Torquay Historical Society in Torquay, Victoria | Museum

Torquay Historical Society

Locality: Torquay, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5264 7275

Address: 18 Price Street, 3228 Torquay, VIC, Australia

Website: http://torquayhistoricalsociety.com.au

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25.01.2022 BACK IN BUSINESS.......FIRST STEPS! We have received permission from the Shire for very limited access to our bathing box and garden to continue working towards its completion sometime in an uncertain future. There is not a lot to do in the box itself so it should be ready for public access whenever the prevailing restrictions are lifted, however we will be reluctant to formally open the bathing box until the garden is completed. We have a longstanding promise from the Shire ...to complete this work so we are hoping for some action soon. Unfortunately we are still not permitted to work in our rooms or allow visitors access to our Schools exhibition in the public meeting room. It is very frustrating, but in the current climate it is better to play safe for everyones' protection. We hope it is not too long before we can again welcome friends and visitors to the History House. See more

24.01.2022 Thank you Carollyn, It was a lovely evening hosted by Treasurer Elizabeth.. By the time we did the photo some guests had left, and others arrived later. But everyone had a really lovely time. We wish all our members and friends a Merry Christmas and a very happy and successful 2021. And no Corona virus. Glad it seems to have gone from Victoria,so commiserations to NSW and our friends and family living there. Hopefully you will get over it quickly and return to normality.

22.01.2022 Martin Hooper TDHS member and keen historian has written a history of the Bellbrae Cemetery from 1864 when it was first gazetted as a site for a cemetery to the present time. As Martin says "every cemetery has its mysteries and every grave has a story". You are invited to meet the author at History House at 18 Price St Torquay on Sunday 23 May between 2pm and 4pm and again on Sunday 6th June. The book "Bellbrae Cemetery Across Time: A History" will be available for sale at $30. Please join us in welcoming this new book about our local history and discover the mysteries and stories of the Bellbrae Cemetery.

19.01.2022 Martin is a well respeted member of our Society. His research is second to none. Well done Martin, it is great that these old posts resurface to remind us while in lockdown of the amazing work our society has contributed to our history.

19.01.2022 A go-kart track was operated above Yellow Bluff in the mid 1960s' where the playground is now situated. The owners employed students to run the track during su...mmer and through to Easter. One such student was Edward (Ted) John Brierley AM (1947-2020) of Beales St Torquay. Ted was awarded his AM in 2006 for services to education, professional organisations and leadership in secondary schools. The Association of Retired Principals' of Technical Institutions (Victoria) said that Ted was a strong influence toward the positive administration and delivery of education in Victorian secondary schools. Ted's contribution was also recognised both nationally and internationally. Vale Ted See more

18.01.2022 An interesting item found in the TDHS archives relating to the Hunt family of the nearby rural Paraparap area around Hendy Main Road. John Robert Samuel Hunt (...1902-1988) and his wife Joyce Laura Smith (1912-1996) lived at "The Stone Chimney" on Willowite Road. The "rare relic" relates back to Foster Fyans the first Police magistrate of Geelong (see hand written note). A photo of a number of generations of the Hunt family at "Poplar Grove" near Freshwater Creek was taken in 1894. John Stead Hunt (1864-1936) top right with beard is the father of John Robert Samuel. See more

17.01.2022 Some old projector footage from Torquay Speedway back in the early 70's.

15.01.2022 This vehicle was advertised for sale recently in Boort. It was described as a former Torquay fire truck. It is a 1956 Jeep fitted with a tank. Does anyone recognise it and can validate the description?

15.01.2022 Hopefully Martin has continued on his research during this pandemic. Lovely re-reading this article.

13.01.2022 Great reflecting on our earlier posts. Owen Yateman was so well liked that everytime we post anything about him the interest is great.

12.01.2022 The Torquay Football Club was said to be formed after World War I. The club was disbanded during World War II and reformed in 1951 from where the majority of its history originates. The original colours of the club were blue and white. However newspaper articles from the Geelong Advertiser report matches from 1904 against Freshwater Creek, Germantown, Connewarre and Jan Juc. In 1905 the newspaper reports a match played at Torquay on Saturday, between the Germantown and T...orquay Clubs resulted after a very exciting game in a win for the latter by 1 point. Scores: Torquay 4 goaIs 3 behinds (27 points) Germantown 3 goals 8 behinds (26 (points). The best players for Torquay were Hunter, Austin, Baensch and Brown (2) and for Germantown Feehan, Palmer, Walker and Rossack. H. Stewart umpired satisfactorily. In 1911 the Geelong and District Football Association announced trophies for the rural leagues to encourage and improve football in the surrounding country districts. After the first world war Modewarre had joined the competition. In 1920 the newspaper reports the Torquay Football club held a grand fancy dress carnival on the Torquay Public Reserve on Saturday afternoon, and also in the public hall in the evening to raise money for the Geelong Kitchener Memorial Hospital. During the evening Mr P. Tuck captain of the Torquay Football Club, presented the gold medals which were kindly donated by Mr B. Drayton for the best improved player. Mr. A. Duffield (Torquay) and Mr Con. Grossman (Jan Juc) were the winners. By 1922 Moriac were in the competition. The Torquay and District Historical Society will be adding the history of the local sporting clubs to the website where more information regarding the early days of the Torquay Football Club will be placed. Further information about the more recent history of the Club can be found at the Club website https://www.torquaytigers.com/history that includes why they became the Torquay Tigers. See more

12.01.2022 Thank you Clint for sharing this bit of Torquay history with us.

11.01.2022 James Rice and his wife Mary Thompson had a small farm on Thompsons Creek at the horseshoe bend and Rice Reserve is now situated there as a picnic spot overlooking the creek. They had 7 children. Percy Rice who had the wood yard between Puebla St and Spring St on the highway was the son of 5th child William. 6th child Charles married Effie Edwards. Charles had a coach carrying business to bring visitors to the seaside. Effie established Two Bays accommodation on the Esplanade and also had involvement with St Heliers, Melba House and Pioneer House all situated in Pride Street. Melba House and Pioneer House were destroyed in the 1940 fires. When St Heliers guest house was demolished and replaced by units it is believed Effie lived there in her retirement. Please share any memories of those places of accommodation managed by Effie Rice.

10.01.2022 On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month we shall remember them! The Torquay RSL is commemorating the 75 years since the end of World War 2 by displaying posters of Torquay people who served in WW2 in shop windows around the town ... a great tribute. Lest We Forget!

09.01.2022 Well, the secret sound wasn't such a secret after all! You lucky people who heard the real thing didn't need much of a hint. Yes, as the record sleeve says " The BEST that's PRESSED is on a CREST ". Blowin'with Owen! was recorded at Crest studios in Malvern on 31 May 1964. Owen Yateman's Jazz Men (on the disc) comprised Yatey, Peter Sheills. Vern Dolheguy, Russell Sheridan, Peter Allen, John Turner and Bill Ellis. The sound bight was from Peoria. The other tracks are Marina, Teddy Bears Picnic and Mona Lisa. It's good to see some memories being shared on our page.

09.01.2022 PUTTING ALONG FOR 100 YEARS. Congratulations to the Torquay Golf Club! "On 30 October 1920 a meeting was held at the Torquay Public Hall with the object of form...ing a Club to pursue golf, and thus the Torquay Golf Club came into being." The first President was Mr A Crowe, the Secretary and Treasurer was Mr O Batten. The initial membership fees were 10 shillings for members and 5 shillings for associates. It was resolved to have a 9 hole course laid out on the Public Reserve, today's caravan park and the Spring Creek environs and it was hoped to be ready for Christmas 1920. Two years later the Club leased 30 acres across the creek from Mr A G White that was later purchased to provide 10 holes of today's course. The Club grew despite the depression years and in 1936 the Club embarked on building a new Clubhouse that was opened on 2 October 1937 (see photo). The history of the Club will be comprehensively documented and celebrated by the Club and TDHS recognises and congratulates the Club on its centenary and wishes the Club well into the next century.

08.01.2022 Hello local TDHS Facebook followers. Torquay IGA is promoting TDHS in its Community Rewards program this month so take the opportunity to do your shopping there and collect the coupons for the Society. Collection tube just inside the door on the left. All participants get a donation with the largest collection receiving the most. Please support TDHS! Thank you

07.01.2022 TDHS wishes all our members and FB followers a very Happy New Year. The Society anticipates in 2021 an opening of History House in Price Street again on Sundays... for members and visitors to view the collections and the archives. Two projects will come to fruition in 2021: the recreation of an historic bathing box in the garden at History House and the historic signs project that highlights sites and buildings/houses around the Torquay township. The Society welcomes new members and a membership information booklet will outline the scope of activities of the Society and invite you to participate in activities. A membership form can be found on the home page of the TDHS website. http://www.torquayhistoricalsociety.com.au/ See more

05.01.2022 REMINDER History House 18 Price St Torquay will be open on Sunday 6th June 2pm to 4pm. Come and 'meet the author' as Martin Hooper will be present with his new book Bellbrae Cemetery Across Time: A History. See you there ...

05.01.2022 We are looking forward to the end of lockdown so we can finish our projects.

05.01.2022 As we say good bye to 2020 let us reflect we have been making our own history in how Torquay looked during covid 19 restrictions. This is from a series of photos taken during lock down. The full collection will be in the History House archives

03.01.2022 Ryans IGA opened in 1985 as Torquay's second independent supermarket (first was Walkers, also in Gilbert Street, now gone). They have recently put up a display ...of photos of old Torquay across the front of the shop and in the checkout area. Good to see IGA engaging in the history of our town! See more

03.01.2022 I am looking for the person interested in more information on John Goodall, pioneer of Spring Creek Jan Juc, he is my great-great grandfather & we have a private fb site regarding his life & that of his descendants, if you want to contact me I can discuss it further.

02.01.2022 Unbelievable find in our Societies archives

02.01.2022 Blowin' with Owen. The back side!

02.01.2022 Anzac Day is a very special day on our calendar. Please join us for a cuppa and I promise we will have some cake and other nibbles. Thanks to Carollyn for keeping us up to date. WE look forward to meeting our locals,especially so many who may have stories of their relatives who served at Gallipoli and the First World War and as many of our fathers did the Second World War. My Grandfather survived Gallipoliand the Somme. Who else have similar stories. Post them here, we would love to hear from you.