Part of a presentation, "Roads and Byways of the Shire of Eltham", by Russell Yeoman to the 12 September 1990 Society meeting. Slides shown included copies of old photos and recent images ranging from the suburban streets of Eltham and Montmorency to the mountain roads of Kinglake. In the byways category are views of some iof the Shire's bicycle paths including then recently completed sections of the Main Yarra Trail at Lower Plenty.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 37) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsinfrastructure, roads, research (vic.), eltham-yarra glen road

Part of a presentation, "Roads and Byways of the Shire of Eltham", by Russell Yeoman to the 12 September 1990 Society meeting. Slides shown included copies of old photos and recent images ranging from the suburban streets of Eltham and Montmorency to the mountain roads of Kinglake. In the byways category are views of some iof the Shire's bicycle paths including then recently completed sections of the Main Yarra Trail at Lower Plenty.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 37) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsinfrastructure, roads, catherine court, eltham

Part of a presentation, "Roads and Byways of the Shire of Eltham", by Russell Yeoman to the 12 September 1990 Society meeting. Slides shown included copies of old photos and recent images ranging from the suburban streets of Eltham and Montmorency to the mountain roads of Kinglake. In the byways category are views of some iof the Shire's bicycle paths including then recently completed sections of the Main Yarra Trail at Lower Plenty.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 37) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsinfrastructure, roads, catherine court, eltham

Compiled by the Geological Survey of N.S.W., Division of Regional Geology. Topographical base compiled from Snowy Mountains Hydro Electrical Authority, Department of Lands, County maps and Snowy Lease Map. Other sheet adjoin this map. There are 13 formation sections grouped into 9 - Quaternary, Tertiary, Middle Devonian, Lower to Middle Devonian, Lower Devonian, Upper Silurian, Silurian, Upper Ordovician and Ordovician.Large coloured map showing geological features, faults, bores, rivers and mineral deposits.Scale of map, longitude and latitude, river names. "Tallangatta 1:250,00" written in black pen.tallangatta, new south wales, geological survey, topographical base, snowy mountains hydro electrical authority, department of lands, snowy lease map, department of mines, quaternary, tertiary, middle devonian, lower to middle devonian, lower devonian, uper siluran, silurian, upper ordovician, ordovician

Legacy have many programs to send junior legatees on activities and outings. A trip to the snow was organised many times over the years. Here a group of junior legatees enjoy themselves on skis in the snow. It was a nordic skiing weekend at Lake Mountain outside Marysville in August 1987. It was used in the Annual Report the photo and identified three Junior Legatees: Jim Fraser, Kim Langlake and Andrew McCurry.A record of a Legacy providing amazing experiences for the junior legatees that they might never have done because of the deaths of their fathers.Colour photo of Junior Legatees skiing in 1987.junior legatee outing, skiing, lake mountain

A foldout flyer promoting activities and programs to be offered by the Falls Creek Ski School in 1997. Falls Creek Ski School is described as "one of Australia's best, with highly qualified instructors for all disciplines. Combined with that, the mountain's terrain is hailed for its quality and variety as a teaching environment. Rapid improvement for accomplished skiers and unbelievable accomplishments for first timers - that's what lessons are all about."This item is important because it documents seasonal activities at Falls Creek Alpine Resort across all age groups.A glossy booklet featuring images and information about programs to be offered at Falls Creek in the 1997 winter season. The front cover features a photo of ski lesson in progress with five skiers and an instructor.On Cover: Ski School 1997falls creek marketing, falls creek ski school, falls creek activities

Mt Beauty High School commenced in 1953 as a Higher Elementary school as the need for a secondary college grew with the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. It became the Mt Beauty High School in 1964. The blazer was part of the winter uniform.Historical: Education in Mt Beauty commenced relatively late so there was less of a tradition The decision to adopt a uniform is of interest to compare with other schools and the times.Dark green blazer made from pure wool flannel. Size 38. with 3 green buttons down the front left side where the edge meets the right side (no overlap). ! pocket bottom right and bottom left sides. 1 on top left side. Top left pocket has coloured school emblem embossed on as part of the pocket. Long sleeves lined with white cotton. On inside of top pocket is make of blazer with 'J. Nelson' sewn on. inside middle back of collar a small label of maker.Outside left pocket: 'High School' above picture of mountains and river and below 'Mount Beauty.' Inside left pocket. Pinehurst / Blazer/ 'J. Nelson' sewn over (what might be Made by / Stamina / The "Doctor" pure Wool Flannel & tag 38. On middle inside at collar: Stamina / Productionuniform. school uniform. mt beauty. education. clothing. wool. mt beauty high school., blazer

We have little knowledge on this little teapot but is an item of interest and could even be part of a child’s tea set, based on its size. The hand painting on the pot is quite a typical depiction of Japanese scenes from the 19th century. We could find no provenance belonging to this item but it is an interesting and pleasing item suitable for display.Small white china teapot with lid and Japanese scene on both sides with trees and mountains in the background and village houses in the foreground. It is painted in greens, browns and blue and the painting is outlined in a slightly raised style. The trees in the background have raised white dots of paint. The front scene has two ladies and another person in a boat. The lid also has a similar scene. The lid, handle and rim of the spout are all highlighted in dark green.warrnambool, warrnambool history, teapot, asian teapot

The book is an abbreviated history of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.This book summarises the stages of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme from its conception in 1911 through to 1961. The newspaper cutting gives additional information about Rocky Valley Dam.Yellow cardboard book with front cover of black writing and sketch of power lines and spillway in the mountains. 2 staples are covered along the spine with tape. There are 22 pages. 2 copies Inside one copy there is a newspaper cutting entitled "Main Dam in Kiewa Scheme Finished" and later published pages of 1. Floras of Bogong 2. Geology of Kiewa Area 3. Fauna and 4. 'Brief history of the Kiewa Scheme. An abbreviated History of the SchemeOn the newspaper cutting hand written "Burnett 1959 Later than May."kiewa hydro electric scheme. mt beauty. dederang. bogong. mckay creek power station. west kiewa power station. clover power station. secv. rocky valley dam. flora. fauna. geology.

The bowling green at Halls Gap.This photo is of a bowling green with a mountain range in the background. The green has a low wooden slat fence. There is a sign (" Notice, Bowling Green, Fee 2/-, Pay at Cafe, Bowls Supplied") over a wrought iron & mesh gate. A man and two children stand inside the fence to the right of the gate. A shelter can be seen at the rear of the green. The edge of a house and outbuildings can be seen on the right. A cleared area and footpath can be seen in the foreground.recreation, sport

Walkabout magazine Australia's way of life magazine. February 1969, price 40 cents. On the cover Australia's film makers, the art of the Boyds. The photo on the cover captures the dedication and concentration of Australia's film makers. Contents: Mail bag - Publisher's column - Two thousand weeks - journey to a lonely mountain - Those brilliant Boyds - Maldon, a museum piece - Our changing language - A paradox of geese - Above Barron waters - On the move - Book reviews.book, magazine, travel

For generations, Bushells Coffee has been a part of everyday Australian life. It is an iconic household brand name that generations of families have grown up enjoying. These tea and coffee tins or caddies were commonly purchased from suppliers selling the well-known products of Bushels or Robur. The empty tins would have been used for storing other foods, household or farming items.A badly damaged square, Bushells Ltd 'Barley' tea canister or tea caddy with a rusted on lid and faded mountain scenes depicted around the four sides of the tin. There is indecipherable print at the bottom of each side, however, some details can be read - No. 144 (of a series) Net 1lb. Weight and other words not clearly read. The lid has a picture of the Bushells man with a long beard. This canister is from c.1920's and is very rare. There is indecipherable print at the bottom of each side, however, some details can be read - No. 144 (of a series) Net 1lb. Weight and other words not clearly read. The lid has a picture of the Bushells man with a long beard. The pictures on each side are very worn, but are of a female tea picker in traditional clothing working on a mountainside, standing near a shed with a cow and another one of her standing near an ox driven cart. metal, tea caddies, tea accessories, containers, food containers

Leaflet dropped from German aircraft on to troops of the Royal army in Crete in May - June 1941 The propaganda leaflets were designed to lower moral of defending troops.Printed LeafletPrinted on leaflet “Soldiers of the ROYAL BRITISH ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE! There are MANY OF YOU STILL HIDING in the mountains, valleys and villages. You have to PRESENT yourself AT ONCE TO THE GERMAN TROOPS. Every opposition will be completely USELESS. Every ATTEMPT TO FLEE will be in vain. The COMING WINTER will force you to leave the mountains. Only soldiers, who present themselves AT ONCE will be sure of a HONOURABLE AND SOLDIERLIKE CAPTIVITY OF WAR. On the cntrary who is met in civil-clothes will be treated as a spy. THE COMMANDER OF CRETE On the reverse side of the leaflet is writing in the Greek language and also writing in English indicating that the leaflet was issued by the “GERMAN HIGH COMMAND OF CRETE”, MAY - JUNE 1941world war two, leaflet, propaganda, air drop

In the mid to late 1930’s survey outposts were established to plot the early stages of the Kiewa Hydro Electric System for the SECV in the Bogong High Plains. Before any roads were built, the old cattleman’s tracks were used with packhorses to deliver supplies, wages and mail and collect timesheets and correspondence from the workmen and dam builders living in canvas tents and at the outlying survey posts. The trip up the mountain was long and hard and dangerous for both horse and man Most of the men of the survey teams were not bush-men and were often ill equipped for the harsh weather and living conditions of bush camping, often arriving in their city clothes ready for work. The tent city at Bogong was destroyed by bush fires in 1939 after which an access road was built from Mt Beauty to transport building materials for more permanent dwellings for workmen. Pack horses continued to be used for transporting goods etc. to workers further up the mountain.Without the work of horsemen and their pack horses providing supplies and communications for outlying outposts, surveying and early planning for the Kiewa Valley Hydro Electric scheme could not have gone ahead and the dams and power stations which support the system could not have been constructed. The Hydro-electric scheme, and the workers who planned and built it play a major part in the early history of the Kiewa Valley and many original families still remain living, or have ties with the local area.: Set of 21 black and white photographs and copies of photographs depicting the pack horses and the men who handled them, transporting supplies and correspondence to the outlying camps and survey posts in the Bogong High Plains, via the rough cattlemen’s tracks. Photographs also show the early tent camps of the workers. Some photos mounted on A4 white paper. Some photos enlarged to A3 poster size for display1. Handwritten on back – Max Lawrence 2. -8 No inscriptions 9. Handwritten on back- Packing in supplies for early workers of the Kiewa Hydro scheme. There were no roads in the early days of the scheme 10. Printed on bottom of photo- Roper’s cattle on road below Howman’s Gap 11. Handwritten on back – Roper’s et al about to leave for the high plains 12. Printed under photo- Syd Ryder at the Pretty Valley Cut-Out (JBR) 13-16. No markings 17. Printed under photo- Gwen Talbot visits the Camp area. 1937 18. Handwritten on back- 14/1 Barbara Talbot 19. No markings 20-21. No markings 22. Printed under photo- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA. Date: 15-3-45 Time: 8.0pm No: K 1838 Kiewa Hydro-Electric Works, Investigations 1944-1945 – Survey Camp at Young’s Hut pack horses; bogong high plains; survey posts; supplies delivery

Stephen Wickham is an Australian photographer and painter who has been actively exhibiting his works since the 1980s. A long standing preoccupation with Mt Buffalo since the 1980's has seen the artist produce a number of photographic suites and exhibitions that have been likened to German Romantic iconography and associated heavily with the European migrant experience (Robert Nelson, The Age 16 June 2001). Born to Viennese parents, hiking in the mountains for Wickham represents a traditional European family pastime. This series of work is comprised of expeditionary photographs taken between 1980 and 1985. Charles Green describes Wickham's landscape photographs as sublime, transcendental, spiritual and symbolic (Art in Australia Spring 1988). Set in Victoria’s Mount Buffalo National Park, the Mount Buffalo series captures the mountain plateau during winter. Rather than focusing on a lush green landscape, Wickham presents the viewer with close-ups of the snow-covered flaura and fauna of the alpine region.Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Miriam Kenter in memory of Master George Willibrord Kenter

Stephen Wickham is an Australian photographer and painter who has been actively exhibiting his works since the 1980s. A long standing preoccupation with Mt Buffalo since the 1980's has seen the artist produce a number of photographic suites and exhibitions that have been likened to German Romantic iconography and associated heavily with the European migrant experience (Robert Nelson, The Age 16 June 2001). Born to Viennese parents, hiking in the mountains for Wickham represents a traditional European family pastime. This series of work is comprised of expeditionary photographs taken between 1980 and 1985. Charles Green describes Wickham's landscape photographs as sublime, transcendental, spiritual and symbolic (Art in Australia Spring 1988). Set in Victoria’s Mount Buffalo National Park, the Mount Buffalo series captures the mountain plateau during winter. Rather than focusing on a lush green landscape, Wickham presents the viewer with close-ups of the snow-covered flaura and fauna of the alpine region.Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Miriam Kenter in memory of Master George Willibrord Kenter

Stephen Wickham is an Australian photographer and painter who has been actively exhibiting his works since the 1980s. A long standing preoccupation with Mt Buffalo since the 1980's has seen the artist produce a number of photographic suites and exhibitions that have been likened to German Romantic iconography and associated heavily with the European migrant experience (Robert Nelson, The Age 16 June 2001). Born to Viennese parents, hiking in the mountains for Wickham represents a traditional European family pastime. This series of work is comprised of expeditionary photographs taken between 1980 and 1985. Charles Green describes Wickham's landscape photographs as sublime, transcendental, spiritual and symbolic (Art in Australia Spring 1988). Set in Victoria’s Mount Buffalo National Park, the Mount Buffalo series captures the mountain plateau during winter. Rather than focusing on a lush green landscape, Wickham presents the viewer with close-ups of the snow-covered flaura and fauna of the alpine region.Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Miriam Kenter in memory of Master George Willibrord Kenter

Stephen Wickham is an Australian photographer and painter who has been actively exhibiting his works since the 1980s. A long standing preoccupation with Mt Buffalo since the 1980's has seen the artist produce a number of photographic suites and exhibitions that have been likened to German Romantic iconography and associated heavily with the European migrant experience (Robert Nelson, The Age 16 June 2001). Born to Viennese parents, hiking in the mountains for Wickham represents a traditional European family pastime. This series of work is comprised of expeditionary photographs taken between 1980 and 1985. Charles Green describes Wickham's landscape photographs as sublime, transcendental, spiritual and symbolic (Art in Australia Spring 1988). Set in Victoria’s Mount Buffalo National Park, the Mount Buffalo series captures the mountain plateau during winter. Rather than focusing on a lush green landscape, Wickham presents the viewer with close-ups of the snow-covered flaura and fauna of the alpine region.Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Miriam Kenter in memory of Master George Willibrord Kenter

Stephen Wickham is an Australian photographer and painter who has been actively exhibiting his works since the 1980s. A long standing preoccupation with Mt Buffalo since the 1980's has seen the artist produce a number of photographic suites and exhibitions that have been likened to German Romantic iconography and associated heavily with the European migrant experience (Robert Nelson, The Age 16 June 2001). Born to Viennese parents, hiking in the mountains for Wickham represents a traditional European family pastime. This series of work is comprised of expeditionary photographs taken between 1980 and 1985. Charles Green describes Wickham's landscape photographs as sublime, transcendental, spiritual and symbolic (Art in Australia Spring 1988). Set in Victoria’s Mount Buffalo National Park, the Mount Buffalo series captures the mountain plateau during winter. Rather than focusing on a lush green landscape, Wickham presents the viewer with close-ups of the snow-covered flaura and fauna of the alpine region.Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Miriam Kenter in memory of Master George Willibrord Kenter

Stephen Wickham is an Australian photographer and painter who has been actively exhibiting his works since the 1980s. A long standing preoccupation with Mt Buffalo since the 1980's has seen the artist produce a number of photographic suites and exhibitions that have been likened to German Romantic iconography and associated heavily with the European migrant experience (Robert Nelson, The Age 16 June 2001). Born to Viennese parents, hiking in the mountains for Wickham represents a traditional European family pastime. This series of work is comprised of expeditionary photographs taken between 1980 and 1985. Charles Green describes Wickham's landscape photographs as sublime, transcendental, spiritual and symbolic (Art in Australia Spring 1988). Set in Victoria’s Mount Buffalo National Park, the Mount Buffalo series captures the mountain plateau during winter. Rather than focusing on a lush green landscape, Wickham presents the viewer with close-ups of the snow-covered flaura and fauna of the alpine region.Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Miriam Kenter in memory of Master George Willibrord Kenter

Stephen Wickham is an Australian photographer and painter who has been actively exhibiting his works since the 1980s. A long standing preoccupation with Mt Buffalo since the 1980's has seen the artist produce a number of photographic suites and exhibitions that have been likened to German Romantic iconography and associated heavily with the European migrant experience (Robert Nelson, The Age 16 June 2001). Born to Viennese parents, hiking in the mountains for Wickham represents a traditional European family pastime. This series of work is comprised of expeditionary photographs taken between 1980 and 1985. Charles Green describes Wickham's landscape photographs as sublime, transcendental, spiritual and symbolic (Art in Australia Spring 1988). Set in Victoria’s Mount Buffalo National Park, the Mount Buffalo series captures the mountain plateau during winter. Rather than focusing on a lush green landscape, Wickham presents the viewer with close-ups of the snow-covered flaura and fauna of the alpine region.Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Miriam Kenter in memory of Master George Willibrord Kenter

After World War II, the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme was started in the Kiewa River Valley by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. On land previously used only for summer cattle grazing in the natural alpine grasslands, the first ski lodge was built in 1948 by workers from the hydro scheme as skiing was a popular recreation. Many of the hydro employees were of European background and had grown up enjoying skiing and snow sports in their homelands and were keen to continue to pursue their winter sports interests. The first lift, a rope tow, was built at Falls Creek in 1951 and the first chairlift in Australia was constructed there in 1957. Two T-Bars were opened in 1961. In 1964, the Victorian Municipal Directory recorded that Falls Creek had 29 ski club lodges and 16 commercial lodges. The area became a popular tourist destination for both winter and summer sports.Employees of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in the Kiewa River Valley were the earliest skiers on the Bogong High Plains and built one of the first ski lodges at Falls Creek. They were amongst those pivotal in the development of the skiing and tourist industry at Falls Creek and on the Bogong High Plains. Black and white photographs of varying sizes mounted decoratively on heavy black Card. Some pages display a brief description printed in white ink 1. 4 photographs- displayed diagonally across page. 2 pictures of a group of men standing in the snow in front of a car with a loaded trailer behind. 1 photo of skiers. 1 photo of show hanging in tree branches. 2. 2 photographs- showing Upper Kiewa Road with snow in the background 3. 3 photographs- of skiers and 1 photo of 2 of men posing in the snow & 1 photo of 2 men posing shirtless in warmer weather. 4. 2 photographs- arranged diagonally on page showing early buildings and construction at Bogong Village 5. 2 photographs- 1 showing view of Bogong Village from higher up the mountain. 1 showing early Bogong High Plains road 6. 1 photograph- showing view down along Kiewa Valley from higher up in the mountains 1. Handwritten in white ink – A TRIP TO THE PLAINS 2. Handwritten in white ink – UPPER KIEWA ROAD MT FAINTER IN BACKGROUND 3 – 6. No markings bogong village; upper kiewa road; bogong high plains; falls creek; skiers

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.The space on the left was storage space for machinery for the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. A special train was used to cart wide loads such as turbines, and trucks were made for widening when required. Equipment was loaded onto trains t the docks in Melbourne. Cudgewa Line -The Cudgewa railway line opened in stages between 1889 and 1921. The first section from Wodonga to Huon opened on 10 September 1889. It was extended to Bolga on 18 July 1890, Tallangatta on 24 July 1891, Shelley on 13 June 1916 (the highest station in Victoria), Beetomba on 10 April 1919 and Cudgewa on 5 May 1921. In 1919, the line was used to carry materials for the construction of Hume Weir, and three years later a spur line connecting Ebden to the weir was opened. In the 1960s, Cudgewa became the railhead of materials for the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The last passenger service from Wodonga to Tallangatta ran on 30 September 1961 The turntable and passenger platform at Cudgewa were abolished in 1976.railways wodonga, fred rochow, cudgewa station, snowy mountains hydro electric scheme

A History of the Pioneer ToursBlue card cover with outline of Australia with a car insideYellow Print: Pioneer Tours White Print: Australia's Oldest name in the Coach Industry Vivienne R Worthington No Mountain too high, No road to Far Inside: Presented with Thanks to Stawell Historical Society Inc, for their research which helped me write this book. Best Wishes Vivienne Worthington 2010stawell transport, tourism

The lake is of mixed glacial and tectonic origin. It is 2,120 m (6,960 ft) long and 1,380 m (4,530 ft) wide, with a maximum depth of 29.5 m (97 ft), and it has a small island. The lake lies in a picturesque environment, surrounded by mountains and forests. Medieval Bled Castle stands above the lake on the north shore. The World Rowing Championships in 1966, 1979, 1989, and 2011 were held at Lake Bled.Colour photograph of Lake Bled.lake bled

Mrs Eliza Jeeves, wife of Ellis Jeeves, standing in the garden outside the Mountjoy Guest House in Kalorama. Eliza was one of six daughters of Thomas Hand and Eliza Hand, (nee Erith) who owned the Mountain Grange property. Eliza and Ellis ran the Mountjoy Guest House from 1908 and Eliza ran it alone after Ellis's death in a buggy accident in 1921 until just before her death in 1943. Black and white photograph of woman standing in garden outside a house with the balcony rails visible.ellis jeeves, erith hand, mountjoy, eliza jeeves, eliza hand

Legacy had many programs to send young legatees on activities and outings. A trip to the snow was organised many times over the years. Here a group of junior legatees at the snow, it is possibly 1988 as it was with other photos from about that date. The second photos shows an information board from Stevensons' Falls which is in Marysville. So the ski field is probably Lake Mountain. Photos were in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1987 to 1991.A record of a Legacy providing amazing experiences for the junior legatees that they might never have done because of the deaths of their fathers.Colour photo x 2 of Junior Legatees on a ski trip.junior legatee outing, activities, skiing

The chinese called the rich goldfields in the heart of Victoria Dai Gum San, Big Gold Mountain. A place of untold wealth and promise. Today Dai Gum San is a rich Chinese Cultural Centre and Chinese precinct in the centre of Bendigo which links the Golden Dragon Museum with the Yi Yuan Gardens and Kuan Yin Temple. The gardens are a place of peace and beauty and the Kuan Yin Temple is a stunning home for the goddess of compassion.Squarish piece of quartz with printed plaque attached to front face. Dai gum san / In appreciation of your contribution / to the development of the / Bendigo Chinese Precinct / August 2010dai gum san, bendigo chinese dragon, golden dragon museum, city of greater bendigo heritage attractions

Large families were the norm, rather than the exception up to the time of the World wars. perhaps the senseless destruction of those young lives sickened humanity- perhaps the increased taxes and cost of living resulting from the wars caused a necessary reduction in family size. Perhaps the independence won by women as they carried on their daily lives without their men, made mothers say, "Enough" The Warren family farmed the fertile Fyans Creek flats in the Grampian Mountains of Western Victoria. Some say Halls Gap was so named because the bushranger Hall holed up there in the early days. The rugged slopes and hidden gullies could have hidden a whole gang of bushrangers, but little remained undiscovered to a wandering family of 12 children growing up with their flocks and herds grazing the ranges. A tired rider could nod off, safe in the knowledge a trusty stockhorse would plod steadily homeward into the night. Responsibility quickly made youngsters capable and reliable. Then Australia went to war. There were three older brothers, then the girls, then young Frank. All the men went, including Frank. So the girls had to run the farm alone. Their mother had her hands full with the youngsters, still attending school, a daily walk over the mountain to Pomonal and return. But the loss of the men's casual wages from timber cutting and labouring jobs, meant great hardship is some method of earning a cash income had to be devised. Paying guests! That was it. So Myrtle Bank Guest House was born. City folk flocked to the mountain resort. High stepping mountain horses met them at the Stawell raid-head, with the tall and beautiful Warren girls driving them in experienced fashion, their auburn hair sometimes falling from its pins to fly free, as the dray bowled along towards the hills. The would hitch up their skirts to saw and chop wood for the stoves and fires. They milked cows and delivered calves. They shore sheep and trimmed their feet. They mustered their cattle as the seasons rolled by, and the paying guests watched and participated, fascinated. With laughter and song, the girls would wash up in a tin dish, throw on their house clothes to wait on table, sing and play piano, violin, accordion, enjoying the talk of the city and that other world so far away from their mountain home. The simple country menu was a hit, and the homemade bread, butter, jams and preserves, fruit and vegetables sent guests staggering to their armchairs. Picnics, hikes, goodbyes and welcomes blurred as the years of the war dragged by. Bookings were made and remade as the new enterprise became established. Peace was declared. the men returned A whole new building rose with two floors, inviting verandahs and bathrooms. Myrtle Bank would remain a family business all its lifetime, until buried below the Bellfield Dam, by which time more than one the girls had joined their beloved Frank, lost on Flanders Field. Article in book or magazine describing life at Myrtlebank during war years Other article written from letter from soldier P Lillis to his sister 3rd article of woman from country enlisting in WAAF Submitted by Carol of Bannockburn, Submitted by D Langley Submitted by Meryl of South Frankstonaccommodation, myrtlebank, people, warren