see page 3 26 January 1994Black and white photograph Surf Life Saving Club members Matthew Palm, David Wright, Brett Ellis, and Kate Hand holding trophies they received Lakes Entrance Victoriasurf lifesaving, volunteering

Depot table sheet or block - roneo or spirit duplicated, printed on card - for Special Fridays - 19 and 26 January 1981 - shows the various runs and crew tables for the day, has an index and notes. Two copies held.trams, tramways, table cards, brunswick depot, drivers, holidays

The Nunawading Council produced Commemoration First Day Covers stamped First Day of Issues for Australia Day during the years 1981-1992Envelope on which stamped:- 'First Day of Issue, Nunawading Victoria. Australia Day 1981'. At bottom left hand corner:- Nunawading coat of arms and 'Nunawading City Council, Australia Day Family Festival, 26 January 1981'Municipal Office, Nunawadingphilately, date stamps, civic mementoes, souvenirs

The Nunawading Council produced commemorative First Day Covers for Australia Day showing First Day of Issue stamp during the years 1981-1992Envelope bearing two 27 cent stamps for Australia Day 1983. Postmarked, 'Australia Day Family Festival Nunawading 26 Jan 1983' At lower left corner, picture of Australian timber jinker encircled by words, 'Australia Day Family Festival 26 January 1983 Civic Centre Nunawading'Municipal Offices Nunawading Vic 3131philately, date stamps, civic mementoes, souvenirs

Set of two light card, tickets for the 26 January 1981 Transport Cavalcade or "The Melbourne Pageant" for Australia Day 1981. 1816.1 - Adult Ticket 50c on light yellow card. - see images i3 and i4 1816.2 - Child Ticket 20c on white card - see images i1 and i2 Both tickets have photos of tram V214 on fare side and BTM/BTPS tram No. 27 on reverse. Both sides have the words "The Melbourne Pageant" and "Salute to Australia" and "Valid for single trip on special trams only 26 January 1981" . On non fare side of the ticket, the details of the Printer have been added by a hand stamp - "The Milldean Press / 30 Barcelona Street Box Hill, 3128 / Telephone: 03 - 88 4086". Tickets are un punched and un-numbered.trams, tramways, tickets, melbourne pageant, tram cavalcade, melbourne

Photos of a garden party at the home of Val Dyke on 26 January 1992. It was a social event for widows which shows the comradeship between the widows. Names are not known. Photos were in a photo album from the early 1990s.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for widowsColour photo x 6 of a social event for Legacy widows in 1992 and a yellow paper label.widows, events

Program of memorial service for King George V at St Kilda Town Hall on 26 January 1936. King George V reigned from 22 June 1911 until his death on 20 January 1936.White paper, discoloured with age, folded and printed on both sides in purple.king george v

Letter written by Queen Victoria at Osbourne Isle of Wight on January 26 1892flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Envelopes part of a series issued by City of Nunawading to commemorate Australia Day.Three envelopes commemorating Australia Day.1849.1 - Illustration of log chained to cart with farmer. Two stamps (27c) 0f 'H M Brig Supply' 1849.2 - Illustration of fireworks display. 1849.3 - Illustration of Schwerkolt Cottage with a 24c stamp.1849.1 - Australia Family Festival 26 January 1983 Civic Centre Nunawading. 1849.2 - Australia Day Family Festival, Wednesday,26 January1994 1849.3 - Australia Day Family Festival, 26th January 1982 Civic Centre Nunawading.philately, covers, postal stationery

The Nunawading Council produced commemorative first Day Covers for Australia Day showing First Date of Issue stamp during the years 1981-1992First Day cover with 41 cent stamp at upper right corner. Postmarked, 'Nunawading Vic. Aust. 3131 26 Jan 1990'. Envelope decorated with child's representation of Australian fauna. At left, logo, and 'Join in the free fun Nunawading Australia Day Family Festival Friday 26 January 1990' Envelope numbered 92.|See Other Information for back of envelopeMunicipal Offices Nunawading Vic 3131philately, date stamps, civic mementoes, souvenirs

This crystal goblet was presented to Mrs. T. O'Brien (Margaret O'Brien nee Leyden) on 26 January 1915 when the Starkie Memorial was unvieled by the then Shire President Cr. O'Brien. The memorial was erected in recognition of Cr. Joseph David Starkie's efforts in bringing the water supply to Sunbury.Engraved crystal goblet with diamond cut decoration on bowl of goblet. Stem and base plain. A black round wood base with three white clips for holding goblet. A clear glass dome shaped cover that is used to enclose the goblet on wood base.around rim - "PRESENTED TO MRS. T.O'BRIEN..."o'brien, margaret, 1910s, sunbury, starkie memorial fountain, starkie, joseph david, george evans collection

Photocopied page of newspaper articles: 'Bialik Day School Moves To Hawthorn', possibly published in The Jewish News, 19 January 1962; 'Bialik Hebrew College Kindergarten', The Herald, 26 January 1962; 'Professional', The Herald, 19 January 1962. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.shakespeare grove, kindergarten, judaism, drummond street, carlton, 1960s

Demonstrates the way the SEC advised passengers in Ballarat and Bendigo how the fare and charges systems worked and yielded information about the fare charges in force at the time. A copy was provided in each tram behind framed glass.Dye line print of a drawing showing Bendigo Tramways (SEC) Fares, Charges, and Section Map. Drawing No. VX1/130/1 Also gives charges for Scholar's Monthly tickets, Luggage, Parcels, Newspapers and Chartered trams. Dated January 1969. Titled - "Schedule of Fares and Charges - 26 January 1969". Shows offices as Dispensary Walk. For map - see bgofsmap.jpg and for actual fare tables, btm1734i1.jpg and btm1734i2.jpg."BTPS" in blue ink on reartrams, tramways, bendigo, fares, sections, map

Early examples of Melbourne Legacy Club newsletters, covering the activities of Melbourne Legacy Widows' Club. Information includes a notice from the Chairman of the Widows' Committee, dates of meetings, possible day trips and theatre outings, and cruises. The ladies were welcome to attend monthly meetings, card afternoons, indoor bowls competitions, outings and tours, plus the annual fete and Christmas concert. The September 1975 edition mentions the 20 flats purchased by Legacy at 9 The Avenue, Windsor and they are being renovated for widows to live in. Two options were presented, an 'ingoing' amount of $5,000 then a week maintenance charge of $7 a week; or on a rental basis of approximately $20 a week. The newsletter was priced at 2c a copy. The price of theatre tickets was $3. Various pages of interest have been added to show different news items. Other editions haven't been scanned.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy in the early years.Black typed newsletter x 28 editions from 1974 to 1977, No 83 to 106, each edition 4 foolscap pages. No 83, 26 January 1974 No 84, 20 March 1974 No 85, 20 May 1974, 6 pages No 86, 22 July 1974 No 87, 23 September 1974 No 88, 26 November 1974 No 89, 24 January 1975 No 90, 17 March 1975 No 91, 20 May 1975 No 92, 22 July 1975 No 93, 24 September 1975 No 94, 24 November 1975 No 95, 26 January 1976 No 96, 19 March 1976 No 97, 18 May 1976 No 98, 20 July 1976 No 99, 22 September 1976 No 100, 15 November 1976 No 101, 20 January 1977 No 102, 21 March 1977 No 103, 18 May 1977 No 104, 20 July 1977 No 105, 22 September 1977 No 106, 18 November 1977newsletter, activities

Temporary chapel at the Central Institute, Siddeley Street. The Institute designed by Walter Butler was inaugurated in November 1907 by Governor Northcote. Amongst the furniture are the lectern donated by Lady Northcote, the altar donated by Mrs Charles Shuter in December 1907. Both are still in use in the St Peter chapel. The Siddeley Street chapel was finished in 1909 and dedicated on the 26 January 1910.The pictures shows the enduring use of the religious furniture which is still in the St Peter the Mariner chapel in the Flinders Street mission.Small monochrome photograph of interior of the temporary chapel at Siddeley Street Institute with pews, communion table (gifted by Mrs Charles Shuter in December 1907), and the lectern (gifted by Lady Northcote in December 1907).in pencil: 137siddeley street institute, chapel, lectern, altar, chairs, lady northcote, amelia shuter nee lord, communion table

The Peter Lalor statue by Thomas Nelson McLean is said to be a striking likeness of Lalor who is remembered as the leader of the Eureka Rebellion. The artist has depicted Lalor’s missing arm which he lost in the Rebellion efforts on of 3rd December 1854 and 4 bronze relief panels depict major events in Lalor`s life including his involvement at Eureka and in Parliament, where he served as the Speaker of the House. The cast bronze statue stands at a grand scale of 3 meters high and is mounted on a pedestal of polished Aberdeen granite. The statue was gifted to the citizens of Ballarat by James Oddie, who founded a number of Ballarat institutions and was the first chairman of the municipality. It was unveiled by then Premier of Victoria Duncan Gillies on 26 January 1883 to a cheering crowd reported to be in the thousands. The commission cost £2,200. The sculpture was unveiled by then Premier of Victoria Duncan Gillies on 26 January 1983 to a cheering crowd reported to be in the thousands, such was the popularity of Lalor and the appreciation of Eureka rebellion efforts. The statue is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of BallaratThe cast bronze statue of Peter Lalor stands 3 meters high and is mounted on a pedestal of polished Aberdeen graniteNames of rebellion dead. Artist signature on bronze base.peter lalor, eureka rebellion, eureka, ballarat

Buff coloured certificate with gold seal regarding appointment of Companion Arthur James Bromwich Aird as V.Em. Past Grand Scribe Nehemiah, in the Grand Chapter on 18th April 5962, 1962. Accompanying letter dated 26 January, 1962 from Supreme Grand Chapter of Victoria informing of the promotion and letter dated 24th April, 1962 from District Recorder, Mornington, outlining completion of formalities and wearing of 30 degree regalia on remittance of £15-15-0 fee.

The Nunawading Council produced commemorative First Day Covers for Australia Day stamped First Day of Issue during the years 1981-1922Two First Day covers for Australia Day Family Festival 1988. On each envelope five 37 cent stamps depicting arrival of First Fleet, January 1788. On left side, captioned picture of Nunawading Bicentennial Orchard including logo. Above, text including logo, 'Australia Day Family Festival 26 January 1988, Civic Centre, Nunawading'. Postmarked, 'First Day of Issue 26 Jan 1988 Nunawading Vic 3131'. Envelopes numbered 254 and 230.Municipal Offices Nunawading Vic 3131philately, date stamps, civic mementoes, souvenirs

This is a newspaper article written by Ida Stanton for the Stawell Times-News "Halls Gap Extra" and published on Friday, 26 January 2001, p.18. It refers to Gus Knight and his family when they lived at Henham and on the Wannon River. The photos included in the article show: 1) a bogged vehicle being pulled out of the Wannon River by a large group of people; and 2) Gus, Ellen and Charles Knight in 1939.A newspaper article headed "More on the incredible Knight Family", containing two photos.people, knight

The Nunawading Council produced commemorative First Day Covers showing First Day of issue stamp for Australia Day during the years 1981 - 1992Two First Day Covers, each with 39 cent stamp captioned 'Australia Day 1989 Federation speech Sir Henry Parkes Tenterfield 1889' and picture of Henry Parkes. Stamped 'First Day of Issue 25 Jan 1989 Nunawading Vic 3131'. At left, drawing of woodcutter and charcoal burners at work below logo and 'Nunawading Australia Day Family Festival 26 January 1989 Civic Centre Nunawading'. One envelope numbered 197; the other addressed to Mr & Mrs. D. & E. Sloan, 42 Ashwood Drive, Nunawading, Vic. At back, history and description of charcoal making .Municipal Offices Nunawading Vic 3131philately, date stamps, civic mementoes, souvenirs

BHS CollectionTwo copies of the Axedale Antics newsletter, edition 26 from December/January 1989 and edition 29 from April 1990. Aileen and John Ellison Collection.axedale, community newsletter

Joseph Starkie was the Chairman of the Sunbury Waterworks Trust from 1905 to 1913. During that time he was instrumental in getting a permanent water supply installed for the town of Sunbury. After his death in April 1913, the townspeople erected a memorial which stood at the intersection of Brook and Stawell Street. It was unveiled on 26 January 1915 by Terence O'Brien. The original memorial included a drinking fountain and horse trough. As traffic increased within the town, the centre section of the fountain, without the horse trough, was resited in a reserve opposite the Memorial Hall. The photograph shows the monument on its original site. The installation of a reliable and permanent water supply for Sunbury was an important achievement for the town in the early years of the twentieth century.A sepia photograph in post card format of a water fountain and trough in a street in front of an avenue of trees.J. D. STARKIE MEMORIALstarkie, joseph daniel., water fountain, j.d.starkie memorial

These documents were sent to Mr J. Ingram, 211 Nicholson Street, Orbost, Victoria from the Australian Rifle Club.A brown envelope containing two copies of a plan of the Orbost Rifle Range. There is also a memorandum of Agreement concerning the Orbost North Recreation Reserve. There is a letter from the Victorian Rifle association concerning the extension of the rifle range.orbost-rifle-club shooting rifle-range-orbost

VA 2825 Attorney-General's Department (previously known as the Law Department)Eureka Stockade:Depositions VPRS 5527/P Unit 2, Item 8trial, circus

In 1909, assistant Chaplain Rev. Haire presented the Mission with an 'uncommonly artistic pulpit' in memory of his mother. This pulpit sits in The Chapel of Saint Peter, which belongs to the State Heritage listed (H1496) Mission to Seafarers Victoria complex. The dedication was performed by the Archbishop of Melbourne on the 26th January.Only one other 'maritime inspired' pulpit of a similar vintage is known in Australia, gifted to the Australian National Maritime Museum by the Mission to Seafarers, Sydney. Rectangular shaped brass plaque mounted to side of wooden pulpit.To the greater glory of God and in ever loving memory of Jane King Haire. This pulpit is erected by her son. Blessed are the pure in heart. For they shall see God. St. Matt. V.8. 26.1.09brass, plaque, pulpit, chapel of saint peter, jane king haire, reverend w.f. haire, heritage listed

This tiny picturesque building near the corner of John Street has served the community since 1878. At that time it served as an agency of the Heidelberg branch of the Commonwelath Bank of Australia. It has a small space inside measuring about 3.6 metres by 4.5 metres. It was built by George Stebbing who was also responsible for other heritage buildings nearby in Eltham. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p93 The tiny picturesque building on Main Road, Eltham, near the corner of John Street, has served the community since 1878. At that time the building, which inside measures only about 3.6m by 4.5m served as an agency of the Heidelberg branch of the Commercial Bank of Australia. The yellow and orange Victorian brick structure was built by Mr George Stebbing.1 Mr Stebbing, who also built the Anglican and former Methodist churches and the Shillinglaw Cottage, had come from England and lived in Pitt Street. The bank is a fine example of a once common but now rare building style – the single room bank. It compares with another in the municipality, also a former Commercial Bank of Australia branch, the timber Little Bank Building in Hurstbridge, built around the early 1900s.2 The Eltham bank, which was said to store gold from the Eltham - Research mining areas, has had exciting moments. A bullet hole still visible in a cedar bench testifies to the drama in 1949 when a youth held up the bank. After the 19-year-old opened an account as John Henderson, he walked to the door and then turned pointing a pistol. But it was shots fired by the clerk, Lindsay Spear, that saved the day, frightening the youth, who drove off empty-handed in a grey sports car. He was later apprehended and given a two-year sentence. Soon afterwards the agency was upgraded to a branch. However by 1954 the bank no longer needed the branch and the adjoining Methodist Church bought the building. It proved useful for the Church’s young people who furnished it and used it for their meetings. A youth club developed, led by young adult member, Ross Gangell. The building was also used as a Sunday School, which with junior membership numbered 27.3 Around 1960, Mrs Alma Bell, of the Methodist Church Women’s Guild, suggested using the building as an opportunity shop to raise funds for a chaplain at the Eltham High School. The women later asked the nearby St Margaret’s Anglican Church to help them in the shop. In 1960 the Eltham Combined Churches Opportunity Shop was established and staffed by Methodist and Anglican parishioners, notably Methodist Mrs Gwen Miller. The shop originally opened on Child Endowment Days to help the needy, but later for years, it opened twice a week. In 1962 it donated clothing and shoes to the Eltham Bushfire Appeal. By 1963 the chaplaincy scheme ceased. So the £450 raised was then donated to the Council for Christian Education and to the participating churches. Funds were also donated to local charities including the Eltham and Research Fire Brigades, the Austin Hospital Auxiliary, the Benevolent Society, the Red Cross and the Diamond Valley Hospital.4 In 2008 the Opportunity Shop volunteers continue to work together to help the local community. Although crammed with second-hand goods, the simple, almost stark interior, is still evident and is relieved only by a front rectangular window and an unused fireplace. Outside, the chimney, the corrugated iron peaked roof, and the surrounding varied plants, add to the charm of this sound building which continues to serve the community well.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, cba bank

Opened in 1891, the bridge formed part of the Maroondah Aqueduct carrying water from Watts River near Healesville to the reservoir at Preston where it joined Melbourne's metropolitan water system. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p99 Built to supply thirsty Melbourne in the late 19th century, the siphon bridge spanning the Plenty River off Leischa Court, Greensborough, was part of an engineering masterpiece. Opened in 1891, the bridge formed part of the Maroondah Aqueduct carrying water from the Watts River near Healesville to the reservoir at Preston where it joined the metropolitan distribution system. A major link in Melbourne’s water supply, it also had a huge impact on communities, which mushroomed along its route. Named after the Aboriginal word for the area around the Maroondah Reservoir, the Maroondah Aqueduct was fully operational until the 1970s. Since the 1980s the land along parts of the aqueduct have been used for walking and bicycle riding, shaded in places by Monterey Pine trees planted to stabilise the surrounding ground. From 1857 the Yan Yean Reservoir supplied Melbourne’s water but the growing city needed additional catchments.1 In 1886 work began on a weir on the Watts River to enable the aqueduct to carry most of the river water 41 miles (66km) to Melbourne. The aqueduct, built by the Board of Works, is the oldest remaining aqueduct near Melbourne and was probably the first built with concrete.2 Although the aqueduct is now only used between the Maroondah and Sugarloaf Reservoirs, it can still be traced across the Shire. It extends from the Maroondah Reservoir through Christmas Hills, Kangaroo Ground, Research, Eltham, St Helena and then previously wound west through Greensborough to Reservoir.3 Built by horse and manpower the aqueduct gravity fed 25 million gallons (113.6ML) of water a day to Melbourne along a gradient of one foot to the mile. It included 25 miles (41km) of open concrete and brick channel, six miles (10km) of tunnels, and nine miles (15km) of 14 inverted siphons of riveted wrought-iron across creeks. Bricks for the aqueduct were made from clay found near the sites and remains of several kilns can still be found between Kangaroo Ground and Christmas Hills. Building the aqueduct transformed local communities. An abattoir was established at Christmas Hills. Grog shanties and labourers’ camps sprang up and local courts dealt with cases of ‘petty pilfering and boisterous behaviour’.4 The Kangaroo Ground school population jumped to 91, crammed into a room with one teacher. Miners who built the tunnels camped just north of Churinga in Greensborough – then called Tunnel Hill Camp – and adjacent to the Evelyn Arms Hotel. The miners’ high spirits were sometimes quenched in horse troughs or by a ‘welt under the ear and kick on the behind’ as the local constable calmed them down rather than lock them up.5 But the growing city of Melbourne needed more water, so the O’Shannassy catchment, east of Warburton, was added to the system in 1914. In 1920 work began on the present concrete Maroondah Dam one mile (1.6km) from the weir on the Watts River. The aqueduct capacity was thus doubled to 50 million gallons (227ML) a day.6 Intense land development threatened to pollute the open water supply, so channel sections were replaced with large pipes. In the late 1960s a large water main was built from the tunnel outlet at Research and extended through St Helena and Greensborough, so this section of the aqueduct was taken out of use. Long sections of the unused open channels in Greensborough and Bundoora were destroyed, but the old channel in Research and Eltham North remained largely intact. In the 1970s, the Sugarloaf Reservoir was constructed, inundating 445 hectares of land in Christmas Hills. Sugarloaf was officially opened in 1980 and serves as a water storage and treatment plant supplying Melbourne. In the early 1980s pipes replaced the section from Sugarloaf Reservoir to the tunnel entrance at Kangaroo Ground. The Research-Kangaroo Ground tunnel operates as part of the pipeline system.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, maroondah aqueduct, pipe bridge, siphon bridge

In 1857, tanner John Pearson purchased three and a half acres of land in Little Eltham, at the western end of Pitt Street, with a 70-foot frontage to Maria Street (Main Road) and stretching down to the Diamond Creek for £100. He contracted Benjamin Oliver Wallis to build house for him. Wallis, a mason by trade who originated from the Cornish village of Newlyn, migrated to Melbourne in 1853 and was shortly engaged by Richard Warren to build the Eltham Hotel, which opened in 1854. When Warren fell into financial difficulty in 1858, Wallis purchased the hotel. That same year, Pearson constructed a tannery below the house with access to the water in the Diamond Creek. When Pearson became bankrupt in 1867, Wallis similarly acquired the house from Pearson’s creditors in 1868 and lived there until his death in 1896. For some of this time the house was in the name of Wallis’s son Richard but following his death in 1888, ownership reverted to his father. It was purchased by retired teacher Richard Gilsenen in 1899. Gilsenen was made acting head teacher at the Eltham State School in 1906 following the sudden death of head teacher John Brown. In the 1950s the house was bought by retired engineer Dr Alfred Fitzpatrick and his wife Claire who made various modifications to house goats and poultry as well as structural modifications to the house. In the early 1970s, Eltham Shire Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling proposed an extended communities’ activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance. In 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the planning to establish an extended communities’ activities program. The Fitzpatricks moved next door and Claire taught at the new Living and Learning Centre, which began in 1975, one of the first community education centres in Victoria. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p59 It’s a centre for sharing knowledge and friendship and it stands on the former hub of Eltham’s original township near Pitt Street. The Eltham Living and Learning Centre, with around 2000 participants a year, began in 1975 as one of the first Community Education Centres in Victoria. Classes ranging from macramé to wine making to environmental living have enriched the lives of thousands of people through the generosity of tutors sharing their skills free of charge. The centre’s heart is the brick cottage, built in 1858 by tanner John Pearson. He bought the three and a half acre (1.4ha) allotment fronting Maria Street (now Main Road) and stretching down to the Diamond Creek. The allotment formed part of a 316 acre (127.8ha) subdivision, owned by Josiah Holloway, called Little Eltham, north of the original Eltham Reserve.1 The allotment then passed through the hands of several speculators before it was sold to Pearson for £100 in 1857. Mr Pearson’s children attended the Eltham Primary School from 1864 to 1867. But creditors took possession of the property when his tannery folded in 1867. It was then sold to publican Benjamin Wallis, who owned the Eltham Hotel at the corner of Pitt Street and Main Road. In 1899 the property was bought by Richard Gilsenan, who became acting head teacher of the Eltham Primary State School in 1906. In the 1950s, retired engineer Dr Alfred Fitzpatrick and his wife Claire bought the property, and made structural changes. Claire, a journalist and community campaigner, modified and built pens for goats and poultry, a stable, a garage and planted fruit trees and a vegetable garden. In the early 1970s a young woman called Carina Hack approached Gwen Wesson at the Diamond Valley Learning Centre (Victoria’s first Community Education Centre) about starting a community centre. Following Wesson’s suggestion, Hack spoke to Shire President Alistair Knox ‘one bleak rainy afternoon, sipping hot drinks and discussing life’.2 Eltham Shire Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling proposed a community activities program and the council received a $50,000 Commonwealth Government Grant for this venture.3 The Fitzpatricks sold their property to the council and moved next door and Claire taught at the new centre, which Hack named. Eltham obviously wanted such a centre as Hack recalls. ‘During the next two months we had about 50 volunteers working day, night and weekends, scrubbing down, plastering and painting walls, replacing floors, repairing fences, recycling furniture, sewing curtains and cushions, donating furniture, toys, equipment, clean-ing and gardening…’4 The first enrolment day saw a queue stretching up the driveway nearly to the gate and the first sessions attracted 270 people a week. Soon the outbuildings were converted into pottery studios and a large workshop. From 1979 the Eltham Art and Craft Market was held in the centre’s grounds and the Friends of the Centre ran it from 1980. A former program coordinator, Margaret Johnson, remembers enrolment day in the late 1970s and 1980s, when hundreds of people would queue – and some even camped overnight! Overnighters were greeted in the morning with fresh tea and toast. Another tradition was The Enrolment Day Cake with Recipe, given to volunteers. ‘One happy Enrolment Day fell on February 14 and let’s just say that St Valentine found some willing participants, paying $2 for a kiss.’5 Meanwhile the participants’ children could play at the Council Eltham Lower Park house in Hohnes Road, later in Susan Street. But the centre has had difficulties too. In 1990 a fire destroyed the stable and the police suspected arson. However the pavilion was built in its place.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, benjamin oliver wallis, claire fitzpatrick, don maling, dr alfred fitzpatrick, eltham living and learning centre, frank maas, john pearson, richard gilsenen, tannery