The McCoy family of Thomastown and Woodstock Peter McCoy was one of the earliest Europeans in Thomastown, his family arriving there in the 1850s. Peter is remembered as the publican of the the Belmont, which was constructed in about 1855 by his father. He also served for many years on the local roads board and several terms as Shire President...
President’s Report – May 2025 At the WHS February meeting at the Whittlesea Bowls Club, our guest speaker Anne Paul gave an informative presentation titled ‘Footprints on the landscape – the Willis brothers, squatters on the Plenty River in 1837’. Anne spoke about the very early days of exploration and settlement along the Plenty River, with a particular focus on...
President’s Report – September 2024 A number of exciting activities have been held over the last few months, some of which have been partnerships with other groups. The Yarra Plenty Library provided the venue for a Family History Month slideshow afternoon which attracted 33 members and guests. YPRL will again assist WHS in providing an activity for Local History Month...
RHSV Training Day for WHS Thanks to a generous donation by the Whittlesea Bowls Club, seven members of the Whittlesea Historical Society (WHS), as well as two guests from neighbouring historical societies, attended a morning of workshops at the RHSV in A’Beckett St, Melbourne on Wednesday the 10th of June. The day began with a presentation by Jillian Hiscock, Collections...
Thomastown’s 19th Century Scottish Landowners and Residents By Rob WuchatschThe Scots were influential in Thomastown’s development from the beginning of European settlement, either as landowners, occupation licence holders, graziers or farmers. Most of Thomastown’s land was owned by the Campbell and Brock families until the early 20th Century and Colonel Joseph Anderson, who owned Section 21 from 1850-64 and William...
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Electricity – The spark that ignited development By Barbara Miller We take it for granted that electricity is connected to our homes, available at the flick of a switch when and where we need it. This has obviously not always been the case, but that convenience is still a relatively recent innovation for some. It’s worth considering that we accept...
My Kitchen Table Talk By Margaret Mann On Sunday 10 June, the Whittlesea Historical Society held the event “My Kitchen Table Talk” in the old Wollert Uniting Church, at the historic Carome Homestead at Mernda. In this beautifully restored old building, there were tables set out for attendees to place their old, treasured kitchen items, that were used in times...
State Electricity Commission of Victoria – Thomastown Terminal Station (1924-2024) By Robert Wuchatsch As you drive north along High Street and cross the intersection of Mahoney’s Road and Keon Parade, the Thomastown Terminal Station dominates the landscape on your left. This Thomastown landmark, which commenced operations in 1924, has now served Melbourne and Victoria for a century. On 6 December...
PRESIDENTS REPORT – Barbara Miller Two exciting WHS events took place in March, beginning with the Yan Yean bus tour with Ross Mugavin as presenter. Twenty seven attendees enjoying an informative and social day, touring various historical locations in the Yan Yean area, and stopping for lunch at the Caretaker’s Cottage at Yan Yean Reservoir. If you missed out on...
Well-informed day for Whittlesea Historical Society By Barbara MillerGuest speakers, Peter Nankervis and Julie Nankervis were the star attractions at the Whittlesea Historical Society’s general meeting on the 19th of May. Peter had invited WHS to hold their meeting at the Arthur’s Creek Hall, which is the original Mechanics Institute. This renovated building has found an exciting new purpose in...
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