Eliza's Vision - A History of Wattle Park

People who grew up in Melbourne's east may well have happy memories of picnics in Wattle Park, playing in the old tramcars or listening to the Tramways Band near the rotunda on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

A new book tells the story of Wattle Park from its inception when wealthy company director Eliza Welch purchased the property and bequeathed it in 1915 as an open space for the people of Melbourne through to the present day.

Wattle Park is a jewel of the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Adorned by wattle it combines man made landscape and historic buildings with natural bushland containing much remnant indigenous flora and fauna.

The fate of the park as a public domain appeared to be sealed when wealthy company director Eliza Welch purchased the property and bequeathed it in 1915 as an open space for the people of Melbourne. 76 years later her covenant was overturned by legislation, the park becoming a bureaucratic battleground over its long term future.

Eliza’s Vision puts on public record for the first time the complete story of this tramway park from the colourful early days of its settlement to the present day. The story also comprises the construction of the Wattle Park tramway, the development of the public facilities, the effects of economic depression and war and community groups closely linked with the park such as the Melbourne Tramways Band and the Field Naturalists’ Club.

Author: Peace, Ray.
Title: Eliza's vision : a history of Wattle Park 1838-2006 / Ray Peace.
Published: Windsor, Vic. : Prahran Mechanics' Institute Press, c2006.
ISBN: 9780975600061

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To order: Eliza's Vision - A History of Wattle Park 1838-2006
RRP: $29.95, plus $6 postage (within Australia).
- PO Box 8061, Ferntree Gully Vic 3156.
- Order form [PDF] See web link below.

Web Link: Eliza's Vision - A History of Wattle Park