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Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, rob hauser -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, irene bogle -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, irene bogle -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, cr bob manuell, matthew rodscholler -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Opening of Meruka Childcare Co-operative, Meruka Park, 5 Meruka Dr, Eltham, April 1994
In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, cr pam sladden, mandy press -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Belle Vue, Livingstone Road, Eltham, c.1960, 1960c
Photo taken at time of ownership by Eric Staff. Originally purchased by pioneer Eltham farmer Henry Stooke, Belle Vue farm comprised about 56 ha (140 acres) extending northerly from the northern boundary of Holloway’s 1851 Little Eltham subdivision. On the present day map the southern boundary was just north of Elsa Court and Grove Street. The western boundary was the Diamond Creek and extended northerly to Main Road where it turns easterly towards Research. It was traversed by the main road to Kangaroo Ground and beyond and from 1912 by the railway to Hurstbridge. From 1895 the farm was owned by William Williams and his wife Mary Ann. In 1914-1915 they built a new house now known as “Belle Vue”. They sold the land in 1920 and residential subdivision began soon after that. “Belle Vue” remains today on a large residential lot in Livingstone Road. The house and many old trees on the site have been subject to a heritage overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Despite that overlay, most of the heritage trees were removed during sub-division and development of the property.Digital file only from scan of copy on loan to EDHSbelle vue, eltham, eric staff, houses, livingstone road, staff family -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Jelbart Barn, 93 Arthur Street, Eltham, 1972c
Owned at the time by architect, Ian Jelbart, the property had been in the Jelbart family since the 1940s; a 5560sqm secluded hilltop parcel in Eltham. When the manor house and its barn were built, Eltham was a rural community; Jelbart’s grandfather Ronald was a businessman whose poultry farm formed part of the family’s original 100ha holding. A portion would later be subdivided into residential lots to make way for new homes that would form the basis of the Woodridge Estate in the early 1970s.Digital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHSarthur street, eltham, houses, jelbart barn, jelbart property, kinloch gardens -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Jelbart Barn, 93 Arthur Street, Eltham, 1972c
Owned at the time by architect, Ian Jelbart, the property had been in the Jelbart family since the 1940s; a 5560sqm secluded hilltop parcel in Eltham. When the manor house and its barn were built, Eltham was a rural community; Jelbart’s grandfather Ronald was a businessman whose poultry farm formed part of the family’s original 100ha holding. A portion would later be subdivided into residential lots to make way for new homes that would form the basis of the Woodridge Estate in the early 1970s.Digital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHSarthur street, eltham, houses, jelbart barn, jelbart property, kinloch gardens -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Jelbart Barn, 93 Arthur Street, Eltham, 1972c
Owned at the time by architect, Ian Jelbart, the property had been in the Jelbart family since the 1940s; a 5560sqm secluded hilltop parcel in Eltham. When the manor house and its barn were built, Eltham was a rural community; Jelbart’s grandfather Ronald was a businessman whose poultry farm formed part of the family’s original 100ha holding. A portion would later be subdivided into residential lots to make way for new homes that would form the basis of the Woodridge Estate in the early 1970s.Digital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHSarthur street, eltham, houses, jelbart barn, jelbart property, kinloch gardens -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Jelbart Barn, 93 Arthur Street, Eltham, 1972c
Owned at the time by architect, Ian Jelbart, the property had been in the Jelbart family since the 1940s; a 5560sqm secluded hilltop parcel in Eltham. When the manor house and its barn were built, Eltham was a rural community; Jelbart’s grandfather Ronald was a businessman whose poultry farm formed part of the family’s original 100ha holding. A portion would later be subdivided into residential lots to make way for new homes that would form the basis of the Woodridge Estate in the early 1970s.Digital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHSarthur street, eltham, houses, jelbart barn, jelbart property, kinloch gardens -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Jelbart Barn, 93 Arthur Street, Eltham, 1972c
Owned at the time by architect, Ian Jelbart, the property had been in the Jelbart family since the 1940s; a 5560sqm secluded hilltop parcel in Eltham. When the manor house and its barn were built, Eltham was a rural community; Jelbart’s grandfather Ronald was a businessman whose poultry farm formed part of the family’s original 100ha holding. A portion would later be subdivided into residential lots to make way for new homes that would form the basis of the Woodridge Estate in the early 1970s.Digital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHSarthur street, eltham, houses, jelbart barn, jelbart property, kinloch gardens -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Jelbart Barn, 93 Arthur Street, Eltham, 1972c
Owned at the time by architect, Ian Jelbart, the property had been in the Jelbart family since the 1940s; a 5560sqm secluded hilltop parcel in Eltham. When the manor house and its barn were built, Eltham was a rural community; Jelbart’s grandfather Ronald was a businessman whose poultry farm formed part of the family’s original 100ha holding. A portion would later be subdivided into residential lots to make way for new homes that would form the basis of the Woodridge Estate in the early 1970s.Digital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHSarthur street, eltham, houses, jelbart barn, jelbart property, kinloch gardens -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Jelbart Barn, 93 Arthur Street, Eltham, 1972c
Owned at the time by architect, Ian Jelbart, the property had been in the Jelbart family since the 1940s; a 5560sqm secluded hilltop parcel in Eltham. When the manor house and its barn were built, Eltham was a rural community; Jelbart’s grandfather Ronald was a businessman whose poultry farm formed part of the family’s original 100ha holding. A portion would later be subdivided into residential lots to make way for new homes that would form the basis of the Woodridge Estate in the early 1970s.Digital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHSarthur street, eltham, houses, jelbart barn, jelbart property, kinloch gardens -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Jelbart Barn, 93 Arthur Street, Eltham, 1972c
Owned at the time by architect, Ian Jelbart, the property had been in the Jelbart family since the 1940s; a 5560sqm secluded hilltop parcel in Eltham. When the manor house and its barn were built, Eltham was a rural community; Jelbart’s grandfather Ronald was a businessman whose poultry farm formed part of the family’s original 100ha holding. A portion would later be subdivided into residential lots to make way for new homes that would form the basis of the Woodridge Estate in the early 1970s. This is a view of the Barn from the main manor house.Digital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHSarthur street, eltham, houses, jelbart barn, jelbart property, kinloch gardens -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Jelbart Barn, 93 Arthur Street, Eltham, 1972c
Owned at the time by architect, Ian Jelbart, the property had been in the Jelbart family since the 1940s; a 5560sqm secluded hilltop parcel in Eltham. When the manor house and its barn were built, Eltham was a rural community; Jelbart’s grandfather Ronald was a businessman whose poultry farm formed part of the family’s original 100ha holding. A portion would later be subdivided into residential lots to make way for new homes that would form the basis of the Woodridge Estate in the early 1970s. The Barn was developed as a residence by Ian Jelbart in the late 1960;'s. Handmade mud bricks were used in its construction. This is a view from The Barn looking towards the Manor HouseDigital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHSarthur street, eltham, houses, jelbart barn, jelbart property, kinloch gardens, verandah, mud bricks, enclosure -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Brochure, The Barn at Kinloch Gardens; Elders Real Estate sales material, 1998
Description by Elders Real Estate: A Beautiful Studio Residence: The Barn at Kinloch Gardens Eltham's prestigious Private Country Estate A special part of Eltham's heritage. Beautifully situated on grounds of 1750 square metres with panoramic views, this dramatic building on three levels is converted to a ? office residence from the original farm house of the Kinloch Estate. The main level, 21 metres in length, is a soaring galleried space of 17 squares of flexible living and working areas, extensive storage spaces and private courtyard. Centrally located within Kinloch's landscaped grounds. The Barn is a romantic focal point of a unique enclave of ten contemporary house designed by Graeme Gunn and Ian Jelbart, the cultural mix of old and new confirms the value and reputation of this exclusive private estate. Digital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHS of item on loanarthur street, elders real estate, eltham, houses, jelbart property, kinloch gardens, real estate agent, the barn, woodridge estate -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Negative - Photograph, Sketch; Sweeney's Cottage, Culla Hill, Eltham (n.d.), c.1970
The original sketch was photographed in 1970 for reproduction in the Shire history publication Pioneers & Painters (1971). The very fragile original was kept in the Council stoungroom and suffered significant damage to its edges over the years, no doubt it has also yellowed. A comparison of the original as digitised (2022) with the negative taken 50 years earlier also reveals that the left 20% of the sketch has been cut off, probably due to damage. In June 1842 Thomas Sweeney applied to the Superintendent, C.J. La Trobe, asking permission to purchase a portion of the recently surveyed ‘Parish of Nillumbik'. His request was allowed and handed to the sub-treasurer and Land Board. He paid £110 for 110 acres and called the land 'Culla Hill'. He first built a temporary house, a slab hut 12 feet by 10 feet, in which he lived with his wife, an Irish girl whom he had married in 1838. (His first wife had been drowned at Port Jackson.) Some time later he built a permanent residence on the model of a Tipperary farmhouse. It was a rectangular building of hand-made bricks and stone quarried from the Western Hill with a recessed verandah in front, and bore a slate roof. The out-buildings consisted of a detached kitchen, stable and a barn. It was in this house that succeeding generations of Sweeneys were reared. The original slab hut became a washhouse and survived till recent years. 'Culla Hill' became a social centre for the district, church services being held there on various occasions. The first wheat crop in the district was planted by Sweeney who also supplied the first grain for a mill that later was built at Eltham. He took an active interest in the development of the district. At this time travelling people--many of them runaway sailors or convicts--often passed the settlement, and some of them stayed and worked with Sweeney. A tribe of aborigines living on the river below 'Culla Hill' were apparently on good terms with Sweeney, for it is said that they helped him with the building of his house. Very little is known about the aborigines who originally lived in the Eltham district. There must have been many of them; their stone axes, grinding stones, and anvil stones have been found in the gullies around Research and canoe trees and artifacts were found on the Kangaroo Ground hills. Early settlers remembered a tribe that camped on the site of the present railway bridge at Eltham. They held corroborees there and visited settlers for hand-outs of 'flour and bacca’. There was an aboriginal reserve on the Yarra, upstream from Eltham, but most of those who had collected there later went to live on the Pound Reserve at Warrandyte, where the last aborigines in the area finally ended their days. The Pound Reserve, of 1,103 acres, was established at Pound Bend in 1841. The chief protector, George Robinson, and his four assistants, were given instructions to care for the aged and sick, to provide blankets and rations for all who lived there, to train the able-bodied men in agriculture and other trades and to find them jobs. The Yarra blacks, who later came under the protection of William Thomas, have been described as a 'fine race, well made and above the average height'. Thomas Sweeney died on 6 September 1867 and was buried in the Eltham Cemetery. To his wife Margaret and his son John, he left the entire property of 'Culla Hill'. To his other son Patrick, he left 150 acres, including a small two-roomed wooden cottage. He had five daughters: Kate and Margaret (twins) who were born in 1842, Ellen 1846, Annie 1848 and Johanna 1851. John Sweeney farmed 'Culla Hill' until his death in 1909. He had ten children; one of them, Mary, became Mrs M. Carrucan whose son, Mr John Carrucan, still lives at Eltham. 'Culla Hill' passed out of the Sweeneys possession in 1939 and was renamed by its new owners, 'Sweeneys', in memory of its pioneers. - Pioneers & Painters: One Hundred Years of Eltham and its Shire, Alan Marshall 1971, pp10-12 4 x 5 inch black and white negative of original colour sketchculla hill, sweeey's cottage -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Map, Margaret Reynolds, A Margaret Reynolds-eye view of Reseach as it was in the past, 1989
Reproduced in Return to Research : a centenary history of Research Primary School / edited by Andrew LemonA4 photocopy andrews, bell, blashik, bode's poultry farm, butchers gully, cassells, collins, concord, creswell, dickson, doney's store, dry creek, ferny hill, gadd, ingram bakery, lack, margaret reynolds, margaret street, maroondah aqueduct, masson, moseley, normans, nurse moore, palmer, parsons, peers, prior, research (vic.), research hall, reynolds corner, reynolds road, rodda, storey, traill property, turner, west's hotel, yarramie estate -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Peter Pidgeon, Birch Cottage, Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Christmas Hills, 27 September 2018, 2018
Originally built by John Hill, a shoemaker at Kangaroo Ground around 1878. In the late 1970s when our Society was the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, an offer was made to the Society regarding use of an old cottage at Christmas Hills. The cottage sat beside Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham but following municipal restructuring it now lies within the Shire of Nillumbik. For various reasons the offer ultimately lapsed. At that time some research on the cottage was carried out for the Society by Keith Chappel as part of a larger research project that he was doing. Keith’s notes were taken from Lands Department records and showed that the property was the subject of a permissive occupancy of Crown land comprising the creek reserve. In 1903 a Miner’s Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The documents show that the cottage existed at that time. Upon Birch’s death in 1932, his daughter, Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. Honor Mary Birch, known as Nora, was born 1900, the daughter of Edwin Samuel Birch and Honor (nee Young). In 1939 she married George Henry Williams (aka Henry). Honor died 8 July 1976. Her siblings were Margaret Martin (dec), Bert Birch and Brigidene Brinkkotter. In her will she gave and bequeathed “all the improvements on the land held by me at Christmas Hills under Permissive Occupancy from the Department of Land and Survey consisting of the house property thereon and all the contents of the said house to my nephew Brian Joseph Martin of Christmas Hills aforesaid farmer”. The will described the property as a four room, five square house, about 100 years old with enclosed verandah, including kitchen, combined lounge dining room, bedroom and store room; built of ‘bush slabs’ with a corrugated iron roof. A dairy had been erected in 1935. After her death, the property was acquired by the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works in 1978. The property is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database HO200-Hill, later Birch farm complex, 945 Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Watsons Creek and described as: The house has a steep but simply gabled roof form clad with corrugated iron, vertical adzed hardwood slab front wall construction, split palings to the gable ends; rubble freestone chimney at one end (with added gsi flue), pole-framed Graeme Butler & Associates, 2006: 101 Shire of Nillurnbik Planning Scheme Amendment C13 Heritage Assessments verandah (rebuilt?); six-pane double-hung sash windows; T&G bead-edge boarded ledged & braced door; and paling clad rooms added at verandah ends. A slab-clad large fireplace is at the north corner of the house, with a gsi upper cladding added and an internal lining of rubble stone. The rear facade is different construction, being drop-slab, and sits beneath a rear skillion addition to the main gabled form: this may be more recent construction. The house appears to have been once set up for public display and may have been recreated in part for that purpose. Outbuildings are reached by a track along the east side of the house, including what may have been a creamery (typical standard inter-war design clad with corrugated iron and lined with 1938 Lysaght Queens Head Australia galvanised sheet iron) and a paling clad gabled out-house. Timber outbuildings of differing eras are to the north-west of the house, with pole framing and paling infill construction and Redcliffe brand corrugated iron. Post and rail (front) and split paling (rear) fence remnants line the front boundary. Pepper trees part of house yard landscape49 born digital images (includes one panoramic stitch and nine frames from drone video)birch cottage, christmas hills, early settlers, edwin samuel birch, honor mary birch, john hill, watsons creek -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide, "Kangaroo Hall" (c.1843-1969), Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground, which was destroyed during the January 8, 1969 bushfire; c.1975, 1975c
Built by James and Isabella Donaldson at the centre of their 1 square mile property southwest of the present day Presbyterian Church. The Donaldsons first arrived in Port Phillip on 17 December 1841. Their first house was a bark hut which was replaced by this substantial brick home around the mid 1840s. James Donladson died 1856. Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church http://kgpc.pcvic.org.au/history-2.html Pictures of the farm and homestead (rented by Mr E. Hobson) were published in The Weekly Times, 18 March 1911, p27 1911 'MR. E. HOBSON'S FARM AT KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 18 March, p. 27. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222243528 A letter from Mr Hobson published in the following edition clarified that he only rented the property and that the owner was Mr John Donaldson of Sandringham 1911 'KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 March, p. 47. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22224117935 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)bushfire, donaldson home, donaldsons road, isabella donaldson, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, kangaroo hall, victorian bushfires - 1969 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide, "Kangaroo Hall" (c.1843-1969), Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground, which was destroyed during the January 8, 1969 bushfire; c.1975, 1975c
Built by James and Isabella Donaldson at the centre of their 1 square mile property southwest of the present day Presbyterian Church. The Donaldsons first arrived in Port Phillip on 17 December 1841. Their first house was a bark hut which was replaced by this substantial brick home around the mid 1840s. James Donladson died 1856. Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church http://kgpc.pcvic.org.au/history-2.html Pictures of the farm and homestead (rented by Mr E. Hobson) were published in The Weekly Times, 18 March 1911, p27 1911 'MR. E. HOBSON'S FARM AT KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 18 March, p. 27. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222243528 A letter from Mr Hobson published in the following edition clarified that he only rented the property and that the owner was Mr John Donaldson of Sandringham 1911 'KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 March, p. 47. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22224117935 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)bushfire, donaldson home, donaldsons road, isabella donaldson, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, kangaroo hall, victorian bushfires - 1969 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide, "Kangaroo Hall" (c.1843-1969), Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground, which was destroyed during the January 8, 1969 bushfire; c.1975, 1975c
Built by James and Isabella Donaldson at the centre of their 1 square mile property southwest of the present day Presbyterian Church. The Donaldsons first arrived in Port Phillip on 17 December 1841. Their first house was a bark hut which was replaced by this substantial brick home around the mid 1840s. James Donladson died 1856. Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church http://kgpc.pcvic.org.au/history-2.html Pictures of the farm and homestead (rented by Mr E. Hobson) were published in The Weekly Times, 18 March 1911, p27 1911 'MR. E. HOBSON'S FARM AT KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 18 March, p. 27. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222243528 A letter from Mr Hobson published in the following edition clarified that he only rented the property and that the owner was Mr John Donaldson of Sandringham 1911 'KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 March, p. 47. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22224117935 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)bushfire, donaldson home, donaldsons road, isabella donaldson, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, kangaroo hall, victorian bushfires - 1969 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide, "Kangaroo Hall" (c.1843-1969), Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground, which was destroyed during the January 8, 1969 bushfire; c.1975, 1975c
Built by James and Isabella Donaldson at the centre of their 1 square mile property southwest of the present day Presbyterian Church. The Donaldsons first arrived in Port Phillip on 17 December 1841. Their first house was a bark hut which was replaced by this substantial brick home around the mid 1840s. James Donladson died 1856. Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church http://kgpc.pcvic.org.au/history-2.html Pictures of the farm and homestead (rented by Mr E. Hobson) were published in The Weekly Times, 18 March 1911, p27 1911 'MR. E. HOBSON'S FARM AT KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 18 March, p. 27. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222243528 A letter from Mr Hobson published in the following edition clarified that he only rented the property and that the owner was Mr John Donaldson of Sandringham 1911 'KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 March, p. 47. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22224117935 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)bushfire, donaldson home, donaldsons road, isabella donaldson, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, kangaroo hall, victorian bushfires - 1969 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide, "Kangaroo Hall" (c.1843-1969), Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground, which was destroyed during the January 8, 1969 bushfire; c.1975, 1975c
Built by James and Isabella Donaldson at the centre of their 1 square mile property southwest of the present day Presbyterian Church. The Donaldsons first arrived in Port Phillip on 17 December 1841. Their first house was a bark hut which was replaced by this substantial brick home around the mid 1840s. James Donladson died 1856. Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church http://kgpc.pcvic.org.au/history-2.html Pictures of the farm and homestead (rented by Mr E. Hobson) were published in The Weekly Times, 18 March 1911, p27 1911 'MR. E. HOBSON'S FARM AT KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 18 March, p. 27. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222243528 A letter from Mr Hobson published in the following edition clarified that he only rented the property and that the owner was Mr John Donaldson of Sandringham 1911 'KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 March, p. 47. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22224117935 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)bushfire, donaldson home, donaldsons road, isabella donaldson, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, kangaroo hall, victorian bushfires - 1969 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide, "Kangaroo Hall" (c.1843-1969), Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground, which was destroyed during the January 8, 1969 bushfire; c.1975, 1975c
Built by James and Isabella Donaldson at the centre of their 1 square mile property southwest of the present day Presbyterian Church. The Donaldsons first arrived in Port Phillip on 17 December 1841. Their first house was a bark hut which was replaced by this substantial brick home around the mid 1840s. James Donladson died 1856. Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church http://kgpc.pcvic.org.au/history-2.html Pictures of the farm and homestead (rented by Mr E. Hobson) were published in The Weekly Times, 18 March 1911, p27 1911 'MR. E. HOBSON'S FARM AT KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 18 March, p. 27. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222243528 A letter from Mr Hobson published in the following edition clarified that he only rented the property and that the owner was Mr John Donaldson of Sandringham 1911 'KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 March, p. 47. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22224117935 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)bushfire, donaldson home, donaldsons road, isabella donaldson, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, kangaroo hall, victorian bushfires - 1969 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide, "Kangaroo Hall" (c.1843-1969), Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground, which was destroyed during the January 8, 1969 bushfire; c.1975, 1975c
Built by James and Isabella Donaldson at the centre of their 1 square mile property southwest of the present day Presbyterian Church. The Donaldsons first arrived in Port Phillip on 17 December 1841. Their first house was a bark hut which was replaced by this substantial brick home around the mid 1840s. James Donladson died 1856. Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church http://kgpc.pcvic.org.au/history-2.html Pictures of the farm and homestead (rented by Mr E. Hobson) were published in The Weekly Times, 18 March 1911, p27 1911 'MR. E. HOBSON'S FARM AT KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 18 March, p. 27. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222243528 A letter from Mr Hobson published in the following edition clarified that he only rented the property and that the owner was Mr John Donaldson of Sandringham 1911 'KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 March, p. 47. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22224117935 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)bushfire, donaldson home, donaldsons road, isabella donaldson, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, kangaroo hall, victorian bushfires - 1969 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide, "Kangaroo Hall" (c.1843-1969), Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground, which was destroyed during the January 8, 1969 bushfire; c.1975, 1975c
Built by James and Isabella Donaldson at the centre of their 1 square mile property southwest of the present day Presbyterian Church. The Donaldsons first arrived in Port Phillip on 17 December 1841. Their first house was a bark hut which was replaced by this substantial brick home around the mid 1840s. James Donladson died 1856. Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church http://kgpc.pcvic.org.au/history-2.html Pictures of the farm and homestead (rented by Mr E. Hobson) were published in The Weekly Times, 18 March 1911, p27 1911 'MR. E. HOBSON'S FARM AT KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 18 March, p. 27. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222243528 A letter from Mr Hobson published in the following edition clarified that he only rented the property and that the owner was Mr John Donaldson of Sandringham 1911 'KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 March, p. 47. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22224117935 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)bushfire, donaldson home, donaldsons road, isabella donaldson, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, kangaroo hall, victorian bushfires - 1969 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide, "Kangaroo Hall" (c.1843-1969), Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground, which was destroyed during the January 8, 1969 bushfire; c.1975, 1975c
Built by James and Isabella Donaldson at the centre of their 1 square mile property southwest of the present day Presbyterian Church. The Donaldsons first arrived in Port Phillip on 17 December 1841. Their first house was a bark hut which was replaced by this substantial brick home around the mid 1840s. James Donladson died 1856. Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church http://kgpc.pcvic.org.au/history-2.html Pictures of the farm and homestead (rented by Mr E. Hobson) were published in The Weekly Times, 18 March 1911, p27 1911 'MR. E. HOBSON'S FARM AT KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 18 March, p. 27. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222243528 A letter from Mr Hobson published in the following edition clarified that he only rented the property and that the owner was Mr John Donaldson of Sandringham 1911 'KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 March, p. 47. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22224117935 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)bushfire, donaldson home, donaldsons road, isabella donaldson, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, kangaroo hall, victorian bushfires - 1969 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Slide, "Kangaroo Hall" (c.1843-1969), Donaldsons Road, Kangaroo Ground, which was destroyed during the January 8, 1969 bushfire; c.1975, 1975c
Built by James and Isabella Donaldson at the centre of their 1 square mile property southwest of the present day Presbyterian Church. The Donaldsons first arrived in Port Phillip on 17 December 1841. Their first house was a bark hut which was replaced by this substantial brick home around the mid 1840s. James Donladson died 1856. Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church http://kgpc.pcvic.org.au/history-2.html Pictures of the farm and homestead (rented by Mr E. Hobson) were published in The Weekly Times, 18 March 1911, p27 1911 'MR. E. HOBSON'S FARM AT KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 18 March, p. 27. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222243528 A letter from Mr Hobson published in the following edition clarified that he only rented the property and that the owner was Mr John Donaldson of Sandringham 1911 'KANGAROO GROUND.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 March, p. 47. , viewed 29 Feb 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22224117935 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)bushfire, donaldson home, donaldsons road, isabella donaldson, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, kangaroo hall, victorian bushfires - 1969 -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Book, Percy Leason: an artist's life by Margot Tasca, 2016
"Who would have thought that a boy born in 1889 from the Victorian Mallee would become a successful artist on New York’s Staten Island? This finely illustrated, exhaustively researched and beautifully written biography on Leason features the artist’s entire career as a painter and cartoonist renowned for his depictions of Australian society in the 1920s and 1930s. Leason’s story is a poignant one tracing his beginnings as a cartoonist, to the bohemian Melbourne art scene in the early 20th century, to his involvement in the artists’ camps of Eltham, to his important series of portraits of Lake Tyers Indigenous Australians, and his eventual move to the US where he has been acknowledged as making an enormous contribution to the New York arts scene. This story, as yet untold, fills a gap in the history of art in Australia and offers a new perspective on Australian art in the first half of the 20th century." - Thames and Hudson website A NEW HOME IN ELTHAM Once they had settled back into Melbourne, Perry and Belle began to look for a place to make a permanent home. Having enjoyed the bush setting of Mosman, they decided to explore the rural fringes of Melbourne. Each weekend they packed a picnic and travelled to the towns in the nearby hills - such as Ferntree Gully, Sassafras, Lilydale and, of course, Cockatoo Creek. Eventually deciding these places might be a little too far from The Herald office, they searched closer to the city. The Heidelberg and Box Hill regions that had inspired his old teacher McCubbin, had become busy, urban areas but further east, towards Warrandyte and Templestowe, there were still large tracts of bush. Finally they settled on Eltham, an area Percy knew very well, having often painted there with Jock Frater. Perry's old friend Dick McCann and his wife Margery had also settled in Eltham. The township was fifteen miles from Melbourne and serviced by an electric train that went to the central Melbourne station of Flinders Street, near where The Herald offices were located. Eltham was a small village in 1925, separated from Melbourne by the Yarra River, and surrounded by orchards and large tracts of bush. Small farms dotted the landscape and the main businesses revolved around ironmongers, blacksmiths, and farming supplies. Of particular appeal to artists was Eltham Park, a large expanse of bushland bounded by the Yarra River on the south side and the Diamond Creek on the east. The park included a playing field that was busy on weekends with cricket or football matches, but for the rest of the week it was mostly empty and an ideal place to paint. The scenery there provided the inspiration for many paintings by Leason, Meldrum and other artists such as Colin Colahan and Peter (A.E.) Newburv. The Leasons found a rundown old farmhouse on four-and-a-half acres of land in New Street, now known as Lavender Park Road. The site was splendid, at the top of a gentle slope which gave panoramic views east to the Dandenong hills, south over the Templestowe orchards and north to Kinglake. The front lawn was taken over by onion grass (or wiregrass as Leason called it) and scattered about the property were many wattles and gum trees. Aloe cacti covered much to the front of the house, while old quince and lucerne hedges separated the house and out-buildings from a rundown apple orchard. Here they would build a new home. ·with financial assistance from The Herald, Leason bought the property and immediately commissioned an architectural firm to design a new house in the popular bungalow style of the time. The old farm house was demolished but Percy saved the siding boards, bricks and corrugated iron for the outbuildings of his new home. The new house was a two storey, triple brick with a large, gabled, terracotta tiled roof. It was situated at the very top of the slope. The paint and varnish were barely dry when the family moved in during the summer of 1925-26 and the fumes were overpowering in the heat. Despite the house being wired for electricity, power poles had not yet reached the area and initially the family had to rely on kerosene lamps and candles. When electricity did arrive, Leason reflected on the community's reception of electricity at the expense of the old growth gum tree corridors in his cartoon, Electricity comes to Wiregrass. The family had now grown to seven. Jack was nearly nine, Jean was seven, Marjory was four, Nancy was two and the baby Patricia was seven months old. Jack and Jean were enrolled in the local primary school down the hill. A retired farmer, Jock McMillan, came to live on the property and help out with the general maintenance. Jock built himself a shack and Belle provided him with meals. He was kept occupied building structures around the property·, such as the garage, the outside toilet, garden beds, trellis arbours and a number of ponds. The elderly, bearded Scotsman with his old hat and baggy pants also provided the inspiration for one of the characters Leason regularly included in his cartoons. Like Leason, Jock smoked a straight stemmed pipe. A neighbour was employed to help Belle with domestic chores, and so the family settled down to live comfortably in their new Eltham house. Two dogs, Maginary and Wodger, completed the large and vibrant household. “Percy Leason; an artist’s life” by Margot Tasca, Thames & Hudson Australia Pty Ltd, Port Melbourne 2016, pp 63-64 Hardback Bookpercy leason, margot tasca, biography, artist, landscape