Louis Kahan (1905-2002) is best known in Australia for his skill as an artist. As Independent Fashion Curator, Laura Jocic has observed, ‘It is less known though that Kahan had a career in theatre and fashion in Vienna and Paris during the 1920s and 1930s that continued when he came to Australia in 1947. He signed his fashion illustration with the initials 'nac', a phonetic interpretation of his surname spelled backwards. In this illustration on newspaper we can see Kahan playing with the graphic effects of line and text, while communicating the cut and drape of late-1950s fashions.’ Kahn was born in Vienna in 1905 and first travelled to Australia in 1947. He moved to Melbourne in 1950 where he became friends with artist George Bell, writer Alan McCulloch who introduced him to Clem Christensen, editor of the literary journal Meanjin, where many of his portraits of Australian writers were published. His 1962 portrait of the author Patrick White won the Archibald Prize, bringing him national recognition. He also designed sets and costumes for the Elizabeth Theatre Trust (Opera Australia) and the Melbourne Theatre Company. In 1993 his contribution to Australian cultural life was recognised when he was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO). He died in Melbourne, at the age of 97 in 2002. Ann Carew 2018Fashion illustration on newsprint. Drawing depicts two women. Women in foreground is wearing a long green coat and hat.Woman at rear is wearing a green and white evening dress with white gloves.Signed lower right in ink, 'nac 1958'.fashion illustration, fashion design

In 1895 artist Gordon Coutts was commissioned by Elizabeth Harding (Mrs. Silas Harding), a wealthy pastoralist, to paint this portrait of Prince Albert. The portrait was completed by 1896 and is a copy of an original by German artist Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1805-1873). In 1843 Winterhalter was commissioned to paint matching portraits of Queen Victoria and Albert, the Prince Consort. These originals hang in the Garter Throne Room at Windsor Castle and are part of the UK Royal Collection. Queen Victoria’s appreciation of Winterhalter began after she saw portraits by him of other European monarchs. Accordingly, between 1842 and 1861 he made fifteen visits to England and painted over 100 portraits of Her Majesty, the royal family and other friends and dignitaries. There are a number of notable differences in the original Winterhalter work and this painting. The local artist Coutts has changed the colour of the Prince’s cloak from deep blue/black to red (perhaps as a result of working from a black and white photograph). Other differences include extra satin shoulder ribbons, a simplification of the furnishings, notably the floor, and an inexact representation of the medallions worn; collars of the Order of the Garter, Bath, and the Golden Fleece. The painting is framed to match the official copy portrait of Queen Victoria, with the coat of arms of Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, fixed atop the frame in place of the royal crown.Framed portrait, oil on cotton, of Prince Albert. The Prince Consort wears the robes of the Order of the Garter, holds a Field-Marshal’s baton, and is posed in front of a curtain and colonnade. Timber frame with a layer of gesso and decorative composition ornaments. There are rose, scotch thistle, clover leaf and Acanthus ornaments. The coat of arms that sits on top of the frame is a combination of carved timber and composition elements.Signed lower right corner in red brushpoint: ‘after Winterhalter / By Gordon Coutts / 1896’.albert, prince consort of victoria, queen of great britain, 1819-1861, winterhalter, franz xaver, 1805-1873, coutts, gordon (1865-1938)

This item is part of the Di Reidie collection. Diane Reidie was a much loved volunteer and President of Brighton Historical Society from 1999 until 2016. Originally from New Zealand, Di and her family lived in Male Street, Brighton for many years. A vibrant and energetic person with a zest for life and a gift for bringing people together, Di was a friend to many in the Bayside community and active in local community organisations. Her tireless work as President of BHS saw her named Bayside Citizen of the Year in 2008. As a seller and collector of vintage clothing, she was passionate about fashion history; one of her many enduring contributions to BHS was her extensive work in preserving, developing and promoting the Society's costume collection. In 2018-19, Di donated more than one hundred items from her personal vintage clothing collection to the Society. The collection, which includes clothing, hats, handbags and shoes from local and international designers, is representative of Di's wide-ranging interests, colourful personality, creativity, humour and love of fashion and travel. Di was gifted this dress by a former manager of the Bayside Gallery, who herself had worn it to a fancy dress event after finding it in a local opportunity shop. Di subsequently wore it to a party with friends at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne to celebrate and watch the televised royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.Purple silk full length dress with cream neckline and arm hole band trim and white decorative beading over waist. The bodice joins front and back at the shoulder with a decorative purple ring. The lining is made of magenta coloured silk."Exclusively Yours Hartnell REGD Melbourne", "Exclusive Finest Imported Fabric"costume party, fancy dress, royal wedding, hartnell of melbourne, ralph samuel, melbourne designers, flinders lane, di reidie, 1960s

This dress belonged to Brighton local Paula Folks, who wore it to her niece's wedding at St John's, Toorak in 1970. It also bears a second connection to Brighton through the label, Elegance, a Flinders Lane fashion house co-owned by Rudy Brill and Brighton resident Robert Salter. Paula was a longtime manager and owner of Pearl's Boutique, a well-known local fashion boutique established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Cream terylene chiffon dress with all-over daisy appliqués. High band collar with v-shaped scoop at back. Sheer long sleeves with gathered cuffs.Label: "miss Elegance / TERYLENE".pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, 1970s, flinders lane, melbourne designers, robert salter, rudy brill, miss elegance, elegance

Celia ROSSER (1930- ) Born Melbourne, Victoria Celia Elizabeth Rosser is a renowned Australian botanical artist, best known for having published The Banksias, a three-volume series of monographs containing watercolour paintings of every Banksia species. She trained in Art at the Melbourne Institute of Technology In 1970, Celia was appointed Science Faculty Artist at Monash University. Four years later she was appointed University Botanical Artist, and began the project of painting every Banksia species. The project took over 25 years to complete, and resulted in the publication of a three volume monograph entitled The Banksias, with accompanying text by Alex George. Publication of the final volume in 2000 represented the first time that such a large genus has been entirely painted. In 1977 Celia Rosser was awarded the Linnaean Society of London's Jill Smythies Award for botanical illustration, and in 1995 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. Monash University awarded her an honorary Master of Science degree in 1981, and an honorary PhD in 1999. Banksia Rosserae is the last banksia species discovered and was named after the artist. Since 2002, the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne have awarded the "Celia Rosser Medal for Botanical Art" to outstanding exhibitors at their "The Art of Botanical Illustration" exhibition. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Un-numbered limited edition offset photolithograph of Banksia seminuda (River Banksia).celia rosser, botanical, banksia, gippsland campus, banksia seminuda, flora

Celia ROSSER (1930- ) Born Melbourne, Victoria Celia Elizabeth Rosser is a renowned Australian botanical artist, best known for having published The Banksias, a three-volume series of monographs containing watercolour paintings of every Banksia species. She trained in Art at the Melbourne Institute of Technology In 1970, Celia was appointed Science Faculty Artist at Monash University. Four years later she was appointed University Botanical Artist, and began the project of painting every Banksia species. The project took over 25 years to complete, and resulted in the publication of a three volume monograph entitled The Banksias, with accompanying text by Alex George. Publication of the final volume in 2000 represented the first time that such a large genus has been entirely painted. In 1977 Celia Rosser was awarded the Linnaean Society of London's Jill Smythies Award for botanical illustration, and in 1995 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. Monash University awarded her an honorary Master of Science degree in 1981, and an honorary PhD in 1999. Banksia Rosserae is the last banksia species discovered and was named after the artist. Since 2002, the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne have awarded the "Celia Rosser Medal for Botanical Art" to outstanding exhibitors at their "The Art of Botanical Illustration" exhibition. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Un-numbered limited edition offset photolithograph of Banksia saxicola celia rosser, banksia, botanical, gippsland campus, banksia saxicola, flora

Celia Rosser (1930- ) Born Melbourne, Victoria Celia Elizabeth Rosser is a renowned Australian botanical artist, best known for having published The Banksias, a three-volume series of monographs containing watercolour paintings of every Banksia species. She trained in Art at the Melbourne Institute of Technology In 1970, Celia was appointed Science Faculty Artist at Monash University. Four years later she was appointed University Botanical Artist, and began the project of painting every Banksia species. The project took over 25 years to complete, and resulted in the publication of a three volume monograph entitled The Banksias, with accompanying text by Alex George. Publication of the final volume in 2000 represented the first time that such a large genus has been entirely painted. In 1977 Celia Rosser was awarded the Linnaean Society of London's Jill Smythies Award for botanical illustration, and in 1995 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. Monash University awarded her an honorary Master of Science degree in 1981, and an honorary PhD in 1999. Banksia Rosserae is the last banksia species discovered and was named after the artist. Since 2002, the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne have awarded the "Celia Rosser Medal for Botanical Art" to outstanding exhibitors at their "The Art of Botanical Illustration" exhibition. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed lithograph of Banksi Marginata Cav. (Silver Banksia). Un-numbered limited edition offset photolithograph Donated by E.J. Tippett, M.B.E., 1983. Member of Ballarat School of Mines and Ballarat College of advanced Education Council 1934-1983.art, artwork, celia rosser, rosser, banksia, botany, botanical, florilegium, available, flora, bansksia marginata, silver banksia, lithograph, printmaking

The Fundamentals of Legacy was a paper offered to the Fortieth Annual Conference of the Legacy Clubs of Australia, held in Ballarat from 7th to 10th November 1968, by the Sydney Legacy Club. It was presented by Legatee Daniel S. Aarons, past president of the Legacy Club of Sydney (1946-47). By resolution of the Conference it was printed by Legacy Co-ordinating Council for distribution upon their request to Legacy Clubs. The first part of the brochure examines birth of Legacy growing from the seeds of comradeship that were sown in war service. Comradeship from the deep friendship forged in war time. The second part examines the personal service that is fundamental to Legacy. It includes a story of burial after a fierce battle at Pozieres in August 1916 where the writer witnessed a mate pledge to the deceased "don't worry, our friends, we will look after your widows and children". The final words of the of the brochure. "Legacy is a magnificent monument whose foundations made from everlasting materials, Mateship, Comradeship, and Friendship. The edifice upon that foundation was erected by the dedicated, personal service of a mere few thousand Legatees of whom it may truly be said, that, Never in the history of social service Has so much been done for so many By so few." The notation H65 in blue pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. A record of speech at a Legacy Conference being reprinted for distribution among Legacy Clubs.Brochure on white paper with black type x 8 pages about The Fundamentals of Legacy.Handwritten H65/1 in blue pen. history, speech

Copies of newsletters to Legacy widows in 1960s. There were usually 4 editions per year (February, May, July and November - plus two special one pages editions in October and November 1961). Newsletters include a notice from the Senior Widows Club coordinator F R G Strickland and information about events and meetings. The editor was Mrs B E Shephard. There were so many widows that the meetings were spread over three groups - yellow, green and red - each meeting on a different Wednesday of the month at Legacy House. On the free Wednesday a Card party was open to all widows and their friends to play cards (entry fee of 1/-). Some months all groups met on the same day and the meeting had to be held at the Melbourne Town Hall to accomodate the numbers. November's meeting as a picnic in the Botanical Gardens and January the widows met in Fitzroy Gardens. In November there were calls for nominations for the committee members for the following year. Committee comprised of a President, 2 Vice presidents, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Assistant Secretary and 14 members of the committee. The first edition in the new format was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The newsletter was priced at 1D a copy. Various pages of interest have been added to show different news items. Not all editions have been scanned.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy in the 1960s.Black typed newsletter x 10 editions from 1961 and 1962. 1961 editions: 28 Feb ; 31 May ; 21 Jul ; 10 Oct ; 30 Nov 1962 editions: 23 Feb ; 11 May ; 20 Jul ; 30 Novnewsletter, activities

A passport of Legatee George Knocks from 1928. George Knocks was born in the UK and joined the Royal Navy in World War 1. He later migrated to Australia and joined Legacy in 1929 until his death in 1945, he left a significant bequest to Melbourne Legacy which was used to help many people. Information from a press release in 1975 relates the story of George Knocks who joined Legacy and left a bequest that made a difference. The information was intended to be used by press and magazines etc. A longer version of the story is in the Weekly Bulletin - 29 Sept 1964 and a document prepared by Legatee Armstrong in 1965 called One Man's Legacy. Summary: George was described as a lonely ex-seaman who migrated to Australia after the first world war. He learnt about Legacy and the work with widows and children. 'He joined up as a Legatee and from that day, the pattern of life changed greatly for George. He became absorbed in his new environment and spent most of his time with the children. The mothers founding him a rugged, but completely trustworthy friend.' When George died on 14 April 1945 he was mourned by many Legacy friends. His left his property to four comrades, as trustees to use in continuing Legacy's work, this bequest became the George Knocks Fund. As a result, a great many people in Legacy's care were helped, in all sorts of ways.A record of the life of a legatee and an example of what passports contained in the 1920s.Black hardcover passport of George Knocks issued 1928.Cover stamped in black ink 'A73884' and signed in black ink 'G. Knocks', pages notes in pen and pencil, stamp from Colombo, Sri Lanka and Freemantle WA, in purple ink.george knocks, fund, bequests

A photo of Legatee George Knocks from his time in the Royal Navy. George Knocks was born in the UK and joined the Royal Navy in World War 1. He later migrated to Australia and joined Legacy in 1929 until his death in 1945, he left a significant bequest to Melbourne Legacy which was used to help many people. Information from a press release in 1975 relates the story of George Knocks who joined Legacy and left a bequest that made a difference. The information was intended to be used by press and magazines etc. A longer version of the story is in the Weekly Bulletin - 29 Sept 1964 and a document prepared by Legatee Armstrong in 1965 called One Man's Legacy. Summary: George was described as a lonely ex-seaman who migrated to Australia after the first world war. He learnt about Legacy and the work with widows and children. 'He joined up as a Legatee and from that day, the pattern of life changed greatly for George. He became absorbed in his new environment and spent most of his time with the children. The mothers found in him a rugged, but completely trustworthy friend.' When George died on 14 April 1945 he was mourned by many Legacy friends. His left his property to four comrades, as trustees to use in continuing Legacy's work, this bequest became the George Knocks Fund. As a result, a great many people in Legacy's care were helped, in all sorts of ways.A record of the life of a legatee.Sepia portrait of George Knocks in Royal Navy uniform plus an envelope initialled by Legatee Brian Armstrong.Reverse of photo is printed as postcard and has handwritten 'Legatee George Knocks' in blue pen and '4/4/46' and '5193' in pencil. Envelope has handwritten 'Legatee George Knocks / On Active Service 1914-1918' in blue pen and initialled 'JHBA' which is Legatee Brian Armstrong.george knocks, fund, bequests

A photo of Legatee George Knocks from his time in the Royal Navy. George Knocks was born in the UK and joined the Royal Navy in World War 1. He later migrated to Australia and joined Legacy in 1929 until his death in 1945, he left a significant bequest to Melbourne Legacy which was used to help many people. Information from a press release in 1975 relates the story of George Knocks who joined Legacy and left a bequest that made a difference. The information was intended to be used by press and magazines etc. A longer version of the story is in the Weekly Bulletin - 29 Sept 1964 and this document prepared by Legatee Armstrong in 1965 called One Man's Legacy. Summary: George was described as a lonely ex-seaman who migrated to Australia after the first world war. He learnt about Legacy and the work with widows and children. 'He joined up as a Legatee and from that day, the pattern of life changed greatly for George. He became absorbed in his new environment and spent most of his time with the children. The mothers founding him a rugged, but completely trustworthy friend.' When George died on 14 April 1945 he was mourned by many Legacy friends. His left his property to four comrades, as trustees to use in continuing Legacy's work, this bequest became the George Knocks Fund. As a result, a great many people in Legacy's care were helped, in all sorts of ways.A record of the life of a legatee.White foolscap paper x 6 pages with black type of the story of George Knocks Fund, stapled together and edge bound with green tape, dated 30 June 1965.Handwritten on cover 'Box 3' in blue pen, 'B4 George Knocks Fund' in red pen and '1945' in pencil. Final page is signed 'JHB Armstrong' in blue ink.george knocks, fund, bequests

According to the paper label "Over 300 Legatees participated in the ANZAC Day march commemorating Legacy's 70th Anniversary." Photos show three Legatees assembling in Flinders Street before the march, and a close up of Legatee Ron Austin. Ron Austin was the last surviving World War 1 veteran alive involved with Melbourne Legacy. (See also 00754, 00755 and 00756). The article in The Answer in May 1993 says: The ever-smiling L/ Ron Austin is an inspiration for all. Ron has the distinction of being the youngest surviving Melbourne Legatee to have served in WW1. He joined over 300 Legatees to march as part of the Legacy contingent to mark Legacy's 70th anniversary, and he marched again for a a few blocks as he joined members of his wireless unit to catch up with old friends. Ron was just 14 and a half when he joined the R.A.N. in 1917 as a Boy Seaman. He served for 10 years, resumed civilian life, then in 1931 joined the RAAF Telecommunications. WWII kept him busy! In 1949 he became Assistant Air Attache in Washington, D.C. Ron retired from the Service in 1955 as Wing Commander. It comes as no surprise that Ron was awarded an O.B.E. for his tireless devotion to duty and you might sense Ron has been a tireless member of Legacy too." Plus a note in the Answer in 1997 after Ron passed away aged 94.A record of Legatees marching together on Anzac Day to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Legacy.Black and white photo x 2 of Anzac Day March 1993 and an article from The Answer on Ron Austin.Marked B10, and B16 which are the frame numbers from the B proof sheet (00754.2). 00788.1 says "L'tee Ron Austin last WWI veteran alive in Melbourne Legacy" in blue pen.70th anniversary, anzac day, answer, ron austin

Celia ROSSER (1930- ) Born Melbourne, Victoria Celia Elizabeth Rosser is a renowned Australian botanical artist, best known for having published The Banksias, a three-volume series of monographs containing watercolour paintings of every Banksia species. She trained in Art at the Melbourne Institute of Technology In 1970, Celia was appointed Science Faculty Artist at Monash University. Four years later she was appointed University Botanical Artist, and began the project of painting every Banksia species. The project took over 25 years to complete, and resulted in the publication of a three volume monograph entitled The Banksias, with accompanying text by Alex George. Publication of the final volume in 2000 represented the first time that such a large genus has been entirely painted. In 1977 Celia Rosser was awarded the Linnaean Society of London's Jill Smythies Award for botanical illustration, and in 1995 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. Monash University awarded her an honorary Master of Science degree in 1981, and an honorary PhD in 1999. Banksia Rosserae is the last banksia species discovered and was named after the artist. Since 2002, the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne have awarded the "Celia Rosser Medal for Botanical Art" to outstanding exhibitors at their "The Art of Botanical Illustration" exhibition. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007..1) Framed photolithograph of Banksia ornata (Desert Banksia) by Celia Rosser. .2) Unframed photolithograph of Banksia ornata (Desert Banksia) by Celia Rosser.art, artwork, celia rosser, rosser, botanical, banksia, gippsland campus

Celia ROSSER (1930- ) Born Melbourne, Victoria Celia Elizabeth Rosser is a renowned Australian botanical artist, best known for having published The Banksias, a three-volume series of monographs containing watercolour paintings of every Banksia species. She trained in Art at the Melbourne Institute of Technology In 1970, Celia was appointed Science Faculty Artist at Monash University. Four years later she was appointed University Botanical Artist, and began the project of painting every Banksia species. The project took over 25 years to complete, and resulted in the publication of a three volume monograph entitled The Banksias, with accompanying text by Alex George. Publication of the final volume in 2000 represented the first time that such a large genus has been entirely painted. In 1977 Celia Rosser was awarded the Linnaean Society of London's Jill Smythies Award for botanical illustration, and in 1995 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. Monash University awarded her an honorary Master of Science degree in 1981, and an honorary PhD in 1999. Banksia Rosserae is the last banksia species discovered and was named after the artist. Since 2002, the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne have awarded the "Celia Rosser Medal for Botanical Art" to outstanding exhibitors at their "The Art of Botanical Illustration" exhibition. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Un-numbered limited edition offset photolithograph of Banksi incana.celia rosser, banksia, gippsland campus, botanical, churchill, flora

John Alfred Lyell "Alf" Haeusler was born in 3rd February 1922, and was the only child of Louis and Ilma Haeusler. He lost his mother Ilma at the age of six and was raised by his father and his Aunt Nellie. He was a quiet lad with a limp, possibly caused by an illness early in life, later diagnosed as polymyositis. As a young boy, Alf was fascinated by electricity and radios. Like his father Louis, Alf had the ability to engineer and fabricate almost anything using humble materials, from mending the broken handle of a teapot, to making a toy xylophone, a homemade crystal radio set or a homemade drill. Alf attended Wodonga West School No. 1058 until the eighth grade. Due to his medical condition in order to avoid the two-mile walk to school, Alf travelled by pony, which was hired from another student, Tom Ardern for sixpence a week. The two boys remained lifelong friends. Tom Ardern died in Wodonga, Victoria on 10th January 1996 and Alf Haeusler died on 5th October 1997. The Haeusler Collection consisting of manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family and a set of glass negatives was donated to the Wodonga & District Historical Society. It offers a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community in the early 20th century.This photo is significant because it depicts an important aspect of the early life of Alf Haeusler of Wodonga.Framed black and white image of two boys on horseback on their way to school.haeusler family of wodonga, thomas ardern, alf haeusler

Great Hall at Montsalvat built 1938-52, designed by Justus Jorgensen Covered under National Estate, National Trust of Australia (Victoria) State Significance, Victorian Heritage and Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p129 At first glance, Montsalvat, the artists’ community at Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham, could belong to another time and place. The French provincial Gothic-style buildings blend picturesquely with the introduced and native trees and farm animals on the five hectare property. But Montsalvat belongs very much to today’s Eltham, having inspired much of its creative activity and style. The use of mud-brick and recycled building materials, for which Eltham is so well-known, was largely popularised by Montsalvat. Montsalvat – unique in Victoria and probably in Australia – is registered by the National Trust and National Estate.1 Montsalvat, named after the castle of the Knights of the Holy Grail, has attracted artists and intellectuals since it was founded in 1934. For years at weekends, artists, lawyers, philosophers, politicians and others, who shared a love for what Montsalvat stood for, gathered for a meal and stimulating discussion. The focus for this gathering of talent was Justus Jörgensen, an eccentric man with vision and charisma. It was Jörgensen’s foresight that saw the creation of Montsalvat, which in 1975 was formed into a trust to benefit the Victorian people. The property was then valued at about three million dollars. It is now visited by thousands of people annually. Born in 1894 and brought up a Catholic, Jörgensen had trained as an architect. He later studied painting at the National Gallery School under artist, Frederick McCubbin, then joined the studio of artist Max Meldrum. In 1924, Jörgensen married medical student Lillian Smith, and with artist friends they travelled to Europe to study the great masters. In London Jörgensen exhibited in several major galleries. One of his still life paintings was included in the book The Art of Still Life by Herbert Furst, which featured 100 of the greatest ever still life paintings.2 In 1929, Jörgensen returned to Melbourne where Lil, now qualified, worked as an anaesthetist at St Vincent’s Hospital. They bought a small house in Brighton and Jörgensen rented a large building in Queen Street for his studio until the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria bought it in 1955. While designing and overseeing the building of a studio for his friend the famous cartoonist Percy Leason, in Lavender Park Road, Jörgensen decided to buy land for a country retreat in Eltham. So the building of Montsalvat began. Jörgensen gathered around a dozen of his friends and students from his Queen Street studio. They set to work, first at weekends then some decided to live permanently on the site. Jörgensen had seen mud-brick buildings in Spain and recognised that Eltham’s clay soil was ideal for mud-bricks and although labour intensive, it was a very cheap way of building. Jörgensen’s students and friends worked under his direction with the help of local tradesmen, including carpenter, Len Jarrold and later stone mason, Horrie Judd. In return Jörgensen would give the students a painting lesson or two. It was the Great Depression when many were out of work. Jörgensen also inspired people to give generously of money and materials. With their help Jörgensen found second-hand materials for building. Friends donated slate for roofing, discarded firebricks were used for flooring and windows and doors and a cast-iron circular staircase came from a wrecker. The students’ day started at 7am with building and domestic chores, shared equally between the sexes. The first building was used by his friends at weekends and then became a home for his wife Lil. It consisted of three rooms and an attic under a high-pitched roof. Jörgensen then built a similar structure with the same high-pitched roof as a more permanent home for his students. The two buildings were joined together with a tower and a studio for Jörgensen. While excavating for the studio a reef of yellow mud-stone was found and then used in construction. The next building was the Great Hall, to be used for dining, exhibitions and meetings and completed in 1958, after a halt during the war. Whelan the Wrecker donated the stone-framed windows from the building that housed the Victorian Insurance Co. in Collins Street, which had been demolished in the 1930s. The swimming pool was donated and cubicles were built for the students with their initials marked in tiles on each doorstep.1 One of Jörgensen’s great abilities was to recognise how to use material which harmonised. He would comb through wreckers’ yards for what he needed. Regarding his buildings as sculptural pieces, his first consideration was for the aesthetic quality of a building and only then for its functionality.2 At Montsalvat, Jörgensen found he was able to put his ideas into practice without compromise and those who worked with him had to conform to his ideas. With the Jörgensens, the colony’s original nucleus consisted of the Skipper family – Mervyn and wife Lena, daughters Helen and Sonia and son Matcham,who was to become an eminent jeweller and sculptor represented in National Gallery collections throughout Australia and in European museums.3 Other members were Arthur Munday, Lesley Sinclair, Helen Lempriere, Ian Robertson, John Smith, George Chalmers, John Busst and Sue Van der Kellan; also Jörgensen’s three sons – Max, Sebastian and Sigmund – and Saskia, Sonia Skipper and Arthur Munday’s daughter. Montsalvat went through some hard times when local gossips spread rumours of sexual shenanigans at Montsalvat. However Montsalvat also had many local supporters – especially amongst the local tradespeople. The colony was certainly unconventional – with Jörgensen’s wife Lil (and son Max) and life-time partner Helen Skipper, (mother of Sebastian and Sigmund) living at Montsalvat. Sonia Skipper says in her biography that the group were ‘very conscious of their responsibilities to each other and a desire to make their relationships work’.4 By World War Two many buildings around the Great Hall were completed. Jörgensen was a pacifist, as were most of his students. Some of the Montsalvat community enlisted while others engaged in essential services like dairy farming and market gardening for the war effort. It was then that Jörgensen constructed farm buildings. After the war many well-known personalities such as Clifton Pugh, landscape gardener Gordon Ford, and builder Alistair Knox, were drawn to Montsalvat. They learnt that building was not a ‘sacred cow’ only for professionals, but that anyone who was willing to get their hands dirty could do it. The post-war shortage of materials also encouraged builders to follow Montsalvat’s lead in reusing materials. When Jörgensen died in 1975, his influence did not – thanks largely to the vigilance of his son, Sigmund, who became its administrator. The weekend dinners have gone, but in 2008 about 14 artists still work at Montsalvat – some living there – including a couple who have been there since its early days. Under Sigmund’s direction Montsalvat further expanded its activities which included festivals, art exhibitions, concerts and weddings. Sigmund completed the Chapel, then the Long Gallery next to the pool, After the barn burnt down, he replaced it in 1999 (the builder was Hamish Knox, Alistair’s son) with a new gallery and entrance and added a restaurant. Sigmund has been careful that any new building blends in with the character of Montsalvat. In 2006 Montsalvat was restructured for its continued financial viability and with the help of Arts Victoria a new executive officer was appointed. A representative board from the wider community was established, which includes members from the former Montsalvat Trust including Sigmund Jörgensen – who is now the heritage and arts adviser to the new company Montsalvat Ltd.5 Today, visiting Montsalvat one still sees artists, students and visitors enjoying the unique and beautiful surroundings.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, great hall, montsalvat