Old Brick Post Office, Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, undated

Victoria’s first official postal service involved two people associated with the Greater Dandenong area. This was in 1837 when the New South Wales government gave Joseph Hawdon the "Melbourne to Yass" overland mail contract, which began on 1 January 1838. The actual ‘postman’ who carried that first official mail delivery, with many adventures, was John Conway Bourke. He was an employee of Joseph Hawdon’s and worked in the Dandenong area for some years. The carrying of messages and parcels was often a personal and individual operation in those days
.
Hotels or stores were the first collecting and delivery points for mail. Dunbar’s Hotel in Dandenong was an early postal base. In 1856, the post office in the hotel was ‘the last one this side of the Melbourne PO’. A mail contractor, Patrick Mulcare, carried mail between Melbourne and Dandenong, as a weekly service in 1855. In 1862 the stage coach had the contract. Dandenong was the postal centre for a large district for many years and had the designation ‘Post Town’ in the Victorian Municipal Directory for 1875.

In October 1877, A public meeting was held in the Mechanics Institute, to consider the desirability of making application to Government for the construction of a Post and Telegraph office.In September 1879 the foundation stone was laid by Mr. J. B. Patterson, Postmaster General, for the Stone and Brick post office building pictured. Tenders for Additions and Modifications were sought in February 1921, as demand outgrew the small building constructed about 40 years earlier.

In 1954, Council considered relocating the Post Office to a new location, Utilizing the present site for Town Hall extensions to accommodate Council offices. By the late 1950s/early 1960s, the present three story building was constructed alongside the Town Hall, the Post Office originally occupying the entire ground floor. As demand for postal services reduced, and technology replaced other needs, the Post Office was reduced back to a small portion, with the remainder being leased to other pennants.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, possibly 1950s.

With Coles under construction, possibly late 1950s, hard to confirm without hunting records. This view gives a never before seen view of Lonsdale Street from the eyes of another.

Taken from the former National Bank, now ANZ and Deakin, the 1960s Coles store was under construction, located at its original Lonsdale Street location next to Woolworths

Photo supplied by: Beverley Dobson‎

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Old Army Drill Hall, Princes Hwy, Dandenong, mid 2000s.

Dandenong Drill Hall, a timber-framed, corrugated iron clad building with iron roof and trusses built 1915-1916, was one of about forty timber and iron drill halls built in Victoria from 1912-1916. The building was comprised of a major hall space with a number of smaller rooms leading from the main hall including a kitchen, offices, storage room and mess rooms. The floors were of concrete in the hall with timber floors in the surrounding rooms. There were three small sheds at the rear of the hall and a large vehicle shed adjacent to the hall.

From as early as 1877 Dandenong had a volunteer corps, the Light Horse Troop and by 1888 The Victorian Rangers had a local unit at Dandenong of which eleven men served in Sth Africa in 1899. By 1913 the need for Dandenong to have a Drill Hall had become quite apparent as there were approx. 170 members of the different corps in training in the area. In July 1913 a Sergeant Manners MacFarlane advised in a memo the then Minister for Defense W.H. Irvine that suitable land could be excised from the Government reserve known as Dandenong Park. This purchase was gazetted on September 11th 1915, with the building being constructed and put to much needed use.

In 1938 substantial additions were made to the building including an Officers' Mess, Sergeants' Mess, Lecture room and a Cloak Room, followed by a private residence, a gun park and garages. All were much needed additions as Dandenong had recently become the headquarters of the new 52nd Battalion (the Gippsland Regiment) and required extra facilities, in particular mess facilities, for officers and other ranks, woo traveled long distances for functions, conferences, lectures and other activities. The hall was also used as a recruitment centre during WW1 and WW2.

In 1947 the hall was allocated to 5th Infantry Battalion as a depot for for the training of the Support Company, then in 1949 some minor alterations involving partitioning, new fireplaces and a Recreation room at the rear took place. In 1951 land adjacent to the Training Depot was acquired to garage 15 vehicles, then in 1957 the hall became the home of the 15th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, a 200 strong citizen military force unit.

The Drill Hall for the entirety of it's existence was an integral part of Dandenong and surrounds both for military and socially. From its earliest days it was used as the venue for monthly community dances and other activities, for many years it even had the Dandenong Baths next to it. In 1945 the Dandenong Community Youth Centre moved there after having previously called the Pavilion at the Showgrounds (next to the Market) home. Between 1948-1954 the Scottish Regiment was proud to also call the Drill Hall home.

In the early years the regular drills could be used by many for keeping track of the time. With the loss of the regular gun shots, people lost interest, increasingly people relied on their own time pieces, leaving the Drill Hall to fade into memory along with its local architectural significance as an example of the many timber and iron drill halls built between 1912-1916.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

First Showgrounds, Walker Street, Dandenong, Between 1904-1906.

Before the Agricultural Society took complete control of the Dandy Show, it was a community affair. This show from 1904-1906, gives a glimpse of the first Showgrounds. People would display their wares and enjoy a day of fun family activities, from nothing more than a tent, often bringing a packed lunch to enjoy upon the grass. Located off Walker street, behind the Royal Hotel (at this time run by Tuff).

On Saturday 27th May 1871, a meeting was held at Dunbars Hotel on Lonsdale Street, Dandenong to discuss the launch of an Agricultural Show. Barely three days later at the Dandenong Market, the "Dandenong and South Bourke Agricultural Association" was born due to the hard work and determination of a group of men and thus began the beginnings of what we know as the Dandenong Show.

The first show was held at the Dandenong Market site, which was then located in the area bounded by Foster, Thomas, Mason and Walker Streets. In November 1877 two half-acre allotments adjoining the Society’s showyards were bought from John Hemmings and in 1878 the Minister for Railways allowed special trains, with excursion tickets, to run from the suburbs of Melbourne to the Show.

In 1888 a new exhibition hall was built. The building was wooden with a galvanized iron roof with a total area of 285ft. The hall was lit with gas, a large chandelier containing about 30 burners fixed in the centre with a smaller one at each end, and a water tank built at the rear. The building was a major achievement not only for the Society, but for the community, because it provided a larger meeting place than the Mechanics Institute as the Town Hall would not be built until 1890.

With the show continuing to grow in size and popularity, it was decided to sell the old showground and have a new set-up at the Clow Street/Market Reserve as this would be most advantageous for the community and all concerned. In 1907 the show was held at the new site with a 10 year lease from the council. In 1936 the show was changed from the traditional Thursday to the second Saturday of November which carries through to present day.

1967 saw the first show held at Greaves Reserve, which was named after the late William Greaves who donated a portion of the land. It was a record breaking event with 4175 entries and an impressive $4234 total made at the gate. Two brand new toilet blocks had also been erected along with new drainage and other things before the show to allow for the expected large crowds.

Over the next few years the show gained enough momentum that In 1973, an additional 8 acres of land west of the creek near Hanna Street was obtained on licence from the CRB (Country Roads Board). In November 1986, four lighting towers were erected around the main arena to allow proper lighting of it for Saturday night attractions.

2002 saw the completion of the three year project, the Historic Cattle Ring Complex, built to house the Milker Ring that had been saved and restored when the Dandenong Stock Market had been closed and dismantled. The Dandenong Show that we all know and love today is indeed immensely rich in history and is very much an integral part of the Dandenong life and culture.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Dandenong Fire Station, 120 Princes Hwy, Dandenong, 1986.

From the earliest days of the local Fire Crew, in the late 1800s, they committed themselves to the challenge of protecting who and what they could from the destruction of fire. Using little more than Horse and Person drawn hose reels/carriages, the local station established itself as a vital part of the community. 

In early 1910, a new station building was opened at the Walker street site, facing Walker street, with a lookout/training tower located along side. By the early 1940s, another new building, (or severe modifications) was built on the site. By this time the local fire crew had a Dodge and International hose carriage (truck).

This improved their ability to meet local needs, but demand continued to grow, resulting in their move to 120 Princes Hwy, in 1986. The Motel next-door had not yet been built. On this site, they also had a new Lookout and Training tower, taller and stronger. With the construction of low rise buildings, such as the former Tax Office, Dandenong needed a tall training tower.

About June/July 2015, the local station was again moved to a larger upgraded premises further up the highway (just past Gladstone road). The former Walker street site now serves as the local Art Gallery, the building undergoing modifications.

UPDATE: Recently, the former site at 120 Princes Hwy was put up for auction in the coming month.
**As of 1st April the auction has been canceled.


For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Australia Day Parade, McCrae Street, Dandenong, in 1998.

Taken after the Encore Hotel had been built opposite the Dandenong Plaza (Capital Centre), the Polish, still facing the persecution of anti immigration extremist local elements, had sadly still not found acceptance. It wouldn't be until another major immigration due to war that they would be forgotten. Dandenongs' acceptance of those fleeing war, even from the earlier wars, cemented the towns place as a home for everyone.

Dandenong has a long and proud history of Parades, the biggest being the Proclamation of the City of Dandenong in 1959. The parade held for this occasion, was one of the biggest, drawing the towns spirit, resulting in the largest crowd to watch any parade in Dandenong. Some more formal events, such as Remembrance Day, still encourage people to walk the streets on their special days.

Dandenong is fortunate to be very rich in multiculturalism from it's very beginnings and this still applies today, with many local communities within Greater Dandenong and surrounds having festivals or parades each year to celebrate their special occasions and culture. We have Australia Day in Dandenong Park, the Luna New Year Festival in Springvale each year, the Albanian Festival at Dandenong Park, EID each year in Dandenong Park and many more.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Aerial, Sandown Park, 1945-2010s

Worth noting the completely different track layouts of the original (pre 1931) and current (post 1965) Sandown racecourses. The former remained in place in 1945 unused to make a comparison. The original didn't go all the way to Dandenong Road with the Springvale Cemetery railway passing through this area crossing Dandenong Road over a small bridge approximately where the 7-Eleven petrol station now stands. Corrigan's (Corrigan) Road ended at present-day Racecourse Road which is now a dead end residential street (access blocked off in the 1980s)

It would be interesting if there are any pictures of the electrified sidings at the original Sandown station. You can see the original island platform was alongside the DOWN track only with a pair of sidings on the northern side existing in 1909.
http://signaldiagramsandphotos.com/mywebpages/vr/Metropolitan/743'09.htm

Photo and information supplied by: Andrew Scanlon

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Train Station, Sandown Park, photo undated

Beginning in 1888, Sandown was at the time known as Oakleigh Park and was privately owned by William Cullen. Cullen was a Brighton publican who used it for horse races, he'd even erected stables, two grandstands,a saddling paddock and more, all of which was surrounded by trees and flower beds.

By 1891 the entire area was under the control of Samual Wills, David Boyd and Charles Heape who, between them, ran the Victorian Trotting Club, they then changed the name to Sandown in 1892. A railway station had been built at the current location and another short line ran through the north end of the property to the Springvale Crematorium.

During the 1900-1904 period, motor vehicles were becoming popular and the Automobile Club of Victoria was formed. The inaugural honorary secretary and founding father was one Harry James, regarded by many as the father of Australian Motor Sport and also Peter Brock's great uncle.

The Commercial Travelers' Association's annual picnic was scheduled for March 12th 1904 so their committee approached the Automobile Club to hold car races there as part of the activities on the day. The offer was accepted with Harry and other committee members checking the grounds, finding them suitable compared to other venues, this together with politicians and police being against racing on public roads ensured the picnic and supervised races went ahead at Sandown.

On March 12th 1904, some 1400 visitors traveled by rail to Sandown with a further 140 travelling by varying motor vehicle as part of the Automobile Club's Sandown activities from the corner of Alexandra Avenue and St Kilda Road for the 15 mile drive over various road surfaces to the venue, for three races and two motor vehicle displays.

Sandown celebrated it's 100 anniversary on March 12th 2004. 58 years after that first race event, racing again returned to Sandown on March 11th and 12th 1962, with horse racing also finally returning 3 years later in 1965 so that Sandown was once again complete.

Of interest is the fact that in the 1904 races Mr Otto Schumacher drove a 3.5hp De Dion while Mr Jas Moffat drove a 8hp De Dion to win first prize in the category for "cars most suitable for travelers not carrying samples". The Sandown that we know today is indeed rich in history.


For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Oakenfulls Garage, 151 Stud Road, Dandenong, late 1960s

Pictured after having the new front put on the old garage which started out as a plumbers shop. In their time at this site they were a Ford affiliated garage. They later moved to a site in Plunkett Road, Dandenong. More recently all reference has been removed from the Plunket street site, as National Towing slowly rebrands it to their signage.

Dandenong has had a proud history with the motor industry. From early repair shops, through to having played home to a G.H.H. plant for decades, as a result a lot of cars in the 60s and 70s had become locally made Holdens. Oakenfulls defied the trend for a long time servicing those who had Fords.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Denny's, Princes Highway, Dandenong, early 1980s.

Denny's being built on the old Windsor Site, up next to the old Scout Hall (now The Castle), Dandenong, in the early 1980s. Later when Denny's faded into the past this site would become home to The Keg, and eventually The Pavilion which still resides here.

Image Supplied By: Brad Farrell

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

From the early 1900s all the way through to the 1960s.

 Lads at Dandenong Market, Lonsdale Street, Early 1900s

Lads enjoying Mums at Dandenong Market, Present Site, 1960s

Images courtesy of the Dandenong Market

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Westwood, Walker Steeet, Dandenong, 1886

Late last year Chris Simmins wrote:
'Westwood', the 'grand home' featured in a 1930's Dandenong aerial photograph. The subject of the photo (once zoomed in), caused some discussion locally and far afield.

Westwood was built in Walker Street, Dandenong, for Mr Herbert Turner Esq Solicitor. Turner was a born 1856 and married a Miss Annie Moss Dunn in 1885. They had 5 children, Maggie who was born Dandenong 1893, Doris May born 1897 in Brighton, Herbert Keith born 1899 in Brighton, Marg Eillen born 1900, and Alf Brian born 1901.

Turner features in various 'Trove archives ' of old newspapers, but is most notable as Chairman of the Board of Nurses, from its inception in 1924, and also as a board member of the Royal Melbourne Hospital from 1918-1935. His affiliation with the medical scene was a long and treasured one.

Old Dandenong Adds:
In later years Westwood became home to the Local R.S.L, which had been a private home until around the 1930s., with a few modifications and paint coats, the building survived into the 1990s.

In the 1990s the present Dandenong RSL premises were built on the corner of Clow street and Stud road (realigned end of Foster street), resulting in the demolition of Westwood, along with other houses, as Capital Cenrre was extended across walker street, connecting to the Myer building.

As a result the Plaza carpark was extended, covering the site of Westwood with bitchumen. Walker street now ends near the rear of the building extensions, becoming nothing more than a carpark and loading bay entrance.

The former Rudock street was removed (now the boundry line between the RSL and Plazza carpark), In recent years, the street running through the Dandenong Station bus interchange, up to George street was named Rudock street.

Photo of Westwood House , courtesy of Dandenong Historical Society Photo Archives.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, Undated.

From the moment Mr Dunbar’s first hotel at 231 – 235 Lonsdale St was completed in the early 1850’s it acted as the social headquarters for residents and visitors to Dandenong. It served as meeting rooms, held Dandenong’s first court sessions, served as the early post office and rested teams of Cobb & Co horses in its stables. By 1877 (after he’d built another hotel next door) Mr Dunbar converted this original hotel into banking premises and a shop.
-
These renovations were demolished nine years later by new owners to make way for the construction of a second hotel – The Royal – that would remain on that site for the next 80 years. The Royal was demolished in the early 1960’s to make way for the former four storey AMP building which itself became a first in Lonsdale St, the likes of which had never been seen before. At the time of demolition two deep wells – made from handmade bricks – were uncovered under 231 – 235 Lonsdale St – that was said to provide Dandenong’s first building with its own water supply.
-
In the 1860’s Mr Dunbar was also responsible for the first property to be built at 221 – 229 Lonsdale St. It was a two storey hotel that remained intact until 1922 when the hotel was replaced with an arcade and shops later known as the Mayfair shops. The rear of this property facing Thomas Street was subdivided and was the site of the Boomerang Theatre that opened in 1924. In 1950 it became known as the Mayfair Theatre and was demolished in 1968.
-
In 1869 Dandenong welcomed another important building at 209 - 211 Lonsdale St. Separated from Dunbar’s Hotel with vacant treed land, the imposing and ornate Commercial Bank was built. The Commercial Bank also remained with its original façade until 1964 when it was demolished for retail development. Its replacement was a two storey brown brick building typical of architecture in the 1960’s.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Thomas Street, from Walker Street, Dandenong, around 1989

In 1914, a private company, "The India Rubber Gutta Percha and Telegraph Works Pty. Ltd", acquired the rights to supply electricity to the town of Dandenong and built a power house in Clow Street. In 1921, the Shire Council bought all the assets of the company, in turn transferring these to the State Electricity Commission in 1923, which, by that time was operating large new power stations in the La Trobe Valley.

The cheap and ample supply of electricity close by was one of the factors attracting new industries to the area. In December 1924, electricity came to Springvale and Noble Park. Springvale initially had 110 consumers and by 1928 there were 50 subscribers in Noble Park. The electrification of the railway line between Melbourne and Dandenong was completed by 1924, though a sub-station was not built at Springvale until some years later.

Driven by the rapid industrialisation of the area between Oakleigh and Dandenong in the early 1950s, the Education Department decided to establish Dandenong Technical School for boys in 1954. A new technical school in the Westall area, initially called Westall Technical School was to be built in 1957. This latter school, built instead in Noble Park, at the corner of Douglas and Thomas Streets (1958-9), eventually became Noble Park Technical School.

Apprentice education was a feature of the Dandenong and Noble Park technical schools during their early years. The workplace training role of these two sites continued as part of the development of Dandenong’s College of Advanced Education, later Casey Institute of TAFE and now Chisholm Institute of TAFE. However, the portions providing apprenticeship training were separated from the general secondary education sections of their original institutions.

Photo supplied by Brad Farrell.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Corner of Lonsdale, Foster and Pultney Streets, Dandenong, 1934 flood

The 1934 flood was one of the worst to hit Dandenong. Occurring long before the creek was channeled and straightened with concrete, the original Dandenong Creek alignmemt was the result of natural water flow. Frequently flooding into the open plains bellow and flowing slowly onto the Carum Swamps. 

During excessively heavy rains, the water would flow down a natural depression roughly following Lonsdale street, passing down Pultney Street, and through Dandenong Park, making the journey to the Creek below. Natural low points can still be found along the journey to the attentive seeker.

Note the modestly country Electricity Sub Station on the right. Placed at one of the lowest points, only a few hundred metres from the creek, someone forgot the necessity to use raised elevation. Leaves us curious how many lost power as a result of the 1934 floods.

Park Motors occupied this site for some time becoming a locally recognized name. Some time later this site became known as BP island, during this time a BP Service Station/Centre occupied the entire triangle bordered by Pultney, Foster and Lonsdale Streets. Presently the site is occupied by Doctors/Chemist and Cheesecake shop. Such a fine pair they make.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Savings Bank, 217 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, in 1912

By the 1890s, an extensive row of shops, many of them two storey and of brick, lined Melbourne Road (in the area now known as Lonsdale Street). One of the most elaborate was Caffin and Caffin’s Dandenong Cash Store, built in 1893.

In a photo taken about fifty years later, in 1945, the roof line and general appearance of the line of shops hardly seems to have changed. The main visible change is the number of motor vehicles parked in the street and the increased number of shops and businesses.

A few surviving buildings, such as the Cosy Corner Café, with corner tower and cupola (former Arkana buiding), are a reminder of the Dandenong shopping precinct as it was in the early years of the 20th century. By 1939, chain stores such as Williams the Shoeman and Crofts had arrived.

By 1950, more chain stores such as Woolworths and Moran and Cato were here, and even an American Hamburger Bar. There were some shops in Foster Street and a few in Langhorne Street, at the town hall end. Within the next thirty-five years, drastic changes occurred and the whole character of the shopping precinct altered dramatically.

In 1962, a visiting journalist noted ‘the brashly modern shops of glass and steel with spruikers shouting into microphones to lure customers in. He commented, "The influence of migrant ways and tastes is evident in the Dandenong shops, in the exotically named foods on display, in sharp-toed shoes and the expresso machines in milk bars".

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Dandenong Coach Factory, Pultney Street, Dandenong, 1880s/1890s

The Greaves brothers were well known and respected in the local community, not just as industrious entrepreneurs, but as active people in helping shape the town that would follow.

Back in the late 1800s they were operating the Dandenong Coach Factory, with Hemmings Wheelright having been the predecessor. Hemmings served the local community from early days supplying cart wheels and preforming minor repairs.

Having allowed Hemmings street to be built free of charge through his property, Hemmings gained himself a place in Dandenongs' history with the naming of Hemmings Street, in honour of his many contributions to Dandenong.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Town Hall, Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, in 1954

In the early years, the honorary magistrates, local citizens of some standing, presided at the Dandenong Court of Petty Sessions, which met each fortnight in the Town Hall. 

In a sense, they complemented the work of the police force of the day. The significance of their work, was possibly a factor in influencing the Victorian Government to allocate £2,000 towards the new Town Hall built in 1890, which, at the time, was to include a Courtroom.

This location was in use for fifty years before, in 1939-40, the court moved to a site on the corner of Langhorne and Wilson Streets, Dandenong, where now stands the Police Station car park. In 1960, a new courthouse was built in Windsor Avenue, Springvale.

In the 1990s, the present Dandenong Law Courts were built in Foster Street, Dandenong, on land which was formerly occupied by the Presbyterian church, that had been demolished in 1987, and the Hall of the 2nd Scout Troop of Dandenong.

The 1990s court complex on Foster street, replaced all of the smaller courts in Dandenong, Springvale and Oakleigh and is now one of the busiest court complexes within the greater Melbourne region.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Former R.S.L. (Westwood), Walker Street, Dandenong, 1980s.

Dandenong R.S.L. "Westwood" in Walker Street before it made way for the shopping centre.
Supplied by Bill Farrell‎

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Rear view of Southern Aurora, near Dandenong Railway Station, undated photo (1960s?)

Southern Aurora Hotel Motel (‘K’s Dandenong Hotel P/L.), it's owners were Mr and Mrs Karnhauser. Built on railway property the hotel adopted a name, which was synonymous with the railways' (Southern Aurora express). It was believed to be the first privately owned, licensed premises, with residential accommodation to be built on railway property and was next to the Dandenong Station

The original Lounge and Function rooms had the names Observation Lounge, Pullman Grill, Club Car Lounge, Tunnel Room and Express Bar.

Nearby Kayes Lane is named after the former owners of Southern Aurora. It was demolished during the 1990's, the space is now part of the bus interchange and car parking adjacent.

Image supplied by: Brad Farrell

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Dandenong Steam Turntable, undated photo

The Dandenong station was officially opened in 1881, some two years after completion of the line to Melbourne. It served as a vital link to Gippsland, replacing the need for livestock and produce to be taken by land and sea to Melbourne. Dandenong now acted as the terminus between country and city.

By the early 1880s, Springvale also had a station, consisting of a platform and open shed. The first train to stop at Noble Park was about 1915. Electrification of the line between Oakleigh and Dandenong was completed in 1922. The line between Dandenong and Warragul was electrified by 1954. New stations were opened at Sandown in 1965 and at Yarraman in 1976.

Lonsdale Street had traditionally acted as Dandenong’s front door, its only entry point to visitors, but with the success of the railway station (by 1889 it had become the third busiest in Victoria), Dandenong now had a side door, drawing a growing number of visitors to this new point of entry to the town and exposing the need for infrastructure to support the Foster Street region with its increase in pedestrian traffic.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Tharle Butchers, Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, undated

The Tharle family and the Journal have been intertwined throughout their time in Dandenong. Both arrived 150 years ago and Dandenong and District Historical Society member Rodney Edwin Tharle remains a regular reader today. His great grandfather, Barton Barnaby Tharle and his wife Louisa Jane Bradley migrated to Australia shortly after they wed on the Isle of White in 1863.

They settled on land on Dandenong-Frankston Road, Dandenong, in early 1864 and later moved to McCrae Street. They had nine children, including Barton Barnaby junior, who became a farmer and auctioneer. He in turn had seven children with wife Emily Jane Hunt and ran slaughter yards in Power Road, Doveton, and a butcher’s business in Dandenong.

In 1919 they brought their home in Macpherson Street from Jeffrey Macpherson. It had housed the private Dandenong Grammar School, which Mr Macpherson ran. Their eldest child, Barton, known as Bart, married Alva Sayers who played with the Dandenong Croquet Club for 40 years.

Bart started in the meat trade at the age of 14 and with brothers Frank and Victor (Vic), ran a butchery business in Foster Street after their father and uncles sold their butcher’s business in Lonsdale Street. When Frank and Vic decided to leave the business, Bart carried on and at one stage operated four shops.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, 1954/1955

Taken from the the Clock tower of the former Town Hall, looking up Lonsdale Street towards the Clow Street intersection. Many of these buildings are no longer part of the scenery in Dandenong's CBD.

Well before the streets of Dandenong became synonymous with the sounds of bellowing cattle, cracking whips and barking dogs, the district was alive with an enviable mixture of natural resources. Red gums and She oaks, flowing water, rich soil for agriculture and the great potential for dairy farming. This together with its proximity to Melbourne, helped define the tiny township’s support role in serving to build booming Melbourne.

Although first settled in the 1840’s, it wasn’t until the 1850’s that the signs of organized industry began to emerge as dray load after dray load of felled red gums made their way to Melbourne, with much needed timber to establish wharves, timber street pavers and railway lines.

Supporting this industry was a small labour force who, along with a handful of bold settlers, they laid the foundations of the bustling town that continues 158 years later to draw people, business and industry into it boarders.

Dandenong’s proximity to Gippsland also meant that it soon became known as “The Gateway to Gippsland” as it was perfectly placed with road, and later, railway links to Gippslands' own network of, once considered, inexhaustible natural resources.
For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Aerial, part of Dandenong South, May 4th 1994

Down in the lower centre-right can be seen the original alignment of the South Gippsland Highway heading straight towards the Freeway, as new alignment turns south. The origonal aligment obviously serves as an access road to a dwelling, present at time of shot. 

The last section of South Gippsland Freeway, now occupying the old Highway path until, they converge just outside of this aerials' scope. Back in the early days of the Highway, the section between Dandenong and Cranbourne was known as Cranbourne road, a simpe dirt track plagued by errosion and flooding conveyed those few between the two towns.
For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Merlin House, Corner Langhorne and Wilson streets, Dandenong, undated

Merlin was built for Miss Matilda Louisa Shaw in 1884 as a residence and private school. Born in Derbyshire, Shaw was 16 when she arrived at Port Phillip in June 1857 with her father John Frederick Shaw, mother Jane 35 and her brothers and sisters. It is believed that Matilda was employed as a governess to the Keys family at Keysborough before she ventured into the business of setting up her own school in 1869.

Shaw rented the newly constructed building at 51 Langhorne Street known as Laurel Lodge, the house was named by either Miss Shaw or its builder and owner, Robert Huckson. Miss Shaw’s curriculum aimed to cultivate young ladies accomplished in the ‘gentle arts’ of English, French, German, music, singing, drawing, painting, and needlework. The small school was one of many such private establishments to flourish in the colony during this period.

The Dandenong township began to grow and the little school thrived. In 1880, Miss Shaw purchased a property on the corner of Langhorne and Wilson Streets, from W. H. Jones who had owned the block since 1856. Some time during her rental of Laurel Lodge, ownership of the building transferred to James Lecky, who died in 1884.This event seems to have triggered some changes for Shaw, as that same year she had a new house built further down the street on her land on the corner of Wilson Street.

Upon its completion she transferred her school there, naming the house Merlin. In November of that year she placed an advertisement for ‘a good plain cook and laundress able to milk, wages 12/-’, indicating that she must have kept at least one cow on the property. Matilda conducted her school until 1889, when she was about 50 years old.

That year she married Mr James Facey, they resided at Merlin until Matilda died at the age of 72, on 4 October 1912. She is buried in the Dandenong Cemetery, in the same grave as an unknown identity, Susan Adams, who was interred there 30 years previously at the age of 75. Nearby lies her brother, Henry Sanders Shaw, who died in 1923.

One of her pupils was the celebrated actor, Mr Oscar Asche. In the early 1870’s as Miss Matilda Shaw kept the Ladies Seminar, ‘Laurel Lodge’, next to the Church of England, and was in charge of some 20 lady boarders. Later Miss Shaw gave up the school and sold the property (she did not own the property), An ardent supporter of St James Church of England and Sunday School.

A son from James Facey’s previous marriage came to look after him, when, blindness in his latter years confined him to the top floor of Merlin. He died in 1914. A blacksmith by trade, he had initially come to the district in the mid-1860s, buying the Springhurst property at Cranbourne.

By 1917, Merlin was a private hospital operating under the supervision of Sister (Miss) M. A. Ahern. The Ahern family were district pioneers, with Daniel Ahern farming land on the fringe of the Dandenong township. Sister Ahern, of Merlin Private Hospital died in May 1944, and her grave can be found in the Catholic section of the Dandenong Cemetery.

The house ceased functioning as a hospital in the 1940s and was subsequently converted into apartments. Undergoing renovations in 1970s, and in the early 1990s, then in 1998 it was sold. "The Age" 7th March 1998, Real Estate section advertised it for sale as Merlin House, built in 1884, covering 42 squares, with 4 bedrooms and ‘lovingly restored’ in 1991.
For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Woolworths, McCrae Street, Dandenong, Late 1970s/Early 1980s.

Woolworths association with Dandenong started on 8th February 1940, When they opened their original store in Lonsdale street to the jubilance of the local community. With the advent of Supermarket sized stores, Woolworths built this store opposite the Market on the corner of McCrae and Clow streets in the late 1960s.

Originally opened with a Cafe/Diner, which was still operating in the early 1970s, (unsure of when it was removed), sadly by closure the Cafe/Diner had almost been lost even to memory. Mr A.R. fondly remembers it being on the left hand side of the pictured store.

With the acquisition of Safeway by Woolworths, the old Safeway store, up on the corner of Foster and McCrae streets, was demolished. A new Safeway store was incorporated into the new Capital Centre in 1989 on the same site. The Capital Centre was transformed into the Dandenong Plaza with the extension to Myers in 1995. Around 1990 the pictured Woolworths store was demolished, and remains a Council owned carpark.

On November 2nd 1974 Myers opened their new store in Dandenong, ushering in a new age of retail investment in Dandenong and moving the focus from Lonsdale Street. Myers was joined to the Capital Centre on the opposite side of Walker street in 1995, creating the Dandenong Plaza. In the 1980s the small area in front of the Myers carpark was developed into the Dandenong Mall, which was then demolished with the Plaza development.

The original Londsdale street location of Woolworths closed in the mid 1980's and was divided into two shops. The Neighbouring Coles store lasted into the early 1990's before it too saw closure. Chemist Warehouse now occupies this site, with some original flooring and roofing still visible, the rear entry ramp passing what was the Coles Cafe still remains in use by Chemist Warehouse.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, around 1952/1953

In February 1852 the township of Dandenong was proclaimed and this was followed up by survey and land sale, with land sales being announced in 1852 also. The 1854 census reported the population of the township of Dandenong as 48. In the 1857 census the population was 59, this included 37 males and 22 females.

On 6 February 1857 the Dandenong Road District was proclaimed and the Government approved funds to construct a road from Melbourne to Sale in 1858. On 13 February 1858, the first Court of Petty Sessions met in the newly-opened Bridge Hotel .

According to the 1861 census, the population of Dandenong was 193 and there were 40 houses. By 1865, the Victorian Gazetteer was reporting the population of the town as 250 and the number of dwellings as 50. It is worth noting that by that time Dandenong was being described as a ‘town’. It had a police station, courthouse and two hotels.

In 1871, the population of the Dandenong Road District was reported to be 864 persons - 447 males and 417 females. Within this district, the township of Dandenong was the only major centre of population with 57 dwellings and 311 people 164 males and 147 females.

Springvale was a tiny settlement of six dwellings, just beyond the then municipal boundary, with a population of 27 people - 12 males and 15 females. However, there were more residents dispersed around the surrounding area. There were enough children in both Dandenong and Springvale for at least two government-supported schools to be operating .

On 16 May 1873, the Shire of Dandenong was proclaimed, with a territory of 59 square miles and 273 ratepayers. As with the Road District Board, its responsibilities included constructing and maintaining roads. Within its jurisdiction were three toll gates, on the main roads, which brought in some revenue. It was also responsible for issuing licences to hotel-keepers.

The council met monthly, in a room within the Dandenong Mechanics Institute, on the Walker Street and Lonsdale Street corner, as it had no shire hall or council chamber of its own. Its shire secretary over many years was John Keys. The shire council took on numerous additional responsibilities.

In 1873, it accepted responsibility for the Dandenong Market, previously administered by commissioners appointed in 1866. Also in the 1870s it became involved in the drainage schemes for the Carrum Swamp, this being a heavy load on its finances. Both the Dandenong and Springvale centres benefited from the coming of the railway..

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Dandenong House Hotel, 50 Foster Street, Dandenong, 1911/1912

One notable historical inclusion to Dandenongs history came in 1911 when the Dandenong House, a majestic 40 room guest house with dining room, ground floor tea rooms and an underground kitchen, first opened on Foster Street near the station. The growing need for over night accommodation became obvious with the population swell brought on by market day.

James Fenton Andrews built on this site, incorrectly believing that the new cattle market would be directly across Foster Street, a large section on the corner of Foster, Thomas & Mason Streets, was earmarked as a Cattle yard reserve and this was incorrectly tipped to be the site of the new cattle market. It often housed livestock overnight, that arrived by rail, on its way to market the following morning. This section also remained relatively undeveloped along with the portion up to Walker St that together, became the site of the earliest Dandenong Agricultural Show grounds from 1872.

Unfortunately the building was destroyed by a fire in 1977. A portion of the land, now part of the station car park, at the rear of this property was sold in 1907 to enable the railways to dig a large trench and create a turn pike for railway engines to be turned around to point back toward Melbourne, They also included sheds to store the engines overnight. The turntable would later be replaced by the Southern Aurora hotel which would be replaced by the station carpark.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong in 1915

In this view towards the west side of the street a few of the businesses, some now lost even to memories, still grace the country town which Dandenong was at the time, with around 2000 residents, the community was close knit.

In this view can been seen Caffin & Caffin, the old Cash Store, the traditional tobacconist, one of the earliest newsagents and the now forgotten grain store.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

London Stores, Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, 6th October 1960.

Before the introduction of the Shopping Centre concept shopping strips were filled with Department Stores, London Stores was one of these, selling an assortment of menswear and apparel. Further along stood the future location of Coles in Lonsdale street. 

Visible on the left side is Crooks self servuce store, before the arrival of Coles and Woolworths, stores like Crooks filled the needs of those looking for convenience, having the option to select your own items, sadly Crooks failed to modernize enough, resulting in it's failure to gain new customers.

London Stores was later taken over by Roger David. With London Stores locations being re-branded for a short oeriod as London Stores - Roger David, before being re-branded again as Roger Davids stores. In the 1980s Speed Shoes occupied the building, which still remains today, having had it's wooden floor replaced with cement recently.

On the left was Pattersons, with access from Lonsdale to Thomas streets. This building has also survived with relatively little change, presently occupied by a local Butcher forgotten by most.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Peace Memorial Bridge, Princes Hwy, Dandenong, in 1925.

The old stone bridge was replaced in 1919 by this simple bridge, with concrete deck, known as the ‘Peace Memorial Bridge’. Once described as ‘one of the best bridges in Victoria. With the park facing wall removed, the bridge still carries a portion of the Princes Highway over the Dandenong Creek on the railway side. 

Over the years ‘the rapids of Dandenong’, so described once by the poet Adam Lindsay Gordon, have swept away more than one bridge in the area. The first bridge over Dandenong Creek was constructed in 1840. A flood swept this away ten years later and it was replaced.

The stone bridge, built in 1866, probably by Robert Huckson, lasted 52 years. Part of it was granite, quarried locally from the vicinity of Wedge and Power Streets. The integrity was undermined by repeated floods, rendering the bridge unsafe for use.

Some of the stones that can be seen in this picture are actually remnants from it's predecessor, as they had scattered a lot of them along the creek to build it up after the erosion damage that had been caused by previous flooding.
For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Dandenong West Primary (State) School, Early 1930's

To relieve the congestion at State School 1403, due to the rapid expansion of the town, it was decided to urge upon the Education Department the necessity for the erection of a new school in the western portion of the town. The movement was taken up by the local Improvement Association (President, Cr. E.C. Butler; Secretary, Mr. A.Branston), and as a result, in 1924 and 1925 an area of 3 acres 27 perches was purchased at a cost of £1105.

On this block in 1925, a very commodious and up-to-date brick building, consisting of eight classrooms, a teachers’ room and an office, was erected. The official opening, on August 26th 1925, was performed by the then Minister of Education, Sir Alexander Peacock, and the foundation stone was laid by the Hon. F.Groves, M.L.A.

The first head teacher was Mr. James. Hillard, who had been promoted from Head Teacher at Noble Park and who still held the position in the 1930s. At the opening of the school the attendance was 220. By the early 1930s the attendance rate was nearly 400, this was nearly double the students that the school had at the time of opening.

Near the end of 1954, Mr. Ron Macdonald was appointed Head Master. He came to a school which had 569 students in 12 classrooms, despite the transfer of 71 students in 1956, school numbers continued to rise. By 1957 there was 609 students, with classes being run in the local St Luke's Hall and within the corridors. Attendance continued to rise, with a peak of 771 in 1968 and a total of 23 classrooms.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, April 1978

Looking North-West up Lonsdale Street from near the Walker street intersection. Woolworths and Coles still occupied their original stores. Both stores still remain though with modifications. The former woolworths building having seen the most changes.

Coles combined their old store (left half of what is now Chemist Warehouse) with the former London Stores building (right half of Chemist Warehouse) forming the the store seen here, some of the former roofing/lighting and flooring is still in public view offerinh a reminder of the past.

On the right side of this photo, at the intersection of Scott and Lonsdale streets, the former Pub Pub (formerly Club Hotel) stands proudly facing the former Australasian Bank, having been built in March 1933, the building was later demolished for the present single story replacement.
For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/

Dandenong Golf Club, Stud Road, Dandenong, first day 1904.

It began back in 1904 with nine holes being established in Stud Road, Dandenong where the current Dandenong TAFE is situated. This golf club was then called the Dandenong Golf Club. In 1909 the club moved to Dandenong Park in an area between Pultney St and Dandenong Creek. In 1910 the club shifted to paddocks of a Mr. Hungerford which consisted of 13 holes. For unknown reasons the club moved back to Dandenong Park in 1912. Dandenong Park area was unavailable for golf between 1917 and 1919 due to the War.

After the 1st World War in 1919 golf started again on a property owned by Macpherson and Rodd and nine holes was established adjacent to the State School, now occupied by the Historical Society. During 1920 the Dandenong Golf Club established 18 holes on the property of Mr. Hemmings over the Dandenong Creek and south east of Macpersons paddock. This is now the location of he Dandenong Workers Club in Wedge St Dandenong.

The Dandenong Golf Club changed its name to Kingswood Golf Club in 1931 and the course was redesigned by MA & HV Morcom. With the urbanization of Dandenong in 1936, Kingswood Golf Club decided to relocate to its current home in Centre Dandenong Road, Dingley Village. At this point ending the last remaining link it had with Dandenong.

Photo: From the 5th Sketch Book compiled by Charles (Charlie) Hammond.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/olddandenong/