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.
This story focusses on the future of the Cheltenham historic railway buildings. Removed to allow the creation of a train free cross over what was to happen to them. Where would they be placed and how might they be used? What were the views of the Kingston and Bayside councils?
A single railway line between Caulfield and Mordialloc was completed in 1881 but local business men argued that the line needed to be duplicated. Some land speculators were part of a very active group advocating this cause. By 1889 the duplication was completed but agitation continue for other improvements.
Patterson Lakes Development and Alfred Priestly written by Ron Jacobs expresses his view that the original creating of the Patterson Lakes suburb can be traced to the work of Alfred Priestly. It was Priestly who first developed ramps for launching boats into the Patterson River and created two marinas for the mooring of fishing boats and pleasure crafts. Priestly saw the potential of the Patterson River.
The Moorabbin Football Club, a foundation member of the Federal League and a winning premiership club, joins the Victorian Football Association with continuing success. But trouble emerges when the Moorabbin Council is successful in its desire to attract a Victorian Football League team to the municipality. St Kilda Football Club takes over the Linton Street Ground and Moorabbin Club fails to find an alternative ground.
Tony Mussert writes of the efforts of his mother, Gwen Mussert, to care for and help TB patients, dependant elderly people in need, and young unmarried pregnant girls in the 1940s and later. Merriegum was closed and bulldozed in the mid-1960s.
The Bicentennial Park began as a tip where the refuse of Chelsea residents was deposited. The stench from decaying waste was the subject of complaints from close neighbours and from firemen who were called to fight fires powered by escaping gas. Today the site is an award winning, professionally designed community asset.
In 1971, the Chelsea Council decided to join the Mordialloc Council in providing a library service to residents. As part of this agreement was the implementation of a mobile library to reach ‘outlying settlements’. A special vehicle was designed and staffed with a route including stops at Aspendale, Edithvale, Chelsea, Bon Beach and Carrum. The communities in North Mordialloc, East Beaumaris, and East Parkdale were also to benefit.
