Norval Guest-House Aginda and Wettenhall The original Norval The story of Norval begins in 1917 when it was built as a private residence for Mr and Mrs William Thompson. Mrs Thompson was a pioneer of the tourist business, having come from Ballarat to Hall's Gap in 1909 to manage Bellfield Guest-house According to Ida Stanton, in her history of Hall's Gap entitled "Bridging the Gap", Mr Thompson and his wife acquired the six roomed shearers quarters at "Hankelow", on land leased by the Wettenhall family, on the south side of Bellfield. Mr Thompson, she says, completely dismantled the quarters, carefully marking each board, then hired George McKeon to cart the material up to where the original Norval house stood. With great care, the rooms were rebuilt into a home for William and his wife Mathilda. Catherine Good, the daughter of Viola (nee Wettenhall) and niece of Dr Roland, in here "Recollections" entitled "Look to the Mountains - Viola's View 1887-1979", mentions Hankelow. Speaking of her days at Glen Holford, the Wettenhall home at Pomonal, Viola says "Verona and Francie Dennis, my cousins, and I went for one very exciting trip. Father (i.e Dr Roland's father) had bought 300 acres in the Gap to take sheep from Carr's Plains in time of drought, and had a little cottage there with one of the Glen Holford men and his wife in charge. It was called Hankelow. So we three set off over the Range from Glen Holford on foot and leading a pack horse with our night attire and no doubt sponge bags. "We stayed the night at Hankelow with Jim and Minnie. Minnie had been a housemaid at Glen Holford. I was very fond of her. It makes one laugh to think of the excitement of "roughing it"! Minnie gave us a lovely dinner with meringues, and cream, I remember, then early morning tea. After breakfast we were driven in the buggy to the foot of the Goat Rock (since renamed Mt Rosea) and off we went - walking in our long skirts and ankle boots. There was no track of any kind, nor blazed trail - we just made for the top. It was rather frightening at times because we couldn't see where the top was an it always seemed to get further and further away. The last mile was so terribly steep, with a lot of lose shale where you went up twelve inches and slipped back six. Now you motor to about a couple of miles from the top and then have a graded path. Anyway, we got there and back safely and were rewarded with a magnificent view" By a strange coincidence, Hankelow, the source of Norval Guest-house in times past (if the name can be applied to the property as a whole, which seems likely) is in fact also the source of our Wettenhall Campsite! Hankelow was named after a property owned by the Wettenhall family in England. In 1917 William and Mathilda retired to their newly built home (Norval) "to escape from the tourist business" However, so many people made requests to stay with them that they found it necessary to add several more rooms and sleepouts to their home. In this way, early in 1921, the guest-house began to take shape. Mr Thompson, a former librarian of the Mechanics Institute in Ballarat, named the house "Norval". The name "Norval" comes from a quotation from the play 'Douglas" by John Home. Written in the mid-16th century the play is set in the Grampian Mountains of Scotland. The story is of a boy who was parted from this mother during his early childhood, and was given to a shepherd who raised him. Some eighteen years later the mother by chance happens to meet here son, and not knowing his true identity, asks his name. He answers, "My name is Norval; and in the Grampian hills my father feeds his flocks." Perhaps it was simply because "Norval" was associated with the "Grampians" that it was chosen by Mr Thompson. He may also have been conscious of feeding "flocks" of tourists in his expanding, guest-house. Norval Guest-house prospered. It was known for its fine cooking and friendly atmosphere - a tradition which has carried through to the modern Norval! It closed between 1940 and 1949 because of the second world war. In 1949 it was decided to almost completely rebuild the house. Most of the old building (Hankelow plus) was demolished and rebuilt to a much larger and more modern plan. And then, on May 1, 1965, it was purchased by the Committee of Management of the Methodist and Presbyterian Conference Centres. At this time the guest-house was owned and operated by Marjorie and Lachland McLennan, Mrs McLennan being the daughter of William and Mathilda Thompson, the pioneers of the establishment. The McLennans had operated the Guest-house since about 1930.Photocopy 2 pages of article from book titled 'In the Making' title of article Norval guest House the original Norvalaccommodation, guesthouses, norval

Additions to Thompson's home as former paying guests of Mrs. Thompson wanted to continue enjoying her hospitality. Name Marjorie Law written in ink on back.Postcard showing main building & 3 'chalets'.accommodation, guesthouses, norval

Land owned by William & Matilda Thompson. They purchased some disused shearers' quarters, consisting of six rooms, and in 1917 moved the building onto their land to provide a home. Mrs. Thompson had only recently retired after being the manageress of "Bellfield" for seven years. They named their house "Norval". Norval. Front view of house with a man and woman on verandah (un-named). Chicken wire fence in foreground.buildings, houses, norval

During the period 1940-1970 'The Chalet' was run by Mrs. E. M. Dean. It was purchased in 1971 by Mr. & Mrs Ryan. 'The Chalet' continued as accommodation until 1998.Photo of advertising flyer for 'The Chalet', Halls Gap - The Grampians _ Excellent Accommodation - Comfortable Furnished Bungalows - Central Position. Mrs. E. M. Dean Proprietress. Tel: Halls Gap 27media, flyers, accommodation, the chalet

The Chalet' was owned at this time by Mrs. E. M. Dean. Photo shows what was called the 'back flat'. The building had 3 separate kitchens. There were also four 'bedroom' bungalows.Photo shows back of accommodation known as 'The Chalet' - snow on ground and roof.accommodation, chaletsthe chalet

Advertisement in Victorian Country Hotel, Guest and Boarding House Guide. Provides details of tours, things to see, do and costs. Mrs. S. V. Morgan proprietress. Guest House arranges tours and has electric lights, large garage, hot water service, tennis, fishing and shooting.Grampians House accommodation. Guests in front of Grampians House tennis court.media, advertisements, accommodation, grampian hosue

Nov 17th, Miss Alice Osborne (teacher) Children Back Row small boy Tom Wood, Syd Monk, George D'Alton, 2 McDonalds, Will D'Alton, 2 Woods, Mrs Alice Osborne and J D'Alton Front Sandy McDonald, Wood, 2 McDonalds, @ D'Altons (Clare and Amy)House of D'Altons and school House Students and teach in photo3 large copies (one sepia) and 1 smaller copyeducation, schools, silver springs

Invoice for flex Wire and Pulley for school. Sent to Mrs. I. Warren, PO Box 30, Halls Gap. Paid on 22/5/33. Amount 2 12". See additional image for envelope.Invoice for work completed May 22, 1933 from Anthony & Co., Timber Merchants, Ironmongers, Grocers and Furniture Dealers sent to Halls Gap School Committee. original envelope.education, schools, halls gap

Kept by A H Barnes, 1922-1924 name changed to Grampians House kept by Miss Allison and Miss Porter 1924-1925 kept by Mrs Anderson Grampians House - The earliest record of Grampians House was recorded in 1918 when the property was known as "Killarney" listed in the Country, Hotel and Boarding House Guide and Tourists handbook. The listing notes it as being kept my Mr A H Barnes The property consisted of 29 acres, the house of 8 rooms, kitchen, bathroom, vestibule, front and side passages, with verandah on front and side of building, also 3 roomed cottage with bathroom, 5 chalets containing 7 bedrooms, storeroom,wash house, water and gas laid on throughout. 4 stall stables and feed house, buggy shed for three buggies, motor shed for 4 cars, cow shed, and yards and pens. Local resident Mrs E Watson who attended school in the nearby public hall remembers going to a side window of the house and being able to purchase biscuits, sweets and drinks. The 1922-24 Handbook the listing was changed to "Grampians House" kept by Misses Allison and Porter. The 1924-25 Handbook listed "Grampians House" being kept by Mrs Anderson.Photo of original building of 8 rooms Proprietor A H BarnesFuji Film Pictor Paperaccommodation, guesthouses, killarney, grampian hosue

Tariff L 3/3 Mrs Anderson was proprietress "Grampians House," Hall's Gap, Grampians, The most conveniently situated Tourist Home in the Grampians - right at the starting point of tourist track leading to the principal Beauty Spots and Wild Flower Gullies, also Splitters, Pansy, Turrett and McKenzie Falls Grand Canyon, Wonderland and Mount Victory considered to be the finest scenery in the State. Fishing and Shooting. Large Garage - also Car (Buick Six) for Hire. Visitors met by car of vehicle as desired. Phone Halls Gap 8Detail of advertisement for Victorian Country Hotel Guest and boarding house Guide with photo of original housemedia, flyers, accommodation, grampian house

Grampians House Changes Hands Grampians House in the centre of Hall's Gap township and one of the biggest guest houses in the area has been sold to Mr and Mrs Hudousek of St. Kilda Mr and Mrs Hudousck will take over Grampians House as from November 17, and Mr and Mrs D Matthews who have conducted it for the past ten years will come to Stawell to make their home here. Mrs Matthews has been actively associated with organisations at Hasll's Gap and is secretary of the current Wildbower (sic) Show. She has retained here interests in Stawell and is president of the Stawell High School Welfare Union. Typed extract from Stawell News 8-10-1958media, newspaper articles, guesthouses, grampian house

Kingston Roadliners (F. Kingston, Proprietor) STAWELL - GRAMPIANS DAILY Coach for the Grampians meets mid day train at Stawell Return Daily Make the Grampians your next vacation Daily Conducted Tours, from Hotels and Guesthouses in Stawell and Hall's Gap to WONDERLAND - MCKENZIE FALLS - LAKE WARTOOK - MT. VICTORY - MT ROSEA - WANNON VALLEY conducted Hiking Trips Arranged Stawell booking office: 75 Main Street - Phone: Stawell 214, Hall's Gap booking office: Main Road - Phone: Hall's Gap 35, Bookings also from Vitorian Government Tourist Bureau, Cars for hire GRAMPIANS HOUSE The Most Conveniently Situated Tourist House in the Grampians. Ballroom, electric light, large garage, hot water service, hot water in all rooms, internal sewerage. Tennis, fishing, shooting, Alongside is the Bowling Green, where visitors are welcome to play. Phone: Hall's Gap 28. Tariff on application. Manageress: Mrs, E. MatthewsAdvertisement for Kingston Roadliners, Grampians House and Map of the GrampiansAdvertisement in Broadbents, Guide of western Victoria, and South-East of S.A.media, advertisements, grampian house

The photo is of Halls Gap's first General Store, opened in 1921. The store comprised a substantial shop and residence close to today's (2009) Public Hall. The people in front of the building are the operators of the store, J. Hemley (third from right), R. Mair (fourth from right) and Mrs J. Hemley with baby (on left). The identity of the other people unknown.Photograph of a wooden (? log) building with a wooden picket fence at the front. Three people are standing in front of the building at the gate, there are a few people on the verandah of the building and a child riding past the front on a bicycle.buildings, shops

The people in the photo are: Mr & Mrs Gus Knight and Ray Knight (on the right). The names of the other three people are not known. The site of the house is where a later monument would stand (see inscription).Photo shows six people; three seated on a large log, two standing and one leaning on a tree stump; in front of a house."Mr & Mrs Gus Knight, Ray on right. -Where Monument will go. Ray just cut down tree - so it would not fall on house." written in biro on rear of photo. "Wannon" written in pencil on rear of photo.people, knight, buildings, tea rooms

The woman is Mrs. Ron Groves, formerly Dulcie Stevenson, Cheltenham.The photo shows a woman standing in front of road signs at a road junction. The visible signs read "17 Stawell" and "163 Melbourne" to the left and "Halls Gap 1" and "Dunkeld 49" to the right.people, tourists

C 1940. Mrs Jean Zumstein is second from the right (head in profile, laughing) She came out from Scotland in 1910 on the same ship as Mrs Sandford, the woman third from the right. The young girl standing at the front is Ronis (?) Sandford (Mrs Sandford's daughter).The photo shows eight adults and one child standing in front of a car.people, zumstein

From left to right the women are: Miss Vine (dark dress, draw cord at waist with pom-poms on end), Miss Hocking (dress with large spots), Mrs Thomson (light coloured dress with dark sash at waist) and Mrs Paddy Smith (light coloured blouse and dark skirt).The photo shows four women, standing in line from shortest to tallest, standing in front of bushes.people

The woman on the right is Mrs Nally, nee Lawson. The man next to her is her husband Pat Nally (a policeman from Port Fairy). The young girl is Patricia Nally. The man lying on the ground next to the car is William Parfett. next to him is (?) Lawson, the boy is either David or Robert Parfett (they were twins). The photo was taken at Zumsteins Campground.The photo shows a group of people (six men, one boy, one woman and one girl) seated and kneeling around a car and caravan. The car bonnet it raised and there is a man's hat sitting on the right headlight.people, tourists

A photo of the Grampians House listing in the "Victorian Country Hotel, Guest and Boarding House Guide"A photo of an entry in the "Victorian Country Hotel, Guest and Boarding House Guide". The entry is for Grampians House - Hall's Gap and shows a photo of a Tennis Party in front of a tennis court. the listing mentions various attractions in the Grampians. The entry lists the tariff as 12/- per day & �3/3/- per week, the Proprietress as Mrs S. V. Morgan and the telephone No. as "Hall's Gap 8"!accommodation, guesthouses, grampian house

This house belonged to Walter Zumstein of the Zumsteins area. The house was burnt down in 1938. Photo was taken by Stan Parfett whose own family camped in the Zumstein area and knew Mr and Mrs Zumstein personally. c1920's This is an photocopied enlargement from a photocopied magazine article, Victoria's Heritage (see item 637)A house with veranda. A chimney (stone?) protrudes from roof at front. cleared land in foreground with old style wooden fence visible. A tank and stand situated beside house at front. Thick trees /Bush behind house.House Burnt 1938. Walter Zumstein's house. Photo by Stan Parfett. written on back.buildings, houses

Black and white photo of 8 people - 3 females and 5 males. An older couple is seated with a young boy standing between them. All are dressed in formal suits.Written on back: Rita Snibson sec Women's Hospital. Front row: Nell Simpson had a son Jack had a business in Stawell then Melbourne. Nell became Mrs A.J. Sanderson who had a grocery business opposite Town Hall.

[from a contemporary report:] The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's entry in the 1986 Eltham Community Festival Parade included Ben Hall's Cobb & Co. coach along with several vintage motor vehicles and the Society's new Community Banner. Members dressed in in an appropriate costume to ride in one of the vehicles or walk along with them. The assembly point was in Cecil St. at 11.45 a.m. The Society's entry was awarded the major prize for the parade.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1986

Next to Kinglake Hall which was burnt in 1926. Source: Mrs. McMinn, KinglakeThis photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, kinglake, church of england, kinglake hall, st peter's

Next to Kinglake Hall which was burnt in 1926. Source: Mrs. McMinn, KinglakeThis photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, kinglake, church of england, st peter's

Poster on wall of shop promoting the protection of vineyards from Prohibition by voting No. This would date this photo to c.March 1930. A vote was being held by the Victorian government which the vineyard growers were opposed to due to the ramifications it would have upon the wider industry for dried fruits and table grapes, etc as well and how it was in direct conflict with the federal government's actions of WW1 Soldiers Settlements on vineyards as it would ruin them. Info sourced from: 1930 'HOW VINE GROWERS WOULD BE PENALISED', Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), 28 March, p. 4. (AFTERNOON) [See Link.] Note with photo: "Man with hammer is Mr Gadd; always wore leggings and played violin at local dances. On his left is Harold Norman of Research. (Sam Howard played banjo). Mrs Read (Jock's mother) played piano by ear. Research called Normantow because no one could remember who was related to who." Note the school children; one of whom may be Jock Read. Edward Gadd died of pneumonia, July 1937. He had operated his coach building business in Eltham for about 17 years (1920-1937). He lived in Research and left a wife and three sons. He was actively involved with the Research Hall and was largely instrumental in its establishment. Info sourced from: 1937 'Death of Mr. Edward Gadd.', Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), 23 July, p. 1. [See Link.] Sepia photographcoaches, dance band, edward gadd, eltham, harold norman, jock read, mrs read, prohibition vote, research (vic.), sam howard, vineyards, industry, school children

Three black and white photographsalf davis, anz bank, army, arthur street, bert bredle, ceremonies, civic functions, coronation, councillors, cr e.p. harmer, cr f.v. squire, cr frederick e. griffith, cr stanley s. addison, dave lyon house, eltham hall, eltham lower park, eltham shire office, eltham village, eltham, frank davis mhr, guard of honour, main road, mr c.g. seear, mrs alf davis, mrs arthur bird, mrs e.p. harmer, mrs f.e. griffith, mrs frank davis, mrs ham, mrs s.s. addison, mrs squire, parade, queen elizabeth ii coronation, r.j. (dick) ham, shopping centre

This framed photo usually hangs on the wall of the meeting room at the Invermay Hall, on the Invermay Reserve. The photograph features Invermay Cricket Club member Tom Reidy who donated his Cricket Club jacket to the Invermay Local History Assn. This jacket is now held in the ILHA Collection.The photograph is of historical and cultural significance. This is the only known copy of the photograph. It records an important aspect of the Invermay community's sporting history from the 1950s. White timber frame. Hardboard backing board held in place with 3 small nails and framing tacks. Hand coloured photograph glued to ivory cardboard mount. Clear glass over.'Invermay Cricket Club / Runners-up Ballarat Association 1956-57 / Back Row: (L to R) J. Sanders, N. Martin, B. Wilkins, Mrs L. Reynolds (Scorer), B. Harding, J. Reynolds, L. Hyatt / Front Row: R. Stowe, G. Reynolds (Vice Captain), B. Sargent (Captain), T. Reidy, Absent: D. Murnae, A. McCrackeninvermay cricket club, sanders, martin, wilkins, reynolds, harding, hyatt, stowe, sargent, reidy, murnane, mccracken,

Staff from the Shire of Eltham and St John Ambulance Brigade at the reception area in the West Riding Hall, Henry Petrie Community Centre, Montmorency for the early residents reunion as part of the centenary celebrations for the Shire of Eltham in August 1971. Mrs Klooster far left. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book," Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, centenary celebrations, shire of eltham, shire of eltham centenary, early residents, early residents' reunion, reunion, henry petrie community centre, st john's ambulance, reception, klooster

Staff from the Shire of Eltham including Mrs Klooster at the reception area in the West Riding Hall, Henry Petrie Community Centre, Montmorency for the early residents reunion as part of the centenary celebrations for the Shire of Eltham in August 1971. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, centenary celebrations, shire of eltham, shire of eltham centenary, early residents, early residents' reunion, mrs. klooster, henry petrie community centre montmorency, reception

Mrs Blanche Shallard and Mrs Jean Spence enjoying an horderves with unknown waitress at the early residents reunion as part of the centenary celebrations for the Shire of Eltham in August 1971. The event was held in the West Riding Hall, Henry Petrie Community Centre, Montmorency. Blanche Shallard (nee Everard) (1905-2002) was an active member of the Montmorency community from 1933 when she and her husband Jack Shallard settled there. She volunteered for many community groups including the Diamond Valley Community Hospital, Greensborough, local schools and churches and the Eltham District Historical Society. Jean Spence and her husband Geoffrey were also residents of Montmorency. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, centenary celebrations, shire of eltham, shire of eltham centenary, early residents, early residents' reunion, mrs. j.v. shallard, jean spence, blanche shallard, henry petrie community centre montmorency, horderves, montmorency