Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society

It's back! The historic Port Melbourne calendar is on sale for just $10 at Port Melbourne Newsagency, Port Town Hall, Elegant Slax and Port Melbourne Paint & Wallpaper - and our website.
The theme: Dignitaries and Dreadnoughts.
A team effort by our exceptional volunteers.

Congratulations to our foundation member David Thompson for his exceptionally well deserved Award of Merit from the RHSV.

It is with immense sadness and very heavy hearts that the Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society informs friends of the passing of Pat Grainger, OAM.

To many, Pat was the Historical Society!

Her presence has been missed in recent times as she stepped back from week-to-week involvement in the Society's affairs but Pat continued to keep a watchful eye on the Society's activities.

Pat died on Sunday afternoon, 19 March, 2023. We send our condolences and best wishes to Pat's family and mourn the passing of another Port stalwart.

More will follow at the right time. Please feel welcome to share your memories or thoughts about Pat in the comments below.

Congratulations Johnny May - your long contribution to so many clubs and societies in Port, including the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society, is very deeply appreciated by all who work with you.

Congratulations to John May for being awarded Life Membership of the Port Melbourne Football Club today during the AGM.

70+ years of service is an incredible effort and all your work John does not go unnoticed. We thank you for your dedication and passion for the Borough. You are the definition of ❤️💙

Wonderful to see Terry Keenan's dedication to the history of the Port Melbourne Football Club recognised in this way.

Terry Keenan Honoured with Fence Plaque – Port Melbourne Football Club News 7 November, 2022 Terry Keenan Honoured with Fence Plaque The PMFC has recognised the outstanding work of Terry Keenan in recording the history of our football club with a plaque. Terry has written 6 books capturing the colorful and often turbulent history of the club which started with “A Tas...

Allan Whittaker was remembered, his story re-told and new layers added in front of the Whittaker Centre on Princes Pier today. The event had special significance this year. Martin Foley MP, such a champion for keeping Whittaker's story alive, is retiring and the presence of Perce White and Bunna Walsh is still deeply felt. Thomas Mayor speaking about the importance of the Voice to Parliament gave the commemoration even more contemporary relevance.

Port Melbourne, Victoria turned on the sunshine while we were shooting for Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society. With Martin Foley MP Thomas Mayor and Noel Turnbull. Creative Head Rentals

Thanks to Melbourne Water for this important reminder. Check out the plaque in the footpath in Princes St.
Meanwhile, John Holland for Melbourne Water is undertaking major work to duplicate the Hobsons Bay Main sewer, tunneling under the Yarra River from Westgate Park to Spotswood.

Have a think about this when you flush the dunny today - it’s the 125th anniversary of Melbourne’s first flush! 🚽 🎉

The All England XI Hotel located on the corner of Princes and Rouse St in Port Melbourne was the first property connected to the MMBW sewerage system on this day in 1897.

Sweeping in a new era of major infrastructure works, the first connection helped to establish Melbourne as one of the most liveable cities in the world, overcoming the years of disease that had plagued the city due to poor waste disposal systems.

The Hotel was demolished in 1953 to make way for a modest public housing complex. It too has since been demolished making way for an apartment building. Today, thanks to the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society you can find a plaque commemorating the significance of the site.
Nonetheless, we remain 'undeturd' in our pursuit of keeping our heritage alive!

The Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society is, this week, mourning the passing of two inaugural members, Heather Wale and Perce White.

Heather (member no 27) and Perce (member no 1) were among the 39 people who signed-up at the public meeting to inaugurate the PMHPS held at the Liardet Community Centre (now the Neighbourhood House) on Wednesday 4 August 1993.

The word that comes to mind when we think of Heather Wale is work. During the first two decades of the Society's existence when there was work to be done, Heather and her husband Collin, who passed away in 2016, were there. Heather, with good friend Loraine Hall, served supper at our monthly meetings for many, many years. Lorraine passed away in February last year. Heather also volunteered in the canteen at North Port Oval during Port Melbourne FC home games. It was always a pleasure to get your footy fare, a pie or a hot dog and a can of drink, from Heather or to run into her in Bay Street. No matter what life was serving up, she was quick with a smile and a cheerful comment. Heather was the City of Port Phillip Citizen of the Year in 2005. We can only imagine the reunion in the hereafter. Heather and Collin with Ken and Lorraine, looking over the Borough as they did for so much of their lives.

Perce Maguire White, as he preferred to be known in recent years, will always be remembered simply as Perce. He was elected to Port Melbourne City Council on 26 Aug 1972 and served until the forced amalgamation with South Melbourne and St Kilda to form the City of Port Phillip in 1994. He was Mayor of Port Melbourne six times. Perce was PMHPS Member No 1 and was our inaugural President. Despite his ill-heath, he was able to attend the recent State Funeral of friend and colleague Ronald (Bunna) Walsh on 14 April and the Anzac Day commemoration on 25 April. Perce and Bunna were key in ensuring that, after the local RSL branch closed, the Port Melbourne Anzac commemoration continued through the Port Melbourne Bowling Club. It was fitting that Perce was acknowledged by several speakers on each of these occasions. Perce did so much for the Society and the wider Port community his legacy will be felt for many years to come.

Vale Heather Wale!
Vale Perce Maguire White

So sad, so sorry, to find out that Bunna Walsh has gone.

Port Melbourne has lost one of its best with the passing of the former Member for Albert Park, The Hon. Ronald ‘Bunna’ Walsh overnight.

Bunna died at the age of 88 after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease and following the loss of his beloved wife of 59 years Lynette in 2020 who he adored.

Bunna was very much a man of his time. A working-class man born in Port Melbourne, educated in a State School, he became a wharf labourer in the 1950’s, joined the Labor Party in 1954 and became a life member in 1996. He was an official with the Waterside Workers Federation from 1964 to 1979, and also served as President of the ALP's South Melbourne branch.

In 1970 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council for Melbourne West and later became a member of the Legislative Assembly, in the seat of Albert Park (1979-90). He was government whip from 1982 to 1985 and then moved to the frontbench, holding the portfolios of Public Works (1985–87), Housing and Construction (1987–88), Property and Services (1988–90) and Water Resources (1988–90).

Following his retirement, he remained an active community member and was a member of the South Melbourne Technical School Cl. Trustee, Melbourne Cricket Ground 1990-98. Chairman, Port Phillip Sporting Association since 2000 and a Liaison Officer at the Port Melbourne Public Housing Assoc. 1998.

Bunna married Lynette in January 1961, was father to two children, Karen and Neville (one surviving) and was a loving grandfather. He loved his family and they loved him.

I pay tribute to his life and thank him for his contributions to the State and to the Albert Park electorate. My deepest condolences are with his family and friends.

Vale Bunna.