Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Collins Australian Diary, 1968, No. 324 printed by Collins Bros, dark red card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1968, one week per double page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc. Names of gang often mentioned in the diary undertaking specific jobs and when on leave. Loose contents April Cash Account sheets 1. - Envelope addressed to Mr. H. Smith - Track Foreman 2 - 3 Number SECV Daily Time Sheet - Day Shift, form FTK 4-60. 26/5/1968 - blank Statutory declaration form for sick leave from the SECV.tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork

The Tawonga Store was a general store in the Upper Kiewa Valley providing for the farming community. This store had a variety of items and was the main store for many of the farming families who would travel in on horse and cart to make weekly trips to the store for supplies.George Potter owned the store before 1920. Whit Potter, George's son worked with his father for many years. See KVHS 0621 for early Ledgers, which give a comprehensive list of what type of items the residents of the Kiewa Valley purchased during this period.Rectangular sepia photo of Tawonga Store with Geo. Potter printed on its roof. Horse and cart and one early model car and one truck are parked out the front. The truck has a driver and passenger.tawonga store, george and whit potter

Yields information about the incidents/accidents that can occur on a street tramway system - collisions resulting in the rare virtual total demolition of a tram in Ballarat.Newspaper clipping from The Courier, front page, Thursday, 17 September 1970 with photo, of the collision between No. 20 and a semi trailer the previous evening in Victoria St. that wrecked No. 20. Gives quotes from eye witness, gives name of tram driver, Ian Maxwell Tierney, who jumped from tram before the collision, said the only passenger who was not injured was Miss Maree Bernadette Matthews about 17 of Reid St. Ballarat and the truck driver Ronald Frederick Cox 35 of Hickman St. was trapped in the cabin of the truck for some time. Accident happened about 7.30pm. Photo (see also item 1089 for print) shows by a white arrow where the woman was sitting. Also has a small inset photo in the top left hand corner showing a single truck tram. See Reg Item 7154 for The Age report.In upper right hand corner in blue ink circled "No. 20"trams, tramways, accidents, 20, collision, victoria st.

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Invicta Australian 1957 Business Diary, No. 4, printed by Sands and McDougall, light brown Rexene binding, card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1957, one week per double page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc Rear pages - has notes on materials used. Loose contents 1 - 18/11/1957, note dated 26/9/57 to track foreman re work at the Cooling Tower, B station. 2 - 23/12/1957 - envelope address to H. Smith Tracks - with Yallourn Briquettes sales department logo and address details. 3. - Inside rear cover - plan of hospital corner - showing plan of broken joints? tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork, rails

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Invicta Australian 1952 Business Diary, No. 40, printed by Sands and McDougall, green Rexene binding, card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1952, 2 days and notes for each page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc Rear pages - has a detail list of locations, depth of grove for both rails, rail type and type of rail, whether old or new. Loose contents 1 - 1/7/1952 page - SEC memo written on two sheets, dated 4/5/1949 regarding track work and a SEC Ballarat envelope with notes on the sheet. 2 - 3/9/1952- notes on a daily time sheet 3 - 14/11/1952 - sheet of lined paper with notes.tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork, rails

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Collins Australian Diary, No. 324 printed by Collins Bros, dark red card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1966, one week per double page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc Loose contents With the Engagements 1. - part of a card with roses on it 2. - sheet of paper with tramways account numbers on it 3 - Phillips Electrical Pty Ltd -warranty certificate and envelope 4 - Trams out from depot and Mileage Run sheet with notes on the back (Item Reg. 3706) re track measurements. 25/12/1966 - blank weekly timesheet. Inside rear cover - sheet of paper with names and leave owing details. Names are: Lancaster Wiseman Mark Lakey Edwards Fish Donovan Weightman Wilson Rose Mason Scicluna Smithtram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork, rails, scrubber tram

Newspaper clipping titled: “Brewery Truck Rips Tram: 2 die” The Sun Friday August 7 1970 Photos and text “Tram crowd hit by casks” Queens Parade Two passengers died when tram and brewery truck crashed at Clifton Hill (Thursday August 8 1970). Twenty-two people were injured, two seriously. Semi-trailer owned by Carlton and United Breweries. Tram driver Graham Barry McPhee, 31, was injured. Semi-trailer travelling along Queen’s Pde towards the city. No 88 tram bound for East Preston was just completing a turn from Smith St into Queen’s Pde. Six ambulances took 12 people to St Vincent’s and Royal Melbourne Hospitals. Police charged truck driver, 39, on two counts of manslaughter, and also charged driving under the influence of alcohol and exceeding .05. Will appear in Collingwood Court on October 12.trams, tramways, accidents, trucks, clifton hill, smith st, queens parade

Head Girl's Prefect, Norma Pepper standing on right, the school's Headmaster, Mr Harry Moody on left. Visit by Prime Minister Robert Menzies, Mrs Menzies and daughter Heather to Eltham High School, Thursday November 5, 1953 Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Thursday 5 November 1953, page 21 The PM gets bushed The Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, got lost this afternoon looking for Eltham High School - and ended up at the wrong school. After reversing several times, asking directions from two schoolboys and a truck driver, his party finally arrived over a dusty, bumpy road at the back gate of the high school. They waded through long grass up to the back of the school, while the welcoming party; and scores of local residents waited at the front gate. The Prime Minister, Mrs Menzies and their daughter Heather, were on a goodwill tour of the Deakln electorate with the Liberal Federal member, Mr F. J. Davis and Mrs Davis. FIRST SPEECH Mr Menzies told the 450 pupils, of the school about the first time he ever made a speech. "When I stood up, my mouth opened and shut and opened and shut and grew drier and drier and not a word came out," he said. "Of course, many, unkind people say I've more than made up for it since," he said. Digital file only Scanned from photographs on loaneltham high school, heather menzies, prime minister, robert gordon menzies, norma pepper, harry moody, lesley mitchell (nee pepper) collection

Head Girl's Prefect Norma Pepper being presented to the Prime Minister Visit by Prime Minister Robert Menzies, Mrs Menzies and daughter Heather to Eltham High School, Thursday November 5, 1953 Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Thursday 5 November 1953, page 21 The PM gets bushed The Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, got lost this afternoon looking for Eltham High School - and ended up at the wrong school. After reversing several times, asking directions from two schoolboys and a truck driver, his party finally arrived over a dusty, bumpy road at the back gate of the high school. They waded through long grass up to the back of the school, while the welcoming party; and scores of local residents waited at the front gate. The Prime Minister, Mrs Menzies and their daughter Heather, were on a goodwill tour of the Deakln electorate with the Liberal Federal member, Mr F. J. Davis and Mrs Davis. FIRST SPEECH Mr Menzies told the 450 pupils, of the school about the first time he ever made a speech. "When I stood up, my mouth opened and shut and opened and shut and grew drier and drier and not a word came out," he said. "Of course, many, unkind people say I've more than made up for it since," he said. Digital file only Scanned from photographs on loanlesley mitchell (nee pepper) collection, eltham high school, heather menzies, prime minister, robert gordon menzies, norma pepper

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.1958 Woods' Australian Diary, No. 21, 3 days on a page, John Andrew and Co. red Rexene binding, card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1958. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary, including a ruler along the side of the sheet. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc Rear pages - has notes on materials used and a list of Track gang for 1958. (December Cash Account) E. A. Goldsmith W. H. Goldsmith E. J. Davis G. McQuinn H. Hoy A. W. Cunningham N. McVitty C. Edwards E. Lakey H. Lancaster S. Chibnall H. Smith Loose contents 21/7/1958 - SEC Safety Officers Newsletter, Feb. 1958 - inside has notes and sketches where joints welded and the dates. Inside rear cover - Daily time sheet - with the addresses of the track gang on the rear. - list of materials - rails by type and sleepers on hand - Reg Item 3705 - Rules Governing Depot Employees with notes and sketches where joints welded and the dates on the rear. (Item to be stored in a separate envelope - note was folded in half and stored in the rear section)tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork, rails

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Invicta Australian 1959 Business Diary, No. 4, printed by Sands and McDougall, light grey Rexene binding strip, card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1959, one week per double page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc Rear pages - has notes on materials used, costs, scrubber use and hours, and length of track On the inside of the rear cover is a list of Track gang and addresses for 1959. W. H. Goldsmith H. Dowie S. Eaton W. Newell E. Lakey J. Armstrong J. Naus C. Edwards A. W. Cunningham H. Lancaster H. Smith Loose contents 18/5/1059 - Medical Certificate for S. Eaton - dated 9/10/1959, Dr. D. P. Podger 28/12/1959 - Daily time sheet with track work notes Inside rear cover Begonia Festival 1959 brochure SEC Workshop Requisition Misc. notes List of Staff and address - J. Naus added to above list. List of track lengths re top dressing between various lengths.tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork, rails, scrubber tram

Agfa plastic mount (blue base, white cover) of a photograph of No. 40 at city terminus. Photo taken c1962, late afternoon during the summer period. Tram has destination of Mt. Pleasant. Tram fitted with an SEC cook with electricity roof advertisement. Behind No. 40 are another bogie tram and a single trucker. Inspector, Driver, crew members are standing at the front of the tram, adjacent to the tram stop post. Has Allan Bros Jewellers shop in the background. Slide rescanned at 3200 dpi 25-10-2020, jpg replaced, tiff file retained. This file was scanned in 2003 and may show colour changes."BAS 33" in penciltramways, trams, sturt st, city terminus, tram 40

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Collins Australian Diary, 1960, No. 324 printed by Collins Bros, pattered dark red cover with green cloth binding on cover, card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1960, one week per double page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc Rear pages - has notes on materials used, costs, scrubber use and hours, and length of track On the2nd last page is a list of Track gang and addresses for 1960. H. Dowie S. Eaton W. Newell E. Lakey J. Armstrong J. Naus - welder C. Edwards A. W. Cunningham H. Lancaster H. Smith G. McQuinn E. Fish W. Holder L. Marks D. Wiseman - welder Cash account sheets for April - September - weekly hours of workers. Loose contents 1. - by rates of postage sheet - notes on work on rear of time sheets 2 - by rain chart - application for leave form 3 - by engagements - for July - part of a 1960 income tax return form - with some calculations on it. 4 - 19/12/1960 - notes re work 5 - Memoranda sheet - notes on pink time sheet - re work requirements? 6 - Inside rear cover - a sheet with names and SEC leave due notes. tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork, rails, scrubber tram

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Collins Australian Diary, No. 324 printed by Collins Bros, dark red card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1965, one week per double page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc In the Memoranda section (last page) gives names and leave due and work arrangements for those without leave during the Christmas - Jan. period. Lancaster Wiseman Lakey Edwards Fish Dowie Smith Batty Cooper Butcher Loose contents 1. Important dates- part of a very fragile sheet of paper - account numbers for various jobs. 2 - 19/12/1965 - part of the cover "The Society Courier - June 1960 - a SEC Social League newsletter" and part of a desk calendar for 10/12/1963, with hours worked on particular jobs and account numbers. 3 - last sheet of Memoranda - on the back of a sheet of Regulations and Acts (SEC manual) - handwritten notes regarding leave entitlements 4 - inside rear cover - sheet showing gang names, with additions/cross outs including a note that H. Dowie passed away on 9/12/1965. Other names not in above list: J.Whatmore W.Hicky? P.Cartledge W.D.Strange C.Kingston? B.Sarah G.Cooper J.Butcher Coombs David Coon tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork, rails, scrubber tram

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Collins Australian Diary, No. 324 printed by Collins Bros, dark red card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1967, one week per double page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc Loose contents 18/6/1967 - SEC Sub-Requisition - weld two VR rail joints, Doveton St level crossing 9am Sunday 25/6 2nd last page - note re leave entitlements and work over the Christmas period. Mark Clough Wiseman Weightman Smith Palmer Rose Blake Inside back cover 1. - Sub-requisition for tree cutting 2. - Memo dated 18/8/1966 re electrolysis and welding and testing of joints to Reg Item 3707.. 3. - memo dated 29/11/1967 re tree clearing in Bungaree 4 - Sub-requisition re truck use re tree clearing 5 - Weekly time sheet for R. Palmer - Track cleaner, dated 29/12/1967. 6 - Four requisitions for undertaking non tramway work 7 - List of invitees to a SEC safety coittee meeting - on rear a list of names and leave owing. tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork, rails, scrubber tram

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Collins Australian Diary, No. 324 printed by Collins Bros, dark blue card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1971, one week per double page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc. Names of gang often mentioned in the diary undertaking specific jobs and when on leave. Last day work recorded - 24/9/1072. Loose contents Inside front cover Workshop requisition to fill pot holes and note re rail requirements for Daylesford and Hamilton. Clip to page with metal paper clip. 29/8/1971 - note re account numbers and on rear of a pink requisition form - work list for gang. 12/9/1971 - Workshop Requisition form - green dated 6/5/1971 Inside rear cover Circular for a Male Cleaner in Traralgon Workshop Requisition for work at the Zone substation - Ballarat South Circular to authorised drivers re used of defective vehicles. Has W. Vermeend name typed in top left hand corner. SEC Long Service Regulations circular - has name D.Wiseman handwritten in top right hand corner. 5 sheets of blue carbon paper.tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Collins Australian Diary, 1961, No. 324 printed by Collins Bros, pattered dark red cover with green cloth binding on cover, card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1961, one week per double page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc In the section for Telephone numbers is a list of Track gang and addresses for 1961. H. Dowie E. Lakey C. Edwards H. Lancaster G. McQuinn E. Fish W. Holder L. Marks D. Wiseman H. Platt H Groves notes relieving manager - Mr. Crawford See also Memoranda sheets for another list of names and addresses and notes on materials used, costs, scrubber use and hours, and length of track Cash account sheets for April - September - weekly hours of workers. Loose contents 1. - Inside front cover - front cover of SEC news paper - 16/8/1962. 2 - 19/6/1961 - photograph dated on rear March 1962, of two men holding up large fish in a lake. 3 - 7/8/1961 - SEC receipt for N.McVitty - for jury fees 4 - 9/10/1961 - Medical Certificate for Doug Wiseman 5 - start of memoranda notes - two sheets of notes 6 - 2nd last page - sketch showing dimensions and levels - no locations tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork, rails, scrubber tram

Yields information about the track maintenance activities of the track gang in Ballarat, the work they did, notes, names and other information.Collins Australian Diary, 1962, No. 324 printed by Collins Bros, pattered dark red cover with green cloth binding on cover, card covers, sewn sections with ruled sheets providing a diary for 1962, one week per double page. Has "useful information" sheets at from the diary. Used by the SEC Ballarat track gang to record their daily work, leave, welding, track cleaning, truck driver etc In the Memoranda section (last two pages), list of names and addresses of track gang and notes on materials used, costs, scrubber use and hours, and length of track. Has notes when some finished on the track gang - elsewhere within the SEC? Grove Platt Lancaster Wiseman Lakey Edwards Dowie Marks Fish Eames Smith Loose contents 1. - Inside front cover - 12 green and pink "Workshop Requisition" requesting work by the track gang outside the direct tramway area, eg Ballarat B station and one handwritten note. 2.- Telephone numbers - a receipt made out to E. Fish for jury duties fees. 3 - 19/3/1962 - printed card from the Municipal Officers Assoc (SECOA) for a general meeting at Electra Hall on 7/12. 4 - April Cash account - note re requirement for tip truck to pick up materials. 5 - Inside last sheets - medical certificate for H. Dowie, dated 10/7/1962. tram, trams, sec, ballarat, depot, trackwork, rails, scrubber tram

Yields information about the shipping of tram No. 31 to Perth.Set of nine Colour 27 x 27 mm slides in Agfachrome blue and white plastic mounts of Ballarat tram No. 31 leaving for Perth to go the now PETS Perth Electric Tramway Society museum - various photos of the truck, including the driver. Tram has been loaded onto the truck. In the background is tram 32, waiting to go to Maryborough and B power station with chimney. Photo from the collection of Lilian Butler. Date based on TMSV item - 11/10/1971 - to the WA Transport Museum, later the Perth Electric Tramway Society. See also Reg Ite, 6441 for another photo.ballarat, tramways, trams, preserved trams, perth, pets, ballarat b power station, sale of trams, tram 31

Although the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme was first proposed in 1911, construction did not commence until 1938. As part of the push to cut electricity costs and diversify supply, the Victorian Government (circa 1930) initiated the conversion from primarily brown coal supply to hydro – electricity. Field investigations during the 1940’s resulted in a new proposal for a scheme that had more than double the capacity of the 1938 scheme. The Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme became the largest scheme of its kind in the State Of Victoria and the second largest scheme in Australia. The number of personnel involved in the planning and construction of the scheme increased dramatically. During the late 1940’s, most activity centered around the construction of the West Kiewa Power Station, Rocky Valley Reservoir, McKay Creek Power Station and the Bogong Creek Aqueduct.A common thread across all the larger hydro scheme constructions was the need for workers, both qualified and unqualified who came from around the world seeking a new life for themselves and their families. New accommodation and facilities were required for the army of workers engaged in construction in often remote and wild areas. The SEC had a high demand for timber, and set up the first of a number of sawmills at Bogong Creek in 1939 and set up the first hardwood logging in the headwaters of the Kiewa River. These new ‘towns’ such as Mt Beauty and Bogong, survived, serving the needs of operational personnel and their families, and expanding with growth of new industries. Mount Beauty, and to a lesser extent Bogong, are among these places. Large A3 size spiral bound display folder containing photocopied black and white photographs of various aspects of the early days of the Kiewa Valley Hydro-electric scheme including equipment, various work sites and photographs of workers and their families. 1-Breakdown in Circuit Breaker (Isolating Contacts) 2-Big Hill Bench- Site of No 5 Devlopment 3-No 1 Power Station 4-No 1 Pipeline, Anchor No 8 5-Push Dozing-RD8 Tractor 6- Tractor and driver at work 7- Workmen in unnamed tunnel 8- Front page of Journal of SECV Vol 15. Photograph of No 1 pipeline viewed from McKay Portal 9-Rocky Valley Dam Core Wall 10-Workmen working inside tunnel loading rocks into a rail truck. 1-Breakdown in (generator) Circuit Breaker (Isolating Contacts) Handwritten underneath (This is not a picture of any part of a generator. It is a circuit breaker Signed Ron White Ron was the Principal Hydro Engineer of the SEC Kiewa Scheme Page number 39 2-Big Hill Bench – Site of No. 5 Development (abandoned) Page number 40 3-No 1 Power Station Page number 41 4-No. 1 Pipeline, Anchor No. 8 Page number 42 5-Push Dozing – RD8 Tractor, 12 cubic yard Carryall and FD Cletrac Tractor Page number 43 6-No marking Page number 44 7-No marking Page number 45 8-Journal of State Electricity Commission of Victoria SEC Vol 15 No… April-May, 19… No 1 Pipeline-A view from McKay Portal G Hempenstall and D Sutton stiffening pipe section for transport during construction (….indicates missing text) Page Number 46 9-Rocky Valley Dam Core Wall Page number 47 10-No markings Page number 48 secv; kiewa hydro electric scheme; construction area; power stations; reservoirs; aqueduct; mt beauty; bogong

Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker, panton hill, tosch property

Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. The little girl is Grace de Visser's sister. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker

Len's Bedford truk is featured in one of the Montmorency Were Street shopping precinct mosaics. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker

COLOUR PHOTO, MOUNTED ON THICK CARDBOARD, OF AN ARMY TRUCK. The truck has its canvas cover removed. Only a driver can be seen in the truck cabin. Truck Regn 38-533. it has a 3 Div Tac sign. It has a blue and red TAC sign with NR72 stencilled on it. It appears to be a box or ironbark forest.passchendaele barracks trust, unimog truck, army reserve

See Cat 4867.2 for dataA Brown buckram document. It is folded 3 ways to make a pocket sized document. Inside is white paper with both printed and written words. It is Army Form AAF G11 No. 111458.It was issued to VX119118 Pte Robert Charles Letts. It states he can drive cars and vans (synchronised gear box) Vans (Plain gear Box) All dated at 8 Dec 1943. Trucks 15 Cut and over.ww2, drivers licence

Licences were for Murray Stanley Metherall No 35455. Serving in the Australian Army Educational Corps Murray was the only such person to serve in the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam. As a Capt age 44 years he served in Vietnam as Adjutant with AATTV/HQ AFV (Army) from 29.1.68 to 21.1.69. He would catch rides by Jeep, truck, aeroplane, with Americans, by any means to all the outposts in Vietnam where the “Team” served delivering mail and pay. .1) Army cinematograph operator's license made of brown printed fabric. .2) Army drivers license made of brown printed fabric..1) & .2) “Australian Military Forces”documents, licenses, drivers, cinema, aattv

Police pulling over a Volkswagon without any registration plates on the front. There are two uniformed police standing at the driver's window of the Volkswagon with the police car being a Ford Customline. There are two large trucks in the background hauling houses. Circa 1954. The Policeman are wearing a "Sam Browne" belt and equipment, apparently as a trial.police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; ford customline car

Four police cars at railyards. One Wireless Patrol Customline, one Zephyr and two Holdens, one of which has registration number GNF 143. Three men standing amidst the cars, man in the centre with a full length coat and hat, man on the right identified as 1/Constable "Blue" Lees, Transport Branch driver of the Wireless Patrol car. Two trucks in the rear. Circa 1957police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; ford customline car; ford zephyr car; holden car