Original brick church/school (1857) and bluestone church (1862)BW photograph, of Holy Trinity Church of England church, corner of Scott Street and Warrenheip Street, Buninyong. Rev. Garrett John Russell arrived Buninyong 1857 when vicarage and school were built, Church of Holy Trinity opened in 1862.anglican, buninyong, church of england, bluestone, building

Original brick church/school (1857) and bluestone church (1862)BW photograph, of Holy Trinity Church of England church, corner of Scott Street and Warrenheip Street, Buninyong. Rev. Garrett John Russell arrived Buninyong 1857 when vicarage and school were built, Church of Holy Trinity opened in 1862. 3/4 angle view through corner gates.anglican, buninyong, church of england, bluestone, building

Original brick church/school (1857) and bluestone church (1862)BW photograph, of Holy Trinity Church of England church, corner of Scott Street and Warrenheip Street, Buninyong. Rev. Garrett John Russell arrived Buninyong 1857 when vicarage and school were built, Church of Holy Trinity opened in 1862. A Telecom workers tent is visible in the foreground.anglican, buninyong, church of england, bluestone, building

Original Anglican church built in Buninyong in 1857 used as a school, church hall and Sunday school at various times, renovated circa 1990Earliest Church built in Buninyong and used in various religious and educational capacities since 1857.Black and white photograph of the side of the first brick Church of England built in 1857 in Scott Street now used as church hall. Chimney is clearly visible in the centre of the rear wall.church of england, first church, religion

Original Anglican church built in Buninyong in 1857 used as a school, church hall and Sunday school at various times, renovated circa 1990Earliest Church built in Buninyong and used in various religious and educational capacities since 1857.Black and white photograph of the rear of the first brick Church of England built in 1857 in Scott Street now used as church hall. Front view, tennis court visible on left.church of england, first church, religion

A bi-monthly magazine published by the Deaf Committee of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria. E. Johnson, Editor; H. Puddy, Manager'The Victorian Deaf' Newsletter is a significant publication as an historical record giving and insight into the people, activities and events of the Deaf Community in VictoriaVol. 2 No. 3, May and June 1931; Size 21.5cmHx14cmWclara e. frewin, clara e. briner, frank e. frewin, thomas briner, st mary's church kangaroo flat, rev j. e. frewin, deaf school cheefoo china, williamson, rev ernest frewin, st mathiaschurch of england richmond, theo frewin, e. r. peacock, h puddy, ernest j. d. abraham, alice graham, j. johnston, empson, blackburn home and farm committee, edwin johnson, deaf citizen, mens guild, womens guild, cricket, a. tyzzer, gillett, waters walters, rawson, mrs m. cross, freeman, mrs w. rees, jack mclaurin, mrs j. oortz, mrs taylor, h. smith, g. a. paquadin, w. henry,l. smith, lottie cotton, a. piper, ching, a. aird, marvel, c. joseph, knox, thomas, best, walsh, alf tyzzer, j. hunt, h gladman,

Depicts local scene: Ely's House:- First Office, Keilor Roads Board 1863; Church of England School 1853 to c. 1865; Keilor Post OfficeOld House picture made out of bark, early keilor

Surrey Hills is a suburb shared by the modern day cities of Boroondara and Whitehorse. The first land purchase was in 1841 when Henry Elgar, an East Indian merchant took up 5,120 acres bounded by the present Elgar, Canterbury and Burke Roads and Koonung Creek. The urban development of Surrey Hills saw the establishment of sporting clubs many being associated with the local churches. The Surrey Hills Dramatic Society and Surrey Hills Amateur Dramatic Club were both formed in 1889 as well as other social and cultural groups. Ken James researched this book for the Surrey Hills Historical Society, of which he is a member, using material and photos from the Surrey Hills Historical Society collection, material from TROVE and other sources.music, clubs - victoria - surrey hills, basketball, bowls, cricket, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, hurling, netball, rifle shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, squash, walking, filed naturalists, brass bands, choral groups, debating, dramatic clubs, musical club, operatic society, surrey hills orchestra, quadrille, rose club, our holy redeemer church, holy trinity chutch of england, surrey hills church of christ, surrey hills methodist church, st stephens presbyterian church, australian natives association, balwyn combined, catholic young men's society, surrey hills baptist church, surrey hills independent order of rechabites, wyclif congregational church, surrey hills college, hockey, chatham netball club, blue bell tennis club, benson street methodist church, our ladies wattle park, surrey hills state school old scholars tennis club, surrey squash centre, surrey hills neighbourhood centre, cantrices ladies choir, surrey hills choristers, surrey hills everleigh private amateur dramatic club

Miss Patience Cornell, the leader of the group, is in the centre. Training classes were held for leaders at St Pauls Cathedral and St Johns, concluding with examinations. They then trained their assistants. Holy Trinity was known for implementing new ideas and programs for their 70 children. Far right is Miss Joy Dicker, who was leader from 1930 for 30 years. Identified as: Back LtoR: Doris Wiles, Doris Hearne, Beryl Hearne, …, Mary Chipperfield, Lal Clark, … Centre: Patience Cornell Front: … Wilson, Jessie Collins, Muriel Chipperfield, Una Blakie, Marj Andrews, Myra Lock, Joy Dicker Patience Cornell was the daughter of Frank and Blanche Cornell. Frank Cornell was first listed in Surrey Hills in 1906 at (6) Lorne Parade. In 1908 the listing gives his occupation as a clerk. He was born in 1869 in Richmond, Victoria and died 15 April 1917 in Surrey Hills from a stroke. His wife Blanche Annie Parsons Cornell (nee Bracher) was born in 1869 in Hokitika, New Zealand; she died on 21 January 1940. Children were: Gilbert Frank Cornell (b1894, Hawthorn; d1908, at Frankston beach, an accidental drowning) Ruth Amelia Cornell (b 1899, Kew; d 29 May 1977, Kew) Lorna Amy Cornell (b 1906, Surrey Hills; d unknown) Patience Blanche Cornell (b1907, Surrey Hills; d unknown). Ruth Amelia married David Ellis, c1922 in Surrey Hills. David was a dentist who practised in Surrey Hills for many years. Patience (Pat) Blanche married Norman Henry Brewer (1893–1975) in 1931 in Surrey Hills. A black and white photograph of sixteen girls standing in the doorway of a church.(miss) patience cornell, (miss) joy dicker, (ms) doris wiles, (ms) doris hearne, (ms) beryl hearne, (ms) mary chipperfield, (ms) lal clark, (ms) -, wilson, (ms) jessie collins, (ms) muriel chipperfield, (ms) una blakie, (ms) myra lock, holy trinity church of england, kindergarten teachers, clothing and dress, 1920-1929, (ms) marj andrews

The foundation stone for St George's Church of England, Mont Albert was laid in 1886 on land donated by Edward Dyer and the first service was preached in January 1887. From 1904 until 1907 it was known as Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills. The original church was weatherboard and replaced by a brick one in the Gothic Revival style which was designed by local architect George J V Blackburne, who also designed the Wesleyan School at Surrey Hills. The building was partly funded by donations, profits from a bazaar and concert, and other people donated furnishings. The church had boundaries along Mont Albert Road and St Georges Road. In 1998 the Church was sold and converted into a complex of units. Its current address is 19 St Georges Avenue, Mont Albert. The purpose of this working bee in 1923 was to close up the double gateway, which in earlier times had been used for entry of by horse-drawn vehicles to the church grounds. 'Lugano' was built in 1893 for William Wilson, a prominent stonemason and importer of marble fireplaces. In 1903 it became the home of William Holmes who was Chief Electrical Engineer for the Victorian Railways. He designed the electrification of the Melbourne suburban network. 'Lugano' stayed in the Holmes family until the 1930s. Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert from the 1920s in particular of events and activities associated with the Church of England.Black and white photo of 6 men behind and in front of a picket fence, a section of which has posts and railings only. In front of the fence is a wide grassy verge on which a bench is set up for cutting lengths of wood. A large Victorian house ('Lugano') can be seen in the background and a lamp post with a street sign. Beyond the house are mature eucalyptus trees.churches, holy trinity church, anglican church, st george's anglican church, working bees, lugano, william holmes, william wilson, norman brodley carter

The property in the foreground is 'Edgeware' at 171 Union Road, a house built by the Zeplin family. It became the home / residence of Dr Percy Liddle and later Dr James Landells Blakie. By the time this photo was taken Dr Blakie had moved across the road to 174 Union Road. In the background behind the 2 houses in the foreground is the Surrey Hills Stationmaster's house, sitting behind a picket fence. The Alan Holt register gives a build date of c1915 for this house, which fits stylistically. The first stationmaster was probably Michael Ginnane, who stayed in the area after he retired, moving to 1 Russell Street. This property was listed as 8 Bedford Avenue, the only house on the south side of the road. It was demolished in c1972 to make way for widening of the rail track with a third line. The photographer Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert from the 1920s, in particular of events and activities associated with the Church of England.Black and white photo taken from the steeple of Holy Trinity Church looking across housing towards the railway line and Albany / Windsor Crescents and on towards Canterbury Road. Surrey Hills Primary School and St Stephens Presbyterian Church feature prominently on the horizon. The stationmaster's cottage is centre left adjacent to a large conifer-like tree, with a white fence delineating the railway yards.On back of original: "6-11-21" and in a different hand in biro: "from tower of Holy Trinity Church"albany crescent, windsor crescent, st stephens presbyterian church, surrey hills primary school, railways, stationmasters' houses, bedford avenue, norman carter, edgeware, dr percy liddle, dr james blakie

The foundation stone for St George's Church of England, Mont Albert was laid in 1886 on land donated by Edward Dyer and the first service was preached in January 1887. From 1904 until 1907 it was known as Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills. The original church was weatherboard and replaced by a brick one in the Gothic Revival style which was designed by local architect George J V Blackburne, who also designed the Wesleyan School at Surrey Hills. The building was partly funded by donations, profits from a bazaar and concert, and other people donated furnishings. The church had boundaries along Mont Albert Road and St Georges Road. In 1998 the Church was sold and converted into a complex of units. Its current address is 19 St Georges Avenue, Mont Albert. Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert from the 1920s, in particular of events and activities associated with the Church of England.Black and white photo of 4 men at a working bee in the grounds of St George's Anglican Church in Mont Albert. Two men are on a scaffold working on the weatherboards of the church; the other two are working on fencing. One boundary is marked with a paling fence; the other has a section of picket fencing and a large open section with no fencing. There is a mature eucalyptus tree in front of the church; others are beyond the paling boundary fence. The church itself is a simply constructed weatherboard building.churches, holy trinity church, anglican church, st george's anglican church, working bees, norman brodley carter

St George's Church of England, Mont Albert was built in 1886 and from 1904 until 1907 was known as Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills. As the population increased there was a need for a church in Surrey Hills. This brick church was consecrated in 1922 and replaced the earlier one built in 1907 on the adjacent site in Union Road. After construction of the brick church, the earlier one became a Sunday School. The copper spire was added in 1926, which dates this photo as post-1926. Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert in the 1920s; many were associated with events and activities of the Church of England.Black and white photo of the 'newly' constructed brick Holy Trinity Church in Union Road, Surrey Hills taken from near the south-west corner of Guildford Road. Further up the hill is the earlier church. Both buildings are bounded by a simple post and rail fence. Immature street trees are planted on both sides of Union Road.churches, holy trinity church, anglican church, sunday schools, norman carter

This building dated back to the 1880s and had previously operated as Delany's Hotel and then the Royal Hotel. It was built near the site of the original Delany's Hotel, built in 1856. The Royal Hotel closed in 1921 after the area voted to be a 'dry area' in the local option poll. Tower House Day and Boarding School operated from 1921 until 1932. Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert from the 1920s; many were associated with events and activities of the Church of England.Black and white photo of a partially demolished building. The roof and part of the second storey are missing. What remains indicates that it has been a large building in the Victorian style. Along one side at ground level there are 4 arches, perhaps entry to a covered veranda, above which is a colonnade, and perhaps an open veranda on the upper level. There is a mixture of treatments to the surrounds of the windows. On the corner, within an arch which may have once been a doorway, is a sign reading: "TOWER HOUSE / DAY / & / BOARDING SCHOOL". There is a car with a retractable hood in the lower RH Corner of the photo.Rear top centre in blue biro "1932" (crossed out); top RH corner "498" in red biro; centre "Demolition of / Tower House Day & Boarding / cr Canterbury & Broughton Rds / previously Tower House Hotel / originally Royal Hotel / See partner photo."; bottom RH cnr "demol (in red biro) / 20-8-32". All in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting.tower house day and boarding school, schools, education, royal hotel, hotels, construction and demolition, dry area, licensing polls, temperance movement, delany's hotel, norman carter

This building dated back to the 1880s and had previously operated as Delany's Hotel and then the Royal Hotel. It was built near the site of the original Delany's Hotel, built in 1856. The Royal Hotel closed in 1921 after the area voted to be a 'dry area'. Tower House Day and Boarding School operated from 1921 until 1932. Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert from the 1920s; many were associated with events and activities of the Church of England.Black and white photo of a partially demolished building. The roof is missing and there is a pile of rubble along the front wall. What remains indicates that it has been a large building in the Victorian style. There is a mixture of treatments to the surrounds of the windows. On the RHS part of a truck can be seen.Original: Top LH corner in blue biro "see matching photo"; top RH corner "498 / spare"; bottom LH corner in lead pencil "N Carter"; bottom RH corner in blue biro "20-8-32" - all Jocelyn Hall's handwriting.tower house day and boarding school, schools, education, royal hotel, hotels, construction and demolition, dry area, licensing polls, temperance movement, delany's hotel, norman carter

In 1940 The Surrey Hills Church of Christ team played in A Grade of the Eastern Suburbs Protestant Churches Football Association. Other clubs competing that season were: Spring Road Methodist, Glendearg Grove Methodist, Burwood Protestant, St.Marys Church of England, Balwyn United, Box Hill Adelphian and Box Hill United. Alan Sneddon played in the team. The inauguration of the Association took place at a meeting held at Camberwell Methodist School Office on the 19 March 1923. The following churches were represented at this meeting: Auburn Presbyterian, Kew Presbyterian, Hawthorn Presbyterian, Camberwell Methodist, Canterbury Methodist and St Marks Church of England, Burke Road and Holy Trinity Church of England, Surrey Hills. From 1923 to 1992 there were at least 160 clubs / teams that competed through the various grades with many of these combining & /or changing names, as well as those that competed irregularly. Black and white photo of the 1940 Surrey Hills Church of Christ football team with the Eastern Suburbs Football Association premiers flag in the background. The team includes 18 players, an umpire and 3 club officials, the later are centrally seated and one holds the premiership cup.Black and white photo measuring L 20.4 cm x H 15.4 cm mounted on its original presentation folder, which is mounted on card. The photographer's details are beneath the photo on the original mount, partially obscured by the descriptive label. The script is indecipherable.On back of card in Jocelyn Hall's writing: "Have 5 of these studio photos. / One is marked 'ORIGINAL' / ( - safekeeping) / This is Centre copy".churches, espcfa, surrey hills church of christ, football, football clubs, sporting clubs, eastern suburbs protestant churches football association, alan sneddon

Caption indicates that the Surrey Hills Church of Christ football team was not only A Grade Premiers in 1938, but also Premiers B Grade in 1935 and Runners-up in C Grade in 1934. Identification per caption as follows: Back row L to R: I T Robertson, K Balding, R T Hayes, M Holmyard (Hon Treasurer) Centre row L to R: M Neilson, L Weeks, F Hayes, A C Sneddon (Hon Secretary), J Andrews, K Webster, J McNiesh. Front row L to R: J F H Peers (Vice-President), R Watkins, K Turnley, E Little (Captain), F Neilson (Vice-Captain), M Neilson, R Weeks, W Nankivell (President). The inauguration of the Association took place at a meeting held at Camberwell Methodist School Office on the 19 March 1923. The following churches were represented at this meeting: Auburn Presbyterian, Kew Presbyterian, Hawthorn Presbyterian, Camberwell Methodist, Canterbury Methodist and St Marks Church of England, Burke Road and Holy Trinity Church of England, Surrey Hills. From 1923 to 1992 there were at least 160 clubs / teams that competed through the various grades with many of these combining & /or changing names, as well as those that competed irregularly.Black and white studio photo of the 1938 Surrey Hills Church of Christ football team with the ESPCFA A Grade Premiers flag in the background. The team includes 17 players and 2 club officials, seated at each end of the front row. The premiership cup is on the floor in centre position.Black and white photo measuring L 20.6 cm x H 15.4 cm mounted on its original brown mount with darker brown borders; the original mount is not glued to the standard cream mount card.72.681 in biro in top RH corner; COURTESY: ALAN SNEDDON in biro beneath the printed identification of the team members. On rear of original mount card in Jocelyn hall's writing: "Have 5 extra copies of this ORIGINAL / in our separate (ORIGINAL) COLLECTION" - PARTIALLY UNDERLINED. On back of the loose cream mount card in Jocelyn Hall's writing: "This ORIGINAL at Centre as have / 5 more ORIGINALS (same) in separate / ORIGINAL collection" in black biro; also "Football / dark card (underlined) in pencil.churches, espcfa, surrey hills church of christ, football, football clubs, sporting clubs, i t robertson, k balding, r t hayes, m holmyard, m neilson, l weeks, f hayes, a c sneddon, j andrews, k webster, j mcniesh, j f h peers, r watkins, k turnley, e little, f neilson, r weeks, w nankivell, eastern suburbs protestant churches football association, alan sneddon

St John's Church of England interior celebrating Easter and its first 50 yearsBlack and white photograph of St John's Church of England Interior decorated for Easterchurch, sunday-school, building, easter

St John's Church of England on completion of the tower 1959-1960Black and white photograph of St Johns Church of England with the tower church, sunday-school, building, st johns, church of england, tower

St Johns Church of England with the towerBlack and white photograph of St Johns Church of England with towerchurch, sunday-school, building, church of england, anglican, tower

St John's Church of England (Anglican)Evidence of and earlier state of the buildingBlack and white photographchurch, sunday-school, building, church street, regent street

St Johns Anglican Church with ivy growing over exteriorBlack and white photograph of St Johns Church of England with ivy growing over the exterior church, sunday-school, building, st johns, anglican, church of england

St Johns Anglican church interior with gas lighting and the sanctuary has a defining arch between it and the body of the church .Black and white photographchurch, sunday-school, building, st johns, anglican, church of england, interior, gas, lighting

St Johns Church of England gate detailblack and white photographchurch, sunday-school, building

Abraham Harkness was Mayor of the City of Bendigo when St Andrew's Presbyterian Church school hall was erected. The foundation stone was laid on Wednesday the 15th March 1899 to much ceremony including hymns and speeches. Abraham Harkness had arrived in Victoria in 1857 aged 28. He was initially successful in his search for gold and after a return trip to England in 1862 returned to Bendigo were he opened a general store and then a foundry whereby his company manufactured mining machinery. He stood for council from in 1880 and was elected a further eight times over the next twenty years. Cr Harkness served as Mayor in 1882, 1897 and 1898. His son Andrew became Mayor in 1908-09. Abraham Harkness married Jane Noble in Bendigo in1864 and together they had six sons and five daughters. Abraham died in 1912 and Jane in 1927.Sterling Silver ceremonial trowel with silver collar and bone handle. Front surface is ornately engraved with fern leaf pattern scrolled around central middle section which holds the engraved dedication. Back section is plain. Engraved: PRESENTED / TO / A. HARKNESS. ESQ. J.P. / MAYOR OF BENDIGO / ON THE OCCASION OF HIS LAYING / THE / FOUNDATIONAL STONE / of / St Andrew's School Hall / 15th March, 1899. Hallmark: P.A & S E P (Peter Atkin ?) + (windmill or pump) mayor harkness, mayoress harkness, city of greater bendigo education

Mary Tolhurst M&DHS - March 29th Dunvegan Willows Park Melton 1992 Ladies Oral History Day Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transfer to CD 2011 by Tom Wood Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 I was born in Rockbank, and when I was five years old moved to Toolern Vale and started and finished school there. Toolern Vale only consisted of the Store, Post Office and shop, where you could buy your fodder, and pollard supplies, the Hall, the little Church and the bluestone School. The School changed shape three times from the 1800s[1869] til the time I went there. There was four generations of my family that went there and it was destroyed by fire in 1965. Marjorie nee Myers Butler. Yes, I remember along with it your lovely Ronisch piano. Mary, quite true! Marj what you say about the Ronisch piano. When I came the age to learn music my mum and dad couldn’t really afford it, but still what parents do for their children. They had Marj go along with them and pick this lovely Ronisch piano. It was known round the district. Everyone commented about the loss that lovely piano. After leaving school it was war time, 1939, then it was work, When I was 7 year old I was put out into the cow yard. In 1940 when the soldiers were going away our milk was confiscated it had to go to Bacchus Marsh. It used to go the Sunbury to be brine cooled and then go to Melbourne. Then they took it then to the Lifeguard Milk Factory at Bacchus Marsh. It had to go as condensed milk to the soldiers. This year is 50 years of the Land Army. I was an unofficial Land Army but they still kept check on me. I went onto married life and I followed the cows right through [howls of laughter] and we went on until the 1965 fire. That’s when we got out of the cows. Marjorie asks, was Granny Watts your grandmother or great grandmother? Mary: She was my great grandmother, the midwife of Melton. The 1965 fire started ¾ of a mile above our place, Frank Ryan’s sheds were burnt and his house was saved, then it wiped the School out, the Hall, the Church the Post Office and Store and little house that was Charlie Charlton’s in the early days. Mrs Wilson’s place was saved by the Fire Brigade by pulling boards off the side, and from there it went over the hill and it was stopped at the Rockbank Railway Station. If it had of got over the railway they said it would have gone into Werribee. A lot was burnt out in that strip. Mary nee Nixon Collins: 18 houses burnt that day. Audience question, did Melton get burnt that day? Ray: No. It came down through the Toolern Vale road and cut across about a mile and a half from the cross roads at Toolern Vale from north westerly to the south east and cut through over the Keilor road. Mary: It came in across the creek at Funstons in Toolern, then through Jim Minns. Dorothy was it your place then [nee Knox Beaty] to Ken Beatty’s and from there it went through to Doug McIntosh’s and to Cockbills and the wind changed and it came across to the railway line, and that is where they stopped it. [the cause of the fire was controversial, they had been burning off the night before and there was some talk of someone starting it. It was very hot and very strong wind, it was a terrible day] Ray: When the fire went through McIntosh’s they had a haystack on the north side of their house and the haystack got caught and the fire burnt a hole through the side of the house and the boys pyjamas on the bed. The house was saved. It came through like and express train roaring at you, I was at McIntosh’s when it went roaring past. You couldn’t see, dust and ash and tremendous heat. The fire started about 12 o’clock Jack [husband] said to me, fire, I said where, where? Just up the road, what have I got to do? and he went out and he had gone to the fire and left me. I tried to get the animals and I put out buckets of water, putting the buckets of water out saved my life. Chas Jones and another friend of his came in and they picked up the buckets of water, I thought I had better get out because the fire was on the haystack up the paddock and when I went to go out through the north side of the house and couldn’t get out, I’ll go through the front gate so I went around the other side of the house. I got caught there and Chassy Jones and his friend came round carrying the bucket of water and I panicked. He threw the bucket of water over me. Well that is what saved my life because I was damp, whenever we tried to leave the ball of fire came over me and over my shoulder and my hair was scorched. Chassy Jones lost his truck and Keith Watt his big truck because he had the water tank on it and they couldn’t get out of the yard. Granny Watt’s house, the first private hospital had condemned and Jack and I pulled it down and had it moved up to Toolern and had it in the yard a fortnight and it was all burnt and we didn’t get the shed we wanted. Every 13 years right up until Ash Wednesday fires, there has always been fire close at hand. The 1952 fire went down the back of the house, the 1965 fire took the house, and the house that I live in now, it is the third house that has been on that spot. When the Hunters owned it, Mrs Hunter was nearly burnt in her bed. They had a 13 roomed house. In 1924 the house burnt down, and there was another house was built there and that was the one that burnt down. Edna: So Mary built a brick veneer house. Marjorie: like the three little pigs [laughter] Collins - Mary M &DHS - March 29th 1992 Ladies oral history day at Dunvegan, Willows Park Melton. Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transferred to CD 2011 Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 Mary Collins nee Nixon born in Terang 1907 down in the Western District and we shifted to Melton when I was 5 and a half then I started school here in Melton, and spent all my school life at Melton State School, next to the Church of England, it’s called the Primary School now. I got my Qualifying and Merit Certificate then I left School because there wasn’t a High School. When I was 16 I got and job in the Melton Post Office and I worked there, I was the first girl in Melton to deliver the mail, and worked on the telephone and the Bank business. Mrs Ross and myself behind the counter, there were about 500 – 600 people in the Shire at that time and now when I go into the new Post Office there is 36,000 here there’s still 2 people behind the counter [laughter from the audience] and wait in a queue right out to the door. Times haven’t changed much have they! There was a manual telephone and you had to ring the handle, and there were eight subscribers when I went there and when I left there were 46 I had coaxed that number to join the telephone, even the police station didn’t have the phone on. The two Hotels and the two Chaff mills and Mr Ernie Barrie, Parkers the butcher, the Shire Office was No 8, and the Police house was next to the Courthouse on the corner. They were number 9. I can remember a lot of the numbers still. The Post Office was the Agency for the Commonwealth Bank [comment from audience member] I used to do the Bank business too, I left after four years there, mother wasn’t very well. The Inspector who used to come up to the Post Office asked me if I would take up casual Post Mistress and to go around the different districts but I refused and when Mrs Ross’s holidays were due I was the replacement. I wasn’t 21. I loved my work meeting everybody and most people had horse and jinkers and when the elderly would come in there would be Mr Tom Morrow, he only had one arm and Mrs Dunn came from Bulman’s road in their horse and jinker. They were elderly I would see them pull up out the front and quickly get their mail and run out to them because they didn’t have to get out of the jinker to tie up their horse. If someone had a baby in arms I would tear out and hold the baby while they got down. Mrs Ross was very very strict. I had to sweep the Post Office, she had a couple of mats and there would be a threepence or a sixpence under the mats show she knew whether I lifted the mat, I was whether I was honest or not. Graham: How much were your wages? I got 27/7 pence a week for a 52 hour week. I had to work every holiday except Good Friday and Christmas Day and even when it was Monday holiday I always had to go to work from 9am - !0 am, the Post Office was always open. In the winter I had to wait until twenty past six in case there were any telegrams to deliver. I delivered them on a push bike. One time Tom Barrie told me this years afterwards. I used to go home for lunch. We lived on the Keilor road and I used to ride my bike home. On the hot days the boys used to go and swim in the swimming pool down near a turn in the creek there was a hole where the boys would swim in the nude, they didn’t have any bathers and they didn’t have any watches in those days. Tom Barrie said they always used to watched for me as I was always about 3 minutes past 1, my lunch hour was from 1-2. One particular day they missed seeing me and swam on, and of course they were all late for school when they got back and were all kept in a night. I did get a fortnight holiday. I loved my work and I knew everyone in the district right from Toolern Vale to the Marsh and everybody at Melton South. Did you listen into conversations on the Switchboard? Oh no. [laughter] Melton did not have electricity then. I had to fill the lamps everyday with kerosene. The Staughton Memorial was outside the Post Office. It had four posts with the chain looped around it, and that’s where the people used to tie up their horses. Marjorie nee Myers Butler comments about sitting and swinging on the chains. Mr Fred Coburn lit the acetylene gas light in the Memorial. It was the only streetlight in Melton. There was no electricity until 1939. Ray Radford comments about another gas street light which was on the corner of Station road. [later] Mary passes around her school photos. Mary mentions the names of those who have passed away, Maisie McDonald, ,Marian Wraith, Hilda McCreey, and Valda McDonald. I have written the names on the back. Marjorie comments about Marie Jongebloed and Greta are the only two girls left out of big family of ten I think there were [hesitates] 4 or 5 girls and the rest were boys. Mary. Flora Woodley, Dorrie Flynn and Margaret McDonald are still alive. They are my age we were all born about 1907. Marjorie points out herself in a later photo [1921 and 1922 School ] Mary mentions the name Walsh and identyfies following names, the Parker boys, Ken Beaty, Malc and Linda Cameron, Maisie Mc Donald, Ted Radford, George Nixon, Norman Minns, he was later the Shire Secretary of Werribee. One of the Woodley girls. [Maisie Arthur] Marjorie: Rosie Shearwood, June Whiting Mary. Lily Mc Donald, she has passed away. Isabel Harrison nee Tinkler, she lives at Werribee, Doreen Rogers, Marjorie Walker, Jess McIntosh, Mary Gillespie. Mr Malone was the Junior teacher Mr Roe and Miss Cooke. Fred Myers, my sister [Elizabeth] and the year was 1921. Myers (Barrie) School Photo Collection. Many of the names were identified at the 1970 Centenary of Melton State School No. 430. Edna Barrie organised, compiled and typed the lists to accompany these photos for the year 1921. The 1922 photo shows the higher grades. Ladies Oral History Day event held by Melton and District Historical Society, article featured in the Telegraphlocal identities, local special interest groups

In 1923, grey caps were introduced and until 1958, they were decorated with the School crest topped by a laurel, to symbolize achievement. In 1958, the School became affiliated with the Church of England and the laurel was replaced with the mitre, to symbolize the Christian faith. Caps for School Captains were adorned with prefect insignia and gold embellishment. This cap belonged to Vic Bell (1946)

A faded, badly damaged black miniature leatherette antique hardcover book, The Book of Common Prayer. The Church of England together with The Psalter or Psalms of David. On the front cover and the spine is stamped in gold lettering - Common Prayer. At the bottom of the spine is printed in gold: London. Underneath the title on the front are five tiny crowns in a line. At the back there are Forms of Prayer, The Form and Manner and other prayers. The pages have gilt edges. 355Pp but some are missing at the end. On the right front end paper is a bookplate from St Hilda's Sunday School , Macclesfield with the award to Ada ? 1904.non-fictionA miniature, antique, The Book of Common Prayer, and administration of the sacraments, and other rites and ceremonies of the church, according to the use of The Church of England: together with the Psalter or Psalms of David. Prayer books help us find the words when we are in a crisis and do not know what to say, as well as for daily and Sunday worship in the English language.religious books, hymn books, prayer books

Presbyterian Church Melton Background: A Combined Denominational Church and School was established in Melton by Protestants from the Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Wesleyan and Baptists denominations. A wooden church was built on the flat area east of the Toolam Toolern Creek. A photo of this church shows the buildings with small houses nearby. In the background the bluestone Presbyterian Church built in 1867 can be seen to the north on Yuille and Sherwin street. The flat area beside the road to Ballarat was subject to flooding and the site was eventually abandoned for a settlement. By the latter part of the 1860s the Church of England and Wesleyan bluestone churches were also being erected in the centre of the township of Melton. The commercial centre developed in High Street from Smith to Palmerston Street. Township of Melton Crown Grants Issued Under Common Law refers to the site of the Combined Denominational Church and School on the east side of Sherwin Street on the corner of Pyke Street. Section 4 Allotments 1 and 10 situated on the corner of Pyke, Bryan and Sherwin Street. The early map has the name of Thomas Cridge on this site. The area known Common (flat) remained open level ground with some cottages and buildings and a milk cooler in the 1930s, Granny Watts house “Lynch Cottage was moved in 1964. Sherwin Street was used until the 1960s with the open area being the used for playing golf. Alterations to the flat occurred when the golf course added to the height and removed the Sherwin Street access. The greens were developed and the height of ground altered the vista across Common. The first Presbyterian Minister in the district was the Reverend Alexander McNicol an advanced student and an experienced missionary from Glasgow, arriving in Melbourne in 1850. He was ordained on the 8th of June and was called to the Bacchus Marsh and Mount Macedon district. On the 1st of May 1851 he was called to Geelong and returned to Bacchus Marsh on February 1856 remaining until July 1859. Group of people in front of the church and school.churches, local identities, education