Newspaper clipping (Adelaide Advertiser 26/3/1956), titled "Tape visible from 500ft" with photo and caption of a F class drop centre tram with new reflecting tape on front of drivers cabs and visibility at 500 feet. Record updated and image added 21/9/2013.trams, tramways, adelaide, accidents, reflecting tape, mtt

Yields information about the considerations taken in Ballarat to provide reflective tape onto the front of trams to provide warning to motorists and the poor street lighting at the time.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of first style of reflective tape on one end of No. 32 at the depot. Wal's notes that the style was not used. Triangles were used instead. Has three workers standing along the tramcar. No details of who took the photo but has Wal's handwriting on the rear. See image i2 for rear of photograph. See image i3 for hi res scan of print. See image i4 for hi res scan of negative Image5298i4a - cleaned image of 9/2021.On rear in ink "First type of Reflective tape Oct. '56"trams, tramways, safety, reflecting tape, modifications, tram 32

Yellow fire fighter helmet with blue logo and orange fittings and reflecting tapeBROWN/Prosperity through service/ 11530/ Brown/ Fireman's helmet/3/Model Pro Helmets/ Size Date Batch (WGT 1215/ N.F.P.A. 1972/1985 Instructions to user : shell and liner constructed of fibreglass and polyethylene lining helmet can be seriously damaged by substances such as petrol, paint, adhesives or cleaning agents. Make no modifications. Fasten helmet securely. If helmet experiences a severe blow return it to the manufacturer for inspection or destroy and replace it. WARNING: no helmet can protect the wearer from all injuries. The manufacturer accepts no liability for injuries resulting from or during the use of this helmet/ MANUFACTURED BY PACIFIC HELMETS (NZ) LTD. WANGANUI. NEW ZEALAND.

May Sewell was born in Beechworth in 1917, her paternal grandparents had come to Beechworth from Ireland and her maternal grandparents from Scotland. She was the youngest of five siblings and the only one to be born in a hospital rather than at home. May loved growing up and living in Beechworth, and fondly recalls knowing all her neighbours, meeting friends at the pictures, attending girl guides, picking wildflowers around the gorge, participating keenly in the Church of England choir and dances, and the big Easter festivals. May worked various jobs before getting married. After leaving school at fifteen, May learnt dressmaking with Lal Anderson (and was delighted with her wage of two and six pence a week) and then went on to learn tailoring with Mr Charles. May then worked in the dining rooms at the Commercial Hotel and Hotel Nicholas. May was at the Hotel Nicholas for seven years but stopped when she got married as female employees were not asked to stay once they were married. May married her husband in 1944 and had known him since school. They went on to have six children, sadly three did not live past infancy. Her first children were twin girls who died six hours after birth. May briefly discusses the difficulty in grieving her twin daughters, the lack of available support, and the expectancy to carry on. Her next child, a son named Ian James, died when he was only ten months old from a tumour. May described Ian James as a lovely boy. May had multiple connections to the Zwar Brothers' Beechworth Tannery. Her father and then her three brothers worked there, and also her husband for a short period of time. The tannery was a major employer in Beechworth, and May having multiple family members employed by the tannery underlines the significant role of the tannery in Beechworth. May described her husband as very hardworking, he worked as a cleaner overnight at the Ovens and Murray Hospital for the Aged while during the day tended his cattle and sheep farm. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke. Miss May Sewell’s account of her life in Beechworth is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. May in reflecting on her experiences of leisure opportunities, town festivals, work available for women, leaving the workforce once married, the tannery, post-natal care, grief and child mortality provide essential historic, economic, social, and healthcare insights. May’s oral history recording is part of a larger collection of oral histories recorded by Jennifer Williams in 2000, collectively they provide invaluable insights into Beechworth during the 20th century, much of the information in these oral histories would be lost if not documented and missed in the interpretation of tangible objects. This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.Mrs May Sewellmay sewell, oral history, jennifer williams, listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century beechworth, beechworth church of england, easter festival, beechworth girl guides, hospital birth 1917, lal anderson, tailor beechworth, commercial hotel, hotel nicholas, zwar brother's beechworth tannery, ovens and murray hospital for the aged, dressmaking beechworth, beechworth cinemas, paul voglis

A dickey is a type of false shirt-front that was originally intended to be worn with a tuxedo. Women made their own lace dickeys as a way to spice up their wardrobe. It was designed to be worn at the front, so that the lace decoration showed underneath another garment. This dickey is small and was worn by Marjorie Burton as a child. Marjorie Burton ( nee Whiteman), born 12 June, in Birmingham, England came to Orbost in 1995. She came from a middle-class working church-going family. Her mother was a milliner who made most of Marjorie’s clothes, hats and outfits. This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the handcraft skills of women in the early twentieth century.A small lace cream / white dickie. It is hand-made and double layered. There are two tapes sewn at both side at the bottom and there are 3 press studs for closing at the back. dickey women's-clothing accessory burton-marjorie

This item was made by Mrs Whiteman and worn by her daughter Marjorie Burton. Marjorie Burton ( nee Whiteman), born 12 June, in Birmingham, England came to Orbost in 1995. In England she did office work – typing, shorthand and secretarial work - in accountants’ offices and also trained as a comptometrist with Burroughs in London. She came from a middle-class, working, church-going family. Her mother was a milliner who made manyof Marjorie’s clothes, hats and outfits. Marjorie was married in 1938 to a salesman who later became a mechanic in the R.A.F. during WW11. This item is an example of a home-made item of clothing and reflects the needlework skills of women in the first half of the twentieth century.A short white linen petticoat opening at the back with 2 metal hooks and eyes. The waist has threaded elastic. Sewn to the top are two long tapes fastened with safety pins - probably for hanging. The bottom panel is double with a scalloped hem.petticoat women's-clothing underwear burton-marjorie

A corsage is a small bouquet of flowers worn on a woman's dress or worn around her wrist to a formal occasion, traditionally purchased by the woman's date. A corsage originally referred to the bodice of a woman's dress. Since a bouquet of flowers was often worn in the center of the bodice, the flowers took on the name "corsage." This corsage was worn by Marjorie Burton.It was probably pinned on a dress to decorate it and may have been made by Marjorie or her mother. Marjorie Burton ( nee Whiteman), born 12 June, in Birmingham, England came to Orbost in 1995. In England she did office work – typing, shorthand and secretarial work - in accountants’ offices and also trained as a comptometrist with Burroughs in London. She came from a middle-class, working, church-going family. Her mother was a milliner who made many of Marjorie’s clothes, hats and outfits. Marjorie was married in 1938 to a salesman who later became a mechanic in the R.A.F. during WW11This item is an example of a typical dress accessory and reflects women's clothing styles of the mid 20th century.A corsage of pink and white artificial flowers with green leaves and tied with a pink ribbon. The stems are bound with green tape. In the centre of the flowers sre tiny white pearly beads.corsage accessories burton-marjorie

The postcards are addressed to Mrs Dickson, Miss Weeks, Mrs Kiernan and include one from Fred Hall AIF 1915 from Egypt. Miss Weeks was possibly Bertha Alma Weeks 1873-1952, m. George Patrick Kiernan, 1877-1961. There were several Mrs Dickson's including Emma ( nee Wainwright), who was married in 1900 to Archibald John Dickson (1855-1930) and Laura (nee Kreymborg), who was married in 1901 to James Thomas Dickson (1864-1911). The parents of Archibald and James Thomas were Euphemia (nee Brown) 1826-1907 and James T. Dickson (1853-1897). Postcards were ideal for short messages, they were cheap to buy and post, and they moved through rapidly improving transport networks. They are interesting contemporary records of places gone, architecture gone and people gone. This item reflects a contemporary form of communication in the early 20th century.Two cardboard covered albums containing post card collections. The cards have been laminated. 2350.1 has a grey cover. 2350.2 has a dark green cover, each decorated with flowers. Inside the pages are tied with gold ribbon / tape. Inside front cover hand-written in pen - "I know you are sitting all alone reflecting on the ??????. Remember that ?????? that will forever????? From Nug to Dot Dec 1906"postcards-album ww1-communication

This is a book of 136 pages. The cover has been bound with tape and shows a colour image of a female skier on a blue background on the front cover and an advertisement on the back cover. The pages contain articles and advertisements (printed text). The cover is a little damaged and the pages are dog-eared.non-fictionAspects of health and physical and mental well-beinghealth and well-being, warrnambool physical culture groups, physical culture 1924, physical culture magazine, physical culture publication

A story of HMAS Bendigo, a literacy sketch comprised of contributions from some of the men who served in her; contributions that reflect the humour, frustration, tragedy and discomfort of life at in war time.Soft cardboard cover, purple print on front & spine, red & black print on back. Sepia colour photo on front of HMAS Bendigo in camouflage paint. Back cover has a coloured photo of HMAS Bendigo banner which includes The Bendigo City Crest of the places served during WWII. 126 pages, cut plain paper, illustrated with black & white photos & maps.Hand written in black ink on notepaper attached with clear sticky tape to front end paper: “WK, DAVID INGRAM BORN IN BENDIGO”books-military/history/navy, hmas, bendigo

As children were admitted to Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution, The Victorian School for Deaf Children and Deaf Children Australia, their details were recorded and they were given a registration number. Information included Medical Information.The Registers document where children came from, their family details and medical information, all relating to the time they were admitted and reflect the society of the time.Light green fabric with red tape over spine bound book containing specially printed pages with handwritten entries and an alphabetical index notebook attached to back cover. Contains register of pupils of Victorian School for Deaf Children, from 1970 to 1973, admitted to Princess Elizabeth Kindergarten for the Deaf (Elgar Rd, Burwood). Each entry is a full open two pages. The alphabetical index notes their Admission (?) number from 1993 to 2181Spine: "REGISTER OF PUPILS" in gold lettering "1993-2181/YEARS 1970 - 1973" handwritten in inkdeaf children australia, deaf education, register of pupils

The Fashion & Design collection of Kew Historical Society includes examples of textiles dating from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the textiles, were used as items of clothing, others as items of household decoration, or simply as travel souvenirs. These textiles were created both domestically and internationally. Predictably with the growth of an ethnically and culturally more diverse community in Kew after the Second World War, textiles, clothing and objects in the collection inevitably reflected this diversity. Net jabot with 3 machine made filet inserts. Edged with machine made tape lacelace, women's clothing, jabots

The Fashion & Design collection of Kew Historical Society includes examples of textiles dating from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the textiles, were used as items of clothing, others as items of household decoration, or simply as travel souvenirs. These textiles were created both domestically and internationally. Predictably with the growth of an ethnically and culturally more diverse community in Kew after the Second World War, textiles, clothing and objects in the collection inevitably reflected this diversity. White lace gathered onto tape which can then be sewn onto a garmentlace, women's clothing, collars

The Fashion & Design collection of Kew Historical Society includes examples of textiles dating from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the textiles, were used as items of clothing, others as items of household decoration, or simply as travel souvenirs. These textiles were created both domestically and internationally. Predictably with the growth of an ethnically and culturally more diverse community in Kew after the Second World War, textiles, clothing and objects in the collection inevitably reflected this diversity. A fine cotton chemisette with collar and front opening edged with tape lace and then edging lacelace, women's clothing, bodices, chemisettes

The Fashion & Design collection of Kew Historical Society includes examples of textiles dating from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the textiles, were used as items of clothing, others as items of household decoration, or simply as travel souvenirs. These textiles were created both domestically and internationally. Predictably with the growth of an ethnically and culturally more diverse community in Kew after the Second World War, textiles, clothing and objects in the collection inevitably reflected this diversity. This form of bobbin lace is made in Malta. It is a guipure style of lace. Maltese lace is worked as a continuous width tape lace on a tall, thin, upright lace pillow called a "Trajbu" and the Bobbins are called "Combini" . Bigger pieces are made of two or more parts sewn together. Lace made in Malta was originally needle lace, from the 16th to the 19th century, when the economic depression in the islands nearly led to the extinction of lacemaking there. But in the mid 1800s, Lady Hamilton Chichester sent lacemakers from Genoa to Malta. They used the old needle lace patterns and turned them into bobbin lace, which was quicker. It was not long after its introduction that the Maltese lace developed its own style from Genoese lace. Maltese lace was shown at The Great Exhibition of 1851 and it became popular in Britain. The style was copied by lacemakers in the English Midlands, and it was one of the sources for Bedfordshire lace. Maltese lace usually has the following characteristics which are useful for identification: It is usually made from cream silk. There is often the 8 pointed Maltese cross as part of the pattern, worked in whole or cloth stitch.The pattern may also have closely worked leaves known as “wheat ears” or “oats”. These are plump and rounded in shape, rather than the long narrow leaves of other types of bobbin lace. Maltese lace edging. It shows the Wheat ears, characteristic of Maltese lacelace, maltese lace, lace tape

The Fashion & Design collection of Kew Historical Society includes examples of textiles dating from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the textiles, were used as items of clothing, others as items of household decoration, or simply as travel souvenirs. These textiles were created both domestically and internationally. Predictably with the growth of an ethnically and culturally more diverse community in Kew after the Second World War, textiles, clothing and objects in the collection inevitably reflected this diversity. This form of bobbin lace is made in Malta. It is a guipure style of lace. Maltese lace is worked as a continuous width tape lace on a tall, thin, upright lace pillow called a "Trajbu" and the Bobbins are called "Combini" . Bigger pieces are made of two or more parts sewn together. Lace made in Malta was originally needle lace, from the 16th to the 19th century, when the economic depression in the islands nearly led to the extinction of lacemaking there. But in the mid 1800s, Lady Hamilton Chichester sent lacemakers from Genoa to Malta. They used the old needle lace patterns and turned them into bobbin lace, which was quicker. It was not long after its introduction that the Maltese lace developed its own style from Genoese lace. Maltese lace was shown at The Great Exhibition of 1851 and it became popular in Britain. The style was copied by lacemakers in the English Midlands, and it was one of the sources for Bedfordshire lace. Characteristics of Maltese lace. Maltese lace usually has the following characteristics which are useful for identification. It is usually made from cream silk. There is often the 8 pointed Maltese cross as part of the pattern, worked in whole or cloth stitch.The pattern may also have closely worked leaves known as “wheat ears” or “oats”. These are plump and rounded in shape, rather than the long narrow leaves of other types of bobbin lace. Camisole, made of silk thread Maltese bobbin lace that is constructed of lengths of lace forming two rectangles with a hole for the neck. Shows the characteristic Maltese cross and wheat ears. Fabric is made of tape lace joined togethercamisoles, maltese lace, bodices

Date is approximate. Donor's connection with Armitstead's Woodyard was that Frank Foley was a long term employee. The Empire Day movement was instituted in England in 1904 and on 24 May 1906 a group of Surrey Hills residents pledged to make Empire Day a success. From 1932-1938 large Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills and business and commercial vehicles were decorated to take part in large processions held in May each year. These attracted large crowds from all over Melbourne. The truck is parked outside Nethercourt Hospital at 15 Barton Street. The Armitstead family had a business in Union Road which supplied wood in winter and ice in summer. Photos such as this one are evidence of the importance once attached to celebrating Empire Day, which was held on 24 May (Queen Victoria’s birthday). From 1905, a range of patriotic activities across Australia were performed on this day. There was a focus on schoolchildren, who were given a half-holiday, and the occasion was often highlighted with bonfires and fireworks in the evening - in this area at Beckett Park. The parade down Union Road was famous throughout Melbourne and attracted large crowds. Floats in the parade were often decked with British flags. The pro-Empire sentiment in the Surrey Hills area in part reflected the background and strong ties of many families.Black and white photo of a delivery truck with bunting and ferns over the cabin and back. The wheels have straws around the rims and more foliage is on the cabin roof and bonnet. The back of the tray is up and boxes, foliage and possibly a lion's head decorate the tray. Behind is a 2 storey (?) rendered building with an external timber staircase broken in 2 by a landing. The house sits behind a simple picket fence.On the cabin door of the truck: "S ARMITS ....[remainder in shadow] / Surrey Hills / phone 10X1816 / [undecipherable]" On back of the original in pencil in top centre left "446a" in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting; centre on a piece of paper stuck on with tape "Mrs D Foley / 39 Sunbury Cres., / Surrey Hills / Phone 8301163".empire day, festival and celebrations, woodyard, parades, processions, hospitals, nethercourt hospital, stephen godfrey armitstead, frank foley, mrs d foley, barton street

The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. This homemade photographic printing frame was built by Louis Haeusler (b.1878) and demonstrates his engineering capabilities. Rather than purchase the required materials for his home dark room processing, Louis would make any tools he needed from found materials around the Haeusler family home. Louis’ photographic equipment is among the many objects in the Haeusler Collection that represent home and social life in early twentieth century Wodonga. The item is handmade and unique, with well documented provenance. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history. A handmade photographic printing frame, constructed from timber, paper, nails, glass and sticky tape. photography, photos, photographic, photographs, family photos, family photography, darkroom photography, dark room photography, printing, printing frame, wodonga, haeusler, haeusler collection

The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. This tape recorder was manufactured in 1961 by German company Grundig, established in Nuremberg in 1945. Grundig had the reputation of making some of the highest quality audio equipment in the mid twentieth century. The Haeusler Collection tape recorder could be used to listen to and record music and other sound, and was fully portable. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history, social history, and women’s history.A mid century reel to reel tape recorder, stored inside a portable carry case with handle. "44327" on removable label on front of case/"TK1" on lid of case.tape recorder, tape, music, radio, haeusler, haeusler collection, wodonga

The Kromskop (pronounced Chromescope) is one of the earliest commercial applications of colour photography, and was invented by Frederic Eugene Ives and announced around 1896, it is described in his English patent of 1895 and in a US patent of 1894. It was shown at a Camera Club in Britain in January 1896 and at the February Royal Photographic Society meeting, and was available for sale from early 1897. The Photochromoscope Syndicate was formed in 1896 or 97 to promote the viewer in Britain, and wound up in 1899. It was manufactured in south London.A monocular instrument used to reproduce colours, in a mahogany box The viewer combines stereo images from three-colour separation transparencies called Kromograms, these are viewed through red, green and blue filters. A Kromogram comprises three monochrome transparencies printed from three-colour separation negatives which are taped together. The order being red image, blue image, green image with a label and caption between the red and blue images. The red image lies horizontally on the top step of the viewer above a red filter, the blue image lies on the lower step above a blue filter, the green image stands vertically at the back of the viewer. The red and blue images are reflected into the eyepieces by transparent mirrors, these are coloured to absorb the light that they reflect to prevent a double image from the rear surface of the mirror, the mirror for the red image is coloured cyan/blue, that used for the blue filter is coloured green (the patent indicates a yellow filter). The green image is illuminated by a yellow reflector. As the mirror below the blue image is green there is no need for a green filter immediately in front of the green image. The viewer can be used in daylight, for some conditions a diffuser is used, this is hinged to the yellow reflector and laid across the steps. An artificial light was also available. The mirrors and image positions can be adjusted in the event that they become misaligned. (http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_V80.html, accessed 08 April 2022) The Junior Kromskop was a mono viewer Kromskop. henry sutton, photochromoscope syndicate, f.e. ives, camera club, photography, colour photography, kromskop, frederic eugene ives, junior kromskop, photographic equipment, camera

The new Eltham Library was opened 22 May 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversay in 2024. This audio recording, presented by Harry Gilham, President of Eltham District Historical Society at the time of the opening is a summarised history of the Eltham Library service to 1994. Eltham Library Service 1930s - 1994 Originally collated by Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Historical Society Inc (1993-2009) (edited 2022) In the Eltham township area, in the early 1930s, library books for adults were available from E J Andrew's newsagency in Main Road. In the newsagency come haberdashery, some shelves were set aside for a lending library of adults' books. In 1935, Mr & Mrs JC Rains purchased the newsagency and continued the lending service until the late 1940s. At this time the business was extended from haberdashery to sell ladies' and men's clothing. The library section was discontinued. In the 1930s a mobile book library was also run by a Mr Foster of Bible Street, Eltham. In the 1950s adult books were available from racks in the foyer of the Eltham Shire Offices which was then located beside the Eltham Hall on the comer of Arthur Street and Main Road. In the early 1950s a referendum of ratepayers was called to seek public opinion on the issue of raising money for a public library for which the rates would have to be increased - the motion was defeated. On 11 November 1965 Eltham Shire Council, in conjunction with the City of Heidelberg and the Shire of Diamond Valley, met to form the Heidelberg Regional Library Service. Eltham was represented by Councillors Charis Pelling and John Lewis. The first library service for the Shire of Eltham from this group came in the shape of a bookmobile van which had, amongst others, a central stopover near the Shillinglaw trees outside the newly opened Shire offices at 895 Main Road, the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage and the former Shillinglaw farm. Present-day Wingrove Park was another stopover and the many recorded requests for this service can be read as denoting the areas of population or gathering points at that period throughout the Shire. 1968 saw the Shire convert the ‘Brinkkotter’ house in Dudley Street to house both adult and children's books. This library was originally staffed from the City of Heidelberg Library and records of committee meetings range from borrowing Heidelberg's old library shelving to trying to increase the Government's subsidy to a dollar for dollar basis. Book loans in the period 1966-67 totalled 30,400 and the following year ran to 52,113. With 2 books plus 1 paperback the limit per person, it was overcrowded and unable to house the range of other services which had become common library stock. Planning to extend the Shire Offices by the addition of the south wing was an opportunity to re-house the Shire's Library. The opening of the library in the extension was carried out on 17th August 1971 by the Hon R J Hamer ED, MP, Chief Secretary of Victoria. Cr Geoffrey Dreverman officiated as the Shire President. The Heidelberg Regional Library Service continued until September 1985 when it disbanded. On 21 November 1985 the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service was established. At that time Eltham was represented by Councillors Mary Grant and Robert Manuell. By 1987, over-crowding of the Eltham Library and an inability to house the range of other services yet again rose to prominence. At a Council meeting held on 1 June 1987, the Councillors supported a resolution which threatened to close the library on 30 September 1987. Council's frustration arose from yet another re-run of the annual State Government versus Council Library funding and records show first arose in Eltham Council in 1967 with the Government of 1he day. After prolonged public anger and petitions the motion to close the library was rescinded in August 1987. Council, considering the community's concern, set up a ‘Library Review Working Party’ which a year later became the Library Occasional Committee with direct access to Council. This Committee investigated the workings of the 386 square metre library and found inadequate space for storage and display, lack of equipment, out-of-date furniture together with an increasing patronage which resulted in queues of borrowers becoming longer no matter when the library was open. Community consultation took the form of 1,000 questionnaires sent to users and non-users along with noticeboard reminders of what was planned. Council developed a strategy to set aside capital funds from 1988 on an annual basis so that preliminary planning and consultative expenses could be met, and construction could be completed early 1997. The Committee visited metropolitan libraries which were catering for a similar population as was projected for Eltham. Australia-wide Federal Government funding grants under the Local Capital Works Program became available from October 1992 for community projects endorsed by local Councils. The Eltham Council submitted a proposal, based on library findings and requirements accumulated by the Library Occasional Committee, to the Federal Grants Committee to build a new Eltham Library. The Federal Grants Committee supported the funding request allowing commencement of the library project three years earlier than planned. With finance finalised, the Council set up its Eltham Library Re-development Special Committee which was given the task of overseeing what could be the last major expansion of the Shire's Library Service as Eltham's population nears its projected maximum. The new library was designed by Gregory Burgess and Peter Ryan of Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd. Construction of the library commenced in 1993 and was officially opened May 22nd, 1994. The library building was designed to reflect its parkland setting. External features include: the roof which includes interesting aspects when viewed from Main Road; verandahs which provide ramp access and give a sheltered entrance to the building; walls which feature locally made mudbricks, conventional bricks and copper panels; and space for an outdoor courtyard/reading area which will be developed later. Internally there are several features. The building includes a foyer with a fireplace suitable for displays including artwork, a community multi-purpose room suitable for meetings or functions and an outdoor cafeteria. The ceilings are lined with Victorian Ash. The shapes for the ceiling give a free-flowing form to the building. Brush Box has been used for the circulation and information desks. The tree trunk columns are Grey lronbark from New South Wales. Arches and various-shaped windows add interest to the internal structure. The carpet design reflects the Eltham environment and compliments the natural colours and timbers used in the building. Tiles by artist Felix Bosari feature in the building and additional art by local artists added externally and internally to the building. Since 1994 the library has undergone a major extension to cater for children’s services and others. See also EDHS_02111Digital file only recorded from Audio Cassette tape on loan Converted to MP3 file; 11.1MB, 0:08:49eltham library, opening, harry gilham, harry gilham collection, 1994, audio cassette, audio recording