TOM COLLINS–from the reel to reel tape recording at Melton 1969 In the years between 1890 and to about 1913 Melton was a quiet little hamlet alongside the Toolern Creek, once called the Pennyroyal Creek, 24 miles from Melbourne on the Ballarat Road. There was a fair amount of woodland left around it, mostly grey and yellow box with sheoak, and golden wattle, which in spring time made a rather attractive setting. Most of the premises were in the main or High Street, with its line of elm and pepper trees on each side. Unitt, McKenzie and Henry streets each contained only a few dwellings. Hotels were four in number, Minns’s, Mrs Hay licencee, now Mac’s, Golden Fleece – Sheblers. The Royal or Ryan’s as it was then called, later Graham had the licence, and the Raglan - Kilpatricks had the licence and afterwards Tom Manning. This was situated about where Mr K. Young had his residence. There was a store attached to the hotel until about 1900. Both the Royal and the Raglan were delicensed, later on the Royal being converted to a green grocery and a boarding house, the Raglan was demolished. The Royal green grocery and boarding house was kept by E Carew and after he retired, E Radford. The Post and Telegraph Office was on the opposite side of the street to the Raglan Hotel about two doors west of the Shire Hall and was kept by Mrs Ferris and Lady Farmer until her retirement, when it was carried on by Miss Lottie Ross. A store was attached to the Post Office and was sometimes used as a store and at one time housed the National Bank. There were two full time banks at Melton, the other being the Commercial which built premises about 1904 and on the corner of High and Smith Streets, which it still occupies. Mr G Egan was the manager of the Commercial and Mr Stradling and later Mr Lee of the National. However as business was not thought good enough they reverted to a part time branch operated from Bacchus Marsh. Grocer shops were Chalmers, with a news agency and drapery now Arnolds, Jongebloeds had the bakery. Mr Fox also a produce merchant, was where Melton Real Estate is now, it was later occupied by Buchanans, Atleys, and Mrs Ross. Not long after the War Mrs Ross built the Post Office, since demolished where Miss Lottie Ross was the Post Mistress and later built the store which she conducted. It was later turned into a factory and in now the barbers shop. McNichols was just west of the Minns Hotel. He travelled as far a Ballan weekly, buying calves and dairy produce for sale in Melbourne. Afterwards he sold the business and bought Minns Hotel and changing the name to Macs. Blacksmiths were three in number. Blackwoods – later James Byrnes next door to Jongebloeds. Alex Cameron who learnt his trade with Blackwoods had his shop about the rear of where Ken Youngs Garage is now he later moved to the north west corner of High and Alexander Street. He was also the Registrar of Birth and Deaths and Electoral Registrar. After his retirement he was weighbridge keeper at Melton South. Two of his sons were engaged in the carpentry trade, but both died at an early age. Whittingtons shop was a few doors east of the Mechanics Hall and it was later occupied by Gordon Macdonald who did business there until about eight years ago. The butchers of the period were George Graham, that is where Mandy Lees hairdressing establishment is now. Euan MacDonald had premises later occupied by Whittingtons blacksmith shop. Later shifting next door. He left here about 1901, he slaughtererd animals at a slaughter house right where Chas Jones now resides, it had previously been a slaughter house and butcher shop of that site. George Spring also operated as a butcher for two or three years about the 1900 or so. Ted Simpsons shop was where John Kontek now has his Estate Agency, he used it as an branch shop from Bacchus Marsh bringing meat from there by a two horse lorry. Jimmy Butler the manager was well known and loved, his son was later a steeplechase jockey. The Court House and Police Station would be built sometime before 1900. The Constables at the time were McGuire, later Wade, Riely and McKenzie after that Robert Wilson and Seinfort were here, they were a bit later on. The Mechanics Hall was first opened by Ryan of the Royal Hotel who sold it to the Hall Committee. It was on Unitt Street and it was moved by McLellans the house shifters from Unitt Street to its present site. Bluestone premises formerly occupied by the bootmaker Carew, were later demolished and replaced by the brick frontage to the Hall. Keith Orensini [?] the local bricklayer built brick portion to the Hall. In the cottage adjoining the Hall a Frenchman named Baudin, had a boot repairing business.This cottage was the later residence of J Hill, a local carpenter and builder from whom I learnt my trade. Granny Watts was the well known local nurse and operated the Mid-Wifery Hospital in Yuille Street on the Sherwin Street corner. Mrs Nissen was on the opposite side of Yuille Street a short distance nearer the township. She conducted the laundry. Carew had a greengrocers shop next door to the Post Office in the High Street for some time before transferring to the Royal Hotel site. He also bought [?] calves for killing. W Cecil was a tank maker and also had a produce round, he lived on Pyke and Sherwin Street. Later Gus Shebler, builder and carpenter engaged in tank making being well known for good workmanship. Shebler was very energetic in forming the Gun Club which met for a good number of years where the golf course now has its headquarters. Of the four churches only three are in use, Christ Church, Scots and St Dominics. The Methodist closed down but later transferred to Melton South. Monthly stock sales were held at the yards in Unitt Street at Minns Hotel by McPhail Auctioneers, later held by McCarthur and McLeod. After the Council built the pound and sale yards they transferred sales to these premises, but lack of patronage caused them to be abandoned. A familiar sight in the district was blind Bob Nixon, who lived in a tumbled down cottage in Centenary Road near W Coburns, being led by his dog down the road to Melton, that is Palmerston street, to the Post Office, butcher and baker for his supplies and then back home. He was able to do his own cooking and other chores. Sundays he would come down Raleighs Road to the back of the church and tie his dog to a tree. Someone, mostly one of the boys would guide him into the church and out again after the service, when the dog would lead him home again. State School 430, a two roomed bluestone building it was the only school in the district, none at Melton South. The nearest would be Rockbank and Toolern Vale. Scholars had a fair distance to walk in most cases. The teachers were Mr T Lang Headmaster. I put a query here, Miss Winters, I’m not certain of the name, Mrs Skinner and Miss Silke as Assistant Teachers. Miss Augusta Cecil and Miss Maud Lang were Junior teachers. One boy who attended the school about the turn of the century was Hector Fraser who resided with his parents in Keilor Road, where Jim Gillespie now lives. He was an excellent gun shot and at the age of about 17 years his father took him to France or Monaco where he won the Gran Prix for pigeon shooting and became the champion boy shot of the world. However he died there from pneumonia. He shot under the name of “Parvo”. The Melbourne Hunt Club used to meet in Keilor Road north side just east of the Toolern Creek on what was originally Pykes Run. This was also the place where the races were held and the Sports Meetings. Dave Murphy, employed at Clarke’s Rockbank Station usually provided the fox which he liberated for the Club. Greyhound coursing was usually held on Moylans property Mt Kororoit, or Mt Misery as it was known then. Later it was held at Melton Park, Mr Matt Carberry was the judge and Percy Cook the slipper. Early in the 1900’s the Recreation Park was created and the Caledonian and the ANA sports meetings were held there, they were annual events. L Paterson from Melton South was a successful competitor in all the cycling events as a young man. He later in life became the Deputy Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The present Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade is John Paterson, nephew of his, and spent his early life in Exford where his father was manager of the Exford Estate. Notes Tom Collins was born c 1895. He lived on the south side of the Ballarat Road near the intersection of Keilor Road.Historical image of Palmerston Street in Meltonlocal architecture, landscapes of significance

Used to measure wind speed at Gabo Island. Max gust register and wind speed indicator were interconnected to anemometor also on display. Registor and speed / direction indicator redundant due to transition to radio transmitter and computer data recorder. This instrument for measuring wind speed by knots was made by Paton Electrical, Sydney, a radio receiving manufacturing firm which operated until c.1956. It was used in conjunction with the manual anemometer. An instrument now redundant to modern weather forecasting, it is a good example of its kind and has first level contributory significance for its historic value and provenance to the lightstation. It is a good example of its kind and has first level contributory significance for its historic value and provenance to the lightstation.Knots wind speed indicator. Housed in a black & grey metal box shaped enclosure. The front is sloped with a guage and indcator dial. Around this are eight clear orange plastic knobs with directions inscribed next to each knob.Around front in clockwise direction,"N/360, NE/45, 90/E, 135/SE, 180/S, SW/225, W/270, NW/315" On dial, 0 - 70's in 10's, "KNOTS WIND SPEED / STOCK No 6660' - 66-118-7294 / PATON ELECTRICAL SYDNEY"

Document. Eight photostat pages of advertisements for 12 Bendigo businesses taken from the Sandhurst Mechanics Institute Directory. (a) MacRobertson- Confectioner & Bolton Bros- Printers Bookbinders. (b) Sandhurst Rolling Stock Co. (c) Samuel Webb- Merchant Tailor & W Bradley and Son- Jewellers. (d) Charles Ross & Co- Drapers & Carpets & Henry Jackson and Co- Ironmongers. (e) J W Burrows- Printers, Bookbinders. (f) Alfred Day- Asphalt Manufacturer & Union Bank of Australia. (g) Henderson & Goodisson- Dept Store. (h) A Gordon- Picture frame manufacturer. Handwritten in ink on top of page 3062a is 'for June Parry, Hist. Soc.'Sandhurst Mechanics Instituteorganization, business, commercial, sandhurst mech.inst. business directory, macrobertson confectioner, bolton bros., sandhurst rolling stock co., samuel webb, w bradley & son, charles ross & co., henry jackson & co., jw burrows, alfred day, union bank, henderson & goodisson, a gordon

Ledger page from account book of W. Vivian, saddler on reverse (plain) side, is a list of wires and phone messages paid by Mr. C. Smith, when W. Vivian died. List compiled by H. Vivian (son).Wirtes & phone Messages paid by Mr C Smith / When father died / J Jenkins Age a** 3/3 / Insurance on Stock 19/10 / Insurance on contents House & fittings 18/11 / Rates on land at Roseberry 1/6

Book - 16 pages including card covers on semi gloss paper titled "The Essendon Tramways" written by Jack Richardson, published by Traction Publications, Historical Series No. 3 in 1956. The story of the North Melbourne and Electric Tramway and Lighting Company. Foreword on page 2 gives the background to the book and the persons who assisted with it. Details the historical background, a map of the tramway in 1906, relationship with the Victorian Railways, construction, rolling stock, carbarn, (depot) power station, overhead, takeover by the MMTB, connection to the City, 1956 map, expansion under the MMTB, services at the time of publication, Rolling Stock Roster, notes on some of the personnel of the tramway, junction details and dates of the various extensions etc. Includes a number of photographs, a list of railway and tramway books published by Traction Publications on the rear cover a short biography on the author. 2nd copy - from the H. S. McComb collection - stored in the original box - Items 2027 to 2030 and 1309 copy 2 contained within box 72.3 in a brown folder marked "Historical Data regarding Essendon Tramways and their services to the City" PDF copy of 1309.1 - the 1956 version added 25-2-2021 PDF copy of 1309.2 - the 1963 version added 16-3-2017. 1309.2 - 2nd edition, 1963, Historical Series No. 153, with a photo of J. Richardson on rear cover. Has notes on the edition and publisher notes. Revised to pick up errors and other photographs. Added 16-3--2017.1309.2 - has "L. W. Rogers" in ink on the top right hand corner of page 3.trams, tramways, essendon, nmetl, tramcars, depots, moonee ponds, north melbourne

Provides a detailed listing of Melbourne's tram in 1965 and details of their numbers, No in service, type, capacity - seated and crush load, trucks, wheel and truck centres, tare weight, controllers, compressors and length over bumpers.Yields information about the Melbourne tram fleet in 1965.Drawing or document - A4 sheet, photocopied from a Foolscap sheet, titled "Rolling Stock Data Tramcars" dated 11/5/1965tramways, tramcars, mmtb, melbourne, data sheet, w class

Black and white photo of some thirty eight rolling stock workshop depot maintenance employees at Malvern tram depot. Note the two employees at the right are standing on a raised works frame. behind that again is motor lorry. Behind the workers on the left in the photo is Works Locomotive No 8A and to its right a Californian combination car that appears to be raised up?Yields information about the rollingstock maintenance staff at Malvern Depot Workshop c1923.Black and white print mounted onto a cardboard back with remnants of adhesive tape on the rear. Second print mounted onto heavy brown stippled card within a backing paper border, with notations on the rear. Two copies held.In pencil "Malvern T Depot" Second print - "Tramway Workshops crew, Coldblow S Malvern 1916" and "W C Nankervis (extreme left)?tramways, workshops, tramcar maintenance staff, trams, mmtb, tram 8a, malvern depot

Dyeline print of Drawing R1881 - titled "Rolling stock data No. 2", listing MMTB tramcars from class A to class Y1, W's to W3 only, c1931. Provides tramcar numbers, type, seating capacity, total horsepower, tonnage (weight), length and data of HP/seat, HP/ton, HP/foot, Lbs/foot, Lbs/seat and Length/seat.On rear in red ink - felt pen? - "Rolling Stock Data Sheet to Tram No. 669." and in black ink "R1881"trams, tramways, tramcars, mmtb, lists

The Central Red, White and Blue Gold Mine was registered on 30th October, 1891. William Weeks Barker was the Manager. Thirty thousand shares at 2/- each were issued. (Government Gazettes online: https://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/view.cgi?year=1891&class=general&page_num=4465&state=V&classNum=G138&searchCode=8733417) It's place of operation is given as Bendigo. Black and white photograph with sepia toning. Posed group of twenty four males. Mine building in background (Central Red, White and Blue?). Opening of mine. Inscriptions: on back - ink stamp 'W.H Robinson, Photographer, Mundy Street, Bendigo'. Separate paper insert : identified by James Lerk, 6/3/2000. (17/24 gents identified). Heading 'Opening of the Central Red, White and Blue Battery, Wednesday 13th March 1912'. Top Row: A.H. Merrin Chief Inspector of Mines, R.T. Trembath Chairman of the Stock Exchange, J.R. Clark. Second row: A.A. Samuels, P. Jorgensen, G. Kingsley Mine Manager, J.J. Stanistreet Legal Manager, W.H. Cundy Geologist. Third row: T. Jorgensen Engineer (man with moustache), Councillor H.A.Ross Mayor, W.Keck Chairman Of Directors, P. McBride Minister of Mines, W. Casley, A. Gard. Front row: Senator J.H. McColl Legal Manager, R.A. Rankin Legal Manager, E.G. Mueller, G. Lansell?…W.H. Robinson, Mundy Street Bendigo.central red white and blue gold mine, bendigo, gold mining, gold,