Kew, in Melbourne, Victoria, was declared a Borough in 1859, following which the first Council was elected in 1860. Kew became a Town in 1910, and a City in 1921. It was amalgamated into a new City of Boroondara in 1994. The centenary celebrations of 1860 marked 100 since the first Kew Council was established.This reel-to-reel tape, now digitised, is both rare (ie unique) and historically significant. While the recording clearly has local significance, it is also of national and international significance due to the content of the Prime Minister's address. The focus of his speech is the nature of Australian democracy and its strengths, deriving from universal suffrage and the acceptance of democratic values by the Australian population, gained through historic participation in democracy at local, state and federal levels. RG Menzies mounts a strong case for each level of government having value in the development of Australian democracy. He also describes the emerging democracies of Africa in the period following decolonisation, and suggests that the success of these countries is dependent on democratic institutions not being imposed from above by colonial powers. City of Kew Centenary 1860-1960 Speeches by The Hon RG Menzies, MHR for Kew, and Cr WHS Dickinson, Mayor of Kew. Recorded on 13th December 1960 at the Kew City Hall 34 minutes 29 seconds From the archives of the Kew Historical Society Inc Copyright Kew Historical Society Inc Timings 00.14-17.00 The Right Hon RG Menzies MHR 17.07-32.33 Cr. WHS Dickinson 32.38-33.10 The Right Hon RG Menzies MHR 33.30-33.50 Cr. WHS Dickinson 33.51-34.25 Song - 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow'Label on original boxcity of kew, centenary of kew 1860-1960, robert gordon menzies, william henry shorey dickinson, bill burrell, mayors of kew, town clerks of kew, australian prime ministers, australian democracy, democracy

Newspaper article: Our Beautiful Parks, Diamond Valley News, 8 March 1983, describing Eltham Lower Park and Diamond Valley Miniature Railway. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley News, 8 March 1983, Election of the ALP, Peter Stables member for Diamond Valley. Flier for Diamond Valley Miniature Railway with photograph and map. Photographs of Miniature Railway at former location at Chelsworth Park Ivanhoe. Newspaper article: New BBQ at Eltham Park, The Advertiser, 9 July 1996, about a joint project between Nillumbik Council and Eltham Rotary (On same page an article about the showcasing of indigineous plants around Nillumbik Shire offices at Civic Drive and on p4 an article about redevelopment works at Elis Cottage).main road, parks, miniature railway, chelsworth park ivanhoe, bbq facilities, civic drive, eltham lower park, eltham rotary, landscape, nillumbik shire council, ellis cottage, eltham (vic), chelsworth park, ivanhoe, diamond valley railway

This photograph of the former site of Kelly Garden Supplies was taken in 2013 to show changes over 40 years, based on Ron Reynold’s sketches in the 1973 publication “Greensborough and Greenhills” published by Cypress Books. The site is now part of the Civic roundabout at the top of the Greensborough By-pass. Civic Drive was associated with the building of Diamond Valley Council Offices opened by Governor Rohan Delacombe on 26/2/1972. Previously it was known as Kelly's Track which wound its way around to a house that overlooked the aqueduct bridge. Kelly's Sandpit (quarry) was the local go to place to obtain road, driveway fill and red sand for local construction. For 80 years previous Kelly's quarry supplied sand to the greater Melbourne area for the surfacing of school grounds, parks etc. Digital copy of colour photograph.greensborough and greenhills, civic drive greensborough, kelly garden supplies, ron reynolds

Nillumbik Shire Council transferred to the former Diamond Valley Shire Offices in Greensborough after municipal restructuing. The offices became the official Nillumbik Shire Council Offices on 16 October 1995. The former Shire of Diamond Valley Civic Centre or Shire Office building was officially opened on 26th February 1972. Archtiects were A.K. Lines, McFarlane & Marshall and it was built by L.U. Simon Pty Ltd, The Diamond Valley Shire had been created in 1964 from part of the City of Heidelberg. On December 15, 1994 the Shire of Nillumbik was established. Under the Council amalgamations imposed by the Kennett government, the Shire of Eltham, Shire of Diamond Valley and City of Heidelberg ceased to exist with the establishment of Nillumbik Shire Council and the City of Banyule.The new Nillumbik shire surrended the west riding from Eltham to Banyule but in place gained parts of the former Diamond Valley Shire which itself had been created in 1964 from parts of the City of Heidelberg. Three unelected and non-local Commissioners were put in place by the government bringing democracy into question by many members of the local community. The Commissioners determined to abandon the former Shire of Eltham offices located in Main Road, Eltham and in turn occupy the former Shire of Diamond Valley offices located at the boundary of the new shire with Banyule, in Civic Drive, Greensborough. In July 1996 the Commissioners sold the former Eltham Shire Offices and had them bulldozed leading to many years of communiity protest over the process and future development applications. The site has remained vacant ever since. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p43 It was the need for roads that led to this district’s first council. In 1853 a committee was formed to improve the rough roads, some in Kangaroo Ground being almost impassable in winter.1 The committee fundraised by voluntary levies and grants to improve in particular, the main road between Kangaroo Ground and the Plenty River. From this committee arose the Eltham District Road Board, in 1856, which was the precursor to the Eltham Shire Council. The Board’s first chairman was Kangaroo Ground farmer, John Barr. Secretary was the former committee’s secretary, Andrew Ross, Kangaroo Ground’s first school teacher, and founder of the district newspaper, The Evelyn Observer.2 Most of the board’s income came from a toll-house north of the Lower Plenty Bridge, which funded such projects as a road from Kangaroo Ground to the Caledonia Diggings. In 1871 the Shire of Eltham was proclaimed, with its boundaries the same as those of the Road Board, and Councillor A Donaldson of Kangaroo Ground was the first president. Eltham was at the southern tip of the shire, which extended north to Kinglake and east beyond Yarra Glen. In 1878, part of Kinglake was added to the shire, while the area east of Watts River, near Healesville was removed. In 1912, then again in 1958, the shire was further reduced. Yarra Glen, Steels Creek, Tarrawarra, parts of Healesville and Christmas Hills, were transferred to the Shire of Healesville. In 1972 a smaller area, at Kinglake, was transferred to the Shire of Yea, leaving 277 square kilometres in the Eltham Shire. Perhaps no other Victorian municipality has had so many meeting places. Although from 1858 to 1904, the council convened at the office in the home of Secretary Charles Wingrove, the board, and later the council, also met at other more central locations.3 The board moved from the Fountain of Friendship Hotel to the Eltham Courthouse, to the Kangaroo Ground schoolhouse. It then met at the Kangaroo Ground Hotel, which some considered put it in danger of interruptions by people ‘the worse for liquor’.4 In 1885 the council met at the hall on Mr J Donaldson’s land at Kangaroo Ground. After Wingrove’s retirement, the council rented space at the Kangaroo Ground General Store and Post Office. Then, in 1917, the council bought the former office of The Evelyn Observer, after its printing works transferred to Hurstbridge. In 1934, fire destroyed the shire office, which was temporarily relocated to the Kangaroo Ground home of Shire Secretary, Mr P J McMahon. In 1941, the shire office moved to a new building (which included a public hall) in Eltham, at the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, where the Eltham Village Shopping Centre was eventually built. Growth required new offices, which opened in 1965, on the former Shillinglaw property in Main Road.5 In 1994, as part of municipal restructuring under the Jeff Kennett Liberal Government, most of the Eltham Shire formed part of the new Shire of Nillumbik. It joined with the north section of the Diamond Valley Shire and parts of the Healesville and Whittlesea municipalities. The Diamond Valley Shire had been created in 1964, from part of the City of Heidelberg. Turbulence followed Nillumbik Shire’s formation. Under the Commissioners the council transferred to the former Diamond Valley Shire offices in Greensborough, and the Eltham council offices were demolished. In March 1997 the first five-member Nillumbik Council was elected. But, in October 1998, the government suspended the council and appointed an administrator . Early in 1999, shire residents voted to increase councillors to nine: comprising five ward councillors and four shire-wide councillors. Elections were held in March 1999. Then, before the March 2002 elections, nine new wards were created.6 In 2008 these were reduced to seven. Today [2008] the council governs a varied population of more than 60,000 people living in townships and on bush properties in the green wedge.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, greensborough, nillumbik shire council offices, civic drive

In 1965, the Diamond Valley Shire planning association recommended to Council that a large area of land north of Greensborough be acquired for Parkland. The idea of a Civic Centre was included with a map of the area from Grimshaw Street in the south to the MMBW pipeline reserve in the north. Includes a suggested new site for the local school, near Yando Street. This area is now part of the Plenty River Trail.An example of developments in the Greensborough area during the period of Shire of Diamond ValleyNews clipping, black and white text and map. Scanned in 3 parts.shire of diamond valley, civic drive greensborough, yando street greensborough, partingtons flat, plenty river trail

Banyule Community Health set up a mobile COVID-19 testing station at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre.News clipping, black and white text and image.covid pandemic, banyule community health, diamond valley sports and fitness centre, civic drive greensborough

One of three scrapbooks of photographs and newspaper cuttings taken and or collected by Eva Grant, a past member of the Kew Historical Society, which were donated by her niece, Julie Thomson. The albums include many photographs of Kew from the 1950s to the 1970s. Buildings included in the scrapbook include: Billy Hughes' house - 167 Cotham Road Congregational Church - Walpole Street (c.1978) Country Roads Board - Denmark Street (1960) Dorothy Rogers Reserve - Studley Park Road Ellsmere (also Ellesmere/Ellsmore) - Princess Street Field Place - 3 Henty Court Fernhurst - 13 Fernhurst Grove Kew Civic Centre (1959) Kew Junction (1958) Kew Railway Station (1902, 1959) Kew Recreation Hall - Wellington Street (1960) Neama (Hall) - Studley Park Road Southesk (formerly Ordsall) - Cotham Road (c.1960) St Anthony's Home for Babies (formerly Madford) - 43 Wellington Street (c.1976) Studley House - Nolan AvenueThe scrapbook contains historically significant, rare and sometimes unique images of significant heritage buildings in Kew, including their erection and demolition. 11-page scrapbook of photographs and newspaper clippings with annotations by Eva Grant, a past member of the Kew Historical Society. The pages of the album can be viewed in the image carousel above. Based on the text and known dates of demolition of a number of the buildings, the scrapbook was assembled over a twenty year period between c.1958-c.1978.Includes letter from donoreva grant, billy hughes' house - 167 cotham road, congregational church - walpole street - kew, country roads board - denmark street - kew, dorothy rogers reserve - studley park road - kew, field place - 3 henty court - kew (vic), ellsmere (also ellesmere/ellsmore) - princess street - kew, fernhurst - 13 fernhurst grove - kew (vic), kew civic centre - civic drive - kew (vic), kew junction - kew (vic), kew railway station - denmark street - kew (vic), recreation hall - wellington street - kew, neama - hall - studley park road - kew (vic), southesk - ordsall - cotham road- kew (vic), st anthony's home for babies - madford - 43 wellington street (vic), studley house - nolan avenue - kew (vic)

CONTENTS FOREWORD By Sir Henry Bolte ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Chapter 1 - The Beginning Chapter 2 - The James Charitable Trust Chapter 3 - The Forming of a Corporation Chapter 4 - Preparation Chapter 5 - The Opening Chapter 6 - The Early Years 1942 - 1950 Chapter 7 - The New Hospital 1950 - 1956 Chapter 8 - Expansion 1956 - 1966 Chapter 9 - Completion 1966 - 1971 Chapter 10 - The Staff Chapter 11 - The Board Chapter 12 - The Medical Profession Chapter 13 - Amenities and Equipment Chapter 14 - The Auxiliaries and Other Contributors Chapter 15 - Patients and Their Treatment Chapter 16 - The Future Appendix I - Board Members 1942- 1971 Appendix II - Hospital Staff 30th June 1971 Appendix III - Office Bearers Of Auxiliaries Digital file only (71 pages and covers) Physical copy held by Yarra plenty Regional Library, Diamond Valley Branch, Civic Drive, Greensborough, Local History Sectiondiamond valley community hospital, greensborough

Construction of the Greensborough Bypass from Watsonia Road to the Civic Drive intersection with Diamond Creek Road was approved by the State government.Photocopy of article on page 1 of Diamond Valley News, 28 February1984.greensborough bypass

Greensborough campus reopens after $10m State Government investment. Formerly NMIT, the Civic Drive campus is now part of Melbourne Polytechnic.News article 1 page, black text, colour image.tafe, nmit greensborough, funding, melbourne polytechnic

Family tree of the Skals family of Greensborough, tracing their origins to Denmark. The handwritten note states that the family farm was on Flintoff Hill, north side of today's Civic Drive.1 page PaperPencil additionsflintoff hill, skals family

Photograph of a portrait of Anna Flintoff dated circa 1855. The Flintoff family came to Greensborough circa 1841. They owned, farmed and leased land north of the present Civic Drive.Digital copy of black and white photograph.flintoff family, anna flintoff

Photograph of Frederick Nevins Flintoff. The Flintoff family came to Greensborough circa 1841. They owned, farmed and leased land north of the present Civic Drive. A pioneer Greensborough family. A pioneer Greensborough family. Digital copy of black and white studio photograph.frederick nevins flintoff, flintoff family

6 plans for the proposed redevelopment of the Shire of Diamond Valley offices in Civic Drive, now the offices of Nillumbik Council. Shire of Diamond Valley existed from 1964 to 1994.6 planning drawings, black ink on white paper.shire of diamond valley, nillumbik council

Photograph of a portrait of Edward Theodore Flintoff and his grave. The Flintoff family came to Greensborough circa 1841. They owned, farmed and leased land north of the present Civic Drive. Edward died on 14/06/1899. A pioneer Greensborough family.Digital copy of colour photographs.flintoff family, edward theodore flintoff

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office