St. Matthew's Church has historic significance as the town's church and physical and social focus for the community. The standard design buildings are good examples and important streetscape elements. The war memorial cross is the area's monument to the 20th century wars and its modest scale in comparison with the granite Eltham and towered Kangaroo Ground memorials illustrates the lack of affluence in the town and surrounding area. The grouping of church, school, store and post office is typical of country villages throughout Victoria. The Radiata Pine plantings are significant as an intact line of shelterbelt planting typical of the early 20th century. (Bick Study 1992) Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p63 Panton Hill’s first church services were held in a simple building made of paling timber, opposite the Hotel de France. The building was also used for Sunday School, a school and a hall.1 The St Matthew’s Church and hall at the corner of Church Road and Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Road, were built in the early 20th century in the standard rectangular style of the times. The intact belt of Radiata Pines was common at that time. The war memorial concrete cross is the area’s monument for the 20th century wars. It is much more modest than those in Eltham, and particularly in Kangaroo Ground, demonstrating those townships’ comparative affluence.2 Early settler J Hughes, who donated the land to the Church of England, was the first to be married at St Matthews when he married Rachel Coutie. In later life he became a minister of religion.3 One much-liked preacher was George Hollow, who with his sister playing the harmonium, conducted church services at Panton Hill, St Andrews and Christmas Hills, for many years.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, panton hill, st matthew's church, panton hill war memorial

Item relates to Leslie Raymond HUGHES. He initially enlisted in the CMF No V56193. Stationed in Geraldton he then transferred to the 2nd AIF No VX88615 age 23 years on 22.7.1942. He was discharged from the Army on 22.3.1946 ad a Pte in 2/1st Aust Gaurd Regt.Coloured certificate - The Call to Arms. From Borough of Castlemaine paying tribute to Leslie Raymond HUGHES who served in the World War 1939 - 1945. Top of certificate has a photo of King George between a Union Jack & Australian flag. Regimental badges are around the border & a red seal is bottom L. Signed by the Mayor, Councillor & Town Clerk. Certificate is attached to metal backing with heavy clear plastic.documents - certificates, military history - army, civic mementoes

The Prince of Wales, later King George 5th, visited Bendigo on June 4th 1920. His entourage included Prime Minister Billy Hughes, Lord Claude Hamilton, Rear Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, Lord Louis Mountbatten and Mr Barnes MLA, Minister of Mines. The Unity Mine was situated in Garden Gully, Ironbark.Bendigo Advertiser '' The way we were'' from 2002. Royal visit: this picture was supplied by Jenny Clutterbuck and Ken Pata. They say it came from a photo album belonging to the late Myra Teasdale of Golden Square, and is titled 'Visit of H.R.H. Prine of Wales to Bendigo; down Unity Mine, June 1920. the clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Jessie Imogene [Gene] Chatham ( nee Furness 1901 - 1980) was the grand-daughter of Rosanna McFadden and Alexander Poynton, the 13th child of their eldest daughter Mary Jane Poynton. Philip Chatham was her second eldest child. Rosanna married Liverpool-born Alexander Poynton in the Free Church of Victoria in 1852. According to family legend, Alexander was attracted to Rosanna’s beautiful singing voice, however his proposal was conditional: he would marry her provided the first twelve children were raised as Protestants. Rosanna and Alexander had 14 children. The thirteenth and last surviving child was brought up Catholic. Alexander is reported to have been involved in the Eureka Rebellion, placing Rosanna at Ballarat in late 1854. The family moved about the Victorian Goldfields during the 1850s and early 1860s, before selecting a 240 acre property at Illabarook which they named “The Wattles”. [ https://www.facebook.com/GreatIrishFamineMemorial/photos/a.319845464760508/504144869663899/?type=3&mibextid=WC7FNe&rdid=g7RgSaaGEYbHPsAb&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16nh8HnJ71%2F%3Fmibextid%3DWC7FNe sited 22 May 2025] Several of the children were born at Port Campbell, Vic. Jessie Imogene Chatham ( nee Furniss) was born at Illabarook, Golden Plains Shire, Victoria, Australia. [Jane Dyer ( nee Chatham) 2025] Rosanna’s first child Alexander, was a State and Federal Politican, holding the role of Treasurer in Billy Hughes government. He was awarded an OBE in 1920 for his work on WW1 repatriation issues. Fifth child Rosanna, married the Mayor of Brunswick and their son Sir Alexander George Wales was Lord Mayor of Melbourne between 1934 – 37. Finally, eleventh son John Joseph was Lord Mayor of Perth. Alexander died in 1896 at the age of 64, while Rosanna lived on to the age of 87, dying on March 9th, 1920. philip chatham, imogene furness, surfers paradise, chatham-holmes collection, queensland holiday

This Holmes Family photograph was taken in Elizabeth's parent's front garden at "Launchley" Ascot before her marriage to Philip, second son of Jack [John] and Jessie Imogene [Gene] Chatham (nee Furniss), on the 20 Feb 1957 at St Augustines Catholic Church's Creswick L- R Eldest brother, Jack [John] Holmes, [Mary] Elizabeth Holmes, mother Edith Holmes, brother Bill [William Smerdon] Holmes. Her father, Henry, and brother David were deceased. Jack Holmes "gave her away". Jessie Imogene [Gene] Chatham ( nee Furniss 1901 - 1980) was the grand-daughter of Rosanna McFadden and Alexander Poynton, the 13th child of their eldest daughter Mary Jane Poynton. Philip Chatham was Gene's second eldest child. Rosanna married Liverpool-born Alexander Poynton in the Free Church of Victoria in 1852. Alexander is reported to have been involved in the Eureka Rebellion, placing Rosanna at Ballarat in late 1854. The family moved about the Victorian Goldfields during the 1850s and early 1860s, before selecting a 240 acre property at Illabarook which they named Rosanna’s first child Alexander, was a State and Federal Politican, holding the role of Treasurer in Billy Hughes government. He was awarded an OBE in 1920 for his work on WW1 repatriation issues. Fifth child Rosanna, married the Mayor of Brunswick and their son Sir Alexander George Wales was Lord Mayor of Melbourne between 1934 – 37. Finally, eleventh son John Joseph was Lord Mayor of Perth. [Jane Dyer (nee Chatham) 2025] Black and white photograph mounted on beige card. Wedding photograph of M. Elizabeth Holmes with her mother Edith Holmes (nee Pickford) and brothers Jack (on left) and Bill on the occasion of her marriage to Philip Chatham. Taken in the front garden of the Holmes family home “Launchley” Ascot, Vic. Victoria"John Smith Ballarat" signed at bottom on cardchatham-holmes collection, elizabeth holmes, philip chatham, edith holmes (nee pickford), bill holmes, wedding