Charles and Mary Fiander (Pimm) a newly married couple arrived in Melbourne in 1887. On 1891 they rented a house in Dalgetty Road Beaumaris. Charles was a successful engraver who died at 30 years of age in 1892. A plaque was placed in St Matthew’s Church, Cheltenham in his memory. Mary was a widow at 25 years with five boys under the age of seven. She is buried with Charles in the Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery.
The Cheltenham Community Centre is celebrating 35 years of continuous service in the local community. The Centre has provided a place for an open-door friendship atmosphere, mutual support and the opportunity to learn new skills.
Clarice Beckett, artist came to live at Beaumaris in the 1920s but her work was largely ignored in her lifetime. Teresa Murphy in telling her story writes ‘she captured the ever-changing moods, landscapes and seascapes of this bush idyll by the sea.’ The article includes examples of her paintings.
Leo Gamble, teacher, word-smith, sportsman, and historian with an unparalleled knowledge of Mentone’s past. His words form a significant collection for present residents and future generations.
Erwin von Gizycki attended the 1939 Anzac Day Service at the Mentone memorial wearing his medals received as a German soldier in the First World War. Returned soldiers present gave him a warm welcome. Chris Szaday, a Swiss resident, writes the story telling how his grandfather and family were received in Mentone after escaping the rise of the Nazis in Germany.
About 7960 acres of land in Mordialloc was declared a Farmers’ Common entitling farmers adjacent to the common to use it for grazing on payment of a fee. Three managers were appointed to jointly manage the common, but farmers were unhappy with their performance.
The work of Mrs Mason in helping the unemployed of Chelsea in the 1930s was recognised in a certificate signed by many Chelsea residents. A list of signatures is provided, although the spelling of some names was hard to decode.
William Fry was described by a fellow politician, Murray Thompson, as an Australian Everyman. He served Australia in a World War, he was a teacher at both primary and secondary school levels; and he worked both as a Local Government councillor and as a Member of Parliament. In addition he was heavily involved in community organisations.
Frederick Hackwell of Mordialloc was taken prisoner by the Japanese in the Java, Dutch East Indies campaign in 1942. He remained a prisoner for three and a half years. During that time, he ached for news from home just as his family wanted to know he was alive and safe. This story tells of his messages home and the Australian Army’s comments and news of his release in 1945.
