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Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, cr pam sladden, mandy press -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mary Owen, granddaughter of Walter Withers, unveiling the commemorative plaque on Walter Withers Rock at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets, Eltham, 13 Oct 1990, 13/10/1990
[from EDHS Newsletter No. 75, November 1990:] WALTER WITHERS PLAQUE At long last we have unveiled our plaque in the Walter Withers Reserve. The function was attended by a number of members and friends of the Society and descendants of the Withers family. Following the unveiling, the group proceeded to the Eltham Shire Office for afternoon tea and a small exhibition of Withers' paintings arranged by Andrew Mackenzie. The unveiling was performed by Mary Owen, a grand-daughter of Walter Withers. Her speech provided an interesting personal perspective on Withers and is repeated in full here: I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the responsibility of paying tribute to the man you have all come to honour today. I have the feeling that most of you probably know more about him and his work than I do. Walter Withers died nearly seven years before I was born and so I never knew him. Sadly, although other members of his family inherited some of his talent, I was not among them and I know very little about art. This is doubly hard to bear because my husband had some ability to draw and my second daughter also has some talent in this direction. My children are all artistic - mostly in the field of music inherited partly from their father - a Welshman who sang like a Welshman - and partly from my grandmother, Fanny Withers who, I believe was no mean pianist. However all this talent gave me a miss and for many years I felt a complete ignoramus in the fields of the arts. It was not until I was nearly fifty years old that I walked into a gallery in Brisbane and, as I wandered around the room, suddenly one picture leapt at me and I knew instantly that it had been painted by my grandfather. I had never seen the picture before and it gave me quite a shock to find that I had recognized the style of painting. I realized then that I had absorbed more than I realized simply by living with pictures and with people who painted them and talked about their painting and the painting of others. When I was a child I sometimes spent school holidays with my Aunt Margery Withers and her husband, Richard McCann. Aunt Marge painted me several times but I'm afraid I was a restless subject and used to sit reading a book and look up grudgingly when she wanted to paint my eyes. During the September holidays my aunt and uncle were busy preparing paintings far the annual exhibition of the Melbourne Twenty Painters, to which they both belonged. I remember how important I used to feel when they took me along to the Athenaeum Gallery on the Friday night before the opening to help hang their pictures. There were many artists there but the two I remember are perhaps surprisingly both women: Miss Bale and Miss Tweddle. I remember how cold it used to be up in that gallery at night. They used to heat water on a gas ring to make tea and Aunt Marge used to bring sandwiches and fruit for our evening meal. Everyone seemed to be poor in those days and no-one dreamed of going out for a meal. It was a case of make-do - even to cutting down frames to fit pictures or cutting pictures to fit the frames. They had to use the same frames from year to year if the pictures didn't sell. The opening was an exciting event for me. I felt I was privileged to meet important people - people who knew a lot more than I - and Uncle Dick would get quite merry after a couple of the tiny sweet sherries which were always distributed. I realise now that quite a lot of "art talk" rubbed off on me during my visits to the Athenaeum and during my stays with my aunt and uncle. I suspect that much of our most useful learning comes this way and those of us who have had the privilege of associating with artists, writers, philosophers and other thinkers have a richness in our lives of which we may be unaware. Walter Withers was a prolific painter and, although he painted for love of it, I suspect that the need to provide for his family drove him, like Mozart, to greater efforts than he might otherwise have achieved. Reading old letters and articles about the Heidelberg artists, I have come to realize something of the constant strain placed on many of them - particularly Withers and McCubbin - by poverty and the need to make ends meet. Withers was ever conscious of the need to provide for his wife and his five children and there are touching letters to his wife, regretting that he was not able to earn more for them. In addition to his painting, he worked hard at teaching and illustrating and, as he grew older, the strain began to tell and his health deteriorated. He seems never to have had a very strong constitution and suffered from rheumatism, which must have made painting quite painful at times. His eldest daughter, Gladys, was eventually confined to a wheelchair with rheumatoid arthritis and I have a tendency to arthritis myself, so I am particularly aware of what this could have meant to him. Recently I found a short letter written by my mother to her mother, Fanny Withers on the anniversary of her father's birthday in 1919, in which she said: "Poor old Dad, I often think now what a lot he must have suffered. His life was too hard and too strenuous for him. He had too many chick-a-biddies, I think. He wasn't equal to so much town life and train journeys with so many delicacies as he had. Since I have been ill, I have realised what he must have felt like.” He certainly drove himself to produce. He travelled all over Victoria by train, buggy, bicycle and on foot and for a time he travelled from Eltham to Melbourne every day by train, although later he lived in Melbourne during the week and only returned to Eltham for the weekends. My mother died seven years after her father's death, when my twin sisters were 10 days old and I was 16 months. So I never knew my mother or my grandfather. But my two aunts, Gladys and Margery, sometimes took me to stay with Gan Withers at Southernwood in Bolton Street . No cars in those days and it seemed a very long hot and dusty walk from the Station. Three memories remain with me of Southernwood. One is the well at the back which I found quite terrifying; the second is Gan killing a snake - even more terrifying. She was a formidable woman, my grandmother and a great ally and support to her husband. I think she was the business end of the partnership. The third memory of Southernwood is my grandfather's studio – down what seemed like a toy staircase inside the room. This and the big walk-in fireplace stayed in my mind from the age of about six until I saw them again about forty years later when the house was being used as a Sunday School. I just wish that money could be found to purchase this old house for the City of Eltham so that a permanent museum could be established in memory of a man who did so much to put Eltham on the map of art history. Recently I have become interested in family history and spent some time in England, Ireland and Wales looking for traces of my ancestors. I realized then how important it is to have records of people who have contributed to our society. We forget so soon and it is amazing how often, within two generations, names, dates and many details are forgotten. We are fortunate that so many of Walter Withers' works have been bought by galleries and that people like Andrew Mackenzie have taken the trouble to search out people who knew him and to write about him and his work. And I am very grateful to the Historical Society of Eltham for recognizing the importance of having a permanent tribute in Eltham to the contribution made by Walter Withers, who loved Eltham so much and who has assured this lovely district a place in the annals of history. I am indebted to Kathleen Mangan; the daughter of another famous Australian painter , Fred McCubbin, - featured in The Age this morning (thanks again to Andrew Mackenzie) for the most apt tribute to Walter Withers. Kathleen is not well and she rang me a couple of days ago, regretting that she could not be present today “to pay tribute” as she said, “to Walter Withers for I always think Walter Withers is the spirit of Eltham.” Thank you, Kathleen. And now I have much pleasure in unveiling the plaque commissioned by the Eltham Historical Society from Bob McLellan of Charmac Industries to commemorate the life and work of Walter Withers, the spirit of Eltham. Mary Owen, 13 October 1990.Three colour photographswalter withers rock, walter withers reserve, mary owen -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mary Owen, granddaughter of Walter Withers, unveiling the commemorative plaque on Walter Withers Rock at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets, Eltham, 13 Oct 1990, 13/10/1990
[from EDHS Newsletter No. 75, November 1990:] WALTER WITHERS PLAQUE At long last we have unveiled our plaque in the Walter Withers Reserve. The function was attended by a number of members and friends of the Society and descendants of the Withers family. Following the unveiling, the group proceeded to the Eltham Shire Office for afternoon tea and a small exhibition of Withers' paintings arranged by Andrew Mackenzie. The unveiling was performed by Mary Owen, a grand-daughter of Walter Withers. Her speech provided an interesting personal perspective on Withers and is repeated in full here: I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the responsibility of paying tribute to the man you have all come to honour today. I have the feeling that most of you probably know more about him and his work than I do. Walter Withers died nearly seven years before I was born and so I never knew him. Sadly, although other members of his family inherited some of his talent, I was not among them and I know very little about art. This is doubly hard to bear because my husband had some ability to draw and my second daughter also has some talent in this direction. My children are all artistic - mostly in the field of music inherited partly from their father - a Welshman who sang like a Welshman - and partly from my grandmother, Fanny Withers who, I believe was no mean pianist. However all this talent gave me a miss and for many years I felt a complete ignoramus in the fields of the arts. It was not until I was nearly fifty years old that I walked into a gallery in Brisbane and, as I wandered around the room, suddenly one picture leapt at me and I knew instantly that it had been painted by my grandfather. I had never seen the picture before and it gave me quite a shock to find that I had recognized the style of painting. I realized then that I had absorbed more than I realized simply by living with pictures and with people who painted them and talked about their painting and the painting of others. When I was a child I sometimes spent school holidays with my Aunt Margery Withers and her husband, Richard McCann. Aunt Marge painted me several times but I'm afraid I was a restless subject and used to sit reading a book and look up grudgingly when she wanted to paint my eyes. During the September holidays my aunt and uncle were busy preparing paintings far the annual exhibition of the Melbourne Twenty Painters, to which they both belonged. I remember how important I used to feel when they took me along to the Athenaeum Gallery on the Friday night before the opening to help hang their pictures. There were many artists there but the two I remember are perhaps surprisingly both women: Miss Bale and Miss Tweddle. I remember how cold it used to be up in that gallery at night. They used to heat water on a gas ring to make tea and Aunt Marge used to bring sandwiches and fruit for our evening meal. Everyone seemed to be poor in those days and no-one dreamed of going out for a meal. It was a case of make-do - even to cutting down frames to fit pictures or cutting pictures to fit the frames. They had to use the same frames from year to year if the pictures didn't sell. The opening was an exciting event for me. I felt I was privileged to meet important people - people who knew a lot more than I - and Uncle Dick would get quite merry after a couple of the tiny sweet sherries which were always distributed. I realise now that quite a lot of "art talk" rubbed off on me during my visits to the Athenaeum and during my stays with my aunt and uncle. I suspect that much of our most useful learning comes this way and those of us who have had the privilege of associating with artists, writers, philosophers and other thinkers have a richness in our lives of which we may be unaware. Walter Withers was a prolific painter and, although he painted for love of it, I suspect that the need to provide for his family drove him, like Mozart, to greater efforts than he might otherwise have achieved. Reading old letters and articles about the Heidelberg artists, I have come to realize something of the constant strain placed on many of them - particularly Withers and McCubbin - by poverty and the need to make ends meet. Withers was ever conscious of the need to provide for his wife and his five children and there are touching letters to his wife, regretting that he was not able to earn more for them. In addition to his painting, he worked hard at teaching and illustrating and, as he grew older, the strain began to tell and his health deteriorated. He seems never to have had a very strong constitution and suffered from rheumatism, which must have made painting quite painful at times. His eldest daughter, Gladys, was eventually confined to a wheelchair with rheumatoid arthritis and I have a tendency to arthritis myself, so I am particularly aware of what this could have meant to him. Recently I found a short letter written by my mother to her mother, Fanny Withers on the anniversary of her father's birthday in 1919, in which she said: "Poor old Dad, I often think now what a lot he must have suffered. His life was too hard and too strenuous for him. He had too many chick-a-biddies, I think. He wasn't equal to so much town life and train journeys with so many delicacies as he had. Since I have been ill, I have realised what he must have felt like.” He certainly drove himself to produce. He travelled all over Victoria by train, buggy, bicycle and on foot and for a time he travelled from Eltham to Melbourne every day by train, although later he lived in Melbourne during the week and only returned to Eltham for the weekends. My mother died seven years after her father's death, when my twin sisters were 10 days old and I was 16 months. So I never knew my mother or my grandfather. But my two aunts, Gladys and Margery, sometimes took me to stay with Gan Withers at Southernwood in Bolton Street . No cars in those days and it seemed a very long hot and dusty walk from the Station. Three memories remain with me of Southernwood. One is the well at the back which I found quite terrifying; the second is Gan killing a snake - even more terrifying. She was a formidable woman, my grandmother and a great ally and support to her husband. I think she was the business end of the partnership. The third memory of Southernwood is my grandfather's studio – down what seemed like a toy staircase inside the room. This and the big walk-in fireplace stayed in my mind from the age of about six until I saw them again about forty years later when the house was being used as a Sunday School. I just wish that money could be found to purchase this old house for the City of Eltham so that a permanent museum could be established in memory of a man who did so much to put Eltham on the map of art history. Recently I have become interested in family history and spent some time in England, Ireland and Wales looking for traces of my ancestors. I realized then how important it is to have records of people who have contributed to our society. We forget so soon and it is amazing how often, within two generations, names, dates and many details are forgotten. We are fortunate that so many of Walter Withers' works have been bought by galleries and that people like Andrew Mackenzie have taken the trouble to search out people who knew him and to write about him and his work. And I am very grateful to the Historical Society of Eltham for recognizing the importance of having a permanent tribute in Eltham to the contribution made by Walter Withers, who loved Eltham so much and who has assured this lovely district a place in the annals of history. I am indebted to Kathleen Mangan; the daughter of another famous Australian painter , Fred McCubbin, - featured in The Age this morning (thanks again to Andrew Mackenzie) for the most apt tribute to Walter Withers. Kathleen is not well and she rang me a couple of days ago, regretting that she could not be present today “to pay tribute” as she said, “to Walter Withers for I always think Walter Withers is the spirit of Eltham.” Thank you, Kathleen. And now I have much pleasure in unveiling the plaque commissioned by the Eltham Historical Society from Bob McLellan of Charmac Industries to commemorate the life and work of Walter Withers, the spirit of Eltham. Mary Owen, 13 October 1990.Two colour photographswalter withers rock, walter withers reserve, mary owen -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Letter, Letter from Joh Ebeli to Shire of Eltham Historical Society Committee meeting regarding plans for the 1980 Eltham Festival, 11 July 1980, 1980
Notes from Joh Ebeli to the Society Committee meeting regarding plans for the use of horse drawn vehicles in the Society's entry for the 1980 parade, including whether Jock Read who opened the 1979 Parade could be asked to participate. Other notes included references to his salvaging (along with a couple of others) of the facade of the Old Bakery and plans to see if it could be incorporated into a new large room to be built at the Eltham Living and Learning Centre and following up Council. Also included a couple of photos, one for Ron Smith and one for Russell Yeoman from the story in the local paper, which had neglected to mention the Society (picture of wheelbarrow - catalogued separate from letter - EDHS_02303)Single page, typed on Ebeli and Associates letterhead1979, 1980, eltham festival, eltham living and learning centre, gwen baker, jock read, joh ebeli, kangaroo ground pony club, old eltham bakery, pavillion, ron smith, russell yeoman -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - unofficial opening by Claire Fitzpatrick, 3 December 1989, 03/12/1989
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - unofficial opening by Claire Fitzpatrick, 3 December 1989, 03/12/1989
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - unofficial opening by Claire Fitzpatrick, 3 December 1989, 03/12/1989
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - unofficial opening by Claire Fitzpatrick, 3 December 1989, 03/12/1989
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - unofficial opening by Claire Fitzpatrick, 3 December 1989, 03/12/1989
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - unofficial opening by Claire Fitzpatrick, 3 December 1989, 03/12/1989
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - unofficial opening by Claire Fitzpatrick, 3 December 1989, 03/12/1989
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photocopy of photo, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - unofficial opening by Claire Fitzpatrick, 3 December 1989, 03/12/1989
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Black and white photocopy of probably colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photocopy of photo, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - unofficial opening by Claire Fitzpatrick, 3 December 1989, 03/12/1989
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Black and white photocopy of probably colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - official opening by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President, 30 May 1991, 30/05/1991
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Cr Graham plus Gillian Barclay (Co-ordinator), Liliana Unsworth (Engineering Design Draftsperson) and Bill Oakley (Corporate Development Officer). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, goat shed, gillian barclay, peter graham, liliana unsworth, bill oakley -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Harry Gilham, Peppercorn tree at Eltham Living and Learning Centre, possibly 2012
Brick "shed" was the "cool room" for milk and other produce. The centre of the earth floor was taken out to stand in using the edging as shelving for goods.Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, significant trees, trees -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Negative - Photograph, Harry Gilham, Grave of Abraham and Ann Taylor, also Mary Taylor, Eltham Cemetery, Victoria, Sep 2009
Abraham Taylor was born 20 October 1811 in Derrycarn, Drumcree Parish, County Armagh, Ireland, the son of Richard William Taylor and Annie Abraham. He married Ann McClelland on 19 February 1852 in Dumcree. They emigrated to Australia arriving in Geelong aboard the Ann Thompson on Christmas Day, 1852. His younger sisters Mary and Martha and brother William John all having separately preceded them in 1851 and 1852. Abraham and Ann settled in Little Eltham, Abraham was recorded as being 40 years of age and Ann, 36. They made their home and living as an orchardist and gardener where they had three sons, William John (1853 Little Eltham), Richard (1855 Eltham) and Robert David (1857 Eltham), tow of whom became Councillors of the Shire of Eltham; William (1890-1911) and Robert David (1911-1920). In June 1871, Abraham Taylor, Eltham gardener, applied for a 120-acre allotment half a mile northeast of the Research Gully Hotel on June 30, 1871. A license was issued to him January 30, 1872, for 114 acres, being Allotment 8, Section 18, the balance of 6 acres being retained for reserve. He built on the land a two roomed dwelling of slabs and palings. He and his family lived there or at their 6 ½ acre Eltham property, which was used for orchard and garden as a residence. In January 1875 a lease issued to Abraham Taylor for the land one chain wide each side at the gully named ‘Wet Gully’ was excluded. In August 1881 Abraham Taylor paid up all fees and applied for a Crown grant. He vainly requested that the grant be issued to his son, Robert David Taylor, Eltham however the grant was in fact issued to Abraham Taylor, Eltham, gardener. Abraham died at home on June 1, 1890. He was greatly respected by all who knew him. His sister Mary predeceased him 1873and is also buried at Eltham cemetery. Wife Ann died at home 1 September, 1893 and was buried with him. In Loving Remembrance of Abraham Taylor Who died June 1st 1890 Aged 80 years Also Ann Taylor Wife of the above Who died September 1st 1893 Aged 75 years Also Mary Taylor Who died September 22nd 1873 Aged 45 yearsRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak GC 400-9eltham cemetery, gravestones, abraham taylor, ann taylor, mary taylor -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - official opening by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President, 30 May 1991, 30/05/1991
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Cr Graham plus Gillian Barclay (Co-ordinator), Liliana Unsworth (Engineering Design Draftsperson) and Bill Oakley (Corporate Development Officer). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, goat shed, gillian barclay, peter graham, liliana unsworth, bill oakley -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Alan and Steve at the Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - official opening by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President, 30 May 1991, 30/05/1991
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Cr Graham plus Gillian Barclay (Co-ordinator), Liliana Unsworth (Engineering Design Draftsperson) and Bill Oakley (Corporate Development Officer). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, goat shed, steve, alan -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Alan at the Eltham Living and Learning Centre "Goat Shed" - official opening by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President, 30 May 1991, 30/05/1991
Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Cr Graham plus Gillian Barclay (Co-ordinator), Liliana Unsworth (Engineering Design Draftsperson) and Bill Oakley (Corporate Development Officer). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, goat shed, alan -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The naming ceremony performed by Claire Fitzpatrick at 'unofficial' opening of the Goat Shed, Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 3 December 1989
The Goat Shed was unofficially opened on 3 Dec 1989 as a store room. Following the Stables workshop fire, 8 May 1990, it was refurbished into a proper workshop and officially opened by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire president on 30 May 1991Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak GA 100 5095eltham living and learning centre, claire fitzpatrick, gillian barclay, goat shed -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The naming ceremony performed by Claire Fitzpatrick at 'unofficial' opening of the Goat Shed, Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 3 December 1989
The Goat Shed was unofficially opened on 3 Dec 1989 as a store room. Following the Stables workshop fire, 8 May 1990, it was refurbished into a proper workshop and officially opened by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire president on 30 May 1991Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak GA 100 5095eltham living and learning centre, claire fitzpatrick, gillian barclay, goat shed -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The naming ceremony performed by Claire Fitzpatrick at 'unofficial' opening of the Goat Shed, Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 3 December 1989
The Goat Shed was unofficially opened on 3 Dec 1989 as a store room. Following the Stables workshop fire, 8 May 1990, it was refurbished into a proper workshop and officially opened by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire president on 30 May 1991Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak GA 100 5095eltham living and learning centre, claire fitzpatrick, gillian barclay, goat shed -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The naming ceremony performed by Claire Fitzpatrick at 'unofficial' opening of the Goat Shed, Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 3 December 1989
The Goat Shed was unofficially opened on 3 Dec 1989 as a store room. Following the Stables workshop fire, 8 May 1990, it was refurbished into a proper workshop and officially opened by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire president on 30 May 1991Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak GA 100 5095eltham living and learning centre, claire fitzpatrick, gillian barclay, goat shed -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The naming ceremony performed by Claire Fitzpatrick at 'unofficial' opening of the Goat Shed, Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 3 December 1989
The Goat Shed was unofficially opened on 3 Dec 1989 as a store room. Following the Stables workshop fire, 8 May 1990, it was refurbished into a proper workshop and officially opened by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire president on 30 May 1991Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak GA 100 5095eltham living and learning centre, claire fitzpatrick, gillian barclay, goat shed -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The naming ceremony performed by Claire Fitzpatrick at 'unofficial' opening of the Goat Shed, Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 3 December 1989
The Goat Shed was unofficially opened on 3 Dec 1989 as a store room. Following the Stables workshop fire, 8 May 1990, it was refurbished into a proper workshop and officially opened by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire president on 30 May 1991Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak GA 100 5095eltham living and learning centre, claire fitzpatrick, gillian barclay, goat shed -
Parks Victoria - Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
Anvil
As quoted from Wikipedia, ‘An anvil is a block with a hard surface on which another object is, struck. The block is as massive as it is practical, because the higher the inertia of the anvil, the more efficiently it causes the energy of the striking tool to be transferred to the work piece’. The lightstation’s anvil is a red-painted iron block with a conical beak or horn at one end that was used for hammering curved pieces of metal. It would have stood on a heavy free-standing pedestal, such as a large tree stump, to allow complete access to the item being hammered. Some anvils display the manufacturer’s name in the metal on the side, but this is not the case here, and its age, although unknown appears to be quite old, perhaps c.1900. It appears to have had a lot of use, and although no record of this survives, it is presumed that a forge operated on site for hammering, cutting, shaping and repairing tools such as bolts, nails, hooks, chain segments, pulley blocks, hinges, crow bars, picks, chisels, horseshoes and harness hardware. A hames hook (which forms part of the collar worn by a draught horse) survives at the lightstation as do many other heavy metal tools and pieces of equipment. The anvil is an example of the necessary resourcefulness and self sufficiency practiced by lightkeepers working and living in a remotely located workplace and home, and many of the iron items in the collection may have been repaired or even made on its working surface. As a lightstation manager Chris Richter used the anvil to manufacture pulley blocks for sash windows, repair brass door hinges & sharpen cold chisels, crowbars and picks and other lightkeepers have used this anvil for many fabricating jobs such as manufacturing ducting for the generator room ventilation system."The lightship only came in every three months with supplies and there would have been repairs to do between visits from a blacksmith - who would have had to travel on the ship. Also, the ship was only anchored in the bay long enough to unload supplies and collect and deliver lightkeeping staff – probably not enough time to get much smithy work done – especially if the weather packed it in and the ship had to depart. Lightkeepers in our time had to be self sufficient, resourceful and innovative and I imagine that would have been the case in the past." It has second level contributory significance.Red painted blacksmith's anvil. -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Old Customs House, Wodonga, 1860s
Customs duties were a means of raising revenue between the 1850’s and Federation. They were first introduced by NSW in November 1854 after it was separated from the colony of Victoria three years earlier. J P Hanify was appointed as sub-collector at Belvoir, the official name present day Wodonga at that time. Wodonga Customs House was built near the end of Union Bridge over the Murray River in 1859 Tariffs or customs duties greatly angered residents and it was little wonder the customs officer of the day was always an unpopular man. Tariffs had to be paid on articles such as tobacco, many food items and new clothing that were carried across the Border. The range of items was extended over time, leading to some farmers even swimming their livestock across the river to avoid duties at the Customs house. The levying of duties ended with Federation in 1901. Francis Cobham depicted in this photograph, took up the position of Customs officer in 1867 and remained there until his retirement in 1890. The building was originally a 2 roomed custom house in 1856 but was extended to provide living quarters for the Cobham family while a nearby cottage became the Customs house. The building was moved to a position south of the lagoon in the mid 1980’s and is now a restaurant.This image represents an important stage in the development of colonial relationships and rivalries in Australia.Black and white photograph of Customs officer Francis Cobham in Wodonga c 1860customs house wodonga, albury wodonga border, colonial rivalry victoria /nsw, tariffs -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Inventory of contents of Holmbush
Although undated, the document is the same type, style and condition as 00259, which was dated 1943. It details the furnishings, garden tools, etc. at, or bought for, the residence which gives a picture of the living conditions for Junior Legatees, as well as what was currently acceptable in a home at the time.The completeness of the inventory, which goes from room to room, gives a valuable insight into social conditions and also into the work of Legacy.Foolscap paper, x 3 pages with black type and punched filing holes.residences, holmbush -
Department of Health and Human Services
Photograph, Front of building and roundabout of Pleasant Creek Special School - Stawell - Circa 1940 to 1950
Pleasant Creek Colony history in brief Warning about distressing information Patient information Disclaimer Source On this page: Pleasant Creek Colony history in brief Warning about distressing information Patient information Disclaimer Source Pleasant Creek Colony history in brief In 1861, the Pleasant Creek Hospital opened as a medical facility for the population of Stawell and district. Another building was added in 1904, Syme Ward for convalescent patients. In 1933, the facility was replaced by a newly-built hospital in the town of Stawell. In 1934, the Mental Hygiene Department acquired the old Pleasant Creek Hospital site and converted it to accommodate children with disabilities, which became Pleasant Creek Special School. The first residents (18 boys) were admitted in 1937 from Royal Park Depot. At the end of 1937, there were 98 children living at Pleasant Creek. In 1968 the Pleasant Creek Special School was renamed Pleasant Creek Training Centre, caring for people with intellectual disabilities. From the 1950s to the 1980s, there were several building developments: •1957, Lonsdale Unit expanded capacity to 113 •1969, Bellfield and Fyans Units increased numbers to 196 •1977, Alexandra Unit converted to recreational and lecture room facility. •1977, Day Centre, Nurses' Home and Clinical Services Administration buildings •1985, Nara Unit closed for renovations and residents moved to the previous staff living quarters. https://www.findingrecords.dhhs.vic.gov.au/CollectionResultsPage/Pleasant-Creek-Colony -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Martha (Watson) Myers, 1907, c.1930 and 1953
Martha Watson was born on 17 October 1888 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia as the first child of Robina (Ruby) WATSON. She died on 23 March 1976 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Memories of Martha by Valcia nee Twigg Lowrie, granddaughter of Arthur Watson. My memories and recollections as told to me my Grandmother ‘Mum’ Myers. As a child she had scarlet fever and did not attend school during the illness and missed a lot of school (Macarthur Street State School). When she was meant to return to school having fallen behind her classmates, confused and behind with the school work, she instead spent her time wandering around Lake Wendouree feeling too ashamed to attend school. Her uncle Arthur, born in 1874, whom she idealized, was a type of father/mentor figure who played and important part in her early life. He moved to Queensland in the early 1900’s and they did not meet again until he visited Melton in 1949, he died in 1954. He was a champion rower in Victoria and Queensland and a noted cyclist who rode in three Warrnambool to Melbourne races, and footballer. Her mother’s death certificate reveals her place of death as the Ballarat Hospital on 8th September 1903 aged 36. Martha was not told of the death of her mother, it was some time later when she found out her mother had died. She was greatly distressed when she eventually found out. The grief and the circumstance of her mothers death and her unfortunate life had a permanent effect on Martha’s life. Robina was buried in Open Ground at the New Cemetery Ballarat. Marjorie likened to this to the death of Mozart at the age of 35 who was also buried in a common grave. Martha also told me the stories about how as a child she played at the cemetery, taking the oranges placed as offerings on the Chinese graves and being chased away in fright when caught by a Chinese man. Her description left a vivid impression on my mind. The Burnbank street house was just across the road from the cemetery. The pieces of this story I had heard made sense when I visited the location in recent years. Martha’s described how Nanna would sing on the front verandah, and send her off to t get drink for her. This situation might help explain the reason for Martha’s strong aversion to alcohol. As a young girl it had been distressing to her. Nanna was a colourful and theatrical personality and danced with the Duke when he visited Ballarat. She was also known to have stated that she would marry a man who could give her a bucket of gold, possibly around the time after her first husband, Charles death, she had her young boy Edward to bring up. Martha was about 13 years old when Nanna Watson left Ballarat going to Queensland to visit her son Arthur. Martha slept that night afraid and alone in the empty house. The person who was meant to collect her did not come until the next day. She went to work for a family, a woman with children, they took most of the money that Nanna had left with Martha. There was a new baby in the house and the Scottish man in the house behaved suspiciously towards Martha. She was afraid of him and would hide from him under the bed. At this young age she managed to survive on her wits and sense of self preservation. It is not known how long she worked with this family. The place was from my impression, away from the town of Ballarat. Her very difficult formative years are testament to her strength of character and determination to succeed in life and ambition to provide the best opportunities for her own children. In 1905 Martha received a post card from Uncle Arthur in Brisbane addressed – c/o Mrs Styles 14 High Street Ballarat. Dolly Styles was a Ballarat friend and she kept in contact with her for many years. A letter reveals her living in Minyip in her older years. Martha is thought to have spent a few years working before she arrived in Melton. Miss Shebler hired Martha to help her in the care of her father and to assist with work in the Golden Fleece Hotel. Mr Shebler was a nice old man and mostly confined to his room and somewhat childlike as described by Martha. [The elderly Mr August Shebler died in February 1908]. Martha’s exact arrival in Melton is not known, but could be estimated as late 1906 to early 1907. In her room at the hotel she could hear the spring cart of Mr Minns going on the milk delivery rounds in the very early hours of the morning after coming across the creek from his house When she was 19, she married Frederick Thomas MYERS, son of Henri MIERS and Ann DOWLING, on 30 April 1908 ( Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia). Frederick Thomas MYERS and Martha Mary WATSON had the following children: 1. Frederick John Watson MYERS was born on 01 October 1908 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 07 February 2001.He married Mary June BATTYE on 18 September 1948 in Victoria, Australia. 2. Marjorie Gretchen MYERS was born on 21 February 1912 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 10 September 2004 in Frankston, Victoria, Australia.She married Herbert Vivian BUTLER on 07 January 1939 in Victoria, Australia. 3. Eva Edna MYERS was born on 15 October 1918 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 31 January 2008 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.She married Ernest Wesley BARRIE on 25 October 1941 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. 4. Arthur Bruce MYERS was born on 29 April 1925 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 26 March 2015 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.He married Olive Irene NORTON in April 1953 in Balliang, Victoria, Australia (or Church of Christ Footscray? (WB)). 5. Maxwell Douglas MYERS was born on 10 August 1927 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 03 May 2005 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.He married Rosemary Rebecca BARRIE on 31 August 1951 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. Valcia nee Twigg Lowrie granddaughter of Arthur Watson, daughter of Mercia and Val Twigg did extensive research on the Marshall family of Lerwick Shetland Isle obtaining birth information of the Scottish forebears. She also got the birth/marriage and death certificates of the Ballarat connection of Robina’s husbands and children. Copies were sent to Edna and Wendy during the early 1990’s. Bruce and Irene also obtained certificates and Myers family information. Wendy applied for certificates at this time.Photographs of Martha (Watson) Myers taken at different times of her life