Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, kangaroo ground cemetery, agnes muncaster bell, william bell (1796-1870)

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, kangaroo ground cemetery, agnes bell cameron, evelyn florence cameron, ewen hugh cameron, john donald cameron

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, anthony beale, cemeteries, katherine rose beale, st katherine's church cemetery, st katherine's church

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, cemeteries, st katherine's church cemetery, st katherine's church, charles symons wingrove, katherine rose wingrove, katherine wingrove, lucy eleanor wingrove

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, cemeteries, st katherine's church cemetery, st katherine's church, charles symons wingrove, katherine rose wingrove, katherine wingrove, lucy eleanor wingrove

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, cemeteries, st katherine's church cemetery, st katherine's church, mary (molly) joyce pitt evans (nee withers), walter withers

Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Grteensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, cemeteries, st katherine's church cemetery, st katherine's church, elizabeth black, george yeaman, james black, mary yeaman (nee black)

The newly constructed Diamond Creek Trail from Diamond Creek to Wattle Glen completed in February 2021 winds around these ruins just pass the high transmission power lines near Herberts Lane and Collard Drive From Jean Verso, Nillumbik Historical Society, 15 April 2021 William Wandless Herbert bought the surrounding 100 acres in 1852. He was a native of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders who arrived in Melbourne in 1847. The house on the top of the mound would have been built not long after he bought the land; the farm was named "Greenhills". He married Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of John Wilson who had been in Diamond Creek since about 1846. Their first child was born in 1854 so there would be some form of dwelling from about that time. They had eight children who all survived to a good age. His will describes the house as part stone and part wood and of four rooms. Nillumbik Historical Society (NHS) believe it was one of the earliest if not the earliest house, in this part of the district. The remains of the stone house foundations are on top of the mound (photos on the VHD page) and the barn walls are on the north and to the east side of the mound. NHS is not sure how much or which part of the surrounding area was covered by the barns but they were large enough to hold dances after the race meetings that were held in the late 1880's on the adjacent creek flats. It would make sense with the lay of the land that they covered some of the ground to the north and east and used for farm storage, packing sheds for their apple and pear orchards and also for supporting the Nillumbik Gold Mine the family worked to the north up the gully. The path that comes down the gully and runs into the trail goes past the mine site which was on the west side of the gully a couple of hundred metres up from the flats. Heritage Victoria link for the site - https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/12203fay bridge collection, 2016-10-13, diamond creek, diamond creek trail, ruins, wattle glen, william wandless herbert, greenhills, elizabeth wilson

List of baptisms of Little Eltham residents 1850-1860 and Diamond Creek 1850-1862 at St John's Anglican Church Heidelberg. Includes names of about 80 children whose abode was given as Diamond Creek or Little Eltham. Printout of spreadsheet listing number, date of baptism, birth date, christian name, names of parents, abode and profession. Baptisms performed at Saint John's Anglican Church Heidelberg. Arranged in date order. Includes hand written contextual notes by Harry Gilham. Copy provided to Jock Ryan, President of the Nillumbik Historical Society in 2006. Additional notes by Harry Gilham, 2012: Compiled by the late Eric Tetlow, Secretary, Yarra Glen and District Historical Society who, working at St John's Church of England Heidelberg in their archives in 2006, discovered files which he colated into this spreadsheet document of Baptisms relating to Little Eltham and Diiamond Creek. St John's Heidelberg is the original source of information.A significant resource which pulls together names of pioneer families for the area during its early European settlement.4 pagesHG Booklet 41harry gilham collection, st john's anglican church heidelberg, diamond creek, armstrong, bailey, bennett, benson, blackman, bodan, booth, bozwell, briggs, chad, clark, clayton, cochrane, crozier, dennis, ewing, fowler, haley, harper, heley, hill, irish, jones, kaylock, kerr, keylock, macklin, mccoll, mitchell, morris, palmington, scott, silk, spicer, stokely, taylor, thornburn, thorborne, waterton, wills, marshall, little eltham

One of three photos. Group of people including children associated with the Australian Natives Association at an outing at Eltham Lower Park. The first image was reproduced in EDHS Newsletter No. 163 July 2005 following a query from Nillumbik Historical society (Gwen Myers) seeking information about the location of the photo. It was suggested that it may be Eltham Lower Park, however the house in the background did not appear correct. There were simliar but mirror imaged. A more recent review of these photographs (2023) suggests that the photos were actually taken in Bremners flats (present-day Wingrove Park) looking towards the house near the intersection of Main and Mount Pleasant roads - Mrs Bremner's house. The topograpghy is also more in fitting with this location than that of Eltham Lower Park. A review of a 1945 aerial photo shows only one house of similar style present in this location. Further reviews of photos taken in the 1950s by Grace Mitchell looking back towards Bremner Flats shows two trees close by on a lean similar to that in the photos.Inkjet-printed copy of sepia photographaustralian natives association, bremners flats, recruitment, wingrove park

One of three photos. Group of people including children associated with the Australian Natives Association at an outing at Eltham Lower Park. The first image was reproduced in EDHS Newsletter No. 163 July 2005 following a query from Nillumbik Historical society (Gwen Myers) seeking information about the location of the photo. It was suggested that it may be Eltham Lower Park, however the house in the background did not appear correct. There were simliar but mirror imaged. A more recent review of these photographs (2023) suggests that the photos were actually taken in Bremners flats (present-day Wingrove Park) looking towards the house near the intersection of Main and Mount Pleasant roads - Mrs Bremner's house. The topograpghy is also more in fitting with this location than that of Eltham Lower Park. A review of a 1945 aerial photo shows only one house of similar style present in this location. Further reviews of photos taken in the 1950s ny Grace Mitchell looking back towards Bremner Flats shows two trees close by on a lean similar to that in the photos.Inkjet-printed copy of sepia photographaustralian natives association, bremners flats, recruitment, wingrove park

One of three photos. Group of people including children associated with the Australian Natives Association at an outing at Eltham. A truck displays a flag "Join the Natives". The first image was reproduced in EDHS Newsletter No. 163 July 2005 following a query from Nillumbik Historical society (Gwen Myers) seeking information about the location of the photo. It was suggested that it may be Eltham Lower Park, however the house in the background did not appear correct. There were simliar but mirror imaged. A more recent review of these photographs (2023) suggests that the photos were actually taken in Bremners flats (present-day Wingrove Park) looking towards the house near the intersection of Main and Mount Pleasant roads - Mrs Bremner's house. The topograpghy is also more in fitting with this location than that of Eltham Lower Park. A review of a 1945 aerial photo shows only one house of similar style present in this location. Further reviews of photos taken in the 1950s ny Grace Mitchell looking back towards Bremner Flats shows two trees close by on a lean similar to that in the photos. Inkjet-printed copy of sepia photographaustralian natives association, recruitment, bremners flats, wingrove park

Diamond Creek Bini Shell Community venue Built in 1979 in Diamond Creek opposite the hotel using a construction method invented by Dante Bini. A net of flexible steel rods were laid on the building’s circular base, on the top of a fabric bladder. Concrete was poured onto the mesh and a sealed cover laid over the concrete making a sandwich of cover, bladder and mesh. Compressed air was pumped into the bladder and the sandwich slowly began to rise and become a massive self-supporting dome. The inflation of the dome attracted crowds of onlookers many from various technical schools, VIPs and the famous football doctor, Donald Cordner. An opening night dinner was held to celebrate the construction and the Diamond Creek Bini Shell was used as a community venue for over ten years including for the Town Fair. The Shell was closed for safety reasons after a Bini Shell in another State had chunks of concrete fall off the dome due to a construction fault. At the Diamond Creek Town Fair in 1991 the demolition of the Bini Shell was an item on the Town Fair’s program. Information: Kevin Patterson, Nillumbik Historical Societybini shell, diamond creek community centre, nu-color-vue, postcard

George Stebbing arrived from England in 1857 and settled at Eltham after a short period at Kangaroo Ground. His occupation is often listed as a farmer but he built a number of important buildings between the late 1860’s and the 1880’s. Those remaining include Shillinglaw Cottage, St. Margaret’s Church, Uniting church (formerly Methodist Church) and House at 84 Pitt Street, Eltham. From 1871 to 1875 he was a member of the Eltham Shire Council. Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), Friday 12 March 1909, page 2 ELTHAM. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) One of the oldest inhabitants of Eltham passed away during the early hours of Saturday last in the person of Mrs Mary Ann Stebbings. Her residence here covered a period of some-what over 50 years. She had been a widow for some time, her husband, the late Mr. Geo. Stebbings, having pre-deceased her some fourteen or fifteen years. During the later years of her life, she had resided with her niece, Mrs. Wm. Williams. She lived a very retired life and is said to have owned a considerable amount of property, local and suburban, at the time of her death, at the age of 82 years. She was interred at Diamond Creek on Sunday, 7th inst. Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Greensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery. 35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, cemeteries, george stebbing, george stebbings, mary ann stebbing, mary ann stebbings, nillumbik cemetery

George Stebbing arrived from England in 1857 and settled at Eltham after a short period at Kangaroo Ground. His occupation is often listed as a farmer but he built a number of important buildings between the late 1860’s and the 1880’s. Those remaining include Shillinglaw Cottage, St. Margaret’s Church, Uniting church (formerly Methodist Church) and House at 84 Pitt Street, Eltham. From 1871 to 1875 he was a member of the Eltham Shire Council. Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), Friday 12 March 1909, page 2 ELTHAM. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) One of the oldest inhabitants of Eltham passed away during the early hours of Saturday last in the person of Mrs Mary Ann Stebbings. Her residence here covered a period of some-what over 50 years. She had been a widow for some time, her husband, the late Mr. Geo. Stebbings, having pre-deceased her some fourteen or fifteen years. During the later years of her life, she had resided with her niece, Mrs. Wm. Williams. She lived a very retired life and is said to have owned a considerable amount of property, local and suburban, at the time of her death, at the age of 82 years. She was interred at Diamond Creek on Sunday, 7th inst. Local Cemetery Excursion Sunday 27 May 1990 departed Eltham Shire Office at 9.30am and finish mid afternoon. Visits to Eltham , Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown (Smiths Gully), Nillumbik (Diamond Creek), St Katherines (St Helena) Hurst family graves at Hurstbridge and a little known early cemetery at Greensborough. Attended by 20 members. In each case we were introduced to the cemetery with a brief talk. At Eltham, Frank Burgoyne gave us the benefit of his knowledge as a member of the cemetery trust and at Kangaroo Ground, Bruce Ness spoke in a similar capacity. The lunch stop was at Hurstbridge where we visited the Hurst family graves. The President of Nillumbik Historical Society, Jock Ryan, joined us at the Nillumbik (Diamond Creek) cemetery. He travelled on to St Katherines, St Helena, where he talked on the history of the church and cemetery. 35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Agfachrome Agfa CS System black 8 dotsshire of eltham historical society, cemetery excursion, graves, activities, cemeteries, george stebbing, george stebbings, mary ann stebbing, mary ann stebbings, nillumbik cemetery

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

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

OPENING OF THE VIEWING PLATFORM AT KANGAROO GROUND Nillumbik Council has advised that the viewing platform at Kangaroo Ground 27km NE of Melbourne is to be opened to the public on Wednesday, March 26th 2008 (Melway 271 , G10). The function of the platform is to provide shelter adjacent to the War Memorial Tower whilst allowing all people to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. From the platform you. can see the Dandenongs, the city of Melbourne, the You Yangs, Mount Macedon, the Kinglake Ranges and the Mt Baw-Baw Ranges where the Yarra River starts. This landscape covers all the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri and some of the wider Kulin nation land. The platform has been given the name Moor-rut, a name which described the fertile soils of the Kangaroo Ground area in contrast to the poorer (Silurian) country of its surrounds, which the Wurundjeri knew as 'Nillumbik' or less rich country. The full 360 degree view can be seen from the adjacent Tower of Remembrance which has 53 stairs. The viewing platform however can be accessed by wheelchair. Inside the viewing platform there are eight double sided interpretive panels giving the history and information regarding this special area. The viewing platform's interpretive panels set out the Aboriginal and European history of the area and also the geology and the local flora and fauna, so that the casual visitor comes away understanding more about this significant part of Victoria. The concept of the viewing platform is part of the refurbishment project for the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park which has taken place since 1997 with the active approval and financial assistance of the Nillumbik Shire Council. This project has been guided by an Advisory Committee with volunteer community representatives from the local Historical Societies, the Country Fire Authority, the Returned Services League and the Wurundjeri people. Other allied groups such as the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group have been called upon for their expertise. The initial idea for the viewing platform came from Dean Stewart when he was the caretaker while living at the park. He discussed this idea with local author Mick Woiwod and Harry Gilham of Eltham District Historical Society when they were planning the refurbishment of the War Memorial Park in 1996. When the committee was formalised by the Nillumbik Council in 1997, Nicholas Pelling, representing the CFA and RSL, joined the group. Dennis Ward, local architect, then volunteered to develop the concept plan for the refurbishment of the park and later drew up the plans for the viewing platform. The Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park and its Tower of Remembrance is located on one of the highest locations in the Yarra Valley. The Tower of Remembrance is a unique war memorial constructed from local stone standing 14 metres high. It was built in the style of a Scottish watchtower reflecting the strong Scottish influence of the first European settlers of the district from the 1840s onward. The park was opened in 1921 and the Tower of Remembrance was dedicated in 1926 recognising the local people who served in the First World War. Those who served in the Second World War were recognised by plaques dedicated in 1951 and more recently those who served in Korea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam by plaques unveiled in 2001. Harry Gilham, Advisory Committee Convenor - Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter N0 179 March 2008fay bridge collection, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park, moor-rul viewing platform

The Lasting Memories Mosaic Group Seat is part of Nillumbik Shire Council's Public Art. Following the Black Saturday Bushfire of February 7, 2009, which ravaged St Andrews and surrounding district, a group of bushfire affected women formed the Lasting Memories Mosaic group and created this concrete seat covered in mosaic as part of their healing process. It was completed in 2012. For more information see Nillumbik Shire Council's link Public Art: Lasting Memories Mosaic GROUP, Lasting Memories Mosaic Seat - https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/58536395d0ce201b746561c6fay bridge collection, fay bridge, mosaics, st andrews, lasting memories mosaic group seat, st andrews hall

1. Judge Book tenants' future uncertain by Sandi Miller, Manningham and Nillumbik Bulletin, April 2023eltham, 43 diamond street, judge book memorial village, judge book village

Red annottions showing Nillumbik Shire Office in lower left extending to Diamond Creek centre right up to Yarrambat Marked: Submission 25/420 G. Frantal Hillmartin Road (Group) [Hillmartin Lane, Diamond Creek]aerial photo, diamond creek, eltham north, greensborough, hillmartin lane, nillumbik shire council offices

The Nillumbik Festival was introduced as a replacement for the Eltham Festival following the disbandment of Eltham Shire Council in December 1994 and the creation of Nillumbik Shire Council. It was an attempt to draw away from Eltham and be more inclusive of the wider communities in Nillumbik. However other local communities had their own festivals and the concept of a Nillumbik Festival was never widely accepted by the community and it shortly reverted back to the Eltham Fesitval in 1997. Page 5 Photo: Acting Sen-Sgergeant Paul MacNicholl of Eltham Police with Jamie-Lee Teagley and friends at the Nillumbik Festival on Saturday Page 6 Photos: Nillumbik Chief Don Cordell with Parade leader Jock Read & Lofty Roma O'Callaghan and Brian McKean of Plenty Valley FM - 88.6 Artist Ray Macminn of Diamond Valley arts Society exhibition The Eastside Jazz Band lead the way in Saturday's Nillumbik Festival Eltham Football Club fellas fly the flag for the Panthers in Main Road Eltham Lionesses Marcia Whitely, Peggy Lear, June Cook & Kath Elliott ALP's Sherryl Garbutt, Harry Jenkins, Sig Jorgensen and Jenny Macklin Diamond Valley Arts Society's Don Cook paints with oils on Saturday It's amaxing who'll you'll meet at the Nillumbik Festival Page 7 Photos: Eltham MLA Wayne Phillips with Jaga Jaga candidate Michelle Penson Greens candidate Julie Coulston with Geraldine Ryan at Knox Park The Anti Ring Road Organisation march on, you guessed it, Main Road Lower Plenty Primary School had an imaginative display in the Parade The Melbourne Kyokushin Club show their defence skills on Saturday Brian Harvey of Diamond Valley Sports Complex at the Fitness Expo Michael Jerrard and president Trevor Taylor of Greensborough- Diamond Creek Apex Jock Kyme drives the Democratic Nillumbik Association float on Main Road Page 8: Letter: Time for a new Eltham Festival by Sigmund JorgensenNewsprint1995, eltham festival, nillumbik festival, 1st eltham brownies, 1st eltham scouts, alistair knox park, allwood house belly dance, anti ring road organisation (arro), brian mckean, circus of chaos, democratic nillumbik association, diamond valley people for nuclear disamament, don cordell, drum group, eastside jazz band, eltham cfa, eltham community health centre, eltham east primary school, eltham fire brigade, eltham football club juniors, eltham north primary school, eltham primary school, eltham ses, eltham south primary school, eltham steam and stationary engine society, grand parade, harry jenkins, jean austin, jenny macklin, jock read, john cust, john huf, julie coulston, kevin abbott, kevin austin, lofty (horse), lower plenty primary school, lyn allison, main road, melbourne kyokushin karate school, montmorency garden club, montmorency south primary school, montsalvat coachlines, nillumbik commissioners, nillumbik garden club, north warrandyte fire brigade, panther place, peter burton, plenty valley 88.6 fm, pryor street, rats of tobruk memorial pipes and drums, research fire brigade, research primary school, robert guy, roma o'callaghan, sheryl garbutt, sigmund jorgensen, tim newhouse, wayne phillips m.p., woodridge pre-school, diamond valley vineyards, dutch social club, edendale community farm, eltham bowling club, eltham eagles in-line hockey, eltham football club, eltham rugby football club, eltham vineyards, ginger garlic, kingstan berries, silvie's delectables, vili's pies, wycliffe bible translators

Poor video quality (noise and interference), edited raw footage with music and some commentary by Merv Hanna. A video documenting the demolition of the Shire of Eltham offices at 895 Main Road Eltham under the direction of the Commissioners appointed for the new Shire of Nillumbik and some of the communities activities surrounding the event. The building was demolished exactly 25 years after the southern wing housing Engineering and Planning on the upper level and the Eltham Library on the ground level was opened in celebration of the Shire of Eltham's centenary. Video has lots of distortion and noise, and sections of clips dubbed over. Immediate initial footage of Jenni Mitchell talking about asbestos claims in the Shire Offices (Sigmund Jorgensen standing behind her) advising Council did a review of the building several years previously and had been cleared of health problems. Cuts to group of people standing outside front door of offices but possibly voice dub over not related ? Then the date 27 Jul 1996 on a scene flashes on screen immediately followed by an edited clip intro of title and credits with classical music track. It then opens with Jenni Mitchell driving to the Shire Offices on Saturday 27 July 1996 at 11.00am. Footage of Main Road past Pitt Street, Alistair Knox Park then entering Shire Office driveway which is fenced off and contractor signs hanging up. Scenes at rear of building showing some internal demolition has commenced. View of the Administration wing. More clips of road driving, Alistair Knox Park, Eltham Library and visitor car park for Shire Offices. Cuts to a group of people standing in access to visitor carpark with new Eltham Library in background, one being immediate former Shire of Eltham President, John Graves. Scenes of people looking through chain link fence and security guard checking front door. John Graves being filmed that someone informed him the Shire was offering the building to the Community Health Centre for $2.3 million and that if they had been offered a price of $1.1 for what it apparently was sold for they would have snapped it up. View of truck loaded with brick rubble literally struggling to ascend the hill of Library Place to exit into Main Road. Cuts to a scene looking at Eltham War memorial Hall through the Memorial Gate, then the Shillinglaw trees and large banner sign ‘Delta Demolitions’ hanging on office façade. Views of front door, old library and bluestone wall. Scene (31 Jul 1996) filmed at night of several white crosses with “RIP Community” and “RIP Democracy”. Scene (1 August 1996) again driving along Main Road towards the Shire Offices then scenes of the offices showing substantially more demolition to exterior, groups of people standing on footpath outside watching, Delta heavy demolition machines, woman holding sign “Democracy where have you gone …”, the odd person in full protection gear and breathing apparatus hand carrying materials out to place on rubbish pile in front of people standing on footpath watching (with no protection) and then stamping on it to break it creating dust, security person in hard hat (no other protection) wandering around, many groups standing around watching, news film crew, person standing on roadside edge holding signs facing traffic stating “Pirate Planning” and “ Grant us your ears” also sign on back of parked car “Elthams High Jacks”, another sign “Community Democracy”, views of crosses in Main Road median strip “RIP Community”, groups of people on footpaths and reporters conducting interviews, footage of unknown person standing with Jenni Mitchell and Sigmund Jorgensen advising people have the right to protest, Jenni Mitchell urging people to ask questions of local MP and Council and Sigmund Jorgensen referring to the three historic Shillinglaw trees with demolition machinery operating in background, Jenni Mitchell and others installing more crosses in median strip; demolition machines operating inside and outside the building, more views of onlookers including Sigmund Jorgensen then Police approaching on footpath, workers and machinery continuing to operate, views of the old library being demolished, the former Community Services department, security personnel. Scene (2 August 1996) more heavy demolition machinery in operation smashing building up, people standing around southern wing watching, view overlooking Eltham Library of train pulling in to Eltham station. Scene (7 August 1996) more heavy demolition and people wandering around with only hard hat protection, no dust protection, comments from one operator dumping a bin of material stating “wait till there’s a Hungry Jack’s here, you’ll be laughing, fuel, videos, hamburgers. You’ll be up with the rest of the world soon, you’ll have electricity and everything here, ha ha ha ha”, more heavy machinery demolition and breaking up of materials, view of Hitachi train going by and Administration wing, view inside the front door opening of the staircase leading to upper level, person walking around operating heavy machinery with a hose spraying rubble (no protective gear other than hard hat interspersed with edit cuts of meeting of Commissioners and independent observers on panel as well as members of the community in public gallery. Nillumbik Shire CEO Barry Rochford addressing the meeting., Chief Commissioner Don Cordell directly addressing Jenni Mitchell with respect to permission to take photographs, Barry Rochford continues to address the question asked of Council about the valuation of the former Shire of Eltham Office building/site, public gallery calling out asking why was building demolished, what was the urgency. Scene (14 August 1996) views of southern wing, previous single demolition operator again mocking people filming, operators working in and around building, Shillinglaw trees and largely demolished front, heavy demolition equipment at work, piles of building rubble, hose spraying water over rubble, large trucks arriving for rubble removal and loading of truck. Scene (21 August) more of the same, building virtually down, Shillinglaw trees standing tall and alone, water spraying on rubble and wattle in bloom. Cuts to Council meeting with public onlookers. Barry Rochford walks out, Wayne Phillips addresses meeting explaining one or two people shouting, members of the community challenging Council (Commissioners) about why due process appear to have been subverted. Former Shire President Robert Marshall in public audience, cuts back to Shire office carpark entrance site and sign hung on fence in front of library “Think Again!” and people standing around observing awaiting a protest demonstration erecting a large sign on stilts stating “Shell No!”, people singing a revised version of God Save the Queen (God Save Us All), Sigmund Jorgensen in attendance, Jenni Mitchell, Sigmund Jorgenson and others address the protest crowd, followed by people mingling, music being played then people standing around the cleared site circumference all with arms linked (video very broken up with noise) then chants “Save the Gateway” and “No Shell for Eltham” and more music and singing “Put up a parking lot”. The crowd then proceeds to walk along the footpath of Main Road. Scene (15 Sep 1996) meeting at Montsalvat in Great Hall addressed by Sigmund Jorgensen discussing a recently published list of the Commissioner’s to senior Council Officers of banned Nillumbik people, others encouraging people to view proposed plans for the site and lodge objections. Specific issues regarding asbestos claims are also addressed. Harry Gilham addresses the meeting on the subject of the Eltham War Memorial and Memorial Gardens and how Council believe a roundabout in the vicinity is of greater importance. Views of various artworks on display (for auction) and music performance in the Barn Gallery. Meeting addressed by Sigmund Jorgensen discussing an appeal against Council granting a permit to Dallas Howgate to develop the site and that the Minister has called the matter in to be decided by the governing council. This is followed by an auction of paintings.Hi-Tech Ultra High Grade Video Cassette E-180 VHS dubbing of (poor quality) edited raw footage with some music from Star Wars and commentary by Merv Hannan Converted to MP4 file format 0:30:26, 2.6GBOn label " Merv's Demolition tape No. 2 Copy"video recording, 895 main road, alistair knox park, artworks, auction, barn gallery, barry rochford, community health centre, dallas howgate, delta demolitions, demolition, don cordell, eltham, eltham library, eltham shire office, eltham war memorial, eltham war memorial gate, eltham war memorial hall, great hall, harry gilham, jenni mitchell, john graves, library place, main road, memorial gardens, mervyn hannan, montsalvat, pitt street, protest, robert marshall, roundabout, shell oil, shillinglaw trees, sigmund jorgensen, sign, wayne phillips

EDENDALE FARM Edendale Farm is Nillumbik Shire Council's environment centre situated in Gastons Road, Eltham between the railway and the Diamond Creek. The homestead on the property was built in 1896 and is of historical significance, being the subject of a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. The Edendale property was originally part of an extensive land purchase in 1852 from the Crown by pioneer Eltham farmer Henry Stooke. He initially purchased 51 acres and later expanded his holdings by purchasing another three adjacent Crown allotments extending northerly from Josiah Holloway's Little Eltham subdivision. Despite clearing the land, Stooke did not build on this property, choosing to live on his property "Rosehill" at Lower Plenty. In 1896 Thomas Cool, Club Manager of the Victoria Coffee Palace in Melbourne purchased 7 acres of the original Stooke land and built the house now known as Edendale. Cool did not farm the land, instead using it as a gentleman’s residence, retiring to Eltham at weekends. In 1918 he purchased an additional 7 acres but in 1919 he sold the property. Later owners included J.W. Cox, the Gaston family and D. Mummery. In the 1980s the Eltham Shire Council purchased the site for use as a Council depot, but this use did not proceed. Subsequently, it was used as the Council pound. The Edendale Farm Pet Education and Retention Centre was established in the summer of 1988/1989 and was set up to replace the existing dog kennels with a high standard pet retention centre. The design style of the building was established to compliment the features of the existing house. It was equipped with 10 retention pens, a veterinary room and a pet education area where school children and other interested parties learnt about pet care procedures. It was later developed into a community farm and was run by an advisory committee and in 2000 it became an Environment Centre. In early 2006 an advisory committee was established for the development of a master plan for future development at Edendale Farm. The committee included Russell Yeoman, a former long-time shire planner and founding member of the Eltham District Historical Society. At the time of filming the Master Plan and future for Edendale was about continuing to develop Edendale as a centre of environment learning and looking at expanding displays and school program, running a lot more of life-long learning and workshops around sustainable living.edendale community farm, eltham, gastons homestead, gastons road, shire of nillumbik, video recording