Boroondara, Nunawading and Mulgrave Fruit Growers' and Horticultural Association

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The Boroondara, Nunawading and Mulgrave Fruit Growers' and Horticultural Association was formed in 1893 as an expansion of the existing Doncaster and Amalgamated Fruit Growers Association to represent the interests of local fruit growers and associated enterprises. It is not known when the Association was dissolved.

Name

Its original name at formation was the Burwood, Nunawading and Mulgrave Horticultural Society, but this was changed in 1895 to the Boroondara, Nunawading and Mulgrave Fruit Growers' and Horticultural Association.[1]

History

Its formation on 11 May 1893 was in response to the large numbers of fruit growers in the areas to the east of Melbourne, particularly in present-day Boroondara, Manningham, Whitehorse and Monash. It was felt that an organisation was necessary "for their [fruit growers'] united protection and advantage". 80 members signed up on the first day.[2]

The first of a series of annual exhibitions and shows was held in the following year in Burwood, which was officially opened by the Victorian Premier J. Keys. These shows provided opportunities for local farmers to show their wares, including locally-grown quinces, plums and tomatoes.[1]

Horticultural Hall

In 1899, the Association opened a 'horticultural hall', also known as the 'fruitgrowers hall', in Mulgrave, for the purposes of accommodating Association meetings and events. The hall was quite small and constructed of wood, but was reported on favourably by the local press.[3][4]

The Hall continued in service to the organisation for some years. It was then repurposed for general community use, housing Syndal North Primary School in its infancy during the 1950s.[5] The wooden hall was finally destroyed by fire in 1981.[6]

Notable figures

Frederick Vear, later to become a councillor for South Ward on the Camberwell Council, was instrumental in its establishment and was president of the Association for several years. He was also later president of the Victorian Central Fruitgrowers' Association.[3]

James Brand, another local identity, was also involved, owning and operating a large apple farm in Burwood.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Australasian. Burwood and Nunawading Show. 3 March 1894. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/138114670?, accessed: 28 September 2016
  2. ↑ Box Hill Reporter. Fruit Growers' Association. 19 May 1893. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/90362903?, accessed: 28 September 2016
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Leader. Horticultural Notes. 30 September 1899. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198070717?, accessed: 28 September 2016
  4. ↑ Monash Library Service. 1900-1945. 12 October 2015. https://www.monash.vic.gov.au/About-Us/Monash-Heritage/Detailed-History/1900-1945, accessed: 28 September 2016
  5. ↑ Waverley Historical Society. Waverley Mulgrave Monash Schools. http://home.vicnet.net.au/~whsvic/schools.htm, accessed: 28 Septmber 2016
  6. ↑ Waverley Historical Society. History of the Waverley Area. 24 August 2016. http://home.vicnet.net.au/~whsvic/wavhistory.htm, accessed: 28 September 2016
  7. ↑ chaddock. James Brand Brewer. National Library of Australia (Trove). Compiled 6 June 2016. http://trove.nla.gov.au/list?id=90789, accessed: 28 September 2016
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