Photograph. The Patricia Coles (nee McLean) Collection. Golden Square Football Club Committee 1935. Original committee. Copy of a black and white photograph of 14 men, 5 seated, posed outside a timber building. Named as follows : Standing from Left - Unknown, Joe Schotterlein (employed Bendigo Advertiser), Laurie Ryan (hairdresser Golden Square), Sam Rance, Tom Brasier (Constable, Golden Square Police), Tom Whitlock (storekeeper, the old premises still stands on corner of Ophir / McKenzie?), S. Rolls, Unknown, William George Turner (Bill) (Captain Golden Square Fire Brigade, Chairman for 2 years of Country Fire Authority, Golden Square ALP, died 8/11/1943 age 47). Seated: Herb Hamill (Secretary for many years), E. Jones (Jones Hay &? Corn store, Laurel St.), Dr E. W. Turner (President), Dr P. Goodman (Vice President), Tom McLean (Vice President, Hotelier United Kingdom Hotel Golden Square). The above are named in a letter dated 7 March 2013 from John Turner, son of Bill. ** Note: there is a discrepancy between Patricia Coles and John Turner re. Names of those seated. From John's letter: 'Dad always dreamed of a team in the Bendigo League. Called some influential citizens and called a meeting at GS Fire Brigade which resulted in team being formed. First coach Alan (Snodger) Arthur. First game v Kyneton at Golden Square on April 27 1935. Possibly won a game or two in 1935 + 1936. 1937 in the Four, and 1938 Premiers (under Ree? Ford).. .. The Annual Report 1935 shows - President - Dr E W Turner, Vice Presidents - Dr P Goodman, T McLean, J McCabe, J Potter, A ? Cook (MLA) J Dutton, S Nixon, W Matthews Committee - W Turner, F Wilson, L Ryan, T? Bond, T Whitlock, W Henderson, W White, J Christopher, J Schotterlein, S Rance. Player Reps - A Arthur (coach), R Lee, C Rowe, T McMahon, G Whiteside. Time Keeper - J Harper. Surgeons - Dr Turner, Dr Goodman. Dentist - Mr W Batchelder. Solicitor - Mr E Hynam. Auditor - J J Potter, E Hynam. Treasurer - Mr E Jones. Assist Sec - Constable Tom Brasier. Secretary - Herb Hammill.' See also Jim Evans article in Bendigo Advertiser, February 28 2013, a copy of which is included in the collection.clubs, football, golden square football club, golden square football club.

Document. Typed letter to Mr. K. Guiney from W.Cowling, Bendigo District Ford Dealers, inviting to visit the showroom to view the latest Ford car on display. Letter dated 23/5/28.document, invitations, showroom visit

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Saturday, November 6, 2004. Winners: the Protestant Young Men's Cricket Association All Saints' Cricket team (premiership team circa 1946). Back row: Bruce Brooks, Glen Kinder, Maurice Wagstaff, Mr Cole (scorer), Jim Cavanagh, George Stevens. Middle row: Barry Smith, Reg Ford, Les Moore, Harry Shepherd. Front row: Adrian Scott, Fred Doble.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

INTERVIEW: Five typed pages of an interview with Mr Leonard Charles Bennetts on Monday 22nd of July 1996. Mentioned are his time as a child, his work, life in the Army, his employment after the Army, changes in Bendigo in his time, and a little about family. Interview recorded by Isobel GillIsobel Gillperson, individual, leonard bennetts, mr leonard bennetts, isabel e gill, foggitt's factory, mckenzie street methodist sunday school & church, violet street state school, raes hill school, bendigo high school, mr wickings, allan's walk, abbott's boot shop, matchett's, crofts, gwen norris, jean norris, john bennetts, peter bennetts, army survey corp, 3rd tank transporter company, 2/16th (australian general transport company) a g t, gordon norris, sylva evans, reg ford, hams, jack thomas, sidy waight, shamrock hotel, s e c, post office, dudley house, alexander fountain, the temperance hall, sandhurst trustee building, fire station, the hospital, anne caudle centre

The remarkable story of the secret letters from Nixon and Ford to the President of South Vietnam and the American promises that were never kept.This book provides significant new date on United States relations with South Vietnam from 1968 to 1975. An extraordinary collection of previously undisclosed exchanges of letters between Mr. Thieu and Presidents Nixon and Ford combine with the authors' interviews with may key Americans and Vietnamese to make this an important study.vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 -- diplomatic history, vietnam - foreign relations - united states, president nixon, president ford

The remarkable story of the secret letters from Nixon and Ford to the President of South Vietnam and the American promises that were never kept.This book provides significant new date on United States relations with South Vietnam from 1968 to 1975. An extraordinary collection of previously undisclosed exchanges of letters between Mr. Thieu and Presidents Nixon and Ford combine with the authors' interviews with may key Americans and Vietnamese to make this an important study.vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 -- diplomatic history, vietnam - foreign relations - united states, president nixon, president ford

Two brothers - surname Wain - found this phonogram at the Chiltern tip. It was recovered and restored by Mr Gray of Chiltern and presented to the Wangaratta Historical Society by Mr Bruce Kirkwood in 1967. Edison cylinder records were obtained and these are able to be played on this machine. These Edison phonograms were highly sought after and valued as an alternate entertainment in the homes of those who had the means of affording this machine. Brown table model Edison Phonogram Wooden box base with fluted metal horn Plays metal cylindrical recordsedison phonogram

Mr Ernie Fitzgerald of Tarrawingee, traveled to Wangaratta, a distance of 14 Kilometres on Market days for his provisions. He was pulled along by his one of two dogs attached to a hand held leather strap (recounted by a witness who remembers Mr Fitzgerald's weekly visit to Wangaratta for supplies at The CoStore). This vehicle remains in possession of his family. This was an unique mode of transport in the 1930's, the witness was a child at the time and remembers Mr Fitzgerald and his dogs and the cart quite clearly. This is a unique mode of transport for the area, is documented and still in existence. WHS Inc were presented with 10,000 glass plate negative from Thelma & Vine Photographic Studios Murphy Street Wangaratta from the 1860's - 1950's. An example of a glass plate negative is featured above of Mr Ernie Fitzgerald of Tarrawingee who traveled to Wangaratta, a distance of 14 Kilometres on Market days for his provisions. He was pulled along by his one of two dogs attached to a hand held leather strap. (Recounted by a witness who remembers Mr Fitzgerald's weekly visit to Wangaratta for supplies). This vehicle remains in possession of his family. Unknownthree wheel steerable chair

Six photographs (black and white) of Ford Factory from 1926. One envelope from H.L.S. Potter Photographic Stores, Ryrie Street, Geelong. Phone 2240 to Mr Must. Back of photo: Ford Manufacturing Co. on left of photo and Ford Motor Co. on right.Front: Envelope PHOTOGRAPHS ONLY / 233. From / H.L.S. POTTER / Photographic Stores / RYRIE STREET, GEELONG / Phone 2240. Ford 1926 / North Geelong (handwritten) / Mr. Must / WE HAVE EVERYTHING YOU WANT THAT IS PHOTOGRAPHIC. Back: see notes over leaf). photos, ford factory geelong

Wickliffe State School pupils, 1920. Back: Alan Grimmer, Don Gale, Daisy Bowes, Eileen Cleary, Daisy Williamson, Norma McInnes, Jack Cleary, Syd Prust, Keith McInnes. 2nd row: Peter Grimmer, Alice Glenn, Marjorie Prust, Hilda Farrell, Jean McInnes, Nellie Grimmer, Iney Farrell, Clarice Blackham, Beattie Farrell, V. Grimmer. 3rd row: Flora McInnes, Ruby Prust, Murray Mitchell, Bill Farrell, Stuart McInnes, Alan Gale, Don McInnes. Front: Murdoch Ferguson, Charlie Grimmer, Cath Ford, Grace Prust, Elsie Grimmer, Les Cleary. Teachers: Mr A Hewitt, Miss B.W. Grimmer.wickliffe, state school, blackham, bowes, cleary, farrell, ferguson, ford, gale, glenn, grimmer, hewitt, mcinnes, mitchell, prust, williamson

Pupils and staff at Wickliffe State School no 948, 1916. Teacher: Mr John Aldie. Sewing Teacher: Miss Nell Ford. Back: Donald Gale, Jack Cleary, Alan Grimmer, Fred Prust, Geoff McInnes, Jim Farrell, Claude Pagels, Jim Ford, Albert Smith. 2nd Row: Hilda Farrell, Jean McInnes, Mona Wileman, Inez Farrell, _________, Marg Prust, Sid Prust, Ray Grimmer. 3rd Row: Mary McInnes, Eileen Cleary, Evie Jackson, Nell McInnes, mMillie Blacjham, Stella Pagels, Kathie Ferguson, Gertie Pagels, Bill Blackham. 4th Row: Ruby Prust, Nell Grimmer, Keith McInnes ,_________, G Wileman, ___________. Front: Allan Gale, Robert Stuart McInnes.wickliffe state school no 948. blackham, cleary, farrell ,ferguson, ford, gale, grimmer, jackson, mcinnes, pagels, prust, smith, wileman.

Students names listed on back 6975-6 Stawell High School Form 5b 1968 Teacher Mr Sykes Back Row, Ron Hall, Bruce Evans, Gary Leslie, Michael De Clifford Middle Row, Jenny Arnott, Michelle Edwards, Linda Hemley, Barbara Ford, Teresa Inglis, Doreen Bennett, Michelle Hill, Suzanne Harding, Rhonda Forster, Helen Guy Front Row, Janine Chester, Beth Ellen, Dianne Dalziel, Mr Sykes, Lorrain Anderson, Pam Evans, Carolyn Air Students in Uniform wiith Teacher in front of Main buildingStawell High School Form 5A 1968education

The President of Legacy, David Ford with an elderly badge seller, his name is Mr Paul Allen and was a dedicated volunteer for many years (see other photos in 2000 and 2001). Another photo shows David Ford with a group of volunteer collectors. Some are wearing tags saying Legacy Appeal 2003 so the date is during Badge Week in September 2003.A record of fundraising for Badge Week.Colour photo x 2 of President Ford with badge sellers.Printing on the back "legacy appeal, fundraising, badge week, david ford

Clipping from The Herald (Melbourne), Sat. 11 June 1955, with three stories on page 5. "Jumbo's a real friend to the mountain folk" - about the Colac - Beech Forest railway with photographs, "Stainless steel carriages here?" - about future Melbourne suburban trains, quotes the Railways Commissioner Mr. Wishart., "100 mph "air ride" " - about new GM high speed train in the USA. Also has advertisements for Ford Prefects, Fur coats. Contained originally within Reg Item 5623 at the front of this note book. For items see btm5623 loose items list.pdfrailways, colac, melbourne, usa

The queen bee cage is designed to hold a queen bee, and up to three or four escort worker bees. The design allows for adequate ventilation, and has a spot for 'queen candy' -candied honey- to block one end. The queen is placed in her new hive inside the cage, and once the queen candy has been eaten through -allowing her access to the hive- the hive has become accustomed to her smell and accept her. Bees could be sent through the post in this cage. Used by a beekeeper and provided by Mr Richard Diss (beekeeper's son). The cage is significant because it was made with metal and wood. The more contemporary cages are now plastic and of a different design and specifications.Mesh cage stapled over wooden lid with metal strut and top and bottom metal bands. Base is larger than lid. Lid has metal cap.queen cage, nursery cage, bee travelling, mailing bees, beechworth honey, beekeeping

Mr James de Graaf in 1929 with his 1925 T FORD. James’ father Jacobus de Graaf arrived in Melbourne from Holland in 1853 and married Eliza Twite, aged 16 years. James married Caroline Kink in 1885 and came to live at 13 Charles Street, near Elgar Road soon after. James rode to and from work in Richmond until the train timetables were suitable for his work schedule. He then would put his bicycle in the guards van and from Richmond would still have to ride a distance. Eventually he worked in the timber trade in Box Hill. One of his recreations was the training of gun-dogs and he also boarded gun-dogs for some local owners. A black and white photograph of a man standing in front of a Ford motor car. He is wearing a 3 piece suit and and a hat. The registration no. of the car is 9743.(mr) james de graaf, motor vehicles, (mr) jacobus de graaf, (miss) eliza twite, (miss) caroline kink, model t ford, charles street, mont albert, surrey hills, dogs

Man on the right is believed to be Mr Bowyer. A Mr Bowyer farmed land just east of Mont Albert Station around about the turn of the century - not known if there is any connection with that family. Car believed to be a 'T' Ford; driver and owner: Mr Bowyer; thought to have been taken in the early 1920s. We would like additional information or confirmation. A black and white copy of a photograph showing two men standing in front of a bus with a sign on its side identifying its destination as from Mont Albert, Balwyn and Deepdene to Melbourne. Both men are wearing suits and hats. Mr Bowes of Mont Albert(mr) bowyer, bovill family, transport, bus service, mont albert, deepdene, balwyn, t ford, (ms) ellena biggs

Donation made on behalf of Surrey Hills Primary School. A second lesser copy was donated at a much earlier date.A 59 page informal history of Surrey Hills State School, No 2778. To quote the authors: "we have not used footnotes, nor a bibliography; and we have used reminiscence without always ensuring that facts and dates are strictly accurate." The book is richly illustrated with photos, excerpts of student work and other ephemera. It is not indexed. Headings are: Beginnings, The Cadet Corps, Head Teacher Bennett, School Days 1900-1925, War Time & Beyond, The Mothers' Club, Childhood Illness, School Days in '30s, Expansion, PWD Problems, Depression and Wartime, Post War Crowding, memories, Mr Wheeler, Migrants, Royal Tours, Pedestrian Crossings, The Canteen, Craft Room, Sports Days, Acquisition of Mr Prior's House, Parents Right to Know, Social Service, School Committee, Concerts & Balls, Mothers' Club to Parents' Club, Library, More PWD Problems, Changes, Camps, Recent Principals. This copy includes a copy of the Centenary Weekend Programme which has been stuck inside the front cover.wekworth, - (miss), reardon, edith, lauchlan, thelma, grant, mavis, higgins, nancy, kellan, coster, joyce, parker, marjorie, dyson, joy, sutton, phyllis, cadmar, gwennyth, mclaughlin, maurine, wendorf, winifred, broadbent, doreen, hawes, hilda, powell, crocker, beatrix, triggs, dorothy, peers, ker, pryde, norma, clemson, kathleen, owen, doris, glasscock, elaine, lovering, w b (mr), dyer, e a (mr), gamble, william, brown, j k (mr), raw, whitfield t, doyle, annie, st stephens presbyterian church, cadets, bennett, george t, brigadier general gordon, cottingham, r v (mr), day, george, greaves, arthur, servan, alice, renkin, anne, lutheran peace memorial home, gourlay, education, schools, doney, - (mr), collins, fyfe, alexander, fire brigades, maypoles, duck, lorraine, hendy, ives, alfred, reaburn, john, walduck, gwyneth, world war, 1914-1918, breeden, horace, horrie, wise, amy (miss), blogg, john kendrick, newington, lily (miss), parents clubs, brookes, - (mrs), lancashire, deans, johnson, herbert, -(mrs), travancore, jamieson, welch, mcdonald, harley, mclean, jack, rex theatre, surrey hills progress association, gamer, ernest, southall, ivan, influenza, barbara, ross, poliomyelitis, scott, moroney, daniel, thwaites, jean, constable, oswell, frank, large, gifford, a e (rev), gillies, j (rev), buxton, porter, jill, morgan, jan, 1939-1945, williamson, joan, cargill, jackson, van ernst, cooke, tyrell's milkbar, plaw, graeme, dairies, chenu, a h, rutzou, peter, bowie, heymann, megan, wilson, ritter, alan, martyn, dawson, l (mrs), mcgregor, d (mrs), e (mrs), fiedler, wheeler, lewis, marsh, rhyll, slater, games, gangell, pam, barrow, ford, henry, mcewan, marion, conlon, kathy, canterbury recreation reserve, surrey park, chatham oval, mooney, neil, kitson, surrey dive, monk, kay, saldineri, macqueen, lyndy, thomson, daley, susan, discombe, diane, hanson, robert, mulvey, albers, angela, tucker, david, glover, bright, lynette, mcinnes, jeanette, nethercott, turnball, eric, smith, roberts, chasemore, lyle, chislett, miss, capon program, k n (mr), fuller, i d (mr), henwood, j w (mr), g (mr), veitch, g (mrs), m (mrs), cheetham, j (mr), gardner, l (mr), d (mr), sepitka, lorna, balfe, win, wells, bob, keith, ian, kett, mr, elizabeth, liney, bruce, macarthur, rob, kelly, paula, neil b, sydenham, shirley, dixon, o'hagan, ros, van someren, fred, norman, burns, roberta, harry, christine, barker, henry j t, nutt, ernest h, richards, benjamin, lievesley, john h, knight, gabriel, clough, john s, hepburn, james, tinney, arthur h, blanchen, bernard j, somerwell, elizabeth j, john t, john m, caldicott, howard t

Mr. Bralsford,the Transport Manager at Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), is instructing RDNS staff in the responsibilities of driving an RDNS vehicle. The Sisters were undergoing a Post Basic Course given by RDNS Educators, Car maintenance was necessary from 1937 when a car was donated by the Rotary Club to Melbourne District Nursing Society, (MDNS). Another car was donated, by General Motors-Holden, via the Duchess of Gloucester, in 1947, and the fleet began to grow from 1950 with seven Ford Prefects being provided by the Hospital and Charities Commission. For many years Melford Motors in South Melbourne maintained the MDNS fleet, until the fleet grew to the point of, the now named, Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) providing its own Car Maintenance Division to service the cars regularly. The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, (RACV), attended any breakdowns which occurred when nursing staff were on the road. Each new Sister employed by the Service was taken out for a driving test before she drove a District car. Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) has had various modes of transport over the last 130 plus years. At first, from 1885 as Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), their Trained nurses (Nurses) walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of central Melbourne. As the Society expanded public transport was used; bicycles were bought by the Society in 1903 and used in inner areas until 1945. During the Spanish flu epidemic, in 1919, MDNS appealed for assistance to procure Motor vehicles so the Nurses could visit an influx of cases. Through trusts, grants and donations four 'Ford T Model' cars were procured which enabled the Nurses to triple their visits. Through constant use the cars were in such a poor state they were sold in 1927. A Motor Auxiliary was formed in 1929 to take Sisters to patients, and some Sisters used their own cars; even a motorcycle was used by one Sister in 1933. All these forms of transport were intermingled until, having received Royal patronage; the now Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) had its own full fleet of vehicles by the mid 1960s. In many areas there were unsealed roads, in various conditions, which the Sisters negotiated to reach their patients to give care. Seat-belts had been introduced to Victoria in 1959 and District fitted them to their cars from 1962, even though they did not become compulsory until 1970. The Melways Directory of maps was introduced in 1966 which was a boon to the Sisters, though it was a few years before it went beyond Seville, so those that did the Warburton and Powelltown area worked off a large paper map. By 2009 there were 598 cars in the fleet and the Sisters travelled 9 million 200,000 kilometres – this is equivalent to 12 trips to the moon and back. Black and white photograph showing Mr. Bralsford instructing RDNS staff. In the left foreground is Sister (Sr) Liz Thomson who has her dark hair drawn back, is looking down at a piece of white paper resting on the arm of the wooden chair on which she is sitting. In front of her are the back views of Sr. Betty McDonald with curled dark hair and to her right is Sister Joanne Wilkinson. Mr. Bralsford, who has short dark hair; is wearing glasses, and wearing a grey coat, is standing in front of them pointing to a blackboard with his extended left arm and hand. He is looking down, and has his right hand on a piece of white paper on a desk. A strip heater is high on the left hand wall.Photographers stamp and Quote No. GW 101royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns transport, rdns education, melford motors, racv, sister liz thomson, sister betty mcdonald, sister joanne wilkinson, mr bralsford

Photograph of 3 sqn RAAF personnel embarking for the Middle East. Signatures on accompanying document signed by Ken Williams, RW Sterrett, MR Campbell, J.H. Christie, JH McKinnon and F Finch. The personnel shown boarding are all in RAAF uniform. It was customary at the time to board units together, generally in the order of seniority, which was accepted as Navy first, Army second and RAAF third.Black and white photograph of troops boarding an Orient Line ship."3 sqdn embarking for ME." Written on top of photograph. "Army, Navy & RAAF leave for Middle East July 1940" written on rear of photograph. world war ii, second world war, orient line

This menu would have been printed to distribute to guests attending dinner on the Orient Line, which embarked for the Middle East in 1940. The dinner was held on Thursday 18th July of the same year. Signatures on the reverse of this document were signed by Ken Williams, RW Sterrett, MR Campbell, J.H. Christie, JH McKinnon and F Finch. This item relates closely to a photograph of the 3rd Squadron, in RAAF uniform, boarding the Orient Line.This menu is an item of ephemera dating to the World War Two era. Items such as this are ordinarily lost over the passage of time. As the item contains signatures it is possible that further research and interpretation could be done regarding the men it relates to. The item is therefore of historic and social significance and has good interpretive capacity.Card with printed lettering centrally spaced and folded along horizontal centreline. There are hand written inscription on the front and reverse in pen ink.On the front, top: 3 Sqn RAAF boarding for the Middle East. On the front, lower left there are markings under and to the right of the printed word 'tourist'. The is a thick line under the word, two arrows pointing to it from beneath and a question mark to the right. On the reverse, upper left corner: Ken Williams, RW Sterrett MR Campbell JH Christie JH McKinnon F Finchdinner menu, orient line, raaf, royal australian air force, ken williams, r w sterrett, m r campbell, j h mckinnon, f finch, j h christie, 3 squadron

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

"A perpetual spring in the adjacent creek provided a steady supply of fresh water to the site on which the homestead is built. Although we can not be certain of the identity of the builder, the first stage of ‘The Willows’ homestead appears to have been constructed in the mid 1850s. The house is situated on Crown Allotment No.1 (No Section), Parish of Kororoit, an allotment of 5 acres 3 roods 4 perches. Although it had surveyed the land, the Crown did not offer it for sale until 22nd November 1861, at which time it was purchased by Charles March Williams. (Although the property is directly opposite and immediately adjacent to the Township of Melton, and was sold as ‘Suburban Allotment 33’, it was situated within the Shire of Braybrook rather than the Shire of Melton until 1917.) Considerable improvements had taken place on the land prior to the Crown sale. When CM Williams purchased the allotment in November 1861 he paid £23.5.0 for the land itself, and valued the improvements at £400. Even allowing for some exaggeration by Williams, this is an extremely high valuation for improvements, and must have included a house. Some local research has claimed that in 1858 Williams had taken over the interest of a Mr Parkinson in the property, and that Parkinson built the house upon taking possession of the land c.1855. It was definitely built by 1861, when a map shows a square building on the site marked as ‘House’. The property is important in the district for its association with the establishment of the pound. The district pound had been established in 1854, when George Scarborough of Mount Cottrell (Mt Cottrell Road, south of Greigs Road) was appointed pound-keeper. Scarborough resigned in 1857. The pound was moved to Melton following agitation from local farmers and Charles March Williams appointed pound-keeper on 26th April 1858. Williams, the son of a doctor, had been born in London. Reminiscences of local residents of the time, as recorded in the Express newspaper, note Williams’ success in breeding horses on the property. Sales of up to 60 guineas were noted. Whether this was from Williams’s own stock or from unclaimed pound stock is not made clear. Williams appeared before a government inquiry in 1860 and advocated registration of all stock brands in the State. Williams died in 1862 leaving a widow, Catherine, and five living children aged 15 years to five months. At the time of his death Williams had entered negotiations with one Matthew Devenish and had a mortgage of £100 on allotments 1 and 2, Parish of Kororoit. Catherine Williams was appointed pound-keeper on 2 September 1863, with her eldest son Charles as her assistant. Her tenure was short for on 22nd March 1864 George Minns senior paid Matthew Devenish £135 for allotments 1 and 2 Parish of Kororoit (considerably less than Williams had claimed the property was worth in 1861) and on the same day paid William Tullidge £45 for the adjoining allotments 3 and 4. In April 1867, James Ebden Minns, the newly married son of George senior became the owner of The Willows property having entered into a mortgage arrangement with his father to the extent of £200. At the time George Minns was residing in Kaarimba having left Melton in 1867 for a short trip to England and upon his return having taken up a selection in the Kaarimba district with his son Frederick who had a hotel licence there. James paid out the mortgage on 2-1-1873. James Minns was appointed pound-keeper in 1872; in 1885 the pound was moved elsewhere and Minns purchased the old pound site and added it to his farm. The Willows residence underwent a major change about this time. A two room extension, similar in style but with a lower elevation was added to the original rear of the house with a chimney matching the distinctive originals. Window arrangements did not match the original but became a feature of the façade when the new addition became the front of the building. Six buttresses were attached to the east and west walls of the old building, two to the south wall and the whole rendered with mortar to give the appearance of dressed stonework around the windows. Galvanized iron was placed over the shingles and a verandah added on three sides. By 1876 The Willows was the homestead for a thriving mixed farm of 340 acres of which 156 was rented from a H. Ruck. In October of that year the Australasian travelling reporter visited and reported on the property. In common with the nearly every other property in the district the farm had ‘recently’ (generally within the last two years) abandoned cultivation of crops, and turned over completely to cattle pasture. Butter making was the principal occupation of the farm, which had about 50 head of cattle, a large proportion of which were milking cows. The reporter also noted that a ‘large number of pigs are kept upon this farm and are found to be very profitable stock’. Their manure was used in an orchard and garden in which ‘large quantities of lucerne and prairie grass are grown for the use of stock when ordinary feed is scarce’. Two bores attached to deep brick lined wells supplied water for the house in addition to the farm. A commodious timber barn and necessary sheds had also been constructed. Access to the property was improved following the construction of the bluestone ford across the creek c.1887, when the recreation ground came into use. Prior to this date it may have been that the crossing referred to as ‘Mr Minns bridge’ was used. This appears to have been a flimsy structure and has but two references in Council reports in the Melton Express in the 1880’s. It is believed that in the late 1890’s a timber building was added near the rear of the building to house a kitchen, ablutions and laundry rooms and rooms for seasonal workers. This was attached to the house by means of a trellised walkway using the original front entry to the house (long since the back door). A photograph of this building appears in a local history of Melton. This was demolished in recent decades during the period when the house was tenanted (after the Minns family had left). James Minns son, George, took over the property following his marriage to Alice Walsh in 1903. James and Caroline moved into a house on the former JH Games property at the eastern end of Henry Street. George held the position of Shire Secretary for Melton for 40 years. He was a most prominent member of the community being Secretary to, among others, the Melton Coursing Club, the Shooting Club and the Cemetery Trust. He also rode with the hunting parties who sported across the Plains and were entertained at Mount Kororoit. George and Alice had one son, Norman who followed his father into local government and became Secretary of the Shire of Werribee completing a record term in this position. George retired to Werribee in 1951, where he died in 1965. The National Trust records note that James Ebden Minns and his sons were ‘leading men of the district, Justices of the Peace, and Shire Councillors’. It claims that Sir Thomas Bent was a frequent visitor. The Willows passed into the hands of George’s grandson, Bruce Minns and the property was let for a number of years. In the 1960s it became vacant and was subject to vandalism. Major structural problems arose with the part demolition of the roof, the loss of windows and doors and holes dug into and under the floorboards. The outbuildings were particularly targeted. Following widespread public support, the Shire of Melton purchased the house, with 3.75 acres of land, in 1972. In 1975 the Shire of Melton and the Melton and District Historical Society were successful in nominating the building for National Trust classification, and then the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate. The AHC particularly noted its ‘townscape importance’. It was envisaged that the farmhouse would form ‘a picturesque centrepiece to Melton’s planned … historical park, along with Dunvegan bluestone cottage … and similar structures as they become available.’ In a time of great Melton’s ‘satellite city’ development the Council spelt out its broader vision in its submission to the AHC: ‘Melton is destined to become, by the end of the present century, a city of between 75,000 and 100,000 people. Significant relics of the past, such as ‘The Willows’, regrettably will be rare in that situation. It is essential that sufficient tangible links with Melton’s pioneering days remain to promote in the new community a sense of history and continuity’. Under the direction of ‘The Willows’ Restoration Committee and consultant architect John Hitch, all outbuildings, with the exception of the garage and toilet, were demolished and the dwelling house restored. Finances were provided by the Shire of Melton and the National Estate Grants Program, and considerable amount of voluntary labour was provided by the local community. The orchard was removed, and remaining wooden buildings were relocated to provide an open vista for visitors to the Park. The property was furnished with donations from district families keen to preserve this example of pioneer life in the area. The Willows became the headquarters of the Melton and District Historical Society". Invitation to the family reunion at the Willowslocal identities, pioneer families

Standing L- R : George Ford, Jack Ferris, Dick Arthur ?, Albert Paulet, Chas Woodley, Mrs Ford, Geo Coburn, Mrs Arthur, Fred Minns?, Charlie Palmer, Mrs Ferris, Mr Alf Minns, Mrs George Coburn, Judge Front row - seated 6 women and 4 men. C.E. Barrie 2nd from the left. Identified by Wendy Barrie, granddaughter. This photograph is part of a scrap book which was photographed by Wendy Barrie c1971. It possibly came via Elizabeth and Ruth King of Alexander Street. Photograph of the group standing beside the Melton Mechanics Institute council, local identities, local significant events