By Marg Stork
THERE’S an interesting report in this month’s edition of Gipps-Land Gate, published by the Dandenong and District Historical Society.
A report handed to it by one of its popular members, Nancy Brookes, is about the birth of a lapidary club in Dandenong about four decades ago. Lapidary relates to the art of polishing precious and semi-precious stones and is ‘as old as civilisation itself’.
Nancy’s father Len Bolch was convener of the first meeting, held in the Dandenong Progress Hall on February 3, 1967.
The organisers anticipated an attendance of about 20 or 30 and hired the supper room of the hall. They were astounded when 105 men and women turned up as prospective club members.
The first office bearers were elected and duly installed and a strong supportive committee took office.
Over the decades, the Weekly and its predecessor, the Dandenong Journal, have played a major role in covering the trials and triumphs of the city’s clubs and organisations.
Like the historical society, we’ve helped chronicle and preserve the history of the former gateway to Gippsland that a lot of older residents will recall with pride – from a sleepy market town to a multicultural, expanding suburb.
The Dandenong of yesteryear fostered the formation of myriad clubs. But the tempo of life quickened and some clubs ceased functioning due to a lack of interest and a decline in membership. Others, like Tennyson’s ‘brook’, go on forever.
Footnote: To the historical society’s knowledge the lapidary club was still operating and had an annual meeting on April 15, 1981. The society would like to know if the club still exists. Please call the society on 9794 8967, preferably between 11am and 2pm on a Wednesday.
A bird in the hand
For 52 years we’ve been feeding the wild birds flocking to 40 hectares of wooded golf links that abut our back garden.
Many of these ornithological wonders have become so tame they eat out of our hands. Even magpie larks and a lordly, strutting black crow are among our guests.
For some weeks now, we’ve been invaded by a honeyeater that is eating out of our hands.
It’s a slim, elegantly framed bird and we’ve christened it a ‘super scooper’ as it swoops and quickly takes our offering of bread, echoing its ‘caaah’, as if in thanks.
It has a long neck, is brown and fawn, has an elongated tail and is black around its eyes.
Our bird book describes it as a helmeted honeyeater. It will even ignore our dog when it swoops onto the back landing and seems to have no fear.
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email marg@yourweekly.com.au or post submissions to A moment with Marg, c/o Greater Dandenong Weekly, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175.
