Greensborough Historical Society

The European settlement of Greensborough was from 1839 onward and has an abundance of untold history. The Society’s aim is to collect, catalogue, preserve and share the history and heritage of Greensborough and its environs from the earliest records to the present time. Whilst called Greensborough Historical Society, its coverage is not limited to that area alone and includes Greensborough, Watsonia, Macleod, Montmorency, Briar Hill, St Helena, Lower Plenty and Bundoora. Greensborough Historical Society acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as traditional custodians of the land and we pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging, who have resided in the area and been an integral part of the region’s history.

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Recent Articles

  • March meeting

    By Sue Ballantyne, March 2024

    Join us for our next meeting on Saturday 23 March 2024 NOTE: this is a new date as advertised last month

    Our guest speaker will be Nick Cree, a new member of the Committee in 2024 'Surnames' or 'family names' from England, Wales and Scotland are a treasure trove of ancient meanings. This talk will categorise the six origins of these names. They mostly date from the 12th century when new inheritance property laws meant people had to prove a connection to a clan or family group. Guess what the oldest surname is? Guess what percentage of Greensborough residents identify themselves as 'British' in family origin? Bring along the stories of the origins of your various family names. Presenter: Nick Cree. As usual, the meeting will commence at 1.15pm. Afternoon tea will follow the speaker. Venue: Greenhills Neighbourhood House Community Drive Greensborough All welcome, bring your friends

  • Change of date

    By Sue Ballantyne, February 2024

    CHANGE OF DAY AND DATE FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2024 MEETINGS. Speaker for February meeting

    February meeting: St Helena in the south Atlantic

    Please note that due to prior bookings at Greenhills Neighborhood House, we have changed the day and date of our upcoming February and March meetings: NEW TIMES: February: now Friday 23 Feb at 1.15pm Our presenter will be GHS Secretary Peter Van Eeken. Peter's topic is St Helena Our local suburb of St Helena is named after St. Helena Island in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most remote islands in the world and was uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese enroute to India in 1502. For about four centuries, the island was an important stopover for ships from Europe to Asia and back, while sailing around the African continent, until the opening of the Suez Canal. St Helena is the United Kingdom’s second-oldest overseas territory (after Bermuda). Peter Van Eeken will present a History of the Island in order to gain some appreciation of our local suburb’s sources and its forebears. Anthony Beale, one of Greensborough’s earliest pioneers, named his cattle run ‘St Helena’ after the island on which he once lived.. March: now Saturday 23 March at 1,15pm All dates for meetings for the remainder of the year will be as published.

  • Walking the Kurrum Yallock (Plenty River)

    By Sue Ballantyne, October 2023

    Book launch: Walking the Kurrum Yallock by Anne Paul

    Kate Thwaites and Anne Paul at the launch

    On Thursday 5 October, at Diamond Valley Library, Greensborough Historical Society launched its latest book: Walking the Kurrum Yallock (Plenty River) by Anne Paul. A good crowd joined Anne to formally launch her long-awaited guide to walking the history and environment of the Plenty River around Viewbank, Yallambie and Lower Plenty. Kate Thwaites MP launched the book; Liz Pidgeon of Yarra Plenty Regional Libraries was our host and MC. Books available through GHS – contact via this website – see Items for Sale. $25.00 non-members and $20.00 for members. Postage $5.00, or delivery within the local area. Books also available online - Google "Walking the Kurrum Yallock" for this option.

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Meeting Dates

Dates for 2024: The Society meets once per month February to November. General Meetings are held on alternate Fridays ('odd' months, starting March) and the informal forums are held on the alternate Saturday ('even' months, starting February) at Greenhills Neighbourhood House: Community Drive, off St Helena Road. Meetings begin at 1.15pm. Any changes to the venue, dates or times will posted on this site so please check regularly before the meeting date. All members and visitors are most welcome to attend these informative and friendly meetings. (We follow any current COVID restrictions) The History Resource Centre is open on Thursdays between 10:00am and 3:00pm., and on selected weekends at corner of Glenauburn and Para Road, Lower Plenty 3093. Committee meetings for 2024: CHANGE TO COMMITTEE MEETING TIMES FOR 2024: Committee meeting are now scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of odd months at 1.30pm. In 2024 there is one vacancy on Committee. If you’d like to join us, please speak to a Committee member. 16/01; 19/03; 21/05; 16/07; 17/09; 19/11. Contact Norm (0409 815 246) or other Committee members with your suggestions for activities or projects. Or contact the Society via email: info@greensboroughhistorical.org.au Meeting dates for 2024: All held at Greenhills Neighbourhood House, Community Drive, Greensborough, commencing at 1.15pm. Friday 23/02/2024; Saturday 23/03/2024; Saturday 27/04/2024; Friday 31/05/2024; Saturday 29/06/2024; Friday 26/07/2024; Saturday 31/08/2024; Friday 27/09/2024; Saturday 26/10/2024; Friday 29/11/2024. Check on home page for updates on speakers and activities. Note that GHS follows current COVID restrictions. SOCIAL MORNING TEAS 2024: We have changed our social morning tea/coffee gatherings to monthly (previously every second month). All on a Tuesday and we meet on the top floor of Greensborough Plaza behind the Donut shop. February 13; March 12; April 9; May 14; June 11; July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12 and December 10. Held on Tuesday morning, this is a social occasion, not a formal meeting. All members and friends are welcome. Check homepage for details prior to event. OPEN DAYS AT THE RESOURCE CENTRE 2024: Saturday 10/02/2024; Sunday 14/04/2024; Saturday 08/06/2024; Sunday 11/08/2024; Saturday12/10/2024. Hours are 1.00pm to 3.00pm. The Resource Centre at 34A Glenauburn Road Lower Plenty (corner Para Road) is now open every Thursday (10am - 3pm). All members and friends of the Society are most welcome to join us any Thursday

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Membership Information

The Greensborough Historical Society always welcomes new members and visitors to its meetings and functions. If your interests are historical, heritage or family history, you are welcome to join us. Membership is another valued contribution to help the Society record the district's history and heritage and we hope you will join with us to contribute your time, knowledge and skills in the many activities and projects the Society undertakes and promotes.

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Request For Help

  • Local Information and Photos

    Main Street Greensborough

    Here at Greensborough Historical Society we are always looking for information and photos of the area in days gone by. If you or your family lived in Greensborough, Watsonia, Macleod, Montmorency, Lower Plenty or Bundoora, we'd love to hear from you! We can scan photos and return the originals to you, or you could email digital photos to info@greensboroughhistorical.org.au If you are interested in sharing your story through an oral history interview, please contact the Society. info@greensboroughhistorical.org.au We look forward to hearing from you.

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