Construction of Eltham Town Park; landscape has been scupltured and lakes formed. View looking up towards intersection of Bridge Street with Main Road. On the high side of Main Road is Garni Burges former home at the corner of Bridge Street then further to the left the former bakery on the corner of York Street. On the opposite corner is the feed store now the site of Le Pine Funerals. The park was later renamed Alistair Knox Park.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)Memorial Park 25 July 1973eltham, main road, alistair knox park, eltham town park, shillinglaw cottage, bridge street

This section of Main Road was known by locals as the "Windy Mile" due to its many little wists and turns. It was also the setting for Billy Cart derbies held on special occassions such as the Eltham Easter Gymkhana at Eltham Lower Park. Contestants would line up and race each other down the hill to the finish line at Bolton Street. Main Road, Lower Plenty underwent substantial changes when it was duplicated with the road becoming two lanes each way and split level due to the cross gradient. This particular section running down the hill from Panorama Avenue to Bolton Street with its twists and turns had many of them straightened out during the road widening constuction work.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)main road, infrastructure, lower plenty, roads, windy mile

Construction of Eltham Town Park, later renamed Alistair Knox Park. In the distance can be seen the Eltham Tip accessed from Susan Street and the Shell Service Station which was situated on the corner of Susan Street and Bridge Street, now the site of Bunnings35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)alistair knox park, eltham town park, eltham tip, shell service station, susan street

Construction of Eltham Town Park, later renamed Alistair Knox Park. View looking across the front of Shillinglaw Cottage and what was to be developed as the Eltham Town Common (now the site of the Eltham Library) across to the Eltham Town Park development. To the right is the Eltham Trestle Bridge and to the left what was once the overflow site for the Susan Street Tip.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)alistair knox park, eltham town park, eltham tip, eltham town common, eltham trestle bridge

Construction of Eltham Town Park, later renamed Alistair Knox Park. View looking towards Bridge Street.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)alistair knox park, eltham town park, main road, bridge street

Construction of Eltham Town Park, later renamed Alistair Knox Park. View looking up towards Main Road and the old bakery and feed store on opposite corners of York Street. The feed store is the present site of Le Pine Funerals.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)alistair knox park, eltham town park, main road

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers (Nov. 1981) of the Beard street group, a private street scheme, before construction commenced in February 1982. They provide perspective of the changes in housing styles and road development that began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 27) Mount - Kodak Ektachrome CardProcessed 18 Jan 1982roads, housing estate, infrastructure, private street scheme, park road

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers (Nov. 1981) of the Beard street group, a private street scheme, before construction commenced in February 1982. They provide perspective of the changes in housing styles and road development that began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 27) Mount - Kodak Ektachrome CardProcessed 18 Jan 1982roads, housing estate, infrastructure, private street scheme, park road

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers (Nov. 1981) of the Beard street group, a private street scheme, before construction commenced in February 1982. They provide perspective of the changes in housing styles and road development that began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 27) Mount - Kodak Ektachrome CardProcessed 18 Jan 1982roads, housing estate, infrastructure, private street scheme, park road

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area in December 1980. They provide perspective of the changes in housing styles and road development that began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions. Typically part of the Beard street group, a private street scheme that developed the road infrastructure commencing in February 1982.35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, housing estate, infrastructure, park road, roads

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area in December 1980. They provide perspective of the changes in housing styles and road development that began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions. Typically part of the Beard street group, a private street scheme that developed the road infrastructure commencing in February 1982.35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, housing estate, infrastructure, park road, roads

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area in December 1980. They provide perspective of the changes in housing styles and road development that began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions. Typically part of the Beard street group, a private street scheme that developed the road infrastructure commencing in February 1982.35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, housing estate, infrastructure, park road, roads

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area, 3 September 1981 prior to construction of new water main; including views of existing damage to footpaths and gutters and general views of Beard Street. These images provide a perspective of housing estate developments and changes in housing styles and road development which began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardbeard street, eltham, infrastructure, roads, horse, park road

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area, 3 September 1981 prior to construction of new water main; including views of existing damage to footpaths and gutters and general views of Beard Street. These images provide a perspective of housing estate developments and changes in housing styles and road development which began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, infrastructure, roads, madine way, tadema park

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area, 3 September 1981 prior to construction of new water main; including views of existing damage to footpaths and gutters and general views of Beard Street. These images provide a perspective of housing estate developments and changes in housing styles and road development which began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, infrastructure, roads, water main pipe track, madine way, eucalyptus road, tadema park

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area, 3 September 1981 prior to construction of new water main; including views of existing damage to footpaths and gutters and general views of Beard Street. These images provide a perspective of housing estate developments and changes in housing styles and road development which began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, infrastructure, roads, water main pipe track, madine way, eucalyptus road, tadema park

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area, 3 September 1981 prior to construction of new water main; including views of existing damage to footpaths and gutters and general views of Beard Street. These images provide a perspective of housing estate developments and changes in housing styles and road development which began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, infrastructure, roads, water main pipe track, madine way, eucalyptus road, tadema park

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area, 3 September 1981 prior to construction of new water main; including views of existing damage to footpaths and gutters and general views of Beard Street. These images provide a perspective of housing estate developments and changes in housing styles and road development which began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, infrastructure, roads, water main pipe track, madine way, eucalyptus road, tadema park

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area, 3 September 1981 prior to construction of new water main; including views of existing damage to footpaths and gutters and general views of Beard Street. These images provide a perspective of housing estate developments and changes in housing styles and road development which began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, infrastructure, roads, water main pipe track, madine way, eucalyptus road, tadema park

Roll of film taken by Eltham Shire Council officers of roads and houses in the Eltham East area, 3 September 1981 prior to construction of new water main; including views of existing damage to footpaths and gutters and general views of Beard Street. These images provide a perspective of housing estate developments and changes in housing styles and road development which began sweeping in from the mid 1970s with increasing urbanisation of what was once more outlying suburbs and regions.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, infrastructure, roads, water main pipe track, madine way, eucalyptus road, tadema park

One of a series of images of roads and infrastructure taken by Eltham Shire Council Planning and Engineering officers, May 1983 specifically looking at Private Street Schemes post road construction/sealing operations35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 21) Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardroads, infrastructure, road sealing, footpaths and gutters, private street scheme, eltham, park road

One of a series of images of roads and infrastructure taken by Eltham Shire Council Planning and Engineering officers, May 1983 specifically looking at Private Street Schemes post road construction/sealing operations35 mm colour positive transparency (1 of 21) Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardroads, infrastructure, road sealing, footpaths and gutters, private street scheme, eltham, park road, t-bowl

The Society again arranged a float for the festival parade. Members dressed appropriately to the theme "Pioneers of Eltham". The parade commenced at 12 noon, participants assembling at 11.30am in Cecil Street. As in past parades, several members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society. The Society also arranged a display at the Eltham Community Centre in association with the activities there over the Festival weekend. The theme of this year's display was the waterways of the local area.35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Kodak Kodachrome Cardeltham, eltham festival, parade, parade floats, central park, doug orford, eltham shire office, garnet burges, joh ebeli, opal smith, panther place, peter bassett smith, peter bassett-smith, russell yeoman, victorian folk music society

Originally built 1859 as the Eltham Police Residence, the Police moved intio new premises in Pryor Street in 1961. It was then occupied by the Eltham Shire Council Department of Parks and Environment from c.1985. In 1998 it became home of the Eltham District Historical Society.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcess Date MAY 88Meltham, local history centre, main road, parks and environment, police residence, shire of eltham

In 1981 the Shire of Eltham Historical Society was asked by the Victorian Place Names Committee to comment on a proposal by the Shire of Eltham to assign names to parklands in Eltham as follows:- "Eltham Common" - the area between the municipal offices, Main Road, the Eltham railway -line, and Panther Place and containing Shillinglaw Cottage. The Shire has advised that this name has been used locally for the site since about 1975. "Alistair Knox Park" - the area bounded by the Eltham railway -line, Panther Place, Main Road, Bridge Street, and Susan Street, and through which flows the Diamond Creek. The area has been known locally as "Eltham Town Park" The proposed name "Alistair Knox Park" had created some local controversy with a number of reversals of the Council's decision and letters to the local paper both for and against the proposal. The society was reluctant to be drawn into this controversy particularly as there were known to be members with strong views both for and against the proposed name. The society appreciated the work done by Alistair Knox both in the formulation of the park concept and in its development but because of the controversy generated by the proposed naming and also because of the wide general use of the park by the public·, the name Eltham Town Park was felt more appropriate. The society noted that there was no outstanding historical associations with the land comprising the park which would warrant naming the park after any particular person, place or event. No objection was raised to the Eltham Common proposal as set-out above. The decision was made in the knowledge that Alistair Knox had been associated with the society over many years and was a prominent figure in the recent history of Eltham. He was regarded as a key figure in the environmental building movement and in particular was renowned for his use of mud bricks as a building material. He served as a councillor of the Shire of Eltham from 1971-1975, his final year as Shire President. It was during these years that the proposals to create the park in its present form were shaped and Alistair played a leading part in the decision to make it a landscaped passive recreational park rather than a sporting area. The parklands comprise a section of the Diamond Creek valley. The creek itself flows through the centre of the area which is overlooked by steep hills on each side. The parks form part of the land purchased from the Crown in 1851 by J.M. Holloway and then subdivided into allotments and called "Little Eltham". While most of the area was subdivided into residential lots the creek valley was subdivided into lots suitable for small farms. Some further subdivision took place over the years and the whole of the parks now comprises eight separate titles. A list of some of the former owners has been compiled but exhaustive research on all owners has not been carried out. The ownership of one parcel has been traced back to when it was purchased from Holloway by John Hicks Petty in 1874, long after it was subdivided. Other families owning land within the area over the years included Lyon, Rees, Clark, Waterfall, Carrucan, Graham, Hill and Morant. The character of the valley area has remained rural while development occurred on each side. Early photos show the area as orchard and grazing land. In 1901 the railway was constructed through the area resulting in the timber trestle bridge across the Diamond Creek. which is an important feature of the park landscape. A memorial obelisk to the Eltham servicemen killed in World War 1 was erected at the south eastern corner of the park. The site is now within the intersection of Main Road and Bridge Street and the memorial was shifted in the 1950s to the Eltham R.S.L. clubrooms. Following the financial failure of the local sub-branch, the memorial obelisk was again relocated to the Eltham War Memorial building precinct in 2011. During the early 1960's the Council started purchasing the land which now comprises the parks. In the late 1960's the area to the east of the Diamond Creek was used as a garbage tip and filled above the flood plain of the creek. When this area was filled the tip was transferred to the west side of the creek. From the early 1970's the area has been progressively developed as a park for passive recreation with ornamental lakes, extensive tree planting and landscaping. The character of the valley before the days of the tip has been recreated and this has earned a Landscape classification from the National Trust, an unusual honour for a man-made landscape. The parks are not only attractive in appearance. The large number of people using them, particularly at weekends and holidays is evidence of their popularity and the foresight and careful planning of local residents, Councillors and Council Staff. 35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcess Date MAY 88Meltham, main road, alistair knox park, eltham town park

Information regarding the circumstances of the eleven men of the Shire of Eltham who died serving their country in the Second World War and for whom the Eltham War Memorial was dedicated. Their names are listed on the Eltham Roll of Honour in order of rank. The image portrayed shows the eleven men (left to right, top to bottom) by date of fatality: CASTLEDINE, George Ernest, Spr., VX10044 (KIA 18 Apr 1941, Greece) GAHAN, Studley Manston, Capt., VX48379 (KIA 17 May 1941, Tobruk, Libya) RUTTER, David, Flying Off., 833 (400833) (KIA 9 Dec 1941, Bir El Gubbi, Libya) CLERKE, Alfred Charles, Cpl., VX23112 (KIA 2 Feb 1942, Laha, Ambon Island) DUNLOP, Cuthbert Douglas, Sgt., VX15252 (KIA 22 Nov 1942, Gona, New Guinea) INGRAM, Lester Neil, Flt. Sgt., 410236 (DOD 22 Apr 1943, Longworth, England) McLEAN, Stanley, Flt. Sgt., 419844 (KIA 7 Oct 1944, Emmerich, Germany) FELDBAUER, Theodore, Sgt., VX51733 (DOD 27 Mar 1945, Borneo) RUTTER, Donald Hemphill, Flt. Lt., 410262 (KIA 5 Apr 1945, Varrelbusch, Germany) FIELD, Kevin Francis, Pte., VX144763 (KIA 28 Jun 1945, Bougainville, PNG) BUTHERWAY, Jack Herbert, Pte, VX37645 (DOD 8 Jul 1945, Borneo)eltham war memorial, roll of honour, second world war, eltham, eltham roll of honour, shire of eltham, 2/4 field workshop, 22 independent brigade group ordnance workshop, a.i.f., australian army ordnance corps, australian corps of electrical and mechanical engineers, changi, falkiner street, florence mary butherway, jack herbert butherway, prisoner of war (pow), ranau number 1 jungle camp, sandakan death march, singapore, thomas james butherway, vx37645, 2/2 field company, 6th division, abington, annie castledine, arthur frederick castledine, george ernest castledine, greece, jean simonson, lower plenty, old eltham road, royal australian engineers, vx10044 sapper g. e. castledine, 2/23 bn, derril, gahan house, main road, rats of tobruk, studley manston gahan, tobruk, vx48379, 3 squadron r.a.a.f., aboukir, alamein memorial, beulah alice (simpson) rutter, bir el gubbi, broken hill aero club, david rutter, egypt, hubert rutter, libya, yarra braes, 2/21 bn, 23rd australian infrantry brigade, 8th division, alfred charles clerke, ambon island, battle of ambon, bidgeland park estate, inga caroline (nicholls) clerke, inga mary nicholls, laha airfield, nora ann clerke, rose matilda clerke, vx23112, william charles clerke, 2/14 bn, 2/16 bn, 21st brigade, 7th division, cuthbert douglas dunlop, gona, gona war cemetery, henry street, janet dunlop, kokoda track, new guinea, palestine, papua new guinea, port moresby (bomana) war cemetery, reuben cuthbert dunlop, syria, vx15252, 10 operational training unit, 410236, ada (key) ingram, berkshire, bomber command, england, group no. 91, john ingram, lester neil ingram, longworth, n.1374, r.a.a.f., r.a.f., r.a.f. abington, research (vic.), whitley v bomber, 419844, 514 bomber squadron, emmerich, germany, gordon stanley mclean, ji-g2, kleve, lancaster lm735, lucy mclean, mount pleasant road, r.a.f. waterbeach, reichswald forest war cemetery, stanley mclean, 2/10 ordnance workshops, albert feldbauer, eltham cricket association, eltham girls club, frank street, henry feldbauer, jessie margarette feldbauer, june feldbauer, ken ingram, margaret (feldbauer) ingram, montmorency imperials, research cricket club, research state school, sandakan number 1 camp, sandakan number 2 camp, theodore albert feldbauer, valerie (feldbauer) waller, violet amelda (teagle) feldbauer, vx51733, 247 ‘china-british’ squadron, caithness, cloppenburg, donlad hemphill rutter, essen, gloucester, hanover war cemetery, hanover-limmer british military cemetery, holten-lochem, oldenburg, r.a.f. castletown, r.a.f. station lealing, stoppenburg, typhoon ib jp443, typhoon ib sw526, 15th australian infantry brigade, 1940 cup, 3rd division, 57th/60th bn, best and fairest, bougainville island, buin road, mary field, mayona road, mivo river, mobiai river, montmorency, vx144763, william field

Colour photograph of Parkland between Watkins Street and Diamond Creek identifed as Watkins Street Reserve. Open green space surrounded by eucalyptus trees. Young plants are staked in the foreground of the imagediamond creek, watkins street reserve, parkland, park

Birney (USA manufacture) tram carDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyarnold street depot, bendigo, bendigo tramways no. 28, eaglehawk, george coop collection, golden square, tram, birney (usa) tram car

Looking slightly south east towards the bridge over the Diamond Creek. An FE (1956-58) or FC (1958-60) Holden is parked outside the Food Centre on left which is now Nillumbik CellarsBlack and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmcar, diamond creek, diamond creek tennis club, diamond street, dr edward rae cordner snr, ford model t, motor vehicles

Thursday, December 15, 1949, the quiet little bank was embroiled in an infamous wild shoot-out between a daring thief and two bank officers. Today, the building still carries the scars ; a bullet hole remains visible in a cedar bench testifying to the events that played out that day. 3.30 a.m., Friday, December 9. The manager of the Commercial Bank branch at Greensborough, Mr Harry Wallace and his wife are asleep in their bedroom of the little house behind the branch. Harry is awakened by a noise and sees an intruder in a corner of the bedroom. He calls out but the intruder who has switched off the power in anticipation flees through a side door and scarpers down Main Street. Harry summons the police but a search by First Constable Thomas of the Greensborough Police assisted by a wireless patrol car is unsuccessful. A report is filed noting the theft of a .25 calibre pistol from the wardrobe. Thursday, December 15th. It is 1pm and the Commercial Bank has just opened. The branch is only open Mondays and Thursdays from 1-3pm. The morning started off a little cool with some scattered showers but it has fined up and the temperature is now around 61 degrees (16 C). A new grey Singer sports car with soft-top pulls up on the opposite side of the road and a young man, neatly dressed in a dark blue suit, wearing a grey hat and carrying a brief case exits the vehicle. He looks around then crosses the road and walks up the steps and through the door into the bank. There are three people inside; Mr. Jack Burgoyne whose grocery store is situated just 50 yards up the road, Mr. Lindsay A. Spears, the Eltham Agency Receiving Officer and by chance, Mr Harry Wallace, manager of the Greensborough branch. Jack Burgoyne takes note of the young stranger; thinking to himself he appears nervous. The man approaches the counter and introduces himself as John Henderson of Greensborough and explains that he wishes to open a new account. He places his hat and £3 on the counter. Mr Spears attends to the paperwork. He asks the young man to sign two forms, which he does but then he withdraws from the counter and starts walking towards the door. Suddenly he spins around pulling an automatic pistol from his right-hand pocket. He exclaims forcefully; “The game’s on! I’ll take the lot!” Spears appears to comply by pretending to open a drawer. The man shouts loudly, “Keep your hand away from that drawer.” Spears instead reaches for a pistol in his pocket and challenges the man, “Here it is. Come and get it!” At the same time, Harry Wallace pulls a pistol from his pocket as well. The bandit fires a shot but misses, the bullet striking the counter. Both Spears and Wallace open fire and Jack Burgoyne ducks for cover. As the bandit turns and runs for the door leaving his £3 behind, he fires another shot, which strikes the ceiling. Spears fires back, and thinks he may have hit him in the foot. The bandit flees the bank and heads for the grey Singer car, registration NO-106, parked opposite. Wallace and Spears pursue him to the door and open fire again, striking the car three times around the driver’s door. Spears lets off eight shots and Wallace, seven before his gun jams. The getaway car initially heads slowly down Main Road towards Bridge Street. About 100 yards down the road, Dave Adams, a PMG employee, who has heard the shots, throws a steel manhole step at the driver. It hits the roof of the car nine inches above the driver’s head and tears the hood. Another witness claims to have seen the door blow open and the driver raise his hand. The car gathers speed and swings left into Bridge Street racing along at about 60 miles an hour careering recklessly past council employee, Mr. Percy Williams, who is driving a dray along Smarts Road [believed to be Bridge Street]. At the end of the road the Singer fails to get round the sharp turn and crashes into an embankment skidding to a stop outside the home of Mr John Clifford. One side of the car is wrecked. Mr Clifford, an aircraft engineer hears the fast travelling car bump heavily into the road bank at about 1.25 p.m. Hearing the whine of an engine he goes outside to find the grey Singer parked at the side of the road. Jack George also lives at the corner and hears the car crash. “The bandit opened the car door, ran 50 yards, and suddenly turned back,” exclaims Jack. “He took something from the car. It might have been a gun.” In his haste, the bandit drops his grey felt hat, size 6 7/8, on the road and dashes up Sherbourne Road for about 200 yards then disappears into the scrub carrying a brief case and a bundle in which a sailor’s cap can be seen. About 3 p.m., Mr H.D. Pettie of Mountain View Road, Montmorency is looking through his field glasses and notices a young man walking through thick scrub on private property some distance from his house. The man is wearing a sailor’s cap and disappears along the railway track toward Montmorency. As the day progresses, ten police cars, one motor cycle, and about 40 police led by Det. Sgt. McMennemin of Malvern CIB are searching for him. They believe he is hiding in thick scrub along the bank of the creek about half-a-mile outside Eltham township. Wireless patrol cars, four mobile traffic cars and the CIB area cars from Malvern and Kew are taking part. Police check the thief’s car and discover it was stolen from Helen Baxter, of Doncaster Road, North Balwyn from outside Victoria Barracks. Harry Wallace informs the police that he believes he recognised the bandit as the man who took his pistol from his bedroom the previous Friday morning. As night falls, armed police are posted at strategic points in the Eltham-Greensborough district. Police in cars are watching the roads. Others are searching the bush and checking passengers on trains. Little do they realise the young man has already slipped out of the net. SEQUEL YOUTH OF 19 CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY OF BANK AT ELTHAM Weekly Times, Wednesday 15 February 1950, page 6 Detectives who raided a house in Bell St., Coburg, Melbourne, charged a 19-year-old youth, of South Yarra, with attempted armed robbery at the Commercial Bank’s Eltham (Vic.) receiving depot on Dec. 15. Police say they recovered a loaded automatic pistol, diamond and signet rings worth more than £200, a complete set of house-breaking instruments, a sailor’s uniform, and chloroform gauze in the raid. The youth was charged that while armed with an offensive weapon, he attempted to rob Lindsay George Spears of a sum of money. He was further charged on six counts of breaking, entering and stealing. Police allege that the person who tried to hold up Mr Spears in the Commercial Bank receiving depot at Eltham on December 15. escaped in a stolen car, after Mr Spears and Mr Henry Wallace, manager of the bank’s Greensborough branch, had fired at him. After the car crashed, he escaped into thick scrub and is alleged to have changed into a sailor’s uniform. On December 9 an automatic pistol was stolen from Mr Wallace’s bedroom at the Greensborough bank. The chloroform pad recovered is alleged to have been stolen from the Dental Supply Company, Plenty Road, Preston. The rings are alleged to have been taken in a £513 burglary from the shop of James Paton. Sydney Road, Coburg. Det. Sgt. H. McMennemin conducted the investigations with Senior Dets. R. Newton and M Downie, Detectives l. Dent, R. Rayner, P. Pedersen and M. Handley and First Constable A. Thomas. The youth will appear at Eltham Court on February 22. Manager’s Gun Used in Holdup at Bank The Age, Thursday 23 February 1950, page 4 It was stated in Eltham court yesterday that a youth who robbed a bank manager of his pistol, later used it in an attempt to hold-up the bank. Kay Arthur Morgan, 19, draftsman, of Castle-street, South Yarra, was committed for trial on charges of breaking and entering, and stealing a pistol and attempted robbery while armed with an offensive weapon. He pleaded guilty. The manager of Eltham branch of the Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd., Henry Clifton Cabot Wallace, said he disturbed someone in the bedroom, in which he and his wife were sleeping, at 3 a.m. on December. 9, 1949. Later he found that his automatic- pistol was missing. On December 15 a youth, who said his name was John Henderson, entered the bank and opened a new account. As the youth was leaving the bank he turned round with a pistol in his hand and said: — “I want the lot.” Spear indicated a drawer under the counter; and said.— “Here it is. Come and get it.” The youth said:— “Keep your hand away from that drawer.” Witness said Spear then drew his pistol from his hip pocket. The youth fired at them, and Spear returned the fire. “I pulled my pistol and fired, too” said witness. The youth fired again, ran out to a car and drove off. Witness and Spear fired several shots at the car. The youth was the accused Morgan, sitting in court, witness said. Evidence was given that one bullet was found in the celling and the other in the bank. Morgan was allowed £100 bail on each charge. Morgan ended up serving three years for the failed armed robbery and became a notorious criminal. He had twin sons, Peter and Doug and even though only ten years old, Morgan would get his sons to act as lookouts whilst he committed burglaries. The lads became building contractors but when the industry suffered a downturn in 1977 and they were short on cash, they returned to the family business. Over the following 23 months they undertook 24 raids on country and outer-suburban TABs and banks. Whilst robbing one country bank for the third time, just like their father, it all went wrong ending up with a police officer shot. They were nick-named the “After-dark” bandits and are considered to be Australia’s last bushrangers. They were convicted and served 17 years in prison.5 x A4 photocopied pagesbank hold-up, cba bank, det sgt mcmennemin, eltham, h.d. pettie, harry wallace, jack burgoyne, kay arthur morgan, lindsay a. spears, main road