Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford

This was part of a series. Inside on the front page is recorded that this was Vol 2, No 3. The newsletter is a mix of accounts of the activities of the group and more general hints and items of interest. A newsletter in the form of a booklet. The cover is printed on yellow paper and the other pages in cream. They are secured with one staple. It has been duplicated using the gestetner method. The front cover has a masthead with an inverted boomerang and indicates it is published monthly for the First Surrey Hills Scout Group. Cover illustration is of 2 boys in uniform reading the newsletter.Nilfirst surrey hills scout group, newsletters, alan rudd, r dillon, john white, rex thompson, graeme ellis, peter hoard, neil watson, b morgan, scouts

Copy of photo from Stawell Times News. B/W 16 students in background watching Ralph Sinclair in foreground about to catch his returning Boomerang. Students: Denis White, Graham Cahill, Ron Kewish, Chris Peters?, Ronald Mudra?, Donald Hutchinson?,Ron Watman (Halls Gap), Donald Hutchins?, Geoff Bonney?, Shane Friend, Dot McGonical (Teacher?), Chris Hateley, Owen Martin?.

This Monument was erected in1934,to commemorate the Centenary of the Addington district and its pioneering families. A memorial to the Aborigines in the form of a boomerang was at that time placed on a tree and later resited on the monument. Commemorating the Addington Pioneering families.A monument to commemorate the Centenary of Addington district,erected in memory of each pioneer family.A memorial in memory of the Aborigines in the Shape of a boomerang was placed on a tree at the same time. Over the years the tree died, the boomerang was resited and placed on the monument. (Boomerang)'' IN MEMORY OF THE BLACKS" (Plaque 1) " ERECTED BY A.J. BESELER IN 1994, RESITED BY LEARMONTH AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY UNVEILED ON 1-4-1990 BY Cr.A.R. McDONALD BALLARAT SHIRE PRESIDENT". (Plaque 2) " ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE PIONEERS OF ADDINGTON 1934".1934, addington pioneer monument

Silver cup trophy from the Victorian Amateur Boxing & Wrestling Association for the Annual Boxing Championships won by Collingwood Technical School in 1933. Also won by Collingwood in 1934, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947. METROPOLITAN DISTRICT / of the / Victorian Technical Schools Sports Union / CHAMPIONSHIP CUP / for the school winning the greatest number of events / at the / ANNUAL BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS / Presented by the Victorian Amateur Boxing & Wrestling Assn / 1933’ On back is a list of winners from 1933 to 1950 includes Brighton, Prahran, South Melbourne, Essendon, Oakleigh, Brunswick. collingwood technical school, trophies, boxing championship trophy 1933, students, nmit,

Wooden shield with green plastic Leviathan (7 headed dragon or Lotan) and boomerang with inscription.JUNGLE TRAINING CENTRE on boomerang

Boomerang souvenir from the Northern Territory dated 1945Brown wood in the shape of a boomerangGreetings 1945 Northern Territoryboomerang, wood, world war 2, northern territory

Boomerang. One of a collection of 25 model aircraft made by Brian Anthony DOWD The CAC Boomerang is a fighter aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation between 1942 and 1945.Small khaki plane with blue & white spots on wings & sides. Red nose.BFT model airplanes, boomerang.

A returning Boomerang is one that comes back to you when you throw it. These were used for hunting smaller creatures such as birds, but more so for sport. This type of boomerang has a simple curved shape and is much lighter than a non-returning boomerang. returning Boomerangs were only developed in the last 200 years.The necessary tools and equipment for hunting, fishing and warfare were one of the very few items that Aboriginals carried with them from place to place. Most were used for a multiplicity of purposes. Because many were made from raw natural materials, such as wood, generally only partial remains are found today. This returning boomerang is an example of a wooden tool used by the Indigenous people of Eastern Australia.A very old hand-made wooden returning boomerang that is black in colour. Very dinted.boomerang aboriginal hunting

Inspected by Joanna Freslov, archaeologist 2/6/2008. Hunting boomerangs were used by the Australian Aboriginals, mainly for injuring or killing animals or enemies. Hunting boomerangs fly at high speed close to the ground and can easily kill a small animal or knock down a larger one. As well these boomerangs were used as hand-held weapons, as musical instruments and for sport. Some of the other uses were, religious ceremonies, digging, clearing fire sites, unearthing ants and lizards. Hunting boomerangs are normally made from the curving roots of trees. (ref. boomerangshack)The necessary tools and equipment for hunting, fishing and warfare were one of the very few items that Aboriginals carried with them from place to place. Most were used for a multiplicity of purposes. Because many were made from raw natural materials, such as wood, generally only partial remains are found today. this item is an example of a hunting boomerang used by early Indigenous people in the Northern Territory.A hand carved hooked boomerang of a deep red wood. Possibly used for fighting.boomerang aboriginal hunting weapon

Students from Bulla and MIckleham Primary Schools attended a camp at Beechworth in 1988 where they undertook a number of different outdoor activities such as busk walking, fishing, visits to the Chinese Cemetery and boomerang throwing. In this photograph the children met with one of the local First Nation's people and were shown the art of boomerang throwing. This activity allowed the students to become familiar with aspects of the culture of First Nation's People.A coloured non-digital photograph of six children listening to a man who is holding a boomerang in each hand and instructing them in boomerang handling.The group are standing in a large sports ground with clubrooms nd tall trees in the background.school camps, mickleham primary school, bulla primary school, boomerang handling

[article in EDHS Newsletter No. 123, November 1998:] MUD BRICK HERITAGE EXCURSION AND THE FUTURE. A small group of members attended the excursion on 4th October. We visited a number of earth houses listed by the Eltham Heritage Study in a very pleasant day's outing. The first visit was to the home of Jenny and Brian Ellis in York Street, formerly the home of Jenny's father Professor William McMahon Ball. We were made very welcome with inspection of the inside and outside showing the various stages of construction. We then walked through the grounds of "Kinloch", the Jelbart property in Arthur Street where we saw their large mud brick house and barn. Lunch was at Marion and Russell Yeoman's house in Peter Street. This pise house was built by the Moore family in the early 1950's. In the afternoon we visited the home of artist Jenni Mitchell in Fordhams Road, one of the last examples of the work of Alistair Knox. Then we travelled to Laughing Waters Road where we saw two interesting houses owned and built by well known landscape gardener Gordon Ford. Along the way we stopped to view a number of other properties from the street.Colour photographactivities, eltham, heritage excursion, mud brick, boomerang house, laughing waters road

[article in EDHS Newsletter No. 123, November 1998:] MUD BRICK HERITAGE EXCURSION AND THE FUTURE. A small group of members attended the excursion on 4th October. We visited a number of earth houses listed by the Eltham Heritage Study in a very pleasant day's outing. The first visit was to the home of Jenny and Brian Ellis in York Street, formerly the home of Jenny's father Professor William McMahon Ball. We were made very welcome with inspection of the inside and outside showing the various stages of construction. We then walked through the grounds of "Kinloch", the Jelbart property in Arthur Street where we saw their large mud brick house and barn. Lunch was at Marion and Russell Yeoman's house in Peter Street. This pise house was built by the Moore family in the early 1950's. In the afternoon we visited the home of artist Jenni Mitchell in Fordhams Road, one of the last examples of the work of Alistair Knox. Then we travelled to Laughing Waters Road where we saw two interesting houses owned and built by well known landscape gardener Gordon Ford. Along the way we stopped to view a number of other properties from the street.Colour photographactivities, eltham, heritage excursion, mud brick, boomerang house, laughing waters road

[article in EDHS Newsletter No. 123, November 1998:] MUD BRICK HERITAGE EXCURSION AND THE FUTURE. A small group of members attended the excursion on 4th October. We visited a number of earth houses listed by the Eltham Heritage Study in a very pleasant day's outing. The first visit was to the home of Jenny and Brian Ellis in York Street, formerly the home of Jenny's father Professor William McMahon Ball. We were made very welcome with inspection of the inside and outside showing the various stages of construction. We then walked through the grounds of "Kinloch", the Jelbart property in Arthur Street where we saw their large mud brick house and barn. Lunch was at Marion and Russell Yeoman's house in Peter Street. This pise house was built by the Moore family in the early 1950's. In the afternoon we visited the home of artist Jenni Mitchell in Fordhams Road, one of the last examples of the work of Alistair Knox. Then we travelled to Laughing Waters Road where we saw two interesting houses owned and built by well known landscape gardener Gordon Ford. Along the way we stopped to view a number of other properties from the street.Colour photographactivities, eltham, heritage excursion, mud brick, boomerang house, laughing waters road

Designed by Alistair Knox and Gordon FordThirteen colour prints Cross Ref: 00649 (print) and 03182 (negative)houses, mudbrick, laughing waters road, eltham, gayle blackwood collection, alistair knox, gordon ford

Designed by Alistair Knox and Gordon FordRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 10 strips Kodak Gold 100-6 Cross Ref: 00659 (print) and 03182 (negative)gayle blackwood collection, houses, mudbrick, eltham, alistair knox, boomerang house, gordon ford, laughing waters road

Designed by Alistair Knox and Gordon FordRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 10 strips Kodak Gold 100-6gayle blackwood collection, houses, mudbrick, eltham, alistair knox, boomerang house, gordon ford, laughing waters road

Designed by Alistair Knox and Gordon FordRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 10 strips Kodak Gold 100-6gayle blackwood collection, houses, mudbrick, eltham, alistair knox, boomerang house, gordon ford, laughing waters road

Designed by Alistair Knox and Gordon FordRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 10 strips Kodak Gold 100-6gayle blackwood collection, houses, mudbrick, eltham, alistair knox, boomerang house, gordon ford, laughing waters road

Designed by Alistair Knox and Gordon FordRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 10 strips Kodak Gold 100-6gayle blackwood collection, houses, mudbrick, eltham, alistair knox, boomerang house, gordon ford, laughing waters road

Designed by Alistair Knox and Gordon FordRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 10 strips Kodak Gold 100-6gayle blackwood collection, houses, mudbrick, eltham, alistair knox, boomerang house, gordon ford, laughing waters road

Designed by Alistair Knox and Gordon FordRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 10 strips Kodak Gold 100-6 Cross Ref: 00659 (print) and 03182 (negative)gayle blackwood collection, houses, mudbrick, eltham, alistair knox, boomerang house, gordon ford, laughing waters road

Designed by Alistair Knox and Gordon FordRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 10 strips Kodak Gold 100-6 Cross Ref: 00659 (print) and 03182 (negative)gayle blackwood collection, houses, mudbrick, eltham, alistair knox, boomerang house, gordon ford, laughing waters road

Designed by Alistair Knox and Gordon FordRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 10 strips Kodak Gold 100-6 Cross Ref: 00659 (print) and 03182 (negative)gayle blackwood collection, houses, mudbrick, eltham, alistair knox, boomerang house, gordon ford, laughing waters road