A variety of photos from a Comradeship album. The Comradeship committee gathered photos of events and compiled them in a Comradeship photo album for Legatees to look through. 01033.1 A photo of legatees seated around tables. The caption said: L/Donovan Joynt, V.C. at an Anzac party. 01033.2 A page of photos including "Meet the Pres." party in 1971. The photos of Legatees in fancy dress have 23 April 1970 stamped on the back. Also a party at Legatee Norman Lofts' house in London in 1974 and on the back it says Norman was preparing for Ascot June 1974. A legatee at lower right is Howard Hider. 01033.3 A post card of a first world war memorial in Albany WA. 01033.4 A photo of soldiers from the first world war made into a postcard. The names on the photo are L. Liddell, Sgt Harvey Etchins (?), W Brown of the 24th Battalion P__. On the back, handwritten in blue pen, "Yesterday to Day. To Frank from Wal Brown". L Liddell may be David Leslie Liddell, service no 680A (source AWM). Wal Brown may be Walter Charles Brown, Service no 3278 (source AWM). 01033.5-6 Two colour photos of "Meet the Pres. L'tee Bradie Healesville 1974. 01033.7 A black and white photo of Legatees at a table and labelled Anzac Parade 1974. 01033.8 A black and white photo of three Legatees, possibly in fancy dress (cowboy hat, fez). 01033.9-10 Two colour photos of Legatees on the overland train to Perth for the National Conference in 1977, including L/ Frank Doolan, L/ Louis and Amorel Lothian. The other photo is L/s Frank Doolan and Rex Hall sitting together. 01033.11 A colour photo of L/ Rex Hall being awarded first prize for a rendition of Maurice Chevellier "Leetle girls were make to love and kees", in July 1976 - event and venue not known. 01033.12 L/ Rex Hall sitting with Mrs Pat Cahill on the SS Oriana on 10 March 1974. Mrs Cahill was the daughter of David H Dureau whose associate donated funds that enabled the purchase of Legacy House in his memory. 01033.13 L/ Escott in Tewantin Qld in 1986 found an aged care home with his name. The handwriting on the back of the photo pointed out he was not a resident. 01033.14 L/ Escott with Sir Walter Campbell, Governor of Queensland on 11 April 1986 at Government House Qld. 01033.15 The governor of Queensland presenting Legatee Escott with the B.E.M. on 11 April 1986. The items were part of a photo album of Comradeship activities (from 1930 to 1977) see items 01027 to 01036.The Comradeship photo album was put together by the Comradeship committee and records events that Legatees did and places they lived or visited. Some appear to be trips to visit other Legatees living overseas and social occasions held in different places. It shows the bond that Legatees have with each other.Colour photo x 20 from a Comradeship committee photo album.Various labels for the photos.anzac day, comradeship

A list of the foundation members of the Intermediate Legacy Club from March 1929. They were: Graham F Billet, Frank C Corrie, Alan Davidson, Roy Davidson, Dan Fitzgerald, Len Frazer, Roy Gilbert, Frank C Holliday, Fred Hollingsworth, EM (Ted) Kennedy, Jack Kennedy, AV Lawson, JV Lawson, Jimmy Macgregor, R Rimmer, Norman A Smith, R Warnecke, Bert S Wood. (Bill Johnston was also mentioned in a letter by Norm Smith as a 'first nighter' see item at 01635). Background: The ILC was formed in 1929 with a total membership of 18 according to this list. The idea of the club sprang from those boys who had outgrown the Junior Legacy Club. In the early days it fielded a lacrosse team and it was this that mainly held the members together. Enthusiasm wained after a few years as it lacked a solid objective. The answer came from one of its members and in 1938 they founded the Don Esses Club. This was a club for the children of incapacitated ex-servicemen which met every Thursday night at 7.30 run by the ILC members. The name came from the signallers' code Disabled Servicemen's Sons. During the second world war 80% of the members of the ILC enlisted in the services. Leaving only 8 members that could not join due to ill health or reserved occupations. They continued the Don Esses and whatever aid they could to Legacy. ILC members had always helped Legacy where possible including being camp leaders or camp staff, with the annual demonstrations, and coffee stalls at the ANZAC dawn service. Post second world war some ILC members were nominated into Legacy, others drifted away in civil occupations. It was found difficult to recruit new blood into the ILC and eventually membership waned when the boys from the Don Esses clubs found other youth activities to join. The ILC ceased to meet regularly in the mid fifties. However a strong comradeship still existed between members and they would meet in one anothers homes. Members were always ready to help the senior Legacy Club in any way in their power and still helped at Christmas parties and summer camps. ILC was a service rendering organisation and was self governing. Non-sectarian and non-political, the members were ex-junior legatees over 18 years of age. After serving in World War 2 members were eligible to become members of Legacy. Was in a folder of material collated about the ILC by an early archive committee. An important list of the initial members of the Intermediate Legacy Club. The ILC was active from 1930 to 1974.White A4 paper with black type of a list of 18 foundation members of the ILC.ilc, membership, junior legatee

The Australian Service Medal and Pacific Star Medal that were awarded to Private Arthur Norman Comben VX26251 for his war service in World War Two. From the AWM website Private Arthur N Comden of the 2/21st Australian Infantry Battalion, who died on Hainan Island, China, on 27 June 1945. The DVA records show he was born 6 April 1907 in Yarraville and enlisted on 17 June 1940 whilst residing in Coopers Creek Victoria. His next of kin was shown as H Dilks. Also that he had been a prisoner of war. His connection with Legacy is not known, he may have been a junior legatee though there's no record of his father Arthur John Louis Comben serving for Australia in WW1. More research is needed to check, it is possible the medals were donated to Legacy as no family members wanted them. Additional information provided by a distant relative - Arthur's mother (Mary Eleanor Norman) remarried twice after his fathers death in 1911. His stepfather Horace Dilks served in World War 1 with the 2nd Pioneer Battalion.These are examples of World War 2 medals awarded to a serviceman who participated in the conflict in the Pacific region. Many returned servicemen joined Legacy after World War 2 and would have had similar medals.Silver circular medal and bronze star shaped medal from World War 2 mounted on ribbons initially together by a safety pin. 01700.1 The medal is nickel silver with the crowned effigy of King George VI on the obverse. The reverse has the Australian coat of arms, placed centrally, surrounded by the words ‘THE AUSTRALIA SERVICE MEDAL 1939-1945’. The normal ribbon is missing and it is on the ribbon meant for the UK War Medal which is of red, white and blue to represent the colours of the Union Flag. 01700.2 The six–pointed star is yellow copper zinc alloy. The obverse has a central design of the Royal and Imperial cypher, surmounted by a crown. The cypher is surrounded by a circlet containing the words ‘The Pacific Star’. The ribbon has central yellow and green stripes that represent the forests and the beaches of the Pacific, flanked dark blue, light blue and red stripes that represent the service of the Naval Forces and Merchant Navy, the Air Forces and the Armies.Both engraved with 'VX26251 A. N. Comben'.medals, world war two, arthur comden

Red cloth bound copy of Hilmer Smith's account of Sydney Legacy published in 1944.non-fictionhistory, hilmer smith, sydney legacy

A Legacy ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance. One of the annual "Anzac Commemoration Ceremony for Students" events, usually held just prior to ANZAC Day. The ceremony provides a valuable opportunity for students to gain an appreciation of the Anzac spirit, the significance of the Shrine and the meaning of Anzac Day. Believed to be 1946.A record of a ceremony for school students at the Shrine.Black and white photo of schools ceremony at the Shrine.Handwritten in pencil "1946 School's ceremony / President Doug Craig (at mic) / Jim Gillespie / Syd Birrell. In blue pen "Norman Smith I.L.C." Stamped Copyright Herald Feature Service in purple ink. anzac commemoration for students, wreath laying ceremony

A cutting from from a Melbourne Legacy President's report showing a photo of Legatee Richard Norman Wheeler (President of Melbourne Legacy in 1986). It was collected to be a record of a photo of past presidents. During World War 2 Dick served as a pilot with the RAAF and the RAF in North Africa, Italy and Yugoslavia. He joined Melbourne Legacy in 1976. The newspaper cuttings of his death notice from September 1989. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of Legatee Dick Wheeler a past president of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.An article with a black and white photo of Legatee Richard Wheeler - President 1986 and two newspaper cuttings of his death notice.past presidents, dick wheeler

Appears to be an interview recorded at Legacy House of Legatee Ron Isherwood. Legatee Isherwood was president of Melbourne Legacy in 1966. No further details known. Also Dr Norman is mentioned in the paper note. More details to come when the tape is played. A recording of an interview with a president of Legacy.An audio recording on a clear plastic spool in a blue cardboard box. Plus a note about Doctor Normans' address being partially erased.Box, Legacy, handwritten in blue biro. Philips, yellow print, philips logo,red and yellow. Ruban magnetique, bande mince, type re 957 long 540 metres in white print. No titre, date, blue print. Rear of box, Sir Owen Dixon, WMC Radford, KC Clarke, handwritten in pencil and crossed out. 3/8/73 Interview at Legacy House L Ron Isherwood, handwritten in black biro. Spool, calibrations 0-10, Philips, 1, 2. Note, black type, Legacy. Please note that the first two or three minutes of Doctor Normans' address were erased when our reporter recorded an interview with him later.legatee, ron isherwood

A function at Legacy House. It could have been the launch of Badge Week in 2001 as David Grierson is president. 00731.1 President David Grierson with a guest. 00731.2 L/ Terry Walsh with a guest in uniform. 00731.3 L/ Ray Ward with John James and Norman Carlton 00731.4 Phil Davies, Julie Rodgers from State Trustees and L/ Terri Knight. 00731.5 L/ Denise Milic and Toby Lawson from Blind Media. 00731.6 unknown and Major General David McLachlan and L/ David Ford. 00731.7 Peter Liefman (State President of VVAA -Vietnam Veteran Association of Australia), Alistair Ross and Wayne New of the Patriotic Funds Council of VictoriaA record of a function for Legatees at the start of Legacy Week in 2001.Colour photo x 7 of guests at Legacy house.Printing on the back "legatee event, legacy promotion

A photo of 14 the original team of men that started the I.L.C. (Intermediate Legacy Club). Norman Smith is on the left of the front row, other names were identified on another copy of the photo at 01622. Back row: R. Rummell, D Fitzgerald, T Kennedy, J Lawson, R Davidson, F Holliday, A Warnecke. Front row: N Smith, R Gilbert, F Corrie, E Kennedy, J Kennedy, A Lawson, L Frazer. Absent: J MacGregor, A Davidson, F Hollingsworth, B Woods. Background: The ILC was formed in 1930 with a total membership of 16. The idea of the club sprang from those boys who had outgrown the Junior Legacy Club. In the early days it fielded a lacrosse team and it was this that mainly held the members together. Enthusiasm wained after a few years as it lacked a solid objective. The answer came from one of its members and in 1938 they founded the Don Esses Club. This was a club for the children of incapacitated ex-servicemen which met every Thursday night at 7.30 run by the ILC members During the second world war 80% of the members of the ILC enlisted in the services. Leaving only 8 members that could not join due to ill health or reserved occupations. They continued the Don Esses and whatever aid they could to Legacy. ILC members had always helped Legacy where possible including being camp leaders or camp staff, with the annual demonstrations, and coffee stalls at the ANZAC dawn service. ILC was a service rendering organisation and was self governing. Non-sectarian and non-political, the members were ex-junior legatees over 18 years of age. After serving in World War 2 members were eligible to become members of Legacy.An early photo of junior Legatees who had formed the Intermediate Legacy Club in 1930.Black and white photo of 14 foundation members of the Intermediate Legacy Club.Handwritten on the back "Norman Smith I.L.C." in blue pen. Also "Originals of I.L.C. (Norm Smith on the left of the front row)" in pencil.ilc, junior legatee, norm smith

A photo from a newsletter from September 1953. The photo shows the East Brighton boys class. Front row: Tony Minogue, Tim Eltham, Harold Butler, Bob Lancaster, Bruce Pickering, Albert Hancock, David Francis, Robert Scanlan, Robert Hill. Second row: Tom Corrie, Neville Trevena, Tom Lancaster, Eric Scott, Legatees Mair, Carolan, Blackall, Holmes; Bob Gleeson, Bill Gleeson, Denis Hubbard, Robert Carnie. Third row: Mr H Singleton (Instructor), Bruce Grigg, Allan Dennis, John Burge, Peter Harris, George Trinder, David Endean, Tom Cockram, Keith Stevens, Kev Gleeson, James Haysom, Mr B Robinson (Instructor). Back row: Don Scott, Norman Corrie, Robert Haley, Noel Orr, Warwick Leeming, John Francis, Barry Wilkins, Ray McCarthy, Robert Olsen, Peter Luck. Names mentioned in the article include boys newly enrolled: Geoffrey Bishop, Gregory Bishop, Trevor Busst, Harold Butler, John Burge, Daryl Bernaldo, Norman Corrie, Tom Corrie, Alan Dennis, Peter Eltham, John Francis, David Francis, James Haysom, Albert Hancock, Robert Haley, Peter Harris, Robert Hill, Warwick Leeming, Barry Mitchell, Ray McCarthy, Ian Nicholds, Laurie Nicholls, Geoffrey One, Noel Orr, Robert Olsen, Bruce Pickering, Frank Rose, Keith Stephens, Don Scott, Robert Scanlan, Stephen Westcott, Barry Wilkins, Robert Watson. The article mentions that the photos of the boys classes were donated to Legacy by Mr John Beckett of Sandringham. Individual photos being catalogued to record detail about each one.The newsletter outlining news of Junior Legatee activities with mentions of boys by name.Black and white photo of the East Brighton boys class printed in a newsletter in September 1953.junior legatees, boys classes

The newsletter from December 1958. The cover featured Mr Geoffrey Armstrong making a donation to President Rob Allison. The president's page featured a photo of office staff on the phones during Legacy Week and promoted the Christmas party. There were articles from the boys classes, including a photo of Ron Barassi playing basketball with the South Melbourne class. There was an article profiling Legatee Norman Harris and his achievements. An article about the Girls classes showed there number of classes was increasing - with new Tuesday night classes. Plus Miss Domec Carre was full time, after 23 years part-time as she was giving up her other work commitments. The ILC was recruiting new members. On page 7 there were updates from the Residences with numbers of children in each house mentioned as well as many of the past residents' names. Photos of the demonstrations were published as well. A newsletter published by Legacy in this format for many years from 1942. It mentions "Issued from time to time for Private Circulation among the Sons and Daughters of Deceased Service men and Merchant Seamen who served their Country during the War of 1914-18, or the present War" Many articles on the work of Legacy, including features on boys classes, girls classes, camps, the residences and where their past residents ended up. There are some suggestion for careers and some general interest articles. Some very interesting photos.Newsletter outlining news of Junior Legatee activities.Black and white printed newsletter x 10 pages from December 1958. Volume 11 Number 2boys classes, activities, girls classes, norman harris

Music in the Open Air was an initiative of Frank Wright, the Musical Director of the Greater London Council Parks Department. Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born in 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. He was the youngest of eleven children. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was appointed in 1934 as the Musical Director of the London County Council (the GLC or Greater London Council), where he organized many amazing concerts in most of the 150 parks, in and around the London district. He was also responsible for some of London’s major concerts at Kenwood, the Crystal Palace and Holland Park. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and Conducting and was a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. Frank was awarded an M.B.E. in 1967 and he died in November 1970. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Two tone rectangular paper pamphlet of 4 double sided pages, with photo of an orchestra in a sound dome in top right hand corner. Held at Kenwood Lakeside for the Greater London Council Parks Department 11017.1 - Music in the open air: New Philharmonia Orchestra. Conducted by Norman del Mar, 11017.2 & .4 - London Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Edo de Waart and Frank Wright 11017.3 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by Charles Groves. 11017.5 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by Charles Groves 11017.6 - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Conducted by Stanley Pope 11017.7 - New Philharmonic Orchestra - Conducted by Norman Del MarDesigned by GLC Supplies Department and printed by Staples Printers Limitedfrank wright, music in the open air, kenwood lakeside

Ballarat School of Mines Students' Magazine, 1957Yellow front page soft cover with black inscriptions on front cover, 92 pagesballarat school of mines students' magazine, r.w. richards, peter robinson, john thomas huyton clelland, john wolfe, bernie gallagher, nelson hails, john gowan, beverley selkirk, pat collier, barry singleton, mara jekabsons, bill widdop, neil brogden, frank pomeroy, laurence trevan, neville bunning, jim mckay, malcolm hausler, josephine young, george lewis, alan clarke, norman leckie, andrew atkins, lorette davey, noel flood, denis bryans, john mckenzie, robert skewes, ian fraser, walter reimann, ralph hepburn, j. r. pound, john dulfer, jack dulfer, ray lawrie, l. speilvogel, chris noncrieff, r. ross, g. dreever, mr bowers, graham manning, kevin rogers, andrew brumby, graham walters, cadets, flight corps, atc, dana street primary school, air training corps, girls' junior technical school, australian air training corps, sports, staff, dick richards, richard w. richards

Information from the donor by email gives: My grandparents Norman & Hilda Pryde lived at 50 Broughton Rd, Surrey Hills. The home was named 'Strathaven' after the town in Scotland where Norman's father came from. They married in 1923. I know they lived there in 1924 when my mother Norma was born. Norman worked for Moran & Cato so I know they moved around a lot for his work and I think they rented out the house from time to time. During some time in the 1920s they were listed on electoral rolls in Nyah West and then in 1942 they were listed in Hamilton. When the war ended they came back to Melbourne and in the late 1940s built a home at Blackburn. Their daughter was at school in Grade 6 at Surrey Hills State School in 1935. See related photo. At the time of the donation, this simple home was still extant. Since then, c2021, it was demolished and replaced by a large single dwelling.This photo is representative of the simple interwar home that infilled earlier scattered residential development in this part of Surrey Hills.An original B&W photo of a simple timber home set behind a woven wire fence and taken from across the street. The garden looks relatively undeveloped.NILbroughton road, surrey hills, norman pryde, hilda pryde, hilda gwendoline scales, 'strathaven', house names, 1920-1929, moran & cato, norma pryde, norma cleak, jenny pomeray, interwar housing

Main Street Stawell c 1940 On left Bike Shop, Carters Boot Shop. On right under town Hall Tower is Stawell Post Office, T. Browns Furniture / Coles / Eales, Geo Mitchell & Sons, Norman A. Harding Men's Wear. J.T. Chaponnel.Main street scene looking west with bunting across street. Many 1940's vehicles in streetboth driving and parked. Delivery truck at centre of image.stawell streetscape

Main Street Stawell c1907 Left is Bull & Mouth Hotel, Playfords, Whiteside & Co Taylors Carters Boot shop. On right Rotunda in distance, T Browns Furniture, George Mitchell, Norman A Harding, W.C. Barker Picture framing. Rose Series P 2725The Rose Series. P. 2725 Main Street, Stawell, Victoria stawell streetscape

1940's various cars and covered trucks, flags strung above street, sign with hats. Writing on shops Norman A Harding.

White paper poster with black text and drawing of a woman in front of some gruesome looking people. The the poster was for a State College Victoria (formerly Ballarat Teachers' College) production held at the college hall in Gillies Street, Ballarat.Front: "S.C.V. Ballarat, formerly - Teachers Collge, Lysistrata, in the College Hall, Friday and Saturday, 12th and 13th, and Wednesday to Saturday, 17th to 20th July, 1974, at 8 pm, Admission - $1.00 Students, $1.50 non students, Bookings - Phone 341 202" Back: "Lysistrata, by Aristophanes, CAST LIST, Lysistrata: Liz Stubbs, Kalonike: Joy Dunstan, Lampito: Jenny Tait, Myrrhine: Denise Maroney, Stratyllis: Ann Bilston, Interviewer: Tina Conroy, Kinesias: Michael Russo, Police Commisioner: Tony Ryan, Spartan Ambassador: Terrence Dorian, Spartan Herald; Shane Quick. WOMEN'S CHORUS, Sue Richards, Tina Conroy, Ann Bilston, Anne Giles, Glenda Hamilton, Janette Marshall, Gillian Hogan, Janine Grieg, Robyn Stanesby, Stephanie Buchanan, Janeen McCullough, Wendy Gray, Elizabeth Evans, Jenny Tait (Leader of Spartans), Mary Staindl, Barbara Price. MEN'S CHORUS, John Rowe, Stephen Schneider, Chris Slater, Peter Hassell, Errol Elbourne, Peter Orford, Kieth McDougall,Terrence Dorian, Robbie Eastcott, Shane Quick, Gary Oliver. MUSIC, Piano: Robbie Eastcott. Drums: Alex Traianou. Congas: David Murphy. Rhythm Guitar: Kim Hatcher. Bass Guitar: Shane Quick. Clarinet: Steve Albon. Flute: Tina Conroy. Acoustic Guitar: Tony Ryan. TECHNICAL CREW, Lighting: Austin Rickell, Sound: Stuart Tolliday, Keith McIvor, Design: Bruce Miller, Terrence Dorian, Set Construction: Bruce Miller, Terrence Dorian, Ken Jones, Choreograph: Cheryl Brown, Costumes: Gillian Hogan, Mary Staindl, Props: Denise Maroney, Jenny Tait, Publicity and Front of House: Ruth Newall. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, Meena Bazaar for the Jug, Turner Audio Systems. DIRECTED BY, Miichael D. Edwards. DIRECTOR'S NOTE, The sexual power of women is all persuasive. If, as Germaine Greer says, they stopped loving the victors, there would be genuine revolution. The idea of a sex strike to stop a war seems preposterous.... What else is left to the aware but politically emasculated woman? Aristophanes, like us, had been appalled by a pointless and hopeless war. Outrageous indignation had failed to stop it - so he resorted to comic absurdity; perhaps to shame the warmakers. Our version of the play is colloquial and probably ' in vogue'. It is colorful, musical, flippant, and not a little risque. It is, however, based on an awareness of the power of sex roles and the arrogance of a male-dominated society and a profound sense of frustration at the apparently immovable forces that make our wars and enact repression in all its forms."ballarat teachers' college, production, state college of victoria, ballarat, gillies street, liz stubbs, joy dunstan, jenny tait, denise maroney, ann bilston, tina conroy, michael russo, tony ryan, terrence doran, shane quick, sue richards, anne gillies, glenda hamilton, janette marshall, gillian hogan, janine grieg, robyn stanseby, stephanie buchanan, janeen mccillough, wendy gray, elizabeth evans, mary staindl, barbara price, john rowe, jeff moore, stephen schneider, chris slater, peter hassell, errol elbourne, peter orford, keith mcdougall, terrance doran, robbie eastcott, gary oliver, david murphy, alex traianou, kim hatcher, steve albon, austin rickell, stuart tolliday, keith mcivor, bruce miller, ken jones, cheryl brown, ruth newall, michael d. edwards, norman lindsay

Walter Withers once lived at the corner of Bolton and Brougham Streets, Eltham. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p105 Walter Withers, one of Australia’s most famous artists, once lived in Southernwood, the weatherboard house at the corner of Bolton and Brougham Streets, Eltham. Withers, one of the first prominent artists to live in Eltham, was known for his lyrical paintings of the Australian bush and is associated with the Heidelberg School of artists. Withers was born in 1854 at Handsworth, Warwickshire, England, the grandson of an artist. He studied art at the Royal Academy of Arts, London. But in 1882 his father, opposing an artistic career for Withers, ordered him to go to Australia. However, after working as a jackaroo on several country properties for 18 months, Withers resumed painting in Melbourne, where he enrolled in evening art classes at the Melbourne National Gallery school of painting under G F Folingsby. Employed as a draughtsman by William Inglis & Co, then by Ferguson & Mitchell, lithographic printers, Withers produced portraits in black-and-white for several periodicals. His work was exhibited in the Old Academy, Melbourne. At this time he met and became life-long friends with artists Frederick McCubbin, Tom Roberts and Louis Abrahams. In 1887 Withers went to England and married Fanny Finn. They lived in Paris for awhile, where Withers studied at the Academie Julian. After his return to Melbourne in 1889, Withers lived at the artist camp at Eaglemont, then moved close to the Charterisville mansion, where he established a studio and sub-let cottages to other artists. Around 1892 Withers opened a Collins Street studio, had his first exhibition, and started giving painting classes. One of his pupils was Norman Lindsay, also to become a prominent artist. Withers had long been attracted to Eltham, but had to wait until 1903 to live there, after the railway line was extended to Eltham in 1902. He could then commute to the painting classes he gave in Melbourne. Withers lived on the two and a half acres (1.0ha) Bolton Street property with his wife and five children. They were joined for a short time by prominent painter Sir Hans Heyson who took lessons from Withers. Withers added a studio to the Queen Anne/Edwardian style seven-bedroom home, which had been built in 1891. Each bedroom included a fireplace and most rooms had 12 foot high (3.6m) ceilings. The house retains several fine leadlight windows. Withers painted his largest canvas The Return from the Harvest in 1905, at his Eltham studio. He is represented in national, state and regional galleries, and in many private collections in Australia and abroad. In 1904-05 Withers was president of the Victorian Artists’ Society. Withers at times stayed during the week at his studio in Oxford Chambers, Melbourne, and on weekends and holidays with his family at Eltham. Withers lived in Eltham until his death in 1914, aged 60 years. He had been plagued by rheumatism and in later life by heart and lung disease. It is said he died of a stroke peacefully in a rocking chair in front of the lounge-room fire. He is buried at St Helena in the St Katherine’s Anglican Church cemetery. In 1983, the auction of the house sparked fears that it would be pulled down, or substantially altered. Fortunately the new owners decided to retain the house. Some security was given to the house’s future when it was later included in the Heritage Overlay to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. The property is also important because it is one of only a few left in the district, which were once owned by noted artists. These include three in Warrandyte: one formerly owned by Penleigh Boyd, another by Frank Crozier, and the other by Danila Vassilieff; and two in Eltham: Percy Leason’s in Lavender Park Road and Justus Jörgensen’s Montsalvat. A small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets, Eltham is named in Walter Withers’ honour.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, bolton steet, brougham steet, eltham, southernwood, walter withers house

BHS CollectionBendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2002. Platform: staff members of the Bendigo railway station in 1916. Colin Norman Fraser was the station master. He eventually became station master of the Melbourne's Flinders and Spencer streets stations. Photo supplied by Mr Fraser's son-in-law, Norm Barkell. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Violet Street Primary School No. 877, was established in 1866 as the German Common School. It was designed by William Vahland who laid the foundation stone in February of that year. It was built by subscriptions from the local German community. In 1872 it combined with the McKenzie Street German School on the Violet Street site.Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from Wednesday, December 10, 2003. Days of yore: Violet Street primary school, Grade 6a, 1927. Front row: Jean Campbell, Beryl Bain, Gwen Lidner, Beatrice Michell, Edna Knight, Bev Liddell, Joyce Dumble, Elvia Jenkin, Ivy Albert, Janet Wilson, Thelma Opie. Second row: Josie Wittschiebe, Dorothy Roberts, Enid Austin, Rachel Greenshields, Lorna Bracher, Nellie Castley, Florrie Hall, Hilda Pearce, Mona Sharp, Beryl Pearce. Back row: ??, ??, Frank Jeffrey, Norman Perry, Vic Nacarrow, Herb Hesse, Jack Lynch, Horrie Stirton, Ken Challenger, Archie West, Ernie Williams, ??. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

sepia photograph mounted on boardnames supplied L-R -------- Miss Ahearne Miss Bessie Fisher ------ ------- Mr E. Clay Mr Eugene Fisher C. Norman Bill Summerfield K. Drury E. Hibberd J. Hatch Bob Spence Bill Tierney (cartman) Harry Fisher Mrs Elizabeth Fisher Miss May(drapery)shops businesses fisher's staff merbein pioneer store commercial street 1920

Single sided advertisement for private sale of residential allotments - undated, circa 1950s.Subdivisions include Mullum Mullum Road,Glen Cairn Avenue (Glencairn), Oban Road, and Norman Avenue (later Hugh Street). Agent - A.T. Miles & Son, 175 Main Street, Ringwood, Phone WU 6215.

Priscilla Nelson, born 1869, grew up at Happy Valley and married James Nelson (the second son of Robert Simeon Nelson and Mary Ann Dawe) in 1890. Priscilla and James had six children - James, Theophilus, Norman, Pearl, Mary and Violet. James established a carpentry/undertaking business on "Church Hill" in Linton (near the Presbyterian Church), but after his brother John Nelson died in 1900, he inherited the Nelson premises in Sussex Street which had been built by his father, and he moved his business and family to this location. This photograph shows Priscilla Nelson with her grandson Theo (son of Theophilus Nelson). The photograph is understood to have been taken in 1939. Priscilla Nelson died in 1941.Enlarged black and white copy of original photograph which has been mounted on white card. The photograph shows an older lady wearing a had and a coat with a fur trim. In one arm she is holding a young child and a handbag. She appears to be about to climb into a car, as her other hand is on the car's door handle.priscilla nelson (née gribble), theo nelson [b. 1939]