The Terminus Hotel, Wodonga was built by James Thompson Hatch in 1873, the same year the railway reached Wodonga from Melbourne. It was named due to its close proximity to the railway terminus. It was sold to Messrs George Day and Kenneth McLennan of Albury. It was first licenced to J.G. Morton in January 1874. Annie Allen, from Ireland, took over as licensee of the hotel containing 14 rooms in 1879, after she and her husband, George James Allen, purchased it. In 1887 they added a new wing on the south boundary of the property next to Peter McLean’s store at 81 Sydney Road. The architects for the new wing were Gordon and Gordon. A billiard room, a dining room, and 18 other rooms were added on the vacant block of land between the Hotel and the Bank of Victoria. A balcony 6 feet wide was added on the north side. Included in the plans was the latest patent elevator, later known as a dumb waiter. Allen died in 1889 aged 52, and Annie Allen continued to run the Terminus. She later married John G. Haldon and was licensee of the hotel until December 1898 when the licence was transferred to William Carkeek. Carkeek, from Cornwall, arrived in the colony around 1860 and is considered one of the founders of Tallangatta. In November 1903, the license was transferred to Daniel Crawford, then in 1906 it was transferred to Mr Stephen Carkeek. In 1916 it passed into the hands of Mr H. W. Allen of Rutherglen, son of Mr George James Allen. On 1st June 1998 the Terminus Hotel was destroyed by fire. Estimates of damage range from between a conservative $750,000 to as high as $2 million. The remains of the building were demolished in 1999.The Terminus Hotel was one of the earliest hotels in Wodonga with clear links to the establishment of the railway line. It was an important business and meeting place for social gatherings.In 1879, the Terminus Hotel was purchased by Annie and George Allen. The hotel was advertised as a two storey brick building with bar, large dining and four rooms on the ground floor, all and commodious cellar. Upstairs a large parlour and 13 bedrooms. There was also a four-roomed weatherboard cottage, a blacksmith's shop and other buildings. The Allens had about 20 years of ownership, with Annie continuing to hold the licence under her new married name of Annie Haldon after George had died in 1889. In 1888, the Allens undertook extensive additions and renovations. Annie remained as the proprietor of the building until her death in 1904, but the business was leased to William Carkeek in December 1898. The building was eventually auctioned as part of the finalising of Annie's estate in 1909.hotels wodonga, businesses wodonga, terminus hotel wodonga

The Terminus Hotel, Wodonga was built by James Thompson Hatch in 1873, the same year the railway reached Wodonga from Melbourne. It was named due to its close proximity to the railway terminus. It was sold to Messrs George Day and Kenneth McLennan of Albury. It was first licenced to J.G. Morton in January 1874. Annie Allen, from Ireland, took over as licensee of the hotel containing 14 rooms in 1879, after she and her husband, George James Allen, purchased it. In 1887 they added a new wing on the south boundary of the property next to Peter McLean’s store at 81 Sydney Road. The architects for the new wing were Gordon and Gordon. A billiard room, a dining room, and 18 other rooms were added on the vacant block of land between the Hotel and the Bank of Victoria. A balcony 6 feet wide was added on the north side. Included in the plans was the latest patent elevator, later known as a dumb waiter. Allen died in 1889 aged 52, and Annie Allen continued to run the Terminus. She later married John G. Haldon and was licensee of the hotel until December 1898 when the licence was transferred to William Carkeek. Carkeek, from Cornwall, arrived in the colony around 1860 and is considered one of the founders of Tallangatta. In November 1903, the license was transferred to Daniel Crawford, then in 1906 it was transferred to Mr Stephen Carkeek. In 1916 it passed into the hands of Mr H. W. Allen of Rutherglen, son of Mr George James Allen. On 1st June 1998 the Terminus Hotel was destroyed by fire. Estimates of damage range from between a conservative $750,000 to as high as $2 million. The remains of the building were demolished in 1999.The Terminus Hotel was one of the earliest hotels in Wodonga with clear links to the establishment of the railway line. It was an important business and meeting place for social gatherings.In 1879, the Terminus Hotel was purchased by Annie and George Allen. The hotel was advertised as a two storey brick building with bar, large dining and four rooms on the ground floor, all and commodious cellar. Upstairs a large parlour and 13 bedrooms. There was also a four-roomed weatherboard cottage, a blacksmith's shop and other buildings. The Allens had about 20 years of ownership, with Annie continuing to hold the licence under her new married name of Annie Haldon after George had died in 1889. In 1888, the Allens undertook extensive additions and renovations. Annie remained as the proprietor of the building until her death in 1904, but the business was leased to William Carkeek in December 1898. The building was eventually auctioned as part of the finalising of Annie's estate in 1909.hotels wodonga, businesses wodonga, terminus hotel wodonga

The Terminus Hotel, Wodonga was built by James Thompson Hatch in 1873, the same year the railway reached Wodonga from Melbourne. It was named due to its close proximity to the railway terminus. It was sold to Messrs George Day and Kenneth McLennan of Albury. It was first licenced to J.G. Morton in January 1874. Annie Allen, from Ireland, took over as licensee of the hotel containing 14 rooms in 1879, after she and her husband, George James Allen, purchased it. In 1887 they added a new wing on the south boundary of the property next to Peter McLean’s store at 81 Sydney Road. The architects for the new wing were Gordon and Gordon. A billiard room, a dining room, and 18 other rooms were added on the vacant block of land between the Hotel and the Bank of Victoria. A balcony 6 feet wide was added on the north side. Included in the plans was the latest patent elevator, later known as a dumb waiter. Allen died in 1889 aged 52, and Annie Allen continued to run the Terminus. She later married John G. Haldon and was licensee of the hotel until December 1898 when the licence was transferred to William Carkeek. Carkeek, from Cornwall, arrived in the colony around 1860 and is considered one of the founders of Tallangatta. In November 1903, the license was transferred to Daniel Crawford, then in 1906 it was transferred to Mr Stephen Carkeek. In 1916 it passed into the hands of Mr H. W. Allen of Rutherglen, son of Mr George James Allen. On 1st June 1998 the Terminus Hotel was destroyed by fire. Estimates of damage range from between a conservative $750,000 to as high as $2 million. The remains of the building were demolished in 1999.The Terminus Hotel was one of the earliest hotels in Wodonga with clear links to the establishment of the railway line. It was an important business and meeting place for social gatherings.In 1879, the Terminus Hotel was purchased by Annie and George Allen. The hotel was advertised as a two storey brick building with bar, large dining and four rooms on the ground floor, all and commodious cellar. Upstairs a large parlour and 13 bedrooms. There was also a four-roomed weatherboard cottage, a blacksmith's shop and other buildings. The Allens had about 20 years of ownership, with Annie continuing to hold the licence under her new married name of Annie Haldon after George had died in 1889. In 1888, the Allens undertook extensive additions and renovations. Annie remained as the proprietor of the building until her death in 1904, but the business was leased to William Carkeek in December 1898. The building was eventually auctioned as part of the finalising of Annie's estate in 1909.hotels wodonga, businesses wodonga, terminus hotel wodonga

Located in High Street, Wodonga, this hotel underwent many modifications and name changes. It was built c1859 by James Bambrick close to the intended rail terminal in Huon Street. The site of the rail terminal actually changed but the name remained. James Bambrick served three terms as Wodonga Council president and was it was commonly referred to as “Bambrick’s Hotel”. It included 30 rooms as well as dining facilities. James Bambrick ran the hotel until 1902 when it was sold to J. Donnelly for £3,000. In 1912, whilst operated by T. J. Weller, the residential section of the hotel was almost completely destroyed by fire but only the ceiling of the bar was damaged and it continued to operate. Over the ensuing years the licensee changed hands frequently. By 1952, John Perry, owner of the “Stump” Junction Hotel also had the freehold of the Railway Hotel At some stage in the mid 1980’s the hotel was renamed as the “Murray River Hotel”, but still displayed the sign of the Railway Hotel. In 2009, it was closed for a short time whilst renovations took place to convert it into O’Maille’s Irish Hotel. It was demolished in 2020. These images document changes to an important local building first established c1868. It was an important meeting place and also the location of the earliest Council meetings in Wodonga.A set of photos both black and white and colour depicting changes to the Railway Hotel, Wodonga over timeA variety of names and advertising signsjames bambrick wodonga, bambrick's hotel, railway hotel wodonga, murray river hotel wodonga, o'maille's hotel,

Victorian Amateur Ice Hockey Association fixtures for 1966 at St Moritz Ice Skating rink, Upper Esplanade St Kilda. The St. Moritz Ice-skating Palais (its original name) opened in 1939 and operated until 1981. The building was damaged by fire and demolished soon afterwards. Blue coloured card, folded into three, printed in black on both sidesst moritz, ice hockey, victorian ice hockey association

Established in 1897, Baker and Woods were initially electricians. The property in Hargreaves was taken over by a saddler and Baker and Woods moved to premises at 313 Hargreaves Street. The business expanded to include photographic equipment, phonographs and phot development. In 1903, Baker and Woods were responsible for converting the gas lighting in the Bendigo Town Hall to electricity. A fire caused by a short circuit caused extensive damage to the building in 1914.Baker & Woods Electrical Engineers and Photo Stock Dealers. Cream paper with Black print. At the top Hargreaves Street, Bendigo, Docket 221. Bought of Baker & Woods, Electrical Engineers and Photo Stock Dealers. Written in Pencil on the Docket is *Prairie. July 18 1914. Mr J. R. Stephens. Items listed:- Developing Film 1/6, Printing 24 Postcards 3/- 6/, postage -4p = 7/10. On the back written in blue biro is - 1290B. Box 625business, retail, photography, hargreaves street bendigo. baker & woods.

Established in 1897, Baker and Woods were initially electricians. The property in Hargreaves was taken over by a saddler and Baker and Woods moved to premises at 313 Hargreaves Street. The business expanded to include photographic equipment, phonographs and phot development. In 1903, Baker and Woods were responsible for converting the gas lighting in the Bendigo Town Hall to electricity. A fire caused by a short circuit caused extensive damage to the building in 1914.Baker & Woods Electrical Engineers and Photo Stock Dealers: Cream paper with black print. At the top is *Hargreaves Street, Bendigo 1914. Brought of Baker & Woods, Electrical Engineers and photo Stock Dealers. Docket no. 221. Hand written in pencil is Prairie. Mr J.R. Stephens. Items purchased were:- 1 No. 3 A film, 6 Exposure cost 1/9. Dated July 18th 1914. Box 625business, retail, photography, hargreaves street. baker & woods.

Victorian Ice Hockey Association fixtures for 1955 at St Moritz Ice Palais, Upper Esplanade St Kilda, and the Glaciarium (also known as the Glaci), City Road South Melbourne. The St. Moritz Ice-skating Palais (its original name) opened in 1939 and operated until 1981. The building was damaged by fire and demolished soon afterwards. The Glaci opened in 1906, at which time it was the 3rd largest indoor ice rink in the world. It hosted the first game of ice hockey played in Australia. It closed in 1957 and the building was destroyed by fire in 1963. Buff coloured card, folded into three, printed in black on both sidesst moritz, glaciarium, ice hockey, victorian ice hockey association

The two storey building is the Royal Hotel which is sited on the corner of Brook and Evans Streets in Sunbury's main shopping strip.The photograph was taken sometime in 1939 after it was totally rebuilt. A fire had damaged the old single storey structure, which was built on the same site c1860 shortly after Sunbury had a rail service. The building still operates today on the same site.The Royal Hotel is one of four hotels that were built in Evans Street Sunbury between Brook and Station Streets ion the 1860s shortly after the rail service arrived in the town. They were They were the Railway Hotel (Olive Tree), White Horse Hotel, Royal Hotel and the Rupertswood Hotel, opposite the Royal Hotel. A non-digital black and white photograph with a cream border of a two storey brick hotel building with light concrete trimming around the windows and entrances sited on a corner. A large black sedan car is parked near the corner. royal hotel, hotels

Ruins of Gustav Mahnke’s Bakery Shop Corner of Main Street and Wimmera Street Stawell destroyed by fire 1922. The Chimneys left standing would have belonged to the ovens. Firemen Left R. Chapman - extreme right Alf Pickering , inspecting damage. The Post Office Hotel and the destroyed bakery on the corner of Main and Wimmera Streets. Gustav Mahnke, a German, was a borough Councilor, Mayor for three successive terms - 1904-07. Note extreme right in the backgorundbehind trees - Stawell Baths.B/W. Photograph of the ruins of a burnt building, next to a Hotel with four men.Part of a sign reading "TEL"stawell business streetscape

In 1920 Michael Taffe was awarded Junior Cornet Solo Champion at Ballarat's South St competitions, The Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia. This competition was the premier band contest in Australia with musicians from every state and New Zealand taking part. The large framed studio portrait of Michael together with his cornet and medals was on display in the window of Allan's Music store Melbourne when the building was severely damaged by fire but these items were saved. Part of a large family collection of local & family history items at Hymettus Cottage, home to the same Ballarat family for the past 125. This portrait has a well documented provenance and a known owner and has hung in this historic house for the past 102 years. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection that reflects Ballarat's local history from a family perspective. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in Ballarat from the 19th to the 21st century and provides interpretative capacity for family, local, and social history themes.cornet, music, michael taffe, south street competitions, ballarat

In 1920 Michael Taffe was awarded Junior Cornet Solo Champion at Ballarat's South St competitions, The Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia. This competition was the premier band contest in Australia with musicians from every state and New Zealand taking part. This Boosey & Co cornet was on display in the window of Allan's Music store Melbourne when the building was severely damaged by fire but these items were saved. Part of a large family collection of local & family history items at Hymettus Cottage, home to the same Ballarat family for the past 125. This cornet has a well documented provenance and a known owner and has been at Hymettus for over a century. Boosey & Co joined with Hawkes in 1930 to become Boosey & Hawkes. This cornet forms part of a significant and representative historical collection that reflects Ballarat's local history from a family perspective. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in Ballarat from the 19th to the 21st century and provides interpretative capacity for family, local, and social history themes.Heavily decorated and inscribed.cornet, music, michael taffe, south street competitions, ballarat, boosey & co

Today’s Panton Hill Hotel was built around 1920. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p61 Panton Hill was originally known as Kingstown, and consisted of only one hotel when the Orams Reef was discovered in 1859. Kingstown was a quartz mining centre and many old mine shafts remain in the area.1 Orams Reef was one of the first reefs with a rich find of gold in the area. The Hotel Francais, which had been operating in 1861, was well situated on the way to Queenstown (later St Andrews). So was Herr Hirt’s Hotel and store at Smiths Gully. The Kingstown hotel, known as the Frenchman’s and in 1864 as the Hotel de France, was run by a Monsieur Emile Hude and his wife Jeanne, and known for its good food. They hosted social events, business conventions and debates, attracting patrons from as far as Melbourne. The hotel’s name was changed to Panton Hill Hotel in 1905.2 In 1883 Charles Caudwell built another hotel nearby, possibly in Long Gully Road,3 which it is thought, was burnt down early last century. Today’s Panton Hill Hotel, built around 1920, is the only one of the cluster of buildings in the main road, not to date from around the turn of last century. It was severely damaged by fire in 2003, then underwent extensive alterations. It is the township’s only hotel and is an example of a modest hotel building exterior, constructed early last century. In its early days the hotel also housed the first post office, newsagency and store. Orams Reef yielded a total of £100,000, and fossikers also found alluvial gold in the creeks and gullies, but there is no record of the total value of their finds.4 Gold greatly increased the Panton Hill population, which peaked between 1865 and 1885. On holidays large sports meetings were held with wood chopping contests and foot races and the day would end with a ball. Miners came from various countries to seek their fortune, including many from China. The Chinese became unpopular however, and gradually left the district, although some stayed and grew and sold vegetables.5 Panton Hill was named after Joseph Panton, who in 1862 was appointed Police Magistrate for the Woods Point, Heidelberg and Yarra districts. Panton was an outstanding man, who in 1852, was Commissioner of Crown Lands and Assistant Commissioner of Goldfields at Bendigo. In 1874 he was promoted to Chief Magistrate for the Melbourne Police. Panton was also an artist, becoming president of the Victorian Arts Society in 1888, and in 1913, president of the Royal Geographical Society. Despite Panton Hill’s prosperity, it still lacked many services as poor roads made access to Melbourne difficult. A horse-drawn mail coach travelled to Melbourne until 1890, when the railway came to Heidelberg. The nearest doctor was at Yarra Glen or Heidelberg, and the Indian hawker Singh’s annual visit was very welcome. A miner’s shack opposite the school was used as a post office. Today’s general store and post office in the main road dates from early last century, and has changed considerably. While most people searched for gold, the more enterprising ones established farms to feed the diggers. Farmers grew wheat, barley and oats, and sent animal skins to the Eltham tannery, to make furs in Melbourne.6 As gold became scarce from around 1880, miners took up farming on 19 to 20 acre (8ha) allotments. The first settlers in Cherry Tree Road included Purcell, Smith, Owens, Hughes and Shillinglaw. By 1900 all the land had been taken up around Panton Hill and Hurstbridge. The orchards in Panton Hill and the wider district, particularly of apple and pear, were very successful, and made Panton Hill a cohesive and successful community. About 1914 the Moores built the first cool-store and refrigeration plant at their orchard in Cherry Tree Road. Many settlers planted vineyards and made high quality wine, but in 1922 the blight destroyed them.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, panton hill hotel

Stations of the Cross by Clifton Pugh is a contempooray art piece in four sections making up 11 stations of the cross. It was commissioned by the Catholic parish in Eltham (Our Lady Help of Christians) in 1961 Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p81 Art is an important means of nurturing faith at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Henry Street, Eltham. The Stations of the Cross by Clifton Pugh and The Crucifix with the Ascending Jesus by sculptor Charles Rocco are two of the fine works that enhance the parishioners’ worship. These two inspiring works of art were added in 2001 – long after Roman Catholics began worshipping in Eltham around 1864. This beautiful worship centre was built following hardship and change – for parishioners have endured their church being destroyed by fire and have built four churches since they first worshipped together. Before 1864, according to local legend, a visiting priest administered sacraments in the parlour of former convict-turned-respected citizen Thomas Sweeney at Sweeneys Lane, Eltham.1 The first church was blessed in September, 1865, by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Goold. It stood on an acre (0.4ha) of land in Little Eltham as that area was known then, near the present Fordhams and Main Roads and was part of the Heidelberg Church Parish. In 1912 the church was relocated to a new building on the present primary school site at 1 Henry Street. This was closer to the town centre, which had moved from Little Eltham after the railway line was extended to Eltham in 1902.2 In 1958 the church split from the Sacred Heart parish, Diamond Creek, to become a parish in its own right, with Father Tom Curran as inaugural priest. Not long after in 1961, a fire destroyed the church and huge working bees under the prominent Catholic builders, the Sibbel brothers, rebuilt and extended it, using the original altar from the first church. It was then that builder and parishioner Herman Sibbel asked his friend, artist Clifton Pugh, to paint the Stations of the Cross for the church. But the priest, Father Curran, neither approved of Pugh’s bohemian reputation nor liked the paintings, so they were hung in the corridor of Our Lady’s Primary School instead. The parishioners almost sold the paintings in 1989 to pay for major school renovations. However the paintings remained there for about 40 years, until 2001, when the church was extensively renovated by Father Barry Caldwell. Another change awaited the church, as it outgrew its building, later to be used as the school hall. So, in 1976, the present church was built across the road. Three beautiful stained-glass windows depicting the Passion, Death, Resurrection and the presence of Christ’s Spirit, link these with the church’s experiences. The first depicts a bushfire in Eltham, referring to their church damaged by fire. Another represents the Resurrection of Christ with new growth on a blackened stump and the Holy Spirit is represented by the Southern Cross. A window depicting Our Lady Help of Christians by parishioner Bill Peperkamp, was donated by parishioners to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Father Desmond G Jenkins’ ordination to the priesthood on July 27, 1977. This, with the statue of Mary, creates a Marian shrine. In the 14 Stations of the Cross painted on four masonite panels Pugh captures the pathos of the suffering Christ and his disciples.3 The figures are stylised, except intriguingly, that of Pontias Pilate, who looks like Clifton Pugh. Charles Rocco’s sculpture is an extraordinary Jesus figure being raised from the Cross. The delicate stainless steel mesh of the figure creates a sense of the power of God over death. The organ, built in 1868 by George Fincham and Sons, was first installed in the All Saints’ Anglican Church, East St Kilda, then in the St Andrews Church, Clifton Hill. It was rebuilt into a modern instrument with a donation from parishioner Jim Murray, in memory of his wife Gwendolene Mary.4 Church members created their own work of art in front of the entrance, by painting designs and messages on 700 tiles. This work indicates the strong church family and faith expressed in art, that awaits the worshipper inside.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, art, clifton pugh, stations of the cross, our lady help of christans, installation

The building was designed by Charles Maplestone of Heidelberg, son-in-law to Anthony Beale of St Helena. Maplestone was a prominent architect who came out to Australia with his family in 1852. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Isabella Maplestone on 11th November 1867. The bricklayers for the church were George Stebbing, H Limmer, H Spicer and a Mr Timm while Thomas Day was the stonemason. Another three years were to pass before sufficient money could be raised for its completion. It was opened by Bishop Perry on 1st November, 1870. The church bell which hung under a tree for 50 years until it was incorporated in the parish hall was brought out from England and presented by Charles Orme. In 1916, the estate of George Martin Pizzey left sufficient money to build the red brick hall, which still stands today (2023) though in January 1969 the hall and bell tower were badly damaged by bushfire. Coincidentally the former home of benefactor, George Pizzey was destroyed in the same fire. Of particular significance are the interior and exterior of the church, the Sunday school and hall with emphasis on pre-World War I fabric (excluding the 1990s additions) and the three coloured glass windows currently suspended in the 1990s entry foyer. In 2011 further alterations were made to the front of the Church. The church is historically significant because it was the oldest public building in the former Diamond Valley Shire, is amongst the oldest buildings in the Shire of Nillumbik and is associated with the early settlement of the Diamond Creek district. The church is historically, socially and spiritually significant because it has been a place of worship for over 150 years and continues to be, an important meeting place in the Shire. The church is aesthetically significant for the three stained glass windows executed by the noted stained glass manufacturers, Ferguson & Urie, as well as the supporting coloured glass windows in the church. The Sunday school & parish hall is architecturally significant because the hall is a well executed and preserved example of the work of noted church architects, North & Williams. It is historically significant because it is connected with local parishioner and Melbourne industrialist, George Pizzey, who bequeathed funds for its construction. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Ntionl Trust of Australia (Victoria) Local significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p85 St John’s Anglican Church stands like a beacon on the hill on Main Street, Diamond Creek. Today the church has a large congregation, but its early years were marked by a small congregation struggling to find enough money to survive. It was gold in Diamond Creek that resulted in the building of this National Trust registered property.1 This church is far removed from William Wilson’s humble barn (later the Bowling Green) where the first Anglican church services were conducted – probably the first in the district.2 In the mid 19th century services were infrequent as the Rev Francis Hales, travelling on horseback, also conducted services elsewhere, including at Heidelberg, Coburg, Kinglake, Arthurs Creek, St Andrews and Kangaroo Ground. In 1860 Diamond Creek came under the jurisdiction of the Eltham Parish. Until the mid 1860s the Diamond Creek settlement included only about 20 families who were struggling farmers. But this changed when gold was found in 1862. Then the township grew to 200 families, including miners, civil administration workers and shopkeepers. The resulting growth of Church of England adherents prompted them to petition the Government in 1866 for land to build a church. The area chosen, on which the original building still stands, was at the centre of the proposed township. Today church leaders believe that this conspicuous location is one of the reasons for its exceptional growth. Prominent architect Charles Maplestone designed the building as he did the Presbyterian Church at Kangaroo Ground. St John’s, which is still intact, was built in the Gothic Revival style with the traditional rectangular plan of a central nave and sanctuary at the end. It is typical of small churches built in Victoria at that time, with polychromatic hand-made bricks, a porch, diagonal buttresses and a slate roof.3 The church was officially opened by Lord Bishop Perry on November 1, 1870. But during the next 40 years, due to the varying fortunes of gold mining, the church struggled to remain viable. In 1909 it separated from the Eltham Parish to form a parish with Greensborough. Life became more difficult with the privations of World War One. Then disaster struck in 1915 when fire destroyed the Diamond Creek Gold Mine, wiping out the major livelihood of most parishioners. However the church’s morale was lifted in 1916, when it received a bequest to build the red brick hall, from late parishioner and prominent leather manufacturer, George Pizzey. As prosperity grew, in 1924 the congregation separated from Greensborough, but they rejoined in the 1930s Depression. In the 1950s the wider population soared, impacting on St John’s, and it became a separate parish, becoming responsible for six churches at St Andrews, Hazel Glen, Hurstbridge, St Helena and Yarrambat. As parishioner numbers outgrew the building, extensions were added in 1989 and then in 1993, blending in well with the original building. Church members have made a huge contribution to the local community. John Ryan was a Heidelberg Shire Councillor for 25 years from 1931, Mayor in 1939 and headed several local sporting and other organisations. His son Jock became a clergyman and a local historian heading the Nillumbik Historical Society. Another parishioner, Dr Ted Cordner, came to Diamond Creek in 1920. One of his sons Donald, who was a local doctor, won the Brownlow Medal, was President of the Melbourne Cricket Club and President of the Melbourne Grammar School Council. Roy ‘Monty’ Vale was a state Liberal MP and was related to May Vale, a member of the Heidelberg School of Artists.4 In the early 21st century St John’s Anglican Church is one of the fastest growing congregations in Melbourne. References: St Johns Anglican Church complex, Sunday School and Parish Hall 61 Main Street DIAMOND CREEK, NILLUMBIK SHIRE. (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/64023 Diamond Creek, VIC. – St John’s Anglican (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://www.churchhistories.net.au/church-catalog/diamond-creek-vic-st-johns-anglican This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, st john's anglican church, diamond creek

The damaged building in the photograph is the former Diggers Rest Hotel which was built in on that site in 1854 It was a popular place during the 1970s Sunbury Pop Festivals as it was the closest hotel to the Pop Festival site. It was partly destroyed by a suspicious fire on 30th October 2008, which left the walls and chimney intact but the roof caved in. Since then there have been moves by the local community to either rebuild and reopen the venue or to demolish it.The Diggers Rest has been one of the few early surviving hotels that were built along the former Mount Alexander Road, now Calder Highway, during the 1850s gold rush years.This a non-digital coloured photograph of a double storey hotel building, which has been damaged by fire. The exterior walls are intact but the roof has collapsed.The building is beside a main road. diggers rest, diggers rest hotel, hotels, calder highway, gold rushes

Black and white photograph of the fire damage to Venga Guest House, and the debris left after the disastrous fire to the neighbouring building on Esplanade. Three brick fireplaces and chimneys still standing. Lakes Entrance Victoriaguesthouses, disasters

Also two other black and white photographs of disastrous fire damage to Jimmys Mermaid Fish Shop 15 June 1993 photographs show damage being inspected by Fire Brigade members and Arson Squad Detectives. Numbers 03795.1 and 03795.2 size 10.5 x 15.5Black and white photograph of Jimmy Garidas of Jimmys Mermaid Fish Shop, showing Jimmy standing at the deep fryer, 509 Esplanade Lakes Entrance Victoriabuilding industry

Date made December 2000Colour photograph showing the Club Hotel, after the fire had destroyed the buildings. Signage for the bistro and holiday tourism flag on the electricity pole. Fire truck and brigade members in taped off area damping down debris. Onlookers survey damage of early morning fire. Lakes Entrance Victoriahotels, fire brigade, disasters