We live in a region where there are many interesting and attractive neighbourhoods. We have received many articles from people living in these areas .
Some are published here. Many more are published as separate items within our Eastsider Extra Blog.
Go to the Eastsider Extra Blog here, scan the Categories list in the side bar to that page, then click on the neighbourhood that interests you. You will be amazed by the contributions about the diversity and pleasant aspects of these areas.
Mont Albert Village strikes a chord
Bruce Harvey: Mont Albert
Mont Albert Village’s restored heritage railway station building had a new voice this winter, after the community was gifted a preloved piano through the ABC’s popular series The Piano.
The idea began with a local resident, Richard Gerner, a retired music director, nominated Mont Albert Village when the ABC called on Australians to put forward places that should receive a piano. From a wide field of submissions across Australia, Mont Albert Village was one of just ten communities to get one.
Behind the scenes, the win reflected the kind of partnership that has become typical of the Village. Whitehorse City Council, the Mont Albert Village Business Association and local community members all worked together to convince the ABC that the piano would find a genuine home. Council approved its home being under the veranda at the Council-owned station building on the Plaza, while community and business members agreed to watch over and maintain it, including regular tuning.
To mark its arrival, the community gathered on the Plaza on Friday 24 July for a free launch concert, the ABC Pop-Up Piano on the Plaza, featuring 18 performers. Despite a chilly winter afternoon, families rugged up on the seating and picnic tables to enjoy an afternoon of good company, street food and live music.
Local musicians of all ages took their turn at the keys. Among them was Gabriel Gouzali, a young pianist who drew a hushed, appreciative response from the crowd with a solo performance of Wild Mushrooms, while Leanne and Rod the well-known local piano accordion and guitar duo added folk music charm to proceedings. The Rick Freeman Jazz Trio rounded out the concert with crowd favourites such as Moon River and the theme from the Flintstones TV show.
The Mont Albert and Surrey Hills Rotary Club lent its hand by running its sausage sizzle that is a regular feature of Saturday mornings in Mont Albert Village. The Cape social venture Café in the station building was open on the night offering warmth, coffee and cakes.
For many who attended, the concert was as much about community connection as music. Children danced between tables and neighbours who regularly pass one another in Hamilton Street took the time to stop, sit and listen together.
The piano has already become a fixture at Mont Albert Plaza, with passers-by regularly stopping to play an impromptu tune. The piano’s arrival adds another chapter to Mont Albert Village’s story of community-led revival. Alongside its curated Plaza gardens, restored station building and calendar of events, the piano has become a fitting symbol of a Village that continues to turn disruption into destination one chord at a time.
Photo : The Rick Freeman Trio performs at the ABC Pop-Up Piano on the Plaza launch concert.
Photo credit: Vincent Lee
Boroondara takes control of Fritsch Holzer sporting area
Priya Mohandoss
Located in Hawthorn East and formerly a brickworks and a rubbish dump, Fritsch Holzer Park provides the opportunity to relax surrounded by nature, to do your exercise routine or attend local sporting events.
The park comprises large open spaces, walking tracks, a fun and fitness track, recreational facilities such as playgrounds and sports fields, a dedicated dog area and picnic tables. It is an attractive place for strolling through mature native trees, observing the birdlife as you picnic in serene surroundings or attending the numerous community events that happen throughout the year.
A management plan for the sports ground and pavilion
In a two-year trial, Boroondara Council will direct both the operations of the sports ground and pavilion enclosed within Fritsch Holzer Park through a deal with the Victorian Department of Education.
Adjacent to Swinburne Senior Secondary College, this arrangement will allow for local sporting clubs and communities to benefit from these facilities while also offering more green space to the many locals that reside close to Camberwell Junction.
Cr Wes Gault, Mayor of Boroondara, said ‘The population of Boroondara has grown by nearly 35,000 people over the last 30 years, which has driven increased demand on our parks, gardens, and sporting ovals.
‘This population growth will continue especially strongly in nearby Camberwell Junction, with that activity centre slated to add more than 10,000 residents over the coming decades.’
Several minor changes have taken shape prior to Boroondara Council administering the sporting area. Funded both through the State Government and Boroondara Council, improvements have been made to the playing surface and nearby infrastructure, consisting of renovations to the drainage system, fitting of cricket wicket covers, and assembly of on-site storage facilities.
Within this timespan, Boroondara Council will also be performing in-depth measures of the sports ground to become familiar with the requirements and costs associated with overseeing its long-term prospects.
Cr Mal Osborne-Smith, Junction Ward, said ‘I look forward to enjoying a sausage on the sidelines over the coming months watching footy and cricket at their new home at the FHP (Fritsch Holzer Park).’
Hart of Hartwell Mural
Pictured artists Angharad Neal-Williams and Nicole van Dijk stand in front of a section of the ‘Hart of Melbourne’ mural.
Bob Stensholt, HART Committee
On Toorak Road near the junction with Camberwell Road is a new community mural, the Hart of Hartwell.
The idea of a community mural was conceived in the depths of COVID by the Committee of the Hartwell Association of Residents and Traders (HART). Led by former President Hans Vanderstadt, HART saw this as a community resilience project as Hartwell came out of the long lock-ups. HART sought funds from Boroondara Council, the Victorian Government and Ashburton Community Bank.
As planning proceeded, Boroondara Council under the leadership of local Councillors Victor Franco, Garry Thompson and Lisa Hollingsworth undertook to manage, develop and fully fund the project as a major art installation on council land.
Council employed top artist Angharad Neal-Williams who worked with over 250 local students from Camberwell South Primary School, Glen Iris Primary School, Hartwell Primary School and St Dominic’s Primary School to create colorful artwork centred around Hartwell, its shops, its walks and green features.
Their artwork now sits alongside Angharad’s own illustrations in the mural as graphic artist Nicole van Dijk has transformed the images into the beautiful and vibrant 55-metre-long collage.
On 29 June, the 55-metre-long Mural was launched by Boroondara Mayor Lisa Hollingsworth together with local State MP Matt Fregon. It is now on full display in Hartwell. Thanks to J A Cain for lending their premises for the launch on what was a very rainy day and to HART and the Council for refreshments and activities for the kids.
The mural certainly adds extra colour and life to the variety of retail stores, eateries and professional services within the Hartwell shopping village. Come and see it and be amazed.
Photo courtesy of City of Boroondara.
Does Melbourne Need Two Burwood Stations?
Julia Blunden
The new station being built on the Suburban Rail Loop near Deakin University is constantly referred to in the media and on the site as Burwood Station. This is despite the fact that there is already a longstanding Burwood Station on the Alamein line.
A much better name for the new station would be Deakin, as it will service the university. If this is considered unsuitable for some reason, my Melway shows that the relevant area is actually called Bennettswood.
I have taken advantage of at least two opportunities for feedback on the planned SRL to point out this issue to the Suburban Rail Loop Authority. I have had a phone call from the local member, Matt Fregon, acknowledging the validity of my concern, but no response whatsoever from the SRLA.
It is almost as if the SRL is being built in a parallel universe with no connection to the existing rail network.
What can be done to prevent the needless confusion of having two stations on different lines, but in fairly close proximity to one another, with the same name?
Julia Blunden, Ashburton
A New Heart for One of Victoria’s Oldest Cemeteries
Alyson Crawford
The new, architecturally designed Garden of Reflection is now open at the historic Boroondara General Cemetery in Kew, known also to some as Kew Cemetery.
Designed by Lisa Ellis, the Garden of Reflection is a tranquil and inviting memorial landscape. A sculptural piece at the heart of this area was bequeathed by beloved local artist, the late Leopoldine Mimovich OAM, whose sculptures are a unique and recognisable part of the Kew landscape.
Boroondara Cemetery Trust CEO, Haydn Robins encourages community members to use the space for quiet reflection and remembrance. ‘Thoughtfully designed memorial gardens like the Garden of Reflection provide comfort, peace of mind, and a place for quiet contemplation’ Mr Robins said.
‘Whether your loved ones are with us or somewhere else, we all experience grief at some time in our lives, and people have told us it’s really helpful to have somewhere quiet to come and find peace.’
The Garden of Reflection was officially opened in October 2023 by Ms Jess Wilson MP. High demand for memorial positions in the Garden of Reflection reflects the important place Boroondara General Cemetery plays in the local community, and only a limited number of positions remain in the historic cemetery.
The prices of graves and cremated remains memorials in public cemeteries are indexed annually, and the next price increase will come into effect on 1 July. Various options are available to suit every need, from tranquil garden crypts to traditional graves and cremated remains memorials.
To find out more about the historic Boroondara General Cemetery., go to https://boroondaracemetery.com.au/, phone: (03) 9853 7025 or email admin@boroondaracemetery.com.au
Alyson Crawford is Manager, Corporate Services Boroondara Cemetery Trust
All images supplied by Boroondara Cemetery Trust
Now is the time for planting. Get along to Bungalook Nursery to choose your local native plants
Margaret Witherspoon
Bungalook Nursery has an overwhelming abundance of indigenous (local native) plants thanks to our volunteers who have been propagating a great variety of trees, shrubs and ground covers over the summer and autumn months.
Entirely run by volunteers, the nursery supplies plants to our local bushland parks, Whitehorse City Council, schools and community organisations and an increasing number of home gardeners.
We are delighted that enthusiastic children at a local school have been building a frog hotel. Their teacher came to collect a selection of plants assisted by two of our volunteers.
Bungalook Nursery is located at 107 Fulton Road, Blackburn South. We are open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am until 1pm and on the last Saturday of every month (except December) from 10am until 12.30 pm.
Come and browse or maybe buy a few plants for your garden. Tubestock – $2.00 with a few specials $4.00. Limited species, 15cm pots – $5.00.
For more details email: wcipp@yahoo.com.au web: https://www.wcipp.org.au or phone 0473 122 534 or scan the QR code here
Vermont Reserve Redevelopment
The redeveloped and extended Vermont Reserve oval was officially opened on Monday 15 April, after seven months of work and an investment of $2.1m. Whitehorse Councillors and staff were in attendance at the opening, along with officials from Vermont Football Club, Vermont Eagles Junior Football Club, Vermont Cricket Club and Vermont Primary School. The ground renewal project included a $340,000 contribution from the State Government.
The ground redevelopment included:
- An extension of the sporting field of 5 metres in length and adjustments to width, increasing the sports field area from 13,270m2 to 13,800m2.
- Safety netting behind both goals to improve protection of the play space and cars from footballs and cricket balls.
- A concrete perimeter footpath to allow for improved useability of the reserve, providing the option for perimeter walkers/runners to stay off the grass.
- Perimeter synthetic grass around the western boundary line to maintain a viable surface in a high use area for the winter season.
- Extended synthetic cricket wicket run ups to reduce ongoing maintenance costs.
The ground was last updated over 30 years ago. Since then, the surface had not been maintained to satisfactory conditions, due to increased usage. It was closed for training and matches for several weeks during last season. Vermont Reserve was the smallest and narrowest oval out of all of the premier sporting fields in Whitehorse prior to the redevelopment.
The renewal has now maximised the area working within the perimeters of carparks, pavilion, cricket nets, playground and boundaries and now compares favourably to other nearby sporting fields. It is home to over 700 senior and junior players from the Vermont Football Netball Club and over 300 players from the Vermont Cricket Club. The oval and open space is also used by the 765 students from Vermont Primary School, as well as many community members who casually use the ground.
Thank you to Steven Bolt from Evergreen Turf who delivered the oval upgrade project and to Justin Quinn, Sportsfields Coordinator from Whitehorse Council, who managed the project from start to finish. Thanks also to Whitehorse Councillor, Prue Cutts, for all her support pushing and promoting the redevelopment over the past 18 months.
Representatives from the City of Whitehorse with members of the Vermont Football Netball Club, Vermont Cricket Club and Vermont Primary School.
The Village Balwyn North kicks goals and scores runs for local sporting clubs this winter
Let’s kick some goals and notch up some runs on the board this school holidays and throughout the whole month of July with shoppers invited to vote for their favourite local sporting team and submit their entry at the North Balwyn Village shops.
Throughout the whole month of July, every purchase from any shop at Balwyn North Village puts a favourite sporting team in the draw to win one of two $500 prizes towards a local sporting team’s fundraising efforts.
The sponsorship money is proudly donated by the North Balwyn Village Traders Association.
All shoppers have to do is write the name of their favourite local sporting team listed on posters around The Village shopping precinct, on a purchase receipt from any shop at North Balwyn Village and drop it off at these shops at The Village:
- Amandas Boutique – 91 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North
- Meat in a Box – 68A Doncaster Road, Balwyn North
- Salzano’s Delicatessen – 73 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North
- Signorelli’s Fruit and Vegetables – 79 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North
- Stanley & Stone – 68B and 72 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North
So while it might be chilly outside, North Balwyn Village shops is warming up the shopping experience with fundraising support for favourite local sporting clubs.
Save Boroondara’s Bluestone Heritage: a progress report
George Demetrios
Whilst other Councils (Stonnington, Whitehorse, Merri-bek, Yarra, Glen Eira, Port Phillip, Hobsons Bay) treat their bluestone laneways and bluestone kerb and channels as heritage, and conserve them accordingly, Boroondara still treats its bluestone heritage as an engineering issue.
Council views Boroondara’s historic bluestone laneways and bluestone kerb and channels as ‘road material’, ignoring the heritage significance that Boroondara’s bluestone laneways and bluestone kerb and channels hold for the local community.
Petitioning the City of Boroondara
The group Save Boroondara’s Bluestone Heritage has created a petition on this issue. It calls on Council to undertake a bluestone heritage study, prepared by a qualified heritage expert, to identify, document and protect the aesthetic, social and historical values of Boroondara’s original bluestone kerb and channels and bluestone laneways. It is available at https://www.change.org/p/save-boroondara-s-heritage-bluestone-kerb-channels-and-laneways-30ecb034-d213-4c73-b7f4-3e350f8f8ca3
This petition will be presented to Council as part of the consultations on Boroondara’s Draft Road Materials Policy. At this stage, the group plans to present it at the June 24 Council meeting.
Have your say on heritage matters in Boroondara
Boroondara Council recently opened community consultation on their new Heritage Strategy. Many residents consider protection of the City’s historic bluestone laneways, bluestone kerb and channels and bluestone crossovers a necessary part of the City’s future heritage work program.
An online survey on the Heritage Strategy is available via Boroondara’s Engage website at https://engage.boroondara.vic.gov.au/. Boroondara Council officers will also hold pop-up meetings to discuss the new Heritage Strategy on:
- Tuesday 11 June 2024, from 11am to 1pm Ashburton Library, 154 High Street Ashburton;
- Monday 17 June 2024 from 4pm to 7pm Camberwell Library, 340 Camberwell Road Camberwell.
George Demetrios is Convenor of Save Boroondara’s Bluestone Heritage
Further Update: