Used by builders and plumbers to cut tin.Used by Alan Tyers who worked for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria on the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Cousin's Regular Pattern. Used by builders and plumbers to cut tin. Regular pattern with straight cutting edge. Best cast steel, black finish, ground blades. 9 inch. When closed blades meet at the point. Handles meet when closed and are curved outwards."J. Cousins & Sons. Sheffield"- Inscribed on handle side of pivot on one side.tinsmith, tin snips, tool, secv, cousin's & sons

The State Electricity Commission of Victoria constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Their public relations employees published booklets to promote the Scheme and the area. In this booklet there are photos of some of the major work constructions with an explanation of how they work and their purpose, a map of the Scheme and an article and photos of tourist facilities and activities that are available.This booklet promotes the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and tourism indicating that tourism was recognised as a new industry for the area. The photos give a pictorial history of the area eg. skiing using the Summit T-bar lift and includes the facilities available at the time. The explanation of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme is a basic resource for students interested in Hydro power.Slim booklet with photo of McKay Creek Power Station on the front cover and the title in brown and black at the top. Printed along the spine is State Electricity Commission of Victoria.state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. tourism. t-bar ski tow. falls creek

Jan Burnett worked in the SECV office during the 1980's and 1990's. Her notes include the telephone numbers of locals, duty statement, monthly reports required, hierarchy of the staff, SECV memos, names of workers at the SECV and at the Shire of Bright etc. Names of local people living and working in the local area is useful for research.Green Folder containing a collection of Jan Burnett's papers and notes in connection with her work as a typist for the SECV.jan burnett. typist. state electricity commission of victoria.

Women preserved fruits to make jams, jellies, marmalade, pickles by bottling and canning as part of their housework duties in the 1950's.The women whose husbands worked on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme were not permitted to work for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, the expectation at the time being to work at home as mothers and housewives. This book describes one of their 'duties'.Coloured paper cover showing, on the front, fruit and jars with oranges being cut and fruit cooking, on the back. The title is across the top in black and then red. The book contains 28 pages and consists of recipes with illustrations. preserving. bottling. canning. housework. women's work.

The State Electricity Commission of Victoria published a journal every second month for all its workers throughout Victoria. Each 'project' reported their news, giving an update on work, sport, technical achievements, social gatherings, personal notices etc. The S.E.C. Journal included a regular section for the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme titled "Kiewa Keynotes" giving an insight into life & an update on the work on the project and the reporting of new clubs, services etc. being formed. It also reported on many of the people living there. Eg. Feb.-Mar. 1955 Cover "Packhorses get supply to Kiewa's survey outposts - Pg. 2. S.E.C.V. Journals covering the period of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Each journal is about 33 pages with a soft card board or glossy paper cover. The earlier journals were plain with one colour and white , the later ones had a photo on the front. The journals were identified by Vol. & No. and months and year. state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. kiewa valley. bogong. mt beauty. dams. power stations.

This metal plate machine used plates that contained names, addresses and classifications of each State Electricity Commission of Victoria employee working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The plates were put through the machine onto pay envelopes.See also: KVHS 1046, KVHS 1233The S.E.C.V. employed many people on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and used the latest technology of the time to pay each of them including providing each one with a pay slip. Metal table with the addressograph machine set into the middle section. The electric machine is belt driven and controlled by three 52 cm long metal pedals. The operator uses 5 stops, 2 knobs and 1 winder while sitting at the machine. There are 5 extra metal parts (or pieces) which belong to this machine. Ref. KVHS 1046 - Ink Rolls - Labelling Cartridges for Addressograph MachineMetal plate attached to front of machine which reads "Class 22000 Serial No. B-01547. Addressograph regd. Addressing machine. Patents Pending Made in England Addressograph Multigraph Limited London.addressograph machine. state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. payroll. office work.

This machine was used by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme by office workers who worked in the payroll office.The State Electricity Commission of Victoria used the latest technology available for office equipment on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. This machine was used in the payroll office.Black metal table with machine on top. Electric motor with belt drive to machine which is situated under the rear left side of the table. Safety metal mesh protects the leather belt and is at the rear of the table. The operator faces the machine which has a tray on the left and is divided longitudinally into two and holds new shiny metal plates on each side. There is a brown bakelite wheel on the left and two printing wheels inside a myriad of moving parts that enable the metal plates to be embossed with payroll information i.e. "Gang No. etc. / Names / Pay No. / Rate type. This has to be checked out each time / Date"ULQ 11 10"state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. payroll office. office work. payroll machine. office equipment

This electric washing machine was typical of the machines in the homes of Mt Beauty during the 1950's. This one has a wringer attached enabling the washing to be pushed through squeezing the water out after washing.Mt Beauty township was constructed in the early 1950s with electricity connected. Residents were employees of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and worked on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Metal green cylinder standing on 4 roller coasters. Cylinder has 3 sections - bottom short & yellow, the rest divided into 2, each section is held by a strip of steel bracing. The top section of the cylinder is hollow with a stainless steel metal agitator with 3 'wings'. The cylinder has a rotatable switch on the outside and a moveable knob. Opposite on the outside is a metal pipe widening to the wringer which hangs above the cylinder. The green wringer has 2 cloth covered cylinders that can be separated by moving knobs. A flat stainless steel curved flat surface comes out at an angle below the cloth cylinder. An electric cord is attached. The cylinder has a lid with a knob in its middle.On the wringer: "Stampco"electric washing machine. mt beauty. s.e.c.v. kiewa hydro electric scheme. home duties. housework. wringer washing machine.

Alex McCullough was a resident of Mt Beauty for many years and wrote a book on the History of Mt Beauty. Mt Beauty was constructed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria to house employees working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Mt Beauty's history is unique as it was built as a construction town in the late 1940s. The information contained in the folder is a written history of the town's development. Alex, 1916 - 2011, worked as a foreman on Clover Dam. He served in WWII, was involved in the community (Mt Beauty & District Progress Association & Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre), achieved many awards, served as Shire Councillor and Mayor, was involved with tennis and golf committees. His obituary is online ref. legacy.com White plastic folder with more than 20 clear plastic sleeves containing information on various organisations in Mt Beauty. Assembled by Alex McCullough. There is an index of the organisations in the first sleeve.Attached to the front cover: 'Early History Mount Beauty'mt beauty & district progress association, mount beauty history, alex mcculloch

Leo Wimmer who lived locally was commissioned to do the painting for the Mt Beauty, S. K. Pearce Pty. Ltd., Supermarket as a display was wanted to fit against the blank walls opposite the cash registers (where the liquor store is now). His idea was to break up the parts in the painting and use these as large replicas painted on wood for the display. An official opening was held and Leo used the money earned to visit his homeland, Austria. Leo trained as a restorer of church art in Austria.This painting was commissioned for a Cattlemen's display behind the cash registers at the Mt Beauty S. K. Pearce Supermarket. Each part of the foreground was painted separately onto stand alone boards -the cattle, the hut, the grass and the Mt Beauty township. Leo Wimmer lived locally and was a professional frame conservator. Leo Wimmer specialised in gilding and worked at the National Gallery of Victoria and later the National Gallery of Australia (NGA Nov. 1981 - 1990) where he was responsible for conservation of gilded frames in the national collection. This involved crafting of missing pieces on period frames, conservation/restoration of gilded surfaces, crafting of period frames, and lecturing at galleries and institutions on gilding, wood carving, Australian frame history and crafting of period frames. Framed painting of Mt Bogong with cattle, Mt Beauty township and cattleman's hut in foreground.Circular watermark (illegible) on bottom right corner. "Wimmer / 1" is underneath the watermark.cattlemen; bogong high plains; s.k.pearce; mt beauty supermarket; leo wimmer;

Bogong State School was awarded First Prize in its Class for 'the Project Book'. The school received a cheque for the purchase of library books or approved equipment.Bogong is a town established by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The project "displays some most artistic work in illustrating birds of the district" confirming that the principal at the time had a very good reputation especially with his knowledge of the surrounding bush and wild life.Dark wooden frame, glass cover, cardboard back not attached to the frame. 2 rings screwed at the top on the sides of the frame with string attached to each. Paper yellowed letter titled "Australian American Association" dated 6 May 1946 addressed to the Principal Bogong State School.bogong state school; australian american association;

This map was printed in 1925 and contains the Warrnambool Harbour alterations proposed by the Warrnambool Harbour Committee incorporating the original designs of Captain Menzies, the Warrnambool Harbour Master and the City Engineer, Mr A. Lavercombe. The main features of the proposal were the extension of the Eastern Wall to almost enclose the harbour and a basin in Lake Pertobe. The design was to be placed before the Victorian Royal Commission on the Outer Ports which was established partly to examine the allegations of unsatisfactory work carried out in Warrnambool when the Breakwater was extended 300 feet in 1914 and also to make recommendations regarding all regional ports. The Warrnambool Breakwater was completed in 1890 but failed to provide the shipping conditions needed to continue Warrnambool as a viable port. Many plans and proposals for port improvement such as this one were produced in the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century with the port officially closed in the 1940s. Still today the Breakwater and Warrnambool Harbour conditions remain a source of contention.This map is significant as it shows a 1925 design for Warrnambool Harbour hitherto little-known. It also has markings showing land sites of the time (BayView Hotel, Woollen Mill etc.)This is a map made of thick yellow paper pasted onto a cloth backing. It has two cloth tags at the top for tying up the map when folded. It appears to be a hand-drawn map copied with printed material added. The map is shaded green and red in some areas. Attached by nails to the map are wooden frames, rounded at the bottom and partly curved at the top. The map is torn and partly detached at the top. The top frame has a cord attached for hanging the map.warrnambool harbour, captain menzies, a.lavercombe city engineer, warrnambool breakwater, royal commission on outer ports

This exercise book contains details on the work carried out by A.Greed, a tradesman undertaking small carpentry and repair jobs in the Warrnambool region. The works completed date from 17 April 1945 to 11 October 1949. Mr Greed apparently worked mostly for the Public Works Department and had contracts for schools including Ecklin South, Panmure, Cudgee, Dennington, Mailors Flat, Grasmere, and Warrnambool Technical School and for other public buildings including the Warrnambool Court House, the Police Station and Housing Commission buildings. Other contracts included ones for the Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve, Callaghan’s Garage, the Caledonian Hotel, the Methodist Croquet Club and many private home owners. Details on the identity of ‘A. Greed’ are not known as there are several possibilities for the 1940s era. One clue is that an ‘E. Greed’ was also an employee.This exercise book is of some interest as an example of a tradesman’s handwritten details of his work as a carpenter and repair man in the 1940s in the Warrnambool area. There are many local names and businesses of interest mentioned in the exercise book. This is an exercise book with a grey cover with red binding. The dark blue printing on the front cover is enclosed in scroll patterns and the back cover has dark blue printing The cover is creased and has some ink splotches. The front cover has been stamped but the printing is now mostly illegible. The pages contain handwritten work and accounting information in black and blue ink. Some pages have been overwritten in red and black ink and pencil and there is one loose sheet.The Vana Exercise Booka.greed,, warrnambool tradesman, history of warrnambool

Built in 1866 in Echuca, the PS Adelaide is the oldest wooden hulled paddle steamer still operating as a passenger vessel in the world. Engines made in Melbourne by Fulton and Shaw. JG Grassie was the original owner who was looking for a wool carrying boat as a commercial venture with the arrival of the rail at the Port of Echuca making the future look bright. Seutonius and Charles Officer of Murray Downs Station joined Grassie in financing the venture and they used the boat for 6 years before David Blair and partners (Echuca sawmillers) bought the Adelaide in July of 1872 and she began her long working life as a logging boat providing a shuttle service between the forests around Barmah and the mill, usually towing up to 3 or 4 barges. The paddle boxes were rebuilt from round to a square configuration in approximately 1924 by Charles Felshaw, local Echuca shipwright. The Adelaide had unusual strength for her size. Her career ended in the mid 1950s where she lay idle tied up near the mill at Echuca wharf. For a short time she was sold to Mildura but fortunately the Apex Club raised funds to buy her back to be a reminder of the riverboat days at the Port. She was lifted out for safekeeping into Hopwood Gardens where she remained on show for nearly 25 years. After restoration by Port shipwright Keven Hutchinson OAM, she returned to the waters of the Murray River on Sunday March 4th 1984 at 5.20pm. After further restoration, in 1985 the Prince and Princess of Wales re-commissioned PS ADELAIDE in a ceremony on their tour of the region. The world's oldest wooden hulled paddle steamer still operating as a passenger vessel today built in Echuca in 1866. It is often considered the flagship of the operational fleet of the Port of Echuca given its age and known provenance to Echuca. The Adelaide is an iconic symbol of the riverboat timber and cargo trade that worked on the Murray River from the mid 1800s. Remarkably, PS ADELAIDE still operates with its original Fulton and Shaw engines.Composite hull, side wheeler with two single cylinder steam engines, producing a total of 36hp. Currently cream and burgundy moored at the Echuca Wharf. 49 passenger capacity.P.S. Adelaide signage on wheelhouse and port and starboard bow.p.s. adelaide, paddle steamers, echuca boat builders, charles felshaw

This old footbidge is situated close to the shack that Gordon Ford built on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg also used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, bernie's hut, birrarung, footbridge, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river

Gordon Ford was a conservationist and a pioneer of natural-style landscaping. He came to Eltham in 1948 and bought a block of land in John Street extending through to Pitt Street. Artist Peter Glass lived opposite in John Street. Early on, Gordon worked for Alistair Knox on construction of the mudbrick Busst house amongst others. At the same time, with the help of friends including artist Clifton Pugh, he progressively built his own house ‘Fülling’, which "grew like Topsy" utilising a variety of second-hand materials. His main focus, which became his life-long occupation, was garden landscaping. Inspired by Edna Walling and Ellis Stones, he sought to reflect the bush settings of rural Victoria where he had grown up. Commissions included Monash University and countless industrial sites but designing for the archetypal quarter-acre block gave him the most satisfaction. He had a huge impact on the look of gardens in Australia from the 1950s, creating seemingly natural bush environments by carefully integrating indigenous and exotic plantings. Gordon died in 1999 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery; the gravesite in a natural landscape setting is marked by a plaque. Another plaque (away from his grave) notes his landscaping design work within the cemetery grounds and at Alistair Knox Park. Gordon Craig Ford 30-8-1918 - 16-6-1999 Landscape designer Loved and respected Husband of Gwen, father Of Angela, Emma, Ben, Cassie, Dailan, Caitlin. A good life lived well Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p55This 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, graves, eltham cemetery, gordon craig ford, gravestones, gwen ford, memorials

Gordon Ford was a conservationist and a pioneer of natural-style landscaping. He came to Eltham in 1948 and bought a block of land in John Street extending through to Pitt Street. Artist Peter Glass lived opposite in John Street. Early on, Gordon worked for Alistair Knox on construction of the mudbrick Busst house amongst others. At the same time, with the help of friends including artist Clifton Pugh, he progressively built his own house ‘Fülling’, which "grew like Topsy" utilising a variety of second-hand materials. His main focus, which became his life-long occupation, was garden landscaping. Inspired by Edna Walling and Ellis Stones, he sought to reflect the bush settings of rural Victoria where he had grown up. Commissions included Monash University and countless industrial sites but designing for the archetypal quarter-acre block gave him the most satisfaction. He had a huge impact on the look of gardens in Australia from the 1950s, creating seemingly natural bush environments by carefully integrating indigenous and exotic plantings. Gordon died in 1999 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery; the gravesite is marked by a plaque. Another plaque (away from his grave) notes his landscaping design work within the cemetery grounds and at Alistair Knox Park. Gordon Craig Ford Landscape Designer 30. 8 .1918 - 16. 6. 1999 Eltham Cemetery Trustee fom 1987 - 1999 Gordon settled in Eltham in 1948 He was a conservationist and a pioneer of natural style landscaping, continuing design and construction until his death. His local work and influence can be seen in many private gardens, the Eltham Cemetery and the Alistair Knox Park.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, gordon craig ford

Hubert and Beulah Alice (Simpson) Rutter had five children: Hubert Jnr. (Joe) in 1913, David in 1915, June in 1917, Donald in 1922 and Samuel in 1926. Samuel died as an infant aged 17 days. Hubert was a notable figure in Eltham and beyond, with a career as a mining manager in Australia and Malaya. He served in the AIF in the First World War. While the children were growing up at ‘Yarra Braes’, Eltham, their father was an Eltham Shire Councillor in the 1920s, shire president in 1928 and a leading figure in establishing the Shire of Eltham War Memorial League, which was responsible for building the Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower at Kangaroo Ground, near where the Shire Offices were located until the 1930s. The Rutter name was commemorated after the war at Eltham High School with one of the schoolhouses named ‘Rutter House’ and at Geelong Grammar School until the 1960s where a ‘Rutter Badge’ was awarded to junior boys for leadership. The family home, ‘Yarra Braes’ was destroyed in the devasting Black Friday bushfire, 13 January 1939 and Beulah relocated to Toorak, Hubert working in Western Australia. Tragedy struck the family again December 19, 1940 when daughter June was killed after falling from the Heidelberg train on to an adjacent track into the path of a Reservoir train at Victoria Park station. Sons David and Donald both served in the R.A.A.F. during the Second World War and were killed in action, David in Libya in 1941 and Donald in Germany in 1945. The wreck of his plane and his body were not recovered at the time and Hubert never ceased to chase down leads as to his whereabouts. Beulah never gave up hope that Donald was still alive. Hubert had received several reports shortly after the war that his son was still alive but these were ultimately accepted as misidentification. Such was the anguish of the grieving parents, their son’s plane not found to confirm the fact for certain. Hubert wrote to the Air Force in frustration, failing to understand how the plane could disappear when it crashed in a relatively populated area. Unfortunately the answers came too late for Beulah who died in 1946 and was buried in Eltham Cemetery along with her daughter June and baby Samuel. Donald’s plane was eventually located and his body recovered in 1949. He is buried in the Hanover War Cemetery, Germany. David is commemorated on Column 245, Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Both David and Donald are commemorated on Eltham’s Roll of Honour Board, commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Baby Health Centre, part of the Eltham War Memorial building precinct. Hubert Senior and Hubert Junior both continued to work in the mining industry in Western Australia. Hubert senior died 1957 at Plantagenet Western Australia and Hubert junior in 1979 at Gascoyne, Western Australia. Sacred to the memory of Beulah AliceBeloved wife of Hubert Rutter Died August 21st 1946 also June Beloved daughter of Beulah and Hubert Rutter Died 19th December 1940 aged 23 years Also her baby brother Samuel Died 7th October 1926, aged 17 daysBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, beulah alice rutter, hubert rutter, june rutter, samuel rutter

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford

Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford

Laughing Waters Walk, 7 Sep 2013 This Society excursion was a follow up to the Laughing Waters Story told to us by Jane Woollard at our Annual General Meeting in March 2013. It involved a walk commencing from the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads along Laughing Waters Road to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route - a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way we visited the two artist in residence properties, River Bend and Birrarung, to view the houses on them that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community. We also able to walk around the derelict ruin which was once home to Gordon and Sue Ford, Boomerang House. An unexpected afternoon tea was offered to us by the artists in residence at Birrarung House and we had a brief opportunity to view inside the house. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.2013-09-07, activities, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, jim connor collection, laughing waters road, boomerang house, gordon ford, gordon's shack, love shack

The Eltham Cemetery Trust, established in 1858, selected the existing burial site at Mount Pleasant Road on high ground overlooking the village of Eltham. The first recorded burial took place in 1861 in the Church of England section. Headstones depict the names of many early and well known local families. On Saturday 5th March 2016 Harry Gilham again lead members and visitors on a heritage excursion through parts of the cemetery, while providing background information on selected individuals buried there. Harry’s cemetery walks have always been popular, and members and visitors were encouraged to come along and experience the tranquil surroundings of this picturesque cemetery. We were also able to view the recently installed sculpture titled ‘A Currawong Takes Flight’ by Michael Wilson located at the highest point of the fence-lined border between Montsalvat and the cemetery. It is close to the last bronze sculpture by Matcham Skipper, titled ‘Young Man Awakening’, commissioned by the Eltham Cemetery Trust to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the cemetery in 2008. As an addition, we also met the artists and stonemason and given a brief background into the Trust’s newest art project installation titled “Our Eltham – Artistic Recollections” which will feature ceramic panels containing artwork with a local history theme. The work is the joint creation of artist Nerina Lascelles and ceramicist Linda Detoma, supported with stonework by Leigh Wykes and steelwork by Neil Carter, all skilled local Nillumbik artisans.fay bridge collection, 2016-03-05, eltham cemetery, geoff watt, jim connor, leigh wykes, linda detoma, nerina lascelles, young man awakening, harry gilham

Gordon Ford built this shack on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, 2016-04, bernie's hut, birrarung, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river

Gordon Ford built this shack on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, 2016-07-22, bernie's hut, birrarung, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river

In April 1928 the MMBW had the land and the plans for what they were to construct but the timing of the actual building did not proceed as planned. Before the construction could commence the Great Depression of the 1930s intervened forcing the shelving of its plans. The new owners then offered the land for lease resulting in Frederick Werrett taking the opportunity to take up the land he formerly owned to continue his market gardening activities of growing potatoes, onions and other crops. The land and improvements made by Syme were leased in 1929 to Harry Telford a trainer from New South Wales. Phar Lap grazed there for a short time. [9] However the population of Melbourne continued to grow and the need for a sewerage treatment plant did not go away. In 1939 when the effects of the Depression had dissipated work on the Sewerage Effluent Treatment Plant commenced and the following year in October the Premier of the State, Albert Dunstan, officially commissioned it. The Sewerage Effluent Treatment Plant at Braeside served the communities of south-east Melbourne for thirty five years until 1975. In that year all the sewers that entered the Braeside plant were diverted to the South Eastern Trunk Sewer complex at Carrum.[10] In 1982 the chairman of the MMBW at that time, Alan Croxford, announced that a substantial part of the property at Braeside would be administered by the Parks and Gardens section of MMBW as a public park. Subsequently the responsibilities were transferred to Parks Victoria, the situation that exists today. It is known as “Braeside Park” now. [Source: Sewerage Treatment Plant at Braeside, Kingston Local History, https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/articles/407]alan gardiner collection, 1939, braeside sewage treatment plant, construction, melbourne metropolitan board of works, mmbw

In April 1928 the MMBW had the land and the plans for what they were to construct but the timing of the actual building did not proceed as planned. Before the construction could commence the Great Depression of the 1930s intervened forcing the shelving of its plans. The new owners then offered the land for lease resulting in Frederick Werrett taking the opportunity to take up the land he formerly owned to continue his market gardening activities of growing potatoes, onions and other crops. The land and improvements made by Syme were leased in 1929 to Harry Telford a trainer from New South Wales. Phar Lap grazed there for a short time. [9] However the population of Melbourne continued to grow and the need for a sewerage treatment plant did not go away. In 1939 when the effects of the Depression had dissipated work on the Sewerage Effluent Treatment Plant commenced and the following year in October the Premier of the State, Albert Dunstan, officially commissioned it. The Sewerage Effluent Treatment Plant at Braeside served the communities of south-east Melbourne for thirty five years until 1975. In that year all the sewers that entered the Braeside plant were diverted to the South Eastern Trunk Sewer complex at Carrum.[10] In 1982 the chairman of the MMBW at that time, Alan Croxford, announced that a substantial part of the property at Braeside would be administered by the Parks and Gardens section of MMBW as a public park. Subsequently the responsibilities were transferred to Parks Victoria, the situation that exists today. It is known as “Braeside Park” now. [Source: Sewerage Treatment Plant at Braeside, Kingston Local History, https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/articles/407]alan gardiner collection, 1939, braeside sewage treatment plant, construction, melbourne metropolitan board of works, mmbw

Various news articles pertaining to the January 1962 Victorian bushfires in the Dandenong and Healesville districts which by second day had spread on to a 150 mile front fromDaylesford and Kinglake through to the Dandenongs. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Ninka Road, St. Andrews, Kinglake, Hurstbridge on page 2 • Fires Blazing on 150M. Arc: "Need a Miracle", p1 (Illust.) – Victoria’s worst bushfire day since “Black Friday,” 1939 • Night dash as bushfire sweeps by, p2 (Illust.) • Kalorama Saved: Fire 100 Ft. Away, p2 • Stay away, says police chief, p2 • The Tragedy of the Fires, p3 (Illust.) • Good save by firemen, p4 (Illust.) • S.E.C. Firemen Saved N. Yallourn, p4 • Cherry river of flame, p4 • From the fire front: Fire-fighters are bitten by snakes, p4 • They faced the fury, p6 (Illust.) • The ’39 Blaze, p6 • They fought and failed, p6 • Hills Aflame: 2nd Day, pp16-17 (Illust.) • Respite at Olinda HQ, p16 (Illust.) • Here is Ruin, p17 (Illust.) • This fireman had to work among piled up furniture … p32 (Illust.) tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1962, victorian bushfires – 1962, black friday, victorian bushfires – 1939, c.h. howe, daylesford, country fire authority, dandenongs, yallourn, central gippsland, montrose, olinda, kalorama, healesville, st. andrews, hurstbridge, ninka road, kinglake, yarra glen, a.l. mccutcheon, st. andrews postmaster, eltham shire secretary, max watson, police commissioner porter, observatory road, mt. dandenong, whittlesea, one tree hill, sassafras, the basin, steel’s creek, ruby ryan, the basin progress hall, yaallourn, yallourn north, stet electricity commission (s.e.c.), hernes oak, mcdonalds track, florence milkins, lieutenant-colonel k. leggett, bonza view road, ringwood police station, michael o’connor, volunteers, fire damage - buildings

October Meeting (Newsletter No. 248, Oct. 2019) It was intended that Dr. Andrew Lemon AM would be our guest speaker at our last meeting on Wednesday 14th August 2019, to talk about Heritage Advocacy - the role of historical research and historical societies. Unfortunately, due to a clash of commitments Andrew apologised for not being able to attend and we are delighted he will now be our speaker at our next meeting on Wednesday 9th October. As mentioned in our last newsletter, this presentation was very well received when Andrew was the keynote speaker at the recent Regional Conference of the Association of Eastern Historical Societies. Andrew is an independent professional historian who has published many commissioned local and institutional histories since his first book, Box Hill, forty years ago. He has now written sixteen books, four of which have won prizes, on subjects ranging from local history, sport, education and biography. Andrew received his doctorate of letters from the University of Melbourne in 2004 because of the excellence of a body of work, not one single piece, as in a thesis. He has been a consistent supporter of our Society and a long term member, who has spoken at a number of our meetings, over many years.1:20:57 duration Digital MP3 File 27.7 MB andrew lemon, audio recording, eltham, eltham district historical society, heritage advocacy, meeting, society meeting