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Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, 'Warrington', 319 Mont Albert Road, Surrey Hills
The house has been demolished but was associated with the Jacobs family. The Jacobs family lived in Surrey Hills from c 1895-1903 (ref: electoral rolls); by 1909 they were in Gippsland at Toora where Henry Atwood Jacobs was a storekeeper. They had returned to Surrey Hills by 1924 (ref: electoral roll) and were living at 22 Suffolk Road. Family details: Capt Jacobs was appointed to the Nunawading Roads Board in 1900; in 1902 he as a member of a deputation to the Minister of Public Works regarding municipal severance. He was in favour of Surrey Hills being a separate municipality. Amy (Amelia) Jacobs was the daughter of Capt Jacobs and his first wife, Eleanor Dobson Mills, who died shortly after the birth of her daughter. Winifred Atwood Jacobs was born c 1900; Mildred Adelaide Jacobs was born 1902, both at 'Spencycroft' in Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills. Winifred married Stephen Edwin Yarnold (1903-1978), a Presbyterian & Uniting Church minister, on 26 July 1946. He had a notable career in the ministry and has an ADB biography. Black and white photo of a Victorian style home with a slate roof, 2 chimneys and a veranda across 3/4 of the front. Construction is possibly block-fronted timber or bluestone and render; not brick. The house sits behind a picket fence with a lattice screen to one side. There are mature trees, possibly eucalypts in the background.warrington, house names, fences, surrey hills, architectural features, victorian style, vegetation, verandas, capt henry atwood jacobs, mrs amy lilian jacobs, miss amy lillian scales, miss amelia allan jacobs, miss winifred atwood jacobs, mrs winifred atwood yarnold, miss mildred adelaide jacobs -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, 44 Guildford Road Surrey Hills, 1940, 1940
This was the home of the Offszanka family from 1913; they came to Surrey Hills from Richmond. Carl Theodore Offszanka (1874-1944) was a furrier. Both he and his wife Ida, nee Schade, (1882-1963) were born in Germany. They married in Victoria in 1908. Their home was called 'Westfalia' (ref: 1919 electoral roll), presumably after the region in NW Germany. They had at least 4 children: Carl Bernard - b 1909 Marie Eliese - b 1910 Erna Helena - b 1913; d 1996 - listed at Guildford Road in electoral rolls. Bernard George - b 1914; d 1987 (Surrey Hills) - listed at Guildford Road in electoral rolls. The family were associated with Our Holy Redeemer and also donated class photos of the school to the collection. Carl and Ida are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (RC 032-0034). The semi-circular bay window is not original to the house. This home has had a 2nd storey added to it in late 1990s. According to a family descendant (REF: Email 1/8/20 from grandson) Carl Theodor Offszanka purchased the home in 1913 for £616. He also purchased the adjoining vacant block of land at 42 Guildford Road and ran a large orchard on it before later selling it. This appears to have been between 1920-1930. The family continued to occupy the house until after 1980 when Erna Helena and Bernard George are listed in the electoral rolls. Our property register lists Erna Helena Offszanka as the last member there. She died on 5 May 1996. Members of the Offszanka family lived in this property from its beginnings for more than 70 years. Such longstanding tenancy is unusual.Black and white photo of a timber Edwardian home at 44 Guildford Road Surrey Hills. The home has 2 bricks chimneys, a corrugated iron roof, timber fretwork to the verandah and a semi-circular bay window. The facade of the house is partially obscured by mature garden, possibly including large camellias, with rock-edged garden beds and a central path. The front fence is not visible.edwardian style, guildford road, offszanka family, carl theodor offszanka, ida schade (miss), carl bernard offszanka, bernard george offszanka, westfalia, ida offszanka (mrs), erna helena offszanka (miss), marie eliese offszanka (miss) -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, 44 Guildford Road, Surrey Hills, c1915, 1913-1915
... and has a simple finial. The house has a simple timber picket... with timber and stucco and has a simple finial. The house has a simple ...The gentleman in the photo is an estate agent. According to a grandson (REF: Email 1/8/2020) the original photos is thought to have been a publicity photo for the real estate agency. Carl Theodore Offszanka (1874-1944) was born in Germany. He is listed in electoral rolls at 44 Guildford Road from 1915, occupation furrier, with his wife Ida (nee Schade, 1882-1963), also born in Germany. They were married in Victoria in 1908. In later electoral rolls at the same address are Erna Helena (b 1913; d 1996) and Maria Eliese (b 1910; m Benedict Francis Rieusset in 1936). Both daughters are listed as typists. Also listed is Bernard George (b 1914; d 1987) who in later electoral rolls is described as a process worker. He served in the AIF in the Second World War. Not listed is Carl Bernard b 1909. The Offszanka family lived at 44 Guildford Road from 1913 until post-1980; they came to Surrey Hills from Richmond. Their home was called 'Westfalia' (ref: 1919 electoral roll), presumably after the region in NW Germany. It is not known when Carl and Ida migrated from Germany. This home has had a 2nd storey added to it in late 1990s. According to a family descendant (REF: Email 1/8/20 from grandson) Carl Theodor Offszanka purchased the home in 1913 for £616. He also purchased the adjoining vacant block of land at 42 Guildford Road and ran a large orchard on it before later selling it. This appears to have been between 1920-1930. The family continued to occupy the house until after 1980 when Erna Helena and Bernard George are listed in the electoral rolls. Our property register lists Erna Helena Offszanka as the last member there. She died on 5 May 1996. Black and white photo of a ? dark-stained timber Edwardian home at 44 Guildford Road, Surrey Hills. It has 2 brick chimneys, a corrugated iron roof and timber fretwork to the veranda. There is a single window to the veranda, 2 single windows down the LHS (facing) side of the house and a double window to the RHS (facing) side of the house. This appears to have coloured glass to the top section. The gable is decorated with timber and stucco and has a simple finial. The house has a simple timber picket fence and a driveway down the LHS (facing), in which a carriage is located. A gentleman in a hat stands on the veranda. A tall Victorian building can be seen in the far distance, on Canterbury Road.edwardian architecture, houses, guildford road, mr bernard george offszanka, mrs ida offszanka, miss ida schade, miss erna helena offszanka, miss marie eliese offszanker, furriers, mr carl theodor offszanka, westfalia, mr carl bernard offszanka -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Horse and buggy at 44 Guildford Road Surrey Hills, 1913
Jocelyn Hall indicated in notes that the gentleman could possibly be an estate agent. This was confirmed by a grandson of the original owners. (REF: Email 1/8/2020) The original photos is thought to have been a publicity photo for the real estate agency. Carl Theodore Offszanka (1874-1944) was born in Germany. He is listed in electoral rolls at 44 Guildford Road from 1915, occupation furrier, with his wife Ida (nee Schade, 1882-1963), also born in Germany. They were married in Victoria in 1908. In later electoral rolls at the same address are Erna Helena (b 1913; d 1996) and Maria Eliese (b 1910; m Benedict Francis Rieusset in 1936). Both daughters are listed as typists. Also listed is Bernard George (b 1914; d 1987) who in later electoral rolls is described as a process worker. He served in the AIF in the Second World War. Not listed is Carl Bernard b 1909. The Offszanka family lived at 44 Guildford Road from 1913 until post-1980; they came to Surrey Hills from Richmond. Their home was called 'Westfalia' (ref: 1919 electoral roll), presumably after the region in NW Germany. It is not known when Carl and Ida migrated from Germany. This home has had a 2nd storey added to it in late 1990s. According to a family descendant (REF: Email 1/8/20 from grandson) Carl Theodor Offszanka purchased the home in 1913 for £616. He also purchased the adjoining vacant block of land at 42 Guildford Road and ran a large orchard on it before later selling it. This appears to have been between 1920-1930. The family continued to occupy the house until after 1980 when Erna Helena and Bernard George are listed in the electoral rolls. Our property register lists Erna Helena Offszanka as the last member there. She died on 5 May 1996. The Offszanka family occupied this home from its beginning for over 70 years. Such long-term occupancy by one family is unusual.Black and white photo of a ? dark-stained timber Edwardian home at 44 Guildford Road, Surrey Hills. A hooded buggy is located in the rough driveway at the side of the house. A gentleman in a hat and with a moustache is seated in the buggy. A tall building can be seen in the far distance and a street leading up the hill from Canterbury Road.edwardian style, houses, guildford road, horse drawn vehicle, carl theordore offszanka, miss ida schade, mrs ida offszanka, miss edna helena offszanka, miss marie elsie offszanka, mr bernard george offszanka, estate agent, mr carl bernard offszanka, westfalia -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Douglas and Jean Sneddon with Alice Keane, 14 Suffolk Road, Surrey Hills
The property was named 'Cliburn' after Cliburn in Westmorland (later Cumbria) where Mary Sneddon's mother, Mary Bird (nee Coulston) came from. According to the donor all their houses were given this name. William Sneddon (b.1875, Sandhurst - d. 1957, Deepdene) was a postman in Surrey Hills for many years. His father James (1833 - 1901) ran an estate agency in Surrey Hills started in the 1880s by his father, also James. William's wife was Mary Sneddon, nee Bird, (b. 1878 Bethunga; d. 1948, Surrey Hills); they married in Surrey Hills in James Sneddon's house on 12 November 1903. They had 5 sons and 1 daughter: John William 'Jack' Sneddon (b.1908 - d. 1957); married Mabel Creek. Norman Alexander Sneddon (b. 1910 - d 1989); married Eva Pearl Sampson. Alan Coulston Sneddon (b. 1914 - d. 1985); married Netta May Clow in 1941. Jean Isobel Sneddon (b. 1916 - d. 1976); married Clifford James Jenkin. Douglas Haig Sneddon (b.1918, Surrey Hills - d. 1973, Blackburn); married Myra Marjorie Clewett in 1945. Relationship with Alice Keane: According to the donor, Alice Ruby Dore married Herbert Keane. She was born 21/9/1901 and died 14/4/1926. Her entries in the Victorian BDM index give that her father was Henry Dore and her mother Sarah Ann Bird and that she was born in Neerim. She married Herbert Henry Keane in 1922; her death at the age of 24 years was registered in Heidelberg. According to the donor her young children Wallace and Phyllis were embraced by William and Mary Sneddon. William and Mary Sneddon are buried in Box Hill Cemetery. The donor Robin da Costa-Adams is related by her first marriage to the Sneddon family. Relationship with Bird family: Netta Sneddon was correct in that Alice Keane was likely a relative. The exact relationship is yet to be fully established. Alice's mother's name is given as Sarah Ann Bird (1873-1952) with birth at Tarrawingee; father John Bird and mother Sarah Ann Coburn (REF: Victorian BDM index). Her notice of marriage in The Age in 1894 states she is "the eldest dau of John Bird of Drouin, late of Box Hill and Talgarno." Has her mother's surname been misspelt? Is it Coulston? Sepia photo of Douglas Sneddon and his sister Jean Sneddon taken in the garden of 'Cliburn', the home of their parents William and Mary Sneddon. With them is with Alice Keane. Part of the house is seen on the RHS of the photo. It is an Edwardian timber home. The profile of the house next door can also be seen in the background."Alice Keane / at / Doug & Jean Sneddon / taken at Sneddons / Surrey Hills" in grey lead pencil in Robin da Costa-Adams' writing. "Children of Mary & / William" "An Alice Keane may be an Aunt (crossing out) - Netta / was not sure" in ink in Jocelyn Hall's hand.suffolk road, 'cliburn', jean isobel sneddon, mrs jean isobel jenkin, douglas haig sneddon, william sneddon, miss mary bird, mrs mary sneddon, box hill cemetery, children, clothing and dress, mrs alice keane, mrs alice ruby keane, miss alice ruby dore -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Rear of Varndean from Willcyrus Street, 1988, 1988
... of a Victorian-style house with ornate chimneys and a slate roof.... The house sits behind a timber fence and is partly hidden by mature ...Ref: Alan Holt records - This property has had a number of different names throughout its history. William Cook, a farmer, bought the land it stands on in 1876. In 1882 he was rated for a house (not the current one) on 11 acres. The present house was built in 1885 by John Clark, an auctioneer. In 1888 the Tower Hill estate and the home (Tower Hill Lodge) were auctioned, but the house was not sold. In 1889 the house was purchased by Captain Shepherd. Records show that in 1894 the owners were Mr Thomas and Mrs Hortenzia Howell. They named the house 'Corcovado'. Later they added a study with a corner designed to provide views from the Dandenong Ranges around to Mt Macedon. In 1944 Mr and Mrs Lionel Adams renamed the house 'Varndean'.This is one of the earliest surviving houses in Surrey Hills.A colour photo taken from the street at the rear of a Victorian-style house with ornate chimneys and a slate roof. A parked car is seen in front of the house. The house sits behind a timber fence and is partly hidden by mature shrubs and trees.victorian style, tower hill lodge, corcovado, varndean, tower hill estate, mr william cook, mr john clark, mrs hortenzia howell, mr lionel adams, mrs lionel adams, surrey hills, captain louis shepherd, mr thomas howell -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Merthyr - 64 Windsor Crescent, Surrey Hills, 1988, 1988
... . The house sits behind a timber fence.... of the earliest surviving houses in Surrey Hills. victorian style windsor ...Ref: Alan Holt records - This property was part of Lot 25 in the Windsor Park Estate which was subdivided in 1883. The house of 12 squares was built in 1888 for John Abernethy, an engineer. He also built 62 Windsor Crescent as a coachhouse and cottage. 1888-1891: Owners = John & Sarah Abernethy. John Abernethy died while on a trip to Hong Kong in 1891. 1891-1909: Owner = Mrs Sarah Abernethy 1910-1917: Owner = H Jenkinson The properties at 62 and 64 Windsor Crescent were separated during WW1 (by H Jenkinson). See Alan Holt records for other short term owners. 1970-1975 = Plymouth Bretheren Meeting Hall In 1976 it became a private home again.This is one of the earliest surviving houses in Surrey Hills.A colour photo taken from the street at the rear of a Victorian-style house with rendered walls and a slate roof. The house sits behind a timber fence.victorian style, windsor park estate, merthyr, plymouth bretheren meeting hall, mr john abernethy, mrs sarah abernethy, mr h jenkinson, surrey hills -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, 62 Windsor Crescent, Surrey Hills, 1988, 1988
... . victorian style windsor park estate cottages timber houses Mr John ...Ref: Alan Holt records - This property was part of Lot 25 in the Windsor Park Estate which was subdivided in 1883. A house of 12 squares was built in 1888 at 64 Windsor Crescent for John Abernethy, an engineer. The property at 62 Windsor Crescent was built as a cottage and coachhouse associated with the main house at 64 Windsor Crescent. 1888-1891: Owners = John & Sarah Abernethy. John Abernethy died while on a trip to Hong Kong in 1891. 1891-1895: Owner = James Gibbon 1896-1897: Owner = John Steele See Alan Holt records for other short term owners. The properties at 62 and 64 Windsor Crescent were separated during WW1(by H Jenkinson). 1914-1923: Owner = Miss Dulcie Burchett, music teacher 1930-1953: Owner = William Langley & family.A colour photo taken from the street of a simple timber cottage with a brick chimney and green corrugated iron on the roof and verandah. The house has no front fence and is partly obscured by garden shrubs.victorian style, windsor park estate, cottages, timber houses, mr john abernethy, mrs sarah abernethy, mr james gibbon, mr john steele, miss dulcie burchett, mr william langley, surrey hills -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Thomas Lothian, his wife Effie with their family, c. 1932
Thomas Carlyle Lothian (1880-1974) was born on 7 May 1880 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, eldest child of John Inglis Lothian, bookkeeper, and his wife Lillias Charlotte, née Smith. The family arrived in Melbourne in July 1888, John having come to represent the publishing firm of Walter Scott. His father started his own company in c1890. Thomas joined the business in c1897. In 1911 he established the Standard Publishing Co. Pty Ltd to sell the publications of the Caxton Press direct to the public. In 1912 he married Effie Marian Vines, who had worked for several years in his father's office. His father retired the same year and Thomas formed the company of Thomas C. Lothian Pty Ltd to carry on representing numerous well-known British and American publishers. However, he also published in his own right as the Lothian Book Publishing Co. Pty Ltd. In time he handed over his businesses to his two younger sons. His wife Effie pre-deceased him; he died at ‘St Abs’ on 19 April 1974. People in the photo are identified as: Left: daughter Lilian and centre front daughter Jean Back: Son Noel who studied horticulture and became Director of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens for 30 years; son John who managed the Standard Publishing Co. and sons John and Louis who became directors of the publishing firm. Grandson Peter, son of John became a later director.A black and white photograph of a group of 7 people in the garden of a house with veranda with fretwork and balustrade. It appears to be of timber construction. The two older people in front are seated; 4 younger people, a young woman and 3 boys, stand behind them and a young girl stands between them.(mr) thomas lothian, (mr) john lothian, (miss) lilian lothian, (miss) jean lothian, (mr) louis lothian, (mr) peter lothian, st abbs, house names, york street, surrey hills, lothian book publishing -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, John Kendrick Blogg, John Kendrick Blogg carving, Soldiers' Honour Board, Shrine in the Surrey Gardens
John Kendrick Blogg was born in Canada and migrated to Victoria in 1877. In 1884 he established a successful industrial chemistry business, which included extracting perfume from Australian native trees and plants.liquid ammonia for refrigeration, acetic acid, perfumes, shoe polish, baking powder and non-alcoholic drinks. Other products were He lived at 'Balmoral' in Albany Crescent, Surrey Hills; his woodwork was produced here. Family oral history has that he took up woodcarving after his 1st wife, Annie, died in 1893. His earliest known piece is a music cabinet of 1901; the latest is a panel of 1932 when Blogg was 81 years of age. He was a member of the Victorian Artists Society and exhibited there between 1920 and 1924. Much of his work incorporates motifs of Australian flora, particularly gum leaves. John and his family were members of St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Surrey Hills. The present church building was dedicated in December 1910 and J K Blogg's contribution to the new building was the Hogg Memorial pulpit which is comprised of 13 panels. Blogg carved more than 300 pieces for churches, schools, royalty, family and friends. Many of J K Blogg's pieces remain with family members, but he is represented in municipal (City of Whitehorse), state and national collections. In addition to work in the St Stephen's Presbyterian Church within the Surrey Hills area his work was produced for Surrey Hills Primary School, Surrey Hills Bowling Club and Surrey Hills Methodist Church, however perhaps his most famous local work is the honour board at the Shrine in the Surrey Gardens. Blogg was also a poet. Ref: Legacy in Sculptured Wood - An appreciation of the work of John Kendrick Blogg, 1851-1936 by Marjorie Morgan, 1993. The images derives from an early brochure. The number of panels has been increased having been updated on at least 2 occasions. Whereas the date 1914 is at one end of the boomerang, the other end is not dated reflecting that the dedication of The Shrine before the war ended.Black and white photo of the Soldiers' Memorial Honour Board housed in The Shrine in the Surrey Gardens. The wooden part of the board was carved by John Kendrick Blogg. A large boomerang forms part of the apex underneath which is an emblem with the rising sun. Under this are 8 panels on which are the names of service personnel. The supporting timber is carved with designs including varied flora. At the base are 2 larger carved panels; on the LHS a sprig of eucalyptus leaves and on the RHS a sprig of wattle. surrey gardens, world war, 1914-1918, woodcarving, monuments and memorials, surrey shrine, john blogg, john kendrick blogg -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Bill Willaton in WW2 army uniform, 1942
Date is approximate. His full name was William John Willaton - Service Number - VX68674 : Date of birth - 20 Mar 1909 : Place of birth - SURREY HILLS VIC : Place of enlistment - CAULFIELD VIC : Next of Kin - MURIEL WILLATON He was the son of Herbert Charles Leopold Willaton and Lily Jenkins and had a sister Lille Louise (Lil) who taught callisthenics and dance in Surrey Hills. Photo references also in this collection. Bill married Muriel Pearl Blake in 1935 and they lived at 18 Grovedale Road. He died Heidelberg in 1972. Bill was a driver (carter) for C E Gray & Son, bakers of Canterbury during the 1930's also recorded in this collection.Black and white photo of Bill Willaton in army uniform including a slouch hat. He is standing with his arms behind his back in front of a fairly young deciduous tree beyond which is a boundary fence and a timber building with a tiled roof. A child's pedal-car can be seen adjacent to the house of the garden. world war, 1939-1945, uniforms, william john willaton, bill willaton, -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Mary Sneddon with daughter Jean
The photo was taken in the garden of of 'Cliburn', 14 Suffolk Avenue, Surrey Hills, the home of William and Mary (nee Bird) Sneddon. It was named after Cliburn, Westmorland (later Cumbria) where Mary's mother was born and the name was given to all their homes. Mary Bird, daughter of John Bird and Mary Coulston, b 1878 Bethanga, Victoria; died 1948, Surrey Hills. They were married on 12/11/1903 in Surrey Hills at the home of James Sneddon. William Sneddon was a postman in Surrey Hills for many years. His father James had an estate agency in Surrey Hills from the 1880s. Born in1875, Sandhurst (Bendigo); died in 1957, Deepdene. Buried Box Hill Cemetery: P-061-0033. They had the following children: Jim (James 3rd) b 1905, Balwyn Jack (John William) b. 1908, Camberwell Norman Alexander b 1910, Camberwell Alan Coulson b 1914 Surrey Hills Jean Isabel b 1916, Surrey Hills Douglas Haig b 1918, Surrey Hills. Additional information from Robin da Costa-Adams, who is related to the Sneddon family through her first marriage. Sepia photo of Mary Sneddon with daughter Jean wearing hats and taken in a garden. Mary is seated and Jean stands beside her. Part of the house next door can be seen in the background. It is an Edwardian timber home"Jean Sneddon / Mary Sneddon/ (in grey lead pencil by Robin da Costa-Adams. 1050 in blue biro crossed out in top RH corner. KODAK PRINT - black stamp in centre. "Jean dau of Mary - / Will. Sneddon" in black ink in Jocelyn Hall's hand. cliburn, suffolk road, (miss) jean sneddon, william sneddon, (mrs) mary sneddon, (miss) mary bird -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Compact disc, Melbourne Directory 1884 (Sands & McDougall)
... farm workers clergy plans timber houses brick dwellings ...The Sands and McDougall directories are amongst the most comprehensive. You can find out more details about places in which people lived, the other residents in the area, the services available in the region...all of which help to paint a picture of your ancestors' life. Apart from the Street, Alphabetical, Trade and Professional directories, this volume also contains Government and Official, Ecclesiastical, Legal, Municipal, Colonial, Societies and Institutions directories. A fascinating feature in this volume is a Universal Building Societies Supplement which includes 15 pages of architectural house plans of the day - layouts and elevations - with the house price for each.The Sands and McDougall directories are amongst the most comprehensive. You can find out more details about places in which people lived, the other residents in the area, the services available in the region...all of which help to paint a picture of your ancestors' life. Apart from the Street,Alphabetical, Trade and Professional directories, this volume also contains Government and Official, Ecclesiastical, Legal, Municipal, Colonial, Societies and Institutions directories. A fascinating feature in this volume is a Universal Building Societies Supplement which includes 15 pages of architectural house plans of the day- layouts and elevations- with the house price for each.streets, trade, agriculture, government, legal, ecclesiastical, farmers, farm workers, clergy, plans, timber houses, brick dwellings, buildings, structures and establishments -
Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Dress, Day dress, Circa 1850
A dress believed to have belonged to a family member of Mrs. Jessie Somerville Singer (nee Watson), 1849-1935. As the dress dates from circa 1850, it could have belonged to someone from one generation previous, possibly her mother Elizabeth Watson. Jessie Somerville Singer was the second wife of Mr. Edward Singer (1829 – 1904) of 'Somerville', New Street, Brighton Beach. Edward's first wife, Maria, died in 1861; their son William died approximately 12 months later. In the 1861 census of North Bradley England, Edward was recorded as a carpenter journeyman. After these tragedies Edward, then aged 30, left England to start a new life in Australia. He emigrated as an unassisted passenger on the steamship 'Great Britain', departing from Liverpool and arriving in Melbourne in April 1863. Edward worked as a joiner and overseer for a timber merchant in Franklin Street, Melbourne. In December 1869 he bought a property at 1115 Hoddle Street, East Melbourne, between Hotham and George Streets. At some stage he also acquired 1117 Hoddle Street. He also owned another property in Rushall Crescent, North Fitzroy. On 10 July 1873 Edward married Jessie Somerville Watson, the daughter of William Watson and Elizabeth Martin. They lived at Hoddle Street for some years, later moving to Rushall Crescent, North Fitzroy before in the 1880s settling in what was then the semi-rural suburb of Brighton. Edward is recorded as working there as a joiner. The house 'Somerville' was built by the Singers in circa 1880 at 100 (now 78) New Street, Brighton. The family moved there upon Edward's early retirement and lived there until 1941. 'Somerville' was sold, the house demolished and the land subdivided in the 1930s. Edward and Jessie appear to have lived comfortably. Edward died on 30 July 1909. Jessie died on 11 November 1935. Many members of the Singer family have lived in and around Brighton since Edward and Jessie first made their home there. The donor, Mrs Dorothy Constance Cook, was Jessie's granddaughter.A silver and brown striped silk taffeta dress comprising separate bodice (.1) and skirt (.2). The dress features a high round neckline fastening down the centre front with concealed hook and eye closures with ten (two missing) decorative brown silk velvet buttons. The front and back feature a briown silk velvet ribbon that forms a v shape from the shoulder to the centre front just below the bust and centre back below the shoulder blades. From the ribbon falls a brown and silver silk fringe approx seven cms deep. The bodice is shaped and boned into the waist and finishes in a deep v over the stomach. At the back the bodice is shaped to the body finishing in a smaller curved v over the small of the back. The sleeve attaches to the bodice at the true shoulder and falls in a pagoda sleeve to the mid forearm. The sleeve is also trimmed with brown silk velvet ribbon near the base of the sleeve. The full skirt is pleated at the waist, falling to the floor, longer at the back to accommodate the crinoline.somerville, new street brighton, jessie somerville singer, edward singer, elizabeth martin, brighton, 1850s -
Federation University Art Collection
Work on paper - Printmaking - Woodcut, 'Woodcutters' by Kenneth Jack, 1953
This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed black and white woodcut depicting two stylised woodcutters in front of a house with tank.Signed lower right 'Kenneth Jack'art, kenneth jack, jack, artwork, printmaking, woodcut, ballarat teachers' college collection, timber cutting -
Port Fairy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Photograph, Former Customs House Cnr Campbell & Gipps Sts
The customs house located on the corner of Campbell and Gipps Streets next door to the Court housecoloured photograph of bluestone cottage with verandah and timber rail fencesouvenir, port-fairy, customs house, campbell street, gipps street -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Nick Pote, Medlow in 1990, 1990
Built in 1889. Was known as 'Willcyrus' during the occupancy of Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) William McGregor Cairncross and family. It was named after two of his sons - Sergeant William McGregor Cairncross and Trooper Cyrus Hay Cairncross, who served with the 2nd Scottish Horse during the Boer War and in British units in the First World War. Lt Col Cairncross served at the Victoria Barracks in Melbourne for 25 years. During the Boer War he was controller of stores at Victoria Barracks. It was renamed 'Medlow' when it became the home of Dr Richard Joseph Bull (1874-1927) and his wife Catherine Grace, nee Perrier (1884-1972) in 1911. Richard Joseph Bull was the Director of Bacteriology at Melbourne University. Norma was a noted artist and was born in Hawthorn in 1906; her brother Ronald Richard was born in Surrey Hills in 1912. Fundraising events were held there during the First World War. The property was left to the National Trust of Victoria but the costs of maintenance forced the Trust to sell it and it has returned to private ownership.A coloured photograph of a timber building in the grounds of 'Medlow'. It has ornate barge boards and fretwork. The glass in the window is broken.medlow, house names, warrigal road, surrey hills, (mrs) catherine bull, (miss) norma bull, house styles, late victorian boom style, (miss) catherine perrier, (mr) richard joseph bull, (mr) ronald joseph bull, (lt) (col) (mr) william mcgregor cairncross, (mr) william mcgregor cairncross, (mr) cyrus hay cairncross, willcyrus, garden parties, fundraising, first world war -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Digital photo, George L Coop, 688 Whitehorse Road, Mont Albert c 1953, c1953
This was the home of 3 generations of the Coop family: 1. Josephine and George Frank Coop (noted in Box Hill Rate Books for 1947-1954). 2. George Burton Coop (1906-1960) and his family. He was Assistant Chief Architect of Victoria in the Public Works Department (P.W.D.) George Burton Coop was born in c1906 in Williamstown, the son of Josephine Vistarini and George Frank Coop. He married Winifred Alice Trewartha in 1936 and they are listed in the electoral rolls at 688 Whitehorse Road in 1937. George died 3/4/1960, aged 54 years at Mont Albert. 3. George Burton and Alice Coop had 2 children: George Lister Coop - born St Georges Hospital, 8/10/1937 Alison - born c1945. The donor George Lister Coop informed that he initially attended Chatham State School because his first home was the Spanish Mission style flats at 346 Whitehorse Road, opposite Brenbeal Street, Balwyn. When his grandparents died, the family moved to 688 Whitehorse Road and he then attended Mont Albert Central School. The California bungalow style of housing was the dominant style of housing built in the interwar period through the northern parts of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert as formerly semi-rural land was subdivided for new housing. It was relatively inexpensive and affordable. In Australia the Californian bungalow drew upon elements that were popular across the United States from around 1910 to 1939. In Australia the style became popular from 1913. In Melbourne both timber and red brick were used as the main building material. Typically they are one or one and a half story houses and feature sloping roofs and eaves with unenclosed rafters and often a feature a dormer window (or an attic vent designed to look like one) over the main portion of the house. Decorative elements include wood shingles, part stucco rendered exteriors, brick, stone, rendered or a combination of these treatments to exterior chimneys and front porches supported by heavy timber, brick or stucco columns.A black & white photo taken at an angle of a Californian bungalow.californian bungalow, whitehorse road, george frank coop, (miss) josephine vistarini, (mrs) josephine coop, george burton coop, (miss) winifred trewartha, (mrs) winifred coop, george lister coop, alison coop -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Digital photo, George L Coop, Back yard of 686 Whitehorse Road, Mont Albert c 1953, c1953
This is a photo of the backyard of the property adjacent to the Coop's home. At the time the neighbours were Mrs Daisy McKernan (a widow) and her son Alexander Colin McKernan. The clothes line prop was a forerunner of the clothes hoist. Clothes line props were standard purchase items at many local hardware stores and the donor poetically described them as holding "long lines of drying washing above the dusty democracy of many a rough back yard." Whilst the Coop home is still extant in 2019 and used as professional rooms for Dr Peter Chau, an eye surgeon, 686 Whitehorse Road has been replaced by units. This captures the utilitarian nature of the 'typical' back yard before the advent of rampant consumerism. Large areas of open lawn were a desirable central feature, often edged with neatly contained garden beds. Better lawnmowers, plus the promotion of new chemicals and fertilisers to help home gardeners grow the perfect lawn. Missing is the rotary hoist and the vegetable garden.A black & white photo on a sunny day of a backyard with the following features: a timber shed, an additional shed / hen house, a hand lawn mower leaning against a tree, several hens and a metal drum (perhaps used as bonfire container). A sloping pole/prop may be seen on the left. backyards, (mrs) daisy mckernan, alexander colin mckernan -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Digital photo, George L Coop, 688 Whitehorse Rd. Mont Albert c1950, c1950
This was the home of 3 generations of the Coop family: 1. Josephine and George Frank Coop (noted in Box Hill Rate Books for 1947-1954). 2. George Burton Coop (1906-1960) and his family. He was Assistant Chief Architect of Victoria in the Public Works Department (P.W.D.) George Burton Coop was born in c1906 in Williamstown, the son of Josephine Vistarini and George Frank Coop. He married Winifred Alice Trewartha in 1936 and they are listed in the electoral rolls at 688 Whitehorse Road in 1937. George died 3/4/1960, aged 54 years at Mont Albert. 3. George Burton and Alice Coop had 2 children: George Lister Coop - born St Georges Hospital, 8/10/1937 Alison - born c1945. The donor George Lister Coop informed that he initially attended Chatham State School because his first home was the Spanish Mission style flats at 346 Whitehorse Road, opposite Brenbeal Street, Balwyn. When his grandparents died, the family moved to 688 Whitehorse Road and he then attended Mont Albert Central School. The California bungalow style of housing was the dominant style of housing built in the interwar period through the northern parts of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert as formerly semi-rural land was subdivided for new housing. It was relatively inexpensive and affordable. In Australia the Californian bungalow drew upon elements that were popular across the United States from around 1910 to 1939. In Australia the style became popular from 1913. In Melbourne both timber and red brick were used as the main building material. Typically they are one or one and a half story houses and feature sloping roofs and eaves with unenclosed rafters and often a feature a dormer window (or an attic vent designed to look like one) over the main portion of the house. Decorative elements include wood shingles, part stucco rendered exteriors, brick, stone, rendered or a combination of these treatments to exterior chimneys and front porches supported by heavy timber, brick or stucco columns.A sepia photo taken at an angle from the street corner of the property. It is of a Californian bungalow with a driveway that extends through a carport, attached and roofed as part of the house, to the rear of the property. The veranda is accessed from under this covered area. The veranda and carport are supported by brick pillars and the veranda balustrades between are plain with an occasional wider feature panel. The front door is in shadow. There are rolled up striped canvas blinds on the veranda and at least 2 cane chairs. The main structure of the house is weatherboard with a terracotta tiled roof. There is a flower bed across the front of the house with an elevated brick flower box under the main window. There are no chimneys visible.californian bungalow, whitehorse road, george frank coop, (miss) josephine vistarini, (mrs) josephine coop, george burton coop, (miss) winifred trewartha, (mrs) winifred coop, george lister coop, alison coop -
Falls Creek Historical Society
Photograph - At Wallace' s Hut
Wallace's Hut is the oldest surviving cattlemen's hut on the High Plains, built in 1889 by the three Wallace brothers - Arthur, William and Stewart. Their father David bought land at Kergunyah as well as grazing land on the banks of the Kiewa River, North East Victoria. Once the boys were old enough, the family followed the local squatters’ custom of taking their cattle up to the mountains for the spring and summer to fatten the mob, at the same time resting their home pastures. They decided to build a hut where they could shelter from the extreme mountain weather. The timber was cut from the forest about four hundred metres east of the hut, and the hearth stone was dragged in from Pretty Valley. The chimney had a base of rubble and above this iron sheeting on a timber frame. The slab walls were lined with hessian and later with tar-paper, and inside there was a bush table, sleeping platform and a rustic fire-side settle. The hut nestled among snow gums sheltered by a rocky outcrop. The names of the Wallace brothers were burnt into the tie-beams of the roof and at the back of the mantelpiece. The Wallace family’s lease expired in the late 1930s and the hut was bought by the State Electricity Commission to house staff on the High Plains and it became the first home of Toni and Skippy St. Elmo. The SEC covered the old shingles with iron, and later on the walls and chimney as well, and they added a lean-to. Wallace’s Hut is now owned by the Crown and maintained by Parks Victoria. It is on the Historic Buildings Register and is classified by the National Trust.This image is significant because it depicts an important heritage-listed structure and refuge for cattlemen and other travellers in Victoria's High Country.A black and white photograph of a skier outside of Wallace's Hut. Several sets of skis and poles are standing around and other skiers are in the background.wallace's hut, toni and skippy st. elmo, high country huts -
Canterbury History Group
Photograph - 75 Maling Road, Canterbury, Kelly, Robin, 1/04/2003 12:00:00 AM
... melbourne Canterbury Maling Road Shop Timber houses Kelly> Robin ...Coloured photograph of 75 Maling Road Canterbury sold for $525, 000 in April 2003canterbury, maling road, shop, timber houses, kelly> robin -
Canterbury History Group
Ephemera - 3 Dryden Sreet Canterbury, [2002]
... melbourne Canterbury Dryden Street Timber Houses Real estate ...Real estate advertisement for the sale by auction of 3 Dryden Street Canterbury on 16 March [2002]. Includes a sketch of the exterior of the house Includes a floor plan.canterbury, dryden street, timber houses -
Melton City Libraries
Newspaper, Melton Schools-150 years in Melton, 2005
Melton South "The establishment of a settlement of Melton South was induced by the opening of the railway in 1884. This subsequently prompted a number of industries, initially sawmills, and in the early twentieth century, chaff mills. This development coincided with the Exford ‘Closer Settlement’ estate at the beginning of the new century, boosting local population and produce, and the development of the chaff industry which employed many people in the Melton area. (Around 1912 the government had brought out English migrants to settle the Exford estate.) By c.1912 the small Melton Railway Station settlement had a boarding house (probably for chaff or sawmill employees), store, a small church and a hall. The Melton Valley Golf Club originated near the railway station in 1927 (in 1931 it moved to the present Melton links). In 1910 the community had built the large timber ‘Victoria Hall’, which became the focus of community life for several generations. In August of that same year AR Robertson MP and D McDonald applied for the establishment of a school on land set aside for that purpose by the Closer Settlement Board, near the Melton Railway Station settlement. District Inspector McRae recommended that a school for classes up to Grade 3 be established as an adjunct to the Melton State School. And so SS3717, ‘Melton Railway School’, was established in the leased Victoria Hall on 1st December 1911. Thomas Lang, head master at Melton since 1896, was in charge of both schools. As a ‘prep’ school only, it was necessary that the older Melton Railway Station settlement students travel to Melton SS430 at Unitt Street. Since 1912 local residents had been petitioning for the establishment of a separate school at Melton Railway Station on the grounds that it would be better if all children from the one home could attend the same school, and that the Victoria Hall was unsuitable as a school building. As a result an area of 2 acres - Allotment 8, Parish of Djerriwarrh, Exford Estate - was reserved for a State School on 4th March 1914. However the Department wrote that a school would not be established there in the near future, as ‘there is no likelihood in sight that the Railway Station settlement will increase in importance’. Parents persisted with their petitions to the Education Department, claiming that the Victoria Hall was too large, had no fireplace, that teachers were unable to use the wall for teaching aids, and that, being less than 20 metres away from a chaff mill employing 30 men, was too noisy. The turning point came when in 1920 the Hall Committee decided to increase its rent for the hall. In 1920 Head Teacher Lang advised the Education Department to discontinue SS3717 as an adjunct. The District Inspector supported this recommendation, and the schools separated in 1923. In April of that year 41 children, comprising Grades 1-8, moved into an almost completed brick building on the present site. On the 6th July 1923 the official opening of the school took place; after a ceremonial journey from the Hall to the school, speeches were given by the Hon AR Robertson and the Chief Inspector of Education. Everyone then journeyed back to Victoria Hall for a ‘bountiful repast’. (These dates are at odds with the date of 5th March 1925 given in Blake as the date the children occupied the new SS3717 brick school building. ) A teacher’s residence had been purchased for ₤500 in 1923, and the school’s name was changed to ‘Melton South’ in the same year. Even though the older Melton South pupils would no longer have to travel to the Unitt Street school, an additional brick room was still required at the Melton SS430 in that same year. In 1961 a new room was added to the school. In 1972, at the beginning of Melton’s boom as a satellite town, the number of enrolments was 224. The school has since shared in the exponential growth of the town of Melton, and at the time of its jubilee celebration (1983), 524 pupils were enrolled. Victoria Hall, neglected and vandalised, was demolished in 1992. It had been handed back to the Council on condition that it be replaced by a new hall, with the same name, and was commemorated by a plaque. Apart from the 1923 brick school building, and the railway station, none of the principal early Melton South public sites survive. Few early residential sites remain. (Further research will establish whether the house on the corner of Station Street and the railway line was the original teacher’s residence.)" Melton State School "On 17th May 1858 a State subsidised, combined Denominational School was opened by HT Stokes, with an attendance of about 30 children. This school was conducted in the wooden Melton Combined Protestant Church, situated on ‘a creek flat’ thought to be on the north side of Sherwin Street between Pyke and Byran Streets. It is likely that the Church had been established by 1855 and that the first minister was the Rev. Hampshire, who lived in Cambridge House on the Exford Estate. Ministers of the Protestant denominations were invited to hold services there. As there was only one resident Minister in the town (Presbyterian Mr J Lambie), laymen of the various denominations often spoke on Sundays. In 1863 this building was declared a Common School with the number 430. One of its first and most prominent headmasters was John Corr, who served from 1860 to 1864. Most of Mr Corr’s children also became teachers, including Joseph Corr, at the Rockbank school, and J Reford Corr and WS Corr, headmasters and teachers at numerous prestigious private secondary schools around Australia. John Corr purchased land alongside the school and elsewhere in and near Melton, became secretary and treasurer of the new Cemetery Trust, and by July 1861 was deputy registrar of births, deaths and marriages. He walked three miles every Sunday to teach at the Weslyan Sunday School he had established. Despite good reports from the Education Department Inspector, and burgeoning enrolments, the local school committee recommended the dismissal of, firstly, his wife (from the work mistress position), and then him from the headmaster position. Corr saw his dismissal as an attempt to redirect state aid for education from the Combined Protestant school to the support of the Free Presbyterian Minister Rev James Lambie (by one account the owner of the land on which the Common School was erected), whose son-in-law James Scott subsequently assumed responsibility for the school. Rev Lambie failed in his efforts to keep the existing school, which the Education Department Inspector and the majority of Melton citizens regarded as badly situated and badly built. Following a conditional promise of state aid, local contributors in 1868-69 raised ₤72.10.6 towards the cost of an iron-roofed bluestone rubble building 43 ft x 12 ft. This was erected on a new site of 1.5 acres (the present site). The State contributed ₤120 to the new school, which opened in 1870. A very early (c.1874) photograph of the school shows its headmaster and work mistress / assistant teacher (probably James Scott and his wife Jessie) and its (very young) scholars. Similar photos show pupils in front of the school in c.1903, and 1933. In 1877 a second bluestone room costing ₤297 was added and further land acquired from the Agricultural Society (who only needed it two days a year) to enlarge the schoolground to 3 acres. In the early 1880s an underground tank augmented the school water supply and in 1919 a five-roomed wooden residence was added. During this period the school correspondents often compained that the walls of the bluestone buildings were damp, affecting the plaster. In 1923 a brick room 26 ft 6 in by 24 ft with a fireplace and four rooms facing south, was added, and a corridor built to link the three buildings. This served adequately for the next 40 years. The school bell probably dates to 1883. The school also has a memorial gate (1951) to World War One ex-students, and an honour board to the 64 ex-students who served in the First World War. The school roll fell to 42 in the early post war-years, but was boosted by an influx of migrants, mainly from the UK, from the late 1960s. This presaged the boom in Melton’s development, and the corresponding growth of the school, with timber and temporary classrooms added to the previous masonry ones. An endowment pine plantation established in 1930 augmented the school’s fundraising activities when it was harvested in 1968. Part of the site was planted with eucalyptus trees in 1959. Famous ex-students of the early twentieth century included Hector Fraser (internationally successful shooter) and cyclist Sir Hubert Opperman". The Express Telegraph articles about the history of Melton South and Melton State Schoolseducation -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Billiard table
The Billiard Room and South wing were completed in 1914, built by recommendation of the Lesee John Newton and the Government Tourist Officer and Supervising officer of the Government Chalet, James Boyce... "Boyce was present at the Chalet on 14 March to witness the completion of the new wing's foundations ...when he returned in June he found the wing approaching completion and that '... the billiard table was expected to reach the Chalet during the week'. The table possibly came second-hand from the Oriental Hotel, Bright. When visiting in March, Boyce had heard from a Mr Tewksbury 'that he is disposing of those at the Oriental Hotel so that if the Public Works Department is going to provide the table for the Chalet it might be possible to pick one up cheap from the Hotel'. It's reasonable that the Chalet did acquire one of the second-hand tables in 1914 and, and changed over to a new model in the 1930s. Three billiard tables remain in the Chalet Billiard Room today; one full sized table and two smaller tables, one perhaps a pool table. The full-sized table was made by the well-known billiard table manufacturers Alcock, Thomson & Taylor, who adopted this name when they merged their billiard businesses in January 1930. Henry Upton Alcock had initially established the business in Fitzroy in the mid-1850's and the table at the Chalet resembles the 'Squatter's Favourite' model that Alcock first produced in the nineteenth century from Australian timbers. this style of table was installed in Melbourne's Parliament buildings, several prestigious clubs as well as hotels and houses."(Pg 13-14. Historica)Listed in Appendix A.1 Furnishings. - Billiard Room. Draft Inventory of significant Collection Items. (Pg 162 Historica, 2011)1. Full size billiard table made of dark wood with eight turned legs. Green blaize covered table surface. 2.Wooden triangle to enclose balls. 3.balls(16) .4 Wooden backed bristle brush with VR stamp. 5. Billiard scorer with Alcock & Taylor, Pty, Ltd. 6. framed billiard rules. 7. Pool balls & cue rest. .8Plus 1x revised rules of pool framed behind glass.(stored in area 23) 1 x original cue rest.Alcock, Thomson & Taylor. -
Melton City Libraries
Document, Minns Family Reunion, 2004
"A perpetual spring in the adjacent creek provided a steady supply of fresh water to the site on which the homestead is built. Although we can not be certain of the identity of the builder, the first stage of ‘The Willows’ homestead appears to have been constructed in the mid 1850s. The house is situated on Crown Allotment No.1 (No Section), Parish of Kororoit, an allotment of 5 acres 3 roods 4 perches. Although it had surveyed the land, the Crown did not offer it for sale until 22nd November 1861, at which time it was purchased by Charles March Williams. (Although the property is directly opposite and immediately adjacent to the Township of Melton, and was sold as ‘Suburban Allotment 33’, it was situated within the Shire of Braybrook rather than the Shire of Melton until 1917.) Considerable improvements had taken place on the land prior to the Crown sale. When CM Williams purchased the allotment in November 1861 he paid £23.5.0 for the land itself, and valued the improvements at £400. Even allowing for some exaggeration by Williams, this is an extremely high valuation for improvements, and must have included a house. Some local research has claimed that in 1858 Williams had taken over the interest of a Mr Parkinson in the property, and that Parkinson built the house upon taking possession of the land c.1855. It was definitely built by 1861, when a map shows a square building on the site marked as ‘House’. The property is important in the district for its association with the establishment of the pound. The district pound had been established in 1854, when George Scarborough of Mount Cottrell (Mt Cottrell Road, south of Greigs Road) was appointed pound-keeper. Scarborough resigned in 1857. The pound was moved to Melton following agitation from local farmers and Charles March Williams appointed pound-keeper on 26th April 1858. Williams, the son of a doctor, had been born in London. Reminiscences of local residents of the time, as recorded in the Express newspaper, note Williams’ success in breeding horses on the property. Sales of up to 60 guineas were noted. Whether this was from Williams’s own stock or from unclaimed pound stock is not made clear. Williams appeared before a government inquiry in 1860 and advocated registration of all stock brands in the State. Williams died in 1862 leaving a widow, Catherine, and five living children aged 15 years to five months. At the time of his death Williams had entered negotiations with one Matthew Devenish and had a mortgage of £100 on allotments 1 and 2, Parish of Kororoit. Catherine Williams was appointed pound-keeper on 2 September 1863, with her eldest son Charles as her assistant. Her tenure was short for on 22nd March 1864 George Minns senior paid Matthew Devenish £135 for allotments 1 and 2 Parish of Kororoit (considerably less than Williams had claimed the property was worth in 1861) and on the same day paid William Tullidge £45 for the adjoining allotments 3 and 4. In April 1867, James Ebden Minns, the newly married son of George senior became the owner of The Willows property having entered into a mortgage arrangement with his father to the extent of £200. At the time George Minns was residing in Kaarimba having left Melton in 1867 for a short trip to England and upon his return having taken up a selection in the Kaarimba district with his son Frederick who had a hotel licence there. James paid out the mortgage on 2-1-1873. James Minns was appointed pound-keeper in 1872; in 1885 the pound was moved elsewhere and Minns purchased the old pound site and added it to his farm. The Willows residence underwent a major change about this time. A two room extension, similar in style but with a lower elevation was added to the original rear of the house with a chimney matching the distinctive originals. Window arrangements did not match the original but became a feature of the façade when the new addition became the front of the building. Six buttresses were attached to the east and west walls of the old building, two to the south wall and the whole rendered with mortar to give the appearance of dressed stonework around the windows. Galvanized iron was placed over the shingles and a verandah added on three sides. By 1876 The Willows was the homestead for a thriving mixed farm of 340 acres of which 156 was rented from a H. Ruck. In October of that year the Australasian travelling reporter visited and reported on the property. In common with the nearly every other property in the district the farm had ‘recently’ (generally within the last two years) abandoned cultivation of crops, and turned over completely to cattle pasture. Butter making was the principal occupation of the farm, which had about 50 head of cattle, a large proportion of which were milking cows. The reporter also noted that a ‘large number of pigs are kept upon this farm and are found to be very profitable stock’. Their manure was used in an orchard and garden in which ‘large quantities of lucerne and prairie grass are grown for the use of stock when ordinary feed is scarce’. Two bores attached to deep brick lined wells supplied water for the house in addition to the farm. A commodious timber barn and necessary sheds had also been constructed. Access to the property was improved following the construction of the bluestone ford across the creek c.1887, when the recreation ground came into use. Prior to this date it may have been that the crossing referred to as ‘Mr Minns bridge’ was used. This appears to have been a flimsy structure and has but two references in Council reports in the Melton Express in the 1880’s. It is believed that in the late 1890’s a timber building was added near the rear of the building to house a kitchen, ablutions and laundry rooms and rooms for seasonal workers. This was attached to the house by means of a trellised walkway using the original front entry to the house (long since the back door). A photograph of this building appears in a local history of Melton. This was demolished in recent decades during the period when the house was tenanted (after the Minns family had left). James Minns son, George, took over the property following his marriage to Alice Walsh in 1903. James and Caroline moved into a house on the former JH Games property at the eastern end of Henry Street. George held the position of Shire Secretary for Melton for 40 years. He was a most prominent member of the community being Secretary to, among others, the Melton Coursing Club, the Shooting Club and the Cemetery Trust. He also rode with the hunting parties who sported across the Plains and were entertained at Mount Kororoit. George and Alice had one son, Norman who followed his father into local government and became Secretary of the Shire of Werribee completing a record term in this position. George retired to Werribee in 1951, where he died in 1965. The National Trust records note that James Ebden Minns and his sons were ‘leading men of the district, Justices of the Peace, and Shire Councillors’. It claims that Sir Thomas Bent was a frequent visitor. The Willows passed into the hands of George’s grandson, Bruce Minns and the property was let for a number of years. In the 1960s it became vacant and was subject to vandalism. Major structural problems arose with the part demolition of the roof, the loss of windows and doors and holes dug into and under the floorboards. The outbuildings were particularly targeted. Following widespread public support, the Shire of Melton purchased the house, with 3.75 acres of land, in 1972. In 1975 the Shire of Melton and the Melton and District Historical Society were successful in nominating the building for National Trust classification, and then the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate. The AHC particularly noted its ‘townscape importance’. It was envisaged that the farmhouse would form ‘a picturesque centrepiece to Melton’s planned … historical park, along with Dunvegan bluestone cottage … and similar structures as they become available.’ In a time of great Melton’s ‘satellite city’ development the Council spelt out its broader vision in its submission to the AHC: ‘Melton is destined to become, by the end of the present century, a city of between 75,000 and 100,000 people. Significant relics of the past, such as ‘The Willows’, regrettably will be rare in that situation. It is essential that sufficient tangible links with Melton’s pioneering days remain to promote in the new community a sense of history and continuity’. Under the direction of ‘The Willows’ Restoration Committee and consultant architect John Hitch, all outbuildings, with the exception of the garage and toilet, were demolished and the dwelling house restored. Finances were provided by the Shire of Melton and the National Estate Grants Program, and considerable amount of voluntary labour was provided by the local community. The orchard was removed, and remaining wooden buildings were relocated to provide an open vista for visitors to the Park. The property was furnished with donations from district families keen to preserve this example of pioneer life in the area. The Willows became the headquarters of the Melton and District Historical Society". Invitation to the family reunion at the Willowslocal identities, pioneer families -
Canterbury History Group
Photograph - 31 Chaucer Crescent, Canterbury, Slifirski, Judy, [2007]
... Timber Houses Trees Coloured photograph of house cnr. Chaucer ...Coloured photograph of house cnr. Chaucer Crescent and Marlowe Street, Canterbury. Chaucer Crescent view {2007]canterbury, marlowe street, chaucer crescent, edwardian style, timber houses, trees -
Canterbury History Group
Photograph - 31 Chaucer Crescent Canterbury, Slifirski, Judy, [2007]
... Timber Houses Gates Doors Trees Coloured photogaph of Marlowe ...Coloured photogaph of Marlowe Street view of 31 Chaucer Crescent Canterburycanterbury, marlowe street, chaucer crescent, edwardian style, timber houses, gates, doors, trees -
Canterbury History Group
Ephemera - Superb edwardian, moments from Maling Road, 1/02/2011 12:00:00 AM
... Timber Houses Real estate advertisement from the Weekly Review ...Real estate advertisement from the Weekly Review for the auction on 26 February 2011 of 22 Milton Street Canterbury.Includes coloured photograph of the interior, exterior and the swimming p.oolcanterbury, milton street, edwardian style, swimming pools, timber houses -
Canterbury History Group
Ephemera - Ready to renovate/redevelope, 1/02/2011 12:00:00 AM
... melbourne Canterbury Warburton Road Victorian Style Timber Houses ...Real estate advertisement from the Weekly review for the auction of 42 Warburton Road, Canterbury on 19 February 2011. Includes coloured photographs of the interior and exterior.canterbury, warburton road, victorian style, timber houses