Diamond Village Fish Box (fish and chips) at Diamond Village Shopping Centre, Nepean Street Watsonia.Digital copy of colour photograph.diamond village shopping centre, watsonia, diamond village fish box

Business card for a local hairdresser, Hair Headquarters, at 78-92 Nepean Street Watsonia.Business card, brown card with white text.hair headquarters, nepean street watsonia, diamond village shopping centre

Business card for a local bakery, Diamond Village Hot Bread & Cake Shop, at 78 Nepean Street Watsonia.Business card, white card with red and brown text on yellow background.nepean street watsonia, diamond village shopping centre, diamond village hot bread and cake shop

Business card for a local newsagent, Diamond Village Lotto, Cards and News, at 78 Nepean Street Watsonia.Business card, white card with multi coloured text.nepean street watsonia, diamond village shopping centre, diamond village lotto, cards and news

A redevelopment of the Diamond Village area included a multi storey apartment block which required the removal of this tree (Tree 10) on the plans. A VCAT decision ruled that the development be no higher than 4 storeys, and a maximum of 15 dwellings. This photograph shows local residents protesting at the development and removal of tree in July 2019.Digital copy of colour photographdiamond village shopping centre, diamond village, nepean street watsonia

A redevelopment of the Diamond Village area included a multi storey apartment block which required the removal of this tree (Tree 10) on the plans. A VCAT decision ruled that the development be no higher than 4 storeys, and a maximum of 15 dwellings. This photograph shows local residents protesting at the development and removal of tree in July 2019.Digital copy of colour photographsdiamond village shopping centre, diamond village, nepean street watsonia

A redevelopment of the Diamond Village area included a multi storey apartment block which required the removal of this tree (Tree 10) on the plans. A VCAT decision ruled that the development be no higher than 4 storeys, and a maximum of 15 dwellings. This photograph shows local residents placing protest signs at the base of the tree in July 2019.Digital copy of colour photographsdiamond village shopping centre, diamond village, nepean street watsonia

A redevelopment of the Diamond Village area included a multi storey apartment block which required the removal of this tree (Tree 10) on the plans. A VCAT decision ruled that the development be no higher than 4 storeys, and a maximum of 15 dwellings. This photograph shows Tree 10 in situ in July 2019.Digital copy of colour photographdiamond village shopping centre, diamond village, nepean street watsonia

A redevelopment of the Diamond Village area included a multi storey apartment block which required the removal of this tree (Tree 10) on the plans. A VCAT decision ruled that the development be no higher than 4 storeys, and a maximum of 15 dwellings. This photograph shows several GHS members at the protest in July 2019.Digital copy of colour photographsdiamond village shopping centre, diamond village, nepean street watsonia

A group of Watsonia neighbours are banding together for a supersized fight against an eight storey 'monstrosity' which would tower above the surrounding area.News article 1 page, black text, colour image.watsonia, c kairouz architects, diamond village shopping centre, nepean street greensborough

Name changed to Watsonia Compounding Pharmacy, 9/78 Nepean Street Watsonia 3087 (Diamond Village Shopping Centre)Refrigerator magnet, red, white and black print on blue"Care Pharmacy", address, phone number, opening hours and emailpharmacies

One of two pharmacies located in Diamond Village Shopping Centre Watsonia, the Watsonia Compounding Pharmacy is situated at 9/78 Nepean Street WatsoniaRefrigerator magnet, printed in blue, orange, green and black on whitepharmacies, nepean street watsonia

Neighbours in Watsonia are dismayed a beloved tree faces the chopping block after Banyule Council agreed to accept $150,000 from an architecture firm in exchange for the towering gum at Diamond Village Shopping Centre.News article 1 page, black text.diamond village, gum tree, banyule city council, c kairouz architects

Newspaper Advertising supplement: "Earn a black belt in chop" and "Fresh produce, quality service"; Get to know... Your Local Traders in Eltham, Eltham Village Shopping Centre, Valley Weekly, 22 June 2005. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 27 February 2019, Bank branch shuts doors.main road, eltham, shops, businesses, anz bank, biba, brumby's eltham, eltham goumet poultry & game, eltham travel, eltham village shopping centre, froot 2 boot, melbourne taekwondo centre, pro-health, travelscene eltham

Self guided heritage tour information produced by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society for 1978 Eltham Community Festival of 36 locations each numbered on accompanying map. Locations and detail provided current to 1978: 1. ELTHAM SHOPPING CENTRE Whilst very little remains in the centre of historical importance, this area has interest as the "village" which developed over many years following the opening of the railway from Melbourne in 1902. Previously the shopping centre had been spread out over a long length of Main Road to the south. Shops have been continuously demolished or remodelled and the majority of buildings date from the 1950's or later. The recently erected Post Office replaced the "old" Post Office opened on the same site only in 1958. 2. WOOLWORTHS ELTHAM VILLAGE Part of the site of this modern shopping development was occupied by the former Eltham Shire Offices and Hall. The hall was paid for by public subscription whilst the Council raised a loan for the offices. The combined building was opened in 1941. It served as office and Council meeting place until 1965 and as the hall until its demolition in 1970. 3. ELTHAM WAR MEMORIAL The complex of buildings adjoining the present Shire Offices were financed by public subscription as a Memorial following World War II. Their construction and for many years their operation was organised by the now disbanded Eltham War Memorial Committee. The original buildings were the; Infant Welfare Centre, Children’s Library (now War Memorial Hall and Dental Clinic) and Kindergarten. In later years the Elderly Citizens Club was built at the rear. 4. ELTHAM SHIRE OFFICES These offices were opened in 1965 and extended in 1971 to provide additional office accommodation and the Eltham Library. They represent the last of a long line of offices and meeting places of the Eltham Shire Council and its predecessor the Eltham District Road Board. The building occupies the former site of Shillinglaw Cottage. The three tall cypress trees which stood in front of the Cottage have been retained as a feature of the office surrounds. 5. OUR LADY'S CHURCH AND SCHOOL The Catholic Church and School complex opposite the Shires Offices shows a number of stages in the development of Eltham township. The recently constructed church adjoins its predecessor (now the parish centre). Many years ago the Catholic Church was located opposite Wingrove Park and the present central site follows the northerly drift of the township. 6. SHILLINGLAW COTTAGE The Cottage was built in 1859 by George Stebbing, a local builder who was responsible for a number of other prominent buildings in the area. Its removal from the site of the Shire Offices and re-erection on the present site was financed by public subscription. It is built of handmade bricks laid in Flemish Bond with an unusual design featuring burnt "leader" bricks over the whole facade. The Cottage is occupied by Eltham Fleececrafts and will be open during the Festival and at other times during weekends. It is classified by the National Trust. 7. RAILWAY BRIDGE The timber trestle bridge over the Diamond Creek was built in 1901. Whilst all of its timbers have been replaced at various times over the years the only change to its character has been the addition of pylons and wiring for electric trains in 1923. It is one of very few similar bridges remaining in the metropolitan area. In 1976 a proposal to replace the bridge with an earth embankment and large culvert pipes was abandoned following community protests. The bridge, however, remains under threat because of the necessity for future deuplication of the railway line. 8. ELTHAM CENTPAL PARK The area between the railway and the creek has for many years been used as a park which included Eltham' s main football oval. The access road, Panther Place is named after Eltham's team playing in the Diamond Valley League. In recent years a large area extending to Bridge Street and locally known as the Town Park has been landscaped and added to the area. The excellent blending of the park with the natural landscape of the creek valley has earned a National Trust Landscape Classification. 9. OLD BAKERY On the southern corner of York Street and Main Road is an old house with a shop front which was for many years the local baker's shop. The brick bakery at the rear is of somewhat later vintage than the house. 10. BRIDGE STREET CUTTING Before reconstruction of Main Road this intersection had deep cutting embankments on all four corners, forming a distinctive feature of the entrance to Eltham. Roadworks and private development have levelled the land on the low side of the road. A memorial to the Eltham soldiers of World War I which was located at the north-western corner is now situated at the Eltham R.S.L.   11. HILLTOP MILK BAR For many years this was the site of the Eltham Post Office under the control of the Hunniford family and later their descendants the Burgoynes. It was transferred to this site in 1855, although at that time the building apparently fronted Bridge Str e et. The site contained Eltham's first telephone exchange. The post office was relocated in 1954 but the shop was operated until recently by the Burgoyne family who still own the surrounding land. 12. UNITING CHURCH and former C.B.A. BANK The former Methodist Church was built in 1880 by George Stebbing. The Sunday School extension was built in 1929 and there have been more recent extensions. The adjoining opportunity shop was built as a bank in 1874 and purchased by the Methodist Church in 1954. 13. R.S.L. HALL, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE These relatively recent buildings occupy the site of a row of shops forming part of the early ribbon of business development along Main Road. In front of the R.S.L. building is the World War I Memorial relocated from the corner of Bridge Street and Main Road. 14. ELTHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE Australia's first mudbrick "community building" was opened in April this year. Part of the site of the building was purchased in 1856 by Henry Dendy (of Brighton fame). At the rear of the land near the creek was a steam flour mill whilst Dendy's house was at the Main Road frontage of the land. His purchase totalled about 2 Ha (5 acres) and included land on the opposite side of Maria Street (Main Road). Dendy became a prominent member of the Eltham community and served one term as President of the Eltham District Road Board. In 1867 Dendy sold his land and business to William Ford of Malmsbury and shifted to Walhalla. The avenue of trees leading past the Community Centre to the creek may well have bordered the track to the mill. 15. ELTHAM HOTEL The original part of this hotel was built in 1927 following the burning of the former Watson's Eltham Hotel on the same site. The car park on the opposite side of Main Road was also the site of a hotel variously known over the years as; the Fountain of Friendship, the Fountain and the Evelyn Arms. As the Fountain of Friendship it was the first meeting place of the Eltham District Road Board in 1856. 16. ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH, PITT STREET In 1860 Henry Dendy was appointed Chairman of a committee to establish a church of England in Eltham. He donated part of his land in Pitt Street and in 1861 the church was opened. It was built by George Stebbing and remains in a well preserved state today. Th adjoining old vicarage is now named Dendy Hou se. A new mudbrick church hall is under construction on the site. The church and Dendy House are now listed on the Register of Historic Buildings. 17. NO. 86 PITT STREET Cottage built by George Stebbing and believed to be his home for some years in the 1850s. 18. LIVING AND LEARNING CENTRE The house was built in the 1850s with the kitchen at the front being added about 40 years later. By the creek below the house a number of early Eltham industries were located. These included a tannery and a brewery. 19. ELTHAM COURT HOUSE A Court of Petty Sessions was established in Eltham in 1858 and the present building dates from 1860. It is the oldest public building remaining in Eltham. In its early days the building was used as the meeting place and office of the Eltham District Road Board and as an overflow classroom for the local school. The Court House has been classified by the National Trust. The citation states that it is an example of the simple form of early brick Court House with gabled roof and porch. 20. LANDS DEPARTMENT OFFICE This building is the former police station and is probably of about the same age as the Court House. The lockup at the rear has been demolished but the old stables remain as garages. A licence was first granted for a police station at Eltham in 1856. 21. JARROLD COTTAGE The old Cottage opposite Dalton Street was formerly owned by the Jarrold family. Early records indicate that this was the building leased from the Jarrolds as a temporary police station prior to construction of the building on the corner of Brougham Street. The small building on the corner of the property was used as a boot repairer's shop. The elevated studio at the rear is a more recent construction by the present owners. 22. STATE SCHOOL RESIDENCE Erected in 1891 23. WINGROVE COTTAGE This building fills an important place in the history of Eltham and is now used as a medical clinic. It was built in 1858 for Charles S. Wingrove who was Secretary to the Eltham District Road Board and Shire Council from 1858 to 1904. During part of this period he was also Shire Engineer and was Secretary to the Heidelberg Road Board. The house was used as the office of the Board and Council for many years. Wingrove is buried in the cemetery at St. Helena.   24. WINGROVE PARK The parkland opposite Wingrove Cottage has been named after Charles Wingrove. The old Manna Gums are an outstanding feature of the park. 25. ELTHAM FRI.MARY SCHOOL NO. 209 The school first opened in the slab building in 1855 and operated from the present site since 1857. The oldest part of the present school is the stone building erected in 1876. The first school teacher, David Clark remained at the school until 1888. This school is the government township and has always been known as the Eltham School. An earlier school (no.371) known as Little Eltham School operated in Swan Street from 1853 to 1872. 26. "SHOESTRING" This house was built for school teacher David Clark. It has been extensively extended in recent years but the extensions do not detract from the character of the older part of the building. 27. ELTHAM CEMETERY The cemetery contains the graves of many of the district's pioneers . 28. MONTSALVAT This unique complex of buildings was commenced in 1935 by the late Justus Jorgensen and its development has extended over many years. Montsalvat has exerted a significant impact on Eltham The earth and stone construction of many of the buildings has influenced local architecture to a great extent and it has served as a "nerve centre" of the local artistic community. Montsalvat is open to the public for a small charge. 29. MAIN ROAD BRIDGE This location has been the main crossing of Diamond Creek since the earliest days of settlement. The present concrete bridge was erected in 1925 .and was preceded by a number of timber bridges. 30. ELTHAM LOWER PARK This park, being an unusually large flat area for Eltham, was originally the local racecourse. Horse races were held here from 1855 and the area was gazetted as a reserve for a racecourse and recreation reserve in 1857. The park is well known as a venue for school "bird days" and more recently as the site of the Diamond Valley Railway. This miniature railway features scale models of modern and old locomotives and rolling stock and has operated on this site since 1961 . Before that the railway operated at Chelsworth Park, Ivanhoe.   31. FALKINER HOUSE Frederick Falkiner was one of the earliest settlers in the Eltham township area and occupied a substantial leasehold prior to the first land sales. Early records show that Falkiner was the subject of a number of complaints from his neighbours but he has nevertheless been considered a prominent enough citizen to have a street named for him. This house was the home of Evelyn (Ely) Falkiner a member of Frederick's family. 32. WEST HOUSE Behind the large house on the hill is an early house built by the West family. This was relocated from a site near the front of the land by the present owner Mr. Fabbro. 33. FALKINER HOUSE This very old house is believed to have been the home of Frederick and may have been Eltham's first post office. Falkiner was the first post master for a short period. in 1854/55. 34. WITHERS HOUSE This house was the home of famous artist Walter Withers who shifted here from Heidelberg in 1903. 35. ELTHAM HIGH SCHOOL This school celebrated its jubilee this year, having commenced as the Eltham Higher Elementary School 50 years ago. 36. DIAMOND CREEK FOOTWAY If returning from the High School to the town centre the footpath by the bank of the Diamond Creek provides a pleasant route to finish your walk. The creek is a major tributary of the Yarra River. Together with its own major tributaries Arthurs Creek and Running Creek it commences on the southern slopes of the Dividing Range at Kinglake. It gives the name Diamond Valley to an area extending well beyond its actual drainage catchment.Recognition of the significance of various landmarks to the history of the Eltham community as of 1978‘shoestring’, 1978, bridge street cutting, burgoyne store, c.b.a. bank, diamond creek trail, eltham cemetery, eltham central park, eltham community centre, eltham community festival, eltham court house, eltham festival, eltham high school, eltham hotel, eltham lower park, eltham primary school, eltham railway trestle bridge, eltham shire offices, eltham shopping centre, eltham state school no. 209, eltham village, eltham war memorial, falkiner house, heritage trail, hilltop milk bar, jarrold cottage, lands department office, living, living and learning centre, main road bridge, montsalvat, old bakery, our eltham artistic recollections, our lady help of christian’s church, our lady help of christian’s primary school, pitt street, post office, r.s.l. hall, shillinglaw cottage, st margaret’s church, state school residence, stebbing cottage, telephone exchange, uniting church, west house, wingrove cottage, wingrove park, withers house, woolworths

Event program, 101 events, Friday, August 10th through Sunday, August 17th and local advertisers: 1979, Alan Marshall (Pioneers and Painters), Aljon, Artist Showcase, Beth Knight, Bimbi World, Briar Hill Timber & Trading, Chantelle Boutique, Classic Fireplace & Rangehood Centre, Country Art Store, Debonaire Air Conditioning Pty Ltd, Diamond Valley Bathroom & Plumbing Centre, Diamond Valley Drapes, Diamond Valley News, Diamond Valley Windscreens, Eccacentre, Economy Timber & Hardware, Edens Hobbycraft & Art Supplies, Eltham Community Festival, Eltham Festival, Eltham Fun Run, Eltham Gallery, Eltham Hardware & Plumbing Supplies Pty Ltd, eltham hotel, Eltham Living and Learning Centre, Eltham Produce Store, Eltham Village Shopping Centre, Grimshaw Motor Cycles, Halchem, Kenton Footwear, L.T. Cabinets, Lamers Construction Pty Ltd, Lovittools, Maggie Lorraine, Marion & Julian Bruere, Montmorency Hardware, Montmorency Pets, Pegasus Interiors, Penguin Drycleaners, Pioneers and Painters, Program, R & S Slocum Floorcovering Pty Ltd, R.F. & D.M. Kidd, Sa Boutique, Siri Omberg, Skybeam Antennas, Specialised Sleep Centre, Style Interiors, The Living Water Bookshop, Thompsons Amcal Pharmacy, Valley Tiffany Lighting, Vonni’s, W. Hutchison16 pages, stapled, coloured1979, alan marshall (pioneers and painters), aljon, artist showcase, beth knight, bimbi world, briar hill timber & trading, chantelle boutique, classic fireplace & rangehood centre, country art store, debonaire air conditioning pty ltd, diamond valley bathroom & plumbing centre, diamond valley drapes, diamond valley news, diamond valley windscreens, eccacentre, economy timber & hardware, edens hobbycraft & art supplies, eltham community festival, eltham festival, eltham fun run, eltham gallery, eltham hardware & plumbing supplies pty ltd, eltham hotel, eltham living and learning centre, eltham produce store, eltham village shopping centre, grimshaw motor cycles, halchem, kenton footwear, l.t. cabinets, lamers construction pty ltd, lovittools, maggie lorraine, marion & julian bruere, montmorency hardware, montmorency pets, pegasus interiors, penguin drycleaners, pioneers and painters, program, r & s slocum floorcovering pty ltd, r.f. & d.m. kidd, sa boutique, siri omberg, skybeam antennas, specialised sleep centre, style interiors, the living water bookshop, thompsons amcal pharmacy, valley tiffany lighting, vonni’s, w. hutchison, eltham phoenix club

Shire of Eltham Archives: Series 69, Item 4 This video was produced for the Shire of Eltham by IMP Productions and provides a description of the shire, 277 square km on a north/northeast axis, some 25 km northeast of the centre of Melbourne with a population of around 40,000. Scenes include Yarra River, rural settings and urban settings, housing estates, Shillinglaw Cottage, Pigeon Bank at Kangaroo Ground, the Eltham Railway Trestle Bridge with reference to the fight by locals in the 1970s to save it from replacement, Montsalvat, mudbrick making and its use as a building material, the use of mudbrick in the Eltham Community Centre blending harmoniously with the environment. Emphasises people living in the area due to the qualities of life provided. Also the Living and Learning Centre, St Andrews Markets and other local markets, the Eltham Leisure Centre, cricket and horse riding at Eltham Lower Park, the Infant Welfare Centre (part of the Eltham War Memorial), how residents are mindful of protecting their historical heritage, the CBA bank and Allwood House at Hurstbridge, Tracey Naughton about the Eltham "As we are" Community Banner project and the “River of Life banner”, the Parks and Gardens office in the former Police Residence building (now the Local History Centre), Alistair Knox Park, road planning and types of roads, tree canopy, Peck's Dam, green carparks, road drainage, Gordon Ford's garden and natural landscapes, and Were Street shops in Montmorency. Planning for shopping facilities and carparks with a population of 40,000 growing to 55,000, Arthur Street Mall and carpark, local village feel in the shopping centre. Councillors and Council staff featured include Mary Grant, Bob Manuell, Rodney Roschellor, John Cohen, Alan Baker. Also scenes of Commercial Place, Diamond Valley Railway, Eltham Galley, Riverclay and canoeing on the Yarra intermingled with images of the shire from the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph collection.VHS Video cassette Converted to MP4 file format 00:11:56; 79MBshire of eltham, video recording, shire of eltham archives, alistair knox park, allwood house, arthur street, arthur street mall, bob manuell, canoeing, carparks, cba bank, commercial place, council staff, councillors, cr. mary grant, cricket, diamond valley railway, eltham community banner project, eltham community centre, eltham galley, eltham leisure centre, eltham living and learning centre, eltham lower park, eltham railway trestle bridge, eltham war memorial, gordon ford garden, horse riding, housing estates, hurstbridge, infant welfare centre, john cohen, kangaroo ground, local history centre, montmorency, montsalvat, mudbrick, parks and gardens, peck's dam, pigeon bank, police residence, river of life banner, riverclay, road drainage, road planning, rodney roschellor, shillinglaw cottage, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, st andrews market, tracey naughton, tree canopy, were street, yarra river, alan baker

Shows an early Judge Book building and the Diamond Street railway crossing.In February 1968 an unknown person took a series of photos from the Eltham Hotel at Pitt Street heading north along Main Road through the shopping centre to just north of Elsa Court covering the length of the section of Main Road which was duplicated shortly thereafter. Shows the condition and environment of the streesscape of Main Road, Eltham immediately prior to the duplication between Pitt Street and Elsa Court through the shopping centre. Also shows a number of shops and businesses that operated at that time.Black and white photographduplication, eltham, main road, diamond street, railway line, railway crossing, judge book village

Shows houses on Main Road and Cecil Street across Main Road from Diamond Street.In February 1968 an unknown person took a series of photos from the Eltham Hotel at Pitt Street heading north along Main Road through the shopping centre to just north of Elsa Court covering the length of the section of Main Road which was duplicated shortly thereafter. Shows the condition and environment of the streesscape of Main Road, Eltham immediately prior to the duplication between Pitt Street and Elsa Court through the shopping centre. Also shows a number of shops and businesses that operated at that time.Black and white photographduplication, eltham, main road, diamond street, railway line, railway crossing, cecil street, judge book village

The watercourse passes under the road and railway at this point. Significant flash flooding occurred along this water course on Christmas Day 2011 causing significant damage to the railway line and road and flooding of Judge Book Village. In February 1968 an unknown person took a series of photos from the Eltham Hotel at Pitt Street heading north along Main Road through the shopping centre to just north of Elsa Court covering the length of the section of Main Road which was duplicated shortly thereafter. Shows the condition and environment of the streesscape of Main Road, Eltham immediately prior to the duplication between Pitt Street and Elsa Court through the shopping centre. Also shows a number of shops and businesses that operated at that time.Black and white photographduplication, eltham, main road, diamond street, bible street reserve, watercourse, drainage

The watercourse passes under the road and railway at this point. Significant flash flooding occurred along this water course on Christmas Day 2011 causing significant damage to the railway line and road and flooding of Judge Book Village. The drain was swept away including the support pillars of the rail lines timber framework. Judge Book Village had some 40 units flooded before the water entered Diamond Creek. The water had flowed down and flooded Valonia Drive then Grove Street before flowing down the watercourse to Main RoadIn February 1968 an unknown person took a series of photos from the Eltham Hotel at Pitt Street heading north along Main Road through the shopping centre to just north of Elsa Court covering the length of the section of Main Road which was duplicated shortly thereafter. Shows the condition and environment of the streesscape of Main Road, Eltham immediately prior to the duplication between Pitt Street and Elsa Court through the shopping centre. Also shows a number of shops and businesses that operated at that time.Black and white photographduplication, eltham, main road, diamond street, watercourse, drainage, railway line

Nillumbik Shire Council transferred to the former Diamond Valley Shire Offices in Greensborough after municipal restructuing. The offices became the official Nillumbik Shire Council Offices on 16 October 1995. The former Shire of Diamond Valley Civic Centre or Shire Office building was officially opened on 26th February 1972. Archtiects were A.K. Lines, McFarlane & Marshall and it was built by L.U. Simon Pty Ltd, The Diamond Valley Shire had been created in 1964 from part of the City of Heidelberg. On December 15, 1994 the Shire of Nillumbik was established. Under the Council amalgamations imposed by the Kennett government, the Shire of Eltham, Shire of Diamond Valley and City of Heidelberg ceased to exist with the establishment of Nillumbik Shire Council and the City of Banyule.The new Nillumbik shire surrended the west riding from Eltham to Banyule but in place gained parts of the former Diamond Valley Shire which itself had been created in 1964 from parts of the City of Heidelberg. Three unelected and non-local Commissioners were put in place by the government bringing democracy into question by many members of the local community. The Commissioners determined to abandon the former Shire of Eltham offices located in Main Road, Eltham and in turn occupy the former Shire of Diamond Valley offices located at the boundary of the new shire with Banyule, in Civic Drive, Greensborough. In July 1996 the Commissioners sold the former Eltham Shire Offices and had them bulldozed leading to many years of communiity protest over the process and future development applications. The site has remained vacant ever since. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p43 It was the need for roads that led to this district’s first council. In 1853 a committee was formed to improve the rough roads, some in Kangaroo Ground being almost impassable in winter.1 The committee fundraised by voluntary levies and grants to improve in particular, the main road between Kangaroo Ground and the Plenty River. From this committee arose the Eltham District Road Board, in 1856, which was the precursor to the Eltham Shire Council. The Board’s first chairman was Kangaroo Ground farmer, John Barr. Secretary was the former committee’s secretary, Andrew Ross, Kangaroo Ground’s first school teacher, and founder of the district newspaper, The Evelyn Observer.2 Most of the board’s income came from a toll-house north of the Lower Plenty Bridge, which funded such projects as a road from Kangaroo Ground to the Caledonia Diggings. In 1871 the Shire of Eltham was proclaimed, with its boundaries the same as those of the Road Board, and Councillor A Donaldson of Kangaroo Ground was the first president. Eltham was at the southern tip of the shire, which extended north to Kinglake and east beyond Yarra Glen. In 1878, part of Kinglake was added to the shire, while the area east of Watts River, near Healesville was removed. In 1912, then again in 1958, the shire was further reduced. Yarra Glen, Steels Creek, Tarrawarra, parts of Healesville and Christmas Hills, were transferred to the Shire of Healesville. In 1972 a smaller area, at Kinglake, was transferred to the Shire of Yea, leaving 277 square kilometres in the Eltham Shire. Perhaps no other Victorian municipality has had so many meeting places. Although from 1858 to 1904, the council convened at the office in the home of Secretary Charles Wingrove, the board, and later the council, also met at other more central locations.3 The board moved from the Fountain of Friendship Hotel to the Eltham Courthouse, to the Kangaroo Ground schoolhouse. It then met at the Kangaroo Ground Hotel, which some considered put it in danger of interruptions by people ‘the worse for liquor’.4 In 1885 the council met at the hall on Mr J Donaldson’s land at Kangaroo Ground. After Wingrove’s retirement, the council rented space at the Kangaroo Ground General Store and Post Office. Then, in 1917, the council bought the former office of The Evelyn Observer, after its printing works transferred to Hurstbridge. In 1934, fire destroyed the shire office, which was temporarily relocated to the Kangaroo Ground home of Shire Secretary, Mr P J McMahon. In 1941, the shire office moved to a new building (which included a public hall) in Eltham, at the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, where the Eltham Village Shopping Centre was eventually built. Growth required new offices, which opened in 1965, on the former Shillinglaw property in Main Road.5 In 1994, as part of municipal restructuring under the Jeff Kennett Liberal Government, most of the Eltham Shire formed part of the new Shire of Nillumbik. It joined with the north section of the Diamond Valley Shire and parts of the Healesville and Whittlesea municipalities. The Diamond Valley Shire had been created in 1964, from part of the City of Heidelberg. Turbulence followed Nillumbik Shire’s formation. Under the Commissioners the council transferred to the former Diamond Valley Shire offices in Greensborough, and the Eltham council offices were demolished. In March 1997 the first five-member Nillumbik Council was elected. But, in October 1998, the government suspended the council and appointed an administrator . Early in 1999, shire residents voted to increase councillors to nine: comprising five ward councillors and four shire-wide councillors. Elections were held in March 1999. Then, before the March 2002 elections, nine new wards were created.6 In 2008 these were reduced to seven. Today [2008] the council governs a varied population of more than 60,000 people living in townships and on bush properties in the green wedge.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, greensborough, nillumbik shire council offices, civic drive

Newspaper article: unidentified possibly Diamond Valley News, November 1970: The old hall goes, photograph of old shire hall part-demolished. Newspaper article: unidentified possibly Diamond Valley News, November 1970: Bad break for hurt youth, Peter Cockrane injured in car accident. Letter Eltham Film Society to Eltham Historical Society, 18 May 1972: Advising of demolition threat to building housing Ashrill Cinema. Newspaper article: The Valley Voice, 19 October 1978, A birds eye view, Lands Department photograph at 15,500 feet, Alistair Knox quoted re style of Eltham arcade in contrast to shopping centres, advertisements for local businesses. Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley News, 27 May 1980, Eltham Village Music Centre. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley News, 10 September 1985, Supermarket is now here, photograph of Main Road looking north from corner Dudley Street. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley News, 10 September 1985, Woolworths Arcade Eltham, 14th birthday Sell-a-bration! photograph of Woolworth site. Photocopy advertising flier Coles Eltham and Arcade shops, 1 December 1999. Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley News, 16 November 1994, Application for Planning Permit. Newspaper article: Nillumbik Mail, 26 July 2000, A GST-free shop, Eltham Village Fruit Barn. Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley Leader, 22 June 2005, Alta Vita restaurant. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 6 July 2005, Skin care for individuals, Ella Bache, Shop 8. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 27 July 2005, Great all day food and service, Alta Vita Cafe/Bar/Restaurant, owner Anna Carlucci. Newspaper advertisement: Valley Weekly, 17 August 2005, Brumby's Bakery. Newspaper article: Valley Weekly, 17 August 2005, Plus for rides, Traders charged up to help scooter users, power points will be provided in Eltham shopping district for scooter and electric wheelchair users, photograph of Bronnie Hattam, Angela Lampard and Bob Bruce. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 28 March 2007, Fine touch for jewellery, Magenta Creative Jewellery, owners Kate Maroney and Andrew Rose. Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley Leader, 30 July 2008, Fine Fruit of Eltham shop. Appointment Card (x3): 2017, no date, 2023, Ella Bache Eltham. Newspaper advertisement: Leader Associated Newspapers, Eltham Centenary Supplement, March 30, 1971, Safewaymain road, eltham, property, shops, businesses, eltham shire hall, ashrill cinema, alistair knox, eltham arcade, gordon ford, eltham village music centre, woolworth supermarket eltham, k g mcgorlick (real estate) pty ltd, bimbi baby wear, kinderplay, eltham hardware & plumbing supplies pty ltd, e j doherty pty ltd, cafe de chine, eltham hotel, manser meats, gordon knight discounts, bill penna pharmacy, eltham village radio and tv, gilbertsons, eedens art supplies, penguin dry cleaners, bend of isles shop, jeaneration shop, pauls cycles and sports, eltham bread inn, sussans shop, lenards hair care, grant taylor shop, eltham village fruit barn, madeleine's cake ship and bakery, eltham gourmet poultry and game, ella bache eltham, alta vita cafe bar restaurant, anna carlucci, brumby's bakery eltham, kip mcgrath education centre eltham, biba hairdresser eltham, just sport eltham, gifts of elegance shop eltham, bronnie hattam, angela lampard, bob bruce, magenta creative jewellery, kate maroney, andrew rose, fine fruit of eltham shop, safeway supermarket