James Johnston settled at Kangaroo Ground in 1849. His nephew James Mess joined him and a descendant Robert James Mess changed his surname to Ness. The family became active in all aspects of Kangaroo Ground life. Contents Text (handwritten and transcribed): "The Ness Family, Kangaroo Ground", Joy Ness, 1989. Newspaper article: "True pioneer stock", Diamond Valley News, 2 March 1982. History of the Mess/Ness family Newspaper article: "Ness family are keepers of 140 years of historical knowledge", Diamond Valley News, 4 February 1986. History of Joseph Stephenson and descendants. Newspaper article: "Joy Ness paints native flowers for posterity". Diamond Valley News, 21 October 1986. Life and career of Joy Ness as painter. Newspaper article: "His Cup runneth of with Joy", ?Diamond Valley Leader, 6 December 2000. Bruce and Joy Ness celebrate 60th wedding anniversary. Pencil sketch by Joh Ebeli no date but pre 2004: Portrait of Joy Ness dressed for the Historical Society Parade. Order of Service: Thanksgiving service for the life of Robert Bruce Ness 22 January 1917 / 28 June 2004. Eltham District Historical Society newsletter no date: "Robert Bruce Ness 1917-2004", obituary and extract from Joy Ness's history of the family. Copy of letter from Joh Ebeli to Gwen Orford, no date but ~2004: Describes drawings he made of Robert Bruce Ness when taking part in Diamond Valley Arts Society float and enclosed 3 drawings and a photograph of drawing of the bakers (corner Main Road and York Street Eltham). Eltham District Historical Society newsletter September 2013: "Vale Joy Ness", obituary and extract from Diamond Valley News article of 6 December 2000.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcness family kangaroo ground, james johnston, kangaroo ground, pretty hill farm, wellers hotel, betsy sadler, ingleside kangaroo ground, james mess, jane stevenson, ness lane kangaroo ground, view hill kangaroo ground, stte savings bank agency, ruth lettice gosling nee mess, kangaroo ground state school, garden hills kangaroo ground, william mess, joseph mess, isabella mess, james johnson mess, ruth ettie mess, george mess, alexander mess, janes mess, robert david mess, heidelberg agricultural show, diamond creek agricultural show, rober james ness, pearl ness nee mills, william mills, sabina mills, robert bruce ness, beryl ness, vera ness, donald ness, kangaroo ground presbyterian church, kangaroo ground cemetery trust, kangaroo ground tennis club, professor osborne, doctor osborne, joseph stevenson, joy ness, kangaroo ground fire brigade, bruce ness, country fire authority, ship wellington 1837, diamond creek, david christmas, christmas hills, andres harkness, samuel furphy, andrew ross, caledonian gold fields, queenstown now st andrews, mother coleman of kangaroo ground, diamond valley arts society, winifred joy ness, andrew ross museum, eltham art show

Charis Pelling, daughter of Professor William Osborne and Dr Ethel Osborne, was active in local activities, including being Eltham Shire's first female president and a councillor. Contents Newspaper articles: About Whittlesea Show 1964, Diamond Valley News, 1964 (photocopy). Magazine article: "A woman who gets things done", The Australian Women's Weekly, 26 October 1966. Charis Pelling's life and activities. Note card: Thanks for sympathy following destruction of "Woodlands" and "The Hall" in 8 January 1969 bushfire. Newspaper article: "Quietly proud of her life", Diamond Valley News, 19 June 1984. Charis Pelling's childhood and activities. Note card: Thanks for sympathy following death of Edwin Oswald Pelling. Newspaper notice: Death notice, Charis Meta Aleander Pelling. Order of Service: Celebration of life of Charis Meta Aleander Pelling, 2006. Letter: Eltham District Historical Society to Charis Pelling, 21 June 1995, Invitation to be presented with certificate to her as foundation President of the Society. Note card: Charis Pelling, Thanks for presentation. Newsletter: Eltham District Historical Society, number 172, January 2007. Obituary of Charis Meta Alexander Pelling.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etccharis pelling, whittlesea show, kangaroo ground victoria, michael pelling, margaret pelling, nicholas pelling, deborah pelling, warrandyte water works trust, eltham arts council, eltham old people's committee, eltham art show, shillinglaw cottage preservation committee, woodlands kangaroo ground victoria, gareth jones roberts, peter glass, alkis astrix, matcham skipper, mervyn horton, the flavor of eltham, bush fire january 1969, the hall kangaroo ground victoria, professor william osborne, dr ethel osborne, william pelling, alistair knox, harold bartlett, gerald yunken, edwin oswald pelling, charis meta alexander pelling