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FIND MANNINGHAM | JUNE 2021
findmannigham.com.au
Birt Lavis - Heathmont Icon HERITAGE & HISTORY By Russ Haines
Bert Lavis played a key role in Ringwood’s history, not only as well-known citizen, shop-owner and Councillor, but as first Mayor of the City of Ringwood. EARLY YEARS Albert George Lavis was born in Bristol, England in early 1906, the son of Fred Albert Lavis and Florence Marion Nokes. Following WWI, in 1921, the family migrated to Australia and landed in Melbourne on 8th December. Bert was only 15 years old at the time and his younger sister, Kathleen, was 11. He met Audrey Andrewartha and married her on 3rd August 1935 in South Australia. His parents settled in the CamberwellBalwyn area. His mother died in 1963 and his father ten years later. COMING TO RINGWOOD In 1947 the Lavis’, with friends, bought 25 acres in Canterbury Road opposite Heathmont Park from Mr Sell for £2000. The land stretched from Canterbury Road to Reilly Street, the southern boundary of Jubilee Park, and Wantirna Road to the west. COUNCIL LIFE Bert was nominated for the South Ward of Ringwood Council to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Cr. Barry Smith. He canvassed 255 houses in the
South Ward, was elected and served as a Councillor from August 1951 to 1967. He was also Mayor in 1956/57 and 1959/60. He had the glorious duty of being the inaugural Mayor of Ringwood on 9th March, 1960 when His Excellency, the Governor of Victoria, General Sir Dallas Brooks, proclaimed Ringwood as a City (see photo above). During the week there were celebrations with the Pageant of Progress. On Saturday, there were more than 60 floats in a pageant (see below), a carnival and the Proclamation Ball in the town hall. Special Church services were held on Sunday. In those days, Mayors used own cars, provided supper and paid for wet cupboard and all other expenses. The first time the allowance was £250, the second £850 and Bert had to pay for the Mayoral Ball each year. PRIVATE LIFE Bert ran a hardware store for many years at 155 Canterbury Road, Heathmont, not far from his property. It was a purposebuilt shop and was located on the west end of Heathmont, opposite Dickasons Road. OTHER MEMORIES Bert and Audrey Lavis lived at 263 Canterbury Road Heathmont, near Jarma Road, the property being sold by the family in 2002 by CE Carter. It was part of his original estate and now accommodates town houses.
The shopping centre on the West side of the railway line contained Mr Maiden’s Post Office and a small grocery store, with Mr. Cutting’s grocery store on corner. Mrs Byrne owned a brick pair of buildings and built two shops in front – the E.S.&A. Bank occupied one and the Lavis hardware store in the other. When Canterbury Road became a highway 20 feet was taken from the nature strips on either side, 3 lanes of traffic divided by a median strip, with footpaths and road made. Traffic had increased tremendously. Bert bought land next to the Post Office and sold the block for a butchers shop, and built two-storey building as a hardware store – upstairs was a doctor, hairdresser and an estate agent. It was sold in 1966. The Heathmont Football Club named their pavilion the A.G. Lavis Pavilion, the first ever to be named after a Councillor. He continued on Council until 1967, as well as sitting on Bench as Justice of Peace for many years. He was Life Governor and Secretary of Lionswood Village and continued with community activities both in Ringwood and Heathmont. A wing in Lionsbrae Retirement Village is named after his honour. He was connected with Heathmont Scouts for many years and awarded a badge for service. He died on the 1st July 1984 after a very serviceable and fulfilling life.
