This photograph shows one of the aspects of nursing care given by Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Sisters who worked in the community. The Sister attending had received instructions for care of this toddler's wound from a Doctor. The Sister is using a dressing tray which was sterilized at the RDNS centre. At the time of this photograph many hospitals provided wound dressings for their patients when they returned home. If not attached to a hospital, the family bought their own dressings, though the Sister carried spare dressings in their cases if needed at the time of their visit. The Trained nurses of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), from its inception in 1885, provided wound care to their patients, who ranged in age from the very young to the elderly. As research developed better products and dressing materials the methods and medication applied to wounds changed. MDNS received Royal patronage in 1966 and as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), the Education department developed programs, such as Wound Care Programs, to provide their Trained nurses (Sisters)) with methods of best quality care. The Sisters liaised with the patient’s Doctors and hospitals to provide information on the progress of patient’s wounds and to receive any change of wound care from the Doctors. RDNS introduced Wound Care Specialists who carried out assessments and provided advice and support to the District Sisters working in the field. Black and white photograph showing a Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sister, who has sort dark hair and is wearing a short sleeved white gown over her uniform; the sleeves of her grey uniform skivvie are seen. She is sitting side-on with her left hand resting on the right leg of a seated dark curly haired toddler; her right hand is on a bandage which is from ankle to thigh on the left leg of the toddler. The toddler is wearing a T-shirt with a pattern on the front, and is sitting on a floral cover in a room in her home. At the rear of the photograph a floral covered table is seen with an open dressing tray on a sterile drape; a small jar and bottle are seen on the table. rdns, royal district nursing service, mdns, melbourne district nursing society, rdns wound care

The Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sisters are using a hoist to transfer a lady who has limited mobility into her wheelchair. The photograph is taken in the lady's home. From the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), in 1885, known as the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1966, equipment was loaned and demonstrated to patients, and their family members, to enable them to care for their loved ones in their home. RDNS employed a Physiotherapist who taught RDNS staff the correct transferring techniques. New lifting techniques, such as the use of a hoist, was taught to RDNS staff and were used in patient's homes to undertake safe transfer of the patient and to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and family members. The Trained nurses of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), later known as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), visited patients in their home and gave best practice care in many fields of nursing, and to people of many cultures, throughout its 130 years of expansion. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care the Sisters provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Poliomyelitis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary.Coloured photograph showing Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Sister Helen Pelosi on the left hand side. She has short dark hair; is wearing a a light blue apron over her RDNS uniform, and is moving a lady in a hoist to a wheelchair. Another RDNS Sister, who has short blonde hair, is wearing her RDNS uniform of Royal blue V neck tunic style frock, with part of her white blouse seen and a navy blue cardigan. She has her right arm extended towards the top of a hoist. The lady is laughing and is suspended in a sling attached to the metal hoist. Around her neck is a white scarf with blue dots which is hanging over her red jumper. She is wearing a blue dress and long dark socks. Both her hands are extended upward holding onto the metal cross bar of the hoist. Part of a wheelchair is seen in the left foreground. Open long gold curtains with voile curtains in the centre can be seen in the background.royal district nursing service, rdns, patient care, rdns equipment, sister helen pelosi

The RDNS Sisters are wearing the uniform of the day which was a short sleeve white blouse under a royal blue V neck tunic style frock with the RDNS insignia on the left upper area. Sister Pelosi is being transferred by another RDNS staff member from a bed via a hoist into a wheelchair as a demonstration during an Education session.From the founding of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), in 1885, known as the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) from 1966, equipment was loaned and demonstrated to patients, and their family members, to enable them to care for the person in their home. In the 1970s RDNS employed a Physiotherapist who taught RDNS staff correct transferring techniques, including the use of a hoist when this became available. RDNS staff taught and used these techniques in patient’s homes to undertake safe transfer of the patient and to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and family members.Black and white photograph of a Sister of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), demonstrating the transferring of Sister Helen Pelosi into a wheelchair using a Hydraulic Hoist. The Sister standing behind the wheelchair has short dark hair and is wearing the RDNS summer uniform of a white short sleeve blouse under a dark V neck tunic style frock. She has her hands extended supporting Sr, Pelosi, who has short straight hair; is wearing a white gown over her uniform and is suspended in a sling which is hanging from the cross bar of the metal hoist, and is just above the seat of the wheelchair. The upright pole and hydraulics, with bar 'pumping handle', is in front of Sr. Pelosi in the right foreground of the photograph. To its right is a bed with dark bedhead and white coverings.rdns, royal district nursing service, rdns education, rdns equipment, sister helen pelosi

This photograph is showing a procedure performed by an RDNS Sister in the home of an elderly lady.Education was an integral part of Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) from its inception in 1885, later called Royal District Nursing Service, (RDNS). Only Trained Nurses were employed by the Society, and on visits to patients they taught the necessity of hygiene and cleanliness, as well as the need for a good diet, to bring about good health. Doctor’s lectures were later given at the MDNS home to instruct patients and their families on prevention of disease. Education to patients continued throughout the years regarding health care and the use of equipment in the home. In 1961 Education programs commenced at MDNS with Sisters receiving In-service education. Staff could also apply for scholarships to further their education outside of RDNS. At RDNS many programs were run, including: a Post Basic Course, Cardiac Rehabilitation Nursing, Haematology/Oncology Nursing, Palliative Care program, Diabetic Stabilization Program, Leg Ulcer Management Program, HIV/AIDS Nursing Care, Cystic Fibrosis Home Support, Veterans Home Care Program, Breast Cancer Support Program, Continence Management Program, Stomal Therapy Program, In-Home Lactation Support Program and a Community Nursing Education Program extended to student nurses from hospitals and to other nursing organizations. RDNS staff attended several hospitals to observe and learn special care needed to some clients, e.g. to the Austin Hospital to learn the care required for paraplegic and quadriplegic clients at home and to Mount Royal Hospital to observe the care of clients in the rehabilitation ward.This Black and white photograph is showing Sister Liddalow, of the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), linking up a home dialysis unit into the left arm of an elderly lady. The lady who wears glasses and has wavy hair, is wearing a white nightdress with lace at the neck and down the centre front. Her left arm is resting on top of a surgical cover and she is clenching her left fist and has a tourniquet above her elbow. She is sitting against a flower patterned pillow on her bed watching the procedure. Sister Liddalow has short dark hair and is wearing a white gown over her uniform. She has a glove on her right hand and a syringe in her hand. In the left rear IV apparatus, with two syringes and a trolley on which a machine can be seen.date of photographroyal district nursing service, rdns, patient care - home dialysis, sister liddalow,

RDNS Sister E. Anderson is Supervisor of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Footscray Centre and Mrs. J. Simpson is the coordinator of RDNS Auxiliaries. They are admiring items from auxiliaries and other interested friends which will be distributed, as required, by RDNS Sisters to any poor families whom they visit to administer nursing care.From its inception in 1885 Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), held functions to gain finances to run the Society. They also asked the public for donations, ranging from food items to linen for bandages, bed linen, blankets, clothes, including baby clothes, etc to assist in the care of their patients. The public generously responded. Each year the President made a special appeal for donations at Christmas time for food and gifts for the MDNS sick poor. Out of this evolved, in 1925, the first MDNS Auxiliary in the Eastern Suburbs. This extended to Auxiliaries throughout the suburbs who worked to donate money and ‘gifts in kind’ to assist MDNS to continue their work, and to furnish wards in the After-Care Home. Before the District Division of MDNS had its own fleet of vehicles, a Motor Auxiliary was formed in 1929 where the general public, when available, provided their car, and drove Sisters to visit patients who lived a distance away. This was disbanded in 1971 when the, now named Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), had its own fleet of vehicles. The Jessie Henderson Auxiliary ran a Kiosk and Library with all profits to the Society for 20 years. By 1950 there were fourteen auxiliaries who continued to hold functions when the District division separated from the After-Care Hospital and became Melbourne District Nursing Service, which, with Royal patronage, became RDNS in 1966. A Council of Auxiliaries, with Mrs. J. Simpson at its head, and which comprised of two delegates from each auxiliary, was formed in February 1968 to work for District. There were nine auxiliaries in 1970. They continued to run into the 2000s, but the numbers of auxiliaries reduced over the years, as well as the number of members in each auxiliary as the members aged, so this form of support ceased.On the rear left of the black and white photograph is Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), Sister E. Anderson, who has short dark curly hair and is wearing her RDNS uniform of a long sleeved grey frock, with a white name badge on the upper left; parts of RDNS insignia are seen on the top section of each sleeve. On the right rear is Mrs. J. Simpson, who has her long dark hair drawn up and is wearing a light grey coloured frock with white lapels, cuffs and a white pocket, all with dark piping. They are both holding baby items and looking at knitted and other donated items which are laying on tables in front of them.Photographers stamp. Quote No. KH 74melbourne district nursing society, melbourne district nursing service, mdns, royal district nursing service, rdns, mdns auxiliaries, rdns auxiliaries, ellen anderson,, j. simpson,

This photograph shows an RDNS Sister doing Liaison work at a Hospital. She will pass the information given about the babe to the RDNS Domiciliary Infant and Maternal Care (DIMC) Sister who will be visiting the baby and her family in their home. Sr. Schofield is wearing the RDNS winter uniform of a blue/grey skivvie under a V neck tunic style frock made of herringbone winter material.Liaison had occurred between Doctors and the Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), from its inception in 1885. This increased when Midwifery was introduced in August 1893 with close liaising with the Women’s Hospital. As District nursing grew it was recognized that closer liaising between many Public Hospitals would be beneficial, for not only the MDNS, later called Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Trained nurses (Sisters), but also for the patients and the hospitals. In August 1964 a Liaison Officer commenced at the Alfred Hospital. This soon increased to Liaison Officers working full time at several Public Hospitals. They facilitated the smooth transition from hospital to home for many patients who required ongoing nursing care. Liaison Sisters regularly attended discharge planning meetings, interviewed prospective patients, co-ordinated discharge, and booked the first visit by the visiting RDNS Sister. At the time of a patient’s discharge, the Liaison Sister forwarded information on their diagnosis and instructions regarding the care required at home to the appropriate RDNS Centre, and in turn the attending District Sister wrote a report of progress and any queries to the Hospital Doctor, via the Liaison Sister, at the time the patient was attending outpatients. Any new instructions were then sent back to the District Sister. Liaising also occurred between District Sisters and Doctors when patients were referred by General Practitioners and did not attend a hospital. In August 1893 Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), commenced a Midwifery Service with Nurse Fowler, who was trained in General nursing and Midwifery nursing, being the first Midwife employed. Mothers were assessed for suitability of a home birth or if they required delivery at the Women’s Hospital. The Midwife worked in conjunction with the Doctors at the Women’s Hospital and if a complication arose before or after birth the patient was transferred to their care. Following birth, the Midwife gave Post-Natal care to both the mother and babe commencing with visits twice a day. In 1898 the service ceased due to lack of funds but recommenced in 1906, and in the August 1925 Annual Report the number of MDNS home births was recorded at 478. MDNS built the After-Care Home and a pioneering Anti-Natal Clinic was opened in 1930. The last Ante-Natal clinic was held there in December 1951 and the MDNS Midwifery service ceased in February 1952. In 1964 MDNS commenced a Post-Natal service with General and Midwifery trained MDNS Sisters working from a room on the ground floor in the Footscray Hospital Nurses quarters, and visiting early discharged Footscray Hospital maternity cases at home. Later, as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), this service was extended and renamed as Domiciliary Infant and Maternal Care, (DIMC) service operating from most Centres and visiting early discharged, often 24 hours after birth, maternity cases from hospitals to give Post-natal care to the mother and babe. Many of the RDNS Sisters who worked in DIMC also had their triple Infant Welfare Certificate, though double certificate Midwifery trained Sisters also visited. On the left of this black and white photograph is Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) Sister Margaret Schofield, who has her long dark hair drawn back, and is smiling as she looks down at a baby being held in the arms of a Hospital Sister. Sr. Schofield is wearing a light grey skivvie under a V neck dark tunic style frock. She has a pen in the V of her tunic, and has a watch hanging under the RDNS logo on its left hand side. Her left hand is resting on a white table which has baby scales with a wicker basket on it. To the right, is the Hospital Sister, who is side-on and facing Sr. Schofield. She is wearing dark rimmed glasses; has her long dark hair drawn back and is wearing a dark cardigan over her white uniform. She has her right arm under the baby with her hand on babe's right leg; her left hand is holding the baby's feet. The baby has sparse dark hair and is wearing a white patterned jacket. Part of a dark filing cabinet is on the right of the photograph and behind the Sisters is a large window, then grass, small shrubs and part of a corrugated clad building can be seen beyond.Barry Sutton LP 43royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns dimc, rdns uniform, sister margaret schofield

Diana Lodge was built and operated by Kevin Shoebridge as a family lodge in the 1950s and it has grown and evolved over 60 years to become Diana Alpine Lodge. After Mr. Shoebridge moved to Wodonga he leased Diana Lodge to Bob Scott and it also became the Post Office and Telephone Exchange. From early early 1967 until about 1975, Diana Lodge was owned and operated by John and Gwyn van Burck. It was then purchased by a group of 12 families operating as Swan Hill Alpine Holdings. Diana Alpine Lodge has operated under several owners and was sold again as recently as 2023.This brochure is significant because it is linked to one of the early lodges established in Falls Creek.A small tan coloured brochure with black text, The cover features an image of a skier.Above image: DIANA LODGE The Ski-out, Ski-in Lodge Go! with the Snow in Victoria Below the image: Fall's Creek Victoria Phone 58 3214 Proprietors: John and Gwyn van Burckdiana alpine lodge, falls creek accommodation

Given to Box Hill RSL as part of a fathers RAAF Uniform from Bomber Command. Uniform worn by Flying Officers from Australia. This hat has strong provenance as the name of the owner is written on the hat, with service number, and the family connection to the donor. Navy Blue/Black Band and Gold Emblem with name and number written on brim of hat. Leather binding. The number written on the hat is the service number for Maurice Anthony O'Keefe.Hand written on Brim: O'Keefe, MA/428470headwear, ww2, uniform bomber command

The original owner was Louis Kolling.An antique thick rectangular photograph album made of dark tan leather with an elaborate embossed floral and leaf design on the front and back covers. The brass clasp on the side is in working order but is broken. It contains 24 thick double sided cardboard pages which have sepia family photographs inserted. There are several missing photographs. Each picture has the name of the photographic studio printed at the bottom of it. Some photos have names written beneath them in blue writing. Each page has beautiful hand painted coloured flowers and leaves decorating them. At the front is a highly coloured decorative floral title page with the word - Album. On the back of this page is a blank Index with 100 spaces to write the names of those in the photographs. The whole album as quite worn and damaged with several inscriptions.'On the front right side endpaper is handwritten on the textured page in blue ink 'Mrs Kelling, a present from Mrs Bond'. Painted ornately in colourful paints is 'Martha Bond' There is a strip of paper included on this page handwritten in blue biro 'Donated posthumously by Louis Kolling, a first cousin and neighbour of Edmund L. Burgi'. On the back endpaper handwriitten in grey pencil ''Via Lilydale' On the last page of photographs on the opposite page is handwritten in blue ink 'Mrs Kolling Clifton Hill.' which is underlined.photographs, albums, photograph albums, photographic accessories

SUMMARY - Edna (Myers) Barrie, 1918 – 2018, Profile Early Life Edna was born at Melton and delivered by Hannah Watts. Her mother Martha walked in the dark at night with her basket under her arm to the bridge over the Toolern Creek Bridge and into Sherwin Street to the corner of Yuille Street to Hannah’s house Lynch Cottage. Martha’s husband was away shearing and eventually heard the news of the birth of their blue eyed third child and second daughter. She was born into a family that was surrounded by music; her father played the “squeeze box” and mother the mouth organ. From an early age the family were aware of the great composers, a framed picture of Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert and Wagner hung above the door to the lounge room of their 4 roomed cottage, the room where the piano stood. Her life on stage started as a singer aged 6 years at the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall. Edna was born with a natural ear for music learning piano and singing from her older sister Marjorie who became an accomplished pianist and soloist and renowned music teacher in Melton and district. In the 1920s and 1930s concerts at the Melton Mechanics Institute were regular events were the local talent was fostered. The Myers children, like other children of Melton and Rockbank, studied singing, piano and elocution, sat examinations, entered in competitions in South Street Ballarat, Footscray and Melbourne. In 1929 a Sacred Concert was broadcast by 3AR from the Hall as part of the Back to Melton Celebrations. Marjorie Myers performed two of the items on the piano. Edna attended Melton State School 430 from 1924 – 1933. Her father Fred had also attended the same school. In 1924 the School staged Cinderella at the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall with a cast of 33 students. After completing her education a Melton she boarded in South Melbourne and attending Melbourne Girls High School (MacRobertson Girls High School), a school which recognized her musical attributes. She travelled home on the train on the weekends, sometimes getting off at Rockbank to save a few pennies in fares. Working life The early 1930s the Depression was a difficult time for a young woman to find work. Jobs were often menial and given to the youngest and therefore cheapest applicant. She worked as sales assistant at Polonskis and Myer in the city, and Irvines Modes in Footscray. Working to 1pm on Saturday, and when held up by a customer meant missing the train home. While at Myer Department store she lived at home and rode her bike to the Melton railway station. On one occasion she had a nasty fall when a part of her bicycle came loose causing the bike to crash rendering her concussed and injuring her nose. During the 1930s she was given a camera “a little snap” by Mrs Kelly her landlady. This began her interest in photography documenting family life at their “Burnbank” home. Musically, while at Myers she participated in annual performances held at The Kings Hall and the Myer Mural Hall. Working in the basement at Myers she was often embarrassed when her name was called, customers assuming she belonged to the Myer Family. Ken Myer worked in the basement at the same time handling the ‘Wheeler’, a wicker basket used for moving goods around the store. The family philosophy was for the children to start at the bottom and work their way up. Social life Social life in her teenage years was connected also with Scots Presbyterian Church. She attended Sunday School classes and received book prizes for attendance. She loved to read and welcomed the times when she received new book. She took part in the Sunday School Anniversaries and was presented with a Bible from the Superintendent, Henry Robinson for her assistance with the music. Marriage and War years In 1941 Edna married Ernest “Bonnie” Barrie. War in the Pacific was soon to break out. While in Sydney on their honeymoon they met up with Jim Barrie who was on his way to Canada via Hawaii just missing Pearl Harbour by two days. Jim became a Spitfire Pilot and joined the RAF and was based in England. He returned to Australia later in RAAF to fight the Japanese off the coast of New Guinea. The three eldest Barrie brothers were farmers and food producers and were thus except from military service. Edna and Bon were members of the VAOC- Volunteer Air Observers Corp entailing being rostered on duty as plane spotters. The women took shifts during the day and the men at night which involved staying overnight in the Shire Offices. Later the spotting tower was built in the plantation opposite the Post Office. Edna and Bon carried on with this from their home in Ferris Rd when the threat of invasion had ceased Community life Community life in Melton revolved around fund raising events for the Melton Mechanics Institute for the War effort and keeping up with maintenance for the Hall. In 1944 the Minister for Health gave approval for the Shire of Melton to open and Infant Welfare Centre inviting Edna to form part of the Committee with seven other women. In 1948 she was President of Melton Branch of the Victorian Health Centres Association. She volunteered this use of her car driving the person in charge, Sister Smith to visit mothers and their babies. In 1963, along with Betty Jones and Isabel Snell, Edna was instrumental in forming the 1st Melton Cub Pack and later supported the formation of the 1st Melton Scouts. During 1963 – 1968 she completed the Australian Boy Scout Association Cub Pack Preliminary Training and achieved her Wood Badge. Country Women’s Association In 1944-1996 she was a member of the Melton Branch Country Women’s Association (CWA), Melton Branch, Secretary of the Branch in 1945 – 1946 and Branch International Secretary 1970-1971. She worked with choir, music and drama interest groups within the branch attaining both first and second place in 1959, second place in 1952 Exhibition and second in Music in 1960 in the state. She was involved in their handicraft craft events, fund raising and musical events and singing competitions. During the 1950s she trained Trios and Quartets in part singing for the CWA competitions in Ballarat and Melbourne. It was at this time that she developed her skill as a conductor and trainer of choirs. She later auditioned for the Victorian Choir for alto parts believing she would stand a better chance of being chosen, because of her ability to sing in natural harmony. In 1962 she participated in the Tenth Australian Country Women of the World (ACWW) Triennial Conference “Australia Presents: CWA Massed Choir” in the Melbourne Town Hall. This event was recorded by Super Sound Spotlight on 45 extended play vinyl record. The songs were Australian music and words, for example The Silver Stars are in the Sky, The Graceful Swaying Wattle and Kookaburra. Edna continued with her interest in the Victorian Choir regularly meeting at the CWA Headquarters in Toorak for rehearsals. In 1974 she took part in the Australian Choir at the fourteenth Triennial conference of the ACWW Interfaith Service held at the Perth Concert Hall on the 13th of October. Arts and Culture Edna was also in the Choir of 3KZ Carols by Candlelight at the Myer Music Bowl in 1963 and 1964. Melton Choral Society. Edna was Director and Conductor in the 1970s performing at many community events such as Carols by Candle Light, Church Services, Easter and Palm Sunday services, Mothers Union and the 1976 Community Services Week Combined Church Service. The October – November 1978 Program covered the following: songs from the Musicals, Choral and Solo with Narratives, Guest Instrumental Item, Recitation Negro Spirituals and Australian Songs. Her involvement with church choirs included the Scots Presbyterian Church Choir Easter and Christmas performances and the 1967 Centenary Service. In 1980s the Melton Uniting Church Sacred Music Performances included The Crucifixion by Stainer, The Olivet to Calvary and other church Hymns. Edna was Musical Director of the Melton Amateur Theatrical Society and worked on performances in collaboration with Mabel Rogers on script and musical interpretation. Melton and District Historical Society Annual Art and Craft Show. First held in Melton Mechanics Institute Hall in 1973, it later took place in the in the Melton Community Hall. The Art Show was also run in conjunction with other community organizations such as Rotary and Girl Guides. Community history and research Melton streetscape and society Over 20 years commencing in the 1970s, Edna undertook extensive photographing of the changing streetscape of Melton’s High Street. She anticipated the impact of change on the community during the time of Melton’s rapid transition from a small farming district to a large urban community and this led to her extensively document and photograph many of the structures and landscape features of the township that have since been lost. She also meticulously recorded much of the contemporary life of the town and has left a significant legacy of archival material. Melton State School 100 Years Celebration, October 1970 Co-author with Mabel Rogers “The First 100 Years, 1870 – 1970” Assembled a collection of School Class Photograph and identified and compiled lists of names for future school history. She also assembled a photographic display for the 125th anniversary in 1995. Melton and District Historical Society (M&DHS) Foundation Member, 1968 Held President and Secretary positions from its inception Research associated with the classification of Heritage buildings Christ Church Classification C Scots’ Presbyterian Church Classification D Set up the storage and Catalogue system in the Office at the Willows Organised society visits to Heritage sites in and beyond the Shire of Melton, including Stathtulloh, Eynesbury, Deanside, ToolernVale sites including Merrywood (now demolished) Staughton Vale, Chirnside, Point Cook, Shwerkolts Cottage. 1970 – 1983 Melton and District Historical Society Letterhead. Staughton Memorial Light from early newspaper cutting in its location before restoration to present location. Sketch by Wendy Barrie. Designing and printing pamphlets, stationery, and other sale items with Willows title. M&DHS street naming research for new housing developments (1970 – 2000). Collaborated with Mary Tolhurst to research the names of early landowners and pioneer families connected to the first settlers. Researched Aboriginal names for inclusion on lists submitted to developers. An early example is the naming of Kuranjang and the street names associated with the McPherson family. Plains of Promise (Shire of Melton history) by Joan Starr (1985). Edna assisted with Historical Society materials and contributed her own research and photographs. Contacted and organised for Hubert Opperman to launch the book. (She was also present at his last bike ride at Rochester in 1995.) Western Metropolitan Groups of Historical Societies. Member attending meetings and representing Melton, also hosted the Group at Melton The Willows Member of the Committee of Management for the restoration of the “Willows” house the establishment of The Willows Park 1982 March - Official Opening of the Willows Park- Preparation and planning for the event. Involved in the collecting of items in the furnishing of the display rooms in the Willows house. Donated items and furniture from the Myers and Daley family houses. (19th century) Machinery Shed Establishment. Involved with Jeff Robinson in the construction and collection of machinery display Other significant sites Championed and participated in the restoration and preservation significant sites in Melton, including: restoration of the Staughton Memorial Light and its return to its present site restoration of the Pykes Grave (using EW Barrie earthmoving equipment) restoration and reconstruction of Dunvegan restoration and reconstruction of Macs Cottage, the management and Caretakers residence Melton State School War Memorial Gates removed from Unitt Street entrance and relocated to the Willows Park Donated the Barrie family single furrow plough which was standing at the Court House Plaza. It removed and to Council Depot and later missing. The plaque was taken to the Willows. Jimmy Melrose (aviator) cairn restoration at crash site in Melton South Donald Mackintosh (Olympic gold medallist marksman) grave site at the Melton Cemetery (Historical items held by the Myers family collection.) Houdini first flight at Diggers Rest. Edna’s father was shearing at Diggers Rest at the time and witnessed the flight. She attended the 90 year anniversary of the event at the site in 2000. Radio and electronics Edna’s husband Bon interest in wireless communication dates in the 1920s with the building of a crystal set in the early days of public broadcasting. At the Back to Melton Celebrations in 1929, 3AR broadcast a concert from the Melton Mechanics Institute on the 20th February at 8pm featuring Footscray City Band, James Hill baritone, Vera Carew Soprano, James Foran Tenor, Marjorie Myers Piano, and James Williamson Entertainer. Accompanists: Miss Agnes Ross and Mrs James Hill. The Myers children had recordings of their piano playing made onto the aluminium records, Martha Myers’ voice can be heard introducing an item. These were made in a studio in Melbourne. Marjorie was given a upright Gramophone by Donald Mackintosh in recognition of her talent and her contribution to the cultural life of Melton. The family were then able to listen to 78rpm recordings of the famous classical recordings. The turntable was hand wound metal stylus needles had to be regularly replaced. The aluminium disk needed a bamboo needle to prevent damage to the surface. Before electricity was introduced to Melton in 1939 the Mechanics Hall relied on generators to produce electricity. Bon Barrie, being mechanically minded, built a public address system for be used a community functions at the Hall and Recreational Park. By 1939 this was up and running and used for over three decades. A large Collection of 78rpm records provided music for dances, marching, parades and any public event needing music and microphones. The early system was portable and worked on batteries. CFA Radio Communication In the 1950s with the introduction two-way HF and later VHF very high frequency radio sets. Melton Rural Fire Brigade was part of the Bacchus Marsh Group. Radio sets where located in the Melton Fire Truck, and in the house of the Barrie family at Ferris Road. This was an ideal location to observe a 360 degree view in all directions when smoke appeared on the horizon. An antenna was erected beside the house. The set OX 7 was located in the kitchen and monitored 24 hours by the family. When an electrical fire occurred at the junction of the electricity to the house there was time to radio the fire station and summons the men working in the paddocks, thus saving the house from possible destruction. With the introduction of UHF – ultra high frequency Vinten Radios the signal was clearer and static and interference lessened and radio traffic became easier to read, and reduced noise levels in the household. VL3 LY Radio Base became the Group Headquarters was established in 1967. By 1970 the Brigades were: Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Toolern Vale, Diggers Rest, Truganina, and Werribee. In 1974 when the family moved to First Avenue, another antenna and a small building were erected adjacent to the residence and used to house the equipment, maps. Radio traffic consisted of regular schedule times and communication with adjoining groups of brigades such as Bacchus Marsh, Mt Macedon and Little River Groups. Many of the brigade and group base radios were situated in private residences and operated primarily by fire fighters wives who held the position of Communications Officer, either registered as a brigade member or informally. Edna was never registered as an operational brigade member but operated informally as an assistant to her husband Bon. She was however a member of the Melton Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary from its inception in 1968, a non-operational position. Edna kept up to date with radio procedure following the 1967 handbook; preparing maps, plotting compass points and taking notes on weather forecasts from the SA Border and Western District. Daily notes were taken in anticipation of fire warnings. These log books and daily radio traffic were incidental to the regular radio schedules. Emergency turnouts noted, burning off times and predicted location of smoke. In the summer fire season all TBF (total fire ban days were recorded.) In times of emergency the Barrie family assisted Bon the base radio operator to plot the position and location of fire trucks and to help clarify garbled radio traffic, keep notes and make telephone calls. These log books are held in the EE and EW Family Archive. Melton Uniting Church Edna founded the Church Opportunity with Maisie Robinson in 1975 in the Melton South Methodist Church building. Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of Melton had combined severing their long held connection with Bacchus Marsh. A Manse had been recently built for the Melton Minister. At a Parish Committee meeting at the Melton South Church it was suggested to use the building as an Opportunity Shop. It opened in July 1975, and it raised $1,600 contribution to the church budget in 1976. In 1977 The Uniting Church in Australia was formed and the Melton South Uniting Church Opportunity shop continued to go from strength to strength expanding the buildings providing the welfare needs of the community. Archive Set up by Edna Catalogued items dating from 1857 Minute Book and set ongoing system and storage of items of heritage. Melton Un Awards and recognition of service to the Melton community Rotary Award for Community Service, 1980 Victoria 150th Anniversary Celebrations contributions, 1985 Life Membership of the Melton and District Historical Society (M&DHS), 1989 Extra-Ordinary Contribution for years of service to M&DHS, 1992 Long Service for Exceptional Service MD&HS, 1993 Royal Historical Society of Victoria Award of Merit, 1997 Shire of Melton Certificate of Appreciation for continued support and dedication as a member of MD&HS to the preservation of Melton’s History, 1998 Centenary of Federation Peoplescape (Canberra) Melton Shire nomination, 2001 Uniting Church Melton Life Membership of the Opportunity Shop Uniting Church in Australia Commission for Mission for 30 years of hard work and dedications to the Uniting Church, 2007 Uniting Church Adult Fellowship Certificate appreciation in recognition of valuable support through the “Sammy” Stamp Fund Neighbourhood Watch 5 year award Photographs of Edna at different ageslocal identities

Eldest daughter of Edna and Bon Barrie, born on 03 November 1943 in Melbourne, Victoria, Memoirs of Wendy Barrie, recalling the early formative years of life in Melton: In 1949 I started school at Melton State School no 430 and was driven the 2½ miles to there by my parents at first. Later we walked home in the afternoons or were picked up by car as we made our way home along the Western Highway. In 1956 I went to Bacchus Marsh High School. There were 4 students in grade 6 and 3 of us went to the High School. The students from Melton, Melton South and Toolern Vale State Schools went by bus to Bacchus Marsh High School as far a fifth form. My parents drove me to the pick up point and during the five years of travel to High School. The bus travelled via Toolern Vale and later went through Exford and through Parwan. On the return journey in the afternoon the bus went in the reverse direction. The bridge at Exford was an old narrow wooden one, and the students had to get off the bus and walk across, with the driver crossing in the empty bus for safety reasons. There was a travelling allowance paid to parents and it was estimated from the distance the crow flies, a straight line. We lived a Ferris Lane, just where the Harness Racing entrance is now situated about 2 ½ miles by road to school too close to qualify for the subsidy. While at State School Melton we would walk home in a group with the Nixon and Gillespie children, along the main road over the bridge near the Shire Offices and down a hill. I was being dinked on Joyce Gillespie’s bike while holding onto the seat, toppled off the bike striking my chin and teeth on the bitumen and cracking my jaw. I was about 9 years old and stayed a couple of days in the Quamby Hospital in Bacchus Marsh, it seemed like and eternity at the time and quite traumatic being separated from my family. I can remember contemplating how I could get out of the window and run away but realised it was too far to walk home. Often we would cut across the Common on our way home from school picking up stray golf balls and collecting them from the creek when it dried out. We were warned about not accepting lifts from strangers passing along the Melbourne/ Ballarat Road. The only danger we faced was being swooped by the magpies particularly on the open ground on the Common. We were also fairly cautious when the Gypsies camped on the Common in the area just about opposite the small reservoir. “Mum” grandma Myers loved to have us call in on our way home, and usually would cut a slice of Jongebloed’s bread and spread it with home made butter. Sometimes we waited there until we were collected by car, usually driven by our mother. Margaret Nixon and Joyce Gillespie were a few grades ahead of me and Barbara Nixon was born just two months earlier than me. Our mothers were great friends for over 6o years, born in the same month three years apart. They lived within a few days of the same age as each other at the time their deaths. Dad and George Nixon attended Melton school at the same time. Sarah nee Hornbuckle Nixon and my grandfather Frederick Myers Snr were at school together at the same in the 1880s. The Nixon family lived in Keilor Road just past the Toolern Creek near the turnoff. Tom and Ann Collins lived on the southern side of the Western highway and Keilor road intersection. Jim and Ruby Gillespie’s house was further long Keilor road on the right. They backed onto the Myers who lived on the north side of Western Highway east of Myers Gully (Ryans Creek). The Bridge over the Toolern Creek as very narrow and as truck traffic increased there were accidents. One truck took out the side railing and plunged upside down into the bank and into the shallow water. Another fatal accident happened between a car and a truck right in front of the Myers house. Grandfather Fred had been a bike rider all his life, as far as the Riverina in his younger years, wryly made the comment about the drivers the speeding along the Ballarat Road were setting out to kill themselves. The road was busy particularly after the Races at Ballarat when the crowds were hurrying home to Melbourne. Train travel had changed very little from the time my mothers generation to mine. The timetable meant the usual rush to Melton South by bike in her case and if she was running late the train pulled up on the crossing. I was driven to the Station from home past Keith and Mary Gillespie’s house near the Ferris Road rail crossing to Bridge road to Melton South for the 7.32 train. While attending Sunshine High School in 1961 I would meet up with three other students, two of whom I knew from Bacchus Marsh High School days. We usually got into the same compartment on the train, it was a typical country train with a corridor along the side and compartments with a door, roof racks and sometimes heated metal containers for the feet in the winter. Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. The carriages had 1st and economy class compartments showing photographs of county scenes and holiday destinations. The engine was the large A class diesel. They are still running to Bacchus Marsh 50 years later, due to the need for the greatly increased number of commuters travelling to work in the city. Sometimes the carriages were pull by a Steam engine, these were a problem in the summer time because the sparks caused fires along the train lines and then quickly spread into the dry grass, crops and stubble. The Motor Train left Spencer Street at 4.23 pm and was the best train for me to catch. Ferris Road was a designated stop and train pulled up on the road crossing. It had steps at the door and rungs to hold while alighting to the ground. The ballast along the tracks was rough and uneven and awkward to land on. The train was painted blue and yellow with the letters VR pained on the front. This saved may parents the afternoon trip to collect me from the Station. On the walk home on the gravel road I would pass Uncle Tom and Aunty May’s house before reaching home. Melva Gillespie was studying at Sunshine Technical School and we sometimes both got off the train at the same time. On other occasions the Motor Train was replaced with a diesel engine with carriages, it was also required to stop and the driver had to be notified in advance. This meant getting into the guards van a Rockbank. It was more difficult alighting from the carriage as the gap was greater and more precarious to swing out and land on the ground. A few times in my last year of study at Melbourne Teachers College in Grattan Street Carlton. I managed to catch the 2.30 pm train to Serviceton, it was express to Melton and was very quick trip. The last train, was the 5.25 pm diesel to Ballarat and I usually caught this train to Melton South Station. On one occasion after being held up on the tram in Bourke street I had to make a mad dash to the platform chasing the train as it was just moving off and yelling to the guard, fortunately I was noticed and the train ground to halt. I scrambled into the end door and took most of the journey home to recover. After the last year at High School I continued to travel on the train, 2 years to Prahran Technical School changing at North Melbourne. There were a lot school children travelling to private schools and some at the primary level and mainly from Bacchus Marsh. Rockbank children also travelled by train from the beginning of their high school years, quite a few went to Sunshine High School. During my third year of teacher training I travelled to Flinders Street to RMIT for ceramics classes and Grattan St Teachers College located in the grounds of Melbourne University. There were many teachers being trained at the Secondary Teachers College due to the baby bulge creating a great shortage of teachers. Sunshine High School was very well represented amongst the different courses in Primary, Secondary and Art and Crafts. I attended Melbourne University lectures, studying a Fine Art subject. Bernard Smith was the most notable of the lecturers. he replaced Professor Joseph Bourke who had taken leave for the years. In 1962 he published the art book “Australian Painting”. The secondary art and craft student teachers from the College were in the majority, taking this subject and were well regarded due to their practical art and craft methods and their teaching round experience. In December 1964 I graduated as a Trained Secondary Teacher – Art and Crafts. The graduating ceremony was held at Wilson Hall. I received my appointment to work at Maryborough High School. Uncle Max and Aunty Rosemary Myers arranged my accommodation. Uncle Max was a teacher at the Maryborough Technical School fat the time. The appointment was suddenly changed when just before the school year was about to start when I received notification that I was now required to move to Warracknabeal High School. I was subject to a bond for the three years of training and three years of teaching and was under an obligation to comply with the directive of the Education Department. My father stood as guarantor when I was accepted as student at the Melbourne Teachers’ College, thus enabling me to receive my teacher training, and a 5 pounds a week allowance for expenses. After teaching for two years at Warracknabeal High School I was fortunate enough the gain a transfer to Sunshine West High School, returning to live at home in Melton and travelling by car to work with a fellow colleague, Jock Smith who lived at Station road Melton. I completed bond obligation and resigned at the end of the year. The employment regulations at that time did not allow the option of leave of absence for, indefinite overseas travel. I returned to Australia in October 1969. Visiting Arthur Hart the Principal of Sunshine High School he arranged with the Education Department for my re-employment at Sunshine High School until the end of the year. In 1970 I was transferred, and returned to Sunshine West High School where I worked for the next three years. In January 1968 I sailed on the “Oriana” to South Hampton with two teaching friends from Warracknabeal High School on a travelling and working holiday. Doreen Kiely, a former Bacchus Marsh High student and fellow train traveller from Bacchus Marsh, was already working in London, had arranged our accommodation at the London Travellers Club Hotel, Braham Gardens, Earls Court SW5. We based our stay at this address in London and travelled around Scotland, Ireland and England. In the summer we took a four month trip around the Continent and the Mediterranean. I registered with The Royal Borough Of Kingston Upon Thames as a Supply teacher, and worked at Chessington School form autumn to spring the following year and living with Mrs Rose Gillies at Kinross Avenue, Worcester Park, Surrey. In the spring of 1969 visiting Norway, Sweden and Finland joining an organised camping group to the Artic Circle, entered Russia at Leningrad (St Petersburg) Moscow, Minsk, to Poland and Czechoslovakia. In August returning to Worcester Park for the flight to Montreal to stay with cousin Lynette and husband Jurgen. A side trip was taken to Toronto, Niagara Falls and New York. The flight home from Montreal to Melbourne took 52 hours. A ½ day break in Vancouver before boarding the Qantas boeing 707 via San Francisco, Honolulu, Fiji, Sydney to Melbourne. Around the world in 21 months. Photographs of Wendy local identities

Wendy Barrie's memories of Apollo Bay The camping trips were a yearly event after the harvest had finished. The trip down to the beach was a much-anticipated event heading out through Parwan and to Geelong leaving behind the hot and dusty plains and our parents relieved to have the hard work of harvesting left behind. The Otways in the distance were reached with great anticipation, Mum in the car and Dad in the Truck ahead of us anxiously winding through the narrow roads and negotiating the hairpin bends and breathing in the cool fresh air of the forest, and keeping an eye out of the log trucks that might come sweeping the corner. The tree ferns with their dripping moisture and the giant trees and the unmistakeable small of the eucalypts. Great excitement was when we caught our first view of the sea from the highest point of the road and then is was the cautious drive the sea level to the sight of the blue ocean with the white of the waves crashing on the rocks and the pristine sand. The water from the Wild Dog and Skenes creek trickling onto the ocean. The tree ferns with their dripping moisture and the giant trees and the unmistakeable smell of the eucalypts. The return journey was usually taken on the Great Ocean Road, it was considered safer to be on the inside of the road. In the early days it was very narrow and passing oncoming cars was taken very cautiously. Landslides and floods sometimes meant we would take the inland route. One year the bridges were washed away and bailey bridges were erected to keep the road open. Rock falls off the cliffs were common Stops on the way home gave us our last chance for our feet in the sand and a swim in the ocean. By the time we reached the hill at Angle Sea the vast blue ocean was behind us and we trekked back through Geelong- Bacchus road and the plains of stubble and the dry grass, and sometimes evidence of burnt patches from a bush fire. The closest we came to a pool at home was the concrete sheep trough at the gate to the work sheds. It was filled with bore water pumped from the nearby windmill. Edna, Bon and their family members at their camp site in Apollo Baylocal identities

Date of birth 27th April 1893 Born at Spring Hill – Kyneton Parents – Thomas and Mary Elizabeth nee Coates Lang. The family lived in High Street Melton 1896. He started his schooling at Melton State School in Nov 1897. Mr Lang was the Head Teacher from 1896 – 1917. Horace enlisted on the 29th March 1915 24th Battalion D Company and sailed on the Euripides on the 8th May to Egypt. They landed on Gallipoli in early September returning to Egypt at the end of the year. In April on 1916 Horace and his brother Thomas had an opportunity to meet for a few hours before he moved onto France. He received the military medal in 1916 “For conspicuous gallantry in constructing and holding an advanced bombing post near Flers on 18/19 November within close range of the enemy. The garrison had to remain motionless throughout the day but Corpl. Lang refused to be relieved until his company left the trenches, setting a most encouraging example of endurance.” In May 1917 the Battalion was near Arras – Bullecourt. On 3rd May he was last seen alive carrying a Lewis Gun, and wounded making his way to the casualty station according to witnesses reporting to the court of enquiry. The family, in Melton had a first heard that he had been wounded, or was a prisoner. My grandmother Jessie Barrie and the Lang family went to Port Melbourne as the troop ships arrived hoping they would find someone who might know of his fate. AWM records and Red Cross files reveal the extent of the efforts that family and friends made enquiring about his fate. In December 1917 he was declared Killed in Action on May 3rd at Bullecourt where he is commemorated. Horace Lang postcardRear: Dear Jessie & All, I am in the pink not doing to bad. Haven't had any letters from you for some time. Hope you haven't forgotte me. Don't be so long nest time. Letter later from your loving bro Horace. (PS) Photo is very crook. (Front: Yours Horace, France 28/2/17)local identities

This apron was made by Theresa Dunn (néé Wallis) of Breakaway Creek, Victoria. Born in 1912, Theresa came from a farming family and left school at the age of 14 following the death of her mother to help care for her younger siblings. Well known for her needlework, Theresa and her sister Eileen exhibited widely and later judged work for Victorian and interstate needlework competitions. Sticklers for perfection, they were known to always look at the back of the work first. In 1935 Theresa married Allan Dunn. This apron formed part of her glory box; a collection of items saved in preparation for married life. Never used, it was donated to the Ballarat Apron Festival in 2017 by Theresa’s daughter. Made by Theresa Dunn of Breakaway Creek in the 1930s, this apron reflects early-20th century ideals of thrift and resourcefulness that were highly regarded as desirable feminine traits. By making do and adapting waste materials, such as hessian sacks and fabric scraps, into practical clothing, women could demonstrate their sewing expertise and ingenuity; highly prized qualities during times of economic depression or frugalness. Part of Theresa's glory box, this apron is in immaculate condition and is an example of depression era clothing and resourcefulness. Sugar bag apron (circa 1930s) Ballarat Apron Festival collection Until the mid-20th century concepts of thrift and resourcefulness were highly regarded as desirable feminine traits. By making do and adapting waste materials, such as hessian sacks and fabric scraps, into practical clothing, women could demonstrate their sewing expertise and ingenuity; highly prized qualities during times of economic depression or frugalness. Colonial Sugar Refining Co Ltd. Pure Cane Sugar 70lbs. Melbourne 1A

Built by Water Browne c.1903 Greenhills was one of the first pastoral runs, and centres of European settlement, established in the Shire of Melton. Estate in Diggers Rest Coimadai Road, Toolern Valelocal architecture, pioneer families

This style of rule was very popular in the 1930s and 1940 and was a necessity in any tradesman or handyman's tool kit. It was donated to our Society by Ray Fischer of Barnawartha near Wodonga. Rabone & Sons were a long established rule manufacturer. Michael Rabone carried on a business as a rule maker at 8 Snow Hill, Sheffield, England from about 1780. The business was continued by John Rabone and his (John's) grandson, Eric Rabone. It operated under the name of John Rabone & Sons from 1784 -1953, becoming a public company in 1948. The company's headquarters were in Birmingham, England. Lasting through to the early 1960s as an independent family business, the company merged with James Chesterman and Co of Sheffield.This rule was donated by a member of the Wodonga district from his farm workshop.A brass 24" folding ruler made by J. Rabone & Sons, Birmingham, England. It is marked No. 1243. It consists of two twelve inch sections, hinged at one end.J. RABONE & SONS BIRMINGHAM NO> 1243j. rabone & sons, carpenters' tools

A paperback publication of 80 pages including photographs and maps compiled by the Table Top History Committee.This publication was compiled for the Centenary celebrations of the Table Top school in 1984. Known by the Aborigines as Mullyan-argina, or breeding place of eagles, the flat topped hill attracted the attention of Hume and Hovell's expedition in November 1824 and Hamilton Hume named Battery Mount. Later on, when the Mitchell family acquired the run they named it Table Top. The book contains detailed information about the district and pioneer families who contributed to its development.table top nsw, hume & hovell, the mitchell family, table top pioneers

In February 2001 the National Council for the Centenary of Federation called upon Australians to nominate someone whom they felt had significantly affected their lives, their community or our country. Thousands of these heroes and quiet achievers were selected. Betty Churcher, a member of the National Council, chaired the Peoplescape Selection Panel. Nominators then made life size, cutout figures to represent their "hero". The sculptures were installed in alphabetical order, on the hill at Parliament House and down to the Federation Mall in Canberra, each with a plaque at its base outlining the individual's achievement. This portrait was painted by Betty Barberis to represent her mother "Dolly" Barton. Dolly raised 12 children, lived through 2 World Wars and the depression. She kept the family dairy farm running whilst her husband was serving in World War 2 whilst still supporting the war effort through the Red Cross and CWA and the church guild. Betty’s great body of work included landscapes, banners, millinery, ceramics, and a bronze sculpture of her husband Vern Barberis who was a fellow schoolteacher and represented Australia as a weightlifter, winning a bronze medal at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. She was also an art teacher of 22 years. Betty passed away at The Grange, Wodonga on 26 November 2013.This portrait was created by a renowned and highly regarded artist from Northeast Victoria for a national celebration of the centenary of Australian Federation in 2001.A large oil painting depicting a portrait of Dolly Barton, mother of the artist Betty L. Barberis. The painting includes representations of her 12 children, her farming way of life, her commitment to the community and to the war effort. The image was painted on to yellow corflute for exhibition. It has since been covered with perspex to protect the image.betty l. barberis, myrtle ann 'dolly" barton, peoplescape 2001

Henry Beardmore was a significant contributor to Wodonga and the state of Victoria. He was born in Melton on 7th February 1863 to Edwin James Beardmore and Flora McDonald. He grew up in Benalla and became a butcher at Glenrowan before taking up land at Leneva near Wodonga, Victoria. On 15 July 1885 Henry married his first wife, Agnes Annie Lee and they had two sons and two daughters. Agnes died in 1892. In 23 August 1893, Henry married Jessie Muirhead and they had six sons and four daughters. Henry represented the Green Hills riding on Wodonga Shire Council from 1898 to 1922, including terms as President from 1900-01, 1903-4, 1908-10, 1911-12, 1914-17. In 1922 Mr. Beardmore retired from the Wodonga Council due to his increased workload in State politics. Henry Beardmore was a Freemason including Master of the Wodonga Lodge from 1906 to 1907, and was an active member up until his death. From 1905-1915, Henry Beardmore leased “De Kerilleau” homestead with the exception of 1907, when Mr W. Huon was in residence, and after he died there in 1907, the Beardmore family returned. Henry Beardmore won the seat of Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly at a by-election on 20th April 1917. He continuously represented the Benambra electorate as a Nationalist and United Australia Party member for more than 15 years. He was a strong advocate for country development and decentralisation, but he declined to join the Country Party. He held the seat of Benambra, up to the date of his death, and was returned unopposed on four occasions. He was an Honorary Minister in 1924 and for a short time in 1929, Minister of Railways, Minister in-charge of Electrical Undertakings and Minister of Labour. He was a leading supporter of Kiewa Hydro-Electric Project and opponent of Yallourn coalfield. Henry Beardmore died in Wodonga on 29 August 1932. His last residence was on the corner Elm Street and Beechworth Road.This photo is significant because it depicts an important local and State politician and member of the Wodonga Community.A black and white formal portrait of Henry Beardmore.henry beardmore, wodonga council, benambra - victorian politics

This secretaire once stood proudly in the de Kerilleau homestead at Wodonga. The homestead had been built for William Huon, son of the early pastoralist Paul Huon, in 1870 and named after the family's ancestral estate in France. The original lease of the Wodonga Run was granted to Paul Huon as No. 202 on 7th February 1837, about a year after his cousin Charles Huon had squatted on the land. Kenneth Darnton Watson bought de Kerilleau homestead in 1922 where the Watson family lived for three generations, caring for the land and serving the Wodonga community. Kenneth, his son Ian Darnton Watson and his grandson John Kenneth Darnton Watson all served on the Wodonga Council. John Kenneth Darnton Watson was born on 28 August 1960 in Wodonga. After completing his primary schooling locally, he boarded at Geelong College from 1973. John joined the rowing crews, starting in the 8th VIII crew and reaching the 1st VIII crew in 1978. He received multiple House colours awards for cross country, athletics and rowing and received School colours for rowing. On completion of his schooling, John spent some time jackarooing before studying farm management at Marcus Oldham College. He then returned home to de Kerilleau, Wodonga to manage the family property. In 1984 John married Christine Honybun, daughter of David Lewis Honybun and Marian Josephine Edkins. John and Christine had three sons. John was community minded and involved in a number of local organisations such as Apex and agricultural societies. He was elected to Wodonga City Council in 1997, serving until 2004. Due to increased pressure on available land to cater for the growth of Wodonga, some of the property was sold and in 2003 John donated 200 ha of Huon Hill ‘s western slopes to the City of Wodonga. After this time, he moved away from farming to become a Hungry Jack's franchisee. In 2009, the hard decision was made to sell de Kerilleau and John and his family moved into Wodonga. After sadly losing Christine to cancer in 2017, John became a member and Deputy Chairperson of the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund Board and Ambassador for the Sunshine Walk. Tragically after his own cancer battle, John Kenneth Darnton Watson passed away on 24 August 2023, aged 62 years following a life of service to the Wodonga community.This item is significant because it was owned by a prominent Wodonga family and came from a Historic Homestead in WodongaA secretaire with bookcase made of cedar. The bottom section has two cupboards with shelves. These doors support the desk when it is fully opened. Above this section is one large drawer, the front of which opens by pressing a small internal button on each side. The open drawer reveals a desk with a leather writing mat and several compartments. The desk is topped by a book shelf with 3 adjustable shelves. It has lockable glass doors.watson family wodonga, de kerilleau homestead, john watson

de Kerilleau was built for William Huon, son of the early pastoralist Paul Huon, in 1870 and named after the family's ancestral estate in France. The original lease of the Wodonga Run was granted to Paul Huon as No. 202 on 7th February 1837, about a year after his cousin Charles Huon had squatted on the land. Kenneth Darnton Watson bought de Kerilleau homestead in 1922 where the Watson family lived for three generations, caring for the land and serving the Wodonga community. Kenneth, his son Ian Darnton Watson and his grandson John Kenneth Darnton Watson all served on the Wodonga Council. The magnificent two storey brick homestead is built on ground above Wodonga Creek. The home of Georgian style consists of eleven rooms and a spacious cellar. At the rear of the main house in a separate single storey building was a large kitchen, pantry and accommodation for a cook and a housemaid. A feature of the homestead is the cast iron lace on the veranda and upper balcony, both supported by caste - iron pillars. The granite foundations of the home were quarried from the hill above the homestead. The enormous Moreton Bay Fig tree which stands to the side of the home was planted when Sir Charles Bowen visited de Kerilleau to mark the opening of the rail line that connects Victoria with New South Wales. Planted in 1873, it is still standing today. This painting was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by George, Digby & Dugald Watson on behalf of the late John & Chris Watson. John Kenneth Darnton Watson was born on 28 August 1960 in Wodonga. After completing his primary schooling locally, he boarded at Geelong College from 1973. John joined the rowing crews, starting in the 8th VIII crew and reaching the 1st VIII crew in 1978. He received multiple House colours awards for cross country, athletics and rowing and received School colours for rowing. On completion of his schooling, John spent some time jackarooing before studying farm management at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, Victoria. He then returned home to de Kerilleau, Wodonga to manage the family property. In 1984 John married Christine Honybun, daughter of David Lewis Honybun and Marian Josephine Edkins. John and Christine had three sons. John was community minded and involved in a number of local organisations such as Apex and agricultural societies. He was elected to Wodonga City Council in 1997, serving until 2004. Due to increased pressure on available land to cater for the growth of Wodonga, some of the property was sold and in 2003 John donated 200 ha of Huon Hill ‘s western slopes to the City of Wodonga. After this time, he moved away from farming to become a Hungry Jack's franchisee. In 2009, the hard decision was made to sell de Kerilleau and John and his family moved into Wodonga. After sadly losing Christine to cancer in 2017, John became a member and Deputy Chairperson of the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund Board and Ambassador for the Sunshine Walk. Tragically after his own cancer battle, John Kenneth Darnton Watson passed away on 24 August 2023, aged 62 years following a life of service to the Wodonga community.This item is significant because it was owned by a prominent Wodonga family and came from a Historic Homestead in WodongaA coloured portrait of John Kenneth Darnton Watson and a painting of de Kerilleau Homestead, the Watson Family home for three generations. The portrait was taken by Peter Charlesworth. The painting is the work of D.K. Ross in 1991.watson family wodonga, de kerilleau homestead, john watson, peter charlesworth

This photo is part of the Fred Griffith Photographic Collection documenting his time with the Australian Alpine Club and the formation of the Albury Ski Club. Frederick Charles “Fred” Griffith was born in Albury, NSW on 2 March 1910. Educated in Albury and Geelong Grammar. Beginning in 1927 he spent many years working first as a jackeroo and on a range of prominent pastoral and merino stud properties in NSW and Queensland. In 1935 he repurchased his former family property “Toonallook"Black and white photograph of two women in snow smiling, wearing ski attire and holding skis over their shoulders. Standing on snow with sky and hills in the background. Stamped - SUPER / G & D . SERVICE Pencil - 61bogong, falls creek, snow, snowfields

Escape is a body of work by Taungurung/Filipino artist Alan Stewart made during Melbourne’s long lockdown to reflect his longing to connect to Country. Alan says, “Country has always been my escape and connection to my culture. Without it, I lost a sense of self and a way to revitalise my spirit. Those early mornings and long drives helped me to see what’s special about being on Country, land that holds such a deep meaning to my ancestors. I look back now and realise how lucky I was.”taungurung