Book commissioned by Melbourne Water to mark the 150th anniversary of the commencement of the Yan Yean Reservoir.Paperback; vii, 127 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.), ports. ; 23 cm.[written on flyleaf] To Eltham District Historical Society, best wishes Helen Doyleyan yean reservoir

Specific focus on history of and impact to the Eltham War Memorial property. Contents: Eltham Major Activity Structure Plan Comments Sheet; Response by Harry Gilham, 22 June 2004 Minutes for the policy and Services Committee of Nillumbik Shire Council held Wednesday 11 August 2004 Photocopy of Eltham War Memorial Trust Booklet cover and Honour Roll Board in Eltham War Memorial Hall Photocopy of newsclippings - Eltham War Memorial Trust: Ready Now for Forward Movement; Acknowledgements £722; publication unknown, c.1946 and Eltham War Memorial Trust: "Garden of Remembrance"; Baby Health Centre First Building, The News: The Newspaper of the City of Heidelberg and of the Shire of Eltham, 11 April 1947 (EDHS_04588) Abbreviated notes of the Eltham War Memorial Trust, Harry Gilham, February 1997 Notes prepared by Harry Gilham pertaining to draft Eltham Major Activity Structure Plan, 2004 referencing Memorial Hall Site Title (p45), EGAG on heritage (p73) and Design Guidelines (p73) Copy of Certificate of Title issued to Eltham War Memorial Trust Ordinary Meeting of Council Agenda, 15 September 2004, p55 with notes on vote for motion that any reference to the sale of the War Memorial be removed Letter from Cr Tony Raunic, Mayor to Harry Gilham regarding Eltham Major Activity Centre Structure Plan advising the removal of any reference to sale of the War Memorial and detailed consultation to be held with stakeholders regarding the former Shire of Eltham Office site; 8 October 2004 Copy of fax sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to Diamond Valley News, re his support for the appeal for protection of the Eltham War Memorial 3 July 2004 Copy of letter sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to the CEO, RSL Victoria requesting their opposition to sale of the Eltham War Memorial, 19 August 2004 Copy of letter sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to Brigadier J.R. Deighton, State Secretary, Victorian RSL re his comments in Diamond Valley Leader regarding the Eltham War Memorial, 27 August 2004 Copy of letter sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to Brigadier J.R. Deighton, State Secretary, Victorian RSL advising the War Memorial had been removed from the wider proposal of the Eltham Activity Centre, 16 September 2004 Fax from Catherine Dale, CEO, Nillumbik Shire Council to John Cohen re Renovation and Maintenance of Victorian War Memorials, 6 October 2004 Letter from Barry Rosewall, President, Eltham RSL to John Cohen advising the sub-branch strongly opposes the sale of the Eltham War Memorial, 20 October 2004 Fax from Bill Forrest, Interim CEO, Nillumbik Shire Council to John Cohen re Renovation adn Maintenance of Victorian War Memorials, 8 November 2004 Copy of letter from John Cohen to Bill Forrest, Interim CEO, Nillumbik Shire Council re Maintenance of Eltham War Memorial, November 2004 Handwritten notes prepared by Harry Gilham in preparation of presentation to Council pertaining to draft Eltham Major Activity Structure Plan, 2004 Letter from Eric Mack to the Hon. Steve Herbert,, Member for Eltham regarding draft Major Activity Centre Structure Plan, 22 June 2004 Letter from Eric Mack to Nillumbik Shire Council CEO and Councillors regarding draft Major Activity Centre Structure Plan, 2004 Reply to Eric Mack from the Hon. Steve Herbert, Member for Eltham regarding his letter of 22 June, 27 July, 2004 Copy of letter from John Cohen to President and Exectuive of the Eltham RSL regarding the Eltham War Memorial, 16 July 2004 Notice issued by Cr Greg Johnson of 11 August meeting by Council's Policy and Services Committee to consider a proposal to sell the Eltham War memorial and old shire office properties, 6 August 2004 Letter from Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Historical Society to Diamond Valley Leader wishing to correct a historical inaccuarcy being circulated in the Draft Structure Plan for the Elham Major Activity Centre, 17 June 2004 Newspaper clipping - Protect war memorial, Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Horical Society; Letter, Diamond Valley Leader, June 30, 2004, p16 Newspaper clipping - Sell-off a betrayal of trust, Ken Eckersall; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, c.2004 Newspaper clipping - Don't insult memory of fallen servicemen, John Cohen; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, c.2004 Newspaper clipping - Up in arms against sell-off, Dave Crosswaite, Diamond Valley Leader, July 14, 2004, p5 (War veterans and local historians call upon Nillumbik Council to reject moves to sell Eltham War memorial buildings to a private developer. Features a picture of John Cohen, Harry Gilham and Dr Ken Eckersall. On same page - "First Aboriginal mural by trust opens" by Dave Crossthwaite about a mural celebrating stories and culture of the Wurundjeri people being unveiled at the YMCA-run Eltham Leisure Centre.) Newspaper clipping - Shire plan 'sacrilegious' by Dave Crossthwaite, Diamond Valley Leader, Wednesday, August 19, 2004, p1 (Residents fight war memorial sale) Newspaper clipping - Our say on sale of land; Have you say, Diamond Valley Leader, August 18, 2004, p22 Newspaper clipping - School hall is not ratepayers' worry; Have your Say, Diamond Valley Leader, August 18, 2004, p23 Newspaper clipping - Clash over land sale by Dave Crossthwaite, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p1 Newspaper clipping - Mayor beset over arts agenda claim by Dave Crossthwaite, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p5 Newspaper clipping - Public assets are not for sale; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p11 Newspaper clipping - A lot of work has gone into shire structure plan; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p10 Newspaper clipping - Don't let a dream stay hijacked; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, September 1, 2004, p11 Newspaper clipping - Future of memorial site on hold until poll by Caroline Gonzalez, Diamond Valley Leader, September 20, 2004 Newspaper clipping - Troops enlist for campaign by Fiona Willan, Diamond Valley Leader, 18 July 200751 pages of various types, A4, printed, handwritten notes, letters and newspaper clippingscr. greg johnson, diamond valley leader, eltham district historical society, eltham leisure centre, eltham major activity structure plan, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham war memorial, eric mack, harry gilham, john cohen, ken eckersall, letters, nillumbik shire council, protests, steve herbert mp, wurrundjeri

History of Saint Margaret's Church Eltham 1945 to 2015xx, 454 pages : illustrations (some colour), portraits ; 23 cm.ISBN 9780994519696 [written on flyleaf] Donated to the Eltham District Historical Society - Geoffrey A Sandysaint margaret's anglican church eltham

July Excursion July 6, 2019 - Exploring Lower Plenty The predominant feature of this walk in the Bonds Road area, Lower Plenty is the large number of magnificent old River Red Gums that line the route. These trees are of the spreading woodland form of this species indicating that they must have been originally growing in a reasonably open setting. The walk also includes parts of the historic Cleveland Estate and the homestead “Rosehill” established by pioneer farmer Henry Stooke. This area was the site of the first recorded European settlement in what was to become the Shire of Eltham when the Willis brothers arrived in the late 1830s. From the southern part of Cleveland Avenue there are extensive views across and along the Yarra Valley. An article on the history of this area was contained in Newsletter edition 201, November 2011. The walk will start at the at the corner of Bonds and Stawell Roads, Lower Plenty - EDHS Newsletter No. 246 June 2019fay bridge collection, 2019-07-06, blackburn bricks, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, rosehill homestead, lower plenty

September Excursion - Culla Hill Walk Pioneer Eltham farmer Thomas Sweeney (1803 - 1867) named his house, “Culla Hill” after the area in Ireland that he came from. His house, now called “Sweeneys”, remains on a ridge line overlooking the Yarra River. It is recorded that Thomas Sweeney did well out of carting potatoes and other supplies to the various gold fields such as Bendigo, McIvor (Heathcote), Mount Alexander and Beechworth. Culla Hill is now the name of the road providing access to subdivided lots of the former Sweeney property. The Culla Hill walk will start at the corner of Kent Hughes and Lavender Park Roads, Eltham (Melway ref. 22 A9) at 2.00pm on Saturday 7th September. - EDHS Newsletter No. 247 August 20192019-09-07, activities, culla hill, eltham, eltham district historical society, fay bridge collection, heritage excursion, sweeneys lane

The Society conducted a heritage excursion "Eltham War Memorials Walk" on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in conjunction with the centenary commemorations of the First World War. This walk involved visiting a number of memorials along Main Road dedicated to locals who served Australia in times of war including the Roll of Honour located in the Uniting Church Hall which also serves as the Opportunity Shop, which had once operated out of the former CBA bank building next door.activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, opportunity shop, uniting church, uniting church hall, 2016-05-07

On Saturday September 2, 2023, Russell Yeoman led a group of 22 society members and interested others on a walk following trhe bounadries of the original Shillingalw farm. Commencing at the corner of Panther Place and Library Place, we proceeded up to Shillinglaw Cafe then the Shillinglaw trees at the former Eltham Shire Office site then along Main Road to the fire station then throughh St Laurence Lane and uinder the railway line , along Diamond Street then return via the Diamond Creek trail behind Andrew Park. The actual farm boundary went past the creek and further up the hill. The original farm comprised lot 90 of Holloway’s 1851 subdivision of Little Eltham. Its area was 30 acres lying east of the Diamond Creek and north of Henry Street. A number of stops were made to look at maps and early photos illustrating the gradual reduction of the farm area and the early history of the railway and other community uses, that occupied parts of the site.fay bridge collection, 2023-09-02, activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, shillinglaw farm

On Saturday September 2, 2023, Russell Yeoman led a group of 22 society members and interested others on a walk following trhe bounadries of the original Shillingalw farm. Commencing at the corner of Panther Place and Library Place, we proceeded up to Shillinglaw Cafe then the Shillinglaw trees at the former Eltham Shire Office site then along Main Road to the fire station then throughh St Laurence Lane and uinder the railway line , along Diamond Street then return via the Diamond Creek trail behind Andrew Park. The actual farm boundary went past the creek and further up the hill. The original farm comprised lot 90 of Holloway’s 1851 subdivision of Little Eltham. Its area was 30 acres lying east of the Diamond Creek and north of Henry Street. A number of stops were made to look at maps and early photos illustrating the gradual reduction of the farm area and the early history of the railway and other community uses, that occupied parts of the site.2023-09-02, activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, shillinglaw farm, 895 main road, amplifon, andrew park, andrew pocket park, arthur street, bar de tapas, barber shop, barry plant estate agent, blockbuster, bus depot, car park, carparks, central park, cleaver & co hair, commonwealth bank, crust pizza, divine bridal, dr ash constance, dudley street, eltham book shop, eltham convenience store, eltham fire station, eltham library, eltham newsagency, eltham optical, eltham railway station, eltham shops, fay bridge, fire bell, flagpole, flight centre, grill'd, information sign, iso chook, jellis craig estate agent, judge book village, kebab nation, kx pilates, la zanyas, liquorland, little drop of poison, lorraine jones & associates solicitors, luck street, machan indian restaurant, main road, mecho en mexico, missing gorilla, morrison kleeman real estate, pavilion menswear, platform 3095, playtherapy melbourne, pryor street, ray white real estate, restaurants, sage bulk whole foods, shillinglaw trees, sign, snap fitness, southern cross medical imaging, specsavers, st laurence lane, st vincents care service, thompson's pharmacy, todaro, united service station, vyve body & skin, welcome to eltham town, westpac bank, yang's kitchen, youth road

1. Letter: Russell Yeoman, EDHS to Geoff Edmonds, Nillumbik Shire Council, 10 January 2003 re naming of the roads surrounding the former Eltham Shire Office site.eltham, eltham district historical society, geoff edmonds, library place, nillumbik shire council, russell yeoman, shillinglaw trees

Robert David Taylor was a farmer who lived in Eltham all his life and died in 1934 at the age of 76. Mr and Mrs Bowman lived in York Street; Taylor was their neighbour. In 1933 he subdivided his land, the plan showing a proposed Grey Street flanked by residential blocks for sale. Mrs Bowman bought one: her family would be able to walk through it and along Grey Street to Henry Street, thus providing quicker access to the railway station. But Taylor retained ownership of Grey Street itself. He fenced it off at each end and charged the Bowmans with trespass when they used it. The matter went to Court. The ruling was that Mrs Bowman could use Grey Street, as she owned land in it, but her husband could not. (Taylor also accused the Bowmans of having broken the fences, but could not prove it.) Taylor had wanted to subdivide his land in 1914. Plans were submitted to Council and were approved, but the subdivision did not proceed. In 1919, Taylor doctored the plans to make it appear that a totally different subdivisional arrangement had been approved. The Titles Office immediately detected fraud, and the Crown charged Taylor with forgery and counterfeiting. But charges were later dropped (reason not recorded). He was an Eltham Shire Councillor between 1911 and 1920. In 1920, Council charged him with illegally felling 91 eucalyptus trees in Eltham Park (60% of them in a healthy condition), presumably to be sold as firewood. He was imprisoned pending trial. Taylor claimed that he had acquired from another man the right to remove timber and sued the Council for wrongful prosecution. The case eventually went to the State Full Court, with judgement given in favour of Council, on the grounds that any right acquired by Taylor covered only the removal of logs and refuse, not sound green timber. And his position as Councillor precluded him from acquiring the right anyway. Robert David Taylor was also a Trustee of the Wesleyan Church owned land at Lot 20 Henry Street, originally purchased in January 1855 for a chapel and from which David and Catherine Clark first ran their private school, the forerunner of the Eltham Primary School. The land was sold in November 1901 to the Hope of Eltham Tent No. 195 Victoria District Independent Order of Rechabites, for which his brother William John Taylor was a Trustee and became the home of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In December 1921 it was again sold, this time to the community for use as the Eltham Public Hall, Robert David Taylor being a member of the Committee.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, charlotte amelia taylor, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, lillian jane taylor, richard pinn, robert david taylor

The Woodridge Estate was a major residential subdivision that was developed in many stages in the 1970s and 80s. It extended easterly from the older residential area of Eltham into what had previously been largely privately owned bushland. The subdivision design took into account the steep topography and resulted in large blocks that enabled preservation of much of the tree cover. It included a number of small parks and walkways and the one kilometre long Woodridge Linear Park. A bushland area left as a proposed school site later became the Pauline Toner Butterfly Reserve for preservation of the rare Eltham Copper Butterfly. This walk explores some Woodridge streets as well as the linear park and butterfly reserve, a hilly walk of about 3 km and includes some moderately rough tracks. Permission to visit the external grounds of two private properties to view heritage listed houses not visible from the street was granted. The walk commenced at 2pm at the access to Woodridge Linear Park in Grove Street just east of the Eltham East Primary School (Melway ref 22 B4). This free walk was open to the general public as well as Society members. Whilst COVID restrictions did not require the wearing of masks in the open, masks had to be carried and all attendees registered with name and contct number.Born Digital (41 images)covid-19, eltham, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, woodridge estate

Corner of Diamond Street and Peter Street, Eltham. Walkers gather for the beginning of the walk led by local historian Russell Yeoman. The tree-covered hill that forms the western backdrop to the Eltham town centre exhibits many characteristics that are considered to contribute to the special character of Eltham. They include unmade streets, steeply sloping land, extensive tree cover and a large number of mud brick and pise (rammed earth) houses. A number of these were constructed in the 1940s and 50s by well-known builders John Harcourt and Alistair Knox. A significant proportion from this period were constructed by owner-builders. We walked around the upper part of the hill in the area of Kerrie Crescent and Peter Street. We visited several interesting houses (for external viewing only). The walk commenced at 2pm at the corner of Diamond Street and Peter Street (Melway ref 21H4) and was about 2 km. This free walk was open to the general public as well as Society members. Whilst COVID restrictions did not require the wearing of masks in the open, masks had to be carried and all attendees registered with name and contact number or via QR registration.Born Digital (8 images)covid-19, eltham, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, mudbrick, peter street, diamond street, russell yeoman

activities, education program, eltham district historical society, eltham primary school, eltham state school no. 209, local history centre, school group, harry gilham, jim connor

The Common Bird Orchid (Chiloglottis Valida) is one of many orchids within Nillumbik Shire. Postcard sent by Karen and fellow U3A Walkers to Harry Gilham thanking him for conducting an insightful tour of the Eltham Cemeterypostcard, common bird orchid, arts environment heritage, nillumbik shire, u3a, activities, eltham cemetery, heritage excursion, harry gilham, eltham district historical society, chiloglottis valida

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. River Bend was designed and built by Alistair Knox for Rosemary and Bill Cuming in 1968. It sits in a deep cutting on a steep slope above the Yarra River and features floor to ceiling windows and glass doors set into mission brown timber frames and walls of reclaimed bricks in pinkish hue. Rosemary laid the brick paving around the house, a copy of the shell paving found in the ancient French town of Colmar, where the family had lived for a period. The kitchen was equipped with a 1960s stove as well as a cast iron wood stove reclaimed from Rosemary's sister's home in Armadale. Max and Tini Huygens, migrants from Holland, purchased the property in 1975 and named it Tilwinda from an Aboriginal word meaning 'hole in a rock'. In late 1981 Tini died after a short illness, but Max continued to live at Tilwinda until he moved to a retirement village in 2000 and the property was sold to Parks Victoria. Renamed River Bend, the property became part of the Laughing Waters Artist in Residency Program in 2008. Nillumbik Shire Council upgraded the property in 2012 with solar panels, a heat pump for hot water and double glazing to improve the comfort of the artists in residence and make the house more energy efficient. For a more in-depth description of the property and biographies of the various artists in residence commencing from 2008 to 2015, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, artists in residence, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, river bend house

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Birrarung is situated near the end of Laughing Waters Road. It was built in 1974 by Graeme Rose for Gordon Ford who he had asked to build him a small ‘bach’. Builder Peter Jarvis who did his apprenticeship with Alistair Knox for a couple of years recalled there were no drawings. It evolved as more funds became available. Graeme would source second-hand building materials around which he would shape the house. The fireplace was built with chicken wire over which it was rendered with faro cement. A brick floored glass studio, added later, faces a wall of boulders pressed into a manmade cliff, a large pond the link between the rock wall and glass studio. A waterfall, fed by river water, no longer functions. The property became part of the Laughing Waters Artist in Residency Program with the first artist taking up residency in 2001. For a more in-depth description of the property and biographies of the various artists in residence commencing from 2001 through to 2015, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, artists in residence, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, birrarung house

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford, gordon's shack, love shack

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Birrarung is situated near the end of Laughing Waters Road. It was built in 1974 by Graeme Rose for Gordon Ford who he had asked to build him a small ‘bach’. Builder Peter Jarvis who did his apprenticeship with Alistair Knox for a couple of years recalled there were no drawings. It evolved as more funds became available. Graeme would source second-hand building materials around which he would shape the house. The fireplace was built with chicken wire over which it was rendered with faro cement. A brick floored glass studio, added later, faces a wall of boulders pressed into a manmade cliff, a large pond the link between the rock wall and glass studio. A waterfall, fed by river water, no longer functions. The property became part of the Laughing Waters Artist in Residency Program with the first artist taking up residency in 2001. For a more in-depth description of the property and biographies of the various artists in residence commencing from 2001 through to 2015, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, artists in residence, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, laughing waters road, birrarung house, fay bridge collection

This scar or 'toe hold' tree fell over 50 yrs ago. It had died 50yrs before it fell and is estimated to be around 400 years old. It has a diameter of 1.3 m and is the only 'toe hold' tree in Nillumbik. Heritage Excursion - Killeavey Walk and Talk - Saturday 5th November Jane Woollard’s book Laughing Waters Road Art Landscape and Memory in Eltham devotes several chapters to the property Killeavey situated on the Yarra River at the end of Reynolds Road, Eltham. Jane has written about the natural history and indigenous history of the area and stories of the family who lived at Killeavey for many years. Killeavey was the home of Sir William Irvine, Victorian and Federal Parliamentarian and Supreme Court Judge. Later it was the home of his daughter Beatrice Morrison, a significant figure in the Eltham community. The original house was destroyed by fire and its replacement was demolished by Parks Victoria. Its sits high above the Yarra River and contains significant garden remnants. The surrounding bushland is valued for its significant plant communities. In September 2011 we visited Killeavey but without the benefit of the information more recently available from Jane’s research. We are fortunate that Jane will be joining us on this walk. There will be an extended stop at the house site for a discussion on the environment and history of the area. Inside the cover panels of Jane’s book is a reproduction of the complete artwork from ‘The Symbiogenesis Project: Laughing Waters 2011 by Aviva Reed and Paul Kalemba, as displayed in the Eltham Town Centre. This walk will start at 2 pm on Saturday 5th November at the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads. - EDHS Newsletter No. 230 October 2016fay bridge collection, 2016-11-05, activities, eltham, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, kileavey, laughing waters road, parks victoria, cameron beardsall

March Excursion - Eltham Cemetery Artworks Newsletter No 236 October 2017 contained a report on the unveiling of a significant new art project at the Eltham Cemetery. Titled “Our Eltham – Artistic Recollections” it features 31 ceramic panels containing artwork with a local history theme. The work is the joint creation of artist Nerina Lascelles and ceramicist Linda Detoma, supported with stonework by Leigh Wykes and steelwork by Neil Carter, all skilled local Nillumbik artisans. The main purpose of our excursion on Saturday 3rd March 2018 at 2.00pm will be to view the panels and will include readings from the interpretive booklet published by the Cemetery Trust. There will also be the opportunity to inspect other artworks within the cemetery. - EDHS Newsletter No. 238 February 2018fay bridge collection, 2018-03-03, eltham cemetery, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, our eltham artistic recollections, public art

March Excursion - Eltham Cemetery Artworks Newsletter No 236 October 2017 contained a report on the unveiling of a significant new art project at the Eltham Cemetery. Titled “Our Eltham – Artistic Recollections” it features 31 ceramic panels containing artwork with a local history theme. The work is the joint creation of artist Nerina Lascelles and ceramicist Linda Detoma, supported with stonework by Leigh Wykes and steelwork by Neil Carter, all skilled local Nillumbik artisans. The main purpose of our excursion on Saturday 3rd March 2018 at 2.00pm will be to view the panels and will include readings from the interpretive booklet published by the Cemetery Trust. There will also be the opportunity to inspect other artworks within the cemetery. - EDHS Newsletter No. 238 February 20182018-03-03, eltham cemetery, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, our eltham artistic recollections, public art, peter & elizabeth pidgeon collection

May Excursion – Edendale Environs Edendale Community Environment Farm in Gastons Road, Eltham now operates as Nillumbik Council’s environmental centre. The historic homestead has undergone a significant restoration and there is on-going development of the site consistent with its community education purpose. The house and the gateway sculpture “The Fences Act” are covered by a Heritage Overlay in the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Our May excursion will comprise a walk through the farm property and will radiate to other nearby places of historic interest. These will include the site of the Eltham North Adventure Playground to discuss its history and destruction by fire (see page 1 article). Also nearby is Colemans Corner where the early road system has undergone some unusual changes. If time permits we may visit some other nearby places of interest. - EDHS Newsletter No. 239 April 2018fay bridge collection, 2018-05-05, edendale community farm, edendale farm, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, activities

Businesses, Eltham, Eltham Physiotherapy & Sports Injuries, Main Roadmain road, eltham, property, shops, businesses, russell yeoman, jim connor, eltham district historical society, plenty river, old eltham road, kangaroo ground, nillumbik council, barry rochford, main road eltham, luck street eltham, aladdin antiques montmorency, main road eltham roundabout, steven white, geoff glynn, michael murray, harold herd, enver camdal, helen bodycomb, rhonda noble, jeph neale, chris marks, john brumby, andrew haermeyer, sherryl garbutt, eltham shopping centre, eltham chamber of commerce and industry, norman williams, pat power, john graves, wattletree road eltham, bolton street eltham

Open Day held to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Local History Centre (12 July 1998) and opening of the replica Police Station as part of the Local History Centre. The day also marked the opening of the Society's free street library, the Little Eltham Library styled off the orighinal Eltham Police station and named in honour of the original name of the area, Little ElthamBorn digital image (47)20th anniversary, eltham courthouse, eltham district historical society, eltham police station, local history centre, open day, police residence

Eltham Courthouse Officially Reopened (Jim Connor, EDHS Newsletter No. 263 April 2022) In the Conservation Management Plan prepared in 2006 for the Eltham Justice Precinct there is mention that more than 350 court houses have been built by the Public Works Department since 1856, when the Department was established. It also states Eltham was in an early group of 'Victorian Free Classical' structures, featuring a projecting entry porch and gabled roof. Characteristically, this group shares a simple, rectangular shape, central placement of the court room with smaller-scale offices set back at the sides or rear of the court room, arched openings, and decorative string courses. The Statement of Significance listed in the Victorian Heritage Register states: ‘The Eltham Court House dates from the time when the town was largely self-contained. It was initiated in response to itinerant gold prospectors who turned to crime when their quest was unsuccessful. This type of localised solution is characteristic of the self reliance preserved in Eltham today. The court house is an important symbol of the spirit which makes Eltham distinctive as a community.’ It also states: ‘The Eltham Court House, built in 1860, is one of only two intact examples in the state of this simple design with projecting entry.’ So with this background it is most appropriate this valued historic building has recently been the subject of a total restoration, as detailed in previous newsletters. This was a major project undertaken by Nillumbik Shire Council. At a small function in the Eltham Courthouse, on 23rd March 2022, Nillumbik Shire Council Mayor Fran Eyre declared the fully restored building officially reopened. In doing so the Mayor spoke about the earlier law and order function of the court and the importance of this building to the Eltham community. Wingrove Ward Councillor Geoff Paine then highlighted the importance of historical societies and groups within the shire and their valued activities in recording and preserving their local history. EDHS president Jim Connor thanked everyone involved with the project and provided an overview of the history of the courthouse. Michael Ioannides, Council’s project manager, spoke about how the restoration process proceeded and those involved in undertaking the works required. Cr. Natalie Duffy, various council officers, EDHS executive committee members, as well as representatives of the head contractor Ducon Building Services and the heritage advisors, RBA architects and Conservation Consultants, were also in attendance, as was a representative of Nillumbik U3A. After the formal part there was some light hearted interpretation of how past legal proceedings may, or may not have, occurred within this courthouse, before some refreshments were shared in the former second courthouse at the rear, which is now utilised by Nillumbik U3A. This was a successful celebration of a very worthwhile project.Born digital image (38)conservation consultants, cr. geoff paine, cr. natalie duffy, ducon building services, eltham courthouse, eltham district historical society, eltham justice precinct, jim connor, mayor cr. fran eyre, michael ioannides, nillumbik shire council, nillumbik u3a, opening ceremony, rba architects, restoration project

A slide show presentation of the Local History Centre in commemoration of its 20th anniversaryMP4 Digital file 00:13:33; 798MBvideo recording, eltham district historical society, local history centre, 20th anniversary

Refurbishment of Police precinct at Eltham. Lock-up of 1880s. Facsimile of 1900s Police Station. Brick wall of residence built 1859.Colour photo print 15 x 10 cmeltham, 728 main road, activities, brougham street, eltham district historical society, local history centre, lockup

Harry Gilham leading a Society tour of the cemeteryTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, eltham cemetery, eltham district historical society, harry gilham, heritage excursion

Eltham Gateway, Andresen McCarthy Partners, 714 Main Road, ElthamTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, eltham district historical society, main road, andresen mccarthy partners, avenue of honour, eltham gateway