Bob (Herman) Hymans (a former member of the Royal Netherlands Navy) was born in Bloemendaal, Holland on 30th September 1922. During World War II he fought against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was imprisoned in Changi and on the Burma Railway. After gaining qualifications as a Ski Instructor, Bob arrived in Falls Creek in July 1950. Working as an Instructor and Supervisor at Bogong Lodge, Bob decided his future was in accommodation. He was successful in negotiating an indenture for land from the State Electricity Commission (SEC). It took Bob two years to build his Grand Coeur Chalet but, tragically, it was burned down in August 1961. Bob also built the first Chairlift in Australia. This was a single chairlift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. He was constantly full of new ideas and proposals for the village. Bob Hymans die on 7th July 2007. This Collection of documents and letters tells the story of Bob's endeavours to develop Falls Creek into the ski village it is today.This item is significant because it documents actions taken by the Falls Creek Tourist Area Management Committee in their role overseeing the Tourist Area.A circular from the Management Committee summarising the 1970 season and plans for future development. This included further plans for slope improvements and medical services in Fall Creek Reference is also made to the need for positive public relations. Developments planned for the ski tows were outlined. Prices for lifts and tows for the 1971 season were included. Information for a clean up and oversnow transport were mentioned. Extension of the Village and internal improvements also necessitated sealing of roads. The predicted cost for this was $200,000. A full list of Committee Members finished off the circular.falls creek tourist area management committee, falls creek administration, bob hymans

The ‘Resumatic’ brand, British made, lightweight device comprises a red pulley with attached length of white rope and harness. Information on the item indicates that it was the property of the Department of Transport, Australia. The Commonwealth Lighthouse Service was associated with the Department of Shipping and Transport in 1951 and the Navigational Aids Branch of the Department of Transport in 1972 so the harness may date to this period. The easily operated descent device was used for automatic, controlled descents from overhead structures, such as towers and other buildings and did not require a power source or tools. The user needed to make sure the unit is secured to an anchor point so that the cable could be dropped to the ground. As soon as it was secured the user could put on the support harness, step off the edge and travel down to safety. The device complements a number of other items of rescue equipment held in the wider Parks Victoria lightstation collection which attest to the dangers inherent in lightstation work and necessity for first aid kits, resuscitators, life buoys, life jackets and other devices such as harnesses and pulleys used for moving people. These include a bosun’s chair and harness with pulley, Royal Flying Doctor first aid cabinet, resuscitator kit and case, first aid kit, lifebuoy and cork fragments x 4 all in the Gabo Island collection; a rescue basket, resuscitation kit and case, and pulleys and ropes at Cape Otway; rescue stretcher made of bamboo at Wilsons Promontory; and a rescue anchor at Cape Schanck. The Cape Nelson rescue harness, although unique in the broader lightstation collection, is a relatively common device that is still manufactured more or less the same in England. It has second level contributory significance for offering insights into the various methods used in rescue operations by Victoria’s lightstations.Length of white rope attached to a harness and a red pully device.yes

This document is has been compiled by Wendy Barrie daughter of Ernest (Bon) and Edna Barrie and granddaughter of Charles E and Jessie M Barrie. I was born in during WW 11 and the first child of my generation to live on the ‘ Darlingsford’ property at Melton. My grandfather was well known in the district and was mostly referred to as Ernie. He shared the same initials as his second son Edgar. His three eldest sons lived and farmed in Melton for their entire lives. His descendants are still associated with farming, engineering and earthmoving in Melton. Ernie Barrie operated a travelling Chaff Cutter in the St Arnaud area where his parents William and Mary Ann had taken up land at Coonooer West in 1873. Ernie commenced his working life with a team of bullocks and a chaff cutter. The earliest connection he had with Melton was in 1887. By the beginning of the 20th century Ernie and his father William and brothers, William, Samuel, James Edwin,[Ted] Robert, Arthur and Albert have been associated with farming and milling in the Melton district. In the early 1900’s Ernie and his brother Ted were in partnership in a Chaff cutting and Hay processing Mill on the corner of Station and Brooklyn road Melton South. The mill was managed by William for a time. By 1906 Charles Ernest and James Edwin were in partnership in the Station Road mill when a connecting rail line across Brooklyn Road for a siding was constructed to the Melton Railway Station. In 1911 the Mill’s letterhead shows C.E. BARRIE Hay Pressing and Chaff Cutting Mills. Melton Railway Station. Telephone No 1 Melton. This Mill as sold to H S K Ward in 1916 and stood until 1977 when it burnt down in a spectacular fire. Ernie built a house at Melton South beside the Chaff Mill at Station Road in 1906 and married Jessie May Lang in August at the Methodist Church. Jessie’s father was Thomas Lang. He came to Melton in 1896 and was the Head Teacher at Melton State School No 430 until he retired in 1917. They had 9 children with 8 surviving to adulthood. Jessie and Ernie had 6 sons and 3 daughters. All the children lived at Darlingsford. In April 1910 the family left Melton for a brief period and moved to a farm in Trundle in NSW. They returned to Melton and purchased Darlingsford in May 1911. For a time during WW1 they lived at Moonee Ponds near the Lang grandparents at Ascot Vale. Mary and Bon attended Bank St State School. The children developed diphtheria in 1916 and their youngest boy, Cecil died of complications. Mary and Bon were taken to Fairfield Hospital and both recovered. At the end of the war influenza broke out the family returned to Darlingsford and shared the home for a short while with the Pearcey family who had been working the farm. By 1922 the family had and grown and Edgar, Tom, Horace, Jessie, Joyce and Jim were living a Darlingsford. Ernie continued during the 1920’s working the farm and attend his many civic and community commitments. Two 8 clydesdale horse teams were used to work the land which meant early rising for the horses to be fed and harnessed to commence the days work. In 1916 Ernie also became involved in a Chaff Mill on the corner of Sunshine and Geelong Road West Footscray, which at the time was being run by John Ralph Schutt. It was known an Schutt Barrie. A flour mill was added at a later stage. Other Schutt and Barrie mills were situated at Parwan and Diggers Rest. Another mill was situated beside the railway line at Rockbank. The Footscray mill ceased operation in 1968 Ernie spent a lot of time and energy at the Parwan Mill and travelling around Parwan and Balliang farms, where he came to know many of the families in the district. Ernies commitment to the civic development to the Melton and district was extensive, he was involved with a number of large events during the 1920’s such as the Melton Exhibitions and the 1929 Back to Melton Celebrations. He was a member of the Australian Natives Association at the turn of the century. He was Chairman of the School Committee at Melton State School 430 and the Melton South State School in thw1920s. He donated the land for a Hall for Melton South in 1909, known as Exford Hall and later in 1919 renamed Victoria Hall. The Hall was demolished in 1992. He was a Councillor, JP, and Vice President and President of the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall Committee in 1915- 1916. He was a member of the Methodist Church and later the Scots Presbyterian Church. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School of the Methodist Church to 1910 and later Scots Presbyterian Church until 1931. This is reflected in the theme of children in the stained glass window which was dedicated in his memory by his wife Jessie as a gift to the Scots Church. Charles Ernest Barrie made many generous donations to many charities who supported young people and children. In 1918 Jessie and Ernie made the first donation to a very prominent Victorian charity whose work still continues. Yooralla. In July 1931 Ernie’s untimely death was a major blow to the family and the Melton community. To this day people still vividly recall the day they lined the streets for his funeral. The day of the funeral is recalled as the day Melton stood as two of their prominent citizens who tragically died on the same day. Their eldest daughter Mary had married Keith Robinson in 1930 and had just moved to Heatherdale Toolern Vale with their year old baby son. Bon the eldest son was 22, Edgar 18, Tom 16, Horace 15, Jessie and Joyce 10 and Jim 8 years old. A heavy burden of responsibility fell on the shoulders of the two eldest children, Mary particularly for her mother and Bon stepped in assuming head of the family for his mother, brothers and sisters living at the Darlingsford homestead. In the early 1930’s the three eldest sons took on many of the Civic and Church commitments which their father had held. This community involvement extended well into the 1980s. In 1941 Bon married Edna Myers and they moved into a house shifted from Harkness Lane to Harkness Lane on the eastern section of the Darlingford property. Edgar married Margaret Hodgkinson a Primary school teacher at Melton in 1949 and they lived in the Darlingsford house. Earlier Tom married May Ferris and lived on the eastern side of Ferris Lane in the Ferris home. Bon , Edgar and Tom often operated as a team effort, in particular at harvest time when a larger team of workers was needed. The three farms cultivated wheat, barley and oats and supplied the Mill with sheafed hay. They continued using horse teams until mechanisation in the 1940’s made the horses redundant. By the 1960s their five sons continued with farming. Many loads of hay were transported to the Mill in Footscray. Well into the 1960s hired harvest hands along with agricultural university students were involved in bringing in he harvest. Stacking was an art form in itself and Tom held the expertise for building and shaping the sides and roof. The stacks built in the district each had their own unique shape and could be recognized by their builders. The Barrie brothers developed a mechanical fork lift for picking up complete stooks and moving them to be loaded to the elevator to build the haystack. The prototype built by Bill Gillespie was attached to a Bedford truck. Later refinements in a collaborative effort with the Gillespie brothers a multi pronged fork was attached to the front of tractor which was hydraulically operated to raise each stook onto trucks to be transported to the site of the haystacks. This method of handling sheaves significantly reduced laborious pitchforking individual sheaves. This invention was soon taken up by farmers far and wide and was a common sight in the district at harvest time in the stacking season. I recall visiting farmers calling in at the house at Ferris Road farm to inspect this break through invention. The Clydesdale horse teams were used into the 1940s but by the 1950s the Barries’ farms were fully mechanised. When the demand for sheafed hay declined other crops were introduced these included barley, lucerne, wheat and peas. Sheep were added to the mix in the 1950s in an attempt to keep the farms more viable. In the 1970s part of the Barrie’s farms were facing a major disruption with the impending compulsorily acquisition of a strip of land for the construction the freeway bypass, which divided access between the Darlingsford homestead with those on Ferris Lane. Charles Ernest Barrie and Jessie May Lang's children: 1. Mary Ena BARRIE was born on 07 October 1907. She died on 29 April 1999. 2. Ernest Wesley BARRIE was born on 29 April 1909 in Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia.He died on 25 December 1985 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. 3. Cecil William BARRIE was born on 23 February 1911.He died on 25 May 1916. 4. Charles Edgar BARRIE was born on 01 June 1913.He died on 06 October 1975. 5. Thomas Lindsay BARRIE was born on 25 November 1914.He died on 14 September 1990 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. 6. William Horace BARRIE was born on 11 October 1915.He died on 19 December 1950. 7. Jessie Maud BARRIE was born on 06 November 1920 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.She died on 26 February 1994. 8. Dorothy Joyce BARRIE was born on 06 November 1920 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.She died on 18 March 2003.. 9. James Edward BARRIE was born on 17 January 1922 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.He died on 23 August 2004Family Photo with Edgar, Tom, Mary, Ernest (Bon), Horace, Jim, Charles Ernest, Jessie and Joycelocal identities

The Bridge Road Bridge built in 1913 by Sir John Monash for the Shire of Melton. It was built to provide railway station access to the new farming areas.Black and white photo of the bridgetransport, council

"Melton has a long and celebrated history of horse breeding and racing. Draught horses were a crucial aspect of life in the early days of European settlement, and were heavily depended upon for both transport and agricultural labour. Peppercorn trees at the corner of Station and Brooklyn roads have been associated with a horse trough installed there to provide a drink to workhorses carting produce to the chaff mills and railway station south of Melton.20 Breeders, trainers and harness drivers in the area later became such an influential force in the equine industry that this came to be a defining aspect of the district’s identity and reputation.Pioneer of the Victorian horse racing industry and early Rockbank squatter William Cross Yuille was one of the earliest importers of stud racehorses in the district in the 1850s. A leading sports editor and writer, Yuille established bloodstock auctioning agency W. C. Yuille & Co. and was involved in the compilation of the first Australian Stud Book, which ensures the integrity of thoroughbred breeding in Australia. According to early Melton chronicler Alexander Cameron, horse races were first organised in the area by Rockbank farmer William Keating. Keating owned racehorses of his own, and many brought horses from Melbourne for the events, which ‘drew large gatherings’.22 Melton Racing Club meetings were held on the Exford Estate with the permission of H. W. Staughton, who built a small wooden grandstand in 1882. Other early races and sports meetings are said to have been held in the vicinity of the current-day Melton golf course.23 An 1884 article reported that Melton’s ‘race programme … equals any put forth by country towns of far greater size’. Ernest Clarke was another important figure in the early horse racing industry in Melton. He established the Melton Stud in 1902, which bred numerous successful racehorses. Perhaps most notably The Welkin, one of the most famous stallions in Australian horse racing in the early twentieth century. The Welkin sired Gloaming, bred by Clarke at the Melton stud in 1915 and one of Australia’s greatest champion racehorses. During a long and prestigious career in both Australia and New Zealand, Gloaming achieved a triumphant 57 wins out of 67 starts and won a record amount of prize money. Ken Cox purchased the Stockwell Stud in Diggers Rest in 1957 and developed it into one of the largest and most renowned thoroughbred breeders in Australia. With its top-class facilities, international design standards and scientific methods, Stockwell became ‘the flagship of the Victorian breeding industry’.26 As well as racing studs, numerous trotting tracks were established on the flat plains around Melton in the 1960s.27 Other studs to play a leading role in the development of Melton as thoroughbred country were Cornwall Park and Merrywood at Toolern Vale, St John’s Lane Stud at Diggers Rest and Birchwood, Teppo Park and Dreelburn in the far north-east of the shire, near Sunbury. By 1985, thoroughbred horse breeding was such big business in Melton that the shire council adopted the slogan ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, which was used throughout its promotional material.29 But the slogan contained deeper meaning and was not just about Melton’s great equine industry and thoroughbred champions, the council explained: ‘“Thoroughbred Country” should be seen as a new concept of Melton, as a place where people can achieve the “Thoroughbred” ideal, excellence in all aspects of life’. The aim of the council in promoting ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, was ‘to instil in present and future residents the feeling that this is a place that is better than others. A place to be proud of’. In 1988, Melton’s champion reinsman Gavin Lang won his 176th race of the season, claiming the national harness racing record for the most wins in a single season.The following year, the first Melton Plate was held at Moonee Valley Racecourse, cementing the district’s importance in the harness racing industry. The inaugural winner was Victorys Phil, owned by local Danny Mullan. By the 1990s, Melton had earned the title of the ‘Home of Harness Racing in Victoria’. State-of-the-art, world-class harness racing facility and entertainment complex Tabcorp Park opened in Melton in 2009. In 2011, the Shire of Melton was home to over 140 registered trainers and over 1,200 horses. The municipality’s continuing leadership and influence in the industry today is a testament to the skills, talents and leadership of the local community over its history".Shire of Melton pamphlet of a map and information of the equine industry in Meltoncouncil

Actual photo of the condition on the Somme in 1917UniqueActual Photo showing the depth of mud on the Somme in 1917See Photo, note the burial cross in the mud behind the wounded digger.

Murray Comrie Collection. Information written by Murray Comrie: A meeting was called at the Golden Age Hotel on 11th June 1868 when it was resolved to build a flour mill. Tenders were called by H.C. Bristol, in the Tarnagulla Courier of January 10, 1874, for the erection of the mill. Building of the Mill commenced in 1874. Pipes were laid to Company's Dam to obtain water for the Mill's boilers. Steam was got up for the first time on 30th March, 1882. A boiler burst about April 29th. Two men (J.H. Smith and W. Hargreaves) died as a result and two others were seriously injured. The mill commenced operations on 13th June 1882 with Mr. W. Fitzgerald as manager. Thomas Comrie was the proprietor and was responsible for the Mill being built. The Mill operated with grinding stones until 1899 when new rollers and a considerable amount of new equipment was installed, including a new, more powerful engine to drive the Mill. In January 1901, 6,000 bags of wheat were received weekly and it was a common sight to see the streets lined with wagons. In 1913, 15,000 bags of wheat were bought at three shillings and four pence per bushell. In January 1914, wheat came in at the rate of 1500 bags a day with 20,000 bags in storage. Thomas Comrie died on 4th August 1910. The Mill was carried on by his executors, then closed for a short period prior to being sold in September 1918 to a Mr. O. Albert of Talbot. Albert operated the Mill for a few years but during the 1920s it was closed down and then pulled down. It was later re-erected at Mildura where it operated for many years. This is a poor copy of an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the late 1960s. Monochrome photograph of the Flour Mill in Tarnagulla, around 1920.tarnagulla, commerce, agriculture, food production, mill, milling, horses, transport, buildings, commercial road, main street

Murray Comrie Collection. Information written by Murray Comrie: A meeting was called at the Golden Age Hotel on 11th June 1868 when it was resolved to build a flour mill. Thomas Comrie was the proprietor and was responsible for the Mill being built. Tenders were called by H.C. Bristol, in the Tarnagulla Courier of January 10, 1874, for the erection of the mill. Building of the Mill commenced in 1874. Pipes were laid to Company's Dam to obtain water for the Mill's boilers. Steam was got up for the first time on 30th March, 1882. A boiler burst about April 29th. Two men (J.H. Smith and W. Hargreaves) died as a result and two others were seriously injured. The mill commenced operations on 13th June 1882 with Mr. W. Fitzgerald as manager. The Mill operated with grinding stones until 1899 when new rollers and a considerable amount of new equipment was installed, including a new, more powerful engine to drive the Mill. In January 1901, 6,000 bags of wheat were received weekly and it was a common sight to see the streets lined with wagons. In 1913, 15,000 bags of wheat were bought at three shillings and four pence per bushell. In January 1914, wheat came in at the rate of 1500 bags a day with 20,000 bags in storage. Thomas Comrie died on 4th August 1910. The Mill was carried on by his executors, then closed for a short period prior to being sold in September 1918 to a Mr. O. Albert of Talbot. Albert operated the Mill for a few years but during the 1920s it was closed down and then pulled down. It was later re-erected at Mildura where it operated for many years. The far left section of the complex was originally John Pierce's Southern Cross General Store, a wholesale grocer and spirit merchant. It was put up for sale after Pierce's death in 1871, and later incorporated into the Mill complex. This is a poor copy of an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1960s. Monochrome photograph of men, horses and a wagon outside the Flour Mill complex formerly situated on the south east corner of King Street and Commercial Road in Tarnagulla. At far left the Methodist church is partially visible in the background. At far right is part of the Mill's storage shed. Same image as THA-2019.0211Written on reverse: 'M. Comrie'tarnagulla, commerce, agriculture, food production, mill, milling, horses, transport, buildings, commercial road, main street

Murray Comrie Collection. John Pierce's Southern Cross General Store, a wholesale grocer and spirit merchant was put up for sale after Pierce's death in 1871. It was later incorporated into the Flour Mill complex. De Gruchy & Leigh was a publishing and printing firm operating in Melbourne and regional Victoria from the late 1850s until the mid 1860s. The company published almanacs and guidebooks as well as prints (portraits, views and genre scenes), maps and architectural plans (Source: National Portrait Gallery, Canberra). This is a copy created from another item in the collection - a printed piece of paper which was either a packing label or receipt form used at the company or a brand label for bottles, perhaps for wine made by the proprietor. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1970s. Monochrome photographic copy of a lithograph. Depicts a building with glass front windows and signage stating 'J. Pierce Wine & Spirit Merchant' and 'Southern Cross General Store, Wholesale and Retail Depot'. In front of building on road are two horses hitched to carts and men standing on cart and in front of store. This store was located on the south-eastern corner of Commercial Road and King Street. The building was later incorporated into the flour mill complex.tarnagulla, commerce, shops, stores, shopping, food, alcohol, horses, transport, buildings, commercial road, main street, john pierce, southern cross general store

Murray Comrie Collection. Information written by Murray Comrie: A meeting was called at the Golden Age Hotel on 11th June 1868 when it was resolved to build a flour mill. Tenders were called by H.C. Bristol, in the Tarnagulla Courier of January 10, 1874, for the erection of the mill. Building of the Mill commenced in 1874. Pipes were laid to Company's Dam to obtain water for the Mill's boilers. Steam was got up for the first time on 30th March, 1882. A boiler burst about April 29th. Two men (J.H. Smith and W. Hargreaves) died as a result and two others were seriously injured. The mill commenced operations on 13th June 1882 with Mr. W. Fitzgerald as manager. Thomas Comrie was the proprietor and was responsible for the Mill being built. The Mill operated with grinding stones until 1899 when new rollers and a considerable amount of new equipment was installed, including a new, more powerful engine to drive the Mill. In January 1901, 6,000 bags of wheat were received weekly and it was a common sight to see the streets lined with wagons. In 1913, 15,000 bags of wheat were bought at three shillings and four pence per bushell. In January 1914, wheat came in at the rate of 1500 bags a day with 20,000 bags in storage. Thomas Comrie died on 4th August 1910. The Mill was carried on by his executors, then closed for a short period prior to being sold in September 1918 to a Mr. O. Albert of Talbot. Albert operated the Mill for a few years but during the 1920s it was closed down and then pulled down. It was later re-erected at Mildura where it operated for many years. This is a poor copy of an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the late 1960s. Monochrome photograph of the Flour Mill in Tarnagulla, around 1920. Cropped version of 2019.0047.tarnagulla, commerce, agriculture, food production, mill, milling, horses, transport, buildings, commercial road, main street

Murray Comrie Collection. Information written by Murray Comrie: A meeting was called at the Golden Age Hotel on 11th June 1868 when it was resolved to build a flour mill. Thomas Comrie was the proprietor and was responsible for the Mill being built. Tenders were called by H.C. Bristol, in the Tarnagulla Courier of January 10, 1874, for the erection of the mill. Building of the Mill commenced in 1874. Pipes were laid to Company's Dam to obtain water for the Mill's boilers. Steam was got up for the first time on 30th March, 1882. A boiler burst about April 29th. Two men (J.H. Smith and W. Hargreaves) died as a result and two others were seriously injured. The mill commenced operations on 13th June 1882 with Mr. W. Fitzgerald as manager. The Mill operated with grinding stones until 1899 when new rollers and a considerable amount of new equipment was installed, including a new, more powerful engine to drive the Mill. In January 1901, 6,000 bags of wheat were received weekly and it was a common sight to see the streets lined with wagons. In 1913, 15,000 bags of wheat were bought at three shillings and four pence per bushell. In January 1914, wheat came in at the rate of 1500 bags a day with 20,000 bags in storage. Thomas Comrie died on 4th August 1910. The Mill was carried on by his executors, then closed for a short period prior to being sold in September 1918 to a Mr. O. Albert of Talbot. Albert operated the Mill for a few years but during the 1920s it was closed down and then pulled down. It was later re-erected at Mildura where it operated for many years. The far left section of the complex was originally John Pierce's Southern Cross General Store, a wholesale grocer and spirit merchant. It was put up for sale after Pierce's death in 1871, and later incorporated into the Mill complex. This is a reasonable copy of an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1960s. Monochrome photograph of men, horses and a wagon outside the Flour Mill complex formerly situated on the south east corner of King Street and Commercial Road in Tarnagulla. At far left the Methodist church is partially visible in the background. At far right is part of the Mill's storage shed. Same image as THA-2019.0048Written on reverse: 'M. Comrie'tarnagulla, commerce, agriculture, food production, mill, milling, horses, transport, buildings, commercial road, main street

Beryl Knox speaking about early life in Melton. Page 1 1949 – 64 years ago. We began our married life at Melton Sth. The house on the corner of the Exford Rd and Staughton St-- dusty gravel roads, box thorns and noxious weeds everywhere and a sprinkling of houses and vacant land. It was a friendly community consisting of old family names. McDonalds, Blacks, Dodemaide, Cahill, Coopers, Minns, Tinklers, Nesbitts, Cochranes, Wickhams, Exells. Mavis Butler. The home owned by Mr. Robinson and Miss Robinson had been shifted in two parts transported from Diggers Rest and it is still standing 2013. Bruce’s father purchased the house and two adjoining blocks, the Conways built on one and the Rawlinson family on the other block. Eileen still resides there, she was only a baby in a pram and the family had not long arrived from England. The railway line was close to the house and the contents would rattle when heavy steams trains went through, and on a clear frosty night the 1am paper train would echo roar through very loudly when labouring towards the Exford Bridge. Then the two carriage motor train was introduced, this was great for the workers and schoolies who travelled to Melbourne. The train pulled up at the crossing or riding to pick up or drop off. Melva Gillespie (nee Hirt) Bill Cahill delivered the milk by the billy and then in bottles. Len Kennedy (Paul Kennedy’s father, Norma Murrays son) delivered Jongebloeds bread, he always had a sweep going for the Melbourne Cup and raffles for the footy club. Mr. Woodgate owned an old bus and pick up point was the Post Office when there was a Saturday film on a Melton. There were no doctors or dentists in the district. If we need a Doctor we had to travel to Bacchus Marsh or discuss problems over the phone. In later years a Bacchus Marsh Doctor rented the Bluestone building in McKenzie St a couple of days a week. If we needed the Dentist we had to travel to West Footscray or Footscray. We did our banking at “State Savings” then the Miss Minns had the agency and then Bardsleys Store. We travelled to Bacchus Marsh to the National and Commercial banks. Station Rd to Western Highway, now (High Street) was a narrow stretch of bitumen and gravel farmland either side and a couple of farm houses and large gum trees on the properties. Page 2 North of the Railway line Mrs Bessie Jones, mother of Chas and Betty Jones managed the Post Office, next door to her Chas and Betty had the Shell Centre, and later moved the business to Melton. Hughie Nesbitt and mother owned the grocery and hardware store, and I bought my first set of saucepans there. On the opposite side of Station road Mr Coombe owned the fruit shop, and also provided soft drinks and lollies for children. The Chaff Mill was on the corner of Station Rd and Brooklyn Rd. Mr Lumsden was manager and later years Bernie Trethowan and Jack Butler were partners. It finally burnt down and is a Service Station now. Along Brooklyn Rd there were a few houses and Victoria Hall, not a very big hall, but catered for lots of functions, Balls, Fancy Dress, Bazaars, Square Dancing and meetings. The Bacchus Marsh Baptists held Sunday School in the hall. A group of shops were built south of the railway line Molly and Len Skinner managed the Post Office and handled a few essential groceries. Tom McDonald and Ron Lunsberg were the butchers. Mary and Syd Cooper lived next door to us and often in turn would run out of something when we had a baking spree we would borrow or exchange, sugar flour etc over the fence. Mavis and Jack Butler lived there before the Coopers. Bernie and Iris Trethowan lived two doors up. Neighbours were invited into their home to view the first black and white television in Melton Sth. Bill Exell was one of the first Melton Sth farmers to sell his land to developers, the land was idle for years before housing developed. I joined the Melton Valley Golf Club in 1960. The Gun Club as our Club House, an old tin shed consisting a water tank, trestle table and forms and dirt floor. It was a 9 hole course with sand scraps and landscape putting before greens. The Common or parkland was part of the Golf Course. It was open for every ones recreation. Roy Norton an old identity trained his trotters on the Common and wouldn’t clear the track for the golfers. The golfers had to avoid him to continue to play. We had to keep clear when the young youths came in their paddock cars and motorbikes. Over the years the Toolern Creek flooded its banks, water and debri covered the course on one year our first Club house was flooded out. It took several working bees to clean it up. We lived at Melton Sth for 15 years and moved to Melton on the farm “Croxton Park.” The Nixon family farm “Mowbray” adjoined the farm. Bruce worked the land cropping the farm when Mrs Nixon died. Page 3 (page 4 on the handwritten script) Bruce had the first offer to buy, in those days it wasn’t easy to get good bank loans. Part of the land is the Golf Course now and Mr O’Shea purchased the bulk. Moving to Melton was totally different – I became involved with Committees, Scouts, Guides, Mothers Clubs, CWA, Church Op shop (8 years). Melton Amateurs players produced and tutored by Mabel Rogers exerts from Pyjama Game, South Pacific, Carousel - later years a group of ladies did gentle water exercise at Essendon and Station Road swimming pool. I was 20 or so years in Probus. The local followed the football, there was always a Gymkhana on the long weekend in June. The tennis always created a lot of interest during the finals. It didn’t matter which team played the supporters were treated to a cup of tea and leftovers from their afternoon tea. In 1978 were the first residents to move into the Jennings Estate Kurunjang and lived there 31 years and retired 4 years ago into Unit. The amazing changes I have experienced. Merrimu supplied our water, after depending on tanks. The landscape changed completely when developers came in, no more dusty plains \ typed web Sept 2013 McFarlane, Mrs Knox and Beryl Gillespie at the First Hundred Years Celebration of Melton State School 430. The event was held at Mechanics Hall, Melton.local identities, local significant events, education

Arthur Henry Schutt. Born 18th July 1912 at Spotswood He was the third child of John Ralph and Mary Jane Schutt. His grandfather was the first librarian of the Victorian Law Courts and his uncle, William Schutt, was a lawyer who later became the Chief Justice Sir William Schutt. His mother was born a Clutha House, stony Creek Yarraville, a was one of ten children. John Schutt opened a chaff mill at the corner of Williamstown and Geelong Roads at West Footscray. The mill was placed on in an old quarry below the ground which saved much of the backbreaking labour of heaving sheaves of hay up into the machinery, the below ground location enable the hay to be fed directly into the railway trucks into the cutters. An elevator then carried the chaff up from the ground directly into the waiting transport, at a great saving in manpower. The chaff mill became on of the largest in Victoria employing more than forty men, and later moved into flour milling.Schutt and Barrie Flour Mills, Melton South site. Opposite this Mill was a Public Weighbridge. A rail siding crossed Brooklyn road to serve chaff mill. The rail line crossed west of the Methodist Churchlocal identities, agriculture

The Melton South Railway Station, Brooklyn Road Originally built in the town of Leeor in 1898, the station building was relocated to Melton South in 1898. Black and white image of Melton Train Stationtransport, local architecture

Doncaster and Templestowe News 4 June 1985 with Lou Hill, Bob Ives and Betty Cole

Used by Ron Robins for delivery of eggs (30 dozen per box) to the agents for the Victorian Egg Marketing Board, in this case Soding Bros , succeeded by Sympag and Crystal Ice Works, initially to premises at 64 Mostyn St, Castlemaine (now Saffs Cafe) later to premises at south-west corner of Calder Hwy and Lockwood Road, Kangaroo Flat (now Aldi supermarket).Made obsolete by use of trolleys holding 360 dozen eggs, handled into refrigerated transport by a hydraulic tailgate loader. Original label specifies that the eggs are ; infertile; unwashed; not damp cleaned; of specified yolk colour; held at 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit and delivered within 96 hours of lay.Significance During the 1950s and 1960s many folk in Harcourt conducted poultry farms of varying sizes, utilising boxes of this type. Harcourt thus became a major producer in the Victorian egg industry. Smaller-scale operations were wiped out when the producers were expected to hold eggs in a coolroom.Illustrates one aspect of the multi-faceted streams of income open to local landowners who conducted an orchard, bred pigs, raised fowls for egg production and kept a few cows for cream production. Wooden box with detachable wooden lid, two internal compartments and a galvanised holder for a card on which the producer has signed a declaration as the condition and handling of the contents.Property of Soding Bros, Melbourne

Bonegilla operated as an army base from September 1940 and by 1943 was expanded to 848 buildings, including a general hospital. It provided training for small arms instructors, signallers, transport workers, bomb disposal and gas warfare personnel. In a response to the need to house the growing number of displaced persons coming to Australia, the Bonegilla Reception and Training Centre began operating in 1947. For some time it was a shared facility but the Army withdrew temporarily from Bonegilla in 1949, whilst still retaining ownership of the site. From 1949-65 Bonegilla Reception and Training Centre operated without a military presence. However, in the late 1960s and Australia’s commitments to the Vietnam War and pressed by the need to find accommodation to train men, especially National Servicemen, the Army negotiated with the Department of Immigration to take over several blocks at Bonegilla in 1965. Thirty-five huts were acquired by the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps as a Recruit Training Centre in which National Servicemen and recruits could attend 10-week ordnance courses. Shortly afterwards additional huts were acquired by the School of Military Survey, which established field-survey practical training areas and special astronomical observation sites as it began conducting courses in surveying. Instructors and trainees co-located at Bonegilla with migrant reception centre. In 1971 the Reception Centre closed and the site reverted to the Army. Progressively after 1971 the Army undertook a major site redevelopment with the construction of Latchford Barracks as the Army Apprentice School. Later Latchford Barracks was redeveloped into part of the Army Logistic Training Centre. Block 19 of the Mirant Reception Centre later became the Bonegilla Migrant Experience Heritage Park.This item depicts a heritage listed historical site located in the Wodonga district.A large poster size representation of the variety of buildings at Bonegilla, Victoria when it served as the location for the Royal Australian School of Military Survey. The insignia of the Royal Australian Survey Corps is featured in the top left hand corner.Top left corner: Insignia of the Royal Australian Survey Corps At bottom of sketches: "The School of Military Survey, Bonegilla Victoria / January 1966 - December 1982migrant reception centre bonegilla, army at bonegilla, australian military

A blue covered document published on white paper outlining changes to rates on Victorian Railwaysnon-fictionThis is a manual issued by the Victorian Railways to all railway stations to outline changes made to passenger and freight rates to operate in Victoria as of 14th February 1966. These changes were significant as it itemised the first rates after the introduction of decimal currency to Australia.victorian railways, victorian railways -- rules and practice., public transport victoria, victorian railways fares and rates

A booklet with a red cover and black print. There are extensive instructions on the cover which include distribution details and dates on which these instructions came into effect,fictionThe Public Transport Corporation (PTC) was a Victoria State Government owned statutory authority formed under the Transport Act 1983 which operated passenger and freight trains, trams and bus services. It was established on 1 July 1989. This memo was effective as from Sunday 16th May, 1993 and pertained to rules instructions and operating procedures regarding air brake equipment and train examination requirements. As noted on the cover: "Part One - Supersedes Automatic air brake rules, pages 479-495 of Book of rules and regulations. -- Part Two - Supersedes Air brake orders, pages 189-198 of General appendix." The cover bears the signatures of M. Digging, Safeworking Superintendent and G. De Bont, Group Manager, Freight Fleet Maintenance.locomotive manuals, victorian railways, public transport corporation victoria, victorian railways -- rules and practice.

2 small publications outlining changes to existing regulations. Both bear the logo of the Victorian Public Transport Corporation and are printed in black ink.fiction These booklets outline changes to regulations governing rules and operational procedures of Victorian Railways. The white booklet outlines Supplementary Rules and regulations Amendments for the operation of locomotive hauled driver only passenger trains in 1992. The pink booklet is a guide to the 1994 book of rules and operating procedures. It included major changes with respect to existing safe working policy so was a critical document issued to all staff to be read in conjunction with the full book of rules. vline safety, vline training, railways victoria, public transport corporation victoria

A publication of 34 pages produced by Environment Victoria Inc. It has brown cover featuring an image of a locomotive superimposed over an outline map of Victoria. It consists of 36 pages including appendices, references, a map of an Environment Victoria Enhanced Victorian Passenger Rail Network and a map of the Victoria's Regional and Rural Bus service.fiction This document is a response by Environment Victoria to the Fast Train Report. It advocates the establishment of an integrated transport approach in Victoria including the need for a Rural and Regional Planning Strategy to be developed in conjunction with the Metropolitan Strategyrailways environmental impact, victorian railways, environment victoria

The first bicycles arrived in Australia in the 1860s. They gradually gained in popularity and by the 1890s they offered a cheap and relatively comfortable mode of transport. Far being just a means of leisure, long distance cycle travelling became a fact of life in rural areas for people such as sheep shearers and other agricultural labourers with migratory work. The bicycle and swag travelled much of Australia on dusty dirt tracks, long before the automobile was introduced. Today the bicycle continues to be an important item for general, cheap transport, sport and leisure. Tool kits such as those shown in the item, were and important piece of equipment for bicycle enthusiasts, particularly on a longer ride where assistance may not be close by if the rider experienced a punctured tyre. John Bull Rubber Co. Ltd. was a British tyre manufacturer based in Leicester. It was established in 1906 and was originally named Leicester Rubber Company. In 1915, a new factory was built in Evington Valley Road as indicated on the repair outfit tin in this kit. It was renamed John Bull Rubber in 1934 after its popular product of the same name. In 1958, the company was acquired by Dunlop Rubber. A leather bag containing tools and 2 tins containing rubber patches to repair bicycle tyres. The bag has 2 straps and metal buckles to attach it to the back of the bicycle seat.On tin 1: "The John Bull / Repair Outfit/ John Bull Rubber Co. Ltd./ Evington Valley Mills, Leicester" On tin 2: "ZENITH Repair Outfit / For Cycle and Rubber Repairs/ Self Vulcanizing" On tin 3: Around the DUNLOP logo "Six Self Lighting/ Patch Heat Units / For Cycle Tube/ Vulcaniser"bicycle history, bicycle repairs, john bull rubber, cycling leisure

This item is from a collection donated by Les Cole of Wodonga, who among several occupations in his life time, drove buses around the Wodonga and district for the Mylon bus company. In March 1952, Transport Parks Pty Ltd. purchased 20 acres of land from the Kelly Estate on the outskirts of Wodonga. The land sold at the record urban price for Wodonga of £300 an acre. They had plans to establish a transport park advertised as the first of its kind in Australia at a cost of £50,000. The park was to have accommodation for up to 1000 transports, caravans and cars, as well as all amenities ranging from showers to a cafeteria. It was to be known as "Twenty Acre Service Station” When the park first came into operation it was to have accommodation for up to 200 transports. Wodonga had been chosen for the site of the company's first park because it was a ''half-way house" between Sydney and Melbourne, and because transports had to stop there to obtain permits to proceed on crossing the border. The service station section of the Transport Park began operation in June 1954, with other facilities following. The business operated profitably until at least 1971 as the Transport Park, but perhaps never reached its aims of providing for 1,000 transports at any given time. The Vacuum Oil Company was the first oil company established in Australia. In 1916, Vacuum introduced its "Plume" brand to the Australian market. Vacuum replaced the famous Plume brand name with Mobilgas in 1954.A collection of 3 different match books representing a variety of businesses.match book collection, matches

For residents of Northeast Victoria, railway services have provided a critical link between the area and state capital cities. CountryLink was established in January 1989 under the Transport Administration Act 1988. It was a passenger rail and road service brand that operated in regional areas of New South Wales, and to and from Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne. CountryLink operated rail services a fleet of XPT and locomotive-hauled passenger trains. The Southern region of the Country Link network covered New South Wales districts of Illawarra, South Coast, Snowy Mountains, South West Slopes, Southern Tablelands, Riverina and Sunraysia regions plus the Australian Capital Territory and parts of Victoria. The Government of Victoria contributed to the provision of these services. Services ran along the Main South line from Sydney Central station to Albury before continuing on the North East line to Southern Cross station in Melbourne. The Sydney/Melbourne Express ceased in November 1993 and was replaced by an XPT in November 1993 In December 1994, a daylight service to Melbourne resumed by extending the Riverina XPT from Albury. In July 2013, CountryLink was merged with the intercity services of CityRail to form NSW TrainLink.These items are connected to a major transportation system in eastern Australia.A collection of uniform items and memorabilia from the CountryLink rail service. They include a tie and tiepin, staff badge and lanyard, cups and a bag with CountryLink logo.Tag on tie: Stylecore Corporate Wear Australia/ Polyester/ Made in England On all items: CountryLinkcountrylink, australian railways, countrylink uniforms

North east Victoria was a major dairy producing region in the late nineteenth century. The first iteration of the Wodonga Butter Factory Ltd was established in 1892. Dairy was sent from farmers across the district for processing at the factory in Wodonga in the 1890s. Victorian creameries regularly exported frozen butter to London, stock was transported by rail for sale in Melbourne, and of course sold and consumed locally. E.W. Mann, of the prominent local Wodonga family, was a shareholder and was closely involved in the establishment of the Wodonga Butter Company. Many families living on farms also owned their own cow, and had equipment to process their own dairy products at home. This item has strong links to the history of Wodonga and north east Victoria. It has interpretative potential in the areas of local agricultural history, and the social history of food and farming.A wooden butter churn with metal turning handle, and two butter paddles and removal lid.butter, butter churn, dairy, cream, milk, cow, agriculture, farms, farmers, farm, food, social history, food history

This cushion cover was owned by Arthur Lock, a soldier in the 2/23rd Battalion. After initial training in Albury, N.S.W. and Bonegilla, Victoria, they left for overseas service. Embarking in November 1940 on the transport Strathmore at Port Melbourne, the 2/23rd arrived in Egypt in mid-December. From Egypt they were deployed to Tobruk.This item is part of a collection of items owned by Athur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A cushion cover embroidered with the insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces 1941world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk, egypt

This cushion cover was owned by Arthur Lock, a soldier in the 2/23rd Battalion. After initial training in Albury, N.S.W. and Bonegilla, Victoria, they left for overseas service. Embarking in November 1940 on the transport Strathmore at Port Melbourne, the 2/23rd arrived in Egypt in mid-December. From Egypt they were deployed to Tobruk. The battalion helped defend Tobruk for eight months, manning a series of concrete pillboxes located in a semicircle around the town, called the Red Line. In October the majority of the 9th Division, except the 2/13th Infantry Battalion, was evacuated by sea. The 2/23rd left on 18 October and sailed to Alexandria. The division was transferred to Palestine and then Syria for rest and garrison duties.This item is part of a collection of items owned by Athur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A cushion cover embroidered with the insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces 1941. Top 'Souvenir of Palestine" Centre Insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces, Bottom "1941"world war 11, rats of tobruk, palestine