Newsletter No. 218, September 2014 September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk In Newsletter No. 197, March 2011, there was a brief history of Crown Allotment 15 Section 5 Parish of Nillumbik (CA 15) a parcel of land of a quarter of a square mile extending from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road at the eastern extremity of Eltham. From the 1940s it was known as Stokes orchard. In later years it has been subdivided for residential purposes but leaving significant areas as power line and water supply reserves and bushland reserves that are habitat for the threatened For our excursion on 6th September we intend to walk through CA 15 to a bushland reserve east of Reynolds Road. The walk will traverse the boundary between suburban Eltham and the non-urban areas to the south and east. This is a pleasant walk through residential areas and bushland. Along the way we will discuss the early and more recent history of CA 15 as well as local natural history and geology. This walk is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the corner of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road.Born Digitaleltham east, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities, nyora road, reynolds road, gum tree road reserve, diosma road, stokes orchard, eucalyptus road

Newsletter No. 218, September 2014 September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk In Newsletter No. 197, March 2011, there was a brief history of Crown Allotment 15 Section 5 Parish of Nillumbik (CA 15) a parcel of land of a quarter of a square mile extending from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road at the eastern extremity of Eltham. From the 1940s it was known as Stokes orchard. In later years it has been subdivided for residential purposes but leaving significant areas as power line and water supply reserves and bushland reserves that are habitat for the threatened For our excursion on 6th September we intend to walk through CA 15 to a bushland reserve east of Reynolds Road. The walk will traverse the boundary between suburban Eltham and the non-urban areas to the south and east. This is a pleasant walk through residential areas and bushland. Along the way we will discuss the early and more recent history of CA 15 as well as local natural history and geology. This walk is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the corner of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road.Born Digitaleltham east, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities, nyora road, reynolds road, gum tree road reserve, diosma road, stokes orchard, eucalyptus road

Newsletter No. 218, September 2014 September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk In Newsletter No. 197, March 2011, there was a brief history of Crown Allotment 15 Section 5 Parish of Nillumbik (CA 15) a parcel of land of a quarter of a square mile extending from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road at the eastern extremity of Eltham. From the 1940s it was known as Stokes orchard. In later years it has been subdivided for residential purposes but leaving significant areas as power line and water supply reserves and bushland reserves that are habitat for the threatened For our excursion on 6th September we intend to walk through CA 15 to a bushland reserve east of Reynolds Road. The walk will traverse the boundary between suburban Eltham and the non-urban areas to the south and east. This is a pleasant walk through residential areas and bushland. Along the way we will discuss the early and more recent history of CA 15 as well as local natural history and geology. This walk is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the corner of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road.Born Digitaleltham east, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities, nyora road, reynolds road, gum tree road reserve, diosma road, stokes orchard, eucalyptus road

Newsletter No. 218, September 2014 September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk In Newsletter No. 197, March 2011, there was a brief history of Crown Allotment 15 Section 5 Parish of Nillumbik (CA 15) a parcel of land of a quarter of a square mile extending from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road at the eastern extremity of Eltham. From the 1940s it was known as Stokes orchard. In later years it has been subdivided for residential purposes but leaving significant areas as power line and water supply reserves and bushland reserves that are habitat for the threatened For our excursion on 6th September we intend to walk through CA 15 to a bushland reserve east of Reynolds Road. The walk will traverse the boundary between suburban Eltham and the non-urban areas to the south and east. This is a pleasant walk through residential areas and bushland. Along the way we will discuss the early and more recent history of CA 15 as well as local natural history and geology. This walk is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the corner of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road.Born Digitaleltham east, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities, nyora road, reynolds road, gum tree road reserve, diosma road, stokes orchard, eucalyptus road

Newsletter No. 218, September 2014 September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk In Newsletter No. 197, March 2011, there was a brief history of Crown Allotment 15 Section 5 Parish of Nillumbik (CA 15) a parcel of land of a quarter of a square mile extending from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road at the eastern extremity of Eltham. From the 1940s it was known as Stokes orchard. In later years it has been subdivided for residential purposes but leaving significant areas as power line and water supply reserves and bushland reserves that are habitat for the threatened For our excursion on 6th September we intend to walk through CA 15 to a bushland reserve east of Reynolds Road. The walk will traverse the boundary between suburban Eltham and the non-urban areas to the south and east. This is a pleasant walk through residential areas and bushland. Along the way we will discuss the early and more recent history of CA 15 as well as local natural history and geology. This walk is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the corner of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road.Born Digitaleltham east, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities, nyora road, reynolds road, gum tree road reserve, diosma road, stokes orchard, eucalyptus road

Newsletter No. 218, September 2014 September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk In Newsletter No. 197, March 2011, there was a brief history of Crown Allotment 15 Section 5 Parish of Nillumbik (CA 15) a parcel of land of a quarter of a square mile extending from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road at the eastern extremity of Eltham. From the 1940s it was known as Stokes orchard. In later years it has been subdivided for residential purposes but leaving significant areas as power line and water supply reserves and bushland reserves that are habitat for the threatened For our excursion on 6th September we intend to walk through CA 15 to a bushland reserve east of Reynolds Road. The walk will traverse the boundary between suburban Eltham and the non-urban areas to the south and east. This is a pleasant walk through residential areas and bushland. Along the way we will discuss the early and more recent history of CA 15 as well as local natural history and geology. This walk is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the corner of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road.Born Digitaleltham east, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities, nyora road, reynolds road, gum tree road reserve, diosma road, stokes orchard, eucalyptus road

Newsletter No. 218, September 2014 September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk In Newsletter No. 197, March 2011, there was a brief history of Crown Allotment 15 Section 5 Parish of Nillumbik (CA 15) a parcel of land of a quarter of a square mile extending from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road at the eastern extremity of Eltham. From the 1940s it was known as Stokes orchard. In later years it has been subdivided for residential purposes but leaving significant areas as power line and water supply reserves and bushland reserves that are habitat for the threatened For our excursion on 6th September we intend to walk through CA 15 to a bushland reserve east of Reynolds Road. The walk will traverse the boundary between suburban Eltham and the non-urban areas to the south and east. This is a pleasant walk through residential areas and bushland. Along the way we will discuss the early and more recent history of CA 15 as well as local natural history and geology. This walk is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the corner of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road.Born Digitaleltham east, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities, nyora road, reynolds road, gum tree road reserve, diosma road, stokes orchard, eucalyptus road

Newsletter No. 218, September 2014 September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk In Newsletter No. 197, March 2011, there was a brief history of Crown Allotment 15 Section 5 Parish of Nillumbik (CA 15) a parcel of land of a quarter of a square mile extending from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road at the eastern extremity of Eltham. From the 1940s it was known as Stokes orchard. In later years it has been subdivided for residential purposes but leaving significant areas as power line and water supply reserves and bushland reserves that are habitat for the threatened For our excursion on 6th September we intend to walk through CA 15 to a bushland reserve east of Reynolds Road. The walk will traverse the boundary between suburban Eltham and the non-urban areas to the south and east. This is a pleasant walk through residential areas and bushland. Along the way we will discuss the early and more recent history of CA 15 as well as local natural history and geology. This walk is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the corner of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road.Born Digitaleltham east, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities, nyora road, reynolds road, gum tree road reserve, diosma road, stokes orchard, eucalyptus road

Newsletter No. 218, September 2014 September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk In Newsletter No. 197, March 2011, there was a brief history of Crown Allotment 15 Section 5 Parish of Nillumbik (CA 15) a parcel of land of a quarter of a square mile extending from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road at the eastern extremity of Eltham. From the 1940s it was known as Stokes orchard. In later years it has been subdivided for residential purposes but leaving significant areas as power line and water supply reserves and bushland reserves that are habitat for the threatened For our excursion on 6th September we intend to walk through CA 15 to a bushland reserve east of Reynolds Road. The walk will traverse the boundary between suburban Eltham and the non-urban areas to the south and east. This is a pleasant walk through residential areas and bushland. Along the way we will discuss the early and more recent history of CA 15 as well as local natural history and geology. This walk is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the corner of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road.Born Digitaleltham east, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities, nyora road, reynolds road, gum tree road reserve, diosma road, stokes orchard, eucalyptus road

Newsletter No. 218, September 2014 September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk In Newsletter No. 197, March 2011, there was a brief history of Crown Allotment 15 Section 5 Parish of Nillumbik (CA 15) a parcel of land of a quarter of a square mile extending from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road at the eastern extremity of Eltham. From the 1940s it was known as Stokes orchard. In later years it has been subdivided for residential purposes but leaving significant areas as power line and water supply reserves and bushland reserves that are habitat for the threatened For our excursion on 6th September we intend to walk through CA 15 to a bushland reserve east of Reynolds Road. The walk will traverse the boundary between suburban Eltham and the non-urban areas to the south and east. This is a pleasant walk through residential areas and bushland. Along the way we will discuss the early and more recent history of CA 15 as well as local natural history and geology. This walk is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the corner of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road.Born Digitaleltham east, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities, nyora road, reynolds road, gum tree road reserve, diosma road, stokes orchard, eucalyptus road

The world’s most ecologically distinct bird lives in the native grasslands of Victoria - but only just. The plains-wanderer is a small bird that was once widespread across the grasslands of south-eastern Australia. Today there are fewer than 1000 mature birds in the wild. The plains-wanderer is under threat due to habitat loss caused by overgrazing, cropping and suburban sprawl. Unlike most other birds, female wanderers are larger and more colourful and the males take care of the chicks. They are only about 15cm tall and weigh between 40-80g for the male and 55-90g for the female. Their intricate plumage mirrors the colours of their grassland home so they blend in perfectly with their surroundings. The plains-wanderer’s origins date back to when Australia was part of the Gondwana supercontinent over 60 million years ago. They are so biologically distinct that their extinction would result in the loss of a branch of the tree of life. A fussy grass dweller, they like neither too much nor too little grass. That is where sheep grazing can help. After years of low numbers in Victoria, plains-wanderer populations have been increasing in Terrick Terrick National Park in north west Victoria, as sheep grazing maintains the grass in the park at a suitable level. With the right management, this ecologically important bird species is continuing to survive in the native grasslands of Victoria. Managing these habitats for the plains-wanderer can also support the conservation of many other threatened plant and animal species. Object: Nest of plains-wanderers by Mary-Jane Walker, 2020. Outer made from upcycled paper, internal structure steel. Nest of plains-wanderers by Mary-Jane Walker, 2020. Outer made from up cycled paper, internal structure steel. native grasslands, plains-wanderer, terrick terrick national park

Wooragee Landcare was formed in 1989 to promote sustainable conservation and land-use practices in the North-East region of Victoria. The organisation's work has included public awareness and education campaigns to control invasive, introduced species and protect native wildlife, such as campaigns to bait or trap foxes and to identify and monitor quoll populations in the region. The organisation has drawn on the work of a variety of Government and academic experts to inform best practice approaches are utilised. In 2004 Andrew Murray, a leading quoll expert from Parks Victoria, conducted training for Wooragee Landcare members and the local community in how to identify potential quoll habitat and populations (through identifying scat and other methods). Spotted-tail or Tiger quolls were known to have lived in the Mt Pilot and Stanley Plateau region previously but habitat encroachment, competitor species such as foxes and natural disasters had reduced sightings in recent years. The Spotted-Tail quoll (formerly known as the Tiger Quoll) is the largest of four species of native marsupial carnivore on mainland Australia, and the second-largest carnivore (after the dingo). The species' scientific name, Dasyurus maculatus, references its' 'hairy tail'. Adults are approximately 125cm long, including their long tail, and weigh around 5 kilograms. The Spotted-tail quoll is currently considered to be a threatened species, but other species are currently listed as endangered. This photograph is significant as an example of wildlife protection awareness programs undertaken by Wooragee Landcare Group in the 2000s in Indigo Shire.Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paper.Reverse: WAN NA 0ANA2N0 NNN+ 2 8743 / [PRINTED] (No.22) / 268wooragee, wooragee landcare, kiewa landcare, indigo shire, north-east victoria, farming, conservation, wildlife, quoll, quolls, marsupials, predators, simon feillafe, andy murray, south-east forests, spotted tail quoll, mt pilot, stanley plateau, andrew murray

Wooragee Landcare was formed in 1989 to promote sustainable conservation and land-use practices in the North-East region of Victoria. The organisation's work has included public awareness and education campaigns to control invasive, introduced species and protect native wildlife, such as campaigns to bait or trap foxes and to identify and monitor quoll populations in the region. The organisation has drawn on the work of a variety of Government and academic experts to inform best practice approaches are utilised. In 2004 Andrew Murray, a leading quoll expert from Parks Victoria, conducted training for Wooragee Landcare members and the local community in how to identify potential quoll habitat and populations (through identifying scat and other methods). Spotted-tail or Tiger quolls were known to have lived in the Mt Pilot and Stanley Plateau region previously but habitat encroachment, competitor species such as foxes and natural disasters had reduced sightings in recent years. The Spotted-Tail quoll (formerly known as the Tiger Quoll) is the largest of four species of native marsupial carnivore on mainland Australia, and the second-largest carnivore (after the dingo). The species' scientific name, Dasyurus maculatus, references its' 'hairy tail'. Adults are approximately 125cm long, including their long tail, and weigh around 5 kilograms. The Spotted-tail quoll is currently considered to be a threatened species, but other species are currently listed as endangered.This photograph is significant as an example of wildlife protection awareness programs undertaken by Wooragee Landcare Group in the 2000s in Indigo Shire.Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paper.Reverse: WAN NA 0ANA2N0 NNN+ 1 8743 / [PRINTED] (No.23) / 269wooragee, wooragee landcare, indigo shire, north-east victoria, andrew murray, queries about quolls, wildlife, conservation, farming, predators, spotted tail quolls, quolls, marsupials, south-east forests, mt pilot, stanley plateau

A quarry was transformed into the Blue Lake. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p179 The dramatic steep-sided Plenty Gorge lies along the divide of two geological areas, and separates the Nillumbik Shire and the City of Whittlesea. On the Nillumbik side are undulating hills and sedimentary rock, and in Whittlesea, lies a basalt plain formed by volcanic action up to two million years ago. This provides the Plenty Gorge Park with diverse vegetation and habitats, making it one of Greater Melbourne’s most important refuges for threatened and significant species. The park, established in 1986, consists of around 1350 hectares, and extends 11 kilometres along the Plenty River, from Greensborough to Mernda. It provides a wildlife corridor for around 500 native plant and 280 animal species. The area’s plentiful food and water attracted the Wurundjeri Aboriginal people and then European settlers. By 1837 squatters had claimed large runs of land for their sheep and cattle. The Plenty Valley was among the first in the Port Phillip District to be settled - mainly in the less heavily timbered west - and was proclaimed a settled district in 1841.But by the late 1880s, the settlers’ extensive land clearing for animal grazing, then agriculture, depleted the Wurundjeri’s traditional food sources, which helped to drive them away. Many Wurundjeri artefacts remain (now government protected), and so far 57 sites have been identified in the park, including scarred trees, burial areas and stone artefacts. Pioneer life could be very hard because of isolation, flooding, bushfires and bushrangers. Following the Black Thursday bushfires of 1851, basalt was quarried to build more fire-resistant homes. Gold discoveries in the early 1850s swelled the population, particularly around Smugglers Gully; but food production made more of an impact. In the late 1850s wheat production supplanted grazing. In the 1860s the government made small holdings available to poorer settlers. These had the greatest effect on the district, particularly in Doreen and Yarrambat, where orchards were established from the 1880s to 1914. Links with a prominent early family are the remains of Stuchbery Farm, by the river’s edge bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La Trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. The Stuchberys moved to the valley in 1890, and the family still lives in the area. In 1890, Alfred and Ada first lived in a tent where four children were born, then Alfred built the house and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden, and developed a dairy. The family belonged to the local Methodist and tennis communities. Their grandson Walter, opened the Flying Scotsman Model Railway Museum in Yarrambat, which his widow, Vi, continues to run. Wal was also the Yarrambat CFA Captain for 22 years until 1987. Walter sold 24 hectares in 1976 for development - now Vista Court - and in 1990, the remaining 22.6 hectares for the park. Remaining are an early stone dairy and remnants of a stone barn, a pig sty and a well. Until it was destroyed by fire in 2003, a slab hut stood on the Happy Hollow Farm site, at the southern end of the park. The hut is thought to have been built in the Depression around 1893. This was a rare and late example of a slab hut with a domestic orchard close to Melbourne. Emmet Watmough and his family first occupied the hut, followed by a succession of families, until the Bell family bought it around 1948. There they led a subsistence lifestyle for 50 years, despite encroaching Melbourne suburbia. The Yellow Gum Recreation Area includes the Blue Lake, coloured turquoise at certain times of the year. Following the 1957 bushfires, this area was quarried by Reid Quarries Pty Ltd for Melbourne’s first skyscrapers, then by Boral Australia. However in the early 1970s water began seeping into the quarry forming the Blue Lake and the quarry was closed. The State Government bought the site in 1997 and opened it as a park in 1999.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, blue lake, plenty gorge park

Stuchbery Farm was situated on the Plenty River bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. Alan and Ada Stutchbery moved to the valley in 1890, first living in a tent where four children were born. Alfred built a home and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden and developed a dairy. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p179 The dramatic steep-sided Plenty Gorge lies along the divide of two geological areas, and separates the Nillumbik Shire and the City of Whittlesea. On the Nillumbik side are undulating hills and sedimentary rock, and in Whittlesea, lies a basalt plain formed by volcanic action up to two million years ago. This provides the Plenty Gorge Park with diverse vegetation and habitats, making it one of Greater Melbourne’s most important refuges for threatened and significant species. The park, established in 1986, consists of around 1350 hectares, and extends 11 kilometres along the Plenty River, from Greensborough to Mernda. It provides a wildlife corridor for around 500 native plant and 280 animal species. The area’s plentiful food and water attracted the Wurundjeri Aboriginal people and then European settlers. By 1837 squatters had claimed large runs of land for their sheep and cattle. The Plenty Valley was among the first in the Port Phillip District to be settled - mainly in the less heavily timbered west - and was proclaimed a settled district in 1841. But by the late 1880s, the settlers’ extensive land clearing for animal grazing, then agriculture, depleted the Wurundjeri’s traditional food sources, which helped to drive them away. Many Wurundjeri artefacts remain (now government protected), and so far 57 sites have been identified in the park, including scarred trees, burial areas and stone artefacts. Pioneer life could be very hard because of isolation, flooding, bushfires and bushrangers. Following the Black Thursday bushfires of 1851, basalt was quarried to build more fire-resistant homes. Gold discoveries in the early 1850s swelled the population, particularly around Smugglers Gully; but food production made more of an impact. In the late 1850s wheat production supplanted grazing. In the 1860s the government made small holdings available to poorer settlers. These had the greatest effect on the district, particularly in Doreen and Yarrambat, where orchards were established from the 1880s to 1914. Links with a prominent early family are the remains of Stuchbery Farm, by the river’s edge bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La Trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. The Stuchberys moved to the valley in 1890, and the family still lives in the area. In 1890, Alfred and Ada first lived in a tent where four children were born, then Alfred built the house and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden, and developed a dairy. The family belonged to the local Methodist and tennis communities. Their grandson Walter, opened the Flying Scotsman Model Railway Museum in Yarrambat, which his widow, Vi, continues to run. Wal was also the Yarrambat CFA Captain for 22 years until 1987. Walter sold 24 hectares in 1976 for development - now Vista Court - and in 1990, the remaining 22.6 hectares for the park. Remaining are an early stone dairy and remnants of a stone barn, a pig sty and a well. Until it was destroyed by fire in 2003, a slab hut stood on the Happy Hollow Farm site, at the southern end of the park. The hut is thought to have been built in the Depression around 1893. This was a rare and late example of a slab hut with a domestic orchard close to Melbourne. Emmet Watmough and his family first occupied the hut, followed by a succession of families, until the Bell family bought it around 1948. There they led a subsistence lifestyle for 50 years, despite encroaching Melbourne suburbia. The Yellow Gum Recreation Area includes the Blue Lake, coloured turquoise at certain times of the year. Following the 1957 bushfires, this area was quarried by Reid Quarries Pty Ltd for Melbourne’s first skyscrapers, then by Boral Australia. However in the early 1970s water began seeping into the quarry forming the Blue Lake and the quarry was closed. The State Government bought the site in 1997 and opened it as a park in 1999.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, ada stuchbery, alan stuchbery, dairy, stuchbery farm, farm buildings, yarrambat, plenty gorge park

One of seven sites in Eltham and Greensborough where the butterfly survives. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p181 The rare Eltham Copper Butterfly, Paralucia pyro-discus, was saved from near extinction by a community campaign in the late 1980s. Thanks to that effort, the butterfly, a form of the Fiery Copper Butterfly, with a wing span of only 2.5cm, can be seen in parts of Eltham and Greensborough from late November to April. As late as 1987 the butterfly was thought to be near extinction. But that year, entomologist, Michael Braby, found several colonies, including two major ones in natural bushland on Diosma Road, Eltham. However these were threatened with destruction, as their habitat was to be destroyed by a development of 71 houses. The colonies were on a 14 hectare subdivision owned by Esanda Finance, an ANZ Bank subsidiary. It would cost around $5 million, to reimburse the bank for the land. The butterfly, which depends on woodland, a stunted form of the Sweet Bursaria bush, and the Notoncus ant, was considered too fragile to relocate. Braby’s discovery led to a sometimes fiery two-year campaign, which even became an election issue. It involved the local community, local and state governments and the developer, before a compromise was reached. The larvae have an intricate relationship with the small black ant, Notoncus. During the day, the larvae shelter in nests made by the ants around the base of the trunk and roots of the Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa). The ants are thought to protect the larvae from predators and parasites, as they attend them from the nests to feed on the Bursaria leaves at night. In return, the larvae excrete a sugar solution, which the ants love to eat. The butterfly was first recorded in Victoria in 1893, and first collected scientifically from Eltham in 1931. But it was only officially named in 1951, by Victoria’s then top butterfly expert, David Crosby.2 However, from 1970, rapid housing development in Eltham destroyed much of the butterfly’s habitat. The discovery of several major colonies in 1987 met with great excitement, and 250 people attended the first local public meeting. The State Government commissioned Crosby to investigate how to protect the butterfly, and the council froze development for three weeks. Then Esanda agreed to suspend development for several months, until a compromise was reached. Crosby recommended that 62 of the 71 lots be kept to ensure the butterflys’ survival. However this would cost $1 million to $1.5million in compensation to Esanda. Greensborough MP Pauline Toner, launched a $1million fundraising campaign and many artists donated their works to the appeal. Toner offered Clifton Pugh’s painting Eltham Copper Country to millionaire Alan Bond for $1 million, after having heard that he had offered $6 million for the Van Gough painting Sunflowers. However Bond did not accept. The butterfly was considered a ‘hot’ election issue during the by-election, following Pauline Toner’s resignation. Liberal party candidate, Margaret Brown, was accused of falsely saying she had been involved in the butterfly campaign so as to win votes. Sadly, the $1million appeal fell short at $426,000, so a compromise was reached. The State Government donated the Education Department site on Eucalyptus Road, but only nine lots of the Diosma site were bought, and the rest of the development went ahead. On March 3, 1989, Ms Toner died. Thee Eucalyptus Road site was named in her honour. Around 2000 the butterfly was further threatened by proposed developments on Pitt Street, facing the Pauline Toner Reserve and between Diosma and Nyora Roads. Fortunately the Friends of the ECB, with the Shire of Nillumbik, ensured that more habitat was made available. The butterfly now survives in seven sites in Eltham and Greensborough, including the main sites at the Pauline Toner Reserve on Eucalyptus Road, the Western and Eastern colonies on Diosma Road, and the Yandell Reserve in Greensborough.5 The butterfly survives also in Castlemaine and in the Kiata and Salisbury areas. However, it remains endangered.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, eltham copper butterfly, pauline toner butterfly reserve

Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p181 The rare Eltham Copper Butterfly, Paralucia pyro-discus, was saved from near extinction by a community campaign in the late 1980s. Thanks to that effort, the butterfly, a form of the Fiery Copper Butterfly, with a wing span of only 2.5cm, can be seen in parts of Eltham and Greensborough from late November to April. As late as 1987 the butterfly was thought to be near extinction. But that year, entomologist, Michael Braby, found several colonies, including two major ones in natural bushland on Diosma Road, Eltham. However these were threatened with destruction, as their habitat was to be destroyed by a development of 71 houses. The colonies were on a 14 hectare subdivision owned by Esanda Finance, an ANZ Bank subsidiary. It would cost around $5 million, to reimburse the bank for the land. The butterfly, which depends on woodland, a stunted form of the Sweet Bursaria bush, and the Notoncus ant, was considered too fragile to relocate. Braby’s discovery led to a sometimes fiery two-year campaign, which even became an election issue. It involved the local community, local and state governments and the developer, before a compromise was reached. The larvae have an intricate relationship with the small black ant, Notoncus. During the day, the larvae shelter in nests made by the ants around the base of the trunk and roots of the Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa). The ants are thought to protect the larvae from predators and parasites, as they attend them from the nests to feed on the Bursaria leaves at night. In return, the larvae excrete a sugar solution, which the ants love to eat. The butterfly was first recorded in Victoria in 1893, and first collected scientifically from Eltham in 1931. But it was only officially named in 1951, by Victoria’s then top butterfly expert, David Crosby.2 However, from 1970, rapid housing development in Eltham destroyed much of the butterfly’s habitat. The discovery of several major colonies in 1987 met with great excitement, and 250 people attended the first local public meeting. The State Government commissioned Crosby to investigate how to protect the butterfly, and the council froze development for three weeks. Then Esanda agreed to suspend development for several months, until a compromise was reached. Crosby recommended that 62 of the 71 lots be kept to ensure the butterflys’ survival. However this would cost $1 million to $1.5million in compensation to Esanda. Greensborough MP Pauline Toner, launched a $1million fundraising campaign and many artists donated their works to the appeal. Toner offered Clifton Pugh’s painting Eltham Copper Country to millionaire Alan Bond for $1 million, after having heard that he had offered $6 million for the Van Gough painting Sunflowers. However Bond did not accept. The butterfly was considered a ‘hot’ election issue during the by-election, following Pauline Toner’s resignation. Liberal party candidate, Margaret Brown, was accused of falsely saying she had been involved in the butterfly campaign so as to win votes. Sadly, the $1million appeal fell short at $426,000, so a compromise was reached. The State Government donated the Education Department site on Eucalyptus Road, but only nine lots of the Diosma site were bought, and the rest of the development went ahead. On March 3, 1989, Ms Toner died, and the Eucalyptus Road site was named in her honour. Around 2000 the butterfly was further threatened by proposed developments on Pitt Street, facing the Pauline Toner Reserve and between Diosma and Nyora Roads. Fortunately the Friends of the ECB, with the Shire of Nillumbik, ensured that more habitat was made available. The butterfly now survives in seven sites in Eltham and Greensborough, including the main sites at the Pauline Toner Reserve on Eucalyptus Road, the Western and Eastern colonies on Diosma Road, and the Yandell Reserve in Greensborough.The butterfly survives also in Castlemaine and in the Kiata and Salisbury areas. However, it remains endangered.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, eltham copper butterfly, sweet bursaria

The dusky antechinus was first described in 1840 by English naturalist George Robert Waterhouse, making it the second species of antechinus to be formally recorded. It was named in honor of zoologist and artist William Swainson, with the holotype likely originating from the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania, collected by Swainson’s associate, Thomas Lempriere. The dusky antechinus is distributed across southeastern Queensland to southwestern Victoria, as well as in Tasmania. It is most frequently found in mountainous areas, including Kosciuszko National Park and the Brindabella Ranges, where it inhabits alpine heath and tall open forests with dense understorey vegetation. While the species is not considered threatened, some local populations have declined due to habitat loss caused by controlled burning and the replacement of native forests with pine plantations. Additionally, predation by cats and red foxes is believed to negatively impact its numbers. This specimen was originally identified as a bandicoot and is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.Small sized dusky antechinus with a pointy snout, small rounded eyes made of glass, a thin tail, small rounded ears, and sharp clawed legs. The fur in colouring is golden brown with streaks of dark brown, and is of medium length and fine.On wooden mount: BMM5896/ On Catalogue Tag (attached to left foreleg): Bandicoot Mou(...)/ Catalogue, Page. 45/ burke museum, taxidermy, taxidermy mount, fauna, animal, animalia, reynell eveleigh johns, bandicoot, marsupial, peramelemorphia, dusky antechinus, antechinus swainsonii, swainson's antechinus, dusky marsupial mouse