Viewed from railway line opposite Graham Body Works. Simms Road is running to the right in front of the old house. The house belongs to Mrs Cameron whose daughter married a DAVEY after which Davey Street is named. Excavation work is being undertaken for the realignment of the Para Road and Sherbourne Road intersection where the current roundabout is located, approximately where the two cars are parked. Mrs Cameron's house and the other are where Montmorency Secondary College is situated. The school opened in 1969.Photostitch from multiple images on roll of film. Roll of 35mm black and white negative film, 6 strips Ilford HP3briar hill, cameron, davey, davey road, graham body works, greensborough, montmorency secondary college, sherbourne road, simms road

Viewed from Simms Road in front of Mrs Cameron's house in what is now the northwest bound lanes of Para Road prior to the roundabout intersedction with Sherbourne Road. Simms Road is running to the right in front of the old house. The house belongs to Mrs Cameron whose daughter married a DAVEY after which Davey Street is named. Excavation work is being undertaken for the realignment of the Para Road and Sherbourne Road intersection where the current roundabout is located, approximately where the two cars are parked. Mrs Cameron's house and the other are where Montmorency Secondary College is situated. The school opened in 1969.Roll of 35mm black and white negative film, 6 strips Ilford HP3briar hill, cameron, davey, davey road, graham body works, greensborough, montmorency secondary college, sherbourne road, simms road

Viewed from Simms Road in front of Mrs Cameron's house in what is now the northwest bound lanes of Para Road prior to the roundabout intersedction with Sherbourne Road. Simms Road is running to the right in front of the old house. The house belongs to Mrs Cameron whose daughter married a DAVEY after which Davey Street is named. Excavation work is being undertaken for the realignment of the Para Road and Sherbourne Road intersection where the current roundabout is located, approximately where the two cars are parked. Mrs Cameron's house and the other are where Montmorency Secondary College is situated. The school opened in 1969.Roll of 35mm black and white negative film, 6 strips Ilford HP3briar hill, cameron, davey, davey road, graham body works, greensborough, montmorency secondary college, sherbourne road, simms road

Teacher: Mr Griffith Back Row (L-R): Mr Griffith, - , - , John Hopkins , Ronny Morris, Michael Oldfield, Rex Jobling , -, - , - , Geoffrey Jones, Barry Moar, David Stokes Middle Row (L-R): - , Avis Barnes , Pam Geer , Prue Kimber , Dirkie Herholdt, - , Bronwyn Conibear , Joy Chapman , - , - , Alan Pittman Front Row (L-R): Neil Twyford , - , Beverley Bradbury (nee Stokes), Susan Gill , Helen Taylor , Thelma Baxter , - . Students in grade either not present or unidentified include Faye Helmers, David Knight, Robin Hayes, Bruce Treganan Photography by Rural Photographic Service of Australia, 8a Bankly Avenue, Malvern, Vic. 5303/5 Digital copies scanned by EDHS from originals held by Barry Moar, of Greensborough, Vic, 17 Jul 2017 and Margaret Harding (nee Joy Chapman.) 15 Nov 2024. Keith and brother Barry Moar moved to Eltham in March 1944 where they attended the State School (elder brother Keith from 1949) in Dalton Street. They lived at 11 York Street in a house rented from Ernie Andrew at a cost of £2/week. Other items of note advised by Barry and Keith Moar: Michael Oldfield was killed in a car accident in South David Stokes, son of Frank Stokes who operated Stokes Orchard was killed in the Black Saturday fire of 7 Feb 2009. It snowed in Eltham in 1952 or 1953 Andy Matthews was on HMAS Voyager when it was sunk by HMAS Melbourne. Carleen Golgeth's mother used to drive her to school in a c.1928 Rolls Royce taxi (phaeton?)Digital copy of black and white photograph x 21953, eltham state school, state school no. 209, grade iii, alan pittman, barry moar, david stokes, geoffrey jones, michael oldfield, mr griffith, neil twyford, ronny morris, margaret harding (joy chapman) collection, barry moar collection, arthur roberts, avis barnes, barry (andy) matthews, ben rutley, beverley bradbury (nee stokes), bronwyn conibear, bruce treganan, carleen golgeth, class photo, david knight, dirkie herholdt, dorothy uren, eltham primary school, eltham state school no. 209, faye helmers, grade v, helen taylor, ian newlands, john hopkins, john squires, johnny morris, joy chapman, keith moar, margaret butterway, margie? reed, marjory bredle, maureen davis, max goldsworthy, michael sinclair, mr jobling, mr phillips, nina macbeth, pam geer, pat davison, peter brown, peter mccann, prue kimber, rex jobling, robert eisma, robin hayes, stafford davison, susan gill, teddie mynott, thelma baxter, yvonne box

L to R:- Back Row (standing): - , - , - , Les Warren, ? Ware, Michael Oldfield, Robert Sear, Geoffrey Jones; Middle Row (standing): - , - , - , ? Connevere, - , - , -, - ; Middle Row (seated): - , Barry Moar, - , - , - , Gail Pike, - , - , ? Bradbury, - , David Stokes, Alan Pittman; Front Row (seated): Neil Twyford, - . Digital copy scanned by EDHS from an original held by Barry Moar, of Greensborough, Vic, 17 Jul 2017. Keith and brother Barry Moar moved to Eltham in March 1944 where they attended the State School (elder brother Keith from 1949) in Dalton Street. They lived at 11 York Street in a house rented from Ernie Andrew at a cost of £2/week.Digital copy of black and white photographeltham state school, state school no. 209, 1955, grade v, bradbury, connevere, ware, alan pittman, barry moar, david stokes, gail pike, geoffrey jones, les warren, michael oldfield, neil twyford, robert sear, barry moar collection

Viewed from eastern side of Para Road opposite Graham Body Works.. Simms Road is running to the right in front of the old house. The house belongs to Mrs Cameron whose daughter married a DAVEY after which Davey Street is named. Excavation work is being undertaken for the realignment of the Para Road and Sherbourne Road intersection where the current roundabout is located, approximately where the two cars are parked. Mrs Cameron's house and the other are where Montmorency Secondary College is situated. The school opened in 1969.Roll of 35mm black and white negative film, 6 strips Ilford HP3briar hill, cameron, davey, davey road, graham body works, greensborough, montmorency secondary college, sherbourne road, simms road, vw service

Viewed from eastern side of Para Road opposite Graham Body Works.. Simms Road is running to the right in front of the old house. The house belongs to Mrs Cameron whose daughter married a DAVEY after which Davey Street is named. Excavation work is being undertaken for the realignment of the Para Road and Sherbourne Road intersection where the current roundabout is located, approximately where the two cars are parked. Mrs Cameron's house and the other are where Montmorency Secondary College is situated. The school opened in 1969.Photostitch from multiple images on roll of film. Roll of 35mm black and white negative film, 6 strips Ilford HP3briar hill, cameron, davey, davey road, graham body works, greensborough, montmorency secondary college, sherbourne road, simms road, vw service

Viewed from eastern side of Para Road opposite Graham Body Works.. Simms Road is running to the right in front of the old house. The house belongs to Mrs Cameron whose daughter married a DAVEY after which Davey Street is named. Excavation work is being undertaken for the realignment of the Para Road and Sherbourne Road intersection where the current roundabout is located, approximately where the two cars are parked. Mrs Cameron's house and the other are where Montmorency Secondary College is situated. The school opened in 1969.Roll of 35mm black and white negative film, 6 strips Ilford HP3briar hill, cameron, davey, davey road, graham body works, greensborough, montmorency secondary college, sherbourne road, simms road, vw beetle, vw service

A view of Greensborough township 1889, painted from the corner of St Helena Road and Diamond Creek Roads. This copy has been cropped from the original to show lower Main Street and Marble hall. The original of this painting is owned by Greensborough Primary School.From the John Mackey collection. this item was displayed at the offices of Ryan, Mackey and Kelly, solicitors, Main Street Greensborough.Small timber-framed photograph of road and houses, sepia.greensborough, main street greensborough, marble hall greensborough, arthur elliott, john mackey

Viewed from railway line opposite Graham Body Works. Simms Road is running to the right in front of the old house. The house belongs to Mrs Cameron whose daughter married a DAVEY after which Davey Street is named. Excavation work is being undertaken for the realignment of the Para Road and Sherbourne Road intersection where the current roundabout is located, approximately where the two cars are parked. Mrs Cameron's house and the other are where Montmorency Secondary College is situated. The school opened in 1969.Roll of 35mm black and white negative film, 6 strips Ilford HP3briar hill, cameron, davey, davey road, graham body works, greensborough, montmorency secondary college, sherbourne road, simms road

Article from Brooksy's Briefing about works on the new sports facilities at Greensborough College which will temporarily house Watsonia Heights Football Club and St Mary's Football Club during the building of the North East Link.Newsletter article, text with two colour imagesgreensborough college, colin brooks, north east link, watsonia heights football club, st marys football club

One of seven sites in Eltham and Greensborough where the butterfly survives. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p181 The rare Eltham Copper Butterfly, Paralucia pyro-discus, was saved from near extinction by a community campaign in the late 1980s. Thanks to that effort, the butterfly, a form of the Fiery Copper Butterfly, with a wing span of only 2.5cm, can be seen in parts of Eltham and Greensborough from late November to April. As late as 1987 the butterfly was thought to be near extinction. But that year, entomologist, Michael Braby, found several colonies, including two major ones in natural bushland on Diosma Road, Eltham. However these were threatened with destruction, as their habitat was to be destroyed by a development of 71 houses. The colonies were on a 14 hectare subdivision owned by Esanda Finance, an ANZ Bank subsidiary. It would cost around $5 million, to reimburse the bank for the land. The butterfly, which depends on woodland, a stunted form of the Sweet Bursaria bush, and the Notoncus ant, was considered too fragile to relocate. Braby’s discovery led to a sometimes fiery two-year campaign, which even became an election issue. It involved the local community, local and state governments and the developer, before a compromise was reached. The larvae have an intricate relationship with the small black ant, Notoncus. During the day, the larvae shelter in nests made by the ants around the base of the trunk and roots of the Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa). The ants are thought to protect the larvae from predators and parasites, as they attend them from the nests to feed on the Bursaria leaves at night. In return, the larvae excrete a sugar solution, which the ants love to eat. The butterfly was first recorded in Victoria in 1893, and first collected scientifically from Eltham in 1931. But it was only officially named in 1951, by Victoria’s then top butterfly expert, David Crosby.2 However, from 1970, rapid housing development in Eltham destroyed much of the butterfly’s habitat. The discovery of several major colonies in 1987 met with great excitement, and 250 people attended the first local public meeting. The State Government commissioned Crosby to investigate how to protect the butterfly, and the council froze development for three weeks. Then Esanda agreed to suspend development for several months, until a compromise was reached. Crosby recommended that 62 of the 71 lots be kept to ensure the butterflys’ survival. However this would cost $1 million to $1.5million in compensation to Esanda. Greensborough MP Pauline Toner, launched a $1million fundraising campaign and many artists donated their works to the appeal. Toner offered Clifton Pugh’s painting Eltham Copper Country to millionaire Alan Bond for $1 million, after having heard that he had offered $6 million for the Van Gough painting Sunflowers. However Bond did not accept. The butterfly was considered a ‘hot’ election issue during the by-election, following Pauline Toner’s resignation. Liberal party candidate, Margaret Brown, was accused of falsely saying she had been involved in the butterfly campaign so as to win votes. Sadly, the $1million appeal fell short at $426,000, so a compromise was reached. The State Government donated the Education Department site on Eucalyptus Road, but only nine lots of the Diosma site were bought, and the rest of the development went ahead. On March 3, 1989, Ms Toner died. Thee Eucalyptus Road site was named in her honour. Around 2000 the butterfly was further threatened by proposed developments on Pitt Street, facing the Pauline Toner Reserve and between Diosma and Nyora Roads. Fortunately the Friends of the ECB, with the Shire of Nillumbik, ensured that more habitat was made available. The butterfly now survives in seven sites in Eltham and Greensborough, including the main sites at the Pauline Toner Reserve on Eucalyptus Road, the Western and Eastern colonies on Diosma Road, and the Yandell Reserve in Greensborough.5 The butterfly survives also in Castlemaine and in the Kiata and Salisbury areas. However, it remains endangered.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 copper butterfly, pauline toner butterfly reserve

Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p181 The rare Eltham Copper Butterfly, Paralucia pyro-discus, was saved from near extinction by a community campaign in the late 1980s. Thanks to that effort, the butterfly, a form of the Fiery Copper Butterfly, with a wing span of only 2.5cm, can be seen in parts of Eltham and Greensborough from late November to April. As late as 1987 the butterfly was thought to be near extinction. But that year, entomologist, Michael Braby, found several colonies, including two major ones in natural bushland on Diosma Road, Eltham. However these were threatened with destruction, as their habitat was to be destroyed by a development of 71 houses. The colonies were on a 14 hectare subdivision owned by Esanda Finance, an ANZ Bank subsidiary. It would cost around $5 million, to reimburse the bank for the land. The butterfly, which depends on woodland, a stunted form of the Sweet Bursaria bush, and the Notoncus ant, was considered too fragile to relocate. Braby’s discovery led to a sometimes fiery two-year campaign, which even became an election issue. It involved the local community, local and state governments and the developer, before a compromise was reached. The larvae have an intricate relationship with the small black ant, Notoncus. During the day, the larvae shelter in nests made by the ants around the base of the trunk and roots of the Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa). The ants are thought to protect the larvae from predators and parasites, as they attend them from the nests to feed on the Bursaria leaves at night. In return, the larvae excrete a sugar solution, which the ants love to eat. The butterfly was first recorded in Victoria in 1893, and first collected scientifically from Eltham in 1931. But it was only officially named in 1951, by Victoria’s then top butterfly expert, David Crosby.2 However, from 1970, rapid housing development in Eltham destroyed much of the butterfly’s habitat. The discovery of several major colonies in 1987 met with great excitement, and 250 people attended the first local public meeting. The State Government commissioned Crosby to investigate how to protect the butterfly, and the council froze development for three weeks. Then Esanda agreed to suspend development for several months, until a compromise was reached. Crosby recommended that 62 of the 71 lots be kept to ensure the butterflys’ survival. However this would cost $1 million to $1.5million in compensation to Esanda. Greensborough MP Pauline Toner, launched a $1million fundraising campaign and many artists donated their works to the appeal. Toner offered Clifton Pugh’s painting Eltham Copper Country to millionaire Alan Bond for $1 million, after having heard that he had offered $6 million for the Van Gough painting Sunflowers. However Bond did not accept. The butterfly was considered a ‘hot’ election issue during the by-election, following Pauline Toner’s resignation. Liberal party candidate, Margaret Brown, was accused of falsely saying she had been involved in the butterfly campaign so as to win votes. Sadly, the $1million appeal fell short at $426,000, so a compromise was reached. The State Government donated the Education Department site on Eucalyptus Road, but only nine lots of the Diosma site were bought, and the rest of the development went ahead. On March 3, 1989, Ms Toner died, and the Eucalyptus Road site was named in her honour. Around 2000 the butterfly was further threatened by proposed developments on Pitt Street, facing the Pauline Toner Reserve and between Diosma and Nyora Roads. Fortunately the Friends of the ECB, with the Shire of Nillumbik, ensured that more habitat was made available. The butterfly now survives in seven sites in Eltham and Greensborough, including the main sites at the Pauline Toner Reserve on Eucalyptus Road, the Western and Eastern colonies on Diosma Road, and the Yandell Reserve in Greensborough.The butterfly survives also in Castlemaine and in the Kiata and Salisbury areas. However, it remains endangered.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 copper butterfly, sweet bursaria

Article about increase in vandalism to houses and shops in Greensborough in 1985Newsprint, black text greensborough, graffiti vandals, vandalism, greensborough police

The Diamond Valley Community Hospital was established in 1942 in Grimshaw Street Greensborough. Prior to the hospital, health services in the area had been limited. The Hospital closed in 2000. This photograph is of the first hospital on the Diamond Valley Hospital site. This area on Grimshaw Street now houses many medical services in what was once the Diamond Valley Community Hospital.Digital copy of black and white photograph.diamond valley community hospital, genista house

History about the property at 72 Greenhill Road, Greensborough and its connection to the Petts family.6 pages, text with black and white and colour photosoral history, dawn bennetts, greenhill road, petts family

Three young men (one being Peter Varalla) with their cars, Greensborough circa 1976. The Varalla family bought the old Carter House on the corner Flintoff Street and Para Road, demolishing the old Carter House and building their new residence there.Digital copy of black and white photographpeter varalla, flintoff street greensborough, para road greensborough, varalla family

Oral history about the building and life of 74 Greenhill Road in 1962 by the Petts family.Oral history article, black text and black and white and colour photosoral history, dawn bennetts, petts family, greenhill road greensborough

Prudence Partington was born in 1858 at a cottage at the Watsonia Toll Gate operated by her father Charles. The family later moved to Willis Vale. After their parents’ deaths, Maria and Prudence moved to a house in Sellars Street Watsonia in 1890. They lived together until their deaths in 1930, just two months apart.A pioneer Greensborough family.Sepia studio photograph of woman.prudence partington, portrait photographs, partington famiy

PART 1 – NILLUMBIK (00:00-07:17) Opening features various scenes around Nillumbik Shire. For 40,000 years Nillumbik was the home of the Wurundjeri people. Robert Hoddle gave the district its name. Jock Ryan, then president of Nillumbik Historical Society discusses the names Nillumbik and Diamond Creek. In the late 1830s white occupation began with gold found in Warrandyte in 1851 and 12 years later at Diamond Creek -the Diamond Reef which led to the Caledonian gold rush. Jock Ryan discusses the Diamond Creek mine, which was thriving until it burnt out in 1915. Large numbers of workmen moved into area in late 1870s to construct the Maroondah Aqueduct. With growing population of Melbourne, the nearby Yan Yean system had severely disrupted the flow of the Plenty River, forcing the closure of three flour mills there. The aqueduct came to the rescue carrying water 66km from Healesville to Preston. When the Diamond Creek gold mine burnt down the local economy suffered but fruit growing industry had already been established and Diamond Creek became a thriving fruit growing centre. Interview with Jack Powell, a long-time fruiterer at St Andrews market, his family had lived in the area for a hundred years, 3 to 4 generations, “a lot of hard work”. By the time the railway arrived fruit growing was no longer competitive. The railway brought the city closer and day trippers. The Green Wedge separates the shire from the more densely developed neighbours such as Whittlesea, Doncaster, Templestowe, Bulleen and Greensborough. Population at the time (1996) was 19,000 but links to the past remain strong. Mudbrick houses along the Heritage Trail The saving of Shillinglaw Cottage from demolition in 1963 and relocation brick by brick. PART 2 – ENVIRONMENT (07:18-14:44) Peter Brock (with Bev Brock in background) at St Andrews market discusses his childhood growing up in the district and the environment and the values it instilled upon him and his own family. The Brocks have been in the district since the 1860s. Nillumbik Shire responsible for managing three catchment areas; Diamond Creek, Arthurs Creek and Watsons Creek. Follows the course of the Diamond Creek commencing in Kinglake through the district to its confluence with the Yarra River at Eltham at Eltham Lower Park. Highlights Eltham Lower Park community revegetation program and the newly constructed (1996) viewing platform built of new and recycled timbers at the confluence of the Diamond Creek and Yarra River. Also featured are outdoor recreation on the river and at Eltham Lower Park including the Diamond Valley miniature railway. Sugarloaf reservoir and recreational activities and fishing. Aerial view of Memorial Park and Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower at Garden Hill, Kangaroo Ground. Significant tourism opportunities for the shire with 3 million potential day-trippers in metropolitan Melbourne. Council and community working together to find a way to promote the shires natural and artistic assets. At Arthurs Creek, the Brock family and neighbours working together to take care of their waterway. Peter Brock’s uncle, Sandy Brock talks about environmental management and the Arthurs Creek Landcare group and actions to eradicate blackberry problem. Having previously planted Cypress rows they are replacing them with indigenous species to improve the water supply, keeping cattle out of the creek bed to improve the quality downstream flowing into the Yarra. Eltham East Primary School Band playing “All things bright and beautiful” merges into scenes of the bushland sanctuary set aside by the school in 1980 with unidentified teacher discusses the sanctuary and their education program and school children’s comments. Plight of a family of Wedgetail eagles nesting in the path of a developer’s bulldozer at North Warrandyte and actions to save their nesting areas. PART 3 – ARTS (14:45-22:00) Arts and Jazz festival at Montsalvat featuring interviews with Sigmund Jorgensen discussing Montsalvat and its principles. Also Matcham Skipper. Clifton Pugh’s funeral at Montsalvat and his legacy at Dunmoochin near Cottlesbridge with artists in residence, at the time, Chicago artist Charles Reddington who discusses the benefits of the experience. An unidentified female artist also talks about the program and why people are drawn to the area. Unidentified man on street talking about the amount of talent in the area, artists, poets, musicians, authors. Artist Ming Mackay (1918-2009) interviewed talking about the people she mixes with on “the Hill”. Works of local artists are displayed Eltham Library Community Gallery and Wiregrass gallery with a new coffee shop at the Wiregrass making it an even more popular destination. Music at St Andrews Hotel (may be a little bit country) and the Saturday market where likely to hear anything. Sellers and patrons at the market asked about what attracts them to the market and where they came from. Scenes of poets/authors giving readings. CREDITS Music by John Greenfield from the CD Sweet Rain “The Snow Tree”, Uncle Music UNC 2001 Cameras - David Mirabella and Peter Farragher Editor – Olwyn Jones Written and Produced by Jason Cameron A Jason Cameron Proction for Nillumbik ShireProvides a record of the relatively newly created Shire of Nillumbik at the time and the features and attactions of the shire in its people arts, culture and environmentVHS Cassette (five copies) DVD (one copy) Converted to MP4 file format 0:22:00, 1.60GBvideo recording, arthurs creek, arthurs creek landcare group, artists, artists in residence, arts, arts festival, authors, blackberry, brock family, bulldozer, bulleen, bushland sanctuary, caledonian gold rush, charles reddington, clifton pugh, cottlesbridge, cypress rows, developer, diamond creek, diamond creek mine, diamond reef, diamond valley miniature railway, doncaster, dunmoochin, education program, eeps, eltham, eltham east primary school, eltham east primary school band, eltham library community gallery, eltham lower park, environment, fishing, flour mill, fruit growing, fruiterer, garden hill, gold mining, green wedge, greensborough, heritage trail, hurstbridge railway line, jazz festival, jock ryan, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground tower, kinglake, maroondah aqueduct, matcham skipper, memorial park, ming mackay (1918-2009), montsalvat, mudbrick houses, music, musicians, nesting area, nillumbik historical society, nillumbik shire, north warrandyte, old timer, orchards, peter brock, plenty river, poets, population, recreation, recreational activities, revegetation, robert hoddle, sandy brock, shillinglaw cottage, shire of eltham war memorial, sigmund jorgensen, st andrews hotel, st andrews market, sugarloaf reservoir, templestowe, the hill, tourism, viewing platform, warrandyte, water catchment area, watsons creek, wedgetail eagle, whittlesea, wiregrass gallery, wurundjeri, yarra river, jack powell

54 Manatunga Circuit Greensborough. 3 bedroom home, sold in 2003 as part of the Partington estate. This was the retirement home of Alan and Wyn Partington after moving from Whatmough Park. This house was built by their son Gary. Real estate advertising card, 1 sheet, printed in colour both sides. manatunga circuit greensborough, alan partington, wyn partington, gary partington

The photo encompasses what is present-day University Hill shopping complex and the Janefield Wetlands. Plenty Road is just visible to the left of the photo. Janefield was an area 18 km north-east of central Melbourne that is now part of Bundoora. In 1842 a flour mill, powered by the Plenty River, was built at Janefield, although the locality was not known by that name at that time. It seems that the name Springfield was used in the late 1840s, after a Springfield homestead, and this was changed to Janefield possibly upon the death of Jane Brock in 1847. She was the wife of James Brock, a local landowner and son of the purchaser of the flour mill. This photo is not strictly within the area of interest for EDHS but overlaps do occur at times with other Society’s interests through families and other associated connections. Eltham District Historical Society member (and Greensborough Historical Society member), Peter Van Eeken was undertaking research into this photo and approached the Local History Librarian at Yarra Plenty Regional Library to enquire about digitising the large print copy to facilitate research. Approaches were made to EDHS who had suitable facilities and were willing to accommodate and all parties agreed to add the image as part of their respective collections in partnership. Michael Lanigan, started work as a message boy at Mont Park when he left school at age 14. He worked his way up the system to become farm manager at Mont Park and Janefield Special School. He was one of the last people to drive a herd of cattle (in 1964) between the two locations along Plenty Road. He retired when the school closed around 1993. Mick pointed out the location of three remnant farm houses of the 1800s. The Brock House being the main one. Peter has been unable to find any photos of the Brock House, which what built in the late 1850s, severely burnt in the 1930s and demolished in the mid 1960s. The tree plantation along Plenty Road was established in 1930 and cut down in the mid 1980s. The Victorian Government established tree plantations at about 350 schools in the early 1930s. Briar Hill School had one but Peter is not sure about any other local schools having a tree plantation. Mick informed Peter that it was his job to remove the 14 acres of pine tree roots, after the trees were cut down (due to old age and an infestation of sap sucking insects). For Mick, this was an impossible job, so he arranged a contract, to house all the soil removed from works associated with the construction of the Greensborough Bypass, which needed temporary storage as it was too valuable, and would be great for use in road construction. The contract to store the soil was important to Mick, as the contract stipulated that when the soil was eventually removed, the tree roots had to be removed too. Which got rid of Mick's headache. Apparently, the huge mound of soil that covered the roots in the late 1980s could be seen from Briar Hill. Based on this, the photo is most likely to have been taken 1982 or 1983. The key to a final date is working out when the Board of Works Office opened but so far no information has come to light. (It was purchased by La Trobe University in 1991). The Office existed, or is hinted at, in the photo at the extreme north of the photo, opposite McKimmies Road, on the eastern side of Plenty Road. Photo on loan from Michael Lanigan via Peter Van Eeken. He cannot recall why it was taken. brock family, janefield, janefield drive, janefield wetlands, plenty road, university hill