Newspaper article: Developer for Eltham Station, The Advertiser, April 16, 1996 The original Station Master's house situated in present-day bus bay was sold in 1986 for $1 to save it from demolition and was then relocated to 58 Park Road.58 park road, 967 main road, businesses, eltham, eltham railway station, houses, main road, property, station masters house, station master's house eltham

References to McLean family, Hector John McLean and Louisa Frances (nee Green) and six daughters who lived in Eltham during the period 1930 to 1934 inclusive. Lived in the former Evelyn Hotel at the time it was destroyed by fire and being part of the Centenary Parade in 1934 where the family won the Group Section for their entry “Pioneers of Eltham” Reminiscences provided by Edith Jones (nee M1934 flood, ballroom, baptism, barber shop, bittern, boy scouts, bremner's flat, burgoyne's shop, cable tram, cemetery road, centenary celebrations, centenary parade, christening, coach house, collis grocery, dalton street, depression, dole, dorothy jean mclean, edith jones (nee mclean), eltham fire brigade, eltham high school, eltham higher elementary school, eltham lower park, eltham railway station, eltham state school no. 209, evelyn hotel, fire damage - buildings, flinders naval depot, fordham, gladys evelyn mclean, gold mining, gwenneth mae mclean, gwladys evelyn mclean, headmistress, hector john mclean, isherwood house and shop, louisa frances mclean (nee green), metery road, methodist church, miss finnin, miss grant cottage, motor bike races, mrs barrett, mrs bremner, mrs hurley, olive isabel mclean, parade, phoebe lillian mclean, picnic, pioneers of eltham, pitt street, research fire brigade, rev. r.g. arthur, shed, shops, st margarets church hall, st margaret's church, stables, state savings bank of victoria, susso books, todaro, vinnie willet, warrandyte bridge, warrandyte, wingrove park, yarra river

Stabilising junction with Eltham-Yarra Glen Road View looking west across Main Road to Diamond Street railway crossingRecord of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, shire of eltham, road construction, cecil street, diamond street, eltham, eltham-yarra glen road, main road, railway crossing, 1959-09

Stabilising junction with Eltham-Yarra Glen Road View looking west across Main Road to the railway lineRecord of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, shire of eltham, road construction, cecil street, eltham, eltham-yarra glen road, main road, 1959-09

From Eltham Montmorency Uniting Church, History http://www.elthammontmorencyuca.org/history/ In 1914 a small group of Presbyterians living on 'The Montmorency Estate', which had been established when the railway was extended to Eltham several years before, began meeting for worship in the Rattray Rd home of Robert Sharpe. Two years later a small weatherboard church, administered from Scots Church, Heidelberg, was built on land donated by Mr. Sharpe. In 1931 this building was moved to the corner of Rattray Road and Mountain View Roads. In the next few years local elders were elected and the congregation adopted the name St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Montmorency.montmorency, montmorency presbyterian church hall, rattray road

35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountA4, Railway Road intersection, 4 August 1969infrastructure, map, planning, subdivison lots, railway road, carter street bridge, para road, para road bridge, briar hill

1956 C.R.B. Plan of Survey of Part of Crown Portion 13 Section 4 Parish of Nillumbik, County of Evelyn Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Shire of Eltham Shows Surveyor field notes, property ownership and building type and construction.eltham-yarra glen road, country roads board, eltham, main road, survey plan, 1956, a.l. lyon, a.w. brinkkotter, arthur street, c.r. burkett, dudley street, e.n. staff, eltham war memorial trust, henry street, luck street, pryor street, the board of land & works, the equity trustees executors and agency coy ltd, the roman catholic trusts corporation, victorian railways commision, neil webster collection

1957 C.R.B. Plan of Survey of Parts of Crown Allotment 1 & Crown Allotment F, Section II Parish of Nillumbik, County of Evelyn Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Shire of Eltham Shows Surveyor field notes, property ownership and building type and construction.eltham-yarra glen road, country roads board, eltham, main road, survey plan, 1957, a.r. thomas, b. & b.d. hearn, b.g. anderson, bellevue road, e.m. pitts, f.a. m. macrae, g.e. & b. moulder, j. bromley, j.m. & s.g. johnstone, k.f. pitts, l.c. docksey, m. & e.c.w. baart, m.p. bromley, n.r. ord, p.j. & g.e. murphy, park road, r.a. bruce, r.a. macbeth, r.w. shearing, railway road, s.e. & y.p. houghton, w.k. bell, w.s.r. & f.n. toley, neil webster collection

Centred on present day Edendale Farm from Glen Park rd to Zig Zag Rd Historic Aerial Imagery Source: Landata.vic.gov.au Aerial Photo Details: Project No :5 Project : MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN AREA PROJECT Run : 37 Frame : 60549 Date : 12/1945 Film Type : B/W Camera : EAG4 Flying Height : 10200 Scale : 6000 Film Number : 196 GDA2020 : 37°42'12"S, 145°09'09"E MGA2020 : 337141, 5825486 (55) Melways : 21 K2 (ed. 42)aerial photo, eltham, edendale farm, eltham - yarra glen road, eltham-hurstbridge railway line, gastons homestead, gastons road, glen park road, main road, park road, railway road, wattletree road, zig zag road, neil webster collection

Centred on Main Rd and Henry St, Eltham bounded by Railway Road to north, Mount Pleasant Road at Main Road to south, top of the hill in Arthur Street to east and Karingal Drive at Sherbourne Road to west. Historic Aerial Imagery Source: Landata.vic.gov.au Aerial Photo Details: Project No :65 Project : MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN PROJECT NO. 2 Run : 8 Frame : 70 Date : 01/1951 Film Type : B/W Camera : EAG9 Flying Height : 12200 Scale : 12000 Film Number : 1419 GDA2020 : 37°43'06"S, 145°08'45"E MGA2020 : 336589, 5823811 (55) Melways : 21 J6 (ed. 42)aerial photo, eltham, main road, henry street, arthur street, bolton street, eltham-yarra glen road, neil webster collection, 1951-01, dave lyon house, ernie andrew house, karingal road, melway 21j6, mount pleasant road, railway road

In the background a 'Red Rattler' Tait train is visible at Eltham Railway Station. Donated by Lewis Tulk, former Scout Area Training Commisioner for Leaders.Inscribed on reverse: YBA Scout Stage III 1st Eltham Scout Hallscouts victoria, scout leader training, lewis tulk collection, 1st eltham scouts, eltham, red rattler, tait train, yarra batman area, youth road

Harry Gilham 1988 Entrant No. 134 Ref: Series 34, Items 31, 32, 103, 104 The images in this record were not selected for inclusion. SHIRE OF ELTHAM COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY Photography is an artform which many of us practice, sometimes purely for artistic pursuit, sometimes to record the people and events in our lives. In 1988, as part of a local Bicentennial project, the Shire of Eltham conducted the Eltham Community Photographic Survey. Up to 100 entries were to be selected by a panel of photographers for entry into the Eltham Photographic Survey Exhibition. Entries had to be submitted by May 13, 1988. Entrants whose images were selected for the exhibition were contacted and requested to further submit an entry form providing entrant’s name, area of residence, age, and proposed captions. These details were then used to produce labels for the exhibition mounts. Where negatives had not been supplied, these were requested to support the display of printed enlargements mounted on 10” x 8” cardboard. The mounted prints were made available post exhibition for sale at $8.50 each for colour prints and $7.00 for B&W prints. Residents in the Shire were invited to collect a free roll of film and take a photograph of what they either liked or did not like about the area. A total of 160 entrants submitted multiple entries for the exhibition. Of those selected for exhibition, entrants ranged in age from 9 to 70 years. All custom colour and black and white printing for the exhibition was completed by Wattle Studios of Eltham. The Eltham Photographic Survey was jointly auspiced by the Shire of Eltham and Wattle Studios, of 953 Main Road, Eltham. The project was greatly assisted by: • David McRitchie, Media Studies Lecturer Victoria College, Rusden Campus. • Ian and Annette Toohill of Wattle Studios • Tracy Naughton, Eltham Community Arts Officer • Neville Emerson Pty. Ltd. • Superior Press, Eltham • Kodak Australasia Pty. Ltd. • Agfa Gevaert Ltd. • Townsend Colourtech Pty. Ltd. • The Australian Bicentennial Authority • Eleanor Bowers, Secretary, Eltham Arts Council The exhibition was placed on display in the Woolworths Arcade, Eltham between Monday June 6th and Saturday June 11, 1988. It was also intended to hold the exhibition at a venue in the Shire’s North Riding from Monday, June 20 to Friday June 24. It was then displayed at the Were Street Theatre, Montmorency from Friday, June 24 to Thursday, July 7. Series 34: Eltham Community Photographic Survey 1988 - Prints & Documentation Series consists of 117 photographs of Shire scenes taken by members of the community. Items I - 41 are larger photographs mounted on card, which were exhibited. Items 42 - 117 are unmounted copies, alternative takes and other entries. Corresponding negatives contained in Series 35: Eltham Community Photographic Survey 1988 – Negatives which consists of 267 colour and B&W negatives and one colour slide of Shire scenes taken by members of the community. The negatives are arranged by the entrant number of the photographer. The Eltham Community Photographic Survey collection is significant to the local community as it was curated by the local community - ordinary people of all ages - representing what they liked and did not like in the area where they lived. It represents an unfiltered representation of the Shire of Eltham as it was in 1988. It also represents one of many projects as part of the national programme of events and celebrations to commemorate the bicentenary. It is a time capsule of life in the 1980s of this urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north. shire of eltham archives, bicentennial project, eltham community photographic survey, film - kodak ga 100 5095, harry gilham, road, scan - 35mm negative, series 35, eltham toy library, diamond valley railway, eltham lower park, road sign, speedhumps

Main Road, Henry Street to Diamond Street; Silver Street to Bible Street Application No. 0337771902, 1903, arthur street, bible street, bird street, diamond creek (creek), diamond street, eltham, eltham railway station, henry street, main road, silver street, survey plan, vine street, application 33777, map

Portion of land bounded by: Eltham Railway Station, Main Road, Luck Street, Arthur Street Application 4182/215 J.T. Robinson, Licensed Surveyor, 17 May 1926application 4182/215, arthur street, eltham, eltham railway station, luck street, main road, map, survey plan

View looking north along Main Road, Eltham from near present day Dudley Street. On the immediate left is the railway station. The large weatherboard building on the bend (opposite present-day Arthur Street) with signs for General Store, Refreshments and Summer Drinks painted on the side is Luther and Ada Haley’s General Store and Bakery, built 1902. This was the first building in what is now Eltham’s present shopping town centre. Haley previously ran the General Store and Bakery on the corner of Main Road and York Street until his lease expired and the premises were bought by Mrs Sarah Burgoyne in 1902. The store later was known as Staff's Store. Followed by the saleyards, entrance to station, slaughter yard and William J Capewell’s butcher shop. Contained within the saleyards facing the street, a small shelter with the name H.H. Clark upon it. Horace Harold Clark was the son of Eltham State School’s first Head Teacher, David George Clark. As well as being a farmer, he was an Estate Agent and conducted auction sales, presumably from this shelter. On the eastern (right) side of Main Street is Haley’s Paddock, which was used on occasions for community picnics. Capable of holding 10,000 people, with ample shade and hilly surroundings it was an ideal place for any community gathering such as the State Schools’ Picnic in 1904. A worker from the bakery store is standing in the gateway at the rear of the store observing the photographer. People in the ‘Sunday Best’ are milling in front of the bakery or strolling down the centre of Main Road. The picture was most likely taken on a Sunday. With the opening of the railway to Eltham in 1902, Melbourne residents would regularly enjoy a Sunday excursion journey on the train to Eltham for a day’s outing to the countryside or beyond to Hurstbridge from 1912 when the railway was extended. Picture dated as c.1910 based on similar picture published in the Weekly Times, Feb. 1912. Cross Ref: 609 (looking south), 612, 611 (later stage), 613.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image (4 x 5 inch negative missing - scanned from print) Printbaker, eltham, eltham railway station, general store, haley's paddock, luther haley, luther haley general store, main road, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, sign, summer drinks, butcher, railway station, w.j. capewell, eltham town centre, hot water, m.m. clark, eltham sale yards, eltham slaughter yard, staffs general store

Memories of Mrs Irene "Rennie" HarrisonDigital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a scrapbook on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes.1939 bushfire, alf isherwood, annie bremmer, arthur munday, beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, bible street, bremmer's flat, buses, butcher, cheddar black, clarrie white, collis, dalton street, eltham hotel, eltham kindergaten, eltham lower park, eltham primary school, eltham railway station, eltham south kindergarten, eltham tea rooms, farmer walsh, franklin street, freddie griffiths, greengrocer, grocers, eltham infant welfare centre, irene rennie harrison, jack carrucan, josie shannon, justus jorgensen, len harrison, main road, markets, matcham skipper, metery road, milk bar, montsalvalt, mount pleasant road, shirley harrison, st margaret's church hall, wingrove park, reminscences

Tait (Red Rattler) train bound for Mordialloc at McKinnon Road level crossing, McKinnon Railway Station, Frankston line, c. Feb. 1964 The level crossing is the old McKinnon Rd. level crossing right at Mckinnon Railway Station on the Melbourne-Franston line. It no longer exists as the level crossing was amongst the first to be removed in the State Govt. grade separation programme c 2015. The line now runs under Mckinnon Rd in a cutting that holds the new station as well. The folding metal lattice gates were the only ones of their kind in Victoria and fairly rare anywhere else in Australia as well.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white transparencyfrankston line, george coop collection, level crossing, mckinnon railway station, mckinnon road, mordialloc, red rattler, tait train

Climbing the hill from Surrey Hills having just crossed Mont Albert Road.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white transparencygeorge coop collection, harris (blue) train, mont albert railway station

This is a road and rail connection to Yea, Mansfield and Alexandra from Tallarook, Vic. The railway was converted many years ago into a long and spectacular rail trail. Photograph by George Burton Coop (George Coop's father).Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, k-157, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), trawool gap

This is a road and rail connection to Yea, Mansfield and Alexandra from Tallarook, Vic. The railway was converted many years ago into a long and spectacular rail trail. Photograph by George Burton Coop (George Coop's father).Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, k-157, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), trawool gap

The Melbourne Road level crossing is now the location of the pedestrian underpass. Hall Street is seen to the right and the two-storey brick building remains to present day. One of several photos at Newport taken the same day in the early 1950s when George Coop was a secondary school student.Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, hall street, level crossing, melbourne road, newport railway station, y-103, y-class steam locomotive

Now demolished. Newport Railway station, visible through the windows was situated on the opposite side of the Melbourne Road level crossing. All of this infrastructure has since been replaced by a large overpass, the level crossing now the location of a pedestrain underpass. One of several photos at Newport taken the same day in the early 1950s when George Coop was a secondary school student.Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, newport railway station, level crossing, melbourne road, newport signal box

Believed to have been taken bewteen Croydon Railway Station and the Dorset Road bridge. Taken late afternnon by George Coop's father. There is a Landrover parked on the grass with a person standing on it - believed to be Security. George recalls originally being located closer to the fence and being ushered up the hill where it was 'safer' to stand. In 1954 at age 27, Queen Elizabeth II was the first reigning British monarch to visit Australia.. She visited Victoria between March 1-10. Where to see the Queen (1954, January 21). Fern Tree Gully and District Times (Boronia, Vic. : 1953-1954), p. 5. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article264220429 “The Lilydale Shire President, Cr. Burgi, stated that the Royal train en route for Warburton on Saturday, March 6th, would slow down at Croydon and Lilydale. There was little possibility that it would stop at either of these towns. The train would pass through Lilydale at 5.52 p.m. Council had appointed a sub-committee to arrange matters, and had allocated £400 towards expenses. It was suggested that the train slow down between the railway station and Dorset Rd. bridge at Croydon, and between the Cave Hill Quarry and railway station at Lilydale.” An album of images of the Queen's visit to Victoria is available on the PROV Flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/public-record-office-victoria/7252885616Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, croydon, royal train

Believed to have been taken bewteen Croydon Railway Station and the Dorset Road bridge. Taken late afternnon by George Coop's father. There is a Landrover parked on the grass with a person standing on it - believed to be Security. George recalls originally being located closer to the fence and being ushered up the hill where it was 'safer' to stand. In 1954 at age 27, Queen Elizabeth II was the first reigning British monarch to visit Australia.. She visited Victoria between March 1-10. Where to see the Queen (1954, January 21). Fern Tree Gully and District Times (Boronia, Vic. : 1953-1954), p. 5. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article264220429 “The Lilydale Shire President, Cr. Burgi, stated that the Royal train en route for Warburton on Saturday, March 6th, would slow down at Croydon and Lilydale. There was little possibility that it would stop at either of these towns. The train would pass through Lilydale at 5.52 p.m. Council had appointed a sub-committee to arrange matters, and had allocated £400 towards expenses. It was suggested that the train slow down between the railway station and Dorset Rd. bridge at Croydon, and between the Cave Hill Quarry and railway station at Lilydale.” An album of images of the Queen's visit to Victoria is available on the PROV Flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/public-record-office-victoria/7252885616Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, croydon, royal train

Believed to have been taken bewteen Croydon Railway Station and the Dorset Road bridge. Taken late afternnon by George Coop's father. There is a Landrover parked on the grass with a person standing on it - believed to be Security. George recalls originally being located closer to the fence and being ushered up the hill where it was 'safer' to stand. In 1954 at age 27, Queen Elizabeth II was the first reigning British monarch to visit Australia.. She visited Victoria between March 1-10. Where to see the Queen (1954, January 21). Fern Tree Gully and District Times (Boronia, Vic. : 1953-1954), p. 5. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article264220429 “The Lilydale Shire President, Cr. Burgi, stated that the Royal train en route for Warburton on Saturday, March 6th, would slow down at Croydon and Lilydale. There was little possibility that it would stop at either of these towns. The train would pass through Lilydale at 5.52 p.m. Council had appointed a sub-committee to arrange matters, and had allocated £400 towards expenses. It was suggested that the train slow down between the railway station and Dorset Rd. bridge at Croydon, and between the Cave Hill Quarry and railway station at Lilydale.” An album of images of the Queen's visit to Victoria is available on the PROV Flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/public-record-office-victoria/7252885616Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, croydon, royal train

An F-class 2-4-0 steam locomotive and tender hauls a train of two open wagons, a guards van and a single Tait passenger car over the Eltham Railway Trestle Bridge, heading for Melbourne. This type of steam locomotive was replaced by the F-Class 2-4-2. The house on the right, originally known as 'Derril' was purchased in the early 1920s by Walter Ernest and Alice Miriam Gahan. On the western side of Main Road near the present-day site of Shillinglaw Cottage, they remained till about 1960 when Walter died. The house was demolished in 1968 during the widening of Main Road. In the distance beyond the trestle bridge on what would become Central Park appears to be an orchard of fruit trees. A young man with waist coat, jacket and hat stands beside an older man wearing suspenders without jacket and bare headed, sitting on the post fence. Photographer: J.H. Clark John Henry Clark was the youngest of three boys born to William Henry Clark (1823-1877) and Maria White (1843-1914). He and his brothers, William Charles Clark (1872-1945), Clement Kent Clark (1874-1912) operated a photography business (Clark Bros.) from 25 Thomas Street, Windsor near Prahran during the period c.1894 to 1914. Following death of Clement in September 1912 and their mother in 1914, the Clark Bros business appears to have dissolved, the premises demolished, and a new house was under construction in 1915. John set up business independently in 1914 operating out of 29 Moor Street, Fitzroy where he is registered in the 1914 and 1915 Electoral Rolls. By 1916 John had relocated to Eltham where he continued his practice as a photographer and took many of the early images around the district of Little Eltham. Around 1930 John changed professions and opened a small cobbler's shop in 1931 near the pond opposite Dalton Street adjacent to the Jarrold family cottage. He never married and continued his profession as a bootmaker from this little shop, maintaining a close relationship with Mrs Jarrold for the rest of their lives. His bootmaker shop remains today beside the Whitecloud cottage and is one of only three remaining shops in the area from the early 20th century. There are a couple of images of Eltham taken by Clark Bros. in the Eltham District Historical Society collection, one such example being Hunniford’s Post Office with Miss Anne Hunniford out front (EDHS_00140 - marked on the back of the print, Clark Bros., 25 Thomas St. Windsor), which would date this image between c.1894 and 1914. Other early images of Eltham taken by John Henry Clark are marked on the face “J. H. Clark Photo” and it is assumed these are dated between 1914 and 1930. It is noted that the Grant of Probate for John H Clark of Eltham South dated 5 April !957 (513/387) records his occupation as "X Photographer".derril, eltham railway trestle bridge, f-class 2-4-0 steam locomotive, gahan house, j.h. clark photo, main road, orchards, postcards, steam train, tait train, victorian railways

Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacement with a new steel bridge. Heritage advice obtained by Nillumbik Shire Council, following a suggestion by the Eltham District Historical Society (EDHS), is that the original bridge appears to have been a simplified version of the Country Roads Board’s (CRB) standard timber bridge design of the early-to-mid 1920s. In c1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with three recycled steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. During these alterations many parts of the bridge were removed, and some were replaced. Heritage advice indicates the condition of Murray’s bridge is poor. The remaining original parts are all in poor condition, with severe weathering, splitting and rot, especially to the stringers retained on the bridge. Heritage advice is that Murray’s Bridge does not have sufficient significance in the cultural history of the Nillumbik area to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay and also does not have sufficient significance as a rare survivor to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay. There are no indications in the historical record that this site was individually important to the cultural history of this area. EDHS is comfortable with the heritage advice provided to Council and has worked closely on this project with Council. EDHS has suggested some of the removed timbers be used in the vicinity of the bridge for landscaping and possibly seating, so as to retain these remnants close to the site of the original bridge, which is the last old timber bridge along the lower reaches of the Diamond Creek. Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. * * * A theory posted on local community Facebook groups was that the bridge was built in the 1860s and was built to be more robust than was necessary for the movement of cows from one side of the creek to the other. It was suggested the robustness was necessary to support the weight of gold ore being transferred from a mine on Murray’s land to a railway siding near Murrays Bridge (presumably for transfer and processing at Diamond Creek). Perhaps this may have been one of the motivators for Murray, who really knows? Knowing when mining operations ceased on his land and how that fits the overall timeline would be useful but at the time the bridge was built, local gold production was minimal at best. The known facts are: • The railway line came to Eltham in 1902. • The extension of the railway from Eltham to Hurstbridge was constructed in 1912 so no railway line even existed through Murray's property until 1912 and the Victorian Railways maps at the time show no such siding on Murray’s property. • In 1923 a new company was formed in anticipation of the old Diamond Creek Gold Mine being re-opened. The mine had been previously closed and flooded. It was noted in the press at the time that the mine was within a mile of the railway. Nothing really came of this. • Construction of Murrays Bridge was commenced by James Murray in early 1929 in anticipation of a proposed flag station being nominated on his land, but work ceased shortly afterwards. The proposed flag station was commonly referred to as Glen Park as the residents of the Glen Park Estate wanted Option 1, located near them with the platform adjacent to Colemans corner. This was probably never going to fly as it was virtually in eyesight of Eltham station. Allandale Road was the third option, but the Commissioners' preferred option was No. 2 - on Murray's property. • The Railway Commissioners were not going to finance any such station and the works had to be funded by private landowners and residents, hence Murray investing in this himself. • Murray recommenced work two years later and finished his bridge in 1931 but unfortunately for him, the proposed flag station never eventuated. The bluestone siding you reference may well have been built by Murray as part of the proposed station platform. • Up until then, apart from the Main Road bridge, which was washed away in 1924, virtually all local crossings over the Diamond Creek were low lying bridges – Kaylocks Bridge at Brougham Street, Diamond Street bridge, Glen Park Road bridge. It is expected that Murray also had a low-lying bridge to connect his land either side of the creek. These were all washed away or severely damaged multiple times in the 1920s. Lessons were learnt, and Murrays Bridge appears to have been built in accordance with Country Road Board standards of the time. Flood damage was ongoing, and even more recently constructed raised bridges kept getting washed away, e.g., the new Wattle Tree Road bridge in 1958 just months after completion. Murray’s bridge was reinforced with steel some 30 years ago presumably to provide additional floodwater resistance, given the history of bridges disappearing in floodwaters. • In March 1932 it was reported in the Advertiser that there were still some prospectors operating around Eltham North who apart from further scarring the face of the earth over the previous two years had gained significant experience but little gold - hardly a driving factor for constructing a dedicated railway siding and bridge to transfer gold ore. It is far more probable that James Murray was hoping to have the railway station located on his property and invested his money by building the bridge to lead to it as well as a station platform. Had the station eventuated, it may well have driven up the value of his land for subdivision and new housing estates like the Glen Park Estate. That did not eventuate. Whilst the bridge was indeed old (90 years), the core structure being completed in 1931, it had been modified substantially from original and hence had no significant historic value – i.e., it was not a representative example of its type, construction, and age. Given that the bridge was not worthy of saving, the Eltham District Historical Society with Council’s support, and the Eltham Woodworkers group endeavoured to see what suitable sized timbers were salvageable to fabricate a commemorative seat. Unfortunately, the experts at the Woodworkers group were unable to salvage any suitable length/width timbers to fabricate the seat due to the presence of rot. Last remaining wooden trestle bridge on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacementBorn digital image (27)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

Construction work on replacement of Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. Born digital image (5)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

Self guided heritage tour information produced by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society for 1978 Eltham Community Festival of 36 locations each numbered on accompanying map. Locations and detail provided current to 1978: 1. ELTHAM SHOPPING CENTRE Whilst very little remains in the centre of historical importance, this area has interest as the "village" which developed over many years following the opening of the railway from Melbourne in 1902. Previously the shopping centre had been spread out over a long length of Main Road to the south. Shops have been continuously demolished or remodelled and the majority of buildings date from the 1950's or later. The recently erected Post Office replaced the "old" Post Office opened on the same site only in 1958. 2. WOOLWORTHS ELTHAM VILLAGE Part of the site of this modern shopping development was occupied by the former Eltham Shire Offices and Hall. The hall was paid for by public subscription whilst the Council raised a loan for the offices. The combined building was opened in 1941. It served as office and Council meeting place until 1965 and as the hall until its demolition in 1970. 3. ELTHAM WAR MEMORIAL The complex of buildings adjoining the present Shire Offices were financed by public subscription as a Memorial following World War II. Their construction and for many years their operation was organised by the now disbanded Eltham War Memorial Committee. The original buildings were the; Infant Welfare Centre, Children’s Library (now War Memorial Hall and Dental Clinic) and Kindergarten. In later years the Elderly Citizens Club was built at the rear. 4. ELTHAM SHIRE OFFICES These offices were opened in 1965 and extended in 1971 to provide additional office accommodation and the Eltham Library. They represent the last of a long line of offices and meeting places of the Eltham Shire Council and its predecessor the Eltham District Road Board. The building occupies the former site of Shillinglaw Cottage. The three tall cypress trees which stood in front of the Cottage have been retained as a feature of the office surrounds. 5. OUR LADY'S CHURCH AND SCHOOL The Catholic Church and School complex opposite the Shires Offices shows a number of stages in the development of Eltham township. The recently constructed church adjoins its predecessor (now the parish centre). Many years ago the Catholic Church was located opposite Wingrove Park and the present central site follows the northerly drift of the township. 6. SHILLINGLAW COTTAGE The Cottage was built in 1859 by George Stebbing, a local builder who was responsible for a number of other prominent buildings in the area. Its removal from the site of the Shire Offices and re-erection on the present site was financed by public subscription. It is built of handmade bricks laid in Flemish Bond with an unusual design featuring burnt "leader" bricks over the whole facade. The Cottage is occupied by Eltham Fleececrafts and will be open during the Festival and at other times during weekends. It is classified by the National Trust. 7. RAILWAY BRIDGE The timber trestle bridge over the Diamond Creek was built in 1901. Whilst all of its timbers have been replaced at various times over the years the only change to its character has been the addition of pylons and wiring for electric trains in 1923. It is one of very few similar bridges remaining in the metropolitan area. In 1976 a proposal to replace the bridge with an earth embankment and large culvert pipes was abandoned following community protests. The bridge, however, remains under threat because of the necessity for future deuplication of the railway line. 8. ELTHAM CENTPAL PARK The area between the railway and the creek has for many years been used as a park which included Eltham' s main football oval. The access road, Panther Place is named after Eltham's team playing in the Diamond Valley League. In recent years a large area extending to Bridge Street and locally known as the Town Park has been landscaped and added to the area. The excellent blending of the park with the natural landscape of the creek valley has earned a National Trust Landscape Classification. 9. OLD BAKERY On the southern corner of York Street and Main Road is an old house with a shop front which was for many years the local baker's shop. The brick bakery at the rear is of somewhat later vintage than the house. 10. BRIDGE STREET CUTTING Before reconstruction of Main Road this intersection had deep cutting embankments on all four corners, forming a distinctive feature of the entrance to Eltham. Roadworks and private development have levelled the land on the low side of the road. A memorial to the Eltham soldiers of World War I which was located at the north-western corner is now situated at the Eltham R.S.L.   11. HILLTOP MILK BAR For many years this was the site of the Eltham Post Office under the control of the Hunniford family and later their descendants the Burgoynes. It was transferred to this site in 1855, although at that time the building apparently fronted Bridge Str e et. The site contained Eltham's first telephone exchange. The post office was relocated in 1954 but the shop was operated until recently by the Burgoyne family who still own the surrounding land. 12. UNITING CHURCH and former C.B.A. BANK The former Methodist Church was built in 1880 by George Stebbing. The Sunday School extension was built in 1929 and there have been more recent extensions. The adjoining opportunity shop was built as a bank in 1874 and purchased by the Methodist Church in 1954. 13. R.S.L. HALL, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE These relatively recent buildings occupy the site of a row of shops forming part of the early ribbon of business development along Main Road. In front of the R.S.L. building is the World War I Memorial relocated from the corner of Bridge Street and Main Road. 14. ELTHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE Australia's first mudbrick "community building" was opened in April this year. Part of the site of the building was purchased in 1856 by Henry Dendy (of Brighton fame). At the rear of the land near the creek was a steam flour mill whilst Dendy's house was at the Main Road frontage of the land. His purchase totalled about 2 Ha (5 acres) and included land on the opposite side of Maria Street (Main Road). Dendy became a prominent member of the Eltham community and served one term as President of the Eltham District Road Board. In 1867 Dendy sold his land and business to William Ford of Malmsbury and shifted to Walhalla. The avenue of trees leading past the Community Centre to the creek may well have bordered the track to the mill. 15. ELTHAM HOTEL The original part of this hotel was built in 1927 following the burning of the former Watson's Eltham Hotel on the same site. The car park on the opposite side of Main Road was also the site of a hotel variously known over the years as; the Fountain of Friendship, the Fountain and the Evelyn Arms. As the Fountain of Friendship it was the first meeting place of the Eltham District Road Board in 1856. 16. ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH, PITT STREET In 1860 Henry Dendy was appointed Chairman of a committee to establish a church of England in Eltham. He donated part of his land in Pitt Street and in 1861 the church was opened. It was built by George Stebbing and remains in a well preserved state today. Th adjoining old vicarage is now named Dendy Hou se. A new mudbrick church hall is under construction on the site. The church and Dendy House are now listed on the Register of Historic Buildings. 17. NO. 86 PITT STREET Cottage built by George Stebbing and believed to be his home for some years in the 1850s. 18. LIVING AND LEARNING CENTRE The house was built in the 1850s with the kitchen at the front being added about 40 years later. By the creek below the house a number of early Eltham industries were located. These included a tannery and a brewery. 19. ELTHAM COURT HOUSE A Court of Petty Sessions was established in Eltham in 1858 and the present building dates from 1860. It is the oldest public building remaining in Eltham. In its early days the building was used as the meeting place and office of the Eltham District Road Board and as an overflow classroom for the local school. The Court House has been classified by the National Trust. The citation states that it is an example of the simple form of early brick Court House with gabled roof and porch. 20. LANDS DEPARTMENT OFFICE This building is the former police station and is probably of about the same age as the Court House. The lockup at the rear has been demolished but the old stables remain as garages. A licence was first granted for a police station at Eltham in 1856. 21. JARROLD COTTAGE The old Cottage opposite Dalton Street was formerly owned by the Jarrold family. Early records indicate that this was the building leased from the Jarrolds as a temporary police station prior to construction of the building on the corner of Brougham Street. The small building on the corner of the property was used as a boot repairer's shop. The elevated studio at the rear is a more recent construction by the present owners. 22. STATE SCHOOL RESIDENCE Erected in 1891 23. WINGROVE COTTAGE This building fills an important place in the history of Eltham and is now used as a medical clinic. It was built in 1858 for Charles S. Wingrove who was Secretary to the Eltham District Road Board and Shire Council from 1858 to 1904. During part of this period he was also Shire Engineer and was Secretary to the Heidelberg Road Board. The house was used as the office of the Board and Council for many years. Wingrove is buried in the cemetery at St. Helena.   24. WINGROVE PARK The parkland opposite Wingrove Cottage has been named after Charles Wingrove. The old Manna Gums are an outstanding feature of the park. 25. ELTHAM FRI.MARY SCHOOL NO. 209 The school first opened in the slab building in 1855 and operated from the present site since 1857. The oldest part of the present school is the stone building erected in 1876. The first school teacher, David Clark remained at the school until 1888. This school is the government township and has always been known as the Eltham School. An earlier school (no.371) known as Little Eltham School operated in Swan Street from 1853 to 1872. 26. "SHOESTRING" This house was built for school teacher David Clark. It has been extensively extended in recent years but the extensions do not detract from the character of the older part of the building. 27. ELTHAM CEMETERY The cemetery contains the graves of many of the district's pioneers . 28. MONTSALVAT This unique complex of buildings was commenced in 1935 by the late Justus Jorgensen and its development has extended over many years. Montsalvat has exerted a significant impact on Eltham The earth and stone construction of many of the buildings has influenced local architecture to a great extent and it has served as a "nerve centre" of the local artistic community. Montsalvat is open to the public for a small charge. 29. MAIN ROAD BRIDGE This location has been the main crossing of Diamond Creek since the earliest days of settlement. The present concrete bridge was erected in 1925 .and was preceded by a number of timber bridges. 30. ELTHAM LOWER PARK This park, being an unusually large flat area for Eltham, was originally the local racecourse. Horse races were held here from 1855 and the area was gazetted as a reserve for a racecourse and recreation reserve in 1857. The park is well known as a venue for school "bird days" and more recently as the site of the Diamond Valley Railway. This miniature railway features scale models of modern and old locomotives and rolling stock and has operated on this site since 1961 . Before that the railway operated at Chelsworth Park, Ivanhoe.   31. FALKINER HOUSE Frederick Falkiner was one of the earliest settlers in the Eltham township area and occupied a substantial leasehold prior to the first land sales. Early records show that Falkiner was the subject of a number of complaints from his neighbours but he has nevertheless been considered a prominent enough citizen to have a street named for him. This house was the home of Evelyn (Ely) Falkiner a member of Frederick's family. 32. WEST HOUSE Behind the large house on the hill is an early house built by the West family. This was relocated from a site near the front of the land by the present owner Mr. Fabbro. 33. FALKINER HOUSE This very old house is believed to have been the home of Frederick and may have been Eltham's first post office. Falkiner was the first post master for a short period. in 1854/55. 34. WITHERS HOUSE This house was the home of famous artist Walter Withers who shifted here from Heidelberg in 1903. 35. ELTHAM HIGH SCHOOL This school celebrated its jubilee this year, having commenced as the Eltham Higher Elementary School 50 years ago. 36. DIAMOND CREEK FOOTWAY If returning from the High School to the town centre the footpath by the bank of the Diamond Creek provides a pleasant route to finish your walk. The creek is a major tributary of the Yarra River. Together with its own major tributaries Arthurs Creek and Running Creek it commences on the southern slopes of the Dividing Range at Kinglake. It gives the name Diamond Valley to an area extending well beyond its actual drainage catchment.Recognition of the significance of various landmarks to the history of the Eltham community as of 1978‘shoestring’, 1978, bridge street cutting, burgoyne store, c.b.a. bank, diamond creek trail, eltham cemetery, eltham central park, eltham community centre, eltham community festival, eltham court house, eltham festival, eltham high school, eltham hotel, eltham lower park, eltham primary school, eltham railway trestle bridge, eltham shire offices, eltham shopping centre, eltham state school no. 209, eltham village, eltham war memorial, falkiner house, heritage trail, hilltop milk bar, jarrold cottage, lands department office, living, living and learning centre, main road bridge, montsalvat, old bakery, our eltham artistic recollections, our lady help of christian’s church, our lady help of christian’s primary school, pitt street, post office, r.s.l. hall, shillinglaw cottage, st margaret’s church, state school residence, stebbing cottage, telephone exchange, uniting church, west house, wingrove cottage, wingrove park, withers house, woolworths