non-fictionBacchus Marsh by Bacchus Marsh is an anecdotal history of the town and district of Bacchus Marsh. It is a collection of memories of 49 residents recorded in oral history interviews and then adapted into a written record. Most of the interviewees had lived in Bacchus Marsh for many decades and are from a variety of occupations and backgrounds. The oldest interviewee was born in 1890 and the youngest was born in 1938. The interviews were conducted by Geoffrey Camm who then transcribed them and edited them for this publication. A black and white photographic portrait of each interviewee accompanies each chapter. The book includes maps and an index of individual and family names. Publication citation: Camm, Geoffrey, compiler, Bacchus Marsh by Bacchus Marsh: An anecdotal history, Bacchus Marsh, Vic. : Shire of Bacchus Marsh in conjunction with ; Melbourne: Hargreen Publishing, 1986. 392 pages.bacchus marsh, bacchus marsh history, biographies, anecdotes

Martha Watson was born on 17 October 1888 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia as the first child of Robina (Ruby) WATSON. She died on 23 March 1976 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Memories of Martha by Valcia nee Twigg Lowrie, granddaughter of Arthur Watson. My memories and recollections as told to me my Grandmother ‘Mum’ Myers. As a child she had scarlet fever and did not attend school during the illness and missed a lot of school (Macarthur Street State School). When she was meant to return to school having fallen behind her classmates, confused and behind with the school work, she instead spent her time wandering around Lake Wendouree feeling too ashamed to attend school. Her uncle Arthur, born in 1874, whom she idealized, was a type of father/mentor figure who played and important part in her early life. He moved to Queensland in the early 1900’s and they did not meet again until he visited Melton in 1949, he died in 1954. He was a champion rower in Victoria and Queensland and a noted cyclist who rode in three Warrnambool to Melbourne races, and footballer. Her mother’s death certificate reveals her place of death as the Ballarat Hospital on 8th September 1903 aged 36. Martha was not told of the death of her mother, it was some time later when she found out her mother had died. She was greatly distressed when she eventually found out. The grief and the circumstance of her mothers death and her unfortunate life had a permanent effect on Martha’s life. Robina was buried in Open Ground at the New Cemetery Ballarat. Marjorie likened to this to the death of Mozart at the age of 35 who was also buried in a common grave. Martha also told me the stories about how as a child she played at the cemetery, taking the oranges placed as offerings on the Chinese graves and being chased away in fright when caught by a Chinese man. Her description left a vivid impression on my mind. The Burnbank street house was just across the road from the cemetery. The pieces of this story I had heard made sense when I visited the location in recent years. Martha’s described how Nanna would sing on the front verandah, and send her off to t get drink for her. This situation might help explain the reason for Martha’s strong aversion to alcohol. As a young girl it had been distressing to her. Nanna was a colourful and theatrical personality and danced with the Duke when he visited Ballarat. She was also known to have stated that she would marry a man who could give her a bucket of gold, possibly around the time after her first husband, Charles death, she had her young boy Edward to bring up. Martha was about 13 years old when Nanna Watson left Ballarat going to Queensland to visit her son Arthur. Martha slept that night afraid and alone in the empty house. The person who was meant to collect her did not come until the next day. She went to work for a family, a woman with children, they took most of the money that Nanna had left with Martha. There was a new baby in the house and the Scottish man in the house behaved suspiciously towards Martha. She was afraid of him and would hide from him under the bed. At this young age she managed to survive on her wits and sense of self preservation. It is not known how long she worked with this family. The place was from my impression, away from the town of Ballarat. Her very difficult formative years are testament to her strength of character and determination to succeed in life and ambition to provide the best opportunities for her own children. In 1905 Martha received a post card from Uncle Arthur in Brisbane addressed – c/o Mrs Styles 14 High Street Ballarat. Dolly Styles was a Ballarat friend and she kept in contact with her for many years. A letter reveals her living in Minyip in her older years. Martha is thought to have spent a few years working before she arrived in Melton. Miss Shebler hired Martha to help her in the care of her father and to assist with work in the Golden Fleece Hotel. Mr Shebler was a nice old man and mostly confined to his room and somewhat childlike as described by Martha. [The elderly Mr August Shebler died in February 1908]. Martha’s exact arrival in Melton is not known, but could be estimated as late 1906 to early 1907. In her room at the hotel she could hear the spring cart of Mr Minns going on the milk delivery rounds in the very early hours of the morning after coming across the creek from his house When she was 19, she married Frederick Thomas MYERS, son of Henri MIERS and Ann DOWLING, on 30 April 1908 ( Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia). Frederick Thomas MYERS and Martha Mary WATSON had the following children: 1. Frederick John Watson MYERS was born on 01 October 1908 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 07 February 2001.He married Mary June BATTYE on 18 September 1948 in Victoria, Australia. 2. Marjorie Gretchen MYERS was born on 21 February 1912 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 10 September 2004 in Frankston, Victoria, Australia.She married Herbert Vivian BUTLER on 07 January 1939 in Victoria, Australia. 3. Eva Edna MYERS was born on 15 October 1918 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 31 January 2008 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.She married Ernest Wesley BARRIE on 25 October 1941 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. 4. Arthur Bruce MYERS was born on 29 April 1925 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 26 March 2015 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.He married Olive Irene NORTON in April 1953 in Balliang, Victoria, Australia (or Church of Christ Footscray? (WB)). 5. Maxwell Douglas MYERS was born on 10 August 1927 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 03 May 2005 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.He married Rosemary Rebecca BARRIE on 31 August 1951 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. Valcia nee Twigg Lowrie granddaughter of Arthur Watson, daughter of Mercia and Val Twigg did extensive research on the Marshall family of Lerwick Shetland Isle obtaining birth information of the Scottish forebears. She also got the birth/marriage and death certificates of the Ballarat connection of Robina’s husbands and children. Copies were sent to Edna and Wendy during the early 1990’s. Bruce and Irene also obtained certificates and Myers family information. Wendy applied for certificates at this time.Photographs of Martha (Watson) Myers taken at different times of her life

Dark green hardcover register, buff binding on spine and corners, two hundred and seventy pages. 'Minute Book' written in gold print on spine of book. Written in blue pen on inside front page: ' The Great Columbian Mining Company No Liability' Minutes entered date from 30th March 1904 to 6th September 1911. Minutes signed by James Hedley. Documents inserted in minute book, additional to minute content: 1. List of unpresented cheques (no date on list) 2. Petition by John William Allen, Manager, Bank of Victoria, View Street, Bendigo to 'wind up' the Great Columbian Mining Co. Dated 18th September, 1911. 3. From Great Columbian Mining Co., Inglewood, Butler and Sons account 4. List of Great Columbian Mining Company N.L. shareholders 5. Mine Manager's Report half year ending 6th September 1911 6. Directors' Report, 6th September 1911 7. Two letters from Fred. Douglas Jones, Barrister and Solicitor, Albion Chambers, Bendigo regarding cheques 'being returned unpaid' by Bank 8. Judgement from County Court Bendigo, 19th September, 1911, against the Great Columbian Mining Company, defendant. Plaintiffs, George Victor Lansell; George Wooten Lansell and Richard Hartley Smith Abbott 9. McColl and Rankin, Legal Managers, Accountants, invoice to Great Columbian Mining Co., 31st December 1911. 10. Letter, J. Stagg, Inglewood to McColl and Rankin, re settling up of accounts for the Great Columbian Mining Co., Inglewood 11. Great Columbian liquidation, Ingleoowd, Feb 19th. 1912 to R.A. Rankin Esq., re sale catalogue articles. Enclosed Mr. Butters charge for hire of horse and dray ((not in book) Signed J. Cavanaugh 12. Invoice from McColl and Rankin to the Great Columbian Co., for cash advances, 31st December 1912 13. Great Columbian Mining Co., statement of having received 'one receiver and mountings in good condition' signed McCulloch Carrying co., L. Lee, 5/2/12 14. Account Richard Linton, Manufacturers Agent, Queen Bridge Square, Melbourne to Great Columbian Mining Co., Inglewoodbendigo, mccoll and rankin, margaret roberts, great columbian mining company, inglewood,

Photographs of the loading, transport and off loading of ex MMTB/Metropolitan Transit scrubber tram No. 8W (8) from Preston Workshops to Ballarat on 10/9/1999. All on Kodak Royal paper. Most feature a number of people in the photograph. 1. Loading tram at Preston 2. ditto 3. ditto 4. tram loaded 5. Ready to leave Preston with articulated tram No. 2121 alongside. 6. ditto 7. Arrived in Wendouree Parade, rainy day. 8. ditto at Windmill Drive North - L.Arthur truck 9. Moving to off loading position at Old loop, with tower truck in background 10. Barry James crane about to lift. 11. Lifted off truck 12. About to be lowered onto the ground 13. ditto 14. On the track 15. Crane being packed up. 16. Waiting to be towed. 17. W3 661 being coupled up. 18. ditto 19. Group photo - from left to right - Paul Mong, Mark McKay, Alastair Reither, Stephen Butler, Carolyn Dean, John Phillips, Simon Jenkins, Warren Doubleday and Alan Snowball. 20. Being towed into the depot 21. Crossing Wendouree Parade 22. Being pushed by 671 into 7 Road. Note image 19A used by Museums Australia in a display - collections and people, 9/2001 - display boards. - similar image to 19, photo by Carolyn Dean on Warren Doubleday's camera. Added 2/2002. See item 9623 for other two photographs.Yields information about the BTM Acquisition of the scrubber tram No. 8Set of 22 colour photographs taken by Carolyn Dean. All have "10.9.99" and "Photo by Carolyn Dean" on rear.scrubber tram, delivery of tramcars, unloading, btm, tram 8, tram 8w

Colour print of BTM Planning group meeting - Sovereign Hill, "Court House", 25/2/1995. Reported in March 1995 Fares Please and photograph used in the 1994 - 1995 Annual Report. Stephen Butler, Warren Doubleday, Greg Rodgers, Garry Wood, Frank Puls, Alan Bradley, Richard Gilbert, Clayton Giles, Peter Winspur, Elizabeth Downes (CHHA Project Officer), Carolyn Dean, Len Millar and John Phillips. Photo by Carolyn's Camera. On Kodak Paper. March 1995 Fares Please! and BTM Annual Report 1994 1995btm, planning, sovereign hill

Set of ten photographs taken or arranged by Carolyn Dean during the 2004 Begonia Festival. On Kodak paper. Nos. 1, 5 and 6 taken on 6/3/2004, remainder 8/3/2004. .1 - Scrubber tram No. 8 showing progress on repainting to MMTB style. .2 - John Phillips photographing John Shaw in front of No. 27, with the destination "Alstom" on depot fan. .3 - John Shaw standing in front of No. 27 .4 - John Shaw attending to the trolley rope of No. 27 .5 - Six BTM standings in front or on No. 27 - John Shaw, Roger Salen, Simon Green, Carolyn Dean, Alastair Reither and John Phillips. .6 - ditto .7 - Wearing their Alstom tops and caps, BTM Crew with 661 and 671 in the background: = left to right - Simon Green, Alastair Reither, John Shaw, Len Millar, Roger Salen , Carolyn Dean, John Phillips, Alan Snowball, Peter Winspur, Stephen Butler and Sam Boon on Monday 8/3/2004. .8 - ditto .9 - as for .3 .10 - as for .1On rear of each photo in ink, date and who took the photograph.btm, begonia festival, alstom, wendouree parade, tram 8, tram 27, tram 661, tram 671

Colour photograph of the 1986 - 1987 of the BTPS Board, standing alongside No. 26. Photo taken with C. Deans camera - John Phillips. Left to right: On tram - Paul Miller, Carolyn Dean, Richard Gilbert. On ground - Howard Stoney, Frank Hanrahan, Garry Wood, Andrew Mitchell, Stephen Butler, Paul McDonald, Peter Winspur and Alan Bradley. Photo taken 12.10.1986"In ink on back "113 6 12.10.86"btm, btps board, tram 26

Set of 13 colour prints or photographs taken on the day of the Ballarat Tramway Museums 30th anniversary dinner, celebrations on 22/9/2001 by Carolyn Dean, or others as noted on the back of the photograph. All on Kodak paper. 1959.1 - Depot scene in the afternoon with signs being transferred from tram 45 to tram 18 by Alastair Reither and Dave Macartney, watched by Gavin Young. (image used in Jan. 2002 Fares Please!) .2 - Bruce Worthington, Peter Winspur, Stephen Butler, Greg Rodgers and Carolyn Dean - Photo John Phillips .3 - Craig Stephenson, Richard Gilbert and Warren Banfield .4 - John Phillips, Allison Tooke and Craig Tooke .5 - Bruce Worthington and Bob Merchant .6 - Stephen Butler - organiser speaking .7 - Stephen Butler and Peter Winspur .8 - Stephen Butler and Carolyn Dean - photo Craig Tooke .9 - Richard Gilbert, Stephen Butler, Gavin Young and Carolyn Dean - photo Craig Tooke .10 - Stephen Butler, Bill Kingsley, Gavin Young, Carolyn Dean, Austin Brehaut and Peter Winspur - photo Craig Tooke .11 - Richard Gilbert .12 - Holding their 30 year plaques - Austin Brehaut, Gavin Young, Richard Gilbert, Carolyn Dean, Bill Kingsley, Peter Winspur and Warren Doubleday - photo John Phillips .13 - ditto On rear of photograph in black ink "22.9.01" "Photo by Carolyn Dean" - except forbtm, dinner, 30th anniversary, lake lodge, tram 18, tram 40, tram 45, tram 33

Colour photograph of the workers involved at Bungaree of the move of Ballarat trams 11 and 32 to Bungaree sheds on 16 Feb. 2001. Photograph standing in front of No. 11 are: (left to right) - Jim Parker, Cole Weth, Harry Teunissen, Lewis Nyman, John Phillips, Austin Brehaut, Kevin Taig, Sam Boon, Peter Winspur, Daniel Edwards, Warren Doubleday, Stephen Butler, Alexander Cox and Andrew Cox. Photograph taken by Carolyn Dean. On Kodak paper.On rear in black ink "16.2.01 / Photo by Carolyn Dean"btm, bungaree, moving trams, storage, tram 11

B&W photo of Grade 4A, 1939, Box Hill State S. Black & white photograph; 3 sizesschools, "those were the days", graham> jack, thomas> john, stewart> eric, slessor> peter, jamieson> john, sparks> howard, aumann> ted, mcleod> janet, whitechurch> beth, toogood> connie, carter> naomi, nealy> valerie, king> norma, underwood> valerie, smale> thelma, mcdonald> margaret, graham> mena, barnett> phyllis, nesbitt> doreen, grapham> audrey, butterworth> dorothy, sawyer> margot, mclass> beverley, seide> kathleen, wilson> beth, brownfield> margaret, wright> dorothy, harris> ruth, butler> peggy, lean> dorothy, boreham> stanley, blakeley> barry, nicholson> len, whitehead> geoff, bowers> charlie, garrett> geoff, robinson> keith, sonnenberg> alan, peacock> owen, rodgerson> margaret, box hill primary school, box hill state school, baird> bill

This is a copy of an album of photographs held at the National Library of Australia. The album was photographed by Reverend's Weller grand daughter. Freda Oxley was a friend of the Wellers. She was born in Windsor in 1882 and Alexina Weller (nee Caley) was born in 1885 also in Windsor. She travelled on the SS Persic from England and arrived in 1925. She stayed at the Mission for several years, and became a host of the many picnics, making friends with the ladies from the Guild, taking photographs of people and events. Page 1 to 3: Outward Bound - SS Persic - September 26th .... November 12th 1925 Page 4: Interiors of the Mission to Seamen Melbourne Page 5: Page 6: Page 7: Page 8: Freda Oxley, the Wellers, Alexina Weller, Xmas Day 1927, Dora Walker and Rev. Weller Page 9: Gardens: the photographs show the garden's plants in its early years / Botanical Gardens / Nellie Melba's gardens in her estate Coombe: Walter Butler, the architect of the Mission had designed some extensions for Nellie Melba's estate and part of the gardens of the property, so it was likely through they acquaintance that the Mission's reverend and friends were invited. Page 10:This album provides photographs of the Mission's interiors, garden, staff, guests and activities during the Wellers stay. It also provides the provenance of the Weller album held in the Mission's collection.The album was donated to the National Library of Australia by Miss Elizabeth Phillips, with her address in England, with a typed note attached that reads: 'These photographs were taken by my aunt Miss Freda Oxley between 1925 and 1928. She went out to Melbourne at that time and stayed at the Mission to Seamen with her friends the Revd Jack Weller and Mrs Weller. The Revd Weller later became Bishop of the Falkland Islands.'freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969, ss persic, gardens, botanical garden, picnics, officers, portsea, sydney, rev. w.m robertson, dora simpson nee walker, wedding, alice sibthorpe tracy, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935, royal botanical garden, nellie melba, coombe, zoo, seamen, sailors, walter richmond butler (1864–1949), juan oyarzo, john oyarzo, fern tree gully, kerferd family

Bendigo Operatic Society Programme: ''Viktoria and Her Hussar'' Capital Theatre Bendigo. Opening Friday, 14th April 1961, for Five Nights. Price 1/6. Bendigo Operatic Society Presents by permission of J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd. ''Viktoria and Her Hussar'' A Norman Lee Production, Music by Paul Abraham, Book and Lyrics by Harry Graham. Cast in Order of Appearance: Leonard Carr as Stephan Koltay (A Hungarian Cavalry Officer) - Ferd Lorenz as Janzci (His Servant) - Reginald Boromeo as A Russian Sergeant - Peter Houston as A Cossack Sentry - Gerald Hayward as Tokeramo Yagani (A Japanese Secretary) - Carol McKenzie as Viktoria - Brian Thomas as John Carling (American Ambassador at the Court of Japan) - Frederick Trewarne as Miki (A Japanese Servant) - Annette Wilson as Riquette (Viktoria's Maid) - Bryan Brewer as Count Ferry Hegedu - Greta Smyth as Suzuki (A Japanese Maid) - Patricia McCracken as O Lia San - Peter Haines as Webster (Butler to the American Ambassador) - Patricia Lyon as O Muki San - Alfred Annison as Bela Porkelty. Musical Director: Max O'Loghlen. Ballet Mistress: Madge Welch. Society Pianist: Mrs. P. House. Synopsis of Story: Viktoria believing her lover Stephan to have been killed in action against the Russians, has married John Carling. Stephan wasn't dead but taken prisoner of war. With the help of Janzci escapes and take refuge in the american embassy. Here he meets Viktoria who remembering the vows she made before the war is torn between her love for him and her loyalty to her husband.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

The Orford family, a pioneer family remained continuously living and working in Eltham for 170 years from 1854 to 2024. James and Sarah Orford arrived in Sydney in 1839 aboard the ship “Orestes”; they had several children there before settling in Eltham in 1854. Three children, James Mathias, Sarah Amelia and Thomas Henry initially remained in the Eltham area. James eventually moved to Brunswick. Sarah married Arthur Butler Young and finally lived in Bunyip. Thomas who was six years old when the family arrived in 1854 remained in Eltham, married Helen Logan who died, leaving a large family. They lived in a slab hut by the Yarra at Laughing Waters and Thomas managed the Panton Park Estate, a selection owned by Magistrate Thomas Panton. Thomas’s son, Ernest Orford was born 1892 at Pitt Street, Eltham and also lived his entire life in Eltham working as a labourer, orchardist and later as a gardener and grounds keeper for Sir William Irvine, a former Chief Justice and Premier of Victoria. Ernest married Kate Thomas; their two sons Ron and Doug stayed in the area. Another of Thomas' sons, Arthur, also lived in Eltham. Four Orford generations attended Eltham schools. Doug Orford was born on the kitchen table (reference, son Ted Orford) of the family home at the corner of Reynolds Road and Mount Pleasant Road. Doug married Gwen and they established a family however Gwen died at a young age from cancer. Doug eventually remarried another Gwen and they lived for several decades in Napoleon Street, Eltham. Doug was actively involved in EDHS over many years, including serving as a committee member and vice president. Contributions by Doug and Gwen (Treasurer/Membership Secretary), his wife, assisted EDHS to continue to develop as a not-for-profit group intent on promoting and preserving our local history. Both Doug and Gwen were made Life Members of EDHS. They also acted as EDHS delegates to the Eastern Region of Historical Societies. His significant work with assisting to establish our valued Local History Centre helped develop our home base and supported the continued growth of our society. Doug’s local knowledge, suggestions and family connections were highly valued, Until recent times, he continued to regularly attend our Collections Team workshops providing his insights and historical information about photographs and society records. Doug died peacefully July 8, 2024, and represents the last link in the Orford Eltham chain which spanned 170 years. His funeral was held Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Le Pine Funerals, 848 Main Road, Eltham. Contents: Typed notes, no date: Memories of Ernest Orford [taped 1979] about his school days. Handwritten notes, no date: History of Ernie Orford Typed notes, no date: History of Thomas Henry Orford and family. Photocopy: Shire of Eltham General Rate Receipts. Received from D Orford 7 June 1923 and Received from E F Orford, 4 August 1924. Letter, no date: Nillumbik Shire to Russell Yeoman, Gwen Orford to receive Volunteer Recognition Award. Newsletter article: "The Orford Family, Eltham", Shire of Eltham Historical Society, No.80 September 1991. History of Orford family. Handwritten notes: 21 March 2011, genealogy of George Orford. On reverse Melways map makred with Orford and other land ownerships. Newspaper advertisement, 21 March 2011: "264 Reynolds Road, South Eltham", property for sale [land in ownership of Orford family]. Letter: St Margaret's Anglican Church Eltham to Doug Orford, 17 November 2011, Extracts from church records relative to Orford family. Newspaper article: "Timely facelift at war memorials', Diamond Valley Leader, 30 April 2024, Nillumbik war memorial will have some work and a bronze plaque will be installed at the Eltham Avenue of Honour, Wingrove Park; photograph of Doug Orford Newsletter item: "Welcome home medal", Eltham District Historical Society newsletter no.216 May 2014, World War I two 'Welcome Home Medals' in ownership of local men, being Harry Gilham and Doug Orford. Order of Service, Le Pine Funerals (Eltham), In Loving Memory of Douglas Frederick Orford 22nd August 1929 - 8th July 2024 Doug Orford Reminiscences (2002) in conjunction with Jock Read and Peter Bassett Smith; 4 pages - 3 typed, 1 handwritten possibly transcribed from an audio tape recording (location unknown). New word file and associated pdf created [\Dropbox\EDHS DATA\DOCUMENTS\COLLECTION CATALOGUE DOCUMENTS AND PDFs\2-2 Family Folders\EDHS_06110-2 Doug Orford reminiscences 2002.docx - 1 April 2025]Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcdoug orford, harry gilham, welcome home medal, eltham avenue of honour, nillumbik war memorial, wingrove park, henry dendy, alfred armstrong, james orford, 264 reynolds road south eltham, george orford, george joseph orford, maryanne george joseph, thomas henry orford, ernest orford, e f orford, eltham cemetery, helen orford, joseph panton, panton park, gordon lyon, banyule estate heidelberg, james matthias orford, wurundjeri, constable peter lawlor, george hill, franklin street eltham, ronald orford, eltham primary school, john brown, robert gamble school inspector, sarah orford, mary ann orford, james mathias orford, sarah amelia orford, james peet, arthur butler young, watsons creek victoria, kangaroo ground victoria, helen logan, william orford, jane orford, arthur orford, frederick orford, florrie orford, victor orford, chem orford, sunnymede eltham, panton hill estate, sir william irvine, gordon lyons, kate thomas, north eltham gospel church, harold clapp, eltham cricket club, research primary school, dalton street school eltham, keith banks, betty banks, benjamine boyd, laughing waters road eltham, freddie gilsinen, douglas frederick orford, eltham district historical society, funeral service, le pine funeral home, life member, order of service, 1934 flood, 1939 bushfires, alcock & pierce, ansell, associated schools sports, blacksmith shop, boakes, bridge street, bryce family, bullock track, butcher, catholic church, cliff lester, cliffy green, daisy smith, dave lyon, diamond creek, diana bassett smith, dick tooth, dr. frank may, eltham higher elementary school, ernie andrew, fire station, flower stall, fodder business, fruit shop, furniture store, gahan family, garni burges, greensborough, harold norman, harry hawker, hat factory, hawker & owen, hay and com store, henry hawker, henry street, j .harry butherway, jack burgoyne, jack ryan, jock read, john lyon, junk yard, kevin gahan, kilpatricks, len parsons, lyon family, machine factory, mc leans, memorial, metery road, miss reynolds, monteith 's bus, mr. gadd, mrs. bird, mrs. morrison, napoleon street, peter bassett smith, peter's gahan, plenty river, plumridge, produce store, public hall, rechabite hall, reynolds road, roger bird, rutter family, ryan family, shoe factory., staffs produce store, studley cairn gahan, sweeneys lane, swimming pool, taylor street, tennis court, warren family, wooden bridge, yarra brae road

Plum Cottage is covered by Heritage Overelay HO256 in the Nillumbuk Planning Scheme This two-lot land holding was created as a subdivision and sold to Charles Stuart McNeil by May 1955. Sometime in the period 1955-1960, the builder-designer, John Harcourt had created a pise house on the site, straddling the two subdivision lots. The designer, John M. Harcourt was a pioneer builder in pise-de-terre and mudbrick in the Eltham Shire, Eltham being synonymous with alternative lifestyles and building practises until the onset of suburbia in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. This hipped-roof house is set high above Main Road on a V-shape plan characteristic of the Arts & Crafts style, with rammed earth or pise walls, timber joinery and a cement tiled roof. The V shape plan was used by important English and Eltham Arts & Crafts designers. The use of natural materials such as stone and timber construction is an essential part of the Arts & Crafts style and Harcourt’s work. So too is the application of the style on both the exterior and interior of the house as a holistic concept. The house adjoins the Lim Joon adobe house built and designed by Alistair Knox in the same era (HO119), thus forming a distinctive pair, both using an uncommon plan form. This house was identified in the Shire of Shire of Eltham Heritage 1992 as contributory to the Eltham Gateway Conservation Area, then proposed as an urban conservation area (now Heritage Overlay Area). Land Ownership Emily Jane Smith of 12 Woodside Street Fitzroy owned Crown Allotments 1 & 2 Sections 14, 27 by August 1918, selling to William Henry Smith of 12 Woodside Street, Nth Fitzroy May 1921. (John) James Isherwood of Main Road, Eltham owned the property by 1928 (the year of his death) with the beneficiary of his estate and next owner of this site being his widow, Minnie Maria Isherwood of Cemetery Road, Eltham. His holding in Main Road included parts of what was described in rate records as allotments1 & 2 Section E6. In the late 1930s, early 1940s her son Alfred John Isherwood was also rated for the land around this site, with the rated nett annual value varying between £2 and £5. Alfred Isherwood also lived at Main Road, Eltham with his wife Ellen: her early death at the age of 24 was reported in the Argus of 1923. Part of the Isherwood land was divided off and sold to Charles Stuart McNeil by May1955. Sometime in the period 1955-1960, the builder-designer, John Harcourt had created a pise house on the site, straddling the two subdivision lots. The house is visible on an aerial photograph from 1960s. Reputedly the house was called Plum Cottage and erected for Harcourt’s mother-in-law. A garage was added in 1959. Charles McNeil died in1971 aged 87: he was the son of Don McNeil and Margaret Arkell. Available rate records from the construction era start in the of the 1970s (1972-3) and list Mr H.C. & M/S A.V. Charity at 616 Main Road Eltham of this property with a nett annual value of $740. More recent valuer's data describes the property as lots 1 & 2 LP25668, located in the Central Riding of Eltham Shire, owned by Ann Valerie Charity and later, in 1990, by the Chincarini family. Building Description This hipped roof 11 .5 square house is set high above Main Road on a characteristic-shape plan and has rammed earth or pise walls, timber joinery and a cement tiled roof. The V-shape plan was used by Important designers such as C.F.A. Voysey (UK) who interpreted medieval domestic architecture as part of the Arts & Crafts style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The pise walls are covered with a textured render while the cement roofing tiles are also seen in the Harcourt Hill examples. Reputedly the ceiling joists are of a deep section and span long lengths with no need for hanging beams in the roof space. The ceilings are low and panelled in main rooms with apparently Caneite soft board infill panels between the exposed ceiling beams. These are painted white but may have been stained at one time. The focus of the house is the large living area with its vast random stone fireplace. Significance Plum Cottage is significant to the locality of Eltham because: Historically: • Plum Cottage is closely associated with the important historical theme of earth construction evident in Eltham and elsewhere in the Shire since theear1y Arts & Crafts inspired creations at Penleigh Boyd's The Robins (1912, HO101) and those at Montsalvat (1934-, HO82) but more prominent from the Second War period when earth building in Eltham was promoted in national periodicals as an alternative building method that avoided the building materials shortages of that era; • The choice of the earth building technique also expresses the theme of refuge or alternative living, synonymous with Eltham in the early to mid 20th century; • as a good example of domestic architecture from John Harcourt who was the first major post Second War figure in an important phase of Eltham’s earth building development, using his characteristic Old English or Arts& Crafts style that relies in this case on the pise wall construction, pitched roof forms, exposed ceiling joists, half timbering, random stonework, and panelled internal wall finishes. Architecturally: • Plum Cottage's pise wall construction is uncommon among the early earth-walled structures in the Shire, that are mainly of adobe or mud brick, and as a building material is uncommon among the Shire’s suburban dwellings generally which are clad typically with either fired clay bricks or timber boarding. Aesthetically: • Plum Cottage is a good and well preserved example of a modern Old English or Arts & Crafts style earth-walled building in the Shire • For the proximity of the significant Lim Joon adobe house designed by Alistair Knox adjoining to the north, providing a distinctive earth wall house pair, with uncommon plan forms. Reference Heritage Assessment of Plum Cottage, 616 Main Road, Eltham; Graeme Butler & Associates 2010main road, eltham, property, houses, (john) james isherwood, alfred john isherwood, ann valerie charity, arts and crafts style, charles stuart mcneil, chincarini family, eltham gateway zone, emily jane smith, h.c. charity, heritage assessment, john harcourt, john m. harcourt, lim joon house, main road eltham, minnie maria isherwood, pise construction, plum cottage