Guest speaker at Eltham Community Action Group (ECAG) Annual General Meeting The Shire of Eltham was established in 1871 and ceased to exist, due to a municipal restructure, when all councillors were sacked on 15 December 1994. Jim Connor, a past Councillor of the former Shire of Eltham and current President of the Eltham District Historical Society gave a very interesting presentation about the machinations of how and why Eltham became Nillumbik. He also displayed and discussed images of the various plans that have been suggested for the former Shire Office Site since the building was demolished by the decision of the commissioners in July 1996, the commissioners having replaced the elected council when the Kennett government amalgamated all Victorian councils.1:08:28 duration Digital MP3 file; 23.5MBaudio recording, meeting, eltham, guest speaker, commissioners, community engagement, community protest, council amalgamation, demolition, eltham gateway action group, eltham shire offices, jim connor, planning application, shire of eltham, shire of nillumbik, agm, eltham community action group (ecag), eltham district historical society

Valentina Witkowski was born in 1922 in St. Petersberg (Leningrad at the time) in Russia. She moved to Australia post war with her husband and children. She retells her time moving from Russia, to Germany where she was in a camp, Canada, Argentina and then finally Australia. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involves recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke. Mrs Valentina Witkowski account of her life before and after arriving in Beechworth and the local area during the 20th century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. She details her struggles in Germany before arriving in Beechworth with her new husband and children. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth'. While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved. This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side. Mrs Valentina Witkowskilisten to what they say, beechworth, oral history, witkowski, valentina witkowski, russia, burke museum

Used to promote the Ballarat Tramway Museum, Christmas Holiday period 1997. mp4 file added 22/12/2023Demonstrates a BTM radio advertisement.Audio cassette tape containing an approximate 20 second advertisement on the Ballarat Tramways Christmas running for use on the Ballarat Tourist Guide radio programme. Has Cafe Bysani? ads on either side as well. Produced Dec. 1997 by 3BA. Has 3BA and Power FM 103.1 logos on the paper cover. Written by Len Millar. 2nd copy ex Len Millar added 2/2004.tramways, trams, btm, 3ba, ballarat tourist radio guide

Vinyl phonograph record with black "Columbia, Magic Notes" label. "Die Fledermaus Selections" (Strauss). Performed by Mark Weber and his Orchestra.Reference No DO- 3037

This item commemorates the War in Vietnam (1962 - 1972)A vinyl record titled "Lest We Forget". The cover of the album shows navy personnel in formation playing various instruments with the shrine of Remembrance in the background. Lest We Forget/The Royal Australian/Navy Bandnavy band, the royal australian navy band, vietnam

The Boyds purchased their record player and sound system from Thomas’s in Melbourne. Patricia Boyd (later Davies) was very interested in opera and was later appointed to the Board of the Australian Opera.Bach Harpshichord Recital. LP 33RPM vinyl, Catalogue Number: SXL 2259, record cover, plastic sleeve, 1 vinyl disc, cover notes (no author listed). George Malcolm (harpsichord).lp, sound recording

A recording of songs; Come again sweet love, Perhaps love, In the depths. This rehearsal performance is by the Diamond Valley Choral Society on 29/04/1991.1 audio cassette in clear plastic caseHandwritten on case: "For Kevin. Rehearsal. 29.4.91. DVCS".diamond valley choral society, rehearsals

A master tape of songs performed at a concert known as "Electric Piano" in August 1994. This performance is by the Diamond Valley Choral Society. Songs include: Love changes, Imagine, One voice, We are Australian, Sleep little princess, Bush night song, Mighty, Serenade, Speed your journey, We're riding to the Never-never, The happy wanderer, Waltzing Matilda, Mary's boy child, Cradle Valley carol.2 audio cassettes in clear plastic casesHandwritten on cassette 1: "Side 1: Master DVCS 12.8.94. Love changes, Imagine, One voice, we are Australian. Side 2: Chorus We are Australian, Sleep little princess"; on insert of cassette 2: "Bush night song, Mighty, Serenade, Speed your journey, We're riding to the Never-never, The happy wanderer, Waltzing Matilda, Mary's boy child, Cradle Valley carol".diamond valley choral society, bundoora

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversay in 2024. This audio recording, presented by Harry Gilham, President of Eltham District Historical Society at the time of the opening is a summarised history of the Eltham Library service to 1994. Eltham Library Service 1930s - 1994 Originally collated by Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Historical Society Inc (1993-2009) (edited 2022) In the Eltham township area, in the early 1930s, library books for adults were available from E J Andrew's newsagency in Main Road. In the newsagency come haberdashery, some shelves were set aside for a lending library of adults' books. In 1935, Mr & Mrs JC Rains purchased the newsagency and continued the lending service until the late 1940s. At this time the business was extended from haberdashery to sell ladies' and men's clothing. The library section was discontinued. In the 1930s a mobile book library was also run by a Mr Foster of Bible Street, Eltham. In the 1950s adult books were available from racks in the foyer of the Eltham Shire Offices which was then located beside the Eltham Hall on the comer of Arthur Street and Main Road. In the early 1950s a referendum of ratepayers was called to seek public opinion on the issue of raising money for a public library for which the rates would have to be increased - the motion was defeated. On 11 November 1965 Eltham Shire Council, in conjunction with the City of Heidelberg and the Shire of Diamond Valley, met to form the Heidelberg Regional Library Service. Eltham was represented by Councillors Charis Pelling and John Lewis. The first library service for the Shire of Eltham from this group came in the shape of a bookmobile van which had, amongst others, a central stopover near the Shillinglaw trees outside the newly opened Shire offices at 895 Main Road, the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage and the former Shillinglaw farm. Present-day Wingrove Park was another stopover and the many recorded requests for this service can be read as denoting the areas of population or gathering points at that period throughout the Shire. 1968 saw the Shire convert the ‘Brinkkotter’ house in Dudley Street to house both adult and children's books. This library was originally staffed from the City of Heidelberg Library and records of committee meetings range from borrowing Heidelberg's old library shelving to trying to increase the Government's subsidy to a dollar for dollar basis. Book loans in the period 1966-67 totalled 30,400 and the following year ran to 52,113. With 2 books plus 1 paperback the limit per person, it was overcrowded and unable to house the range of other services which had become common library stock. Planning to extend the Shire Offices by the addition of the south wing was an opportunity to re-house the Shire's Library. The opening of the library in the extension was carried out on 17th August 1971 by the Hon R J Hamer ED, MP, Chief Secretary of Victoria. Cr Geoffrey Dreverman officiated as the Shire President. The Heidelberg Regional Library Service continued until September 1985 when it disbanded. On 21 November 1985 the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service was established. At that time Eltham was represented by Councillors Mary Grant and Robert Manuell. By 1987, over-crowding of the Eltham Library and an inability to house the range of other services yet again rose to prominence. At a Council meeting held on 1 June 1987, the Councillors supported a resolution which threatened to close the library on 30 September 1987. Council's frustration arose from yet another re-run of the annual State Government versus Council Library funding and records show first arose in Eltham Council in 1967 with the Government of 1he day. After prolonged public anger and petitions the motion to close the library was rescinded in August 1987. Council, considering the community's concern, set up a ‘Library Review Working Party’ which a year later became the Library Occasional Committee with direct access to Council. This Committee investigated the workings of the 386 square metre library and found inadequate space for storage and display, lack of equipment, out-of-date furniture together with an increasing patronage which resulted in queues of borrowers becoming longer no matter when the library was open. Community consultation took the form of 1,000 questionnaires sent to users and non-users along with noticeboard reminders of what was planned. Council developed a strategy to set aside capital funds from 1988 on an annual basis so that preliminary planning and consultative expenses could be met, and construction could be completed early 1997. The Committee visited metropolitan libraries which were catering for a similar population as was projected for Eltham. Australia-wide Federal Government funding grants under the Local Capital Works Program became available from October 1992 for community projects endorsed by local Councils. The Eltham Council submitted a proposal, based on library findings and requirements accumulated by the Library Occasional Committee, to the Federal Grants Committee to build a new Eltham Library. The Federal Grants Committee supported the funding request allowing commencement of the library project three years earlier than planned. With finance finalised, the Council set up its Eltham Library Re-development Special Committee which was given the task of overseeing what could be the last major expansion of the Shire's Library Service as Eltham's population nears its projected maximum. The new library was designed by Gregory Burgess and Peter Ryan of Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd. Construction of the library commenced in 1993 and was officially opened May 22nd, 1994. The library building was designed to reflect its parkland setting. External features include: the roof which includes interesting aspects when viewed from Main Road; verandahs which provide ramp access and give a sheltered entrance to the building; walls which feature locally made mudbricks, conventional bricks and copper panels; and space for an outdoor courtyard/reading area which will be developed later. Internally there are several features. The building includes a foyer with a fireplace suitable for displays including artwork, a community multi-purpose room suitable for meetings or functions and an outdoor cafeteria. The ceilings are lined with Victorian Ash. The shapes for the ceiling give a free-flowing form to the building. Brush Box has been used for the circulation and information desks. The tree trunk columns are Grey lronbark from New South Wales. Arches and various-shaped windows add interest to the internal structure. The carpet design reflects the Eltham environment and compliments the natural colours and timbers used in the building. Tiles by artist Felix Bosari feature in the building and additional art by local artists added externally and internally to the building. Since 1994 the library has undergone a major extension to cater for children’s services and others. See also EDHS_02111Digital file only recorded from Audio Cassette tape on loan Converted to MP3 file; 11.1MB, 0:08:49eltham library, opening, harry gilham, harry gilham collection, 1994, audio cassette, audio recording

The Warrnambool Shire commenced in 1863 and was 613 square miles in area and had a population of about 8000. It was divided into three ridings each with three councillors. Its industries were dairying, general farming, cheese and butter making, wool growing, sheep and cattle raising. There are more than 20 parishes and more than 29 small townships in the area The industries, agriculture, and people of the Warrnambool Shire provided substantial support to the city of Warrnambool over a long period of time. Three audio reel to reel tapes two in green and white boxesShire Centenary meeting 1963 tape1, 2, 3. depth. Two tapes stored in grey and white cardboard box, Irish recording tape, a product of AMPEXwarrnambool, warrnambool shire council, warrnambool shire centenary