Healesville and District Historical Society in Healesville, Victoria | Museum

Healesville and District Historical Society

Locality: Healesville, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5962 1655

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22.01.2022 UPDATE: unfortunately due to the unexpected recent closure of the Forest Discovery Cafe at Toolangi, the end of year visit there by HDHS members scheduled for 25 November has been canceled. Alternative arrangements for the end of year get together are being made for members of the Society who will be advised through separate means as soon as possible. Please contact the Society rooms during normal hours for more information if required.

20.01.2022 Closure Update: Unfortunately the Society remains closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. At this stage the Yarra Ranges Council has indicated the Community Link building is likely to remain shut until the end of August. We are trying to respond to messages and queries as best we can. Stay safe - see you when this is over! UPDATE: 1/9/20 - unfortunately the society rooms remain closed until further notice. Any update on a re-opening date will be published on this page and on the website.

19.01.2022 We had a terrific presentation yesterday by Lisa Giffard (nee Colaneri) about the Colaneri and Fraccia families! The story of their multi destination journey from the highlands of central Italy to Healesville was absolutely fascinating, so here's a big thank you to the Colaneri family for all taking the time to share it. The Historical Society is of course not just interested in people, families and events from long, long ago. The post WW2 immigration boom of primarily E...uropean migrants seeking a better life far from their original homes is very much part of the rich history and tapestry of our town and the surrounding district. The post WW2 immigration stories of a number of local families have already been featured in our most recent publication "Images of Time Volume 3, Marking the Milestones". If your family has a story to tell, the Society would love to hear from you. See more

18.01.2022 The Historical Society is on a membership drive! Even better (!) we would love new volunteers to help out - the AGM is coming up in September with positions vacant including President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, plus general committee. If you love the history of our town please have a think about joining and supporting our ongoing work to record and share the wonderful story of Healesville and District.

17.01.2022 Don’t forget the Society Annual General Meeting at 2:00pm on Sunday 23 September in the Community Link meeting room. If you have an interest in local history and are prepared to help our hard working members preserve and educate about the amazing history of Healesville and District, please consider attending. All welcome but please remember that unless you are a current member (prices start at $15 per year for a single) you cannot stand for any positions or vote

16.01.2022 2019 kicks off for the Society with a fabulous event in the Healesville Library about local and family history. Come and join us! All welcome and of course, no charge.

16.01.2022 Healesville Football Club has been a huge force in the history of the town and far beyond. From Volume 3 "Images of Time" "Marking the Milestones" here is the 1965 Premiership Team filled with many famous names of Healesville. Back: L Parish, L Stewart, J Ure, K McManus, B Chater, P Wittmer, A Smith, A Ladgrove, C Collis Centre: C Stevens (Caretaker), R Buzza (Secretary), R Mills, T Smith, Reece Thomas, R Endacott, S Cap, E Wandin (Selector), R Donkin (Selector), E Holden (Selector). Front: G Duff, K Patterson, Ron Thomas, W McKenzie, C Fisher, K Shank, R Ure, F McDonald (Boundary umpire). Mascots: A Thomas, W Parish, S Chater.

15.01.2022 The hard working volunteers of the society are now taking a break over Christmas and New Year. We reopen on Monday 3 February 2020. Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday.

14.01.2022 In early 1980 closure of the Healesville railway line appeared imminent. The local community rallied around to not only repaint the station but to also have a protest rally using the back of Ray Donkin's truck as a stage. Here are a few photos of the protest in April 1980 including of the renamed "Spirit of Healesville" rail motor.

11.01.2022 CLOSURE UPDATE 15/11/20 - with the gradual easing of restrictions we are hoping to resume operations soon however there is still no date to work on. We will keep everyone posted on this page and on the website. See you soon !!

11.01.2022 Not Healesville, but the original Toolangi Forests Commission (remember them?) office, complete with outdoor toilets. Demolished early 1982 and replaced by the building which still stands on the site.

11.01.2022 Many people in Healesville and surrounds including Yarra Glen and Toolangi will remember Sister Betty Sadlier with great fondness. Sister Sadlier worked as the Infant Welfare Nurse from 1956 until she retired in 1981. The writer of this post was in fact one of her charges as a young baby and can attest that she never forgot anyone, child or parent. The Healesville Infant Welfare Centre in Symons Street (now the dentists) opened in 1956. The photo shows Sister Sadlier hol...ding Lillian Sanders at the opening of the centre. Lady Brooks (Muriel Violet Turner Laing), wife of the Victorian Governor Sir Dallas Brooks, is holding Irene Flynn. This is one of the many fantastic photos in the Historical Society's latest book, Volume 3, Images of Time, "Marking the Milestones".

11.01.2022 We'll close the year with a little look back to Christmas 1958 when Elton and Ivy Fox produced a local film called 'The Christmas Story'. Numerous locals appeared in wonderful costumes, assisted by some camels. This photo shows the 3 Shepherds - John Beetham, Trevor Frogley and Jim Cass. The Society would like to wish all members, supporters and everyone in the wider Healesville District and beyond, a peaceful, joyous and safe Christmas and a successful New Year 2019.

10.01.2022 The Shire Centenary in 1987 was a big event, particularly as the Shire was later merged in 1994 into the Shire of Yarra Ranges and no longer exists. Here are some photos of the parade through Nicholson Street. Check out the changes in the street scape, cars and fashions. Can you spot anybody you know??

08.01.2022 Lisa Giffard (nee Colaneri) will speak about the backgrounds of the Colaneri and Fraccia families at the Societies next meeting on Sunday 26 August at 2:00pm. The meeting will be in the Community Link Meeting Room. This promises to be a great afternoon and everyone is welcome!

06.01.2022 Christmas is Coming!! Yep it's somehow ticked over another year and the Society will be closing for its annual recess as from COB Friday 21 December and reopening on Friday 1 February 2019 for another exciting year. If you need to contact us please do so well before Christmas so we can assist you!

05.01.2022 Don’t forget the upcoming event on Dr Arthur Deery on 28 February. Bookings are essential and should be made direct to Eastern Regional Library’s web page, via ERL’s phone or else direct via phone or email to the Historical Society. Gold coin donation for any non Historical Society members. Interest in this event has been strong so please book if you have not already done so! See you there!

05.01.2022 Hunt's Shoe Store was a part of the Healesville streetscape and community for decades. The store was rebuilt in the 1960's and most recently was occupied by Subway but is currently vacant.

03.01.2022 ** TEMPORARY SOCIETY CLOSURE ** Due to the current issues with COVID-19, on 18th March the Shire of Yarra Ranges closed the Healesville Community Link building and therefore the Society is unable to operate until further notice. Closure of public spaces is designed to minimise spread of the virus and is in the interests of everyone. All being well, it is hoped that the building may be reopened on or around 14 April, however as the situation evolves and more information com...es to hand about when the Society will reopen for business, we will publish it here. This event of course becomes yet another chapter in the long and complex history of Healesville and District and no doubt will be written and talked about for generations to come. If we are all careful and sensible however, we can help to ensure that it causes no great impact on our community.