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Puffing Billy Railway
Number Plate - 3A
Loco: 3A In service Monday, 4th June 1900 Livery Not painted Owner Puffing Billy Gauge 762 Status Stored 3A Built in 1900 and painted two-tone green, this locomotive was issued to the Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook line and was used in the line’s construction. Over the years, it saw service on the Colac to Crowes and Moe to Walhalla lines, but it saw more service on the Gembrook line than any other. It was withdrawn from service in 1955 at Upper Fern Tree Gully and sold in 1960 to the Lord Mayor’s Camp at Portsea where it remained on static display until 1977. From there it was eventually brought to Belgrave for eventual restoration. When restored, it will be returned, as far as possible to its original condition with wooden cow-catchers, original design side tanks, low bunker, no smoke-box ash chute, etc. It will also have its original colour scheme of two-tone green with white lining.Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 3ALocomotive Number Plate from 3A made of cast metal & Brass3Apuffing billy, 3a, number plate -
Puffing Billy Railway
5A Number Plate
Historic - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 5A Loco: 5A In service Saturday, 23rd March 1901 Scrapped Monday, 7th July 1958 Livery Black Owner VR Gauge 762 Status Scrapped Service History : Mar 1901 Colac - initial allocation of a new locomotive Mar 1901 - Feb 1902 Colac Dec 1902 - Oct 1908 UFTG. Nov 1908 - Oct 1912 Colac Nov 1912 - May 1913 Other Jun 1913 - Jun 1915 UFTG. Sep 1915 - Sep 1920 Moe Oct 1920 - Nov 1921 UFTG. Mar 1922 - Jan 1927 Colac Mar 1927 - Aug 1927 Moe Oct 1927 - Jan 1928 UFTG. Feb 1928 - Dec 1934 Colac Jan 1935 - Mar 1935 Moe Apr 1935 - Sep 1942 Colac Mar 1943 - Mar 1949 Moe Apr 1949 - Nov 1957 Colac Dec 1957 Colac - Stored. Feb 1958 - Jul 1958 Workshops - ScrappedHistoric - Victorian Railways Locomotive Number Plate used on Steam Locomotive 5AVictorian Railways produced 5a number plate. made of cast iron5a5a, puffing billy, victorian railways -
Puffing Billy Railway
Double Headed Rail, circa 1872 - 1883
Double Headed Rail from Ravenswood Station Siding which was dismantled circa 1987 the two rails were stored for a time at Maldon before being donated to Puffing Billy Museum Bearing makers marks of Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield, North East Derbyshire, England from 1872 - 1883 Double-headed rail In late 1830s Britain, railway lines had a vast range of different patterns. One of the earliest lines to use double-headed rail was the London and Birmingham Railway, which had offered a prize for the best design. This rail was supported by chairs and the head and foot of the rail had the same profile. The supposed advantage was that, when the head became worn, the rail could be turned over and re-used. In practice, this form of recycling was not very successful as the chair caused dents in the lower surface, and double-headed rail evolved into bullhead rail in which the head was more substantial than the foot. Info from Wikipedia - Rail Profile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_profile The first records of double headed rail being used In Victoria by Victorian Railways was in 1859, the rails, chairs, oak and trenails were imported from UK. After the 1870’s the Victorian Railways went over to using flat bottom rails, but they still needed replacement double headed rail for lines already laid and this continued up to at least 1883 Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield England from 1872 - 1883 Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway The Melbourne, Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway Company received parliamentary assent in February 1853 to build Victoria's first inland railway from Melbourne to Williamstown, and Melbourne to Bendigo and Echuca. Construction commenced in January 1854 with work on a pier at Williamstown but lack of funds slowed progress, eventually prompting the company to sell out to the government. The 100-mile (162 km) section to Bendigo opened in October 1862. Its cost of £35,000 per mile made it the most expensive railway ever built in Australia. In 1864, the line was extended to Echuca, tapping into the booming Murray-Darling paddlesteamer trade. info from Museums Victoria - Victorian Railways https://museumsvictoria.com.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=450&gall=456 1863 Ravenswood Station open on the 1st Feb 1863 Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Ravenswood Siding When the Victorian Railways were established in 1856 they adopted one of the popular British permanent way standards - heavy 80lb (36.3kg) double-headed rail held up right in cast iron chairs attached to transverse timber sleepers by wooden pegs called trenails. The Ravenswood Railway siding was constructed in 1862 with 12 feet wrought iron double-head rail held in cast iron chairs with Ransom and May patent compressed keys. Trenails held the chairs to the sleepers and the joints were secured in joint chairs. Joints were subsequently joined using fish plates. It formed part of the Melbourne to Echuca rail line, initially known as the Melbourne, Mt Alexander and Murray River Railway. George Christian Derbyshire, the first Engineer-in-Chair of the Victorian Railways was responsible for the design and construction of the works. No new lines were built in Victoria using double-headed rail after 1870. The siding was disconnected from the main line in 1988. The Ravenswood Railway Siding demonstrates the original 1856 philosophy of the Victorian Railways to adopt British permanent way technology. The siding demonstrates significant aspects in the development of permanent way technology in England and Victoria over the period from the 1830's to the 1880's. The chairs in the Ravenswood siding are physical evidence of early railway technology rendered obsolete 120 years ago, namely joint chairs at rail joints and trenails to secure the chairs to the sleepers. The double-headed rail demonstrates an important stage in the evolution of British rail technology in the 1830s. The old fish plates, square headed bolts and square nuts demonstrate the success of fishing the rail joins. The Ravenswood siding demonstrates the earliest form of rail joint technology developed in England, and existing in Australia, the joint chair. In part of the siding the sequence of joint and intermediate chairs is consistent with the 1856 specifications, that sequence is rare with the joints secured in joint chairs. The survival of chairs in this sequence is rare and almost certainly demonstrates that they remained in continuous use at the same location from 1862 to 1988. This remnant of the Ravenswood siding has survived 126 years. The siding has proved to be the most significant of extant remnant double-headed sidings in Victoria, containing a rare combination of early permanent way technologies. Construction dates 1862, Info from Ravenswood Railway Siding Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/4693/download-report The remaining section of this siding is significant at the State and National levels in that it demonstrates the use of chaired rail by the Victorian Railways Department for the Trunk Lines and, more particularly, the following stages in the evolution of this long obsolete method of permanent way construction: a) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs at regular intervals inferring that the original wrought iron rail lengths were 12 feet, as is known through documentary sources to have been the case. The survival of chairs in this sequence is unique and almost certainly demonstrates that they have remained in continuous use at the same location and in the same sequence from 1862 to 1988 . b) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs designed for use with trenails. c) The use of later intermediate chairs designed for use with steel pins and the use of fished joints with steel double head chaired rail, representing a second method of constructing the permanent way using chaired rail technology. info from Ravenswood Siding - Melbourne/Echuca Railway Line - Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/70103/download-report Addition to Citation for Melbourne to EchucaRailway Line 1/10/1990 Double Head Rail The surviving lengths of double head rail with chairs on this railway compare with one surviving similar remnant on the Geelong to Ballarat railway and are representative of permanent way construction techniques applied exclusively to the two trunk railways of the 1860's. In this respect they are rare survivors and may be unique at the national level and of technical importance at the international level to the extent that they enhance contemporary understanding of early railway building technology. Surviving lengths of chaired double head rail survive at Kyneton, Ravenswood and Bendigo on this railway and include a number of different types of cast iron intermediate and joint chairs with hardwood keys and metal pins. The Ravenswood siding is of special significance for the diversity of chair types and for the sequence of chairs recalling rail lengths known to be associated with construction of the line in 1862. Construction of the Railway Tenders closed on 24 March 1858 with no less than 133 tenders being received. A contract was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937 to commence work on 1 June 1858 and complete the line by 31 July 1861. Cornish and Bruce made quick early progress with the Melbourne to Sunbury section being officially opened on 13 January 1859. The line was officially opened to Bendigo (Sandhurst) on 20 October 1862 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly. A great banquet was held for 800 guests and this was followed by a grand ball. The extension of the line to Echuca was a relatively simple matter as that part of the line was across plain country without any significant engineering challenges. Tenders were called for the work in 1863 and the work was completed in 1864 by contractors Collier and Barry Apart from the line contractors, other firms directly involved were J Shire law and Co (sleepers), R Fulton, Langlands Brothers and Co, William Crossley (water supply), B Moreland, Langlands Brothers and Co (platelayers lorries), E Chambers (iron pins, traversers), Miller and McQuinstan (luggage vans and steam engines) and various contractors for building works. Info from Engineers Australia Engineering Heritage Victoria Nomination for Recognition under the Engineering Heritage Australia Heritage Recognition Program for the Goldfields Railways - Melbourne , Bendigo & Echuca Railway Page 25 - .2.9.2 Statement from National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Listing number B5323 for Mt Alexander/Murray Valley Rail Line: Page 69 - Theme 3 https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/Melbourne_%20Bendigo_Echuca%20Railway%20Nomination.pdf The Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. It was established on 8 February 1853 to build a railway from Melbourne to Echuca on the Victorian-NSW border and a branch railway to Williamstown. The company struggled to make any progress and on 23 May 1856, the colonial Government took over the Company and it became part of the newly established Department of Railways, part of the Board of Land and Works. The Department of Railways became Victorian Railways in 1859. Construction of the Bendigo line commenced in 1858, but this private consortium also met with financial difficulties when it was unable to raise sufficient funds, and was bought out by the Victorian colonial government. The design work was then taken over by Captain Andrew Clarke, R. E., Surveyor-General of Victoria, with bridge designs completed by Bryson and O'Hara The contract for the first stage of the line from Footscray to Sandhurst (now Bendigo), was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937.2s.2d ($6.714 million) with work commencing on 1 June 1858. Completion of the permanent way was to be by 31 July 1861 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne,_Mount_Alexander_and_Murray_River_Railway_Company Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Victorian Railways : report of the Board of Land and Works November 1862 GP V 1862/63 no. 21 (2.8 MB) https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1862-63No21.pdfHistoric - Victorian Railways - Double Headed rail Ravenswood Railway Station and Siding Victorian Heritage Database Reports Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1100 Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1786 National Trust VHR H1100 Mount Alexander and Murray River Rail way Line National Trust2 rail lengths of Double Headed Rail made of Iron makers marks : Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel and 20 joint chairs with metal rail pins Makers mark Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel (possible date 187? very hard to read ) puffing billy, double headed rail, wilson & cammell - dronfield - steel works, ravenswood station siding, melbourne to echuca rail line, initially known as the melbourne, mt alexander and murray river railway. -
Puffing Billy Railway
NKS 9, Victorian Railways 2'6" gauge trolly
NKS Type Gangers Trolly - Victorian Railways 2'6" gauge trolley - a KS series Section Car oftern called the Kasey Jones The narrow gauge version of the broad gauge KS series cars. They were classed NKS with two stroke motors. These cars were built by the Spotswood Workshops, with castings coming from the Newport Workshops. KS is lighter car capable of carrying 4 men or sevenhundredweight Trolly 9 was built for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria for use on their metre gauge railway of Yallourn. It was sold to a preservation group at Walhalla and regauged to 2 foot 6 inch. It came to the Puffing Billy Railway in the early 1980s.Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Track Patrol Vehicle used by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria for use on their 900mm gauge railway of Yallourn. And then at Walhalla Railway where it was regauged to 2 foot 6 inchMotorised small rectangular trolly made of wood and wrought iron - currently stored dismantled Engine Type: 1 Cyl. reversible Fuel: 2 stroke Transmission: Belt driveNKS 9puffing billy, puffing billy museum, trolley, narrow gauge, 2'6" gauge, victorian railways, state electricity commission of victoria - yallourn., trolly -
Puffing Billy Railway
Climax - Geared Steam Locomotive No. 1694, 1928
Climax geared locomotive No. 1694 in active service on special occasions - stored at Emerald Station A Miraculous Survivor Climax locomotive No.1694 is a miraculous survivor of a rare breed of steam locomotive. For about 100 years from the mid-1850s sawn timber was carted from Victorian sawmills to the nearest railway station by timber tramway. These tramways were generally very rough, steeply graded, sharply curved, and of narrow gauge. Many had wooden rails, and horses provided haulage. The better ones used steam locomotives. In all about fifty steam locomotives are known to have worked on Victorian timber tramways. These locomotives were usually somewhat peculiar - made to cope with arduous, rough conditions, rather than speed. Climax locomotive No.1694 is the only one of these locomotives to survive intact. It was built in 1928 by the Climax Manufacturing Company, Corry, Pennsylvania, USA, for the Forests Commission of Victoria. The distinctive feature of the Climax locomotive is that the cylinders do not directly connect to the driving wheels. Instead they drive a cross shaft near the centre of the locomotive. From there the drive is transmitted to the small driving wheels through rotating shafts, universal joints, and bevel gears. The driving wheels are mounted in two four-wheel bogies so that they can easily follow sharp curves in the track. None of these features are found in normal steam locomotives. The result is a locomotive that is extremely powerful for its size, and that will cope with sharp curves and steep grades with ease. But this is at the cost of speed, Climax locomotive No.1694 is just about flat-out at 13 km/h (8 mph). Climax Locomotive Built in 1928 for the Forests Commission of Victoria and painted all-over black with the name CLIMAX painted on the sides of the cab in white block letters, this locomotive was issued to the Tyers Valley tramway which branched off the Moe to Walhalla line at Collins Siding. This locomotive was withdrawn from service in 1949 following the closure of the tramway and in 1950 it travelled from Tyers Junction to Collins Siding to Erica where it remained stored until 1965. Loaned to the Puffing Billy Preservation Society for its Steam Museum, it was taken to Menzies Creek in 1965 where it remained until 1982 when the Emerald Tourist Railway Board bought it and transferred it to Belgrave for restoration. It was returned to service for special use on the Belgrave to Gembrook line in 1988 painted in its original all-over black livery, except that the word “Climax” on the sides of the cab was now painted in the style of the Climax Manufacturing Co., a style that this locomotive had never carried.Historical - Industrial railway - Forests Commission of Victoria, Timber Logging Climax Locomotive Climax geared Steam locomotive made of steel and wrought iron Climax 1694climax locomotive works, climax, geared steam locomotive, puffing billy, climax locomotive no. 1694, steam locomotive -
Puffing Billy Railway
861 - John Rees - Decauville Steam Locomotive - formerly John Benn, 1886
861 John Benn Locomotive - in active service - Emerald Station Built in 1886 by Société Anonyme Usines Métallurgiques du Hainaut - Locomotives Couillet for the West Melbourne site of the Metropolitan Gas Company, as a four-wheel tank locomotive similar to 986 and named “John Benn”. The West Melbourne gas works sourced its coal from Maitland, New South Wales, and the coal was brought by ship to a wharf adjacent to the West Melbourne gas plant. John Benn and Carbon were used to haul the coal over a 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) gauge railway from the wharf to the gasworks, a distance of about 450 metres (500 yards). It was withdrawn from service in the 1930s and stored until sold privately in 1962. It was rebuilt by its new owners in the style of an American locomotive of the 1880s and was used for some years at Walhalla. It currently has the name “J.C. Rees” and is used in active service for the 861 Footplate Experience. Wheels: 2-4-2ST Builder: Couillet Build Date: 1886 Construction No.: 861 Empty Weight: Unknown Weight on Drivers: Unknown Driver Diameter: Unknown Tractive Effort: Unknown Boiler Pressure: Unknown Cylinders: Unknown Fuel: Coal Gauge: 30 inchesHistoric - Industrial railways - Metropolitan Gas Company Ltd, Melbourne Steam LocomotiveDecauville Steam Locomotive 861 John Reespuffing billy, narrow gauge, industrial narrow gauge railway, metropolitan gas company, decauville 43, steam locomotive, john rees, john benn, 861 locomotive, couillet, 861 -
Puffing Billy Railway
G42, Garratt Steam Locomotive, 1926
G42 Garratt Steam Locomotive Traffic and train loadings on Victoria's narrow gauge railways reached their peak during the 1920s. To assist in handling the longer, heavier trains, the Victorian Railways ordered two larger, more powerful Beyer Garratt locomotives. These were delivered in 1926 and were numbered G41 and G42. They were sent to work on the Colac–Beech Forest–Crowes line and the Moe–Walhalla line respectively. After the line from Moe closed in 1954, G42 was sent to Colac, where it worked with its mate, G41, until closure of that line in mid-1962. G41 had been in poor condition and was scrapped, whereas a brighter future awaited G42. The Victorian Railways offered G42 to the Puffing Billy Preservation Society, for display as a static exhibit in the Menzies Creek Museum. Over time, a plan evolved to restore G42 to operation, a goal that was eventually achieved by the launch of G42 back into traffic in April 2004. G42 now continues to operate as a restored member of the Puffing Billy Railway's locomotive fleet. No. originally constructed: 2 No. in service: 1 (No. 42) Boiler pressure: (lb/sq. in) 180 Boiler heating surface: 1268 sq ft (117.8 m2) Tractive effort: (85%) 26,860 lbs (12.18 t) Driving wheel diameter: 36" (91.44 cm) Max axle load: 9t 5cwt Length Overall: 51' 7" (15.72m) Height Overall: 10' 8" (3.28m) Date of manufacture: 1926 Manufacturer: Beyer Peacock Place of manufacture: Manchester UK Locomotive Type: Garratt Coal capacity: 70 cwt Cylinder diameter: 13" (33.02 cm) Cylinder stroke: 18" (45.72 cm) Wheel arrangement: 2-6-0+0-6-2 Roadworthy weight: 69t Water capacity: 1680 gal (7,637.43 l) Beyer Peacock - Garratt Locomotives Register Works Number - 6268 / 1926 Gauge/Railway/Class - 2'6"/Victorian Government Rlys/G Type - 2-6-0+0-6-2 No. G42 Notes - Australia G42 Built in 1926 and painted all-over black, this Garratt locomotive was issued to the Moe to Walhalla line where it remained—other than for overhauls—until the line closed in 1954. After an overhaul at Newport Workshops, it was issued to the Colac to Crowes line and remained there until that line closed in 1962 when it was returned to Newport Workshops for storage. In 1964 it was sold to the Puffing Billy Preservation Society and removed from the V.R. register 3 months later. It arrived at Belgrave in 1968 and was hauled to Menzies Creek for static display in the museum. 1986 saw the commencement of restoration the Belgrave workshops and has been restored to its 1946 to 1954 condition with raised cab roof, raised marker lamps, steel cow-catchers and all-over black livery. It was returned to service on April 18, 2004. Service History : Jun 1926 - Moe - initial allocation of a new locomotive Jun 1926 - Oct 1954 Moe Oct 1954 - Jan 1955 Workshops Jun 1955 - May 1962 Colac Jul 1962 - Dec 1965 Workshops - Stored Jan 1968 - Feb 1968 Belgrave - Stored Feb 1968 - 1982 - Menzies Creek Steam Museum 1982 - 2004 - Under restoration Apr 2004 - Belgrave - In active service at Puffing Billy Railway BelgraveHistoric - Victorian Railways - Narrow Gauge - Garratt Steam Locomotive - G42 Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H2187 G42 Garratt Steam Locomotive made of steel, iron and wrought iron with brass fittings - the Locomotive is in Active Service - Belgrave Station G42puffing billy, narrow gauge, garratt, g42, steam locomotive, beyer peacock, victorian railways -
Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph, Sunbury News Office
J.S Boardman was a local businessman who ran and produced the local newspaper until it closed down in the 1960s. The Boardman store and newspaper office was originally sited in Brook Street near the railway station but it was later relocated to a site on the SW corner of Brook and O'Shanassy Street.A black and white phitograph with a cream border of a weatherboard store with seven males standing in front of the building .The building has a verandah and two side entrances. Three off the men are wearing white work aprons and the others are dressed in suits.boardman j s., sunbury news office, country stores, businesses. -
Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph, Sunbury News Office
The Boardman family were local business people in Sunbury, who were storekeepers and also produced the local newspaper. Their original building was in Brook Street near the railway station but they later located their business further down in Brook Street on the corner of O'Shanassy Street. A black and white photograph with a cream border of a news office, store and cottage with a picket fence. The buildings are weatherboard with corrugated iron roofs.A young tree surrounded by a tree guard has been planted on the footpath between the cottage and shop.Two men and two ladies and a boy are standing in front of the buildings on the unmade road. A boy on horseback is alsoweith the group.j.a. boardman, sunbury news office, businesses., brook street -
Maldon Brass Band Inc.
Video, Maldon - Magical Marvelous Magnificent, 2017
Published on May 9, 2017 Visit the magical historic town of Maldon, declared Australia's first notable town by the National Trust of Australia. Home to remarkable shops and bustling with events throughout the year, Maldon retains an old world feel that was imprinted in Victoria's Gold Rush. Drone footage courtesy of Graham Hosking. With thanks to: Mount Alexander Shire Maldon Inc. Mr. Peter Thompson Maldon Twilight Dinner Maldon Brass Band Maldon Easter Fair and the wonderful people of Maldon.maldon hotel, victorian goldfields railway, maldon vintage machinery museum, gardens etcetera, maldon easter fair, teddy and me, wicked temptations, maldon market, cherrys ice cream, maldon twilight dinner, maldon fire brigade, vanilla spice christmas shop, maldon primary school, much ado general store, maldon brass band, the village patch, le sel, tarrangower, torchlight procession -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Surrey Hills Post Office
The post office opened at this location in 1912. It was demolished in 2000. Post office history in the area: Until 1883 when the railway came through to Surrey Hills, this was essentially a rural community of scattered farms. Land subdivisions soon occurred along the railway line and limited postal services followed soon after, although a ‘permanent’ home for the post office was two decades away. George Sim Junior is acknowledged as our first postmaster; he opened a post office on 1 October 1884 in his father’s general store at 619-621 Canterbury Road, a few doors down from the Surrey Hills Hotel on the corner of Union Road. Over the next 20 years, the Surrey Hills Post Office moved several times into temporary, shared accommodation – in 1889 into Woodhead’s Corner Store at 364 Canterbury Road; then in 1895 to No 376, Hansen’s Exchange Building, part of Hansen’s Terrace (demolished) and in 1901 to 109 Union Road, on the corner of Windsor Crescent. Following Federation in 1901, the new Commonwealth Government established the Postmaster-General's Department to provide postal services to the nation. Many of the post offices constructed in the following years reflected a growing sense of Australian pride and nationalism. It was 1914 when building commenced on the ‘purpose-built’ post office at 609 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills. Described as “a polychromatic Federation Freestyle building”, it served as the local post office for nearly 85 years until sold by the Commonwealth Government in c1999, after which the post office moved to the current, less prominent site at 100 Union Road. For nearly 10 years under private ownership, the building was successfully adapted for use as the base for two businesses, Gargoyles and Dragons and later the Surrey Sculpture Studio, and fortuitously the historic integrity of the building was maintained. However although renovated in the 1990's, structurally sound and of historic significance, it was not protected under local or commonwealth heritage legislation and was demolished soon after sale. This is an early image of a demolished building which should have been protected. In 1991, when the City of Camberwell conducted a heritage study, (which still informs the basis of the City of Boroondara’s heritage guidelines for this part of the municipality,) the post office was owned by the Commonwealth Government. As such, it could not be considered for heritage listing by the local authorities. Some years later, the Commonwealth and Australia Post rather belatedly recognized not only that post offices have heritage and social value, but also that the architecture of post offices as community buildings is important. A heritage management scheme was developed for the buildings they own or control under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. Unfortunately, the Surrey Hills Post Office had been sold and demolished before this was finally enacted in 2004. Black and white image, perhaps from a post card, of Surrey Hills post office at 609 Canterbury Road. The building is flanked by a picket fence. There is a woman, a dog and a man in front of the entrance. The man is in uniform - possibly a postal employee.post offices, canterbury road, businesses, surrey hills post office, surrey sculture studio, gargoyles and dragons -
Sunbury Family History and Heritage Society Inc.
Photograph, C1920S
Sunbury Railway Station was an important centre and stop on the Bendigo- Echuca train line. Many goods were weighed loaded, offloaded stored in the storage sheds for the surrounding districts at this centre. The Sunbury Railway Station was an important junction centre for the former Shire of Bulla and surrounding districts.A black and white photograph of the former weigh bridge and surrounding areas on the east side of the Sunbury Railway Station precinct. sunbury railway station, goods freight -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Map, Tunstall 1945, 1945
... General Store. Tunstall Tunstall Railway Station Tunstall Avenue ...A map drawn from memory about 20 years ago by Colin Fraser of the businesses and residents of Tunstall, 1945, including the location of Fraser General Store.A map drawn from memory about 20 years ago by Colin Fraser of the businesses and residents of Tunstall, 1945, including the location of Fraser General Store.A map drawn from memory about 20 years ago by Colin Fraser of the businesses and residents of Tunstall, 1945, including the location of Fraser General Store.tunstall, tunstall railway station, tunstall avenue nunawading, tunstall state school no 4190, fraser, colin -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Platform Scales, Thaddeus Fairbanks, 1880-1910
Thaddeus Fairbanks (1796 –1886) was an American inventor. of heating and cook stoves, cast iron ploughs, and other items. His greatest success was the invention and manufacture of the platform scale, which allowed the weighing of large objects accurately. Fairbanks was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1796, the son of Joseph Fairbanks (1763–1846) and Phebe (Paddock) Fairbanks (1760–1853). His uncle was Ephraim Paddock, the brother of Phebe Paddock. In 1815 he moved to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and set up a wheelwright's shop above his father's gristmill. In 1820 he married Lucy Peck Barker and In 1824 he built an iron foundry. his brother Erastus joined him to establish E. and T. Fairbanks, a partnership to manufacture heating stoves, cast iron ploughs a design for which he patented in 1826. In 1830 Fairbanks and Erastus became interested in the raising and processing of hemp. Fairbanks went on to patent a hemp and flax dressing machine and became the manager of the St. Johnsbury Hemp Company. He also built a set of scales that would measure large loads of hemp accurately, as there were no reliable scales at the time. Upon the success of building these scales, his brothers recommended that he make and sell these for general use. Fairbanks' most famous invention then became the platform scale for weighing heavy objects. These are commonly known as the Fairbanks Scales, for which he patented his original design in 1830. Before this time, accurate weighing of objects required hanging them from a balancing beam as a result, particularly heavy or ungainly objects could not be weighed accurately. A platform scale, if large enough, could weigh an entire wagon. By placing a full wagon on the scale, unloading it, and then placing it on the scale when empty, it became possible to easily and accurately calculate the weight and value of farm produce and other loads. In 1834 Fairbanks and his brother formed "E. and T. Fairbanks and Company" to manufacture and sell these platform scales. These scales were well known in the United States and around the world resulting in the company doubling in volume every three years from 1842 to 1857. There was a temporary slow down during the American Civil War, however, the business took off again after the war. Their partnership was incorporated in 1874 into a firm known as "Fairbanks Scale Company". These platform scales revolutionized weighing methods of large loads and have been in use ever since. Portable platform scales are found in almost every hardware store, physician's office, and manufacturing factory throughout the United States and the world. The first railway track platform scale patent was granted to Fairbanks on January 13, 1857, as Patent No. 16,381. In 1916 the company was purchased by ”Fairbanks, Morse and Company”. Ownership of the company has since changed several times, but Fairbanks Scales continue to be made in St. Johnsbury Vermont to this day. Fairbanks had received 43 patents in his lifetime with the last one at the age of 91. He died on April 12, 1886, and is buried at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. An early example circa 1900 of the first type of platform scales used in a grocery store. This design for accurately measuring goods that were sold over the counter revolutionised the weighing of goods throughout the world. Platform scale metal black with removable tray & pan. Has horizontal brass arm with a brass slide weight black removable weight hook and 2 x 2 lb. weights. Fairbanksflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Yarra Glen & District Historical Society
Sepia postcards, Yarra Glen
Sepia postcard with a view taken from the Grand Hotel tower looking down on Bell Street and the railway crossing at Yarra Glen very late 19th century. Young street trees on Bell Street. On east side of Bell Street are a dwelling, a general store, the Victoria Hall, a horse trough. Beyond the railway line is 'River View', the bridge over the river and the Yering flats.On back of postcard at the top "POST CARD". On the left hand side "THIS SPACE MAY BE USED FOR PRINTED OR WRITTEN MATTER”. On the right hand side "ONLY THE ADDRESS TO BE WRITTEN HERE”. In a box in the right hand corner "A HALF-PENNY STAMP TO BE PLACED HERE". Along the left hand margin "Ajax series. Printed in England". In blue biro is written "G. Keets Yarra Glen". Copy 2 has the following handwritten in black ink: "Yarra Glen. 28.8.11. Dear Maggie Hope you will like the Postcard. I also hope your head is better. On Saturday we took the kitten down to Dawborn's shop to catch some mice. When we got down there the kitten got away from us and we never got it till Monday morning. This is all the news this time. From your loving cousin, Walter.yarra glen, railway line, grand hotel, victoria hall, bell street, tree guards, railway crossing, river view, street trees, bell st, general store, horse trough -
Yarra Glen & District Historical Society
Black and white photographs, Yarra Glen railway crossing c.1900
Black and white photograph in light brown card slip case. The slip case has an image on the front cover of a head and shoulder bust. The photograph was taken about 1900 from the tower of the Grand Hotel looking down upon the Victoria Hall and the railway crossing. In the lower left corner is W.J.Dawborn's General Store. In front of the store is a horse and spring dray and another horse hitched to a veranda post. Next to the store is the Victoria Hall and beyond that a water trough. The railway crossing is in the centre of the picture with two railway cattle trucks next to the cattle yards. Beyond the railway on the left hand side is the property later known as 'River View'. Beyond the river lined with trees are the Yering flats across which can be seen the long trestle railway bridge. In the foreground of the picture is Bell Street lined with trees in wooden tree guards.yarra glen, victoria hall, railway crossing, river view, general store, w j dawborn, horse and cart, horse and dray, spring dray, horse hitched, hitching post, water trough, railway truck, cattle truck, cattle yards, stock yards, yering flats, trestle railway bridge, trestle bridge -
Orbost & District Historical Society
black and white photograph, early 20th century
This photograph shows Buchan marble being transported by horse and wagon to Nowa Nowa Railway Station. Lnidsay Cameron is the driver on the right. In the background is the Commercial Store of T. L. Sherrington, General Merchant, Bruthen. In the early 1900s black marble was being mined in the Bruthen district. Some was used for the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne and Australia House in London. 900 tonnes were shipped to London to be included in the construction of Australia House. Marble quarrying has been a significant part of the history of Buchan in East Gippsland. Its inclusion in the Shrine of Remembrance War Memorial and Australia House in London is noteworthy.A black / white photograph on a grey buff card. it is of four horse drawn wagons in front of a general store - "T L Sherrington General Merchant". There are five men standing on the trays and a man in a suit and hat holding a Gladstone bag is standing front left. a dog is lying on the ground between the wagons. The wagons are carrying large slabs of marble.on back - " Marble passing through Bruthen on way to railway"buchan-marble geology cameron-lindsay transport-rail transport-horse-drawn -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Wattle Glen Picnic Ground, c.1955, 1955c
The Wattle Glen Picnic Ground was located in a paddock just west of the Wattle Glen railway station (between the station and the creek). It has now completely disappeared except for a dilapidated overgrown building on a rise across the track from the railway platform. This was the picnic ground's main pavilion, which for a short time (circa 1972-1974) also served as the Wattle Glen post office and general store. The picnic ground operated from circa 1925 until late 1974, its heyday being in the early 1970s. This photo shows a group of picnickers on an outing from the East Coburg Presbyterian Church in around 1955. They travelled to Wattle Glen in a furniture removal van, sitting on church pews in the back of the van. Digital copy of sepia photographwattle glen, picnic ground -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Ron Kirkbride, Wattle Glen Picnic Ground, c.1971, 1971c
The Wattle Glen Picnic Ground was located in a paddock just west of the Wattle Glen railway station (between the station and the creek). It has now completely disappeared except for a dilapidated overgrown building on a rise across the track from the railway platform. This was the picnic ground's main pavilion, which for a short time (circa 1972-1974) also served as the Wattle Glen post office and general store. The picnic ground operated from circa 1925 until late 1974, its heyday being in the early 1970s. It was then managed by Ron and Barbara Kirkbride and was a thriving operation. The pavilion housed a substantial kiosk as well as toilets and showers. There were swings and slides for children, and there was an oval for cricket and football matches. Large group bookings became so popular that often the general public were excluded. This photo is believed to have been taken in about 1971. Digital copies of four black and white photographswattle glen, picnic ground -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Richard Pinn, Wattle Glen Picnic Ground, Dilapidated Pavilion Building, 2015, 07/02/2015
The Wattle Glen Picnic Ground was located in a paddock just west of the Wattle Glen railway station (between the station and the creek). It has now completely disappeared except for a dilapidated overgrown building on a rise across the track from the railway platform. This was the picnic ground's main pavilion, which for a short time (circa 1972-1974) also served as the Wattle Glen post office and general store. The picnic ground operated from circa 1925 until late 1974, its heyday being in the early 1970s.Born digital (three images)wattle glen, picnic ground -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Negative - Photograph, Were Street, Montmorency, 8 Oct 1950
From left; Constance and Betty Dandy and possibly their mother, Mrs Dandy, standing in Were Street. Photos shows Smyth's Milk Bar and Montmorency Railway Station in distance; Tozer and Whiteways Grocer on left. Mrs Dandy ran a haberdashery store in Were St.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 120 format B&W negative Black and white printOne print copy inscribed on reverse: Montmorency Station 8-10-50 Smyths ? Milk Bar Girls Constance and Bettey Dandy ? Tozer and Whiteways Grocer on left ?sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, montmorency, were street, betty dandy, constance dandy, milk bar, montmorency railway station, railway station, shopping centre, smyth's milk bar, tozer and whiteways grocer, were street shops -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Postcard - Photograph postcard, Panorama at Eltham, Vic, c.1923
... built circa 1910 Eltham Hardware Store opposite the railway... Hardware Store opposite the railway station first opened on Main ...The Rose Series P. 4284 post card Taken from near what would be present day CLC car park looking southwest across Diamond Street, present-day Andrew Park to the railway station and developing Eltham shopping precinct. Arthur Street visible, Pryor and Luck Street not evident. Sunnybrook, the Taylor home is visible at the top of the hill in Bible Street. Only three residences visible in Arthur Street on the southern side, two of these are the David Harbison Rest Home at 10 and 12 Arthur Street (built and opened in November 1919), present day site of Eltham Mall. There are none on the north side of the street. Based on 1945 aerial view there are 8 buildings on the northern side between Main Road and Bible Street which and given the extent of commercial development on Main Road, it is estimated this image is circa 1925. Luther Haley was the first to build an open a baker and General Store in this location next to the railway station in 1902. However, it took nearly twenty years until the early to mid-1920s when a period of significant growth in the Eltham shopping centre happened with many businesses relocating their operations from the original town centre of Maria Street in Little Eltham as well as new businesses opening. Other stores/buildings noted (L-R) are: Stationmaster's House built circa 1910 Eltham Hardware Store opposite the railway station first opened on Main Road opposite the Railway Station around late 1922. An advertisement placed in the Hurstbridge Advertiser advised that the Hardware Store had just opened with a varied stock of Saws, Hammers, Nails, Shovels, Screw Drivers, and every article required in a house or on a farm. People were also encouraged to try their Jams, Pickles, Sauces, Cups and Saucers, etc. Newsagency with 'Leader' advertising on awning - E. J. Andrew opened his newsagency shop opposite the station in March 1923, advertising for sale stationery, school requisites and periodicals. Bird Brothers Cash Grocer & Fruiterer opposite the railway station offering summer drinks and confectionery a specialty with a full Stock of groceries of the best quality always on hand at city prices opened December 1921 William Capewell's Butcher shop at the corner of Dudley Street. Capewell previously had a small shop in front of the station opposite Luck Street. He enlisted in the AIF during WW1 and returned home in 1919. He re-applied for a slaughtering license in February 1920 and was advertising by October 1922 supplying all districts. Not visible (or not yet identified) but in business by October 1922 were: J.H. Fraser, Carpenter and Builder at Luck Street opposite the station George A. Danslow, Hairdresser and Tobacconist opposite the railway station Miss Barber's 'Blue Gum' Soda Fountain opened October 1922 opposite the railway station (hidden behind Stationmaster's House). It was so named due to its proximity to a tall Blue Gum tree G.H. McDonald Boot Repairer opposite the railway station In December 1923 the first portion of the main street to be formed from Dudley to Arthur streets was almost completed. This is the section in front of Capewell's Butcher shop though it is difficult to fully make out from the photoDigital file only Postcards scanned from the collection of Michael Aitken on loan to EDHS, 2 Sep. 2022michael aitken collection, eltham, postcards, arthur street, david harbison rest home, electrine candles, eltham railway station, eltham shopping centre, lloyd's general store, red rattler, rose series postcard, rose stereograph company, tait train, velvet soap, andrew park, bible street, bird brothers cash grocer & fruiterer, bird brothers cash grocer and fruiterer, butcher, diamond street, dudley street, eltham hardware and timber, eltham hardware store, eltham mall, main road, station masters house, stationmaster's house, sunnybrook, w.j. capewell, w.j. capewell butcher shop -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Peter Pidgeon, Main Road, Eltham, 2 Aug. 2022
Comparison photo: SEPP_0610 - Main Road near Railway Station, c.1911 Shows Luther and Ada Haley’s General Store, Bakery and Tea Rooms opened September 1902 directly opposite present day Arthur Street. 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. Haley sold the store to Hannah Lloyd in 1917 who operated it until 1920. It then went through a succession of owners until Eric Staff purchased it in 1939. Ray Staff succeeded his father in 1954 and eventually demolished the store in 1965 opening up a new supermarket, the Eltham Big Star Food Centre. That building still stands at 929 Main Road and is the Nongkhai Thai Restaurant. 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. It was not until the early 1920s that stores started to appear between Luck and Dudley Streets. Part of a presentation by Peter Pidgeon to the Society, 13 August 2022 showcasing a series of photographs taken by John Henry Clark over the period 1895 to 1930. 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.Comparative photo taken 2022 with one taken from same location over 100 years earlier by noted local photographer J.H. ClarkBorn Digitaleltham, j.h. clark photo (2022), main road -
Otway Districts Historical Society
Photograph, Doug McLean, Gellibrand: "Kanyana Special" train, 1 March 1959
With the approval of the railways, in February1959 a special tourist train was organized by the Australian Railways Historical Society in conjunction with the "Kanyana: Festival Committee of Colac, Victoria, to run from Colac to Beech Forest. Eight NBH carriages, in store at Newport, were transferred to Colac. The train proved to be so popular that additional trains were later run over the next two years until the temporarily disused Puffing Billy needed the NBH carriages returned.Locomotive G42, labelled "A.R.H.S., Special Excursion, Kanyana", with a guard's van, eight NBH excursion carriages and an additonal guard's van attached, stands at Gellibrand Station with a large group of passengers milling outside the train. Note on the left a group of domestic railway dwellings, and, on the right side, two empty wagons. B/W.beech forest; colac; railways; a.r.h.s.; kanyana festival committee; -
Otway Districts Historical Society
Photograph, R. Preston, Kawarren: Down goods with G42 shunting, 1955, 14 December 1955
Originally known as Loves River it became Kawarren station on 16 June 1902. It consisted of a loop siding and combined office and passenger shelter. Goods loading was sawn timber (brought in on four tramways operating between 1905 and 1939), firewood, charcoal and limestone. In 1920 the limestone company built a store shed and a covered loading area at the terminus to assist operations. The company also requested the siding to be extended by three metres, which Victorian Railways did in the same year. This gave the loop a capacity of 21 trucks. Around 2,000 tonnes per year of limestone traffic kept the station busy until trade ceased in 1957. A postal motor started in October 1938, Kawarren being a point where the postal motor and trains were permitted to cross.B/W. G42 with a Down goods train at Kawarren on 14 December 1955. On No.2 Road empty NQR wagons proceeding to get filled at a covered lime loading operation. A three workmen are checking aspects of the train while a group appear to be clustered at the guard's van around an NKS motor trolley.kawarren; railways; limestone; timber; charcoal; -
Otway Districts Historical Society
Photograph, Laver's Hill General Store, c.1945
... now stands in its place. lavers hill; general store; railways ...Lavers Hill General Store, or more usually, Hampshire's Store, was owned initially for two years by Hampshire and Hutley, and then for 17 years by Mr and Mrs P. Hampshire (senior) who serviced the area including during the Depression. On their retirement their son, Percy, went into partnership with Leo Brauer for four years, and then ran it with his wife, Nea, for a further eight years until the store burnt down. The Store was a placed where the community congregated. It was a place where people met or waited for the train or the Cream Bus or the Mail Bus. Inside it was a place where you could buy groceries, fruit and vegetables, footwear, petrol, and so on. It was a place where children could buy a big stick of licorice for a halfpenny or 3d. worth of broken biscuits. Blackwood Gully Tea Rooms now stands in its place. B/W. Laver's Hill General Store, c.1945, with petrol bowser and sedan outside, and the level crossing to the right and the level crossing sign midfield.lavers hill; general store; railways; petrol bowser; hampshire; hutley; leo brauer; -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Negative - Photograph, Tom Prior, Main Road near Eltham Railway Station, c.1910
View looking south along Main Road, Eltham from near present day Luck Street. On the immediate right is a fence with the words “Hot Water” painted on it followed by William J Capewell’s butcher shop, then the slaughter yard and saleyards with the entrance access to the railway station. 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. The large weatherboard building on the corner (opposite present-day Arthur Street) with signs for Summer Drinks and Hot Water 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. In the distance approximately mid-way between the Butcher shop and the Bakery are the tops of what appears to be two cypress trees, which could well be the trees in front of the Shillinglaw Cottage facing Main Road. On the eastern (left) 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. Picture dated as c.1910 based on similar picture published in the Weekly Times, Feb. 1912. Kerb and channelling added 1923. Cross Ref: 610 (looking north), 611 (later stage), 613. Same as 705 (though in better condition)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 B&W Neg 120 format B&W negative (spare)shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, butcher, eltham railway station, railway station, w.j. capewell, baker, eltham town centre, general store, luther haley, reynolds prior collection, shops, haley's paddock, hot water, m.m. clark, sign, summer drinks, eltham sale yards, eltham slaughter yard, staffs general store -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Newspaper article, Eltham's growth has been rapid in recent years, c.1960
ELTHAM’S GROWTH HAS BEEN RAPID IN RECENT YEARS Unknown local paper c.1960s Recent years have seen a rapid change in the appearance of Eltham’s business centre - so rapid, in fact, that the growth of premises has been almost 300%. For more than thirty-five years Eltham had little more than a dozen traders - the town's business area spreading from Pryor Street in the north, to Pitt Street in the south. The greatest density of businesses - no more than a handful of shops - were situated in the present shopping centre but other essential services such as the Post Office, were located half a mile away. As the town's population grew and the need for more shops became apparent, the growth was centralised around the railway station and Shire hall. Few of the old premises are used for their original form of business today, though many are still in existence. One of the oldest (seen clearly in the illustration) still in use is now Ferrari's Greengrocery. This shop was Eltham's butchery in early days, conducted by Jim Ryan. Up to twenty years ago, Mr. Ryan ran his business from the shop. whilst his son toured Eltham in his horse and cart, cutting his customers' orders as he went from door to door. Another business - one of the few still trading in the same goods-was Burgoyne's Hardware. This is now owned by Mr. R. Clinton, a new shop has recently been added and shortly the old premises will disappear completely. The Burgoyne family were well known to Eltham's population. The Post Office and Store (then in Main Road, near Bridge Street) was run by Mr. and Mrs. Burgoyne. The Post Office was later moved, and attached to the hardware store. OLD HOTEL In this same area was the old Eltham Hotel, almost opposite the present hotel. The building still stands, but has been converted into a house. The hitching rail can still be seen by the roadside. Back in the township was Barber's Blue Gum store, later conducted by Mrs. Burges (mother of Garnet Burges) and claimed to be Eltham's oldest shop. Further down the road, just past the hardware store, was the barber shop and billiard saloon. Next door was E. J. Andrew's news agency, library and State Savings Bank. Eltham's original chemist's shop, or dispensary as it was called, is now an electrical repair shop. On this side of the street too, was Mrs. Monteith - Draper. Mr Monteith was the owner of Eltham' s bus service. This bus service had no regular route, but deposited passengers at the point nearest their homes - a. door to door taxi service. Next to Mrs. Monteith stood another grocery - and general store, and next again, the local blacksmith. Another of Butcher Ryan's sons was Eltham's blacksmith and obviously an enterprising man he conducted a timber business next door to his smithy's shop. These two premises are still run by one man - Garnet Burges. BOOM STARTS Twenty years ago, when Thompson's took over Eltham's pharmacy they occupied the old shop adjoining the Shire hall. The building of Thompson's new premises, from which· they operate today, was the beginning of Eltham's recent growth and development. With another grocery store and a bakery at the corner of York Street, a butcher near Franklin Street, a cobbler's shop opposite the State School (did you ever wonder what that-little building attached to one of Eltham's oldest houses had been?), and an estate agency conducted by Mr. Clark, now Eltham Real Estate - only one trader remained - and today, still carries on, the only original owner of one of Eltham's .oldest established businesses - Mr. Dave Lyon, of Lyon Bros. Garage, which was formerly located in what was later used as Chenowyth's Foundry in Main Road. From the early twenties until little more than six or seven years ago that was the picture of Eltham. Some businesses had changed hands - many years before Mr. C. Rains had acquired Andrew's news agency, Mrs. Monteith's drapery had become Mrs. R. Smith's home-made cake shop, to change again and again to many other types of business. But generally, Eltham was unchanged, for nearly thirty years. Then suddenly new shops mushroomed. The new news agency and drapery, the chemist and adjoining shops, a new butcher, a green grocer and several more. POPULATION DOUBLED In the space of a few years, fifteen new shops, two banks, a restaurant and a post office were built at Eltham. New types of businesses found a ready market in an area which was quickly almost doubling its population. A little over twelve months ago, another wave of progress hit Eltham. Since then eight more shops have been built - a cake shop and fish shop in Dalton [sic – Dudley] Street - for building areas are unprocurable in the Main Street shopping centre now – have been built by Mr. D. Kimball; a new ladies’ and children’s wear shop has been opened by Rains; Eltham Dry Cleaners have another of these new shops, and Mr. R. Clinton has built elaborate new premises. Further down the road, Mr. C. Campbell has built a new butcher's shop, and next door, at present under construction, are a self service store and a shop which Mr. J. Hodges will open on completion. In addition to these new shops, Mr. J. Millett has extended his grocery to almost twice its original size. FLOURISHING Outside the central area, other businesses are flourishing. Latimer's felt factory is being developed in a picturesque rustic setting; P. J. Timber and Trading Company have recently completed a large showroom and timber yard, and in the town itself Nicholson and Merritt are now completing the extension of their foot wear factory to double its former area. This is Eltham today. Progress is moving rapidly in this rural area on the fringe of the metropolis. Less than a decade has seen vast development. The years to complete that span of time will see even greater changes and greater prosperity in this heart: of the Diamond Valley. OLD LANDMARK GOES Perhaps the most famous landmark in Eltham's' business section disappeared last Wednesday when the towering blue gum in Pryor Street at the rear of Main Road shops was felled. The tree, stated to be more than 80 feet high, was the one for which the adjoining café was named, when that business was Eltham’s only provision store, long before the turn of the century. Mr. J. Millett, who now owns the property on which the tree stood, deeply regretted its removal, but was mindful of the need for expansion in the business area. The "Old Blue Gum" was removed by Mr. A. Wilson, expert tree feller, from Heidelberg. Its proportions might be assessed by these facts – it took a gang of experienced men two days to completely fell and clear the tree, and, falling sections being brought down by cable tipped electricity wires on the opposite side of Pryor Street.andrew's news agency, bakery, barber shop, barber's blue gum store, billiard saloon, blacksmith, blue gum, burgoyne's hardware, butcher, cake shop, chemist's shop, chenowyth's foundry, cobbler's shop, dave lyon, dispensary, draper shop. mr monteith, dudley street, e. j. andrew's news agency, electrical repair shop, eltham bus service, eltham butchery, eltham dry cleaners, eltham hotel, eltham railway station, eltham real estate, eltham shire hall, eltham shopping centre, eltham shops, eltham town centre, estate agency, expert tree feller, ferrari's greengrocery, fish shop, foot wear factory, franklin street, garnet burges, general store, grocery, heidelberg, horace clark, jim ryan, ladies’ and children’s wear shop, latimer's felt factory, library, lyon bros. garage, main road, mr. a. wilson, mr. c. campbell, mr. c. rains, mr. d. kimball, mr. j. hodges, mr. j. millett, mr. r. clinton, mrs. burges, mrs. monteith, mrs. monteith's drapery, mrs. r. smith's home-made cake shop, nicholson and merritt, p. j. timber and trading company, pitt street, post office, pryor street, self service store, shopping centre, state savings bank, taxi service, thompson's pharmacy, york street -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, George Coop, View looking south from the Newport Signal Box, Newport Railway Station, c.1951
The pair of lines running to trhe left head to Williamstown. the central pair of lines are heading into the Newport Workshops and various stored trains are visible in the background and the pair of lines diverging to the right are heading to Geelong. 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, newport signal box -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide - Photograph, Russell Yeoman, Steam engine K-184 hauling a special excursion train across the Eltham Railway Trestle Bridge, c.1974
Special excursion vintage train. Same engine (K-184) that hauled the vintage train for the Shire of Eltham Centenary celebrations in 1971. K 184 was used on railtour duty by Steamrail Victoria until 1980. It has since been stored at Newport Workshops.35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Grey and White (Fuji)eltham trestle bridge, k-184, k-class steam locomotive (vr newport workshops), red rattler, steam engine, steam train, trestle bridge