Showing 124 items
matching buildings, structures and establishments
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Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Photograph, 10 July 1998
... Cultural structures and establishments... melbourne entrances historic buildings Cultural structures ...Colour photograph. Reception area on ground floor southern entrance. Desk has an assortment of flyers and brochures. Behind reception area is a building guide. Unidentified woman appears to the right o frame in front of the reception desk. Taken from the entrance facing northentrances, historic buildings, cultural structures and establishments -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Photograph, 10 July 1998
... Cultural structures and establishments... melbourne art exhibitions historic buildings Cultural structures ...Colour photograph. Gallery space on ground floor corridor. Art is coloured abstract paintings from an unidentified artist. Two women appear right of frame. Taken from the corridor towards the south of the QVWC building towards the entrance and Lonsdale street.art exhibitions, historic buildings, cultural structures and establishments -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Photograph, c.1997
... cultural structures and establishments... melbourne historic buildings cultural structures and establishments ...Colour photograph. Interior of level 5 atrium after renovations works have been competed. Taken facing south west. There is a room divider in the foreground, left of frame. Stained glass window seen in background. historic buildings, cultural structures and establishments, christmas, official events -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Photograph, c.1998
... cultural structures and establishments... melbourne historic buildings cultural structures and establishments ...Colour photograph. Interior of level five foyer. Facing east. White painted double doors lead to exterior rooftop garden. Taken after restoration works have been completedhistoric buildings, cultural structures and establishments -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Photograph, c.1997
... cultural structures and establishments... melbourne historic buildings cultural structures and establishments ...Colour photograph. Roof top exterior, taken on the eastern side towards the south of the building. South eastern turret in frame. Taken after restoration works had been completedhistoric buildings, cultural structures and establishments -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Book, Barbara Cameron, The Host Behind: The Campaign for a Victorian Women's Centre, 2005
... cultural structures and establishments... historic buildings cultural structures and establishments woman ...Written for the 10 years since the QVWC centre opened. This book details the campaign and restoration of the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital to create a women's centre in the spirit of the Hospital's founders "for women, by women". 138 pages. Plastic cover. Cardboard inner cover with colour image of the QVWC building. White paper and black ink throughout. women social services, historic buildings, cultural structures and establishments, woman professionals, books -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Book, National Trust, Women's Melbourne, 2010
... cultural structures and establishments... Trust. women historic sites historic sites historic buildings ...Written to provide a 'walking tour guide' of Melbourne Women's History. Project supported by the City of Melbourne writing about Melbourne Arts Grant Program. Project supported by Heritage Victoria Heritage Grants project and Helen McPherson Smith Trust. 96 pages. Cardboard cover with colour and black and white images. Accent of green throughout. Inside pages are paper with black ink, green accents and colour images throughout. women historic sites, historic sites, historic buildings, cultural structures and establishments -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Newletter, Q Magazine: Welcome to the first edition of the Q Magazine!, June 1996
... cultural structures and establishments... buildings cultural structures and establishments Printer paper. 8 ...First edition of the Q MagazinePrinter paper. 8 pages. Navy and taupe on white. Grey scaled images throughout of women who are employed by the Trust or are sitting on the trust. Middle pages include original planned layout for the QVWC building. newsletters, historic buildings, cultural structures and establishments -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Newsletter, Q Magazine: The waiting is over!, December 1996
... cultural structures and establishments ...Documenting the move into the QVWC building on Lonsdale streetA4 printer paper. 8 pages. Navy text on cream paper. Taupe toned accents and photographs throughout. newsletter, historical site, cultural structures and establishments -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Flyer, Make a Difference
... Cultural structures and establishments ...A4 multi coloured flyer. Facade image on front and internal images of building on the back of flyer.pamphlet, leases, cultural structures and establishments, historic site, charitable organisations -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Newspaper Clipping, Herald Sun, Queen Vic unit on track, 26 March 1996
... cultural structures and establishments... melbourne cultural structures and establishments building ...Newspaper clipping. Herald Sun - Women in business. Sticky tape on top and bottom of clipping. cultural structures and establishments, building construction -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Newspaper excerpt, Sunday Herald Sun, Centre born from love, loss, 27 October 1996
... cultural structures and establishments... melbourne cultural structures and establishments building ...Whole newspaper page. Sunday Herald sun page 83. Business section. colour photo of Janet England, Chair on rooftop of QVWC building. cultural structures and establishments, building construction, political processes -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Newspaper clipping, Women's centre going broke, 1 October 1997
... cultural structures and establishments ...Newspaper clipping Emerald Hill Times either page 5 or 6. Black and white photograph of Glenys Sharma, CEO on the rooftop of the QVWC building. cultural structures and establishments, business and finance, charitable organisations -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Newsletter, Network Newsletter No.1 1997, c. Jan 1997
... buildings, structures and establishments... melbourne buildings, structures and establishments charitable ...A4 sized newsletter from the Rural Women's Network. 39 pages total. On Page 22 "The Queen Victoria Women's Centre" buildings, structures and establishments, charitable organisation, rural life, cultural structures and establishments -
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Newspaper excerpt, "Queen Vic Women's Centre opened" and "Letters to the Editor", c. April 1997
... cultural structures and establishments ...Two, A4 photocopy of the letters to the editor in response to the article announcing the opening of the QVWC. correspondence, official events, historic building, cultural events and activities, cultural structures and establishments -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Report, Camberwell conservation study: environmental history 1989 : Draft only, 10/12/1989
... structures and establishments... and structures buildings - conservation and restoration buildings ...Full title on cover: Camberwell Conservation Study: environmental history. Draft report submitted to Advisory Committee, 12 December 1989 at Camberwell Council Chambers An environmental history draft report prepared for City of Camberwell as part of the City of Camberwell Conservation Study. Presented in 2 volumes. Charts the development of the suburb of Camberwell. Beginning late 1880s.An environmental history draft report prepared for City of Camberwell as part of the City of Camberwell Conservation Study. Presented in 2 volumes. Charts the development of the suburb of Camberwell. Beginning late 1880s.camberwell, land places and structures, buildings - conservation and restoration, buildings, structures and establishments, social history, public housing, camberwell estate, st john's wood (wanganella) -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Book, Camberwell City Libraries, Restoration of old houses and gardens, April 1992
... buildings, structures and establishments... of Australian gardens, and garden restoration and design. buildings ...A booklist on home restoration held in Camberwell City Libraries, covering the history of Australian houses, house restoration and conservation, the history and details of interior decoration, furniture and contents, the history of Australian gardens, and garden restoration and design.An A5 sized bookletbuildings, structures and establishments, restoration, conservation, garden restoration, garden design, interior decoration -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Scout Hall at 7 Robinson Road, Surrey Hills in 1990
... buildings, structures and establishments... buildings, structures and establishments (mr) robert hayes union ...The Box Hill Reporter noted on 22 January 1926 that at the monthly meeting of the Surrey Hills Progress Association the Secretary reported that “the ground had been purchased for the Boy Scout Hall, that plans had been prepared, and accepted by the building committee. As soon as the timber was available the work would be proceeded with. The Boy Scout Hall movement has been taken up by the association to try to secure a permanent meeting place for the boys of the district. Up till now they have no fixed place, nor have they had a qualified scout master. Mr. Bert Chenu, one of the committee, has been appointed to that position, and is carrying out his duties energetically. Having raised enough money to purchase the land (situated in Robinson's road, Surrey-Hills near the Drill Hall) the association's committee is now about to erect the building by means of properly organised working bees.” The Association organised markets, card evenings and dances to raise necessary funds. The volunteer labour included the parents of boys who had become scouts, led by builder Robert Hayes of 186 Union Road and his son, who was also a builder. Early ownership is unclear as it is believed that it was not purchased by the scouting movement until 1955. The hall was used by other groups as well as the scouts. Benmont Kindergarten operated on the site from c1930. This is confirmed by oral testimony, Sands & McDougall entries and the Alan Hold property register (part of the SHNC Heritage Collection.) It was also used as a ballet school and for local dances. The hall was situated on a small block of land, just 410 sq m, and in late 2019 it was put up for sale by Scouts Victoria. Most recently home to 1st Boroondara Scout Group and previously 11th Camberwell Scouts, it was sold for something near $1.3M. During May 2020 the modest hall was demolished. Items of significance were removed before the sale by Scout Heritage. A black and white photograph of a building with a small sign identifying it as 11th Camberwell Central Scout Group.robinson road, surrey hills, scout halls, scouts, buildings, structures and establishments, (mr) robert hayes, union road, builders, surrey hills progress association, benmont kindergarten, dances, ballet schools -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, "Braemar" 18 Suffolk Road, Surrey Hills
... structures and establishments... in documenting built heritage that has been demolished. buildings ..."Braemar" at 18 Suffolk Road, Surrey Hills - built c1894, demolished in1977 – and home of James Sneddon Snr. and family from 1890 until c1950. We believe it is James is at the gate and his family on the veranda. James was born in Alloa, Clackmannanshire Scotland in 1833, as was his wife Jane. He died in March 1901 and she in March 1911. They are buried in Boroondara Cemetery (Pres B0522) with their daughter Jane (1864-1928). James Sneddon (Snr) was an important man in early Surrey Hills. He established real estate and ironmongery businesses in Union Road – first on the corner of Stirling Crescent and later over the road on the corner of Windsor Crescent. He was chairman of Surrey Hills’ MUIOOF (Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows). James Sneddon Jnr. followed his father in the family real estate business and was an even busier community man. He was a JP and had roles in the Surrey Hills ANA, the Progress Association and the Choral Society. He lived 2 doors from his father. The real estate business continued on the corner of Windsor Crescent and Union Road (north side) until the business was sold to the Doubleday (family) after WW2.The Sneddon family were early settlers and business owners in Surrey Hills and remained over 3 generations. Different family members held many roles in community organisations. This photo is also important in documenting built heritage that has been demolished.Image of a Victorian, weatherboard, block fronted, single storey house with decorative veranda, viewed from the front. The garden in front of the house is well established and a light-coloured picket fence surrounds the property. Four people are in the photograph, three women (two seated and one standing) on the veranda and one male, who is leaning against the gate post.buildings, structures and establishments, houses, timber houses, house names, braemar, architectural styles, victorian style, families, family group, sneddon family, james sneddon (snr), boroondara cemetery, real estate agent, ironmonger -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, McPhie children, of 5 Suffolk Road, Surrey Hills
... structures and establishments ...5 Suffolk Road was the Mounted Police Station from 1889 - 1914.Image of a five young (school age or younger) children (three boys, two girls) standing on the exterior steps of a building identified as the Mounted Police Station, 5 Suffolk Road, Surrey Hills. The children are identified as the family of Sgt. David McPhie. The children are dressed in 'best clothes.' The main part of the building is not visible however it does have a decorative wooden verandah.people, families, family groups, children, girls, boys, police, policemen, surrey hills mounted police station, structures and establishments, police stations, david mcphie -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Miss Win Jacobs' Kindergarten at Wyclif Congregational Church, Surrey Hills in 1940s
... structures and establishments ...There are other family photos related to the Jacobs family in the collection. Win married Rev Stephen Edwin Yarnold at the the Presbyterian manse, North Essendon in July 1946. Photo shows 16 girls and boys standing and sitting in the long grass on the grounds outside the building. In the background women and children are at the entrance doorway of the church. The ladies are wearing hats and gloves. A tree/bush is under the window of the brick building to the right hand side of the photo.2 Fife Boys Dark seated / first left / But one / Kinder at Wyclif / (Win Jacob) / Kinder Tchurches, children, norfolk road, surrey hills, females, pre-schools, structures and establishments, fife family, miss win jacobs, mrs win yarnold, miss winifred atwood jacobs, mrs winifred attwood yarnold, mrs winifred attwood yarnold, rev stephen edwin yarnold, wyclif congregational church -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Miss Win Jacobs kindergarten at Wyclif Church, Surrey Hills in the 1940's
... structures and establishments... Road Canterbury melbourne churches buildings structures ...18 boys and girls sitting and standing in the long grass in the grounds outside the brick building building. Two trees are up against the brick building with the outside staircase leading to a doorway. A number of girls are wearing bows in their hair.Kinder at Wyclif / Win Jacobs / Kind Teachurches, buildings, structures and establishments, children, wyclif church, norfolk road, architectural features, trees, surrey hills, pre schools, stairs, jacobs, win (miss), yarnold, win (mrs) -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Opening of Surrey Hills Presbyterian Church Sunday School in 1929
... building structure and establishment... sunday schools construction materials clothing and dress building ...People are identified L to R: Mr P. Sinclair, Rev. J.K. Robertson, Mr Thomas Hogg, Miss SneddonBlack and white image with three men and one lady. One is a clergyman, another man is holding a trowel. They are standing outside a partly constructed building, with a window frame in the background.clergy, sunday schools, construction materials, clothing and dress, building structure and establishment, trowels, mr p sinclair, rev j k robertson, mr thomas hogg, miss - sneddon, churches, st stephens presbyterian church -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Book, Extract from: " a handbook for local history"
... structures and establishments... on buildings and life styles. It is a lively introduction ...This extract concentrates on buildings and life styles. It is a lively introduction to the methodology of historical research, written by historians for local history enthusiasts. Ways of tracing the history of buildings is discussed in detail, and likely sources identified.This extract concentrates on buildings and life styles. It is a lively introduction to the methodology of historical research, written by historians for local history enthusiasts. Ways of tracing the history of buildings is discussed in detail, and likely sources identified.buildings, structures and establishments, architectural styles, architecture - domestic -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Compact disc, Melbourne Directory 1884 (Sands & McDougall)
... structures and establishments... buildings structures and establishments The Sands and McDougall ...The Sands and McDougall directories are amongst the most comprehensive. You can find out more details about places in which people lived, the other residents in the area, the services available in the region...all of which help to paint a picture of your ancestors' life. Apart from the Street, Alphabetical, Trade and Professional directories, this volume also contains Government and Official, Ecclesiastical, Legal, Municipal, Colonial, Societies and Institutions directories. A fascinating feature in this volume is a Universal Building Societies Supplement which includes 15 pages of architectural house plans of the day - layouts and elevations - with the house price for each.The Sands and McDougall directories are amongst the most comprehensive. You can find out more details about places in which people lived, the other residents in the area, the services available in the region...all of which help to paint a picture of your ancestors' life. Apart from the Street,Alphabetical, Trade and Professional directories, this volume also contains Government and Official, Ecclesiastical, Legal, Municipal, Colonial, Societies and Institutions directories. A fascinating feature in this volume is a Universal Building Societies Supplement which includes 15 pages of architectural house plans of the day- layouts and elevations- with the house price for each.streets, trade, agriculture, government, legal, ecclesiastical, farmers, farm workers, clergy, plans, timber houses, brick dwellings, buildings, structures and establishments -
National Wool Museum
Newspaper Cutting, Messrs. C. J. Dennys and Co.'s New Wool Store Geelong, 10/9/1872
The Denny Lascelles Wool Warehouse was the first building in Victorian planned to facilitate storage, inspection and marketing of wool in one operation, and upon completion was the second largest store in the colony. CJ Denny's was largely responsible for establishment and development of the wool marketing industry in Geelong and is a figure of significance in the history of settlement in Geelong. The wool store, a basalt structure with cement rendered ornamentation, was erected for CJ Denny's and Co, in 1872 to the design of Jacob Pitman, Architect.Wood cut engraving of the Mesrs. C. J. Dennys and Co.'s New Wool Store Geelong, published in The Illustrated Australian News, 1872. The half page full colour illustration shows the newly constructed Wool Store with a bull drawn cart carrying full wool bales situated out the front of the store.Top margin: THE ILLUSTRATED AUSTRALIAN NEWS 201 Below image: Mesrs. C. J. Dennys and Co.'s New Wool Store Geelong Image signed, lower mid edge: WINSTON Image, on building: C.J. Dennys Wool Brokers 1872 C.J. Dennys & Co. Wool & Produce Warehousedenny lascelles wool warehouse, wool, dennys, wool store -
Melton City Libraries
Newspaper, Lack of support may close hall, 1977
"The Mechanics Institute movement flourished in Victoria from 1839 to 1950. It was based on the development of Mechanics’ Institutes in Scotland and England from the 1820s, which were intended to educate and enlighten the working classes. The term ‘mechanic’ in those days meant an artisan, craftsman or working man, especially those who had moved from rural areas to work in new city factories during the Industrial Revolution. The early Institutes were usually equipped with a reading room, a library and a lecture room. Although enjoying mixed success in Britain, they contributed to the development of public education and library services. The movement was adopted more enthusiastically in the colonies. It began slowly in Victoria but its expansion after the gold rushes population influx was rapid, especially in rural areas. Every suburb and town wanted to have a Mechanics’ Institute. During the 1850s approximately forty Institutes were established, with even greater growth in the period 1860 to 1900. By 1900 there were 400 Institutes in Victoria. The establishment of a Mechanics’ Institute was often a great achievement for a local community, requiring organising committees to raise substantial funds for a building site (where this had not been granted by the Government), and the building. Once built, the committee then had to purchase books, provide a caretaker or librarian, and finance the ongoing use of and improvements to the building. ‘The history of many Institutes is a story of tremendous community effort, and often, financial difficulties’. In addition to being monuments to local enterprise and community life, the Mechanics’ Institutes played a vital role as an intellectual forum, and in contributing to an informed and participatory democracy in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They provided journals and other reading matter on local, state, national and international issues, and hosted of lectures and held debates about wider issues such as Federation, colonial nationalism, defence, female suffrage, the price of land and labour. With the development of the school and technical education in the latter part of the nineteenth century, the need for community technical and adult education declined. As a result of the introduction of government library grants in 1867, many Mechanics’ Institutes incorporated a free library in their buildings to finance collection of their books. By 1884-85, there were 257 free libraries in Victoria. However, government support and library grants dropped off in the 1890s depression. Entertainment took on a greater role in the 1890s, with the introduction of moving pictures, billiards rooms, games rooms (chess), concerts and dances. The First World War had a devastating impact on many rural communities, and some Mechanics’ Institutes were no longer viable. On the other hand the early twentieth century was also a time of agricultural development, and many country towns were growing in this period. The 1930s depression further limited growth of many libraries and reduced grants substantially. In response many Mechanics’ Institutes were renamed, for example as memorial halls, in order to retain and attract more patrons (eg at nearby Sunbury). The diminishing role for Mechanics’ Institutes and the preference for larger and better appointed halls (with supper rooms, cloak rooms etc) resulted in demolition of some small Institutes. The advent of cars, radios, and television also provided other opportunities for recreation, learning and entertainment. The greater role of municipalities in providing library services also eroded the need for free libraries. While over 500 Mechanics’ Institutes or halls are extant, very few of these retain their original role as ‘diffusers of useful knowledge’. Most are still available for community purposes, as venues for meetings, socials, civic occasions etc, while others are employed as museums, shops and theatres. Most buildings are on Crown land, and managed by a delegated committee of management, who are responsible for raising revenue to maintain aging buildings. Many of those which were originally established on private land, such as Melton, have since reverted back to the Crown, and municipal Councils. The most common Mechanics Institute building form is the simple weatherboard gable building with iron roofs, notable for their ‘honest simplicity’ rather than as ‘monuments of the ancients’. At the other extreme there are some magnificent two storeyed brick and stucco structures with elaborate ornamentation (as was apparently envisaged by some in Melton in 1905-10)". The future of Melton Mechanic Institute Gazette articlelocal architecture -
Falls Creek Historical Society
Letter - Chairlift Proposal, 30.07.1962
Bob (Herman) Hymans (a former member of the Royal Netherlands Navy) was born in Bloemendaal, Holland on 30th September 1922. During World War II he fought against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was imprisoned in Changi and on the Burma Railway. After gaining qualifications as a Ski Instructor, Bob arrived in Falls Creek in July 1950. Working as an Instructor and Supervisor at Bogong Lodge, Bob decided his future was in accommodation. He was successful in negotiating an indenture for land from the State Electricity Commission (SEC). It took Bob two years to build his Grand Coeur Chalet but, tragically, it was burned down in August 1961. Bob also built the first Chairlift in Australia. This was a single chairlift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. He was constantly full of new ideas and proposals for the village. Bob Hymans die on 7th July 2007. This Collection of documents and letters tells the story of Bob's endeavours to develop Falls Creek into the ski village it is today.This item is significant because it documents proposals put forward by Bob Hymans to develop facilities in the Falls Creek Tourist Area.This letter to the Falls Creek Tourist Area Management Committee contains Mr Hymans' application to establish one or the other of two proposals at Falls Creek. Proposal A was for the installation and operation of a double Chairlift with drive station at the top as well as the establishment and operation of an observation lounge and restaurant facilities at the top station. Proposal B was for the establishment and operation of an accommodation building. In either scheme, all patrons of the restaurant would have a panoramic view of the Valley Chairlift and every skiing slope through uninterrupted glass walls. Information regarding structure details and tariffs is included. The capital expenditure was expected to exceed £220.000 for Scheme A or £45,000 for Scheme B. Mr. Hymans proposed that construction would be scheduled for completion by the commencement of the 1963 snow season.falls creek tourist area management committee, bob hymans, falls creek administration -
Melton City Libraries
Document, Minns Family Reunion, 2004
"A perpetual spring in the adjacent creek provided a steady supply of fresh water to the site on which the homestead is built. Although we can not be certain of the identity of the builder, the first stage of ‘The Willows’ homestead appears to have been constructed in the mid 1850s. The house is situated on Crown Allotment No.1 (No Section), Parish of Kororoit, an allotment of 5 acres 3 roods 4 perches. Although it had surveyed the land, the Crown did not offer it for sale until 22nd November 1861, at which time it was purchased by Charles March Williams. (Although the property is directly opposite and immediately adjacent to the Township of Melton, and was sold as ‘Suburban Allotment 33’, it was situated within the Shire of Braybrook rather than the Shire of Melton until 1917.) Considerable improvements had taken place on the land prior to the Crown sale. When CM Williams purchased the allotment in November 1861 he paid £23.5.0 for the land itself, and valued the improvements at £400. Even allowing for some exaggeration by Williams, this is an extremely high valuation for improvements, and must have included a house. Some local research has claimed that in 1858 Williams had taken over the interest of a Mr Parkinson in the property, and that Parkinson built the house upon taking possession of the land c.1855. It was definitely built by 1861, when a map shows a square building on the site marked as ‘House’. The property is important in the district for its association with the establishment of the pound. The district pound had been established in 1854, when George Scarborough of Mount Cottrell (Mt Cottrell Road, south of Greigs Road) was appointed pound-keeper. Scarborough resigned in 1857. The pound was moved to Melton following agitation from local farmers and Charles March Williams appointed pound-keeper on 26th April 1858. Williams, the son of a doctor, had been born in London. Reminiscences of local residents of the time, as recorded in the Express newspaper, note Williams’ success in breeding horses on the property. Sales of up to 60 guineas were noted. Whether this was from Williams’s own stock or from unclaimed pound stock is not made clear. Williams appeared before a government inquiry in 1860 and advocated registration of all stock brands in the State. Williams died in 1862 leaving a widow, Catherine, and five living children aged 15 years to five months. At the time of his death Williams had entered negotiations with one Matthew Devenish and had a mortgage of £100 on allotments 1 and 2, Parish of Kororoit. Catherine Williams was appointed pound-keeper on 2 September 1863, with her eldest son Charles as her assistant. Her tenure was short for on 22nd March 1864 George Minns senior paid Matthew Devenish £135 for allotments 1 and 2 Parish of Kororoit (considerably less than Williams had claimed the property was worth in 1861) and on the same day paid William Tullidge £45 for the adjoining allotments 3 and 4. In April 1867, James Ebden Minns, the newly married son of George senior became the owner of The Willows property having entered into a mortgage arrangement with his father to the extent of £200. At the time George Minns was residing in Kaarimba having left Melton in 1867 for a short trip to England and upon his return having taken up a selection in the Kaarimba district with his son Frederick who had a hotel licence there. James paid out the mortgage on 2-1-1873. James Minns was appointed pound-keeper in 1872; in 1885 the pound was moved elsewhere and Minns purchased the old pound site and added it to his farm. The Willows residence underwent a major change about this time. A two room extension, similar in style but with a lower elevation was added to the original rear of the house with a chimney matching the distinctive originals. Window arrangements did not match the original but became a feature of the façade when the new addition became the front of the building. Six buttresses were attached to the east and west walls of the old building, two to the south wall and the whole rendered with mortar to give the appearance of dressed stonework around the windows. Galvanized iron was placed over the shingles and a verandah added on three sides. By 1876 The Willows was the homestead for a thriving mixed farm of 340 acres of which 156 was rented from a H. Ruck. In October of that year the Australasian travelling reporter visited and reported on the property. In common with the nearly every other property in the district the farm had ‘recently’ (generally within the last two years) abandoned cultivation of crops, and turned over completely to cattle pasture. Butter making was the principal occupation of the farm, which had about 50 head of cattle, a large proportion of which were milking cows. The reporter also noted that a ‘large number of pigs are kept upon this farm and are found to be very profitable stock’. Their manure was used in an orchard and garden in which ‘large quantities of lucerne and prairie grass are grown for the use of stock when ordinary feed is scarce’. Two bores attached to deep brick lined wells supplied water for the house in addition to the farm. A commodious timber barn and necessary sheds had also been constructed. Access to the property was improved following the construction of the bluestone ford across the creek c.1887, when the recreation ground came into use. Prior to this date it may have been that the crossing referred to as ‘Mr Minns bridge’ was used. This appears to have been a flimsy structure and has but two references in Council reports in the Melton Express in the 1880’s. It is believed that in the late 1890’s a timber building was added near the rear of the building to house a kitchen, ablutions and laundry rooms and rooms for seasonal workers. This was attached to the house by means of a trellised walkway using the original front entry to the house (long since the back door). A photograph of this building appears in a local history of Melton. This was demolished in recent decades during the period when the house was tenanted (after the Minns family had left). James Minns son, George, took over the property following his marriage to Alice Walsh in 1903. James and Caroline moved into a house on the former JH Games property at the eastern end of Henry Street. George held the position of Shire Secretary for Melton for 40 years. He was a most prominent member of the community being Secretary to, among others, the Melton Coursing Club, the Shooting Club and the Cemetery Trust. He also rode with the hunting parties who sported across the Plains and were entertained at Mount Kororoit. George and Alice had one son, Norman who followed his father into local government and became Secretary of the Shire of Werribee completing a record term in this position. George retired to Werribee in 1951, where he died in 1965. The National Trust records note that James Ebden Minns and his sons were ‘leading men of the district, Justices of the Peace, and Shire Councillors’. It claims that Sir Thomas Bent was a frequent visitor. The Willows passed into the hands of George’s grandson, Bruce Minns and the property was let for a number of years. In the 1960s it became vacant and was subject to vandalism. Major structural problems arose with the part demolition of the roof, the loss of windows and doors and holes dug into and under the floorboards. The outbuildings were particularly targeted. Following widespread public support, the Shire of Melton purchased the house, with 3.75 acres of land, in 1972. In 1975 the Shire of Melton and the Melton and District Historical Society were successful in nominating the building for National Trust classification, and then the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate. The AHC particularly noted its ‘townscape importance’. It was envisaged that the farmhouse would form ‘a picturesque centrepiece to Melton’s planned … historical park, along with Dunvegan bluestone cottage … and similar structures as they become available.’ In a time of great Melton’s ‘satellite city’ development the Council spelt out its broader vision in its submission to the AHC: ‘Melton is destined to become, by the end of the present century, a city of between 75,000 and 100,000 people. Significant relics of the past, such as ‘The Willows’, regrettably will be rare in that situation. It is essential that sufficient tangible links with Melton’s pioneering days remain to promote in the new community a sense of history and continuity’. Under the direction of ‘The Willows’ Restoration Committee and consultant architect John Hitch, all outbuildings, with the exception of the garage and toilet, were demolished and the dwelling house restored. Finances were provided by the Shire of Melton and the National Estate Grants Program, and considerable amount of voluntary labour was provided by the local community. The orchard was removed, and remaining wooden buildings were relocated to provide an open vista for visitors to the Park. The property was furnished with donations from district families keen to preserve this example of pioneer life in the area. The Willows became the headquarters of the Melton and District Historical Society". Invitation to the family reunion at the Willowslocal identities, pioneer families -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Whitaker, Scott, Railway Hotels of Australia Volume Four - South Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia, 2019
... Bars (Drinking establishments) -- Australia -- History... Prahran Australia -- Buildings structures etc -- History Bars ...The coming of the railway was a major event in the history of many towns and cities across Australia. This is the story behind every Railway Hotel; and the social, economic and political themes that have shaped society over the last 150 years.index, ill, maps, p.312.non-fictionThe coming of the railway was a major event in the history of many towns and cities across Australia. This is the story behind every Railway Hotel; and the social, economic and political themes that have shaped society over the last 150 years.australia -- buildings, structures, etc -- history, bars (drinking establishments) -- australia -- history