Celebrations for the 80th Anniversary of Legacy were held in the grounds of Government House in 2003. Photos include the President David Ford speaking to the crowd and Margaret Armstrong sitting under a red umbrella. The note with the photos says: "Legacy's 80th Anniversary Function Over 1200 people recently attended Legacy's 80th Anniversary Function. The sun streaming through the picturesque garden surroundings at Government House contributed to the success of the day. Many of the guests enjoyed catching to the success of the day. Many of the guests enjoyed catching up with friends and acquaintances that go back a long way. Some had not seen each other for decades and there was much excitement renewing old friendships. The guests were entertained by The Royal Australian Navy Jazz Ensemble and the MC was David Mann from Radio 3AW." See also 00989, 00991 and 00992. The Anniversary celebrations were held at Government house due to the close relationship with the Governor of Victoria as patron of Legacy.Colour photo x 9 of 80th Anniversary celebration at Government House.Printed on the back 80th anniversary, government house party, events

Celebrations for the 80th Anniversary of Legacy were held in the grounds of Government House in 2003. Photos include the President David Ford speaking to the crowd and some of the junior Legatees with disabilities. The note with the photos says: "Legacy's 80th Anniversary Function Over 1200 people recently attended Legacy's 80th Anniversary Function. The sun streaming through the picturesque garden surroundings at Government House contributed to the success of the day. Many of the guests enjoyed catching to the success of the day. Many of the guests enjoyed catching up with friends and acquaintances that go back a long way. Some had not seen each other for decades and there was much excitement renewing old friendships. The guests were entertained by The Royal Australian Navy Jazz Ensemble and the MC was David Mann from Radio 3AW." See also 00989, 00990 and 00992. The President's report that is published with the Annual Report says: "President David Ford said in his address 'Let us all just recognise what a unique and enduring family we belong to. it is based on personal effort and dedication from everyone belonging to it. It has been giving that service for 80 years now and I am confident that it will continue to flourish for as long as support to dependents of departed veterans is required."The Anniversary celebrations were held at Government house due to the close relationship with the Governor of Victoria as patron of Legacy.Colour photo x 13 of 80th Anniversary celebration at Government House and an article in the President's report.Printed on the back 80th anniversary, government house party, events

Celebrations for the 80th Anniversary of Legacy were held in the grounds of Government House in 2003. These photos show the Melbourne skyline in 2003 and views across MCG and the sports precinct. The note with the photos says: "Legacy's 80th Anniversary Function Over 1200 people recently attended Legacy's 80th Anniversary Function. The sun streaming through the picturesque garden surroundings at Government House contributed to the success of the day. Many of the guests enjoyed catching to the success of the day. Many of the guests enjoyed catching up with friends and acquaintances that go back a long way. Some had not seen each other for decades and there was much excitement renewing old friendships. The guests were entertained by The Royal Australian Navy Jazz Ensemble and the MC was David Mann from Radio 3AW." See also 00989, 00990 and 00991. The Anniversary celebrations were held at Government house due to the close relationship with the Governor of Victoria as patron of Legacy.Colour photo x 4 of views of Melbourne from Government House during the 80th Anniversary celebration.Printed on the back 80th anniversary, government house party, events

This photo of President David Ford and a widow with an envelope was taken on the same film as celebrations for the 80th Anniversary of Legacy in the grounds of Government House in 2003. It could be the widow passing over funds raised by the widows clubs to President Ford.There was a strong relationship between Legatees and the widows clubs. Widows clubs would raise funds through several ventures including their stalls and stamp sales throughout the year.Colour photo of President David Ford and a widow.Printed on the back widows, widows clubs

An example of a souvenir issued to commemorate Legacy's 90th anniversary. It says: "90th Anniversary of Legacy 1923-2013" There was a reunion of former Junior Legatees at Government House in 2013 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Legacy.A record of an item produced by Legacy to celebrate the 90th Anniversary and given out to former Junior Legatees at a reunion.A white handkerchief with the Legacy torch and text 'Legacy 90th Anniversary 1923-2013' stitched in blue thread in a cardboard sleeve. Plus a note saying it was distributed to former Junior Legatees at a 2013 reunion.Handkerchief has 'Legacy 90th Anniversary 1923-2013' in blue thread. Note says 'This gift was given to the Former Junior Legatees at the 2013 Former Junior Legatee Reunion at Government House.' in blue pen.90th anniversary, junior legatee, reunion

An example of a souvenir issued to commemorate Legacy's 90th anniversary. It says: "90th Anniversary of Legacy 1923-2013" There was a reunion of former Junior Legatees at Government House in 2013 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Legacy. The handkerchief was donated back to Legacy from the family of Jacobina (Jackie) and Marjorie Bristol, sisters who were both junior legatees in the 1930s and 1940s after their father passed away, he was a World War 1 veteran. Jacobina later became Jackie Wood and Marjorie became Marjorie Bachmann. Also donated were girls' uniform, a photo of the girls at calisthenics classes, a junior legatee certificate and a $100 Legacy badge. These are catalogued separately at 01948 to 01952.A record of an item produced by Legacy to celebrate the 90th Anniversary and given out to former Junior Legatees at a reunion.A white handkerchief with the Legacy torch and text 'Legacy 90th Anniversary 1923-2013' stitched in blue thread in a cardboard sleeve. Embroidered "90th Anniversary of Legacy 1923-2013" in blue thread.90th anniversary, junior legatee, reunion

A document written on 18 February 1988 by Melbourne Legacy to provide biographical details to the Governor of Victoria about Legatee Alf Argent, president of Melbourne Legacy in 1988. The It provides good details about the life of Legatee Alf Argent, including his military career and his work career and hobbies. The document was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record biographical details being provided to Government House for the Governor to understand the background of the current Legacy president. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Typed copy of a page of biographical notes about Legatee Alf Argent, President 1988Typed on top 'Details required by Government House for the information of his Excellency, The Governor of Victoria'.past presidents, alf argent, governor of victoria

For many years Legacy was invited to bring junior legatees to Government House for for an enjoyable Legacy Christmas party. There were entertainers, carousels and often a train ride. And the joy of a Christmas present for each child. This photo shows a toddler riding a pony, which is being led by another boy in service uniform. It is from 1945 and was part of a photo album of many photos from the 1940s.An important photographic record of the work of Legacy in the 1940s.Black and white photo of a boy having a pony ride at Government House, part of a photo album with blue leather look back and front cover. One of 20 pages with black and white photos attached to the majority of both sides of the pages.junior legatees, christmas, junior legatee outing, horse

For many years Legacy was invited to bring junior legatees to Government House for for an enjoyable Legacy Christmas party. There were entertainers, carousels and often a train ride. And the joy of a Christmas present for each child. This photo shows a legatee at a microphone alongside two children. It is from 1945 and was part of a photo album of many photos from the 1940s.An important photographic record of the work of Legacy in the 1940s.Black and white photo of a legatee at a microphone with two children at Government House, part of a photo album with blue leather look back and front cover. One of 20 pages with black and white photos attached to the majority of both sides of the pages.junior legatees, christmas, junior legatee outing

For many years Legacy was invited to bring junior legatees to Government House for for an enjoyable Legacy Christmas party. There were entertainers, carousels and often a train ride. And the joy of a Christmas present for each child. This photo shows three junior legatees with Christmas presents in gift bags, some of the items appear hand made. It is from 1945 and was part of a photo album of many photos from the 1940s.An important photographic record of the work of Legacy in the 1940s.Black and white photo of three girls with Christmas gifts at Government House, part of a photo album with blue leather look back and front cover. One of 20 pages with black and white photos attached to the majority of both sides of the pages.junior legatees, christmas, junior legatee outing

For many years Legacy was invited to bring junior legatees to Government House for for an enjoyable Legacy Christmas party. There were entertainers, carousels and often a train ride. And the joy of a Christmas present for each child. This photo shows three junior legatees eating ice cream. It is from 1945 and was part of a photo album of many photos from the 1940s.An important photographic record of the work of Legacy in the 1940s.Black and white photo of three children eating ice cream at Government House, part of a photo album with blue leather look back and front cover. One of 20 pages with black and white photos attached to the majority of both sides of the pages.junior legatees, christmas, junior legatee outing

For many years Legacy was invited to bring junior legatees to Government House for for an enjoyable Legacy Christmas party. There were entertainers, carousels and often a train ride. And the joy of a Christmas present for each child. This photo shows a group of children surrounding an entertainer with a ventriloquist's mannequin. It is from 1945 and was part of a photo album of many photos from the 1940s.An important photographic record of the work of Legacy in the 1940s.Black and white photo of children surrounding an entertainer with a mannequin at Government House, part of a photo album with blue leather look back and front cover. One of 20 pages with black and white photos attached to the majority of both sides of the pages.junior legatees, christmas, junior legatee outing

For many years there were Christmas parties held at Government House for the junior legatees. The tag was sent to Junior Legatees for them to gain entry to the party.A record of the close relationship with the Governor of Victoria and the types of activities Legacy provided for the junior legatees.White cardboard tag with red print and blue string used for entry to Christmas parties held at Government House.junior legatee outing, government house, christmas

The newsletter from June 1957. It featured a the Governor of Victoria and his wife with children on a carousel on the cover as there was an article about the Government House Christmas party in 1956. The president's introduction talked about the Commonwealth countries. An article featured two former Junior Legatees that had had success, John Woodley and Ron Rudd. Legacy had advised both boys to obtain entry to the greatest school of navigation in Southampton UK. They were only two Australians selected in 1955. They had recently visited Legacy and spoke at Legacy meetings. A detailed recap of what was happening at Harelands, naming several JLs and what they were up to. Including Helen James, Ken Knape, Garry Thompson, Peter Turton and Bob Neilson. Also Margaret Gregory, and Lillian May. Also what the boys classes were up to by suburb. A photo of the Senior Widows Club Christmas dinner at the Myer Mural Hall. And Operation Float had been a great success when 500 junior legatees were given a great outing by the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club. Careers in the building industry was part 3 of a series on careers. A newsletter published by Legacy in this format for many years from 1942. It mentions "Issued from time to time for Private Circulation among the Sons and Daughters of Deceased Service men and Merchant Seamen who served their Country during the War of 1914-18, or the present War". Many articles on the work of Legacy, including features on boys classes, girls classes, camps, the residences and where their past residents ended up. There are some suggestion for careers and some general interest articles. Some very interesting photos.Newsletter outlining news of Junior Legatee activities.Black and white printed newsletter x 12 pages from June 1957. Volume 10 Number 1.boys classes, activities, girls classes, harelands, governor, government house, operation float

The Answer is a newsletter in magazine format that is sent to the widows that are helped by Melbourne Legacy. For the widows who are sight impaired a copy of the newsletter is audio described onto CD by Vision Australia and posted to them. It contains information about meetings and activities. This edition contained articles on the Changi violin, Ohi Day Commemoration and a look back at Government House Christmas parties for the young junior legatees in the 1940s and 50s. Lockdowns were still affecting many of our programs such as the walking group, the stamp ladies, and widows club gatherings. There were updates on the Path of the Horse and Lunge for Legacy.A record that Melbourne Legacy helps coordinate and organise events and activities for the widows, and provides items of interest for their enjoyment.Compact disc x 2 in a case that contains the audio recording of The Answer from Dec 2021/Jan 2022.activities, answer, widows

Photo display relating to the work of Eltham anthropologist Professor Donald Thomson (1901-1970) who was renowned for his work researching Aborigines across Central Australia. Part of the Bicentennial/Heritage Week Display, "The Eltham Tradition", Eltham Shire Office, 17-22 April 1988. "The Photographic record which forms part of the Donald Thomson collection housed at the Museum of Victoria, by arrangement with the University of Melbourne contains 10,580 negatives. The collection also includes 5,700 artefacts and 4,500 pages of field notes. Cumbersome camera equipment and glass negatives often had to be carried hundreds of miles by pack horse, on small boars and other means. Three documentary films have been made, two by the BBC and released in over 18 countries and third, made by Academy of Science (1987) is for Year 12 Biology students. 28,000 feet of film record of Arnhem land was destroyed whilst in Commonwelath Government Custody." Two colour photographsactivities, eltham shire office, heritage display, heritage week, donald thomson, collection

Some decades ago a card sorting set for the identification and description of Australian timbers was developed for timber species which were available commercially and were in common usage, by the Commonwealth of Australia (CSIRO, Division of Forest Products) To complement and inform this national timber set each State or Territory developed reference timber sets of representative species. The Commercial Timbers of Victoria set was Victoria’s most recent (circa 1984) expression of this Victorian timber samples were sourced from logs selected by Forest Commission of Victoria (FCV) District Foresters and milled locally. Kiln drying and machining was carried out at timber producers Row, Web and Anderson, in Port Melbourne. Labeling and boxing was done by FCV Timber Inspectors, with box and booklet design and graphics handled in-house More recent timber samples were badged as Conservation Forests & Lands, reflecting historical government restructuring in the early 1980s Info: Simon MurphyProvided the public, industry (timber and associated), and educational facilities with a reference collection of notable Victorian timbers. Initially in a reduced format from 1940-50s, with boxed sets produced from 1981 until 1984A boxed set of timber samples representing the 20 tree species that were considered to be the most notable in Victoria. The set also includes an information booklet. Each timber specimen has information on species, occurrence, uses and physical properties Produced for sale by the the FCV and later by the Department of Conservation Forests and Lands. (CFL). forests commission victoria (fcv)

Charles Symons Wingrove, J.P. (1829-1905) arrived in Victorian in 1851. He had trained as an engineer, but tried his luck on the goldfields. In 1857 he was appointed as Secretary to the Eltham District Roads Board only one year after its foundation. He was to hold the position with the Board and later the Eltham Shire Council for total of 47 years. He also held the position of engineer for a large part of this period. During part of this time he was also secretary to the Heidelberg Shire Council. Over this period he was responsibly for an area stretching from Clifton Hill to Healesville, along the northern bank of the Yarra River. Other positions included Secretary to the Victorian Agricultural Society over along period.Wingrove was a main figure in the Municipal Association of Victoria. By the time he retired he was recognized as the “Grand Old Man” of Victorian local government. In 1858 Wingrove had a brick cottage built in Main Road near the State School and he lived here until his death. One room was uded as the Board and Council office. His descendants owned the house until 1974. It was later used as a psychiatric clinic. The park opposite the cottage has been named Wingrove Park in his honour. He is buried at St Helena with other members of his family. Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Tuesday 18 July 1905, page 5 ABOUT PEOPLE. A conspicuous figure in northern municpal history, Mr. Charles Symons Wingrove, has passed away. He was for many years secretary and engineer for the shire of Eltham, and prior to the formation of the shire held the position under the old road board, his official connection with the district dating from beyond 1857. For about twelve years he also filled the position of shire engineer for Heidelberg council while retaining his other post, and the immense territory under his professional control, reaching from the boundary of Collingwood up to Healesville, was a matter of fatherly pride and interest to him. He arrived in Victoria in 1851, and was 76 years of age at his death. Mr. Wingrove retired from the position in the Eltham council only about a year ago. The interment will take place in St. Helena Cemetery, near Eltham township, today. Secretary, Eltham District Road Board 1858-1871 Secretary for the Shire of Eltham 1871-1904. Nearly 50 years service to the local community. For about twelve years he also filled the position of shire engineer for Heidelberg council. Reproduced Page 137 "Pioneers & Painters" This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image Print 25 x 20 cmc.s.wingrove, charles symons wingrove, eltham district road board, sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, shire secretary, wingrove cottage, pioneers and painters, shire of eltham, councilor, municipal officer

Allwood - built in 1894 by Henry Hurst’s relatives, stands near the site of his house, which was demolisherd in the 1940s. Until 1924 Hurstbridge was known as Allwood. The building, one of the district's oldest is situated back from the corner of Arthurs Creek Road and Main Road. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p17 Hurst, who was a surveyor, came to Melbourne in 1852 by default, as on the way to Sydney he contracted typhoid and was off-loaded in Melbourne. Deciding to settle near Melbourne, he selected some land near the present Eltham railway station and was one of the first to grow crops there.2 But disaster struck again, when his shack was looted and burned, while he was carting goods for sale to nearby goldfields. It was then that Hurstbridge’s first settler, Cornelius Haley, asked Hurst to manage his 160 acres (65ha) grazing property and 9000 acres (3443ha) of leased land where the present Hurstbridge stands. Hurst proved equal to the tough conditions and he and his brother, Fred, cut a track with a bullock team from the property to Romsey, where Haley had selected some land. Hurst also put up a bridge across the creek near his house, after which Hurstbridge was named. He ran the property helped by two ticket-of-leave men and others, several of whom were sailors who had abandoned ship in search of gold, and were working there temporarily. In 1866, only 14 years after coming to Australia, Hurst met an early tragic death. One day a bushranger named Burke came to the house and demanded a horse. Hurst thought the bushranger might be an officer in search of runaway sailors3 and anyway, did not like the look of him, so he refused. A tussle followed and apparently Hurst shot first.4 He was shot and died five hours later from loss of blood. Later, troopers found Burke, who was subsequently hanged. The event is recorded in the Old Melbourne Gaol. The government offered the family £500 but the family refused it as ‘blood money’. Hurst’s father, Robert, even signed a petition against the bushranger’s death, claiming one life did not replace another. Hurst’s family continued to live in the district and saw a rise in their fortunes. They bought Haley’s cattle station and built the present Allwood House, using the original home as an orchard packing shed. The present Victorian style timber house had several outbuildings including a blacksmith’s shop. The property passed on to William Gray, an orchardist and nurseryman, who married Hurst’s grandniece, Frances. The business boomed from the early 1900s when it supplied most of the orchards in the area. Gray was Eltham Shire’s President for two terms and was asked to stand for parliament, but his wife’s illness and other family commitments prevented him from doing so. Then several calamities drove the family to bankruptcy. During World War One, Gray lost more than one million pounds on trees shipped overseas, which the Lloyd’s company had refused to insure. Other factors, including the Great Depression, ruined the family’s fortunes. The land was reduced from more than 640 acres (256ha) to 50 acres (20ha) and the older members married and left. After Mr Gray died, the house was leased, until his daughter Sheila Ferguson and her husband Gordon settled there in 1951, after buying it from other family members. However in 1975 the Shire designated the property as a passive recreation reserve. The Ferguson family sold most of the land, leaving the house on 0.6 hectares.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, hurstbridge, henry hurst, allwood house

Wingrove Cottage built 1858-1859 of hand made bricks is historically significant for its long association with Charles Wingrove, a prominent figure in Victorian local government, as secretary to the Eltham District Road Board and Shire Council from 1858 to 1904, and Shire Engineer and Secretary to the Heidelberg Road Board. The cottage was used as the office of the Eltham District Road Board and Council for many years It is one of the Shire's oldest dwellings, and one of the few surviving 19th century buildings associated with early Eltham and located in the original Eltham Village Reserve. The symmetrical planting of a pair of Pencil Pines (not visible in photo) is also historically and aesthetically significant as characteristic of the early period of planting in the district and because they are a distinctive landscape feature. In October 2002 new owners demolished the outbuildings attached to the rear of the cottage. Community protest at the demolition resulted in Council issuing a Stop Work order. The owner was issued with a court order in September 2003 to develop a conservation management plan and restore the heritage listed property. The owner sold the property in 2005 to Cameron Construction in 2005 who undertook the restoration work. In 2007 a planning application to build two offices and seven dwellings at the rear of the property was ultimately rejected. The cottage is now the main office for Cameron Construction. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p57 Wingrove Cottage on Main Road beside Eltham Primary School, is one of the Shire’s most important historical buildings and was central to local government for almost 50 years. The cottage was built in stages from 1858 to 1888 for Charles Symons Wingrove JP. He was the Eltham District Road Board’s first paid secretary and later the Shire Secretary when the board became the Eltham Shire Council. Wingrove held those positions, and that of engineer for a time, for 46 years. He was also one of the main figures in the Municipal Association of Victoria. As Eltham’s first paid municipal officer, Wingrove used one room in his 11 – (originally two) roomed home, as the office for the board then the council. Meetings were held there from the late 1850s (as well as at more central locations) until Wingrove’s retirement in 1904. The cottage is a rare example of a local government office occupying a Road Board /Shire Secretary’s purpose-designed house. The cottage is also significant because it is the oldest largely intact building from the original Eltham township reserve (south of Dalton Street).1 The township had its origins in the 1848 Nillumbik Parish Plan and was one of the state’s earliest township reserves. The rectangular house of handmade bricks, roofed with grey slate tiles and with a veranda encompassing three sides, is reminiscent of those in the central goldfields including Castlemaine. Its overhanging eaves and gables were unlike houses in Melbourne at the time. Wingrove, who was born in 1827, had been a gold digger and a road surveyor. Impossible to imagine in today’s world, Wingrove was also the Shire of Heidelberg’s secretary and engineer for part of the time that he was secretary in Eltham. Living next door to the primary school was a mixed blessing. Wingrove and his wife Katherine, who had ten children, sent their eight surviving children to the school. But they had occasional disputes with the school authorities when their cattle wandered into the schoolyard. Eltham showed Charles Wingrove its appreciation of his services by giving him two illuminated addresses, one after ten years and the other at retirement. Wingrove died in 1905 aged 76 and was buried in the St Katherine’s Church of England cemetery in St Helena. His grave is surrounded by those of family members including his wife, Katherine and two babies, Henry, 12 months and Isobella, 15 months, who died in the mid-1860s. Cottage ownership passed to his wife, then to daughter Caroline and then to daughter Bessie, a Melbourne University graduate and artist. During the Great Depression their brother Walter was the ratepayer. At one stage the Wingrove property extended to Metery Road and included a small creek. The family ran a small dairy and orchard, with associated farm buildings, which were later removed. In 1949 part of the property was compulsorily acquired by the Eltham Primary School, which infuriated owner Bessie Wingrove. She protested in a letter about this ‘monstrous act of unmitigated tyranny’.2 She was the last Wingrove to occupy the cottage and died in 1955. Wingrove descendants sold the house in 1974 and the property was subdivided. In the 1960s the Eltham Shire named the park opposite the cottage in Wingrove’s honour. The cottage has since had several owners including psychiatrist Dr Daniel Kahans, who practised there. In October 2002 late rear additions which had been substantially altered were demolished contrary to council planning controls. This caused a community outcry and resulted in legal proceedings against the owner. Fortunately the historical significance of the demolished section was not as great as the older front part of the building, which has been retained and was later restored.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, cameron construction, charles symons wingrove, eltham, eltham road district board, eltham shire council, main road, wingrove cottage

Covered under National Estate, National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Local Significance and Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p95 Thanks to an Australia first effort by local residents, the historic Shillinglaw Cottage still survives. The cottage at Panther Place, Eltham, once stood about 100 metres away on Main Road. But in 1963 it faced demolition to make room for the Eltham Shire Offices (since demolished). However residents rallied to save Shillinglaw Cottage and became the first in Australia to remove and reconstruct an early settler’s brick building. A fundraiser was the residents’ compilation of loved recipes into the cookery book, Flavour of Eltham. The cottage, built in the late 1870s by noted pioneer builder George Stebbing, is one of Eltham’s earliest buildings and associated with significant early settlers. It is on the National Estate and National Trust Registers. The cottage was constructed with handmade bricks in the Flemish Bond style, typical of cottages and farmhouses in Flanders, Europe. It features burnt ‘header’ bricks over the façade, which gives a chequered effect. The roof is made of slate, while the windows are 12-paned sash with relieving arches. It is not clear who were the first owners of the cottage. The National Trust claims that Stebbing built it for farmer Thomas Cochrane.1 Others say Cochrane first owned the land but Stebbing was Shillinglaw’s first owner and remained so until 1887. The Shillinglaw family then bought it and lived there for around 80 years until 1963 when they sold it to the Eltham Council.2 Farmer Thomas Cochrane bought the Shillinglaw Cottage site from land developer Josiah Holloway. The site was the largest in what Holloway called Little Eltham, of some 30 acres (12 ha), extending along the creek from Henry Street to Luck Street. In 1874 Cochrane sold the land to George Stebbing. Meanwhile in 1861, Stebbing was the owner and occupier of a house at Pitt Street, Eltham, which he had built. Evelyn Observer journalist James Rossiter rented the Pitt Street house, then in 1881 Phillip Shillinglaw occupied it. Stebbing constructed several buildings of note in the area, including the Uniting Church at John Street, the building beside it – a former bank – and St Margaret’s Church of England in Pitt Street. Stebbing was also an Eltham Shire Councillor from 1871 to 1873 and a trustee and treasurer of the Eltham Wesleyan Church.3 In the 1870s he is recorded as the owner of up to five houses. Earlier he had been described as a bricklayer and later became a farmer. In 1882 Stebbing returned to the Pitt Street house and Shillinglaw occupied the new house in Main Road, which he owned from 1887. Shillinglaw was a prolific poet and preached at the Eltham Primitive Methodist Church, where he also served as Sunday School superintendent and led the Young People’s Society Christian Endeavour. The Shillinglaws saw many changes in their property’s boundaries – the major one occurring at the turn of the century when land for the railway and Eltham station was acquired from their holding. The northern part of the remaining land was then used for some of the first commercial developments in what was to become the Eltham Shopping Centre. Later still, the land immediately north of the cottage was bought by the Eltham War Memorial Trust for the War Memorial Buildings and the fire station. The Trust’s land eventually passed to the council. The council bought the remaining two acres (0.8 ha) with the house, and with the exception of the commercial development between the fire station and the post office, all of the former Shillinglaw land is owned by the council or government instrumentalities.4 Since the late 20th century, the cottage has had varied uses, such as a handcrafts store and as a restaurant.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, shillinglaw cottage