This weekend the Woodvale Progress Association will launch a revised community plan prioritising projects for community and government funding.

However, before the WPA launches the four-year-plan it will look back in time with the publication of a 52-page booklet on Woodvale’s history.

The WPA will also unveil a sign mapping 63 historic sites.

WPA spokeswoman Kerry Errington said the sign would become a permanent feature in the Woodvale Recreational Reserve.

“We wanted to retain the history of Woodvale dating all the way back to the Gold Rush, especially local sites we felt were being lost as people left the town (or died),” she said.

Ms Errington said the sign and booklet would help locals and tourists connect with the town’s hidden histories.

“We have a lot of (historic) buildings that are in decline,” she said.

“Some were mud brick buildings and are in a deteriorating condition. But they are great examples of the way buildings were built back in the day.

“There were originally 12 pubs in the area. Only three of those are now structures that you can actually now look at and say ‘that is clearly a former pub.’

“Many of those pubs were shanties or structures destroyed by fire or white ants.”

Ms Errington said researchers made a number of discoveries, including that Woodvale resident Harry Boyle played in the very first Ashes series in 1882.

She added that there was also now evidence showing pioneering Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith brought a plan to Bendigo’s first airstrip, which at the time was located in Woodvale.

WPA president Brendan Bartlett said Saturday would also see the launch of a revised Woodvale community plan.

“The community plan is essentially revised every few years to make sure it is up to date with what the community wants to achieve,” Mr Bartlett said.

The latest plan outlines a number of priorities including new walking tracks, safer roads and collaboration with other local community groups.

It also maintains calls from previous plans to ensure the closure and rehabilitation of the Woodvale evaporation ponds.