Moonee Valley Family & Local History Blog

We're all interested in pandemics at the moment. So I've looked into how the Spanish Flu pandemic affected our local area just over 100 years ago, and put together a short video explainer. To learn more about Spanish Flu, try these recommended pages For more on Essendon Emergency Hospital and local impacts: http://timetravellers.pbworks.com/w/page/139430178/Essendon-Emergency-Hospital-1919 For Spanish Flu in Australia: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/influenza-pandemic For the impact on the 1919 footy season: https://www.afl.com.au/news/387127/what-happened-the-last-time-footy-faced-a-pandemic For the use of the Royal Exhibition Building as a hospital: https://heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/get-involved/tours/melbourne-at-war-hidden-histories-1914-18-audio-tour/melbourne-at-war-stop-7/

In 2013 Essendon High School, now part of Essendon Keilor College, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. Essendon Keilor College was founded in 1992 from the amalgamation of Queens Park Secondary College (formerly Essendon Technical School), Essendon High School, Niddrie High School and Keilor Heights Secondary College.  Essendon High School is one of the oldest High Schools in Melbourne, and planning for it began in 1910. The Foundation Stone for the school was laid by the then Premier of Victoria, W. A. Watt, and the school was opened to staff and students in 1913.  The Local History Room at Sam Merrifield Library  has copies of Essendon High School: the 75th Anniversary 1913-1918 and A History of Essendon High School 1910-1932 by Margaret Vines. You can view both books in the library.  School  histories can be a useful source of information and pictures for people who are researching family and local ...