The Mt Waverley Community Centre Sundial Saga MarJo Angelico he Mt Waverley Library, MW Youth Centre ered and stored in the MW local history room only T and MW Community Centre are all located to be lost again. on what was the Closter family site. Long time Waverley residents will remember the old house 228 of Albert and Maria Closter (Kloester) at the cor- ner of Miller Cres and Stephensons Rd. Journal of the Waverley Historical Society July 2019 ISSN 2206-6136 Established 1970 Incorporated in Victoria Reg. No. A 0006377 A Entrance to the Community Centre showing the pedestal awaiting the mounting of the sundial. PATRON WHS File Image WHS File Finally in early 2019, the Monash Council ac- PRESIDENT ceded to the WHS requests and a new sundial MarJo Angelico was installed on the pedestal. The new sundial SECRETARY Norma Schultz 9802 9332 Closter House looking SW just prior to demolition was a simpler design but less likely to attract Van- dals or metal thieves. EDITOR In the early 1970s the future of the house was Philip Johnstone subject to much debate in Waverley Council and WEB the community. The WHS supported its retention www.vicnet.net.au/~whsvic as a heritage building and possible home of the [email protected] WHS File image Oct 2010 Society. Our own Morna Sturrock (dec.) was a https://www.facebook.com/ whsvic?fref=ts. member of the Save Closter House Committee. POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 2322, Mount Waverley Vic. 3149 THE BUILDING SUBSCRIPTION $25 per household n an area that has been named variously Oakleigh, East Oakleigh, We acknowledge support of I Oakleigh East, Amstel, Mt Waverley, and Notting Hill, this house is a the City of Monash. stayer amongst its neighbours as well as in the midst of the locality name changes. On slightly larger blocks than in Oakleigh township, yet With thanks to the Office close enough for walking or cycling to the shops to be still viable, this WHS File Image WHS File of Matt Fregon MP for the area Image WHS File attracted a variety of families who worked or went to school in printing of our newsletters. WHS File Image WHS File Oakleigh or somewhere along the railway towards the city. This one 40 Montclair Avenue GW clearly still holds its original charm, unlike its neighbours which have all 9561 0511 Original Sundial in position been redeveloped. Some of the Save Closter House Committee in 1977. Contents Morna Sturrock in tartan skirt standing in the doorway. The Building ………..………….. 1 Alas, the building was demolished in 1978 and Famous People of Waverley … 3 the site became a carpark while the land to the Unless otherwise stated, Coming Events west became the site of the Community centre. Events ………………………. 3 General Meetings are held Sun 25 Aug 2pm WHS 49th Birthday In recognition of Closter family house some of the John Monash - More than a at 2pm on the fourth Military Commander ……….. 5 and AGM. Guest Speaker Joy Olney bricks were used in the entrance pathway while a Wednesday or Sunday in Early Memories of Glen Waverley pedestal was erected to accommodate a sun dial. A Virtual Tour of Route 23 ... 6 our rooms above Mt Waver- According to the plaque on the pedestal, the Image WHS File The MW Community Centre ley Library (Lift Available) 41 Sun 27 Oct 1pm Black Flat Historic monument was intended ..to provide a tangible Sundial Saga …………….. 8 Miller Cres., Mt Waverley. Walk. link with the history of the area and is dedicated For excursions and outings Wed 27 Nov 2pm Carina Leitch: WW1 please carefully note time to the memory of the early settlers of the district. New sundial of 2019 Centenary. and location details. Unfortunately the sundial was stolen and recov- Annual subscriptions 2019/20 are Wed 4 Dec Last day that the WHS due on 1 July. $25 per household Rooms are Open more details P.3 8 HISTORY HERE 228 WINTER 2019 1 2018/19 in review Waverley Historical Society Taking us further north, towards Mt Waverley Heading north again, we could see where the shops, we saw the beginnings of the ahead-of- dangerous bend in Stephensons Road, called Annual General Meeting its-time Glen Alvie Estate. Sherwood Road was Devil’s Elbow, renowned for many vehicle acci- s the end of the financial year has again an excellent example of the kind of thinking at dents, and thankfully now replaced by the A passed by, WHS is approaching the end of 2pm the time; parklands adjoining housing, no front or straight road as we know it. The deeply gullied its 2018-19 activities and getting ready to em- side fences, in order to achieve the country es- land to the east was given to the Education De- bark on its Jubilee year. Yes, Waverley Histori- Sunday 25 August 2019 tate effect. Street trees were planted even be- partment, and the Mt Waverley High School was cal Society turns 50 in 2020, and we are already fore the houses were started. An aerial shot built in 1963. This became the MW Secondary planning some celebrations. showed us the extent of the Glen Alvie Estate. College. Roads back then were far steeper and Purpose A classic photo of early days in Virginia Street barrel-draining has solved the creek problem. However, first comes this year’s birthday and To Accept the Financial Accounts Thank heavens for Damper Creek! The steep AGM. We have an entertaining speaker lined made us all realize that this was largely unten- & climb north took us to the old Mt Waverley North up, and formalities will proceed promptly. In anted land, rolling downs and copses of tea-tree. To Elect Office Bearers Soon, shops and service stations and supermar- Primary, now the junior campus of Mt Waverley preparation for our August AGM, we invite all Secondary College. members to re-join the Society and enjoy its ac- kets would emerge. The original Vereena Auto tivities and research facilities free of charge. We Port was to be replaced by the Waverley Ma- On the Highbury Road corner stood Maryann also urge you to make good use of the nomina- WHS Education Sessions sonic Centre. The Progress Hall that was in Vir- Dempsey’s Hotel; the start of Middleborough tion form enclosed. You could nominate your- Over the last few months MarJo Angelico has ginia St, has since been re-located behind the Road. (This is outside of our Mulgrave Shire but self, a fellow member (with their approval of given presentations on the history of the Waver- Youth Club near the MW library. ‘Sterling Paints’ surely it slaked the thirst of Waverley residents). course) or an existing committee member. Mail ley district to: stood on the southern corner of the strip of An old sepia shot showed the large staff stand- the forms to our PO box or visit us any Wednes- shops in Stephensons Road; we even saw a Monash Rotary Club, ing out the front of the once multi-purpose hotel. day afternoon. photo of a customer having paint mixed, to her Glen Waverley Combined Probus, request, when paint mixing arrived in the 1960’s. Best wishes to all members from your current Mount Waverley Rotary Club A Maples store was near the southern end of WHS Committee With more sessions set for coming months. these shops too. MarJo Angelico Plus our WHS June meeting (see P. 6). Then, over the road, to the very old Tait’s Store, President From feedback received, these sessions are run by early businesswoman, Jessie Tait, and greatly appreciated by the audience many of her daughters. We saw a photo of Waimarie whom have grown up and raised a family in the House, taken in 1907, when it stood at the west district. Sometimes we receive some useful end of Waimarie Drive, set in ten acres of farm- ing and orchard land. The shop was 100 m from gems of information on events and dates. WHS File image the house. The stables with feed loft still stand WHS in the Digital Age although the house has long gone. As printing and postage costs continue to rise, Can you help? There was a Service Station across the road WHS has decided to go digital. We will be from Amber Grove, and later, Tom the Cheap Our request made in HH227 for more informa- Dempsey’s Hotel Emailing newsletters to those members whose tion on Lady Baden Powell’s visit to Australia Grocer stood close to this site. Just north of Email addresses we have on file. has since revealed that she had made two visits what was to become the railway, was the old So, along the rolling hills, so-named in memory to the Waverley - Tally Ho area. A report of Closter family homestead; sadly, this was demol- of Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley novels, MarJo’s In future, members will have a choice - either con- these will be provided in the next issue of His- ished many years ago. Aerial shots again, this excellent and informative talk came to an end. tinue receiving the newsletter as a paper copy via tory Here. time showing the parking configurations of the AustPost, or change to Email. If your choice is pa- Hamilton Place shops, and the roads running off per, please let the WHS know. Remember, you Did You Know? at angles, such as The Highway and Wadham What happened 100 years ago? can print out the Email copy if you wish. Any- That a copy of the WHS Quarterly Newsletter Parade, providing easier access to the future rail one who wishes to opt in and save the trees, History Here is provided to and stored for pos- station.