Moonee Valley Family & Local History Blog

While walking and chatting on a Local History walk in Niddrie last year, a participant mentioned that there were gun placements built in Niddrie during World War II, facing towards what is now Matthews Avenue. Do you know anything more about this History Mystery? Essendon Airport was substantially commandeered by the RAAF during WWII, and played a strategic role in the defence of the nation. A number of barracks were erected on the western side of Wirraway Road to accommodate this use, as well as machine gun batteries and defensive trenches. It seems likely that there would have been several gun placements, as the airport would have been a target during the war. Does anyone have any local knowledge about Niddrie's mysterious military past? We'd love to hear it! Share your information by emailing  librarian@mvcc.vic.gov.au , or add a comment below. Essendon Aerodrome, 1945 . Photograph by Charles Daniel Pratt, courtesy of the State Library of Victoria.

For Country, for Nation - An illustrated history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander military service , published by the Australian War Memorial, tells the fascinating story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples service in the defence of Australia, dating back to before Federation. It includes service in all conflicts and operations in which the nation's military forces have been involved, and is a fascinating book to flip through, or read cover to cover.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be part of a tour of the Royal United Services Institute Library at Victoria Barracks, right here in Melbourne. The RUSI Library is a wonderful place that I must admit I knew nothing about, but I will be recommending it in future as a great resource for those researching topics relating to Victorian military history. The collection at the RUSI Library is extensive, deep and includes many rare, even unique, items of relevance to Victoria's military history. Of course there are numerous published books such as military histories, unit histories and the like, but also maps (including some amazing silk maps from World War II), manuscripts, pamphlets, posters, sheet music and diaries. They also make a particular point of sourcing hard-to-find rare publications put out by individuals or organisations that haven't made them widely available whenever they can, making sure these rare documents will be available for use and research by o...

Do you have any photographs or stories of the old Essendon Drill Hall? We have an inquirer who wants pictures or information relating to the history of the Army Drill Hall in Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds. Information about the current building would be welcomed, but we'd especially like to find photos, documents or stories relating to the previous building that stood from 1914 until 1962, which was opened on 17th October 1914 by the Mayor, Cr J Goldsworthy (you can see an article from the time on Trove ). If you can help, please let me know (you can comment below, send me an email using the link to the right, or call/visit Sam Merrifield Library and ask for Julia). Julia