The Society conducted a heritage excursion "Eltham War Memorials Walk" on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in conjunction with the centenary commemorations of the First World War. This walk involved visiting a number of memorials along Main Road dedicated to locals who served Australia in times of war including the Roll of Honour located in the Uniting Church Hall which also serves as the Opportunity Shop, which had once operated out of the former CBA bank building next door.activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, opportunity shop, uniting church, uniting church hall, 2016-05-07

Located on the corner of Main Road and John Street, the church first served the community as the Eltham Wesleyan Church since 1881. It became the Eltham Methodist Church in 1902, the year it united with the Primitive Methodists. Eltham Wesleyans first worshipped together in the home of William and Mary Crozier, on 24 acres bounded by Mount Pleasant Road and Pitt Street. From there they moved to a slab and bark hut in 1855 (this later served as the first school run by David Clark prior to the building of a new school in Dalton Street) and the members then built a chapel in 1858 on Lot 20, Henry Street (later to become the Rechabite Hall and Eltham Public Hall). The present church on John Street was designed by architects Crouch and Wilson in the Early English Gothic style with biochrome brick window frames, buttress heads and pinnacle. Church member George Stebbing built the church, the foundations were constructed with stone from the walls of the first Eltham State Primary School (No. 209) building which collapsed in 1874 and were purchased by Robert David Taylor. Stebbing was also responsible for building St Margaret’s Church and Shillinglaw Cottage. The Roll of Honour, which presently hangs in the church hall (which also doubles as the Opportunity Shop) lists 27 members of the congregation who served in the First World War, 11 of whom never returned. The red-brick Church Hall was opened in 1931 and in 1971 further additions linked the hall and church, including a foyer, vestry, meeting room and toilets reflecting the Eltham style of that time with its simplicity, extensive clear glass, reused baked clay-bricks from the 1881 church, heavy ceiling beams and compressed straw ceiling. On June 26, 1977, the church became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia consisting of the former Methodist and Congregational and most of the Presbyterian Churches. Following of declining numbers of worshippers, the church merged with the Montmorency Uniting Church on June 23, 1996. In 2023 the Uniting church approved a plan to renovate the church. It is understood that the historic church and the hall will be retained, and the building added in 1971 is to be demolished, to make way for a new purpose-built Opportunity shop. The proposed areas to be demolished include the current foyer, toilets, crèche, etc, including the area between the hall and the former RSL. Works are expected to commence mid to late July 2023. The Society was invited by a church member to take photographs of these areas to document them prior to demolition works commencing. Ref: “Nillumbik Now and Then” by Marguerite Marshall (2008)jim connor collection, 2023-07-10, eltham-montmorency uniting church, john street, methodist church, opportunity shop, uniting church, uniting church hall

Newspaper articles about the As We Are Eltham Banner Project undertaken within the Shire of Eltham 1. Eltham banner to celebrate environment, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, September 16, 1986, p16 2. Group paints for peace, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, September 30, 1986, p2 3. Banners show people of Eltham as they are, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, October 14, 1986, pp12-13 4. Banners fly high at lastt, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, October 21, 1986, p17 Also various advertisements from businesses within the shire Newspaper clippingsas we are, banner project, eltham banners, meruka house, sarah houseman, advertising, eagle screens & blinds, 1986, alistair knox park, bob manuell, don brown, dooncal air coinditioning and central heating, eltham festival, eltham outdoor art show, eltham peace banner, eltham town park, grand parade, pauline therese toner, peter wilson, research shops, river of life banner, shire of eltham acquisitive award, valley carpets, 16 sherbourne road briar hill, 22 were street montmorency, 1177-1181 main road eltham, barry reading goumet butchers, eltham hardware & plumbing supplies pty ltd, hutchinsons garden supplies, 38 bridge street eltham, artists, costless clearance centre, cr bob manuell, jud duigan, margaret cherry, tracey naughton, woolworths arcade, anthea morrison, beyond the end of the line, diamond valley musical society, eltham college, eltham community festival, eltham high school, eltham service club, geraldine veerman, ian robertson, 19 were street montmorency, arnold thomas, arnolds recycling centre, kevin mcnamara, luck street eltham, mcewans, montmorency hardware, peel street eltham, tim payze, 1022 main road eltham, as we are banner exhibition, jud degan, marg cherry, the cut ahead, arthur street, eltham mall, flexiteller, national australia bank

Businesses, Eltham, Eltham Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries, Main Roadmain road, eltham, property, shops, businesses, russell yeoman, jim connor, eltham district historical society, plenty river, old eltham road, kangaroo ground, nillumbik council, barry rochford, main road eltham, luck street eltham, aladdin antiques montmorency, main road eltham roundabout, steven white, geoff glynn, michael murray, harold herd, enver camdal, helen bodycomb, rhonda noble, jeph neale, chris marks, john brumby, andrew haermeyer, sherryl garbutt, eltham shopping centre, eltham chamber of commerce and industry, norman williams, pat power, john graves, wattletree road eltham, bolton street eltham

main road, lower plenty, eltham, research (vic), property, houses, shops, businesses, montmorency

Newspaper article: Auction part of Eltham History, Diamond Valley News, 11 March 1980, auction on 15 March of The Hawthorns and other properties by the Burgoyne family. On same page another article :"The unusual on a hill" about Robert Marshall, Shire Councillor and architect's own home. On reverse side real estate advertising including several Woodridge Estate properties. Newspaper article: Centre becomes a second home, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, September 23, 1986, p3 about new child minding centre. On same page "residents carry on fight for road works" about planned road works in Kirwana Grove, Montmorency and "Advice bureau needs volunteers" about Eltham Citizens Advice Bureau. On reverse side (page 4) advertising for Kentons Shoes closing down sale at Shop 3 Eltham Mall, Arthur Street and article "Nursing mums donate books" featuring Eltham Branch of Nursing Mothers Association (with photo).main road, eltham, property, the hawthorns house, burgoyne family, harry burgoyne, hawthorn hedges, 816 main road eltham, advertising, avril benson, child minding centre, eltham citizens advice bureau, eltham high school, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham shire council, john stevens, kaye mount, kirwana grove, main road child minding centre, montmorency, montmorency primary school, roadworks, rob stanley, ruth kirkpatrick, angela hennel, arthur street mall, banner project, diamond valley childbirth education association, kentons shoes, nursing mothers association, sue gavan, woodridge estate, mudbrick, robert marshall, st andrews

Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 13 July 2005, Traditional experience. Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley Leader, 26 October 2005, Thompsons Pharmacy. [On reverse, Newspaper article: Six decades of togetherness, by Alexandra Roginski - about long-time Montmorency residents Muriel and Lesley Long who settled in Station Street, Montmorency in 1949] Business Flier: Eltham Health and Wellness services. Business card: Thompsons Pharmacy, David Stephens. Business card: Thompsons Pharmacy, Michael Williamsmain road, eltham, shops, businesses, thompsons pharmacy, mary shell, john wooller, eltham health and wellness, david stephens, michael williams, lesley long, montmorency, muriel long, station street

Digital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a scrapbook on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes.alistair knox, alma road, arthur munday, beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, cameron jackson, carina hack, charlie macgillicuddy, charlie stevenson, circus, clifton pugh, david stephens, dorian le gallienne, eltham, eltham college, eltham hotel, eltham living and learning centre, eltham town square, eltham village, george paul, graham bell, great hall, green wedge, harold holt, jazz, jim chinaman's road, justus jorgensen, kangaroo ground, lower plenty, marcus skipper, matcham skipper, montmorency, montsalvat, mud brick construction, mudbrick, myra skipper, professor dick downing, professor macmahon ball, professor richard downing, research (vic.), roger bell, shire of eltham, shire president, shopping centre, swiper's gully, tim burstall, white cloud cottage

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

Part of a presentation, "Roads and Byways of the Shire of Eltham", by Russell Yeoman to the 12 September 1990 Society meeting. Slides shown included copies of old photos and recent images ranging from the suburban streets of Eltham and Montmorency to the mountain roads of Kinglake. In the byways category are views of some iof the Shire's bicycle paths including then recently completed sections of the Main Yarra Trail at Lower Plenty.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 37) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsinfrastructure, roads, aerial photographs, roundabout, bolton steet, bolton steet shops, eltham, fitzsimons lane, lower plenty, main road

Part of a presentation, "Roads and Byways of the Shire of Eltham", by Russell Yeoman to the 12 September 1990 Society meeting. Slides shown included copies of old photos and recent images ranging from the suburban streets of Eltham and Montmorency to the mountain roads of Kinglake. In the byways category are views of some iof the Shire's bicycle paths including then recently completed sections of the Main Yarra Trail at Lower Plenty.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 37) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsinfrastructure, roads, eltham, luck street, main road, shopping centre

Part of a presentation, "Roads and Byways of the Shire of Eltham", by Russell Yeoman to the 12 September 1990 Society meeting. Slides shown included copies of old photos and recent images ranging from the suburban streets of Eltham and Montmorency to the mountain roads of Kinglake. In the byways category are views of some iof the Shire's bicycle paths including then recently completed sections of the Main Yarra Trail at Lower Plenty.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 37) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsinfrastructure, roads, eltham, luck street, main road, shopping centre

August Meeting (Newsletter No. 235, Aug. 2017) Blanche and Jack Shallard were involved in many activities in the Montmorency community throughout their lives. They observed Were Street grow from a one shop street to a bustling shopping village. Jack was a local solicitor and on the Board of the Diamond Valley Community Hospital, while Blanche was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary and both were involved with our Society. They were also connected with Montmorency State School and St Faith’s Church in Montmorency. At this meeting we are pleased to have their daughter, Professor Margaret Deighton, speak about her family and her recollections of growing up in Montmorency.0:47:43 duration Digital MP3 File 67 MB audio recording, eltham district historical society, margaret deighton, meeting, montmorency, shallard, society meeting

Newsletter produced by the Shire of Eltham including introduction titled: "The changing face of local government", signed by Ward councillors: Helen Wells, Neil Roberts and Allan Horsley, a brief financial statement: "where the money comes from", roads, shopping centres, council/education department projects, land purchase, senior citizens and recreation include list of new construction and upgrades. Folder 71 from Harry Gilham Collection4 pages. Foldedallan horsley, community services, shire of eltham, budget, roads, shoppping centres, briar hill, montmorency, recreation, helen wells, neil roberts

Were Street Montmorency, 1940s. This photograph is looking towards the station. The treed area on the left is now shops.Digital copy of black and white photographmontmorency station, were street montmorency

There's been an outpouring of support for Jim and Joyce Koay, owners of a popular Chinese take-away shop, Ocean Garden, in Were Street Montmorency who have decided to shut its doors and enjoy retirement.News article 1 page, black text and colour image .ocean garden montmorency, were street montmorency, koay family, leanne burns

Were Street Montmorency hosts musical groups each month in the 'Music in the Park' program. Groups mentioned are Black Cat Bone and Jack Nicholson Trio.News clipping, black text, colour image.were street montmorency, music in the park, montmorency traders association

Shop owners in Were Street Montmorency are concerned at the number of power outages that impact their businesses.News clipping, black text, colour image.were street montmorency, power outages, local businesses

Heritage citation report for the shop and residence at 8-12 Binns Street Montmorency3 p., typescript and black and white photographbinns street montmorency, montmorency

When motorists completely ignore a road sign, it's time to hammer the message home. Double white lines in Were Street Montmorency are a deterrent to crossing the road to a carpark on the other side.News article 1 page, black text.banyule city council, road rules, were street montmorency, car parking

R. & E. Willett butcher shops were at corner Binns and Were Streets, Montmorency and at Main Street, Greensborough. Cash receipts were written before cash registers.Receipt form printed in dark blue and pink ink "Bought of R. & E. Willett, cash butchers"rob willett, main street greensborough, were street montmorency

Once a row of shops wase situated here and then the Eltham RSL sub branch occupied this site from the 1950s. The War Memorial obelisk was relocated here from it oriiginal site and situated in front of the building. After the branch amalgamated with Montmorency in 2012, the building was subsequently sold and demolished. The memorial was relocated. Units now occupy the site. Changing streetscapeRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsUnidentified; half-frame numberingmonuments, church, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham uniting church, main road

Negatives supplied by Marjorie North 1 July 1986 for Montmorency France albumRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 of 6 stripsKodak CP 100 5094ansell, bridge, diamond creek, eltham gallery, eltham lower park, eltham park tea room, eltham south, falkiner street, muir

Negatives supplied by Marjorie North 1 July 1986 for Montmorency France albumRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 of 6 stripsKodak CP 100 5094montmorency, looker road, rattray road, shopping centre

Negatives supplied by Marjorie North 1 July 1986 for Montmorency France albumRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 of 6 stripsKodak CP 100 5094montmorency, were street, shopping centre

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 of 5 stripsKodak CP 100 5094montmorency, were street, shopping centre

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "In some respects Eltham is a 'back-water' and it has its own distinctive flavour. On the outskirts the homes date from the 1960's, 70's and 80s with a sprinkling of 'earth homes', mud-brick or pise, rammed dirt. Crossing Main Road into Beddoe Street and Thompson Crescent a very pleasant drive past pines and old fence lines, front lawns unfenced, the occasional ·old farm building, we eventually looked down on a huge circular roof of a 1992 adobe home. Other distinctive places included the Pauline Toner Butterfly Reserve, Gordon Ford's splendid garden at Fulling in Pitt Street, cypress hedges and old houses in Bridge Street and in every direction Eltham's special feature - a totally treed horizon. We were now in the part of the Shire closest to Melbourne - Montmorency - not on the way to anywhere, with no through road going across it, developed in the 1950's and 1960's with conventional gardens, now converted to native plants. The rail looped between Greensborough and Eltham and a shopping street (Were Street) served the area, growing up the hill from the station. It was a typical outer Melbourne suburb with lawns and roses with patches of originality. The shopping precinct still has 1950 characteristics - walls which sloped back, projecting roofs, the original shop fronts are nearly all tiled below the old windows. There's an air of past times about the School, the Dairy, the Butcher's (now a milk bar) and the Castlemaine stone face of the Commonwealth Bank. The final stop for the tour was at the mud-brick Woodburn residence, adobe of 1949 with additions. After War Service, Bill Woodburn had commenced an Architecture course at Melbourne University and after second year in the Christmas vacation, with his wife, Betti, built the two bedroom house - with amazing saving of costs. In the three and a half months they made over 3000 bricks (external walls 18" x 12" x 4", internal walls 12" x 9" x 4"), sifted top soil for mortar and laid them, on concrete foundations and slab floor, made all the structural window frames, door frames and roof members to carry 'super six' asbestos sheets, laboured for the electrician and plumber, did all the glazing and, still without electricity, moved in in March 1949. Rooms have been added, at first with glass walls, later using concrete blocks, to accommodate three daughters and a son. The house not only grew from the earth, but also with the family."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour, woodburn house

Shows a VW Beetle (GVM-459) heading east up the hill on Bridge Street continuance which at the time was slightly mis-aligned. Also street direction signs to Greensborough, Montmorency and St Helena.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, bridge street

Shows street signs on pole for Greensborough, Montmorency and St HelenaIn 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, bridge street

Photographs of public land in Were Street, Montmorency with public toilets. Before the the erection of the wind mill. Brick paved footpath, angle parking and two public phone boxes.6 colour photographs (2 sets)montmorency, public tiolets, were street, parks, public toilets, shopping centres