This is a newspaper article written by Ida Stanton for the Stawell Times-News "Halls Gap Extra" and published on Friday, 26 January 2001, p.18. It refers to Gus Knight and his family when they lived at Henham and on the Wannon River. The photos included in the article show: 1) a bogged vehicle being pulled out of the Wannon River by a large group of people; and 2) Gus, Ellen and Charles Knight in 1939.A newspaper article headed "More on the incredible Knight Family", containing two photos.people, knight

"School at Hall's Gap studies holistic Aboriginal theology" - article by Tim Angus - "Participants at a school of Aboriginal Theology were challenged to take up a new partnership in mission by the Rev. Charles Harris, president of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress… Charles Harris gave a quiet and determined witness to the power of the Gospel to free his people to become agents of their own destiny in spiritual, cultural and political terms."Head & shoulders, dressed casually."Rev. Charles Harris"harris, charles, aboriginal and islander christian congress

125th Anniversary celebration Of the Stawell water Supply Commencement of works 18th February 1875Grey Paper cover with B/w/ drawing of people around a large trench with three people at the bottom. ((taken from Illustrated Australian News 24th March 1875) and black print125th Anniversary Celebration Stawell Water Supply Commencement of works 18th February, 1875 On Rear Cover Norther Grampians Shire Council Inc Logo Grampians Water inc logo Parks Vicotria inc logo Halls Gap & Grampians Histprical Society. Inc Logo Stawe;; Historical Society Inc. ic Logostawell water supply d'alton

This photo shows the first Delley's Bridge, built to cross the Fyans Creek to provide access to Halls Gap and beyond in the 1880's. The bridge was swept away a number of times in floods. This bridge was replaced by a higher timber structure but constant erosion of the creek bank eventually led to its replacement by a timber and concrete structure. After nearly 50 years of its use, wear and tear necessitated a fourth bridge to be erected in 2001.A log bridge across a creek with a man standing on the bridge. A woman in a white dress and hat is beside the creek and a man is standing near her on the bank. In the left background a house can just be seen through the trees.structures, bridges

The article is c.1993. Chautauqua peak is named after the Chautauquans, who held summer camps in Halls Gap in the 1890s. NOTE: Additional images are second and third pages, and a Microsoft Word file which includes the text of all three pages. A PDF file of an "augmented copy of the fax (with the more difficult to read sections clarified in pencil) is also available in the \Pictures\MP Navigator\2009_09_-02 directory on the computer (as there is not further space to attach it to this record)A copy of a three page National Geographic Traveler article entitled 'An enduring tradition'. The article describes the reporter's trip to Lake Chautauqua where the Chautauqua Institution was founded, and includes historical information about the Chautauquans.Chautauqua written in ball-point pen on top of front page.media, magazine articles

Char-A-Banc belonging to Withers Bus Tours later Pioneer Tours and group of people in front of Sloane's & Scotchman Mining Co Poppet Head upper Main Street Stawell. Withers Tours, later named Pioneer Tours ran regular tourist buses from Melbourne to Stawell and Halls Gap area in a successful business. They later expanded to Sydney and other interstate destinations. Founder was W.A. Withers born at Moyston and became a successful businessman in Melbourne.Early 1920's open bus with a group or people (tourists) in front of Poppet Head and shaft of Sloane & Scotchmans Mine.mining, transport, tourism

The article shows a photo of the original Hall's Gap Hall and the (then) new Hall, which was built in 1956. The copy has been scanned as two separate images (because it was too large for the scanner). the second image is stored under "Additional Images". HISTORY OF HALL'S GAP HALL: No village, no matter how small, could possibly survive without a public meeting place, and Hall's Gap was no exception, even in 1899-1900. Actually it was the locals of Stony Creek village, as Hall's Gap was known for a short time, who decided to hold a meeting to find out how much interest there was in building a town hall! They soon found out that support was overwhelming, as can be seen by the fact that 14 gentlemen nominated for a position on the committee of four! Several motions were moved at that meeting, mainly with reference to the materials to be used, for instance that no "wattle and daub", but rather slabs of bark and local bush logs be used. The walls were to be constructed of slabs, 6 feet long, 9 inches wide and two inches thick. Uprights were to be 9 feet high and at least 9 inches thick. Sheets of bark, all 32 of them, had to be 8 feet by 8 feet. Tenders for the building materials were called on 9 March 1899 and, 21 days later, McKeon Brothers won the right to supply all the material for the princely sum of 4 pounds 10 shillings. The size of the hall was to be 20 feet by 10 feet. The first hall served the community well for the next thirteen years, being regularly used as a place of entertainment and religious worship. The growing community soon realised the need for a larger venue, with better facilities, so once again the townsfolk rallied to raise funds for a new hall, realising their dream around 1913. In 1921 a schoolteacher was provided by the education department but as there was no school building she was expected to use the hall. Mainly lessons were held in the kitchen as it was much warmer than the hall itself, and it was not unusual for up to twenty children to be taught, ranging in age from 5 to 14 years. It was not until 1928 that an official school was built. 1955-56 were years of great excitement. The Progress Association was in charge of deciding the format for the new hall, and there were many rowdy meetings beforehand. Some members had much more vision than others, and to some the amount of money required seemed astronomical. Two hall committee members resigned over differences of opinion but amazingly it all came together in the end, albeit at a greater cost than had been anticipated. There is only one record of a grant being made for the building,1500 pounds, and it came for the Minister of Public Works. Estimated cost of the building was around 8,000 pounds, and when finally finished it was just slightly over, but bank charges and interest took it to well over 9,000 pounds. An electric light generator was included and lighting installed. The SEC electricity was connected in 1962.A copy of a newspaper article entitled 'The Old . . . and the Present!', which includes two photographs.buildings, halls

Copy of a sketch of Moke-Billy. Mr. Rose’s Station Grampians 1844 by R.H. Bunbury Previous to Mr. Rose, Charles Browning Hall early writing suggests Hall was a stock Herder this lead him to the Grampians district. Hall held two runs in the Wimmera district La Rose and Moke-Billy (Pille). 1841 - 42 - Hall's Gap is named after him. Phillip Davis Rose - Leased La Rose and Moke-Billy (Pille) 1842-43Original In National Gallery of VictoriaBlack & white photograph of a sketch of a log home and chimney. Lean-to on back, veranda on the front. Bark roof. Log fence. Building surrounded by tall trees with outline of mountains in the background. On the left is what looks like a back shelter. National Gallery of Victoria. Artist or School R. H. Bunbury 1814 - 1857 Title Moke-Billy, Mr. Rose's Station, Grampians. December, 1844. Medium drawing Dimensions 16.6 x 24.6 cm Accession No. Credit Line Presented 1954 To be reproduced only by written permission of National Gallery of Victoria 180 St. Kilda Road Melbourne Vic., Australia 3004.

Mokebilla Station. Part of a collection of Photographs by Mr. O.G. Armstrong as commissioned by the Shire of Stawell for the Inter-colonial and Paris Exhibition in Melbourne in 1866. Charles Browning Hall was at the station for a short period in about 1840-41. Horatio Wils purchased Lexington from C.B. Hall in 1842. To this he added the stations of Larose and Mokebilla. Part of the property still remains along the Halls Gap Rd, by the bridge over the Mount William Creek. Note that the spelling has changed over the years and it is currently known as Mokepilly. Looking across water to Homestead and outbuildings behind large Gum Trees.stawell

Information supplied with accommodation details Victorian Country Hotel, Guest and Boarding House Guide "Myrtle Bank" The Grampians Electric Light, Sewered, Hot and Cold Water Service, Asphalt, Tennis Court, Milk and Cream from our own farm, Motors meet all melbounre Trains, The Most Up-to-date house in the Grampians, Through Tickets issued by Govt. Tourist Bureau, Telephone : No. 1 Halls Gap Tariff: 12/ per day L 3/3/0 per week. Proprietress Mrs A. F WarrenGuest House and grounds with Tariff information and servicesQuality paper made in Germanyaccommodation, guesthouses, myrtlebank

Grampians House Changes Hands Grampians House in the centre of Hall's Gap township and one of the biggest guest houses in the area has been sold to Mr and Mrs Hudousek of St. Kilda Mr and Mrs Hudousck will take over Grampians House as from November 17, and Mr and Mrs D Matthews who have conducted it for the past ten years will come to Stawell to make their home here. Mrs Matthews has been actively associated with organisations at Hasll's Gap and is secretary of the current Wildbower (sic) Show. She has retained here interests in Stawell and is president of the Stawell High School Welfare Union. Typed extract from Stawell News 8-10-1958media, newspaper articles, guesthouses, grampian house

In 1973 it was decided too much money would have to be spent to restore Grampian House Guest House to its original glory after a clearing auction it was demolished by Bawalda Bros. from Horsham. The property was sold to Mr Gary West of Stawell and Mr Lyle Jamieson of Ararat who proposed to build a Tavern-bistro Conference Centre. This did not proceed and the property was auctioned on 14th July 1984 but was passed in a auction. It was later sold to a syndicate of Halls Gap businessmen, Mr. Keith Smith, Mr. John Ingram and Mr Arthur Mangle. Arthur Mangle together with his brother Charles bought our the syndicate and still own the property today (2001).Photo shows front view of Grampians House with car in foreground and roadway. ( 2 photos one black & white one coloured)accommodation, guesthouses, accommodation, grampian house

Background on Bridle Path up Stony Creek Gorge Pre 1840 C. B. Hall, squatter on Mokepilly Run 1841-1842, first European to discover the Fyans Creek valley, the entrance of which became known as Hall's Gap. He later recorded that he followed a number of tracks which he assumed had been made by the Aboriginies and described one as "leading up a wild romantic glen and over on to the source of the Glenelg River". This could well have been the route taken up Stony Creek gorge by the first timber-cutters in this part of the Grampians to the saddle between the Wonderland and Mt. Difficult ranges known as Valley Gap 1850s/60s Timber cutters and shingle splitters were reported to be moving into the eastern side of the Grampians and by the mid 1860s there were a number of families connected to the supplying of timber to Pleasant Creek living in the "Hall's Gap ranges". John Wakeham, the first store owner in Pleasant Creek in 1854, established a timer-mill in upper Stony Creek Gorge in the late 1850s. Wakeham is credited for the clearing and levelling of the first bridle-path up the gorge. 1870s By the mid 1870s the track had been extended over Valley Gap to the Victoria Forest (the upper region of the Victoria Valley). McKeon's bullock team was known to have hauled red gum from the Valley to Stawell in the late 1870s and the 1880s. 1880s In 1887 an article in the Pleasant Creek news describes the Stony Creek Gorge track as "being a ledge alongside the mountain range, formed in the early days with the aid of earth and timber, along which the bullock teams used to travel to Horsham and plains of the Wimmera beyond." 1890s Gold was discovered in the catchment area of Stony Creek and by the end of the 1890s a new track was built from "near the junction of Fyan's and Stony Creeks, up the gorge to the diggings settlement. The mining Department had paid L300 for its construction and, when completed, the track was "three miles and 30 chains in length, the side cuttings at the narrowest part being 10 feet between" and "the watercourses which cross the track at various points" having been "filled up with rocks rolled down the sides of the hills, and consequently there can be no damage caused by bushfires which destroyed the former wooden bridges erected on the old track to Wakeham's saw-mill, the remains of which are still to be seen at the side of the diggings" The article goes on to further describe the track as one which "can with ease travel with a two horse conveyance either up or down" and that the workmen engaged in the construction of the track would be attending "a ball that night at McKeon's farm near the mouth of the gap to celebrate the successful completion of the undertaking". 1900s At what time the bridle path was extended beyond Valley Gap to the Wartook basin on the Mt. Difficult Range has not yet been determined. However, it is known that, by the turn of the century, people were travelling between Halls Gap and the caretakers' residence at Wartook Reservoir along what was now known as the "Bluff Road. Wartook's embankment had been constructed in 1887 and at that time there was already a track from Rosebrook Station homestead (near the present day Wartook Pottery) to the reservoir. Philip Rose owned both Rosebrook and Wartook Stations from the mid 1840s to the late 1850s and had regularly leased the Wartook basin to Cobb & Co. to rest horses there. 1920s Following the war of 1914-1918, tourism really took off in the Grampians, and Halls Gap rapidly grew. People would travel as far as they could on the many tracks then hike to the many lookouts being discovered by local tour guides. This led to the need for access across the range so that horse riders and the increasing number of vehicles could travel between Horsham and Halls Gap. To this end, the Bluff Road was improved and extended on 1929 and at its opening in March, 1930, by Lady Somers it was renamed the Mt. Victory Road.Map of Mt Victory Road and othersaccess routes, mt victory rd, bridle path, roads

Annual report on activities and financial performance of Kelaston, including the closure of the laneway behind Kelaston in preparation for the expected rebuilding, appointment of Dawn Veale, Rod McDonald, Deborah Hoover, Jane Brownfield and Anne Johnson, challenge issued to other centres to find the longest serving volunteer with no one beating Avenel McClure's record of 59 years with the Ballarat Auxiliary starting as a driver, Terry Fraser seconded to Mirridong, farewell to Teresa Skyrpko who use to carry bags of coal to fuel the stoves when she began 34 years ago, 4 residents attended a holiday at Halls Gap, Port Phillip Bay cruise for 2 residents, three people celebrated turning 100 (or more), establishment of an awareness program of vision impairment for Ballarat primary school students and the Low Vision Clinic in Horsham began operations.1 printed volume with illustrationskelaston home (ballarat), association for the blind, corporation records

Black and white print of a donated negatives. Print made 8/1998. Various photos taken by Ron Fluck or other members of the Fluck family of Davis Buses while on tour during the late 1940's or the early 1950's. 885.1 - Davis bus MO 031 and bus owned by R.Dunn of Clunes - two Bedford buses at Sister Rocks Stawell, 1-10-1950. 885.2 - Davis bus MO 031by Shell petrol bowser, Halls Gap, Grampians - 1-10-1950. 885.3 - Davis bus RL726, Ford, at Casterton with Glenelg Hotel in background, 29-1-1951 885.4 - Davis bus NK 023, Cadillac bus, with Ron Fluck driver - photo by J.A.Fluck - at Queenscliff - 4-1-1953. 885.5 - Davis bus NK 023, as above, with J.A.Fluck standing in doorway. - 4-1-1953. 885.6 - Davis bus RL726, Ford, at Nelson, Vic. 28-1-1951. 885.7 - No entry 885.8 - Davis bus, NK023, Cadillac - Mt Dandenong, 27-8-1950 885.9 - Davis bus NK023, Cadillac - Sassafras - 27-8-1950. All images replaced by high res scan of the negatives 18/1/2019/tramways, trams, davis bus lines, ron fluck, casterton, sassafras

Until the closure 40 years ago, the Myrtlebank Guesthouse near Halls Gap in the Grampians was a thriving family - run business. In 1962, all that changed when the government of the day purchased the land on which the guesthouse stood and some neighbouring farms and houses. For almost 40 Years, the remains of the buildings have been submered under the man made reservoir known as Lake Bellfield. Due to drought, the eater levels have dropped steadily and, in the past month, the memories underneath Lake Bellfield have come to the surface. Local resident Don warren 70, has been to have a look. His grandmother Anne Flower Warren, was 56 when she opened the guesthouse in 1916. Widowed, the year before after a horse kicked her farmer husband, Mrs Flower needed to provide for their large family. "She had 13 children - seven daughters. I think she built it to look after the girls," Mr Warren says, "The whole think was built on a 500 acre farm." With the guesthouse sited in the centre of the farm, the land was divided between two of her sons- Mr Warren's uncle working one side and his father taking the other. For Mr Warren, the grounds of the two-storey guesthouse were an extension of a huge rural playground in what he remembers as an idyllic childhood. "I used to get taken over there and I'd sit there and watch her make all the toast for the guests. It was quite full all the time - maybe 40 or 50 people. It was a great big place - very grand. In the bedrooms I can remember the great big bowls full of water to wash your face in. There was a big dining room, too. My grandmother was a great cook." By the time of Mrs Warren's death in 1936, her eldest daughter also Anne, had officially taken over the running of the business. "It was in the family right until the last bit. The youngest daughter, Auntie Hilda, took it over right at the end. they got a notice to say that's it - it's over There was no way out of that one." Mrs Ida Stanton, 78, is the historian for the Halls Gap and Grampians Historical Society. Can she remember it when it all happened? "Of course" she says "It's only 40 years ago" Her memories of Myrtlebank are of a place popular with honeymooners, who would often return year after year, bringing their families with them. "There was a lovely ballroom where they used to invite the Gap people and the tourists in to have balls. During the war it was one means of making money to send stuff over to the soldiers." Seeing just the stumps of the guesthouse and what had been his family home, Mr Warren says the bitterness is still there. "The hardest part was poor old dad. He was 70 years old when he got turfed out. Dad had been a farmer all his life - 214 acres, he had, and he got 22,000 quid. Had to move into town" Also showing beneath the drying lake is the concrete slab of the new home Mr Warren planned after his marriage to wife Anne in 1955. Another lost dream. " I was the only child, I was going to take over the farm, but that all changed. You can't take it over when it's full of water.Newspaper clipping of history of Myrtlebank by Don Warren and photo of Don at old site of pooland guest House photo Article by Claire Halliday from newspaper 2002accommodation, guesthouses, myrtlebank

Popular Grampian Mountains (The Blue Mountains of Victoria) Saturday, 1st April, 1922 at 12 o'clock On the property Halls Gap, 17 miles from Stawell Mitchell Bros & White under instructions from the Administrator of Lulu Barnes, deceased, and Mr A. H. Barnes, will offer by public auction on the property, the well known Tourist Accomodation (sic) House, "Killarney" together with 29 acres of freehold land, household furniture, stock, vehicles and sundries. The buildings consist main building of 8 rooms, kitchen, bathroom, vestibule, front and side passages, with verandah on front and side of building, also 3 roomed cottage with bathroom, 5 chalets containing 7 bedrooms, storeroom. wash house, water and gas laid on throughout. 4 cars, cow sheds, yards, pens, and sundry outbuildings. The furniture is all in first class order, consisting of beds and bedding for 30 visitors. Carl Ecko piano, splendid instrument; overmantle (sic) suites of furniture, extension tables, card tables, book case, sideboard, cupboards, dining table and chairs, linoleums, mats, wardrobes, duchess-chests, washstands and ware, curtains, pictures, ornaments, iron safe, kitchen tables, chairs, stove, separator, copper, large assortment of glassware, crockery, cutlery, kitchen utensils, and everything necessary for running the house. Rolling stock and C, consisting of 5 buggy and saddle ponies, 2 milch (sic) cows, 4 head young cattle, 3 pigs, 30 fowls, single seated hooded rubber tyred buggy, nearly new, 2 seated drag, carry seven, in good order; double seated buggy, gig, waggonette (sic), carry one ton; lorry, spring dray, double furrow disc plough, garden plow (sic), roller, garden roller. 6 saddles and bridles, almost new, large quantity of heavy and light harness, swing bars, chains, and numerous sundries. NOTE - The property will be offered with furniture, rolling stock & c., as a going concern at 12 o'clock sharp; and if not sold the furniture, stock, & C., will be offered TERMS AT SALE. MITCHELL BROS. & WHITE. AuctioneersTyped extract of advertisement for auction of Killarney from Stawell News 25-3-1922 later known as Grampians Housemedia, newspaper articles, guesthouses, killarney

5563-3a Glen Holford 5563-3a1 Floie William 5563-3a2 Glen Holford Door 5563-3b Viola 5563-3b1 Florence 5563-3b2 Glen Holford Pomonal pre 1939 5563-3c Glen Holford Group 5563-3c1 Florence 5563-3d Glen Holford 5563-3d1 Glen Holford 5563-3e Glen Holford 5563-3e1 Glen Holford 5563-3f Glen Holford View 5563-3f1 Glen Holford 5563-3g Glen Holford Apples 5563-3g1 Florence Wedding 5563-3h Glen Holford View2 5563-3h1 Wedding Croquet 5563-3i Glen Holford 5563-3i1 Wedding 5563-3j Glen Holford 5563-3j1 Wedding 5563-3k Glen Holford View3 5563-3k1 Wedding 5563-3l Glen Holford 5563-3l1 Wedding 5563-3m Social Day 5563-3m1 Wedding 5563-3n Florence Viola 5563-3n1 Wedding 5563-3o Glen Holford Tennis 5563-3o1 Glen Holford 5563-3p Glen Holford Tennis 5563-3p1 Holford 5563-3q Halls Gap Party 5563-3q1 Holford W W Lempriere 5563-3r Glen Holford Party 5563-3r1 Glen Holford Picnic 5563-3s Glen Holford Party 5563-3s1 Glen Holford 5563-3t Viola 5563-3t1 Horses Foals 5563-3u Viola Granny Mary Wettenhall 5563-3u1 Holford Viola 1896 5563-3v Viola Roland 5563-3v1 Glen Holford Grp 5563-3w Glen Holford 5563-3w1 Glen Holford Mounted Grp 5563-3x Glen Holford Summer House 5563-3x1 Milton Arthur + 5563-3y1 Wettenhall Family C1900 Back left - Alexander Liewellan, Marcus Edwy, Allan Holford, Milton Burges, Arthur Vincent Front from Left - Florence Edith, Roland Ravenscroft, Holford Highlord, Viola Mary Frances, Mary Burgess, Herbet Highlord. 5563-3z1 Wettenhall Family C1889 Photographs of Glen Holford near Pomonal on CD stawell

Norval Guest-House Aginda and Wettenhall The original Norval The story of Norval begins in 1917 when it was built as a private residence for Mr and Mrs William Thompson. Mrs Thompson was a pioneer of the tourist business, having come from Ballarat to Hall's Gap in 1909 to manage Bellfield Guest-house According to Ida Stanton, in her history of Hall's Gap entitled "Bridging the Gap", Mr Thompson and his wife acquired the six roomed shearers quarters at "Hankelow", on land leased by the Wettenhall family, on the south side of Bellfield. Mr Thompson, she says, completely dismantled the quarters, carefully marking each board, then hired George McKeon to cart the material up to where the original Norval house stood. With great care, the rooms were rebuilt into a home for William and his wife Mathilda. Catherine Good, the daughter of Viola (nee Wettenhall) and niece of Dr Roland, in here "Recollections" entitled "Look to the Mountains - Viola's View 1887-1979", mentions Hankelow. Speaking of her days at Glen Holford, the Wettenhall home at Pomonal, Viola says "Verona and Francie Dennis, my cousins, and I went for one very exciting trip. Father (i.e Dr Roland's father) had bought 300 acres in the Gap to take sheep from Carr's Plains in time of drought, and had a little cottage there with one of the Glen Holford men and his wife in charge. It was called Hankelow. So we three set off over the Range from Glen Holford on foot and leading a pack horse with our night attire and no doubt sponge bags. "We stayed the night at Hankelow with Jim and Minnie. Minnie had been a housemaid at Glen Holford. I was very fond of her. It makes one laugh to think of the excitement of "roughing it"! Minnie gave us a lovely dinner with meringues, and cream, I remember, then early morning tea. After breakfast we were driven in the buggy to the foot of the Goat Rock (since renamed Mt Rosea) and off we went - walking in our long skirts and ankle boots. There was no track of any kind, nor blazed trail - we just made for the top. It was rather frightening at times because we couldn't see where the top was an it always seemed to get further and further away. The last mile was so terribly steep, with a lot of lose shale where you went up twelve inches and slipped back six. Now you motor to about a couple of miles from the top and then have a graded path. Anyway, we got there and back safely and were rewarded with a magnificent view" By a strange coincidence, Hankelow, the source of Norval Guest-house in times past (if the name can be applied to the property as a whole, which seems likely) is in fact also the source of our Wettenhall Campsite! Hankelow was named after a property owned by the Wettenhall family in England. In 1917 William and Mathilda retired to their newly built home (Norval) "to escape from the tourist business" However, so many people made requests to stay with them that they found it necessary to add several more rooms and sleepouts to their home. In this way, early in 1921, the guest-house began to take shape. Mr Thompson, a former librarian of the Mechanics Institute in Ballarat, named the house "Norval". The name "Norval" comes from a quotation from the play 'Douglas" by John Home. Written in the mid-16th century the play is set in the Grampian Mountains of Scotland. The story is of a boy who was parted from this mother during his early childhood, and was given to a shepherd who raised him. Some eighteen years later the mother by chance happens to meet here son, and not knowing his true identity, asks his name. He answers, "My name is Norval; and in the Grampian hills my father feeds his flocks." Perhaps it was simply because "Norval" was associated with the "Grampians" that it was chosen by Mr Thompson. He may also have been conscious of feeding "flocks" of tourists in his expanding, guest-house. Norval Guest-house prospered. It was known for its fine cooking and friendly atmosphere - a tradition which has carried through to the modern Norval! It closed between 1940 and 1949 because of the second world war. In 1949 it was decided to almost completely rebuild the house. Most of the old building (Hankelow plus) was demolished and rebuilt to a much larger and more modern plan. And then, on May 1, 1965, it was purchased by the Committee of Management of the Methodist and Presbyterian Conference Centres. At this time the guest-house was owned and operated by Marjorie and Lachland McLennan, Mrs McLennan being the daughter of William and Mathilda Thompson, the pioneers of the establishment. The McLennans had operated the Guest-house since about 1930.Photocopy 2 pages of article from book titled 'In the Making' title of article Norval guest House the original Norvalaccommodation, guesthouses, norval

Large families were the norm, rather than the exception up to the time of the World wars. perhaps the senseless destruction of those young lives sickened humanity- perhaps the increased taxes and cost of living resulting from the wars caused a necessary reduction in family size. Perhaps the independence won by women as they carried on their daily lives without their men, made mothers say, "Enough" The Warren family farmed the fertile Fyans Creek flats in the Grampian Mountains of Western Victoria. Some say Halls Gap was so named because the bushranger Hall holed up there in the early days. The rugged slopes and hidden gullies could have hidden a whole gang of bushrangers, but little remained undiscovered to a wandering family of 12 children growing up with their flocks and herds grazing the ranges. A tired rider could nod off, safe in the knowledge a trusty stockhorse would plod steadily homeward into the night. Responsibility quickly made youngsters capable and reliable. Then Australia went to war. There were three older brothers, then the girls, then young Frank. All the men went, including Frank. So the girls had to run the farm alone. Their mother had her hands full with the youngsters, still attending school, a daily walk over the mountain to Pomonal and return. But the loss of the men's casual wages from timber cutting and labouring jobs, meant great hardship is some method of earning a cash income had to be devised. Paying guests! That was it. So Myrtle Bank Guest House was born. City folk flocked to the mountain resort. High stepping mountain horses met them at the Stawell raid-head, with the tall and beautiful Warren girls driving them in experienced fashion, their auburn hair sometimes falling from its pins to fly free, as the dray bowled along towards the hills. The would hitch up their skirts to saw and chop wood for the stoves and fires. They milked cows and delivered calves. They shore sheep and trimmed their feet. They mustered their cattle as the seasons rolled by, and the paying guests watched and participated, fascinated. With laughter and song, the girls would wash up in a tin dish, throw on their house clothes to wait on table, sing and play piano, violin, accordion, enjoying the talk of the city and that other world so far away from their mountain home. The simple country menu was a hit, and the homemade bread, butter, jams and preserves, fruit and vegetables sent guests staggering to their armchairs. Picnics, hikes, goodbyes and welcomes blurred as the years of the war dragged by. Bookings were made and remade as the new enterprise became established. Peace was declared. the men returned A whole new building rose with two floors, inviting verandahs and bathrooms. Myrtle Bank would remain a family business all its lifetime, until buried below the Bellfield Dam, by which time more than one the girls had joined their beloved Frank, lost on Flanders Field. Article in book or magazine describing life at Myrtlebank during war years Other article written from letter from soldier P Lillis to his sister 3rd article of woman from country enlisting in WAAF Submitted by Carol of Bannockburn, Submitted by D Langley Submitted by Meryl of South Frankstonaccommodation, myrtlebank, people, warren

"The first Presbyterian Church service was conducted at the Orbost Station Homestead in 1885, during a visit by Sir William Clarke, who was accompanied by two ministers. The organist was resident Grace Jennings Carmichael. Services were later held in Mr J. W. Borland’s shop and the Mechanics Hall. In 1887, the land on which the church now stands was purchased from Mr James Hossack snr, for £50 ($100). The trustees were Mr John, Peter and Hugh Cameron, Mr John A Watt and Mr James Hossack Jnr. Timber from Richardson’s Tabbara Mill was used by builder Mr R. P. Cameron and at a cost of £311.3.7 ($622) the church was opened January 9th 1898." (from Newsletter 90 Margaret Smith) In 1928 the Sunday School hall was added to the church. Mr R.P. Cameron was the contractor for both the manse and the church. The first communion service was held on July 17 1892. the Presbyterian Church was commenced in Orbost in 1855 when the Reverend Chas Attwood was settled in pastoral charge.This is a pictorial record of the Presbyterian Church in Orbost as it was in the mid 20th century. It is now the Orbost Uniting Church hall, known as St Andrews Hall,A black /white postcard photograph of the Orbost Presbyterian Church, a wooden structure with a wooden picket fence at the front and trees on right and left sides. on back - " H Gap, Presbyterian Church Orbost"presbyterian-church-orbost religion

All eight photographs have been taken at a workmen's camp erected by the State Electricity Commission to house workmen during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. These were established in close proximity to various work centres - Junction Camp at Bogong Village, three camps at Mt. Beauty, West Kiewa, Clover Dam and Clover Flat, Howman's sawmill and Howman's Gap, Rocky Valley, Langford's Gap, Pretty Valley, Mountain Creek and Big Hill. These photos have not been identified as to which camp they are taken but typical of the type of accommodation for wages personnel. They followed a general design and layout. There was a mess and recreation hall as well as a building for general trading and postal facilities (this conducted by proprietors of trading stores in Mt. Beauty and Bogong). Originally the rooms accommodated 2 men but later there was a demand for single rooms - the floor size then being 10 feet x 8 feet and furnished with a bed, small table and chair and cupboard with hanging space. The first camps were erected in 1940 and the last was removed in 1962.These photographs are of historical significance as they show the type of accommodation provided for wages personnel working on the Hydro Electric Scheme between 1940 and 1960.Eight small black and white photographs of unknown person and workmen's camp.All photos have been stamped on the back - Two "965U" in red, four "S80 " in green (indistinct) and two "141" in red.workmen's camps, kiewa hydro electric scheme, accommodation, secv, camps on kiewa hydro electric scheme, west kiewa

This "lovers" necklace is made from Sterling Silver and was imported into "the Colony" before the Australian Federation was enacted. This was a time when very close "bondage" between Australia and England was shown by the amount of "quality" products that were purchased, and the motto "Best of British" was truly still entwined in all aspects of rural live, from "British" mores and values "inherited from the "colonial days". It was only after World War II (when Britain could not help to defend Australia from the Japanese) that these long held mores were, through generations and generations, that the USA and Asian markets and goods replaced the "old" ties.This ladies silver necklace is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because it demonstrates the "rural" mores and values at a time(1800's to mid 1900's) when the "gap" between city and rural mores was very pronounced. That gap was maintain only through the degree of "isolation" (communication and physical interactions) between the two major types of "communities" and the evolving mores which each of them were going through. The social structure was just as pronounced in rural areas as it was in the cities. Fine jewelry was a "sparkling" affirmation of status and "wealth". The rural sectors had very wealthy sectors before the World Wars, when "Australia" was riding "on the sheep's back", but the increased mineral wealth exports and "big" industry of the cities started to forge ahead.This necklace is made from sterling silver and has four double bar and six lover's knots coupled to a silver chain. There is one silver double bar missing and may have been removed to reduce the length of the necklace. Sterling silver Hallmarks and Makers marks are stamped on the links and the clasp. The meaning of the horizontal twin bars have not yet been interpreted .Hall marks "PWC" and "AA"necklace, jewellery, sterling silver, lovers knot

This is a photo of the "Queen Competition", probably the best remembered entertainment of the 1930's. Four local lasses were chosen to represent the following: Bellfield Hotel, Grampians House, The Cricket Club and the Grampians Mountains. When the long awaited evening came each Queen and her attendants paraded through the hall, the results were announced and the winner (who this year was Valerie Evans) took her place on a throne erected in the middle of the stage. The other Queens made their way to thrones on either side of her. The audience were treated to a right royal display as the "Bishop" placed a crown on the winner's head. Much merriment followed including a play, with students dressed as Minnie and Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters. For the names of the people in the photo refer to "Bridging the Gap" by Ida Stanton, p.88. The photo shows a group of people arranged on and below a dais. There is a woman dressed as royalty sitting on a throne in the centre, flanked by a man dressed as a bishop on the left and a man dressed as a courtier on the right. There are two young girls in long white dresses wearing flowered bands in their hair standing in front of the men. There are more girls in white dresses and flower bands along both sided of the dais and two youths wearing ruffle fronted shirts and holding batons/walking sticks(?) at the front of each row of girls. Carpeted steps lead down from the dais and in front of the dais on either side are two boys dressed as pages. Flower arrangements flank the foot of the stairs.recreation, entertainment

It is believed that the three stone cottages in the area were built c.1930 by Italian stonemasons. This cottage is a single room with open fireplace at one end. A hole was dug in the floor inside which a small drum was sunk and covered by a wooden lid. It served as a cool box for the storage of perishable food. It is not known when the cottage was last occupied but during the 1970s the drum was removed and the pit filled in for safety reasons. Photo shows 6 men standing in front of stone cottage at Heatherlie (Mt Difficult) quarry. Cottage made from sawnand off-cuts of stone with stone window frames and door lintel. Rough bush-pole awning at right hand end of cottage.houses, mt difficult quarry

Heatherlie quarryHeatherlie Quarry - Photo shows Stone-mason's cottage in a state of disrepair and before renovations. Building has no roofquarrying, mt difficult quarry