Originally published in the Dandenong Journal from 10 March to 22nd September, 1932.
This copy is taken from the original published then, not the book version now used by others.
“Well, the reader may imagine himself standing on Prospect Hill (say, about the site of the Scouts Hall), which was then virgin country, looking towards the rise upon which the churches now stand. There was then nothing but an expanse of green to be seen. On the left hand were the giant gums, interspersed with sheoaks, light woods, etc., in Walker’s paddock (more recently known as the Grange Estate). In the valley at my feet was a pleasant park-like expanse covered with heavy timber, and, as one looked eastwards, to the slope, where now Langhorne, McCrae, and other streets run, it was also heavily timbered, with red-gum, the minor trees consisting of sheoak, lightwood, wild cherry, honeysuckle and peppermint, the undergrowth being mostly bracken, with excellent kangaroo grass and dwarf scrub.
“Sloping toward the creek the pep permints became scarce, and the bracken, intermingled with heath, gave place to reeds and rushes; and, although here was not the rugged beauty that held me on the hillside, not the least being the abundance of maiden-hair fern with which the banks of the creek were clothed, compensation was made by the wealth of lovely smaller bushes, such as wild raspberries, wild black currants, native laurels, myrtles, silver wattles, and other pretty shrubs.
“The raspberries and currants were found only on the creek’s banks, as were mostly the laurels and myrtles, but the latter were sometimes growing a short distance from the water, but not far. I doubt very much if raspberries or black currants could now be found anywhere in or near the park, even by the most careful searching. “As mentioned before, the creek side of the hill was not clothed with such heavy timber as was the other side, but it was a very pretty spot, nevertheless. At my back, and to the right, in the direction of the (now) railway station, “Prospect Hill” was similarly clothed as “Church Hill,” vistas of beautiful trees opening up in whichever direction the eye ranged. It was all very lovely, and I can with truth say, Dandenong, as it was then, was as pretty a spot as could be found on this island continent of ours.
“It might be said of the foregoing that it savours rather of boastfulness, but I express my views now as I formed them years ago, and I will assuredly adhere to them for all time. And even now, when all the splendid gums have disappeared, and the lesser trees also, I can in fancy see the vast expanse of giant growing gums I many times saw ranging from the “Hill” away beyond the churches towards Berwick.
“There might still be one of two of the giants of olden days left. One, I remember, stood at the rear of the late Mr J. Hemmings business premises in Pultney street; another at the corner of “Holland House” property (one time Dr Langley’s); and another overhung “Florence Cottage,” on Kidd’s road, where once dwelt our old dominee. All or any of these may have disappeared before these lines appear in print, but they compared in a lesser degree with the giants I write of.
“I should, perhaps; give a little more detail about the appearance of the Robinson street side of the township. From “Prospect Hill” down to the railway station was dense redgum, and smaller scrubby bush with bracken, four feet as undergrowth, until past the (now) railway line, where tussocks took the place of fern, as obtains to this day. This flat got good soakings annually, the flood waters from the creek going well over and beyond where stood the Brighton road railway gates, and with a general spread of mostly a mile.
“All around Dandenong was magnificent redgum country, and much fine timber was cut from the area embraced by Dandenong, Lyndhurst, Bangholme and Hallam. At Lightwood Flat, which is now known as “Novar,” and “Eglington Park” (Potter’s Paddock), and Sandown Park, peppermints, swamp gums and other small trees predominated; and with an occasional clump of redgums, similar country ran back to beyond Springvale. The demand for sawn timber for Melbourne’s requirements did not exhaust the Dandenong, Bangholme and Hallam supplies, as Dande nong, it might be said, draws even now upon what is left in these places for firewood.
“Down the track from Prospect Hill, which was the route to Gippsland (for it must be remembered there were no made roads in those days), as it swung around the comer, not a sign of habitation was to be seen, the trees completely obscuring the watch-house and stabling (the only buildings on the hill), and Dunbar’s Hotel, store, and post office, down what is now Lonsdale street; Dunn’s Hotel, a shanty just back from the corner of Thomas and Foster streets, was the only other building.’’
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