A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence

Launch of "Pioneers and Painters: One Hundred years of Eltham and its Shire" by Alan Marshall. The history was commissioned by the Shire of Eltham and published as part of the Shire of Eltham centenary celebrations. Left to Right: Cr. (Mrs.) Charis M. Pelling, Mrs Dreverman, Cr. G. C. Dreverman, Mrs Nina Christesen, Mr Clem Christesen, Editor of the literary journal "Meanjin". "Russian-born Nina Christesen (nee Maximoff) is regarded as the pioneer of Russian academic studies in Australia. In 1946 she became a lecturer in Russian at Melbourne University, and in 1947 established the Department of Russian Language and Literature, remaining its head until her retirement in 1977. In 1987 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia. Nina was married to Clem Christesen, founder and editor of the respected (if left-leaning) literary magazine "Meanjin". They lived at "Stanhope" in Peter Street, Eltham. Visitors included writers Patrick White and Xavier Herbert, painters Arthur Boyd and Clifton Pugh, and historians Manning Clark and Geoffrey Blainey. In 1955, both Nina and Clem were interrogated by the Petrov Royal Commission on suspicion of being Communist sympathisers, which they reputedly rebutted wittily. Nina died in 2001 and Clem in 2003. They are buried together at Eltham Cemetery. There is also a memorial to Nina at the Eltham Living and Learning Centre, in the form of a bluestone amphitheatre with a floor of hand-painted tiles. Main sources: Wikipedia, obituaries in The Age and The Sunday Age. " - Eltham District Historical Society newsletter No. 247, August 2019.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 imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, shire of eltham, shire of eltham centenary, pioneers and painters, book launch, cr. g.c. dreverman, mrs. dreverman, nina christesen, charris pelling

OPENING OF THE VIEWING PLATFORM AT KANGAROO GROUND Nillumbik Council has advised that the viewing platform at Kangaroo Ground 27km NE of Melbourne is to be opened to the public on Wednesday, March 26th 2008 (Melway 271 , G10). The function of the platform is to provide shelter adjacent to the War Memorial Tower whilst allowing all people to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. From the platform you. can see the Dandenongs, the city of Melbourne, the You Yangs, Mount Macedon, the Kinglake Ranges and the Mt Baw-Baw Ranges where the Yarra River starts. This landscape covers all the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri and some of the wider Kulin nation land. The platform has been given the name Moor-rut, a name which described the fertile soils of the Kangaroo Ground area in contrast to the poorer (Silurian) country of its surrounds, which the Wurundjeri knew as 'Nillumbik' or less rich country. The full 360 degree view can be seen from the adjacent Tower of Remembrance which has 53 stairs. The viewing platform however can be accessed by wheelchair. Inside the viewing platform there are eight double sided interpretive panels giving the history and information regarding this special area. The viewing platform's interpretive panels set out the Aboriginal and European history of the area and also the geology and the local flora and fauna, so that the casual visitor comes away understanding more about this significant part of Victoria. The concept of the viewing platform is part of the refurbishment project for the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park which has taken place since 1997 with the active approval and financial assistance of the Nillumbik Shire Council. This project has been guided by an Advisory Committee with volunteer community representatives from the local Historical Societies, the Country Fire Authority, the Returned Services League and the Wurundjeri people. Other allied groups such as the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group have been called upon for their expertise. The initial idea for the viewing platform came from Dean Stewart when he was the caretaker while living at the park. He discussed this idea with local author Mick Woiwod and Harry Gilham of Eltham District Historical Society when they were planning the refurbishment of the War Memorial Park in 1996. When the committee was formalised by the Nillumbik Council in 1997, Nicholas Pelling, representing the CFA and RSL, joined the group. Dennis Ward, local architect, then volunteered to develop the concept plan for the refurbishment of the park and later drew up the plans for the viewing platform. The Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park and its Tower of Remembrance is located on one of the highest locations in the Yarra Valley. The Tower of Remembrance is a unique war memorial constructed from local stone standing 14 metres high. It was built in the style of a Scottish watchtower reflecting the strong Scottish influence of the first European settlers of the district from the 1840s onward. The park was opened in 1921 and the Tower of Remembrance was dedicated in 1926 recognising the local people who served in the First World War. Those who served in the Second World War were recognised by plaques dedicated in 1951 and more recently those who served in Korea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam by plaques unveiled in 2001. Harry Gilham, Advisory Committee Convenor - Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter N0 179 March 2008fay bridge collection, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park, moor-rul viewing platform

Early stages - no display panels installed. OPENING OF THE VIEWING PLATFORM AT KANGAROO GROUND Nillumbik Council has advised that the viewing platform at Kangaroo Ground 27km NE of Melbourne is to be opened to the public on Wednesday, March 26th 2008 (Melway 271 , G10). The function of the platform is to provide shelter adjacent to the War Memorial Tower whilst allowing all people to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. From the platform you. can see the Dandenongs, the city of Melbourne, the You Yangs, Mount Macedon, the Kinglake Ranges and the Mt Baw-Baw Ranges where the Yarra River starts. This landscape covers all the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri and some of the wider Kulin nation land. The platform has been given the name Moor-rut, a name which described the fertile soils of the Kangaroo Ground area in contrast to the poorer (Silurian) country of its surrounds, which the Wurundjeri knew as 'Nillumbik' or less rich country. The full 360 degree view can be seen from the adjacent Tower of Remembrance which has 53 stairs. The viewing platform however can be accessed by wheelchair. Inside the viewing platform there are eight double sided interpretive panels giving the history and information regarding this special area. The viewing platform's interpretive panels set out the Aboriginal and European history of the area and also the geology and the local flora and fauna, so that the casual visitor comes away understanding more about this significant part of Victoria. The concept of the viewing platform is part of the refurbishment project for the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park which has taken place since 1997 with the active approval and financial assistance of the Nillumbik Shire Council. This project has been guided by an Advisory Committee with volunteer community representatives from the local Historical Societies, the Country Fire Authority, the Returned Services League and the Wurundjeri people. Other allied groups such as the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group have been called upon for their expertise. The initial idea for the viewing platform came from Dean Stewart when he was the caretaker while living at the park. He discussed this idea with local author Mick Woiwod and Harry Gilham of Eltham District Historical Society when they were planning the refurbishment of the War Memorial Park in 1996. When the committee was formalised by the Nillumbik Council in 1997, Nicholas Pelling, representing the CFA and RSL, joined the group. Dennis Ward, local architect, then volunteered to develop the concept plan for the refurbishment of the park and later drew up the plans for the viewing platform. The Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park and its Tower of Remembrance is located on one of the highest locations in the Yarra Valley. The Tower of Remembrance is a unique war memorial constructed from local stone standing 14 metres high. It was built in the style of a Scottish watchtower reflecting the strong Scottish influence of the first European settlers of the district from the 1840s onward. The park was opened in 1921 and the Tower of Remembrance was dedicated in 1926 recognising the local people who served in the First World War. Those who served in the Second World War were recognised by plaques dedicated in 1951 and more recently those who served in Korea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam by plaques unveiled in 2001. Harry Gilham, Advisory Committee Convenor - Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter N0 179 March 2008 Black and white inkjet print on paper 14 x 21 cmmoor-rul viewing platform, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park

The Victorian gold rush came to Eltham in the early 1850s and with it came a crime wave. Local traders called for police protection. This led to the appointment in 1857 of Irish-born Peter Lawlor as Senior Constable at Eltham. In 1859 Peter and his wife Kate were able to move into an official police residence at the corner of Maria Street (now Main Road) and Brougham Street, with stables out the back and a large paddock for grazing across the road. Some of their children went to Eltham Primary School. That 1859 police residence is now the home of the Eltham District Historical Society. The small wooden building on the very corner is a modern replica of the separate police station/office built around 1885-1900. Cases investigated by Constable Lawlor included murders, stealing (horses, cattle, fowls, watches, linen, clothing), a search for a missing person, and two separate instances of abandoned children seeking help. He was officially commended in 1866 for bringing to justice a man who had indecently assaulted an 11-year old girl. Sadly, there was a similar but unconnected case only a few months later. But events had a lighter side; in 1871 Kate lent her piano to the Snowflakes Christy Minstrels for a Catholic Church fund-raising concert. Peter was transferred to Prahran in 1872. He died in 1876 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with four of his children. His headstone was stolen some time after May 1990 but was returned anonymously (broken into three pieces) in August 2013. It is resting on his grave but has not been re-erected. The Inscription reads: Peter Lawlor Who died February 12th 1876 Aged 55 years Also his children Michael Margaret Maud and EdithBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, edith lawlor, margaret lawlor, maud lawlor, michael lawlor, peter lawlor

Originally built by John Hill, a shoemaker at Kangaroo Ground around 1878. In the late 1970s when our Society was the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, an offer was made to the Society regarding use of an old cottage at Christmas Hills. The cottage sat beside Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham but following municipal restructuring it now lies within the Shire of Nillumbik. For various reasons the offer ultimately lapsed. At that time some research on the cottage was carried out for the Society by Keith Chappel as part of a larger research project that he was doing. Keith’s notes were taken from Lands Department records and showed that the property was the subject of a permissive occupancy of Crown land comprising the creek reserve. In 1903 a Miner’s Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The documents show that the cottage existed at that time. Upon Birch’s death in 1932, his daughter, Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. Honor Mary Birch, known as Nora, was born 1900, the daughter of Edwin Samuel Birch and Honor (nee Young). In 1939 she married George Henry Williams (aka Henry). Honor died 8 July 1976. Her siblings were Margaret Martin (dec), Bert Birch and Brigidene Brinkkotter. In her will she gave and bequeathed “all the improvements on the land held by me at Christmas Hills under Permissive Occupancy from the Department of Land and Survey consisting of the house property thereon and all the contents of the said house to my nephew Brian Joseph Martin of Christmas Hills aforesaid farmer”. The will described the property as a four room, five square house, about 100 years old with enclosed verandah, including kitchen, combined lounge dining room, bedroom and store room; built of ‘bush slabs’ with a corrugated iron roof. A dairy had been erected in 1935. After her death, the property was acquired by the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works in 1978. The property is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database HO200-Hill, later Birch farm complex, 945 Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Watsons Creek and described as: The house has a steep but simply gabled roof form clad with corrugated iron, vertical adzed hardwood slab front wall construction, split palings to the gable ends; rubble freestone chimney at one end (with added gsi flue), pole-framed Graeme Butler & Associates, 2006: 101 Shire of Nillurnbik Planning Scheme Amendment C13 Heritage Assessments verandah (rebuilt?); six-pane double-hung sash windows; T&G bead-edge boarded ledged & braced door; and paling clad rooms added at verandah ends. A slab-clad large fireplace is at the north corner of the house, with a gsi upper cladding added and an internal lining of rubble stone. The rear facade is different construction, being drop-slab, and sits beneath a rear skillion addition to the main gabled form: this may be more recent construction. The house appears to have been once set up for public display and may have been recreated in part for that purpose. Outbuildings are reached by a track along the east side of the house, including what may have been a creamery (typical standard inter-war design clad with corrugated iron and lined with 1938 Lysaght Queens Head Australia galvanised sheet iron) and a paling clad gabled out-house. Timber outbuildings of differing eras are to the north-west of the house, with pole framing and paling infill construction and Redcliffe brand corrugated iron. Post and rail (front) and split paling (rear) fence remnants line the front boundary. Pepper trees part of house yard landscape49 born digital images (includes one panoramic stitch and nine frames from drone video)birch cottage, christmas hills, early settlers, edwin samuel birch, honor mary birch, john hill, watsons creek

Contents 1. Draft chronology - Eltham Primary School Chronology 1856-1995; Harry Gilham (EDHS) 1995 127 pages, A4 photocopies This collection of memorabilia has a focus on the Eltham State School No. 209. It was prepared to help celebrate the 140th year of the school's existence on its original land grant of 1856, which appeared on the first surveyed land for the formation of the Town of Eltham, in the Parish of Nillumbik, County of Evelyn, granted by the then Government of New South Wales. It is inscribed in Harry Gilham's writing on page 1 - "For Eltham P.S Chronology 209 - 150th Anniv. book; Harry Gilham Collection; Unpublished" and stamped "Eltham District Historical Society" Pages 3 and 4 missing. This manuscript was a major source reference for the book "We Did Open A School In Little Eltham; Eltham Primary School 209, 1856-2006, A History" Source references from Inspector's Register of State Schools; photocopies held by EDHS in A3 binders 2. Renovation of Eltham Primary School Residence; Application of a Grant from National Estate Grants program, 17 April 1989 10 pages A4 photocopy 3. Wayfinding In The Environment; The role of aesthetics research in participatory planning design by Victoria Sharp for the School of Environmental Planning, The University of Melbourne, February 1987 4 pages, A4 photocopy extracts copied include: Synopsis Spefic Design Concerns p37 (relative to Eltham Gateway) Summary p38 4. File Record, State School No 209 - Eltham; National Trust of Australia File No B3260; 29 March 2000 1 page A4 5. Notes by Harry Gilham concerning Eltham State School No 209 1 page handwritten lined pad sheet 6. Notes by Harry Gilham concerning Eltham State School No 209 and feedback on 150th Anniversary book 1 page, A4 green 144 A4 pages As noted150th anniversary, chronology, eltham gateway, eltham primary school, eltham state school, harry gilham, national trust of australia, planning, renovation, school residence, state school no. 209, victoria sharp

Individual Research Project, Catherine Loftus-Hills 1982: To what extent is the Eltham Town Park successful in providing a recreational facility for the entire community? Newspaper article: Diamond Valley News, 24 August 1982, Byways of History, Early view of Little Eltham, illustrated by photograph sometime 1902-1920. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley News, 24 August 1982, Pauline thrives on work, Australian Labor Party member of Victorian parliament. Newspaper article: unidentified, undated: Many attempts to change name, letter from Frank Burgoyne. Newspaper article: unidentified, undated: Anger over park renaming. Photocopy letter from Office of the Place Names Committee to Eltham and District Historical Society, 25 February 1982, stating naming of Eltham Town Park, not Alistair Knox Park. Newspaper article: Former shire president honoured, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday September 9, 1986, p3 (on rverse page an advertisement for Research Mowers & Chainsaws National Trust Public Art Register: Citation, 18 February 1997, of major work by sculptor Ernst Frie. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 8 June 2005, Sign not before time, erection of Welcome to Eltham Town sign made by Greg Bebbington and Hamish Knox. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley News, 9 June 2005, p3, Former shire president honoredmain road, eltham, businesses, public art, ernst frie, eltham town park, alistair knox park, j m holloway, pauline toner, catherine loftus-hills, greg bebbington, hamish knox, frank lynch, greg johnson, advertising, research mowers & chainsaws

In 1981 the Shire of Eltham Historical Society was asked by the Victorian Place Names Committee to comment on a proposal by the Shire of Eltham to assign names to parklands in Eltham as follows:- "Eltham Common" - the area between the municipal offices, Main Road, the Eltham railway -line, and Panther Place and containing Shillinglaw Cottage. The Shire has advised that this name has been used locally for the site since about 1975. "Alistair Knox Park" - the area bounded by the Eltham railway -line, Panther Place, Main Road, Bridge Street, and Susan Street, and through which flows the Diamond Creek. The area has been known locally as "Eltham Town Park" The proposed name "Alistair Knox Park" had created some local controversy with a number of reversals of the Council's decision and letters to the local paper both for and against the proposal. The society was reluctant to be drawn into this controversy particularly as there were known to be members with strong views both for and against the proposed name. The society appreciated the work done by Alistair Knox both in the formulation of the park concept and in its development but because of the controversy generated by the proposed naming and also because of the wide general use of the park by the public·, the name Eltham Town Park was felt more appropriate. The society noted that there was no outstanding historical associations with the land comprising the park which would warrant naming the park after any particular person, place or event. No objection was raised to the Eltham Common proposal as set-out above. The decision was made in the knowledge that Alistair Knox had been associated with the society over many years and was a prominent figure in the recent history of Eltham. He was regarded as a key figure in the environmental building movement and in particular was renowned for his use of mud bricks as a building material. He served as a councillor of the Shire of Eltham from 1971-1975, his final year as Shire President. It was during these years that the proposals to create the park in its present form were shaped and Alistair played a leading part in the decision to make it a landscaped passive recreational park rather than a sporting area. The parklands comprise a section of the Diamond Creek valley. The creek itself flows through the centre of the area which is overlooked by steep hills on each side. The parks form part of the land purchased from the Crown in 1851 by J.M. Holloway and then subdivided into allotments and called "Little Eltham". While most of the area was subdivided into residential lots the creek valley was subdivided into lots suitable for small farms. Some further subdivision took place over the years and the whole of the parks now comprises eight separate titles. A list of some of the former owners has been compiled but exhaustive research on all owners has not been carried out. The ownership of one parcel has been traced back to when it was purchased from Holloway by John Hicks Petty in 1874, long after it was subdivided. Other families owning land within the area over the years included Lyon, Rees, Clark, Waterfall, Carrucan, Graham, Hill and Morant. The character of the valley area has remained rural while development occurred on each side. Early photos show the area as orchard and grazing land. In 1901 the railway was constructed through the area resulting in the timber trestle bridge across the Diamond Creek. which is an important feature of the park landscape. A memorial obelisk to the Eltham servicemen killed in World War 1 was erected at the south eastern corner of the park. The site is now within the intersection of Main Road and Bridge Street and the memorial was shifted in the 1950s to the Eltham R.S.L. clubrooms. Following the financial failure of the local sub-branch, the memorial obelisk was again relocated to the Eltham War Memorial building precinct in 2011. During the early 1960's the Council started purchasing the land which now comprises the parks. In the late 1960's the area to the east of the Diamond Creek was used as a garbage tip and filled above the flood plain of the creek. When this area was filled the tip was transferred to the west side of the creek. From the early 1970's the area has been progressively developed as a park for passive recreation with ornamental lakes, extensive tree planting and landscaping. The character of the valley before the days of the tip has been recreated and this has earned a Landscape classification from the National Trust, an unusual honour for a man-made landscape. The parks are not only attractive in appearance. The large number of people using them, particularly at weekends and holidays is evidence of their popularity and the foresight and careful planning of local residents, Councillors and Council Staff. 35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcess Date MAY 88Meltham, main road, alistair knox park, eltham town park

Edendale Farm is Nillumbik Shire Council's environment centre situated in Gastons Road, Eltham between the railway and the Diamond Creek. The homestead on the property was built in 1896 and is of historical significance, being the subject of a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. The Edendale property was originally part of an extensive land purchase in 1852 from the Crown by pioneer Eltham farmer Henry Stooke. He initially purchased 51 acres and later expanded his holdings by purchasing another three adjacent Crown allotments extending northerly from Josiah Holloway's Little Eltham subdivision. Despite clearing the land, Stooke did not build on this property, choosing to live on his property "Rosehill" at Lower Plenty. In 1896 Thomas Cool, Club Manager of the Victoria Coffee Palace in Melbourne purchased 7 acres of the original Stooke land and built the house now known as Edendale. Cool did not farm the land, instead using it as a gentleman’s residence, retiring to Eltham at weekends. In 1918 he purchased an additional 7 acres but in 1919 he sold the property. Later owners included J.W. Cox, the Gaston family and D. Mummery. In the 1980s the Eltham Shire Council purchased the site for use as a Council depot, but this use did not proceed. Subsequently, it was used as the Council pound. The Edendale Farm Pet Education and Retention Centre was established in the summer of 1988/1989 and was set up to replace the existing dog kennels with a high standard pet retention centre. The design style of the building was established to compliment the features of the existing house. It was equipped with 10 retention pens, a veterinary room and a pet education area where school children and other interested parties learnt about pet care procedures. It was later developed into a community farm and was run by an advisory committee and in 2000 it became an Environment Centre. In early 2006 an advisory committee was established for the development of a master plan for future development at Edendale Farm. The committee included Russell Yeoman, a former long-time shire planner and founding member of the Eltham District Historical Society. At the time of filming the Master Plan and future for Edendale was about continuing to develop Edendale as a centre of environment learning and looking at expanding displays and school program, running a lot more of life-long learning and workshops around sustainable living.jim connor collection, edendale community farm, edendale farm, eltham, gastons road

View looking northwest towards the main road (Maria Street) and the village of Little Eltham, c.1913 (from near present day 9 Bible Street) Photographer: J.H. Clark John Henry Clark was the youngest of three boys born to William Henry Clark (1823-1877) and Maria White (1843-1914). He and his brothers, William Charles Clark (1872-1945), Clement Kent Clark (1874-1912) operated a photography business (Clark Bros.) from 25 Thomas Street, Windsor near Prahran during the period c.1894 to 1914. Following death of Clement in September 1912 and their mother in 1914, the Clark Bros business appears to have dissolved, the premises demolished, and a new house was under construction in 1915. John set up business independently in 1914 operating out of 29 Moor Street, Fitzroy where he is registered in the 1914 and 1915 Electoral Rolls. By 1916 John had relocated to Eltham where he continued his practice as a photographer and took many of the early images around the district of Little Eltham. Around 1930 John changed professions and opened a small cobbler's shop in 1931 near the pond opposite Dalton Street adjacent to the Jarrold family cottage. He never married and continued his profession as a bootmaker from this little shop, maintaining a close relationship with Mrs Jarrold for the rest of their lives. His bootmaker shop remains today beside the Whitecloud cottage and is one of only three remaining shops in the area from the early 20th century. There are a couple of images of Eltham taken by Clark Bros. in the Eltham District Historical Society collection, one such example being Hunniford’s Post Office with Miss Anne Hunniford out front (EDHS_00140 - marked on the back of the print, Clark Bros., 25 Thomas St. Windsor), which would date this image between c.1894 and 1914. Other early images of Eltham taken by John Henry Clark are marked on the face “J. H. Clark Photo” and it is assumed these are dated between 1914 and 1930. It is noted that the Grant of Probate for John H Clark of Eltham South dated 5 April !957 (513/387) records his occupation as "X Photographer".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 image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, court house, police station, pitt street, eltham hotel, evelyn hotel, fountain hotel, fountain of friendship hotel, j.h. clark photo, knapmans forge, lock-up, police residence, police stables, st margaret's church

Court House, Main Road, tallest building on right. Photographer: J.H. Clark John Henry Clark was the youngest of three boys born to William Henry Clark (1823-1877) and Maria White (1843-1914). He and his brothers, William Charles Clark (1872-1945), Clement Kent Clark (1874-1912) operated a photography business (Clark Bros.) from 25 Thomas Street, Windsor near Prahran during the period c.1894 to 1914. Following death of Clement in September 1912 and their mother in 1914, the Clark Bros business appears to have dissolved, the premises demolished, and a new house was under construction in 1915. John set up business independently in 1914 operating out of 29 Moor Street, Fitzroy where he is registered in the 1914 and 1915 Electoral Rolls. By 1916 John had relocated to Eltham where he continued his practice as a photographer and took many of the early images around the district of Little Eltham. Around 1930 John changed professions and opened a small cobbler's shop in 1931 near the pond opposite Dalton Street adjacent to the Jarrold family cottage. He never married and continued his profession as a bootmaker from this little shop, maintaining a close relationship with Mrs Jarrold for the rest of their lives. His bootmaker shop remains today beside the Whitecloud cottage and is one of only three remaining shops in the area from the early 20th century. There are a couple of images of Eltham taken by Clark Bros. in the Eltham District Historical Society collection, one such example being Hunniford’s Post Office with Miss Anne Hunniford out front (EDHS_00140 - marked on the back of the print, Clark Bros., 25 Thomas St. Windsor), which would date this image between c.1894 and 1914. Other early images of Eltham taken by John Henry Clark are marked on the face “J. H. Clark Photo” and it is assumed these are dated between 1914 and 1930. It is noted that the Grant of Probate for John H Clark of Eltham South dated 5 April !957 (513/387) records his occupation as "X Photographer". Source: Mr. L. Jarrold, Dromana, (formerly Eltham) and Mr. D. Jarrold, 74 Mark St., CoburgThis 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 image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg (2 prints held by Eltham Library)sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, court house, j.h. clark photo

William Jarrold's cottage on left was used by the Police 1858-1860. The Court house and Police precinct (upper right) were opened in 1859-1860 Photographer: J.H. Clark John Henry Clark was the youngest of three boys born to William Henry Clark (1823-1877) and Maria White (1843-1914). He and his brothers, William Charles Clark (1872-1945), Clement Kent Clark (1874-1912) operated a photography business (Clark Bros.) from 25 Thomas Street, Windsor near Prahran during the period c.1894 to 1914. Following death of Clement in September 1912 and their mother in 1914, the Clark Bros business appears to have dissolved, the premises demolished, and a new house was under construction in 1915. John set up business independently in 1914 operating out of 29 Moor Street, Fitzroy where he is registered in the 1914 and 1915 Electoral Rolls. By 1916 John had relocated to Eltham where he continued his practice as a photographer and took many of the early images around the district of Little Eltham. Around 1930 John changed professions and opened a small cobbler's shop in 1931 near the pond opposite Dalton Street adjacent to the Jarrold family cottage. He never married and continued his profession as a bootmaker from this little shop, maintaining a close relationship with Mrs Jarrold for the rest of their lives. His bootmaker shop remains today beside the Whitecloud cottage and is one of only three remaining shops in the area from the early 20th century. There are a couple of images of Eltham taken by Clark Bros. in the Eltham District Historical Society collection, one such example being Hunniford’s Post Office with Miss Anne Hunniford out front (EDHS_00140 - marked on the back of the print, Clark Bros., 25 Thomas St. Windsor), which would date this image between c.1894 and 1914. Other early images of Eltham taken by John Henry Clark are marked on the face “J. H. Clark Photo” and it is assumed these are dated between 1914 and 1930. It is noted that the Grant of Probate for John H Clark of Eltham South dated 5 April 1957 (513/387) records his occupation as "X Photographer".Sepia postcardNotations in biro 'A. Petrie', rest in pencil as follows Telegraph poles show one wire No 1918 Avenue of Honour trees c.1907 Jarrolds house No shop at White Cloud on fence line Police Residence has extensions Chimney on wash house Office Brickwork on stables Lock-up, entry and window end Light lamp - cnr Dalton and Maria streets Surface damage to lower left cornermain road, eltham, maria street, dalton street, william jarrold, jarrold cottage, police residence, courthouse, j.h. clark photo

View of Main Road, Eltham from Arthur Street towards the railway station which can be seen on the left. Cross Ref: 609 (opposite direction) Photographer: J.H. Clark John Henry Clark was the youngest of three boys born to William Henry Clark (1823-1877) and Maria White (1843-1914). He and his brothers, William Charles Clark (1872-1945), Clement Kent Clark (1874-1912) operated a photography business (Clark Bros.) from 25 Thomas Street, Windsor near Prahran during the period c.1894 to 1914. Following death of Clement in September 1912 and their mother in 1914, the Clark Bros business appears to have dissolved, the premises demolished, and a new house was under construction in 1915. John set up business independently in 1914 operating out of 29 Moor Street, Fitzroy where he is registered in the 1914 and 1915 Electoral Rolls. By 1916 John had relocated to Eltham where he continued his practice as a photographer and took many of the early images around the district of Little Eltham. Around 1930 John changed professions and opened a small cobbler's shop in 1931 near the pond opposite Dalton Street adjacent to the Jarrold family cottage. He never married and continued his profession as a bootmaker from this little shop, maintaining a close relationship with Mrs Jarrold for the rest of their lives. His bootmaker shop remains today beside the Whitecloud cottage and is one of only three remaining shops in the area from the early 20th century. There are a couple of images of Eltham taken by Clark Bros. in the Eltham District Historical Society collection, one such example being Hunniford’s Post Office with Miss Anne Hunniford out front (EDHS_00140 - marked on the back of the print, Clark Bros., 25 Thomas St. Windsor), which would date this image between c.1894 and 1914. Other early images of Eltham taken by John Henry Clark are marked on the face “J. H. Clark Photo” and it is assumed these are dated between 1914 and 1930. It is noted that the Grant of Probate for John H Clark of Eltham South dated 5 April !957 (513/387) records his occupation as "X Photographer".\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 imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, railway station, eltham railway station, j.h. clark photo

On Sunday, 10 November 1985 a time capsule was lowered into a monument installed near the corner of Main Road and Pitt Street in Eltham, within the gardens at the front of what is now the Eltham Community and Reception Centre. This monument commemorates Victoria’s 150th anniversary and the former location of the Eltham Town Centre, which existed along this section of Main Road, then known as Maria Street. Beneath the site is a time capsule to be opened in the year 2035. A plaque was also erected at this site in October 1987 to commemorate the Shire of Eltham Historical Society’s 20th anniversary. The main feature of this monument is a ‘tyring disc’, a blacksmith’s implement that was found on this site. This consists of a large iron disc that was used as a platform for fitting iron tyres (like the one shown on top of the platform) to wooden-spoked cart wheels. The local blacksmith and wheelwright worked together to assemble the wheel, which was clamped to the platform placed close to the fire. The red-hot iron hoop, previously forged to the correct size, was lifted with tongs by the blacksmith over the outside of the rim, then hammered down amid flames from the scorching timber. The wheelwright drenched the tyre with cold water as soon as it was in position. A clamp placed on the naff (hub) and screwed down tightly kept the spokes at a constant angle as the tyre cooled. An even pressure from the contracting tyre tightened the joints at each end of the spokes and formed a vice-like grip, which would last for the life of the wheel. [from EDHS Newsletter No. 45, November 1985:] TIME CAPSULE CEREMONY: Our 150th Anniversary Monument is now under construction in the gardens in front of the Eltham Community Centre. Further details of the project are given under a separate heading below and this item deals with the proposed ceremony. We propose to formally lower the time capsule into its container underneath the monument as part of the Eltham Community Festival. All members are invited to attend the ceremony at 2.00 p.m. on Sunday, 10th November. Come earlier with a picnic lunch if you like. Local people and firms who have contributed money or services for the monument will also be invited. As part of the Festival programme the public are welcome to attend. This is one of the most significant projects the Society has undertaken and members' participation in its finalization would be most gratifying to the organizing committee. 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROJECTS: We have concentrated our efforts on finishing the monument and time capsule project within the 150th year and have found it necessary to abandon the historical tour project. We have applied to the State 150th Committee to transfer the funds allocated for the tour to construction of the monument. The historical tour project will be continued at a later date and photos of historic houses in the area, taken by Doug Orford, will be available for use in an associated display. At the time of writing, the monument construction is on schedule for the ceremony on 10th November. The concrete base has been completed and the main feature of the monument, which is an old tyring plate or disc, will be lifted into place in the next week. The final ceremony will involve lowering the sealed time capsule into place, bolting down its container lid and then concreting over the lid. The capsule will contain mainly items relating to present day Eltham and its people and is to be opened in the year 2035, a video film made by Joh Ebeli and also details of families and organizations who have contributed to construction of the monument. It is proposed to place the items in the capsule on 5th November and any items members think could be included may be submitted up to that date. The Society has received an excellent response from local people, firms and organizations by way of assistance with this project. Graham Beyer, who originated the project, has arranged many of the donations. He and his firm, Package Handling Equipment, have donated the time capsule itself and have carried out fabrication of sections of the monument. The design of the monument was adapted by Graham Beyer from drawings by Joh Ebeli. Charmac Industries has donated the container for the time capsule and a cast gun metal name plate for the monument. BMG Concrete has donated concrete for the base which was constructed by Caridi Construction Company. Northbourne Garden Supplies has donated materials for the paving around the monument. Robert Becker from Eltham Apex directed construction of the paving by Society members. Terry Hutchinson has agreed to donate the use of his crane to lift the tyring disc into place. Financial contributions have been made by the Eltham Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Eltham. We are grateful to all who have helped, and members' support for firms who have donated their services would be an appropriate recognition. It is planned to print "Time Capsule Certificates" which can be held by organizations or passed on to descendants by individuals. The certificates will indicate an interest in the contents of the capsule when it is opened in fifty years. Certificates will be distributed to Society members and those who have contributed to the project.Nine colour photographsactivities, 1985, time capsule, eltham, eltham festival

On Sunday, 10 November 1985 a time capsule was lowered into a monument installed near the corner of Main Road and Pitt Street in Eltham, within the gardens at the front of what is now the Eltham Community and Reception Centre. This monument commemorates Victoria’s 150th anniversary and the former location of the Eltham Town Centre, which existed along this section of Main Road, then known as Maria Street. Beneath the site is a time capsule to be opened in the year 2035. A plaque was also erected at this site in October 1987 to commemorate the Shire of Eltham Historical Society’s 20th anniversary. The main feature of this monument is a ‘tyring disc’, a blacksmith’s implement that was found on this site. This consists of a large iron disc that was used as a platform for fitting iron tyres (like the one shown on top of the platform) to wooden-spoked cart wheels. The local blacksmith and wheelwright worked together to assemble the wheel, which was clamped to the platform placed close to the fire. The red-hot iron hoop, previously forged to the correct size, was lifted with tongs by the blacksmith over the outside of the rim, then hammered down amid flames from the scorching timber. The wheelwright drenched the tyre with cold water as soon as it was in position. A clamp placed on the naff (hub) and screwed down tightly kept the spokes at a constant angle as the tyre cooled. An even pressure from the contracting tyre tightened the joints at each end of the spokes and formed a vice-like grip, which would last for the life of the wheel. [from EDHS Newsletter No. 45, November 1985:] TIME CAPSULE CEREMONY: Our 150th Anniversary Monument is now under construction in the gardens in front of the Eltham Community Centre. Further details of the project are given under a separate heading below and this item deals with the proposed ceremony. We propose to formally lower the time capsule into its container underneath the monument as part of the Eltham Community Festival. All members are invited to attend the ceremony at 2.00 p.m. on Sunday, 10th November. Come earlier with a picnic lunch if you like. Local people and firms who have contributed money or services for the monument will also be invited. As part of the Festival programme the public are welcome to attend. This is one of the most significant projects the Society has undertaken and members' participation in its finalization would be most gratifying to the organizing committee. 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROJECTS: We have concentrated our efforts on finishing the monument and time capsule project within the 150th year and have found it necessary to abandon the historical tour project. We have applied to the State 150th Committee to transfer the funds allocated for the tour to construction of the monument. The historical tour project will be continued at a later date and photos of historic houses in the area, taken by Doug Orford, will be available for use in an associated display. At the time of writing, the monument construction is on schedule for the ceremony on 10th November. The concrete base has been completed and the main feature of the monument, which is an old tyring plate or disc, will be lifted into place in the next week. The final ceremony will involve lowering the sealed time capsule into place, bolting down its container lid and then concreting over the lid. The capsule will contain mainly items relating to present day Eltham and its people and is to be opened in the year 2035, a video film made by Joh Ebeli and also details of families and organizations who have contributed to construction of the monument. It is proposed to place the items in the capsule on 5th November and any items members think could be included may be submitted up to that date. The Society has received an excellent response from local people, firms and organizations by way of assistance with this project. Graham Beyer, who originated the project, has arranged many of the donations. He and his firm, Package Handling Equipment, have donated the time capsule itself and have carried out fabrication of sections of the monument. The design of the monument was adapted by Graham Beyer from drawings by Joh Ebeli. Charmac Industries has donated the container for the time capsule and a cast gun metal name plate for the monument. BMG Concrete has donated concrete for the base which was constructed by Caridi Construction Company. Northbourne Garden Supplies has donated materials for the paving around the monument. Robert Becker from Eltham Apex directed construction of the paving by Society members. Terry Hutchinson has agreed to donate the use of his crane to lift the tyring disc into place. Financial contributions have been made by the Eltham Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Eltham. We are grateful to all who have helped, and members' support for firms who have donated their services would be an appropriate recognition. It is planned to print "Time Capsule Certificates" which can be held by organizations or passed on to descendants by individuals. The certificates will indicate an interest in the contents of the capsule when it is opened in fifty years. Certificates will be distributed to Society members and those who have contributed to the project.Two colour photographsactivities, 1985, time capsule, eltham, eltham festival

On Sunday, 10 November 1985 a time capsule was lowered into a monument installed near the corner of Main Road and Pitt Street in Eltham, within the gardens at the front of what is now the Eltham Community and Reception Centre. This monument commemorates Victoria’s 150th anniversary and the former location of the Eltham Town Centre, which existed along this section of Main Road, then known as Maria Street. Beneath the site is a time capsule to be opened in the year 2035. A plaque was also erected at this site in October 1987 to commemorate the Shire of Eltham Historical Society’s 20th anniversary. The main feature of this monument is a ‘tyring disc’, a blacksmith’s implement that was found on this site. This consists of a large iron disc that was used as a platform for fitting iron tyres (like the one shown on top of the platform) to wooden-spoked cart wheels. The local blacksmith and wheelwright worked together to assemble the wheel, which was clamped to the platform placed close to the fire. The red-hot iron hoop, previously forged to the correct size, was lifted with tongs by the blacksmith over the outside of the rim, then hammered down amid flames from the scorching timber. The wheelwright drenched the tyre with cold water as soon as it was in position. A clamp placed on the naff (hub) and screwed down tightly kept the spokes at a constant angle as the tyre cooled. An even pressure from the contracting tyre tightened the joints at each end of the spokes and formed a vice-like grip, which would last for the life of the wheel. [from EDHS Newsletter No. 45, November 1985:] TIME CAPSULE CEREMONY: Our 150th Anniversary Monument is now under construction in the gardens in front of the Eltham Community Centre. Further details of the project are given under a separate heading below and this item deals with the proposed ceremony. We propose to formally lower the time capsule into its container underneath the monument as part of the Eltham Community Festival. All members are invited to attend the ceremony at 2.00 p.m. on Sunday, 10th November. Come earlier with a picnic lunch if you like. Local people and firms who have contributed money or services for the monument will also be invited. As part of the Festival programme the public are welcome to attend. This is one of the most significant projects the Society has undertaken and members' participation in its finalization would be most gratifying to the organizing committee. 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROJECTS: We have concentrated our efforts on finishing the monument and time capsule project within the 150th year and have found it necessary to abandon the historical tour project. We have applied to the State 150th Committee to transfer the funds allocated for the tour to construction of the monument. The historical tour project will be continued at a later date and photos of historic houses in the area, taken by Doug Orford, will be available for use in an associated display. At the time of writing, the monument construction is on schedule for the ceremony on 10th November. The concrete base has been completed and the main feature of the monument, which is an old tyring plate or disc, will be lifted into place in the next week. The final ceremony will involve lowering the sealed time capsule into place, bolting down its container lid and then concreting over the lid. The capsule will contain mainly items relating to present day Eltham and its people and is to be opened in the year 2035, a video film made by Joh Ebeli and also details of families and organizations who have contributed to construction of the monument. It is proposed to place the items in the capsule on 5th November and any items members think could be included may be submitted up to that date. The Society has received an excellent response from local people, firms and organizations by way of assistance with this project. Graham Beyer, who originated the project, has arranged many of the donations. He and his firm, Package Handling Equipment, have donated the time capsule itself and have carried out fabrication of sections of the monument. The design of the monument was adapted by Graham Beyer from drawings by Joh Ebeli. Charmac Industries has donated the container for the time capsule and a cast gun metal name plate for the monument. BMG Concrete has donated concrete for the base which was constructed by Caridi Construction Company. Northbourne Garden Supplies has donated materials for the paving around the monument. Robert Becker from Eltham Apex directed construction of the paving by Society members. Terry Hutchinson has agreed to donate the use of his crane to lift the tyring disc into place. Financial contributions have been made by the Eltham Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Eltham. We are grateful to all who have helped, and members' support for firms who have donated their services would be an appropriate recognition. It is planned to print "Time Capsule Certificates" which can be held by organizations or passed on to descendants by individuals. The certificates will indicate an interest in the contents of the capsule when it is opened in fifty years. Certificates will be distributed to Society members and those who have contributed to the project.Colour photographactivities, 1985, time capsule, eltham, eltham festival

EDENDALE FARM Edendale Farm is Nillumbik Shire Council's environment centre situated in Gastons Road, Eltham between the railway and the Diamond Creek. The homestead on the property was built in 1896 and is of historical significance, being the subject of a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. The Edendale property was originally part of an extensive land purchase in 1852 from the Crown by pioneer Eltham farmer Henry Stooke. He initially purchased 51 acres and later expanded his holdings by purchasing another three adjacent Crown allotments extending northerly from Josiah Holloway's Little Eltham subdivision. Despite clearing the land, Stooke did not build on this property, choosing to live on his property "Rosehill" at Lower Plenty. In 1896 Thomas Cool, Club Manager of the Victoria Coffee Palace in Melbourne purchased 7 acres of the original Stooke land and built the house now known as Edendale. Cool did not farm the land, instead using it as a gentleman’s residence, retiring to Eltham at weekends. In 1918 he purchased an additional 7 acres but in 1919 he sold the property. Later owners included J.W. Cox, the Gaston family and D. Mummery. In the 1980s the Eltham Shire Council purchased the site for use as a Council depot, but this use did not proceed. Subsequently, it was used as the Council pound. The Edendale Farm Pet Education and Retention Centre was established in the summer of 1988/1989 and was set up to replace the existing dog kennels with a high standard pet retention centre. The design style of the building was established to compliment the features of the existing house. It was equipped with 10 retention pens, a veterinary room and a pet education area where school children and other interested parties learnt about pet care procedures. It was later developed into a community farm and was run by an advisory committee and in 2000 it became an Environment Centre. In early 2006 an advisory committee was established for the development of a master plan for future development at Edendale Farm. The committee included Russell Yeoman, a former long-time shire planner and founding member of the Eltham District Historical Society. At the time of filming the Master Plan and future for Edendale was about continuing to develop Edendale as a centre of environment learning and looking at expanding displays and school program, running a lot more of life-long learning and workshops around sustainable living.edendale community farm, eltham, gastons homestead, gastons road, shire of nillumbik, video recording

Oral history interview with Jock Read (1915- 2010) conducted by Diana Bassett-Smith of Eltham District Historical Society. Peter Bassett-Smith and possibly Gwen Orford also in attendance. The interview includes discussion of Jock's family history and connection to Eltham, including his attendance at Eltham State School starting 1921, childhood memories including games he played, memories of Eltham High School, recreational activities, milking, money earned, local transport, neighbours, effect of the Depression, local shops, involvement with the Church of England and more. Recording contains significant amount of noise. 0:00 Introduction including the clarification of Jock's name as Frances and backstory of his parents being from England 3:15- 5:00 Commences talking about home life and childhood 3:38 Talking about family immigrating to Australia His father immigrated to Australia when he was 6 4:05 Jock was born in and lived with his parents in Brunswick before moving to Eltham during the 1920s 4:55-7:44 Permanently moved to Eltham and started at Eltham Primary School in 1921 Talking about books used at school, and games played at school such as marbles, cricket and football 8:45 Moved into Eltham High School after finishing at Eltham Primary 9:50 Week and weekend activities including: Milking cows and doing milk runs on horseback before school 13:15 Most common mode of transport was using horse drawn vehicles and walking 14:50 Discusses impact of depression on family: Father had previously started a business but the depression had a large impact on that 16:10-18:00 Facilities that Jock had • Used hurricane lamps and candles- no electricity • Woodfire • Milk and bread were delivered • Greengrocer- George Bird? 25:22 Left Eltham high school in 1930 26:00 Begins discussing involvement with the church of England 31:46 Electricity did not come to Eltham until 1926 Jock described it as an exciting event 33:00-34:00 Describing the rented house, he was living in- small wooden cottage 35:00 Discussion around starting a mail run round areas of Eltham 38:40-42:35 Enlisted in the navy during WW2 • Navel cadets in 1934 • HMAS Vampire • Served as a seaman gunner Audio Compact Cassette Tape ACME C90 XHG Converted to MP3 file; 55.1MB, 0:42:35audio cassette, audio recording, diana bassett-smith, eltham, jock read, oral history, read family, elham primary school, eltham high school, eltham primary school, 1920s, brunswick, depression, church, st margaret's church, housing, ww2, second world war

The original Shire of Eltham was founded in 1871. Prior to its founding, the district was managed by the Eltham District Road Board, which was established in 1856. The initial rate assessment commenced in 1857 for the year ending October 14, 1858. The honour of being recorded with the first assessment went to a farm of 110 cultivated acres at Lower Plenty, owned by John Porter and occupied by Albert Baines. It was assessed at 6d/acre providing for a rate income of £2 15s. In July 2017, officers at Nillumbik Shire Council discovered some early Eltham Road District Assessment books and donated them to the Eltham District Historical Society. The seven volumes were the district’s first six years of rate assessments. This was a unique and significant record of early settlers in the pre-Shire of Eltham. They immediately became one of the oldest and most valuable items in our collection. An article on page 5 in the Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser, Friday, 21 November, 1941 titled: ‘District’s Early History‘ states: “The first rate book which is still in existence at the Shire Office is for the year ending October 14, 1858 and is probably the best record possible to indicate the development of the district. At the time properties were rated as follows: Cultivated land. 6d. per acre; pasture land, 1d. per acre: estimated annual value of buildings, etc., 6d in the (pound). The total amount of rate recorded for the year was £153/14/8. Properties were described as being situated at Lower Plenty, Yarra Yarra, Eltham, Lower Eltham, Kangaroo Ground, Yarra Flats, Diamond Creek and the Yarra.” Given the precious nature of this collection, priority was given to digitise the rate books and place them in suitable archival storage to minimise further handling. Subsequent discussion amongst our Collections team arrived at the conclusion that the most appropriate home for this valuable record was the Public Record Office Victoria (PROV), the archive of the State Government of Victoria and who are charged with archiving and caring for all Government related records. An approach was made to PROV who confirmed these records would complete their collection of rate assessment books for Eltham. At a small ceremony held Friday, April 20 at the Local History Centre, Eltham, members of the Society and our Collections team, along with Ms. Vicki Ward, MP for Eltham, presented the seven volumes for 1858-1863 along with the complete set of digital files to Mr. David Taylor, Community Archives Manager and Mr. Charlie Farrugia, Senior Collection Advisor, Public Record Office Victoria.Born Digitalassessment ledger, donation, eltham courthouse, eltham road district, local history centre, public records office victoria (prov), rate books, eltham district road board

Our Eltham - Artistic Recollections by Jim Connor, EDHS newsletter No. 236 October 2017 The Eltham Cemetery Trust, established in 1858, selected the existing burial site at Mount Pleasant Road on high ground overlooking the village of Eltham. The first recorded burial took place in 1861 in the Church of England section. Headstones depict the names of many early and well known local families. In recent years the Trust has encouraged the use of creative artistic elements within the natural bushland environment in their landscaped grounds adjoining Montsalvat. Their ongoing vision has been to offer the local communty a fresh and unique relationship to the Cemetery. On Thursday 21st September 2017 their latest commissioned art project titled ‘Our Eltham - Artistic Recollections’ was unveiled. It is a collection of panels collaboratively created by artist Nerina Lascelles and ceramicist Linda Detoma. The project was designed and constructed by Leigh Wykes using Australian stone with ironwork by Neil Carter. All contributors to this installation, located adjacent to the car park near Metery Road, are residents of the Eltham area. Our Eltham - Artistic Recollections is described as a celebration of life in the Shire since the opening of the Eltham Cemetery more than 150 years ago. Depicting scenes of life in and around Eltham, the collection offers deeper connections to the Eltham area through a series of visual narratives of Eltham’s past, environment and community. The project involves the artistic interpretation by Nerina Lascelles of historic and current images symbolically intermixed with locally indigenous flowers and plants. These are displayed on thirty-one ceramic panels by Linda Detoma, mounted within an iron fence by Neil Carter, upon an attractive rock wall constructed by Leigh Wykes. The Eltham District Historical Society is pleased to have contributed to this project. Russell Yeoman and Jim Connor from our Society have collaborated with Liz Pidgeon, Local and Family History Librarian at Yarra Plenty Regional Library on a selection of photographs, many from the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Collection we hold in partnership, located at Eltham Library. We also provided information on the images chosen. The Eltham Cemetery Trust has produced a booklet about this artwork, which can be viewed on the Cemetery website at: http://www.elthamcemetery.com/oureltham/#1 Our Eltham - Artistic Recollections is a significant monumental installation, which will encourage visitors to come to view this outstanding combination of local creative skills, set within the attractive grounds of the Eltham Cemetery. jim connor collection, eltham cemetery trust, montsalvat, our eltham artistic recollections, 2017-09-21