Photo of Nancy, Margaret, Edna and Nan taken after the demolition of the old church churches, local identities

Melton Uniting Church Opportunity Shop volunteers standing at the cleared site. A week after the demolition of the old church.churches, local identities

Nancy, Margaret and Nan having a tea break at the Op Shop.churches, local identities

In the early l 970's , when our population was increasing rapidly and resident ministers were needed at both Melton and Bacchus Marsh, and after discussion between both denominations over many months a decision was reached , that in both areas they would unite and be known as Methodist - Presbyterian joint parishes. In 1972 Ministers were appointed, and Melton's minister occupied one of the Bacchus Marsh Manses during the building of Melton's church residence in Y uille Street. Services were held at Scots Presbyterian Church Melton. Youth Club and church meetings were held in the Methodist Church at Brooklyn Road, Melton South. At a joint Parish Committee Meeting held in May 1975 at Melton South - a major item of business was finance, to meet the repayments on the recently built Church Manse and the minister's Stipend. The meeting closed without any solution to this problem being made. As the men restacked the chairs Maisie and I viewed the building with the possibility of opening an Opp Shop on the premises. We then made the suggestion to the other members and during the forthcoming weeks investigations concerning the feasibility of this idea were made, volunteers recruited and the shop opened in July 1975. The first contribution to the Church funds of $1,600 was made in 1976 and was followed by regular contributions to the church budget each year. In 1981 a 30'x 20' steel garage costing $2,000 was erected adjacent to the original Methodist Church to provide more space. Meanwhile an Opp Shop was opened in Melton Markets and operated from 1981 to 1985. Further accommodation was needed at Yuille Street and the Atco Hall was installed at the rear of the Bluestone Church (known as Melton Uniting Church - 1977). A large proportion of finance for this project was contributed by the Opp Shop $16,000. Simultaneously finance was being built up to provide further facilities at Brooklyn Rd, resulting in the commencement of a concrete block masonry and steel extension, with facilities & fittings, being commenced during 1986 & completed in 1989. The approximate total cost of this structure was $60,000. Over the 16 years, members and friends of our church have contributed many many hours to staff the shop and many other supportive works. As an acknowledgement of their efforts, our Minister prepared Certificates for Service and Dedication which were presented to 75 supporters at a special Church Service in June 1991. The assistance that has been given to the community of Melton & District has been extensive and much appreciated by many families. In addition many appeals for goods and clothing have been received and packages sent to many outside supportive agencies. Three volunteers having a tea break in the staffroom of the Op Shoplocal identities, churches

Rear of Church shows fibrolite sectionchurches

Edna Barrie handwritten notes – copied 18th October 2013 web The early story of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Victoria At Melton between Bal [Ballarat] and Melb [Melbourne] was introduced by the Revd Wlm Blamires in 1862 ably seconded by the late Mrs Westlake (afterwards Mrs Spargo). Mr J James, the active and indefatigable Revd Eb Taylor and such workers as Atkinson Corr and Ferris. Mawson and John Dare 1867 the foundation stone of the present church was laid. Revd D Waugh 1867. Melton and Toolern Vale have benefited by the generous help of Mr J Browne esquire of White Hills Station Diggers Rest and are now comprised in the Sunshine Circuit. Written at a later date – Wesleyan 16-4-1867 then Methodist 3-10-1867. Bluestone building cost Lsd 350-13-6. Seating 40 pounds Rev Ken Moore Methodist opened at Brooklyn Rd Melton South c1940 closed c 1972. Timber Church shifted from Staughton Vale, prior to this Services held in Victoria Hall Melton South. The source of the information – ? and date notes were made On the Chart outlining Melton Churches the following additional notes- At opening (nil Plaster, nil ceiling) Slate roof. Closed 1910-1911- most likely from 1867 Express My research - Melton Express noted 15th Aug 1939 porch added to Church at Melton South making the date earlier than 1940. Photographs taken when the building was being used as the UC Opp Shop and demolition of the building showing the porch. Charles Ernest Barrie was prominent in the life of the Methodist Church and established a thriving Sunday School. He built the Chaff Mills at Melton South in 1900. In 1910 he sold the Mill to Glover Onians and moved to a farm at Trundle NSW, where he lived for about a year. In May 1911 he purchased “Darlingsford” in Melton when it came on the market. The address Elizabeth St Moonee Ponds appears in the family records during this period and during WW 1 they also lived at Ascot Vale where the Lang parents lived. On returning after the war to Melton to occupy the Darlingsford house, which had been occupied by a caretaker. The family joined the Presbyterian Church. Evidenced in the Church Minute Book. 1920 What happened to the Methodist Church between 1910 – 1920? How long did it exist while in the Bluestone building in Palmerston St (Heritage listed 2008) When did the church commence in Victoria Hall? Built 1910 on land donated by C E Barrie. I attended the Methodist Church Melton Sth when monthly services were held in the afternoons. We were members of the Presbyterian Church and also supported the Melton Sth Church during the 1950’s Signboard from Melton South Methodist Churchchurches

Group gathering for Maisie's retirementlocal identities

The Willows Restoration Committee members: Chairman Cr Ed Gillespie, Lorraine Gillespie, Mr & Mrs Alan Reed, Ken Young, Bill Amor, Edna Barrie, Max Watson, Cr Jeff Robinson and Wendy Barrie.Jeff Robinson, Bill Amor, Lorraine and Eddie Gillespie standing in front of the Willows, inspecting the house and surroundings from the front verandah. local identities, local architecture

Front of house looking through the front gate and wire fence local architecture, local special interest groups, local identities

Exterior of view of barn and attached cow bales. The barn was demolished in 1980.local architecture, local special interest groups

Edna Barrie, Lorraine and Eddie Gillespie inspecting the underground well near the stables. local identities, local architecture, local special interest groups, council

Jeff Robinson, Alan Reed and Bill Amor standing in the interior of the barn.local architecture, local special interest groups, local identities, council

Remains of the Stable, barn and rubble plasterer, and cement render from houselocal architecture, local special interest groups, local identities, council

The Willows built by Ralph Parkinson on his farm c. 1855. local architecture, local special interest groups

Associated Country Women of the World C.W.A. Melton local special interest groups, local identities

Blacksmith Shop High Street Melton Residence and Blacksmith Shop was continuously occupied from 1860 and demolished in 1966. Mr A.G. Macdonald operated the shop from 1923-1962 (39 years) An early photo exists of the Blacksmith Shop. It stood on what is now part of the landscaped area of the Melton Community Hall. The three blacksmiths wearing aprons are from the left, W. Whittington, G. Macdonald and A Falconer. MacDonald were employed by Whittington prior to each one in turn taking over the business, Falconer soon after selling the to MacDonald, died. He is buried in the Melton Cemetery. The old Smithy [on the right] stood in what is now 8 High Street Melton. The blacksmith and wheelwright was the forerunner of the modern motor mechanic, whose task it was and is, to keep the wheels of locomotion turning. According to the records there was a Blacksmith in Melton before 1850. In 1871, three blacksmiths, Messrs. A Blackwood, J MacPherson, and A Cameron were operating in Melton. In 1872 Mr. J.B. Whittington commenced as a blacksmith in Toolern Vale. On January 30th 1900, Mr Alexander Blackwood sold the property shown in the picture to J.B. Whittington where his son William Whittington conducted the business. William’s three children attended Melton State School No 340 The family left the district in 1921 when they moved to Essendon. Mr William Whittington died in 1963 at the age of 94. The next owner of the business, for a short period, was Mr. Ackland Falconer, who was succeeded by Mr A.G. Gordon MacDonald, in September 1923. Mr MacDonald raised a family of three. Thirty nine years later, in 1962, he retired, going to live with his son Robert in Sunshine, and the blacksmith shop finally closed its doors. This part of Melton’s history was demolished in by order of the Housing Commission, in 1966. Article research by Melton and District Historical Society Members. note: spelling should be Macdonald. History of the Melton Mechanics Institute. Mabel Rogers 1985 A.G. Macdonald Secretary 1927 – 1956 page 17. Committee member for 41 years. He also held the position of caretaker Blacksmith Shop, High Street Melton. The three blacksmiths wearing aprons are from the left, W. Whittington, G. Macdonald and A Falconer. local identities

Hornbuckle Girls – children of Robert and Mary nee Poulton. Robert Hornbuckle was Shire President from 1882-83, 96-98, 1907-8. Wife Mary died 1914. Son T. Hornbuckle Councillor from 1919-20 Children attended Melton State School 430 July 1881 No 580 Sarah Hornbuckle Approx age in yrs-mnths 7-5 No 581 Robert .. 10 No 582 Emma .. 8 They enrolled at the same time. Ages entered only a general guide to their birth dates. October 1881 No 610 William Occupation 5-6 July 1883 No 662 Charles Hornbuckle – Farmer 5 –10 October 1884 No 702 Thomas Hornbuckle Farmer 4 – 8 Sept 1885 No 265 Mary Hornbuckle Robert Farmer Mryniong 7 – 8 Photograph of the Hornbuckle Girls, Melton identitieslocal identities, council

Hornbuckle women- Emma (Raileigh), Sarah (Nixon) and Mary (Knox)local identities

Governor of Victoria Sir Rohan Delacombe opened the Djerriwarrh Reservoir and pipeline in 1963. Governor of Victoria Sir Rohan Delacombe and Lady Delacombe visiting Melton.council, local significant events

Staughton family owned Exford. Eynesbury and Brooklyn Estates. Prominent family with civic connection in Melton holding very large areas of land The Melton and District Historical Society visited Staughton Vale estate in 1984.local architecture, local identities

Photograph of the Committee at the completion of the brick front Trustees and Committee: C Egan, Albert Lee, J F Minns,James Byrnes, Thomas Lang, William Whittington, J O McKenzie, William Sheahan, E Chalmers and Cr R Hornbuckle Photograph of the Committee at the completion of the brick front of the buildinglocal architecture

Edna Barrie received this photo from Margaret nee McCoy Robinson c 1980. In 2011 the original photograph was scanned and digitised and restored by Morrie Forte. Norma ( Mothers’ Club Representative 1970) and Morrie Forte of Melton have been associated and supported the Melton State School No 430 and contributed to the 100 years celebrations. In December 2011 when viewing the enlarged restored print Mary Tolhurst identified brothers Andrew and Edward Byrns.[Burns] she is a descendent of this family. The brothers were enrolled at the Melton Common School in 1864 aged about 8 ½ and 5 years and left in 1870 and 1871. Head Teacher J H Murphy 1869-71Students in front of the bluestone buildinglocal architecture, education

Old Gum Toolern Creek from North side, Main Road. landscapes of significance

Black and white photograph of Scots Presbyterian Churchchurches, local architecture

One of the windows from the Melton Methodist Churchchurches, local architecture

Included in the 'crowd' is Mary and Annie McPherson, Annette Jongebloed, Dick Riddell, Jack Tolhurst and Margaret Mearle.Held at Mechanic Institute. The backdrop banner says "Welcome st Vincent's Ball". local architecture, local identities

Portrait of a womanlocal identities

Portrait photo of a womanlocal identities

Group of people surrounding two men in fighting poseslocal identities

Bon Barrie was one of the foundation members and president of the Melton Historical Society from 1968 – 1985. For the Willows Historical Park, he supported the establishment of the park and contributed many volunteers hours in the construction and landscaping of the precinct Bon Barrie (President of the Melton Historical Society) with Jan Brumpton holding the painting 'River Scene'. The artwork featured in the Melton Art Show.local special interest groups, local identities, council