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History of the Springvale library

Hi Heather,

I had been on the Dandenong Valley Regional Library Service for over 10 years and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Colin Watson was the Regional Librarian from its inception and Kevin Moody who resides in Berwick was the Foundation CEO ., The Region was from Springvale, Dandenong, Pakenham. Cranbourne, Berwick, Kooweerup, Lang Lang I wink it was 270 square miles at the time. Springvale was the first and then one by one the Branch Libraries broke and formed their own area according to their respective municipalities. A lot of travelling for Delegates and the Pan techs towing a gooseneck trailer packed to the walls with lending books.

I had the good fortune to be Mayor Springvale when Springvale founded the Springvale Library and Premier Dick Hamer and I jointly opened the Library in 72 Prior to me being elected to Council in 1960 I had been a member of the Springvale Library Action Committee which was established in about three years prior.

I liked Jan Bateman. I stood for the State seat of Dandenong and was beaten by Alan Lind by 600 votes. Bill Warner won in every polling booth except Doveton I think the electorate had about 400,000 odd voters.

Jan stood a couple of years later.

I had the good fortune to be mayor three times, so it was an exciting 20 years as a councillor.

I will send this one to a few people who had been my supporters over the years

Many thanks

Bill Warner

Photo celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Dandenong Valley Regional Library Service on July 1, 1981. It says you were Regional Chairman of the Library Board. That’s the late Jan Bateman, who was Mayor of the City of Berwick, with you.

About Springvale

Springvale was named after its abundant source of natural spring water in the early 1850s. Springvale was also an important stopping place between Melbourne and Dandenong. Springvale was chosen as a location for one of the Australian Government’s purpose-built Enterprise Migrant Hostels to meet short term housing needs created by waves of migration in the 1970s and 1980s. This hostel provided settlement services to over 30,000 migrants and refugees and has been a key contributor to Springvale’s existing cultural identity. Today it is home to the largest and most established south-east Asian cultural precinct in Greater Dandenong. It has a strong Vietnamese and Cambodian influence giving the centre a distinctive Asian food and retail offer. Springvale has an established cluster of civic and community services and assets such as a council customer service centre, large civic hall, library and police station. In 2014 the Springvale Road railway level crossing was removed and the railway line was lowered below Springvale Road. This project also involved other public transport improvements, such as the new bus transport interchange and the Lindsay Williams Crossing vehicular bridge to allow crossing of the line east of Springvale Road. This removal has also provided the opportunity to initiate a significant urban renewal project, namely the Springvale Road Boulevard Project. The level crossing removal has opened up the north and south of the centre for Springvale was chosen as a location for one of the Commonwealth Government’s purpose built Enterprise Migrant Hostels to meet short term housing needs created by waves of migration in the 1970s and 1980s. The Hostel provided settlement services to over 30,000 migrants and refugees during this time and has been a key contributor to Springvale’s existing cultural identity.

In 2014 the Springvale Road railway level crossing was removed and the railway line was lowered below Springvale Road. This project also involved other public transport improvements, such as the new bus transport interchange and the Lindsay Williams Crossing vehicular bridge to allow crossing of the line east of Springvale Road. This removal also opened up the opportunity to initiate a significant urban renewal project, namely the Springvale Road Boulevard Project. The level crossing removal has opened up the north and south of the centre.

The Springvale Civic Site redevelopment is also underway and will include improved public open space and community facilities including renovation works at the Springvale Town Hall and the construction of a community hub which will incorporate a modern, state-of-the-art library, flexible community meeting spaces, civic services area and plentiful parking.

After its planned launch in 2020, it will be a vibrant meeting place where people of all ages, backgrounds and interests feel welcome and can come together in a spirit of mutual respect, connection and celebration.

World-class community facilities will combine with large, multipurpose green spaces to provide the perfect setting for learning, playing and relaxing.