Set of four foolscap and folded sheets illustrating model interchange at the Ferntree Gully Railway station to serve Monash University and further west. .1 - Photocopy of a sketch titled "Approximate layout of possible train tram interchange at Ferntree Gully" - dated 16/11/1973 Shows North Road, railway line, railway station and possible tram line. .2 - P14532 - sketch of a schematic layout at Huntingdale showing trains at either platform face along with a tram. Dated 11-12-1973. Has figure 10 along the bottom edge. .3 - P14536 - dated Dec. 1973, showing a possible route to Modal Interchange at Ferntree Gully railway station using Forest Road. .4 - P14537 - ditto, but using Station St. See Reg Item 3806 for sketches at the Huntingdale Railway Station and Monash University.trams, tramways, ferntree gully, new tramway, railways, wellington rd, monash university

Set of five foolscap sheets illustrating model interchange at Huntingdale Railway station to serve Monash University and further east. .1 - Photocopy of a sketch titled "Approximate layout of possible train tram interchange at Huntingdale" - dated 15/11/1973 Shows North Road, railway line, railway station and possible tram line. .2 - P14529 - Perspective of above, coloured, has figure 2 along the bottom edge. .3 - P14531 - sketch of a schematic layout at Huntingdale showing trains at either platform face along with a tram. Dated 7-12-1973. Has figure 2 along the bottom edge. .4 - P14545 - dated 11-11-74 - showing "Typical cross section Wellington Road for scheme D (Light rail)", showing the tramway in a trench possibly passing under Dandenong Road and other major intersections. has figure 8 along the bottom edge. .5 - P14523, dated 11-12-73 - showing a proposed loop into Monash University. Shows an extension to Ferntree Gully Station - See Reg Item 3807. Has figure 9 along the bottom edge.trams, tramways, huntingdale, north rd, new tramway, railways, wellington rd, monash university

In October 1872, State School 1111 Box Rise opened on the corner of Worthing Road and Dane Road. In order for this school to open, School No 442, a Wesleyan School, on the corner of Wickham Road and Chapel Lane, had to agree to close to meet pupil number requirements. Charles Sadgrove was head teacher of the new State School when it opened on October 1st 1872 and he remained until 1878. The school was renamed South Brighton in 1887 to accord with the nearby railway station which opened around that time. The main part of the present building dates from 1890. By the early 1900s the school had been extended to the north. . The school contains a plaque for Harry G Hawker, one of the pioneers of aviation, who attended the school in the closing years of the nineteenth century. The school was renamed Moorabbin in 1909.During the 1940s and 1950s population in the area surged and school enrolments peaked to over 800 under head teacher CS Lansell. Enrollments decreased to 470 in 1969. By the 1990s however, enrollments began to increase again. ( G Whitehead KCC Historian) Since 1890 Moorabbin Primary School No.1111 has been socially significant at a local level providing education for the families of the early settlers in Moorabbin ( South Brighton) Black & White photographs x 4 of pupils at Moorabbin State School Maypole Dancing c1922keys robert, marriott charles, gregg barriecity of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, methodist church wickham road, box rise state school no.1111, methodist chapel cheltenham, education, early settlers

The train line from the city to Frankston was electrified which intensified the sale in the municipality of Moorabbin, particularly land which was in the vicinity of the railway stations.Example of the progress of the Municipality of MoorabbinAdvertising flyer for auction of real estate sales - plan of building blocks for shops for saleNorth Road, Ormond - 8 shop sitesnorth road, ormond, real estate, auctions

The train line from the city to Frankston was electrified which intensified the sale in the municipality of Moorabbin, particularly land which was in the vicinity of the railway stations.Example of the progress of the Municipality of MoorabbinAdvertising flyer for auction of real estate sales - plan of building blocks for saleJones' Estate, Brewer Road Bentleigh - 63 home sites & 19 business sites - H. C. Costello & Co - A. N. Moorepatterson road, brewer road, phillip street, north avenue, real estate, auction, bentleigh, moorabbin

The train line from the city to Frankston was electrified which intensified the sale in the municipality of Moorabbin, particularly land which was in the vicinity of the railway stations.Example of the progress of the Municipality of MoorabbinAdvertising flyer for auction of real estate sales - plan of building blocks for saleMoorabbin Heights Estate, Moorabbin 48 Villa sties, 21 Shop sites Sale on Saturday 13 April 1929 - H. C. Costello & CO.point nepean road (nepean highway), harding street, howell street, north avenue, coates street

The train line from the city to Frankston was electrified which intensified the sale in the municipality of Moorabbin, particularly land which was in the vicinity of the railway stations.Example of the progress of the Municipality of MoorabbinAdvertising flyer for auction of real estate sales - plan of building blocks for salenorth road, moulden street, george street, garden road, bruce street (now bethwyn street), boundary road (now east boundary road), murrong avenue, bay view street, rochford street, mitchell street, lancaster street, east bentleigh, real estate

The train line from the city to Frankston was electrified in 1922 which intensified the sale in the municipality of Moorabbin, particularly land which was in the vicinity of the railway stations.Example of the progress of the Municipality of MoorabbinAdvertising flyer for auction of real estate sales - plan of building blocks for saleAdvertisement for shop sites on North Road at the Ormond Station - 20 Shop sites - Auction 30 September 1922north road, ormond, moorabbin

The train line from the city to Frankston was electrified in 1922 which intensified the sale in the municipality of Moorabbin, particularly land which was in the vicinity of the railway stations.Example of the progress of the Municipality of MoorabbinPhotocopy of advertising flyer for auction of real estate sales - plan of building blocks for saleLichfield Estate, Ormond Auction Saturday 6 November 1926 - 46 residential sites & 24 shop siteswalnut street, collins street, north road, logan ave, ormond, real estate, auctions

Single-page advertisement for auction on Saturday 15th September (1973) - 9 residential allotments on Heatherdale Road, Ringwood. Includes summary of local services and facilities, and map of area showing Verdale State School, Manhattan Hotel-Motel, and directional arrow 3/4 mile to railway station (Heatherdale) to the north.Agent - L.J. Hooker Vic. Limited, Hooker House, 327 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000, Telephone 62 0181, A.H. 232 3481, Telegrams HOOKCO.

White hard covered book. Biography by daughter-in-law of Stanley Porteus, pioneer of modern psychology and one-time resident of Ringwood, Victoria. SUMMARY NOTES. Stanley David Porteus was born in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia in 1883, the only son of a Methodist minister. Like other now large suburbs of Melbourne such as Canterbury, Mitcham and Ringwood, Box Hill was a mere village. Each was surrounded by bush. He grew up like most Australian boys with a love of sport and, although lightly built, did quite well at Australian Rules football and was above average at cricket. He became a schoolteacher with the Victorian Education Department. Promotion within the department depended on experience gained at teaching in tiny rural schools so he applied for such a position at Glenaladale, on the Dargo Road, some 35 miles north west of Bairnsdale. He walked about 6 miles from the nearest railway station at Fernbank to find the school surrounded by virgin forest with only one dwelling in sight. Attached to the school were lean-to rooms that were to be his residence for the next 2 ½ years. He was fascinated by the nearby Den of Nargun and Bull Creek, which joined the Mitchell River in a deep gorge containing a profusion of rainforest vegetation. While at Glenaladale, he met Frances Evans who became his wife. To seek promotion, he left Glenaladale and taught at Leneva and Benambra. While at the latter school, he learned of a position becoming available as superintendent of special schools in Melbourne. As the available means of transport, coach and horses to Bairnsdale, then by train to Melbourne, would not get him to Melbourne before the close of applications, he borrowed a bicycle and rode through the bush to his in-laws home at Lindenow and thus made it before the deadline. He was successful in his application and it set him on a course that lead to him becoming Australia's first Clinical Psychologist. His work, particularly, the development of the Porteus Maze Test, attracted the attention of American educators and he was offered an appointment for a year at Vineland Training School in New Jersey. On a stopover in Honolulu, he was impressed to the extent that he expressed a desire to work there. Not the least of its attractions was the mix of races that offered opportunities to study psychological differences, if any, between various races. His wish was to be granted unexpectedly as he was, in 1919, invited to Honolulu to set up a Psychological and Psychopathic Clinic at the University of Hawaii. From his home in the hills north of Honolulu, on December 7th 1941, he saw the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. He lived there until his death in about 1980.

Two composite black & white aerial photographs with north-facing view over Maroondah Highway, including Railway Station precinct, Civic Centre precinct, Eastland, Mount Dandenong Road, Bedford Road, Ringwood Street, Warrandyte Road, Mullum Road, Loughnan's Road.Department of Crown Lands and Survey. Maroondah Highway Project - Run 3 - 20.1.72 - 3,900' ASL.

Seven-page brochure advertising Mortgagees' Realising Sale by Public Auction on Wednesday, 28th November, 1934 for properties at Box Hill, Ringwood, Wonga Park, and Clarinda (via Oakleigh), including photographs, property descriptions, and terms of sale.Auction Commencing at 2.15 p.m. in the Orient Line Auction Rooms, 352 Collins Street, Melbourne. Solicitors: Messrs. Madden, Butler, Elder & Graham, 406 Collins Street, Melbourne. (Agents) H.P. Knight & Co. Property Salesmen and Subidivisional Experts, 315 Collins Street, Melbourne, 'Phones: Central 10615, 10616. Attractive Residential, Orchard, and Market Garden Properties, and Public Hall and School Rooms. 1. Wonga Park via Ringwood - "Holme Bush" off Warrandyte Road, Part of Lots 14 and 15, Ringwood Orchard Estate, approximatgely three miles (north) of Ringwood Railway Station - 64 Acres. 2. 17 Bishop Street, Box Hill - timber residence. 3. Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood - On East Side, 150 feet 3 inches South of Bedford Road - timber attic residence. 4. Ringwood - Wantirna Road, South-east corner of Canterbury Road - Orchard Property of approx. 11-1/2 Acres. 5. Box Hill - Whitehorse Road, South-east corner of Linsley Street - Timber building utilised as a Public Hall and Private School. 6. Clarinda vic Oakleigh, Talbot Crescent, off Centre Road - Home on 10 acres of land.

Multi-fold brochure advertising public auction of one-acre, 2-acre, 5-acre and 8-acre allotments in Ringwood and Bayswater on Saturday 12th April, 1919. Brochure includes terms of sale, description of subdivision features and local facilities, and photographic images of the area.Subdivison includes Canterbury Road Heathmont, Armstrong Road Heathmont, Armstrong Road Bayswater, Bungalook Road Heathmont, Bungalook Road Bayswater, and Orchard Road Bayswater. Road shown as Bayswater Road to Bayswater became Mountain Highway Bayswater. Vendor: H.E.B.Armstrong, Auctioneers: Coghill & Haughton, 79 Swanston Street Melbourne, Telephone Central 2793, in conjunction with J.B. McAlpin, Ringwood, Opposite Station, Telephone Ringwood 7. (Map) Woodcock & McCormack, Civil Engineers Architects & Surveyors, 430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Phone 3241 Central. MOST OF THE MONEY COMES OUT OF THE LAND. And more money can be obtained from anb acre of fruit than from an acre of any other produce. But you do not have to grow fruit on Garden Farms Estate. You can go in for - Outer Suburban Home - Market Garden - Orchard - Pig Raising - Poultry Farm - Small Dairy Farm - Small Fruits - Floral Culture - Scent and Bee Farm - Or just for a Week-end Home. RINGWOOD - THE PLACE TO LIVE. The Beautiful Ringwood District has so many natural attractions, that half a Land Agent's work is done in just showing a prospective buyer round and about. Ringwood has a pull of its own that attracts folk, proved beyond doubt by its rapid development within the last decade (spite the war). First, it is high and healthy, picturesque and undulating, convenient of access, sufficiently close to the Metropolis for City and Business folk to live at Ringwood. Its development is solid, because most of its people are industrious husbandmen, real producers, who have turned idle hills into smiling gardens. These are the kind of real people to live amongst; ones who wear out their spades. The rapidly-developing town has excellent Stores, Trade and Repair Shops Churches, Banks, Telephone Exchange, Weekly General Market, Cool Stores, and good Private and State Schools, etc.; is Electrically lit, has Metropolitan Water Supply, and generally provides so that practically all shopping can be done locally. WHY RINGWOOD MUST GROW. Ringwood is a great centre and must be a greater. Two rapidly-developing railways junction here. The passengers from Ringwood Station cityward, in one year, number 250,000. Ringwood will be the terminus of the Outer Suburban Electric Eastern Railway. Its natural boundaries are the River Yarra on the North, Dandenong Creek on the South, the popular town of Croydon on the East, and the suburb of Mitcham on the West. This is a large territory that is steadily being converted from intense culture, and then it might be called (as regards its gardens) "The Devon Territory of Victoria." ARMSTRONG ROAD. This new road traverses Garden Farms Estate from its northern boundary on the main Canterbury Road, across Dandenong Creek, to its southern boundary on the main Bayswater Road, and will provide a long-desired additional link of communication between Bayswater and Ringwood. The 1-acre building sites on Bayswater Road are within 8 minutes' walk of the Bayswater Railway Station, and the Canterbury Road frontages are only 1-1/2 miles from Ringwood Station, and 1/2 mile from the Railway Station site of Canterbury Road; therefore, the whole Estate is easy of access and there should be a large demand for land so favourably placed. (Image) Cultivation Field - Potatoes on Lot 28 (Image) Picture of Bayswater Creek Flats. (Image) View from "Korumbeen" where Mr. Armstrong lived on Garden Farms Estate. Estate outlined in white ring. (Image) Site of New Bridge over Dandenong Creek. (Image) On one of the timbered lots adjoining railway. (Image) This Dandenong Creek traveres the Estate. (Image) Main Fern Tree Gully Line bisects the Estate.

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest.Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS.2 x A4 paper printed on 4 sides Issue 11 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in April 2009. Notice that Mr Travis Sellars, Friends of Cheltenham and Regional Cemeteries, will talk about ‘The Tragic 20’s’ at the meeting April 26th . Volunteers are needed to show visitors around on Open Days each month and a Roster will be made on April 26th . Suggestions are requested for the Community Grant Application to be submitted by CMHS. Historical details are condensed from ‘ The Living Harvest’ by W.T Dobson, describing the establishment of St. Peter’s Catholic School East Bentleigh 1865 on land donated by Fred Quinn , in Centre Road, East Brighton ( East Bentleigh). A photo copy of Parts of Country Portion 39 of Dendy’s Special Survey or Brighton Estate showing the Land Sales of Lot 2, & 3 North Road and Jasper Road 1841 – 1869. Interesting note on the origin of ‘Jasper Road’. 3 photocopied photographs of St Peter’s School building 1903, School Children at East Brighton Railway Station, 1903, A Lorry in the parade 1903. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / APRIL 2009 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, dobson w.t., melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, friends of cheltenham and reional cemeteries, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, irish immigrants c1850pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, port phillip bay, brighton estate, jasper road ormond, east boundary road brighton, dendy’s special survey 1851, point nepean road, south road brighton, thomas street brighton, north road brighton, county of bourke, box h., box william, parish of moorabbin, parish of prahran, markets, shingle roof, weather-board, mr., mckinnon, were jonathan, niall rev. fr. patrick, quinn fred, elsternwick, catholic church directory 1878, hibernian society melbourne, brady peter., kennedy mr., boland mr., leary mr., gahan mr., archbishop carr, rev. fr. gough., presentation convent gardenvale, sister mary vincent, charlston john, bavarian dress band, hales jasper

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. Yarra 2500 [base map]. 12-22, Parishes of Keelbundora 2856, Municipalities of Whittlesea 239 and Diamond Valley 257. Shows street names, easement sizes, lot numbers, lodged plan numbers, names of prominent features, contour values, creek or river names. Watsonia Railway Station and environs. Prominent streets: Edmund Rice Parade and Macorna Street. Includes Christian Brothers Edmund Rice College and Janefield Special School sites and "proposed future freeway" (now Metropolitan Ring Road).MMBW Map in 1:2500 [scale] series. Cream parchment with green tape reinforcing on edges and punched holes on left edge.mmbw, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, shire of diamond valley, watsonia - maps, bundoora - maps

Douglas Street shown in the estate plan did not eventuate, but was developed as a public reserve. Refer also to Reg. No. 5149 for 1924 auction sale of land also titled Grand View Estate situated further north in Ringwood.Double sided multi-folded page advertising public auction sale on Saturday, 31st October, 1925, of residential allotments highlighting local facilities, services and layout of the estate. Includes panoramic view of Ringwood and other local photographic images.Subdivision includes Great Ryrie Street, Heathmont Road, Douglas Street, Garden Street, and Bellevue Avenue. Agents - Knight & Harwood, 315 Collins Street, Melbourne, Phone 10615, 10616 Central, in conjunction with J.B. McAlpin, Opposite Railway Station, Ringwood. Phone Ringwood 7.

Jack and Mary Emma Shallard and their three children, Bill, Joyce and Jack, moved to the Eltham area around 1912. Jack married Blanche Everard and lived in Montmorency and was active in community matters. Contents 1. Blanche Emily Shallard (1905-2002) • Photograph: Eltham Historical Society display at home of Joy and Bruce Ness 1987, Les Robertson, Jack Shallard, Blanche Shallard and Margorie North. • Photograph: Eltham Historical Society float, Eltham Festival Parade 1988, Blanche Shallard, Opal Smith and Eileen Gibbon. • Newspaper death notice for Blanche Shallard, The Age, 12 September 2002. • Newspaper funeral notice for Blanche Shallard, The Age, 13 September 2002. • Order of Service: Blanche Emily Shallard, St Faith's Anglican Church, Montmorency, 13 September 2002. • Kathryn Deighton; Eulogy for Nana on behalf of her grandchildren • Eulogy for Blanche Shallard by Jan Mullins • Eulogy for Blanche Shallard by Kerry Knowles • Letter Sue Law to the Shallard family, 15 September 2002. Acknowledging contribution of Blanche Shallard to EDHS and seeking copies of eulogies. • Newspaper article: "Community honours a favourite resident", Diamond Valley Leader, 20 November 2002. Obituary of Blanche Emily Shallard with photograph. • Newspaper advertisement: "63 and 65 Rattray Road, Montmorency", Diamond Valley Leader, 12 March 2003 • Advertisement: Auction 5 April of 63 and 65 Rattray Road, Montmorency; publication unknown, p44; [on reverse, Advertisement 20 Parry Road, Eltham North] • Notes, undated, of Sue Law's recollections from Blanche Shallard. 2. Jack Vincent Shallard (1905-1991) • Manuscript and typed notes, no date: Memories of Eltham and district by Jack Shallard. • Newspaper article: "Jack Shallard will be sadly missed", Diamond Valley News, 18 June 1991. Obituary of Jack Shallard. 3. Joseph Bromley Shallard (1877-1965) • Photocopy page, October 1920, re Eltham, noting Joseph Bromley Shallard as a Councillor for Eltham. • Letter Elizabeth Pidgeon to Eltham District Historical Society, 20 March 2001: Seeking information on Shallard family of Eltham, provides information on Roberts and Tinker families. Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcjoseph shallard, mary emma shallard nee tinker, elizabeth ann tinker nee roberts, susan shallard nee roberts, james roberts, sarah roberts nee pope, joseph bromley shallard, william shallard, joseph tinker, jack vincent shallard, jocelyn shallard, christopher shallard, elsie shallard nee mills, meruka house sherbourne road, mary north, jack shallard, blanche shallard nee everard, bill everard, eltham primary school, melbourne high school, university of melbourne, holy trinity church of england kew, st margaret's church of england eltham, st faith's church of england montmorency, best hooper rintoul and shallard, diamond valley community hospital, blanche emily shallard nee everard, 63-65 rattray road montmorency, jan mullins, kerry knowles, joy neww, bruche ness, les robertson, marjorie north, eltham festical parade 1988, opal smith, eileen gibbon, joyce shallard, falkiner street eltham, bridge street eltham, karingal drive montmorency, sherbourne road montmorency, "kaweka" sherbourne road montmorency, greensborough road eltham, eltham state school, rechabites hill henry street eltham, eltham hotel, boy scouts troup eltham, eltham district cricket association, first world war memorial tltham, eltham railway station

Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacement with a new steel bridge. Heritage advice obtained by Nillumbik Shire Council, following a suggestion by the Eltham District Historical Society (EDHS), is that the original bridge appears to have been a simplified version of the Country Roads Board’s (CRB) standard timber bridge design of the early-to-mid 1920s. In c1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with three recycled steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. During these alterations many parts of the bridge were removed, and some were replaced. Heritage advice indicates the condition of Murray’s bridge is poor. The remaining original parts are all in poor condition, with severe weathering, splitting and rot, especially to the stringers retained on the bridge. Heritage advice is that Murray’s Bridge does not have sufficient significance in the cultural history of the Nillumbik area to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay and also does not have sufficient significance as a rare survivor to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay. There are no indications in the historical record that this site was individually important to the cultural history of this area. EDHS is comfortable with the heritage advice provided to Council and has worked closely on this project with Council. EDHS has suggested some of the removed timbers be used in the vicinity of the bridge for landscaping and possibly seating, so as to retain these remnants close to the site of the original bridge, which is the last old timber bridge along the lower reaches of the Diamond Creek. Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. * * * A theory posted on local community Facebook groups was that the bridge was built in the 1860s and was built to be more robust than was necessary for the movement of cows from one side of the creek to the other. It was suggested the robustness was necessary to support the weight of gold ore being transferred from a mine on Murray’s land to a railway siding near Murrays Bridge (presumably for transfer and processing at Diamond Creek). Perhaps this may have been one of the motivators for Murray, who really knows? Knowing when mining operations ceased on his land and how that fits the overall timeline would be useful but at the time the bridge was built, local gold production was minimal at best. The known facts are: • The railway line came to Eltham in 1902. • The extension of the railway from Eltham to Hurstbridge was constructed in 1912 so no railway line even existed through Murray's property until 1912 and the Victorian Railways maps at the time show no such siding on Murray’s property. • In 1923 a new company was formed in anticipation of the old Diamond Creek Gold Mine being re-opened. The mine had been previously closed and flooded. It was noted in the press at the time that the mine was within a mile of the railway. Nothing really came of this. • Construction of Murrays Bridge was commenced by James Murray in early 1929 in anticipation of a proposed flag station being nominated on his land, but work ceased shortly afterwards. The proposed flag station was commonly referred to as Glen Park as the residents of the Glen Park Estate wanted Option 1, located near them with the platform adjacent to Colemans corner. This was probably never going to fly as it was virtually in eyesight of Eltham station. Allandale Road was the third option, but the Commissioners' preferred option was No. 2 - on Murray's property. • The Railway Commissioners were not going to finance any such station and the works had to be funded by private landowners and residents, hence Murray investing in this himself. • Murray recommenced work two years later and finished his bridge in 1931 but unfortunately for him, the proposed flag station never eventuated. The bluestone siding you reference may well have been built by Murray as part of the proposed station platform. • Up until then, apart from the Main Road bridge, which was washed away in 1924, virtually all local crossings over the Diamond Creek were low lying bridges – Kaylocks Bridge at Brougham Street, Diamond Street bridge, Glen Park Road bridge. It is expected that Murray also had a low-lying bridge to connect his land either side of the creek. These were all washed away or severely damaged multiple times in the 1920s. Lessons were learnt, and Murrays Bridge appears to have been built in accordance with Country Road Board standards of the time. Flood damage was ongoing, and even more recently constructed raised bridges kept getting washed away, e.g., the new Wattle Tree Road bridge in 1958 just months after completion. Murray’s bridge was reinforced with steel some 30 years ago presumably to provide additional floodwater resistance, given the history of bridges disappearing in floodwaters. • In March 1932 it was reported in the Advertiser that there were still some prospectors operating around Eltham North who apart from further scarring the face of the earth over the previous two years had gained significant experience but little gold - hardly a driving factor for constructing a dedicated railway siding and bridge to transfer gold ore. It is far more probable that James Murray was hoping to have the railway station located on his property and invested his money by building the bridge to lead to it as well as a station platform. Had the station eventuated, it may well have driven up the value of his land for subdivision and new housing estates like the Glen Park Estate. That did not eventuate. Whilst the bridge was indeed old (90 years), the core structure being completed in 1931, it had been modified substantially from original and hence had no significant historic value – i.e., it was not a representative example of its type, construction, and age. Given that the bridge was not worthy of saving, the Eltham District Historical Society with Council’s support, and the Eltham Woodworkers group endeavoured to see what suitable sized timbers were salvageable to fabricate a commemorative seat. Unfortunately, the experts at the Woodworkers group were unable to salvage any suitable length/width timbers to fabricate the seat due to the presence of rot. Last remaining wooden trestle bridge on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacementBorn digital image (27)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

Construction work on replacement of Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. Born digital image (5)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

Centred on Bolton Street and Brougham Street, Eltham bounded by Progress Road to north, Yarra River to south, Andrews Street and Euclyptus Road to east and Greensborough Railway Station to west. Historic Aerial Imagery Source: Central Plan Office Neg. No. 21451 (Print) Dept. of Lands & Survey and the Melb. & Metro. Board of Works. Aerial Photo Details: MELBOURNE METROPOLITAN AREA Section : 12 G West Date : Jan./Feb. 1960 Scale : 800 feet to 1 inch 37°43'18.2"S 145°08'13.0"E Melways : 21 J6 (ed. 42)aerial photo, lower plenty, main road, montmorency, eltham, eltham lower park, heidelberg golf club, hurstbridge railway line, main road eltham, yarra river, 1960-01, andrews street, arthur street, bolton street, briar hill, brougham steet, dave lyon house, eltham north, eltham-yarra glen road, ernie andrew house, eucalyptus road, greensborough railway station, henry street, karingal road, melway 21j6, montmorency railway station, mount pleasant road, progress road, railway road, southernwood, were street

1 photograph of Shops in Murrumbeena Road, north of railway line circa 1970’smurrumbeena, murrumbeena road, shops, pharmacies, kemp, john, motor vehicle repair shops, petrol stations