Thank you to all who attended the Vermont Heritage Walk through the Healesville Freeway Reserve held throughout 2022. At the start of 2023, we commenced the Vermont History Group in place of the walking tours which meets once a month to research information on Vermont and the surrounding areas.
For those interested in completing the Vermont Heritage Walk in 2023 and into the future, a self-guided walking tour remains available with all pamphlets, walking guide with map and information of sites covered on the tour available on request.
Vermont Heritage Walk Review: Saturday 3rd December 2022
Thank you to everyone who attended our last walk for the year on Saturday. Whilst the weather was warm, this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the group this month who engaged in a lively discussion of the history of Vermont, the Livermore family, and schools in Vermont. It was inspiring to meet everyone and share stories and research projects. We would like to thank all who attended the walk for sharing their passion and knowledge on the local history. Special thanks to young Jack, who is to be commended on his dedication and interest in undertaking local history projects on Vermont and Vermont Primary and Secondary Schools, keep up the great work, it is great to meet likeminded people who are also passionate about sharing local history with the community. Thanks also to Jack’s mum Mary, Sharon, Maree, Bob and Issy for sharing their memories of Vermont and for making the day so enjoyable! We would like to thank all those who have attended or supported the heritage walk this year, and the kind staff who have promoted our walk and website at Strathdon. Thank you all for your enthusiasm, encouragement and sharing of memories and insights into Vermont’s history. We are planning to start a Vermont local history group to meet once a month in the new year and will be working on more content for the website so please get in touch if you would be interested in attending. We will also announce any future walks taking place next year on this page.
Vermont Heritage Walk, 3rd December 2022.
Vermont Heritage Walk Review: Saturday 1st October 2022
Thank you to everyone who attended the walk on the delightful spring morning on Saturday. We had a large group this month who engaged in a discussion of the history of orcharding in Vermont and surrounding areas as well as exploring familial connections to East Burwood, Doncaster, Warburton and Templestowe. We would like to thank all who attended the walk for their enthusiasm, insights and interest in discussing local history, including links with the Ringwood Historical Society for whom we delivered a presentation on our Vermont Heritage Walk at their most recent General Meeting on the 28th September 2022. It was great to have the company again of Maree, Robyn and Bob who have been dedicated supporters of the heritage walk and thank you for their invaluable contributions of knowledge and enthusiasm to the group. It was also a privelage to have Ringwood Historical Society members including Lesley and several of her fellow dedicated scouting movement peers attend and share their perspective and insight into the connections with history of surrounding areas.
Vermont Heritage Walk, 1st October 2022.
Vermont Heritage Walk Review: Saturday 6th August 2022
Thank you to everyone who attended the walk this morning. It was great to meet Sam, Project Officer for the Healesville Freeway Reserve from Parks Victoria. He provided insights into the landscape management of the park into the future and demonstrated passion and expertise for upholding the natural values of the park, including protecting native vegetation such as Greenhood Orchids and an interest in the local history of the area. We would like to thank him for his time and for providing answers to some of the commonly asked questions by locals in the area. For example, the metal tags on the trees through the reserve and a portion of the Bellbird Dell, have been applied to some 5,500 trees to obtain a map-based inventory of existing trees and to support tree health works by arborists. The pink markings on the ground have indicated various soil test points; with a total of twelve throughout the reserve which have yielded large amounts of clay. The proposed name of the park is yet to be announced with ongoing consultation with the Wurundjeri Council.
Vermont Heritage Walk Review: Saturday 2nd July 2022
Thank you to everyone who attended the walk this morning. It was great to meet so many new faces, and enthusiasm was high with a total of 16 people in attendance, with several families enjoying the walk together. Pets are most welcome to join too! We also called in to Strathdon House at the end of the walk.
Vermont Heritage Walk, 2nd July 2022.
Vermont Heritage Walk Review: Saturday 19th March 2022
Thank you to everyone who attended the walk this morning. Once again, we began with picturesque views across Davy Lane Reserve from Strathdon Orchard and witnessed a full moon overhead. Restoration of the windmill, which was manufactured in South Australia by Dunlite, is now complete and is on display at Strathdon Orchard. We were fortunate to also be joined on the walk by esteemed former Whitehorse Mayor and Councillor Bill Bennett. Bill shared his passion for advocacy to ensure the environment and biodiversity assets along the Healesville Freeway Reserve are protected, for example ensuring properties earmarked for development along the reserve boundary at the end of Moore Road receive appropriate residential zoning that minimises negative impacts on liveability of local residents with regards to traffic flow and reserve access. Also, for future walks we would like to remind everyone that they are most welcome to join the group at any stage of the walk, for example at Terrara Road as the group passes through at the bus stop.
Vermont Heritage Walk, 19th March 2022.
Vermont Heritage Walk Review: Saturday 12th March 2022
We wanted to thank everyone who attended our Vermont Heritage Walk on Saturday morning. It was fantastic to meet so many friendly people from our area and to share our passion for the local history of Vermont and Whitehorse. Thank you to Local Councillor (Simpson Ward) Prue Cutts who provided further updates about evolving developments at Davy Lane and management of the Healesville Freeway Reserve. Also in attendance was former Councillor Tim Shambrook, to provide his insights. His book 'Vermont: The Green Hill Where I Live' (Reprint published 2010) may be obtained from Docking Real Estate and Schwerkolt Cottage. Special thanks to Robyn, Maree and Bob for their continued enthusiasm and expertise. It is fantastic to bring together such a passionate and generous group of local residents for a blend of history, fitness and nature!
Vermont Heritage Walk, 12th March 2022.
Original Advertisement for the 'Vermont Heritage Walk'
DO YOU ENJOY HISTORY, FITNESS AND THE OUTDOORS? WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US ON A HERITAGE WALK AROUND VERMONT? We have organised a walking route through the Healesville Freeway Reserve departing from Strathdon Orchard (Springvale Road) and continuing across Terrara Road through the Bellbird Dell and finishing at Boronia Road. The walk covers a distance of 3.5 km each way (optional return) taking approximately 50 minutes (7.0 km return = 1 hour 40 min). Walking maps with accompanying information will be provided on the day. The walk may also be completed in a independent self-guided manner following the trail markers indicated. The walk provides a pleasant opportunity to experience nature, meet members of the local community and to learn about the local history of the area. We have had two walking sessions so far which were most enjoyable and feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. WHEN? FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH. Departing from picnic/BBQ shelter at Strathdon Orchard, Springvale Road, Forest Hill, at 8:00 am sharp. Parking is available at the Springvale Road entrance and at Davy Lane Reserve (accessed from Jolimont Road). Dogs are welcome. ACCESSIBILITY: Please be advised that the majority of this walking route is across unmade terrain that includes gravel, mulched areas with bark and open paddocks (in particular between Philip Street and Boronia Road). INTERESTED? RSVP is not required. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us. An in-person sign-up sheet is also available at Strathdon Orchard. The remaining walks for 2022 are set to occur on the following dates: Saturday 3rd September 2022 Saturday 1st October 2022 Saturday 5th November 2022 Saturday 3rd December 2022
Uniting Vermont Residents With Their Local History
Please fell free to contact us with any memories of Vermont and the surrounding area that you wish to share, or with any feedback on the website.