What can we help you discover today?
Explore the past with us
ARTICLES
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Widening the Five Mile Creek bridge
Woodend’s Five Mile Creek bridge was once “narrow and dangerous”. After it was widened in 1958, however, the Woodend Star reckoned motorists had “no excuse whatever should collisions occur”.
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The lure of the Hanging Rock races
“The Hanging Rock Racecourse possesses a magnetism all its own,” said a journalist from Melbourne after attending the New Year’s Day Races in January 1916.
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The Woodend bread carts
For decades, the horse-drawn Woodend bread cart was a much-loved sight around the district.
Books
From tales of taverns and village life to stories of the brave men and women who went to war, the district’s history is captured in our books.
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The Enterprising Thomas Fitzsimmons of Woodend
This is the story of Thomas and Eliza, the family they raise and the enterprises they create to survive and prosper. Above all, his hotel, the “Sydney”, and land investments are the tangible realities that he holds onto and ultimately prove to be the salvation of his family.
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Beyond the Black Forest
From the author of Name, Rank and Number, They Went to War and Our Men at War comes this wonderful book on the early settlement of Woodend and the surrounding district.
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Time Gentlemen, Please!
A fascinating look at more than 50 hotels that have operated in the district. Each hotel profile is accompanied by a beautiful pen-and-ink illustration.
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Echoes of the Past
Drawing on years of personal research and the extensive records of our Local and Family History Resource Centre, Jannyse has produced an entertaining and detailed account of the history of Newham and Cobaw.
How we can help you
Cemetery records
Might an ancestor have been buried in Woodend cemetery? Look up their name in our A-Z list of burials.
Research service
Struggling to trace a local branch of your family? Unable to visit Woodend to search for information? We can help.
Newspaper archive
Search digitised copies of newspapers at our resource centre, including The Woodend Star (1888-1970).
The Heritage Walk
The Heritage Walk commemorates local people and organisations. New plaques are dedicated each year.