Rain cape, also used as a groundsheet, issued Australian servicemen. Purchased for the donor from an "Army Surplus" store and re-purposed for camps as a Scout in the late 1960s. The MK VII Groundsheet (Rain Cape / Poncho) was introduced in October 1917 during WW1. They were made from dyed cotton, proofed with a rubber compound, "well vulcanized" on one side. Weight 3lb. 8oz;. 78 inches long by 36 inches wide and made by the Victoria Rubber Co. Edinburgh. They were used again during WWII 1939-45 Today the Army uses the hootchie - a sheet of 70D nylon or PU-coated cotton with various press snaps and webbing tape loops attached around the outside which allow it to be used in a variety of configuration. During WWII Australian forces fighting the Japanese in the Islands had an urgent requirement for a decent individual shelter. The rubberized canvas groundsheets and rain capes continued to be used, but these were less than effective in the tropics. Towards the end of the war in the Pacific Australia began issuing its troops a lighter weight version of the groundsheet manufactured from polyurethane-coated cotton – During the Malayan Emergency of the 1950s, Australian troops were issued with hooded ponchos. Unlike the WWII US pattern ponchos which always had a hole in the dead centre of the poncho sheet, the Australian-issue hooded ponchos made an effective shelter – especially when two where clipped together. The problem of course is that the rubberized canvas ponchos were far too heavy for jungle use. 1960s Australian units in Borneo were issued with the first pattern lightweight hootchies. 1 Kg. 1970 the Vietnam War, a second pattern lightweight hootchie was issued made from nylon, but retaining the hardware and loops. This lightweight hootchie weighed a mere 680 grams, still heavy, but suitable for tropical use. Currently the hootchie is made from AUSCAM nylon material . Historic significance; representative of the type believed to have been issued to Australian servicemen in World War II, possibly in World War I.Waterproofed Canvas rain cape, also used as a groundsheet in the Australian Army, press studs to close as a cape, collar to cover neck.NILuniforms, australian army, world war ii, army surplus, scouts australia, bentleigh, moorabbin, world war 1, hooded ponchos, borneo, auscam nylon material, hootchies, malayan emergency, vietnam war, groundsheets

The Report recognizes a broad community acceptance that ANZAC Day is a solemn occasion of remembrance for the gallantry and sacrifices of Australians in wars and peace keeping effortsThis book is significant because it provides legislative guidance for the commemoration of ANZAC Day Medium size soft cover book with white background and two rows of medals featured on the front. Title in bold red writing. Back cover plain white with parliamentary logoanzac, parliament, victoria, commemoration, leglislation, world war 1, review, scrutiny of acts and regulations committee

Australian Army issue slouch hat issued to all members of the Australian Army owned by a person by the name of Phipps.Post World War 2 Australian Army Hat pinned into the slouch position. The pinned brim has a Rising Sun Badge attached by two metal pins. Hat Band is cotton and rouched. It also has a leather chin strap. Hand written on leather band inside the hat: PHIPPS Embossed into leather band: MADE BY/"FAYREFIELD"/MELBOURNE/6 5/8/19[indecipherable]australian army slouch rising sun phipps fayrefield

These men are Ken North (standing) and Mick Evans (seated), serving with Australian Army in the Middle East. this photograph was sent home to his daughters by Mick Evans and is inscribed "To Betty, Shirley and June". Mick later served with the 'Rats of Tobruk'.This is a memento sent from father to children during World War II. Photograph of two soldiers, one seated. Mounted in timber frame. Frame size: 25 x 20 cm.Inscribed "To Betty, Shirley and June"mick evans, ken north, rats of tobruk, tobruk, world war ii, australian army

The article was written by Linley Hartley on the reminiscences of Lorraine Coates (nee Poulter) of her life in Greensborough. There are a lot of references to her ancestral families, particularly the Poulters and also the Roys and Hewitts. The article also refers to Lorraine's family's activities during World War 2 in Richmond.Poulters, Roys and Hewitts were all local pioneer families.An A3 sized photocopy of a Diamond Valley News story. Includes photograph of Lorraine Coates and two scenes of 'old' Greensborough. Copy 2: Item 522.Some minor biro markspoulter, hewitt, roy, greensborough, lorraine coates, richmond, st helena cemetary

Large families were the norm, rather than the exception up to the time of the World wars. perhaps the senseless destruction of those young lives sickened humanity- perhaps the increased taxes and cost of living resulting from the wars caused a necessary reduction in family size. Perhaps the independence won by women as they carried on their daily lives without their men, made mothers say, "Enough" The Warren family farmed the fertile Fyans Creek flats in the Grampian Mountains of Western Victoria. Some say Halls Gap was so named because the bushranger Hall holed up there in the early days. The rugged slopes and hidden gullies could have hidden a whole gang of bushrangers, but little remained undiscovered to a wandering family of 12 children growing up with their flocks and herds grazing the ranges. A tired rider could nod off, safe in the knowledge a trusty stockhorse would plod steadily homeward into the night. Responsibility quickly made youngsters capable and reliable. Then Australia went to war. There were three older brothers, then the girls, then young Frank. All the men went, including Frank. So the girls had to run the farm alone. Their mother had her hands full with the youngsters, still attending school, a daily walk over the mountain to Pomonal and return. But the loss of the men's casual wages from timber cutting and labouring jobs, meant great hardship is some method of earning a cash income had to be devised. Paying guests! That was it. So Myrtle Bank Guest House was born. City folk flocked to the mountain resort. High stepping mountain horses met them at the Stawell raid-head, with the tall and beautiful Warren girls driving them in experienced fashion, their auburn hair sometimes falling from its pins to fly free, as the dray bowled along towards the hills. The would hitch up their skirts to saw and chop wood for the stoves and fires. They milked cows and delivered calves. They shore sheep and trimmed their feet. They mustered their cattle as the seasons rolled by, and the paying guests watched and participated, fascinated. With laughter and song, the girls would wash up in a tin dish, throw on their house clothes to wait on table, sing and play piano, violin, accordion, enjoying the talk of the city and that other world so far away from their mountain home. The simple country menu was a hit, and the homemade bread, butter, jams and preserves, fruit and vegetables sent guests staggering to their armchairs. Picnics, hikes, goodbyes and welcomes blurred as the years of the war dragged by. Bookings were made and remade as the new enterprise became established. Peace was declared. the men returned A whole new building rose with two floors, inviting verandahs and bathrooms. Myrtle Bank would remain a family business all its lifetime, until buried below the Bellfield Dam, by which time more than one the girls had joined their beloved Frank, lost on Flanders Field. Article in book or magazine describing life at Myrtlebank during war years Other article written from letter from soldier P Lillis to his sister 3rd article of woman from country enlisting in WAAF Submitted by Carol of Bannockburn, Submitted by D Langley Submitted by Meryl of South Frankstonaccommodation, myrtlebank, people, warren

L. Kelly Boot Repairer was located at 308 Barkly Street, Ararat, now the current site of Ararat Tyre Power (272 Barkly Street, Ararat). Old site in the early 1940s was Mr H. McMillan Garage for motor repairs. The boot repair section was rented by Laurie Kelly, then 308 Barkly Street. After World War 2 it became home of PMGBlack and white photograph of two men wearing aprons and standing at a work bench with tools. A docket featuring a shoe and a business address for L. Kelly Boot Repairer is beneath the photo.Ron Kelly, Laurie Kelly

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "Now we drove through stands of pines to the Kangaroo Ground Lookout Tower, a most unusual War Memorial, World War I. The tower and a shed/residence (it had a chimney) were built from local sandstone. Below to the south and east of Melbourne spread 'suburbia'. Close by the landscape seemed so contrived - English fields and hedgerows! Although only about twenty inches deep, the soil of this ancient volcano, its crater lost under subsequent weathering, was rich, deserving the name of "Garden Hill". Now native trees are taking over again. In Kangaroo Ground itself stand the inevitable Store, School and Church - and two Norfolk pines and a monkey puzzle tree."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground tower, war memorials, kangaroo ground memorial

This field telephone was developed primary for military purposes (World War I) and other wars/military interventions there after. It was the first "mobile" telephone which had a prime objective of providing isolated or "hard" to connect with locations instant communication links. Like a lot of "new" technologies it evolved from a war environment. This handset was used to connect offices and workshops, which due to their functions could not be co-located with their prime office(external workshops).The evolution from the early 1900s to the mid 1980s when mobile communication technology progressed in leaps and bounds from hard wire telephone communication to mobile digital receivers. This handset was manufactured by a subcontracted Australian company under the Australian Post Office mandate.This handset is significant in that it was donated by the Mount Beauty Timber yards and formed an integrated part of its communication system with its out lying work yards and buildings, before the mobile handset evolution. This handset was located in an environment which required a rugged and reliable day to day communications linkage as a vital part of its logistical (business) survival. As progress demands it, the faster that customers are satisfied with the service they obtain from suppliers the longer those services will be asked for and the longer and more profitable the supplier will be. This edict is as true for rural companies as it is for small or large city businesses. The customer is "always" right.This sturdy field telephone has a shell housing made in black bakelite material with a "U" form housing the major components (wiring, magneto and batteries). The main housing has two metal bells, with a central ringer between both, on the top part (to notify incoming calls). In front of the main structure is a box with the telephone hand piece (ear and mouth receptacles) nestled on two cradles. An on/off switch is activated when handset is removed from its cradle. On the front of the control box is a winder handle(to ring off) and in a field situation to activate/deactivate the magneto. To the left of the winder but on the the main body are two wind up connection buttons for the connection of operational wires (power)On the main right hand front body and next to two chrome switches is a plate with "L (next to the top switch) and below this "L2" and underneath this are "or" "EARTH". There is a plate fastened to the front of the handset and behind the winder with "REPLACE HANDSET WHEN FINISHED" and below the winder 'SERIAL NUMBER 5116"field telephone, world war ii field telephone f mk i

This Christian Bible by Professor James Moffatt from the United Free Church College in Glasglow Scotland was at a time when translated Christian bibles(Greek to English) were being review as to the accuracy of their translated words. This period was in the early 1900's specifically during and between the two major World Wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45 and also covering the Great Depression(1939). All these periods were ones of death, destruction and "loss of faith". Bibles which provided greater clarity of better times ahead flourished. This book offered its readers hope for the future (in terrible times). The regions that it covered were those who belonged to the Christian Faith. The significance of this bible to the Kiewa Valley is that it provides an insight of those Christians living in a semi remote rural region at the period in Australian history where forces outside of this area were placing hardships which were "foreign" to them, as a family and as a community. The major Christian religions within the Kiewa Valley were either of the Catholic or English Protestant teachings. These groups still remain the dominant ones well into the 2nd Millennium. Spiritual relief to overcome harsh rural setbacks is not just specific to the Australian rural sector but is also global. With the influx of migrant workers from the war torn European nations (after WWII) a broader coverage of Christian and other faiths developed. A "positive" saying, when crops failed and bush fires and river floods sprang up, rallied the faithful "with God's help" This hard covered bible consists of six pages of preamble including title, publishing details, printer and author's preface. The book has 388 pages of black print. Relevant reference lines are notated by numbers on the left side of the page. On the front dust cover is a cream silhouette against a light blue backdrop highlighting a smoking "Aladdin's" Arabic oil lamp on a cenotaph. The hard cover has a embossed emblem of a lantern with a plume of smoke rising from the spout. This is all encapsulated by a circle. The spine also has this emblem. On the dust jacket, front "THE MOFFATT NEW TESTAMENT", and the back cover has blue writing on a cream background. On the spine, at the top "JAMES MOFFATT" below this a white on blue silhouette of "Alalddin's lamp" below this is (in blue letters against a light blue background " THE NEW TESTAMENT A NEW TRANSLATION" On inside cover a signature "Clare Roper". The hard cover has marked in red print "THE NEW TESTAMENT ANEW TRANSLATION MOFFAT" christian bible, prayer, new testament, religion, faith.

This "ladies" pocket knife was used up to the late 1900's by influential and "well off" ladies, not only as a fashion statement but as a practical tool when away from the kitchen/home to peel fruit and provide a cutting instrument for small items. It was a method to show the growing independence of women to skillfully process food away from the home and kitchen. The use of such a small compact knife could also have been used by male cigar smokers (docking the end of the cigar)This "lady's "purse" knife was a demonstration of the growing independence of women in Australia and especially in rural areas up to the 1940's. The two World Wars provided the opportunity for women to take over what was traditionally "men's work". This evolution of women's equality in society brought changes to what the traditional role of rural women had been entrenched from first colonisation of Australia. The use of such a small compact knife could also have been used by male cigar smokers (docking the end of the cigar). This method of preparation of a good cigar would have been used by wealthy property owners or men of "class"This small one blade knife (lady's) has an "ivory" body containing one small blade. Horizontal lines in "off white" appearance run from one end to the other. One end has a "U" fitting(to provide an anchorage for a chain). This small knife could also have been used by male cigar smokers.ladies pocket knife, small knives, traveller's cutting implements

This mid 1900's ice "bucket" was used during the first major "American" (fashion invasion) of merchandise for the "new " social set. This was a form of release, coming after the tight money restrictions during the "Great Depression" and from World War II.This item is an example of the change of direction in regards to household cutlery and crockery which the Australian rural environment slowly progressed through. This progression was due to a closer alliance with the USA after World War II and and increase push in marketing by USA manufacturers of their Australian partners and the closer alliance between the two nations. The American service men and women on recreational leave during the "South Pacific war" front brought both nations closer together and the requirement of American industries to find new markets resulted in "cheaper" mass produced silverware onto the Australian scene, which at that time were mainly sourced from the UK and Europe. This silver plated "ice bucket" with lid and handle has "pot belly" shape. A smaller circumference top, bulging center and smaller bottom. The lower inside shape of the "bucket" allows for a "grate" to be placed 40mm from the bottom (this grate would separate the "solid" ice cubes from the melted ice water). There is a "U" shaped "swiveled" handle with "art deco" type leaves(grape) reinforcing the cross section. There are two bands of "grape leaf" motifs, one smaller one at the top rim and a larger one on the bottom at the point of furthest bulge.At the outside base is the manufacturers logo "K" and encircled in small print are "KNICKERBOCKER MFG CO. QUADRUPLE PLATE"silver plated ice "bucket", bottle cooler

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "Now we drove through stands of pines to the Kangaroo Ground Lookout Tower, a most unusual War Memorial, World War I. The tower and a shed/residence (it had a chimney) were built from local sandstone. Below to the south and east of Melbourne spread 'suburbia'. Close by the landscape seemed so contrived - English fields and hedgerows! Although only about twenty inches deep, the soil of this ancient volcano, its crater lost under subsequent weathering, was rich, deserving the name of "Garden Hill". Now native trees are taking over again. In Kangaroo Ground itself stand the inevitable Store, School and Church - and two Norfolk pines and a monkey puzzle tree."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground tower, war memorials, kangaroo ground memorial

This book covers the period 1939-45, which was the most momentous period in the history of the tank. Includes 160 pages of coloured drawings with descriptive text. The book is divided into two sections - Book 1 dealing with 'Blitzkrieg Era' of 1939-41, and Book II covering the years 1942-5, in which some of the greatest tank battles of all time took place. ISBN 0 907408 35 4world war 2, military history, tanks, armour, armoured fighting vehicles, b t white, world war 2, military history, tanks, armour, armoured fighting vehicles, b t white

When Australia joined World War I men were encouraged to enlist to help Australia aid their 'mother country' Britain in the war against Germany. Many men volunteered often joining at the same time as their friends from the same district, all over Australia.Bert Roper and Stewart Hollonds came from families living in the Kiewa Valley. Details of their service records are kept in the KVHS collection.Thick wooden dark frame with decoration on each corner. Two separate portraits of Soldiers Bert in oval shape and Stewart in rectangular shape. At the centre of the bottom are two coloured small flags - the Union Jack and another.On the back, behind each man, their names are written: "Bert Roper" and "Stewart Hollonds"bert roper, stewart hollonds, ww1 soldier, portraits of wwi soldiers

Glengarry cap used in1906 by local scottish piper. Scottish pipe bands were extensively used as providing local communities with music from "the mother" country. The strong ties to the British Empire was still very alive in local communities.Historical significant pre Wold War 1 and the great ties the population had to everything English. This bond would decrease after World War 2. English isles music was very sought after up until the American presents was starting to increase.Black Glengarry cap, black velvet with tartan trim and cream coloured lining. Cap worn by members of Scottish pipe bands. Inverted pleat running along the top. Black two cap ribbons missingcap scottish bands headware clan influence

This doll was a highly treasured toy for a girl. The amount of wear and tear given to this doll indicates the great attachment to and comfort that its owner had with it. This doll could have been on a farm or cattle property in the Kiewa Valley rather than in the town.Due to the lack of social activities in the valley during the period, self amusement at home and limited interaction outside of the valley would have been this dolls prime role for its owner. The time between the two World Wars was one of recession and limited funds outside that required for survival. This is clearly demonstrated by the painted face and home made repairs to the body and limbs Porcelain/ceramic doll with painted face features. Half ceramic arms and legs. One leg missing.one arm loose Stitched dress with lace bodice hand made Body padded with cloth and fine wood shavings filler. Scarf lace weavedoll, porcelain, toy, lace, girls' play

Historical information of soldiers from the Albury-Wodonga district who fought in the Boer War in South Africa 1899 - 1902. In 1996 the then curator for the 8/13 VMR Museum, the Hon Colonel John Neale, commissioned the author to research a group of returned servicemen and women from the Boer War and had lived within 100 km radius of the Albury/Wodonga townships.The Boer War was the second war in South Africa and was the result of heavy taxes and non voting rights of the local white Boer population. Colonial forces including the Australian Light Horse contingent where called upon by England to overthrow the rebellion. This War was the first engagement of Australian troops fighting on foreign soil.This Honour Roll details the pay rates, the battle highlights, weapons used and maps covering the first Australian contingent of soldiers who fought in the Transvaal (Boer War).. Listed are the names of those soldiers who lived within 100klms of Albury and Wodonga.The soldiers are listed by Location, Rank, Initial,Name and Unit. The significance of both the War and those who served in it is two fold. Firstly it demonstrates that the tie between the Colonial outreaches of England's Empire to "the Motherland" were extremely strong at this point in time. This union remained strong up until the middle of World War II when England could not help Australia to defend itself against possible invasion by Japan. The alliance between Australia and the United States of America replaced the British/Australian pact. Secondly the attitude of, and the high degree of horsemanship of those from the Albury and Wodonga area. The degree of adaptability, by these servicemen, to suit the environment in which they fought provided the first real insight into the Australian psyche "of those living and surviving on the harsh Australian outback"This book has a bright red soft cover and is bound with bright yellow tape. There is a drawing of two Australian soldiers on the front, one on horsebackAuthor's complimentary inscription "To Mount Beauty Museum with compliments" signed Ian R Docking history, boer war, ex-servicemen and women, albury and wodonga

This book provides in chronological order the development of the Kiewa Hydro-electricity scheme from the first concept (1911) to final construction work (1961). It covers the first attempt to utilise the power of the Victorian Alps water system. It started from a private syndicate and developed to the current State Electricity Commission of Victoria. The incentive for the Hydro scheme was to make money and not as an alternative to the carbon producing coal fired power plants. These coal fired power plants were increasing in numbers to service an ever increasing demand made by population expansion, especially in cities and large rural settlements. This demand spiraled up after World War II when there was a tremendous spike in immigration numbers due to refugees and displaced persons in Europe. The ability to utilise the untapped water provided by the winter snow fields, for a higher yield in electricity, was a powerful incentive to overcome the physical hardships in this remote Alpine region. Future power requirements may initiate the re-installation of the other two power stations(Pretty Valley and Big Hill) covered in original Scheme. This publication not only covers the development of the Kiewa Valley region with respect to population (within a socio-economical framework) but also the subtle but yet strong physical changes of a relatively pristine alpine region. The demands that an ever growing regional population places on the environment is clearly documented in print and black and white photographs. The working and living conditions of those who constructed and gave life to this hydro scheme is well documented in this book. It may be viewed as spartan now but was relevantly good at that moment in time, especially for those workers fleeing a devastated European environment. The successful planning and consideration to minimising any intrusion upon the natural alpine forests and high plains can viewed as an example (compared to the Tasmanian Hydro schemes) of how future hydro schemes (an inevitable requirement) will proceed. Most rural towns (in the early 1900s) were built by unencumbered rural based citizens, with the exception of Mount Beauty and Falls Creek. These two settlements were brought into life by a State (Victorian) Authority for a specific function and program. They were a gated community, that is, only open to construction workers involved with the hydro scheme. All facilities within these communities were provided by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. The impact on the social, financial and individual independency of the community, by the transition from the S.E.C .environment to one of local government (Shire of Bright), had in some cases a severe impact.This hard covered book has a green cover with pictures on the front and back covers. The front cover has a coloured picture of a snow covered Mount Bogong taken from the opposite mountain range. The valley between both ranges has a whisk of mist over it. At the bottom of this picture are three black and white photographs covering the construction of the Kiewa Hydro - Electricity Scheme. On the back cover is a photograph, (black and white) detailing the Bogong village and Junction dam containing lake Guy. The inside front cover is a black and white photograph which details the construction of the West Kiewa tailrace tunnel during April 1951. The inside back cover is a black and white photograph of the concrete pour at the Clover Dam circa 1952. All photographs and sketches are in black and white. The pages are approximately 160 g/m2 and those which have photographs are on gloss paper.Book spine: "The Kiewa Story Graham Napier Geoff Easdown" alongside this is a white framed circle with white spokes radiating out and underneath in white lettering SECkiewa valley, hydro scheme, victorian alpine region, electricity generators, graham napier, geoff easdown

View to south-east from Shire of Eltham Soldiers' Memorial Park showing the carriageway from the road to top of Memorial Park. Accompanying notes state that the entry gate was put in place in May 1921. Eltham and Whittlesea Shire Advertiser and Diamond Creek Valley Advocate Fri 21 May 1920 p 2 reported: Kangaroo Ground Memorial Park "It was decided to arrange for a working bee on Saturday, 29th inst., for the purpose of forming and gravelling the track leading to the Park, and of carrying out other necessary works." A history summary of the Shire of Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial Park • The summit at Garden Hill was a popular tourist lookout and picnic spot from the 1880s. Virtually the entire Shire of Eltham and beyond could be viewed from this location. • A local farmer, Mr Walter A. D. Wippell is credited as being the first to propose the idea of a war memorial park and offered £50 towards the purchase of the land. • The earliest public reference to this project is to be found in the local Advertiser newspaper edition of August 9th, 1918. A report of the August Council meeting records the Eltham Shire President, Cr. Robert White, saying: "some time back it was proposed that the Council obtain and place on an Honour Board in the Council Chamber [at Kangaroo Ground] containing names of the lads who had enlisted. Just recently however, it had been suggested that a more fitting memorial would be the obtaining of a piece of land on the summit of Garden Hill, Kangaroo Ground, and the formation of a memorial park in which a monument could be erected to represent the whole of Shire. If a couple of acres could be obtained a gentleman had promised to donate 50 pounds, and another one would fence it, and other contributions, he was sure, could be obtained." • Councillors were favourable of the proposal and the President, Shire Secretary and Shire Engineer were deputised to wait on Messrs Mess Bros. (the owners of the Garden Hill farm) and ascertain if they would gratuitously give the land. The Mess Bros. land adjoined the farm/stud of Mrs Fanny White (Cr Robert White’s mother), daughter of Andrew Harkness who established their property on Garden Hill around 1846. • Access to the land came in February 1919 when several Councillors and the Shire Engineer surveyed the actual two acres of '5 chains along the road and 4 chains deep'. The Engineer volunteered his services free to do this task. The Mess brothers however demanded £100 per acre but eventually agreed to take £50 per acre. • Entry from the Kangaroo Ground-Yarra Glen road was seen to be a problem and Mrs. White, who owned the land beside the park, was asked to donated a triangle of her property to allow this access. • By September 1919 returned soldiers were employed by the Shire and volunteers were called to clear the hilltop by ploughing up the rocks and clearing the area, the fencing was put into place and in May 1921 the Council erected three gates, within an archway, at the entrance to the drive and pathway to the summit. • Public subscriptions were sought through the Advertiser newspaper to beautify the site. The views of the Curator of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens were sought as to the ‘class of ornamental trees most suitable for planting in the Park area”. • The Memorial Park or Shire of Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial Park was officially opened by Mr. W.H. Everard, M.L.A., 3 September 1921. • In 1922 plans were made to place a War Memorial in the Park. Funds were donated by the Council of £250 and a challenge to the community, to match this money with contributions was met. • On Anzac Day 1923, 1,000 people gathered on the summit in the park for a memorial service. A much smaller group of about 50 people gathered around a newly constructed cairn and flagstaff in the afternoon of Anzac Day 1924 amidst rain and a squally southerly wind, the morning service being cancelled. • A meeting for those interested in establishing a War Memorial monument within the park was held in January 1924 and the Eltham Shire War Memorial League was formed and a design competition decided upon. • The Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower was built in 1926 at a cost of £1,023 and 5 shillings with locally quarried stone donated by Dr Ethel and Professor William Osborne. It was formally known as the ‘Shire of Eltham War Memorial’ and was unveiled on 11 November 1926. The large bronze inscription above the entrance to the tower states: SHIRE OF ELTHAM WAR MEMORIAL THESE MEN DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY 1914 IN REMEMBRANCE THIS TOWER WAS BUILT 1918 • The Caretaker’s hut was built in 1927 with left over from the tower construction. • A returned soldier was appointed to act as caretaker for the memorials. Tiny Carrol, a huge man, was the first caretaker and lived in the stone hut. There was a push to have alterations made at one stage to provide additional rooms for a married caretaker but was rejected. • A new Caretaker Cottage was built in 1951 at a cost £2,500. The cottage had been subjected to raids by thieves three times during construction until a guard from the Returned Servicemen’s League was posted until its opening. • The War Memorial tower was re-dedicated by Sir Dallas Brooks on 8 November 1951, unveiling new bronze plaques containing the names of those who fell during the Second World War. Sir Dallas also officiated the opening of the new Caretaker’s Cottage. • A toilet block was built in 1965. • A further dedication of the Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower took place 11 November 2001 to recognise the men who fell in subsequent campaigns up to and including Vietnam. • Four land titles are involved: o The purchase of the two acres from owners Ruth Gosling, Alexander Mess, James Johnson Mess and Joseph Mess is recorded in two actions, the first being the payment of £100 for the two acres, the second showing that the Shire of Eltham did not get a transfer of title until 14th January 1952. o The access land donated by Mrs. Fanny White is dated 26 February 1924. A further need to widen the entry came after the deepening of the road cutting and another land donation was given by Sir Herbert Gepp, title dated 15th May 1952. This would have been about the time he sold off the former White ‘Garden Hill’ property. o The land reserve to increase the area and possibly allow a circuit road to be put in place on the western side of the park was purchased by the Shire of Eltham, title dated 16th February 1973. Rare photograph of the entrance to the Shire's Memorial Park during early stages of development prior to the erection of the Shire of Eltham War MemorialSepia photograph printed with white border with slight crack lower left hand corner and three significant vertical cracks fanning from lower centre edge to upper edge Digitally enhanced version to minimise impact of crackseltham-yarra glen road, entrance gate, garden hill, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial, kangaroo ground war memorial park

Sepia photograph of Joyce McMahon and 'Tiny' Carroll at the War Memorial Tower, Kangaroo Ground c.1934. The guns were installed in 1934 and removed in 1942. Taken in the early 1930s, the photograph ... shows the Kangaroo Ground Tower of Remembance with Joyce McMahon, daughter-in-law of Mr. P. J.McMahon, the then Shire of Eltham Secretary, her horse and a very tall person patting the horse. He is ex-serviceman W. "Tiny" Caroll who was the council's caretaker of the surrounding War Memorial Park. He lived in the stone cottage which still stands in the park. "Tiny" is seen as the fictional character "Tiny Bourke" who, in author Alan Marshall's book "This is the Grass", "was a giant of a man, well over six feet high, with huge hands that completely encircled the cup of tea". The bronze casting, which shows the 79 names of those who paid the "supremen sacrifice" in World War 1 (1914-1918), was erecfed above the entrance to the Tower in September, 1930. The Monterey cypress trees which now form the windbreak around the park's fenceline, were just knee high in this photograph. They were planted in August 1926, with all the plantings paid for, and done, by the public as the Tower was being erected. The two field guns have been identified as of German origin, Krupp 77 mm calibre captured on October 4, 1918 at Geneve, France. They were removed in 1943/44 as a wartime requirement of the Australian Govenment. A public notice dated October 16, 1926 by Cr. H Rutter, Chairman of the Eltham Soldiers War Memorial League stated: "On the summit of that central and conspicuous landmark, Garden Hill, there is being erected a massive memorial tower which will, for all time, remind every passerby of the part played by the men of the Shire of Eltham in the Great War. The work has been undertaken by the people of the Shire a a tribute of love and admiration for those who were known and dear to use in the days of their youth and early manhood, who went out from amongst us, never to return, and whose self-sacrifice has made us, each and all, thier ever-lasting debtors" Harry Gilham, Eltham District Historical Society Kangaroo Ground Tower of Remembrance, A Journey in Time: a column about Nillumbik's history, Nillumbik Mail, 9th August, 2000 Since that research the following has been sourced from Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser and Diamond Creek Valley Advocate, April 8, 1921, p. 3 Retrieved April 25, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57639687 Eltham Shire Council From Town Clerk, Melbourne, stating that a light machine-gun captured by the 22nd battalion, A.I.F. at La Motte Farm, near Beaurvoir, on Oct. 3rd, 1918, during the operations which won the Beauvoir line and completed the smashing of the great Hindenburg defence-system, has been alloted to the Shire of Eltham. - On the motion of Crs Hubbard and Smedley, it was decided to have the gun placed in the Memorial Park. Sepia Photographgarden hill, gun, joyce mcmahon, kangaroo ground, memorial tower, shire of eltham war memorial tower, tiny carroll, war memorials, war trophy, william carroll

This is a program of a concert organized by the Soldiers’ Christmas Comforts Group and the Red Cross in Warrnambool to raise funds for the soldiers on active service in World War One. The concert was held in the Warrnambool Town Hall in September 1916 and featured a Melbourne artist, Horace Wood, who gave several violin solos and the local Warrnambool orchestra of Miss Gertrude Rooney. The Rooneys were early settlers in the Dennington area and had the property, ‘White Rock’ in Dennington and a produce store in Warrnambool. Miss Gertrude Rooney was an accomplished musician and was prominent in musical circles in Warrnambool during the first half of the 20th century. This program is of interest as an example of the fund raising activities in Warrnambool during World War One and of the type of entertainment offered at concerts at that time. There are many well-known names listed among the orchestra members at the back of the program. This is a sheet of buff-coloured paper folded in two to make four pages. The front page has an ornate red edging and there is dark blue printing on the front and back pages. The front page has a large Red Cross emblem The inside two pages have the printed program of concert items in black print. There are also advertisements for local Warrnambool businesses. The edges of the program are torn and ragged. world war one, warrnambool in world war one, gertrude rooney, musical entertainments in early 20th century, warrnambool

This illuminated address was given to H.H.Smith, the Warrnambool Mayor, for his work with soldiers returning to Warrnambool and district during and after World War One. On the same occasion Smith was also given an armchair by the mothers, sisters and wives of Warrnambool returning soldiers. Henry Huntingdon Smith (1857-1941) started his own bakery business in 1885, firstly near the corner of Fairy and Koroit Streets and later building his own shop at the corner of Lava and Fairy Streets (Monaghans Pharmacy today). Smith was one of the most admired men in Warrnambool in the first half of the 20th century. He was a Warrnambool Councillor from 1918 to 1937 (Mayor for two terms) and served continuously on the Warrnambool Hospital Committee for 39 years. He visited patients at the Hospital twice a week. He took a particular interest in the welfare of returning soldiers and it was said that there was not a returned man or woman whom Smith did not greet on his return to the district. Smith also was a tireless worker for the Methodist Church as an office bearer and a Sunday School teacher. Smith was also Vice President in 1937 of the first Warrnambool & District Historical Society. This document is of particular interest as it is a good example of the type of illuminated address produced during the early years of the 20th century. It also shows clearly the respect and love that Warrnambool people had for Henry Smith, a great volunteer worker in the community. This is a piece of cream-coloured parchment paper with a margin ruled in black ink and handwriting in blue and black ink surrounded by red ornamental scrolls and flourishes. The paper has an address to H.H.Smith and is followed by 74 names and the date (1920). The paper is inserted into a piece of red leather cloth. This has folded edges and an ornamental gold pattern around the front edges and a gold border around the back edges. There are two holes at the top of the folder and these have metal surrounds. The backing folder is rounded at the top edges. ‘Warrnambool, 6th December 1919. To H.H. Smith Esq., Mayor of Warrnambool – We, the Mothers, Wives and Sisters of the Returned Soldiers of this City and District wish to express to you our deepest gratitude for your unswerving devotion to Our Boys interests during your long term as Secretary of the Welcome Home Committee’ (etc etc)henry huntingdon smith, world war one, history of warrnambool

These are two programmes of the Civic and Memorial Official Service held in the Warrnambool Town Hall on 26th May 1918. The service was held for two purposes. One was to celebrate the gazetting of Warrnambool as a city, two days earlier, on 24th May 1918. The other was to offer prayers and remember those on active service in World War One and those who had died in the war and to pray for the war to end. (World War One came to an end in the November of 1918). The service on 26th May in Warrnambool was conducted by the ministers of churches in Warrnambool and attended by the Mayor and Councillors and Council workers. A collection was taken up at the service for the British Red Cross Society. The Mayor at the time was William Swinton.This program is of considerable interest as it brings to our attention two events of importance in our history – Warrnambool becoming a city in 1918 and the city’s involvement in World War One and the long-term effects of this war on all settlements in Australia. It also highlights the importance at the time of the Christian religions in Australia.These are two copies of the programme of the 1918 Warrnambool Civic and Memorial Service. The programme is one sheet of buff-coloured paper folded in two to make four pages. There is blue printed material on three of the pages. The front page has the crest of the City of Warrnambool with blue edging and some ornamental scrolls. One programme is tattered at the edges. The two programmes have been glued together at the bottom left corner and have been partly mounted on a piece of white card. warrnambool city council, program civic memorial service 1918