Mooroolbark - History & Heritage

If you are ever visiting Canberra and the Australian War Memorial - look out for this photo of Roland Griffiths-Marsh - the first man from Mooroolbark to enlist in the Second World War.

You may have noted the recent passing of Hollywood acting legend Robert Duvall.
Over the past few days much has been made of his role in the brilliant mini-series 'The Lonesome Dove', in fact Duvall himself has been quoted as saying that was his best work.
You may be interested to know that much of that series was edited right here in Mooroolbark.
The series director, Simon Wincer, lived in Mooroolbark at the same, in the Bickleighvale Estate, and because of time constraints ended up editing much of the series in the studio he built on the property.

Can you help?
Did you live in any of the following towns during the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s?
Lilydale, Wonga Park, Coldstream, Gruyere, Wandin, Seville, Silvan, Monbulk, Olinda, Kalorama, Mt Dandenong, Montrose, Kilsyth, Mooroolbark, Mt Evelyn.
If you did, would you be interested in answering a series of questions?
I am currently looking at the political and historical aspects of this area during those decades and would like to send you a questionnaire.
Please email me at – [email protected] and I will forward it to you
Regards,
Anthony McAleer OAM

The extraordinary 19th Century mansion 'Airlie' in South Yarra has a number of connections to this district.

1. There was once a vineyard on the site and Hubert de Castella arranged to take cuttings from here to start up his own vineyard at St Hubert's in Yering. At one stage he named the wine produced 'Airlie'.
2. George Chirnside owned the property for a number of years. He later purchased the property Mooroolbark Park and when it was sold, it was turned into the suburb we now known as Chirnside Park.
3. During World War Two the house was the headquarters of Z Special Forces. The first man from Mooroolbark to enlist in the Second World War was Roland Griffiths-Marsh, he served with the 2nd AIF in the Middle East and Greece before returning to Australia. Because he could speak Malay and French he was recruited by Z Special Forces and had to undertake an interview here. He was later dropped behind the lines on Borneo.

Unfortunately, the house is not open to the public and has been owned and run by the Victoria Police as a conference centre.

A film is to be made on the life of Edna Walling...

The Unusual Life of Edna Walling optioned by Lowick Films | ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, News, Reviews & Screen Industry Data Lowick Films will adapt Edna Walling's inspiring life into a movie for future release.

We support our local State Member Bridget Vallence MLA in her quest to get harsher penalties for those who damage or vandalise our war memorials.
Our thoughts go out to our neighbouring community at Coldstream & Yering - we know how you are feeling.

Another war memorial vandalised before Remembrance Day Ahead of one of the significant days for servicemen, a local war memorial was found vandalised once again. It was [...]

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/edna-walling-designed-gardens-for-the-murdoch-and-packer-families-and-remains-australian-gardening-royalty/ar-AA1tdZxs?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=LCTS&cvid=9ffc13bb8c7744b1a4f4a32d75cf1402&ei=10

Edna Walling designed gardens for the Murdoch and Packer families, and remains Australian gardening royalty Edna Walling was one of Australia's most influential garden designers, known for her use of low stone walls, meandering pathways and self-seeding plants.

Open Garden 2024 - Edna Walling's Bickleigh Vale, Mooroolbark

For those interested in the Kyeema plane crash into Mt Dandenong in 1938 - a fantastic new novel has been written by local author Joel Martin - entitled -

The Weeping Mountain: An aspiring Prime Minister, honeymooning lovers and a mother bound by a memory intersect in the incredible true story of Australia earning its wings.

Available by order through Amazon -
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DBF2WTXG?ref=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_8KD07PVP1JKZ2M1WGE5S&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_8KD07PVP1JKZ2M1WGE5S&social_share=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_8KD07PVP1JKZ2M1WGE5S&language=en-AU&skipTwisterOG=2&fbclid=IwY2xjawEk3CFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTb4gt-LTEq86wNMwV8PCObiWQ07EBxmg03Z9voLEJEAeZmywWGgafsrYQ_aem_QduIXWlIFfQXsfEKlbiYCQ

The Weeping Mountain: An aspiring Prime Minister, honeymooning lovers and a mother bound by a memory intersect in the incredible true story of Australia earning its wings. As war clouds gather for the second time in a generation, Australians face their own battles at home with bureaucracy, the ballot and the bottle. This incredible true story spans a continent, with the catastrophic accident at its centre changing the skies for everyone that follows. It's a story o...

Lilydale Express May 31st, 1978

Interesting idea but it looks like it never went ahead

Lilydale Express 28th June, 1978

Lilydale Express - 25th May, 1977