Corner view of front and east side showing telephone insulator connection, and small elevated water tank connected to windmill. This photo was taken before the restoration of the property. local identities, local special interest groups, council, local architecture

View of rear of house with water tank and windmill.local architecture, local special interest groups, council, local identities

View of the house with a corrugated storage shed on the left.local architecture, local special interest groups, local identities, pioneer families, council

Front of house looking through the front gate and wire fence local architecture, local special interest groups, local identities

Jeff Robinson, Alan Reed and Bill Amor standing in the interior of the barn.local architecture, local special interest groups, local identities, council

Angle view of front and side of the house local architecture, local special interest groups, pioneer families, council

The back view of the houselocal architecture, local special interest groups, pioneer families, council

Built in the 1850s, The Willows was purchased by Melton Shire Council in a dilapidated state in 1972. At a time of rapid change and growth, the restoration of the homestead, its transformation into the headquarters of the Melton & District Historical Society and the creation of The Willows Historical Park saw the community embrace its past while simultaneously looking to the future.History of the Willows Homestead Melton and Moorabool Leader articlelocal identities, local architecture, local significant groups

Broadhurst China was established in 1862 the firm was based at the Crown Pottery, Longton, Staffordshire until 1870 where James Broadhurst made a range of gold and silver lusterwares. In 1870 the firm moved to the Portland Pottery at Fenton, Staffordshire and continued to produce good quality earthenware. In 1897 "& Sons" was added to the company name and "Ltd" from C.1922. The full name, James Broadhurst & Sons Ltd. appears from 1957. In 1984 James Broadhurst & Sons Ltd became Churchill Tableware Ltd.Items made around 1950s or slightly later that are now collectors items made by one of the founders of ironstone pottery in England.Two Staffordshire ironstone dinner plates willow patternThe back is stamped "WILLOW BROADHURST STAFFORDSHIRE IRONSTONE Made in England Detergent and Dishwasher Proof"flagstaff hill museum, ceramics, pottery, plates, domestic items, kitchen ware, dinner sets, staffordshire ironstone pottery, staffordshire england

Earthenware, 2 teacups, 2 saucers, 2 side plates and 1 cereal bowl with side plate in 'Real Old Willow' pattern. Traditional dark blue Willow Pattern, with hand-painted gold rims. Small Willow Pattern cameo at the base inside each cup.Pattern Number 8025. Small Willow Pattern cameo at the base inside each cup.ornaments, earthenware, booths pty ltd, tunstall, england, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, ormond, market gardeners

Broadhurst China was established in 1862 the firm was based at the Crown Pottery, Longton, Staffordshire until 1870 where James Broadhurst made a range of gold and silver lusterwares. In 1870 the firm moved to the Portland Pottery at Fenton, Staffordshire and continued to produce good quality earthenware. In 1897 "& Sons" was added to the company name and "Ltd" from C.1922. The full name, James Broadhurst & Sons Ltd. appears from 1957. In 1984 James Broadhurst & Sons Ltd became Churchill Tableware Ltd.Items made around 1950s or slightly later that are now collectors items made by one of the founders of ironstone pottery in England.Small ironstone willow pattern bowlThe back is stamped "WILLOW BROADHURST STAFFORDSHIRE IRONSTONE Made in England Detergent and Dishwasher Proof" Mass produce, Ceramic, Potteryironstone pottery, staffordshire pottery, flagstaff hill museum, crockery, dinner set, willow pattern

Said to have been used at Sunbury Pop Festivals between 1972 - 1975 held on George Duncan's propertyRed tartan steel portable cooler. Separate white lid with white handle on top and white metal carry handle. Bottle openers at each end. Willow brand each side. Drain plug at one end."WILLOW/"S"/..."sunbury pop festival, duncan, george, george evans collection

Valentine Series No 1083 The Willows Victoria Park. This photo was possibly taken before the diving tower and change rooms were erected. The Victoria Park name was changed to Cato Park in 1930.Two original Valentine Series and one enlarged black and white photograph of Victoria Park later called Cato Park. The two Valentine Series No 1083 show the willows to the left and buildings hidden by trees in the distance surrounding the lake. The lake is very still and reflective of the trees around the lake.Valentine Series No 1083 The Willows, Victoria Park, Stawell on the back Valentines real phot series Valentine Publishing Co Melbourne & Sydney. written in pencil "Pre 1930 Duplicate of 67.9"stawell

Cricket Willow is a location near Shepherd's Flat where the Tinetti family make famous cricket bats from the willow trees in the location. Tradition has it that if the tree is cut at night, it will make a better cricket bat. Many Italian families settled in the Yandoit and Daylesford areas.Clare Gervasoni visits Cricket Willow at Shepherd's Flat, in the shadow of Mount Franklin.tinetti, clare gervasoni, cricket bats, sport, cricket willow, shepherd's flat, mount franklin, lalgambook

Large photo of 2 White Swans grazing the edge of Lake Cato. Willows along the lake with tennis count behind the willows. Also three smaller black & white photographs with white swans on the lake. One of these smaller photos has a Church of England and Presbyterian spire in the background. Cato Lake was named after Frederic John Cato.Large sepia photo of white swans coming out of Lake Cato with willow trees along the lake and tennis courts beyond the willows. Three smaller black & white photographs of Cato lake with the two white swans. 1). "White swans Cato Late Stawell" 2). "Cato Lake C of E. Church and Presbyterian Spire in background" 3). "Swans on Cato Lake"stawell

After training as a Cartographic Draftsman within the mining industry, I worked as a property illustrator for real estate firms in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for 23 years from 1983. I initially photographed houses with a Polaroid camera and made a 'thumbnail' sketch while there. The photos were used to scale off a sketch in pencil and then that sketch was overlaid with drafting film and the 'pen and ink' completed. The pens I used were the Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens. The ink was also made by Rotring (German).The film was ‘Rapidraw’, polyester drafting film, double matte. It takes a very fine line and doesn’t bleed. As well as house sketches, there were often floor plans and site plans ordered. Aerial sketches were ordered when the property needed an overall view. (Margaret Picken, 2020)This drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2006. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Pen and ink drawing on drafting film of 59 Willow Grove, Kew East by Margaret Picken.59 WILLOW GVE., EAST KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '89 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, property illustrations — buildings — kew east (vic.), 59 willow grove -- kew east (vic.)

After training as a Cartographic Draftsman within the mining industry, I worked as a property illustrator for real estate firms in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for 23 years from 1983. I initially photographed houses with a Polaroid camera and made a 'thumbnail' sketch while there. The photos were used to scale off a sketch in pencil and then that sketch was overlaid with drafting film and the 'pen and ink' completed. The pens I used were the Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens. The ink was also made by Rotring (German).The film was ‘Rapidraw’, polyester drafting film, double matte. It takes a very fine line and doesn’t bleed. As well as house sketches, there were often floor plans and site plans ordered. Aerial sketches were ordered when the property needed an overall view. (Margaret Picken, 2020)This drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2006. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Pen and ink drawing on drafting film of 52 Willow Grove, Kew East by Margaret Picken.52 WILLOW GVE., E KEW / MARG PICKEN '88 / WOODARDS ~ KEW ~ M.P.artist -- margaret picken 1950-, property illustrations — buildings — kew east (vic.), 52 willow grove -- kew east (vic.)

Round white willow polo ball imported by Holden and FrostImported by Holden and FrostWhite round solid ball as used in equestrian sportMade in England Chas Meurisse and Co Chicago Willowhorse, polo, ball

"Tenterhook Willow Type 48" - Befama Bielska Fabryka Maszyn Wlokienniczych; sole exporters: Metalexport, Warsaw, Poland, c.1950.Pamphlet for the Tenterhook Willow Type 48 made by Befama Bielska Fabryka Maszyn Wlokienniczych; sole exporters: Metalexport, Warsaw, Poland, c.1950.textile machinery, metalexport bielsko textile machinery works, carding

"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

Household budgeting from the 1950s. Used by the donor's mother in the 1950s.A "Willow" Budget tin with orange lid containing slots for money - Bread, Insurance, Gas, Electricity, Milk, Phone, Housekeeping, House payments and Rates. Inside is a cream plastic insert with eight compartments. Sides of tin are white with pictures and writing describing what slots are to be used for and it has a small silver coloured suitcase style lock.Willow Budget Tin Willow on bottom of tin. Slots are Bread, Insurance, Gas, Electricity, Milk, Phone, Housekeeping, House payments and Rates.budgeting, willow, housekeeping, 1950s

Burleigh Ware have been making their products since 1851 at Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, England.A blue and white Willow Pattern scalloped edged butter plate with the traditional oriental landscape scene on the front with a highly decorative blue and white floral raised edge and fine gold line trim around the outer edge.'Burleigh Ware, willow, made in England, 1'. This is stamped on the base of the plate on a blue leaf pattern.side plates, serving plate, butter plates

This nut roll tin was used in a period before 1959(when plastic containers started being used). It was a period when "home" cooking(desserts and cakes) was the only method of having cakes and other pastry dishes in rural areas as there were no local shops. The utensils available for this home cooking had to be strong and reliable and low maintenance. This was a period of self sufficiency especially in semi remote rural areas. Sadly, the Willow Company no longer has a nut loaf tin among their many cooking tins. A cylindrical nut loaf tin with removable lids at each end. The metal body of the tin has tiny patterned indented squares with only two of the three clips to ensure the tin stays closed. The lids at each end add to this tightening. On the lids there is rusty difficult to read stamping for the Willow brand. The cooked cake can be easily removed when the two lids are taken off. This is a rare tin.Around the edges of each lid is stamped 'NUT LOAF TIN'. In the middle of each lid is a circular shape with 'Made in Australia' around the edge. Inside this is a diamond shape with 'WILLOW'. There is a tiny square shaped pattern indented all over the body of the tin.baking tins, kitchenware, baking, cooking

This item would have been used as a salt container and would have been part of a dinner set. This would have been used for special occasions . It is in good condition and is a good example of this type salt storage jar. As this has a brown willow pattern instead of the usual blue it makes this make this salt despenser rare item.This has social and historical significance as it shows what items families used for special dinner occasions. It is the only one our collection and therefore will have good interpretation value for exhibitions . Small Ceramic jar with brown willow Chinese pattern. Copper hinged lid with recess for spoon. The spoon is required to dispense the mustard.ceramic, copper, chinese, table items, kitchen, domestic, mustard, willow pattern

Appears to be a gas mask made in 1939 for protection against possible gas attack in World War II. Unknown provenance. Willow, the manufacturer of the metal canister, is an Australian family owned and run business, since 1887 and based in Melbourne. From their website: "During the second World War the factories almost exclusively produced munitions, working two shifts. They mainly made mess tins, rocket cylinder covers, small arms ammunition boxes, gas mask respirator cylinders and soldier’s cake tins."An example of war time equipment for personal protection.Rubber face mask with hose to a metal cannister.On the base of the metal cannister: "No. 4A / Willow / 1939 / WAD 8". equipment, world war two, mask

It show the farm "Willow Vale" Waubra that was once owned by the Christopher and Selina (nee Smith) Harrison family who once lived on this farm and whoes descendants continue to live in the same area today.A very pale sepia photo of the "Willow Vale" farm at Waubra, Victoria that was owned by Christopher and Selina (nee Smith) Harrison. It shows a horse and buggy, along with the main house/houses and out buildings with what look like it could be a slightly dry dam at the bottom of the photo.Nil

1. 2 x Cylinder shaped tins with lids on both ends - used for cooking nutloaf. The top lid is removable and has 9 perforated holes. One tin has a label on the side which has been added for display purposes (see below) 2. Centenary Certificate from Willoware to Thomas O'Sullivan 3. Willow Centenary book 1887-1987 and photocopy pages of Willowware history1. Nutloaf tin: Willow, Nutloaf, top, 6 3/4 x 3 1/8, made in Australia (on top lid) / Willow Australia, Nut Loaf, 170mm x 80mm (on bottom lid) / Willow Ware "Nut Loaf" Tin First made early 1900's (on the side of the cylinder) / Canister Manufacturers Wilson Bros North Melbourne (stamped on paper on the side of the cylinder) 2. as per photo Also.....handwritten "Left the company in1998 (43 years service) 3. Willow 1887-1987 on front of bookletwillow ware, willow, kitchen, cooking, nutloaf tin, certificate, centenary

Tin used to send cake to troops serving overseas, possibly WW1 or WW2Round grey metal cake tin with lid“Willow”cake tin, willow