The site of the Post office was the south side of Eltham on the Yarra Glen road. 0.3 km SW of Ridge Rd., now freehold. The first Post Office-cum General Store at Christmas Hills was built by Thomas Young during the 1870s, when the district was a thriving farming community. Young operated postal services here from 1874 to 1909. Moreover, the two front rooms of this general store aslo served as the district's first school. When the store was demolished in the early 1900s, these school-rooms were moved to the residence next door (to the east) which took over the role of the Post Office store until the service finally closed in the early 1970s. The latter building is still in use today as a private residence". Christmas Hills Past & Present (Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004)Roll of medium format 120 6x6 black and white negative film, 4 framesAgfa APX 100shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, sepp, christmas hills, post office

Black and white photographic printIlford paper stamped 8963 Originally located in a Filmpro King Size Prints processing envelope $3.01 Shire of Eltham 9/9/66 and noted as Calrossie Ave area and crossed out Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Bridge Street to Elsa Court existing conditions mid 19671966-09, eltham, eltham war memorial, main road, shillinglaw trees, war memorial buidings, war memorial garden

The end of the stone wall is the border between 78 and 80 and the extension of the stonewall is distinctly visible todayBlack and white photographic printIlford paper stamped 8963 Originally located in a Filmpro King Size Prints processing envelope $3.01 Shire of Eltham 9/9/66 and noted as Calrossie Ave area and crossed out Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Bridge Street to Elsa Court existing conditions mid 1967bible street, road construction, streets

Photo from J. Sinclair reproduced on p92 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "Mr Yates of Pine Grove, Upper Diamond Creek was the local postmaster, and Clerk of the Course for the Diamond Creek Racing Club in the 1880s. He is dressed for a meeting - the coat was scarlet. When racing ended at Diamond Creek in the 1890s he became Clerk of the Course at the Yarra Glen track."Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmclerk of the course, diamond creek racing club, diamond valley story, horse, mr yates, pine grove, postmaster, upper diamond creek

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004.lewis tulk collection, construction, sugarloaf reservoir, winnecke dam

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004.lewis tulk collection, construction, sugarloaf reservoir, winnecke dam

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004.lewis tulk collection, construction, sugarloaf reservoir, winnecke dam

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004.lewis tulk collection, construction, sugarloaf reservoir, winnecke dam

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004.lewis tulk collection, construction, sugarloaf reservoir, winnecke dam

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. Born Digitalchristmas hills, sugarloaf reservoir

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. Born Digitalchristmas hills, sugarloaf reservoir

Structure at Sugarloaf. Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. Born Digitalchristmas hills, sugarloaf reservoir

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. Born Digitalchristmas hills, sugarloaf reservoir

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. Born Digitalchristmas hills, sugarloaf reservoir

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. Born Digitalchristmas hills, sugarloaf reservoir

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. Born Digitalchristmas hills, sugarloaf reservoir

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. Born DigitalMelbourne Water Sugarload reservoir Melboure Water is owned by the Victorian Government. We manage Melbourne's water supply catchments, remove and treat most of Melbourne's sewrage, and manage waterways and major drainage systems. Most of Melbourne's water comes from uninhabited, forested catchments. Melbourne is one of the few cities in the world that has protecyed water supply catchments. Melbourne Water manages these catchments to protect our drinking water. Our water is safe and pleasant to drink, and undergoes minimal treatment - it is better to start witht he highest quality source. A key part of Melbourne Water's responsibility is to encourage the sustainable use of this precious resource. For more inforamtio on our water supply and on how you can conserve water, call 131 722 or visit www.melbournewater.com.auchristmas hills, sugarloaf reservoir, sign, melbourne water

Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. Born Digitalchristmas hills, sugarloaf reservoir, signage

The School officially began in 1874 under head teacher Robert Harris, in rooms of the then Christmas Hills Post Office Store. By 1879, authorities agreed a new school was required. As with the citing of the Hall, there was considerable local controversy over whether the school should be built on the high point of School Lane, or the current location (then known as Scrubby Point). This pleasantly-sited bush school was opened in 1880, having been built by Jospeh Stevenson (Jr.) after his successful tender of £390. - Christmas Hills Past & Present (Yarra Glen & District Historical Society), 2004Early students / school early 20th century This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, christmas hills, school, state school no. 1362

Situated on the Yarra River, 5.5 kms south of Christmas Hills on private property. This timber trestle bridge is said to have been built some time after 1907 by Melbourne master-builder, David Mitchell (the father of Dame Nellie Melba), to connect his two "Henley Farm" properties with Lilydale. In earlier days, when the McPhersons owned the property, their children used a punt to cross the river to attend Yering Primary School. This private bridge is best viewed from the end of Wendy Way. - Source: Christmas Hills Past and Present, Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.9 x 12.5 cm printshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, warrandyte, henley bridge

Situated on the Yarra River, 5.5 kms south of Christmas Hills on private property. This timber trestle bridge is said to have been built some time after 1907 by Melbourne master-builder, David Mitchell (the father of Dame Nellie Melba), to connect his two "Henley Farm" properties with Lilydale. In earlier days, when the McPhersons owned the property, their children used a punt to cross the river to attend Yering Primary School. This private bridge is best viewed from the end of Wendy Way. - Source: Christmas Hills Past and Present, Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch black and white negative 9 x 12.5 cm printshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, warrandyte, henley bridge, reflection

Blackburn Open Air School No 3850 Gardenia St. In 1915 the Education Department built a school in Gardenia Street Blackburn for anaemic and ill nourished children from Richmond, Sth Yarra, Glen Ferries and Burnley.Twenty-five children travelled by train to Blackburn Railway station. After lunch supplied by school authorities, the children were supposed to rest for 1 hour in the open air. Despite healthy diet anaemia didn't improve but the children were healthy and brighter. After WWII extra facilities were added and the Oslo lunch introduced. With improved welfare in 1963 the dept closed the school and used it for social work and Speech Therapy.Black and white photograph of the Open Air School, Blackburn showing the building in a bush setting with deck chairs on the left.blackburn open air school no 3850. schools. open air school, blackburn school

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. Sugarloaf Reservoir is situated on former farmland. This large water storage was completed in 1982 and serves Melbourne's northern suburbs. Within the visitor areas are two picnic grounds and other recreational facilities. Below its massive rock embankment is located the Winnecke Treatment Plan designed to purify its water before being piped into Melbourne. The dam partly inundated the old firing ranges of the former Christmas Hills Rifle Club. Source: Christmas Hills Now and then: Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. Two colour photographsskyline drive, sugarloaf reservoir

With the visit of the American Fleet to Melbourne in early September 1908, volunteers from the the Automobile Club of Victoria took 100 officers on an excursion to the Black Spur past Yarra Glen on the 4th September 1908. (The area we know today as the Yarra Valley). The convoy travelled through Eltham, Research and Kangaroo Ground, where a group of women gathered to wave to them. This was one of the first motor vehicles to pass through Research. The visit of the American Fleet was a big deal at the time. A Program of activites was compiled. City buidlings were illuminated, a State reception was given and a concert was held. The Federal Parliament sat in Melbourne at that time. This photo was made using a home-made camera constructed by the photographer Tom Prior (brother of Mrs E.R. Reynolds). Reproduced on p86 of 'Pioneers & Painters'This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, research (vic.), u.s.a. fleet, automobile club of victoria, drive, excursion, visitors, welcome, usa fleet, us fleet, waving, tom prior, pioneers and painters, reynolds prior collection, u.s fleet

[article by Bettina Woodburn in EDHS Newsletter No. 105, November 1995:] EXPLORING THE UPPER YARRA - We enjoyed the Spring Excursion, this year "Exploring the Upper Yarra" - in spite of the constant rain and the countryside under the cloud cover, especially in the valleys, being mainly shiny shades of green. The occasional fields of buttercups, clumps of arum lilies and splendid rhododendron and other flowering bushes became very special. The Cobb and Co coach was warm and a cosy retreat as we zig-zagged on the highways and byways to glimpse the Yarra River, upstream and down, its secret places, and particularly the many bridges. Russell excelled as 'Poet Laureate', reading from Dacre Smyth's book. This 1979 publication includes paintings of all the bridges along the river with poems and brief descriptions of each one. Some of the bridges are in out-of-the-way places and are not very well known. We looked forward to hearing the poetry as much as seeing the 'constructions'… Big Pat (was he short or tall, lean or fat? - he did win the £200 reward for discovering gold and had the creek named after him), about the 'Eddies'?, and the disliked 'meccano' bridge in Warburton, etc. etc. The hot roast lunch in the old Reefton Hotel was also most welcome. It was easy to imagine it peopled by miners and early settlers. Starting by crossing the new (1974) concrete bridge at Warrandyte we headed through Wonga Park with views to the Christmas Hills and to the escarpment of the Yering Gorge, which causes flood waters to back up through the Yarra Glen plain, so avoiding disasters downstream. At the end of a long driveway we found the wooden, privately owned Henley Bridge (1935 after the 1934 floods). This facilitates access to different parts of Henley Farm and to Lilydale. Everard Park, named after Blanche Shallard's father, a State Member for 17 years, below the Highway Yarra crossing was in need of care. It is 10 miles from Yarra Glen by road but, as "Yarra Marra” canoeists well know, 32 winding miles down by water. After more delightful countryside scenes we joined the Warburton Highway at Woori Yallock. From the old Railway Station at Launching Place the Centennial Trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders has replaced the rails. The line from Lilydale was opened in 1901, and the last diesel freight train ran to Warburton in 1965. It continued to rain as we had morning tea in Warburton in a shelter between footbridges. From here we continued upstream past the Bridge to O'Shannassy Lodge and Reservoir, Starvation Creek, and the Peninsular tunnel (miners dug it as at Pound Bend) which we visited (scrambling down those steps!) on our return after lunch. Our furthermost point was the Upper Yarra Dam Reserve (and vast catchment area). Finished in 1957 after ten years' work and 100 years after Yan Yean, it supplies much of Melbourne's water. After crossing the 30m Launching Place Bridge to the Eltham side of the Yarra and Healesville, we saw in the distance the Yarra Glen Timber Trestle Bridge over the river flats "the longest for years in the land it was said!" Harry's dream of "better weather over the Divide" unfortunately didn't come true, but I'm sure we 36 members will retain happy memories of a day that was wet and green and filled with Bridges. Situated on the Yarra River, 5.5 kms south of Christmas Hills on private property. This timber trestle bridge is said to have been built some time after 1907 by Melbourne master-builder, David Mitchell (the father of Dame Nellie Melba), to connect his two "Henley Farm" properties with Lilydale. In earlier days, when the McPhersons owned the property, their children used a punt to cross the river to attend Yering Primary School. This private bridge is best viewed from the end of Wendy Way. - Source: Christmas Hills Past and Present, Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004.Two colour photographsactivities, henley bridge, upper yarra

List of baptisms of Little Eltham residents 1850-1860 and Diamond Creek 1850-1862 at St John's Anglican Church Heidelberg. Includes names of about 80 children whose abode was given as Diamond Creek or Little Eltham. Printout of spreadsheet listing number, date of baptism, birth date, christian name, names of parents, abode and profession. Baptisms performed at Saint John's Anglican Church Heidelberg. Arranged in date order. Includes hand written contextual notes by Harry Gilham. Copy provided to Jock Ryan, President of the Nillumbik Historical Society in 2006. Additional notes by Harry Gilham, 2012: Compiled by the late Eric Tetlow, Secretary, Yarra Glen and District Historical Society who, working at St John's Church of England Heidelberg in their archives in 2006, discovered files which he colated into this spreadsheet document of Baptisms relating to Little Eltham and Diiamond Creek. St John's Heidelberg is the original source of information.A significant resource which pulls together names of pioneer families for the area during its early European settlement.4 pagesHG Booklet 41harry gilham collection, st john's anglican church heidelberg, diamond creek, armstrong, bailey, bennett, benson, blackman, bodan, booth, bozwell, briggs, chad, clark, clayton, cochrane, crozier, dennis, ewing, fowler, haley, harper, heley, hill, irish, jones, kaylock, kerr, keylock, macklin, mccoll, mitchell, morris, palmington, scott, silk, spicer, stokely, taylor, thornburn, thorborne, waterton, wills, marshall, little eltham

The David Christmas memorial is situated on the south side of One Tree Hill Road, at Watsons Creek. As a young man, Welshman David Christmas had been transported to Van Dienman's Land for a relatively minor offence. In 1836, having received a pardon, he came to Port Phillip, where, in 1842, he was hired as a shepherd by district pioneer, Joseph Stevenson. In 1992, a roadside plaque commemorating the shepherd who gave his name to the district was set in place over his presumed bush gravesite. The plaque was unveiled by two of Stevenson's grandsons, Bruce and Don Ness. FROM: Christmas Hills Past and Present, Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. 1842-1992 In memory of David Christmas born Cardiganshire 1797 Transported to Van Dieman's Land for the term of his natural life 1822 Granted a free pardon 1826 "From this humble shepherd these hills have gained their name" Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 1 strip (2 frames)Fuji 200david christmas, christmas hills, memorials, watsons creek, plaque

The David Christmas memorial is situated on the south side of One Tree Hill Road, at Watsons Creek. As a young man, Welshman David Christmas had been transported to Van Dienman's Land for a relatively minor offence. In 1836, having received a pardon, he came to Port Phillip, where, in 1842, he was hired as a shepherd by district pioneer, Joseph Stevenson. In 1992, a roadside plaque commemorating the shepherd who gave his name to the district was set in place over his presumed bush gravesite. The plaque was unveiled by two of Stevenson's grandsons, Bruce and Don Ness. FROM: Christmas Hills Past and Present, Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. The plaque reads: 1842-1992 In memory of David Christmas born Cardiganshire 1797 Transported to Van Dieman's Land for the term of his natural life 1822 Granted a free pardon 1826 "From this humble shepherd these hills have gained their name"Colour photographactivities, ceremonies, david christmas, memorials, unveiling ceremony, christmas hills, watsons creek

The David Christmas memorial is situated on the south side of One Tree Hill Road, at Watsons Creek. As a young man, Welshman David Christmas had been transported to Van Dienman's Land for a relatively minor offence. In 1836, having received a pardon, he came to Port Phillip, where, in 1842, he was hired as a shepherd by district pioneer, Joseph Stevenson. In 1992, a roadside plaque commemorating the shepherd who gave his name to the district was set in place over his presumed bush gravesite. The plaque was unveiled by two of Stevenson's grandsons, Bruce and Don Ness. FROM: Christmas Hills Past and Present, Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. The plaque reads: 1842-1992 In memory of David Christmas born Cardiganshire 1797 Transported to Van Dieman's Land for the term of his natural life 1822 Granted a free pardon 1826 "From this humble shepherd these hills have gained their name"Colour photographactivities, ceremonies, david christmas, memorials, unveiling ceremony, ness family, watsons creek, christmas hills