The 1960s in Dandenong and district were busy days of pride and progress.
This boom time is eloquently reflected in extracts from the Dandenong Journal collated by Bev Purcell for the Dandenong and District Historical Society’s 50th anniversary last year.
It was during this decade that the Dandenong and District Hospital began expanding, increasing the number of beds from 40 to 80.
Preliminary plans showed the administration, casualty, admissions, radiology, midwifery records, staff toilets, mortuary and bulk store on the ground floor and the 80 beds were to be placed above these on the first floor.
I have vivid memories of the hotpial as my cherished only daughter Melvena was born there and my room after her birth was on the ground floor.
Sadly I lost Mel a number of years ago after she fought a long battle against cancer.
Another advancement to the then Shire of Dandenong was a modern new pharmacy, which opened in the new National Mutual Life Insurance Company’s building at the corner of Langhorne and Walker streets.
On 10 April 1963, H.J. Heinz Company announced a planned $500,000 expansion to its Dandenong plant involving the construction of a new building and new equipment.
At that time Heinz exported goods to more than 40 countries.
The Dandenong Chamber of Commerce commenced in 1963, and “lashed out” at the Dandenong council following what it termed as Main Street (Lonsdale Street) “paralysis” criticising the then Country Roads Board for construction without regard to the traders and shoppers.
In May 1963 Dandenong figured in several large property deals.
McEwan’s Ltd purchased a property owned by a Mr Derek Cook and announced it would carry on the business of land and motors under the name of McEwan’s Motors.
The same month Bradman’s Store’s new shop opened at 229 Lonsdale Street and AMP purchased the Royal Hotel.
The Journal reported that the new owner intended to construct a block of modern offices and shops on the site.
The popular Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre at the corner of Walker and Robinson Streets, Dandenong, has announced its first exhibition for 2014.
The exhibition, entitled Nudge into Form, is by Danico Chappell.
Danico was one of two winners of the gallery’s She competition in 2013.
Her prize was the chance to mount a solo exhibition and she is rapidly becoming known for her abstract photography.
In this age of digital photography, Danico creates her images in an old-fashioned dark room.
Her work explores very different possiblities for photography in a time when digital photography is ubiquitous.
Nudge into Form opens on Saturday 8 February and runs until 1 March.
