Showing 4718 items matching "documents and records"
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Melbourne Legacy
Document, Donor index card and reply paid envelope, 1960s
A copy of a blank index card that was used to record donor information in the 1960s. There is space to record size and date of donations. Also a copy of the reply paid envelope that was used at the time. They were compiled in a folio of proforma stationery. A similar set of proformas are at 00338.A record of forms and items used in Legacy's business practices in the 1960s.White index card to record donor information and a reply paid envelope, pasted on brown paper from a folio of forms and brochures from the 1960s.proformas, stationery, forms -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Direct Mail letter to donors, 1966
A copy of a letter to be sent to donors to ask for their donations in 1966. It mentions Legacy was helping over 90,000 widows and children throughout Australia. Was part of a folio of proforma stationery from the 1960s. A similar set of proformas are at 00338.A record of forms and items used in Legacy's business practices in the 1960s.White Melbourne Legacy letterhead with navy image of widow and two children and black type sent to donors signed by President Ron Isherwood, pasted on brown paper from a folio of forms and brochures from the 1960s.proformas, stationery, forms, mailout -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Melbourne Legacy Letterhead, 1960s
A blank example of Melbourne Legacy letterhead from the 1960s. The phone number was changed to 32 3564 from it's earlier format of FB 3564. Was part of a folio of proforma stationery from the 1960s. A similar set of proformas are at 00338.A record of forms and items used in Legacy's business practices in the 1960s.White Melbourne Legacy letterhead with black Torch logo and type, pasted on brown paper from a folio of forms and brochures from the 1960s.proformas, stationery, forms -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Please help us by helping Legacy!, 1960s
A label from a Legacy Appeal tin from 1967. Was part of a folio of proforma stationery from the 1960s. A similar set of proformas are at 00338.A record of forms and items used in Legacy's business practices in the 1960s.White blue and orange label for an appeal tin, pasted on brown paper from a folio of forms and brochures from the 1960s.proformas, stationery, forms -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Direct Mail letter to donors, 1971
A copy of a letter to be sent to donors to ask for their donations in 1971. It mentions statistics of widows and children helped and the estimated expenditure required. The yellow card listed 1,740 legatees in Victoria, helping 19,353 widows and 9,573 children being helped. Was part of a folio of proforma stationery from the 1960s. A similar set of proformas are at 00338.A record of forms and items used in Legacy's business practices in the 1960s.White Melbourne Legacy letterhead with navy torch and details and black type sent to donors signed by President R Robertson in 1971, pasted on brown paper from a folio of forms and brochures from the 1960s. Also a yellow card with Annual Appeal statistics of interest.proformas, stationery, forms, mailout -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Melbourne Legacy Letterhead, 1970
A blank example of Melbourne Legacy letterhead from 1970. The phone number was changed to 663 3564 from 32 3564 and from it's earlier format of FB 3564. Was part of a folio of proforma stationery from the 1960s. A similar set of proformas are at 00338.A record of forms and items used in Legacy's business practices in the 1960s and 1970s.White Melbourne Legacy letterhead with black and white photos and the Torch on orange background, pasted on brown paper from a folio of forms and brochures from the 1960s.proformas, stationery, forms -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, First Contact Form, 1970
An interview form used by Legatees, also called a first contact report, when recording their interactions with Widows and families. The name used was Junior Legacy - Melbourne which was a former name of Melbourne Legacy. Was part of a folio of proforma stationery from the 1960s. A similar set of proformas are at 00338.A record of the way Legatees recorded their voluntary work.Interview form to be used by legatees visiting beneficiaries, dated from April 1970.widows, legatees, proformas, forms -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Report, Highlights from 68th Annual Report 1991, 1991
A report from the President John Sullivan and a recap of the significant events of 1991. Up to the 1980s the annual report would usually contain pages containing the Presidents report and recap of significant events of the year. Between 1987 and 1991 these were published in a separate document called 'Highlights from the Annual Report'. This could be used in promoting Legacy in different ways, without all the financial information normally held in an annual report. In following years it became called 'Report from the President' then 'Highlights from the President', before becoming 'Melbourne Legacy Highlights' which was published twice a year from 2007. It was eventually renamed, 'The Torch, Melbourne Legacy Highlights' in 2012. 'The Torch' is still published twice a year. Other annual reports in 00027, 01095, 01096 and 01097, 01098, 01310 and 01311. A record of the annual reports of Legacy Melbourne, including activities and telling stories of Legacy's impact.Black and white printed highlights report from 1991 x 4 pages, with black and white photos.annual summary, activities, john sullivan -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Poem, Poems by Legatee Eric Serman, 1938
Eight poems written by Legatee Eric Serman on various topics, written in the 1930s. The titles include: The Tree; My Lady; My Garden; In Georgian Days; Sunset at Lakes Entrance and The Gate. Some are on Legacy letterhead. Eric Serman was president in 1928.A record of Legatee Eric Serman a past president of Legacy.Handwritten poems by Legatee Eric Serman - President 1928-29.past presidents, eric serman -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Proposed Club History, 1960
A proforma letter from the Advisory, Tradition and History Committee asking Legatees for their opinion whether to update the Club's history. The first history of Melbourne Legacy was published in 1932. It summarised each year from 1923 to 1931. An update was not published in the same format.A record of Legacy requesting the opinions of members before spending money on updating the history publication.Letter dated 15 March 1960 on Melbourne Legacy letterhead requesting input of Legatees on the topic of producing an updated history of Melbourne Legacy.history -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, President's Address - 'At Home Function', 2007
A copy of speech given by President Bill Rogers to the 'At Home' function on 18 October 2007. The function was Melbourne Legacy's way of saying thank you to the many valued friends who do so much in assisting Legacy in many different ways throughout the year. Two generous cheques were presented to Legacy, by Simon Kinch of the Blackburn RSL and Jim Stevens and Ray Skals from the Watsonia RSL. Watsonia RSL had donated over $188,000 in the preceding 10 years. Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008).A record of the appreciation shown by Legacy to it's benefactors.Print out x 2 pages of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to legatees in 2007.fundraising, rsl, donations -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Benalla, Euroa, Violet Town Group - Change Over Dinner, 2007
A copy of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to the Benalla, Euroa, Violet Town Group change over dinner in 2007. He was installing Legatee Leon Dyer as President of the Group. He mentions the 141,000 widows receiving DVA benefits. He mentions Younger Veterans Forum for veterans post 1975. Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008).A record of the branches and groups at the time.Print out x 1 page of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to a Group dinner on 24 March 2007.benalla, euroa, violet town, changeover dinner -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Annual Presidents Luncheon address, 2007
A copy of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to legatees when he was reconfirmed as President for a second year. He mentions a guest speaker Les Carlyon. Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008).A record that presidential terms had increased to 2 years.Print out x 1 page of a speech given by President Bill Rogers at a legatee luncheon in 2007.presidents lunch, bill rogers -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Mornington Peninsula Legacy Club, 2006
A copy of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to the Mornington Peninsula Legacy Club in 2006. The topic was the 'Changing face of Legacy; New Challenges and where to from here?' He mentions a new ten year Marketing and Fundraising Strategy. Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008).A record of strategy being relayed to clubs and branches.Print out x 3 pages of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to a Group dinner on 10 October 2006.mornington peninsula, marketing, fundraising -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Pilgrimage to the Shrine 2006, 2006
A copy of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to widows at the Shrine of Remembrance in 2006. It was the annual widows' pilgrimage to the Shrine. Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008).A record of a speech given at a service of remembrance.Print out x 1 page of a speech given by President Bill Rogers at a Widows' Pilgrimage to the Shrine in 2006.widows' sunday, pilgrimage, speeches -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Legacy's 75th Annual Anzac Commemoration, 2006
A copy of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to the students at the 75th Annual Student Commemoration in 2006. He gives a background of the Gallipoli campaign and other conflicts where Australians and New Zealanders fought alongside each other. He mentions that they were about to plant a new Lone Pine tree, heled by the youngest junior legatee, Kaitlyn Brown, aged 7, whose father served in East Timor with the Army Reserve. Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008).A record of a speech given at a service of remembrance.Print out x 4 pages of a speech given by President Bill Rogers at the Student Anzac Commemoration in 2006.anzac commemoration for students, speeches, lone pine -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Remembrance Day Ceremony - Kambrya College, 2006
A copy of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to the students at Kambrya College. He mentions the hardships of war, the high number of casualties, and troops in peace keeping operations. He mentions a poem called 'Pittance of Time' - it was written and sung by a Canadian, Terry Kelly. The first verses were: "They fought and some died for their homeland They fought and some died now it's our land Look at his little child there's no fear in her eyes Could he not show respect for other dads that have died Take two minutes would you mind It's a pittance of time For the boys and the girls who went over In peace may they rest may we never forget why they died It's a pittance of time" Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008). The date is not mentioned but was likely to be 11 November 2006 or 2007.A record of a speech given to students.Print out x 3 pages of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to students at Kambrya College on Remembrance Day.remembrance day, schools, speeches -
Canterbury History Group
Book, Amanda Scardamaglia, Printed on Stone: The Lithographs of Charles Troedel
This book is the first to document the visual history of print advertising in Australia and in so doing provides a valuable illustrated social history of Australia. Charles Troedel (1835–1906) was a master printer and lithographer, and the face behind the production of most of Australia’s early advertising posters, product labels, and other print ephemera, as well as the iconic Melbourne Album. Troedel’s catalogue of lithographs trace the production and evolution of nineteenth century commerce and culture—in the home, at the bar, in health, hygiene and housework, with fashion and style and in leisurely pursuits—defining the legal categories under which this content was protected and the way advertising came to be regulated. A history such as this is only possible because of the well-preserved archive documenting the work of Charles Troedel and his firm Troedel & Co. This archive includes the corporate records of Troedel’s printing business spanning over a century, and nearly 10,000 copies of print specimens produced by the company, which were donated by the firm to the State Library of Victoria in 1968. The author of the book, Dr Amanda Scardamaglia, has meticulously researched this archive at the State Library Victoria. (Source: Royal Historical Society of Victoria website - https://www.historyvictoria.org.au/product/printed-on-stone-the-lithographs-of-charles-troedel-by-amanda-scardamaglia/)non-fictionThis book is the first to document the visual history of print advertising in Australia and in so doing provides a valuable illustrated social history of Australia. Charles Troedel (1835–1906) was a master printer and lithographer, and the face behind the production of most of Australia’s early advertising posters, product labels, and other print ephemera, as well as the iconic Melbourne Album. Troedel’s catalogue of lithographs trace the production and evolution of nineteenth century commerce and culture—in the home, at the bar, in health, hygiene and housework, with fashion and style and in leisurely pursuits—defining the legal categories under which this content was protected and the way advertising came to be regulated. A history such as this is only possible because of the well-preserved archive documenting the work of Charles Troedel and his firm Troedel & Co. This archive includes the corporate records of Troedel’s printing business spanning over a century, and nearly 10,000 copies of print specimens produced by the company, which were donated by the firm to the State Library of Victoria in 1968. The author of the book, Dr Amanda Scardamaglia, has meticulously researched this archive at the State Library Victoria. (Source: Royal Historical Society of Victoria website - https://www.historyvictoria.org.au/product/printed-on-stone-the-lithographs-of-charles-troedel-by-amanda-scardamaglia/)advertisements, printing industry -
Falls Creek Historical Society
Award - Pewter Mug Trophies - Ross and Malcolm Milne - "The Drag" - Record Time
This Pewter Mug Collection is a set of 32 trophies won by Australian Alpine skiers Ross and Malcolm Milne between 1959 and 1964. Ross and Malcolm grew up on their family's tobacco property in Myrtleford, and began skiing at Falls Creek at an early age. They were both taught by Austrian Sigi Haberzettl, who was chief coach at Falls Creek for 17 years. Ross went on to win the North-Eastern District Ski Association (NEDSA) Junior Championships for three years in a row. In 1961 Ross was a member of the Australian team which competed against New Zealand in the Inter-Dominion Championships. In 1963, he won the Downhill and Alpine Combined title at the Australian Championships, while placing second in the Grand Slalom event. Ross Milne was selected in the Australian team that participated in the 1964 Olympic Winter Games at Innsbruck, Austria. A few days before the opening of the Games, on 25 January 1964, he tragically lost his life when he crashed into a tree during a training run for the Men's Downhill. He was only 19 years of age. Malcolm became a member of the Australian Junior Ski Team to Japan at the age of 14. He won all of the NEDSA children’s races and won the State Title in 1966. Malcolm continued to achieve great success, winning the Australian Championships for the next five years. At the end of 1969 he won Gold in the Val d'Isere FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Downhill, Australia's first Alpine Ski World Cup medal. He was on the Australian National Ski Team for eight years, representing his country at the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games and the 1966 and 1970 World Championships before turning professional in 1972. Malcolm Milne was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2000 he received the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to skiing. In 2004, Ski & Snowboard Australia granted Milne Life Membership for the contribution he made to the sport by becoming the first World Cup medal winner in Australian winter sports history, and the subsequent impact his performances have had on future athletes. Malcolm Milne was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to skiing in 2016.This item is significant because it is part of a collection which documents the career of two outstanding Australian sportsmen.A pewter mug engraved with the "The Drag" - Record time. No other details are available.Engraved on side of mug: "The Drag" Record Time ross milne, malcolm milne, milne brothers, australian alpine skiers -
Bacchus Marsh & District Historical Society
Document, Family History Files, Bacchus Marsh & District
Family History files relating to families and individuals from the township of Bacchus Marsh and its surrounding district. Files may contain family trees, replies to research inquiries, obituaries, biographical material, photocopies of published and unpublished material from books, newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, maps, archival sources and personal papers. Material may also include copies data from births, marriages, deaths, funeral, cemeteries and other genealogical registers and indexes. of Other material includes printouts of website pages, and photocopies or printouts of images. Arranged in A-Z sequence by family surname.Paper documents in ring and lever arch foldersFamily History files relating to families and individuals from the township of Bacchus Marsh and its surrounding district. Files may contain family trees, replies to research inquiries, obituaries, biographical material, photocopies of published and unpublished material from books, newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, maps, archival sources and personal papers. Material may also include copies data from births, marriages, deaths, funeral, cemeteries and other genealogical registers and indexes. of Other material includes printouts of website pages, and photocopies or printouts of images. Arranged in A-Z sequence by family surname.obituaries, funeral notices, death notices, births, marriages, cemetery records -
Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library
Document - Scanned document: Memorandum of Association 1965, Memorandum of Association of The Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library Kadimah
This MoA was prepared under the The Company Act 1961 and records the aims of the Kadimah in 1965 when the organisation changed its name from “National Library Kadimah” to “Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library Kadimah”.kadimah jewish cultural centre, kadimah committee -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Legacy Australia: Keeping the promise, 2022
Brochure given out to attendees at the launch of the Centenary Torch Relay on 20 April 2022 at the Shrine of Remembrance. It was published to inform reader of Legacy's mission. It was produced by Legacy Australia Inc. A record of the promotional material made to promote the Torch Relay to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Legacy.Colour printed A4 x 14 page booklet about Legacy given out at the launch of the Torch Relay in April 2022.relay, centenary, 100th anniversary -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Victoria - Shrine of Remembrance, 1992
A brochure explaining the Shrine of Remembrance published in 1992. Legacy have a long relationship with the Shrine. This was collected at some stage and added to the archive.A record of the Shrine's events in the 1990s.White brochure x 6 pages with black print about the Shrine of Remembrance.shrine of remembrance, events -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, 2022
Folder of brochures given out to attendees at the launch of the Centenary Torch Relay on 20 April 2022 at the Shrine of Remembrance. There was a 12 page brochure on Defence Health. It was published to inform reader of Legacy's Centenary torch relay. It was produced by Legacy Australia Inc. A record of the promotional material made to promote the Torch Relay to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Legacy.Colour printed A4 folder with a booklet about Legacy, and one about Defence Health, plus a programme for the launch given out at the launch of the Torch Relay at the Shrine 20 April 2022.relay, centenary, 100th anniversary -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Speech, 75th Anniversary of Legacy, 1998
A speech by Sir William Deane, Governor General of Australia, at the opening of the 1998 Conference. 1998 was the 75th Anniversary of Legacy. The speech was published in the Legacy Bulletin on 3rd December 1998.A record of what a prominent Australian thought about Legacy on its 75th anniversary.Photocopy of a Bulletin article of the speech given to open the conference in 1998.speech, sir william deane, governor general, 75th anniversary -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Speech, 75th Anniversary of Legacy, 1998
A speech by Legacy President at the opening of the 1998 Conference. 1998 was the 75th Anniversary of Legacy. The speech was published in the Legacy Bulletin on 3rd December 1998.A record of what was thought about Legacy on its 75th anniversary.Photocopy of a Bulletin article of a speech given to open the conference in 1998.speech, 75th anniversary -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph - Past presidents, Past Presidents 2007, 2007
Photograph of the group of past Presidents in 2007. There is usually a Presidents luncheon every year and a group photo is taken. In 2007 the past presidents were listed on a document listing those attending. From left in this photo are; David Ford, Graham Riches, David Kelly, George Woodward, Lucky Luscombe, Ted Larkin, David Carter, Alf Argent, Tom Butcher, Rob Allison, Geoff Swan, George MacKenzie, Ron Foskett and Colin Bannister.A record of the past presidents gathering together each year.Colour photo of a group of former Legacy Presidents in 2007.past presidents, presidents lunch -
Thompson's Foundry Band Inc. (Castlemaine)
Document, Historic Record of Band Masters Pay Record from August 1912 to March 2005, 2017-07-09
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Mont De Lancey
Domestic object, Troedel & Cooper Pty. Ltd, The Handiform Housekeepers Diary & Cash Recorder, 1933
... Documents ...A useful Housekeepers diary which as it says on the front cover - 'Safer than a Good Memory - A Diary'. Women would have used this to keep records of expenditure on a daily basis. The are three columns: Receipts, Date and Expenditure. It was given with Compliments from F.E. Watts Blackburn Dairy 20 Albert Street, Blackburn Phone WX 2504.A faded and stained tall narrow pale green 1933 Handiform Housekeepers Diary & Cash recorder for home records. The cover has the title printed in black and orange lettering inside a large black shape with publisher details below. There is a Contents page, listing the various useful items to refer to, such as - weekly diary and cash records which may be filled in by the user, yearly calendars for 1933 and 1934, postal information practical medical advice, handy hints, pages for notes and kitchen reminders for shopping. non-fictionA useful Housekeepers diary which as it says on the front cover - 'Safer than a Good Memory - A Diary'. Women would have used this to keep records of expenditure on a daily basis. The are three columns: Receipts, Date and Expenditure. It was given with Compliments from F.E. Watts Blackburn Dairy 20 Albert Street, Blackburn Phone WX 2504.diaries, documents, administrative records, household item, financial records -
Melton City Libraries
Document, Minns Family Reunion, 2004
"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