History

The Box Hill Reporter was the first and for many years the only local newspaper in the district. Issues of the paper from its beginning to 1918 have been digitised by the National Library and are available for viewing on the Trove website. The Box Hill Historical Society has a collection of original issues of the Reporter covering the period 1919–1930. It is raising funds to digitise the papers at the National Library.

Sofitel’s palatial Chadstone Hotel opening in November, resides on land formerly held by the Convent of the Good Shepherd (1883-1981) which stood on 55 acres of paddocks, complete with grazing cattle.

“It was a great life. It stood me in good stead. ” – With these words Vern Williams sums up his years at Burwood Boys’ Home in the 1940s – sentiments that may surprise some used to hearing horror stories of institutional life.

In 1858 the area bounded by Warrigal and Highbury Roads, Burwood Highway (Ballyshanassy Road) and Gardiners Creek (Damper Creek) was named Ballyshanassy in honour of then Victorian Premier, John O’Shanassy.