Mrs. R. Gordon is the President of the Victorian branch of the National Council of Women and is unveiling the Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm. The plaque stands on a rock in front of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Essendon Centre, and was unveiled on the same day the Centre opened on the 30th of August 1967. Mrs. E.G. Wilson is President of the Royal District Nursing Service. Miss Mary Evans is the Director of Nursing of the Royal District Nursing Service and is wearing her dark grey Director's uniform.Caroline Chisholm visited the goldfields of Victoria in 1854 and was horrified by the conditions en-route. The Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm, in front of the RDNS Essendon Centre, is in recognition for her work in establishing, with Government assistance, shelter sheds about a days walk apart, to enable the prospectors and their families shelter whilst heading for the goldfields. Caroline Chisholm, a Philanthropist, began her work in Madras in 1834 founding a Female School of Industry for the daughters of European soldiers. They were taught to read, write, cook, keep house and were given instructions in nursing. After coming to Sydney in 1838, she set up accommodation for poor young unemployed migrant women and families. This work was extended when she arranged employment in the countryside for assisted immigrant women and families, many times travelling with groups of young women to check their employment conditions. In seven years she placed 11,000 people in homes and employment. On her return to England she fought for, and won, free passage to Australia for wives and children of former convicts, and for children left behind in England by circumstances, when the family migrated. She established the Family Colonisation Loan Society in 1849, which set up a saving scheme for emigrants, and later loaned them half of their passage to Australia. The Society's Agents found them employment on arrival, and the loan was paid back within two years by a humane payment scheme. At first they used emigrant ships for passage, but then the Society provided ships with much improved conditions, and this led to the upgrading of the passenger Act.. The Chisholm's lived in Kyneton for several years, returning to Sydney for health reasons, before going back to England where Caroline died, aged 68 years, on the 25th of March 1877.Black and white photograph showing Mrs. R. Gordon, wearing a black coat and black and white beret style hat, with her left hand on a rock and her right hand on the British Flag, whilst unveiling the Memorial plaque to Caroline Chisholm. Mrs. R. Gordon stands between Mrs. E.G. Wilson, who is to her left, and is wearing glasses and a black coat, hat and shoes. Miss Mary Evans, who is wearing her RDNS uniform of a dark grey skirt and jacket and brimmed hat, and with a handbag looped over her left arm, is to the right.. Part of a building is seen in the background; short glass windows can be seen above the brickwork to the left and a large glass window to the right.Photographers stamp and 'Quote No. GJ 60'rdns, royal district nursing service, essendon centre, caroline chisholm, memorial plaque, mrs r. gordon, miss mary evans, mrs e.g. (hazel janet) wilson

Coloured slide transparency. Image is of a male and a female standing together dressed in costume. She is wearing black pants and a blue and white striped top with a blue belt and sword around her waist and pink neckscarf. Her hat is a black tricorne with a white skull and cross bones insignia and she has a hook on her left hand. She is wearing a black eye patch and black beard and a pink parrot is on her left shoulder. He is dressed in dark pants, longsleeved top and short sleeved jacket. He has a beret with a feather on his head, a glass in his right hand and a stick in his left hand. On the lower edge of the white border the words Fancy Dress Party Mr and Mrs Robin? Physics led have been handwritten.Kodachrome Transparencyslide, bendigo, bendigo institute of technology

The photograph is taken in the Waiting room of the Ante-natal Clinic at the Melbourne District Nursing Society After-Care Home at 45 Victoria Parade, Collingwood. On the 23rd of September 1930 the Ante-Natal Clinic opened at the MDNS After- Care Home. This photograph also shows Matron and Sister's uniforms in the 1930sThe Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) were pioneers in recognizing the need for premises where patients too ill to be in their own home, but not ill enough to go to hospital, was needed, and the Society built, then opened, the After-Care Home, (later called After-Care Hospital), in 1926, for these patients, and patients from Hospitals. Many children were nursed there, some long term during the Polio epidemic and the Society employed two School Teachers. The Society now ran two divisions, the After-Care with its own Trained nurses and the District division. The Society were the first in Melbourne, in early 1928, to recognize some patients leaving the After-Care, and many at home, needed further social care and they set up ‘Almoners’ from their committee to visit these patients and be intermediaries in getting them social assistance. It was late the following year before the first training of Almoners took place in Melbourne. In 1930 the Society employed a full time kindergarten teacher to visit poor children in their homes. That year the Society were pioneers in opening an Ante-Natal Clinic at the After-Care, setting a high standard with equipment, keeping records and providing leaflets with instructions in how to keep healthy during pregnancy, what complications to look for and what to do when labour commenced. In 1934 the Society were pioneers again when they opened the first Women’s Welfare Clinic in Melbourne giving advice on birth-control, at first attended by their own patients, but then accepting patients from public hospitals until their own clinics were opened. A Social Service Officer was employed at the After-Care who successfully gained better housing from the Housing Commission for families living under unsuitable conditions. In 1957 the Hospital and Charities Commission decided to take over the After-Care Hospital, so the Melbourne District Nursing Society and After-Care Hospital separated and the Melbourne District Nursing Service was formed, setting up Headquarters at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. On the 5th of October 1966 the name changed to Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) after being granted Royal patronage. Black and white photograph showing seventeen seated ladies, some partly hidden, six small children, and the Matron and two Sisters of the Melbourne District Nursing Society After Care Home. The Matron is wearing a white uniform and veil, and the two Sisters are wearing grey uniforms with white collars and veils, one is holding a baby and the other a small child dressed in dark clothing, they are on the far left and rear of the photograph. The ladies are wearing either grey or black clothing, several are wearing hats and some are wearing berets. They have short or shoulder length dark or lighter coloured hair. A Doctor, with short dark hair and wearing a white coat, is standing at the far right on the photograph. On the left, a window can be seen behind one of the Sisters. The wall at the rear of the room is paneled. after-care home, mdns, melbourne district nursing society, ante-natal clinic

For many years Legacy had a "Back to Caulfield Race Day" for Legatees, widows and their families. 1995 was the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 2 and the race day was part of the "Australia Remembers" commemorations. Also a Legacy 'Lone Pine' was planted. The article in the Answer says: "Over 800 members of the Legacy family (past and present) reunite at the "Australia Remembers" Back to Caulfield Commemorative Race Day held on August 12th. It was a special day which incorporated a wide range of activities, including a display of military vehicles, a flyover, a parachute jump by the Red Berets, military bands, and displays of memorabilia when the racecourse was used as an army camp. An official ceremony also included the presentation of a Legacy 'Lone Pine' (a descendant of the Gallipoli 'Lone Pine') by the President of the Melbourne Legacy, Legatee David Millie, which was very warmly received by the Chairman of the V.A.T.C., Mr Peter Lawrence. These photos show President David Millie and Legacy widow Rosie Ellis (Bell) and a close up of her Junior Legacy badge, perhaps she had originally been an Junior Legatee. He is shown pointing her badge out to other people gathered around. See also photos at 01003 and 01091, 01092 and 01093.This is a good image of a Junior Legacy badge. Legacy retains a tie with Caulfield racecourse as it was once an army camp and staging post of young men going overseas to war and now it is the site of a lone pine. The annual gathering at Caulfield racecourse was an event that gets the Legacy family together.Colour photo x 4 of a Junior Legacy badge and an event at Caulfield racecourse, and an article in The Answer.Printed on the back film number 788, various frame numbers.answer, events

Depicted are two formal school portraits of Helen Gordon (Cole) against a flat background. The first image depicts her from the waist up. She is dressed in the official Ruyton uniform, including a beret, light coloured collared shirt with a tie, and wool blazer embroidered on the pocket with Ruyton Girls' School's crest and Helen's student leadership positions. She is looking upwards and away from the camera to her right-hand side, and is smiling softly with teeth. The second photo is a more close-up image of Helen. She is still dressed in the same Ruyton uniform, although her blazer pocket embroidery is not visible. In this image, she is looking straight and away from the camera to her left-hand side, and has a closed smile. In both photographs, Helen's hair is short and sits just above her shoulders with a slight wave. The photographs are excellent examples of the Ruyton uniform from the time period in which they were taken. The official school uniform has naturally experienced different iterations since the School's founding in 1878. The most recent changes to the Ruyton uniform were made at the end of 2023, which include a move from brown to black school shoes, and a transition from pale yellow collared shirts to white.The record has strong historic significance as it depicts a former notable student, Helen Gordon (maiden name Cole). Helen started at Little Ruyton in Prep 1940 and finished Year 12 in 1952 as School Captain, Bromby Captain, Form Captain for Matric, Tennis Captain, Hockey Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, and an award for Best All-Round Girl. She also played baseball for Victoria. After finishing school, Helen went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne as a physiotherapist in 1956. Her first position at age 19 involved setting up clinics with the Victorian Health Department Poliomyelitis Rural division. Helen’s strong ties to Ruyton continued when she held the position of President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association from the start of 1966 to the end of 1967. In 2019, Helen received an Order of Australia Medal for service to community health as a physiotherapist. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Victorian Senior Achiever Award at Parliament House. Helen passed away in July 2023 at age 88. The record's significance is further enhanced by its strong provenance, having been produced by Ruyton Girls' School and donated to the Archives by a familial connection.Two black and white rectangular photographs printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: RGS011/1952/0002.1 / Reverse: RGS011/1952/0002.2 /ruyton girls' school, kew, victoria, tennis, sport, women's sport, students, school, 1950s, uniform

This Guide uniform was worn by Jane Reid when she was a Guide at 6th St Hilary's between 1987 and 1989. The uniform consists of a pale blue blouse, junior navy A-line skirt and navy wool beret with the World Guide badge embroidered on it. The scarf with the Victorian State Badge at the back is a triangle and can be used as a sling or bandage in an emergency. Jane's woggle (a band holding the tie) was made by hand. Some girls made woggles from leather, cord or items from nature such as gumnuts. The leather belt with the Girl Guide buckle bears a metal badge obtained at Britannia Park, the Victorian Guide camping ground at Yarra Junction. Her white lanyard (indicating she was a Patrol Leader) and brown leather pouch are attached to the belt. Metal badges pinned to the collar of the blouse are the World Guide badge on the right and the Guide Trefoil or Promise badge on the left. The tapes on the left sleeve identify the Guide Company, District and Region. Badges on the right sleeve are interest and achievement badges.jane reid, costumes, uniforms, girl guides 6th kew

For many years Legacy had a "Back to Caulfield Race Day" for Legatees, widows and their families. 1995 was the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 2 and the race day was part of the "Australia Remembers" commemorations. Also a Legacy 'Lone Pine' was planted. The article in the Answer says: "Over 800 members of the Legacy family (past and present) reunite at the "Australia Remembers" Back to Caulfield Commemorative Race Day held on August 12th. It was a special day which incorporated a wide range of activities, including a display of military vehicles, a flyover, a parachute jump by the Red Berets, military bands, and displays of memorabilia when the racecourse was used as an army camp. An official ceremony also included the presentation of a Legacy 'Lone Pine' (a descendant of the Gallipoli 'Lone Pine') by the President of the Melbourne Legacy, Legatee David Millie, which was very warmly received by the Chairman of the V.A.T.C., Mr Peter Lawrence. " Official guest was the Premier of Victoria Jeff Kennett who is seen being greeted as he arrives. And photos of the planting of the 'Lone Pine'. See also photos at 01003 and 01092 and 01093. Legacy is helping to keep the memory of the Gallipoli "Lone Pine" alive - its spirit living on today. Presentations are made to schools, ex-service organisations and interested bodies by Legacy Clubs in the hope that they will be cherished as a symbol of nationhood and of its just pride, devotion, courage, selflessness and sense of service to others.Legacy retains a tie with Caulfield racecourse as it was once an army camp and staging post of young men going overseas to war and now it is the site of a lone pine. The annual gathering at Caulfield racecourse was an event that gets the Legacy family together.Colour photo x 8 of an event at Caulfield racecourse, and an article in The Answer.Printed on the back film number 783, 786, 787, various frame numbersanswer, events, lone pine, wreath laying ceremony

Uniform worn by Kieran Dole..1) Trousers, jungle pattern, heavy cotton shades of khaki, brown & green. Belt keepers same design. Pockets in legs at front. .2) Shirt, front buttoning, jungle patterned cotton. Corporal's stripes on sleeves. Breast pockets with flap fastenings. .3) Helmet, Kevlar camouflage pattern. .4) & .5) Gloves, pair, green khaki knit fabric with false leather PVC? insert down front. Gathered at writs, label inside. .6) & .7) Boots, pair, light khaki, leather combat with moulded composite soles, cotton laces. .8) United Nations beret, blue. Gold gilt & white enamel UN badge pinned on front. Black cotton fabric lined. Edge bound through which is threaded a drawstring black tape. .9) Wide brimmed UN sun hat, blue with black chin strap. Metal edged ventilation holes around crown. White embroidered UN badge on front of crown. Cotton hat band sewn at intervals. Close circles of stitching around brim to stiffen. .10) Jacket, heavy, camouflage, twill weave cotton. Front fastened with zipper. Breast & side pockets fastened with heavy press studs. .2) Breast pockets name: DOLE .3) Written inside in texta: DOL 312 Scribbled out: Ball 4100612 Written inside in pen: DOLE 3805312 Written inside on back: DOLE .10) Label inside centre back: Logo & AVA Victoria 1998 Washing instructions Made in Australia uniforms, camouflage, jungle pattern

20 year old Scot, Jessie Anderson, practises her putting at Royal Melbourne Golf Course. The press speculated that her heavily bandaged wrist was “a sprained wrist, occasioned through an argument with her luggage”, “a poisoned hand” and, the most likely reason, “sprained at practise”. Photographer notations on slide: "England Anderson Miss B98" Description: Female golfer putting. She is wearing two-tone brogue shoes, a hand-knitted cardigan, beret and skirt. Her left wrist is bandaged. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: 20 year old Jessie Anderson photographed at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club with a heavily bandaged left wrist. She was part of the British golf team who competed in the Australian Women’s Golf Championship at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in 1935. The press speculated that Jessie had a “sprained wrist, occasioned through an argument with her luggage”, “a poisoned hand” and the most likely reason – “sprained her wrist at practise”. She was defeated in the first round by Victorian, Miss Mona MacLeod. Janet "Jessie" Anderson (1915-2006) was a Scottish golf champion, nicknamed “Wee Jessie” for her small stature. She was also nicknamed “Fairway Maid of Perth”, a play on Sir Walter Scott’s “Fair Maid of Perth”. In 1937, Jessie was the world’s number one ranking woman golfer. Her main wins included the British Women's Amateur Championship (1937, 1955, 1958), the Scottish Women's Amateur Championship (1938, 1939, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1958), the New Zealand Women's Golf Championship (1935) and the French Women's Golf Tournament (1936). Jessie was part of the British golf team who competed in the Australian Women’s Golf Championship against an Australian team at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in 1935, which the British team won. The Australian press said, “Hats off to the British women, sparkle, sportsmanship and the fighting spirit that thrills, they had the last word.” . Jessie’s father, Joe, a pro-golfer, owned a sports equipment store in St John’s Street, Perth and he designed and manufactured golf clubs under the OK brand. Jessie designed golf clubs especially for women. In 1939 Jessie became engaged to George Valentine. In 1940, George enlisted in the British army and Jessie in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s branch of the British Army, driving army ambulances. George was a POW at Eichstat, Germany, and they were unable to marry until he was freed in 1945. Jessie continued to play championship golf until 1960. They had one son, Francis Iain, born 1948. Jessie was awarded the MBE for services to golf in 1959. She was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2019, Perth Museum and Art Gallery held a retrospective exhibition of her life and career. A biography, “Wee Jessie: Jessie Valentine, whose golf swing lasted a lifetime” by Dr Eve Soulsby, was published in 2019. golf, women golfers, royal melbourne golf club

Mrs T S McKay, née Odette Lefebvre “Killara Amazon who drives like a man, smiles like a school girl and dresses like a picture” – Smiths Weekly 22 July 1933 In 1934, the Ladies Golf Union of NSW introduced a rule forbidding women not wearing stockings from competing in games under their control. Rather than wear stockings, Odette Lefebvre (1910-1991) withdrew from her team causing a media stir. She subsequently agreed to wear stockings for any NSW game she wished to play in. She said that a player had every right to dress as she wished, providing it did not offend modesty. She found it more comfortable to play without stockings. Photographer notations on slide: "Golf Ch'ship Mrs McKay B98" . Description: Female golfer teeing off with 3 wood, wearing beret, cardigan, straight skirt, ankle socks, sensible shoes. Blurred spectators are visible in the background. . Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: Mrs T S McKay, née Odette Lefebvre (1910-1991), was a NSW champion golfer. She won the NSW Women’s Championship 1931, 1933. Odette competed in the Australian Women’s Golf Championship at Royal Melbourne against the British Women’s Team in 1935. She was defeated by Mrs Sloan Morpeth nee Susie Tolhurst in the semifinals. . A tall, willowy, beautiful brunette with a winning smile and sparkly blue eyes and exotically of French origin, the press reported the outdoor sports loving young woman’s social and golf activities closely. . In 1933 (27/7/1933), the Smith’s Weekly headline ran “Drives like a man but is a real girl – always”. The article called her the “Killara Amazon who drives like a man, smiles like a school girl and dresses like a picture”. . In 1934, the Ladies Golf Union of NSW introduced a rule forbidding women without stockings to compete in games within their control. Rather than wear stockings, Odette withdrew from her team, causing a media stir. She subsequently agreed to wear stockings for any game she was keen to play in. She said that a player had every right to dress as she wished, providing it did not offend modesty. She found it more comfortable to play without stockings. . Fellow women golfers were sympathetic to the non-stocking brigade. Mrs J J Hollywood, president of the Maitland Golf Club Associates said, “What a storm in a teacup over nothing! As if a pair of stockings could possibly make all the difference to a person’s game. However, I think the mosquitoes settle that question for the L.G.V. in the North”, she added with a laugh. (Newcastle Sun 5/5/1934) . Acting president of the Victorian Women’s Golf Union, Mrs J B Bellair, said, “It is much warmer in Sydney than here and must be more comfortable without stockings. Miss Lefebvre too, has such beautiful legs and they are so brown, that she can afford to dispense with stockings. Women in Victoria are not likely to play without stockings, however, it is much too cold here. I have never seen any of them on the links in bare legs.” (Newcastle Sun 5/5/1934) . Mrs L Griffiths, president of the Steelworks Associate Club in Newcastle said, “It appears to be an unnecessary rule that the L.G.V. has enforced. Why, if they started laying down laws like that, where would we end? What about ties etc being compulsory for men?” (Newcastle Sun 5/5/1934) . The L.G.V. insisted that the dignity of the game should not be impaired by players who dared to show any originality in clothes, even if they did add comfort. (The Sun, Sydney 5/5/1934) . Even in 1941, despite wartime shortages, the L.G.V. NSW was insisting that – “no player may play in open L.G.V. competitions without stockings.” (Yass Tribune-Courier 6/11/1941) . In 1934, Odette married champion golfer and barrister Thomas McKay who later became a NSW Liberal Party politician. They had two children before divorcing in 1946.golf, women golfers, royal melbourne golf club

Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker, panton hill, tosch property

Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. The little girl is Grace de Visser's sister. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker

Len's Bedford truk is featured in one of the Montmorency Were Street shopping precinct mosaics. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker

Beige 5/6th Royal Vic Regimentheadgear, 2010, army

Army, dark blue with RAEME hat badgeheadgear, c2005, army

Blue United Nationsheadgear, c1990, police monitors

Cavalry "Prince of Wales" Light Horseheadgear, ww2, army

Artillery Dark Blueheadgear, 1984, army

Red. Military Police with Insigniaheadgear, 1990, army

The Maréchal de Turenne, a three mast barque, was built in the "Chantiers de la Loire" shipyard in Nantes, port in the West of France, in 1899 by the company René Guillon et René Fleury. Capacity of 3000 barrels. The barque is called a "cap-hornier" in French. In a book written in 1973 by Georges Aubin, "La mer douce et cruelle", ed. France-Empire, a chapter "Une traversée du trois-mâts nantais Maréchal de Turenne" (page 285 to 319) tells how the ship was navigating from London to New-York to load barrels of petrol bound for Melbourne.The photograph demonstrates how prepared the merchant navy was during the First World War. The French Merchant Navy had additional men from the Navy: the six sailors in uniform and sailor "bachi" bonnet with the AMBC inscription were on the ship to support the crew in case of enemy attack. Two of those soldiers carry a bayonet. One of the sailors is wearing headphones: World War One saw telecommunication progress. At sea, the threat were the German submarines: the U-boats.The photograph depicting the 22 members of the crew was taken in October 1918 onboard the Marechal de Turenne. The two on the right and left side are holding a picture of the barque. One man at the back is holding a cat. 11 names are written at the back. The photograph was turned into a postcard.Printed at the back: On the left: Green Bros/Photo/251 Nelson Place, Williamstown Centered: Post Card/Correspondence/Address only Top right corner for the stamp: Kodak Australia Written at the back: octobre 1918 Souvenir du navire Maréchal de Turenne Berthot Jacquet Renaut R. Renaut H. Lecoq Mercier Berger Dubas Lorie Coat Tilloncrew, barque, french, 1918, marechal de turenne, nantes, wwi, world war one, first world war, great war, buoy, ship mascot, cat, a.m.b.c, bayonet, african, black man, apprentices, armement militaire des bâtiments de commerce, bachi, sailor beret, radio transmitters, telegraph, morse, telecommunication, german submarines, u-boats, cigarettes, smoking, williamstown, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, nelson place, crews and ships

This badge belonged to William Donald Alsop who served in the 2/10 Commando Squadron during World War Two. This beret badge has historic significance through it's connection to William Donald Alsop and World War Two. It displays strong provenance because we have a deed of gift.Brass badge in the shape of a World War 2 era small rising sunworld war two, ww2, second world war, australian commandos, 2/10 commando squadron

Support for Lifeheadgear, vietnam, general

with CCN Patch. 5th USA Special Forcesheadgear, vietnam, army

SAS with Emblem (part of complete uniform U574a)headgear, 2010, army

RAANC women's. McIndoe.(part Complete Uniform U879)headgear, current, army

Naval Association of Australiaheadgear, ran