Our location is 15 Melrose Street, Sandringham
Opening hours remain Fridays and Sundays 2 - 4pm (except Public Holidays) or by appointment
- Collect, preserve and catalogue material relevant to the history of Sandringham, Black Rock, Beaumaris, Hampton, and parts of Highett and Cheltenham.
- Record oral histories from local residents and past residents.Â
- Disseminate this knowledge available through social media, web page, books, articles, newsletters, and displays.
- Research local history and write stories based on this intriguing work.Â
- Liaise with local businesses, volunteer organisations, clubs, to collect historical information and provide advice on historical material and projects
The Castlefield estate holds historical significance as the second largest soldier settlement housing estate in Victoria after World War I. Here are some key points about this remarkable estate:
Origins and Ownership:
- Originally, the land was farmland owned by early settler Matthew Smith.
- After World War I, the land was compulsorily acquired for the purpose of establishing a soldier settlement.
Naming Convention:
- The Castlefield estate is recognizable by the names of its streets, which are named after landmarks on the Western Front during the war. These street names include Amiens Street, Passchendaele Street, Rouen Street, and others.
- This naming tradition pays homage to the soldiers who served during the war and the battles they fought.
Preservation:
- The Castlefield estate has maintained it’s historical character and is the best preserved of the remaining WW1 Soldier settlement estates in Victoria.
- It stands as a testament to the post-war efforts to provide returning soldiers with land and housing.
Recent Developments:
- The Sandringham and District Historical Society, along with the Castlefield Project Centenary Committee, is actively involved in researching and celebrating the estate’s history.
- A grant has been allocated to manage the Castlefield Project, which includes research, celebrations, and interpretative street signs.
In 2025, there will be a grand celebration of the Castlefield Estate, commemorating its role in supporting veterans and shaping the local community.
Recent Posts
Event: A virtual walk to Gipsy Village
Join us on 29th June 2025 at 2.00 p.m. to view a series of photos related to the Gipsy village walk and an opportunity to share your memories over afternoon tea.
Event: Bayside in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s – in conversation with former Mayor Pauline Reynolds
Join us on 30 March 2025 at 2.00 p.m. to hear former Councillor and Mayor of the City of Sandringham Pauline Reynolds alongside President Kristin Allen discuss historic Bayside events in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Event: Castlefield Centenary Celebration
Join us on 23rd March 2025 at 11.00am to explore and celebrate the Castlefield Estate, commemorating its role in supporting veterans and shaping the local community.
A Hampton Story - by SDHS member Margaret Watts
My great grandparents, John Silk Sherrard junior and his wife Jane, nee Potter, started marital life in Melbourne in 1876. Neither however would have contemplated that they would ultimately probably hold the record for the most unusual living arrangement in Hampton.
When John and Jane’s fortunes fluctuated in the depression, he left to find work in North West Tasmania. Jane stayed on with their four daughters in Melbourne’s Tin Pan Alley and she worked as a midwife.
A huge thanks to our partners
