Violet Street Primary School No. 877, was established in 1866 as the German Common School. It was designed by William Vahland who laid the foundation stone in February of that year. It was built by subscriptions from the local German community. In 1872 it combined with the McKenzie Street German School on the Violet Street site.Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from Wednesday, December 10, 2003. Days of yore: Violet Street primary school, Grade 6a, 1927. Front row: Jean Campbell, Beryl Bain, Gwen Lidner, Beatrice Michell, Edna Knight, Bev Liddell, Joyce Dumble, Elvia Jenkin, Ivy Albert, Janet Wilson, Thelma Opie. Second row: Josie Wittschiebe, Dorothy Roberts, Enid Austin, Rachel Greenshields, Lorna Bracher, Nellie Castley, Florrie Hall, Hilda Pearce, Mona Sharp, Beryl Pearce. Back row: ??, ??, Frank Jeffrey, Norman Perry, Vic Nacarrow, Herb Hesse, Jack Lynch, Horrie Stirton, Ken Challenger, Archie West, Ernie Williams, ??. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

The building was designed by Charles Maplestone of Heidelberg, son-in-law to Anthony Beale of St Helena. Maplestone was a prominent architect who came out to Australia with his family in 1852. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Isabella Maplestone on 11th November 1867. The bricklayers for the church were George Stebbing, H Limmer, H Spicer and a Mr Timm while Thomas Day was the stonemason. Another three years were to pass before sufficient money could be raised for its completion. It was opened by Bishop Perry on 1st November, 1870. The church bell which hung under a tree for 50 years until it was incorporated in the parish hall was brought out from England and presented by Charles Orme. In 1916, the estate of George Martin Pizzey left sufficient money to build the red brick hall, which still stands today (2023) though in January 1969 the hall and bell tower were badly damaged by bushfire. Coincidentally the former home of benefactor, George Pizzey was destroyed in the same fire. Of particular significance are the interior and exterior of the church, the Sunday school and hall with emphasis on pre-World War I fabric (excluding the 1990s additions) and the three coloured glass windows currently suspended in the 1990s entry foyer. In 2011 further alterations were made to the front of the Church. The church is historically significant because it was the oldest public building in the former Diamond Valley Shire, is amongst the oldest buildings in the Shire of Nillumbik and is associated with the early settlement of the Diamond Creek district. The church is historically, socially and spiritually significant because it has been a place of worship for over 150 years and continues to be, an important meeting place in the Shire. The church is aesthetically significant for the three stained glass windows executed by the noted stained glass manufacturers, Ferguson & Urie, as well as the supporting coloured glass windows in the church. The Sunday school & parish hall is architecturally significant because the hall is a well executed and preserved example of the work of noted church architects, North & Williams. It is historically significant because it is connected with local parishioner and Melbourne industrialist, George Pizzey, who bequeathed funds for its construction. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Ntionl Trust of Australia (Victoria) Local significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p85 St John’s Anglican Church stands like a beacon on the hill on Main Street, Diamond Creek. Today the church has a large congregation, but its early years were marked by a small congregation struggling to find enough money to survive. It was gold in Diamond Creek that resulted in the building of this National Trust registered property.1 This church is far removed from William Wilson’s humble barn (later the Bowling Green) where the first Anglican church services were conducted – probably the first in the district.2 In the mid 19th century services were infrequent as the Rev Francis Hales, travelling on horseback, also conducted services elsewhere, including at Heidelberg, Coburg, Kinglake, Arthurs Creek, St Andrews and Kangaroo Ground. In 1860 Diamond Creek came under the jurisdiction of the Eltham Parish. Until the mid 1860s the Diamond Creek settlement included only about 20 families who were struggling farmers. But this changed when gold was found in 1862. Then the township grew to 200 families, including miners, civil administration workers and shopkeepers. The resulting growth of Church of England adherents prompted them to petition the Government in 1866 for land to build a church. The area chosen, on which the original building still stands, was at the centre of the proposed township. Today church leaders believe that this conspicuous location is one of the reasons for its exceptional growth. Prominent architect Charles Maplestone designed the building as he did the Presbyterian Church at Kangaroo Ground. St John’s, which is still intact, was built in the Gothic Revival style with the traditional rectangular plan of a central nave and sanctuary at the end. It is typical of small churches built in Victoria at that time, with polychromatic hand-made bricks, a porch, diagonal buttresses and a slate roof.3 The church was officially opened by Lord Bishop Perry on November 1, 1870. But during the next 40 years, due to the varying fortunes of gold mining, the church struggled to remain viable. In 1909 it separated from the Eltham Parish to form a parish with Greensborough. Life became more difficult with the privations of World War One. Then disaster struck in 1915 when fire destroyed the Diamond Creek Gold Mine, wiping out the major livelihood of most parishioners. However the church’s morale was lifted in 1916, when it received a bequest to build the red brick hall, from late parishioner and prominent leather manufacturer, George Pizzey. As prosperity grew, in 1924 the congregation separated from Greensborough, but they rejoined in the 1930s Depression. In the 1950s the wider population soared, impacting on St John’s, and it became a separate parish, becoming responsible for six churches at St Andrews, Hazel Glen, Hurstbridge, St Helena and Yarrambat. As parishioner numbers outgrew the building, extensions were added in 1989 and then in 1993, blending in well with the original building. Church members have made a huge contribution to the local community. John Ryan was a Heidelberg Shire Councillor for 25 years from 1931, Mayor in 1939 and headed several local sporting and other organisations. His son Jock became a clergyman and a local historian heading the Nillumbik Historical Society. Another parishioner, Dr Ted Cordner, came to Diamond Creek in 1920. One of his sons Donald, who was a local doctor, won the Brownlow Medal, was President of the Melbourne Cricket Club and President of the Melbourne Grammar School Council. Roy ‘Monty’ Vale was a state Liberal MP and was related to May Vale, a member of the Heidelberg School of Artists.4 In the early 21st century St John’s Anglican Church is one of the fastest growing congregations in Melbourne. References: St Johns Anglican Church complex, Sunday School and Parish Hall 61 Main Street DIAMOND CREEK, NILLUMBIK SHIRE. (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/64023 Diamond Creek, VIC. – St John’s Anglican (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://www.churchhistories.net.au/church-catalog/diamond-creek-vic-st-johns-anglican 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, st john's anglican church, diamond creek

The marbles in the foyer of the Old Colonists' Hall list names of members of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc. Colour photograph of a marble honour board relating to the founders of the Old Colonists' Association Ballarat.Old Colonists; Association Established 1883. Founders W.H. Butler, John Brooksbank Isaac A. Twaits, Henry Hannington Arthur Croft, J.T. Farr, W.F. Osbourne. Old Colonists' Hall Foundation Stone Laid June 21st 1887 Inauguration August 31st 1888 Officer and Council 1887-88 President John P. Murray Vice Presidents J.W. Graham Thomas Stoddart Treasurer Daniel Fern Trustee J.W. Graham John McCafferty Wiliam Irwin Council W.B. Perry. James Ward W.H. Butler. Frederick Ramsden. James Vallins. Charles Dyte. Secretary John Fraser Past Presidents A.K. McBain 1954-1956 C.A. Hoskin 1956-1957 C.H. Clamp 1957-1959 J. Curwen-Walker 1959-1961 A.C. Fraser 1961 - 1963 S.A. Wilson LBS, BBSc, DDS 1963-1965 W. Titheridge 1965 - 1966 A.J. Symons 1966 -1968 W.J. Selkirk 1968-1970 L. McBain 1970-1972 R.J. Buchanan 1972-1974 J.E. Crocker 1974-1976 L.J. Drury 1976-1978 F.A. Peebles 1978-1980 Dr D.L. Morton 1980-1982 I.G. Bishop 1982-1984 D.L. Pratt 1984-1986 B.R. Drennan 1986-1988 M.J. Charles 1988-1990 F.A. Peebles 1990-1992old colonists' association ballarat, ballarat old colonists club, marble, presidents, w.h. butler, henry hannington, isaac twaits, arthur croft, j.t. farr, w.f. osborne, john murray, j.w. graham, daniel fern, john mccafferty, william irwin, w.b. perry, james ware, frederick ramsden, james vallins, charles dyte, john fraser, a.k. mcbain, c.a. hoskin, c.h. clamp, j. curwen-walker, s.a.wllson, w. titheridge, a.j. symons, w.j. selkirk, l. mcbain, r.j. buchanan, j.e. crocker, l.j. drury, f.a. peebles, d.l.morton, i.g. bishop, d.l. pratt, b.r. drennan, m.j. charles, melville charles, david pratt

T. A. Prydderch Confectioner and S.G. Perry Hairdresser businesses Main Street between Town Hall and Church of England. Now Demolished. Mr. T.A. Prydderch the male with hands in pockets ran this business for many years. later to conduct the Egg Board. Mr. S. Perry conducted his hair dressing business for many years in Stawell. Mr. Parry is the tall gentleman with hands behind his back. The duplicate photo was donated by Meryl Bowers on 7.11.2012. 2012 Site - now occupied by Pyke's Cycles & Pets.Three black and white photographs of two business houses. Parapete fronts with advertising, wooden fronts with display windows. Included in photographic are three males.T.A. Prydderch. Sennitts Ice Cream Confectioner. S.G. Perry. Hairdresser. also written on the back of one of the photos is Stan Perry (Hairdresser) Lower Main St. Stawell above Church of England. from Meryl Bowers stawell businesses streetscape

Gertrude Perry was born in California Gully in 1917. Her singing skills were recognized at an early age. She later sang with local choirs and sang on radio. She was involved with the Bendigo Operatic Society for many years. Gertrude began her working life in sales. After studying book keeping she worked at the Bendigo Ordnance Factory during WW2 and then worked for local solicitors and accountants. Gertrude was involved with many community and sporting organizations.Gertrude Perry Collection - The Stewardship Campaign Committee of the Golden Square Methodist Church invitation to a Loyalty Dinner Tues. 19th November (year not specified) to be held at the Bendigo City Hall. Gilt edged pale green invitationphysical culture class, fitness, exercise

Gertrude Perry was born in California Gully in 1917. Her singing skills were recognized at an early age. She later sang with local choirs and sang on radio. She was involved with the Bendigo Operatic Society for many years. Gertrude began her working life in sales. After studying book keeping she worked at the Bendigo Ordnance Factory during WW2 and then worked for local solicitors and accountants. Gertrude was involved with many community and sporting organizations.Gertrude Perry Collection - Victorian Badminton Association Programme Victorian Badminton Championships 1948. Held at Exhibition Buildings Melbourne, Saturday August 21, at 7:45pm. Souvenir programme price six pence. Programme has been marked in pencil of games witnessed and the scores. Australian Championships and Interstate Matches, Exhibition Buildings September 21 - 30, with finals of the championships at the Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday 2nd October.scores marked on inside of cardsport, exercise