Keilor Historical Society Inc.

07/08/2026

This picture of the old iron bridge leading into Keilor Village is one of our favourites, taken in 1914.

It shows Keilor as a rural landscape, with a weatherboard cottage in the background. Long before the Calder freeway.

‘Bridge on the Main Bendigo Road… erected by Keilor District Board in 1868. 20-6-14.’

Image: SLV

05/07/2026

05/07/2026

🚨 URGENT MAINTENANCE NEEDED 🚨

When the sign says it best:

“Brimbank Park was operated as farmland by the Dodd Family from 1860 to 1974. This Homestead was the residence of the Dodd Family, whose farming activities included dairy farming, market gardening. beef cattle farming and orchards.

The original one room bluestone cottage was built in the 1800s and is still attached to the homestead. The white shed made from river pebbles was used as a milking shed, and later for storing tomatoes.

Remnant bluestone walls can be seen leading from the homestead up to Carpark B Drive. These were made from local material cleared from the land.

The Dodd family ran this farm until it was eventually share farmed by other families. The land was purchased by the Government to be developed as parklands in 1974.”

Sadly the cottage is looking pretty worse for wear: rotting wood; grass growing from gutters; peeling paint; boarded up windows. The milking sheds are even worse. Last photo is 2016 when things looked much better.

We call on the relevant authorities to urgently maintain this valuable Keilor heritage asset!

01/07/2026

Today we recognise Victoria Day, also known as Separation Day, marking 1 July 1851 when the Port Phillip District separated from New South Wales to become the Colony of Victoria.

Keilor was already an established settlement by this time. Among its earliest public buildings was the Keilor Police Station, first established in the 1840s along the route that is now the Calder Freeway, serving the district during the final years before separation.

As Victoria celebrates 175 years since becoming its own colony, it’s a fitting opportunity to reflect on Keilor’s place in the story of our state’s beginnings, building on the long history of the area told by first peoples.

05/06/2026

Did you know Cliff Harvey Reserve (also known as Lagoon Reserve) was a lagoon/swamp in the heart of Keilor (pic 1. 1890)?

This landmark was popular amongst locals and was filled in during the 1970s.

The reserve was later named after Mayor Cliff Harvey, whose portrait hangs in Harrick’s Cottage.

07/05/2026

Keilor Municipal Offices in 1976!

Built in the late 1950s, the building underwent significant renovations in many phases (basically demolished), to take the form that we see today.

Only the cenotaph and trees remain recognisable.

Today the building houses the Keilor library and community facilities, and is also our home.

Who can name the cars in the photo?

28/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out and reflected on the service of those who have served our nation.

The Keilor Anzac Day ceremony drew a record crowd, with about 700 locals gathered to pay their respects to the Australian and New Zealander servicemen and women who lost their lives in conflict. Keilor Historical Society executive member and organiser Fred Ackerman said it was heartening to see such...

25/04/2026

Today we commemorated those who serve or have served our nation through war and peace.

Those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our nation.

Lest We Forget.

📸 Mayor Virginia Tachos
Picture 1: KHS President Aaron Magro and Mayor Virginia Tachos.
Picture 2: Mayor Virginia Tachos and KHS 1st Vice President Susan Jennison OAM.
Picture 3: KHS 1st Vice President Susan Jennison OAM giving the Anzac Day address.
Picture 4: Aaron Magro, Virginia Tachos and Barry McMahon.
Picture 5: The Keilor Community.