The Orford family, a pioneer family remained continuously living and working in Eltham for 170 years from 1854 to 2024. James and Sarah Orford arrived in Sydney in 1839 aboard the ship “Orestes”; they had several children there before settling in Eltham in 1854. Three children, James Mathias, Sarah Amelia and Thomas Henry initially remained in the Eltham area. James eventually moved to Brunswick. Sarah married Arthur Butler Young and finally lived in Bunyip. Thomas who was six years old when the family arrived in 1854 remained in Eltham, married Helen Logan who died, leaving a large family. They lived in a slab hut by the Yarra at Laughing Waters and Thomas managed the Panton Park Estate, a selection owned by Magistrate Thomas Panton. Thomas’s son, Ernest Orford was born 1892 at Pitt Street, Eltham and also lived his entire life in Eltham working as a labourer, orchardist and later as a gardener and grounds keeper for Sir William Irvine, a former Chief Justice and Premier of Victoria. Ernest married Kate Thomas; their two sons Ron and Doug stayed in the area. Another of Thomas' sons, Arthur, also lived in Eltham. Four Orford generations attended Eltham schools. Doug Orford was born on the kitchen table (reference, son Ted Orford) of the family home at the corner of Reynolds Road and Mount Pleasant Road. Doug married Gwen and they established a family however Gwen died at a young age from cancer. Doug eventually remarried another Gwen and they lived for several decades in Napoleon Street, Eltham. Doug was actively involved in EDHS over many years, including serving as a committee member and vice president. Contributions by Doug and Gwen, his wife, assisted EDHS to continue to develop as a not-for-profit group intent on promoting and preserving our local history. Both Doug and Gwen were made Life Members of EDHS. His significant work with assisting to establish our valued Local History Centre helped develop our home base and supported the continued growth of our society. Doug’s local knowledge, suggestions and family connections were highly valued, Until recent times, he continued to regularly attend our Collections Team workshops providing his insights and historical information about photographs and society records. Doug died peacefully July 8, 2024, and represents the last link in the Orford Eltham chain which spanned 170 years. His funeral was held Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Le Pine Funerals, 848 Main Road, Eltham. Contents: Typed notes, no date: Memories of Ernest Orford [taped 1979] about his school days. Handwritten notes, no date: History of Ernie Orford Typed notes, no date: History of Thomas Henry Orford and family. Photocopy: Shire of Eltham General Rate Receipts. Received from D Orford 7 June 1923 and Received from E F Orford, 4 August 1924. Letter, no date: Nillumbik Shire to Russell Yeoman, Gwen Orford to receive Volunteer Recognition Award. Newsletter article: "The Orford Family, Eltham", Shire of Eltham Historical Society, No.80 September 1991. History of Orford family. Handwritten notes: 21 March 2011, genealogy of George Orford. On reverse Melways map makred with Orford and other land ownerships. Newspaper advertisement, 21 March 2011: "264 Reynolds Road, South Eltham", property for sale [land in ownership of Orford family]. Letter: St Margaret's Anglican Church Eltham to Doug Orford, 17 November 2011, Extracts from church records relative to Orford family. Newspaper article: "Timely facelift at war memorials', Diamond Valley Leader, 30 April 2024, Nillumbik war memorial will have some work and a bronze plaque will be installed at the Eltham Avenue of Honour, Wingrove Park; photograph of Doug Orford Newsletter item: "Welcome home medal", Eltham District Historical Society newsletter no.216 May 2014, World War I two 'Welcome Home Medals' in ownership of local men, being Harry Gilham and Doug Orford. Order of Service, Le Pine Funerals (Eltham), In Loving Memory of Douglas Frederick Orford 22nd August 1929 - 8th July 2024Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcdoug orford, harry gilham, welcome home medal, eltham avenue of honour, nillumbik war memorial, wingrove park, henry dendy, alfred armstrong, james orford, 264 reynolds road south eltham, george orford, george joseph orford, maryanne george joseph, thomas henry orford, ernest orford, e f orford, eltham cemetery, helen orford, joseph panton, panton park, gordon lyon, banyule estate heidelberg, james matthias orford, wurundjeri, constable peter lawlor, george hill, franklin street eltham, ronald orford, eltham primary school, john brown, robert gamble school inspector, sarah orford, mary ann orford, james mathias orford, sarah amelia orford, james peet, arthur butler young, watsons creek victoria, kangaroo ground victoria, helen logan, william orford, jane orford, arthur orford, frederick orford, florrie orford, victor orford, chem orford, sunnymede eltham, panton hill estate, sir william irvine, gordon lyons, kate thomas, north eltham gospel church, harold clapp, eltham cricket club, research primary school, dalton street school eltham, keith banks, betty banks, benjamine boyd, laughing waters road eltham, freddie gilsinen, douglas frederick orford, eltham district historical society, funeral service, le pine funeral home, life member, order of service

Subjects cover: . Bourke Street Melbourne Market . Wood carting . Kersosene lighting and Mr Barrett of Eltham . Royal Mail coaches, routes, horse changes . Cobb and Co blacksmith . Eltham Market . various road routes Extract of memories written by William John Taylor during a period of illness in bed, c.1920Photocopy. Top of the article missing.adamson, barrett, blackburn, blacksmith, bourke street market, christmas hills, cobb and co, dr martin, eltham hotel, eltham market, eltham road district, ferny hill, fountain hotel, jamieson, kangaroo ground, queenstown, kersone lamps, kingston, lamp lighters, lower plenty, matlock, mcphail bros, mergers, morris, panton hill, rolfe, royal mail coach, shire of eltham, st andrews, steer and sons, strettle and co, trail, w. tiggs, w.a. blake, watsons creek, williams, wood carting, woods point, yan yean picnic, yarra glen,, r.d. taylor, reminiscences

GC advised that when they first arrived in Eltham in the late 1960s, he would enjoy driving out to Yarra Glen. The Eltham-Yarra Glen road was unmade at the time. He passed this residence on the north side of the road. It was totally remote. GC found the juxtaposition of this little cottage with its surburban wire gate out in the remoteness of the landscape intriguing. Since then the road has been reconstructed and diverted away from the cottage which is now owned by Parks Victoria.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford HP4 black and white transparencyIlford HP4birch cottage, christmas hills, early settlers, edwin samuel birch, eltham-yarra glen road, honor mary birch, honor mary williams, john hill, watsons creek

GC advised that when they first arrived in Eltham in the late 1960s, he would enjoy driving out to Yarra Glen. The Eltham-Yarra Glen road was unmade at the time. He passed this residence on the north side of the road. It was totally remote. GC found the juxtaposition of this little cottage with its surburban wire gate out in the remoteness of the landscape intriguing. Since then the road has been reconstructed and diverted away from the cottage which is now owned by Parks Victoria.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford HP4 black and white transparencyIlford HP4birch cottage, christmas hills, early settlers, edwin samuel birch, eltham-yarra glen road, honor mary birch, honor mary williams, john hill, watsons creek

GC advised that when they first arrived in Eltham in the late 1960s, he would enjoy driving out to Yarra Glen. The Eltham-Yarra Glen road was unmade at the time. He passed this residence on the north side of the road. It was totally remote. GC found the juxtaposition of this little cottage with its surburban wire gate out in the remoteness of the landscape intriguing. Since then the road has been reconstructed and diverted away from the cottage which is now owned by Parks Victoria.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford HP4 black and white transparencyIlford HP4birch cottage, christmas hills, early settlers, edwin samuel birch, eltham-yarra glen road, honor mary birch, honor mary williams, john hill, watsons creek

Colour photograph1982, clintons road, long gully, smiths gully, spanish gully road, watsons creek, streets

GC advised that when they first arrived in Eltham in the late 1960s, he would enjoy driving out to Yarra Glen. The Eltham-Yarra Glen road was unmade at the time. He passed this residence on the north side of the road. It was totally remote. GC found the juxtaposition of this little cottage with its surburban wire gate out in the remoteness of the landscape intriguing. Since then the road has been reconstructed and diverted away from the cottage which is now owned by Parks Victoria.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford HP4 black and white transparencyIlford HP4birch cottage, christmas hills, early settlers, edwin samuel birch, eltham-yarra glen road, honor mary birch, honor mary williams, john hill, watsons creek

Roll of 35mm black and white negative film, 4 of 7 strips and corresponding B&W printIlford HP4bridge, bridges, watsons creek, kangaroo ground, bend of islands, henley road

Alice McGREGOR Born: 1908; unknown parents. Possibly adopted by the Salter family? Electoral Roll 1936: Highland Terrace Kangaroo Flat. Alice Mary Salter and William Robert Salter living together; presumed to be sister and brother. William Robert Salter was killed in a MVA in Bendigo in 1937 aged 26. In Victoria in 1938, Alice Mary Salter married James Thomas McGregor (born Victoria 1917, died Victoria 1983, buried Fawkner Cemetery) Lived: 1968; 22 Wade Street Golden Square Alice McGregor Died: 1999 aged 91 at Anne Caudle Centre, Bendigo Buried: Kangaroo Flat Cemetery See additional research. Postcard Album of Alice McGregor contained 86 post cards.Postcard Album of Alice McGregor containing 86 postcards. See 1400 Coloured image entitled 'Storm off Brighton'. Dark moonlit night with rough seas. Just visible is a pier on the right. Lights of a house in background. Hull of a ship in centre? Addressee - Miss H.Y. Shatford, Watson's Creek, via Kangaroo Grounds, Melbourne Sender J Y D Dated Jan 31, 1906 postcard, collector, alice mcgregor

Located bewteen Watson's Creek Antiques, Eltham-Yarra Glen Road and Panton Hill Memorial Park35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 25) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcess Date MAY 88Minfrastructure, roads, shire of eltham, unidentified, rural road

Historical property that sits beside Watsons Creek. In 1903 a Miners Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The house existed at that time. Birch died in 1932 and his daughter Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. The future of the cottage remains precarious because of its location on Crown land. In 2007 the Andrew Ross Museum began a campaign to ensure its preservation - NL18235mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak KodachromeProcess Date MAR 89Mbirch cottage, christmas hills, smiths gully, watson's creek, yarra glen road

Historical property that sits beside Watsons Creek. In 1903 a Miners Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The house existed at that time. Birch died in 1932 and his daughter Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. The future of the cottage remains precarious because of its location on Crown land. In 2007 the Andrew Ross Museum began a campaign to ensure its preservation - NL18235mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak KodachromeProcess Date MAR 89Mbirch cottage, christmas hills, smiths gully, watson's creek, yarra glen road

Bend of Islands is named after a group of small islands at a bend of the Yarra River near Watsons Creek. It is located near the town of Kangaroo Ground. The locationn was a long time favourite spot for locals and visitors to fish and swim in the river. This is one of a series of four photographs that depict a mainly young group of people recreating in the area, particularly enjoying horse riding. Possibly weekend campers. Photos taken about 1926-1928. In 1938 "The Argus" advertised weekend cabins at the Bend of Islands estate 5-are Yarra Yarra frontage in the Christmas Hills Gorge ideal for weekend cabins. "Bathing, fishing, canoeing, shooting may be enjoyed in ideal surroundings". Black and white photograph (reproduction)Bend of Islands, c.1928 bend of islands, horse riding, camping, tent

Bend of Islands is named after a group of small islands at a bend of the Yarra River near Watsons Creek. It is located near the town of Kangaroo Ground. The locationn was a long time favourite spot for locals and visitors to fish and swim in the river. This is one of a series of four photographs that depict a mainly young group of people recreating in the area, particularly enjoying horse riding. Possibly weekend campers. Photos taken about 1926-1928. In 1938 "The Argus" advertised weekend cabins at the Bend of Islands estate 5-are Yarra Yarra frontage in the Christmas Hills Gorge ideal for weekend cabins. "Bathing, fishing, canoeing, shooting may be enjoyed in ideal surroundings". Black and white photograph (reproduction)Bend of Islands bend of islands, camping, tent, horse riding

Honor Birch (nee Young) was married to Edwin Samuel Birch. Their children were Honor Mary Birch, known as Nora, born 1900, Margaret Martin, Bert Birch and Brigidene Brinkotter. In 1903 a Miner’s Right of one acre in area beside the Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. Documents show that the cottage existed at that time. Upon Birch’s death in 1932, his daughter, Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. Honor died in 1950 and was buried in Eltham Cemetery. Her memorial states: In Memory Of Our dear mother Honor Birch Who passed away 16th August 1950 Aged 86 years R.I.P.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, honor birch

Bend of Islands is named after a group of small islands at a bend of the Yarra River near Watsons Creek. It is located near the town of Kangaroo Ground. The locationn was a long time favourite spot for locals and visitors to fish and swim in the river. This is one of a series of four photographs that depict a mainly young group of people recreating in the area, particularly enjoying horse riding. Possibly weekend campers. Photos taken about 1926-1928. In 1938 "The Argus" advertised weekend cabins at the Bend of Islands estate 5-are Yarra Yarra frontage in the Christmas Hills Gorge ideal for weekend cabins. "Bathing, fishing, canoeing, shooting may be enjoyed in ideal surroundings". This photo seems to be depicitng women waiting to use the shower near the river, or are they going swimming?Black and white photograph (reproduction)Bend of Islands, c.1926 bend of islands, camping, shower block, yarra river, swimming

Bend of Islands is named after a group of small islands at a bend of the Yarra River near Watsons Creek. It is located near the town of Kangaroo Ground. The locationn was a long time favourite spot for locals and visitors to fish and swim in the river. This is one of a series of four photographs that depict a mainly young group of people recreating in the area, particularly enjoying horse riding. Possibly weekend campers. Photos taken about 1926-1928. In 1938 "The Argus" advertised weekend cabins at the Bend of Islands estate 5-are Yarra Yarra frontage in the Christmas Hills Gorge ideal for weekend cabins. "Bathing, fishing, canoeing, shooting may be enjoyed in ideal surroundings". Was this a church group? This photo depicts individuals "resting" on a verandah undertaking various solo activities including listening to their gramophone.Black and white photograph (reproduction)Bend of Islands, c.1926 bend of islands, camping, recreation, gramophone, group, campers

The David Christmas memorial is situated on the south side of One Tree Hill Road, at Watsons Creek. As a young man, Welshman David Christmas had been transported to Van Dienman's Land for a relatively minor offence. In 1836, having received a pardon, he came to Port Phillip, where, in 1842, he was hired as a shepherd by district pioneer, Joseph Stevenson. In 1992, a roadside plaque commemorating the shepherd who gave his name to the district was set in place over his presumed bush gravesite. The plaque was unveiled by two of Stevenson's grandsons, Bruce and Don Ness. FROM: Christmas Hills Past and Present, Yarra Glen & District Historical Society, 2004. The plaque reads: 1842-1992 In memory of David Christmas born Cardiganshire 1797 Transported to Van Dieman's Land for the term of his natural life 1822 Granted a free pardon 1826 "From this humble shepherd these hills have gained their name"Colour photographactivities, ceremonies, david christmas, memorials, unveiling ceremony, flags, christmas hills

Original newspaper article from "The Age" May 11, 1963. Place with a view at Kangaroo Ground by Basil Hall about the construction of the War memorial. The Hall family resided at "Fairview" Panton Hill in the 1920s. Hall was a Eltham Shire Councilor in the 1920s and was associated with the Eltham Shire war Memorial Tower Bulding Committee from 1924 to 1926. Photocopies from "The Road to Gundagi" by Graham McInnes (Hamish Hamilton, 1965), Chapter 9 pages 132 - 153 an autobiography in which the author reminiscences about visiting the Hall family at "Fairview" in Panton Hill as a child. References also to Watson's Creek where MacPherson Robertson ("The Chocolate King") had a summer home, the Shannons, Shanhun and McLaughlin familes. Includes description of the day that Hurstbridge was declared a township (May 26th, 1924), a ralway journey, picnics and rabbiting. McInnes' reminiscences about the periods of his childhood spent visiitng the Hall family in Panton Hill in the 1920s are a rare first hand glimpse into the recreational, social and municipal life in the 1920s within the this rural area within the Shire of Eltham. "Road to Gundagi" was the first of three widely acclaimed autobiographies.Original newspaper article Photocopies, 12 pages.HG Booklet 36basil hall, click here to add keywords, cr. basil hall, eltham war memorial, graham mcinnes, harry gilham collection, hurstbridge, kangaroo ground tower building committee, macpherson robertson, mclaughlin family, panton hill, picnicing, rabbiting, reminiscences, shanhun family, shannon family, shire of eltham war memorial, war memorial tower, watson's creek

Vol. 1, No. 2 Dec 1996/Jan 1997 CONTENTS ADVENTURE WITH COLOUR Teenage cancer patients challenge their illness with art 3 CD REVIEWS New music by local musicians 5 LIVE AND LET LIVE 20 years of environmental living 6 AUSTRALIA REVISITED Artist Charles Reddington ponders live 30 years on 8 POETRY REVIEW Anne Delaney looks at new work by Jennifer Harrison and Jordie Albiston 11 PHOTOGRAPHY Katherine Jones aims at hard edges 16 IMAGES FROM A DARK PAST Holocaust survivor paints out a traumatic part of his life 18 MORALITY OF JUSTICE The Truth Game - a play by Ray Mooney 21 ART FROM THE HEART An exhibition that crosses boundaries 22 SHORT STORY New story from an emerging writer 25 ART IN THE CEMETERY Darebin launches a new project to decorate its new mausoleum 28 LISTINGS Artists, performers and galleries 29 KEYWORDS 895 Main Road, 1994 Moet et Chandon Fellowship, Adventure with Colour, Alan Bonney, Alan Constable, Alun Leach-Jones, Amada Laming, Anne Connor & Associates, Anne Delaney, Anthony Day, Art Streams Magazine, Artist-in-residence, Arts by the Waters, Arts project Australia, Auschwitz, Banyule Jazz Festival, Barbara Veheary, Bend of Islands Conservation Association (BICA), Bend of Islands Estate, Bend of Islands, Bill Downing, Bulleen Art & Garden Centre, Bulleen Nursery, Caffe Poco, Carlton Courthouse Theatre, Catani Boulevard, Catherine Oxley Reserve, Charles Reddington, Charlie Dowley, Cheryl Daye, Chris McAuliffe, Clifton Pugh, Colin Lanceley, Cornelia Selover, Creativitie et Handicap Mental (CREAHM), Cynthia Hardman, Cyril Tawney, Damian Eyre, Daniel Lillford, Danuta Michalska, Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, Darebin City Council, Department of Fine Arts, Donald Campbell, Dora Zable, Dorothy Berry, dunmoochin, E.H. Cameron, Edward (Ned) Haughton, Edward Car, Elizabeth Vercoe, Eltham High School, Eltham Living and Learning Centre, Environmental Living Zone (ELZ), Eric Bogle, Eucalypso, Felix Tuszynski, Food For All Seasons, Frank Hodgkinson, Fulli Andrinopoulos, Gallery of Georges of Collins Street, Gallery of Slavic Art, Glen Agnes Bend of Islands Estate, Glen Agnes Estate, Gongflers drive, Greg O'Leary, Harold (Jimmy) Fuller, Helen O'Grady Children's Drama Academy, Henley Road, Ian Doolan Hamilton, Ian Gawler, Inside Out/Outside In, Ironbark Road, Janice McBride, Jennifer Harrison, Jennifer McGregor, Jessie Agnes Haughton, Jimmy Pike, Joan Blakey, John Mackay Northe, John Rasmussen, Jordie Albiston, Julian Martin, Kangaroo Ground, Katherine Jones, Kelvin Heffernan, Kew Coattage, Kitty Ginter, Lavita Mossop, Les darcy, Les Gyori, Life with Jane, Lorraine Larter, Luc Boulange, Luciana Giardina, Manningham Artspace, Manningham City Council, Mariann Moxon, Mark Capozzi, Mark Chapman, Mark Wilkinson, Maxine Ryder, Melbourne Police Pipe Band, Mick Woiwod, Mike O'Rourke, Monica Burns, Montsalvat, Myra Hilgendorf, Nancye Ball, Page family, Pam Crohan, Pam Dougherty, Poetry, Preston Public Cemetery, Ray Mooney, Richard Haese, Robert Hughes, Robyn Kirkpatrick, Roger Lemke, Ron Hanson, Sandra Harvey, Shire of Eltham Office site, Shire of Healesville, Shire of Nillumbik, Shire Offices, Sounds by the Waters, Stelio Costa, Steven Tynan, Steven Worrell, Stewart Whiffin, Sue Howard, Sue Whiffin, Sugarloaf Reservoir, Sydney Ball, The Art of Australia, The Mews, The Truth Game, Tom Fantl, Tony Inglese, Tuszynski Survey Exhibition, University of Melbourne, Valerio Ciccone, victorian artists supplies, Watson Creek Bridge, Watsons Creek, Wayne Marnell, Woody Guthrie, Yarra Brae Dam, Yarra River"Peter Dougherty has been involved in the local art scene for many years. As publisher and editor of the arts magazine Artstreams, his comments on the various branches of the arts are widely respected. His "The Arts" column in the Diamond Valley Leader presents a brief summary for a much wider cross section of the local community. Peter also operates his own gallery and the Artstreams Cafe at the St Andrews market.

Peter has a wealth of knowledge about present day and historical aspects of local art and artists."
 - Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter No. 161, March 2005Colour front and back cover with feature articles and literary pieces with photographs and advertisements printed in black and white. 36 pages, 30 cm. Vol. 1, no. 1 (Nov. 1996) - Vol. 10, no. 5 (summer ed. 2005/​06) art streams, feliz tuszynski, elizabeth vercoe, eucalypso, bend of islands, charles reddington, jennifer harrison, jordie albiston, katherine jones, anne bonney, mick woiwood, anne connor, anne delaney, ray mooney, pam dougherty, arts project australia, lavita mossop, preston public cemetery, helen o'grady children's drama academy, bulleen nursery

An inspection tour of the Maroondah Aqueduct was undertaken by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society on Sunday, March 22nd, 1981, commening where the aqueduct crosses Main Rd., Research, just below Eltham College. The Maroondah Aqueduct was part of Melbourne’s water supply system. It carried water over the 66 km from the Maroondah Reservoir on the Watts River at Healesville to the Preston Reservoir. Of this length, 41 km were open channel, 10 km, tunnel through hills and 15 km in 14 inverted siphons across stream valleys. The route of the aqueduct is north of Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen, along the Yarra escarpment south of Christmas Hills and crossing Watsons Creek into the present Shire of Eltham near Henley Rd. The eastern part of the route lies entirely within the former boundaries of the shire. The aqueduct passes south of Kangaroo Ground to Research and crosses the Diamond Creek by siphon at Allendale Rd., Eltham North. It then extends to Reservoir via St. Helena, Greensborough North and Bundoora. Water first flowed through the aqueduct in February 1891 when it was fed by a diversion weir on the Watts River. Records of the building of the aqueduct indicate that it was a significant construction achievement. The present Maroondah Reservoir was completed in 1927 and the aqueduct was enlarged at that time to take increased flows. About 1971 the section of the aqueduct through and north of Research was replaced by a large pipe and that section of the channel is now unused. The channel has remained largely intact (unlike sections at Greensborough and Bundoora where long lengths of the disused aqueduct have been demolished or filled in). The M.M.B.W. relinquished control of the disused aqueduct reserve which is crown land and the Shire of Eltham took control of this section of the reserve as a linear park. The Maroondah Aqueduct is considered to be an important historic structure, not just to the local area but to the metropolitan area generally. It is considered important to preserve substantially intact long lengths of the disused aqueduct, together with its bridges and other associated structures. 35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 5) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsactivities, heritage excursion, maroondah aqueduct, research (vic.), shire of eltham historical society

An inspection tour of the Maroondah Aqueduct was undertaken by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society on Sunday, March 22nd, 1981, commening where the aqueduct crosses Main Rd., Research, just below Eltham College. The Maroondah Aqueduct was part of Melbourne’s water supply system. It carried water over the 66 km from the Maroondah Reservoir on the Watts River at Healesville to the Preston Reservoir. Of this length, 41 km were open channel, 10 km, tunnel through hills and 15 km in 14 inverted siphons across stream valleys. The route of the aqueduct is north of Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen, along the Yarra escarpment south of Christmas Hills and crossing Watsons Creek into the present Shire of Eltham near Henley Rd. The eastern part of the route lies entirely within the former boundaries of the shire. The aqueduct passes south of Kangaroo Ground to Research and crosses the Diamond Creek by siphon at Allendale Rd., Eltham North. It then extends to Reservoir via St. Helena, Greensborough North and Bundoora. Water first flowed through the aqueduct in February 1891 when it was fed by a diversion weir on the Watts River. Records of the building of the aqueduct indicate that it was a significant construction achievement. The present Maroondah Reservoir was completed in 1927 and the aqueduct was enlarged at that time to take increased flows. About 1971 the section of the aqueduct through and north of Research was replaced by a large pipe and that section of the channel is now unused. The channel has remained largely intact (unlike sections at Greensborough and Bundoora where long lengths of the disused aqueduct have been demolished or filled in). The M.M.B.W. relinquished control of the disused aqueduct reserve which is crown land and the Shire of Eltham took control of this section of the reserve as a linear park. The Maroondah Aqueduct is considered to be an important historic structure, not just to the local area but to the metropolitan area generally. It is considered important to preserve substantially intact long lengths of the disused aqueduct, together with its bridges and other associated structures. 35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 5) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsactivities, heritage excursion, maroondah aqueduct, research (vic.), shire of eltham historical society

An inspection tour of the Maroondah Aqueduct was undertaken by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society on Sunday, March 22nd, 1981, commening where the aqueduct crosses Main Rd., Research, just below Eltham College. The Maroondah Aqueduct was part of Melbourne’s water supply system. It carried water over the 66 km from the Maroondah Reservoir on the Watts River at Healesville to the Preston Reservoir. Of this length, 41 km were open channel, 10 km, tunnel through hills and 15 km in 14 inverted siphons across stream valleys. The route of the aqueduct is north of Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen, along the Yarra escarpment south of Christmas Hills and crossing Watsons Creek into the present Shire of Eltham near Henley Rd. The eastern part of the route lies entirely within the former boundaries of the shire. The aqueduct passes south of Kangaroo Ground to Research and crosses the Diamond Creek by siphon at Allendale Rd., Eltham North. It then extends to Reservoir via St. Helena, Greensborough North and Bundoora. Water first flowed through the aqueduct in February 1891 when it was fed by a diversion weir on the Watts River. Records of the building of the aqueduct indicate that it was a significant construction achievement. The present Maroondah Reservoir was completed in 1927 and the aqueduct was enlarged at that time to take increased flows. About 1971 the section of the aqueduct through and north of Research was replaced by a large pipe and that section of the channel is now unused. The channel has remained largely intact (unlike sections at Greensborough and Bundoora where long lengths of the disused aqueduct have been demolished or filled in). The M.M.B.W. relinquished control of the disused aqueduct reserve which is crown land and the Shire of Eltham took control of this section of the reserve as a linear park. The Maroondah Aqueduct is considered to be an important historic structure, not just to the local area but to the metropolitan area generally. It is considered important to preserve substantially intact long lengths of the disused aqueduct, together with its bridges and other associated structures. 35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 5) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsactivities, heritage excursion, maroondah aqueduct, research (vic.), shire of eltham historical society

An inspection tour of the Maroondah Aqueduct was undertaken by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society on Sunday, March 22nd, 1981, commening where the aqueduct crosses Main Rd., Research, just below Eltham College. The Maroondah Aqueduct was part of Melbourne’s water supply system. It carried water over the 66 km from the Maroondah Reservoir on the Watts River at Healesville to the Preston Reservoir. Of this length, 41 km were open channel, 10 km, tunnel through hills and 15 km in 14 inverted siphons across stream valleys. The route of the aqueduct is north of Tarrawarra and Yarra Glen, along the Yarra escarpment south of Christmas Hills and crossing Watsons Creek into the present Shire of Eltham near Henley Rd. The eastern part of the route lies entirely within the former boundaries of the shire. The aqueduct passes south of Kangaroo Ground to Research and crosses the Diamond Creek by siphon at Allendale Rd., Eltham North. It then extends to Reservoir via St. Helena, Greensborough North and Bundoora. Water first flowed through the aqueduct in February 1891 when it was fed by a diversion weir on the Watts River. Records of the building of the aqueduct indicate that it was a significant construction achievement. The present Maroondah Reservoir was completed in 1927 and the aqueduct was enlarged at that time to take increased flows. About 1971 the section of the aqueduct through and north of Research was replaced by a large pipe and that section of the channel is now unused. The channel has remained largely intact (unlike sections at Greensborough and Bundoora where long lengths of the disused aqueduct have been demolished or filled in). The M.M.B.W. relinquished control of the disused aqueduct reserve which is crown land and the Shire of Eltham took control of this section of the reserve as a linear park. The Maroondah Aqueduct is considered to be an important historic structure, not just to the local area but to the metropolitan area generally. It is considered important to preserve substantially intact long lengths of the disused aqueduct, together with its bridges and other associated structures. 35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 5) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsactivities, heritage excursion, maroondah aqueduct, research (vic.), shire of eltham historical society

Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker, panton hill, tosch property

Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. The little girl is Grace de Visser's sister. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker

Len's Bedford truk is featured in one of the Montmorency Were Street shopping precinct mosaics. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker

Fred looks back; Report: Linley Hartley, Picture: Ron Grant Teaching himself German again after 70 years is just one of the many tasks Fred Golgerth, of Greensborough, has undertaken and succeeded in during his lifetime. As the two year old tenth child of a German descendent, Fred learnt to speak German from an Aunt. But World War 1 was raging. Fred’s older brother had gone to Europe with the Australian forces, changing his name … to ….. to sound less German. “I used to get my bottom slapped for speaking German at home,” Fred said. Even his name was changed from Otto to the more anglicised Frederick. Fred claims his involvement with Eltham started two years before he was born! His sister, two years older than him, was a babe in arms when his parents bought a piece of grazing property in Mount Pleasant Rd. “It was about 24 acres on a spur of Mt Pleasant,” Fred said. “My parents bought it from Mr and Mrs Hughes. There was a two-room mud hut in wattle and daub that we lived in from time to time. “My parents had a dairy farm and dairy in West Coburg, and they bought the Mt Pleasant land to put the dry stock on. “At one stage my mother got very ill and my older sister took my younger sister and myself to Eltham for four or five months. I went down to Eltham Primary School then.” That wasn’t the only time Fred stayed in Eltham. His sister, Wilhemina, known as Willa, married Jim Watson who had the Eltham hotel for some years from the end of World War 1. Pillar to post living was the way Fred described his youth, when he stayed with one married sister after another. “After a while Will and Jim lived in the big house at the top of Pitt St, next to the Council depot, and the hotel was managed by Fitzsimmons who had a big place near the river down there on Fitzsimons Lane. There was no bridge in Fitzsimons Lane but we used to cross the river at a ford, rolling up our trouser legs so they wouldn’t get wet, and carrying our shoes. I’d o down to visit some friends I had in Templestowe. And sometimes Jim Watson took his horse drawn lorry across the ford on his way to the brewery, instead of going don through Heidelberg.” “The bridge across the Yarra in Fitzsimons was not built until 1961.” Fred Golgerth, was only a teenager when he was rolled off his pushbike under a car on the bend between Mt Pleasant Rd and the Diamond Creek bridge. He was hospitalised in the little hospital on the east side of Eltham village that served the district in those days. He still carries the scars of the burns he received from the exhaust pipe and recent x-rays have revealed several broken vertebrae. At the time of the accident he was treated for a dislocated neck and was in plaster from his hip to the base of his head for about seven months. But nothing daunted Fred. Bouncing back he began work as an apprentice to a motor mechanic in Bell St, Preston, a man who is still living (at 90) in Queensland and who still communicates with Fred frequently. “He was like a father to me,” Fred declared. He was a marine engineer as well, so I …. that as well as blacksmithing. They taught us properly then.” After finishing his apprenticeship, Fred bought himself a 30 hundredweight Fargo truck and began his own contract carting business, doing most of the work for a firm called Carnegie’s and a subsidiary of that, Howard Radio. It was in the office Fred met his wife. “He taught me to drive the truck giving me lessons in my lunch hours up the Bourke St and Flinders St extension,” she said. “After work I’d have a driving lesson and all the girls from the Howard Radio would pile in the back to get a lift to Richmond Station.” In the 1939 bushfires, the Mt Pleasant Rd property was burnt out and the hut raised. Two years later, Fred and Dorothy were married. Fred paid £7.15.0 ($15.50) for the suit in which he was married. Dorothy had pulled out of the Women’s Air Training Corps to be married. Others with whom she trained went to Darwin and were in a convoy that was bombed. Fred went into the garage business in Brighton and continued his cartage business for a while. His company was employed to do all Brown Gouge’s motor repairs and factory maintenance. Because Fred had a certificate to do steam repair work he often got jobs maintaining industrial boilers. While he was in Brighton, Fred bought an eight-seater 1925 Silver Ghost Rolls Royce from Sir Keith Murdoch. When the couple moved to Rosanna in about 1943, it became a delivery van for the dairy they operated. “I thought I’d like to get back into a dairy business” Fred said. “We used to deliver the milk in the Rolls. “But it was hard work. We couldn’t get the labour and we’d drive to the farm and pick up the milk cans, take them back to the dairy, cool the milk, bottle it and deliver it. The inspectors would come regularly and the walls for bacteria.” Fred was exhausted. The couple gave up the dairy and moved to Eltham to live on the old property where a weatherboard house had now been built. It wasn’t a big house and the glassed in Rolls Royce limousine became the daytime nursery for the Golgerth’s second daughter. We’d put her in there to sleep during the day.” “Dorothy Golgerth was known to drive the Rolls at breakneck speed along Mt Pleasant Rd. Fred took some time off work then began driving a little local bus run by the Lyon Brothers before taking a maintenance job at the Athenaeum Club in the city. He’d ride an old Harley-Davidson to the station and travel into the city by train. Later, when the family moved to Pryor St. (their house stood where McEwans car park is now) Fred could walk to and from the station. “There was no resident doctor in the early days of Eltham,” Fred said. “Dr Cordner used to come from Greensborough to a room in the old house next to the old grocery shop on the corner of York St and Main Rd, Eltham (the grocery shop is now the Eltham Feed and Grain Store). The Golgerths lived in Eltham until “Dollar Day” – the day decimal currency became official. They eventually moved to Greensborough, when they have lived since. Fred has had his share of interesting jobs since then, retiring at 65 seven years ago when he was working in the engineering department at Larundel. Recently, two of his older sisters and a brother died, within a month. They were all in their 80s. They all had a profound influence on Fred, especially during his youth. His sharp wit and amusing anecdotes are the richer for his having been the youngest of a family that made the best of every circumstance. And now, as he enjoys his retirement, he is concentrating on relearning the language of his infancy; teaching himself German from tapes and a ‘teach yourself’ manual. He is fiercely proud of his German ancestry and treasures the diary, written in German in Gothic script, kept by his grandparents during their journey to Australia. On the inside in blue pen: "To Sadie, Wal Margaret & Elizabeth with lots & lots of love & best wishes from Mother"marg ball collection, eltham hotel, herbert james watson, otto (fred) golgerth, wilhemina watson (nee golgerth)

Various news articles pertaining to the January 1962 Victorian bushfires in the Dandenong and Healesville districts which by second day had spread on to a 150 mile front fromDaylesford and Kinglake through to the Dandenongs. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Ninka Road, St. Andrews, Kinglake, Hurstbridge on page 2 • Fires Blazing on 150M. Arc: "Need a Miracle", p1 (Illust.) – Victoria’s worst bushfire day since “Black Friday,” 1939 • Night dash as bushfire sweeps by, p2 (Illust.) • Kalorama Saved: Fire 100 Ft. Away, p2 • Stay away, says police chief, p2 • The Tragedy of the Fires, p3 (Illust.) • Good save by firemen, p4 (Illust.) • S.E.C. Firemen Saved N. Yallourn, p4 • Cherry river of flame, p4 • From the fire front: Fire-fighters are bitten by snakes, p4 • They faced the fury, p6 (Illust.) • The ’39 Blaze, p6 • They fought and failed, p6 • Hills Aflame: 2nd Day, pp16-17 (Illust.) • Respite at Olinda HQ, p16 (Illust.) • Here is Ruin, p17 (Illust.) • This fireman had to work among piled up furniture … p32 (Illust.) tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1962, victorian bushfires – 1962, black friday, victorian bushfires – 1939, c.h. howe, daylesford, country fire authority, dandenongs, yallourn, central gippsland, montrose, olinda, kalorama, healesville, st. andrews, hurstbridge, ninka road, kinglake, yarra glen, a.l. mccutcheon, st. andrews postmaster, eltham shire secretary, max watson, police commissioner porter, observatory road, mt. dandenong, whittlesea, one tree hill, sassafras, the basin, steel’s creek, ruby ryan, the basin progress hall, yaallourn, yallourn north, stet electricity commission (s.e.c.), hernes oak, mcdonalds track, florence milkins, lieutenant-colonel k. leggett, bonza view road, ringwood police station, michael o’connor, volunteers, fire damage - buildings