These two bottles have contained milk sold by the Warrnambool firm of Antarctic Ice Pty Ltd. in the mid 20th century.In the 1930s a pasteurizing plant was set up in Warrnambool in conjunction with an ice works in Kepler Street known as Antarctic Ice (Good and Stevenson). This firm had secured a milk supply from farmers in the Warrnambool region. Eventually Antarctic Ice was bought by the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory and Kraft Foods as equal partners and the milk was marketed as Sungold. Also a farmer named Kaye Ryan had set up a pasteurization plant in East Warrnambool (Raglan Parade/Verdon Street) in opposition to Antarctic Ice and Sungold. Kraft and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter bought out Ryan and moved Sungold operations to the Ryan site. Kraft Foods sold its share of Sungold to Warrnambool Cheese and Butter and in 1989 the milk factory was moved to the Allansford site of Warrnambool Cheese and Butter and Sungold continues there today.These bottles are of interest, firstly as examples of the half-pint milk bottles familiar to people living in the mid 20th century and secondly because they are good examples of the bottles used by an important Warrnambool business, Antarctic Ice. These are two clear glass bottles. When filled each bottle contained 10 fluid ounces or half a pint of milk. The bottles have a round base with a rounded body tapering slightly to a thick neck and a thick moulded top. The bottles when filled had a seal consisting of a circle of waxed cardboard that was pressed into a recess on the lip of the bottle. These lids are missing.The bottles have lettering impressed into the glass. ‘This bottle contains milk bottled for sale by Antarctic Ice Products Pty Ltd Warrnambool and always remains their property. It is loaned and cannot be legally used or sold by others.’ ‘Contents 10 ozs.’ ‘497’ milk production in warrnambool, antarctic ice pty ltd

These are milk bottles from the Warrnambool firm of Antarctic Ice. In the 1930s a pasteurising plant was set up in Warrnambool in conjunction with an ice works in Kepler Street, Warrnambool, known as Antarctic Ice (Good and Stevenson). This firm secured a milk supply from several dairy farmers in the Warrnambool district. Antarctic Ice at the Kepler Street site was eventually bought by the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Company and Kraft Foods as equal partners and the milk was marketed as the Sungold brand. A farmer, Kaye Ryan, had set up a pasteurization plant in East Warrnambool (Raglan Parade/Verdon Street) to treat his own milk in opposition to Antarctic Ice and later Sungold. Kraft and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter purchased the Ryan business and the Sungold operations moved to the Ryan site. Kraft sold its share of Sungold and in 1989 the Sungold plant was moved to the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory at Allansford where it operates today. These bottles are of great interest, firstly as examples of the pint bottles in which we used to receive bottled milk in the mid 20th century and secondly as examples of the bottles used by an important local Warrnambool firm, Antarctic Ice. These are six clear glass one pint milk bottles. They have round bases and bodies tapering through to the neck with a round moulded glass top. These bottles were originally sealed with a circle of waxed cardboard pressed into a recess at the top but there are no seals with these bottles. .1 bottle has a slight chip on the base and on the top opening.‘This bottle contains milk bottled for sale by Antarctic Ice Products Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ ‘Bottle is the property of the above. It is loaned and cannot be legally used by others.’ ‘497’ milk supply in warrnambool district, history of warrnambool

This book was owned by John Crawley, engineer, architect and surveyor. He was appointed District Engineer for the Public Works Department for the Western District in 1866. He was the Shire of Warrnambool Engineer from 1874 to 1895 when he was succeeded by his son.This book is of interest as it contains examples of architectural designs from U.S.A. in the 1870s. Designs such as these influenced the designs of buildings in other countries including Australia. This book is also of interest because of its connection to John Crawley, a member of the Crawley family that had a long and influential association with the Shire of Warrnambool.This is a hard cover book. It has a brown cover with gold lettering. The book has come apart from its binding so many of the pages are loose and the covering on the spine is missing . The front cover is somewhat stained and the edges are worn. The book has many diagrams and illustrations.The inscriptions are handwritten in black ink J. W. Crawley Warrnambool J.W. Crawley 1879john crawley

This book belonged to John William Crawley an engineer, architect and surveyor who was appointed District Engineer for the Public Works Department in the Western District in 1866. He was the Shire of Warrnambool Engineer from 1874 to 1895 when he was succeeded by his son. This book is of minor importance as a memento of John William Crawley an important engineer in the Shire of WarrnamboolThis is a hard cover book with pages containing architectural plans,designs and printing. Some of the pages are blank.The cover is faded and spotted and has a gold title The spine is damaged .Inside the front cover is an inscription and on the following page is another inscription.J.W Crawley 1879 Architecture john william crawley, shire of warrnambool

All but two of these letters came from the office of the Chief Secretary of the Government of Victoria and concern the grants allocated to the Warrnambool Art Gallery from 1886 to 1911. At that time the Art Gallery was under the control of the Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Committee and managed by the Secretary/Treasurer of that group. The Government funding for the Art Gallery at the time represented a sum of money equal to the value of the works of art donated locally to the Art Gallery in any given year and frequently the estimated value of these art works were queried by the Warrnambool Secretary of the time. Two notable Secretaries of the Mechanics Institutes during this time were Walter Cockman (1880-1892) and George Lance (1892-1901). The correspondence under review here was retained by George Lance and his family and came into the possession of Lance’s grandson, Bruce Morris who was the editor of the Warrnambool Standard newspaper from 1946 to 1968 and was a well-known local historian. These letters are of considerable importance as they are original and document the struggle of the Warrnambool Art Gallery over the years 1886 to 1911 to secure funding from the Victorian Government.These are 19 pieces of correspondence relating to Warrnmbool Art Gallery grants and purchases from 1886 to 1911. The letters are written on different size pieces of paper (mostly foolscap size), with thirteen of them being handwritten and six being typed. All letters have original signatures. The earliest letter (1886) is very tattered. warrnambool art gallery, history of warrnambool

This inventory of the contents of the old Museum in Warrnambool dates from the 1920s. A Mechanics Institute under the management of a local committee was established in Warrnambool in 1854 and a Mechanics Institute building was erected in Liebig Street in 1871 (site of present Municipal Library). Museum items and art works began to be collected and housed in the Mechanics Institute building at that time under the care of a committee member and local policeman, Joseph Archibald. This collection did not survive in any significant form after Archibald left the town but it was revived and vastly expanded when he retired and returned to Warrnambool in 1880. Archibald is regarded as the founder of the Museum which officially dates from 1883. In 1910 the Warrnambool Town Council took over the management of the Mechanics Institute, including the Museum collection. This museum continued until 1963 and was a much-loved institution in the city. The contents of the old Museum were dispersed, with many items lost but a considerable portion of the collection was under the care of Warrnambool Art Gallery and John Welsh, the Director in the 1970s, in an effort to keep the records of the old Museum intact, had the 1920s inventory reprinted. This inventory of Warrnambool’s old Museum is of considerable historical importance as it is an almost complete record of the Museum’s contents in the 1920s and so is very useful to researchers today.This is an inventory of 190 pages with a cardboard backing. The pages have three punched holes on the left side and are tied together with black and white cotton cord. At the front of the pages is a plastic envelope with a heading. The pages contain typed material, mostly in mauve ink and these are copies of the original typing. The typing on some pages is very faint and two pages have been re-copied to make them more legible. Warrnambool Art Gallery Old Records of the Warrnambool Museum collected by John A.Welsh, Director, and restored by Gaspars Modern Print 25th September 1972. old museum, mechanics institute building, history of warrnambool, joseph archibald

In 1868 John Rowley opened a soda water manufactory attached to the Corio Brewery and this was renamed the Warrnambool Steam Aerated Works in 1872. By the 1880s his factory at the corner of Timor and Banyan Streets was occupying half an acre of land , employing 13 people and manufacturing 20 varieties of drinks. Following Rowley's death the factory and plant was sold but the cordial manufacturing business continued for some years. These labels are of great significance as John Rowley was a dominant name in the cordial making business in Warrnambool..1 Rectangular , red, green, blue and white label featuring text, two flags with lions, a sailing ship, a sheep and a sheaf of wheat. There is a scroll with text. A white decorative border surrounds the label. It is adhered to a piece of red thin cardboard. .2 Irregular shaped label with gold and green decorations on a white background and text. The decorative pieces include grapes, vine leaves, flowers, the profile of a wolf, and two medallions with the coat of arms of Warrnambool There are two scrolls with text The label is adhered to a piece of white card. .5 Rectangular Multi coloured label with text adhered to a piece of white paper .4 Rectangular green card with text .3 Hexagonal grey/green label with black and red text and decorative black dotted curls mounted on white paper .6 White rectangular label with blue text and decorative surround of leaves and flowers. It has damage to three corners. .7 White label with blue text and decorative border adhered to white paper. .8 Pale pink rectangular card label with rose coloured text and a decorative border. .9 Cream rectangular label with red text and decorative border adhered to a piece of white paper 10.1, 10.2 Cream rectangular labels with red text. .2 is adhered to white paper. 11.1, 11.2 Cream rectangular labels with red text and borders adhered to white paper..1 ROWLEY'S STANDARD CLOVES WARRNAMBOOL COLOURED WITH BURNT SUGAR .2 Warrnambool NULLI SECUNDUS BY THESE WE FLOURISH STANDARD ORANGE BITTERS J.S.ROWLEY .3 STANDARD HOP BEER J.S. ROWLEY AERATED WATERS & CORDIAL MANUFACTURER WARRNAMBOOL .4 Rowley's SPARKLING Ginger Champagne NON ALCOHOLIC AND INVIGORATING .5 WARRNAMBOOL J.S.ROWLEY'S GINGERALE. TO HIS EXCELLENCY LORD BRASSEY K.G.B. .6 ROWLEY'S LEMONADE MANUFACTURED WITH THOROUGHLY FILTERED RAIN WATER WARRNAMBOOL .7 ROWLEY'S LITHIA WATER .8 ROWLEY'S TONIC WATER .9 ROWLEY'S GINGER BEER .10.1 ,10.2 ROWLEY'S KOLA CHAMPAGNE A Most Highly Refreshing and Excellent Beverage. Its properties are unequalled for preventing fatigue. .11 J.S ROWLEY, MANUFACTURER WARRNAMBOOL & HAMILTON CONTENTS APPROXIMATELY 25 OZ. THIS CORDIAL DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY PRESERVATIVE .2 Warrnambool NULLI SECUNDUS BY THESE WE FLOURISH STANDARD ORANGE BITTERS J.S ROWLEY john rowley, cordial manufacture

These labels or stickers were produced as part of the celebrations and promotional material to be used during the period 1979 to 1982 when Warrnambool was the official Premier Town in Victoria. The title was awarded by the Premier of Victoria with scores allocated for heritage and environment, community participation, industrial and commercial development, tourism, land use and public works and community facilities. Warrnambool won the inaugural award in 1958, in 1979-82 and in 1988-91.These labels are of minor interest as reminders of one of the times when Warrnambool was awarded the title of Victoria’s Premier Town.These are eight green labels on a perforated sheet. They have black printing and an adhesive backing and are designed to be detached and used separately as stickers or labels.Warrnambool Premier Town 1979-82warrnambool premier town 1979-1982, history of warrnambool, label

This exercise book contains details on the work carried out by A.Greed, a tradesman undertaking small carpentry and repair jobs in the Warrnambool region. The works completed date from 17 April 1945 to 11 October 1949. Mr Greed apparently worked mostly for the Public Works Department and had contracts for schools including Ecklin South, Panmure, Cudgee, Dennington, Mailors Flat, Grasmere, and Warrnambool Technical School and for other public buildings including the Warrnambool Court House, the Police Station and Housing Commission buildings. Other contracts included ones for the Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve, Callaghan’s Garage, the Caledonian Hotel, the Methodist Croquet Club and many private home owners. Details on the identity of ‘A. Greed’ are not known as there are several possibilities for the 1940s era. One clue is that an ‘E. Greed’ was also an employee.This exercise book is of some interest as an example of a tradesman’s handwritten details of his work as a carpenter and repair man in the 1940s in the Warrnambool area. There are many local names and businesses of interest mentioned in the exercise book. This is an exercise book with a grey cover with red binding. The dark blue printing on the front cover is enclosed in scroll patterns and the back cover has dark blue printing The cover is creased and has some ink splotches. The front cover has been stamped but the printing is now mostly illegible. The pages contain handwritten work and accounting information in black and blue ink. Some pages have been overwritten in red and black ink and pencil and there is one loose sheet.The Vana Exercise Booka.greed,, warrnambool tradesman, history of warrnambool

These two works of art are by Dr Don Edgar, a sociologist, educator and author. He taught sociology at Stanford University, the University of Chicago, Monash University and La Trobe University and was the founding Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies. In the 1950s Dr Edgar was a student at Warrnambool High School and these works of art were produced at that time. For a school project he researched the early history of the Warrnambool Art Gallery and some of its collection, dating from the 19th century. In 2019 he published a book, ‘Art For the Country’, the story of Victoria’s regional art galleries and the book includes information on the founding and the later history of the Warrnambool Art Gallery.These works of art are of interest as they were painted by Dr Don Edgar, a noted academic and author today and a former resident of Warrnambool. The two works of art also have historical interest as they depict Warrnambool scenes painted over 60 years ago. .1 An art work (oil on artboard) – the Warrnambool Botanical Gardens with bridge and reflections, a gum tree and a poplar tree, all in green and orange tonings. The wooden frame has a light varnish with gold and white trim .2 An art work (oil on artboard) – multi-coloured view of the mouth of Hopkins River with the Hopkins River bridge, Lyndoch bungalow and boathouse. The frame is wooden with a mottled varnish and a white insert edging. .1 Don Edgar 1953 Don Edgar 1953 (High School Student) .2 D.E. 53 Don Edgar 1953 (High School Student) dr don edgar, sociologist, author and educator, warrnambool art gallery, history of warrnambool

The footbridge which extended from the facility to the landscaped garden and water features is now gone. The footbridge and garden were previously part of a former hat factory in Sherbourne Road Eltham which has in the past been used for various purposes and presently a self storage business. The Karingal Yallock Creek passes through the front of the land and the creek environs are the subject of significant and unusual landscaping works, including some cascading water channels. Some of the landscaping was damaged by the Christmas Day floods of 2011, but the main elements remain intact. The landscaped area (as distinct from the factory itself) is the subject of a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. The basis of this overlay is a Heritage Report by Graeme Butler and Associates in 2006. As well as an assessment of the landscaped area, it includes one background information on the history of the site (although a complete history would require more research). The site was part of Crown Portion 3 of the Parish of Nillumbik that remained as the Montmorency Farm until early in the twentieth century. The 1911 subdivision of this farm created Lot 7 of some seven acres, which is the site of this factory. The Heritage Report lists the various owners of the site. From the rate records and aerial photos it is concluded that the site was used as an orchard and farmland until the 1940s. William F Crellin, orchardist, owned the site from 1912 to 1923. Then Edmund Williams owned it until 1951. In 1955 the site was owned by Rupert V. Kirsch and this is the name anecdotally associated with the hat factory, where the well-known brand of Fayrefield Hats were manufactured. There is some belief that this was built about the time of the Second World War and that hats for the armed forces were made there.fay bridge collection, eltham, fayrefield hat factory, foot bridge, sherbourne road, footbridge, fort knox eltham

Robert Boyle Landscape Design created the original design and construction of the lake in 1993. They are renowned local landscape designers and have carried out numerous projects at the Cemetery, including the major upgrades to the lakeside design in 2020. Title Lakeside Maintenance and Improvement Works Url https://www.elthamcemetery.com/item/25-lakeside-maintenance-and-improvement-works Description Improvement works to the lake and surrounding area July to October 2020.fay bridge collection, 2009, eltham, eltham cemetery, lake, mount pleasant road

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

Old Bridge on Main Hurstbridge road in Diamond Creek township crossing the Diamond Creek. The bridge opened in April 1898. Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), Friday 22 April 1898, page 2 "Diamond Creek Bridge. The official opening of this bridge took place yesterday (Thursday) in the presence of a large gathering of people. The bridge-a substantial iron structure, costing .~r 2oo-was profusely decorated with "flags of all nations" for the occasion. In the absence of the Minister' of Public Works-who was unavoidably prevented from attending-the opening ceremony was neatly performed by President Lugton, of the Heidelberg Shire, in a few wellchosen words, after which an adjournment was made to the Literary Institute, where some sixty gentlemen were entertained at luncheon, followed by speeches, songs, and recitations. It was a red letter day for the Creek, and everything passed off with becoming eclat." Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p7This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, diamond creek, diamond creek bridge, main hurstbridge road

Christmas 2001 articles include: Governor of Victoria re-dedicates KG War Memorial Tower Election details (2002) Summer at the Diamond Creek Pool Community Safety Expo Nillumbik Festival of the Arts: ‘art, caught in the act’ 22 Feb to 3 Mar 2002 Neighbourhood Character Study out for comment Plans to revive St Andrews Market site Integrated Transport Strategy seeks less car usage Eltham Festival Album Rural connector roads strategy Rural Collector Roads to be Sealed Roundabout funding for Diamond Creek Community Fireguard helps prepare for fire Planning for bush fire this summer Capital Works projects on track for 2001-2002 Eltham Town Square opens council newsletters, nillumbik news, nillumbik shire council

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford

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

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford, gordon's shack, love shack

Gordon Ford built this shack on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, 2016-04, bernie's hut, birrarung, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river

Gordon Ford built this shack on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, 2016-07-22, bernie's hut, birrarung, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river

Glynn’s farm Originally Section 7, Parish of Nillumbik marked Aborigine Reserve in 1866 Crown Allotment 8, Section 7, Parish of Nillumbik, County of Evelyn, Certificate of Title Volume 4095, Folio 818.835, approx. 93 acres purchased by Joseph Panton in 1881 for £1/acre and known as Panton’s Point. By 1924 owned by S.S. Sergeant and called Riverswood. Sergeant commissioned Edna Walling to design the garden. In September 1929 the property was sold at auction by Mortgagee’s sale. Described as well built, brick, tile roof, Attic Villa containing downstairs 7 good rooms, bath, scullery, inside lavatory, etc. Upstairs 2 bedrooms and sleep out. Outbuildings compromising of brick and weatherboard wash house, stables, workshop, feed room, cow bails, large G.I. Hay shed, etc In January 1931 Riverswood property was proclaimed a sanctuary for native game for the entire year. A private swing bridge crossed the river at Pound Bend was known as Pearson’s bridge after C.W.K. Pearson who bought Riverswood in the early 1930s. The bridge was swept away in the December 1934 floods. Riverswood was sold by C.W.K. Pearson at auction on 25 November 1936. Described as a beautiful farm home of 93 acres and over one mile of River Yarra frontage, modern brick residence, lovely garden, rich river flat pastures, model poultry farm. The fine brick home was destroyed on Black Friday (13 Jan.) 1939. It was still a ruin when the Evelyn Evans purchased Waikowhane above Riverswood in 1940. The Glynn family purchased the Riverswood property in 1941 from Robert and Emily Hannon. Their son Kenneth Patrick Glynn inherited the property and he set about clearing the land during WW2 selling wood. Prior to marriage, Kenneth was living alone on the farm in a house he had built from whatever was available. He used the bluestone foundations from the original fine brick home. He met and married Honora Elizabeth Drew in early 1945 and their daughter Anna grew up on the farm. It was compulsorily acquired by the Board of Works in 1976 who then rented the house out in the 1980s. The property was transferred to Melbourne Parks and Waterways in 1996. Waikowhane was a pretty timber house built on top of the hill on 50 acres above Riverswood by retired nurse Jessie MacBeth. (This would be at the intersection of Glynns Road and Overbank Road where the big water tank is now situated on what was once James Orford’s property.) It was also destroyed Black Friday and she rebuilt it from the plans living in a caravan on site supervising the build. It was almost complete when she died May 1939. The property was bought by Evelyn Evans (a city girl) and her estranged husband in 1940. She had two sons, one only 9 months old at the time. It was a timber house with no power or water connected. The Ewen Cameron family bought Waikowhane in 1957. They had to evacuate when the 1961 bushfires swept through. The house was saved by Matcham Skipper. It was demolished by Melbourne Water in the 1990s when they acquired it.fay bridge collection, 2018-08-31, glynn's, glynn's dairy farm, glynns road, north warrandyte, parks victoria, ruins, riverswood, kenneth patrick glynn

Williams house, Susan StreetRecord of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.eltham, houses, susan street, williams house

Dixons Creek in floodRecord of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.1955-09-23, bridge construction, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road, flood damage, floods, infrastructure, road construction, shire of eltham

Dixons Creek in floodRecord of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.1955-09-23, bridge construction, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road, flood damage, floods, infrastructure, road construction, shire of eltham

Dixons Creek in floodRecord of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.1955-09-23, bridge construction, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road, flood damage, floods, infrastructure, road construction, shire of eltham

Dixons Creek in floodRecord of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.1955-09-23, bridge construction, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road, flood damage, floods, infrastructure, road construction, shire of eltham

Dixons Creek in flood Temporary bridge washed outRecord of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.1955-09-23, bridge construction, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road, flood damage, floods, infrastructure, road construction, shire of eltham

October 1955 Bringing up Bailey panelsRecord of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, road construction, shire of eltham, 1955-10, bailey bridge, bridge construction, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road