From 1960, when Morris Foon first started photography as a hobby, a rich archive of images of the local people and area began. As a domestic photographer in a rural area he was commissioned to photograph a wide variety of subjects such as weddings, portraits, football groups, debutante balls and the like.  Also serving as a newspaper photographer for the "Sentinel" for many years,   he was on the spot for many historic moments in the areas development.  The replacement of the Phillip Island bridge and many local landmark buildings such as the Wonthaggi Art Centre and the Catholic Church. The closing of the last working coal mine, early beach carnivals and business trade shows.  A rich tapestry of local life has been building in the negative files for 50 years.  Now these files are being opened and a selection of the local history is being brought out for viewing. 

In time these images will be a part of the local area history and culture for all to see and enjoy.  We are looking for some help in identifying the people in some of these images,  so if you recognize people or can accurately place the date of the events, please give us the details so they can be recorded for posterity.

More galleries of images of the early days of 

Wonthaggi and the local district