Part of a slide show presentation "A Trip Down the Diamond Creek" by Russell Yeoman to the Eltham District Historical Society meeting of 14 Nov. 200135mm colour positive transparency Mount - Black and Whiteart in public places, diamond creek, heidelberg school artists trail, public art, sign, may vale, the orchard

The Heidelberg School Artists' Trail extends from Heidelberg through Eltham and Warrandyte and to the Dandenongs. It features signs depicting paintings of artists in the location in which they were painted. Part of a slide show presentation "A Trip Down the Diamond Creek" by Russell Yeoman to the Eltham District Historical Society meeting of 14 Nov. 200135mm colour positive transparency Mount - Black and Whiteart in public places, diamond creek, heidelberg school artists trail, public art, sign, may vale, the orchard

Gift of anonymous donor, 1928

Jessie Partington was born at Willis Vale in 1911 and worked around the farm; when older she and her sisters had to deliver milk around the area from the farm dairy. Jessie attended Greensborough Primary School and from age 4 had piano and singing lessons. She had a beautiful voice, singing in church and choirs. This photograph shows the house 'Willis Vale'Digital copy of black and white photograph.jessie may partington, willis vale, partington family

Jessie Partington (on cow) (born 1911) and her mother Annie May Partington (nee Medhurst) at Willis ValeA pioneer Greensborough family.Digital copy of black and white photograph.jessie may partington, annie may medhurst, annie may partington, willis vale

Annie May Partington (nee Medhurst) with cows from the dairy at Willis Vale. Annie and Will ran about 30 cows and this photo is taken just up the rise from the cow sheds.Digital copy of black and white photographannie may partington, willis vale

The Heidelberg School Artists' Trail extends from Heidelberg through Eltham and Warrandyte and to the Dandenongs. It features signs depicting paintings of artists in the location in which they were painted. Transcription of sign: Jane Price is best known for her small moody impressionistic landscapes, many of which depict the rising moon and capture the softness of the evening twilight. In 1889, she shared a studio in Grosvenor Chambers, Collins Street east, Melbourne, with fellow Heidelberg School artists, Clara Southern and Jane Sutherland. She was also a close friend of Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin. Around the time of the First World War, and for several years after, she rented a ‘log cabin’ in Diamond Creek, and this was situated close to ‘The Shack’, the studio and home, of May Vale. Part of a slide show presentation "A Trip Down the Diamond Creek" by Russell Yeoman to the Eltham District Historical Society meeting of 14 Nov. 200135mm colour positive transparency Mount - Black and Whiteart in public places, diamond creek, heidelberg school artists trail, jane price, moonrise, public art, sign

Warrandyte artist, Clara Southern, features on the Artists Trail. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p189 Since early in the 20th century this district has attracted artists and other creative people. So much so, that Eltham has been compared to the Left Bank in Paris, New York’s Greenwich Village and London’s Bloomsbury. That is until the 1970s when Eltham rapidly expanded into a suburb. However many artists still flourish not only in Montsalvat, Dunmoochin and the Bend of Islands but elsewhere in Nillumbik. Some artists who have worked or lived in Nillumbik are well-known nationally and internationally. Artists are attracted to the hilly district’s subtle colours, unique light and the Yarra River and Diamond Creek. The railway’s extension to Eltham in 1902 brought artists to paint for the day or to camp. Then many settled in Eltham, perhaps also because the poor quality land, far from the city, was cheap. Following World War Two they found they could build houses and studios cheaply by making their own mud-bricks. The flexible material, with its warm tones blending into the bush, also satisfied their aesthetic sensibilities. As early as 1900, Will Longstaff, known for his painting The Ghosts of Menin Gate at the National War Memorial in Canberra, lived at Stanhope in Peter Street, Eltham, later to become the home of intellectuals Clem and Nina Christensen. Members of Australia’s first significant art movement, the Heidelberg School of Artists, painted in Eltham, Warrandyte and Diamond Creek. Walter Withers lived at the corner of Bolton and Brougham Street, Eltham and taught Sir Hans Heysen, who for a short while stayed with the Withers family. In Warrandyte were Clara Southern, whom Frederick McCubbin taught at the National Gallery School and Penleigh Boyd, who is represented in all Australian state galleries and the National Collection in Canberra. May Vale, daughter of politician William, lived in Diamond Creek. With Jane Price they feature on the Heidelberg School Artists Trail, part of which runs through Nillumbik. The trail includes signs each displaying a reproduction of a painting by an artist and located near where the artist lived or painted. In Nillumbik the trail includes parts of Warrandyte, Eltham in the Alistair Knox Park, Main Road shopping precinct and Wingrove Park, the Research walking track on Main Road and the Diamond Creek Reserve. In 1916 artist William ‘Jock’ Frater lived at the corner of Arthur and Bible Streets, Eltham. Before then, Frater, with other artists including Percy Leason (who moved to Eltham in the mid 1920s) painted in Eltham on weekends. They camped near Bible and Pitt Streets and along the Diamond Creek where the Eltham Retirement Centre now stands.4 In 1921, painter Peter Newbury (father to painter David Newbury, who was born in Eltham) moved to Cromwell Street, Eltham. Max Meldrum, the first Australian painter to formulate a consistent theory of art largely based on tone,5 taught local artists Alan Martin, Clarice Beckett, Peter Glass and Justus Jörgensen. Meldrum visited Eltham then rented a house there for 18 months opposite Wingrove Park. In 1934, artist and architect Justus Jörgensen and his doctor wife Lil and friends built Montsalvat, the artists’ colony. Montsalvat has played an important part in attracting artists to Eltham and its mud-brick, pisé, stone and recycled building materials has had a major influence on Eltham’s built environment. Jörgensen’s students who also helped him build Monstalvat included Arthur Munday, Lesley Sinclair, Helen Lempriere, Joe Hannan, Helen, Sonia and jeweller/sculptor, Matcham Skipper. Among artists who visited Montsalvat were Clifton Pugh and Angry Penguins’ artists Albert Tucker and Arthur Boyd. Some who painted after World War Two were Alan Martin of Eltham and Warrandyte artists Frank Crozier and Harry De Hartog6, one of Melbourne’s first painters influenced by Cubism.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, clara southern, main road, research (vic), heidelberg school artists trail

The building was designed by Charles Maplestone of Heidelberg, son-in-law to Anthony Beale of St Helena. Maplestone was a prominent architect who came out to Australia with his family in 1852. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Isabella Maplestone on 11th November 1867. The bricklayers for the church were George Stebbing, H Limmer, H Spicer and a Mr Timm while Thomas Day was the stonemason. Another three years were to pass before sufficient money could be raised for its completion. It was opened by Bishop Perry on 1st November, 1870. The church bell which hung under a tree for 50 years until it was incorporated in the parish hall was brought out from England and presented by Charles Orme. In 1916, the estate of George Martin Pizzey left sufficient money to build the red brick hall, which still stands today (2023) though in January 1969 the hall and bell tower were badly damaged by bushfire. Coincidentally the former home of benefactor, George Pizzey was destroyed in the same fire. Of particular significance are the interior and exterior of the church, the Sunday school and hall with emphasis on pre-World War I fabric (excluding the 1990s additions) and the three coloured glass windows currently suspended in the 1990s entry foyer. In 2011 further alterations were made to the front of the Church. The church is historically significant because it was the oldest public building in the former Diamond Valley Shire, is amongst the oldest buildings in the Shire of Nillumbik and is associated with the early settlement of the Diamond Creek district. The church is historically, socially and spiritually significant because it has been a place of worship for over 150 years and continues to be, an important meeting place in the Shire. The church is aesthetically significant for the three stained glass windows executed by the noted stained glass manufacturers, Ferguson & Urie, as well as the supporting coloured glass windows in the church. The Sunday school & parish hall is architecturally significant because the hall is a well executed and preserved example of the work of noted church architects, North & Williams. It is historically significant because it is connected with local parishioner and Melbourne industrialist, George Pizzey, who bequeathed funds for its construction. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Ntionl Trust of Australia (Victoria) Local significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p85 St John’s Anglican Church stands like a beacon on the hill on Main Street, Diamond Creek. Today the church has a large congregation, but its early years were marked by a small congregation struggling to find enough money to survive. It was gold in Diamond Creek that resulted in the building of this National Trust registered property.1 This church is far removed from William Wilson’s humble barn (later the Bowling Green) where the first Anglican church services were conducted – probably the first in the district.2 In the mid 19th century services were infrequent as the Rev Francis Hales, travelling on horseback, also conducted services elsewhere, including at Heidelberg, Coburg, Kinglake, Arthurs Creek, St Andrews and Kangaroo Ground. In 1860 Diamond Creek came under the jurisdiction of the Eltham Parish. Until the mid 1860s the Diamond Creek settlement included only about 20 families who were struggling farmers. But this changed when gold was found in 1862. Then the township grew to 200 families, including miners, civil administration workers and shopkeepers. The resulting growth of Church of England adherents prompted them to petition the Government in 1866 for land to build a church. The area chosen, on which the original building still stands, was at the centre of the proposed township. Today church leaders believe that this conspicuous location is one of the reasons for its exceptional growth. Prominent architect Charles Maplestone designed the building as he did the Presbyterian Church at Kangaroo Ground. St John’s, which is still intact, was built in the Gothic Revival style with the traditional rectangular plan of a central nave and sanctuary at the end. It is typical of small churches built in Victoria at that time, with polychromatic hand-made bricks, a porch, diagonal buttresses and a slate roof.3 The church was officially opened by Lord Bishop Perry on November 1, 1870. But during the next 40 years, due to the varying fortunes of gold mining, the church struggled to remain viable. In 1909 it separated from the Eltham Parish to form a parish with Greensborough. Life became more difficult with the privations of World War One. Then disaster struck in 1915 when fire destroyed the Diamond Creek Gold Mine, wiping out the major livelihood of most parishioners. However the church’s morale was lifted in 1916, when it received a bequest to build the red brick hall, from late parishioner and prominent leather manufacturer, George Pizzey. As prosperity grew, in 1924 the congregation separated from Greensborough, but they rejoined in the 1930s Depression. In the 1950s the wider population soared, impacting on St John’s, and it became a separate parish, becoming responsible for six churches at St Andrews, Hazel Glen, Hurstbridge, St Helena and Yarrambat. As parishioner numbers outgrew the building, extensions were added in 1989 and then in 1993, blending in well with the original building. Church members have made a huge contribution to the local community. John Ryan was a Heidelberg Shire Councillor for 25 years from 1931, Mayor in 1939 and headed several local sporting and other organisations. His son Jock became a clergyman and a local historian heading the Nillumbik Historical Society. Another parishioner, Dr Ted Cordner, came to Diamond Creek in 1920. One of his sons Donald, who was a local doctor, won the Brownlow Medal, was President of the Melbourne Cricket Club and President of the Melbourne Grammar School Council. Roy ‘Monty’ Vale was a state Liberal MP and was related to May Vale, a member of the Heidelberg School of Artists.4 In the early 21st century St John’s Anglican Church is one of the fastest growing congregations in Melbourne. References: St Johns Anglican Church complex, Sunday School and Parish Hall 61 Main Street DIAMOND CREEK, NILLUMBIK SHIRE. (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/64023 Diamond Creek, VIC. – St John’s Anglican (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://www.churchhistories.net.au/church-catalog/diamond-creek-vic-st-johns-anglican 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, st john's anglican church, diamond creek

HONOR BOARD Melton State School No 430 Supreme Sacrifice • BARRET, P Peter Maurice Barrett Number 5051 Rank: Private Unit: Private Date of death 18th August 1918 of wounds age 21 St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France Started school August 1904 5 years 10 months Previous school St Michaels Nth Melb Son of Maurice Barrett labourer Melton Brother of John Barrett • BLACK, William William M • EXELL, T S Number 2758 Rank: Trooper 3rd Battalion Imperial Camel Corps Date of death 30th November 1917 of wounds aged 20 years Cairo War Memorial Cemetery Egypt Started school September 1907 aged 10 Previous school Boisdale 3017 Son of George, farmer Melton Railway Station (Melton South) Year of 1918 • LANG, Horace Thomas Number 903 Rank: Corporal Unit: 24th Battalion Date of death: 5th May 1917. Court if enquiry confirmed Dec 1917. Aged 24 Date of birth 27th April 1893 Spring Hill – Kyneton Commemorated Villers-Bretonneux France Started school November 1997. Father: Thomas Lang Teacher Melton 430 Brother of Thomas Lang died 18th July 1918 buried Cairo • LANG, R William Roy Number 2818 Rank: Driver Unit: 1st Australian Light Horse Machine Gen Squadron Date of death 31st October 1917 of wounds Beersheba War Cemetery Israel Started school October 1899 Aged 9 Previous school Camperdown SS 114 Date of Birth: 24th Jan 1890 Son of William John and Mary Lang of Langlands Jandowae Queensland Nephew of Thomas Lang Melton • LANG, Thomas John Thomas NZ CC M Number 15/118 Rank: Lieutenant Unit: Army Pay Department Date of death 18th July 1918 of disease Cairo War Memorial Cemetery Started school November 1896 aged 16 years - Previous school Coliban 1920 Son of Thomas Lang, teacher Melton No 430 • McPHERSON Jas Mrs M: James Sept 1897 Previous Graham St Port Melb Son of Alexander farmer Melton • MISSEN, A P Frederick M Started school August 1899 age 7 years Son of Frederick, fruiterer Melton His sister Adelaide May 11years Previous Ascot Vale 2608 • NORTON, Lewis Thomas CC M Number 1809 Rank: Private Unit: 29th Battalion (Infantry) Date of death 30th September 1918 Cemetery Bellicourt British Cemetery, France Started school March 1901 age 9 years Previous school Galaquil Son of Thomas Norton of Parwan • O’CALLAGHAN, EJ Edward Edward M • O’CALLAGHAN, HT Thomas .. M Number 3859 Rank: Private Unit: 57th Battalion (Infanrty) Date of death 26th September 1917 Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium Started school 11th March 1901 Aged 10 years Father: John O’Callaghan farmer of Melton • PRATT, R H Robert Henry Number: 2203 Rank: Private Unit: 46th Battalion (Infantry) Date of death, 12th April 1917 Favreuil British Cemetery, France Started school in May 1903 aged 6 years Father: Matthew Pratt, Labourer Melton • RYAN J James or John David: RYAN J ? Started August 1896 Previous Christian Brother St Kilda John 11-5 or James 9-11 Charles 6-11 returned from WW1 Frank 8-5 returned Father Daniel Publican • WHITESIDE, John Edward M Number 2182 Rank: Trooper Unit 13th Light Horse Date of death 4th September 1918 of illness aged 29 years Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt Started school July 1897 age 8 Son of Edward Whiteside Labourer Melton Brother of Edward. • WHITESIDE, W F Number: 3995 Rank: Private Unit: 22nd Battlion Date of death, 28th July 1916, died of wounds aged 21 years Puchevillers British Cemetery, France Started school in 1901 Year of birth circa 1895 Brother Edward died 4th September 1918 Father: Edward Whiteside. Labourer Year of 1917 • ANDREW. R H • BARRETT, J John Maurice • BLACK, Harold David • BLACKWOOD, Maxwell James A • BLACKWOOD, Roy .. • CAMERON David or (Donald) William M • CAREW, Edward Edward M • COLLINS, H John Henry H Thomas CC M • CANTLON, A Alfred CC • CHALMER, Frank Ernest CC M • COBURN, A Frederick CC M • COBURN, FS CC M • DODEMAIDE, Frank William • DODEMAIDE, Thomas .. • DODEMAIDE, W J William John M • FIELD, J • FORSYTH J • KEATING, WD William Edward M • KINNERSLY James Edward CC • KINNERSLY Norman Chas Edward CC • LANG Norman William • MINNS, J CC M • McCOLL R Alex R J. McColl • MOULSDALE Charles William M • McNULTY, Frederick James CC • McNULTY, W R CC • McPHERSON J which one? • NEAL, Elvine J Neal M • NEAL, Frank John M • NEAL, John William John M (husband of Isabella) • O’CALLAGHAN, Stephen Edward M • PRATT, David T Matthew CC M • QUINANE, David Peter • QUINANE, Peter .. • RIDDELL, William M • RYAN, Charles Daniel • RYAN Frank .. • SKINNER, Stanley John S’John CC M • SPRING, James George • TYLER, A • TYLER, George George • WATSON, Albert Ernest Alexander M • WADE, Howard James • WADE, Walter .. might be connected with CC • WILLIAMS, Percy Mr Williams • WICKHAM, George George M • WICKHAM, W M • WILSON, Stanley [ Alfred and Maude] M • WILSON, Gordon .. M SUPREME SACRIFICE Roll of Honor Melton State School No 430 Years of 1916,1917 and 1918

R.T. Vale had a stationary and bookshop in Ballarat. He had studied at the Ballarat School of Mines, and served on its Council. In 1886 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the member for Ballarat West, serving until 1889 and again from 1892 to 1902. From 1894 to 1896 he was a minister without portfolio.Two handwritten letters from Richard T. Vale. .1) Letter on Government of Victoria Education Office letterhead dated 09 May 1898. .2) Letter of Legislative Assembly Victoria letterhead dated 28 October 1898..1) Dear Martell, I want you to send to dept details as to Room required size of classes how often they meet [illegible] of present accommodation and [illegible] how they clash ad how the proposed rooms are to be erected send at once. Yours truly R.T. Vale .2) 28.10.1898 D.M. I called at [illegible] today plans not quite colored yet I have to be traced from sheets full of detail drawings [illegible] to service and would made had it been safe when they tried [illegible]. I [illegible] would have to wait another fortnight. Yours R.T. Vale.richard t. vale, r.t. vale, legislative assembly victoria, goverment of victoria

Jessie Partington was born at Willis Vale in 1911 and worked around the farm; when older she and her sisters had to deliver milk around the area from the farm dairy. Jessie attended Greensborough Primary School and from age 4 had piano and singing lessons. She had a beautiful voice, singing in church and choirs. A pioneer Greensborough family.Digital copy of black and white studio photograph.jessie may partington, partington family

Grace Partington was born in 1906 to Will Partington and Annie May Medhurst. Grace helped on the farm at Willis Vale until her late 20s. At age 30 she married Les Pollard and moved to his dairy farm at Drouin.Digital copy of black and white studio photograph.grace isobel partington, grace pollard

Jessie Partington was born at Willis Vale in 1911. She married Gordon Scholes in 1935, and they lived in Carnon Street Greenhills. After Gordon’s death in 1965, she married Stan Angus (1967).Digital copy of colour photograph.jessie angus, jessie may partington

Jessie Partington was born at Willis Vale in 1911 and worked around the farm at Willis Vale. Here she is formally dressed for a function, possibly taken on 8th March 1954 in acceptance of invitation to meet Queen Elizabeth.Digital copy of black and white photograph.jessie may partington

Known as Alan, W. A. Partington was born in 1908 at Willis Vale, son of William Partington and Annie May Medhurst.Digital copy of black and white studio photograph.alan partington