Completion of stage one of the new Eltham Shire Office located at 895 Main Road Eltham. They were demolished in August 1996. Note the historic Shillinglaw trees at the front of the building.This 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 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 Print 20 x 24.5 cm (Eltham Library)Hugh Fisher Photographer , 82 Lygon St., Brunswick and 6 York St., Eltham. 439-9046 Image A1217sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, eltham shire office, muncipal buildings

Note the unusual windscreen wiper location above the screen Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford HP4 black and white negative transparency, c.1971george coop collection, lake goldsmith steam rally, steam rally, beaufort (vic.), automobile, car, rolls royce phantom ii

Original document produced by Ian McDonald (Eltham Shire Council) 1970. During the period 1969-1971 photos were being collected for a proposed publication on the history of the Shire of Eltham as part of its centenary celebrations in 1971 (managed by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society and Alan Marshall). The publication was Pioneers & Painters (1971), edited by Alan Marshall. The document titled "Shows area sold to Woolworths" consisted of a panorama of three B&W photo prints creating a panorama of the frontage along Main Road (SEPP_0744) and a single B&W photo print of the Shire of Eltham offices and Hall on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road (SEPP_0737) along with typed and hand written notes by Ian McDonald. The panorama (SEPP_0744) was captioned in typewritten text "Old Shire Office and Hall, etc - Frontage of 285 feet along Main Road" and in pencil the date "4-1-68" The single image of the shire offices (SEPP_0737) was captioned in typewritten text "Main Road and Arthur Street Corner" In addition, the following handwritten notes in pencil: " I took these photos from the new fire station - the building in the middle is the old fire station - Moved to Research for the Scouts 1970" and signed "IMcD"This 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.Paper with four photos adhered in two groups with notes in typewritten text and handwritten in pencilsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, arthur street, dudley street, barber shop, cinema, commercial bank of australia, eltham fire brigade, eltham hall, eltham shire hall, eltham shire office, fire station, hardware shop, municipal offices, photographer shop, pph, produce paint and hardware centre, shire hall, shire offices, woolworths

Looking to the west wall door entrance lower right hand corner - shows the 1946 period skylights and the 1913 revamp of the single west wallwindow into a panel of three. Note typoes of ceiling/skylight lining boards.Handwritten (HG's) information and details in blue ink on reverse sidedalton street, eltham primary school, renovations, building construction, buildings, eltham state school no. 209

At some stage in the photo’s timeline it had information written on the back. It was stuck down, then later removed leaving residue all over the writing making it essentially impossible to read. With the photo was a handwritten note which has been verified is what can be made out on the back of the photo. This note appears to be written to Nellie by Annie Sweeney of Culla Hill, Eltham. Annie died in 1869 at age 21 so the photo must predate 1869 and is consistent with it most likely being the wedding day of John and Ellen (Nellie) Sweeney, November 10, 1868."To Dear Nellie Annie Sweeney With fondest love from your E. de Nc Annie la Sweeney Culla Hill Eltham, Victoria"annie sweeney, culla hill, eltham, ellen mary sweeney (nee kenney), john francis sweeney

Handwritten sketches showing additions to the Police/Emergency services communications tower in 2004. Harry Gilham noted that the cylindrical shaped object was blocking the view from the War Memorial tower to the land area and made suggestions to the Nillumbik Shire Council and CFA that it be raised to the sky area above the Mt St Leonard-Healesville range.Colour photo print 12.5 x 19 cmHandwritten notes on both sides regarding 2004 modificationskangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, emergency services communications tower, harry gilham, nillumbik shire council, war memorial tower

Negative copy of copy by Yeoman and Co. of original c.1864 photograph. The first Eltham State School building with school group. David Clarke (Head Teacher) and his sister, Catherine are standing in the centre of the group. Built with stone walls and wooden shingles on the roof. This was the first State School building which was built in 1856 and replaced with a new building in 1875 after the stone walls collapsed outwards. Published in Nillumbik Maii; Edition 20, 13 Sep Harry Gilham notes: - Believed to be the National School at Eltham on the Dalton Street site 1857-1874 - £220 cost; £110 National Board and £110 local patrons - 40' (38'6") x 16' x 10' walls - David Clark Head Teacher and Catherine Clark, Sewing Mistress - Its building materials came from the western edge of the site where sandstone removed is still evident and children are protected from the site by the fences of 1994 of wire mesh and palings beside the residence - School had 7' verandah added in 1861 - Clarks used half the building as a residence from 1857-1866 when enrollments required use of the whole building - The Clarks moved to then Shoestring residence in Metery Road adjacent to the end of the school ovalRoll of 35mm Black and White negative film, 3 strips, (2 of 14 frames)Film - Agfa Ortho 25catherine clarke, class photo, dalton street, david george clark, eltham, eltham state school no. 209, school group, national school

Series consists of: I) Bird Songs And Night Calls - tape cassette of Sounds from the Shire of Eltham sound tapes (4 copies) recorded and copyright held by Duncan King-Smith. Liner notes included with each cassette. 2) Listening to the Landscape - Stories and Places - Collected from the Shire of Eltham, 1988. Tape cassettes and program guides (3 copies of each); recording, design and production by Duncan King-Smith.shire of eltham archives, series listing

A collection of 8 small Cash Receipt books and 4 larger Invoice and Statement books recording payments made to artists etc. One of the larger books dates from the 1970, the others from 1987-95. These books also record Art Award entries. Note: One book records purchases c. 1989/90 of the "Listening to the Landscape" oral hsitory project tape and book.shire of eltham archives, series listing

Macgregor Knox house (1976) - a small building of note on the Knox property. It is an attic bedroom that Alistair's son, Macgregor, built for himself when he was fifteen. The 1993 Eltham Heritage Tour was enjoyed by a busload of members of the Historical Society on a fine, calm day, Sunday May 23rd. Between 10.00 am and 4.30 pm, except for a brief lunch stop at the Eltham Living and Learning Centre, members passed about thirty places of local interest and others recommended for the Historic Buildings Register and the Register of the National Estate. A number of significant trees and buildings were also highlighted along with the opportunity to explored some of the properties.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 24) Mount - Kodak Kodachromeactivities, shire of eltham historical society, heritage excursion, eltham, houses, macgregor knox house, mudbrick

A4 photocopies and Master sheets consisting of copies cut and pasted together for 2010 edition (pages 77 on) Also digital file of copy scanned from Council. Most pages from 77 on have page numbers added by hand not present on master sheets. Note: no page 63 (pagination error possible) First published 2002 The Tower of Remembrance and War Memorial Park on Garden Hill at Kangaroo Ground, Victoria, 1919-2001; Revised 2010. 109 p, : ill, ports., plans ; 30cm ISBN 0957719825 (2002) Eltham District Historical Society 2010

Franics Read known as Jock, was a life time resident of Eltham. He served in the Navy in WW2. He was well loved as a long time school crossing supervisor and member of EDHS with a remarkable memory of his life's experiences. Contents 1. In Memory of "Jock" Francis Percival Read 11.09.1915 - 22.12.2010; Funeral Service Booklet (3 copies), A4 card folded. Held at St Margaret's Anglican Church, Pitt Street, Eltham, Friday 7th January 2011 at 11:00 AM 2. News clippings - Clip Clop Lollipop!, Diamond Valley News, 14 Dec 1976, p1 - Jock Read with horse, Smokey, Diamond Valley News, 1978 - School Crossing Supervisor Jock Read with horse, Lofty, Diamond Valley News, 1982 - Families shed a tear for Tackey, Diamond Valley News, 23 Apr 1985 - For fallen friends, Diamond Valley News, 16 Nov 1992 - Lollipop man calls it a day, c.1996 - Local digger leads the march, Nillumbik Mail, 3 May 2000, p5 also “Our Anzacs remembered” - Rain holds off for people's march through memories, c.2001 - For Sale; 52-54 Henry Street, Eltham, Barry Plant Real Estate, The Weekly Review, 14 Mar 2002 - Wartime's memories of mates. Photo "Jock Read stands proud in front of the Australian flag in his front yard", Diamond Valley Leader, 19 Apr 2006, p1 - Keeping the Anzac spirit alive, Diamond Valley Leader, 19 Apr 2006, p10 - Meaningful life well lived by Jim Connor, Diamond Valley Leader, 16 Feb 2011, p25 3. Draft of obituary by Jim Connor published in Diamond Valley Leader 16 Feb 2011 4. Jock Read Memorial notes 5. Jock Read Distinguished Life Member, Eltham District Historical Society 6. Distinguished Life Member presentation to Jock Read by Eltham District Historical Society at Chatsworth House, 26 July 2010 7. Photographs (qty 3) 10 x 15 cm of Jock Read at the Distinguished Life Member presentation by Eltham District Historical Society members at Chatsworth House, 26 July 2010 (Photographer possibly Jim Connor) 8. Photographs (qty 9) printed on 3 sheets of A4 photo paper of Jock Read at the Distinguished Life Member presentation by Eltham District Historical Society members at Chatsworth House, 26 July 2010 (Photographer unknown) 9. Transcript of audio tape recorded by Peter Bassett-Smith with Jock Read at the old Police Residence, 728 Main Road, Eltham during Heritage Week display, 28 Apr 1990 10. Transcript of audio tape recorded by Denis Ward of Old characters and other folk around Eltham: a chat with Jock Read and Doug Orford at Eltham District Historical Society meeting held 10 May 2000 11. Interpretative transcript of audio tape EDHS_01636 Jock Read Tape 1 – 2002 12. Transcript of audio tape Main Road Eltham: a chat with Jock Read and Doug Orford at Eltham District Historical Society meeting held 10 Sep 2002 13. Baker's Run - List of names and deliveries forming Jock Read's Baker's run and discussed at meeting held 10 Sep 2002 15. Jock Read - when asked what he used to do around about 14. Nillumbik Council Item; Jock Read Eulogy 16. Photocopy of photo: Wedding Party; Jock Read and Beryl Olivia Burgess, St Katherine's Church, St Helena 17. Celebration of the life of Beryl Olivia Read nee Burgess 1 December 1924 - 17 July 2008harry gilham collection, jock read, frances percival read, 728 main road, alison delaney, bakers delivery run, blacksmith, building industry, david johns, diana bassett-smith, doug orford, funeral service, gwen orford, harry gilham, henry street, heritage week, i remember (poem), industry, jim connor, lofty (horse), matlock police (tv show), peter bassett-smith, russell yeoman, shamus (horse), smokey (horse), sue law, tackey (horse), wally, eulogy

Includes background notes of events leading up and after the demolotion of the former Shire of Eltham Offices at 895 Main Road Eltham. Discussions of proposals considered and relevance to the Nillumbik Council Plan 2002-2005. 8 Pagesnillumbik shire council, 895 main road

Handwritten notes by H. G. listing names of women, with notes on family connections in some cases and brief list of their achievements including Nellie Ibbott, Charis Pelling, Beautrice Morrison, Ethel Osborne, Mavis Gill, Helen Knights/Harbeck, May Smart, Mrs A.M. Peake. Addressed to Journalist Helen Gillman and includes photocopy of article published about Charis Pelling (04966) Women as a group have frequently been excluded from official histories in the past. These research notes are an effort to compile a list of the contribution of local women, historically, to the development of the Shire of Eltham 2 pagesharry gilham collection, women, nellie ibbott, charis pelling, beautrice morrison, ethel osborne, mavis gill, helen knights, helen harbeck, may smart, a. m. peake

Copy of Council brochure "The Townships of Nillumbik" with correspondence from H.G. noting inaccurate information and providing correction. This was an early Nillumbik Shire publication endorsed by the Commissioner Kevin Abbott.5 pagestownships, nillumbik

Correspondence over a four year period (probably an incomplete file) on the behalf of Henry Cairns of Moonee Ponds and property owner at Christmas Hills / Watsons Creek including copy of a survey of his land title in relation to complaint regarding the Shire of Eltham encroaching on his land to make a road and subsequent purchase of land. The road provided acccess to the property of Mr W. Clinton of Heidelberg and other properties at Christmas Hills. Note by H.G. indicates that the property discussed in file is Clintons Road (not stated in file), possibly named after 1938. In December 1937 Eltham Shire Council agreed to purchase a block of land at the intersection of the Christmas Hills -- Smiths Gully roads from Mr Cairns to provide an outlet for the road which ran through the Cairns property. In March 1928 Mr Clinton had previously offered to contribute a sum of money towards the cost of purchasing the Cairns block to permit the road to go into his property was intending to transfer the property to himself. A Councilor was reported as being astounded in The Advertiser, 11 March 1938, as the land was needed for a road. Cr Baird: "The road was only to help his sports" Mr W. E. Clinton (Bill) was one of the founders of the Rob Roy Hill climb which took place at his property at Christmas Hills. He owned a garage in Heidleberg (See: https://cv.vic.gov.au/stories/sporting-life/speed-style-spirit-the-rob-roy-hillclimb/the-rob-roy-hillclimb/)16 pieces of paperraynes dickson kiddle & briggs solicitors, henry cairns, shire of eltham, roadworks, christmas hills, watsons creek, w. e. clinton, clintons road, rob roy climb

Colour photograph of home-made footbridge across the Diamond Creek opposite Gum Glade, Eltham. View from west bank. Note steps cut into bank and undercutting of bankeltham, diamond creek, footbridge, gum glade, creek bank

Colour photograph of Landscaping at Latiners Hat Factory, Sherbourne Road, Eltham. Note blockage at the bridgeeltham, drain, latiners, hat factory, landscaping, footbridge, blockage

Colour photograph of bank protection works, using large stones at the Diamond Creek Sports oval. Note the eroded state of the bank above the rock liningeltham, diamond creek, erosion, protection, stone, diamond creek sports oval

Colour photograph. Note debris on the rail fencing around the oval. The Diamond Creek in flood at Diamond Creek township, 8 April 1977 Nillumbik Historical Society collectionflood, diamond creek, flooding, oval, nillumbik historical society, rail

Colour photograph. Looking downstream from Susan Street, Eltham , 8 April 1977. Note water line on shed flood, diamond creek, flooding, susan street

Colour photograph. Flooding of Diamond Creek at Diamond Street Eltham bridge approximately 2 1/2 hours after the flood peak. Note debris on the bridge deck. 8 April 1977. flood, diamond creek, flooding, eltham, diamond street, bridge

The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were snapped by Tom Prior, the Uncle of Ivy Reynolds (her mother's brother) around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago. lvy is a much loved pioneer who lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Many today living in our township will know Ivy and remember her sister Margaret. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family. Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light. The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage. Ivy Reynolds would like to share this history, stories and anecdotes with you. If they are not recorded and presented they are lost. In Andrew Lemon's Book Return to Research, A Centenary History of Research Primary School, there is a chapter-- reminiscing ..... the Reynold's family in Research 1870 to 1989 by Jenny Anderson With this in mind, Ivy would like to present the Reynolds/Prior collection in album form to the Historical Society of Eltham, and also to the Andrew Ross Museum, Kangaroo Ground. Ross McDonald 605 Mt Pleasant Rd Research, Vic 3095 (March, 2006 )The Reynolds family were early settlers in Research. The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were taken by Tom Prior, the maternal uncle of Ivy Reynolds, around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago. lvy lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family. Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light. The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage. Album of photograps (rteproductions) and A4 photocopy (7 pages) contained in album, the Reynolds/Prior Photograph Collection giving background to collection and notes on photosThe Reynolds/Prior Photograph Collection, Presented to the Eltham District Historical Society, 14 June 2006 by Ross McDonald. A second copy was also presented to the Andrew Ross Museum, Kangaroo Groundreynolds prior collection

Shire of Eltham road construction and realignment works on Baldwin Avenue, Lilicur Road and Price Avenue, Montmorency, c.1972 Note that proposed Hawthorn Grove was not developed35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbaldwin avenue, hawthorn grove, infrastructure, lilicur road, price avenue, road construction, sherbourne road

Shire of Eltham road construction and realignment works on Baldwin Avenue, Lilicur Road and Price Avenue, Montmorency, c.1972 Note that proposed Hawthorn Grove was not developed35mm colour positive transparency blue Agfacolour Service plastic mountbaldwin avenue, hawthorn grove, infrastructure, lilicur road, price avenue, road construction, sherbourne road

Contents: 1. A brief history of the Eltham War Memorial, Harry Gilham, 1999 2. Abbreviated notes of the Eltham War Memorial Trust, Harry Gilham, February 1997 (Extracted notes from Eltham War Memorial Trust minutes) 3. Summary; A history of the development of the War Memorial Complex situated at 903-907 Main Road, Eltham by Harry Gilham (Prepared by Harry Gilham for submission to Nillumbik Shire Council when the council considered selling the War Memorial site for development) 4. Eltham War Memorial Trust; Notes for History by Harry Gilham (Prepared by Harry Gilham for submission to Nillumbik Shire Council when the council considered selling the War Memorial site for development) 5. Abbreviated notes of the Eltham War Memorial Trust, Harry Gilham (Extracted notes from Stanley S. Addison's history of the Eltham War Memorial Trust) 6. Volunteers - a Libraries focus by Harry Gilham, c.1997 (A brief history of the Eltham Library starting with the Children's Library developed by the Eltham War Memorial Trust)Six documents (15 pages), A4 photocopy pages, typed with hand written notes in ink and various handwritten notes on lined pagesarthur street, brinkkotter home, children's library, dudley street, eltham library, eltham public hall, eltham shire office, eltham war memorial hall, eltham war memorial trust, eltham war memorial, friends of the library, harry gilham, heidelberg regional library, helen ziebell, jo ilian, library review working party, minute book, mrs. beatrice morrison, mrs. bow, mrs. currie, nina christesen, prof. mcmahon ball, somerville morrison, volunteers

Contents: 1. Notes concerning impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden of a proposed roundabout at Dudley Street, Eltham, September 1996 - In 1996 Nillumbik Shire Council proposed the provision of traffic lights or a roundabout to alleviate traffic concerns at the intersection of Main Road with Dudley street and Panther Place. The Society had no real concerns with Panther Place as it had no perceived impact upon Shillinglaw Cottage however survey pegs for a new road alignment to provide for a roundabout at Dudley Street were placed within the Eltham War Memorial Gardens which was significant concern. Harry Gilham, then President of the Society was on the working group with Council and the RSL to discuss this proposal. Ultimately it did not proceed and traffic lights were installed. No action occurred at Panther Place. 2. Notes pertaining to Eltham Town Focus Group and the Eltham War Memorial Trust property, c.January 1997 - These notes from Harry Gilham relate to a draft report "A Community Vision for 'The Eltham War Memorial Trust' Property Main Road, Eltham" being prepared at the request of Chief Commissioner Don Cordell, Nillumbik Shire Council, 31st January 1997. Harry handed over these notes to Jim Connor on 14 March 2010. Jim had replaced Harry as President of the Eltham District Historical Society in 2009. They also reference Stanley S. Addison's Outline History of the Eltham War Memorial Trust30 pages of various types, mainly A4, printed and with notes by hand or handwritten notes (drafts)chief commissioner don cordell, dudley street, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham town focus group, eltham war memorial garden, eltham war memorial trust, main road, panther place, returned services league, roundabouts, shire of nillumbik, stanley s addison

Questions Council right to sell property which was gifted to them by the community and references back to the Eltham Public Hall in Henry Street then Arthur Street as well as Shillinglaw Cottage3 pages, Legal Pad, handwritten in various coloured ink pensarthur street, eltham district historical society, eltham public hall, eltham village, eltham war memorial, eltham war memorial garden, eltham war memorial trust, harry gilham, henry street, nillumbik shire council, shillinglaw cottage, stanley s addison

Specific focus on history of and impact to the Eltham War Memorial property. Contents: Eltham Major Activity Structure Plan Comments Sheet; Response by Harry Gilham, 22 June 2004 Minutes for the policy and Services Committee of Nillumbik Shire Council held Wednesday 11 August 2004 Photocopy of Eltham War Memorial Trust Booklet cover and Honour Roll Board in Eltham War Memorial Hall Photocopy of newsclippings - Eltham War Memorial Trust: Ready Now for Forward Movement; Acknowledgements £722; publication unknown, c.1946 and Eltham War Memorial Trust: "Garden of Remembrance"; Baby Health Centre First Building, The News: The Newspaper of the City of Heidelberg and of the Shire of Eltham, 11 April 1947 (EDHS_04588) Abbreviated notes of the Eltham War Memorial Trust, Harry Gilham, February 1997 Notes prepared by Harry Gilham pertaining to draft Eltham Major Activity Structure Plan, 2004 referencing Memorial Hall Site Title (p45), EGAG on heritage (p73) and Design Guidelines (p73) Copy of Certificate of Title issued to Eltham War Memorial Trust Ordinary Meeting of Council Agenda, 15 September 2004, p55 with notes on vote for motion that any reference to the sale of the War Memorial be removed Letter from Cr Tony Raunic, Mayor to Harry Gilham regarding Eltham Major Activity Centre Structure Plan advising the removal of any reference to sale of the War Memorial and detailed consultation to be held with stakeholders regarding the former Shire of Eltham Office site; 8 October 2004 Copy of fax sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to Diamond Valley News, re his support for the appeal for protection of the Eltham War Memorial 3 July 2004 Copy of letter sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to the CEO, RSL Victoria requesting their opposition to sale of the Eltham War Memorial, 19 August 2004 Copy of letter sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to Brigadier J.R. Deighton, State Secretary, Victorian RSL re his comments in Diamond Valley Leader regarding the Eltham War Memorial, 27 August 2004 Copy of letter sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to Brigadier J.R. Deighton, State Secretary, Victorian RSL advising the War Memorial had been removed from the wider proposal of the Eltham Activity Centre, 16 September 2004 Fax from Catherine Dale, CEO, Nillumbik Shire Council to John Cohen re Renovation and Maintenance of Victorian War Memorials, 6 October 2004 Letter from Barry Rosewall, President, Eltham RSL to John Cohen advising the sub-branch strongly opposes the sale of the Eltham War Memorial, 20 October 2004 Fax from Bill Forrest, Interim CEO, Nillumbik Shire Council to John Cohen re Renovation adn Maintenance of Victorian War Memorials, 8 November 2004 Copy of letter from John Cohen to Bill Forrest, Interim CEO, Nillumbik Shire Council re Maintenance of Eltham War Memorial, November 2004 Handwritten notes prepared by Harry Gilham in preparation of presentation to Council pertaining to draft Eltham Major Activity Structure Plan, 2004 Letter from Eric Mack to the Hon. Steve Herbert,, Member for Eltham regarding draft Major Activity Centre Structure Plan, 22 June 2004 Letter from Eric Mack to Nillumbik Shire Council CEO and Councillors regarding draft Major Activity Centre Structure Plan, 2004 Reply to Eric Mack from the Hon. Steve Herbert, Member for Eltham regarding his letter of 22 June, 27 July, 2004 Copy of letter from John Cohen to President and Exectuive of the Eltham RSL regarding the Eltham War Memorial, 16 July 2004 Notice issued by Cr Greg Johnson of 11 August meeting by Council's Policy and Services Committee to consider a proposal to sell the Eltham War memorial and old shire office properties, 6 August 2004 Letter from Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Historical Society to Diamond Valley Leader wishing to correct a historical inaccuarcy being circulated in the Draft Structure Plan for the Elham Major Activity Centre, 17 June 2004 Newspaper clipping - Protect war memorial, Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Horical Society; Letter, Diamond Valley Leader, June 30, 2004, p16 Newspaper clipping - Sell-off a betrayal of trust, Ken Eckersall; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, c.2004 Newspaper clipping - Don't insult memory of fallen servicemen, John Cohen; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, c.2004 Newspaper clipping - Up in arms against sell-off, Dave Crosswaite, Diamond Valley Leader, July 14, 2004, p5 (War veterans and local historians call upon Nillumbik Council to reject moves to sell Eltham War memorial buildings to a private developer. Features a picture of John Cohen, Harry Gilham and Dr Ken Eckersall. On same page - "First Aboriginal mural by trust opens" by Dave Crossthwaite about a mural celebrating stories and culture of the Wurundjeri people being unveiled at the YMCA-run Eltham Leisure Centre.) Newspaper clipping - Shire plan 'sacrilegious' by Dave Crossthwaite, Diamond Valley Leader, Wednesday, August 19, 2004, p1 (Residents fight war memorial sale) Newspaper clipping - Our say on sale of land; Have you say, Diamond Valley Leader, August 18, 2004, p22 Newspaper clipping - School hall is not ratepayers' worry; Have your Say, Diamond Valley Leader, August 18, 2004, p23 Newspaper clipping - Clash over land sale by Dave Crossthwaite, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p1 Newspaper clipping - Mayor beset over arts agenda claim by Dave Crossthwaite, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p5 Newspaper clipping - Public assets are not for sale; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p11 Newspaper clipping - A lot of work has gone into shire structure plan; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p10 Newspaper clipping - Don't let a dream stay hijacked; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, September 1, 2004, p11 Newspaper clipping - Future of memorial site on hold until poll by Caroline Gonzalez, Diamond Valley Leader, September 20, 2004 Newspaper clipping - Troops enlist for campaign by Fiona Willan, Diamond Valley Leader, 18 July 200751 pages of various types, A4, printed, handwritten notes, letters and newspaper clippingscr. greg johnson, diamond valley leader, eltham district historical society, eltham leisure centre, eltham major activity structure plan, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham war memorial, eric mack, harry gilham, john cohen, ken eckersall, letters, nillumbik shire council, protests, steve herbert mp, wurrundjeri

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