Early History

A day to remember the fallen

On April 25, 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula.

23 Apr 2024

News

Impact of war on Phillip Island

Like many small communities, islanders were deeply impacted by the Great War.

15 Nov 2023

News

A slice of fishing history

The TIDAL Seafood Festival celebrates San Remo’s fishing history.

12 Sep 2023

Local News

Tall tales and true from Phillip Island’s past

“Once upon an island” charts the history of the island since 1868.

05 May 2023

Local News

Once upon an island ... coming soon

Due out in May, a collection of stories charting the history of Phillip Island from 1868.

21 Apr 2023

Entertainment

Celebrating 500 million years of Island history

Island Story Gatherers present a special event to celebrate the release of the second edition of “500 Million Years on Phillip Island”.

22 Mar 2022

Early History

Georgiana McHaffie

Drive past St Philip’s Anglican Church on the corner of Thompson Avenue and Church Street in Cowes, and one of the most eye-catching images on the mural of the church hall depicts a stern woman in colonial black dress. The woman is Georgian...

Guest Admin

07 Aug 2020

Early History

The island’s ancient history

The island’s ancient history These days Cat Bay is better known for its surf breaks, Swan Lake for bird watching, and Forrest Caves boasts geology worthy of exploration. Few people, however, realise that for millennia these areas were feasting...

28 Jul 2020

Early History

A timely reflection

In pre-colonial times, Phillip Island was occupied by the Bunurong people. Around the coast of the island numerous sites, now termed middens, where the aboriginal people gathered, can still be recognised today. The wonderful book “Phillip Island...

Guest Admin

28 Jul 2020

Early History

Snippets of early island history

Three into one It is believed that 20,000 years ago, Phillip Island was not one island but three. The area adjacent to the penguin parade and the area near Forrest Caves became sand bars which qrew into permanent tie-bars, and the three islands...

28 Jul 2020

Early History

The first arrivals

So what was life like for the early settlers of Phillip Island? With no supermarket to pop to for a litre of milk, and no hardware to visit for building supplies, let alone a bridge, ferry or cars, how did pioneers forge their lives on the island...

24 Aug 2020

Early History

The great day came

Island opens for settlement The government of the day needed a lot of convincing that Phillip Island should be opened for settlement. Dr L L Smith, who represented this electorate for over 30 years (1859-1894), moved resolution after resolution in...

Guest Admin

28 Jul 2020

Early History

Mural underway

Mural underway Research on the mural started in August 1987. Preliminary drawing were finalised by April 1988. Painting of the mural then took seven months. Eric Juckert worked seven days a week, often starting at 2.30 am, and working through until...

Guest Admin

08 Aug 2020

Early History

Our Historic Mural

Mural2_1568_0118 Interpretation of the mural The mural begins with the depiction of the discovery of Westernport by George Bass and six crew into Westernport, who sailed into it through the eastern channel in a 28 foot whale boat, on January 4 1798...

Guest Admin

08 Aug 2020

Early History

Our historic mural

Mural_1190_0118 Our historic mural . . a lasting record of public significance The art of mural painting has been used throughout history to depict social, religious, and patriotic themes. And so what better way to look back in time at the start of...

Guest Admin

08 Aug 2020