Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, george mess, james mess, jane mess, janet mess, joseph mess, kangaroo ground cemetery

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, joseph mess, kangaroo ground cemetery

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, kangaroo ground cemetery, david stevenson, joseph stevenson, ruth stevenson

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, kangaroo ground cemetery

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, kangaroo ground cemetery, bruce ness, george mess, james mess, jane mess, janet mess, joseph mess

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, kangaroo ground cemetery, agnes muncaster bell, william bell (1796-1870)

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, kangaroo ground cemetery, agnes bell cameron, evelyn florence cameron, ewen hugh cameron, john donald cameron

A celebration for the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the first Old Colonists Association of Victoria retirement village at Rushall Park North Fitzroy was held on 20 October 2019 at Leith Park St Helena. Leith Park was the Association's second village, built in the 1960s on land donated by Arthur C. Leith, Life Governor, Councillor and President of the Association 1949-1972.4 p. colour pamphlet printed on light cardboardleith park retirement village, old colonists association

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.pioneer reserve greensborough

Pen and ink sketches accompanied by appropriate text in double page spreads. Contents cover : Blue stone bridge, Introduction, House cnr Church and Hailes Street, House - 25 Hailes Street, Yandell Reserve, Greensborough Hotel, Lobb's Kiosk, House - 49 Grimshaw Street, View of Greensborough (from Delphin Crescent), Railway Station, Old Barn (near Greensborough Railway Station), Partington's Flat and River Valley, Rand Street Bridge, Lower Main Street, Greenbriar Nursery, Hitching rail, Ashmead - Dr Cordner's Home, Greensborough Primary School, House - cnr St Helena and Diamond Creek Raods, Sondermeyer's Hill, Methodist Church, Football Pavilion, Cemetery, St Katherine's Church, St. Helena, Civic Centre, Briar Hill Timber Mill, 24 River Street, Kelly's Garden Supplies, 158 Main Street, Old Swimming pool, 105 Main Street.Hardback; 62 p. : ill., map ; 19 x 25 cm.ISBN 0909807108 Signed by author and illustrator Two copiesgreenhills, greensborough

Plenty River Tea Gardens were located on east side of Main Street near St Helena Road intersection. [Ref: The Age 18/2/1929 page 3 - Greensborough - Comfortable Home. 6 rooms. large verandas. ½ acre. S O bungalow. Lovely spot. 4 minutes station. Furnished or unfurnished or will sell reasonable. River Plenty Tea Gardens. Phone Gr. 17]Two black & white photographsplenty river tea gardens, greensborough tea rooms

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map]. 13-21, Parishes of Keelbundora 2856 and Nillumbik 3310, Municipality of Diamond Valley 257. Shows street names, easement sizes, lot numbers, lodged plan numbers, names of prominent features, contour values, creek or river names. Central Greensborough. Prominent streets: Main Street, Para Road, St Helena Road and Diamond Creek 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, greensborough - maps

Willows in the Plenty River, looking south west to cliffs. The Blackjack property, house and acres of fruit orchards ran down to the Plenty River off Hume Street Greensborough and was the home of the Robinson family to late 1956. The photographs were taken as slides by Frank Robinson and digitised by his son James in 2015. Oral history has it that Anthony Beale was the first to bring willow cuttings from the island of St Helena, to Australia.Digital copy of colour photograph.robinson family, blackjack, plenty river

"Saxam" was the home of the Kaye family (1886-1888) then William Santon, a former councillor and Mayor of Heidelberg. Saxam Homestead is a distinctive and substantial timber homestead built in the late 1880s as one of the notable rural properties in the St Helena area. In 2014 the house still stands but is in poor condition with most interior features removed. The site had a heritage overlay as shown. The overlay was reduced in 2014 to protect the house while allowing residential development on the site.Saxam is one of the only remaining farmhouses in the Greensborough area.Copy of map and planning scheme.saxam

'Saxam' was the home of the Kaye family (1886-1888) then William Santon, a former councillor and Mayor of Heidelberg. Saxam Homestead is a distinctive and substantial timber homestead built in the late 1880s as one of the notable rural properties in the St Helena area. [Photo G. Studley]. Seated are Mr and Mrs Kaye, standing William Santon who was a local footballer, councillor and later Mayor of Heidelberg. In 2014 the house still stands but is in poor condition with most interior features such as this fireplace removed. Digital copy of black and white photograph.saxam, william santon, santon family

Pioneer Reserve, Greensborough is a small park on the corner of St Helena and Diamond Creek Roads. It is adjacent to the site of Greensborough's first bridge across the Plenty River, c. 1864 - 1960s. The shelter, viewing platform, retaining wall and entrance are built from the bridge's massive bluestone arched abutments dismantled between 1974 and 1983. Pioneer Reserve is historically significant for its formative association with noted local landscape designer Gordon Ford in 1968, and it is likely that remnant large field stones at the entrance drive to the Reserve remain from his design. Photograph by Marilyn Smith 2014.Digital copy of colour photograph.

The Church of St Michael and All Angels dates from the 15th century and is the Parish Church for Ashton under Lyne. It is believed there was a church on this site before the Norman Conquest as the Domesday Book mentions a St Michael's Church in the east of the ancient parish of Manchester. Much of the structure was re-constructed in Victorian times. The church with large windows in Perpendicular style. Buttresses were required with this type of building as the large window area reduced the strength of the walls. The church boasts boasts some of the best examples of fifteenth century stained glass left in Britain. There are eighteen panels illustrating the life of St. Helena. The church tower is 145 feet high and has a peel of thirteen bells. (From ashton-under-lyne.com) .1) Sepia photograph mounted onto card showing St Michael's and all Angels church and graveyard in Ashton-Under-Lyne. The gravestones shown in the photograph are no longer evident today. The cemetery area is now covered with grass.cemetery, st michael s and all angels, ashton under lyne, j w mellor, church

The Church of St Michael and All Angels dates from the 15th century and is the Parish Church for Ashton under Lyne. It is believed there was a church on this site before the Norman Conquest as the Domesday Book mentions a St Michael's Church in the east of the ancient parish of Manchester. Much of the structure was re-constructed in Victorian times. The church with large windows in Perpendicular style. Buttresses were required with this type of building as the large window area reduced the strength of the walls. The church boasts boasts some of the best examples of fifteenth century stained glass left in Britain. There are eighteen panels illustrating the life of St. Helena. The church tower is 145 feet high and has a peel of thirteen bells. (From ashton-under-lyne.com) Holy Trinity Church, Bardsley was consecrated on the 10th October 1844 by the Bishop of Chester. The church was only the third church in the Borough of Ashton-under-Lyne to be carved out of the parish of St. Michael & All Angels, Ashton. The church was built on land donated by the Hulme Trustees..1) Sepia photograph mounted onto card showing Holy Trinity, Bardsley, Ashton-under-Lyne. Snow is evident in the foreground and the church is surrounded by a graveyard. .2) Sepia photograph mounted onto card showing St Michael's and All Angels church, alongside a graveyard.Signed lower LHS "J.W. Mellor" Lower RHS "Ashton-under-Lyne"cemetery, st michael s and all angels, ashton under lyne, j w mellor, tombstone, tomb stone, headstone, head stone, holy trinity church, bardsley

George Stebbing arrived from England in 1857 and settled at Eltham after a short period at Kangaroo Ground. His occupation is often listed as a farmer but he built a number of important buildings between the late 1860’s and the 1880’s. Those remaining include Shillinglaw Cottage, St. Margaret’s Church, Uniting church (formerly Methodist Church) and House at 84 Pitt Street, Eltham. From 1871 to 1875 he was a member of the Eltham Shire Council. Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), Friday 12 March 1909, page 2 ELTHAM. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) One of the oldest inhabitants of Eltham passed away during the early hours of Saturday last in the person of Mrs Mary Ann Stebbings. Her residence here covered a period of some-what over 50 years. She had been a widow for some time, her husband, the late Mr. Geo. Stebbings, having pre-deceased her some fourteen or fifteen years. During the later years of her life, she had resided with her niece, Mrs. Wm. Williams. She lived a very retired life and is said to have owned a considerable amount of property, local and suburban, at the time of her death, at the age of 82 years. She was interred at Diamond Creek on Sunday, 7th inst. Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Greensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery. 35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, cemeteries, george stebbing, george stebbings, mary ann stebbing, mary ann stebbings, nillumbik cemetery

George Stebbing arrived from England in 1857 and settled at Eltham after a short period at Kangaroo Ground. His occupation is often listed as a farmer but he built a number of important buildings between the late 1860’s and the 1880’s. Those remaining include Shillinglaw Cottage, St. Margaret’s Church, Uniting church (formerly Methodist Church) and House at 84 Pitt Street, Eltham. From 1871 to 1875 he was a member of the Eltham Shire Council. Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), Friday 12 March 1909, page 2 ELTHAM. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) One of the oldest inhabitants of Eltham passed away during the early hours of Saturday last in the person of Mrs Mary Ann Stebbings. Her residence here covered a period of some-what over 50 years. She had been a widow for some time, her husband, the late Mr. Geo. Stebbings, having pre-deceased her some fourteen or fifteen years. During the later years of her life, she had resided with her niece, Mrs. Wm. Williams. She lived a very retired life and is said to have owned a considerable amount of property, local and suburban, at the time of her death, at the age of 82 years. She was interred at Diamond Creek on Sunday, 7th inst. Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Greensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery. 35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, cemeteries, george stebbing, george stebbings, mary ann stebbing, mary ann stebbings, nillumbik cemetery

View looking across Main Road to Wingrove Cottage (c.1950s), former home Charles Symons Wingrove. Charles Wingrove was a prominent figure in Victorian local government, as secretary to the Eltham District Road Board and Shire Council from 1858 to 1904, and, as Shire Engineer and Secretary to the Heidelberg Road Board. He was part of the Committee to establish the Church of England at Eltham. The Wingroves were an important pioneer family of Eltham and Wingrove Cottage is one of the most important heritage buildings in Eltham as one of the few surviving 19th century buildings. Reputedly built in 1858, Wingrove Cottage was recorded in the 1859-60 Eltham Road District rates book as a brick house owned and occupied by Wingrove with a Net Annual Value (NAV) of ₤30. In 1861, the year the Church opened, Wingrove's house was identified as a two -roomed brick cottage. Charles Wingrove is buried with other members of his family in the cemetery at St Katherine’s Church, St. Helena. This image is believed to have been incorporated in a presentation by Russell Yeoman to the 10 November 2004 Society meeting on "Significant Trees, Wildflowers and Local Gardens."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 Negshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, wingrove cottage, george w. bell collection, significant tree

The first voyage of Lieutenant James Cook was a combined Royal Navy and Royal Society expedition to the south Pacific Ocean aboard HMS Endeavour, from 1768 to 1771. The aims of this first expedition were to observe the transit of Venus across the Sun (3–4 of June 1769). Departing from Plymouth in August 1768, the expedition crossed the Atlantic, rounded Cape Horn and reached Tahiti in time to observe the transit of Venus. In September 1769 the expedition reached New Zealand. In April 1770 they became the first known Europeans to reach the east coast of Australia, making landfall near present-day Point Hicks, and then proceeding north to Botany Bay. The expedition continued northward along the Australian coastline. In October 1770 they reached the port of Batavia in the Dutch East Indies. They resumed their journey on 26 December, rounded the Cape of Good Hope on 13 March 1771, and reached the English port of Deal on 12 July. The voyage lasted almost three years. Voyage 1 (1768–1771): ship Endeavour Route: London – Madiera – Rio de Janeiro – Cape Horn – Tuamotu Island – Tahiti – Society Islands – New Zealand – New Holland (Australia) – East Timor – Java – Batavia – Cape of Good Hope – St Helena – Ascension – LondonCook joined the British merchant navy as a teenager and joined the Royal Navy in 1755.Colour reproduction of portrait of Captain Cook by Nathaniel Dance (1735-1811)Captain James Cook - The First Voyage 1768-1771captain james cook, nathaniel dance (1735-1811), endeavour, navigators, sea voyage

Walter Withers (1854-1914) was born in Handsworth, Warwickshire, England. He migrated to Australia in 1882 and in time was to become one of the country's most famous painters. In 1887/8 he spent a year in London and Paris during which time he married Fanny Flinn. When he returned to Melbourne he was engaged by publishers doing black and white illustrations. In the late 1880's he became associated with artists who formed the renowned "Heidelberg School" and in 1890 moved to "Charterisville" at Eaglemont. He lived in the Heidelberg area until 1903 when he purchased a house on two and a half acres (one hectare) at the corner of Brougham and Bolton Streets, Eltham. He had long been attracted to the Eltham area, but needed access to Melbourne for his painting classes. The extension of the railway in 1901 made the move possible. He remained in Eltham until his death and is buried at nearby St Helena. Many of his important paintings were painted during these later years. There are important collections at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Geelong Art Gallery. His Eltham house remains and his name is honoured by a small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets. Source: Information panel produced for Heritage Display exhibition by EDHS 1990.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 Neg (duplicate of original)eltham local characters, pioneers and painters, sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, walter withers, eltham, southernwood

Walter Withers (1854-1914) was born in Handsworth, Warwickshire, England. He migrated to Australia in 1882 and in time was to become one of the country's most famous painters. In 1887/8 he spent a year in London and Paris during which time he married Fanny Flinn. When he returned to Melbourne he was engaged by publishers doing black and white illustrations. In the late 1880's he became associated with artists who formed the renowned "Heidelberg School" and in 1890 moved to "Charterisville" at Eaglemont. He lived in the Heidelberg area until 1903 when he purchased a house on two and a half acres (one hectare) at the corner of Brougham and Bolton Streets, Eltham. He had long been attracted to the Eltham area, but needed access to Melbourne for his painting classes. The extension of the railway in 1901 made the move possible. He remained in Eltham until his death and is buried at nearby St Helena. Many of his important paintings were painted during these later years. There are important collections at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Geelong Art Gallery. His Eltham house remains and his name is honoured by a small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets. Source: Information panel produced for EDHS exhibition in 1990. john withers collection, artist, sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photo collection, walter herbert withers, walter withers