A.C. (Arthur Charles) Simon a pioneer orchardist in the Bacchus Marsh district planted this avenue of Osage orange trees in about 1883, creating an imposing entrance to his property from Taverner Street. Simon also believed that the trees on his orchard property would provide a protective shelter for his other plants. Osage orange trees (Maclura pomifera) are a small deciduous tree or large shrub, native to the south-central United States. It usually grows to about 8 to 15 metres high. The distinctive fruit, a multiple fruit that resembles an immature orange, is roughly spherical in shape, about 8 to 15 centimetres in diameter, and turns bright yellow-green in the autumn. A. C. Simon is believed to have imported the Osage orange seeds from America around the 1860s and later used them to plant the trees depicted in this image. The date of this image is not certain but it probably shows the trees around the 1900s or 1910s. The avenue of trees was known for many years in Bacchus Mars as 'Simons Avenue', and were featured in a Rose series postcard dating from around 1900-1920. The remnants of this avenue or grove of trees can be seen on some of the properties on the north side of Taverner Street Bacchus Marsh and along the Werribee River west of the FIsken Street bridge.The Bacchus Marsh Heritage Study of 1995 described the Osage Orange Tree avenue as being of regional historical significance as a landscaping practice, pioneering of its type, It was also described as of local significance as a well-known landmark due to it be being represented on widely distributed post cards which depicted scenes of Bacchus Marsh in the early part of the twentieth century. This early photographic image is evidence of this social and cultural significance.A black and white photograph print mounted on mounting board showing an avenue of Osage orange trees. trees, osage orange trees, simon family bacchus marsh, arthur charles simon 1833-1924, orchardists

On cover pages are 6 photographs of Burnley College and the heading "An Australian Horticultural School Enterprise at Burnley,Vic". The 4 photos on the lower half of the cover page were used in "Green Grows Our Garden", by A.P Winzenreid, Hyland House (1991) p. 52. A.P Winzenreid described the photos as: Top left (photo 3): Espaliered fruit tree on fence, established and trained by George Russ and continued as a feature of interest into the 1950s. Located in old nursery area. Top right (photo 4): orchard spraying. Bottom left (photo 5): View of pavilion. Note Luffmann's pond and Pinus radiata planted in 1860s and removed by G. Manley and A. Tylee (1951-53). Bottom right (photo 6): A.W. Jessep (principal) and E.E. Pescott (lecturer) outside Principal's residence. (Photos 1 and 2 on the cover of the Garden Lover were not reproduced in "Green Grows Our Garden". The Australian Garden Lover, vol. 2 no. 7, October 1, 1926, p 266-7. Cover and two pages.the australian garden lover, green grows our garden, a.p. winzenreid, george russ, espaliered pear, old nursery, orchard, spraying, pavilion, ponds, pinus radiata, a. w. jessep, e. e. pescott, principal's residence, gardening publication, horticulture newspaper, 20s gardening

This old apple tree situated beside the Plenty River Trail at Greensborough has been associated with Melbourne Founder John Batman. Known as Batman's Tree, this apple tree is on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough. It is said that Melbourne Founder John Batman may have planted the tree and later signed his treaty here with the Aboriginal people. It still bears fruit and its recorded on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p7 Was This John Batman's Tree? An apple tree on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough, is believed to have belonged to Melbourne’s founder, John Batman. It could also stand where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the Aboriginal people.1 Known as Batman’s Tree, it still bears fruit and is recorded on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It is ‘Believed to have been planted by either John Batman, (c1837) or Martin Batey (1841)’.2 In 1966 a Horticultural Adviser, Mr Rolfe, after extensive questioning of aged Greensborough residents, wrote: ‘it thus seems fairly certain that the old tree on the banks of the Plenty River is an original Batman apple tree’. Mr Rolfe said that the tree stood on a spot formerly called Wattle Bend: ‘one of the sites claimed to be where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the aboriginals. ‘My main source of information has been interviews with people who attended school in the Greensborough area from 70 to 80 years ago. Their parents were close to the days when Melbourne was founded so information passed on by word of mouth.’ Around 1920 the tree was struck by lightning and a concrete block was placed in the split. The concrete is inscribed with the date 1841 when the tree was thought to have been planted. Not everyone agrees with Mr Rolfe however. Former secretary of the Nillumbik Historical Society, Kevin Patterson, said there was no written evidence to support the claim. But he said the tree had been known to locals for decades as Batman’s Tree. In the 1920s a holiday resort in the area advertised: ‘Come to Greensborough and see John Batman’s tree’. Mr Patterson said it was thought that when Batman died in 1839 his land was sold and a Greensborough man Frederick Flintoff bought seedlings from his orchard for £1 each. This was the only one left.3 Mr Rolfe said: ‘If planted in 1837, or even a few years later, it undoubtedly is the oldest living apple tree in Victoria. Title records of the property on which the tree grows show that the land was a crown grant of F D Wickham in 1840. Mr Wickham was reputed to be a friend of John Batman. All the early settlers prior to the crown grants were squatters, by virtue of Batman’s treaty. This treaty was revoked by the then New South Wales Government, so it is likely that Wickham or an agent was in occupation before 1840. ‘According to Mrs Mavis Latham (John Batman – Great Australian Series, Oxford University Press) when Batman came to Port Phillip in 1835 he brought fruit trees with him. He failed to get a crown grant for his selection on Collins Street, which included 20 acres (eight ha) of orchard and cultivation. His residence became the Government Office and Melbourne grew from wild bushland in 1835 to a town of over 20,000 people by 1841. It is possible Batman visited Wickham and presented him with a tree.’ However a Flintoff descendant in 1933 said Frederick Flintoff ordered his bailiff Martin Batey to transplant the Batman Tree from the Spencer Street orchard to its present site as a memorial to his friend Batman.4 Mr Rolfe spoke to many people, including descendants of the Bateys and Flintoffs and pupils at the Greensborough Primary School. Many had gained their information from a ‘very highly respected’ head master Lewis Amiet at the Greensborough School from 1895 to 1917. He must have gained this information from residents in the district and had this information been incorrect, the parents of the children would have promptly corrected him.’ One woman who attended the school before Mr Amiet’s appointment, said the previous teacher also taught that the tree on the Plenty River was a Batman tree, Mr Rolfe said.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, greensborough, john batman tree, plenty river trail

This book focuses on the minute books of the Monbulk Progress and Fruit Growers Association from 16 October 1918 and explores the background to, and the significant issues and events reflected in the minutes eg. industrial relations, transport, marketing and corruption. The memoirs of George A'Vard relate his experiences in growing and carting raspberries.Soft cover bookmonbulk historical society, monbulk progress and fruit growers association, george a'vard

A description in the newspaper near the illustration (page 210) reads as follows: "Eltham is a pretty little township on the Yarra Flats road, about 14 miles east north east of Melbourne, from which place there is communication by way of Heidelberg. It has a population of nearly 400 inhabitants, but in addition it is the centre of a large district extending over about 203 square miles, having a population of 2344. The land in the district is mostly used for grazing purposes, although as a rule the small farms grow a good deal of wheat, oats and other agricultural produce. A large quantity of fruit, especially raspberries and strawberries, is also produced, the rich alluvial flats along the creek upon which the township is situated being very well adapted for that purpose. Gold has also been found in the vicinity of the township, but not in remunerative quantities". This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imageshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, illustrated australian news

Appears as an illustration in, "Green Grows Our Garden," A.P. Winzenried p 90. The caption reads: Students working on individual plots: glass cloches were popular for a long time."Black and white photograph. Male students working in their individual vegetable plots. Note the glass cloches. Fruit trees in the background.On reverse, "1950's."glass cloches, green grows our garden, a.p. winzenried, vegetables, students working outside, male students, fruit trees, orchard

Appears as an illustration in, "Green Grows Our Garden," A.P. Winzenried p 66. On p. 66 of the text there is further information about the effects of the flood.Black and white photograph. Destruction caused in the Burnley orchards by the 1934 flood of the Yarra River. One large tree is upside down with its roots in the air.On reverse, "1934."orchard, green grows our garden, a.p. winzenried, flood damage, fruit trees

M. Nelson, Springhurst donated the photograph. Appears as an illustration in, "Green Grows Our Garden," A.P. Winzenried p 61. Girl in foreground is Helen Wiltshire (now Murdoch), Dux of the College in 1956, then Secretary of BCPSA - wrote to the College after seeing the photograph used in publicity for 2010 University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Open Day. She said the girl on the ladder was Maureen Skuse (now Nelson). Black and white photograph of 2 female students pruning a fruit tree in the Orchard. One is standing on a ladder. Both are using secateurs."M. Nelson Springhurst. Photo from Herald 1955." Stamp "Herald-Sun Photograph supplied by Feature Service The herald & Weekly Times Ltd."female students, pruning, fruit tree, m. nelson, green grows our garden, a.p. winzenried, helen murdoch (nee wiltshire), dux of college, 1956, secretary, bcpsa, maureen skuse, orchard, students working outside

A4 copies of Landata Victoria Historical Search documents - Vol 7052 Fol 1410222. Includes Carter Family Tree property notes. William George Carter of Grandview Grove Ringwood, Nurseryman, is now the proprietor - three acres or thereabouts shown on map (12202a) - 14th March, 1947. Transfer B284834 Registered 21 September, 1961 - 1 acre shown on map (12202c) north of Plymouth Road. NOTES ON GRANDVIEW GROVE PROPERTY (Carter Family Tree extract) The Grandview Grove property was purchased by William (Bill) and Doreen Carter in 1947 as three acres of uncleared bushland. They had a 2 bedroom fibro-cement house built on the land which they informally called "Willoreen". With Doreen looking after sons Peter (born in 1940) and Robin (born in 1950), Bill worked locally at Croydon Dairy. The family spent much of their spare time clearing the land, where Bill then grew and sold fruit, flowers and berries, particularly strawberries, as a hobby and to supplement their income. Bill continued to do so while Peter and Robin were growing up, and after Doreen died in 1958. In 1961 Bill sold one of the three acres to one of his seven sisters, Grace, who lived in Kew but later moved to Rosebud and sold the land without ever building on it. During the 1960s, Grandview Grove was renamed Bemboka Road. After retiring as a milkman, Bill moved to Rosebud, Vic, and in 1977, sold the property to the Anglican Church, who were looking to invest in the site in anticipation of proposed future residential development in the area. As nearby properties were subdivided during the 1980s, the house, which the Church had initially utilised as low-cost family accommodation, was modified internaly to become a church/Sunday school. By the early 2000s, construction of a contemporary-design church and carparking area between the house and street alignment had been completed but the house remained as a detatched meeting room until falling into disrepair and was eventually demolished around 2010.

Appears as an illustration in, "Green Grows Our Garden," A.P. Winzenried p 106. Students identified as Oliver Frost and Dian Durrant. the caption reads, "The Old Nursery had only bare facilities but note the espalier fruit tree and the Shade House."Black and white photograph. 2 male students working outside the Shade House putting potted plants in small glasshouses. Espaliered fruit trees in the background.On reverse, "Photograph by Publicity Branch Victorian Department Of Agriculture Ref. No. c.1695Q ."students, shade house, glasshouses, green grows our garden, a.p. winzenried, oliver frost, dian durrant, espaliered fruit trees, students working outside, old nursery, nursery

This booklet from 1879 was given to the Moorabbin Historical Society when the Robert Keys Leader Cup Trophy, 1882-1883 was re-discovered at 'Box Cottage' Museum in 2009. The Leader Cup Trophy, MAV 00001, is also itemised in this booklet (p9) The Leader Newspaper offered the 'Silver Cup, value Five Guineas for the best fruit garden in the Brighton District. The Proprietors of the English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank offered an second prize of three Guineas Commencing in 1856, the Brighton Horticultural Society only disbanded in 2009, and most of their archival holdings were given to the Brighton Historical Society. This booklet gives a good idea of the large varieties of plants, poultry and the skills of the pioneer settlers of the Brighton District.This Booklet describes the Schedule of Prizes for the 1879 Grand Annual Exhibition of the Brighton Horticultural Society in Brighton Victoria. The Booklet was donated to the Moorabbin Historical Society in 2009 upon the disbanding of the Brighton Horticultural Society..at that time. The Moorabbin Historical Society possesses the 1882 'Leader Cup Trophy' (cat 00001) presented to Robert Keys for the best Fruit Garden. This booklet is kept in the same cabinet as the Robert Key's Silver Trophy. After Henry Dendy's Special Survey in 1841 allotments of land were sold or rented to pioneer settlers who developed market gardens , fruit gardens and poultry farms in the Brighton area. Their produce was sold at the St Kilda and Melbourne Markets for the growing population of MelbourneBooklet with mauve paper cover and 16 pages listing the Schedule of prizes for the 1879 annual exhibition of the Brighton Horticultural Society to be held in Brighton, Victoria."1879/ SCHEDULE OF PRIZES/OFFERED FOR COMPETITION BY THE/ BRIGHTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,/ AT THEIR/ GRAND ANNUAL EXHIBITION/ OF / ROSES,/ CUT FLOWERS, POT PLANTS,/ FRUITS, VEGETABLES,/ POULTRY, PRODUCE, &c.,/TO BE HELD IN THE/ ARTILLERY PARADE GROUND, CRESCENT, / BRIGHTON,/ Near the North Brighton Railway Station, / ON / SATURDAY, 8th NOVEMBER, 1879./ ADMISSION 1s. / Doors open at 2 o'clock. / Brighton: / G. H. ORFORD, MACHINE PRINTER, NEXT NORTH BRIGHTON STATION. / 1879 ;melbourne, keys robert, trophy, leader newspaper, leader cup, brighton, silver, moorabbin, bentleigh, markets, dendy henry, st kilda, bent thomas, market gardens, brighton horticultural society, fruit gardens, banks chartered