Gateway to the goldfields
Did you know that Dandenong was once known as the gateway to the goldfields?
In The Dandenong Journal’s
120th anniversary issue, published on November 16, 1985, Dandenong
auto-electrician and inventor Niel Ross stated it was the aspiration of
the Dandenong District Shire Council last century to claim the
goldfields title. He believed there was evidence in the City of
Dandenong’s former coat of arms to prove this.
Before the official coat of arms was altered, it featured a
miner’s gold-washing cradle on the bottom right-hand corner of the
symbol. Mr Ross said: “My theory is that after the goldfields bloom and
boom started to fade, there were rich strikes made in the Jordan Valley
near Woods Point, and Dandenong decided to push for the centre to be the
gateway to the new fields.
‘‘At that time, around 1860, the merchants in Melbourne were
seeking the quickest possible route to transport their goods to the
latest big gold-mining centre. Gold was found in quite big quantities at
Woods Point and in the Jordan Valley – not in mere dribbles.’’
Council award for Cornerstone
In the June edition of Cornerstone Contact Centre’s magazine, The Gazette,
centre manager Don Cameron expressed his delight that the City of
Greater Dandenong had recognised the many volunteers who work tirelessly
on the varied programs the centre provides.
They give hours of their time helping the needy, the homeless and
the hungry, not only in the Greater City but also in its environs.
“We are very proud of the council’s recognition of our work,” Mr Cameron said when the centre received the special honour.
“We picked up another 40 volunteers and a Thursday night meal program was started.
“Everyone who works with hungry people knows that people with full
stomachs are healthier, more law-abiding, and much friendlier than
people with empty stomachs.
“I often get hugged by men I give a food hamper to and I’m delighted to see more church groups getting involved in this area.”
Annual blanket appeal
With chilly nights still ahead, Dandenong District Benevolent
Society volunteers, who operate from the Corner Arcade shop in Thomas
Street, and Springvale Benevolent Society are making their annual appeal
for donations of blankets and rugs for winter warmth for the needy.
Gifts of woollen jumpers would also be greatly appreciated.
Margaret Ladner, the hard-working manager of the Dandenong shop,
can be contacted on 9793 3736. The Springvale bureau’s number is 9546
5558.
Brigade’s 119th annual dinner
Dandenong fire brigade celebrates its 119th annual dinner at the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club on Saturday, August 31 at 6.30pm.
Awards will be presented to a number of firefighters at the brigade’s night of the year.
The brigade has played a leading role in my life, as I was married
for 25 years to a third-generation volunteer at the brigade, which
operated at the time from Mason Street, in the heart of Dandenong.
I admire all brigade members – paid staff and volunteers, male
and female – for the vital roles they undertake in our community.
