The City of Moorabbin existed from 1934 until 1994. Henry Dendy's Special Survey in 1841 of 5,120 acres in the Parish of Moorabbin , extended from Port Phillip Bay , then East to Boundary Road, South to South Road and North to North Road and became known as Brighton. 1859 Brighton became a Borough with its boundary Thomas Street ,and Bluff Road. In 1862 The Moorabbin Roads Board was formed and the extended area now included Cheltenham, Hampton, Sandringham, Black Rock, Beaumaris, Mentone and Mordialloc .and Little Brighton became known as Bentleigh. In 1871 the area became known as The Shire of Moorabbin. Gradually the area was separated into The Borough of Sandringham 1917, ( Black Rock, Beaumaris , Sandringham and Hampton ) Borough of Mentone and Mordialloc 1920, ( Parkdale ). In 1934 The City of Moorabbin was established for the area from South East corner of Thomas Street and North Road , East to Warrigal Road, Clayton Road, Kingston Road , Lower Dandenong Road, then South along Nepean Highway to Balcombe Road and along Bluff Road, Cummins Road, Nepean Highway, Thomas Street to North Road In the 1994 Amalgamation of Councils the City of Moorabbin was divided between the new City of Kingston in the South ( from South Road) and the new City of Glen Eira to the North . It was the largest Municipality in Victoria with a population of 118,865 in 1974This tie c 1960 is a memento of the City of Moorabbin 1934 - 1994Maroon colour, polyester, man's tie with the crest of City of Moorabbin woven on front.around circle enclosing Coat of Arms ; CITY OF MOORABBIN city of moorabbin, moorabbin roads board, moorabbin, brighton, dendy's special survey 1841, early settlers, pioneers, market gardners, dendy henry, were jonathan b, cheltenham, bentleigh, mentone, sandringham, mair william, bent thomas

Moorabbin played initially in the Federal Football League also known as Football Federation Australia, making their debut in 1909 and competing until 1950. The club wore a black and white jumper like Collingwood. During this time the club won 12 premierships, including winning all six premierships staged over the nine years between 1940 and 1948 (the competition was in recess from 1942 until 1944). Moorabbin Football Club was also known as Moorabbin Park Football Club in the early years of its formation. In 1926 – Moorabbin 13 goals 11 points (89) defeated Mordialloc 9 goals 17 points (71). One of the pioneer teams of the City of MoorabbinFlagfederal football league, moorabbin football club, premiership, moorabbin, australian rules football

The hat band was part of the girls' school uniform and attached to their straw hats. The school badge was designed by Clarke Cowell, a student in the first Senior class at Orbost Higher Elementary School in 1912. The Latin inscription "Acti labores jucundi"can be freely translated as "Finished work is pleasant." The hat band and badges formed part of the Mary Gilbert Collection. Miss Mary Gilbert attended Orbost Higher Elementary School 1917-1920. She was dux of the school in 1920 and returned as a trained teacher in 1927. She taught at Mordialloc H.S. in 1932, at Lilydale in 1933/34 and returned to Orbost H.E.S. in 1935, remaining there until her retirement in 1969.Mary Gilbert, the first curator of the Orbost Museum, was recognised for her work in education and the community when she was awarded the British Empire Medal. Orbost High School / Orbost Secondary College has played a significant part in the education of senior students in the Orbost district . It is the sole senior educational institution. This uniform is representative of its history.A yellow, navy and white striped hat band. A badge of the Orbost Higher Elementary School emblem is sewn on. A metal badge with the school emblem is attached.gilbert-mary orbost-secondary-college education-orbost

City of Moorabbin was proclaimed 1934 and managed the areas of Cheltenham, Highett, Moorabbin, Bentleigh, East Bentleigh, East Brighton, McKinnon, Ormond until the Amalgamation of Councils in 1994. The City of Kingston then took over the area south of South Road while City of Glen Eira took the area to the north Kingston City Council possesses the original Mayoral Chain of former City of Moorabbin and it is displayed on the Moorabbin Mayoral Robe at KCC Office Cheltenham for the Annual Opening meeting of KCC in February . 2018 The Moorabbin Mayoral Robe was sent on 7 year loan to KCC for display at Cheltenham with the former City of Chelsea and former City of Mordialloc Mayoral Robes.Since the 1960s far-sighted community members have generously donated many significant items to the ‘Box Cottage’ museum, specifically to provide future generations with a fascinating, and tangible insight into day-to-day life from the 1800’s and up to the mid 1900's. Moorabbin City Council supported their efforts until the Amalgamation of Councils 1994. The City of Kingston donated the 1990 City of Moorabbin Mayoral Robes in 2007 Photograph of the City of Moorabbin Mayoral Chain circa 1990 in a glass covered, wooden frame Photograph of Mayoral Chain worn by Kingston City Council Mayor Steve Staikos, with Councillor Brownlees, in November 2018 when Robe and Jabot were loaned to KCC by CMHS Box Cottage MuseumPlate at base of photograph frame states ' City of Moorabbin Mayoral Chain /Manufactured By / P. Blashki & Sons Pty.Ltd'/moorabbin, kingston, mayors, glen eira, mayoral chain, moorabbin shire

Early settlers in the Parish of Moorabbin, County of Bourke, established market gardens and farms in the area of Henry Dendy's Special Survey 1841 Brighton. Small communities grew near Churches & Schools and shops and businesses were established. Following the opening of the Railway line from Caulfield to Mordialloc 1881 the shops and business moved from the Tucker Road /Centre Road ( East Brighton ) East Bentleigh area to be close to the transport. Shops, businesses and housing developed along Centre Road between Thomas Street and Jasper Road. Mr Arthur Moore established his 1st shop in 395 Centre Road c1930 and later moved along the road to a site next to Coles Variety Store.Following the opening of the Railway line from Caulfield to Mordialloc 1881 the shops and business moved from the Tucker Road /Centre Road East Bentleigh area to be close to the transport. Shops, businesses and housing developed along Centre Road between Thomas Street and Jasper Road. Mr Moore established his 1st shop in 395 Centre Road c1930 and later moved along the road to a site next to Coles Variety Store.Black & White photograph of Mr Arthur Moore's 1st Chemist Shop, 384 Centre Road Bentleigh c 1930 back Handwritten information unsignedbentleigh shopping centre c1930, east brighton, railway line caulfield -mordialloc 1881, chemists, pharmacy, moore's moorabbin shire, smith j l, smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, smith harry redvers, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, mckinnon, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b., bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

After the extension of the Railway line from Caulfield to Mordialloc 1880's the shopping centre moved from the Tucker Rd end to around the East Brighton (Bentleigh) Station area of Centre Road. A variety of shops, forges, estate agents, Coles' and Fossey's variety stores, a Hoyts picture theatre, butchers, traded in Centre Rd. Crofts was one many grocery stores along the strip. Crofts Stores was established by Archibald Crofts (1875-1942) as a single grocery store in South Melbourne. It eventually expanded to include 137 branches throughout Victoria, trading as Crofts Stores. The Lees family had established a Seedling Nursery in Thomas St that has continued until the land sold 2018 for housing development.Crofts Grocery Store was one of the shops in the Centre Road Bentleigh shopping strip that were established after the arrival of the train line 1881Black & White photograph of 3 men outside Crofts Grocery Store 395 Centre Rd Bentleigh c 1937 Mr Jack Lees is centre.Handwritten informationcrofts grocery store bentleigh, lees jack, mordialloc railway line, centre road bentleigh, smith j l, smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, smith harry redvers, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b., bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards

A small softcover book dark green in colour at the top of the front cover is the authors name written in purple and the book's title written in large red letters there is also a charcoal drawing of a person driving a horse and dray with what looks like sacks of produce in the back on the back cover is text by the author and three reviews by different people.The book also contains a lot of old black and white photos of the family and places of note in the area.cheltenham, kingston, pioneers, moorabbin, carrum, mordialloc, picnic, asylum, hobsons bay, brighton, beach boxes, bridge hotel.

A Victorian Railways Suburban train monthly ticket use by Mr Marriott in July 1921 to travel between Moorabbin and Mentone.The Marriott family were early settler, market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire.A Victorian Railway Monthly ticket 1st class Moorabbin and Mentone July 1921Front Not Transferable / VICTORIAN RAILWAYS/ MONTHLY TICKET / MOORABBIN / AND / MENTONE / (HALF ) / FIRST CLASS / ( Not available for Smoking Compt.) /JULY '21 / (For conditions see / other side / Back MOORABBIN / AND / MENTONE / Issued to and accepted by / Sr. Marriott / JULY '21 / 000 / subject to the provisions of the Rail / way Act ................Commissioners / ....... / Albert J.Mullett Govt. Printerrailways, moorabbin, highett, mordialloc, mentone, cheltenham, bentleigh, marriott geoff, market gardeners, early settlers, pioneers, train tickets, melbourne

Marjorie was a talented pianist in her teenage years achieving her L.Mus.A. her fourth qualification by the age of 18 years. She attended the Conservatorium of Music Melbourne studying pianoforte and later with a singing scholarship and won numerous competition from Ballarat to Bendigo. She started her teaching career after leaving Melton State School. She taught many students throughout district including Edna Butler, the young sister of her husband Bert Butler. While living in Hawthorn their children Adrian and Lynette were born. Their son Max was born in Bacchus Marsh while Bert was teaching at the High School and in 1950 was appointed to Numurkah HS. In 1953 the family moved to Frankston HS. In 1958 he was appointed foundation Principal of Ashwood HS at the age of 43, the youngest to achieve this level of seniority. He was also Principal at Huntingdale, Mordialloc/Chelsea, and Mornington until his retirement in 1975. Photographs pf Marjorie Butlers at Melton Cemetery local identities, pioneer families

John Hitchen was the manager of the first Cheltenham Post Office that opened 1/8/1857 in a boot and shoe store. Mail was transported to and from St Kilda to Cheltenham by coach 6 days a week and an additional service twice weekly to Tootgarook via Frankston also by coach. 1868 Post office Savings Bank began operation and the Telegraph office was established at the Railway Station 1885. A new building was built 1891 in Point Nepean Road for the official Cheltenham Post Office and a new manual telephone exchange began 1899 with 24 subscribers. By 1909 100 subscribers, 1951 there were 1700 and in 1974 12,000 subscribers . Hence this new building was designed by Oscar A. T. Gimsey & Assoc. and built by T W Morris & Sons Mordialloc. Mr G Clayton Federal MP Isaacs, opened the Post Office with Moorabbin City Council Mayor C.R McHutchison, Mr WJB Pollock, Director Posts and Telegraphs, and hands the Key of the post Office to Mr L De Longville Postmaster.The Post Office was an integral part to the development and prosperity of the Cheltenham area as the area grew from pioneer settlers in the 1850's to flourishing market gardens c1900 and industrial diversity of 1974.Program for the 'Official Opening of the Cheltenham Post Office' November 29th 1974 with a black and white photo of the building.city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b., bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, post office, telegraph, st kilda station, tootgarook, frankston, clayton g mhr, mchutchison r.p mayor, pollock w j b mp, market gardens, early settlers, horse coach, de longville l postmaster

Australian rules football began being played on a regular basis in Cheltenham in 1890. Teams would not only play locally but travel by train fairly long distances, such as to Ballarat, for the day, play a game, turn around and come home. The Cheltenham home games were played on a paddock on the corner of Park and Charman roads in Cheltenham. In 1907 the Cheltenham progress committee made an application to the board of land works for land in Weatherall Road for recreational service to the public. That application was received and granted, then developed where Cheltenham Recreational Reserve now stands. The ground was opened in 1909 and the first Cheltenham side entered in the newly formed Federal Football League along with seven other foundation members, Mordialloc, Mentone, Moorabbin, Frankston, Glenhuntly, Elsternwick, and Ellindale. The grand final for that year, 1909 was a hard encounter between Cheltenham and Ellindale with Cheltenham coming out victors, thus becoming the inaugural Federal Football League premiers. The Federal Football League (FFL), also known simply as the Federal League, was an Australian rules football competition in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. The competition was in existence from 1909 to 1981 and was regarded as one of the strongest metropolitan leagues in Melbourne.Black and white image of the players and officials of the Cheltenham Football Club. Back (left to right) G Puttick, Franklyn (sic), Unkown, Unknown, C Corstorphine, D Arland, Dave Hughes, H Bryant, Centre: T Elliott, S Parsons, F Judd, H Foreman, N Corstorphine, J McCormack, S Chandler, H Orr. Front: H Clayton - no other names recorded. The players are wearing what appears to be a range of club jumpers, with some in street wear. Some players seated in the front row have mud visible on the soles of their shoes, indicating they may have already played a gam. The ball on the ground in front of the group is round.Round red sticker on reverse with handwritten text: X10 Handwritten in blue ink: A11, with a circle around it Handwritten in red ink: 50%sport, football, cheltenham, teams, federal football league

In clothing, a collar is the part of a shirt, dress, coat or blouse that fastens around or frames the neck and may be permanently attached to the main body of the garment (e.g. by stitching) or detachable. Today's shirt collars descend from the ruffle created by the drawstring at the neck of the medieval chemise, through the Elizabethan ruff and its successors, the whisk collar and falling band. Separate collars exist alongside attached collars since the mid-16th century, usually to allow starching and other fine finishing. Jabots made of lace and hanging loose from the neck were an essential component of upper class, male fashion in the baroque period. During the Edwardian period, and sporadically thereafter, ornamental collars were worn as a form of jewellery. Names for specific styles of collars vary with the vagaries of fashion. Jabots survive in the present days as components of various official costumes, as are those worn by judges and counsel throughout Australian courts and town mayors. 2018 Kingston City Council Mayor Steve Staikos asked CMHS to loan the Former Moorabbin Mayoral Robes and Jabot for display at KCC Office Cheltenham. These Moorabbin Mayoral Robe with Jabot are now displayed along with those of the former City of Chelsea Robe and the former City of Mordialloc Robe at Cheltenham . KCC possesses the original Mayoral Chains of each former Council and they are displayed on each Robe for the annual Opening Meeting of KCC in February. This set of a 'Jabot' style collar and cuffs was part of the ceremonial Mayoral Robes c1960- 94 for the City of Moorabbin 1934-94. This is the last City of Moorabbin Mayoral Robe and was worn by Mayor Ron Brownlees, (prior to amalgamation with the City of Glen Eira and City of Kingston in 1994), and donated to the City of Moorabbin Historical Society in February 2007 by the City of Kingston. The City of Moorabbin developed from the Moorabbin Roads Board of 1862, becoming The Shire of Moorabbin in 1871 and the City of Moorabbin in 1934. November 2018 At the request of the Mayor Cr Steve Staikos this Jabot Collar and Cuffs is now on display with the Mayoral Robes at Kingston City Council Offices Nepean Highway Cheltenham . A detachable , white, nylon, 'Jabot' style, standing collar with a pleated, ruffled, and lace-trimmed frill down the front and 2 matching cuffs that was part of the City of Moorabbin Mayoral Robes c1960 - 94 It has a tear in corner. clothing, collars, ornamental collars, civic robes, mayoral robes, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, lacework, dressmaking, fashion, formal wear, city of moorabbin. moorabbin shire, moorabbin roads board, brownlees ron, city of glen eira, city of ikngston

Image depicts a group of 14 men who served with the 2/24 Battalion during World War 2 attending annual reunion in Wangaratta in November 2002. They include:- VX24987 Clifford GIERSCH DOB 16/12/1918 POB Culcairn; Bill WILLIAMS; VX15247 Alan MacFARLANE DOB 13/9/1908 POB England; VX43349 Leslie HANSEN DOB 26/1/1920 POB Coburg POW 5/1941; VX34601 Murray BURLES DOB 12/9/1919 POB Hobart; VX44006 Robert CLARK DOB 15/1/1920 POB Glenhuntly; VX34767 Thomas ANDERSON DOB 31/5/1914 POB Hamilton POW 5/1941 VX34505 James HUGHES DOB 28/5/1920 POB Castlemaine POW 5/1941; VX31279 Eric EDWARDS DOB 3/8/1916 POB Mordialloc POW 1/5/1941 VX29686 Gordon POIDEVIN DOB 30/3/1917 POB Corowa POW 3/5/1941; VX34760 Reginald GUNNING DOB 29/1/1919 POB Branxholme VX46233 Robert KEE DOB 10/11/1916 POB Sydney; VX45356 Douglas GRAY DOB 16/8/1918 POB Bendigo (Bugler) VX40320 Edgar SHILLING DOB 12/7/1918 POB England; The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1990 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour.Colour photograph of 14 men in two rows with Australian flag in background. Attached plaque contained 12 names2/24th battalion, wangaratta

Henry Dendy , a farmer from Sussex England, purchased 5,120 acres of land in the area of a 'Special Survey 1841' that extended from Brighton bayside North Road, East Boundary Rd to South Road. This area became known as Dendy's Brighton and as part of the sale 139 emigrant workers arrived in 1842 however Dendy was unable to find work and lodgings for these people. J.B.Were, financier took over the management of the 'Special Survey 1841' area and began to sell and lease allotments. 1850 the Squatter King brothers sold land south of Dendy's 'Special Survey 1841' to Josiah Holloway who sectioned it into 2 acre lots @ £10 each for market gardens - 'Two Acre Village' and Charles Whorral opened a small hotel - 'The Cheltenham Inn' on the main Road - Arthur's Seat Rd, later Point Nepean Rd, now Nepean Highway. Notable settlers who moved into the area were Keys, Charman, Bruton, Le Page, Fairlam, Meeres and 1862 saw the separation from Brighton and the formation of the Mooorabbin Roads Board District. .By 1879 1000settlers were living in 'Cheltenham' serviced by a Post Office with Bank, Mechanics Institute, State School No 84,Keys Hotel, Meeres Store, Sir Thomas Bent ensured the new Railway Line from Caulfield to Mordialloc went through his constituency of Cheltenham 1881 and this changed the development to the bayside area of Cheltenham away from the 'Two Acre Village ' side causing some dissention, However Cheltenham as whole prospered and this house in Pine St is typical of the cottages built c 1890- 1900 in the area. This weatherboard house c 1890-1900 in Pine St Cheltenham is typical of those built for early settler families. Photo taken 1981 by CMHS member 3 x Colour photographs of an early c 1900 weatherboard house in Pine St Cheltenham taken by CMHS member 1981Kodak Aug. 81 / Handwritten Pine St Cheltenhamkeys robert, holloway josiah, king brothers, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

The postcard has a drawing of a traditional landscape of The Netherlands represented by a lake, house with mills, a boat and a child dressed in a colourful, traditional costume. The handwriten text is a letter home and describes the writer Peter's visit with his cousin. Other items addressed to Mrs Elsum are in the archive (see 00180 a postcard from 1915). The connection to Legacy is not known.This postcard has a historical significance for the family involved and remind them the time when Peter was at Holland. Postcard with a drawing of the Netherlands.Handwritten text in blue pen: "10-10-80, Hello There, greetings from Holland. Spending a couple of days with my cousin & his wife at Leiden, which is very old city with narrow cobble stone streets. Last night Paul & I did a 'pub crawl' on bikes which was good fun. Everyone rides bikes here, they even have part of the road reserved for them! All are well at Takerton, [?], send their best wishes & thanks for your gifts. Mum is writing to you. Thanks for keeping my girl company. See you soon. Love. Peter. Addressed to: Mr & Mrs John Elsum, 52 Davey Street, Mordialloc Vic 3195, Australia." Printed on postcard: gebr.spanjersberg / Rotterdam - antwerpen / Cobas y Cia. Barna. Printed in Spain / [Symbol] 7013 [Air mail stamp] LUCHPOST PAR AVION / P 4579 / PTT / [Postage Stamp] JULIANA NEDERLAND REGINA 55csouvenir, postcard

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest.Statement of Significance Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. Tom Sheehy, past President of CMHS, was an Historian and Author of ‘Battlers Tamed the Sandbelt’.A4 paper printed both sides x1. Issue 8 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in October 2008. Notices re AGM on October 26th and a visit by Mrs Pam Seymour-Gough who gave the method / recipe for soap making pioneer style. Another excerpt from CMHS Newsletter October 1963 by Tom Sheehy, President, ‘The Early Twentieth Century’, .describes social life in 1903 centred around St Peter’s Church Hall c1862, East Brighton ( East Bentleigh), and The East Brighton Hall c 1894, East Brighton ( East Bentleigh) and Mechanics Institute Cheltenham c 1887. The Moorabbin Shire Hall c 1867 was too small for social events. Social activity lead to Progress Associations and one group pressed for the removal of ‘Brighton’ from Shire of Moorabbin locations. 1906 ‘South Brighton’ street signs were replaced with ‘Moorabbin’. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / OCTOBER 2008 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, mordialloc, cheltenham, beaumaris, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, sheehy tom, box cottage museum, st peter's church east bentleigh, moorabbin shire hall, east brighton hall, mechanics institure cheltenham, clayton mr., white lillian, white percival, gregg barrie, fleming dr joyce, seymour-gough pam

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest. Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. The Blackman family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire A4 paper printed both sides x1. Issue 8 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in August 2008. Notices of a talk by Dorothy Booth, “ The Historic Mentone Railway Gardens’ on August 31st and a request for volunteers to begin an Inventory of the Box Cottage artefacts and to assist at upcoming Open Days. An excerpt from the CMHS Newsletter March 1965 ‘ Three Pieces of Paper’, by Mrs Nance Blackman, a member, describing items from “The Moorabbin News” ‘ 1907 that included The Cheltenham Butter Factory, and advertisements aimed at the local people and their occupations. Note is made of 3 businesses run by Women – butcher, milk delivery and a ‘delicatessen’ - and an ‘Oriental Laundry’ in Cheltenham, as well as the trading hours for shops and weekly wages. Gas light and candles were in common use because Electricity did not come to Bentleigh until 1916 and several Fire Brigades were formed in the Shire. A photocopied photograph of an Electric Power pole c1930.CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / AUGUST 2008 NEWSLETTER city of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, mentone, mordialloc, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, farmers, dairymen, confectioner, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, blackman nance, box cottage museum, highett, booth dorothy, mentone railway station gardens, cheltenham butter factory, beazley hannah, redstron mrs., bickerton mrs., oriental laundry cheltenham, biehl mr., matthews mr., gas-light, electric light, smith j.l., journeaux james, king george, grommann’s hotel mordialloc, telephones, fire brigades

Known as the Rosellas, the early Cheltenham Football Club sides began playing on a regular basis in 1890, and would travel long distances by steam train to play country teams, such as Ballarat where they would arrive at their destination, play the match, socialize then return to the station. Opposition players and supporters would give three hearty cheers on their departure. The Cheltenham home games were played on a paddock on the corner of Park and Charman roads in Cheltenham. In 1907 the Cheltenham progress committee made an application to the board of land works for land in Weatherall Road for recreational service to the public. That application was received and granted, then developed where Cheltenham Recreational Reserve now stands. The land in the early days was virgin bush and the response for voluntary help to clear the area was outstanding. Nearly all the market gardeners in the district along with horses, ploughs, axes, shovels completely cleared the area in three weeks. The Moorabbin council then leveled the playing area and erected a post and rail fence around the ground. Pine tree shrubs were then planted on the west side of the ground. The ground was opened in 1909 and the first Cheltenham side entered in the newly formed Federal Football Association along with seven other foundation members, Mordialloc, Mentone, Moorabbin, Frankston, Glenhuntly, Elsternwick, and Ellindale. The grand final for that year, 1909 was a hard encounter between Cheltenham and Ellindale with Cheltenham coming out victors, thus becoming the inaugural Federal Football Association premiers. Cheltenham went onto win five senior premierships in the Federal Football Association by the end of the 1920s, they won the flags in 1909, 1911, 1913, 1922 and 1925, with the late Percy Woff playing in all 5 premiership sides and was captain in 1922. 1928 saw the start of an outstanding career from our oldest living player Tom Connor. Cheltenham continued to win premierships in the 1920’s and 1930’s with juniors taking out the 1929 and 1933 flags, under the guidance of Woff, and that continued in 1934 when Cheltenham took out the 1st XVIII and 2nd XVIII premierships. Cheltenham produced its only Brownlow medallist in Peter Box who played in the late 1940s, before going to Footscray where he became a champion. The 3rd XVIII went through the season undefeated in 1974 winning the premiership, with Trevor Barker a key player before going to St Kilda the following year. The club won three senior premierships under coach Barry White in 1992, 1993 and 1995. ( from CFNC website 2019) Cheltenham Football Club was formed 1890 and succeeded in winning many Premierships as a member of the Federal Football Association, Outstanding players Peter Box Brownlow Medalist 1956 Footscay VFL, , Trevor Barker and Kevin Roberts St Kilda VFL.3x Black & White photographs of the players in the Australian Rules Cheltenham Football Club 1909, 1913 and 1946 extra photo of Peter Box Folio 10 MAV 01059a) CHELTENHAM FOOTBALL CLUB 1909 Cheltenham Football Club 1909. Back row: A Chandler, committee member; R. Robertson, back-pocket; J. Harris, half back flank; J Adams, ruck and forward-pocked; M. J. Monk, club president; L. Woff, back-pocket; W. Adams, ruck and back-pocket; P. Woff, rover and forward-pocket; A Monk, committee member. Middle row: W. Hore, back pocket and ruck; A. Towns, half-forward flank; W. Carson, full back; F. Andrews, captain-half forward flank; H. Butler, centre half back; J. Warburton, centre half-forward; A. Slater, half-back flank; F. Fisher, half-forward flank; C. Sherwood, trainer. Front Row: G Gouldthorpe, wing; H. King, full-forward; W. Johnston, ruck and forward-pocket; P Spears, rover and forward-pocket; F. Bichl, wing; A. Bichl. rover and forward-pocket; F. Butler, centre player. Courtesy, Lionel Seal. ( from CFC website 2019) b) CHELTENHAM 1913 PREMIERS c) CHELTENHAM -1946 / Back row - J. Fisher, G.Corrigan, N.Hocking, F.Virtue, R.Craven, L.Baker, M.Blundell / 2nd Row - J.Phillips, T.Connor, E.Hawkins, A.Blakely, G.Baker, A.Dark, J.Barker, D.Craven, J.Pickering, P.Cameron,/ W.Hicks, G.Hoskings, R.Beihl, A.Hubbard, R.Kier, C.Russell. / Front Row - Clark Taylor, J.Slade, N.Niel, J.Brooks, T,Butler, H.Hosking, C.Hacusler, E.Hornibrook, W.Briggs, B.Russell, L.Biehl, / W Ripponcheltenham football club, australian rules football, victorian football association, victorian football league, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, , chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards, cheltenham, two acre village, holloway josiah,, woff percy, connor tom, box peter, barker trevor, white barry, browlow charles,

The barometer was either made or sold by T. Gaunt & Co. of Melbourne, a manufacturer, importer and retailer of a wide variety of goods including jewellery, clocks and watches, navigational and measuring instruments, dinnerware, glassware and ornaments. Thomas Gaunt photograph was included in an album of security identity portraits of members of the Victorian Court, Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888. (See below for further details.) Admiral Fitzroy Pattern Barometer History: The stick mercury barometer was named after Admiral Robert Fitzroy of the Royal Navy (1805-1865) for his detailed instructions on how to interpret the weather, which were included with the instrument. Fitzroy was the captain of the HMS Beagle, also a weather forecaster to Charles Darwin and the second Governor of New Zealand. He developed many different types of barometers and was the first person to introduce the science of weather forecasting to the British Isles. A local manufacturer of scientific instruments, Thomas Gaunt, produced the barometer that was adapted for the southern hemisphere by Robert Ellery, the State Astronomer based at the Melbourne Observatory. In the original sale catalogue for Gaunt's, the item is described as "Gaunt's Fitzroy Barometers" and it was priced from 25/- to ₤9.9s. History of Thomas Gaunt: Thomas Gaunt established Melbourne's leading watchmaking, optical and jewellery business during the second half of the 19th century. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1852, and by 1858 had established his own business at 14 Little Bourke Street. Around 1869 he moved to new premises in Bourke Street on the corner of Royal Arcade. Gaunt's shop quickly became a Melbourne institution. Gaunt proudly advertised that he was 'The only watch manufacturer in the Australian colonies'. While many watches and clocks may have had Gaunt's name on the dial, few would have been made locally. Gaunt did make some watches for exhibitions, and perhaps a few expensive watches for wealthy individuals. Gaunt's received a telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory each day to correct his main clock and used this signal to rate and repair ship's chronometers and good quality watches. His main horological manufacturing was directed at turret clocks for town halls, churches and post offices. These tended to be specific commissions requiring individualised design and construction. He made the clock for the Melbourne Post Office lobby, to a design by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, and won an award at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition for his turret clock for the Emerald Hill Town Hall. He became well known for his installation of a chronograph at Flemington Racecourse in 1876, which showed the time for the race, accurate to a quarter of a second. The firm also installed the clockwork and figures for Gog and Magog in the Royal Arcade. Thomas Gaunt also developed a department that focused on scientific instrumentation, making thermometers and barometers (from imported glass tubes), telescopes, surveying instruments and microscopes. Another department specialised in electroplating for trophies, awards and silverware, and the firm manufactured large amounts of ecclesiastical gold ware and silverware, for the church including St Patrick's Cathedral. There are no records that disclose the number of employees in the firm, but it was large enough for Gaunt to hold an annual picnic for the watchmakers and apprentices at Mordialloc from 1876; two years previously they had successfully lobbied Gaunt to win the eight hour day. Gaunt's workforce was reportedly very stable, with many workers remaining in the business for 15 to 30 years. Gaunt's wife Jane died on September 1894, aged 64. They had one son and six daughters, but only three daughters survived to adulthood. Two became nuns at the Abbotsford Convent and one daughter, Cecelia Mary Gaunt (died 28 July 1941), married William Stanislaus Spillane on 22 September 1886 and had a large family. Gaunt died at his home in Coburg, Victoria, leaving an estate valued at ₤41,453. The business continued as T. Gaunt & Co. after his death. The barometer is historically significant as an example of the work of Melbourne’s leading scientific instrument maker, Thomas Gaunt. The barometer has social significance as an example of the type of scientific equipment that Thomas Gaunt expanded his horology business into producing. Further social significance lies in the fact that Robert Ellery, the Government Astronomer who designed the local version of the barometer, had a direct connection with the Melbourne Athenaeum founded in 1839 as the Melbourne Mechanics' Institution. Its purpose was "the diffusion of literary, scientific and other useful information". There are also records of a T Gaunt as a subscription and committee member of this the Athenaeum organisation during the 1870s and 1880s which may be Thomas Gaunt, unfortunately still unverified.Stick mercury barometer known as the Admiral Fitzroy Barometer. It comprises an oblong wooden case with glass front panel, ornate pediment, barometer with bulb cistern (empty of fluid), cleaning brush with printed instructions for interpreting information given by the gauge affixed to left and right face of instrument. Includes a thermometer. The barometer appears to be intact. Adapted to the Southern Hemisphere. Special remarks by Admiral Fitzroy. Made by Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne. Manufacturer's details are on back of wooden casing. Rear has upper and lower brass screw plates for securing to vertical surface."Manufactured by Thomas Gaunt, 14 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, barometer, admiral fitzroy, thomas gaunt, thomas gaunt of melbourne, clockmaker, admiral fitzroy barometer, barometer instructions, gaunt’s fitzroy barometer, gaunt’s of melbourne, gog and magog designer, horological manufacturer, meteorological instrument, melbourne athenaeum, melbourne mechanics' institution, melbourne observatory time signal, robert ellery government astronomer, scientific instrument, stick mercury barometer, thermometer, weather forecast, t gaunt & co

Two items relating to the Ormond Uniting Church (former Thomson Memorial Presbyterian Church): 1/ a book named "The Ormond Faith Story - The History Of The Ormond Uniting Church Centenary Edition 1903 – 2003". The front cover includes a colour photograph of the Church and the back cover includes a list of the Ministers during that time period. The Contents include several black and white photographs and an Appendices written by Rev Bill Morgan, Rev. Rod Horsfield, Rev. Robert Mcutchen and Rev. John Lamont, on what Ormond means to them. 2/ a black and white photograph of three ladies inscribed on the back as "Ormond Uniting Church Drop-in Centre, Cnr North & Booran Rds., Caulfield. Sept 84"A5-sized printed book of 64 pages plus colour back (photos of 9 men around Uniting Church insignia)and front (in red border is a colour photo of the Church) covers, with black and white images on the inside of these covers. It is mostly printed text with a number of black and white photos.ormond uniting church, anthony street, centenary edition, merton hall, anglican, maud street, presbyterian, wheatley road, methodist, ocean street, saint cuthberts, beattie james rev., jones hugh rev, chalinor john rev., hadley vincent rev., broughton david rev., morgan william rev., mcutchen robert rev., lamont john rev., horsfield rod rev., tregear george rev., kirkside independant living units, uniting church inaugurated, kids of the uniting church australia, kuca, after school program, saint kevins catholic church, father crimin, caulfield adult learning centre, daley daniel rev., green kevin rev, probin david rev, glen orme avenue, ormond, caulfield, plaza cinema, north road, manse, booran road, sunday school, glen orme, ladies church aid, ladies guild, dromana, playgroup, ucaf, booran road hall, fraser street hall, mordialloc, ormond park, new hall, reid christina rev., lamont john rev, cricket, tennis, glen orme avenue methodist church, ormond presbyterian church, st kevin’s catholic church, glen huntly presbyterian church, malane's corner, market gardens

The clock was either made or sold by T. Gaunt & Co. of Melbourne, a manufacturer, importer and retailer of a wide variety of goods including jewellery, clocks and watches, navigational and measuring instruments, dinnerware, glassware and ornaments. Thomas Gaunt photograph was included in an album of security identity portraits of members of the Victorian Court, Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888. Thomas Gaunt History: Thomas Gaunt established Melbourne's leading watchmaking, optical and jewellery business during the second half of the 19th century. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1852, and by 1858 had established his own business at 14 Little Bourke Street. Around 1869 he moved to new premises in Bourke Street on the corner of Royal Arcade, Gaunt's shop quickly became a Melbourne institution. Gaunt proudly advertised that he was 'The only watch manufacturer in the Australian colonies'. While many watches and clocks may have had Gaunt's name on the dial, few would have been made locally. Gaunt did make some watches for exhibitions, and perhaps a few expensive watches for wealthy individuals. Gaunt's received a telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory each day to correct his main clock and used this signal to rate and repair ship's chronometers and good quality watches. His main horological manufacturing was directed at turret clocks for town halls, churches and post offices. These tended to be specific commissions requiring individualised design and construction. He made the clock for the Melbourne Post Office lobby, to a design by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, and won an award at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition for his turret clock for the Emerald Hill Town Hall. He became well known for his installation of a chronograph at Flemington Racecourse in 1876, which showed the time for the race, accurate to a quarter of a second. The firm also installed the clockwork and figures for Gog and Magog in the Royal Arcade. Thomas Gaunt also developed a department that focused on scientific instrumentation, making thermometers and barometers (from imported glass tubes), telescopes, surveying instruments and microscopes. Another department specialised in electroplating for trophies, awards and silverware, and the firm manufactured large amounts of ecclesiastical gold ware and silverware, for the church including St Patrick's Cathedral. There are no records that disclose the number of employees in the firm, but it was large enough for Gaunt to hold an annual picnic for the watchmakers and apprentices at Mordialloc from 1876; two years previously they had successfully lobbied Gaunt to win the eight hour day. Gaunt's workforce was reportedly very stable, with many workers remaining in the business for 15 to 30 years. Gaunt's wife Jane died on September 1894, aged 64. They had one son and six daughters, but only three daughters survived to adulthood. Two became nuns at the Abbotsford Convent and one daughter, Cecelia Mary Gaunt (died 28 July 1941), married William Stanislaus Spillane on 22 September 1886 and had a large family. Gaunt died at his home in Coburg, Victoria, leaving an estate valued at ₤41,453. The business continued as T. Gaunt & Co. after his death. Post Office and Clock History: Warrnambool’s Post Office has been in existence since 1857, when it was originally situated on the corner of Timor and Gilles Street. In March 1864 the Warrnambool Borough Council purchased this clock from Henry Walsh Jnr. for the sum of £25, “to be put up in front of the Post Office”. Henry Walsh Jnr was the eldest son of Melbourne’s Henry Walsh, maker and retailer of clocks, watches, thermometers and jewellery. In 1854 Henry Walsh Jnr. began business in Warrnambool as a watchmaker and jeweller later becoming a Councillor with now a local street named after him. The Post Office was extensively remodelled in 1875-76. Early photographs of this building show that the clock was installed on the northern outside wall, Timor Street, under the arches and between the 2 centre windows, where it could be seen by passers-by. Although spring loaded clocks date back to the 15th century, and fob and pocket watches evolving from these date to the 17th century, personal pocket watches were only affordable to the very fortunate. Public clocks such as this Post Office clock provided opportunity for all to know the time, and for those in possession of a personal watch to check and set their own timepieces to the correct time. During post office reservations during the 1970s the clock was removed and was eventually donated to the Flagstaff Collection. The Clock’s maker Thomas Gaunt, is historically significant and was an established and well renowned scientific instrument and clock maker in Melbourne during the 1860s. He was at that time the only watchmaker in the Australian colonies. In the 1870’s and 1880’s he won many awards for his clocks and was responsible for sending time signals to other clocks in the city and rural areas, enabling many businesses and organisations to accurate set their clocks each day. Warrnambool Borough Council purchased this clock from Henry Walsh Jnr. for the sum of £25 and the clock used to stand in front of the Warrnambool post office to allow ordinary citizens to set their time pieces as they walked by. The item is not only important because it was made by a significant early colonial clock maker and retailed by a locally known clock maker and jeweler but also that it was installed in the Warrnambool Post Office a significantly historical building in it's own right. Built in 1857 and regarded as one of the oldest postal facilities in Australia, with a listing on the National Heritage Database, (ID 15656). This 1864 hall clock originates from the Warrnambool Post Office. The clock glass is hinged to the top of the clock face and has a catch at the bottom. The metal rim of the glass is painted black. The clock face is metal, painted white, with black Roman numerals and markings for minutes and five minutes. The tip of the small hour hand is shaped like a leaf. "T. GAUNT / MELBOURNE" is printed in black on the clock face. The winding key hole is just below the centre of the clock face. The key winds a fusee chain mechanism, attached to the brass mainspring barrel that powers the pendulum with an 8-day movement. The speed of the clock can be adjusted by changing the position of the weight on the pendulum, lengthening or shortening the swing; raising the pendulum shortens its swing and speeds up the clock. The metal fusee mechanism has an inscription on it. The rectangular wooden casing is with a convex curve at the bottom that has a hinged door with a swivel latch. The original stained surface has been painted over with a matte black. There are two other doors that also allow access to the clock’s workings. The case fits over the pendulum and workings at the rear and attaches to the clock by inserting four wooden pegs into holes in the sides of the case then into the back of the clock. A flat metal plate has been secured by five screws onto the top of the case and a hole has been cut into it for the purpose of hanging up the clock. There is a nail inside the case, possibly used for a place to the key."T. GAUNT MELBOURNE" is printed on the clock face. “6 1 3” embossed on the back of the fusee mechanism behind the clock. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, clock, warrnambool post office, fusee, henry walsh jnr, thomas gaunt, t gaunt & co, post office clock

Lynette Nee Butler Kutschewski 1942 –1987 As a young musician Lynette had beaten Roger Woodward in piano competitions, before deciding to specialise in singing she trained as an artist in Melbourne. Given the choice of distinction in three different careers Lynette chose the most difficult, that of a singer. The repertoire in which Lynette chose to specialise – the period of the Baroque and above all the works of Johann Sebastian Bach – demanded a high degree of technical virtuosity, fine musicianship and elegance of style, in all of which she excelled. Yet she equally at home in Grand Opera, Lieder, and Operetta and gave some of her most memorable performances in the most diverse aspects of the vocal repertoire. Her own special quality was one of inner radiance when she sang, which added to the beauty of her voice, made her performances especially moving, and which led to her being sought out as a performer of the great German works within Germany itself. It seems so fitting that Lynette’s last public performance should have been in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, with its magnificent “Ode to Joy”. This took place in Paris in the Salle Pleyel on October 25th 1985. In the series of Concerts that season, Lynette’s name stood beside those of Danial Barenboim and Jessie Norman, Rostropovich, Nicholas Harnoncourt and Zubin Mehta. At this last performance Lynette truly stood at the peak of her profession This was part of Lynette Nee Butler Kutschewski Eulogy by Mary Ryan 30 – 10 –1987 Family history of Lynette Nee Butler Kutschewski: Herbert Vivian Butler 1915 - 1999 Bert grew up living on the family farm at Rockbank. He walked three miles to school and was one of 12 students. He attended Essendon High School and after the culture shock of being a country bumpkin, he soon earned respect of his peers through his sporting ability and academic excellence. Bert became Head Prefect in his final year at Essendon High School. He became a Primary School teacher working in inner suburban schools while living in Hawthorn. During the war years he went to Melbourne University at night obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree. His main teaching methods were geology and geography. In 1939 Bert married Marjorie G Myers of ‘Burnbank Melton. Marjorie was already a talented pianist in her teenage years achieving her L.Mus.A. her fourth qualification by the age of 18 years. She attended the Conservatorium of Music Melbourne studying pianoforte and later with a singing scholarship and won numerous competitions from Ballarat to Bendigo She started her teaching career after leaving Melton State School. She taught many students throughout district including Edna Butler, the young sister of Bert. While living in Hawthorn their children Adrian and Lynette were born. Their son Max was born in Bacchus Marsh while Bert was teaching at the High School and in 1950 was appointed to Numurkah HS. In 1953 the family moved to Frankston HS. In 1958 he was appointed foundation Principal of Ashwood HS at the age of 43, the youngest to achieve this level of seniority. He was also Principal at Huntingdale, Mordialloc/Chelsea, and Mornington until his retirement in 1975. Football - Melton aged 17 - 3 seasons. Carlton signed in1935. Played forward pocket 2nd rover in1938. During the war years Carlton 2nd s Captain, played his last senior game in 1944. In 1944 he was Captain coach of Bacchus Marsh Team, a President and Life Member. Club Champion for three years for Numurkah. Marjorie Gretchen Myers Born at Melton on the 21st of February 1912 Attended Melton State School No 430 1917 and left school to become a music teacher. A pupil of Miss Ross the Music teacher at Melton she advanced rapidly and achieved her A.L.C.M. (Associate of the London College of Music) at the age of 12 years. At 14 years she gained her L.L.C.M. (Licentiate of the London College of Music). At the age of 16 she was awarded a part scholarship in 1928 to the to the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music studying pianoforte under Miss Elsie Fraser. She gained her A.Mus.A. at the age of 17 and her L. Mus. A. at the age of 18 years. In 1935 she won a full scholarship given by Madame Elsie Ashton for singing. The “Australian Musical New” Mr Thorald Waters the adjudicator found her outstanding qualities as a musician an added reason for singling out Miss Myers with her voice being the most promising of those heard. Cousins Wendy Barrie and Lynette Butler in the backyard of Butler's houselocal identities

My Recollections of Eltham Past by Margaret Joy Harding (nee Joy Chapman.) My family of Elizabeth and Alec Chapman moved to Eltham in 1946 into a cottage on the opposite side of the Diamond Creek from where the little train now operates in the Lower Park. At that time Eltham truly was a country town and the Pub was the main meeting place for most inhabitants on a Saturday afternoon in the beer garden. I attended Eltham Primary School where I started as a 4-year-old (my birthday being slightly after the mid-year intake) that happened then. My mother spent a lot of days taking me back to school when I had dismissed myself and walked the one kilomtre home alone. Bremner's Common (now Wingrove Park) was a big attraction with its dam and tad poling which I found much more entertaining than school. (Mrs Bremner ran a Service Station on the site of the current one). Another attraction at this site was the circus that came a couple of times a year. Watching them put up the circus tent was very interesting and even more of an attraction was the feeding of the Lions in cages and the monkeys and elephants among the other animals that are not found in a circus these days. At school then we were provided with hot chocolate at morning recess where the mothers would prepare it in the shelter shed. The only form of classroom heating was an open fire. Worse was the warm milk given in the summer months. By the time I was near finishing at Primary school we used to be able to walk along the Main Road at lunchtime to Mrs. Mitchell's shop to a delicious hot pie. As I recall there was no supervision for this departure from the school grounds. It is interesting that some of the other children I started school with I still have contact with, in fact one is a very good friend although now living in Perth. That is the other thing about Eltham; many who grew up here continue to live in the area. Following primary school, the natural progression was to Eltham High School. There was only the main building at that time and I can remember our first assembly at the front entrance. During the time I was at High School several new class rooms were added and the school hall. I remember the musical plays such as HMS Pinafore and other classical musicals being performed. I also remember countless hours doing marching practice. The main street shops when I was young consisted of the Blue Gum milk bar at the far end, a Grocery store and a shoe maker where Coles currently stands. Opposite there was Lyon's Garage. They also provided a bus service and when we got off the train this little bus would tour the back streets taking each individual to their home, sometimes this could take quite considerable time. There was also a Black Smith next to the Chiropractic Practice opposite Alistair Knox Park, another Milk Bar/General Store on the comer of Bridge Street/Main Road where a shop currently still operates. There was also a Butcher's shop down from the pub opposite Franklin Street. The only doctor was next to the courthouse on the other side of Brougham Street. On Saturday afternoon I was occasionally allowed to go the movies in the Town Hall which also stood on the site of the Coles centre. Often the Fire Alarm would sound and everyone would run outside to watch the fire truck leave with the volunteers clutching on the back. The other attraction during summer of course was the swimming pool which was a small concrete pool filled with water pumped from the Diamond Creek, sometimes it was like a mud puddle so for me the nearer to home Yarra/Diamond Creek junction was a much better option. We swam in the water hole which was quite deep and with fallen trees and sometimes carcasses of cows and kangaroos floating past. As recreation, the churches were another attraction for the Sunday school picnics to Mordialloc in the back of the moving van with benches tied into the back for us to "sit" on. Too bad when we went around a corner! In the early days we had an Ice Man deliver the ice once a week for "refrigeration". The green grocer came around in a horse and cart as did the milkman and the bread was delivered but I constantly got into trouble for eating the middle out on the way from the box it was delivered to in Mt Pleasant road across the paddock. The milkman finally would not come down our street after his horse bolted one morning and took off across the paddock. We also had the "Pan Man" come weekly and whose visit I would avoid. Our nearest shop was where the flower stall is located opposite the Lower Park. It consisted of a Tea Room and Milk Bar. There was a Public Telephone there which was the only contact to anyone else. We were a one car family so my mother’s movements were very limited as the Eltham Station was a couple of kilometres away and a trip to the city was an event. Being an only child growing up was a little lonely however rambling along the creek with my Mum, picking mushrooms and picking cherry plums for jam and the dogs catching rabbits which we ate if we could get them away from the dogs. We also liked to go into the Lower Park during school holidays when the Greek people came to camp and they would sing and dance around the camp fire and it all seemed so different to us as this was early days of immigration. Childhood was relatively simple and carefree and I wish the kids of today had the freedom of my youth and the healthy outdoor lifestyle of the "olden days".   SHOW GIRL COMPETITION In 1965 Eltham was more like a country town than the suburb it has become today. People knew each other, if not personally then certainly of the family name. The big event for the year was a Gymkhana or show at Lower Eltham Park. I can remember marching as a teenager from the town centre to the park in the marching girls with the decorated floats. In 1965, just on a whim on the day, I decided to enter the Miss Eltham Show Girl which was a part of the festivities at the park. I seem to remember that the show mainly consisted of horse events, cattle judging and dog show. As I had not given any serious thought to entering the competition, I wore a suit that I had for work which was brown wool, with a coffee coloured shirt under, black shoes, bag, and gloves but no hat. I duly paraded for the judges and much to my surprise I was announced the winner. I eventually went on to compete at the Miss Victoria Show Girl competition which was held at the Royal Melbourne Show. There I met many country girls who were representing their rural Victoria home. I made it into a final round of judging but I think justice prevailed when someone from a country background was crowned. It was fun to go into the show as I had not really been before and to see the displays of handcraft, cooking and wood chopping events was great as well as the judging of farm animals interesting. It is hard to remember the Eltham I grew up in. The Lyons Garage company bus that actually drove you home (or close to it) when we got off the train at night. The Eltham Hotel on a Saturday afternoon a usual social meeting place where people just sat and chatted. The pictures held in the Town Hall and when the fire alarm sounded all the men just jumped up and ran to help. Suburbia has now swallowed most of that life but thankfully we at least do have the trestle bridge and parkland. Digital file only - Black and white photo print on loan for scanning by EDHSalec chapman, annie bremner, blacksmith, bremner's flat, brougham steet, bus services, circus, diamond creek, dianne bell, doctor bradbury, easter gymkhana, elizabeth chapman, eltham high school, eltham hotel, eltham lower park, eltham public hall, eltham state school, eltham trestle bridge, general store, grace mitchell, ice man, joy chapman, lyons garage, margaret harding, milk bar, miss eltham 1965, miss victoria show girl, mount pleasant road, pan man, rodda parade, shops, show girl competition, swimming pool, water hole, yarra river

My Recollections of Eltham Past by Margaret Joy Harding (nee Joy Chapman.) My family of Elizabeth and Alec Chapman moved to Eltham in 1946 into a cottage on the opposite side of the Diamond Creek from where the little train now operates in the Lower Park. At that time Eltham truly was a country town and the Pub was the main meeting place for most inhabitants on a Saturday afternoon in the beer garden. I attended Eltham Primary School where I started as a 4-year-old (my birthday being slightly after the mid-year intake) that happened then. My mother spent a lot of days taking me back to school when I had dismissed myself and walked the one kilomtre home alone. Bremner's Common (now Wingrove Park) was a big attraction with its dam and tad poling which I found much more entertaining than school. (Mrs Bremner ran a Service Station on the site of the current one). Another attraction at this site was the circus that came a couple of times a year. Watching them put up the circus tent was very interesting and even more of an attraction was the feeding of the Lions in cages and the monkeys and elephants among the other animals that are not found in a circus these days. At school then we were provided with hot chocolate at morning recess where the mothers would prepare it in the shelter shed. The only form of classroom heating was an open fire. Worse was the warm milk given in the summer months. By the time I was near finishing at Primary school we used to be able to walk along the Main Road at lunchtime to Mrs. Mitchell's shop to a delicious hot pie. As I recall there was no supervision for this departure from the school grounds. It is interesting that some of the other children I started school with I still have contact with, in fact one is a very good friend although now living in Perth. That is the other thing about Eltham; many who grew up here continue to live in the area. Following primary school, the natural progression was to Eltham High School. There was only the main building at that time and I can remember our first assembly at the front entrance. During the time I was at High School several new class rooms were added and the school hall. I remember the musical plays such as HMS Pinafore and other classical musicals being performed. I also remember countless hours doing marching practice. The main street shops when I was young consisted of the Blue Gum milk bar at the far end, a Grocery store and a shoe maker where Coles currently stands. Opposite there was Lyon's Garage. They also provided a bus service and when we got off the train this little bus would tour the back streets taking each individual to their home, sometimes this could take quite considerable time. There was also a Black Smith next to the Chiropractic Practice opposite Alistair Knox Park, another Milk Bar/General Store on the comer of Bridge Street/Main Road where a shop currently still operates. There was also a Butcher's shop down from the pub opposite Franklin Street. The only doctor was next to the courthouse on the other side of Brougham Street. On Saturday afternoon I was occasionally allowed to go the movies in the Town Hall which also stood on the site of the Coles centre. Often the Fire Alarm would sound and everyone would run outside to watch the fire truck leave with the volunteers clutching on the back. The other attraction during summer of course was the swimming pool which was a small concrete pool filled with water pumped from the Diamond Creek, sometimes it was like a mud puddle so for me the nearer to home Yarra/Diamond Creek junction was a much better option. We swam in the water hole which was quite deep and with fallen trees and sometimes carcasses of cows and kangaroos floating past. As recreation, the churches were another attraction for the Sunday school picnics to Mordialloc in the back of the moving van with benches tied into the back for us to "sit" on. Too bad when we went around a corner! In the early days we had an Ice Man deliver the ice once a week for "refrigeration". The green grocer came around in a horse and cart as did the milkman and the bread was delivered but I constantly got into trouble for eating the middle out on the way from the box it was delivered to in Mt Pleasant road across the paddock. The milkman finally would not come down our street after his horse bolted one morning and took off across the paddock. We also had the "Pan Man" come weekly and whose visit I would avoid. Our nearest shop was where the flower stall is located opposite the Lower Park. It consisted of a Tea Room and Milk Bar. There was a Public Telephone there which was the only contact to anyone else. We were a one car family so my mother’s movements were very limited as the Eltham Station was a couple of kilometres away and a trip to the city was an event. Being an only child growing up was a little lonely however rambling along the creek with my Mum, picking mushrooms and picking cherry plums for jam and the dogs catching rabbits which we ate if we could get them away from the dogs. We also liked to go into the Lower Park during school holidays when the Greek people came to camp and they would sing and dance around the camp fire and it all seemed so different to us as this was early days of immigration. Childhood was relatively simple and carefree and I wish the kids of today had the freedom of my youth and the healthy outdoor lifestyle of the "olden days".   SHOW GIRL COMPETITION In 1965 Eltham was more like a country town than the suburb it has become today. People knew each other, if not personally then certainly of the family name. The big event for the year was a Gymkhana or show at Lower Eltham Park. I can remember marching as a teenager from the town centre to the park in the marching girls with the decorated floats. In 1965, just on a whim on the day, I decided to enter the Miss Eltham Show Girl which was a part of the festivities at the park. I seem to remember that the show mainly consisted of horse events, cattle judging and dog show. As I had not given any serious thought to entering the competition, I wore a suit that I had for work which was brown wool, with a coffee coloured shirt under, black shoes, bag, and gloves but no hat. I duly paraded for the judges and much to my surprise I was announced the winner. I eventually went on to compete at the Miss Victoria Show Girl competition which was held at the Royal Melbourne Show. There I met many country girls who were representing their rural Victoria home. I made it into a final round of judging but I think justice prevailed when someone from a country background was crowned. It was fun to go into the show as I had not really been before and to see the displays of handcraft, cooking and wood chopping events was great as well as the judging of farm animals interesting. It is hard to remember the Eltham I grew up in. The Lyons Garage company bus that actually drove you home (or close to it) when we got off the train at night. The Eltham Hotel on a Saturday afternoon a usual social meeting place where people just sat and chatted. The pictures held in the Town Hall and when the fire alarm sounded all the men just jumped up and ran to help. Suburbia has now swallowed most of that life but thankfully we at least do have the trestle bridge and parkland. Digital file only - Black and white photo print on loan for scanning by EDHSalec chapman, annie bremner, blacksmith, bremner's flat, brougham steet, bus services, circus, diamond creek, dianne bell, doctor bradbury, easter gymkhana, elizabeth chapman, eltham high school, eltham hotel, eltham lower park, eltham public hall, eltham state school, eltham trestle bridge, general store, grace mitchell, ice man, joy chapman, lyons garage, margaret harding, milk bar, miss eltham 1965, miss victoria show girl, mount pleasant road, pan man, rodda parade, shops, show girl competition, swimming pool, water hole, yarra river