Emma Mercer was born in 1870 and lived at Spring Vale (now Pittong) at the Mercer property "The Pines". Emma worked as a teacher and head teacher at several schools, including Mortchup, Chepstowe, Kiata and Tarilta. In 1916, after she had retired from teaching, she married James Brown, a widower, one of a large farming family at Chepstowe. They had no children. James' brother David was married to Emma's sister Elizabeth (Bessie), and after James Brown died in 1931, Emma moved to live near her sister at Pittong. Emma Brown died in 1954. Emma and her sister Bessie were very involved with the war effort during World War I, and after the war they were presented with certificates of appreciation by the Linton "Diggers". (Copies of certificates in the LDHS collection.)Black and white copy of a studio portrait showing a lady standing behind a wooden gate. She is wearing a white high collared blouse with brooch and pendant, and a dark coloured jacket and long skirt. (nee Mercer)"Emma Brown nee Mercer"emma brown née emma mercer

Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 27 April 2005, No to car wash. Letter 25 July 2005 from Minter Ellison Lawyers attaching VCAT notice of adjournment. Letter 5 September 2005 re Application for review of Application for Review P1036/2005. Letter 6 September 2005 from Apex Building Design Studio to Minter Ellison Lawyers re carwash development. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader 20 February 2007, Gateway 'blob' bid fails test, Nillumbik Council rejected plan for 3 story building, 12 offices, ship, 8 homes. Notice of Decision to Refuse to Grant a Permit, Application 191/2023/02P, Nillumbik Shire Council, 4 Oct 2023 Newspaper advertisement: Leader Associated Newspapers, Eltham Centenary Supplement, March 30, 1971, Mobil Service Centremain road, eltham, property, businesses, carwash, apex design studio, eltham gateway, minter ellison lawyers, mobil service centre (eltham)

Zillah Jean Brown, known as Jean, was the granddaughter of a pioneer of the district, Mr Hugh Brown. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Black and white photo of Miss Jean Brown in highland dress with bagpipes.University Studios 306 Lygon St. Carltonhugh brown, mordialloc, jean brown, highland dress, costumes, bagpipes

Mr Hugh Brown farm, collecting logs for fence and preparing the ground to grow fruit trees. Mr Brown planted 8 acres of fruit trees. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Black and white studio photo of Mr Hugh Brown's farm. Gum trees and cleared land.hugh brown, mordialloc, pioneer, pine vale, farm, orchard, fruit trees, cattle, wagon track, fence

Zillah Brown (nee Baxter), was the wife of a pioneer of the district, Mr Hugh Brown. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Black and white studio photo of Mrs Zillah Brown and her son.University Studios 306 Lygon St. Carltonhugh brown, mordialloc, pioneer, zillah brown, zillah baxter, pine vale

Zillah Jean Brown, known as Jean, was the granddaughter of a pioneer of the district, Mr Hugh Brown. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Black and white studio photo of Miss Jean Brown with a doll.The Yeoman Studioshugh brown, mordialloc, jean brown, zillah brown, doll

Zillah Jean Brown, known as Jean, was the granddaughter of a pioneer of the district, Mr Hugh Brown. Jean married Francis Anderson in October 1930. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Black and white studio photo of the wedding of Miss Jean Brown and Mr Francis Anderson on the verandah of the house.The Yeoman Studioshugh brown, mordialloc, jean brown, zillah brown, francis anderson, wedding

From Left to Right: Margaret Watson, Hugh Brown, Frank Anderson, Jean Brown, Mary Anderson, Bill Armstrong Zillah Jean Brown, known as Jean, was the granddaughter of a pioneer of the district, Mr Hugh Brown. Jean married Francis Anderson in October 1930. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Black and white studio photo of the wedding party of Miss Jean Brown and Mr Francis Anderson.hugh brown, mordialloc, jean brown, zillah brown, francis anderson, wedding, margaret watson, mary anderson, bill armstrong

Alexander Brown (known as Alex) (1863 - 1940), is the fourth son of Hugh Brown, a pioneer of the district. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Sepia studio photo of Mr Alexander BrownYeoman Co. Bourke St. Melbournehugh brown, mordialloc, pioneer, zillah brown, zillah baxter, pine vale, alex brown, alexander brown, fred brown, frederick brown

Doris, Alex, George and Jean are the grandchildren of Mr Hugh Brown. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Black and white studio photo of the Brown children standing on a tee-tree in Attenbourgh Park, Mordialloc.Doris, Alex, Jean, Georgehugh brown, mordialloc, jean brown, zillah brown, doris brown, alex brown, attenbourgh park

Seated - Frederick Brown (known as Fred) (1860-1959) and Alexander Brown (known as Alex) (1863 - 1940), are the sons of Hugh Brown, a pioneer of the district. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Sepia studio photo of five men, three younger men standing behind two sitting.hugh brown, mordialloc, pioneer, zillah brown, zillah baxter, pine vale, alex brown, alexander brown, fred brown, frederick brown

A cricket game in the paddocks of Mr Hugh Brown farm. Hugh Brown (1830-1930), born in Ireland, arrived in Adelaide in 1855 and in the Mordialloc district in 1856. Mr Brown brought land in 1866 and built his farmhouse “Pine Vale” in 1870 near the site of the present Mordialloc Secondary College (then part of the property) and extended his property when the swampland was made open for selection in 1871. The property was a market garden and orchard. Hugh Brown married Zillah Baxter (1866) and they had six sons, five living to adulthood. The Brown family increased their land holding until they held a major part of the farmland between Mordialloc Creek to almost the Aspendale Railway Station. The property was a market garden and orchard. Mr Brown took an active interest in the public life of the community, a Justice of the Peace; Councillor of Dandenong Shire for over 30 years, was twice Shire President; and a founding member of the Mordialloc Mechanics Institute. Black and white studio photo of a cricket game in the paddock Mr Hugh Brown's farm. Farm houses and sheds in the background. A biplane flying overhead.hugh brown, mordialloc, pioneer, pine vale, farm, cricket, biplane, paddock, farm house