Page 1 article about the laying of the foundation stone for the Baby Health Centre by the Governor of Victoria (Sir Dallas Brooks) on Friday, November 24, 1950 (including photograph of Sir Dallas Brooks laying the stone) History of the War Memorial Following the end of the First World War, communities across Victoria and Australia typically erected memorials which were predominantly statues, cenotaphs, avenues of honour and plaques. The Shire of Eltham established the Avenue of Honour at the gateway to the shire as well as an obelisk at the corner of Main Road and Bridge street and the Shire of Eltham War Memorial Tower at Kangaroo Ground. After the Second World War communities once again desired to preserve the memories of those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Resources were scarce so there was a transition away from the traditional style memorials that sprang up post 1918 to one of building facilities that would provide ongoing benefit to the community. Even before the end of the Second World War, the citizens of Eltham began to consider an appropriate form of memorial for those from the area who fought and died in the First and Second World Wars. In 1943 the Eltham Women’s Auxiliary raised funds for the construction of buildings to be established on land to be purchased for the proposed War Memorial. On March 27th, 1945, the Eltham District Progress Association called a meeting of local people who in turn set up and registered the Eltham War Memorial Trust Inc. As a focus for the purpose of the memorial, the newspaper notice read:- ‘Those who have had a member of their family in the fighting services will want to see that the form of a memorial we are concerned with is the one which will be a constant reminder to us of those who fought for us and the little ones for whom they fought and died.’ At that meeting it was decided the Memorial should take the form of a baby health centre along with a creche and children’s library. In late 1945, the newly formed Eltham War Memorial Trust purchased the land at 903-907 Main Road Eltham from Miss Shillinglaw, which once formed part of the Shillinglaw farm on Lot 90 of Holloway’s 1851 “Little Eltham” subdivision. The Governor of Victoria, General Sir Dallas Brooks, laid the foundation stone on November 24th, 1950, in memory of those who fell in the Second World War. The Eltham Infant Welfare Centre was opened November 15th, 1952, the Pre-school on December 1st, 1956, and the Children’s Library in 1961. In late 1966 the children’s library service was integrated into the Heideberg Regional Library Service and the building was officially renamed the Eltham War Memorial Hall. Following the opening of the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, work began in 1953 planning for the entrance to the grounds, which is signaled by a wrought iron arch entitled “Eltham War Memorial” . In 1954 the Eltham War Memorial Trust decided that a legacy provided by the late Councillor Ernest James Andrew (d. 29 March 1950) in memory of his wife, Mrs. Ellen Andrew (d. 13 July 1946) and who are both buried at Eltham Cemetery, should be used to fund the construction of the entrance. A metal plate inscribed to this effect was attached to the gates. Work on the Memorial Gardens was undertaken throughout the following decade, with a Memorial Forecourt included in the final 1956 plans for the Pre-School Centre. A quote was accepted by the Trust in 1963 for the implementation of a memorial garden, which included grading of a sixty-five foot strip at the rear of the Trust buildings and construction of concrete paths. The stone retaining walls at the front of the site were installed in 1968 when Main Road was widened and it is believed that the Memorial Gates were relocated at that time also. Eltham Senior Citizens Centre In 1964, Eltham Shire Council purchased a section of land from the Trust at the northern end of the site, as a provision for Country Fire Authority buildings. At the same time the Elderly Citizens Club proposed a Senior Citizens Centre on the south western section of the Trust’s property. This was approved by the Trust with the provision that the building was constructed in ‘accord’ with those already existing. In 1965 Council took on board the plans for the Senior Citizens Centre and applied for a government grant. These could only be awarded if Council owned the site. In 1962 the Trust had resolved to hand over the assets to Council once the Memorial Gardens were completed. This was in line with Health Department requirements that grants for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the three facilities would only be made once the the facilities were completed and handed over to Council. In 1965 the Department of Health further demanded substantial alterations to the Pre-School playground as a result of the pending impact of the planned Senior Citizens Centre and Main Road duplication. As a consequence, handover of the Trust’s assets to Council was initiated with a formal ceremony held in the Children’s Library on August 28th, 1965. The Trust continued on as a committee of management for another twelve months. Plans and specifications for the Senior Citizens Centre were prepared by March 1966. Council obtained a grant from the Government which covered one third of the cost and the building was completed by April 1967. Whilst the Senior Citizens Centre is contained within the original Eltham War Memorial building precinct, it was not part of the original Memorial and was not funded by the Eltham War Memorial Trust.Newspaper Broadsheet, 8 pageseltham children's library, eltham infant welfare centre, eltham pre-school, eltham war memorial hall, eltham war memorial trust, women's auxiliary

From Weekly Times (Melbourne), 30 January 1926, p. 8. Caption reads "New Teachers' president: Mr J. Stewart, the new president of the School Teachers' Union. He is the headmaster of the Eltham State School". John Stewart was principal 1924-1934.Newspaper clippingeltham primary school, state school no. 209, eltham state school, headmaster, john stewart

Folder Contents: 1. Program (A4 Trifold double sided) - 1997 Eltham Festival, 7, 8 & 9th November 2. Newsclipping: Festival reverts to its original name, Diamond Valley News, 21 May 1997 3. Eltham Festival returns, The Advertiser, Tuesday, May 20. 1997, p3 4. Festival funding down by $30,000, unidentified paper, 1997 (Also includes story "Play but no school" re fundraiser for Challenger St Pre-School at Diamond Creek held in the Diamond Creek Community Centre.. On reverse - "Bridges to be upgraded" by Laeta Antonysen regarding replacement of dilapidated bridges in Gipson Street, Diamond Creek)Miscellanous documents and newspaper clippings1997, eltham festival, program, challenger st pre-school, diamond creek community centre, george sartels, play school (tv show), bridge construction, gipston street, diamond creek

Gary Stranks won the prize for boy, 4 years and under with a fancy dress costume of a rubbish bin.Digital file only scanned by EDHS from item on loanaileen jackson, cathie law, cr. g.c. dreverman, dale baxter, david stewart, eltham east primary school, eltham high school, gary stranks, glenn teagle, karen vicars, kelly teagle, mark baxter, martin kluster, mick blake, mrs. dreverman, natalie law, paul anderson, sonia law, tania warwick, vicki jackson, wendy cripps

Article about Tony Ghosthawk a full-blood native of the Santee Sioux tribe from South Dakota who has been living at Yarrambat and touring schools and Victorian communities showcasing his native-style music, dance and culture. Photograph includes friends, Carol Bodin, Sue Nolan and Steve Stranks.Digital file only scanned by EDHS from item on loancarol bodin, pow-wow, santee sioux tribe, south dakota, steven stranks, sue nolan, tony ghosthawk