Lots of interesting information and some mysteries solved. I went to school at the Tech in the early 60s and always wondered what that tower at the top end of McBride Ave was for (see the long contribution from Ken Langdon).

It would be good to see more personal experiences of Wonthaggi from others here too.

I have the best memories of good times a the Tech. I also remember the teachers who cared for me and my development more than I realised at the time, and for which i am still grateful.

Great to see the photo of breakfast at Powell Town which is a photo I gave to the historical society several years ago. The photo was given to me by my grandfather Thomas Montgomery who is in the photo with his father John. Thomas worked at the State Coal mine around 1910-12 when he left to join the Victorian Police Force and rose to Chief Superintendent.

wow , I have been researching wonthaggi, as a town that i may be moving to with my family from the uk. this is a lovely website and its great to read everyones history of a town ive never even visited but will hopefully soon be living in.

I was brought up and went to school in Wonthaggi before attending Teachers College in Frankston and then moving around to various parts of Melbourne and Gippsland in my teaching. I have many fond memories of growing up in a great town and attending State School 3650 and Wothaggi Tech/High, 1st Wonthaggi Cubs %26 Scouts, Junior Life Savers,long Summer days at Cape Paterson, playing junior (and seconds)football for Wonthaggi Blues and much more.
A great town that gave me many opportunities to grow up with a very real sense of community. Thanks Wonthaggi. Truly, "there is a part of my heart in Wonthaggi ..."

Good Afternoon Peter Dunn from Noosaville, Queensland,

I am an 81 year old who received a Certificate for serving King and Country for 3 years service with the RAAF Volunteer Observers Corps while still a school boy in Wonthaggi, Victoria.

Wonthaggi no doubt was considered a possible prime target in view of the fact that the town was established by the Victorian State Government in 1910 for the prime purpose of providing Victoria with a supply of black coal of its own for the Victorian Railways, due to a strike by the Newcastle coal miners that made it difficult for the Victorian Railways to maintain their services. My great grandfather Thomas Langdon was a member of the Victorian Parliament from 1880 to 1914, and would have been a member of that government.

The first duties of RAAF volunteer observers were carried out from the body of an old bus on the top of the Wonthaggi reservoir, prior to an observation tower being built at the top of McBride Avenue in Wonthaggi. somehow or toher I did find a photo of that tower on the internet but have since lost it; I will try again. Somehow or other my original VOAC badge has been lost or discarde over the years. What a pity.

My wife laughs at my pride in being a member of VOAC as her older sister carried out similar duties in Busselton W.A.(but did not receive a certificate) where there was an RAAF aerodrome during WW2.

I have often wondered whether there are still any old members of the Wonthaggi VOAC still alive.

It was good to find your website. I was also a member of the RAAF Air Training Corps at that time, assuming that if the war did not end, I would be called up for military service. I learned Morse Code during this time in preparation for such possible service. We also dug air raid trenches along the length of our school yard in 1942.

My wife, a retired university lecturer, and history honours graduate, has written some very interesting life stories of former members of the RAAF, in particular, a history of RAAF 82 Squadron, a copy of which is now in the War Museum in Canberra.

Yours sincerely

81 year old Ken Langdon