At its peak the Colac-Beech Forest-Crowes railway employed more than 21 staff tending the lines that the trains ran over. Gangers (the men in charge of the track gangs) tended to be promoted into the Otways but many of their subordinate repairers were local recruits. A few of the men who worked on the original construction gangs of 1900-02 remained and obtained positions in the track gangs along the line, but these eased out over time. The track was maintained by seven three-man gangs based at Colac, Barongarook, Gellibrand, Banool, Beech Forest (where the second Beech Forest crew was based at Wyelangta), and Lavers Hill.Track gang on an NK wagon at Beech Forest, c.1940. Snow covers the ground. B/W.colac; beech forest; crowes; railway; track gangs;

The Webster family disembarking from a 7 NB passenger carriage at Laver's Hill in c.1920. B/W. lavers hill; colac; beech forest; railways;

Mrs Mabel Olive Hobson (nee Nichols, b. 1895), owner of Cavan House, a guest house, in Lavers Hill, was a valuable community member who did a lot around district. When she died in Colac in 1957 a memorial collection plate inscribed with her details was given to the Presbyterian Church in Lavers Hill. The Church was built in the early 1900s.Wooden circular bowl, two lips around the outer edge, with red felt in centre, 54mm steel inscription. On verso, raised lip with red felt insert in centre. "In Loving Memory of Mrs Mable Hobson November 12th 1957"lavers hill; presbyterian church; mabel hobson;

Because there was no Church of England in Lavers Hill, in the early 1920s Christopher Webster made this Otway timber Cross for Anglican services to be held in the Presbyterian Church.Otway timberchristopher webster, presbyterian church, church of england, lavers hill, otway

B/W. In c.1920 at Lavers Hill, the Webster sisters and friends separated by the mother, with a man in behind. An NA engine and van on the right.lavers hill; railway;

Opened with the line as Bunding its name was changed to Wimba in November 1902 and remained as this until the line closed. The line was briefly flatish at this point until climbing more than 1000 feet to Beech Forest, so a water tank was placed on the side of a hill about 100 metres south of the station. Loco 14A takes water at this tank.B/W. Locomotive 14A, NU louvred van, and others, take water at Wimba in c.1961. Water tank top right.wimba; railway; loco 14a;

J.D. (Jack) Skinner of Chapple Vale was the founder of the Otway Tennis Association. He became President and was later awarded Life Membership of the Association. He recognised the need for an award for junior tennis and instituted this trophy to be awarded from 1962.J.D. Skinner Tennis Trophy, Otway Junior Association. Pitcher-shaped EPNS on top, bakelite bottom, seven shields inscribed with names of winning teams 1962-1988.1962-63 Wyelangta 1963-64 Ferguson 1964-65 Wyelangta 1965-66 Wyelangta 1971-72 Carlisle River 1972-73 Beech Forest 1973-74 Beech Forest 1974-75 Wyelangta 1975-76 Wyelangta 1976-77 Lavers Hill 1977-78 Carlisle River 1979-80 Lavers Hill 1980-81 Lavers Hill 1981-82 Carlisle River 1982-83 Wyelangta 1983-84 Ferguson 1984-85 Wyelangta 1985-86 Wyelangta 1986-87 Johanna White 1987-88 Fergusonj.d. skinner; tennis; trophy; otway junior association;

The 1919 bushfire was the worst the area suffered. The fire struck on Saturday afternoon on the 15th February. It destroyed the station at Lavers Hill and Crowes, departmental residences at Lavers Hill and Weeaproinah, the overhead bridges at Beech Forest and Wimba, and damaged the track at various points along the line so that two locomotives became temporarily marooned at Beech Forest.. By the following Tuesday a daily fire relief train had begun operation. By the following Sunday a special train loaded with army tents travelled through to Lavers Hill and deposited most of its consignment there because little remained of this sizeable settlement. An outsider would have had difficulty in picking the place. The letters of the Lavers Hill station nameboard had been burnt although the metal letters survived, and one of the local wags had rearranged them to read "LIARS HELL". By the 1920s water trains were being used to help fight fires, a simple NQR open wagon loaded with the standard 1500 litre square iron water tank.B/W. Crowes station sign, the remains of a chimney, galvanised iron sheet and a water tank, and two men gazing at the camera. Note in the background the clear felling of the timber.crowes; lavers hill; beech forest; weeaproinah; wimba; railways; bushfire;

Commercial realities and bushfires caused the Beech Forest community to re-establish itself around the railway station, away from Gardner Hill. This caused John W. Gardner to subdivide his land on the north side of the railway station. One subdivision was created near the Ditchley railway station on the old racecourse site, and another of 25 allotments forming what became Southorn Street. There were very few takers for these lots nor any buyers for the Ditchley subdivision.Photocopy. 260mm x 159mm. An advertisement for the sale of the Ditchley Park Estate, Beech Forest. Under instructions from Mr. J.W. Gardner Dalgety & Co. Ltd. will sell the subdivision of the Ditchley Park Estate on Tuesday, March 30, 1909, at 2 o'clock. A map of Beech Forest township and the Ditchley Park Estate is attached, as are the terms of sale and a description of the area.. beech forest; ditchley park; land sale; advertisment;

Lavers Hill General Store, or more usually, Hampshire's Store, was owned initially for two years by Hampshire and Hutley, and then for 17 years by Mr and Mrs P. Hampshire (senior) who serviced the area including during the Depression. On their retirement their son, Percy, went into partnership with Leo Brauer for four years, and then ran it with his wife, Nea, for a further eight years until the store burnt down. The Store was a placed where the community congregated. It was a place where people met or waited for the train or the Cream Bus or the Mail Bus. Inside it was a place where you could buy groceries, fruit and vegetables, footwear, petrol, and so on. It was a place where children could buy a big stick of licorice for a halfpenny or 3d. worth of broken biscuits. Blackwood Gully Tea Rooms now stands in its place. B/W. Laver's Hill General Store, c.1945, with petrol bowser and sedan outside, and the level crossing to the right and the level crossing sign midfield.lavers hill; general store; railways; petrol bowser; hampshire; hutley; leo brauer;

Wimba station is 37.3 km south of Colac. This station, originally called "Bunding", opened with the line in in March, 1902, as an unnamed stopping place. It was renamed "Wimba" on 17 November, 1902. A water tank for locomotive requirements was placed on the side of a hill about 100 metres south of the station. Wimba was not provided with a loop siding but had a passenger shelter until 1936 when the roads took over. A sheep race was provided near the passenger shelter. The station closed with the line.B/W. An UP goods train loaded with pulp wood on NQR wagons and two NC guard's vans taking water at Wimba tank on 8 January 1958. wimba; railways;

The Lavers Hill Hotel was established in about 1906. The publicans were Messrs. Hedley, Tom McGrath, Pat Harrington and F. Betteridge. When Tom McGrath was publican the hotel boasted 20 rooms and first-class stabling. Pat Harrington when publican supported the local football club when it was formed, and soon after owned the General Store from 1924 until 1926. When a census officer collecting statistical information asked Mrs Harrington, "What does your husband do?" the answer quickly came, "Well now, what could you say Pat has ever done." The hotel burnt done in 1930.B/W. Harrington's Laver Hill Hotel, with one woman approaching the hotel from the left and three people on a very long, two-dimension veranda.lavers hill; hotel;

A bite on the Beechy. Norman Houghton. Norman Houghton; Geelong (Vic); c.2011. 7 p.; refs. Paper.beech forest; colac; railways; gellibrand; wyelangta; lavers hill; crowes;

Lavers Hill Cheese Factory operated from 1906 until about August 1913. It consisted of a factory and a residence, with the managers B. Philbrick, D. McRae and D. McDonald. The ledger, covering the period 1910 until 1913 when the factory closed, deals with cheese sales, local sales, milk purchases and journal entries for this period, as well as wages, cartage and other operating expenditure. The Lavers Hill Cheese Factory closed when it became more advantageous to send their cream into Colac. Ledger. Lavers Hill Cheese Factory, 1910-1913.Loose leaf: Lavers Hill Cheese Factory; Purchases Butterfat, 1910-11; contents; Manufacturing A/c.lavers hill; cheese; factory; butter;

Otway Tennis Assn, B Section, tennis trophy. Cup-shaped EPNS with handles, bakelite base, with one rectangular plate and three shield plates with the names of winning teams from 1963 until 1991/92.;1963 Beech Forest 1964 Ferguson 1975 Beech Forest 1976 Beech Forest 1977 Beech Forest 1980 Carlisle River 1981 Carlisle River 1982 Lavers Hill 1982/83 Carlisle River 1983/84 Ferguson 1984/85 Lavers Hill 1985/86 Carlisle River 1986/87 Wyelangta 1987/88 Carlisle River 1990/91 Lavers Hill Green 1991/92 Weeaproinahtennis; trophy; otway tennis association;

Trophy. Otway Tennis Association, B Grade Junior Premiers. An EPAINS lidded-cup with handles on a round bakelite base, with the names of winning teams from 1963/64, 1975/76, and 1982/83 to 1987/88 inclusive.1963/64 Beech Forest B 1975/76 Lavers Hill 1982/83 Johanna 1983/84 Carlisle River 1984/85 Lavers Hill 1985/86 Lavers Hill 1986/87 Wyelangtatennis, otway tennis association, lavers hill, beech forest, johanna, carlisle river, wyelangta

Wimba station opened with the line in March 1902 as an unnamed stopping place, and a water tank for locomotive requirements was placed on the side of a hill about 100 metres south of the station. Locos bound for Beech Forest stopped at the passenger shelter at the station, uncoupled, and moved forward to the water tank. Goods were loaded and unloaded during this pause. The station and the tank closed with the line.B/W. Engine 14A, an NUU louvre van and an NC guard's van at the Wimba Tank, with fireman L. Moore on the roof of the cabin running water into the engine's tank. The guard returns to his van.wimba; railways; water tank;

The official opening of the Colac-Beech Forest railway took place on Wednesday, 26th February, 1902. On a typical Beech Forest wet day the train halted at the bottom of Gardner Hill for the opening party led by the State Governor, Sir George Sydenham Clarke, to walk up to the Ditchley Park Hotel for the official banquet in the adjoining hall. The menu of four courses plus coffee was assembed by the caterer, Chas. D. Straker. The toast list was led as usual by a toast to the King, followed by 18 toasts concluded by the Acting Commissioner of Railways.B/W. The menu and toast list at the opening of the Colac-Beech Forest Railway on Wednesday, 26th February, 1902, at Beech Forest. 128mm x 264mm actual

This booklet is an incomplete collection of family histories of the early days of Lavers Hill and District. A short history of the Lavers Hill Hall building is also provived.Early Otway residents. Lavers Hill Hall Committee. Lavers Hill Hall Committee; Lavers Hill (Vic); 1989. ii, 36 p. Soft cover.

The terminus of the railway, and the southern-most station on the Australian mainland, was Crowes, approximately 2 kilometres from Lavers Hill. The line ended at "The Black Stump". Crowes was designed as a fully functioning terminus and received a complete instalment of facilities. The site was laid out with three roads plus a dead end siding for a locomotive shed and ash pit. Goods sheds, a platform and livestock ramps catered for freight loadings, while on the north side was a station office, waiting room, parcels shed and passenger shelter. Three departmental residences were also provided. The resident Station Master was withdrawn in November 1916 and the station closed with the line on 10 December 1954.Photograph. Terminus of the Colac-Crowes at Crowes.crowes; terminus; "the black stump";

Hilda Hill Collection.Series of Black & White Photos Hill Family & Friends Total 5 Photos. Clem & Jim out bush, both boys are wearing dark coloured shorts and long socks boy on left has white stripes at top of the socks with braces white shirts bottom right corner shows a piece of barb fence wire. 'Babe' Noonan contemplating hatless and wearing a white dress and dark stockings, Bill Hill (lady) by lake wears round top hat with the front brim turned up white dress highlights on the lapels black belt with a black bag attached columbine pattern on her stockings standing on dam bank background is forested area. Family Group 'The Push' made up of 7 young ladies and 4 boys one of which wears a hat one girl is dressed in black all others are in white on girl is wearing a hat with another on the ground beside her girl front right has a s part black bag hanging around her neck. Hilda Hill on 2 steel wheeled apparatus with long shaft at the front being held by a man dressed in grey suit with white shirt and dark tie another man is standing rear right of the girl also wearing grey suit white shirt and dark tie, Mid left side shows a heavy wheeled cart loaded with full bags at Summer Hill March 8, 1925. rear background has large willow tree, right background shows corner of large shed and haystack Also noted in pencil -At The Pines 1919. There is also a photo of two ladies facing the camera both wearing hats one light and the other dark colours lady on left is wearing dark jacket over a white dress lady on right wearing white dress and long tress forward over her shoulder two other ladies have their backs to the camera both wearing white one has black sash at her waist and head coverings, The venue appears to be a large dam and background shows far shore and bushland.Hilda Hill Personal Collectionaustralia, history, post war life

4 page A4 printed document. Achievements of Peter Ellis (for consideration for the Order of Australia) Peter is regarded as one of the leading collectors and presenters of traditional dance tunes, dances and musical instruments in Australia. At the 2005 National Folk Festival it was announced by Robyn Holmes that he has the largest selection of dance related material collected in the National Library Archives in Canberra. Peter has been collecting for many years and has collected with the late John Meredith (AM), Shirley Andrews (AM), Rob Willis and Dave Di Santi amongst others. Peter has literally travelled Australia collecting over the past thirty years. He has extensive field recordings from Western Australia and Tasmania in addition to his Victorian collection, for example. Most of his recording has been in North Western and Central Victoria. Peter collected a lot of his material from Harry McQueen ( Castlemaine), which led to a double CD of Harry's music. Harry had played in dance bands for over sixty years in Central Victoria. Harry had a number of tunes from Bill McGlashan who had taken Harry under his wing as a young man. Through Peter's efforts much valuable material and knowledge from almost a century ago was saved for posterity. Founder, Charter member and life member of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo. Life Member of the Victorian Folk Music Club. Recipient of the Graham Squance award (for the person who has done the most to promote folk dance and music in Victoria)) from the Folk Song and Dance Society of Victoria. Member of the famous Wedderburn Old Timers Band for over twenty-eight years (two platinum and several gold recordings in that time). Founder and leader of the Emu Creek Bush Band (twenty-nine years old in 2010) Emu Creek has made many CDs of dance music as listed. Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop, Three double CDs called 'Quadrille Mania' which contain many rare dances and tunes which have been learnt and recorded, under Peter's guidance, so they would not be lost to posterity. A triple CD called 'Take Me Back To Bendigo' with heritage songs and music from the Gold Rush to Federation (solely organised and financed by Peter) These CDs show the multicultural heritage in Bendigo and include music and groups from the Koorie, Chinese, Cornish, German, Irish, Italian, Scots, English and Welsh communities of Bendigo and district. Upon his recovery of costs Peter has handed over copyright to the Bendigo Community so future profits go back into the community. Three double CDs called 'The Merry Country Dance' with dances and tunes going back to the time of Governor Lachlan Macquarie's Ball in 1804. Most of the tracks are performed by Emu Creek Following much practice under Peter's tutelage. For further authenticity Peter liaised with other musicians to record some tracks which were revived from almost two hundred years ago and have now been recorded using the instruments of the time. A three volume set of Bush Concert recordings (Vol 1 Goornong (launched Australia Day 2006 with any profits going to the Soldier's Memorial Hall Committee), Vol 2 Heywood and Vol 3 Maldon/Sutton Grange, already recorded and to be released as money from other projects becomes available. NOTE: None of these CDs have led to any profit. All money raised is put back into the community and further heritage recordings, books and videos through the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. In 2009 a full collection of all Peter's book and CDs was donated to the John Gorton Library as part of the recognition of the fifty year career of the Gay Charmers Dance Band from Lake Charm. 'Music of the Diggings' (4 tracks by Peter or Emu Creek). In addition the Emu Creek Band, under Peter's leadership, has appeared on a CD backing Bruce Watson on his song, 'The Old Bush Dance'. Emu Creek has performed at National Folk Festivals in four states and several times at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. They have also been mainstays of the Maldon Folk Festival for over twenty years as well as doing dance programs for the Port Fairy Folk Festival on two occasions. Peter has written and published many books related to traditional music and dance. These include Three volumes of 'Collectors Choice' which is musical notation for bush dances coupled with much dance history which would have been lost without Peter's efforts. 'Two Hundred Dancing Years - How to run a Colonial Ball: (co-authored with Shirley Andrews (A.M.), 'Music Makes Me Smile - The Music of the Nariel Valley' (co-authored with Harry Gardner). The Merry Country Dance' (292 pages) a companion to the three double CDs. He has also been a contributor to Verandah Music' authors Rob Willis and Graham Seal and 'The Oxford Companion to Australia Folklore' Ed Graham Seal. Peter is also a regular contributor to 'Trad and Now' Magazine. His latest completed book is titled 'The Merry Country Dance' and is over three hundred pages of social history, recipes and dance instructions. It was completed with the assistance of a Victorian Government Heritage Grant. The first edition sold out in only a few weeks. Peter has taught many children about old time musicianship through the junior bands which have functioned over the years with many children joining Emu Creek and then going on to follow their own musical inclinations. He has trained several young concertina and button accordion players over the years. Peter has been a regular tutor with Continuing Education in tin whistle, harmonica and old time dancing for many years. Peter has conducted workshops in music dance at National Folk Festivals in Perth, Alice Springs, Maleny, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuranda and more recently at several Canberra National folk Festivals. He has also done this at Maldon for many years, Port Fairy, Glen Innes, Jamberoo and Kiama Festivals. For over thirty years Peter has been a guest player and MC for the dances at the Nariel Folk Festival (Australia's oldest continuing Folk Festival) Peter is very well known in the Corryong area as a collector and the co-author of the book, Music Makes Me Smile, about the Klippel/Simpson dynasty in the Nariel Creek Band. This book is currently being revised for re-issue as more material has come to light since the original publication. For many years Peter trained Debutante Sets in the Bendigo District. Peter was an instigator of the annual Dinki Di Ball held each September in Eaglehawk for the past thirteen years. At this ball three bands play for a quarter of the night and then join together for the final part of the evening. The bands are Emu Creek, The Wedderburn Old Timers and the Gay Charmers. Up to four hundred dancers, many in heritage costumes have attended this dance. The ball also pays tribute to, and involves, the old MC's. Through this example their skills have been passed down to a younger generation of MC's. All profits are returned to the Dance Club to foster our musical heritage. Each Ball includes presentations designed to promote social dancing in Australia. Over the years several young musicians have been presented with musical instruments at the Ball, libraries have been given copies of Peter's books and CDs and one year a keen young dancer was presented a pair of dancing shoes. Peter is a trained ballroom dancer and has gained gold medal status in this field. Peter is an accomplished musician and is one of Australia's foremost button accordion players. He is also highly accomplished on the tin whistle, bones and harmonica. He is the only exponent of the Swanee whistle that I have seen. Peter also plays the piano and ukulele. Thirty six years membership of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, Secretary in the 1970s and actively involved in campaigns to save Lake Pedder and establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks (now part of the Bendigo National Park). Peter was also extremely active in the establishment of the Salomon's Gully and Jackass Flat Flora Reserves in Bendigo which have now been saved for posterity. Peter has also been involved in efforts to save One Tree Hill and this area has now been included in the Greater Bendigo National Park. He has discovered and named new plant species in the Whipstick Forest and propagates Australian plants. Peter takes regular guided tours of interested people through the Whipstick each Spring on wild flower educational tours. He is a keen and gifted photographer of local plant species. Life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists. Peter contributed text and photographs to their publication 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. When the Victorian State Parliament had its first historical sitting outside Melbourne Emu Creek played during lunch for the guests and public. They have also played at functions such as the Centenaries of Federation, the Bendigo Post Office, the Shamrock Hotel and the opening of the new Melbourne Museum and the Federation Museum in Bendigo. The band regularly plays for Seniors week and at homes for the aged such as Bethlehem, Mirridong, Bignold Park, Bendigo Village and others. Peter has been instrumental in getting the band to play for fundraisers such as schools, scouts and environmental groups. The band plays many charitable 'gigs'. The band supports the Bendigo Easter Fair and the Eaglehawk Fair when able and has appeared in several parades over the years. The above list shows the invaluable contribution that Peter Ellis has made towards the collecting and distributing of Australia's musical and dance heritage. No one has done more than Peter in this area. He has also been active locally and nationally in his endeavours towads saving the natural environment. He has put many years of time and energy into both area's and has many on going projects in mind for the years ahead. The awarding of an honour from Australia would be just reward for a man who has preserved so much of our musical and dance heritage for future generations. Knowing Peter I have no doubt he would treasure such an honour as he has given so much to preserve Australia's music and dance heritage over most of his sixty plus years. Compiled by John Williams. Handwritten notes at bottom of last page reads: Referees Jacinta Allan MLA Steve Gibbons MHR Willie Carney ex Mayor of Bendigo Supporting letter Mary Smith Sec. Bush Dance + Music Club.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Series of Black & White Photos Total of 10 two severely damaged detailing the life of the Hill family and friends during the war and post World War One.Frank and Dev photo severely damaged. Vin astride an old Indian motorcycle Reg no. 24797, street setting showing gutter dilapidated paling fence further background shows large building with spire. Mollie and Hilda wooden framework of a gateway, severely damaged. Darkie the horse in forested situation 'The Pines' January 1919. Doreen sitting on the backrest of a long seat wearing a dark coloured dress with white collar trees and shrubbery in background. Dora wearing a dark dress with white collar standing in a garden situation , lawn and hedge in background, 'The lawns' 1917. Royston standing in school uniform of dark suit white shirt and dark tie, two younger boys (unnamed) kneeling on the ground both wearing grey suits white shirts and dark ties, all amid long grass, white picket fence and hedge with trees in the background. 'Jock' small terrier or foxy standing on a white chair in front of a palm tree, distant background shows sections of a picket fence. Miss Tovey dressed in white next to a brick wall, to her left fence with hedge at 'The Ranche' 1918.Hal attired in warm dark clothing and wearing a white beanie at Mt Buffalo July 1923.Hilda Hill Personal Collectionaustralia, history, post war life

2 A4 sheets. Handwritten pencil note at top of first page reads: Eulogy published in Trad & Now Magazine. Vale Peter Ellis OAM. By John Williams. The folk community lost a giant on May 18th when Peter Ellis passed away after a short illness. Peter had been a collector, author and musician for nearly forty years and his work has been prodigious to say the least. Peter has the largest collection of dance related material in the National Library and had travelled Australia on his collection trips. He produced twenty CDs of dance music and historical music with his Bendigo based band the Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band which he founded and led for thirty four years. His final project was the double CD 'Cooee, Songs of the ANZACS' which he organised in conjunction with the Bendigo Historical Society. It was launched on 24th April and was Peter's last performance. Peter has also been a member of the Wedderburn Old Timers for over thirty years and has assisted with many of their recordings including their latest Bush Concert CD which Peter Organised. Peter has contributed to many other CDs over the years and has been thanked on many a CD cover by many folk artists. Peter has also written several books, the three volume 'Collectors' Choice,' 'Two Hundred Dancing Years' co-written with Shirley Andrews OAM, and 'Music Makes Me Smile' the history of the Nariel Valley musicians co-written with Harry Gardner. Peter's recent major work The Merry Country Dance will become the bible for people wishing to learn about our bush music heritage with its matching six CD collection. Peter has also contributed to 'Verandah Music' edited by Rob Willis and Graham Seal and 'The Oxford Companion to Australian Folklore' edited by Graham Seal and is a regular contributor to Trad & Now. He completed his last Trad & Now article the week before he died. Peter was also a life member of the Field Naturalists and was extremely active in campaigns to preserve Lake Pedder, the Whipstick Forest and Kamarooka Forest (now part of Bendigo National Park and preserved forever) One Tree Hill, Jackass Flat Flora Reserve and Saloman's Gully bushlands. Peter has discovered and named plants in the whipstick and enjoyed propagating native plants. He loved his amazing bush block in suburban Bendigo. Peter was also a keen photographer and had photos published in the book 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. Peter taught dancing and music classes with Continuing Education for many years and encouraged many young musicians over the years. Peter was an accomplished ballroom dancer and had achieved gold medal status in that field. He was one of Australia's finest exponents of the button accordion, concertina, harmonica and tin whistle. Peter also played piano, organ and ukulele as well as the Swanee whistle and bones. Peter was the founder of the Annual Dinki Di Ball held each September in Eaglehawk as a tribute to the old MC's. Peter was happy playing for fund-raisers for any organisation who asked and also enjoyed plying the big gigs such as for the opening of the Melbourne Museum or for State Parliament. He played in the National Folk Festivals in four states and was a regular at the National in Canberra where he gave regular classes, performed with his bands and was a stalwart of the Aussie section of the session bar. He performed at nearly every Maldon Folk Festival and was MC at Nariel Folk Festival dances for many years. Peter was very proud of his OAM and wore the little medal at all of his performances. That honour was rightly given to one who did so much to preserve Australia's dance history. Peter lived a full life and was a friend to hundreds of people. He was taken far too young and in typical fashion was planning new projects right till the end. His passing is a huge loss for us all but one thing is certain. He will never be forgotten.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Hilda Hill Collection. Black & White Photos of Hill Family Total 9. Three girls at SHLC 1918 with white sashes and medallions, dark clothing with white collars, background is garden scene , photo has over exposure problem which gives a lighter print, 24 September 1918, could it be a ladies college of education? Al standing wearing white blouse and dark dress holding a white hat standing and Gert sitting and holding a white hat in front of a bush wearing a white blouse and a light coloured skirt, background is forested area, 'The Pines' January 9th 1919. Claire dressed in dark dress and wearing a white hat with her hands together, oval photo, 'The Ranche', October 23 1918. Jonah wearing a hat and white dress with colourful hemline standing before a large hedge holding a parasol, large tree background left, 'The Ranche'. Three boys and two dogs All boys dressed in dark coats and shorts long socks two of the boys are on their haunches, Background is a gabled roof and 2 chimneys, white fence, between two of the boys is a water tap on a medium height pipe, Durvol December 1919. Moll Noonan seated on a round backed chair wearing a white dress, right background shows the side of a building, at knee level sis a broad leafed plant, other shrubbery in the background, 'The Ranche' November 1918. Ettie seated on a staircase and holding a dog, lady is wearing a broad brimmed hat, One Tree Hill April 18 1920. Two ladies in lightly coloured dresses standing in a garden setting, lady on left has a black sash waistband, Durvol December 1919 . Group of seven girls and 4 boys, all of the girls are dressed in white, front girl has black neck accessory, 'The Pines' January 9 1919 No. 7 Reservoir.Hilda Hill Personal Collectionaustralia, history, post war life

The Bendigo & Region Branch is the National Trust’s voice in the region. The Branch works with council and the community on local heritage issues. New members are always welcome at any of the Branch’s meetings and events. Designed by renown Bendigo architects Vahland and Getzschmann, Osborne House was originally built as a private school in 1869, extended in 1870 and sold in 1888 when it became a boarding house. The property enjoys a privileged position surrounded by more of Vahland's inspiring designs - the Forest Street Anglican, Methodist and Congregational churches while just over the hill, the massive spire of the Sacred Heart Cathedral dominates the skyline. Both the skyline and the residence have undergone much change over the last century and now enjoy a harmonious blend of traditional form and modern function. Beyond the secluded front entry, Osborne House offers grand Victorian proportions blended seamlessly with a timeless French influence. Built over three levels, the residence has four bedrooms plus home office, grand formal lounge and dining roomsOsborne House 33 MacKenzie Street Bendigo - Slidehistory, bendigo, national trust collection bendigo, osborne house 33 mackenzie street bendigo

Kaweka Reserve is a a small reserve of approximately 8ha. The land was donated to the Castlemaine City to be a wildflower Reserve. A management committee was formed in 1966. The committee is still managing the park. Vicroads Edition 6: Map 59E2, 628 H4 Location. Turner St, Castlemaine. From the Castlemaine Post Office, drive north (towards Bendigo) and turn right along Turner Street to the park entrance. What to do: walk along some of the tracks through the park follow the nature trail bird watch have a picnic at the picnic tables. RUSH Dam is a basic free camping area sits alongside Rush Dam in the Greater Bendigo National Park, featuring a single picnic table and wood fire barbecue.Peter Ellis Collection: Seventeen slides of Kaweka Wildflower Reserve, Castlemaine, Lightning Hill Lookout Bendigo, One Tree Hill Lookout Tower Bendigo. Also the Rush Dam free camping area at Kamarooka. Also a slide of an unknown group having a meal or day out; perhaps also a working bee. In addition there are two slides of a house - location not specified; and a working bee clearing along a pipeline at Big Hill. Peter was a chemistry lecturer at the Bendigo Institute of technology.history, bendigo, peter ellis collection, whipstick bendigo, bendigo state forests, kaweka wildflower reserve castlemaine, one tree hill lookout bendigo, lightning hill lookout bendigo, kamarooka, rush dam kamarooka, greater bendigo national park

When the numerous gold mines declined in production, the eucalyptus oil industry became an important source of work. The first eucalyptus oil producer in Bendigo was a chemist called Richard Sandner who operated a plant and refinery in Bridge Street from 1876. By 1900, many other distillers operated on the northern edge of Bendigo and in the Whipstick. In 1926, the Forest Commision established a eucalyptus distillery at Gunyah in Wellsford State Forest. See the Wellsford Forest Note for more information. Today, there are just two eucalypt distilleries operating in Bendigo. Most of the world’s eucalyptus oil is now produced overseas. SOLOMON GULLY CIRCUIT WALK - Solomon Gully Nature Conservation Reserve. Rangers say this is a great place to see heaps of Bendigo Waxflowers. A 1.5km, unsurfaced track. It is rough and steep in places, but suitable for families. Closed shoes with a good drip are recommend. The track is popular with families and runners. There is parking available off Burnside St (opposite Quarry Hill / Bendigo Lawn Cemetery).Peter Ellis Collection, t16 slides of the Whipstick and Eucalyptus Oil Production, Solomon Gully Reserve Quarry Hill, Quarry Hill Golf Course Extensions Some history of the Whipstick.history, bendigo, peter ellis collection, whipstick bendigo, bendigo state forests, eucalyptus oil, solomon gully reserve quarry hill bendigo, whipstick hotel shamrock, magetti's wallace reef wine hall, whipstick, frederick the great mine sebastian, quarry hill golf course