Orchids, birds on the Bogong High Plains and surrounds and the SECV construction on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme were topics of interest for the workers living there. Taping them would have been an interesting hobby for Jack Farrell.Jack Farrell (1920s - 1990s) worked for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria on the KHES. He worked in the workshop and lived on the river side of Simmonds Creek Road. x10 tapes of orchids, birds and Lake Guy etc. and 1 Panasonic Battery Pack VW-VBC4E for movie camera.The battery has a sticker on it "$99.00"orchids, birds, kiewa hydro electric scheme, movies of native flora, movies of birds

This photo is of the very newly constructed State Electricity Commission town of Mt. Beauty. The houses up to Nelse street were erected from 1946 onward and then the township was extended beyond Nelse Street in 1950 which places this photograph about 1950/51. There is no evidence of work being commenced on the regulating pondage but the tail race canal can be seen on the centre right of photo. The workmen's camp was enlarged in 1950 to the extent of providing accommodation for a total of 1,200. There are a number of dwellings on Simmonds Creek and the road to Falls Creek can clearly be seen. Snow capped Mt. Bogong is in the upper left of the photo with Mt. Beauty behind the township rising to Big Hill beyond that.Shows the newly constructed town of Mt. Beauty surrounded by farmland and before the regulating pondage was built to discharge water from the power stations via the West Kiewa tail race tunnel into the Kiewa River. Black and white photographHand written on back of photograph "Mt. Beauty from Transmission Line"mt. beauty, construction, pondage, state electricity commission

This photo is of a ward - probably the female ward, as there a many floral arrangements - of the original hospital at Tawonga. This was situated at the corner of Ryders Lane and Kiewa Valley Highway. The building was transported from Bonegilla where it was originally a part of the Bonegilla Military Hospital. The hospital was opened on 24th September, 1949 with a capacity of 12 beds, but was later increased to 35 beds by enclosing the verandahs on 3 sides of the building. 'Add ons' provided theatre, offices, stores and a nurses home. Construction was commenced by the Hospital and Charities Commission with considerable input from the S.E.C., providing the removal and re-erection of the building, the accommodation for nursing staff and carried all work necessary to make the building operational as a hospital. Up until this time the nearest hospital was at Yackandandah. The hospital remained on this site until 1961 when a larger, more suitable building was purchased in Mt. Beauty from the S.E.C.A photographic record of a typical open plan style ward in that era. There were no private rooms. There are portable screens stored at the end of the room to provide "privacy" at the bedside when needed. There is a fan on the wall for cooling. Depicts the rather primitive conditions of that era when compared with todays standards.Black and white photograph of a ward in the Tawonga District Hospitalhospital, ward, tawonga

In December 1939 the excavation of the diversion tunnel at the site of Junction (Lake Guy) Dam was commenced and finished in February, 1940.This allowed the stream to be diverted to facilitate the dam wall construction. This is a 'slab and buttress' dam. It is framed with timber and concrete then poured into the structure. A contract was let to Lewis Construction Co. for the construction of the dam, and the first batch of concrete was placed in September, 1940. Industrial trouble caused some delays but there was also slow progress on the part of the contractor and the work was taken over by the S.E.C., terminating the contract. The dam was completed in March, 1944. The lake is named after Mr. L.T. Guy who was the Resident Engineer, in charge of construction work and associated activities on the Kiewa area, from 1939 until November 1946. An historical pictorial record taken for the State Electricity Commission of Junction Dam (Lake Guy) on spill. Mt. Arthur is in the background and there is still evidence of the destruction of trees from the 1939 bushfires. Black and white photograph of Lake Guy Dam . The dam is spilling and Mt. Arthur is in the background. Hand written on back of photograph in blue ink " Lake Guy Dam".dam, lake, water, mr. l.t.guy

In July, 1941 work commenced on the site of the power station with the building of a coffer dam and excavation for the power station building and machine foundations followed. Work proceeded, and the access bridge, transformer foundations and transfer track were completed in April, 1943 and the power station building in May, 1943. Installation of the machines was then proceeded with and No. 1 machine was run for the first time in June 1944. No. 2 machine was completed in April, 1944 and placed in service in May.A pictorial record for the State Electricity Commission of the first Power Station commissioned in the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Black and white photograph of the bridge and entrance to No. 3 Power Station (Clover Power Station).Handwritten on back of photograph in blue ink "No. 3 Power Station".clover, power station, machine, kiewa scheme

This book provides in chronological order the development of the Kiewa Hydro-electricity scheme from the first concept (1911) to final construction work (1961). It covers the first attempt to utilise the power of the Victorian Alps water system. It started from a private syndicate and developed to the current State Electricity Commission of Victoria. The incentive for the Hydro scheme was to make money and not as an alternative to the carbon producing coal fired power plants. These coal fired power plants were increasing in numbers to service an ever increasing demand made by population expansion, especially in cities and large rural settlements. This demand spiraled up after World War II when there was a tremendous spike in immigration numbers due to refugees and displaced persons in Europe. The ability to utilise the untapped water provided by the winter snow fields, for a higher yield in electricity, was a powerful incentive to overcome the physical hardships in this remote Alpine region. Future power requirements may initiate the re-installation of the other two power stations(Pretty Valley and Big Hill) covered in original Scheme. This publication not only covers the development of the Kiewa Valley region with respect to population (within a socio-economical framework) but also the subtle but yet strong physical changes of a relatively pristine alpine region. The demands that an ever growing regional population places on the environment is clearly documented in print and black and white photographs. The working and living conditions of those who constructed and gave life to this hydro scheme is well documented in this book. It may be viewed as spartan now but was relevantly good at that moment in time, especially for those workers fleeing a devastated European environment. The successful planning and consideration to minimising any intrusion upon the natural alpine forests and high plains can viewed as an example (compared to the Tasmanian Hydro schemes) of how future hydro schemes (an inevitable requirement) will proceed. Most rural towns (in the early 1900s) were built by unencumbered rural based citizens, with the exception of Mount Beauty and Falls Creek. These two settlements were brought into life by a State (Victorian) Authority for a specific function and program. They were a gated community, that is, only open to construction workers involved with the hydro scheme. All facilities within these communities were provided by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. The impact on the social, financial and individual independency of the community, by the transition from the S.E.C .environment to one of local government (Shire of Bright), had in some cases a severe impact.This hard covered book has a green cover with pictures on the front and back covers. The front cover has a coloured picture of a snow covered Mount Bogong taken from the opposite mountain range. The valley between both ranges has a whisk of mist over it. At the bottom of this picture are three black and white photographs covering the construction of the Kiewa Hydro - Electricity Scheme. On the back cover is a photograph, (black and white) detailing the Bogong village and Junction dam containing lake Guy. The inside front cover is a black and white photograph which details the construction of the West Kiewa tailrace tunnel during April 1951. The inside back cover is a black and white photograph of the concrete pour at the Clover Dam circa 1952. All photographs and sketches are in black and white. The pages are approximately 160 g/m2 and those which have photographs are on gloss paper.Book spine: "The Kiewa Story Graham Napier Geoff Easdown" alongside this is a white framed circle with white spokes radiating out and underneath in white lettering SECkiewa valley, hydro scheme, victorian alpine region, electricity generators, graham napier, geoff easdown

This SEC cook book was produced circa 1950s when the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme and its Commission was in full swing. The Commission had constructed two settlements, Mount Beauty and Bogong Village to house construction workers and their families in a "closed" community. These "closed" communities were for SEC staff and construction workers only. Entry into these villages was restricted to "SEC pass" carrying construction staff and their families. All facilities such as retail, sporting and other community services was provided by the SEC. This created an isolated community in which limited individual choice or administrative family leeway was available. It was a typical company town (live and work for the company). The Company was in the Kiewa Valley constructing power stations for the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme of Victoria. In one way the individual did not need to be concerned with living costs, educational needs for children, and recreational amenities and therefore "normal" community survival /living methods did not apply. This living, although restrictive, was quite simple. When the scheme was completed, in 1961, marking the end of company town, caused some of the employees, who had enjoyed the "controlled" township environment, a fair degree of angst in having the new 'laissez-faire" controls thrust upon them. This was magnified when both Mount Beauty and Bogong Village became meshed into the Bright Shire, vis-a-vis, local government. This cook book is a prime example of " the company is looking after you" and leave the worrying to us. This environment of a "company town", which creates the atmosphere of minimal personal responsibilities, is still present in a few remote mining towns in Australia at the beginning of the 21st Century.This book is a classical example of the psychological control in which the company had its construction workers families living in. The motto of many companies who had employees in isolated regions was "keep them happy". A happy and contented worker is a more productive worker. This was a period in time (1950s to 1970s) when social psychology was gaining recognition in the Australian workforce as well as internationally. At the end of the construction of all the power stations both the Mount Beauty settlement and the Bogong Village became more integrated into the main stream of rural Australia environment. Development of tourism in the region opened up not only interaction with a greater cross section of the ever expanding type of Australian but also the overseas based non rural culture tourist or immigrant. It allowed the intermingling of ideas in a non company controlled environment. The Mount Beauty and Bogong Village has, and even up to the 3000 Millennium, the same housing construction, as was built by the SEC. There has only been a very gradual change to modern domestic architectural home styles. This SEC cookbook has a folded cover with two staples at the spine, securing eight double sided pages. The white pages contain black print and sketches(3), and one black and white photograph (of the author). The front cover is mainly orange in colour with a gradual fading into yellow(at the top). The cover is approximately 210 g/m2 in thickness and each page is approximately 90 g/m2 thick. Front cover: top of page "SEC Cook Book of Family Favourites", in the middle a sketch, black on orange background, of a smiling mother walking from the kitchen to the dining table with a steaming rolled roast and vegetables in one hand and a gravy pot in the other. The furniture and decor relates to the 1950s. Below this sketch is printed"SEC TESTED RECIPES NO. 16" Inside cover: on top of the page is a black and white sketch of a pineapple, apple pear fish with scales, bunch of grapes with leaves a pork roll (head of pig one end and a roll ending on the other, on top of this food arrangement rests a fruit pie. Below this sketch are printed in black print the books contents.The first side of the first page is a black and white photograph Mary Dunne, the SEC Home Service supervisor who provided a signed foreword. The inside back cover has a promotional segment detailing a black and white photograph of a smiling (and happy) couple in the foreground with an electric stove in the distance. The written motto below this photograph is" to Live better -and save money they'll join the Power People. "the new tariff is(1960s) - First 75kWh --6 cents per kWh Next 435 kWh---2.3 cents per kWh Balance --1.7 cents per kWh The rate per killowatt-hour for the final block drops from 2.1 cents to 1.7 cents --a reduction of 19%.cooking recipes circa 1950s, domestic food, sec victoria cook books, recipes circa 1950s

This is a souvenir pennant of the H.M.A.S. Warrnambool, named after the City of Warrnambool in Victoria. This ship was the second of that name. The first H. M.A.S. Warrnambool, launched in 1941, was one of 60 Bathurst-class corvettes commissioned by the Australian Government. It was involved in mine clearance work in the Great Barrier Reef after World War Two. The mines had been laid by the Australian Government during the war to protect Australian waters. In 1947 the first H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was sunk by one of these mines and lies on the ocean floor off Cockburn Reef in northern Queensland. The second H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was commissioned in 1981 and was a Fremantle-class patrol boat assisting in capturing illegal fishing boats and participating in military exercises in Australian waters. In 2005 the second H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was decommissioned after 24 years’ service. This pennant is important as a souvenir of the H.M.A.S Warrnambool, a ship that had obvious links with the City of Warrnambool. In 2005 the Mayor of Warrnambool, Glenys Phillpot, attended the decommissioning of this ship at Darwin and brought back several souvenirs of the ship. This is a triangular-shaped pennant made of dark blue felt material. It has stitching at the straight edge with two tabs for attaching the pennant to a pole or post. The pennant has a badge of yellow, black and white tonings printed or stamped on to the felt. The badge includes a white unicorn, a stylized ship and crown, a boomerang and two other implements and the motto, ‘Protect and Avenge’. The words, ‘H.M.A.S. Warrnambool’ are printed on the pennant in yellow. ‘H.M.A.S. Warrnambool’h.m.a.s. warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This postcard is a photograph of a section of a large tapestry , 1.8m x 1.9m, which hangs in the foyer of the South West Health Care. This tapestry was funded by the Geoff and Helen Handbury Foundation. It was woven at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, South Melbourne. The postcard “Concerning the Wading Birds of Warrnambool Wetlands” brings to a wider audience, the work of John Wolesley as well as the craftsmanship of the weavers in presenting his original watercolor in a different medium. The tapestry itself was commissioned by Warrnambool Base Hospital.Background is in muted shades of blue and browns with larger birds in foreground and smaller ones in the background. The texture of the tapestry is clearly visible. The back of the postcard has South West Healthcare logo in top left corner and credits in bottom section.South West Healthcare logo, Artist John Wolseley, Weavers, Chris Cochius, Pamela Joyce, Milena Paplinka, Photo credit, Jeremy Weihrauch. warrnambool, warrnambool base hospital, tapestry, john wolesley, south west health care, geoff and helen handbury foundation, australian tapestry workshop, weavers.

Eltham Shire Council office built 1964 on the former site of Shillinglaw Cottage. In 1971 the offices were extended with a southern wing (to the left of the building) which housed the Eltham Library and planning offices. Taken shortly after widening of Main Road between Pitt Street and Elsa Court which was undertaken between February 1968 and August 1968. Image was most probably commissioned by Eltham Shire Council and taken by Hugh Fisher, photographer who operated from premises between Arthur and Dudely streets and was often contracted by the shire for official photographic work. The image was used in the August 1971 issue of Australian Municipal Journal This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection'. It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image and 120 format B&W negativesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, duplication, road widening, shillinglaw trees, local government

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 75, November 1990:] WALTER WITHERS PLAQUE At long last we have unveiled our plaque in the Walter Withers Reserve. The function was attended by a number of members and friends of the Society and descendants of the Withers family. Following the unveiling, the group proceeded to the Eltham Shire Office for afternoon tea and a small exhibition of Withers' paintings arranged by Andrew Mackenzie. The unveiling was performed by Mary Owen, a grand-daughter of Walter Withers. Her speech provided an interesting personal perspective on Withers and is repeated in full here: I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the responsibility of paying tribute to the man you have all come to honour today. I have the feeling that most of you probably know more about him and his work than I do. Walter Withers died nearly seven years before I was born and so I never knew him. Sadly, although other members of his family inherited some of his talent, I was not among them and I know very little about art. This is doubly hard to bear because my husband had some ability to draw and my second daughter also has some talent in this direction. My children are all artistic - mostly in the field of music inherited partly from their father - a Welshman who sang like a Welshman - and partly from my grandmother, Fanny Withers who, I believe was no mean pianist. However all this talent gave me a miss and for many years I felt a complete ignoramus in the fields of the arts. It was not until I was nearly fifty years old that I walked into a gallery in Brisbane and, as I wandered around the room, suddenly one picture leapt at me and I knew instantly that it had been painted by my grandfather. I had never seen the picture before and it gave me quite a shock to find that I had recognized the style of painting. I realized then that I had absorbed more than I realized simply by living with pictures and with people who painted them and talked about their painting and the painting of others. When I was a child I sometimes spent school holidays with my Aunt Margery Withers and her husband, Richard McCann. Aunt Marge painted me several times but I'm afraid I was a restless subject and used to sit reading a book and look up grudgingly when she wanted to paint my eyes. During the September holidays my aunt and uncle were busy preparing paintings far the annual exhibition of the Melbourne Twenty Painters, to which they both belonged. I remember how important I used to feel when they took me along to the Athenaeum Gallery on the Friday night before the opening to help hang their pictures. There were many artists there but the two I remember are perhaps surprisingly both women: Miss Bale and Miss Tweddle. I remember how cold it used to be up in that gallery at night. They used to heat water on a gas ring to make tea and Aunt Marge used to bring sandwiches and fruit for our evening meal. Everyone seemed to be poor in those days and no-one dreamed of going out for a meal. It was a case of make-do - even to cutting down frames to fit pictures or cutting pictures to fit the frames. They had to use the same frames from year to year if the pictures didn't sell. The opening was an exciting event for me. I felt I was privileged to meet important people - people who knew a lot more than I - and Uncle Dick would get quite merry after a couple of the tiny sweet sherries which were always distributed. I realise now that quite a lot of "art talk" rubbed off on me during my visits to the Athenaeum and during my stays with my aunt and uncle. I suspect that much of our most useful learning comes this way and those of us who have had the privilege of associating with artists, writers, philosophers and other thinkers have a richness in our lives of which we may be unaware. Walter Withers was a prolific painter and, although he painted for love of it, I suspect that the need to provide for his family drove him, like Mozart, to greater efforts than he might otherwise have achieved. Reading old letters and articles about the Heidelberg artists, I have come to realize something of the constant strain placed on many of them - particularly Withers and McCubbin - by poverty and the need to make ends meet. Withers was ever conscious of the need to provide for his wife and his five children and there are touching letters to his wife, regretting that he was not able to earn more for them. In addition to his painting, he worked hard at teaching and illustrating and, as he grew older, the strain began to tell and his health deteriorated. He seems never to have had a very strong constitution and suffered from rheumatism, which must have made painting quite painful at times. His eldest daughter, Gladys, was eventually confined to a wheelchair with rheumatoid arthritis and I have a tendency to arthritis myself, so I am particularly aware of what this could have meant to him. Recently I found a short letter written by my mother to her mother, Fanny Withers on the anniversary of her father's birthday in 1919, in which she said: "Poor old Dad, I often think now what a lot he must have suffered. His life was too hard and too strenuous for him. He had too many chick-a-biddies, I think. He wasn't equal to so much town life and train journeys with so many delicacies as he had. Since I have been ill, I have realised what he must have felt like.” He certainly drove himself to produce. He travelled all over Victoria by train, buggy, bicycle and on foot and for a time he travelled from Eltham to Melbourne every day by train, although later he lived in Melbourne during the week and only returned to Eltham for the weekends. My mother died seven years after her father's death, when my twin sisters were 10 days old and I was 16 months. So I never knew my mother or my grandfather. But my two aunts, Gladys and Margery, sometimes took me to stay with Gan Withers at Southernwood in Bolton Street . No cars in those days and it seemed a very long hot and dusty walk from the Station. Three memories remain with me of Southernwood. One is the well at the back which I found quite terrifying; the second is Gan killing a snake - even more terrifying. She was a formidable woman, my grandmother and a great ally and support to her husband. I think she was the business end of the partnership. The third memory of Southernwood is my grandfather's studio – down what seemed like a toy staircase inside the room. This and the big walk-in fireplace stayed in my mind from the age of about six until I saw them again about forty years later when the house was being used as a Sunday School. I just wish that money could be found to purchase this old house for the City of Eltham so that a permanent museum could be established in memory of a man who did so much to put Eltham on the map of art history. Recently I have become interested in family history and spent some time in England, Ireland and Wales looking for traces of my ancestors. I realized then how important it is to have records of people who have contributed to our society. We forget so soon and it is amazing how often, within two generations, names, dates and many details are forgotten. We are fortunate that so many of Walter Withers' works have been bought by galleries and that people like Andrew Mackenzie have taken the trouble to search out people who knew him and to write about him and his work. And I am very grateful to the Historical Society of Eltham for recognizing the importance of having a permanent tribute in Eltham to the contribution made by Walter Withers, who loved Eltham so much and who has assured this lovely district a place in the annals of history. I am indebted to Kathleen Mangan; the daughter of another famous Australian painter , Fred McCubbin, - featured in The Age this morning (thanks again to Andrew Mackenzie) for the most apt tribute to Walter Withers. Kathleen is not well and she rang me a couple of days ago, regretting that she could not be present today “to pay tribute” as she said, “to Walter Withers for I always think Walter Withers is the spirit of Eltham.” Thank you, Kathleen. And now I have much pleasure in unveiling the plaque commissioned by the Eltham Historical Society from Bob McLellan of Charmac Industries to commemorate the life and work of Walter Withers, the spirit of Eltham. Mary Owen, 13 October 1990.Three colour photographswalter withers rock, walter withers reserve, mary owen

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 75, November 1990:] WALTER WITHERS PLAQUE At long last we have unveiled our plaque in the Walter Withers Reserve. The function was attended by a number of members and friends of the Society and descendants of the Withers family. Following the unveiling, the group proceeded to the Eltham Shire Office for afternoon tea and a small exhibition of Withers' paintings arranged by Andrew Mackenzie. The unveiling was performed by Mary Owen, a grand-daughter of Walter Withers. Her speech provided an interesting personal perspective on Withers and is repeated in full here: I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the responsibility of paying tribute to the man you have all come to honour today. I have the feeling that most of you probably know more about him and his work than I do. Walter Withers died nearly seven years before I was born and so I never knew him. Sadly, although other members of his family inherited some of his talent, I was not among them and I know very little about art. This is doubly hard to bear because my husband had some ability to draw and my second daughter also has some talent in this direction. My children are all artistic - mostly in the field of music inherited partly from their father - a Welshman who sang like a Welshman - and partly from my grandmother, Fanny Withers who, I believe was no mean pianist. However all this talent gave me a miss and for many years I felt a complete ignoramus in the fields of the arts. It was not until I was nearly fifty years old that I walked into a gallery in Brisbane and, as I wandered around the room, suddenly one picture leapt at me and I knew instantly that it had been painted by my grandfather. I had never seen the picture before and it gave me quite a shock to find that I had recognized the style of painting. I realized then that I had absorbed more than I realized simply by living with pictures and with people who painted them and talked about their painting and the painting of others. When I was a child I sometimes spent school holidays with my Aunt Margery Withers and her husband, Richard McCann. Aunt Marge painted me several times but I'm afraid I was a restless subject and used to sit reading a book and look up grudgingly when she wanted to paint my eyes. During the September holidays my aunt and uncle were busy preparing paintings far the annual exhibition of the Melbourne Twenty Painters, to which they both belonged. I remember how important I used to feel when they took me along to the Athenaeum Gallery on the Friday night before the opening to help hang their pictures. There were many artists there but the two I remember are perhaps surprisingly both women: Miss Bale and Miss Tweddle. I remember how cold it used to be up in that gallery at night. They used to heat water on a gas ring to make tea and Aunt Marge used to bring sandwiches and fruit for our evening meal. Everyone seemed to be poor in those days and no-one dreamed of going out for a meal. It was a case of make-do - even to cutting down frames to fit pictures or cutting pictures to fit the frames. They had to use the same frames from year to year if the pictures didn't sell. The opening was an exciting event for me. I felt I was privileged to meet important people - people who knew a lot more than I - and Uncle Dick would get quite merry after a couple of the tiny sweet sherries which were always distributed. I realise now that quite a lot of "art talk" rubbed off on me during my visits to the Athenaeum and during my stays with my aunt and uncle. I suspect that much of our most useful learning comes this way and those of us who have had the privilege of associating with artists, writers, philosophers and other thinkers have a richness in our lives of which we may be unaware. Walter Withers was a prolific painter and, although he painted for love of it, I suspect that the need to provide for his family drove him, like Mozart, to greater efforts than he might otherwise have achieved. Reading old letters and articles about the Heidelberg artists, I have come to realize something of the constant strain placed on many of them - particularly Withers and McCubbin - by poverty and the need to make ends meet. Withers was ever conscious of the need to provide for his wife and his five children and there are touching letters to his wife, regretting that he was not able to earn more for them. In addition to his painting, he worked hard at teaching and illustrating and, as he grew older, the strain began to tell and his health deteriorated. He seems never to have had a very strong constitution and suffered from rheumatism, which must have made painting quite painful at times. His eldest daughter, Gladys, was eventually confined to a wheelchair with rheumatoid arthritis and I have a tendency to arthritis myself, so I am particularly aware of what this could have meant to him. Recently I found a short letter written by my mother to her mother, Fanny Withers on the anniversary of her father's birthday in 1919, in which she said: "Poor old Dad, I often think now what a lot he must have suffered. His life was too hard and too strenuous for him. He had too many chick-a-biddies, I think. He wasn't equal to so much town life and train journeys with so many delicacies as he had. Since I have been ill, I have realised what he must have felt like.” He certainly drove himself to produce. He travelled all over Victoria by train, buggy, bicycle and on foot and for a time he travelled from Eltham to Melbourne every day by train, although later he lived in Melbourne during the week and only returned to Eltham for the weekends. My mother died seven years after her father's death, when my twin sisters were 10 days old and I was 16 months. So I never knew my mother or my grandfather. But my two aunts, Gladys and Margery, sometimes took me to stay with Gan Withers at Southernwood in Bolton Street . No cars in those days and it seemed a very long hot and dusty walk from the Station. Three memories remain with me of Southernwood. One is the well at the back which I found quite terrifying; the second is Gan killing a snake - even more terrifying. She was a formidable woman, my grandmother and a great ally and support to her husband. I think she was the business end of the partnership. The third memory of Southernwood is my grandfather's studio – down what seemed like a toy staircase inside the room. This and the big walk-in fireplace stayed in my mind from the age of about six until I saw them again about forty years later when the house was being used as a Sunday School. I just wish that money could be found to purchase this old house for the City of Eltham so that a permanent museum could be established in memory of a man who did so much to put Eltham on the map of art history. Recently I have become interested in family history and spent some time in England, Ireland and Wales looking for traces of my ancestors. I realized then how important it is to have records of people who have contributed to our society. We forget so soon and it is amazing how often, within two generations, names, dates and many details are forgotten. We are fortunate that so many of Walter Withers' works have been bought by galleries and that people like Andrew Mackenzie have taken the trouble to search out people who knew him and to write about him and his work. And I am very grateful to the Historical Society of Eltham for recognizing the importance of having a permanent tribute in Eltham to the contribution made by Walter Withers, who loved Eltham so much and who has assured this lovely district a place in the annals of history. I am indebted to Kathleen Mangan; the daughter of another famous Australian painter , Fred McCubbin, - featured in The Age this morning (thanks again to Andrew Mackenzie) for the most apt tribute to Walter Withers. Kathleen is not well and she rang me a couple of days ago, regretting that she could not be present today “to pay tribute” as she said, “to Walter Withers for I always think Walter Withers is the spirit of Eltham.” Thank you, Kathleen. And now I have much pleasure in unveiling the plaque commissioned by the Eltham Historical Society from Bob McLellan of Charmac Industries to commemorate the life and work of Walter Withers, the spirit of Eltham. Mary Owen, 13 October 1990.Two colour photographswalter withers rock, walter withers reserve, mary owen

Norm Cooper served in WW1 then worked in the State Electricity Commission (Victoria). He lived in Ringwood (later Balwyn) played football, cricket, tennis and was a member of the Children's Hospital Auxiliary. Collection donated by Annette Rattray - a distant relative.Obituaries and photographs relating to the life of Norman H. Cooper. Collection includes summary of Military Service and association with Ringwood branch of the Victorian State Electricity Commission.

E. R. Watts and Son, makers of theodolites and other surveying instruments, of 123 Camberwell Road, London. The company was established in 1856 by Edwin Watts at twenty-three he had saved £100 from his earnings to start the business with his staff consisting of one boy and later Alexander Clarkson as an apprentice with the workshop a small room over a Bemondsey stable. Watts' first order was from Negretti and Zambra for a mining dial Alexander Clarkson In the early days the firm worked mainly on marine compasses. Edwin Watts would go down to the Docks to adjust the compasses once they had been installed on the ships. In May 1873 the business moved to larger premises a house with a garden. The workshop was also the home of Mr and Mrs Watts and their five sons and three daughters. By now there were fifteen to twenty men employed by the firm. The company were commissioned to supply the Theodolites and Levels for the construction to the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1881. Towards the end of the century, the firm began to make heliographs continuing to produce them for the government until just before the Second World War when by agreement assigned their manufacture to another firm. 1904 The first dividing engine was completed by George William Watts. It was so remarkable an instrument at the time and for years afterwards, In 1907 Arthur Ames went to Canada and started an organisation in Winnipeg in 1909 this became a separate company called E. R. Watts and Son Ltd. of Ottawa. This firm developed considerably and was eventually with the co-operation of three other instrument companies (Cambridge Instrument Co, Ross, and Negretti and Zambra), were reconstituted as ”Instruments Ltd” of Ottawa and Toronto. During the next ten years, the firm expanded greatly to include glass grinding, leather work, dividing and engraving, testing, adjusting and packing. This expansion was continued during the First World War when workshops were completed and the machinery installed and running within eleven weeks from the start of construction. During the war, a Sergeant Coles, among the rats, lice and mud of the trenches, fitted various bits of scrap into his cocoa tin and made the first Flash Spotter for plotting the positions of enemy guns. Coles was rushed home to the firm's factory where he and George William Watts designed a spotter not made out of a cocoa tin and as a result, the Watts Vertical Force Variometer was developed during WWI. Other Watts instruments made in the First World War included the Light Mountain Theodolites which were taken on Mt Everest expeditions. In 1919 ER Watts and Sons was incorporated as a limited company and in 1939 G. A. Whipple joined the Board of Directors. Shortly afterwards, Frank Charles Watts died having been Chairman of the firm for over 37 years and seen it through the First World War with all its expansions and difficulties. He was succeeded by his brother George William Watts with the vacant post of Managing Director being filled by G. A. Whipple. During the Second World War, the company expanded further and the number of employees rose to well over 1,300. In 1946 Watts acquired 78% of Adam Hilger and the microscope maker James Swift and Son Who were Manufacturers of Theodolites, Levels, Alidades, Meteorological Instruments, Variometers, and many other types of scientific instruments Then in 1948 the company amalgamated with Adam Hilger as Hilger and Watts which was then incorporated as a public company.Naval Rangefinder with a vertical wooden handle, and an arrangement of optical lenses. Three reversible brass inserts calibrated on both sides in yards, correspond to various base heights, (20 and 25 feet, 30 and 35 feet and 40 and 50 feet). They are fitted along the axis of the instrument. When the scale for the appropriate base height is selected and inserted, the carriage can be slid for coincidence and the distance read at the index mark on the sliding carriage.inscribed "Rangefinder Cotton Type Mk II" Calibrated scale up to 5000 yds (50 ft), 5000 yds (35 ft), 4000 yds (25 ft) made by E. R. Watts & Son.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, rangefinder, cotton type, e r watts & sons, naval range finder, marine equipment

An early steel engraving print of Marysville in Victoria.An early steel engraving print of Marysville in Victoria by Nicholas Chevalier. Nicholas Chevalier, born in 1828, was a Russian-born artist who worked in Australia and New Zealand. In 1851 Chevalier moved to London and worked as an illustrator in lithography and watercolour. After further studies in painting in Rome he arrived in Australia in December 1854. In August 1855 he obtained work as a cartoonist on the newly established Melbourne Punch. Later he did illustrative work for the Illustrated Australian News and also worked in chromolithography. He accompanied explorer/meteorologist Georg von Neumayer on trips to remote areas of Victoria, and the material gathered on such journeys resulted in some of his most recognised pieces of this period, including his painting of Mount Arapiles in Western Victoria. In 1864, when the National Gallery of Victoria was founded, an exhibition of works by Victorian artists was held. The government agreed to buy the best picture exhibited for £200. Chevalier's oil painting The Buffalo Ranges was selected, and was the first picture painted in Australia to be included in the Melbourne collection. In 1865 Chevalier visited New Zealand, travelling widely and doing much work there which was exhibited at Melbourne on his return. In 1869 he joined HMS Galatea as an artist with the Duke of Edinburgh, on the voyage to the East and back to London with stops in Tahiti, Hawaii, Japan, China, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and India. The pictures painted during the voyage were exhibited at South Kensington. In January 1874 Chevalier was commissioned by Queen Victoria to travel to St Petersburg and paint a picture of the marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh. Chevalier made London his base and was a continual exhibitor at the Academy from 1871 to 1887. He had one picture in the 1895 Academy but had practically given up painting by then. Chevalier died in London on 15 March 1902. N. Chevalier 1870 N. Chevalier/ W. Forrest MARYSVILLE, VICTORIA. LONDON, VIRTUE & CO.marysville, victoria, n. chevalier, w. forrest, steel engraving, print, mount arapiles, georg von neumayer, the buffalo ranges, national gallery of victoria, hms galatea

Boomerangs of this sort were used for up close hunting with short throws and clubbing. This contemporary piece illustrates some fine art work. This piece was commissioned by Uncle Brien Nelson, Jaara Elder to preserve and pass on Jaara culture.This boomerang is in the form usually used for clubbing prey up close rather than long flight or returning. It has a gentle arc about 3 cm deep over its 49 cm length.This piece is beautifully decorated with a traditional Jaara design incorporating a blue tongue lizard motive.boomerang, decorated, jaara, close up hunting, blue tongue lizard

The Ballarat Technical Art School made many honour boards for schools and organisation in Victoria and interstate. Their own was made, but the names were not listed. The Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report for 1921 states: 'It has been decided, for the present, to record the names of our students who served in the warm, in an Honor Book, and to defer the erectin of an Honor Board until we can feel ssured that the Roll is complete. the wide spread occupations of our students has rendered it very difficult for us to secure detailed information of their service. A handsome Honor Book and Case has been designed and executed by the staff ad students of the technical Art School, and the engrossing of the names and military records will be proceeded with as soon as possible. The Technical Art School was quite busy with commissions. The SMB Annual Report of 1918 states: 'under the direction of the Art principal (Mr H.H. Smith), the work of the Art School continues to receive wide public recognition. Handsome Honor Boars have been designed and executed for the Sydney Sports' Club, the St Arnaud High School, the Birregurra State School, the Wendouree State School and the Ballarat Old Colonists' Club. The School also designed the certificates for the Young Workers' Patriotic Guild, the 'Herald" Shield for perpetual competition at the technical Schools' athletic meetings, the "Hansen" Shield for competition among the Northern District High Schools, two metal tablets for the Castlemaine high School, and a certificate for the Grampians Secondary Schools' Association. Numerous Honor Books and Mural cases have also been designed for State Schools.' Over 400 former students and staff of the Ballarat School of Mines served during World War One. The 1920 SMb Students' Magazine said' 'Many students left Australia with the first Contingent, and since then, the School has been represented on every field where Australians have fought, from the first landing at Gallipoli to the decisive victory on the 8 August 1918.' The influence of the school was appropriately shown in the fact that at least 13 of its students were officers in the Australian Mining Corps. The title page has the initials 'D.J.' which most probably stands for Donald I. Johnston, a teacher with the Ballarat Technical Art school from 1920 to 1949. The Ballarat School of Mines World War 1 Honor Book remained uncompleted for more than 90 years. The names of over 400 SMB staff and students who served their country were not inscribed until 2012, despite names, ranks and service records being compiled. A restoration project was instigated as part of the 140th anniversary of the Ballarat School of Mines in 2010. Names were inscribed into the book by Calligrapher Lyn Forrester. The University of Ballarat believed this project is important not only to SMB's history, but the families and descendants of those who served while studying or teaching at SMB. The restoration project involved names being hand written in calligraphy into the Honor Book and was funded with the assistance of the 'Restoring Community War Memorial Grant'. The memorial was designed and made by the staff and students of the Ballarat School of Mines Technical Art School under the direction of Principal Herbert H. Smith. In 1921 the Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report recorded: "It has been decided, for the present, to record the names of our students who served in the war, in an Honor Book, and to defer the erection of an Honor Board until we can feel assured that the roll is complete. The wide spread occupations of our students has rended it very difficult for us to secure detailed information of their service. A handsome Honor Book and case has been designed and executed by the staff and students of the Technical Art School, and the engrossing of the names and miliatary records will proceed with as soon as possible. The Ballarat Technical Art School and was involved with the design and manufacture of numerous WW1 memorials. When it came time to complete their own memorial, the Principal died, and the Honor Roll must have been overlooked in the confusion that ensued. There have been numerous theories about why the Honor Roll was never completed, one being that it was because the SMB Principal, Maurice Copland, literally worked himself to death organising repatriation classes for ex-soldiers who attended SMB. The Courier of 18 November 1922 said of Maurice Copland: “He put his very best into the work for the welfare of the soldiers; in fact, he did too much for the good of his physique, for he wore himself out in the services of the returned men. If ever there was a war victim the late Mr Copland was one. But for the stress of work entailed by those repatriation classes and the amount of general war work which he performed Mr Copland would probably have been with them today." Understandably, SMB was thrown into some disarray by their Principal's death and the Honor Book was not completed. The University of Ballarat would like to finally honor its SMB war veterans by completing the Honor Book and as a further mark of respect, dedicate the project to Maurice Copland. The Ballarat Technical Art School undertook many honor boards. The Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report 1918 states: "Under the direction of the Art Principal (Mr H.H. Smith), the work of the Art School continues to receive a wide public recognition. handsome Honor Boards have been designed and executed for the Sydney Sports' Club, the St Arnaud High School, the Birregurra State School, the wendouree State School and the Ballarat Old Colonists' Club. The School also designed certificates for the Young Workers' patriotic Guild, the "Herald" Shield for perpetual Competition at the Technical schools athletics meetings, the "Hansen" Shield for competition in the northern District High Schools, two metal tablets for the Castlemaine High School, and a certificate for the Grampians Secondary Schools' Association. Numerous Honor Gooks and mural cases have also been designed for State Schools." The 1920 Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report stated: Public appreciation of the High standard of design and artistic craft work produced by the students of the Art School, under the direction of the Principal (Mr Herbert H. Smith), continues to be demonstrated by the lage number of important commissions entrusted to the school, not only by the public bodies and business firms by the Education Department and public bodies all over the State." "Amongst the important local commissions received during the year was the designing and supplying of the Municipal Council's Address of Welcome Casket for presentation to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the designing and supervising of a large four-light stained glass window for the Lydiard Street Methodist Church, ... and supply numerous honor books, honor boards, etc., for public institutions and school." "The School has been honored by, and has acceded to the request of the Education Department to supply designs for the title page, chapter headings and initial letters for the War Service Book which it is about to publish, Mr F. Tate, director of Education, recognising the students' work in this direction by an appreciative letter of thanks. The Education Department has also been instrumental in directing to the School applications from all parts of the State, including Melbourne, for the School to supply competitive sports shields, honor boards, books and designs for certificates, and various decorative objects. The School has therefor been responsible for much work coming to local Ballarat firms which would otherwise have found its way to Melbourne or other centres. In 2011, as the result of a 'Restoring Community War Memorials Grant' calligrapher Lynton Forrester was commissioned to record over 400 names into the honor book. A red leatherbound Ballarat School of Mines Honor Book. The book includes a title page relating to the Ballarat School of Mines and Industries. The Ballarat School of Mines Honor Book was not finally inscribed with names until 2011-2012. world war one, ww1, ballarat school of mines, world war 1, world war i, honour roll, calligraphy, don johnston, honor book, honor roll, copeland, maurice copeland, honour book, roll of honour, percy coltman, arthur e. tandy, leslie coulter

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. HISTORY:-- From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Labassa https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) Labassa, Caulfield is one of Melbourne's most lavishly decorated nineteenth century mansions. It resulted from the extensive remodelling in 1890, of an earlier house, known as Sylliott Hill, which was begun in 1862-3 for lawyer, Richard A. Billing. The land at the corner of Balaclava and Orrong Roads was first acquired in 1854 by William Lyall, transferred to his partner, John Mickle, in 1859, who also acquired the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road, and the three allotments were conveyed to Billing. His first eight-roomed house was extended significantly in 1873 into a twenty-roomed house by architects Crouch and Wilson, who were possibly also responsible for the first house. This reflected Billing's success as a barrister, and he resided at this property until his death in 1882. In 1883 prominent Melbourne businessman, Alexander William Robertson, leased the Sylliott Hill property from Billing's widow, and in 1885 he purchased the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road. He purchased the Billing's property in 1887 and renamed the 6.31 hectare property, Ontario. In 1889-90, Robertson commissioned the German born architect, John A. B. Koch, to extensively remodel the house into a thirty-five roomed mansion. The existing house was extended and altered, largely resulting in the nineteenth century mansion as it now appears. After Robertson's death in 1896, the house was tenanted until it was eventually sold to the mining millionaire, John Boyd Watson, in 1904. He renamed the property Labassa and carried out repair and re-decoration work to the house. In the early twentieth century, many large estates were subdivided into smaller allotments as the demand for land grew and it became difficult to maintain such large estates. After Watson's death in 1911, portions of the Labassa estate were offered for sale, with Mrs Watson retaining a 1.73 hectare portion containing the house. In 1913 forty-six allotments were auctioned at Labassa Estate, with the formation of Labassa Grove and Ontario Street to the east of the property. Labassa was first recorded as containing flats in 1923 and in the late 1920s, the owner, Robert Hannon, built a red brick block of flats adjacent to the house. Subdivision continued, until the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) purchased the house in 1980 and subsequently purchased adjoining sites, one to the south-east in 1984 (house demolished in 1988) and to the west in 1988. Labassa as it now stands is substantially as it appeared when Koch completed the work in 1890. The original two storey house was transformed into a French Renaissance style mansion, with the addition of a two level L-shaped arcaded verandah and two prominent terminating bays to the south and the east. The building is of unpainted cement render with dressed bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet and steep, slate covered, flat topped mansard roofs behind. A truncated conical roof is a feature of the south bay and a helmeted head is incorporated in the parapet over the east bay. The main south and east facades incorporate many cast cement details, including sculptures, elaborate cornices, swagged Corinthian columns and caryatid consoles flanking the entrance porch, as well as pink marble panels and imitation marble, or scagliola, on curved surfaces. At the rear of the building is a two storey wing and a single storey cottage, the former being connected to the main house by a tower. This section of the house was constructed in 1873. The estate at its peak included stables (1873), conservatory (probably 1890) and a tennis pavilion (probably 1890). All of these outbuildings survive, with the stables and conservatory being converted for residential use after 1922. Internally a range of decorative treatments remain from the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, both from the Robertson and Watson periods of occupancy. These include wallpapers, ceiling decoration, chimney pieces, mouldings, joinery and decorative glass. From Victorian Heritage Database citation for H0135 Labassa 2/2A Manor Grove Caulfield North https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) HOW IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural, aesthetic and historical significance to the State of Victoria. WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural significance as the most prominent example of a small number of houses built in Australia in the French Renaissance style. It is of further note due to the German interpretation of the style and the use of Hellenistic sources, via Germany. It is exceptional for its lavish treatment externally, including marble, scagliola, caryatids, swagged columns, mansard roofs and ornamental cresting. Labassa is of architectural significance as the most important surviving example of German architect, John Koch's domestic work. He undertook a large variety of work in Melbourne, including a number of houses, however Labassa is the most lavish example of his work. Labassa is of aesthetic significance for its outstanding assemblage of late nineteenth and early twentieth century European style interior decoration, which remain remarkably intact. These include a trompe l'oeil ceiling, painted ceilings, embossed imitation leather and other papers, chimney pieces, ceramic tilework, oak parquetry and stained glass, including a tripartite window by Ferguson and Urie, probably dating from the 1873 period. Labassa is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the wealth acquired by a number of prominent Victorian families in the second half of the 19th century. The early development of the property, Sylliott Hill, was due to the wealth acquired by Richard Billing, barrister and fifth Victorian to be appointed Queen's Counsel in 1878. The significant development in 1890 of Ontario, is illustrative of the wealth of Alexander Robertson, a partner in Cobb and Co., a director of Goldsborough Mort & Co., and a pastoral speculator. John B. Watson, whose father had acquired great wealth from the goldfields of Bendigo and subsequently invested in city and country properties, was the third resident to impact on the house, particularly the interiors. The Labassa estate is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the development that occurred in such suburbs as Caulfield in the 1880s due to the land boom, its proximity to Melbourne and the establishment of the Melbourne to Gippsland railway in 1879. It is also illustrative of an estate which succumbed to the pressures of subdividing in the early twentieth century, as properties became difficult to maintain and demand for land close to the city grew. It was typically divided into flats in the 1920s and was used as such for about sixty years. It is of historical significance for its associations with the remnants of the earlier estate which remain extant. These include the stables, conservatory (H2005) and tennis pavilion which all remain on separate sites. Also significant are the remains of early electrical wiring and fittings. Labassa was one of the first houses in Caulfield to be electrified and some of the original wires remain. [Online Data Upgrade Project 2004]Page 128 of Photograph Album with four photographs (two portrait and two landscape) of Labassa.Handwritten: "Labassa" 4 Manor Grove [top right] / Neg 232 8 Oct 1966 [under bottom right photo] / 128 [bottom right]trevor hart, bracketed eaves, slate roof, bay windows, decorative brackets, caulfield north, labassa, richard a. billing, balaclava road, orrong road, sylliott hill, william lyall, crouch and wilson, alexander william robertson, ontario, 1880's, john a. b. koch, mansion, john boyd watson, labassa grove, french renaissance style, l-shaped arcaded verandah, bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet, flat topped mansard roofs, conical roof, elaborate cornices, corinthian columns, caryatid consoles, marble panels, imitation marble, scagliola, tower, conservatory, stables, tennis pavilion, mouldings, decorative glass, caryatids, swagged columns, ornamental cresting, trompe l'oeil ceiling, embossed imitation leather, oak parquetry, stained glass, tripartite window, triple window, ferguson and urie, 1870's, flats, 1920's, electric wiring, 1860's, verandahs, curved windows, arched windows, italianate, terraces, gargoyles, ornamentation, ornate entrance, la bassa, manor grove, st kilda east, victorian, cast iron work, john koch, richard billing, architects, electrification, john mickle, land subdivision, mrs watson, labassa estate, robert hannon, national trust of australia (victoria), sculpture

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. HISTORY:-- From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Labassa https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) Labassa, Caulfield is one of Melbourne's most lavishly decorated nineteenth century mansions. It resulted from the extensive remodelling in 1890, of an earlier house, known as Sylliott Hill, which was begun in 1862-3 for lawyer, Richard A. Billing. The land at the corner of Balaclava and Orrong Roads was first acquired in 1854 by William Lyall, transferred to his partner, John Mickle, in 1859, who also acquired the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road, and the three allotments were conveyed to Billing. His first eight-roomed house was extended significantly in 1873 into a twenty-roomed house by architects Crouch and Wilson, who were possibly also responsible for the first house. This reflected Billing's success as a barrister, and he resided at this property until his death in 1882. In 1883 prominent Melbourne businessman, Alexander William Robertson, leased the Sylliott Hill property from Billing's widow, and in 1885 he purchased the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road. He purchased the Billing's property in 1887 and renamed the 6.31 hectare property, Ontario. In 1889-90, Robertson commissioned the German born architect, John A. B. Koch, to extensively remodel the house into a thirty-five roomed mansion. The existing house was extended and altered, largely resulting in the nineteenth century mansion as it now appears. After Robertson's death in 1896, the house was tenanted until it was eventually sold to the mining millionaire, John Boyd Watson, in 1904. He renamed the property Labassa and carried out repair and re-decoration work to the house. In the early twentieth century, many large estates were subdivided into smaller allotments as the demand for land grew and it became difficult to maintain such large estates. After Watson's death in 1911, portions of the Labassa estate were offered for sale, with Mrs Watson retaining a 1.73 hectare portion containing the house. In 1913 forty-six allotments were auctioned at Labassa Estate, with the formation of Labassa Grove and Ontario Street to the east of the property. Labassa was first recorded as containing flats in 1923 and in the late 1920s, the owner, Robert Hannon, built a red brick block of flats adjacent to the house. Subdivision continued, until the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) purchased the house in 1980 and subsequently purchased adjoining sites, one to the south-east in 1984 (house demolished in 1988) and to the west in 1988. Labassa as it now stands is substantially as it appeared when Koch completed the work in 1890. The original two storey house was transformed into a French Renaissance style mansion, with the addition of a two level L-shaped arcaded verandah and two prominent terminating bays to the south and the east. The building is of unpainted cement render with dressed bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet and steep, slate covered, flat topped mansard roofs behind. A truncated conical roof is a feature of the south bay and a helmeted head is incorporated in the parapet over the east bay. The main south and east facades incorporate many cast cement details, including sculptures, elaborate cornices, swagged Corinthian columns and caryatid consoles flanking the entrance porch, as well as pink marble panels and imitation marble, or scagliola, on curved surfaces. At the rear of the building is a two storey wing and a single storey cottage, the former being connected to the main house by a tower. This section of the house was constructed in 1873. The estate at its peak included stables (1873), conservatory (probably 1890) and a tennis pavilion (probably 1890). All of these outbuildings survive, with the stables and conservatory being converted for residential use after 1922. Internally a range of decorative treatments remain from the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, both from the Robertson and Watson periods of occupancy. These include wallpapers, ceiling decoration, chimney pieces, mouldings, joinery and decorative glass.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for H0135 Labassa 2/2A Manor Grove Caulfield North https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) HOW IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural, aesthetic and historical significance to the State of Victoria. WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural significance as the most prominent example of a small number of houses built in Australia in the French Renaissance style. It is of further note due to the German interpretation of the style and the use of Hellenistic sources, via Germany. It is exceptional for its lavish treatment externally, including marble, scagliola, caryatids, swagged columns, mansard roofs and ornamental cresting. Labassa is of architectural significance as the most important surviving example of German architect, John Koch's domestic work. He undertook a large variety of work in Melbourne, including a number of houses, however Labassa is the most lavish example of his work. Labassa is of aesthetic significance for its outstanding assemblage of late nineteenth and early twentieth century European style interior decoration, which remain remarkably intact. These include a trompe l'oeil ceiling, painted ceilings, embossed imitation leather and other papers, chimney pieces, ceramic tilework, oak parquetry and stained glass, including a tripartite window by Ferguson and Urie, probably dating from the 1873 period. Labassa is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the wealth acquired by a number of prominent Victorian families in the second half of the 19th century. The early development of the property, Sylliott Hill, was due to the wealth acquired by Richard Billing, barrister and fifth Victorian to be appointed Queen's Counsel in 1878. The significant development in 1890 of Ontario, is illustrative of the wealth of Alexander Robertson, a partner in Cobb and Co., a director of Goldsborough Mort & Co., and a pastoral speculator. John B. Watson, whose father had acquired great wealth from the goldfields of Bendigo and subsequently invested in city and country properties, was the third resident to impact on the house, particularly the interiors. The Labassa estate is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the development that occurred in such suburbs as Caulfield in the 1880s due to the land boom, its proximity to Melbourne and the establishment of the Melbourne to Gippsland railway in 1879. It is also illustrative of an estate which succumbed to the pressures of subdividing in the early twentieth century, as properties became difficult to maintain and demand for land close to the city grew. It was typically divided into flats in the 1920s and was used as such for about sixty years. It is of historical significance for its associations with the remnants of the earlier estate which remain extant. These include the stables, conservatory (H2005) and tennis pavilion which all remain on separate sites. Also significant are the remains of early electrical wiring and fittings. Labassa was one of the first houses in Caulfield to be electrified and some of the original wires remain. [Online Data Upgrade Project 2004]Page 129 of Photograph Album with three landscape photographs of Labassa. One of the photographs is of Labassa's drive and gates.Handwritten: 4 JUNE 1910 / SALE JUNE 28 1910 "LA BASSA' / "AUSTRALASIAN" FORMERLY "ONTARIO"/ RES OF JOHN B WATSON / 15 ACRES 3 ROADS [under bottom left photo] / 4 JUNE 1910 [under bottom right photo] / 129 [bottom left]trevor hart, bracketed eaves, intricate lacework, slate roof, bay windows, decorative brackets, caulfield north, labassa, richard a. billing, balaclava road, orrong road, sylliott hill, william lyall, crouch and wilson, alexander william robertson, ontario, 1880's, john a. b. koch, mansion, john boyd watson, labassa grove, french renaissance style, l-shaped arcaded verandah, bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet, flat topped mansard roofs, conical roof, elaborate cornices, corinthian columns, caryatid consoles, marble panels, imitation marble, scagliola, tower, conservatory, stables, tennis pavilion, mouldings, decorative glass, caryatids, swagged columns, ornamental cresting, trompe l'oeil ceiling, embossed imitation leather, oak parquetry, stained glass, tripartite window, triple window, ferguson and urie, 1870's, flats, 1920's, electric wiring, 1860's, verandahs, curved windows, arched windows, italianate, terraces, gargoyles, ornamentation, ornate entrance, la bassa, manor grove, st kilda east, gates, cast iron work, richard billing, architects, john koch, electrification, victorian style, drives, john mickle, land subdivision, mrs watson, labassa estate, robert hannon, national trust of australia (victoria), sculpture

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. Myoora - Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0490 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/275 Myoora, 405 Alma Road, North Caulfield, was designed by Reed, Henderson & Smart and can be attributed to Anketell Henderson. It was built in 1886 and 1887 for Thomas Christian, who had founded the fabled gold mine, the Day Dawn at Charters Towers. He never occupied the house although his widow lived there for some time. The house was subdivided into three and later six flats. Myoora was one of many large mansions on broad acres with gardens in Caulfield. Perhaps the grandest was Labassa. The mansions date from the 1850s through to the late 1890s. The siting of Myoora on a ridge influenced its planning and composition. A central hall and corridor along the ridge is entered from the centre of the more formal north facade. The entrance is marked by an elaborately detailed tower. A stair turret provides a second accent. The western end of the building is completed by a massively detailed chimney as the service wing. The south facade enjoyed an outlook to port phillip from a two-storey cast iron verandah. Bay windows, chimneys, the tower and the turret and minor details are brought together in a sophisticated asymmetrical composition. This is reflected in the planning. The asymmetry of Myoora pivoting on the tower is the most notable feature of the building. The walls are built of cement rendered brick. The cement render has not been painted. The roof is slate. The balconies and verandah are cast iron. The footings and cellar are bluestone. The architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart was very prominent in Victoria in the nineteenth century. Anketell Henderson was an eminent and well respected member of the profession. He worked successfully in London and interstate as well as in Victoria. They were better known for commercial and public buildings. Myoora is an important private commission. The style of Myoora is a combination of details from the Continental and English Renaissance through the boom style and the Queen Anne style. There is also an early influence from the American Romanesque style especially in the stair turret. The latter style was important at the turn of the century and Myoora is a significant precursor. Other buildings of a similar scale survive in Caulfield and elsewhere. Labassa, the most fabulous, is quite different stylistically as are most of the other comparable mansions.Page 6 of Photograph Album including four black and white photographs of the mansion Myoora. Two photographs in the top half of the page are in portrait orientation while the two photographs in the bottom half of the page are in landscape orientation.Handwritten: "Myoora" 405 Alma Rd [top right hand corner] / 8 Oct 1966 Neg 229 [underneath top left photograph] / 8 Oct 1966 Neg 230 [underneath bottom left photograph] / 6 [bottom right]caulfield north, trevor hart, alma road, mansion, myoora, tower, lacework, arched windows, anketell henderson, thomas christian, 1880's, cement rendered brick, slate roof, cast iron verandah, cast iron balconies, bluestone footings, queen anne, american romanesque, bay windows, boom style, continental and english renaissance, cast iron work, reed henderson & smart, flats, gardens, asymmetrical style

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. Myoora - Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0490 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/275 Myoora, 405 Alma Road, North Caulfield, was designed by Reed, Henderson & Smart and can be attributed to Anketell Henderson. It was built in 1886 and 1887 for Thomas Christian, who had founded the fabled gold mine, the Day Dawn at Charters Towers. He never occupied the house although his widow lived there for some time. The house was subdivided into three and later six flats. Myoora was one of many large mansions on broad acres with gardens in Caulfield. Perhaps the grandest was Labassa. The mansions date from the 1850s through to the late 1890s. The siting of Myoora on a ridge influenced its planning and composition. A central hall and corridor along the ridge is entered from the centre of the more formal north facade. The entrance is marked by an elaborately detailed tower. A stair turret provides a second accent. The western end of the building is completed by a massively detailed chimney as the service wing. The south facade enjoyed an outlook to port phillip from a two-storey cast iron verandah. Bay windows, chimneys, the tower and the turret and minor details are brought together in a sophisticated asymmetrical composition. This is reflected in the planning. The asymmetry of Myoora pivoting on the tower is the most notable feature of the building. The walls are built of cement rendered brick. The cement render has not been painted. The roof is slate. The balconies and verandah are cast iron. The footings and cellar are bluestone. The architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart was very prominent in Victoria in the nineteenth century. Anketell Henderson was an eminent and well respected member of the profession. He worked successfully in London and interstate as well as in Victoria. They were better known for commercial and public buildings. Myoora is an important private commission. The style of Myoora is a combination of details from the Continental and English Renaissance through the boom style and the Queen Anne style. There is also an early influence from the American Romanesque style especially in the stair turret. The latter style was important at the turn of the century and Myoora is a significant precursor. Other buildings of a similar scale survive in Caulfield and elsewhere. Labassa, the most fabulous, is quite different stylistically as are most of the other comparable mansions.Page 7 of Photograph Album including four black and white photographs. Three photos are in a portrait orientation and placed diagonally across the page from the top left hand side to the bottom right hand side. One photograph in a landscape orientation is on the top right hand side of the page. Handwritten: 007 (bottom left hand corner)caulfield north, trevor hart, alma road, mansion, myoora, tower, thomas christian, 1880's, queen anne, cement rendered brick, unpainted, balconies, verandahs, anketell henderson, continental and english renaissance, american romanesque, views, cast iron work, reed henderson & smart, flats, gardens, asymmetrical style, slate roofs

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.Myoora - Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0490 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/275 (as at 6/10/2020) Myoora, 405 Alma Road, North Caulfield, was designed by Reed, Henderson & Smart and can be attributed to Anketell Henderson. It was built in 1886 and 1887 for Thomas Christian, who had founded the fabled gold mine, the Day Dawn at Charters Towers. He never occupied the house although his widow lived there for some time. The house was subdivided into three and later six flats. Myoora was one of many large mansions on broad acres with gardens in Caulfield. Perhaps the grandest was Labassa. The mansions date from the 1850s through to the late 1890s. The siting of Myoora on a ridge influenced its planning and composition. A central hall and corridor along the ridge is entered from the centre of the more formal north facade. The entrance is marked by an elaborately detailed tower. A stair turret provides a second accent. The western end of the building is completed by a massively detailed chimney as the service wing. The south facade enjoyed an outlook to port phillip from a two-storey cast iron verandah. Bay windows, chimneys, the tower and the turret and minor details are brought together in a sophisticated asymmetrical composition. This is reflected in the planning. The asymmetry of Myoora pivoting on the tower is the most notable feature of the building. The walls are built of cement rendered brick. The cement render has not been painted. The roof is slate. The balconies and verandah are cast iron. The footings and cellar are bluestone. The architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart was very prominent in Victoria in the nineteenth century. Anketell Henderson was an eminent and well respected member of the profession. He worked successfully in London and interstate as well as in Victoria. They were better known for commercial and public buildings. Myoora is an important private commission. The style of Myoora is a combination of details from the Continental and English Renaissance through the boom style and the Queen Anne style. There is also an early influence from the American Romanesque style especially in the stair turret. The latter style was important at the turn of the century and Myoora is a significant precursor. Other buildings of a similar scale survive in Caulfield and elsewhere. Labassa, the most fabulous, is quite different stylistically as are most of the other comparable mansions. Stonnington is perhaps closer but relies on different details from the Queen Anne style and lacks any American influence. For its historical associations through its owners and architects, for its style and composition and for its intactness, Myoora is significant at a State level. The craftmanship of Myoora is what could be expected of a building of the time and type. It is relatively intact and in fair condition. The main staircase has been removed, minor alterations to decorative features have occurred and additions have been made to the exterior.Page 8 of Photograph Album including four black and white photographs. Three photos are in a portrait orientation, one on the left hand side of the page with the other two in the bottom part of the page. One photograph in a landscape orientation is on the top right hand side of the page. Handwritten: "Myoora" 405 Alma Rd [top right hand corner] / Neg 179 DEC 1972 [underneath bottom left photograph] / Neg 180 DEC 1972 [underneath bottom right photograph] / 8 [bottom right]caulfield north, trevor hart, alma road, mansion, myoora, tower, thomas christian, 1880's, queen anne, cement rendered brick, unpainted, balconies, verandahs, anketell henderson, continental and english renaissance, american romanesque, views, cast iron work, reed henderson & smart, flats, gardens, asymmetrical style, slate roofs, entrances

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.Myoora - Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0490 From the Victorian Heritage Register Database - Citation for Myoora https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/275 (as at 6/10/2020) Myoora, 405 Alma Road, North Caulfield, was designed by Reed, Henderson & Smart and can be attributed to Anketell Henderson. It was built in 1886 and 1887 for Thomas Christian, who had founded the fabled gold mine, the Day Dawn at Charters Towers. He never occupied the house although his widow lived there for some time. The house was subdivided into three and later six flats. Myoora was one of many large mansions on broad acres with gardens in Caulfield. Perhaps the grandest was Labassa. The mansions date from the 1850s through to the late 1890s. The siting of Myoora on a ridge influenced its planning and composition. A central hall and corridor along the ridge is entered from the centre of the more formal north facade. The entrance is marked by an elaborately detailed tower. A stair turret provides a second accent. The western end of the building is completed by a massively detailed chimney as the service wing. The south facade enjoyed an outlook to port phillip from a two-storey cast iron verandah. Bay windows, chimneys, the tower and the turret and minor details are brought together in a sophisticated asymmetrical composition. This is reflected in the planning. The asymmetry of Myoora pivoting on the tower is the most notable feature of the building. The walls are built of cement rendered brick. The cement render has not been painted. The roof is slate. The balconies and verandah are cast iron. The footings and cellar are bluestone. The architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart was very prominent in Victoria in the nineteenth century. Anketell Henderson was an eminent and well respected member of the profession. He worked successfully in London and interstate as well as in Victoria. They were better known for commercial and public buildings. Myoora is an important private commission. The style of Myoora is a combination of details from the Continental and English Renaissance through the boom style and the Queen Anne style. There is also an early influence from the American Romanesque style especially in the stair turret. The latter style was important at the turn of the century and Myoora is a significant precursor. Other buildings of a similar scale survive in Caulfield and elsewhere. Labassa, the most fabulous, is quite different stylistically as are most of the other comparable mansions. Stonnington is perhaps closer but relies on different details from the Queen Anne style and lacks any American influence. For its historical associations through its owners and architects, for its style and composition and for its intactness, Myoora is significant at a State level. The craftmanship of Myoora is what could be expected of a building of the time and type. It is relatively intact and in fair condition. The main staircase has been removed, minor alterations to decorative features have occurred and additions have been made to the exterior.Page 9 of Photograph Album including three black and white photographs. The photos are in a portrait orientation and arranged diagonally across the page from top left to bottom right.Handwritten: Neg 175 DEC 1972 [underneath top left photograph] / Neg 173 DEC 1972 [underneath middle photograph] / 9 [bottom left]caulfield north, trevor hart, alma road, mansion, myoora, tower, thomas christian, 1880's, queen anne, cement rendered brick, unpainted, balconies, verandahs, anketell henderson, continental and english renaissance, american romanesque, views, cast iron work, reed henderson & smart, flats, asymmetrical style, slate roofs, windows

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.Myoora - Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0490 Citation for Myoora https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/275 (as at 6/10/2020) Myoora, 405 Alma Road, North Caulfield, was designed by Reed, Henderson & Smart and can be attributed to Anketell Henderson. It was built in 1886 and 1887 for Thomas Christian, who had founded the fabled gold mine, the Day Dawn at Charters Towers. He never occupied the house although his widow lived there for some time. The house was subdivided into three and later six flats. Myoora was one of many large mansions on broad acres with gardens in Caulfield. Perhaps the grandest was Labassa. The mansions date from the 1850s through to the late 1890s. The siting of Myoora on a ridge influenced its planning and composition. A central hall and corridor along the ridge is entered from the centre of the more formal north facade. The entrance is marked by an elaborately detailed tower. A stair turret provides a second accent. The western end of the building is completed by a massively detailed chimney as the service wing. The south facade enjoyed an outlook to port phillip from a two-storey cast iron verandah. Bay windows, chimneys, the tower and the turret and minor details are brought together in a sophisticated asymmetrical composition. This is reflected in the planning. The asymmetry of Myoora pivoting on the tower is the most notable feature of the building. The walls are built of cement rendered brick. The cement render has not been painted. The roof is slate. The balconies and verandah are cast iron. The footings and cellar are bluestone. The architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart was very prominent in Victoria in the nineteenth century. Anketell Henderson was an eminent and well respected member of the profession. He worked successfully in London and interstate as well as in Victoria. They were better known for commercial and public buildings. Myoora is an important private commission. The style of Myoora is a combination of details from the Continental and English Renaissance through the boom style and the Queen Anne style. There is also an early influence from the American Romanesque style especially in the stair turret. The latter style was important at the turn of the century and Myoora is a significant precursor. Other buildings of a similar scale survive in Caulfield and elsewhere. Labassa, the most fabulous, is quite different stylistically as are most of the other comparable mansions. Stonnington is perhaps closer but relies on different details from the Queen Anne style and lacks any American influence. For its historical associations through its owners and architects, for its style and composition and for its intactness, Myoora is significant at a State level. The craftmanship of Myoora is what could be expected of a building of the time and type. It is relatively intact and in fair condition. The main staircase has been removed, minor alterations to decorative features have occurred and additions have been made to the exterior.Page 10 of Photograph Album including four black and white photographs. Three photos are in a portrait orientation with the fourth on the right in a landscape orientation.Handwritten: "Myoora" 405 Alma Rd [top right of page] / Neg 176 DEC 1972 [underneath bottom right photograph] / 10 [bottom right]caulfield north, trevor hart, alma road, mansion, myoora, tower, thomas christian, 1880's, queen anne, cement rendered brick, unpainted, balconies, verandahs, anketell henderson, continental and english renaissance, american romanesque, cast iron work, reed henderson & smart, flats, gardens, asymmetrical style, slate roofs, chimneys

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0490 From the Victorian Heritage Register Database - Citation for Myoora https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/275 (as at 6/10/2020) Myoora, 405 Alma Road, North Caulfield, was designed by Reed, Henderson & Smart and can be attributed to Anketell Henderson. It was built in 1886 and 1887 for Thomas Christian, who had founded the fabled gold mine, the Day Dawn at Charters Towers. He never occupied the house although his widow lived there for some time. The house was subdivided into three and later six flats. Myoora was one of many large mansions on broad acres with gardens in Caulfield. Perhaps the grandest was Labassa. The mansions date from the 1850s through to the late 1890s. The siting of Myoora on a ridge influenced its planning and composition. A central hall and corridor along the ridge is entered from the centre of the more formal north facade. The entrance is marked by an elaborately detailed tower. A stair turret provides a second accent. The western end of the building is completed by a massively detailed chimney as the service wing. The south facade enjoyed an outlook to port phillip from a two-storey cast iron verandah. Bay windows, chimneys, the tower and the turret and minor details are brought together in a sophisticated asymmetrical composition. This is reflected in the planning. The asymmetry of Myoora pivoting on the tower is the most notable feature of the building. The walls are built of cement rendered brick. The cement render has not been painted. The roof is slate. The balconies and verandah are cast iron. The footings and cellar are bluestone. The architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart was very prominent in Victoria in the nineteenth century. Anketell Henderson was an eminent and well respected member of the profession. He worked successfully in London and interstate as well as in Victoria. They were better known for commercial and public buildings. Myoora is an important private commission. The style of Myoora is a combination of details from the Continental and English Renaissance through the boom style and the Queen Anne style. There is also an early influence from the American Romanesque style especially in the stair turret. The latter style was important at the turn of the century and Myoora is a significant precursor. Other buildings of a similar scale survive in Caulfield and elsewhere. Labassa, the most fabulous, is quite different stylistically as are most of the other comparable mansions. Stonnington is perhaps closer but relies on different details from the Queen Anne style and lacks any American influence. For its historical associations through its owners and architects, for its style and composition and for its intactness, Myoora is significant at a State level. The craftmanship of Myoora is what could be expected of a building of the time and type. It is relatively intact and in fair condition. The main staircase has been removed, minor alterations to decorative features have occurred and additions have been made to the exterior.Page 11 of Photograph Album including four black and white photographs. Three photos are in a portrait orientation and arranged on the left and bottom section of the page. A landscape oriented photo is in the top right section.Handwritten: 11 [bottom left]caulfield north, trevor hart, alma road, mansion, myoora, tower, thomas christian, 1880's, queen anne, cement rendered brick, unpainted, balconies, verandahs, anketell henderson, continental and english renaissance, american romanesque, cast iron balconies, views, cast iron work, reed henderson & smart, flats, gardens, asymmetrical style, slate roofs, windows, chimneys

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0490 From the Victorian Heritage Register Database - Citation for Myoora https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/275 (as at 6/10/2020) Myoora, 405 Alma Road, North Caulfield, was designed by Reed, Henderson & Smart and can be attributed to Anketell Henderson. It was built in 1886 and 1887 for Thomas Christian, who had founded the fabled gold mine, the Day Dawn at Charters Towers. He never occupied the house although his widow lived there for some time. The house was subdivided into three and later six flats. Myoora was one of many large mansions on broad acres with gardens in Caulfield. Perhaps the grandest was Labassa. The mansions date from the 1850s through to the late 1890s. The siting of Myoora on a ridge influenced its planning and composition. A central hall and corridor along the ridge is entered from the centre of the more formal north facade. The entrance is marked by an elaborately detailed tower. A stair turret provides a second accent. The western end of the building is completed by a massively detailed chimney as the service wing. The south facade enjoyed an outlook to port phillip from a two-storey cast iron verandah. Bay windows, chimneys, the tower and the turret and minor details are brought together in a sophisticated asymmetrical composition. This is reflected in the planning. The asymmetry of Myoora pivoting on the tower is the most notable feature of the building. The walls are built of cement rendered brick. The cement render has not been painted. The roof is slate. The balconies and verandah are cast iron. The footings and cellar are bluestone. The architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart was very prominent in Victoria in the nineteenth century. Anketell Henderson was an eminent and well respected member of the profession. He worked successfully in London and interstate as well as in Victoria. They were better known for commercial and public buildings. Myoora is an important private commission. The style of Myoora is a combination of details from the Continental and English Renaissance through the boom style and the Queen Anne style. There is also an early influence from the American Romanesque style especially in the stair turret. The latter style was important at the turn of the century and Myoora is a significant precursor. Other buildings of a similar scale survive in Caulfield and elsewhere. Labassa, the most fabulous, is quite different stylistically as are most of the other comparable mansions. Stonnington is perhaps closer but relies on different details from the Queen Anne style and lacks any American influence. For its historical associations through its owners and architects, for its style and composition and for its intactness, Myoora is significant at a State level. The craftmanship of Myoora is what could be expected of a building of the time and type. It is relatively intact and in fair condition. The main staircase has been removed, minor alterations to decorative features have occurred and additions have been made to the exterior.Page 12 of Photograph Album including three black and white photographs. The photos are in a portrait orientation and arranged diagonally across the page from top left to bottom right.Handwritten: "Myoora" 405 Alma Road[top right] /12 [bottom left]caulfield north, trevor hart, alma road, mansion, myoora, tower, thomas christian, 1880's, queen anne, cement rendered brick, unpainted, balconies, verandahs, anketell henderson, continental and english renaissance, american romanesque, cast iron balconies, cast iron work, reed henderson & smart, flats, asymmetrical style, slate roofs

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0490 From the Victorian Heritage Register Database - Citation for Myoora https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/275 (as at 6/10/2020) Myoora, 405 Alma Road, North Caulfield, was designed by Reed, Henderson & Smart and can be attributed to Anketell Henderson. It was built in 1886 and 1887 for Thomas Christian, who had founded the fabled gold mine, the Day Dawn at Charters Towers. He never occupied the house although his widow lived there for some time. The house was subdivided into three and later six flats. Myoora was one of many large mansions on broad acres with gardens in Caulfield. Perhaps the grandest was Labassa. The mansions date from the 1850s through to the late 1890s. The siting of Myoora on a ridge influenced its planning and composition. A central hall and corridor along the ridge is entered from the centre of the more formal north facade. The entrance is marked by an elaborately detailed tower. A stair turret provides a second accent. The western end of the building is completed by a massively detailed chimney as the service wing. The south facade enjoyed an outlook to port phillip from a two-storey cast iron verandah. Bay windows, chimneys, the tower and the turret and minor details are brought together in a sophisticated asymmetrical composition. This is reflected in the planning. The asymmetry of Myoora pivoting on the tower is the most notable feature of the building. The walls are built of cement rendered brick. The cement render has not been painted. The roof is slate. The balconies and verandah are cast iron. The footings and cellar are bluestone. The architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart was very prominent in Victoria in the nineteenth century. Anketell Henderson was an eminent and well respected member of the profession. He worked successfully in London and interstate as well as in Victoria. They were better known for commercial and public buildings. Myoora is an important private commission. The style of Myoora is a combination of details from the Continental and English Renaissance through the boom style and the Queen Anne style. There is also an early influence from the American Romanesque style especially in the stair turret. The latter style was important at the turn of the century and Myoora is a significant precursor. Other buildings of a similar scale survive in Caulfield and elsewhere. Labassa, the most fabulous, is quite different stylistically as are most of the other comparable mansions. Stonnington is perhaps closer but relies on different details from the Queen Anne style and lacks any American influence. For its historical associations through its owners and architects, for its style and composition and for its intactness, Myoora is significant at a State level. The craftmanship of Myoora is what could be expected of a building of the time and type. It is relatively intact and in fair condition. The main staircase has been removed, minor alterations to decorative features have occurred and additions have been made to the exterior.Page 13 of Photograph Album including three black and white photographs. Two of the photos are in a portrait orientation and arranged in the top half of the page. The other photo in landscape orientation is towards the left on the bottom section of the page.Handwritten: 13 [bottom left]caulfield north, trevor hart, alma road, mansion, myoora, tower, thomas christian, 1880's, queen anne, cement rendered brick, unpainted, balconies, verandahs, anketell henderson, continental and english renaissance, american romanesque, cast iron balconies, views, cast iron work, reed henderson & smart, flats, gardens, asymmetrical style, slate roofs

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0490 From the Victorian Heritage Register Database - Citation for Myoora https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/275 (as at 6/10/2020) Myoora, 405 Alma Road, North Caulfield, was designed by Reed, Henderson & Smart and can be attributed to Anketell Henderson. It was built in 1886 and 1887 for Thomas Christian, who had founded the fabled gold mine, the Day Dawn at Charters Towers. He never occupied the house although his widow lived there for some time. The house was subdivided into three and later six flats. Myoora was one of many large mansions on broad acres with gardens in Caulfield. Perhaps the grandest was Labassa. The mansions date from the 1850s through to the late 1890s. The siting of Myoora on a ridge influenced its planning and composition. A central hall and corridor along the ridge is entered from the centre of the more formal north facade. The entrance is marked by an elaborately detailed tower. A stair turret provides a second accent. The western end of the building is completed by a massively detailed chimney as the service wing. The south facade enjoyed an outlook to port phillip from a two-storey cast iron verandah. Bay windows, chimneys, the tower and the turret and minor details are brought together in a sophisticated asymmetrical composition. This is reflected in the planning. The asymmetry of Myoora pivoting on the tower is the most notable feature of the building. The walls are built of cement rendered brick. The cement render has not been painted. The roof is slate. The balconies and verandah are cast iron. The footings and cellar are bluestone. The architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart was very prominent in Victoria in the nineteenth century. Anketell Henderson was an eminent and well respected member of the profession. He worked successfully in London and interstate as well as in Victoria. They were better known for commercial and public buildings. Myoora is an important private commission. The style of Myoora is a combination of details from the Continental and English Renaissance through the boom style and the Queen Anne style. There is also an early influence from the American Romanesque style especially in the stair turret. The latter style was important at the turn of the century and Myoora is a significant precursor. Other buildings of a similar scale survive in Caulfield and elsewhere. Labassa, the most fabulous, is quite different stylistically as are most of the other comparable mansions. Stonnington is perhaps closer but relies on different details from the Queen Anne style and lacks any American influence. For its historical associations through its owners and architects, for its style and composition and for its intactness, Myoora is significant at a State level. The craftmanship of Myoora is what could be expected of a building of the time and type. It is relatively intact and in fair condition. The main staircase has been removed, minor alterations to decorative features have occurred and additions have been made to the exterior.Page 14 of Photograph Album including two black and white photographs that are arranged in landscape orientation in the centre of the page with one beneath the other. Handwritten: "Myoora" 405 Alma Road [top right] /Neg 87 c1890 [under top photo]/ Neg 89 c1890/ [under bottom photo]/ 14 [bottom right]caulfield north, trevor hart, alma road, mansion, myoora, tower, thomas christian, 1880's, queen anne, cement rendered brick, unpainted, balconies, verandahs, anketell henderson, continental and english renaissance, american romanesque, cast iron balconies, gardens, views, cast iron work, reed henderson & smart, flats, asymmetrical style, slate roofs

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0490 From the Victorian Heritage Register Database - Citation for Myoora https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/275 (as at 6/10/2020) Myoora, 405 Alma Road, North Caulfield, was designed by Reed, Henderson & Smart and can be attributed to Anketell Henderson. It was built in 1886 and 1887 for Thomas Christian, who had founded the fabled gold mine, the Day Dawn at Charters Towers. He never occupied the house although his widow lived there for some time. The house was subdivided into three and later six flats. Myoora was one of many large mansions on broad acres with gardens in Caulfield. Perhaps the grandest was Labassa. The mansions date from the 1850s through to the late 1890s. The siting of Myoora on a ridge influenced its planning and composition. A central hall and corridor along the ridge is entered from the centre of the more formal north facade. The entrance is marked by an elaborately detailed tower. A stair turret provides a second accent. The western end of the building is completed by a massively detailed chimney as the service wing. The south facade enjoyed an outlook to Port Phillip from a two-storey cast iron verandah. Bay windows, chimneys, the tower and the turret and minor details are brought together in a sophisticated asymmetrical composition. This is reflected in the planning. The asymmetry of Myoora pivoting on the tower is the most notable feature of the building. The walls are built of cement rendered brick. The cement render has not been painted. The roof is slate. The balconies and verandah are cast iron. The footings and cellar are bluestone. The architectural firm Reed, Henderson & Smart was very prominent in Victoria in the nineteenth century. Anketell Henderson was an eminent and well respected member of the profession. He worked successfully in London and interstate as well as in Victoria. They were better known for commercial and public buildings. Myoora is an important private commission. The style of Myoora is a combination of details from the Continental and English Renaissance through the boom style and the Queen Anne style. There is also an early influence from the American Romanesque style especially in the stair turret. The latter style was important at the turn of the century and Myoora is a significant precursor. Other buildings of a similar scale survive in Caulfield and elsewhere. Labassa, the most fabulous, is quite different stylistically as are most of the other comparable mansions. Stonnington is perhaps closer but relies on different details from the Queen Anne style and lacks any American influence. For its historical associations through its owners and architects, for its style and composition and for its intactness, Myoora is significant at a State level. The craftmanship of Myoora is what could be expected of a building of the time and type. It is relatively intact and in fair condition. The main staircase has been removed, minor alterations to decorative features have occurred and additions have been made to the exterior.Page 16 of Photograph Album including three black and white photographs. Two are arranged in landscape orientation on the right hand side of the page with the other photo in portrait mode on the left hand side. Handwritten: views from "Myoora" 405 Alma Road [top right] / Neg 181 Dec 1972 [under left side photo] / Neg 189 Dec 1972 [under bottom right photo] / 16 [bottom right]caulfield north, trevor hart, alma road, mansion, myoora, tower, thomas christian, 1880's, queen anne, cement rendered brick, unpainted, balconies, verandahs, anketell henderson, continental and english renaissance, american romanesque, cast iron balconies, panoramic views, streetscapes, cast iron work, reed henderson & smart, gardens, asymmetrical style, slate roofs, chimneys