The Summer 2019 issue of 'Roundabout ', the Monbulk Historical Society's newsletter is now available online here.

We have also made it easy for everyone to receive a copy of the newsletter by implementing an online subscriber list. anyone who wants to receive a copy of the newsletter can subscribe here.

After you enter your email address and click on submit, you will receive an email containing a link for you to confirm that the email address is valid. This ensures the newsletter is only sent to genuine email addresses. If you cannot find the email, check your junk mail folder just in case it has been mis-directed. If you add This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. into your email address book you should avoid any problems.

We welcome your feedback on the newsletter and hope you enjoy reading it.

Now Available - When Roads Were Tracks – A history of the roads of Monbulk, Kallista, The Patch and Sherbrooke

This award-winning 250 page book is Monbulk Historical Society's most ambitious project to date documenting the development of Monbulk, Kallista, The Patch, Sherbrooke and the history of the naming of the roads of these local towns. We are excited that this book won the Local History Project Award at the 2019 Vistorian Community History Awards.

The names of the roads and tracks are a window into the history of the area and the families that have made it what it is today. The book also includes the history of the tourist tracks, the tracks throughout Sherbrooke Forest and brings together a unique collection of historic photographs and maps.

As our research progressed through talking with older members of our community and Monbulk Historical Society’s records from interviews of passed residents, we found a lot of local and family history that had not been documented before so we decided to include that in this book before it gets lost with time. As a result we ended up with 250 pages covering over 200 roads and tracks and including about 600 images.

The final book was printed in full colour which has helped bring the history to life.

The printing of this project was funded by Yarra Ranges Council, local community groups, businesses and individuals which allowed us to keep the price of the book to an affordable $35. We thanks our sponsors:

Monbulk Bowling Club
Tesselaar Direct MRE
Yarra Ranges Council
MADCOW
Monbulk & District Rotary Club
Monbulk RSL
Monbulk Family Dental Care
Kallista Real Estate
Angela Arnott
Dorothy Harris

Books can be purchased at Monbulk Yarra Ranges Council Service Centre 21 Main Road, Monbulk 3793 or you can print and complete the order form (click here).

Monbulk’s Hunger for History

This 62 page colour book has lots of tasty family recipes handed down from generation to generation together with family stories dating from Monbulk's early settlement through to the many cultures we have in Monbulk today.

“Monbulk’s Hunger for History” is available for just $20.00 each at the Monbulk Hub or direct from Monbulk Historical Society (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). All proceeds from sales of the book help support MHS’ ongoing work.

Patrick O'Connor's Story

Patrick's parents Edmund and Agnes O'Connor selected land in The Patch when the area was opened up for selection in 1893. Their 10 acre block was situated on the big sweeping bend on The Patch Road in The Patch. Before enlisting, Pat played football for Monbulk. He played in the 1912 Premiership team.

Patrick O'Connor recorded a long and detailed report of the days prior to his capture and all his subsequent difficulties as a Prisoner of War including brutal treatment, torture and ill treatment until final repatriation. The report includes reference to life in the trenches and a minor wound before capture, several wounds on the day of the capture and an attempt to beat him to death with a rock before being taken away for internment. He also witnessed the murder of an Australian wounded soldier by the Turks.

When Pat first returned home he lived on his father's property at The Patch. He rode round on a horse. Pat was once heard saying to his friend Smasher, (Harold Wakeman) who was just a little bloke. "You know, Smasher, you'd make a decent leg for a man!"

Pat was known as Patsy O'Connor to many of his friends in Monbulk.

The road opposite the O’Connor selection property was the beginning of what was once known as ‘The Bridle Track’ which ran from The Patch Road through to Gleghorn Road in Kallista. The Patch end of that road was later re-named “O'Connor's Road” after Patrick O'Connor.

Patrick's story was related by Jill A'Vard at the 2017 Monbulk RSL Anzac Day service. You can read the Anzac Day speech here.

Read more: Patrick O'Connor

About Monbulk Historical Society

Monbulk is located 42 km east of Melbourne in the midst of the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria.

Monbulk Historical Society was formed in 1989 having many temporary homes until 2011 when it finally moved into "The Hub", Monbulk's new Living & Learning Centre.

Our street address:

Monbulk Living & Learning Centre
21 Main St
Monbulk VIC 3793

Our postal address:

PO Box 98
Monbulk VIC 3793

Our location: