Construction of the new concrete bridge over the Diamond Creek on Main Road, Eltham, c.May 1926. Viewed from present day Wingrove Park. The original long suspension bridge over the Diamond Creek on Main Road at Eltham collapsed during flooding of the Diamond Creek on October 13 and 14, 1923. The original bridge was built around 1840 for the coach road when Cobb & Co.'s coach was the only conveyance between Eltham and Melbourne. Widespread damage was done in Melbourne and surrounding areas by floods resulting from the overflow of the Yarra at many points along its banks. A temporary bridge rigged up was severely damaged by the flooding of the creek and was closed to vehicular traffic in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was constructed to replace it and by May 1926 all the concrete piles and abutments had been completed. The bridge was finally completed and opened for traffic in September 1926, almost three years after it initially collapsed.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 '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 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg Print 9 x 12.5 cmshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, eltham lower park, main road bridge, eltham south, bridge, diamond creek (creek), wingrove park, bridge construction

Large group of railway workers stand in a line, in a cutting, some holding shovels. The track has not been laid yet. The opening of the railway line from Heidelberg to Eltham took place on the 6th June 1902. 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 '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 imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, montmorency, eltham, greensborough, railway line construction, cutting, railway workers, hurstbridge railway line

In 1978 Diamond Valley Shire recognised the need for a new public hall in Diamond Creek. Council considered the Bini shell form of construction which was in operation overseas and in use in New South Wales as libraries, gymnasiums, sports centres and multi-purpose centres. The Council gave the go-ahead. A site was chosen opposite the Hotel and close to the railway line. One day in - the following year, in 1979, activity stood still in Diamond Creek as school children and other excited spectators watched the one-hour inflation of the Bini Shell. This unusual method of construction was invented by Italian industrial designer and architect Dante Bini. The construction pneumatically raises a level of reinforced concrete from ground level which has not been set, using an internal balloon. The inner membrane inflates and compresses the mesh and concrete against the outer membrane. A net of flexible steel rods was laid on the building’s circular base, on the top of a fabric bladder. 300 tonnes of reinforced concrete were poured onto the mesh and a sealed cover laid over the concrete making a sandwich of cover, bladder and mesh. Compressed air was pumped into the bladder and the sandwich slowly began to rise and become a massive self-supporting dome. After inflation and removal of the outer membrane workmen filled in any holes. It was some days before pneumatic drills pecked out the first opening. The ceiling of the concrete dome was lined with fluffy insulating material. The dome was 36 metres in diameter at the base and 12 metres high in the centre with a usable floor space of 670 square metres. An opening night dinner was held to celebrate the new facility on March 12, 1980. Shire President Ron Pata made a speech and unveiled a plaque. It was the first public building in Victoria to be erected using the Bini Shell design method of construction The facility could cater for up to 400 people and in 1980 a fee for use was $100 for up to 200 people, $150 for up to 300 people and $200 for up to 400 people. For the next ten years or so, locals attended the hall for marital arts classes, basketball and netball games and school discoes and various other activities. After pieces of concrete fell off a Bini shell interstate due to a construction fault, the Council closed the centre. Demotion took place during the Diamond Creek Town Fair in 1991, as part of the annual Town Fair’s program. Research by L.P. Jan 2022This was the first public building in Victoria to be erected using the Bini Shell design method of construction.Colour photograph1991, diamond creek, bini shell, demolition, oval

The Silver Street Bridge, 1901 Butty Gang workers excavate a rock cutting near the Silver Street bridge prior to laying of track. The Butty Gang system versus the Contract System was subject to public debate regarding cost benefits at the time of the Eltham line construction. Butty gang workers were a group of men who take a contract for a part of a work, as in the construction of railroads, etc., the proceeds being equally divided between them, with something extra to the foreman. Some hold picks, a couple of horses and carts are lined up probably for carting the broken rock away, dirt, rocks and shale lay at the bottom. A pair of small wooden buckets are evident, most likley to provide drinking water. The timber Silver Street bridge crosses the cutting in the background. The opening of the railway line from Heidelberg to Eltham took place on the 6th June 1902. Similiar to 810. Source: Mrs. Dandy, Montmorency and Miss McColl, 8 Anderson St., HeidelbergThis 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 '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 120 format B&W negativeshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, railway workers, 1901, butty gang, overpass, railway construction, railway line construction, silver street bridge

New bridge in foreground. Old bridge in background before demolition. 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 '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 35 mm B&W negativesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, montmorency, briar hill, bridge, para road, railway bridge, railway line, road construction, sherbourne road, bridge construction

Eltham Shire Councillor Albert Price joined over 500 spectators for the official opening of the new re-inforced concrete bridge across the Diamond Creek at Hurstbridge. Eltham Shire shared the cost of the construction of the bridge with Heidelberg and Whittlesea Shires.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 imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, diamond creek, hurstbridge, wattle glen, bridge, councilor price, opening day, diamond creek (river)

The railway was extended from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912. This bridge is most likely near Allendale Road, Diamond Creek. It was one of four original trestle bridges in the stretch north of Allendale Road, which were all burnt out in January 1969 (replaced by two steel bridges and two corrugated iron culverts).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 '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 One 4 x 5 inch B&W negative One 9 x 12.5 cm printshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, hurstbridge, allendale road, hurstbridge railway extension, railway bridge, railway line construction, trestle bridge, diamond creek (creek)

Labourers excavate a cutting for the new railiway extension from Eltham to Hurstbridge. Men are working with shovels and buckets, dropping dirt into horse and carts. A pile of newly cut sleepers sit on the sidelines waiting to be laid. The new extension is approx. seven miles in length and opened on 2 January, 1912.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 imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, diamond creek, hurstbridge, wattle glen, railway line construction, railroad construction workers, railroad construction

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994. Linda McConnell was Branch Manager at the time. Donated via Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Linda McConnell Collection, March 2018 and held in joint partnership. Digitised from negatives held by Eltham District Historical Society. Print copies held by YPRL and EDHS.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak Gold 100-3building construction, eltham library, linda mcconnell collection

In 1978 Diamond Valley Shire recognised the need for a new public hall in Diamond Creek. Council considered the Bini shell form of construction which was in operation overseas and in use in New South Wales as libraries, gymnasiums, sports centres and multi-purpose centres. The Council gave the go-ahead. A site was chosen opposite the Hotel and close to the railway line. One day in - the following year, in 1979, activity stood still in Diamond Creek as school children and other excited spectators watched the one-hour inflation of the Bini Shell. This unusual method of construction was invented by Italian industrial designer and architect Dante Bini. The construction pneumatically raises a level of reinforced concrete from ground level which has not been set, using an internal balloon. The inner membrane inflates and compresses the mesh and concrete against the outer membrane. A net of flexible steel rods was laid on the building’s circular base, on the top of a fabric bladder. 300 tonnes of reinforced concrete were poured onto the mesh and a sealed cover laid over the concrete making a sandwich of cover, bladder and mesh. Compressed air was pumped into the bladder and the sandwich slowly began to rise and become a massive self-supporting dome. After inflation and removal of the outer membrane workmen filled in any holes. It was some days before pneumatic drills pecked out the first opening. The ceiling of the concrete dome was lined with fluffy insulating material. The dome was 36 metres in diameter at the base and 12 metres high in the centre with a usable floor space of 670 square metres. An opening night dinner was held to celebrate the new facility on March 12, 1980. Shire President Ron Pata made a speech and unveiled a plaque. It was the first public building in Victoria to be erected using the Bini Shell design method of construction The facility could cater for up to 400 people and in 1980 a fee for use was $100 for up to 200 people, $150 for up to 300 people and $200 for up to 400 people. For the next ten years or so, locals attended the hall for marital arts classes, basketball and netball games and school discoes and various other activities. After pieces of concrete fell off a Bini shell interstate due to a construction fault, the Council closed the centre. Demotion took place during the Diamond Creek Town Fair in 1991, as part of the annual Town Fair’s program. Research by LP January 2022This was the first public building in Victoria to be erected using the Bini Shell design method of construction.Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 1983, bini shell, diamond creek