Looking Back

100 years ago
8 July 1915
Heliopolis Hospital Cairo
From the military hospital at Heliopolis interesting letters are to hand from Nurse Millicent Miller, who has many friends in Dandenong and Archie’s Creek.
Space does not permit the publication of details furnished in regard to Cairo, Alexandria and other sites visited in the striking provision made for the wounded. The hospital has space from 1000 beds (nearly three times the accommodation at the Melbourne hospital).
And Later, she writes “our brave Australian lads are conveyed to hospital after having acquitted themselves in such a glorious manner at Gallipoli in upholding the prestige of the British Empire.
Fighting against the best soldiers in the world, and beating them too. Their deeds of heroism and dash in attack must make Australians feel proud of their countrymen in arms at the war“.
From Nurse Miller’s letter an idea can be formed of the magnitude of the task so cheerfully carried out by the surgeons, nurses, stretcher bearers and all engaged in attending to the wounded men who have been in the firing line.
It is good to read, also of the brave manner in which the Australian soldier conducts himself when stricken with his battle wound.

50 years ago
30 June 1965
Our Botanic Gardens Among World’s Best
Did you know that the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne are recognised as among the finest gardens in the world?
That they consist of 110 acres, 40 acres of which are lawn requiring two men all day, and every day to keep them mown.
That there are 16,000 varieties of trees and shrubs, and it requires two professional sign writers to keep up to date with new labels and the rewriting of old ones.
In tracing the history of the gardens, Mr Pescott said in the original planning of 1842 by Robert Hoddle, surveyor for the layout of Melbourne a 50 acre site was selected…..

20 years ago
3 July 1995
$60,000 Rates ’Mistake’
Confusion caused by a misprint on rate notices has led to the City of Greater Dandenong waiving $60,000 in interest.
Notices sent to ratepayers mistakenly had November 11th this year, instead of April 11th, as the due date for rates.
While the correct date was included in the accompanying letter, more than 3580 residents failed to make payment by April 11 and received final notices.
They were given a new payment date – June 5.

5 years ago
28 June 2010
Angler with net fishes for trouble
A 30-year-old Noble Park man has been convicted and fined $4000 for illegally fishing with a homemade net last Christmas morning.
Police arrested the man for fishing at Bonbeach.
He later admitted that he had illegally used the net four times in about six months.
Department of Primary Industries fisheries officer said his department was concerned about an increase of illegal netting of Port Phillip Bay in the past six months.

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society