In September 1937, a group of ladies met to form a Ladies’ Committee to assist the General Committee in raising funds for a Public Hall. Those present were Mrs Allen, Mrs Bowman, Mrs Hickey, Mrs Rains, Mrs Boake and Mrs Lyon. As there were only six present, they elected to remain in the interim as a Social Committee to arrange catering, etc., for the two dances that had been arranged for September 29th and October 30th of that year. Both those dances proved a great success. Mrs McAdie joined the committee in October. The Ladies’ Committee was officially formed at a combined meeting of the General and Ladies’ committees held on April 6th, 1938. Mrs Boake agreed to be President, Mrs Lyon as Secretary and Mrs Rains as Assistant Secretary. Other members included Mrs Browne, Mrs Forde, Mrs Jarrold, Mrs Bradbury and Mrs Taylor. By 1941 their numbers had grown to include Matron Wilson, and Mesdames Andrew, Brinkkotter, Cloney, Walker, Parsons, Crick, Ballenger, Travena, Hurst, Shields and Le Brocq . A number of these ladies eventually became part of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Eltham War Memorial Trust. Councillor A. Brinkkotter, secretary of the Hall Committee, noted that Eltham had succeeded, after many long years of fighting, in erecting a new hall and civic centre which had been badly needed. “It took a long time to convince the Council of the necessity for a new hall and civic centre in Eltham.” “The councillors, in looking after the interests of all sections of the rate payers, could not see that such a move was necessary. But finally the Hall Committee proved that such a move was not only advisable, but would prove a financial asset to the Shire.” “This committee had to put down £1,500 in cash before the work on the hall began, and to enable the committee to do this, residents loaned them money free of interest for 12 months. In addition the committee has guaranteed to pay the Council £100 a year for the next ten years.” “The borrowed money has to be repaid to the lenders, and I hope that the public will realise this and support the functions which have been and will be arranged by the Hall Committee to enable them to return the money as soon, as possible.” At the opening gala for the Public Hall, Mr. G. L. Chandler, M.L.C. said “It speaks volumes for those people who have worked for many years for the hall. I know of no other place where the residents have handed over £1,500 for the erection of a hall and guaranteed the balance of the cost. You will always find the few who say ‘Time is not opportune.’ In these days you have to make your opportunities.” “Before any town can advance, a civic spirit must exist in the residents, and I hope the people will support the Hall Committee which has the interests of this district at heart.”Background workings for the funding of a Public Hall at Eltham. The funding was provided by public subscription and the money loaned to Council to build the hall. The hall was part of the new Eltham Shire offices located at the corner of Main Road and Arthur Street. A similar funding approach was used a few years later to provide for the Eltham War Memorial located on the opposite side of Main Road.Single pagearthur street, eltham public hall, fundraising, main road

File- card, green grey - Rondo of London type, titled "Municipal Miles" - giving the calculations and background paperwork for the breakdown of the tramway system by municipality. Used late 1920's to mid 1930's. The top sheet, scanned, though superseded shows the route miles by double track, single track, shared at council boundaries and the total miles of track. See Reg Item 2083 for tram miles for the system as a whole - was this information required for rate valuation returns.trams, tramways, mmtb, trackwork, mileages, reports, councils

Book - four pages - Order in Council - "Tramways in the Cities of Prahran, St Kilda, Malvern and the Town of Caulfield Amended Order", dated 13-12-1911 - gives details of amended sections, tolls and charges, abolished sections, special cars (rates) and special tickets to school children. All documents scanned to pdf - text searchable. Second copy - colour photocopy added 1/9/2021Has "H.S. Dix" in ink on the top right hand corner.trams, tramways, tramways, acts of parliament, pmtt, fares, tickets

Set of 23 Notice Paper or Meeting Agendas - sent to Trust Members and others for The Melbourne Tramways Trust for period Feb. 1885 to December 1885. Printed by Ferguson and Moore for the Trust. Signed by the Secretary. Covers construction arrangements, appointments, financial, loans, debentures, legislation, arrangements with the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Company and other organisations including banks. Notes are the principal items shown in the Orders of the Day. Printed by Fergusson and Moore 1885-1886 1 27/2/1885 Election of Chairman and committee members. 2 6/3/1885 Finance report – payments to employees, auditor appointment and payments to suppliers. 3 20/3/1885 Finance re interest rates and commissions, calling tenders for wood blocks, screens and items for Fitzroy and Simpson’s Road lines. 4 2/4/1885 Payment to employees, custody of agreement, report on tenders and payments to suppliers. 5 17/4/1885 Commission charged by banks in London, payments of accounts, expenses reporting to Councils. 6 1/5/1885 Finance report, MTOCo seeking payment for Richmond Line, funds transferred to the Trust, works committee report – 2 million wood blocks from David Munro & Co. 7 15/5/1885 Payment of Accounts including Richmond line to MTCo, accept tender for Spencer St to Victoria Parade and Simpson’s Rd branch. 8 39/5/1885 Wages, Finance Committee, list of inspectors employed, tenders for Fitzroy line, horizontal engines, wood blocks, alterations to gas lines and employment of an architectural draftsman for engine house design. 9 12/6/1885 Finance, debentures, payments on Richmond line, considered order of construction of lines and start on plans for Sydney Road line. 10 26/6/1885 Finance, payments, issues with the City of Melbourne who holds the 4th Schedule agreement, payments to suppliers and issues with contractor supplying the screenings. 11 10/7/1885 Finance, relocation of the Burke and Wills monument, payments to suppliers. 12 24/7/1885 Wages, salaries, construction of No. 2 section of Fitzroy line. 13 7/8/1885 Purchase of land for engine houses, payments on patents, works, tenders for rope winding gear. 14 21/8/1885 Wages, supplier payments, tenders for rails and crossings. 15 4/9/1885 Wages, supplier payments, tender for Fitzroy engine house, call further tenders. 16 18/9/1885 Wages, supplier payments, tender for rope driving gear let. 17 2/10/1885 Wages, supplier payments, tender for crossing and wire rope. 18 16/10/1885 Wages, supplier payments. 19 30/10/1885 Wages, supplier payments, tender for bank loans to be called. 20 13/11/1885 Wages, supplier payments, tenders for various equipment. 21 27/11/1885 Wages, supplier payments, tender for driving gear accept, and equipment. 22 11/12/1885 Wages, supplier payments. 23 22/12/1885 Special meeting to pass salaries and contractors accounts. List of accounts passed attached. For a word version - see: \dbtext\hawthtramcoll\images\htd2002doc.doctrams, tramways, mtt, cable trams, melbourne tramways trust, construction, finances, mto co

Set of two agreements dated 23/4/1920 between the MMTB and the Australian Tramway Employees Association .1 - two foolscap pages - pinned in top left hand corner - sets out that the MMTB has taken over from the Tramway Board, annual leave, wages, continuous service, pay rates, car repair sheds, variations, employees and signature block - Alex Cameron, H. Bell and W. O Strangward for the MMTB and John Abfalter and T. Jewell for the ATEA. .2 - three foolscap pages - pinned in top left hand corner - refers to the various Acts that formed the Board and Arbitration Act, the PMTT, Northcote council, MBCTT, carrying past agreements forward, minimum wages for cable trams workers, juniors, cost of living adjustments and application of the agreement. Signature block - Alex Cameron, Ernest Willis, and W. O Strangward for the MMTB and John Abfalter and T. Jewell for the ATEA.trams, tramways, mmtb, unions, agreements, legal agreements, tramway board, workshops, cable trams

Book cover has title "Electric Tramways of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria Amendment to By-Law January 1962". Pages are numbered pages 1 to 9 amending the 9/3/1937 By-Laws. Used to revise fares, parcel and luggage and charter rates in for Bendigo and Ballarat from 1/3/1963. Page 1 gives a list of amendments by date to the original by-law of 9/3/1937. Defines Pensioners and Child fares. Booklet dated January 1962, SEC Sealed the document 18/1/1962, Governor-In-Council approval granted 15/1/1963 and came into force 1/3/1963. Six copies held. See Fares in Ballarat – from Alan Bradley 11/4/2005 – appendix for Book. See item 9826 for the draft document. Yields information about SEC By-Laws regarding fares and sections.Twelve page booklet, plus medium weight card covers. Two copies (2 and 3) have written in pen on top right hand side of book "Ballarat Tramway Preservation Society Catalogue No. 205" and one copy (No. 5) "1962" on top of cover. Copy 3 has a formula in red ink on back cover.trams, tramways, secv rules, by laws, tickets, fares, ballarat, bendigo

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversay in 2024. This audio recording, presented by Harry Gilham, President of Eltham District Historical Society at the time of the opening is a summarised history of the Eltham Library service to 1994. Eltham Library Service 1930s - 1994 Originally collated by Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Historical Society Inc (1993-2009) (edited 2022) In the Eltham township area, in the early 1930s, library books for adults were available from E J Andrew's newsagency in Main Road. In the newsagency come haberdashery, some shelves were set aside for a lending library of adults' books. In 1935, Mr & Mrs JC Rains purchased the newsagency and continued the lending service until the late 1940s. At this time the business was extended from haberdashery to sell ladies' and men's clothing. The library section was discontinued. In the 1930s a mobile book library was also run by a Mr Foster of Bible Street, Eltham. In the 1950s adult books were available from racks in the foyer of the Eltham Shire Offices which was then located beside the Eltham Hall on the comer of Arthur Street and Main Road. In the early 1950s a referendum of ratepayers was called to seek public opinion on the issue of raising money for a public library for which the rates would have to be increased - the motion was defeated. On 11 November 1965 Eltham Shire Council, in conjunction with the City of Heidelberg and the Shire of Diamond Valley, met to form the Heidelberg Regional Library Service. Eltham was represented by Councillors Charis Pelling and John Lewis. The first library service for the Shire of Eltham from this group came in the shape of a bookmobile van which had, amongst others, a central stopover near the Shillinglaw trees outside the newly opened Shire offices at 895 Main Road, the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage and the former Shillinglaw farm. Present-day Wingrove Park was another stopover and the many recorded requests for this service can be read as denoting the areas of population or gathering points at that period throughout the Shire. 1968 saw the Shire convert the ‘Brinkkotter’ house in Dudley Street to house both adult and children's books. This library was originally staffed from the City of Heidelberg Library and records of committee meetings range from borrowing Heidelberg's old library shelving to trying to increase the Government's subsidy to a dollar for dollar basis. Book loans in the period 1966-67 totalled 30,400 and the following year ran to 52,113. With 2 books plus 1 paperback the limit per person, it was overcrowded and unable to house the range of other services which had become common library stock. Planning to extend the Shire Offices by the addition of the south wing was an opportunity to re-house the Shire's Library. The opening of the library in the extension was carried out on 17th August 1971 by the Hon R J Hamer ED, MP, Chief Secretary of Victoria. Cr Geoffrey Dreverman officiated as the Shire President. The Heidelberg Regional Library Service continued until September 1985 when it disbanded. On 21 November 1985 the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service was established. At that time Eltham was represented by Councillors Mary Grant and Robert Manuell. By 1987, over-crowding of the Eltham Library and an inability to house the range of other services yet again rose to prominence. At a Council meeting held on 1 June 1987, the Councillors supported a resolution which threatened to close the library on 30 September 1987. Council's frustration arose from yet another re-run of the annual State Government versus Council Library funding and records show first arose in Eltham Council in 1967 with the Government of 1he day. After prolonged public anger and petitions the motion to close the library was rescinded in August 1987. Council, considering the community's concern, set up a ‘Library Review Working Party’ which a year later became the Library Occasional Committee with direct access to Council. This Committee investigated the workings of the 386 square metre library and found inadequate space for storage and display, lack of equipment, out-of-date furniture together with an increasing patronage which resulted in queues of borrowers becoming longer no matter when the library was open. Community consultation took the form of 1,000 questionnaires sent to users and non-users along with noticeboard reminders of what was planned. Council developed a strategy to set aside capital funds from 1988 on an annual basis so that preliminary planning and consultative expenses could be met, and construction could be completed early 1997. The Committee visited metropolitan libraries which were catering for a similar population as was projected for Eltham. Australia-wide Federal Government funding grants under the Local Capital Works Program became available from October 1992 for community projects endorsed by local Councils. The Eltham Council submitted a proposal, based on library findings and requirements accumulated by the Library Occasional Committee, to the Federal Grants Committee to build a new Eltham Library. The Federal Grants Committee supported the funding request allowing commencement of the library project three years earlier than planned. With finance finalised, the Council set up its Eltham Library Re-development Special Committee which was given the task of overseeing what could be the last major expansion of the Shire's Library Service as Eltham's population nears its projected maximum. The new library was designed by Gregory Burgess and Peter Ryan of Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd. Construction of the library commenced in 1993 and was officially opened May 22nd, 1994. The library building was designed to reflect its parkland setting. External features include: the roof which includes interesting aspects when viewed from Main Road; verandahs which provide ramp access and give a sheltered entrance to the building; walls which feature locally made mudbricks, conventional bricks and copper panels; and space for an outdoor courtyard/reading area which will be developed later. Internally there are several features. The building includes a foyer with a fireplace suitable for displays including artwork, a community multi-purpose room suitable for meetings or functions and an outdoor cafeteria. The ceilings are lined with Victorian Ash. The shapes for the ceiling give a free-flowing form to the building. Brush Box has been used for the circulation and information desks. The tree trunk columns are Grey lronbark from New South Wales. Arches and various-shaped windows add interest to the internal structure. The carpet design reflects the Eltham environment and compliments the natural colours and timbers used in the building. Tiles by artist Felix Bosari feature in the building and additional art by local artists added externally and internally to the building. Since 1994 the library has undergone a major extension to cater for children’s services and others. See also EDHS_02111Digital file only recorded from Audio Cassette tape on loan Converted to MP3 file; 11.1MB, 0:08:49eltham library, opening, harry gilham, harry gilham collection, 1994, audio cassette, audio recording

An audio recording by Mal Rowe at a dinner sponsored by the TMSV at the Wattle Park Chalet of Major General Sir Robert Risson, MMTB Chairman on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB). Covers many topics about Melboune's trams, international experiences, fares, loan council, new trams, tickets, reserved track, rates, roads. Recorded the day before a two-day strike by the SEC workers which meant the Melbourne's public transport could not operate. Jim Dowell was the TMSV Chairman at the time and Peter Duckett, a well-known enthusiast and operator of the Model Dockyard in Swanston St.Yields information from the MMTB Chairman's viewpoint on Melbourne's tramways.Set of 3 images and three audio files recorded on a reel to reel tape recorder.robert risson, 50th anniversary, mmtb, jim dowell, peter duckett, tmsv, speach

2 photographs (1 sepia copy mounted in embossed brown cover folder, 1 black and white copy).Written on back of folder: "First council meeting in new chambers, 1928. 1924 Foundation Council. Mayor Cr. A.T. Miles, Town Clerk, A.F.B. Long, Engineer, F.R. Lucas, Reporters MR. Gill and Mr. Ostrom, Rate collector, W.T. Jenkins, Architect, A.C. Leith, Councillors, J.K. McCaskill, R. Wilkins, A. Blood, W. McKinlay, J.B. McAlpin. Medical officer, Dr. Langley (absent)."