Kel’s Corner

“On Tuesday mornings once a month what about a bus tour around the Bellarine with Kel? Let’s call it uncovering treasures on the Bellarine” I said to Kel the other day and then he told me of the treasure he had found behind the Drysdale Hotel many years ago. It’s a good story. Read more >>

One of the very special things that the SpringDale Messenger tries to do, is to give our community knowledge of things members of our community are doing now.

But this column is devoted to looking back and celebrating historic aspects of our community and special accomplishments of previous residents. Read more >>

Kel’s dog Jack

Jack is the 30th dog that Kel has adopted. Kel competed Jack in the Geelong Show High jump this year and he came 2nd. Kel says “The problem is that his respirator wasn’t working well so he could jump beyond the reach of his oxygen line – he jumps so high.” Read more >>

During the month I was approached by a long term resident of Drysdale Pat Rawlings (nee Lunn). Pat wanted to share some of her memories with the community as well. Kel and I met with Pat and it was interesting to hear so many shared memories and tales.

Over the next month we will put Pat’s memories Read more >>

When I started working with Kel to produce this column we promised a virtual tour of many of our streets during the 1940s. I was so impressed to hear about so many different businesses and industries that were operated in the 1940s that don’t exist now.

Let’s start near SpringDale in Princess Street. Read more >>

Banking in Drysdale during the 1940′s

These days we take banking for granted with some of our banks being open from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday and some on Saturday mornings as well. In the 1940′s, the residents of Drysdale relied upon banking services from Portarlington that came to Drysdale 3 afternoons a week. Read more >>

Over the last few days I’ve enjoyed a couple of walks along the Clifton Springs beach between the Dell and Hermsley Road. The last one was with Kell. While we were walking this quiet peaceful place, more memories came rushing back to Kell.

Imagine the Clifton Springs Dell back in the early 1940s. Read more >>