The Batman Apple Tree is said to be the oldest apple tree in Victoria and came from the remnants of John Batman's orchard after his death. In the 1840s, this area was Frederick Flintoff's orchard on land called Brancepeth Farm. The tree is located along the Plenty River Trail in Greensborough. 3 colour digital photographsplenty river trail, batman apple tree, john batman, frederick flintoff, brancepeth farm

Transcription of part of 'A History of the Colony of Victoria' Vol.1 1797-1854; by Henry Gyles Turner; 1904; reprinted 1973. A reference from the Diary of D. Medhurst refers to the probability of John Batman signing the treaty with indigenous inhabitants of the Melbourne area on the banks of the Plenty River at Greensborough.Typescript, 6p.plenty river, john batman, aborigines - banyule

This old apple tree situated beside the Plenty River Trail at Greensborough has been associated with Melbourne Founder John Batman. Known as Batman's Tree, this apple tree is on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough. It is said that Melbourne Founder John Batman may have planted the tree and later signed his treaty here with the Aboriginal people. It still bears fruit and its recorded on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p7 Was This John Batman's Tree? An apple tree on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough, is believed to have belonged to Melbourne’s founder, John Batman. It could also stand where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the Aboriginal people.1 Known as Batman’s Tree, it still bears fruit and is recorded on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It is ‘Believed to have been planted by either John Batman, (c1837) or Martin Batey (1841)’.2 In 1966 a Horticultural Adviser, Mr Rolfe, after extensive questioning of aged Greensborough residents, wrote: ‘it thus seems fairly certain that the old tree on the banks of the Plenty River is an original Batman apple tree’. Mr Rolfe said that the tree stood on a spot formerly called Wattle Bend: ‘one of the sites claimed to be where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the aboriginals. ‘My main source of information has been interviews with people who attended school in the Greensborough area from 70 to 80 years ago. Their parents were close to the days when Melbourne was founded so information passed on by word of mouth.’ Around 1920 the tree was struck by lightning and a concrete block was placed in the split. The concrete is inscribed with the date 1841 when the tree was thought to have been planted. Not everyone agrees with Mr Rolfe however. Former secretary of the Nillumbik Historical Society, Kevin Patterson, said there was no written evidence to support the claim. But he said the tree had been known to locals for decades as Batman’s Tree. In the 1920s a holiday resort in the area advertised: ‘Come to Greensborough and see John Batman’s tree’. Mr Patterson said it was thought that when Batman died in 1839 his land was sold and a Greensborough man Frederick Flintoff bought seedlings from his orchard for £1 each. This was the only one left.3 Mr Rolfe said: ‘If planted in 1837, or even a few years later, it undoubtedly is the oldest living apple tree in Victoria. Title records of the property on which the tree grows show that the land was a crown grant of F D Wickham in 1840. Mr Wickham was reputed to be a friend of John Batman. All the early settlers prior to the crown grants were squatters, by virtue of Batman’s treaty. This treaty was revoked by the then New South Wales Government, so it is likely that Wickham or an agent was in occupation before 1840. ‘According to Mrs Mavis Latham (John Batman – Great Australian Series, Oxford University Press) when Batman came to Port Phillip in 1835 he brought fruit trees with him. He failed to get a crown grant for his selection on Collins Street, which included 20 acres (eight ha) of orchard and cultivation. His residence became the Government Office and Melbourne grew from wild bushland in 1835 to a town of over 20,000 people by 1841. It is possible Batman visited Wickham and presented him with a tree.’ However a Flintoff descendant in 1933 said Frederick Flintoff ordered his bailiff Martin Batey to transplant the Batman Tree from the Spencer Street orchard to its present site as a memorial to his friend Batman.4 Mr Rolfe spoke to many people, including descendants of the Bateys and Flintoffs and pupils at the Greensborough Primary School. Many had gained their information from a ‘very highly respected’ head master Lewis Amiet at the Greensborough School from 1895 to 1917. He must have gained this information from residents in the district and had this information been incorrect, the parents of the children would have promptly corrected him.’ One woman who attended the school before Mr Amiet’s appointment, said the previous teacher also taught that the tree on the Plenty River was a Batman tree, Mr Rolfe said.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, greensborough, john batman tree, plenty river trail

John Batman recorded in his journal that he had signed a treaty with the local Aboriginal people, the Wurundjeri to buy 2,000 km of land around Melbourne and another 400 km around Geelong. In exchange he gave the eight chiefs whose marks he acquired on the treaty, a quantity of blankets, knives, tomahawks, scissors, looking-glasses, flour, handkerchiefs and shirts. Under British law, the treaty was legally invalid as the land belonged to the Crown, not to the Wurundjeri. Although the treaty was declared null and void by Governor Bourke within six months of John and Henry Batman and the Port Phillip Association organising this treaty, it remains an interesting part of Melbourne's early history. Copy of Batman's Treaty of Melbourne, 1835. Original hand written on parchment in triplicate. john batman, wurundjeri, treaty of melbourne, melbourne history, batman's treaty

Caroline Elizabeth Newcomb (1812 - 1874) woman squatter. Born in London and emigrated to Hobart Town in 1833. She went to Port Phillip in 1836 as governess to the children of John Batman. She met Anne Drysdale in Geelong and they set up a farming partnership. Caroline Newcomb joined the Wesleyan Methodist Society in 1839 and became the first secretary of the Methodist Church at Drysdale, founded in 1849. After Anne's death in in 1853 she continued to run the Coryule property. On 27 November 1861 she married Wesleyan minister the Rev James Davy Dodgson. She died at Brunswick on 3 October 1874. She was buried beside Miss Drysdale at Coryule.Sepia toned enlarged reproduction of original full-length studio portrait of Mrs Caroline Dodgson, formerly Miss Caroline Newcomb. caroline elizabeth newcombe, anne drysdale, rev james davy dodgson, coryule, geelong, hobart town, john batman, squatter, methodist, drysdale

Photograph of John A. Bosch (Bush) and the Greensborough apple tree purported to have come from John Batman's orchard circa 1840. A Melbourne Leader article about the tree was dated 9/4/1910 and this photo appeared therein. Johannes Bosch came to Australia in 1884 aged 17. He married Henrietta Duck, had 3 children and divorced in 1903. Around 1902 he anglicized the family name to Bush.Digital copy of black and white photograph. john bosch, batman apple tree, johannes bosch

Review in Heidelberg Historian (Newsletter of Heidelberg Historical Society) No 80 October 1980 "This substantial and significant history is one of the really essential books which all members interested in the history of Heidelberg and district should have, for, as indicated in this work, the Diamond Valley and Heidelberg were linked together in a municipal, economic and geographical sense throughout their history and still have strong links. This work of 191 pages, with numerous illustrations, covers the entire period of the history of the Shire area, from Greensborough to Hurstbridge (to 1979). Starting with a geographical setting, Miss Edwards traces the early development of the historic district from Hume & Hovell to the first explorers and settlers with some discussion on the meeting of John Batman with the aborigines here. Details of the early residents follow with numerous portraits, including the Beales of St Helena and the Ryries of Yering. In part 2, the account continues of the later settlers and squatters like Henry Foley and C. S. Haley. The gold discoveries on the Plenty and at the Diamond Creek and Queenstown area then follow with the development of the townships of Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek, with details of the mines and miners of the last century until its decline in the 1870's." "During the writing of the book, 40 tapes were made by the authoress Dianne Edwards of local residents reminiscences".. Diamond Valley News February 6, 1979This book was published by the former Shire of Diamond Valley in 1979. It remains one of the key local history titles particularly for the Diamond Creek and Greensborough areas.Paperback; xiv, 194 p. : ill., ports. ; 29 cm.ISBN 0959542205diamond valley, greensborough, hurstbridge, john batman, st helena, henry foley, queenstown, diamond creek, gold mining

Discussion of John Daniels' theory that "Batman's Treaty" was signed on the southern bank of the Merri Creek in Reservoir. It follows Batman up the Maribyrnong River and his meeting with 'a native family' who took him to the Merri Creek.1 p. reprint of address at general Meeting [of Port Phillip Pioneers Group?] 11 July 2014, by Jan Hanslowbatmans treaty, john daniels, john batman, merri creek

The Batman Deed is sometimes called the Batman Treaty, the Dutigullar Deed, the Dutigullar Treaty or the Melbourne Deed. The deeds had been drafted by JT Gellibrand, a leading lawyer in the colony. Batman's Treaty was a document signed on 6 June 1835 by John Batman, an Australian grazier, businessman and explorer, and a group of Wurundjeri elders, for the purchase of land around Port Phillip, near the present site of the city of Melbourne. The document came to be known as Batman's Treaty and is considered significant as it was the first and only documented time when Europeans negotiated their presence and occupation of Aboriginal lands directly with the traditional owners. The so-called treaty was implicitly declared void on 26 August 1835 by the Governor of New South Wales, Richard Bourke. The original Batman Deed is of enormous significance to the history of the European settlement of Victoria. Framed print of the Batman Deed, dated 1835. This is a printed copy of the Batman Deed, made in 1966 from the 'original' by the State Library of Victoria. The frame is wood. The document consists of handwritten text in black ink with eight signatures in the lower right hand side and three signatures in the lower left hand corner. It has been signed by John Batman beneath the eight signatures.document batman-deed melbourne

Centenary of Victoria/Melbourne (4) John Batman & Henty Family. Presented to Children of Victoria.stawell

Scanned from "The Old Pioneers' Memorial History of Melbourne From the Discovery of Port Phillip to the World War". Image of a Victorian Aborigine about to throw a spear with the assistance of a woomera. In this other hand he holds more spears and a boomerang."A tract of country [called?] by the native chief of Southern Ausralia to be John Batman 6th June 1935."aborigines, aboriginal, aboriginal weapons, spear, woomera, boomerang

A 6 pages booklet titled "Early Melbourne with short history of No. 1 Melbourne". On top left: "this will be the place for a village" extract from John Batman's diary and a drawing of John Batman. on bottom right a drawing of John Pascoe Fawkner. With the compliments of the Vacuum Oil Company Pty.Ltd. On the back cover in blue pen S. Brown, 27 Hammer Street.melbourne

The history of the Melbourne City councilHistorical notes on the foundation of Melbourne and the creation and growth of the Melbourne Cricket Club.44 page booklet, printed in black and white, illus., maps. With gold highlighting on the outer coversNilmelbourne settlement, melbourne landsales, melbourne local government, john batman, john pascoe fawkner

Hardback. Dark brown cover with the title in gold lettering. There is also a border in gold decorating the outer edge of the front cover. The spine is also decorated in gold along with the title and the volume number.non-fictionA history of Victoria from the time of the discovery of Australia through until 1888.melbourne, victoria, exploration, settlement, john batman, john pascoe fawkner, pioneers, colonisation, immegration, aboriginals, discovery of gold, democracy, burke and wills, agriculture, manufacturing, literature, art, music, drama, education, science, churches, history

Description of first grid drawn of Melbourne by Robert Hoddle and design impetus; naming of gridiron streets; Charles Troedel prints/The Melbourne Album, F. Cogne drew Melbourne scenes on lithographic stones; Harold Freedman drew same scenes of Melbourne 1964/65; comparative discussion of Melbourne then and now; between 1865-1965 substantial buildings erected and demolished; cable tram; strength and delicacy of Melbourne style; first tree planting; first electric tram 1927; lifting of building height limits 1956; list of representative buildings; Melbourne unlike other capitals as it was not conceived as a capital city.Published as a chapter titled 'The Town at Port Phillip' in 'The Book of Melbourne and Canberra', The Griffin Press, Adelaide 1966Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 14 pagesjohn batman, john fawkner, robert russell, robert hoddle, charles troedel prints/the melbourne album, f. cogne; cable trams; building height limits; tree planting; electric tram 1927; representative buildings, robin boyd, manuscript

Text of a paper read before the Historical Society of Australia by Jas. Blackburn in 1886. Discusses Batman's Treaty with the Port Phillip traditional owners and the possible site of the signing - on the east side of the River Plenty, NW of Eltham andd 3 miles above the junction of the Plenty with the Yarra River.6p. text.john batman, batman's treaty, port phillip district, plenty river

Book review of "Possession: Batman's Treaty and the matter of history" by Bain Attwood. The book discusses the motives behind the treaty and its historical implications. Review by Penelope Edmonds.There is much dispute over where and if Batman's Treaty was signed.Newspaper clipping, text and images. john batman, batmans treaty, bain attwood

The planning scheme amendment is to extend protection to a group of Pioneer Children's graves and an historic apple tree.The graves are from the pioneering Whatmough and Partington families. The apple tree is the surviving remnant of a former orchard on the site and is believed to have been purchased from the estate of John Batman.A 16 page collection of documents sent to GHS Committee member Anne Paul regarding an amendment to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.Niljohn batman, batman apple tree, whatmough, partington, plenty river, pioneer childrens graves, plenty river trail, nillumbik shire council, greensborough, c78

This is a timeline of the Apple Tree's history from c1835 to 1966. Information is taken from various printed sources.This is possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It was planted on the banks of the Plenty River in 1841.2 typed pages, 2 copies.apples, john batman, robert whatmough, frederick nevin flintoff, plenty river, batman apple tree

A compilation of information on the Batman Apple Tree collected and written by Noel Withers.This is possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It was planted on the banks of the Plenty River in 1841.5 pages of text and illustrations.batmans apple tree, noel withers, john batman, robert whatmough, frederick nevin flintoff, plenty river, 1841

This article, first published in 1910, reports on the 'old' tree planted near Greensborough.This is possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It was planted on the banks of the Plenty River in 1841.3 pages of text and illustration. First published in "Leader' newspaper Melbourne 1910.batmans apple tree, apples, john batman, robert whatmough, frederick nevin flintoff, plenty river, 1841

Brief history of the early life of the Batman Apple Tree in Greensborough. Compiled in 2011.This is possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It was planted on the banks of the Plenty River in 1841.One page of text and illustration.batmans apple tree, apples, john batman, robert whatmough, frederick nevin flintoff, plenty river, 1841

Ian Hunter, an aboriginal elder, has criticised a proposal by Darebin Council to replace the name Batman Park with that of an aboriginal man.Small newspaper clipping, black and white text.darebin council, john batman, treaty of melbourne, batmans treaty

Jim Poulter's research indicates that the accepted account of Batman's Treaty with aboriginal elders regarding purchase of the land of Melbourne is not true. He claims the Treaty was signed in Greensborough.Newspaper clipping, text and images. Date written in black ink: "Feb 2017"john batman, batmans treaty

Details some versions of the history of the 'Batman Apple Tree'. Also the condition and lack of maintenance of the tree in 2002. Highlights Nillumbik Shire's ignorance of the existence of the tree; which is within one kilometre of the Nillumbik Shire Offices.It is possibly the oldest European planted tree in Victoria. It was planted as a young tree in 1841.A4 photocopies of 3 articles relating to the condition and origin of the "Batman Apple Tree", located on the eastern bank of the Plenty River, north of Greensborough.Blue pen annotations on one article.apples, john batman, robert whatmough, frederick nevin flintoff, plenty river, 1841, rome beauty, rymer apples, winter majetin, apollo parkways primary school

Blue hard covered book of 494 pages. Images, and a large plan of prominent burials in the Melbourne Old Cemetery, and a Map of Melbourne. melbourne, melbourne cemetery, melbourne old cemetery, john batman, edmund hobson, batman's map, st francis' church, james balfour, mrs hornbrook, paddy's market, wilson hall, working men's college, henry kendall, le souef's cottage, world war one, westernport, melbourne cup, hoddle, collingwood, south melbourne, prahran, richmond, kew, brunswick, coburg, preston, hawthorn, camberwell, nunawading, doncaster, st kilda, brighton, sandringham, cheltenham, caulfield, oalkleigh, footscray, sunshine, north melbourne, carlton, ballarat school of art library, ballarat technical art school, book plate, library plate, hume and hovell's overland journey 1824-5, major mtichell's overland journey, australia felix, booplate, aborigine, aboriginal, captain cook, arthur phillip, isaac smith, george bass, matthew flinders, john murray, catain baudain, captain collins, edward henty, portalnd, map od melbourne in 1938, john pascoe fawkner, the "enterprise: and fawkner's first home, old colonists' homes, rushall crescent north fitszroy, richard bourke, the old melbourne post offfice, old governmnt house, toorak, latrobe's house at jolimont, first melbourne land sale, melbourne water supply, peter henry smith, victorian legislative council opening, map of melbourne and collingwood, prince's bridge, crossing the rivers by punt, f.a> rucker, canvas city emerald hill, arrival of the gold escort in melbourne, the yarra, queen's wharf, tall ships, old st james, mary e. budd, st francis church, michael carr, meolbourne city mission, state library of victoria, melbourne public library, bourke street, angus mcmilan, methodist ladies college, ormond college, armistance celebrations, robert russell, mia mia, theatre royal bouke st, melbourne from flaggstaff hill, federal coffee palace collins st, lord melbourne, melbourne mint, old melbourne town hall, robert russell's melbourne and yarra falls, mandevalle hall, point lansdale lighthouse, wilson's promontory, margaret m. ward cole, williamstown, flinders st melbourne, queenscliff battery, broadmeadows soldiers' camp, embarkation of first troops on the 'ceramic', general monsash, ian hamilton, general bridges, victorian war memorial, national war memorial, st kilda pier, first melbourne cup, hoddle's grid, albert park, melbourne mechanic's institute, st kilda toll gate, munted policeman, springthorpe memorial, james bonwick, mornane's paddock, victorian railways melbourne and surburban lines, carlton gardens, thomas napier, wiliam westgarth, george augustus robinson, william lonsdale, elizabeth mary batman, peomena frances darling batman, dig tree, exhibition of 1854, exhibition of 1866, exhibition buildings, geelong harbour, jubilee lake, port campbell, warrnambool, queenscliff lightboat, batman's first house