A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation for five people at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation for five people at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, e. dyer

A digital copy of a hand written letter apologising for the cancellation of a visit and enquiring if another visit can be arranged at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter apologising for the cancellation of a visit and enquiring if another visit can be arranged at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, l. rowley

A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation at Marysville House during Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation at Marysville House during Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, jean aitken

A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation at Marysville House during Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability of accommodation at Marysville House during Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, dorothy newcombe

A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability and tariff of accommodation at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability and tariff of accommodation at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, mr v. marett

A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability and tariff of accommodation at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability and tariff of accommodation at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, miss florence jones

A digital copy of a hand written letter confirming the time of arrival of guests to Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter confirming the time of arrival of guests to Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, l. rowley

A digital copy of a hand written letter thanking Mrs Dickinson for an unknown gift she sent after a couple stayed at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter thanking Mrs Dickinson for an unknown gift she sent after a couple stayed at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter

The property is a classic example of what made Eltham famous from the late 1940s to the 1960s. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p149 The first view of the large double-storey house at Yarra Braes Road, Eltham South, is of a jutting roofline over a balcony, reminiscent of a large sailing vessel or galleon – very appropriate, considering the name of one of the first owners, Le Gallienne. The Downing-Le Gallienne property is a classic example of what made Eltham famous from the late 1940s to the 1960s and attracted so many artists and intellectuals to the area. Set in a largely indigenous bush-style garden, the mud-brick and timber house was built by Alistair Knox. It was built for economist Richard Downing, to become a founder of the welfare state in Australia and Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, and musician and composer Dorian Le Gallienne. Le Gallienne was a pioneering composer of modern music in Victoria before 1945, whose works included the Symphony in E.1 He wrote several pieces of film music for Eltham Films, including The Prize, working with its writer and artistic director Tim Burstall. Le Gallienne was also a music critic for The Argus and later for The Age. In 1967 the music critic Roger Covell argued that Le Gallienne’s Symphony, was ‘still the most accomplished and purposive . . . written by an Australian’.2 According to Alan Marshall the main inspiration behind the building that evolved from 1948 to 1964 was Le Gallienne. ‘He was able to see value in the simplest things and many who worked there had their eyes opened for the first time to the Eltham environment, to the bush and the trees and the fauna which lived there.’3 The garden included no formality, no lawns, nor exotic plants. ‘Natural informal growth came right up to their doors and so did the indigenous birdlife.’4 This informal style – consisting of mass and void – was to be developed and popularised by landscaper Gordon Ford from the 1950s. The large mud-brick and timber house, which was built in four stages and has three separate but linked sections, began as a small weekend retreat for the couple. In 1948, Downing and Le Gallienne (Dick and Dor to their friends), asked Knox to build the 36 x18 foot (11mx5.4m) building with a pitched slate roof. It was built on a concrete slab and included a fireplace, which is still in use. The second wing was built in 1954 after Downing had returned from working at the International Labour Office and the couple decided to live there full-time. The third section was built after the death of Le Gallienne in 1963, aged 48. He is buried in the Eltham Cemetery. When Downing married widow, Jean Norman (nee McGregor) and had to accommodate a large family, including her six children and one of their own, the last stage was built by 1964. At that time the house was considered one of the largest mud-brick houses in Victoria. It consists of five living areas, including a small ballroom. Several artists helped Knox build the Downing-Le Gallienne house, which was one of his first of mud-brick. They included painter Clifton Pugh, artist John Howley and actor Wynn Roberts. Ellis Stones had landscaped the first wing and Gordon Ford set the boulder steps and made a pool as part of the landscaping he completed. Inside, the mud-bricks are largely whitewashed with pine-lined ceilings and Oregon beams. A winding timber staircase in the front extends behind a glass window from the ground floor to the top. The property, of a little more than 0.5 ha, is bordered by Parks Victoria land, which extends to the Yarra River.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, dorian le gallienne, downing-le gallienne house, eltham, mudbrick construction, mudbrick houses, richard downing, yarra braes road

A digital copy of a hand written letter enclosing postal notes as a deposit for accommodation at Marysville House over the Christmas period in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enclosing postal notes as a deposit for accommodation at Marysville House over the Christmas period in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, e. gray

A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability and tariff of accommodation at Marysville House during Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enquiring on the availability and tariff of accommodation at Marysville House during Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, mrs a. munroe

A digital copy of a hand written letter thanking Mrs Dickinson for providing information regarding transportation to Marysville and requesting that transport be booked. The letter also asks if Mrs Dickinson would prefer to be paid the tariff for staying at Marysville House before the guests arrive or would it be permitted for them to pay it at the time of their stay. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter thanking Mrs Dickinson for providing information regarding transportation to Marysville and requesting that transport be booked. The letter also asks if Mrs Dickinson would prefer to be paid the tariff for staying at Marysville House before the guests arrive or would it be permitted for them to pay it at the time of their stay. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, r. couzens

A digital copy of a hand written letter which encloses the deposit for accommodation at Marysville House as well as confirming the date of arrival of the guest. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter which encloses the deposit for accommodation at Marysville House as well as confirming the date of arrival of the guest. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, jean aitken

A digital copy of a letter to Mrs Dickinson requesting a booking be made for accommodation at Marysville House for two weeks over Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a letter to Mrs Dickinson requesting a booking be made for accommodation at Marysville House for two weeks over Christmas in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, r. couzens

A digital copy of a hand written letter enclosing a deposit for accommodation at Marysville House over the Christmas period in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enclosing a deposit for accommodation at Marysville House over the Christmas period in 1934. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, mr j. phair

A digital copy of a hand written letter accepting the offer of a position as a cook at Marysville House. The writer also requests an advancement of wages to enable them to settle up at their current employer and travel to Marysville. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter accepting the offer of a position as a cook at Marysville House. The writer also requests an advancement of wages to enable them to settle up at their current employer and travel to Marysville. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter

A digital copy of a hand written letter enclosing the deposit for accommodation at Marysville House and requesting if Marysville House has provision for the guests' private car. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter enclosing the deposit for accommodation at Marysville House and requesting if Marysville House has provision for the guests' private car. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, mrs a. munroe

A digital copy of a hand written letter requesting the availability of accommodation at Marysville for a married couple. The letter also enquires the availability of garage accommodation. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of a hand written letter requesting the availability of accommodation at Marysville for a married couple. The letter also enquires the availability of garage accommodation. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, letter, mr m. walsh

A digital copy of an account from Holiday Haunts Booking Service to A.J. Dickinson, Esq. for deposits received in regard to accommodation bookings at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.A digital copy of an account from Holiday Haunts Booking Service to A.J. Dickinson, Esq. for deposits received in regard to accommodation bookings at Marysville House. Marysville House was built in the late 1920s by Arthur Dickinson.marysville, victoria, australia, marysville house, arthur james dickinson, grace dickinson, arnold spooner, eileen marie spooner, eileen marie dickinson, grace sweetland, eric dowdle, elsie may denton, elsie may dickinson, peter dickinson, linda dickinson, 2009 black saturday bushfires, holiday haunts booking service, invoice, account