With the extension of the railway to Hurstbridge in 1912, large commercial orchards were able to expand. By 1914, 1,886 acres of orchards were under cultivation, with a considerable proprotion of the fruit being exported overseas. After World War One, the industry declined, mainly due to competition from other areas. This photo shows an orchard in the foreground with the township of Hurstbridge in the distance. The photo was taken in 1924, the same year that Hurstbridge was declared a township. orchard, hurstbridge, rose postcard

James (Jim) Smith, (died 03/08/1974, aged 93 years) established an orchard growing snow apples in Happy Valley after returning from mining activities in South Africa. The orchard was called "Springdallah" and was beside the Linton/Happy Valley Road across from the old Happy Valley railway station. Jim was the son of George Henry Smith (18/12/1840 - 26/11/1903) and Emma Keys Smith born Keys (07/08/1842 - 28/08/1888). George and Emma left Liverpool with other unassisted immigrants on the "Bates Family" with baby Clara on 08/06/1863 arriving in Melbourne on 08/06/1863. George and Emma emigrated to Australia on the invitation of Emma's brother Edward Keys who owned a property near the school at Happy Valley on which there were two houses. Teddy offered George and Emma the smaller one to live in. When "Teddy" decided to go into hotel keeping George took over the 200 acres of his property and made it a pleasant orchard and garden called "Cress Green Gardens". George had various secretarial jobs - rate collector; paymaster at the mines; until he became Shire Secretary for the Shire of Grenville, whose centre was Linton and Government Auditor for Western Victoria (1894-1903), the means of transport being horse and buggy. Another son followed his father as Shire Secretary. George and Emma had 14 children, Emma dying giving birth to Emma Keys who lived for 16 months. George later married Annie Bolte with 2 more children being born. Annie later sold the property. The land was used for grazing and the two houses fell into disrepair. In 1995 George's grandson Ernest (Alf) Alfred Watson visited the site and reported a wrought iron gate at the site and a mulberry tree near the site of his grandmother's family home. Bluestone blocks can still be seen in the paddocks from the roadside. Jim Smith was the brother of Clara Emma Yung nee Smith.Sepia photo of two men and a girl. One of them is Jim Smith who established on orchard at Happy Valley. He also went to South Africa - mining activities. The orchard is now part of Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary located at 360 Linton-Piggoreet Rd, Linton, Vic. 3360. Verso: Jim Smith South Africa (Mining) Established orchard halfway between Yendon and Happy Valley. Clara Emma's brother. [ Orchard established near Linton at Happy Valley.]jim smith, james smith, clara emma smith, happy valley, yendon, piggoreet, south africa, mining, orchard, edward keys, george henry smith, emma keys smith, clara emma yung, annie bolte, shire of grenville, clarkesdale bird sanctury

Ticket to picnic at Park Orchards on 21 December 1936, organised by the St Kilda Unemployed Organisation with the support of the St Kilda City Council, Mayor (Cr Alfred Levy), Archie Michaelis MLA, and 'other well-known gentlemen'. The ticket appears to have been perforated to allow vouchers, printed on the back (for bus, dinner, toys, stockings, ice cream and tea) to be separated and used. Park Orchards is a residential suburb 23km north east of Melbourne that was created in 1925 on land used for orchards when timber merchants Australis Sharp and John Taylor launched the Park Orchards Country Club estate. Buyers were not attracted to the estate, and for many years all that existed were a clubhouse and various sporting facilities. It gained popularity when demand for housing surged in the 1950s.Grey/green coloured card, printed in blue on both sides and with 5 evenly spaced lines of perforations across the width.st kilda unemployed organisation, st kilda council

Cream covered booklet with green printing and map of area on the front. Also one on back. 23 pages with text and photographs. Re-created with permission from the Doncaster-Templestowe Historical Society Inc. by Park Orchards Learning centre Inc.

"View from Wonga Rd. looking east towards Mullum Rd. 1946" and "Looking from Wonga Rd. over Mullum Rd. (centre) and beyond. Orchards: French, Vergers".

Black and white photograph. Orchard in floodOn reverse, "Orchard Yarra River in flood Dec 1934."orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934

Black and white photograph. Orchard in floodOn reverse, "Orchard Yarra River in flood Dec 1934."orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934

Digitised video (1.63GB). Duration: 36 minutes. Recorded August, 2024. (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)In this presentation, long time RDHS member and Treasurer, Peter Fry, provides this month's informative talk on a brief history of the neighbouring hamlet of Park Orchards, and the Barro Family's association with Ringwood and Pronto Concrete.

Peter Le Get found three framed photos of Heathmont view in a Heathmont Opportunity Shop. Previous owners unknown.Framed photograph of Mullers Orchard, Heathmont, Taken from the corner of Canterbury Road and Dickasons Road - - looking east, 1926.Mullers Orchard, Heathmont.

Black and white photograph. Orchard in flood. Seedlings planted in rows.On reverse, "Orchard Yarra River in flood Dec 1934."orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934

Black and white photograph. Orchard after flood: shows soil washed away. On reverse, "Orchard after flood Dec 1934."orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934, damage

Black and white photograph of orchard. Housing in distance.Typed below photograph, "Overlooking Heathmont from Pump's orchard, 1926".

Black and white photograph. Orchard in flood: shows fruit trees standing in water.On reverse, "Orchard Yarra River in flood Dec 1934."orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934, fruit trees

Orchard after flood: shows soil washed away from roots around fruit treeOn reverse, "Orchard after flood Dec 1934."orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934, fruit tree, damage to roots

Digitised video (3.79GB). Duration: 67 minutes. Recorded March, 2022. (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Gerry Robinson and Margaret (Maggie) McKern of Heathmont History Group (HHG) combine to present an overview of Heathmont's pioneering orchardists, with Maggie providing a history of her Clark family property, "Roslyn", purchased in the 1930s and operating as a poultry farm and lemon orchard on the corner of Canterbury Road and Armstrong Road in Heathmont.

Large linen backed map of the Park Orchards subdivision for private sale of residential sites and recreation club, highlighting local facilities, services and layout of the estate. Surveyors - Tuxen & Miller, 34 Queen Street, Melbourne. Agents - Wm Addey & Co., Pty Ltd., National Mutual Buildings, 395 Collins Street, Melbourne, Phone F3906. Terms £5 deposit balance monthly installments of £1 with the residue at the end of five years. Subdivision includes Alva Avenue, Arundel Road, Aviemore Avenue, Berringa Road, Bowmore Avenue, Brucedale Crescent, Brympton Avenue, Camber Avenue, Cawdor Avenue, Colin Avenue, Corriedale Crescent, Craithie Avenue, Daintree Avenue, Dalry Avenue, Dirlton Crescent, Drayton Crescent, Elgin Crescent, Enfield Avenue, Ennismore Crescent, Euston Avenue, Feversham Avenue, Frogmore Crescent, Gosford Crescent, Granard Avenue, Hopetoun Road, Hylton Avenue (later Knees Road), Jura Avenue, Park Road.

Black and white photograph. 2 female students with horse drawn plough in the West Orchard.On reverse, "Students ploughing in W. Orchard May 1917."female student, horse drawn plough, ploughing, orchard, 1917, west orchard