The photo is of the Sunbury State School No. 1002, which replaced an earlier building. The Federation style red-brick school was built in 1911 and was officially opened on 2nd May 1912. An extra room was added in 1945 to accommodate increased enrolment. In 1999 the school closed at the Stawell Street site and the students relocated to the former and refurbished bluestone Industrial School in Jacksons Hill. The former red-brick school building is now part of the Sunbury Community Health Centre complex.Many former and present-day residents in Sunbury have attended this school over the years.A black and white photograph of a small school building. It is a federation style building with brick walls and a tiled roof.sunbury state school no. 1002.

These 35 photographs were taken at an Army Survey Regiment Open Day at Fortuna Villa, Bendigo on the 24th of February 1990. This occasion was one of several events held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Survey Corps. Although historical tours of Fortuna occurred on a regular basis, this was the first technical open day since 1972. The Royal Australian Survey Corps recognised that an Open Day was the best way for the local community in Bendigo to gain an insight into the unit’s important role as Defence’s map production agency, its technical equipment, and its economic importance to Bendigo. It also gave them an opportunity to tour through historic Fortuna Villa. This occasion is covered in more detail in page 143 of Valerie Lovejoy’s book 'Mapmakers of Fortuna – A history of the Army Survey Regiment’ ISBN: 0-646-42120-4. Refer to items 6434.27P and 6436.18P for more photos of the Open Day taken inside Fortuna, the garden areas and production areas of Lithographic Squadron. Photo prints of some of these photos were scanned and catalogued in items 6247.30P and 6291.6P.These 35 photographs were taken at an Army Survey Regiment Open Day held at Fortuna, Bendigo on the 24th of February 1990. The 35mm colour and black & white negatives photographs were scanned at 96 dpi and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. .1) - Photo, black & white, 1990. CPL Neale ‘Tex’ Houston with visitors in Aerotriangulation Section. .2) - Photo, black & white, 1990. L to R: MAJ Peter Clark and WO2 Neil ‘Ned’ Kelly with visitors in Aerotriangulation Section. .3) - Photo, black & white, 1990. SGT Bruce Hammond with visitors in Aerotriangulation Section. .4) - Photo, colour, 1990. SGT Bruce Hammond with visitors in Aerotriangulation Section. .5) - Photo, colour, 1990. SGT Steve Gloster with visitors in Aerotriangulation Section. .6) - Photo, colour, 1990. L to R: CPL Noel Brinsmead and CPL Darren Wilkinson with visitors in Aerotriangulation Section. .7) - Photo, colour, 1990. L to R: CPL Noel Brinsmead with visitors in Aerotriangulation Section. .8) - Photo, colour, 1990. MAJ Peter Clark with visitors in Aerotriangulation Section. .9) - Photo, colour, 1990. CPL Mark Lander with visitors in Plotting Section. .10) - Photo, colour, 1990. SSGT Andy Boath with visitors in Plotting Section. .11) - Photo, colour, 1990. SPR Stuart Bowd with visitors in Plotting Section. .12) - Photo, colour, 1990. CAPT Roger Hancock with visitors in Plotting Section. .13) & .14) - Photo, colour, 1990. AUTOMAP 2 - CPL Peter Peterson with visitors. .15) - Photo, colour, 1990, AUTOMAP 2 - L to R: SSGT Graham Johnston, SPR Grant Davis with civilian visitors. .16) - Photo, colour, 1990, AUTOMAP 2 - L to R: CPL Steve McGuiness, SSGT Graham Johnston with civilian visitors. .17) - Photo, colour, 1990, AUTOMAP 2 - civilian visitors. .19) - Photo, colour, 1990, AUTOMAP 2 - L to R: unidentified, SPR Tony Jackson, CPL Mark Westbrook, SSGT Bob Bright, with civilian visitors. .20) - Photo, colour, 1990, AUTOMAP 2 - L to R: WO2 Adrian ‘Charlie’ Creedy, CPL Mark Westbrook, SPR Mick Duggan with civilian visitors. .21) - Photo, colour, 1990, AUTOMAP 2 - L to R: SPR Mick Duggan, CO LTCOM Rene van den Tol, SSGT Bob Bright, CPL Mark Westbrook with civilian visitors. .22) - Photo, colour, 1990, AUTOMAP 2 - L to R: SPR Damien Nolan, unidentified, SPR Peter Smyth with civilian visitors. .23) - Photo, black & white, 1990, AUTOMAP 2 - L to R: SPR Peter Smyth, CAPT Steve Hledik, SGT Martin Evans, MAJ Neil Taylor with civilian visitors. .24) - Photo, black & white, 1990, AUTOMAP 2 - L to R: SPR Mick Duggan, CPL Mark Westbrook with civilian visitors. .25) - Photo, black & white, 1990, AUTOMAP 2 – LCPL Sandy Winn with civilian visitor. .26) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Display of digital storage media. .27) & .28) - Photo, colour, 1990. Cartography - SPR Ian Baldwin with civilian visitors. .29) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Cartography - SPR Ian Baldwin with civilian visitors. .30) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Cartography - SGT Sherri (Dally) Burke with civilian visitors. .31) - Photo, colour, 1990. Cartography - L to R: SGT Sherri (Dally) Burke, SSGT Dennis Learmonth with civilian visitors. .32) - Photo, colour, 1990. Cartography – SGT Barry Hogan with civilian visitors. .33) & .34) - Photo, colour, 1990. Cartography – CPL Dan Cirsky with civilian visitors. .35) - Photo, colour, 1990. Cartography – L to R: SPR Jeanette (Lane) Dury-Lane, CPL Diane (Thomas) Soutar with civilian visitors..1P to .35P – no annotationsroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr, automap 2

These 18 photographs were taken at an Army Survey Regiment Open Day at Fortuna Villa, Bendigo on the 24th of February 1990. This occasion was one of several events held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Survey Corps. Although historical tours of Fortuna occurred on a regular basis, this was the first technical open day since 1972. The Royal Australian Survey Corps recognised that an Open Day was the best way for the local community in Bendigo to gain an insight into the unit’s important role as Defence’s map production agency, its technical equipment, and its economic importance to Bendigo. It also gave them an opportunity to tour through historic Fortuna Villa. This occasion is covered in more detail in page 143 of Valerie Lovejoy’s book 'Mapmakers of Fortuna – A history of the Army Survey Regiment’ ISBN: 0-646-42120-4. Refer to items 6434.27P and 6435.35P for more photos of the Open Day taken inside Fortuna, the garden areas and Map Production areas of Air Survey and Cartographic Squadron. Photo prints of some of these photos were scanned and catalogued in items 6247.30P and 6291.6P.These 18 photographs were taken at an Army Survey Regiment Open Day held at Fortuna, Bendigo on the 24th of February 1990. The 35mm colour and black & white negatives photographs were scanned at 96 dpi and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. .1) - Photo, colour, 1990. Print Troop – WO2 Rob Bogumil with visitors. .2) - Photo, colour, 1990. Print Troop – L to R: SPR Ross Anza, LCPL Janet Murray with visitors. .3) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Print Troop – L to R: LCPL Janet Murray, MAJ Bob Coote, SPR Gary Lord with visitors. .4) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Photo Troop – L to R: WO2 Keith Fenton RE UK Exchange, SGT Steve Burke with visitors. .5) - Photo, colour, 1990. Photo Troop – SGT Steve Burke with visitors. .6) - Photo, colour, 1990. Photo Troop – L to R: unidentified, SGT Steve Burke with visitors. .7) - Photo, colour, 1990. Print Troop – L to R: CPL Peter Breukel, WO2 Keith Fenton RE. UK Exchange with visitors. .8) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Photo Troop - WO2 Keith Fenton RE. UK Exchange. .9) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Print Troop - civilian visitors. .10) - black & white, Print Troop, 1990. - L to R: civilian visitors, SSGT Ian Nichols, CPL John ‘Flash’ Anderson. .11) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Print Troop - L to R: SSGT Ian Nichols, CPL Dale Hudson, Planeta printing press, with civilian visitors. .12) - Photo, colour, 1990. Print Troop - L to R: SSGT Ian Nichols, CAPT Roger Hancock with civilian visitors. .13) - Photo, colour, 1990. Print Troop - LT Marty Lyons with civilian visitors. .14) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Print Troop - L to R: LT Marty Lyons, unidentified with civilian visitors. .15) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Orthophoto Mapping Section - L to R: SSGT Peter Imeson, SGT Bob Garritty with civilian visitors. .16) - Photo, colour, 1990. Optronics raster scanner - WO2 Adrian ‘Charlie’ Creedy with civilian visitors. .17) - Photo, colour 1990. Outside Photo Troop office - L to R: SSGT Rhys De Laine, WO2 Rob Bogumil. .18) - Photo, black & white, 1990. Photo Troop - civilian visitors..1P to .18P – no annotationsroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr, litho sqn

Program produced as part of the open air play peformed in Hurstbridge twice on the 4th and 12th of October 2024. Contents include: Allwood history - Allwood today - Construction of The Bridge - Cast - Synopsis - Directors - Crew - Hearfelt thanks and tribute to Pam Lawson. The Premiere of the open air play The Bridge performance at Hurstbridge was by members of the Allwood Neighbourhood House and the Hurstbridge Community. To commemorate 100 years of Hurstbridge township, the production was led by local historian David Kerrigan who co-wrote the play with Keira de Hoog. The quiet life of the Diamond Creek district was shattered on the 4th October 1866 when a visitor arrived seeking food and shelter. What followed has become part of the Hurstbridge story. The death of Henry Hurst by the bushranger Robert Burke and the subsequent inquest, trial and execution of Burke captured the attention of the nation. News of the event was reported nationally and in UK newspapers. Rain at sunset on opening night set the scene for the sombre story which opened with clap sticks and imagery as part of the acknowledgement of country. Attention to detail in Act One included the enactment of writing a letter that Ellen Hurst had actually written back to her family in England, days before the incident, which set the scene – and choreography of the “capture” of Burke immediately following the shooting as drawn by the engraver Robert Bruce and published in 1866. The cast, crew and audience moved around the actual physical site the altercation took place till the final act and judgement of Sir Redmond Barry to execute Burke. The souvenir program given to ticket holders includes photos and biographies of the cast taken in costume at Gulf Station, Yarra Glen, together with background information and the narrative of the play. Guests on opening night – 158 years ago to the day of the event included Dianne Switzer, descendent of pioneer Cornelius Hailley and Rob Fergusson, descendent of Henry Hurst. plays, hurstbridge, allwood neighbourhood house

Opened in 1891, the bridge formed part of the Maroondah Aqueduct carrying water from Watts River near Healesville to the reservoir at Preston where it joined Melbourne's metropolitan water system. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p99 Built to supply thirsty Melbourne in the late 19th century, the siphon bridge spanning the Plenty River off Leischa Court, Greensborough, was part of an engineering masterpiece. Opened in 1891, the bridge formed part of the Maroondah Aqueduct carrying water from the Watts River near Healesville to the reservoir at Preston where it joined the metropolitan distribution system. A major link in Melbourne’s water supply, it also had a huge impact on communities, which mushroomed along its route. Named after the Aboriginal word for the area around the Maroondah Reservoir, the Maroondah Aqueduct was fully operational until the 1970s. Since the 1980s the land along parts of the aqueduct have been used for walking and bicycle riding, shaded in places by Monterey Pine trees planted to stabilise the surrounding ground. From 1857 the Yan Yean Reservoir supplied Melbourne’s water but the growing city needed additional catchments.1 In 1886 work began on a weir on the Watts River to enable the aqueduct to carry most of the river water 41 miles (66km) to Melbourne. The aqueduct, built by the Board of Works, is the oldest remaining aqueduct near Melbourne and was probably the first built with concrete.2 Although the aqueduct is now only used between the Maroondah and Sugarloaf Reservoirs, it can still be traced across the Shire. It extends from the Maroondah Reservoir through Christmas Hills, Kangaroo Ground, Research, Eltham, St Helena and then previously wound west through Greensborough to Reservoir.3 Built by horse and manpower the aqueduct gravity fed 25 million gallons (113.6ML) of water a day to Melbourne along a gradient of one foot to the mile. It included 25 miles (41km) of open concrete and brick channel, six miles (10km) of tunnels, and nine miles (15km) of 14 inverted siphons of riveted wrought-iron across creeks. Bricks for the aqueduct were made from clay found near the sites and remains of several kilns can still be found between Kangaroo Ground and Christmas Hills. Building the aqueduct transformed local communities. An abattoir was established at Christmas Hills. Grog shanties and labourers’ camps sprang up and local courts dealt with cases of ‘petty pilfering and boisterous behaviour’.4 The Kangaroo Ground school population jumped to 91, crammed into a room with one teacher. Miners who built the tunnels camped just north of Churinga in Greensborough – then called Tunnel Hill Camp – and adjacent to the Evelyn Arms Hotel. The miners’ high spirits were sometimes quenched in horse troughs or by a ‘welt under the ear and kick on the behind’ as the local constable calmed them down rather than lock them up.5 But the growing city of Melbourne needed more water, so the O’Shannassy catchment, east of Warburton, was added to the system in 1914. In 1920 work began on the present concrete Maroondah Dam one mile (1.6km) from the weir on the Watts River. The aqueduct capacity was thus doubled to 50 million gallons (227ML) a day.6 Intense land development threatened to pollute the open water supply, so channel sections were replaced with large pipes. In the late 1960s a large water main was built from the tunnel outlet at Research and extended through St Helena and Greensborough, so this section of the aqueduct was taken out of use. Long sections of the unused open channels in Greensborough and Bundoora were destroyed, but the old channel in Research and Eltham North remained largely intact. In the 1970s, the Sugarloaf Reservoir was constructed, inundating 445 hectares of land in Christmas Hills. Sugarloaf was officially opened in 1980 and serves as a water storage and treatment plant supplying Melbourne. In the early 1980s pipes replaced the section from Sugarloaf Reservoir to the tunnel entrance at Kangaroo Ground. The Research-Kangaroo Ground tunnel operates as part of the pipeline system.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, maroondah aqueduct, pipe bridge, siphon bridge

A community group project steered by Bambi McLean led to the construction of the Eltham North Adventure Playground which opened off Wattletree Road in 1995. The structure was mainly wooden and included an undercover element with slides and areas to climb. It was destroyed by fire in the early hours of 16 December 2017. These phtoos of the aftermath were taken at approx. 6:45am in the morning by Vicki Ward, MP for Eltham A new adventure playground was built in 2018. Digital fileeltham north, north eltham adventure playground, arson, wattletree road

Contents: • Next meeting, Slide Evening: Bridges and Waterways of the Shire • September Meeting • Daylesford Bus Trip • Genealogical Open Day • Requests for Information • Plenty Valley Community Radio • Other Happenings 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 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

This award is in recognition for the Society's 60th Birthday Open Day ExhibitionRDHS was nominated for an award for our Ringwood and District Heritage Open Day, held on 27 October 2018. The Society was announced as the winner at the Maroondah City Council Australia Day Awards Ceremony held at Ringwood Lake Reserve on 26th January 2019. It was accepted by RDHS President Russ Haines. This catalogue item consists of - Maroondah City Council Australia Day Awards & Australian Citizenship Ceremony Booklet - Nomination Certificate - Winning award Certificate - Maroondah Council Official Photograph of Russ Haines with Certificate (See Item 11001 for photographs of the presentation ceremony)

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversay in 2024. This audio recording, presented by Harry Gilham, President of Eltham District Historical Society at the time of the opening is a summarised history of the Eltham Library service to 1994. Eltham Library Service 1930s - 1994 Originally collated by Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Historical Society Inc (1993-2009) (edited 2022) In the Eltham township area, in the early 1930s, library books for adults were available from E J Andrew's newsagency in Main Road. In the newsagency come haberdashery, some shelves were set aside for a lending library of adults' books. In 1935, Mr & Mrs JC Rains purchased the newsagency and continued the lending service until the late 1940s. At this time the business was extended from haberdashery to sell ladies' and men's clothing. The library section was discontinued. In the 1930s a mobile book library was also run by a Mr Foster of Bible Street, Eltham. In the 1950s adult books were available from racks in the foyer of the Eltham Shire Offices which was then located beside the Eltham Hall on the comer of Arthur Street and Main Road. In the early 1950s a referendum of ratepayers was called to seek public opinion on the issue of raising money for a public library for which the rates would have to be increased - the motion was defeated. On 11 November 1965 Eltham Shire Council, in conjunction with the City of Heidelberg and the Shire of Diamond Valley, met to form the Heidelberg Regional Library Service. Eltham was represented by Councillors Charis Pelling and John Lewis. The first library service for the Shire of Eltham from this group came in the shape of a bookmobile van which had, amongst others, a central stopover near the Shillinglaw trees outside the newly opened Shire offices at 895 Main Road, the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage and the former Shillinglaw farm. Present-day Wingrove Park was another stopover and the many recorded requests for this service can be read as denoting the areas of population or gathering points at that period throughout the Shire. 1968 saw the Shire convert the ‘Brinkkotter’ house in Dudley Street to house both adult and children's books. This library was originally staffed from the City of Heidelberg Library and records of committee meetings range from borrowing Heidelberg's old library shelving to trying to increase the Government's subsidy to a dollar for dollar basis. Book loans in the period 1966-67 totalled 30,400 and the following year ran to 52,113. With 2 books plus 1 paperback the limit per person, it was overcrowded and unable to house the range of other services which had become common library stock. Planning to extend the Shire Offices by the addition of the south wing was an opportunity to re-house the Shire's Library. The opening of the library in the extension was carried out on 17th August 1971 by the Hon R J Hamer ED, MP, Chief Secretary of Victoria. Cr Geoffrey Dreverman officiated as the Shire President. The Heidelberg Regional Library Service continued until September 1985 when it disbanded. On 21 November 1985 the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service was established. At that time Eltham was represented by Councillors Mary Grant and Robert Manuell. By 1987, over-crowding of the Eltham Library and an inability to house the range of other services yet again rose to prominence. At a Council meeting held on 1 June 1987, the Councillors supported a resolution which threatened to close the library on 30 September 1987. Council's frustration arose from yet another re-run of the annual State Government versus Council Library funding and records show first arose in Eltham Council in 1967 with the Government of 1he day. After prolonged public anger and petitions the motion to close the library was rescinded in August 1987. Council, considering the community's concern, set up a ‘Library Review Working Party’ which a year later became the Library Occasional Committee with direct access to Council. This Committee investigated the workings of the 386 square metre library and found inadequate space for storage and display, lack of equipment, out-of-date furniture together with an increasing patronage which resulted in queues of borrowers becoming longer no matter when the library was open. Community consultation took the form of 1,000 questionnaires sent to users and non-users along with noticeboard reminders of what was planned. Council developed a strategy to set aside capital funds from 1988 on an annual basis so that preliminary planning and consultative expenses could be met, and construction could be completed early 1997. The Committee visited metropolitan libraries which were catering for a similar population as was projected for Eltham. Australia-wide Federal Government funding grants under the Local Capital Works Program became available from October 1992 for community projects endorsed by local Councils. The Eltham Council submitted a proposal, based on library findings and requirements accumulated by the Library Occasional Committee, to the Federal Grants Committee to build a new Eltham Library. The Federal Grants Committee supported the funding request allowing commencement of the library project three years earlier than planned. With finance finalised, the Council set up its Eltham Library Re-development Special Committee which was given the task of overseeing what could be the last major expansion of the Shire's Library Service as Eltham's population nears its projected maximum. The new library was designed by Gregory Burgess and Peter Ryan of Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd. Construction of the library commenced in 1993 and was officially opened May 22nd, 1994. The library building was designed to reflect its parkland setting. External features include: the roof which includes interesting aspects when viewed from Main Road; verandahs which provide ramp access and give a sheltered entrance to the building; walls which feature locally made mudbricks, conventional bricks and copper panels; and space for an outdoor courtyard/reading area which will be developed later. Internally there are several features. The building includes a foyer with a fireplace suitable for displays including artwork, a community multi-purpose room suitable for meetings or functions and an outdoor cafeteria. The ceilings are lined with Victorian Ash. The shapes for the ceiling give a free-flowing form to the building. Brush Box has been used for the circulation and information desks. The tree trunk columns are Grey lronbark from New South Wales. Arches and various-shaped windows add interest to the internal structure. The carpet design reflects the Eltham environment and compliments the natural colours and timbers used in the building. Tiles by artist Felix Bosari feature in the building and additional art by local artists added externally and internally to the building. Since 1994 the library has undergone a major extension to cater for children’s services and others. See also EDHS_02111Digital file only recorded from Audio Cassette tape on loan Converted to MP3 file; 11.1MB, 0:08:49eltham library, opening, harry gilham, harry gilham collection, 1994, audio cassette, audio recording

Present day location of Nongkhai Thai Eltham restaurant Formerly the location of: Luther Haleys Bakery and General Store (Sep 1902-1917) - Hayley built this store, which was the first store erected in the present-day Eltham shopping district Hannah Lloyd's General Store (1917-c.Feb 1920) Various owners Staff's General Store (c.1939-Feb 1965) then demolished Ray Staff Eltham Big Star Food Centre (c.1965-1967) Eltham Big Star Food Centre (Staffs new building c.1965-1967) A Country Heritage Furniture and Homewares (?-2006) Newspaper advertisement: Leader Associated Newspapers, 100 Years of News Special Edition, August 27, 1997, p6; A Country Heritage Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley Leader, 4 September 2006, Closing Down Sale, A Country Heritage 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. Staff’s store appears to have occupied 929-933 Main Road and the Eltham Big Star Food Centre was centred around 931 Main Road. 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, 931 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 THROWBACKTHURSDAY: ELTHAM BIG STAR FOOD CENTRE, MAIN ROAD, 1966 https://elthamhistory.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/throwbackthursday-eltham-big-star-food-centre-main-road-1966/eltham, businesses, a country heritage, property, shops, main road eltham, a. copeland, a.w.j. edwards, big star food centre, e. copeland, eric staff, general store, hannah lloyd, j.r. lee, lloyd's general store, luther haley, n.e. lee, price, ray staff, staffs general store, supermarket, t.k. white