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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph, 1907-1914
This photograph is of the sailing ship ANTARES at full sail, taken between 1907, when she was named ANTARES, and 1914, when she was wrecked.. THE ANTARES In mid-November 1914, after the beginning of the First World War, a young local man went one evening to fish near the Bay of Islands, west of Peterborough. He later arrived home hurriedly and in an agitated state declaring: "The Germans are coming!" His family laughed and disbelieved him, as this young fellow was prone to telling fictional tales. About a month later, on December 13th 1914, local farmers Phillip Le Couteur and Peter Mathieson were riding in the vicinity, checking on cattle. Phillip Le Couteur saw what he “thought was the hull of a ship below the cliffs.” He rode to Allansford and contacted police. The next day, two Constables and Phillip Le Couteur returned to the site, where they dug a trench near the top of the cliff and sank a log in it. To this they attached a rope, which they threw down the cliff face. Constable Stainsbury and Phillip Le Couteur then made the dangerous descent down the rope on the sheer cliff face. They found wreckage strewn around a small cove and a portion of a man's body under the cliffs. The hull of the ship could be seen about 300 metres out to sea. Some of the wreckage revealed the name Antares and the remains of the ship's dinghy bore the name Sutlej. During the next two weeks and with the help of the Warrnambool lifeboat and crew, two more bodies were found. Later investigations proved that the tragic wreck was indeed that of the Antares, reported overdue on the 207th day of her voyage from Marseilles, France, to Melbourne. She was a three masted, 1749 ton iron clipper, built in Glasgow in 1888 and originally named and launched as the Sutlej. Bought in 1907 by Semider Bros. from Genoa, Italy, she was refitted and renamed Antares. It was later realised that the local lad who a month earlier had declared he had seen German guns being fired, had probably seen distress flares fired from the deck of the Antares the night she was wrecked. She was last sailed under Captain Gazedo and wrecked at what is now known as Antares Rock, near the Bay of Islands. She had been carrying a large cargo of roofing tiles from France to Melbourne, consigned to Mullaly & Byrne. Many of them are now to be seen amongst the battered and scattered remains of the wreck. Some of the timbers were found to be blackened by fire. An Information Board has been erected on the cliff top near to the site of the Antares wreck, at the end of Radfords Rd, west of Peterborough. (Ref: Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s “Antares” fact sheet, Victorian Heritage Database, Information Board at Peterborough, Flagstaff Hill Significance Assessment 2010) The Antares was one of the last of the 'tall ships' to be lost along the south west coast of Victoria, and is the only wreck that took the lives of all people on board. She is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHS S34. The Antares is significant as a sail trader carrying an international inbound cargo. It is part of the Great Ocean Road Historic Shipwreck Trail. Photograph of the three masted fully rigged Antares at anchor. (ref: Ships A-B SH016.)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, antares, tall ship, peterborough, 1914 shipwreck, phillip le couteur, peter mathieson, constable stainsbury, sutlej, antares rock., bay of islands -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Booklet - Wesleyan Cricket Association fixture, 1898
Dug up in the back yard at 78 Station St, Port Melbourne during renovations and donated to PMHPSWesleyan Cricket Association season1898-99. Hard wicket competition. Fixture of matches and scores noted on last spread and losers crossed out on centre spreads. 12 pagessport - cricket -
Victorian Interpretive Projects Inc.
Photograph - Colour, Gaida Stevens, World War One Tunnel Entrance, Lone Pine, Gallipoli, 2015, 2015
Lone Pine was an action that featured one of the most famous assaults of the Gallipoli campaign. The attack was planned as a diversion for the Australian and New Zealand units that were to breakout from the Anzac perimeter by capturing the heights of Chunuk Bair and Hill 971. At 5.30 pm on 6 August 1915, the Australian artillery barrage lifted and from concealed trenches in no man’s land the 1st Australian Brigade charged towards the Turkish trenches. The troops paused on reaching the Turkish trenches, finding that many were covered by timber roofs. Some fired, bombed and bayoneted from above, some found their way inside and others ran on past to the open communications and support trenches behind. Others advanced as far as "the Cup" which was where Turkish support units were located and from where the Turks counter-attacked. By nightfall, most of the enemy front line was in Australian hands and outposts had been established in former Turkish communication trenches. The Australian Engineers dug a safe passage across no man’s land so that reinforcements could enter the captured positions without being exposed to Turkish fire. Having captured the Turkish trenches, the Australians now tried to hold what they had taken while the Turks desperately and determinedly tried to throw the Australians out. From nightfall on 6 August until the night of 9 August a fierce battle ensued underground in the complex maze of Turkish tunnels. The Australians succeeded in drawing the whole of the immediate Turkish reserve. Six Australian battalions suffered nearly 2,300 killed and wounded at Lone Pine. Seven Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest number ever awarded to an Australian division for one action.(http://www.awmlondon.gov.au/battles/lone-pine)Entrance to a tunnel at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. gallipoli, world war one, tunnel, mmm -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Document - Script, Robin Boyd, The Flying Dogtor. Episode 41 Golden Trail, 1963
The Flying Dogtor and the bush children found out where a bushranger had hidden treasure 100 years ago. Unfortunately, Crafty Carson Carpetbag and Old Man Redback found out just a little sooner, dug up the treasure first, and disappeared with it. But there must have been a hole in the chest, for the children found a gold coin on the ground, and then another and another. They set out to follow the trail with their faithful friend, The Flying Dogtor.The Flying Dogtor" series was broadcast on Australian Television Network (later becoming the Seven Network) between February and April 1964 (see item D254 for schedule).Typewritten, carbon copy, foolscap, 2 pagesthe flying dogtor, robin boyd, crawford productions, manuscript -
Carlton Football Club
Event Program, Grand Final Dinner 1962, 1962
Losing GF 1962Program & Menu for post match dinner 1962 GF, a loss to Essendon Carlton 1.1 7 5.6 36 7.8 50 8.10 58 Essendon 6.5 41 7.7 49 10.10 70 13.12 90 Venue: M.C.G. Date: Saturday September 29, 1962 Result: Loss by 32 points Umpire: Jack Irving Crowd: 98,385 Goalkickers: B.Williams 3, J.Nicholls 2, G.Donaldson, M.Cross, K.Greenwood. Best: S.Silvagni, M.Crowe, J.James, B.Cox, G.Donaldson, B.Williams. Injuries: Nil Game Review It was a tale of contrasting preparation for the Grand Finalists, with the Blues having been involved in three games decided by less than a goal in a row, while Essendon hadn't played for three weeks. Leading up to the match Essendon had injury problems, with Terry Rodgers unable to take the field and ruckman Geoff Leek requiring a pain killing injection to get him up for the game. Leek actually fooled the Essendon match committee by passing his fitness test (during which he was asked to kick a medicine ball) by using his good leg - not the suspect one. When the ball was bounced to start the Grand Final, Essendon straight away looked like the fresher side, and slammed on 6 goals to one to take control. Carlton dug deep in the second term and fought back, kicking 4 majors and closing the gap to only 13 points by the half-time break. The Bombers surged again in the third term, with their forwards looking lively and dangerous. The Blues were just out-gunned, and trailed by 20 points at the last break. The game became spiteful in the first few minutes of the last quarter, as Essendon overwhelmed the Blues defence. They kicked three quick, unanswered goals to establish a 39-point advantage, and from thenh on had the flag in their bag. As the heat went out of the game, Cross scored a consolation goal for Carlton, but it was a case of too little too late. Best players in a well-beaten Carlton side were Serge Silvagni, who continually stood against the tide, John James and Graham Donaldson up forward, Bob Crowe in defence, and Berkley Cox, who controlled the centre. 1962 Grand Final Team B: 8 John Benetti 18 Peter Barry 16 Maurie Sankey HB: 26 Graeme Anderson 20 Wes Lofts 14 Bob Crowe C: 19 Ian Collins 9 Berkley Cox 30 Murray Kick HF: 13 Graham Donaldson (c) 10 John James 12 John Gill F: 5 Ken Greenwood 22 Tom Carroll 36 Peter Falconer Ruck: 2 John Nicholls (vc) 1 Serge Silvagni 7 Bruce Williams Res: 32 Vasil Varlamos 23 Martin Cross Coach: Ken Hands In: V. Varlamos Out: B. BuckleyFour page program -
Carlton Football Club
Letter from Victorian Football League 1981, VFL Registration Form 5A, 1981
A now defunct Form 5A registration of playerA now defunct Form 5A registration of player of four time premiership player David McKay Career : 1969 - 1981 Debut : Round 3, 1969 vs Footscray, aged 19 years, 165 days Carlton Player No. 809 Games : 263 Goals : 277 Last Game : Grand Final, 1981 vs Collingwood, aged 31 years, 325 days Guernsey No. 43 Height : 191 cm (6 ft. 3 in.) Weight : 92 kg (15 stone, 0 lbs.) DOB : November 5, 1949 Premiership Player 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981 Carlton Hall of Fame (1996) One of the most spectacular high marks of his era, David Robert James “Swan” McKay was a Carlton star for twelve seasons, and a key member of four Premiership teams. Recruited from Newlyn, near Ballarat in central Victoria, McKay arrived at Princes Park in 1968 as a raw-boned 19 year-old. Coach Ron Barassi liked what he saw, and quickly realised that the laconic, easy-going country kid had the makings of something special after only a handful of games in the Blues’ number 43 guernsey. At 191cm and 95 kg he was robust enough to play in the ruck, while his exceptional aerial skills allowed him to hold down a key position. The problem was that he had joined the reigning premiers, so he wasn’t able to claim a regular place in the side until after the Blues were beaten by Richmond in the ’69 Grand Final. Early in the following season, McKay was given a chance at centre half-back, and took to it “like a swan to water.” Quick for his size and blessed with wonderful judgement, “Swan” soon became a crowd favourite. From that season on and throughout his career, it was only on rare occasions when the weekly televised football highlights package did not include footage of him drifting across the front of the pack to pluck the ball from the hands of an opponent, or leaping high over three or four sets of shoulders to take another soaring high mark. By 1970, McKay was embedded in the Carlton defence and hadn’t missed a game all season. After the Blues wound up second on the ladder, David experienced the thrill of a VFL final for the first time in his 29th senior match, when almost 113,000 fans packed into the MCG to see Collingwood beat Carlton by 10 points in a high-scoring Semi Final. Swan took 10 marks amid his 16 possessions that afternoon, and although his side was beaten, he revelled in the occasion. A fortnight later, after destroying St Kilda in a one-sided Preliminary Final, Carlton met Collingwood again in the Grand Final in front of an even bigger crowd. McKay was in trouble early against his taller, equally athletic opponent Len Thompson, but rallied after half time to get right on top as the Blues came from 44 points down to shatter Collingwood in the greatest of all Grand Final comebacks. Swan took nine telling marks and collected 18 possessions to be hailed as Best on Ground, before collecting the first of his four Premiership medals. One of the hallmarks of the Carlton teams coached by Barassi was their versatility, so as his career progressed, McKay started spending time up forward or in the ruck. From then on, when a game was in the balance and a goal or two was sorely needed, he was the man the Blues often looked for. He worked hard on his shooting for goal and became a reliable forward option. The 1972 final series must rank as one of Carlton’s finest hours, as the Blues fought their way through three hard, cut-throat games to meet the raging favourites Richmond in the Grand Final. In that remarkable encounter on a fine, cool day at the MCG, Swan lined up in a back pocket to cover the Tigers’ resting ruckmen and for once, lowered his colours to Richmond’s Neil Balme, who kicked 5 goals – but the Blues still won by 27 points and McKay picked up his second medal. In August 1973, Swan brought up game number 100 against Footscray at the Western Oval. Carlton won by nine points – thanks to McKay’s 13 marks in great game at centre half-back. A month later, the Blues and the Tigers met again on Grand Final day, and – still smarting from their surprise defeat the previous year – Richmond went head-hunting in a spiteful match. Swan was shifted forward early and kicked two majors, but neither he nor his team could match Richmond’s ferocity and the Tigers won the flag by 30 points. Midway through the following season, in round 14, 1975 - McKay was embroiled in another infamous encounter at Essendon’s Windy Hill – a game that saw eight players (himself included) reported. On a wet and miserable day dominated by a howling wind, Swan’s 22 disposals, 14 marks and eight goals won the game for Carlton, and making that victory even sweeter, he later escaped suspension for striking. By the time Carlton was knocked out of the finals in 1976 by straight-sets defeats at the hands of Hawthorn and North Melbourne, McKay was 27 and had racked up 172 games. But he felt he needed relief from the pressure-cooker life of a VFL footballer, so he agreed in principle to join WAFL club Subiaco. When he requested a clearance from Carlton however, the Blues steadfastly refused. Both sides dug in their heels, and some unfortunate headlines resulted before Swan relented and resumed training some weeks into 1977. In round 13 of that season, on a freezing cold and wet Saturday afternoon at the Junction Oval, bottom side Fitzroy caused a huge upset by beating Carlton by 7 points. In his 181st game, McKay took 9 marks, and his second goal of the game was the 200th of his career. McKay’s fourth Grand Final came in 1979 against Collingwood. By then one of only five survivors from the ’73 team, Swan was approaching his 30th birthday. yet still playing valuable, consistent football. In a close, absorbing match on a wet and slippery MCG that day, Carlton again won a nail-biter by just 5 points, thanks to Wayne Harmes’ famous swipe at the ball from a forward pocket in the last minutes of the game. The ball ended at the feet of Ken Sheldon, whose goal clinched Carlton’s twelfth Premiership, and McKay’s third. Throughout the majority of his career, Swan was a durable type who rarely suffered serious injury. That all changed in 1980 however, when he rolled an ankle, played on, and compounded the injury which hampered him for the rest of his career. Carlton made the finals again, but dropped out after successive losses. That was a bitter blow for the Blues, who promptly sacked coach Peter Jones and reinstated David Parkin. Because of his ankle, Swan missed a number of games early in 1981, but was back to near his best for the finals. Carlton destroyed Geelong by 40 points in the second Semi Final and marched into the Grand Final as hot favourites against Collingwood. In a typically fierce and physical decider, Collingwood led by 21 points late in the third quarter, before the confident Blues overwhelmed them in the last term - winning Premiership number four for Swan McKay, and flag number thirteen for Carlton. One of the goals in that vital last quarter came from the big number 43. It was his second major of the game, and his last kick in league football. Amid the jubilation of victory in the rooms after the game, Swan announced his retirement after 263 games and 277 career goals. He was a few weeks short of his thirty-second birthday and it was an appropriate way to end the playing career of one of the club’s favourite sons. Following his retirement, McKay stayed involved at Princes Park in a number of off-field roles. He was inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame in 1996, and later became a high-profile critic of Carlton’s President John Elliott. When Elliott was voted out of office in 2002, McKay was appointed a director of the club under new President Ian Collins. During 1999 and 2000, David's son James McKay played eight Reserves games and kicked two goals for Carlton. Milestones 100 Games : Round 21, 1973 vs Footscray 150 Games : Round 2, 1976 vs Essendon 200 Games : Round 10, 1978 vs Footscray 250 Games : Round 9, 1981 vs South Melbourne 100 Goals : Round 13, 1974 vs Geelong 200 Goals : Round 13, 1977 vs FitzroyLetters & copy of form from VFL -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Album - Hume Reservoir Australia Album - General View of Works from New South Wales end, Looking Upstream, August 1927, 1927
This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927. This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction.DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, N.S.W. RIVER MURRAY WATERS SCHEME. HUME RESERVOIR. 22. General View of Works from New South Wales end, Looking Upstream. Features: At the left, part of the North Wing Wall, the highest part of which is 26 feet below its ultimate height. Below in the foreground is the portion of the dam where provision is to be made for hydro-electric generation. The tubes, three in number, 13 feet in diameter, will be laid on the level shown and an early start will be made in laying them. The level for the other four regulating outlets, 9 feet in diameter, together with a part of the spillway section of the dam, is underwater at this stage and it may be remarked that at one point, about half way across the channel where the water is now flowing, the concrete foundations are about 80 feet below the level of the water. The broken surface of the water is due to the large “plums” in the concrete. The still water in the right foreground is the stilling pool over the concrete floor of which there is now more than 20 feet of water and by means of which the discharge from the outlet pipes will be quelled. The trestlework on the upstream side of the dam carries the concrete belt conveyor. It extends from the concrete mixer house, which is out of the picture, behind the wing wall, along almost the entire length of the concrete portion of the dam. The concrete is discharged from the belt at any desired point by means of trippers, one of which may be seen over the second trestle. On the other side of the flowing water is the coffer dam. A channel 300 feet wide involving about 140,000 cubic yards of excavation and dug for the temporary diversion of the river as it is flowing now. To the right top of the view beyond the Coffer Dam is the earth embankment being thrown across the major part of the valley by the Victorian Constructing Authority. The Mitta Mitta River flows into the Murray at the far end of the reach of water on the left. August 1927.hume reservoir australia, river murray waters scheme, hume reservoir construction -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Book - "Next to Impossible" The Remarkable LIfe of Albert Chalmers Borella VC, Bradley A. Chalmers, 2015
... captured a machine-gun. Then, after clearing a trench and dug-outs ...Quotation from back cover- "Bushman, farmhand, artist, metropolitan fireman, decorated soldier, soldier settler, POW commandant. At ease in the company of the King or the common man, Albert Chalmers Borella VC did it all. This is his remarkable life story. " In 1918 Albert Borella (1881-1968) led a platoon in an attack to straighten the front line beyond Villers-Bretonneux, from which a major British offensive was to be launched a few weeks later. While ahead of his troops, he single-handedly captured a machine-gun. Then, after clearing a trench and dug-outs, he inspired his men to hold out during heavy enemy counter-attacks. Borella had earlier received the Military Medal and been Mentioned in Despatches. Although he had enlisted in Townsville (from Darwin), after the war he lived in Victoria as a farmer. Borella also served in the Second World War, and afterwards settled in Albury, New South Wales where he passed away on 07 February 1968. This extensive biography documents his background and life achievements.non-fictionQuotation from back cover- "Bushman, farmhand, artist, metropolitan fireman, decorated soldier, soldier settler, POW commandant. At ease in the company of the King or the common man, Albert Chalmers Borella VC did it all. This is his remarkable life story. " In 1918 Albert Borella (1881-1968) led a platoon in an attack to straighten the front line beyond Villers-Bretonneux, from which a major British offensive was to be launched a few weeks later. While ahead of his troops, he single-handedly captured a machine-gun. Then, after clearing a trench and dug-outs, he inspired his men to hold out during heavy enemy counter-attacks. Borella had earlier received the Military Medal and been Mentioned in Despatches. Although he had enlisted in Townsville (from Darwin), after the war he lived in Victoria as a farmer. Borella also served in the Second World War, and afterwards settled in Albury, New South Wales where he passed away on 07 February 1968. This extensive biography documents his background and life achievements.victoria cross, military history, biography albert borella, borella albert chalmers v.c> -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - STRAUCH COLLECTION: GREIFFENHAGENS CELLAR (HERCYNIA VINEYARD)
"Hercynia" was the largest vineyyard in the Bendigo District. It was started by Carl Wilhelm Greiffenhagen (William) and his cousins, twins, Carl and August Heine. The first vine cuttings were planted in 1860. The partners owned 300 acres at Axe Creek and in 1862 had 24 acres under vines and an orchard of 4 acres. By 1884 they had expanded to 30 acres of vines. They produced many award winning wines. August Heine ( 1832 - 1898) was born in Germany and came to Australia in 1854 with his twin brother Carl and their cousin William Greiffenhagen. Initially the three took up mining successfully but then the partnership bought 300 acres at Axe Creek and planted a vineyard. They also grew fruit and crops to feed the working horses. In 1870 August sold his interest in the vineyard and set up his own smaller vineyard at Sheepwash Gully. He had several business interests before he took up the caretaker position at the newly dug Weeroona lake, a position he held until his death. Carl Heine sold his interest in the vineyard in 1873 and returned to Germany. WIlliam Grieffenhagen (1834-1916) continued his very successful vineyard until the region was hit with a highly infectious vine disease in 1893. Although his own vines escaped infection, he was within the 2 mile quarantine area and was forced to dig out all his vines. He never replanted but depended on his orchard instead. He was a founding member of the Bendigo Agricultural Society and a local Shire councillor for several years. In 1870 he married Margaret Boyd.Binder containing information relating to Greiffenhagen's cellar (Hercynia Vineyard) 1860 - 1991 including black and white photographs & maps, compiled by John Houlahan as a third year thesis whichnis pat of the assessment for a Bachelor of Arts (Social Science) degree. Donated to the German Society 15/2/96 by the Grandfather of author Jack Houlahan.John Houlahanbook, bendigo, wineries, bendigo-history-axe creek- wineries- german -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph - Set of 5 Black & White Photograph/s, Sutcliffe Pty Ltd, c1924
Set of five Photographs, Black and White, of St Kilda Road, with works about to commence to convert the cable tram to electric trams. .1 - Overhead pole holes being dug in the one of the central plantations - pole and a Furphy water cart alongside. A cable tram is passing at speed. Note the scale of the houses opposite and the number of side walk superintendents! .2 - View of St Kilda Road with a few motor cars and one cable tram. Looking south on the Sth Melb. side. .3 - ditto, view of cable tram track, poles laid out on the central plantation, note the street lights. About seven cable trams in the view. Look south towards St Kilda Junction. The Junction hotel is in the view. .4 - similar photo, but further north. Cable trailer 74 in the view. .5 - View of St Kilda Road, vehicle road with a number of vehicles in the view. Looking south on the east side of the roadway. Photos Print and photograph by Sutcliffe of Cromwell buildings 366a Bourke St. Melbourne.In ink and pencil on the rear: .1 - "M&MTB H-60, Kew Depot `1920's (E45 in shed)" and the photographers stamp. .2 - "MMTB St Kilda Road about 1924" and in pencil "Tramway poles erected, pole not removed? Sth Melb side, looking south along motor track" .3 - As above - and in pencil - Tramway poles not erected - ????" .4 - As above with notes in pencil. .5 - As above with notes in pencil. About 1924 KSK print number SA932 to SA936.trams, tramways, st kilda rd, cable trams, conversion, trackwork, overhead, construction, tram 74 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, Smith Dam, Karingal Drive, Eltham, 19 September 2006
The dam at the entrance to the Nerreman Gateway in Eltham was built according to an internationally acclaimed theory developed by the builder's father. In 1920, Victorian engineer B.A. Smith was awarded the American Society of Civil Engineers J. James R. Cross Gold Medal for his Technical Paper titled 'Arched Dams'. It was the first time this medal had been awarded outside the United States. The concrete arched dam across the Eltham West Drain was built in 1940 by B.A. Smith's son and engineer, D. B. (Bernie) Smith to water the 24 acre (9.75 ha) hobby farm owned by himself and new wife, Isa Smith. Upon completion of the dam a pump-house was constructed beside the creek but before the water could be pumped up the hill they had to dig a trench and lay 500m of 100mm water main to an elevated holding tank. The Smiths made the pump-house their home for several years until they constructed their home at the top of the hill overlooking Eltham and views extending to Kinglake. Following Bernie's death in 1983, Nerreman Park was subdivided between 1993 and 1995. Gordon Ford designed the landscaping and the pump-house was demolished. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p137 The dam at the entrance to the Nerreman Gateway in Eltham, was built according to an internationally acclaimed theory developed by the builder’s father. In 1920, Victorian engineer B A Smith was awarded the American Society of Civil Engineers J. James R. Croes Gold Medal, for his Technical Paper titled Arched Dams. It was the first time this medal had been awarded outside America. An international example of the application of Smith’s work can be found in the design of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, Nevada, USA. Built between 1930 and 1936, it is recognised by the ASCE as one of ‘America’s Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders’.1 The concrete arched dam across the Eltham West Drain was built by B A Smith’s son and engineer, D B (Bernie) Smith. Bernie’s dam followed his father’s theory, having a curvature that takes maximum advantage of concrete’s great strength in compression. The water load is carried into the abutments because of this curvature, which permits a wall thickness of only 225 millimetres thick at its crest, despite the dam’s capacity of more than 4.5 megalitres. The Eltham dam was designed to water the 24 acre (9.75 ha) hobby farm belonging to newly married couple Bernie and Isa Smith. Bernie, from Armadale, and Isa, from a farm at Tyntynder near Swan Hill, were attracted to the hilly topography and the creek running through the property. It extended from Ryans Road, Eltham, to Karingal Drive, Montmorency and was adjacent to Meruka Park. The Smiths named it Nerreman Park using the Aboriginal word Nerreman meaning ‘River Bend’ as their creek had a pronounced bend.2 In 1940 the first thing Bernie did was to build a dam, and with Isa’s help, a pump-house, to secure a water supply for their cattle, pigs, chickens, orchard and vegetable gardens. It was also available for the fire-plugs, which they placed all over the property in case of bushfire. The couple built the pump-house beside the creek and installed a Tange three-plunger pump, which had originally supplied the City of Wodonga with water. But before the Smiths could pump water up the hill from the dam they had to dig a trench and lay about 550 yards (500m) of a four-inch (100mm) water main up to an elevated holding tank. The trench was dug with a single furrow plough drawn by an old draught horse. Living in rough conditions did not deter the Smiths, who made the pump-house their home, where they still lived when their first child was born in 1944. They later built their home at the top of their property overlooking Eltham, with magnificent views to Kinglake, the Dandenong Ranges and Melbourne. From 1946 it took them almost 20 years to complete the 36-square house with its 12-foot (3.6m) high ceilings. Material for the concrete roof and walls faced with sandstone, was ripped out of the ground on their property by plough pulled by tandem Clydesdale horses. Isa was a strong woman – two days before their second child was born – she set three huge sandstone boulders in place in the bottom wall of the garage. She also mixed all the cement for the house. A collapsed kitchen wall did not discourage her from rebuilding it in a week, while her husband was away working in the country. She later recalled: ‘We stood back to admire this beautiful wall we’d built and while we were looking at it, it came tumbling down’.3 Following Bernie’s death in 1983, Nerreman Park was subdivided, between 1993 and 1995. Local Gordon Ford designed the landscaping and the pump-house was pulled down. But the dam remains as a reminder of exceptional engineering4 – and of a remarkable couple.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, karingal drive, smiths dam, bernie smith, gordon ford, isa smith, nerreman gateway, nerreman park estate, dams