Cottage once stood in the Mafeking area and was owned in the 1920s/1930s by a prospector and timber worker, name unknown.Wooden slab cottage with corrugated iron roof in apparent good condition. Small front yard enclosed in picket fence, bracken in forefront and eocalypt trees at rear.buildings, houses

Wooden shield shaped plaque with badge of University of NSW Regiment affixed. Scroll affixed under badge showing name of Regiment plaque, university of nsw, plaque, university of nsw

Wooden shield shaped plaque with badge of Fife and Forfar Yeomanry affixed with brass brads. Hand painted scroll under badge showing unit nameOn back: To 4th/19th POW Light Horse 1984 Dick Turnerplaque, fife & forfar yeomanry, plaque, fife & forfar yeomanry

Christoher Watson's Eltham Hotel, cnr Maria Street (Main Road) and Pitt Street, Eltham. Christopher Watson in centre (bareheaded). Reproduced on p60 of 'Pioneers & Painters' The hotel was constructed in the 1850s immediately following the discovery of gold in Victoria. The original founder, a Mr Warren. engaged a builder named Wallace, to erect the hotel, and being unable to finance it, the story goes, handed it over to Mr Wallace, who finished the job, and received the first licence. The building was constructed of hard basaltic blue stone, quarried in the Eltham district, and partly of bricks made at Eltham. At that time the town owned not only an hotel, but a flour mill, a brewery, a brickworks, and other important industries. The hotel was carried on for the benefit of the first owners for over 30 years and was then purchased by Mr Chris Watson. The hotel was in the early days a well-known resting place for the gold diggers during the gold rush at Woods' Point. A new hotel was erected on the same site by Mr H. Watson in 1925.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagechristopher watson, eltham, hotel, main road, maria street, pioneers and painters, pitt street, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, watson's hotel

Shilinglaw Cottage in its original location on Main Road Eltham with the “Shillllinglaw trees”. This image was taken shortly before its relocation. Believed to be have been taken by John Collins, 17 Oct 1963 as per other images held by the State Library of Victoria Author / Creator: John T Collins 1907-2001 , photographer. J.T. Collins Collection, La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria. Shillinglaw Cottage is significant to Eltham’s local history. It is one of the earliest known buildings still in existence. Records suggest that the cottage was built circa 1859 by a man named Cochrane, believed to be Thomas Cochrane, in conjunction with George Stebbings though it is not known what Stebbings’s contribution was. It is made from hand made bricks laid in a Flemish bond pattern. In the 1960s it was marked for demolition to make way for the construction of new council buildings but a community campaign saved the cottage and it was re-located. It is believed Stebbings owned the cottage between 1874 and 1888. According to Margaret Ball’s (2017) book Shillinglaw Family of Eltham 1660-2007, Thomas Cochrane and family lived there from 1867 to 1874 however this is contrary to the records of assessable rates levied by the Eltham District Road Board, established in 1858, which shows Cochrane was the owner occupier (in Little Eltham) of approximately 25 acres of cultivated land and 25 acres of pastureland upon which a hut was sited in 1860. It is suspected that George Stebbings may have acquired the property from Cochrane in 1874 as it is noted that he had a tenant for a period, James Rossiter, who was the editor for the Evelyn Observer in Kangaroo Ground in 1874 (LATE SHIRE OFFICE AT KANGAROO GROUND (1934, February 16). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 5. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56743657). In 1881 Phillip Shillinglaw became the ratepayer for the cottage though Stebbings retained ownership until 1888 at which time it was transferred to Shillinglaw. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, shillinglaw cottage, shillinglaw trees, significant tree

Shilinglaw Cottage in its original location on Main Road Eltham with the three Mediterranean Cypress trees (“Shillllinglaw trees”) in the garden. Note a fourth pine to the right. This image was taken shortly before its relocation. Believed to be have been taken by John Collins, 17 Oct 1963 as per other images held by the State Library of Victoria Author / Creator: John T Collins 1907-2001 , photographer. J.T. Collins Collection, La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria. Shillinglaw Cottage is significant to Eltham’s local history. It is one of the earliest known buildings still in existence. Records suggest that the cottage was built circa 1859 by a man named Cochrane, believed to be Thomas Cochrane, in conjunction with George Stebbings though it is not known what Stebbings’s contribution was. It is made from hand made bricks laid in a Flemish bond pattern. In the 1960s it was marked for demolition to make way for the construction of new council buildings but a community campaign saved the cottage and it was re-located. It is believed Stebbings owned the cottage between 1874 and 1888. According to Margaret Ball’s (2017) book Shillinglaw Family of Eltham 1660-2007, Thomas Cochrane and family lived there from 1867 to 1874 however this is contrary to the records of assessable rates levied by the Eltham District Road Board, established in 1858, which shows Cochrane was the owner occupier (in Little Eltham) of approximately 25 acres of cultivated land and 25 acres of pastureland upon which a hut was sited in 1860. It is suspected that George Stebbings may have acquired the property from Cochrane in 1874 as it is noted that he had a tenant for a period, James Rossiter, who was the editor for the Evelyn Observer in Kangaroo Ground in 1874 (LATE SHIRE OFFICE AT KANGAROO GROUND (1934, February 16). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 5. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56743657). In 1881 Phillip Shillinglaw became the ratepayer for the cottage though Stebbings retained ownership until 1888 at which time it was transferred to Shillinglaw.Shillinglaw Cottage is itself historically, aesthetically and socially significant to the Shire of Nillumbik and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Database. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, shillinglaw cottage, significant tree

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Black and white photocopy of probably colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Claire Fitzpatrick (red jacket) and Gillian Barclay (white jacket). Black and white photocopy of probably colour photographeltham living and learning centre, 1989, claire fitzpatrick, goat shed, gillian barclay

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Cr Graham plus Gillian Barclay (Co-ordinator), Liliana Unsworth (Engineering Design Draftsperson) and Bill Oakley (Corporate Development Officer). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, goat shed, gillian barclay, peter graham, liliana unsworth, bill oakley

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Cr Graham plus Gillian Barclay (Co-ordinator), Liliana Unsworth (Engineering Design Draftsperson) and Bill Oakley (Corporate Development Officer). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, goat shed, gillian barclay, peter graham, liliana unsworth, bill oakley

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Cr Graham plus Gillian Barclay (Co-ordinator), Liliana Unsworth (Engineering Design Draftsperson) and Bill Oakley (Corporate Development Officer). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, goat shed, steve, alan

Background to the two openings of the "Goat Shed": Following a need to clean up some of the old L&L Centre buildings, in 1989 Council decided to enclose the remaining goat shed in a steel truss frame for use as a store room. Claire Fitzpatrick, who had run animal husbandry and goat classes on the site from the 1975 opening of the L&L Centre, was invited by the Committee to officiate at the naming of the new building on 3/12/1989. Following a fire of the stables/workshops on 8/5/1990 (which had to be cleared off the site) Council/Committee decided to use the $15000 insurance money to upgrade/refurbish the 1989 building to replace classrooms lost in the "stables fire". This refurbished Goat Shed was officially opened on 30/5/1991 by Cr. Peter Graham, Shire President. (Gleaned from Committee file, 1987-1992.) Photos show Cr Graham plus Gillian Barclay (Co-ordinator), Liliana Unsworth (Engineering Design Draftsperson) and Bill Oakley (Corporate Development Officer). Colour photographeltham living and learning centre, goat shed, alan

Top Row, from left - Horst Woitassek, Barry Woodhouse, Danny Hick, Trevor Sorenson, Charles Harris, Marie Daye, Peter Sturtevant, Ian Leach, Dorothy Heywood, Gary York. Bottom Row, from left - Sue Hanna, Lyn Warburton, Stephen Gorst, Frank Tyler, Brian Wright, Bill Barber, Dave Lovatt, Helen Hickey, Carol Woodhams. (Staff not present - Lyn Glassford, Margaret Hosking, Sue Renehan, John Duffy, Deanne Brown, Dr. Hewitt, Alex Best).Two colour photographs, laminated, one with typed list of names 2 copies 22.5 x 27 cm laminated (12.5 x 20 cm photo)Originally contained in an envelope with handwritten note on enveloe to Allan Baker dated 14 Dec 1987 "Enclosed for your use are staff photos of all departments. I've given each Champion of Committees copies for all their respective Councillor photos of Depts reporting to each committee. Outdoor staff photos will be taken next week and I'll make those available as soon as possible. Cheers (Undecipherable)"shire of eltham, council staff

Top Row, from left - Ian Leach, Dave Lovatt, Peter Sturtevant, Sue Hanna, Charles Harris, Trevor Sorenson, Alex Best. Bottom Row, from left - Danny Hick, Deanne Brown, Frank Tyler, Bill Barber, Marie Daye, Stephen Gorst.Three colour photographs, laminated, with typed list of names 3 copies; 22.5 x 27 cm laminated (12.5 x 20 cm photo)Originally contained in an envelope with handwritten note on enveloe to Allan Baker dated 14 Dec 1987 "Enclosed for your use are staff photos of all departments. I've given each Champion of Committees copies for all their respective Councillor photos of Depts reporting to each committee. Outdoor staff photos will be taken next week and I'll make those available as soon as possible. Cheers (Undecipherable)"shire of eltham, council staff

Contents: • Next meeting, guest speaker; Ross Young: Yarra Valley Metropolitan Park • May Meeting • Dunmoochin Trip • Annual general Meeting • Subscriptions • Neil Blair • Shire Heritage Study • Planning Controls – Historic Buildings and Significant Trees • Other Society News The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

Contents: • Remembering The Shire Of Eltham – 20 Years On by Russell Yeoman • November Meeting • November Excursions • Madam Pietzcker by Jim Allen • Nillumbik Tales – Voices of our Elders • Local History Centre, 728 Main Road, Eltham • At the Movies by Maureen Jones • Kangaroo Ground Tower of Remembrance by Amy Shaw • Can you identify this Building? • Nillumbik ANZAC Book Project • Our Christmas Function The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

Contents: • The Eltham Racing Club • July Meeting • July Excursion - Montmorency - the farm on the Plenty • Building and Completion of Saint Margaret's Church 1860-2014 by Geoff Sandy • Miss Bessie Wingrove - that Queer Creature Called a Land Lover by Maureen Jones • Eltham Avenue of Honour - Launch of New Markers by Jim Connor • Membership Subscriptions • ....and also • Contacts for the Eltham District Historical Society The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

Contents: • Every building has a history by Jim Connor • February Meeting - Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photo Collection • Heritage Excursion - Saturday 5th March - Eltham Cemetery • The Australian Blue Book by Jim Connor • Old Postcards of Eltham by Michael Aitken • Rob Roy by Jim Allen • Cranky Jimmy's Ghost • 2016 Program • Contacts for the Eltham District Historical Society The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

Christoher Watson's Eltham Hotel, cnr Maria Street (Main Road) and Pitt Street, Eltham. Christopher Watson in centre (bareheaded). Reproduced on p60 of 'Pioneers & Painters' The hotel was constructed in the 1850s immediately following the discovery of gold in Victoria. The original founder, a Mr Warren. engaged a builder named Wallace, to erect the hotel, and being unable to finance it, the story goes, handed it over to Mr Wallace, who finished the job, and received the first licence. The building was constructed of hard basaltic blue stone, quarried in the Eltham district, and partly of bricks made at Eltham. At that time the town owned not only an hotel, but a flour mill, a brewery, a brickworks, and other important industries. The hotel was carried on for the benefit of the first owners for over 30 years and was then purchased by Mr Chris Watson. The hotel was in the early days a well-known resting place for the gold diggers during the gold rush at Woods' Point. A new hotel was erected on the same site by Mr H. Watson in 1925.Early photo of Eltham Hotel which has been on site in various forms since mid 1800sSepia photograph mounted on cardInscribed on back: "Property of Mr Albert Watson, 53 Yarra St, Heidelberg. Christopher Watson (bare headed) Given to Marion Huggett December 1977 c.1900 son of Watson Snr behind cart"christopher watson, eltham, eltham hotel, main road, maria street, pioneers and painters, pitt street, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, watson's hotel