Walter Withers (1854-1914) was born in Handsworth, Warwickshire, England. He migrated to Australia in 1882 and in time was to become one of the country's most famous painters. In 1887/8 he spent a year in London and Paris during which time he married Fanny Flinn. When he returned to Melbourne he was engaged by publishers doing black and white illustrations. In the late 1880's he became associated with artists who formed the renowned "Heidelberg School" and in 1890 moved to "Charterisville" at Eaglemont. He lived in the Heidelberg area until 1903 when he purchased a house on two and a half acres (one hectare) at the corner of Brougham and Bolton Streets, Eltham. He had long been attracted to the Eltham area, but needed access to Melbourne for his painting classes. The extension of the railway in 1901 made the move possible. He remained in Eltham until his death and is buried at nearby St Helena. Many of his important paintings were painted during these later years. There are important collections at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Geelong Art Gallery. His Eltham house remains and his name is honoured by a small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets. Source: Information panel produced for Heritage Display exhibition by EDHS 1990.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 (duplicate of original)eltham local characters, pioneers and painters, sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, walter withers, eltham, southernwood

Walter Withers (1854-1914) was born in Handsworth, Warwickshire, England. He migrated to Australia in 1882 and in time was to become one of the country's most famous painters. In 1887/8 he spent a year in London and Paris during which time he married Fanny Flinn. When he returned to Melbourne he was engaged by publishers doing black and white illustrations. In the late 1880's he became associated with artists who formed the renowned "Heidelberg School" and in 1890 moved to "Charterisville" at Eaglemont. He lived in the Heidelberg area until 1903 when he purchased a house on two and a half acres (one hectare) at the corner of Brougham and Bolton Streets, Eltham. He had long been attracted to the Eltham area, but needed access to Melbourne for his painting classes. The extension of the railway in 1901 made the move possible. He remained in Eltham until his death and is buried at nearby St Helena. Many of his important paintings were painted during these later years. There are important collections at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Geelong Art Gallery. His Eltham house remains and his name is honoured by a small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets. Source: Information panel produced for EDHS exhibition in 1990.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 B&W printsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, walter withers, artist

Newspaper cuttings and handwritten remarks in the Bible indicate this was family Bible of Weston, Scott, Smith and Ottenbach families. Emma Scott nee Weston was original Colonist of Mitcham area. Grandmother of late Chris Otterbach, former member of the Historical Society.Leather covered, metal bound BibleSee History below.books, religion

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversay in 2024. This audio recording, presented by Harry Gilham, President of Eltham District Historical Society at the time of the opening is a summarised history of the Eltham Library service to 1994. Eltham Library Service 1930s - 1994 Originally collated by Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Historical Society Inc (1993-2009) (edited 2022) In the Eltham township area, in the early 1930s, library books for adults were available from E J Andrew's newsagency in Main Road. In the newsagency come haberdashery, some shelves were set aside for a lending library of adults' books. In 1935, Mr & Mrs JC Rains purchased the newsagency and continued the lending service until the late 1940s. At this time the business was extended from haberdashery to sell ladies' and men's clothing. The library section was discontinued. In the 1930s a mobile book library was also run by a Mr Foster of Bible Street, Eltham. In the 1950s adult books were available from racks in the foyer of the Eltham Shire Offices which was then located beside the Eltham Hall on the comer of Arthur Street and Main Road. In the early 1950s a referendum of ratepayers was called to seek public opinion on the issue of raising money for a public library for which the rates would have to be increased - the motion was defeated. On 11 November 1965 Eltham Shire Council, in conjunction with the City of Heidelberg and the Shire of Diamond Valley, met to form the Heidelberg Regional Library Service. Eltham was represented by Councillors Charis Pelling and John Lewis. The first library service for the Shire of Eltham from this group came in the shape of a bookmobile van which had, amongst others, a central stopover near the Shillinglaw trees outside the newly opened Shire offices at 895 Main Road, the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage and the former Shillinglaw farm. Present-day Wingrove Park was another stopover and the many recorded requests for this service can be read as denoting the areas of population or gathering points at that period throughout the Shire. 1968 saw the Shire convert the ‘Brinkkotter’ house in Dudley Street to house both adult and children's books. This library was originally staffed from the City of Heidelberg Library and records of committee meetings range from borrowing Heidelberg's old library shelving to trying to increase the Government's subsidy to a dollar for dollar basis. Book loans in the period 1966-67 totalled 30,400 and the following year ran to 52,113. With 2 books plus 1 paperback the limit per person, it was overcrowded and unable to house the range of other services which had become common library stock. Planning to extend the Shire Offices by the addition of the south wing was an opportunity to re-house the Shire's Library. The opening of the library in the extension was carried out on 17th August 1971 by the Hon R J Hamer ED, MP, Chief Secretary of Victoria. Cr Geoffrey Dreverman officiated as the Shire President. The Heidelberg Regional Library Service continued until September 1985 when it disbanded. On 21 November 1985 the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service was established. At that time Eltham was represented by Councillors Mary Grant and Robert Manuell. By 1987, over-crowding of the Eltham Library and an inability to house the range of other services yet again rose to prominence. At a Council meeting held on 1 June 1987, the Councillors supported a resolution which threatened to close the library on 30 September 1987. Council's frustration arose from yet another re-run of the annual State Government versus Council Library funding and records show first arose in Eltham Council in 1967 with the Government of 1he day. After prolonged public anger and petitions the motion to close the library was rescinded in August 1987. Council, considering the community's concern, set up a ‘Library Review Working Party’ which a year later became the Library Occasional Committee with direct access to Council. This Committee investigated the workings of the 386 square metre library and found inadequate space for storage and display, lack of equipment, out-of-date furniture together with an increasing patronage which resulted in queues of borrowers becoming longer no matter when the library was open. Community consultation took the form of 1,000 questionnaires sent to users and non-users along with noticeboard reminders of what was planned. Council developed a strategy to set aside capital funds from 1988 on an annual basis so that preliminary planning and consultative expenses could be met, and construction could be completed early 1997. The Committee visited metropolitan libraries which were catering for a similar population as was projected for Eltham. Australia-wide Federal Government funding grants under the Local Capital Works Program became available from October 1992 for community projects endorsed by local Councils. The Eltham Council submitted a proposal, based on library findings and requirements accumulated by the Library Occasional Committee, to the Federal Grants Committee to build a new Eltham Library. The Federal Grants Committee supported the funding request allowing commencement of the library project three years earlier than planned. With finance finalised, the Council set up its Eltham Library Re-development Special Committee which was given the task of overseeing what could be the last major expansion of the Shire's Library Service as Eltham's population nears its projected maximum. The new library was designed by Gregory Burgess and Peter Ryan of Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd. Construction of the library commenced in 1993 and was officially opened May 22nd, 1994. The library building was designed to reflect its parkland setting. External features include: the roof which includes interesting aspects when viewed from Main Road; verandahs which provide ramp access and give a sheltered entrance to the building; walls which feature locally made mudbricks, conventional bricks and copper panels; and space for an outdoor courtyard/reading area which will be developed later. Internally there are several features. The building includes a foyer with a fireplace suitable for displays including artwork, a community multi-purpose room suitable for meetings or functions and an outdoor cafeteria. The ceilings are lined with Victorian Ash. The shapes for the ceiling give a free-flowing form to the building. Brush Box has been used for the circulation and information desks. The tree trunk columns are Grey lronbark from New South Wales. Arches and various-shaped windows add interest to the internal structure. The carpet design reflects the Eltham environment and compliments the natural colours and timbers used in the building. Tiles by artist Felix Bosari feature in the building and additional art by local artists added externally and internally to the building. Since 1994 the library has undergone a major extension to cater for children’s services and others. See also EDHS_02111Digital file only recorded from Audio Cassette tape on loan Converted to MP3 file; 11.1MB, 0:08:49eltham library, opening, harry gilham, harry gilham collection, 1994, audio cassette, audio recording

BHS Collection12 photocopied pages. Page four has acknowledgements, Page five mentions Pen-Portraist by Raly Wallace and Kevin Vallence, Page 14 mentions some rich areas: White Hills, Red Hill (now Virginia Hill), Eaglehawk, Golden Gully, New Chum Gully, Long Gully, Spring Gully, Derwent Gully, California Gully, Sailors Gully and Peg Leg Gully. There are two sketches on the page: Windless, by W. Ralston, Australasian Sketcher 20/12/1879 (D O'Hoy Collection) and a sketch of some miners in a tent with some mining equipment in front of it. There are two men in front of a fire at the front of the tent. Page 16 has a sketch of an old brick house with iron lace on the veranda and a picket fence at the front. Page 17 mentions the school and some Friendly Societies and Church. Page 22 mentions Quartz Mining. There is a Lithograph of a Quartz outcrop, New Chum Gully 1852 by George Rowe and a View of Surface Workings 1861, a Batchelder Photo. Page 23 mentions Edward Nucella Emmett, a pioneer gold digger who became involved in many important public issues. Page 25 mentions Company Mining and Crushing. It has a sketch of a Primitive Quart Crusher. Page 37 Mentions Richard Pope, a Miner who tramped from job to job in Bendigo and eventually followed the rush to Broken Hill. Page 38 mentions the Eaglehawk Brass Band and Friendly Societies in Eaglehawk. Page 39 is headed Miner's Cottage. It mentions stone miners' cottages. Page 40 has a sketch of a Georgian Style Sandstone Cottage Harvey Town. Page 41 mentions men sweeping the road to get gold, Bull Family grocery shop and a blacksmith. Page 42 is headed St. Augustine's. Page 43 has a sketch of St. Augustine's Church. Page 59 is headed Bendigo Amalgamated Goldfields (B.A.G.) Edward Clarence Dyason was largely behind a new company set up in 1917 to work the Bendigo field in an entirely new way. (B.A.G.) wished to take over all existing mining companies, and place them under a single management structure.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - some historical information, mr l hooley, mr l bennetts, mr w watson, mr w heraud, mr d m davies, mr w perry, mr h harvey, mr a llewellyn, mr e oates, chook temple by mr alan llewellyn, mr f cusack, tracey ipsen, ray wallace, bendigo field naturalists' club, eaglehawk tree lovers' society, bendigo historical society, university of melbourne, kevin vallence, monash university, bendigo technical college, south australian writer's fellowship, windlass, w ralston, australasian sketcher 20.12.1879, d o'hoy, mechanics institute, california gully school, bell topper hill, i.o.r. (rechabites), cobden tent, refuge tent, sutton tent, m.u.i.o.o.f.'s loyal darling, bible christian church, california hill wesleyan methodist church, saint jude's anglican church, quartz mining, e n emmett, jonathan harris, haris' claim, j hustler, george rowe, batchelder, la trobe library, cave, amos, new chum line of reef, edward nucella emmett, bendigo city council, all saints, william westgarth, latham and watson, hustler's line of reef, bell and irons, ballerstedt and son, young and company, nicholas and bassit, ensor, thomas carpenter, quartz crusher, goldfields and mineral districts of victoria, richard pope, daniel webster mine, isaac dyason, old chum mine, north old chum mine, young chum mine, george lansell, lazarus, silicosis of the lungs, eaglehawk brass band, victoria hotel, mr williams, eaglehawk branch of the australian natives association, loyal catherine lodge, mr james, odd fellows in the loyal catherine lodge branch no 4935, richard harvey, thomas harvey, moonta copper mines, harvey town, national trust of australia, eaglehawk tree lovers society, saint mungo's methodist church, clark's beehive battery, world war 1, kee-young, lady barkly hotel, prankhurst, bull family, cousin jack, st augustine's, myers, nicholls, john o'brien, around the boree log, the rev dean hayes, st kilian's, bendigo amalgamated goldfields (b.a.g.), edward clarence dyason, r h s abbott, hercules and energetic, south new moon, new chum goldfields, central red white and blue consolidated, brown john, the life and times of long gully, bendigo press, val white, megan snoop