Written by a Peterborough resident whose Grandfather salvaged the peacock from the Loch Ard wreck. Also includes information about the wreck of The Schomberg.Written by a Peterborough resident whose family were involved in the Loch Ard salvage, also whose family had memories of the wreck of The Schomberg.Paperback book including colour photosloch ard, loch ard peacock, schomberg, the schomberg, j m mckenzie, peterborough, schomberg rock, shipwrecks, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, bully forbes, the great circle route

Honour Board in memory of Ross "Snow" Murfett, who died in 1983, aged 33 and who's family and friends holidayed in Peterborough. His mates played an informal competition, in Timboon the first year, but thereafter at Peterborough. The tournament grew in popularity among his mates until the Golf Club incorporated it into their program and it became an annual event open to all.It is still popular with Snow's friends. SNOW MURFETT MEMORIAL 1984 Paul Irving 2002 John Brown 1985 Eddie Arundell 2003 Frank Carlin 1986 Paul Togni 2004 Chris Farrelly 1987 Ned Ryan 2005 Bernard Moloney 1988 John Carlin 2006 Bruce Hallows 1989 Ned Ryan 2007 Bernie Kenna 1990 Kerry Clarke 2008 Bruce Flanders 1991 John Carlin 2009 Wayne Johnstone 1992 John Carlin 2010 Michael Heffernan 1993 Brooke Salmon 2011 Noah Mounsey 1994 Frank O’Connor 2012 Darren Little 1995 George Smith 2013 Eric Burchell 1996 Brooke Salmon 2014 James McKenzie 1997 Greg Ryan 2015 Sarah Case 1998 Greg Ryan 2016 James McKenzie 1999 Geoff Smith 2017 Brendan Hickey 2000 Bob Loader 2018 Stephen Vaughabn 2001 David Rogers Significant as it is in memory of a family who have been visiting Peterborough since the 1940's. Also, many current homeowners and visitors were friends with Snow.3 ft x 6ft, timber honour board with gold printingInscribed in gold "donated by Glen and Alison Christian" with gold printing listing the event winners from 1984ross murfett, peterborough golf club, peterborough

Honour board recording the winners of the Summer medal and Winter medal events played over a number of weeks each year. Names listed: 1973 G. Brown, M. Brown 1974 M. Hickey, M, Hickey 1975 J. Moore 1976 E. Stafford, E. Moore 1977 D. Irvine, D. Irvine 1978 M. Brown, N. Scott 1979 J. Neville, J. Neville 1980 J. Moore, L. Cumming 1981 D. Taylor, E. Wright 1982 J. Neville, D. Irvine 1983 M. Kirby, L. Cumming 1984 E. Cumming, J. Neville 1985 R. Reid, P. Punch 1986 S. Phillip, D. Wallace 1987 E. Maloney, H. McCulloch 1988 M. O’Donohue, D Taylor 1989 D. Delaney, D. Hansen 1990 S. Philip, J. Bognor 1991 D. Costin, E. Willox 1992 A. Deppeler, J. Clingan 1993 D. Costin, M. Scouller 1994 B. Day, D. Ryan 1995 J. McKenzie, L. Bourke 1996 I. Younis, K. Adams 1997 I. Younis, D. Roberts 1998 E. Willox, J. Clingan 1999 J. Howe, E. Rundle 2000 J. Howe, M. Bacon 2001 S. Graansma, M. Bacon 2002 A. Corsie, A. Corsie 2003 H. Finlayson, J. Clingan 2004 L. Saunders, V. Convey 2005 K. Burl, L. Bourke 2006 A. Van Dooren, M. Hesketh 2007 J. Stevens, M. Hesketh 2008 E. Willox, J. Cunnington 2009 M. Bacon. M. Hesketh 2010 M. Gordon, M. Smith 2011 H. Finlayson, A. Gilson 2012 M. Gordon, K. McKenzie 2013 L. Roberts, K. McKenzie 2014 K. Burl, M. Gordon 2015 M. Clements, K. Burl 2016 K. Matheson, M. Hammond 2017 K. Robertson, K. Burl 2018 A. Thompson, P. Payne 2019 J. Mounsey, K. Matheson 2020 H. Finlayson, K. Burl 2021 V. Convey, Rectangular shaped timber board with individual nameplatesWomen's Golf Peterborough Medal Board. In Honour of Mary Hughes (Hon Secretary 1982-1993) Donated in Memory by her Family.sporting honour boards, peterborough golf club, mary hughes

The event was started by Michelle Ryan in memory of her mother "Tupps" Ryan, who was a long time resident of the town. Winners are: Women: 1996 L Bourke 84, 1997 I Younis 77, 1998 F Rundle 79, 1999 L Bourke 73, 2000 P Roberts 80, 2001 L Loader (9 holes) 42, 2002 I Younis 78, 2003 E Willox 81, 2004 F Rundle, 2005 F Rundell 72, 2006 M Hesketh 69, 2007 M Hesketh 84, 2008 F Rundle 83, 2009 F Rundle 79, 2010 F Rundell 81, 2011 M Hammond 89, 2012 M Hammond 82, 2013 K Robertson, 2014 K Burl, 2015 T Cartledge, 2016 J Walsh, 2017 T Cartledge 2018 K Hammond. Men 1996 W Couch 66, 1997 W Dumesny 66, 1998 A Klemn 73, 1999 W Couch 64, 2000 D Smith 69, 2001 D Bradshaw (9 holes) 30, 2002 D Bradshaw 68, 2003 D Bradshaw 65, 2004 P Plozza 63, 2005 D Bradshaw 78, 2006 W Dumesny 62, 2007 P Plozza 66, 2008 B Dumesny 68, 2009 L Smith 70, 2010 B Dumesny 73, 2011 B Norton 75, 2012 A Haberfield 73, 2013 W Dumesny, 2014 W Dumesney, 2015 J Mckenzie, 2016 B Dumesny, 2017 H Huffadine, 2018 B Hammond. Significant as it records the successive winners and their scores. It is an ongoing memorial to "Tupps" Ryan who was a stalwart of the town.Wooden base with sculpted central column with two side wings with a gold painted golfer on top. Glued to the front is a representative ball, flag and hole.Inscribed on the base " The Michelle Ryan Day Stroke Event sponsored by the Rylance Family. The winners and score are inscribed onto individual plates attached to the front and back of the "wings"peterborough, golf, peterborough golf club, michelle ryan day

Text panel produced by Elders to accompany display of coat. In 1928 Mr Mal Groves took over the Dutchman Station near Port Augusta in South Australia. Whilst out riding in some rough country he came across a sheep that had been left by the previous owner of the station. As he carried shears with him, he sheared the sheep and left the fleece rolled up and partially covered by rocks and wood, as he had no bag to carry it back with him. He intended to come back for the fleece, but forgot about it until he came across it some forty years later. It was still in good condition (despite having experienced extreme temperatures and rainfall whilst in the open), so he showed it to Elders who arranged to display it at agricultural shows in Adelaide, Melbourne and Geelong. The Gordon Institute of Technology, Geelong, offered to spin the fleece into a fabric and make a coat for Mrs Groves. The fabric was tailored into a coat by Lindsay and McKenzie of Geelong and presented to Mrs Groves in July 1968 by the SA manager of Elder Smith Goldsbrough Mort Ltd. It is not know how the coat came to Elders from the Groves family, but Elders displayed the coat under the heading "The Fleece That Would Not Die" before donating it to the National Wool Museum in 1997. A video giving the history of the coat as well as this text panel used by Elders were also donated at the same time.Text panel with black and red text on cream paper, framed in wooden frame and glass, with hanging wire.shearing, elders limited, groves, mr mal groves, dutchman station, south australia

Video recording, produced to accompany display of coat. In 1928 Mr Mal Groves took over the Dutchman Station near Port Augusta in South Australia. Whilst out riding in some rough country he came across a sheep that had been left by the previous owner of the station. As he carried shears with him, he sheared the sheep and left the fleece rolled up and partially covered by rocks and wood, as he had no bag to carry it back with him. He intended to come back for the fleece, but forgot about it until he came across it some forty years later. It was still in good condition (despite having experienced extreme temperatures and rainfall whilst in the open), so he showed it to Elders who arranged to display it at agricultural shows in Adelaide, Melbourne and Geelong. The Gordon Institute of Technology, Geelong, offered to spin the fleece into a fabric and make a coat for Mrs Groves. The fabric was tailored into a coat by Lindsay and McKenzie of Geelong and presented to Mrs Groves in July 1968 by the SA manager of Elder Smith Goldsbrough Mort Ltd. It is not know how the coat came to Elders from the Groves family, but Elders displayed the coat under the heading "The Fleece That Would Not Die" before donating it to the National Wool Museum in 1997. A text panel giving the history of the coat as well as this video was also donated at the same time.Video recording, in a white case with Tasmanian Trades and Labour Council with compliments slip printed on yellow paper inserted into back sleeve.shearing wool - history, elders limited, groves, mr mal groves, shearing, wool - history

This coat was produced from wool first shorn in c.1928. In 1928 Mr Mal Groves took over the Dutchman Station near Port Augusta in South Australia. Whilst out riding in some rough country he came across a sheep that had been left by the previous owner of the station. As he carried shears with him, he sheared the sheep and left the fleece rolled up and partially covered by rocks and wood, as he had no bag to carry it back with him. He intended to come back for the fleece, but forgot about it until he came across it some forty years later. It was still in good condition (despite having experienced extreme temperatures and rainfall whilst in the open), so he showed it to Elders who arranged to display it at agricultural shows in Adelaide, Melbourne and Geelong. The Gordon Institute of Technology, Geelong, offered to spin the fleece into a fabric and make a coat for Mrs Groves. The fabric was tailored into a coat by Lindsay and McKenzie of Geelong and presented to Mrs Groves in July 1968 by the South Australian manager of Elder Smith Goldsbrough Mort Ltd. It is not know how the coat came to Elders from the Groves family, but Elders displayed the coat under the heading "The Fleece That Would Not Die" before donating it to the National Wool Museum in 1997. A video giving the history of the coat and a text panel used by Elders were also donated at the same time.Coat, brown wool. Long sleeves, knee length with three circular brown buttons and two external pockets. Lined in brown satin, with a blue and red label at the base of the collar.Wording: Solo;Method: Embroidered;Location: Label at base of collar, inside coat Wording: PURE WOOL;Method: Printed;Location: Label on side seam, inside coatfashion wool - characteristics wool processing textile mills textile mills, lindsay and mckenzie elders limited gordon technical college, royal adelaide show - exhibition (31/08/2001 - 08/09/2001), groves, mr mal groves, mrs, dutchman station, south australia, fashion, wool - characteristics, wool processing, textile mills

small sheet of film 1865 HOSKING J TO 1865 McKENZIE Wbirth, family, register

small sheet of film 1865 McKENZIE U TO 1865 PILEING Rbirth, family, register

Pianola rolls belonged to Beverley Moss's paternal grandmother (Emily Moss, nee Tomlinson). Born approx. 1890 of Tallygaroopna, formerly of Katamatite. Farm selected at McKenzie Rd, by Henry Amos Moss70 x pianola rolls in original boxes Most have readable labels. Some damaged boxes pianola, piano, music, family entertainment

Hector McKenzie and Abigail (nee McLean), his wife, lived at Ullapool on the shores of Lochbroom in the far north-west of Scotland. They were married on 8 March, 1821, and had several children. Three of the children, Murdoch and his two sisters, Isabella and Lexcy, emigrated to Australia from Liverpool on the ship "Hornet" on 29 July, 1854, along with 434 other assisted passengers. They arrived at Geelong on 23 October, 1854. Later, Murdoch married a like-named Margaret McKenzie on 23 May, 1861, and had eight children. At the time as the children were thinking about branching out on their own the Otway forest was surveyed and opened for selection. In 1890/91 Murdoch, a son, Duncan, and a daughter, Abigail, selected blocks at Weeaproinah. McKenzie. Colin and Margaret McKenzie. Self published; Weeaproinah (Vic); 2007(?). 54 p.; Illus; maps. Soft cover. Loose-leaf A4.

Excercise book with minutes taken at two meetings held in the Waarre hall in Decemberr 1960 to resolve the problem of the local telephone exchange losing its current operator. The minutes note the majority of people who lived on Eastern Creek Rd. and Waarre Rd. at this time. Families included. Bottrel, Bramley, Lloyd, Fitzpatrick, McKenzie, Clarke, Welton, Younis, Meek, Wills, Shiells, Jeffery, Wilson, Giblett, Webb, Tranter, Stevens, Meek. The book contains a letter written to the PMG and a response. The situation was resolved when Sylvia Fitzpatrick agreed to become the telephonist and for the exchange to be relocated from the home of Roy and Minnie Ford to the Home of Jim and Sylvia Fitzpatrick. School Exercise bookWaarre Telephone Subscriberscommunication, telephone, community action

Four pages of the History of the Firm of W. D. Mason Pty. Ltd. 1894 - 1998. Also four blank pages. Dated 16/12/98. A lot the same as Part a, but more information about the business, including the different locations of the business in Bendigo. Contained in a light yellow Viper File.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - history of the firm of w d mason pty ltd 1894 - 1998, owen walter williams, evening mail newspaper, henry brooks & co, shaw savill & albion company, arawa (5026 tons), brooks robinson & co, walter williams, gallipoli, samuel thomas williams, susan rebecca lawson, owen mostyn williams, ann (annie) mckenzie, wavertree ellen williams, walter davids mason, alan walter mason, melva joan mason, wavertree ellen mason (nee williams), j b young, taylor family, reed smart & tappin, bendigo cathedral (sacred heart), a w & m h mason, new zealand ins building, thelma annie taylor (nee mason), garnet james taylor, walter david mason, australian window glass company

Six copies of the History of the firm of W D Mason Pty Ltd Glass Merchants of Bendigo 1894 - 1998. Note paper clipped to one copy and written in red ink: Original Revised Version 29/2/99. this version mentions machinery used, glass handling, making of mirrors, sandblasting and shopfronts.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - history of the firm of w d mason pty ltd 1894 - 1998, owen walter williams, evening mail newspaper, henry brooks & company of england, brooks robinson & co pty ltd of melbourne, shaw savill & albion company limited line, arawa (5026 tons), capt'n snooze, coles new world supermarket, susan rebecca lawson, walter williams, samuel thomas williams, owen mostyn williams, ann (annie) mckenzie, wavertree ellen williams, reed smart & tappin, bendigo cathedral (sacred heart), alan walter mason, walter david mason, melva joan mason, wavertree ellen mason (nee williams), j b young, taylor family, australian window glass company

This photograph was printed from a glass negative held in the Society's picture collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie, a professional photographer in Kew. Wedding party, ca. 1900-ca. 1920. A bride and groom pose for a family portrait in the garden of a family home. The bride in the photo can also be seen in 1995.0038. The photo was printed from a glass negative in the collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie.weddings, glass negatives

This photograph was printed from a glass negative held in the Society's picture collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie, a professional photographer in Kew. An outing to the beach, ca. 1900-ca. 1920. A group portrait of six adults and two children, taken at the beach. Given that the negative, of unknown provenance was in a collection that included a photograph of the grave of Violet Steel, the photo may be of her brothers and sisters, whose family home was in Elsternwick. The woman third from the right is the bride in 1995.0037. The photo was printed from a glass negative in the collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie.beaches, bathers, glass negatives

This photograph was printed from a glass negative held in the Society's picture collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie, a professional photographer in Kew. Three generations, ca. 1910-ca. 1920. A portrait of four women, four young girls and an infant are posed for what may be a family portrait on the verandah of a house. The matriarch of the family sits at the centre of the group. The photo was printed from a glass negative in the collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie.family portraits, glass negatives

This photograph was printed from a glass negative held in the Society's picture collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie, a professional photographer in Kew. Portrait of a family. Thirteen members of what is perhaps a family group comprised of multiple generations pose at the front of a house for a group portrait. The clothing worn by individuals in the photo range from the late Victorian period to that current when the photograph was taken. family portraits, glass negatives

The local Bulla CFA were invited to come to the Bulla Primary School and talk to the children about the importance of their task in the area. Jack McKenzie is showing the little girl how to hold the fire hose. Jack McKenzie was a local Bulla resident and a CFA volunteer for many years. Sadly he passed away in mid 2022.A coloured photograph of two fireman and two girls at the rear of a fire truck. One of the men is showing a girl how to hold a fire hose.bulla cfa, cfa volunteers, bulla primary school, jack mckenzie

William (1857 - 1920) was a butcher. William was born 7 Nov 1857 on the Buckland (River) near Bright, son of John Joseph Tacey and wife Elizabeth Cooper. This was just a few months after the Buckland River anti-Chinese riots. He had siblings Thomas (1856-1929), Mary Ann (1860-1920), Edward (1863-1952) and Arthur Edward (1870-1896). William died 30 March 1920, Camberwell. He married Florence Margaret Edwards in 1884. Both are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (CE-0162). They had 7 surviving children; 2 died in infancy. William was a butcher in Thornbury but moved to Camberwell with his brothers seeing the opportunity in the new suburbs. They set up shops in Canterbury Road, opposite Highfield Road, Surrey Hills; Burwood; corner of Elgar & Whitehorse Roads, opposite the Whitehorse Hotel and Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills just east of Surrey Hotel. The first directory entries are in 1888 & 1889 for the Surrey Hills shop & Elgar Road. In Surrey Hills a substantial property was developed on land which "was purchased by Edward Tacey on 16 September 1889. Edward Tacey was a butcher and the Sands & MacDougall street directory indicates that a butcher’s shop had been constructed on the site and was operating by 1890. It seems that the family lived for some time at a house located next door to the shop at 627 Canterbury Road (visible on the 1909 MMBW plan, but since demolished). On 15 June 1920 Edward Tacey transferred all three blocks of land to Joseph Tacey, most likely his son * and also a butcher, who carried on business from the same premises. Joseph Tacey died on 20 February 1933, after which administration of his estate (which included the three blocks of land) passed to his widow, Mary Dorothy Tacey." (Context P/L Heritage Assessment) Correction: *Edward Tacey (1863 - 1952) was the brother of William Tacey (1857 - 1920). The property passed to Joseph Charles Tacey (1887 - 1933), his nephew and son of William, not his son. His wife was Mary Dorothy Coates. Albert Arthur Tacey was a brother of Joseph Charles Tacey. Edward later moved from the area and continued in the business in a number of regional Victorian centres. In Surrey Hills the business was continued by other members of the family including Albert Arthur Tacey (1902-1959) who lived at 7 Sunbury Crescent, and daughter Stella Florence Tacey and her husband Roy Morris and their son Harry Tacey Morris. The donor of the Tacey collection of photos was Elaine Merle Tacey (1925-2003), daughter of Albert Arthur Tacey. She married Donald McKenzie. A black and white photograph of a couple in the garden. The man is standing and wearing a 3 piece suit whilst the lady is seated and holding a posy of flowers in her lap.(mr) william tacey, butchers, (mr) edward tacey, (mr) thomas tacey, (mr) joseph tacey, (mrs) stella morris, (mr) roy morris, (miss) florence margaret edwards, (mrs) florence margaret tacey, (mr) albert arthur tacey, (miss) stella tacey, (mr) harry tacey morris

7 Sunbury Crescent was the home of Mr and Mrs Albert Tacey, associated with the Tacey family butchers at 629 Canterbury Road from 1888 – 1950s. Lucy Myra (MS Sparkes) was the wife of Albert Arthur Tacey (1902-1959) who worked in the family butchers business from the time he left school at 14 until 1952. They bought their Sunbury Crescent home at the time of their marriage in 1923 and had 3 surviving children – Elaine Merle, Frank Newman and Donald Arthur. Courtesy: Mrs Elaine McKenzie, nee Tacey, their daughter.A black and white photograph of a weatherboard Californian Bungalow style home. A wire fence is across the front. The photo is very out of focus.(mr) albert tacey, sunbury crescent, surrey hills, butchers, 1923, californian bungalow, weatherboard, (mrs) lucy tacey, (miss) lucy sparkes, (mr) frank newman tacey, (miss) elaine merle tacey, (mr) donald arthur tacey

MELTON BUSH FIRE BRIGADE Established 1935-1942 Registered class F Certificate No 425 MELTON RURAL FIRE BRIGADE 1944–Country Fire Authority Barrie Family Service Record ERNEST W. BARRIE 1909 –1985 (Bon) Service Record 1939 Member 1942 – 1950 1st Lieutenant 1945 – 1953 Apparatus Officer 1951 - 1966 Captain 1945 - 1950 2nd Lieutenant 1967 - 1983 Group Communications Officer Mount Cotterill Fire Brigades Group 1963 COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY RURAL SERVICES AWARD Fireman E.W Barrie 20 years Long Service Badge 1979 QUEEN’S MEDAL AWARD CHARLES E. BARRIE 1913 – 1975 (Edgar) Service Record 1942 Member 1942 – 1966 Secretary and Treasurer 1945 - 1952 Foreman\ 1959 - 1960 Apparatus Officer 1963 - 1964 Communications Officer 1967 - 1972 Captain 1971 - 1973 President 1963 COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY RURAL SERVICES AWARD Secretary C.E. Barrie 20 years Long Service Badge Melton Fire Brigade 2013 Memorial Wall Plaque for 33 years service. THOMAS L. BARRIE 1914 – 1990 Service Record 1941 Member 1942 2nd Lieutenant 1943 – 1944 4th Lieutenant 1963 COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY RURAL SERVICES AWARD Fireman T.L. Barrie 20 years Long Service Badge Fire Brigade had been registered with the Bush Fire Brigade Committee and a Certificate of Registration No 425 was issuedemergency services

In the 1950s with the introduction two-way HF and later VHF very high frequency radio sets. Melton Rural Fire Brigade was part of the Bacchus Marsh Group. Radio sets where located in the Melton Fire Truck, and in the house of the Barrie family at Ferris Road. This was an ideal location to observe a 360 degree view in all directions when smoke appeared on the horizon. An antenna was erected beside the house. The set OX 7 was located in the kitchen and monitored 24 hours by the family. When an electrical fire occurred at the junction of the electricity to the house there was time to radio the fire station and summons the men working in the paddocks, thus saving the house from possible destruction. With the introduction of UHF – ultra high frequency Vinten Radios the signal was clearer and static and interference lessened and radio traffic became easier to read, and reduced noise levels in the household. VL3 LY Radio Base became the Group Headquarters was established in 1967. By 1970 the Brigades were: Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Toolern Vale, Diggers Rest, Truganina, and Werribee. In 1974 when the family moved to First Avenue, another antenna and a small building were erected adjacent to the residence and used to house the equipment, maps. Radio traffic consisted of regular schedule times and communication with adjoining groups of brigades such as Bacchus Marsh, Mt Macedon and Little River Groups. Many of the brigade and group base radios were situated in private residences and operated primarily by fire fighters wives who held the position of Communications Officer, either registered as a brigade member or informally. Edna was never registered as an operational brigade member but operated informally as an assistant to her husband Bon. She was however a member of the Melton Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary from its inception in 1968, a non-operational position. Edna kept up to date with radio procedure following the 1967 handbook; preparing maps, plotting compass points and taking notes on weather forecasts from the SA Border and Western District. Daily notes were taken in anticipation of fire warnings. These log books and daily radio traffic were incidental to the regular radio schedules. Emergency turnouts noted, burning off times and predicted location of smoke. In the summer fire season all TBF (total fire ban days were recorded.) In times of emergency the Barrie family assisted Bon the base radio operator to plot the position and location of fire trucks and to help clarify garbled radio traffic, keep notes and make telephone calls. These log books are held in the EE and EW Family Archive. Items selected by Wendy Barrie for viewing Melton Fire Brigade celebrationsemergency services, local identities

Letter was sent to Burnbank, former Ann Dowling (Miers) 1866 Crown Grant. In 1867 she married Henri Miers and their house was located on the site near the Myers Gully part of Ryans Creek. Built in 1867 and later named “Burnbank” by Martha Myers after the Street in Ballarat were she lived before arriving in Melton in 1907. “Burnbank” was vacated by Martha to her new house built on the family land in McKenzie Street. A demolition order imposed by the Housing Commission and it was pulled down by the family in 1969. It was the home of the family and stood for over 100 year.Letter from Edna Barrie and Bruce Myers, children of Martha Myerslocal identities

The Willows homestead is "a scarce example of a reasonably intact building from the original era of farming in the Shire, and for its long association with the Minns family who were prominent in the local community and local government over several generations". History of the Willows by Edna Barrielocal architecture, local identities

Edna Barrie describes the Darlingsford property. C.E. Barrrie Land developers bought the property from my husband’s brother. It was one big farm and they were a big family. When the father died he left it to be cut up for the family. The youngest son had to reach age 21 before the property could be divided and portioned out to the mother and children, but it was deferred until Jim returned from the war. Eventually it was cut up into two parts, we were married by then and so was Edgar. Part of the land included the block on the other side of Ferris road, which became the quarry, Edgar’s section was on the Toolern Creek end, he was the last one married and lived in the old bluestone house until 1974. The developers bought this section but they could not get permits due to the state of the old bridge due to the cost. Barries had built the bridge across the creek [1926]. It took the big loads of hay and the family kept it maintained. Once the Barries had gone it did not get any upkeep. The developers found the cost of replacing the bridge and developing site with sewerage and drainage power before they sell. The rural land itself is not worth much as the developer has to complete the subdivision before any blocks can be sold. The developer from Sydney had a man living in the house, who let it go the rack and ruin. He managed to buy from the developer 25 acres with the bluestone house. Bernard Coburn had it for a while but is was well out of our hands by then. There were various people who have bought into and tried to develop and have given up. There was a project sometime ago to save the buildings from ruin but nothing has happened as yet, they are six or seven years to late. The buildings continue to deteriorate and were badly damaged vandals and fire. The Shire bought all the rest of it from the developer, where the tip is now, that was also part of Edgars land. Article about a fire at Darlingsford Estate featured in the Telegraphlocal architecture, local identities, emergency services

Ernest W (Bon) Barrie and his brother Edgar built the first Melton Fire Truck. It was housed on the family property until a fire station was constructed in the Melton townshipNewspaper articles about Melton Fire brigadeemergency services

In 1975 the Melton Fire Station opened in McKenzie Street. In the 1950s with the introduction two-way HF and later VHF very high frequency radio sets. Melton Rural Fire Brigade was part of the Bacchus Marsh Group. Radio sets where located in the Melton Fire Truck, and in the house of the Barrie family at Ferris Road. This was an ideal location to observe a 360 degree view in all directions when smoke appeared on the horizon. An antenna was erected beside the house. The set OX 7 was located in the kitchen and monitored 24 hours by the family. When an electrical fire occurred at the junction of the electricity to the house there was time to radio the fire station and summons the men working in the paddocks, thus saving the house from possible destruction. With the introduction of UHF – ultra high frequency Vinten Radios the signal was clearer and static and interference lessened and radio traffic became easier to read, and reduced noise levels in the household. In 1974 when the family moved to First Avenue, another antenna and a small building were erected adjacent to the residence and used to house the equipment, maps. Radio traffic consisted of regular schedule times and communication with adjoining groups of brigades such as Bacchus Marsh, Mt Macedon and Little River Groups. Many of the brigade and group base radios were situated in private residences and operated primarily by fire fighters wives who held the position of Communications Officer, either registered as a brigade member or informally.Regional News Gazette article about the construction of a new fire station in Melton and an Express article with brigade members at the opening of the station.emergency services