The Rob Roy Hill Climb originated in 1935 on the property of former Heidelberg Mayor, William Clinton, where he reared the Rob Roy breed of miniature ponies. He established Pleasure Grounds on part of the property attracting groups of Sunday visitors from Melbourne's inner suburbs. Visitors enjoyed a picnic area, pony rides, a dance hall and a tap room. Young men would ride their BSA or Harley Davidson motorcycles to the property which led to regular club-organised hillclimb meetings between 1930 and 1936. In 1935 Clinton offered the use of his property to the Light Car Club of Australia for their hillclimbs. The track was sealed that same year and the hillclimb at Clintons Road was one of only three specially designed bitumen surface hillclimbs in the world, the others being Shelsey Walsh and Prescott Hillclimbs in the UK. The first Light Car Club of Australia hillclimb was held at Rob Roy in February 1937. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p133 About six times a year the unlikely sound of car engines emerges from deep in the heart of Christmas Hills.* Usually a quiet retreat, the Hills are home to one of the world’s oldest purpose-built motor sport venues - the Rob Roy Hillclimb. When sealed in 1939, the hillclimb at Clintons Road was one of only three specially designed bitumen surface hillclimbs in the world, the others being Shelsley Walsh and Prescott Hillclimbs in the UK.1 The Rob Roy Hillclimb originated in 1935 on the property of former Heidelberg mayor, William Clinton, where he reared the Rob Roy breed of miniature ponies. Rob Roy was the Scottish folk hero and outlaw. On part of his property Clinton established Pleasure Grounds, attracting Sunday parties from Melbourne’s inner suburbs. Visitors enjoyed a picnic area, pony rides, a dance hall and a tap room.2 Young men riding on their BSA or Harley Davidson bikes led to club-organised regular hillclimb meetings, between 1930 and 1936. In 1935 Clinton offered his property to the Light Car Club of Australia for their hillclimbs. In February 1937, the first Light Car Club of Australia hillclimb meeting was held at Rob Roy. Jack Day achieved the fastest time that day for the 760 yard (695m) track at 36 seconds in a Ford V8 engined Bugatti Special. At first the climb was just a dusty gravel track, but in 1939 it was up-graded and bituminised. Today the 695 metre track begins on a slight incline, proceeds through a sharp right turn, which formerly passed a rusty iron shed, now remembered by the name Tin Shed Corner. The track continues down a slight incline to a level stretch along the top of an embankment holding back a half-acre (0.2ha) dam, then up to a one-in-three gradient. The track then winds uphill through several left turns to the finish line. In 1939 Frank Kleinig reduced the record to 29.72 seconds in an MG Hudson. Throughout World War Two the Rob Roy Hillclimbs were suspended, but were resumed in 1947. The hillclimbs consistently attracted crowds averaging 500 to 600 people, peaking at 2000, until the hillclimb was destroyed by the 1962 bushfires. The meetings included nine Australian Hillclimb Championships, with the first in 1938 won by Peter Whitehead in his ERA. Eight of the Outright and Class record holders were Australian Grand Prix winners including Jack Brabham, who became a triple F1 World Champion. The Light Car Club of Australia held 61 meetings at Rob Roy. Events usually included Touring, Gran Turismo, Production, Sports, Racing and Vintage cars and in the latter years Go-carts. These meets suddenly stopped after the 1962 bushfire destroyed the access bridge on the property leading to the track area, although fortunately Clinton saved his home. The club then established the Lakeland Hillclimb venue close to Lilydale.3 From 1979 to 1987 the MG Car Club ran hill climbs at the Templestowe Hillclimb until the land was to be sub-divided. In 1991 the MGCC approached the Shire of Nillumbik about using the derelict Rob Roy venue. In 1992, after much lobbying, the club signed a ten-year lease from Melbourne Water, which has been renewed. The original track was faithfully reconstructed. Access roads were improved and guard rails were installed on the causeway. Permanent structures were rebuilt and tonnes of rubbish removed. This was made possible by an immense amount of voluntary work by MGCC members and financial support from the newly formed Friends of Rob Roy. In February 1993 the first Return to Rob Roy Historic Meeting was run with a huge spectator attendance of around 1000 enthusiasts. In September 2007, the Nillumbik Shire Council gave the hillclimb heritage protection. This acknowledged the property’s significant contribution to early Australian motor sport with its social connection to William Clinton and the local community.4 *Christmas Hills was named after emancipated convict and shepherd David Christmas, lost in these hills.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, rob roy hill climb, clintons road, light car club of australia, william clinton

This site was previously occupied by a Golden Fleece petrol station and later by Cobb & CO car rental. In Paul Towers bought the property from Faraday & Kent, for whom Norm Henderson was the proprietor, in 1996. In 2003 it was bought by Evan Lewis. (NOTE re source: undated note re verbal history given by un-named person).A colour photograph of the corner of Guildford Road and Union Road. There are four cars parked in front of a building. There is a sign identifying Faraday & Kent - home painting and wallpaper.guildford road, surrey hills, faraday & kent, businesses, paint shop, union road, norman henderson, evan lewis, paul towers, norm henderson

Set of four photographs taken at the time of the conversion of the Wattle Park route, in Riversdale Road from single line to double track between Warragul Road and the terminus, alongside Wattle Park itself. Yields information on the single line operation of the Wattle Park line prior the conversion to double track operation.Set of four colour Anscochrome slides, of single line operations on the Wattle Park line. .1 - W5 722 on Wattle Park single line, Sat. p.m. .2 - W2 388 meets W2 344 on Wattle park loop - shows the commencement of roadworks. .3 - SW5 853 from the park .4 - W5 738 at Warragul Road - shows the gates to Wattle park and the Caltex Service Station sign.Has photographers slide numbers on each slide.wattle park, route 70, riversdale rd, w2 class, w5 class, sw5 class, trackwork, tram 722, tram 388, tram 853, tram 738, trams, tramways

Indicated or provided a location to tram drivers and passengers of a tram stop that trams had to be hailed or signaled to stop or to alight. Most tram stops were of this style.Demonstrates the form of tram stop that the MMTB used in Melbourne that trams had to be signaled to stop at. Phased out from the mid 1970's. Similar signs used by the SEC in Ballarat and Bendigo. Sign - Tram Stop - Hail Cars Here - rounded with flat sections on either side for fitting to a small pole, enamel finish with white background and red top and bottom stripes. Black enamel on rear.tram stop, signs, mmtb, trams, tramways

Indicated or provided a location to tram conductors and passengers where a fare or ticket section changed from one to another - an extra amount may have had to be paid to travel past this point.Demonstrates the type of sign used by the MMTB to indicate where ticket sections changed. Similar signs used by the SEC in Ballarat and Bendigo. Sign - End of Section formed from a metal sheet with a short leg for fixing to a pole. Enameled white background, black text.tram stop, signs, mmtb, tickets, tramways, trams

Indicated or provided a location to tram drivers of a tram stop that all trams had to stop at - a compulsory stop. Style Used from early 1920's.Demonstrates the form of compulsory stop that the MMTB used in Melbourne. Phased out from the mid 1970's. Similar signs used by the SEC in Ballarat and Bendigo. Sign - Tram Stop - Cars Stop Here - rounded with flat sections on either side for fitting to a large pole, enamel finish with white background and red top and bottom stripes. Black enamel on rear.tram stop, signs, mmtb, tramways, trams

Indicated or provided a location to tram drivers of a tram stop that all trams had to stop at - a compulsory stop. Style Used from early 1920's.Demonstrates the form of compulsory stop that the MMTB used in Melbourne. An early style before the use of enameled signs. Sign - Tram Stop - "Tram Stops Here" - formed from a painted type of fibre board with an aluminium angle and flat riveted in four locations with three screw holes on the side.tram stop, signs, mmtb, trams, tramways

Indicated or provided a location to tram drivers and passengers of a tram stop that trams had to be hailed or signaled to stop or to alight. Demonstrates the form of tram stop that the MMTB used in Melbourne that trams had to be signaled to stop at. An early style before the use of enameled signs. Sign - Tram Stop - "Hail Tram Here" - formed from a painted type of fibre board with an aluminium angle and flat riveted in four locations with three screw holes on the side.tram stop, signs, mmtb, tramways, trams

Indicated or provided a location to tram drivers and passengers of a tram stop that trams had to be hailed or be requested to stop or to alight. Has the outline of a Z class tram. Introduced after Z class trams started to be used. A small sign providing details of the route number could be placed on the bottom edge. The 1977-78 MMTB Annual report has a photo of one of these then-new signs.Demonstrates the form of tram stop that the MMTB used in Melbourne that trams had to be signaled to stop at. Style introduced following following the use of Z class trams. Sign - Tram Stop - "Tram Stop Request" - formed from a formed steel sheet with a short angle leg, with holes along the top and bottom edges and on the angled side. Painted with a white background and red detailing.tram stop, signs, mmtb, trams, tramways

Indicated or provided a location to tram drivers and passengers of a tram stop that trams had to be hailed or be requested to stop. Gives details of the fare section. Produced by The Met, possibly during the 1980's. Stop 115 on route 55 (changed to route 58 in May 2017) is in Queensbridge St at the Southbank/Casino tram stop.Demonstrates the form of tram stop that The Met used to replace former tram stop signs and shows the typical tram stop sign of the era. These have since been replaced with Yarra Trams badged signs.Sign - "Stop 115, Route 55", aluminum folded sheet overlain on both sides with a printed reflective sheet with the image of a person hailing or signalling or requesting a tram to stop. Formed with a short angle on one side drilled with three holes for attaching to a pole. Has two holes along the top edge where it was secured to a stop structure. Has The Met logotram stop, signs, the met, route 55, queensbridge st, trams, tramways

Shows High St Kew, looking east from the junction with a four wheel tram approaching the intersection with people waiting to board the tram. On the right is a sign "Happy Thoughts - the trade supplied" and under it "Lucy Hinton Tobacco"Yields information about the location, the streetscape and the trams and vehicles in use at the time. Black and white photograph of High St Kew, looking east with a four wheel tram in the view."RSCP 328" & "C1918" in pencil on rear.tramways, trams, kew junction, high st kew, tram stops

Points of interest in the photograph are the lack of white lines along the tracks, safety zone equipment behind the tram, the "Hail Cars Here" tram stop sign on a steel pole by a traffic light and the style of traffic light. Two advertising panels on the front of the tram advertise "Jex Soap Pads" and the musical "Hair" at the Metro Theatre Bourke St. Two Fords are alongside the tramcar. The original source of photograph unknown. The Musical "Hair" was presented in Melbourne during 1971. Yields information about the location, the streetscape and the trams and vehicles in use at the time. Colour illustration of M&MTB tram W2 417 on a route 45, Deepdene service in Collins St. Melbourne at the intersection of Russell St. with the Scots Church in the background.tramways, trams, collins st, w2 class, tram 417, traffic lights, deepdene, route 45

Provides the basis for segregating road traffic from tram lines at intersections and along roadways and road markings applied.Yields information about the introduction of Fairways into Melbourne tramway streets during 1983, the first legal segregation of trams from road traffic.Set of two pamphlets regarding Tram Fairways. .1 - Three-section vertical fold-out pamphlet titled "How to drive the Fairway" printed on gloss paper showing the fairway system and how its works with the various signs in a cartoon manner. Notes the Fairway system was set up in 1983 and the basis of it. Has the VicRoads logos, name, and "Victoria Growing together? logos. .2 - Three-section, horizontal format pamphlet on plain paper, titled "Now there's a better way", giving details of the system, showing drawings and how they work at intersections. Issued by the Road Traffic Authority, has the RTA logo. .3 - Newspaper cutting, titled "The old way, the Fairway" giving advanced notice of the introduction of the Fairway system and the roads impacted. Has an AEC election advertisement on the rear for the March 1983 Federal Election.fairways, cartoons, rta, vicroads, traffic control, trams, tramways

Article titled - "Law-breaking does come in cycles, police blitz proves" about the behaviour of cyclists, particularly Couriers in the City area. Has a photo of a cyclist, a Courier, overtaking a tram (SW6 949 with a Bank of Melbourne home loan sign) on the wrong side. Quotes Senior Constable FarrarYields information about the behaviour of cyclists in the city area and trams.Photocopy, A4 sheet, of an article "Law-breaking does come in cycles, police blitz proves" - written by Tim Winkler - particularly about cycle couriers. From The Age newspaper.trams, tramways, sw6 class, sw6 949, cyclists, traffic, behaviour, road rules

Reproduction slide of a photograph of the July 1919 decorated cable tram, celebrating the end of World War 1, soon after soon after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Has seven uniformed men, gripmen and conductors, and one officer. Photo used in Jack Cranston's book p28, "The Melbourne Cable Trams 1885-1940"". Decorated by the Tramway Board. See Reg Item 4256 for a timetable and 3692 for another photo.Yields information about the decorated and illuminated cable tram set to mark the end of the World War 1, the crews and their uniforms.Kodachrome cardboard duplicate slide - Black and white - reproduction - Black and white - reproduction - Peace tram 7/1919 "MP 6" in penciltrams, tramways, uniforms, cable cars, world war 1, decorated trams, crews

Reproduction slide of a coloured postcard showing a cable tram in Johnston St Collingwood. Tram has the destination of Carlton. Looking west from Hoddle St on a quiet day with some horse drawn vehicles. There are signs for E. Sutcliffe chemist, Havelock Tobacco and sign advertising 1/3d tea. Photo around 1900.Yields information about Johnston St Collingwood.Kodachrome cardboard duplicate slide - Colour slide - reproduction from a postcard - Johnston St Carlton "CB16" in penciltrams, tramways, cable cars, cable trams, carlton, johnston st, collingwood

Photograph - PMTT tram 4 Glenferrie Road 1910, possibly undertaking testing prior to the official opening on 30/5/1910. Photo shows the centre of the road overhead support poles in Glenferrie Road and a "Hail Cars Here" sign. In the background is the Malvern Town Hall, signs for Norwich Union and Walter Wright Hairdresser.Yields information about the opening of the tram lines built by the PMTTKodachrome cardboard duplicate slide - Black and white reproduction photograph - PMTT tram 4 Glenferrie Road 1910 "MP5" in penciltrams, tramways, opening, tram 4, pmtt, glenferrie road, tram stop

Photograph - looking south along Elizabeth Street Melbourne to towards Flinders Street station. Has three cable trams in the photo, including one shunting at the terminus. Has signs for the London Cafe and Federal Cafe in the view, along with many horse-drawn vehicles and a few motor cars. There is a telegraph/telephone line on the east side of the street. Original photo by Rose Stereograph Co. P 957 - see reference. Yields information about the south end of Elizabeth St and the cable tram terminus.Kodachrome cardboard duplicate slide - Black and white reproduction photograph - Elizabeth St c1920 "CB9" in penciltrams, tramways, cable trams, elizabeth street, flinders st station

Photograph - of a K class four-wheel or single truck tram on a PMTT route 14 (STRATHALBYN ST (Kew) - VICTORIA BRIDGE) tram service, at Harp Road and High St. The reference gives the tram based at Kew Depot in 1928. The tram was originally a Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust tram, though, by the time of this photograph, it has been re-lettered for the MMTB, which took over the PMTT in 1920. The photograph has been marked up for a submission possibly to either Council or the MMTB for a waiting room or shelter at this location. The wall of the Harp of Erin Hotel and a Victoria Bitter sign can be seen on the right-hand side. The original photo appears to have been torn. Original photo mid to late 1920's.Yields information about the K class tram of the MMTB and methods of seeking a tram stop shelter and High Street and Harp Road intersection.Kodachrome cardboard duplicate slide - Black and white reproduction photograph - K class tram 92 - at Harp Road Kew "MP17" in penciltrams, tramways, kew, harp road, route 14, k class tram, tram 92, harp of erin, victoria bitter, high st, strathalbyn st

Postcard - Zoo Horse Tramway, TMSV Souvenir Card with a photo of Royal Park Melbourne zoo tram and sign with historical details on the rear, along with details of the Museum's "Zoo horse tram" No. 256. Yields information about the zoo horse tram line.Postcard with a reproduced photo of the zoo horse tram and history details on rear produced by the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria.trams, tramways, zoo horse tram, tram 256, tmsv

Postcard looking west along Collins Street. just to the east of Swanston Street. At the time of the photograph all trams have been converted to The Met colour scheme. Swanston Street was converted into Swanston walk during 1992, so photo is late 1980's or early 1990's. There are seven trams in the view: A1 239 (City Route 42), SW5 749 in Swanston Street, A1 232 (Mont Albert Route 42), two advertising cars. Collins Street is busy. Note the Hook Turn signs supported off the overhead wires.Yields information about Collins Street late 1980's or early 1990s prior to the construction of Swanston WalkPostcard - red boarders, Collins Street - Biscay Greetings, BG 275collins street, swanston street, a1 class tram, sw5 class trams, tram 239, tram 232, tram 749, trams, tramways

Victorian government signs $1.85 billion with French manufacturer Alstom to build 100 trams in Melbourne. Trams to be known as G class and will replace some of A, B and Z models with higher floors. Yields information about the contract for the next Generation of Melbourne trams - G classNewspaper clipping from the Age titled: "Andrews defends higher cost of new trams"trams, tramways, new trams, alstom, g class tram

Prepared by Preston Workshops staff, in the Truck Shop, to show the electrical apparatus line diagrams for testing of motors in a bogie or truck.Demonstrates the equipment used to test tramcar bogies or trucks prior to fitting to a tramcar.Drawing - dyeline print taped and edged to a piece of masonite. Has two screw holes for mounting on either side.trams, tramcars, bogies, trucks, truck shop, preston workshops, electrical engineering, electrical equipment

Well known photograph of the interchange between cable and horse trams at Moreland Road and Sydney Road Brunswick for the Coburg horse tram line. Has two cable tram sets in the background. Coburg horse Tram No. 4, with the now Moreland Hotel in the background. A sign advertising "Patterson & Sons Auctioneers Melbourne" can be seen adjacent to the hotel. Yields information about the tram interchange at Moreland and Sydney Roads Coburg.Black and white photograph - Moreland Road tram interchange with a typed caption "Moreland Hotel 1890".tramways, trams, coburg horse tramway, coburg, horse trams, cable cars, moreland road, sydney road, moreland hotel

Photo 1 - looking north from the point where St Kilda Road widened after crossing Princes Bridge. Has the Edmund Fitzgibbon monument on the left. One cable tram set is making its way into the City. Has Flinders St Station in the background, along with a number of motor cars and one horse drawn vehicle behind the monument and another behind a sign. In the far distance is an advertisement for The Herald newspaper. Photo 1910c Photo 2 - looking south from near the end of the bridge, with seven cable cars in the view, along with motors cars and two horse drawn vehicles. Government House can be seen on the left horizon.Yields information about St Kilda Road c1910.Set of two black and white photographs of" .1 - St Kilda Road near City Road looking north - with Edmund FitzGibbon monument .2 - looking southtramways, trams, cable cars, flinders street station, st kilda road, princes bridge, monuments, edmund fitzgibbon

Typed copies of correspondence dated 21/7/1910, from the Federal Storage Battery Company to the Mr H Milner, Managing Director of the Beaumaris Tramway Co. at the Equitable Building Melbourne. Gives extensive details and comparisons of the battery storage system compared to the electric tramcars. Known as "Beach Cars" - see reference. Notes the work of Edison, batteries. Signed by R. H Beach, the Company Secretary. Has notes on car (streetcar or tramcar) performance, report from the Atlantic City and Shore Railroad Company, comparison report from the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the State of Massachusetts, and cost comparisons. Yields information about the "Beach Cars" battery powered trams of 1910.Set of six typed blue foolscap sheets titled - "Beach Cars" - Edison Storage Batteries 1910tramways, trams, battery tramcars, battery systems, beach cars, beaumaris tramway co. ltd, edison

Photograph of the first SW6 class tram built by Preston Workshops. Note the dash canopy lighting, tail lamp and the sign "This is you car Use It"Tram 850 was the first SW6 built by MMTB 1n 1939, and featured sliding doors. Some earlier class trams were retrofitted with sliding doors.MMTB SW6 Class Tram 850, possibly photographed at South Melbourne Depottramcars, tramways, sw6 class, tram 850, dash canopy lighting

National View postcard of Z1 56 westbound in Bourke St. Tram has the destination of City Spencer St, route 96, c1980. The building that became the National Australia Bank in Bourke St is under construction. Has building signs for Patersons Furnishings, Bercy Theatre, Hertz rent cars.Yields information about Bourke St and Z1 class tramsPostcard - by National View by Murfett Pty Ltd - divided back with title and publisher details. Card No. P1004-1trams, tramways, bourke st, z1 class, tram 56

National View postcard of Bourke St looking east from Queen Street, with many W class trams in the view. Possibly early 1970s. Has signs for Drummonds, Coles and Garrard Opticians, Myer, Foys, London Stores and McEwans.Yields information about Bourke St early 1970sPostcard - by National View by Murfett Pty Ltd - divided back with title and publisher details. Card No. P1076-9trams, tramways, bourke st, w class, night photo

Photos shows Collins St looking east from near Queen St, at the time the financial hub of Melbourne. The nearest cable tram set has a destination of Port Melbourne. The sign for the Reuter's (financial reporter) is visible. The photo has the public library of Victoria stamp and is dated 10 May 1909.Yields information about the buildings in Collins St about 1909Photograph of Collins St looking east from near Queen St with two cable tram sets.On rear in ink: Melbourne – Collin St eastwards from, Queen St (Public Library of Victoria stamp – 14/5/1909” Copy neg Mark Plummer collections ex late John Alfred collection. cable trams, melbourne, collins st, tramways