A blue cloth hardcover book, A Great Mistake by Rev. T.S. Millington, with a gold, red and brown illustration of a boy climbing into a hot air balloon basket already in flight and a city skyline in sunset at the bottom of the cover. The title and author are printed in gold and black lettering on the front. An illustration in gold and brown is on spine of a soldier and a woman holding hands. Black initials RTS for the publisher are at base of the spine. Numerous black and white illustrations are inside. On the middle of the back cover black leaves are printed on it.fictionA novel from The Boy's Own Bookshelf No IV - a story of adventure of three boys who ran away from school, and later go to war and the siege of Paris.children's books, adventure, war, friendship

Tan cloth covered hardcover book, Denny or From Haven to Haven, by Annie Gray, with gold and brown lettering for title and author's name. Green, brown and gold illustration of father holding oars, embracing daughter in a field in Scotland. Boat in background along with flowers and leaves as decoration. Spine has gold title, child, lines and leaves. Back cover has embossed design in middle. Gold on edges of all pages.,fictionA children's adventure story about a lost little boy and how he was saved. Religious influences throughout.fiction, adventure, religion, children's books

Hardcover children's religious instruction book, The Promised land, with picture of an Egyptian chariot race in biblical times with red lettering for title at top of illustration. Brown spine with black printed title, 6 crowns and publisher name. Black and white and coloured illustrations throughout.fictionA collection of Bible stories about The Promised Land retold by Catherine Shaw books, fiction, biblical stories, children's books

Grey hardcover children's religious instruction book, Come Unto Me, with a coloured illustration of Jesus standing in the bow of a boat with his disciples in a bad storm. The title is red at the top of picture. Grey back cover, faded blue spine with title, publisher and lined design. Coloured plates with black and white illustrations throughout.fictionA children's religious instruction book of bible stories retold by Catherine Shawchildren's fiction, religious stories, books, fiction

Blue hardcover fiction book, Shadowed Lives by Annie S Swan. Has white vertical stripes on front cover with gold lettering for title and author - same details plus publisher on spine. Indented floral pattern around title and author on front cover. Has a black and white illustration opposite the title page of a woman leaning out of a window.fictionA romance novel by Annie S. Swan.romance, teenage fiction, fiction, children's books

Book read by family members, especially Lance Sebire who was awarded it from Sunday School in 1936Large hardcover children's book for boys with coloured picture on front cover of two boys sitting on a rock, one looking through binoculars and the other pointing into the distance. The title, The Big Budget for Boys is printed in black lettering on the front and spine with an illustration of another boy and the publisher. The back cover is also illustrated in colour with two more boys reading a map. The collection of adventure stories have black and white illustrations throughout.Mrs Les Gaudion's Class - Methodist Sabbath School Wandin Yallock. Awarded to Lance Sebire for Diligence and Attendance. Mr J H Lord Supt. Harold Blanksby Sec. May 18th 1936. The Book Depot, 288 Little Collins Street (Methodist Book Buildings)adventure, young people's fiction, children's fiction, children's book

Large hardcover children's book with coloured illustration spreading the front and back covers of two boys and a dog in a rowboat. The title - Big Budget for Boys is in black lettering on the front and there are black and white illustrations throughout the.18 separate adventure stories.Mr Riseborough's Class 1st Prize Methodist Sabbath School Wandin Yallock Awarded to Lance Sebire for dilegence and attendance. J H Lord Supt. H Blanksby Sec. 31st March 1937children's book, adventure stories, children's fiction

A collection of nursery stories for young children. This book was awarded to Lance Sebire in 1932 for diligent Sunday School attendance.Large hardcover children's nursery book with coloured illustration on the front cover of a small boy and girl in pyjamas and nightie holding toys surrounded by fairies. The title Fireside Tales is in black lettering at the top. The spine has faded title and pubilsher, Shaw. Black and white illustrations throughout with some coloured plates.Kindergarten. Methodist Sabbath School Wandin Yallock 32 days. Awarded to Lance Sebire for 1st Prize of Mrs S. Gaudion's Class. W.J. Sebire Supt. A.J Sebire. Ada Gaudion. Sec. 27.3.1932.children's fiction, young people's fiction, children's books

brown hardcover novel with an ornate blue linear design on the front cover and spine and the title Amos Truelove by C.R. Parsons. Author of 'The man with the White Hat', etc. The publisher Kelly is on the spine. 240p.fictionA story of a young woman who comes into a significant inheritance and is met with suitors whom she is not too interested in apart from Amos Truelove. Religious themes throughout.religious stories, friendship stories, romance

Small red cloth covered hardcover book for children with gold imprint picture of boys at school sitting at a desk in a classroom. The title and author are in red with a gold background. There are black lined patterns of fleur de lis on the front cover as well. Full page black and white illustrations are throughout as well as floral decorations at the top of each we chapter. Illuminated style lettering is used for the first word of each chapter. Gold edging to the pages and a printed coloured Presented To, page is at the front of the book. The back cover has a fleur de lis symbol in the middle. This is a fine book depicting the world of the C19th. It is believed to be published in 1873. 174p.fictionA story depicting life in the C19th and schools. Arthur is a kid thoughtful pupil who goes through many trials and tribulations as he manages life each school day. Strong religious themes throughout to help with character development of boys who read this story. religious stories, school stories, stories for boys

A small badly damaged brown hardcover book with a floral and lined pattern in black on the front cover and spine including the title Little Christmas and her friends which is difficult to see due to its poor condition. Black and white illustrations throughout with a father and daughter reading depicted on the title page. Book is badly water damaged and mould marks seen. The back cover has The Religious Tract Society symbol is embossed on the back cover. 160p.fictionA story of family life in the 1800's with it's trials and tribulations. Strong religious themes throughout.family life fiction, religous stories

Faded khaki coloured Children's fiction book - with the title Con's Acre by Mrs C.M. Clarke written in yellow lettering in a box at the top surrounded by yellow and pink flowers. Author's name in black is at the bottom underneath an illustration of a man helping a lady alight from a carriage with another woman close by. 160p.fictionA story about young women growing up in England with the trials and tribulations of young love and friendship. Family life in the late 1800's is depicted with strong religious themes. religious stories, family life stories

Blue cloth covered hardcover Children's book with the title in gold lettering, Gentleman Jackson by H. Frederick Charles. A gold, black and red illustration is featured on the front cover of a man saving a young boy from a house on fire by lowering him in a knotted sheet. The spine has the title, a picture of a boy holding a book and the initials RTS in gold. Black and white illustrations are throughout with the same front cover one at the frontispiece opposite the title page. There is a tissue paper page protecting it. 255p. At the back are 16 pages of The Religious Tract Society's List of Books for Presentation. 255p.fictionA story of a young boy Ned and his difficult life growing up in England in the late 1800's with a drunken father and mother who dies. He is a kind boy and becomes a young man who does good deeds for many people. Religious themes throughout.religious stories, adventure stories, family life fiction

A red hardcover novel for boys with the title Air Wreckers by the author Michael D. Gibson written in black lettering with double zigzag lines on the left side of the front cover. The title, author and publisher are written on the spine in black letters. There is a black and white illustration on the frontispiece of men fighting. 222p.fictionA story set in Scotland of young men and their adventures flying monoplanes.aeroplanes fiction, adventure fiction, friendship stories

Brown fabric hardcover book - Eveline's Key-Note by Edith C. Kenyon has an illustration in black. pink and green of two young women sitting on a garden seat with a girl lying on the grass next to them reading. In the background a couple are chatting. The top of the edges of the pages are gold. The Endeavour Library is written at the top in black lettering with the title in yellow underneath. The spine has the title, series and publisher initials at the bottom for The Sunday School Union, The frontispiece has a black and white illustration the same as is on the front cover. and there are five full page black and white illustrations throughout. The chapter heads have an Illuminated style decoration called a vignette. 192p.fictionVictorian fiction with a moral slant for young women about life, growing up and relationships in an English village. family life fiction, religious stories

A small tan hardcover children's fiction book - A Sailor Boy's Adventure in the Land of the Sun by James Nunn who was the author of The Realm of the Ice King and Saved from the Wreck. The front cover has the title printed in gold lettering at the top with bands of black lines and leaf outlines. The spine too has the title in gold lettering with black leaves. The frontispiece in black and white depicts a lion attacking a man with hunters in the background. There are a few similar black and white illustrations throughout the book.128pp.fictionSet in the early 19th century days of sailing and shipwrecks with a young boy as the main protaganist telling of his many adventures in far away lands. It has very strong religious themes.religious stories, religious books, religious fiction, adventure stories, adventure fiction, stories for boys

An antique thick heavy brown covered children's book entitled - The Leisure Hour 1887. The front cover has the title printed in large gold lettering surrounded by black outlined flowers and leaves. It is a bound edition of a collection of British general interest periodicals of the Victorian era. It has a variety of genres of fiction and factual stories, historical and topical. There are black and white illustrations throughout with some large frontispiece ones too. The stained back cover has a bunch of wildflowers printed in black outline. 860p.non-fictionA book of British general interest periodicals of the Victorian era which ran weekly from 1852 - 1905. Each issue mixed multiple genres of fiction, and factual stories, historical and topical. The articles were a mix, including biographies, poetry, essays and fiction. Each issue usually started with a piece of serialised fiction.magazines, fiction books, historical fiction, children's books, non fiction book

A vintage early 1800's brown hardcover children's book with the title The Adventures of a Three Guinea Watch printed in gold diagonal letter on the front cover with a black lined illustration of two boys playing with a fob watch sitting inside a large barrel. The spine has the title and RTS symbol for the publisher printed in gold lettering. The back cover has a black lined drawing of a boy reading a book in front of a bookcase with the heading: THE BOYS OWN BOOKSHELF printed in a banner above. There are flowers and butterflies too. The frontispiece illustration depicts a woman and a man with a boy in football clothes talking. It is covered with faded tissue paper. The title page has the title, author, publisher details and the same black lined illustration as is featured on the back cover. Throughout the book are many black lined illustrations. At the back is page of further Books for Boys published by The Religious Tract Society. The author,Talbot Baines Reed wrote school stories for boys. Pp. 226.fictionA vintage early 1800's adventure story for teenage boys with black lined illustrations. A boy is given a watch for his 13th birthday as he goes off to school. The watch narrates his own story as he changes 'owners' and travels to London, a pawn shop, a university, to the seaside, India and back to..... There are strong religious themes throughout.children's books, books, children's stories, adventure stories, teenage stories, boys' stories

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

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

SUMMARY - Edna (Myers) Barrie, 1918 – 2018, Profile Early Life Edna was born at Melton and delivered by Hannah Watts. Her mother Martha walked in the dark at night with her basket under her arm to the bridge over the Toolern Creek Bridge and into Sherwin Street to the corner of Yuille Street to Hannah’s house Lynch Cottage. Martha’s husband was away shearing and eventually heard the news of the birth of their blue eyed third child and second daughter. She was born into a family that was surrounded by music; her father played the “squeeze box” and mother the mouth organ. From an early age the family were aware of the great composers, a framed picture of Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert and Wagner hung above the door to the lounge room of their 4 roomed cottage, the room where the piano stood. Her life on stage started as a singer aged 6 years at the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall. Edna was born with a natural ear for music learning piano and singing from her older sister Marjorie who became an accomplished pianist and soloist and renowned music teacher in Melton and district. In the 1920s and 1930s concerts at the Melton Mechanics Institute were regular events were the local talent was fostered. The Myers children, like other children of Melton and Rockbank, studied singing, piano and elocution, sat examinations, entered in competitions in South Street Ballarat, Footscray and Melbourne. In 1929 a Sacred Concert was broadcast by 3AR from the Hall as part of the Back to Melton Celebrations. Marjorie Myers performed two of the items on the piano. Edna attended Melton State School 430 from 1924 – 1933. Her father Fred had also attended the same school. In 1924 the School staged Cinderella at the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall with a cast of 33 students. After completing her education a Melton she boarded in South Melbourne and attending Melbourne Girls High School (MacRobertson Girls High School), a school which recognized her musical attributes. She travelled home on the train on the weekends, sometimes getting off at Rockbank to save a few pennies in fares. Working life The early 1930s the Depression was a difficult time for a young woman to find work. Jobs were often menial and given to the youngest and therefore cheapest applicant. She worked as sales assistant at Polonskis and Myer in the city, and Irvines Modes in Footscray. Working to 1pm on Saturday, and when held up by a customer meant missing the train home. While at Myer Department store she lived at home and rode her bike to the Melton railway station. On one occasion she had a nasty fall when a part of her bicycle came loose causing the bike to crash rendering her concussed and injuring her nose. During the 1930s she was given a camera “a little snap” by Mrs Kelly her landlady. This began her interest in photography documenting family life at their “Burnbank” home. Musically, while at Myers she participated in annual performances held at The Kings Hall and the Myer Mural Hall. Working in the basement at Myers she was often embarrassed when her name was called, customers assuming she belonged to the Myer Family. Ken Myer worked in the basement at the same time handling the ‘Wheeler’, a wicker basket used for moving goods around the store. The family philosophy was for the children to start at the bottom and work their way up. Social life Social life in her teenage years was connected also with Scots Presbyterian Church. She attended Sunday School classes and received book prizes for attendance. She loved to read and welcomed the times when she received new book. She took part in the Sunday School Anniversaries and was presented with a Bible from the Superintendent, Henry Robinson for her assistance with the music. Marriage and War years In 1941 Edna married Ernest “Bonnie” Barrie. War in the Pacific was soon to break out. While in Sydney on their honeymoon they met up with Jim Barrie who was on his way to Canada via Hawaii just missing Pearl Harbour by two days. Jim became a Spitfire Pilot and joined the RAF and was based in England. He returned to Australia later in RAAF to fight the Japanese off the coast of New Guinea. The three eldest Barrie brothers were farmers and food producers and were thus except from military service. Edna and Bon were members of the VAOC- Volunteer Air Observers Corp entailing being rostered on duty as plane spotters. The women took shifts during the day and the men at night which involved staying overnight in the Shire Offices. Later the spotting tower was built in the plantation opposite the Post Office. Edna and Bon carried on with this from their home in Ferris Rd when the threat of invasion had ceased Community life Community life in Melton revolved around fund raising events for the Melton Mechanics Institute for the War effort and keeping up with maintenance for the Hall. In 1944 the Minister for Health gave approval for the Shire of Melton to open and Infant Welfare Centre inviting Edna to form part of the Committee with seven other women. In 1948 she was President of Melton Branch of the Victorian Health Centres Association. She volunteered this use of her car driving the person in charge, Sister Smith to visit mothers and their babies. In 1963, along with Betty Jones and Isabel Snell, Edna was instrumental in forming the 1st Melton Cub Pack and later supported the formation of the 1st Melton Scouts. During 1963 – 1968 she completed the Australian Boy Scout Association Cub Pack Preliminary Training and achieved her Wood Badge. Country Women’s Association In 1944-1996 she was a member of the Melton Branch Country Women’s Association (CWA), Melton Branch, Secretary of the Branch in 1945 – 1946 and Branch International Secretary 1970-1971. She worked with choir, music and drama interest groups within the branch attaining both first and second place in 1959, second place in 1952 Exhibition and second in Music in 1960 in the state. She was involved in their handicraft craft events, fund raising and musical events and singing competitions. During the 1950s she trained Trios and Quartets in part singing for the CWA competitions in Ballarat and Melbourne. It was at this time that she developed her skill as a conductor and trainer of choirs. She later auditioned for the Victorian Choir for alto parts believing she would stand a better chance of being chosen, because of her ability to sing in natural harmony. In 1962 she participated in the Tenth Australian Country Women of the World (ACWW) Triennial Conference “Australia Presents: CWA Massed Choir” in the Melbourne Town Hall. This event was recorded by Super Sound Spotlight on 45 extended play vinyl record. The songs were Australian music and words, for example The Silver Stars are in the Sky, The Graceful Swaying Wattle and Kookaburra. Edna continued with her interest in the Victorian Choir regularly meeting at the CWA Headquarters in Toorak for rehearsals. In 1974 she took part in the Australian Choir at the fourteenth Triennial conference of the ACWW Interfaith Service held at the Perth Concert Hall on the 13th of October. Arts and Culture Edna was also in the Choir of 3KZ Carols by Candlelight at the Myer Music Bowl in 1963 and 1964. Melton Choral Society. Edna was Director and Conductor in the 1970s performing at many community events such as Carols by Candle Light, Church Services, Easter and Palm Sunday services, Mothers Union and the 1976 Community Services Week Combined Church Service. The October – November 1978 Program covered the following: songs from the Musicals, Choral and Solo with Narratives, Guest Instrumental Item, Recitation Negro Spirituals and Australian Songs. Her involvement with church choirs included the Scots Presbyterian Church Choir Easter and Christmas performances and the 1967 Centenary Service. In 1980s the Melton Uniting Church Sacred Music Performances included The Crucifixion by Stainer, The Olivet to Calvary and other church Hymns. Edna was Musical Director of the Melton Amateur Theatrical Society and worked on performances in collaboration with Mabel Rogers on script and musical interpretation. Melton and District Historical Society Annual Art and Craft Show. First held in Melton Mechanics Institute Hall in 1973, it later took place in the in the Melton Community Hall. The Art Show was also run in conjunction with other community organizations such as Rotary and Girl Guides. Community history and research Melton streetscape and society Over 20 years commencing in the 1970s, Edna undertook extensive photographing of the changing streetscape of Melton’s High Street. She anticipated the impact of change on the community during the time of Melton’s rapid transition from a small farming district to a large urban community and this led to her extensively document and photograph many of the structures and landscape features of the township that have since been lost. She also meticulously recorded much of the contemporary life of the town and has left a significant legacy of archival material. Melton State School 100 Years Celebration, October 1970 Co-author with Mabel Rogers “The First 100 Years, 1870 – 1970” Assembled a collection of School Class Photograph and identified and compiled lists of names for future school history. She also assembled a photographic display for the 125th anniversary in 1995. Melton and District Historical Society (M&DHS) Foundation Member, 1968 Held President and Secretary positions from its inception Research associated with the classification of Heritage buildings Christ Church Classification C Scots’ Presbyterian Church Classification D Set up the storage and Catalogue system in the Office at the Willows Organised society visits to Heritage sites in and beyond the Shire of Melton, including Stathtulloh, Eynesbury, Deanside, ToolernVale sites including Merrywood (now demolished) Staughton Vale, Chirnside, Point Cook, Shwerkolts Cottage. 1970 – 1983 Melton and District Historical Society Letterhead. Staughton Memorial Light from early newspaper cutting in its location before restoration to present location. Sketch by Wendy Barrie. Designing and printing pamphlets, stationery, and other sale items with Willows title. M&DHS street naming research for new housing developments (1970 – 2000). Collaborated with Mary Tolhurst to research the names of early landowners and pioneer families connected to the first settlers. Researched Aboriginal names for inclusion on lists submitted to developers. An early example is the naming of Kuranjang and the street names associated with the McPherson family. Plains of Promise (Shire of Melton history) by Joan Starr (1985). Edna assisted with Historical Society materials and contributed her own research and photographs. Contacted and organised for Hubert Opperman to launch the book. (She was also present at his last bike ride at Rochester in 1995.) Western Metropolitan Groups of Historical Societies. Member attending meetings and representing Melton, also hosted the Group at Melton The Willows Member of the Committee of Management for the restoration of the “Willows” house the establishment of The Willows Park 1982 March - Official Opening of the Willows Park- Preparation and planning for the event. Involved in the collecting of items in the furnishing of the display rooms in the Willows house. Donated items and furniture from the Myers and Daley family houses. (19th century) Machinery Shed Establishment. Involved with Jeff Robinson in the construction and collection of machinery display Other significant sites Championed and participated in the restoration and preservation significant sites in Melton, including: restoration of the Staughton Memorial Light and its return to its present site restoration of the Pykes Grave (using EW Barrie earthmoving equipment) restoration and reconstruction of Dunvegan restoration and reconstruction of Macs Cottage, the management and Caretakers residence Melton State School War Memorial Gates removed from Unitt Street entrance and relocated to the Willows Park Donated the Barrie family single furrow plough which was standing at the Court House Plaza. It removed and to Council Depot and later missing. The plaque was taken to the Willows. Jimmy Melrose (aviator) cairn restoration at crash site in Melton South Donald Mackintosh (Olympic gold medallist marksman) grave site at the Melton Cemetery (Historical items held by the Myers family collection.) Houdini first flight at Diggers Rest. Edna’s father was shearing at Diggers Rest at the time and witnessed the flight. She attended the 90 year anniversary of the event at the site in 2000. Radio and electronics Edna’s husband Bon interest in wireless communication dates in the 1920s with the building of a crystal set in the early days of public broadcasting. At the Back to Melton Celebrations in 1929, 3AR broadcast a concert from the Melton Mechanics Institute on the 20th February at 8pm featuring Footscray City Band, James Hill baritone, Vera Carew Soprano, James Foran Tenor, Marjorie Myers Piano, and James Williamson Entertainer. Accompanists: Miss Agnes Ross and Mrs James Hill. The Myers children had recordings of their piano playing made onto the aluminium records, Martha Myers’ voice can be heard introducing an item. These were made in a studio in Melbourne. Marjorie was given a upright Gramophone by Donald Mackintosh in recognition of her talent and her contribution to the cultural life of Melton. The family were then able to listen to 78rpm recordings of the famous classical recordings. The turntable was hand wound metal stylus needles had to be regularly replaced. The aluminium disk needed a bamboo needle to prevent damage to the surface. Before electricity was introduced to Melton in 1939 the Mechanics Hall relied on generators to produce electricity. Bon Barrie, being mechanically minded, built a public address system for be used a community functions at the Hall and Recreational Park. By 1939 this was up and running and used for over three decades. A large Collection of 78rpm records provided music for dances, marching, parades and any public event needing music and microphones. The early system was portable and worked on batteries. CFA Radio Communication In the 1950s with the introduction two-way HF and later VHF very high frequency radio sets. Melton Rural Fire Brigade was part of the Bacchus Marsh Group. Radio sets where located in the Melton Fire Truck, and in the house of the Barrie family at Ferris Road. This was an ideal location to observe a 360 degree view in all directions when smoke appeared on the horizon. An antenna was erected beside the house. The set OX 7 was located in the kitchen and monitored 24 hours by the family. When an electrical fire occurred at the junction of the electricity to the house there was time to radio the fire station and summons the men working in the paddocks, thus saving the house from possible destruction. With the introduction of UHF – ultra high frequency Vinten Radios the signal was clearer and static and interference lessened and radio traffic became easier to read, and reduced noise levels in the household. VL3 LY Radio Base became the Group Headquarters was established in 1967. By 1970 the Brigades were: Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Toolern Vale, Diggers Rest, Truganina, and Werribee. In 1974 when the family moved to First Avenue, another antenna and a small building were erected adjacent to the residence and used to house the equipment, maps. Radio traffic consisted of regular schedule times and communication with adjoining groups of brigades such as Bacchus Marsh, Mt Macedon and Little River Groups. Many of the brigade and group base radios were situated in private residences and operated primarily by fire fighters wives who held the position of Communications Officer, either registered as a brigade member or informally. Edna was never registered as an operational brigade member but operated informally as an assistant to her husband Bon. She was however a member of the Melton Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary from its inception in 1968, a non-operational position. Edna kept up to date with radio procedure following the 1967 handbook; preparing maps, plotting compass points and taking notes on weather forecasts from the SA Border and Western District. Daily notes were taken in anticipation of fire warnings. These log books and daily radio traffic were incidental to the regular radio schedules. Emergency turnouts noted, burning off times and predicted location of smoke. In the summer fire season all TBF (total fire ban days were recorded.) In times of emergency the Barrie family assisted Bon the base radio operator to plot the position and location of fire trucks and to help clarify garbled radio traffic, keep notes and make telephone calls. These log books are held in the EE and EW Family Archive. Melton Uniting Church Edna founded the Church Opportunity with Maisie Robinson in 1975 in the Melton South Methodist Church building. Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of Melton had combined severing their long held connection with Bacchus Marsh. A Manse had been recently built for the Melton Minister. At a Parish Committee meeting at the Melton South Church it was suggested to use the building as an Opportunity Shop. It opened in July 1975, and it raised $1,600 contribution to the church budget in 1976. In 1977 The Uniting Church in Australia was formed and the Melton South Uniting Church Opportunity shop continued to go from strength to strength expanding the buildings providing the welfare needs of the community. Archive Set up by Edna Catalogued items dating from 1857 Minute Book and set ongoing system and storage of items of heritage. Melton Un Awards and recognition of service to the Melton community Rotary Award for Community Service, 1980 Victoria 150th Anniversary Celebrations contributions, 1985 Life Membership of the Melton and District Historical Society (M&DHS), 1989 Extra-Ordinary Contribution for years of service to M&DHS, 1992 Long Service for Exceptional Service MD&HS, 1993 Royal Historical Society of Victoria Award of Merit, 1997 Shire of Melton Certificate of Appreciation for continued support and dedication as a member of MD&HS to the preservation of Melton’s History, 1998 Centenary of Federation Peoplescape (Canberra) Melton Shire nomination, 2001 Uniting Church Melton Life Membership of the Opportunity Shop Uniting Church in Australia Commission for Mission for 30 years of hard work and dedications to the Uniting Church, 2007 Uniting Church Adult Fellowship Certificate appreciation in recognition of valuable support through the “Sammy” Stamp Fund Neighbourhood Watch 5 year award Photographs of Edna at different ageslocal identities

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

Minutes of a meeting in 1956 to discuss the writing and publication of a book about the life of Legatee Stan Savige. There were prominent men present as well as Legatees. It was chaired by Colonel Alan Spowers. Also in attendance was the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Frank Selleck. The suggested author was John Hetherington, who was prepared to undertake the task for a fee of 1000 pounds. An indication of the high regard Stan Savige was held that a book was to be written about him.White foolscap paper of minutes of a meeting to discuss writing a biography about Stan Saviage.Handwritten in black texta 'Frank Meldrum, E Brierley, R Irving.stan savige, biography, savige book

This book was presented to William Fry for a full year's attendance at the Garibaldi State School (No. 2013) in 1931. The head teacher was J. Gardiner. The book 'Our Secret Society' is written by W Dingwall Fordyce, a Scottish politician and author.Olive green cloth-bound hard cover black drawing of a boy with a dog, next to a window. Book presented as an Attendance Prize to William Fry at Garibaldi School, 1931.Bookplate inside cover reads: Attendance Prize, SS 2173 Garibaldi. Donated by School Committee, Awarded to William Fry. For full year's attendance 1931. Head Teacher, J I ? Gardinerschools, garibaldi, education

317 p. : ill. ; pale blue cover, images of native Americans holding guns on front cover, frontiersman holding gun on spine.fictionAdventure story for boys set in the American frontier.children's fiction, westerns, american frontier

A damaged vintage red covered fiction book, The Virginians by W M. Thackeray. The title and author are printed in gold lettering on the spine. The title page has full details including the publisher. Thackeray illustrated the book. The frontispiece illustration shows people inside a church with the heading 'The Family Pew - P. 75'. At the back are several recommended titles for reading. There is a Bookplate pasted onto the right front end paper.Pp. 516.A story about British society during the late colonial era in North America. Two brothers rival for heir to the family fortune. George Washington is a neighbour.historical fiction, family life fiction, fiction books, fiction - american

Diary of attendance at Melbourne Olympic Games 1956.Hard cover Diary of journey to 1956 Olympic Games.olympic games, melbourne 1956, diary