Report on the second annual meeting of the Eltham War Memorial Trust History of the War Memorial Following the end of the First World War, communities across Victoria and Australia typically erected memorials which were predominantly statues, cenotaphs, avenues of honour and plaques. The Shire of Eltham established the Avenue of Honour at the gateway to the shire as well as an obelisk at the corner of Main Road and Bridge street and the Shire of Eltham War Memorial Tower at Kangaroo Ground. After the Second World War communities once again desired to preserve the memories of those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Resources were scarce so there was a transition away from the traditional style memorials that sprang up post 1918 to one of building facilities that would provide ongoing benefit to the community. Even before the end of the Second World War, the citizens of Eltham began to consider an appropriate form of memorial for those from the area who fought and died in the First and Second World Wars. In 1943 the Eltham Women’s Auxiliary raised funds for the construction of buildings to be established on land to be purchased for the proposed War Memorial. On March 27th, 1945, the Eltham District Progress Association called a meeting of local people who in turn set up and registered the Eltham War Memorial Trust Inc. As a focus for the purpose of the memorial, the newspaper notice read:- ‘Those who have had a member of their family in the fighting services will want to see that the form of a memorial we are concerned with is the one which will be a constant reminder to us of those who fought for us and the little ones for whom they fought and died.’ At that meeting it was decided the Memorial should take the form of a baby health centre along with a creche and children’s library. In late 1945, the newly formed Eltham War Memorial Trust purchased the land at 903-907 Main Road Eltham from Miss Shillinglaw, which once formed part of the Shillinglaw farm on Lot 90 of Holloway’s 1851 “Little Eltham” subdivision. The Governor of Victoria, General Sir Dallas Brooks, laid the foundation stone on November 24th, 1950, in memory of those who fell in the Second World War. The Eltham Infant Welfare Centre was opened November 15th, 1952, the Pre-school on December 1st, 1956, and the Children’s Library in 1961. In late 1966 the children’s library service was integrated into the Heideberg Regional Library Service and the building was officially renamed the Eltham War Memorial Hall. Following the opening of the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, work began in 1953 planning for the entrance to the grounds, which is signaled by a wrought iron arch entitled “Eltham War Memorial” . In 1954 the Eltham War Memorial Trust decided that a legacy provided by the late Councillor Ernest James Andrew (d. 29 March 1950) in memory of his wife, Mrs. Ellen Andrew (d. 13 July 1946) and who are both buried at Eltham Cemetery, should be used to fund the construction of the entrance. A metal plate inscribed to this effect was attached to the gates. Work on the Memorial Gardens was undertaken throughout the following decade, with a Memorial Forecourt included in the final 1956 plans for the Pre-School Centre. A quote was accepted by the Trust in 1963 for the implementation of a memorial garden, which included grading of a sixty-five foot strip at the rear of the Trust buildings and construction of concrete paths. The stone retaining walls at the front of the site were installed in 1968 when Main Road was widened and it is believed that the Memorial Gates were relocated at that time also. Eltham Senior Citizens Centre In 1964, Eltham Shire Council purchased a section of land from the Trust at the northern end of the site, as a provision for Country Fire Authority buildings. At the same time the Elderly Citizens Club proposed a Senior Citizens Centre on the south western section of the Trust’s property. This was approved by the Trust with the provision that the building was constructed in ‘accord’ with those already existing. In 1965 Council took on board the plans for the Senior Citizens Centre and applied for a government grant. These could only be awarded if Council owned the site. In 1962 the Trust had resolved to hand over the assets to Council once the Memorial Gardens were completed. This was in line with Health Department requirements that grants for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the three facilities would only be made once the the facilities were completed and handed over to Council. In 1965 the Department of Health further demanded substantial alterations to the Pre-School playground as a result of the pending impact of the planned Senior Citizens Centre and Main Road duplication. As a consequence, handover of the Trust’s assets to Council was initiated with a formal ceremony held in the Children’s Library on August 28th, 1965. The Trust continued on as a committee of management for another twelve months. Plans and specifications for the Senior Citizens Centre were prepared by March 1966. Council obtained a grant from the Government which covered one third of the cost and the building was completed by April 1967. Whilst the Senior Citizens Centre is contained within the original Eltham War Memorial building precinct, it was not part of the original Memorial and was not funded by the Eltham War Memorial Trust.Newsprint clippingeltham children's library, eltham infant welfare centre, eltham pre-school, eltham war memorial hall, eltham war memorial trust, women's auxiliary

Many Orbost babies were weighed on these scales in the early 1920's.The Orbost Hospital has always been a significant part of local history and present. This item reflects that.Large metal baby scales and weights with attached white cane baby basket.Back- Approved 17 serial Hscales medicine-nursing baby-scales wicker-basket orbost-hospital

Rita Teagle House belonged to Tom Fielding's grandparents (Margaret Teagle and Richard Fielding). It was at top of the hill on right hand side (no. 10 Thomas Street, Eltham) Pictured is a bungalow behind the main house. These were added on every time more children came along. Rita was born 1910 and married Horace Maclaughlin in 1935. They had a son, Brian Lawrence Maclaughin (1937). It is presumed that Brian is sitting on Rita's lap and that the date of the photo is c.1938.On reverse "Rita Teagle"brian lawrence maclaughin, eltham, house, ingram family, rita agnes maclaughlin (nee teagle), teagle family, thomas street, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection

Note the ramp entrance and shelter shed.Sepia photographaustin six, baby austin, cars, eltham primary school, ken williams, state school no. 209, doug orford

Stewart and Co. Studio portrait of infant John Mitchell.Digital copy of black and white studio photograph.john mitchell

Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 2017, flora, kurrak road, plants, rivers garden centre, yarrambat

Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 2017, flora, kurrak road, plants, rivers garden centre, yarrambat

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsFuji 100council staff, eltham shire council, shire of eltham

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsFuji 100council staff, eltham shire council, shire of eltham

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsFuji 100council staff, eltham shire council, shire of eltham

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsFuji 100council staff, eltham shire council, shire of eltham

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsFuji 100council staff, eltham shire council, shire of eltham

Laminated colour photographic image of Blue Macaw parrot laminatedsignature lower right 'David Higgins '85'bird photography, encapsulated photograph, colour photograph, david higgins, gorilla, mzuri, fauna, animal

Black and White Photograph. A young boy lies on a stretcher with both his legs in traction.photograph, vietnamese children, medical

Garry Cooper is a natural and brilliant pilot with a determonation for perfection. He expects only perfection from himself from himself and others. Conflict arose many times through his career when he did not experience perfection from the bureaucracy to which he was subjected. vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 - biography, soldiers - australia - biography, air pilots - australia - biography

Book - PaperbackGarry Cooper is a natural and brilliant pilot with a determonation for perfection. He expects only perfection from himself from himself and others. Conflict arose many times through his career when he did not experience perfection from the bureaucracy to which he was subjected. vietnamese conflict , 1961-1975 - biography, air pilots - australia - biography, soldiers - australia - biography

Garry Cooper is a natural and brilliant pilot with a determonation for perfection. He expects only perfection from himself from himself and others. Conflict arose many times through his career when he did not experience perfection from the bureaucracy to which he was subjected. vietnamese conflict , 1961-1975 - biography, air pilots - australia - biography, soldiers - australia - biography

Gift of Allan Myers, 2004

Collected by Dorothy Brumby in relation to Great Western ResearchB/W Studio portrait of young child in white dressA Merry Christmas and a Happy new year W.J. Chapman

People - "Hadden, Emma (Nee Monti) & Graham" Associated with - A Verey & Co. Castlemaine

Oil on canvasSigned and dated on reverse.

ernest stephenson, ballarat, streetscape

This photograph was taken in Clunes at 'Glendaruel'. Seated is Esther Coombs nee Whitehand and standing is Mary Martha Whitehand.coombes, daisy coombes, glendaruel, clunes, costume, persons, private dwelling, mary martha whitehand, esther coombes