Torquay Olympians of the 1980s
The Moscow Olympics are remembered for many things, but mostly for the boycott of the Games. Led by the United States, 65 nations boycotted the Games in protest of the …
NEWS
Torquay Summer Olympians: The next decade, 1950s
The 1952 Helsinki Summer Games were the first Olympics in which the Soviet Union participated since the 1912 Games. The Games were friendly, and by the end of the competition …
Tribute to Torquay Olympic Legends
Australia has built a prestigious reputation on sporting excellence, integrity and a thriving community spirit. Participating in every modern Olympic Games since they commenced in 1896, also hosting them in …
New Edition of History Matters
Another exciting edition of History Matters is now available.Our 22nd Edition is filled with stories about.• Richard Daintree who took the earliest images of the Jan Juc coastline,• Andrew White …
History Matters 2021 Autumn Edition
The latest History Matters Magazine is now available at the Torquay newsagents, featuring a range of story related to the Torquay district. The cover features Rex ‘China’ Gilbert and inside …
Game On
Not Wimbledon or the Aussie Open but still significant tennis tournaments played in Torquay. Lawn tennis was invented by Major Walter Wingfield in 1873. The game quickly became a popular …
Our Pop-Up Museum
Check out no 32 Gilbert Street for our display of photos and stories on old Gilbert Street. This shop was once owned by Don Loveless who ran his TV and …
History Matters Summer Edition
Read about the early years of the Torquay and Jan Juc pubs, heritage saved at Loveridge Lookout, some heritage lost at the Barwon River Ovoid Sewer Aqueduct and the fight …
We Remember
Tomorrow, Remembrance Day (also known as Armistice Day) — remembers the agreement between the Allies and Germany on November 11, 1918, to stop fighting which marked a victory for the …
2020 AGM
The committee of Torquay Museum Without Walls is pleased to announce that we are proceeding with our Annual General Meeting for this year. However current restrictions continue to make it …
Torquay’s Melbourne Cup Connection
First run in 1861, the Melbourne Cup was a cup in name only, with prizes including a gold watch and cash purse. The first official trophy cup was awarded in …
Reflecting on 100 years of the Torquay Golf Club
A century after being established, members reflect on this remarkable history since the first round was played on the other side of the creek in 1920. As the town has …
Out and About Torquay
Explore Torquay like the McCartney family did in the 1950s. Walks along the old Jan Juc Road, Surf Beach, playing at the mouth of Spring Creek, standing at the front …
Torquay Golf Club turns 100
Around about this time 100 years ago a group of 22 local citizens arranged a meeting at the Public Hall to form the Torquay Golf Club. Among those gathered were …
Celebrating Teachers
Today, World Teachers’ Day celebrates teachers with the theme “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future”. The day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of …
Going for a walk? Try a Torquay History Scavenger Hunt
Celebrate History Month by Doing-History with us. For more information click the button
Winter Reading!
The June edition of History Matters is out now. Stories on John Pettigrove told by his family. the ‘Birdman of Torquay’ Jack O’Mara and his legacy at Taylor Park for …
Big Thanks
Geelong Community Foundation continues to support the work we do by offering us a $1000 grant this week for a book scanner.
SCAVENGER HUNT DAY
May 24th each year sends us off to find random items all in the name of good fun. American Elsa Maxwell (May 24, 1883 –1963) is credited with the introduction …
Scammell Shipwreck
Today is an autumn day not much different to that 129 years ago. We have warnings of damaging winds. I bet the Captain of the Scammell wished he had such …
Torquay Learning Activities
With the outbreak of the coronavirus, our members are faced with many new challenges. We understand there is growing anxiety about supporting children’s learning which is why we have created …
2020 Anzac Day
SEPARATED BUT UNITED A very different Anzac Day dawn at Point Danger this morning as people commemorated the service of our Anzacs from their driveways. LEST WE FORGET.
Come In Spinner
Social isolation has impacted on how we commemorate Anzac Day. Many families will be Lighting Up The Dawn, remembering all those who served in our defence forces. Many will wear …
LEST WE FORGET
Pte William Jacob FULLER Private William Jacob FULLER, a Connewarre farmer enlisted at the age of 23 just a month after volunteers were called for in 1914. William was assigned …
Anzac Day: Lest We Forget
At dawn on the morning of Sunday 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand troops entered their first major engagement of World War 1. They landed on a small Turkish …
The First Anzac Day
In 1916 the first Anzac Day commemorations were held on 25 April to commemorate the Anzacs’ entering the war and the lives of their fallen comrades. The day was marked …
March Magazine
The newest edition of our magazine is now available for purchase at the Torquay Newsagency. But things are not what they were just weeks ago. To keep healthy we do …
Farewell Margaret
With sadness we note the passing of a Torquay treasure, Margaret Ganly.Margaret, who was 104 was the descendant of one of our earliest settlers, William Pride and we doubt there …
Arthur Leonard Long crossing Bass Strait 100 years ago
Wonderful time today celebrating 100 years of the first air crossing over Bass Strait by Arthur Leonard Long.Joining us was Pirrie Shiel who has researched Arthur Leonard Long and the …
First flight across Bass Strait
100 years ago on Monday 16 December, Lieut. Arthur Leonard Long left Stanley in Tasmania and was the first to fly across Bass Strait. His first stop was Torquay on …
Surf Culture in Torquay during the seventies
There is some fabulous footage of Torquay in the seventies from an ABC weekend Magazine that appeared in 1972, up on our webpage. A few familiar faces here !! Click …
We would love to read your feedback
Torquay Museum Without Walls is approaching its third birthday. Over the three years we believe we have provided wonderful access to the Torquay district history. We have done this through …
Torquay – Fun in the Sun
Stone family home movie of summer holidays in Torquay. Their house was located in Gilbert Street where IGA is now. Originally living in the old Anderson house, they later built …
Gilbert Street Shopping Strip
Gilbert Street has been the heart of our village for 120 years and I cant help but wonder if our founding fathers ever thought the village would grow as it has, or that the centre of our town would come under such pressure. Some of …
1956 Miss Torquay
Beach beauty competitions reached a peak of popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. Girls and women of all ages were photographed on the beach which was published in the paper …
Surfing Torquay Early Years
Ray Wilson grew up in Torquay and was naturally one of the surfers in the early years. He learnt to swim and surf in our beaches. In this clip he …
Early Torquay
Ray Wilson has lived in Torquay all his life. Listen to the first of our clips where Ray describes growing up in Torquay. His story is featured in the latest …
1917 A Story Lost
1917 was the single worst year in Australian History. Almost 77,000 Australians were killed, missing or wounded. Passchendaele, Menin Road,Polygon Wood and Bullencourt have become household names as we, …