The Orford family, a pioneer family remained continuously living and working in Eltham for 170 years from 1854 to 2024. James and Sarah Orford arrived in Sydney in 1839 aboard the ship “Orestes”; they had several children there before settling in Eltham in 1854. Three children, James Mathias, Sarah Amelia and Thomas Henry initially remained in the Eltham area. James eventually moved to Brunswick. Sarah married Arthur Butler Young and finally lived in Bunyip. Thomas who was six years old when the family arrived in 1854 remained in Eltham, married Helen Logan who died, leaving a large family. They lived in a slab hut by the Yarra at Laughing Waters and Thomas managed the Panton Park Estate, a selection owned by Magistrate Thomas Panton. Thomas’s son, Ernest Orford was born 1892 at Pitt Street, Eltham and also lived his entire life in Eltham working as a labourer, orchardist and later as a gardener and grounds keeper for Sir William Irvine, a former Chief Justice and Premier of Victoria. Ernest married Kate Thomas; their two sons Ron and Doug stayed in the area. Another of Thomas' sons, Arthur, also lived in Eltham. Four Orford generations attended Eltham schools. Doug Orford was born on the kitchen table (reference, son Ted Orford) of the family home at the corner of Reynolds Road and Mount Pleasant Road. Doug married Gwen and they established a family however Gwen died at a young age from cancer. Doug eventually remarried another Gwen and they lived for several decades in Napoleon Street, Eltham. Doug was actively involved in EDHS over many years, including serving as a committee member and vice president. Contributions by Doug and Gwen, his wife, assisted EDHS to continue to develop as a not-for-profit group intent on promoting and preserving our local history. Both Doug and Gwen were made Life Members of EDHS. His significant work with assisting to establish our valued Local History Centre helped develop our home base and supported the continued growth of our society. Doug’s local knowledge, suggestions and family connections were highly valued, Until recent times, he continued to regularly attend our Collections Team workshops providing his insights and historical information about photographs and society records. Doug died peacefully July 8, 2024, and represents the last link in the Orford Eltham chain which spanned 170 years. His funeral was held Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Le Pine Funerals, 848 Main Road, Eltham. Contents: Typed notes, no date: Memories of Ernest Orford [taped 1979] about his school days. Handwritten notes, no date: History of Ernie Orford Typed notes, no date: History of Thomas Henry Orford and family. Photocopy: Shire of Eltham General Rate Receipts. Received from D Orford 7 June 1923 and Received from E F Orford, 4 August 1924. Letter, no date: Nillumbik Shire to Russell Yeoman, Gwen Orford to receive Volunteer Recognition Award. Newsletter article: "The Orford Family, Eltham", Shire of Eltham Historical Society, No.80 September 1991. History of Orford family. Handwritten notes: 21 March 2011, genealogy of George Orford. On reverse Melways map makred with Orford and other land ownerships. Newspaper advertisement, 21 March 2011: "264 Reynolds Road, South Eltham", property for sale [land in ownership of Orford family]. Letter: St Margaret's Anglican Church Eltham to Doug Orford, 17 November 2011, Extracts from church records relative to Orford family. Newspaper article: "Timely facelift at war memorials', Diamond Valley Leader, 30 April 2024, Nillumbik war memorial will have some work and a bronze plaque will be installed at the Eltham Avenue of Honour, Wingrove Park; photograph of Doug Orford Newsletter item: "Welcome home medal", Eltham District Historical Society newsletter no.216 May 2014, World War I two 'Welcome Home Medals' in ownership of local men, being Harry Gilham and Doug Orford. Order of Service, Le Pine Funerals (Eltham), In Loving Memory of Douglas Frederick Orford 22nd August 1929 - 8th July 2024Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcdoug orford, harry gilham, welcome home medal, eltham avenue of honour, nillumbik war memorial, wingrove park, henry dendy, alfred armstrong, james orford, 264 reynolds road south eltham, george orford, george joseph orford, maryanne george joseph, thomas henry orford, ernest orford, e f orford, eltham cemetery, helen orford, joseph panton, panton park, gordon lyon, banyule estate heidelberg, james matthias orford, wurundjeri, constable peter lawlor, george hill, franklin street eltham, ronald orford, eltham primary school, john brown, robert gamble school inspector, sarah orford, mary ann orford, james mathias orford, sarah amelia orford, james peet, arthur butler young, watsons creek victoria, kangaroo ground victoria, helen logan, william orford, jane orford, arthur orford, frederick orford, florrie orford, victor orford, chem orford, sunnymede eltham, panton hill estate, sir william irvine, gordon lyons, kate thomas, north eltham gospel church, harold clapp, eltham cricket club, research primary school, dalton street school eltham, keith banks, betty banks, benjamine boyd, laughing waters road eltham, freddie gilsinen, douglas frederick orford, eltham district historical society, funeral service, le pine funeral home, life member, order of service

Nillumbik Commissioners used 'reserve power's to permit a controversial Shell service station and Hungry Jackls restaurant development at the former Eltham Shire Office site at 895 Main Road. More than 200 people attended the Council meeting in the public gallery and protested at the decision. 32 personal submissions were made to Council's Planning Special Committee meeting whose members vioted 3-2 against the development. The Committee consisted of the three Nillumbik Commissioners and three community members (Jim Connor, Bronwyn South and Janet Mattiske). Chief Commissioner Don Cordell, a former Shell employee excused himself from voting and the three communbity memebrs voted against the submission. The other two commissioners, Vin Heffernan and Kevin Abbott voted against it. They then immediately closed the meeting and opened a Council meeting lasting just seconds to use special reserve powers to overturn the decision. Community residents who made submissions included Russell Yeomans speaking on behalf of the Eltham Gateway Action Group and Eltham District Historical Society, Des Ryan on belaf of Eltham Senior Citizens, Angela Newhouse, others on behalf of Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School and Judge Book Village, Tom Munro, Ian Jennings, Margartet Ball a fifth generation descendant of the Shillinglaw family, one of the early settlers of the area and owner of the land that was sold to Council, Frank Burgoyne who said "there will be a lot of creaking and rumbling in the cemetery if this goes through. So many old people who have done so much for Eltham are buried up there and it is up to us to pass on what they left to the younger generation. Eltham is a beautiful spot; why louse it up?" A second article "Anger over reserve power" by Laeta Antonysen provides commentary from the three Planning Special Committee community members, former Eltham Shire Councillor Jim Connor, Bronwyn South and Janet Mattiske about the process that took place and the first time use of the spoecial reserve power to overturn the decision of the committee. Barry Rochford, Nillumbiuk CEO defends the use of the power.The demolition of the former Shire of Eltham offices and proposed sale and development driven by the Commissioners for Nillumbik Shire Council brought the community together in substantial protest at the infrigement of ratepayers democratic say in local government and ciommunity assets combined with protests about inappropraite development of Eltham's Gateway. This issue led to the formation of the Eltham Community Action Group which still operates strongly today (2023) on behalf of the community to ensure appropriate development within the community.895 main road, commissioners, dallas price homes, development application, eltham hub, hungry jacks, nillumbik shire council, re-zoning, shell service station, town planning, eltham gateway, eltham gateway action group, eltham shire offices, shillinglaw farm, shillinglaw trees, jim connor collection, dallas howgate, nillumbik planning special committee, jim connor, bronwyn south, janet mattiske, don cordell, vin heffernan, kevin abbott, russell yeomans, eltham district historical society, eltham senior citizens, des ryan, our lady help of christians primary school, judge book village, angela newhouse, tom munro, ian jennings, margaret ball, shillinglaw cottage, frank burgoyne, andrew biasci, barry rochford

Postcard of Chute Street Diamond Creek looking east, 1910 from the collection of Nillumbik Historical Society.diamond creek, chute street

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2000.Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2001. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2002. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2003. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2004. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2005. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2006. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2007. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2008. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2010. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2011. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Bendigo Historical Society Minutes and Correpondence 2012. Stored in grey A4 document album with slip cover.

Inverloch Historical Society have a digital copy of this item, which was obtained from the State Library of Victoria.

One of a series of photos created for an exhibition by the City of Kew of notable locations. The photos represent a snapshot in time.Enlarged photograph mounted on board, donated to the Kew Historical Society by the City of Kew on 10 April 1991.houses - kew (vic), princess street - kew (vic)

One of a series of photos created for an exhibition by the City of Kew of notable locations. The photos represent a snapshot in time.Enlarged photograph mounted on board, donated to the Kew Historical Society by the City of Kew on 10 April 1991.hays paddock - kew east (vic), kew (vic) - history, kew (vic) - public parks, kew (vic) - farming

One of a series of photos created for an exhibition by the City of Kew of notable locations. The photos represent a snapshot in time.Enlarged photograph mounted on board, donated to the Kew Historical Society by the City of Kew on 10 April 1991.houses - kew (vic), raheen - studley park road - kew (vic)

The two-storey house at 104 Peel Street, known locally as The Mousehouse, was built in 1890 of stucco-rendered handmade bricks. The ground floor façade suggests that the front door originally opened directly onto the street. Prior to 1915, the house was numbered 184, but the street number changed to 104 in that year. Early residents included Henry Martin, Mrs Henrietta Blythe and A. R. Chaffer, the two latter being shopkeepers. The eminent dentist Samuel E. Wills, who had rooms in Collins Street, moved to the house in 1897 and lived there for six years. He was reputed to have conducted a dental practice in the cellar. Wills proposed the establishment of a Dental College in Melbourne and helped to frame Victoria’s dental rules and by-laws. Enlarged photograph mounted on board, donated to the Kew Historical Society by the City of Kew on 10 April 1991. houses - kew (vic), peel street - kew (vic)

One of a series of photos created for an exhibition by the City of Kew of notable locations. The photos represent a snapshot in time.Enlarged photograph mounted on board, donated to the Kew Historical Society by the City of Kew on 10 April 1991.glass' creek - kew east (vic), hays paddock - kew east (vic)

One of a series of photos created for an exhibition by the City of Kew of notable locations. The photos represent a snapshot in time.Enlarged photograph mounted on board, donated to the Kew Historical Society by the City of Kew on 10 April 1991.houses - kew (vic), gellibrand street - kew (vic)

Promotional photograph created by officers of the Kew City Council.Enlarged photograph mounted on board, donated to the Kew Historical Society by the City of Kew on 10 April 1991.schools - kew (vic), xavier college - senior school - kew (vic)

Kew tram depot is located on the corner of Barkers Road and High Street, Kew, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Operated by Yarra Trams, it is one of eight tram depots on the Melbourne tram network. The depot opened on 8 May 1915.Commemorative medallion in blue presentation box, given to the Kew Historical Society on the anniversary of the Kew Depot in 2015.Front: Schematic engraving of tram with the words "Kew Tram Depot : 1915-2015 : Celebrating 100 Years". Reverse: Schematic engraving of exterior of Depot, surrounded by the words "Commemorating all staff who have contributed to the success of Kew Depot".kew tram depot, commemorative medallions, tramways memorabilia