Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p181 The rare Eltham Copper Butterfly, Paralucia pyro-discus, was saved from near extinction by a community campaign in the late 1980s. Thanks to that effort, the butterfly, a form of the Fiery Copper Butterfly, with a wing span of only 2.5cm, can be seen in parts of Eltham and Greensborough from late November to April. As late as 1987 the butterfly was thought to be near extinction. But that year, entomologist, Michael Braby, found several colonies, including two major ones in natural bushland on Diosma Road, Eltham. However these were threatened with destruction, as their habitat was to be destroyed by a development of 71 houses. The colonies were on a 14 hectare subdivision owned by Esanda Finance, an ANZ Bank subsidiary. It would cost around $5 million, to reimburse the bank for the land. The butterfly, which depends on woodland, a stunted form of the Sweet Bursaria bush, and the Notoncus ant, was considered too fragile to relocate. Braby’s discovery led to a sometimes fiery two-year campaign, which even became an election issue. It involved the local community, local and state governments and the developer, before a compromise was reached. The larvae have an intricate relationship with the small black ant, Notoncus. During the day, the larvae shelter in nests made by the ants around the base of the trunk and roots of the Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa). The ants are thought to protect the larvae from predators and parasites, as they attend them from the nests to feed on the Bursaria leaves at night. In return, the larvae excrete a sugar solution, which the ants love to eat. The butterfly was first recorded in Victoria in 1893, and first collected scientifically from Eltham in 1931. But it was only officially named in 1951, by Victoria’s then top butterfly expert, David Crosby.2 However, from 1970, rapid housing development in Eltham destroyed much of the butterfly’s habitat. The discovery of several major colonies in 1987 met with great excitement, and 250 people attended the first local public meeting. The State Government commissioned Crosby to investigate how to protect the butterfly, and the council froze development for three weeks. Then Esanda agreed to suspend development for several months, until a compromise was reached. Crosby recommended that 62 of the 71 lots be kept to ensure the butterflys’ survival. However this would cost $1 million to $1.5million in compensation to Esanda. Greensborough MP Pauline Toner, launched a $1million fundraising campaign and many artists donated their works to the appeal. Toner offered Clifton Pugh’s painting Eltham Copper Country to millionaire Alan Bond for $1 million, after having heard that he had offered $6 million for the Van Gough painting Sunflowers. However Bond did not accept. The butterfly was considered a ‘hot’ election issue during the by-election, following Pauline Toner’s resignation. Liberal party candidate, Margaret Brown, was accused of falsely saying she had been involved in the butterfly campaign so as to win votes. Sadly, the $1million appeal fell short at $426,000, so a compromise was reached. The State Government donated the Education Department site on Eucalyptus Road, but only nine lots of the Diosma site were bought, and the rest of the development went ahead. On March 3, 1989, Ms Toner died, and the Eucalyptus Road site was named in her honour. Around 2000 the butterfly was further threatened by proposed developments on Pitt Street, facing the Pauline Toner Reserve and between Diosma and Nyora Roads. Fortunately the Friends of the ECB, with the Shire of Nillumbik, ensured that more habitat was made available. The butterfly now survives in seven sites in Eltham and Greensborough, including the main sites at the Pauline Toner Reserve on Eucalyptus Road, the Western and Eastern colonies on Diosma Road, and the Yandell Reserve in Greensborough.The butterfly survives also in Castlemaine and in the Kiata and Salisbury areas. However, it remains endangered.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham copper butterfly, sweet bursaria

Sir Reginald Alexander Dallas Brooks (1896–1966), State Governor of Victoria 1949 - 1963 was the Patron of the Mission and guest speaker at a special fundraising dinner held to commemorate the centenary of a mission to seamen in Victoria. The image depicts the State Governor flanked by Archbishop of Melbourne and E.B.Coles, Chairman of the Mission, presenting a cheque as donation, at the centenary dinner. The photograph was published in the 1956 Annual Report (page 5).The Centenary dinner held in 1956 marked a key milestone in the maintenance of services to seafarers in Victoria. The State Governor presence as special guest and speaker helped to launch a key fundraising drive that was much needed.large rectangular b/w photograph in landscape format depicting three men on the left a clergyman, centre a man with a moustache in a dark suit and on right man in a light suit and wearing spectacles seems to be presenting a cheque.mission to seafarers, donors, state governors, sir reginald alexander dallas brooks, centenary, 1956, e.b. coles, centanery appeal, g.j. coles, ship model, flag, microphone, radio, radio 3xy

Sir Reginald Alexander Dallas Brooks (1896–1966), State Governor of Victoria 1949 - 1963 was the Patron of the Mission and guest speaker at a special fundraising dinner held to commemorate the centenary of a mission to seamen in Victoria. The image depicts the State Governor flanked by Archbishop of Melbourne and E.B.Coles, Chairman of the Mission, presenting a cheque as donation, at the centenary dinner. The photograph was published in the 1956 Annual Report (page 5).The Centenary dinner held in 1956 marked a key milestone in the maintenance of services to seafarers in Victoria. The State Governor presence as special guest and speaker helped to launch a key fundraising drive that was much needed.large rectangular b/w photograph in landscape format depicting three men on the left a clergyman, centre a man with a moustache in a dark suit and on right man in a light suit and wearing spectacles seems to be presenting a cheque.mission to seafarers, donors, state governors, sir reginald alexander dallas brooks, centenary, 1956, e.b. coles, centanery appeal, g.j. coles, the hotel australia, microphone, radio 3xy

Sir Reginald Alexander Dallas Brooks (1896–1966), State Governor of Victoria 1949 - 1963 was the Patron of the Mission and guest speaker at a special fundraising dinner held to commemorate the centenary of a mission to seamen in Victoria. The image depicts the State Governor flanked by Archbishop of Melbourne and E.B.Coles, Chairman of the Mission, presenting a cheque as donation, at the centenary dinner. The photograph was published in the 1956 Annual Report (page 5).The Centenary dinner held in 1956 marked a key milestone in the maintenance of services to seafarers in Victoria. The State Governor presence as special guest and speaker helped to launch a key fundraising drive that was much needed.large rectangular b/w photograph in landscape format depicting three men on the left a clergyman, centre a man with a moustache in a dark suit and on right man in a light suit and wearing spectacles seems to be presenting a cheque.mission to seafarers, donors, state governors, sir reginald alexander dallas brooks, centenary, 1956, e.b. coles, centanery appeal, g.j. coles, microphone, radio 3xy

Sir Reginald Alexander Dallas Brooks (1896–1966), State Governor of Victoria 1949 - 1963 was the Patron of the Mission and guest speaker at a special fundraising dinner held to commemorate the centenary of a mission to seamen in Victoria. The image depicts the State Governor flanked by Archbishop of Melbourne and E.B.Coles, Chairman of the Mission, presenting a cheque as donation, at the centenary dinner. The photograph was published in the 1956 Annual Report (page 5).The Centenary dinner held in 1956 marked a key milestone in the maintenance of services to seafarers in Victoria. The State Governor presence as special guest and speaker helped to launch a key fundraising drive that was much needed.large rectangular b/w photograph in landscape format depicting three men on the left a clergyman, centre a man with a moustache in a dark suit and on right man in a light suit and wearing spectacles seems to be presenting a cheque.mission to seafarers, donors, state governors, sir reginald alexander dallas brooks, centenary, 1956, e.b. coles, centanery appeal, g.j. coles

Appeal poster for people to include a bequest to the RVIB in their wills. It features a kneeling boy, holding flowers, with his eyes partially closed and dressed in a jacket and short pants. At the base of the poster is written: Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, 557 St Kilda Road, Prahran, Phone 5113811 yellow and grey poster with red, white and black text with grey illustrationWhen you make or amend your Will include a Bequest to HELP the Blind Babies and Children of Victoria ...royal victorian institute for the blind, fundraising

President's overview of the year including: the rationale behind dogs being on loan rather than owned, court case regarding ownership, issues around qualification of disability, an overview of puppy boarders and school experience program, four Queensland graduates, Charity Golf Day, fundraising results from Open Days, reproduced letters of appreciation, the work in the craft centre, appeal for opportunities for speaking engagements, two dog anecdotes from trainers, Phyllis Gration remembers the personalities of the various Lady Nell's she has owned over the year and recounts some experiences, the loan of seeing eye dogs by TV shows 'Stingers' and "Blue Heelers", closure of hostel, audit reports, ways to help, when in the company of a blind person, facts about and history of Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog school, and profile of Phyllis Gration.1 volume with text and illustrationsannual reports, lady nell seeing eye dog school, phyllis gration, amanda jones, tom maddern, maria lewis, lesley marsh, wally waterhouse, bill watson, robert darnley, russell willis, warren ryan