The City of Manningham is to be congratulated for producing a series of 20 walks in our municipality. Walking is a very popular pastime, for health and the appreciation of nature, and in addition, several of these walks have an historic flavour, which will interest members of our society. School No 1395, opened in 1874. An attractive brick building, it closed in the 1990's, but has found a new purpose in being the home of a wood working group, which is open on a regular basis.
The Walk, Talk and Coffee walk encompasses Westerfolds Park and the Templestowe Village. The walk begins at Finns Reserve where you can view the cairn and Rotary pavilion describing the site of Finn's Hotel and its history. After walking across the suspension bridge where the Seminary stands, you continue to Westerfolds Park, where the homestead can be viewed, and lovely panoramas of the park can be enjoyed. You may be lucky enough to spot a grey kangaroo grazing on the open grasslands. The walker then moves onto the Templestowe Village where several historic sites remain. The corner of James and Anderson Streets is the site of the former Mullens Blacksmiths shop, latterly the Motor Body Works and at present an Italian restaurant. Some of the original roof trusses of the forge remain.
Keeps Store. Built by Hunter in 1917 at the comer of Anderson and James Street. Purchased by Jack Keep in 1924.
Across the street is the site of the former General Store, k1:1-own for 50 years as Keeps Corner run by Jack and Ethel Keep. Walking past the shops and cafes, we come to the Memorial Hall the site of most community activities for over 100 years. The original Mechanics Institute was at the rear and is now part of the Hall. Nearby is the old Templestowe Primary School No 1395, opened in 1874
An attractive brick building, it closed in the 1990's, but has found a new purpose in being the home of a wood working group, which is open on a regular basis. Coffee can be enjoyed in one of the many cafes in the Village, and a return walk to Finn's Reserve passes the lovely old cottage, originally owned by the Cashen family. This interesting walk can be enjoyed by historians who will get an insight into the background of the Templestowe district.
A completely different walk "Billabong Song" in Bulleen is another experience entirely. Concentrating on the Aboriginal past of our district, it begins in Bulleen Park and follows the Yarra River and gives the walker a glimpse of the pre-European era of the aborigines. The Bolin Bolin Billabong was the site of regular ceremonies held by the indigenous Wurundjeri people. Vi,,5iting groups used to travel vast distances to meet to discuss disputes, socialise and eat the eels found in large amounts in the billabong. Much wildlife lives in· the water and in the bush surrounding the water. Although the area is adjacent to busy Bulleen Road, there is a feeling of isolation and peace as you walk reading the interpretive signage explaining the story of the indigenous people who once visited here. Nearby in Ilma Court it is possible to see the lovely old homestead Clarendon Eyre lived in by Robert Laidlaw a pioneer of our district and try to imagine life in the mid nineteenth century when the Laidlaw family owned and farmed the land around the present house. If you have time, a short drive will take you to Ben Nevis Grove, where the house "Ben Nevis" owned by the Smith family who also farmed in the area in the 1890's can be seen.
Detailed descriptions and routes of these walks can be obtained from the Manningham City Council offices.
Source: 2012-09 DTHS Newsletter
Walks in Manningham Part 2
The second of the walks in this series is in the Wonga Park area. Many of our members are probably unfamiliar with this region and doing this walk will teach us something of the beauty and historical importance to Manningham of Wonga Park.
Kellybrook Winery's magnificent, century-old English Oak
The walk begins at the Wonga Park Community Cottage in Yarra Road. This house was built in the 1950's and features two pre-cast concrete chimneys. Then walk to the Wonga Park Hall and Mechanics Institute used as a venue for entertainment since 1908 when it was built. The l"v1echanics Institute featured a library used by the scattered population and was a centre of the social life of the area. Just down Toppings Road is the Read House the home of the Read family - orchardists in 1902. The Read's old green orchard shed is next door in Toppings Road with a remnant lemon orchard, reminding us that this area was an active orchard region in the early twentieth century. Nearby is St Marks Anglican Church erected in 1920, which replaced the use of the Wonga Park Hall with a portable altar, previously used for services. Then walk up Yarra Street and turn right into St Denys Crescent where Fred Topping, a carpenter, built a lovely California bungalow with the lead light panels, brick piers and front veranda so typical of this style. Inner suburbs of Melbourne have numerous examples of this style of architecture, but the City of Manningham has very few, so we need to take care to preserve those that we have. Nearby at 391 Yarra Road is an 1890's house once named Forest Gate, a guest house, the home of William and Emma Webb, theatre people in Melbourne. Emma was the niece of George Launder, the first secretary of the Eight Hour Day Association, a prominent feature of Wonga Park. On two opposite corners of Jumping Creek and Dudley Street are the sites of the original General Store and Telephone exchange and the first Post Office. Restaurants have now taken the place of these two community buildings. Further down Dudley Street is the Wonga Park Primary School Established in 1895, it burned down in 1911 and the present building was built in 1912. This year marks its centenary. The Eight Hour Pioneer Village was a square mile edged by roads. Davis Road is one arm of the mile grid, which can be seen on the map detailing this walk. Finally, Kellybrook Winery in Fulford Road is the culmination of this interesting walk. Visitors can visit the cider winery and patronize the restaurant in the evenings. In the grounds visitors can admire a magnificent spreading oak tree, with its horizontal branches supported due to their weight. Several other trees of regional significance are also in the area. A map showing further details of this walk can be obtained from the Manningham Offices.
Source: 2012-12 DTHS Newsletter
The cart track in Ruffey's Park
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Among the brochures describing walks in Manningham is the Ruffey Lake Park Walk, the nearest to us at Schramm's Cottage. It would be interesting to know how many of our members have done this walk, and if you haven't, please include it on your list of things to do, as it provides a link between our Cottage and the historic aspects of the Park.
Entitled "Fruit, Frogs and Family Fun," it is an interesting combination of history, a nature ramble, and a family friendly barbecue area for summer picnics.
It is suggested starting at The Boulevarde carpark, where a row of trees, reminds us of the orchard heritage of the past in Doncaster. Point Two passes a Yellow Box area where many native Australian birds can be seen and where the first of the Heritage signs has been placed. These commemorate the work of the early orchardists of the district. In particular, sign number three describes the life of the Thiele family who arrived in 1853, and from this point can be seen glimpses of Friedensruh, the lovely Thiele homestead and spectacular garden. Following the path, Ruffey Creek meanders through the Park and at Point Four, we reach the playground and picnic area on Victoria Street. We hope the sign describing Schramm's Cottage at this point will encourage walkers and history lovers to interrupt their walk in the Park and cross over Victoria Street, to enjoy our Historic precinct.
Continue on to Point Five which follows the old cart track, dug by early pioneers to carry rock from the quarry for building and for other transport uses. Point Six is the remains of the quarry itself, on the right and a row of pines planted as a protection from winds of the fruits in the nearby orchards.
We have now reached the lake where there is a treat for the bird watcher and nature lover. Various wetland birds such as Dusky Moorhens, Grebes and Purple Swamphens can often be seen. A little further on, a platform affords an opportunity to further observe the lake and its bird life.
Continue on through wetlands by the lake, and nearby dog lovers walk and exercise their dogs. Soon you will return to your starting point having enjoyed a lovely walk with many historic features.
This walk is only one of twenty walks in the municipality. More information and brochures are available at the Manningham Municipal Offices and on its website.
Source: 2013-06 DTHS Newsletter
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