History of Lysterfield

This article has been elaborated from notes written by Fred Williams in 1949 for Cr Violet Lambert who collected such material for Helen Coulson’s book “Story of the Dandenongs”.

Lysterfield was called after a Mr Lyster who took up an original Grant of Land. The house now occupied by Mr and Mrs Geo Hyden was his homestead. Messrs Selman and Nixon (Mrs Brandt’s father) acquired land in Lysterfield 100 years ago. The first state school where the children of those early families were educated over the years was closed.

About 1920 Mr J. Hobbs was successful in getting the school reopened prior to the building of the present school, afterwards enlarged as at present. Classes were held in the Anglican Church since removed to Upper Gully, Mr R. Scanlon being the teacher appointed. He was in charge approximately ten years.

About 1917 Lysterfield Road was formed through Buckley’s, Selman’s Lyons’ and Taylor’s properties, the first named being paid for the property, the others making it a gift to the Council. Till then the only direct road from the Gully was off Glenfern Road down “Buckley’s Hill” connecting with Napoleon Road which entered Lysterfield Road (now called Kelletts Road). About 1920 Blackwood Park Road was opened up, connecting with Napoleon Road.

Mail only three times a week till late in the 20s. Till 1916, Mrs Sandford was the Post Mistress then Mrs J. Hobbs till about 1929. The Post Office remained there in the charge of Mr Gordon Hobbs and son.

Most of the roads were “dirt roads” with patches of metal or gravel till well into the 1920s. The daily rural delivery Post Office was removed to its present site (See Mr Freeman at the Post Office for dates).

Up to 1920 the remains of the charcoal burning plant on or near the present site of Mr Collins’ cow shed could be seen.

Lysterfield Quarry started about 1924. Long timbers for the shaft and bins were cut in the “Lysterfield Hills” by Messrs W. Dodd and A. Poulter.

“Lysterfield Reservoir” was so named by the request of the Progress Association. Begun about 1922.

The Progress Association was formed in 1920 with meetings, for some time, held in the state school.

The Lysterfield Hall was opened by Sir George Knox in June 1931. The dressing rooms built a year or two later were also opened by him (some lining done later). The construction was done by working bees without payment to workers.

About 1928 the late Mr Gus Powell had trees planted opposite the store and the original site of the Post Office, one for each person from Lysterfield who served in World War One. A wooden guard with copper panel attached bearing name, unit etc. surrounded each tree.

At the Annual Ball of the Progress Association, the Gus Powell Memorial Cups presented by his daughters are a regular feature.

A large quantity of potatoes sold in Melbourne Market then at Brighton. The market gardens were grown by Mr Lyons.

Fred Williams

This article has been elaborated from notes written by Fred Williams in 1949 for Cr Violet Lambert who collected such material for Helen Coulson’s book “Story of the Dandenongs”.
Lysterfield was called after a Mr Lyster who took up an original Grant of Land. The house now occupied by Mr and Mrs Geo Hyden was his homestead. Messrs Selman and Nixon (Mrs Brandt’s father) acquired land in Lysterfield 100 years ago. The first state school where the children of those early families were educated over the years was closed.
About 1920 Mr J. Hobbs was successful in getting the school reopened prior to the building of the present school, afterwards enlarged as at present. Classes were held in the Anglican Church since removed to Upper Gully, Mr R. Scanlon being the teacher appointed. He was in charge approximately ten years.
About 1917 Lysterfield Road was formed through Buckley’s, Selman’s Lyons’ and Taylor’s properties, the first named being paid for the property, the others making it a gift to the Council. Till then the only direct road from the Gully was off Glenfern Road down “Buckley’s Hill” connecting with Napoleon Road which entered Lysterfield Road (now called Kelletts Road). About 1920 Blackwood Park Road was opened up, connecting with Napoleon Road.
Mail only three times a week till late in the 20s. Till 1916, Mrs Sandford was the Post Mistress then Mrs J. Hobbs till about 1929. The Post Office remained there in the charge of Mr Gordon Hobbs and son.
Most of the roads were “dirt roads” with patches of metal or gravel till well into the 1920s. The daily rural delivery Post Office was removed to its present site (See Mr Freeman at the Post Office for dates).
Up to 1920 the remains of the charcoal burning plant on or near the present site of Mr Collins’ cow shed could be seen.
Lysterfield Quarry started about 1924. Long timbers for the shaft and bins were cut in the “Lysterfield Hills” by Messrs W. Dodd and A. Poulter.
“Lysterfield Reservoir” was so named by the request of the Progress Association. Begun about 1922.
The Progress Association was formed in 1920 with meetings, for some time, held in the state school.
The Lysterfield Hall was opened by Sir George Knox in June 1931. The dressing rooms built a year or two later were also opened by him (some lining done later). The construction was done by working bees without payment to workers.
About 1928 the late Mr Gus Powell had trees planted opposite the store and the original site of the Post Office, one for each person from Lysterfield who served in World War One. A wooden guard with copper panel attached bearing name, unit etc. surrounded each tree.
At the Annual Ball of the Progress Association, the Gus Powell Memorial Cups presented by his daughters are a regular feature.
A large quantity of potatoes sold in Melbourne Market then at Brighton. The market gardens were grown by Mr Lyons.

Fred Williams

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