Over 60 Years Ago - Wynndean - Ocean Grove

As it was 60 years ago

Like the original settlement of Ocean Grove that is purported to have resulted from the founders trekking from Queenscliffe to the site of our township in 1888, Jack and Audrey Wynn travelled in a 1923 Essex with a 12 ft. bondwood caravan from Pt. Lonsdale to Ocean Grove during the late summer of 1944 and they were endeavoring to find a place to camp and have a seaside holiday. This trip resulted in the purchase of 4 blocks of land facing Orton Street from an unofficial estate agent by the name of Mr. William Dean. (Councillor)

The caravan was left on site and the family returned to their home in Ballarat. During that year Jack and Audrey decided to establish a Holiday Resort at Ocean Grove and several additional adjacent allotments were purchased at a cost of around $20 each. Mr. Dean passed away that year and as a tribute to him the name Wynndean was adopted. Soon after their third child Joy was born the family moved to Ocean Grove and lived in the caravan in extremely primitive conditions.

The 1923 Essex with 12 ft bondwood caravan