Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph, taken at the intersection of Warrigal Road and High Street South, Ashwood looks north along High Street Road. The intent of the photograph was to provide the Council with models of electricity supply poles. In the photo, wooden and steel poles can be seen in the median strip. The photograph also includes the shops bordering High Street Road during this period. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.]. Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.4 Warrigal Road - Ashwood. South of High Street Road looking north. Wooden and steel poles with different brackets in median strip." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."electric light poles, civic infrastructure - 1960s, public works -- 1960s

Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph, taken at the intersection of Warrigal Road and High Street South, Ashwood looks north along High Street Road. The intent of the photograph was to provide the Council with models of electricity supply poles. In the photo, wooden and steel poles can be seen in the median strip. The photograph also includes the shops bordering High Street Road during this period. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.]. Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.4 Warrigal Road - Ashwood. South of High Street Road looking north. Wooden and steel poles with different brackets in median strip." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."electric light poles, public infrastructure -- 1960s, civic works -- 1960s

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State Of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings. 35mm colour transparency of an original plan by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects of the Department of Public Works (Victoria), in 1887 for New Public Offices at Kew. This plan was copied by the donor from an original held at the Commonwealth Archives in Brighton (Vic). The copy was made to illustrate a report that the donor made on ‘The functional planning design, building materials and construction methods of the Kew Post Office’ as part of course work at RMIT.NORTH ELEVATION / SECTION K-Kkew court house, kew police station, kew post office, architectural drawings, khs - slides, new public offices -- kew (vic.), architecture — queen anne style

The donor George Lister Coop was about 19 years of age when he took this photo. It is one of a small series of photos donated by him that relate to Mont Albert and Surrey Hills stations. He has always had an interest in railways and there are other examples of his documentation of railway history in other collections contributing to this database. This documents the original building on the northern platform of the Mont Albert station. The railway line was extended out to Lilydale with work commencing in 1882. It is not known exactly when the Mont Albert station was built, but it opened in 1890. It is presumed that this building was demolished when the third line was constructed in 1971. At this time the nearby Surrey Hills original station buildings were demolished.A black & white photo of Mont Albert station taken from the north platform adjacent to High Street, looking towards Box Hill. It clearly shows the bend in the line beyond the platforms. it also shows both the original buildings; the one on the north side having been demolished. There is a lady on the south platform adjacent to Hamilton Street. The roof line only of one of the Hamilton Road shops can be seen.george lister coop, mont albert station, 1956, hamilton street shops

In the foreground is Dr Blakie's first surgery, later the Police Station, then a Service station. Behind and to the left are the two railway station buildings. On the horizon and in front of the pine trees is 'Montalto', home of the Hansen family, later Dr Box (demolished). Two storey terrace of shops in front of this is Hansen's Terrace. In centre, note smoke from steam train. On corner of Guildford Rd is a Gas Lamp. The first trees have been planted in Union Road and are protected with stout wood surround.Black and white photograph of a view of Surrey Hills. Written on the bottom left hand side "SURREY HILLS - FROM THE NORTH". In the foreground are two trees on the right hand side before a view leading up the hill. dr blakie, police station, hansen terrace, dr box, montalto, guildford rd, gas lamp, union road

Councillor Samuel Baird’s residence was the property known as ‘Warrong Station” north of Kirkstall. During the last year of his presidency he played an important part in obtaining the severance of the Shire of Minhamite from the Belfast Shire. Councillor Baird was the first president of the Minhamite Shire.Black and white portrait president, portrait, government, shire, municipal, local-government, minhamite shire, shire of belfast

Mary Tolhurst M&DHS - March 29th Dunvegan Willows Park Melton 1992 Ladies Oral History Day Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transfer to CD 2011 by Tom Wood Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 I was born in Rockbank, and when I was five years old moved to Toolern Vale and started and finished school there. Toolern Vale only consisted of the Store, Post Office and shop, where you could buy your fodder, and pollard supplies, the Hall, the little Church and the bluestone School. The School changed shape three times from the 1800s[1869] til the time I went there. There was four generations of my family that went there and it was destroyed by fire in 1965. Marjorie nee Myers Butler. Yes, I remember along with it your lovely Ronisch piano. Mary, quite true! Marj what you say about the Ronisch piano. When I came the age to learn music my mum and dad couldn’t really afford it, but still what parents do for their children. They had Marj go along with them and pick this lovely Ronisch piano. It was known round the district. Everyone commented about the loss that lovely piano. After leaving school it was war time, 1939, then it was work, When I was 7 year old I was put out into the cow yard. In 1940 when the soldiers were going away our milk was confiscated it had to go to Bacchus Marsh. It used to go the Sunbury to be brine cooled and then go to Melbourne. Then they took it then to the Lifeguard Milk Factory at Bacchus Marsh. It had to go as condensed milk to the soldiers. This year is 50 years of the Land Army. I was an unofficial Land Army but they still kept check on me. I went onto married life and I followed the cows right through [howls of laughter] and we went on until the 1965 fire. That’s when we got out of the cows. Marjorie asks, was Granny Watts your grandmother or great grandmother? Mary: She was my great grandmother, the midwife of Melton. The 1965 fire started ¾ of a mile above our place, Frank Ryan’s sheds were burnt and his house was saved, then it wiped the School out, the Hall, the Church the Post Office and Store and little house that was Charlie Charlton’s in the early days. Mrs Wilson’s place was saved by the Fire Brigade by pulling boards off the side, and from there it went over the hill and it was stopped at the Rockbank Railway Station. If it had of got over the railway they said it would have gone into Werribee. A lot was burnt out in that strip. Mary nee Nixon Collins: 18 houses burnt that day. Audience question, did Melton get burnt that day? Ray: No. It came down through the Toolern Vale road and cut across about a mile and a half from the cross roads at Toolern Vale from north westerly to the south east and cut through over the Keilor road. Mary: It came in across the creek at Funstons in Toolern, then through Jim Minns. Dorothy was it your place then [nee Knox Beaty] to Ken Beatty’s and from there it went through to Doug McIntosh’s and to Cockbills and the wind changed and it came across to the railway line, and that is where they stopped it. [the cause of the fire was controversial, they had been burning off the night before and there was some talk of someone starting it. It was very hot and very strong wind, it was a terrible day] Ray: When the fire went through McIntosh’s they had a haystack on the north side of their house and the haystack got caught and the fire burnt a hole through the side of the house and the boys pyjamas on the bed. The house was saved. It came through like and express train roaring at you, I was at McIntosh’s when it went roaring past. You couldn’t see, dust and ash and tremendous heat. The fire started about 12 o’clock Jack [husband] said to me, fire, I said where, where? Just up the road, what have I got to do? and he went out and he had gone to the fire and left me. I tried to get the animals and I put out buckets of water, putting the buckets of water out saved my life. Chas Jones and another friend of his came in and they picked up the buckets of water, I thought I had better get out because the fire was on the haystack up the paddock and when I went to go out through the north side of the house and couldn’t get out, I’ll go through the front gate so I went around the other side of the house. I got caught there and Chassy Jones and his friend came round carrying the bucket of water and I panicked. He threw the bucket of water over me. Well that is what saved my life because I was damp, whenever we tried to leave the ball of fire came over me and over my shoulder and my hair was scorched. Chassy Jones lost his truck and Keith Watt his big truck because he had the water tank on it and they couldn’t get out of the yard. Granny Watt’s house, the first private hospital had condemned and Jack and I pulled it down and had it moved up to Toolern and had it in the yard a fortnight and it was all burnt and we didn’t get the shed we wanted. Every 13 years right up until Ash Wednesday fires, there has always been fire close at hand. The 1952 fire went down the back of the house, the 1965 fire took the house, and the house that I live in now, it is the third house that has been on that spot. When the Hunters owned it, Mrs Hunter was nearly burnt in her bed. They had a 13 roomed house. In 1924 the house burnt down, and there was another house was built there and that was the one that burnt down. Edna: So Mary built a brick veneer house. Marjorie: like the three little pigs [laughter] Collins - Mary M &DHS - March 29th 1992 Ladies oral history day at Dunvegan, Willows Park Melton. Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transferred to CD 2011 Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 Mary Collins nee Nixon born in Terang 1907 down in the Western District and we shifted to Melton when I was 5 and a half then I started school here in Melton, and spent all my school life at Melton State School, next to the Church of England, it’s called the Primary School now. I got my Qualifying and Merit Certificate then I left School because there wasn’t a High School. When I was 16 I got and job in the Melton Post Office and I worked there, I was the first girl in Melton to deliver the mail, and worked on the telephone and the Bank business. Mrs Ross and myself behind the counter, there were about 500 – 600 people in the Shire at that time and now when I go into the new Post Office there is 36,000 here there’s still 2 people behind the counter [laughter from the audience] and wait in a queue right out to the door. Times haven’t changed much have they! There was a manual telephone and you had to ring the handle, and there were eight subscribers when I went there and when I left there were 46 I had coaxed that number to join the telephone, even the police station didn’t have the phone on. The two Hotels and the two Chaff mills and Mr Ernie Barrie, Parkers the butcher, the Shire Office was No 8, and the Police house was next to the Courthouse on the corner. They were number 9. I can remember a lot of the numbers still. The Post Office was the Agency for the Commonwealth Bank [comment from audience member] I used to do the Bank business too, I left after four years there, mother wasn’t very well. The Inspector who used to come up to the Post Office asked me if I would take up casual Post Mistress and to go around the different districts but I refused and when Mrs Ross’s holidays were due I was the replacement. I wasn’t 21. I loved my work meeting everybody and most people had horse and jinkers and when the elderly would come in there would be Mr Tom Morrow, he only had one arm and Mrs Dunn came from Bulman’s road in their horse and jinker. They were elderly I would see them pull up out the front and quickly get their mail and run out to them because they didn’t have to get out of the jinker to tie up their horse. If someone had a baby in arms I would tear out and hold the baby while they got down. Mrs Ross was very very strict. I had to sweep the Post Office, she had a couple of mats and there would be a threepence or a sixpence under the mats show she knew whether I lifted the mat, I was whether I was honest or not. Graham: How much were your wages? I got 27/7 pence a week for a 52 hour week. I had to work every holiday except Good Friday and Christmas Day and even when it was Monday holiday I always had to go to work from 9am - !0 am, the Post Office was always open. In the winter I had to wait until twenty past six in case there were any telegrams to deliver. I delivered them on a push bike. One time Tom Barrie told me this years afterwards. I used to go home for lunch. We lived on the Keilor road and I used to ride my bike home. On the hot days the boys used to go and swim in the swimming pool down near a turn in the creek there was a hole where the boys would swim in the nude, they didn’t have any bathers and they didn’t have any watches in those days. Tom Barrie said they always used to watched for me as I was always about 3 minutes past 1, my lunch hour was from 1-2. One particular day they missed seeing me and swam on, and of course they were all late for school when they got back and were all kept in a night. I did get a fortnight holiday. I loved my work and I knew everyone in the district right from Toolern Vale to the Marsh and everybody at Melton South. Did you listen into conversations on the Switchboard? Oh no. [laughter] Melton did not have electricity then. I had to fill the lamps everyday with kerosene. The Staughton Memorial was outside the Post Office. It had four posts with the chain looped around it, and that’s where the people used to tie up their horses. Marjorie nee Myers Butler comments about sitting and swinging on the chains. Mr Fred Coburn lit the acetylene gas light in the Memorial. It was the only streetlight in Melton. There was no electricity until 1939. Ray Radford comments about another gas street light which was on the corner of Station road. [later] Mary passes around her school photos. Mary mentions the names of those who have passed away, Maisie McDonald, ,Marian Wraith, Hilda McCreey, and Valda McDonald. I have written the names on the back. Marjorie comments about Marie Jongebloed and Greta are the only two girls left out of big family of ten I think there were [hesitates] 4 or 5 girls and the rest were boys. Mary. Flora Woodley, Dorrie Flynn and Margaret McDonald are still alive. They are my age we were all born about 1907. Marjorie points out herself in a later photo [1921 and 1922 School ] Mary mentions the name Walsh and identyfies following names, the Parker boys, Ken Beaty, Malc and Linda Cameron, Maisie Mc Donald, Ted Radford, George Nixon, Norman Minns, he was later the Shire Secretary of Werribee. One of the Woodley girls. [Maisie Arthur] Marjorie: Rosie Shearwood, June Whiting Mary. Lily Mc Donald, she has passed away. Isabel Harrison nee Tinkler, she lives at Werribee, Doreen Rogers, Marjorie Walker, Jess McIntosh, Mary Gillespie. Mr Malone was the Junior teacher Mr Roe and Miss Cooke. Fred Myers, my sister [Elizabeth] and the year was 1921. Myers (Barrie) School Photo Collection. Many of the names were identified at the 1970 Centenary of Melton State School No. 430. Edna Barrie organised, compiled and typed the lists to accompany these photos for the year 1921. The 1922 photo shows the higher grades. Ladies Oral History Day event held by Melton and District Historical Society, article featured in the Telegraphlocal identities, local special interest groups

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

Mary Tolhurst M&DHS - March 29th Dunvegan Willows Park Melton 1992 Ladies Oral History Day Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transfer to CD 2011 by Tom Wood Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 I was born in Rockbank, and when I was five years old moved to Toolern Vale and started and finished school there. Toolern Vale only consisted of the Store, Post Office and shop, where you could buy your fodder, and pollard supplies, the Hall, the little Church and the bluestone School. The School changed shape three times from the 1800s[1869] til the time I went there. There was four generations of my family that went there and it was destroyed by fire in 1965. Marjorie nee Myers Butler. Yes, I remember along with it your lovely Ronisch piano. Mary, quite true! Marj what you say about the Ronisch piano. When I came the age to learn music my mum and dad couldn’t really afford it, but still what parents do for their children. They had Marj go along with them and pick this lovely Ronisch piano. It was known round the district. Everyone commented about the loss that lovely piano. After leaving school it was war time, 1939, then it was work, When I was 7 year old I was put out into the cow yard. In 1940 when the soldiers were going away our milk was confiscated it had to go to Bacchus Marsh. It used to go the Sunbury to be brine cooled and then go to Melbourne. Then they took it then to the Lifeguard Milk Factory at Bacchus Marsh. It had to go as condensed milk to the soldiers. This year is 50 years of the Land Army. I was an unofficial Land Army but they still kept check on me. I went onto married life and I followed the cows right through [howls of laughter] and we went on until the 1965 fire. That’s when we got out of the cows. Marjorie asks, was Granny Watts your grandmother or great grandmother? Mary: She was my great grandmother, the midwife of Melton. The 1965 fire started ¾ of a mile above our place, Frank Ryan’s sheds were burnt and his house was saved, then it wiped the School out, the Hall, the Church the Post Office and Store and little house that was Charlie Charlton’s in the early days. Mrs Wilson’s place was saved by the Fire Brigade by pulling boards off the side, and from there it went over the hill and it was stopped at the Rockbank Railway Station. If it had of got over the railway they said it would have gone into Werribee. A lot was burnt out in that strip. Mary nee Nixon Collins: 18 houses burnt that day. Audience question, did Melton get burnt that day? Ray: No. It came down through the Toolern Vale road and cut across about a mile and a half from the cross roads at Toolern Vale from north westerly to the south east and cut through over the Keilor road. Mary: It came in across the creek at Funstons in Toolern, then through Jim Minns. Dorothy was it your place then [nee Knox Beaty] to Ken Beatty’s and from there it went through to Doug McIntosh’s and to Cockbills and the wind changed and it came across to the railway line, and that is where they stopped it. [the cause of the fire was controversial, they had been burning off the night before and there was some talk of someone starting it. It was very hot and very strong wind, it was a terrible day] Ray: When the fire went through McIntosh’s they had a haystack on the north side of their house and the haystack got caught and the fire burnt a hole through the side of the house and the boys pyjamas on the bed. The house was saved. It came through like and express train roaring at you, I was at McIntosh’s when it went roaring past. You couldn’t see, dust and ash and tremendous heat. The fire started about 12 o’clock Jack [husband] said to me, fire, I said where, where? Just up the road, what have I got to do? and he went out and he had gone to the fire and left me. I tried to get the animals and I put out buckets of water, putting the buckets of water out saved my life. Chas Jones and another friend of his came in and they picked up the buckets of water, I thought I had better get out because the fire was on the haystack up the paddock and when I went to go out through the north side of the house and couldn’t get out, I’ll go through the front gate so I went around the other side of the house. I got caught there and Chassy Jones and his friend came round carrying the bucket of water and I panicked. He threw the bucket of water over me. Well that is what saved my life because I was damp, whenever we tried to leave the ball of fire came over me and over my shoulder and my hair was scorched. Chassy Jones lost his truck and Keith Watt his big truck because he had the water tank on it and they couldn’t get out of the yard. Granny Watt’s house, the first private hospital had condemned and Jack and I pulled it down and had it moved up to Toolern and had it in the yard a fortnight and it was all burnt and we didn’t get the shed we wanted. Every 13 years right up until Ash Wednesday fires, there has always been fire close at hand. The 1952 fire went down the back of the house, the 1965 fire took the house, and the house that I live in now, it is the third house that has been on that spot. When the Hunters owned it, Mrs Hunter was nearly burnt in her bed. They had a 13 roomed house. In 1924 the house burnt down, and there was another house was built there and that was the one that burnt down. Edna: So Mary built a brick veneer house. Marjorie: like the three little pigs [laughter] Mary Tolhurst member of the Melton & District Historical Society in the Melton and Moorabool Leader local identities, local special interest groups

Special type of watch used by Railway Staff. Used by Mr. D. Coughlan, First Resident Station Master at Wandin.Silver round pocket watch.pocket watches

Used to transport berries to Wandin Railway Station in early 1900's.2 x green metal cut-down kerosene tins, with handle. One tin has a lid.tins, kerosene containers

In approximately 1934 Beryl Jacquier (nee Keenan) was given this pram. The pram was purchased in Melbourne and picked up by Beryl's uncle who brought it by train to Seville Station (in Killara). Beryl's mother, Una Keenan, was the post-mistress who operated the post office from her home which was next to the station. When Beryl grew up and left home she and Una would write letters to each other every day so that there was always something in the mailbag for Una to process.Cream painted wooden dolls pram with sprung metal frame, black metal wheels and handle. Padded pattern on sides, padded floral cotton sides and base. The hood is missing.dolls prams

In the early 1900’s Charles Ernest Barrie and his brother Ted were in partnership in a Chaff cutting and Ha y processing Mill on the corner of Station and Brooklyn road Melton South. By 1906 Charles Ernest and James Edwin were in partnership in the Station Road mill when a connecting rail line across Brooklyn Road for a siding was constructed to the Melton Railway Station. In 1911 the Mill’s letterhead shows C.E. BARRIE Hay Pressing and Chaff Cutting Mills. This Mill as sold to H S K Ward in 1916 and stood until 1977 when it burnt down in a spectacular fire.Owned by C.E Barrie. Buildings were on the west side of Station Road in Melton South, 100 metres north of Brooklyn Roadlocal identities, pioneer families, agriculture

Built in 1926 and opened in 1927, it was the receiving station of the Australian Imperial Wireless Service. In 1927, provided the nation’s first radio communication with Britain and North America. The station closed in 1969.Former residential quarters of the Australian Beam Wireless Receiving Station at 653-701 Greigs Road East, Mt Cottrell.misc.

BUSINESS TRADE AND DIRECTORY MAP NORTH of High Street RALIEGHS Road - Early settlers Oliver Reierson ( Norwegian) Raliegh SHEBLER Court Auguste EMIL Court Jongebloed Family residence “Hemlich” ALEXANDRA Street Coronation King, Queen Alexandra - 1903 O’NEILS Road Farmer OLDERSHAW Road CORR Grove Early landowner, Teacher at the Common School – Denominational Churches, 1850’s Wesleyan (Methodist) BRYAN Court 1850’s resident renamed from earliest town site - Flat HURLEY Street Early settler and farmers - CHESNEY Road was named Minns, due to duplication altered to Chesney (Minns) SOUTH of High ALKEMADE Drive. Family name ARNOLD Court Family BARRIES Road Charles Ernest Barrie “Darlingsford” 1911 Residence KILPATRICKS Road became Barries Road west of Station Road BLACKWOOD Drive Alexander, Early settler CALLANAN Drive Surveyor early LUBY Court John Luby - Crown Grant Land title KERWIN Street Michael - Crown Grant land title (deleted due to Freeway)Pamphlet of Melton Businesses and map of the townlocal identities, misc., council

Small grey paperback book, with the title The Great Unknown printed in black lettering on the front cover with a decorative symbol. Underneath is, These narratives are true stories of my own life in the Australian Bush, 1888 - 1897. The author, L.O. Dowker Price One Shilling. The author writes about his life in the Australian Bush and working with station men and aboriginal people. There are a few black and white full page illustrations. 79p.non-fictionTrue narratives of the author's life in the Australian bush 1886 - 1897. The author tells of leaving England by sailing ship, and his life settling in Australia. He spent some time working with station men and aboriginals.australian bush, aboriginal peoples, bush stories australia

Beryl Knox speaking about early life in Melton. Page 1 1949 – 64 years ago. We began our married life at Melton Sth. The house on the corner of the Exford Rd and Staughton St-- dusty gravel roads, box thorns and noxious weeds everywhere and a sprinkling of houses and vacant land. It was a friendly community consisting of old family names. McDonalds, Blacks, Dodemaide, Cahill, Coopers, Minns, Tinklers, Nesbitts, Cochranes, Wickhams, Exells. Mavis Butler. The home owned by Mr. Robinson and Miss Robinson had been shifted in two parts transported from Diggers Rest and it is still standing 2013. Bruce’s father purchased the house and two adjoining blocks, the Conways built on one and the Rawlinson family on the other block. Eileen still resides there, she was only a baby in a pram and the family had not long arrived from England. The railway line was close to the house and the contents would rattle when heavy steams trains went through, and on a clear frosty night the 1am paper train would echo roar through very loudly when labouring towards the Exford Bridge. Then the two carriage motor train was introduced, this was great for the workers and schoolies who travelled to Melbourne. The train pulled up at the crossing or riding to pick up or drop off. Melva Gillespie (nee Hirt) Bill Cahill delivered the milk by the billy and then in bottles. Len Kennedy (Paul Kennedy’s father, Norma Murrays son) delivered Jongebloeds bread, he always had a sweep going for the Melbourne Cup and raffles for the footy club. Mr. Woodgate owned an old bus and pick up point was the Post Office when there was a Saturday film on a Melton. There were no doctors or dentists in the district. If we need a Doctor we had to travel to Bacchus Marsh or discuss problems over the phone. In later years a Bacchus Marsh Doctor rented the Bluestone building in McKenzie St a couple of days a week. If we needed the Dentist we had to travel to West Footscray or Footscray. We did our banking at “State Savings” then the Miss Minns had the agency and then Bardsleys Store. We travelled to Bacchus Marsh to the National and Commercial banks. Station Rd to Western Highway, now (High Street) was a narrow stretch of bitumen and gravel farmland either side and a couple of farm houses and large gum trees on the properties. Page 2 North of the Railway line Mrs Bessie Jones, mother of Chas and Betty Jones managed the Post Office, next door to her Chas and Betty had the Shell Centre, and later moved the business to Melton. Hughie Nesbitt and mother owned the grocery and hardware store, and I bought my first set of saucepans there. On the opposite side of Station road Mr Coombe owned the fruit shop, and also provided soft drinks and lollies for children. The Chaff Mill was on the corner of Station Rd and Brooklyn Rd. Mr Lumsden was manager and later years Bernie Trethowan and Jack Butler were partners. It finally burnt down and is a Service Station now. Along Brooklyn Rd there were a few houses and Victoria Hall, not a very big hall, but catered for lots of functions, Balls, Fancy Dress, Bazaars, Square Dancing and meetings. The Bacchus Marsh Baptists held Sunday School in the hall. A group of shops were built south of the railway line Molly and Len Skinner managed the Post Office and handled a few essential groceries. Tom McDonald and Ron Lunsberg were the butchers. Mary and Syd Cooper lived next door to us and often in turn would run out of something when we had a baking spree we would borrow or exchange, sugar flour etc over the fence. Mavis and Jack Butler lived there before the Coopers. Bernie and Iris Trethowan lived two doors up. Neighbours were invited into their home to view the first black and white television in Melton Sth. Bill Exell was one of the first Melton Sth farmers to sell his land to developers, the land was idle for years before housing developed. I joined the Melton Valley Golf Club in 1960. The Gun Club as our Club House, an old tin shed consisting a water tank, trestle table and forms and dirt floor. It was a 9 hole course with sand scraps and landscape putting before greens. The Common or parkland was part of the Golf Course. It was open for every ones recreation. Roy Norton an old identity trained his trotters on the Common and wouldn’t clear the track for the golfers. The golfers had to avoid him to continue to play. We had to keep clear when the young youths came in their paddock cars and motorbikes. Over the years the Toolern Creek flooded its banks, water and debri covered the course on one year our first Club house was flooded out. It took several working bees to clean it up. We lived at Melton Sth for 15 years and moved to Melton on the farm “Croxton Park.” The Nixon family farm “Mowbray” adjoined the farm. Bruce worked the land cropping the farm when Mrs Nixon died. Page 3 (page 4 on the handwritten script) Bruce had the first offer to buy, in those days it wasn’t easy to get good bank loans. Part of the land is the Golf Course now and Mr O’Shea purchased the bulk. Moving to Melton was totally different – I became involved with Committees, Scouts, Guides, Mothers Clubs, CWA, Church Op shop (8 years). Melton Amateurs players produced and tutored by Mabel Rogers exerts from Pyjama Game, South Pacific, Carousel - later years a group of ladies did gentle water exercise at Essendon and Station Road swimming pool. I was 20 or so years in Probus. The local followed the football, there was always a Gymkhana on the long weekend in June. The tennis always created a lot of interest during the finals. It didn’t matter which team played the supporters were treated to a cup of tea and leftovers from their afternoon tea. In 1978 were the first residents to move into the Jennings Estate Kurunjang and lived there 31 years and retired 4 years ago into Unit. The amazing changes I have experienced. Merrimu supplied our water, after depending on tanks. The landscape changed completely when developers came in, no more dusty plains \ typed web Sept 2013 McFarlane, Mrs Knox and Beryl Gillespie at the First Hundred Years Celebration of Melton State School 430. The event was held at Mechanics Hall, Melton.local identities, local significant events, education

Hand carved by pocket knife by Mr. Ott of Wandin and presented to Mr. Coghlan - Station Master on his transfer from Wandin in 1914.Hand carved with pocket knife, made from wood.walking-sticks

For residents of Northeast Victoria, railway services have provided a critical link between the area and state capital cities. CountryLink was established in January 1989 under the Transport Administration Act 1988. It was a passenger rail and road service brand that operated in regional areas of New South Wales, and to and from Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne. CountryLink operated rail services a fleet of XPT and locomotive-hauled passenger trains. The Southern region of the Country Link network covered New South Wales districts of Illawarra, South Coast, Snowy Mountains, South West Slopes, Southern Tablelands, Riverina and Sunraysia regions plus the Australian Capital Territory and parts of Victoria. The Government of Victoria contributed to the provision of these services. Services ran along the Main South line from Sydney Central station to Albury before continuing on the North East line to Southern Cross station in Melbourne. The Sydney/Melbourne Express ceased in November 1993 and was replaced by an XPT in November 1993 In December 1994, a daylight service to Melbourne resumed by extending the Riverina XPT from Albury. In July 2013, CountryLink was merged with the intercity services of CityRail to form NSW TrainLink.These items are connected to a major transportation system in eastern Australia.A collection of uniform items and memorabilia from the CountryLink rail service. They include a tie and tiepin, staff badge and lanyard, cups and a bag with CountryLink logo.Tag on tie: Stylecore Corporate Wear Australia/ Polyester/ Made in England On all items: CountryLinkcountrylink, australian railways, countrylink uniforms

The Wodonga line and train station opened in November 1873 when the section of the line from Wangaratta was completed. The expansion of the railways to the northeast of Victoria occurred after the Victorian Government took over the railways in 1867 and the trains serviced large towns such as Seymour, Wangaratta and Wodonga, as well as smaller towns along the way. The north- east train line to Wodonga remained a significant factor in the development of Wodonga as a rural city in the 20th century. The Past Officers Certificate has local significance as it was presented to Wodonga resident, Lachlan McEachern, who was President of the Wodonga Sub-Branch of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Railways Union, and there are other items that belonged to Mr Eachern in the collection of the Wodonga Historical Society. It also has wider significance as an example of a Past Officers certificate dated to the 1920s, as other examples in the collection of Museums Victoria are later and are dated to the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Dark brown wooden frame with a lighter brown wood and gold inner border on a Past Officers Certificate from the Victorian Branch of the Australian Railways Union, presented to L. McEachern in 1926, in recognition of services rendered as President of the Wodonga Sub-Branch. The certificate is a colour lithograph with black and white photolithograph images and a red embossed seal. The inscription on the certificate is surrounded by two Corinthian columns and a background illustration of a signal gantry at Flinders St Station. The signatures of the State President and State Secretary are faded. At the bottom of the certificate, there are black and white images of a suburban electric passenger train, "Unity Hall" which is the building where the Australian Railway Union offices were located and a steam train."AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS UNION" "A.R.U" "AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS / UNION / VICTORIAN BRANCH" "Presented to / L.McEachern / In Recognition / of Services Rendered / As President / of the Wodonga Sub-Branch /Year 1926" "State President / State Secretary"australian railways union, a.r.u., a.r. u. victorian branch, wodonga sub-branch, victorian railways, v.r., past officers certificate, flinders st station, railway unions, trade unions

The set of seven imperial weights were used in the Post Office in Wodonga. The first Post Office in Wodonga opened on the 6th June 1856, and a second Post Office was built in 1874 on the corner of Sydney Road which became High St. and South St. In 1878 there were three staff at the Wodonga Post Office, including the Postmaster/Telegraph Manager and two Office-Keepers/Messengers. The mail service in 1878 included delivery four times a day from the Railway Station to the Post Office in Wodonga, and to and from the Wodonga Post Office to Albury twice a day.The set of seven imperial weights has local and state significance as it was used in the Wodonga Post Office in North East Victoria before decimal currency was introduced in Australia in 1966. The weights also have national significance as examples of the equipment used in post offices in Australia pre 1966.Set of seven cast iron and lead weights with imperial measurements '4 oz, 8oz, 1 lb, 2 lb, 3 lb, 4 lb, and 7 lb' The exterior circular black painted cast iron encases the heavy inner grey lead component, which is visible from the underside. "4 oz.", "8 / oz.", 1 lb.", "1 lb.", "2 lb.", "3 lb.", 4 lb.", MERCURY / 7 LB." on the top of the weights in raised numbers and letters.wodonga post office, post office, victoria post offices, wodonga, north eastern victoria post offices, victorian mail service

During the depression of the early 1930s, men on the dole carried out work for the Wodonga Shire Council. One of the projects during the term of councillor Mick Martin, as shire president, was to seal the footpaths in central Wodonga. Local business people supplied the cement. The police department refused to fund the cement for its section of High Street, north of the railway line, which included the police station and the courthouse. The then licensee of the Terminus Hotel offered to provide the cement for sealing the footpath in front of the police station and courthouse. This offer was made on the condition that tiles bearing the words Terminus Hotel be inserted into the footpath pointing toward the hotel.The police objected but the hotel licensee, Tex Bailey, won the day. As a result, his hotel’s tiled name was inserted into the footpath in front of the police station. Cr Mick Martin’s son, Des, wrote to the council in 1967 asking that the sign be preserved and it was moved to the Terminus Hotel and placed in the footpath there.The Terminus Hotel was one of the earliest hotels in Wodonga with clear links to the establishment of the railway line. It was an important business and meeting place for social gatherings.The name, Terminus Hotel worked into the brickwork of the footpath when they were surfaced by sustenance workers during the 1930s Depression. "TERMINUS HOTEL"hotels wodonga, businesses wodonga, terminus hotel wodonga

non-fictionThis booklet is one of several publications from the State Electricity Commission during the period it was responsible for the running of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. It promotes tourism and depicts key features of the region in the 1980s.victoria. kiewa valley, kiewa river valley (vic.) -- description and travel., kiewa hydro

non-fictionThe spectacular mountain railway from Wodonga to Cudgewa in north eastern Victoria was one of Australia's truly fascinating branch lines, and the most challenging to operate on the Victorian Railways. It was a railway of scenic splendour, famous for its towering wooden bridges, notoriously steep grades, Hereford cattle and K class steam locomotives. This lavishly illustrated publication includes over 100 colour and B&W photographs, and tells the story of the railway through the memories of Cudgewa railway enginemen, station masters, bridge gangers,railroads victoria, railways cudgewa, railways wodonga, railways high country

Holdenson and Nielson Fresh Food Pty Ltd was founded in 1903 by Poul Jorgenson Holdenson and Andrew Nielson, after acquiring the Fresh Food and Storage Co, which had plants throughout Australia, including Albury. The plant was moved to Wodonga that year. Cream was collected from all areas of North East Victoria and the Riverina, with contractors carting it to the railway stations for rail travel to Wodonga. The Butter Factory was built on the Lincoln Causeway in 1926, and the Cheese Factory in 1942 as a wartime emergency project. At the same time, a pasteurising plant was installed in the complex, and so whole milk was collected from dairy farmers, rather than just cream. The company was bought out by the North Eastern Dairy Co-operative in 1962. It became a retail milk depot also involved in ice-making and cold storage. In 1985, Goulburn Murray bought the complex and as the site was surplus to requirements, it was sold to Wodonga Council. The buildings were adapted for other uses. The Butter Factory was modified and extended and for some time was occupied by the Albury- Wodonga Visitor Centre. The Creator's Gallery was established in the engine room, and the loading area and ice-making works were extended and modified for use as the HotHouse Theatre. The Cheese Factory was adapted for use as a theatre and jazz venue, and housed the HotHouse office. The various outbuildings, such as garages and storage areas, were adapted for use as shops and craft outlets.This collection is significant because it documents an important industry in Wodonga.A collection of images and advertisements promoting Holdenson and Nielsen of Wodongaholdenson & nielson, wodonga dairies, victorian dairy industry

The sale of stock in Wodonga goes back to its earliest history with yards being operated on the site now occupied by Elgin's Hotel and the Centro Shopping Centre, located close to the railways. Horse sales were an important part of the history of the Wodonga Saleyards. Horses were bred in north-east Victoria for the Indian Market, and records show that a truck load of horses left Wodonga Station in 1875. Campbell & Sons commenced selling horses at the Elgin Street site in 1895 and they conducted regular sales in association with Younghusband Ltd. Campbell & Sons was a Melbourne-based company, which eventually merged with Wright Stephenson & Co. Wodonga and Towong Sentinel of Friday 3rd March 1899 reported “Buyers attended from Bendigo, Ballarat, Calcutta, Madras, Singapore, The Islands, Gippsland, Dandenong, and Melbourne. Indian remounts brought up to £32 10s, draughts to £25, medium draughts to £18, town hacks and harness horses to £32, buggy pairs to £65, and light weedy sorts to £5.” After World War II, large numbers of mainly Clydesdale working horse teams were driven to Wodonga for sale. The March horse sale was the biggest and most important event of the year with overall yardings of 1,000 horses sold over two or even three days. It was a very busy period. All the horses were put through the ring singly, usually by Felix Grundy and generally caught and mouthed by Harold Boon, Andy Elliot or Toy Mulqueeney. The majority of the horses sold were trucked by rail from Wodonga. With developments in technology and the changing role of the horse in modern society, the sale of horses dwindled although horse sales at Wodonga continued until the early 1980s.These items are significant because they represent an important industry in Wodonga's past as a major centre of livestock sales in Victoria.Photographic images of horses on sale at Wodonga Saleyards.wodonga saleyards, horse sales wodonga

non-fictionA detailed history and description of the North East Rail Line, including information about each station and siding and relevant maps.railway transport victoria, north east railway victoria, victoria railways, lineside rail guide