Built in 1953, the Rice House was leading Melbourne architect Kevin Borland's first commssion and was one of two houses of its kind. The design of the shell-like structure was inspired by the Arch of Ctesiphon, built in the second century south of Baghdad. Cement with a waterproofing agent was applied in layers to a form of regularly spaced timber arches covered in hessian. This ctesiphon system was developed in the United Kingdom by engineer J.H. de Waller in 1947. Commissioned in 1951 by Harrie and Lorna Rice, after Harrie, then an art student, met Borland at The Age Small Homes Service. Borland suggested they buy land in Eltham because at that time it was the only council in Melbourne that would grant a permit for such an innovative house. Covered under Victorian Heritage. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p157 Inspired by an ancient arch in Iraq, a house stands on top of a hill in a private position, off Ryans Road, Eltham. One of only two houses of its kind, it was leading Melbourne architect Kevin Borland’s first commissioned house, which he built in 1953. The shell-like structure, partially screened by giant trees and cacti, was inspired by the Arch of Ctesiphon south of Baghdad, built in the second century.1 Cement with a waterproofing agent was applied in layers to a form of regularly spaced timber arches tightly covered by hessian. This ctesiphon system was developed in the United Kingdom by engineer J H de Waller in 1947. This house was the first of three such structures built in Victoria, of which only one other remains, although substantially altered.2 It is the Wood House and supermarket, at the corner of Cleveland Road and High Street Road, Ashwood, designed by Robin Boyd in 1952. The Rice House demonstrates Kevin Borland’s innovative and experimental work. It is an outstanding example of the post-war period of experimentation in domestic architecture in Melbourne – by Robin Boyd, Kevin Borland and others – for The Age Small Homes Service from 1947 to 1953. This was partly an expression of late-Modernism and also necessitated by the post-war shortage of building materials. In Eltham, the post-war shortage of building materials largely resulted in mud-brick houses. Examples of Borland’s public work include contributions to the Olympic Swimming Pool in Melbourne and the Preshil Junior School in Kew. After more than 50 years of living in the house, Harrie and Lorna Rice still love it. Facing north-east with large windows overlooking the garden and two courtyards, it is well lit and benefits from a through breeze. The couple commissioned the extraordinary house after Harrie, then an art student, met Borland in 1951 at The Age Small Homes Service. Harrie was so impressed by the recently graduated Borland’s enthusiasm, that he asked him to design them an interesting house for a low budget.3 The unusual design presented several hurdles for the young couple before they could construct it. Borland suggested that they buy land in Eltham, because at that time it had the only council in Melbourne that would allow such an innovative house. Another hurdle was to gain finance for this remarkable house. The State Savings Bank Manager refused finance on the grounds that it was ‘unliveable’ and a ‘disgrace’. Fortunately, through a family connection, the couple borrowed money from the National Bank. But they discovered years later, that the bank’s evaluation stated the two ‘concrete sheds’ were of no value!4 The house built in off-white concrete, consists of two sections. The main house has four arches supported by brick and concrete walls that create a series of inter-connected rooms. Inside, the ceiling follows the roofline. Originally this section was only ten square metres, because of building restrictions at the time. But in 1973 Borland added two rooms and a carport. The second structure of two arches was originally a garage and a studio for art teacher Harrie Rice. To accommodate the growing family, in the mid 1950s, Borland converted the second structure into two children’s bedrooms, a kitchenette, a bathroom and a living room. The two structures were originally linked by a covered way of suspended draped-concrete, but this collapsed in the 1980s. The design has several maintenance problems. Cracks developed where two halves of the shells were joined. Then the material sprayed over the cracks became brittle, causing leaks. Fortunately Harrie found another material he could use. The valleys between the arches collect water, requiring annual painting with a waterproof material to prevent leaking. Lorna framed the house with native and exotic plants, which provide privacy and as a bonus, the garden attracted the rare Eltham Copper Butterfly.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, eltham, rice house, ryans road

Handmade three dimensional wool frame. Features a Chinese house in a winter night scene. Decorative raised parts include the frame edge, house, roof, fence, moon and stars. Each piece is bound in wool thread to create the woven effect. Colours of blue, white, brown and red. Sealed in a plastic bag. Manufacturer's label printed in Chinese on reverse.

Written on backing sheet, "Panfield Estate 1960. Looking across to Mullum Rd. with Glen Cairn Ave. at right-angle to it. House at left is in Graeme St."

Written next to photographs: SS0180a: "Timber racks in B. Timber yard. Now demolished. 1959. Taken from Matlocks Stables." SS0180b: "Boiler house and workshop being pulled down." SS0180c: "Bentleys from Warrandyte Rd. Pipes etc. in backyard of Bissetts shop, corner Main Street." SS0180d: "Further snap of boiler house being demolished."

Digital photocopy by Arrowsmith, TedB/W copy - Band outside Government House, Melbourne, awaiting arrival of Queen Elizabeth II during her Royal Tour of 1954queen elizabeth ii, government house, royal tour 1954, standfield, ray

Images 9A and 9B 9A 'Periwinkle House' 1948 For Mr and Mrs J Holmes Built by Sonia Skipper, Horrie Judd, Tony Jackson and others Designed by Alistair Knox 9B Bob and Ada Zull house built 1970 Designed and built by Alistair Knox Floor laid by Ada Zull The Alistair Knox Collection The Alistair Knox Collection is a series of mounted enlarged photos of mud brick houses and related subjects. The collection is understood to have been put together by Alistair Knox although it is the work of several unacknowledged photographers. For some years it was held by the Building Department of the former Eltham Shire Council and was then passed to our Society for safekeeping. Some of the photos have been used in Knox's books and from time to time some of them have been part of various historical displays. As far as we know there has not been a public display of the whole collection which numbers about forty photographs. The collection has been copied on to slides for the purpose of this meeting and to be retained as part of the Society's pictorial collection. Alistair Knox 1912 - 1986 is acknowledged as the founder of Eltham's mud brick building movement. Many of the buildings shown in the collection are of his design and he was also involved with the construction of several of them. Others are the work of his contemporaries and associates such as Peter Glass, Gordon Ford, and John Harcourt. (EDHS Newsletter No. 145 July 2002)Handwritten notes in pencil re details of building, year of construction, owner, designer, builder, etcada zull, alistair knox, alistair knox design, bob and ada zull house, bob zull, horrie judd, houses, j holmes, mud brick construction, periwinkle house, sonia skipper, tony jackson, alistair knox collection

Divided back postcard with a black and white view of the corner of Spring and Bourke St with Parliament House in the background and a cable car sets. Titled "Parliament House & Treasury Melbourne", along lower edge. Rose Series P 4090. Photo c1940. On rear - postcard divided into two by the Rose Stereograph Co rose symbol. Has the name of the company on the left hand side.trams, tramways, spring st, melbourne, cable trams, bourke st

Farnell Mardling is believed to have been a Councillor and Mayor of Rutherglen Borough, and was on the committee that was responsible for the building of the Common School in 1872. Persons identified in the photograph are: Back row (left to right): John Brennan, H.O. Mardling, Mary Brennan, James Mardling, John Mardling. Centre Row: Pauline Brennan (Daughter of Michael), Hynes Mardling (on knee), Mary Anne Mardling, T.P. Mardling, Wilfred Mardling (on knee), Mary Mardling, Farnel Mardling, Sophie Brennan, Michael Brennan. Front Row: J.P. Mardling, Eileen Mardling (Daughter of H.O. & M.A.), Marie Mardling (Daughter of T.P. & Catherine), T.M. Mardling, Winifred Brennan, Josie Brennan (Daughters of Michael).Black and white photograph of a large family group, posing in front of a veranda with iron lace. Caption of separate piece of paper identifies the people in the photograph.Written at bottom of photo: "Photo. 1. Farnel's House, Springhurst" Written on the left of the caption: "Photo.1." At top of caption paper: "Summer Time. (1907 approx.)?"mardling family, brennan family, john brennan, h o mardling, mary brennan, james mardling, john mardling, pauline brennan, hynes mardling, mary anne mardling, t p mardling, wilfred mardling, mary mardling, farnel mardling, sophie brennan, michael brennan, farnell mardling, j p mardling, eileen mardling, marie mardling, t m mardling, winifred brennan, josie brennan

.1 beige covered booklet with a brief history of RH Sutton 1854 - 1954 .2 light blue covered booklet The History of Suttons The house of Musicnon-fictionBooklets pertaining to the History of R.H Sutton and Suttons Music Housesuttons the house of music, richard henry sutton, alfred sutton, walter sutton, frederick sutton, henry sutton, e. gordon jones, f.g sutton, a. leslie sutton, f. george sutton, f. harry sutton, stanley sutton, alexander law, j. marshall sayer, stanley k. stubley, douglas m. jones, jeffrey a. sutton, m.c inchley, w.f.heape, g.h. ott, j.d.h. scrivener, f. howard, h. buckley, g.w.a forrest, d.p. anderson, b. guy, w.f. armstrong, l. anderson, h.d. daley, miss n.a fitchett, j.m. collier, miss j.a. allan, c.a. grubb, j.w. bruce, h.a. stewart, w. macdonald, l.f. smith, a.l. turner, o.h holland, w. plowright, l.h. sharam, c.e. dodd, jack sutton, a.e sutton, e. sutton

Mary Jane Tiller centre, Thomas Metcalfe right and possibly Metcalfe's on left in front of Great Western Gatekeepers house Rennie Street Great Western railways, great western

Yvonne Fitzmaurice has donated the doll's house she made for her daughter between 1976 -78 for permanent display in the Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum Complex.fitzmaurice, yvonne, whitehorse historical society, toys

Drystone house at Yandoit Creek owned by Luigi and Eliza Gervasoni. It was named Bergamo by Luigi Gervasoni who was born at San Gallo, Bergamo, Lombadia, Italy.yandoit creek, yandoit hills, bergamo house, luigi gervasoni, eliza ritzau, eliza gervasoni

Black and white photograph of the Mullen's family home, built c1960. It was situated at 342 Blackburn Road, East Burwood 2 houses west of Burwood Road.burwood east, mullen's home c1960

"Students Study Bedroom" Stamped: "Please Quote No. GX1274 When Ordering Laurie Richards JW 1528"

Drystone house at Yandoit Creek owned by Luigi and Eliza Gervasoni. It was named Bergamo by Luigi Gervasoni who was born at San Gallo, Bergamo, Lombadia, Italy.yandoit creek, yandoit hills, bergamo house, luigi gervasoni, eliza ritzau, eliza gervasoni

Digital scan of black and white photograph. Opening of Power House Rowing Club with M O'Brien, T Goss, Mayor C Gahan and G Smith.

Digital scan of black and white photograph. Opening of Power House Rowing Club with M O'Brien, CC W King, T Goss and C Gahan.

IndustryWhykes Slaughterhouse, Slaughterhouse Lane, Durham Lead, Whykes Slaughterhouse, Durham Lead, interior of boiler house, corner view. Colour and b/w copiesbuninyong, whykes, slaughterhouse, durham lead, butchers, boiler house

detail of historic buildingColour Photograph, 412 Learmonth St. house on land bought by Thomas Hiscock in 1851, thought to include original smithy on left, residence and shop on right.buninyong, thomas hiscock, blacksmith, victoria and eureka store, learmonth st.

One of a number of 'real photo' and commercial postcards created by or owned by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew. The postcards are part of a larger collection of photographs, postcards and publications donated to the collection in May 2021.Sepia postcard of Port Said, located on the north east coast of Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea, showing mosque and minaret at left and coffee house in foreground at right.The Caro Postcard Trust Cairo 959 / Serie 632washfold family, christian family, postcards -- port said, christian-washfold collection

WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and it's Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. From Log-Cabin To White House Author: William Thayer Publisher: Ward Lock & Co Further Information: The Warrnambool Public Library date July 1946. Life of James A. Garfield. Boyhood, Youth, Manhood, Assassination 20th President of the U.S.A. The label on spine cover has typed text R.H. 923.1 GAR flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, from log-cabin to white house, william thayer, james a. garfield, 20th president of united state of america

"Grandview" was the name of Mrs Drakeford's Boarding House in Greenhill Road Greensborough. This photograph shows the house in 2016. Includes notes on the history of the house.Digital copy of colour photograph and notes.grandview, drakeford family, greenhill road, greenhills