A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State Of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings. 35mm colour transparency of an original plan by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects of the Department of Public Works (Victoria), in 1887 for New Public Offices at Kew. This plan was copied by the donor from an original held at the Commonwealth Archives in Brighton (Vic). The copy was made to illustrate a report that the donor made on ‘The functional planning design, building materials and construction methods of the Kew Post Office’ as part of course work at RMIT.kew court house, kew police station, kew post office, architectural drawings, khs - slides, new public offices -- kew (vic.), architecture — queen anne style

Monash Bridge spans the Diamond Creek at Hurstbridge. It was built in 1917 for the Shires of Heidelberg, Eltham and Whittlesea. It is considered Nillumbik Shire's finest engineered bridge and was construced by the engineering company of Sir John Monash. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p117 Monash Bridge is considered the Shire’s finest engineered bridge and was constructed by the engineering company of that great Australian, Sir John Monash.1 The bridge spans Diamond Creek on the Hurstbridge-Arthurs Creek Road, linking Hurstbridge with Yarrambat and Arthurs Creek. Monash Bridge, also called Hurst’s Bridge, was built in 1917, by the Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Company Pty Ltd, for the Shires of Heidelberg, Eltham and Whittlesea. Although Monash was probably in action overseas during World War One when the bridge was designed and constructed, he evolved the basic design in the 1900s and it was a standard design for the firm. However J A Laing, a designer at the firm, was probably the designer, as his initials are on bridge drawings held by the Eltham District Historical Society.2 The bridge is an excellent early Australian example of an open spandrel reinforced concrete arch bridge and has a single span of 29 metres. It is unusual in Victoria, but similar to many reinforced concrete arch bridges in Europe and America, built from the late 19th century. In Victoria, Monash pioneered the use of reinforced concrete – then a revolutionary construction material. His company, Monash & Anderson, had the exclusive licence for the Monier patent for the system of reinforced concrete construction for Victoria and New South Wales. A well-known example of the Monier arch bridge is the Morell Bridge in South Yarra. The sweeping arch of the Monash Bridge combines grace and utility and blends with the surrounding rural landscape. Its design and construction have allowed it to carry increasing volumes of heavy traffic, but in modern times the one lane is considered by some to prevent easy passage through Hurstbridge. However others consider this an asset to deter too much more traffic, which would diminish Hurstbridge’s charming rural character.3 This is the third bridge across the Diamond Creek at this site. The original bridge was a log bridge upstream, constructed in the 1850s by early settler, Henry Hurst, after whom Hurstbridge was named. The bridge spanned the creek, where it divided his family’s property. In the 1880s a timber bridge replaced it, known as Hurst’s Bridge. However a more permanent bridge was considered necessary when the new railway arrived in 1912, bringing with it expectations of growth in the town and the surrounding fruit-growing district. Monash Bridge’s official opening on November 3, 1917 was a gala occasion, which took place before about 1000 spectators. Two who attended the opening had a particularly sound knowledge of the locality. One was Fred Hurst, Henry’s brother, who used to ford the creek at or near the bridge’s site more than 50 years before. The other was John McDonald of Arthurs Creek, who had built the old wooden bridge over the creek about 40 years earlier.4 Although John Monash was a fine engineer, his fame came from his brilliant war career, rather than from his engineering or his many other achievements. Monash was Corps Commander of the Australian Forces. His brilliance was recognised with his awards: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and Knight Commander of the Bath. Monash was also decorated by the French, Belgian, and American Governments.5 After the war, Monash worked in many prominent civilian positions, the most notable as head of the Victorian State Electricity Commission. He was a leading and loved public figure, involved in many public and private organisations. He was president of the Australian Zionist Federation and involved in the Boy Scouts. Monash University is named after him. By the 1920s Monash was probably regarded as the greatest living Australian.6 Despite most of his life working as an administrator and leader, rather than a fighting soldier, he became integral to the ANZAC legend. Monash died in 1931.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, hurstbridge, monash bridge

[from a contemporary report:] 1979: 11-20 August. “Along the Main Road” The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffrey Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs Opal Smith and Mrs B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs Phyllis MacDonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks are also due to Mr P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize is to be shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. It is considered that participation in the parade should become an important annual event for the society.Black and white photograph1979, eltham festival, joh ebeli, parade, peter bassett-smith, shire of eltham historical society, russell yeoman

Ross Milne grew up on his family's tobacco property in Myrtleford, and began skiing at Falls Creek at an early age. He was taught by Austrian Sigi Haberzettl, who was chief coach at Falls Creek for 17 years. Ross went on to win the North-Eastern District Ski Association (NEDSA) Junior Championships for three consecutive years. In 1961 Ross was a member of the Australian team which competed against New Zealand in the Inter-Dominion Championships. In 1963, he won the Downhill and Alpine Combined title at the Australian Championships, while placing second in the Grand Slalom event. Ross was selected in the Australian team that participated in the 1964 Olympic Winter Games at Innsbruck, Austria. A few days before the opening of the Games, on 25th January 1964, he tragically lost his life when he crashed into a tree during a training run for the Men's Downhill. He was only 19 years of age. The construction of the Ross Milne Memorial Ski Jump was first discussed and built between 1964 and 1966. It was located at the top of Gully, Site 99, heading down the gully and ending with a run out onto Falls Creek Road. The Jump was constructed by the Nordic Committee of the Victorian Ski Association. Problems plagued the construction of the Jump and continued until 1974 when it was deemed unsafe. Problems such as construction methods and materials, snow loading and soil foundations and footings were some of the issues which the VSA Nordic Committee faced. On top of this there was discontent with Resort Management and the Lift Company of the day with respect to safety of the Ski Jump and its effect on adjoining chair lifts if an emergency should occur. The cost of reconstruction was prohibitive and an order was given that the SkiJump was not to be used during the 1974 ski season. The Jump was dismantled not long after.These items are significant as they document the development of a memorial to an Australian Olympic Skier, Ross Milne.A collection of documents and photographs documenting the construction of the Ross Milne Memorial Ski Jump built at Falls Creek in 1966. A display board including photographs and explanatory text is part of this collection.ross milne, ross milne memorial ski jump

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

The fifth Eltham Community Festival was held 11-20 August 1979. The theme of the festival was “Along the Main Road” and was the first time the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (forerunner of the Etham District Historical Society) entered a float in the Festival Grand Parade. The Society's participation in this year's Eltham Community Festival was highly successful. We arranged an exhibition in the Eltham Library on the theme of ''Along the Main Road" and our float in the Festival Grand Parade "Pioneers of Eltham" won the prize donated by Pegasus Interiors for the best Eltham theme. The success of the float was due mainly to the efforts of Joh Ebeli. Joh was entirely responsible for the design and artistic work on the float and with help from Geoffery Loftus-Hills and Mark Gough actually constructed it. Society members and friends together with members of the Victorian Folk Music Club completed the picture, riding on and walking with the float in the parade. Mrs. Opal Smith and Mrs. B. Brinkkotter organized many of the costumes for participating members and Mrs. Phyllis Macdonald made the arrangements with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Thanks were also due to Mr. P. Quirke of Research Fruit Supply for the loan of his truck and to Eltham Hardware and Plumbing Supplies for the donation of materials for construction of the float. The $50.00 prize was shared with the Victorian Folk Music Club. Following the success of this event, it was considered that future parades were an important annual event for the society to participate in. 35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotseltham festival, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

Specification document comprising printed cover, eight typewritten pages (black carbon copy) and two photo pages of a J.G. Brill Co. of Philadelphia PA, Birney Safety Car. Specification No. 100, revised 1/10/1919. On the printed cover, which has three holes for a clip on the left hand side, printed with the Birney Safety Car trade mark, the names of the J. G. Brill associated companies (American Car Company of St. Louis, G. C. Kuhlman Car Co. of Cleveland Ohio, and Wason Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Massachusetts). On the inside of the front cover and on the outer back cover is the Brill logo. On the inside of the back cover is a floor / seating plan of the Birney Safety Car, giving overall dimensions, location of equipment etc. Item secured with one brass clip in the top left hand corner. The eight typed pages details the specification of the construction of the tramcar, equipment details etc for a single truck, double end Birney Safety (tram) car. Gives dimensions of the tramcar, materials, construction methods, finishes, equipment, glass, etc. Also details additional items that could be ordered with the tramcar. First photo shows the Birney car without a trolley pole, lettered for the KC Rys. Co. The second photo shows an interior view of the tramcar. Scanned for COTMA Website - pdf version.trams, tramways, birney, j. c. brill co., tramcar specifications, tramcar construction

Black and white photographs - 2 copiesTyped below photograph, "Boiler explosion at Ringwood station 20/6/1894. Heard in Box Hill". Article from newspapers:- Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 21 Official enquiry. The Board of Enquiry appointed by the Railway Commissioners to enquire into the causes of the boiler explosion which shattered the locomotive at Ringwood on Saturday night, assembled at the Railway department on Wednesday to commence its deliberations, The board consisted of Mr R. Fulton, engineer, C. W. McLean; engineer to the Marine Board, and Mr Mephan Ferguson, iron-founder. There is some difficulty at the outset about the constitution of the board; It was suggested that the Apt of Parliament contemplated that boards of experts, after the manner of the present one, needed, to have their appointments confirmed by the Governor-in-Council. The point, however, was not considered sufficiently important to prevent the board from proceeding with evidence. Robert Greyford, stationmaster at Ringwood, was the first witness. He said he saw the explosion on Saturday night at about twenty minutes to 8. There was a rush to the engine to see what had happened, and the driver and fireman were both found on the platform of the engine. The driver seemed badly hurt, but the fireman, to all appearances, was not so badly injured. They were both attended to and sent up to Melbourne by the last suburban train. Witness had a look at the engine and found the dome and all the plates round the boiler blown clean, away. The springs were also blown clean away. The Chairman (Mr Fulton) : Did you measure the distance ? Witness: Yes; one of the plates was 209 yards away. A piece from the top of the boiler 15 pounds in weight he found driven into the hard beaten track 410 yards away. Several pieces of boiler plate were found scattered at various distances. The buildings roundabout were injured. The Chairman; Did you notice anything peculiar about either of the driver or the fireman ? — No ; nothing wrong, with either of them. If the engine was blowing off at all, it must have been very light. In your opinion, were they perfectly sober ? — Perfectly. In approaching the station, is there a down or an up grade? — A very slight down grade. How is the road from Healesville ? — Up and down all the way. It is down, grade for about 200 yards coming into Ringwood station. They shut off ; steam about a quarter of a mile away, and come in at a good pace. They generally put on 15 pounds of steam while they are in the station. Mr Ferguson : Had the driver the usual load on ? — Yes ; about the usual load. Witness added that he had known the driver personally for about 10 years, and he had always been a careful, steady, sober man. He did not know the fireman so well. John Palmer, porter at Ringwood station, also saw the explosion. He was attending to the train on its arrival. He was knocked down by the force of the explosion. When he got up he saw the engine driver being carried into the office covered in blood. He noticed nothing peculiar about the driver and fireman, nor about the engine. Mr McLean : How far were you from the engine when you were knocked down ? — From ten to fifteen yards. William Paul, the guard of the train to which the injured locomotive Was attached, said he was looking at the engine at the very moment the explosion occurred. It seemed to come from exactly under the dome. The force of it took him off his feet. He was about 15 yards from the tender. When he rose he tried to reach the engine, but could not do so on account of the steam and coal dust. He called out to know whether any of the passengers were injured, and got no response, so that he concluded they were all right. All the lamps but about half dozen were extinguished by the force of the explosion, although the glass was not broken. He could testify most distinctly that the driver and fireman were both sober. The driver was a man who never drank. The steam started to blow off about a minute and a half before the explosion took place. The last place at which the engine took water was Healesville. The Chairman : Do yon know anything of the quality of the water there ? Is it creek water ? — Yes ; it comes from the Graceburn River. You never heard of its quality ?— No. How long have you known this engine on the road— About 13 months. Hew long have you known the driver on this line ? — About six weeks. I have known the fireman several years. The driver was a strict teetotaller, and I never saw the fireman take anything to drink in his life. Mr T. H, Woodroffe, chief mechanical engineer of the Victorian Railways, produced a report he had written to the secretary, about this explosion. The document gave facts concerning the engine and the explosion. It stated that the rapture seemed to have occurred at the rim of the plates adjoining the fire box. The engine was built at the Phoenix Foundry, Ballarat, in 1883. It was repaired at various times, the last time being in July of last year when it was sent to the Port Melbourne shops, and was then tested to a cold water pressure of 195 and found all right. It was the custom to overhaul all locomotives about every five years. The Chairman : There were no very heavy repairs in July, 1893; were there? — Not to the boilers. The shop manager's report says that the plug and safety tap holes were repaired, five new copper studs put in firebox, ash-pan door repaired, tender cleaned and overhauled, and studs re-rivetted, and boiler tested to pressure of 195, cold water. Mr Woodroffe read the report of the repairs effected to the boiler in December, 1888. That would be the time the plate was put in the boiler. On that occasion three new plates were put in the bottom and the boiler tested up to 195. The Chairman: Do you keep a record of the water used ?— Yes, the water in this case, I think, came from the Maroondah scheme. Mr Woodroffe said boilers were examined front time to time in the running sheds. In his opinion every possible care had been taken to keep the engine in proper care. There might, however, be lessons learnt from this. The Chairman: No doubt. From his examination of the plates [the] witness did not think the state of them could have been detected from the outside. There were no signs of leakage or sweating or anything of that sort. The next witness- was Walter Stinton, workshop manager at Newport and he said that the injured engine had been repeatedly repaired under his charge. He gave a technical account of the repairs effected on various occasions. The testing of locomotives was under his special notice. They had a high pressure pipe running; round the works, and a pump set at 2001b. When the boiler was pumped full of water the pressure when applied up to 1951b. The board appointed by the department to inquire into the Ringwood locomotive boiler explosion sat again at Spencer street on 25th inst. Mr R. Fulton presided and the other members of the board were. Mr Mephan Ferguson and Mr C. W. McLean. Charles Grubb, foreman of the boiler-makers at the Newport workshops, said he had inspected the pieces of plate that had been blown out of the engine, and after examining them, pointed out to the Chief Mechanical Engineer the portion where the plate had started to burst. It was under the lap, on the right hand side of the boiler. The grooving might be accounted for by bad water. During the past twenty years he had examined all the boilers that came into the Williamstown workshops, and while some were hardly marked at all, others were very badly eaten away. The practice was to cut out the defective portions. In this case the boiler was repaired in a similar manner. The Chairman : Can you suggest any other way of repairing so as to prevent accident ? — No, unless by taking out a plate on one side from the joint, and carrying it further up so as to avoid the joints meeting, or by taking out the plate altogether. What would.be the cost .of putting in a new " plate I—Perhaps about double the price; but I wouldn't recommend that course. It would be putting a new plate against plates that have been in use ten years or so and that would not be advisable. I think the present system better. I consider the present system of repairing the best. This is the first we have had so bad like that, to my knowledge. You attributed this to bad water. Is there no other probable cause ? — Well; unless the iron be bad. This was Lowmoor iron. I think this accident was caused by the eating away of plates. This one was the worst I have seen, for the short time it had been running. We use three classes of iron — Lowmoor, Monkbridge and Bowling. By Mr Woodroffe (Chief Mechanical Engineer) ; There are engines still running that were repaired at the same time as this one, in 1888, and. in the same way. These are engines 339 and 333. They have been recently examined and are in splendid order. What in your experience, is the age of a boiler on the Victorian railways? — From 17 to 20 years our earlier boilers stood. The later boilers don't stand so well. How is that? — There is difference in construction, and the material is lighter. The old boilers had thicker plates. Have you been asked in any way to curtail boiler affairs? — No, sir; nor in any way. You have never hesitated to carry out any necessary repairs? — Never. Our orders have been to exercise every care in examining, repairing and renewing boilers. Witness said that his practice was when an engine came into the workshop to find out how long she had been running. If over five years, he informed the workshop manager, and they thought it necessary the tubes were taken nut. If everything was in good order witness reported to the manager. The cost of taking out the tubes and putting them in again was about L20. Mr Woodroffe : Have you ever hesitated to repair a boiler on the score of expense ? — No, never. Mr McLean : Hew do yon ascertain whether a boiler requires repairs?— I keep a record of every boiler examined. From every boiler that comes in I have the dome covers taken off, and when it is practical I get inside. l can almost tell from the top of a boiler what the bottom is like. If there is any doubt about it I have the tubes taken out. If I have suspicion of defective plate I cause to have bored a triangle in the plate at the point where there is the most wear. There is a travelling inspector who visits all the running sheds of the colony except Port Melbourne and tests the boilers. He reports to us and we note what he points out. Alfred Thompson, locomotive inspector of the eastern section, said he knew this engine, 297R. He read a list of her repairs. He heard of the accident on Saturday night and went up to Ringwood. The Chairman : Did you ever notice anything peculiar about the engine? — No, I considered her A1 and would not have hesitated to have put on 140lb pressure owing to the repairs she had undergone. Witness considered that the explosion was caused by the expansion and contraction of the plates ; and, no doubt, the plate had been eaten away through bad water. The other side of the boiler showed: signs of corrosion: By Mr Woodroffe ; Is every care taken with the boilers ? — Yes, every possible care is taken for the safety of boilers, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 EXPLOSION OF A LOCOMOTIVE BOILER, NARROW ESACPE FROM FATALITIES. THE DAMAGED ENGINE. [See drawing of loco – saved in “Railways” folder] The explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood on Saturday evening, formed the subject of much discussion in railway circles on Monday. The Minister arrived at the office at an unusually early hour and immediately entered into a consultation with the acting chairman, Mr Kibble, and Mr Commissioner Murray. As the result of the interview it was resolved to ask three gentlemen of acknowledged engineering experience to sib as a board with the . object of inquiring into the cause of the accident and furnishing a report. Mr Richardson and the Commissioners are tally seized of the importance of having a searching investigation into the accident, and, with Mr Murray, the former went to Ringwood to inspect the scene of the disaster. They will he accompanied by Mr Woodroffe. During the morning no official report had come to hand from the driver or fireman of the engine in reference to the accident, but that is thought to be due to the circumstance that they have not sufficiently recovered to be able to give a circumstantial account of what occurred. The engine was one of the old R's, and, Mr Kibble pronounced them to be about the best class of engines used. So far nothing can be said as to the probable cause of the accident, as the broken plating of the engine has not been submitted to the inspection of experts. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 STATEMENT BY THE FIREMAN. This morning Thomas Miles, fireman on the engine the boiler of which exploded on Saturday night, is suffering from an injury to the spine, as well as a very severe shaking to the system. He states that he was fireman on the engine attached to the train which left Healesville on Saturday evening, at ten minutes to 8. Everything went all right until Ringwood was reached, when, .just as the train was about to continue its journey, a load explosion took place and Miles remembers nothing more until he was picked np on the platform ; and found himself suffering from a pain in the back, and an injury to his arm. He cannot think of any reason which could have caused the explosion, as there was plenty of water in the boiler, and everything seemed working all right. Mr R. Fulton, consulting engineer, of Queen street; Mr McLean, a member of the Marine Board ; and Mr Mephan Ferguson, engineer, have consented to act as a board to inquire into the cause of the engine boiler explosion at Ringwood on Saturday evening. The board has been appointed under section 117 of Act 1135, which provides that the Governor-in-Council may direct the taking of a such a step. Mr1 Fulton will act as chairman of the board, which met for the first time at the railway offices, Spencer street, this forenoon. Before separating the members of the Board paid a visit to the Prince's Bridge locomotive sheds in company with Mr Woodroffe, the chief mechanical engineer, for the purpose of inspecting the shattered boiler. It has been stated that the explosion is known to have been caused by a flaw in a plate which was put on the boiler about four years ago, but enquiries have tailed to elicit anything in support of that view. The engineers connected with the department are not inclined to say anything on the subject. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 14 April 1894, page 20 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion, The Minister of Railways has received the supplementary report of the board appointed by him to investigate the circumstances connected with the explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood. In their first report the board did not attach blame to anyone. Mr Richardson felt satisfied that the responsibility of having the engines properly inspected and overhauled periodically could be fixed if the inquiry were extended. He therefore referred the matter again to the Board, who took further evidence. In the report now furnished, the Board hold Loco. Inspector Thompson blameable, but point out as a mitigating circumstance that he had not received "written instructions" respecting inspections and overhauls. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 7 July 1894, page 32 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion. The Minister of Railways takes exception to the tone of a paragraph appearing in a morning contemporary respecting the Ringwood boiler explosion. It makes it appear that Mr Richardson has referred the report of the board which considered the facts connected with the explosion to the Crown solicitor simply because he differed from the finding of the board. The Minister explains that when he received the report he found that the responsibility for having boilers properly inspected and overhauled had not been clearly fixed. He personally obtained farther evidence on that point, and arrived at a conclusion, from which the commissioners differed. As he did not like to take upon himself the responsibility of deciding upon the effect of the evidence, he submitted the matter to the Crown Solicitor, but that officer did not furnish him with the information sought. He has, therefore, referred the question to the Attorney-General, together with the draft of a regulation respecting boiler inspections and overhauls in the future. Mr Richardson says that his whole aim is to have the responsibility positively fixed. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 28 April 1894, page 23 The Minister of Railways has completed his consideration of the supplementary report received by him from the Ringwood Boiler Explosion Board. The report, it will be remembered, held Loco-Inspector Thompson blameable for the non-inspection of the boiler, but considered there was extenuating circumstances. There was a certain amount of doubt as to the absolute instructions given for overhauling engines periodically. Mr. Richardson is sending the report on to the Commissioners with instructions that the responsibility respecting inspection of boilers shall be made clear for the future.

This photograph shows a piece of gold mining equipment identified as a mine winch, possibly an air winch cylinder of 1870s RG Ford's Patent design. Throughout the history of mining for gold and other precious materials, the windlass or winch (pictured) was used to bring up buckets full of soil from the bottom of a mine. This soil was then searched for gold/metals before being relocated to a different area. Due to the size and complexity of this particular piece of equipment, this winch may have been used to raise and lower mine carts to the entrance of the mine (often used in coal mining) and could have been used in raising cages up and down (acting as elevators) containing miners if the mine was particularly deep. The actual use of this particular item in the Beechworth locality is undocumented but these are some possibilities based on the use of these pieces of equipment in other mining locations. Mining can have a largely detrimental impact to the environment and therefore, the study of machinery like the one depicted in this photograph can help researches to reconstruct the methods and technologies used in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This particular item appears to have been removed from it's original site where it would have been used to assist with mining. It is possible that this photograph has been taken for recording purposes or as part of a machinery exhibition. Prior documentation records that this piece of equipment had connections to the Rocky Mountains Mining Company. Today, the Rocky Mountains Gold Mining company is famous in Beechworth for having been instrumental in the creation of the Rocky Mountain tunnel. Construction for this tunnel began in 1859 when a group of 12 men blasted a 400ft long tailrace though the rock beneath the town of Beechworth. Today, the 800ft tunnel, completed in 1871, is a popular tourist attraction but during the decades of gold mining, the purpose of this tunnel was to divert water away from the main sluicing operations so miners could better access gold and precious materials. The tunnel was used for this purpose for many years, later becoming useful for the Zwar Brother's tannery and currently as an outfall drain for Lake Sambell. This area continued to be mined until the early 1900s. The period when this item was in use is unclear but it is estimated to have been in the 1870s based on the design and appearance of the image. The gold works at the Rocky Mountain Tunnel closed in the early 1920s but the impact of mining remains in Beechworth today and therefore the study of photographs like this one which contain mining equipment can further understanding of mining in this region.This photograph has historic and research potential for study on the gold mining of the Beechworth region and types of equipment used to locate gold after the initial gold rush of 1853-1854 which resulted in the discovery of the surface gold and required miners to dig deeper to access precious metals. The clarity of the photo, and its good preserved condition, means it can continue to be used for research. This photo is part of a collection of six photos all within the Burke Museum Collection which depict mining equipment.Square black and white photograph on card.7793.1beechworth, mining, goldmining, goldmining equipment, beechworth burke museum

Depicted in the photograph is Newtown Bridge or the Newtown Falls Bridge, in Beechworth, Victoria. Noted for its location, detailed craftsmanship and stonemasonry by Scottish stonemasons the Newtown Bridge was built in the 19th century provincial town of Beechworth (completed in 1875). The bridge was built over Spring Creek, spanning 6.3 meters wide and 24.8 meters tall. Beechworth held a distinct role in the administrative and commercial management of Victoria's north-eastern goldfields, with many objects and structures still well preserved from the towns establishment. The bridge indicates the growth of the town, replacing a previous timber structure as well as its association to the mining activity in the area and the rapid increase in Australia's economy that led to investment and development of roads and railways. The local granite used in the construction of the single arch Newtown Bridge makes the bridge and other buildings made with the granite unique to the area, the honey-toned material distinct to Beechworth. This photograph is historically significant as it provides insight into the industrial development of Beechworth and the surrounding area, contributed to by the goldfields. The photograph further captures the representation of vernacular engineering traditions and Scottish stonemasonry.Two sepia-toned rectangular photographs featuring a bridge in the background printed on matte photographic paper mounted on card.Reverse: 97.2324/ Newtown Bridge/ Beechworthbridge, newtown beechworth, newtown bridge, newtown, beechworth, beechworth falls bridge, beechworth mining district, spring creek,

Taken between 1928 and 1930, depicted is the Bethanga Bridge under construction. The Bridge was completed in 1930 and was built to assist residents of the Bethanga district to travel to Albury. Other bridges would become submerged by the backed-up water of the Murray and Mitta Rivers so the Bethanga bridge was built two miles above the Mitta Weir. The Bethanga Bridge was built north of the future Hume Dam which would be completed in 1936. At 2430 feet long, Bethanga Bridge was the longest road bridge in Australia at the time of its completion. The Bridge is 20 feet wide and made up of nine 270 feet long spans. Materials used include ten tons of paint for the steel works; 1600 tons of steel; 900 tons of timber for the decking; and reinforced concrete for the piers. The tender for the construction was awarded to C. Ruwolt Pty. Ltd., engineers who were located on Victoria Street, West Richmond. The contract was awarded for £71,890. It was predicted between 250 and 300 men would find employment on the project. The news was well received by trade unions at the time as there had been a drop in available engineering work.This photograph is historically significant as it depicts the progress of the Bethanga Bridge construction, which was important infrastructure for the area. It is also a good example of methods used in the area to assist in travel over the river prior to the construction of the Hume Dam.Black and white rectangular photo printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: 1997 3186 / 84-19-3 / This is the bridge. / It is not yet open to traffic / yet. will not be completed / until May next / It is a wonderful bridge the / pillars are 100 feet high. / KODAK PRINT Envelope Obverse: Peterson PHOTO / Hume Weir Envelope Reverse: BMM 84-20-1,2+3. bethanga bridge, lake hume, hume dam, hume weir, murray river, bridge, bethanga, albury

Feldspathic arenites are sandstones that contain less than 90% quartz, and more feldspar than unstable lithic fragments, and minor accessory minerals.Feldspathic sandstones are commonly immature or sub-mature.These sandstones occur in association with cratonic or stable shelf settings. Feldspathic sandstones are derived from granitic-type, primary crystalline, rocks. If the sandstone is dominantly plagioclase, then it is igneous in origin Sandstone features prominently in public buildings throughout Victoria. Most of the sandstone used as dimension stone in the State came from three sources: the Heatherlie quarry in the Grampians (Silurian), the Bacchus Marsh area (Permian), and the Barrabool Hills near Geelong (Cretaceous).Sandstone features prominently in public buildings throughout Victoria, making this specimen special as it shows the materials used by Victorian building companies. Sandstone can also be crushed, crushed stone is used in the construction of roadways and road structures such as bridges, and in buildings, both commercial and residential. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. A feldspar-rich sandstone, a sandstone intermediate in composition between an arkosic sandstone and a quartz sandstone, containing 10% to 25% feldspar and less than 20% matrix material of clay, sericite, and chlorite. Feldspathic arenite containing less than 90 percent of the composition of quartz. Feldspar is the main composition. Feldspathic arenite may contain fragments of unstable rock, and a little amount of other minerals such as mica and heavy minerals. Some feldspathic arenite have pink or red color because of the presence of potassium feldspar or iron oxide. There are also colored light gray to white. These sandstones are usually medium to coarse grained and can contain a high percentage of granules with angular until subangular roundness. The content of the matrix can appear as the rest up to more than 15 percent, and sorting of grains can present as moderate to poorly sorted. Feldspathic sandstones are generally immature in textural maturity. Feldspathic arenite can not be judged from the structure of the sediment. Bedding can emerge from the laminate parallel to the crossbed. Fossils may appear in the layer deposited on the sea. Feldspathic arenites usually appear on the craton or the continental shelf, which can be associated with conglomerate, quartz lithic arenite, carbonate rock, or evaporites. This sandstone may also appear on the succession of sedimentary basins deposited on an unstable or deep sea, and moving arc setting. According to Pettijohn (1963) Arkose make up about 15 percent of all sandstones. Some Arkose formed in situ when the granite and related rocks disintegrate and generate granular sediments. Most of the material feldspathic sandstones derived from primary crystalline granitic rocks, such as granite or metasomatic rocks containing abundant potassium feldspar. Mineral contained in sandstones is mostly a form of plagioclase feldspar derived from quartz diorite or volcanic rock. Feldspar contained on this sandstone comes from arid to cool climates when the chemical weathering process is reduced.sandstone, natural stone, feldspathic sandstone, burke museum, geology, geological, geological specimen

This photograph shows men working on cutting marble at South Buchan for Australia House in London. In the early 1900s black marble was being mined in the Bruthen district. Some was used for the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne and Australia House in London. 900 tonnes were shipped to London to be included in the construction of Australia House. DESCRIPTIONA paper covered booklet which is a pictorial souvenir Of Australia House in London. Pictures show Buchan marble features of the building.SIZE H-266mm W-192mm OBJECT REGISTRATION654KEYWORDSbuchan-marble australia-houseHISTORICAL INFORMATIONAustralia House is the oldest Australian diplomatic mission and it is the longest continuously occupied foreign mission in London. King George V laid the building’s first foundation stone in 1913 but it was not until August 1918 that he officially opened the completed building. The stringencies of World War I – principally shipping difficulties and labour shortages – had delayed construction considerably. Federation of the six Australian states formally took place on 1 January 1901 but it was not until 1906 that the Federal Government sent an Official Secretary to London to represent Australia. In the intervening years Australia was represented by State Agents-General, the first of whom was the Agent-General of Victoria. The building is significant for its unique design, Beaux Arts style and the materials used in its construction.Marble quarrying has been a significant part of the history of Buchan in East Gippsland. Its inclusion in Australia House in London and the shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne is noteworthy.A small black / white photograph of men in the background of a marble quarry. There is also a copy.on back - " Cutting Australian Home Marble at Sth Buchan"buchan-marble geology australia-house

Ushabti are tiny anthropoid (human-shaped) figures placed in the tombs of wealthy Egyptians. They were intended to do the work of the deceased in the afterlife. This purpose is implied through their name, which may have derived from the Egyptian word “to answer”. The Burke Museum in Beechworth is home to a particular ancient Egyptian Ushabti figure. This artefact was donated to the Museum in 1875. No details about how it left Egypt, arrived in Australia, and where it was located before this donation are known. The Nineteenth Century, when this artefact was donated, was a period when many museums acquired items of ancient Egyptian heritage. Many of these items were procured in less than desirable circumstances, having often been looted from ancient tombs and sold to tourists without documentation as to their original location and/or accompanying grave goods. These artefacts were also divested through partage (the trading of artefacts for funds); however, the latter is unlikely to have been the case for this artefact. Since the Ushabti was donated by an unknown donor, it is likely to have been in a private collection rather than an institution. Ushabti can be dated using iconographic analysis which is non-invasive and provides a comprehensive study of the artefact. The later period of the 18th Dynasty marked the beginning of an increase in both the inclusion of Ushabti as essential funerary items and the creation of Ushabti with tools. From this period, they are no longer depicted without tools. Depictions of tools including gardening hoes are frequently depicted grasped in the Ushabti’s hands whilst items like the seed-bag are depicted hanging on the back rather than in an alternative position. This Ushabti figure grasps a gardening hoe and a mattock and a small seed bag surrounded by a yoke bearing water jars are depicted on the upper back of the Ushabti. These features are essential in helping narrow this dating to the late 18th and before the early 20th Dynasty. The position of this seed bag also provides dating information. In the early 18th Dynasty this bag was consistently drawn on the front of the figurine; however, by the reign of Seti I, this feature moved to the back. Thus, since the seed bag is located on the back of this Ushabti, it cannot date to the early 18th Dynasty. By the 19th Dynasty, Ushabti’s were increasingly made from either faience or terracotta. The availability of these materials in Egypt resulted in the increase of Ushabti production with tombs containing many more figurines than previously seen. The Ushabti held by the Burke collections is made from terracotta. Terracotta was rarely used for Ushabti before and during the early 18th Dynasty with only the odd appearance until the late 18th Dynasty and becoming common through that period until the late Third Intermediate Period. Whilst the face has been damaged, there is no evidence for the Ushabti having been provided with an Osirian false beard. This omission rules out a dating of later than the 25th Dynasty when beards became prominent. The inscriptions also date the Ushabti to the New Kingdom. This is because of the use of sḥḏ (“to illuminate”) with Wsjr (“Osiris”) which only occurs in these periods. Therefore, considering all these elements, the Ushabti can be confidently be dated to between the late 18th to early 19th dynasty.Artefacts like this Ushabti are no longer exclusively representative of their origins in burial assemblages and significance in the mythology of the Egyptian afterlife but are also significant for the accumulated histories they have gained through travel. The movement of this artefact from Egypt to Australia allows insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century, and in particular, the reception of ancient Egyptian artefacts in small rural museums. The procurement of Egyptian artefacts was a social trend around the late 1800s to early 1900s. Egyptian artefacts were considered curiosities and recognised for their ability to attract public attention to museums. They were also utilised in Australian museums, like the Burke Museum, to connect the collection to one of the oldest civilisations known to man and since Australia was considered a “young” country by European settlers, this was vital and derived from an interest in Darwin’s “Origin of the Species” 1859. Furthermore, there was a culture of collecting in the 1800s amongst the affluent in English society which led to the appearance of many Egyptian artefacts in private collections. The acquisition of this Ushabti figure is not certain, but it was likely donated from a private collection rather than an institution. This particular artefact is significant as an example of a high-quality Ushabti representative of those produced during the late 18th or early 19th century. It provides insight into the individualism of an Ushabti and the mythology of ancient Egypt. It also provides an example of the types of items required in the tomb assemblages of this period and reinforces the importance of ensuring the successful afterlife of the deceased through art. This Ushabti belonged to a woman named Taweret-Khaiti, Chantress of Amun, in the late 18th Dynasty or early 19th Dynasty (c.1292 BC) of the Egyptian New Kingdom. It likely comes from an undetermined tomb in the locality of Thebes. This figure is made from Nile silt clay (a polyester terracotta; clay sourced from the banks of the Nile River) which was a popular material for Ushabti construction in the early 19th Dynasty. It is in a fair state of preservation (with the exception of a break through the centre) and originally made to a high quality. The face has been damaged but the eyes and eyebrows are clearly marked with black ink and the sclera painted white. The Ushabti is painted a light brown/yellow colour and features a vertical line of inscription down the lower front. The Ushabti wears a large wig and and a schematic collar. The arms are painted light brown and depicted crossed with bracelets around the wrists. It grasps a hoe and mattock. A yellow seed-basket is depicted on the Ushabti’s back. These features represent the likelihood that this particular Ushabti was intended to complete farm work for the deceased in the next life. There would have been additional Ushabti of similar design within the tomb who worked under the supervision of a foreman Ushabti. The foreman Ushabti would be depicted dressed in the clothing of the living. The inscriptions are painted freehand in black ink and written in a vertical column from the base of the collar to the foot pedestal on the front of the Ushabti. The owner of the Ushabti could elect to have the figures inscribed with their name, the Ushabti spell and any other details they deemed necessary. In the case of this example, the Ushabti is inscribed with the owner’s details and is an abbreviated version of the standard Ushabti formula. This formula ensured that the Ushabti would complete the desired task in the afterlife when called upon by the deceased. Ushabti which were not inscribed would represent their intended purpose through design; however, this Ushabti, like most made in the late 18th Dynasty, conveys its purpose both through both design and inscription. The inscription is as follows: sHD wsir nbt pr Smayt imn tA-wr(t)-xai(ti) mAa xrw which translates to: "The illuminated one, the Osiris (the deceased), the mistress of the household, Chantress of Amun, Taweret-Khaiti, true of voice (justified)"ancient egypt