BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF JUBILEE BRIDGE.JUBILEE OR QUEENS BRIDGE PRIOR TO 1960local history, photographs, bridges, jubilee bridge

Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacement with a new steel bridge. Heritage advice obtained by Nillumbik Shire Council, following a suggestion by the Eltham District Historical Society (EDHS), is that the original bridge appears to have been a simplified version of the Country Roads Board’s (CRB) standard timber bridge design of the early-to-mid 1920s. In c1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with three recycled steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. During these alterations many parts of the bridge were removed, and some were replaced. Heritage advice indicates the condition of Murray’s bridge is poor. The remaining original parts are all in poor condition, with severe weathering, splitting and rot, especially to the stringers retained on the bridge. Heritage advice is that Murray’s Bridge does not have sufficient significance in the cultural history of the Nillumbik area to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay and also does not have sufficient significance as a rare survivor to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay. There are no indications in the historical record that this site was individually important to the cultural history of this area. EDHS is comfortable with the heritage advice provided to Council and has worked closely on this project with Council. EDHS has suggested some of the removed timbers be used in the vicinity of the bridge for landscaping and possibly seating, so as to retain these remnants close to the site of the original bridge, which is the last old timber bridge along the lower reaches of the Diamond Creek. Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. * * * A theory posted on local community Facebook groups was that the bridge was built in the 1860s and was built to be more robust than was necessary for the movement of cows from one side of the creek to the other. It was suggested the robustness was necessary to support the weight of gold ore being transferred from a mine on Murray’s land to a railway siding near Murrays Bridge (presumably for transfer and processing at Diamond Creek). Perhaps this may have been one of the motivators for Murray, who really knows? Knowing when mining operations ceased on his land and how that fits the overall timeline would be useful but at the time the bridge was built, local gold production was minimal at best. The known facts are: • The railway line came to Eltham in 1902. • The extension of the railway from Eltham to Hurstbridge was constructed in 1912 so no railway line even existed through Murray's property until 1912 and the Victorian Railways maps at the time show no such siding on Murray’s property. • In 1923 a new company was formed in anticipation of the old Diamond Creek Gold Mine being re-opened. The mine had been previously closed and flooded. It was noted in the press at the time that the mine was within a mile of the railway. Nothing really came of this. • Construction of Murrays Bridge was commenced by James Murray in early 1929 in anticipation of a proposed flag station being nominated on his land, but work ceased shortly afterwards. The proposed flag station was commonly referred to as Glen Park as the residents of the Glen Park Estate wanted Option 1, located near them with the platform adjacent to Colemans corner. This was probably never going to fly as it was virtually in eyesight of Eltham station. Allandale Road was the third option, but the Commissioners' preferred option was No. 2 - on Murray's property. • The Railway Commissioners were not going to finance any such station and the works had to be funded by private landowners and residents, hence Murray investing in this himself. • Murray recommenced work two years later and finished his bridge in 1931 but unfortunately for him, the proposed flag station never eventuated. The bluestone siding you reference may well have been built by Murray as part of the proposed station platform. • Up until then, apart from the Main Road bridge, which was washed away in 1924, virtually all local crossings over the Diamond Creek were low lying bridges – Kaylocks Bridge at Brougham Street, Diamond Street bridge, Glen Park Road bridge. It is expected that Murray also had a low-lying bridge to connect his land either side of the creek. These were all washed away or severely damaged multiple times in the 1920s. Lessons were learnt, and Murrays Bridge appears to have been built in accordance with Country Road Board standards of the time. Flood damage was ongoing, and even more recently constructed raised bridges kept getting washed away, e.g., the new Wattle Tree Road bridge in 1958 just months after completion. Murray’s bridge was reinforced with steel some 30 years ago presumably to provide additional floodwater resistance, given the history of bridges disappearing in floodwaters. • In March 1932 it was reported in the Advertiser that there were still some prospectors operating around Eltham North who apart from further scarring the face of the earth over the previous two years had gained significant experience but little gold - hardly a driving factor for constructing a dedicated railway siding and bridge to transfer gold ore. It is far more probable that James Murray was hoping to have the railway station located on his property and invested his money by building the bridge to lead to it as well as a station platform. Had the station eventuated, it may well have driven up the value of his land for subdivision and new housing estates like the Glen Park Estate. That did not eventuate. Whilst the bridge was indeed old (90 years), the core structure being completed in 1931, it had been modified substantially from original and hence had no significant historic value – i.e., it was not a representative example of its type, construction, and age. Given that the bridge was not worthy of saving, the Eltham District Historical Society with Council’s support, and the Eltham Woodworkers group endeavoured to see what suitable sized timbers were salvageable to fabricate a commemorative seat. Unfortunately, the experts at the Woodworkers group were unable to salvage any suitable length/width timbers to fabricate the seat due to the presence of rot. Last remaining wooden trestle bridge on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacementBorn digital image (27)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

Wantirna Road Shack next to Dandenong Creek on East Side of Wantirna Road (near the bridge). Has been there many years - maybe 40 and it is still there (18.9.1989). (Note this is NOT part of Hill's dairy but was in the same series of photographs so kept together).A shack next to Dandenong Creek / East side of Wantirna Road / Has been there many years - maybe 40 / It is still there (18.9.89)

Yields information about the appearance of Bridge St in the late 1930's.Copy of black and white photograph of Bridge St, late 1930's with a single truck, possibly 12, in the viewpoint. Has a number of motor cars parked, looks west. In the view is a shop possibly with a sign "Grazers Butchers" and a "Join ANA Today". trams, tramways, bridge st, tram 671

Bridge Street looking west Circa 1870-1880 from the Premier Album of Ballarat Views.. Pittard's Shoe Warehouse.bridge street, pittard's shoe warehouse, streetscape, commerical, ballarat, premier album of ballarat views

John Olsen painting outdoors at Clifton Pugh's "Dunmoochin", Cottles Bridge. Reproduced Page 129 of "Pioneers and Painters" in colour. 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 Various prints and colour reversal filmsjohn olsen, eltham local characters, sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, painting, dunmoochin

Wilks Creek Bridge was built in 1870. It was last used for heavy vehicle traffic in 1980 and left to decay until it was demolished in 2008. The last remnants of the timber structure were destroyed in the Black Saturday bushfire of 7 February 2009. [from EDHS Newsletter No. 93, November 1993:] OTHER NEWS A small group of members represented the Society at the opening of the picnic ground at the historic Wilks Creek Bridge at Marysville. The event included the launching of a booklet by our friend Ann Thomas on the history of the bridge which was located on the old Yarra Track coaching route between Eltham and Woods Point. Ann has donated a copy of the booklet to our Society.Two colour photographsactivities, marysville, wilks creek bridge

Rose Series postcard No. P 10147, titled "A delightful view across the River Yarra, Melbourne" showing a view from the south bank of the Yarra across to Flinders St station, the signal gantries at the west end of the platforms, the station buildings and some of the other buildings on the skyline. A St Kilda bound dog box (swing door) set is in platform 10 awaiting departure.Yields information Flinders St station from the south side of the river.Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.flinders st station, signals, yarra river, railways, electric trains

Colour slide in a mount. Torrens River, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaMade in Australia / Adelaide (Handwritten) / River (Handwritten)adelaide, slide

OPENING OF THE VIEWING PLATFORM AT KANGAROO GROUND Nillumbik Council has advised that the viewing platform at Kangaroo Ground 27km NE of Melbourne is to be opened to the public on Wednesday, March 26th 2008 (Melway 271 , G10). The function of the platform is to provide shelter adjacent to the War Memorial Tower whilst allowing all people to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. From the platform you. can see the Dandenongs, the city of Melbourne, the You Yangs, Mount Macedon, the Kinglake Ranges and the Mt Baw-Baw Ranges where the Yarra River starts. This landscape covers all the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri and some of the wider Kulin nation land. The platform has been given the name Moor-rut, a name which described the fertile soils of the Kangaroo Ground area in contrast to the poorer (Silurian) country of its surrounds, which the Wurundjeri knew as 'Nillumbik' or less rich country. The full 360 degree view can be seen from the adjacent Tower of Remembrance which has 53 stairs. The viewing platform however can be accessed by wheelchair. Inside the viewing platform there are eight double sided interpretive panels giving the history and information regarding this special area. The viewing platform's interpretive panels set out the Aboriginal and European history of the area and also the geology and the local flora and fauna, so that the casual visitor comes away understanding more about this significant part of Victoria. The concept of the viewing platform is part of the refurbishment project for the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park which has taken place since 1997 with the active approval and financial assistance of the Nillumbik Shire Council. This project has been guided by an Advisory Committee with volunteer community representatives from the local Historical Societies, the Country Fire Authority, the Returned Services League and the Wurundjeri people. Other allied groups such as the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group have been called upon for their expertise. The initial idea for the viewing platform came from Dean Stewart when he was the caretaker while living at the park. He discussed this idea with local author Mick Woiwod and Harry Gilham of Eltham District Historical Society when they were planning the refurbishment of the War Memorial Park in 1996. When the committee was formalised by the Nillumbik Council in 1997, Nicholas Pelling, representing the CFA and RSL, joined the group. Dennis Ward, local architect, then volunteered to develop the concept plan for the refurbishment of the park and later drew up the plans for the viewing platform. The Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park and its Tower of Remembrance is located on one of the highest locations in the Yarra Valley. The Tower of Remembrance is a unique war memorial constructed from local stone standing 14 metres high. It was built in the style of a Scottish watchtower reflecting the strong Scottish influence of the first European settlers of the district from the 1840s onward. The park was opened in 1921 and the Tower of Remembrance was dedicated in 1926 recognising the local people who served in the First World War. Those who served in the Second World War were recognised by plaques dedicated in 1951 and more recently those who served in Korea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam by plaques unveiled in 2001. Harry Gilham, Advisory Committee Convenor - Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter N0 179 March 2008fay bridge collection, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park, moor-rul viewing platform

The original swing bridge was built across the Deep Creek in 1854 to allow the Daniel family to visit the Dickens sisters. It was renewed in later years and was used by Bulla children until the school closed in 1995.A coloured photograph of the swing bridge which straddles the Deep Creek at Bulla. The photograph shows the full length of the wooden and wire bridge from bank to bank. There is a thick row of conifers growing along the opposite river bank.bulla swing bridge, deep creek, daniel family, bulla state school, george evans collection

The Kew Elder Citizen's Association was formally established in 1952. During its initial years it met at South Esk in Cotham Road. Later the Club moved to its current headquarters in High Street.Framed photograph of a theatrical performance of 'Cinderella' by the Kew Elder Citizens' Club in 1976. Handwritten insert below photograph: "Cinderella - Cast, 1976 / Arthur Sharpe; The Prince - Hec Camm; Fairy Godmother - Bill Humphries; Step-sisters - Wally Tustin, Ralph Preston, George Driver; Compere - Alma Westcott".kew elder citizens' club -- association, community groups -- kew (vic.), kew senior citizens, theatre -- kew (vic.)

A copy of a catalogue from an art show of paintings by Wykeham Perry that was held at the Victorian Artists Society in 1976.A copy of a catalogue from an art show of paintings by Wykeham Perry that was held at the Victorian Artists Society in 1976. Wykeham Lindley Perry grew up near Marysville in Victoria and painted local scenes from a very early age. wykeham lindley perry, victorian artists society, marysville, victoria

Photograph shows a road construction area with "Road Closed" sign and temporary fencing. This is the old bridge at Lower Plenty under reconstruction.Part of the John Ramsdale collection of slides and audio visual material.Colour photograph scanned from slide.No maker's marks. No caption on slide.old lower plenty bridge, lower plenty bridge

The mammoth rail bridge has been installed across Lower Plenty Road in Rosanna by Level Crossing Removal Authority contractors.News article 1 page, black text and colour image .level crossing removal project, rail bridge, lower plenty road rosanna, rosanna station, hurstbridge rail line

Crop Dusting Ken Hyslop Campbells Bridge. Three colour photographs. Paddock scene with crop dusting airplane. Two of Airplane.

Bob (Herman) Hymans (a former member of the Royal Netherlands Navy) was born in Bloemendaal, Holland on 30th September 1922. During World War II he fought against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) and was imprisoned in Changi and on the Burma Railway. After gaining qualifications as a Ski Instructor, Bob arrived in Falls Creek in July 1950. Working as an Instructor and Supervisor at Bogong Lodge, Bob decided his future was in accommodation. He was successful in negotiating an indenture for land from the State Electricity Commission (SEC). It took Bob two years to build his Grand Coeur Chalet but, tragically, it was burned down in August 1961. Bob also built the first Chairlift in Australia. This was a single chairlift and the structure was built from wooden electricity poles. He was constantly full of new ideas and proposals for the village. Bob Hymans die on 7th July 2007. This Collection of documents and letters tells the story of Bob's endeavours to develop Falls Creek into the ski village it is today.This letter is significant because it documents steps taken by the Falls Creek Tourist Area Management Committee to develop and protect the area.A letter dated 12.04.1961. The Management Committee was seeking feedback as to whether the Downhill Bridge Crossing should be put into service during the upcoming winter season. Points to be considered were that the chairlift in the area would not be operating, cost and the fact that no major championships were scheduled.falls creek development, falls creek tourist area management committee

Glenelg Shire Council records Portland Development Committee.Photograph of Jones Lookout, Glenelg River.Front: Sticker bottom left. 'Jones' Lookout Glenelg River' - penjones lookout, portland, scenery

Looking from Henry Street east to the Plenty River, 1956. The house was built 1917, at 112 Henry Street Greensborough by William Mitchell on the 60 acre dairy farm owned by Ethel and Walter Kell. This collection of photographs was copied by Cherel Sartori (who owned the house from 1990-2000), following a visit by Claude Amiet who lived in the house as a child in the early 20th century.An indication of the rural aspect of this area in the mid-20th century.Digital copy of black and white photographkell's cottage, claude amiet, cherel sartori

A brown wooden award with a banner engraved 'Association for the Blind' at the top of the shield, a large metal plate with a laurel wreaths and relief of a man starting to run in the middle. At the base is another banner inscribed 'Perpetual Shield Vision Victoria River Run'. 12 smaller shields frame the central plate, with names on two of them: 1990 Mike Hillardt 31.39 and 1991 Amon O'Callaghan 31.49. Wooden shield with 12 mini shields, banner and image of runner in centreassociation for the blind, mike hillardt, amon o'callaghan

Photograph. Bridge over the Campaspe River at Elmore.

Iron Steamship SS Casino in the Moyne River (sank at Apollo Bay in 1932)Black & white photograph of ship near wharfboat, sea, river, ss casino, moyne river, steamer

Newspaper article: Diamond Valley News, 31 January 1984, work to begin on widening of Main Road Bridge over Diamond Creek.main road, bridges, main road bridge, diamond creek, eltham (vic)

Colour photograph. Flooding of Diamond Creek at Main Road Bridge, Eltham peak flow of flood. Easter storm, 8 April, 1977flood, diamond creek, flooding, eltham, bridge, main road

View at guard’s van end of steam train moving over the Echuca Iron Bridge looking north into Moama, New South Wales.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca-moama road rail bridge, george coop collection, goods train, j-500, j-class steam locomotive (vulcan foundry)

The first BEBO Arch pre-cast concrete bridge construction in Victoria. A bottle of champagne was dropped to mark the end of this major construction phase.Fifty-three colour photographic printsbebo arch, bridge construction, charlber lane, diamond creek, st andrews

A bottle of champagne was dropped to mark the end of this major construction phase. The first BEBO Arch pre-cast concrete bridge construction in Victoria.Colour photographbebo arch, charlber lane, diamond creek, st andrews, bridge construction

During the Main Road duplication. Bridge Street in background to the right of picture. Eltham Town Park was later renamed Alistair Knox Park.Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 1968, main road, road construction, duplication, alistair knox park, bridge street, eltham town park