From caption: "Main Street Greensborough - Early [20th] century. a traffic jam in Main Street Greensborough, as a herd of horses are driven over the old bluestone bridge. Photo taken by a lady driver waiting to cross the bridge, early this [20th] century".Black and white photograph, with description printed on lower right cornermain street greensborough, bluestone bridge

The two arch bluestone bridge which spanned the Jacksons Creek was replaced in the early 1970s with a wider double lane bridge. Dangerous curves were also taken out of the road. The area in the foreground on the RHS has now been incorporated into a public picnic area.A black and white photograph of road works taking place on the Sunbury Road over Jacksons Creek. Large concrete drain pipes are in the foreground and on the RHS of the photograph with roadwork signs on the LHS. Three trucks are at the foot of the hill.macedon street, macedon street road bridge, jacksons creek, road construction, george evans collection

Greensborough bridge caption reads: "This fine old bluestone bridge was built in the 1860s to carry increasing traffic to the gold fields and farms to the north. The stonemason was James Neave McKenzie. In more recent years this magnificent stone structure had to be replaced by a more modern bridge."From the John Davidson collection.Photograph in black plastic frame with typed caption on matte.john davidson, mckenzie bridge, greensborough, blue stone bridge

Photographs of the Plenty River Greensborough. One shows Richard Pinn walking his dog (Jah) on track by river, the second photo is a close up of the Greensborough Bluestone Bridge and steps to river. The bridge has since been demolished and the path replaced by a concrete bike/walking path.Shows the river pathways and bluestone bridge in the 1979.2 b&w photographs.plenty river, greensborough, richard pinn

Postcard with view of bluestone bridge over the Plenty River on what is now Main Street, Greensborough. Built in 1860 by a Scottish stonemason, James Neave McKenzie. Most of the bridge was demolished in 1966 with the remaining bluestone arch preserved till 1983 when it was also demolished. This view about 1900.Digital file only Postcards scanned from the collection of Michael Aitken on loan to EDHS, 13 Feb 2018michael aitken collection, postcards, greensborough, plenty river bridge, plenty river

The single span bluestone bridge is on the Calder Highway at the base of Corkscrew Hill between Gap Road and the town of Gisborne. In the early 1990s the highway was widened and dual carriageways constructed, as a result the traffic no longer travelled along the winding Corkscrew Hill road. The bridge still stands between the two carriageways. A black and white photograph with a cream border of a single arched stone bridge spanning a watercourse. Small bushes are growing in the foreground and there are some buildings dotted across the hill in the middle distance.bridges, corkscrew hill, calder highway

The plaque was originally intended for the Murray Road Bridge. The Murray Road Bridge is of state historical and architectural significance. With the Newlands Street Bridge it is one of a pair of bluestone bridges constructed by prison labour in Coburg and is situated within the immediate vicinity of the Pentridge Prison. The bridge has one of five largest spans of stone bridges built in Australia, of which at least three survive. (VHR)BluestoneErected by the Penal Department A.D. 1871 George Oliphant Duncan Inspector General

The five span masonry arch bridge over Blind Creek was one of the major constructions on the Melbourne to Echuca Railway. It was one of the first masonry rail bridges built in Victoria. Construction began in 1859 when the railway was extended from Sunbury and was designed by G C Darbyshire.A coloured photograph of the 5 arched bluestone rail bridge showing the grassy embankments on each side of the bridge and the creek flat at the base of the bridge. Some tree tops are visible on the other side of the bridge.bridges, transport, rail transport, darbyshire, g. c., blind creek, v line, george evans collection

The five span masonry arch bridge over Blind Creek was one of the major constructions on the Melbourne to Echuca Railway. It was one of the first masonry rail bridges built in Victoria. Construction began in 1859 when the railway was extended from Sunbury and was designed by G C Darbyshire.A coloured photograph of the 5 arched bluestone rail bridge over Blind Creek with the embankments on either side and the tower of Rupertswood Mansion in the distance. A VLine diesel engine along with 3 goods carriages and a passenger carriage is on the bridge.bridges, transport, rail transport, darbyshire, g. c., blind creek, v line, george evans collection

ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF WOODEN BRIDGE WITH BLUESTONE BUTTRESS. MAN STANDING ON BRIDGE - ALSO MAN STANDING ON GRASS VERGE BY CREEK.local history, photography, photographs, bridges

The narrow swing catanery bridge was built behind the school across the Deep Creek downstream from the bluestone Bulla Bridge. It was built so that children who lived on the south side of Bulla Township could access the school more easily and in shorter time than if they had to go by the main roads.The bridge was constructed in the days when most children walked to school. The use of this bridge cut the children's travel time and distance to school quite considerably and was used for many years until the school was closed in 1996.A coloured photograph of the children on a narrow swing bridge and the path they used to approach the bridge over open ground. bulla primary school, swing bridge, bridges, catanery bridge

A photo of a bluestone and timber bridge across the Deep Creek at Lighthouse Creek. There is a man standing on the bridge. The photographer, Alfred Sinel, is listed in the 1874 rate book.A sepia mounted photograph of a bridge at Lighthouse Gully in Deep Creek.written in ink bottom centre: "Bridge at Lighthouse Gully" / Deep Creek. written LH corner of photograph: Photographed by A. Sinelbridges, sunbury, men, clothing and dress, sinel, alfred, photographers, lighthouse gully, deep creek, shire of bulla, george evans collection

Colour photographs of an old timber topped bridge crossing the Woady Yalloak River on Golden Lake Road. The bridge has bluestone foundations. bridge, woady yallock river, golden lake road, bluestone

Photograph shows the Pioneer Reserve Park Plaque explaining that the bluestones came from the bridge over the Plenty River at Greensborough.Part of the John Ramsdale collection of slides and audio visual material.Colour photograph scanned from slide.No maker's marks. No caption on slide.plenty river, pioneer reserve greensborough, bluestone bridge greensborough

Photograph shows Pioneer Reserve picnic shelter in Greensborough. This shelter was built from bluestones from the old bridge over Plenty River.Part of the John Ramsdale collection of slides and audio visual material.Colour photograph scanned from slide.No maker's marks. No caption on slide.plenty river, bluestone bridge greensborough, pioneer reserve greensborough

The bridge constructed from bluestone, brick and iron over the Jacksons Creek at Sunbury is an important structure on the Melbourne-Echuca rail line. The foundation stone for the bridge was laid on 13 January 1859 and the bridge opened in July 1861. It is of state significance.A coloured photograph of the bluestone and iron railway bridge which is ove the Jacksons Creek. The bridge has 3 bluestone pylons and three iron pylons with 3 sections of the iron spans visible across the top.transport, bridges, rail transport, darbyshire, g. c., jacksons creek, george evans collection

The series of photographs show a number of sites included in the Rupertswood Estate. By 1851 William Clarke had acquired 31,375 acres of land in the Sunbury district. The foundation stone for Rupertswood Mansion was laid on 29th August 1874 by Mrs. W. J. Clarke, daughter-in-law of 'Big Bull'. The Salesian Fathers bought the Rupertswood property in June 1927 and established Salesian College.A coloured photograph of the bluestone and iron rail bridge over the Jacksons Creek on the Rupertswood Estate. One stone pylon at the top of the embankment and an iron pylon are visible along with the stone wall at the base of the embankment and part of the iron span. A post and wire fence is in the foreground.rupertswood estate, clarke, william j. t. 'big bull', salesian brothers, george evans collection

The bluestone 'road over rail' bridge at Macedon Street is of state architectural, architectural, historical and engineering significance. It spans the first government regional railway. Its design and building was done according to strict English standards and made use of a bridge crossing instead of a level road crossing.A black and white photograph of a stone bridge with an eliptical arch spanning two rail tracks. A workman is standing between one set of tracks in the foreground and a railcart is next to the tracks. The station, footbridge and water tower are visible through the arch.road over rail bridge, bridges, sunbury railway station, water towers, pedestrian bridges, stone bridges, george evans collection

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

This photograph forms part of the Eric Sibly collection of images and information relating to the Outer Circle Railway which he donated to the Kew Historical Society in 1974. Heritage Victoria Citation (Abridged) "The Chandler Highway Bridge, a 137 metre wrought iron lattice-truss girder bridge with four spans supported on red brick piers with moulded bluestone cappings. The bridge has a cantilevered walkway along the west side. ...The Chandler Highway Bridge crosses the Yarra River and connects Alphington and Kew. It was completed in November 1890 as part of the Outer Circle Railway Line.Black & white photograph of the railway viaduct over Yarra River looking south towards Kew.Reverse: "Pre 1930. Outer Circle Railway Bridge over River Yarra (now Chandler Highway) - note bridge over line on Kew side for Asylum Farm". KH - 56. Kew Historical Society.chandler highway, railway bridges - kew (vic), sir john monash, outer circle railway, river yarra - kew (vic)

View looking northeast across the wading pool set into the Plenty River towards the original bluestone Greensborough Bridge (since demolished). A timber pedestrian footbridge added after construction is visible on the far side of the bridge through the arch and beyond to the hillside which is now present day Pioneer Reserve. This glass plate negative was used to manufacture postcards (1:1 printing) for commercial sale by the Rose Sterograph Company and its subsidiaries. George Rose founded the Rose Stereograph Company in 1880 and was joined by Herbert (Bert) Cutts in the early 20th Century. The pair formed a lifetime working partnership and strong personal friendship. Assisted by George’s two sons, Herbert George and Walter, and later by Neil Cutts, the Rose Stereograph Company continued its operations for more than 140 years. The company was initially built on stereographs, but as cinema took over and stereographs fell out of fashion, the Rose Stereograph Company developed Australia’s first commercially viable photographic postcard business. Specialising in postcards of iconic historical moments and significant landmarks, The Rose Stereograph Company became a staple of the Australian travel industry.This remarkable collection of glass plate negatives, transparencies, and postcards – arguably Australia’s most significant photography collection outside of public hands – has been passed down through the generations, surviving war, relocation, and the harsh Victorian climate. The historic Rose Stereograph collection is the culmination of George Rose’s dream of capturing and preserving precious moments in time and remains the legacy of the Rose and Cutts families. It is with great sadness that the Cutts family says goodbye to a collection that spans five generations and 140 years. The Cutts family understands that for these historically important pieces to rest with one family is to deny others the pleasure of their custodianship.Glass Plate Negative Size: 9.1 x 14 cmThe Wading Pool, Greensborough, Published by W. M. Butterworh No. 8postcard, travel, rose stereograph company, glass plate negative, greensborough, footbridge, greensborough bridge, main road, plenty river, w. m. butterworth, pioneer reserve, wading pool, peter and elizabeth pidgeon collection

View looking northwest along the Plenty River towards the original bluestone Greensborough Bridge (since demolished). A timber pedestrian footbridge added after construction is visible with two people crossing. In the distance is a wide flat verge, now present day Carter Reserve and on the far side seven men digging and a set of terraced steps dug out in the earth bank. Present day Pioneer Reserve is to the right of the river in foreground. This glass plate negative was used to manufacture postcards (1:1 printing) for commercial sale by the Rose Sterograph Company and its subsidiaries. George Rose founded the Rose Stereograph Company in 1880 and was joined by Herbert (Bert) Cutts in the early 20th Century. The pair formed a lifetime working partnership and strong personal friendship. Assisted by George’s two sons, Herbert George and Walter, and later by Neil Cutts, the Rose Stereograph Company continued its operations for more than 140 years. The company was initially built on stereographs, but as cinema took over and stereographs fell out of fashion, the Rose Stereograph Company developed Australia’s first commercially viable photographic postcard business. Specialising in postcards of iconic historical moments and significant landmarks, The Rose Stereograph Company became a staple of the Australian travel industry.This remarkable collection of glass plate negatives, transparencies, and postcards – arguably Australia’s most significant photography collection outside of public hands – has been passed down through the generations, surviving war, relocation, and the harsh Victorian climate. The historic Rose Stereograph collection is the culmination of George Rose’s dream of capturing and preserving precious moments in time and remains the legacy of the Rose and Cutts families. It is with great sadness that the Cutts family says goodbye to a collection that spans five generations and 140 years. The Cutts family understands that for these historically important pieces to rest with one family is to deny others the pleasure of their custodianship.Glass Plate Negative Size: 9 x 14 cmPlenty River, Greensborough, Published by W. M. Butterworh No. 2postcard, travel, rose stereograph company, glass plate negative, greensborough, carter reserve, footbridge, greensborough bridge, main road, plenty river, w. m. butterworth, pioneer reserve, construction, peter and elizabeth pidgeon collection

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Pioneer Reserve is historically significant for its formative association with noted local landscape designer Gordon Ford in 1968, and it is likely that remnant large field stones at the entrance drive to the Reserve remain from his design. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.

Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacement with a new steel bridge. Heritage advice obtained by Nillumbik Shire Council, following a suggestion by the Eltham District Historical Society (EDHS), is that the original bridge appears to have been a simplified version of the Country Roads Board’s (CRB) standard timber bridge design of the early-to-mid 1920s. In c1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with three recycled steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. During these alterations many parts of the bridge were removed, and some were replaced. Heritage advice indicates the condition of Murray’s bridge is poor. The remaining original parts are all in poor condition, with severe weathering, splitting and rot, especially to the stringers retained on the bridge. Heritage advice is that Murray’s Bridge does not have sufficient significance in the cultural history of the Nillumbik area to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay and also does not have sufficient significance as a rare survivor to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay. There are no indications in the historical record that this site was individually important to the cultural history of this area. EDHS is comfortable with the heritage advice provided to Council and has worked closely on this project with Council. EDHS has suggested some of the removed timbers be used in the vicinity of the bridge for landscaping and possibly seating, so as to retain these remnants close to the site of the original bridge, which is the last old timber bridge along the lower reaches of the Diamond Creek. Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. * * * A theory posted on local community Facebook groups was that the bridge was built in the 1860s and was built to be more robust than was necessary for the movement of cows from one side of the creek to the other. It was suggested the robustness was necessary to support the weight of gold ore being transferred from a mine on Murray’s land to a railway siding near Murrays Bridge (presumably for transfer and processing at Diamond Creek). Perhaps this may have been one of the motivators for Murray, who really knows? Knowing when mining operations ceased on his land and how that fits the overall timeline would be useful but at the time the bridge was built, local gold production was minimal at best. The known facts are: • The railway line came to Eltham in 1902. • The extension of the railway from Eltham to Hurstbridge was constructed in 1912 so no railway line even existed through Murray's property until 1912 and the Victorian Railways maps at the time show no such siding on Murray’s property. • In 1923 a new company was formed in anticipation of the old Diamond Creek Gold Mine being re-opened. The mine had been previously closed and flooded. It was noted in the press at the time that the mine was within a mile of the railway. Nothing really came of this. • Construction of Murrays Bridge was commenced by James Murray in early 1929 in anticipation of a proposed flag station being nominated on his land, but work ceased shortly afterwards. The proposed flag station was commonly referred to as Glen Park as the residents of the Glen Park Estate wanted Option 1, located near them with the platform adjacent to Colemans corner. This was probably never going to fly as it was virtually in eyesight of Eltham station. Allandale Road was the third option, but the Commissioners' preferred option was No. 2 - on Murray's property. • The Railway Commissioners were not going to finance any such station and the works had to be funded by private landowners and residents, hence Murray investing in this himself. • Murray recommenced work two years later and finished his bridge in 1931 but unfortunately for him, the proposed flag station never eventuated. The bluestone siding you reference may well have been built by Murray as part of the proposed station platform. • Up until then, apart from the Main Road bridge, which was washed away in 1924, virtually all local crossings over the Diamond Creek were low lying bridges – Kaylocks Bridge at Brougham Street, Diamond Street bridge, Glen Park Road bridge. It is expected that Murray also had a low-lying bridge to connect his land either side of the creek. These were all washed away or severely damaged multiple times in the 1920s. Lessons were learnt, and Murrays Bridge appears to have been built in accordance with Country Road Board standards of the time. Flood damage was ongoing, and even more recently constructed raised bridges kept getting washed away, e.g., the new Wattle Tree Road bridge in 1958 just months after completion. Murray’s bridge was reinforced with steel some 30 years ago presumably to provide additional floodwater resistance, given the history of bridges disappearing in floodwaters. • In March 1932 it was reported in the Advertiser that there were still some prospectors operating around Eltham North who apart from further scarring the face of the earth over the previous two years had gained significant experience but little gold - hardly a driving factor for constructing a dedicated railway siding and bridge to transfer gold ore. It is far more probable that James Murray was hoping to have the railway station located on his property and invested his money by building the bridge to lead to it as well as a station platform. Had the station eventuated, it may well have driven up the value of his land for subdivision and new housing estates like the Glen Park Estate. That did not eventuate. Whilst the bridge was indeed old (90 years), the core structure being completed in 1931, it had been modified substantially from original and hence had no significant historic value – i.e., it was not a representative example of its type, construction, and age. Given that the bridge was not worthy of saving, the Eltham District Historical Society with Council’s support, and the Eltham Woodworkers group endeavoured to see what suitable sized timbers were salvageable to fabricate a commemorative seat. Unfortunately, the experts at the Woodworkers group were unable to salvage any suitable length/width timbers to fabricate the seat due to the presence of rot. Last remaining wooden trestle bridge on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacementBorn digital image (27)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station