This photograph was taken at the Camp Street Beechworth at the intersection with Ford Street c1910 looking at the post office on the left hand side and a row of shops on the right. The Post Office is the photograph was completed in 1859. Following a fire along Camp St in 1867 the Post Office was rebuilt with a bell and clock tower. The P.0. played an important role in communicating news in 1880 of the infamous murders of police at Stringybark Creek and the various exploits of the Kelly gang.Sepia rectangular postcard printed on gloss card. Obverse: Camp Street, Beechworth REAL PHOTO SERIES. M5911 Reverse: BMM7734.2 VALENTINES REAL PHOTO SERIES Published by the Valentine Publishing Co.Pty.Ltd. Queen St. Melb 1906-1910? beechworth, camp street, post office, burke museum, photograph, postcard, 1910

The funeral recorded was that of Michael Ford which took place on the 20 June 1933 at Sunbury. He resided in Union Road Ascot Vale but was buried at Sunbury Cemetery. He was sixty-five years old. He was buried in the Roman Catholic section H plot 21 with two others in plots 22 an 23. His burial number was 2754. The registrar was W&W Lang and the undertaker was E H King. Apparently there is no memorial on the grave.A black and white photograph of a hearse with six pall bearers carrying a coffin to a grave site while a priest looks on. There are two other cars a short distance from the group.sunbury cemetery, burials, ford, michael.

This agreement between the Association for the Blind and Emma Irene Parkins lays out the terms and conditions of a fund-raising initiative to be driven by E.I. Parkins, with the aim of selling entry cards for a "Last Line" competition at 2 shillings apiece. The first prize was a Ford Falcon Sedan. The agreement is Dated 1st day of July 1962, and Signed by CEO J. W. Wilson and E. I. Parkins. The agreement, contains some hand-written annotations in pen. 4 typed pages of legal agreementassociation for the blind, john wilson, emma parkins, fundraising

Various photos of QBIC employees including: Wayne Ford, Craig Gardner, Keith Smith, Greg Bond, Jaina Unmoepa, John Gilmore, Kevin Watts and Selwyn Brown. In some photos Keith Smith shakes the hand of a worker who has two gold medals around her neck, whilst in another Greg Bond holds the Australian Commission on Quality gold award presented to Vision Queensland for Quality by a Non-Profit Organisation. 27 col. photographs of QBIC Industries employeesqbic industries, vision qld, wayne ford, craig gardner, kevin smith, greg bond, selwyn brown, kevin watts, john gilmore, jaina unmoepa

Photograph of the group of past Presidents in 2007. There is usually a Presidents luncheon every year and a group photo is taken. In 2007 the past presidents were listed on a document listing those attending. From left in this photo are; David Ford, Graham Riches, David Kelly, George Woodward, Lucky Luscombe, Ted Larkin, David Carter, Alf Argent, Tom Butcher, Rob Allison, Geoff Swan, George MacKenzie, Ron Foskett and Colin Bannister.A record of the past presidents gathering together each year.Colour photo of a group of former Legacy Presidents in 2007.past presidents, presidents lunch

Two of a collection of photographs donated by Bernie De Le Haye.350-09: Colour photograph of Phillip Island Garage. Cnr Thompson Avenue and Chapel Street - now where Gullivers Restaurant is located (2017). Loaded truck and people outside the building. Printed on the front: "Sales Ford Service" "Cars Trucks Tractors" Phone (8). Shell bowsers. 350-10: Colour photograph of the De La Haye Bros. Self Service store in Thompson Avenue, Cowes on the left hand side. Three people and two cars in front.As on the buildings.phillip island garage, de le haye bros self service cowes, bernie de la haye, gullifer family

Agfa colour blue white plastic mount slide, photo by Keith Caldwell of W5 837, in William St between Flinders Lane and Collins St, route 55 to West Coburg via William St. Note the driver is checking his mirror of looking outwards to the left. The tram has adverts for Peter Wright Ford and "Take my advice" featuring an owl. In the background are the National Mutual and Harbour Trust buildings Slide undated - late 1960'sHas "BXBU" in pen on the slide.trams, tramways, william st, route 55, west coburg, w5 class

Points of interest in the photograph are the lack of white lines along the tracks, safety zone equipment behind the tram, the "Hail Cars Here" tram stop sign on a steel pole by a traffic light and the style of traffic light. Two advertising panels on the front of the tram advertise "Jex Soap Pads" and the musical "Hair" at the Metro Theatre Bourke St. Two Fords are alongside the tramcar. The original source of photograph unknown. The Musical "Hair" was presented in Melbourne during 1971. Yields information about the location, the streetscape and the trams and vehicles in use at the time. Colour illustration of M&MTB tram W2 417 on a route 45, Deepdene service in Collins St. Melbourne at the intersection of Russell St. with the Scots Church in the background.tramways, trams, collins st, w2 class, tram 417, traffic lights, deepdene, route 45

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford, gordon's shack, love shack

Contents: • 250 and still going strong ! • Our Next Meeting - Wednesday 12th February 2020 • March Excursion - Eltham’s Hidden Creek • Memories and anecdotes of Mario (Maurie/Maurice) Fabbro by Hans Gregory • Early Settlers House, Ely Street, Eltham by Russell Yeoman • Our Town – Part 1 by Sue Bennett • Eltham Cemetery Stories by Richard Pinn o Guido Quarto Fabbro o Gordon Craig Ford • Contacts for the Eltham District Historical Society The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, reminiscences, zull family, mario fabbro, ely street, guido fabbro, gordon ford, eltham cemetery stories

Made by Cox, F J 1845-1882 (1891), optical & mathematical instrument maker, optician, camera manufacturer, London.Sliding box camera, about 1855. This type of camera was in use before bellows became common. The camera belonged to Hugh Strachan who passed it on to an employee, Charlie Lugg. The Strachan family is distinguished in the Geelong wool industry. James Ford Strachan, born in Scotland, established a very successful wool broking business and his sons carried on his work.Wooden case with brass handle lined with green felt containing one sliding box camera, with a brass fitting for a lense, a removable glass focussing screen, which conseals the removable lense inside the camera. Also two small wooden frames for developping the photographs. Also a linen cape and a leather pouch containing metal filters with gradients. Booklet about the life of Charles Lugg who owned the camera before it was passed to his nephew who then donated it to the NWM. Booklet details Lugg's military service, working life in Stachan's wool stores and life in Geelong and Moriac. Measurements of parts (in centimeters): 27 26 41.5 Carry Case 24.5 36.5 21.2 Sliding box Camera 15.4 .5 17.6 slide frame 11 14.5 9.5 lens 152 71 cape 9 1.5 6.5 pouch 8.5 .1 6.5 5.5 Filter Lense 8.5 .1 6.5 4.5 Filter Lense 8.5 .1 6.5 3.5 Filter Lense 8.5 .1 6.5 1.2 Filter Lense F.J. Cox/ 26/Ludgate Hill/ London (Plaque on top of box) Fred J Cox/26 Ludgate Hill/London (Engraved on side of Lens)charles lugg, fred j cox, james ford strachan

Left to right: Glenda Felstead, Alan Gregory (Pirate King - teacher), Dorothy Kinnane, Lynette Coulson (lead soprano), Garry Dark (Frederick - lead tenor), Robynne Dale (Ruth), Jack Youens (Major General), Cheryl Ford, Policeman? The operetta was performed at Her Majesty's Theatre. The cast and crew used to meet at a cafe in Unicorn Lane called "The Hide-away" after the show, and after rehearsals. "The Hide-away" was in the basement, down stairs, dimly lit, and catered for coffee and food.Digital copy of photograph black and whitedorothy kinnane, lynette coulson, garry dark, robynne dale, jack youens, cheryl ford, theatre, pirates of penzance

The older fenced-off grave without a headstone is that of Cornelius Ford who had a private funeral when he was buried in Sunbury Cemetery on 7 December 1908, aged seventy-one. He is buried in Section H, plots 1 - 4. The registrar was McMahon and the undertaker was Trask. Cornelius Trask conducted a butcher's business in Brook Street and O'Shanassy Street. He also worked for some time as a publican at the Ball Court Hotel. He was also known as Gus.A black and white photograph of a recently dug grave in readiness for an internment. A short distance from the recently dug grave is a fenced-off grave without a headstone. There are a number of graves with headstones in the middle distance.ford, cornelius., sunbury cemetery

This agreement between the Association for the Blind and Emma Irene Parkins lays out the terms and conditions of a fund-raising initiative to be driven by E.I. Parkins, with the aim of selling entry tokens for a "Name the Home" competition at 2 shillings apiece. The first prize was a Ford Falcon Sedan. The agreement is Dated 1st day of July 1962, but Signed and Dated by CEO J. W. Wilson and E. I. Parkins on 28/03/1962. There are 2 copies of the agreement, one containing hand-written annotations in pencil. 4 typed pages of legal agreementassociation for the blind, emma parkins, john wilson, fundraising

A church service for Legacy widows at Scot's Church in Collins St, Melbourne. This is an annual event for Legacy widows at the start of Legacy Week, which is the first week in September. The church used for the service varies, The Scots' Church was the first Presbyterian Church to be built in Victoria. The photos shows the interior of the church with the congregation listening to service. Same roll of film as the photos with President David Ford in 2003 so the event is assumed to be in that year. The event is referred to as Widows' Sunday, Legacy Sunday and pilgrimage to the Shrine.A record of a church service for Legacy widows in 2003.Colour photo x 6 of the church service at Scots Church.Printed on the back

Harry Stead, Snr., owned and operated Wodonga’s first taxi service. He had horse drawn cabs running between Wodonga, and Albury in 1868. He also ran a carrying business with wagons and drays. Workmen from Albury and Wodonga were carried to the construction site of the Hume Weir. Drays, although slow, were used with room for 10 or 12 paying passengers, at times. Stead’s paddocks ran back from Sydney Street (now High Street) with stable accommodation for his 70 and more horses. The Provincial Motel occupied part of the site in later years. Harry’s son, “young Harry” joined his Dad around 1892 as soon as his schooldays were over. After the horse drawn cabs, the Steads began a motorised taxi, hire car and bus services. Some of the taxis used were an A-Model Ford, 1934 Ford, Ford V8, Dodge Tourer, Hudson Six and, earlier, the 1923 Buick with dicky seat. Among the drivers were Stan Hogbin, Gerry Gerrard, Jack O’Neill, “Peggy” O’Neill, Ernie “Honey” Zeinert, Cliff Williams and Les Cole. Young Harry had four cars on the rank from 1930 to 1940 when competition for fares was fierce. He had his regulars who paid 4/- a week to go to and from Albury daily. In 1934, Harry was before the Albury Police Court, charged with having driven his taxi on a public road without a taxi licence. The Albury Municipal Council required all taxi drivers to have a NSW certificate of registration before collecting fares in NSW. The case was held as a test case and as a result the regulation was amended to enable the Council to issue public vehicle licenses to a Victorian registered vehicle as long it travelled no more than 10 miles over the border.These images are significant because they document an early transport service provided to the Wodonga community.Three black and white photos depicting Harry Stead and his Wodonga Taxi Service.harry stead wodonga, transport wodonga, wodonga services

Two auction catalogues of a sale at the Commonwealth Disposals at Maribyrnong on 12 February, 1947.The front page of the catalogue has a black and white photo of the inside of a building with a lot of machinery along each side of the aisle. Inside are black and white photos of an Automatic Screw Machine, a Horizontal Projector with Screen, an Accura Tool Motorised Capstan Lathe, a Ford Swing Lathe, and a Steinel Hand Milling Machine. For sale were lathes, milling machines and presses. J. h. Curnow & Sons Pty. Ltd. Were the auctioneers.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - commonwealth disposals commission, j h curnow & sons pty ltd, prahran telegraph print

Coloured photograph of the Golden Square Primary School Aussie Footy Team 1996. The front row are seated on chairs and the back row are standing behind them. One boy has his are in a sling. Their names are: Standing: Lachlan Carter, Kristy Allen, Thomas Townsend, Emma Tremain, Naomi Doolan, Corey Ford, Kenneth Swinnerton, Ben Allen, Cameron Grant, Chris Ohlson. Seated: Hayden Donaldson, Stacy Fiske, Seb Robins, Luke Anderson, Alex Lockwood, Mathew Wynne, Joshua Skinner.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s., golden square laurel street p.s. collection - photograph - gsps aussie footy team 1996, lachlan carter, kristy allen, thomas townsend emma tremain, naomi doolan, corey ford, kenneth swinnerton, ben allen, cameron grant, chris ohlson, hayden donaldson, stacy fiske, seb robins, luke anderson, alex lockwood, mathew wynne, joshua skinner

Photograph taken after tram has passed, of No. 12 heading up Sturt St. hill, passing City loop. Tram fitted with large white stripe, Twin Lakes sign under headlight. Destination showing Victoria St. Many Holdens in photograph and some Ford motor cars. Good photo of buildings on south side of Sturt St. at the time, T&G corner building in photo. Image on data base file, made from digital photo of photo 22/6/02.trams, tramways, ballarat, sturt st., city loop, tram 12

The subject is similar to John Ford Paterson's painting also called "Evening on the Yarra'. The artiste signed J. White on the left bottom corner. A mention of a painting called "Evening on the Yarra" by John Whyte (mispelling or not?) is made in The Age in 1898 about the Annual Exhibition of the Melbourne Art Club. There are different leads for the name : it could be John Goldsworthy White, an amateur marine painter, or J.S. White, a marine painter active in the 1890s and member of the Victorian Sketching Club. (or maybe a transcrit or print error and this is the same person) Marine artLarge oil painting of sailing ships at dock with smaller sailing vessels and row boats on stretched canvas in elaborate gilt Victorian frame. Unglazed Steel eyelets and hanging wire Lower front left corner: signature (possibly) J. Whitesailing ship, docks, wharves, artwork, yarra river, john white, artwork-paintings, j. white, sheds

An update of the earlier book 'Allan's Ford: Allansford' by original author Graeme McLeod. The original book was produced to mark the 125th Anniversary of Allansford and its school and the update for the 150th Anniversary of Allansford Primary School. The book records the history of Allansford from its settlement by the Allan brothers in 1839 with an overview of the development of the town, the school and the surrounding small schools which became a part of Allansford & District Primary School, businesses, sport and recreation, public buildings, some pioneer families and John Murray MP and Premier of Victoria.This is the only record of the town of Allansford and provides an overview of the history of Allansford and its development.Blue covered paperback book with blue text for title 'Allansford 1855-2006'. An image of the shop and houses is superimposed on a washout of the same image.allansford, mcleod, graeme, mcleod, barbara, pioneer families, commercial businesses, industries, education, public buildings, sport & recreation, allan family, tooram, allandale

Framed individual (41) black and white photographs of men and one woman, from the Port Campbell District who served in The Great War. Each photograph named. Surnames include - McKenzie, Underwood, McKay, Magilton, Petty, Lord, McKean, Cameron, Wishart, Tregea, Morris, Fuller, Cairns, Ward, McIntyre, McRae, Page, Ford, Underwood, Baulch, Murfitt, Pascoe, Currell, Brown. Frame - dark brown wood. The 5 central portraits are of the five soldiers who were killed during their service. Framed photograph Members of the Port Campbell District who served in The Great War of 1914-1919 - Paid The Supreme Sacrifice -"Their Names will Never Die" - For Empire and Right.ww1, port campbell, soldiers

Celebrations for the 80th Anniversary of Legacy were held in the grounds of Government House in 2003. Photos include the President David Ford speaking to the crowd and some of the junior Legatees with disabilities. The note with the photos says: "Legacy's 80th Anniversary Function Over 1200 people recently attended Legacy's 80th Anniversary Function. The sun streaming through the picturesque garden surroundings at Government House contributed to the success of the day. Many of the guests enjoyed catching to the success of the day. Many of the guests enjoyed catching up with friends and acquaintances that go back a long way. Some had not seen each other for decades and there was much excitement renewing old friendships. The guests were entertained by The Royal Australian Navy Jazz Ensemble and the MC was David Mann from Radio 3AW." See also 00989, 00990 and 00992. The President's report that is published with the Annual Report says: "President David Ford said in his address 'Let us all just recognise what a unique and enduring family we belong to. it is based on personal effort and dedication from everyone belonging to it. It has been giving that service for 80 years now and I am confident that it will continue to flourish for as long as support to dependents of departed veterans is required."The Anniversary celebrations were held at Government house due to the close relationship with the Governor of Victoria as patron of Legacy.Colour photo x 13 of 80th Anniversary celebration at Government House and an article in the President's report.Printed on the back

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Birrarung is situated near the end of Laughing Waters Road. It was built in 1974 by Graeme Rose for Gordon Ford who he had asked to build him a small ‘bach’. Builder Peter Jarvis who did his apprenticeship with Alistair Knox for a couple of years recalled there were no drawings. It evolved as more funds became available. Graeme would source second-hand building materials around which he would shape the house. The fireplace was built with chicken wire over which it was rendered with faro cement. A brick floored glass studio, added later, faces a wall of boulders pressed into a manmade cliff, a large pond the link between the rock wall and glass studio. A waterfall, fed by river water, no longer functions. The property became part of the Laughing Waters Artist in Residency Program with the first artist taking up residency in 2001. For a more in-depth description of the property and biographies of the various artists in residence commencing from 2001 through to 2015, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, artists in residence, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, birrarung house

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Birrarung is situated near the end of Laughing Waters Road. It was built in 1974 by Graeme Rose for Gordon Ford who he had asked to build him a small ‘bach’. Builder Peter Jarvis who did his apprenticeship with Alistair Knox for a couple of years recalled there were no drawings. It evolved as more funds became available. Graeme would source second-hand building materials around which he would shape the house. The fireplace was built with chicken wire over which it was rendered with faro cement. A brick floored glass studio, added later, faces a wall of boulders pressed into a manmade cliff, a large pond the link between the rock wall and glass studio. A waterfall, fed by river water, no longer functions. The property became part of the Laughing Waters Artist in Residency Program with the first artist taking up residency in 2001. For a more in-depth description of the property and biographies of the various artists in residence commencing from 2001 through to 2015, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, artists in residence, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, laughing waters road, birrarung house, fay bridge collection