TOM COLLINS–from the reel to reel tape recording at Melton 1969 In the years between 1890 and to about 1913 Melton was a quiet little hamlet alongside the Toolern Creek, once called the Pennyroyal Creek, 24 miles from Melbourne on the Ballarat Road. There was a fair amount of woodland left around it, mostly grey and yellow box with sheoak, and golden wattle, which in spring time made a rather attractive setting. Most of the premises were in the main or High Street, with its line of elm and pepper trees on each side. Unitt, McKenzie and Henry streets each contained only a few dwellings. Hotels were four in number, Minns’s, Mrs Hay licencee, now Mac’s, Golden Fleece – Sheblers. The Royal or Ryan’s as it was then called, later Graham had the licence, and the Raglan - Kilpatricks had the licence and afterwards Tom Manning. This was situated about where Mr K. Young had his residence. There was a store attached to the hotel until about 1900. Both the Royal and the Raglan were delicensed, later on the Royal being converted to a green grocery and a boarding house, the Raglan was demolished. The Royal green grocery and boarding house was kept by E Carew and after he retired, E Radford. The Post and Telegraph Office was on the opposite side of the street to the Raglan Hotel about two doors west of the Shire Hall and was kept by Mrs Ferris and Lady Farmer until her retirement, when it was carried on by Miss Lottie Ross. A store was attached to the Post Office and was sometimes used as a store and at one time housed the National Bank. There were two full time banks at Melton, the other being the Commercial which built premises about 1904 and on the corner of High and Smith Streets, which it still occupies. Mr G Egan was the manager of the Commercial and Mr Stradling and later Mr Lee of the National. However as business was not thought good enough they reverted to a part time branch operated from Bacchus Marsh. Grocer shops were Chalmers, with a news agency and drapery now Arnolds, Jongebloeds had the bakery. Mr Fox also a produce merchant, was where Melton Real Estate is now, it was later occupied by Buchanans, Atleys, and Mrs Ross. Not long after the War Mrs Ross built the Post Office, since demolished where Miss Lottie Ross was the Post Mistress and later built the store which she conducted. It was later turned into a factory and in now the barbers shop. McNichols was just west of the Minns Hotel. He travelled as far a Ballan weekly, buying calves and dairy produce for sale in Melbourne. Afterwards he sold the business and bought Minns Hotel and changing the name to Macs. Blacksmiths were three in number. Blackwoods – later James Byrnes next door to Jongebloeds. Alex Cameron who learnt his trade with Blackwoods had his shop about the rear of where Ken Youngs Garage is now he later moved to the north west corner of High and Alexander Street. He was also the Registrar of Birth and Deaths and Electoral Registrar. After his retirement he was weighbridge keeper at Melton South. Two of his sons were engaged in the carpentry trade, but both died at an early age. Whittingtons shop was a few doors east of the Mechanics Hall and it was later occupied by Gordon Macdonald who did business there until about eight years ago. The butchers of the period were George Graham, that is where Mandy Lees hairdressing establishment is now. Euan MacDonald had premises later occupied by Whittingtons blacksmith shop. Later shifting next door. He left here about 1901, he slaughtererd animals at a slaughter house right where Chas Jones now resides, it had previously been a slaughter house and butcher shop of that site. George Spring also operated as a butcher for two or three years about the 1900 or so. Ted Simpsons shop was where John Kontek now has his Estate Agency, he used it as an branch shop from Bacchus Marsh bringing meat from there by a two horse lorry. Jimmy Butler the manager was well known and loved, his son was later a steeplechase jockey. The Court House and Police Station would be built sometime before 1900. The Constables at the time were McGuire, later Wade, Riely and McKenzie after that Robert Wilson and Seinfort were here, they were a bit later on. The Mechanics Hall was first opened by Ryan of the Royal Hotel who sold it to the Hall Committee. It was on Unitt Street and it was moved by McLellans the house shifters from Unitt Street to its present site. Bluestone premises formerly occupied by the bootmaker Carew, were later demolished and replaced by the brick frontage to the Hall. Keith Orensini [?] the local bricklayer built brick portion to the Hall. In the cottage adjoining the Hall a Frenchman named Baudin, had a boot repairing business.This cottage was the later residence of J Hill, a local carpenter and builder from whom I learnt my trade. Granny Watts was the well known local nurse and operated the Mid-Wifery Hospital in Yuille Street on the Sherwin Street corner. Mrs Nissen was on the opposite side of Yuille Street a short distance nearer the township. She conducted the laundry. Carew had a greengrocers shop next door to the Post Office in the High Street for some time before transferring to the Royal Hotel site. He also bought [?] calves for killing. W Cecil was a tank maker and also had a produce round, he lived on Pyke and Sherwin Street. Later Gus Shebler, builder and carpenter engaged in tank making being well known for good workmanship. Shebler was very energetic in forming the Gun Club which met for a good number of years where the golf course now has its headquarters. Of the four churches only three are in use, Christ Church, Scots and St Dominics. The Methodist closed down but later transferred to Melton South. Monthly stock sales were held at the yards in Unitt Street at Minns Hotel by McPhail Auctioneers, later held by McCarthur and McLeod. After the Council built the pound and sale yards they transferred sales to these premises, but lack of patronage caused them to be abandoned. A familiar sight in the district was blind Bob Nixon, who lived in a tumbled down cottage in Centenary Road near W Coburns, being led by his dog down the road to Melton, that is Palmerston street, to the Post Office, butcher and baker for his supplies and then back home. He was able to do his own cooking and other chores. Sundays he would come down Raleighs Road to the back of the church and tie his dog to a tree. Someone, mostly one of the boys would guide him into the church and out again after the service, when the dog would lead him home again. State School 430, a two roomed bluestone building it was the only school in the district, none at Melton South. The nearest would be Rockbank and Toolern Vale. Scholars had a fair distance to walk in most cases. The teachers were Mr T Lang Headmaster. I put a query here, Miss Winters, I’m not certain of the name, Mrs Skinner and Miss Silke as Assistant Teachers. Miss Augusta Cecil and Miss Maud Lang were Junior teachers. One boy who attended the school about the turn of the century was Hector Fraser who resided with his parents in Keilor Road, where Jim Gillespie now lives. He was an excellent gun shot and at the age of about 17 years his father took him to France or Monaco where he won the Gran Prix for pigeon shooting and became the champion boy shot of the world. However he died there from pneumonia. He shot under the name of “Parvo”. The Melbourne Hunt Club used to meet in Keilor Road north side just east of the Toolern Creek on what was originally Pykes Run. This was also the place where the races were held and the Sports Meetings. Dave Murphy, employed at Clarke’s Rockbank Station usually provided the fox which he liberated for the Club. Greyhound coursing was usually held on Moylans property Mt Kororoit, or Mt Misery as it was known then. Later it was held at Melton Park, Mr Matt Carberry was the judge and Percy Cook the slipper. Early in the 1900’s the Recreation Park was created and the Caledonian and the ANA sports meetings were held there, they were annual events. L Paterson from Melton South was a successful competitor in all the cycling events as a young man. He later in life became the Deputy Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The present Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade is John Paterson, nephew of his, and spent his early life in Exford where his father was manager of the Exford Estate. Notes Tom Collins was born c 1895. He lived on the south side of the Ballarat Road near the intersection of Keilor Road.Historical image of Palmerston Street in Meltonlocal architecture, landscapes of significance

On March 2, 1940, Sir Winston Dugan, Governor of Victoria unveiled the busts of the six first prime ministers of Australia at a ceremony on the long avenue of Horse Chestnuts. The donor, Richard Armstrong Couch, was born in Ballarat in 1868.The Prime Ministers Avenue is a feature of national significance, set in the magnificent Horse Chestnut Avenue of the Gardens. The 28 Prime Ministers of Australia are displayed as bronze portraits mounted on polished granite pedestals. The collection includes a portrait of one of the founding fathers of Federation, Alfred Deakin, who was the first Federal Member for Ballarat and the second Prime Minister.Kodachrome slide depicting the gardens during the installation of the pedestals and busts of the first six prime ministers.Kodachromeballarat botanical gardens, trees, lawns, pathways, sculptures, busts, governors, prime ministers avenue, richard armstrong couch, federation, 1940, chestnut trees, horse chestnuts, bronze, granite, pedestals, alfred deakin, sir winston dugan, wallace anderson

View of the Wishing Wellballarat botanical gardens, trees, wishing well, vandalism, pathways, lawns, bricks, statues, benches, cars

On March 2, 1940, Sir Winston Dugan, Governor of Victoria unveiled the busts of the six first prime ministers of Australia at a ceremony on the long avenue of Horse Chestnuts. The donor, Richard Armstrong Couch, was born in Ballarat in 1868.The Prime Ministers Avenue is a feature of national significance, set in the magnificent Horse Chestnut Avenue of the Gardens. The 28 Prime Ministers of Australia are displayed as bronze portraits mounted on polished granite pedestals. The collection includes a portrait of one of the founding fathers of Federation, Alfred Deakin, who was the first Federal Member for Ballarat and the second Prime Minister.Kodachrome slide depicting a pathway and lawns where pedestals and busts of the first six prime ministers are lying on the ground to be installed. A man with hat, long winter coat is standing on the pathway.Kodachromeballarat botanical gardens, trees, men, pathways, lawns, sculptures, busts, prime ministers avenue, chestnut trees, granite, alfred deakin, federation, horse chestnuts, richard armstrong crouch, pedestals, governor, sir winston dugan, wallace anderson

Thomas Stoddart, bought 12 marble statues during a visit to Carrara in Italy and gave them, together with Sicilian marble pedestals, to the citizens of Ballarat. The statues were unveiled by the Governor of Victoria on Queen Victoria’s birthday, 24 May 1884 and are located throughout the gardens.View of the gardensballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, flowers, pathways, thomas stoddart, marble, statues, carrara, italy, 1884, fernery

Thomas Stoddart, bought 12 marble statues during a visit to Carrara in Italy and gave them, together with Sicilian marble pedestals, to the citizens of Ballarat. The statues were unveiled by the Governor of Victoria on Queen Victoria’s birthday, 24 May 1884 and are located throughout the gardens.View of the gardens with the sculpture of Wallace and the statuary pavilion.ballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, flowers, pathways, thomas stoddart, marble, statues, carrara, italy, 1884, fernery, statuary pavilion, wallace, james russell thomson, 1889

View of the gardensballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, pathways, summer, leaves

View of the gardensballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, pathways, summer, leaves

Inscription on the plaque : "A tree that looks at God all day and lifts her leafy arms to pray." United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division This tree is to commemorate the friendship established between the United States marines and the citizens of Ballaarat during their sojourn here in early 1943.View of the gardens with the sculpture of Wallace and the statuary pavilion.ballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, flowers, pathways, plaque, memorial, united states, navy, marine corps, friendship, 1943, glove, anchor

Inscription on the plaque : "A tree that looks at God all day and lifts her leafy arms to pray." United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division This tree is to commemorate the friendship established between the United States marines and the citizens of Ballaarat during their sojourn here in early 1943.View of the gardens with the sculpture of Wallace and the statuary pavilion.ballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, flowers, pathways, plaque, memorial, united states, navy, marine corps, friendship, 1943, glove, anchor

Thomas Stoddart, bought 12 marble statues during a visit to Carrara in Italy and gave them, together with Sicilian marble pedestals, to the citizens of Ballarat. The statues were unveiled by the Governor of Victoria on Queen Victoria’s birthday, 24 May 1884 and are located throughout the gardens.View of the gardens with the sculpture of Wallace and the statuary pavilion.ballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, flowers, pathways, thomas stoddart, marble, statues, carrara, italy, 1884, fernery, 1889, plaque, memorial, mrs w.d. thompson, mbe

Aerial view of the gardensballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, flowers, pounds, men, pathways, fernery, statuary pavilion

View of the gardensballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, pathways, summer, leaves

View of the gardensballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, pathways, summer, leaves, plaque, memorial, w.l.j. crofts, president, australian natives association, ana, federation

View of the gardensballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, pathways, summer, leaves, plaque, memorial, w.l.j. crofts, president, australian natives association, ana, federation

The statue was commissioned by the citizens of Ballarat in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. It was unveiled on the Queen's Birthday, 24 May 1900, by the Lieutenant Governor Sir John Madden before some 20,000 people. View of the Queen Victoria memorial in Sturt Street Gardens, Ballaratballarat botanical gardens, trees, ballarat, sturt street, queen victoria, diamond jubilee, gardens

On March 2, 1940, Sir Winston Dugan, Governor of Victoria unveiled the busts of the six first prime ministers of Australia at a ceremony on the long avenue of Horse Chestnuts. The donor, Richard Armstrong Couch, was born in Ballarat in 1868. Edmund Barton (1849 –1920) was an Australian politician and judge who served as the first Prime Minister of Australia, in office from 1901 to 1903. He was appointed prime minister on 1 January 1901, the day on which the new federal constitution came into effect. The Prime Ministers Avenue is a feature of national significance, set in the magnificent Horse Chestnut Avenue of the Gardens. The 28 Prime Ministers of Australia are displayed as bronze portraits mounted on polished granite pedestals. The collection includes a portrait of one of the founding fathers of Federation, Alfred Deakin, who was the first Federal Member for Ballarat and the second Prime Minister.3/4 view using flash of the bronze bust and granite pedestal of Prime Minister, Edmund Barton in the Prime Ministers Avenue. A vertical scratch line is visible on the right side.Kodachromeballarat botanical gardens, trees, lawns, pathways, sculptures, busts, governors, prime ministers avenue, richard armstrong couch, federation, 1940, chestnut trees, horse chestnuts, bronze, granite, pedestals, alfred deakin, edmund barton, wallace anderson, sir winston dugan

The Rotary Club volunteered to build the paddling pool for children in August 1960.Added social amenity to cater for children after WW2.Mr Frank Brown measuring out and Bill Roff spreadingballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, men, frank browm, bill roff, rotary club, paddling pool, volunteers, 1960, swimming

The Rotary Club volunteered to build the paddling pool for children in August 1960.Added social amenity to cater for children after WW2.Site for the paddling poolballarat botanical gardens, trees, parks, lawns, men, frank browm, bill roff, rotary club, paddling pool, volunteers, 1960, swimming

Courier newspaper, 15 September 1981 - State president of the Country Women's Association, Mrs H. Rinaldi unveils a plaque beneath a tree in the Botanic Gardens, commemorating the royal wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer, now Princess Diana.The Royal couple were much admired throughout the Commonwealth in 1981 and Ballarat has always been proud of the number of Royal visitors hosted by this city.Yellowed newspaper with caption, right hand side of paper.In pencil, right top corner, 15.9.81john garner collection, garner, dr, tulip tree, wedding tree, prince charles, lady diana spencer, princess diana, cwa, wedding, ballarat botanical gardens, gardens, ballarat, courier, royal wedding, alf hancock

Ballarat Horticultural Society, Double Diamond Jubilee, Courier newspaper, Saturday October 20, 1979, page 33The Horticultural Society was one of the oldest societies in Ballarat and some of the longstanding and eminent members played an important role in the establishment and development of the Ballarat Botanic Gardens and other public gardens especially in Ballarat. 1 sheet with large photograph in black and white, top half of page, 2 Certificates of Merit, bottom half of page with print left hand side and middle of the page. Folded page.Printing in black biro on the left hand side of the page concerning John Ross and Andrew Anderson.john garner collection, garner, dr, horticultural society, courier, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, jubilee, society, double diamond jubilee, gardening, roy mosman, henry shaw, john ross, t.b.toop, geo longley, blue gums, pollarding scheme, trees in victoria park, test gardens, roses, gladioli, public gardens

History of Ballarat's Botanical Gardens. Why the Tree? Courier newspaper, 3 December 2007The article indicates the importance of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens to the people of Ballarat.1 sheet of newsprint with a yellow background on a white sheet, folded twice. Left margin, written in black biro "Courier 3/12/07john garner collection, garner, dr, history, courier, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, trees, exhibitions, ballarat fine art gallery.

The Claxton Monument and Fountain in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens was recommissioned in 1997 after extensive renovations and a computerised engraving system was purchased for the labelling of plants.The Claxton Monument is an important part of Ballarat Botanical Gardens historic statuary. And the new labelling system would help preserve part of City's history.I page (p.5) of yellowed newsprint with a large black and white photograph of the Claxton Monument to the right hand side. Cut out of newspaper at the bottom.At the top of the page, written in blue biro: "10.30 am 15/8/97 - Joan Garner - President attended by 50 Friends and Garden Staff."john garner, doctor, ballarat botanical gardens, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, claxton monument, restoration, frederick moses claxton, mayor, computerised labelling system, claxton, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat, courier