Local History Month - Whittlesea

Picnic. Fay Thomas Collection c. 1910

October is local history month. While we cannot provide our usual annual program of speakers, walks and tours, you are invited to test your knowledge of your local area in this series of blog posts for Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea residents and invite you to visit some lesser known websites and resources for your local history research.

Lost Trades Festival

Our Seniors Fesitval Program's theme this year is lost trades so be sure to check out what is happening including an online conversation with 6th Generation Cooper George Smithwick who will discuss his career in this lost and forgotten art Thursday, 22 October. 3.00pm-4.00pm. Join via Microsoft teams

Do you know? (answers at bottom of post)

1. There was a railway line that went all the way to Whittlesea township. True or False?
2. What area was known as the “Breadbasket of Melbourne”?
3. When was Lalor established and what was particularly special about it?
4. What was Humevale formerly known as?
5. Name the historic bakery in Mernda? Who is it named for?

Websites

Check out this list of places on the Victorian Heritage Register in the City of Whittlesea Find out more about these sites on the Victorian Heritage Database 

Explore the Fay Thomas Collection which has had some additions over the last couple of months. The collection includes some delightful historical photos of the family and life and work in the Mernda and Whittlesea areas. Many photos have little information so we welcome comments.  

Answers

1. Yes.  See Whittlesea Railway
2. The Whittlesea district became known as the ‘Breadbasket of Melbourne’ due to the hundreds of new settlers following the gold rush period and demand for farming products. 
3. Returned servicemen from WW2 helped each other build their homes through the Peter Lalor Housing Co-operative which opened in 1948
4. Scrubby Creek. View this this album of photographs
5. Turners Bakehouse Eatery, Schotters Road, Mernda was built in the late 1890s by Stephenson Turner. Check out their “historic Mondays” feature on their Facebook page. 

Jigsaw Planet

Have you discovered YPRL's very own online jigsaws showcasing photos from our collection.  This can get addictive!

Want more?
Try this Quiz 

Visit Local History Month Banyule and Local History Month Nillumbik

#AskaLibrarian. Send us your questions