ltd.

The Aspendale State School No 4193 opened on 27 January. The school with 121 pupils soon increased to 140.

1926

Bonbeach Railway Station and Patterson River Golf Club opened.

1927

Chelsea Palais built in The Strand.

1929

The City of Chelsea was proclaimed.

1930

Mr A.S. Collings appointed Town Clerk served to 1951 in dual role as City Engineer.

1931

Aspendale Racecourse closed to horse racing but remained open for motor and motor cycle racing until the start of World War 2.

RACV Club racing vintage cars at Aspendale Race Course, c1915.

Date:

1915

Courtesy:

Sandra O’Brien

Collection:

Kingston Collection, City of Kingston

Photo enquiry

1934

The Centenary Clock erected. The Clock was donated by the Carrum Electricity Supply Company, the bricks and building material by Council, and it was built by the unemployed of the district.

700 homes were flooded during the December devastating flood.

1937

St Andrew's Presbyterian Church at Chelsea held its first service in the Fox Theatre, Sunday afternoon 12 September.

1938

A wooden Presbyterian Church was brought from Alphington and moved to the site in Sherwood Avenue on 3 July.

A Civic Service was held at the Fox Theatre attended by the Mayor and Councillors, church leaders and 220 others.

The first church service at St Andrew's was held the following Sunday.

Chelsea yacht Club established.

By this year the population was 8000 and the City was still progressing steadily despite the severe trade depression.

1941

St Joseph's new church blessed and officially opened.

1945

On the death of First Constable Gilding, a water font was erected in his memory by grateful citizens.

1949

A severance committee was formed at Aspendale with the idea of the area becoming part of Mordialloc. A majority of Aspendale ratepayers voted for severance, but the Government Advisory Board did not support the move, and Aspendale remained a valued part of the City of Chelsea.

Clock Tower at Chelsea on Point Nepean Road, adjacent to the railway line. Erected 1934.

Courtesy:

Chelsea and District Historical Society

Photo enquiry

1950

Chelsea Life Saving Club became the first interstate team to win the N.S.W. Indoor Life Saving Championship.

1951

Mr Hugh Hackwell appointed Town Clerk served to 1964. Mr Alan Niemann appointed City Engineer served to 1979.

1952

A flood occurred in July when flood waters breached the right bank of the Patterson River. The resultant overflow ponded in the low areas at the back of Chelsea.

From City of Chelsea Commemorative Council Meeting 1994