Indexes are available to the first freehold land-owners, cemeteries, school registers and rates records, to 1900.
Volunteers at work in the Archives Office on a Tuesday morning
THE LIBRARY
The Library collection includes over 500 items: books, pamphlets, periodicals, videos, DVD's and maps
The main scope covers works relating to the Nepean Ward of the Mornington Peninsula Shire, but other relevant works are also included.
Members of the Society may borrow most materials. Non-members can arrange to consult items on-site.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LIBRARY CATALOGUE
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Extracts from the Newpapers..."THE PENINSULA POST"
(collected by Peter Collins in 1990)
ELECTRIC NEWS!
9/2/1923: Keil Brothers announce that they will shortly be showing their pictures by electricity from their own dynamo in lieu of the present gas engine.
9/3/1923: At the two picture theatres, Keils have electricity now while the Athenaeum are announcing same.
5/10/1923: Cr Macfarlan (presumably of the Athenaeum?) has purchased the finest electrical generating set procurable; it was specially imported from England by him. It produces a very steady light, doing away with all the flicker...In future the Athenaeum will not close down at the end of the season, but will be open all year round.
OH HOW GOOD IT WOULD BE TO STILL HAVE A GOOD FAIRY!
12/6/1947: Reminiscent of the war years when we were accustomed to hearing the roar of cannons at practice inside the bay a more subdued report was heard last Saturday, which created very mild interest.
It was on occasion of shooting the life saving rocket from the Sorrento Esplanade in the direction of the pier. Only one of the youthful spectators volunteered to ride in the breeches buoy, which sad to relate, failed to keep his legs above the cold, cold water. Captain Mackinnon commended his crew on their efficiency, and promised that their efforts will be rewarded with a small token from the State Government's good fairy. (editor's italics)
THOSE WERE THE DAYS!
15/12/1922: The township looks fresh with paint, new shops, a new billiard room, two picture theatres, two tennis courts and two palais de dance await the coming throngs.
13/7/1923: Mr James Allen has sold his farm at 40 pounds per acre to the Sorrento Golf Club members; also Glen Arm, a limestone boarding house in the heart of the township found a purchaser at 1200 pounds, and 4 pounds per foot for the adjoining allotment.
MINING TALES
5/9/1903: Much excitement has been caused here by a find of what is supposed to be a large deposit of tin ore. The whole of the country between Rye and Sorrento has been pegged out, and several samples have been sent to the Mines Department, and prospective millionairs are anxiously waiting to hear the result.
11/6/1910: The Mines Dpeartment have a coal boring machine at work in the Recreation Ground, boring for coal. They are now at a depth between 400 and 500 feet, with so far no result, but some very good core has been brought to the surface, which is forwarded to the Mines Department weekly for analysis.
KEEPING OUT THE RIFF-RAFF
23/7/1904: The most exclusive club on the Peninsula is undoubtedly the Sorrento Tennis Club. Great care is exercised by the executive to see that no undesirable people are admitted as members. The system of enrolling members is carefully watched over by certain members, and any undesirables seeking admission to the Club are promptly blackballed, and anyone not in the inner circle of influential persons controling the club's affairs might just as well try to get into a Wesleyan tea meeting without a ticket as to enter its ranks. |
