The Orford family, a pioneer family remained continuously living and working in Eltham for 170 years from 1854 to 2024. James and Sarah Orford arrived in Sydney in 1839 aboard the ship “Orestes”; they had several children there before settling in Eltham in 1854. Three children, James Mathias, Sarah Amelia and Thomas Henry initially remained in the Eltham area. James eventually moved to Brunswick. Sarah married Arthur Butler Young and finally lived in Bunyip. Thomas who was six years old when the family arrived in 1854 remained in Eltham, married Helen Logan who died, leaving a large family. They lived in a slab hut by the Yarra at Laughing Waters and Thomas managed the Panton Park Estate, a selection owned by Magistrate Thomas Panton. Thomas’s son, Ernest Orford was born 1892 at Pitt Street, Eltham and also lived his entire life in Eltham working as a labourer, orchardist and later as a gardener and grounds keeper for Sir William Irvine, a former Chief Justice and Premier of Victoria. Ernest married Kate Thomas; their two sons Ron and Doug stayed in the area. Another of Thomas' sons, Arthur, also lived in Eltham. Four Orford generations attended Eltham schools. Doug Orford was born on the kitchen table (reference, son Ted Orford) of the family home at the corner of Reynolds Road and Mount Pleasant Road. Doug married Gwen and they established a family however Gwen died at a young age from cancer. Doug eventually remarried another Gwen and they lived for several decades in Napoleon Street, Eltham. Doug was actively involved in EDHS over many years, including serving as a committee member and vice president. Contributions by Doug and Gwen, his wife, assisted EDHS to continue to develop as a not-for-profit group intent on promoting and preserving our local history. Both Doug and Gwen were made Life Members of EDHS. His significant work with assisting to establish our valued Local History Centre helped develop our home base and supported the continued growth of our society. Doug’s local knowledge, suggestions and family connections were highly valued, Until recent times, he continued to regularly attend our Collections Team workshops providing his insights and historical information about photographs and society records. Doug died peacefully July 8, 2024, and represents the last link in the Orford Eltham chain which spanned 170 years. His funeral was held Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Le Pine Funerals, 848 Main Road, Eltham. Contents: Typed notes, no date: Memories of Ernest Orford [taped 1979] about his school days. Handwritten notes, no date: History of Ernie Orford Typed notes, no date: History of Thomas Henry Orford and family. Photocopy: Shire of Eltham General Rate Receipts. Received from D Orford 7 June 1923 and Received from E F Orford, 4 August 1924. Letter, no date: Nillumbik Shire to Russell Yeoman, Gwen Orford to receive Volunteer Recognition Award. Newsletter article: "The Orford Family, Eltham", Shire of Eltham Historical Society, No.80 September 1991. History of Orford family. Handwritten notes: 21 March 2011, genealogy of George Orford. On reverse Melways map makred with Orford and other land ownerships. Newspaper advertisement, 21 March 2011: "264 Reynolds Road, South Eltham", property for sale [land in ownership of Orford family]. Letter: St Margaret's Anglican Church Eltham to Doug Orford, 17 November 2011, Extracts from church records relative to Orford family. Newspaper article: "Timely facelift at war memorials', Diamond Valley Leader, 30 April 2024, Nillumbik war memorial will have some work and a bronze plaque will be installed at the Eltham Avenue of Honour, Wingrove Park; photograph of Doug Orford Newsletter item: "Welcome home medal", Eltham District Historical Society newsletter no.216 May 2014, World War I two 'Welcome Home Medals' in ownership of local men, being Harry Gilham and Doug Orford. Order of Service, Le Pine Funerals (Eltham), In Loving Memory of Douglas Frederick Orford 22nd August 1929 - 8th July 2024Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcdoug orford, harry gilham, welcome home medal, eltham avenue of honour, nillumbik war memorial, wingrove park, henry dendy, alfred armstrong, james orford, 264 reynolds road south eltham, george orford, george joseph orford, maryanne george joseph, thomas henry orford, ernest orford, e f orford, eltham cemetery, helen orford, joseph panton, panton park, gordon lyon, banyule estate heidelberg, james matthias orford, wurundjeri, constable peter lawlor, george hill, franklin street eltham, ronald orford, eltham primary school, john brown, robert gamble school inspector, sarah orford, mary ann orford, james mathias orford, sarah amelia orford, james peet, arthur butler young, watsons creek victoria, kangaroo ground victoria, helen logan, william orford, jane orford, arthur orford, frederick orford, florrie orford, victor orford, chem orford, sunnymede eltham, panton hill estate, sir william irvine, gordon lyons, kate thomas, north eltham gospel church, harold clapp, eltham cricket club, research primary school, dalton street school eltham, keith banks, betty banks, benjamine boyd, laughing waters road eltham, freddie gilsinen, douglas frederick orford, eltham district historical society, funeral service, le pine funeral home, life member, order of service

Contained in Volume 1 of a set of two spiral magnetic photo albums, each containing 10 leaves, 20 pages; Vol. 1 labelled "Houses - Eltham South" and Vol. 2 labelled "Eltham Houses". Newspaper articleeltham, houses, alistair knox, cochrane, eltham shire office, eltham town park, evelyn observer, flavour of eltham, flemish bond, george stebbing, james rossiter, kay kupsch, maree hingston, peter glass, phillip shillinglaw, shillinglaw cottage

Contained in Volume 2 of a set of two spiral magnetic photo albums, each containing 10 leaves, 20 pages; Vol. 1 labelled "Houses - Eltham South" and Vol. 2 labelled "Eltham Houses". Newspaper clippings advertising house auctionseltham, real estate advertisement, houses, kinbrae, wombat drive

Contained in Volume 2 of a set of two spiral magnetic photo albums, each containing 10 leaves, 20 pages; Vol. 1 labelled "Houses - Eltham South" and Vol. 2 labelled "Eltham Houses". Newspaper clippings advertising house/land auctionseltham, real estate advertisement, houses, riverview park estate

Contained in Volume 2 of a set of two spiral magnetic photo albums, each containing 10 leaves, 20 pages; Vol. 1 labelled "Houses - Eltham South" and Vol. 2 labelled "Eltham Houses". Newspaper clippings promoting house auctioneltham, real estate advertisement, houses, lalirra, morrisons estate agent, scenic crescent

The valley of Diamond Creek from Bridge Street looking south to Eltham Community Centreeltham, eltham community centre, buildings, construction

Three colour photographs: 1. Eltham Community Centre, Pitt Street, looking south 2. Eltham Community Centre, Pitt Street, looking south 3. Eltham Community Centre, Pitt Street, looking north; oregon uprights and mudbrick wallseltham, eltham community centre, buildings, construction

Three colour photographs: 1. Eltham Community Centre, Pitt Street, looking south 2. Eltham Community Centre, Pitt Street, looking south 3. Eltham Community Centre, Pitt Street, looking north; oregon uprights and mudbrick wallseltham, eltham community centre, buildings, construction

Three colour photographs: 1. Eltham Community Centre, Pitt Street, looking south 2. Eltham Community Centre, Pitt Street, looking south 3. Eltham Community Centre, Pitt Street, looking north; oregon uprights and mudbrick wallseltham, eltham community centre, buildings, construction

Five colour photographs showing Main Road at Pryor Street in Eltham Shopping Centre looking southmain road, pryor street, shops, eltham

Eltham Lower Park, looking south west across playground area to Homestead Road, date unknowneltham lower park, parks, reserves, playgrounds, trees, eltham, hohnes hill

Five colour photographs of looking south towards Eltham Shopping Centre at the intersection with Wattletree Road formerly known as Colemans Corner.eltham, main road, wattletree road, colemans corner, coleman

Eltham Gateway, View south from Napoleon StreetTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, eltham district historical society, main road, avenue of honour, eltham gateway

To the left of picture is the Main Road Bridge over the Diamond Creek in Eltham South when the Diamond Creek was in flood. The Yarra also was in flood. In early December 1934 the "Greatest flood in the history of the Yarra" occured, according to The Argus newspaper. Bridges and houses were swept away with hundreds of people left homeless across the state. The historic 1934 flood of the Diamond Creek and Yarra River set the criteria for future planning with respect to flood water rise.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 image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, diamond creek (river), 1934 flood, diamond creek, floods, main road bridge

Contents: • With a little help from our friends by Jim Connor • Annual General Meeting - Wednesday 12th April 2017 • May Excursion - Eltham South Ramble • Don't Forget • Audrey Josephine Cahn by Richard Pinn • Eltham District Historical Society: Stanley Simpson Addison • . . . . the story continues! by Jim Connor • The Christmas Hills Motorcycle Scramble Track by Jim Allen • What Were They Like? by Joan Castledine • Annual General Meeting (Notice and Agenda) • Contacts for the Eltham District Historical Society The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

Hohnes Hill Reserve opposite Eltham Lower Park, south west sideRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Safety 5035eltham lower park, hohnes reserve

Eltham Gateway, Looking south along Main Road near Eltham Lower ParkTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway

Contents: • History Matters by Jim Connor • 9th August Meeting - The Shallards of Montmorency • Heritage Excursion - Saturday 2nd September - An Eltham South Ramble • Montmorency Guiding Memories by Jean Ryan • Percy Leason: An Artist's Life by Margot Tasca - Book review by Russell Yeoman • Eltham District Historical Society: Russell Yeoman by Jim Connor • 40 Years of Environmental Living by Janet Mattiske • Membership Subscriptions • Wellers Hotel of Kangaroo Ground - Part 1 by Jim Allen • Morrison Kleeman Real Estate • Our Sponsors • Contacts for the Eltham District Historical Society The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

Contents: • Eltham Court House by Jim Connor • Fifty Years Ago In Eltham South; A historic tree planting by Michael Aitken • Heritage Excursion –Saturday 10th July • A Mud Brick Meander by Jim Connor • Eltham Watering Place Reserve (Shire of Eltham Heritage Study appendix 1-2) • Eltham Wurundjeri History by Jan Aitken • A Well Deserved Award of Merit by Jim Connor • Annual General Meeting - 2.00pm, Saturday 12th June 2021 • Eltham Cemetery Stories by Richard Pinn o Pauline Therese Toner o Bertram Barney Wainer • Contacts for the Eltham District Historical SocietyThe Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 newsletter distributed to members (Digital and A4 photocopy)newsletter, eltham district historical society, covid-19, coronavirus pandemic

Published in the Diamond Creek Basin Study, 1980 and identified at Diamond Creek, locality not identified, 1934. The location is actually looking south across the Diamond Creek towards Falkiner Street, beside the Main Road bridge at Eltham South from what is now part of Wingrove Park opposite Antoinette Boulevard. The bridge railing is just visible to the left of image. The large leaning Manna Gum beside the bridge still stands in 2021 alongside the Diamond Creek trail. In 1934 extensive flooding of the Yarra River and Diamond Creek set new records for flood plain level (Eltham Chronology, EDHS)Black and white photographCopied by Hugh Fisher, Photographer, 6 York Street Eltham A1678B Floods- Eltham - 1934floods, yarra river, eltham, flooding, diamond creek, flood

Looking south past Eltham War Memorial on right.35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)dudley street, duplication, eltham, eltham war memorial, main road, our lady of help christians church, our ladys school, road construction, war memorial garden, war memorial gates

Contents: • History is … by Jim Connor • Our Next Meeting – 7:30pm Wednesday 8th February 2023 • Heritage Excursion – Eltham South Farms - Saturday 4th March • Eltham Horse and Pony Club by Tony Brocksopp • Gordon Ford: My Garden Rocks by Richard Pinn • Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photographic Collection by Liz Pidgeon • The Research Historic Horse Trough by Jim Connor • A Story From Our Records: “Eltham District” (The Argus, July 24, 1856) • Eltham Cemetery Stories by Liz Pidgeon o Harriet Wilson (nee Morris), 1842-1874, Eltham Pioneer • Eltham Villa Brings £2,500 (The Advertiser, Friday, July 8, 1932)The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 newsletter distributed to members (Digital and A4 photocopy)newsletter, eltham district historical society

Eltham Gateway, View looking south from near 715 Main RoadTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, avenue of honour

The McLean family, Hector John McLean and Louisa Frances (nee Green) and six daughters lived in Eltham during the period 1930 to 1934 inclusive. Lived in the former Evelyn Hotel at the time it was destroyed by fire in 1931. On December 15, 1934 the six girls all participated in the Centenary Parade dressed up as Pioneers of Eltham. They were dressed as the father and mother, two girls, a boy and a baby in a pram. They had to walk from their home in Eltham South to the railway station where the parade commenced and back to Eltham Park (Eltham Lower Park). The family won the Group Section for their entry “Pioneers of Eltham”. Jean (13) was dressed as the father, Edith (12) as the mother, Isabel (8) as the son, Gwen (6), Phoebe (5) as themselves and baby Gwladys (1) as the baby in the pram. centenary celebrations, centenary parade, dorothy jean mclean, edith jones (nee mclean), eltham lower park, eltham railway station, gwenneth mae mclean, gwladys evelyn mclean, hector john mclean, louisa frances mclean (nee green), olive isabel mclean, parade, pioneers of eltham

The McLean family, Hector John McLean and Louisa Frances (nee Green) and six daughters lived in Eltham during the period 1930 to 1934 inclusive. Lived in the former Evelyn Hotel at the time it was destroyed by fire in 1931. On December 15, 1934 the six girls all participated in the Centenary Parade dressed up as Pioneers of Eltham. They were dressed as the father and mother, two girls, a boy and a baby in a pram. They had to walk from their home in Eltham South to the railway station where the parade commenced and back to Eltham Park (Eltham Lower Park). The family won the Group Section for their entry “Pioneers of Eltham”. Jean (13) was dressed as the father, Edith (12) as the mother, Isabel (8) as the son, Gwen (6), Phoebe (5) as themselves and baby Gwladys (1) as the baby in the pram. centenary celebrations, centenary parade, dorothy jean mclean, edith jones (nee mclean), eltham lower park, eltham railway station, gwenneth mae mclean, gwladys evelyn mclean, hector john mclean, louisa frances mclean (nee green), olive isabel mclean, parade, pioneers of eltham

The McLean family, Hector John McLean and Louisa Frances (nee Green) and six daughters lived in Eltham during the period 1930 to 1934 inclusive. Lived in the former Evelyn Hotel at the time it was destroyed by fire in 1931. On December 15, 1934 the six girls all participated in the Centenary Parade dressed up as Pioneers of Eltham. They were dressed as the father and mother, two girls, a boy and a baby in a pram. They had to walk from their home in Eltham South to the railway station where the parade commenced and back to Eltham Park (Eltham Lower Park). The family won the Group Section for their entry “Pioneers of Eltham”. Jean (13) was dressed as the father, Edith (12) as the mother, Isabel (8) as the son, Gwen (6), Phoebe (5) as themselves and baby Gwladys (1) as the baby in the pram. centenary celebrations, centenary parade, dorothy jean mclean, edith jones (nee mclean), eltham lower park, eltham railway station, gwenneth mae mclean, gwladys evelyn mclean, hector john mclean, louisa frances mclean (nee green), olive isabel mclean, parade, pioneers of eltham

Eltham Gateway, View looking south along Main Road at intersection of Panther PlaceTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, sign

Eltham - Main Road. Looking south near Railway Station. Diamond Street on right. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, railway station, eltham railway station

The original St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (1865-1912) was built of clay brick with buttress walls and a slate roof on the corner of Fordhams Road and Maria Street (Main Road), Eltham South, opposite the present-day Wingrove Park. It was blessed on September 3, 1865. With the arrival of the railway in 1901 and the town centre moving closer to the station, the decision was made to relocate the site of the church to its present-day location on Henry Street at the corner of Main Road. A new timber weatherboard church, also called St Mary's was erected and blessed on October 13, 1912. The church and land cost £1,400 (Evelyn Observer). The original brick church was demolished in the 1920s and the bricks and windows were recycled to build a dairy on the Brinkkotter farm at Research. The timber church was destroyed by fire in 1961 and a new modern architectural (1960s) style church was erected in its place and named Our Lady of Help Christians Church.Colour photographresearch (vic.), brinkkotter, catholic church, eltham, roman catholic church, st marys catholic church

The original St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (1865-1912) was built of clay brick with buttress walls and a slate roof on the corner of Fordhams Road and Maria Street (Main Road), Eltham South, opposite the present-day Wingrove Park. It was blessed on September 3, 1865. With the arrival of the railway in 1901 and the town centre moving closer to the station, the decision was made to relocate the site of the church to its present-day location on Henry Street at the corner of Main Road. A new timber weatherboard church, also called St Mary's was erected and blessed on October 13, 1912. The church and land cost £1,400 (Evelyn Observer). The original brick church It was demolished in the 1920s and the bricks and windows were recycled to build a dairy on the Brinkkotter farm at Research. The timber church was destroyed by fire in 1961 and a new modern architectural (1960s) style church was erected in its place and named Our Lady of Help Christians Church.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. The Reynolds family were early settlers in Research. The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were taken by Tom Prior, the maternal uncle of Ivy Reynolds, around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago. lvy lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family. Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light. The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, roman catholic church, brinkkotter, catholic church, church, reynolds prior collection, st marys catholic church