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

Originally built by John Hill, a shoemaker at Kangaroo Ground around 1878. In the late 1970s when our Society was the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, an offer was made to the Society regarding use of an old cottage at Christmas Hills. The cottage sat beside Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham but following municipal restructuring it now lies within the Shire of Nillumbik. For various reasons the offer ultimately lapsed. At that time some research on the cottage was carried out for the Society by Keith Chappel as part of a larger research project that he was doing. Keith’s notes were taken from Lands Department records and showed that the property was the subject of a permissive occupancy of Crown land comprising the creek reserve. In 1903 a Miner’s Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The documents show that the cottage existed at that time. Upon Birch’s death in 1932, his daughter, Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. Honor Mary Birch, known as Nora, was born 1900, the daughter of Edwin Samuel Birch and Honor (nee Young). In 1939 she married George Henry Williams (aka Henry). Honor died 8 July 1976. Her siblings were Margaret Martin (dec), Bert Birch and Brigidene Brinkkotter. In her will she gave and bequeathed “all the improvements on the land held by me at Christmas Hills under Permissive Occupancy from the Department of Land and Survey consisting of the house property thereon and all the contents of the said house to my nephew Brian Joseph Martin of Christmas Hills aforesaid farmer”. The will described the property as a four room, five square house, about 100 years old with enclosed verandah, including kitchen, combined lounge dining room, bedroom and store room; built of ‘bush slabs’ with a corrugated iron roof. A dairy had been erected in 1935. After her death, the property was acquired by the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works in 1978. The property is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database HO200-Hill, later Birch farm complex, 945 Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Watsons Creek and described as: The house has a steep but simply gabled roof form clad with corrugated iron, vertical adzed hardwood slab front wall construction, split palings to the gable ends; rubble freestone chimney at one end (with added gsi flue), pole-framed Graeme Butler & Associates, 2006: 101 Shire of Nillurnbik Planning Scheme Amendment C13 Heritage Assessments verandah (rebuilt?); six-pane double-hung sash windows; T&G bead-edge boarded ledged & braced door; and paling clad rooms added at verandah ends. A slab-clad large fireplace is at the north corner of the house, with a gsi upper cladding added and an internal lining of rubble stone. The rear facade is different construction, being drop-slab, and sits beneath a rear skillion addition to the main gabled form: this may be more recent construction. The house appears to have been once set up for public display and may have been recreated in part for that purpose. Outbuildings are reached by a track along the east side of the house, including what may have been a creamery (typical standard inter-war design clad with corrugated iron and lined with 1938 Lysaght Queens Head Australia galvanised sheet iron) and a paling clad gabled out-house. Timber outbuildings of differing eras are to the north-west of the house, with pole framing and paling infill construction and Redcliffe brand corrugated iron. Post and rail (front) and split paling (rear) fence remnants line the front boundary. Pepper trees part of house yard landscape49 born digital images (includes one panoramic stitch and nine frames from drone video)birch cottage, christmas hills, early settlers, edwin samuel birch, honor mary birch, john hill, watsons creek

Report and photograph about purchase of historically significant slab cottage in Castle Road, Warrandyte. Newspaper also includes articles relating to Jock Macneish and his ultra-light aircraft, construction of foot bridge over Andersons Creek, Mrs Ruth Norman, Warrandyte Co-op, local results of the 1981 census, construction of elderly citizens' flats in Stiggant Street (Warrandyte), South Warrandyte Primary School, Professor's Hill and Warrandyte Football Club. The road guide features advertisments for Inglenook Tea Rooms, Warrandyte, Warrandyte Recreation Reserve Cafe (Mrs C. Miller, Proprietress), Eltham Motor Garage, Plaza Cafe Eltham, Eltham Park Team Rooms, Diamond Creek Garage and Engineering Works and The Dean Guesthouse Strathewen.Complete issue of "Warrandyte Diary" No 145, May 1984 with feature article headed "Historic cottage bought". 12 pages with section cut out of back page. Also includes photocopy of Broadbents Roadguide: central Victoria, 1946 pages 230-231HG Booklet 281981 census, advertisment, andersons creek, castle road, diamond creek garage and engineering works, eltham motor garage, eltham park team rooms, footbridge, harry gilham collection, inglenook tea rooms, jock macneish, mrs c. miller, mrs ruth norman, plaza cafe eltham, professor's hill, senior citizens, south warrandyte primary school, stiggant street, the dean guesthouse strathewen, warrandyte, warrandyte co-op, warrandyte football club, warrandyte recreation reserve cafe, warrandyte slab cottage

EDHS Newsletter No. 182, September 2008 In the late 1970s when our Society was the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, an offer was made to the Society regarding use of an old cottage at Christmas Hills. For various reasons the offer ultimately lapsed The cottage sat beside Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham but following municipal restructuring it now lies within the Shire of Nillumbik. At that time some research on the cottage was carried out for the Society by Keith Chappel as part of a larger research project that he was doing. Keith's notes were taken from Lands Department records and showed that house is the subject of a permissive occupancy of Crown land comprising the creek reserve. In 1903 a Miners Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The documents show that the house existed at that time. Birch died in 1932 and his daughter Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. The future of the cottage remains precarious because of its location on Crown land. In 2007 the Andrew Ross Museum began a campaign to ensure that it is preserved. It included a video presentation on the history of the cottage under the title of "This Old House- Birch Cottage". Black and white photographWilliams Cottage Panton Hill 1969 Not to be reproduced without permission G.W. Bell Photographer Elthamhouses, cottage, early settlers, yarra glen road, smiths gully, williams cottage, watsons creek, christmas hills, birch cottage, edwin samuel birch, honor mary birch

EDHS Newsletter No. 182, September 2008 In the late 1970s when our Society was the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, an offer was made to the Society regarding use of an old cottage at Christmas Hills. For various reasons the offer ultimately lapsed The cottage sat beside Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham but following municipal restructuring it now lies within the Shire of Nillumbik. At that time some research on the cottage was carried out for the Society by Keith Chappel as part of a larger research project that he was doing. Keith's notes were taken from Lands Department records and showed that house is the subject of a permissive occupancy of Crown land comprising the creek reserve. In 1903 a Miners Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The documents show that the house existed at that time. Birch died in 1932 and his daughter Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. The future of the cottage remains precarious because of its location on Crown land. In 2007 the Andrew Ross Museum began a campaign to ensure that it is preserved. It included a video presentation on the history of the cottage under the title of "This Old House- Birch Cottage". Black and white photographWilliams Cottage Panton Hill 1969 Not to be reproduced without permission G.W. Bell Photographer Elthamhouses, cottage, early settlers, yarra glen road, smiths gully, williams cottage, watsons creek, christmas hills, birch cottage, edwin samuel birch, honor mary birch

EDHS Newsletter No. 182, September 2008 In the late 1970s when our Society was the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, an offer was made to the Society regarding use of an old cottage at Christmas Hills. For various reasons the offer ultimately lapsed The cottage sat beside Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham but following municipal restructuring it now lies within the Shire of Nillumbik. At that time some research on the cottage was carried out for the Society by Keith Chappel as part of a larger research project that he was doing. Keith's notes were taken from Lands Department records and showed that house is the subject of a permissive occupancy of Crown land comprising the creek reserve. In 1903 a Miners Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The documents show that the house existed at that time. Birch died in 1932 and his daughter Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. The future of the cottage remains precarious because of its location on Crown land. In 2007 the Andrew Ross Museum began a campaign to ensure that it is preserved. It included a video presentation on the history of the cottage under the title of "This Old House- Birch Cottage". Black and white photographDetail Cottage Entrance Williams Cottage Yarra Glen Rd Panton Hill Aug 1969 Photo - G.W.Bhouses, cottage, early settlers, yarra glen road, smiths gully, williams cottage, watsons creek, christmas hills, birch cottage, edwin samuel birch, honor mary birch

EDHS Newsletter No. 182, September 2008 In the late 1970s when our Society was the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, an offer was made to the Society regarding use of an old cottage at Christmas Hills. For various reasons the offer ultimately lapsed The cottage sat beside Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham but following municipal restructuring it now lies within the Shire of Nillumbik. At that time some research on the cottage was carried out for the Society by Keith Chappel as part of a larger research project that he was doing. Keith's notes were taken from Lands Department records and showed that house is the subject of a permissive occupancy of Crown land comprising the creek reserve. In 1903 a Miners Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The documents show that the house existed at that time. Birch died in 1932 and his daughter Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. The future of the cottage remains precarious because of its location on Crown land. In 2007 the Andrew Ross Museum began a campaign to ensure that it is preserved. It included a video presentation on the history of the cottage under the title of "This Old House- Birch Cottage". Black and white photographDetail of Front Wall Williams Cottage Yarra Glen Rd Panton Hill Aug 1969 Photo - G.W.Bhouses, cottage, early settlers, yarra glen road, smiths gully, williams cottage, watsons creek, christmas hills, birch cottage, edwin samuel birch, honor mary birch

EDHS Newsletter No. 182, September 2008 In the late 1970s when our Society was the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, an offer was made to the Society regarding use of an old cottage at Christmas Hills. For various reasons the offer ultimately lapsed The cottage sat beside Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham but following municipal restructuring it now lies within the Shire of Nillumbik. At that time some research on the cottage was carried out for the Society by Keith Chappel as part of a larger research project that he was doing. Keith's notes were taken from Lands Department records and showed that house is the subject of a permissive occupancy of Crown land comprising the creek reserve. In 1903 a Miners Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The documents show that the house existed at that time. Birch died in 1932 and his daughter Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. The future of the cottage remains precarious because of its location on Crown land. In 2007 the Andrew Ross Museum began a campaign to ensure that it is preserved. It included a video presentation on the history of the cottage under the title of "This Old House- Birch Cottage". Black and white photographDetail of Shed Wall Williams Cottage Yarra Glen Rd Panton Hill Aug 1969 Photo - G.W.Bhouses, cottage, early settlers, yarra glen road, smiths gully, williams cottage, watsons creek, christmas hills, birch cottage, edwin samuel birch, honor mary birch

Man, probably a gold-miner, boiling a billy at a camp fire in front of a log and slab hut in the bush. Unknown dateThis photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg Print 9 x 12.5 cmshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, christmas hills, cottage, hut, billy, campfire, log hut, slab hut, bush, digger, gold miner

[article by Bettina Woodburn in EDHS Newsletter No. 97, July 1994:] THE WARRANDYTE MYSTERY TOUR MAY 29TH 1994 - Members of the Eltham Historical Society met at the Old Post Office, now converted into the Warrandyte Historical Museum, for a picnic lunch on the sunny back verandah overlooking the shimmering Yarra River. Interesting photographs and artefacts filled various rooms outlining the history of this area, and told tales of Aboriginal and more recent neighbours of the Eltham Shire. The weather was calm, cloudy mostly with only occasional sunny patches, but it wasn't cold, although the autumnal leaf colours had changed to wintry brown. "All Aboard" and we set off in the Warrandyte Community Bus (with the School Bus sign displayed at the rear) to learn about local places of "Pride and Joy” from Bruce our guide and Tom the driver. Almost directly opposite we entered Whipstick Gully to explore the first of the district's hidden treasures - the Victory, one of the largest of the six or so major mines, past the old quarry now used for abseiling practice. By torchlight we entered the rocky hillside and saw the seams of quartz the miners had followed in their search for gold. Stamping batteries, and there was one in this gully, converted discarded rock into 'road metal'. Warrandyte is proud to be the first declared Goldfield in 1851, and one of the longest surviving, into the 1920s. A pleasant drive across the Bridge and along Bradley's Lane to Norman's Reserve brought us to see another Tunnel at Pound Bend through which the Yarra was diverted to allow about three miles of river-bed to be used for prospecting for alluvial gold. Still on this side of the river we visited the Old Slab Hut in Castles Road. This remnant of miners' housing is preserved because it had been incorporated into a weatherboard house, and saved from the bulldozers - a last minute reprieve, for preservation, by the National Trust. Devastating bush fires have destroyed other old cottages built of wattle and daub, with bark roofs and stone fire-places. The Cairn commemorating the disclosure of Gold Discovery at Warrandyte on June 30th 1851 beside Anderson's Creek Road was our next point of historical interest. We drove on to South Warrandyte and circled back to above the ford on Anderson's Creek to the entrance of the 4th Hill Mine. Again we crept along with our torches, careful of the low roof-rock, and side shafts. At a junction in a large cavity we were able to stand, look up a long air-vent which some 'cavers' climb down, and marvel at, and experience an aspect of a miner's life. Outside we heard the same bird songs, the trills and bell-pealing, saw the same straggly eucalypts, and a silver leafed wattle in flower, native grasses and ferns, and the neat present day houses, often of Warrandyte stone, perhaps veneered only. The day ended pleasantly, seeing more of the Yarra from Everard Drive, and the water rushing out of the Tunnel at Pound Bend, before returning to afternoon tea or coffee at the Museum. A great day for all concerned - many thanks to the Organisers.Colour photographslab hut, warrandyte, "warrandyte miner's cottage"

[article by Bettina Woodburn in EDHS Newsletter No. 97, July 1994:] THE WARRANDYTE MYSTERY TOUR MAY 29TH 1994 - Members of the Eltham Historical Society met at the Old Post Office, now converted into the Warrandyte Historical Museum, for a picnic lunch on the sunny back verandah overlooking the shimmering Yarra River. Interesting photographs and artefacts filled various rooms outlining the history of this area, and told tales of Aboriginal and more recent neighbours of the Eltham Shire. The weather was calm, cloudy mostly with only occasional sunny patches, but it wasn't cold, although the autumnal leaf colours had changed to wintry brown. "All Aboard" and we set off in the Warrandyte Community Bus (with the School Bus sign displayed at the rear) to learn about local places of "Pride and Joy” from Bruce our guide and Tom the driver. Almost directly opposite we entered Whipstick Gully to explore the first of the district's hidden treasures - the Victory, one of the largest of the six or so major mines, past the old quarry now used for abseiling practice. By torchlight we entered the rocky hillside and saw the seams of quartz the miners had followed in their search for gold. Stamping batteries, and there was one in this gully, converted discarded rock into 'road metal'. Warrandyte is proud to be the first declared Goldfield in 1851, and one of the longest surviving, into the 1920s. A pleasant drive across the Bridge and along Bradley's Lane to Norman's Reserve brought us to see another Tunnel at Pound Bend through which the Yarra was diverted to allow about three miles of river-bed to be used for prospecting for alluvial gold. Still on this side of the river we visited the Old Slab Hut in Castles Road. This remnant of miners' housing is preserved because it had been incorporated into a weatherboard house, and saved from the bulldozers - a last minute reprieve, for preservation, by the National Trust. Devastating bush fires have destroyed other old cottages built of wattle and daub, with bark roofs and stone fire-places. The Cairn commemorating the disclosure of Gold Discovery at Warrandyte on June 30th 1851 beside Anderson's Creek Road was our next point of historical interest. We drove on to South Warrandyte and circled back to above the ford on Anderson's Creek to the entrance of the 4th Hill Mine. Again we crept along with our torches, careful of the low roof-rock, and side shafts. At a junction in a large cavity we were able to stand, look up a long air-vent which some 'cavers' climb down, and marvel at, and experience an aspect of a miner's life. Outside we heard the same bird songs, the trills and bell-pealing, saw the same straggly eucalypts, and a silver leafed wattle in flower, native grasses and ferns, and the neat present day houses, often of Warrandyte stone, perhaps veneered only. The day ended pleasantly, seeing more of the Yarra from Everard Drive, and the water rushing out of the Tunnel at Pound Bend, before returning to afternoon tea or coffee at the Museum. A great day for all concerned - many thanks to the Organisers.Two colour photographswarrandyte, activities, pound bend

Francis Box was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. He was assigned to work in Beaufort and had various jobs including ‘gold miner’ at Heathcoat where he married Eliza Jane Thompson. Francis decided to return to market gardening after the death of his 1st child Francis George Box in 1875 aged 13months. The child was buried in Brighton Cemetery and Francis then rent/leased the land on the corner of Tucker Road and Elizabeth Street East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) owned by his brother Henry who with another brother John helped Francis clear the land, and establish a market garden. They had 4 children and began to prosper until in 1882 their 2year old child Lena Caroline Box was killed in a fire that destroyed their house. Francis was burned trying to rescue the child. The local community raised money to assist the family. The land boom brought prosperity again and Francis bought more land around Tucker Road which was bequeathed to his children. Francis and Eliza Jane had four more children but one died in infancy and another aged 2 years. Only 5 of their 9 children survived. Francis and Eliza Jane, who died in 1922, are also buried in Brighton CemeteryBox Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841 Francis Box was born in Withyham, Sussex 1836 and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. Francis, a brother of William Box, and his wife Eliza Jane Thompson had 9 children and established market gardens in Tucker Road, BentleighA black and white photograph of Francis Box 1836-1912FERRY ... Elizabeth St Melbournebox george, box mary, box william, box elizabeth honor, box alonzo, box mary louisa, dendy henry, were j b, dendy's special survey 1841, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, mckinnon, ormond, market gardeners, dairy farms, early settlers, pioneers, tucker road, box francis , thompson eliza jane, box william henry george, box charles francis, box-hembrow mable alma, box jessie melinda, box edith florence

Francis Box was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. He was assigned to work in Beaufort and had various jobs including ‘gold miner’ at Heathcoat where he married Eliza Jane Thompson. Francis decided to return to market gardening after the death of his 1st child Francis George Box in 1875 aged 13months. The child was buried in Brighton Cemetery and Francis then rent/leased the land on the corner of Tucker Road and Elizabeth Street East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) owned by his brother Henry who with another brother John helped Francis clear the land, and establish a market garden. They had 4 children and began to prosper until in 1882 their 2year old child Lena Caroline Box was killed in a fire that destroyed their house. Francis was burned trying to rescue the child. The local community raised money to assist the family. The land boom brought prosperity again and Francis bought more land around Tucker Road which was bequeathed to his children. Francis and Eliza Jane had four more children but one died in infancy and another aged 2 years. Only 5 of their 9 children survived. Francis and Eliza Jane, who died in 1922, are also buried in Brighton Cemetery Mable ‘May’Alma Box, who was born in Brighton, married Earnest Hembrow in 1899 and they had a daughter Doreen May Hembrow 1900. After Earnest died early 1900’s , May married John Amos Wright Batchelor 1912, a widower with 3 children, and then together had 2 children. Amos died in 1958 and May in 1969 in Cowra, NSW Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841 . Francis Box, a brother of William Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. Francis established market gardens in Tucker Road Bentleigh. . Mable ‘May’ Alma Box was the 3rd child of Francis Box Inscribed in Album “ The early photos in this album were found by Mr (Laurie) Lewis when he was demolishing the Old Box Cottage. He gave them to Mrs Avis Box Eldridge who in turn gave them to me. They were not identified. I believe they rightly belong in the Cottage. I have attempted to identify them and present them in a way they can be preserved as a historical record of the era.” A B Leigh A black and white photograph of Mable (May) Alma Box daughter of Francis Box c1879YEOMAN & Co 47 CHAPEL STREET / PRAHRANbox george, box mary, box william, box elizabeth honor, box alonzo, box mary louisa, dendy henry, were j b, dendy's special survey 1841, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, mckinnon, ormond, market gardeners, dairy farms, early settlers, pioneers, tucker road, box francis , thompson eliza jane, box william henry george, box charles francis, box-hembrow mable alma, box jessie melinda, box edith florence , hembrow earnest, batcheldor john amos wright, hembrow doreen may,

Francis Box was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. He was assigned to work in Beaufort and had various jobs including ‘gold miner’ at Heathcoat where he married Eliza Jane Thompson. Francis decided to return to market gardening after the death of his 1st child Francis George Box in 1875 aged 13months. The child was buried in Brighton Cemetery and Francis then rent/leased the land on the corner of Tucker Road and Elizabeth Street East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) owned by his brother Henry who with another brother John helped Francis clear the land, and establish a market garden. They had 4 children and began to prosper until in 1882 their 2year old child Lena Caroline Box was killed in a fire that destroyed their house. Francis was burned trying to rescue the child. The local community raised money to assist the family. The land boom brought prosperity again and Francis bought more land around Tucker Road which was bequeathed to his children. Francis and Eliza Jane had four more children but one died in infancy and another aged 2 years. Only 5 of their 9 children survived. Francis and Eliza Jane, who died in 1922, are also buried in Brighton Cemetery Jessie Melinda Box 1888- 1975 was born in East Brighton ( Bentleigh) the 8th child of Francis and Eliza Jane Box. She was a teacher in Eskdale, Victoria and married William Robinson d 1983, a farmer at Mitta in 1921. The family later moved to Tucker Road, Bentleigh where they ran a market garden until in 1950 they established "The Hilandale Poll Hereford Stud" at Notting Hill and Rowville. They moved to Mornington c 1960 where they continued their stud farming and enjoyed success at Melbourne, Sydney and local Shows. They had 2 children Jack Francis Robinson b1921, William James Robinson b1925. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841 . Francis Box, a brother of William Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. Francis established market gardens in Tucker Road Bentleigh. Jessie melinda Box was the 8th child of Francis Box Inscribed in Album “ The early photos in this album were found by Mr (Laurie) Lewis when he was demolishing the Old Box Cottage. He gave them to Mrs Avis Box Eldridge who in turn gave them to me. They were not identified. I believe they rightly belong in the Cottage. I have attempted to identify them and present them in a way they can be preserved as a historical record of the era.” A B Leigh A black and white photograph of Jessie Melinda Box a daughter of Francis Box and Elizabeth Jane Thompson Box c 1889YEOMAN & Co 47 Chapel Street, / Prahran* box george, box mary, box william, box elizabeth honor, box alonzo, box mary louisa, dendy henry, were j b, dendy's special survey 1841, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, mckinnon, ormond, market gardeners, dairy farms, early settlers, pioneers, tucker road, box francis , thompson eliza jane, box william henry george, box charles francis, , box mabel alma. box jessie melinda, robinson william, robinson jack francis, robinson william james, poll hereford stud farming, rowville, mornington, notting hill victoria, royal melbourne agricultural show, royal sydney agricultural show. cattle breeding,

Edith (Eadie) Florence Box 1890- 1976, was born in East Brighton ( Bentleigh) the 9th child of Francis and Eliza Jane Box. In 1912 she married Jack Samuel Clay a market gardener in South Road, Moorabbin and they had 6 children. They retired to live in Balnarring, Victoria and are buried in Cheltenham Cemetery. Francis Box 1836-1912, was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. He was assigned to work in Beaufort and had various jobs including ‘gold miner’ at Heathcote where he married Eliza Jane Thompson 1852-1922. Francis decided to return to market gardening after the death of his 1st child Francis George Box in 1875 aged 13months. The child was buried in Brighton Cemetery and Francis then rent/leased the land on the corner of Tucker Road and Elizabeth Street East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) owned by his brother Henry who with another brother John helped Francis clear the land, and establish a market garden. They had 4 children and began to prosper until in 1882 their 2year old child Lena Caroline Box was killed in a fire that destroyed their house. Francis was burned trying to rescue the child. The local community raised money to assist the family. The land boom brought prosperity again and Francis bought more land around Tucker Road which was bequeathed to his children. Francis and Eliza Jane had four more children but one died in infancy and another aged 2 years. Only 5 of their 9 children survived. Francis and Eliza Jane, who died in 1922, are also buried in Brighton Cemetery Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841 . Francis Box, a brother of William Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. Francis established market gardens in Tucker Road Bentleigh. Edith 'Eadie' Florence Box was the 9h child of Francis Box. Inscribed in Album “ The early photos in this album were found by Mr (Laurie) Lewis when he was demolishing the Old Box Cottage. He gave them to Mrs Avis Box Eldridge who in turn gave them to me. They were not identified. I believe they rightly belong in the Cottage. I have attempted to identify them and present them in a way they can be preserved as a historical record of the era.” A B Leigh a) A black and white photograph of Edith ( Eadie) Florence Box a daughter of Francis Box and Eliza Jane Thompson Box b) A black and white wedding photograph of Edith Box and John Clay a) YEOMAN & Co 47 Chapel Street / Prahran b) Kodak reprint /handwritten Eadie and John Claycity of moorabbin, brighton, dendy henry, box william, box elizabeth, rietman august, rietman frieda, box cottage museum ormond, box alonzo, glen eira city council, city of moorabbin historical society, ormond, bentleigh, cheltenham, box francis, box eliza jane, box edith florence, clay jack samuel

Francis Box was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. He was assigned to work in Beaufort and had various jobs including ‘gold miner’ at Heathcoat where he married Eliza Jane Thompson. Francis decided to return to market gardening after the death of his 1st child Francis George Box in 1875 aged 13months. The child was buried in Brighton Cemetery and Francis then rent/leased the land on the corner of Tucker Road and Elizabeth Street East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) owned by his brother Henry who with another brother John helped Francis clear the land, and establish a market garden. They had 4 children and began to prosper until in 1882 their 2year old child Lena Caroline Box was killed in a fire that destroyed their house. Francis was burned trying to rescue the child. The local community raised money to assist the family. The land boom brought prosperity again and Francis bought more land around Tucker Road which was bequeathed to his children. Francis and Eliza Jane had four more children but one died in infancy and another aged 2 years. Only 5 of their 9 children survived Two boys William Henry George Box 1876 -1957, Charles Francis Box 1882 – 1947. Three girls Mable (May) Alma Box 1878 – 1969, Jessie Melinda Box 1888 – 1975, Edith ( Eadie ) Florence Box 1890 - 1976 .Francis and Eliza Jane, who died in 1922, are also buried in Brighton Cemetery Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841 . Francis Box, a brother of William Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. Francis and his wife Eliza jane Thompson box had 9 children but only 5 survived. They established market gardens in Tucker Road Bentleigh. Inscribed in Album “ The early photos in this album were found by Mr (Laurie) Lewis when he was demolishing the Old Box Cottage. He gave them to Mrs Avis Box Eldridge who in turn gave them to me. They were not identified. I believe they rightly belong in the Cottage. I have attempted to identify them and present them in a way they can be preserved as a historical record of the era.” A B Leigh A black and white photograph of a) Francis Box 1836-1912 and his wife Eliza Jane Thompson Box 1852 - 1922 Two black and white photos b) Francis Box ,Eliza and grandchildren Dorothy, Francis baby George - children of Francis and Emily Jane Thompson c1900 c) William Henry Box and Emily Jane McCurry with children Dorothy, Francis, George and Joan c1900 a) YEOMAN & Co 47 Chapel Street PRAHRAN b) Kodak Film Handwritten - Francis Box / Ellizabeth Jane Thompson / children of William Henry Box & Emily Jane McCurry / Girl standing Dorothy / Boy Francis / Baby George. c) William Henry Box m Emily Jane McCurry with children, Dorothy, Francis, George and baby Joanbox george, box mary, box william, box elizabeth, box alonzo, box mary louisa, dendy henry, were j b, dendy's special survey 1841, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, mckinnon, ormond, market gardeners, dairy farms, early settlers, pioneers, jasper road, gurr jabez, gurr eliza, pay henry, pay anna, ward willam, box henry, ward elizabeth emma, box john, sheldrake martha, rushall eleanor, box caroline, box william henry, mccurry emily jane,

Francis Box was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. He was assigned to work in Beaufort and had various jobs including ‘gold miner’ at Heathcoat where he married Eliza Jane Thompson. Francis decided to return to market gardening after the death of his 1st child Francis George Box in 1875 aged 13months. The child was buried in Brighton Cemetery and Francis then rent/leased the land on the corner of Tucker Road and Elizabeth Street East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) owned by his brother Henry who with another brother John helped Francis clear the land, and establish a market garden. They had 4 children and began to prosper until in 1882 their 2year old child Lena Caroline Box was killed in a fire that destroyed their house. Francis was burned trying to rescue the child. The local community raised money to assist the family. The land boom brought prosperity again and Francis bought more land around Tucker Road which was bequeathed to his children. Francis and Eliza Jane had four more children but one died in infancy and another aged 2 years. Only 5 of their 9 children survived. Two boys William Henry George Box 1876 -1957, Charles Francis Box 1882 – 1947. Three girls Mable (May) Alma Box 1878 – 1969, Jessie Melinda Box 1888 – 1975, Edith ( Eadie ) Florence Box 1890 - 1976 .Francis who died 1912 and Eliza Jane, who died in 1922, are also buried in Brighton Cemetery Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841 . Francis Box, a brother of William Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex and came to Australia with his parents George and Mary Box and siblings in 1856. Francis and his wife Eliza Jane Thompson Box had 9 children but only 5 survived. They established market gardens in Tucker Road Bentleigh. Inscribed in Album “ The early photos in this album were found by Mr (Laurie) Lewis when he was demolishing the Old Box Cottage. He gave them to Mrs Avis Box Eldridge who in turn gave them to me. They were not identified. I believe they rightly belong in the Cottage. I have attempted to identify them and present them in a way they can be preserved as a historical record of the era.” A B Leigh A black and white photograph of Eliza Jane Box( sitting) and 3 three daughters, May ( sitting) and standing Eadie (L) and Jessie (R) probably taken after the death of Francis Box in 1912 because they are all dressed in black mourning dresses.nil but similar to the other photographs in the collection

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interestHelen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS5 x A4 paper printed on 1 side Issue 15 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in February 2010. Notices for the meeting February 28th , subscriptions due, and this is 50th Anniversary of CMHS. Water flooded Joyce Park, the grounds of the Cottage and a little seeped into Grace Lewis Room in December 2009 when a water main at the neighbouring Bowling Club burst, but little damage occurred and the Glen Eira Council will install drainage pipes between Box Cottage and the Bowling Club. In January, 2 brush tailed possums had taken up residence in the Barn and after failed attempts by Helen and Dennis to move them, Glen Eira Council relocated them. A description of the establishment of Cobb & Co Coaches by Freeman Cobb in 1853, for cartage between Melbourne and the Ports but they soon began transporting people and mail to the gold fields around Victoria. 3 photocopied photographs of Cobb & Co Coaches and 1 photo of the 2 Possums CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / February 2010 NEWSLETTER city of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, maynard dennis, melbourne, moorabbin, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, lewis grace, cobb freeman, cobb and co coaches, ballarat, goldfields, gold miners, bendigo, castlemaine, governor latrobe, victoria, sydney road, sutherland alexander, chinese gold miners

This gold miner's pick from the Ballarat Goldfields c 1920 was donated by Mr David Hopcraft, a dealer at the Arkuna Market Berwick, Victoria in December 2010. When Gold was discovered in Victoria c1853 most of the labourers and some landowners left the market gardens and farms to try their luck on the goldfields. Local Blacksmiths made picks similar to this one for them. There was a great shortage of labour in Melbourne and at the same time, due to the huge influx of people lured by the Gold, there was an increased demand for food. The market gardeners were getting very good prices for their produce and many increased their wealth considerably and many of these tenant farmers were able to purchase their blocks of land and live a profitable life. There was such a shortage of labour that J.B.Were applied for Irish immigrants to work the farms. This pick is an example of the hand made tools many pioneers took with them when they abandoned their farms and market gardens in the District of Brighton to try their luck at prospecting when gold was discovered in Ballarat and Bendigo c1853. Some were successful , most were not and retuned again to the hard life of farming. A forged steel pick with a wooden handle. The steel pick-head was hand-forged by a blacksmith. This miner's pick was used on the Ballarat gold-fields c1920gold mining, ballarat, bendigo, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, mining equipment, gold rush, immigrants, blacksmiths, forges, tools

Gold was discovered in Victoria c1850 and people came from all over the world to seek their fortune at Ballarat and Bendigo and surrounding gold fields. This large wooden rocking- box or cradle was used by gold prospectors. A handle on the rocker is pushed back and forth, as the miner put gravel into the top part and finer and heavier particles dropped through a screen, helped along by buckets of water. The bottom part of the device had slats, that caught the heavier metals. After many shovel loads of gravel were pushed through the rocker, the miner would then use his gold pan to sort out the heavy minerals to find gold. Most of the pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire left the area to try their luck at gold mining and there was a desperate shortage of workers to maintain the market gardens and supply food to the ever increasing population of Melbourne.This gold prospector's 'cradle' is hand made and typical of those used by many hopeful Moorabbin Shire pioneers as they abandoned their market gardens to try their luck at finding gold in the Ballarat and Bendigo minefields c1850This gold miner's rocker is very old, and very well-used. It is a large wooden rocking- box or cradle used by gold prospectors. A handle on the rocker is pushed back and forth, as gravel is put in the top part of the box so that finer and heavier particles drop through a screen.. The bottom part of the device had slats, that caught the heavier metals. i.e gold particles. The water passed through the shute at the base back into the creek or river.moorabbin, brighton, market gardens, pioneers, early settlers, fruit, vegetable, ballarat, bendigo, gold mining, gold prospedtors, gold rush, were j. b., irish immigrants, chinese immigrants, gold panning, gold digger

blacka nd white photo of wooden house with unusual side porch entrance; large building at rear. Extensive garden with adult male ( artist ? ), adult female and two children. Picket fence fronting street. On back ' not known' in pencil.Batchelderbuildings, residential, miner's cottage

sepia photograph, cream board. Worker's cottage, picket fence, 2 chimneys, man with shovel. Woman holding child dressed in white pinafore. Verandah with unusual fretwork. Wooden decoration at posts. 2 windows, one each side of central door. 2 brick chimneys. Cottage in LH background. On back in writing 'Mr and Mrs Wearne' in grey lead pencil.Wharton and Rickards, Photographers, Golden Gullybuildings, residential, miner's cottage

Born: Dundee, Forfarshire,Scotland 1851; Arrived: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1872; Lived and worked: Scotland 1875-1884; Died: Carlton, Victoria, Australia 1912VictorianLedger Bequest, 1993Oil on canvas on composition board, depicting a rural landscape and miner's commune off a dirt road. Gold brushed timber frame with decorative gesso edges and corners Recto: Signed and dated “J FORD PATERSON / 1884” in blue oil in l.r.c of composition; Not titledpainting, landscape, house, trees, path, road

A miner from the Hustler's Hill mine struck a rich vein of gold and suggested George Lansell should buy all available share and enter into a partnership with him. The resulting fortune allowed the miner to build these substantial cottages of bluestone and named them Mt Pleasant House and View Hill House. They were later known as Bellyache Terrace. No 267 was eventually sold to G H Tatchell, solicitor. It was then bought by his son Charles Tatchell and remained in the family until 1939.A paper detailing the history of the two terrace house at 257 & 267 View Street. 1 Page. view street, house, goldfield

On May 2nd 1914, 7 miners were killed in a dynamite explosion in the Great Extended Hustler's Gold Mine. It was Bendigo's worst mining disaster and although an inquest found it was an accident, no cause for the explosion was found.Advertising flyer for an event held on May 3-4 2014, to mark the centenary of the mine disaster that killed 7 minersat the Great Extended Hustlers mine. Other activities included a Specimen Cottage exhibit; guided walks around the Hustlers Reef Reserve; displays on site and talks by various speakers on the mine disaster and mining technology. Event was organised by the Bendigo Historical Society in conjunction with the Hustlers Reserve committee.

historic, social, familyIn Lal Lal forest, Hughes family in front of primitive bark miner's hut with shingle roof, rough stone chimney on left, parents and youngest daughter standing, two older daughters seated, scrubby grass in foreground, rough picket fence and a cow. incomplete label: "...diggings having been worked out, the inhabitantshave gradually left the locality, and Mr. and Mrs. Hughes only remain. They live in a remote part of the forest." lal lal, hughes family, miner's cottage