This old apple tree situated beside the Plenty River Trail at Greensborough has been associated with Melbourne Founder John Batman. The concrete block is inscribed with the date 1841, when the tree was thought to have been planted. Known as Batman's Tree, this apple tree is on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough. It is said that Melbourne Founder John Batman may have planted the tree and later signed his treaty here with the Aboriginal people. It still bears fruit and its recorded on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p7This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, greensborough, john batman tree, plenty river trail

This old apple tree situated beside the Plenty River Trail at Greensborough has been associated with Melbourne Founder John Batman. Known as Batman's Tree, this apple tree is on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough. It is said that Melbourne Founder John Batman may have planted the tree and later signed his treaty here with the Aboriginal people. It still bears fruit and its recorded on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p7 Was This John Batman's Tree? An apple tree on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough, is believed to have belonged to Melbourne’s founder, John Batman. It could also stand where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the Aboriginal people.1 Known as Batman’s Tree, it still bears fruit and is recorded on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It is ‘Believed to have been planted by either John Batman, (c1837) or Martin Batey (1841)’.2 In 1966 a Horticultural Adviser, Mr Rolfe, after extensive questioning of aged Greensborough residents, wrote: ‘it thus seems fairly certain that the old tree on the banks of the Plenty River is an original Batman apple tree’. Mr Rolfe said that the tree stood on a spot formerly called Wattle Bend: ‘one of the sites claimed to be where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the aboriginals. ‘My main source of information has been interviews with people who attended school in the Greensborough area from 70 to 80 years ago. Their parents were close to the days when Melbourne was founded so information passed on by word of mouth.’ Around 1920 the tree was struck by lightning and a concrete block was placed in the split. The concrete is inscribed with the date 1841 when the tree was thought to have been planted. Not everyone agrees with Mr Rolfe however. Former secretary of the Nillumbik Historical Society, Kevin Patterson, said there was no written evidence to support the claim. But he said the tree had been known to locals for decades as Batman’s Tree. In the 1920s a holiday resort in the area advertised: ‘Come to Greensborough and see John Batman’s tree’. Mr Patterson said it was thought that when Batman died in 1839 his land was sold and a Greensborough man Frederick Flintoff bought seedlings from his orchard for £1 each. This was the only one left.3 Mr Rolfe said: ‘If planted in 1837, or even a few years later, it undoubtedly is the oldest living apple tree in Victoria. Title records of the property on which the tree grows show that the land was a crown grant of F D Wickham in 1840. Mr Wickham was reputed to be a friend of John Batman. All the early settlers prior to the crown grants were squatters, by virtue of Batman’s treaty. This treaty was revoked by the then New South Wales Government, so it is likely that Wickham or an agent was in occupation before 1840. ‘According to Mrs Mavis Latham (John Batman – Great Australian Series, Oxford University Press) when Batman came to Port Phillip in 1835 he brought fruit trees with him. He failed to get a crown grant for his selection on Collins Street, which included 20 acres (eight ha) of orchard and cultivation. His residence became the Government Office and Melbourne grew from wild bushland in 1835 to a town of over 20,000 people by 1841. It is possible Batman visited Wickham and presented him with a tree.’ However a Flintoff descendant in 1933 said Frederick Flintoff ordered his bailiff Martin Batey to transplant the Batman Tree from the Spencer Street orchard to its present site as a memorial to his friend Batman.4 Mr Rolfe spoke to many people, including descendants of the Bateys and Flintoffs and pupils at the Greensborough Primary School. Many had gained their information from a ‘very highly respected’ head master Lewis Amiet at the Greensborough School from 1895 to 1917. He must have gained this information from residents in the district and had this information been incorrect, the parents of the children would have promptly corrected him.’ One woman who attended the school before Mr Amiet’s appointment, said the previous teacher also taught that the tree on the Plenty River was a Batman tree, Mr Rolfe said.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, greensborough, john batman tree, plenty river trail

J.A. McDonald produced this record in the course of his responsibilities as Shire Engineer for Eltham Shire Council.Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.a. gillies, alistair knox park, benchmark studies, bend of islands, blease road, box hill state school, box hill teachers college, box hill tip, bridge construction, bridge street bridge, bridge, brisbane street, brougham steet, bulldozer, cecil street, charis pelling, cherry tree road, city of preston, cr. a. brinkkotter, cr. charis pelling, cranes, cromwell street, diamond creek (creek), diamond street, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road, drott, eltham leisure centre, eltham north, eltham police station, eltham, eltham-yarra glen road, f. wood, fitzsimons lane bridge, flat rock road, flood damage, floods, floodwater, footpaths and gutters, ford service garage, g. blair, garden hill, glen park bridge, glenauburn road, grand hotel, haldane road, healesville, healesville-yarra glen road, heidelberg-kinglake road, henley road bridge, henley road, hill property, hurstbridge water scheme, hurstbridge, hurstbridge-arthurs creek road, infrastructure, j. jolly, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground-queenstown road, kangaroo ground-st andrews road, lilydale shire office, long gully bridge, long gully creek, long gully road, long gully, lower plenty bridge, lower plenty footbridge, lower plenty oval, lower plenty road, lower plenty, main road, methodist church, montmorency, mount pleasant road, new holland, old healesville road, opening ceremony, oxley bridge, para road, paul creek bridge, paul creek road, paul krafeznk, pinnacle lane, plaques, plenty river trail, plenty river, presbyterian church, prof donald thomson, pryor street, railway crossing, railway parade, rattray road, reconstruction works, reichelt avenue, research (vic.), research oval, road construction, rymers corner, shire of eltham, shire of whittlesea, silvan road bridge, silver street bridge, silver street, sir dallas brooks, smedley property, st andrews, steels creek, susan street, tarrawarra, tony carberry, uniting church, upper yarra dam, upper yarra reservoir, w.e. wolf, waterfall property, watsons creek, wattletree road bridge, wattletree road, wattletree road bridge, worlingworth, yarra glen, york street, yow yow creek

A health and condition report for Nillumbik Shire Council on the Batman / Whatmough Apple Tree. Prepared by Homewood Consulting in 2011The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839.9 page photocopy, text and colour illustrations.batman apple tree, robert whatmough, nillumbik council, plenty river trail

A history of the Batman Apple Tree and Pioneer Children's Cemetery along the Plenty River. Prepared by Samantha Westbrooke Pty Ltd in association with Peter Mills, historian. The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839. The Pioneer Children's Cemetery is the burial place of 7 children from the Whatmough and Partington families who dies between 1845 and 1858.11 page photocopy, text and black and white illustrations.batman apple tree, robert whatmough, plenty river trail, pioneer childrens cemetery

An historical article on the Batman Apple Tree written in 1890. The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839. 5 page copy of newspaper article, text.Handwritten notes by Anne Paul.batman apple tree, robert whatmough, plenty river trail, flintoff family

A report on the Batman Apple Tree written in 2002 by Franz Kreinecker, arborist for Nillumbik Shire Council.The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839. 8 pages of text. No photographs accompany this copy, but a photo list is included in text.batman apple tree, plenty river trail

The Batman apple tree is located on the Plenty Trail north of Greensborough. The tree dates from the mid 1800s and is said to have been purchased from John Batman's estate after his death.Digital copy of colour photographbatman apple tree, john batman, plenty river trail

This information was collected for a grant application to erect signage along the Plenty River path, outlining the history of this area where early settlement of the area occurred. The application was made by GHS member Dennis Ward.Black spiral bound folder with clear cover containing 18 pages of photograph and text.plenty river trail, plenty river, willis vale, dennis ward

The planning scheme amendment is to extend protection to a group of Pioneer Children's graves and an historic apple tree.The graves are from the pioneering Whatmough and Partington families. The apple tree is the surviving remnant of a former orchard on the site and is believed to have been purchased from the estate of John Batman.A 16 page collection of documents sent to GHS Committee member Anne Paul regarding an amendment to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.Niljohn batman, batman apple tree, whatmough, partington, plenty river, pioneer childrens graves, plenty river trail, nillumbik shire council, greensborough, c78

On Saturday 24th October 2015, the Greensborough Historical Society Heritage Day included a walk or drive to the Plenty River heritage precinct, observing many heritage sites in the area. This booklet was prepared by GHS President Noel Withers for those choosing to drive the route. A map is included.16 pages, text and images (some col.).greensborough historical society, plenty river pioneer trail, noel withers

On Saturday 24th October 2015, the Greensborough Historical Society Heritage Day included a walk or drive to the Plenty River heritage precinct, observing many heritage sites in the area. This booklet was prepared by GHS President Noel Withers for those choosing to walk the route. A map is included.16 pages, text and images.greensborough historical society, plenty river pioneer trail, noel withers

Map of the Plenty River through Greensborough and surrounding areas, annotated with historic places. Prepared by Dennis Ward, this map shows places of interest with historic markers for a proposed Heritage Trail along the Plenty. This was a joint project of Dennis Ward, Rotary Greensborough and Nillumbik Historical Society.This map shows many places of interest along the Plenty River. Large laminated map, including land subdivisions and street names.plenty river heritage trail

Contains information about the sites visited on the Heritage Walk 2011 through Yallambie and Viewbank. Notes compiled by Anne Paul with assistance from Russell Yeoman.20-page plastic binder, redcover. Contains 12 page guide.plenty river, heritage trail, anne paul, greensborough historical society, yallambie, viewbank, russell yeoman

This axle is believed to be from one of the vehicles (possibly a jinker) used by the Partington family on the Willis Vale property. It is shown after being uncovered near the Plenty River trail.From a Greensborough pioneer familyDigital copy of colour photograph.partington family, willis vale

Originally the boundary between the former Shire of Eltham and the City of Heidelberg, a toll gate existed on the Eltham side. The bridge has since been restored and is now part of the Plenty River Trail.Two colour photograph prints 10 x 15 cm (2 copies)bridges, lower plenty, main road, plenty river, old eltham road

Aerial photograph of Greensborough showing modern landmarks and businesses, including Partington's Flat, Whatmough Park, Plenty River Trail. Bounded by Diamond Creek Road to the East and the Plenty River to the East, The Circuit to the South. Aerial photograph in colour with overlay text indicating modern landmarksgreensborough, manatunga circuit greensborough, plenty river, diamond creek road greensborough, the circuit greensborough, aerial photograph

Air Navigation Facility, Palara Court Montmorency, is made up of a tower and brick building surrounded by wire fences. It is sited in parkland at the end of Palara Court close to the Plenty River Trail. Warning signs are placed on the fences, including: "This facility is provided for the control and guidance of aircraft".Digital copy of colour photographair navigation facility, air control, palara court montmorency

Air Navigation Facility, Palara Court Montmorency, is made up of a tower and brick building surrounded by wire fences. It is sited in parkland at the end of Palara Court close to the Plenty River Trail. Warning signs are placed on the fences, including: "This facility is provided for the control and guidance of aircraft".Digital copy of colour photographsair navigation facility, air control, palara court montmorency

Air Navigation Facility, Palara Court Montmorency, is made up of a tower and brick building surrounded by wire fences. It is sited in parkland at the end of Palara Court close to the Plenty River Trail. Warning signs are placed on the fences, including: "This facility is provided for the control and guidance of aircraft".Digital copy of colour photographair navigation facility, air control, palara court montmorency

Air Navigation Facility, Palara Court Montmorency, is made up of a tower and brick building surrounded by wire fences. It is sited in parkland at the end of Palara Court close to the Plenty River Trail. Warning signs are placed on the fences, including: "This facility is provided for the control and guidance of aircraft". This photograph shows signs at tower.Digital copy of colour photographair navigation facility, air control, palara court montmorency

Air Navigation Facility, Palara Court Montmorency, is made up of a tower and brick building surrounded by wire fences. It is sited in parkland at the end of Palara Court close to the Plenty River Trail. Warning signs are placed on the fences, including: "This facility is provided for the control and guidance of aircraft". This photograph shows the tower on the site.Digital copy of colour photographsair navigation facility, air control, palara court montmorency

The opening of the restored Old Lower Plenty Bridge, opened on 14/03/2001 by the Minister for Environment and Conservation Sherryl Garbutt MLA and Mayor of Banyule Cr Dale Peters. The project was jointly funded by Banyule Council and Parks Victoria. The restored bridge is the oldest remaining bridge in the former Shire of Eltham and forms part of the Plenty River Trail.Digital copy of colour photographlower plenty, lower plenty bridge, sherryl garbutt, dale peters, banyule council, parks victoria

The tree was one of two original red river gums that pre-dated European occupation, and was the site where colonists congregated to celebrate the announcement of Victoria's separation from New South Wales on 15 November 1850. It died as the result of vandalism in 2010 and 2013. Saplings of the original are planted around Melbourne, including along the Plenty River Trail in Greensborough3 p. Wikipedia article; photograph of the tree in the Botanical Gardens, Melbourne (before it was vandalised), and copy of the document of separation of the province of Victoria from the Colony of New South Wales, owned by Colin Boucher..separation tree

The opening of the restored Old Lower Plenty Bridge, opened on 14/03/2001 by the Minister for Environment and Conservation Sherryl Garbutt MLA and Mayor of Banyule Cr Dale Peters. The project was jointly funded by Banyule Council and Parks Victoria. The restored bridge is the oldest remaining bridge in Nillumbik and forms part of the Plenty River Trail. this photograph shows the area adjacent to the bridge on the day of the opening.Digital copy of colour photographlower plenty, lower plenty bridge, sherryl garbutt, dale peters, banyule council, parks victoria

The opening of the restored Old Lower Plenty Bridge, opened on 14/03/2001 by the Minister for Environment and Conservation Sherryl Garbutt MLA and Mayor of Banyule Cr Dale Peters. The project was jointly funded by Banyule Council and Parks Victoria. The restored bridge is the oldest remaining bridge in the former Shire of Eltham and forms part of the Plenty River Trail. This photograph shows the bridge from the side elevation, showing the bluestone and iron construction.Digital copy of colour photographlower plenty, lower plenty bridge, sherryl garbutt, dale peters, banyule council, parks victoria

The opening of the restored Old Lower Plenty Bridge, opened on 14/03/2001 by the Minister for Environment and Conservation Sherryl Garbutt MLA and Mayor of Banyule Cr Dale Peters. The project was jointly funded by Banyule Council and Parks Victoria. The restored bridge is the oldest remaining bridge in the former Shire of Eltham and forms part of the Plenty River Trail. This photograph shows the bridge area ready for the opening ceremony and the assembled community members attending the function.Digital copy of colour photographlower plenty, lower plenty bridge, sherryl garbutt, dale peters, banyule council, parks victoria

View looking west across the Eltham-Yarra Glen Road approaching the Lower Plenty Bridge near turn-off for the Golf Club Hotel. Present-day Lower Plenty Road follows a revised alignment across a new bridge. The former bridge is now part of the Plenty River Trail and Edward Willis Court now follows this section of the original Eltham-Yarra Glen Road.. The Golf Club Hotel is gone and a new Lower Plenty Hotel was built slightly further up the hill.Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.1962-07, shire of eltham, old eltham road, edward willis court, eltham-yarra glen road, golf club hotel, infrastructure, lower plenty, road construction

Kurrum Yallock - the Plenty River is Melbourne's third river. It is a defining feature of the region weaving its way through local suburbs and parklands. It is often hidden from general view, emerging at bridges and along its extensive trail network. While diminished since European settlement, the River provides an important environmental, wildlife corridor and recreational resource, along with many links to its settlement heritage. The Kurrum Yallock walks aim to guide people along the River Trail, while providing insight into key aspects of our recent history, an opportunity for reflection and an enhanced enjoyment of the River's special environment and landscape.birrarung, greensborough historical society, kurrum yallock, martins lane, plenty river, yallambie, yarra river