FROM THE ARCHIVES

40 years ago

January 18, 1978

A lake will be the focal point of the development of a massive recreation and picnic area at Laverton North. The Rotary Club of Laverton has undertaken the task of converting 186 acres of Crown Land at Laverton North from a rocky outcrop into a major scenic attraction for the western area.

30 years ago

January 20, 1988

Drunken teenage sex orgies, violence, vandalism and the sounds of loud rock music at all hours of the night have led to the bulldozing of the Grouse Court Reserve in the Heathdale Housing Estate. The reserve, which was opened to the public in mid-March of 1984 and cost the Federal and State Government tens of thousands of dollars to develop, was built to provide youth in the area with a recreation area and keep them off the streets.

20 years ago

January 14, 1998

A little girl who adored Barbie dolls and her brother who loved to make people happy will be laid to rest tomorrow. Molly Wilson, 4, and Ben, 7, drowned during a family outing to Gunnamatta Beach last Thursday.

10 years ago

January 23, 2008

Despite fishing off Werribee South for 30 years, Paul Catania has never seen anything like it before. Last Friday, Mr Catania’s daily catch included 12 King George whiting with small breaks in their skin – near their heads – with the appearance of burst ulcers.