Viewed from near the end of Stokes Place where the linear reserve now runs between 8 and 9 Stokes Place just visible through trees in foreground, 24 Nyora with red roof is the first house in middle of view. Frank Stokes first traveled to the district by train in 1944 to find land with the intention to establish an orchard. By chance he met Arthur Bird of Bird Orchard (bounded by Pitt Street, Eucalyptus Road and Wattle Grove) and they got talking over their common interest. Arthur put Frank up for the night and pointed out the land, part of Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik (CA15) somewhat diagonally opposite Bird Orchard. Frank bought the land and for the next two years would travel by train from Melbourne to Eltham every weekend establishing Stokes Orchard and building a home for his family, which they eventually moved into in 1946. In the mid 1970s the Shire of Eltham divided the orchard up into numerous rate-able parcel lots, which became affordable for Frank. As a consequence Stokes Orchard was turned into a housing development by Macquarie Builders and marketed as the Stokes Orchard Estate in two stages; Stage 1 encompassing Scarlet Ash Court, Ironbark Close and Peppermint Grove bounded by Nyora and Eucalyptus roads c.1976 and Stage 2 encompassing Stokes Place, Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout bound by Nyora and Diosma roads c.1979. The development of Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout did not proceed as planned due to the lack of the sewer along Diosma Road and so many of the proposed lots were incorporated into five-acre parcels instead.Housing development in Eltham as an extension to the Woodridge EstateDigital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a scrapbook (containing commercially printed photos of digital scans) on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes.1977, beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, nyora road, stokes orchard estate, stokes place

Viewed from near the end of Stokes Place where the linear reserve now runs between 8 and 9 Stokes Place looking slightly east of south towards Nyora Road. The new Christian Church on Nyora now the Baptist Church visible in middle view. Frank Stokes first traveled to the district by train in 1944 to find land with the intention to establish an orchard. By chance he met Arthur Bird of Bird Orchard (bounded by Pitt Street, Eucalyptus Road and Wattle Grove) and they got talking over their common interest. Arthur put Frank up for the night and pointed out the land, part of Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik (CA15) somewhat diagonally opposite Bird Orchard. Frank bought the land and for the next two years would travel by train from Melbourne to Eltham every weekend establishing Stokes Orchard and building a home for his family, which they eventually moved into in 1946. In the mid 1970s the Shire of Eltham divided the orchard up into numerous rate-able parcel lots, which became affordable for Frank. As a consequence Stokes Orchard was turned into a housing development by Macquarie Builders and marketed as the Stokes Orchard Estate in two stages; Stage 1 encompassing Scarlet Ash Court, Ironbark Close and Peppermint Grove bounded by Nyora and Eucalyptus roads c.1976 and Stage 2 encompassing Stokes Place, Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout bound by Nyora and Diosma roads c.1979. The development of Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout did not proceed as planned due to the lack of the sewer along Diosma Road and so many of the proposed lots were incorporated into five-acre parcels instead.Housing development in Eltham as an extension to the Woodridge EstateDigital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a scrapbook (containing commercially printed photos of digital scans) on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes.1977-07, beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, eltham, eltham christian church, stokes orchard estate, stokes place

Sales brochure including photocopy map of Stokes Place lots and Sales Manager's business card (John J. Herold). Stage 1 implemented c.1976 and Stage 2 c.1979. As shown on the plan, the lots along Diosma Road did not eventuate due to the lack of sewer system. These lots and streets were divided up into 5 acre blocks, which were not able to be subdivided till the 1990s when the sewer was run up Diosma Road. Stokes Place was part of the Stokes Orchard Estate which was developed from the break-up of the the orchard owned by Frank Stokes who lived on the northeast corner of Nyora Road and Eucalyptus Road. His daughter Beryl advised that the Shire had levied a rate assessment on individual parcels of land within the orchard which became unaffordable resulting in its sub-division and sell off. The Stokes Orchard Estate was developed by Macquarie Builders in two stages starting with stage 1 in 1976. Stokes Place was part of Stage 2 in 1979. The Estate was bounded between Nyora Road, Eucalyptus Road, Diosma Road and Stokes Place. The original orchard only just reached the left most portions of Stokes Place and did not go fully up to Diosma, rather to just beyond the extant of Stokes Place. Stokes Place was known within the family as "The Oats" as that is where they grew oats. Frank Stokes moved to Eltham c.1945 after visiting Harold Bird to view his orchard, located diagonally opposite Stokes Orchard from the intersection of Eucalyptus Road, Pitt Street and Nyora Road. It was on Harold Bird's recommendation that Frank purchased the land.The Stokes Orchard Estate collection is typical of housing developments of the late 1970s and 1980s. It was one of the earliest estates in Eltham following the nearby Woodridge Estate development.A4 colour brochure double sided, A4 photocopy and business cardAs notedstokes place, eltham, stokes orchard, stokes orchard estate, streets, houses, peter and carla vermey

In 1857, tanner John Pearson purchased three and a half acres of land in Little Eltham, at the western end of Pitt Street, with a 70-foot frontage to Maria Street (Main Road) and stretching down to the Diamond Creek for £100. He contracted Benjamin Oliver Wallis to build house for him. Wallis, a mason by trade who originated from the Cornish village of Newlyn, migrated to Melbourne in 1853 and was shortly engaged by Richard Warren to build the Eltham Hotel, which opened in 1854. When Warren fell into financial difficulty in 1858, Wallis purchased the hotel. That same year, Pearson constructed a tannery below the house with access to the water in the Diamond Creek. When Pearson became bankrupt in 1867, Wallis similarly acquired the house from Pearson’s creditors in 1868 and lived there until his death in 1896. For some of this time the house was in the name of Wallis’s son Richard but following his death in 1888, ownership reverted to his father. It was purchased by retired teacher Richard Gilsenen in 1899. Gilsenen was made acting head teacher at the Eltham State School in 1906 following the sudden death of head teacher John Brown. In the 1950s the house was bought by retired engineer Dr Alfred Fitzpatrick and his wife Claire who made various modifications to house goats and poultry as well as structural modifications to the house. In the early 1970s, Eltham Shire Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling proposed an extended communities’ activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance. In 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the planning to establish an extended communities’ activities program. The Fitzpatricks moved next door and Claire taught at the new Living and Learning Centre, which began in 1975, one of the first community education centres in Victoria. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p59 It’s a centre for sharing knowledge and friendship and it stands on the former hub of Eltham’s original township near Pitt Street. The Eltham Living and Learning Centre, with around 2000 participants a year, began in 1975 as one of the first Community Education Centres in Victoria. Classes ranging from macramé to wine making to environmental living have enriched the lives of thousands of people through the generosity of tutors sharing their skills free of charge. The centre’s heart is the brick cottage, built in 1858 by tanner John Pearson. He bought the three and a half acre (1.4ha) allotment fronting Maria Street (now Main Road) and stretching down to the Diamond Creek. The allotment formed part of a 316 acre (127.8ha) subdivision, owned by Josiah Holloway, called Little Eltham, north of the original Eltham Reserve.1 The allotment then passed through the hands of several speculators before it was sold to Pearson for £100 in 1857. Mr Pearson’s children attended the Eltham Primary School from 1864 to 1867. But creditors took possession of the property when his tannery folded in 1867. It was then sold to publican Benjamin Wallis, who owned the Eltham Hotel at the corner of Pitt Street and Main Road. In 1899 the property was bought by Richard Gilsenan, who became acting head teacher of the Eltham Primary State School in 1906. In the 1950s, retired engineer Dr Alfred Fitzpatrick and his wife Claire bought the property, and made structural changes. Claire, a journalist and community campaigner, modified and built pens for goats and poultry, a stable, a garage and planted fruit trees and a vegetable garden. In the early 1970s a young woman called Carina Hack approached Gwen Wesson at the Diamond Valley Learning Centre (Victoria’s first Community Education Centre) about starting a community centre. Following Wesson’s suggestion, Hack spoke to Shire President Alistair Knox ‘one bleak rainy afternoon, sipping hot drinks and discussing life’.2 Eltham Shire Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling proposed a community activities program and the council received a $50,000 Commonwealth Government Grant for this venture.3 The Fitzpatricks sold their property to the council and moved next door and Claire taught at the new centre, which Hack named. Eltham obviously wanted such a centre as Hack recalls. ‘During the next two months we had about 50 volunteers working day, night and weekends, scrubbing down, plastering and painting walls, replacing floors, repairing fences, recycling furniture, sewing curtains and cushions, donating furniture, toys, equipment, clean-ing and gardening…’4 The first enrolment day saw a queue stretching up the driveway nearly to the gate and the first sessions attracted 270 people a week. Soon the outbuildings were converted into pottery studios and a large workshop. From 1979 the Eltham Art and Craft Market was held in the centre’s grounds and the Friends of the Centre ran it from 1980. A former program coordinator, Margaret Johnson, remembers enrolment day in the late 1970s and 1980s, when hundreds of people would queue – and some even camped overnight! Overnighters were greeted in the morning with fresh tea and toast. Another tradition was The Enrolment Day Cake with Recipe, given to volunteers. ‘One happy Enrolment Day fell on February 14 and let’s just say that St Valentine found some willing participants, paying $2 for a kiss.’5 Meanwhile the participants’ children could play at the Council Eltham Lower Park house in Hohnes Road, later in Susan Street. But the centre has had difficulties too. In 1990 a fire destroyed the stable and the police suspected arson. However the pavilion was built in its place.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, benjamin oliver wallis, claire fitzpatrick, don maling, dr alfred fitzpatrick, eltham living and learning centre, frank maas, john pearson, richard gilsenen, tannery

Black and white group photograph, mounted on grey cardboardOn mount below photograph: "Front Row (left to right). - Miss E. Stringer (Rutherglen), Miss S.A. Browne (South Corowa), Mr. P.F. Ewers (Rutherglen), Mr. S.D. Pitt, Pres. C.D.T.A. (Howlong), Mr. A. McKean, M.A. (Corowa), Mrs. McKean, Miss A. Thomas (Rutherglen). Middle Row. - Mrs. L. Pearse (Corowa), Miss M. Mason (Gt. Southern, Vic.), Miss E. Lette (Corowa), Miss V.S. Russell (Rutherglen), Miss F. Malcolm (Corowa). Back Row. - Mr. R. Wade (Hopefield), Mr. F.R. Oulton (Rutherglen), Mr. A. Boorman (Balldale), Mr. R.O. Smith (Hon. Sec. C.D.T.A., Corowa), Mr. T.S. Barling (South Corowa), Mr. C. Kennedy (Oaklands), Mr. W. McLoghlin (Wahgunyah), Mr. J. Noonan (Rutherglen), Mr. W. Thompson (Gt. Southern), Mr. O.A. Broderick, Hon. Sec. Albury D.T.A. (Bungowannah). teachers, corowa district teachers association, stringer, browne, ewers, pitt, thomas, mckean, pearse, mason, lette, russell, malcolm, wade, oulton, boorman, smith, barling, kennedy, mcloghlin, noonan, thompson, broderick

Black and white photograph depicting four men in business suits on a beach, standing around a table displaying medical equipment and oxygen tanks. There are CIG oxygen tanks leaning upright against the table, and a display box containing oxygen tanks is on the ground in front of the table. There is another box displaying oxygen tanks, an open suitcase and a megaphone on the table. Three of the men are looking at the fourth man on the far right who is holding a piece of equipment. There is an ambulance from the Elwood Life Saving Club directly behind the men and other cars in the background.•Handwritten in grey pencil on reverse: 7 [inside a circle] •Handwritten in grey pencil on reverse: 4902 •Printed stamp in blue ink on reverse: COPYRIGHT / This photograph may not be reproduced / without permission in writing from the / Editor of "The Age" / 233 Collins Street, Melbourne, and 117 / Pitt Street, Sydney •Printed in black ink on paper label which has detached from the reverse of photograph: ELWOOD LIFE SAVING CLUB / EQUIPMENT PRESENTATION: / Photo from the "AGE" dated 30th December, 1961, / showing the comissioning of Elwood Life Saving / Club's new Ambulance replacing one wrecked in / a collision and covering the presentation of a / State Government cheque for £1,000 by Mr. Baron / Snider, M.L.A. to cover the cost of this ambulance. / In the picture, Mr. Snider (right) inspects / equipment with - from left, the state secretary / of The Royal Life Saving Society of Australia / (Mr. E. A. Pleydell, M.B.E.), club secretary / Mr. Tom Manion, and club president Mr. Jack / Conabere.oxygen tanks, oxygen, cig, the royal life saving club of australia, elwood lifesaving club, ambulance

The Pavillion was an extension to the Eltham Living and Learning Centre which was opened 8 October, 1994 In 1857, tanner John Pearson purchased three and a half acres of land in Little Eltham, at the western end of Pitt Street, with a 70-foot frontage to Maria Street (Main Road) and stretching down to the Diamond Creek for £100. He contracted Benjamin Oliver Wallis to build house for him. Wallis, a mason by trade who originated from the Cornish village of Newlyn, migrated to Melbourne in 1853 and was shortly engaged by Richard Warren to build the Eltham Hotel, which opened in 1854. When Warren fell into financial difficulty in 1858, Wallis purchased the hotel. That same year, Pearson constructed a tannery below the house with access to the water in the Diamond Creek. When Pearson became bankrupt in 1867, Wallis similarly acquired the house from Pearson’s creditors in 1868 and lived there until his death in 1896. For some of this time the house was in the name of Wallis’s son Richard but following his death in 1888, ownership reverted to his father. It was purchased by retired teacher Richard Gilsenen in 1899. Gilsenen was made acting head teacher at the Eltham State School in 1906 following the sudden death of head teacher John Brown. In the 1950s the house was bought by retired engineer Dr Alfred Fitzpatrick and his wife Claire who made various modifications to house goats and poultry as well as structural modifications to the house. In the early 1970s, Eltham Shire Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling proposed an extended communities’ activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance. In 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the planning to establish an extended communities’ activities program. The Fitzpatricks moved next door and Claire taught at the new Living and Learning Centre, which began in 1975, one of the first community education centres in Victoria.jim connor collection, eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, pavilion

Henry Dendy (1800-1881) is best known as the founder of Brighton. It is not well known that years later he lived far longer at Eltham than he did at Brighton. In 1840 whilst still in England, he bought eight square miles of unspecified land in the Port Phillip district. This entitled him to bring a number of other people to the colony and in 1841 he arrived in Williamstown in the York with his family and 139 others. He took up this land entitlement at what is now Brighton and most of the emigrants settled there. He encountered financial problems and lost his interest in the estate in 1844. He left Brighton in 1847. He successfully not always successfully became a brewer at Geelong, a sheep farmer at Christmas Hills and Upper Moira, a flour miller at Eltham, a sheep farmer again at Werribee and finally a copper miner at Walhalla. Dendy came to Eltham in 1856 after having spent a year in England, he purchased about 5 acres of land in two parts situated each side of Maria Street (Main Road). There was a steam flour mill on that part of the land adjoining the Diamond Creek. He became prominent in local affairs serving for a time on the Eltham District Roads Board including one term as President. Dendy’s wife Sarah died at Eltham in 1860 and also in that year he was appointed Chairman of a committee to establish a Church of England in Eltham. He donated one of his Pitt Street lots for this purpose. St Margaret’s Church was opened on this site in 1861. In 1867 Dendy sold his mill to W F Ford and moved to Werribee and then Walhalla where he remained until his death. He is buried in the Walhalla cemetery. Part of the land on which the Eltham Community Reception Centre stands was the site of Dendy’s house and Mill. Some of the old trees on the site could well have been planted in Dendy’s time. Much of this information was obtained from the book “Henry Dendy and his Emigrants” by L A Schumer.Colour photograph copy of Portrait of Henry Dendy c.1875henry dendy

'Fulling', the half-hectare property at Pitt Street, Eltham was the home of landscape designer Gordon Ford and his wife Gwen. Ford bought the property in 1948, originally part of an orchard. The garden encapsulates the major trends of Australian garden design in the second half of the 20th century. The garden design is based on mass (plants) and void (paths and pools), textures and forms. It epitomises the Eltham style because of its relaxed informality and attraction to native wildlife. The mud brick house and designed and built by Ford commenced in 1948. Several extensions were added up to 1970 and were built by Graham Rose (Source: information panel for exhibition, n.d.) Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p147 A narrow timber gate opens onto a garden that has had a huge impact on natural garden development in Australia since the 1950s.1 Fulling, the half-hectare property at Pitt St, Eltham, was the home of the landscape designer, Gordon Ford, who died in 1999. The garden ‘encapsulates the major trends of Australian garden design in the second half of the 20th century...and epitomises the Eltham style of garden’.2 It in turn, was influenced by several Victorian major landscape designers of the mid 20th century – Ellis Stones, Peter Glass and Edna Walling. The gate opens onto a sandy gravel path, one of several, which wind around dramatic pools and what appear to be natural bush, but on close inspection are carefully integrated native, indigenous and exotic plantings. Retaining walls and steps of rock through the garden link different terrace levels. Lichen-covered boulders serve as steps across a pool, leading to the triple level mud-brick house. Ford bought the property, which was originally part of an orchard, in 1948. As the son of a Presbyterian minister, Ford received a good education, which included learning Latin. This was advantageous when he worked in plant sales for the Forestry Commission, before the Second World War. In the late 1940s, however, Ford turned to building and landscape gardening. He worked on the Busst house, an early mud-brick building designed by Alistair Knox and at the same time, Ford was employed by Ellis Stones. Knox described Ford as, ‘one of the funniest men of the district. ...Rocky’s (Ellis Stones) Depression stories and Gordon’s memory and quick tongue made the jobs the most enjoyable of all those hysterical times that made Eltham the centre of the eternal laugh, between the years of 1945 and 1950’.3 Ford’s house, like so many after the war, was built progressively, as more space was needed and formerly scarce materials became available. It began with an army-shed of timber-lined walls, now used as the kitchen. Ford then built what is now the lounge room, and the house grew ‘like topsy and on a shoestring,’ says his widow Gwen. A lot of second-hand materials such as window frames were used, a style made famous particularly with their extensive use at Montsalvat, the Eltham Artists’ Colony. The house was constructed as a joint venture with friends, including artist Clifton Pugh, who built Ford’s bedroom for £10. The polished floorboards and solomite (compressed straw) ceilings, interspersed with heavy beams, exude warmth. The result is a home of snug spaces, with soft light and garden vistas. Several other mud-brick buildings were constructed as needed, including a studio and units for bed-and-breakfast clients. The garden, which has been part of the Open Garden Scheme since the mid 1980s, is based on a balance of mass (plants) and void (paths and pools), textures and forms. It epitomises the Eltham style because of its relaxed informal ethos and attracts native animals. Wattlebirds, scrub wrens, pardalotes, currawongs, owls and even kangaroos, have been seen at Fulling. Gwen, a former English teacher who has worked on the garden since around 1970, urged and helped Ford write his book, The Natural Australian Garden.4 Several of Ford’s favourite trees are in the garden, including the native Casuarina or She-Oak. In spring, the garden is dusted with the purple Orthrosanthus multiflorus or blue native irises and rings with the calls of birds attracted to plants like the callistemons, correas and grevilleas.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham, fulling, gordon ford garden, pitt street, eltham mud brick buildings, mud brick house

One of Eltham's earliest settlers was James Orford. Born 1804 in Bedfordshire, the son of George, a carpenter and Lydia Barret, he and wife Sarah Amelia nee Moull (1807) arrived as Assisted Immigrants aboard the ship, ‘Orestes’, November 28, 1839 accompanied by their children, George (14), Mary Ann (11), and James (2). Originally settling in New South Wales, daughter Sarah Amelia was born at Braidwood in 1843 and son, Thomas Henry at Pambula in 1847. James was a carpenter who is known to have built the original gates to Eltham Cemetery. He died in 1869. Around 1890, his son Thomas Henry Orford was living in Pitt Street. Following the death of his wife Helen in 1899, Thomas was appointed by Joseph Panton to look after ‘Panton Park’, a 429-acre bushland property at the fork of Reynolds and Laughing Waters Roads, extending down to the Yarra River. His work entailed ringbarking the manna gums on the property to clear the land for pasture. Thomas lived in a slab hut with his son Ernie, who helped with the work. When Gordon Lyon purchased Panton Park in 1908, Thomas then worked for Lyon at both Panton Park and at ‘Banyule’, Lyon's stud farm at Heidelberg. In 1915 Lyon gave Thomas six acres of land in Reynolds Road with a two-roomed cottage. Thomas died in 1944 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife and his parents. Another of James Orford's sons was James Matthias Orford. He tried to grow food on land at the end of Laughing Waters Road, but without success. Reputedly the Wurundjeri taught him to swim. He was once imprisoned; when his friend Constable Lawlor invited him to inspect the new bluestone lock-up, Lawlor locked him in and wouldn't release him until he was promised two gallons of beer! ORFORD In Memory Of James 1804 -1869 Sarah Amelia 1807 - 1897 Their son Thomas Henry 1847 - 1944 His wife Helen Amelia 1854 - 1899Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak GC 400-9eltham cemetery, gravestones, helen amelia orford, james orford, sarah amelia orford, thomas henry orford, cemetery gates

One of Eltham's earliest settlers was James Orford. Born 1804 in Bedfordshire, the son of George, a carpenter and Lydia Barret, he and wife Sarah Amelia nee Moull (1807) arrived as Assisted Immigrants aboard the ship, ‘Orestes’, November 28, 1839 accompanied by their children, George (14), Mary Ann (11), and James (2). Originally settling in New South Wales, daughter Sarah Amelia was born at Braidwood in 1843 and son, Thomas Henry at Pambula in 1847. James was a carpenter who is known to have built the original gates to Eltham Cemetery. He died in 1869. Around 1890, his son Thomas Henry Orford was living in Pitt Street. Following the death of his wife Helen in 1899, Thomas was appointed by Joseph Panton to look after ‘Panton Park’, a 429-acre bushland property at the fork of Reynolds and Laughing Waters Roads, extending down to the Yarra River. His work entailed ringbarking the manna gums on the property to clear the land for pasture. Thomas lived in a slab hut with his son Ernie, who helped with the work. When Gordon Lyon purchased Panton Park in 1908, Thomas then worked for Lyon at both Panton Park and at ‘Banyule’, Lyon's stud farm at Heidelberg. In 1915 Lyon gave Thomas six acres of land in Reynolds Road with a two-roomed cottage. Thomas died in 1944 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife and his parents. Another of James Orford's sons was James Matthias Orford. He tried to grow food on land at the end of Laughing Waters Road, but without success. Reputedly the Wurundjeri taught him to swim. He was once imprisoned; when his friend Constable Lawlor invited him to inspect the new bluestone lock-up, Lawlor locked him in and wouldn't release him until he was promised two gallons of beer! ORFORD In Memory Of James 1804 -1869 Sarah Amelia 1807 - 1897 Their son Thomas Henry 1847 - 1944 His wife Helen Amelia 1854 - 1899Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, helen amelia orford, james orford, sarah amelia orford, thomas henry orford

Henry Dendy (1800-1881) is best known as the founder of Brighton. It is not well known that years later he lived far longer at Eltham than he did at Brighton. In 1840 whilst still in England, he bought eight square miles of unspecified land in the Port Phillip district. This entitled him to bring a number of other people to the colony and in 1841 he arrived in Williamstown in the York with his family and 139 others. He took up this land entitlement at what is now Brighton and most of the emigrants settled there. He encountered financial problems and lost his interest in the estate in 1844. He left Brighton in 1847. He successfully not always successfully became a brewer at Geelong, a sheep farmer at Christmas Hills and Upper Moira, a flour miller at Eltham, a sheep farmer again at Werribee and finally a copper miner at Walhalla. Dendy came to Eltham in 1856 after having spent a year in England, he purchased about 5 acres of land in two parts situated each side of Maria Street (Main Road). There was a steam flour mill on that part of the land adjoining the Diamond Creek. He became prominent in local affairs serving for a time on the Eltham District Roads Board including one term as President. Dendy’s wife Sarah died at Eltham in 1860 and also in that year he was appointed Chairman of a committee to establish a Church of England in Eltham. He donated one of his Pitt Street lots for this purpose. St Margaret’s Church was opened on this site in 1861. In 1867 Dendy sold his mill to W F Ford and moved to Werribee and then Walhalla where he remained until his death. He is buried in the Walhalla cemetery. Part of the land on which the Eltham Community Reception Centre stands was the site of Dendy’s house and Mill. Some of the old trees on the site could well have been planted in Dendy’s time. Much of this information was obtained from the book “Henry Dendy and his Emigrants” by L A Schumer. ISBN 095971040X Paperback; viii, 88 p. : maps ; 22 cm. [written inside front cover] To J.W. Wainbech(?) with the author's compliments and thanks. 22/12/75 [and signed by the author on the cover page]henry dendy, brighton (vic.), emmigration, pioneers

Board displaying names of record holders and times for various male and female swimming events between 1972 and 1988.These records are V.A.S.A. official times for records made in this Swimming Pool. 100m Freestyle: Female - 1973 Sue Robertson 1.10.70 100m Breast Stroke: Male - 1987 Brett Patching 1.22.87; Female - 1973 Sue Rosewarne 1.33.50 100m Backstroke: Male - 1985 Rob Bakker 1.17.32; Female - 1973 Sue Rosewarne 1.19.20 100m Butterfly: Male - 1987 Bruce Johnson 1.10.05; Female - 1972 Sue Rosewarne 1.16.80 200m Freestyle: Male - 1988 Brett Patching 2.24.43; Female - 1974 Sue Rosewarne 2.26.00 200m Breast Stroke: Male - 1975 David Pitts 3.16.80 200m Backstroke: Male - 1974 Anthony Saddington 2.54.40; Female - 1976 Anne Lord 3.20.30 200m Butterfly: Female - 1973 Sue Rosewarne 2.56.50 200m Medley: Male - 1988 Bruce Johnson 2.43.36; Female - 1973 Sue Rosewarne 3.25.20 400m Freestyle: 800m Frestyle: 1500m Freestyle: Male - 1984 Rob Fry 2.05.70; Female - Vicki Fry 27.28.5 This board was presented by Neptune Swimming Pools Pty Ltd of Ringwood.

Tyrrell George Granville Evans was born on 17th August 1892 Enlisted (No. 789) 7 July 1915 as a Private and was assigned to the 31st Battalion. Promoted to Sergeant 1 Nov 1915. Disembarked Suez 7 Feb 1916 Admitted to 32nd Stat. Hospital in France 21 July 1916 with a gunshot wound to the left arm. According to daughter-in-law, Janet Evans, on 19 July 1916, in the battle near Pozieres on the Somme, he was hit by a German high explosive shell and was unconscious and badly wounded. His left arm was shattered, and he had a bullet wound on his leg. Embarked at Boulogne on H.S. Cambria for Middlesex War Hospital, England 24 July 1916. Evans returned to Australia and was discharged medically unfit, 7 April 1917. After months in the Caulfield Hospital his arm could not be saved, and it was amputated 18 July 1917. On July 6, 1918, Tyrrell George Granville Evans married Mary Pitt Withers at Eltham, daughter of artist Walter Herbert Withers (deceased) and wife Fanny (nee Flinn). They had three children, Mary Roberta Evans born February 8, 1921, at Balwyn and twins Shirley and Joyce born June 10, 1922. Mary died 17 days later, June 27, 1922, at Balwyn. Tyrrell had to cope with three children under three years old and a missing left arm. He had been lefthanded before his war injuries. He had help from the family, especially his sister. On August 1, 1924, Tyrrell George Granville Evans married Marian Frances Wilcox and they had two children: Barbara Marian, born 27 July 1925 and Tyrrell Granville, born 3 July 1928. The children were all brought up together in Glen Iris. Tyrrell became renowned as a one-armed golfer and tennis player. He was Senior Vice-President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria and was on the committee of the Metropolitan Golf Club. At the time of his retirement, he was General Manager of the Colonial Meat Company. Tyrrell died September 3, 1962 and was succeeded by sixteen grandchildren. Contributed to by Janet Evans (daughter-in-law), 27 May 2024Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, 1916, tyrrell george granville evans, x-ray, mary pitt withers

Henry Dendy (1800-1881) was an early settler of Eltham where he operated a flour mill. He donated land for the construction of St Margaret's Anglican Church. EDHS Newsletter No. 168 May 2006 Dendy is best known as the founder of Brighton, but it is not so well known that years later he lived at Eltham for far longer than he lived at Brighton. In 1840 while still in England he bought eight square miles of unspecified land in the Port Phillip District. This entitled him to bring a number of other persons to the colony and in 1841 he arrived at Williamstown in the "York" with his family and 139 others. He took up his land entitlement at what is now Brighton and most of the emigrants settled there. He encountered financial problems and lost his interest in the estate in 1844. He left Brighton in 1847. He successively but not always successfully became a brewer at Geelong, a sheep farmer at Christmas Hills and Upper Moira, a flour miller at Eltham; a sheep farmer again at Werribee and finally a copper miner at Walhalla. Dendy came to Eltham in 1856 after having spent a year in England. The total of the two parcels of land that he bought was about 5 acres (2 hectares) and it included the steam flour mill. . He became prominent in local affairs, serving for a time on the Eltham District Road Board, including one year as President. Dendy' s wife Sarah died at Eltham in 1860 and also in that year he was appointed chairman of a committee to establish a Church of England in Eltham. He donated one of his Pitt Street lots for this purpose and St Margaret's was opened in 1861. In 1867 Dendy sold his mill to W. F. Ford and moved to Werribee and then Walhalla where he remained until his death. He is buried in the Walhalla cemetery. No sign of Dendy's house or mill remain on the Community Centre site but some of the old trees running along the former boundary through the centre of the site could well have been planted in Dendy' s time. Much of this information was obtained from the book ''Henry Dendy and his Emigrants" by L.A. Schumer (Sallas Books 1975). The Society has an extensive file of Dendy information, much of it provided by the late Leslie Schumer. Manilla folder of information. Includes Folder 88 from Harry Gilham Collection which includes EDHS tour notes of St Margaret's Anglican Church, Eltham, 2012, copy of newspaper article, Diamond Valley News, December 15, 1981, copy of newspaper article, The Advertiser, September 2, 1932, photocopy of photograph of graves at Walhalla Cemetery and Warringal Cemetery, photocopies, 6 pages from an unsourced book. henry dendy, st margaret's anglican church, catholic section, eltham cemetery, harry gilham collection, sarah dendy, walhalla 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

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

Historic summary of Croydon comprised largely of early and contemporary photographs - Geoff Arnott, John Hutchinson, Les Hutchinson, Marjorie Meeuwsen, Croydon Historical Society Inc.Foreword by Cr. Les Willmott, J.P. - last mayor of the former City of Croydon. Acknowledgments: In the production of any book, many people play a part, be it financially or the giving of time with their knowledge and expertise in specialised areas, which concludes with a quality production - a book that is attractive, informative and accurate. We believe this book fits the description handsomely, and should bring joy and pleasant memories to many former and current residents of Croydon. To people who don't know very much about Croydon, this book will most certainly enlighten them. This has been a team effort, with many people playing important roles. With all this in mind, we would like to thank the following: The Maroondah City Council The Australian National Library Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Hutchinson Legal of Ringwood Sue Pitt, Alan Bennett and staff of the Croydon Library David and Ron Jewell Andrew Potts Adrian Arnott Elsie Bolwell Lyn Lynch Nick Anchen Cr Les Wilmott JP The Neville Family Bounty Print Dawn Gubb Photo courtesy of Leader Newspaper Press on pages 87, 90 and 113

Has recently been framed and laminatedFramed list of pennants signifying ships and signals hand drawn with coloured pencil in 1915 on paper. Later corrections made in 1933 in black penM. H. T./SIGNALS/FOR THE USE OF FLOATING PLANT OCT 1915 1915/Corrected Feb 1933/ HUME/ J. A. BOYD/WILLIAM PITT/WILLIAM STRONG/CHAS DUCKETT/EDWARD NORTHCOTE/ H C PIGGOTT/BATMAN/FAWKNER/FRANCIS DUNCAN/WILLIAM ANDREWS/COMMISSIONER/PENGUIN (at Geelong)/ RED BIRD/GELLIBRAND/MOTOR BOAT NO 2 TATEGAMI/MOTOR BOAT NO 3/MOTOR BOAT NO 4/ENGINEER/HARBOR MASTER/LADY STANLEY/HOVELL/ W. S. MOUNTAIN/W.M. COWPER/G.F.H./D. YORK SYME/ SUPER of DREDGING/ASSISTANT/HARBOR MASTER/SUPER of MACHINERY/ELECTRICIAN/INSP of DREDGING/INSP of MACHINERY/INSPECTOR WHARVES/(F WILLIAMS)/INSPECTOR DOCKING/& SHIPWRIGHTS/DIVERS WANTED/ACCIDENT SEND/MEDICAL ASSISTANCE/WAITING FOR/EMPTY BARGES/DREDGING STOPPED/WEATHER UNFAVOURABLE/TAKE AWAY/EMPTY BARGES/TUG WANTED/DERRICK PUNT/WANTED/TAKE DERRICK/PUNT AWAY/TAKE AWAY/COAL BARGE/BUCKETS FOULED/OBSTRUCTION SEND/DERRICK PUNT &/DIVERS/ DREDGING STOPPED/REPAIRING/DREDGING RESUMED/ B. Harris 16.8.15/ Drawing No 3415melbourne harbour trust (mba)

In 1983, the National Trust advised the Shire of Eltham that it was investigating a number of trees within the shire which had been nominated for recording the Register of Significant Trees of Victoria. The trees involved were described in the Shire of Eltham Historical Society Newsletter No. 29, March 1983 as follows:- 1. Eucalyptus melliadora (Yellow box) . a) An outstanding mature specimen 42 metres high in Laughing Waters Road, Eltham. b) Another mature specimen in Arthurs Creek road, Hurstbridge is reported to be the tree under which the bushranger Robert Bourke was tied after he shot and killed Henry Hurst in 1866 . 2. Quercus robur (English Oak). a) "Donaldson's Oak", Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground was planted by John Donaldson from seed collected from Windsor Great Park in 1878. b) "Wippells Oak". This now misshapen tree is located on the St. Andrews Road near the Kangaroo Ground Fire Station. Its origins may have been similar to Donaldson's Oak, and as a young tree it apparently slipped from higher up the hill during wet weather. Both oaks are of local historical importance. 3. Eucalyptus globulus (Blue Gum). A large mature specimen at the corner of the Kangaroo Ground-St. Andrews Road and Bakehouse Road, Panton Hill. 4. Plantanas acerifolia (Plane tree) A number of trees forming the Avenue of Honour to Eltham's First World War soldiers along Main Road between Dalton and Pitt Streets, Eltham. 5. Pinus canariensis (Canary Island Pine), Pinus pinea, (Stone pine) and Cedras altlantica, (Cedar) These trees are located at the Hurst family graves in the grounds of the Hurstbridge Pre-school Centre. In 1991 the Shire of Eltham introduced controls into its planning scheme to protect sites of architectural, historic or conservation interest and significant trees. The controls were approved by the Minister for Planning and Housing. As advised in the Shire of Eltham Historical Society Newsletter No. 78, May 1991, a planning permit is required to demolish or alter any listed building or to destroy, lop or remove any listed tree. Provision is made for comments to be obtained from the National Trust or Historic Buildings Council in considering any applications. The buildings and trees listed were: Buildings: 250 Bolton Street Eltham (former Walter Withers home) "Rosehill" - Bonds Road Lower Plenty St Andrews Church of England - St Andrews "Montsalvat" - Hillcrest Avenue Eltham St Margarets Church and former vicarage - Pitt Street Eltham Presbyterian Church - Kangaroo Ground Parks and Environment Office (former police quarters) Main Road Eltham Former Court House - Main Road Eltham "Shillinglaw Cottage" - Main Road Eltham "The Robins" - Kangaroo Ground Road Warrandyte Trees: "Donaldsons Oak" - Donaldsons Road Kangaroo Ground Yellow Box - Laughing Waters Road Eltham Yellow Box - Arthurs Creek Road Hurstbridge Wippells Oak - St Andrews Road Kanqaroo Road Pines and Cedar - Hurst family cemetery Greysharps Road Hurstbridge Yellow Box - Parsons Road Eltham A large Blue Gum at Panton Hill has been listed but has recently died (1991). In 1993 work by Council Parks and Environment staff and volunteers resulted in the preparation of a Significant Tree Register listing forty-one trees or groups of trees. According to Shire of Eltham Historical Society Newsletter No. 91, March 1993, a similar number remained to be assessed for inclusion in the register. There is a wide range of indigenous and planted trees on private and public land and extending through the Shire of Eltham from Lower Plenty to Kinglake. Most can be viewed from publicly accessible locations. The Significant Tree Register lists 41 trees or groups of trees throughout the Shire. It contains a wide range of naturally occurring and planted trees. They have been assessed according to eleven criteria including size, age, rarity, historical value and the like. The list includes large old Red Gums at Lower Plenty, historic Oaks at Kangaroo Ground and Mountain Ash at Kinglake. The register includes a set of slides showing each tree. Garry Bartlett of the Council's Parks and Environment Section and Faye Shepherd were extensively involved in establishment of the register (Newsletter No. 93, November 1993). In 1999 Niliumbik planners prepared an amendment to the Planning Scheme to provide protection for approximately 200 of the places listed in the heritage studies and also in the Significant Tree Register commenced by the Eltham Council (Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter No. 127, July 1999. In 2004, The Register of Significant Trees was presented to the Eltham District Historical Society by Nillumbik Shire Council as part of a wider collection of of its memorabilia of the former Eltham Shire Council (EDHS Newsletter No. 159, July 2004. Album of loose handmade paper sheets contained within a handmade slip cover constructed of handcrafted card with encapsulated flora material (flowers, vines, ferns) and tinted. Each page also contains an embedded/adhered fern leaf also tinted with lacqueur or similar, text as appropriate in ink by hand calligraphy. Each page also has a white protective sheet cut to size and adhered to back surface with sticky tape and folded over face of page. Pages variously have photographs and coloured masks adhered with a gum resin. Over time much of this resin has let go and photos/masks have been reattached using acid free archival safe adhesive. 15 pages 41 x 29 cm inclusive of 3 blank pages. Slip case 42 x 30 x 1 cm; face cover of slip case has broken off at left hand margin as insufficient depth/flexibility for contents.arthurs creek road, blue gum (eucalyptus globulus), canary island pine (pinus canariensis), couties road, donaldsons oak, donaldsons road, eltham, english oak (quercus robur), eucalyptus melliodora, graysharps road, hurst tree, hurstbridge, ironbark (eucalyptus tricarpa), ironbark hill, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground-kinglake road, laughing waters road, panton hill hotel, panton hill, parsons road, significant trees register, sonia van bodegraven, sonjart, stone pine (pinus pinea). atlantic cedar (cedrus atlantica), wippells oak, yellow box gum (eucalyptus melliodora), yellow box gum

Various family scenes taken from outside the family home on the southeast corner of the intersection of Nyora Road and Pitt Street with Eucalyptus Road. Also, scenes of the Stokes Orchard and equipment used, construction of water reservoir at the end of Nyora Road near Reynolds Road and Diosma Road as well as early stages of the Stokes Orchard housing development. Frank Stokes worked as a qualified accountant at Kennons leather factory in Burnley, while living at 1 Thomas Street, Mitcham. He suffered from migraines and wanted to go back to the land (he had previously worked on farms and orchards since coming to Australia in 1926 both in WA and Vic.). He first travelled to the district by train in July 1942 to find land with the intention to establish an orchard. By chance he met Arthur Bird of Bird Orchard (bounded by Pitt Street, Eucalyptus Road and Wattle Grove) and they got talking over their common interest. Arthur put Frank up for the night and pointed out the land, 158 acres- Taylor Estate- £900, part of Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik (CA15) somewhat diagonally opposite Bird Orchard. He applied through the Riverina Agency to purchase the land who in turn had to get permission from Canberra to sell as there was a new government regulation banning land sales except for immediate production. He obtained a loan on his Mitcham house of £600 @ 5% and paid £450 deposit with quarterly payments of £15 over 5 years. The title to the property was issued May 15, 1946. He was helped and advised by Arthur Bird who farmed the neighbouring orchard. Early 1943 he took possession and would catch the train out to Eltham on Fridays after work and began building a hut for shelter and to lock up tools. He was able to pay a neighbour (Hawkins) to help with clearing and fencing 25 acres and with a horse and single furrowed plow, planted approximately 2,500 fruit trees - cherries, peaches, plums, almonds, pears, apricots and lemons as well as a few apples and oranges; a massive job. A huge problem was hares and rabbits eating all the new buds off the tiny trees. As well as laying poison he painted the trees with a mixture of cow manure and lime. Often working by moonlight. It was extremely difficult to get wire and wire netting because of the war but after much effort he obtained a permit from the Agricultural Department for supplies in March 1944. In February 1945 he applied for a permit to build a “packing shed” as no house building allowed. It was to be 33 feet x 21 feet and cost £312. Constructed mostly from second-hand materials, which was hard to obtain, especially iron for roofing. Frank finished work at Kennons October 31, 1945, and in March 1946 he sold the Mitcham house for £1230 plus £170 for furniture. The family of five then moved into a very unfinished at Eltham, which was a struggle to weatherproof. Eventually rooms were divided off and lined with hessian bags and whitewashed. Their income was firewood (cut and sold), selling rockery stones and cut sweet bursaria. (It was discovered during the 1940s that Bursaria contained the sunscreen compound Aesculin. The RAAF utilised this compound from Bursaria during WW2 for pilots and gunners.) The orchard’s first fruit sale was a 1/2 case of Le Vanq peaches in December 1947 - 8 shillings. In 1956 plans for house were drawn and Glen Iris bricks purchased (1956 Olympic Rings variant). The building of the house commenced in 1957 - 12 feet of original packing shed removed – and was completed in 1959. Water was connected from newly built pressure storage on the property at the end of 1959 and the electricity connection for the first time at 3pm on April 29, 1960. In the mid-1970s the Shire of Eltham divided the orchard up into numerous rate-able parcel lots, which became unaffordable for Frank. Consequently, Stokes Orchard was turned into a housing development by Macquarie Builders and marketed as the Stokes Orchard Estate in two stages; Stage 1 encompassing Scarlet Ash Court, Ironbark Close and Peppermint Grove bounded by Nyora and Eucalyptus roads c.1976 and Stage 2 encompassing Stokes Place, Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout bound by Nyora and Diosma roads c.1979. The development of Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout did not proceed as planned due to the lack of the sewer along Diosma Road and so many of the proposed lots were incorporated into five-acre parcels instead. With the arrival of the sewer along Diosma Road many years later, most of these five-acre parcels have since been subdivided many times.Representative of the orchard growing areas of ElthamMP4 00:24:39; 426MB Digital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a DVD copy on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes. 24 min duration compilation of home movie Super 8mm film shot by Frank Stokes brother-in-law.beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, frank stokes, nyora road, stokes orchard, stokes orchard estate, stokes place, video recording

Present day Google Street View https://goo.gl/maps/PZZMoEdJYUXbgf4a8 Tyrrell George Granville Evans was born on 17th August 1892 Enlisted (No. 789) 7 July 1915 as a Private and was assigned to the 31st Battalion. Promoted to Sergeant 1 Nov 1915. Disembarked Suez 7 Feb 1916 Admitted to 32nd Stat. Hospital in France 21 July 1916 with a gunshot wound to the left arm. According to daughter-in-law, Janet Evans, on 19 July 1916, in the battle near Pozieres on the Somme, he was hit by a German high explosive shell and was unconscious and badly wounded. His left arm was shattered, and he had a bullet wound on his leg. Embarked at Boulogne on H.S. Cambria for Middlesex War Hospital, England 24 July 1916. Evans returned to Australia and was discharged medically unfit, 7 April 1917. After months in the Caulfield Hospital his arm could not be saved, and it was amputated 18 July 1917. On July 6, 1918, Tyrrell George Granville Evans married Mary Pitt Withers at Eltham, daughter of artist Walter Herbert Withers (deceased) and wife Fanny (nee Flinn). They had three children, Mary Roberta Evans born February 8, 1921, at Balwyn and twins Shirley and Joyce born June 10, 1922. Mary died 17 days later, June 27, 1922, at Balwyn. Tyrrell had to cope with three children under three years old and a missing left arm. He had been lefthanded before his war injuries. He had help from the family, especially his sister. On August 1, 1924, Tyrrell George Granville Evans married Marian Frances Wilcox and they had two children: Barbara Marian, born 27 July 1925 and Tyrrell Granville, born 3 July 1928. The children were all brought up together in Glen Iris. Tyrrell became renowned as a one-armed golfer and tennis player. He was Senior Vice-President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria and was on the committee of the Metropolitan Golf Club. At the time of his retirement, he was General Manager of the Colonial Meat Company. Tyrrell died September 3, 1962 and was succeeded by sixteen grandchildren. Contributed to by Janet Evans (daughter-in-law), 27 May 2024Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, tyrrell george granville evans, mary pitt withers, 1917, bolton steet, scan - 620 format 6x9 negative, southernwood

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

No. 11 AGH X-Ray Department photo of a gun shot wound to left arm suffered July 1916 in France by C.S.M. Tyrrell George Evans, Sern. 789, 31st Battalion, AIF Tyrrell George Granville Evans was born on 17th August 1892 Enlisted (No. 789) 7 July 1915 as a Private and was assigned to the 31st Battalion. Promoted to Sergeant 1 Nov 1915. Disembarked Suez 7 Feb 1916 Admitted to 32nd Stat. Hospital in France 21 July 1916 with a gunshot wound to the left arm. According to daughter-in-law, Janet Evans, on 19 July 1916, in the battle near Pozieres on the Somme, he was hit by a German high explosive shell and was unconscious and badly wounded. His left arm was shattered, and he had a bullet wound on his leg. Embarked at Boulogne on H.S. Cambria for Middlesex War Hospital, England 24 July 1916. Evans returned to Australia and was discharged medically unfit, 7 April 1917. After months in the Caulfield Hospital his arm could not be saved, and it was amputated 18 July 1917. On July 6, 1918, Tyrrell George Granville Evans married Mary Pitt Withers at Eltham, daughter of artist Walter Herbert Withers (deceased) and wife Fanny (nee Flinn). They had three children, Mary Roberta Evans born February 8, 1921, at Balwyn and twins Shirley and Joyce born June 10, 1922. Mary died 17 days later, June 27, 1922, at Balwyn. Tyrrell had to cope with three children under three years old and a missing left arm. He had been lefthanded before his war injuries. He had help from the family, especially his sister. On August 1, 1924, Tyrrell George Granville Evans married Marian Frances Wilcox and they had two children: Barbara Marian, born 27 July 1925 and Tyrrell Granville, born 3 July 1928. The children were all brought up together in Glen Iris. Tyrrell became renowned as a one-armed golfer and tennis player. He was Senior Vice-President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria and was on the committee of the Metropolitan Golf Club. At the time of his retirement, he was General Manager of the Colonial Meat Company. Tyrrell died September 3, 1962 and was succeeded by sixteen grandchildren. Contributed to by Janet Evans (daughter-in-law), 27 May 2024Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, 1916, gun shot wound, tyrrell george granville evans, x-ray, mary pitt withers

Sketch of walking route for 17 historical points of interest organised by the Ringwood Historical Society for St. Paul's Church Centenary Celebrations - 14 October 1979, estimated duration 2-1/4hours.1 - Start 2 - Cnr Braeside Avenue, old township, brickworks 1881-1916, Guests, Herrys, Hills 3 - Club Hotel, Ringwood Hall, 1st site of C of E church corner 4 - Ringwood Lake, Anthony Ford - pioneer 5 - Opposite Bardia Street, Sandy Gully, Duncan's Hotel 6 - Opposite Pratt Street, 2nd site of C of E, 2nd fire station, Bentleys, old shopping centre 7 - Warrandyte Road, Former Clocktower site, Pratts butcher shop, Bamfords 8 - End of Pitt Street, building viaduct 9 - Bedford Road, Webdales, old crossing, railway station 10 - Station Street, views over railways 11 - Station entrance, old shopping centre, 2nd Postoffice, 2nd blacksmiths, Mechanics Institute, Town Hall 12 - Clocktower, 3rd State School, coolstores, 3rd Postoffice, market, Kenworthys 13 - Opposite market, 3rd site of C of E, Ringwood views 14 - Adelaide Street, Dickens, 1st fire station, Ringwood Reserve 15 - Opposite squash courts, Matlocks, Salvation Army 16 - Opposite library, bowling club, old baths 17 - Outside C of E, Ringwood views, Brittens, Glamorgan

Produced by Contour Consultants Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of Dallas Price Homes Pty Ltd as part of the planning process for redevelopment of the former Eltham Shire Office site at 895 Main Road. In 1963 the Shire of Eltham purchased the Shillinglaw property of approximately 2 acres in Main Road, Eltham for the widening of Main Road and as a site for new Council offices. This land, which contained the Shillinglaw Cottage (c1878-80), was the remaining section of the Shillinglaw family holding that originally comprised 30 acres, being Lot 90 of Holloway's 1851 subdivision. Eltham Council intended to demolish this cottage, but through extensive community action it was saved, funds were raised, and it was relocated to the current site adjacent to the Eltham Library. The new Eltham Shire Offices opened in 1965 were designed to ensure retention of the three Italian Cypress trees that were located outside the Shillinglaw Cottage. In 1971 the building was extended at the southern end to provide additional space, including for the Eltham Library and Council's Engineering Department. Renovations were undertaken to the offices during 1987. The Victorian State Government commenced to restructure local government in 1994, which resulted in the establishment of the Shire of Nillumbik and the cessation of the Shire of Eltham. This new Nillumbik Shire Council was headed by government appointed commissioners, who decided in 1995 to put the former Eltham Shire offices on the market. Eventually in June 1996 the property was sold for $1.1 million and the building was subsequently demolished. A planning application for the site was then submitted to Nillumbik Shire Council in September 1996 for construction of a 24-hour service station, convenience store, cafe/takeaway food premises, a retail facility and community facility. There were many objections to this proposed development and in controversial circumstances a planning permit was granted by the Nillumbik Shire Council commissioners. After protracted actions involving a planning panel and a planning advisory committee, established by the Minister for Local Government, the proposal was eventually rejected as not satisfying the requirements of the planning scheme. In December 1997 the purchaser withdrew from the contract of sale, just prior to Council announcing a withdrawal from the contract. While there have been a number of possible development proposals considered by subsequent Nillumbik Shire Councils, this site has remained vacant since July 1996. TIMELINE (Prepared by Jim Connor, Eltham District Historical Society- March 2018- Based on press, council and personal records) June 1996 - Eltham Shire offices sold to Dallas Price Homes for $1.1 million. July 1996 - Shire office building demolished against community's wishes. Council claimed building riddled with asbestos. September 1996 - Planning application submitted to Nillumbik Shire Council to construct on the site a 24 hours Shell service station, convenience store, Hungry Jacks café/takeaway food premises, a retail facility and community facility. 213 objections and petition of over 1400 signatures received. Minister for Planning and Local Government orders an independent investigation into valuation and sale. 9 October 1996 - Permit granted by Nillumbik Shire Council commissioners, in controversial circumstances. A Planning Special Committee consisting of 3 commissioners and 3 community representatives considered 32 community objections. One commissioner declared a potential conflict of interest so only 2 commissioners were able to vote. After hearing all objections, the community representatives moved a foreshadowed motion to refuse a permit. The commissioners then closed the meeting, formerly opened a council meeting (for about a minute) and approved the application. October 1996 - Community members appealed planning decision to Administrative Appeals Tribunal. November 1996 -Minister for Planning and Local Government Robert McClelland calls appeal in and directs MT to refer this 'major policy issue' to the Governor in Council. February 1997 - Planning panel (Dimity Reed and Margaret Pitt) established to consider submissions. March 1997 - New council elected with five councillors. April 1997 - Three of the five new councillors vote to fight Commissioner's decision to grant a permit. April 1997 - Planning panel (Dimity Reed and Margaret Pitt) conducts hearings at Nillumbik Shire offices. June 1997 -Planning panel rejected Dallas Price Homes proposal as being 'totally inappropriate' for the site and recommends the site be rezoned for 'public purposes'. July 1997 - Dallas Price Homes threatened to sue Council and individual councillors. October 1997 - Report released of an Advisory Committee (Paul Jerome) established by the Minister for Planning and Local Government. Committee considered Dallas Price Homes proposal and an alternative concept plan proposal by Council for a gallery, workshop, offices and cinema community-based development. Advisory Committee recommended Dallas Price Homes proposal be rejected as not satisfying the requirements of the planning scheme and recommended further testing of the financial viability of Council's proposal. December 1997 - Dallas Price Homes withdrew from the contract of sale, just prior to Council announcing a withdrawal from the contract, which expired on 28th November and was not renewed by either side, after previously being extended twice pending a decision by the Minister. Council had to pay developer $58,000 for demolition costs. February 1998 - Dallas Price Homes application rejected by Planning and Local Government Minister. October 1998 - Nillumbik Councillors suspended and an Administrator appointed (until March 1999). 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 cottage, shillinglaw farm, shillinglaw trees, jim connor collection

This old footbidge is situated close to the shack that Gordon Ford built on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg also used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, bernie's hut, birrarung, footbridge, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river

George Bird was born in England in 1845 and arrived in Australia in 1856 as a child of assisted migrants. Soon afterwards he came out to Eltham to live with his uncle George Stebbings, working for him as bricklayer's assistant in building, amongst others, Shillinglaw Cottage and the Anglican and Methodist Churches in Eltham. He later purchased 72 acres at the eastern end of Pitt Street (bounded by Eucalyptus Road, Mount Pleasant Road and present-day Rockliffe Street) and established the property ‘View Hill’, which was worked as a mixed farm and orchard (including berries). In 1878 he married Janet Kilpatrick, who had emigrated from Scotland. They had ten children, three of whom died in infancy. The wedding in 1904 of their eldest surviving daughter Sarah (‘Sis’) to Edward Pepper appears to have been quite a society event. George was a staunch Methodist and was a Church Steward and a Sunday School Superintendent in about 1890. Janet died in 1915 and George died in 1920 (though his gravestone says 1921). George's will stated that his property was to be divided between all his children in equal shares. This necessitated subdivision of the View Hill property, which took place progressively between 1922 and 1926. One son, George Hugh Bird, operated a drapery store in Main Road (near Bridge Street) in around 1915. Later, in the 1920s, he ran a greengrocer's shop (also selling confectionery) in Main Road opposite Eltham Station. It was the first shop in Eltham to have plate glass windows. At the same time, his brother Reg had a grocery store on the station side of Main Road. George and Janet are buried together in a family plot in Eltham Cemetery. Several descendants are also buried in the cemetery. In Loving Memory Of George Bird Died 5 December 1921 aged 76 years And his beloved wife Janet Bird Died 5 Sept 1915 aged 57 years Also their children William James Bird Died 25 Feb 1888 aged 8 years Mary Jane Bird Died 8 Oct 1891 aged 7 years Pte Edwin John Bird Killed in action in the Great War 11 Aug 1918 aged 30 years Buried in France And on the base stone George Hugh Bird Died 26 Feb. 1965. Aged 79 years Arthur Andrew Bird Died 25 Mar. 1970 Aged 75 years To the left In Loving Memory of Dr. J. R. (Roger) Bird 1927 2001 Son of Arthur & Helen (nee Lyon) Bird Husband of Betty Father of Janet & Alison Grandpa of Evan & Helen Scientist & Gentleman To the right In Loving Memory of Harold Edwin Bird OAM 1922 - 2015 Son of Arthur & Helen (nee Lyon) Bird Husband of Yvonne Father of Estell & Russell In our hearts Forever moreBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, arthur andrew bird, arthur bird, edwin john bird, george bird, george hugh bird, harold edwin bird, helen bird (nee lyon), j. r. (roger) bird, janet bird (nee kilpatrick), william james bird, yvonne bird

George Bird was born in England in 1845 and arrived in Australia in 1856 as a child of assisted migrants. Soon afterwards he came out to Eltham to live with his uncle George Stebbings, working for him as bricklayer's assistant in building, amongst others, Shillinglaw Cottage and the Anglican and Methodist Churches in Eltham. He later purchased 72 acres at the eastern end of Pitt Street (bounded by Eucalyptus Road, Mount Pleasant Road and present-day Rockliffe Street) and established the property ‘View Hill’, which was worked as a mixed farm and orchard (including berries). In 1878 he married Janet Kilpatrick, who had emigrated from Scotland. They had ten children, three of whom died in infancy. The wedding in 1904 of their eldest surviving daughter Sarah (‘Sis’) to Edward Pepper appears to have been quite a society event. George was a staunch Methodist and was a Church Steward and a Sunday School Superintendent in about 1890. Janet died in 1915 and George died in 1920 (though his gravestone says 1921). George's will stated that his property was to be divided between all his children in equal shares. This necessitated subdivision of the View Hill property, which took place progressively between 1922 and 1926. One son, George Hugh Bird, operated a drapery store in Main Road (near Bridge Street) in around 1915. Later, in the 1920s, he ran a greengrocer's shop (also selling confectionery) in Main Road opposite Eltham Station. It was the first shop in Eltham to have plate glass windows. At the same time, his brother Reg had a grocery store on the station side of Main Road. George and Janet are buried together in a family plot in Eltham Cemetery. Several descendants are also buried in the cemetery. In Loving Memory Of George Bird Died 5 December 1921 aged 76 years And his beloved wife Janet Bird Died 5 Sept 1915 aged 57 years Also their children William James Bird Died 25 Feb 1888 aged 8 years Mary Jane Bird Died 8 Oct 1891 aged 7 years Pte Edwin John Bird Killed in action in the Great War 11 Aug 1918 aged 30 years Buried in France And on the base stone George Hugh Bird Died 26 Feb. 1965. Aged 79 years Arthur Andrew Bird Died 25 Mar. 1970 Aged 75 years To the left In Loving Memory of Dr. J. R. (Roger) Bird 1927 2001 Son of Arthur & Helen (nee Lyon) Bird Husband of Betty Father of Janet & Alison Grandpa of Evan & Helen Scientist & Gentleman To the right In Loving Memory of Harold Edwin Bird OAM 1922 - 2015 Son of Arthur & Helen (nee Lyon) Bird Husband of Yvonne Father of Estell & Russell In our hearts Forever moreeltham cemetery, gravestones, memorials, arthur andrew bird, arthur bird, edwin john bird, george bird, george hugh bird, harold edwin bird, helen bird (nee lyon), j. r. (roger) bird, j.r. (roger) bird, janet bird, janet bird (nee kilpatrick), william james bird, yvonne bird