This is a photograph of the gravel pit at Newmerella, near Orbost. This pit was used during the construction of the Orbost to Bairnsdale Railway line.This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. A black / white photograph of a small steam engine with open freight wagons at a gravel pit. There are some men watching.

In February 1965, Staffs Railway Store, the oldest business premises in the Eltham shopping district was demolished. Formerly a self-service grocery, restaurant and electrical repair shop, the building for many years housed Eltham’s only ‘family’ grocer and feed store. Earlier it had appeared to have been the town’s bakery. The building had been purchased in late March 1939 by Mr Eric N. Staff. At the time of E.N. Staff’s purchase there were huge bakers’ ovens located at the rear and the building also had a well and four toilets for employees. When the ‘pictures’ came to Eltham with the opening of the Eltham Public Hall across the road in 1941, Mr E.N. Staff extended the business and opened a milk bar and sweet shop. Further extensions re-established the tea rooms of days gone by. Mr E.N. Staff conducted business for about 15 years before handing over the reins to his son, Ray Staff. When his son Ray took over, the milk bar and tea rooms were closed for several years but the milk bar and was later re-opened and subsequently became a greengrocers and later again, a restaurant. The tea rooms section was converted to an electrical repair shop about 1955. Electoral Roll records for 1967 record Raymond Charles Staff at 929 Main Road, Eltham, grocer, and in 1968 at Lot 4, Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham, taxi truck operator. So it would appear that Ray continued to run the business for approximately two years after the original store was demolished and a new supermarket was built. Today, 929 Main Road is the Nongkhai Thai Restaurant and is precisely where the original Staffs store stood. Even though the facade has been modified at eye level with new larger windows, the upper facade is identical to that of the new Eltham Big Star Food Centre of 1965/66. But how did the original building, the oldest premises in the 1965 era shopping centre come about? On August 12th, 1902 at the Eltham Courthouse, appearing before T. Smallman, Esq,. Police Magistrate, and Messrs. W. Duncan and W.J. Taylor, Justices of the Peace is Luther Haley, baker. Wilfred Henry Johnston, by his agent Stanley Ernest Elder had applied for a warrant of ejectment under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1890 against Luther Haley from the bakery premises at the corner of Main Road and York Street. From the evidence presented we learn that Mrs Burgoyne of Eltham had purchased the property some months earlier from Mr Johnston, which consisted of a store and bakery establishment at Eltham occupied by Mr. Luther Haley, and whose lease expired some little time back, and up to the present time, Mr. Haley was not prepared to leave. He informed the court that he is unable to secure at Eltham a suitable house in which to carry on his business, but was building a place near the railway station which he expected to be done in about three weeks time, and he is then prepared to give up possession of the premises he now occupies. Mr Smallman informed the defendant, Luther Haley, that he will have to quit the premises in three weeks from the present date, and that a warrant of ejectment would be issued. However he also informed Mr Haley that he would order the warrant to lie in the office for three weeks from that date. The premises under construction referred to by Luther Haley in court were situated on the western side of Main Road, near the railway station slightly opposite present-day Arthur Street. It was opened around September 1902 as a General Store, Bakery and Tea Rooms. This was the original building in the present-day shopping precinct. At the time the only thing nearby was the railway station. Luther Haley’s business appeared to prosper and he would have catered to not only the locals abut also day visitors by train on Sundays coming up from Melbourne, offering fresh baked produce, tea rooms and summer drinks. The fields across Main Road running between present day Arthur Street and Luck Street were known as Haley’s Paddock and at times were used for community festivities and picnics. A newspaper report on the annual State schools picnic held at Haley’s Paddock on March 11, 1904 described it as “quite close to the railway station, and is quite capable of holding comfortably 10,000 people. With its ample shade and hilly surroundings, it is an ideal place for any gathering.” Luther Haley successfully ran his general store, bakery and tea rooms until 1917 when he and his family departed the district and moved to Westgarth Street in Northcote where he changed careers and became a publisher. It was then taken over by Hannah Lloyd and became known as Lloyd’s Railway General Store from 1917 to 1920. From then it had a succession of owners, one as short as two months until March 31, 1939 when the Grocery Business formerly carried on by Mr. T.K. White of Eltham for the previous eight years was purchased by Mr Eric N. Staff of Research and became known as E.N. Staff’s Railway Store. The ownership timeline for the store is as follows: Luther Haley Sep 1902-1917 Hannah Lloyd 1917-c.Feb 1920 Messrs J.R. & N.E. Lee 1920-Sep 1922 A. & E. Copeland Sep 1922-Sep 1925 Mr Price Sep 1925-Nov 1925 Mr Warren Nov 1925?-Nov 1926 A.W.J. Edwards Nov 1926-1931 T.K. White 1931-Mar 1939 Eric Staff Apr 1939-c.1954 Ray Staff c.1954-Feb 1965 then demolished Ray Staff Eltham Big Star Food Centre c.1965-1967 Research and copy: Peter Pidgeon (EDHS) Digital file only from scan of copy on loan to EDHSa. copeland, a.w.j. edwards, big star food centre, e. copeland, eltham, eric staff, general store, hannah lloyd, j.r. lee, lloyd's general store, luther haley, main road, n.e. lee, price, ray staff, staffs general store, supermarket, t.k. white

Used as a souvenir of Orbost possibly made and distributed through the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre) in 1980's 1990's.The souvenir is an important component of the tourist experience with most tourists bringing back mementos and souvenirs as evidence. Fridge magnets are popular as souvenir and promotional items because they are relatively cheap to manufacture and very portable for tourists. This item is an example of a typical souvenir of Orbost. A white plastic souvenir bottle top opener possibly a fridge magnet. It is an elongated rectangular shape pointed at one end. It has a corkscrew embedde on one face with a screw top bottle opener on the other face. There is an image of the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor In formation Centre) with "SLAB HUT ORBOST VIC" in brown print. A small magnet is embedded.souvenir-orbost

First croquet committee in Orbost started up in 1919. (ref : The Whos' Who of Orbost Settlers - Mary Gilbert). Often croquet lawns were in private gardens eg. at Connort (now Moogji)..This shield is part of the history of the Orbost Croquet Club. In the museum, there is also an old copy of the rules of Croquet, a mallet and a photo of the first committee.A wooden shield. The Dorothy Andrews Handicap Singles Memorial Shield for the Orbost Croquet Club. There are smaller metal shields for the names of the winners.Names on the shields are: Amy Gall; Gwen Reynolds; Ann Nixon; Don Herbert; Ann Kerr; Ella Evans; May Herbert; Izy Trewin; Maisie Nixon; Millie Leatham; Dot Eatoncroquet recreation leisure trophy

Donor, Mary Gilbert lived in Orbost 1905-1989 and was teacher/headmistress at Orbost High School 1927-1968. A local historian, she collected stories from local families, compiling the book "Personalities & Stories of the Early Orbost District"This item is of aesthetic significance and is an example of the skill and craftmanship of women in early times.A colourful embroidery of flowers, in bloom and bud. Leaves are variegated.Worked on a blue background and framed in a gold-coloured wooden frame. Frame has tiny raised leaves along sides.

Black and white photograph (2 large, 1 small)Written on back of photograph: "Main Street from Ringwood hill (near Heatherdale Road) c1949"

Used at Orbost Hospital where it was used for testing the temperature of bath water. It was donated to Orbost Historical Society in 1991. This is a floating bath thermometer made in Germany for the British market.This item is associated with Orbost Hospital and is an example of an early medical instrument.A glass tubed thermometer in a wooden case with temperatures for bath water written on it. Has a red "Orbost" label glued to it indicating that it was used at Orbost Hospital. The thermometer is housed inside a wooden frame that is stoppered with a cork at the base. It is in degrees Fahrenheit and includes water and spirit boiling temperatures, as well as hot, warm, tepid and freezing points. Can be hung.Made in Germany. Dr Forbes specifications.thermometer-medical

Photograph pre construction of the Great Ocean Road showing three adults and horse drawn carriage. pre-road-construction. horse-drawn-carriage. g.o.r

The Box Hill Reporter noted on 22 January 1926 that at the monthly meeting of the Surrey Hills Progress Association the Secretary reported that “the ground had been purchased for the Boy Scout Hall, that plans had been prepared, and accepted by the building committee. As soon as the timber was available the work would be proceeded with. The Boy Scout Hall movement has been taken up by the association to try to secure a permanent meeting place for the boys of the district. Up till now they have no fixed place, nor have they had a qualified scout master. Mr. Bert Chenu, one of the committee, has been appointed to that position, and is carrying out his duties energetically. Having raised enough money to purchase the land (situated in Robinson's road, Surrey-Hills near the Drill Hall) the association's committee is now about to erect the building by means of properly organised working bees.” The Association organised markets, card evenings and dances to raise necessary funds. The volunteer labour included the parents of boys who had become scouts, led by builder Robert Hayes of 186 Union Road and his son, who was also a builder. Early ownership is unclear as it is believed that it was not purchased by the scouting movement until 1955. The hall was used by other groups as well as the scouts. Benmont Kindergarten operated on the site from c1930. This is confirmed by oral testimony, Sands & McDougall entries and the Alan Hold property register (part of the SHNC Heritage Collection.) It was also used as a ballet school and for local dances. The hall was situated on a small block of land, just 410 sq m, and in late 2019 it was put up for sale by Scouts Victoria. Most recently home to 1st Boroondara Scout Group and previously 11th Camberwell Scouts, it was sold for something near $1.3M. During May 2020 the modest hall was demolished. Items of significance were removed before the sale by Scout Heritage. A black and white photograph of a building with a small sign identifying it as 11th Camberwell Central Scout Group.robinson road, surrey hills, scout halls, scouts, buildings, structures and establishments, (mr) robert hayes, union road, builders, surrey hills progress association, benmont kindergarten, dances, ballet schools

This stamp and seal were collected by Kevin Ingram who cleaned up the Orbost Butter factory in 1981. It is possibly from the original factory in the 1890's.This seal was probably used on official letters.The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district.Cast iron stamp and seal. Stamp (.1) has a wooden handle which works by a lever action. It has a rectangular base plate and is painted black.The main stem is decorated in gold paint. The separate seal (.2) seems to have been attached to the stamp.On seal in centre : ORBOST Around edge of seal : Orbost Butter Factory plus some unreadable print orbost-butter-factory agriculture farming seal embosser stamp

Black and white photograph of main Healesville Road (Whitehorse Road) near Goodwin Street, Blackburn after road construction on 24 May 1938. Other Number 3724healesville road, blackburn, goodwin street, blackburn., whitehorse road

Black and white postcard titled 'Blackburn Road, Blackburn'. Scene shows Blackburn Road looking South from railway gates. Shop on one corner. Unmade road.hooke, albert arthur, blackburn road, blackburn, janet emily

Established in 1945, the Australian Railway Historical Society Victorian Division Inc. has a proud history of over 70 years of catering for all who have an interest in the railway history of Victoria. It has a membership of over 500 members throughout Australia and overseas. This item was donated at the Centenary of the Orbost - Bairnsdale Railway exhibition held in Orbost April 2016. This item is a record of the the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost. A magazine/booklet titled, NEWSRAIL. It is Vol. 44 Issue 4 dated April, 2016. There is an article on 'Orbost Railway Bridges. The magazine has a cost of $9.50. On the front cover is a coloured photograph of a train passing over the Wairewa trestle bridge on the Bairnsdale - Orbost line.

Laser Print of black and white photo of Blackburn Road near Allendale Road, Blackburn. (Mounted)blackburn road, blackburn, alandale road, blackburn

Coloured photograph of 427 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham on the corner of Dunlavin Road. In process of being renovatedwhitehorse road, mitcham, no. 427

Black and white photograph of Canterbury Road, Blackburn looking west from corner of Blackburn Road.canterbury road, blackburn., blackburn road

Black and white photograph of Blackburn Road, Blackburn South looking south from Canterbury Road.blackburn road, blackburn south, canterbury road

Coloured photo of Road Marker on Median Strip, corner Whitehorse Road and Peel Street, Mitcham.whitehorse road, mitcham, peel street, road markers

Coloured photo of Road Marker on Median Strip, corner Whitehorse Road and Peel Street, Mitcham.whitehorse road, mitcham, peel street, road markers

This book was used after the introduction of decimal currency in 1966. it was used by the Orbost Rifle Club. The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.Target shooting is one of the oldest organised sports in Australia. Records date back to the British Marines at Sydney Cove in 1788. The Victorian Rifle Association (VRA) was formed in 1860. One of the most important adjuncts to the militia system from 1903 to the re-organisation of 1912 was the role played by the Rifle Club movement in Australia. At the time, these clubs were seen as the reservoir of manpower for a potential guerrilla force should any invasion occur. For Australia, the invasion fear was uppermost in the minds of the population. So important were the rifle clubs for the defence of Australia that the Commonwealth provided the training staff, rifles and ammunition so the clubs could function. Members were drilled, wore uniforms and practised all the basic skills of soldiering as well as target shooting. The Orbost Rifle Club was active during this period. This item is an example of accounting practices during the transition to Decimal currency.A small cream coloured book with brown print on front cover - "Warne Dollar & Cent Ready Reckoner".inside cover - Ted Curtis 5 Lind Lane Orbostaccounting orbost-rifle-club ready-reckoner-warne decimal-currency

Date is approximate - early 1930s. Mr Oswald Joyce and Mr Bert Lamble used to ride their bicycles to the country to find work when they became unemployed. This included reworking old gold mines. Here they are seen leaving for Enoch's Point where they fossicked for gold during the Depression. A check of the electoral rolls points to this being the home of Frederick Harry Percival Lamble, labourer, born in Collingwood. He and his family continued to live at 87 Essex Road until his death in 1968 and his occupation is consistently given as labourer. His wife Bessie Louisa Woods died in 1957.Black and white photo of 2 men identified, but not specifically, as Mr Joyce and Mr Lamble, both of Essex Road, Surrey Hills. They are standing next to their bicycles on a roughly made path. The bikes are loaded up with swags and kit as if the two are about to depart on a journey. Behind is a picket fence and in the background the shops along Canterbury Road can be seen.essex road, frederick harry percival (mr), bicycles, depression, 1929-1939, unemployment, economic depression, mr joyce, bert lamble, frederick harry percival lamble, bessie ethel lamble, bessie ethel smith

35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)eltham shire office, main road

35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)eltham shire office, main road

35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)duplication, eltham, main road, road construction

35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)lower plenty, main road, old eltham road

35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)lower plenty, main road, old eltham road

35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)caltex service station, lower plenty, main road, old eltham road