These minutes contain information on attendees, meeting chairs, apologies, correspondence, subscriptions, donations, legacies and general business. Reports are also included from Auxiliaries, Auditors, Library and Home teacher, Directors, The Black and White committee, Victor Maxwell House, Helen Keller Hostel, The Victor Maxwell Kindergarten, The Sandy Robertson Kindergarten, Alexis Albert House, Silver Lighthouse committee, 'Heathfield' and other Woollahra properties. 20/1/1958 it was noted that considerable developments were taking place with respect to the recording of books on discs to tape and the Society will adopt system of recording set out by R.N.I.B. 24/2/1958 an order for 100 small silver plated lighthouses had been decided on to be presented to outstanding benefactors of the Society. 15/8/1959 'Lighthouse', home for aged Blind women was opened. 5/9/1958 The President welcomed the first 6 residents to Alexis Albert House, home for aged Blind men. 6/9/1958 The Newcastle Blind Centre was opened. 23/9/1963 it was unanimously resolved that 5 Lots comprising of the estate left by the late Mrs F. I. Skovronksi were to be sold. 1 volume with sheets pasted on to pagesroyal blind society of new south wales, alexis albert hostel, victor maxwell kindergarten, sandy robertson kindergarten, helen keller hostel

Thomas Bell Darling purchased 176 acres from the Toolern Creek to Ferris Road. A house and bluestone barn/stables were built. The property was owned by Ralph Parkinson, followed by Richard Manning. SUMMARY – Darlingsford – Auction 1910 Darlingsford – Auction 1910 Melton Express October FRIDAY, October 28th At Three O’Clock At the RAGLAN HOTEL, MELTON SUBDIVISIONAL SALE of the DARLINGSFORD ESTATE, MELTON. Having a long frontage to the TOOLERN CREEK. In the Estate of the late RICHARD MANNING’ W. S. KEAST and L.A. FAIRBAIRN & CO., Auctioneers (in conjunction). Have received instructions from R.F. and J.L. Robertson, executors of Richard Manning deceased to offer by Public Auction, property almost adjoining Melton township, and having a frontage to the Toolern Creek, subdivided in to four lots as under:- Lot 1. – The homestead block containing 176 acres, being portion A, section 11, parish Kororoit together with the improvements, which consist of a 6-roomed stone house, milking shed, dairy, U.G. tank. Lot 2 – 177 acres 2 rood 23 perches, being Crown portion B of section 11 parish Kororoit. This block adjoins the homestead and is partly fenced. Lot 3 – 187 acres, Crown allotment C, section 11, parish Kororoit. adjoining the above lot. Lot 4 - 157 acres 1 rood 27 perches, being Crown allotment 9, section 12, parish of Kororoit. This block is only divided from the above lots by road, and adjoining Messrs. McVean and Gaitskill’s properties. This is one of the best known properties in the Melton district as a cultivation an grazing form, and its close proximity to the township makes it a very valuable, and portion of which could be cut into township blocks and should command a ready sale. For absolute sale. Terms- one fifth cash, one fifth in eight years, balance in 7 years with interest a the rate of 4 1/2 percent. Plan on application For further particulars apply W.S. KEAST, 610 Collins street, Melbourne; and L.A. FAIRBAIRN & Co., St James-buildings, Williams street, or at Bacchus Marsh; and as to the title, Dugdale and Creber, St. James-buildings, William Street Melbourne. Express November 5, 1910 On Friday last, Mr W.S. Keast and Messrs L.A. Fairbairn & Co., in conjunction, offered at the Raglan the Manning Estate known as Darlingsford, comprising of 700 acres, divided into four lots. Lot 4 was submitted first and passed in at L8 per acre. Lot 1 was then put up and went up to L13 per acre, at which it was also passed in. Lot 3 was next offered, and there being no bid was also passed in. Lot 2 was not offered. Express March 18, 1911 The Manning Estate of Darlingsford 600 acres was sold to Mr. Ernie for an undisclosed price. Note: Map KOROROIT COUNTY OF BOURKE Crown Grant Section 11 Portion A Thomas. B. Darling 176 . 0 . 0 acres on 29.3.1853 Lot 1 Portion B A. Russell 170 . 0 . 0 acres on 29.3.1853 Lot 2 Portion C Peter Inglis 176 . 0 . 0 acres on 29.3.1853 Lot 3 Section 12 Portion 3 P. Inglis 157 . 1 . 27 acres on 17.17.1863 Total 176 170 176 157. 1.27 679 . 1.27 acres November 5th 1910 On Friday night last Mr W S Keast and Messrs L A Fairbairn & Co, in conjunction offered at the Raglan Hotel the Manning Estate known as Darlingsford, comprising of 700 acres, divided into four Lots. Lot 4 was submitted first, and was passed in at L8.0.0. per acre. Lot 1 was then put up and went to L13.0.0. per acre at which it was passed in. Lot 3 was next offered, and then Lot 3 was next offered, and then being no bid was passed in. Lot 2 was not offered. October 22nd Notice of sale. 700 acres of splendid land close to the railway station. Divided onto 4 Lots 3 of which are maiden land and the whole of the acres is chocolate soil. No 1 Lot belonged to the late Mr Ralph Parkinson, and for years was liberally supplied with manure and crushed bones, and is capable of producing many crops.. The property being sold to wind up the Estate. Gisborne Gazette Friday December 17th 1911 Mr Sharp has sold his farm at the back of the township to Mr. E Barrie; price L15/10/ per acre. Agreement between Thomas Bell Darling and Ralph Parkinsonlocal identities

Mary Tolhurst M&DHS - March 29th Dunvegan Willows Park Melton 1992 Ladies Oral History Day Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transfer to CD 2011 by Tom Wood Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 I was born in Rockbank, and when I was five years old moved to Toolern Vale and started and finished school there. Toolern Vale only consisted of the Store, Post Office and shop, where you could buy your fodder, and pollard supplies, the Hall, the little Church and the bluestone School. The School changed shape three times from the 1800s[1869] til the time I went there. There was four generations of my family that went there and it was destroyed by fire in 1965. Marjorie nee Myers Butler. Yes, I remember along with it your lovely Ronisch piano. Mary, quite true! Marj what you say about the Ronisch piano. When I came the age to learn music my mum and dad couldn’t really afford it, but still what parents do for their children. They had Marj go along with them and pick this lovely Ronisch piano. It was known round the district. Everyone commented about the loss that lovely piano. After leaving school it was war time, 1939, then it was work, When I was 7 year old I was put out into the cow yard. In 1940 when the soldiers were going away our milk was confiscated it had to go to Bacchus Marsh. It used to go the Sunbury to be brine cooled and then go to Melbourne. Then they took it then to the Lifeguard Milk Factory at Bacchus Marsh. It had to go as condensed milk to the soldiers. This year is 50 years of the Land Army. I was an unofficial Land Army but they still kept check on me. I went onto married life and I followed the cows right through [howls of laughter] and we went on until the 1965 fire. That’s when we got out of the cows. Marjorie asks, was Granny Watts your grandmother or great grandmother? Mary: She was my great grandmother, the midwife of Melton. The 1965 fire started ¾ of a mile above our place, Frank Ryan’s sheds were burnt and his house was saved, then it wiped the School out, the Hall, the Church the Post Office and Store and little house that was Charlie Charlton’s in the early days. Mrs Wilson’s place was saved by the Fire Brigade by pulling boards off the side, and from there it went over the hill and it was stopped at the Rockbank Railway Station. If it had of got over the railway they said it would have gone into Werribee. A lot was burnt out in that strip. Mary nee Nixon Collins: 18 houses burnt that day. Audience question, did Melton get burnt that day? Ray: No. It came down through the Toolern Vale road and cut across about a mile and a half from the cross roads at Toolern Vale from north westerly to the south east and cut through over the Keilor road. Mary: It came in across the creek at Funstons in Toolern, then through Jim Minns. Dorothy was it your place then [nee Knox Beaty] to Ken Beatty’s and from there it went through to Doug McIntosh’s and to Cockbills and the wind changed and it came across to the railway line, and that is where they stopped it. [the cause of the fire was controversial, they had been burning off the night before and there was some talk of someone starting it. It was very hot and very strong wind, it was a terrible day] Ray: When the fire went through McIntosh’s they had a haystack on the north side of their house and the haystack got caught and the fire burnt a hole through the side of the house and the boys pyjamas on the bed. The house was saved. It came through like and express train roaring at you, I was at McIntosh’s when it went roaring past. You couldn’t see, dust and ash and tremendous heat. The fire started about 12 o’clock Jack [husband] said to me, fire, I said where, where? Just up the road, what have I got to do? and he went out and he had gone to the fire and left me. I tried to get the animals and I put out buckets of water, putting the buckets of water out saved my life. Chas Jones and another friend of his came in and they picked up the buckets of water, I thought I had better get out because the fire was on the haystack up the paddock and when I went to go out through the north side of the house and couldn’t get out, I’ll go through the front gate so I went around the other side of the house. I got caught there and Chassy Jones and his friend came round carrying the bucket of water and I panicked. He threw the bucket of water over me. Well that is what saved my life because I was damp, whenever we tried to leave the ball of fire came over me and over my shoulder and my hair was scorched. Chassy Jones lost his truck and Keith Watt his big truck because he had the water tank on it and they couldn’t get out of the yard. Granny Watt’s house, the first private hospital had condemned and Jack and I pulled it down and had it moved up to Toolern and had it in the yard a fortnight and it was all burnt and we didn’t get the shed we wanted. Every 13 years right up until Ash Wednesday fires, there has always been fire close at hand. The 1952 fire went down the back of the house, the 1965 fire took the house, and the house that I live in now, it is the third house that has been on that spot. When the Hunters owned it, Mrs Hunter was nearly burnt in her bed. They had a 13 roomed house. In 1924 the house burnt down, and there was another house was built there and that was the one that burnt down. Edna: So Mary built a brick veneer house. Marjorie: like the three little pigs [laughter] Collins - Mary M &DHS - March 29th 1992 Ladies oral history day at Dunvegan, Willows Park Melton. Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transferred to CD 2011 Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 Mary Collins nee Nixon born in Terang 1907 down in the Western District and we shifted to Melton when I was 5 and a half then I started school here in Melton, and spent all my school life at Melton State School, next to the Church of England, it’s called the Primary School now. I got my Qualifying and Merit Certificate then I left School because there wasn’t a High School. When I was 16 I got and job in the Melton Post Office and I worked there, I was the first girl in Melton to deliver the mail, and worked on the telephone and the Bank business. Mrs Ross and myself behind the counter, there were about 500 – 600 people in the Shire at that time and now when I go into the new Post Office there is 36,000 here there’s still 2 people behind the counter [laughter from the audience] and wait in a queue right out to the door. Times haven’t changed much have they! There was a manual telephone and you had to ring the handle, and there were eight subscribers when I went there and when I left there were 46 I had coaxed that number to join the telephone, even the police station didn’t have the phone on. The two Hotels and the two Chaff mills and Mr Ernie Barrie, Parkers the butcher, the Shire Office was No 8, and the Police house was next to the Courthouse on the corner. They were number 9. I can remember a lot of the numbers still. The Post Office was the Agency for the Commonwealth Bank [comment from audience member] I used to do the Bank business too, I left after four years there, mother wasn’t very well. The Inspector who used to come up to the Post Office asked me if I would take up casual Post Mistress and to go around the different districts but I refused and when Mrs Ross’s holidays were due I was the replacement. I wasn’t 21. I loved my work meeting everybody and most people had horse and jinkers and when the elderly would come in there would be Mr Tom Morrow, he only had one arm and Mrs Dunn came from Bulman’s road in their horse and jinker. They were elderly I would see them pull up out the front and quickly get their mail and run out to them because they didn’t have to get out of the jinker to tie up their horse. If someone had a baby in arms I would tear out and hold the baby while they got down. Mrs Ross was very very strict. I had to sweep the Post Office, she had a couple of mats and there would be a threepence or a sixpence under the mats show she knew whether I lifted the mat, I was whether I was honest or not. Graham: How much were your wages? I got 27/7 pence a week for a 52 hour week. I had to work every holiday except Good Friday and Christmas Day and even when it was Monday holiday I always had to go to work from 9am - !0 am, the Post Office was always open. In the winter I had to wait until twenty past six in case there were any telegrams to deliver. I delivered them on a push bike. One time Tom Barrie told me this years afterwards. I used to go home for lunch. We lived on the Keilor road and I used to ride my bike home. On the hot days the boys used to go and swim in the swimming pool down near a turn in the creek there was a hole where the boys would swim in the nude, they didn’t have any bathers and they didn’t have any watches in those days. Tom Barrie said they always used to watched for me as I was always about 3 minutes past 1, my lunch hour was from 1-2. One particular day they missed seeing me and swam on, and of course they were all late for school when they got back and were all kept in a night. I did get a fortnight holiday. I loved my work and I knew everyone in the district right from Toolern Vale to the Marsh and everybody at Melton South. Did you listen into conversations on the Switchboard? Oh no. [laughter] Melton did not have electricity then. I had to fill the lamps everyday with kerosene. The Staughton Memorial was outside the Post Office. It had four posts with the chain looped around it, and that’s where the people used to tie up their horses. Marjorie nee Myers Butler comments about sitting and swinging on the chains. Mr Fred Coburn lit the acetylene gas light in the Memorial. It was the only streetlight in Melton. There was no electricity until 1939. Ray Radford comments about another gas street light which was on the corner of Station road. [later] Mary passes around her school photos. Mary mentions the names of those who have passed away, Maisie McDonald, ,Marian Wraith, Hilda McCreey, and Valda McDonald. I have written the names on the back. Marjorie comments about Marie Jongebloed and Greta are the only two girls left out of big family of ten I think there were [hesitates] 4 or 5 girls and the rest were boys. Mary. Flora Woodley, Dorrie Flynn and Margaret McDonald are still alive. They are my age we were all born about 1907. Marjorie points out herself in a later photo [1921 and 1922 School ] Mary mentions the name Walsh and identyfies following names, the Parker boys, Ken Beaty, Malc and Linda Cameron, Maisie Mc Donald, Ted Radford, George Nixon, Norman Minns, he was later the Shire Secretary of Werribee. One of the Woodley girls. [Maisie Arthur] Marjorie: Rosie Shearwood, June Whiting Mary. Lily Mc Donald, she has passed away. Isabel Harrison nee Tinkler, she lives at Werribee, Doreen Rogers, Marjorie Walker, Jess McIntosh, Mary Gillespie. Mr Malone was the Junior teacher Mr Roe and Miss Cooke. Fred Myers, my sister [Elizabeth] and the year was 1921. Myers (Barrie) School Photo Collection. Many of the names were identified at the 1970 Centenary of Melton State School No. 430. Edna Barrie organised, compiled and typed the lists to accompany these photos for the year 1921. The 1922 photo shows the higher grades. Ladies Oral History Day event held by Melton and District Historical Society, article featured in the Telegraphlocal identities, local special interest groups

A note from Legatee Savige to Roy, presumably a Legatee. It appears to be a reply to a letter congratulating him on his knighthood in 1950. Part of the note says: "an earlier reply to the nice letters received from fellow legatees, among which I appreciated yours greatly in your good wishes on the occasion of the recent award. Thanks a lot, Roy. With every good wish, Yours sincerely, Stan Savige."A record of a note between Legatees.Cream note dated 1 December 1950 from Stan Savige to Roy - presumably a Legatee.Note card is printed with Stan Savige's address in blue gothic font '9 Goldthorns Avenue, East Kew, Melbourne.stan savige, knighthood

Letter dated 9 January 1958 written by W.W. Cooper, Hon. Sec., to update members of the main committee on the progress of the biography being written about L/ Savige. He advises that W.B.Russell had done a lot of work researching material for the book and expected to have the manuscript completed by July 1958.A record of documentation recording the steps in the writing of Savige's biography.White foolscap paper with black type of a letter about progress of the book being written about L/ Savige.In pencil after the greeting: "except Mr Harry Williams. Copies - for information - to Lionel Wallace and Hugh Brain." Pencilled into the margin next to #2: "On copy sent to Col. Spowers 'The Chairman' was altered to 'Mr Gillespie' Told Gillespie 30.1.58"savige book, biography

A property illustration by Margret Picken Commissioned by a real estate agency for the purpose of advertising 2/9 Tasman Ave., Nunawading This property is listed as having sold for $160,000 in 2006 Made by using Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens with Rotring ink on Rapidigraph polyester drafting film, double matte. Trained as a cartographic draftsman within the mining industry, Margaret Picken is an artist who worked producing property illustrations for real estate agencies in eastern suburbs of Victoria from 1983-2005. Retiring from the industry as technological changes favored coloured photography over illustrations, and commissioning companies over sole contractors.This artwork is of Historical Significance as a record of local domestic architecture.A black ink line drawing on drafters film by Margaret Picken, of a black and white line drawing of a semi detached brick house on a sub-divided lot, with a driveway on right leading straight to a connected garage, and sweeping to the left up to the garage for the front property.2/9 Tasman. Nunawadingwhitehorse historical society, schwerkolt cottage, housing, architecture, margaret picken, house, garden, real estate, nunawading

Folded buff-coloured land sale advertisement for Kardinia Park Estate in Warranwood area of North Ringwood, including terms of sale, area map, layout plan of the estate, and summary of local facilities and services. Front page features photograph of a man and dog in front of a house captioned as Lot 1 on four acres shown on the estate layout as cnr of Brysons Road and Range View Parade (later Omeo Parade). Second page includes bushland swimming pool photograph and promotional information for prospective buyers.Subdivision includes Kardinia Crescent, Wonga Road, Brysons Road, Range View Parade (later Omeo Parade), Motor Coach Road (later Wonga Park Road, then Warranwood Road). (Agent/s) T.A.W. Burkitt, Main Street, Ringwood, Phone (9 to 6) Ringwood 242, Evenings, Ringwood 157, and J. McEwan & Co, 317 Collins Street, Melbourne, Phone 6750 Central.

Photograph of X1 461 at the Ballarat Road terminus with the driver turning the trolley pole. The tram has a "Pay as you enter sign" sign. The driver who drove the tram one man collecting fares has a summer jacket on and is carrying the ticket bag without a ticket wallet - Fare Box tram. All fares were 2 1/2d or 2d tickets sold in lots of six tickets. See item 876 Sections and Fares Book. The driver's trousers do not appear to have a red seem. The tram carried Fare Boxes 9/1930 to 6/1936. This line closed on 10-3-1962 and the tram was subsequently scrapped.Yields information about tram 461 and tramway operations.Black and white photograph on paper.trams, tramways, ballarat road, tram 461, footscray, one-man trams, x1 class

Compact Diskette with video (DVD), titled "Malvern Tram Depot Centenary Celebration 30 May 2010" - in a clear covered plastic case with a black back. Chapter 1 - "Celebrations" running time 5mins, 40secs, gives an introduction to the PMTT, Yarra trams celebrations, includes interview with Craig Tooke (COTMA), Ian Stimpson of Bendigo trams, images of 44 and 84 running in and out of the depot, speech by Michel Masson, CEO of Yarra Trams, Brian Tee, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, historic footage of the 1910 Opening of Malvern depot. Chapter 2 - "News Footage" - running time 4mins 15 secs, ABC News excerpts, channel 9 and channel 7 news broadcasts for that night features an interview with Darren Hutchesson, Craig Tooke, Roderick Smith, Allan Pollard and Michel Masson. Chapter 3 - "Archive footage" - running time 3 mins, footage thanks to National Film and Sound Archive, titled the "Opening Prahran and Malvern Tramway " features people speaking from a spiral staircase, trams No. 1, 2 and 3 running out of the depot, 12 in Glenferrie Road, lots of people views, 6 with Mayor, 6 See also Reg Item 2450 for a Yarra Trams labelled copy of the first chapter. See also Reg Item 2451 for a copy of chapter 2. See also Reg Item 2452 for the original version ex the Archive along with the paperwork re use.trams, tramways, pmtt, opening, yarra trams, malvern depot

Photocopied file of corresponence and documentation relating to a claim by L.J. Mills, Nurseryman, that adjoining property owner, J. Collins, Farmer, assists with replacement of a vermin proof wire netting dividing fence destroyed by 1939 bushfire. File includes 1939 and 1940 detailed property inspection reports by Vermin and Noxious Weeds Branch, Lands Department, Lilydale, describing land use in the area and signs of vermin activity. Application approved 18th April, 1940. Appeal lodged by Mr Collins disallowed in May, 1940. File closed June, 1940 with Departmental suggesion that Mr Mills consider further legal action through a Solicitor as fence had still not been wire-netted. TRANSCRIPTS: Vermin & Noxious Weeds Inspection Reports "19/9/1939 (To) Superintendent (Department of Lands and Survey, Melbourne) Re L.J. Mills application for Vermin Proof Fence. I called on Mr Mills yesterday 18th instant in connection with this matter. Mr Mills has a flower farm and claims that rabbits and hares are damaging his flowers. He showed me a bed of carnations which he stated were being damaged by rabbits. There was evidence of some leaves being nipped off, but I am unable to say whether this is due to rabbits or grubs. Very little if any real damage is being done. The property is netted on the east and south boundary and on half the north and west boundary. The surrounding country is undlating and fairly steep in places. The land to the east across Grandview Avenue (sic) is all planted out in old established orchards and well cultivated. Cleared grass land adjoins the south boundary and bush land adjoins the north and west boundaries. I walked over a large area surrounding Mr Mills land and never saw any rabbits or hares or any indications of rabbits. This locality is not rabbit infested and very little wire netting is being used. I do not consider that a vermin proof fence is necessary between these allotments. - Jas H Allison (Inspector, Vermin and Noxious Weeds Branch, Lands Department, Lilydale)." Follow up report following renewal of application for Certificate by Mr Mills, citing rabbits causing considerable damage to his flowers. He laid poison and obtained 9 carcases and stated that there is evidence of rabbit infestation from the adjoing land. "19/3/1940 (To) Mr Hannah (Superintendant, Department of Lands and Survey, Melbourne) Re L.J. Mills, Grandview Grove Ringwood, Lot 4 Grandview Estate Pt CG20 Ph of Warrandyte. I interviewed Mr Mills at his home on 15th inst. He showed me carcases of rabbits which he stated had been poisoned on his land. In places young plants had been nipped off apparently by rabbits. I made an inspection of adjoining properties and found one live burrow close to Mr Mills northern boundary. There were scratches and other evidence of rabbits on land north and west of Mr Mills property. In view of the present evidence of rabbits I consider that a vermin proof fence is now necessary to protect the flowers grown by Mr Mills. His land is netted on whole of east and south boundary and half way on west and north boundary. The adjoining land on west and north boundaries is owned by Mrs Linda Collins and John Collins resp of Brysons Road East Ringwood. - Jas H Allison (Inspector, Vermin and Noxious Weeds Branch, Lands Department, Lilydale)."