A yellow hardcover fiction book for children with a coloured picture of children playing a game of red indians outside a decorated teepee. The girl is cooking with a pot over an outdoor fire and the boys are firing a bow and arrow and painting a pot. The title, The Prize is printed at the at the top of the cover in red lettering surrounded by a boy and girl each side. Publisher details are at the bottom. The spine is brown tape. The back cover has a faded red advertisement for Pears Soap.There are advertisements on the endpapers at both front and back. There is foxing and tanning noted on the edges of the pages. There are stories and poems written by various authors and black and white illustrations and coloured plates throughout. The title page is very ornately decorated with a black and white floral design and covered by a tissue paper page. The coloured frontispiece is of three boys playing soldiers with one sitting on a rocking horse. There are Contents, Poetry and List of Illustrations pages. 164p.fictionA collection of varied stories and poems for young children - 1918 ed. There are practical articles as well, such as some on gardening.children's fiction, poetry

A large thick, heavy green hardcover Girl's Own Annual Volume 46 with a large square picture depicting two women walking in the snow holding bunches of holly. The title is in red print and there is holly surrounding the illustration. The spine has the title printed in gold lettering, holly leaves and Vol 46 in black type at the bottom. It is a 1924 edition of this series. The end papers show green tinted woods and a stream. The coloured frontispiece is of a woman decorating a Christmas Tree from the story - The Christmas Fairy. Tissue paper protects this page. The contents of the book are for girls and women with stories, knitting and sewing patterns, handy home hints, factual information and more. There is an emphasis on Royal Family life. Inside is a 1997 religious bookmark for a Ekankar Seminar, Brisbane Australia. A bookplate is pasted at the front of the book. non-fictionThe contents of the book are for girls and women with stories, knitting and sewing patterns, handy home hints, factual information and more. There is an emphasis on Royal Family life.books, children's books, awards, adventure stories, family life fiction, family life

Martha Watson was born on 17 October 1888 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia as the first child of Robina (Ruby) WATSON. She died on 23 March 1976 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Memories of Martha by Valcia nee Twigg Lowrie, granddaughter of Arthur Watson. My memories and recollections as told to me my Grandmother ‘Mum’ Myers. As a child she had scarlet fever and did not attend school during the illness and missed a lot of school (Macarthur Street State School). When she was meant to return to school having fallen behind her classmates, confused and behind with the school work, she instead spent her time wandering around Lake Wendouree feeling too ashamed to attend school. Her uncle Arthur, born in 1874, whom she idealized, was a type of father/mentor figure who played and important part in her early life. He moved to Queensland in the early 1900’s and they did not meet again until he visited Melton in 1949, he died in 1954. He was a champion rower in Victoria and Queensland and a noted cyclist who rode in three Warrnambool to Melbourne races, and footballer. Her mother’s death certificate reveals her place of death as the Ballarat Hospital on 8th September 1903 aged 36. Martha was not told of the death of her mother, it was some time later when she found out her mother had died. She was greatly distressed when she eventually found out. The grief and the circumstance of her mothers death and her unfortunate life had a permanent effect on Martha’s life. Robina was buried in Open Ground at the New Cemetery Ballarat. Marjorie likened to this to the death of Mozart at the age of 35 who was also buried in a common grave. Martha also told me the stories about how as a child she played at the cemetery, taking the oranges placed as offerings on the Chinese graves and being chased away in fright when caught by a Chinese man. Her description left a vivid impression on my mind. The Burnbank street house was just across the road from the cemetery. The pieces of this story I had heard made sense when I visited the location in recent years. Martha’s described how Nanna would sing on the front verandah, and send her off to t get drink for her. This situation might help explain the reason for Martha’s strong aversion to alcohol. As a young girl it had been distressing to her. Nanna was a colourful and theatrical personality and danced with the Duke when he visited Ballarat. She was also known to have stated that she would marry a man who could give her a bucket of gold, possibly around the time after her first husband, Charles death, she had her young boy Edward to bring up. Martha was about 13 years old when Nanna Watson left Ballarat going to Queensland to visit her son Arthur. Martha slept that night afraid and alone in the empty house. The person who was meant to collect her did not come until the next day. She went to work for a family, a woman with children, they took most of the money that Nanna had left with Martha. There was a new baby in the house and the Scottish man in the house behaved suspiciously towards Martha. She was afraid of him and would hide from him under the bed. At this young age she managed to survive on her wits and sense of self preservation. It is not known how long she worked with this family. The place was from my impression, away from the town of Ballarat. Her very difficult formative years are testament to her strength of character and determination to succeed in life and ambition to provide the best opportunities for her own children. In 1905 Martha received a post card from Uncle Arthur in Brisbane addressed – c/o Mrs Styles 14 High Street Ballarat. Dolly Styles was a Ballarat friend and she kept in contact with her for many years. A letter reveals her living in Minyip in her older years. Martha is thought to have spent a few years working before she arrived in Melton. Miss Shebler hired Martha to help her in the care of her father and to assist with work in the Golden Fleece Hotel. Mr Shebler was a nice old man and mostly confined to his room and somewhat childlike as described by Martha. [The elderly Mr August Shebler died in February 1908]. Martha’s exact arrival in Melton is not known, but could be estimated as late 1906 to early 1907. In her room at the hotel she could hear the spring cart of Mr Minns going on the milk delivery rounds in the very early hours of the morning after coming across the creek from his house When she was 19, she married Frederick Thomas MYERS, son of Henri MIERS and Ann DOWLING, on 30 April 1908 ( Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia). Frederick Thomas MYERS and Martha Mary WATSON had the following children: 1. Frederick John Watson MYERS was born on 01 October 1908 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 07 February 2001.He married Mary June BATTYE on 18 September 1948 in Victoria, Australia. 2. Marjorie Gretchen MYERS was born on 21 February 1912 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 10 September 2004 in Frankston, Victoria, Australia.She married Herbert Vivian BUTLER on 07 January 1939 in Victoria, Australia. 3. Eva Edna MYERS was born on 15 October 1918 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 31 January 2008 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.She married Ernest Wesley BARRIE on 25 October 1941 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. 4. Arthur Bruce MYERS was born on 29 April 1925 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 26 March 2015 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.He married Olive Irene NORTON in April 1953 in Balliang, Victoria, Australia (or Church of Christ Footscray? (WB)). 5. Maxwell Douglas MYERS was born on 10 August 1927 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 03 May 2005 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.He married Rosemary Rebecca BARRIE on 31 August 1951 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. Valcia nee Twigg Lowrie granddaughter of Arthur Watson, daughter of Mercia and Val Twigg did extensive research on the Marshall family of Lerwick Shetland Isle obtaining birth information of the Scottish forebears. She also got the birth/marriage and death certificates of the Ballarat connection of Robina’s husbands and children. Copies were sent to Edna and Wendy during the early 1990’s. Bruce and Irene also obtained certificates and Myers family information. Wendy applied for certificates at this time.Photographs of Martha (Watson) Myers taken at different times of her life

A very badly damaged hardcover book, Little Folks: a British magazine for the young. This is a bound edition for children. The front cover has an illustration of two girls standing beside a fence feeding a pony leafy greens from a basket. The back cover has two advertisements: one for Pear's soap and one for Cadbury's cocoa. There are black and white illustrations throughout. The spine has come apart from the two loose covers and many pages are torn and dog-eared. Some are missing. 426p. Inside on p.179 there are pressed leaves.fictionA collection of magazine stories, poems, puzzles, music for young children bound into a hardcover book. It dates around late 1800's to early 1900's. children's fiction, children's stories

A large red hardcover book with the title Goodnight Stories printed in blue lettering at the top with the publisher, Nelson at the right hand bottom corner. There is a coloured illustration of a young girl holding and feeding a white rabbit with a boy looking on. The spine has the title, a black outline drawing of a girl and the publisher at the bottom. Poems, rhymes and stories are illustrated with black lined illustrations and some coloured plates. 160p.fictionA collection of illustrated stories, nursery rhymes and poems for very young children by assorted authors. It has large print, wear on the front cover, some stains on the back cover, foxing on the edges of the pages. children's fiction., nursery rhymes

A large yellow covered hardcover fiction book for children with a coloured picture of Humpty Dumpty sitting on a brick wall. He is wearing green pants with yellow stars and red and white spotted bow around his middle. There is a drawing of a girl and boy either side of the title The Prize at the top of the cover. There are books and candles drawn at the bottom under the brick wall. The spine is blank. There are advertisements on the endpapers both front and back. There is foxing noted on the edges of the pages. On page 72 there is a loose insert of black and white portraits of five men and a woman who appear to be wearing sporting or school clothes. There are stories and poems written by various authors and black and white illustrations and coloured plates throughout. The title page is very ornately decorated with a black and white floral design. The coloured frontispiece is of Humpty Dumpty again. At the front there is a Contents and List of Illustrations page. 140p.fictionA collection of stories and poems for young children - Volume LXVI (66)children's fiction, poetry

A large hardcover children's book with a coloured picture on the front cover of two boys and a girl preparing a toy yacht to sail on a pond in a park. The title Children's friend is in large white lettering at the top and the illustrator Van Jones is at the bottom. The green cloth spine has just the title printed in black lettering on the side. The stories and poems are by different authors, and some non fiction or information articles are at the back. A child has coloured many pictures with coloured pencils throughout. tanning, loose pages and foxing is seen. Coloured plates and black and white illustrations are noted. On the front endpapers are stampings of trains, buildings, a lighthouse and man. fictionA large children's book of assorted stories, poems and facts written by different authors. children's fiction, children's stories

A grey children's book with the title Ben Froggatt; or Little Lonesome printed in gold lettering on the front cover surrounded by black illustrations of plants, a highly patterned wide diagonal stripe with a circle at the bottom right showing inside it a boy looking at another boy lying on the ground. The back cover has a large black drawing of a plant. The spine has the title in gold at the top. There are some full page black and white illustrations and a list at the back of suggested books to read and give for Presentations. Some damage to pages and tanning. 151p.fictionA story about two young orphaned boys who have to make their way in the world. They have strong religious teachings from their grandmother and after she dies they struggle to survive. Through various hardships the main character Ben manages to make something of his simple life, marries a girl he adores and eventually is reunited with his long lost brother who has mended his ways.children's fiction, religious fiction

Women's Budget', July 30, 1921 is printed on unstapled newsprint quality paper with a red and black cover featuring a picture of a young girl holding a hoop.non-fictionThe "Woman's Budget" was published in Sydney, Australian from January 1906 until November 1934. This is issue Number 810, released on July 30, 1921. It includes articles related to Australian and overseas stories and society news, short stories, fashion, handicraft and patterns, recipes and a wide range of advertising. As on this cover, 'I.X.L. Jams' and 'Hean's Tonic Nerve Nuts' were regular advertisers. It was printed by S. Bennett Ltd. in Sydney, Australia who were taken over by Associated Newspapers in 1929.women's magazine, women's periodicals, womens social history

When Mrs Julia Ronan nee Arundel lost her husband John to tuberculosis in 1906, she quickly decided to move from their small farm into Wodonga with her 3 children. She was granted the lease of the ground she needed to establish her eating house at one shilling per year while she remained there. Two established merchants Albert Schlink and John Whan and butcher Jack Garrett agreed to allow her credit which enabled her to open Ronan's Dining Rooms at the Wodonga Saleyards. It was often a challenging environment, with drovers, and horse- breakers, auctioneers and bushmen bringing huge mobs of cattle and horses to the saleyards. Stories of the premises include the unexpected arrival in the passage of a lively bullock which finished up on the girls' bed. Mrs Ronan persevered and beat all obstacles to finally move from the saleyards to the Wodonga Coffee Palace in High Street, beside the railway gates in 1921. The construction of the Hume Weir had begun and some construction workers boarded at the Coffee Palace. Her 3 children achieved success due to their mother’s hard work to ensure their futures. Bill trained for the priesthood and was a parish priest, but died from tuberculosis 1n 1939 aged of 41. Katie became a highly accomplished music teacher, including 32 years at Albury Public School. In the 1930s she was able to buy a house at 49 High Street, Wodonga where she lived with her mother and sister Mary. Mary trained in office work at Edmondson’s solicitors and then worked on the Albury Council. After living with her daughters in the High Street house, Julia passed away on her 90th birthday in 1958. Mary died on 6 January 1983. Katie passed away in Wodonga at the age of 97 on the 16 September 1996. All members of the family are buried at Yackandandah, Victoria.A black and white image of Miss Mary Ronan, Mrs Julia Ronan and Miss Teresa Trudewind at the Old Saleyards Dining Room, Wodonga.On front of building: DINING ROOMS/ MRS. J. RONANmrs. ronan, dining rooms wodonga sale yards, wodonga businesses, wodonga pioneers

This photograph shows members of the community outside the Moorabbin Council Offices, handing over a brand-new utility truck for use by the Australian Comforts Fund, in support of the war effort. It was purchased with funds raised by contestants in Moorabbin's 'Popular Girl Quest'. Contestants received a vote for each penny they collected. The winner was Gladys Mariott, pictured centre wearing a sash, who raised £528 10s, earning her 126,800 votes. In total, the contestants raised more than a thousand pounds, which enabled the purchasing of the new utility truck.Members of the Moorabbin community were keen to play their part in supporting the war effort. A black and white photograph of a group of men and women standing in front of and behind a utility vehicle with the license plate FA 341. There are two buildings in the background, one of which has a sign out the front that reads "Moorabbin Free Library & Mechanics Institute". The photograph was taken outside Moorabbin Council offices to illustrate the handing over of utility truck for use by Australian Comforts Fund. Money for the truck was raised by the 'Popular Girl Quest' won by Gladys Marriott (centre wearing sash)Handwritten in red ink: A 600 / 72% Handwritten in black ink: CHAP 6. / WITH SUB-STORY / Spy base -- / OR general pix / in Chap 6 / referring to warworld war ii, australian comforts fund, popular girl quest, fundraising, war efforts, vehicles

This is an example of Melbourne Legacy promotional material that was issued to inform the public on the work of Legacy. It includes the story of Legacy and what Legacy does. Headings include: Care of families ; Welfare ; Education and Training ; Boys' and Girls' classes ; Holidays and camps ; Residences ; Widows' Club.An example of promotional material issued by Legacy in 1968.Brochure to promote Legacy in 1968 with a black and white photo of a young boy in a slouch hat on the cover and black and white photos inside.legacy promotion, fundraising

A press release from Melbourne Legacy in 1975 which relates a story of how Legacy works. The information was intended to be used by press and magazines etc. The title 'With Legacy's Help. It seemed like a miracle - just like having an invisible Mother and Father' and is about a young girl 'Betty' whose parents died leaving her in charge of three younger siblings. It dramatically changed her career prospects and struggled to care for them on her own. Since her father was a returned serviceman Betty contacted Legacy, and from then on it seemed like an invisible mother and father. Legacy helped with the financial burden and arranged medical and dental treatment for the children, brought them clothes and provided holidays and birthday presents.A record of how Legacy promoted their work in the 1970s.Green foolscap page x2 with black type of a press release in 1975.Title 'It seemed like a miracle - just like having an invisible Mother and Father'press release, case studies, orphans

A newspaper article from 1977 that promotes selling Legacy badges using a young girl, Sue Ksaiko of Anakie. It was part of publicising Legacy week. The article was cut from the newspaper and pasted into a scrapbook. For many years Legacy kept scrapbooks of press clippings that related to their work and publicity. Not all pages have been listed individually but some are listed from 02164 to 02176.A record of a young girl selling badges and whose story was published in the press in 1977.Newspaper article about a young badge seller in 1977 pasted in a scrapbook.Stamped '2 Sep 1977' in purple ink.legacy appeal, legacy week, badge appeal

Hardcover book with a green fabric cover. Black and gold image of two school girls on cover. 279 pages. 8 full-page original illustrations by Percy Tarrant.fictionA Public School story.jessie mansbergh, sydneham ladies school, violet knight, mrs. george de horne vaizey, fiction

256 p. : ill. Cover illustration shows a man handing a posy of flowers to a young girl or sprite.fictionComing of age story. Red headed protagonist Verna Harley deals with a tyrannical step-father.isabel m. peacocke, fiction

The newspaper was produced to celebrate the 100th year of the Ballarat Courier.96 page newspaper celebrating 100 years of publishing the Ballarat Courier Newspaper. Stories and images include: Robert Clark, Ballarat history, Sturt Street, Selkirk Bricks, Ballarat Industry, Thomas Bath, Royal Hotel, hotels, Begonia Festival, James Smith, Hollways, Myers, Ballarat Orphanage, Nazareth House, Lake Elsworth, Batches, libraries, Timken, Sunshine Biscuits, M.B. John, AMCAST, reservoirs, Ballarat Council,, Morsheads, Civic Hall, Alfred Hall, Art Gallery, Christies, 3BA, Paddle Bros, South Street, BTV 6, Memorial Theatre, Her Majesty's, Whitelaw-Monier, Coltman, costume, Messer and opie, politics, Dudley Erwin, Bill Stephen, Vance Dickie, Tom Evans, Murray Byrne, McKay - Macleod, Crockers, Ballarat Shire, Sovereign Hill. St Patrick's Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, Ballarat School of Mines, Mt Helen Campus, Ballarat Girls School. Ballarat North Technical School , Burke and Wills Memorial, Joe White Maltings, Ballarat Airport, Sunicrust, architecture, women, trams, transport, Faulls, Franklin Caravans, Olympics, football, history of Sunshine Biscuits robert clark, clark, ballarat, sturt street, selkirk bricks, industry, thomas bath, royal hotel, hotels, begonia festival, james smith, hollways, myers, ballarat orphanage, nazareth house, lake elsworth, batches, libraries, timken, sunshine biscuits, m.b. john, amcast, reservoirs, ballarat council, morsheads, civic hall, alfred hall, art gallery, christies, 3ba, paddle bros, south street, btv 6, memorial theatre, her majesty's, whitelaw-monier, coltman, costume, messer and opie, politics, dudley erwin, bill stephen, vance dickie, tom evans, murray byrne, mckay - macleod, crockers, ballarat shire, sovereign hill. st patrick's cathedral, christ church cathedral, ballarat school of mines, churches, mt helen campus, ballarat girls school. ballarat north technical school, burke and wills memorial, joe white maltings, ballarat airport, sunicrust, architecture, women, trams, transport, faulls, franklin caravans, olympics, football, bray raceway, coliseum motors, schoools, education, craig bros, dayelsford, clunes, beaufort, linton, skipton, heinz bors, villiers, flecnoe, jones, robertson, cowles, bulless, cronn, matthews, ballarat library, cowley's eureka iron works, john hollway and sons, ken webb, mayoral chain, ken flecknoe, a.e. flecknoe, bath's hotel, eureka stockade memorial park

This book was a prize given by the Warrnambool Baptist Sunday School to Richard Petterd in 1888. The Warrnambool Baptist Church was established in 1864 in a small cottage in Kinross Avenue in Warrnambool at the home of Mr and Mrs Andrew Griffiths. In 1869 a church was built in Koroit Street and enlarged in 1974. From time to time more improvements were made and the church still operates from the same site today. A Sunday School was established in 1865. Richard Forrester Petterd, born in 1878 in Warrnambool, was the son of George Petterd and Mary Ann Petterd, nee Warn. He married Susanna McConnell in 1903 and died in 1935. A daughter, Muriel, married Frederick Wooles in 1933 and it was their son, Kenneth from whose estate this book has come to be added to the Society’s collection.This book is most significant as it is a rare memento from the early days of the Warrnambool Baptist Sunday School and it belonged to Richard Petterd whose family was involved in businesses in Warrnambool as picture framers, stationery and fancy goods shop proprietors and estate commission agents. The book is a very attractive example of Victorian-era children’s books. This is a hard cover book of 80 pages It has a multi-coloured front cover depicting three children reading a book with a window behind them and floral decorations and two birds surrounding the three girls. The red binding is somewhat torn. The back cover has black and white etchings of flowers and children and advertisements for other books available. The book has several black and white drawings in grey tonings.‘Warrnambool Baptist Sunday School, Fourth Class United, Third Prize awarded to Richard Petterd, April 10th 1888.’warrnambool baptist church, richard petterd, kenneth wooles

A vintage 1903 hardcover children’s book with the title Chatterbox printed with white lettering at the top of the front cover, which has a green coloured background with an illustration in a large circle showing a girl winding a handle on a wishing well in a garden. The publisher details are printed at the bottom, with Price Three Shillings printed in red letters at the very top. The covers have broken away from the cotton bound spine. The faded light tan coloured back cover has an advertisement for EPPS'S (Breakfast) COCOA. with details of its efficacy and use for good health. The manufacturer details are added at the bottom. Inside the front cover are advertisements for Bird's Custard Powder and Robinson's Patent barley "in powder form". The frontispiece coloured illustration inside depicts a young girl dressed in wintry clothes carrying a lidded cane basket walking along a road on a windy autumn day. The title of the picture is 'Going with the Gale'. The title page has the title plus Edited by J. Erskine Clarke, M.A and publisher details with a black lined illustration of children, a woman with children at her knee reading and flowers. There are further coloured plates in the collection. The book contains plenty of puzzles, poetry, and stories for children. Pp. 412. At the back is an added supplement of Wells, Gardner, Darton & Co's Popular Books. Pp.34.fictionA vintage 1903 Chatterbox collection of puzzles, poetry and stories for children with black lined illustrations and coloured plates throughout. children's books, books, children's stories, adventure stories

An older girl sits on a garden bench surrounded by younger girls, as she reads from a Braille book. Believed to be Tilly Aston, this image demonstrates the power of story, regardless of it's medium, as well as the work of the RVIB School in educating children, and was often reproduced.High quality image of Braille reader in gardenroyal victorian institute for the blind, tilly aston

Newspaper clipping from the Whitehorse Leader, Monday 23/4/2018 titled "All aboard our famous tram", subtitled "The Wattle Park 'green and gold jewel' has a rich history". Story about the history of the park, and the tramlines in the district, tramcars that have been placed there. Parks Victoria now managing the site. Has a photo of five girl scouts on one of the trams. Story by Amy Hall and Christine McGinn.trams, tramways, wattle park, tramcars

A vintage 1918 hardcover children's book with the title Chatterbox printed in white lettering at the top of the front cover which has a green coloured background with an illustration in a large circle showing a boy and girl playing in hay. The publisher details are printed at the bottom. It is bound on the left side with red tape. The cream and red coloured back cover has an advertisement for "Pears" soap 'This only is the witchcraft I have used' showing a smiling woman talking to a man. Both are dressed in Victorian Era style clothes. The frontispiece coloured illustration inside depicts four Egyptian black men on a Dhow boat chasing another boat next to it. 'Chasing Gun-Running Dhows' is the name of the illustration. The title page has the title plus Founded by J. Erskine Clarke, M.A and publisher details with a black lined illustration of children, a woman with children at her knee reading and flowers. There are further coloured plates in the collection. There are many puzzles, poetry, and stories for children. Pp. 316. The end papers have several advertisements related to children, their health, food and sweets included.fictionA vintage 1918 Chatterbox collection of puzzles, poetry and stories for children with black lined illustrations and coloured plates throughout. children's books, books, children's stories, adventure stories

Blue linen hardcover book with gold, red, yellow, green and black decoration and text on the cover and spine. 95 p. b&w ill. By the author of "John Marriott". "A schoolboy's ambition". There is a book plate inside the front cover.fictionascot vale congregational sunday school, n.h. seward superintendent

251 p. : blue-green cover with brown spine. Section of original dust jacket pasted to front, summary of story pasted inside front cover.fictionRomantic fiction set during World War II.fiction, romance, carol gaye

Eltham's original Wesleyan Methodist Church Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p97 The pretty Uniting Church building at the corner of John and Main Roads Eltham has served the community since 1881.1 Originally called the Eltham Wesleyan Church, the church became the Eltham Methodist Church in 1902, the year it united with the Primitive Methodists.2 As the church community developed, influencing and being influenced by the wider community, its buildings changed accordingly. Eltham Wesleyans first worshiped together in 1850 at the home of William and Mary Crozier on 24 acres (9.7ha) bounded by Mount Pleasant Road and Pitt Street. From 1855 the Wesleyans worshipped in a slab-and-bark hut; then in 1858 in a chapel on Henry Street close to Maria Street (now Main Road). Meanwhile, in 1860, the Primitive Methodists opened a brick chapel at the corner of Susan and Bridge Streets. The John Street building – in the Early English Gothic style with biochrome brick window frames, buttress heads and pinnacle – was designed by architects Crouch and Wilson. Church member George Stebbing built the church as he did Eltham’s St Margaret’s Anglican Church and Shillinglaw Cottage. The Church Honour Roll is a poignant reminder of how church members have served the wider community: 27 members enlisted and 11 died in World War One. Despite the Great Depression, 1931 was a time of expansion for the church. Its red-brick hall was opened by prominent Methodist and philanthropist F J Cato of the Moran and Cato Grocery chain. The hall enabled the church to attract people from outside through activities like its gymnasium – with 40 boys and youth participating – and the girls’ callisthenics club, which competed at the Ballarat South Street Competitions. The church also held concerts, bazaars, picnics and sports, with badminton and tennis played on the church court at 23 John Street. Two stained-glass windows commemorate tragic events. A dove representing the Holy Spirit and Comforter marked the death in 1936 of member Effie Lowerson from scarlet fever at 14 years. The other depicting the Biblical story A sower went forth to sow, commemorates Ross Gangell, who died in 1961 at 23 years of a rare blood condition. Eltham’s population expanson resulted in the growth of the church and an extension in 1971, designed by member and architect Colin Jones. The church was linked to the hall and additions included a foyer, vestry, meeting room and toilets. The design reflected the Eltham style of the time, with its simplicity, extensive clear glass, reused baked clay-bricks from the 1881 church, heavy ceiling beams and solomite (compressed straw) ceiling. On June 26, 1977 the church became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia consisting of the former Methodist and Congregational and most of the Presbyterian Churches. In 1981 membership peaked at 159 – about 20 years after most Protestant churches – and continued to reach out to the wider community.3 In 1987, 147 children attended Selihoo, the weekly after-school program organised with St Margaret’s Anglican Church. From 1993, the church with other local churches, participated in LINC (Love in the Name of Christ), helping the wider community in various ways including babysitting, transport, gardening and visiting. Despite such initiatives, church numbers declined, and on June 23, 1996, the church merged with the Montmorency Uniting Church.4 However, the church continued to proclaim its message of love in community service and strong social justice action, such as in Jubilee 2000, supporting debt relief to the world’s 45 poorest countries. Some of the many church members who have had an outstanding impact on the wider community include Philip Shillinglaw, farmer and poet, and Arthur Bird (after whom the Arthur Bird Reserve is named), a pioneer orchardist and the Sunday School Superintendent for 33 years. Others were: the Rev Dr Cliff Wright, who established the Methodist Youth Fellowship and was prominent in the World Council of Churches, the Rev Brian Howe, who became Deputy Prime Minister and Tim Marshall, awarded the Order of Australia in 2000 for his work on salinity.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham uniting church, eltham methodist church