View to south-east from Shire of Eltham Soldiers' Memorial Park showing the carriageway from the road to top of Memorial Park. Accompanying notes state that the entry gate was put in place in May 1921. Eltham and Whittlesea Shire Advertiser and Diamond Creek Valley Advocate Fri 21 May 1920 p 2 reported: Kangaroo Ground Memorial Park "It was decided to arrange for a working bee on Saturday, 29th inst., for the purpose of forming and gravelling the track leading to the Park, and of carrying out other necessary works." A history summary of the Shire of Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial Park • The summit at Garden Hill was a popular tourist lookout and picnic spot from the 1880s. Virtually the entire Shire of Eltham and beyond could be viewed from this location. • A local farmer, Mr Walter A. D. Wippell is credited as being the first to propose the idea of a war memorial park and offered £50 towards the purchase of the land. • The earliest public reference to this project is to be found in the local Advertiser newspaper edition of August 9th, 1918. A report of the August Council meeting records the Eltham Shire President, Cr. Robert White, saying: "some time back it was proposed that the Council obtain and place on an Honour Board in the Council Chamber [at Kangaroo Ground] containing names of the lads who had enlisted. Just recently however, it had been suggested that a more fitting memorial would be the obtaining of a piece of land on the summit of Garden Hill, Kangaroo Ground, and the formation of a memorial park in which a monument could be erected to represent the whole of Shire. If a couple of acres could be obtained a gentleman had promised to donate 50 pounds, and another one would fence it, and other contributions, he was sure, could be obtained." • Councillors were favourable of the proposal and the President, Shire Secretary and Shire Engineer were deputised to wait on Messrs Mess Bros. (the owners of the Garden Hill farm) and ascertain if they would gratuitously give the land. The Mess Bros. land adjoined the farm/stud of Mrs Fanny White (Cr Robert White’s mother), daughter of Andrew Harkness who established their property on Garden Hill around 1846. • Access to the land came in February 1919 when several Councillors and the Shire Engineer surveyed the actual two acres of '5 chains along the road and 4 chains deep'. The Engineer volunteered his services free to do this task. The Mess brothers however demanded £100 per acre but eventually agreed to take £50 per acre. • Entry from the Kangaroo Ground-Yarra Glen road was seen to be a problem and Mrs. White, who owned the land beside the park, was asked to donated a triangle of her property to allow this access. • By September 1919 returned soldiers were employed by the Shire and volunteers were called to clear the hilltop by ploughing up the rocks and clearing the area, the fencing was put into place and in May 1921 the Council erected three gates, within an archway, at the entrance to the drive and pathway to the summit. • Public subscriptions were sought through the Advertiser newspaper to beautify the site. The views of the Curator of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens were sought as to the ‘class of ornamental trees most suitable for planting in the Park area”. • The Memorial Park or Shire of Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial Park was officially opened by Mr. W.H. Everard, M.L.A., 3 September 1921. • In 1922 plans were made to place a War Memorial in the Park. Funds were donated by the Council of £250 and a challenge to the community, to match this money with contributions was met. • On Anzac Day 1923, 1,000 people gathered on the summit in the park for a memorial service. A much smaller group of about 50 people gathered around a newly constructed cairn and flagstaff in the afternoon of Anzac Day 1924 amidst rain and a squally southerly wind, the morning service being cancelled. • A meeting for those interested in establishing a War Memorial monument within the park was held in January 1924 and the Eltham Shire War Memorial League was formed and a design competition decided upon. • The Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower was built in 1926 at a cost of £1,023 and 5 shillings with locally quarried stone donated by Dr Ethel and Professor William Osborne. It was formally known as the ‘Shire of Eltham War Memorial’ and was unveiled on 11 November 1926. The large bronze inscription above the entrance to the tower states: SHIRE OF ELTHAM WAR MEMORIAL THESE MEN DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY 1914 IN REMEMBRANCE THIS TOWER WAS BUILT 1918 • The Caretaker’s hut was built in 1927 with left over from the tower construction. • A returned soldier was appointed to act as caretaker for the memorials. Tiny Carrol, a huge man, was the first caretaker and lived in the stone hut. There was a push to have alterations made at one stage to provide additional rooms for a married caretaker but was rejected. • A new Caretaker Cottage was built in 1951 at a cost £2,500. The cottage had been subjected to raids by thieves three times during construction until a guard from the Returned Servicemen’s League was posted until its opening. • The War Memorial tower was re-dedicated by Sir Dallas Brooks on 8 November 1951, unveiling new bronze plaques containing the names of those who fell during the Second World War. Sir Dallas also officiated the opening of the new Caretaker’s Cottage. • A toilet block was built in 1965. • A further dedication of the Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower took place 11 November 2001 to recognise the men who fell in subsequent campaigns up to and including Vietnam. • Four land titles are involved: o The purchase of the two acres from owners Ruth Gosling, Alexander Mess, James Johnson Mess and Joseph Mess is recorded in two actions, the first being the payment of £100 for the two acres, the second showing that the Shire of Eltham did not get a transfer of title until 14th January 1952. o The access land donated by Mrs. Fanny White is dated 26 February 1924. A further need to widen the entry came after the deepening of the road cutting and another land donation was given by Sir Herbert Gepp, title dated 15th May 1952. This would have been about the time he sold off the former White ‘Garden Hill’ property. o The land reserve to increase the area and possibly allow a circuit road to be put in place on the western side of the park was purchased by the Shire of Eltham, title dated 16th February 1973. Rare photograph of the entrance to the Shire's Memorial Park during early stages of development prior to the erection of the Shire of Eltham War MemorialSepia photograph printed with white border with slight crack lower left hand corner and three significant vertical cracks fanning from lower centre edge to upper edge Digitally enhanced version to minimise impact of crackseltham-yarra glen road, entrance gate, garden hill, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial, kangaroo ground war memorial park

Donald Clark Collection. Two copies of a colour photograph depicting a Memorial Park in Tarnagulla. Original photograph.

Plaque commemorating the opening of War Memorial Park Greensborough in 1994. The plaque reads: "Shire of Diamond Valley. Cr David Hay Shire President and the Central Riding Councillors Cr Ian Macarthur Wallace and Cr Leslie John Smith on 24 August 1994 dedicated this monument to the men and women of Diamond Valley who served their country in times of conflict. The assistance and contributions of the Greensborough and Watsonia RSL is gratefully acknowledged."Colour digital photographanzac day 2021, fallen soldiers memorial greensborough, greensborough war memorial park

Article of World War 1 Refer to carved life size soldier with machine gun in foyer and photograph at its feet.A4 sheet of white paper has two cut-out sections of Veteran Affairs Newspaper article dated June 1998 glued on. Title Australian Corps Memorial Park. Article covers a Memorial cost $1.3 million dollars for dedication on 4th July 1998 consisting of three curved memorial walls for Australian soldiers that died during Wold War 2. The photograph included in the article was taken on August 8, 1918 which shows B company of the 29th Battalion - a Victorian Unit - being addressed by their platoon Commander. All 5 Australian Divisions took part in the major Allied attack on the German Lines - the first time the five Australian Divisions had fought together as the Australian Corps. (Under Australian Command) It is the First memorial on the Western Front dedicated to the Australian Corps. The park surrounding it includes a 500 meter walking tril with 18 information panels along its length on aspects of the battle.Article was found in Veteran Affairs News dated June 1998, heading - Australian Corps Memorial Park.veteran affairs news article, a4 paper sheet

35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 25) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcessing Date Code Jun 90Mkangaroo ground, eltham-yarra glen road, garden hill, memorial park, caretaker's cottage, shire of eltham memorial park

35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 25) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcessing Date Code Jun 90Mkangaroo ground, memorial park, garden hill, garden hill farm, shire of eltham memorial park

Shire of Eltham War Memorial Tower at Kangarooo Ground; view from the east and close up of entrance including Honour Roll. On November 11th 1926 the Shire of Eltham War Memorial Tower at Kangaroo Ground was opened. It is regarded as one of Melbourne’s most outstanding lookout towers. It commands a magnificent 360 degree panorama from Kinglake across the Diamond Valley to Macedon and the You Yangs. It is built on a peak which was once a volcano, 237 metres above sea level. After World War one a memorial cairn was erected on the site, and in 1925 a committee of public-minded citizens began to plan for a tower. Many generous donations of material and money were forthcoming so that in 1926 the Governor General Lord Stonehaven was able to unveil the plaque before a crowd of 500 people There was some concern in the 1960s when the Forests Commission wanted to build a firespotters cabin on the top. At first R.S.L. branches opposed the idea, but it was realised that this use could combine with its use as a tourist attraction, and would ensure its maintenance for the future. Today the Kangaroo Ground tower provides one of the best views around Melbourne and is a fitting memorial to those who died in two world wars. From: Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 (EDHS collection) On November 8th, 1951, the memorial was re-dedicated by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Dallas Brooks with the addition of the names of men from the Shire of Eltham who fell in the Second World War. Further wreaths were added subsequent to this image in time for the 2001 Reembrance Day service to commemorate the men from th shire who had fallen in the Malayan, Korean, Borneo and Vietnam campaigns.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 strips Colour print (x1)Kodak Safety 5035garden hill, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial tower, war memorial, garden hill, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial, kangaroo ground relief committee, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial tower, war memorial, shire of eltham war memorial

The Eureka Stockade battle was fought at Ballarat on Sunday 03 December 1854. The site is memorialised with a park.A number of painted 'soldiers' made out of timber 'guard' the playground at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park. ballarat, eureka, eureka stockade, soldiers, 12th regiment,

Minute Book 6 is considered 'missing' and was not part of the donation.Red cloth covered minute book. The book includes handwritten notes of the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park Committee.eureka stockade, eureka carneval, eureka anniversary, a barnett, eureka caravan park, b parsons, l o brien, l hodgson, ken cations, ladies softball association, begonia festival, j cooke, j cook, royal life saving club, w locke, h g mckay, campana bros, w g fleet

About the founding of the Marnoo Soldiers' Park. THe Meaning of Marnoo, where Is Marnoo?, and the People involved.Pale blue Card with black Border inside of which is black text and b/w of a iron gate and four stone pillars.The Founders and records Marnoo Soldiers' Memorial Park Victoria 1919 -1995 Marnoo Memorial Park Gates Photo Taken 1963 Complied and written for the Marnoo Soldiers' Park Committee. by N.A. McLennan 9th September, 1965stawell ww1 ww2, mclennan family

Plaque on stone structure acknowledging the Moor-rul viewing platform at Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park, when it was offically opened on 17 April 2008 with details of names of men and their roles on the advisory committee 2008.Born DigitalNillumbik the Green Wedge Shire The Moor-rul Viewing Platform was opened on 17 April 2008 by Nillumbik Shire Mayor, Councillor Warwick Leeson Kangaroo Ground Memorial Park and Tower of Remembrance Advisory Committee 2008 Covenor: Harry Gilham Councillor: Cr. Warwick Leeson Members: Ken King, Neil Marshall, Alex Melichore Dean Stewart, Dennis Ward, Mick Woiwod John Haines (former member) Nicholas Pelling (former member) Architect: Dennis Ward RAIA ALIA Builder Malcorp Building Services world war 1, war memorials, shire of nillumbik, plaque, moor-rul viewing platform, knagaroo ground, names

Includes typed transcriptions of historical newspaper articles, photocopies of historical newspaper articles, original newspaper articles, photocopies from books, some original contemporary photos relating to the Shire of Eltham War Memorial built at Kangaroo Ground. Spirax Sketchbook 19 sheets. Spiral boundFront: Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park Tower of Remembrance Collection 1996-2001. Harry Gilhamharry gilham collection, kangaroo ground memorial, shire of eltham war memorial

kangaroo ground tower, kangaroo ground tower advisory committee, notice board, refurbishment, shire of eltham memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial

kangaroo ground tower advisory committee, notice board, refurbishment, shire of eltham memorial park, driveway, kangaroo ground

Memorial plaque created (2006) and mounted on a rock in memory of those Shire of Eltham enlistees in the 1914-1918 war who, having no known graves, are listed in the Menin Gate on stone tablets. John Jell (Steels Creek) Rupert Laity (Queenstown) Ernest Gordon Mills (Hurstbridge) Gordon Francis Mills (Kinglake) Edward Thomas Yates (Hurstbridge) Lest We Forgetedward thomas yates, ernest gordon mills, gordon francis mills, hurstbridge, john jell, kinglake, memorials, menin gate, queenstown, rupert laity, shire of eltham memorial park, steels creek, kangaroo ground

Memorial plaque created (2006) and mounted on a rock in memory of those Shire of Eltham enlistees in the 1914-1918 war who, having no known graves, are listed in the Menin Gate on stone tablets. John Jell (Steels Creek) Rupert Laity (Queenstown) Ernest Gordon Mills (Hurstbridge) Gordon Francis Mills (Kinglake) Edward Thomas Yates (Hurstbridge) Lest We Forgetedward thomas yates, ernest gordon mills, gordon francis mills, hurstbridge, john jell, kinglake, memorials, menin gate, queenstown, rupert laity, shire of eltham memorial park, steels creek, kangaroo ground

Memorial plaque created (2006) and mounted on a rock in conjunction with planting of a pine tree from the Lone Pine of Gallpoli. The Lone Pine (Descendant of the originbal tree from Gallipoli) Donated and planted by Betty Wickham 11/11/2005 In memory of those Shire of Eltham enlistees in the 1914-1918 war who lie in the cemeteries in Gallipoli Herberet Joseph Atkins (Queenstown) Frederick Carpenter (Queenstown) Geoffrey Treacher Grant (Eltham) Arthur George Hunt (Steels Creek) Alexander John McLeod (Yarra Glen) James Pryor (Eltham) Donald Robert Shillito (Yarra Glen) George Davidson Sommerville (Eltham) George Weir (Queenstown) John Valentine Wilson (Christmas Hills) Lest We Forgetshire of eltham memorial park, kangaroo ground, alexander john mcleod, arthur george hunt, christmas hills, donald robert shillito, eltham, frederick carpenter, geoffrey treacher grant, george davidson sommerville, george weir, herberet joseph atkins, james pryor, john valentine wilson, memorials, queenstown, steels creek, the lone pine, yarra glen

Memorial plaque created (2006) and mounted on a rock in conjunction with planting of a pine tree from the Lone Pine of Gallpoli. The Lone Pine (Descendant of the originbal tree from Gallipoli) Donated and planted by Betty Wickham 11/11/2005 In memory of those Shire of Eltham enlistees in the 1914-1918 war who lie in the cemeteries in Gallipoli Herberet Joseph Atkins (Queenstown) Frederick Carpenter (Queenstown) Geoffrey Treacher Grant (Eltham) Arthur George Hunt (Steels Creek) Alexander John McLeod (Yarra Glen) James Pryor (Eltham) Donald Robert Shillito (Yarra Glen) George Davidson Sommerville (Eltham) George Weir (Queenstown) John Valentine Wilson (Christmas Hills) Lest We Forgetshire of eltham memorial park, kangaroo ground, alexander john mcleod, arthur george hunt, christmas hills, donald robert shillito, eltham, frederick carpenter, geoffrey treacher grant, george davidson sommerville, george weir, herberet joseph atkins, james pryor, john valentine wilson, memorials, queenstown, steels creek, the lone pine, yarra glen

Memorial plaque created (2006) and mounted on a rock in conjunction with planting of a pine tree from the Lone Pine of Gallpoli. The Lone Pine (Descendant of the originbal tree from Gallipoli) Donated and planted by Betty Wickham 11/11/2005 In memory of those Shire of Eltham enlistees in the 1914-1918 war who lie in the cemeteries in Gallipoli Herberet Joseph Atkins (Queenstown) Frederick Carpenter (Queenstown) Geoffrey Treacher Grant (Eltham) Arthur George Hunt (Steels Creek) Alexander John McLeod (Yarra Glen) James Pryor (Eltham) Donald Robert Shillito (Yarra Glen) George Davidson Sommerville (Eltham) George Weir (Queenstown) John Valentine Wilson (Christmas Hills) Lest We Forgetshire of eltham memorial park, kangaroo ground, alexander john mcleod, arthur george hunt, christmas hills, donald robert shillito, eltham, frederick carpenter, geoffrey treacher grant, george davidson sommerville, george weir, herberet joseph atkins, james pryor, john valentine wilson, memorials, queenstown, steels creek, the lone pine, yarra glen

jim connor collection, caretaker cottage, garden hill, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park

Colour photo print 15 x 10 cm (1 of 6)eltham-yarra glen road, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, war memorial tower, garden hill, emergency services communication tower

Colour photo print 15 x 10 cm (2 of 6)eltham-yarra glen road, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, war memorial tower, garden hill, moor-rul viewing platform

Colour photo print 15 x 10 cm (2 of 6)eltham-yarra glen road, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, war memorial tower, garden hill, emergency services communications tower

Colour photo print 15 x 10 cm (1 of 4)eltham-yarra glen road, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, war memorial tower, garden hill, moor-rul viewing platform

Colour photo print 15 x 10 cm (2 of 4)eltham-yarra glen road, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, war memorial tower, garden hill, moor-rul viewing platform

Colour photo print 15 x 10 cm (2 of 4)eltham-yarra glen road, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, war memorial tower, garden hill, moor-rul viewing platform