From left, former City of Springvale mayor and Springvale and District Historical Society foundation member Bill Warner OAM, president and foundation member Marian Rollings, City of Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea and foundation member Kevin Cutting with the birthday cake.By Shaun Inguanzo
SPRINGVALE and District Historical Society has written its own page in the city’s history books after celebrating its 25th birthday.
Former and current members reunited at the society’s Hillcrest Avenue building on Thursday 19 April for an afternoon of celebrations.
Several foundation members are still active with the society including former Springvale City mayor Bill Warner OAM, current president Marian Rollings, and Springvale residents Kevin and Thelma Cutting.
Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea and Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades also attended the celebration to honour the society’s dedication to cataloguing and promoting the city’s history.
Gillian Hibbins, who wrote the book The History of the City of Springvale, was also present.
Mrs Rollings told the crowd that the society was formed in 1982 after a spike of public interest in all things historical.
Mrs Rollings said the City of Springvale Council, lead by Mr Warner, supported the idea but originally placed the society in a cramped room at another premises in Hillcrest Avenue.
Ms Hibbins said an influx of migration was the main factor driving residents from the pre World War II era to pursue an interest in Springvale’s early history – including writing her book.
And in 2007, no one regrets giving birth to the society.
Mr Cutting and his wife said their foundation memberships with the society began when they indulged in their curiosities.
“Someone had the idea to form a society and we thought we’d just check it out,” he said.
“And it was terrific, I’d never been into anything like that (history) before, it was something new.”
Mr Cutting said the highlight of his years with the society was seeing it grow.
“Now this house (the current premises) has been built for it,” he said.
“We’re still looking for people to help us, as we’re only a small group doing a lot of work.”
Mr Warner said he was proud of the society because councillors of the day were unsure whether it would take off.
He said the highlight of his time with the society was an historical exhibition in the City Hall during Australia’s bicentennial year in 1988.
The Springvale and District Historical Society is looking for volunteers to help continue its long tradition of collecting and cataloguing the city’s history.
Call 9548 0519 for more information.
