Edna Barrie's invitation to the eventeducation, local identities

"A perpetual spring in the adjacent creek provided a steady supply of fresh water to the site on which the homestead is built. Although we can not be certain of the identity of the builder, the first stage of ‘The Willows’ homestead appears to have been constructed in the mid 1850s. The house is situated on Crown Allotment No.1 (No Section), Parish of Kororoit, an allotment of 5 acres 3 roods 4 perches. Although it had surveyed the land, the Crown did not offer it for sale until 22nd November 1861, at which time it was purchased by Charles March Williams. (Although the property is directly opposite and immediately adjacent to the Township of Melton, and was sold as ‘Suburban Allotment 33’, it was situated within the Shire of Braybrook rather than the Shire of Melton until 1917.) Considerable improvements had taken place on the land prior to the Crown sale. When CM Williams purchased the allotment in November 1861 he paid £23.5.0 for the land itself, and valued the improvements at £400. Even allowing for some exaggeration by Williams, this is an extremely high valuation for improvements, and must have included a house. Some local research has claimed that in 1858 Williams had taken over the interest of a Mr Parkinson in the property, and that Parkinson built the house upon taking possession of the land c.1855. It was definitely built by 1861, when a map shows a square building on the site marked as ‘House’. The property is important in the district for its association with the establishment of the pound. The district pound had been established in 1854, when George Scarborough of Mount Cottrell (Mt Cottrell Road, south of Greigs Road) was appointed pound-keeper. Scarborough resigned in 1857. The pound was moved to Melton following agitation from local farmers and Charles March Williams appointed pound-keeper on 26th April 1858. Williams, the son of a doctor, had been born in London. Reminiscences of local residents of the time, as recorded in the Express newspaper, note Williams’ success in breeding horses on the property. Sales of up to 60 guineas were noted. Whether this was from Williams’s own stock or from unclaimed pound stock is not made clear. Williams appeared before a government inquiry in 1860 and advocated registration of all stock brands in the State. Williams died in 1862 leaving a widow, Catherine, and five living children aged 15 years to five months. At the time of his death Williams had entered negotiations with one Matthew Devenish and had a mortgage of £100 on allotments 1 and 2, Parish of Kororoit. Catherine Williams was appointed pound-keeper on 2 September 1863, with her eldest son Charles as her assistant. Her tenure was short for on 22nd March 1864 George Minns senior paid Matthew Devenish £135 for allotments 1 and 2 Parish of Kororoit (considerably less than Williams had claimed the property was worth in 1861) and on the same day paid William Tullidge £45 for the adjoining allotments 3 and 4. In April 1867, James Ebden Minns, the newly married son of George senior became the owner of The Willows property having entered into a mortgage arrangement with his father to the extent of £200. At the time George Minns was residing in Kaarimba having left Melton in 1867 for a short trip to England and upon his return having taken up a selection in the Kaarimba district with his son Frederick who had a hotel licence there. James paid out the mortgage on 2-1-1873. James Minns was appointed pound-keeper in 1872; in 1885 the pound was moved elsewhere and Minns purchased the old pound site and added it to his farm. The Willows residence underwent a major change about this time. A two room extension, similar in style but with a lower elevation was added to the original rear of the house with a chimney matching the distinctive originals. Window arrangements did not match the original but became a feature of the façade when the new addition became the front of the building. Six buttresses were attached to the east and west walls of the old building, two to the south wall and the whole rendered with mortar to give the appearance of dressed stonework around the windows. Galvanized iron was placed over the shingles and a verandah added on three sides. By 1876 The Willows was the homestead for a thriving mixed farm of 340 acres of which 156 was rented from a H. Ruck. In October of that year the Australasian travelling reporter visited and reported on the property. In common with the nearly every other property in the district the farm had ‘recently’ (generally within the last two years) abandoned cultivation of crops, and turned over completely to cattle pasture. Butter making was the principal occupation of the farm, which had about 50 head of cattle, a large proportion of which were milking cows. The reporter also noted that a ‘large number of pigs are kept upon this farm and are found to be very profitable stock’. Their manure was used in an orchard and garden in which ‘large quantities of lucerne and prairie grass are grown for the use of stock when ordinary feed is scarce’. Two bores attached to deep brick lined wells supplied water for the house in addition to the farm. A commodious timber barn and necessary sheds had also been constructed. Access to the property was improved following the construction of the bluestone ford across the creek c.1887, when the recreation ground came into use. Prior to this date it may have been that the crossing referred to as ‘Mr Minns bridge’ was used. This appears to have been a flimsy structure and has but two references in Council reports in the Melton Express in the 1880’s. It is believed that in the late 1890’s a timber building was added near the rear of the building to house a kitchen, ablutions and laundry rooms and rooms for seasonal workers. This was attached to the house by means of a trellised walkway using the original front entry to the house (long since the back door). A photograph of this building appears in a local history of Melton. This was demolished in recent decades during the period when the house was tenanted (after the Minns family had left). James Minns son, George, took over the property following his marriage to Alice Walsh in 1903. James and Caroline moved into a house on the former JH Games property at the eastern end of Henry Street. George held the position of Shire Secretary for Melton for 40 years. He was a most prominent member of the community being Secretary to, among others, the Melton Coursing Club, the Shooting Club and the Cemetery Trust. He also rode with the hunting parties who sported across the Plains and were entertained at Mount Kororoit. George and Alice had one son, Norman who followed his father into local government and became Secretary of the Shire of Werribee completing a record term in this position. George retired to Werribee in 1951, where he died in 1965. The National Trust records note that James Ebden Minns and his sons were ‘leading men of the district, Justices of the Peace, and Shire Councillors’. It claims that Sir Thomas Bent was a frequent visitor. The Willows passed into the hands of George’s grandson, Bruce Minns and the property was let for a number of years. In the 1960s it became vacant and was subject to vandalism. Major structural problems arose with the part demolition of the roof, the loss of windows and doors and holes dug into and under the floorboards. The outbuildings were particularly targeted. Following widespread public support, the Shire of Melton purchased the house, with 3.75 acres of land, in 1972. In 1975 the Shire of Melton and the Melton and District Historical Society were successful in nominating the building for National Trust classification, and then the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate. The AHC particularly noted its ‘townscape importance’. It was envisaged that the farmhouse would form ‘a picturesque centrepiece to Melton’s planned … historical park, along with Dunvegan bluestone cottage … and similar structures as they become available.’ In a time of great Melton’s ‘satellite city’ development the Council spelt out its broader vision in its submission to the AHC: ‘Melton is destined to become, by the end of the present century, a city of between 75,000 and 100,000 people. Significant relics of the past, such as ‘The Willows’, regrettably will be rare in that situation. It is essential that sufficient tangible links with Melton’s pioneering days remain to promote in the new community a sense of history and continuity’. Under the direction of ‘The Willows’ Restoration Committee and consultant architect John Hitch, all outbuildings, with the exception of the garage and toilet, were demolished and the dwelling house restored. Finances were provided by the Shire of Melton and the National Estate Grants Program, and considerable amount of voluntary labour was provided by the local community. The orchard was removed, and remaining wooden buildings were relocated to provide an open vista for visitors to the Park. The property was furnished with donations from district families keen to preserve this example of pioneer life in the area. The Willows became the headquarters of the Melton and District Historical Society". Invitation to the family reunion at the Willowslocal identities, pioneer families

Offer to formalise the leasing of land in Greensborough. Flintoff and Partington families are pioneers of the area. Charles Partington purchased this land in 1878. Partington family descendants still live in GreensboroughThis establishes the Partington family in GreensboroughYellowed paper, handwritten in ink. Major damage (tearing) on horizontal folds.Personal letter or invitation to lease a garden and small paddock in Greensboroughpartington family, frederick nevins flintoff, charles partington, greensborough history

Donald Clark Collection.An invitation addressed to Mr & Mrs Donald Clark for the Invitation to opening of the new Tarnagulla Fire Station on 31 July 1988.

Document. Illuminated invitation with brown paper backing. Invitation to Mr. T.R.Langdon to the Celebrations in Melbourne in connection with the Opening of Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia.document, memo, souvenir invitation

Document. Invitation to a Ball at the Town Hall, Bendigo. Invitation to Mr A. Hamilton from the Mayor and Mrs J.H.Curnow, June 30 1903.performing arts, elocution, ball invitation

History of Eltham Rural Group, a fundraising and social society established in 1955.46 p., photographs; with invitation cardeltham rural group

"Graeme Watkinson, a local Uniting Church Minister in the 1980s, decided to initiate the establishment of an independent college in Melton".Invitations from Revd. G.M. Watkinsonchurches

An illuminated invitation to the Australian Commonwealth Celebrations to be held at Flemington on Friday the 10th of May 1901. The invitation requests the presence of The Chairman Bendigo Mining Board Mr. D. R. Fleming and Lady. At each corner are views of Flemington, at the centre left to right is the King, a soldier on foot standing beside a soldier on horseback, the printing and name, then another soldier on horseback with a blue uniformed sailor beside him, then a picture of the Queen. At the centre bottom are various flags surrounding a badge with Pro Deo et Datria Victoria around a blue circle with a red cross with white stars in its centre and at the top centre is an emblem with a lion on the left and a unicorn on the right. It has several borders of black white gold and green. Handwritten at the top right corner is: - MP272.Sands& McDoufall Limited. Melb.document, invitations, official celebrations, invitation, australian commonwealth celebrations, mr d r fleming, chairman bendigo mining board, sands & mcdougall limited melb

Illuminated invitation To have the Honour of Meeting The Prince of Wales requesting the pleasure of the Company of His Worship the Mayor & Mayoress of Bendigo at a ball in the Town Hall on Saturday, 29th May 1920, at 8 o'clock. The invitation is from The Lord Mayor of Melbourne Councillor The Hon. J. G. Aikamn M. L. C. and The Lady Mayoress (Mrs. J. L. Stein). Across the top is God Bless the Prince of Wales with an emblem in the centre, on each side of the printing are leaves and buildings, a lion at each bottom corner with an emblem beside them and another emblem at the bottom centre. There is scrollwork at the bottom and sides.document, invitations, official celebrations, invitation, the prince of wales ball, the hon j g aikman m l c, mrs j l stein, the mayor and mayoress of bendigo, globe eng co, j shirlow del, osboldstone & co melb

Hardcover w/ Dust JacketCard dinner invitation from Elisabeth, 4 Dec 1984 to Patriciafood, salad dishes, recipes, walsh st library

Document. Illuminated invitation with brown paper backing. Invitation rto Mr. T.R.Langdon to attend a ''Conversazione'' in the Exhibition Building in Melbourne on the 7th May 1901. Souvenir copy of the Invitation with coloured Illustrations. Several notes and words written in pencil on the back.document, memo, souvenir invitation

A cream invitation with the words, 'To meet Their Excellencies the Governor General and Lady Tennyson. The Lord Mayor of Melbourne & Lady Gillott request the honour of the company of Mr & Mrs. J.H. Curnow at a Ball at the Town Hall, on Monday 19th October, 1903 at 8.30 o'clock. The favor of an early answer is particularly requested addressed to the Town Clerk. On receipt of acceptance an Entrée Card will be sent.'event, official, civic, lydia chancellor, collection, invitation, mayoral ball, dancing

An invitation on damaged card with the words, ' In Honor and in the Presence of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, K.G., P.C., G.M.M.G., G.C.V.O., G.M.B.E., M.C. The Government of Victoria Requests the honor of the Company of The Worshipful the Mayor of Bendigo & Mrs. Curnow at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Monday, 31st May, 1920 at a Demonstration of Physical Culture to be given by Children of the Metropolitan State Schools. Admit two only. Guests are requested to be in their places at 1.40 p.m. Please present this Card at the Members' Entrance. The Lower Tier of Seats in the Grey-Smith Stand, is on the West Side of the Members' Pavilion, is Reserved for Government Guests to the extent of its seating capacity. Entrance near the Bowling Green.'civic mementoes, royal souvenirs, invitation, lydia chancellor, royal family, melbourne cricket ground, m.c.g., official invitation, invitation, royal tour, the prince of wales

This letter invites past and present parishioners to a celebration of church building upgrade at Watsonia Uniting Church to be held on 20/03/1994.1 p. black and white printed invitationwatsonia uniting church, uniting church in australia

Fundraiser event held by the Melton Fire Brigade Ladies AuxiliaryInvitation for the event held at Melton Mechanic's Hallemergency services

Collection of 7 official Victorian Government Invitations (to Miss M Bush) to attend various government functions at Government House. Mostly invitations are with original envelopes.person, individual, bush collection - personal, bush collection, collection, organization, organisation, clubs and associations, invitations, recreation, civic momentoes, correspondence

A white invitation with black print. On the front cover are the words ' Cead Mile Failte (100,000 Welcomes) St Augustine's' Church Myers Flat 1864-1990 125 years' with a photo of the St. Augustine's' Church. On the inside cover is a description of the church and a brief history. On the next page are the words, ' 125th Year Celebration. This is an Invitation to you and your friends to attend A Special Mass Thanksgiving to be celebrated by His Lordship The Most Reverend N.D. Daly, D.D. at St. Augustine's Church. Mass at 12 o'clock on Sunday, September 30, 1990. Lunch will be provided in the Church Grounds under the Century Old Gums.' On the back cover are the 'Confessions Of St. Augustine.'event, official, religion, lydia chancellor, collection, church, st. augustine's' myers flat, religions, myers flat, invitation, event

Hardcover w/ Dust JacketPostcard invitation to a Preview Exhibition of Craig Holmes's Photography at Christine Abrahams Gallerywalsh st library

BookletInvitation letter to the 1996 Awards Ceremony inside, addressed to Mrs John Daviesarchitecture, australian architecture, walsh st library

Helen Ludeman, resident of Nullawarre, loved her golf and died far too young. her family donated the trophy and established the tournament in her memory. The tournament was first held in 1998.Significant as the plaque lists the date, name and club for the winners of each year. Irregularly shaped timber board with individual nameplates engraved with the winners names, and a faded photo of Helen Ludeman in the middle.Main plaque engraved with W.G.P. Helen Ludeman Memorial (Invitation) Stableford Pairs.stableford golf, peterborough, peterborough golf club, helen ludeman

The Banyule Community Ball is an annual event organised by the City of Banyule; coasters are a gift to attendees.Invitation card to Rosie Bray; with 2 glass coastersbanyule city council, rosie bray, coasters