Monbulk Historical Society

The name Monbulk is taken from the aboriginal word Monbolloc which means ‘a hiding place in the hills.' Monbolloc consists of two aboriginal words, "mon" meaning magic and "bolloc" a pond or lake. This is reference to the nearby springs and their medicinal properties.  Modern day Monbulk is believed to be the area which aboriginals used as a sanctuary, bringing their wounded and sick to the local springs that were thought to have healing waters - Nathania Springs and Coonara Springs.
Monbulk was also described as ‘neutral ground’ where clans from the adjoining Woiworung, Bunurong and Taungurong clans could meet and where warfare and vendettas were prohibited.

In 1893 a village settlement, Dandenong Forest Village Settlement, comprising 76 farms of 10 acres (40,000 m2) was created and named Monbulk. The Post Office opened on 19 May 1898.

We cover Monbulk, The Patch, Kallista and Silvan areas.

Monbulk Historical Society is housed at the Monbulk Living and Learning Centre in the main Street, Monbulk and is open every Wednesday morning.

 Come and talk to us about the area you live in, our local history or your family's story.