Fred looks back; Report: Linley Hartley, Picture: Ron Grant Teaching himself German again after 70 years is just one of the many tasks Fred Golgerth, of Greensborough, has undertaken and succeeded in during his lifetime. As the two year old tenth child of a German descendent, Fred learnt to speak German from an Aunt. But World War 1 was raging. Fred’s older brother had gone to Europe with the Australian forces, changing his name … to ….. to sound less German. “I used to get my bottom slapped for speaking German at home,” Fred said. Even his name was changed from Otto to the more anglicised Frederick. Fred claims his involvement with Eltham started two years before he was born! His sister, two years older than him, was a babe in arms when his parents bought a piece of grazing property in Mount Pleasant Rd. “It was about 24 acres on a spur of Mt Pleasant,” Fred said. “My parents bought it from Mr and Mrs Hughes. There was a two-room mud hut in wattle and daub that we lived in from time to time. “My parents had a dairy farm and dairy in West Coburg, and they bought the Mt Pleasant land to put the dry stock on. “At one stage my mother got very ill and my older sister took my younger sister and myself to Eltham for four or five months. I went down to Eltham Primary School then.” That wasn’t the only time Fred stayed in Eltham. His sister, Wilhemina, known as Willa, married Jim Watson who had the Eltham hotel for some years from the end of World War 1. Pillar to post living was the way Fred described his youth, when he stayed with one married sister after another. “After a while Will and Jim lived in the big house at the top of Pitt St, next to the Council depot, and the hotel was managed by Fitzsimmons who had a big place near the river down there on Fitzsimons Lane. There was no bridge in Fitzsimons Lane but we used to cross the river at a ford, rolling up our trouser legs so they wouldn’t get wet, and carrying our shoes. I’d o down to visit some friends I had in Templestowe. And sometimes Jim Watson took his horse drawn lorry across the ford on his way to the brewery, instead of going don through Heidelberg.” “The bridge across the Yarra in Fitzsimons was not built until 1961.” Fred Golgerth, was only a teenager when he was rolled off his pushbike under a car on the bend between Mt Pleasant Rd and the Diamond Creek bridge. He was hospitalised in the little hospital on the east side of Eltham village that served the district in those days. He still carries the scars of the burns he received from the exhaust pipe and recent x-rays have revealed several broken vertebrae. At the time of the accident he was treated for a dislocated neck and was in plaster from his hip to the base of his head for about seven months. But nothing daunted Fred. Bouncing back he began work as an apprentice to a motor mechanic in Bell St, Preston, a man who is still living (at 90) in Queensland and who still communicates with Fred frequently. “He was like a father to me,” Fred declared. He was a marine engineer as well, so I …. that as well as blacksmithing. They taught us properly then.” After finishing his apprenticeship, Fred bought himself a 30 hundredweight Fargo truck and began his own contract carting business, doing most of the work for a firm called Carnegie’s and a subsidiary of that, Howard Radio. It was in the office Fred met his wife. “He taught me to drive the truck giving me lessons in my lunch hours up the Bourke St and Flinders St extension,” she said. “After work I’d have a driving lesson and all the girls from the Howard Radio would pile in the back to get a lift to Richmond Station.” In the 1939 bushfires, the Mt Pleasant Rd property was burnt out and the hut raised. Two years later, Fred and Dorothy were married. Fred paid £7.15.0 ($15.50) for the suit in which he was married. Dorothy had pulled out of the Women’s Air Training Corps to be married. Others with whom she trained went to Darwin and were in a convoy that was bombed. Fred went into the garage business in Brighton and continued his cartage business for a while. His company was employed to do all Brown Gouge’s motor repairs and factory maintenance. Because Fred had a certificate to do steam repair work he often got jobs maintaining industrial boilers. While he was in Brighton, Fred bought an eight-seater 1925 Silver Ghost Rolls Royce from Sir Keith Murdoch. When the couple moved to Rosanna in about 1943, it became a delivery van for the dairy they operated. “I thought I’d like to get back into a dairy business” Fred said. “We used to deliver the milk in the Rolls. “But it was hard work. We couldn’t get the labour and we’d drive to the farm and pick up the milk cans, take them back to the dairy, cool the milk, bottle it and deliver it. The inspectors would come regularly and the walls for bacteria.” Fred was exhausted. The couple gave up the dairy and moved to Eltham to live on the old property where a weatherboard house had now been built. It wasn’t a big house and the glassed in Rolls Royce limousine became the daytime nursery for the Golgerth’s second daughter. We’d put her in there to sleep during the day.” “Dorothy Golgerth was known to drive the Rolls at breakneck speed along Mt Pleasant Rd. Fred took some time off work then began driving a little local bus run by the Lyon Brothers before taking a maintenance job at the Athenaeum Club in the city. He’d ride an old Harley-Davidson to the station and travel into the city by train. Later, when the family moved to Pryor St. (their house stood where McEwans car park is now) Fred could walk to and from the station. “There was no resident doctor in the early days of Eltham,” Fred said. “Dr Cordner used to come from Greensborough to a room in the old house next to the old grocery shop on the corner of York St and Main Rd, Eltham (the grocery shop is now the Eltham Feed and Grain Store). The Golgerths lived in Eltham until “Dollar Day” – the day decimal currency became official. They eventually moved to Greensborough, when they have lived since. Fred has had his share of interesting jobs since then, retiring at 65 seven years ago when he was working in the engineering department at Larundel. Recently, two of his older sisters and a brother died, within a month. They were all in their 80s. They all had a profound influence on Fred, especially during his youth. His sharp wit and amusing anecdotes are the richer for his having been the youngest of a family that made the best of every circumstance. And now, as he enjoys his retirement, he is concentrating on relearning the language of his infancy; teaching himself German from tapes and a ‘teach yourself’ manual. He is fiercely proud of his German ancestry and treasures the diary, written in German in Gothic script, kept by his grandparents during their journey to Australia. On the inside in blue pen: "To Sadie, Wal Margaret & Elizabeth with lots & lots of love & best wishes from Mother"marg ball collection, eltham hotel, herbert james watson, otto (fred) golgerth, wilhemina watson (nee golgerth)

The author, Wal Wall, attended Ballarat Teachers' College in 1949. Frank Lord was principal of Ballarat Teachers' College from 1946-1950.A biography of Frank Lord, Principal of the Ballarat Teachers' College from 1946 to 1950.frank lord, ballarat teachers' college, world war one, f.w. lord, world war two, principal, wal wall, family history, genealogy

Warden Florence Jack was a a warden at Camp 3. The children are from the internees in Camp 3. Wally Wagner is at the right hand side with the accordion. Black and white photograph of Warden Florence Jack, other adults and children from Camp 3. Trees in background.florence jack, wally wagner, camp 3 children

Helen Giles at ball in Stawell 1962. Wally Pickering in suit. Right is Alan Giles in Suite. Norm Blackmans dance band in background

Photograph by Wal Jack, of SW6 915, in Camberwell Road, for the 50th anniversary of Federal Government, 1951. Has the Camberwell fire station in the background. Black and white negative, See also Reg Item 5160.trams, tramways, sw6 class, riversdale road, route 74, tram 915

Negative and Digital images of the Wal Jack Bendigo Negative file of Bendigo Birney No. 28 after leaving Charing Cross. Photo by Wal Jack, 7-3-54, mostly like the same date as other photographs using the 125 film format. In the background are signs or shops for City Club Hotel, a Cafe, Greys cigarettes, Marshalls Fruit Supply, Desmond's electrical appliances.trams, tramways, bendigo, birney, tram 28

Typed letter on plain paper from John Buckland to Wal Jack, dated 10 Nov 1959, apologising for not seeing Wal last Saturday, on the ARHS Ballarat Spring Picnic trip. Discusses railway locomotives, the trip to Ballarat and forwarding slides and photographs. Contained originally within Reg Item 5623 at the front of this note book. For items see btm5623 loose items list.pdf.Has John Buckland address stamp in the top right hand corner.trams, tramways, arhs, special trains, ballarat

Black and White print contained within the Wal Jack Bendigo and Geelong Album, see Reg Item 5003 for more details. Photo of No. 17, 18 and three other ESCo trams in View, Easter 1940. Wal's photo caption "Two summer cars 17 & 18 together with original stock View St Bendigo, Easter 1940" Printed on Kodak Velox paper. On rear in ink "B.E.S&T Peak hour traffic awaiting the procession to pass View St. Bendigo 1940".trams, tramways, bendigo, easter fair, view st, esco, tram 17, tram 18

Yields information about the appearance of No. 32, Lydiard St North and Macarthur St intersection in 1960.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of a photograph of No 32 southbound in Lydiard St at the intersection with Macarthur St. Has a Milk Bar - shop on the right hand side and the photograph shows the cutting wall on the east side of the street after the intersection. Photo by Alwyn Marshall. Possibly printed by Wal Jack as it has his handwriting on the rear. See image i2 for rear of photograph.On rear of photograph in ink "SEC, Ballarat No. 32 to Sebastopol in Lydiard St Nth at Macarthur St 1960 A. Marshal Photo."trams, tramways, lydiard st nth, macarthur st, tram 32

Yields information about the appearance of Albert St Sebastopol and the Grey St loop in 1960.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of a photograph of No 32? northbound and No. 27 southbound at the Grey St Loop, Albert St, Sebastopol in 1960. Has one motor car in photo and a lady and gent with a pram on the left hand side of the photograph. Photo by Alwyn Marshall. Possibly printed by Wal Jack as it has his handwriting on the rear. See image i2 for rear of photograph.On rear of photograph in ink "SEC, Ballarat No. 32(?) ex Sebastopol, No. 27 to Sebastopol, Grey St loop, Albert St Sebastopol1960 A. Marshal Photo."trams, tramways, sebastopol, albert st, grey st, tram 32, tram 27

Black and White print contained within the Wal Jack Bendigo and Geelong Album, see Reg Item 5003 for more details. Photo of Bendigo Birney No. 15 outside the depot 10-4-1950, Photo Wal Jack, with a conductor standing at the rear door. i1 - scan of print in the album i2 - rear of image i3 - scan of negative at 3200dpi added 7/6/2020. On the rear in blue ink "Bendigo No. 15 Birney at depot 10-4-50, ex Geelong No.15." In bottom right hand corner "W. Jack Photo"trams, tramways, bendigo, birney, depot, tram 15

Black and White print contained within the Wal Jack Bendigo and Geelong Album, see Reg Item 5003 for more details. Photo of Geelong No. 3 in Moorabool St. 1940. No details of photographer on rear. Tram has the destination of East. In the background is a sign for Berger Paints and F&M Ritchie? Wal's album notes provides the date of 1940. Printed on Kodak Velox Paper. On rear in ink "84 Geelong Tramways, State Electricity Commission, No. 3 One of their original trams I believe. They ride very steady and smooth. Duncan and Fraser body. The Brush Electrical Engineering Co. Ltd, Loughborough England, long wheel base truck."trams, tramways, geelong, moorabool st, tram 3

Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, of S Class No.155 in Droop St at or near White St, Tram has the "Special E" destination indicating it was on an Explosive Factory working and is well loaded with passengers - inbound to the Footscray Station. Note there is an X2 class car ahead of it. Photo not dated in Wal Jack album. Could be the same date as Reg Item 5446 - 20-4-1945.trams, tramways, droop st, footscray, world war 2, special e, s class, tram 155, mmtb, x2 class.

Black and white negative, of SW6 908 over one of the inspection roads at Essendon depot, c1950. Has the destination of Essendon Depot, dash canopy lighting and a sign "For comfort travel between 9.30 & 4.0" Photo not in Wal Jack Melbourne album. Neg was in a Bright Methodist Church offering envelope - stored with negative file - has 1949 in pencil on the envelope. Wal Larsen was a Bright resident.trams, tramways, sw6 class, dash canopy lights, essendon depot, tram 908

Diggers & Mining. Diggers and Miners. The tram-lines which carried firewood to the mines were made of wood. Markings: 39 994.5 WAL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers and miners. Diggers and Miners. Unit 6 LIFE AND WORK AT THE DIGGINGS Section I DIGGERS AND MINERS Markings: 1 994.5 WAL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Diggers and Miners. The township struggled along the valley. Photo shows the township along the valley. Markings: 46 994.5 WAL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Walhalla - Gold Town. WALHALLA GOLD TOWN. Arial photo of Walhalla Gold Town. Markings: 2 995 WAL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Yields information about delivery and recommissioning of trams from the Geelong system at the depot.Negative and Digital images of the Wal Jack Ballarat Negative file of possibly Geelong No. 40 on jacks within the depot. See Reg item 5345 for further details. trams, tramways, delivery of tramcars, bogie trams, depot, tram 43 tram 40

Negative and Digital images of the Wal Jack Geelong Negative file of Geelong No. 25 at the Beach terminus. The tram has the destination of Newtown. Photo mid 1940's. trams, tramways, geelong, beach, tram 25

Black and white copy negative obtained by Wal Jack of V 214, towing two trailers, undertaking ballasting operations on the Royal Park tram line, 1925.trams, tramways, v class, royal park, ballast, trailers, tram 214

Wal Jack had an extensive range of correspondents throughout Australia and the world who often provided him with detailed drawings and notes on various tramway systems. This set of notes on the Christchurch tramway system, provides details of the tram system prior to being taken over by the City and afterwards. Plan dated 30-6-1947. The hand written sheets provide details of the routes and the rolling stock. Based on the handwriting, prepared by Wal Jack himself. Yields information about Wal Jack's extensive recording and research work.Set of two drawings - black, red and blue ink on quarto size paper and three sheets of notes on the Christchurch tramway system 1947tramways, christchurch nz, wal jack, drawings, maps, tramcars

The "Anzac Coves" was a revue created by Frank Crossley during the First World War. Wal Luxford and Cec Jessop were part of the team to produce this entertainment. Digital copy of colour photograph.luxford family, cecil jessop, anzac coves revue, world war 1

L-R: Russell Yeoman (Society Secretary and founding member), Richard Pinn, Wal Delaney, Peter Pidgeon (Society Vice President), Alison Delaney Born digital image (3)activities, eltham district historical society, local history centre

One of the 6 University of Ballarat campuses is at Stawell.Grey hard covered book of 194 pages covering the history of Stawell, Victoria. Contents include Gold, squatters, Ayreys of Warranooke, Diggings, Reefs, Local Government, Road District, Shire, Borough, Town, Hospital, schools, Churches, Growth of Settlement, Claim Jumps, Sheep, Farming, Water, Grampians, Magdala, Callawadda, Deap Lead, Glenorchi, Great Western, Green's Creek, Marnoo, Wal Wal.education, religion, stawell victoria, stawell

Yields information the appearance of Sturt St from Grenville St about 1912 with ESCo trams in the photograph.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of a colour postcard taken from Grenville St looking west along Sturt St with two ESCo trams - Wal has identified them as 17 and 11, about 1912. Postcard from The Valentines & Sons Publishing Co. Ltd, Melbourne and Sydney. On rear of postcard says printed in Great Britain. For rear of postcard - see image i2.On rear of postcard in ink "Ballarat about 1912 / No. 17 & 11 in Sturt St."trams, tramways, sturt st, grenville st, esco, tram 11, tram 17

Yields information the appearance of the Sebastopol type tram when new and how it was delivered.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of ESCo Sebastopol type No. 23 outside the depot when new. Has a small indicator light above the driver, "Suttons for Gramophones" roof advertisement and "Ballarat Tramways" written along the top rail. Wal's album noted "No. 23 "Sebastopol" type as first built. Photo outside depot." For rear of photo - see image i2 - no info.no details on reartrams, tramways, sebastopol type, depot, suttons, esco, tram 23

Black and white negative by Wal Jack of Maximum Traction N 123 (Moreland) in Nicholson St after running out of the Coburg Tram Depot. The shop in the background selling Confectionery etc is the Pause Cafe (Google Earth - 20-10-2020) Photo dated, 24/11/1941 in the Wal Jack album. See also Reg Item 5329 to 5332 for other photos featuring this tram.trams, tramways, n class, coburg depot, coburg, moreland, nicholson st, tram 123