Whitehorse history: Kmart Burwood, Forest Hill Chase historic photos

From the crowded check-outs at Kmart Burwood to the opening days of Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre, take a stroll down memory lane with these incredible historical photos of Whitehorse.

There was no social distancing at Burwood Kmart in 1969.

From the early days of Kmart Burwood and Forest Hill Chase, to swims at the Surrey Dive in Box Hill and outdoor Nunawading Pool, times certainly have changed in Whitehorse.

Check out some of the best historical photos of the area.

The Box Hill station and shopping complex opening in 1985.

BOX HILL STATION OPENS

The new underground Box Hill station opened in 1985. The previous station, an old red brick building, had manual gates to let trains through.

The new Box Hill Central Shopping Centre.

WELCOMING A NEW SHOPPING CENTRE

Whitehorse Plaza, now known as Box Hill Central Shopping Centre, made a splash when it opened in 1974, with a fountain and Australia’s first moving walkways.

The exterior of the centre complex in 1984.

The water feature in Market St. Picture: ‘I grew up in Box Hill’ Facebook page

Kmart Burwood in 1969.

KMART BURWOOD OPENS

It may be closed temporarily under Melbourne’s Stage 4 lockdown, but Kmart Burwood is normally open 24/7 for all your late night or early morning shopping needs. The shop, which opened in 1969 and is the country’s oldest Kmart, was also once home to a popular Holly’s cafe.

Prams lined up outside Kmart Burwood.

There were no self-serve check-outs in 1969.

The carpark is never this empty nowadays.

DIVING IN TO FUN AT SURREY DIVE

This great shot captures men diving into the water during an aquatic carnival at the Surrey Dive in Box Hill in 1914. The area started off as a clay quarry, before becoming a swimming hole, and is now home to a model boating club.

Swimmers at Surrey Dive in Box Hill in 1914.

Nunawading Pool in 1961.

COOLING OFF AT NUNAWADING POOL

The Nunawading pool was a picturesque spot to enjoy a cool dip during hot summer days in the 1960s.

A heated indoor 50m swimming public pool at Nunawading inside a dome of glass, which was the only one of its kind in Australia in 1977.

THE WHITE HORSE STATUE

As well as the classic car, this photo captures a well-known landmark in Box Hill — the white horse statue. The figure stood from 1895-1933 in front of the city’s first hotel. Today a memorial takes pride of place on Whitehorse Rd.

Box Hill’s horse statue in 1959.

FOREST HILL CHASE OPENS

The shopping centre opened in 1964 and remains a favourite with Whitehorse shoppers, who fondly remember its rocketship play equipment. Many shops have come and gone from the centre over the years, including McEwan’s hardware.

Forest Hills in 1968.

The updated centre in 1989.

The McEwans store.

The exterior of the centre in 1979.

GEOFFREY EDELSTEN’S MEDICAL CLINIC

Back when he was working as a GP in 1992, Geoffrey Edelsten had medical clinics in Box Hill, Epping and Wantirna.

Dr Geoffrey Edelsten's 24-hour medical centre in Box Hill.

Medical entrepenuer Geoffrey Edelsten had a 24-hour clinic in Box Hill.

WAITING FOR THE TRAM

A long line of commuters queued for trams in East Burwood in 1983, after a train strike.

Melbourne commuters queue for trams in Burwood East after train strike.

BLACKBURN LEVEL CROSSING

Many drivers remember the frustration of getting stuck at the Blackburn Rd boom gates, that was until the crossing was finally put underground in 2017.

The Blackburn Rd level crossing.

MORE NEWS: HOW YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM BOX HILL

INCREDIBLE PHOTOS CAPTURE THE HISTORY OF KNOX

THE MOMENTS THAT DEFINED STONNINGTON

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