150 Years Stories

Veteran walker George Knott was a frequent sight around Rushall Park village where he and his wife Judy lived. An Olympian, the then 89-year-old trudged the avenues at all hours as part of his preparations to carry the Olympic Torch at Sassafras on its way to Sydney in 2000.

It was slow going compared with the rest of Melbourne but in 1909, cottages in Rushall Park were finally connected to the sewerage scheme. The Council had no choice. Connection had become compulsory.

There has never been a formal hospital at Rushall Park, however, there has always been respite care in the village - until recently.

At the age of 82, Rushall Park resident Alexander McNaughton takes the wheel of a motor-car for the first time with his new bride in 1929.

Eight years after Fitzroy Council recommended that Rushall Park be considered for inclusion on Victoria’s Historic Buildings Register, in 1986 the HBC decides to act.

OCAV launches a half a million dollar appeal in 1986 to build a Residential care and emergency accommodation at its Rushall Park village.

Residents in Rushall Park were among the many living in Melbourne who were hit by the fuel crisis during World War II.

Decent homes for older people should be a high priority on the State Government housing program urged the Get a Move On campaign, singling out Rushall Park as providing exemplary housing.

Rushall Park held its first gardening competition in March 1943. Many of the residents then, as now, were keen gardeners. Mr McKenzie, a spritely 72-year-old, won ‘best garden of all’ which included a display of dahlias.

A new memorial rose garden was established by Greensborough RSL outside Liscombe House in 1999. The garden was dedicated to those who have served Australia in war and peace.