Brunswick Community History Group

29/09/2026

Hon Kelvin Thomson will be the speaker at the next meeting of Brunswick Community History Group on Saturday 3 October at 1.30pm at Balam Balam Place. Kelvin has served the local area at all three levels of government and is also a life-long environmentalist. He will talk about the Moonee Ponds Creek and the Friends of MP Creek which he founded.

20/09/2026

History After Dark Walking Tour

Get your ticket now for a History Tour after dark, Tuesday 29 September 2026.
The Sydney Road Brunswick precinct would not be the destination it is today without the businesses, people, movements and characters that have graced its corridor over time. From keychain wielding publicans to passionate people and stances that have stood the test of time – the precinct has many a story to tell.
Delivered by Sydney Road Brunswick Association in partnership with the Brunswick Community History Group , this tour will focus on key businesses, places and people between Dawson Street and Brunswick Road.
Get your ticket now: http://sydneyroad.com.au/.../history-tours-of-the-sydney.../

19/09/2026

Moonee Ponds Creek and its Friends

Our next meeting is on Saturday October 3 at 1.30pm at Balam Balam Place - corner of Saxon and Phoenix Streets. Our speaker is the founder of the Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek, Kelvin Thomson.
The Hon. Kelvin Thomson was born, grew up in, and still lives in, Pascoe Vale. He was an Australian Labor Party Councillor for the City of Coburg from 1981-1988, Member for Pascoe Vale in the Victorian Parliament from 1988-1996, and Member for Wills in the Australian Parliament from 1996-2016.

In 1989 he established what is now the Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek, and was its President for over 30 years. He continues to work on the creek in a part-time role as Litter Action Officer for the Moonee Ponds Creek Chain of Ponds Collaboration.

12/09/2026

Is this in Brunswick?

This intriguing photograph shows a gas lamp lighter in 1900 and is labelled as being in Brunswick. It is one of a set of photographs collected by the Brunswick Historical Society in 1938. To mark the centenary of white settlement in the area the society invited residents to bring in their photos which were then transferred to glass slides. The slides are now at the Public Record Office with copies at Brunswick Library. It was assumed to be in Brunswick but we have been unable to determine the location and suspect it is somewhere else. White railings in the background ( not shown in this version) suggest Park Street but the faint outline of a building in the background and the church spire suggest otherwise.

04/09/2026

History Walk - Brunswick in the Great Depression

Professor Emerita Joan Beaumont will lead a walk covering places of significance in Brunswick during this turbulent period. As a working lass industrial suburb Brunswick was greatly impacted by the Depression of the 1930s and was also the site of a significant protest movement. The cost of $15 plus booking fee includes the walk and an explanatory booklet.

Saturday 19 September at 11.00am. Further information and bookings here:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/history-walk-brunswick-in-the-great-depression-tickets-1999736910932?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/09/2026

The First Inventors: How People Shaped a Continent | An Evening with Larissa Behrendt AO, Billy Griffiths and Sean Ulm

📅 Tuesday 15 September, 6.30pm

📍 The Capitol RMIT, 113 Swanston St, Narrm/Melbourne

🎟️ $10 | Mobtix ?

https://www.rmit.edu.au/events/2026/september/the-first-inventors

03/09/2026

02/09/2026

Politics and Unionism in Brunswick

Our AGM will be held on Saturday 5 September at 1.30pm at Balam Balam Place, Phoenix Street.
The short formalities will be followed by a talk from John Kavanagh, former Mayor and Councillor of Moreland (now Merri-bek). His grandparents Bill and Mary (nee Moodie) Kavanagh lived in East Brunswick and were both active in union and political movements in the mid 20th century. John will talk about their lives and contribution to political life in Brunswick and Victoria generally. The photo shows Mary and Bill with their children.

31/08/2026

Walking tour of Brunswick buildings of Victor Heiberg held last Saturday in perfect weather. We will be repeating this walk so stay tuned for booking information.

Photos by Annette Whiter who also organised the tour. They show Beacon Garage, Grimwades and Mountain View.

23/08/2026

Our AGM on Saturday 5 September will be followed by a talk from John Kavanagh OAM. The event is at room 205, Balam Balam Place in Phoenix Street starting at 1.30pm
John is a former Mayor of Moreland (now Merri-bek) and he will speak about his family’s deep connection to Brunswick.
His talk will focus principally on his maternal grandparents, the Honourable William Peter Barry (30/6/1899-21/12/1972) and Mary Magdelan Barry (nee Moodie) (5/12/1899 – 25/11/1977). They lived at 194 Weston Street, East Brunswick, and although their names are largely forgotten their contribution to Victoria was quite extraordinary, including his grandfather’s role in establishing the Royal Children’s Hospital and the part he played in bringing the Olympics to Melbourne in 1956.
Photos from John Kavanagh show John and his grandparents Bill and Mary Barry.