Created in 1878 the Patterson River was cut through a sand ridge to allow excess water trapped on the Carrum Swamp to escape into Port Phillip Bay. Flood waters in 1880 and 1891 caused significant damage. Complaints about the silting of its mouth were common. Plans for dredging were put into operation in 1982 but the problem continues.
Bridget Smith and her eighteen months old son were strangled at Cheltenham. George Pinkerton a nineteen-year-old man was accused of their murder. After a coronial enquiry he faced a criminal trial where he was found guilty. He was hanged. This was despite the possibility he was of unsound mind.
In September 1920 Mrs Winifred Harrison wrote to the Parkdale Progress Association advocating the building of a hall. In 1921 the annual meeting for the Association took place in the new hall in Eveline Avenue overlooking Parkers Road. Plans to enlarge the hall caused dissention amongst the members.
The first bridge across the Mordialloc Creek was of a wooden construction built in 1854. It soon failed to meet community expectations believing Mordialloc deserved something more substantial. Debate on length and width of a new bridge took place. A new bridge was opened in 1919 to face criticism within ten years. II was too narrow. In 2008 a four-lane bridge was opened and subsequently the name Pompei Bridge.
A cutting through the sand ridge bordering Port Phillip Bay was completed in 1879 and later named the Patterson River. The aim was to relieve the pressure of excess swamp water. The outlet did not save the district from massive flooding in 1934. Flooding again occurred in 1952.
Leo Gamble writes of the development of the Cheltenham Catholic Parish, the priests who served there and parishioners who worked in the growth of the school. Two long serving priests were Father Bracken and Father Martin.
Despite of the view that baby health centre was unnecessary because residents were healthy a centre a built in Parkdale in 1929. Dr Vera Scantlebury said, ‘the presence of such a centre was a mother’s right and not a charity’. The Chelsea Baby Health Centre opened in 1953 followed by others in Aspendale and Carrum.
Mr Shearman plan to build shops on his property on Nepean Highway Mentone was challenged by Mr Barry. The proposal was debated by councillor and at its conclusion the plan was accepted. The official opening occurred just before Christmas 1958. In 2008 the centre was demolished and replaced with a more modern structure incorporating thirty sores and a large Woolworths costing $35 million in total.
Friendly Societies were established as fraternal organisations to assist members and families meet financial and social consequences of illness. These societies set up their own dispensaries. The Cheltenham dispensary was founded in 1918 to service the needs of members. By 1946 affiliated societies were ANA Cheltenham; AOF Bentleigh; PAFS Cheltenham, Mordialloc and Ladies Cheltenham; IOR Cheltenham and Moorabbin; MUIOOF Moorabbin Mordialloc, Mentone and Cheltenham; IOOF Mentone; HACBS Mentone; OST Cheltenham; UAOD Mordialloc and GUOOF Bentleigh. In 1947 the name of the dispensary was changed to the Cheltenham District United Friendly Societies; Dispensary.
