Built in the 1850s, The Willows was purchased by Melton Shire Council in a dilapidated state in 1972. At a time of rapid change and growth, the restoration of the homestead, its transformation into the headquarters of the Melton & District Historical Society and the creation of The Willows Historical Park saw the community embrace its past while simultaneously looking to the future.History of the Willows Homestead Melton and Moorabool Leader articlelocal identities, local architecture, local significant groups

Newspaper clippings of the homesteadlocal architecture, local special interest groups

The Melton South Railway Station, Brooklyn Road Originally built in the town of Leeor in 1898, the station building was relocated to Melton South in 1898. Black and white image of Melton Train Stationtransport, local architecture

Built by Water Browne c.1903 Greenhills was one of the first pastoral runs, and centres of European settlement, established in the Shire of Melton. Estate in Diggers Rest Coimadai Road, Toolern Valelocal architecture, pioneer families

'Deanside' estatelocal architecture

James Edward Barrie Jim’s parents were Charles (Ernie) and Jessie Barrie of Darlingsford Melton. Strathtulloh was owned by the Henty family in the 1840s. In 1853 William Tulloh purchased the property after whom the homestead was named. Historical Society Open Daylocal architecture, pioneer families, local identities

Minn's Hotel established by George Minns. In 1911 the late Mrs. Hay’s estate was in the preliminary stages of dispersal and the hotel known as Minns was sold to a Mr McDowell of South Melbourne. Mr. McDowell lived in Melton for five and a half years, and it was during this time that the cottage was erected in High Street and the hotel became Macs.Mac’s Hotel under demolition (Minns)local architecture

The Minns’ Hotel was originally a butcher shop, before owner George Minns transformed it into a hotel.Mac’s Hotel (formerly Minns Hotel until 1911), High Street Meltonlocal architecture

The Melton Court House constructed in 1892 and operated for nearly 100 years. It is one of only two early buildings remaining in Melton's main shopping street, and the only nineteenth century building in the street. It has been converted into the visitor centre and cafe.Melton Court House, High Street Meltonlocal architecture

Augustus Shebler born in Berlin, Prussia in 1827 was a Melton resident started a store on the Flat at Bryan and Sherwin street in 1855. He built the Golden Fleece Hotel in 1865. He died at the Golden Fleece Hotel in 1908. The building, was demolished during the 1970s due to development in the area and was rebuilt in another location. The Watts and Jongebloed famlies are descendants of Shebler.Event took place on High Street Meltonlocal identities, local architecture

Raglan Cottage built in the late 1850s and the Mechanics Institute are the only two buildings on High Street built before the late twentieth centuryRaglan Cottage located on High Street, Meltonlocal architecture

Lord Raglan Hotel (‘The Raglan’) built by Strachan 1855 in Unitt Street, was moved to High street. The owners of the hotel included Kilpatricks and Richard Manning. The hotel was a major coach staging point, with large stables to accommodate the teams. Demolished in 1927. Mr and Mrs Kilpatrick with their children outside the front of the hotel.local architecture

Alexander Blackwood original allotment owner. Other occupants include Chalmer, Wraith 1920, McDonald, Bardsley 1948. 1970 became Arnolds News Agent. It also operated as a State Savings Bank Agent. Demolished in 1974.Jean and George Arnold, and Martha Myers at the front of the news agency local identities, local architecture

Demolition of the old and rebuilding the new hotel.local architecture

The children of Charles E and Jessie M Barrie who grew up at Darlingsford were: Mary E Robinson Ernest W Barrie known as Bonnie/Bon Charles E Barrie known as Edgar Thomas L Barrie William H Barrie known as Horace Jessie M Richardson Dorothy J Collins known as Joyce James E Barrie known as JimThe demise of Darlingsford homesteadlocal architecture

In 1865, Mr Shebler built the original Golden Fleece Hotel building and was demolished during the 1970s. Drawing of the original Golden Fleece Hotellocal architecture

Proceeds of the postcard went to Melton Historical Society for the restoration of the WillowsPostcard of the Willowslocal architecture, pioneer families, local special interest groups

"Strathtulloh, 1402-1600 Greigs Road, Melton South, is significant as an early property in Victoria, retaining different eras of pioneering dwellings, ranging from a ruin to a fine Colonial style homestead. The property has close historical association with the early settlement of the Melton district, and was owned by the Henty family in the 1840s. The Strathtulloh property was alienated by the Crown in 1840 to Charles James Garrard, who sold it in 1848 to Charles and Stephen Henty, whose sister Jane and her husband Samuel Bryan lived there in the late 1840s. In 1853 the property then passed to William Tulloh, after whom the homestead was named. A primitive bluestone ruin of near the Toolern Creek, built of vesicular bluestone and mud mortar, is of unknown origin. It has commonly been assumed to pre-date 1840, and to have belonged to the original holder of the Exford lease, Dr Watton or Port Phillip Association member Dr Cotterill. This is unlikely, as the 1841 census records Dr Watton, and everyone else in the district, as living in a ‘wood’ dwelling. It may instead have been the residence of Garrard, and the Bryans, in the 1840s and an early map names a site near here as ‘Bryan’s outstation’. It is assumed that the two-level stone building that became the kitchen is the earliest intact building on the site, and was the first homestead; it is likely to date to the 1840s or 1850s. The main homestead is a substantial villa constructed of random coursed bluestone, with a verandah facing three sides, attic bedrooms with dormer windows, a fan light over the front door, a hipped roof originally clad in slate, and a large cellar. Although demonstrating characteristics of pioneering construction, such as unworked log beams, pit sawn beams, hand-sawn lintels and colonial door locks, documentary evidence shows that it was built c.1869. The homestead has now been structurally repaired and decoratively restored; a sympathetic new semi-detached rear extension was added in the early years of the 21st century. The former kitchen building has also undergone minor repairs and alterations". Strathtulloh Homestead at 1402-1600 Greigs Road, Melton Southlocal architecture

Information about the Willows homesteadlocal architecture

Tour of historic sites in Melton including Melton State School 430 and Uniting Churchlandscapes of significance, local architecture

The windmill and water tank are located at the rear of the houseIllustration of the windmill and the water tank at the Willows sitelocal architecture

David McKenzie obituary, Romsey Examiner 1928 Another of Australia’s very old pioneers in the person of Mr McKenzie, passed away last weekend at his daughters residence At regent at the ripe old age of 92 years ( he would be 93 in November) Born at Berwick of Tweed Scotland, the late Mr McKenzie arrived in Australia with two of his uncles in 1855 by the ship “Red Jacket”. A stone- mason by trade he worked about Melbourne and at Geelong until attack by “gold fever” but met with no success at this venture so he returned to his trade, arriving at Melton about 1860. There he married and settles for about 20 years. In 1880 the Cherokee Heights with its subdivision was famous and Mr McKenzie moved there with his daughter. He continues in his trade, his work extending to Gisborne, Bacchus Marsh, Romsey, and Springfield and other places, where to this day, may be seen monuments of his skill and through tradesmanship as a mason. During his residence in the Mount, he took a keen interest in all the affairs of Kerrie and Cherokee, and he was a familiar figure at all the public gatherings at which he nearly always filled the position of Chairman, because of outstanding qualifications. He was a man of those sterling qualities possessed by those men who laid the foundation of this country so well and truly. Loyal, broad of vision, just in thought and deed, honourable to the extreme in all dealings, fearless in the cause of right, a lover of home and family, and ready to lend a hand to all progressive movements. To the memory of those grand men the youth of today should lift their hats in reverence. Mr McKenzie was a prolific reader of educational works, and the wonderful knowledge he retained upon a variety of subjects was a source joy to those who associated with him. His wife predeceased him by 43 years ago soon after arrival in Cherokee. A Pioneer of Melton There are probably some residents left at Melton and Bacchus Marsh who will remember the late Mr McKenzie, one of them has written as follows:- I knew the late Mr. McKenzie since I was a little boy – over 50 years ago- and no better man ever lived than he, he was a good man from every point of view. The late Mr McKenzie was born on the November 25th, 1835 at Montrose, Scotland. He came to Australia in 1853 and resided for a time with his uncle the late Mr. Gibson on the Kororoit Creek near Melton. A few years later he settled in Melton. In 1861 he was married to Miss Mary Buchanan, the eldest daughter of the late Mr. George Buchanan, one of the early settlers of Melton. Deceased resided on the main road to Bacchus Marsh one mile from Melton. He was a stone- mason by trade, and some fine buildings in Melton and surrounding districts to this day, stand to his credit. He built the Presbyterian Church Melton. The old school, the Shire Hall, many private dwellings and numerous bridges. He was highly respected, as he was well known for the good work he put into all he had to do with. He also took numerous contracts in the Melton Shire, and was also employed by the Shire as Clerk of Works. He was a most conscious man. In his day he took a prominent part in all public affairs, and was a leading spirit in the old school Board. He was one of the pioneers of the Melton Rechabite Tent. He was one of the earliest workers and supporters of the Melton Presbyterian Church, of which he was an elder, and for a great number of years, its Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher. He also lead the singing for many years before the days of the organ, as he had a splendid voice, and could sing his old Scotch songs and hymns up to within six months of his death. For the past five years he has resided with one of his daughters at north Preston, where he died. He had good health up to within six months of his death and could well remember all the early happenings at Melton and surrounding districts. There are five daughters and one living son:- Margaret Mrs. Walter Wyatt Twose of Burnley Elizabeth Mrs George Shebler of Brunswick Georgina Mrs Jack Sinclair Isabel Mrs H Knight of North Preston Jane Mrs William Gibson of Warragul John W. of Fremantle - Western Australia Letter from Margaret to the Melton Presbyterian Churchchurches, local architecture

Corner view of front and east side showing telephone insulator connection, and small elevated water tank connected to windmill. This photo was taken before the restoration of the property. local identities, local special interest groups, council, local architecture

The Willows Restoration Committee members: Chairman Cr Ed Gillespie, Lorraine Gillespie, Mr & Mrs Alan Reed, Ken Young, Bill Amor, Edna Barrie, Max Watson, Cr Jeff Robinson and Wendy Barrie.Jeff Robinson, Bill Amor, Lorraine and Eddie Gillespie standing in front of the Willows, inspecting the house and surroundings from the front verandah. local identities, local architecture

Photograph of the Committee at the completion of the brick front Trustees and Committee: C Egan, Albert Lee, J F Minns,James Byrnes, Thomas Lang, William Whittington, J O McKenzie, William Sheahan, E Chalmers and Cr R Hornbuckle Photograph of the Committee at the completion of the brick front of the buildinglocal architecture

Edna Barrie received this photo from Margaret nee McCoy Robinson c 1980. In 2011 the original photograph was scanned and digitised and restored by Morrie Forte. Norma ( Mothers’ Club Representative 1970) and Morrie Forte of Melton have been associated and supported the Melton State School No 430 and contributed to the 100 years celebrations. In December 2011 when viewing the enlarged restored print Mary Tolhurst identified brothers Andrew and Edward Byrns.[Burns] she is a descendent of this family. The brothers were enrolled at the Melton Common School in 1864 aged about 8 ½ and 5 years and left in 1870 and 1871. Head Teacher J H Murphy 1869-71Students in front of the bluestone buildinglocal architecture, education

Black and white photograph of Scots Presbyterian Churchchurches, local architecture

One of the windows from the Melton Methodist Churchchurches, local architecture

This copy was received from Marlene WoodgateMelton State School, looking North. The photo shows the rear bluestone built in 1870. The brick addition was added in 1923.education, local architecture