At the beginning of the new century a large orchard was planted at the Park by Tom Petty of Doncaster. The Petty family had been one of the early settlers in Doncaster. Tom had come out as a thirteen year old boy in 1858. He grew into a capable, energetic man becoming the most successful orchardist in the district.
Park Orchards was Tom Petty's most ambitious project. In 1902, he obtained a loan of £8000 from the bank and he and his wife Eliza purchased 559 acres at The Park. The land was covered with trees and scrub, which had to be cleared before fruit trees could be planted. Petty hired men, supplied them with tools and a jack, and paid them £2 - 10 - 0 an acre to clear the trees.
Tom Petty inspired confidence. He worked with determination and enthusiasm. On monday mornings, he would load a cart with men and tools and set out for a week's work, camping in the bush. Four years later, Petty's fruit trees had been planted. It was a large scheme with eighty orchard blocks on the slopes of the Park. Rows of pine trees were planted and some areas of bush land left as windbreaks. Ten dams were scooped out to supply water for the young fruit trees during the hot summer weather and, near the group of houses, a bore was sunk and a windmill erected. In the north east corner, a fifteen acre paddock was fenced off for the many horses required to work the orchards.
Park Road was continued through the Park with pine trees planted either side. The road became a beautiful avenue winding through fields of trees that were covered with blossom in the Spring, and glowing with coloured leaves in the Autumn,
Park Road in 1920
On the west side of Mullum Mullum Creek, the road leading to Mitcham, went straight up a very steep hill. Horses found it difficult to pull a cart load of fruit up the hill. Tom Petty bought a strip of land to widen the road so horses could zig-zag up the hill. The first road on the Park side of the creek was washed away by heavy rains. Another road was cut further to the side, leaving a wide strip of land unused. This is now Alan Morton Reserve.
One of the men who worked for Tom Petty was his nephew, Jim Mitchell. Mitchell bought a one hundred acre block on the north of Petty's land where he built a house and cleared a road from the orchards into his land. This road was the start of what is now Knees Road. In the late 70's, this land became officially known as "The 100 Acres". Tom Petty's son, Frank also worked on the orchards and lived in the house later owned by William Domeney alongside the service station in Park Road.
Tom Petty purchased four weatherboard houses in Richmond and moved them to the Park for the men who worked on his estate. The first house was erected for Harry Brown on the corner of the present Alva Avenue and Park Road. Harry had come from Doncaster where his father lived in Church Road.
The families of The Park a small community, Their children were fortunate that a school was built at South Warrandyte, but thick bushland separated them from the school. Harry Brown cleared a way to the school by blazing a trail of axe marks on the trees for the children to follow. The South Warrandyte School started in 1902 using two rooms in the Colman's house. Five years later, a school building was erected in Hall Road. During the first years the children came from the Milne, Zoch, Tortice, Brown, Mitchell, Colman Johansen and Porter families. In 1923, another school started
to serve the Park Orchards area. A one room school was built in Oban Road on land given by W. S. Williams Jnr.
Tom Petty lived an active, successful life. By the time he was 68, he had bought and developed orchards on nineteen different properties in Doncaster, Templestowe and Park Orchards, he had become a leader of the community and contributed much to orcharding in the district. Tom Petty died at his home in Doncaster in 1922.
Bush Tracks in 100 Acres
In the 1890's the northern section of the Park had been sub-divided into blocks that varied in size from twenty to one hundred acres. The land was sold for three to five pounds an acre. James Kent bought five lots on the Tindals Road side and J. Smith, McIntyre, Berger and Robert Petty chose land around McIntyres Road. Further east, Bromley had a small block in Stintons Estate and, north of Mitchells 100 acres, Henry Stiggants purchased 213 acres.
By 1920 patches of this northern land had been cleared when trees were cut for firewood and some orchards had been planted. Mitchell cleared a small area of his 100 acres to grow berries and a small orchard. An orchard of plum trees grew on the land that became Domeney Reserve and across the road Julius Grant planted an orchard.
Grant was a director of the Kings Theatre in Russell Street. When the play “Dad and Dave" was performed with Bert Bailey, saplings and gum leaves from Park Orchards were used to decorate the stage. For a few years in the 1920's, he rented the “100 Acres" but later the land was left to revert to bushland and the farmhouse deteriorated.
The Country Club
Park Orchards was bought by WiIlian Sell in partnership with Eva and Minnie Gibb. Sell was an estate agent in Doncaster. He was a keen businessman who had arrived in East Doncaster at the time of the “land boom”, and was one of the partners in the Box Hill to Doncaster electric tram. His family became well known orchardists. The Gibb and Sell partnership ran the orchards for another twelve years.
In 1925 Mr. Australis Sharp and Jonn Taylor, timber merchants of South Melbourne, purchased 559 acres of Park Orchards. Sharp and Taylor had many land holdings around Melbourne including the Ranelagh Country Club at Mt. Eliza. The next year, they launched the "Park Orchards Country Club Estate”. The scheme was imaginative and ambitious; 650 half acre blocks were to be sold to form the club. Purchasers of allotments were to become members of the country club and enjoy open air sporting facilities. The idea was to create a family playground, where life would be healthy, pleasurable and worth living. To make the estate exclusive, gates were placed at the entrance to the Park. To ensure that it remained a residential area a covenant was placed on the land.
The estate was designed by Tuxon and Miller the surveyors who had worked with Walter Burley Griffin at Ranelagh and Heidelberg. Griffin frequently used curved roads following the contours of the land to give an interesting, picturesque landscape and also to avoid intersections with traffic problems. Tuxen copied Griffins landscape ideas but overlooked the traffic aspect.
The estate did not attract buyers. Only about thirty lots were sold and a few houses built. During the Depression of 1930, over twenty unpaid for lots reverted to the estate. The first year some of the facilities promised for the country club were built. A football ground, a croquet lawn and two tennis courts were laid out in the area around Pine Avenue, and the club house was built.
The Chalet
The club house was a large high building in Spanish mission style, with white stucco walls and tall arches on the verandahs and main windows. It was completed in 1928 at a cost of two thousand pounds. A ballroom was in the centre with a tall celling supported by timber trusses. The interior had a rich quality with its blackwood panelling. Along each side were glass doors, with delicate blackwood glazing bars. A platform was provided for a band and on the far wall was a large stone fireplace. The ballroom stood higher than the side wings with clerestory windows above the lower roof. Along the Park Road side was a billiard room and two smaller rooms for cards and a library. Each room had its own fireplace. On the other side were verandahs opening on to a courtyard. A short wing contained a bathroom and toilets which opened onto the verandah. At the rear was a residence.
The club house was leased by Mrs. Martin, who with her two daughters served afternoon teas and catered for weddings and functions. After two years they left and it was leased by others. It remained a dining room and dance hall.
In 1931, the promised 9 hole golf course was laid out. With its hills and steep slopes the course was interesting to play but lacked the finish of the metropolitan courses. Golfers dressed in the fashion of the time, with a golf cap. Fair Isle jumper and plus-fours, carrying a golf bag over the shoulder, walked up to the club house for afternoon tea or a shower and change in the bathroom.
Park Orchards Golf Course
By 1931, with Australia still in the grip of the Depression, it became apparent that the country club was not a success. To make some gain from their investment. Sharp and Taylor cleared unused bushland and established pine plantations to provide future timber for their timber yard. Pine trees were planted over the following eight years. By 1947 nearly two hundred acres were covered with plantations and self-seeded pine trees.
At the commencement of the Second World War. The Australian Army was looking for an isolated secure area suitable for radio reception. Park Orchards was reported to be a suitable place. It was sufficiently remote from settled areas and had good natural protection, but the club house was reported to be in a state of disrepair. The Army requisitioned the area and four hundred personnel moved in. The men lived in tents on the football ground between Park Road and Arundel Road. Octagonal huts were built as service buildings. Later, the club house, known as the Chalet, with six acres on the east and north, was purchased and repaired. The Army paid for electric power and water mains to be extended to Park Orchards. Previously, a windmill had pumped water from a well and kerosene lamps had been used.
The unit was to run a wireless interception and signals communications station. The interception station was not installed, but the unit carried out communication to the Pacific area. The Chalet itself was used for recreation, and often concerts were held in the ballroom.
Park Orchards 1947
When the Army moved out the sports grounds were again used. In 1946, the golf course earned £377 in green fees. Australis Sharp died in 1943. Taylor and John Sharp handled the affairs of the estate and in 1947 sold their land in Park Orchards to Edments, the variety store in Bourke Street, Melbourne. The Army sold the Chalet and six acres to W. R. Jones for £3150.
Two of Sharp's employees stayed on in the area. Joe Titotto, who had been greenkeeper and William Domeney, who had looked after the orchard. Domeney purchased the house that was alongside the shopping area including the land behind it. Joe Titotto purchased the house at the corner of Alva Avenue and Park Road.
William Domeney
Mr. and Mrs. Jones opened the Chalet as a cabaret. At that time a liquor license could not be granted to such premises. It was an isolated area, where the patrons felt safe to bring their own drink. Bottles were kept under the table. The cabaret was successful and for many years was filled on Saturday nights.
Edments had bought the land for their Staff Provident Fund as a rest and recreation hostel. The sports ground and golf course were already there but post war building restrictions prevented them from erecting buildings for accommodation. For a few years the trustees continued to run the orchards and the golf course.
From Orchards to Rural Suburb
In 1950 Park Orchards showed little change. The orchards were being maintained, the pines bordering Park Road hadgrown tail, the golf links were still in use, and twenty five families lived in the Park.
As wages increased, the cost of running the orchards and the golf course became expensive and land prices were rising so the trustees of Edments Provident Fund decided to sell their section of the Park. The football ground, croquet green and tennis courts were subdivided with Pine Avenue running through the centre. The golf course was abandoned and soon became overgrown. In 1951 the estate was put up for sale.
On Warrandyte Road, the Pentacostal Church had purchased land for a holiday camp. War surplus army huts were erected on the site and in 1953 the first camp was held. It was called Beulah Heights, Three hundred campers were catered for in four camps per year until 1981 when Beulah Heights closed for repairs.
In 1956, the Edwards family purchased the club house, now called the "Chalet". It became a restaurant and was hired for functions. The restaurant, with its French chef, soon gained a reputation for excellent cuisine. During the 70's, improvements were made to the Chalet. Some walls were removed to enlarge rooms and new toilet facilities were built. A smorgasbord was installed in the ballroom and additions were made around the courtyard.
By 1959 the Park Orchards population had grown. A milk bar and general store was built and in November the Park Orchards Post Office was opened. Seventy school children were living in the Park. To cater for them, on 14th March 1981, a primary school was opened. In the same year, the Anglican Church held its first services in the school, and five years later built St. Emmanuels.
The Roman Catholic Church held services in the Chalet until June 1970 when a Catholic Church was moved to Knees Road. This building had a history of moves. During the war it had been an army chapel at Camp Pell and, on being moved to Templestowe after the war, was named St. Kevin's. Finally the building came to rest at Park Orchards and was re-named St Anne's. Later a Catholic School was opened on the site.
Facilities such as water and electricity did not extend beyond Park Road. Most houses were built close to this road. Those people who built further away had to lay their own pipes up to the main and pay for electricity to be carried to their homes. Many streets had deep ruts and were under water in winter and dusty in summer.
In 1966 a private street construction scheme was introduced. The streets were to be cleared of trees from fence to fence and gutters, kerbs and footpaths built. Many residents, not wanting the picturesque character of the district to be lost, formed the Park Orchards Ratepayers Association. They proposed that narrow paved roads should wind between existing trees and straight kerbs be omitted, also only one footpath on the high side of the road was suggested. Three years later, after protracted hearings, straight roads were built with width of cut reduced and footpaths were eliminated.
The sports grounds and parks that John Sharp had provided for the country club had all gone. New facilities were wanted. This need brought residents together, welding them with strong community spirit. As a result of community action, the council purchased Domeney Reserve in 1965 and built a pavilion. Over the next eight years, additions were made to the building, also netball courts and a shelter were built. A score board was erected by Park Orchards Lions Club. Domeney Reserve became a great asset to the youth of the district. The junior football club played on the ground, cubs, brownies, a boys club and ballet classes used the ball.
A group of tennis players visited every home in Park Orchards to investigate the interest in tennis among the residents. A tennis club was formed and, in 1967, four courts were opened on land provided by the council. Five years later a club house was built and more courts opened.
Community action in the 1960's was focused through the local Progress Association. After a few years this group disbanded but resident action in the late 60's led to the formation of the Park Orchards Ratepayers Association. The Association acted as a catalyst for Improvements and a watchdog for unwanted developments. Many changes that would have spoilt the character of the village, such as freeway proposals and high density re-zoning, were opposed, and improvements, often in small ways, gave the opportunity for life in Park Orchards to be more enjoyable.
Through the Park Orchards Ratepayers Association, community action led to the council, with State and Federal funding,-purchasing the area now called "The 100 Acres". This block of natural bush land was set aside for passive recreation and appreciation of the natural habitat. The 100 acres contains flora and fauna that was native to the area before the intrusion of settlers. This was the land that Jim Mitchell owned at the turn of the century. Relics of his house and orchard can still be seen.
The growth of population took place In the 1960's and 70's when transport facilities were inadequate. This led to a community of two car families. There had been a bus from Ringwood In the late 50's but only to the eastern end of the Park. For over ten years requests for a direct bus service to Melbourne were unsuccessful. Local students from Norwood High School, with the assistance of the Park Orchards Ratepayers Association, were successful in obtaining a bus service in 1983. One bus morning and evening connected Park Orchards directly with the City.
Three roads lead into Park Orchards. On the east, the road from Ringwood passes through a semi-rural area. On the north, the land at Stintons Road is zoned for conservation and landscape interest. Park Road is surrounded by trees as it descends to Mullum-Mullum Creek. Coming into Park Orchards through the bush and rural areas, one has the feeling of entering a country village isolated from the crowded commercial inner suburbs of Melbourne.
The history of the area has influenced this affluent modern suburb. The estate with its winding roads was subdivided into blocks of half an acre and larger, giving room for houses to be set in gardens of trees and shrubs. In these newly planted gardens, many of Tom Petty's fruit trees still grow, and there are pine trees in abundance.
When Australis Sharp planned his Park Orchards Estate in 1926, he said: "To owners of motor cars and vehicles. Park Orchards opens up a new vista In life where the work-a-day world can be most speedily changed to an environment of healthy and pleasurable associations".
The country club planned by Sharp did not eventuate, but the quality of life he envisaged can be enjoyed in Park Orchards today.
Source: Part of School Project Series. Written by Irvine Green and Beatty Beavis. Illustrated by Irvine Green. Published by Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society (1983) 81 McGowans Road, Donvale, Vic. 3111. 19 p. : ill., maps ; 21 cm.
ISBN: 0950092045. Dewey Number: 994.5/1. Libraries Australia ID: 2813090. https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/45490016. See:
Scan of Park Orchards - A Short History (Green, Beavis 1983) ; Scan of
Park Orchards The History - Central Park Orchards (DTHS Manningham 2008)
