The Kew railway was opened in 1887, and diverged from the main (Box Hill–Lilydale) line about half-way between Hawthorn and Glenferrie. From the point of divergence the line was slightly less than one mile long, and it had only one intermediate station — Barker. There were four road over-bridges and two level crossings, including one over the busy Barkers Road. The line supported a passenger and goods service, and was electrified in December 1922, at the same time as the main line to Box Hill. There were a number of peak hour services which ran from Flinders Street station (Melbourne) to Kew, but in 1938 all but one of these were diverted to the Ashburton line, where traffic was growing. This had an adverse effect on Kew traffic, as passengers from Kew needed to cross over a footbridge at Hawthorn to change trains, and the main line trains were usually already crowded by the time they reached Hawthorn. At about the same time the off-peak trains were replaced by road buses. In 1952 all passenger trains were withdrawn, but the road bus service continued for many years. Goods trains were finally withdrawn in 1957, and the railway was dismantled in 1958-59. (Source: Frank Stamford, 'The Hawthorn - Kew Railway')Small black and white snapshot of the last passenger train at Barker Railway Station in 1952. The photograph, one of 12, is part of a larger album of newspaper clippings, timetables, tickets and photos relating to the Kew Railway Line, taken and compiled by Lachlan Richardson, while a resident of Kew. The album dates from the 1950s. The album is part of a larger subject file on the Kew Line, compiled over time by members of the Kew Historical Society."Barker Station / August 1952"kew railway line, transport -- railways -- kew (vic.), barker railway station, kew branch line

History of the War Memorial Following the end of the First World War, communities across Victoria and Australia typically erected memorials which were predominantly statues, cenotaphs, avenues of honour and plaques. The Shire of Eltham established the Avenue of Honour at the gateway to the shire as well as an obelisk at the corner of Main Road and Bridge street and the Shire of Eltham War Memorial Tower at Kangaroo Ground. After the Second World War communities once again desired to preserve the memories of those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Resources were scarce so there was a transition away from the traditional style memorials that sprang up post 1918 to one of building facilities that would provide ongoing benefit to the community. Even before the end of the Second World War, the citizens of Eltham began to consider an appropriate form of memorial for those from the area who fought and died in the First and Second World Wars. In 1943 the Eltham Women’s Auxiliary raised funds for the construction of buildings to be established on land to be purchased for the proposed War Memorial. On March 27th, 1945, the Eltham District Progress Association called a meeting of local people who in turn set up and registered the Eltham War Memorial Trust Inc. As a focus for the purpose of the memorial, the newspaper notice read:- ‘Those who have had a member of their family in the fighting services will want to see that the form of a memorial we are concerned with is the one which will be a constant reminder to us of those who fought for us and the little ones for whom they fought and died.’ At that meeting it was decided the Memorial should take the form of a baby health centre along with a creche and children’s library. In late 1945, the newly formed Eltham War Memorial Trust purchased the land at 903-907 Main Road Eltham from Miss Shillinglaw, which once formed part of the Shillinglaw farm on Lot 90 of Holloway’s 1851 “Little Eltham” subdivision. The Governor of Victoria, General Sir Dallas Brooks, laid the foundation stone on November 24th, 1950, in memory of those who fell in the Second World War. The Eltham Infant Welfare Centre was opened November 15th, 1952, the Pre-school on December 1st, 1956, and the Children’s Library in 1961. In late 1966 the children’s library service was integrated into the Heideberg Regional Library Service and the building was officially renamed the Eltham War Memorial Hall. Following the opening of the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, work began in 1953 planning for the entrance to the grounds, which is signaled by a wrought iron arch entitled “Eltham War Memorial” . In 1954 the Eltham War Memorial Trust decided that a legacy provided by the late Councillor Ernest James Andrew (d. 29 March 1950) in memory of his wife, Mrs. Ellen Andrew (d. 13 July 1946) and who are both buried at Eltham Cemetery, should be used to fund the construction of the entrance. A metal plate inscribed to this effect was attached to the gates. Work on the Memorial Gardens was undertaken throughout the following decade, with a Memorial Forecourt included in the final 1956 plans for the Pre-School Centre. A quote was accepted by the Trust in 1963 for the implementation of a memorial garden, which included grading of a sixty-five foot strip at the rear of the Trust buildings and construction of concrete paths. The stone retaining walls at the front of the site were installed in 1968 when Main Road was widened and it is believed that the Memorial Gates were relocated at that time also. Eltham Senior Citizens Centre In 1964, Eltham Shire Council purchased a section of land from the Trust at the northern end of the site, as a provision for Country Fire Authority buildings. At the same time the Elderly Citizens Club proposed a Senior Citizens Centre on the south western section of the Trust’s property. This was approved by the Trust with the provision that the building was constructed in ‘accord’ with those already existing. In 1965 Council took on board the plans for the Senior Citizens Centre and applied for a government grant. These could only be awarded if Council owned the site. In 1962 the Trust had resolved to hand over the assets to Council once the Memorial Gardens were completed. This was in line with Health Department requirements that grants for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the three facilities would only be made once the the facilities were completed and handed over to Council. In 1965 the Department of Health further demanded substantial alterations to the Pre-School playground as a result of the pending impact of the planned Senior Citizens Centre and Main Road duplication. As a consequence, handover of the Trust’s assets to Council was initiated with a formal ceremony held in the Children’s Library on August 28th, 1965. The Trust continued on as a committee of management for another twelve months. Plans and specifications for the Senior Citizens Centre were prepared by March 1966. Council obtained a grant from the Government which covered one third of the cost and the building was completed by April 1967. Whilst the Senior Citizens Centre is contained within the original Eltham War Memorial building precinct, it was not part of the original Memorial and was not funded by the Eltham War Memorial Trust.At rear of book are the minutes of the 1st to 5th Annual Meetings (1947-1951) and a list of financial members 33 x 21 x 1 cm; beige cardboard endcovers with green cloth spine binding; 132 pageseltham children's library, eltham infant welfare centre, eltham pre-school, eltham war memorial hall, eltham war memorial trust, meeting minutes, minute book, women's auxiliary

Date made June 1952Black and white small format photograph of flood waters in Mechanics Street, showing extent of inundation around Mechanics Hall on left and having housing on right of image looking towards Cunninghame Arm. Lakes Entrance VictoriaOn reverse - Flood water near Mechanics Hall June 1952. The pumps were working when this was taken.floods, halls, houses, roads and streets

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989.Black and white photograph of 17 nurses in uniform. They are in two rows, the front row has eight sitting on chairs the back row has nine standing. PTS 14, 6/8/1952. School 14 6 Aug 1952ndsn, pts14

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989.Black and white photograph of 11 nurses in uniform. They are in two rows the front row has five sitting on chairs, the back row has six standing. PTS 15, 11/9/1952. School 15 10 Sept 1952ndsn, pts15

B/W photograph of a service station with a car at the pump. Identified as Frank Ulm's service station, in Brook Street, with local man Mr. W. Treweek, and his taxi. 1952Handwriten on back: Frank Ulm's service station, Brook Street, with local man, Mr. W. Treweek, and his taxi. 1952.ulm, frank, businesses, treweek, w. (mr), transport, taxis, petrol stations, ampol, petrol pumps, brook street, sunbury, george evans collection

The Kew railway was opened in 1887, and diverged from the main (Box Hill–Lilydale) line about half-way between Hawthorn and Glenferrie. From the point of divergence the line was slightly less than one mile long, and it had only one intermediate station — Barker. There were four road over-bridges and two level crossings, including one over the busy Barkers Road. The line supported a passenger and goods service, and was electrified in December 1922, at the same time as the main line to Box Hill. There were a number of peak hour services which ran from Flinders Street station (Melbourne) to Kew, but in 1938 all but one of these were diverted to the Ashburton line, where traffic was growing. This had an adverse effect on Kew traffic, as passengers from Kew needed to cross over a footbridge at Hawthorn to change trains, and the main line trains were usually already crowded by the time they reached Hawthorn. At about the same time the off-peak trains were replaced by road buses. In 1952 all passenger trains were withdrawn, but the road bus service continued for many years. Goods trains were finally withdrawn in 1957, and the railway was dismantled in 1958-59. (Source: Frank Stamford, 'The Hawthorn - Kew Railway')Small black and white snapshot of the last passenger train at Kew Railway Station in 1952. The photograph, one of 12, is part of a larger album of newspaper clippings, timetables, tickets and photos relating to the Kew Railway Line, taken and compiled by Lachlan Richardson, while a resident of Kew. The album dates from the 1950s. The album is part of a larger subject file on the Kew Line, compiled over time by members of the Kew Historical Society."The last train at Kew Station, August 1952"kew railway line, transport -- railways -- kew (vic.), kew branch line, kew railway station

Photocopies of invoices from K.M.Milne -General Storekeeper.20 Invoices made out to Mr Ted Dickson showing hand written purchased items and prices . Dates ranging from 16.3.1952 to 15.6.1955

Black and white photograph showing group of persons outside kindergarten"Written on back of photograph" Opening Heathmont Kindergarten & Community Hall Mrs Lavis(President), Miss Stubbs, Cr Horman, M.J.Harper, Cr B.J.Hubbard, Mrs Hubbard, Cr F.J.Corr, Mrs Corr, Lady ?, Mrs J Harper, Cr R G Lavis

After the Japanese surrender in WW2 the Allies (inc Australia) occupied Japan. Australia was part of the BCOF contingent. (British Commonwealth Occupation Force) one of the man Aimee was the disarmament of the Military. Item is part of the BCOF Association Collection, refer Cat No 7625.This is a fairly modern local production (it had an internet address at the top). It has six pages, printed in black ink. Fastened with one staple.ww2, japan, ocupation

Lew Howard (1944)Digital file only - scanned by EDHS from item on loanlew howard collection, lewis howard, mrs motschall, st. matthews sunday school