Rowville Progress Assoc

The recently formed Rowville and Lysterfield Residents’ Association is another example of people coming together in our area with the aim of improving aspects of the lives of the residents of the district. In earlier times similar groups were brought into existence with similar goals: the 1980s saw the formation of the Rowville-Lysterfield Development Group (the parent body of the R-LC News) and the 1960s was the era of the Rowville Progress Association. This article will detail the early days of the latter group and the concerns of its members in that era of Rowville’s history.

The inaugural meeting of the Rowville Progress Association was held on Wednesday, 14th September 1960 in the small hall beside the Post Office on the south-east corner of Stud and Wellington Roads. Mr Harry Raymond Snr. of Taylors Lane had put a lot of effort into organising the meeting and was pleased to be able to welcome 47 residents who crammed into the confined space of the hall to give the Association an enthusiastic launch.

Cr. Bernie Seebeck was invited to take the chair and he emphasised the need for such a body in the rapidly growing district.

Frank Fordham moved that the “Rowville Progress Association” be formed and the motion was carried unanimously. An annual membership fee of three shillings was decided on.

Cr. Seebeck then conducted elections for office bearers with the following chosen to form the committee:

President – Alan Bartley,
Vice Presidents – Harry Raymond and Bert Stagg,
Secretary – H. Peining,
Treasurer – Albert Golding.

Mr Bartley read the rules and regulations of the Lysterfield Progress Association* and apart from a few minor alterations these were adopted.

Mr Raymond thanked Mr and Mrs Gibson who kindly gave the Association use of its hall, free of charge (apart from electricity).

It was stressed that the greatest need was for a hall in the district and various sites were mentioned. Stuart Finn moved for a recreation reserve and sporting centre in the district and the secretary was asked to write to the Council about a suitable 10 acre site.

Bert Stagg then suggested that a strong protest be sent to the Town and Planning Association about the planned opening of a new quarry in the district.

Linton Lancashire urged those present to attend the next meeting of the Fire Brigade.

Second Meeting

At the Association’s second meeting on 12th October, Charles Ryan gave some legal advice on the proposed new quarry which Narre Warren Metals Pty Ltd hoped to operate. He tabled a petition to the minister and asked members to sign it.

Frank Fordham moved that something be done to stop people dumping rubbish along Bergins Road and for Council to keep the pipes clean.

The President told the meeting that plans for a footpath for school children along Wellington Road were well under way.

The shocking state of Stud Road was brought to the attention of the meeting and the secretary was asked to write to the council to see if main roads could be fixed and patrolled at least once a fortnight.

Mr Ryan moved that a letter be written to Council to see what could be done about a garbage collection. Jim Robertson moved that, in the meantime, the garbage cart be emptied more frequently.

The following members were elected to form a Social Committee: Jim Robertson, Alf Taylor, Margaret Gearon, Jean Dunscombe, Harry Raymond, Rita Robertson, Kath Gibson, K. Smolders, Leo Gill, Fred Holt, Mr Morrison, Alan Bartley and Aimee Seebeck.

Charles Ryan moved that council be asked to repair and to move the bus shelter to the west side of Stud Road. Alf Taylor moved that something be done about drainage on the south side of Wellington Road as flooding frequently occurs.

Aloysius Drummond, Harry Raymond and Mr Morrison were selected as three delegates to accompany Cr. Seebeck to inspect the Police Paddocks for a possible site for a hall and sports ground.

Albert Golding stressed the importance of advertising the place and date of meetings and moved that a notice board be put up at the Post Office.

The residents who attended the inaugural meeting on 14th September 1960 were: K. Smolders, C. Smolders, Alan Bartley, Guido D’Andrea, Bernie Seebeck, T. Smolders, Harry Raymond Jnr., Fred Holt, H. Piening, Coral Golding, Dan Gibson, Tom Greatorex, Edna Bartley, Connie Fordham, Frank Fordham, Rita Robertson, Jim Robertson, Harry Dunscombe, Bert Stagg, Ron Raymond, Beryl Stagg, Kath Gibson, Aimee Seebeck, B.M. Harper, Hal Gibb, Linton Lancashire, Stewart Finn, Harry Raymond, A. Arliola, Bernie Seebeck Jnr., Jack Gearon, Clarrie Rowe, Albert Golding, Leo Gill, W.J. Morrison, M.C. Morrison, Charles Ryan, Jim Gearon, Nancy Gearon, Aloysius Drummond, Jean Dunscombe, Alf Taylor, Ray Vancam, J. Allen, Ted Coxon and Michael Burke.
* The Lysterfield Progress Association was formed in 1928. Its story was told in the article “The Lysterfield Progress Association Hall” published in the R-LCNews in February 1996.
Bryan Power

First published in the December 1998 edition of the Rowville-Lysterfield Community News.

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