To recognise the efforts made towards to the successful running of the Association for the Blind, certificates were awarded bestowing Life Governorships on individuals who had made significant contributions such as George Ronald Rose became a Life Governor on 22nd August 1967 for his invaluable contributions to the Bendigo Mirridong home, particularly securing the support of the Lions Club in the building of the home in 1957. This certificate is signed by President H. M. Lightfoot and Secretary J. W. Wilson.1 cream coloured sheet with decorative border on top right hand side and lower right hand corner, and the black and white symbol of the Association in the lower right hand corner consisting of a half circle with a flame and another half circle in blackAssociation for the Blind Life Governor This is certify that ... was elected a Life Governor on the ... day of ... 19..association for the blind, george rose

These meetings were held at the Kooyong office and the minutes include Present, Chair, Apologies, Minutes, Matter arising from minutes, Correspondence, Life governors, Election of members, Nominations, Reports from Regional Blind Members groups, White Cane Day October 15th promoted. Some highlights include: 3/12/1982 the film, 'A world that is dark', which was made by AFB for television release is now available on video. 31/8/1984 the Blind members' brochure includes sections titled 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow' which outlines the history, present position and the aims for the future of the AFB, 'Information about Blind Members' and Blind Members' Council', List of AFB homes and centres' and 'An invitation from Bryan Sitlington to be a Blind Member accompanied by an application form. It will be available to all visually impaired people, their family and friends, AFB staff and suitable for distribution at doctor's surgeries. 14/12/1984 it was reported 29 new Blind members were elected at the September meeting and the 1,000th member was among them. 8/6/1984 Mr John Blanch reported that the General Committee had approved, although rather reluctantly, Mr John Wilson's resignation and had appoint Mr John Cook as his successor. 13/9/1985 Mr John Blanch reported that following Mr Pat Lightfoot's resignation he had contacted Mr John Wicking to offer him the position of sighted representative on Blind Members' Council. John Wicking had been approached for role on the BMC however he was unable to attend Fridays. It was moved to move the meetings to the last Monday of the Month, after approaching John Wicking again. Council members agreed that if John Wicking took the position it would be good as would have been held by Pat Lightfoot and John Wicking, both past Presidents of AFB. Mrs Margaret Canavan and Mr Alan Cooper had been selected to attend a garden party at Government House with Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburg on Thursday March 6. Minute book for Blind Members Councilassociation for the blind, blind members council

In 1894 the Victorian Braille Writers Association was established in order to create a braille lending library. Such an endeavor also meant a need of space for storage. At first the library was accommodated in the home of Mrs May Harrison before moving to the home of Mrs Dickinson two years later. Eventually, with the help of donors, a space was rented in the Block Arcade to house the 1300+ volumes it held and the yearly increase produced by its braille transcribers. Fortunately in 1918 the Trustees of the Edward Wilson Estate provided 4000 pounds to pay for a new building in Commercial Road. Despite some misgivings from the RVIB at the time, this building was home to both braille volumes and talking books (albums and cassettes) for many years.1 b/w photograph of people on a stageFree Lending Library for the Blind. Senator G. Fairbairn, on behalf of the Edward Wilson Trust, presenting the key of the building to Miss Aston, a Braille reader, representing the Braille Writer’s Association. 26th April 1919. (Label on mount board)tilly aston, braille and talking book library

In 1935 Mrs Eliza tank transferred her private hospital 'Nethercourt' from Wilson Street to 219-223 Union Road. She has operated it at the Wilson Street address from 1916. The Union Road building had originally been Surrey College, a boarding school for boys built in 1889 by Rev Dr Darling. It was not the success hoped for. In 1905 it briefly became Milverton College for girls, after which it was used as a nursing home or small private hospital. By the 1960s it was known as 'Norwich Hospital' and later still 'St Jude's'. It closed as a hospital in 1983. The land at the front facing Union Road was sub-divided off and the building became a private home fronting Barton Street. As a private residence it was rendered and painted.Black and white photo of a double-storey brick building with a tower. There is a veranda between the tower and one of the wings of the building. This is enclosed at the upper level. On one side there is an external set of stairs and an out building. The building is approached by a circular driveway. There are mature bushes in front of the building.On copy photo in lead pencil: "? No & if missing"; "This is a copy"; "595"nethercourt hospital, milverton college, matron eliza tank, norwich private hospital, rev darling, st judes private hospital, hospitals, surrey college

Clive Leslie Swift (RAAF 430415) was born in Elsternwick in 1924 and served in the RAAF in Borneo during WW2. He was mentioned in dispatches. He married Enid (Ina) Mary Smith in 1947. Together they ran the grocery store at 10 Croydon Road from 1949 until some time after 1954. In the 1980s they were living in Highbury Road, East Burwood and Clive was working for Unigate (later Bonlac) in a managerial position. (REF: Oral testimony, Libby Wilson, Canterbury History Group). The shop continued after the Swifts left but was later destroyed by fire. Clive Swift died in March 2014. This and other dockets were tucked into Ruth Matthews' recipe folder. Ruth and Harold Geoffrey (Geoff) Matthews lived at 42 Guildford Road, Surrey Hills. The donor recalled that her paternal grandmother (Ethel May Matthews) also occasionally shopped at the Swifts' shop as it was closer to her home (31 Guildford Road) than either than Griffith’s on Union Road or Thomas’ on Maling Road . Dockets such as these are reflective of shopping in the pre-supermarket era when women generally walked to the local shop or had proprietors or a staff member come to the house to take weekly orders. A pre-printed grocery docket for C. L. Swift (Late R.A.A.F.) on cream (discoloured) paper printed in black, red and blue filled in with 20 hand-written items, their prices and the total of the grocery order. Signed with initials as having been paid. Order was for Mrs Matthews of Guildford Road.On the rear in blue ink an addition in pounds, shillings and pence.clive leslie swift, miss enid (ina) mary smith, mrs enid (ina) mary swift, croydon road, guildford road, grocery store, docket, accounts, bushells tea, mrs ruth matthews, harold geoffrey matthews, 'geoff' matthews

Clive Leslie Swift (RAAF 430415) was born in Elsternwick in 1924 and served in the RAAF in Borneo during WW2. He was mentioned in dispatches. He married Enid (Ina) Mary Smith in 1947. Together they ran the grocery store at 10 Croydon Road from 1949 until some time after 1954. In the 1980s they were living in Highbury Road, East Burwood and Clive was working for Unigate (later Bonlac) in a managerial position. (REF: Oral testimony, Libby Wilson, Canterbury History Group). The shop continued after the Swifts left but was later destroyed by fire. Clive Swift died in March 2014. This and other dockets were tucked into Ruth Matthews' recipe folder. Ruth and Harold Geoffrey (Geoff) Matthews lived at 42 Guildford Road, Surrey Hills. The donor recalled that her paternal grandmother (Ethel May Matthews) also occasionally shopped at the Swifts' shop as it was closer to her home (31 Guildford Road) than either than Griffith’s on Union Road or Thomas’ on Maling Road . Dockets such as these are reflective of shopping in the pre-supermarket era when women generally walked to the local shop or had proprietors or a staff member come to the house to take weekly orders. A pre-printed grocery docket for C. L. Swift (Late R.A.A.F.) on cream (slightly discoloured) paper printed in black, red and blue filled in with 19 hand-written items, their prices and the total of the grocery order. A green and cream duty stamp to the value of 3d is attached and over-signed with initials as having been paid. Order was for Mrs Matthews of Guildford Road.clive leslie swift, miss enid (ina) mary smith, mrs enid (ina) mary swift, croydon road, guildford road, grocery store, docket, accounts, bushells tea, mrs ruth matthews, harold geoffrey matthews, 'geoff' matthews

Clive Leslie Swift (RAAF 430415) was born in Elsternwick in 1924 and served in the RAAF in Borneo during WW2. He was mentioned in dispatches. He married Enid (Ina) Mary Smith in 1947. Together they ran the grocery store at 10 Croydon Road from 1949 until some time after 1954. In the 1980s they were living in Highbury Road, East Burwood and Clive was working for Unigate (later Bonlac) in a managerial position. (REF: Oral testimony, Libby Wilson, Canterbury History Group). The shop continued after the Swifts left but was later destroyed by fire. Clive Swift died in March 2014. This and other dockets were tucked into Ruth Matthews' recipe folder. Ruth and Harold Geoffrey (Geoff) Matthews lived at 42 Guildford Road, Surrey Hills. The donor recalled that her paternal grandmother (Ethel May Matthews) also occasionally shopped at the Swifts' shop as it was closer to her home (31 Guildford Road) than either than Griffith’s on Union Road or Thomas’ on Maling Road . Dockets such as these are reflective of shopping in the pre-supermarket era when women generally walked to the local shop or had proprietors or a staff member come to the house to take weekly orders. A pre-printed grocery docket for C. L. Swift (Late R.A.A.F.) on cream (slightly discoloured) paper printed in black, red and blue filled in with 19 hand-written items, their prices and the total of the grocery order. A green and cream duty stamp to the value of 3d is attached and over-signed with initials as having been paid. Order was for Mrs Matthews of Guildford Road.clive leslie swift, miss enid (ina) mary smith, mrs enid (ina) mary swift, croydon road, guildford road, grocery store, docket, accounts, bushells tea, mrs ruth matthews, harold geoffrey matthews, 'geoff' matthews

The annual report outlines the achievements of the year, financial position and client stories. Other articles outline centenary celebrations and appeal, the launch of No Sight, Great Vision by John Wilson, the proposed National Information Centre and the changing needs of nursing homes.33 printed pages with illustrationsassociation for the blind, corporation records

A letter dated 8th May 1973 details how the letter from Florence Nightingale was forwarded to Mrs E.G. (Janet) Wilson in 1955 by Gwendolen, Florence Nightingale's niece. The explanatory letter was forwarded by Elsa Halenstein and given to Royal District Nursing Service and remains in its Archives. From 1948 Mrs. Wilson served on the Committee of Management of Melbourne District Nursing Society (later Service), serving as President from October 1964-1967. In 1949 Mrs. Hallenstein served on the MDNS Committee of Management, becoming President of the now Royal District Nursing Service from 1967-1974. Florence Nightingale was the founder of modern nursing. Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) only employed Trained nurses from its inception in 1885. They followed Florence Nightingale's basic rules of good hygiene, cleanliness, good nutrition and fresh air, which they learned during their Nursing Training at a Hospital, and taught to their patients by instruction and demonstration. In those days Trained nurses were called 'Nurse'. In 1892 MDNS employed Lucy Smith who, through the Nightingale Fund, did her nursing training at the Nightingale Training School at St. Thomas's Hospital in London. She was the first nurse from this school to work at MDNS. Florence Nightingale, born on the 12th of May 1820, was named after the place of her birth in Italy. Born into a wealthy family she was schooled at home where she excelled in her studies; spoke several languages fluently, and was taught home management. She believed she was ‘called’ to reduce human suffering and tended to ill members of her family and tenants on the family estate. She worked as a nurse at Salisbury Infirmary where she learned about nursing sanitation and hospital practice. Florence then enrolled at the Institution of Protestant Deaconesses at Kaiserswerth, Germany where she learned basic nursing skills, the importance of patient observation, and hospital organization. In 1853 she became Superintendent of the Institution for Sick Gentlewomen in Distressed Circumstances in London, where she reformed health care, working conditions, and hospital efficiency. The Crimean War broke out in late 1853 and a newspaper reported the injured and sick soldiers were being cared for by an “incompetent and ineffective medical establishment and that most basic supplies were not available for care”. After an outcry from the public, Florence was asked to lead a group of 38 nurses, whom she had trained, to Scutari where the wounded soldiers were sent. After arriving at the Barrack Hospital in October 1854, she found the soldiers were being cared for in overcrowded and filthy conditions; contaminated water, faeces on the floors and rats running freely. There were few supplies and equipment. Florence bought supplies and equipment and found help to assist in the laundry. The wards were scrubbed from floor to ceiling. Florence set a high standard of care with fresh air, hygiene, clean clothing, sufficient food and regular dressing of wounds being carried out. She realized the importance of psychological needs, and soldiers were assisted to write letters to relatives, and took part in education and recreational activities. Of a night Florence walked through the wards, carrying a lamp to light her way, to check on ill and wounded soldiers and became known as “The Lady with the Lamp”. She gained the respect of the soldiers and the establishment, and later, the public through the soldier’s letters and reports in the newspaper. After visiting Crimea she contracted ‘Crimean Fever’ from which she never really recovered. When she returned to London she was regarded a heroine. The public had given freely to buy her a gift but Florence preferred this money be used to establish a fund, which became known as the Nightingale Fund. Florence had kept excellent records on the running of the Barrack Hospital, medical and nursing staff efficiency, and the causes of illness and death. Many nurses from the training school became Matrons in many countries throughout the world. Florence pushed the Government for legislation to improve drainage and sanitation in homes and in the building of hospitals with fresh air a priority. She wrote the book ‘Notes on Nursing’ and many writings on health reform. She died, aged 90 years, in her home at 10 South Street, Park Lane on the 13th of August 1910. A handwritten letter, written in lead pencil, by Florence Nightingale. It is written to her niece Gwendolen.. The letter is on buff coloured paper and has the date 'Oct 17 1900'/ written in the top right hand corner; below this is, in capital letters, the two line black printed address - '10, South Street,/ Park Lane, W'/ is stamped. The bulk of the letter reads over eight lines: "Dearest Gwendolen",/ "Thanks for your / dear note,/ I shall gladly look / forward to seeing you, / on Friday at 5 ,/ ever your loving, / Aunt Florence./ . rdns, royal district nursing service, miss florence nightingale, mrs e.g. (janet) wilson, mrs d. (elsa) hallenstein

This photograph records Mr. Ian Muir, President of the Essendon Rotary Club unveiling the plaque at the opening of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Essendon Centre on the 30th of August 1967. Mrs. E.G. Wilson is President of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). Mrs. Wilson was a Committee member, then Vice-president, of Melbourne District Nursing Service, later called Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1959 until 1964 and President 1965-1967 Gradually over the years, Melbourne District Nursing Service, MDNS, later known as Royal District Nursing Service, RDNS, from 1966 when they received Royal patronage, opened Centres throughout the Melbourne Metropolitan area. Their Trained nurses (Sisters) left from these Centres each morning to carry out their nursing visits in a specific area, taking any sterilized equipment needed with them. They returned at the end of the day to write up their patients nursing histories, clean and reset any equipment used ready for sterilization, and contact other medical personal as necessary. Most of the RDNS cars were housed at each Centre, only a few being driven home by a Sister.Black and white photograph showing Mr.Ian Muir unveiling a plaque. Mr. Muir, on the right hand side of the photograph, has dark short hair and is wearing a dark suit. His is standing side-on facing to the left of the photograph. His right hand is holding the cord of the right hand side Australian flag which was partly covering the plaque. A gentleman, with short grey hair and wearing a dark suit, is on the far left hand side of the photograph. Between him and another Australian flag, on the left hand side of the plaque, stands Mrs. E.G, Wilson, who is wearing glasses and is dressed in a dark suit and a dark hat. The dark plaque is attached to a light coloured section of wall and in the background are the windows above the light coloured far wall of the room.Photographers Stamp. 'Quote No. GJ 73royal district nursing service, rdns, essendon centre, mrs e.g. (hazel janet) wilson, mr ian muir, rdns centre

Cheltenham is a suburb in the City of Kingston that was originally established as a rural market gardening community. The area is bordered by Highett, Mentone and Heatherton. The market gardens, farms and paddocks have gradually been sub-divided into housing and industrial estates. The Southland shopping centre is a major feature of the area.Cheltenham was established as a rural market gardening community. The Le Page family lived in Cheltenham since 1854 when Nicholas Le Page, a tailor from the Channel Island of Guernsey, bought two acres of land on Chesterville Road near Bernard Street to establish a market garden. Over the years the Le Pages purchased more land in the area. In 1875-76 Nicholas' son Frank and his wife Mary built 'Daphne Cottage' near the corner of Bernard and Wilson Streets. n the 1940s Frank's son, Everest Le Page, bought five more lots of land in Chesterville Road from the Tuck family. The Le Pages grazed horses, ponies and cows on this land, and grew pumpkins, carrots, parsnips, onions, potatoes and cabbages. Many buildings and locations within in Cheltenham commemorate the Le Page family's contribution to the Cheltenham community.Aerial photograph taken in 1945 of the Cheltenham district within the City of Kingston. The image includes Chesterville Road, the future site of Turner Road pool (now Waves) and Highett Reserve, (top left), Jellicoe Street, Argus Street, Bernard Street, Wilson Street, the Methodist Children Homes (now Southland), McIvor Street, Goulburn Street, Nepean Highway, Jamieson Street and Barker Street (bottom left), market gardens and paddocks. In the top centre of the image, "Daphne Cottage", the home of Frank T. Le Page is visible on the corner of Bernard and Wilson Streets. Much of the land depicted in this image was owned by the Le Page family. This image is possibly from the collection of aerial photographs commissioned by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey and taken by Adastra Airways.Black and white ink: 57250 White print: VIC-170 57250 20.12.45 Run 6 PROJ. No. 5 MELB. METROP AREA Black type 10200 FTS 30' LENS 20.12.45cheltenham, market gardens, industry, le page family

B&W photo of Bert (Gilbert William) and Minnie (Williamina Wilson) Sutton (daughter of Charles Macauley and Minnie Gray) standing outside their original home in Belgrave Heights. The photo shows the couple standing at their post-and-wire front fence at their property in Lockwood Road. The house was next door to Edward's store. Bert is in shirtsleeves and Minnie is wearing a cardigan over a dress. Their house is a single gabled house of weatherboard and fibro sheeting with an L-shaped open verandah. After purchasing the house Bert altered it, eventually enclosing the verandah and turning it into a sleepout. The house has been extensively altered since but is still standing in Lockwood Rd. The block is treed and the garden appears to be rather wild. A tiled roofed building is behind the house and to the left, possibly a garage. On the nature strip in front of the Suttons' house is a wooden bench, and attached to a tree are the signs, "Lockwood House" (with a hand pointing right), "To golf links" (with an arrow pointing right) and "Central Park Tennis Courts" (with an arrow pointing left). The sun is shining. Bert, who was a carpenter, died in 1969 and Minnie died in 1977. Copy of original photo donated to our society by Kath Oram, a founding member.

Formal photograph taken on the occasion of the official opening. Wilson's private Cool Stores at Hurstbridge comprised six cooling chambers with a refrigeration plant to be used by local growers to store their produce. This photo was found in the Savage family home, formerly the home of Rev. Chase believed to be formerly of Panton Hill or Hurstbridge. (House may have been shifted from Panton Hill - now demolished.) Rev. Chase probably in picture, although not reported as attending in any of the newspaper reports of the day.This photo represents the significance of the orcharding industry in the Hurstbridge and surrounding area at the beginning of the twenteith century. The state of the art facility was built by private enterprise.Sepia photograph mounted on cardboard mount with printed title. Mount 55.9 x 76.0 cm. Photo 38.2 x 60.5 cm. Mount significantly damaged/broken on lower corners and slightly broken off at top left hand corner. Various other damage and chips around perimeter. Digital scan cropped from full size of mounthurstbridge, opening, celebration, orcharding

Sarah Bird 4th from left (seated) and Edward Pepper on her left (standing). George Bird, 2nd from right (seated). George Bird her great-grandfather and Sarah Bird and Edward Pepper, her grandparents. [from Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record, morning edition, 18 November 1904, p. 3:] ORANGE BLOSSOM. The marriage of Miss Sarah A. Bird, eldest daughter of Mr George Bird, of "View Hill," Eltham, to Mr Ernest Edward Pepper, of Diamond Creek, was celebrated at the residence of the bride's parents on Wednesday, 9th November, 1904. The ceremony took place at 4 p.m. and was performed by the Rev Percey Knight, B.A., of Alphington. The bride entered the drawing room with her father who gave her away, and the Wedding March, was nicely played by Miss Wild. The bride was prettily dressed in creme voile nicely tucked and gathered, trimmed with guipure lace and silk ruching, sprays of orange blossom, wreath and veil, and she carried a shower bouquet. Her travelling dress was a very pretty blue. The brides-maids were Miss Ethel Barker dressed in pale green voile trimmed with creme guipure lace and silk ruching; and Miss Button in creme voile, guipure lace, silk ruching; both carried pretty bouquets. The groomsmen were Mr Lorimer, of Diamond Creek, and Mr George Bird, brother of the bride. Between forty and fifty relatives and friends partook of a bountifully provided and nicely laid out breakfast. The usual toasts were honored, and congratulations were freely tendered "to the happy couple". The decorations were very tastefully executed by Miss Beatrice Nelson, and Mr Sayers. The evening was very pleasantly spent in singing, recitations, games, and other suitable pastimes, while others "tipped the light fantastic toe". About 10 p.m., "while all was merry as a marriage bell", the bride and bridegroom departed secretly "to cheat surprise and prying eyes". The presents were numerous and handsome:– Parents of the bride, sewing machine; Miss A. Bird, silver breakfast cruet; Miss N. Bird, bread board and knife; Master A. Bird, pair glass dishes; Master R. Bird, pair photo frames; Mr Sayers, tea set; Miss Kidd, silver jam dish and spoon; Miss Wilkinson, carpet; Mr J. Kilpatrick, cheque; Mr W. Kilpatrick, clock; Miss Kilpatrick, silver butter knife; Mr J. H. Kilpatrick, hand painted mirror; Mrs Kerwin, pictures; Mrs Gilsenan, the handsome wedding cake; Mrs Nelson, Japanese occasional table; Misses Nelson, jugs and candlestick; Mrs Bunker, silver cruet stand; Miss Bunker, hand-painted vases; Miss E. Bunker, epergne; Mr E. Bunker, crumb tray and brush; Miss Jessie Gilsenan, cake stand; Mr Harold Gilsenan, auger basin and ornaments; Mr Lorimer, silver breakfast cruet; Mr A. Collins and Miss Jones, epergne; Miss Cassie Sweeney, jardiniere; Miss Ida and Ollie Cooper, silver butter dish; Miss Mills, large vases; Misses M. and F. Shillinglaw, handsome oak clock; Misses C. and E. Shillinglaw, pair large pictures; Mr Lucas and Miss Sutton, silver butter dish and knife, and silver jam dish and spoon; Miss M. and A. Short, teapot, cheese dish, and tumblers; Mr and Mrs J. Anderson, butter dish; Miss Williams, pen tray; Miss Griffiths, vases; Mr I. Hill, cheque; Miss Wild, biscuit barrel; Mr, Mrs and Miss Brown, trifle bowl and crystal jug; Mrs Weller, water jug and glasses; Mrs Hadfield, pair glass dishes and butter dish; Mr and Mrs Blackney, photo frames; Mr Wilson, beaded basket pin cushion; Mr Linsy, cheque; Mrs Linsy, fruit dish; Mrs Stebbing, pair candle sticks; Mrs Blanchard, pictures.Digital copy of framed sepia photographanderson, bird, blanchard, blackney, bunker, collins, cooper, edward ernest pepper, george bird, george bird jnr, gilsenan, griffiths, hadfield, hill, jones, kerwin, kidd, kilpatrick, linsy, mills, nelson, sarah ann bird, sayers, shillinglaw, short, stebbing, sutton, sweeney, view hill, wedding, weller, wild, wilkinson, williams, wilson, brown, lesley mitchell (nee pepper) collection

After reading an interview of Elizabeth Fiddian in the Age in 2003 about her time volunteering at the mission, Matt Blackwood and Csilla Csonvay contacted Nigel Porteous to offer to film a documentary. The filming was self-funded: they had a volunteer crew of three, pulled some personal favours to source the equipment, Csilla edited the film at her workplace’s edit suite out of hours. Nick Farnell provided the voice overs for reading out the letters. It was recorded in a week end, on Betacam. They interviewed six or more members, who talked about their experiences, and they intercut their interviews with archival footage from the Mission. The interviews took place both at the Mission as well as in some of the interviewees' homes. The film was premiered at the Mission, and where it was played on a dedicated TV for visitors on a DVD. In 2023, Matt send a digital copy in mp4.The producers met some of the surviving ladies of the Harbour Lights Guild who gave up their Saturdays and Sundays to arrange events and outings for lonely sailors arriving in Melbourne. Documentary including interviews, photographs from the MSTV archives, and reading of Lillie Duncan letters from Charlie.sadie wilson, annette wood, bernice kennett, rodney kent, jan lee, dennis lee, 2003, csilla csongvay, matt blackwood, beverley kent nee oliver, nigel porteous, charlie, lillie duncan, nick farnell, elizabeth fiddian

Eltham's original Wesleyan Methodist Church Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p97 The pretty Uniting Church building at the corner of John and Main Roads Eltham has served the community since 1881.1 Originally called the Eltham Wesleyan Church, the church became the Eltham Methodist Church in 1902, the year it united with the Primitive Methodists.2 As the church community developed, influencing and being influenced by the wider community, its buildings changed accordingly. Eltham Wesleyans first worshiped together in 1850 at the home of William and Mary Crozier on 24 acres (9.7ha) bounded by Mount Pleasant Road and Pitt Street. From 1855 the Wesleyans worshipped in a slab-and-bark hut; then in 1858 in a chapel on Henry Street close to Maria Street (now Main Road). Meanwhile, in 1860, the Primitive Methodists opened a brick chapel at the corner of Susan and Bridge Streets. The John Street building – in the Early English Gothic style with biochrome brick window frames, buttress heads and pinnacle – was designed by architects Crouch and Wilson. Church member George Stebbing built the church as he did Eltham’s St Margaret’s Anglican Church and Shillinglaw Cottage. The Church Honour Roll is a poignant reminder of how church members have served the wider community: 27 members enlisted and 11 died in World War One. Despite the Great Depression, 1931 was a time of expansion for the church. Its red-brick hall was opened by prominent Methodist and philanthropist F J Cato of the Moran and Cato Grocery chain. The hall enabled the church to attract people from outside through activities like its gymnasium – with 40 boys and youth participating – and the girls’ callisthenics club, which competed at the Ballarat South Street Competitions. The church also held concerts, bazaars, picnics and sports, with badminton and tennis played on the church court at 23 John Street. Two stained-glass windows commemorate tragic events. A dove representing the Holy Spirit and Comforter marked the death in 1936 of member Effie Lowerson from scarlet fever at 14 years. The other depicting the Biblical story A sower went forth to sow, commemorates Ross Gangell, who died in 1961 at 23 years of a rare blood condition. Eltham’s population expanson resulted in the growth of the church and an extension in 1971, designed by member and architect Colin Jones. The church was linked to the hall and additions included a foyer, vestry, meeting room and toilets. The design reflected the Eltham style of the time, with its simplicity, extensive clear glass, reused baked clay-bricks from the 1881 church, heavy ceiling beams and solomite (compressed straw) ceiling. On June 26, 1977 the church became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia consisting of the former Methodist and Congregational and most of the Presbyterian Churches. In 1981 membership peaked at 159 – about 20 years after most Protestant churches – and continued to reach out to the wider community.3 In 1987, 147 children attended Selihoo, the weekly after-school program organised with St Margaret’s Anglican Church. From 1993, the church with other local churches, participated in LINC (Love in the Name of Christ), helping the wider community in various ways including babysitting, transport, gardening and visiting. Despite such initiatives, church numbers declined, and on June 23, 1996, the church merged with the Montmorency Uniting Church.4 However, the church continued to proclaim its message of love in community service and strong social justice action, such as in Jubilee 2000, supporting debt relief to the world’s 45 poorest countries. Some of the many church members who have had an outstanding impact on the wider community include Philip Shillinglaw, farmer and poet, and Arthur Bird (after whom the Arthur Bird Reserve is named), a pioneer orchardist and the Sunday School Superintendent for 33 years. Others were: the Rev Dr Cliff Wright, who established the Methodist Youth Fellowship and was prominent in the World Council of Churches, the Rev Brian Howe, who became Deputy Prime Minister and Tim Marshall, awarded the Order of Australia in 2000 for his work on salinity.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham uniting church, eltham methodist church

Agreement regarding the building of an approved home at 19 New Street, Brighton Beach and the funding of such. Affixed with the seal of the Association and signed by John Wicking, John Wilson and J. Wall.11 blue pages , stapled with green taped edgeassociation for the blind, john wall, john wicking