The expression of the spirit of a place which in landscape painting is aesthetically more important than a literal topographical recording, can really only be achieved after a lifetime's experience of an area one has constantly observed, painted and loved for its innate characteristics. I gaze across the red gum plains of the Mernda landscape from my studio and witness them in all seasons and moods. Such a painting as this, free of all inhibitions of literal transcription are done relying purely on memory impressions. These are often inspired by a particular season or day, but the content of the work is a total of past experience and observations that lie in one's mind. The staccato quality of tree forms against vast horizontal spaces, the open colour planes and marks that define forms, the calligraphy and tonal resonance of the work, all find their origins in direct observations of nature that remain with me. Experience has taught me that the more direct and less complicated one can express an idea in watercolour and gouache, the more significant and vital the work will be. Occasionally one succeeds and manages a complete statement without recourse to reworking or additions. This painting typifies the direction in which my major work started to move in the late 1980's. Part of the John and Gillian Borrack Federation Bequest, donated to the City of Whittlesea in December 2001 by Gillian and John BorrackJohn Borrackmernda

Like Purple Plain, Mernda and Mernda Heat Haze this painting was a further development from aspects of the Basalt Plains series of the 1990's as seen in Mernda Plains Landscape. This picture has a greater minimalist quality about it, having been painted in the studio during a particularly wet spring when some of the surrounding flats were indented by channels of water. Greens are not a colour harmony I work with often, but here help convey the essence of the seasonal landscape. A much more formal structure has been emphasized in this picture in which atmospheric space has been almost negated in favour of a much shallower field of colour and two dimensional surface rhythm, an actual effect one can sometimes see under certain conditions of nature, particularly in a flat country. I have always had some respect for one or two of the better colour field painters of America in the 1950's and 1960's who actually untilzed expressive broad bands of colour harmonies in their work, but didn't classify them as landscape paintings. My own feelings on the subject are to avoid the clinical precision that such an approach can bring, and thus indicate some actual reference to landscape in a work, a horizon, however subtle, or marks indicating actual forms that give some scale to the work. I suppose the idea first occurred to me when I saw J. M. W. Turner's wonderful painting, Evening Star, in the National Gallery in London many years ago. In this work a few bands of mysterious colour and exquisite harmonies with one or two references to figure, sand, sea and sky, transmogrify everything into a magical unity. It serves as a revelatory example of how all art is dependent on abstract qualities and how great artists like Turner are able to conceal those qualities without lapsing into a forced mannerism.Part of the John and Gillian Borrack Federation Bequest, donated to the City of Whittlesea in December 2001 by Gillian and John BorrackJohn Borrack '90mernda

Watsonia Library is part of Yarra Plenty Rergional Library, operating over Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea Local Government areasCardboard invitation, printed in colour both sidesAddressed to Rosie Bray in handwritingyarra plenty regional library, watsonia library

Banyule, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Darebin Councils successfully lobbied the Federal Government to fund the "headspace" facility in Main Street Greensborough.News clipping, black text and colour image.headspace greensborough, main street greensborough

"Birthing Trees is culturally significant to Aboriginal people. Women would give birth in the hollowed out trees. Men were not allowed there as this was women's business. This 800 year old tree and other ancient trees are in the way of a proposed new western district highway. Let's find a way to respect cultural diversity as we all share this one land". >Purchased & acquired for the City of Whittlesea Cultural Collection in 2018. The work was exhibited in Council's annual art exhibition that was titled "Seasonal".MVRaboriginal birthing tree and aboriginal woman giving birth.

Free newspaper circulating in Eltham, Diamond Valley and Whittlesea. Main article: Setting the record straight: the Bourke/Burke family of Hurstbridge12 p. Black and white text and photographs hurstbridge, burke family, patrick bourke

A short article about William Gordon Weir and his service in World War 1. William Weir was born in Whittlesea/Bundoora.1 page, text and colour images.world war 1 project, william gordon weir

Label for a packet of Gilt Edge Tea printed on heavy paper. Shows the four sides of the packet. Printed in dark blue and gold. Two have Gilt Edge Tea with flowers in the top left corner and each side of Tea. One has the name Alex Mitchell Whittlesea Cash Store and Bakery, Phone 10. This package contains 1/2 lb. Net. The fourth: Gilt Edge Tea is from India and Ceylon.business, printers, cambridge press, cambridge press collection, gilt edge tea. alex mitchell, whittlesea cash store and bakery

A 1989 planning document for the Plenty Valley growth area, as much of it moved from rural to residential zoning.8 p., text and col. illustrationsplenty valley, urban development, plenty river, shire of diamond valley, whittlesea

This postcard is part of an album of postcards which date from late 19th century to mid 20th century. Bear's Castle is a unique and historical building constructed in the 1840s and classified by the National Trust for its design and construction techniques. The purpose of the 'castle' is contested but one theory is that it was built as a defensive citadel against attacks by bushrangers which had occurred prior to the owner, John Bear, ordering its construction.This postcard is in an album of postcards dating from the late 19th century to mid 20th century. It reflects the popularity of collecting postcards in Australia which reached a height in the early 1900s until around 1920. Postcard of historic Bear's Castle in Yan Yean.On front: Inscribed 'Bear's Castle on Old Landmark Yan Yean Whittlesea' On back, handwritten long message which does not mention places. It begins with: 'This is one I got on Wednesday. / Travelled with a friend of Lou and Will....'postcard, photography, 1900s, bear's castle, buildings, yan yean

The article is about the Kalparrin Early Childhood Intervention program which provides therapy sessions, support and carer information for children and families in Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Banyule.Kalparrin is a major provider of care for disabled children in the local district.A 2 page newspaper clipping with 3 coloured photographs showing a mother swimming with her child. Nilkalparrin, disabled childrens care, hydrotherapy

Denotes Zones and Reservations comprising part of the municipalities of Eltham, Heidelberg, Preston and Whittlesea, approved 27.9.61. Includes Mont Park Hospital and Watsonia Military Camp.Colour plan Date printed on plan (1959) has been over stamped with 1961. Also stamped with Government Gazette date of 27.9.1961. "Scale 800 feet to 1 inch"greensborough, watsonia

Heart Foundation Kellog Local Government Award. National Winer for Project with Limited Resources. City of Whittlesea Thomastown Recreation Centre for Women's Aquatic Programawards

Golf trophy awarded by the Thomastown Golf Club to members who hit a "hole in one". Winners include: Nick Kaziro, 8th hole Whittlesea 27/01/1980; Mick Brasher, 16th hole Kilmore 07/09/1980; Joe Maletic, 8th hole Whittlesea 26/06/1983; Bruce Ryan, 16th hole Kilmore 26/02/1984; Sam Sia, 13th hole Bacchus Marsh 14/06/1987.Thomastown Golf Club was a social club formed in 1976. This is part of the Robert (Bob) Jones collection of Club memorabilia.Golf trophy in the shape of a timber number one with metal plaques."Thomastown Golf Club. C Grade Hole in One" engraved on plaque, winners' names on small plaques.thomastown golf club, golf trophies, bob jones, hole in one

Shire of Whittlesea / Notice is hereby given that as / is likely to be seriously injured by traffic - to wit / soil, clay, sand or stone carting / The Council of the Municipality of the Shire of Whittlesea has decided to / stop all carting on such roadway as from the - day of / - 196 - , to the - day of - 196 - , / both dates inclusive / Any person who contravenes or fails to observe the provisions of this / notice shall be liable to a penalty of not more than forty dollars ($40) / By order / R G C Cook, Shire Secretary / Reservoir Printing Workspublic notices

Shire of Whittlesea / Notice is hereby given that as / is likely to be seriously injured by traffic - to wit / soil, clay, sand or stone carting / The Council of the Municipality of the Shire of Whittlesea has decided to / stop all carting on such roadway as from the - day of / - 195 - , to the - day of - 195 - , / both dates inclusive / Any person who contravenes or fails to observe the provisions of this / notice shall be liable to a penalty of not more than twenty pounds (20) / By order / R G C Cook, Shire Secretary / Arnall & Jackson, Printpublic notices

Greensborough Secondary College students and their communications project, in which they convinced members of Plenty CFA and Whittlesea-Diamond Valley Fire Brigade to shave their hair for the "Bluey Day" fundraising event.Copy of Newspaper clipping, black and white photo and textgreensborough secondary college, plenty cfa, whittlesea-diamond valley fire brigade, bluey day

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 13.27. Morang wetlands. Municipality of Diamond Valley 257 and Whittlesea 239. Features include the Plenty River and SEC Transmission Line easement. MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, morang - maps

This archaeological survey of th Plenty Valley was conducted by Isabel Ellender in 1989 for the Ministry of Planning and Environment. The area studied is north of Greensborough to Whittlesea. A number of Aboriginal sites were identified and recommendations made for the future.103 p., illus., maps. Plastic spiral binding.plenty river, aboriginal heritage sites

The key was found in the subsurface context adjacent to the original location of the former Wollert Church on the corner of Lehmanns and Epping roads in Wollert in May 2022. The City of Whittlesea gifted the Key to Working Heritage on 2 April 2023.Corroded iron key for church doorfaith, religion, church, wollert church, carome homestead

Map includes Crown Portions V - XVII, showing Yan Yean Reservoir, Melbourne-Whittlesea Railway route, names of landowners, roads and various other features west of Greensborough Road. Redrawn by A. R. Blair in 1978.1 p. black and white photocopy of mapyan yean reservoir, yan yean

Report prepared by Rhys Coleman for Waterways and Drainage, Melbourne Water Corporation, discusses the health of the Plenty River catchment from upstream of Toorourrong Reservoir, through Whittlesea and Mernda, South Morang and Plenty to Greensborough and confluence with the Yarra River.31 p., tables.plenty river, melbourne water corporation

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 12-23, Municipalities of Whittlesea 239 and Diamond Valley 257. No streets marked on this map. Includes Plenty River, Kangaroo Point, Janefield Colony and Janefield Reserve.MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, plenty - maps

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 15-28. Yarrambat. Municipalities of Diamond Valley 257 and Whittlesea 239. Prominent streets include: Edward Henty Avenue, Charles Sturt Drive and Creighton Way. MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, yarrambat - maps

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 14.27. Yarrambat, Youngs Road. Municipalities of Diamond Valley 257 and Whittlesea 239. Prominent streets include: Youngs Road, Ashley Road and Yan Yean Road. MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, whttlesea, yarrambat - maps

Cr L P Mitchell was a councillor with the Shire of Whittlesea from 1947 until the 1970s. He was Shire president in 1954. The Laurimar estate on Yan yean road Doreen is named after the Counillor and his wife - Laurence and Mary.4 components of this collection: compact, medal, dress and documentsCompact inscription: Presented to Mrs L P Mitchell from Debs 1955 Medal inscription: Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. Not transferrable 1958. (member no) 1996

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 16.28. East of Hurstbridge. Municipalities of Whittlesea 239, Eltham 238 and Diamond Valley 257. Prominent streets include: Boyds Road, Bannons Lane and Wattle Tree Road. MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 16.27. Hurstbridge. Parish of Greensborough 2724. Municipalities of Whittlesea 239 and Diamond Valley 257. Prominent streets include: Haleys Gully Road, Kendalls Lane and Bingley Avenue. MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, shire of whittlesea, hurstbridge - maps

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map] 14.28. Yarrambat Park. Municipalities of Diamond Valley 257 and Whittlesea 239. Prominent streets include: Bannons Road and Yan Yean Road. Features include the Plenty River.MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, whttlesea, yarrambat - maps