The Whitlands Community

The Whitlands community is estimated to be about 50 people with approximately 70% who are permanent residents. Due to its remote location, the community have had to be self-sufficient and resilient. This has been reflected in its history.

Whitlands Progress Association Inc. & Whitlands Community Planning Group

The Whitlands Progress Association (WPA) Inc. seeks to benefit the locality of Whtilands and the lives of its residents. WPA’s history originated from the Whitfeild Tablelands Progress Assocaition (active in 1925) when it requested a post office for Whitlands, and in 1928 asking for a school service. In 1930 this group became the Whitlands Progress Association and operated in the northern end of the plateau. Around 1933 a second group became active, assuming the original name of the Whitfield Tablelands Progress Association. Both groups operated in tandem from 1933 to 1955 when they amalgamated to the Whitlands Progress Association.

In 2010 the Whitlands community commenced community planning, with a workshop attended by 25 people. The Whitlands community plan was officially endorsed by Wangaratta Council in April 2011. In 2012, the WPA was reactivated at a public meeting. The WPA Inc. holds an Annual General Meeting in November. This is a public meeting that reports on the years activities and discusses community priorities for the coming year and office bearers are elected.

Throughout the year, the Whitlands Community Planning Group meets monthly to progress community projects and advocates on issues of concern to Whitlands. This group consists of 9 people and has been meeting since 2011. Significantly, since Whitlands has no community facilities (eg. hall, general store, school, etc) since 1968, our community has for over 50 years held an annual Easter party, hosted by residents on various properties. This annual event brings together existing and new residents and their visitors.

Community Projects

Community projects are a way we can all work together as a community. This has been a part of Whitland’s history and past, where the community grew potatoes as a way of funding improvements, eg, contributing to building the Whitlands Primary School in the 1930’s.

The projects give us a focus and as we are such a small community (33 residents) we do not put ourselves under any time pressures. The project is completed as we have time to do it – some may take years to achieve. The ‘doing’ brings us together, having an outcome or something concrete is a bonus!

History Book

Settlement of a Victorian Tableland - The history of Whitlands, its people and their memories. This project was led by Rachael Croucher who compiled historical records for each of the Whitlands properties. Residents and weekenders then wrote about their individual property. The book was published in 2012 by the Whitlands Community Planning Group, with 200 copies printed and all sold out!

Made in Whitlands

The community decided to celebrate our produce and creativity with this annual event.

The rules are simple, bring something to share, that has been made entirely from ingredients grown or sourced in Whitlands. Offerings have included salami, pies, fruit, veg and of course, wine!

Whitlands School site

A historic marker and picnic table were placed by the community to mark the site of the Whitlands State School, No. 4536. The school operated from 1935 to 1946; reopened in 1963 and closed in 1969, educating 52 Whitlands children during this time. With permission, WPA built the Whitlands Primary School on Crown land entirely with local volunteer labour, opening on the 21st of March 1935.

Whitlands Reunion

In November 2011 the community hosted a reunion for residents past and present. Organised by the Whitlands Community Planning Group, it saw 65 people attend from NSW. SA, Melbourne and other parts of Victoria. The reunion enabled us to share the draft of the History Book and people who lived at Whitlands more than 75 years ago reminisced.

Whitlands DVD

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) came to Whitlands to film our community. In 2012 several residents were interviewed about why we chose to live in Whitlands. The result was a 10 minute video.

Social Events

The 2006/2007 bushfires at Whitlands highlighted the need for stronger social connection between Whitlanders, given our only opportunity to meet as a community was the annual Easter Party. It was also a request from a Whitlands resident at one of the WPA Inc. AGMs. In addition to the Easter Party, each year we hold the Summer movie and wood-fire pizza night in January and Winter movie and pie night in July/August.