Historical information
A page from the October 1975 Wonga Park News & Notes with the Fire Brigade Report
Inscriptions & markings
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
A page from the October 1975 Wonga Park News & Notes with the Fire Brigade Report
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
Over recent years Margaret Fankhauser has placed various items of interest to Wonga Park's recent history in a box
Gloria “Bub” Kear born 9/7/1920 died 7/7/2015 aged 94 was married c. 1947 to Ronald William Kear
A4 sized card folded in two
Frederick James Knee bon 22/5/1925 and died 19/2/2016 was married to Hilda Rene Knee and had an orchard in Dudley Road Wonga Park
A4 sized card folded in two
Joyce Hilda Hartley nee Sloan (and possibly formerly Manson) was born 23/4/1926 and died 23/4/2016 and was the wife of John Henry Hartley Junior. According to electoral rolls they resided at Dudley Road Wonga Park in 1977 and 1980
A4 sized card folded in two
Murray James Couper born 22/9/1933, died 1/12/2019 was married to Sue and they had an orchard with frontages to both Jamison Road and Freyne Street Wonga Park previously owned by Les Read
A4 sized card folded in two
Violet Margaret “Marg” Knee born 3/7/1953, died 16/1/2020, married John William Knee c. 1957 had 3 sons Warren, Russell and Rodney. Her parents were ward Henry (Ted) Burch and Violet Elizabeth Burch nee Yewdall who were married c. 1918
A4 sized card folded in two
Joan French nee Stephenson born at Clyde Victoria 31/10/1923, died Croydon 1/8/2022, married Geoffrey Howard French c, 1947, children Bronwyn, Geoff and Jan, Father – Francis Walter Stephenson, Mother – Emily Short Fulford
A4 sized card folded in two
Wayne Stuart Bradley born 30/11/1963 and died 9/1/2023 aged 59 years. According to Margaret Fankhauser, Wayne lived in Launders Ave on what was Upton family land in a battle axe block down behind the pine plantation. He became a paraplegic in the early 90’s He was fearless in that wheelchair, refusing an electric one he would wheel uphill all the way to the Wonga Park Village shops, but no one would want to get in his way on the way home. He would head down the hill at such a speed it was frightening. At a stage when he was living in his own one night his house started to burn but he managed to get himself out and fortunately not injured. Just after his death the North Ringwood football club posted an article in their facebook account. He was very well liked by locals who knew him always friendly and jovial.
Peter William Kear born17/10/1943, died 24/5/2021 married to Doreen Norma Semmler. According to the electoral roll Peter was a flower grower in Yarra Road Croydon in 1977. Children Wayne Peter (died in tragic car accident) Julie and Ashley
An architect's plan of the 1968 extensions to Beagley's Store in Wonga Park to allow for the Sale of Liquor1968 Plan of Beagley's Extension
Working drawings for the 1968 extension to Beagley’s store for the sale of liquor in Wonga Park
22/3/1968 Shire of Lillydale Building and Scaffolding Permit for extension to Beagley’s shop
1/3/1968 Specifications for addition to Beagley’s shop by F.J. O’Connor Brophy Architects, approved by the Shire of Lillydale 22/3/1968
Appeal re the rebuilding and enlarging the 1957 shop at the corner of Jumping Creek and Dudley Roads Wonga Park, shire of Lillydale in favour of granting approval but opposed by the Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority as being contrary to the Regional Strategy Plan and would create a traffic hazard. Appeal granted as question of use not a problem given 1957 permit and development is appropriate.
A newspaper cutting from the Lillydale & Yarra Valley Express, Tuesday, December 13, 1988, page 5 “Stop store extension: traders” – concern about extension to Beagley’s general store.
Leasing information for shops in the Wonga Park Village shopping centre
Newspaper cutting from The Age, Wednesday, 15 July 1987,page 27 – “Propety” “Family’s super plan provides service for Wonga Park”
Newspaper cutting c1987 “New centre suits local residents”
Manningham City Council, December 1997 Statistics Fact Sheet for Wonga Park
Wonga Park Goodfellows advertising sheet "Eftpos Coming Soon"
Draft Plan prepared for the Shire of Lillydale “To Assist in Achieving an Identifiable Town Centre for the Wonga Park Village”
Newspaper cutting from page 50 of Lillydale & Yarra Valley Express, Tuesday, October 11, 1988 “Notice of Approval of Amendment” L16
Goodfellows “Stop Press” 25/11/1991 page 1 “Birthday Bonanza in Wonga Park” celebrating the Wonga Park Village Shopping Centre’s 4th birthday.
3503 Goodfellows “Stop Press” 7/9/1992 page 8 “Wonga Park Goodfellows Says Thank You” publishing a letter thanking Composite Buyers Ltd for their support for the Wonga Park Scout Group’s hosting of 6 (Chernobyl) youths and a leader from the Minsk area in the USSR (now Belarus).
Goodfellows “Stop Press” 30/11/1992 page 3 “Wonga Park Goodfellows Celebrates 5th Birthday” celebrating the Wonga Park Village Shopping Centre’s 5th birthday.
Goodfellow’s “Stop Press” 30/11/1992 page 4 “Wonga Park Goodfellows Celebrates 5th Birthday” celebrating the Wonga Park Village Shopping Centre’s 5th birthday
Wonga Park Goodfellows advertising/information sheet re the “Bears Picnic” to be held on Saturday 30th July. Probably 1995 as it has a reference to the Wonga Park Primary School Centenary Committee.
A newspaper cutting Warrandyte Diary March 2019 page 7 “Wonga Park News” “New hope for shopping centre” and “Wonga Park women set to step out again” organiser Louise Callaghan
A newspaper cutting Manningham Leader Monday, February 22, 2016 “Wonga Park wasteland”
A newspaper cutting Manningham & Nillumbik Bulletin August 2023 page 4 “New hub for Wonga Park takes shape”
Unaddressed envelope being the first stamped at the Wonga Park Village Post Office. Postal licensee Margaret Fankhauser
Brochure for Sale by Auction on the 4th November 1940 by C.L.M. Cock of “Yarra Brae”, a 950 acre property of which 600 acres was cleared and under grass and 350 acres of timber. A 5 mile frontage to the Yarra River and an eight roomed house and farm buildings. The vendor Mr Cock is a descendant of Merric Hughes a 1983 settlor on the 8 Hours Pioneer Settlement in Wonga Park and thus a relative of the Kelly of Kellybrook family.
Letter dated 5/3/2020 from Manningham City Council advising of the proposed reconstruction of Jumping Creek Road between Ringwood-Warrandyte Road and Nelson Drive and attached information sheets including one on detour routes
A 2018 City of Manningham information sheet on “Have Your Say” on the Stage 3 Jumping Creek Road Upgrade intersections.
Sep 2020 Flyer from Manningham City Council advising that the proposed reconstruction of Jumping Creek Road between Ringwood-Warrandyte Road and Nelson Drive is nearing completion
Feb 2023 Manningham City Council information sheet of Frequently Asked Questions on the Jumping Creek Road upgrade
1981 Census data for Wonga Park Postcode 3115
9 Nov 1994 Information sheet by the City of Doncaster & Templestowe comparing Site Value and Net Annual Value ratings re the amalgamation of Wonga Park with that City to form the City of Manningham
Probably early 1950s newspaper cutting from The Leader newspaper “Primitive Conditions on Farms near City” Less than 10% of properties in Wonga Park has electric light or power, water service or sewerage
A newspaper cutting from Warrandyte Diary April 2019 Page 7 “Wonga Park News” “Slow progress on Jumping Creek Road Upgrade”
Letter dated 22/7/1985 to Shire of Lillydale from the Upton family requesting that the reserve on what was Upton land be named the A.J. Upton Reserve or alternatively Upton Reserve
Letter dated 18/10/1985 from the Shire of Lillydale to Margaret Fankhauser agreeing to name the reserve on Upton land the Arthur John Upton Reserve
Plans of the location of the dams on the Arthur John Upton Reserve in Wonga Park. Of the location of the Reserve and a street plan of the area
A brief history of the Upton property in Wonga Park and the Arthur John Upton Reserve that forms part of the subdivision of that property. Also includes a list of the early fruit grown on the property
2020 Information sheet from Manningham City Council “Planning our Wonga Park play spaces for the future"
2021 Manningham City Council information sheet “Gooligulch playspace Proposed Restoration” to take place between June and October 2021
Letter dated 9/6/2021 from Manningham City Council to The Resident advising that the Gooligulch playspace refurbishment works will soon commence
A flyer for The Official Opening of the “My Grandma lived in Gooligulch” Playspace to be held on Sunday 16 August 1998
A 2 page information sheet “Naming Rites” produced by the Warrandyte Historical Society on the naming of streets in Warrandyte.
Appleby Real Estate Property Sale Results 17/9/2009 to 17/9/2010
A newspaper cutting from “Sunday Age” April 16, 2017 “My Place” “Memories of dances, babies and secret places linger for Patricia Greenwood-Smith” of Wonga Park
Letter dated 19 December 2019 from Manningham City Council to Ms Fankhauser re the 2017 Oral History Project for which Margaret Fankhauser of Wonga Park was one of the interviewees. Then it had an expected completion date of March 2020. In fact it was not completed and uploaded to Manningham’s website until 2025
A newspaper cutting from Warrandyte Diary February 2021 “Golden Jubilee for Wonga Park Firefighter” – John Greenwood-Smith
A newspaper cutting from Warrandyte Diary September 2023 Page 6 “Wonga Park CFA Awards Dinner” Awards: Most Fire Call John Greenwood-Smith, Community Safety John Greenwood-Smith, Rookie of the Year Jake Lisle and firefighter of the Year Paul Fernando
A newspaper cutting from Warrandyte Diary September 2020 Page 9 “Saving Gooligulch” a playground in Wonga Park
Fruit Box Label A.J. & H.A. Upton
Fruit Box Label Cherries W.J. Dawe
10-page booklet by Jim Poulter “Toward the Municipal Mapping of Traditional Land Use”
“Simon Wonga – the Horse Whisperer” probably written by Jim Poulter as it is written in his style and is a subject that is dear to him.
Scanned photograph of W.J. Dawe seated outside derelict corrugated iron shed on his property “Lostwithiel” Dawes Road Wonga Park
Scanned photograph of W.J. Dawe seated outside weatherboard shed on his property “Lostwithiel” Dawes Road Wonga Park
An annotated interview question sheet for an interview on 12/9/2023 of Jeanette Smith a daughter of Horace Albert “Horrie” Smith. Horace (Horrie) Albert Evington Smith born 14/11/1913 at Lilydale, married Marjorie Boyle (divorced 11/2/1937) nee Kilpatrick at 716 Rathdowne Street North Carlton. Horrie was registered as proprietor of the larger part of Crown Allotment 9J at the corner of Jumping Creek and Homestead Roads Wonga Park from 1958 to 1969 but appears to have occupied the property from possibly 1939 or earlier and at least 1948. He appears to have had at least 3 children Kevin Francis Smith born 17/12/1936 (died1985), Neville Albert Smith (died 2007) and at least one daughter Jeanette
Horace (Horrie) Albert Evington Smith born 14/11/1913 at Lilydale, married Marjorie Boyle (divorced 11/2/1937) nee Kilpatrick at 716 Rathdowne Street North Carlton. Horrie was registered as proprietor of the larger part of Crown Allotment 9J at the corner of Jumping Creek and Homestead Roads Wonga Park from 1958 to 1969 but appears to have occupied the property from possibly 1939 or earlier and at least 1948. He appears to have had at least 3 children Kevin Francis Smith born 17/12/1936 (died1985), Neville Albert Smith (died 2007) and at least one daughter Jeanette
Horace (Horrie) Albert Evington Smith born 14/11/1913 at Lilydale, married Marjorie Boyle (divorced 11/2/1937) nee Kilpatrick at 716 Rathdowne Street North Carlton. Horrie was registered as proprietor of the larger part of Crown Allotment 9J at the corner of Jumping Creek and Homestead Roads Wonga Park from 1958 to 1969 but appears to have occupied the property from possibly 1939 or earlier and at least 1948. He appears to have had at least 3 children Kevin Francis Smith born 17/12/1936 (died1985), Neville Albert Smith (died 2007) and at least one daughter Jeanette. Neville was 9 years old when "Red" was born. The land behind the foal “Red” is the valley (in 1948) in which Penderal Court and Penderal Reserve are now situate
Postcard with photo “The Rose Series P. 935 Diamond corner, Wonga park Vic “Arthur Davis’ cedar train carriage kiosk c. 1948
Wonga Park State School students 1935. Handwritten on back of photo “J Stephenson” and “French”. Joan French bee Stephenson was the daughter of Emily Stephenson nee Fulford. Joan was Betty Stephenson Kennedy’s sister.
1930s Empire Day at Wonga Park State School
Yarra Road State School students Feb 1935 with Ray, Max, Beryl and Norma Collings named thereon
First Progressive Primer – Completely Revised with Graded Vocabulary published by Whitcombe & Tombs NZ Part of Whitcombe’s Progressive Series, probably 1950s, 48 pages plus cover
Second Progressive Primer – Completely Revised with Graded Vocabulary published by Whitcombe & Tombs NZ. Part of Whitcombe’s Progressive Series, probably 1950s, 72 pages plus cover. The book is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley". Robyn was born in mid 1953 and commenced at Wonga Park State School on 4/2/1958
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
Adventures in Reading Book 2 “The Picnic” Written by Gertrude Keir and Illustrated by Carolin Jackson. Oxford University Press 1st edition 1946, Reprinted 1951, 1953, 1956, 1959. 16 pages
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
Mrs. Hen and the Foxes No. 48 in the Ring o’ roses Series by Cassell and Company, Limited. 8 pages plus cover
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
“Little Girl Pat” The Gay Way Series: Green Stories by E.R. Boyce MacMillan and Co., Limited Printed in Great Britain 1953 17 pages plus cover
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
Population details for Wonga Park for years 1911, 1921, 1933 & 1947 extracted from census returns
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
“A Cup Winner’s Stable” appeared in The Australasian (Melbourne) Saturday 14/12/1907 on page 36 on the property of Mr. Stock of Wonga Park. In fact, this Tim Whiffler did not win the Melbourne Cup of 1867 and was stabled at Bully Brown’s Wonga Park Cattle Station from the early 1870s to about 1879. Although, itself not a Melbourne Cup winner it was a stud horse and was the ancestor of more than one Melbourne Cup winner.
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
Newspaper article “Water for Warranwood and Wonga Park” from Centenary copy of 1861-1961 of Lilydale Express, Friday Feb 24th, 1961. This did not cover the central and northern sections of Wonga Park which did not receive reticulated water until about 1967
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
Letter dated 20 August 2013 from Yarra Valley Water to Ashdale Crest Pty Ltd advising that sewerage is now available for connection to 6 Launders Avenue Wonga Park. Letter annotated with handwritten note 2/9/2013 Advised connection not required as vacant land
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
A printed copy of an email from Joan Hale to Robyn Smith with details of an interview by Joan Hale of Judy Knee (daughter of Fred and Hilda Knee)
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
A printed copy of an email dated 25/2/2018 from Judy Knee to Joan Hale with corrections re interview by Joan of Judy
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
c. 2021 Manningham City Council information sheet “Plan for Dudley Reserve”
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
An invitation from the 1st Wonga Park Scout Group to the Belarus Children Farewell Function to be held on Sunday 19/7/1992 at the Wonga Park Hall. The Belarus children were survivors of the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster invited to spend some time in Australia by the Boy Scout organisation
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
A typewritten extract from the Lilydale Express and Yarra Glen, Wandin Yallock, Upper Yarra, Healesville and Ringwood Chronicle, Friday 12 June 1914 P. 4 “WONGA PARK” An obituary of George Launder who died 26 May 1914
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
A brochure “Back to the Cottage Celebrating 40 years” Contains a timeline of the history of the Cottage
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
2022/23 Barry Plant Wonga Park Property Update with results of recent property sales in Wonga Park
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
Handwritten notes taken at the first meeting of the Wonga Park Community Cottage History Group
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
A letter dated 23/3/2015 from the Wonga Park Community Cottage to the Wonga Park Fire Brigade re a joint display of historical material at the Burch Family Memorial Hall on Saturday 23/5/2015 as part of the Manningham city Council Heritage Week
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
A page from the 2015 Term 2 Wonga Park Community Cottage Program advertising re a joint display of historical material at the Burch Family Memorial Hall on Saturday 23/5/2015 as part of the Manningham City Council Heritage Week
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"
Newspaper cutting from Warrandyte Diary March 2023 p. 12 “Dreamtine to Communities” Book launch of A History of Wonga Park and Surrounds – Dreamtime to Communities”
On the first page it is inscribed with the name "Robyn Smiley" and the school "Wonga Park"