ALTHOUGH it’s a trove of information about the good old days in our town, Dandenong and District Historical Society is keeping one eye firmly on the future.
The society is looking for new members and is encouraging residents to preserve their own family history.
Residents are being urged to donate documents, photographs and items of ephemera to the society to help members continue their work.
The items can be between one and 100 years old and related to a family business or a community group in the area.
The society has offices and a resource centre in the Houlahan community building at 186 Foster Street East, just up from the Foster Street East School.
The rooms are open 11am-2pm on Wednesdays and messages can be left on its answering machine at 9794 8967 or can be emailed to dandhist@yahoo.com.au.
The society is also grateful to the City of Greater Dandenong for letting members use the Houlahan Centre and offering financial assistance.
Critter comforts
The Australian Animal Protection Society in Homeleigh Road, in Keysborough, is appealing for blankets, rugs, quilts and coats to keep its animals warm.
Other necessities on the shelter’s wishlist are donations of rice, pasta and frozen vegetables to help provide home-cooked meals for the canine residents in particular. Dog coats of all sizes are needed too.
Cash donations are sought for other projects, including the rent for temporary portable clinics being used by veterinary surgeons.
The shelter’s outpatient veterinary clinic was damaged by a fire on March 29. The shelter volunteers were delighted when they raised about $1200 in a sausage sizzle in April at Bunnings Keysborough.
The shelter, which has many loyal supporters and a long list of donors, thanked the Lions Club of Dandenong for $500 for the vet clinic fire fund. Call 9798 8415 or 9798 8044.
Heard on radio
In excerpts compiled from The Journal for the historical society, historians Jan Asher and Bev Pursell give our Weekly readers a thought-provoking glimpse into the past.
They researched the first of the Monday night radio broadcasts sponsored by Dandenong Traders on 3UL starting in April 1939.
The broadcasts were relayed from Mr Judd’s store in the heart of Lonsdale Street. To lighten the trade news, there were several items by local entertainers. The news mentioned a hairdresser who had just returned to the city scene.
A Mr Collins was inviting former clients and new clients to visit his new hairdressing and tobacconist shop in the corner shop in Cadle’s buildings.
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.
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