This wooden memorial has shadows of the its former inscription which are indecipherable due to weathering of the timber. The grave is located beside a tree in the Church of England section with a marker "CE 62" and immediately adjacent to Procter family grave. Enquiries are being made to determine if indeed it is assocciated.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, george charles alfred procter, procter, sarah jane procter

In Loving Memory of George Charles Alfred Procter Born 11th Aug. 1865 Died 26th Oct. 1934Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, george charles alfred procter, procter, sarah jane procter

Nurse Sarah Procter stretched the limits by enlisted on 12 August, 1915 at 45 years of age, the maximum acceptable age. A sister, Mrs J H Treloar (Amelia) in Hamilton was given as next of kin. Her Attestation shows she had 13 years nursing experience, having earned her Certificate at Stawell Hospital, served for one year with the Women's Hospital with the balance with private amenities. The Embarkation Roll lists her residential address simply as Brunswick - there is no Attestation or other material surviving to suggest a more specific address. She embarked from Melbourne on board RMS Morea on 24 August, 1915 and like many the served in Egypt in 1915, her record is a little hazy, but it appears at in January, 1916 after serving with No. 2 AGH, she was promoted to Nursing Sister and returned on HMAT Ulysses transporting wounded back to Australia. Nurse Procter embarked again on 4 April, 1916 to re-join her unit. She arrived in England 30 December after further service at Alexandria and was initially assigned to No. 2 A.A.H, then at Southall, She was transferred just a few weeks later to No. 1 AAH at Barefield where she remained until February, 1918. She proceeded to join No.5 AGH at Rouen, France in May, 1918; she returned to England on 23 November, 1918 after spending a month off duty with general debility and on return was admitted to South Kensington hospital with rheumatism. She was released around a fortnight later and at the same time promoted to the rank of Sister. Perhaps because of her age, she embarked for Australia soon afterwards and was assigned to No. 11 AGH at Caulfield from 9 February, 1919 until her appointment was terminated on 3 May. Born Stawell, Protestant, Sarah Jane Procter died at 75 years of age in a private hospital in St. Kilda, on 6 July, 1945 as the result of an accident and was interred in Eltham Cemetery. Her National Archives are held as Procter, AWM files as Proctor, the former is correct. (Brian Membery for Wikinorthia) Sarah Jane Procter never married and served in WW1. She enlisted at 45, but said she was only 40 on the enlistment papers. Sarah is buried in CE Monumental Section Grave 182. She was born in Stawell in 1869 and died accidentally in Heidelberg 1945. She lays next to an older brother, George Charles Alfred Procter, born 1865. died 1935 in grave CE 181. In Loving Memory of Sarah Jane Proctor Late Sister A.I.F. Died 6th July 1945 aged 76 years Blessed are they that die in the Lord For their works do follow them.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, proctor, george charles alfred procter, sarah jane procter

View showing graves of Faliner and Pryor families as well as COVID-19 pandemic signageBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, covid-19, david pryor, harriet agrita falkiner, jean pryor, pandemic

Philip Shillinglaw and his wife Sarah came to Eltham in 1882. Their property "Wattle Brae" originally encompassed present-day Eltham Central Park and part of Eltham Library, extending north to include Andrew Park and the site of the railway station. An early photo shows that much of it was planted for crops. They also had cows; in 1913 Philip wrote to the local paper complaining about an earlier report that one of them had been killed on the railway line. "I give an emphatic denial to the report. It is not true." Their house Shillinglaw Cottage (built by George Stebbings) still exists, though it was moved with funding from local residents in 1963-64 when faced with demolition to make room for new Council Offices. Philip was actively involved with the Methodist Church as preacher, Church Steward and Sunday School teacher. A Sunday School picnic and a sports carnival were held on his paddock. Eight of his children attended Eltham Primary School. In 1908 he ploughed part of the schoolyard (possibly for use as a garden) free of charge. When Philip died in 1914, his funeral was described as one of the largest ever seen in Eltham. He and Sarah are buried in Eltham Cemetery. In Loving Memory of Sarah Ann Shillinglaw Died 10th Dec. 1891 Also Phillip Loved husband of above Died 18th Aug. 1914 Sweet BestBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, phillip shillinglaw, sara ann shillinglaw

The Eltham District Historical Society's heritage excursion held Saturday 10th April 2021 was around the historically significant Eltham Cemetery. This is always a popular tour and again we visited various locations, while discussing some of the notable people who are part of our local history. We were also be able to see recent improvements undertaken by the Eltham Cemetery Trust.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham district historical society, gravestones, heritage excursion

Hon. Pauline Toner M.L.A. Member for Greensborough 1977 - 1989 Minister for Community Services Victoria 1982 - 1985 16. 3. 1935 - 3.3. 1989 Loving wife of Brian and Dear mothert of Jane, Madeline, Rachel, Lucy, Denis "Atque in perpetuum. Ave atque vale"Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, heritage excursion, pauline toner

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. Christesen In Loving Memory Of Clement Byrne 1911 - 2003 Beloved husband of Nina Mikhailovna Christesen and Nina Mikhailovna 1911 - 2001 Beloved wife of Clement Byrne Christesen also In Memoriam Captain Mikhail Ivanovich Maximoff 1885 - 1967 Tatiana Semenovna Maximoff 2888 - 1979Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, heritage excursion, clem christesen, clement byne christesen, nina mikhailovna christesen, captain mikhail ivanovich maximoff, tatiana semenovna maximoff

In 1938, Arthur William Glass (known as Peter Glass) was studying painting under Max Meldrum. Much of their inspiration came from the Eltham bush and the nearby Yarra River. With his friends jazz musicians Graeme and Roger Bell, Peter bought land at the top of John Street: enchanted by Montsalvat, he had the objective of building a mud-brick house. War intervened, but then in 1948 he began working for Alistair Knox as a carpenter and mud-brick builder. By then, Peter had married, necessitating a larger house, which he built with help from Alistair Knox. As a trained architectural draftsman, Peter later progressed to working for Alistair in that role, eventually running the drafting office during the 1960s. He was deeply involved in the foundation of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, and went on to design many gardens, some in partnership with Alistair Knox and Gordon Ford. He died in 1997 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife Cecile. Peter Glass (Arthur William) Artist A.I.L.A. 28.8.1917 - 28.12.1997 and his loving wife Cecile Madeleine 23.2.1927 - 6.2.2006 Rest In PeaceBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, heritage excursion, cecile madeleine glass, peter glass

Alistair Knox was an architect and builder who came to Eltham in 1948. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Burley Griffin, he sought to create buildings that would blend into the landscape, enhanced by the planting of indigenous flora. The post-war shortage of building materials made traditional construction expensive. Adobe (mudbrick) provided a cheap and plentiful alternative, and one which would be aesthetically pleasing. Mud-brick manufacture was a problem at first. Sonia Skipper had been experimenting with Eltham clays for years to find the best mix for making bricks and render. Alistair employed her as building foreman on several of his sites. By the 1980s, he had brought mud-brick and earth building into the Australian mainstream, and a Knox-designed house had become highly desirable. Sonia said that he would craft a bespoke earthen house to fit with his client's lifestyle. He was drawn to the environmental movement, publishing three books on housing and the environment, and speaking on radio. He also served on the Eltham Shire Council 1971-1975, was Shire President 1974 and was instrumental in re-establishing the Eltham Community Festival in 1975. Alistair died in 1986 and is buried in a small garden setting at Eltham Cemetery.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, heritage excursion, alistair knox

Alistair Knox was an architect and builder who came to Eltham in 1948. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Burley Griffin, he sought to create buildings that would blend into the landscape, enhanced by the planting of indigenous flora. The post-war shortage of building materials made traditional construction expensive. Adobe (mudbrick) provided a cheap and plentiful alternative, and one which would be aesthetically pleasing. Mud-brick manufacture was a problem at first. Sonia Skipper had been experimenting with Eltham clays for years to find the best mix for making bricks and render. Alistair employed her as building foreman on several of his sites. By the 1980s, he had brought mud-brick and earth building into the Australian mainstream, and a Knox-designed house had become highly desirable. Sonia said that he would craft a bespoke earthen house to fit with his client's lifestyle. He was drawn to the environmental movement, publishing three books on housing and the environment, and speaking on radio. He also served on the Eltham Shire Council 1971-1975, was Shire President 1974 and was instrumental in re-establishing the Eltham Community Festival in 1975. Alistair died in 1986 and is buried in a small garden setting at Eltham Cemetery.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, heritage excursion, alistair samuel knox

Harriet Falkiner was the daughter of Frederick Edward and Fanny Falkiner. Frederick was Eltham's first postmaster and settled in the district on the Diamond Creek and Yarra River around 1848 where he established an orchard and grazed cattle. The original family home was a pioneer settler's cottage built by Frederick Falkiner in Ely street.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, heritage excursion, alexander richard falkiner, evelyn falkiner, frederick edward falkiner, harriet agrita falkiner

Robert David Taylor was a farmer who lived in Eltham all his life and died in 1934 at the age of 76. Mr and Mrs Bowman lived in York Street; Taylor was their neighbour. In 1933 he subdivided his land, the plan showing a proposed Grey Street flanked by residential blocks for sale. Mrs Bowman bought one: her family would be able to walk through it and along Grey Street to Henry Street, thus providing quicker access to the railway station. But Taylor retained ownership of Grey Street itself. He fenced it off at each end and charged the Bowmans with trespass when they used it. The matter went to Court. The ruling was that Mrs Bowman could use Grey Street, as she owned land in it, but her husband could not. (Taylor also accused the Bowmans of having broken the fences, but could not prove it.) Taylor had wanted to subdivide his land in 1914. Plans were submitted to Council and were approved, but the subdivision did not proceed. In 1919, Taylor doctored the plans to make it appear that a totally different subdivisional arrangement had been approved. The Titles Office immediately detected fraud, and the Crown charged Taylor with forgery and counterfeiting. But charges were later dropped (reason not recorded). He was an Eltham Shire Councillor between 1911 and 1920. In 1920, Council charged him with illegally felling 91 eucalyptus trees in Eltham Park (60% of them in a healthy condition), presumably to be sold as firewood. He was imprisoned pending trial. Taylor claimed that he had acquired from another man the right to remove timber and sued the Council for wrongful prosecution. The case eventually went to the State Full Court, with judgement given in favour of Council, on the grounds that any right acquired by Taylor covered only the removal of logs and refuse, not sound green timber. And his position as Councillor precluded him from acquiring the right anyway. Robert David Taylor was also a Trustee of the Wesleyan Church owned land at Lot 20 Henry Street, originally purchased in January 1855 for a chapel and from which David and Catherine Clark first ran their private school, the forerunner of the Eltham Primary School. The land was sold in November 1901 to the Hope of Eltham Tent No. 195 Victoria District Independent Order of Rechabites, for which his brother William John Taylor was a Trustee and became the home of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In December 1921 it was again sold, this time to the community for use as the Eltham Public Hall, Robert David Taylor being a member of the Committee.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, charlotte amelia taylor, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, lillian jane taylor, richard pinn, robert david taylor

William Morris was born in Eltham in 1848 or 1849. He was married three times; his second wife had the same surname as his first so they may have been sisters. He was described as "jolly and hearty" and ran a publican's booth at the Eltham Races in 1903, reportedly doing a good trade. He was an Eltham Shire Councillor between 1897 and 1918 and was Shire President in 1911. The Evelyn Hotel was situated in Main Road Eltham, immediately opposite its competitor the Eltham Hotel. It had opened as the Fountain of Friendship Hotel by 1854, when it was described as having "twelve spacious apartments all canvassed and papered", but had changed its name by 1878. The proprietor from about 1889 until 1919 was William Morris; he was also the licensee for most of that time. (The William Morris who was a butcher at Eltham in the early 1900s was no relation.) It advertised that it had "good stables", located behind the hotel in Pitt Street, a necessity for hotels at the time. Mail coaches en route from Heidelberg to Queenstown (now St Andrews), Panton Hill and Kangaroo Ground changed horses there. It was de-licensed as a hotel in 1919 but continued to operate as a boarding house until it was destroyed by fire in 1931. William died in 1922 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with several other family members. Janet The Beloved Wife of William Morris Who died 5th October 1880 Aged 24 years Also Alfred George Morris Died 11th September 1880, aged 1 year Also William Morris Died 8th December 1922 Aged 74 years At RestBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, alfred george morris, evelyn hotel, janet morris, william morris

Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, clara lucy matilda morris, george hill morris, harriet wilson (nee morris), jane morris, john morris, margaret ellen wickham, mary ann morris (nee mccracken), phyllis evelyn smith (nee morris), thomas alfred morris

In Memory of THOMAS ALFRED MORRIS Died 10th July 1884; aged 28 years GEORGE HILL MORRIS Died 13th August 1885; aged 26 years CLARA LUCY MATILDA MORRIS Died 5th Feb. 1885; aged 20 years. MARGARET ELLEN WICKHAM Died Feb. 7th 1884; aged 22 years. HARRIET WILSON Died Feb. 12th 1874; aged 33 years.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, clara lucy matilda morris, george hill morris, harriet wilson (nee morris), margaret ellen wickham, mary ann morris (nee mccracken), phyllis evelyn smith (nee morris), thomas alfred morris

In Loving Memory MARY ANN MORRIS Died 27th June 1958, aged 89 yrs PHYLLIS EVELYN SMITH Died 5th Aug 1981, aged 75 yrs. Daughter of aboveBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, clara lucy matilda morris, george hill morris, harriet wilson (nee morris), margaret ellen wickham, mary ann morris (nee mccracken), phyllis evelyn smith (nee morris), thomas alfred morris, jane morris, john morris

Bridget was the daughter of John Wright MURRAY(1816-1867) and Mary SWEENEY(1833-1909). She married Hamilton DRAIN(1847-1886) in 1884 and they had a daughter, Mary Ellen DRAIN(1886-1888). Following husband Hamilton Drain’s death in 1886, and her infant daughter Mary’s death in 1888, Bridget married Michael Dillon in 1894. It appears that she and Michael had no children together. Electoral roll records indicate that Michael was a farmer and that he and Bridget lived in Research, Vic. Some damage has occurred to their monument and the Eltham Cemetery Trust would like to locate a next of kin or family member. Unfortunately, there was no purchase information recorded, only the following details; no next of kin. Deceased Location Date of Death Interment Date Michael Dillon Roman Catholic 205 10/12/1916 11/12/1916 Bridget Cecilia Dillon Roman Catholic 206 7/04/1927 19/04/1927 The photo of the headstone is dated 4 May 2016, which provides the best detail of the inscription.The headstone has deteriorated further in the last few years. In Loving Memory of Michael Dillon Died 10th Dec. 1916 Aged 65 years Also Bridget Cecilia Wife of the above Died 17th April 1927 Aged 78 years R.I.PBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, michael dillon, bridget cecilia dillon (nee sweeeney)

Grace Mitchell was probably best known for her Eltham shop at the corner of Mt Pleasant Road and Main Road. Grace's memories covered many local identities who were patrons of her shop between 1954 and 1971. From the elevated position of her shop and home Grace was able to view a varied passing parade of Eltham events from ERSILAC, Easter and Eltham Festival parades passing on their way to Eltham Lower Park, circuses in Wingrove Park (then Bremner’s Reserve), roadworks and other happenings. Bremner's Reserve was renamed Wingrove Park c.1970 This photo of her daughter Jenni was from a series of images presented by Grace Mitchell at a Society talk 10 March 1993 on the theme of “My Eltham”. Jenni Mitchell was born 1955 according to Australian Art Sales Digest and grew up to become a noted local Eltham artist and one time Councillor.Black and white print 17 x 25.4 cmjenni mitchell, main road bridge, eltham

In Loving Remembrance of SARAH JANE The dearly bloeved wife of WILLIAM J. TAYLOR Died 9th Oct. 1898 Aged 43 years and 8 months. Dearest loved one we have laid thee, In the peaceful grave's embrace. But thy memory will be cherished, Till we see thy heavenly face. Also his loving wife MARGARET Died 17th Sept. 1915. Aged 63 years. Also our loving father WILLIAM J. TAYLOR Died 4th Aug. 1921, Aged 68 years. Our loved ones at rest.Born digital image (qty 4)eltham cemetery, graves, margaret taylor, sarah jane taylor (nee bunker), william john taylor

A collection of business booksnon-fictionF. S. Baker Real Estate Agent business booksbaker f s, real estate agents

Treasured husband, precious father Stephen Dattner An exceptional man Born 19th May, 1918, Harrowgate, U.K. Died 11th November, 1986, Melbourne, Remembrance DayBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, stephen dattner

View looking through Wingrove Park from near the Diamond Creek Trail towards the Coles Express Service Station and Mount Pleasant Road intersection. Comparison photo: SEPP_0720 Eltham Tennis Court, c.1909 and SEPP_0721 - Eltham Tennis Court, Lady Premiers 1909-1910 The tennis courts were located in Bremner’s Flats, present day Wingrove Park. The Eltham Lawn Tennis Club was formed on a Saturday evening, the 29th of October, 1898 at a meeting held at the Eltham State school. Twenty members were enrolled, and eight more shortly afterwards. Officers and a committee were duly elected, and the Treasurer was instructed to purchase the necessary requisites without delay. By the end of the first week in November all the requisites were to hand, two courts were marked out, and practice begun. The formal opening of the Courts of this Club took place on Saturday, November 12, 1898, when 26 members and their friends assembled. Part of a presentation by Peter Pidgeon to the Society, 13 August 2022 showcasing a series of photographs taken by John Henry Clark over the period 1895 to 1930. 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.Comparative photo taken 2022 with one taken from same location over 100 years earlier by noted local photographer J.H. ClarkBorn Digitalbible street, eltham, j.h. clark photo (2022), bremner's flat, eltham lawn tennis club, eltham tennis court, main road, mount pleasant road, tennis court, wingrove park

Centred on present day Mount Plaeasant Road near Dalton Street, Eltham bounded by Luck Street to north, Eltham Lower Park to south, Reynolds Road to east and Central Park to west Historic Aerial Imagery Source: Landata.vic.gov.au Aerial Photo Details: Project No :250 Project : MELBOURNE OUTER SUBURBS PROJECT Run : 18 Frame : 93 Date : 02/1956 Film Type : B/W Camera : EAG9 Flying Height : 10000 Scale : 12000 Film Number : 1176 GDA2020 : 37°43'02"S, 145°09'38"E MGA2020 : 337871, 5823961 (55) Melways : 22 B6 (ed. 42)aerial photo, 1956-02, neil webster collection, eltham, central park, eltham lower park, luck street, melway 22b6, nyora road, reynolds road, dalton street, mount pleasant road

J.A. McDonald produced this record in the course of his responsibilities as Shire Engineer for Eltham Shire Council.Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.a. gillies, alistair knox park, benchmark studies, bend of islands, blease road, box hill state school, box hill teachers college, box hill tip, bridge construction, bridge street bridge, bridge, brisbane street, brougham steet, bulldozer, cecil street, charis pelling, cherry tree road, city of preston, cr. a. brinkkotter, cr. charis pelling, cranes, cromwell street, diamond creek (creek), diamond street, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road, drott, eltham leisure centre, eltham north, eltham police station, eltham, eltham-yarra glen road, f. wood, fitzsimons lane bridge, flat rock road, flood damage, floods, floodwater, footpaths and gutters, ford service garage, g. blair, garden hill, glen park bridge, glenauburn road, grand hotel, haldane road, healesville, healesville-yarra glen road, heidelberg-kinglake road, henley road bridge, henley road, hill property, hurstbridge water scheme, hurstbridge, hurstbridge-arthurs creek road, infrastructure, j. jolly, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground-queenstown road, kangaroo ground-st andrews road, lilydale shire office, long gully bridge, long gully creek, long gully road, long gully, lower plenty bridge, lower plenty footbridge, lower plenty oval, lower plenty road, lower plenty, main road, methodist church, montmorency, mount pleasant road, new holland, old healesville road, opening ceremony, oxley bridge, para road, paul creek bridge, paul creek road, paul krafeznk, pinnacle lane, plaques, plenty river trail, plenty river, presbyterian church, prof donald thomson, pryor street, railway crossing, railway parade, rattray road, reconstruction works, reichelt avenue, research (vic.), research oval, road construction, rymers corner, shire of eltham, shire of whittlesea, silvan road bridge, silver street bridge, silver street, sir dallas brooks, smedley property, st andrews, steels creek, susan street, tarrawarra, tony carberry, uniting church, upper yarra dam, upper yarra reservoir, w.e. wolf, waterfall property, watsons creek, wattletree road bridge, wattletree road, wattletree road bridge, worlingworth, yarra glen, york street, yow yow creek

"A woman who went to Eltham in 1893 and had lived there ever since died at her home last Thursday at the age of 93. She was Mrs Ada Ann Anderson of Yarravale, Mt. Pleasant Rd., Eltham." Digital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a scrapbook on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes.ada anderson, ada ann anderson, alfred anderson, alice anderson, ann anderson, beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, edwin anderson, eltham, flo anderson, george anderson, grace anderson, henry anderson, john henry anderson, methodist church, mount pleasant road, orchards, rev. n. lee, yarravale

Memories of Mrs Irene "Rennie" HarrisonDigital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a scrapbook on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes.1939 bushfire, alf isherwood, annie bremmer, arthur munday, beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, bible street, bremmer's flat, buses, butcher, cheddar black, clarrie white, collis, dalton street, eltham hotel, eltham kindergaten, eltham lower park, eltham primary school, eltham railway station, eltham south kindergarten, eltham tea rooms, farmer walsh, franklin street, freddie griffiths, greengrocer, grocers, eltham infant welfare centre, irene rennie harrison, jack carrucan, josie shannon, justus jorgensen, len harrison, main road, markets, matcham skipper, metery road, milk bar, montsalvalt, mount pleasant road, shirley harrison, st margaret's church hall, wingrove park, reminscences

My Recollections of Eltham Past by Margaret Joy Harding (nee Joy Chapman.) My family of Elizabeth and Alec Chapman moved to Eltham in 1946 into a cottage on the opposite side of the Diamond Creek from where the little train now operates in the Lower Park. At that time Eltham truly was a country town and the Pub was the main meeting place for most inhabitants on a Saturday afternoon in the beer garden. I attended Eltham Primary School where I started as a 4-year-old (my birthday being slightly after the mid-year intake) that happened then. My mother spent a lot of days taking me back to school when I had dismissed myself and walked the one kilomtre home alone. Bremner's Common (now Wingrove Park) was a big attraction with its dam and tad poling which I found much more entertaining than school. (Mrs Bremner ran a Service Station on the site of the current one). Another attraction at this site was the circus that came a couple of times a year. Watching them put up the circus tent was very interesting and even more of an attraction was the feeding of the Lions in cages and the monkeys and elephants among the other animals that are not found in a circus these days. At school then we were provided with hot chocolate at morning recess where the mothers would prepare it in the shelter shed. The only form of classroom heating was an open fire. Worse was the warm milk given in the summer months. By the time I was near finishing at Primary school we used to be able to walk along the Main Road at lunchtime to Mrs. Mitchell's shop to a delicious hot pie. As I recall there was no supervision for this departure from the school grounds. It is interesting that some of the other children I started school with I still have contact with, in fact one is a very good friend although now living in Perth. That is the other thing about Eltham; many who grew up here continue to live in the area. Following primary school, the natural progression was to Eltham High School. There was only the main building at that time and I can remember our first assembly at the front entrance. During the time I was at High School several new class rooms were added and the school hall. I remember the musical plays such as HMS Pinafore and other classical musicals being performed. I also remember countless hours doing marching practice. The main street shops when I was young consisted of the Blue Gum milk bar at the far end, a Grocery store and a shoe maker where Coles currently stands. Opposite there was Lyon's Garage. They also provided a bus service and when we got off the train this little bus would tour the back streets taking each individual to their home, sometimes this could take quite considerable time. There was also a Black Smith next to the Chiropractic Practice opposite Alistair Knox Park, another Milk Bar/General Store on the comer of Bridge Street/Main Road where a shop currently still operates. There was also a Butcher's shop down from the pub opposite Franklin Street. The only doctor was next to the courthouse on the other side of Brougham Street. On Saturday afternoon I was occasionally allowed to go the movies in the Town Hall which also stood on the site of the Coles centre. Often the Fire Alarm would sound and everyone would run outside to watch the fire truck leave with the volunteers clutching on the back. The other attraction during summer of course was the swimming pool which was a small concrete pool filled with water pumped from the Diamond Creek, sometimes it was like a mud puddle so for me the nearer to home Yarra/Diamond Creek junction was a much better option. We swam in the water hole which was quite deep and with fallen trees and sometimes carcasses of cows and kangaroos floating past. As recreation, the churches were another attraction for the Sunday school picnics to Mordialloc in the back of the moving van with benches tied into the back for us to "sit" on. Too bad when we went around a corner! In the early days we had an Ice Man deliver the ice once a week for "refrigeration". The green grocer came around in a horse and cart as did the milkman and the bread was delivered but I constantly got into trouble for eating the middle out on the way from the box it was delivered to in Mt Pleasant road across the paddock. The milkman finally would not come down our street after his horse bolted one morning and took off across the paddock. We also had the "Pan Man" come weekly and whose visit I would avoid. Our nearest shop was where the flower stall is located opposite the Lower Park. It consisted of a Tea Room and Milk Bar. There was a Public Telephone there which was the only contact to anyone else. We were a one car family so my mother’s movements were very limited as the Eltham Station was a couple of kilometres away and a trip to the city was an event. Being an only child growing up was a little lonely however rambling along the creek with my Mum, picking mushrooms and picking cherry plums for jam and the dogs catching rabbits which we ate if we could get them away from the dogs. We also liked to go into the Lower Park during school holidays when the Greek people came to camp and they would sing and dance around the camp fire and it all seemed so different to us as this was early days of immigration. Childhood was relatively simple and carefree and I wish the kids of today had the freedom of my youth and the healthy outdoor lifestyle of the "olden days".   SHOW GIRL COMPETITION In 1965 Eltham was more like a country town than the suburb it has become today. People knew each other, if not personally then certainly of the family name. The big event for the year was a Gymkhana or show at Lower Eltham Park. I can remember marching as a teenager from the town centre to the park in the marching girls with the decorated floats. In 1965, just on a whim on the day, I decided to enter the Miss Eltham Show Girl which was a part of the festivities at the park. I seem to remember that the show mainly consisted of horse events, cattle judging and dog show. As I had not given any serious thought to entering the competition, I wore a suit that I had for work which was brown wool, with a coffee coloured shirt under, black shoes, bag, and gloves but no hat. I duly paraded for the judges and much to my surprise I was announced the winner. I eventually went on to compete at the Miss Victoria Show Girl competition which was held at the Royal Melbourne Show. There I met many country girls who were representing their rural Victoria home. I made it into a final round of judging but I think justice prevailed when someone from a country background was crowned. It was fun to go into the show as I had not really been before and to see the displays of handcraft, cooking and wood chopping events was great as well as the judging of farm animals interesting. It is hard to remember the Eltham I grew up in. The Lyons Garage company bus that actually drove you home (or close to it) when we got off the train at night. The Eltham Hotel on a Saturday afternoon a usual social meeting place where people just sat and chatted. The pictures held in the Town Hall and when the fire alarm sounded all the men just jumped up and ran to help. Suburbia has now swallowed most of that life but thankfully we at least do have the trestle bridge and parkland. Digital file only - Black and white photo print on loan for scanning by EDHSalec chapman, annie bremner, blacksmith, bremner's flat, brougham steet, bus services, circus, diamond creek, dianne bell, doctor bradbury, easter gymkhana, elizabeth chapman, eltham high school, eltham hotel, eltham lower park, eltham public hall, eltham state school, eltham trestle bridge, general store, grace mitchell, ice man, joy chapman, lyons garage, margaret harding, milk bar, miss eltham 1965, miss victoria show girl, mount pleasant road, pan man, rodda parade, shops, show girl competition, swimming pool, water hole, yarra river