In 1978 Diamond Valley Shire recognised the need for a new public hall in Diamond Creek. Council considered the Bini shell form of construction which was in operation overseas and in use in New South Wales as libraries, gymnasiums, sports centres and multi-purpose centres. The Council gave the go-ahead. A site was chosen opposite the Hotel and close to the railway line. One day in - the following year, in 1979, activity stood still in Diamond Creek as school children and other excited spectators watched the one-hour inflation of the Bini Shell. This unusual method of construction was invented by Italian industrial designer and architect Dante Bini. The construction pneumatically raises a level of reinforced concrete from ground level which has not been set, using an internal balloon. The inner membrane inflates and compresses the mesh and concrete against the outer membrane. A net of flexible steel rods was laid on the building’s circular base, on the top of a fabric bladder. 300 tonnes of reinforced concrete were poured onto the mesh and a sealed cover laid over the concrete making a sandwich of cover, bladder and mesh. Compressed air was pumped into the bladder and the sandwich slowly began to rise and become a massive self-supporting dome. After inflation and removal of the outer membrane workmen filled in any holes. It was some days before pneumatic drills pecked out the first opening. The ceiling of the concrete dome was lined with fluffy insulating material. The dome was 36 metres in diameter at the base and 12 metres high in the centre with a usable floor space of 670 square metres. An opening night dinner was held to celebrate the new facility on March 12, 1980. Shire President Ron Pata made a speech and unveiled a plaque. It was the first public building in Victoria to be erected using the Bini Shell design method of construction The facility could cater for up to 400 people and in 1980 a fee for use was $100 for up to 200 people, $150 for up to 300 people and $200 for up to 400 people. For the next ten years or so, locals attended the hall for marital arts classes, basketball and netball games and school discoes and various other activities. After pieces of concrete fell off a Bini shell interstate due to a construction fault, the Council closed the centre. Demotion took place during the Diamond Creek Town Fair in 1991, as part of the annual Town Fair’s program. Research by LP January 2022This was the first public building in Victoria to be erected using the Bini Shell design method of construction.Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 1983, bini shell, diamond creek

Family history of Josiah Holloway, origins of street names in the subdivision of Eltham History of Eltham and origins of street names connected with pioneers of the area.Newsprint, gray scale. Photograph of Keylock's Bridge on Diamond Creek at ElthamDV Leader April27 2011, p23josiah holloway, jack shallard, susanna maria bible, bradbury, henry brougham, handfield, fay harcourt, violet bank, kangaroo ground, bells hillroad, shalbury avenue, beard street, brougham street, main road, eltham

A complete record of the DVFL season 1981, includes reports from affiliated clubs, scores from the seasons games and winners of best and fairest awards for all divisions and age groups. In 1981 the Division 1 Premiers were Diamond Creek Football Club. The DVFL was renamed Northern Football League (NFL) in 2008 and further renamed Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) in 2017 to incorporate Netball into the clubs.This annual report covers many teams from within the Diamond Valley area. Includes junior and senior teams.Foolscap size book. 99 pages, printed on one side of page only. Blue cover with white text. Includes tables and photos."With the compliments of ... Diamond Valley Football League"australian rules football, greensborough football club, diamond valley football league, dvfl, northern football league, nfl, northern football netball league, nfnl, diamond creek football club

History of the Shire of Diamond Valley from 1830-1964. This book is significant to the history of the area. It contains many historic photographs and details of early life in Diamond Valley. 191p., hard cover, illus. 5 copies. First edition has seperate index; index printed in book in 1995 reprint. greensborough, eltham, diamond creek, watsonia, hurstbridge, wattle glen

Guide to services provided by Shire of Diamond Valley. The Shire of Diamond Valley was a Local Government Area located about 20 kilometres northeast of Melbourne. The shire covered an area of 74.38 square kilometres and existed from 1964 until 1994. Cover illustration of "Diamond Creek Bini-shell".Annual guide to services in Shire of Diamond Valley28 pages, col illus., maps. (3 copies)shire of diamond valley, greensborough, handbooks

Issued to commemorate the centenary of the first issue of the "Heidelberg News and Greensborough and Diamond Creek Chronicle".This edition features many historical photographs and advertisements as well as some from 1997.A 40 page commemorative edition of the Diamond Valley news in black and sepia print.Nilgreensborough, diamond creek, heidelberg, local newspapers, leader group newspapers

The Diamond Valley Mirror was a local newspaper in the 1960's. The article is about a large loan that the City of Heidelberg took out to fund civic improvements in the North Riding.The loan was for 50,000 pounds to fund among other things the Greensborough Swimming Pool and the second stage of Diamond Creek Water Supply scheme. It also includes on a second page, the proposed design of the future Greensborough Swimming Pool.A photocopy of a newspaper article from 1961. Nilcity of heidelberg, greensborough swimming pool, diamond creek water supply scheme, civic loans, invanhoe library

An article about a men's art group which won an award for creating murals.The group is from Nillumbik Living and Learning Centre and the murals were created for dementia patients at the Diamond Creek Rd Aged Care centre.A small article featuring a colour photograph.Nilnillumbik living and learning centre, diamond creek road aged care centre, mens art groups, murals, dementia

Diamond Valley Football League Football Record 16/08/1986. Contains senior team lists for Greensborough and Diamond Creek Football Club.44 pages black text, black and white photo and images and blue and black logodiamond football football league, football record, dvfl

At the time the bridge/creek was the boundary between Shire of Eltham and Shire of Diamond ValleyBlack and white photograph from down in gully looking up at Wattletree Road Bridge over Diamond Creek, Eltham North c.1970bridges, diamond creek, wattletree road, eltham north

Set of five newspaper cuttings (or group of cuttings) regarding trams sold by the MMTB and their relocation. .1 - Community Valley News "Huge tram sure to stop traffic; well that's the idea!", 16/4/2002 - W6 968 being relocated to the Essendon Traffic School - see image i9. .2 - Cover and pages 6 & 7 of Metro News24/1/2001 - about the sale of W class trams. Cover photo has a tram at Dales Creek, story by Ingrid Svendsen about the storage of trams at Newport, reuse. Quotes Dr Mees, Roberto D' Andrea, Peter Batchelor and Geoff Leigh. .3 - Free Press - 22/2/1984 - "Last Stop Cockatoo" - W2 611 to Cockatoo Primary School. .4 - Diamond Valley News, 13/3/1984 about the sale of W2 640 to Mrs Fabian Broekan to the Eltham area and the objection of the Eltham council. .5 - The Sun - 24/8/1987 - "Aboard the tram home" about the former trams at Ferny Creek. Two centre pages. See also Reg Items about these tramcars. .6 - The Phillip Motorway - 19/8/1993 - about W2 284, owned by Evan Bekiaris which was built by Holdens in SA.trams, tramways, sale of trams, mmtb, newport workshops, preserved trams, ferny creek, tramcars, pmtt, melbourne, houses, essendon, holden, tram 968, tram 611, tram 640, tram 284

Geographical area of around 35 sq. kilometres marked with physical features such as major roads, rivers, vegetation and properties, with contemporary notes on landowners, descriptions and comments on the land and its development. Bounded by Shire of Diamond Valley to the North, Darebin Creek to the West and Plenty River to the East.Black an white sketch map on white paperheidelberg, heidelberg - maps

Self guided heritage tour information produced by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society for 1978 Eltham Community Festival of 36 locations each numbered on accompanying map. Locations and detail provided current to 1978: 1. ELTHAM SHOPPING CENTRE Whilst very little remains in the centre of historical importance, this area has interest as the "village" which developed over many years following the opening of the railway from Melbourne in 1902. Previously the shopping centre had been spread out over a long length of Main Road to the south. Shops have been continuously demolished or remodelled and the majority of buildings date from the 1950's or later. The recently erected Post Office replaced the "old" Post Office opened on the same site only in 1958. 2. WOOLWORTHS ELTHAM VILLAGE Part of the site of this modern shopping development was occupied by the former Eltham Shire Offices and Hall. The hall was paid for by public subscription whilst the Council raised a loan for the offices. The combined building was opened in 1941. It served as office and Council meeting place until 1965 and as the hall until its demolition in 1970. 3. ELTHAM WAR MEMORIAL The complex of buildings adjoining the present Shire Offices were financed by public subscription as a Memorial following World War II. Their construction and for many years their operation was organised by the now disbanded Eltham War Memorial Committee. The original buildings were the; Infant Welfare Centre, Children’s Library (now War Memorial Hall and Dental Clinic) and Kindergarten. In later years the Elderly Citizens Club was built at the rear. 4. ELTHAM SHIRE OFFICES These offices were opened in 1965 and extended in 1971 to provide additional office accommodation and the Eltham Library. They represent the last of a long line of offices and meeting places of the Eltham Shire Council and its predecessor the Eltham District Road Board. The building occupies the former site of Shillinglaw Cottage. The three tall cypress trees which stood in front of the Cottage have been retained as a feature of the office surrounds. 5. OUR LADY'S CHURCH AND SCHOOL The Catholic Church and School complex opposite the Shires Offices shows a number of stages in the development of Eltham township. The recently constructed church adjoins its predecessor (now the parish centre). Many years ago the Catholic Church was located opposite Wingrove Park and the present central site follows the northerly drift of the township. 6. SHILLINGLAW COTTAGE The Cottage was built in 1859 by George Stebbing, a local builder who was responsible for a number of other prominent buildings in the area. Its removal from the site of the Shire Offices and re-erection on the present site was financed by public subscription. It is built of handmade bricks laid in Flemish Bond with an unusual design featuring burnt "leader" bricks over the whole facade. The Cottage is occupied by Eltham Fleececrafts and will be open during the Festival and at other times during weekends. It is classified by the National Trust. 7. RAILWAY BRIDGE The timber trestle bridge over the Diamond Creek was built in 1901. Whilst all of its timbers have been replaced at various times over the years the only change to its character has been the addition of pylons and wiring for electric trains in 1923. It is one of very few similar bridges remaining in the metropolitan area. In 1976 a proposal to replace the bridge with an earth embankment and large culvert pipes was abandoned following community protests. The bridge, however, remains under threat because of the necessity for future deuplication of the railway line. 8. ELTHAM CENTPAL PARK The area between the railway and the creek has for many years been used as a park which included Eltham' s main football oval. The access road, Panther Place is named after Eltham's team playing in the Diamond Valley League. In recent years a large area extending to Bridge Street and locally known as the Town Park has been landscaped and added to the area. The excellent blending of the park with the natural landscape of the creek valley has earned a National Trust Landscape Classification. 9. OLD BAKERY On the southern corner of York Street and Main Road is an old house with a shop front which was for many years the local baker's shop. The brick bakery at the rear is of somewhat later vintage than the house. 10. BRIDGE STREET CUTTING Before reconstruction of Main Road this intersection had deep cutting embankments on all four corners, forming a distinctive feature of the entrance to Eltham. Roadworks and private development have levelled the land on the low side of the road. A memorial to the Eltham soldiers of World War I which was located at the north-western corner is now situated at the Eltham R.S.L.   11. HILLTOP MILK BAR For many years this was the site of the Eltham Post Office under the control of the Hunniford family and later their descendants the Burgoynes. It was transferred to this site in 1855, although at that time the building apparently fronted Bridge Str e et. The site contained Eltham's first telephone exchange. The post office was relocated in 1954 but the shop was operated until recently by the Burgoyne family who still own the surrounding land. 12. UNITING CHURCH and former C.B.A. BANK The former Methodist Church was built in 1880 by George Stebbing. The Sunday School extension was built in 1929 and there have been more recent extensions. The adjoining opportunity shop was built as a bank in 1874 and purchased by the Methodist Church in 1954. 13. R.S.L. HALL, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE These relatively recent buildings occupy the site of a row of shops forming part of the early ribbon of business development along Main Road. In front of the R.S.L. building is the World War I Memorial relocated from the corner of Bridge Street and Main Road. 14. ELTHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE Australia's first mudbrick "community building" was opened in April this year. Part of the site of the building was purchased in 1856 by Henry Dendy (of Brighton fame). At the rear of the land near the creek was a steam flour mill whilst Dendy's house was at the Main Road frontage of the land. His purchase totalled about 2 Ha (5 acres) and included land on the opposite side of Maria Street (Main Road). Dendy became a prominent member of the Eltham community and served one term as President of the Eltham District Road Board. In 1867 Dendy sold his land and business to William Ford of Malmsbury and shifted to Walhalla. The avenue of trees leading past the Community Centre to the creek may well have bordered the track to the mill. 15. ELTHAM HOTEL The original part of this hotel was built in 1927 following the burning of the former Watson's Eltham Hotel on the same site. The car park on the opposite side of Main Road was also the site of a hotel variously known over the years as; the Fountain of Friendship, the Fountain and the Evelyn Arms. As the Fountain of Friendship it was the first meeting place of the Eltham District Road Board in 1856. 16. ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH, PITT STREET In 1860 Henry Dendy was appointed Chairman of a committee to establish a church of England in Eltham. He donated part of his land in Pitt Street and in 1861 the church was opened. It was built by George Stebbing and remains in a well preserved state today. Th adjoining old vicarage is now named Dendy Hou se. A new mudbrick church hall is under construction on the site. The church and Dendy House are now listed on the Register of Historic Buildings. 17. NO. 86 PITT STREET Cottage built by George Stebbing and believed to be his home for some years in the 1850s. 18. LIVING AND LEARNING CENTRE The house was built in the 1850s with the kitchen at the front being added about 40 years later. By the creek below the house a number of early Eltham industries were located. These included a tannery and a brewery. 19. ELTHAM COURT HOUSE A Court of Petty Sessions was established in Eltham in 1858 and the present building dates from 1860. It is the oldest public building remaining in Eltham. In its early days the building was used as the meeting place and office of the Eltham District Road Board and as an overflow classroom for the local school. The Court House has been classified by the National Trust. The citation states that it is an example of the simple form of early brick Court House with gabled roof and porch. 20. LANDS DEPARTMENT OFFICE This building is the former police station and is probably of about the same age as the Court House. The lockup at the rear has been demolished but the old stables remain as garages. A licence was first granted for a police station at Eltham in 1856. 21. JARROLD COTTAGE The old Cottage opposite Dalton Street was formerly owned by the Jarrold family. Early records indicate that this was the building leased from the Jarrolds as a temporary police station prior to construction of the building on the corner of Brougham Street. The small building on the corner of the property was used as a boot repairer's shop. The elevated studio at the rear is a more recent construction by the present owners. 22. STATE SCHOOL RESIDENCE Erected in 1891 23. WINGROVE COTTAGE This building fills an important place in the history of Eltham and is now used as a medical clinic. It was built in 1858 for Charles S. Wingrove who was Secretary to the Eltham District Road Board and Shire Council from 1858 to 1904. During part of this period he was also Shire Engineer and was Secretary to the Heidelberg Road Board. The house was used as the office of the Board and Council for many years. Wingrove is buried in the cemetery at St. Helena.   24. WINGROVE PARK The parkland opposite Wingrove Cottage has been named after Charles Wingrove. The old Manna Gums are an outstanding feature of the park. 25. ELTHAM FRI.MARY SCHOOL NO. 209 The school first opened in the slab building in 1855 and operated from the present site since 1857. The oldest part of the present school is the stone building erected in 1876. The first school teacher, David Clark remained at the school until 1888. This school is the government township and has always been known as the Eltham School. An earlier school (no.371) known as Little Eltham School operated in Swan Street from 1853 to 1872. 26. "SHOESTRING" This house was built for school teacher David Clark. It has been extensively extended in recent years but the extensions do not detract from the character of the older part of the building. 27. ELTHAM CEMETERY The cemetery contains the graves of many of the district's pioneers . 28. MONTSALVAT This unique complex of buildings was commenced in 1935 by the late Justus Jorgensen and its development has extended over many years. Montsalvat has exerted a significant impact on Eltham The earth and stone construction of many of the buildings has influenced local architecture to a great extent and it has served as a "nerve centre" of the local artistic community. Montsalvat is open to the public for a small charge. 29. MAIN ROAD BRIDGE This location has been the main crossing of Diamond Creek since the earliest days of settlement. The present concrete bridge was erected in 1925 .and was preceded by a number of timber bridges. 30. ELTHAM LOWER PARK This park, being an unusually large flat area for Eltham, was originally the local racecourse. Horse races were held here from 1855 and the area was gazetted as a reserve for a racecourse and recreation reserve in 1857. The park is well known as a venue for school "bird days" and more recently as the site of the Diamond Valley Railway. This miniature railway features scale models of modern and old locomotives and rolling stock and has operated on this site since 1961 . Before that the railway operated at Chelsworth Park, Ivanhoe.   31. FALKINER HOUSE Frederick Falkiner was one of the earliest settlers in the Eltham township area and occupied a substantial leasehold prior to the first land sales. Early records show that Falkiner was the subject of a number of complaints from his neighbours but he has nevertheless been considered a prominent enough citizen to have a street named for him. This house was the home of Evelyn (Ely) Falkiner a member of Frederick's family. 32. WEST HOUSE Behind the large house on the hill is an early house built by the West family. This was relocated from a site near the front of the land by the present owner Mr. Fabbro. 33. FALKINER HOUSE This very old house is believed to have been the home of Frederick and may have been Eltham's first post office. Falkiner was the first post master for a short period. in 1854/55. 34. WITHERS HOUSE This house was the home of famous artist Walter Withers who shifted here from Heidelberg in 1903. 35. ELTHAM HIGH SCHOOL This school celebrated its jubilee this year, having commenced as the Eltham Higher Elementary School 50 years ago. 36. DIAMOND CREEK FOOTWAY If returning from the High School to the town centre the footpath by the bank of the Diamond Creek provides a pleasant route to finish your walk. The creek is a major tributary of the Yarra River. Together with its own major tributaries Arthurs Creek and Running Creek it commences on the southern slopes of the Dividing Range at Kinglake. It gives the name Diamond Valley to an area extending well beyond its actual drainage catchment.Recognition of the significance of various landmarks to the history of the Eltham community as of 1978‘shoestring’, 1978, bridge street cutting, burgoyne store, c.b.a. bank, diamond creek trail, eltham cemetery, eltham central park, eltham community centre, eltham community festival, eltham court house, eltham festival, eltham high school, eltham hotel, eltham lower park, eltham primary school, eltham railway trestle bridge, eltham shire offices, eltham shopping centre, eltham state school no. 209, eltham village, eltham war memorial, falkiner house, heritage trail, hilltop milk bar, jarrold cottage, lands department office, living, living and learning centre, main road bridge, montsalvat, old bakery, our eltham artistic recollections, our lady help of christian’s church, our lady help of christian’s primary school, pitt street, post office, r.s.l. hall, shillinglaw cottage, st margaret’s church, state school residence, stebbing cottage, telephone exchange, uniting church, west house, wingrove cottage, wingrove park, withers house, woolworths

The Nillumbik Festival was introduced as a replacement for the Eltham Festival following the disbandment of Eltham Shire Council in December 1994 and the creation of Nillumbik Shire Council. It was an attempt to draw away from Eltham and be more inclusive of the wider communities in Nillumbik. However other local communities had their own festivals and the concept of a Nillumbik Festival was never widely accepted by the community and it shortly reverted back to the Eltham Fesitval in 1997. Page 5 Photo: Acting Sen-Sgergeant Paul MacNicholl of Eltham Police with Jamie-Lee Teagley and friends at the Nillumbik Festival on Saturday Page 6 Photos: Nillumbik Chief Don Cordell with Parade leader Jock Read & Lofty Roma O'Callaghan and Brian McKean of Plenty Valley FM - 88.6 Artist Ray Macminn of Diamond Valley arts Society exhibition The Eastside Jazz Band lead the way in Saturday's Nillumbik Festival Eltham Football Club fellas fly the flag for the Panthers in Main Road Eltham Lionesses Marcia Whitely, Peggy Lear, June Cook & Kath Elliott ALP's Sherryl Garbutt, Harry Jenkins, Sig Jorgensen and Jenny Macklin Diamond Valley Arts Society's Don Cook paints with oils on Saturday It's amaxing who'll you'll meet at the Nillumbik Festival Page 7 Photos: Eltham MLA Wayne Phillips with Jaga Jaga candidate Michelle Penson Greens candidate Julie Coulston with Geraldine Ryan at Knox Park The Anti Ring Road Organisation march on, you guessed it, Main Road Lower Plenty Primary School had an imaginative display in the Parade The Melbourne Kyokushin Club show their defence skills on Saturday Brian Harvey of Diamond Valley Sports Complex at the Fitness Expo Michael Jerrard and president Trevor Taylor of Greensborough- Diamond Creek Apex Jock Kyme drives the Democratic Nillumbik Association float on Main Road Page 8: Letter: Time for a new Eltham Festival by Sigmund JorgensenNewsprint1995, eltham festival, nillumbik festival, 1st eltham brownies, 1st eltham scouts, alistair knox park, allwood house belly dance, anti ring road organisation (arro), brian mckean, circus of chaos, democratic nillumbik association, diamond valley people for nuclear disamament, don cordell, drum group, eastside jazz band, eltham cfa, eltham community health centre, eltham east primary school, eltham fire brigade, eltham football club juniors, eltham north primary school, eltham primary school, eltham ses, eltham south primary school, eltham steam and stationary engine society, grand parade, harry jenkins, jean austin, jenny macklin, jock read, john cust, john huf, julie coulston, kevin abbott, kevin austin, lofty (horse), lower plenty primary school, lyn allison, main road, melbourne kyokushin karate school, montmorency garden club, montmorency south primary school, montsalvat coachlines, nillumbik commissioners, nillumbik garden club, north warrandyte fire brigade, panther place, peter burton, plenty valley 88.6 fm, pryor street, rats of tobruk memorial pipes and drums, research fire brigade, research primary school, robert guy, roma o'callaghan, sheryl garbutt, sigmund jorgensen, tim newhouse, wayne phillips m.p., woodridge pre-school, diamond valley vineyards, dutch social club, edendale community farm, eltham bowling club, eltham eagles in-line hockey, eltham football club, eltham rugby football club, eltham vineyards, ginger garlic, kingstan berries, silvie's delectables, vili's pies, wycliffe bible translators

This drill was used in the construction of the Eltham-Hurstbridge Railway extension in 1911. The device was placed over the wooden sleeper to drill holes for the iron spikes which held the rail down. Example of tools needed to build railway in early 20th Century in the Diamond Valley.Drill mechanism mounted on wooden frame. Mechanism tilts to enable holes to be drilled vertically (normal) or at angles up to 45 degrees using double hand cranks and gears. A rack can be engaged to raise and lower the mechanism and drill bit. Mechanism appears original. Base frame replaced recently. #drill, #railwayconstruction, #sleepers, #tilting, #handoperated

Black & white photographnillumbik, diamond creek, farming, agriculture, harvesting

Bottle of Muscat issued in 2004 to celebrate 5th Anniversary of the Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub Branch.Historical evidence of a portion of the journey of the Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub Branch since inception in 1999.Bottle of Muscat commemorating Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub Branch 5th Anniversary. Clay bottle; 1000ml; cream colour with black coloured upper portion. Large Vietnam Veterans Association logo fills the front of bottle; Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans and 5th Anniversary DViets Muscat 2004 fills rear of bottle. Markings on the base: Blackdog Creek, Chiltern Valley, Vic. diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, anniversary

Two Pictures of 1972 Premiership Player John O'ConnellCareer : 1970 - 1976 Debut : Round 3, 1970 vs Richmond, aged 18 years, 361 days Carlton Player No. 818 Games : 111 Goals : 0 Guernsey Nos. 50 (1970-71) and No. 19 (1972-76) Last Game : Preliminary Final, 1976 vs North Melbourne, aged 25 years, 149 days Height : 183 cm (6 ft. 0 in.) Weight : 82 kg (12 stone, 13 lbs.) DOB : April 22, 1951 Premiership Player 1972 After starting his career at Carlton as a centreman or ruck-rover at Under-19 and Reserves level, John Michael “Jack” O’Connell found his niche in defence for the Blues and was a creative back pocket in Carlton’s record-breaking 1972 Grand Final victory over Richmond. A dasher who loved to take off on bouncing runs, Jack spent much of his career alongside champion full-back Geoff Southby, with either Vin Waite or David McKay in the opposite pocket. Together, they created a full-back line regarded as among the best in club history. O’Connell’s journey to Premiership glory began during his school days at St Mark’s in Melbourne’s outer north, then at Glenroy YCW and Fawkner. In 1967, aged 17, he joined Carlton’s Under-19s, and by midway through 1969 he was playing Reserves football in guernsey number 50. Early in the following year, a couple of strong showings saw him banging on the door of senior selection, and he was duly rewarded by being named on the bench for his senior debut against Richmond at the MCG in round 3, 1970. For the Blues and their supporters, the game was a forgettable one, because Carlton surrendered a big half-time lead to be beaten by 13 points, and O’Connell wasn’t called on until the dying minutes. Sent back to the Reserves after that one brief taste if the big time, Jack honed his skills and bided his time - for more than a year – while Carlton went on to win the 1970 Premiership. Eventually, he earned a recall midway through 1971, but with a bevy of stars standing in his way, he was a regular reserve until late in the year, when coach John Nicholls – aware that incumbent Ian Collins intended to retire – offered O’Connell a chance in the back pocket. Jack grasped his opportunity with both hands. At 183 cm and 82 kg he was bigger than the average specialist back-pocket of that era, but he gave nothing away in agility. An excellent mark and an accurate kick off either foot, he had settled in beside Southby by the end of that season, playing the last ten games straight. As season 1972 dawned and Collins retired, O'Connell inherited the Blues’ number 19 guernsey and began marking his mark in the Carlton defence. Inspired by Southby’s creativity and Waite’s aggression, Jack was soon a headache for every opposition club. An ankle injury sustained in round 5, 1972 against Collingwood cost him five matches, but he was back to top form by finals time, when Carlton finished the regular season on top of the ladder. In their first final together – the Second Semi Final - O’Connell, Southby and Waite were resolute in a thrilling draw. Richmond won the replay, then Carlton conquered St Kilda in the Preliminary Final to earn another crack at the Tigers in the Grand Final. Opting for a strategy of all-out attack in the flag decider, the Blues blasted off the blocks to kick 8 goals in the first quarter, 10 in the second and 7 in the third to put the game right out of Richmond’s grasp with a full quarter remaining. After coasting to the final siren, the Blues collected their eleventh VFL Premiership by 27 points. Waite was missing from the match, having been injured in the Preliminary Final, but David McKay was a more than adequate replacement, and all three defenders on the last line completed an excellent final series. On the way to another consistent season in 1973, O’Connell strained a thigh in Carlton’s surprise loss to Fitzroy at the Junction Oval in round 16, and wasn’t recalled to the senior side until the Grand Final, when Carlton and Richmond met once more in the 48th match of Jack’s career. A few days beforehand, Barry Armstrong had been ruled out when he was hit by appendicitis, so O’Connell took over Armstrong’s assigned role of negating the Tigers’ star centreman Ian Stewart. Jack stuck to his task all match, but neither he nor his team could hold back a ferocious Richmond side that crashed and bashed its way to victory. O’Connell went on to play in two more finals campaigns in 1975 and ’76 but was denied the joy of another September victory. He brought up game number 100 at Princes Park in June 1976, when Carlton ended a five-game losing sequence to beat Essendon, before calling time on his VFL career after the Blues suffered a heart-breaking 1-point loss to North Melbourne in that season’s Preliminary Final. In 1977 O'Connell was cleared to WAFL club Subiaco. Later he came back to Victoria and coached Diamond Creek to a Premiership in the Diamond Valley League. Then in 1987, the football world was rocked by the news that Jack had been diagnosed with a virulent form of cancer. He fought hard for 18 months, but tragically passed away on the 5th November, 1989 aged just 38. Career Highlights 1971 - 3rd Reserves Best & Fairest 1971 - Reserves Most Improved Player 1972 - Premiership Player Milestones 50 Games : Round 2, 1974 vs Geelong 100 Games :Round 13, 1976 vs Essendon Footnotes Off the field, O’Connell was a quiet, reserved character who, by 1973 had struck a warm friendship with another man of few words in his champion team-mate Bruce Doull. The pair could often be seen together sharing a beer after Sunday morning recovery sessions, and club folklore has it that the only regular conversation to be heard between them was, “it’s your shout.” In 1997, John's son Luke O'Connell joined Carlton, playing eight Reserves games and kicking three goals.2 x Black & White PhotosThe Sun Articles pasted on back of each photo

When the Uniting Church was formed in 1977 there were four churches left to make up the new Diamond Valley Parish, the others having been closed or transferred to other parishes. A rationalisation of resources resulted in the closure of the churches at Wattle Glen and Plenty, leaving only Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge congregations. Subsequently the old Plenty hall was moved to Hurstbridge providing improved facilities for that congregation.Colour photograph, front view of Uniting Churchchurches, hurstbridge, kinglake road, plenty hall

Residents join the cleanup of local waterways with Eltham and Diamond Valley Councils and MMBW.Newspaper Clipping with Black and white photo and black textplenty river, eltham, diamond creek, greensborough, sheryl garbutt

The newsletter highlights local council initiatives, community events, environmental programs, and infrastructure developments occurring across the Nillumbik Shire during late 2001. It focuses on community engagement, sustainability, local culture, and service improvements for residents. Christmas 2001 articles include: Governor of Victoria re-dedicates Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Tower [Shire of Eltham War Memorial] Election details (2002) Summer at the Diamond Creek Pool Community Safety Expo Nillumbik Festival of the Arts: ‘art, caught in the act’ 22 Feb to 3 Mar 2002 Neighbourhood Character Study out for comment Plans to revive St Andrews Market site Integrated Transport Strategy seeks less car usage Eltham Festival Album Rural connector roads strategy Rural Collector Roads to be Sealed Roundabout funding for Diamond Creek Community Fireguard helps prepare for fire Planning for bush fire this summer Capital Works projects on track for 2001-2002 Eltham Town Square opens council newsletters, nillumbik news, nillumbik shire council, alistair knox, andre haermeyer, andrea roberts, andy griffiths, barry dickens, brett wood, brooke ryan, david holmgren, deborah halpern, emma sam, erin monagle, jenny bourke, john butler, nick carson, robert doyle, sigmund jorgensen, tony fitzgerald, wendy evans, harry gilham, sally crew, matthew hall, diamond creek pool, edendale farm, peter perkins, norman golgerth, coco's lunch, sebastian jorgensen, judy jacques, invention in time, leslie avril, lola's delight, robbie grieg, chocolate lilies choir, st andrews market, neighbourhood character, eltham festival, frank lynch, eltham town square, ross mather, wendy mather, vince jones, rural road, plenty valley 88.6 fm, tony raunic, shire of eltham war memorial, jacinda brown

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 15.27. Yarrambat, De Fredricks Lane. Parish of Greensborough 2724. Municipality of Diamond Valley 257 and Whittlesea 239. Prominent streets include: De Fredricks Lane, Astons Road and Bannons Lane. Features include Scrubby Creek.MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, yarrambat - maps

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 15.26. Yarrambat, Hacketts Road. Municipality of Diamond Valley 257. Prominent streets include: Black Gully Road, Hacketts Road and Collins Lane. Features include Scrubby Creek.MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, yarrambat - maps

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 14.23. Diamond Creek, Sutherland Homes. Parish of Morang 3183 and Nillumbik 3310. Municipality of Diamond Valley 257. Prominent streets Aqueduct Road, Diamond Creek Road, Yan Yean Road and McLaughlans Lane. Features include the abandoned Maroondah aqueduct and Sutherland Cottages.MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, plenty - maps, sutherland homes, maroondah aqueduct

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 16.26. Diamond Creek, Broad Gully Road. Municipalities of Diamond Valley 257 and Eltham 238. Prominent streets include: Wadeson Road, Broad Gully Road and Glenhaven Road. Features include the Diamond Creek.MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, diamond creek - maps

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 15.21. Eltham North. Parish of Nillumbik 3310. Municipalities of Diamond Valley 257 and Eltham 238. Prominent streets include: Progress Road, Glen Park Road and Zig Zag Road. Features include the Diamond Creek, Eltham Council Pound and Eltham North Reserve.MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, nillumbik, eltham - maps

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 15.22. Eltham North, Allendale Road. Parish of Nillumbik. Municipalities of Eltham 238 and Diamond Valley 257. Prominent streets include: Allendale Road, Godber Road and Ryans Road. Features include the Diamond Creek.MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, nillumbik, eltham - maps

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 15.23. Hurstbridge. Municipality of Diamond Valley 257. Prominent streets include: Challenger Street, James Cook Drive and Ryans Road / Main Street. Features include the Diamond Creek and Diamond Creek Reserve.MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, diamond creek - maps

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 16-22. Research. Parish of Nillumbik 3310. Municipalities of Diamond Valley 257 and Eltham 238. Prominent streets include: Orme Road and Allendale Road. MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, diamond creek - maps