Douglas Street, Noble Park, undated

Roads and footpaths were same level often causing flooding.

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

Noble Park Public Hall, during construction, 1925.

In 1913 Alan (Frank) Buckley and Charles Luxford were the registered proprietors of the land on which the Noble Park Public Hall now stands. Local residents set about raising some money and a small timber hall was erected. A trust, comprising Messrs Luxford, Maroney and Bunn, was set up, decreeing that the area should be used as a public hall.

In 1919 after Luxfords' death the two remaining trustees transferred the old hall and grounds to five trustees, Messrs Isaac, Beatty, Smith, Simpson and Luxford. Registered under the provisions of the Religious, Successory and Charitable Trusts Act, the salient points stressed and guaranteed by this action were that “the hall shall be used for public, educational, charitable and recreation purposes, subject to the provisions and management of the trust, thereby keeping it in the hands of the Noble Park Community for future generations.

In 1924, the trustees borrowed $4400 from the local council, the Shire of Dandenong, to erect a new brick hall. The title of the land was handed over to the council as security for repayment of the loan. The present Noble Park Public Hall was erected in 1925 and is a testament to the craftsmanship of the local builders, Wanke and Brown. Regular repayments occurred until the Great Depression that led into World War 2 and when revenue almost dried up the council took over running the hall for the next three decades.

In 1957 a packed meeting of residents was held in the hall and the legal position was clearly explained so that there was no doubt where the title belonged, and who should control the future of the hall. The debt was cleared with the Shire Council in October 1957 and five new trustees were elected, Mr Tom Copas, Mr G Luxford, Mr T Kirkpatrick, Cr. E Jenkins and Mr A.J. Paddy O’Donoghue.

During its time under Council control, the hall had become somewhat dilapidated, becoming in desperate need of proper care and renovations. To this end, the trustees set themselves the arduous task of taking care of the halls' as it had been the home of most local organisations at one time or another, with some local groups even having their beginnings stem from meetings that had been held in the hall.

In the late seventies, after many fundraising stalls by the Ladies' Auxilliary, trustees Messrs. John Bush, Paddy O'Donoghue, Bob Bell, Ray Fullerton and Mrs Pat Kampl, called a public meeting of residents interested in developing the complex. The meeting was held on June 24th, 1979, where it was resolved unanimously to establish a hall co-operative. Interested residents were asked to take out shares. It was soon realised that the $30,000 co-operative loan wouldn't be sufficient to fund the building program so the trustees themselves signed a personal guarantee to cover the extra $10,000.

Considerable delays in obtaining building permits caused the project to be held up for approximately eight months, finally in March, 1980, earthworks began. Under the watchful eye of Trustee, John Bush, the foundations were laid in May of that year and work progressed rapidly. Due to Paddy O'Donoghue's sudden death, in his memory upon completion, the trustees decided to name the new hall the "A.J. "Paddy" O'Donoghue Hall, as a tribute to his 47 years tireless devotion to the Noble Park Public Hall.

The Hall suffered a blow several years later when a fire broke out in the upstairs area causing several thousand dollars in damages. This combined with another decade or so of required maintenance eventually saw the lease of the hall and complex pass back to the Council in order to get the much needed work and renovations done.

With everyone moved out of the complex by the end of 2004, demolition of the A J O’Donoghue hall occurred over the holiday period and the building then became a construction site for the next 16 months. The official opening of the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre on May 13th 2006 and was a memorable occasion that was well attended, ensuring that the Public Hall and Complex would continue to be a mainstay of Noble Park for generations to come.

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

Second Showgrounds, Cleeland Street, Dandenong, 1940s

Second Showgrounds, Cleeland Street, Dandenong, 1950s/1960s, 

With the market at the bottom and Clow street running up the right side.

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

Dandenong Baths/Pool and Drill Hall, Princes Hwy, Dandenong, undated.

By December 1910, Mrs. Orgill, a public spirited lady interested in the project, had already collected £100 towards the £310 it was estimated it would cost to build the baths.

This stood about where the new playground on Princes Hwy (DandenongPark) stands.

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

Dandenong Coffee Palace, 18 George Street, Dandenong.,undated.

Situated opposite Dandenong Railway Station on George Street. Exact year taken not known, Picture of Proprietress Mrs Bowman and an unknown girl/


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

Dandenong Hospital, Cleeland Street, Dandenong, around 1942.

Not long after it was completed. (This is the best image presently available to us) In 1939 the decision was made to purchase land on Cleeland street for the purpose of constructing the Dandenong and District Hospital, before this a number of Private hospitals operated in Dandenong including the Murray House Private Hospital located on the corner of Scott and Thomas streets. On the corner of Wilson and Langhorne streets, near St James Anglican Church, Merlin private hospital operated.

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

Renfree Family Homestead, 21 Robinson Street, Dandenong, Picture dated 1967.

William Pryn Renfree was said to be the very first white child born in Dandenong, however this has been debated at times as it's most likely that there were others born in Dandenong but perhaps not actually documented due to varying factors of the times.

The Renfree Family Homestead had a 'return verandah', a typical style at the time that went across the front of the house and continued down one or both sides of the house and a decorative entrance.

For several years William successfully owned and conducted the store that would later be owned and operated by Mr J. Crump. He was a member of the Dandenong Shire Council for many years and at one time was even Shire President, he was also a very prominent and valuable member of the Dandenong Methodist Church and was even the Sunday School Superintendent for 27 years.

Renfree was an enthusiastic lawn bowler and was a leading member of the Dandenong and Caulfied clubs, even distinguishing himself in the Sydney Lawn Bowls circles. In late 1910 Mr & Mrs W.P. Renfree prepared to leave Dandenong to live elsewhere. William died in 1927 at the age of 75 years and was survived by his widow Adelaide Anne Renfree (nee Cadle), son William Lindsey Renfree and daughter Adelaide Frances Moore (nee Renfree)

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

Lomsdale Street, Dandenong, 1960s.

The 1960s were were looking like prosperous times when this article was published in the Dandenong Journal on the 19th of January 1949.

--
BIG ENGINEERING FIRM BUYS 30 ACRE FACTORY SITE AT DANDENONG

Ideal Locate At Junction Of Two Highways PROJECT WILL EMPLOY 300-400 MEN IN TWO YEARS WORK FOR 1,000—1,200 MEN BY 1960

A BIG ENGINEERING concern is negotiating for a 30-acre factory site at the junction of the Princes Highway and the South Gippsland Highway on the outskirts of Dandenong. The land is bordered on one side by the Princes Highway and on the other by the Gippsland railway line, and extends back to the Eumemmering Creek. Proximity to the main highways, the railway and the town make the site an ideal one for the purpose. By 1960 the factory will have a pay-roll of between 1,000 and 1,200 and it should be a great asset to the town. •Strangely enough, although situated almost in Dandenong, the site is in the Berwick and Cranbourne Shires.

The proposal has been “in the air” -for quite a time, having been mentioned at a meeting of the Dandenong* Chamber of Commerce some months ago, but first concrete information was contained in the following letter from Phillip R. Claridge, Hassell and Mc-Connell, architects, of Adelaide, which came before the Berwick Council on Monday: “This letter is confirmation of our concerning the establishing of a factory in Section 25, Crown Allotment 15,.. discussions of the 10th January last Cranibourne Riding, in the Shire of Cranbourne, and C.A. 16 and 18 Berwick Riding in the Shire of Berwick. The undertaking will be of an engineering nature and will ultimately employ, in 1960, between 1,000 and 1,200 workers. However, an inital staff of approximately one-third of' the ultimate, is anticipated in two years The proposed buildings will be constructed in accordance with the local rand Uniform Building Regulations. The industry is not of a noxious nature.

Our clients are anxious to finalise purchase of the land and would appreciate written assurance .by January 20th, that your shire approves of the land being used for industrial purposes.” *“It “It should be a jolly good thing,” remarked Engineer Ron Chambers. “We will get the rates and Dandenong gets the services.” Crs. G. Rae and Greaves moved that the necessary approval be given subject to the -industry not being of a" noxious nature. ANOTHER FACTORY OPPOSITE? Cr. G. Rae said that he had heard that another concern had bought land on the opposite side of the Highway for a factory. The engineer pointed out that with the establishment of these new industries in their territory they should have a good case to put up to the Housing Commission for the erection of houses along the high land bordering the highway on the road to Hallam.

Dandenong Journal, on 19th of January 1949 , found on Trove.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/

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

Private Hospital, Mason Street, Dandenong, September 1969.

Before the opening of the Public Hospital in the early 1940s, Dandenong relied on the services offered by their local G.P. or one of the handful of privately-owned and operated hospitals such as this one on Mason Street, Dandenong. Medicine varied with each Doctor or Hospital in this period, often being made for the patient specifically.

This particular private hospital was constructed on part of the property formally known as Trimby Homestead and Gardens. Trimby Homestead had been an 18sqm brick home with gardens that was a family home prior to 1967 and had been demolished sometime in 1968-1969.

The freehold of the property had been purchased by a Dromana businessman and initial construction of the 34 bed Private Hospital had begun in September 1968. The hospital was built with the intention of catering for all age groups including convalescents.

Upon opening it was known as Dandenong Private Hospital. It was leased by a Mr & Mrs A. Haworth, with Mrs Haworth holding the position of Matron. The building was there for over 30 years surviving through until 2001 when the 'Revitalizing Central Dandenong' initiative took effect resulting in the removal of multiple buildings in the surrounding area including the former Private Hospital.


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

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, undated.

Before the Railway connected us to Melbourne, the centre of Dandenong was Lonsdale Street. But before the Main route to Gippsland was selected, early planners had other ideas on where it should be placed.

With early plans suggesting for the Highway to go up McCrae Street, leading towards the Highway in a more direct route. Influential land holders lobbied for it to travel along Lonsdale Street, leading to the present route.

When the Highway was duplicated, land taken from the Dandenong Park side of the Highway, as it continues from Foster Street, past the creek towards Webster Street, was used for the extra lanes.

At this time when duplicating the Dandenong Creek Bridge, the park facing wall of the Peace Memorial Bridge (still standing as in-bound carriageway. Railway side of bridge) was removed, as the extra bridge/carriageway was added on the Park side creating the present bridge.

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