Many postcard pictures heralded the historic Lovers’ Walk in Warburton.
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
A WARBURTON resident is making sure a historic – and romantic – walk is not left under tangled weeds and bushes.
Valda Street has found photographs and postcards from as far back as 1913 to show that an area alongside the Yarra River was once known as Lovers’ Walk.
Ms Street said the walk, from the garden behind the Patchwork Tea House up to the tennis courts, was more than 100 years old and heralded an important piece of history for Warburton’s guest houses.
“The chalet had all the honeymooners, who would walk along here, and that’s why it’s called Lovers’ Walk,” she said.
With the help of local historian Val Smith, Ms Street has gathered old photographs and other information.
“Val made a map of the river to show where the bridges were before the 1934 flood when everything was washed away,” she said. “We want to encourage people to bring out their photos and memories of the area.”
Ms Street, who recently became a member of the Upper Yarra River Reserve committee, is encouraging the team to consider the history of the area and engage the committee to restore the walk to its former glory.
The river committee, which looks after 10km of the Yarra River throughout Warburton, is looking for community members who would like to help as a friends group.
Committee member Gordon Buller said there were always minor tasks such as monitoring graffiti, picking up or reporting rubbish, reporting track or infrastructure damage, minor weed removal and replanting that required volunteers.
Anyone who has photos or memories of the walk, or would like to help as friends of Warburton’s part of the Yarra River, is encouraged to contact Mr Buller at gsbuller@tpg.com.au or Ms Street on 5966 2694.
