This photograph is the same one printed in 1925 soon after 'Bellfield' became a licenced hotel. Unfinished letter on reverse side indicates that at least 2 postcards were sent to the same recipient Reads as: "Belfield Hotel Grampians 3/4/42 Dear Mother, Well here we are once more amongst the Gum trees and believe me it is great to smell the fresh air once more after so long with the Rubber trees. We are right in the hills with towering mountains on the East and West and after the way the wind blew through gap last night, I would not be at all surprised if that were not the method by which the Gap were made. Several times last night we thought the roof would blow off and now I have cut pegs for the window I hope the rattle does not annoy us anymore. It took us until nearly five to get here last night but of course we did not find the time dragging on our hands. At Ballarat we made a rush for some lunch just got it back to the carriage when the waitress came round for"Photograph shows front of building with Wonderland Range behind handwritten letter on reverse side dated 03/4/42Rose Series P 4914accommodation, hotels, bellfield

Bellfield' was a guest house during the period 1910-191924 Cabins provided additional accommodation for guests. One undated post card had the following words hand written on the reverse side: "Dear Florrie and William I expect you have worried not getting a line lately, it's such a job getting letters posted. This is the back of the house where I go to work. they had 43 boarders last week. 3 pounds each We had to work like niggers Im writing a letter to tell you all about it. With fond love Mary xxx"View of side of building with a number of cabins in foreground surrounded by a picket fence. The southern end of the Wonderland Range is in the background with sundial Peak being the predominant featureThe rose series P 1667 2 post cards and 1 photo of post card 1 original post card has message writtenaccommodation, guesthouses, bellfield

By 1950 Hotel Bellfield was owned by Mr and Mrs McMullin In June 1952 the staff quarters at the rear of the main building was destroyed by fire. As the staff accommodation comprised seven detached bungalows, similar to those in the photograph, it was possible to isolate the fire from spreading to the main building.Guest house with bus in foreground Wonderland Range in backgroundThe Rose series P 4894 copies Kodak Picture maker, Agfaaccommodation, guesthouses, bellfield

Photograph of Myrtlebank Guest House in Upper Halls GapGuest House and other buildings behind wooden fenceThe Rose Series P 13883accommodation, guesthouses, myrtlebank

Large families were the norm, rather than the exception up to the time of the World wars. perhaps the senseless destruction of those young lives sickened humanity- perhaps the increased taxes and cost of living resulting from the wars caused a necessary reduction in family size. Perhaps the independence won by women as they carried on their daily lives without their men, made mothers say, "Enough" The Warren family farmed the fertile Fyans Creek flats in the Grampian Mountains of Western Victoria. Some say Halls Gap was so named because the bushranger Hall holed up there in the early days. The rugged slopes and hidden gullies could have hidden a whole gang of bushrangers, but little remained undiscovered to a wandering family of 12 children growing up with their flocks and herds grazing the ranges. A tired rider could nod off, safe in the knowledge a trusty stockhorse would plod steadily homeward into the night. Responsibility quickly made youngsters capable and reliable. Then Australia went to war. There were three older brothers, then the girls, then young Frank. All the men went, including Frank. So the girls had to run the farm alone. Their mother had her hands full with the youngsters, still attending school, a daily walk over the mountain to Pomonal and return. But the loss of the men's casual wages from timber cutting and labouring jobs, meant great hardship is some method of earning a cash income had to be devised. Paying guests! That was it. So Myrtle Bank Guest House was born. City folk flocked to the mountain resort. High stepping mountain horses met them at the Stawell raid-head, with the tall and beautiful Warren girls driving them in experienced fashion, their auburn hair sometimes falling from its pins to fly free, as the dray bowled along towards the hills. The would hitch up their skirts to saw and chop wood for the stoves and fires. They milked cows and delivered calves. They shore sheep and trimmed their feet. They mustered their cattle as the seasons rolled by, and the paying guests watched and participated, fascinated. With laughter and song, the girls would wash up in a tin dish, throw on their house clothes to wait on table, sing and play piano, violin, accordion, enjoying the talk of the city and that other world so far away from their mountain home. The simple country menu was a hit, and the homemade bread, butter, jams and preserves, fruit and vegetables sent guests staggering to their armchairs. Picnics, hikes, goodbyes and welcomes blurred as the years of the war dragged by. Bookings were made and remade as the new enterprise became established. Peace was declared. the men returned A whole new building rose with two floors, inviting verandahs and bathrooms. Myrtle Bank would remain a family business all its lifetime, until buried below the Bellfield Dam, by which time more than one the girls had joined their beloved Frank, lost on Flanders Field. Article in book or magazine describing life at Myrtlebank during war years Other article written from letter from soldier P Lillis to his sister 3rd article of woman from country enlisting in WAAF Submitted by Carol of Bannockburn, Submitted by D Langley Submitted by Meryl of South Frankstonaccommodation, myrtlebank, people, warren

Grampians House accommodation. Bus in foreground of building.The Rose Series P.10081accommodation, guesthouses, grampian house

Knight's tea-rooms. See "Victoria's Wonderland" p. 103-104 for further information.Photo shows a house with a smaller building behind and a picket fence (house and tea-rooms at Henham. Two cars are parked to the left of the smaller building (tea-rooms)bbuildings, tea rooms

The Knight's Tea-Rooms, which were known as "Coonarah". See "Victoria's Wonderland" p. 103-104 for further information.Photo shows a house with a smaller building to the right (Knight's tea-rooms at the Wannon).There is a car parked in front of the house and an unsealed road runs through the foreground.buildings, tea rooms

Robert Greer was the Hall's Gap baker. He married Ida Warren and they had a daughter Rae. Robert & Ida inherited the bakery from Ida's father John Warren who established the business in 1929. For further details see Bridging the Gap, p.56Photo shows man (Robert Greer) in an apron standing outside his house.people, greer, buildings, bakery

Robert Greer, baker, married Ida Warren whose family started the bakery; in 1929. Robert & Ida inherited the Bakery from Ida's father John Warren. for further information see Bridging the Gap p. 56Photo shows Robert Greer, baker standing with a load tin in his hands, inside the bakery. Baking tins & ovens can be seen in the photo.Folio no.48 Negative no.25people, greer, buildings, bakery

This is a postcard of the sports ground in Halls Gap, taken from Chatauqua Peak. It is No. 12197 in the Rose Series of postcards.The photo shows a round clearing (sports ground), seen from above, in the midst of bush. There are some bare strips in the middle of the field and a track around its perimeter. Some buildings are visible to the left of the field and a road runs behind it. There are more buildings just visible through the bush in the centre, on the far side of the road."The Rose Series P. 12197, Sports Ground, from Chatauqua Peak, Halls Gap, Vic" on bottom of postcard.recreation, sport

This property was known as Mokepilly Station ( name on back of photo is spelt 'Mokepilli'.For further reference see p.2,p.92,116,119,121, Victoria's Wonderland.Photo shows a body of water in foreground with a collection of buildings on opposite bank. there are a number of large gum trees on both sides of water. The buildings appear to be a farmhouse and outbuildings that have thatched roofs. There is extensive fencing.buildings, houses

Cottage is said to be that of Foulkes family. The cottage was situated below Mackey's Peak in the Fyans Valley. See p.77 Victoria's Wonderland.Photo shows old house with verandah enclosed with pickets. Two gum trees can be seen either side of houses. Vegetation, either a garden or grass is growing in front of verandah. An old door or doors are leaning against left side of house.buildings, houses

Fred Paasch was born in Denmark in 1862. It is unknown when he arrived in Australia or when he settled in Halls Gap. He owned land generally in the area now occupied by the Halls Gap Supermarket where he established an orchard. See " Bridging the Gap " p.58-60 "Victoria's Wonderland" p.98-99.Shingle and slab house, chimney has loose brick base and tin flue. Four men in foreground. Freddy Paasch, owner of the house is seated in the centre. A number of hens feed in the near foreground. A climbing rose coyers the fence and part of the house roof.buildings, houses, people, paasch

This cottage is said to have belonged to the Foulkes family. It was situated below Mackey's peak in the Fyans Valley. For further information see p. 77 of "Victoria's Wonderland".The photo shows a timber house and outbuilding set among bush below a line of cliffs. There is a spoked wheeled cart standing to the right of the house. The buildings are in the foreground at the lower edge of the photo.buildings, houses

This is Halls Gap Hall (See Rec. 389). For more information see " Building The Gap", p.51A brick fronted,skillion roofed building with cement sheet above weather boards along the side. A ramp leads up to a red wooden door. A sign "Halls Gap Hall 1956" over "Grampians Cinema" appears over the door. The Mt.William range is in the background.buildings, halls

Photo is of Fyans Valley with Hotel Bellfield in the valley. Photo is taken from Bellfield Peak. c1940sA rocky outcrop on far left of photo. a cleared valley with buildings and roads in foreground, flanked by a mountain range.THE ROSE SERIES. P 1695 BELLFIELD PEAK AND "BELLFIELD," GRAMPIANS, VIC scenery, fyans valley

Set of 5 with catalogue no 0518, 0534, 0535, 0536. 3 stem, silver EPNS candelabra.Engraved: Presented to 3 Troop (Kyneton) B Squadron 4/19 PWLH By Lt P L O'Hanlon June 1986 In base "C31" In candle cups "C34": MADE IN ENGLAND IANTHEcandelabra, kyneton

Single stem, silver candlestick with engraved, wide base.Under base: Guildford The Finest Silverware by Renown Engraved: To Sgts Mess 4/19 PWLH In Appreciatian From Members O.C.T.U 2/65, L Baker J Crabtree P Gilson T James G Partridge B Power H Rogers candleholder, sergeants mess, silver, presentations