A colour photograph of the entrance to The Big Culvert.A colour photograph of the entrance to The Big Culvert. The Big Culvert is a historic granite and bluestone arch along the Yarra Track, a major route to Melbourne through the 1800s. Built in 1870 and a major piece of infrastructure for its time, the heritage listed culvert allowed water to flow under often-flooded the road. The Yarra Track is the former name of the gold fields road from Healesville to the Woods Point and Jordan Goldfields, in Victoria, Australia. A direct route via the Yarra River and the Great Divide was discovered by Rieck in September 1862 and became known as the Yarra Track. Early in 1863, the Victorian Government decided to construct a 193-kilometre (120 mile) road along the route. Its original width varied between 4 and 6 metres (12 and 20 feet), and was designed to accommodate horse-drawn vehicles. The Track involved the climbing of the Black Spur, descent into the Acheron Valley, and then through Marysville to the Cumberland where it followed the existing route.the big culvert, yarra track, victoria, healesville, wood's point goldfields, jordan goldfields, black spur, acheron valley, cumberland valley

A copy of a black and white photograph on the Watts River near Fernshaw in Victoria.A copy of a black and white photograph on the Watts River near Fernshaw in Victoria taken by Fred Kruger. Fred Kruger (born Johan Friedrich Carl Kruger, 18 April 1831 – 15 February 1888) was a German-born photographer noted for his early photography of landscape and indigenous peoples in Victoria, Australia. Fernshaw was a rural township 63 km northeast of Melbourne and 10 km northeast of Healesville. Situated on the Watts River, near where a log had fallen making a convenient crossing, Fernshaw was settled in the 1860s. It provided good country for orchards and berry growing. The location was at the foot of Blacks Spur, with Mounts Juliet and Mondah rising on either side, providing spectacular scenery. There were nearby fern gullies giving rise to the name – ‘shaw’ is old English for thicket or wood. By 1875 Fernshaw had a post office (1865), two hotels, a school (1871), and stores. It was famed for its beauty, attracting tourists. In 1886 the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works began work on the Watts River water catchment scheme – later to become Maroondah – and the Board obtained approval for the catchment country to be reserved and kept free of settlement. This required the removal of the Fernshaw township, which was completed by about 1890.fernshaw, watts river, victoria, fred kruger, photograph

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Two colour photographswarrandyte, yarra river

1864 photograph of the Coffer Dam in the River Yarra situated (approximately) opposite Whipstick Gully. Remains of bridge built in 1860(?) wrecked by 1863 flood in background. Reproduced page 29 of ‘Pioneers & Painters’ Gold was first discovered in this area at Andersons Creek (Warrandyte) in June 1851 by Louis Michel. Discoveries north of the Yarra did not occur until about 1854. Although it took some months for a true rush to develop it was not long before alluvial workings were being carried on in most of the Shire of Eltham. The last area in which gold was discovered was Kinglake. As the gold became harder to find, deep mining took over from alluvial diggings in the gullies. Perhaps the most extensive of the deep workings was the Diamond Creek Mine just outside the boundary of the Shire. This form of mining was continued into the 1930s. There are believed to be some mines in the area still capable of producing gold but present prices make working these uneconomical. Some gold is still found by weekend prospectors. Photo: Carl Walter 1831-1907 – inscribed on tent “C. Walter Photo” The State Library of Victoria holds over 150 photos by Carl Walter, most of which are portraits of Aboriginal natives including William Barak.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg (2) Print 20 x 25 cmshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, anderson's creek, coffer dam, floods, gold mining, other areas, pioneers and painters, warrandyte, warrandyte bridge, yarra river

The historic 1934 flood of the Diamond Creek and Yarra River following the storms of 29-30 November set the levels for future planning with respect to flood water rise.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, hurstbridge, 1934 flood, floods, monash bridge, diamond creek (creek)

Old timber trestle bridge before it was washed away. Note sign in background for P. Bird Timber Merchant Box Hill. Photo has been damp at some stage and image has stuck to glass causing some damage to image in a number of areas.Black and white photograph mounted in thin black framebox hill, p. bird timber merchant, warrandyte bridge, yarra river

EXPLORING THE UPPER YARRA (Newsletter No. 105, November 1995, by Bettina Woodburn) We enjoyed the Spring Excursion, this year "Exploring the Upper Yarra" - in spite of the constant rain and the countryside under the cloud cover, especially in the valleys, being mainly shiny shades of green. The occasional fields of buttercups, clumps of arum lilies and splendid rhododendron and other flowering bushes became very special. The Cobb and Co coach was warm and a cosy retreat as we zig-zagged on the highways and byways to glimpse the Yarra River, upstream and down, its secret places, and particularly the many bridges. Russell excelled as 'Poet Laureate', reading from Dacre Smyth's book. This 1979 publication includes paintings of all the bridges along the river with poems and brief descriptions of each one. Some of the bridges are in out of the way places and are not very well known. We looked forward to hearing the poetry as much as seeing the ' constructions'…Big Pat (was he short or tall, lean or fat? He did win the two hundred pound reward for discovering gold and had the creek named after him), about the 'Eddies'?, and the disliked 'meccano' bridge in Warburton, etc. etc. The hot roast lunch in the old Reefton Hotel was also most welcome. It was easy to imagine it peopled by miners and early settlers. Starting by crossing the new (1974) concrete bridge at Warrandyte we headed through Wonga Park with views to the Christmas Hills and to the escarpment of the Yering Gorge, which causes flood waters to back up through the Yarra Glen plain, so avoiding disasters downstream. At the end of a long driveway we found the wooden, privately owned Henley Bridge (1935 after the 1934 floods). This facilitates access to different parts of Henley Farm and to Lilydale. Everard Park, named after Blanche Shallard's father, a State Member for 17 years, below the Highway Yarra crossing was in need of care. It is 10 miles from Yarra Glen by road but, as "Yarra Marra” canoeists well know, 32 winding miles down by water. After more delightful countryside scenes we joined the Warburton Highway at Woori Yallock. From the old Railway Station at Launching Place the Centennial Trail for walkers, cyclists and ' horse riders has replaced the rails. The line from Lilydale was opened in 1901, and the last diesel freight train ran to Warburton in 1965. It continued to rain as we had morning tea in Warburton in a shelter between footbridges. From here we continued upstream past the Bridge to O'Shannasy Lodge and Reservoir, Starvation Creek, and the Peninsular tunnel (miners dug it as at Pound Bend) which we visited (scrambling down those steps!) on our return after lunch. Our furthermost point was the Upper Yarra Dam Reserve (and vast catchment area). Finished in 1957 after ten years work and 100 years after Yan Yean, it supplies much of Melbourne's water. After crossing the 30m Launching Place Bridge to the Eltham side of the Yarra and Healesville, we saw in the distance the Yarra Glen Timber Trestle Bridge over the river flats "the longest for years in the land it was said!" Harry's dream of "better weather over the Divide" unfortunately didn't come true, but I'm sure we 36 members will retain happy memories of a day that was wet and green and filled with Bridges. Bettina Woodburn - October 1995 Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1995 excursionColour photographactivities, upper yarra dam, 1995, peter bassett-smith

EXPLORING THE UPPER YARRA (Newsletter No. 105, November 1995, by Bettina Woodburn) We enjoyed the Spring Excursion, this year "Exploring the Upper Yarra" - in spite of the constant rain and the countryside under the cloud cover, especially in the valleys, being mainly shiny shades of green. The occasional fields of buttercups, clumps of arum lilies and splendid rhododendron and other flowering bushes became very special. The Cobb and Co coach was warm and a cosy retreat as we zig-zagged on the highways and byways to glimpse the Yarra River, upstream and down, its secret places, and particularly the many bridges. Russell excelled as 'Poet Laureate', reading from Dacre Smyth's book. This 1979 publication includes paintings of all the bridges along the river with poems and brief descriptions of each one. Some of the bridges are in out of the way places and are not very well known. We looked forward to hearing the poetry as much as seeing the ' constructions'…Big Pat (was he short or tall, lean or fat? He did win the two hundred pound reward for discovering gold and had the creek named after him), about the 'Eddies'?, and the disliked 'meccano' bridge in Warburton, etc. etc. The hot roast lunch in the old Reefton Hotel was also most welcome. It was easy to imagine it peopled by miners and early settlers. Starting by crossing the new (1974) concrete bridge at Warrandyte we headed through Wonga Park with views to the Christmas Hills and to the escarpment of the Yering Gorge, which causes flood waters to back up through the Yarra Glen plain, so avoiding disasters downstream. At the end of a long driveway we found the wooden, privately owned Henley Bridge (1935 after the 1934 floods). This facilitates access to different parts of Henley Farm and to Lilydale. Everard Park, named after Blanche Shallard's father, a State Member for 17 years, below the Highway Yarra crossing was in need of care. It is 10 miles from Yarra Glen by road but, as "Yarra Marra” canoeists well know, 32 winding miles down by water. After more delightful countryside scenes we joined the Warburton Highway at Woori Yallock. From the old Railway Station at Launching Place the Centennial Trail for walkers, cyclists and ' horse riders has replaced the rails. The line from Lilydale was opened in 1901, and the last diesel freight train ran to Warburton in 1965. It continued to rain as we had morning tea in Warburton in a shelter between footbridges. From here we continued upstream past the Bridge to O'Shannasy Lodge and Reservoir, Starvation Creek, and the Peninsular tunnel (miners dug it as at Pound Bend) which we visited (scrambling down those steps!) on our return after lunch. Our furthermost point was the Upper Yarra Dam Reserve (and vast catchment area). Finished in 1957 after ten years work and 100 years after Yan Yean, it supplies much of Melbourne's water. After crossing the 30m Launching Place Bridge to the Eltham side of the Yarra and Healesville, we saw in the distance the Yarra Glen Timber Trestle Bridge over the river flats "the longest for years in the land it was said!" Harry's dream of "better weather over the Divide" unfortunately didn't come true, but I'm sure we 36 members will retain happy memories of a day that was wet and green and filled with Bridges. Bettina Woodburn - October 1995 Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1995 excursionColour photographactivities, upper yarra dam, 1995

EXPLORING THE UPPER YARRA (Newsletter No. 105, November 1995, by Bettina Woodburn) We enjoyed the Spring Excursion, this year "Exploring the Upper Yarra" - in spite of the constant rain and the countryside under the cloud cover, especially in the valleys, being mainly shiny shades of green. The occasional fields of buttercups, clumps of arum lilies and splendid rhododendron and other flowering bushes became very special. The Cobb and Co coach was warm and a cosy retreat as we zig-zagged on the highways and byways to glimpse the Yarra River, upstream and down, its secret places, and particularly the many bridges. Russell excelled as 'Poet Laureate', reading from Dacre Smyth's book. This 1979 publication includes paintings of all the bridges along the river with poems and brief descriptions of each one. Some of the bridges are in out of the way places and are not very well known. We looked forward to hearing the poetry as much as seeing the ' constructions'…Big Pat (was he short or tall, lean or fat? He did win the two hundred pound reward for discovering gold and had the creek named after him), about the 'Eddies'?, and the disliked 'meccano' bridge in Warburton, etc. etc. The hot roast lunch in the old Reefton Hotel was also most welcome. It was easy to imagine it peopled by miners and early settlers. Starting by crossing the new (1974) concrete bridge at Warrandyte we headed through Wonga Park with views to the Christmas Hills and to the escarpment of the Yering Gorge, which causes flood waters to back up through the Yarra Glen plain, so avoiding disasters downstream. At the end of a long driveway we found the wooden, privately owned Henley Bridge (1935 after the 1934 floods). This facilitates access to different parts of Henley Farm and to Lilydale. Everard Park, named after Blanche Shallard's father, a State Member for 17 years, below the Highway Yarra crossing was in need of care. It is 10 miles from Yarra Glen by road but, as "Yarra Marra” canoeists well know, 32 winding miles down by water. After more delightful countryside scenes we joined the Warburton Highway at Woori Yallock. From the old Railway Station at Launching Place the Centennial Trail for walkers, cyclists and ' horse riders has replaced the rails. The line from Lilydale was opened in 1901, and the last diesel freight train ran to Warburton in 1965. It continued to rain as we had morning tea in Warburton in a shelter between footbridges. From here we continued upstream past the Bridge to O'Shannasy Lodge and Reservoir, Starvation Creek, and the Peninsular tunnel (miners dug it as at Pound Bend) which we visited (scrambling down those steps!) on our return after lunch. Our furthermost point was the Upper Yarra Dam Reserve (and vast catchment area). Finished in 1957 after ten years work and 100 years after Yan Yean, it supplies much of Melbourne's water. After crossing the 30m Launching Place Bridge to the Eltham side of the Yarra and Healesville, we saw in the distance the Yarra Glen Timber Trestle Bridge over the river flats "the longest for years in the land it was said!" Harry's dream of "better weather over the Divide" unfortunately didn't come true, but I'm sure we 36 members will retain happy memories of a day that was wet and green and filled with Bridges. Bettina Woodburn - October 1995 Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1995 excursionColour photographactivities, upper yarra dam, 1995

EXPLORING THE UPPER YARRA (Newsletter No. 105, November 1995, by Bettina Woodburn) We enjoyed the Spring Excursion, this year "Exploring the Upper Yarra" - in spite of the constant rain and the countryside under the cloud cover, especially in the valleys, being mainly shiny shades of green. The occasional fields of buttercups, clumps of arum lilies and splendid rhododendron and other flowering bushes became very special. The Cobb and Co coach was warm and a cosy retreat as we zig-zagged on the highways and byways to glimpse the Yarra River, upstream and down, its secret places, and particularly the many bridges. Russell excelled as 'Poet Laureate', reading from Dacre Smyth's book. This 1979 publication includes paintings of all the bridges along the river with poems and brief descriptions of each one. Some of the bridges are in out of the way places and are not very well known. We looked forward to hearing the poetry as much as seeing the ' constructions'…Big Pat (was he short or tall, lean or fat? He did win the two hundred pound reward for discovering gold and had the creek named after him), about the 'Eddies'?, and the disliked 'meccano' bridge in Warburton, etc. etc. The hot roast lunch in the old Reefton Hotel was also most welcome. It was easy to imagine it peopled by miners and early settlers. Starting by crossing the new (1974) concrete bridge at Warrandyte we headed through Wonga Park with views to the Christmas Hills and to the escarpment of the Yering Gorge, which causes flood waters to back up through the Yarra Glen plain, so avoiding disasters downstream. At the end of a long driveway we found the wooden, privately owned Henley Bridge (1935 after the 1934 floods). This facilitates access to different parts of Henley Farm and to Lilydale. Everard Park, named after Blanche Shallard's father, a State Member for 17 years, below the Highway Yarra crossing was in need of care. It is 10 miles from Yarra Glen by road but, as "Yarra Marra” canoeists well know, 32 winding miles down by water. After more delightful countryside scenes we joined the Warburton Highway at Woori Yallock. From the old Railway Station at Launching Place the Centennial Trail for walkers, cyclists and ' horse riders has replaced the rails. The line from Lilydale was opened in 1901, and the last diesel freight train ran to Warburton in 1965. It continued to rain as we had morning tea in Warburton in a shelter between footbridges. From here we continued upstream past the Bridge to O'Shannasy Lodge and Reservoir, Starvation Creek, and the Peninsular tunnel (miners dug it as at Pound Bend) which we visited (scrambling down those steps!) on our return after lunch. Our furthermost point was the Upper Yarra Dam Reserve (and vast catchment area). Finished in 1957 after ten years work and 100 years after Yan Yean, it supplies much of Melbourne's water. After crossing the 30m Launching Place Bridge to the Eltham side of the Yarra and Healesville, we saw in the distance the Yarra Glen Timber Trestle Bridge over the river flats "the longest for years in the land it was said!" Harry's dream of "better weather over the Divide" unfortunately didn't come true, but I'm sure we 36 members will retain happy memories of a day that was wet and green and filled with Bridges. Bettina Woodburn - October 1995 Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1995 excursionColour photographactivities, upper yarra dam, 1995

EXPLORING THE UPPER YARRA (Newsletter No. 105, November 1995, by Bettina Woodburn) We enjoyed the Spring Excursion, this year "Exploring the Upper Yarra" - in spite of the constant rain and the countryside under the cloud cover, especially in the valleys, being mainly shiny shades of green. The occasional fields of buttercups, clumps of arum lilies and splendid rhododendron and other flowering bushes became very special. The Cobb and Co coach was warm and a cosy retreat as we zig-zagged on the highways and byways to glimpse the Yarra River, upstream and down, its secret places, and particularly the many bridges. Russell excelled as 'Poet Laureate', reading from Dacre Smyth's book. This 1979 publication includes paintings of all the bridges along the river with poems and brief descriptions of each one. Some of the bridges are in out of the way places and are not very well known. We looked forward to hearing the poetry as much as seeing the ' constructions'…Big Pat (was he short or tall, lean or fat? He did win the two hundred pound reward for discovering gold and had the creek named after him), about the 'Eddies'?, and the disliked 'meccano' bridge in Warburton, etc. etc. The hot roast lunch in the old Reefton Hotel was also most welcome. It was easy to imagine it peopled by miners and early settlers. Starting by crossing the new (1974) concrete bridge at Warrandyte we headed through Wonga Park with views to the Christmas Hills and to the escarpment of the Yering Gorge, which causes flood waters to back up through the Yarra Glen plain, so avoiding disasters downstream. At the end of a long driveway we found the wooden, privately owned Henley Bridge (1935 after the 1934 floods). This facilitates access to different parts of Henley Farm and to Lilydale. Everard Park, named after Blanche Shallard's father, a State Member for 17 years, below the Highway Yarra crossing was in need of care. It is 10 miles from Yarra Glen by road but, as "Yarra Marra” canoeists well know, 32 winding miles down by water. After more delightful countryside scenes we joined the Warburton Highway at Woori Yallock. From the old Railway Station at Launching Place the Centennial Trail for walkers, cyclists and ' horse riders has replaced the rails. The line from Lilydale was opened in 1901, and the last diesel freight train ran to Warburton in 1965. It continued to rain as we had morning tea in Warburton in a shelter between footbridges. From here we continued upstream past the Bridge to O'Shannasy Lodge and Reservoir, Starvation Creek, and the Peninsular tunnel (miners dug it as at Pound Bend) which we visited (scrambling down those steps!) on our return after lunch. Our furthermost point was the Upper Yarra Dam Reserve (and vast catchment area). Finished in 1957 after ten years work and 100 years after Yan Yean, it supplies much of Melbourne's water. After crossing the 30m Launching Place Bridge to the Eltham side of the Yarra and Healesville, we saw in the distance the Yarra Glen Timber Trestle Bridge over the river flats "the longest for years in the land it was said!" Harry's dream of "better weather over the Divide" unfortunately didn't come true, but I'm sure we 36 members will retain happy memories of a day that was wet and green and filled with Bridges. Bettina Woodburn - October 1995 Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1995 excursionColour photographactivities, upper yarra dam, 1995

Looking westerly across the Yarra from Westerfolds Park you can see a large and imposing building at the top of the escarpment above the river. This is the Christian Brothers Training Centre at Lower Plenty and known as Amberley. This significant building dates from 1930 when it was the rather grand residence of Oswald Darch. It was purchased by the Catholic Church in 1955 and has since been significantly extended.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, lower plenty, amberley

EDHS Autumn excursion to Lower Plenty area The blocked-off iron bridge at Lower Plenty - now re-opened and used as a footway/bike path section joining the Yarra River path.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 strips and associated colour printKodak Gold 200-6activities, lower plenty bridge, autumn excursion, eltham district historical society, lower plenty

Plenty River reflections through the old iron Lower Plenty Bridge; Autumn Excursion to Lower Plenty area. The blocked-off iron bridge at Lower Plenty - now re-opened and used as a footway/bike path section joining the Yarra River path.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 strips and associated colour printKodak Gold 200-6activities, lower plenty bridge, autumn excursion, eltham district historical society, lower plenty

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Colour photographwarrandyte, yarra river

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Colour photographwarrandyte, yarra river

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Colour photographyarra river, templestowe

Roll of 35mm black and white negative film, 4 of 7 strips Associated printIlford HP4bridge, warrandyte, bridges, kangaroo ground road, yarra river

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean

Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 2013, eltham lower park, confluence, diamond creek, yarra river

"Until 1865, all wheeled traffic to the Upper Yarra District passed through Christmas Hills along present day Ridge and Muir roads, then followed the hazardous course of "The Breakneck" (now Breakneck Road) to the valley below. To slow the descent of wagons, logs are said to have been dragged behind. In 1865, an easier route was opened on the south side of the Yarra River, and led to the birth of Lilydale". - Christmas Hills Past and Present (Yarra Glen District Historical Society), 2004.Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 2016, breakneck, yarra glen

"Until 1865, all wheeled traffic to the Upper Yarra District passed through Christmas Hills along present day Ridge and Muir roads, then followed the hazardous course of "The Breakneck" (now Breakneck Road) to the valley below. To slow the descent of wagons, logs are said to have been dragged behind. In 1865, an easier route was opened on the south side of the Yarra River, and led to the birth of Lilydale". - Christmas Hills Past and Present (Yarra Glen District Historical Society), 2004.Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 2016, breakneck, yarra glen

Fitzsimons Lane was originally known as the Eltham-Templestowe Road north of the Yarra and Fitzsimons Lane south of the Yarra River. Date based on other similar display panels visible in images of the Shire of Eltham display at the Eltham Community Festival, 7 November 1987Colour photographdisplay panel, eltham festival, infrastructure, shire of eltham, main road, roundabouts, fitzsimons lane