Toolangi History

The Township of Toolangi Past & Present
Compiled by Ian Whitford - 2000

Introduction
Timeline
The Township
The School
CJ Dennis
Observatory
Potato Research Station
Strawberry Certification Scheme
Toolangi Plant Protection District
Raspberry Cane Scheme
Other Horticulture Ventures
Mount St Leonard Tower
Acknowledgements

INTRODUCTION
Toolangi is an Aboriginal word meaning tall trees. Precisely when the name was established for the area is unknown but a photo from the early 1890’s shows the “Toolangi Post Office”.
The area was first inhabited in the 1860’s by paling splitters and then timber cutters who camped deep in the bush. Some came from the south via Yarra Glen and Dixon’s Creek, others from the northwest after the Mount Disappointment logging ceased to preserve the Yan Yean water catchment. Others arrived from Wombat Forest. They were attracted by the huge stands of mountain ash, a tree that split easily, and the messmate timber that proved durable as a building material. Paling loads could only be moved to Yarra Glen by bullock wagons during the summer months because what is now the Old Dixons Creek/Toolangi Road was “knee deep in mud” in places.

The early settlers were very resilient in their isolation - growing their own vegetables, making their own bread and sharing milk from the family cow with neighbours. The first land selection was during the latter half of the 1880’s when Crown grants were made on a 40 year lease. Late in that decade there was agitation for a school with a reference to the area being called Mount Rose. The rail line from Lilydale to Yarra Glen in 1888 further increased access, and timber extraction down the tortuous Old Dixons Creek/Toolangi Road.

Possibly the most famous Toolangi resident was the poet C J Dennis who spent 30 years enjoying and writing
about the environment and people.

It was not until the early 1960’s that electricity came to Toolangi, and together with the opening of the Melba Highway, the impetus was there for industrial expansion in the area. An early development was the Potato Research Station (1945) which was followed by the Strawberry Certification Scheme.

Timber remains a valuable industry. Undoubtedly the multi-use Toolangi State Forest is a major attraction today and although it is markedly different from the pioneering days it can still inspire feelings of awe and mystery within its many visitors. Improvements in roads and transport, and the tourist popularity of the Yarra Valley, bring the attractions of Toolangi within easy reach of the Melbourne populace.

This brief incursion into the history of Toolangi provides a timeline of significant happenings and further information on:

The Township
The School
C J Dennis
Observatory
Potato Research Station
Strawberry Certification
Plant Protection District
Mt St Leonard Tower

TIMELINE
1860’s Paling splitters move into area
1880’s First selections taken up
1888 Lilydale to Yarra Glen railway
1889 Lilydale to Healesville railway
1895 Queens Head Inn opened. Later rebuilt as Toolangi House
1895 Toolangi School opened
1900 Toolangi Post Office opened, loose-bag mail from Yarra Glen prior to this
1901 Possible beginning of church services
1908 C J Dennis settles in Toolangi
1910 Probable date of church building on Church of England land
1912 Significant bushfires
1913 Toolangi House becomes licensed hotel
1919 Magnetic Observatory moved from Melbourne Botanical Gardens
1919 First recorded telephone line, a party line to Alex Cameron’s hotel
1921 First forest officer – Charles Demby
1921-27 School teacher shared by Toolangi and Granton Mill schools
1924 Chum Creek Road construction began
1925 Toolangi becomes part of Healesville Shire
1926 Severe bushfires
1933 First cricket premiership
1934 Myers Creek Road extended from foot of Mt St Leonard to Toolangi
1936 Closure of Granton Mill
1938 Death of C J Dennis
1939 Disastrous bushfires
1945 Potato Research Station began
Late 1940’s Infant Welfare Centre
1949 Mount St Leonard tower replaced cabin on a tree
1952 One and only season of Toolangi football team
1953 Rural Fire Brigade established
1954 C J Dennis Memorial Hall
1960 Certified Strawberry Scheme commenced
1962 Establishment of Blue Mount Seismic Observatory
1963 Arrival of electricity in Toolangi, previously electrified from Healesville as far as potato Research Station and Seismic Observatory
1965 C J Dennis “Arden” house destroyed by fire
1960’s Opening of Melba Highway
1971 Automatic telephone Exchange
1975 Toolangi House (hotel) destroyed by fire
1987 Seismic Observatory switched to automatic
1988 Telstra replacement tower on Mt St Leonard
1990 Fire shelter built at the school
1994 Forest Discovery Centre constructed
1994 Toolangi becomes part of Murrindindi Shire
1995 Victorian Strawberry Industry Certification Authority established
1998 Plant Protection District proclaimed
2000 New Fire Station opened

THE TOWNSHIP
The township of Toolangi grew around timber, and many of the pioneers were migrants from Britain, Ireland and Europe. Today the diversification of industries and convenient transport has seen the town at its peak population of some 300 residents. In bygone years it proved a popular country holiday destination. There was serious and persistent lobbying for a rail link with Yarra Glen until 1923 when road transport for timber improved.

The first selections taken up in 1886 were Crown grants on a 40 year lease by which time the original costs and improvements were expected to be paid off. The Biggs family was one of the first to settle in 1894. A descendant, Ron Biggs, currently monitors the Seismic Observatory.

The early days were tough on families particularly the women. The men were away for long periods in the bush usually with one or more mates. The women were quite isolated caring for the children – walking them to school, ordering supplies, milking the cow, making butter, improvising by setting the jelly in the creek and manufacturing the likes of a coolgardie safe.

In 1894 the Bassett family settled into their house in Cherry’s Lane (opposite the current school). Mrs Bassett became the unofficial postmistress, a position officially ratified in 1900 and which she held for 40 years.

The establishment of the Queens Head Inn in 1895 (opposite current store) provided visitor accommodation. Unfortunately it occupied part of the road reserve and the Eltham Shire Council insisted it be removed. It was replaced by Toolangi House able to accommodate some 60 guests.

During the early 1900’s Toolangi catered well for holiday makers, e.g - Bassett’s “Glenora” housed 40, Smedley’s “Heathlands” on the main road able to take 30 guests.

1895 saw the advent of the school to cater for families who had moved into the area and this became a centre for community social functions and lively dances. The versatility of these early settlers is exemplified by the fact that they provided their own entertainment – Arthur Bassett on violin and Bill Curry on tin whistle.

No doubt the granting of a liquor licence to Toolangi House in 1913 would have been well received.

In 1925 Toolangi became part of the Healesville Shire and the town included a post office, telegraph office, state school, church, government observatory, hotel, 2 boarding houses and numerous saw mills. Table Talk Magazine in 1923 referred to Toolangi as a ”noted tourist resort in the Shires of Yea and Eltham”. A 1933 copy of “The Leader” stated that Toolangi was “among the most picturesque small townships in Victoria”.

The construction of Chum Creek Road 1924-28 and the completed upgrade of the Myers Creek Road in 1934 established closer links with Healesville, and the arrival of electricity to the town in 1963 was a boon to both domestic comfort and industrial expansion.

Fires have caused much anguish for the people of Toolangi over the years. Significant bush fires in 1912, 1926 and 1939 resulted in much property damage. The Black Friday bush fires on 13 January 1939 burnt 1.4 million hectares, over 1000 homes and tragically 71 people died. In Toolangi the loss of two foresters John Hartley Barling aged 31 and Charles Demby aged 55 were killed when a strong wind rose from the south west and Charlie Demby ran to warn John Barling. Charles Demby was posthumously awarded the Royal Humane Society Award for Bravery for his efforts in trying to save John Barling.

The historic C J Dennis home “Arden” was destroyed in 1965 and in 1975 Toolangi House succumbed to fire.

THE SCHOOL
In 1894 the Reverend Fred Gibbs from Healesville petitioned for a school at Mount Rose claiming
there were 18 school aged children within a 2 mile radius. In those days, parents were required to erect the buildings and make them available during school hours, for which the government paid 50 shillings per year. Logically the first school was made of palings.

In 16 July 1895 the school opened with 7 or 8 students. The water supply was from a nearby spring but unfortunately it had not been piped to the school and the desks were found to be too small for the students. In 1897 a school was established in Chum Creek necessitating the teacher to work at both. Around 1906 a new school building was erected in Toolangi which doubled as a public hall with the original paling building being kept as a shelter shed.

1911 saw the arrival of the 20 year old Florence Mitchell as the teacher. A strong friendship developed with C J Dennis which it is said inspired him to write “The Village School House”. By 1920 only 5 students remained and the school was closed only to reopen in 1921 on a shared basis with the Granton Mill School until 1927. In 1925 there were 12 students at Toolangi and 8 at Granton’s.

In the 1930’s the school acquired a piano, and began a tree plantation that unfortunately was destroyed soon after in the 1939 fires.

The growth of the town through into the 1940’s resulted in the school population expanding to 27. This required a new school building which was duly commissioned in 1942 with the old building being moved to a separate site as a community hall. The original paling shed was renovated and continued to be used until demolished in 1991.

The inspector’s report of 1957 commented that the school grounds were the most attractive in the inspectorate, and in 1987 Toolangi was a winner in the Victorian State Schools’ Garden Competition. This was followed the next year with the creation of an ornamental pond and later with a bird hide. A school residence was provided in 1958 and a second teacher arrived in 1962. Further expansion in 1964 saw an extra classroom added and the telephone connected to the school. A fire refuge for the school population was constructed in 1990. Today the school population hovers around 30 after reaching a peak of over 50 in the early 1990’s. The two teachers are supported by visits from various ancillary staff.

C J DENNIS
The most famous Toolangi resident was the poet and writer C J Dennis who spent some 30 years inspired by the Toolangi environment. He was born in South Australia to a publican father and no doubt came in contact with a wide variety of people. He never lost his love of pubs and the characters and yarns associated with them! From an early age he involved himself with Adelaide papers and literary publications and was editor of “Gadfly” in 1905. Following that he journeyed to Melbourne and made the acquaintance of the artist Hal Waugh. Dennis joined Waugh on an expedition to Toolangi in 1908 sleeping in tents nicknamed “Hall of Hal” and “Den of Den”.

Dennis stayed on after the expedition, attracted by the ambience of the area. He enjoyed the fresh mountain air and the clear waters of Toolangi He was attracted to the young school teacher Florence Mitchell who boarded at Smedley’s guest house and she provided further impetus for his writings. His hauntingly sad “One Week in Summer” was penned soon after she left. His most famous book, “The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke” completed in 1915, exemplifies his special brand of humour and his perceptive characterisation. He was masterly in his use of slang and he displayed an extraordinary skill in rhyming.

In 1915 he purchased 3.5 acres for 22 pounds. This included a mill house, and in 1917 married Biddy a fellow writer. Over a period of 10 years, with the help of a local handyman, they converted the mill house to a commodious two storey house named “Arden”. It was made of rough sawn timber with sawdust insulation in the walls and the customary iron roof. Biddy developed and tended the garden while Dennis was happy to be visited by birds and native animals – an interesting combination I would have thought! He followed “The Moods of Ginger Mick” in 1916 with “A Book for Kids” and “The Glugs of Gosh” in 1917.

By 1922 Dennis was looking for a new challenge and he wrote a column for the Melbourne Herald which was dispatched on the 4.30 pm train from Healesville. His “Singing Garden Book” included a poem entitled “The Tree”. This commemorated the visit of the Poet Laureate John Masefield to Victoria to celebrate the centenary in 1934, and the planting of a copper beech tree which still has pride of place in “The Singing Gardens”.

His asthma finally got the better of the ‘likable larrikin’ and he died in the winter of 1938. C J Dennis is buried at Box Hill and engraved on the tombstone are words from “The Singing Garden” –“Now is the healing, quiet hour that fills this gay green world with peace and grateful rest “.

The present owners acquired the property in 1969 and have resurrected and further developed the gardens. They have established tea rooms, and conduct tours of the beautiful gardens with snippets from the life of C J Dennis.

OBSERVATORY
During 1861-63 a magnetic observatory was established in Melbourne near the Botanical Gardens to measure terrestrial magnetism and solar phenomena. By 1919 it was necessary to move this to a more isolated site because of electrical interference from the likes of trams, etc. Toolangi was chosen by the State Government and a building was located on a rise north of what is now the junction of Chum Creek and Myers Creek Roads. It was, and still is, adjacent to land owned by the Biggs family. In 1945 the Commonwealth Government assumed control and data was forwarded to the Bureau of Mineral Resources in Melbourne. Ron Biggs became the custodian/operator in 1952, changing the recording paper each morning at 10.00 am to correspond with Greenwich Mean Time, and forwarding-on the data.

The original building was destroyed in the 1939 fires and this was replaced by an underground vault. Further buildings were erected in the late 1950’s and still remain on the site. These enabled geophysicists to travel from Melbourne once a week to take magnetic readings until the program ceased in1987 when a new station was established near Canberra .
The government decided to establish a seismic station in 1962. There were 4 criteria:

Location needed to be well clear of traffic and other vibrations
Required a large solid rock foundation
Mains power
Vehicle access

Such a site was on Blue Range beyond the Potato Research Station. Power from Healesville went as far as the Research Station at that time as did the access road.

The seismic equipment is both sensitive and extensive. Six seismometers record tremors throughout Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, China, Japan, and as far a field as America. Nearly every day a tremor of some description is recorded. Prior to 1987 it was the job of Ron Biggs to develop the photo sensitive paper and send it to Melbourne. In that year the station was computerised and the data automatically transmitted to Geoscience Australia in Canberra.
However, this method is not foolproof and after a power blackout Ron can expect a phone call from Canberra because the station is off line.

During the 1960’s/1970’s there were 4 seismic recording stations in the Australian area –

Darwin
Mundaring in WA
Port Moresby
Toolangi

Today there are 32 including 3 in Antarctica.

POTATO RESEARCH STATION
Potatoes have a long history in the broad Toolangi area. An entry in an1899 newspaper records white elephant potatoes as yielding 10 tons per acre. By the mid 1930’s yields in Victoria’s main production areas had declined to as low as 3 tons per acre due to progressive degeneration.

It became obvious that if this industry was to survive in Victoria, research into new varieties suited to local conditions and resistant to virus disease would need to be found.

Toolangi was selected for a research station as it contained the deep friable red-brown soil and climate similar to the prime Kinglake potato growing area. Also, there were large and were free areas of previously virgin forests burnt in the 1939 fires that would require minimal clearing of potato viruses.In 1945 the Forests Commission provided some 235 acres astride the Myers Creek Road.

In the immediate post war years materials and equipment were in short supply. The initial clearing and cultivation was horse and man power. Bracken and tree roots needed to be removed and there are records of small round water worn stones. A road was constructed into the Blue Range area and various buildings were somehow acquired or assembled. Various new, second hand or leased tractors and equipment were utilised during these early years.

The initial plan was for a 5 year crop rotation on 10 acre paddocks with the land being used for grazing during the intervening 4 years. This enabled a measure of control over crops and diseases. For pasture, the acid soils (pH 5.2) high in oxides of iron and aluminium, responded to lime coated inoculated clover seed. Over the years experiments were conducted with various types of fencing – wood, treated pine and concrete posts and the use of strained top-braces, high tensile 10 gauge wire and electric fences to deter wombats.

There was an initial attempt to produce hay on some of the paddocks but the Toolangi summer often proved too damp to sufficiently dry the hay. After experimenting with silage some success was achieved after the mid 1980’s with round baled hay. The first livestock were cattle on loan from Dookie Agricultural College but poor fencing meant that they had to be rounded up from time to time out in the bush and that experiment was discontinued. Improved fencing and yards in the late 1960’s saw the successful return of cattle. Sheep were used effectively to clean up the tubers left after harvest, but wild dog attacks in the mid 1980’s put an end to that idea.

Prior to 1963 various buildings appeared on the property. That year saw the opening of the new administration block. This comprised offices, laboratory, grading room, toilet and store rooms. The Toolangi operation was incorporated into the Institute of Horticultural Development at Knoxfield in 1993 and the following year a refurbishment of the administration block occurred.

Although electricity was extended along Myers Creek Road to Cones Landing in 1953 the service was unreliable due to local wind storms bringing down trees and the lines. The line was upgraded in 1962. Telephone connection from the manual exchange in Toolangi began in1950.

Research on the property continues into all aspects of potato growing and trials are conducted throughout Victoria by Toolangi staff. Issues such as seed varieties, cultivation methods, soil treatment, fertilisers, disease control, yield improvement and cool-storing are addressed.

The Station became involved in research to improve strawberry production during the 1950’s, and was instrumental in establishing the certified strawberry runner growers’ scheme, and also the raspberry and rubis fruit scheme.

STRAWBERRY CERTIFICATION SCHEME
In the early 1950’s the Victorian strawberry fruit growers were keen to improve their industry. Lionel Stubbs a Senior Plant Pathologist at the Burnley Research Institute identified diseases adversely affecting strawberry production in Victoria and the imported disease free stock from USA and UK. The industry became convinced of the need to separate berry growing and runner production so that runners could be sprayed against aphids.

Toolangi was selected as the location for the runner production program on the basis of the initial research undertaken at the Potato Research Station, the soil, the climate and the physical isolation. The cool Toolangi temperatures and the autumn frosts serve to harden the developing plants. Until 1995 it was a government controlled scheme but it is now firmly industry based and is known as the Toolangi Strawberry Runner Growers’ Cooperative. There are 15 growers in the Co-op employing some 40 part time workers. The Co-op is the only one of its type in Australia. The Toolangi area was proclaimed as a strawberry protection zone in 1964 under the Vegetation & Vine Diseases Act of 1958.

In 1985 the Australian licence was acquired for the world renowned University of California strawberry varieties and new strains. Today the Co-op produces 35 million plants which represent 95% of the Australian market at a value of some $8 million.

At Knoxfield the nuclear stock is tested and propagated under strict controls in screen houses. The next stage is to produce the foundation stock also under strict control in screen houses at Toolangi to produce the mother stock. This is then planted out by the Co-op growers.

The soil is tested, prior to fumigation under plastic sheeting in the autumn to kill strawberry pathogens and weed seed. The Co-op growers plant the mother plants during August/September. Flower buds are removed as they develop, leading to each plant producing some 150 new plants. Harvest occurs from April through to July when plants are sorted, trimmed, packaged and distributed in temperature controlled trucks throughout Australia, and also to New Guinea and Indonesia. Strawberry growers replace their stock every one or two years so there is a continuous market for certified disease free plants. Strawberry runner growth is regularly monitored by certification officers from the Victorian Industry Certification Authority, and tested for qualityand disease. Pest control is continuous as are regular field trials.

TOOLANGI PLANT PROTECTION DISTRICT
In order to protect the important horticultural industries in Toolangi, the area was proclaimed a protection zone in 1998 (the first in Victoria) under the Victorian Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995. This means that any vegetables, flowers, plants or seed material entering the area (except for home consumption) must be certified as being disease free.

Also, agricultural equipment that has been used for cultivation and harvesting of potatoes and root vegetables must be free of soil residue.

Toolangi was seen as an ideal location for a protection zone because of its bush surrounds and the abundance of commercial horticultural and agricultural ventures. The insect pest most feared is western flower thrips. These damage flowers and vegetables by feeding, and can spread the plant disease tomato spotted wilt virus. The protection area extends to Blowhard Road and Victoria Ranges in the north, to Heath Road and part of Paul Range in the south; from Mt St Leonard in the east across to the Melba Highway and to Glenburn Road in the west.

RASPBERRY CANES SCHEME
This scheme began in 1990 similar to the strawberry runner scheme. The impetus came from the growers in an effort to improve the quality of crops. The Victorian Department of Agriculture esponded and some trials were conducted at the Potato Research Station. In 1997 the scheme was privatised.

There are major differences from the strawberry scheme. Firstly, raspberry canes (plants) are not replaced annually as are strawberry plants but can be re-harvested for up to 25 years, hence there is not the same demand for new canes. The industry itself is much smaller, and in fact 95% of new stock in Australia is supplied by one outlet – Berry Plant Supplies in Toolangi. This venture is a 26 hectare farm in Phillips Road of which 8 hectares per year is under berry plant production. Toolangi has the acid soil and chill factor necessary to set the buds, it also produces late fruiting in November through until the end of December. The isolation of Toolangi and its freedom from plant diseases initially enabled plants to be certified as disease free. However phytophthora has been detected, and as it is extremely difficult to eradicate, certification does not now apply. Plant varieties are imported from Britain and America, and other varieties have been developed in Victoria.

As with strawberries the soil is first fumigated in March/April under sheets of plastic. Planting occurs in August/ September. It is the roots rather than canes that are planted as the aim is to produce more roots rather than canes and fruit. Planting is followed by weeding, irrigating and fertilising. In contrast to strawberries very little pest spraying is necessary as Australia does not have the disease spreading insects that are a worry in other countries. Plants are harvested in June/July using a method similar to that of strawberries. Once harvested the root residue reproduces enabling two more seasons of harvest before the crop requires replacement.

Recently a large client in Coffs Harbour has begun producing” out of season” fruit due to the warm climate. As there is no chill factor to set the buds new root stock has to be purchased each year. Berry Plant Suppliers has 2 fulltime field workers, an administrator and 5 casuals with up to 20 casuals needed for harvest. This venture has probably plateaued and it is not expected to expand greatly in the future.

As well as the various varieties of raspberry plants, varieties of other berry fruit plants are produced – brambleberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, jostaberries Chinese Gooseberries (Kiwi Fruit) and blueberries.

OTHER HORTICULTURE VENTURES
Toolangi incorporates various nurseries. The forerunner was Rimington’s Nursery off Chum Creek Road about a kilometre south of Myers Creek Road junction. It was established in 1935 to supply Rimington’s Parkhill Nurseries in Kew. The original holding of 48 hectares had 16 hectares under cultivation by the end of the decade. A further 26 hectares was added later but this remained as a buffer of native bush.

A wide variety of exotic trees, plants and shrubs were grown outdoors from cuttings, root sections and small plants. Azaleas and rhododendrons were planted in early spring. Autumn saw the planting of cuttings from conifers and deciduous trees, and winter was the time for lifting plants and transporting to Kew. Horses were used in the early years and gradually machinery took over. All hand tools were kept in immaculate condition. During the war years the nursery was required to produce vegetables and vegetable seed. At its peak the nursery employed up to 14 people which was a boon for the area in times when employment was difficult and there was a downturn in timber employment.

In 1975 Rimington’s Toolangi Nursery was closed as it struggled to move with the times. The property was purchased by the Chumlangi Cooperative Housing group.

The Binz Nursery on 40 hectares in Myers Creek Road is one of the oldest currently operating in Toolangi, and is the second largest of its type in Australia. It evolved from a potato operation on 4 hectares that became unviable. In 1968 the farm entered into the strawberry runner scheme followed by the beginnings of the nursery in 1985. Today the focus is equally divided between strawberries runners and the nursery production.

The nursery specialises in flowering pot plants and supplies only to the trade. Overall it produces 26 different lines, some that are seasonal and some that are continual. Its trump card is the 16 European licences that it holds. This ensures markets in all Australian states however the licences do not enable overseas exports.

Toolangi’s environment is not the main attraction for this nursery although the recently proclaimed Plant Protection District provides a welcome comfort for the owners. The dreaded western flower thrip caused major devastation to the nursery’s stock in the early 1990’s and precipitated the protection zone. Propagation is carried out in shade and glass houses occupying 15000 square metres and using specially constituted potting mixes that enable maximum controls. This technical skill is a major factor in the viability of the venture. Ironically one of the major expenses of the nursery is the heating bill to counteract the cool Toolangi climate.

Another nursery is the Toolangi Wholesale Nurseries also on Myers Creek Road which is a supplier of plants to Bunnings and other major retailers. Plants are also exported to all Australian states, except Northern territory which has a vastly different climate. This venture began in Toolangi in the late 1960’s when a 40 hectare property was acquired by the Van De Ven family. It was later in 1974 that the family moved their entire operation over from Olinda. The attraction was the deep chocolate brown ash soil, climate, and availability of water.

Ironically most of the current propagation is done in a mixture of pine bark from Mt Gambier and sand plus fertilisers. It is an expensive but very effective method. Glass houses and shade house have been developed, the latter using “paraweb” an exceptionally strong 70/30 sunshade. There is a focus on rare and unusual plants that are of high value but low volume. Over 1.5 million plants are supplied each year and this number continues to expand. Ninety five percent of the stock is from the nursery’s own propagation. The most common plants are camellias and rhododendrons. Eleven people are employed on site. The venture continues to grow and become more efficient as illustrated by the centrally controlled automatic watering system.

The Blue Dandenong Bulb Farm has been operating in Toolangi for some 15 years and now occupies 97 hectares. Each year approximately 40 hectares is cultivated on a rotation basis producing bulbs, cut flowers and witlof. This year there are 18 hectares of daffodils, 4 hectares of dahlia tubers and 24 hectares of witlof. It is a $4 million industry.

Over 50 different varieties of dahlias are grown producing some 400000 plants.

The dahlia ‘mother stock’ tubers are developed in Monbulk to the stage where they begin to send out shoots. They develop further in an outdoor nursery in Toolangi while the paddocks are being fumigated and fertilised. Planting usually begins late in October and continues through until late December. As the major purpose of this venture is the root stock or tubers these are harvested in the winter when flowering has finished, using a “spud digger”. The tubers are washed to remove soil, graded and sold, with some being set aside for next year’s mother stock.

Witlof is a leafy vegetable from Holland that is popular in Europe but has yet to take off in Australia. It is a cool climate crop that is not particularly adaptable. There are two producers in Australia, the other being in the Pearcedale area. The Toolangi witlof industry began 16 years ago utilising the moisture that is locked into the subsoil. The plant is immune to frost.

The seed is obtained from Holland and sown by an air seeder in October at the rate of one hectare per day. Germination is quick and ideally the plants are visible within 7 days and grow to a maximum height of 30 cm. During May and June harvest occurs using a converted potato harvester. It is the tuber that is harvested and it looks somewhat like a parsnip. A leaf stem of 5 cm is retained. The tubers are graded into bins and stored in a 2000 cubic metre cool store at less than 0 degrees C.

The actual growing of witlof occurs in darkness and in small amounts that can be conveniently processed and distributed. Metre square crates with adequate head room are placed in temperature controlled cupboards for 24 days. The temperature is kept between 13 and 18 degrees and water is applied. The witlof grows to a height of 15 cm into a white, solid leafy, flame shaped vegetable. This is then trimmed and packaged, and should keep in good condition for at least 4 weeks.

Witlof can be obtained from some of the large Coles and Safeway supermarkets and other specialist suppliers. It is exported to Tahiti, Noumea, New Caledonia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan.

MOUNT ST LEONARD TOWER
The current tower is a distinguishing landmark in the area. During the fire season it provides an excellent lookout and forms an important role in the early detection of fire danger. It also houses a wealth of communications equipment.

The original tower was in the form of a small cabin perched precariously on top of a sawn off tree and held in place by wire and several cables. Access was by way of a long scary ladder. This was replaced in 1949 by a steel structure. Its erection was not without its problems. The tower was constructed on the horizontal and then hauled up into place. Unfortunately the tractor initially employed for the cable lift lost traction when the tower reached about 45 degrees and the tower crashed to ground incurring some damage.

The base of the tower was 1027 metres above sea level and the height of the platform was 25.5 metres. It was constructed primarily by Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works for the protection of the watershed. Originally power was provided by a diesel engine and generator until mains power was connected in the 1960’s.

In 1988 this tower was superseded by the present larger structure built by Telstra to a height of 37 metres. This has the capacity to carry all the modern communications equipment. It has emergency services – Police, Ambulance, CFA, SES, NRE, Parks Victoria. It has mobile phone relay stations for Telstra, Optus, Vodaphone and Orange. Currently negations are underway to attach TV repeater stations.

It is a much sought after facility because of its central location and its panoramic line of sight visibility. The field of vision encompasses Mt Macedon, Wombat Forest, Strathbogies, Mt Torbreck, Baw Baw Plateau, Arthur’s Seat. With powerful binoculars cars can be picked out in the main street of Queenscliff.

The 1949 tower was cut down in height in 1991 and fitted with a platform which is now a lookout for the public. There is no public access to the new tower. The tower is now situated within the Yarra Ranges National Park which is managed by NRE, however the actual tower and its supporting structures have belonged to Telstra since 1994. Melbourne Water has retained ownership of the two top floors for fire spotting.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This information has been collated by Ian Whitford to provide staff at the Toolangi Forest Discovery Centre with some background material. I gratefully acknowledge the extensive and cheerful assistance provided by local historian Bob Pockett.

I am indebted also to:

John Baker from Potato Research Station
Paul Barker archivist Forests Commission
Ron Biggs caretaker Seismic Recording Station
John Binz from Binz Nursery
Rob Brown historian Melbourne Astronomical Society
Barb Grove from Toolangi Primary School
Healesville Historical Society
Klaas Jonboom & Ed Van Graas of Blue Dandenongs Bulb Farm
Graham McGregor Institute of Horticultural Development Knox field
Mike Van De Ven Berry Plant Suppliers
Paul Van De Ven of Toolangi Wholesale Nurseries
John Waghorn historian with Australia Post
George Weda of Toolangi Strawberry Runner Growers’ Co-op
Jan & Vic Williams from C J Dennis The Singing Gardens
Glen Winter from Melbourne Water

References:
Harmsworth, L & Mattingly,G. The Potato research Station Toolangi
Houghton,N. Timber Mountain. Light Railway Research Society of Aust. 1986
Pockett, R. Rimingtons Nursery Toolangi - A Brief History. 1987
Pockett, R. et al. Toolangi Primary School The First Hundred Years. 1995