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Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hans Gregory, Original 1860s William West house, Fabbro's Farm, Falkiner Street, Eltham, c.1990
Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hans Gregory, Original 1860s William West house, Fabbro's Farm, Falkiner Street, Eltham, c.1990
Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hans Gregory, Original 1860s William West house, Fabbro's Farm, Falkiner Street, Eltham, c.1990
Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hans Gregory, Original 1860s William West house, Fabbro's Farm, Falkiner Street, Eltham, c.1990
Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hans Gregory, Original 1860s William West house, Fabbro's Farm, Falkiner Street, Eltham, c.1990
Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hans Gregory, Original 1860s William West house, Fabbro's Farm, Falkiner Street, Eltham, c.1990
Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hans Gregory, Original 1860s William West house, Fabbro's Farm, Falkiner Street, Eltham, c.1990
Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hans Gregory, Original 1860s William West house, Fabbro's Farm, Falkiner Street, Eltham, c.1990
Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hans Gregory, Original 1860s William West house, Fabbro's Farm, Falkiner Street, Eltham, c.1990
Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hans Gregory, Original 1860s William West house, Fabbro's Farm, Falkiner Street, Eltham, c.1990
Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, Jelbart Barn, 93 Arthur Street, Eltham, 11 November 2006
Situated at the top of the hill in Arthur Street, the former Jelbart residence and barn were part of a major change that transformed Eltham's character in the late 1960s. Built from the mid 1940s through mid 1950s when Eltham was a rural community, the Jelbrat residence and barn are all that remain of a family property of some 250 acres (100 ha). With growing population pressures, in the late 1960s, owners Ron and Yvonne Jelbart decided to subdivide their property creating the Woodridge Estate in the early 1970s, a major factor towards the transformation of Eltham to the suburb it is today. The Jelbarts had moved to Eltham in the early 1940s when they purchased a poultry farm in New Street, now Lavendar Park Road. (The local Black Friday bushire of January 13, 1939 had started at C.A. (Clarrie) Hurst’s Eltham Poultry Farm and Hatchery in New Street.) Jelbart was primarily a businessman importing office machinery but desired farm beef and dairy cattle so the couple purchased the virgin bushland at what was then at the end of a dirt road, Arthur Street. With post war shortages of most building materials, they followed the example of the Eltham Artists' Colony (later called Montsalvat) and built thier home from mud-bricks and recyclked materials. The barn was first to be completed in 1945 which they made their home whilst building the main residence. It took eight years to complete the two buildings. Both the main residence and the barn are now separate homes, and along with the remaining property being sub-divided further in 1998 are now part of the Kinloch Gardens Estate at 93 Arthur Street. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p139This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham, arthur street, jelbart barn, jelbart home, kinloch gardens -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Jim Connor, Edendale Farm Homestead, 11 December 2014
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 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Fay Bridge, Former Glynn's Dairy Farm, Glynns Road, North Warrandyte, 31 August 2018
Glynn’s farm Originally Section 7, Parish of Nillumbik marked Aborigine Reserve in 1866 Crown Allotment 8, Section 7, Parish of Nillumbik, County of Evelyn, Certificate of Title Volume 4095, Folio 818.835, approx. 93 acres purchased by Joseph Panton in 1881 for £1/acre and known as Panton’s Point. By 1924 owned by S.S. Sergeant and called Riverswood. Sergeant commissioned Edna Walling to design the garden. In September 1929 the property was sold at auction by Mortgagee’s sale. Described as well built, brick, tile roof, Attic Villa containing downstairs 7 good rooms, bath, scullery, inside lavatory, etc. Upstairs 2 bedrooms and sleep out. Outbuildings compromising of brick and weatherboard wash house, stables, workshop, feed room, cow bails, large G.I. Hay shed, etc In January 1931 Riverswood property was proclaimed a sanctuary for native game for the entire year. A private swing bridge crossed the river at Pound Bend was known as Pearson’s bridge after C.W.K. Pearson who bought Riverswood in the early 1930s. The bridge was swept away in the December 1934 floods. Riverswood was sold by C.W.K. Pearson at auction on 25 November 1936. Described as a beautiful farm home of 93 acres and over one mile of River Yarra frontage, modern brick residence, lovely garden, rich river flat pastures, model poultry farm. The fine brick home was destroyed on Black Friday (13 Jan.) 1939. It was still a ruin when the Evelyn Evans purchased Waikowhane above Riverswood in 1940. The Glynn family purchased the Riverswood property in 1941 from Robert and Emily Hannon. Their son Kenneth Patrick Glynn inherited the property and he set about clearing the land during WW2 selling wood. Prior to marriage, Kenneth was living alone on the farm in a house he had built from whatever was available. He used the bluestone foundations from the original fine brick home. He met and married Honora Elizabeth Drew in early 1945 and their daughter Anna grew up on the farm. It was compulsorily acquired by the Board of Works in 1976 who then rented the house out in the 1980s. The property was transferred to Melbourne Parks and Waterways in 1996. Waikowhane was a pretty timber house built on top of the hill on 50 acres above Riverswood by retired nurse Jessie MacBeth. (This would be at the intersection of Glynns Road and Overbank Road where the big water tank is now situated on what was once James Orford’s property.) It was also destroyed Black Friday and she rebuilt it from the plans living in a caravan on site supervising the build. It was almost complete when she died May 1939. The property was bought by Evelyn Evans (a city girl) and her estranged husband in 1940. She had two sons, one only 9 months old at the time. It was a timber house with no power or water connected. The Ewen Cameron family bought Waikowhane in 1957. They had to evacuate when the 1961 bushfires swept through. The house was saved by Matcham Skipper. It was demolished by Melbourne Water in the 1990s when they acquired it.fay bridge collection, 2018-08-31, glynn's, glynn's dairy farm, glynns road, north warrandyte, parks victoria, ruins, riverswood, kenneth patrick glynn -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Fay Bridge, Remains of apple orchard near the Diamond Creek, Wattle Glen, 11 October 2018
The newly constructed Diamond Creek Trail from Diamond Creek to Wattle Glen completed in February 2021 winds past these apple trees that possibly lined the entrance to the Greenhills property From Jean Verso, Nillumbik Historical Society, 15 April 2021 William Wandless Herbert bought the surrounding 100 acres in 1852. He was a native of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders who arrived in Melbourne in 1847. The house on the top of the mound would have been built not long after he bought the land; the farm was named "Greenhills". He married Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of John Wilson who had been in Diamond Creek since about 1846. Their first child was born in 1854 so there would be some form of dwelling from about that time. They had eight children who all survived to a good age. His will describes the house as part stone and part wood and of four rooms. Nillumbik Historical Society (NHS) believe it was one of the earliest if not the earliest house, in this part of the district. The remains of the stone house foundations are on top of the mound (photos on the VHD page) and the barn walls are on the north and to the east side of the mound. NHS is not sure how much or which part of the surrounding area was covered by the barns but they were large enough to hold dances after the race meetings that were held in the late 1880's on the adjacent creek flats. It would make sense with the lay of the land that they covered some of the ground to the north and east and used for farm storage, packing sheds for their apple and pear orchards and also for supporting the Nillumbik Gold Mine the family worked to the north up the gully. The path that comes down the gully and runs into the trail goes past the mine site which was on the west side of the gully a couple of hundred metres up from the flats. Heritage Victoria link for the site - https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/12203fay bridge collection, 2018-10-11, diamond creek, diamond creek trail, elizabeth wilson, greenhills, wattle glen, william wandless herbert, apple trees -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Property Binder, 1203 Main Road, Eltham
Display panel: Map of Coleman's house location; 1904 photograph of Coleman house with Tom Newton, Mary Coleman (later Dowes) Mary Ann Coleman (nee Burke, mother of Jack Coleman, George Coleman, Mary Coleman), George Coleman, John (Jock) Coleman (father of John Coleman junior married to Margaret Coleman nee Dare); 1971 photograph of part of Coleman house. Typed document, compiled by Dorothy Peatling, Objection to Application 980731 Proposal for 6 units at 1203 Main Road Eltham, stories from Mrs Thomas, Ken Gaston, Frank Martin, Vicky Weston (nee Coleman), Frank Burgoyne, Heather Bakos, Mrs Dansey, and other historical information. Typed document, by Margaret Jennings, Objection to Application 980731 Proposal for 6 units at 1203 Main Road Eltham, history of site. Typed document, by Eltham District Historical Society, history of site, summary of interviews from Dorothy Peatling objection.main road, eltham, property, houses, coleman house, coleman crescent, mary coleman, mary dowes, mary ann coleman, mary ann burke, jack coleman, george coleman, john coleman, jock coleman, margaret coleman, margaret dare, dorothy peatling, mrs thomas, ken gaston, frank martin, vicky weston, vicky coleman, frank burgoyne, heather bakos, mrs dansey, wattletree road, edendale farm, orchard avenue eltham north, diamond creek, christmas creek, cobb and co royal mail -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Postcard - Photograph postcard, Old Bridge, Kaylock's Crossing, Brougham Street, Eltham, c.1912
Date estimated to be circa 1912 based on the style of printing on the reverse of the card - Kodak Austral paper for real photo postcards, the paper was manufactured c.1908-1914 (See also POSTCARDS ON KODAK PAPER - IS IT POSSIBLE TO "DATE" THEM? http://tps.org.au/bb/viewtopic.php?t=115) Brougham Street was created in Josiah Holloway's 1851 subdivision of Little Eltham. It was one of several east-west streets shown on the subdivision plan as crossing the Diamond Creek. The western part was named Wellington Street on the subdivision plan but was later changed to conform with the name of the eastern part as acknowledgement of the continuity of the street. It is not known when the first bridge was constructed in Brougham Street however it was certainly mentioned at Council’s meeting of 2 June 1884 as being in a dangerous state of repair. This photo (c.1895) of an old bridge shows a very low-level simple log girder bridge crossing the creek at a right angle and so the approaches involved bends in the road alignment. This bridge was generally known as Kaylocks Bridge or Kaylock’s Crossing after the owner of the adjoining land. It was most likely built from around the mid-1850s, or a crossing of some fashion established as Richard George Kaylock, butcher of Little Eltham and his wife Emily Ann settled there in 1854. His property was in Wellington Street (now Brougham Street) and apparently extended across the Diamond Creek. The land on the western side of the creek was farmed, the house being on the eastern side. Kaylock's Bridge formed part of the original coach road to Eltham and in 1922 was described as an "old rustic bridge". Its low level and insubstantial construction made it susceptible to flood damage, necessitating frequent closures until repairs could be carried out. In September 1922, Council called for tenders for a new timber bridge to be constructed at Kaylock’s crossing. An engineering assessment carried out for the Council by Macleod Consulting at the time of the replacement suggested that the construction details indicate that it was in the 1900s, however this dating could possibly have been the result of numerous repairs undertaken over the years to flood damage. The tender was awarded to Mr Weller of Kangaroo Ground who commenced work in February 1923 on a higher-level timber trestle bridge. Work was slowed due to illness of the contractor and the accidental death of a man in March 1923 following the collapse of the bank after he had jumped into a hole that had just been blasted. The bridge was completed around July 1923 at which point the old structure was pulled up, marking what was described in the ‘Advertiser’ newspaper as the passing of an old and well-loved landmark in the district. In April 1924 the approach to Kaylocks bridge was washed away during the heavy flooding that destroyed the Main Road bridge. The western side was repaired, and an extra span was added to the eastern side using timber from the destroyed Main Road bridge. The bridge was again severely damaged four months later in August 1924 When a lack of finances delayed repairs to the Bridge Street bridge in 1931 (also referred to as Obelisk Bridge at the time), traffic had to detour via Brougham Street for some time. Local residents feared that the Bridge Street bridge might never reopen. Kaylocks Bridge was constantly subject to damage by floods. In the 1934 flood it was submerged by two feet of water. In more recent times the bridge was again severely damaged by flooding and repairs made. A new bridge and adjoining footbridge were constructed in 2009.Digital file only Postcards scanned from the collection of Michael Aitken on loan to EDHS, 2 Sep. 2022michael aitken collection, eltham, postcards, bridge, brougham street, diamond creek (creek), kaylocks bridge, wellington street -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, Warrandyte Bushfire Relief, 1962
... applications for assistance which include details of property... applications for assistance which include details of property ...Following the January 1962 bushfires in Warrandyte, affected land holders and residents made application for financial assistance. These records are a small part of more than 1,300 applications made at the time. Contents include: Approximately 200 applications for assistance which include details of property, residence (holiday, farm holding, main residence), residents and property loss Approximately 500 Council responses for each application Miscellaneous correspondencePovides a clear description of property ownership, type, size, holdings and people at the timeapplication form, assessments, bushfire relief, eltham shire council, north warrandyte, scan - tbd, victorian bushfires - 1962, warrandyte -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Book, Maureen Jones, Eric Rooks Farm: the Nillumbik gift, 2022
History of the Rooks family and farm, located at 167 Allendale Road, Diamond Creek. The property was first settled in 1865 and held by four generations of the family always retaining its rural landscape. Family archives and historical newspaper reports supplemented with photographs from the collection of Nillumbik Historical Society have contributed to the telling of this family history and history of the property. Hailing from Cambridgeshire England, the Diamond Creek pioneer settler was Isaac Rooks. He, his brothers and descendants are all profiled. The story of the Maroondah Aqueduct which passed through the property is also discussed including the recent development of the Aqueduct trail. More recently managed by Eric Rooks whose story is also represented, Eric donated the property to the National Trust upon his death in 2020 with the condition that a Reserve would be established.93 pagesnon-fictionHistory of the Rooks family and farm, located at 167 Allendale Road, Diamond Creek. The property was first settled in 1865 and held by four generations of the family always retaining its rural landscape. Family archives and historical newspaper reports supplemented with photographs from the collection of Nillumbik Historical Society have contributed to the telling of this family history and history of the property. Hailing from Cambridgeshire England, the Diamond Creek pioneer settler was Isaac Rooks. He, his brothers and descendants are all profiled. The story of the Maroondah Aqueduct which passed through the property is also discussed including the recent development of the Aqueduct trail. More recently managed by Eric Rooks whose story is also represented, Eric donated the property to the National Trust upon his death in 2020 with the condition that a Reserve would be established.diamond creek, rooks family, isaac rooks, maroondah aqueduct, maroondah aqueduct trail -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Property Binder, Intersection of Main Road and Fitzsimons Lane, Eltham
Newspaper article: Go-slow on fix for road problems, Diamond Valley Leader, 21 September 2005, covering delay re traffic problems Ironbark Road ,Yan Yean Road, Fitzsimons Lane, Main Road roundabout. Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade, Community Update, June 2022, Major Road Projects Victoria, includes detail on landscaping at Main Road intersection.main road, eltham, property, fitzsimons lane, traffic, edendale community farm, eltham high school, landscape, major road projects victoria, porter street, roundabout, yellow box gum -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Nicholes Photographers, Bird family, c.1905
Bird family, c.1905 Back row, L-R: Janet Bird (nee Kilpatrick), George Bird, Ellen May (Nell) Bird Front row L-R: George Hugh Bird, Ernest Reginald Bird, Arthur Andrew Bird, Edwin John Bird Nicholes Photographer, Alphington According to the Sands McDougall Melbourne Directory, George. Nicholes, Photographer was first listed on the north side of Heidelberg Road, Alphington in 1904 and again in 1905. By 1906 he was still listed but with no profession. From 1907 on he was listed as a bicycle agent. On July 23, 1878, George Bird married Janet Kilpatrick (born Ayrshire) at Northcote by Presbyterian minister, Duncan Fraser. The witnesses were daughters of the minister. George gave his profession as farmer. Around 1880 or possibly earlier he acquired the property known as View Hill at the top of Pitt Street, Eltham between Pitt Street and Mount Pleasant Road and what is now Eucalyptus Road. George and Janet developed an orchard and farm around the View Hill home and had 10 children, three of whom died young. George Bird is listed in the 1977 history of the Eltham Methodist Church as Steward and trustee in the early years. In the 1950 history he is mentioned as Sunday School Superintendent. In the early 1900s, Janet regularly went to the church by horse and jinker. Janet died September 2, 1915, age 60 of endocarditis and bronchial pneumonia. At about this time, three children had married (Sarah, George and Ada) and four were living at home. However, Edwin joined the AIF in August 1915 and Ellen married in 1916 leaving two sons, Arthur and Reg, to look after their father and the property although some of the married children may have lived at View Hill for some time. From Edwin's letters, Hilda Pepper, a cousin on their mother's side) stayed with the family for some time to help. In later years, George developed glaucoma and became blind. He died December 6, 1920, aged 75 years, of diabetes mellites. Both Janet and George are buried at Eltham Cemetery, but the gravestone incorrectly gives 1921 for the death of George. The estate was divided into equal portions and distributed to the surviving members with Arthur and Ted Pepper being Executors. Ada Janet Lowe received a portion above what is now Rockliffe Street and Sis Pepper (Sarah Ann nee Bird) the portion below Rockliffe Street. Ernest Pepper built in the 1930s on the Pepper block at the Pitt Street end. George's share was along Wattle Grove and Arthur received the portion at the eastern end. Presumably the other two received portions including the top of the hill and slopes down to Pitt Street, Mount Pleasant Road and Wattle Grove. Read's (at the corner of Pitt Street and View Hill Crescent) was the first additional house brought in on wheels by a Mr Walkenden. The View Hill house was occupied by the Johanssons in the 1930s and was later damaged by fire. Source: Info provided to Marg Ball by Neil and Lyn Pepper (both deceased) abt. 2018. PANEL 1875-1920 Panels began to be produced around 1875, and were particularly suited, because of their larger size, for capturing family, or even larger, groups. They measured 8.5 by 6.5 inches (22 cm x 16.5 cm). - Frost, Lenore; Dating Family Photos 1850-1920; Valiant Press Pty. Ltd., Berwick, Victoria 1991marg ball collection, 1905, arthur andrew bird, bird family, edwin john bird, ellen may (nell) bird, ernest reginald bird, george bird (1845-1921), george hugh bird, janet bird (nee kilpatrick), nicholes photographer alphington, straw boater -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Photocopy, Diamond Valley News, Newspaper article: Fred looks back by Linley Hartley, Diamond Valley News, c.1985
Fred looks back; Report: Linley Hartley, Picture: Ron Grant Teaching himself German again after 70 years is just one of the many tasks Fred Golgerth, of Greensborough, has undertaken and succeeded in during his lifetime. As the two year old tenth child of a German descendent, Fred learnt to speak German from an Aunt. But World War 1 was raging. Fred’s older brother had gone to Europe with the Australian forces, changing his name … to ….. to sound less German. “I used to get my bottom slapped for speaking German at home,” Fred said. Even his name was changed from Otto to the more anglicised Frederick. Fred claims his involvement with Eltham started two years before he was born! His sister, two years older than him, was a babe in arms when his parents bought a piece of grazing property in Mount Pleasant Rd. “It was about 24 acres on a spur of Mt Pleasant,” Fred said. “My parents bought it from Mr and Mrs Hughes. There was a two-room mud hut in wattle and daub that we lived in from time to time. “My parents had a dairy farm and dairy in West Coburg, and they bought the Mt Pleasant land to put the dry stock on. “At one stage my mother got very ill and my older sister took my younger sister and myself to Eltham for four or five months. I went down to Eltham Primary School then.” That wasn’t the only time Fred stayed in Eltham. His sister, Wilhemina, known as Willa, married Jim Watson who had the Eltham hotel for some years from the end of World War 1. Pillar to post living was the way Fred described his youth, when he stayed with one married sister after another. “After a while Will and Jim lived in the big house at the top of Pitt St, next to the Council depot, and the hotel was managed by Fitzsimmons who had a big place near the river down there on Fitzsimons Lane. There was no bridge in Fitzsimons Lane but we used to cross the river at a ford, rolling up our trouser legs so they wouldn’t get wet, and carrying our shoes. I’d o down to visit some friends I had in Templestowe. And sometimes Jim Watson took his horse drawn lorry across the ford on his way to the brewery, instead of going don through Heidelberg.” “The bridge across the Yarra in Fitzsimons was not built until 1961.” Fred Golgerth, was only a teenager when he was rolled off his pushbike under a car on the bend between Mt Pleasant Rd and the Diamond Creek bridge. He was hospitalised in the little hospital on the east side of Eltham village that served the district in those days. He still carries the scars of the burns he received from the exhaust pipe and recent x-rays have revealed several broken vertebrae. At the time of the accident he was treated for a dislocated neck and was in plaster from his hip to the base of his head for about seven months. But nothing daunted Fred. Bouncing back he began work as an apprentice to a motor mechanic in Bell St, Preston, a man who is still living (at 90) in Queensland and who still communicates with Fred frequently. “He was like a father to me,” Fred declared. He was a marine engineer as well, so I …. that as well as blacksmithing. They taught us properly then.” After finishing his apprenticeship, Fred bought himself a 30 hundredweight Fargo truck and began his own contract carting business, doing most of the work for a firm called Carnegie’s and a subsidiary of that, Howard Radio. It was in the office Fred met his wife. “He taught me to drive the truck giving me lessons in my lunch hours up the Bourke St and Flinders St extension,” she said. “After work I’d have a driving lesson and all the girls from the Howard Radio would pile in the back to get a lift to Richmond Station.” In the 1939 bushfires, the Mt Pleasant Rd property was burnt out and the hut raised. Two years later, Fred and Dorothy were married. Fred paid £7.15.0 ($15.50) for the suit in which he was married. Dorothy had pulled out of the Women’s Air Training Corps to be married. Others with whom she trained went to Darwin and were in a convoy that was bombed. Fred went into the garage business in Brighton and continued his cartage business for a while. His company was employed to do all Brown Gouge’s motor repairs and factory maintenance. Because Fred had a certificate to do steam repair work he often got jobs maintaining industrial boilers. While he was in Brighton, Fred bought an eight-seater 1925 Silver Ghost Rolls Royce from Sir Keith Murdoch. When the couple moved to Rosanna in about 1943, it became a delivery van for the dairy they operated. “I thought I’d like to get back into a dairy business” Fred said. “We used to deliver the milk in the Rolls. “But it was hard work. We couldn’t get the labour and we’d drive to the farm and pick up the milk cans, take them back to the dairy, cool the milk, bottle it and deliver it. The inspectors would come regularly and the walls for bacteria.” Fred was exhausted. The couple gave up the dairy and moved to Eltham to live on the old property where a weatherboard house had now been built. It wasn’t a big house and the glassed in Rolls Royce limousine became the daytime nursery for the Golgerth’s second daughter. We’d put her in there to sleep during the day.” “Dorothy Golgerth was known to drive the Rolls at breakneck speed along Mt Pleasant Rd. Fred took some time off work then began driving a little local bus run by the Lyon Brothers before taking a maintenance job at the Athenaeum Club in the city. He’d ride an old Harley-Davidson to the station and travel into the city by train. Later, when the family moved to Pryor St. (their house stood where McEwans car park is now) Fred could walk to and from the station. “There was no resident doctor in the early days of Eltham,” Fred said. “Dr Cordner used to come from Greensborough to a room in the old house next to the old grocery shop on the corner of York St and Main Rd, Eltham (the grocery shop is now the Eltham Feed and Grain Store). The Golgerths lived in Eltham until “Dollar Day” – the day decimal currency became official. They eventually moved to Greensborough, when they have lived since. Fred has had his share of interesting jobs since then, retiring at 65 seven years ago when he was working in the engineering department at Larundel. Recently, two of his older sisters and a brother died, within a month. They were all in their 80s. They all had a profound influence on Fred, especially during his youth. His sharp wit and amusing anecdotes are the richer for his having been the youngest of a family that made the best of every circumstance. And now, as he enjoys his retirement, he is concentrating on relearning the language of his infancy; teaching himself German from tapes and a ‘teach yourself’ manual. He is fiercely proud of his German ancestry and treasures the diary, written in German in Gothic script, kept by his grandparents during their journey to Australia. On the inside in blue pen: "To Sadie, Wal Margaret & Elizabeth with lots & lots of love & best wishes from Mother"marg ball collection, eltham hotel, herbert james watson, otto (fred) golgerth, wilhemina watson (nee golgerth) -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, North, Edley
Joseph Benjamin North was a well-known professional musician in Melbourne in late 1800 to mid 1900s, teaching music and playing in what became the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He married Lucinda Matilda and their children were Tralford E and Camille D. With friend Leon Lambert, North purchased 60 acres of land around Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road and built two houses; they paid for a wooden bridge for access. North eventually sold his house to a family named Green but later the land was sold to the Shire of Eltham, and it is now known as Meruka Park, and the house, Meruka House; Alan Gardner named the park. After Lambert's death, his property was bought by Fred Warne. Edley North was born in 1835, and died 26 March 1923; he married Caroline North, born 1835, died 23 July 1922. Edley's family migrated from England in 1859, settling in Adelaide. He was granted an allotment of 221 acres on Phillip Island 1868-1870. on 7 April 1874 he travelled to Pine Lodge and later moved his wife and five children. He and Caroline later moved to a small farm, Willow Grove in Eltham, purchased between 1905 and 1910 (first mentioned in the rate book in 1908 as being a house and 10 acres on Susan Street, and would also have had frontage on Brougham Street); Their daughter Violet Alice inherited it; she married Walter J Dobson around 1921; he died on 25 March 1948 aged 77 and Violet on 4 January 1947. Willow Grove was later purchased by A George and P Audrey Hester April/May 1947. Edley, Caroline and Violet are all buried in Eltham Cemetery. Marjorie Mary North was born in 1909 ; the family travelled in a horse-drawn waggon from Fitzroy to spend weekends in their little holiday house in Sherbourne Road on 10 acres of land. In 1933, she married Tralford Norman whose parents owned 62 acres of land including Meruka Park. Marjorie and Tralford lived in Looker Road, Montmorency; she died 7 February 2003. Contents Newspaper article: "When life centred on a weekender", Diamond Valley News, 25 September 1984, memories of Montmorency of Marjorie North. Newspaper article: "Worse floods seem likely", Diamond Valley News, 25 September 1984, floods in Eltham Handwritten notes: Information by Marjorie North's about her grandmother, September 1989. Handwritten and typed transcript: "J. B. North", by Marjorie North, history of Joseph Benjamin North. Letter: From Monash University to Marjorie North, 15 November 1989, being unable to assist with her enquiry about the meaning of name [unspecified in the letter but possibly Meruka] Letter: June Stanton (nee Hester) to Eltham District Historical Society, 17 February 1993, seeking information on her great grandfather Edley North and wife Caroline. Christmas card [attached to letter from June Stanton]: Line drawing Eltham Primary School 1856, text history of school Letter: Eltham Historical Society to June Hester, 11 June 1993, providing information held by the Society. Letter: Nancy Chandler (nee Williamson) to Jo McCormick 18 March 2001, providing information about Edley and Carline North, her great grandparents. Email: Patsy Moppett to Eltham District Historical Society October 2010: A photograph of Edley and Caroline North found, wish to return it to family. Family tree: North/Dobson family. Death notice: Marjorie May North, died 7 February 2003.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcmarjorie north, tralford norman, sherbourne road montmorency, looker road montmorency, briar hill, montmorency, catholic ladies college, merton hall, melbourne girls grammar school, ivanhoe girls grammar school, wesley college, meruka park, st helena road, st faith's anglican church montmorency, william sapsford, floods in eltham, joseph benjamin north, leon lambert, melbourne symphony orchestra, karingal drive, meruka house, alan gardner, lucinda matilda north, tralford e north, camille d north, montmorency cricket club, diamond creek, eltham railway station, judge book village, fred warne, edley north, caroline north, eltham cemetery., violet alice dobson (nee north), willow farm eltham, edley north family tree, walter john dobson family tree, nancy chandler (nee williamson), pine lodge, elijah north -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Letter - Bromfield, Margery
1/ Handwritten notes (3 different sets) on the history of Caulfield from 1910, by longtime resident Margery Bromfield, dated 1974. 2/ Includes original typed correspondence from Caulfield Historical Society to and from M Bromfield in 1974 and 1975. 3/Also includes a small original, undated, newspaper photograph of Margery as a little girl at St Catherines Church.reed ruth, reed rose, abbot ruth, kelly maurice, schwiger percy rev, peck mr, needham nancy, hart t j, green mrs, begbie family, reid dr, sherwin dr, mclaven dr, williams mr, whitburn mr, whitburn miss, williamson miss, frost miss, roberts mr, taylor miss, pretty miss, kellow miss, hanley miss, younger mr, cleland tom, sheridan family, millard tom, reed mrs, reed martin, caulfield historical society, school teachers, nathan grove, south caulfield, kooyong road, hawthorn road, sycamore road, poplar street, north road, glenhuntly road, orrong road, tranmere avenue, carnegie, fairfield grove, caulfield, bambra road, younger avenue, shoobra road, gardenvale road, laura street, koornang road, alder street, wallen road, caulfield tow hall, elsternwick station, gardenvale station, caulfield council, caulfield state school, glenhuntly state school, coxe’s hill, o’neil convent, rosstown sugar works, carnegie sugar works, market gardens, renown picture theatre, brighton cemetery, caulfield military hospital, bethlehem hospital, congregational hall, rosstown railway line, peck’s hotel, trams, steam trains, horse drawn carts, hansom cabs, dairy farms, livestock, bagpipe bands, clelands property, sheridans, glen eira mansion, rose craddock, fairfield mansion, swagmen, sanitary and municipal engineering, ost lodge, clothing shops, reed margery, chinese community -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Document - Kooyong Road, 110, Caulfield North
Copy of typed letter 27/05/1989 from Brighton Historical Society giving details of history/owners/tenants of 110 Kooyong Road, Caulfield North from 1840 to 1985. Accompanied by handwritten working notes naming owners/tenants of property 110 Kooyong Road, North Caulfield from 1936 to 1985. House was built in 1936.kooyong road, rosemont farm, howitt godfrey dr, settlers, caulfield north, howitt alfred, henderson garnet w., henderson m.m. miss, haskin joseph, anstee w.e., holst edward, bullock hilary, landells rosalind, land subdivision -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Film - Video (DVD), Frank Stokes, Stokes Family, 1950-1977
Various family scenes taken from outside the family home on the southeast corner of the intersection of Nyora Road and Pitt Street with Eucalyptus Road. Also, scenes of the Stokes Orchard and equipment used, construction of water reservoir at the end of Nyora Road near Reynolds Road and Diosma Road as well as early stages of the Stokes Orchard housing development. Frank Stokes worked as a qualified accountant at Kennons leather factory in Burnley, while living at 1 Thomas Street, Mitcham. He suffered from migraines and wanted to go back to the land (he had previously worked on farms and orchards since coming to Australia in 1926 both in WA and Vic.). He first travelled to the district by train in July 1942 to find land with the intention to establish an orchard. By chance he met Arthur Bird of Bird Orchard (bounded by Pitt Street, Eucalyptus Road and Wattle Grove) and they got talking over their common interest. Arthur put Frank up for the night and pointed out the land, 158 acres- Taylor Estate- £900, part of Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik (CA15) somewhat diagonally opposite Bird Orchard. He applied through the Riverina Agency to purchase the land who in turn had to get permission from Canberra to sell as there was a new government regulation banning land sales except for immediate production. He obtained a loan on his Mitcham house of £600 @ 5% and paid £450 deposit with quarterly payments of £15 over 5 years. The title to the property was issued May 15, 1946. He was helped and advised by Arthur Bird who farmed the neighbouring orchard. Early 1943 he took possession and would catch the train out to Eltham on Fridays after work and began building a hut for shelter and to lock up tools. He was able to pay a neighbour (Hawkins) to help with clearing and fencing 25 acres and with a horse and single furrowed plow, planted approximately 2,500 fruit trees - cherries, peaches, plums, almonds, pears, apricots and lemons as well as a few apples and oranges; a massive job. A huge problem was hares and rabbits eating all the new buds off the tiny trees. As well as laying poison he painted the trees with a mixture of cow manure and lime. Often working by moonlight. It was extremely difficult to get wire and wire netting because of the war but after much effort he obtained a permit from the Agricultural Department for supplies in March 1944. In February 1945 he applied for a permit to build a “packing shed” as no house building allowed. It was to be 33 feet x 21 feet and cost £312. Constructed mostly from second-hand materials, which was hard to obtain, especially iron for roofing. Frank finished work at Kennons October 31, 1945, and in March 1946 he sold the Mitcham house for £1230 plus £170 for furniture. The family of five then moved into a very unfinished at Eltham, which was a struggle to weatherproof. Eventually rooms were divided off and lined with hessian bags and whitewashed. Their income was firewood (cut and sold), selling rockery stones and cut sweet bursaria. (It was discovered during the 1940s that Bursaria contained the sunscreen compound Aesculin. The RAAF utilised this compound from Bursaria during WW2 for pilots and gunners.) The orchard’s first fruit sale was a 1/2 case of Le Vanq peaches in December 1947 - 8 shillings. In 1956 plans for house were drawn and Glen Iris bricks purchased (1956 Olympic Rings variant). The building of the house commenced in 1957 - 12 feet of original packing shed removed – and was completed in 1959. Water was connected from newly built pressure storage on the property at the end of 1959 and the electricity connection for the first time at 3pm on April 29, 1960. In the mid-1970s the Shire of Eltham divided the orchard up into numerous rate-able parcel lots, which became unaffordable for Frank. Consequently, Stokes Orchard was turned into a housing development by Macquarie Builders and marketed as the Stokes Orchard Estate in two stages; Stage 1 encompassing Scarlet Ash Court, Ironbark Close and Peppermint Grove bounded by Nyora and Eucalyptus roads c.1976 and Stage 2 encompassing Stokes Place, Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout bound by Nyora and Diosma roads c.1979. The development of Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout did not proceed as planned due to the lack of the sewer along Diosma Road and so many of the proposed lots were incorporated into five-acre parcels instead. With the arrival of the sewer along Diosma Road many years later, most of these five-acre parcels have since been subdivided many times.Representative of the orchard growing areas of ElthamMP4 00:24:39; 426MB Digital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a DVD copy on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes. 24 min duration compilation of home movie Super 8mm film shot by Frank Stokes brother-in-law.beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, frank stokes, nyora road, stokes orchard, stokes orchard estate, stokes place, video recording -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.cr pam sladden, eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, cr. peter graham, peter staples, richard allen, sheryl garbutt, bill penrose -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, cr. john cohen -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, rob hauser -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, irene bogle