PEOPLE of Loch and District and those with connections to the area are encouraged to contribute their stories, family history, photos and anything else of interest to help update the book ‘Loch and District 1876-2001’, ahead of the town’s 150-year celebrations in 2026.
A session is scheduled on Thursday, May 15 from 12-2pm at Loch Public Hall for the Loch & District Historical Group to scan photos, collect information and discuss what you may wish to contribute to the book.
Loch’s 150-year celebration will take place over the Labour Day long weekend from Friday, March 6 through until Monday, March 9 inclusive, with activities to be organised in various Loch venues and clubs.
Members of the Loch & District Historical Group are working to bring the book, launched for the town’s 125-year celebration, up to the present day,
“We need anyone who has a story to tell, some family history to record, a new business report, a club or sporting account, or a funny anecdote to share,” Lorraine Knox of Loch & District Historical Group said.
A dedicated group of locals has been meeting regularly to coordinate next year’s celebrations.
In 1876, arrangements were made to survey a town as part of the planning for the Great Southern Railway that would run between Dandenong and South Gippsland.
The town was ultimately named Loch in honour of the Governor of Victoria Sir Henry Loch, who served in that capacity between 1884 and 1889, the first 50 town allotments going up for sale on November 22, 1887.
Only nine of those lots failed to sell.
By the following year, Loch’s first general store and the Anglican Church opened, soon followed by a school and a hotel and the railway line reaching town.
Please contact Paul Knox on 0428 592 248 or Kris Waters at kris.waters3945@gmail.com for further details or to provide information for the updated book on Loch’s rich history.
