Following Federation a number of companies of Victorian Mounted Rifles were consolidated to form the 8th Light Horse (VMR). In 1912 the regiment was re-titled 16th Light Horse (Indi Light Horse). In 1920 another re-numbering took place with the regiment becoming 8th Light Horse (Indi Light Horse).Badly faded photograph of group of soldiers of 8th Light Horse (VMR) in Violet Town 1906.Violet Town 1906. Sgt W Luscombe left kneelingmilitary, vmr, light horse, violet town, luscombe

Two speeches by Legatee Bill Rogers to the Benalla, Euroa, Violet Town group of Melbourne Legacy at the change over dinner in 2006 and again in 2007. He mentions the need for change as the widows were growing older, the redevelopment of Legacy House, and increasing the marketing of the Legacy brand using specialists. Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008).A record of Legacy in 2006 and 2007.Print out x 3 pages of 2 speeches by President Legatee Bill Rogers to the Benalla, Euroa and Violet Town Group in 2006 and 2007.benalla, euroa, violet town, bill rogers, change over

A copy of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to the Benalla, Euroa, Violet Town Group change over dinner in 2007. He was installing Legatee Leon Dyer as President of the Group. He mentions the 141,000 widows receiving DVA benefits. He mentions Younger Veterans Forum for veterans post 1975. Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008).A record of the branches and groups at the time.Print out x 1 page of a speech given by President Bill Rogers to a Group dinner on 24 March 2007.benalla, euroa, violet town, changeover dinner

During a visit to Violet Town in 1993, Dr Elsie Koadlow (1922-2010) and Dr Leslie Koadlow AO (1920-2006), pose for a photo with Grandparent of the Year entrant, Pat McGuigan. This photo, attributed to the Euroa Gazette, appears on the back cover (page 16) of the Vol 6 No 2 issue of the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria's quarterly magazine, Arthritis Update. The photo is captioned: "Bottom Left: Pat McGuigan, right, an entrant in the Grandparent of the Year, is pictured with Dr Les (AFV President) and Dr Elsie Koadlow when they visited a function at Violet Town. Picture courtesy of Euroa Gazette."B&W photo of three people standing in front of a framed painting on a stand or easel. One woman is wearing a badge or sticker on her top with the text "ARTHRITIS WEEK". Another framed painting, on the floor and leaning against something, is evident to the left of the frame. The reflection of a chandelier light fitting is evident in the windows behind them.[Stamped in the top right corner, in purple ink] Euroa Gazette Photo [Handwritten in pale orange/brown ink] 16D [Handwritten in red pencil or ink] 78%arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, outreach, arthritis week, outreach, dr leslie koadlow, president, dr elsie koadlow, pat mcguigan, grandparent of the year, gpoty, entrant, paintings, violet town, euroa gazette, arthritis update, 1993

[article by Diana Bassett-Smith in EDHS Newsletter No. 117, November 1997:] MONUMENT HUNTING THE HUME AND HOVELL WAY - Sunday October 26 1997 dawned bright and very warm. Some twenty-five members, complete with picnic baskets, met outside the Eltham Library awaiting the Cobb and Co. large coach which would be taking us on the second leg of our travels along the route of the early explorers Hume and Hovell. Stephen West was our very good driver for the day. He would be guided around the circuitous route by Russell Yeoman who had made a detailed study, not only of the intended route, but of the story of these two explorers. During the trip Russell regaled us with poetry, quotations from the Journals and the History of the Shire of Seymour, "The New Crossing Place" by Martindale, 1982, (now Mitchell Shire due to the recent amalgamations). We headed towards the Hume Highway via Greensborough and Cooper Street and proceeded north to our first stop, noting on the way Monument Hill in the distance which is near Kilmore and, according to Russell, well worth the effort to visit as the view across the valley is magnificent. Past Sunday Creek Valley, Mt Piper and Mt Disappointment, all traversed and noted and named by them. We passed through Tallarook, then onto Seymour where we took photos of the monument telling us that Hume and Hovell had passed through on the 28th of October 1824. We also deviated down Hume and Hovell Road viewing deer and emu farming and the Bellbourie property now a sanctuary. Leaving Seymour behind we travelled up the Avenel Road to the Avenel monument, pyramidal in design of four reducing square blocks with a sharply pointed peak, erected in 1924 in memory of the 1824 exploration. The day was warming up and the countryside showing the dryness of the current drought. A parallel note had been made in their journal too of 1824 of the drought appearance of the country they were traversing. At Seven Creeks, Euroa we stopped for some minutes to check the monument placed 20th November 1924 to commemorate their passage on the 29th December 1824. More photos. Russell had pointed out the abrupt termination of the distant ranges which is noted in their journal. The next monument is beside the road at the entrance to Honey Suckle Creek Caravan Park, Violet Town. The squarish shaped monument some eight feet high is topped with a simple steel cross, and was to mark the date of 28th December 1824 and built for the 20th November 1924. By now it was 12.20 and nearly lunchtime as we drove along the Warranbayne Road to Roach's Road, monument hunting without success. Though there is a large, what appears to be an old timber sign which was hard to read, maybe this was the lost monument. In many of the paddocks hay had been cut and baled or was being cut, what a contrast to the rugged country they had passed through which was smoky from the fires of the natives burning off. By 1.00 pm we were at Benalla and pulled up beside the park where abundant beds of roses filled the air with their scent and the smell of barbecued food twitched the nostrils whilst the cheerful sounds of other picnickers could be heard throughout the park. We left the bus and collected up our picnics, dispersed to the various tables and enjoyed the shade from the various European trees. 2.00 pm and we were on the road again driving along the Benalla, Mansfield, Yea road. The Swanpool monument states that they passed four miles south and returned three miles north. Then we stopped at the Barjarg monument which notes that they camped near this spot. It is again a pyramidal monument and this time topped with a steel arrow indicating their route of the 29th November 1824. Half an hour later we came to another monument, again with a steel arrow marker on top and the plaque dated the 2nd of 12th 1824. Erected on the 12th of 12th 1924. "They blazed the way that we might inherit the land." Another square based and needle topped monument appeared at Yarck near Yea and this plaque records the date of 3 December 1824. Near McGuigans Road Russell related that the expedition had lost a dog but it had found them next day, the dog was apparently torn by a kangaroo. A short while later Russell reminded us here of the problems they encountered in crossing the Goulburn River near Molesworth where banks were high, water deep and wide. "Good coat of grass but quite dry due to drought". At Yea we stopped for afternoon tea and raided the last of our picnics and looked at the monument to their journey of 1824, situated at a corner of the gardens near the bowling green. No photo – we were out of film. We returned home via Kinglake West and Whittlesea past the Yan Yean Reservoir, not full. 5.00 pm back at Eltham we emptied out of the bus and everyone, including Joan Cole, collected their things, Joan also had the major souvenir of the day, a large carp she had picked up from the river bank, her cat was in for a great feast. The day was made so interesting by the informed commentary which Russell provided. His background knowledge of the route and nature of the journey could only have come from many hours of reading and driving the area. Thank you to Russell and to everyone who made the day so informative and pleasurable. Colour photographactivities, hume and hovell, monument, violet town

Letter dated Violet Town 25th March 73. Writer has been moving around and has moved to Violet Town. He asked that future communication be sent to Railway Station, Violet Town.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, w b evans

Collection of cooking recipes and household hints collected early in the 20th century and used by Mrs Welsh and later Mrs McPhee.Handwritten collection of cooking recipe's. Dated 1924.Mrs. A. Welsh, Spring Dell, Bohno, Violet Townbooks, cookery

Used on sheep by the Rothaker family formerly of Kalimn, Malvyn Road, Violet Town, 3669.'R' brand.R

Sheep castrator owned by Tom Crocker (former Operations Manager, National Wool Museum), used on father's property in Violet Town.Sheep castrator.Marples Tools Shamrock Brand Wm Marples & Sons Ltd Hibernia Works Sheffield, England Warrantedsheep castrating, crocker, mr tom - national wool museum

Hypodermic syringe gun in box donated by Tom Crocker (former Operations Manager, National Wool Museum), used on father's property in Violet Town.Metal hypodermic syringe gun.The Repeater Hypodermic syringe Wilcox Mofflin Limitedsheep dipping, crocker, mr tom - national wool museum

James(Jim) Mitchell pictured in Uniform born 30/4/1890 Violet Town, Victoria, Enlisted in Liverpool, NSW. Died 4/12/1921James (Jim) Mitchell pictured in Uniform enlisted in Army during WW1Black and white copied photograph of James(Jim) Mitchell in Army uniform ww1, chiltern shire honor roll

A short article about Alexander John McDonald and his service in World War 1. At the time of his enlistment he was living at Violet Town and his father lived in Bundoora. A second article is included, written by John Gibson and titled: "Alexander John McDonald's Great War"; it gives further detail about this soldier.Article 1:One page, text and colour images; Article 2: 4 pages text and colour imagesworld war 1 project, alexander john mcdonald

This fishing rod was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mr. David Brown who is a retired Victorian Railways driver. It was made for him by Mr. Jack Bowden in 1962. Mr. Bowden was the driver of the Southern Aurora when it crashed with a freight train at Violet Town on 7 February 1969. The Sydney – Melbourne passenger train was bound for Melbourne. At about 7.05 a.m. the “Southern Aurora” collided head-on with the Melbourne-Albury goods train near Violet Town. 8 people lost their lives in the crash and 117 were injured. Driver John Bowden had died of cardiac arrest at some time before the collision. The driver of the goods train, Lawrence Rosevear, a good friend and workmate of Jack Bowden had tried to apply the brake when he realised the Aurora was not slowing down, but was unable to stop the impact. Lawrence also died in the crashThis was made by a local train driver who was died in the "Southern Aurora" train tragedy.A hand made fibre-glass fishing rod with wooden handle and agate runnersfishing, fishing equipment, recreational fishing, southern aurora

This flag was flying at the Wodonga Station when VR Driver John (Jack) Bowden drove past it whilst at the controls of the “Southern Aurora” on 7 February 1969. The Sydney – Melbourne passenger train was bound for Melbourne. At about 7.05 a.m. the “Southern Aurora” collided head-on with the Melbourne-Albury goods train near Violet Town. 8 people lost their lives in the crash and 117 were injured. Driver John Bowden had died of cardiac arrest at some time before the collision. The driver of the goods train, Lawrence Rosevear, a good friend and workmate of Jack Bowden had tried to apply the brake when he realised the Aurora was not slowing down, but was unable to stop the impact. Lawrence also died in the crash. A memorial is maintained at Violet Town to commemorate those who died and also recognised those who helped in the aftermath of the tragedy.This flag is connected to the "Southern Aurora" train tragedy in 1969A large blue flag bearing the gold insignia of Victorian Railways. Canvas binding and the rope is still attached on the flag pole side. There is fringing on the other side but there is some fraying due to age.victorian railways, southern aurora, john bowden

Taken in 1908, the photograph depicts a long line of Australian soldiers riding atop horses. They marching down Ford St, Beechworth. This group were part of the Beechworth Mounted Rifles; a voluntary detachment of the Australian Light Horse Militia. This unit consisted of soldiers from the Euroa, Longwood, Violet Town, Benalla, Thoona, Wangaratta, Rutherglen, and Beechworth Detachments of Victorian Rifles, and subsequently formed into the 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment (Victorian Mounted Rifles). The Victorian Mounted Rifles was gazetted as a volunteer formation on 2 December 1885 with the aim of consolidating all the disparate calvary units dispersed across Victoria into a coordinated and single administrative and military unit. The Victorian Mounted Rifles fought in the Second Boer War (1889 - 1902), although it is unknown if the group depicted in this image were involved in the conflict.The photograph is historically significant due to its connection to the Australian Light Horse Regiment, specifically of the Victorian Mounted Rifles. This unit retains a special significance within Victorian culture, as there is a memorial and monument - erected in 1903 - honouring their service on St. Kilda Road in Melbourne. The record has strong research potential. This is due to the ongoing scholarly and public interest in war, military history, and the ANZAC legend. The historic context of this record can provide insight into Australia's history, military and defence policies. Lastly, as the Victorian Mounted Rifles remain a largely unexplored topic in comparison to other military units and divisions, the record presents a unique opportunity for further and important study and research.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.military album, military, war, wwi, world war i, beechworth, ford st, parade, horses, mounted rifles, soldiers, victorian mounted rifles, australian light horse militia

Stage 3 tour of Hume and Hovell monuments organised by Russell Yeoman. At the centenary of Hume and Hovell exploration in 1924 a committee was formed to co-ordinate and organise local celebrations along the route from Albury to Corio Bay. An itinerary was created for the unveiling ceremonies giving the hour and date for each place concerned from 15 to 21 November 1924. Thirty-three monuments or cairns were erected at Violet Town, Euroa, Avenel, Seymour, Broadford, Kilmore, Mount Bland, Bulla, Moyhu, Hansonville, Benalla, Samaria, Swanpool, Yarck, Yea, The Horn (Buffalo), Myrtleford, Whorouly, Everton, Murmungee, Stanley, Back Creek, Allan's Flat, Staghorn Flat, Ebden, Bethanga, Hume Reservoir, Strath Creek, Deer Park, Werribee, Lara, Bulla, Everton.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, back creek, hume and hovell, monument

Stage 3 tour of Hume and Hovell monuments organised by Russell Yeoman. At the centenary of Hume and Hovell exploration in 1924 a committee was formed to co-ordinate and organise local celebrations along the route from Albury to Corio Bay. An itinerary was created for the unveiling ceremonies giving the hour and date for each place concerned from 15 to 21 November 1924. Thirty-three monuments or cairns were erected at Violet Town, Euroa, Avenel, Seymour, Broadford, Kilmore, Mount Bland, Bulla, Moyhu, Hansonville, Benalla, Samaria, Swanpool, Yarck, Yea, The Horn (Buffalo), Myrtleford, Whorouly, Everton, Murmungee, Stanley, Back Creek, Allan's Flat, Staghorn Flat, Ebden, Bethanga, Hume Reservoir, Strath Creek, Deer Park, Werribee, Lara, Bulla, Everton.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, back creek, hume and hovell, monument

Stage 3 tour of Hume and Hovell monuments organised by Russell Yeoman. At the centenary of Hume and Hovell exploration in 1924 a committee was formed to co-ordinate and organise local celebrations along the route from Albury to Corio Bay. An itinerary was created for the unveiling ceremonies giving the hour and date for each place concerned from 15 to 21 November 1924. Thirty-three monuments or cairns were erected at Violet Town, Euroa, Avenel, Seymour, Broadford, Kilmore, Mount Bland, Bulla, Moyhu, Hansonville, Benalla, Samaria, Swanpool, Yarck, Yea, The Horn (Buffalo), Myrtleford, Whorouly, Everton, Murmungee, Stanley, Back Creek, Allan's Flat, Staghorn Flat, Ebden, Bethanga, Hume Reservoir, Strath Creek, Deer Park, Werribee, Lara, Bulla, Everton.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, back creek, hume and hovell, monument

Stage 3 tour of Hume and Hovell monuments organised by Russell Yeoman. At the centenary of Hume and Hovell exploration in 1924 a committee was formed to co-ordinate and organise local celebrations along the route from Albury to Corio Bay. An itinerary was created for the unveiling ceremonies giving the hour and date for each place concerned from 15 to 21 November 1924. Thirty-three monuments or cairns were erected at Violet Town, Euroa, Avenel, Seymour, Broadford, Kilmore, Mount Bland, Bulla, Moyhu, Hansonville, Benalla, Samaria, Swanpool, Yarck, Yea, The Horn (Buffalo), Myrtleford, Whorouly, Everton, Murmungee, Stanley, Back Creek, Allan's Flat, Staghorn Flat, Ebden, Bethanga, Hume Reservoir, Strath Creek, Deer Park, Werribee, Lara, Bulla, Everton.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 200-6activities, back creek, hume and hovell, monument

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community. S Class Locomotives - The eighteen members of the S Class were ordered in two batches by the Victorian Railways from Clyde Engineering for express passenger and freight workings, with the final eight locomotives ordered specifically to work the North-East standard gauge line. Many were named after prominent Victorians.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.The first standard gauge passenger train from Sydney to Melbourne pulled by Locomotive S314. This was made possible when part of Australia's gauge problem was solved with the construction of a new standard gauge line. The new line was a 317 km long line running from Albury, NSW, parallel to the existing broad gauge line to Melbourne, connecting Australia's two largest cities by standard gauge. S314 entered service on 24 April 1961 and was named after Sir John O'Shannassy who was the second Premier of Victoria. The S314 pulled the first passenger train to travel straight through from Sydney to Melbourne on 13 April 1962. On the morning of 7th February 1969, the southbound Southern Aurora collided head-on with a northbound goods train near Violet Town, Victoria. The Locomotive S314 was hauling the goods train and was destroyed by the impact of the collision. On front of locomotive "S314" On banner below Coat of Arms "FIRST STANDARD GAUGE PASSENGER TRAIN / SYDNEY - MELBOURNE/ APRIL 13 - 1962"railways wodonga, fred rochow, walker rail motor vehicles, wodonga to tallangatta rail service

It is believed that the photograph was taken between 1899 - 1903. Depicted is a group of fourteen unidentified young men dressed in Australian military uniforms. A few of them are holding swords. This group were part of the Beechworth Mounted Rifles; a voluntary detachment of the Australian Light Horse Militia. This unit consisted of soldiers from the Euroa, Longwood, Violet Town, Benalla, Thoona, Wangaratta, Rutherglen, and Beechworth Detachments of Victorian Rifles, and subsequently formed into the 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment (Victorian Mounted Rifles). The Victorian Mounted Rifles was gazetted as a volunteer formation on 2 December 1885 with the aim of consolidating all the disparate calvary units dispersed across Victoria into a coordinated and single administrative and military unit. Two contingents of the Victorian Mounted Rifles fought during the Second Boer War (11 October 1889 - 31 May 1902). This conflict was fought between the British Empire and two independent Boer states; the South African Republic and the Orange Free State, over the Empire's influence in South Africa.The photograph is historically significant due to its connection to the Second Boer War and Australian Light Horse Regiment. This significance is enhanced by Australia's involvement in this war, specifically of the Victorian Mounted Rifles. This unit retains a special significance within Victorian culture, as there is a memorial and monument - erected in 1903 - honouring their service on St. Kilda Road in Melbourne. The record has strong research potential. This is due to the ongoing scholarly and public interest in war, military history, and the ANZAC legend. The historic context of this record can provide insight into Australia's history, military and defence policies. Lastly, as the Victorian Mounted Rifles remain a largely unexplored topic in comparison to other military units and divisions, the record presents a unique opportunity for further and important study and research.Sepia rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: BMM2638 / 071 1NA211 22JAN98 FOTOSUPPLIES........ ........................................ /military album, beechworth mounted rifles, australian light horse militia, second boer war, victorian mounted rifles, australian light horse regiment, military, war, british empire, south africa, 1800s, 1900s, australian army

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Driver George Judge standing on front of Locomotive X38 special train "Spirit of 96" The X class are a class of mainline diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering Victorian Railways between 1966 and 1976. X 38 was part of the second order. It entered service on Friday, 8th May 1970. X 37 and X 38 were built as replacements for the two S Class locomotives lost in the fatal Southern Aurora crash at Violet Town in 1969. It was later sold to Pacific National and rebuilt as XR550. "Spirit of 96" was a passenger train specially designed for cast and crew of the Australian 0-10 Network series “Number 96”. It was used to travel from Sydney to Melbourne for the annual TV Week Logie Awards. It was a silver, multi-carriage train with the Commissioner's carriage hooked up at the rear for VIPs. The 16 and a half-hour overnight journey, left from the centre of Sydney at 4.30 pm with a farewell party, complete with red carpet and jazz band in attendance. It featured whistle stop visits at country sidings and stations. Thousands of people turned out to see their favourite stars, before it arrived at Spencer Street station. The rail service of the time was keen to promote its overnight tourism packages, and for the journey the train was christened as the "Spirit of 96”. On front of locomotive "X38" On red black and white sign attached to the front rail of the locomotive "O/The Spirit of 96/Sydney-Melbourne/1974"railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, x class diesel locomotive, george judge, spirit of 96

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.At Spencer Street Station on the last “Southern Aurora". The locomotive was G516. Driver Tom Symonds was based in Wodonga from 1955 to 1987. He served as AFULE Branch Secretary from 1962 to 1963 and 1966 to 1971. G Class Locomotives - G Class locomotives were primarily intended for hauling freight services, they were also used on passenger trains such as the “Southern Aurora” and the “Intercapital Daylight”. Locomotive G516 came into service in December 1984. After a series of contractual changeovers between companies it was transferred to QR National and is still in operation, The "Southern Aurora", the overnight Sydney-Melbourne express, was one of the icons of Australian railways in the 1960s and 1970s. Uniquely in Australia, it conveyed only First Class passengers, all of whom were accommodated in air-conditioned sleeping cars, all equipped with showers. The Southern Aurora was introduced when part of Australia's rail gauge problem was solved with the construction of a new standard gauge line. The new line was a 317 km long line running from Albury, NSW, parallel to the existing broad gauge line to Melbourne, connecting Australia's two largest cities by standard gauge. The Southern Aurora consisted of 14 stainless steel cars: a luggage van, a power van, a dining car, a lounge car, and ten First Class Sleeping Cars. The total capacity was 198 passengers. For a number of years, there were no intermediate stops for passengers, and the train had the longest non-stop run in Australia, 430 km from Goulburn to Albury. Dining car crews changed at Goulburn and Albury, and locos were changed at Albury. The first train ran from Sydney on Thursday 14th April 1962, with full regular services starting from both Sydney and Melbourne on Monday 16th April 1962. The classic S Class locomotive was used to haul the early Southern Aurora trains. From 1984 it was also hauled by the new G Class locomotives, On the morning of 7th February 1969, the southbound Southern Aurora collided head-on with a northbound goods near Violet Town, Victoria. Nine passengers and crew were killed, and seven carriages were destroyed. A steady decline in patronage saw the withdrawal of the service in August 1986. At top of locomotive "G516". In centre of locomotive, "V" insignia of VLinerailways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railway men, g class locomotives, the southern aurora

Report of Town Clerk Report on Submission for Finance for After School Programmes Hockey Clinics and Competition Sunshine View Estate Private Street Scheme Annual Municipal Elections Rates & Sanitary Interest Abandonments for 1976/77 Financial Reports Garbage Disposal Agreement with City of Keilor Sunshine Tip Proposed Closure of Stanley Street Transfer to Commonwealth Government Report of the Chief Health Inspector Public Toilets Hampshire Road Quarterly Return of Food Samples Removal of Dwelling Outside the Municipality Brambles McDonald Road to Violet Town Litter Control in the Western Region Clean Air & Environmental Council Annual Dinner Report of City Engineer Westerngate Estate Stage 1B Neale Road Estate Furlong Road Estate Stage 5 Contract Glengala Estate Stage 3 Private Street Scheme Land Use Permit Application Place of Worship Lot 479 Billingham Road with Comments About Place of Worship at 13 Lorna Crescent Subdivision Robinsons Road Construction of Robinsons Road Quinn Estate Deer Park Private Street Scheme St. Albans Football Club Coaching Boxes New Passenger Shelter Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board Ballarat Road Corner of Ashley Street Strata Subdivision 27 King Edward Avenue McKay Gardens Art Display Land Use Permit Indoor Training Centre Lot 7 Mullenger Street Dickson Street Private Street Scheme Plans of Transfer and Consolidation Wright Street Land Use Permit Application Flats Lots 24 & 25 Matthews Avenue Traffic Signals Wright Street Area Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board Passenger Shelters South Road Ashley Street Project Elimination of Level Crossing Country Roads Board Land Use Permit Application Proposed Car Sales Yard North West Corner Ashley Street and South Road Land Use Permit Application Extensions to Existing Factory Humes Van Ness Avenue Closure of Rogers Street & Francis Street Between Emu Street & Wattle Road Report of the Building Surveyor Building Permit Application Siting of House lot 209 Mapledene Court Sunshine West Cash in Lieu lot 17 St. Albans Road Tenders Ainsworth Reserve Child Day Care Centre / Pavilion Undersize Allotment lot 29 Albert Street Sunshine North Rosamond Bowling Club Building Statement of Objections to Grant Permit Orders of the Day Accounts Submitted for Payment as at 28th February 1977 city of sunshine, alexander "alex" george gillon, stanley street, hampshire road, sunshine, mcdonald road, brooklyn, neale road, deer park, furlong road, st. albans, billingham road, lorna crescent, sunshine west, robinsons road, st. albans football club, ballarat roa, ashley street, braybrook, king edward avenue, albion, mullenger street, wright street, matthews avenue, south road, humes pipe works, van ness avenue, maribyrnong, rogers street, francis street, emu street, wattle road, maidstone, mapledene court, st. albans road, ainsworth reserve child day care centre, ainsworth reserve, vernon street, albert street, sunshine north, rosamond bowling club, robert barrett reserve, rosamond road, sunshine tip

Minutes of the ordinary meeting of council held on 23rd March 1977 Report of Town Clerk Report on Submission for Finance for After School Programmes Hockey Clinics and Competition Sunshine View Estate Private Street Scheme Annual Municipal Elections Rates & Sanitary Interest Abandonments for 1976/77 Financial Reports Garbage Disposal Agreement with City of Keilor Sunshine Tip Proposed Closure of Stanley Street Transfer to Commonwealth Government Report of the Chief Health Inspector Public Toilets Hampshire Road Quarterly Return of Food Samples Removal of Dwelling Outside the Municipality Brambles McDonald Road to Violet Town Litter Control in the Western Region Clean Air & Environmental Council Annual Dinner Report of City Engineer Westerngate Estate Stage 1B Neale Road Estate Furlong Road Estate Stage 5 Contract Glengala Estate Stage 3 Private Street Scheme Land Use Permit Application Place of Worship Lot 479 Billingham Road with Comments About Place of Worship at 13 Lorna Crescent Subdivision Robinsons Road Construction of Robinsons Road Quinn Estate Deer Park Private Street Scheme St. Albans Football Club Coaching Boxes New Passenger Shelter Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board Ballarat Road Corner of Ashley Street Strata Subdivision 27 King Edward Avenue McKay Gardens Art Display Land Use Permit Indoor Training Centre Lot 7 Mullenger Street Dickson Street Private Street Scheme Plans of Transfer and Consolidation Wright Street Land Use Permit Application Flats Lots 24 & 25 Matthews Avenue Traffic Signals Wright Street Area Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board Passenger Shelters South Road Ashley Street Project Elimination of Level Crossing Country Roads Board Land Use Permit Application Proposed Car Sales Yard North West Corner Ashley Street and South Road Land Use Permit Application Extensions to Existing Factory Humes Van Ness Avenue Closure of Rogers Street & Francis Street Between Emu Street & Wattle Road Report of the Building Surveyor Building Permit Application Siting of House lot 209 Mapledene Court Sunshine West Cash in Lieu lot 17 St. Albans Road Tenders Ainsworth Reserve Child Day Care Centre / Pavilion Undersize Allotment Lot 29 Albert Street Sunshine North Rosamond Bowling Club Building Statement of Objections to Grant Permit Orders of the Day Accounts Submitted for Payment as at 28th February 1977 Extraordinary Business Land Use Permit Application Place of Worship Lot 479 Billingham Road Land Use Permit Application Commonwealth Youth Support Scheme Resource Centre Main Road East city of sunshine, alexander "alex" george gillon, sunshine tip, albion, hampshire road, sunshine, mcdonald road, neale road, deer park, furlong road, st. albans, billingham road, lorna crescent, sunshine west, robinsons road, st. albans football club, ballarat road, ashley street, braybrook, king edward avenue, mullenger street, dickson street, wright street, matthews avenue, south road, humes pipe works, van ness avenue, maribyrnong, rogers street, francis street, emu street, wattle road, maidstone, mapledene court, st. albans road, ainsworth reserve child day care centre, ainsworth reserve, veronon street, rosamond bowling club, robert barrett reserve, rosamond road

[article by Diana Bassett-Smith in EDHS Newsletter No. 117, November 1997:] MONUMENT HUNTING THE HUME AND HOVELL WAY - Sunday October 26 1997 dawned bright and very warm. Some twenty-five members, complete with picnic baskets, met outside the Eltham Library awaiting the Cobb and Co. large coach which would be taking us on the second leg of our travels along the route of the early explorers Hume and Hovell. Stephen West was our very good driver for the day. He would be guided around the circuitous route by Russell Yeoman who had made a detailed study, not only of the intended route, but of the story of these two explorers. During the trip Russell regaled us with poetry, quotations from the Journals and the History of the Shire of Seymour, "The New Crossing Place" by Martindale, 1982, (now Mitchell Shire due to the recent amalgamations). We headed towards the Hume Highway via Greensborough and Cooper Street and proceeded north to our first stop, noting on the way Monument Hill in the distance which is near Kilmore and, according to Russell, well worth the effort to visit as the view across the valley is magnificent. Past Sunday Creek Valley, Mt Piper and Mt Disappointment, all traversed and noted and named by them. We passed through Tallarook, then onto Seymour where we took photos of the monument telling us that Hume and Hovell had passed through on the 28th of October 1824. We also deviated down Hume and Hovell Road viewing deer and emu farming and the Bellbourie property now a sanctuary. Leaving Seymour behind we travelled up the Avenel Road to the Avenel monument, pyramidal in design of four reducing square blocks with a sharply pointed peak, erected in 1924 in memory of the 1824 exploration. The day was warming up and the countryside showing the dryness of the current drought. A parallel note had been made in their journal too of 1824 of the drought appearance of the country they were traversing. At Seven Creeks, Euroa we stopped for some minutes to check the monument placed 20th November 1924 to commemorate their passage on the 29th December 1824. More photos. Russell had pointed out the abrupt termination of the distant ranges which is noted in their journal. The next monument is beside the road at the entrance to Honey Suckle Creek Caravan Park, Violet Town. The squarish shaped monument some eight feet high is topped with a simple steel cross, and was to mark the date of 28th December 1824 and built for the 20th November 1924. By now it was 12.20 and nearly lunchtime as we drove along the Warranbayne Road to Roach's Road, monument hunting without success. Though there is a large, what appears to be an old timber sign which was hard to read, maybe this was the lost monument. In many of the paddocks hay had been cut and baled or was being cut, what a contrast to the rugged country they had passed through which was smoky from the fires of the natives burning off. By 1.00 pm we were at Benalla and pulled up beside the park where abundant beds of roses filled the air with their scent and the smell of barbecued food twitched the nostrils whilst the cheerful sounds of other picnickers could be heard throughout the park. We left the bus and collected up our picnics, dispersed to the various tables and enjoyed the shade from the various European trees. 2.00 pm and we were on the road again driving along the Benalla, Mansfield, Yea road. The Swanpool monument states that they passed four miles south and returned three miles north. Then we stopped at the Barjarg monument which notes that they camped near this spot. It is again a pyramidal monument and this time topped with a steel arrow indicating their route of the 29th November 1824. Half an hour later we came to another monument, again with a steel arrow marker on top and the plaque dated the 2nd of 12th 1824. Erected on the 12th of 12th 1924. "They blazed the way that we might inherit the land." Another square based and needle topped monument appeared at Yarck near Yea and this plaque records the date of 3 December 1824. Near McGuigans Road Russell related that the expedition had lost a dog but it had found them next day, the dog was apparently torn by a kangaroo. A short while later Russell reminded us here of the problems they encountered in crossing the Goulburn River near Molesworth where banks were high, water deep and wide. "Good coat of grass but quite dry due to drought". At Yea we stopped for afternoon tea and raided the last of our picnics and looked at the monument to their journey of 1824, situated at a corner of the gardens near the bowling green. No photo – we were out of film. We returned home via Kinglake West and Whittlesea past the Yan Yean Reservoir, not full. 5.00 pm back at Eltham we emptied out of the bus and everyone, including Joan Cole, collected their things, Joan also had the major souvenir of the day, a large carp she had picked up from the river bank, her cat was in for a great feast. The day was made so interesting by the informed commentary which Russell provided. His background knowledge of the route and nature of the journey could only have come from many hours of reading and driving the area. Thank you to Russell and to everyone who made the day so informative and pleasurable. Colour photographactivities, hume and hovell, monument, seymour

[article by Diana Bassett-Smith in EDHS Newsletter No. 117, November 1997:] MONUMENT HUNTING THE HUME AND HOVELL WAY - Sunday October 26 1997 dawned bright and very warm. Some twenty-five members, complete with picnic baskets, met outside the Eltham Library awaiting the Cobb and Co. large coach which would be taking us on the second leg of our travels along the route of the early explorers Hume and Hovell. Stephen West was our very good driver for the day. He would be guided around the circuitous route by Russell Yeoman who had made a detailed study, not only of the intended route, but of the story of these two explorers. During the trip Russell regaled us with poetry, quotations from the Journals and the History of the Shire of Seymour, "The New Crossing Place" by Martindale, 1982, (now Mitchell Shire due to the recent amalgamations). We headed towards the Hume Highway via Greensborough and Cooper Street and proceeded north to our first stop, noting on the way Monument Hill in the distance which is near Kilmore and, according to Russell, well worth the effort to visit as the view across the valley is magnificent. Past Sunday Creek Valley, Mt Piper and Mt Disappointment, all traversed and noted and named by them. We passed through Tallarook, then onto Seymour where we took photos of the monument telling us that Hume and Hovell had passed through on the 28th of October 1824. We also deviated down Hume and Hovell Road viewing deer and emu farming and the Bellbourie property now a sanctuary. Leaving Seymour behind we travelled up the Avenel Road to the Avenel monument, pyramidal in design of four reducing square blocks with a sharply pointed peak, erected in 1924 in memory of the 1824 exploration. The day was warming up and the countryside showing the dryness of the current drought. A parallel note had been made in their journal too of 1824 of the drought appearance of the country they were traversing. At Seven Creeks, Euroa we stopped for some minutes to check the monument placed 20th November 1924 to commemorate their passage on the 29th December 1824. More photos. Russell had pointed out the abrupt termination of the distant ranges which is noted in their journal. The next monument is beside the road at the entrance to Honey Suckle Creek Caravan Park, Violet Town. The squarish shaped monument some eight feet high is topped with a simple steel cross, and was to mark the date of 28th December 1824 and built for the 20th November 1924. By now it was 12.20 and nearly lunchtime as we drove along the Warranbayne Road to Roach's Road, monument hunting without success. Though there is a large, what appears to be an old timber sign which was hard to read, maybe this was the lost monument. In many of the paddocks hay had been cut and baled or was being cut, what a contrast to the rugged country they had passed through which was smoky from the fires of the natives burning off. By 1.00 pm we were at Benalla and pulled up beside the park where abundant beds of roses filled the air with their scent and the smell of barbecued food twitched the nostrils whilst the cheerful sounds of other picnickers could be heard throughout the park. We left the bus and collected up our picnics, dispersed to the various tables and enjoyed the shade from the various European trees. 2.00 pm and we were on the road again driving along the Benalla, Mansfield, Yea road. The Swanpool monument states that they passed four miles south and returned three miles north. Then we stopped at the Barjarg monument which notes that they camped near this spot. It is again a pyramidal monument and this time topped with a steel arrow indicating their route of the 29th November 1824. Half an hour later we came to another monument, again with a steel arrow marker on top and the plaque dated the 2nd of 12th 1824. Erected on the 12th of 12th 1924. "They blazed the way that we might inherit the land." Another square based and needle topped monument appeared at Yarck near Yea and this plaque records the date of 3 December 1824. Near McGuigans Road Russell related that the expedition had lost a dog but it had found them next day, the dog was apparently torn by a kangaroo. A short while later Russell reminded us here of the problems they encountered in crossing the Goulburn River near Molesworth where banks were high, water deep and wide. "Good coat of grass but quite dry due to drought". At Yea we stopped for afternoon tea and raided the last of our picnics and looked at the monument to their journey of 1824, situated at a corner of the gardens near the bowling green. No photo – we were out of film. We returned home via Kinglake West and Whittlesea past the Yan Yean Reservoir, not full. 5.00 pm back at Eltham we emptied out of the bus and everyone, including Joan Cole, collected their things, Joan also had the major souvenir of the day, a large carp she had picked up from the river bank, her cat was in for a great feast. The day was made so interesting by the informed commentary which Russell provided. His background knowledge of the route and nature of the journey could only have come from many hours of reading and driving the area. Thank you to Russell and to everyone who made the day so informative and pleasurable. Colour photographactivities, hume and hovell, bridge

MONUMENT HUNTING THE HUME AND HOVELL WAY (Newsletter No. 117, November 1997, by Diana Bassett-Smith) Sunday October 26 1997 dawned bright and very warm. Some twenty-five members, complete with picnic baskets, met outside the Eltham Library awaiting the Cobb and Co. large coach which would be taking us on the second leg of our travels along the route of the early explorers Hume and Hovell. Stephen West was our very good driver for the day. He would be guided around the circuitous route by Russell Yeoman wh9 had made a detailed study, not only of the intended route, but of the story of these two explorers. During the trip Russell regaled us with poetry, quotations from the Journals and the History of the Shire of Seymour, "The New Crossing Place: by Martindale, 1982, (now Mitchell Shire due to the recent amalgamations). We headed towards the Hume Highway via Greensborough and Cooper Street and proceeded north to our first stop, noting on the way Monument Hill in the distance which is near Kilmore and, according to Russell, well worth the effort to visit as the view across the valley is magnificent. Past Sunday Creek Valley, Mt Piper and Mt Disappointment, all traversed and noted and named by them. We passed through Tallarook, then onto Seymour where we took photos of the monument telling us that Hume and Hovell had passed through on the 28th of October 1824. We also deviated down Hume and Hovell Road viewing deer and emu farming and the Bellbourie property now a sanctuary. Leaving Seymour behind we travelled up the Avenel Road to the Avenel monument, pyramidal in design of four reducing square blocks with a sharply pointed peak, erected in 1924 in memory of the 1824 exploration. The day was warming up and the countryside showing the dryness of the current drought. A parallel note had been made in their journal too of 1824 of the drought appearance of the country they were traversing. At Seven Creeks, Euroa we stopped for some minutes to check the monument placed 20th November 1924 to commemorate their passage on the 29th December 1824. More photos. Russell had pointed out the abrupt termination of the distant ranges which is noted in their journal. The next monument is beside the road at the entrance to Honey Suckle Creek Caravan Park, Violet Town. The squarish shaped monument some eight feet high is topped with a simple steel cross, and was to mark the date of 28th December 1824 and built for the 20th November 1924. By now it was 12.20 and nearly lunchtime as we drove along the Warranbayne Road to Roach's Road, monument hunting without success. Though there is a large, what appears to be an old timber sign which was hard to read, maybe this was the lost monument. In many of the paddocks hay had been cut and baled or was being cut, what a contrast to the rugged country they had passed through which was smoky from the fires of the natives burning off By 1.00 pm we were at Benalla and pulled up beside the park where abundant beds of roses filled the air with their scent and the smell of barbecued food twitched the nostrils whilst the cheerful sounds of other picnickers could be heard throughout the park. We left the bus and collected up our picnics, dispersed to the various tables and enjoyed the shade from the various European trees. 2.00 pm and we were on the road again driving along the Benalla, Mansfield, Yea road. The Swanpool monument states that they passed four miles south and returned three miles north. Then we stopped at the Barjarg monument which notes that they camped near this spot. It is again a pyramidal monument and this time topped with a steel arrow indicating their route of the 29th November 1824. Half an hour later we came to another monument, again with a steel arrow marker on top and the plaque dated the 2nd of 12th 1824. Erected on the 12th of 12th 1924. "They blazed the way that we might inherit the land." Another square based and needle topped monument appeared at Yarck near Yea and this plaque records the date of 3 December 1824. Near McGuigans Road Russell related that the expedition had lost a dog but it had found them next day, the dog was apparently torn by a kangaroo. A short while later Russell reminded us here of the problems they encountered in crossing the Goulburn River near Molesworth where banks were high, water deep and wide. "Good coat of grass but quite dry due to drought". At Yea we stopped for afternoon tea and raided the last of our picnics and looked at the monument to their journey of 1824, situated at a corner of the gardens near the bowling green. No photo – we were out of film. We returned home via Kinglake West and Whittlesea past the Yan Yean Reservoir, not full. 5.00 pm back at Eltham we emptied out of the bus and everyone, including Joan Cole, collected their things, Joan also had the major souvenir of the day, a large carp she had picked up from the river bank, her cat was in for a great feast. The day was made so interesting by the informed commentary which Russell provided. His background knowledge of the route and nature of the journey could only have come from many hours of reading and driving the area. Thank you to Russell and to everyone who made the day so informative and pleasurable. Diana Bassett-Smith. Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1997 excursionRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsFuji 200shire of eltham historical society, activities, pretty hill, seymour, benalla, hume and hovell, monuments

MONUMENT HUNTING THE HUME AND HOVELL WAY (Newsletter No. 117, November 1997, by Diana Bassett-Smith) Sunday October 26 1997 dawned bright and very warm. Some twenty-five members, complete with picnic baskets, met outside the Eltham Library awaiting the Cobb and Co. large coach which would be taking us on the second leg of our travels along the route of the early explorers Hume and Hovell. Stephen West was our very good driver for the day. He would be guided around the circuitous route by Russell Yeoman wh9 had made a detailed study, not only of the intended route, but of the story of these two explorers. During the trip Russell regaled us with poetry, quotations from the Journals and the History of the Shire of Seymour, "The New Crossing Place: by Martindale, 1982, (now Mitchell Shire due to the recent amalgamations). We headed towards the Hume Highway via Greensborough and Cooper Street and proceeded north to our first stop, noting on the way Monument Hill in the distance which is near Kilmore and, according to Russell, well worth the effort to visit as the view across the valley is magnificent. Past Sunday Creek Valley, Mt Piper and Mt Disappointment, all traversed and noted and named by them. We passed through Tallarook, then onto Seymour where we took photos of the monument telling us that Hume and Hovell had passed through on the 28th of October 1824. We also deviated down Hume and Hovell Road viewing deer and emu farming and the Bellbourie property now a sanctuary. Leaving Seymour behind we travelled up the Avenel Road to the Avenel monument, pyramidal in design of four reducing square blocks with a sharply pointed peak, erected in 1924 in memory of the 1824 exploration. The day was warming up and the countryside showing the dryness of the current drought. A parallel note had been made in their journal too of 1824 of the drought appearance of the country they were traversing. At Seven Creeks, Euroa we stopped for some minutes to check the monument placed 20th November 1924 to commemorate their passage on the 29th December 1824. More photos. Russell had pointed out the abrupt termination of the distant ranges which is noted in their journal. The next monument is beside the road at the entrance to Honey Suckle Creek Caravan Park, Violet Town. The squarish shaped monument some eight feet high is topped with a simple steel cross, and was to mark the date of 28th December 1824 and built for the 20th November 1924. By now it was 12.20 and nearly lunchtime as we drove along the Warranbayne Road to Roach's Road, monument hunting without success. Though there is a large, what appears to be an old timber sign which was hard to read, maybe this was the lost monument. In many of the paddocks hay had been cut and baled or was being cut, what a contrast to the rugged country they had passed through which was smoky from the fires of the natives burning off By 1.00 pm we were at Benalla and pulled up beside the park where abundant beds of roses filled the air with their scent and the smell of barbecued food twitched the nostrils whilst the cheerful sounds of other picnickers could be heard throughout the park. We left the bus and collected up our picnics, dispersed to the various tables and enjoyed the shade from the various European trees. 2.00 pm and we were on the road again driving along the Benalla, Mansfield, Yea road. The Swanpool monument states that they passed four miles south and returned three miles north. Then we stopped at the Barjarg monument which notes that they camped near this spot. It is again a pyramidal monument and this time topped with a steel arrow indicating their route of the 29th November 1824. Half an hour later we came to another monument, again with a steel arrow marker on top and the plaque dated the 2nd of 12th 1824. Erected on the 12th of 12th 1924. "They blazed the way that we might inherit the land." Another square based and needle topped monument appeared at Yarck near Yea and this plaque records the date of 3 December 1824. Near McGuigans Road Russell related that the expedition had lost a dog but it had found them next day, the dog was apparently torn by a kangaroo. A short while later Russell reminded us here of the problems they encountered in crossing the Goulburn River near Molesworth where banks were high, water deep and wide. "Good coat of grass but quite dry due to drought". At Yea we stopped for afternoon tea and raided the last of our picnics and looked at the monument to their journey of 1824, situated at a corner of the gardens near the bowling green. No photo – we were out of film. We returned home via Kinglake West and Whittlesea past the Yan Yean Reservoir, not full. 5.00 pm back at Eltham we emptied out of the bus and everyone, including Joan Cole, collected their things, Joan also had the major souvenir of the day, a large carp she had picked up from the river bank, her cat was in for a great feast. The day was made so interesting by the informed commentary which Russell provided. His background knowledge of the route and nature of the journey could only have come from many hours of reading and driving the area. Thank you to Russell and to everyone who made the day so informative and pleasurable. Diana Bassett-Smith. Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1997 excursionRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak Gold 400-5shire of eltham historical society, activities, pretty hill, seymour, benalla, hume and hovell, monuments

[article by Diana Bassett-Smith in EDHS Newsletter No. 117, November 1997:] MONUMENT HUNTING THE HUME AND HOVELL WAY - Sunday October 26 1997 dawned bright and very warm. Some twenty-five members, complete with picnic baskets, met outside the Eltham Library awaiting the Cobb and Co. large coach which would be taking us on the second leg of our travels along the route of the early explorers Hume and Hovell. Stephen West was our very good driver for the day. He would be guided around the circuitous route by Russell Yeoman who had made a detailed study, not only of the intended route, but of the story of these two explorers. During the trip Russell regaled us with poetry, quotations from the Journals and the History of the Shire of Seymour, "The New Crossing Place" by Martindale, 1982, (now Mitchell Shire due to the recent amalgamations). We headed towards the Hume Highway via Greensborough and Cooper Street and proceeded north to our first stop, noting on the way Monument Hill in the distance which is near Kilmore and, according to Russell, well worth the effort to visit as the view across the valley is magnificent. Past Sunday Creek Valley, Mt Piper and Mt Disappointment, all traversed and noted and named by them. We passed through Tallarook, then onto Seymour where we took photos of the monument telling us that Hume and Hovell had passed through on the 28th of October 1824. We also deviated down Hume and Hovell Road viewing deer and emu farming and the Bellbourie property now a sanctuary. Leaving Seymour behind we travelled up the Avenel Road to the Avenel monument, pyramidal in design of four reducing square blocks with a sharply pointed peak, erected in 1924 in memory of the 1824 exploration. The day was warming up and the countryside showing the dryness of the current drought. A parallel note had been made in their journal too of 1824 of the drought appearance of the country they were traversing. At Seven Creeks, Euroa we stopped for some minutes to check the monument placed 20th November 1924 to commemorate their passage on the 29th December 1824. More photos. Russell had pointed out the abrupt termination of the distant ranges which is noted in their journal. The next monument is beside the road at the entrance to Honey Suckle Creek Caravan Park, Violet Town. The squarish shaped monument some eight feet high is topped with a simple steel cross, and was to mark the date of 28th December 1824 and built for the 20th November 1924. By now it was 12.20 and nearly lunchtime as we drove along the Warranbayne Road to Roach's Road, monument hunting without success. Though there is a large, what appears to be an old timber sign which was hard to read, maybe this was the lost monument. In many of the paddocks hay had been cut and baled or was being cut, what a contrast to the rugged country they had passed through which was smoky from the fires of the natives burning off. By 1.00 pm we were at Benalla and pulled up beside the park where abundant beds of roses filled the air with their scent and the smell of barbecued food twitched the nostrils whilst the cheerful sounds of other picnickers could be heard throughout the park. We left the bus and collected up our picnics, dispersed to the various tables and enjoyed the shade from the various European trees. 2.00 pm and we were on the road again driving along the Benalla, Mansfield, Yea road. The Swanpool monument states that they passed four miles south and returned three miles north. Then we stopped at the Barjarg monument which notes that they camped near this spot. It is again a pyramidal monument and this time topped with a steel arrow indicating their route of the 29th November 1824. Half an hour later we came to another monument, again with a steel arrow marker on top and the plaque dated the 2nd of 12th 1824. Erected on the 12th of 12th 1924. "They blazed the way that we might inherit the land." Another square based and needle topped monument appeared at Yarck near Yea and this plaque records the date of 3 December 1824. Near McGuigans Road Russell related that the expedition had lost a dog but it had found them next day, the dog was apparently torn by a kangaroo. A short while later Russell reminded us here of the problems they encountered in crossing the Goulburn River near Molesworth where banks were high, water deep and wide. "Good coat of grass but quite dry due to drought". At Yea we stopped for afternoon tea and raided the last of our picnics and looked at the monument to their journey of 1824, situated at a corner of the gardens near the bowling green. No photo – we were out of film. We returned home via Kinglake West and Whittlesea past the Yan Yean Reservoir, not full. 5.00 pm back at Eltham we emptied out of the bus and everyone, including Joan Cole, collected their things, Joan also had the major souvenir of the day, a large carp she had picked up from the river bank, her cat was in for a great feast. The day was made so interesting by the informed commentary which Russell provided. His background knowledge of the route and nature of the journey could only have come from many hours of reading and driving the area. Thank you to Russell and to everyone who made the day so informative and pleasurable. Colour photographactivities, hume and hovell, monument, seymour