The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversay in 2024. This audio recording, presented by Harry Gilham, President of Eltham District Historical Society at the time of the opening is a summarised history of the Eltham Library service to 1994. Eltham Library Service 1930s - 1994 Originally collated by Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Historical Society Inc (1993-2009) (edited 2022) In the Eltham township area, in the early 1930s, library books for adults were available from E J Andrew's newsagency in Main Road. In the newsagency come haberdashery, some shelves were set aside for a lending library of adults' books. In 1935, Mr & Mrs JC Rains purchased the newsagency and continued the lending service until the late 1940s. At this time the business was extended from haberdashery to sell ladies' and men's clothing. The library section was discontinued. In the 1930s a mobile book library was also run by a Mr Foster of Bible Street, Eltham. In the 1950s adult books were available from racks in the foyer of the Eltham Shire Offices which was then located beside the Eltham Hall on the comer of Arthur Street and Main Road. In the early 1950s a referendum of ratepayers was called to seek public opinion on the issue of raising money for a public library for which the rates would have to be increased - the motion was defeated. On 11 November 1965 Eltham Shire Council, in conjunction with the City of Heidelberg and the Shire of Diamond Valley, met to form the Heidelberg Regional Library Service. Eltham was represented by Councillors Charis Pelling and John Lewis. The first library service for the Shire of Eltham from this group came in the shape of a bookmobile van which had, amongst others, a central stopover near the Shillinglaw trees outside the newly opened Shire offices at 895 Main Road, the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage and the former Shillinglaw farm. Present-day Wingrove Park was another stopover and the many recorded requests for this service can be read as denoting the areas of population or gathering points at that period throughout the Shire. 1968 saw the Shire convert the ‘Brinkkotter’ house in Dudley Street to house both adult and children's books. This library was originally staffed from the City of Heidelberg Library and records of committee meetings range from borrowing Heidelberg's old library shelving to trying to increase the Government's subsidy to a dollar for dollar basis. Book loans in the period 1966-67 totalled 30,400 and the following year ran to 52,113. With 2 books plus 1 paperback the limit per person, it was overcrowded and unable to house the range of other services which had become common library stock. Planning to extend the Shire Offices by the addition of the south wing was an opportunity to re-house the Shire's Library. The opening of the library in the extension was carried out on 17th August 1971 by the Hon R J Hamer ED, MP, Chief Secretary of Victoria. Cr Geoffrey Dreverman officiated as the Shire President. The Heidelberg Regional Library Service continued until September 1985 when it disbanded. On 21 November 1985 the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service was established. At that time Eltham was represented by Councillors Mary Grant and Robert Manuell. By 1987, over-crowding of the Eltham Library and an inability to house the range of other services yet again rose to prominence. At a Council meeting held on 1 June 1987, the Councillors supported a resolution which threatened to close the library on 30 September 1987. Council's frustration arose from yet another re-run of the annual State Government versus Council Library funding and records show first arose in Eltham Council in 1967 with the Government of 1he day. After prolonged public anger and petitions the motion to close the library was rescinded in August 1987. Council, considering the community's concern, set up a ‘Library Review Working Party’ which a year later became the Library Occasional Committee with direct access to Council. This Committee investigated the workings of the 386 square metre library and found inadequate space for storage and display, lack of equipment, out-of-date furniture together with an increasing patronage which resulted in queues of borrowers becoming longer no matter when the library was open. Community consultation took the form of 1,000 questionnaires sent to users and non-users along with noticeboard reminders of what was planned. Council developed a strategy to set aside capital funds from 1988 on an annual basis so that preliminary planning and consultative expenses could be met, and construction could be completed early 1997. The Committee visited metropolitan libraries which were catering for a similar population as was projected for Eltham. Australia-wide Federal Government funding grants under the Local Capital Works Program became available from October 1992 for community projects endorsed by local Councils. The Eltham Council submitted a proposal, based on library findings and requirements accumulated by the Library Occasional Committee, to the Federal Grants Committee to build a new Eltham Library. The Federal Grants Committee supported the funding request allowing commencement of the library project three years earlier than planned. With finance finalised, the Council set up its Eltham Library Re-development Special Committee which was given the task of overseeing what could be the last major expansion of the Shire's Library Service as Eltham's population nears its projected maximum. The new library was designed by Gregory Burgess and Peter Ryan of Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd. Construction of the library commenced in 1993 and was officially opened May 22nd, 1994. The library building was designed to reflect its parkland setting. External features include: the roof which includes interesting aspects when viewed from Main Road; verandahs which provide ramp access and give a sheltered entrance to the building; walls which feature locally made mudbricks, conventional bricks and copper panels; and space for an outdoor courtyard/reading area which will be developed later. Internally there are several features. The building includes a foyer with a fireplace suitable for displays including artwork, a community multi-purpose room suitable for meetings or functions and an outdoor cafeteria. The ceilings are lined with Victorian Ash. The shapes for the ceiling give a free-flowing form to the building. Brush Box has been used for the circulation and information desks. The tree trunk columns are Grey lronbark from New South Wales. Arches and various-shaped windows add interest to the internal structure. The carpet design reflects the Eltham environment and compliments the natural colours and timbers used in the building. Tiles by artist Felix Bosari feature in the building and additional art by local artists added externally and internally to the building. Since 1994 the library has undergone a major extension to cater for children’s services and others. See also EDHS_02111Digital file only recorded from Audio Cassette tape on loan Converted to MP3 file; 11.1MB, 0:08:49eltham library, opening, harry gilham, harry gilham collection, 1994, audio cassette, audio recording

The Ballarat Teachers' College was established in 1926 and operated at the Ballarat East Town Hall from 1926 to 1931.A group of young adults, students of the Ballarat Teachers' College, are phoptographed outside the Ballarat East Town Hall. ballarat teachers' college, ballarat east town hall

Photographs associated with Public Schools camp, that started in the 1930s. Some boys worked on chicory at McFee's farm. 314-05 was possibly located at Trenavin Farm, Ventnor. (Source Jan Andrews ) Photo of people on cart with tank stand was off to a 7 picnic at the Nobbies 1917. [See 1124-01] Keeston Sambell driving, behind him is Betty Parker. on side from left is May Lambert, Jim Patterson, Jim Blake, Carmen Sambell and Bill Sambell.[ Source Jim Blake] Eight black & white photographs. 314-01. Photograph of horse and cart with 2 women, 2 girls and 5 boys. 314-02. Photograph of a mixed group of 7 people on a horse and drag. 314-03. Photograph of 3 young adult males and a dog standing in front of a wooden building. 1926 “Campers Rest” Labelled The Immortal camp at Ventnor. Poss. Trenavin Park 314-04. Photograph of 5 boys and 1 woman swimming in rock pool. 1 boy watching. 314-05. Photograph of old wooden hut with tank and chimney. Appears to have been used by boys when camping. 314-06. Photograph of 4 boys - 2 in swimming costumes - on the beach. 314-07. Photograph of 3 women and 1 girl sitting on sand dunes. 314-08. Photograph of 3 boys in uniform and 1 man sitting on bench - maybe watching sporting event?scotch college camp phillip island, scotch college boys, s j mcfee, c.k. newman, f. r. newman, trenavin park phillip island, sambell family, jim blake, betty parker

A collection of three photographs and one Identity Card donated by Alice Robinson.352-01: Black & White photograph on cardboard mount of the crowd at the opening of the Cowes War Memorial at the Jetty, The Esplanade, Cowes. 352-02: Sepia photograph of Horrie Matthews' home in Church Street (near Shamrock Avenue) Cowes with several horse drawn carts loaded with wood. Watched by a group of men. 352-03: Black & White photograph of children and teachers & adults at the Ventnor State School in May 1939. 352-04: Identity Card for Alice Isobel Giles-Clark, Cowes, Phillip Island. Possibly now Mrs Alice Robinson - the donor.351-01: Unveiling soldiers' Memorial Phillip Island 1920. 351-04: On front - Identity No. V10 F28 36869 Officer at Dandenong. Stamped May 43. On back - signature of holder "A. Clark Cowes" Witness to signature "Edith E Coels, Ventnor, Phillip Is."war memorial cowes phillip island, ventnor state school, horse drawn wagons, alice robinson, identity card

A collection of 18 photographs taken by Mrs Haines' sister whilst on an excursion to Phillip Island from Mt Barker High School in South Australia. 217-01 Photograph of the Cowes Pier taken from foreshore. Ferry at centre left and crowd of people on end of pier. 217-02 Photograph taken from the end of the Cowes Pier with Isle of Wight Hotel in the background. 217-03 Photograph of the Killara Ferry leaving Cowes with a crowd of people on board. 217-04 Photograph of waves surging over Bridal Veil rock platform in foreground. 217-05 Photograph of wave breaking over rock platform on the South Coast of Phillip Island. 217-06 Photograph of the Suspension Bridge from San Remo. 217-07 Photograph of a Guesthouse Dining Room. Tables covered with white cloth and fully laid, including floral arrangements. 217-08 Photograph of the War Memorial at Cowes with the pier in background. 217-09 Photograph of seals on Seal Rocks Phillip Island. 217-10 Photograph of a koala on the trunk of a Gum Tree. Handwritten on the back of the photo - "Roberta, a pet koala". 217-11 Photograph of children rolling down dune onto the beach. Children and adults standing at water's edge. 217-12 Photograph of the Killara at San Remo taken from the Suspension Bridge. 217-13 Photograph of a group of school children with teachers, young girl in the foreground, on rocks at Smith's Beach. 217-14 Photograph looking along the Suspension bridge from Newhaven end. Group of people walking toward San Remo. 217-15 Photograph of Suspension bridge from Newhaven beach. 217-16 Photograph of Mrs Melbourne and Mrs Haines sister. 217-17 Photograph of Seal Rocks taken from a boat. 217-18 Photograph of Theni Beddams - Headmistress of Shelford and Ila Tattersall (Mrs Haines) Sybil Robinson's sister together with four sailors.cowes pier phillip island, the killara ferry, ferries, wildlife - seals, wildlife - koala, suspension bridge phillip island, phillip island coastline, smith's beach, lover's walk cowes, lover's walk cowes phillip island, war memorial cowes phillip island, seals on seal rocks phillip island, seal rocks phillip island, mrs haines

One of a collection of photographs donated by Mrs. R. Rankine.Black & white photograph of a group of 9 adults on The Nobbies."Afternoon tea on the Nobbies 1920" "M M Martin W R Dutton" 1920the nobbies, phillip island, social life

From Jessie Smith's collection of Island Events & Landscapes. Group photographed at school function.Numerous group at side of Ventnor State School building. Children & adults. Verandah facing left, chimney at right.local history, photographs, schools, students, ventnor school, phillip island, black & white photograph, early education, jessie smith collection, stan mcfee

Informal group photograph of adults and children at Greensborough Primary School, Arbour Day. On Arbour Day individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. Arbour Day has been observed in Australia since 1889. There is a newspaper article on 22/06/1907 about Arbor Day.Digital copy of black and white photograph. greensborough primary school, arbour day 1907

Photograph of adults attending the celebrations at Greensborough Primary School, Arbour Day 1907. On Arbour Day individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. Arbour Day has been observed in Australia since 1889.Digital copy of black and white photograph. greensborough primary school, arbour day 1907

Part of a collection of photographs of the Iredale family, descendants of James Iredale (arrived Greensborough c1858) and his son George (arrived 1873). The adults in this photograph have not been identified. [Caption by Bruce McDowell: The two children in front are Johnny Iredale & Marjie Chapple (cousins).]Digital copy of black and white photograph.iredale family

De Witt's Kidney and Bladder Pills were produced by a firm founded in 1912 by E C De Witt, Cheshire UK, with branches in New Zealand, Chicago and New York. It became part of the CB Fleet Group in 1990, whose UK operation is currently based in Runcorn, Cheshire where they still manufacture toiletries, skin care products and pharmaceutical products. Aimed at adults and children above the age of eight, De Witt’s Kidney and Bladder Pills were intended to ease backache, aches and pains in the muscles, and kidney problems. They are typical of a huge range of treatments that were available ‘over the counter’ at pharmacists for many years. It is not known how effective the pills were but the label assures people not to be alarmed if their urine takes on a bluish colour after taking a dose. The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic stimulant for the kidneys to promote the flow of urine, combined with analgesic action. Aids in alleviating muscular aches and pains, restlessness, dizziness, backache, headache, getting up at nights, loss of energy if caused by sluggish kidneys. An empty clear glass bottle with a metal screw top lid that contained De Witts Pills Front Label : NEW / DE WITT'S PILLS / rising sun trade mark / Relieve the pain of Rheumatism / Backache, Fibrositis, Sciatica / DIRECTIONS ......../ R.C.De Witt & Co (Aust) Pty Ltd. / St. Kilda Melbournepharmacy, medicines, glassware, bottles, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, de witt company ltd, cheshire england, cb fleet group ltd, glass manufacturers