Murray Comrie Collection. Information written by Murray Comrie: Dr. Philip H. Donovan took up practice as resident surgeon at Tarnagulla in April 1894 following the death of Dr. Dickson. He took up residence at Joyce's and then moved to opposite the (current) Post Office in Commercial Rd. He later took up residence at 79 Commercial Road, next to Runtings hairdresser and sporting good store.. With Dr. Deravin he successfully operated for appendicitis on S. James. He died suddenly on Tuesday 8th September 1903 from an aneurism. He was unmarried and aged 38 years. He was so highly regarded that the people of Tarnagulla erected a monument over his grave at Tarnagulla Cemetery. On Sunday 11/9/1904 members of St. George Lodge of Freemasons, Dunolly made a pilgrimage to the grave to mark the anniversary of his death. Monochrome photograph depicting Dr. Philip H. Donovan seated with a small dog on his lap. This is a reasonable copy of an older original which appears to have been physically cut/modified. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1970s. tarnagulla, doctors, doctor, surgeon, medicine, health, donovan, dog, animals

Murray Comrie Collection. This photograph shows business on the north end of Commercial Road, Tarnagulla. From right: the brick Baptist Church (now private residence), Stafford's Blacksmith Coachbuilders and funeral/undertakers (since demolished), & Norwood's Tarnagulla Hotel. Information collated by Murray Comrie: Stafford's premises were built on land previously occupied by the stables of the George Hotel. The Stafford's building was later taken over and run by Frank McNamee. This photograph is a dark copy created from an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1970s. Monochrome photograph depicting the north end of Commercial Road, Tarnagulla. A large wagon with team of horses is standing in the road. Three girls are walking down footpath at left side of image.Written on the original: 'Specially produced for Renshaw & Co' and 'Commercial Road (North End) Tarnagulla'. Written on this copy: 'Baptist Church Staffords Blacksmith Coachbuilders and funeral/undertakers, & Norwood's Tarnagulla Hotel'.tarnagulla, commerce, industry, blacksmithing, smithing, coachbuilding, businesses, stafford, norwood, mcnamee, buildings, hotels, churches, commercial road, main street

A special committee was convened to investigate matters raised by Legate A N Kemsley (Chairman of JLC) in a letter dated 22 January 1948. The committee comprised of Legatees Armstrong (Chairman), Blackall, Brain, Carleton, Kemsley, G Langley, Sheldon, and Vines. The matters were addressed in two groups, Loyalty and Training in Good Citizenship. Loyalty: recommendations included a framed photo of the King and Queen is displayed in all residences and rooms where classes were conducted; that a simple declaration of loyalty be recited as part of classes; that the Union Jack and Australian flag be displayed in all rooms where classes are held (flags would need to be procured as their present stock as 'small and in poor order'; that the offer to borrow items from the UK Information Office about the Royal family be accepted; that Anzac Day and the Shrine of Remembrance be discussed prior to Anzac Day at classes held in March and April; that Junior Legatees be encouraged to attend Legacy Ceremony at the Shrine on Anzac Day. Training in good citizenship: to use the Legacy camps to impress on the juniors aspects of appropriate behaviour and attitudes. The notation H29 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. A record of Legatees making recommendations about loyalty and behaviours to instil in junior legatees.White foolscap paper with black type x 4 pages about a special committee.Handwritten H29 in red pen and 'Policy and Objectives' in blue pen.history, regulations, rules

Handwritten anonymous notes, possibly 1971, headed "Ask Alec" and identifying information the writer needed such as 'Present state of the project'. There is no indication of what the project was beyond dates for the acceptance of tenders, start of construction and date of completion etc. Appears to be part of the review of the residences done at that time. When ideas for renovating and upgrading one of the homes was being considered. Apparently building would start in March 1972 and be completed before the end of 1972. There is no record of a Legatee called 'Alec' at the appropriate time in Melbourne Legacy records.Part of the history of Melbourne Legacy's involvement with residential care for children.2 pencilled foolscap sheets, black on discoloured white. Two holes punched for filing. residences, review

Draft report of the Steering Committee (Residences) dated 29/3/74 on the accompanying note, which was addressed to Hugh (Legatee H. Rodgers) and signed Allan Q. (Legatee A. Quayle). The Steering Committee was in favour of demolishing and re-building Blamey House in stages: 1. constructing motel type units on SW corner of the site, 2. Demolishing Blamey House 3. Moving occupants in from Stanhope 4. Moving occupants from Harelands to Stanhope and selling Harelands. The plan would also provide future accommodation for widows in the long term. These recommendations were never implemented. See also Cat. No. 01677.Part of the history of Melbourne Legacy's involvement with residential care for children.White foolscap paper x 5 pages with black type. Two holes punched for filing. 2 handwritten add-ons, one black biro on unpunched white paper, the second black biro on faintlined paper with double holes punched. In black biro: Page 1 line 4 - 'the' inserted Page 1 3.1.2 'u' deleted Page 2 - 3.2 (A) and (B) inserted Page 3 - 3.3 split into (A) and (B) Page 3 - 4.1.2 crossed out and rewritten on separate sheet Page 3 - 4.2.2 'Move occupants from 'Stanhope' into the new complex' added. Page 4 - 4.2.3 Crossed out and rewritten as 'Move the occupants from 'Harelands' to 'Stanhope' and sell 'Harelands'. Page 4 - 6.1.1 'However, the Page 4 - final para 'detail of what these funds might be available' replaced with 'detailed information on the availability of these funds' Page 5 - 6.1.3 'implemented' replaced 'put in hand Page 5 - 6.1.3.2 changed to read 'Suitable short-term housing of our Junior Legatees at a standard commensurate with the responsibility of Legacy'.residences, review, blamey house

Minutes of the meeting held on 28th February 1975 which updated the information in Cat. No. 01693. Red Cross, which owned Stanhope and leased it to Melbourne Legacy, had been approached to consider Legacy's request to modify the residence. The numbers of children 16 years and under had averaged 35-40 with 26 currently in residence. The Committee now proposed that Harelands should be sold and Stanhope should become co-ed and modified to accommodate 40 children. Chairman Legatee Quayle undertook to ring other Committee members for their approval to pass these recommendations to the Junior Legacy Club. In a file with documents pertaining to the residences.Gives an insight into Legacy thinking about the way in which the residences should be used.Fading photocopy, originally black on white, now brown on cream. Two holes punched for filing. residences, review, blamey house, harelands, stanhope

As a teenager in the 1950s Alison Wisdom was a resident for seven years at both Stanhope and Holmbush Legacy hostels in Burke Road, Kew. She has compiled a website and written a book about her extended family in which her own experiences are described. Alison's brother, Stephen Kerry Wisdom, also lived at the hostels, as well as her eventual husband, Graeme Ball, and she describes their lives as Legacy children very fondly with many photographs.This is a rare and well researched account which describes the residences from a child's point of view, The information and photographs give a valuable insight into the running of the hostels, the lives of the beneficiaries and effect of the efforts of so many Legatees.1 x pdf document, colour and black & white 5.81 MB, 33 x jpeg images, colour and black & white. 56 - 1,938 KBmemoir, residences, junior legatee

The newsletter from August 1955. It featured photos of the Legacy staff, including Miss Dorrie Vines the Matron of Stanhope. It summarises her life before joining Stanhope on 11 November 1946. She had served with distinction overseas during World War 2 as a Major with the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps. At the beginning of 1940 she went to the Middle East and served as Senior Sister of No.1 Casualty Clearing Station and shortly afterwards was appointed Sister-in-charge of the No.3 Casualty Clearing Station. She returned to Australian in 1943 and was appointed Matron of a hospital in Alice Springs and in 1944 she again left Australia for New Guinea as Matron of the 2/11 Australian General Hospital. For her war service she was awarded the medal of an Associate of the Royal Red Cross in 1943 and was also mentioned in despatches. Miss Vines remained at Stanhope until her retirement in December 1966.Newsletter outlining news of Junior Legatee activities also occassionally contained information about staff.Black and white printed article about Miss Vines from Newsletter published August 1955. Volume 9 Number 2staff, residences, dorothy vines

Letters and maps and information relating to the Holmes family of Ascot, Victoria. Documents include: Sarah Holmes inquest Ancestors of Elizabeth Mary Holmes Holmes Family Reunion at Arawata Hallelizabeth mary holmes, ascot residence tender notice, family tree, map of poowong township, family history, genealogy, samuel pickford, william pickford, elizabeth cross, charles robbins, harry holmes, edith pickford, ian coghill holmes, elizabeth fry

This old apple tree situated beside the Plenty River Trail at Greensborough has been associated with Melbourne Founder John Batman. Known as Batman's Tree, this apple tree is on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough. It is said that Melbourne Founder John Batman may have planted the tree and later signed his treaty here with the Aboriginal people. It still bears fruit and its recorded on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p7 Was This John Batman's Tree? An apple tree on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough, is believed to have belonged to Melbourne’s founder, John Batman. It could also stand where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the Aboriginal people.1 Known as Batman’s Tree, it still bears fruit and is recorded on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It is ‘Believed to have been planted by either John Batman, (c1837) or Martin Batey (1841)’.2 In 1966 a Horticultural Adviser, Mr Rolfe, after extensive questioning of aged Greensborough residents, wrote: ‘it thus seems fairly certain that the old tree on the banks of the Plenty River is an original Batman apple tree’. Mr Rolfe said that the tree stood on a spot formerly called Wattle Bend: ‘one of the sites claimed to be where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the aboriginals. ‘My main source of information has been interviews with people who attended school in the Greensborough area from 70 to 80 years ago. Their parents were close to the days when Melbourne was founded so information passed on by word of mouth.’ Around 1920 the tree was struck by lightning and a concrete block was placed in the split. The concrete is inscribed with the date 1841 when the tree was thought to have been planted. Not everyone agrees with Mr Rolfe however. Former secretary of the Nillumbik Historical Society, Kevin Patterson, said there was no written evidence to support the claim. But he said the tree had been known to locals for decades as Batman’s Tree. In the 1920s a holiday resort in the area advertised: ‘Come to Greensborough and see John Batman’s tree’. Mr Patterson said it was thought that when Batman died in 1839 his land was sold and a Greensborough man Frederick Flintoff bought seedlings from his orchard for £1 each. This was the only one left.3 Mr Rolfe said: ‘If planted in 1837, or even a few years later, it undoubtedly is the oldest living apple tree in Victoria. Title records of the property on which the tree grows show that the land was a crown grant of F D Wickham in 1840. Mr Wickham was reputed to be a friend of John Batman. All the early settlers prior to the crown grants were squatters, by virtue of Batman’s treaty. This treaty was revoked by the then New South Wales Government, so it is likely that Wickham or an agent was in occupation before 1840. ‘According to Mrs Mavis Latham (John Batman – Great Australian Series, Oxford University Press) when Batman came to Port Phillip in 1835 he brought fruit trees with him. He failed to get a crown grant for his selection on Collins Street, which included 20 acres (eight ha) of orchard and cultivation. His residence became the Government Office and Melbourne grew from wild bushland in 1835 to a town of over 20,000 people by 1841. It is possible Batman visited Wickham and presented him with a tree.’ However a Flintoff descendant in 1933 said Frederick Flintoff ordered his bailiff Martin Batey to transplant the Batman Tree from the Spencer Street orchard to its present site as a memorial to his friend Batman.4 Mr Rolfe spoke to many people, including descendants of the Bateys and Flintoffs and pupils at the Greensborough Primary School. Many had gained their information from a ‘very highly respected’ head master Lewis Amiet at the Greensborough School from 1895 to 1917. He must have gained this information from residents in the district and had this information been incorrect, the parents of the children would have promptly corrected him.’ One woman who attended the school before Mr Amiet’s appointment, said the previous teacher also taught that the tree on the Plenty River was a Batman tree, Mr Rolfe said.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, greensborough, john batman tree, plenty river trail