TOM COLLINS–from the reel to reel tape recording at Melton 1969 In the years between 1890 and to about 1913 Melton was a quiet little hamlet alongside the Toolern Creek, once called the Pennyroyal Creek, 24 miles from Melbourne on the Ballarat Road. There was a fair amount of woodland left around it, mostly grey and yellow box with sheoak, and golden wattle, which in spring time made a rather attractive setting. Most of the premises were in the main or High Street, with its line of elm and pepper trees on each side. Unitt, McKenzie and Henry streets each contained only a few dwellings. Hotels were four in number, Minns’s, Mrs Hay licencee, now Mac’s, Golden Fleece – Sheblers. The Royal or Ryan’s as it was then called, later Graham had the licence, and the Raglan - Kilpatricks had the licence and afterwards Tom Manning. This was situated about where Mr K. Young had his residence. There was a store attached to the hotel until about 1900. Both the Royal and the Raglan were delicensed, later on the Royal being converted to a green grocery and a boarding house, the Raglan was demolished. The Royal green grocery and boarding house was kept by E Carew and after he retired, E Radford. The Post and Telegraph Office was on the opposite side of the street to the Raglan Hotel about two doors west of the Shire Hall and was kept by Mrs Ferris and Lady Farmer until her retirement, when it was carried on by Miss Lottie Ross. A store was attached to the Post Office and was sometimes used as a store and at one time housed the National Bank. There were two full time banks at Melton, the other being the Commercial which built premises about 1904 and on the corner of High and Smith Streets, which it still occupies. Mr G Egan was the manager of the Commercial and Mr Stradling and later Mr Lee of the National. However as business was not thought good enough they reverted to a part time branch operated from Bacchus Marsh. Grocer shops were Chalmers, with a news agency and drapery now Arnolds, Jongebloeds had the bakery. Mr Fox also a produce merchant, was where Melton Real Estate is now, it was later occupied by Buchanans, Atleys, and Mrs Ross. Not long after the War Mrs Ross built the Post Office, since demolished where Miss Lottie Ross was the Post Mistress and later built the store which she conducted. It was later turned into a factory and in now the barbers shop. McNichols was just west of the Minns Hotel. He travelled as far a Ballan weekly, buying calves and dairy produce for sale in Melbourne. Afterwards he sold the business and bought Minns Hotel and changing the name to Macs. Blacksmiths were three in number. Blackwoods – later James Byrnes next door to Jongebloeds. Alex Cameron who learnt his trade with Blackwoods had his shop about the rear of where Ken Youngs Garage is now he later moved to the north west corner of High and Alexander Street. He was also the Registrar of Birth and Deaths and Electoral Registrar. After his retirement he was weighbridge keeper at Melton South. Two of his sons were engaged in the carpentry trade, but both died at an early age. Whittingtons shop was a few doors east of the Mechanics Hall and it was later occupied by Gordon Macdonald who did business there until about eight years ago. The butchers of the period were George Graham, that is where Mandy Lees hairdressing establishment is now. Euan MacDonald had premises later occupied by Whittingtons blacksmith shop. Later shifting next door. He left here about 1901, he slaughtererd animals at a slaughter house right where Chas Jones now resides, it had previously been a slaughter house and butcher shop of that site. George Spring also operated as a butcher for two or three years about the 1900 or so. Ted Simpsons shop was where John Kontek now has his Estate Agency, he used it as an branch shop from Bacchus Marsh bringing meat from there by a two horse lorry. Jimmy Butler the manager was well known and loved, his son was later a steeplechase jockey. The Court House and Police Station would be built sometime before 1900. The Constables at the time were McGuire, later Wade, Riely and McKenzie after that Robert Wilson and Seinfort were here, they were a bit later on. The Mechanics Hall was first opened by Ryan of the Royal Hotel who sold it to the Hall Committee. It was on Unitt Street and it was moved by McLellans the house shifters from Unitt Street to its present site. Bluestone premises formerly occupied by the bootmaker Carew, were later demolished and replaced by the brick frontage to the Hall. Keith Orensini [?] the local bricklayer built brick portion to the Hall. In the cottage adjoining the Hall a Frenchman named Baudin, had a boot repairing business.This cottage was the later residence of J Hill, a local carpenter and builder from whom I learnt my trade. Granny Watts was the well known local nurse and operated the Mid-Wifery Hospital in Yuille Street on the Sherwin Street corner. Mrs Nissen was on the opposite side of Yuille Street a short distance nearer the township. She conducted the laundry. Carew had a greengrocers shop next door to the Post Office in the High Street for some time before transferring to the Royal Hotel site. He also bought [?] calves for killing. W Cecil was a tank maker and also had a produce round, he lived on Pyke and Sherwin Street. Later Gus Shebler, builder and carpenter engaged in tank making being well known for good workmanship. Shebler was very energetic in forming the Gun Club which met for a good number of years where the golf course now has its headquarters. Of the four churches only three are in use, Christ Church, Scots and St Dominics. The Methodist closed down but later transferred to Melton South. Monthly stock sales were held at the yards in Unitt Street at Minns Hotel by McPhail Auctioneers, later held by McCarthur and McLeod. After the Council built the pound and sale yards they transferred sales to these premises, but lack of patronage caused them to be abandoned. A familiar sight in the district was blind Bob Nixon, who lived in a tumbled down cottage in Centenary Road near W Coburns, being led by his dog down the road to Melton, that is Palmerston street, to the Post Office, butcher and baker for his supplies and then back home. He was able to do his own cooking and other chores. Sundays he would come down Raleighs Road to the back of the church and tie his dog to a tree. Someone, mostly one of the boys would guide him into the church and out again after the service, when the dog would lead him home again. State School 430, a two roomed bluestone building it was the only school in the district, none at Melton South. The nearest would be Rockbank and Toolern Vale. Scholars had a fair distance to walk in most cases. The teachers were Mr T Lang Headmaster. I put a query here, Miss Winters, I’m not certain of the name, Mrs Skinner and Miss Silke as Assistant Teachers. Miss Augusta Cecil and Miss Maud Lang were Junior teachers. One boy who attended the school about the turn of the century was Hector Fraser who resided with his parents in Keilor Road, where Jim Gillespie now lives. He was an excellent gun shot and at the age of about 17 years his father took him to France or Monaco where he won the Gran Prix for pigeon shooting and became the champion boy shot of the world. However he died there from pneumonia. He shot under the name of “Parvo”. The Melbourne Hunt Club used to meet in Keilor Road north side just east of the Toolern Creek on what was originally Pykes Run. This was also the place where the races were held and the Sports Meetings. Dave Murphy, employed at Clarke’s Rockbank Station usually provided the fox which he liberated for the Club. Greyhound coursing was usually held on Moylans property Mt Kororoit, or Mt Misery as it was known then. Later it was held at Melton Park, Mr Matt Carberry was the judge and Percy Cook the slipper. Early in the 1900’s the Recreation Park was created and the Caledonian and the ANA sports meetings were held there, they were annual events. L Paterson from Melton South was a successful competitor in all the cycling events as a young man. He later in life became the Deputy Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The present Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade is John Paterson, nephew of his, and spent his early life in Exford where his father was manager of the Exford Estate. Notes Tom Collins was born c 1895. He lived on the south side of the Ballarat Road near the intersection of Keilor Road.Historical image of Palmerston Street in Meltonlocal architecture, landscapes of significance

Colour slide of a legatee speaking at a Legacy ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance. One of the annual "Anzac Commemoration Ceremony for Students" events, held just prior to ANZAC Day. The ceremony provides a valuable opportunity for students to gain an appreciation of the Anzac spirit, the significance of the Shrine and the meaning of Anzac Day. The year is unknown but likely to be during the 1950s. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of a ceremony for school students at the Shrine run by Legacy for many years.Colour slide of a legatee speaking students at a ceremony at the Shrine in 1950sanzac commemoration for students, wreath laying ceremony

Colour slide of large number of toys collected for distribution. There were wooden rocking horses and planes. Also soft toys such as Humpty Dumpty, teddies and koalas. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The whiteboard of statistics show the scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of toys stacked on a table with a board of statistics, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal

Colour slide of large number of toys collected for distribution. There were wooden rocking horses, doll cribs and planes. Also soft toys such as Humpty Dumpty, teddies and koalas. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of toys stacked on a table, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal

Colour slide of large number of toys collected for distribution. There were wooden rocking horses and planes. Also soft toys such as Humpty Dumpty, teddies and koalas. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of toys stacked on a table with a board of statistics, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.The board in the photo says 'These toys are distributed to the Legacy and Carry-On clubs. Any toys which are left over are distributed to at least a dozen other institutions.'toys, department of education, toy appeal

Colour slide of large number of toys collected for distribution and a legatee thanking a schoolgirl. There were wooden rocking horses and planes. Also soft toys such as Humpty Dumpty, teddies and koalas. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of a legatee thanking a school girl near a table stacked with toys, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.The board in the photo says 'These toys are distributed to the Legacy and Carry-On clubs. Any toys which are left over are distributed to at least a dozen other institutions.'toys, department of education, toy appeal

Colour slide of a toy display. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of a display of toys, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.The board in the photo says 'Creative toys serve as a wholesome outlet for the many fantasies that come into the young child's mind.'toys, department of education, toy appeal

Colour slide of toys displayed near a Christmas tree. Three legatees are talking to seated ladies. One of the legatees is Frank Doolan. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of legatees, a Christmas tree and toys, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal

Colour slide of two legatees and a school boy near a large number of toys collected for distribution. One man is Ivan Layton the CEO of Legacy for 30 years. There were wooden rocking horses and planes. Also soft toys such as Humpty Dumpty, teddies and koalas. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of two legatees thanking a school boy near a table stacked with toys, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.The board in the photo says 'These toys are distributed to the Legacy and Carry-On clubs. Any toys which are left over are distributed to at least a dozen other institutions.'toys, department of education, toy appeal

Colour slide of toys being packed into tea chests by Legatees. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of legatees packing toys into tea chests, a Christmas tree and toys, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal

Colour slide of school boys working on making toys in a school work room. There are stained glass windows on the right hand side. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys being made and donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of school boys near green workbenches, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal, school boys

Colour slide of school boys making toys in a school work room. There are coloured glass windows on the left hand side. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys being made and donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of school boys working at green workbenches, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal, school boys

Colour slide of school boys in a school work room where toys are being made. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys being made and donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of school boys sitting on workbenches, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal, school boys

Colour slide of school boys in white aprons in a school work room where toys are being made. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys being made and donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of school boys working at workbenches, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal, school boys

Colour slide of school boys in a school work room where toys are being made. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys being made and donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of school boys working at green workbenches, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal, school boys

Colour slide of four legatees loading toys onto a truck. They may have been collecting toys from a school. The truck could have been owned by one of the legatees and used for the collection. The sign on the side says 'Tendercut. The best meat you can buy'. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys being made and donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of four legatees loading toys into a truck with 'Tendercut' painted on the side, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal

Colour slide of school children packaging toy wooden planes in boxes. The toys were part of an arrangement with the Department of Education. Schools would produce the toys, often in wood work classes and they were donated to Legacy and Carry On. The toys were given to Junior Legatees at the Government House Christmas Party. Excess toys were passed to a dozen additional charities. The scheme started in 1949 and by 1962 over 8,200 toys were donated, from 201 schools. The total to that date was over 72,500 toys. It appears to be 1963 as there was space for the tally to be completed. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of toys being made and donated to Legacy in the 1960s.Colour slide of six school children working at packaging toys at a desk, in a white plastic mount and grey mount on the reverse.toys, department of education, toy appeal, school boys, school girls

The cased Memorial Stone originates from Hellfire Pass, the name of a remote railway cutting on the former Burma (“Death”) Railway, in Thailand. It was a particularly difficult section of the line, which was built without appropriate tools, using the forced labour of Australian, and other allied Prisoners of War. Many men died during the building of the railway, 69 on the Hellfire Pass alone. Archibald Fredrick Roberts, one of the original 1923 schoolboys of Mentone Grammar, was taken prisoner by Japanese forces in 1942. Though he did not work on the railway, he died through malnutrition and forced labour in Ambon, 1945 and is remembered in our Avenue of Honour (Bayview Campus)

Eldest daughter of Edna and Bon Barrie, born on 03 November 1943 in Melbourne, Victoria, Memoirs of Wendy Barrie, recalling the early formative years of life in Melton: In 1949 I started school at Melton State School no 430 and was driven the 2½ miles to there by my parents at first. Later we walked home in the afternoons or were picked up by car as we made our way home along the Western Highway. In 1956 I went to Bacchus Marsh High School. There were 4 students in grade 6 and 3 of us went to the High School. The students from Melton, Melton South and Toolern Vale State Schools went by bus to Bacchus Marsh High School as far a fifth form. My parents drove me to the pick up point and during the five years of travel to High School. The bus travelled via Toolern Vale and later went through Exford and through Parwan. On the return journey in the afternoon the bus went in the reverse direction. The bridge at Exford was an old narrow wooden one, and the students had to get off the bus and walk across, with the driver crossing in the empty bus for safety reasons. There was a travelling allowance paid to parents and it was estimated from the distance the crow flies, a straight line. We lived a Ferris Lane, just where the Harness Racing entrance is now situated about 2 ½ miles by road to school too close to qualify for the subsidy. While at State School Melton we would walk home in a group with the Nixon and Gillespie children, along the main road over the bridge near the Shire Offices and down a hill. I was being dinked on Joyce Gillespie’s bike while holding onto the seat, toppled off the bike striking my chin and teeth on the bitumen and cracking my jaw. I was about 9 years old and stayed a couple of days in the Quamby Hospital in Bacchus Marsh, it seemed like and eternity at the time and quite traumatic being separated from my family. I can remember contemplating how I could get out of the window and run away but realised it was too far to walk home. Often we would cut across the Common on our way home from school picking up stray golf balls and collecting them from the creek when it dried out. We were warned about not accepting lifts from strangers passing along the Melbourne/ Ballarat Road. The only danger we faced was being swooped by the magpies particularly on the open ground on the Common. We were also fairly cautious when the Gypsies camped on the Common in the area just about opposite the small reservoir. “Mum” grandma Myers loved to have us call in on our way home, and usually would cut a slice of Jongebloed’s bread and spread it with home made butter. Sometimes we waited there until we were collected by car, usually driven by our mother. Margaret Nixon and Joyce Gillespie were a few grades ahead of me and Barbara Nixon was born just two months earlier than me. Our mothers were great friends for over 6o years, born in the same month three years apart. They lived within a few days of the same age as each other at the time their deaths. Dad and George Nixon attended Melton school at the same time. Sarah nee Hornbuckle Nixon and my grandfather Frederick Myers Snr were at school together at the same in the 1880s. The Nixon family lived in Keilor Road just past the Toolern Creek near the turnoff. Tom and Ann Collins lived on the southern side of the Western highway and Keilor road intersection. Jim and Ruby Gillespie’s house was further long Keilor road on the right. They backed onto the Myers who lived on the north side of Western Highway east of Myers Gully (Ryans Creek). The Bridge over the Toolern Creek as very narrow and as truck traffic increased there were accidents. One truck took out the side railing and plunged upside down into the bank and into the shallow water. Another fatal accident happened between a car and a truck right in front of the Myers house. Grandfather Fred had been a bike rider all his life, as far as the Riverina in his younger years, wryly made the comment about the drivers the speeding along the Ballarat Road were setting out to kill themselves. The road was busy particularly after the Races at Ballarat when the crowds were hurrying home to Melbourne. Train travel had changed very little from the time my mothers generation to mine. The timetable meant the usual rush to Melton South by bike in her case and if she was running late the train pulled up on the crossing. I was driven to the Station from home past Keith and Mary Gillespie’s house near the Ferris Road rail crossing to Bridge road to Melton South for the 7.32 train. While attending Sunshine High School in 1961 I would meet up with three other students, two of whom I knew from Bacchus Marsh High School days. We usually got into the same compartment on the train, it was a typical country train with a corridor along the side and compartments with a door, roof racks and sometimes heated metal containers for the feet in the winter. Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. The carriages had 1st and economy class compartments showing photographs of county scenes and holiday destinations. The engine was the large A class diesel. They are still running to Bacchus Marsh 50 years later, due to the need for the greatly increased number of commuters travelling to work in the city. Sometimes the carriages were pull by a Steam engine, these were a problem in the summer time because the sparks caused fires along the train lines and then quickly spread into the dry grass, crops and stubble. The Motor Train left Spencer Street at 4.23 pm and was the best train for me to catch. Ferris Road was a designated stop and train pulled up on the road crossing. It had steps at the door and rungs to hold while alighting to the ground. The ballast along the tracks was rough and uneven and awkward to land on. The train was painted blue and yellow with the letters VR pained on the front. This saved may parents the afternoon trip to collect me from the Station. On the walk home on the gravel road I would pass Uncle Tom and Aunty May’s house before reaching home. Melva Gillespie was studying at Sunshine Technical School and we sometimes both got off the train at the same time. On other occasions the Motor Train was replaced with a diesel engine with carriages, it was also required to stop and the driver had to be notified in advance. This meant getting into the guards van a Rockbank. It was more difficult alighting from the carriage as the gap was greater and more precarious to swing out and land on the ground. A few times in my last year of study at Melbourne Teachers College in Grattan Street Carlton. I managed to catch the 2.30 pm train to Serviceton, it was express to Melton and was very quick trip. The last train, was the 5.25 pm diesel to Ballarat and I usually caught this train to Melton South Station. On one occasion after being held up on the tram in Bourke street I had to make a mad dash to the platform chasing the train as it was just moving off and yelling to the guard, fortunately I was noticed and the train ground to halt. I scrambled into the end door and took most of the journey home to recover. After the last year at High School I continued to travel on the train, 2 years to Prahran Technical School changing at North Melbourne. There were a lot school children travelling to private schools and some at the primary level and mainly from Bacchus Marsh. Rockbank children also travelled by train from the beginning of their high school years, quite a few went to Sunshine High School. During my third year of teacher training I travelled to Flinders Street to RMIT for ceramics classes and Grattan St Teachers College located in the grounds of Melbourne University. There were many teachers being trained at the Secondary Teachers College due to the baby bulge creating a great shortage of teachers. Sunshine High School was very well represented amongst the different courses in Primary, Secondary and Art and Crafts. I attended Melbourne University lectures, studying a Fine Art subject. Bernard Smith was the most notable of the lecturers. he replaced Professor Joseph Bourke who had taken leave for the years. In 1962 he published the art book “Australian Painting”. The secondary art and craft student teachers from the College were in the majority, taking this subject and were well regarded due to their practical art and craft methods and their teaching round experience. In December 1964 I graduated as a Trained Secondary Teacher – Art and Crafts. The graduating ceremony was held at Wilson Hall. I received my appointment to work at Maryborough High School. Uncle Max and Aunty Rosemary Myers arranged my accommodation. Uncle Max was a teacher at the Maryborough Technical School fat the time. The appointment was suddenly changed when just before the school year was about to start when I received notification that I was now required to move to Warracknabeal High School. I was subject to a bond for the three years of training and three years of teaching and was under an obligation to comply with the directive of the Education Department. My father stood as guarantor when I was accepted as student at the Melbourne Teachers’ College, thus enabling me to receive my teacher training, and a 5 pounds a week allowance for expenses. After teaching for two years at Warracknabeal High School I was fortunate enough the gain a transfer to Sunshine West High School, returning to live at home in Melton and travelling by car to work with a fellow colleague, Jock Smith who lived at Station road Melton. I completed bond obligation and resigned at the end of the year. The employment regulations at that time did not allow the option of leave of absence for, indefinite overseas travel. I returned to Australia in October 1969. Visiting Arthur Hart the Principal of Sunshine High School he arranged with the Education Department for my re-employment at Sunshine High School until the end of the year. In 1970 I was transferred, and returned to Sunshine West High School where I worked for the next three years. In January 1968 I sailed on the “Oriana” to South Hampton with two teaching friends from Warracknabeal High School on a travelling and working holiday. Doreen Kiely, a former Bacchus Marsh High student and fellow train traveller from Bacchus Marsh, was already working in London, had arranged our accommodation at the London Travellers Club Hotel, Braham Gardens, Earls Court SW5. We based our stay at this address in London and travelled around Scotland, Ireland and England. In the summer we took a four month trip around the Continent and the Mediterranean. I registered with The Royal Borough Of Kingston Upon Thames as a Supply teacher, and worked at Chessington School form autumn to spring the following year and living with Mrs Rose Gillies at Kinross Avenue, Worcester Park, Surrey. In the spring of 1969 visiting Norway, Sweden and Finland joining an organised camping group to the Artic Circle, entered Russia at Leningrad (St Petersburg) Moscow, Minsk, to Poland and Czechoslovakia. In August returning to Worcester Park for the flight to Montreal to stay with cousin Lynette and husband Jurgen. A side trip was taken to Toronto, Niagara Falls and New York. The flight home from Montreal to Melbourne took 52 hours. A ½ day break in Vancouver before boarding the Qantas boeing 707 via San Francisco, Honolulu, Fiji, Sydney to Melbourne. Around the world in 21 months. Photographs of Wendy local identities

Memories of Train Travel compiled by Wendy Barrie 4/09/2013 Train travel had changed very little from the time my mothers generation to mine. The timetable meant the usual rush to Melton South by bike in her case and if she was running late the train pulled up on the crossing. I was driven to the Station from home past Keith and Mary Gillespie’s house near the Ferris Road rail crossing to Bridge road to Melton South for the 7.32 train. While attending Sunshine High School in 1961 I would meet up with three other students, two of whom I knew from Bacchus Marsh High School days. We usually got into the same compartment on the train, it was a typical country train with a corridor along the side and compartments with a door, roof racks and sometimes heated metal containers for the feet in the winter. Some of the trains came through from Horsham and Ballarat, and the Overland from Adelaide passed through in the evening, we could hear it in the distance from the Ferris Lane home. The carriages had 1st and economy class compartments showing photographs of county scenes and holiday destinations. The engine was the large A class diesel. They are still running to Bacchus Marsh 50 years later, due to the need for the greatly increased number of commuters travelling to work in the city. Sometimes the carriages were pull by a Steam engine, these were a problem in the summer time because the sparks caused fires along the train lines and then quickly spread into the dry grass, crops and stubble. The Motor Train left Spencer Street at 4.23 pm and was the best train for me to catch. Ferris Road was a designated stop and train pulled up on the road crossing. It had steps at the door and rungs to hold while alighting to the ground. The ballast along the tracks was rough and uneven and awkward to land on. The train was painted blue and yellow with the letters VR pained on the front. This saved may parents the afternoon trip to collect me from the Station. On the walk home on the gravel road I would pass Uncle Tom and Aunty May’s house before reaching home. Melva Gillespie was studying at Sunshine Technical School and we sometimes both got off the train at the same time. On other occasions the Motor Train was replaced with a diesel engine with carriages, it was also required to stop and the driver had to be notified in advance. This meant getting into the guards van a Rockbank. It was more difficult alighting from the carriage as the gap was greater and more precarious to swing out and land on the ground. A few times in my last year of study at Melbourne Teachers College in Grattan Street Carlton. I managed to catch the 2.30 pm train to Serviceton, it was express to Melton and was very quick trip. The last train, was the 5.25 pm diesel to Ballarat and I usually caught this train to Melton South Station. On one occasion after being held up on the tram in Bourke street I had to make a mad dash to the platform chasing the train as it was just moving off and yelling to the guard, fortunately I was noticed and the train ground to halt. I scrambled into the end door and took most of the journey home to recover. After the last year at High School I continued to travel on the train, 2 years to Prahran Technical School changing at North Melbourne. There were a lot school children travelling to private schools and some at the primary level and mainly from Bacchus Marsh. Rockbank children also travelled by train from the beginning of their high school years, quite a few went to Sunshine High School. Book provided a timetable and information about the stations the train travels to from Melbourne to Adelaide. transport

This cigarette case was owned by Kenneth Darnton Watson and carried into battle during World War I. Kenneth Darnton Watson was born at Bendigo on 24 May 1893 to George Darnton Watson and Adelaide Nora Holmes. He was educated at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, being selected as School Captain in 1913 and a member of the Head of the River rowing team. After finishing school, he worked as a jackaroo on Wanganella Station and later at Mt. Widderin, Skipton, Victoria. When WWI was declared, Kenneth enlisted and after initial training at Maribyrnong, Victoria he left Australia as 2nd Lieutenant with 7th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, to disembark at Plymouth on July 10, 1916. He took part in the Battles of Messines, Menin Road, Polygon Wood and Passchendaele Ridge in 1917. For his efforts in Passchendaele Ridge on 17th December he was awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty." In 1918 he took part in the Battles of Villers-Bretonneux, Hamel and Amiens. He returned to Australia in November 1919 and was discharged on 20th January 1920. In 1922, Kenneth Darnton Watson came to Wodonga where he purchased de Kerilleau, consisting of 2,500 acres, from Mr George Gordon. The two storey brick homestead had been built by William Huon in 1870. On 30th May 1924, he married Phyllis Emily Lenore Austin and they had four children, Ian Darnton 1925, Robert Darnton 1926 Rosemary McPherson 1929 and Faith Holmes 1931. On the land he worked hard, building fences, cattle, sheep and horse yards, and farmed Corriedale sheep, Shorthorn cattle and horses. Mr Watson was an innovative farmer, introducing modern methods of top dressing at de Kerilleau by means of an aircraft. He was also a dedicated community man. He was a member of both Albury and Wodonga Show Committees, Murray Valley Development League, No.1 Region, Graziers' Association of Southern Riverina, Albury Legacy Club, Wodonga RSL, and Wodonga Turf Club including terms as President on several of these organisations. Kenneth was also a Warden of St. Luke's Church of England, Wodonga. Kenneth served as Wodonga Shire President from 1929 to 1931, and was again elected to Council from 1943 to 1945. A most respected and valued member of the local community, Kenneth Darnton Watson died on the 4th of October 1951, aged 58. Lenore Watson lived at de Kerilleau until her death on 15th June 1984. Both are buried in Wodonga.This item is significant because it was owned by a decorated Australian serviceman and prominent member of the Wodonga community.A silver cigarette case owned by Kenneth Darnton Watson of Wodonga. The inside contains straps to hold the cigarettes in place. Both the front and back have been engraved.On front: KDW On back: 1919kenneth darnton watson, watson family wodonga, wodonga community members

A handbook is issued to all Legatees to assist them with their work with the legacy widows; eg childrens' education, welfare, accommodation, health. A quick easy guide to services provided by Melbourne Legacy such as bursaries, medical care, financial assistance etc for Legatees use. It was reissued annually for many years prior to keeping this information electronically. Many issues are held at 00305. Chapters of the book include the following, many of which are committees: Administration Anzac Day Observance Comradeship. 'Comradeship is an integral and important part of Legacy. This committee's function is primarily to arrange social and other activities which bring members together so that they become known to each other on an intimate and friendly basis; and so that when a member strikes a problem, he immediately knows with whom he might get into touch to discuss it in then spirit of mutual assistance.' Finance Huntingdale (Golf Club) Intermediate Legacy Liaison Personnel Committee Programme Committee Dealing with the Junior Legacy Committee: Boys' Group Camps and holidays Christmas party Contact Cultural and Library Dental Demonstration Education Employment Firewood Girls' Group Housing and accomodation Legal Longbank (holiday home for widows in need of a rest) Medical Newsletter Older widows Optometrists Pensions Probation Residences Special cases Welfare Appendix A Allowances for school requisites Appendix B Scholarships Appendix C Pensions / War widows pensions / Commonwealth widows pensions / Immediate assistance SCTF Appendix D Repatriation Department Appendix E Commonwealth Social Services Appendix F CWD - Children's Welfare Department Appendix G Hospital and medical benefits for Legacy Widows and their dependants Appendix H AMF Relief Trust Fund Appendix I SCTF - Services Canteen Trust Fund Appendix J Sir Samuel McCaughey Bequest Appendix K Various sources of assistance available (eg clothing, blankets, POW associations, RSL, conveyance allowances.)This booklet assisted legatees locating services available to widows and children from within Legacy or government departments.Cover, cardboard, colour pale yellow, pages paper, colour white. Black print. Corners of cover cut off at an angle.Melbourne Legacy, Legacy symbol, Handbook for Contactors, issued with Melbourne Legacy Diary 1960. regulations, objectives, rules, register

A press release from Melbourne Legacy in 1975 which relates the story of a junior legatee playing professional football. The information was intended to be used by press and magazines etc. The junior legatee is not named but it mentions he had a rough home life, then his father died and his siblings became State Wards. His father was a returned ex-serviceman and Legacy heard of the boy's situation and began regular visits to the family and gave not only advice but financial assistance as well, to try and provide a normal family life. The younger children were returned from state care. The future footballer endeavoured to rise above his background and on finishing school he wanted to apply for a job that called for honesty and integrity and involved responsibility for money. Thi family background was held against him until with the help of Legacy he won the day. Legacy helped provide appropriate clothing for his new position. Since then he has gone from strength to strength in his career and in his sport as well. 'Legacy has often been referred to as an organisation of human kindness'.A record of how Legacy promoted their work in the 1970s.Buff foolscap page x 2 with black type of a press release in 1975.Title 'Success through Legacy''press release, promotion, case studies

A class photo of a group of young legatees at a gymnastics class in Kew. There are 15 boys, of various ages, in gymnastics gear, and 4 men who are instructors and Legacy members. The caption says 'This photo was taken during school holidays, hence the small attendance. Front: Eddie Robertson, Sitting: Lohn LInton, Bob Bateson, Robin Broderick, Michael Johnson, Tom Olsen, Graeme Murray, Douglas Govey. Centre: Mr Tom Mann (instructor) Legatee HJ Martin, Legatee A R Beattie, Mr J Costello (Instructor). Back: John Barker, Kerry Wisdom, Garry Thomson, Gerald Brown, Rod MacKinnon, John Shaw, Graeme Withers. Legacy clubs ran classes for junior legatees for many years. It was part of providing for the children of their deceased comrades. The skills they learned were show cased in an annual demonstration usually at the Melbourne Town Hall. It appears to be photo taken professionally, as there are several photos of different classes (see 00862 - 00867) perhaps to record Legacy classes for promotion purposes.A record of a way Legacy provided classes for junior legatees.Black and white photo of Legacy boys posing for a class photo.Printed on the back 'Kew'. Stamped 'S5337/1--' and '531' in blue ink.junior legatee, boys' classes

Alice Watson studied at the Ballarat Technical Art School (at the School of Mines, Ballarat) from 1930 until 1933. Watson sat several departmental exams, including drawing and painting plant forms from nature, lettering, Composition of Form and Colour and advanced General Design, as well as dressmaking and embossed leatherwork. General Design examinations required only designs on paper, and not the full execution of an object (which was the case for Applied Design exams). Watson's folio applies many Australian native floral elements to design. Upon graduating, Watson taught at the Murtoa High School, living with her parents until their deaths in 1972 and 1988 when she was 74 years old. Alice Watson died in Ballarat, aged 95, having conserved her beautiful student folio, which was generously gifted to the Federation University permanent Historical Collection by the Watson family.Watercolour painting of a standing woman with short light brown hair, in a green striped sleeveless shirt, a dark green shorts, and green heels, she is at the beach and there are birds in the background.Watermark (1917 UNBLEACHED ARNOLD)alice watson, beach, cape, woman, ballarat technical art school, alumni

Compact Diskette - CD - plastic contained with in part clear, part black plastic case, titled "Generations Why Trams?" showing the preparation of two television commercials August 2007 and the final production. Has the Love Your Trams logo. Features a number of school children and Football and media celebrates. Film by Fletcher Films, Flash Advertising the Producers. Mini CD/DVD copied onto the AV file database.On rear in ink "East front / west is back"trams, tramways, yarra trams, compact disc cd, television celebrity, advertising