Located on the corner of Main Road and John Street, the church first served the community as the Eltham Wesleyan Church since 1881. It became the Eltham Methodist Church in 1902, the year it united with the Primitive Methodists. Eltham Wesleyans first worshipped together in the home of William and Mary Crozier, on 24 acres bounded by Mount Pleasant Road and Pitt Street. From there they moved to a slab and bark hut in 1855 (this later served as the first school run by David Clark prior to the building of a new school in Dalton Street) and the members then built a chapel in 1858 on Lot 20, Henry Street (later to become the Rechabite Hall and Eltham Public Hall). The present church on John Street was designed by architects Crouch and Wilson in the Early English Gothic style with biochrome brick window frames, buttress heads and pinnacle. Church member George Stebbing built the church, the foundations were constructed with stone from the walls of the first Eltham State Primary School (No. 209) building which collapsed in 1874 and were purchased by Robert David Taylor. Stebbing was also responsible for building St Margaret’s Church and Shillinglaw Cottage. The Roll of Honour, which presently hangs in the church hall (which also doubles as the Opportunity Shop) lists 27 members of the congregation who served in the First World War, 11 of whom never returned. The red-brick Church Hall was opened in 1931 and in 1971 further additions linked the hall and church, including a foyer, vestry, meeting room and toilets reflecting the Eltham style of that time with its simplicity, extensive clear glass, reused baked clay-bricks from the 1881 church, heavy ceiling beams and compressed straw ceiling. On June 26, 1977, the church became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia consisting of the former Methodist and Congregational and most of the Presbyterian Churches. Following of declining numbers of worshippers, the church merged with the Montmorency Uniting Church on June 23, 1996. In 2023 the Uniting church approved a plan to renovate the church. It is understood that the historic church and the hall will be retained, and the building added in 1971 is to be demolished, to make way for a new purpose-built Opportunity shop. The proposed areas to be demolished include the current foyer, toilets, crèche, etc, including the area between the hall and the former RSL. Works are expected to commence mid to late July 2023. The Society was invited by a church member to take photographs of these areas to document them prior to demolition works commencing. Ref: “Nillumbik Now and Then” by Marguerite Marshall (2008)jim connor collection, 2023-07-10, eltham-montmorency uniting church, john street, methodist church, opportunity shop, uniting church, uniting church hall

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "Prep M Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating Prep M and one stating stating 1/2P . VC11152 may have have other Prep M. Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "1/2P Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 1/2P and one stating stating Prep E (See also VC 11140 for Prep E) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "1/2R Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 1/2R and one stating stating 1/2G (See also VC 11144 for 1/2G) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "3/4A Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 3/4A and one stating stating 3/4K (See also VC 11152 for 3/4K) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. Written on envelope "No photo of Bethany Anderson"grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "3/4F Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 3/4F and one stating stating 3/4G (See also VC 11150 for 3/4G) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. Written on envelope "No photo of Bethany Anderson"grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "3/4H Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 3/4F and one stating stating 3/4H (See Also VC 11153 for 3/4H) Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "3/4P Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 3/4P and one stating stating 3/4H (See also VC 11151 for 3/4H) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "5/6F Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 5/6F and one stating stating 1/2L (See also VC 11144 for 1/2L) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "5/6S Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 5/6S and one stating stating 5/6R (See also VC 11155 for 5/6R) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Framed watercolour featuring a coastal landscape titled "Mallacouta" painted by Owen Trenbath. Brown timber frame with painted gold inside edge. Cream card window mount and lined border. Gold edging on frame. Note: Item approved for deaccession August 2023. SGSC will now follow deaccession procedures as outlined in the Arts and Civic Memorabilia Collection Policy - https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/downloads/file/2763/arts_and_artefacts_collection_policy_c69.

Framed oil painting titled: "Natures Bounty" painted by Joanna Miles. Features still life of fruit, vase of flowers, ceramic bottle and dish on cloth covered table. Decorative gold painted wood frame. Note: Item approved for deaccession August 2023. SGSC will now follow deaccession procedures as outlined in the Arts and Civic Memorabilia Collection Policy - https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/downloads/file/2763/arts_and_artefacts_collection_policy_c69.

The wooden pier was replaced by a reinforced concrete pier in 1970 and the kiosk was relocated. This photograph shows the two piers before the wooden pier was demolished. The concrete pier will be demolished after a new pier, being constructed in 2022-2023, is completed.Colour photographst kilda, st kilda pier, 1970

The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania sold all its residential camps operated by UC Camping in June 2023. They were Grantville, Westernport Bay; Norval, Grampions/Gariwerd; Merricks Lodge, Mornington Peninsula and Adekate Camp, Creswick.White magnetic sign with the UCA symbol at the top, taupe coloured text and yellow and green images."Uniting Church in Australia SYNOD OF VICTORIA AND TASMANIA" "UC CAMMPING creating opportunities www.uccamping.org.au"uc camping

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "Prep E Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating Prep E and one stating stating Prep G (See also 11141 for Prep G and 11140 for Prep E). Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "1/2L Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 1/2L and one stating stating 1/2R (See also VC 11146 for 1/2R and 11154 for 1/2L) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "3/4K Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 3/4K and one stating stating Prep M (See also VC 11148 for 3/4K and 11142 for Prep M) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "5/6R Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 5/6R and one stating stating 1/2W (See also VC 11147 for 1/2W and 11155 for 5/6R) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Framed watercolour landscape titled "Memories" (House at Buchan South) painted by Jan Long. Set in white and grey card double window mount with brown wood frame. Small brass plaque affixed to lower edge of mount. Note: Item approved for deaccession August 2023. SGSC will now follow deaccession procedures as outlined in the Arts and Civic Memorabilia Collection Policy - https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/downloads/file/2763/arts_and_artefacts_collection_policy_c69.

Typed letter from Shire of Narracan to Shire of Woorayl dated 19th May 1988. Congratulations to the shire of reaching 100 years as a municipality. Sealed with Common Seal and signed by the shire president, councillor ans shire secretary. Note: Item approved for deaccession August 2023. SGSC will now follow deaccession procedures as outlined in the Arts and Civic Memorabilia Collection Policy - https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/downloads/file/2763/arts_and_artefacts_collection_policy_c69.

Typed letter from the City of Oakleigh to Shire of Woorayl congratulating them on its centenary to be celebrated on Wednesday 25th May 1988. Signed by the Mayor, Councillor & Town Clerk. Tri-colour border with shire crest at top. Note: Item approved for deaccession August 2023. SGSC will now follow deaccession procedures as outlined in the Arts and Civic Memorabilia Collection Policy - https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/downloads/file/2763/arts_and_artefacts_collection_policy_c69.

EDHS Newsletter No. 268 February 2023 Prior to the extension of European people into the lands of the Nillum-bik in the late 1830s the Wurundjeri people had been meeting in the area now known as Eltham Lower Park for thousands of years. Waterway junctions had a particular attraction as tribal meeting places and the junction of the Diamond Creek with the Yarra River (Birr-arung to the Wurundjeri) was one such important location in terms of aboriginal culture. The sculpture “Not Just a Pretty Place” by Aleks Danko, located near the junction of these two watercourses pays tribute to this important cultural location. The first European settlers were squatters or leaseholders and itinerants such as timber workers. Records of their early occupation are sketchy but the Eltham Lower Park area was probably included within the pastoral run established in 1841 by Henry Foley. He sold his leasehold in 1845 to Joseph Wilson who in turn sold it to Frederick Faulkner soon after. From this early history the Eltham Lower Park area has undergone many changes and has been developed to provide residents and visitors with a range of passive and active public open space, including even being used for various horse racing events. At our next meeting, Jim Connor will explore the history of Eltham Lower Park and touch on various individuals and groups involved along the way.1:05:19 duration Digital MP3 file; 22.4MBaudio recording, eltham district historical society, meeting, society meeting, jim connor, eltham, eltham lower park

Individual student photos scanned from Negatives. No identification of student names. This set of negatives were in yellow Kodak envelope marked "3/4G Great Ryrie PS 2002" but in the images are two handwritten boards, one stating 3/4G and one stating stating 5/6M (See also VC 11157 for 5/6M and VC119 for for other 3/4G)) . Negatives were scanned by Greg Coker in 2023, then disposed. grps2002

Letter to Woorayl Shire from the City of Burnie thanking Shire for their best wishes on occasion of Proclamation of City of Burnie on 29 April 1988. Sealed with Common Seal and signed by two aldermen and Town Clerk. Dated 2 May 1988. Note: Item approved for deaccession August 2023. SGSC will now follow deaccession procedures as outlined in the Arts and Civic Memorabilia Collection Policy - https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/downloads/file/2763/arts_and_artefacts_collection_policy_c69.