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Hon Kelvin Thomson will be the speaker at the next meeting of Brunswick Community History Group on Saturday 3 October at 1.30pm at Balam Balam Place. Kelvin has served the local area at all three levels of government and is also a life-long environmentalist. He will talk about the Moonee Ponds Creek and the Friends of MP Creek which he founded.
History After Dark Walking Tour
Get your ticket now for a History Tour after dark, Tuesday 29 September 2026.
The Sydney Road Brunswick precinct would not be the destination it is today without the businesses, people, movements and characters that have graced its corridor over time. From keychain wielding publicans to passionate people and stances that have stood the test of time – the precinct has many a story to tell.
Delivered by Sydney Road Brunswick Association in partnership with the Brunswick Community History Group , this tour will focus on key businesses, places and people between Dawson Street and Brunswick Road.
Get your ticket now: http://sydneyroad.com.au/.../history-tours-of-the-sydney.../
#sydneyroadbrunswick #historytour #brunswickhistory
Get your ticket now for a History Tour after dark, Tuesday 29 September 2026.
The Sydney Road Brunswick precinct would not be the destination it is today without the businesses, people, movements and characters that have graced its corridor over time. From keychain wielding publicans to passionate people and stances that have stood the test of time – the precinct has many a story to tell.
Delivered by Sydney Road Brunswick Association in partnership with the Brunswick Community History Group , this tour will focus on key businesses, places and people between Dawson Street and Brunswick Road.
Get your ticket now: http://sydneyroad.com.au/.../history-tours-of-the-sydney.../
#sydneyroadbrunswick #historytour #brunswickhistory
Moonee Ponds Creek and its Friends
Our next meeting is on Saturday October 3 at 1.30pm at Balam Balam Place - corner of Saxon and Phoenix Streets. Our speaker is the founder of the Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek, Kelvin Thomson.
The Hon. Kelvin Thomson was born, grew up in, and still lives in, Pascoe Vale. He was an Australian Labor Party Councillor for the City of Coburg from 1981-1988, Member for Pascoe Vale in the Victorian Parliament from 1988-1996, and Member for Wills in the Australian Parliament from 1996-2016.
In 1989 he established what is now the Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek, and was its President for over 30 years. He continues to work on the creek in a part-time role as Litter Action Officer for the Moonee Ponds Creek Chain of Ponds Collaboration.
Our next meeting is on Saturday October 3 at 1.30pm at Balam Balam Place - corner of Saxon and Phoenix Streets. Our speaker is the founder of the Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek, Kelvin Thomson.
The Hon. Kelvin Thomson was born, grew up in, and still lives in, Pascoe Vale. He was an Australian Labor Party Councillor for the City of Coburg from 1981-1988, Member for Pascoe Vale in the Victorian Parliament from 1988-1996, and Member for Wills in the Australian Parliament from 1996-2016.
In 1989 he established what is now the Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek, and was its President for over 30 years. He continues to work on the creek in a part-time role as Litter Action Officer for the Moonee Ponds Creek Chain of Ponds Collaboration.
Is this in Brunswick?
This intriguing photograph shows a gas lamp lighter in 1900 and is labelled as being in Brunswick. It is one of a set of photographs collected by the Brunswick Historical Society in 1938. To mark the centenary of white settlement in the area the society invited residents to bring in their photos which were then transferred to glass slides. The slides are now at the Public Record Office with copies at Brunswick Library. It was assumed to be in Brunswick but we have been unable to determine the location and suspect it is somewhere else. White railings in the background ( not shown in this version) suggest Park Street but the faint outline of a building in the background and the church spire suggest otherwise.
This intriguing photograph shows a gas lamp lighter in 1900 and is labelled as being in Brunswick. It is one of a set of photographs collected by the Brunswick Historical Society in 1938. To mark the centenary of white settlement in the area the society invited residents to bring in their photos which were then transferred to glass slides. The slides are now at the Public Record Office with copies at Brunswick Library. It was assumed to be in Brunswick but we have been unable to determine the location and suspect it is somewhere else. White railings in the background ( not shown in this version) suggest Park Street but the faint outline of a building in the background and the church spire suggest otherwise.
History Walk - Brunswick in the Great Depression
Professor Emerita Joan Beaumont will lead a walk covering places of significance in Brunswick during this turbulent period. As a working lass industrial suburb Brunswick was greatly impacted by the Depression of the 1930s and was also the site of a significant protest movement. The cost of $15 plus booking fee includes the walk and an explanatory booklet.
Saturday 19 September at 11.00am. Further information and bookings here:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/history-walk-brunswick-in-the-great-depression-tickets-1999736910932?aff=oddtdtcreator
Professor Emerita Joan Beaumont will lead a walk covering places of significance in Brunswick during this turbulent period. As a working lass industrial suburb Brunswick was greatly impacted by the Depression of the 1930s and was also the site of a significant protest movement. The cost of $15 plus booking fee includes the walk and an explanatory booklet.
Saturday 19 September at 11.00am. Further information and bookings here:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/history-walk-brunswick-in-the-great-depression-tickets-1999736910932?aff=oddtdtcreator
The First Inventors: How People Shaped a Continent | An Evening with Larissa Behrendt AO, Billy Griffiths and Sean Ulm
📅 Tuesday 15 September, 6.30pm
📍 The Capitol RMIT, 113 Swanston St, Narrm/Melbourne
🎟️ $10 | Mobtix ?
https://www.rmit.edu.au/events/2026/september/the-first-inventors
📅 Tuesday 15 September, 6.30pm
📍 The Capitol RMIT, 113 Swanston St, Narrm/Melbourne
🎟️ $10 | Mobtix ?
https://www.rmit.edu.au/events/2026/september/the-first-inventors
Politics and Unionism in Brunswick
Our AGM will be held on Saturday 5 September at 1.30pm at Balam Balam Place, Phoenix Street.
The short formalities will be followed by a talk from John Kavanagh, former Mayor and Councillor of Moreland (now Merri-bek). His grandparents Bill and Mary (nee Moodie) Kavanagh lived in East Brunswick and were both active in union and political movements in the mid 20th century. John will talk about their lives and contribution to political life in Brunswick and Victoria generally. The photo shows Mary and Bill with their children.
Our AGM will be held on Saturday 5 September at 1.30pm at Balam Balam Place, Phoenix Street.
The short formalities will be followed by a talk from John Kavanagh, former Mayor and Councillor of Moreland (now Merri-bek). His grandparents Bill and Mary (nee Moodie) Kavanagh lived in East Brunswick and were both active in union and political movements in the mid 20th century. John will talk about their lives and contribution to political life in Brunswick and Victoria generally. The photo shows Mary and Bill with their children.
Walking tour of Brunswick buildings of Victor Heiberg held last Saturday in perfect weather. We will be repeating this walk so stay tuned for booking information.
Photos by Annette Whiter who also organised the tour. They show Beacon Garage, Grimwades and Mountain View.
Photos by Annette Whiter who also organised the tour. They show Beacon Garage, Grimwades and Mountain View.
Our AGM on Saturday 5 September will be followed by a talk from John Kavanagh OAM. The event is at room 205, Balam Balam Place in Phoenix Street starting at 1.30pm
John is a former Mayor of Moreland (now Merri-bek) and he will speak about his family’s deep connection to Brunswick.
His talk will focus principally on his maternal grandparents, the Honourable William Peter Barry (30/6/1899-21/12/1972) and Mary Magdelan Barry (nee Moodie) (5/12/1899 – 25/11/1977). They lived at 194 Weston Street, East Brunswick, and although their names are largely forgotten their contribution to Victoria was quite extraordinary, including his grandfather’s role in establishing the Royal Children’s Hospital and the part he played in bringing the Olympics to Melbourne in 1956.
Photos from John Kavanagh show John and his grandparents Bill and Mary Barry.
John is a former Mayor of Moreland (now Merri-bek) and he will speak about his family’s deep connection to Brunswick.
His talk will focus principally on his maternal grandparents, the Honourable William Peter Barry (30/6/1899-21/12/1972) and Mary Magdelan Barry (nee Moodie) (5/12/1899 – 25/11/1977). They lived at 194 Weston Street, East Brunswick, and although their names are largely forgotten their contribution to Victoria was quite extraordinary, including his grandfather’s role in establishing the Royal Children’s Hospital and the part he played in bringing the Olympics to Melbourne in 1956.
Photos from John Kavanagh show John and his grandparents Bill and Mary Barry.
Progress on the restoration of the former Wesleyan Church in Sydney Road. This magnificent building dates from 1872 and is the third Methodist Church on this site. The land was donated by Thomas WiIkinson in 1839. It ceased operating as a church at some time after 1977 following the formation of the Uniting Church. Services were moved to the former St Andrews Presbyterian Church on the corner of Merri Street. The adjoining Sunday School building was the site of the Sydney Road Community School from 1972-2022. In 2008 the site was sold to a partner in Nelson Alexander Real estate and the church fell into disrepair. Finally it is being restored for a use yet to be announced.
History Walk - the buildings of Victor Heiberg
Victor Heiberg designed and built a number of eccentric buildings around Brunswick in the early 20th Century. This walk will be lead by local architect Adam Newman and will look at some of the buildings including the Beacon Garage and Flats and Mountain View in Brunswick Road. The buildings are notable for their mix of architectural styles and recycled building materials.
The walk is on Saturday 29 August at 11.00am. The cost of $15 includes a booklet with photos and descriptions.
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/history-walk-the-buildings-of-victor-heiberg-tickets-1997951920979
Victor Heiberg designed and built a number of eccentric buildings around Brunswick in the early 20th Century. This walk will be lead by local architect Adam Newman and will look at some of the buildings including the Beacon Garage and Flats and Mountain View in Brunswick Road. The buildings are notable for their mix of architectural styles and recycled building materials.
The walk is on Saturday 29 August at 11.00am. The cost of $15 includes a booklet with photos and descriptions.
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/history-walk-the-buildings-of-victor-heiberg-tickets-1997951920979
A recent addition to our collection is a set of price lists from Hoffman Brick and Potteries dating from the early 20th Century. This page from 1915 show a range of products. Hoffman made not only bricks but also bottles, breadcrocks. bedpans, birdbaths and basins. Also Vases for cut flowers and gum leaves, spitoons, chamber pots and other objects no longer in use.
Did you go to Southwest Brunswick Primary School in South Daly Street? The school is celebrating its centenary next year and is looking for memories and photos from past students and staff for a proposed publication. There is a survey here:
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2FMGQ86X6%3Ffbclid%3DIwcGRvZgNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFPTkNXYkI1aGMwRlN3b3Y4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTE0NzcxNTY5MjI4MDYxAAEe8t9WZ_127l8Mw2eZWiIhQHxBdAWWMmnl2hrZ5zyPudj4KDNEsxqM3qyW7MY_aem_RgF1DX0jUH-YIJwR1dhUxw&h=AUDKg1s3tPUvrRPUxu46v_CTi34nmJdZ8CRjmN-6ZnTe7TnrdUDMj5dI6aZ9NmELV4inlrHHLsA5znlbUQ-2l7CwMMQ5AH-Bq7bjDsDhmGwAxbuFJM4lIlWaPq6WEEO1CMzXBC9P95WHb65Aiho
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2FMGQ86X6%3Ffbclid%3DIwcGRvZgNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFPTkNXYkI1aGMwRlN3b3Y4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTE0NzcxNTY5MjI4MDYxAAEe8t9WZ_127l8Mw2eZWiIhQHxBdAWWMmnl2hrZ5zyPudj4KDNEsxqM3qyW7MY_aem_RgF1DX0jUH-YIJwR1dhUxw&h=AUDKg1s3tPUvrRPUxu46v_CTi34nmJdZ8CRjmN-6ZnTe7TnrdUDMj5dI6aZ9NmELV4inlrHHLsA5znlbUQ-2l7CwMMQ5AH-Bq7bjDsDhmGwAxbuFJM4lIlWaPq6WEEO1CMzXBC9P95WHb65Aiho
An Italian Family in Brunswick
On Saturday 1 August local Solicitor Peter Russo will talk about his family in Brunswick. The story spans 4 generations since his great grandfather migrated from the Aeolian Islands in 1895. It's a story of migration, local history and social mobility reflecting Brunswick's rich Italian history. The talk will be at Balam Balam Place in Phoenix Street at 1.30 pm.
Photo from Peter Russo shows the Russo boys helping Nonno Angelo at his Sydney Road fruit shop.
On Saturday 1 August local Solicitor Peter Russo will talk about his family in Brunswick. The story spans 4 generations since his great grandfather migrated from the Aeolian Islands in 1895. It's a story of migration, local history and social mobility reflecting Brunswick's rich Italian history. The talk will be at Balam Balam Place in Phoenix Street at 1.30 pm.
Photo from Peter Russo shows the Russo boys helping Nonno Angelo at his Sydney Road fruit shop.
An Italian family in Brunswick.
Local solicitor Peter Russo will talk about his family's long connection to Brunswick at the next meeting of Brunswick Community History Group on Saturday 1 August at 1.30pm at Balam Balam Place.
Peter's great grandfather migrated from the Aeolian Islands in 1895. In the 1920s his grandfather established a fruit shop in Sydney Road. Peter's father became a successful real estate agent in Brunswick and encouraged his lawyer son to set up a practice in Sydney Road where he has been ever since.
This is a story of migration, local history and social mobility.
Photo from State Library of Victoria shows an Italian family (not the Russo family) in Melbourne in 1928. Photograph by Mendelssohn Studios.
Local solicitor Peter Russo will talk about his family's long connection to Brunswick at the next meeting of Brunswick Community History Group on Saturday 1 August at 1.30pm at Balam Balam Place.
Peter's great grandfather migrated from the Aeolian Islands in 1895. In the 1920s his grandfather established a fruit shop in Sydney Road. Peter's father became a successful real estate agent in Brunswick and encouraged his lawyer son to set up a practice in Sydney Road where he has been ever since.
This is a story of migration, local history and social mobility.
Photo from State Library of Victoria shows an Italian family (not the Russo family) in Melbourne in 1928. Photograph by Mendelssohn Studios.
The TV show The Secret DNA of Us is coming to Brunswick and the producers are looking for 100 people prepared to have their DNA taken and perhaps share their stories of Brunswick. If you live in and /or have a long family connection to Brunswick they would like to hear from you. It should be really interesting!
THE SECRET DNA OF US
APPLY NOW!
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