By Kath Gannaway
Helen Mann was just a toddler in the latter part of 1940s Yarra Glen.
The Mann family lived in the heart of the town, next to the Shell garage, which in a previous life had been a peg factory.
As secretary of the Yarra Glen and District Historical Society, Helen is busy delving into a decade that seesawed on the last five years of WW2, and the first five of the post-war era.
The town had a population of around 350 and in spite of the war, or because of it, life went on.
Helen said the racing club was still active, as was the hunt club.
“At that time it was more women riding to the hunt than men. That’s how they kept it going,” Helen said.
The Grand Hotel was heading into its sixth decade as a landmark on the hill, and in 1946 the football club was resurrected after going into recess in 1939 due to the war.
Even then, there was a shortage of players and the numbers were boosted with players coming up from Coldstream.
‘The 1940s in Yarra Glen’ is the theme for the Society’s August meeting and they are inviting residents, former residents and descendants who lived in Yarra Glen at that time, along with ‘newcomers’ who would like to know what their town was like back then.
People are encouraged to take along photographs and other relevant memorabilia, as well as their memories and anecdotes.
Keeping with the custom of the day, people are asked to ‘bring a plate’ – perhaps some treats that were popular at the time!
The meeting is on Sunday, 13 August, 1.30pm to 4pm in the McCoomb Room at the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall. Contact Helen on 0429 006 152 for more information.
