A late afternoon storm on Christmas Day 2011. A flash flood occurred from significant rain fall and hail, which accumulated along an old waterway with floodwater submerging cars along Valonia Drive then down Grove Street flooding houses, through the Bible Street Reserve where it then submerged Main Road washing away the small railway trestle bridge opposite the reserve then flooding the Judge Book Village before finally entering the Diamond Creek. Widespread damage occured from hail and flash flooding.fay bridge collection, eltham, 2011-12-27, flood damage, floods, floodwater

A late afternoon storm on Christmas Day 2011. A flash flood occurred from significant rain fall and hail, which accumulated along an old waterway with floodwater submerging cars along Valonia Drive then down Grove Street flooding houses, through the Bible Street Reserve where it then submerged Main Road washing away the small railway trestle bridge opposite the reserve then flooding the Judge Book Village before finally entering the Diamond Creek. Widespread damage occured from hail and flash flooding.fay bridge collection, eltham, flood damage, floods, floodwater

A late afternoon storm on Christmas Day 2011. A flash flood occurred from significant rain fall and hail, which accumulated along an old waterway with floodwater submerging cars along Valonia Drive then down Grove Street flooding houses, through the Bible Street Reserve where it then submerged Main Road washing away the small railway trestle bridge opposite the reserve then flooding the Judge Book Village before finally entering the Diamond Creek. Widespread damage occured from hail and flash flooding.fay bridge collection, eltham, flood damage, floods, floodwater, main road, research fire brigade

Water drainage work undertaken by Eltham Shire Council in Bonds Road, Lower Plenty outside the Martin property opposite Montpelier Drive, July 1972 Note natural gully conditions and open drain cleared through property with owner's consent.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)Bonds Road (Martin property) 12.10 pm 18.7.72bonds road, drainage works, eltham shire council, infrastructure, lower plenty, martin property, montpelier drive

Water drainage work undertaken by Eltham Shire Council in Bonds Road, Lower Plenty outside the Martin property opposite Montpelier Drive, July 1972 Pitchers in foreground were part of the end wall which was eroded out due to water crossing the road and not going through the culvert. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)Bonds Road (Martin property) 12.10 pm 18.7.72bonds road, drainage works, eltham shire council, infrastructure, lower plenty, martin property, montpelier drive

The Kangaroo Ground Cemetery celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2001. Celebrations included the opening of a new rotunda on the 26 October 2001. Ths photo is a part of a brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001. "One other headstone, that of James Wilson. It was a Wilson who had a nursery at the North Eastern end of Bourchiers Road on the land known as Tintagell alongside the Yarra. He grew trees, pines in particular, and supplied within the district and to the gardens of Melbourne. According to Jimmy Cook. The last of the warriors is between the gate and the river. And confirmed by Dorrie Bourchier that the original pines to what is now our property came from Wilson. The only one left now is by Passiona. Lightening claimed the one at the corner of our drive." Colour photograph printkangaroo ground cemetery, rotunda, james wilson

A postcard in a series produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Victoria, Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.A black and white photograph taken along Lady Talbot Drive, Marysville, Victoria, of the area known as the Beech Grove. The Beeches Rainforest Walk is a loop that starts at Taggerty Cascades before winding through Myrtle Beech and Mountain Ash woodland and is one of the many walking tracks in and around Marysville. It is accessible from Lady Talbot Drive which is a 24 kilometer scenic rainforest car journey which passes a number of walks and waterfalls in the Yarra Ranges National Park. Lady Talbot Drive is named after Lady Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of Sir Reginald Talbot, who was the Governor of Victoria from 25th April, 1904 to 6th July 1908. This postcard was produced by the Rose Stereograph Company as a souvenir of Marysville.POST CARD The "Rose" Set/ De Luxe A Real Photograph/ Produced in Australia Published by the Rose Stereograph Co./ Armadale, Victoria. This is just to remind you of/ Marysville - I am spending the/ weekend up here & thoroughly/ enjoying it./ Love to all of you L. McIver All best honey + thanks for/ a lovely day E. + P. F.talbot drive, marysville, victoria, beech grove, p. 2310, rose series postcard, postcard, souvenir, beeches rainforest walk, sarah elizabeth talbot, sir reginald talbot, mountain ash, myrtle beech

A postcard in a series produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Victoria, Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.A black and white photograph taken along Lady Talbot Drive, Marysville, Victoria, of the area known as the Beech Grove. The Beeches Rainforest Walk is a loop that starts at Taggerty Cascades before winding through Myrtle Beech and Mountain Ash woodland and is one of the many walking tracks in and around Marysville. It is accessible from Lady Talbot Drive which is a 24 kilometer scenic rainforest car journey which passes a number of walks and waterfalls in the Yarra Ranges National Park. Lady Talbot Drive is named after Lady Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of Sir Reginald Talbot, who was the Governor of Victoria from 25th April, 1904 to 6th July 1908. This postcard was produced by the Rose Stereograph Company as a souvenir of Marysville.POST CARD The "Rose" Series/De Luxe A Real Photograph/ Produced in Australia Published by the Rose Stereograph Co./ Armadale, Victoria. MATHESONtalbot drive, marysville, victoria, beech grove, p. 2310, rose series postcard, postcard, souvenir, beeches rainforest walk, sarah elizabeth talbot, sir reginald talbot, mountain ash, myrtle beech

Paperback. Front cover has a large photograph of a lyrebird in full song. Along the lower edge of the front cover are four photographs; a Spotted March frog, the Gould Memorial Drive, a river and a wombat. Back cover has a photograph of the Cathedral Range at dawn.non-fictionA book of photographs of natural attractions, flora and fauna taken in and around the Murrindindi Shire.murrindindi, victoria, landmarks, flora, fauna, waterfalls, rivers, nature, natural attractions

This book was awarded by Geelong Grammar to Walter Armstrong in 1881. It was donated to the Ballarat College library by his grandson W Mick U Armstrong (1944). Mick attended Ballarat College 1937 - 1942. In 1936 the Weatherly Library was established at Ballarat College and a community book drive resulted in personal copies of books owned by members of the school community being donated to the library over the next 10-20 years. Mick Armstrong donated this book (amongst others) to the school library during his final year at the school. It is an excellent example of the community spirit which carried the school through periods of financial hardship. Dark royal blue leather bound book with gold crest, borders and spine detail. Spine has 6 decorative compartments with raised bands and red leather and gold lettering in the title compartment; Geelong Grammar crest embossed in gold on front cover and gold border to front and back cover; marbled endpapers and edges; black and white frontispiece and illustrations throughout book; book plates inside front cover.Book plate inside front cover: Geelong Grammar crest / PRIZE / PRESENTED BY / The Headmaster / AWARDED TO / Walter Armstrong / FOR / Industry - Lower VI / Christmas 1881 / Bracebridge Wilson M A / Headmaster Book plate on right side of end paper: Ballarat College crest / Ballarat College / Library / PRESENTED BY / W M U Armstrong / W M Armstrong 1942 / Books may be kept for one week / only but may be renewed / PLEASE REPORT ANY LOOSE / LEAVES, ETC.walter-armstrong, w-m-u-armstrong, geelong-grammar

This book was awarded by Geelong Grammar to Walter Armstrong in 1884. It was donated to the Ballarat College library by his grandson W Mick U Armstrong (1944). Mick attended Ballarat College 1937 - 1942. In 1936 the Weatherly Library was established at Ballarat College and a community book drive resulted in personal copies of books owned by members of the school community being donated to the library over the next 10-20 years. Mick Armstrong donated this book (amongst others) to the school library during his final year at the school. It is an excellent example of the community spirit which carried the school through periods of financial hardship. Dark royal blue leather bound book with gold crest, borders and spine detail. Spine has 6 decorative compartments with raised bands and red leather and gold lettering in the title compartment; Geelong Grammar crest embossed in gold on front cover and gold border to front and back cover; marbled endpapers and edges; black and white frontispiece and illustrations throughout book; book plates inside front cover.Book plate inside front cover: Geelong Grammar Crest / 1st PRIZE / PRESENTED BYB/ The Council / AWARDED TO / Walter Armstrong / FOR / Old & New testament / Middle 6th form / Christmas 1884 / Bracebridge Wilson / HEAD MASTER Book plate on front end page: Religion 200 / Ballarat College crest / Ballarat College / Library / PRESETNED BY / W M U ARMSTRONG 1942 / Books may be kept for One Week / only, but may be renewed / PLEASE REPORT ANY LOOSE / LEAVES, ETC. walter-armstrong, w-m-u-armstrong, geelong-grammar

In the days before recycling on rubbish collection days, community groups could raise money through a 'bottle drive'. These photographs show on bottle drive in Watsonia to raise money for the Watsonia Scout Hall. The location is A. K. Lines Reserve - in the background is St Mary's Church, with few houses and no freeway.Digital copy of colour photographwatsonia scouts, bottle drives, a k lines reserve

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "In some respects Eltham is a 'back-water' and it has its own distinctive flavour. On the outskirts the homes date from the 1960's, 70's and 80s with a sprinkling of 'earth homes', mud-brick or pise, rammed dirt. Crossing Main Road into Beddoe Street and Thompson Crescent a very pleasant drive past pines and old fence lines, front lawns unfenced, the occasional ·old farm building, we eventually looked down on a huge circular roof of a 1992 adobe home. Other distinctive places included the Pauline Toner Butterfly Reserve, Gordon Ford's splendid garden at Fulling in Pitt Street, cypress hedges and old houses in Bridge Street and in every direction Eltham's special feature - a totally treed horizon. We were now in the part of the Shire closest to Melbourne - Montmorency - not on the way to anywhere, with no through road going across it, developed in the 1950's and 1960's with conventional gardens, now converted to native plants. The rail looped between Greensborough and Eltham and a shopping street (Were Street) served the area, growing up the hill from the station. It was a typical outer Melbourne suburb with lawns and roses with patches of originality. The shopping precinct still has 1950 characteristics - walls which sloped back, projecting roofs, the original shop fronts are nearly all tiled below the old windows. There's an air of past times about the School, the Dairy, the Butcher's (now a milk bar) and the Castlemaine stone face of the Commonwealth Bank. The final stop for the tour was at the mud-brick Woodburn residence, adobe of 1949 with additions. After War Service, Bill Woodburn had commenced an Architecture course at Melbourne University and after second year in the Christmas vacation, with his wife, Betti, built the two bedroom house - with amazing saving of costs. In the three and a half months they made over 3000 bricks (external walls 18" x 12" x 4", internal walls 12" x 9" x 4"), sifted top soil for mortar and laid them, on concrete foundations and slab floor, made all the structural window frames, door frames and roof members to carry 'super six' asbestos sheets, laboured for the electrician and plumber, did all the glazing and, still without electricity, moved in in March 1949. Rooms have been added, at first with glass walls, later using concrete blocks, to accommodate three daughters and a son. The house not only grew from the earth, but also with the family."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour, woodburn house

The watercourse passes under the road and railway at this point. Significant flash flooding occurred along this water course on Christmas Day 2011 causing significant damage to the railway line and road and flooding of Judge Book Village. The drain was swept away including the support pillars of the rail lines timber framework. Judge Book Village had some 40 units flooded before the water entered Diamond Creek. The water had flowed down and flooded Valonia Drive then Grove Street before flowing down the watercourse to Main RoadIn February 1968 an unknown person took a series of photos from the Eltham Hotel at Pitt Street heading north along Main Road through the shopping centre to just north of Elsa Court covering the length of the section of Main Road which was duplicated shortly thereafter. Shows the condition and environment of the streesscape of Main Road, Eltham immediately prior to the duplication between Pitt Street and Elsa Court through the shopping centre. Also shows a number of shops and businesses that operated at that time.Black and white photographduplication, eltham, main road, diamond street, watercourse, drainage, railway line

View to south-east from Shire of Eltham Soldiers' Memorial Park showing the carriageway from the road to top of Memorial Park. Accompanying notes state that the entry gate was put in place in May 1921. Eltham and Whittlesea Shire Advertiser and Diamond Creek Valley Advocate Fri 21 May 1920 p 2 reported: Kangaroo Ground Memorial Park "It was decided to arrange for a working bee on Saturday, 29th inst., for the purpose of forming and gravelling the track leading to the Park, and of carrying out other necessary works." A history summary of the Shire of Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial Park • The summit at Garden Hill was a popular tourist lookout and picnic spot from the 1880s. Virtually the entire Shire of Eltham and beyond could be viewed from this location. • A local farmer, Mr Walter A. D. Wippell is credited as being the first to propose the idea of a war memorial park and offered £50 towards the purchase of the land. • The earliest public reference to this project is to be found in the local Advertiser newspaper edition of August 9th, 1918. A report of the August Council meeting records the Eltham Shire President, Cr. Robert White, saying: "some time back it was proposed that the Council obtain and place on an Honour Board in the Council Chamber [at Kangaroo Ground] containing names of the lads who had enlisted. Just recently however, it had been suggested that a more fitting memorial would be the obtaining of a piece of land on the summit of Garden Hill, Kangaroo Ground, and the formation of a memorial park in which a monument could be erected to represent the whole of Shire. If a couple of acres could be obtained a gentleman had promised to donate 50 pounds, and another one would fence it, and other contributions, he was sure, could be obtained." • Councillors were favourable of the proposal and the President, Shire Secretary and Shire Engineer were deputised to wait on Messrs Mess Bros. (the owners of the Garden Hill farm) and ascertain if they would gratuitously give the land. The Mess Bros. land adjoined the farm/stud of Mrs Fanny White (Cr Robert White’s mother), daughter of Andrew Harkness who established their property on Garden Hill around 1846. • Access to the land came in February 1919 when several Councillors and the Shire Engineer surveyed the actual two acres of '5 chains along the road and 4 chains deep'. The Engineer volunteered his services free to do this task. The Mess brothers however demanded £100 per acre but eventually agreed to take £50 per acre. • Entry from the Kangaroo Ground-Yarra Glen road was seen to be a problem and Mrs. White, who owned the land beside the park, was asked to donated a triangle of her property to allow this access. • By September 1919 returned soldiers were employed by the Shire and volunteers were called to clear the hilltop by ploughing up the rocks and clearing the area, the fencing was put into place and in May 1921 the Council erected three gates, within an archway, at the entrance to the drive and pathway to the summit. • Public subscriptions were sought through the Advertiser newspaper to beautify the site. The views of the Curator of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens were sought as to the ‘class of ornamental trees most suitable for planting in the Park area”. • The Memorial Park or Shire of Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial Park was officially opened by Mr. W.H. Everard, M.L.A., 3 September 1921. • In 1922 plans were made to place a War Memorial in the Park. Funds were donated by the Council of £250 and a challenge to the community, to match this money with contributions was met. • On Anzac Day 1923, 1,000 people gathered on the summit in the park for a memorial service. A much smaller group of about 50 people gathered around a newly constructed cairn and flagstaff in the afternoon of Anzac Day 1924 amidst rain and a squally southerly wind, the morning service being cancelled. • A meeting for those interested in establishing a War Memorial monument within the park was held in January 1924 and the Eltham Shire War Memorial League was formed and a design competition decided upon. • The Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower was built in 1926 at a cost of £1,023 and 5 shillings with locally quarried stone donated by Dr Ethel and Professor William Osborne. It was formally known as the ‘Shire of Eltham War Memorial’ and was unveiled on 11 November 1926. The large bronze inscription above the entrance to the tower states: SHIRE OF ELTHAM WAR MEMORIAL THESE MEN DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY 1914 IN REMEMBRANCE THIS TOWER WAS BUILT 1918 • The Caretaker’s hut was built in 1927 with left over from the tower construction. • A returned soldier was appointed to act as caretaker for the memorials. Tiny Carrol, a huge man, was the first caretaker and lived in the stone hut. There was a push to have alterations made at one stage to provide additional rooms for a married caretaker but was rejected. • A new Caretaker Cottage was built in 1951 at a cost £2,500. The cottage had been subjected to raids by thieves three times during construction until a guard from the Returned Servicemen’s League was posted until its opening. • The War Memorial tower was re-dedicated by Sir Dallas Brooks on 8 November 1951, unveiling new bronze plaques containing the names of those who fell during the Second World War. Sir Dallas also officiated the opening of the new Caretaker’s Cottage. • A toilet block was built in 1965. • A further dedication of the Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower took place 11 November 2001 to recognise the men who fell in subsequent campaigns up to and including Vietnam. • Four land titles are involved: o The purchase of the two acres from owners Ruth Gosling, Alexander Mess, James Johnson Mess and Joseph Mess is recorded in two actions, the first being the payment of £100 for the two acres, the second showing that the Shire of Eltham did not get a transfer of title until 14th January 1952. o The access land donated by Mrs. Fanny White is dated 26 February 1924. A further need to widen the entry came after the deepening of the road cutting and another land donation was given by Sir Herbert Gepp, title dated 15th May 1952. This would have been about the time he sold off the former White ‘Garden Hill’ property. o The land reserve to increase the area and possibly allow a circuit road to be put in place on the western side of the park was purchased by the Shire of Eltham, title dated 16th February 1973. Rare photograph of the entrance to the Shire's Memorial Park during early stages of development prior to the erection of the Shire of Eltham War MemorialSepia photograph printed with white border with slight crack lower left hand corner and three significant vertical cracks fanning from lower centre edge to upper edge Digitally enhanced version to minimise impact of crackseltham-yarra glen road, entrance gate, garden hill, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial, kangaroo ground war memorial park

FLEMING, Lawrence Joseph, (b.1876 - d. 1967) Police Reg. No. 5974 served with the Emerald Police from 08/11/1915 - 06/09/1934 as 1st. Constable. Lawrence Joseph Fleming was a veteran of the Boer War. He came to Emerald after his discharge from the Australian Army. He joined the police force, travelling on horseback to cover an area from Gembrook, Cockatoo and Emerald, through to Monbulk and Belgrave. His house which also served as the police station still exists in Kilvington Drive, Emerald. The back yard contained a lock-up for prisoners. He served as a policeman in Emerald for 19 years. When he retired, around 1928 - 30, Constable Fleming bought the Collis farm in Pinnocks Road, which at the time extended right down to Telopea Road. He died in Ferntree Gully hospital at the age of 91 years on the 12 June 1967. (as researched by C. Britton)A rare photograph of 1st Constable Lawrence Joseph Fleming - Emerald PoliceCopy of photograph depicting Constable Fleming on horseback MonbulkOn back, handwritten: 'Constable Flemming at Bayne's bridge Monbulk (please note incorrect spelling of Fleming. emerald police, lawrence joseph fleming

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 78, May 1991:] DUNMOOCHIN TRIP "Dunmoochin" was the home of the famous artist Clifton Pugh who died last year. The house also gives an informal name to the surrounding area at Cottles Bridge where artists, conservationists and like minded people have made their homes. This is an area of unconventional houses blending in with the surrounding bushland. The Pugh house is a rambling complex including studios and a large pottery kiln. It contains many of Clifton Pugh's works. For this excursion we have arranged a guided visit of the Pugh house and hope to be able to visit another house in the area. We will also be able to wander through bushland which Clifton had purchased for conservation purposes. This will be an afternoon excursion on Sunday 26th May starting with lunch (bring your own) at 12:30 pm at the Panton Hill Memorial Park. Transport will be by private car but transport can be arranged for those not wishing to drive. There is no cost but we need to be advised of members attending. Advise Russell Yeoman at the May Meeting or by 10th May if you intend to go. We will not be able to add extra people after that date.Three colour photographsactivities, clifton pugh, dunmoochin

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 78, May 1991:] DUNMOOCHIN TRIP "Dunmoochin" was the home of the famous artist Clifton Pugh who died last year. The house also gives an informal name to the surrounding area at Cottles Bridge where artists, conservationists and like minded people have made their homes. This is an area of unconventional houses blending in with the surrounding bushland. The Pugh house is a rambling complex including studios and a large pottery kiln. It contains many of Clifton Pugh's works. For this excursion we have arranged a guided visit of the Pugh house and hope to be able to visit another house in the area. We will also be able to wander through bushland which Clifton had purchased for conservation purposes. This will be an afternoon excursion on Sunday 26th May starting with lunch (bring your own) at 12:30 pm at the Panton Hill Memorial Park. Transport will be by private car but transport can be arranged for those not wishing to drive. There is no cost but we need to be advised of members attending. Advise Russell Yeoman at the May Meeting or by 10th May if you intend to go. We will not be able to add extra people after that date.Two colour photographsactivities, clifton pugh, dunmoochin, leon saper

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 78, May 1991:] DUNMOOCHIN TRIP "Dunmoochin" was the home of the famous artist Clifton Pugh who died last year. The house also gives an informal name to the surrounding area at Cottles Bridge where artists, conservationists and like minded people have made their homes. This is an area of unconventional houses blending in with the surrounding bushland. The Pugh house is a rambling complex including studios and a large pottery kiln. It contains many of Clifton Pugh's works. For this excursion we have arranged a guided visit of the Pugh house and hope to be able to visit another house in the area. We will also be able to wander through bushland which Clifton had purchased for conservation purposes. This will be an afternoon excursion on Sunday 26th May starting with lunch (bring your own) at 12:30 pm at the Panton Hill Memorial Park. Transport will be by private car but transport can be arranged for those not wishing to drive. There is no cost but we need to be advised of members attending. Advise Russell Yeoman at the May Meeting or by 10th May if you intend to go. We will not be able to add extra people after that date.Colour photographactivities, clifton pugh, dunmoochin

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 78, May 1991:] DUNMOOCHIN TRIP "Dunmoochin" was the home of the famous artist Clifton Pugh who died last year. The house also gives an informal name to the surrounding area at Cottles Bridge where artists, conservationists and like minded people have made their homes. This is an area of unconventional houses blending in with the surrounding bushland. The Pugh house is a rambling complex including studios and a large pottery kiln. It contains many of Clifton Pugh's works. For this excursion we have arranged a guided visit of the Pugh house and hope to be able to visit another house in the area. We will also be able to wander through bushland which Clifton had purchased for conservation purposes. This will be an afternoon excursion on Sunday 26th May starting with lunch (bring your own) at 12:30 pm at the Panton Hill Memorial Park. Transport will be by private car but transport can be arranged for those not wishing to drive. There is no cost but we need to be advised of members attending. Advise Russell Yeoman at the May Meeting or by 10th May if you intend to go. We will not be able to add extra people after that date.Three colour photographsactivities, clifton pugh, dunmoochin

[article by Bettina Woodburn in EDHS Newsletter No. 97, July 1994:] THE WARRANDYTE MYSTERY TOUR MAY 29TH 1994 - Members of the Eltham Historical Society met at the Old Post Office, now converted into the Warrandyte Historical Museum, for a picnic lunch on the sunny back verandah overlooking the shimmering Yarra River. Interesting photographs and artefacts filled various rooms outlining the history of this area, and told tales of Aboriginal and more recent neighbours of the Eltham Shire. The weather was calm, cloudy mostly with only occasional sunny patches, but it wasn't cold, although the autumnal leaf colours had changed to wintry brown. "All Aboard" and we set off in the Warrandyte Community Bus (with the School Bus sign displayed at the rear) to learn about local places of "Pride and Joy” from Bruce our guide and Tom the driver. Almost directly opposite we entered Whipstick Gully to explore the first of the district's hidden treasures - the Victory, one of the largest of the six or so major mines, past the old quarry now used for abseiling practice. By torchlight we entered the rocky hillside and saw the seams of quartz the miners had followed in their search for gold. Stamping batteries, and there was one in this gully, converted discarded rock into 'road metal'. Warrandyte is proud to be the first declared Goldfield in 1851, and one of the longest surviving, into the 1920s. A pleasant drive across the Bridge and along Bradley's Lane to Norman's Reserve brought us to see another Tunnel at Pound Bend through which the Yarra was diverted to allow about three miles of river-bed to be used for prospecting for alluvial gold. Still on this side of the river we visited the Old Slab Hut in Castles Road. This remnant of miners' housing is preserved because it had been incorporated into a weatherboard house, and saved from the bulldozers - a last minute reprieve, for preservation, by the National Trust. Devastating bush fires have destroyed other old cottages built of wattle and daub, with bark roofs and stone fire-places. The Cairn commemorating the disclosure of Gold Discovery at Warrandyte on June 30th 1851 beside Anderson's Creek Road was our next point of historical interest. We drove on to South Warrandyte and circled back to above the ford on Anderson's Creek to the entrance of the 4th Hill Mine. Again we crept along with our torches, careful of the low roof-rock, and side shafts. At a junction in a large cavity we were able to stand, look up a long air-vent which some 'cavers' climb down, and marvel at, and experience an aspect of a miner's life. Outside we heard the same bird songs, the trills and bell-pealing, saw the same straggly eucalypts, and a silver leafed wattle in flower, native grasses and ferns, and the neat present day houses, often of Warrandyte stone, perhaps veneered only. The day ended pleasantly, seeing more of the Yarra from Everard Drive, and the water rushing out of the Tunnel at Pound Bend, before returning to afternoon tea or coffee at the Museum. A great day for all concerned - many thanks to the Organisers.Colour photographslab hut, warrandyte, "warrandyte miner's cottage"

[article by Bettina Woodburn in EDHS Newsletter No. 97, July 1994:] THE WARRANDYTE MYSTERY TOUR MAY 29TH 1994 - Members of the Eltham Historical Society met at the Old Post Office, now converted into the Warrandyte Historical Museum, for a picnic lunch on the sunny back verandah overlooking the shimmering Yarra River. Interesting photographs and artefacts filled various rooms outlining the history of this area, and told tales of Aboriginal and more recent neighbours of the Eltham Shire. The weather was calm, cloudy mostly with only occasional sunny patches, but it wasn't cold, although the autumnal leaf colours had changed to wintry brown. "All Aboard" and we set off in the Warrandyte Community Bus (with the School Bus sign displayed at the rear) to learn about local places of "Pride and Joy” from Bruce our guide and Tom the driver. Almost directly opposite we entered Whipstick Gully to explore the first of the district's hidden treasures - the Victory, one of the largest of the six or so major mines, past the old quarry now used for abseiling practice. By torchlight we entered the rocky hillside and saw the seams of quartz the miners had followed in their search for gold. Stamping batteries, and there was one in this gully, converted discarded rock into 'road metal'. Warrandyte is proud to be the first declared Goldfield in 1851, and one of the longest surviving, into the 1920s. A pleasant drive across the Bridge and along Bradley's Lane to Norman's Reserve brought us to see another Tunnel at Pound Bend through which the Yarra was diverted to allow about three miles of river-bed to be used for prospecting for alluvial gold. Still on this side of the river we visited the Old Slab Hut in Castles Road. This remnant of miners' housing is preserved because it had been incorporated into a weatherboard house, and saved from the bulldozers - a last minute reprieve, for preservation, by the National Trust. Devastating bush fires have destroyed other old cottages built of wattle and daub, with bark roofs and stone fire-places. The Cairn commemorating the disclosure of Gold Discovery at Warrandyte on June 30th 1851 beside Anderson's Creek Road was our next point of historical interest. We drove on to South Warrandyte and circled back to above the ford on Anderson's Creek to the entrance of the 4th Hill Mine. Again we crept along with our torches, careful of the low roof-rock, and side shafts. At a junction in a large cavity we were able to stand, look up a long air-vent which some 'cavers' climb down, and marvel at, and experience an aspect of a miner's life. Outside we heard the same bird songs, the trills and bell-pealing, saw the same straggly eucalypts, and a silver leafed wattle in flower, native grasses and ferns, and the neat present day houses, often of Warrandyte stone, perhaps veneered only. The day ended pleasantly, seeing more of the Yarra from Everard Drive, and the water rushing out of the Tunnel at Pound Bend, before returning to afternoon tea or coffee at the Museum. A great day for all concerned - many thanks to the Organisers.Two colour photographswarrandyte, activities, pound bend

A froe was used for splitting, or riving, wood in the early days and was a skill practiced by craftsmen who made boards, shingles, c lapboards, fences, basket splints, chair parts, wagon spokes, lath, and more. Our ancestors used axes, gluts or wedges, froes, draw knives and spelk planes for splitting wood.   The froe was designed in many sizes and designs for splitting timber. It is typically an L-shaped tool made up of a wedge-shaped blade with a dull, but not blunt, knife edge and a wood handle. Blades were usually straight with a socket forged at one end for a handle, but curved blades were also made. Most handles were round and tapered and were inserted up through this socket. But some froes had eyes similar to those on axes for handles that were wedged. The froe handle is held in an upright position in one hand while the other hand drives the top of the blade downward with a wood froe club or mallet. After a split is started, the froe is wiggled downward to lengthen it until the split is complete. Most old froes were hand forged, but they were also available in many catalogues. The 1873 D.R. Barton American catalogue offered straight froes at 12 1/2 cents per inch. You can still buy new froes from many tool manufacturers today.A tool that has not changed in design or use since its inception several hundred years ago to split timber for various uses.Froe, also called cooper's froe or stave froe, without handle.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, froe, cooper's froe, stave froe, wood splitter, carpenders tools, coopers tool, splitting timber

An early colour tinted photograph of the intersection of the Buxton Marysville Road and the Marysville-Wood's Point Road.An early photograph of the Buxton Marysville Road and the Marysville-Wood's Point Road intersection. The Marysville-Buxton Road joins the Maroondah Highway which leads to Alexandra. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. On the right of the photograph can be seen 'The Crossways Hotel' which is circa 1920 and one of the oldest buildings still standing in Marysville. 'The Crossways Hotel' survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, through the efforts of the owner using buckets of water from the nearby Steavenson River. In the background can be seen the Poontawan Guest House which later became the Marysville Chalet Guest House which was on the site of the original Steavenson's Hotel. That guest house no longer exists and the Christ Church stands on the land where the guest house once stood. This photograph was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd as a souvenir of Marysville.marysville, victoria, marysville chalet guest house, crossways hotel, christ church marysville, poontawan guest house, steavenson's hotel, valentine publishing co, souvenir, yarra track, wood's point road, mining, buxton-marysville road, marysville-wood's point road, maroondah highway, alexandra

A postcard in a series produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Victoria, Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.A colour photograph of the Black Spur Road near Marysville in Victoria. The Black Spur is known to be one of Victoria's most scenic drives. The road winds through a majestic forest of trees and tree ferns from Healesville to Narbethong and is part of the Maroondah Highway. Rose Series postcard No. 3528. POST CARD The "Rose" Series/ De Luxe Proudly Printed in/ Australia Since 1880 AFFIX/ STAMP/ HERE/ Rose Series/ Post Card No./ 3528 ADDRESS/ POSTCODE Mountain Ash and Treeferns/ Black Spur Road/ MARYSVILLE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA/ Photo Neil Cutts Copyright Rose Stereograph Co., Glen Waverley, Victoria (03) 9560 7772marysville, victoria, black spur road, postcard, souvenir, rose series postcard, 3528, healesville, narbethong, maroondah highway

A postcard in a series produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Victoria, Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.A colour photograph of the Black Spur Road near Marysville in Victoria. The Black Spur is known to be one of Victoria's most scenic drives. The road winds through a majestic forest of trees and tree ferns from Healesville to Narbethong and is part of the Maroondah Highway. Rose Series postcard No. 3528. POST CARD The "Rose" Series/ De Luxe Proudly Printed in/ Australia Since 1880 AFFIX/ STAMP/ HERE/ Rose Series/ Post Card No./ 3528 ADDRESS/ POSTCODE Mountain Ash and Treeferns/ Black Spur Road/ MARYSVILLE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA/ Photo Neil Cutts Copyright Rose Stereograph Co., Glen Waverley, Victoria (03) 9560 7772marysville, victoria, black spur road, postcard, souvenir, rose series postcard, 3528, healesville, narbethong, maroondah highway

Paperback. Front cover has a large photograph of a lyrebird in full song. Along the lower edge of the front cover are four photographs; a Spotted March frog, the Gould Memorial Drive, a river and a wombat. Back cover has a photograph of the Cathedral Range at dawn.non-fictionA book of photographs of natural attractions, flora and fauna taken in and around the Murrindindi Shire.murrindindi, victoria, landmarks, flora, fauna, waterfalls, rivers, nature, natural attractions

A colour photograph taken along the Black Spur.A colour photograph taken along the Black Spur. The Black Spur is part of the Maroondah Highway and winds its way from Healesville to Narbethong and is considered to be one of Victoria's most picturesque drives. This postcard was produced by Scancolor Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.MARYSVILLE/ Victoria - Australia. On the way to Marysville the narrow highway/ climbs the Black Spur through large tree ferns/ and tall mountain ash trees. scancolor Australia (03) 555 1944 CS 4069marysville, victoria, black spur, maroondah highway, scancolor australia, postcard, souvenir

A colour photograph taken along the Black Spur.A colour photograph taken along the Black Spur. The Black Spur is part of the Maroondah Highway and winds its way from Healesville to Narbethong and is considered to be one of Victoria's most picturesque drives. This postcard was produced by Scancolor Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.MARYSVILLE/ Victoria - Australia. On the way to Marysville the narrow highway/ climbs the Black Spur through large tree ferns/ and tall mountain ash trees. scancolor Australia (03) 555 1944 CS 4069marysville, victoria, black spur, maroondah highway, scancolor australia, postcard, souvenir