Author: WHSadmin

Moses Thomas

Moses Thomas Moses Thomas was born in 1825 in Perthshire, Scotland. He arrived in Australia in 1842, and a year later married Janet Grierson. Moses purchased the ‘Bridge Inn’ hotel and 400 acres of land in Morang, naming his farm ‘Mayfield’. He donated land and built the first school in the district, the Mernda State School, and it is believed...

READ MORE Moses Thomas

Dr. William Ronald

Dr. William Ronald Among the earliest settlers at Yan Yean was Dr. William Ronald who was born in Scotland in 1808 and came to Launceston in 1841.  He and his wife settled on the banks of the Plenty between Yan Yean and Whittlesea on 1st March, 1842.  They may have been in a group who overlanded from Sydney, taking three...

READ MORE Dr. William Ronald

New WHS Committee

New WHS Committee Our thanks go to the outgoing committee for their service to this great group. Some of these members have been long-term committee members, with involvement going back over many years.The new committee blends experience with enthusiasm, providing a broad range of skills which will give us a fresh perspective for the coming year.2023 has been a year...

READ MORE New WHS Committee

Memorial Dedication for Lieutenant Colonel Robert Garrick Wilson

Memorial Dedication for Lieutenant Colonel Robert Garrick Wilson On Remembrance Day, a Memorial Stone was unveiled by Wilson’s granddaughter, Margaret Nihill at the Soldier’s Memorial, Church Street, Whittlesea. This was held to recognise and unveil the Memorial and to Commemorate the dedicated service of previously forgotten Whittlesea resident, Robert Garrick Wilson for his selfless service to his country during the...

READ MORE Memorial Dedication for Lieutenant Colonel Robert Garrick Wilson

Epping Cemetery Tour

Epping Cemetery Tour – 19 August 2023 By Wendy Lowry On Saturday 19th August, the Whittlesea Historical Society conducted a Cemetery Tour of the Epping Cemetery which is located on the corner of High Street and O’Herns Road Epping. The Vice President, Mr Bruce Batten along with member Tanya Gook who had done all the research, gave an interesting account...

READ MORE Epping Cemetery Tour

Your History, Our Vision

Your History, Our Vision – WHS Seminar 28 June 2023 By Barbara Miller, Karen Wilson & Matt Christie On 28th June, members of the Whittlesea Historical Society held a seminar hosted by Jacinta & Carol Walsh from Whitehaven Receptions to discuss the importance of creating an historical & arts precinct with the inclusion of a historical museum and art gallery....

READ MORE Your History, Our Vision

Gwen Hawke – Her Story

Gwen Hawke – Her Story By Bev Moore Dedications Photo / Articles from her loving Daughter Alicia Hawke, Mrs Beryl Patulo, Mrs. Wendy Lowry, Mr. Bruce Batten & Robert Wuachatsch This story is a dedication to a warm and wonderful individual Mrs. Gwen Hawke, of   whom I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time at the Whittlesea Courthouse...

READ MORE Gwen Hawke – Her Story

Launceston Elliot

Britain’s First Olympic Champion who later came to live in Whittlesea. By Gwen Hawke and Maureen Doyle Launceston Elliot was born in India on 9th June 1874, but his parents, who married in Carlton in 1873, chose his name because he had been conceived in the City of Launceston. Launceston was the son of Gilbert Wray Elliot and his third...

READ MORE Launceston Elliot

Exhibition of the Fay Thomas Collection

Faye Thomas Collection by Wendy Lowry. At the end of January 2016, several members of the Whittlesea Historical Society were invited to attend the display at the Whittlesea Shire Offices of a cross section of the Fay Thomas Archival Collection. Heritage Coordinator , Colleen Lazenby in conjunction with the Executors of Faye Thomas presented a mixture of photographs, letters, maps...

READ MORE Exhibition of the Fay Thomas Collection