On Sunday, 10 November 1985 a time capsule was lowered into a monument installed near the corner of Main Road and Pitt Street in Eltham, within the gardens at the front of what is now the Eltham Community and Reception Centre. This monument commemorates Victoria’s 150th anniversary and the former location of the Eltham Town Centre, which existed along this section of Main Road, then known as Maria Street. Beneath the site is a time capsule to be opened in the year 2035. A plaque was also erected at this site in October 1987 to commemorate the Shire of Eltham Historical Society’s 20th anniversary. The main feature of this monument is a ‘tyring disc’, a blacksmith’s implement that was found on this site. This consists of a large iron disc that was used as a platform for fitting iron tyres (like the one shown on top of the platform) to wooden-spoked cart wheels. The local blacksmith and wheelwright worked together to assemble the wheel, which was clamped to the platform placed close to the fire. The red-hot iron hoop, previously forged to the correct size, was lifted with tongs by the blacksmith over the outside of the rim, then hammered down amid flames from the scorching timber. The wheelwright drenched the tyre with cold water as soon as it was in position. A clamp placed on the naff (hub) and screwed down tightly kept the spokes at a constant angle as the tyre cooled. An even pressure from the contracting tyre tightened the joints at each end of the spokes and formed a vice-like grip, which would last for the life of the wheel. [from EDHS Newsletter No. 45, November 1985:] TIME CAPSULE CEREMONY: Our 150th Anniversary Monument is now under construction in the gardens in front of the Eltham Community Centre. Further details of the project are given under a separate heading below and this item deals with the proposed ceremony. We propose to formally lower the time capsule into its container underneath the monument as part of the Eltham Community Festival. All members are invited to attend the ceremony at 2.00 p.m. on Sunday, 10th November. Come earlier with a picnic lunch if you like. Local people and firms who have contributed money or services for the monument will also be invited. As part of the Festival programme the public are welcome to attend. This is one of the most significant projects the Society has undertaken and members' participation in its finalization would be most gratifying to the organizing committee. 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROJECTS: We have concentrated our efforts on finishing the monument and time capsule project within the 150th year and have found it necessary to abandon the historical tour project. We have applied to the State 150th Committee to transfer the funds allocated for the tour to construction of the monument. The historical tour project will be continued at a later date and photos of historic houses in the area, taken by Doug Orford, will be available for use in an associated display. At the time of writing, the monument construction is on schedule for the ceremony on 10th November. The concrete base has been completed and the main feature of the monument, which is an old tyring plate or disc, will be lifted into place in the next week. The final ceremony will involve lowering the sealed time capsule into place, bolting down its container lid and then concreting over the lid. The capsule will contain mainly items relating to present day Eltham and its people and is to be opened in the year 2035, a video film made by Joh Ebeli and also details of families and organizations who have contributed to construction of the monument. It is proposed to place the items in the capsule on 5th November and any items members think could be included may be submitted up to that date. The Society has received an excellent response from local people, firms and organizations by way of assistance with this project. Graham Beyer, who originated the project, has arranged many of the donations. He and his firm, Package Handling Equipment, have donated the time capsule itself and have carried out fabrication of sections of the monument. The design of the monument was adapted by Graham Beyer from drawings by Joh Ebeli. Charmac Industries has donated the container for the time capsule and a cast gun metal name plate for the monument. BMG Concrete has donated concrete for the base which was constructed by Caridi Construction Company. Northbourne Garden Supplies has donated materials for the paving around the monument. Robert Becker from Eltham Apex directed construction of the paving by Society members. Terry Hutchinson has agreed to donate the use of his crane to lift the tyring disc into place. Financial contributions have been made by the Eltham Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Eltham. We are grateful to all who have helped, and members' support for firms who have donated their services would be an appropriate recognition. It is planned to print "Time Capsule Certificates" which can be held by organizations or passed on to descendants by individuals. The certificates will indicate an interest in the contents of the capsule when it is opened in fifty years. Certificates will be distributed to Society members and those who have contributed to the project.Colour photographactivities, 1985, time capsule, eltham, eltham festival

Eltham Community Festival, 4-13 August 1978 Second photo of 5 ladies very motion blurred but ladies named are L to R: Edi Levi, Joyce Finster, Thelma Smith, Jean Spencer, Norma Williams. Newsletter No. 3 September 1978 Eltham Community Festival. This year’s Eltham Community Festival was held from August 4th to 13th. The society was involved with the Warrandyte Historical Society in arranging an exhibition at the Community Centre and also provided notes and a map for a self-guided walking tour of historic buildings and locations around Eltham. Copies of notes will continue to be available from the Eltham Shire Offices and the tour may be under-taken at any time. The exhibition was divided into two sections. The Eltham Society displayed early photographs associated with the walking tour, whilst the Warrandyte Society showed their photographs and artefacts of the Warrandyte gold era. An outstanding feature was the large "blow-up" photos of early Warrandyte. Colour photographeltham, main road, eltham festival, alan whitmore estate agents, shell service station, mount pleasant road, parade, parade float, wingrove park, rotary

Roll of negatives of the Eltham Festival Parade as it progresses along Main Road past the Catholic Church heading towards Bridge Street. Floats included the Tasmanian Wilderness Society with the Save the Franklin River campaign, and Diamond Valley Railway celebrating 21 years of passenger service as well as the Victorian Police Marching Band. A well known Eltham identity, Jock Read was asked to lead the Eltham Pony Club contingent that year and the roll includes several shots of Jock on his horse, Lofty who was approximately ten years of age, his colour was still classed as a steel grey at the time before he went "white" quite a few years later. 1982: 16-17 October. “Pioneers of Eltham” and tractor (rain) Neswletter No. 27, November 1982 Although our parade entry did not win a prize this year, it was considered highly successful from a participation point of view. Despite some uncertainty as to just who was coming, members and friends kept appearing at the assembly area. As in the past years our friends from the Victorian Folk Music Club brought their instruments along and really added to the occasion. This year we concentrated on a rural theme with a tractor/trailer combination. Thanks to Peter Bassett-Smith for the tractor, Joh Ebeli for the decorations and friendly trailer owner Dennis McKay. Unfortunately the closing stages of the parade were marred by heavy rain. We just finished as the rain started but members scattered very quickly. This has prompted the suggestion for future parades that we have a tent or other suitable venue for members to gather after the event. This is worth following up. The cold driving rain provided a special problem for Peter in driving his tractor home to Kangaroo Ground. Have you ever had to choose between standing up to warm your hands on the exhaust and having your tractor seat flooded? Certificate, Festival Parade Award, Rotary Club of Eltham, Eighth Eltham Community Festival 1982. Presented to the Shire of Eltham Historical Society for the most effort by "locals"Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 24 shotsKodak Safety Film 5035eltham festival, catholic church, diamond valley railway, eltham, eltham district historical society, eltham parade, festivals, eltham fire brigade, eltham horse and pony club, jock read, learning co-op primary school, eltham living and learning centre, lofty (horse), main road, marching band, montmorency scouts, parade, parade floats, peter bassett-smith, research pre-school, roller city, shire of eltham historical society, victorian police

1986 Grand Parade, 8 November. The Society's entry in the Eltham Community Festival parade included Ben Hall's Cobb and Co. coach and was awarded the major prize for the parade. This involves a perpetual trophy which the Society holds for one year. Individual shields attached to trophy inscribed with annual Grand Parade winners: 1979 - Cubs of the Eltham District 1980 - Montmorency South Primary School 1981 - Co Winner, Eltham Primary School Dalton Street 1981 - Co Winner, Our Lady Help of Christians 1982 - Cubs of the Eltham District 1983 - Research Primary School 1984 - Montmorency South Primary School 1985 - Montmorency Garden Club 1986 - Shire of Eltham Historical Society and one blank shield It appears the trophy was replaced in 1987 with a Best Display award which again was won by the Society, and again in 1988 Polished wooden trophy with gold plastic wreath, inscribed metal plaques and ten inscribed metal shields. Gold plastic ornament sitting on top (broken off)The Rotary Club of Eltham Perpetual Trophy Awarded to the Best Display In the Grand Parade Eltham Community Festivalaward, eltham community festival, eltham festival, trophy, shire of eltham historical society, eltham district historical society, victorian folk music club, rotary club of eltham, perpetual trophy, 1986, grand parade, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, cubs of the eltham district, eltham primary school, montmorency garden club, montmorency south primary school, our lady help of christians primary school, research primary school