This historic site of Australia’s first open-air gallery is being redeveloped in 2023 for multi-housing fronting the Research Creek. In 1955, Ian and Joan Hassall moved to Eltham. They took a property on the corner of Zig Zag Road and Main Road, Eltham, north of the township (later known as 1215 Main Road). In July 1962, they opened their open-air gallery. Hassall’s Roadside Galley, “…cradled in the fold of hills to the north of Eltham” inspired by Ian’s own experience of exhibitions along the Embankment in London. The property included remnants of a stone quarry, paintings were hung on screens and removed at night. Various pedestals, that looked like giant mushrooms displayed sculpture, pottery, and jewellery. It had a small natural amphitheatre at the foot of a little sandstone cliff that fall away to the bed of a stream. To enter the gallery, a visitor crossed a small freestone bridge of oriental design, built by Hassall from local stone. The bridge spanned the stream flowing beneath great willow trees. Near the entrance wooden figures were displayed formed from pieces of local wood, said to speak to Ian Hassall’s sense of fun. Hassall’s Gallery was the first gallery of its kind in Australia. Ian became a full-time artist and when it first opened, he exhibited paintings he had made while touring the outback with writer and fellow Eltham resident Alan Marshall. He also exhibited other Australian artists over time including locals Lindsay Edward and Peter Glass.daryl morrow collection, eltham heights luxury living, hassalls roadside gallery, housing development, real estate development, research creek, 2023-07-10

This historic site of Australia’s first open-air gallery is being redeveloped in 2023 for multi-housing fronting the Research Creek. In 1955, Ian and Joan Hassall moved to Eltham. They took a property on the corner of Zig Zag Road and Main Road, Eltham, north of the township (later known as 1215 Main Road). In July 1962, they opened their open-air gallery. Hassall’s Roadside Galley, “…cradled in the fold of hills to the north of Eltham” inspired by Ian’s own experience of exhibitions along the Embankment in London. The property included remnants of a stone quarry, paintings were hung on screens and removed at night. Various pedestals, that looked like giant mushrooms displayed sculpture, pottery, and jewellery. It had a small natural amphitheatre at the foot of a little sandstone cliff that fall away to the bed of a stream. To enter the gallery, a visitor crossed a small freestone bridge of oriental design, built by Hassall from local stone. The bridge spanned the stream flowing beneath great willow trees. Near the entrance wooden figures were displayed formed from pieces of local wood, said to speak to Ian Hassall’s sense of fun. Hassall’s Gallery was the first gallery of its kind in Australia. Ian became a full-time artist and when it first opened, he exhibited paintings he had made while touring the outback with writer and fellow Eltham resident Alan Marshall. He also exhibited other Australian artists over time including locals Lindsay Edward and Peter Glass.daryl morrow collection, eltham heights luxury living, hassalls roadside gallery, housing development, real estate development, research creek, 2023-07-13

Shire of Eltham Archives: Series 69, Item 5 Video opens with panning view of completed kinder from Frank Street followed by images of the centre under construction then opening day speeches. Introduction and welcome by Mandy Press (Executive Officer, Shire of Eltham) with speeches by the Hon. Pauline Toner, Member for Eltham and Shire president, Cr. Alan Baker. The Hon. Pauline Toner acknowledged Shire President Alan Baker and her parliamentary colleagues Vin Heffernan, Neil Brown and Bob Halderson and Councillors; three levels of Government which led to the achievement of the kinder, and gave special thanks to the Council and parents for the forward planning to accommodate children from babyhood to school with childcare, kinder and baby health facilities all combined in one facility in the middle of parkland in a residential area. Shire President Cr Alan Baker then followed to formally open the centre. The site had been identified in early 1985 at that stage only as a pre-school but with an opportunity to develop, the additional services were driven by Cr Baker. Though a very long name, its simple message is "Care for Kids." Designed by architect Neil Biggins of Clark, Hopkins and Clark. Cr Baker stated that the theme of "people living in the environment" was very much encapsulated by the facility. Cr Baker informed that the construction of the facility had led to some concerns with a reduction in open space and potential traffic generated to the facility and those users of the facility were asked to ensure their use is sensitive to the local residents. Cr Baker talked about the financial costs and how the Federal grant funding was no longer as plentiful as previous and that the Victorian Government had come to the assistance thanks to Pauline Toner covering some other costs as well as the ongoing running costs of around $40,000. The Federal Government contributed $233,000 out of a childcare component rather than preschool. Cr Baker thanked Mandy Press again as well as Shire Engineer, John Stanton. Cr Baker also acknowledged Ed Latanzio who was in charge of the project, along with his colleague Alan Lansdowne; Gary Bartlett and his team for the exterior surroundings to the facility. He mentioned that Neil Biggins the architect had said not many Shire Councils show the same commitment to the exterior surroundings as the interior which was a credit to the Council and Gary Bartlett. He also thanked Bev Vern, Council's preschool advisor who assisted in developing the programs; Grant Roberts from Federal Office of Childcare for assisting the Cooperative in setting up the funding program; the builders George Takola and George Apted; Michelle Matello who undertook the needs analysis that identified another preschool was required; Cathy King who assisted in the development of the childcare program; Pat Grundy and Susan Forbes, Council officers who assisted with the development of the services and the members of the preschool committee. In addition, local residents and in particular Helen, Peter and Chris who advised Council of their concerns and worked with Council to overcome these issues; members of the Interim Steering Committee and the Directors of the Childcare Co-op. Cr Baker stated that the Co-op nature of the facility and the location of the three services under one roof was unique and the task of the programs was to be led by Annie, Dianne and Lynn Afternoon tea and activities followed the unveiling of the plaque. The video shows some of the children's entertainment and their engagement as well as interior and exterior views.VHS Video cassette Converted to MP4 file format 00:26:02; 302MBshire of eltham, video recording, shire of eltham archives, eltham shire council, alan lansdowne, bev vern, bob halderson, cathy king, clark hopkins and clark, councillors, cr. alan baker, ed latanzio, eltham, eltham woods childcare co-operative, federal government, federal office of childcare, frank street, gary bartlett, george apted, george takola, grant roberts, john stanton, mandy press, michelle matello, neil biggins, neil brown, pat grundy, pauline toner, people living in the environment, susan forbes, victorian government, vin heffernan

Hand coloured photo of two young ladies. 1. Lady standing in long brown dress, white lace collar, pink bow, gold broch, blue eyes, fair hair clipped up in bun with red leaf in hair. 2. Lady sitting, in long brown dress, white lace collar, orange neck band, orange broach, blue bow. Green bush and ferns in background.Alans Studio. 318 Smith street. Collingwood. All kinds of photography excuted in best style.person, group, portrait

Alan J. McConchie, a manufacturer’s agent, was elected to Kew Council in 1924, serving as a councillor for 21 years. He was elected Mayor of Kew in 1927-28, and again in 1945-46. During his second term as Mayor, he gained the support of Council for a pre-school plan which was the first of its kind in Victoria. The scheme established nursery schools and kindergartens as an extension of the existing baby health centres. Alan McConchie was active in Methodist Church work, and was one of the founders of the East Kew church, of which he was a trustee for 29 years. He was well known in the district as a cricketer and was a founder and past president of the East Kew Bowling Club. A Resident of Strathalbyn Street, he died in 1945 aged 60, while attending morning service at the East Kew Methodist Church. He is buried in the Burwood Cemetery. Handmade illuminated invitation to a notable Kew Mayor and MayoressAn illuminated invitation sent to the Mayor and Mayoress of Kew, Cr. and Mrs. McConchie, by a Citizens Committee to a Ball in the Kew Recreation Hall on 26 July 1928. The double page invitation is encased in an embossed maroon leather cover. The invitation was donated to the Society by a descendant of the McConchies in 2014.Inscription Cover: "To Councillor A.J. McConchie and Mrs McConchie". Inside cover in watercolour: "The Chairman Councillor George Ramsay and Members of the Citizens Committee desire the honor of the Company of HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR OF KEW AND MRS. McCONCHIE at a BALL to be held in the Kew Recreation Hall Tuesday 26th July 1928 at 8 P.M. Tendered to them as a mark of recognition of the services rendered to the City during their Mayoral Year 1927".cr. a. j. mcconchie, mayor of kew (1927-28, 1945-46)

Covered under National Trust of Australia (Victoria) State Significance and Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p103 The Eltham railway trestle bridge is the only one of its kind still regularly used in Melbourne’s metropolitan railway network. Opened in 1902, it is also one of Victoria’s very few timber rail bridges that still carries trains.1 The bridge is part of the railway line extension from Heidelberg - extended to Hurstbridge in 1912. This extension resulted in one of the greatest social changes experienced in Eltham Shire, as it considerably lessened its isolation attracting tourists, artists and suburban commuters particularly after World War Two.2 The bridge has been classified by the National Trust as historically, scientifically, aesthetically and socially significant at state level. But this has not always been recognised, and in 1977, locals fought to save it from destruction. The Victorian Railways proposed to replace the bridge with an earth embankment and large culverts to avoid maintenance problems and fire. This was rejected by the Eltham Council who protested that the bridge helped maintain the area’s rural character, historic link and beauty, as well as avoiding possible serious flooding on the flood plain if a culvert was blocked. The bridge stands as part of a National Trust classified landscape which includes the Alistair Knox Park, named after the local conservationist and architect who helped to make Eltham famous for its mud-brick houses. The landscape includes tall and spreading manna gums and candlebarks, and the historic Shillinglaw Cottage. Artist Walter Withers, one of the Heidelberg School of painters, painted the bridge early in the 20th century. The 38 span single-track railway bridge over creek and road has 34 timber-beam spans and four steel-joist spans, supported by four-pile timber piers and timber abutments. It has almost 200m of timber deck. All of the timbers have been replaced over the years, but the only change to the bridge’s character was the addition of pylons and wiring for electric trains in 1923. A petition for a railway to the shire was first made in 1883. A large deputation of local citizens to the Commissioner of Railways proposed a route passing through Alphington to midway between Greensborough and Eltham up the Diamond Creek valley towards Queenstown and Kinglake. As a result the Princes Bridge-Heidelberg Railway was opened in 1888. From 1888 locals demanded a railway extension. Kangaroo Ground farmers in particular, led by Shire Councillor and Member for Evelyn, Ewen Cameron, said it would assist local farmers and orchardists send their produce to the Melbourne market. In 1890, before the severe economic Depression, an extension of the line to Hurst’s Bridge (now Hurstbridge) was included in a new Railways Bill. The parliamentary delegations were regaled with a banquet at Hurst’s barn and entertained by the Diamond Creek Brass Band, but the extension was abandoned when the Depression struck in 1892-1893. The extension of the railway to Eltham, completed in 1902, was one of the few built in those hard times. That is why the Eltham timber-trestle railway bridge is a rare example of a broad-gauge rail bridge constructed between 1893 and 1910. At the opening, despite persistent drizzle, 300 children waving flags and banners were among the large crowd welcoming the first train, carrying official dignitaries, to Eltham. It had taken 24 years to bring the railway to Eltham. From then Eltham became a popular destination for outings. Mr Orford of Eltham recalled that after the railway came to Eltham ‘the craze for picnics on weekends and holidays began…. During the wattle season, wattle trains came to Eltham frequently. The visitors roamed the creek pulling great armfuls of wattle blossom to take back with them to Melbourne’.3 In 1926 the railway line was electrified as part of the metropolitan rail network. But the Victorian Railways decided not to complete the formerly planned Diamond Valley Railway to Queenstown (now St Andrews) and Kinglake.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 railway trestle bridge, eltham trestle bridge

Built in 1953, the Rice House was leading Melbourne architect Kevin Borland's first commssion and was one of two houses of its kind. The design of the shell-like structure was inspired by the Arch of Ctesiphon, built in the second century south of Baghdad. Cement with a waterproofing agent was applied in layers to a form of regularly spaced timber arches covered in hessian. This ctesiphon system was developed in the United Kingdom by engineer J.H. de Waller in 1947. Commissioned in 1951 by Harrie and Lorna Rice, after Harrie, then an art student, met Borland at The Age Small Homes Service. Borland suggested they buy land in Eltham because at that time it was the only council in Melbourne that would grant a permit for such an innovative house. Covered under Victorian Heritage. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p157 Inspired by an ancient arch in Iraq, a house stands on top of a hill in a private position, off Ryans Road, Eltham. One of only two houses of its kind, it was leading Melbourne architect Kevin Borland’s first commissioned house, which he built in 1953. The shell-like structure, partially screened by giant trees and cacti, was inspired by the Arch of Ctesiphon south of Baghdad, built in the second century.1 Cement with a waterproofing agent was applied in layers to a form of regularly spaced timber arches tightly covered by hessian. This ctesiphon system was developed in the United Kingdom by engineer J H de Waller in 1947. This house was the first of three such structures built in Victoria, of which only one other remains, although substantially altered.2 It is the Wood House and supermarket, at the corner of Cleveland Road and High Street Road, Ashwood, designed by Robin Boyd in 1952. The Rice House demonstrates Kevin Borland’s innovative and experimental work. It is an outstanding example of the post-war period of experimentation in domestic architecture in Melbourne – by Robin Boyd, Kevin Borland and others – for The Age Small Homes Service from 1947 to 1953. This was partly an expression of late-Modernism and also necessitated by the post-war shortage of building materials. In Eltham, the post-war shortage of building materials largely resulted in mud-brick houses. Examples of Borland’s public work include contributions to the Olympic Swimming Pool in Melbourne and the Preshil Junior School in Kew. After more than 50 years of living in the house, Harrie and Lorna Rice still love it. Facing north-east with large windows overlooking the garden and two courtyards, it is well lit and benefits from a through breeze. The couple commissioned the extraordinary house after Harrie, then an art student, met Borland in 1951 at The Age Small Homes Service. Harrie was so impressed by the recently graduated Borland’s enthusiasm, that he asked him to design them an interesting house for a low budget.3 The unusual design presented several hurdles for the young couple before they could construct it. Borland suggested that they buy land in Eltham, because at that time it had the only council in Melbourne that would allow such an innovative house. Another hurdle was to gain finance for this remarkable house. The State Savings Bank Manager refused finance on the grounds that it was ‘unliveable’ and a ‘disgrace’. Fortunately, through a family connection, the couple borrowed money from the National Bank. But they discovered years later, that the bank’s evaluation stated the two ‘concrete sheds’ were of no value!4 The house built in off-white concrete, consists of two sections. The main house has four arches supported by brick and concrete walls that create a series of inter-connected rooms. Inside, the ceiling follows the roofline. Originally this section was only ten square metres, because of building restrictions at the time. But in 1973 Borland added two rooms and a carport. The second structure of two arches was originally a garage and a studio for art teacher Harrie Rice. To accommodate the growing family, in the mid 1950s, Borland converted the second structure into two children’s bedrooms, a kitchenette, a bathroom and a living room. The two structures were originally linked by a covered way of suspended draped-concrete, but this collapsed in the 1980s. The design has several maintenance problems. Cracks developed where two halves of the shells were joined. Then the material sprayed over the cracks became brittle, causing leaks. Fortunately Harrie found another material he could use. The valleys between the arches collect water, requiring annual painting with a waterproof material to prevent leaking. Lorna framed the house with native and exotic plants, which provide privacy and as a bonus, the garden attracted the rare Eltham Copper Butterfly.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, rice house, ryans road