The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest. Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS Local newspaper reports about the ‘discovery’ of Box Cottage’ 1977 3 x A4 paper printed on 1 side Issue 16 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in April 2010.. Notice for the meeting on Anzac Day, Sunday 25th , 3 photocopied photographs taken by 2nd Lieutenant Vic Smith aboard the troopship “Port Sydney” coming home from WW1 in 1919. An article ‘Re-visiting some ‘Box Cottage’ Facts recounts the discovery of the ‘Cottage’ in a shed on the property purchased by Mr Laurie Lewis from the Reitman family in 1977. Thankfully Mr Lewis appreciated such a find and donated it to the City of Moorabbin, and together it was dismantled and re-constructed in Joyce Park, Ormond in 1988 – 100 yards from the original site. Excerpts from 3 articles in ‘The Moorabbin Standard’ and ‘Chadstone Progress’ Newspapers 1977 describing the newly discovered early settler cottage on the Lewis Timber Pty Ltd property in Jasper Road, Ormond. A photocopied photograph of the ‘Box Cottage’ June 1977 when used as a storage facility. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / APRIL 2010 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, lewis laurie, lewis grace, lewis timber pty. ltd., melbourne, moorabbin, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, smith vic, ss port sydney, world war one 1914 – 1918, soldiers, aif, reitman j., box john, box william, dendy henry, bullock drays, moorabbin roads board 1862, dendy’s special survey 1841, mclean n, box henry, joyce park ormond, city of moorabbin

Owned by Alexander Cameron who arrived in Australia in 1853. Alexander Cameron ("Big Alex") was an early settler on the Snowy River flats. he worked the paddle steamer Cheviot for a while, having a wharf and sheds on the Snowy River in 1900. Later moved to Cann River. The Bowling Club was founded in 1929, by a group of farmers and businessmen. They set about providing a sporting icon for the town. Six rinks were constructed on the current site using horse drawn scoops and drags. The "Back to Orbost” 1937 book, describes the greens as "a bit rough for the first two seasons but now compare favourably with most country greens". Funds for the construction were raised by the issue of debentures at £5 each, and subscriptions were £1/1s/0d ($2.10). (info. Margaret Smith)Alec Cameron was a prominent early Orbost settler. The Orbost Bowling Club was established in 1929.Wooden lawn bowl with wooden circles on top and bottom. Top- I Bottom - J.R.22recreation sport lawn-bowls cameron-alexander

This item comes from the estates of the Misses Ardlie of Warrnambool. It belonged to Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) who was aged 11 when she received the album. Her sisters were Olive (1905-1912) and Dorothy (1910-1993). They were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnmbool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, early settlers in Warrnambool. The Misses Ardlie lived in their early years at Aroona in Princess Street in Warrnambool. The autograph album has handwritten contributions (verse and signatures) from family members and friends and twelve signatures of cricketers from the Australian Test series of 1928-1929. These are mostly English cricketers and include the signatures of Wally Hammond, Jack Hobbs, Harold Larwood and George Duckworth.This autograph book is of considerable interest, firstly as a memento of Agnes Ardlie, a member of a prominent family in Warrnambool in the 20th century and secondly, as an item of some significance in the cricket world with its signatures of some English cricketers on tour in Australia in 1928/29.This is an autograph album with a dark red leather cover and gold writing on the front cover. Inside the cover are pages in a green mottled pattern. The other pages are mostly white or cream with some coloured pages. Some pages have handwritten verse and signatures in black and blue ink. A blue shopkeeper’s label is on the inside back page. Album Agnes M. Ardlie ‘Aroona’ Warrnambool 3.11.26 ardlie family, history of warrnambool

This item was given to the Historical Society in 1972, with the donor indicating that the spirit level belonged to the Henty family. The Hentys of Portland are regarded as the first permanent settlers in the State of Victoria (1834). Stephen Henty, with his brother Edward, was involved in the whaling industry in Portland. He also had shipping interests, operating a regular Western District shipping service (‘Champion’, ‘Lady Bird’, ‘Western’, ‘Edina’ etc) and a property ‘Cadnook’, near Harrow. Stephen Henty had close connections with Warrnambool not only because of his shipping interests but also because he was the brother-in-law of an early Warrnambool Harbour Master, Captain Frank Helpman. A spirit level was an essential tool for early settlers as they often built their own homes and constructed the roads nearby, needing to ascertain if what was being constructed was on level ground.It does not seem possible to establish whether this item belonged to the Henty family or to a Henty property. But in the Historical Society collection we have a piece of sheet music which includes the handwriting ‘Mrs Smalpaige, Cadnook’, ‘S. J. Henty’ and the date ‘8th August 1859’. Also the Warrnambool Art Gallery has an authentic Henty piano dating from 1837 and Stephen Henty’s wife died in Hamilton in 1906 so it is possible that the spirit level came to us from a Henty family descendant living nearby via Mr N. Kelly. If the Henty provenance can be proved then this item is of high significance.This is an unvarnished wooden spirit level, apparently home made, with a bubble in the centre. The top has been attached with eight screws, now much rusted. There appears to be some letters in the bubble area but they have not been deciphered “Hentys spirit level, oldest in Australia” is written in ink on the back of the objectspirit level, henty brothers portland, warrnambool, henty family

James Jones was the son of Philip Jones, a Chairmaker, and Ann Jones who settled in East Brighton after the sale of land c1852 in the area of the Henry Dendy Special Survey of 1841. Mary Ann Moore was the daughter of Thomas Moore, a Gardener, and Sarah Harris who also settled in Brighton c1852. James and Mary Ann Jones settled and raised their family in East Brighton now Bentleigh. They sadly lost Martha Jones born 1888 died in 1890 ,and. Baby Ethel May died 1893 and a stillborn baby was buried in 1900. However, their daughter Elizabeth Ann Jones born 1885 married John Patrick Kennedy born 1885, a the son of Thomas Kennedy , Dairyman deceased, and Jane Donovan early settlers in the Brighton area, at South Melbourne in January 1917 . James Jones and Mary Ann Moore were born in Brighton c1857 and c 1859 into pioneer market gardener families in the area of the Dendy Special Survey of 1841. They married in 1883 and raised their family in East Brighton, now Bentleigh. Sadly infectious diseases took the lives of many infants throughout the Colony of Victoria due to the poor state of water supply and sewerage disposal and locally the swamps of the Elster Creek were a constant breeding ground. Martha Jones born 1888 died 1890 and was interred in the Brighton General Cemetery. In 1893 another daughter Ethel May died and stillborn baby in May1900. Mary Ann Jones died, at age 43years, in January 1903 and in November 1940 Mr James Jones was buried in the family grave. Their daughter Elizabeth Ann Jones , born 1885, married John Patrick Kennedy, born 1885, the son of Thomas Kennedy, a dairyman and Jane Donovan also early settlers in Brighton area at St Luke’s Anglican Church in South Melbourne in January 1917 Original Certificate of Marriage of Elizabeth Ann Jones, the daughter of James and Mary Ann Jones, to John Patrick Kennedy at St Luke's Anglican Church in South Melbourne on January 1st 1917In the State of Victoria/ crest/ In the Commonwealth of Australia/FOURTH SCHEDULE ACTSNOS. 2691 and 2720 -FORM B/ CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE B/ Year 1917Parish or Church District South Melbourne Denomination Church of England/ signed by Patrick Kennedy and Elizabeth Jones, witnesses Ada Hewton and Alice Steedman and Vicar David Ross Hewton dated this first day of January 1917anglican church, st luke's south melbourne, jones elizabeth ann, kennedy john patrick, kennedy thomas, donovan jane, dairyman, dairy farms, brighton general cemetery, vaccination, pioneers, early settlers, typhoid, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, market gardeners, jones james, jones mary ann, jones martha, dendy henry, dendys special survey 1841, infectious diseases, water supply, elster creek, melbourne, jones ethel may, reverend hewton david ross

Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire used large cast iron pots, pans and kettles, that were suspended over the open fire in the kitchen, for cooking meals. They had to be frugal and self-sufficient and so repaired the equipment to prolong its useful lifetime. Blacksmiths also made and repaired household equipment. James McEwan & Co 1852 - 1993 once dominated the the hardware retailing scene in Victoria. Established in 1852 to service the booming gold rush in Victoria the company went on to become one of the longest established retailers in Australia. Over it’s 140 year history the company went through many booms and busts. The McEwans name finally left the Australian retail scene with little fanfare when the last store was re-badged Bunnings in 1993Early settlers were frugal and self sufficient so they repaired their kitchen equipment when possible . McEwans Pty Ltd. was an established hardware company in Melbourne 1852-1993. Bunnings Pty Ltd is currently a successful hardware retailer for trade and public customers.Two metal discs with screw and nut for mending holes in cast iron pots, pans and kettles c1930 packing strip; THE edmay POTMENDER / Price tag ; McEWANS 77 - 11early settlers, market gardeners, cooking utensils, kitchenware, castiron cooking pots, blacksmiths, slow cooking, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

The photograph is from the album of Ivy My Child. The area depicted would be looking across the Kalorama Valley with the visible roof tops being the homes of the early settler families. Ivy May Child (1910 – 1989) was the daughter of Arthur Edward (Ted) Child (1878 – 1964) and Ethel May Madden (1888 – 1970). Ted Child was the son of Matthew Francis Child (1839 – 1933) and Martha Jeeves (1857 – 1926). He was the grandson of one of the early pioneers Francis Child. Ivy grew up on the family property on Childs Road and took many photographs. Most of these are glued into her photo album. The album covered the years from c1927 – 1932. Ivy married Henry William Burgess (1906 – 1968) in 1944. The photographs remain in their original state in the album with individual copies made. Black and white photograph with trees and bushes in the foreground and hills in the distance. White shapes scattered throughout the centre are the roofs of buildings.Written below the photograph in album: Kaloramakalorama valley, kalorama

J.W. Gardner erected premises in Beech Forest which formed the core of a village. No further progress was made until access was facilitated though the development of a narrow gauge railway approved by the Victorian Parliament in 1898. Construction commenced in 1900. From this time Colac and Geelong business interests began investment in Beech Forest and established various retail and service establishments over the next few years. In 1902 three early settlers, Gardner, Charles Buchanan and John Cockerill, divided part of their land or bought land which was sold to businesses. On these subdivisions were created saleyards, general stores, a post office, bakery, blacksmithing, banks, a police station and lock-up, a public hall, churches, a state school, bootmaker, butcher, solicitor's office, hairdresser, billiard's saloon and newsagency.B/W. 188mm x 266mm. A general view of Beech Forest township in c.1903.beech forest; township;

The first section of Studley House, now part of the preparatory school for Xavier College conducted by the Society of Jesus in Kew, Burke Hall, was built in about 1857 for Parliamentarian John Hodgson, an early settler in the district, as a two-storey residence in the Classical Revival style. The name Studley House was first recorded in the Kew ratebooks in 1862, after the housewas purchased in 1860 by James McEvoy, squattter. Alterations and an extension, designed by William J Ellis were undertaken in 1875. The house was again altered in 1919 during the ownership of John Wren, former bookmaker, ALP lobbyist, influential Irish-Catholic and millionaire. After 1969 the house was used by theschool. Studley House retains evidence of the original 1850s section, plaster and woodwork, and stained glass from its earlier period. - Source: Victorian Heritage RegisterThis work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical SocietyA photograph of the north facing facade of Studley House in Nolan Avenue before the additions made by John Wren..Studley House, Nolan Avenue. Before addition of new wing in 1915 (confirms your observations) M.K.studley house, nolan avenue, xavier preparatory school, dorothy rogers

The wool industry has been critical to the Australian economy from the early days of European settlement. The increase in wool production in the mid to late 19th century led to the need to replace the hand shears with some mechanized forms of shearing.The first commercially successful sheep shearing machinery by Frederick York Wolseley in New South Wales who was granted a patent for his machine on 28 March 1877. Many of the early settlers to North East Victoria droved sheep overland from both Sydney and South Australia and established large pastoral runs in the district. Wodonga became a major service centre for the industry and established major saleyards for the pastoral and cattle industries. The handset has the company name "Heiniger" on the side. Heiniger is a Swiss company with subsidiaries in Australia and New Zealand. It was originally established in 1946.This item is connected to a major rural industry in North East Victoria.A metal handpiece for a sheep shearing. A toothed blade is held in place with metal adjustable screws at one end. A jointed metal pipe at the other end allows attachment to the shearing machine. The hinge has been covered with leather.On adjustment knob "Heinger"shearing industry, shearing equipment, shearing handset

Catalogue card reads, 'Library. Unveiling stone outside library to commemorate Matthew Flinders explorers and early graves of settlers, 1970'. Back of photograph reads, 'Unveiling of plaque, 1970. Cr. Stan Norris and E. Pullin'.

Contents: • Eltham Living and Learning Centre • September Meeting • September Excursion - East of Eltham Walk • Have you discovered Trove? by Liz Pidgeon • Fabbro Farm Art Project • Eltham Library - 20th Anniversary Celebration • Henry Gilbert Jones: an early Eltham settler........and an amazing coincidence by Michael Aitken • Street by Street The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The photograph shows the extensions that were built on to the former Shire of Bulla offices in the mid 1980s. The building with the curved wall and glass tiles was where the Shire of Bulla held their council meetings. The Victorian state flag and the Shire of Bulla flags are hoisted on the poles and the bust of George Evans, an early European settler in the district is on the RHS of the image. The extensions completed in the 1980s to the former Shire of Bulla offices were the last major works to be undertaken on the building before Bulla Shire became part of Hume City Council in 1994.A coloured photograph of a brick paved path leading to a cream brick community building with two flags hoisted on flagpoles near the entrance . The bust of a man is visible on the RHS of the image. shire of bulla, council offices, shire of bulla council offices., george evans

In the 1830’s, European pastoralists started moving south from NSW into the Alps. In 1836, cattle grazing began around Omeo and the runs spread out into the foothills. The higher country was used for summer grazing and huts were built for shelter and storage during stock mustering. The lure of gold brought many people to the Alps from around 1850 to 1900. Bushfires destroyed the forests around Melbourne in 1939 and the boom in house-building after World War II ked to increased demand for timber from the Alps. This resulted in the building of a network of roads which helped open up access to the Alps. The early 1940’s brought the first of many workers to the Alps for the planning and construction of the Hydro-Electric Scheme. These were the pioneers and early settlers of the Kiewa Valley and provided a wealth of characters and a tapestry of stories and adventures to be handed down to future generations.These 3 posters, which were most likely produced for promotional purposes provide a glimpse into the early lives of the pioneer families of the Kiewa Valley through pictures and verse. They show their lifestyle and outline the hardships they had to endure in living and working in the Alpine region. They also highlight the early arguments regarding grazing in the high country which would ultimately lead to the end of the long traditions of the high country cattle men. Set of 3 A4 size posters with black and white photographs and text and colour background depicting various parts of the history of the Kiewa Valley. 1. Titled - ‘Life wasn’t meant to be easy’ Describes early life for Kiewa Hydro workers. 2. Titled - ‘Cattlemen of the High Plains’ Describes a brief history of life of the cattlemen of the high plains 3. Titled – ‘There are Places I’ll remember’ Depicts early photographs of residents of the Kiewa Valley, also includes the words from a John Lennon song as per poster title. Printed on each poster – Poster designed by Dyanne Photography - Wodonga 1. Printed at bottom of poster – Sources: G Napier and G Easdown “The Kiewa Story” 1993. Southern Hydro Archives, N Hetherington and R Hollands. G Gardner “The Kiewa Kids” 1998. 2. Printed at bottom of poster – Sources: D Purland. Handwritten at top of poster- Poster 4 3. Printed at bottom of poster – Sources: B Roper, W Davies, D Higginson, H Ryder. Handwritten at top of poster- Poster 3 kiewa valley; tourism; lifestyles

Beaumaris includes two early estates in the parish of Moorabbin developed by Josiah Holloway from 1852. Named Beaumaris Town and Beaumaris Estate (after the pastoral run in the area and ultimately after Beaumaris in Wales), the lots comprising them were marketed by Mr Holloway's suggesting that the railway was imminent and a canal would be built. The township developed slowly, a Post Office opened on 1 March 1868, but was replaced next month by Gipsy Village office (now Sandringham) In 1862 Beaumaris was one of the early settler communities within the boundaries of the Moorabbin District Roads Board , the region’s first local government authority. Beaumaris is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 19 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. .Since the Amalgamation of Councils 1994 the local government area is the City of Bayside which includes Brighton. A Photocopy of the Plan of Beaumaris 1853 A3moorabbin, county of bourke, brighton, beaumaris, pioneers, early settlers. market gardeners, cheltenham, king. john, holloway josiah, whorral charles, arthur’s seat road, nepean highway, morabbin district roads board, sandringham, mordialloc, mentone

Early settlers had to clear the land of trees and shrubs to establish and maintain their farms and market gardens. Some settlers worked in the Gippsland region felling timber for transport by bullock wagons to Melbourne. Two-man crosscut saws were primarily important when human power was used. Such a saw would typically be 1 to 4 m (4 to 12 feet) long, and sometimes up to 5 m (16 feet), with a handle at each end. The technique in using a two-man saw involved a sawyer standing at each end and together the sawyers would alternate pulling the saw through the wood. If the kerf -slit- began closing, causing the saw to bind, wedges would be inserted behind the saw blade in order to keep the kerf open.Two-man saws were designed to cut in both directions. Careful tooth design was necessary to clear the sawdust during the cut. This is a typical two-man tree felling saw that was necessary to clear the land when the pioneers were establishing their market gardens and farms in Parish of Moorabbin c1850A long steel blade saw with 2 wood handles c1900tools, saws, axes, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, dairy farms, orchards, vineyards, timber mills, bullock wagons, tree felling, timber mills, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis,

Richard Carter Ltd is still making edge tools in Honley, near Huddersfield. Established in 1740 by Jeremiah Carter in High Burton: the 1834 Piggots directory list three edge tool CARTER - makers at Kirk Burton: Henry Carter, John Carter and Robert Carter. By 1870 the company was known by its current name. The Stanley Rule and Level Company was founded in 1857 by Henry Stanley in New Britain, Connecticut. In 1920, this company merged with the separate but related Stanley Works, founded by Henry Stanley's cousin Frederick Trent Stanley, and continued operating as its hand tools division.. 2010 merger of The Stanley Works with Black & Decker Subsequent reports by visitors to Vic. Collections are noted Geoff Thomas 2019, Mitchell 2019 , Bob Burgess 2022 The early settlers were resourceful and self sufficient so they made and repaired their tools as required.Early settlers were self sufficient and resourceful making and mending their tools, farm and household equipment.c1900 A 'Carter' hand wood plane, made of metal with an adjustable screw for blade thickness.early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, tools

John Lundy-Clarke grew up in the Kalorama/Mt Dandenong area and later in life (1972-74) began to write a comprehensive history of the district working from an original settlement map in an effort to cover all areas. Alan Price was the son of Edward John Price and Myra (nee Wilson) Price. He had a brother Edward Joseph 2nd (Teddie). Alan and Teddie were the grandsons of early settlers Edward Joseph and Annie (nee Ross) Price. Alan Price worked at his brother's depot in Ringwood, in charge of mechanical equipment. He rode to and from work on his motorbike. Alan was killed in a motorbike accident on his way home from work in 1971. Alan married Patricia Guerin in 1960. They had five daughters and one son. The family had a house on part of Lot 5 facing Mt Dandenong Road.Black and white close up of man in suit and tie. Reverse of photograph has handwritten description by John Lundy-Clarke. Alan Price 1969. Son of Edward John Price and Myra nee Wilson. alan price, patricia guerin, edward joseph (teddie) price, edward john price, myra price, myra wilson, edward joseph price, annie price, annie ross, kalorama, accident

The French Collection was donated to the Society in 2022. This collection includes documents, artworks, books, costumes and artefacts belonging to two families. A number belonged to, or were made by the grandparents of the donor: Vida May Wing and her husband Hubert Charles McDonald. [Other items belonging to Vida and Hubert are in the collections of the Australian Performing Arts Museum and Museum Victoria.] A second significant group of objects were gifts made to the donor's family by Lucy (Jean) Hornby of Queen Street, Kew whose family had been early settlers in the district. Vida May Wing was born in Richmond in 1882. A noted teacher of plain, fancy and step dancing, during the first two decades of the twentieth century she held annual fancy dancing and floral balls, where her pupils were the performers. In 1916, she married Hubert Charles McDonald. She died in 1959.Round box of Guerlaine [established 1828] face powder. The name of the manufacturer is embossed on the base. The navy blue and gold cardboard container is filled with the original powder by Guerlain Shalimar, 'Ocre Doree'. It belonged to to Vida May McDonald.Reverse: "Guerlaine"guerlaine, vida may wing, cosmetics, face powder

The French Collection was donated to the Society in 2022. This collection includes documents, artworks, books, costumes and artefacts belonging to two families. A number belonged to, or were made by the grandparents of the donor: Vida May Wing and her husband Hubert Charles McDonald. [Other items belonging to Vida and Hubert are in the collections of the Australian Performing Arts Museum and Museum Victoria.] A second significant group of objects were gifts made to the donor's family by Lucy (Jean) Hornby of Queen Street, Kew whose family had been early settlers in the district. Vida May Wing was born in Richmond in 1882. A noted teacher of plain, fancy and step dancing, during the first two decades of the twentieth century she held annual fancy dancing and floral balls, where her pupils were the performers. In 1916, she married Hubert Charles McDonald. She died in 1959.Rose Study on board, by Vida May McDonald (nee Wing). Pink and red roses on wooden panel.Reverse: "Vida Wing / 1908-19?"still lifes, vida may wing, roses

The French Collection was donated to the Society in 2022. This collection includes documents, artworks, books, costumes and artefacts belonging to two families. A number belonged to, or were made by the grandparents of the donor: Vida May Wing and her husband Hubert Charles McDonald. [Other items belonging to Vida and Hubert are in the collections of the Australian Performing Arts Museum and Museum Victoria.] A second significant group of objects were gifts made to the donor's family by Lucy (Jean) Hornby of Queen Street, Kew whose family had been early settlers in the district. Vida May Wing was born in Richmond in 1882. A noted teacher of plain, fancy and step dancing, during the first two decades of the twentieth century she held annual fancy dancing and floral balls, where her pupils were the performers. In 1916, she married Hubert Charles McDonald. She died in 1959.Upright, embossed celluloid, silk iined vanity dresser box which belonged to Vida May McDonald (nee Wing). The sides of the box are covered with purple figured velvet while the lids are covered with embossed celluloid. The case has a number of panels which open to reveal its pink silk lined interior which was once fitted out with mirrors, combs, brushes, and makeup jars. Nilvida may wing, vida may mcdonald, beauty cases, makeup boxes

This quern was made from Harcourt granite. Querns were used for grinding wheat into flour. (Wooden handles missing from this catalogued object).It was most likely made on Mount Alexander, in spare time, by a quarry worker using his employer’s gang saw and other tools. Wheat is not now grown in Harcourt district . Early settlers engaged in cropping until they exhausted the fertility of the soil. This quern was utilized by a local pioneer who intended to be self-sufficient to the extent of grinding his own grain into flour.. Many local farmers sowed wheat immediately after clearing the land: raising of a wheat crop was evidence of use and improvement which, along with fencing and erecting other structures, was part of the mandatory steps to prove occupancy as a prelude to obtaining a Crown Grant for what had previously been deemed ‘crown land'The quern is of interest as a symbol of the desire for self-sufficiency and as a demonstration of the extent to which granite could be worked and shaped by masonry tools. Quern, granite, square slab with raised metal centre shaft and one rounded piece of granite with off-centre hole and side ridges.

Written on catalogue card, 'Library. Unveiling stone outside library to commemorate Matthew Flinders explorers and early graves of settlers, 1970.' Written on back of photograph, 'Mayor Cr. Stan Morris dedication rock plaque outside library 1970'.

1855 Stephen Charman donated land to the Methodist Church so that a School could be established to educate the children of the early settler market gardeners and farmers in the Cheltenham area . Education was valued by the general community and as well as schools they established mechanics Institutes and Libraries in Moorabbin Shire. Cheltenham State School No. 84 was among the first schools in Melbourne. Stephen Charman, 1821-1906 a market gardener, donated land for the first Methodist Chapel, Cemetery and School in Charman Rd Cheltenham 1855. The enrolment was 36 pupils with Mr Frederick Meeres as Teacher. 1863 the school is called Beaumaris Common School No 84 with 70 pupils and Walter Meeres as Teacher. 1869 another 2 acres in Charman Road were granted by the Education Board and brick building built . 1872 State School 84 Beaumaris was increasing enrollments and 1878 a new brick school was built to accommodate 174 pupils and the name changed to Cheltenham State School No.84 1894 Mentone State School No.2950 amalgamated with Cheltenham SS No.84. 1910 the buildings were in disrepair, overcrowding was increasing and renovations were made 1912 with further additions in 1925 and 1937. Post WW11 extra prefabricated Classrooms were added as enrollment increased to 1038 in 1955.. Cheltenham East State School 4754 was opened as housing development spread over the City of Moorabbin . (J.Larson Sandringham HS) Probably due to the Scottish heritage of many early settlers the Fife & Drum Band was established at the West Beaumaris (Cheltenham) State School . The Fife is similar to the piccolo, and usually made of wood, consisting of a tube with 6 finger holes and an embouchure hole that produces sound when blown across.The fife was used in folk music traditions to accompany dancing by all social classes. Also in the Military where drums accompanied the fife and originally these 'boy soldier ' bands were used to signal manouevres in the field for the infantry. Later Fife & Drum bands were used for marching bands in schools and community groups, 1855 Stephen Charman donated land to the Methodist Church so that a School could be established to educate the children of the early settler market gardeners and farmers in the Cheltenham area . Education was valued by the general community and as well as schools they established mechanics Institutes and Libraries in Moorabbin Shire. Cheltenham State School No. 84 was among the first schools in Melbourne.Black & White photograph of pupils at West Beaumaris (Cheltenham) State School No.84 in the boy's Fife and Drum Band c 1908Back Handwritten Mrs Whelan / Beaumariswhelan r, marriott geoff, meeres frederick, cheltenham state school no.84, education, keys robert, holloway josiah, king brothers, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

Catalogue card reads, 'Library - unveiling stone outside library to commemorate Matthew Flinders, explorers and early graves of settlers, 1970'. Written on back of photograph, 'Unveiling plaque to graves, etc. 1970. outside library. E. Pullin left in foreground'.

This is the annual photograph of Grades 111 and 1V for pupils of the Orbost State School. The 19th of March 1886 proved an important day in the lives of many early settlers in the Orbost area, because on this day the Orbost State School opened. The fact that the school had first operated tem­porarily in a leased building, and on a half-time basis with SS2745 Jarrahmond, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the local inhabitants as they saw their offspring commence their education under the guidance of Head Teacher Campbell Mackay. However he remained in charge only until 12th of May 1886. The second Head Teacher, John Rowe, served until 1908. On 30th of June 1887, a portable room was provided; it being brought to the area by schooner. The school now had accommodation for 30 pupils; the teacher's welfare was considered because quarters of two rooms were attached. As the population increased so did the needs of the school. This was reflected in the provision of a larger classroom in 1898. This item is associated with the history of education in Orbost.A black / white photograph mounted on brown car. There are five rows of school children standing outside a wooden building. Some are sitting and others standing. A female teacher is seated on a chair in the second front row. A girl in the front row is holding a card - "Grades 111 & 1V Orbost".on front - "W. Stanley Vogt Bairnsdale"orbost-state-school education-primary-schools