John Sands MarJo Angelico id you know that John Sands Pty Ltd has After his death the papers said, “In early life Mr. D moved its Australasian Headquarters Sands achieved considerable distinction as an from Clayton Rd to Wellington Rd? engraver, and some of his work is to be found in John Sands himself came from a family of en- the most celebrated illustrated books of the time. 211 gravers and printers of distinction, and, after His death will cause sorrow beyond the circle of completing his own apprenticeship in 1837, his own family, for he was a man of unostenta- Journal of the Waverley Historical Society May 2015 decided to come to at age 19. He tious and large-hearted benevolence”. brought with him a huge amount stationery to You may have noticed that the buildings in Clay- sell, and set himself up in Sydney. After a few ton are now taken over by Aussie Farmers Direct, years he took over the large warehouse and but the John Sands company is still in the Waver- shop of Mary Reibey, that famous emancipist ley area. They have premises in Wellington Rd, Established 1970 merchant. It was right next to the GPO, and Mulgrave. John Sands – another company we the firm had that location right through until like to call our own. Incorporated in 1970. Reg. No. A 0006377 A PATRON Dr Morna Sturrock AM PRESIDENT MarJo Angelico 9544 8792 SECRETARY Norma Schultz 9802 9332

EDITOR 2015Stephen Angelico Mar EdCom

Philip Johnstone Jan 2015 WEB www.vicnet.net.au/~whsvic [email protected] John Sands - Wellington Rd / Enterprise Court, Mulgrave POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 2322, References: Mount Waverley Vic. 3149 MAYFIELD LODGE Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6, (MUP), SUBSCRIPTION This unusual timber two-storey house called Mayfield Lodge was once Soon, though, John Sands was creating part- 1976 $20 per household nerships to increase his business. First, with the home of Capt & Mrs C.A.S. Mansbridge, who served in the Austra- "Advertising." Australasian Chronicle (Sydney, NSW : lian Army in WWII. It originally faced Springvale Rd (this was the his brother-in-law Thomas Kenny in Mel- 1839 - 1843) 19 Mar 1842: 1. Web. 9 Jan 2015 We acknowledge support of rear). In the 1920s/30s, the Mansbridge family had a polo pony stud in bourne, he took over a printshop and started http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31735364 the City of Monash. printing and publishing books, as well as cre- Stud Rd, and were accomplished polo players. They also travelled THE LATE MR. JOHN SANDS. (1873, September 6). The With thanks to the Office ating stationery and account books. When Australia with a caravan, and wrote about their experiences. The cap- Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Re- of Anna Burke MHR for the Dugald McDougall joined them, they became trieved January 9, 2015, from tain disliked the White Australia policy, and was interested in the abo- printing of our newsletters. one of the largest such companies in Austra- http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28409472 riginals and Torres Strait islanders. When he retired here in Glen lia, and won prizes for their work. They be- Waverley, he continued working voluntarily in the fire brigade and as a came famous for their directories and alma- Contents Justice of the Peace. nacs, and for publishing prints by F.C. Terry Can you add to our knowledge of this house? Please share your and S.T. Gill. They also printed the first Mayfield Lodge …………...….. 1 memories with us.. Christmas cards in Australia. Coming Events …….………… 1 War Hero’s Waverley Childhood Unfortunately John Sands did not live to see Coming Events ……………………………...…. 2 Please note that General howthat the oldgreeting printing card press, business maintained expanded on the Victorian Flour Milling WHS Events Report ……….... 3 Meetings are now held acrossClayton Australia Rd site, andwas Newfeatured Zealand in the fromlast issueits Mt Waverley Police Station…. 4,5 every two months and are 2015 HQof here History in Clayton Here.) Rd. (Readers may recall Philip Johnstone Jan 2015 Police Training Academy .. 5 afternoon meetings starting ANZAC Ceremony 2015… 6 at 2.00 pm. Special activi- Wed June 24 Speaker Duncan Burrows: Early ties will be held in most He could probably not even The previous site of John Sands on Clayton Road is now occupied Did You Know ?………….. 6 by Aussie Farmers Direct distribution company. alternate months. We are have imagined the popularity of the com- WHS Member Stories 7 Sat May 2 PROV Open Day located above the Mt pany's range of board games. John Sands ……………….….. 8 MORE DETAILS ON PAGE 6 Waverley Library 41 Miller Crescent, Mt Waverley.

8 HISTORY HERE 211 1

War Hero’s Waverley Childhood Jane Adams WHS Member Stories Court was grazing land when the surrounding houses were built mainly in the 1970s. These Last year we had a meeting where YOU neighbours used arry Marwick was 28 years old when he a soldier in Ambon only described his location as were the speakers. We asked members to to walk their chil- H enlisted as a soldier in WW II. He was “abroad”. The letter clearly shows the uncomfort- write some memories of old Waverley. Here dren to the end stationed at the island of Ambon, Indonesia able nature of war. He wrote “Please send me a are some of the contributions. of Tanner Street in 1941. There Harry helped other troops tin of powder I have got prickly heat”. Stan O. to watch the ani- defend the island’s airport against Japanese On the corner of Waverley Road and Hunt- His sister remembers quite clearly her parents mals. The soil invasion. He was a private, service no. ingdale Road there was a milk bar, while fur- receiving the telegram from the Army. “It told us was heavy yel- VX24723. ther north were two butchers, two greengro- Harry was presumed killed by Japanese Soldiers low clay and In his child- cers and Dight’s Supermarket. Now most of – a sad day indeed”. It was only in the late 1980s hard to garden. hood, Harry those businesses are gone. On the SW cor- that her family learnt the details of his death. We were told the lived in Waver- ner was the Waverley High School, which Along with others in his army company, Harry had top soil had ley Road, Glen has gone. On the SE corner was Poulters been beheaded and thrown into one of three storey development) been removed Waverley and Rose nursery (Now the site of a large multi 1984 Family Nicholas mass graves. In 1991, Harry’s two sisters Jean and sold. attended Glen Hansen and Winsome Horner went on a Pilgrim- Waverley Pri- age Tour to Ambon. They aimed to visit The Aus- Following the mary School. tralian War Memorial Cemetery in Ambon. They flush of house Later he found a beautiful cemetery, maintained by the building in the worked in sur- late 1980s ba- Ferres Crt looking Sth with the Police Australian Government, surrounded by glorious Academy on the hill in the background. rounding areas. huge trees and immaculate gardens and lawns. bies started ar- His sister, Win- “The tears just ran down my face”, Winsome said, riving in the some, recalls “We meditated by the graves and gave thanks for court. Our first child was one of at least four his first 18 the lives given by members of the armed forces. born in 1988. Trees grew, birds arrived, and the years from “How proud we his family are” of Harry and “of court soon blended with the surrounding green WHS File Image - Original Source Unknown WHS Original Source - Unknown File Image 1912-1930. the other Australian 2nd/21st Battalion soldiers, and leafy neighbourhood. “We had 40 who gave their lives, so that we might be free, Miriam P. acres of bush” “Harry at 15 months” and live in peace”. and Harry WHS Image File Miriam and her husband bought land at No. 49 Information walked to school 1½ miles each way. He Arthur St in 1947. Later the street name was sourced from changed to Virginia St. They started building often helped his father chop wood and shoot Milk Bar on NE Cnr Waverley & Huntingdale Rds circa 2000 WHS files: rabbits. “Rabbits were always on the meal their home in about 1950, with Miriam acting as Unpublished Gayle N. table and sold in butchers”. At times bush- builder's labourer. (Unfortunately the house is all undated text fires came through our property. Harry left “There's land for sale in Glen Waverley.” gone now. It was demolished to increase the car Harry’s Life of school at 14 years of age and worked long park.) by “Well,” my husband said, “we'd better go and hours in George Ryan’s Market Garden 30 Years While the family was away on long service leave, Winsome have a look.” (Wheelers Hill). He once was “awarded £5 p the council was bulldozing the house next door Horner and We did and in December 1984 we signed for for picking the most sprouts”. Unfortunately, including a garage that had been on the bound- articlebon: Island Am- of a house land package with Orlit Homes and the bicycle he spent it on was stolen. When ary. The replacement was supposed to be 6 ft many memo- started planning our new life in Glen Waver- he moved on to work at Baker’s Quarries in high, but it looked like a 5 ft one was being put ries ley. It was easy to settle in this area to live. Springvale Road he had to “walk again to up instead. A neighbour stepped in on behalf of by Kate We had already been to the beautiful Jells work – 2½ miles each way”. Next he worked our member and ensured that the correct height Watson of Park, had friends who lived in the area and at the Ferntree Gully Quarries, followed by a was put up. Neighbours not only knew about which the loved the green and leafy surrounds. job cutting sugar cane in Queensland. each other, but also defended each others inter- newspaper My father was a little surprised. A commer-

WHS - Original File Image Source Unknown ests in those days! A letter sent by Harry dated 21/12/1941 while and date is cial traveller in drapery he had been asked to unknown. visit Glen Waverley to see if there was po- More Author of original tential business. Recently as he stood by Welcome to New Members photo captions is stories unknown the Glen Waverley Railway station, he was in future Jane Adams Roland Johnson incredulous that this was where he had come Lynn Mather Valda Mackinnon “Harry taken on our property issues. Glen Waverley 1941” all those years before. At that time there had been businesses “dotted here and there”. WHERE IS THE WHS? In August 1985 we moved into our brick ve- Our rooms, which are located above the Mt Waverley library in Miller Crescent, are open each Wed neer home at Lot 31 Ferres Court. The (except over the Christmas break), from 1pm to 5pm, or by appointment, for individual research and street was partly built already and it wasn't working discussion groups. When the library entrance door is locked at meetings, use the doorbell at long before most blocks were built on and the far left to gain entry. Members are asked to bring a plate of afternoon tea to general meetings the prices for land started rising steeply. Virginia St looking NE, with Stephensons Rd shops in which for 2014/15 are every second month. background and reservoir on the hill at top left. Neighbours in Tanner Street told us Ferres

2 HISTORY HERE 211 AUTUMN 2015 7

ANZAC Ceremony 2015 Did You Know ? WHS Events Report Margaret Boyes On a cold and wet Sunday 19 April an ANZAC Street Names are often proposed by the land- Historical Walk February General Meeting memorial service was held at the Glen Waver- owners or developers and usually have some Valley Reserve & Lawrence Rd Roland Johnson: Norwood ley Cenotaph (located near the GW Library). logical basis - whether connected with the family Ourthe firstface general of ’. meeting for 2015 on 25 Febru- names of the original owners, geographical fea- On 25 March an enthusiastic group of about 20 met in the Valley Reserve – a very special ary featured local historian, Roland Johnson, tures, notable figures in the community or in speaking about his book Norwood – It changed Government, or an interpretation of local Aborigi- part of the City of Monash because it is one of a few remaining patches of natural indigenous The mansion Norwood nal meanings. The City of Monash has all exam- was built on the Esplanade at Brighton Beach in ples. vegetation. Our President, and Research Offi- cer, MarJo Angelico, pointed out the ‘bush 1890 – in the period of ‘Marvellous Melbourne’. Ideally, the choice of name should be approved tucker’ trees that can be found on the reserve, Roland is the last remaining person to have lived by an authority to ensure that it is appropriate such as the dandelion-like yam daisy, kanga- in Norwood. As a young man he lived there and is not likely to be confused with a nearby roo apple trees and the native cherry. The from 1947 to 1955. street in the city or an adjacent city. Thus name Scar Tree, at the entrance to the reserve, is On investigating the history of the house, he changes can occur between the developer’s es- probably the only aboriginal relic we have in found many surprises about its colourful past. tate plan and now. the City of Monash and the Council is now in His talk was, in part, a story of the house, its his- Here are some name changes noted from the the process of preserving it. tory and its people, but it was more than that. WHS files of subdivision plans. MarJo led the group across Waimarie Drive to The book is a Now Was enter one of Monash’s prestigious private history of the Gayle Nicholas 19.4.2015 19.4.2015 Nicholas Gayle Riversdale Crt Francis Crt schools, Huntingtower. In the grounds is the settlement of Located adjacent to Riversdale Golf Course. The childhood home of Vasey Houghton, MLC, a Victoria and name was changed to avoid confusion with Francis St two-storey Georgian brick house. As the ad- the rich back- in Syndal. dress of this site was originally via Tally-Ho, ground to the Shepherd Rd Stewarts Rd the original owners named the house Yoicks! early formation Possibly connected with G H Shepherd. This was Walking along Lawrence Road the walkers of Melbourne. once known as Stewarts Lane after the family who came to the Dillon house. Joseph Dillon Roland do- were orchardists on the north side of the lane. bought this 10 acres for £125 and built his nated a copy Lum Rd Mackintosh Rd home in 1912. The house was being prepared of the book to Named after Mary Lum (Lums Rd shown in the Sands for sale so the group was able to enter the the Waverley Glen Waverley Cenotaph after the wreath laying . & McDougall Directory 1904) it was also shown else- property and have a look around. The house Historical Soci- where as Mackintosh(s) Lane and entrance to the was subsequently sold at auction for $1.6 M. ety and mem- property. bers are wel- Other interesting houses in Lawrence Road As in previous years the WHS participated in come to bor- Snedden St Princes St are the ‘Seller’ house, built about 1900, the laying of a wreath in memory of those sol- row it. Originally shown as Princes St (as an extension of Hazelwood’, the home to just two families in diers from the Mulgrave-Waverley district who Kingsway) in the Sunny Heights Estate development over 100 years, and Taroona. One of our died in WW I. plan of 1930 and later changed to Snedden with the creation of the Glen Shopping Centre, in recognition newer members, Eleanor U’Ren, had lived in Some 10 WHS members attended and Norma the Mt Waverley street was created first of local MHR, the late Sir . this substantial early farm-house for a number Schultz, a war widow and the WHS Secretary, of years. The walkers were pleased to see the White St Cleveland St placed a wreath on behalf of the Society. old black and white photos of Taroona that El- Originally shown as Cleveland St in the original subdi- vision plans for Mt Waverley but changed to avoid eanor brought to show us. Coming Events confusion with Cleveland Rd in Ashwood (although Finally, the wetlands were discussed. MarJo ). Barbara pointed out the admirable way creeks and wet- Wed 24 June, 2 - 4pm at the rooms. Speaker: Villiers, the Duchess of Cleveland, was a court favour- lands are now being treated to better conserve Duncan Burrows will outline the history of ite of Charles II, the Stuart King of England 1660- the land and maintain natural systems. An- flour mills in Victoria. This results from a 6 1685. Adjacent streets have similar links to Charles II other fascinating snippet of information: this years task to record the history of his great part of Scotchmans Creek was also where the grandfather’s flour mills in North East of the Can you help? Mulgrave Ladies’ Rifle Club met at the turn of state. Visitors are welcome. th the 20 century. Returning to the Valley Re- File Image WHS The Australian Koala Foundation Sat 2 May, The Public Record office is hold- serve, all the walkers agreed that MarJo’s ex- seeks our assistance with a research ing an open day Dig the Archives. There will tensive knowledge of our local history had pro- project about the koala fur trade in be a series of talks, tours and training ses- vided them with a most interesting and enjoy- Australia. Have you seen koalas as in sions. Contact the PROV to register. able afternoon. the wild? Where, and when? How many? Have In light of continuing increases in costs, you ever seen them hunted, or owned koala fur Check the WHS meeting programme for future particularly postage, your committee is The remains of Sid Brown’s Store that was originally located on products (coats, slippers, door mats)? Known of Historical Walks in the Waverley District. High Street Rd near the corner of what is now Fleet St. This build- considering the need to raise subscrip- dealers? Please contact the WHS if you know ing did duty as a storage shed in the grounds of Huntingtower tions. School following its removal from High Street Rd. any helpful details.

6 HISTORY HERE 211 AUTUMN 2015 3

Mount Waverley Police Station

t Waverley police station on the corner wasthe logicthat ispolice inescapable assistance - just could how bemany handled local resi-by M of Stephensons Rd and William St mobiledents patrols.would consider When makingyou think a visit about to ait police further, sta- was originally built in 1959 to a generic de- tion at say 2 or 3 am to request assistance? sign.sub officer’s From theoffice, Police general Life Newsletteroffice, muster of Julyroom 1959 and - messIt was room, officially there opened are two on cells 1 Julyand with double the description: garages. The The residencestation has has a a spacious lounge-dining room, three bed- Chris Norton Chris2014 Norton rooms and a modern kitchen with a slow 2014 Norton IChris combustion stove and hot water service.

Mt Waverley Police Station 2014 before the upgrade Mt Waverley Police Station 2014 before the upgrade The cost was £32,000. At this time there was an aim to standardise the building design and police stations were IChris Norton 2014 Norton IChris provided with inbuilt furniture, with wall desks and cupboards for stationery etc. to conserve space. It might seem strange that a slow combus- tion stove and hot water service were used Mt Waverley Police Station 2014 before the upgrade. in the Mt Waverley building as these would Philip Johnstone April 2015 2015 April Johnstone Philip require extra work by staff if the officer in 2015 Johnstone April Philip charge or the other staff were involved on more particular police duties. However, at that time reticulated gas was not available

Mt Waverley Police Station 2015 after the upgrade Mt Waverley Police Station 2015 after the upgrade

Police Training Academy Philip Johnstone April 2015 2015 April Johnstone Philip Stop Press: We have just received a question from a group which has always been helpful to us. It concernsing WW Ithe ? landCould on it whichhave beenthe Police Academy stands, which is the highest ground between the You Police Life 1960 Yangsremembers and the any Dandenongs. details of local It was war-time purchased efforts, by thewe Romanwould love Catholic to hear church them in in 1954 this incentennial order to moveyear of theirGallipoli. seminary from Werribee Park to a new purpose-built facility, which opened in 1960 as Corpus Image— Mt Waverley Police Station Apr 2015 after the upgrade. Christi. The question is this: before the academy was built, was there any army presence there dur- used as a gun placement for training Local Military Units? If anyone Mt. Waverley Police Station when opened in 1959. Fifty six The upgrade increased the office space by remov- years later in 2015 the view of the front of the building is al- most completely obscured by trees. ing the garages and extending the building further east along William St. The original entrance to the office area has now been replaced by a window, Corpus Christi - Police Academy (Review) in the area so the other option would have and a new entrance has been constructed in the been electricity. With the above request it is timely to review the new building extension. The new brickwork in the history of the site. Richard Jane operated an In July 2014 work was programmed to com- old office part has used similar old bricks. apple orchard on some 60 acres at the SW cor- mence on upgrading the facility although The new roof line is constructed with expanded ner of what is now Waverley and View Mount the actual start was some months later in steel mesh that has oxidized (rusted) and looks out Rds. His house was about 300 m south of the the year. The $1.5M project was completed of place. Also the new lettering “Mount Waverley corner. Building of the Corpus Christi Seminary and the station opened in March 2015 with Police Station” on the roof line is now not obvious began in 1954 and was in operation in 1960. only daytime staffing. The Leader local on the brown oxidised section. Fortunately the The chapel was opened in 1962.

newspaper reported that there was strong File Image WHS

new elevated Police sign marking the new en- File Image—WHS support for a 24 hour operation (as appar- The original grand plans with another wing out trance is quite visible from Stephensons Road. ently promised earlier by the State Govern- to the north were never completed due to cost Public parking in William St remains unchanged. ment Police Minister). Monash Council blowouts, the final cost being over £1 M. It was supported a ratepayer survey on 24 hr op- What might this site look like in another 50 years? sold to the Victorian Government in 1972 for $2.2 M and it became the Police Training Acad- eration. The explanation for the resulting The Police Training Academy site following the roofing of the emy. reservoir. The Jane house was on View Mount Rd (at the top opening hours being restricted to daytime right of photograph).

4 HISTORY HERE 211 AUTUMN 2015 5