The Autumn 2021 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 - Where Hawks Fly – 125 Years of the Monbulk Football Netball Club 1895-2020

“WHERE HAWKS FLY - 125 Years of the Monbulk Football Netball Club 1895-2020” is a book about the history of Monbulk Football Netball Club and produced to celebrate their 125th anniversary this year.

The history includes every known Monbulk Senior, Reserve, Unders, Veterans, Womens and Netball A, B, C, D and Under 17s team photos, match results and ladders over these years.

Over 3,000 individuals are mentioned in this 560 page A4 book with over half of them seen in this unique collection of 1,150 photographs. Brief histories of Monbulk Junior Football and Monbulk Netball Clubs are also included along with many junior football and early netball/basketball team photographs as these clubs have been closely associated with MFNC as far back as the 1930s. Early newspaper articles of incidents and achievements of team members and the Club have also been incorporated in the book.

The book is a joint project of Monbulk Historical Society and the Monbulk Football Netball Club and has been compiled by Armin Richter and Jill A’Vard.

Both clubs are very grateful to the following organisations and individuals for their wonderful sponsorship to go towards the printing of the book:

• Community Bank Monbulk & District Bendigo Bank
• Coolwyn Nurseries
• Flyhisports
• Garden City Plastics
• Grandview Monbulk
• Innovative Business Computing P/L
• JFT Nurseries
• Monbulk Rose Farm
• Mount Pleasant Nursery
• Patch of Pride Nursery
• Respiratory Solutions Australia
• Unified Lending Services
• Wywurri Nurseries Pty Ltd
• Angela Arnott
• Barrie Hill
• Dave & Heather Sands
• Geoff Sands
• Paul & Jeanette  Major
• Rudi & Karen Pauw
• Simon & Leanne Creed

The books are selling for $65 and available at Community Bank Monbulk & District Bendigo Bank, Monbulk Living and Learning Centre (Monbulk Hub) and through Monbulk Historical Society and the Monbulk Football Netball Club.

Alternatively, 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: