Thursday, December 15, 1949, the quiet little bank was embroiled in an infamous wild shoot-out between a daring thief and two bank officers. Today, the building still carries the scars ; a bullet hole remains visible in a cedar bench testifying to the events that played out that day. 3.30 a.m., Friday, December 9. The manager of the Commercial Bank branch at Greensborough, Mr Harry Wallace and his wife are asleep in their bedroom of the little house behind the branch. Harry is awakened by a noise and sees an intruder in a corner of the bedroom. He calls out but the intruder who has switched off the power in anticipation flees through a side door and scarpers down Main Street. Harry summons the police but a search by First Constable Thomas of the Greensborough Police assisted by a wireless patrol car is unsuccessful. A report is filed noting the theft of a .25 calibre pistol from the wardrobe. Thursday, December 15th. It is 1pm and the Commercial Bank has just opened. The branch is only open Mondays and Thursdays from 1-3pm. The morning started off a little cool with some scattered showers but it has fined up and the temperature is now around 61 degrees (16 C). A new grey Singer sports car with soft-top pulls up on the opposite side of the road and a young man, neatly dressed in a dark blue suit, wearing a grey hat and carrying a brief case exits the vehicle. He looks around then crosses the road and walks up the steps and through the door into the bank. There are three people inside; Mr. Jack Burgoyne whose grocery store is situated just 50 yards up the road, Mr. Lindsay A. Spears, the Eltham Agency Receiving Officer and by chance, Mr Harry Wallace, manager of the Greensborough branch. Jack Burgoyne takes note of the young stranger; thinking to himself he appears nervous. The man approaches the counter and introduces himself as John Henderson of Greensborough and explains that he wishes to open a new account. He places his hat and £3 on the counter. Mr Spears attends to the paperwork. He asks the young man to sign two forms, which he does but then he withdraws from the counter and starts walking towards the door. Suddenly he spins around pulling an automatic pistol from his right-hand pocket. He exclaims forcefully; “The game’s on! I’ll take the lot!” Spears appears to comply by pretending to open a drawer. The man shouts loudly, “Keep your hand away from that drawer.” Spears instead reaches for a pistol in his pocket and challenges the man, “Here it is. Come and get it!” At the same time, Harry Wallace pulls a pistol from his pocket as well. The bandit fires a shot but misses, the bullet striking the counter. Both Spears and Wallace open fire and Jack Burgoyne ducks for cover. As the bandit turns and runs for the door leaving his £3 behind, he fires another shot, which strikes the ceiling. Spears fires back, and thinks he may have hit him in the foot. The bandit flees the bank and heads for the grey Singer car, registration NO-106, parked opposite. Wallace and Spears pursue him to the door and open fire again, striking the car three times around the driver’s door. Spears lets off eight shots and Wallace, seven before his gun jams. The getaway car initially heads slowly down Main Road towards Bridge Street. About 100 yards down the road, Dave Adams, a PMG employee, who has heard the shots, throws a steel manhole step at the driver. It hits the roof of the car nine inches above the driver’s head and tears the hood. Another witness claims to have seen the door blow open and the driver raise his hand. The car gathers speed and swings left into Bridge Street racing along at about 60 miles an hour careering recklessly past council employee, Mr. Percy Williams, who is driving a dray along Smarts Road [believed to be Bridge Street]. At the end of the road the Singer fails to get round the sharp turn and crashes into an embankment skidding to a stop outside the home of Mr John Clifford. One side of the car is wrecked. Mr Clifford, an aircraft engineer hears the fast travelling car bump heavily into the road bank at about 1.25 p.m. Hearing the whine of an engine he goes outside to find the grey Singer parked at the side of the road. Jack George also lives at the corner and hears the car crash. “The bandit opened the car door, ran 50 yards, and suddenly turned back,” exclaims Jack. “He took something from the car. It might have been a gun.” In his haste, the bandit drops his grey felt hat, size 6 7/8, on the road and dashes up Sherbourne Road for about 200 yards then disappears into the scrub carrying a brief case and a bundle in which a sailor’s cap can be seen. About 3 p.m., Mr H.D. Pettie of Mountain View Road, Montmorency is looking through his field glasses and notices a young man walking through thick scrub on private property some distance from his house. The man is wearing a sailor’s cap and disappears along the railway track toward Montmorency. As the day progresses, ten police cars, one motor cycle, and about 40 police led by Det. Sgt. McMennemin of Malvern CIB are searching for him. They believe he is hiding in thick scrub along the bank of the creek about half-a-mile outside Eltham township. Wireless patrol cars, four mobile traffic cars and the CIB area cars from Malvern and Kew are taking part. Police check the thief’s car and discover it was stolen from Helen Baxter, of Doncaster Road, North Balwyn from outside Victoria Barracks. Harry Wallace informs the police that he believes he recognised the bandit as the man who took his pistol from his bedroom the previous Friday morning. As night falls, armed police are posted at strategic points in the Eltham-Greensborough district. Police in cars are watching the roads. Others are searching the bush and checking passengers on trains. Little do they realise the young man has already slipped out of the net. SEQUEL YOUTH OF 19 CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY OF BANK AT ELTHAM Weekly Times, Wednesday 15 February 1950, page 6 Detectives who raided a house in Bell St., Coburg, Melbourne, charged a 19-year-old youth, of South Yarra, with attempted armed robbery at the Commercial Bank’s Eltham (Vic.) receiving depot on Dec. 15. Police say they recovered a loaded automatic pistol, diamond and signet rings worth more than £200, a complete set of house-breaking instruments, a sailor’s uniform, and chloroform gauze in the raid. The youth was charged that while armed with an offensive weapon, he attempted to rob Lindsay George Spears of a sum of money. He was further charged on six counts of breaking, entering and stealing. Police allege that the person who tried to hold up Mr Spears in the Commercial Bank receiving depot at Eltham on December 15. escaped in a stolen car, after Mr Spears and Mr Henry Wallace, manager of the bank’s Greensborough branch, had fired at him. After the car crashed, he escaped into thick scrub and is alleged to have changed into a sailor’s uniform. On December 9 an automatic pistol was stolen from Mr Wallace’s bedroom at the Greensborough bank. The chloroform pad recovered is alleged to have been stolen from the Dental Supply Company, Plenty Road, Preston. The rings are alleged to have been taken in a £513 burglary from the shop of James Paton. Sydney Road, Coburg. Det. Sgt. H. McMennemin conducted the investigations with Senior Dets. R. Newton and M Downie, Detectives l. Dent, R. Rayner, P. Pedersen and M. Handley and First Constable A. Thomas. The youth will appear at Eltham Court on February 22. Manager’s Gun Used in Holdup at Bank The Age, Thursday 23 February 1950, page 4 It was stated in Eltham court yesterday that a youth who robbed a bank manager of his pistol, later used it in an attempt to hold-up the bank. Kay Arthur Morgan, 19, draftsman, of Castle-street, South Yarra, was committed for trial on charges of breaking and entering, and stealing a pistol and attempted robbery while armed with an offensive weapon. He pleaded guilty. The manager of Eltham branch of the Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd., Henry Clifton Cabot Wallace, said he disturbed someone in the bedroom, in which he and his wife were sleeping, at 3 a.m. on December. 9, 1949. Later he found that his automatic- pistol was missing. On December 15 a youth, who said his name was John Henderson, entered the bank and opened a new account. As the youth was leaving the bank he turned round with a pistol in his hand and said: — “I want the lot.” Spear indicated a drawer under the counter; and said.— “Here it is. Come and get it.” The youth said:— “Keep your hand away from that drawer.” Witness said Spear then drew his pistol from his hip pocket. The youth fired at them, and Spear returned the fire. “I pulled my pistol and fired, too” said witness. The youth fired again, ran out to a car and drove off. Witness and Spear fired several shots at the car. The youth was the accused Morgan, sitting in court, witness said. Evidence was given that one bullet was found in the celling and the other in the bank. Morgan was allowed £100 bail on each charge. Morgan ended up serving three years for the failed armed robbery and became a notorious criminal. He had twin sons, Peter and Doug and even though only ten years old, Morgan would get his sons to act as lookouts whilst he committed burglaries. The lads became building contractors but when the industry suffered a downturn in 1977 and they were short on cash, they returned to the family business. Over the following 23 months they undertook 24 raids on country and outer-suburban TABs and banks. Whilst robbing one country bank for the third time, just like their father, it all went wrong ending up with a police officer shot. They were nick-named the “After-dark” bandits and are considered to be Australia’s last bushrangers. They were convicted and served 17 years in prison.5 x A4 photocopied pagesbank hold-up, cba bank, det sgt mcmennemin, eltham, h.d. pettie, harry wallace, jack burgoyne, kay arthur morgan, lindsay a. spears, main road

Digital TIFF file Scan of 120 format 6x9 [no brand identification] black and white negative transparencyechuca rail yard, echuca railway station, george coop collection, m-477, m-cattle wagon, victorian railways, wagon

Digital TIFF file Scan of 120 format 6x9 [no brand identification] black and white negative transparencyechuca rail yard, echuca railway station, george coop collection, m-477, m-cattle wagon, victorian railways, wagon

Victorian Railways Workmens Sleepers This style of wagon was introduced from 1910 http://www.victorianrailways.net/service%20stock/service%20stock%20pages/w/w.htmlDigital TIFF file Scan of 120 format 6x9 [no brand identification] black and white negative transparencybendigo, bendigo railway station, george coop collection, victorian railways, w-21, wagon, workmens sleeper wagon

Note the advertising for Timbertone Hardboard by Masonite which was advertised in 1961 and 1962Digital TIFF file Scan of 120 format 6x9 [no brand identification] black and white negative transparencyba-9, box van, echuca rail yard, echuca railway station, george coop collection, masonite, timbertone, victorian railways, wagon

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Hauff Pancola Granex black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, victorian railways, wagon, works storage wagon

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Hauff Pancola Granex black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, j-511, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry), k-155, k-173, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Hauff Pancola Granex black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, j-511, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry), k-155, k-173, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Hauff Pancola Granex black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, j-511, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry), k-155, k-173, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Hauff Pancola Granex black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, j-511, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry), k-155, k-173, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Hauff Pancola Granex black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, j-511, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry), k-155, k-173, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, railway workshop

The K class was a branch line steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways in Australia from 1922 to 1979. Although its design was entirely conventional and its specifications unremarkable, the K class was in practice a remarkably versatile and dependable locomotive. It went on to outlast every other class of steam locomotive in regular service on the VR, and no fewer than 21 examples of the 53 originally built have survived into preservation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_K_classDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, k-155, k-175, k-182, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

The K class was a branch line steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways in Australia from 1922 to 1979. Although its design was entirely conventional and its specifications unremarkable, the K class was in practice a remarkably versatile and dependable locomotive. It went on to outlast every other class of steam locomotive in regular service on the VR, and no fewer than 21 examples of the 53 originally built have survived into preservation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_K_classDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, k-155, k-175, k-182, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca, george coop collection, netball,

The K class was a branch line steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways in Australia from 1922 to 1979. Although its design was entirely conventional and its specifications unremarkable, the K class was in practice a remarkably versatile and dependable locomotive. It went on to outlast every other class of steam locomotive in regular service on the VR, and no fewer than 21 examples of the 53 originally built have survived into preservation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_K_classDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, k-155, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), railway workshop

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencybendigo, big hill, george coop collection, railway tunnel

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencybendigo, bendigo rail yard, bendigo railway station, george coop collection, victorian railways, w-311, wagon, workmens sleeper wagon

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencybendigo, bendigo rail yard, bendigo railway station, george coop collection, victorian railways, wagon, weighbridge test wagon

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencybendigo, bendigo rail yard, bendigo railway station, george coop collection, victorian railways, wagon, water tank wagon, wt-224

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencybendigo, bendigo rail yard, bendigo railway station, george coop collection, victorian railways, wagon, water tank wagon, wt-224

The coal loader is visible in the distance. Image dated as October 1962 based on same image in Port of Echuca collection (print 17.5 x 24.5cm) On the reverse of photo:" Photo by: George L. Coop Oct 1962". Crossed out, in black pen: "565". In pencil:" D3... T Class diesel 1954 Intro" https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/59e7e43321ea6a13c065088bDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd3-677, d3-class steam locomotive, echuca railway station, george coop collection, railway workshop, t-328, t-class diesel electric locomotive

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, railway bridge, trestle bridge, walhalla, echuca

The Victorian Railways J class was a branch line steam locomotive operated by the Victorian Railways (VR) between 1954 and 1972. A development of the successful Victorian Railways K class 2-8-0, it was the last new class of steam locomotive introduced on the VR. Introduced almost concurrently with the diesel-electric locomotives that ultimately superseded them, these locomotives were only in service for a relatively short time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_J_classDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca railway station, george coop collection, j-527, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry), railway workshop

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd3-640, echuca railway station, george coop collection, railway workshop

Image dated as 1962 based on same image in Port of Echuca collection (print 20 x 25.5cm) On reverse in pencil: "351, D3 Intro 1902 DD, Converted 1929 D3" In blue pen:" Echuca Locomotive shed 1962 Photograph: George L. Coop" https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/59d5663721ea6e1278d00bdcDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd3-640, echuca railway station, george coop collection, railway workshop

Image dated as 1962 based on same image in Port of Echuca collection (print 20 x 25.5cm) On reverse in pencil: 351, D3 Loco" In blue pen:" Echuca Locomotive shed 1962 Photograph: George L. Coop" https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/59c31c1321ea890ecc057721Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd3-640, echuca railway station, george coop collection, railway workshop

Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd3-640, echuca railway station, george coop collection, railway workshop

VR Commissioner's Special train, steam locomotive D3-639 crossing the Echuca-Moama Road Rail Bridge over the Murray River from Moama, NSW to Echuca, Victoria. Commissioner Edgar Henry Brownbill on footplate, 1962. Commissioner Edgar Henry Brownbill was in office 1957 to 1967. George Coop advises - "The train on the Eltham/Moama bridge is actually the Commissioner’s Special on one of its inspection tours of the VR rail system. This was a very grand special train with accommodation for the Commissioner and staff in carriages also used once for the Royal Train and other State purposes. You can just see the Commissioner of the day, dressed in his suit and wearing engine drivers gloves, standing in the loco cab doorway. A good ‘hands on’ impression is created amongst local staff if can be seen that the boss is no ‘desk jockjey’. The observation car on the back was originally made for the ’Spirit of Progress’. I climbed up onto the bridge iron plate work to get this view. It was safe enough as the cantilevered pedestrian walkway was still on the east side at the time." "I was resident in Echuca from Jan. ’59 to approx. May ’64. At that time the single Echuca/Moama bridge was a combined road/rail bridge. The rail gauge was 5’3” and still is, I believe, on the new bridge that sits just upstream of the old one. This rail line into NSW has always been 5’3" gauge because it has no connection with any NSW tracks. The old Echuca/Moama bridge, locally called the ‘Iron Bridge’ has, over years, undergone some structural changes. The two lattice iron hoops arcing over the roadway have been raised and lowered and changed design. Presently a pedestrian walkway is cantilevered off the west (or downstream) side of the bridge. It used to be on the eastern side. Guess changes went in when new rail bridge only was built on the eastern side as well." Image dated as c.1963 based on same image in Port of Echuca collection (possibly frame 32 of film) (print 19.5 x 24.5cm) On reverse in pencil: "Brown card" in black pen: "Commissioners special. F. Brown on Footplate. George C.L. Coop c1963". https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/59d575b921ea6e1278d78042 However based on frame no. 10, date set as 1962Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd3-639, d3-class steam locomotive, echuca-moama road rail bridge, edgar henry brownbill, george coop collection, murray river, vr commissioner's special train

Looking south into Echuca, VictoriaDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyd3-639, d3-class steam locomotive, echuca-moama road rail bridge, george coop collection, murray river, vr commissioner's special train