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Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Nilsson, Leif
Greensborough resident and painter Lief Nilsson came to Australia in 1969, after travelling from his native Sweden, England and Spain. Contents Newspaper article: "Saying it with painting", Diamond Valley News, no date, interview with Lief Nilsson.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etclief nilsson -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Nink, Ron
The Nink family is one of the oldest in the St Andrews area. Ron Nink remembered his early life, especially schooling and the Depression. Contents Newspaper article: "Memories of St Andrews", Diamond Valley News, 15 November 1983, interview with Ron Nink for the 125th anniversary of the St Andrews Primary School.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcnink family of st andrews, ron nink, st andrews primary school -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Nixon, Bruce
The Nink family is one of the oldest in the St Andrews area. Ron Nink remembered his early life, especially schooling and the Depression. Contents Newspaper article: "Memories of St Andrews", Diamond Valley News, 15 November 1983, interview with Ron Nink for the 125th anniversary of the St Andrews Primary School.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcnink family of st andrews, ron nink, st andrews primary school -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Nyberg, Keith
Keith Nyberg began playing lacrosse at Eltham Primary School, later playing in the 1990 Australian lacrosse championships and in America; he played for the Eltham Lacrosse Club. Contents Newspaper article: "Rural life", Diamond Valley News, 3 September 1997, describing Keith Nyberg's career to date as a lacrosse player. Newspaper article: "Gold medal on agenda", Diamond Valley Leader, 7 August 2019, describing Keith Nyberg's career to date as a lacrosse player.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etckeith nyberg, eltham primary school, eltham lacrosse club -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper - News Clipping, Adam Carey, They were promised a new hospital, but locals prefer derelict farmhouse, The Age, December 4, p11, 2023
... News Clipping... News Clipping Adam Carey ...The Age, Monday, December 4, 2023, p11 Article about local protest at Victorian Government decision to build a community hospital on the site of an old derleict farmhouse owned by the Department of Transport at 405 Ryans Road, Diamond Creek. The site was until 2017 part of a potential route fior the North East Link.community hospital, cr. ben ramcharan, cr. natalie duffy, department of ttransport, diamond creek, eltham community hospital, james bant, james merrett, martin penrose, north east link, petition, protest, ryans road -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Kroyer-Pedersen, Margo
Margo Kroyer-Pedersen, who lived at View Hill Crescent, Eltham, was a bird artist. Contents Newspaper article: "Jetset Swifty hitches a ride home", The Sun, 5 May 1978. An injured spine-tailed swift, nursed by Margo Pedersen, to be flown by Qantas to Tokyo to catch up with migration pattern. Newspaper article: "Bird lover's lively topic", Diamond Valley News, 19 June 1984. Margo Kroyer-Pedersen is an expert in Australian native birds. Newspaper article: "Margo's at home to all her furry friends", Diamond Valley News, 31 May 1988.Margo Kroyer Pederson [sic] cares for native wildlife. Newspaper article: "A conservationist and artist", The Age, 29 November 1997. Obituary of Margo Kroyer-Pedersen. Print-out Google search, 31 December 2008, for Margo Kroyer Pederson [sic]Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcmargo kroyer-pedersen, margo pedersen, view hill crescent eltham, were street theatre, jeanette wightman -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Pederson, Pamela
Pamela Pedersen, daughter of Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, became an athlete, and lives in Eltham Contents Newspaper article: "An inner flame for her people", Diamond Valley Leader, 23 November 2005. Pamela Pedersen to carry Commonwealth Games torch baton.. Newspaper article: "Family of champions", Diamond Valley News, 15 August 2007. Pamela Pedersen's life and family. Newspaper article: "Giant steps", Diamond Valley News, 15 August 2007. Cover picture and summary for article within newspaper.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcpamela pedersen, pastor sir doug nicholls, heidelberg women's athletics club, adam petersen, victorian aboriginal community controlled health organisation, kim petersen, indigenous sportsperson of the year 2005, yorta yorta elder, children's koori court -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Petrie, Henry
Henry Petrie was a founding member of the Montmorency community. His daughter Hilda Fraser died in 1986. The Petrie family is related to the McCaw family. Contents Newspaper article: "Stalwart dies, 75", Diamond Valley News, 3 June 1986. Obituary of Hilda Fraser, daughter of Henry Petrie.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etchenry petrie, petrie park montmorency, hilda fraser nee petrie, presbyterian chirch at st andrews, malcom fraser, christine fraser, iain fraser, mccaw family -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Phipps, Anne
Anne Phipps grew up and went to school in St Andrews. Contents Newspaper article: "St Andrews as it used to be", Diamond Valley News, 8 November 1983. Anne Phipps remembering St Andrews from 1937 onwards.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcanne phipps, st andrews victoria, children's games, arbor day, gold at st andrews -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Pugh, Clifton
The artist, Clifton Pugh, grew up in Briar Hill. He served in WWII and settled at Cottles Bridge, building his own house and forming Dunmoochin artist colony. He married three times and had two sons. He painted the portraits of many eminent people. Contents Newspaper article: "This is the house that Cliff built", The Age, 2 May 1964. Description of Clifton and Marlene Pugh's house.. Folder: Brief biography Clifton Pugh. Photocopy section of "Clifton Pugh: Patterns of a lifetime", Traudi Allen, Nelson, Melbourne 1981. Magazine article: "Clifton Pugh: His home is a work of art", Woman's Day, 16 January 1894. Describes Clifton Pugh's house at Hurstbridge. Newspaper article: "A guide to our orchids", Diamond Valley News, 14 February 1984. Clifton Pugh contributed to the book "A Year of Orchids". Newspaper article: "A family tradition is continued". Diamond Valley News, 28 February 1984. Clifton Pugh's childhood and career. Magazine article: "Clifton Pugh's bush paradise", Home Beautiful, May 1989. Clifton Pugh's house and studio. Clipping: "Clifton Pugh award winning artist". Clifton Pugh currently working on illustrations for a book, with Pam Blashki, on wood chipping ["A Kingdom Lost: A Story of the Devastation of Our Wilderness", published 1989]. Newspaper article: "Funeral drama shows the Pugh touch", The Age, 19 October 1990. Clifton Pugh's funeral at Montsalvat. Newspaper article: "Friends bid farewell to Pugh". Herald-Sun, 19 October 1990. Clifton Pugh's funeral at Montsalvat. Newspaper article: "Friends paint a lowing portrait". Herald-Sun, 19 October 1990. Funeral and obituary of Clifton Pugh. Newspaper article: "Montsalvat mourns passing of a great". Diamond Valley News, 23 October 1990. Clifton Pugh's funeral at Montsalvat. Newspaper article: "Loner who was a fair dinkum mate". Diamond Valley News, 23 October 1990. Obituary of Clifton Pugh. Newspaper article: "Pugh's last works", Tempo, The Age, 17 July 1991. Clifton Pugh was illustrating Helen Lunn's book 'The Digger's Mate' when he died. Newspaper article: "Dunmoochin's rich tradition to live on", Diamond Valley News, 29 October 1993. Dunmoochin Foundation Board to advertise lease of studios. Newspaper article: "Clean up for Cliff", Herald Sun, 8 December 1993. Preparation for exhibition of Clifton Pugh's work at LaTrobe University Art Museum. Flier: Exhibition "Clifton Pugh: A Retrospective", Montsalvat, 12 to 14 November 1999. Newsletter: "Dunmoochin: an edited version of the history prepared for the Heritage Study by David Bick", Eltham District Historical Society newsletter 140, September 2001 Newspaper article: "Hail rising of Phoenix", Diamond Valley Leader, 20 July 2005. Dunmoochin Foundation and official opening of buildings Phoenix I and Phoenix II after the 2001 bush fire. Newspaper article: "Legacy to the arts", Diamond Valley Leader, 10 August 2005. Dunmoochin Foundation and the rebuilding after the 2001 bush fire. Newspaper article: "Tiwi art to go on show", ?publication, ?2002. Shane Pugh, Johnny Young and Ian McKimmie organising exhibition of Tiwi art to mark 100th birthday of Strathewen hall. Flier: Exhibition "Clifton Pugh AO: Reflections of Dunmoochin". Briar Hill Primary School, 23 to 25 November 2007. Printout: "Dunmoochin", http://www.standrews.vic.edu.au/dunmoochin.html. 19 May 2004. Newspaper article: "Hail rising of Phoenix", Diamond Valley Leader, 20 July 2005. Rebuilding at Dunmoochin after bushfire. Newspaper article: "Legacy to the arts", Diamond Valley Leader, 10 August 2005. Rebuilding at Dunmoochin after bushfire. Newspaper article: "Artist's legacy on show". Dunmoochin one of four Cottles Bridge sites for a tour by Trust for Nature, 2 and 3 October no year. Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcclifton pugh, hurstbridge, adriane strampp, princess michael of kent, arthur boyd, john brack, charles blackman, fred williams, shane pugh, marlene pugh, professor jock marshall, briar hill victoria, cottles bridge victoria, turner family of briar hill, yandell family of briar hill, st helena church, st helena road, briar hill primary school, eltham high school, dunmoochin, campbell beardsell, david beardsell, ivanhoe boys grammar school, national gallery art school, hurstbridge grevillea, montsalvat, george dreyfus, kew city band, justus jorgensen, sir edward "weary" dunlop, prue acton, john howley, fay dunmore singers, derryn hinch, jeff kennett, tom uren, dennis gowing, matcham skipper, kyra skipper, gordon ford, hilary jackman, peter graham, robert marshall, john greaves, jenni mitchell, rodney roschollor, gough whitlam, sir john kerr, lionel murphy, manning clark, arts policy committee of victorian branch of the australian labor party, latrobe's art museum, rudy komon gallery, leonard french, jon molvig, rick armor, john olsen, latrobe university, donovan pugh, trevor welshman, australia council visual arts board, lesley alway, dailan pugh, paul barnett, helen nixon, helen lunn, a year of orchids book, campbell bearsdell, david bearsdell, johnny young, ian mckimmie, tiwi art, strathewen hall, rhonda noble, latrobe university art museum, traudi allen, clifton pugh patterns of a lifetime book, trust for nature, randall robinson -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Quinlan, Michael
Michael Quinlan, barrister and solicitor, in Eltham. Contents Newspaper advertisement: "Michael Quinlan", Diamond Valley News, 10 August 2005.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcmichael quinlan -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Knights, Ken
Ken Knights was president of Montmorency Horticultural Society. Contents Newspaper article: "Golden show this year", Diamond Valley News, 18 March 1980. Montmorency Horticultural Society holding annual autumn show at Eltham Community Centre 22 to 23 March 1980.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcken knight, montmorency horticultural society, eltham community centre -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Ray, Grant
Ray Grant, living in Eltham, won world mineral water drinking championships. Contents Newspaper article: "Water's nectar to Grant", Diamond Valley News, 1 March 2006. Justin Purser's works to be displayed at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcray grant, world championship mineral water drinking -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Reaks, Cameron
Eltham man Cameron Reaks, apprentice plumber, died when the wall of a trench collapsed. Contents Newspaper article: "Cave-in victim missed by many", Diamond Valley News, 29 July 1986. Report of funeral of Cameron Reaks.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etccameron reaks, sandra ennor, st margaret's church eltham, ted reaks, jenny reaks, eltham rural group -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Reeves, Michael
Eltham resident Police Sergeant Michael Reeves won the 1996 Ethnic Communities Police Annual Award for his work with Somalian refugees. Contents Newspaper article: "Award for work among refugees", Diamond Valley News, 23 October 1996. Outline of Michael Reeves' work with Somalian refugees in West Heidelberg.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcmichael reeves, somalian refugees, west heidelberg, north west migrant resourve centre -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Reynolds, Pat
Hurstbridge artist Pat Reynolds was the daughter of sculptor Ethel Reynolds and lived in Spain for eight years. Contents Newspaper article: "Spanish memories", Diamond Valley News, 7 April 1981. Pat Reynolds' career to date.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcpat reynolds, ethel reynolds -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Rhodes, William Walter "Wally"
Park Orchards man William Walter Rhodes, known as Wally, served in the RAAF in the second World War. Contents Newspaper article: "Wally bugles his memories", Diamond Valley News, 5 August 1986. Wally Rhodes collects cavalry memorabilia from the Boer War. Email: Terry Beaton to Eltham District Historical Society, 17 July 2023. Service details of William Walter Rhodes.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcwilliam walter rhodes, wally rodes, boer war -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Folder, Pioneers & Painters; Shire of Eltham Historical Society research notes, background information, etc, 1969-1986, 1969-1986
Material pertaining to the production of a history of the Shire of Eltham, "Pioneers & Painters: One Hundred Years of Eltham and its Shire" in recognition of the shire's centenary in 1971 Item Title Caption 04768-1 Newspaper clipping - The Eltham of 1905; Gellibrand our first white visitor? Diamond Valley News, 24 June 1969, p5 04768-2 Newspaper clipping - The Eltham of 1905; Gellibrand our first white visitor? Heidelberger, 25 June 1969 04768-3 Notes on Eltham District Road Board Members 1866-1871 04768-4 Notes on Eltham District Road Board Members 1866-1871 04768-5 Map showing Gellibrand's likely route through district 12-13 February 1836 and Hoddles's route of Febrary 1838 04768-6 Notes by Shire Secretary, M.B. Watson regarding meeting with Reverend Longfield regarding history of St Margaret's Church 04768-7 Alan Marshall's notes from discussion with Mr. F. Barrett regarding SEPP images 611, 635 and 636 SEPP_0611 SEPP_0635 SEPP_0636 04768-8 Transcripts of letter from local residents to Charles Joseph Latrobe requesting a bridge over the Plenty River dated 10 April 1849 and his reply dated 5 May 1849; from Latrobe Library Archives - Land Branch Records 04768-9 Notes on history of Eltham Shire, Centenary events and publication of Pioneers & Painters for release in conjunction of opening of new Library 04768-10 Newspaper clipping - Glossy record of shire's romantic past and the people who made it by Fab Calafuri, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, December 16, 1986, p18 SEPP_0755-3 Letter: Acknowledgement from Colin J. Bock, Eltham Shire Secretary to A.R. Thomas of Bendigo for copy of 1913 photograph of Shire of Eltham Councilors, 21 May 1973 A.R. Thomas' father Mr. A.G. Thomas, C.E., was the Shire Secretary at the time in 1913. Cross Ref: SEPP_0755 The idea to develop a book on the history of the Shire of Eltham to be edited by noted author, Alan Marshall in celebration of the shire's centenary was initiated in 1969. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society undertook significant research in conjunction with Alan Marshall locating material at various institutions and other societies; interviewing longer term residents and a public campaign through the local press to acquire photographic material for duplication and use in the book. The public campaign received generous response and the material collected became the genesis for the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph collection now held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library).Paper documents of various sizes and newspaper clippingsa.g. thomas, a.r. thomas, alan marshall, bridge road, charles joseph latrobe, council members, d.w. lachlan, eltham district road board, eltham shire council, ernie orford, f. barrett, francis rogerson, g. bransprone, james donaldson, james johnston, john bell, john thomson, joseph tice gellibrand, lower plenty bridge, m.b. watson, main road, map, patrick turnbull, peter morris, pioneers and painters, post office, rev. longfield, sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, shire secretary, st margaret's church, thomas armstrong, thomas bell, thomas sweeney, william bell (1796-1870), centenary celebrations, christmas hills, clifton pugh, david newbury, dudley street, eltham, gareth jones roberts, hurstbridge, john perceval, joy peck, kangaroo ground, kinglake, lower plenty, luther haley general store, montmorency, neil douglas, panton hill, peter glass, research (vic.), sheila ferguson, shire of eltham, st andrews, yarra glen -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Clipping, Eltham Town: Past to Present by Judy Lewis, Eltham Town Community News, Date unknown, pp10-12
Digital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a scrapbook on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes.beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, eltham history -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper clipping, Eltham Festival; Fair fun, Diamond Valley News, 12 November 1991, Nov 1991
Festival theme - Faces and PlacesNewsprint1991, alistair knox park, diana and peter bassett-smith collection, eltham festival, michael hodges, michael reilly -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper clipping, Newsclipping - Eltham Festival, Diamond Valley News, 12 November 1991, Nov 1991
1991, chaya ray-greig, eltham festival, holly pithea, kim hartnett, mona ray-greig, ryan hartnett, sian hartnett -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper clipping, Open house party by Margaret Cook, Diamond Valley News, 12 November 1991, 1991
Opening of Watsonia Neighbourhood House Photo of Co-ordinator Angela Myers and Chairman, Reg DaviesNewsprint1991, angela myers, diana and peter bassett-smith collection, eltham festival, opening, reg davies, watson neighbourhood house -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper clipping, Fair turnout for clean-up, Diamond Valley News, 12 November 1991, 1991
Spring Clean 1991, Shire of Diamond ValleyNewsprint1991, eltham festival, shire of diamond valley, steve plater -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper clipping, Steam train vandalism by Jodie Haythorne, Diamond Valley News, 23 November 1992, 1992
Article about a youth who threw a tin of blue paint at Steamrail's K-153 locomotive and train about one kiometre from Watsonia station whilst heading toward HeidelbergNewsprint1992, diana and peter bassett-smith collection, eltham festival, gina wilson, k-153, met trains, steam train, steamrail, trevor greer -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper clipping, Photograph of 1994 Eltham Festival Parade, Diamond Valley News, 16 November 1994, p3, 1994
Newsprint1994, eltham festival, parade -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper clipping, Only 10 days to go before the Eltham Festival 11th-13th November, 1994, Diamond Valley News, 2 November 1994, p24, 1994
Newsclipping, full page advertisementNewsprint Newsclipping, full page advertisement Focus feature on Wally's Carpets of Greensborough on reverse1994, combined service clubs festival committee, eltham festival, shire of eltham -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper clipping, 'Treasure' trove, Focus on Business of the Week, Diamond Valley News, 2 November 1994, p23, 1994
Newsprint Feature focus on Wally's Carpets of Greensborough on opposite side of Eltham Festival advertising1994, eltham festival, greensborough, wally's carpets -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper - Newspaper clipping, Diamond Valley News, Advertisement; Events, Rotary Eltham Town Festival 19-20 November 2005, Diamond Valley Leader, 26 October 2005, p10, 26 Oct 2005
... clipping Diamond Valley News ...Advertising for 2005 Eltham Festival held Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November at Eltham Town Square, fireworks at Central Oval/Alistair Knox Park and events all day Sunday at Alistair Knox ParkNewsprinteltham festival, 2005, eltham community festival, rotary club of eltham, rotary eltham town festival -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper - Newspaper clipping, Diamond Valley News, Festival adds Aboriginal spin, 2 Nov 2005
... Newspaper Newspaper clipping Diamond Valley News ...Published Diamond Valley Leader, 2 Nov. 2005 The 2005 Rotary Eltham Town Festival for the first time included an indigineous component with a marquee in Alistair Knox Park dedicated to the theme. Colin McKinnon of the Mia Mia Gallery in Westerfolds Park coordinated the program.Newsprinteltham festival, 2005, eltham community festival, rotary club of eltham, rotary eltham town festival, aboriginal australians, colin mckinnon, indigenous art, mia mia gallery, one fire dance troupe -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Newspaper - News Clipping, Herald, He died at Eltham. Herald, March 4, p3, 4 Mar 1965
... News Clipping... Newspaper News Clipping Herald ...John Lawrence Coleman (1934-1965) born January 10, was the son of Raymond John Coleman and Hanna May (Gillet) Coleman. He married Margaret Frances Dare in 1955 and was the father of two children. He died whilst attempting to rescue an older man trapped in the bushfire at North Eltham on March 3, 1965 He died at Eltham (Herald, 4 March 1965, p3) [Picture of John Lawrence Coleman] Builder Mr John Lawrence Coleman, 31, of Main Rd., Eltham, one of three men burnt to death yesterday in the fire at North Eltham. The other two were XXXXX, 33 who lives opposite the Colemans and Mr William Elwers, 64 of Batman Rd., Eltham. * * * Frank Martin was a volunteer with the Eltham rural fire brigade at the time of the 1965 bushfires which burnt Eltham North and Research. Frank was asked to assist with the removal of three bodies from the back gully (now Orchard Avenue). They were badly burnt and one was found stuck under a fence as though trying to escape. Volunteers John Coleman Jnr, William Elwers and George Crowe were killed trying to protect Eltham from bushfire – they were local heroes. At the time, John Coleman Jnr was survived by his wife Margaret and two young children – John 11 and Vicky 2. Margaret Coleman lived in the family home until 1992 when she sold it and moved to Tasmania to be close to her son. She died in 1997 aged 65 years. 75 yr old Ken Gaston grew up on Edendale farm, which was originally a poultry farm but is now owned and run by the Shire of Nillumbik as an educational farm for schools and visitors. He was Captain of the Eltham rural fire brigade in 1965 when John Coleman Jnr was burnt to death in the Eltham North bushfires serving as an unofficial volunteer. He was able to draw where the original Wattletree Road was and at the time was verified with the location of some remaining bitumen and a post from the original bridge over the Diamond Creek located near the junction of the Diamond Creek and another small creek which is further down from Research or Christmas Creek as locals refer to it. The original Main Road ran behind Colemans before the railway line was built beyond Eltham in 1912. (Information recorded by Harry Gilham, President EDHS c.2011) * * * Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead (1965, March 4). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131758981 Includes two photos of the fire in North Eltham “Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham, Victoria. The smoke hides a house.” and “A house explodes into flames at North Eltham, Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up.” Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 4 March 1965, page 1 ________________________________________ Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road. North Eltham. Victoria. The smoke hides a house. A house explodes into flames at North Eltham. Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up. Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead MELBOURNE, Wednesday.—Three people died today in a bush» fire which raged through North Eltham, about 15 miles from Melbourne. The victims were three men. A fourth man is feared to be dead. Another bushfire. sparked off by the heatwave sizzling over south-eastern Australia, is burning out of control in the Kosciusko State Park, in the Snowy Mountains. Firefighters fear that if it reaches pine forests up the Yarrangobilly River, they will be powerless to stop it. The three victims of the North Eltbam fire were trapped by flames in a valley. Their bodies were found only a few yards apart. They were named by police tonight as Mr. George Crowe, 78, of North Eltham, William John Ewers, 64, and John Laurence Coleman, 31, both of Eltham. The other two have not been identified. They are believed to be a man aged about 40 and an 18-year-old youth. At least 12 homes were destroyed by the fire, the worst in Victoria since 1962, when eight lives were lost and hundreds of homes burnt down at Warrandyte. At one time the township of Eltham was threatened, but a cool change swept in from the south and held back the wall of flames. More than 100 dogs, worth about £4,000, died when the fire raced through two kennels in Short Street, Eltham. and Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham. A trickle of water Residents ran into the streets as the blaze raced towards their houses. Others frantically dug firebreaks around their homes. Mrs. Sue Recourt wept when firemen arrived while she was vainly trying to stop the flames with a trickle of water from the garden hose. A stack of firewood was blazing, but the firemen managed to save the house and rescue four goats. Many homes in Eltham were saved after flames had crept to within feet of their fences. Students at North Eltham State School had to be evacuated when the blaze threatened the building. Fire fighters were severely hampered by lack of water and narrow roads. The blaze, which began in above century heat, turned toward Wattle Glen, where two houses were gutted. Then the flames raced towards Hurstbridge to the north. Firemen battling desperately, controlled the fire late this afternoon. Five forest fires were still burning in Victoria tonight. IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority (1965, March 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 2. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131759928 Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Tuesday 9 March 1965, page 2 ________________________________________ IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority From Rohan Rivett It was the worst week for Victorian fire fighters since Black Friday 27 years ago. On that day one pilot up in a spotter plane said afterwards: "It seemed at times that half the State was on fire." This time, for three days on end, Gippsland men, women and children had moments of conviction that their towns would have blackened into anonymity before the weekend was out. The week began with horror at Eltham on the North-eastern edge of Melbourne. Eltham today is something of an artists' colony. Oil painters, water colourists, potters and sculptors proliferate. A number of University folk have emulated the example of Professor MacMahon Ball who pioneered the way by moving to Eltham and carving a home out of the bush in the thirties. Innermost Eltham is barely 14 miles from the G.P.O. Farthest Eltham stretches miles beyond. It served to illustrate the tragi-ludicrous truncation of Victoria's fire control. Part of Eltham is under the protection of the Melbourne Fire Brigade. But this responsibility ceases at some invisible and incomprehensible line — apparently determined by the meanderings of the water mains. At this point everybody's property throughout the rest of Eltham is dependent on the Country Fire Authority. Half an hour before midday on Wednesday, a fire suddenly started on the West side of Upper Glen road on the edge of Eltham. Before the fire brigade could arrive, it was burning on a widening front through timber and high grass north of Eltham. Two wind changes in rapid succession saw the fire leaping Diamond Creek. With a freshening wind it struck home after home in three streets. More than one of them exploded suddenly as if hit by an incendiary bomb. There is no piped gas in the Eltham area, hence many housewives use bottle gas. The flames outside caused the bottles to explode. Altogether twelve homes were completely incinerated and four more were badly damaged. Thirty prize dogs perished. About three hours after the fire started it raced suddenly down a gully hillside trapping an elderly man. Two other men apparently raced to the rescue. Flames caught the three men within yards of each other, not 200 yards off the Upper Glen Park Road where safety lay. They were burned to death. Next evening an angry and convincing secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, Mr. W. M. Webber, came on television and appealed to the people of Victoria to end the ridiculous and dangerous dualism in fire-fighting control. The Eltham fire, he said, had precisely illustrated the situation. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade area touched Eltham, but where the fire had gutted and killed, was just outside its area. Mr. Webber said his union had constantly urged one authority for the State with a complete reorganisation of fire protection. On Wednesday the union had repeated its call for an inquiry into fire protection in Victoria to the Chief Secretary, Mr Rylah. "No matter how close the liaison between the two organisations, there are always divided sections of thinking," Mr. Webber told viewers. "I don't know how much tragedy the com-munity can take before it demands that it is properly protected." Rumours that differences in gauge between taps and hose nozzles (as between the two authorities) accentuated the damage were denied by fire chiefs who said that all appliances were now carrying adaptors so that hoses could be linked to mains everywhere. But there is grave concern in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade's higher councils at the action of several Federal authorities with projects in and around Melbourne. They are installing non-standard equipment without reference to the State authorities or any dovetailing of appliances and equipment. Public alarm was not diminished by the publication on Friday and Saturday of a heart tearing letter from the young widow of John Lawrence Coleman, 31 year old father of two, who had died in the flames apparently trying to rescue the old man trapped in the gully. By that time, a Vast area of Gippsland was in flames and the troops had been sent in to back up the overworked and often helpless fire-fighters. By Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Stoneham, who has previously demanded a Royal Commission into fire-fighting arrangements, repeated his demand. To add to the Chief Secretary's worries he was publicly rebuked for allegedly implying on television that lives had been lost at Eltham because people went to the wrong place at the wrong time. In a letter to the Press, Professor MacMahon Ball pointed out that two of the men involved were experienced bushmen who had gone "to help an old man in great danger fully aware of the danger to themselves". As Victoria faced its sixth day of total State-wide fire ban, it looked likely that even official resistance was not going to silence the demand for one central authority to control the fire fiend. At the moment, the 400 square miles where two million Victorians live in Greater Melbourne are divorced from the rest of the State in planning, communications, equipment and control of personnel. No one doubts the whole-hearted co-operation and willingness to back each other up of the M.F.B. and the C.F.A., both at top-level and among the firemen themselves. However, when a city straggles so deeply into the country side, the absence of a single authority, to oversee and analyse the fire threat as a whole, suggests suicidal policy of divide and fuel. Emphasis of the tragic loss of a member of a pioneering family who died whilst helping others in his communitybushfire, cfa, country fire authority, fire brigrade, glen park road, heroes, john lawrence coleman, north eltham, victorian bushfires - 1965, volunteers, william john elwers, fire fighter, frank martin, george john crowe, ken gaston, orchard avenue