An early black and white photograph of a bridge over the Cumberland Creek near Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of a bridge over the Cumberland Creek near Marysville in Victoria. The Cumberland Creek is in the Cumberland Valley near Cambarville which was a timber town near Marysville. Cambarville is notable for its giant mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) trees within the Cumberland Memorial Scenic Reserve, and relics from former sawmills and gold mining. The Big Culvert is located nearby on the Marysville - Woods Point Road, which was historically part of the Yarra Track. Cambarville was established as a timber mill town in the 1940s. Timber mill owners A Cameron and FJ Barton named Cambarville. They established the mill to salvage timber from trees destroyed in the 1939 bushfires. Cambarville was impacted by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and any remaining structures were destroyed.ARMSTRONG COLLECTION 42 STATION STREET/ SANDRINGHAM 3191/ TEL. (03) 9521 5442/ IAN M.L. ARMSTRONG OAMcumberland creek, marysville, victoria, cumberland valley, cambarville, mountain ash, eucalyptus regnans, cumberland memorial reserve, the big culvert, marysville-wood's point road, yarra track, a cameron, fj barton, 2009 black saturday bushfires

An early black and white photograph of a bridge over the Cumberland Creek near Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of a bridge over the Cumberland Creek near Marysville in Victoria. The Cumberland Creek is in the Cumberland Valley near Cambarville which was a timber town near Marysville. Cambarville is notable for its giant mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) trees within the Cumberland Memorial Scenic Reserve, and relics from former sawmills and gold mining. The Big Culvert is located nearby on the Marysville - Woods Point Road, which was historically part of the Yarra Track. Cambarville was established as a timber mill town in the 1940s. Timber mill owners A Cameron and FJ Barton named Cambarville. They established the mill to salvage timber from trees destroyed in the 1939 bushfires. Cambarville was impacted by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and any remaining structures were destroyed.ARMSTRONG COLLECTION 42 STATION STREET/ SANDRINGHAM 3191/ TEL. (03) 9521 5442/ IAN M.L. ARMSTRONG OAMcumberland creek, marysville, victoria, cumberland valley, cambarville, mountain ash, eucalyptus regnans, cumberland memorial reserve, the big culvert, marysville-wood's point road, yarra track, a cameron, fj barton, 2009 black saturday bushfires

An early black and white photograph of the forest near the Cumberland Falls in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of the forest near the Cumberland Falls in Victoria. The falls are located on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. Cambarville is notable for its giant mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) trees within the Cumberland Memorial Scenic Reserve, and relics from former sawmills and gold mining. The Big Culvert is located nearby on the Marysville - Woods Point Road, which was historically part of the Yarra Track. Cambarville was established as a timber mill town in the 1940s. Timber mill owners A Cameron and FJ Barton named Cambarville. They established the mill to salvage timber from trees destroyed in the 1939 bushfires. Cambarville was impacted by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and any remaining structures were destroyed.ARMSTRONG COLLECTION 42 STATION STREET/ SANDRINGHAM 3191/ TEL. (03) 9521 5442/ IAN M.L. ARMSTRONG OAMcumberland falls, cambarville, marysville, victoria, waterfalls, postcard, souvenir, mountain ash, mining, timber mills, big culvert, yarra track, a cameron, fj barton, black saturday bushfires, 1939 bushfires, eucalyptus regnans

An early black and white photograph of Cumberland Falls near Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of Cumberland Falls near Marysville in Victoria. These falls are located on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. Cambarville is notable for its giant mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) trees within the Cumberland Memorial Scenic Reserve, and relics from former sawmills and gold mining. The Big Culvert is located nearby on the Marysville - Woods Point Road, which was historically part of the Yarra Track. Cambarville was established as a timber mill town in the 1940s. Timber mill owners A Cameron and FJ Barton named Cambarville. They established the mill to salvage timber from trees destroyed in the 1939 bushfires. Cambarville was impacted by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and any remaining structures were destroyed.ARMSTRONG COLLECTION 42 STATION STREET/ SANDRINGHAM 3191/ TEL. (03) 9521 5442/ IAN M.L. ARMSTRONG OAMcumberland falls, cambarville, marysville, victoria, waterfalls, postcard, souvenir, mountain ash, mining, timber mills, big culvert, yarra track, a cameron, fj barton, black saturday bushfires, 1939 bushfires, eucalyptus regnans

An early black and white photograph of Cumberland Falls near Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of Cumberland Falls near Marysville in Victoria. These falls are located on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. Cambarville is notable for its giant mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) trees within the Cumberland Memorial Scenic Reserve, and relics from former sawmills and gold mining. The Big Culvert is located nearby on the Marysville - Woods Point Road, which was historically part of the Yarra Track. Cambarville was established as a timber mill town in the 1940s. Timber mill owners A Cameron and FJ Barton named Cambarville. They established the mill to salvage timber from trees destroyed in the 1939 bushfires. Cambarville was impacted by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and any remaining structures were destroyed.ARMSTRONG COLLECTION 42 STATION STREET/ SANDRINGHAM 3191/ TEL. (03) 9521 5442/ IAN M.L. ARMSTRONG OAMcumberland falls, cambarville, marysville, victoria, waterfalls, postcard, souvenir, mountain ash, mining, timber mills, big culvert, yarra track, a cameron, fj barton, black saturday bushfires, 1939 bushfires, eucalyptus regnans

The artefact is a piece of ship’s timber from the wreck-site of the SCHOMBERG, a vessel which collided with the Peterborough reef on her maiden voyage in December 1855. This small wooden remnant of the disaster has been concreted on one side by the accrual of marine sediment while submerged. The build-up of sediment over the remains of the vessel is typical of the site as a whole. This artefact illustrates the reclaiming power of the ocean and the gradual disappearance of timber constructed vessels that have come to grief along this coastline (for example, the THISTLE in 1837, and the CHILDREN in 1838). The SCHOMBERG was a 2,000 ton clipper ship, specifically designed for the Australian immigration trade (back-loading wool for Britain’s mills), and constructed in Hall’s shipyard in Aberdeen, Scotland. She was owned by the Black Ball Line and launched in 1855. Alexander Hall & Son were renowned builders of sleek and fast 1,000 ton clippers for the China trade (opium in, tea out) and were keen to show they could also outclass the big North American ships built by Donald Mackay. Consequently the SCHOMBERG was ‘overbuilt’. Her hull featured five ‘skins’ of Scotch Larch and Pitch Pine overlaying each other in a diagonal pattern against a stout frame of British Oak. Oak has been favoured by builders of wooden ships for centuries. Its close, dense grain made it harder to work, but also gave it great strength and durability. In addition, the lateral spread of its branches supplied a natural curvature for the ribs of a vessel’s hull, as well as providing the small corner or curved pieces (‘knees’ and ‘elbows’) that fit them together. The shape and texture of this wood sample suggests a dense hardwood like Oak. The timber has been cut off at one end since its recovery from the sea, exposing a smooth and almost shiny surface. Seasoned English Oak has a similar light brown colour and tight grained finish. At the launch the SCHOMBERG’s 34 year old master, Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes, had promised Melbourne in 60 days, "with or without the help of God." James Nicol Forbes was born in Aberdeen in 1821 and rose to fame with his record-breaking voyages on the famous Black Ball Line ships; MARCO POLO and LIGHTNING. In 1852 in the MARCO POLO he made the record passage from London to Melbourne in 68 days. There were 53 deaths on the voyage but the great news was of the record passage by the master. In 1954 Captain Forbes took the clipper LIGHTNING to Melbourne in 76 days and back in 63 days, this was never beaten by a sailing ship. He often drove his crew and ship to breaking point to beat his own records. He cared little for the comfort of the passengers. On this, the SCHOMBERG’s maiden voyage, he was going to break records. SCHOMBERG departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 6 October 1855 flying the sign “Sixty Days to Melbourne”. She departed with 430 passengers and 3000 tons cargo including iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. It also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. The ship and cargo was insured for $300,000, a fortune for the time. The winds were poor as she sailed across the equator, slowing SCHOMBERG’s journey considerably. Land was first sighted on Christmas Day, at Cape Bridgewater near Portland, and Captain Forbes followed the coastline towards Melbourne. Forbes was said to be playing cards when called by the Third Mate Henry Keen, who reported land about 3 miles off, Due in large part to the captain's regarding a card game as more important than his ship, it eventually ran aground on a sand spit near Curdie's Inlet (about 56 km west of Cape Otway) on 26 December 1855, 78 days after leaving Liverpool. The sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to SCHOMBERG and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted SS QUEEN at dawn and signalled the steamer. The master of the SS QUEEN approached the stranded vessel and all of SCHOMBERG’s passengers and crew were able to disembark safely. The SCHOMBERG was lost and with her, Forbes’ reputation. The Black Ball Line’s Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers’ baggage from the SCHOMBERG. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Later one plunderer found a case of Wellington boots, but alas, all were for the left foot! Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo, but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. In 1864 after two of the men drowned when they tried to reach SCHOMBERG, salvage efforts were abandoned. Parts of the SCHOMBERG were washed ashore on the south island of New Zealand in 1870, nearly 15 years after the wreck. The wreck now lies in 825 metres of water. Although the woodwork is mostly disintegrated the shape of the ship can still be seen due to the remaining railway irons, girders and the ship’s frame. A variety of goods and materials can be seen scattered about nearby. Flagstaff Hill holds many items salvaged from the SCHOMBERG including a ciborium (in which a diamond ring was concealed), communion set, ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and photograph from the SCHOMBERG. One of the SCHOMBERG bells is in the Warrnambool Library. The SCHOMBERG collection as a whole is of historical and archaeological significance at a State level, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S612. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the SCHOMBERG is significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered shipwreck. The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the SCHOMBERG. The SCHOMBERG collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship. The shipwreck collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day. The SCHOMBERG collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. A piece of wood, concreted in sediment, from the wreck of the SCHOMBERG (1855). The limestone accretion includes sand, shell grit and marine worm casings. The exposed surface of the wood is broken and worn smooth along the grain. One end of the timber has been cut or sawn off across the grain, presenting a smooth and shiny surface.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, wood segment, schomberg, shipwreck timber, alexander hall and son, limestone concretion, oak-framed hull

This medium sized metal, horse-drawn, road-working scoop, with timber shafts is an example of those used in Moorabbin Shire in the late 1800s, and up until the 1940s for road-works, building dams, market-gardening work and other similar earthworks in the shire. The Box Cottage museum example would have been drawn by one horse, with the worker walking and steering the horse and scoop from behind using the timber shafts. There were even bigger metal scoops that required two or more horses to drag the scoop through the soil.Following the Dendy Special Survey 1841 allotments were sold to pioneer settlers who established market gardens in the Moorabbin area. Roads and roadside dams were needed as they transported both their stock and garden produce to markets in St Kilda and Melbourne By1880 the Shire of Moorabbin was using horse-drawn, road-working shovels on the main thoroughfares of the district.A medium sized metal, horse-drawn, road-working scoop, with timber shafts. Used by Moorabbin Shire in the late 1800s, and early 1900s for road-works, and other similar work in the shiremelbourne, shovel, brighton, moorabbin, metal, gardens, roads, markets, mckinnon, cheltenham, horse drawn, scoop, dendy henry, st kilda

Collection of approximately 74 accounts, 1925 - 1928, and receipts issued to S. A. Bush from various businesses in Bairnsdale and Bendigo. Invoices from: Hartleys, Mitchell Street, Bendigo. W. Rasmussen, for wood Bendigo Timber Co., Mollison Street and Williamson St. J. Kitchen & Sons Limited, Candle and soap manufacturers Stilwells, House furnishers, William Lunn, Painter, Pall Mall, Bendigo.Hargreaves Street, Bendigo W. McWiliams, wood merchant, 15 Milroy Street, Bendigo. Victorian Railways Commissioners, wood carting H.J. Fraser, A.N.A. building, View Street, Bendigo R.O Henderson, Beehive Pty Ltd., Pall Mall, Bendigo F.C. Cross, Furnishing, Andrew's Building, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo. Albert Bush's Produce Stores, Chaff Mills, Williamson Street, Bendigo. Bendigo Timber Coy. Mollison Street, Bendigo Buckell & Jeffrey, Railway Station, Bendigo C. Button, Carrier, 204 William Street, Bendigo. Furniture packed and stored. (invoice has photo of canvas covered cart. Written on side of cart' Furniture Packed and Stored, The Big Button' . ) W. Irving, House furnishing, 211 Mitchell Street, Bendigo Hartley's Bendigo, Len Shoosmith W. Koska, 297 Williamson Street Albert Bush's Stores, (next St. Paul's Tower) Williamson Street, Bendigo. W.J. Knight, Waggon and Lorry Builder, William Street, Bendigo William Lunn, Bendigo Glass, Pall Mall, Bendigo. Sandhurst and Northern District Trustees, Bendigo Cockings, Drapers, Pall Mall, Bendigo A. Fraser, 178 Carpenter Street, Bendigo W. Irving, furniture store, 211 Mitchell Street, Bendigo Myers, Pall Mall, Bendigo R.C. Eagle, wood merchant, Barnard Street, Bendigo W. McWilliams, wood merchant. W.H Osborn & Co., 130 Williamson Street, Bendigo Campbell & Connelly & Co., High Street, Bendigo H. McWilliams, cartage contractor, 15 Mitchell (?) Street Bendigo. H. Gray, 257 Barnard Street, Bendigo (Singer Sewing Machines) J.D. Allen, 'Whitehall" Sorrento (accommodation 4 weeks) W. McWilliams, for soil and sand.person, individual, bush collection - personal

Sepia photograph. Twenty nine mine workers posed in three lines. High stone retaining wall behind. Timber and iron buildings behind. Some men holding tools - blacksmiths with leather aprons holding hammers. One man holding a shovel, one man holding a saw. Inscriptions: on board in front of men 'Lansell's Big 180'person, group, mining

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century to the present.Black and white photograph of Ted Jenkins on a tractor pulling a cart with timber. Printed on card with a white border.Catalogue number written in pencil on the reverse. Handwritten on reverse in pencil 'c.1942 - 1943 Ted driving tactor. Two cars bought - one used parts (chassey) for trailer - one dumped in big dam. - Collecting wood for stove and open fires - Piles of 'Mountain Tea Trees' (now called Moonah) - Used fallen wood only 'Fire and stove used to 'go all day' and 'eat wood' (A. Evans)churchill island, ted jenkins

Born: Siena, Tuscany, Italy 1860; Arrived: Australia 1885; Lived and worked: Australia 1885-1893, Australia 1898-1904, New Zealand 1893-1898, England 1904-1923; Died: Nervi, Genoa, Italy 1926ImpressionismLedger Gift, 1977Rural landscape with figures and grass and big blue sky with clouds. Carved, gold brushed timber frame.Recto: Signed "Pieri" in black oil in l.r.c of composition; Not dated; Not titledpainting, landscape, figures, clouds, grass

Colour Laminated photograph and timber framed view of Stawell from Big Hill. c 1998 The Town Hall is at the center of photograph and the National Hotel on the left. The back of buildings can be seen at top of Main Street. Laminated and Framed photograph taken by Irene Read in c 1998 showing view of Stawell from Big Hill -- The Coloured photograph can be identified by trees in the foreground, Stawell township and mountains in background.stawell, panorama, streetscape

Yields information about some of the individual street tramways shelters at tram stops and their appearance.Set of four Colour 27 x 27 mm slide in a Kodachrome cardboard mount. .1 - Grenville St with two ladies sitting inside, has the Big W store in the background. .2 - Concrete shelter with curved roof - Wendouree Parade near - has the photographer's purse and umbrella on the seat. This shelter was located at Forest St. From discussions with Dave Macartney and Alastair Reither 11/9/2016, it was there in the 1990 hail storms as they sheltered under it, but disappeared soon after - the construction of the roundabout would have absorbed its location. .3 - timber based shelter with flat roof - Wendouree Parade near Dowling St. This shelter remains in position in 9/2016. See Reg Item 6551 for a digital image. .4 - Shelter at Tramway Centre, City, Sturt St and Lydiard Sts, looking towards the Town Hall Slide mount date August or September 1971. Photo from the collection of Lilian Butler.ballarat, tramways, trams, shelters, grenville st, wendouree parade, sturt st, lydiard st, city, tramway centre, forest st, dowling st

Yields information about the appearance of trams parked in the City loop during early 1960's and the construction of the Big W store.Black and white photograph of Ballarat trams 21, 33 and 26 in the City Loop. Dated 13/12/1961. Printed on Agfa Gevaert paper in a postcard format. 21 - has a roof advertisement fort A. H. Collins of Sebastopol for Timber and The Age and another on the dash panel. 32 - has roof adverts for Penfold Cream Sherry cream and Eureka Terra Cotta tiles. In the background, a building (possibly the future Big W) is under construction in Grenville St. Photo by Lloyd Rogers.In ink "Ballarat trams Nos. 21, 33, 26, Sturt St 13/12/1961 and 3/19". In pencil: "21 - ex 10 Alaide, 33- ex M 189, 26 - ex M 111"trams, tramways, city loop, sturt st, tram 21, tram 33, tram 26

Two red covered auction catalogues for an auction on account of the State Rivers & Water Supply Commission on the 22nd to 25th November, 1954 (inclusive) held at the Big Eildon Project, Eildon, Victoria. Lots sold include Machinery, plant, stores and equipment, Saw Milling Plant, corr. Iron and timber buildings, 5 timber residences, 73 partly completed weatherboard 4 roomed flats, extensive collection of plumbers equipment, building materials, mess equipment, sawn timber, scrap, tools, kitchen and bathroom fittings, electrical equipment and costly spares and accessories. Catalogue has a Locality Plan of Eildon, photo, locality and description of the Eildon Sawmill. Photos of completed houses, incomplete flats and plan showing layout of flat unit, photo of flat block (Completed). Also Building Kits - Designs and Component Lists.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - big eildon project, state rivers & water supply commission, j h curnow & son pty ltd, eildon sawmill, prahran telegraph printing co

Mining Scene from Big Hill. Open cut in fore ground with support timbers. Whims and poppet heads. Shows back of New Court House in Patrick Street. The flat area in distance is St Georges Crushing Battery settling Dam.Open Cut with supporting timbers in foreground, Various poppet Heads at centre of image. Wimmera Crushing Mill settling dam in distance. Rear of new Court House visiblestawell mining

A steel curved bladed woodworking tool with two wooden handles used to remove thin slices and big chunks of wood from timber. It can be used to fashion wooden sculptures, debarking trees and trimming beams. The final finishing on such work was done by a Spoke Shave tool which we also have in our collection.ROBT SORBY AUS STEELwoodcarving tools, drawing knives, shaves, handtools, steel, wood, woodworking tools

Wreckage from unknown ship. Found on "big beach" at Telegraph Point. 2002. Made of wood with corroded metal fragments, the hatch is undated wreckage from an unknown ship. The remnants of shipwreck fabric have second level contributory significance for their interpretive and historic value as artefacts that highlight the distinctive history of the Gabo Island Lightstation.Timber & steel hatch cover from ship.(wrekage) Rectangular shaped piece of wood with a circular shape cut from centre. Corroded metal fragments have adhered to the wood.

Eric Holloway began spot milling timber at age of 17. He borrowed fifty pound from an uncle in 1934 to purchase a McCormick Deering tractor and saw bench. He went from farm to farm cutting timber for farmers. For a time, he worked on Shelley Station spot milling with WS Walker and Son. In approximately 1946 Arthur and Eric Holloway established a saw mill at Shelley. Another brother Ernie, a builder and returned soldier, worked with them from time to time. Using timber sawn in the mill he built eight basic houses for the mill workers. The brothers employed many migrants: - Yugoslav, Czechs, Russians, Ukrainians, Serbs as well as other hardworking people. This meant there were families, so Ernie also built and furnished a school at Shelley. Application was made for a teacher from the Education Department. At the Shelley mill the workers used ex-army blitzes, GM trucks (for carting logs) army ducks and a centurion tank for parts. The timber from the mill was trucked to Albury and Wodonga, customers being FA Stowe and Mates Timber. The army was also a big customer with Holloways supplying timber for the army huts that were built at Bandiana. A timber mill that had been built at Tallangatta by State Rivers and Water for the purpose of establishing New Tallangatta, was purchased by Holloway Brothers as an extension of their Shelley operation. In 1954 a new mill was built at Granite Flat on the Omeo Highway and the Shelley operation closed. Ernie Holloway was involved in the building of the mill and accommodation houses in Mitta Mitta. The mill workers travelled from Mitta to work each day. Holloways Building Supplies was established at 49 Tallangatta Rd Wodonga at this time. It was established on four house blocks with a little shed, with more land being acquired as the operation expanded. The brothers realized that it would be more profitable to set up their own timber outlet to supply their customers. Arthur Holloway continued to run the sawmills while Eric Holloway concentrated on the Wodonga business. A hardware store, offices and joinery were built as demand continued for building materials. All the timber arriving in the yard from the mill was hand sorted, providing employment for many. With the milling and timber outlets Holloways provided employment for approximately forty staff. The next generation of the Holloway family became involved. A Hyster forklift was purchased which allowed for bulk handling of the timber. Land was purchased in Sanyo Drive where timber was cleated and dried. Select grade timber, F17 dry framing, builders hardware and tools were sold. Holloways endeavoured to be a one stop shop for framing and fitting out of houses. In 1989 the business was sold to Mt Beauty Timbers who later on sold to Dahlsens. The timber mill was decommissioned. The Holloway family retained the ownership of the premises of 49 Thomas Mitchell Drive leasing to Dahlsens until that operation was moved to Albury in 2013. In 2014 the lease land was sold to two local businesses. Leigh Martin Marine purchased the parcel of land adjoining their business. Lester and Son purchased the remaining block and demolished the premises. A funeral parlour was built on that site.These photos are significant because they document the story of an important Wodonga business.A series of coloured photographs depicting aspects of Holloways Building Supplies business in Wodonga.holloways wodonga, wodonga businesses, timber industry

Black and white photograph, copy, of the metal poppet head of the 'Big' Deborah Gold Mine, Golden Square. Poppet head has been erected over the top of an earlier timber poppet head. In foreground, corrugated iron shed at base of poppet head legs, metal chimney on extreme LH side, adjoining a shed. Steam emanating from shed.bendigo, mining, deborah gold mine

Rear view of Eltham Library showing loading dock and ramp to the front of the building. Designed by multi-award winning architect, Gregory Burgess, for which he won the 1995 Royal Australian Insitute of architects (Vic.) Merit Award in the New Institutional category. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p183 Award-winning Eltham Library, with its earthy tones blending into the nearby parklands, celebrates some of the best of Eltham’s spirit. Designed by multi-award winning architect, Gregory Burgess, the library at Panther Place, won him the 1995 Royal Australian Institute of Architects (Vic) Merit Award in the New Institutional category.1 The design is typical of Burgess’ work, emphasising natural materials and forms, and the integration of building and site.2 In its distinctive architectural character, Burgess celebrated the spirit of Eltham’s artist/architect Justus Jörgenson and mud-brick builder Alistair Knox. However this library, which opened in 1994, follows decades of efforts to acquire a suitable library for local residents. It was only in 1971 that Eltham acquired its first purpose-built library. In the 1930s books were borrowed from a mobile library run by Mr Foster of Bible Street. From the 1930s to the early 1950s, adults borrowed books from the newsagency and general store in Main Road (still a newsagency) near Arthur Street. As late as the 1950s, adults borrowed books in the shire office foyer, then in Main Road near the corner of Arthur Street.3 In the early 1950s the ratepayers voted for lower rates rather than a library, in a referendum to build a public library financed by higher rates. Children depended on volunteers for their library service until 1966. In 1946 the inaugural meeting of the Eltham War Memorial Trust’s Women’s Auxiliary, decided to support the Trust by raising funds to buy land and build a Children’s Library, Baby Health Centre and other facilities. The auxiliary formed the Children’s Library Committee, which included Mrs Morrison, Mrs Bow and Mrs Currie. They ran a library service in the stage area of the Eltham Hall, at the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road. In 1952 the books were relocated to a room in the newly opened Baby Health Centre on Main Road. Then in 1961, the Children’s Library received its own hall beside the Eltham Pre-School Centre on Main Road. From there, each month, volunteers delivered books to every school in the shire. In 1966 the Children’s Library closed after 17 years of service, following the transfer of the Trust land and buildings to the Shire of Eltham. The books were donated to nine schools in the shire and to Community Aid Abroad. An important boost to the library service came in 1965, when the Heidelberg Regional Library Service was formed by the City of Heidelberg with the Shires of Eltham and Diamond Valley. Its first library service for Eltham Shire was a bookmobile van. Books for children and adults were finally housed in one building in 1966, when the shire converted the Brinkkotter house in Dudley Street, into a library. At last in 1971, the Eltham Library moved to new premises attached to the shire offices near Panther Place. However these were demolished in 1996, by State Government appointed commissioners during council amalgamations. Meanwhile the Heidelberg Regional Library Service was disbanded in 1985 and the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service was established. The burgeoning population brought pressure for a bigger library. Eltham was one of several municipalities in the 1970s and 1980s, battling with the State Government for adequate funding for public libraries. Funds were so tight, that in 1987 Eltham councillors threatened to close the library. However public petitions persuaded them to set aside funds to replace the cramped library facilities. In 1992 the Federal Government gave $887,496 towards the $3 million cost of the 1560 square metre library.4 The result is a light and spacious building with surrounding verandas, made of sustainable natural materials including earth and recycled and radially sawn timbers. It includes a gallery and function areas. In 2004 Mr Burgess won Australian architecture’s highest accolade: the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal. He has received more than forty professional and community awards.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, eltham library, panther place