Mrs Grace Irvine was born in 1907 as one of eight children to the Shennan family in Silver Creek, a town three kilometres east of Beechworth that was considered a part of the town. Her father was a 'wood-carter', contracted to deliver wood to the mining dredges at Silver Creek and the Mayday Hills asylum. Wife to Dick, and mother to four children, Mrs Irvine spent her life in Beechworth, recalling many transformations in its history and living through wars and the Depression. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke.The oral history record of Mrs Grace Irvine is a rare and representative insight into life in Beechworth from the turn of the 20th century to the 21st century, specifically in the descriptions of the everyday, commerce, business, family, and leisure activities for residents of the town throughout war-time and the Depression. Mrs Irvine's recollections have a social value to the Irvine family who have a long enduring history with Beechworth, and so also provide significance to the social and cultural history of the town. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.Mrs Grace Irvine /listen to what they say, beechworth, oral history, burke museum, irvine, grace irvine

This item was used on P.C. Toby Nixon and Grace Nixon's farm, "Rolling Downs" at Bete Bolong. During WW11 the farm grew carrots, red beet, cabbages, beans and maize. Because of labour shortages the government built a Prisoner of War Camp on Russell's Hill. The manager, Dick Northrope, used three Italian prisoners to frill ring small trees and shrubs between crop harvesting. The introduction of ‘frill ringing’ and poisoning with arsenical tree killers in the 1940's and 1950's helped reduce the amount of labour required and trees on more country were treated. This enabled the hill country at Bete Bolong to become more productive. The dead trees and shrubs were later cleared by Erle Broome's D7 caterpillar bulldozer. This was the first big area of 230 acres to be cleared in the Orbost district. Soon after entering World War 11 Australia was asked by Britain to accept and guard large numbers of 'enemy aliens' and prisoners of war. The British government felt that it could not afford to feed large numbers of prisoners and it was believed that once in Australia the internees would have no chance of escape. Eager to show solidarity with Britain's cause, Australia readily agreed and decided to place the prisoners in a number of different camps scattered around the country and guard them with reservists and soldiers too unfit to serve overseas. There was an internment camp at Bete Bolong, Orbost. This item is an example of an item used by the Italian P.O.W.'s residing there. It is also an example of an agricultural tool not commonly used today.A galvanized iron watering can which has been used to hold poison for ring barking trees (possibly arsenic). It has a narrow spout. There is a handle at the back and a folding handle on the top. The top is conical with an opening for a cork. agriculture prisoner-of-war-camp tree-removal land-clearing

These forms were used by Hector G. Pow's Sawmiller Company in Newmerella ( Henty's & Pow). Pow's had a mill at Cabbage Tree as well. Hec Pow and his father sold the Newmerella mill to Henry Silverberg and Les Grace. The mill is currently owned by Mectec.Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years. The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and many of the mills have closed. This item reflects a time when that industry was a significant contributor to the economy of the district.Thirty dark green hard-backed folders with black spines and silver metal fastenings, containing wages sheets for employees of POW's Sawmills P/L. All have labels with "POW's Sawmills P/L" and dates of wages sheets included. They are hand-written.

These forms were used by Henry's Timber Company in Newmerella. Hec Pow and his father sold the Newmerella mill to Henry Silverberg and Les Grace. The mill is currently owned by Mectec.Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years. The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and many of the mills have closed. This item reflects a time when that industry was a significant contributor to the economy of the district.Twenty-eight dark green hard-backed folders, with black spines and silver metal fastenings, containing wages sheets for employees of Henry's Timber Co Pty Ltd.All have labels with "Henry's Timber Co Pty Ltd" and dates of wages sheets included. They are hand-written.timber-industry-orbost henry's-timber-company

These plans were used by POW Sawmills, Newmerella, probably owned at the time by Henry's Timber Company. Hec Pow and his father sold the Newmerella mill to Henry Silverberg and Les Grace. The mill is currently owned by Mectec.Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years. The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and many of the mills have closed. This item reflects a time when that industry was a significant contributor to the economy of the district.Eight large plans for various sections of POW's at Newmerella. The plans were drawn up for Bonang Timbers and Bowman.2317.2 - on back in pen "REC 24/9/80" 2317.3 - on back in red pen "INCOMPLETE SET OF PLANS" ; sticker with "Shire of Orbost Compulsory Inspection" 2317.5 - "DODD" in red ink (John H. Dodd Pty Ltd)

"The first Presbyterian Church service was conducted at the Orbost Station Homestead in 1885, during a visit by Sir William Clarke, who was accompanied by two ministers. The organist was resident Grace Jennings Carmichael. Services were later held in Mr J. W. Borland’s shop and the Mechanics Hall. In 1887, the land on which the church now stands was purchased from Mr James Hossack snr, for £50 ($100). The trustees were Mr John, Peter and Hugh Cameron, Mr John A Watt and Mr James Hossack Jnr. Timber from Richardson’s Tabbara Mill was used by builder Mr R. P. Cameron and at a cost of £311.3.7 ($622) the church was opened January 9th 1898." (from Newsletter 90 Margaret Smith) In 1928 the Sunday School hall was added to the church. Mr R.P. Cameron was the contractor for both the manse and the church. The first communion service was held on July 17 1892. the Presbyterian Church was commenced in Orbost in 1855 when the Reverend Chas Attwood was settled in pastoral charge.This is a pictorial record of the Presbyterian Church in Orbost as it was in the mid 20th century. It is now the Orbost Uniting Church hall, known as St Andrews Hall,A black /white postcard photograph of the Orbost Presbyterian Church, a wooden structure with a wooden picket fence at the front and trees on right and left sides. on back - " H Gap, Presbyterian Church Orbost"presbyterian-church-orbost religion

Patriotic Fund Raising days were held in order to raise money and support for the soldiers fighting overseas. In the photograph are L to R: Marion Gilbert; Annie Nixon; Jean Cameron; Hattie Nixon and Grace Cameron' The Australian Red Cross Society (ARCS) was formed just after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, originally as a branch of the British Red Cross. It came into being as a branch of the British Red Cross Society on August 13th 1914 to succour the wounded in the First World War.This is a contemporary record of a significant event in Orbost. It reflects the involvement of Orbost, a small town, in the efforts of the Australian Red Cross Society to provide comforts to soldiers during World war 1.A black / white photograph / postcard of four ladies and one little girl dressed in Red Cross outfits standing in front of a cart loaded with patriotic goods for sale. A sign on the cart has ":SOLDIERS' COMFORTS" on iton back is a list of namesorbost-red-cross ww1

This photograph shows a group of WW1 returned soldiers at a special dinner which was held at the old show ground. Those in the photograph are: Frank Cowell; Jack Irving; Les Waller; Tom Martin; Dick Beattie; Bill Russell; Bill Cowell; Dave Williams; Col Cameron; Bert Shaw; Jack Gluth; Henry Thomas; Alec Butters; Mrs A. G. Nixon; Nell Cameron; Grace Cameron; Ivy Richrdson; Nita WinchesterThis is a contemporary pictorial record of a significant event in Orbost. This item, associated with WW1 is a reminder of the involvement of the Orbost men who served in that conflict and the appreciation of their efforts by the Orbost communityA long black / white photograph of a large group of men sitting at tables having a meal . There are some women standing behind them. They are outdoors. The photo is in a light pink wooden frame under glass. 1010.2 is a copy.at front on paper label - "A DINNER GIVEN TO RETURNED SOLDIERS OF 1914 - 1918 WAR" and a list of names.armed-services ww1 orbost-soldiers

This food flask belonged to P C Toby and Grace Nixon of "Macclesfield", Jarrahmond. It was used for carrying food for bean and maize pickers and maize threshing crews during the period 1945-1950.The Orbost area was once a large bean growing area as the fertile snowy River flats produced good quality beans. Maize is still grown in the area.A large blue metal food flask. It has a screw off lid and a red vacuum seal top. It has a thin metal handle with a black plug in the base.On base-Made in Hong Kong Freezenhot Bottle Co.flask food-preservation macclesfield nixon-toby agriculture

This was owned by Grace Cameron.Donor, Grace Cameron, was daughter of John Cameron who in 1875 selected first land on the Snowy River flats. He was married to Elizabeth Roadknight.A gold plated hat pin with gold wire coils and a pearl bobble on the top.hat-pin cameron-grace millinery hair-accessories

Donor, Grace Cameron, was daughter of John Cameron who in 1875 selected first land on the Snowy River flats. Married Elizabeth Roadknight.Small red glass moulded dish. Symmetrical square design with small red handle on one side.glass dish domestic crockery cameron

Donor, Grace Cameron, was daughter of John Cameron who in 1875 selected first land on the Snowy River flats. Married Elizabeth Roadknightsmall green and white Wedgewood biscuit barrel with silver plated rim. Lid is missing.biscuit-barrel container domestic ceramic cameron

Gramophone cylinders, black, 6 grooves on interior stored in cardboard round container with detachable lid. Edison Amberol Record, made and sold by National Phonograph Co. at Orange N.J. U.S.A. Song: 4M-201 Dearie, Will Graceflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, gramophone cylinders, edison amberol, national phonograph co, dearie, will grace

This is a photograph of a fishing party at Marlo, East Gippsland, in 1936. On the back is a description written by Ruby Richardson. Ruby Richarson was born 1902 in Orbost. Her father was Albert Eli and mother Lettice Tomlinson. Ruby had sisters, Mary Agnes Jessie born 1897 and Grace Jane born 1905. Albert Eli Richardson, died in 1851 aged 90i Orbost, His father was given as George Samuel Richardson and mother Jane Farndon, (research - Lois Crisp) The first settler to occupy the Marlo township area was James Stirling around the year 1875. He built a bark hut on the bluff that had two rooms, bark walls, earthen floors and a shingle roof. By 1884, this structure had expanded to a 9 roomed accommodation house and in 1886 became the Marlo Hotel when a liquor license was granted The Governor-in-Council declared Marlo to be a township on 18 February 1889. During May 1889, the government surveyor, E.L. Bruce set out 19 sections of the new township, with the first sales of subdivided land occurring the following May. At this time, Stirling's Marlo Hotel was the unofficial hub for the community. It was a general store, accommodation house and the unofficial post office, with settlers taking turns in bringing the mail from Orbost or Cunningham. This continued until Aug 1942, and in 1969 was located in a house adjacent to the Marlo Hotel, before being transferred to the Marlo General Store in this year. The official Post Office List states the Marlo Post Office opened around 1902.[ In 1925, the "Marlo House" (a nine room accommodation guest house) was granted a liquor licence. The "Marlo House" became "The Marlo Hotel". The Marlo Hotel was popular with many Orbost and district settlers, who travelled to Marlo by horseback or buggy. Marlo has always been a popular destination for fishermen. A small black / white photograph of a group of men and women on a small boat.on back - "Fishing party..................Ruby Richardson"marlo-fishing recreation-fishing

This photograph is of Toby Nixon (Percival Charles Nixon) and Lexie Nixon, his sister. It was taken at the Roll Call for the "Back To Orbost" celebrations in 1937. Toby Nixon was born on 27.3.1902. He was the of George and Emily Nixon. Married to Grace Forbes, he farmed maize at Jarrahmond as well as wheat at Buchan. He was an active member of the Maize Growers Association, helping to create the Maize Board. He was also a director of the Seed Bean Board for many years. His sister, Lexie, married Edward Fortescue Abbott. (more information in "From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point" by Peter Nixon.) This photograph is associated with the Nixon family which contributed greatly to the history of the Orbost district. Toby Nixon was a well-respected Orbost identity.A black / white photograph of a man and a woman on a horse. Behind them is a foal.

Link to 524. Grace Elizabeth Jennings Carmichael (1867-1904), poet and nurse, was born on 24 February 1867 at Ballarat, Victoria, daughter of Archibald Carmichael, a miner from Perthshire, Scotland, and his wife Margaret Jennings, née Clark, from Cornwall, England. . About 1880 the family moved to Gippsland where Henderson managed a station near Orbost. Grace learned to love the Gippsland forest. She began to express in verse her understanding of the sights, scents and sounds of the bush, often writing in some remote clearing, her manuscripts stored for privacy in a hollow trunk. The Bairnsdale Advertiser published her first story, and the Weekly Times an early poem; then on 28 November 1885 her poem 'The Old Maid' was published in the Australasian under her pen name Jennings Carmichael. Encouraged by its editor, David Watterston, Grace sent nearly all her subsequent verse to that newspaper. (Read more by Lindsay Gardiner in Australian Dictionary of Biography.)This is significant to the Orbost region in that it is associated with a woman who is certainly our foremost female poet.A framed photograph of a plaque above a photograph of head and shoulders of a woman. They are framed in a gold wooden frame and mounted on a light brown buff card.carmichael-jennings-grace poet memorial-plaque memento

Originally stored at Ringwood Council offices, then taken to PROV.Only source of ratepayers in the Borough of RingwoodDigital imagesBarkly Street, Ringwood (all Elphin Est.). For Alfred Fox, David & Kathleen Oliver, Robert & Grace Holton, GT Press & Thomas & Edith Turner.

This collection of works, “songs without words” was written in the 1830’s by Mendellson. He was of the opinion that the music should stand alone and hence no need for words. This collection of his work for piano solos is still on the music syllabus today. The stamp on the front cover J.B. Shepherd and Son relates the Shepherd family music store in Liebig Street, which operated around the turn of the 20th century . They sold pianos and other musical instruments as well as doing repairs and tuning and lessons.This collection of music scores by Mendelssohn is significant firstly because it is still used by music students 160 years after it was written and secondly this copy has local significance as it was owned by Grace Rome who was born in 1902 and was the daughter of one of Warrnambool’s most successful and longest living business people Thomas Rome, who incidently made one of the earliest sound recordings in Australia.Cream coloured card cover with dark green cloth binding with the title Mendelssohn in red text with black flourish. Other text on cover is black. Edition Peters at the top of cover in black text. Pages contain music scores .132 pages. Kullak printed on front cover. Light blue stamp, “J. E. Shepherd & Son, Piano, organ & music Warehouse. Tuners & repairers Warrnambool. Written in Black ink but scrubbed out with blue ink on inside fly is Grace Rome P.L.C. 1921. 1. Similarly un unknown name is scrubbed on front top right corner of cover. warrnambool, mendelssohn, lieder ohne worte, edition peters, grace rome

This book of verses has been written by Ethel Lucy Newcombe (nee Forrester) The daughter of Lucy Sorrell and James William Forrester, she was born in 1874 in Warrnambool. As a Matriculated student she taught at the Warrnambool St. John’s Hall Private School for Girls in the 1890s. The proprietor of this school was her friend, Grace Newcombe and Ethel Forrester, especially talented in literature and music, composed a Cantata, ‘Austral’s Sunny Year’ for the annual school concert in 1898. In 1902 Ethel Forrester married Dr Frederick Newcombe (Grace’s brother), a medical missionary in India. His father Ebenezer Newcombe was well-known in Warrnambool as a timber and hardware businessman. Dr Frederick Newcombe died in India in 1905 and Ethel Newcombe spent the greater part of her later life in Melbourne. She died in 1971. The identity of Arthur, the recipient of the book, is not known. This book is of considerable interest because it was written by Ethel Newcombe who was born and educated in Warrnambool and the book is thus is associated with both the Forrester and the Newcombe families in Warrnambool early in the 20th century This is a soft cover book of 32 pages. The cover is dark orange in colour and has dark blue lettering on the front cover with ornamental scroll work on the left margin of the front cover. The book has three blue stamps of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society and the inscription on the first page is handwritten in black ink. The book has been stapled with metal staples but the staples have been removed. ‘To Arthur, with the writer’s best wishes, Xmas 1941, Ethel L. Newcombe’ newcombe family, warrnambool, forrester family. warrnambool, st. john’s hall school, warrnambool, ethel newcombe, history of warrnambool, australian literature

This school reader was used by Edmond and Mary Grace at Laang State School. Laang is in the Western District and is eight kilometres from Garvoc and ten kilometres from Panmure. The Laang State School opened in 1875 with a new building being erected in 1876 and additions being added in 1889. The school is now closed. Edmond Morgan Grace was born to William and Mary Grace in 1886 and died in 1953. Mary was his sister. Charles Hider, with his brother James, were early settlers in Warrnambool and both ran book shops in the town. This book is of moderate interest as an example of a late 19th century school reader and as one used at Laang State School by the Grace family. This is a brown hard cover book of 398 pages. The cover has an embossed patterning and lettering. The binding has come apart and has been mended with white adhesive tape. Some pages at the front and back are missing. The book has a contents page and three sections of text. There are many black and white illustrations. The inscription is handwritten in blue ink. The cover is somewhat faded and rubbed and some pages are stained. There is a printed label of the seller of the book pasted onto the inside of the front cover. ‘Edmond M. Grace Laang State School’ ‘Mary Grace Laang S.S.’ ‘C.Hider Opposite Court House Warrnambool’ edmond and mary grace, laang state school, charles and james hider

These verses are handwritten and this suggests they originated locally but they were published in a Melbourne paper in 1874 and the writer is unknown.The verses refer to the cricket match in Warrnambool in January 1874 when a team of 22 players representing the Western District played the touring All-England Eleven captained by William Gilbert Grace, the famous English cricketer. The match in Warrnambool, one of 15 matches played in Australia, was won easily by the English team after one and a half days in a scheduled three day match but W.G.Grace did not star, making only 18 runs in the first innings and not required to bat in the second innings. Frank Allan of Allansford,who played for Victoria and Australia and was later called 'the bowler of the century.' took 6 for 28 in the first innings. Grace made a bad impression in Warrnambool with his brusque and insolent tone, refusing to attend the local Ball put on for the English team because the 'professional' players would be in attendance. The poem echoes the lack of goodwill and condescension shown in Warrnambool by Grace and refers to 'the greatest bat in all the world' making only 18 and sends a message to the English team - 'Don't quarrel and don't blow!'This poem is of considerable interest because it shows the ill-feeling in Warrnambool engendered by the attitude taken by W.G.Grace when his English Eleven was playing in Warrnambool in January in 1874. It is a reminder also of one of the 19th century highlights in Warrnambool's sporting history.These are two sheets of blue paper with 15 stanzas of poetry in black handwriting. The paper has ruled red lines and probably came from a ledger. It is torn at the edges in places where it has been folded.all england cricket team in warrnambool 1874, w.g.grace in warrnambool

116 page A4 size book with green covers and white text on the front cover and spinenon-fictionWar Diary of John Maurice Grace supplemented with family photographs and newspaper cuttings relating to his pre and post war life john maurice grace, war diary, world war two, raaf pathfinder 462 bomber squadron

This butter cooler was used in households to prevent butter from melting in the warmer weather. Ice would have been used in the butter container. The top of the container is domed, indicating the shape of the butter at that time (late 19th century). This butter cooler would have been a costly item and would have graced the dining table of a family that had considerable means. It would have been used on a dining table even after the invention of refrigeration in the 1880s as the eating rooms would have had little or no cooling mechanisms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This butter cooler has no known local provenance but it is a very attractive item and is retained as a good example of a household item no longer in use. It will be very useful for display.This is a silver butter cooler with a circular base with an ornamented edge. The base has a stem holding two highly ornamented arms branching out from the sides. These arms hold an oval container which has a chased silver base and an overhanging chased silver top. Inside the container is the space to hold ice or cold water. On top of the inside of the container sits a small round lid which holds the butter and the ice. The lid has several small holes for the ice water to drain underneath. The base of this lid is impressed with moulded fruit and leaves. The oval container has an over-arching handle attached. This is highly ornamented in fretwork. The sides of the container have two projecting pieces for holding the butter cooler and two other smaller projecting pieces with chains attached for hanging the object. One of these pieces has an oval holder for turning the hinged top of the container to close the container. This top has a chased silver patterning on its top. When the lid is closed the container adapts to a globe or egg shape.‘Made and Guaranteed by Meriden B. Company 5085 U.S.A. household items, history of warrnambool, silver butter cooler

This jug is decorative and attractive and may have been used on special occasions to hold water or cordial. It could also have been used as a vase. There may have been a set of glass tumblers to match the jug. This vase is retained as an excellent example of a jug used in a household in the past. It is a timeless piece and would grace any table in a house todayThis is a glass jug with a round base and a body tapering slightly to a fluted rim and opening. The handle is clear glass. The upper section of the jug has a white raised decorated pattern with a band of pink raised decorations above it. There are six small red dots in the white decorated section. household items, history of warrnambool

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

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

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