The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest.Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. Tom Sheehy, past President of CMHS, was an Historian and Author of ‘Battlers Tamed the Sandbelt’. A4 paper printed both sides x1. Issue 6 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in April 2008. Notice of Dr G Whitehead talk , titled ‘Murder” on April 27th and Subscription fees due. Another excerpt from the CMHS August 1963,, by Tom Sheehy, President, ‘This is the News of the early twentieth century…’.The ‘Moorabbin News “ began in April 1900. Tommy Bent was elected to State Parliament, horse races at Epsom Course Cheltenham, and the development of Cheltenham as many businesses set up ‘opposite the Station’. ‘The Mechanics Institute and Temperance Hall and the Exchange Hotel faced one another in defiance’ CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / APRIL 2008 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, chelsea, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, sheehy tom, whitehead dr graham, box cottage museum, highett, bent thomas, moorabbin news cheltenham, epsom race course cheltenham, victoria, fletcher n, fiander mrs., puttick george, moorabbin co-operative society ltd., hay h., freeman j.w., montanjees m., royal oak hotel, rose m.a., matthews j.t., hewett h., cope and dow builders, market gardeners and fruit-growers association, proudman e.w., benjamin m.e., edwards t.a., solicitors, pharmacy, butchers, bootmakers, bakers, hairdressers, barbers, house painters, grocers, publicans, drapers, craftsmen, members of parliament, valuers, moule w.h., argus newspaper, coachbuilders, cheltenham railway station victoria, thompson w., post office

The Market Gardeners' Picnic was an annual event, beginning in 1884 in association with the Market Gardeners and Fruit Growers’ Association. This image shows the committee who organised the picnic in 1930. Back Row: (left to right) N Woff, Unknown, W Sullivan, V Barnett, Unknown, C Baker, Unknown, C James. Middle Row: G Stayner, H Besant, E Le Page, B Kelly, Unknown, Unknown, A Bunny, Unknown. Front Row: T MarriottBlack and white image of three rows of men wearing suits. The front row is seated, the remaining two rows are standing, although it appears the back row is standing on a step.

The first picnic was held in association with the Market Gardeners and Fruit Growers’ Association on April 3, 1884 at Lilydale. Groups of market gardeners travelled by train with their families from Cheltenham, and stations further north, to Lilydale at a cost of three shillings and six pence for adults and two shillings for children under 15 years. On arrival a band played music to accompany dancing ‘on the green’, and foot races were held as well as other sporting events. This pattern of activities was followed for more than fifty years although the location of the picnic changed and the mode of transportation varied.Black and white image of men and women sitting and standing together around a picnic laid out on the ground in front of them. Handwritten in pencil: A25 - CHAP 3 Handwritten in red ink on a white square sticker: A25 / 71%market garden, picnic, celebration, seaside, community