News
July 13, 2020
If you thought that this scene could only be an English one, then think again. The Hunt with horses, hounds, ladies and landowners was a sight that would have been seen with some frequency across the Werribee, Williamstown and Altona plains during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. To learn […]
May 29, 2020
This week is reconciliation week and is a great time to remind ourselves of the history and culture of the indigenous people of this area and Australia. By understanding the ways of the indigenous people past, present and emerging we can all understand how we can all connect with each […]
May 14, 2020
Next week is National Volunteer Week, an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of all volunteers. The theme this year is “Changing Communities. Changing Lives”. On behalf of the Committee of the Altona-Laverton Historical Society we would like to give a huge thank you the many volunteers that assist […]
May 5, 2020
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums out there. To make your Mum’s day just that little bit more special why don’t you whip up a batch of warm scones with the topping of her choice. So here is our special recipe to get you going. Alton-Laverton Historical Society Scone […]
May 5, 2020
As the COVID-19 continues and the Homestead remains closed, we that that what we would try and do is bring the Homestead to you. So whilst you can’t come in we have provided details on a number of the Homestead rooms as well as some images. Please enjoy the first […]
April 21, 2020
The 25th April 2020 will mark the anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings. At around 4.30 a.m. on Sunday 25th April 1915 the first soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed near Ari Burnu on the Gallipoli Peninsula, mostly landing at a place that became known as […]
March 17, 2020
To our community – The safety of our community and volunteers is our priority as we all come to terms with the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). As a precaution the Homestead will not be open and our Devonshire Tea events will be cancelled until further notice comencing from today […]
January 3, 2020
In January 1920 advertisements and articles began to appear in local and Melbourne newspapers announcing the opportunity to purchase prime land in the new subdivision of Seaholme next door to ‘Melbourne’s famous seaside resort of Altona Beach’ and near the ‘only great beach on the west side of the Bay’. […]
August 29, 2019
November 9, 1969 saw the final services held in the old church of St Eanswythe in Queen Street, Altona. The following day the old church building was demolished and a week later the first sod was turned on the new building site by Bishop Dann. All the parishioners lined the […]
June 10, 2019
While the postal service in Altona commenced on March 15 1918, the current building opened its doors to the customers of Altona on Thursday July 10 1969. The Post Office was official opened, that day, by Mr Merv Lee, the Federal Member for Lalor who officially handed over the keys […]
June 4, 2019
Lost Lands Found is presented by Dean Stewart in partnership with Hobsons Bay City Council Lost Lands Found is a brand new high-density development and an ecological art project being established in Logan Reserve in Altona. However, this new urban development is not highlighting people, but significantly our ecological neighbours […]
June 1, 2019
Hello members and friends of Altona-Laverton Historical Society, As we head towards the end of June and the end of another year for our Committee I thought it would be timely to reflect on the great work that has been achieved by the Committee and active members. This year we […]
April 12, 2019
As we lead up to the 17 May 2019 we reflect back 100 years when Williamstown grew from a town to a city. Sir Arthur Stanley, the State Governor, when proclaiming Williamstown as a City (17 May 1919) noted that – “their town (so long famous as William’s Town) to […]
April 11, 2019
In 1919 the Repatriation Department was created by the Australian government to facilitate the repatriation of our servicemen and women, many of whom bore the physical and psychological scars of war. the department provided war pensions, a soldier settlement scheme and other vital services such as healthcare, education, housing and […]
April 1, 2019
Oh to be a kid again, when times were simpler and there was just your imagination to keep you entertained. Step back in time at the Altona Homestead and take a peek at games and toys from days gone by when electronics was something that was ‘futuristic’ and a thing […]
February 26, 2019
2019 marks the 70th Anniversary of operations at the Altona Refinery which commenced the production of lubricants and bitumen on 22 July 1949 as part of a joint venture between Vacuum Oil Company (Mobil) and Standard Oil (Exxon). At an initial construction cost of £1m, it was widely acknowledged as an […]
February 21, 2019
The Altona-Laverton Historical Society in partnership with the Louis Joel Arts & Community Centre and the John Shaw Neilson Society are pleased to present two events in March. John Shaw Neilson is arguably one of Australia’s best poets but unfortunately he has lacked the recognition that he deserved. The first […]
February 20, 2019
The Williamstown Chronicle February 19,1954 reported that £35000 pounds had been spent to open a Speed Track (around the perimeter of Cherry Lake) and that record crowds were expected at Altona. The Age,Monday,March 8 1954 reported that the inaugural car meeting at Altona Road Race Circuit on that day would have 10 of Australia […]
December 10, 2018
On Saturday, December 21, 1968, on the lawns of the new Civic Offices in Civic Parade, the Proclamation Ceremony of the City of Altona was undertaken by his excellency Major-General Sir Rohan Delacombe the Governor of Victoria. The Honourable R J Hamer, Minister for Local Government made the presentation of […]
August 26, 2018
The Altona-Laverton Historical Society is proud to present the History of Altona Hospital. This publication is a unique opportunity to read about ‘A Bush Hospital by the Bay’, (the history) its staff, volunteers and what made it so special and important to our community. It is more than the record […]
June 15, 2018
Altona Laverton Historical Society Archivist, Ann Cassar, has been researching the Cherry Family of Altona for several years and documentary information about this pioneering family is currently on file at the Altona Homestead Museum. The name ‘Cherry’ is familiar to most people within Hobsons Bay through its long association with […]
April 19, 2018
As we edge closer to the 25th April, ANZAC Day, we should remember what this day means. On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they […]
March 30, 2018
Altona and Laverton communities flourished in the wake of two world wars. People from Europe flocked into our area to make a new home for their families. War was the catalyst for change and peace was the result as military personnel returned home to Altona and Laverton or made the area their new home. The […]
February 5, 2018
The Altona-Laverton Historical Society congratulations the Altona Football Club as it celebrates 100 years since its formation in 1918. The club owes its existence to a number of Altona business people, at that time, including James Duke and Dick Blomberg who saw a need and set about establishing the club. […]
October 25, 2017
The Altona Progress Association and the Progress Hall (now Altona Baptist Church in Sargood Street, Altona) turns 100 years old this year. From humble beginnings when Altona was a small village of between 50 and 500 residents a number of these residents were already thinking of improvements. From the […]
October 8, 2017
The Altona High School / Altona Secondary College display, hosted by the Altona Laverton Historical Society, at the Altona Homestead will commence on Sunday 8th October 11am – 2pm. The display includes school memorabilia, honour boards, sports pennants, trophies and the collection of student/teacher photo albums from 1980 onwards. This […]
August 11, 2017
The members of Seabreeze Quilters and the Altona Laverton Historical Society, would love to show you all things ‘quilted’ in our beautiful Altona Homestead — and invite you to join them each weekend as our members sit and sew. The Homestead will be open each Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 […]
March 5, 2017
Any scones left after our Devonshire Tea do not go to waste – we donate them to Altona Lions Club Soup Kitchen, straight after our event, for them to distribute that afternoon … a little help to those less fortunate!
March 5, 2017
Over 600 years of Altona’s History enjoying Devonshire Tea today. Be sure to check out our events page on and join us for our next Devonshire Tea.
September 30, 2014
In the 1930s, Altona was well known as a holiday and fishing village. Following WW1, a steady influx of families moved into Altona and the population grew. In 1928, the Werribee Shire appointed Dr Louis Joel of Newport as the medical officer of Altona. At that time, with no trained […]