In February 1965, Staffs Railway Store, the oldest business premises in the Eltham shopping district was demolished. Formerly a self-service grocery, restaurant and electrical repair shop, the building for many years housed Eltham’s only ‘family’ grocer and feed store. Earlier it had appeared to have been the town’s bakery. The building had been purchased in late March 1939 by Mr Eric N. Staff. At the time of E.N. Staff’s purchase there were huge bakers’ ovens located at the rear and the building also had a well and four toilets for employees. When the ‘pictures’ came to Eltham with the opening of the Eltham Public Hall across the road in 1941, Mr E.N. Staff extended the business and opened a milk bar and sweet shop. Further extensions re-established the tea rooms of days gone by. Mr E.N. Staff conducted business for about 15 years before handing over the reins to his son, Ray Staff. When his son Ray took over, the milk bar and tea rooms were closed for several years but the milk bar and was later re-opened and subsequently became a greengrocers and later again, a restaurant. The tea rooms section was converted to an electrical repair shop about 1955. Electoral Roll records for 1967 record Raymond Charles Staff at 929 Main Road, Eltham, grocer, and in 1968 at Lot 4, Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham, taxi truck operator. So it would appear that Ray continued to run the business for approximately two years after the original store was demolished and a new supermarket was built. Today, 929 Main Road is the Nongkhai Thai Restaurant and is precisely where the original Staffs store stood. Even though the facade has been modified at eye level with new larger windows, the upper facade is identical to that of the new Eltham Big Star Food Centre of 1965/66. But how did the original building, the oldest premises in the 1965 era shopping centre come about? On August 12th, 1902 at the Eltham Courthouse, appearing before T. Smallman, Esq,. Police Magistrate, and Messrs. W. Duncan and W.J. Taylor, Justices of the Peace is Luther Haley, baker. Wilfred Henry Johnston, by his agent Stanley Ernest Elder had applied for a warrant of ejectment under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1890 against Luther Haley from the bakery premises at the corner of Main Road and York Street. From the evidence presented we learn that Mrs Burgoyne of Eltham had purchased the property some months earlier from Mr Johnston, which consisted of a store and bakery establishment at Eltham occupied by Mr. Luther Haley, and whose lease expired some little time back, and up to the present time, Mr. Haley was not prepared to leave. He informed the court that he is unable to secure at Eltham a suitable house in which to carry on his business, but was building a place near the railway station which he expected to be done in about three weeks time, and he is then prepared to give up possession of the premises he now occupies. Mr Smallman informed the defendant, Luther Haley, that he will have to quit the premises in three weeks from the present date, and that a warrant of ejectment would be issued. However he also informed Mr Haley that he would order the warrant to lie in the office for three weeks from that date. The premises under construction referred to by Luther Haley in court were situated on the western side of Main Road, near the railway station slightly opposite present-day Arthur Street. It was opened around September 1902 as a General Store, Bakery and Tea Rooms. This was the original building in the present-day shopping precinct. At the time the only thing nearby was the railway station. Luther Haley’s business appeared to prosper and he would have catered to not only the locals abut also day visitors by train on Sundays coming up from Melbourne, offering fresh baked produce, tea rooms and summer drinks. The fields across Main Road running between present day Arthur Street and Luck Street were known as Haley’s Paddock and at times were used for community festivities and picnics. A newspaper report on the annual State schools picnic held at Haley’s Paddock on March 11, 1904 described it as “quite close to the railway station, and is quite capable of holding comfortably 10,000 people. With its ample shade and hilly surroundings, it is an ideal place for any gathering.” Luther Haley successfully ran his general store, bakery and tea rooms until 1917 when he and his family departed the district and moved to Westgarth Street in Northcote where he changed careers and became a publisher. It was then taken over by Hannah Lloyd and became known as Lloyd’s Railway General Store from 1917 to 1920. From then it had a succession of owners, one as short as two months until March 31, 1939 when the Grocery Business formerly carried on by Mr. T.K. White of Eltham for the previous eight years was purchased by Mr Eric N. Staff of Research and became known as E.N. Staff’s Railway Store. The ownership timeline for the store is as follows: Luther Haley Sep 1902-1917 Hannah Lloyd 1917-c.Feb 1920 Messrs J.R. & N.E. Lee 1920-Sep 1922 A. & E. Copeland Sep 1922-Sep 1925 Mr Price Sep 1925-Nov 1925 Mr Warren Nov 1925?-Nov 1926 A.W.J. Edwards Nov 1926-1931 T.K. White 1931-Mar 1939 Eric Staff Apr 1939-c.1954 Ray Staff c.1954-Feb 1965 then demolished Ray Staff Eltham Big Star Food Centre c.1965-1967 Research and copy: Peter Pidgeon (EDHS) Digital file only from scan of copy on loan to EDHSa. copeland, a.w.j. edwards, big star food centre, e. copeland, eltham, eric staff, general store, hannah lloyd, j.r. lee, lloyd's general store, luther haley, main road, n.e. lee, price, ray staff, staffs general store, supermarket, t.k. white

Articles, some with photos. Subjects include President's message, Eltham-templestowe intersection, indoor recreational centre, Bridge over Watsons Creek, town square, list of councillors, forward planning, recreational faciliaites including Eltham town park, Hurstbridge hall, roads, community welfare services, eltham Community and reception centre opening, amenities for youth, concrete bridge at Arthurs creek and Mitton's Bridge at St Andrew's Newsprint, 4 pages harry gilham collection, intersection, round-about, recreation, recreational centre, watsons creek, town square, councilors, newsletter, planning, parks, hurstbridge hall, community welfare service, roads, eltham community and reception centre, youth, skateboard track, mitton's bridge, arthur's creek, fitzsimons lane, main road, road construction, rondabout

The Eltham Library was located at the southern end of the newly constructed southern wing of the Shire Offices at 895 Main Road. The first dedicated library in the shire was the Children's Library built by the Eltham War Memorial Trust (now the Eltham War Memorial Hall). Funds were raised by volunteers to purchase books, the land and construct the building. This library initially opened in the Eltham Public Hall on the corner of Main Road and Arthur Street around 1948. The Children’s Library building was opened in 1961 but the transfer to the Eltham Council of the War Memorial Trust land and buildings in 1965 saw the closure of the children's library, which held over 2,000 books that were then transferred to all the schools in the shire which had participated in the monthly book exchange of boxes of books by use of the railways, bus companies and private cars. 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. The Brinkkotter house in Dudley Street became the first of the general library services in Eltham with shelving from the old Heidelberg City Library, staff borrowed form the Heidelberg Library and some use of the 1941 Shire Office in Main Road. By 1971 the 1964 Shire Office had the southern extension added and the Library was located on the lower level with Engineering and Planning on the level above. By 1986 this library was experiencing overcrowding from lack of space and equipment needs. With Federal Government assistance, Council was able to design and build a new library which was located in the Eltham Common and opened in May 1994.Background workings for the funding of a Public Hall at Eltham. The funding was provided by public subscription and the money loaned to Council to build the hall. The hall was part of the new Eltham Shire offices located at the corner of Main Road and Arthur Street. A similar funding approach was used a few years later to provide for the Eltham War Memorial located on the opposite side of Main Road.Printed card 10.5 x 15.7 cmeltham library, eltham library opening, eltham shire council, opening ceremony, r.j. hamer, shire of eltham

1. Letter from the Secretary of Shire of Eltham Historical Society to Ben Hall of Tullamarine, 11 August 1986 - Enquiry (11 Aug 1986) as to whether Ben Hall would be interested in partnering with the Society in the 1986 Eltham Festival (8-9 November) to participate in the parade and then offer rides after the parade to recover costs of entry. 2. Copy of letter (8 Apr 1987) offering payment in recognition of Ben Hall's efforts for the parade in 1986 3. Eltham's festival celebrates International Year of Peace, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, October 14, 1986 (on reverse, advertising for opening of The Photo Centre at Shop 11, Eltham Mall, Arthur Street) 4. Firewaorks brilliant, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, November 11, 1986, p12Letter A4 x 21986, ben hall, eltham festival, eltham town park, parade, phyllis macdonald, russell yeoman, 11 bridge street eltham, advertising, banner project, eltham clubs, eltham combined service clubs, eltham community centre, eltham community festival, eltham hotel, eltham police, eltham pre-school, lions club eltham, pine connection, plenty valley montessori school, research football club, research oval, research pre-school, research primary school, research scout group, sgt arthur traynor, shire of eltham banner project, shire of eltham historical society, 953 main road eltham, wattle studios

The Memorial Hall commemorates those who served in World Wars One and Two. The Hall was originally erected in memory of those who served in World War One. The foundation stone was laid in 1924 by the Governor of Victoria, The Earl of Stradbroke. The hall was opened on ANZAC Day 1925. On ANZAC Day 1952, a memorial stone was added to commemorate those who served in World War Two. The building is situated 14A Ferrars Place , South Melbourne.The badge was struck in the mid 1920's on the opening of the Sailor and soldier's Memorial Hall, South Melbourne.Brass Badge Red and White Enamel with clasp on backFront Sailors and Soldier's Memorial Hall South Melbourne Remembrance Hall Image on Front Back J.W.Purvis (badge makers)south melbourne, soldier, remembrance, hall, sailors and soldier's memorial hall, sailors, the earl of stradbroke, governor of victoria

The Carnival of 1953 was staged at College as part of the celebrations for the opening of the Tower, dormitories and Hall extension of the main Ballarat College buildings, 1425 Sturt Street, Ballarat. Opened by His Excellency, the Governor, General Sir Dallas Brooks and dedicated by the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victora, Right Reverend W A Alston the formalities were followed by a two day Carnival and culminated in a dance on Saturday evening. The very successful Carnival raised 1334 pounds and was voted an outstandng success. For more information see the school magazine, The Minervan, August 1953, pp 6-8. Small round lapel badge with white printing on red; Ballarat College crest surrounded by motto and encircled with the words: Ballarat College Carnival 27-28 Feb. 1953Ballarat College crest surrounded by motto and encircled with the words: Ballarat College Carnival 27-28 Feb. 1953ballarat-college, fund-raising, 1953, building opening, sir dallas brooks

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders in the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. University of Ballarat is a predecessor institution of Federation University Australia. Federation University VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree – on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge. The first intake of students was in 1979. The first graduation ceremony to be held in Founder's Hall in 1981 was this intake of students. The Hall was opened by Sir Zelman Cowen, Governor General of Australia. He was first knighted as Knight Bachelor in 1976. Queen Elizabeth II made him a Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order on her visit in 1980.Three colour photographsviosh, viosh australia, graduate diploma in occupational hazard management, alistair allen, noel arnold, peter bailey, neville betts, robert blunt, ronald cordinhgley, william davis, bill embling, john florence, gwyn griffiths, roslyn mancy, laurie mason, john moroney, allen pang, graham suckling, ross wyatt, peter wilson, max brooke, sir zelman cowen, governor general, founder's hall, e j tippett, president of ballarat school of mines

In the course of celebrating the Ballarat School of Mines centenary in 1970, the School Coundil launched a building appeal for erection of a Great Hall at tehe then new Mount Helen campus of its tertiary division. In 1976 the tethertiary division of the School of Mines was, by government decision, merger with another tertiary institution in Ballarat to vreate the Ballarat College of Advanced Education while the remainder of the School of Mines continued to be based at Lydiard Street serving the needs of Technical and Further Education. The 1870s Founders Hall, erected from the provceeds of the Centenary Appeal for a sum of approximately $800,000, commemorats the intiative of the founders of the original School of Mines and its "descendants", including Ballarat C.A.E., as well as formal technical education in Australia. The hall accomodates approximately 670 people in theatre type seating and was intended for multiple purpose use by community groups as well as by the College. Construction of the Hall commenced in 1878. It was opened approximately 110 years after the opening of the Ballarat School of Mines, and 10 years after the opening of the Mount Helen campus.Photograph of Founder Halls, most probably taken soon after contruction.founder hall, caro conference centre, buildings, mount helen campus

In the course of celebrating the Ballarat School of Mines centenary in 1970, the School Coundil launched a building appeal for the erection of a Great Hall at tehe then new Mount Helen campus of its tertiary division. In 1976 the tertiation division of the School of Mines was, by government decision, merger with another tertiary institution in Ballarat to vreate the Ballarat College of Advanced Education while the remainder of the School of Mines continued to be based at Lydiard Street serving the needs of Technical and Further Education. The 1870s Founders Hall, erected from the proceeds of the Centenary Appeal for a sum of approximately $800,000, commemorats the intiative of the founders of the original School of Mines and its "descendants", including Ballarat C.A.E., as well as formal technical education in Australia. The hall accomodates approximately 670 people in theatre type seating and was intended for multiple purpose use by community groups as well as by the College. Construction of the Hall commenced in 1878. It was opened approximately 110 years after the opening of the Balalrat School of Mines, and 10 years after the opening of the Mount Helen campus. Programme for the opening of Founder Halls.founder hall, caro conference centre, buildings, mount helen campus, founders hall, ballarat school of mines, centenary

The turpentine timber used to construct this table was originally used to build the second Hopkins River bridge in 1895. That long timber truss road bridge was built across the river close to the river mouth. The first Hopkins River bridge was built in 1862. That bridge was replaced by the second bridge, built in 1895. In 2001 the new third bridge was built to replace the 1895 bridge, in a design to look similar to the 1895 bridge. The timber from the second bridge was recycled to make this hall table, a cheeseboard presented to the Mayor at that time, and other mementos. The plaque attached to the table states the table was made in 2009 by Ralph Speirs, Warrnambool Triton Woodwork Club. The table is significant for its connection with the second Hopkins River bridge, built in 1895. The timber used to make the table has been recycled from the second Hopkins River bridge that was destroyed to make way for the new, third bridge. The Timber Truss Hopkins River Bridge was classified with State Significance on 16th April 1996, being the oldest of six surviving timber truss bridges in Victoria and the most intact timber road bridge of any type for its size and age. Its design was unique within Australia. It was the largest timber bridge built in Victoria during the 1890s. The bridge was of importance to the economical development of the region, opening up access to allow ease of trade and social connections between the eastern region of southwest Victoria and the town, later city, of Warrnambool and regions further west.Table made from turpentine timber. The timber was recycled from the second Hopkins River Bridge after the bridge was destroyed. The bridge was built in 1895. The table was constructed in 2009 by Ralph Speirs, Warrnambool Triton Woodwork Club. The front corners of the table are rounded and bthe back corners are straight. A plaque with eight rows of text is attached to the table."TABLE BUILT FROM TURPENTINE TIMBER RECYCLED FROM THE SECOND HOPKINS RIVER BRIDGE, BUILT IN 1895 AND DEMOLISHED IN 2000 TO BE RPLACED BY THE PRESENT THIRD BRIDGE. CONSTRUCTION BY RALPH SPEIRS, MEMBER OF WARRNAMBOOL TRITON WOODWORK CLUB, IN 2009"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, hopkins river, bridge, 1895, 2009, ralph speirs, warrnambool triton club, domestic furniture, table, hall table, side table, timber table, hall stand, furniture

Album donated by Miss Edith Elms via Chrisy Northcote. Details from 1758 visit by Bass, Wattle Bark export in 1833, opening of surrounding district with pioneering families, Estate Agent, John Keam & Co and the installation of Postal services in 1873 (brief history of San Remo 1798 - 1928)Two clippings with sub-headings "some early history" - San Remo Heights Estate Hall and San Remo Post Office. Photo of San Remo Port with fishing, boat middle, at top of article large sub-heading "San Remo"Titled San Remolocal history, documents, newspapers, san remo, local area development by europeans, newspapers san remo

SEAMEN'S INSTITUTE FOR THE VICTORIA MISSIONS TO SEAMEN In architectural style, the new Seamen's Institute for the Victorian Missions to Seamen, in Flinders street Extension which is to be opened early in September by Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, the Governor-General, may be said to resemble the type adopted by the early settlers in California, and known in recent years by the name of Spanish Mission architecture. This character is particularly sympathetic with the object for which the building has been erected, and is exemplified in a marked degree in the unique chapel tower of oblong shape with its four pinnacles and open bell turret, with an almost rustic cross as terminal point: also in the arcaded Eastern Court cloisters, with simple round arch arcading, and in the chapel roof, which is framed of heavy rough-hewn hardwood timber work left as it came from the saw, and erected green from the forest. but so well framed and bolted that no harm can result from shrinkage. The foundations are constructed of reinforced concrete, and in some places are nine feet wide. The ground is very treacherous, and considering the irregular weights of the one story, two-story, and three-story parts of the building, the result achieved in sta bility is eminently satisfactory. The main hall has a vaulted ceiling of reinforced concrete construction, and, spanning 35f., is the widest span of any floor in Melbourne of similar construction. The chaplain's residence is built above the lecture hall, and consists of a most complete, up-to-date dwelling-house of eight rooms. It is fitted with every modern convenience and labor-saving device. The cupboard in the pantry, for instance, has two faces — one in the diningroom and the other in the pantry. Dishes are washed in the pantry, put into the cupboard, and taken out in the diningroom, ready for the next meal. Special rooms are designed for the many and various works carried out for the sailors by the industrious workers of the mission. One room is shelved and fitted for the reception, sorting, and distribution of books, periodicals, and other reading matter that is parcelled up by willing hands and given to sailors as ships leave port, to beguile the weary hours of leisure on the sea. Any old books or magazines, illustrated papers, and the like are always welcome at the insti tute. Reading matter of this kind can easily be saved and sent along in bundles. The gymnasium is not yet built. This is the only part of the building required to complete the block; and when its concrete dome, with open eye at summit like the Pantheon at Rome is erected, the whole effect of the groups of buildings will be most striking. In the entrance hall is a floor of marble mosaic, with a central feature of a mariner's compass seven foot in diameter, well executed by the Adamant Pavement Company, and the gift of Mr George Russell. The architect has designed a copper ship as a finial for the main gable of the building, and it, like the gymnasium, is awaiting the collection of more funds or the generosity of a special donor. The whole of the woodwork of the in terior of the building, including high dados round the walls of halls, stair cases, billiard and other rooms is car ried out in Tasmanian hardwood, fin ished in a dull beeswax polish, and the floors of the entire building, except the lavatories, which are tiled, are also executed in Tasmanian hardwood. Mr Walter R. Butler, F.R.I.B.A., was the architect, and the work was carried out by Mr A. B. Robertson, builder. PICTURESQUE BUILDING AMID SOMBRE SURROUNDINGSThe article gives a valuable description of the Mission at the end of its construction and before its opening.4 columns article with photograph of the front of the Missionlady fraser, walter richmond butler (1864–1949), architecture, spanish mission, california, reinforced concrete, tasmanian hardwood, gymnasium, norla dome, pantheon, adamant pavement company, george russell, compass, finail, weathervane, chaplain's residence, manse, chapel, courtyard, cloisters, main hall, spannig

Dining Hall 1934. Part of a collection of photographs of the Jesuit Seminary in Grimshaw Street Watsonia. Opened in 1934, this was a house of formation and study for the Society of Jesus. Loyola College (established 1980), now occupies the site and purchased the original building in 2002.Copies of official photographs taken to record the opening of Loyola in 1934.Digital copy of black and white photograph.loyola seminary watsonia

1937 booklet to commemorate the official opening of the City of Heidelberg Civic Centre - Town Hall and Municipal Offices.A snapshot of the Heidelberg area in 1937, includes photos of local homes and civic amenities. 36 pages plus cover, black and white illustrations. Cover has illustration of Heidelberg Town Hall in Ivanhoe. Original item.

Group photograph of people at the opening ball at the Montmorency Public Hall in 1936.Black and white photograph, inscription engraved on negativemontmorency public hall

Copy of 1937 booklet to commemorate the official opening of the City of Heidelberg Civic Centre - Town Hall and Municipal Offices.A snapshot of the Heidelberg area in 1937, includes photos of local homes and civic amenities. Original held (item 283) Copy of booklet. 36 pages plus cover. black and white illustrations. Cover has illustration of Heidelberg Town Hall in Ivanhoe. Original held (item 283) heidelberg municipal offices, heidelberg town hall, the centre ivanhoe

Copy of parts of 1937 booklet to commemorate the official opening of the City of Heidelberg Civic Centre - Town Hall and Municipal Offices.A snapshot of the Heidelberg area in 1937, includes photos of local homes and civic amenities12 pages, photocopied and folded to A5 size. Black and white photos, maps.This flyer is an extract of images from the City of Heidelberg Civic Centre Official Opening Booklet "Heidelberg 1937" [footnote on each page]heidelberg municipal offices, heidelberg town hall, the centre ivanhoe

Men's Club opened Nov 30th 1900 A banquet was given on opening night - 60 men attended Club President Mr Alf Rose The Hall was built by a working bee of approximate 50 men who were all members Main focus of club was to provide for interest in literature, chess, draughts debating etc.Photo depicts "Working Men's Club" at Mafeking 23 people in foreground, 1 in background. Snow on ground Some of 1 group with snowballs in their hands. Goldmine structure in background (poppet head)buildings, shops, mining, mafeking

The Mt Victory Rd was originally called the Bluff Road After improvements and extension it was renamed at its opening by Lady Somers in Mar 1930Photo shows the newly formed Mt Victory Rd. with the bridle track above it Photo taken from the top of the Elephant's hideaccess routes, roads

Background on Bridle Path up Stony Creek Gorge Pre 1840 C. B. Hall, squatter on Mokepilly Run 1841-1842, first European to discover the Fyans Creek valley, the entrance of which became known as Hall's Gap. He later recorded that he followed a number of tracks which he assumed had been made by the Aboriginies and described one as "leading up a wild romantic glen and over on to the source of the Glenelg River". This could well have been the route taken up Stony Creek gorge by the first timber-cutters in this part of the Grampians to the saddle between the Wonderland and Mt. Difficult ranges known as Valley Gap 1850s/60s Timber cutters and shingle splitters were reported to be moving into the eastern side of the Grampians and by the mid 1860s there were a number of families connected to the supplying of timber to Pleasant Creek living in the "Hall's Gap ranges". John Wakeham, the first store owner in Pleasant Creek in 1854, established a timer-mill in upper Stony Creek Gorge in the late 1850s. Wakeham is credited for the clearing and levelling of the first bridle-path up the gorge. 1870s By the mid 1870s the track had been extended over Valley Gap to the Victoria Forest (the upper region of the Victoria Valley). McKeon's bullock team was known to have hauled red gum from the Valley to Stawell in the late 1870s and the 1880s. 1880s In 1887 an article in the Pleasant Creek news describes the Stony Creek Gorge track as "being a ledge alongside the mountain range, formed in the early days with the aid of earth and timber, along which the bullock teams used to travel to Horsham and plains of the Wimmera beyond." 1890s Gold was discovered in the catchment area of Stony Creek and by the end of the 1890s a new track was built from "near the junction of Fyan's and Stony Creeks, up the gorge to the diggings settlement. The mining Department had paid L300 for its construction and, when completed, the track was "three miles and 30 chains in length, the side cuttings at the narrowest part being 10 feet between" and "the watercourses which cross the track at various points" having been "filled up with rocks rolled down the sides of the hills, and consequently there can be no damage caused by bushfires which destroyed the former wooden bridges erected on the old track to Wakeham's saw-mill, the remains of which are still to be seen at the side of the diggings" The article goes on to further describe the track as one which "can with ease travel with a two horse conveyance either up or down" and that the workmen engaged in the construction of the track would be attending "a ball that night at McKeon's farm near the mouth of the gap to celebrate the successful completion of the undertaking". 1900s At what time the bridle path was extended beyond Valley Gap to the Wartook basin on the Mt. Difficult Range has not yet been determined. However, it is known that, by the turn of the century, people were travelling between Halls Gap and the caretakers' residence at Wartook Reservoir along what was now known as the "Bluff Road. Wartook's embankment had been constructed in 1887 and at that time there was already a track from Rosebrook Station homestead (near the present day Wartook Pottery) to the reservoir. Philip Rose owned both Rosebrook and Wartook Stations from the mid 1840s to the late 1850s and had regularly leased the Wartook basin to Cobb & Co. to rest horses there. 1920s Following the war of 1914-1918, tourism really took off in the Grampians, and Halls Gap rapidly grew. People would travel as far as they could on the many tracks then hike to the many lookouts being discovered by local tour guides. This led to the need for access across the range so that horse riders and the increasing number of vehicles could travel between Horsham and Halls Gap. To this end, the Bluff Road was improved and extended on 1929 and at its opening in March, 1930, by Lady Somers it was renamed the Mt. Victory Road.Map of Mt Victory Road and othersaccess routes, mt victory rd, bridle path, roads

Official opening of Mt Victory Rd People in photo Lord and Lady Somers, 2 Johsons Millie Bowtell, Bessie McKeon, M PawseyPhoto shows group standing on road opening of Mt Victory Rd. Lord Somers in foregroundaccess routes, mt victory rd, people, roads