This jar comes from the Sharpe Brothers Warrnambool factory. John Sharpe founded the soft drinks business in 1903 and it existed until 1972. At one stage the company had 35 factories in Australia and New Zealand. It specialized in the home deliveries of ginger beer and other brewed beverages in one gallon earthenware jars. The Warrnambool factory opened in 1919 at the site of the Rowley cordial factory at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. It continued until 1951. John H. Sharpe, the former manager of the Sydney factories, put his signature on the base of this jar when he visited the Warrnambool and District Historical Society headquarters at History House in the mid 1980s. This jar is of considerable importance as it is a fine memento of the Sharpe Bros soft drinks factory that operated in Warrnambool in the 20th century for over 30 years.This is a stone jar in beige/brown colouring with a cylindrical base with a bulbous-shaped piece above the base and a dome-shaped top above that. A metal handle is attached to the neck and there is a composite material screw top. The maker’s information is printed on both sides of the jar. Keep this stopper tight This jar is the absolute property of, and must be returned to, Sharpe Bros Australia & New Zealand Original and largest hygiene brewers Caution. Persons Damaging, Willfully Retaining, Trading with or Misappropriating the use of this jar WILL BE PROSECUTED John H. Sharpe. Jar made prior to 1914 sharpe bros factory, john h. sharpe, history of warrnambool

As written in the note inserted in the front of the bible ,"This Welsh Bible was brought to Australia by John Morgan and his wife Sarah in 1865. With baby daughter Mary, they settled at Allansford, where John took up land"Acme" farm. Their other children Margaret, Jane, Evan, Lewis and Elizabeth were born there." The Memorial card provides the additional information that Sarah Morgan died July 30th 1906 at the age of 68. The date of the Bible 1864 fits with their arrival in Australia in 1865. The Morgan family have been connected to Allansford from that time. This bible has significance social and historical significance as the Bible was common in many family homes. This one written in Welsh shows the connection between the origins of the Morgan family and their new country. It is well provenanced and is well connected to the district.Dark brown leather cover over card.The pages are edged in gold and the front and and back covers have a rectangular scrolled design . The pages are not numbered.There is an envelope inside the front cover with a George Hose docket for threshing wheat, barley and oats and an In Memoriam card for Sarah Morgan who dies July 30th 1906. There is also a handwritten note with the owners details and a navy ribbon which may have been attached at one time.There are no inscriptions on the bible itself but the handwritten card reads, " This Welsh Bible was brought to Australia by John Morgan and his wife Sarah in 1865. With baby daughter Mary, they settled at Allansford, where John took up land"Acme" farm. Their other children Margaret, Jane, Evan, Lewis and Elizabeth were born there. There is also an envelope dated 2004 and addressed to Mr Bill Morgan 6 Vera St Iluka NSW 2466. Watkins Binder label inside the back cover.allansford, welsh bible, morgan family, sarah and john morgan

This petticoat came from the estate of Ena Heazlewood and was donated to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society by Ena’s daughter. It appears to have been home-made. Mary Josephine (Ena) Todd was born in Warrnambool in 1920 and worked as a hairdresser at Josephine’s Salon in Warrnambool. In 1942 she married a Warrnambool man, Jack Heazlewood, a stoker on the H.M.A.S. Sydney at the time. They later lived in Sydney. A petticoat such as this one would have been stiffened with starch and worn under a ball dress (or a stage costume) in the mid 20th century. This petticoat is of interest as an example of a skirt worn underneath a ballroom dress or a stage costume in the mid 20th century. It also has some provenance as it come from the estate of Ena Heazlewood, a former Warrnambool resident.This item is a white cotton petticoat with a flap opening at the front waist enclosed by two white buttons. The petticoat is gathered at the waist to make a wide flared skirt and has alternating panels of plain white cotton and broderie anglaise material. There is a flounce at the end stitched with cotton-covered rope at the top and the bottom of the flounce. The bottom of the petticoat has a cotton lace trim. vintage clothing, todd & heazlewood families, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Formerly the home of Henry Hopwood. Apsley House, No. 1 Echuca. This was purchased for the Bridgine nuns to establish a catholic co-education school in Echuca. Extensions were made to the original structure (to the south of this building) with outbuildings and brick stables converted to school rooms during the late 1886 and opened as St Joseph's in 1887. The front section of the school was built in 1888. At the time of this photograph the upper floor of the building was the boarding house. The school building holds historical, social and spiritual significance to Echuca being the former home of Echuca's founder, Henry Hopwood. The diocese purchased the original building for 1,000 pounds. The school opened as a co-educational school on 22/3/1886 with 16 boys and 7 girls. It's first enrolment was a non-Catholic boy. By the end of 1886 there were 30 pupils. The boarding school opened on 4/5/1886 with 6 students. The chapel (to the north of this building) was built in 1889. For 60 years the school provided both primary and secondary schooling but in 1960's it changed to secondary schooling. The boarding house closed around 1986 and the school continued as a co-educational catholic college.Colour photograph (post-card size) of Bridgine Convent, Echuca (St.Joseph's College), showing arched facade over the verandah and the upper louvred windows of the boarding house.On front above the entrance "Brigidine Convent A.D. 1886.. Printed on the reverse:" this paper manufactured by Kodak"echuca- secondary schools, st joseph's college, echuca, brigidine convent, echuca

The water tower on the corner of Pakenham St and High Street Echuca, was designed by Sir John Monash, who was an innovator in the use of reinforced concrete. The tower cost £2,973 and was completed in 1915. It is 108 feet high and holds 150,000 gallons. it was originally connected to the steam powered pumping plant at Echuca East. John Monash was a war hero at Gallipoli in 1915 and also went on to be the Manager of the Victorian State Electricity Commission. Monash University was named after him.The water tower was a revolutionary design in 1915., being constructed of reinforced concrete. It also brought tapped water to people's homes. Sir John Monash made a huge contribution to engineering and social concepts, which was why he was knighted. As well as these contributions to social development, he was also a war hero. Colour photograph of water tower on the south east corner of High and Pakenham street, Echuca. The St Andrews church tower can be seen in the background.On the front of the photograph on the bottom facade of the water tower is painted "E.W.T." (Echuca Water Trust). Printed on the reverse:" this paper manufactured by Kodak"echuca, water tower, echuca-historical buildings, monash, sir john, reinforced concrete building construction

These badges were produced in the 1950s to raise funds for the Lyndoch Old Folks Home in Warrnambool. This aged care facility at the mouth of the Hopkins River was opened in 1952 when the property known as Lyndoch was purchased. Lyndoch had been established in the 1880s by the Melbourne businessman George Rolfe who bought up a considerable amount of land in the Warrnambool district in the late 19th century. After George Rolfe died his step-daughter, Florence Lake built the bungalow known as Lyndoch and this building was the basis for the development of the property into an aged care facility. Today the facility has been considerably expanded and is known as Lyndoch Living. These badges are retained as mementoes of the type of fund-raising ventures conducted in the 1950s to raise funds for local charities in Warrnambool – in this case ‘Lyndoch’ Old Folks Home..1 A metal badge with green lettering on a cream-coloured background. The rusted back has a metal clip and the name of the maker is printed around the edge of the badge. .2 As above except that the lettering is very faded and the clip at the back does not work. In aid of “Lyndoch” Old Folks Home A.W.Patrick N. Fitzroy Vict. lyndoch living aged care facility, history of warrnambool

These scales would have been used for weighing small items (e.g. letters and packages) in a home or business. These scales have no known local provenance but are retained for display purposes.1 The beam balance scales have a brown wooden rectangular base with four metal screws and indents for weights. The scale mechanism has a round metal dish for weights and a rectangular metal dish to hold the object to be weighed. .2 A circular metal weight 8 oz. .3 A circular metal weight 4 oz. .4 A circular metal weight 2 oz. .5 A circular metal weight 1 oz. .6 A circular metal weight ½ oz. .7 A circular metal weight with a smaller top for ease of holding ½ oz. .8 A circular metal weight 4 drams .2 8 oz. .3 4 oz .4 2 oz. .5 1 oz. .6 ½ oz. .7 ½ oz. .8 4 drams weights and measures, history of warrnambool

As the title states this book provides sketches of Melbourne life in light and shade. It was written in 1877 and published by George Robertson . It is one of a series and this edition covers the following: A night in the model lodging -House, A day in the Immigrants' Home, A morning at the Hospital, Three days in the Benevolent Asylum, Our Lunatic Asylums, Sixpenny restaurants and The Theatre Vestibules. Throughout all he comments on the social situations and dilemmas in which he finds himself and which others must endure.The Vagabond Papers provides a valuable record of life in Melbourne in the 1870's. It is not always the view of Melbourne as a prosperous and developing city which is presented but it is experienced first hand by the author to which he also imparts social commentary on the many difficult situations. Small faded hard covered book with black text. Contains 205 pages with advertisements on front and back covers.Reprinted from the Argus corrected and revised by the author. Dedicated to the Conductors of the Argus in recognition of many private and professional Kindnesses.melbourne 1877, social commentary melbourne 1870's, social life and customs

This item was found in 2018 washed up on the beach at Lady Bay in Warrnambool. It is a religious object and is similar to ones made and sold to be used in the home on a family altar or as an ornament on a shelf. It may originate from Italy. The display of items such as this would have been common in the early to mid 20th century, particularly in the homes of those belonging to the Catholic religion. The owner of this item is not known but it is retained for display purposes.This is a white china object with a statue of a Madonna and Child recessed into a oval-shaped setting. There are three holes at the top of the statue for attaching the item to a wall or shelf. The edge of the item is decorated with a pattern of white shells. At the foot of the statue is the remnant of a decorative piece broken off. warrnambool, religious ornaments

This item has no known provenance. It was a common object carried on the person or found in a home in times past. It was a convenient object to store and light matches during the 19th and early 20th centuries.This item is of minor interest and is retained for display purposes.A metal container with brass base and lid. The lid is hinged and has a serrated groove on which to strike the matches. It contains four matches. The object is worn. Nil

This item is a souvenir of Warrnambool, showing one of the popular beach areas, Shelly Beach. The owner is unknown but it would have been bought by a local person or a tourist for use in the home as a butter or pin dish. Judging by the quality of the item it would date back to the mid to later 20th century. Souvenir dishes such as this have been popular in the past and still sell well today. This item is of minor interest and is kept for display purposesThis is a china dish, octagonal-shaped with gold-coloured edging and a colour image of a beach and rocks in the centre portionShelly Beach, Warrnambool, Victoria Royal Stafford China Made in Englandwarrnambool tourism

A container to hold matches was a common item to have on the person or in the home in the first half of the 20th century. The original owner of this item is unknown.This item is of minor significance and is kept for display purposes only.Rectangular shaped metal container with gold edging and an oval green stone set in the lower part of the front cover. The back cover is damaged. Inside is gold coloured lining with an insert containing a packet of matches. The matches have a black paper body and white flammable heads. There is an inserted striking mechanism vintage accessories, warrnambool history

Fawn colour soft-covered book with navy print; handwritten items on inside front and back cover; 76 pages; photo of female (Christine) and male (Oscar) presenter in the studio with 3YB microphone in the centre and an inset photograph of another presenter (Ken); recipes included provided by local listenersnon-fictionRecipes sent in by listeners to the radio program Piano Time with the object being to raise money for Warrnambool & District Hospital , in support of 3YB's Annual Good Friday Hospital Appeal.warrnambool, 3yb, hospitals, recipes, fundraising, oscar henry, christine benbow

This booklet gives details of the matches played by the Warrnambool High School Cricket Club, A Grade Team, for the 1932-33 season. The home ground appeared to be the one at the Showgrounds but they also played at the Woollen Mill oval. Teams played against include the Catholic Young Men's Society, Bushfield Cricket Club, Australian Natives Association, the Footballers, the Indians, the Woollen Mill Cricket Club, Camperdown and Nirranda-Naringal.This item is of considerable interest as it is a memento of the Warrnambool High School Cricket Team in the 1930s with the list of players names providing a tool for further research.A hard cover book, coloured blue, with a with white printing on the front and pages with green columns, green printing and handwritten entries in black ink. The cover is partly detached from the pages.Warrnambool High School Cricket Club A Team Season 1932-33 J. Whitehead Hon Sec F.G.N. Ewence - Scorerswarrnambool cricket, cricket scoring book, warrnambool high school cricket club, 1932

This old footbidge is situated close to the shack that Gordon Ford built on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg also used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, bernie's hut, birrarung, footbridge, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river

Griffith Park is the former property and home of Cr Fred Griffith in the 1950sfay bridge collection, daffodils, griffith park, yarra river

Located on the corner of Main Road and John Street, the church first served the community as the Eltham Wesleyan Church since 1881. It became the Eltham Methodist Church in 1902, the year it united with the Primitive Methodists. Eltham Wesleyans first worshipped together in the home of William and Mary Crozier, on 24 acres bounded by Mount Pleasant Road and Pitt Street. From there they moved to a slab and bark hut in 1855 (this later served as the first school run by David Clark prior to the building of a new school in Dalton Street) and the members then built a chapel in 1858 on Lot 20, Henry Street (later to become the Rechabite Hall and Eltham Public Hall). The present church on John Street was designed by architects Crouch and Wilson in the Early English Gothic style with biochrome brick window frames, buttress heads and pinnacle. Church member George Stebbing built the church, the foundations were constructed with stone from the walls of the first Eltham State Primary School (No. 209) building which collapsed in 1874 and were purchased by Robert David Taylor. Stebbing was also responsible for building St Margaret’s Church and Shillinglaw Cottage. The Roll of Honour, which presently hangs in the church hall (which also doubles as the Opportunity Shop) lists 27 members of the congregation who served in the First World War, 11 of whom never returned. The red-brick Church Hall was opened in 1931 and in 1971 further additions linked the hall and church, including a foyer, vestry, meeting room and toilets reflecting the Eltham style of that time with its simplicity, extensive clear glass, reused baked clay-bricks from the 1881 church, heavy ceiling beams and compressed straw ceiling. On June 26, 1977, the church became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia consisting of the former Methodist and Congregational and most of the Presbyterian Churches. Following of declining numbers of worshippers, the church merged with the Montmorency Uniting Church on June 23, 1996. In 2023 the Uniting church approved a plan to renovate the church. It is understood that the historic church and the hall will be retained, and the building added in 1971 is to be demolished, to make way for a new purpose-built Opportunity shop. The proposed areas to be demolished include the current foyer, toilets, crèche, etc, including the area between the hall and the former RSL. Works are expected to commence mid to late July 2023. The Society was invited by a church member to take photographs of these areas to document them prior to demolition works commencing. Ref: “Nillumbik Now and Then” by Marguerite Marshall (2008)jim connor collection, 2023-07-10, eltham-montmorency uniting church, john street, methodist church, opportunity shop, uniting church, uniting church hall

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

At the family home of Thomas Teagle, 1 Thomas Street, Eltham which is at corner with Frank Street and still stands today (2023). Thomas Street was named after Thomas Teagle, Jim's fatherOn reverse "Rita Teagle"eltham, thomas street, james michael teagle, jim teagle, teagle family, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

Kenneth Douglas Ingram's Shell service garage (in background) was located between the family home and the public hall at Research on the original line of Main Road. The public hall site is now the site of the Eltham Little Theatre. The family home (behind photographer), a red brick building still stands today (2023) at 1591 Main Road, Researchpam thoonen (nee ingram) collection, k.d. ingram shell garage, kenneth albert ingram, kenneth douglas ingram, main road, pamela lorraine ingram, research (vic.), research garage

Photo taken at the family home of 19 Thomas Street (since replaced by a new build). In the background is 22 Thomas Street, the home of Violet Feldbar (nee Teagle), Pam and Ken's aunt, sister to Margaret Rose Ingram. Thmas Street was named after their grandfather, Thomas Teagle and many of the Teagle family homes were in this street.pamela lorraine ingram, pamela thoonen (nee ingram), eltham, house, margaret rose fielding (nee teagle), thomas street, violet feldbauer (nee teagle), kenneth albert ingram, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

Photo taken near the family home of 19 Thomas Street (since replaced by a new build) and shows Ken's dogs. Thmas Street was named after their grandfather, Thomas Teagle and many of the Teagle family homes were in this street.pamela lorraine ingram, eltham, thomas street, kenneth albert ingram, billy cart, dogs, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

Photo taken at the front of the family home of 19 Thomas Street (since replaced by a new build). The entrance from Thomas Street was at the back. Thomas Street was named after their grandfather, Thomas Teagle and many of the Teagle family homes were in this street.pamela lorraine ingram, eltham, thomas street, kenneth albert ingram, dogs, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

Pam is on the bike which belonged to her cousin Valerie Feldbauer (later Waller) Thmas Street was named after their grandfather, Thomas Teagle and many of the Teagle family homes were in this street.pamela lorraine ingram, eltham, thomas street, valerie feldbauer, pamela thoonen (nee ingram), valerie waller (nee feldbauer), pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

View of the front of the house. The back of the house faced Thomas Street.eltham, house, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection, pamela lorraine ingram, pamela thoonen (nee ingram), thomas street

Produced by Contour Consultants Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of Dallas Price Homes Pty Ltd as part of the planning process for redevelopment of the former Eltham Shire Office site at 895 Main Road. In 1963 the Shire of Eltham purchased the Shillinglaw property of approximately 2 acres in Main Road, Eltham for the widening of Main Road and as a site for new Council offices. This land, which contained the Shillinglaw Cottage (c1878-80), was the remaining section of the Shillinglaw family holding that originally comprised 30 acres, being Lot 90 of Holloway's 1851 subdivision. Eltham Council intended to demolish this cottage, but through extensive community action it was saved, funds were raised, and it was relocated to the current site adjacent to the Eltham Library. The new Eltham Shire Offices opened in 1965 were designed to ensure retention of the three Italian Cypress trees that were located outside the Shillinglaw Cottage. In 1971 the building was extended at the southern end to provide additional space, including for the Eltham Library and Council's Engineering Department. Renovations were undertaken to the offices during 1987. The Victorian State Government commenced to restructure local government in 1994, which resulted in the establishment of the Shire of Nillumbik and the cessation of the Shire of Eltham. This new Nillumbik Shire Council was headed by government appointed commissioners, who decided in 1995 to put the former Eltham Shire offices on the market. Eventually in June 1996 the property was sold for $1.1 million and the building was subsequently demolished. A planning application for the site was then submitted to Nillumbik Shire Council in September 1996 for construction of a 24-hour service station, convenience store, cafe/takeaway food premises, a retail facility and community facility. There were many objections to this proposed development and in controversial circumstances a planning permit was granted by the Nillumbik Shire Council commissioners. After protracted actions involving a planning panel and a planning advisory committee, established by the Minister for Local Government, the proposal was eventually rejected as not satisfying the requirements of the planning scheme. In December 1997 the purchaser withdrew from the contract of sale, just prior to Council announcing a withdrawal from the contract. While there have been a number of possible development proposals considered by subsequent Nillumbik Shire Councils, this site has remained vacant since July 1996. TIMELINE (Prepared by Jim Connor, Eltham District Historical Society- March 2018- Based on press, council and personal records) June 1996 - Eltham Shire offices sold to Dallas Price Homes for $1.1 million. July 1996 - Shire office building demolished against community's wishes. Council claimed building riddled with asbestos. September 1996 - Planning application submitted to Nillumbik Shire Council to construct on the site a 24 hours Shell service station, convenience store, Hungry Jacks café/takeaway food premises, a retail facility and community facility. 213 objections and petition of over 1400 signatures received. Minister for Planning and Local Government orders an independent investigation into valuation and sale. 9 October 1996 - Permit granted by Nillumbik Shire Council commissioners, in controversial circumstances. A Planning Special Committee consisting of 3 commissioners and 3 community representatives considered 32 community objections. One commissioner declared a potential conflict of interest so only 2 commissioners were able to vote. After hearing all objections, the community representatives moved a foreshadowed motion to refuse a permit. The commissioners then closed the meeting, formerly opened a council meeting (for about a minute) and approved the application. October 1996 - Community members appealed planning decision to Administrative Appeals Tribunal. November 1996 -Minister for Planning and Local Government Robert McClelland calls appeal in and directs MT to refer this 'major policy issue' to the Governor in Council. February 1997 - Planning panel (Dimity Reed and Margaret Pitt) established to consider submissions. March 1997 - New council elected with five councillors. April 1997 - Three of the five new councillors vote to fight Commissioner's decision to grant a permit. April 1997 - Planning panel (Dimity Reed and Margaret Pitt) conducts hearings at Nillumbik Shire offices. June 1997 -Planning panel rejected Dallas Price Homes proposal as being 'totally inappropriate' for the site and recommends the site be rezoned for 'public purposes'. July 1997 - Dallas Price Homes threatened to sue Council and individual councillors. October 1997 - Report released of an Advisory Committee (Paul Jerome) established by the Minister for Planning and Local Government. Committee considered Dallas Price Homes proposal and an alternative concept plan proposal by Council for a gallery, workshop, offices and cinema community-based development. Advisory Committee recommended Dallas Price Homes proposal be rejected as not satisfying the requirements of the planning scheme and recommended further testing of the financial viability of Council's proposal. December 1997 - Dallas Price Homes withdrew from the contract of sale, just prior to Council announcing a withdrawal from the contract, which expired on 28th November and was not renewed by either side, after previously being extended twice pending a decision by the Minister. Council had to pay developer $58,000 for demolition costs. February 1998 - Dallas Price Homes application rejected by Planning and Local Government Minister. October 1998 - Nillumbik Councillors suspended and an Administrator appointed (until March 1999). The demolition of the former Shire of Eltham offices and proposed sale and development driven by the Commissioners for Nillumbik Shire Council brought the community together in substantial protest at the infrigement of ratepayers democratic say in local government and ciommunity assets combined with protests about inappropraite development of Eltham's Gateway. This issue led to the formation of the Eltham Community Action Group which still operates strongly today (2023) on behalf of the community to ensure appropriate development within the community.895 main road, commissioners, dallas price homes, development application, eltham hub, hungry jacks, nillumbik shire council, re-zoning, shell service station, town planning, eltham gateway, eltham gateway action group, eltham shire offices, shillinglaw cottage, shillinglaw farm, shillinglaw trees, jim connor collection

Nillumbik Commissioners used 'reserve power's to permit a controversial Shell service station and Hungry Jackls restaurant development at the former Eltham Shire Office site at 895 Main Road. More than 200 people attended the Council meeting in the public gallery and protested at the decision. 32 personal submissions were made to Council's Planning Special Committee meeting whose members vioted 3-2 against the development. The Committee consisted of the three Nillumbik Commissioners and three community members (Jim Connor, Bronwyn South and Janet Mattiske). Chief Commissioner Don Cordell, a former Shell employee excused himself from voting and the three communbity memebrs voted against the submission. The other two commissioners, Vin Heffernan and Kevin Abbott voted against it. They then immediately closed the meeting and opened a Council meeting lasting just seconds to use special reserve powers to overturn the decision. Community residents who made submissions included Russell Yeomans speaking on behalf of the Eltham Gateway Action Group and Eltham District Historical Society, Des Ryan on belaf of Eltham Senior Citizens, Angela Newhouse, others on behalf of Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School and Judge Book Village, Tom Munro, Ian Jennings, Margartet Ball a fifth generation descendant of the Shillinglaw family, one of the early settlers of the area and owner of the land that was sold to Council, Frank Burgoyne who said "there will be a lot of creaking and rumbling in the cemetery if this goes through. So many old people who have done so much for Eltham are buried up there and it is up to us to pass on what they left to the younger generation. Eltham is a beautiful spot; why louse it up?" A second article "Anger over reserve power" by Laeta Antonysen provides commentary from the three Planning Special Committee community members, former Eltham Shire Councillor Jim Connor, Bronwyn South and Janet Mattiske about the process that took place and the first time use of the spoecial reserve power to overturn the decision of the committee. Barry Rochford, Nillumbiuk CEO defends the use of the power.The demolition of the former Shire of Eltham offices and proposed sale and development driven by the Commissioners for Nillumbik Shire Council brought the community together in substantial protest at the infrigement of ratepayers democratic say in local government and ciommunity assets combined with protests about inappropraite development of Eltham's Gateway. This issue led to the formation of the Eltham Community Action Group which still operates strongly today (2023) on behalf of the community to ensure appropriate development within the community.895 main road, commissioners, dallas price homes, development application, eltham hub, hungry jacks, nillumbik shire council, re-zoning, shell service station, town planning, eltham gateway, eltham gateway action group, eltham shire offices, shillinglaw farm, shillinglaw trees, jim connor collection, dallas howgate, nillumbik planning special committee, jim connor, bronwyn south, janet mattiske, don cordell, vin heffernan, kevin abbott, russell yeomans, eltham district historical society, eltham senior citizens, des ryan, our lady help of christians primary school, judge book village, angela newhouse, tom munro, ian jennings, margaret ball, shillinglaw cottage, frank burgoyne, andrew biasci, barry rochford

The institutions of law and order in Colonial Victoria included the police, courts and prisons. The 1852 report of the Snodgrass Select Committee appointed to "identify the policing needs of the colony” noted there existed seven independent police forces that did not co-operate or regularly communicate. Following the committee's report all these police entities were merged into the Victoria Police, founded on 8 January 1853, to implement law and order responsibilities throughout the Colony of Victoria. The Eltham Courthouse (1860) and adjacent Police Residence (1859) formed a justice precinct established in the immediate aftermath of the 1852 police inquiry and the effects of the gold rush. The physical presence of these buildings, in the centre of the early Eltham township, defined centralised control over law and order. In the early days the Police Constable in charge would conduct his duties travelling around the district by horse; a stable was located at the rear of the residence. At times the horse would be grazed on the paddocks across the road. Horseshoes were forged by the blacksmith beside the Courthouse on the high side of “Policeman’s Hill”. Along with the stable, there was a two-cell bluestone lockup where prisoners were held awaiting trial in the adjacent Courthouse. Their meals were usually provided by the policeman’s wife or from the hotel just up the road. With the arrival of the railway in 1902 the town centre gradually shifted towards the railway station. The Police Station and operations were moved into the town centre in 1961 to a renovated house in Pryor Street, which was later replaced by the current Police Station. From 1961-1981 the residence was occupied by the Vermin and Noxious Weeds Destruction Section of the Department of Crown Lands and Survey. Prior to August 1967 the former Police Station was dragged to the rear of Police Residence to make way for the construction of a driveway and access from Main Road. The building was placed on the site of a former Scullery and modified for Lands Department use. In 1981 the Shire of Eltham took over management of the former Police Residence in Eltham. It remained unoccupied for a period whilst its future was discussed in Council. It was then used for a community job creation scheme until 1985. In 1985 the Shire of Eltham Parks and Environment occupied the residence. Council improved the driveway but later added a second rear access from Brougham Street due to the dangerous nature of the Main Road entrance. Additionally, a rear toilet facility between the Police Residence and the relocated former Police Station, which was doubling up as a lunchroom. Council also commenced discussions to re-establish a replica Police Station. Around November 1986 the former Police Station was demolished; believed to have been suffering termite damage. About 1989, after some years of discussion, a replica Police Station was built, based on photographs, to act as a lunchroom and meeting room for the Parks and Environment staff and volunteers doing community service. In 1996 Eltham District Historical Society held discussions with Nillumbik Shire Council commissioners throughout the year regarding a home for the Society. A proposal was put forward by the Society in October to occupy the former Police Residence. In March 1997 Eltham District Historical Society gained access to former Police Residence and on July 12, 1998, moved into its Local History Centre. In July 2018, Eltham District Historical Society gained access to the replica Police Station (which had been used as a music library and storage for the Eltham Concert Band) for use as part of regular heritage tours for schools and community-based groups. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p65This 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, eltham, main road, eltham district historical society, eltham justice precinct, little eltham, local history centre, police residence, police station

The building was designed by Charles Maplestone of Heidelberg, son-in-law to Anthony Beale of St Helena. Maplestone was a prominent architect who came out to Australia with his family in 1852. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Isabella Maplestone on 11th November 1867. The bricklayers for the church were George Stebbing, H Limmer, H Spicer and a Mr Timm while Thomas Day was the stonemason. Another three years were to pass before sufficient money could be raised for its completion. It was opened by Bishop Perry on 1st November, 1870. The church bell which hung under a tree for 50 years until it was incorporated in the parish hall was brought out from England and presented by Charles Orme. In 1916, the estate of George Martin Pizzey left sufficient money to build the red brick hall, which still stands today (2023) though in January 1969 the hall and bell tower were badly damaged by bushfire. Coincidentally the former home of benefactor, George Pizzey was destroyed in the same fire. Of particular significance are the interior and exterior of the church, the Sunday school and hall with emphasis on pre-World War I fabric (excluding the 1990s additions) and the three coloured glass windows currently suspended in the 1990s entry foyer. In 2011 further alterations were made to the front of the Church. The church is historically significant because it was the oldest public building in the former Diamond Valley Shire, is amongst the oldest buildings in the Shire of Nillumbik and is associated with the early settlement of the Diamond Creek district. The church is historically, socially and spiritually significant because it has been a place of worship for over 150 years and continues to be, an important meeting place in the Shire. The church is aesthetically significant for the three stained glass windows executed by the noted stained glass manufacturers, Ferguson & Urie, as well as the supporting coloured glass windows in the church. The Sunday school & parish hall is architecturally significant because the hall is a well executed and preserved example of the work of noted church architects, North & Williams. It is historically significant because it is connected with local parishioner and Melbourne industrialist, George Pizzey, who bequeathed funds for its construction. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Ntionl Trust of Australia (Victoria) Local significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p85 References: St Johns Anglican Church complex, Sunday School and Parish Hall 61 Main Street DIAMOND CREEK, NILLUMBIK SHIRE. (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/64023 Diamond Creek, VIC. – St John’s Anglican (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://www.churchhistories.net.au/church-catalog/diamond-creek-vic-st-johns-anglican 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, st john's anglican church, diamond creek, parish hall