HISTORY OF THE
VERONICA MAYBURY MEMORIAL RESERVE
SURF EDGE DRIVE, GOLDEN BEACH, VICTORIA
In August of 1992 a much-loved resident of Golden-Paradise Beach, Veronica Maybury, passed away suddenly. Veronica had lived in the area for some years and played an active part in community events. She and her husband Bill owned the local general store for some years and when they sold, built a home in the area. After her death, her family, in remembrance of her, donated some eighty acres of their land to the then Shire of Rosedale, for community use.
Certain conditions applied, e.g. the land was not to be used for such events as motorbike racing (or similar), the land could not be sold nor disposed of, and the Shire had to erect an appropriate memorial entrance “The Veronica Maybury Memorial Reserve”. The land title was duly transferred to the Shire of Rosedale, and even though individual members of the Council were reluctant to add to their responsibilities, other members of Council were most appreciative of this very generous gift.
Nearly two years passed and the Shire of Rosedale had not made any attempt to develop this area in any way, but with the insistence of the Maybury family, they finally had the memorial entrance erected. At a meeting of the Hall Committee in June of 1994, after Bill Maybury expressed disappointment at the lack of action on the part of the shire. It was decided to ‘take matters into their hands’ and a public meeting was called to discuss this, as well as other issues of concern to the residents. In July of 1994 at this meeting, nine residents put up their hand and volunteered to act as a Planning Committee. In which was formed to manage the development of the land with the sanction of those residents present at this meeting (approx. 40). With the first session of the Planning Committee being held in August of 1994 at the home of the Moroney’s (as there were no funds available to pay for the hire of the local community hall) with the Committee, consisting of: –
| Mark Maybury | Tom Kean |
| Kevin Douglas | Terry Sullivan |
| Norm Faraguer | Peg Guy |
| John Moroney | Greg Gilbert |
| Melva Moroney |
Tom Kean offered to Chair the meetings, with no objections forthcoming from other members. John Moroney suggested acting as Secretary. This Committee drew up a plan detailing the facilities they considered were needed in the area. This comprised: –
| A 9 Hole Golf Course | A Church |
| A sports Oval | A 50-car Carpark |
| A Bocce’ Pitch | A Native Walk |
| An Amenities Centre | A Fitness Track |
| A Lawn Bowls Green |
VMMR 