Community Group






				Wandong Bushfire Link

The Wandong-Heathcote Junction Community Group (WHJCG) was formed in May 2001 by locals wishing to take an active role in the community regarding the views of residents, to liaise with council and government and by instigating various projects around the towns. The WHJCG is dedicated to improve the appearance of Wandong-Heathcote Junction and to make it the best place to live. The comments of residents who have shown appreciation of our work is most gratifying, however like all volunteer groups we would love to receive more resident participation. Have a say in your community and come along to the next meeting of the WHJCG, held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Australiana restaurant. If you cannot attend meetings but can provide other support then please contact Allen Hall on 5787 1474.

The full Statement of Purpose for the WHJCG : - CLICK HERE

MEETINGS: Held at the Australiana Restaurant, Wandong on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8.00pm

FUNDRAISING: Sausage Sizzle on the fourth Saturday of each month at the IGA supermarket in Wandong Plaza

PROJECTS: Currently the beautification of the Wandong Railway Station - See photos in Photo Gallery

Graffiti Project - see below

History Project - see below


		STATION PROJECT

The Wandong - Heathcote Junction Community Group (WHJCG) embarked on a project to beautify an unsightly area of land between the Wandong Railway Station and the Epping-Kilmore Road.

The WHJCG obtained a community grant from the Mitchell Shire Council and together with it's own funds and donations from V/Line, the Wandong-Wallan Lions Club, Whats News,WHJCG Neighbourhood Watch and Robert Gordon Real Estate is turning the area into a small bush and wetlands walk.

The project commenced in December 2005 when the blackberry bushes and weeds were poisoned and cleared. Heavy machinery then shaped the embankment and formed the pathway. A boardwalk and a bridge were constructed to cross the wetlands at different points.

In April and May 2006, three community working bees were held to lay over 840 square metres of biodegradable weedmat and to plant over 1,100 native plants, all indigenous to the area.

The WHJCG has placed a large rock boulder at the station entrance with a plaque to describe the history of the Wandong railway station and the horse drawn tramways to the Mt. Disappointment State Forest.

Bench seating, wooden (red gum) chain sawed sculptures and a large "WANDONG" sign on the Wandong Station embankment has been installed. Two pathway lights have now been installed.


		GRAFFITI PROJECT

The WHJCG has also completed work to eliminate and prevent graffiti at the Wandong and Heathcote Junction Railway Stations and at Wandong Plaza. This included surface cleaning and painting, provision of sensor lighting behind Wandong PLaza, new platform lighting at Heathcote Junction station, heavy planting and mulching.

The WHJCG gratefully acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government, Department of Justice for making this project possible.

HISTORY PROJECT

The WHJCG has successfully applied for a grant to collate and publish information on the history of Wandong - Heathcote Junction. A committee has been formed and meets on the last Wednesday of each month at the Sue Marstaeller Pavilion, Davern Reserve. Any person with historical information, photos, etc are encouraged to contact the WHJCG.

The grant also allows the placing of signage on the historic buildings and sites along the Wandong history walking trail and to produce a brochure on the trail and other town features. It also provides for a commemorative rock and plaque to be placed at the Heathcote Junction Railway Station to signify its past history as a branch line to Kilmore, Heathcote and Lancefield.

The WHJCG gratefully acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund and Public Record Office Victoria for making this project possible.