In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Assignment from Mary Ann Brown, to William Brown, dated 1912 concerning good will, stock, fittings, utensils and plant of a bakery.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/* Lease agreement between Edmund Kirby, Charles Horwood, Rachel Horwood, Norman Horwood, Stanley Horwood and Ivy Horwood with Frank Miller Brown of Back Creek in regards to Crown Allotments 1, 2, 3, 4, 17, 18,and 19 of Section 9B , Town of Sandhurst, County of Bendigo. Lease contains long list of machinery and equipment. Dated 27 January 1903. * Handwritten note from Kirby, Cohen and Woodward concerning the lease. Dated 12 February 1903. * Invoice dated 12 February 1903 concerning professional services from Kirby, Cohen and Woodward.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents, horwood, kirby

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Agreement between James Boyd and D'Arcy Gilbert Davies. Dated 1 June 1901. Concerning County Court ruling, Kerang.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/* Agreement between Bolton Bros. and Alfred Fuller (Evening Mail Co.) Dated 1 June 1905. * Firms Act registration document registering Bolton Bros. * Register General' Office note confirming registration of Bolton Bros. 1904. * Sub-lease between W M Bolton and others to Gordon & Gotch concerning lease of Allotment 12, Section 51c, Parish of Bendigo, County of Bendigo. Dated January 1904.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents, bolton bros., evening mail co.

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Lease Agreement between Mary Annie Bowden and Albert Victor Phillips. Dated August 1908. Concerning a property in Honeysuckle Street, Bendigo.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Agreement between Gilbert Bogle and Archibald James Fraser concerning the lease of land in the Parish of Mandurang. Dated 5 April 1911.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents, mandurang, fraser

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/* Agreement and Discharge between George Bill of Homebush and Jose Monsant, Joseph Monsant and Pratty Monsant. Agreement concerns 30 acres of land. Dated 5 March 1924. * Hand written note acknowledging receipt of agreement. Dated July 1925. Signed Geo. Bill.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents, monsant

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Deed of Charge concerning the purchase of land in the Parish of Mandurang, County of Bendigo. Dated 13 November 1920.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Certificate of Registration of a Trademark. Dated 4 May 1911. Registered in Class 6 of sewing machines.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents, sewing machine, trademark

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Covenant and Indemnity from Mrs A G and Mr M McKenzie to Harold Rupert Daniel Berry concerning Crown Allotment 392, Section H, City of Bendigo Parish of Sandhurst, County of Bendigo. Dated 17 April 1930.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents, covenant

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/* Henry Hall consenting to creation of an easement between Bendigo and Eaglehawk Starr Bowkett Building Society of View Street and the City of Bendigo. Dated 1910. * Amendment of the Rules of the Bendigo and Eaglehawk Starr Bowkett Building Society. Dated March 1905.Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents, rogers & every, bendigo and eaglehawk starr bowkett building society

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Deed of partnership between Herbert Bennett and Frederick Taylor. Dated July 1919. Concerning a market garden at Longlea to be styled "Bennett and Taylor".Signatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents, rogers & every, partnership, market garden, frederick taylor

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Receipts from Donald McDonald, 1914, Kerang Tatchell, Dunlop, Smalley and Balmer, 1914, Bendigo Geo. A Bence & Co., 1914, Kerang Charles L King, 1915, Cohuna Robt. E Wilson, 1914, KerangSignatureswatson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents, rogers & every

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/FEATONBY, Mrs Anne Sale note re Crown Allotment 4, Parish of Warriwitue County of Dalhousie. Cream coloured paper.Signatures.sale note, sherriff, featonby, public auction, land sale, nicholas kennedy

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/* Mining lease payment receipts from F G Buckell re Lease nos. 5586, 5569, 5570, 5621 and 6557. Dates from 1898 - 1900. Nineteen receipts. * Mining lease payment receipts from J Rennick re Lease numbers 6557 - 1898,1899 and 1900. * Receipt of Mortgage payment from A Turner. Mortgage of Lease 5568/9-7, 5621 -5557 July 1899. * Letter re lease 5569 from Dept of Mines re payment of rent. October 1901. * Office of Titles notice November 1902 re mining lease Vol. 156 - 18911. * Memo from Office of Titles, October 1902, re payment of rent to Eddy., * Mining lease indenture 30 April 1895, to John Rennick, lease 6557. Later transferred to Bendigo Golden Star Co., then Commercial Bank, then Thomas Eddy. Signaturesleases, eddy, rennick

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/* Particulars, conditions of sale and contract from bank of Victoria to Louisa Mary Ellis. 1907. * Plan of subdivision of crown allotments 20, 22, 23 Parish of Sandhurst, County of Bendigo * Agreement between Rupert Noyes Putnam of Williamson St. Bendigo and Edward Woodrow Tregenza Ellis of High St Bendigo for Crown allotments 18 and 19, Parish of Sandhurst County of bendigo.Signaturesrupert noyes putnam, land sales

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Rental agreement between A. A. Finster to rent a property at 9 Short St. Bendigo for two weeks from Miss J. W. Nicolai. (18.08.1913 – 01.09.1913.) Handwritten. Cream coloured paper. Witnessed by G Alice Jones. Signatures.rental agreement, g alice jones, finster, nicolai

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/* Indenture between William Emmett of Mologa, Farmer, and John Roberts Hoskins of Sandhurst, Timber merchant. Dated August 1886. * Assignment between William Emmett of Mologa, Farmer, and John Roberts Hoskins of Sandhurst, Timber merchant. Dated August 1886 * Account of Sales of horses, cattle, Farm implements etc. sold at auction on account of William Emmett by R O'Neil, Auctioneer.Signaturesr o'neill, j r hoskins, timber merchant

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Needs completionwatson james & rogers, rogers collection, mr w j tobias, willian tobias, frederick cumberland, apprentice

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/ Mr W. H. Clee - Contract of sale and Statutory Declaration. Handwritten documents signed by Mr. William Henry Clee re sale of land to his son James William Clee of Piavella Post Office via Prairie. Farmer. The piece of land being part of Allotment one hundred and fifty-four [unknown symbol] Parish of Wanurp County of Bendigo. Statutory declaration: Shows a small mark in the margin. looks like a capitalized, cursive M. Sales Contract: Hand drawn margins. william henry clee, watson james & rogers, bendigo, legal documents, rogers & every

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/Sale notes to sell land in (Residence Areas), Wade St. Golden Square to Foggitt Jones & Co. Sold all Rights to Titles and Interests. Typed on light brown paper. 1. Joseph Mitchell and Mary Ann Roberts (10317 and 10318) 2. Elizabeth Roberts (10319) 3. Alice Emily Ann Roberts (13126) 4. John Frances Roberts (10363) 5. William Davies Osborne (9805) Release by Mrs Irene Catherine Orrock for Foggitt Jones & Co. handwritten on cream coloured paper.Signatures.land sales, foggitt jones and co.

In the early 1980s the firm of Watson, James & Rogers merged with the partnership of Every & Every and became the iconic “Rogers & Every” as known today. The firm is still located on Bull Street. https://rogersevery.com.au/about/1. Deed of Partnership 2. Certificate of Registration 3. Registration of fire arms letter Grocers trading as Frank Bros. 59 McCrae St. Bendigo FRANK, Robert William FRANK, Louis Henry Christian FRANK, George HansenSignaturesfrank bros., grocers

Event photography, post WWII function. "Photograph of Margaret Rogers and Cath Burrows at post WWII function. AANS Post WWII, Celebrations." [Former catalogued description, entry P23]Unframed, printed black and white photograph on card, of Margaret Rogers and Cath Burrows at a post WWII function. Faded Copyright Photography stamp on the back, with Negative Number AY5420 written in pencil. 'Marg. Rogers & Cath Burrows / BURROWS' [Handwritten in biro at the top of the back of the photo], 'COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH / PERMISSION FOR (?) MUST BE OBTAINED / (? ? ? ? ?) EVERY INSTANCE / "The Argus" MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA / NEGATIVE No AG5420 REFERENCE No..............' [Very faded purple stamp with pencil written negative number, middle back of photo]aans, ww2, world war two, world war ii, world war 2, margaret rogers, cath burrows

Contract of sale of real estate dated 15th April, 1965 between Mrs. E. Keily (vendor) and Mr. A. L. & Mrs. A. K. Stringer (purchaser). Solicitor for vendor: Mr. H. E. Every, Dispensary Walk, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs. Watson, James & Rogers, View Point, Bendigo. Property lot 18 Collins Court, Kennington being lot 18 on plan of subdivision no. 25138 being part of allotment 129 described in certificate of title volume 8297, folio 335. Price 1,200 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Photograph of the group of past Presidents in 2010. There is usually a Presidents luncheon every year and a group photo is taken. In 2010 the past presidents were listed on a photocopy of the photo, from left in this photo are; Bill Rogers, Geoff Swan, Ray Ward, Eric Baker, David Millie, Tom Butcher, Graeme Standish, David Carter, Ron Foskett, Colin Bannister, Graham Riches and Rob Allison in the wheelchair.A record of the past presidents gathering together each year.Colour photo x 2 of a group of former Legacy Presidents in 2010 and an A4 photocopy with names noted on it.past presidents, presidents lunch

Contract of sale of real estate dated 3rd December, 1964 between National Trustees Executors and Agency Company of Australasia as administrator of H. W. Bowden deceased (vendor) and Mr. C. Sartori (purchaser). Solicitor for vendor: Watson, James & Rogers, RACV Bldg. View Point, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Mr. H. E. Every, Dispensary Walk, Bendigo. Vacant land corner Grant & Priam Streets, Long Gully being Crown allotment 260 and 261 section A land comprised in Crown Grants volume 2195 folio 556 and volume 2190 folio 885. Price 225 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

A deed appointing the Reverend Samuel Thornton as a trustee of the Ballarat School of Mines, after the death of former Trustee Rivett Henry Bland, and increasing the number of trustees by appointing James Millhinch Bickett. It includes a covering letter of Department of Lands and Survey Letterhead... and whereas it is intended that forthwith after the execution hereof the said land and premises shall be so transferred that the same may become vested in the said Sir William John Clarke and John Warrington Rogers jointly with the said Right Reverend Samuel Thornton, Andrew Anderson and James Millhinch Bickett now these prexsents witness that the said Governor as such Governor as aforesaid in exercise of the power for this purpose given to him by the said Crown Grant and of every other power enabling him doth hereby appoint the Said Right Reverend Samuel Thornton to be a trustee of the land in place of the said Rivett Henry Bland and James Millhinch Bickett to the addition trustees. .. .department of lands and survey, letterhead, legal, john adrian louis earl of hopetoun, william john clarke, rivett henry bland, john warrington rogers, trustees, ballarat school of mines, ballarat school of mines trustees

Beryl Knox speaking about early life in Melton. Page 1 1949 – 64 years ago. We began our married life at Melton Sth. The house on the corner of the Exford Rd and Staughton St-- dusty gravel roads, box thorns and noxious weeds everywhere and a sprinkling of houses and vacant land. It was a friendly community consisting of old family names. McDonalds, Blacks, Dodemaide, Cahill, Coopers, Minns, Tinklers, Nesbitts, Cochranes, Wickhams, Exells. Mavis Butler. The home owned by Mr. Robinson and Miss Robinson had been shifted in two parts transported from Diggers Rest and it is still standing 2013. Bruce’s father purchased the house and two adjoining blocks, the Conways built on one and the Rawlinson family on the other block. Eileen still resides there, she was only a baby in a pram and the family had not long arrived from England. The railway line was close to the house and the contents would rattle when heavy steams trains went through, and on a clear frosty night the 1am paper train would echo roar through very loudly when labouring towards the Exford Bridge. Then the two carriage motor train was introduced, this was great for the workers and schoolies who travelled to Melbourne. The train pulled up at the crossing or riding to pick up or drop off. Melva Gillespie (nee Hirt) Bill Cahill delivered the milk by the billy and then in bottles. Len Kennedy (Paul Kennedy’s father, Norma Murrays son) delivered Jongebloeds bread, he always had a sweep going for the Melbourne Cup and raffles for the footy club. Mr. Woodgate owned an old bus and pick up point was the Post Office when there was a Saturday film on a Melton. There were no doctors or dentists in the district. If we need a Doctor we had to travel to Bacchus Marsh or discuss problems over the phone. In later years a Bacchus Marsh Doctor rented the Bluestone building in McKenzie St a couple of days a week. If we needed the Dentist we had to travel to West Footscray or Footscray. We did our banking at “State Savings” then the Miss Minns had the agency and then Bardsleys Store. We travelled to Bacchus Marsh to the National and Commercial banks. Station Rd to Western Highway, now (High Street) was a narrow stretch of bitumen and gravel farmland either side and a couple of farm houses and large gum trees on the properties. Page 2 North of the Railway line Mrs Bessie Jones, mother of Chas and Betty Jones managed the Post Office, next door to her Chas and Betty had the Shell Centre, and later moved the business to Melton. Hughie Nesbitt and mother owned the grocery and hardware store, and I bought my first set of saucepans there. On the opposite side of Station road Mr Coombe owned the fruit shop, and also provided soft drinks and lollies for children. The Chaff Mill was on the corner of Station Rd and Brooklyn Rd. Mr Lumsden was manager and later years Bernie Trethowan and Jack Butler were partners. It finally burnt down and is a Service Station now. Along Brooklyn Rd there were a few houses and Victoria Hall, not a very big hall, but catered for lots of functions, Balls, Fancy Dress, Bazaars, Square Dancing and meetings. The Bacchus Marsh Baptists held Sunday School in the hall. A group of shops were built south of the railway line Molly and Len Skinner managed the Post Office and handled a few essential groceries. Tom McDonald and Ron Lunsberg were the butchers. Mary and Syd Cooper lived next door to us and often in turn would run out of something when we had a baking spree we would borrow or exchange, sugar flour etc over the fence. Mavis and Jack Butler lived there before the Coopers. Bernie and Iris Trethowan lived two doors up. Neighbours were invited into their home to view the first black and white television in Melton Sth. Bill Exell was one of the first Melton Sth farmers to sell his land to developers, the land was idle for years before housing developed. I joined the Melton Valley Golf Club in 1960. The Gun Club as our Club House, an old tin shed consisting a water tank, trestle table and forms and dirt floor. It was a 9 hole course with sand scraps and landscape putting before greens. The Common or parkland was part of the Golf Course. It was open for every ones recreation. Roy Norton an old identity trained his trotters on the Common and wouldn’t clear the track for the golfers. The golfers had to avoid him to continue to play. We had to keep clear when the young youths came in their paddock cars and motorbikes. Over the years the Toolern Creek flooded its banks, water and debri covered the course on one year our first Club house was flooded out. It took several working bees to clean it up. We lived at Melton Sth for 15 years and moved to Melton on the farm “Croxton Park.” The Nixon family farm “Mowbray” adjoined the farm. Bruce worked the land cropping the farm when Mrs Nixon died. Page 3 (page 4 on the handwritten script) Bruce had the first offer to buy, in those days it wasn’t easy to get good bank loans. Part of the land is the Golf Course now and Mr O’Shea purchased the bulk. Moving to Melton was totally different – I became involved with Committees, Scouts, Guides, Mothers Clubs, CWA, Church Op shop (8 years). Melton Amateurs players produced and tutored by Mabel Rogers exerts from Pyjama Game, South Pacific, Carousel - later years a group of ladies did gentle water exercise at Essendon and Station Road swimming pool. I was 20 or so years in Probus. The local followed the football, there was always a Gymkhana on the long weekend in June. The tennis always created a lot of interest during the finals. It didn’t matter which team played the supporters were treated to a cup of tea and leftovers from their afternoon tea. In 1978 were the first residents to move into the Jennings Estate Kurunjang and lived there 31 years and retired 4 years ago into Unit. The amazing changes I have experienced. Merrimu supplied our water, after depending on tanks. The landscape changed completely when developers came in, no more dusty plains \ typed web Sept 2013 McFarlane, Mrs Knox and Beryl Gillespie at the First Hundred Years Celebration of Melton State School 430. The event was held at Mechanics Hall, Melton.local identities, local significant events, education

Information from research by Mabel Rogers from the first meeting in August 1939 – 1969 Notable Events of the CWA The document contains information about meetings and events and numbers of members who attended. December 2013 – a selection of some of the items of interest have been extracted by Wendy Barrie NOTABLE EVENTS Page 1 1938 August 10th 1938 Minutes of inaugural meeting of Melton Branch Country Women’s Association. Cr Coburn introduced Mrs Toose, Ballarat G.P. [Group President] 42 ladies were present, including visitors from Bacchus Marsh and Smeaton Branches. September – Miss A Raleigh was elected Magazine Secretary October- 26 members present. Penny Collection for Million Members Fund November December – Mrs Swan gave demonstration of basketry, using stringy bark, Eucalyptus bark and reeds 1939 February 1939 – 18 members present. Branch total 50. Donation towards Pedal Transmitting Set. Inquiries made of Shire Council re permission to fence War Memorial March April – cost of fence material beyond Branch Funds May- 24 members present June, July, August – birthday celebrations. September 25 members present October – Meeting hled at Toolern Vale Bird Sanctuary 36 members present November – 1st Annual Meeting December – Owing to harvest operations, only 11 members present. 1940 February electric kettle and urn to be purchased for Mechanics Institute. Also to install a power point. [Electricity was connected to Melton in December 1939] April end of page 1 Page 2 May – Council Permission to be sought, to plant trees on oval below Shire Hall P.M.G. to be asked to supply a seat outside telephone booth for convenience of callers after P.O. was closed. June- Wives of A.I.F. soldiers be made honorary members. “1d per week drive” for gift for the Empire. July, September, October November – Group President stressed the importance of keeping Branches together during time of war. Collection of sheep skins to be made into vests for fighting forces worthy of consideration. Group President, Mrs Morgan-Paylor. December 1941 February 30 members present March – Eight members attend Ballarat Group Conference. Approach Council re fencing and preparation of land for tree plantation May – Mrs Swan demonstrated making of slippers from pieces of sheepskin June – Empire Gift Scheme of 1d per week to be continued for another year or duration of the war. July – Demonstration on making camouflage nets August, September Group Conference at Smeaton, October, November meetings held 1942 February- Enquiries to be made as how to help with A.R.P. work March, April, May, June,- Headquarters busy on war work. July end of page 2 Page 3 August, September. October – 15 Camouflage Nets forwarded to Headquarters November- Mrs Glasson Group President presided at Annual Meeting. Meetings to be held at 3 monthly intervals. Overseas link, enquiries be made of Melton Mowbray had a C.W.A. Branch 1943 February- Overseas link to be Lampeter, Cardiganshire, Wales May- 7 Camouflage Nets to Headquarters. American overseas link Nov 5th Annual Meeting, letters received from Wales and America 1944 May – Approach to be made to Council re formation of Baby Health Centre July – Ball held for Baby Health Centre effort. Admission 3/- 1945 February- Mrs Lemke present at meeting May August- Miss Strahan of Womens Hospital gave a talk on “Work of Almoner Departments in Public Hospitals” November Annual meeting. eight food parcels sent to Britain, 2 to Lampeter 1946 meetings held every two months May- Congratulations to Mrs Swan, Group President Elect June – 20 members present. August- 8th Birthday celebrated with a Social Evening Music was supplied by Mrs E.W. Barrie September - Scone competition 1. Mrs Beaty, 2. Miss Robinson 3. Mrs Exell November- Eggs sent to Somers House 1947 February – Demonstration of Glove-making March – revert to monthly meetings April - decided to have an auto tray made for the Branch May – Branch decided to plant a tree for Princess Elizabeth’s 21st Birthday.. Council to be asked if agreeable to continue arrangements in 1940, to fence C.W.A. Plantation end of page 3 Page 4 June - Food parcels sent to Overseas Link July – Invitations to birthday celebrations sent to Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Sunbury, Mt Egerton August September - Collection of silver coin taken a donation from Branch towards wedding gift to Princess Elizabeth … forwarded to H.Q. November – C.W.A. together with Red Cross and Bacchus Marsh C.W.A. to provide afternoon tea and luncheon at Eynesbury sale. 1948 February – Food parcels sent to ex-Prisoner-of-war. Publicity agent appointed April – Decided to apply for trees to be planted in area already chosen a beauty spot May – Additional listeners to Broadcast Session were appointed June July – Gift of books received from Overseas Link. I was decided to stat a Library . Miss Raleigh to at a Librarian. August – 5 pound donation from Branch funds to “Save the Children” Appeal. September, October, November 1949 January – At Group Conference, delegates to vote in favour of resolution that State School children be allowed to sit for exams in own school March – Decided to contact Council for permission to fence off Water Reserve April, May – Another parcel to be sent to Ret. British P.O.W. Association June July – Fancy Dress Children’s Ball to be held for Annual Effort August – 11th Birthday September – Bank Balance November – 11th annual Meeting. Members agree to supply small gifts to Ballarat Mental Hospital 1950 February – Five books were received from Lampeter March – Branch to support idea of holding a Music Drama Festival in Group April – Miss Smith elected Group President May – C.W.A. Science Van visited Melton June – Demonstration of Macrame work - July August – 12th Birthday Celebration end page 4 Page 5 September, October November 12th Annual Meeting, Miss Smith Group President. Melton's Country Women's Association Choirlocal special interest groups, local identities

Mary Tolhurst M&DHS - March 29th Dunvegan Willows Park Melton 1992 Ladies Oral History Day Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transfer to CD 2011 by Tom Wood Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 I was born in Rockbank, and when I was five years old moved to Toolern Vale and started and finished school there. Toolern Vale only consisted of the Store, Post Office and shop, where you could buy your fodder, and pollard supplies, the Hall, the little Church and the bluestone School. The School changed shape three times from the 1800s[1869] til the time I went there. There was four generations of my family that went there and it was destroyed by fire in 1965. Marjorie nee Myers Butler. Yes, I remember along with it your lovely Ronisch piano. Mary, quite true! Marj what you say about the Ronisch piano. When I came the age to learn music my mum and dad couldn’t really afford it, but still what parents do for their children. They had Marj go along with them and pick this lovely Ronisch piano. It was known round the district. Everyone commented about the loss that lovely piano. After leaving school it was war time, 1939, then it was work, When I was 7 year old I was put out into the cow yard. In 1940 when the soldiers were going away our milk was confiscated it had to go to Bacchus Marsh. It used to go the Sunbury to be brine cooled and then go to Melbourne. Then they took it then to the Lifeguard Milk Factory at Bacchus Marsh. It had to go as condensed milk to the soldiers. This year is 50 years of the Land Army. I was an unofficial Land Army but they still kept check on me. I went onto married life and I followed the cows right through [howls of laughter] and we went on until the 1965 fire. That’s when we got out of the cows. Marjorie asks, was Granny Watts your grandmother or great grandmother? Mary: She was my great grandmother, the midwife of Melton. The 1965 fire started ¾ of a mile above our place, Frank Ryan’s sheds were burnt and his house was saved, then it wiped the School out, the Hall, the Church the Post Office and Store and little house that was Charlie Charlton’s in the early days. Mrs Wilson’s place was saved by the Fire Brigade by pulling boards off the side, and from there it went over the hill and it was stopped at the Rockbank Railway Station. If it had of got over the railway they said it would have gone into Werribee. A lot was burnt out in that strip. Mary nee Nixon Collins: 18 houses burnt that day. Audience question, did Melton get burnt that day? Ray: No. It came down through the Toolern Vale road and cut across about a mile and a half from the cross roads at Toolern Vale from north westerly to the south east and cut through over the Keilor road. Mary: It came in across the creek at Funstons in Toolern, then through Jim Minns. Dorothy was it your place then [nee Knox Beaty] to Ken Beatty’s and from there it went through to Doug McIntosh’s and to Cockbills and the wind changed and it came across to the railway line, and that is where they stopped it. [the cause of the fire was controversial, they had been burning off the night before and there was some talk of someone starting it. It was very hot and very strong wind, it was a terrible day] Ray: When the fire went through McIntosh’s they had a haystack on the north side of their house and the haystack got caught and the fire burnt a hole through the side of the house and the boys pyjamas on the bed. The house was saved. It came through like and express train roaring at you, I was at McIntosh’s when it went roaring past. You couldn’t see, dust and ash and tremendous heat. The fire started about 12 o’clock Jack [husband] said to me, fire, I said where, where? Just up the road, what have I got to do? and he went out and he had gone to the fire and left me. I tried to get the animals and I put out buckets of water, putting the buckets of water out saved my life. Chas Jones and another friend of his came in and they picked up the buckets of water, I thought I had better get out because the fire was on the haystack up the paddock and when I went to go out through the north side of the house and couldn’t get out, I’ll go through the front gate so I went around the other side of the house. I got caught there and Chassy Jones and his friend came round carrying the bucket of water and I panicked. He threw the bucket of water over me. Well that is what saved my life because I was damp, whenever we tried to leave the ball of fire came over me and over my shoulder and my hair was scorched. Chassy Jones lost his truck and Keith Watt his big truck because he had the water tank on it and they couldn’t get out of the yard. Granny Watt’s house, the first private hospital had condemned and Jack and I pulled it down and had it moved up to Toolern and had it in the yard a fortnight and it was all burnt and we didn’t get the shed we wanted. Every 13 years right up until Ash Wednesday fires, there has always been fire close at hand. The 1952 fire went down the back of the house, the 1965 fire took the house, and the house that I live in now, it is the third house that has been on that spot. When the Hunters owned it, Mrs Hunter was nearly burnt in her bed. They had a 13 roomed house. In 1924 the house burnt down, and there was another house was built there and that was the one that burnt down. Edna: So Mary built a brick veneer house. Marjorie: like the three little pigs [laughter] Collins - Mary M &DHS - March 29th 1992 Ladies oral history day at Dunvegan, Willows Park Melton. Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transferred to CD 2011 Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 Mary Collins nee Nixon born in Terang 1907 down in the Western District and we shifted to Melton when I was 5 and a half then I started school here in Melton, and spent all my school life at Melton State School, next to the Church of England, it’s called the Primary School now. I got my Qualifying and Merit Certificate then I left School because there wasn’t a High School. When I was 16 I got and job in the Melton Post Office and I worked there, I was the first girl in Melton to deliver the mail, and worked on the telephone and the Bank business. Mrs Ross and myself behind the counter, there were about 500 – 600 people in the Shire at that time and now when I go into the new Post Office there is 36,000 here there’s still 2 people behind the counter [laughter from the audience] and wait in a queue right out to the door. Times haven’t changed much have they! There was a manual telephone and you had to ring the handle, and there were eight subscribers when I went there and when I left there were 46 I had coaxed that number to join the telephone, even the police station didn’t have the phone on. The two Hotels and the two Chaff mills and Mr Ernie Barrie, Parkers the butcher, the Shire Office was No 8, and the Police house was next to the Courthouse on the corner. They were number 9. I can remember a lot of the numbers still. The Post Office was the Agency for the Commonwealth Bank [comment from audience member] I used to do the Bank business too, I left after four years there, mother wasn’t very well. The Inspector who used to come up to the Post Office asked me if I would take up casual Post Mistress and to go around the different districts but I refused and when Mrs Ross’s holidays were due I was the replacement. I wasn’t 21. I loved my work meeting everybody and most people had horse and jinkers and when the elderly would come in there would be Mr Tom Morrow, he only had one arm and Mrs Dunn came from Bulman’s road in their horse and jinker. They were elderly I would see them pull up out the front and quickly get their mail and run out to them because they didn’t have to get out of the jinker to tie up their horse. If someone had a baby in arms I would tear out and hold the baby while they got down. Mrs Ross was very very strict. I had to sweep the Post Office, she had a couple of mats and there would be a threepence or a sixpence under the mats show she knew whether I lifted the mat, I was whether I was honest or not. Graham: How much were your wages? I got 27/7 pence a week for a 52 hour week. I had to work every holiday except Good Friday and Christmas Day and even when it was Monday holiday I always had to go to work from 9am - !0 am, the Post Office was always open. In the winter I had to wait until twenty past six in case there were any telegrams to deliver. I delivered them on a push bike. One time Tom Barrie told me this years afterwards. I used to go home for lunch. We lived on the Keilor road and I used to ride my bike home. On the hot days the boys used to go and swim in the swimming pool down near a turn in the creek there was a hole where the boys would swim in the nude, they didn’t have any bathers and they didn’t have any watches in those days. Tom Barrie said they always used to watched for me as I was always about 3 minutes past 1, my lunch hour was from 1-2. One particular day they missed seeing me and swam on, and of course they were all late for school when they got back and were all kept in a night. I did get a fortnight holiday. I loved my work and I knew everyone in the district right from Toolern Vale to the Marsh and everybody at Melton South. Did you listen into conversations on the Switchboard? Oh no. [laughter] Melton did not have electricity then. I had to fill the lamps everyday with kerosene. The Staughton Memorial was outside the Post Office. It had four posts with the chain looped around it, and that’s where the people used to tie up their horses. Marjorie nee Myers Butler comments about sitting and swinging on the chains. Mr Fred Coburn lit the acetylene gas light in the Memorial. It was the only streetlight in Melton. There was no electricity until 1939. Ray Radford comments about another gas street light which was on the corner of Station road. [later] Mary passes around her school photos. Mary mentions the names of those who have passed away, Maisie McDonald, ,Marian Wraith, Hilda McCreey, and Valda McDonald. I have written the names on the back. Marjorie comments about Marie Jongebloed and Greta are the only two girls left out of big family of ten I think there were [hesitates] 4 or 5 girls and the rest were boys. Mary. Flora Woodley, Dorrie Flynn and Margaret McDonald are still alive. They are my age we were all born about 1907. Marjorie points out herself in a later photo [1921 and 1922 School ] Mary mentions the name Walsh and identyfies following names, the Parker boys, Ken Beaty, Malc and Linda Cameron, Maisie Mc Donald, Ted Radford, George Nixon, Norman Minns, he was later the Shire Secretary of Werribee. One of the Woodley girls. [Maisie Arthur] Marjorie: Rosie Shearwood, June Whiting Mary. Lily Mc Donald, she has passed away. Isabel Harrison nee Tinkler, she lives at Werribee, Doreen Rogers, Marjorie Walker, Jess McIntosh, Mary Gillespie. Mr Malone was the Junior teacher Mr Roe and Miss Cooke. Fred Myers, my sister [Elizabeth] and the year was 1921. Myers (Barrie) School Photo Collection. Many of the names were identified at the 1970 Centenary of Melton State School No. 430. Edna Barrie organised, compiled and typed the lists to accompany these photos for the year 1921. The 1922 photo shows the higher grades. Ladies Oral History Day event held by Melton and District Historical Society, article featured in the Telegraphlocal identities, local special interest groups