Celebrating 150 years – the making of our city!

In 1861, the householders and landowners in the Parish of Doutta Galla petitioned the Governor of Victoria to allow their local area to become a municipal district.

In December of that year the Governor granted the petitioners their wish and the boroughs of Essendon and Flemington were incorporated. The first Council meeting of the newly formed municipality took place at the Moonee Ponds Hotel on Saturday, 25 January 1862.

Listen to these podcasts

Judy Maddigan
Interview with Judy Maddigan, former MP for Essendon and President of the Essendon Historical Society. Judy shares her stories of the area both as a resident and as an elected representative for the community at both local and state levels of government.

Alan Murphy
Alan is a columnist for the Moonee Valley Weekly and grew up in Essendon before moving to Avondale Heights. He shares his rich local knowledge of the area, memories including the Queen's visit in 1954 and the visit by former US president Lyndon B. Johnson, as well as his community work as part of the Essendon JCs and Rotary.

Alanmurphy by mooneevalleycitycoucil

Bob
Bob talks of his life growing up in Essendon, the house his parents purchased which the family still owns today, his career in teaching and other involvements in the community.

Bob's story in Moonee Valley by mooneevalleycitycoucil

John and Marlene
John and Marlene have lived in Moonee Valley for over 50 years. They share their experiences of running a cabinet-making business and raising a family in Essendon. John played in the first ever Aberfeldie football and cricket clubs.

Johnmarlene by mooneevalleycitycoucil

Going back in time through pictures

Events and celebrations

• Picture this City exhibition at the Incinerator Gallery on Holmes Road in Moonee Ponds, from 9 December 2011 to 26 February 2012
• Historical displays at local libraries
• Historical walks led by the Essendon Historical Society around the local area:
• Sunday, 15 January, 2pm: meet at the Old Courthouse for a Moonee Ponds Historic walk 
• Sunday, 22 January, 2pm: meet outside the Ascot Vale library for a ‘Temperance Township’ Ascot Vale historic walk 
• History display by the Essendon Historical Society at the Old Courthouse in Moonee Ponds every Sunday until the end of February from 2pm to 5pm (except from 18 December to 15 January)
• Burke and Wills plaque in Queens Park from 26 January 2012

The 150th celebrations will also be incorporated into:

• The Mayoral Charity Community Race Night on Friday, 25 November
• The Moonee Valley Festival on Sunday, 26 February
• Activities happening at the libraries as part of the National Year of Reading

  Other activities

• The libraries are developing a history kit for primary schools and students. These kits will be launched at the Moonee Valley Festival and will be made available online.
• The Essendon Historical Society has produced a historical calendar, which will be on sale in the coming months.
  The calendars are $20 each and can be purchased from any of the following outlets in Moonee Ponds: Pauline Maree in Puckle Street, Kwik Kopy in Moonee Ponds Junction, West Essendon Newsagency in Buckley Street, office of Justin Madden MLA in Shuter Street, office of Bill Shorten MHR in Hall Street, Sam Merrifield library or the Essendon Historical Museum on 768 Mt Alexander Road (2pm to 5pm on Sundays only). You can also purchase your calendar from the Ascot Vale library or the Niddrie library. For more information on any of the activities organised by the Essendon Historical Society, please email EssHisSoc@mail.com or leave a message on 9370 4607 with your details and someone will get back to you.
• With the assistance of a community grant from Council, the Flemington Association produced a heritage booklet promoting walks around Flemington. The booklet, Discover the Other Side of the Tracks in Flemington (pdf, 548KB), was commended at the Victorian Community History Awards. Get walking and start discovering the fantastic heritage of the local area. Hard copies are available at the Civic Centre or one of our libraries. The Flemington Association's website also has additional information, be sure to visit it. For more information about the activities of the association or to contribute stories, images and artefacts of Flemington past and present, please email info@flemingtonassociation.org.au

   

  150th commemorative painting

  To celebrate Moonee Valley 150th anniversary celebration, we are selling prints of a special commemorative painting. The painting, titled Moonee Valley – 150 years on, was created by internationally renowned artist Charles Billich and portrays the municipality’s significant landmarks such as the Clocktower Centre, Essendon Airport and the Afton Street Bridge.

  A limited run of prints are available for $500 on paper (63cm x 18cm including border 73cm x 22cm) and $1500 on canvas (80cm x 63cm).

  Contact Sharon Keppel on 9243 8888 or council@mvcc.vic.gov.au to secure yours.

  The painting was sponsored by Bensons Property Group, Citylink, Bendigo Bank and its community branches, Moonee Ponds Central, Beck Corporation, Moonee Valley Racing Club, Macroplan Australia, Matthews Steer Chartered Accountants, Essendon Fields as well as the Puckle Street, Union Road, Centreway, Flemington and Niddrie Trader Associations.