[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park, joh ebeli, eileen gibbons, opal smith, blanche shallard

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park, joh ebeli, doug orford, russell yeoman

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park, blanche shallard, opal smith, eileen gibbons

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park, blanche shallard

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park, russell yeoman

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park, blanche shallard

[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park

Contents include short articles and illustrations of historic properties within the municipalities of Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea. Including The Griffin House, Rosehill, Lower Plenty, The Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, St John's Church, Heidelberg, Banyule, Heidelberg, Trestle Bridge, Eltham, Diamond Valley railway, The Shillinglaw Cottage, Eltham, Montsalvat, Old England Hotel, Heidelberg, Eltham Primary School, Mud brick homes, Eltham, Sweeney's Cottage, Eltham, Pound Pend Tunnel, The Gold Memorial, Potter's Cottage, Memorial Tower, Charterisville, Weller's Pub, The Barrel, Eltham, Hassall's Gallery, The Old Bridge, Greensborough, Diamond Valley Shire Offices, Greensborough, St Katherine's Chapel, Yan Yean Reservoir, Mernda Hotel, Mernda Mechanics Institute, Old Barn, Mernda, Parade College, La Trobe University.Hardback with jacket ; 63 p. : ill., maps ; 22cm. diamond valley shire, shire of nillumbik, city of whittlesea, city of banyule, shillinglaw cottage, weller's hotel

Located at 277-279 St Helena Road Saint Helena, Victoria. In 1841 Anthony Beale, born on the Island if St Helena took a pastoral lease on the Plenty River where he built a cottage, St Helena, which ultimately gave this area its name. Beale's wife Katherine Rose, nee Young died in 1856 and he erected "The rose Chapel" to her memory. After his death in 1865 the chapel was willed to the Church of England and consecrated in 1876. It was severely damaged by bushfire in 1957. It was fully restored and rededicated in November 1957. The bell calls parishoners to Sunday services is believed to a have come from the Island of St Helena. Source: Mr. A.E. Parsons, Pryor St., Eltham (Mrs. Glasgow - daughter)Statement of Significance Last updated on - October 10, 2005 St Helena's is a rare surviving example of a churchyard cemetery. It is of local historical significance because of its association with the local pioneering family, the Beales, and other notable citizens including Walter Withers and Graham Webster. The cemetery is also the oldest in the municipality, of State significance. The high level of maintenance and the rural ambience contribute to the overall significance of the site. St Katherine's Church building has been reconstructed and is of local historical interest, principally for its value in interpreting the original setting within the Cemetery. It contains stained glass windows of local historical significance, commemorating casualties of the Beale family in World War One. - Victorian Heritage Database This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image"St Katharine's Church, St Helena, Victoria"sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, other areas, st katherine's church, st helena

The Heidelberg School Artists Trail was established in about 1999 with about 52 signs across four local governemnt areas including Nillumbik and Banyule. This one acknowledges "Landscape with Sheep" by Walter Withers. The text on the board states: Walter Withers depicts in this work a number of sheep on Mr. Tom Orr’s property. Our view is from the rise above this park, from the Lower Plenty side of the nearby Diamond Creek, looking northwards towards the main Eltham township. The area that is now Wingrove Park, would have been to the right, in the valley below the sheep. The mood of this work is warm and vibrant, with the use of strong blues and pinks, and this stands in marked contrast to the softer, cooler greens used by Walter Withers in his work ‘The Silent Gums’.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsAgfa HDC 200 plus-2eltham, heidelberg artists' trail, wingrove park trail, landscape with sheep, walter withers

The attached card states - 'Mother's knitting stick'. There is a brass hole one end with four brass nails where the tip of a knitting needle is inserted for support. The curved and fits into a belt or tape around the waist. Knitting was carried out on curved metal needles, one of these needed to be kept rigid by being held between the hand and knitting sheath held at the side of the body either tucked into a belt or held under the armpit. The sheath would allow someone to to knit with one hand whilst performing chores with the other. They also took the weight of the work and stopped stitches from slipping off the bottom of a double ended needle. Many were given as love tokens but there were plenty made by men for their daughters or other close family members.An antique curved carved wooden knitting stick or treen Knitting Sheath for hand knitters. It is approximately 23cm (9 inches) long with simple carving on one side of M H R in large letters as well as a nine pointed star next to them. There is a brass hole one end with four brass nails where the tip of a knitting needle is inserted for support. The curved end fits into a belt or tape round the waist. 'M H R' and a 'nine pointed star' is carved into the curved part of the stick . There is an attached card - 'Grandma's (crossed out) Mother's knitting stick. When using four needles the "working" one goes into the hole at the brass end of stick. Curved end fits into belt or tape round waist'accessories, knitting equipment, knitting

This old apple tree situated beside the Plenty River Trail at Greensborough has been associated with Melbourne Founder John Batman. Known as Batman's Tree, this apple tree is on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough. It is said that Melbourne Founder John Batman may have planted the tree and later signed his treaty here with the Aboriginal people. It still bears fruit and its recorded on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p7 Was This John Batman's Tree? An apple tree on the bank of the Plenty River near Leischa Court, Greensborough, is believed to have belonged to Melbourne’s founder, John Batman. It could also stand where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the Aboriginal people.1 Known as Batman’s Tree, it still bears fruit and is recorded on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees, as the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It is ‘Believed to have been planted by either John Batman, (c1837) or Martin Batey (1841)’.2 In 1966 a Horticultural Adviser, Mr Rolfe, after extensive questioning of aged Greensborough residents, wrote: ‘it thus seems fairly certain that the old tree on the banks of the Plenty River is an original Batman apple tree’. Mr Rolfe said that the tree stood on a spot formerly called Wattle Bend: ‘one of the sites claimed to be where John Batman signed his famous treaty with the aboriginals. ‘My main source of information has been interviews with people who attended school in the Greensborough area from 70 to 80 years ago. Their parents were close to the days when Melbourne was founded so information passed on by word of mouth.’ Around 1920 the tree was struck by lightning and a concrete block was placed in the split. The concrete is inscribed with the date 1841 when the tree was thought to have been planted. Not everyone agrees with Mr Rolfe however. Former secretary of the Nillumbik Historical Society, Kevin Patterson, said there was no written evidence to support the claim. But he said the tree had been known to locals for decades as Batman’s Tree. In the 1920s a holiday resort in the area advertised: ‘Come to Greensborough and see John Batman’s tree’. Mr Patterson said it was thought that when Batman died in 1839 his land was sold and a Greensborough man Frederick Flintoff bought seedlings from his orchard for £1 each. This was the only one left.3 Mr Rolfe said: ‘If planted in 1837, or even a few years later, it undoubtedly is the oldest living apple tree in Victoria. Title records of the property on which the tree grows show that the land was a crown grant of F D Wickham in 1840. Mr Wickham was reputed to be a friend of John Batman. All the early settlers prior to the crown grants were squatters, by virtue of Batman’s treaty. This treaty was revoked by the then New South Wales Government, so it is likely that Wickham or an agent was in occupation before 1840. ‘According to Mrs Mavis Latham (John Batman – Great Australian Series, Oxford University Press) when Batman came to Port Phillip in 1835 he brought fruit trees with him. He failed to get a crown grant for his selection on Collins Street, which included 20 acres (eight ha) of orchard and cultivation. His residence became the Government Office and Melbourne grew from wild bushland in 1835 to a town of over 20,000 people by 1841. It is possible Batman visited Wickham and presented him with a tree.’ However a Flintoff descendant in 1933 said Frederick Flintoff ordered his bailiff Martin Batey to transplant the Batman Tree from the Spencer Street orchard to its present site as a memorial to his friend Batman.4 Mr Rolfe spoke to many people, including descendants of the Bateys and Flintoffs and pupils at the Greensborough Primary School. Many had gained their information from a ‘very highly respected’ head master Lewis Amiet at the Greensborough School from 1895 to 1917. He must have gained this information from residents in the district and had this information been incorrect, the parents of the children would have promptly corrected him.’ One woman who attended the school before Mr Amiet’s appointment, said the previous teacher also taught that the tree on the Plenty River was a Batman tree, Mr Rolfe said.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, greensborough, john batman tree, plenty river trail

Greeting cards sent during WW1 - 1917, 1918. Owned and sent by R.T. Mitchell to his daughter Anne.Three silk embroidered postcards, sent from France during World War 1, from R.J. Mitchell to his daughter Anne. There are also two black and white postcards.1. Handwritten in grey pencil on the back of the Forget-Me-not card: 31/5/1917 'Dear Anne I got a letter from you a few days ago and am glad to know you are well and got plenty of work to do. How is school getting on, do you still want to be a teacher well if you do mind you are a good one. Your loving fatherr. 2. X-mas wishes: France 5th 1918. Dear Annie Received your birthday thank you very much How are you getting on with your scholarship. Hope you have a very happy christmas Lots of love your affe father R.J.Mitchell 3. handwritten in grey pencil on the back of the Happy Christmas card 'Somewhere in Belgium Oct 15th, 1917 Dear Anne Received your letter of July 3rd. Am sorry pearl has ben so bad, hope she is alright again now. Well I am keeping quite well we are having plenty of rain although it is fine today. Hope you have a veery merry Christmas Loads of love Your affec father R J Mitchell'. 4. Carte Postale - Postcard 5/1918postcards, greeting cards

A4 page with handwritten letter to Mr J Hattam of Bendigo from a son of John Ayre of Morwell. He has enclosed a wages book with the daily rate of pay. He says this is the last entry in the book of his father, John Ayre, as he was killed in the mine the next day. He wants to know if this is of interest to the society. Also typed copy: Inq. 636 Ayre, John 43 years - 28 November, 1914. 'M' + 'B' Echuca, 1871 Johnson's Reef No 2; explosion. Ayre was shift boss working in the intermediate level above the 1730 ft level, 300 ft from the crosscut, in the 'Paddy's Gully Mine', Dr Caulfield attended him. Inquest held at the Rose of Denmark Hotel, it appears that he had bored into a charged hole. Workers Compensation Act' was just coming into force. Also mentioned is Lily Ann Harrison, the mother of 7 children, who lived in Buckley Street. Her Father was John and her Mother Helen Plenty Caldwell. Coats Burial: Bendigo, '11' Headstone, C of E. '22624, no further burials. Ref: Bendigo Advertiser - Monday 30/11/1914. Written at the bottom Fm Bendigo's Lost Miners 1852 - 2001.person, individual, john ayre, mr j hattam, john ayre, wages book, johnson's reef no 2, paddy's gully mine, dr caulfield, rose of denmark hotel, lily ann harrison, helen plenty caldwell, coats burial, bendigo advertiser

A coin that was issued by a Melbourne Marine store. Description by the Museums Victoria website. "Copper Halfpenny Token, minted by Heaton & Sons of Birmingham, circa 1861. Issued by Robert Hyde & Co, Marine Store, Melbourne. Hyde's Marine Store was listed in a Melbourne directory for the first time in 1862. Between 1863 and 1865 he was listed as being in a partnership with Richard Hodgson (Hyde, Hodgson & Co.). In 1868 his Marine Store became a Rag Merchant's business, before becoming a Marine Store for 1869 and 1870. The firm's principal business was dealing in second hand and scrap goods. Physical Description A round copper token (28 mm diameter) giving the name address and business of the issuer: Robert Hyde & Co. Melbourne. General Marine Store. On the reverse a coat of arms consisting of a central shield below a Rising Sun supported by an emu at left and kangaroo at right all resting on a ribbon with the motto ADVANCE AUSTRALIA. The shield is quartered and contains: upper left - a golden fleece; upper right - a three-masted sailing ship; lower left - a bull standing facing left; lower right an anchor. Around above, PEACE & PLENTY; below, the date of issue, 1861."bendigo, gold mining, qc binks, qc binks, robert hyde, marine store.

The Heidelberg School Artists Trail was established in about 1999 with about 52 signs across four local governemnt areas including Nillumbik and Banyule. This one acknowledges "Landscape with Sheep" by Walter Withers. The text on the board states: Walter Withers depicts in this work a number of sheep on Mr. Tom Orr’s property. Our view is from the rise above this park, from the Lower Plenty side of the nearby Diamond Creek, looking northwards towards the main Eltham township. The area that is now Wingrove Park, would have been to the right, in the valley below the sheep. The mood of this work is warm and vibrant, with the use of strong blues and pinks, and this stands in marked contrast to the softer, cooler greens used by Walter Withers in his work ‘The Silent Gums’. Heritage Excursion by EDHS members - An Eltham South Ramble, 2 Sep 2017Born Digitalactivities, eltham district historical society, eltham south, heritage excursion, local history centre, eltham, heidelberg artists' trail, walter withers, landscape with sheep, wingrove park trail

Contents: • 2024 – a year of many anniversaries by Jim Connor • Our Next Meeting - 7.30pm Wednesday 14th February 2024 • Heritage Excursion - Saturday 2nd March 2024 – Walking the Kurrum Yallock (Plenty River) • The beginning of Local Government in Eltham by Jim Connor • Alan Marshall – An Anniversary by Jim Connor • Book Review – Michael Wilson, Eltham Goldsmith and Sculptor – My Journey • Montsalvat People by Richard Pinn o Justus Jorgensen (1893-1975) o Betty Roland (1903-1996) • Two Eltham Women Served in WW1 by Terry Beaton • Brief Comparison Between WW1 and WW2 by Terry Beaton • Recollections of Marcus Skipper • Eltham Cemetery Stories by Liz Pidgeon o Lena Cooper Skipper, nee Wilshire, 1889-1970, Painter and Montsalvat Founder • Experience Eltham Cemetery: The founding members by Julia Drew The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 newsletter distributed to members (Digital and A4 photocopy)newsletter, eltham district historical society

A quarry was transformed into the Blue Lake. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p179 The dramatic steep-sided Plenty Gorge lies along the divide of two geological areas, and separates the Nillumbik Shire and the City of Whittlesea. On the Nillumbik side are undulating hills and sedimentary rock, and in Whittlesea, lies a basalt plain formed by volcanic action up to two million years ago. This provides the Plenty Gorge Park with diverse vegetation and habitats, making it one of Greater Melbourne’s most important refuges for threatened and significant species. The park, established in 1986, consists of around 1350 hectares, and extends 11 kilometres along the Plenty River, from Greensborough to Mernda. It provides a wildlife corridor for around 500 native plant and 280 animal species.1 The area’s plentiful food and water attracted the Wurundjeri Aboriginal people and then European settlers. By 1837 squatters had claimed large runs of land for their sheep and cattle. The Plenty Valley was among the first in the Port Phillip District to be settled - mainly in the less heavily timbered west - and was proclaimed a settled district in 1841.2 But by the late 1880s, the settlers’ extensive land clearing for animal grazing, then agriculture, depleted the Wurundjeri’s traditional food sources, which helped to drive them away. Many Wurundjeri artefacts remain (now government protected), and so far 57 sites have been identified in the park, including scarred trees, burial areas and stone artefacts. Pioneer life could be very hard because of isolation, flooding, bushfires and bushrangers. Following the Black Thursday bushfires of 1851, basalt was quarried to build more fire-resistant homes. Gold discoveries in the early 1850s swelled the population, particularly around Smugglers Gully; but food production made more of an impact. In the late 1850s wheat production supplanted grazing. In the 1860s the government made small holdings available to poorer settlers. These had the greatest effect on the district, particularly in Doreen and Yarrambat, where orchards were established from the 1880s to 1914. Links with a prominent early family are the remains of Stuchbery Farm, by the river’s edge bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La Trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. The Stuchberys moved to the valley in 1890, and the family still lives in the area. In 1890, Alfred and Ada first lived in a tent where four children were born, then Alfred built the house and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden, and developed a dairy. The family belonged to the local Methodist and tennis communities. Their grandson Walter, opened the Flying Scotsman Model Railway Museum in Yarrambat, which his widow, Vi, continues to run. Wal was also the Yarrambat CFA Captain for 22 years until 1987. Walter sold 24 hectares in 1976 for development - now Vista Court - and in 1990, the remaining 22.6 hectares for the park. Remaining are an early stone dairy and remnants of a stone barn, a pig sty and a well.3 Until it was destroyed by fire in 2003, a slab hut stood on the Happy Hollow Farm site, at the southern end of the park. The hut is thought to have been built in the Depression around 1893. This was a rare and late example of a slab hut with a domestic orchard close to Melbourne. Emmet Watmough and his family first occupied the hut, followed by a succession of families, until the Bell family bought it around 1948. There they led a subsistence lifestyle for 50 years, despite encroaching Melbourne suburbia.4 The Yellow Gum Recreation Area includes the Blue Lake, coloured turquoise at certain times of the year. Following the 1957 bushfires, this area was quarried by Reid Quarries Pty Ltd for Melbourne’s first skyscrapers, then by Boral Australia. However in the early 1970s water began seeping into the quarry forming the Blue Lake and the quarry was closed. The State Government bought the site in 1997 and opened it as a park in 1999.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, blue lake, plenty gorge park

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

A vintage 1929 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 wearing a white jumper in front of trees. The publisher details are printed at the bottom. Red tape binds the covers on the spine. The faded yellow coloured back cover has an advertisement for 'Allenbury's' The Progressive System of Infant Feeding, which was a similar composition to mother's milk. The manufacturer details are added at the bottom. Inside the front cover are black and white printed advertisements for 'Ovaltine' Tonic Food Beverage and "Blackbird" Fountpens. The coloured frontispiece illustration inside depicts an Indigenous American First Nations Indian riding a horse with his family and rest of the tribe in the background. The title of the picture is 'The Wilderness Road'. The title page has the title plus Funded 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. 316. At the back are advertisements for 'Pears the pure soap', Wright's coal tar soap, Chatterbox publications and Macintosh's Toffee de Luxe and Carnival Assortment. fictionA vintage 1929 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

.1 - Pamphlet - DL six fold printed on recycled paper, with one half designed as a feedback form with postal address titled "Haymarket Roundabout tram improvements" showing traffic control works and installation of platform stops. Has a drawing of the proposals, photos and contract details. Part of the Think Tram project. Issued by Yarra Trams and VicRoads, June 2011. Two copies held. .2 - Pamphlet - DL six fold - printed on recycled paper titled "Improving High St and Plenty Road for all of us", detailing the proposal for central island platform stops and kerb extensions stops, part time tram lanes and project timing - three states. Not dated, but notes a May 2011 start proposal. Part of the Think Tram project. Issued by Yarra Trams and VicRoads and City of Darebin. Two copies held. .3 - Pamphlet - DL four fold - printed on gloss paper, titled "Nicholson Street Tram Improvements", showing proposals for tram lanes, no right turns, locations where U turns could be done and traffic signal works between Brunswick Road / Holden St and Victoria Parade. Has a drawing of the proposals, photos and contract details. Part of the Think Tram project. Issued by Yarra Trams and VicRoads, June 2009.trams, tramways, high st, preston, haymarket, platform stops, tram stops, nicholson st, road works

Forty Eight page, side staple book within blue Rexene covers. Titled "Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways /Electric System /Instructions to Drivers in Electric Car Operation" Dated 1966. Printed by Regent Press Pty Ltd, 457 Plenty Road, Preston. Provides in a Q & A format, instructions to drivers in electric car operation, photos of various types of controllers, an A.B.C. for tramways drivers - "always" points to remember and has a reference index. Copy 1 - has telephone numbers of Training School and specific pointers re Regulations 106 and 107 and some of the Q&A have been circled in blue. This copy was imaged. The May 1974 instructions of "Tram car Braking on Greasy Rails", has adhesive tape remnants. Copy 2 - 1/5/1975 instructions loose inside the book. Copy 3 - added 29/5/2014 from the collection of R. Wearne. Copy 4 - added 15-6-2015 - from Ron Scholten donation of 11-4-2015. Copy 5 - added 14-12-2015 from donation of Norm Cross 11-10-2009. Had the instructions for Tram car braking on Greasy Rails appended inside front cover - loose, with adhesive tape remnants. Relocated to Reg Item 2913.copy 3 has 7 numbers in ink inside the front cover, a number of questions in the book have been circled., copy 4 - has numerous changes to issue on page 1, ink crosses on specific questions., copy 5 - has "K.T. Hall Works Manager" in ink on inside of front cover, and notes on pages 15, 16, 17, 19, regarding the use of the motor cut out switches.trams, tramways, mmtb, drivers, training, instructions, motormen