The Grinton Collection. Cabaret du Ciel and Cabaret 'Enfer"- adjoining buildings in Paris, France. Refer Cat No 1280 for Jack Grintons service details.Photograph framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper, depicting a street scene with a number of close-up building frontages. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 3: Trip of a lifetime". "C. Cabaret due Ciel and Cabaret 'Enfer". framed accessories, camera on the somme, 38th bn, ww1, grinton

The Grinton Collection. 38th Bn Officers and Sergeants in Le Harve France. Identified so far. 1st of left, Sgt Fred Lehman MM, 3rd from left, Sgt Coffey. Refer Cat No. 1280 for Jack Grintons service details.Photograph framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper - Depicting seven soldiers in uniform standing on a foot path/terrace with balustrade in background and to left buildings and to right, water. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 3: Trip of a Lifetime" "F. 38th Battalion soldiers - Le Havre".framed accessories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, grinton, le havre

The Grinton Collection. The Port of Le Harve, port city on the Seine River northern France. Refer Cat No. 1280 for Jack Grintons service details. Photograph framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicting a port scene, foreground - paved area with lamp posts, water. - background - ships, some with masts, with buildings behind. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 3: Trip of a Lifetime" "H. Port of Le Havre".framed accessories, camera on the sommne, ww1, 38th bn, grinton, le havre

The Grinton Collection. 38th Battalion Sergeants at Busmenard France. Identified - Back row - No. 1043 Sgt John (Jack) William GRINTON (left). No. 262 CSM William John DURWARD (right). Third Row - No. 1612 Sgt John Edward ADAMS (2nd Left). Second Row - No. 446 CSM Andrew CLARK (2nd Left). No.1129 Sgt James COFFEY (3rd right). No.1194 Sgt John (Jack) Henry LOCKETT (2nd right). Front row - No.1048 Sgt Frederick Martin LEHMANN 'MM'(left), No. 1645 Sgt William James HOGAN (3rd left).Photograph framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicting a formal group portrait of Battalion Sergeants in uniform standing and sitting. Background - building wall. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 4: Portraiture and Remembrance" "b. 38th Battalion Sergeants - Busmenard". framed accessories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, grinton, busmenard

The Grinton Collection. A French Soldier with his Family. Refer Cat No. 1280 for Jack Grintons service details.Photograph framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicting a family group - informal, full length portrait, French soldier in uniform, woman and boy. Background - building wall. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 2: Burden of War". "G. A French soldier and family". framed accessories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, grinton

The Grinton Collection. 38th Bn Soldiers with French children, one is dressed in an Australian uniform. Refer Cat Number 1280 for Jack Grintons service details.Photograph framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicting two children and one soldier standing outside a building window, with a further six soldiers grouped inside the open window. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 2: Burden of War". "L. Australian soldiers and French children."framed accessories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, grinton

The Grinton Collection. The Soldier is Sergeant Major William John Durward No 262 38th Bn. Refer - Cat No 1280 for Jack Grintons service details. Photograph framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicting an informal full length portrait of a soldier with his hand resting on a chair back. Background - building wall. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 4: Portraiture and Remembrance". "F. Company Sergeant Major William John Durward". framed accessories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, grinton, william john durward

The Grinton Collection. Bomb damaged buildings. Refer Cat No. 1280 for Jack Grintons service details.Photograph - framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicts a street scene of bomb damaged timber and brick houses. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 2: Burden of War". "D. Bombed houses".framed accessories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, grinton

The Grinton Collection. Captured German guns at the “Place de la Concorde” France Refer Cat No 1280 for Jack Grintons service details. Photograph - framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicts a collection of at least ten guns (German) in a plaza, one soldier in the foreground and buildings in background. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 3: Trip of a Lifetime". "E. Captured German guns at the Place de la Concorde".framed accessories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, grinton, france

This clock was placed in what was called the "Writing Room" of the Soldiers Memorial Institute when it was opened in 1921. After the renovations to the SMI in 2016 - 18 the clock was placed back in the same position in what is now called "The Building and RSL History Room".Pendulum Wall Clock, timber frame with glass front insets in door, clock face has Roman Numerals, chimes on the hour and half hour, wind up key inside. A small silver plaque is on the front bottom space.On clock face under hands, "J.T. Knowlton & Co watch makers Bendigo". Around edge of clock face, "W.M.L Gilbert Clock Co Winsted Conn U.S.A" On small Plaque, "Presented by Pioneer Comforts Fund 15.11.1921"brsl, smirsl, domestic

This clock was originally in the front Office of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Bendigo on the mantlepiece of the fireplace. Original donor or date of being placed is unknown. It was last used in 2005 by Jack Barnes OAM who wound it every day he was in the Office, he was Secretary for 43 years of the BRSL. After the renovations to the SMI in 2016 - 18 it was placed on the mantlepiece of the fireplace in what is now called "The Building and RSL History Room"Mantle Piece Clock, timber frame, hinged glass cover over the face is missing, numbers are 1 - 12 on clock face, rear door to the mechanism, a pendulum weight is taped to the inside, no wind up key.On Clock face, "Gilbert". Around clock face, "Made in Winsted Conn United States of America"brsl, smirsl, mantle

This clock was placed originally in what was called the "Billiard Room" of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Bendigo. There is no apparent connection to the RSL or Military service of F. Prescott. Frederick Napoli Prescott was a prominent Bendigo Optician and Jeweller at the corner of Mitchell and Hargreaves Street Bendigo. He was later in partnership with Mr C.M. Dawe trading as Prescott & Dawe. Mr Prescott died in 1913. After the renovations to the SMI 2016 - 18 this clock was placed in what is now called the "Building and RSL History Room"Pendulum wall clock timber frame with door on front, door has glass inset, each side has a glass inset, clock numbered 1 - 12, wind up key is inside, a small silver plaque is on the bottom front face.On clock face, "Prescott & Dawe". On plaque, " Presented by Mrs F Prescott in memory of F Prescott"brsl, smirsl, domestic

The Grinton Collection. Unknown French Family. Refer Cat No. 1280 for Jack Grintons service history.Photograph - framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicts a group portrait of five civilians, two women standing and boy, women and man seated in front. Background exterior building wall and window. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 2: Burden of War". "K. Group portrait of five French civilians."framed accessories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, 'grinton

This item was placed in what was originally the "Writing Room" of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Bendigo when it was opened in 1921. After the renovations to SMI 2016 - 18 it was placed back in the same position. This room is now called the "Building and RSL History Museum.Coat and hat rack timber construction rectangular shape, has six hangars at top and six at the bottom. Each hangar holds two items, top hangars are different style to the bottom. A small silver oval plaque is central at the bottom.On the plaque, "Presented by the Pioneer Comforts Fund"brsl, smirsl, comforts

These Office chairs were originally placed in the front Office of the Soldiers Memorial Institute in 1921funded by the "Australian Mining Comforts Fund" and remained in use till approx 2012 when the Office was renovated. After the renovations to SMI in 2016 -18 they were then placed in what is now called the "Building and RSL History Room".1) & .2) Captain style chairs, solid timber construction, curved arm rests and heavy back rest. .3) .4) Padded cushions of white colour, one is very old the other purchased about 2007 to match.Under both seats just readable, "Melbourne ------ Co PTY --2 Down St Collingwood - European labour only"brsl, smirsl, comforts

This table was installed originally in the front office of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Bendigo 1921 funded by the "Australian Mining Comforts Fund". It was still in use up till approx 2012 when the office was renovated. After the renovations to SMI in 2016 - 18 it was installed in what is now called the "Building and RSL History Room"Office desk, heavy timber construction rectangular shape, has two pull out side drawer's that originally had a filing system in, one pullout drawer central in the sit position. Side drawers have steel handles, central one timber.brsl, smirsl, comforts

This plaque was originally placed in the Foyer of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Bendigo. After the restoration to the SMI in 2016 - 18 it was then placed in what is now called the Building and RSL History Room. Refer Cat No 8012P re George Lansell's service and RSL history.Plaque brass rectangular shape, has inscriptions in black, has six screws securing it to a timber backing board on a wall."This tablet placed here by the Members as a mark of esteem and respect. Col. Sir George V. Lansell President Bendigo Sub Branch R.S.S.A.I.L.A 1920 - 52. A Soldiers Friend"brsl, smirsl, plaque

This is an illustrated history of New Zealand. Since the foundation of Warrnambool in 1847 up to the present day there has been regular and important contact between the people of Warrnambool and New Zealand. In the 19th and early 20th centuries many people in Warrnambool moved either temporarily or permanently to New Zealand for marriage or economic reasons. Some residents of Warrnambool and district were involved in the Maori Wars and there was regular shipping between the two places with much timber imported from New Zealand, especially for the McGennan butter box factory and for building purposes (e.g. St. Joseph’s Church). The builder of theWarrnambool Breakwater, Arthur Dudley Dobson, came to Warrnambool after having practised his surveying and engineering skills in New Zealand (South Island – Trans Alpine Railway etc). This book is very useful for research into the Warrnambool/New Zealand connection, especially in the 19th century. There is information in this book on Arthur Dudley Dobson who was important in the history of both Warrnambool and New Zealand. This is a hard cover book of 488 pages. The cover is green with gold lettering on the front and spine. There is also a dust cover with a brown and green background with gold and green lettering and sepia-coloured photographs on the front and back covers. The book has illustrations from the Alexander Turnbull Library, an introduction, ten chapters of text, notes, glossary, bibliography and index. new zealand, arthur dudley dobson, history of warrnambool

Skippy and Toni St Elmo were responsible for early developments at the Falls Creek resort and for promoting a love of skiing. They left Melbourne in 1945 and settled at Falls Creek and moved into the first building constructed of corrugated iron and timber at Falls Creek in 1946. They were Falls Creek’s first workers with Toni employed by the State Electricity Commission to record weather-related data up to the construction of the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme. In 1957, Toni was involved in building the first rope tow called Nissen on the same route as the Summit Quad. He also established the Nissen Ski School with ski instructor Milan Kovacic and was involved in the building of the resort’s first ski club Bogong in 1949. Toni taught Skippy to ski and she practised on the High Plains where she and her husband lived. Skippy St Elmo won many ski races during the 1950’s and represented Australia in New Zealand.Skippy and Toni St Elmo were pioneers of the Falls Creek area, promoting local ski sports and tourism. The played an important role in opening up the Falls Creek area and developing its sporting potential by establishing the first ski school, ski lifts and early lodge facilities. Skippy and Toni St Elmo were honoured at the Alpine Village at Falls Creek on November 17 2006, with the spreading of their ashes at the place which played such an important part in both their lives.Set of 8 black and white photographs of Skippy St Elmo and other skiers 1. Skippy and 3 others in New Zealand 1951 2. Skippy and 5 others Falls Creek 1955 3. Cake celebrating 20 years of sport at Nissen Lodge 4. Skippy and friend outside Nissen Lodge 5. Skippy on the ski slopes 6. Skippy on the ski slopes 7. Albury Ski Club team New Zwealand 1957 8. The Bogong Ski Club 1950 Written on back of photos 1. Bob Howe Albury, Skippy New Zealand 1951 – 942H 2. Falls Creek 1955. Skippy St Elmo: H Devonassore; Margaret ?; ?; Tony St Elmo; Olive? 3. Written on cake Nissen Alpine Club. 20 years of sport. FRED 4. Skippy St Elmo 5. Skippy 6. Skippy 7. Bob Howe (Albury) Skippy New Zealand 1957. Albury Ski Club Team raced in NZ 8. The Bogong Ski club, Coronet Park, 1950. M Denham (Capt); B Wiltshire; R Roberts; Skippy St Elmo; Gwen Morris; J Frazer; J Smith; L Piera; Manager & Coach Toni St Elmo. J D Knowles Photographer Box 188, Queenstown. 744B falls creek, skiing, bogong high plains

In the 1830’s, European pastoralists started moving south from NSW into the Alps. In 1836, cattle grazing began around Omeo and the runs spread out into the foothills. The higher country was used for summer grazing and huts were built for shelter and storage during stock mustering. The lure of gold brought many people to the Alps from around 1850 to 1900. Bushfires destroyed the forests around Melbourne in 1939 and the boom in house-building after World War II ked to increased demand for timber from the Alps. This resulted in the building of a network of roads which helped open up access to the Alps. The early 1940’s brought the first of many workers to the Alps for the planning and construction of the Hydro-Electric Scheme. These were the pioneers and early settlers of the Kiewa Valley and provided a wealth of characters and a tapestry of stories and adventures to be handed down to future generations.These 3 posters, which were most likely produced for promotional purposes provide a glimpse into the early lives of the pioneer families of the Kiewa Valley through pictures and verse. They show their lifestyle and outline the hardships they had to endure in living and working in the Alpine region. They also highlight the early arguments regarding grazing in the high country which would ultimately lead to the end of the long traditions of the high country cattle men. Set of 3 A4 size posters with black and white photographs and text and colour background depicting various parts of the history of the Kiewa Valley. 1. Titled - ‘Life wasn’t meant to be easy’ Describes early life for Kiewa Hydro workers. 2. Titled - ‘Cattlemen of the High Plains’ Describes a brief history of life of the cattlemen of the high plains 3. Titled – ‘There are Places I’ll remember’ Depicts early photographs of residents of the Kiewa Valley, also includes the words from a John Lennon song as per poster title. Printed on each poster – Poster designed by Dyanne Photography - Wodonga 1. Printed at bottom of poster – Sources: G Napier and G Easdown “The Kiewa Story” 1993. Southern Hydro Archives, N Hetherington and R Hollands. G Gardner “The Kiewa Kids” 1998. 2. Printed at bottom of poster – Sources: D Purland. Handwritten at top of poster- Poster 4 3. Printed at bottom of poster – Sources: B Roper, W Davies, D Higginson, H Ryder. Handwritten at top of poster- Poster 3 kiewa valley; tourism; lifestyles

Although the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme was first proposed in 1911, construction did not commence until 1938. As part of the push to cut electricity costs and diversify supply, the Victorian Government (circa 1930) initiated the conversion from primarily brown coal supply to hydro – electricity. Field investigations during the 1940’s resulted in a new proposal for a scheme that had more than double the capacity of the 1938 scheme. The Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme became the largest scheme of its kind in the State Of Victoria and the second largest scheme in Australia. The number of personnel involved in the planning and construction of the scheme increased dramatically. During the late 1940’s, most activity centred around the construction of the West Kiewa Power Station, Rocky Valley Reservoir, McKay Creek Power Station and the Bogong Creek Aqueduct.A common thread across all the larger hydro scheme constructions was the need for workers, both qualified and unqualified who came from around the world seeking a new life for themselves and their families. New accommodation and facilities were required for the army of workers engaged in construction in often remote and wild areas. The SEC had a high demand for timber, and set up the first of a number of sawmills at Bogong Creek in 1939 and set up the first hardwood logging in the headwaters of the Kiewa River. These new ‘towns’ such as Mt Beauty and Bogong, survived, serving the needs of operational personnel and their families, and expanding with growth of new industries. Mount Beauty, and to a lesser extent Bogong, are among these places. PHYSICAL: Large A3 size spiral bound display folder containing 21 pages of photocopied black and white photographs of various aspects of the early days of the Kiewa Valley Hydro-electric scheme including equipment, various work sites and photographs of workers and their families. 1-Bridge across Tailrace Channel 1946 2-New Mess building, Mt Beauty 3-Homan’s Gap Saw Mill 4- Diamond Drilling Plant – Big Hill 5-Rocky Valley Camp-Mess Building 6-Parlimentary Party at Rocky Valley 7-No.4 Headrace Tunnel 8- Allis-Chalmers Tractor School 9- SECV Heavy Machinery lined up by road 10- No. 5 Raceline – Balasting Track with improvised truck 1-1946 – Bridge across tailrace channel Page number 9 2-New mess building, Mt Beauty 6.4.46 Page number 10 3- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 10.1.47 Time: 11.40am No K2271 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works Homan’s Gap Saw Mill – Rip Saw Page number 11 4- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 5.10.47 Time: 11am No K4111 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works Diamond Drilling Plant – Big Hill Page number 12 5- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 11.2.48 Time: 3pm No K4277 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works Rocky Valley Camp-Mess Building Page number 13 6- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 15.4.48 Time: 4.30pm No K4397 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works Parlimentary Party at Rocky Valley Page number 14 7- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 22.8.48 Time: 9am No K4668 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works General view of No.4 Headrace Tunnel Page number 15 8-STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 5.9.49 Time: 10am No K5180 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works Allis-Chalmers Tractor School – HD 19, Mr I Crossthwaite at Controls Page number 16 9- No markings Page number 17 10- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 7,12.49 Time: 4pm No K5423 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works No. 5 Raceline – Balasting Track with improvised truck. Page number 18 secv; kiewa hydro electric scheme; mt beauty; bogong; construction area

Europeans arrived in the Kiewa and Ovens Valleys in the 1830's and 40's. Following the drought of 1838-44, seeking out the rich pastures in the fertile Valleys. It proved to be perfect conditions for dairy farming and the raising of cattle. Miners Cottages and other similar wooden structures were a common sight in the area as they were a modest form of accommodation for their period, were quick to erect and economical as they made use of locally available building materials such as local timbers.These photographs provide a snapshot into the early dwellings and architecture of the Kiewa and Ovens Valley regions, including buildings such as the church, which provided an important gathering place for social interaction, especially in these isolated areas.1-Wooden church building with no identification. Large tree in the foreground in front of church 2&3- Black and white photographs of farmland and assorted dwellings, mostly miners style cottages in a valley with mountains in the background. A bridge with wooden railings is visible over the river in the middle of the photograph, also a more modern dwelling is visible in the north east of the photograph close to the river. 4-Black and white photograph of residential homes and farmland with an unsealed road running through the middle. Foreground shows a field which has been semi cleared of trees (stumps remaining). In the background are larger farming properties with the road disappearing into the distant hills. This might be Old Tallangatta before the town was moved in 1956. 1-3 - No inscriptions 4- Signature written on back in lead pencil - Sandra Templebuildings; church; farmland

This saw is used for cutting curved edges of timber. It could have been used in the home or for commercial building purposes. The hand-held saw has largely now been replaced by electrically-operated machines. This item has no known local provenance but it is an interesting example of a hand-held tool of the past.This is a hand saw with a thin serrated metal blade. The blade is affixed to the bottom end of a wooden frame with two upright pieces and a cross piece affixed to the upper part of the frame. The top part of the frame has a piece of plaited rope stretched across. The top part of the frame has two wooden handles. The blade is somewhat rusted and the wooden parts and the rope are stained. vintage tools, history of warrnambool

Bullock teams and bullockies were common sights in Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Bullock teams were used for the transport of heavy goods such as wool, wheat, timber, sugar cane, farm equipment, building supplies etc. and their presence and that of their colourful bullock drivers in the countryside have become part of Australia bush folklore. Bullocks were often favoured over horses as they could pull heavy loads over rough surfaces and were less expensive to maintain. As the bullock teams frequently varied in size (up to 40 bullocks have been recorded in the one team) the whip was always a very long one. This item is of considerable significance as a memento of the days (19th century and early 20th century) when bullock teams were the common form of transport for heavy goods. As in other parts of Australia, bullock teams were a feature of the area around Warrnambool and created much interest when they arrived in the smaller towns. This is a wooden stick, slightly tapered to the top, with a leather binding at the top with a small knob. Attached to the top of the stick is a whip made of plaited leather. The leather is brown and stained and slightly worn. At the end of the whip is a strip of plain leather with a knot at the end. bullocks and bullockies in the western district, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Discussed in book : Echuca: A centenary history by Susan Priestley, pp.21, 38, 45, 66, 114-123, 126, 174 R.J.Evans established this mill on the banks of the Murray River, Echuca in 1923 & it operated until 1980. The mill later became a tourist attraction, Red Gum Works, continuing to cut timber until it was taken over by The Port of Echuca as a display (Port of Echuca booklet, 2005 ed., p. 32)Sawmilling was a very important industry for Echuca. At its peak in Echuca in about 1877 there were between 1000-1500 men employed in the industry (Priestley, Susan. 1965, p.118). Red gum was sourced from the forests along the Murray river. It is a very strong timber suitable for bridge & wharf building, construction works as well as housing and especially for sleepers for the railways. Mills relied on government contracts especially for the sleepers. Colour photograph (post-card size) of red gum sawmill on the Port of Echcua. Photograph is taken looking north.Printed on reverse: "this paper manufactured by Kodak."echuca, port of echuca, sawmilling, evans, r. j., red gum works

This book traces the one hundered years of the development of the Shire of Whittlesea, from the discovery by Hume and Hovell in 1824 to the time of the centenary in 1975. The intervening years saw the settlement of Vandemonians, Sydney-siders, English, Scots, Irish and Germans, Black Thursday, the building of the Yan Yean Reservoir, the Plenty River flour millls, the timber industry, fruit-growing and export and vineyards. Personalities and pubs, subdivisions, stories of the Findon Hunt Club and various Shires including Epping. History of education and transiton from rural to urban in the south of the Shire. The work is illustrated with maps and photographs. The Shire is now the City of Whittlesea and is an immediate neighbour to the north of the Shire of Nillumbik. shire of whittlesea

ELTHAM’S GROWTH HAS BEEN RAPID IN RECENT YEARS Unknown local paper c.1960s Recent years have seen a rapid change in the appearance of Eltham’s business centre - so rapid, in fact, that the growth of premises has been almost 300%. For more than thirty-five years Eltham had little more than a dozen traders - the town's business area spreading from Pryor Street in the north, to Pitt Street in the south. The greatest density of businesses - no more than a handful of shops - were situated in the present shopping centre but other essential services such as the Post Office, were located half a mile away. As the town's population grew and the need for more shops became apparent, the growth was centralised around the railway station and Shire hall. Few of the old premises are used for their original form of business today, though many are still in existence. One of the oldest (seen clearly in the illustration) still in use is now Ferrari's Greengrocery. This shop was Eltham's butchery in early days, conducted by Jim Ryan. Up to twenty years ago, Mr. Ryan ran his business from the shop. whilst his son toured Eltham in his horse and cart, cutting his customers' orders as he went from door to door. Another business - one of the few still trading in the same goods-was Burgoyne's Hardware. This is now owned by Mr. R. Clinton, a new shop has recently been added and shortly the old premises will disappear completely. The Burgoyne family were well known to Eltham's population. The Post Office and Store (then in Main Road, near Bridge Street) was run by Mr. and Mrs. Burgoyne. The Post Office was later moved, and attached to the hardware store. OLD HOTEL In this same area was the old Eltham Hotel, almost opposite the present hotel. The building still stands, but has been converted into a house. The hitching rail can still be seen by the roadside. Back in the township was Barber's Blue Gum store, later conducted by Mrs. Burges (mother of Garnet Burges) and claimed to be Eltham's oldest shop. Further down the road, just past the hardware store, was the barber shop and billiard saloon. Next door was E. J. Andrew's news agency, library and State Savings Bank. Eltham's original chemist's shop, or dispensary as it was called, is now an electrical repair shop. On this side of the street too, was Mrs. Monteith - Draper. Mr Monteith was the owner of Eltham' s bus service. This bus service had no regular route, but deposited passengers at the point nearest their homes - a. door to door taxi service. Next to Mrs. Monteith stood another grocery - and general store, and next again, the local blacksmith. Another of Butcher Ryan's sons was Eltham's blacksmith and obviously an enterprising man he conducted a timber business next door to his smithy's shop. These two premises are still run by one man - Garnet Burges. BOOM STARTS Twenty years ago, when Thompson's took over Eltham's pharmacy they occupied the old shop adjoining the Shire hall. The building of Thompson's new premises, from which· they operate today, was the beginning of Eltham's recent growth and development. With another grocery store and a bakery at the corner of York Street, a butcher near Franklin Street, a cobbler's shop opposite the State School (did you ever wonder what that-little building attached to one of Eltham's oldest houses had been?), and an estate agency conducted by Mr. Clark, now Eltham Real Estate - only one trader remained - and today, still carries on, the only original owner of one of Eltham's .oldest established businesses - Mr. Dave Lyon, of Lyon Bros. Garage, which was formerly located in what was later used as Chenowyth's Foundry in Main Road. From the early twenties until little more than six or seven years ago that was the picture of Eltham. Some businesses had changed hands - many years before Mr. C. Rains had acquired Andrew's news agency, Mrs. Monteith's drapery had become Mrs. R. Smith's home-made cake shop, to change again and again to many other types of business. But generally, Eltham was unchanged, for nearly thirty years. Then suddenly new shops mushroomed. The new news agency and drapery, the chemist and adjoining shops, a new butcher, a green grocer and several more. POPULATION DOUBLED In the space of a few years, fifteen new shops, two banks, a restaurant and a post office were built at Eltham. New types of businesses found a ready market in an area which was quickly almost doubling its population. A little over twelve months ago, another wave of progress hit Eltham. Since then eight more shops have been built - a cake shop and fish shop in Dalton [sic – Dudley] Street - for building areas are unprocurable in the Main Street shopping centre now – have been built by Mr. D. Kimball; a new ladies’ and children’s wear shop has been opened by Rains; Eltham Dry Cleaners have another of these new shops, and Mr. R. Clinton has built elaborate new premises. Further down the road, Mr. C. Campbell has built a new butcher's shop, and next door, at present under construction, are a self service store and a shop which Mr. J. Hodges will open on completion. In addition to these new shops, Mr. J. Millett has extended his grocery to almost twice its original size. FLOURISHING Outside the central area, other businesses are flourishing. Latimer's felt factory is being developed in a picturesque rustic setting; P. J. Timber and Trading Company have recently completed a large showroom and timber yard, and in the town itself Nicholson and Merritt are now completing the extension of their foot wear factory to double its former area. This is Eltham today. Progress is moving rapidly in this rural area on the fringe of the metropolis. Less than a decade has seen vast development. The years to complete that span of time will see even greater changes and greater prosperity in this heart: of the Diamond Valley. OLD LANDMARK GOES Perhaps the most famous landmark in Eltham's' business section disappeared last Wednesday when the towering blue gum in Pryor Street at the rear of Main Road shops was felled. The tree, stated to be more than 80 feet high, was the one for which the adjoining café was named, when that business was Eltham’s only provision store, long before the turn of the century. Mr. J. Millett, who now owns the property on which the tree stood, deeply regretted its removal, but was mindful of the need for expansion in the business area. The "Old Blue Gum" was removed by Mr. A. Wilson, expert tree feller, from Heidelberg. Its proportions might be assessed by these facts – it took a gang of experienced men two days to completely fell and clear the tree, and, falling sections being brought down by cable tipped electricity wires on the opposite side of Pryor Street.andrew's news agency, bakery, barber shop, barber's blue gum store, billiard saloon, blacksmith, blue gum, burgoyne's hardware, butcher, cake shop, chemist's shop, chenowyth's foundry, cobbler's shop, dave lyon, dispensary, draper shop. mr monteith, dudley street, e. j. andrew's news agency, electrical repair shop, eltham bus service, eltham butchery, eltham dry cleaners, eltham hotel, eltham railway station, eltham real estate, eltham shire hall, eltham shopping centre, eltham shops, eltham town centre, estate agency, expert tree feller, ferrari's greengrocery, fish shop, foot wear factory, franklin street, garnet burges, general store, grocery, heidelberg, horace clark, jim ryan, ladies’ and children’s wear shop, latimer's felt factory, library, lyon bros. garage, main road, mr. a. wilson, mr. c. campbell, mr. c. rains, mr. d. kimball, mr. j. hodges, mr. j. millett, mr. r. clinton, mrs. burges, mrs. monteith, mrs. monteith's drapery, mrs. r. smith's home-made cake shop, nicholson and merritt, p. j. timber and trading company, pitt street, post office, pryor street, self service store, shopping centre, state savings bank, taxi service, thompson's pharmacy, york street