Members Meetings held from July to November 2024
EHS hosts monthly meetings with guest speakers on the fourth Sunday February-November, beginning at 7.30 pm at the Moonee Ponds Court House Museum.
JULY 2024 SPEAKER: JOHN BIRT and LAUNCH OF SPORTS EXHIBITION
Launch of Sports Exhibition
John Birt shared his experiences in finding his place in the Essendon Football Club, loyalty to the Club and with other Essendon greats. He also covered his time at Ballarat and Essendon Grammar (now PEGS). At the conclusion of his talk, John launched Our Sporting Legacy, the new exhibition on local sporting history and memorabilia.
Lyndall Byrne then shared how the exhibition has developed from the generosity of local individuals and sporting organisations, including the former Maribyrnong Park Bowls Club, Essendon Football Club, Essendon Croquet Club and Essendon Rowing Club.
AUGUST 2024 SPEAKER: ROM KUCERA and MOONEE VALLEY BEEKEEPERS
EHS was very fortunate to have the Moonee Valley Beekeepers Club (MVBC) speak after our AGM.
The MVBC was established in 2021 by beekeepers and bee enthusiasts. Its aim is to have promotion and enhance beekeeping practice. MVBC meets monthly and also manages apiary in Keilor.
EHS was treated to a lively night – informative, practical with honey tastings.
From left: MVBC speakers Frank Neo, Paul Kucera, Sylvaine Moses and Rom Kucera with EHS’s Bob Chalmers.
SEPTEMBER 2024 SPEAKER: ROBERT FURLAN, ESU AT THE ES&A BANK
The English Speaking Union was formed in London in 1918 and the Victorian branch in 1919.
Robert Furlan welcomed the EHS to what was originally the Flemington & Essendon Branch of the English, Scottish & Australian Bank – built in 1884.
It was designed by Leonard Terry & Percy Oakden who designed a number of other ES&A branches across Melbourne. Terry was a prolific Melbourne architect who was the diocesan architect for the Anglican Church, influencing his Gothic Revival style. He was responsible for the design of the Melbourne Club on Collins Street, and his influence is particularly evident in Ballarat. He died in 1884, making the Flemington & Essendon ES&U bank one of his last works. His widow, Vera, was one of the original members of ESU. After Terry’s death, Oakden formed another partnership with Addison & Kemp; their new firm designed North Park in Essendon.
The building was originally designed as a bank, and this is reflected in its floor plan. The heritage of the ES&A bank is reflected with engravings above the ground floor window of the English rose, the Scottish thistle and the Australian eucalyptus. The bank vault still exists.
The property ceased operations as bank in June 1972, and cycled through a series of owners. Today, it is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and is just one of ten Gothic Revival banks surviving in Victoria. It has been the home of the English Speaking Union since 2017.
Recent repairs to the chimneys and roof cost over $600,000.
OCTOBER 2024 SPEAKER: GARY PRESLAND
Annual Dinner and RHSV Award presentation to Bob Chalmers
NOVEMBER 2024 SPEAKER: TBC AND END OF YEAR BREAKUP
DECEMBER 2024: NO MEETING SCHEDULED
