Box of pieces presumably from a level (Theodolite of Dumpy?) used by William Henry Lockwood. William Lockwood was born in 1832 in Glossop, Derbyshire and came to Victoria in 1853 on the 'Marco Polo'. He settled in Whittlesea with his wife Naomi in 1856. He was contracted to the Whittlesea Road Board and was the Engineer to the Shire for a period of 40 years. Some instruments have markings 'JL' on them which is presumed to be Joseph Lockwood, William Henry Lockwood's father. There are 10 items in the Lockwood Surveying and Drafting Instruments Collection.19th century surveying and drafting instruments used by William Henry Lockwood, Engineer of Whittlesea, Victoria, Australia.Box of pieces, Lockwood's small red and yellow hinged metal container with lid, manufactured by "W D & H O Will's (Australia) Ltd Sydney", contains 11 pieces presumably from a level (Theodolite of Dumpy?)william henry lockwood, surveying instrument, level parts, whittlesea road board, engineering, 1856

A box base, use unknown, used by William Henry Lockwood. William Lockwood was born in 1832 in Glossop, Derbyshire and came to Victoria in 1853 on the 'Marco Polo'. He settled in Whittlesea with his wife Naomi in 1856. He was contracted to the Whittlesea Road Board and was the Engineer to the Shire for a period of 40 years. Some instruments have markings 'JL' on them which is presumed to be Joseph Lockwood, William Henry Lockwood's father. There are 10 items in the Lockwood Surveying and Drafting Instruments Collection.Lockwood's wooden box base of 12 circular recesses, use not confirmedbox base, william henry lockwood, surveying instrument, whittlesea roads board, engineering, 1856

This telescope was used by William Henry Lockwood, local Whittlesea Engineer and Post Master. William Lockwood was born in 1832 in Glossop, Derbyshire and came to Victoria in 1853 on the 'Marco Polo'. He settled in Whittlesea with his wife Naomi in 1856. He was contracted to the Whittlesea Road Board and was the Engineer to the Shire for a period of 40 years. Some instruments have markings 'JL' on them which is presumed to be Joseph Lockwood, William's father. There are 10 engineers surveying instruments in the Lockwood collection.19th century surveying and drafting instruments used by William Henry Lockwood, Engineer of Whittlesea, Victoria, Australia.Brass telescope with 1 draw tube, glass eyepiece, 1 brass eyepiece cover, thin scrap of brown leather attached to the barrel and secured with string.telescope, william henry lockwood, engineer, surveying equipment, lockwood collection, whittlesea roads board, 1856

Specifications for supplying 300 Cubic Yards of Metal on the side of the Main Plenty Road, between Yan Yean Road and the Plenty River Bridge, Whittlesea.3 sheets of paper held together with a brass split pin, includes General Conditions of ContractContract signed by William Henry Lockwood, Engineer, with Bryan McSweeney. Dated 10 December 1888.contract, william lockwood, main plenty road, whittlesea, yan yean road, bryan mcsweeney

Typescript (3 pages). Draft. To the rate payers as addressed. 1. Delete paragraph 1: ". We suggest if you have any doubts, that you try and make a personel inspection of the engineers offices as some of us have done. 2. Modify p.2, para. 3. 3. p.3: Delete "committee"; insert "council".shire of otway; ratepayers;

Photograph taken on the day that the Town of Sandringham became a City, and the first meeting of the City of Sandringham Council. Sandringham was originally part of the Shire of Moorabbin. On 28 February 1917, Sandringham was severed from Moorabbin and incorporated as the Borough of Sandringham. It was proclaimed a Town on 9 April 1919 and a City on 21 March 1923.councillor, sandringham, local government, municipality, mayor, cr. c.a. hartsman, cr. t.g. farrant, cr. g.w. knott, cr. f.n. gibbs, h.t. williams, town clerk, engineer, cr. j.t.d. beck, b.r. sunderland, cr. w.h. kay, cr. r. chisholm, cr. h.b. grace, cr. j.m. ramsay, city, proclamation, council meeting, city of sandringham

Building historyB/W photo interior of Buninyong Court House, prior to restoration, Feb. 1986, with Shire Secretary Alan Helyer discussing plans with Deputy Engineer Bob Wiseman.Identification on reverse.buninyong, courthouse, sgire council

The powerhouse in Sunbury began generating electricity for the town in 1910 after the Shire of Bulla saw the benefits of the town having electricity. It functioned until 1926 until the State Electricity Commission took over the project. The post card was written on 21 June 1910 and sent to a Miss Hillary who was living in Benalla. It was from her cousin Mr. Gregor who was a Sunbury resident. From the date on the card, the photograph must have been taken shortly after the powerhouse began operating. An engineer's cottage was built at the rear of the main building and it is still standing on its original site in Jackson Street,The establishment of an electricity supply for the town of Sunbury by the Shire of Bulla in the early decades of the twentieth century was a very advanced decision and brought lots of benefits to the town.A sepia photograph in post card format of the former Electric Powerhouse at Sunbury with a short message and address written on the back of the photograph.ELECTRIC POWERHOUSE/SUNBURY.electricity supplies., gregor, a., sunbury powerhouse

A report on the proposed development of the Surrey Dive and adjacent areas. It includes topography, site services, buildings, usage of the area including fishing, boating, model boats.An A4 spiral bound report.surrey dive, box hill brick company, surrey park, shire of nunawading, scott and furphy engineers pty ltd, box hill

He was chairman when the ill fated fire occurred at the Shire Office in Sackville Street, and which later led to the conviction of the Engineer, Mr D.J.Howes who was soon after reprieved, upon a potion by 758 ratepayers and residents of the district.Black and white portraitbelfast, meagher, president, portrait, government, shire, municipal, local-government, howes

The district of Strathfieldsaye was proclaimed in 1861 and named a Shire on the 17th September in 1866. It remained a shire until amalgamation in 1994 when it became part of the City of Greater Bendigo. The shire was located 8 km to the south- east of Bendigo and covered an area of 601 square kilometres and extended from the Calder Highway to the Coliban and Campaspe Rivers. The shire's administration centre was in Strathfieldsaye until 1972 when new offices were opened in Kennington. Councillor Michael Brennan held roles of Shire Secretary and Clark of Works until around 1998 when his son R. B. Brennan was appointed Assistant Secretary and then Shire Secretary to assist his father with the work load during his later years. Michael Brennan remained Clerk of Works until his death at which time his son was appointed to the duties previously held by his father. Framed black and white head and shoulder portrait of Councillor Brennan with hand coloured and drawn detail. Profile to left. Cut oval brown mount decorated with text and flowers. Hand written title top and lower centreStrathfieldsaye / Shire Council / W H Robinson / Photo / Bendigo / J H B Gribble / Michael Brennan / President 1869 - 70. 1871 - 2. 1872 - 3 / Secretary 1882 to 1900 / Engineer & Valuator 1882 to 1902strathfieldsaye shire council, councillor brennan, president of strathfieldsaye shire

Electricity – 1939 eeb Express Dec 9th 1937 Electric Light Petition First combined (schools) sports meeting, Melton south, Rockbank, Mt Cotterell, Toolern Vale, Sydenham West, Melton Park, Exford. Jack Wallace Starter, G Wilson (ref) G McDonald, F Ryan judges. A G Macdonald Gate Keeper, A Bamford, E W Barrie, S Rogers Announcers. M P A call meeting for 24th March Two or three progressive residence of Melton township are still pushing quietly for a water scheme for Melton and extension of electricity service expected to be provided for the beam wireless station a Rockbank. One of these has gone so far as to seek opinion of an independent engineer regarding the possibility of township water supply. May 1 1937 A move to combine in Melton Shire Council to convene a public meeting to agitiate for extension of the Electric Supply to Melton is being undertaken by the Progress Association and the Hall Committee. Melton Progress Association and Melton Mechanics Institute Committee joined in a decision to request Melton Shire Council to call a Public Meeting to push for extension of Yallourn electricity to Rockbank and Melton June 12th July 3rd Residents of Melton and Rockbank have an opportunity to reveal attitude towards proposed extension a result of MSC in convincing a public meeting MMI support from Amalgamated Wireless A/Asia Ltd directors Mr Townsing to preside which had been convened by MPAssoc and MMI nicely timed as SEC estimates for ensuing year known to be in course of preperation. Saturday 17th July 1937 Melton Move for Electricity. Meeting shows ….. extensive article …. meetin appointed Messrs Butler and Barrie canvass the town Dec 9th 1939 Mechanics Institute floor to be prepared next week Electricity installed in Melton, article featured in the Melton Expresslocal significant events

Donald Clark Collection. A monochrome photograph of a meeting of Shire of Bet Bet Council in 1964. Caption stuck on front lists the following names of subjects: L to R Crs J.P. Mason, J.J.A. Freemantle, A. Gordon, S.J. Bryant, D.K.Mann (Engineer), Ed Harvey (Assit), Cr. K. Jardine (President), Miss M. Shay (Typist), Daryl McClure (Office), N. McCartney (Secretary), Crs H. Whitehead, D.W. Clark, R.A. Gray, Allen Brownbill. Original photograph. shire of bet bet, dunolly town hall

Donald Clark Collection. A monochrome photograph of Shire of Bet Bet Councillors posed outdoors in 1961. Caption stuck on front lists the following names of subjects: L to R Standing at rear: N. McCartney (Secretary), Crs D.W. Clark, F. Ross, John Lloyd (Engineer), K. Jardine, R.A. Gray Seated: Crs David Wood, J.J.A. Freemantle, H. Whitehead, J.P. Mason. Original photograph. shire of bet bet, dunolly town hall, local government, governance

Murray Comrie Collection. George Minto (b.1824 in Harwick, Scotland) was engineer at the Flour Mill in Tarnagulla, was Mayor of Tarnagulla Borough Council for a time and was engineer of the Shire of Marong for twenty years. For 13 years he occupied the position of surveyor to the Bendigo City Council. In his later life he lived in Kangaroo Flat. Whilst living there, on the 28th November 1914, he died, aged 90 and a half years. This photograph is a reasonable image created from a historic news source (unknown). Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1970s.Monochrome photograph, being copy of a news clipping with image of George Minto. Printed caption 'The Late Mr. George Minto, Jun. (Bartlett Bros, photo)'. tarnagulla, people

Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her prize-winning photos are held in the Society Collection. She also held a range of roles and committee positions in a wide range of Wodonga community organisations. These included the Horticultural Society, the Wodonga Arts Council, the Wodonga Camera Club and the Wodonga Lapidary Club. Woodland Grove is located in the triangular reserve at the corner of High and Hovell Streets, Wodonga. ‘Woodland Grove". It was named in honour of John Woodland at the same time as the opening of the band rotunda in September 1920. John Woodland, Wodonga Shire’s first president, was born in Kent, England, in 1829 and came to Sydney with his parents in 1839. He arrived in the Wodonga district about 1853, where he created a successful carrier's business. He first lived on the Old Barnawartha Estate and a few years later purchased land at Green Hills, Wodonga West, where he farmed and also ran a hotel. The hotel licence was relinquished to give attention to duties as secretary and clerk of works to Wodonga Shire, which was then the Wodonga Riding of the Shire of Yackandandah. He was a main agitator for the separation of Wodonga district from Yackandandah Shire. This was successful in 1876, and he became the first president of Wodonga Shire. He held this post for two years, then taking on the role of shire secretary in 1878 until 1913. He concurrently undertook the role of clerk of works (engineer) from 1896 to 1907. As clerk of works he prepared the plans and specifications for, and supervised the construction of the big bridges on the Albury road and at Bonegilla and other important works. In his mid 70s, he proffered his resignation on a number of occasions but it was not accepted. Despite physical weakness and impaired vision, John continued his duties to the end, with the help of his daughter Rose Murphy. Rose became shire secretary for 20 years after her father’s death in 1913.This photo collection is significant as it documents the naming of a public area in Wodonga to honour an original and long-serving member of the Wodonga Shire Council.A black and white photo of Woodland Grove in High Street, Wodonga. It includes the rotunda, the water tower and the soldier's memorial. There is a post and wire fence in the foreground as well as several trees and rose bushes. Beneath the photo: "WOODLAND GROVE / Rotunda - Water Tower - Memorial"high st wodonga, woodland grove, john woodland

An A4 sized publication which has been spiral bound and has a laminated cover. It contains transcripts from a presentation night,This booklet includes information about the establishment and role of the Municipal Saleyards in Wodonga. The booklet was produced as part of the celebration of the Saleyards conducted by the Wodonga Historical Society. It recognises the significant role played by William George Page who was Shire and City Engineer in Wodonga from 1965 until 1989 and fought to have these saleyards established.municipal saleyards wodonga, w. g. page saleyards

John Woodland was the first President, Secretary and Engineer for the Shire of Wodonga, after it separated from the Yackandandah Shire in 1876, when the Victorian Government agreed to a ratepayers' petitions to form a new municipality.The framed photograph of John Woodland has local significance as he was the first President, Secretary and Engineer for the Shire of Wodonga when it was established in 1876. The photograph has historical significance as it is an illustration of three generations of a prominent family in Wodonga in the late 19th century in the stylised setting typical of that time. It also shows the kind of clothes and hair styles men, women and children from well-to-do familes wore.Sepia-toned photograph of John Woodland and his family in a brown wooden frame with a gold bevelled edge and grey matt board. Hand written inscription on the cardboard on the back of the frame." MrJohn Woodland / & Family / first President / Secretary / Engineer } for Wodonga Sh---" on the top of the cardboard back and above the following inscription: "Son Mr Charles Woodland & Grandson. / Daughters Mrs. R. F. Murphy, Secretary for Council for ... / years after her father's d... / Mrs. Susan Noonan"john woodland, wodonga shire, woodland family, wodonga, john woodland photographs

non-fictionA history of the development of the management of the Fish River Water Supply Scheme in Central NSW. The scheme extends across the local government areas of the Shire of Oberon, the City of Lithgow and the City of the Blue Mountains.water nsw, fish river region nsw, oberon dam, water resources development nsw australia

Black and white photograph taken at commencement of works on Aquatic Centre, Russell Smith Works Engineer, Bill Hodgins Structural Engineer, Stephen Cheney Architect, Peter Minster Builder, Marlene Battista Project Engineer, Michael Ellis Shire Manager of Engineering and Kim Davis Foreman. Lakes Entrance Victoriarecreational facilities, management

Built by William Ellis in 1865 of local uncut stone about 30cm thick, the cottage is now a museum and home to the Nillumbik Historical Society. Ellis Cottage is historically significant for its association with the Ellis family, who were pioneers of the Diamond Creek district and the benefactors of the notable Nillumbik Cemetery gateway. It illustrates the development of farming in the area. Ellis Cottage is historically and technically significant for its rare use of uncut local stone for building purposes. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p79 Ellis Cottage, built by William Ellis, is a memorial to the courage of pioneers in the Diamond Valley area.1 Now a museum and home to the Nillumbik Historical Society, it is a fine example of an early settler’s house in Diamond Creek – and one of the few original buildings standing from the middle of the 19th century. It is a poor man’s cottage – typical of the dwellings of those who had to work hard to wrest a living in this district, because most of the land was not fertile enough for major forms of farming. The pretty stone cottage at 10 Nillumbik Square, built in 1865, is made of local uncut stone about one foot (30 cm) thick. It once stood near the centre of the 147 acres (59.4ha) Ellis bought in 1850. The property extended from Diamond Creek to Reynolds Road and from Perversi Avenue to the Wattle Glen School. It stood in the electoral parish of Nillumbik. The Nillumbik township (later called Diamond Creek) was not created until 1867. In 1912 the property was cut in half by the new railway to Hurstbridge. Ellis paid £147/10/- for the land - about three times what a Victorian farmer would usually earn in a year. Despite the poor quality soil Ellis became a very successful farmer with an orchard, vegetables and a dairy herd. Five years later, in 1855, Ellis bought 70 acres (28.3ha) from neighbour, Hugh Larimour. In 1857 Ellis bought 208 acres (84ha) at Yarra Glen. In 1877 he bought 122 acres (49.3ha) at Diamond Creek and later bought land at Greensborough and Woodstock. Ellis was born in 1815 at Blackawton, a small Devonshire village, and became a tenant farmer. It is not known why Ellis came out to Australia or settled in Diamond Creek. In 1847 he married Margaret Child at the Melbourne Presbyterian Church. Ellis and Child had no children and 18 years after the wedding, while probably living in Kangaroo Ground, Ellis built this small cottage. The simple cottage has a central hall and two rooms on each side. To maximise the small space the ceiling cavity was designed large enough to provide sleeping accommodation accessed via a ladder. Each room was heated by an open fireplace and the one in the kitchen was large enough to roast a sheep. A large cellar under the front room probably stored farm produce. Water came from a well as reticulated water did not arrive at Diamond Creek until 1914. In 1870 Ellis’ 22 year-old nephew Nathaniel joined him from England.2 Until 1890 they developed Ellis Park, praised in The Evelyn Observer, May 30,1890 as a model farm. Ellis had become wealthy, and on his death in 1896 his estate was valued at £9000. In his will he left £100 to construct memorial gates at the Nillumbik Cemetery where he was buried.3 Ellis left the farm to his second wife Louisa. As he had no children, upon her death the farm passed to Nathaniel, but he did not take it up. The farm was sold and leased several times until 1967, when engineer Phillip Lovitt bought the property and carried out major structural works. The Shire of Diamond Valley bought it in the 1980s and in 1989 restored it with the Nillumbik Historical Society. The stone walls of the cottage had been plastered with mud and straw mortar, which were removed as they were riddled with vermin. Doors, windows and a floor were replaced and the original roof of timber shingles had been replaced with slate. The well was too deeply cracked to be restored, so was used for a flower bed. Two mature Italian Cypresses at the entry are also heritage protected as they relate to similar trees planted at Shillinglaw Cottage and other early buildings in Nillumbik Shire.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, ellis cottage, diamond creek, nillumbik historical society, william ellis

"Wingrove Cottage" was built 1858/59 for Charles Symons Wingrove, long serving Secretary and Engineer to the Eltham District Road Board and Shire Council. Sitauted on Main Road Eltha, it is on the Victorian Heritage Database and considered locally significant. In 1989 when this photo was taken the building was being used as a community clinic.See Victorian Heritage Database citation https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/6357435mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak KodachromeProcess Date MAR 89Meltham, main road, wingrove cottage, wingrove cottage community clinic

In 1857, tanner John Pearson purchased three and a half acres of land in Little Eltham, at the western end of Pitt Street, with a 70-foot frontage to Maria Street (Main Road) and stretching down to the Diamond Creek for £100. He contracted Benjamin Oliver Wallis to build house for him. Wallis, a mason by trade who originated from the Cornish village of Newlyn, migrated to Melbourne in 1853 and was shortly engaged by Richard Warren to build the Eltham Hotel, which opened in 1854. When Warren fell into financial difficulty in 1858, Wallis purchased the hotel. That same year, Pearson constructed a tannery below the house with access to the water in the Diamond Creek. When Pearson became bankrupt in 1867, Wallis similarly acquired the house from Pearson’s creditors in 1868 and lived there until his death in 1896. For some of this time the house was in the name of Wallis’s son Richard but following his death in 1888, ownership reverted to his father. It was purchased by retired teacher Richard Gilsenen in 1899. Gilsenen was made acting head teacher at the Eltham State School in 1906 following the sudden death of head teacher John Brown. In the 1950s the house was bought by retired engineer Dr Alfred Fitzpatrick and his wife Claire who made various modifications to house goats and poultry as well as structural modifications to the house. In the early 1970s, Eltham Shire Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling proposed an extended communities’ activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance. In 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the planning to establish an extended communities’ activities program. The Fitzpatricks moved next door and Claire taught at the new Living and Learning Centre, which began in 1975, one of the first community education centres in Victoria. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p59 It’s a centre for sharing knowledge and friendship and it stands on the former hub of Eltham’s original township near Pitt Street. The Eltham Living and Learning Centre, with around 2000 participants a year, began in 1975 as one of the first Community Education Centres in Victoria. Classes ranging from macramé to wine making to environmental living have enriched the lives of thousands of people through the generosity of tutors sharing their skills free of charge. The centre’s heart is the brick cottage, built in 1858 by tanner John Pearson. He bought the three and a half acre (1.4ha) allotment fronting Maria Street (now Main Road) and stretching down to the Diamond Creek. The allotment formed part of a 316 acre (127.8ha) subdivision, owned by Josiah Holloway, called Little Eltham, north of the original Eltham Reserve.1 The allotment then passed through the hands of several speculators before it was sold to Pearson for £100 in 1857. Mr Pearson’s children attended the Eltham Primary School from 1864 to 1867. But creditors took possession of the property when his tannery folded in 1867. It was then sold to publican Benjamin Wallis, who owned the Eltham Hotel at the corner of Pitt Street and Main Road. In 1899 the property was bought by Richard Gilsenan, who became acting head teacher of the Eltham Primary State School in 1906. In the 1950s, retired engineer Dr Alfred Fitzpatrick and his wife Claire bought the property, and made structural changes. Claire, a journalist and community campaigner, modified and built pens for goats and poultry, a stable, a garage and planted fruit trees and a vegetable garden. In the early 1970s a young woman called Carina Hack approached Gwen Wesson at the Diamond Valley Learning Centre (Victoria’s first Community Education Centre) about starting a community centre. Following Wesson’s suggestion, Hack spoke to Shire President Alistair Knox ‘one bleak rainy afternoon, sipping hot drinks and discussing life’.2 Eltham Shire Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling proposed a community activities program and the council received a $50,000 Commonwealth Government Grant for this venture.3 The Fitzpatricks sold their property to the council and moved next door and Claire taught at the new centre, which Hack named. Eltham obviously wanted such a centre as Hack recalls. ‘During the next two months we had about 50 volunteers working day, night and weekends, scrubbing down, plastering and painting walls, replacing floors, repairing fences, recycling furniture, sewing curtains and cushions, donating furniture, toys, equipment, clean-ing and gardening…’4 The first enrolment day saw a queue stretching up the driveway nearly to the gate and the first sessions attracted 270 people a week. Soon the outbuildings were converted into pottery studios and a large workshop. From 1979 the Eltham Art and Craft Market was held in the centre’s grounds and the Friends of the Centre ran it from 1980. A former program coordinator, Margaret Johnson, remembers enrolment day in the late 1970s and 1980s, when hundreds of people would queue – and some even camped overnight! Overnighters were greeted in the morning with fresh tea and toast. Another tradition was The Enrolment Day Cake with Recipe, given to volunteers. ‘One happy Enrolment Day fell on February 14 and let’s just say that St Valentine found some willing participants, paying $2 for a kiss.’5 Meanwhile the participants’ children could play at the Council Eltham Lower Park house in Hohnes Road, later in Susan Street. But the centre has had difficulties too. In 1990 a fire destroyed the stable and the police suspected arson. However the pavilion was built in its place.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, benjamin oliver wallis, claire fitzpatrick, don maling, dr alfred fitzpatrick, eltham living and learning centre, frank maas, john pearson, richard gilsenen, tannery

The Eltham Community and Reception Centre was Australia's first public mud-brick building. Commissioned in 1977 by Eltham Shire Council, led by Shire president (and architect) Robert Marshall, architects Whitford and Peck were asked to design a multipurpose facility in mud-brick and timber. The official opening was performed by the Hon. R.J. Hamer; E.D., M.P., Premier of Victorai on Saturday, April 22, 1978. Architects: Whitford & Peck Pty Ltd Quantity Surveyor: D.J. Cant & Associates Structural Civil Engineers: Charlett & Moore Pty Ltd Landscape: Peter Glass, Dennis Edwards Mech Elec: Lobley Treidel & Partners Pty Ltd Acoustics: Riley Barden & Kirkhope Builder: L.U. Simon Pty Ltd Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p177 The Wiggles performed there, so has the ABC’s Play School. New citizens have made their vows, volunteers have been honoured, school children have performed, weddings celebrated and people mourned at funerals. Since 1978 the Eltham Community and Reception Centre at the corner of Pitt Street and Main Road, has provided a beautiful and quintessential Eltham environment for people from all over Melbourne. Recognised as Australia’s first public mud-brick building, the centre was built partly on the site of the parsonage of the former Methodist Church (now the Uniting Church).1 Commissioned by the Eltham Council headed by President Robert Marshall, architects Whitford and Peck were asked to design a multipurpose facility in mud-brick and timber. Following public consultation, it was agreed to build a centre for dances, exhibitions, films, plays or concerts. The results – at a cost of around $620,000 – captured the Eltham rustic style. The building – in soft tones of mud-brick and timber and immense floor-to-ceiling windows – overlooks the Diamond Creek and sporting fields. Eltham’s strong artistic heritage is reflected in the centre. Although the lighting is not ideal for a gallery and labels cannot be placed on walls, the centre hosts the Nillumbik Art Awards and displays around ten to 20% of the Nillumbik Shire Art Collection, usually for around a year at a time.2 On permanent display, close to the entrance, is local artist Clifton Pugh’s White Choughs in the Landscape. Further to the right is the Walter Withers Gallery, named after a local member of the Heidelberg School of artists. As part of the Eltham Gateway opposite the Eltham Hotel, the centre stands on what was once part of the Eltham Town Centre along this section of Main Road, then known as Maria Street. On the same site once stood the house and flour mill owned by Henry Dendy, best known as the founder of Brighton, although he lived longer in Eltham. Beside the drive is a wheel-rim tool with accompanying plaque, illustrating a technology important during the horse-powered age and now almost completely gone, as has the blacksmith’s shop that had housed it nearby. The implement is a platform for fitting iron tyres to the wooden rims of cartwheels. Beneath it is a capsule placed in 1985 to commemorate Victoria’s 150 years, which is to be opened in 2035. Although the plants, forming part of the landscaping by Peter Glass and Denis Edwards, are largely indigenous and other native species, some exotic plants are protected as an important link with the site’s past. Planted at the front around 1920, is a large Peppercorn tree with two joined trunks growing from the base, and close by is a Bhutan Cypress (Cupressus torulosa). Three other Peppercorn trees fringe the drive. The building includes two halls – the larger seating 250 people – and a large foyer overlooking trees and ovals. Both halls have retractable rear walls providing varying spaces as required, and guests can use several external decks. A site for outdoor theatre has been carved out of the natural slope outside the entrance. The Bricklayers Union refused to use the traditional mud-bricks, which weigh more than 22kg. As a result the mud-bricks were redesigned to reduce their weight and were laid back-to-back to produce a wall of normal thickness.3 The centre’s massive timber frame is reminiscent of timber bridge construction, with infill panels of mud-brick.4 In accord with the rustic style are colossal rough-sawn posts, bolts and steel brackets. The combination of mud-brick, exposed feature timber framing and creative design in this centre, characterises Eltham’s innovative buildings and the social movement behind them from the 1940s to the 1970s.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham community and reception centre, mudbrick construction

Mrs Jessie Beardmore, wife of the Shire President, Mr Henry Beardmore, was invited to switch on the electrical current at the power house in Wodonga on 15th January 1912. This was not the official opening of the newly installed system which took place a few weeks later. Disagreement existed amongst Shire Councillors about the official opening, several of them including Mr Beardmore believing the opening should only take place when the scheme was completed. However Dr Schlink, Mr D. M. Stavely, Cr Twomey and Mr C. Holloway, Engineer for the Electric Lighting Company, arranged a small ceremony to turn lights on for the first section of the scheme. This included street lighting along Sydney Street between South Street and the Shire Hall as well as a few business houses and private establishments, with the balcony of the Terminus Hotel illuminated by over 100 lights. Other areas and buildings were connected over the following weeks. Mr Beardmore was not present at the beginning of proceedings but joined the crowd in the street. During a small number of speeches, credit for his work to instigate and further the introduction of electricity to Wodonga was given to Councillor Twomey, referred to as “the father of the scheme”. This item is significant because it records the first connection of electricity to Wodonga in 1912.A hand written letter addressed to Mrs Beardmore of Wodonga. A portrait of Mrs Beardmore is also included. A transcript of the letter is included below. Wodonga 15 -1-12 Mrs Beardmore Wodonga Dear Madam, Mr Holloway, Engineer for the Electric Lighting Company, has invited me to invite you as the wife of the Shire President to switch on the electric supply for the town at the power house not later than 8.30PM (this evening). Hoping that you and Mr Beardmore can make it convenient to attend. I remain yours sincerely, R. H. Schlinkbeardmore family, electricity in wodonga