Ernest Morton Vains (1881 - 1951) was a local business man and Bendigo councillor who arrived in Bendigo in 1897 aged 16 from Kerang. In 1916 he founded the firm E M Vains and Co with his brother Sidney and they operated from Hargreaves Street in Bendigo with branches in Elmore, Mitiamo, Dingee, Knowsley, Heathcote and Prairie. E. M. Vains was a member of the City Council from 1922 - 1926 and was elected Mayor on August 29th, 1924. He played a prominent role in many of the City's community and industry groups and was a member of the Rotary Club which was founded in 1925 and a member of the Corona Lodge of Freemasons. Single page invoice from E.M. Vains and Co Auctioneers, Stock and Station Agents Bendigo. Letterhead features the unique R M Vains & Co logo with a bulls head, printed in royal blue ink.city of bendigo mayor, mayor vains, city of greater bendigo commerce, making a nation exhibition, mayoress vains, freemason

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Mayoress Vains was born Maud Anne Norris and she married Ernest Morton Vains in 1903. Ernest Vains entered council in November 1922 and was a member of the City council from 1922 - 1926. Maud Vains died in 1964 at the age of 80 and is buried with her husband in the Bendigo Cemetery.Reproduction of photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.lr, Mrs E.M. Vains/ Mayoress 1924 - 25. lr, Raymond V Kelly / Bendigovincent kelly, studio photography, raymond kelly, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, mayoress vains, mayor vains

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Ethel Rose Douglas married George Dawson Garvin in 1906 and was twice Mayoress from 1931 - 32 and 1938 - 39. Mayoress Ethel Garvin died in 1952 aged 74 and had been an esteemed member of the Women's Central Auxiliary of the Bendigo Base Hospital, a member of the Baby Health Centre and Mayoral Ladies Auxiliary. Reproduction of photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.vincent kelly, studio photography, raymond kelly, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, mayoress garvin, mayor garvin, ethel douglas

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Born in 1884 at Fryerstown, May Catherine Quick married David William Streader in 1910. May Streader served as Mayoress from 1946 - 1947 and died aged 103 years old in 1987. Reproduction of photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.ll; Mrs D. W. Streader / Mayoress / 1946 - 47. lr R. Vincent Kelly / Bendigovincent kelly, studio photography, raymond kelly, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, may quick, mayoress streader, city of bendigo mayor, mayor d.w. streader

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Monica Cecelia Murray was born in 1910 in Strathfieldsaye and married Thomas Flood in 1934. She served as Mayoress for four terms and died in 1973. Mayoress Flood was president of the St Mary's Past Pupul's Association and a patron of the Bendigo Girl Guildes. Reproduction of photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.studio photography, raymond kelly, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, mayoress flood, mayor t.r. flood

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Ellen May Turner (Nell) was born in 1925 and died in 2008 aged 83. Reproduction of photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.lr; Mrs R. F. Turner / Mayoress 1965 - 66 / Martin Washingtoncity of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, martin washington photography, mayoress turner, mayor r.f. turner, lansell pendant

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Aileen Baldwin was born in Eaglehawk and was one of the youngest Mayoresses that the City has had. Reproduction of Black and White photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, mayoress cambridge, mayor w cambridge, cambridge printers, lansell pendant

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Gwen Jeffrey served as Mayoress from 1969 - 70.Reproduction of Black and White photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.lr; Martin Washingtoncity of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, mayor jeffrey, mayoress jeffrey, lansell pendant

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Peg Elliott served as Mayoress from 1971 - 72.Black and White photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.lr; Martin Washingtonstudio photography, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, elliott collection, mayor d elliott, mayoress p elliot, lansell pendant

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Phyllis Campbell served as Mayoress from 1975 - 76 and 1979 - 80 and was born in 1916 and died in 1995.Colour photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.Inside lr; Don Semmens / Bendigostudio photography, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, mayor r campbell, mayoress phyllis campbell., lansell pendant

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Gwenda Joan Cooper was born in Ballarat in 1924 and served as Mayoress from 1976 - 77.Colour photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.Inside lr; Don Semmens / Bendigostudio photography, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, mayor r cooper, mayoress joan cooper, lansell pendant

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Annie Mary (Mollie) Sibson was born in England in 1904 and worked as a nursing sister at Bendigo Base Hospital until her marriage to Alec Sandner in 1933. Mollie was an active member of the community and was particularly interested in raising the participation of girls in sports and the lack of competitive sports opportunities for girls led Mollie to create an inter school tennis competition in 1944. The Mollie Sandner Cup continues to be played today and Mollie was recognised by the Sportswomens' Association of Bendigo for her contribution to women's sports. Colour photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.Inside lr; Don Semmens / Bendigocity of bendigo mayoress, city of bendigo mayor, eugene and mollie sandner collection, mayoress mollie sandner, mayor sandner, sandner collection, bendigo base hospital, lansell pendant

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Kathy Tomkinson served as Mayoress from 1980 - 81.Colour photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.Inside lr; Don Semmens / Bendigocity of bendigo mayoress, city of bendigo mayor, mayoress tomkinson, mayor tomkinson, lansell pendant

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Elizabeth Stolz served as Mayoress from 1981 - 82.Black and White photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.lr; Don Semmens Bendigocity of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, lansell pendant, mayoress stoltz, mayor stotz

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Judith Mansell served as Mayoress from 1983 - 84.Colour photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.lr; H. Hampelcity of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, lansell pendant, mayor mansell, mayoress mansell

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Gloria Quin was Mayoress from 1985 - 86.Colour photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.lr; H. Hampelcity of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, lansell pendant, mayor quin, mayoress quin

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Gloria Quin was Mayoress from 1985 - 86.Colour photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, lansell pendant, mayor currie, mayoress currie

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Noela Nankervis served as Mayoress from 1987 - 88.Colour photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, lansell pendant, mayor nankervis, mayoress nankervis

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Elizabeth Morley served as Mayoress from 1989 - 90.Colour photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.Front cover; Photograph by: / Richard Gibbs / Tel: (054)413411city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, lansell pendant, mayor morley, mayoress morley

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Karen Douglass served as Mayoress from 1990-91, 1991 - 92, 1992 -93.Colour photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.Front cover; Photograph by: / Richard Gibbs / Tel: (054)413411city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, lansell pendant, mayor douglass, mayoress douglass

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Greta Balsillie served as Mayoress from 1993 - 94 and was the last official Mayoress as the role disappeared after amalgamation due to the election of female Mayors.Colour photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.Front cover; Photograph by: / Richard Gibbs / Tel: (054)413411city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, lansell pendant, mayor balsillie, mayoress balsillie

Robert Clark was a self educated man who had arrived in Australia with his step father to take up mining in 1854. He worked in several local mines and being familiar with the hardships associated with mining life helped to establish the eight hour day for miners. Robert married Sarah Jane Kernaghan in 1862 and together they had nine children. Robert Clark was first elected in 1872 and remained a councillor until his death in 1883. He died aged 41 years. 180.1 Donated by Jenny Taylor; 180.2 Organisational created.Photograph mounted on card. Front facing, 3/4 length portrait, wearing mayoral robes with bicorne hat on stand.mayor city of sandhurst, councillor robert clark, mayor clark, mayor of the city of sandhurst

The Borough of Eaglehawk was a local government area which covered the northwestern suburbs of the regional city of Bendigo and covered an area of 14.54 square kilometres (5.6 sq mi). Eaglehawk was first incorporated as a borough on 29 July 1862. It had nine councillors, who represented the entire borough. Councillors met at the Town Hall (incorporating the Star Cinema) at the intersection of Sailors Gully Road and Loddon Valley Highway, Eaglehawk. The Town hall has always been the centre of the Borough's activities and was built in 1901 on the site of an earlier town hall which had stood on the location since 1865. The Victorian Heritage Database notes: "The present building replaced this earlier building and was opened on 14 August 1901. The architects were the Melbourne firm of Wilkinson and Permewan. As a much larger and more sumptuous building of brick and stone featuring a central clock tower, the new hall reflected prevailing architectural fashion and was a remarkable investment for a town consisting predominantly of poor mining families. The condition of the town hall is substantially as built. The design is almost identical to the Castlemaine Town Hall." On 7 April 1994, the Borough of Eaglehawk was abolished, and along with the City of Bendigo, the Rural City of Marong and the Shires of Huntly and Strathfieldsaye, was merged into the newly created City of Greater Bendigo.Brass bell with eaglehawk topper / handle on timber stand. The lower front section of the topper has the Borough of Eaglehawk seal attached. No hallmarks or makers stamps visible.borough of eaglehawk, star cinema

Robert Clark was a self educated man who had arrived in Australia with his step father to take up mining in 1854. He worked in several local mines and being familiar with the hardships associated with mining life, helping to establish the eight hour day for miners. Robert married Sarah Jane Kernaghan in 1862 and together they had nine children. Robert Clark was first elected in 1872 and remained a councillor until his death in 1883. He died aged 41 years. This elaborate Letter of Appreciation was hand drawn and painted by artist and photographer Frederick de Kock who was associated with Mr N Caire's photographic Studio, View Place and by 1882 was producing and teaching hand painting on ceramics. In 1883 he advertised as a photographer with his own studio on the corner of Mitchell and King Street, which was later named the Bendigo Portrait Rooms. 180.1 Donated by Jenny Taylor; 180.2 Organisational created. Illuminated Letter of Appreciation in shape of arched window. From Sandhurst Pioneer Co-Operative Co Limited to Robert Clark. Hand drawn and painted on card. Signed by eight directors.mayor city of sandhurst, councillor robert clark, mayor clark, mayor of the city of sandhurst

Ernest W (Bon) Barrie was the Shire of Melton councillor South Riding from 1969-1971, and member of the Water TrustLetter to the ratepayers in the Melton Shire local identities, council

Melton and Moorabool Leader Star Weekly newspaper articles of Melton Shire Councillorscouncil, local identities

Donald Clark Collection. A monochrome photograph of Shire of Bet Bet Councillors posed outdoors in 1961. Caption stuck on front lists the following names of subjects: L to R Standing at rear: N. McCartney (Secretary), Crs D.W. Clark, F. Ross, John Lloyd (Engineer), K. Jardine, R.A. Gray Seated: Crs David Wood, J.J.A. Freemantle, H. Whitehead, J.P. Mason. Original photograph. shire of bet bet, dunolly town hall, local government, governance

This volume of maps is believed to have been compiled by staff at the Shire of Bacchus Marsh and was presumably used to inform and assist Shire staff and Councillors in the carriage of their duties.This collection of maps are significant due to their rarity as many of them are unique maps made for local purposes in the Bacchus Marsh region. They are also of strong research value containing a wide variety of information including landholders, land sales, infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, public, commercial and private buildings, houses, land use, and geographic features over multiple decades from the late nineteen century into the middle part of the twentieth century.One bound volume of maps comprising cadastral maps, (indicating property owners and land boundaries), land plans and real estate auction plans and advertising material, and other maps indicating major infrastructure like proposed roads and irrigation areas. Most of the maps and plans are of Bacchus Marsh and nearby areas but some maps are of nearby towns such as Melton, Ballan and Blackwood. The volume comprises 52 pages. Most pages have a single map or plan pasted onto it but some contain 2 or 3 different maps. There are 81 maps in total. Map 1 Liquidators Sale 1896. Map 2. Woodside Estate Sale 1913. maps, maps bacchus marsh, maps bacchus marsh region

"A perpetual spring in the adjacent creek provided a steady supply of fresh water to the site on which the homestead is built. Although we can not be certain of the identity of the builder, the first stage of ‘The Willows’ homestead appears to have been constructed in the mid 1850s. The house is situated on Crown Allotment No.1 (No Section), Parish of Kororoit, an allotment of 5 acres 3 roods 4 perches. Although it had surveyed the land, the Crown did not offer it for sale until 22nd November 1861, at which time it was purchased by Charles March Williams. (Although the property is directly opposite and immediately adjacent to the Township of Melton, and was sold as ‘Suburban Allotment 33’, it was situated within the Shire of Braybrook rather than the Shire of Melton until 1917.) Considerable improvements had taken place on the land prior to the Crown sale. When CM Williams purchased the allotment in November 1861 he paid £23.5.0 for the land itself, and valued the improvements at £400. Even allowing for some exaggeration by Williams, this is an extremely high valuation for improvements, and must have included a house. Some local research has claimed that in 1858 Williams had taken over the interest of a Mr Parkinson in the property, and that Parkinson built the house upon taking possession of the land c.1855. It was definitely built by 1861, when a map shows a square building on the site marked as ‘House’. The property is important in the district for its association with the establishment of the pound. The district pound had been established in 1854, when George Scarborough of Mount Cottrell (Mt Cottrell Road, south of Greigs Road) was appointed pound-keeper. Scarborough resigned in 1857. The pound was moved to Melton following agitation from local farmers and Charles March Williams appointed pound-keeper on 26th April 1858. Williams, the son of a doctor, had been born in London. Reminiscences of local residents of the time, as recorded in the Express newspaper, note Williams’ success in breeding horses on the property. Sales of up to 60 guineas were noted. Whether this was from Williams’s own stock or from unclaimed pound stock is not made clear. Williams appeared before a government inquiry in 1860 and advocated registration of all stock brands in the State. Williams died in 1862 leaving a widow, Catherine, and five living children aged 15 years to five months. At the time of his death Williams had entered negotiations with one Matthew Devenish and had a mortgage of £100 on allotments 1 and 2, Parish of Kororoit. Catherine Williams was appointed pound-keeper on 2 September 1863, with her eldest son Charles as her assistant. Her tenure was short for on 22nd March 1864 George Minns senior paid Matthew Devenish £135 for allotments 1 and 2 Parish of Kororoit (considerably less than Williams had claimed the property was worth in 1861) and on the same day paid William Tullidge £45 for the adjoining allotments 3 and 4. In April 1867, James Ebden Minns, the newly married son of George senior became the owner of The Willows property having entered into a mortgage arrangement with his father to the extent of £200. At the time George Minns was residing in Kaarimba having left Melton in 1867 for a short trip to England and upon his return having taken up a selection in the Kaarimba district with his son Frederick who had a hotel licence there. James paid out the mortgage on 2-1-1873. James Minns was appointed pound-keeper in 1872; in 1885 the pound was moved elsewhere and Minns purchased the old pound site and added it to his farm. The Willows residence underwent a major change about this time. A two room extension, similar in style but with a lower elevation was added to the original rear of the house with a chimney matching the distinctive originals. Window arrangements did not match the original but became a feature of the façade when the new addition became the front of the building. Six buttresses were attached to the east and west walls of the old building, two to the south wall and the whole rendered with mortar to give the appearance of dressed stonework around the windows. Galvanized iron was placed over the shingles and a verandah added on three sides. By 1876 The Willows was the homestead for a thriving mixed farm of 340 acres of which 156 was rented from a H. Ruck. In October of that year the Australasian travelling reporter visited and reported on the property. In common with the nearly every other property in the district the farm had ‘recently’ (generally within the last two years) abandoned cultivation of crops, and turned over completely to cattle pasture. Butter making was the principal occupation of the farm, which had about 50 head of cattle, a large proportion of which were milking cows. The reporter also noted that a ‘large number of pigs are kept upon this farm and are found to be very profitable stock’. Their manure was used in an orchard and garden in which ‘large quantities of lucerne and prairie grass are grown for the use of stock when ordinary feed is scarce’. Two bores attached to deep brick lined wells supplied water for the house in addition to the farm. A commodious timber barn and necessary sheds had also been constructed. Access to the property was improved following the construction of the bluestone ford across the creek c.1887, when the recreation ground came into use. Prior to this date it may have been that the crossing referred to as ‘Mr Minns bridge’ was used. This appears to have been a flimsy structure and has but two references in Council reports in the Melton Express in the 1880’s. It is believed that in the late 1890’s a timber building was added near the rear of the building to house a kitchen, ablutions and laundry rooms and rooms for seasonal workers. This was attached to the house by means of a trellised walkway using the original front entry to the house (long since the back door). A photograph of this building appears in a local history of Melton. This was demolished in recent decades during the period when the house was tenanted (after the Minns family had left). James Minns son, George, took over the property following his marriage to Alice Walsh in 1903. James and Caroline moved into a house on the former JH Games property at the eastern end of Henry Street. George held the position of Shire Secretary for Melton for 40 years. He was a most prominent member of the community being Secretary to, among others, the Melton Coursing Club, the Shooting Club and the Cemetery Trust. He also rode with the hunting parties who sported across the Plains and were entertained at Mount Kororoit. George and Alice had one son, Norman who followed his father into local government and became Secretary of the Shire of Werribee completing a record term in this position. George retired to Werribee in 1951, where he died in 1965. The National Trust records note that James Ebden Minns and his sons were ‘leading men of the district, Justices of the Peace, and Shire Councillors’. It claims that Sir Thomas Bent was a frequent visitor. The Willows passed into the hands of George’s grandson, Bruce Minns and the property was let for a number of years. In the 1960s it became vacant and was subject to vandalism. Major structural problems arose with the part demolition of the roof, the loss of windows and doors and holes dug into and under the floorboards. The outbuildings were particularly targeted. Following widespread public support, the Shire of Melton purchased the house, with 3.75 acres of land, in 1972. In 1975 the Shire of Melton and the Melton and District Historical Society were successful in nominating the building for National Trust classification, and then the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate. The AHC particularly noted its ‘townscape importance’. It was envisaged that the farmhouse would form ‘a picturesque centrepiece to Melton’s planned … historical park, along with Dunvegan bluestone cottage … and similar structures as they become available.’ In a time of great Melton’s ‘satellite city’ development the Council spelt out its broader vision in its submission to the AHC: ‘Melton is destined to become, by the end of the present century, a city of between 75,000 and 100,000 people. Significant relics of the past, such as ‘The Willows’, regrettably will be rare in that situation. It is essential that sufficient tangible links with Melton’s pioneering days remain to promote in the new community a sense of history and continuity’. Under the direction of ‘The Willows’ Restoration Committee and consultant architect John Hitch, all outbuildings, with the exception of the garage and toilet, were demolished and the dwelling house restored. Finances were provided by the Shire of Melton and the National Estate Grants Program, and considerable amount of voluntary labour was provided by the local community. The orchard was removed, and remaining wooden buildings were relocated to provide an open vista for visitors to the Park. The property was furnished with donations from district families keen to preserve this example of pioneer life in the area. The Willows became the headquarters of the Melton and District Historical Society". Invitation to the family reunion at the Willowslocal identities, pioneer families

Murray Comrie Collection. Information written by Murray Comrie: Albert C. Nicholls was a councillor of the Borough of Tarnagulla and Mayor at one time (c.1911?) Monochrome photographic portrait of a clean-shaven man with raised collar and patterned tie. Dark background.Accompanying note identifies subject as Albert C. Nicholls.borough of tarnagulla, albert c. nicholls, mayor, council, local government, local people