Get Involved
The Arthurs Creek Community Centre is a volunteer-run organisation.
The restoration project and regular events are conducted by people who give their time because they care about strengthening the community.
We welcome you to come along and get involved.
Arthurs Creek
A Brief History
Naming & Origins
Arthurs Creek is a locality in Victoria, Australia, 33 kilometres north-east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the Shire of Nillumbik. The creek, a tributary of Diamond Creek, was named after Henry Arthur, a member of Batman's Port Phillip Association and nephew of Tasmania's Governor George Arthur, who settled at the creek. (But, there is also an alternative account — some say it was named by surveyor Thomas Nutt, because a member of his party named Mr Arthur died and was buried in the location.)
Settlement & Agriculture
The proclamation of the Duffy Land Act in 1862 saw the beginning of permanent settlement at Arthurs Creek, which began as a horticultural settlement with numerous orchards. By the 1880s there were several orchards, the biggest being 'Charnwood', exhibiting 200 varieties of fruit at the Melbourne International Exhibition. In 1890 the Arthurs Creek Fruit Growers Association formed, exporting its first shipment to England in 1896. After the First World War, cattle and sheep farms replaced orchards as the principal industry. Today, landholdings are a mixture of smaller farm properties including vineyards, orchards, and lifestyle properties.
The Old Church and its grounds
Officially the first public building in Arthurs Creek
The Methodist Church was the first public building in Arthurs Creek (1873), followed by the Arthurs Creek school (1874) and the Mechanics Institute (1887).
The Arthurs Creek Uniting Church opened as a Methodist Church on Sunday 3rd November 1873.
The congregation had outgrown informal arrangements — for over two years, preaching services were held in a barn and a house belonging to Mrs Christina McDonald. The congregations were at times too large for the house, and services had to be conducted in the open air, prompting the resolve to build a chapel.
In the late 1990s, the congregation at Arthurs Creek voted to amalgamate with the Uniting Church Whittlesea congregation.
Arthurs Creek Community Centre is a registered charity and has taken ownership of the old church and its grounds, renovating and working with the community to accomodate and support community activities.
The charity's purpose is to restore and preserve the heritage of the old church and converting it into a much-needed Community Centre.
Volunteer With Us
Whether you can spare a few hours, or can be more involved on a regular basis, there's always something you can help with.
Come along to one of our Thursday night gatherings to meet people, see what we're up to, and find out where you can pitch in. There are lots of different ways to be involved.
Join us Thursdays 6-8pm | Arthurs Creek Community Centre
What We Get Up To
Throughout the year the Arthurs Creek Community Centre runs a range of events that bring the community together, such as:
Easter and Christmas celebrations
Fundraising events
Community gatherings
Guest speakers
There's always something on the horizon, check the calendar to stay up-to-date with all of our events.
Contact Us
Interested in getting to know more? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly.
