Showing 84 items
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Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital image, Willis Vale [house from distance], 1932c
Willis Vale: House built by Edward Maygar, Robert Whatmough lived there mid 19th century and later sold to Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. The derelict Willis Vale house was destroyed in 1964 when a fire originating from North Plenty Gorge - Kurrak Road - was lit by two teenage boys and made its way several kilometres down to Partington's Flat Greensborough.Home of the Partington familyDigital copy of black and white photograph.willis vale, partington family, whatmough, maygar -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital image, Willis Vale [3], 1878c
Ellen and Charles Partington at Willis Vale: House built by Edward Maygar, Robert Whatmough lived there mid 19th century and later sold to Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. The derelict Willis Vale house was destroyed in 1964 when a fire originating from North Plenty Gorge - Kurrak Road - was lit by two teenage boys and made its way several kilometres down to Partington's Flat Greensborough.Home of the Partington familyDigital copy of black and white photograph.charles partington, willis vale, ellen partington -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital image, William Partington in orchard at Willis Vale, 1922c
William Partington in the apple orchard at Willis Vale. William purchased Willis Vale from his father’s estate in 1905.A pioneer Greensborough family.Digital copy of black and white photograph.william partington, willis vale -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital Image, Brickwork, Willis Vale, 1950c
Close up photograph of a section of brickwork at Willis Vale. This is the end wall under the roof. Willis Vale built by Edward Maygar, Robert Whatmough lived there mid 19th century and later sold to Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. The derelict Willis Vale house was vandalized in 1964 and destroyed when a fire originating from North Plenty Gorge - Kurrak Road - was lit by two teenage boys and made its way several kilometres down to Partington's Flat Greensborough. This photo was taken after the Partington's moved house in 1947 across the river where Alan built their new Alwyn house that had access to electricity.Part of Willis Vale, a pioneer home in the Greensborough area.Digital copy of black and white photograph.willis vale -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital Image, View of Greensborough from Willis Vale, 1906_
View of Greensborough from Willis Vale. The people in the photograph were visitors and not identified. Willis Vale: House built by Edward Maygar, Robert Whatmough lived there mid 19th century and later sold to Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. The derelict Willis Vale house was destroyed in 1964 when a fire originating from North Plenty Gorge - Kurrak Road - was lit by two teenage boys and made its way several kilometres down to Partington's Flat Greensborough. [Ellen died on 13/10/1903 - Some think this photo is thought to have been taken shortly after, at her funeral.]Digital copy of black and white photograph.willis vale, greensborough, partington family -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital Image, Willis Vale, 1950c
Willis Vale: House built by Edward Maygar, Robert Whatmough lived there mid 19th century and later sold to Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. The derelict Willis Vale house was vandalized in 1964 and destroyed when a fire originating from North Plenty Gorge - Kurrak Road - was lit by two teenage boys and made its way several kilometres down to Partington's Flat Greensborough. This photo was taken after the Partington's moved house in 1947 across the river where Alan built their new Alwyn house that had access to electricity.Home of the Partington familyDigital copy of black and white photograph.willis vale, partington family, whatmough, maygar family -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital Image, Willis Vale, 1920c
Willis Vale: House built by Edward Maygar, Robert Whatmough lived there mid 19th century and later sold to Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. The derelict Willis Vale house was destroyed in 1964 when a fire originating from North Plenty Gorge - Kurrak Road - was lit by two teenage boys and made its way several kilometres down to Partington's Flat Greensborough.Home of the Partington familyDigital copy of black and white photograph.willis vale, partington family, maygar, whatmough -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital image, Willis Vale in Colour, 1940c
Willis Vale: House built by Edward Maygar, Robert Whatmough lived there mid 19th century and later sold to Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. The derelict Willis Vale house was destroyed in 1964 when a fire originating from North Plenty Gorge - Kurrak Road - was lit by two teenage boys and made its way several kilometres down to Partington's Flat Greensborough.Home of the Partington familyDigital copy of colour photograph.willis vale, partington, whatmough, maygar -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital image, Willis Vale [front door], 1900c
Willis Vale: House built by Edward Maygar, Robert Whatmough lived there mid 19th century and later sold to Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. The derelict Willis Vale house was destroyed in 1964 when a fire originating from North Plenty Gorge - Kurrak Road - was lit by two teenage boys and made its way several kilometres down to Partington's Flat Greensborough.Home of the Partington familyDigital copy of black and white photograph.willis vale, partington -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital image, Willis Vale [Cows], 1920c
Photograph of four cows at Willis Vale, home of the Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. Home of the Partington familyDigital copy of black and white photograph.willis vale, partington -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital Image, Willis Vale, 1950c
Willis Vale: House built by Edward Maygar, Robert Whatmough lived there mid 19th century and later sold to Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. The derelict Willis Vale house was vandalized in 1964 and destroyed when a fire originating from North Plenty Gorge - Kurrak Road - was lit by two teenage boys and made its way several kilometres down to Partington's Flat Greensborough. This photo was taken after the Partington's moved house in 1947; across the river where Alan built their new Alwyn house that had access to electricity.Home of the Partington familyDigital copy of black and white photograph.willis vale, partington, whatmough, maygar -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital image, Willis Vale [side view], 1950c
Willis Vale: House built by Edward Maygar, Robert Whatmough lived there mid 19th century and later sold to Partington family. It was located on the Plenty River at Partington's Flat Greensborough. Land use included farming and orchards. The derelict Willis Vale house was vandalized in 1964 and destroyed when a fire originating from North Plenty Gorge - Kurrak Road - was lit by two teenage boys and made its way several kilometres down to Partington's Flat Greensborough. This photo was taken after the Partington's moved house in 1947. across the river where Alan built their new Alwyn house that had access to electricity. Home of the Partington family Home of the Partington familyDigital copy of black and white photograph.willis vale, partington, whatmough, maygar -
Greensborough Historical Society
Document, Amendment C78 to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme, 03/09/2012
The planning scheme amendment is to extend protection to a group of Pioneer Children's graves and an historic apple tree.The graves are from the pioneering Whatmough and Partington families. The apple tree is the surviving remnant of a former orchard on the site and is believed to have been purchased from the estate of John Batman.A 16 page collection of documents sent to GHS Committee member Anne Paul regarding an amendment to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.Niljohn batman, batman apple tree, whatmough, partington, plenty river, pioneer childrens graves, plenty river trail, nillumbik shire council, greensborough, c78 -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph - Digital Image, Art at WaterMarc, July 2017, 22/07/2017
Photographs of an art installation by Jessie Stanley at WaterMarc Greensborough on 22/07/2017. From Jessie Stanley's FaceBook page :Dust to Dust is complete... It's an ephemeral site-specific work about how the Melbourne suburb of Greensborough has transformed over time. This area's exceptionally fertile soil [used by] by white settlers for farms, market gardens and orchards reshaped the Wurundjeri's traditional lands - and today the private sale and division of these farms informs the streetscape and town plan. With soil sourced locally this work reveals some of the area’s history - the text running around the perimeter was written by former resident Val Wilson, a snippet of her recollections of growing up in the area in the 1950s. The arrows and text act like a compass to orientate this site with greater Melbourne. On display in the lobby of Banyule Council until chance, time (or a broom) sweeps it away, Many thanks to Banyule City Council, Greensborough Historical Society and Valerie Wilson. "An artistic representation of Greensborough's history.Digital photographs of art installation.jessie stanley, watermarc, greensborough historical society, banyule council -
Greensborough Historical Society
Folder, 'Batman' Apple Tree, 1839o
A collection of documents relating to the Batman apple tree and those men associated with it: Martin Batey, Frederick N. Flintoff and Johannes Adam Bosch.Documents relating to possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. The tree was allegedly transplanted from John Batman's orchard in Melbourne to the banks of the Plenty River in Greensborough circa 1841, by Mr Flintoff.20-page plastic binder, spiral bound, clear cover. Contains documents relating to the 'Batman' Apple Tree in GreensboroughCollected by Greensborough Historical Society. Folder commenced 2012.batman apple tree, greensborough, martin batey, frederick flintoff, johannes bosch -
Greensborough Historical Society
Book, Botany Book by Robert William Whatmough, 1842-1887
... Greensborough Historical Society 34A Glenauburn Road Lower ...Copy of original "Botany Book' handwritten by Robert Whatmough in the mid 1800s, accompanied by transcription by Nancy Whatmough. The current edition was put together by Steve Whatmough and published in 2008.An example of early horticultural notes. Robert Whatmough was an early Greensborough district orchardist. After arriving in Melbourne in 1841, Robert was Melbourne's first lamplighter in Bourke and Collins Streets. He worked as an orchardist from 1942 to 1887, growing and developing fruit varieties at his 'Willis Vale' orchard. He was an inaugural member of the "Victorian Horticultural Improvement Society' and exhibited 33 varieties of fruit at the1875 Victorian Intercolonial Exhibition..208 pages; spiral binding, clear cover. Original handwritten notes on right side of each page, transcription on left.robert whatmough, steve whatmough, nancy whatmough, greensborough, willis vale, orchards, horticulture -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Batman Tree; heirloom apple tree purchased by John Batman and planted by Mr Frederick Flintoff in 1838 in the orchard of Mr Bosch, near Greensborough, now a small river flat near the Maroondah aqueduct crossing, Plenty River Walk, Greensborough, c.1989, 1989c
Colour photograph originally located in a magnetic style album titled 'Greensborough Bypass 1990s 5' suffering significant degradation. No information contained in album or on reverse of photos except where noted. Relocated to archival photosafe storage.greensborough, plenty river walk, maroondah aqueduct, batman apple tree -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Primary trip to Greensborough Shopping Centre, Eltham Christian School, August 1982, 1982
Primary trip to Greensborough Shopping Centre, August, 1982 Photos indicate that this may have included an art activity creating puppets with recycled materials. The Stokes family settled in this area of Eltham in the 1940s and were associated with the Eltham Christian Church. In the 1970s this church had met in temporary premises in Eltham. Lots of the original 1920s subdivision remained south of Nyora Road and a number of these lots were utilized for the Eltham Christian School, which was established by the Eltham Christian Church in 1981. The school operated on this site until 2000. The premises were owned by the Nillumbik Community Church who were in operation till November 2010 when the Eltham Baptist Church commenced a lease arrangement until the site was purchased by them in April 2012. The building is constructed of brick and timber with a balcony on two sides that looks over an expanse of grass. Sources: STOKES ORCHARD – AN INCOMPLETE HISTORY February 28, 2015 http://www.elthamhistory.org.au/ Australian Christian Church Histories - Eltham Baptist Church http://www.churchhistories.net.au/church-catalog/eltham-vic-baptist/ From an album featuring a series of photographs (some cropped) from a magnetic photo album relating to the staff, students and activities of the Eltham Christian School which operated as part of the Eltham Christian Church at Nyora Road, Eltham. See also entries for each photograph.three colour photographseltham christian school, nyora road, greensborough shopping centre -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Bridge over the Diamond Creek, Greensborough Road, Eltham, c.1885
Original (1874) bridge in Bridge Street, Eltham looking east over the Diamond Creek towards Maria Street (Main Road) at Little Eltham. In the distance to the right on Maria Street is the Methodist Church (1881), now Uniting Church, and the adjacent Commercial Bank of Australia branch building (1878). Part of a slide show presentation "Bridges & Waterways of the Shire" by Russell Yeoman to the 13 September 1989 Society meeting. The presentation included slides of historic photos from the Shire of Eltham Pioneers collections as well as several recent views.Photo of original 1875 timber and gravel surface bridge over the Diamon Creek in Bridge Street with views of orchards representative of the farming lands as well as the development along the northern end of Maria Street.Black and white photograph copybridge street, bridge street bridge, cba bank, diamond creek (creek), eltham, little eltham, main road, maria street, methodist church, uniting church -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Ephemera - Timetable - bus - The Met - set of 24, The Met, 1992 & 1993
SSet of 24 The Met bus timetables, with diagrammatic map, major stops and contact details. All dated during1993 unless noted otherwise. 1 - Route 216/9 - Deer Park West & Sunshine Park - City 2 - Route 220 - Sunshine - City - 1992 3 - Route 232 - Altona North - City - 1992 4 - Route 233 - Fishermens Bend - City - 1992 5 - Route 254 - Northland Shopping Centre - City - 1992 6 - Route 256 - La Trobe Uni - City - 1992 7 - Routes 258 & 259 - Northland Shopping Centre, and La Trobe Uni - City via Eastern Freeway - 1992 8 - Route 260 etc - Deep Creek Templestow - Donvale - City 9 - Route 264 - Mitcham, Donvale City 10 - Route 265 - Deep Creek - City 11 - Route 602 - Brighton - city 12 - Route 269, 291 and 296 - Greensborough, Heidelberg & Newmans Road to Box Hill 13 - Route 272 - Warrandyte - City 14 - Route 276 & 278 - Warrandyte - City 15 - Route 284 & 270 - East Kew - City or Box Hill 16 - Route 285 - The Pines - Box Hill 17 - Route 286 & 288 - The Pines and Templestowe - Box Hill 18 - Route 290 - North Nunawading - Box Hill 19 - Route 292 etc - Box Hill, Deep Creek, Ringwood, Warrandyte 20 - Route 301, 281 315 - Ringwood, Park Orchards and Donvale - City 21 - Route 305 - Box Hill - Ringwood 22 - Route 366 & 367 - Ringwood - Croydon 23 - Route 600 - St Kilda - Brighton Beach - 1992 24 - Route 601 - Gardenvale - City - 1992Yields information about some of The Met bus services 1993Set of 24 The Met timetables, DL size, printed in two colours.timetables, the met, route 216, route 220, route 232, route 233, route 254, route 258, route 259, route 260, route 264, route 265, route 256, route 602, route 269, route 272, route 276, route 284, route 270, route 285, route 286, route 288, route 290, route 292, route 301, route 305, route 366, route 367, route 600, route 601 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Alan King, Ellis Cottage, Diamond Creek, 23 January 2008
Built by William Ellis in 1865 of local uncut stone about 30cm thick, the cottage is now a museum and home to the Nillumbik Historical Society. Ellis Cottage is historically significant for its association with the Ellis family, who were pioneers of the Diamond Creek district and the benefactors of the notable Nillumbik Cemetery gateway. It illustrates the development of farming in the area. Ellis Cottage is historically and technically significant for its rare use of uncut local stone for building purposes. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p79 Ellis Cottage, built by William Ellis, is a memorial to the courage of pioneers in the Diamond Valley area.1 Now a museum and home to the Nillumbik Historical Society, it is a fine example of an early settler’s house in Diamond Creek – and one of the few original buildings standing from the middle of the 19th century. It is a poor man’s cottage – typical of the dwellings of those who had to work hard to wrest a living in this district, because most of the land was not fertile enough for major forms of farming. The pretty stone cottage at 10 Nillumbik Square, built in 1865, is made of local uncut stone about one foot (30 cm) thick. It once stood near the centre of the 147 acres (59.4ha) Ellis bought in 1850. The property extended from Diamond Creek to Reynolds Road and from Perversi Avenue to the Wattle Glen School. It stood in the electoral parish of Nillumbik. The Nillumbik township (later called Diamond Creek) was not created until 1867. In 1912 the property was cut in half by the new railway to Hurstbridge. Ellis paid £147/10/- for the land - about three times what a Victorian farmer would usually earn in a year. Despite the poor quality soil Ellis became a very successful farmer with an orchard, vegetables and a dairy herd. Five years later, in 1855, Ellis bought 70 acres (28.3ha) from neighbour, Hugh Larimour. In 1857 Ellis bought 208 acres (84ha) at Yarra Glen. In 1877 he bought 122 acres (49.3ha) at Diamond Creek and later bought land at Greensborough and Woodstock. Ellis was born in 1815 at Blackawton, a small Devonshire village, and became a tenant farmer. It is not known why Ellis came out to Australia or settled in Diamond Creek. In 1847 he married Margaret Child at the Melbourne Presbyterian Church. Ellis and Child had no children and 18 years after the wedding, while probably living in Kangaroo Ground, Ellis built this small cottage. The simple cottage has a central hall and two rooms on each side. To maximise the small space the ceiling cavity was designed large enough to provide sleeping accommodation accessed via a ladder. Each room was heated by an open fireplace and the one in the kitchen was large enough to roast a sheep. A large cellar under the front room probably stored farm produce. Water came from a well as reticulated water did not arrive at Diamond Creek until 1914. In 1870 Ellis’ 22 year-old nephew Nathaniel joined him from England.2 Until 1890 they developed Ellis Park, praised in The Evelyn Observer, May 30,1890 as a model farm. Ellis had become wealthy, and on his death in 1896 his estate was valued at £9000. In his will he left £100 to construct memorial gates at the Nillumbik Cemetery where he was buried.3 Ellis left the farm to his second wife Louisa. As he had no children, upon her death the farm passed to Nathaniel, but he did not take it up. The farm was sold and leased several times until 1967, when engineer Phillip Lovitt bought the property and carried out major structural works. The Shire of Diamond Valley bought it in the 1980s and in 1989 restored it with the Nillumbik Historical Society. The stone walls of the cottage had been plastered with mud and straw mortar, which were removed as they were riddled with vermin. Doors, windows and a floor were replaced and the original roof of timber shingles had been replaced with slate. The well was too deeply cracked to be restored, so was used for a flower bed. Two mature Italian Cypresses at the entry are also heritage protected as they relate to similar trees planted at Shillinglaw Cottage and other early buildings in Nillumbik Shire.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, ellis cottage, diamond creek, nillumbik historical society, william ellis -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Alan King, Heritage apple tree, 24 January 2008
This old apple tree situated beside the Plenty River Trail at Greensborough has been associated with Melbourne Founder John Batman. Known as Batman's Tree, this apple tree is on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough. It is said that Melbourne Founder John Batman may have planted the tree and later signed his treaty here with the Aboriginal people. It still bears fruit and its recorded on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p7 Was This John Batman's Tree? An apple tree on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough, is believed to have belonged to Melbourne’s founder, John Batman. It could also stand where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the Aboriginal people.1 Known as Batman’s Tree, it still bears fruit and is recorded on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It is ‘Believed to have been planted by either John Batman, (c1837) or Martin Batey (1841)’.2 In 1966 a Horticultural Adviser, Mr Rolfe, after extensive questioning of aged Greensborough residents, wrote: ‘it thus seems fairly certain that the old tree on the banks of the Plenty River is an original Batman apple tree’. Mr Rolfe said that the tree stood on a spot formerly called Wattle Bend: ‘one of the sites claimed to be where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the aboriginals. ‘My main source of information has been interviews with people who attended school in the Greensborough area from 70 to 80 years ago. Their parents were close to the days when Melbourne was founded so information passed on by word of mouth.’ Around 1920 the tree was struck by lightning and a concrete block was placed in the split. The concrete is inscribed with the date 1841 when the tree was thought to have been planted. Not everyone agrees with Mr Rolfe however. Former secretary of the Nillumbik Historical Society, Kevin Patterson, said there was no written evidence to support the claim. But he said the tree had been known to locals for decades as Batman’s Tree. In the 1920s a holiday resort in the area advertised: ‘Come to Greensborough and see John Batman’s tree’. Mr Patterson said it was thought that when Batman died in 1839 his land was sold and a Greensborough man Frederick Flintoff bought seedlings from his orchard for £1 each. This was the only one left.3 Mr Rolfe said: ‘If planted in 1837, or even a few years later, it undoubtedly is the oldest living apple tree in Victoria. Title records of the property on which the tree grows show that the land was a crown grant of F D Wickham in 1840. Mr Wickham was reputed to be a friend of John Batman. All the early settlers prior to the crown grants were squatters, by virtue of Batman’s treaty. This treaty was revoked by the then New South Wales Government, so it is likely that Wickham or an agent was in occupation before 1840. ‘According to Mrs Mavis Latham (John Batman – Great Australian Series, Oxford University Press) when Batman came to Port Phillip in 1835 he brought fruit trees with him. He failed to get a crown grant for his selection on Collins Street, which included 20 acres (eight ha) of orchard and cultivation. His residence became the Government Office and Melbourne grew from wild bushland in 1835 to a town of over 20,000 people by 1841. It is possible Batman visited Wickham and presented him with a tree.’ However a Flintoff descendant in 1933 said Frederick Flintoff ordered his bailiff Martin Batey to transplant the Batman Tree from the Spencer Street orchard to its present site as a memorial to his friend Batman.4 Mr Rolfe spoke to many people, including descendants of the Bateys and Flintoffs and pupils at the Greensborough Primary School. Many had gained their information from a ‘very highly respected’ head master Lewis Amiet at the Greensborough School from 1895 to 1917. He must have gained this information from residents in the district and had this information been incorrect, the parents of the children would have promptly corrected him.’ One woman who attended the school before Mr Amiet’s appointment, said the previous teacher also taught that the tree on the Plenty River was a Batman tree, Mr Rolfe said.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, greensborough, john batman tree, plenty river trail -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Alan King, Memorial to Peter Brock, Ferguson's Paddock, Hurstbridge, 23 January 2008
Ferguson’s Paddock, Hurstbridge. A plaque on a boulder commemorates Peter Brock. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p167 On a rock in Ferguson’s Paddock, Hurstbridge, a plaque commemorates Peter Brock. It includes the words: ‘Boy from Hurstbridge without special privileges, grew to become champion of racetracks around the world but he never forgot his beginnings’. Brock came from a well-established local family. Born in Hurstbridge in 1945, he lived in Anzac Avenue as a child, attended the Hurstbridge Primary and Eltham High Schools and lived in the district most of his life. His father Geoff owned the Diamond Valley Speed Shop in Greensborough. Brock’s forbears were amongst the area’s earliest settlers. From Scotland, the Brocks arrived in Tasmania in 1830, to graze sheep. Family members moved to Sunbury, then Preston, grazing sheep in the Bundoora area. John Brock owned Janefield, possibly named after his wife. In 1855 he granted around two acres (0.8ha) of his estate for a school.1 In 1866 Lewis Brock bought 264 acres (107ha) in Nutfield, the first non-Aboriginal person to own that land. They planted an orchard, then from around 1935, Brock’s uncle Sandy and his grandfather Lewis, ran a dairy on the property. In the 1980s Brock and his then partner Bev, bought most of the property, which they sold after their separation in 2006.2 Brock’s father was a Hurstbridge Football Club President, but Brock’s uncle Sandy, of Brocks Road, Doreen, has been particularly active in local affairs. He was President of the Mernda Football Club (then Plenty Rovers), President of the Panton Hill Football League and he founded the Arthurs Creek and District Landcare Group. He also gave more than 50 years of service to the Whittlesea Agricultural Society, the Volunteers for Australian Football and the Doreen Rural Fire Brigade. Community service was important to Brock too. Brock, with his then partner Bev, established the Peter Brock Foundation in 1997, the year he retired from full-time V8 Supercar racing. The Foundation’s grants have included $100,000 towards the upgrade of a walking track in the Hurstbridge Parklands and other projects include a holiday house for the families of child cancer victims.3 Brother Lewis saw Brock as a spiritual person, who had a great affinity with people. He saw Brock as a role model of someone who could achieve their dreams. ‘The family didn’t have much money, yet that didn’t stop Peter realising his dreams. He was strong and didn’t let difficult times crush him.’4 Despite his later successes, Brock’s most treasured trophy was for running 100 yards (91.4m)at his primary school in 1955, and he appreciated his head master Ted Griffiths’ encouragement of his sporting endeavours. At high school Brock became captain of Everard House. In his first year he bought a 1928 Austin 7 for £5. He cut the car into a box shape with an axe and enjoyed driving it – despite it having no brakes - at his grandparents’ farm at Nutfield. The turning point in Brock’s life came at age 23, when he built an Austin A30 in an old henhouse in Wattle Glen, using a Holden engine. He was laughed at until it won the Australian Sports Sedan Championship in 1968. Brock’s career then took off and he became a professional driver. Brock won Australian motor sport’s best-known event, the Bathurst 1000, nine times. Brock endured a bitter split from Holden in 1986 over control of his Holden-backed vehicle modification business and a car performance-enhancing device he called the ‘energy polariser’– despite it having no scientific evidence to support its claims. But Brock returned to Holden in 1994.5 Then in 1997, aged 52, Brock retired from fulltime V8 Supercar racing. However he continued to race at motor sport events. Brock won several awards, including an Order of Australia Medal in 1980, the Australian Sports Medal in 2000, and the Centenary Medal.6 On September 8, 2006, Brock died; after his car hit a tree during the Targa West Rally in Western Australia.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, ferguson's paddock, hurstbridge, peter brock memorial, peter brock -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Black and White Print, Rural Photographic Service of Australia, Grade III, Eltham State School 209, Dalton Street, Eltham, 1953
Teacher: Mr Griffith Back Row (L-R): Mr Griffith, - , - , John Hopkins , Ronny Morris, Michael Oldfield, Rex Jobling , -, - , - , Geoffrey Jones, Barry Moar, David Stokes Middle Row (L-R): - , Avis Barnes , Pam Geer , Prue Kimber , Dirkie Herholdt, - , Bronwyn Conibear , Joy Chapman , - , - , Alan Pittman Front Row (L-R): Neil Twyford , - , Beverley Bradbury (nee Stokes), Susan Gill , Helen Taylor , Thelma Baxter , - . Students in grade either not present or unidentified include Faye Helmers, David Knight, Robin Hayes, Bruce Treganan Photography by Rural Photographic Service of Australia, 8a Bankly Avenue, Malvern, Vic. 5303/5 Digital copies scanned by EDHS from originals held by Barry Moar, of Greensborough, Vic, 17 Jul 2017 and Margaret Harding (nee Joy Chapman.) 15 Nov 2024. Keith and brother Barry Moar moved to Eltham in March 1944 where they attended the State School (elder brother Keith from 1949) in Dalton Street. They lived at 11 York Street in a house rented from Ernie Andrew at a cost of £2/week. Other items of note advised by Barry and Keith Moar: Michael Oldfield was killed in a car accident in South David Stokes, son of Frank Stokes who operated Stokes Orchard was killed in the Black Saturday fire of 7 Feb 2009. It snowed in Eltham in 1952 or 1953 Andy Matthews was on HMAS Voyager when it was sunk by HMAS Melbourne. Carleen Golgeth's mother used to drive her to school in a c.1928 Rolls Royce taxi (phaeton?)Digital copy of black and white photograph x 21953, eltham state school, state school no. 209, grade iii, alan pittman, barry moar, david stokes, geoffrey jones, michael oldfield, mr griffith, neil twyford, ronny morris, margaret harding (joy chapman) collection, barry moar collection, arthur roberts, avis barnes, barry (andy) matthews, ben rutley, beverley bradbury (nee stokes), bronwyn conibear, bruce treganan, carleen golgeth, class photo, david knight, dirkie herholdt, dorothy uren, eltham primary school, eltham state school no. 209, faye helmers, grade v, helen taylor, ian newlands, john hopkins, john squires, johnny morris, joy chapman, keith moar, margaret butterway, margie? reed, marjory bredle, maureen davis, max goldsworthy, michael sinclair, mr jobling, mr phillips, nina macbeth, pam geer, pat davison, peter brown, peter mccann, prue kimber, rex jobling, robert eisma, robin hayes, stafford davison, susan gill, teddie mynott, thelma baxter, yvonne box