Take the time to stop and enjoy this wonderful bushland site and browse the information board. You are sure to be enticed by the natural beauty as well as the rich history of the First Aid Post Reserve.
First Aid Post Reserve gained its name because of its rich history with the Victorian Railways. The reserve was the site of Railway First Aid competitions from the 1940’s – 1990’s. The land was first purchased in 1883 by David Mitchell, the builder of the Royal Exhibition Building, Menzies Hotel and Scots Church. He was the owner of the Cave Hill Quarries and father of Dame Nellie Melba. After Mitchell’s death, the land was passed to his son Charles.
State Railway First Aid competitions began in 1911 and National competitions in 1920. In 1944 Charles’ wife Blanche donated six acres to the Victorian Railways Commissioners for First Aid competitions. She had been impressed by Railway first aiders who attended her sister after an accident: “I decided I would pay my tribute to the humanitarian work done by these splendid men, by giving them land in a better setting.” Blanche Mitchell also donated a trophy in her name for an individual event.
The First Aid Post Reserve is located beside the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail between Lilydale and Mount Evelyn.
David Rd, Lilydale 3140 View Map
David Rd , Lilydale 3140
Historic photo from 1970
Bushland at First Aid Post Reserve
Sign explaining the history at the reserve
First Aid training photo
First Aid Post training shed
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