1978, advanced morris folk dancing, another way, astrology, basic car mechanics, basic carpentry, basketry, carpentry, contract bridge. macrame, copper work, cottage crafts, craftwork, crochet, dressmaking, dyeing co-op, eltham living and learning centre, fitness, folk dancing, french cookery, gardening, haircutting, homemade christmas gifts, homestead cookery, international cookery, lead light, life drawing, organic vegetable gardening, patchwork, pottery, pottery wheelwork, primitive weaving, program, reflexology, rug weaving, shire of eltham, spinning, tapestry weaving, two and four shaft weaving, typing, vegetarian cookery, wine making and tasting, woodwork, yoga

The Pavillion was an extension to the Eltham Living and Learning Centre which was opened 8 October, 1994 In 1857, tanner John Pearson purchased three and a half acres of land in Little Eltham, at the western end of Pitt Street, with a 70-foot frontage to Maria Street (Main Road) and stretching down to the Diamond Creek for £100. He contracted Benjamin Oliver Wallis to build house for him. Wallis, a mason by trade who originated from the Cornish village of Newlyn, migrated to Melbourne in 1853 and was shortly engaged by Richard Warren to build the Eltham Hotel, which opened in 1854. When Warren fell into financial difficulty in 1858, Wallis purchased the hotel. That same year, Pearson constructed a tannery below the house with access to the water in the Diamond Creek. When Pearson became bankrupt in 1867, Wallis similarly acquired the house from Pearson’s creditors in 1868 and lived there until his death in 1896. For some of this time the house was in the name of Wallis’s son Richard but following his death in 1888, ownership reverted to his father. It was purchased by retired teacher Richard Gilsenen in 1899. Gilsenen was made acting head teacher at the Eltham State School in 1906 following the sudden death of head teacher John Brown. In the 1950s the house was bought by retired engineer Dr Alfred Fitzpatrick and his wife Claire who made various modifications to house goats and poultry as well as structural modifications to the house. In the early 1970s, Eltham Shire Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling proposed an extended communities’ activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance. In 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the planning to establish an extended communities’ activities program. The Fitzpatricks moved next door and Claire taught at the new Living and Learning Centre, which began in 1975, one of the first community education centres in Victoria.jim connor collection, eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, pavilion

Letter 1 December 1994 from Harry Gilham to Russell Yeoman Eltham Shire Offices, re history of property: sold by Matthews family to Claire Fitzpatrick and husband, then sold to Shire of Eltham for Living and Learning Centre, 9 November 1994 sketch plan.main road, eltham, property, houses, shops, businesses, claire fitzpatrick, eltham living and learning centre

New verandah Eltham Living and Learning Centre on the western face looking down over the Tannery site and Diamond Creek. Pavilion in place (LH Side). The verandah with its upgrade of curtains 1995. Originally 4 feet 6 inches wide. A detailed history of the site and early development of the Eltham Living and Learning Centre can be found in EDHS_04870 - Folder, Shire of Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 1996 The original property was part of Josiah Holloways subdivision of Little Eltham. It had a 70 foot frontage to Maria Street and stretched down to the Diamond Creek. John Perason, a Tanner, purchased the property in 1857 for £100 and he built a solid brick house which over the years was modified significantly by various owners and which is the basis of the present-day Living and Learning Centre. Claire Fitzpatrick and her husband Alfred, a retired chemical engineer, bought it in the early 1950's. Claire's interest in farming and animal husbandry and breeding saw her modify and establish buildings on the property to house goats and poultry with a horse stable and storage sheds for the animal food. She also built the coach house with its horse box and tack room and built an adjoining garage for their car. Structural alterations to the house were also carried out during the period of their ownership. Their house renovations removed the four fireplaces and chimneys and added a wider verandah, a fibro cement extension on the north wall requiring a doorway to be made in the brick wall for access. Part of a passage wall was removed to join the northwest room, now the "sitting room". A new jarrah floor was put in as the old one was rotten with borer. The verandahs, front and back, were re-organised in design and the front door had its leadlighting panels removed to allow more light into the house. During this period the water catchment well was filled in. This well had a concrete slab fitted onto a collar around its top. The well is 12 feet deep and 8 feet in diameter. Septic sewerage was installed and an internal toilet fitted in the house. The former northeast room was divided into bathroom/toilet and passageway with cupboards to access the extension. Kitchen stove and sink was removed (they fell apart) and a slow-combustion stove with hot water heater installed. Basins and hot water were connected to the new bathroom. In the early 1970s Eltham Shire Council, Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling, were proposing an extended communities activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance to such a scheme. During 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Government grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the Shire's planning to establish an "extended community activities program". Council's Committee recommended an annual budget of $26,950 for the program and the project was named the Living and Learning Centre and in charge of the program was the first co-ordinator, Carina Hack. The activities were planned to cover "practical skills for living" and included cooking, preserving, gardening, animal husbandry, home economics, electronics, carpentry, hairdressing, making children's clothes and car maintenance. Hobbies and arts and crafts that would include amongst other future items, winemaking, music spinning and weaving and painting. 739 main road eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, living and learning nillumbik (eltham), main road eltham

New Pavilion at left has plants appearing. Grass area needs a mow - verandah with repainted stool/forms - early spring 1995 A detailed history of the site and early development of the Eltham Living and Learning Centre can be found in EDHS_04870 - Folder, Shire of Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 1996 The original property was part of Josiah Holloways subdivision of Little Eltham. It had a 70 foot frontage to Maria Street and stretched down to the Diamond Creek. John Perason, a Tanner, purchased the property in 1857 for £100 and he built a solid brick house which over the years was modified significantly by various owners and which is the basis of the present-day Living and Learning Centre. Claire Fitzpatrick and her husband Alfred, a retired chemical engineer, bought it in the early 1950's. Claire's interest in farming and animal husbandry and breeding saw her modify and establish buildings on the property to house goats and poultry with a horse stable and storage sheds for the animal food. She also built the coach house with its horse box and tack room and built an adjoining garage for their car. Structural alterations to the house were also carried out during the period of their ownership. Their house renovations removed the four fireplaces and chimneys and added a wider verandah, a fibro cement extension on the north wall requiring a doorway to be made in the brick wall for access. Part of a passage wall was removed to join the northwest room, now the "sitting room". A new jarrah floor was put in as the old one was rotten with borer. The verandahs, front and back, were re-organised in design and the front door had its leadlighting panels removed to allow more light into the house. During this period the water catchment well was filled in. This well had a concrete slab fitted onto a collar around its top. The well is 12 feet deep and 8 feet in diameter. Septic sewerage was installed and an internal toilet fitted in the house. The former northeast room was divided into bathroom/toilet and passageway with cupboards to access the extension. Kitchen stove and sink was removed (they fell apart) and a slow-combustion stove with hot water heater installed. Basins and hot water were connected to the new bathroom. In the early 1970s Eltham Shire Council, Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling, were proposing an extended communities activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance to such a scheme. During 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Government grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the Shire's planning to establish an "extended community activities program". Council's Committee recommended an annual budget of $26,950 for the program and the project was named the Living and Learning Centre and in charge of the program was the first co-ordinator, Carina Hack. The activities were planned to cover "practical skills for living" and included cooking, preserving, gardening, animal husbandry, home economics, electronics, carpentry, hairdressing, making children's clothes and car maintenance. Hobbies and arts and crafts that would include amongst other future items, winemaking, music spinning and weaving and painting. 739 main road eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, living and learning nillumbik (eltham), main road eltham

North face of house viewed from the current (1990) pottery area (now pathed) The kitchen was separate from the house as a safety measure in the late 1800s. A detailed history of the site and early development of the Eltham Living and Learning Centre can be found in EDHS_04870 - Folder, Shire of Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 1996 The original property was part of Josiah Holloways subdivision of Little Eltham. It had a 70 foot frontage to Maria Street and stretched down to the Diamond Creek. John Perason, a Tanner, purchased the property in 1857 for £100 and he built a solid brick house which over the years was modified significantly by various owners and which is the basis of the present-day Living and Learning Centre. Claire Fitzpatrick and her husband Alfred, a retired chemical engineer, bought it in the early 1950's. Claire's interest in farming and animal husbandry and breeding saw her modify and establish buildings on the property to house goats and poultry with a horse stable and storage sheds for the animal food. She also built the coach house with its horse box and tack room and built an adjoining garage for their car. Structural alterations to the house were also carried out during the period of their ownership. Their house renovations removed the four fireplaces and chimneys and added a wider verandah, a fibro cement extension on the north wall requiring a doorway to be made in the brick wall for access. Part of a passage wall was removed to join the northwest room, now the "sitting room". A new jarrah floor was put in as the old one was rotten with borer. The verandahs, front and back, were re-organised in design and the front door had its leadlighting panels removed to allow more light into the house. During this period the water catchment well was filled in. This well had a concrete slab fitted onto a collar around its top. The well is 12 feet deep and 8 feet in diameter. Septic sewerage was installed and an internal toilet fitted in the house. The former northeast room was divided into bathroom/toilet and passageway with cupboards to access the extension. Kitchen stove and sink was removed (they fell apart) and a slow-combustion stove with hot water heater installed. Basins and hot water were connected to the new bathroom. In the early 1970s Eltham Shire Council, Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling, were proposing an extended communities activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance to such a scheme. During 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Government grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the Shire's planning to establish an "extended community activities program". Council's Committee recommended an annual budget of $26,950 for the program and the project was named the Living and Learning Centre and in charge of the program was the first co-ordinator, Carina Hack. The activities were planned to cover "practical skills for living" and included cooking, preserving, gardening, animal husbandry, home economics, electronics, carpentry, hairdressing, making children's clothes and car maintenance. Hobbies and arts and crafts that would include amongst other future items, winemaking, music spinning and weaving and painting. 739 main road eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, living and learning nillumbik (eltham), main road eltham

The 'back door' which faced the Main Road entrance to the office, Eltham Living and Learning Centre, herb garden at its peak, late 1980s A detailed history of the site and early development of the Eltham Living and Learning Centre can be found in EDHS_04870 - Folder, Shire of Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 1996 The original property was part of Josiah Holloways subdivision of Little Eltham. It had a 70 foot frontage to Maria Street and stretched down to the Diamond Creek. John Perason, a Tanner, purchased the property in 1857 for £100 and he built a solid brick house which over the years was modified significantly by various owners and which is the basis of the present-day Living and Learning Centre. Claire Fitzpatrick and her husband Alfred, a retired chemical engineer, bought it in the early 1950's. Claire's interest in farming and animal husbandry and breeding saw her modify and establish buildings on the property to house goats and poultry with a horse stable and storage sheds for the animal food. She also built the coach house with its horse box and tack room and built an adjoining garage for their car. Structural alterations to the house were also carried out during the period of their ownership. Their house renovations removed the four fireplaces and chimneys and added a wider verandah, a fibro cement extension on the north wall requiring a doorway to be made in the brick wall for access. Part of a passage wall was removed to join the northwest room, now the "sitting room". A new jarrah floor was put in as the old one was rotten with borer. The verandahs, front and back, were re-organised in design and the front door had its leadlighting panels removed to allow more light into the house. During this period the water catchment well was filled in. This well had a concrete slab fitted onto a collar around its top. The well is 12 feet deep and 8 feet in diameter. Septic sewerage was installed and an internal toilet fitted in the house. The former northeast room was divided into bathroom/toilet and passageway with cupboards to access the extension. Kitchen stove and sink was removed (they fell apart) and a slow-combustion stove with hot water heater installed. Basins and hot water were connected to the new bathroom. In the early 1970s Eltham Shire Council, Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling, were proposing an extended communities activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance to such a scheme. During 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Government grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the Shire's planning to establish an "extended community activities program". Council's Committee recommended an annual budget of $26,950 for the program and the project was named the Living and Learning Centre and in charge of the program was the first co-ordinator, Carina Hack. The activities were planned to cover "practical skills for living" and included cooking, preserving, gardening, animal husbandry, home economics, electronics, carpentry, hairdressing, making children's clothes and car maintenance. Hobbies and arts and crafts that would include amongst other future items, winemaking, music spinning and weaving and painting. 739 main road eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, living and learning nillumbik (eltham), main road eltham

Restructure of the front verandah of 'Rosebank' by widening, c.1965. It was glassed in at a later date. The west facing front verandah was widened and enclosed for additional class room use by the Living and Learning Centre. A detailed history of the site and early development of the Eltham Living and Learning Centre can be found in EDHS_04870 - Folder, Shire of Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 1996 The original property was part of Josiah Holloways subdivision of Little Eltham. It had a 70 foot frontage to Maria Street and stretched down to the Diamond Creek. John Perason, a Tanner, purchased the property in 1857 for £100 and he built a solid brick house which over the years was modified significantly by various owners and which is the basis of the present-day Living and Learning Centre. Claire Fitzpatrick and her husband Alfred, a retired chemical engineer, bought it in the early 1950's. Claire's interest in farming and animal husbandry and breeding saw her modify and establish buildings on the property to house goats and poultry with a horse stable and storage sheds for the animal food. She also built the coach house with its horse box and tack room and built an adjoining garage for their car. Structural alterations to the house were also carried out during the period of their ownership. Their house renovations removed the four fireplaces and chimneys and added a wider verandah, a fibro cement extension on the north wall requiring a doorway to be made in the brick wall for access. Part of a passage wall was removed to join the northwest room, now the "sitting room". A new jarrah floor was put in as the old one was rotten with borer. The verandahs, front and back, were re-organised in design and the front door had its leadlighting panels removed to allow more light into the house. During this period the water catchment well was filled in. This well had a concrete slab fitted onto a collar around its top. The well is 12 feet deep and 8 feet in diameter. Septic sewerage was installed and an internal toilet fitted in the house. The former northeast room was divided into bathroom/toilet and passageway with cupboards to access the extension. Kitchen stove and sink was removed (they fell apart) and a slow-combustion stove with hot water heater installed. Basins and hot water were connected to the new bathroom. In the early 1970s Eltham Shire Council, Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling, were proposing an extended communities activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance to such a scheme. During 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Government grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the Shire's planning to establish an "extended community activities program". Council's Committee recommended an annual budget of $26,950 for the program and the project was named the Living and Learning Centre and in charge of the program was the first co-ordinator, Carina Hack. The activities were planned to cover "practical skills for living" and included cooking, preserving, gardening, animal husbandry, home economics, electronics, carpentry, hairdressing, making children's clothes and car maintenance. Hobbies and arts and crafts that would include amongst other future items, winemaking, music spinning and weaving and painting. 739 main road eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, living and learning nillumbik (eltham), main road eltham

Brick storage shed, south wall entry. This cool room, half set down in the soil still standing at time but with a more modern galvanised tin roof. A detailed history of the site and early development of the Eltham Living and Learning Centre can be found in EDHS_04870 - Folder, Shire of Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 1996 The original property was part of Josiah Holloways subdivision of Little Eltham. It had a 70 foot frontage to Maria Street and stretched down to the Diamond Creek. John Perason, a Tanner, purchased the property in 1857 for £100 and he built a solid brick house which over the years was modified significantly by various owners and which is the basis of the present-day Living and Learning Centre. Claire Fitzpatrick and her husband Alfred, a retired chemical engineer, bought it in the early 1950's. Claire's interest in farming and animal husbandry and breeding saw her modify and establish buildings on the property to house goats and poultry with a horse stable and storage sheds for the animal food. She also built the coach house with its horse box and tack room and built an adjoining garage for their car. Structural alterations to the house were also carried out during the period of their ownership. Their house renovations removed the four fireplaces and chimneys and added a wider verandah, a fibro cement extension on the north wall requiring a doorway to be made in the brick wall for access. Part of a passage wall was removed to join the northwest room, now the "sitting room". A new jarrah floor was put in as the old one was rotten with borer. The verandahs, front and back, were re-organised in design and the front door had its leadlighting panels removed to allow more light into the house. During this period the water catchment well was filled in. This well had a concrete slab fitted onto a collar around its top. The well is 12 feet deep and 8 feet in diameter. Septic sewerage was installed and an internal toilet fitted in the house. The former northeast room was divided into bathroom/toilet and passageway with cupboards to access the extension. Kitchen stove and sink was removed (they fell apart) and a slow-combustion stove with hot water heater installed. Basins and hot water were connected to the new bathroom. In the early 1970s Eltham Shire Council, Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling, were proposing an extended communities activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance to such a scheme. During 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Government grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the Shire's planning to establish an "extended community activities program". Council's Committee recommended an annual budget of $26,950 for the program and the project was named the Living and Learning Centre and in charge of the program was the first co-ordinator, Carina Hack. The activities were planned to cover "practical skills for living" and included cooking, preserving, gardening, animal husbandry, home economics, electronics, carpentry, hairdressing, making children's clothes and car maintenance. Hobbies and arts and crafts that would include amongst other future items, winemaking, music spinning and weaving and painting. 739 main road eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, living and learning nillumbik (eltham), main road eltham

The 'back door' which faced the Main Road entrance to the office, Eltham Living and Learning Centre - Shows original sandstone blocks in back verandah floor A detailed history of the site and early development of the Eltham Living and Learning Centre can be found in EDHS_04870 - Folder, Shire of Eltham Living and Learning Centre, 1996 The original property was part of Josiah Holloways subdivision of Little Eltham. It had a 70 foot frontage to Maria Street and stretched down to the Diamond Creek. John Perason, a Tanner, purchased the property in 1857 for £100 and he built a solid brick house which over the years was modified significantly by various owners and which is the basis of the present-day Living and Learning Centre. Claire Fitzpatrick and her husband Alfred, a retired chemical engineer, bought it in the early 1950's. Claire's interest in farming and animal husbandry and breeding saw her modify and establish buildings on the property to house goats and poultry with a horse stable and storage sheds for the animal food. She also built the coach house with its horse box and tack room and built an adjoining garage for their car. Structural alterations to the house were also carried out during the period of their ownership. Their house renovations removed the four fireplaces and chimneys and added a wider verandah, a fibro cement extension on the north wall requiring a doorway to be made in the brick wall for access. Part of a passage wall was removed to join the northwest room, now the "sitting room". A new jarrah floor was put in as the old one was rotten with borer. The verandahs, front and back, were re-organised in design and the front door had its leadlighting panels removed to allow more light into the house. During this period the water catchment well was filled in. This well had a concrete slab fitted onto a collar around its top. The well is 12 feet deep and 8 feet in diameter. Septic sewerage was installed and an internal toilet fitted in the house. The former northeast room was divided into bathroom/toilet and passageway with cupboards to access the extension. Kitchen stove and sink was removed (they fell apart) and a slow-combustion stove with hot water heater installed. Basins and hot water were connected to the new bathroom. In the early 1970s Eltham Shire Council, Councillors Frank Maas and Don Maling, were proposing an extended communities activities program be set up and the Commonwealth Grants Commission was approached for financial assistance to such a scheme. During 1974 a $50,000 Commonwealth Government grant was received by the Shire Council to acquire the Fitzpatrick property as part of the Shire's planning to establish an "extended community activities program". Council's Committee recommended an annual budget of $26,950 for the program and the project was named the Living and Learning Centre and in charge of the program was the first co-ordinator, Carina Hack. The activities were planned to cover "practical skills for living" and included cooking, preserving, gardening, animal husbandry, home economics, electronics, carpentry, hairdressing, making children's clothes and car maintenance. Hobbies and arts and crafts that would include amongst other future items, winemaking, music spinning and weaving and painting. 739 main road eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, living and learning nillumbik (eltham), main road eltham

Eltham Gateway, Living & Learning Nillumbik, 739 Main Road, Eltham Tomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, eltham living and learning centre

Shire of Eltham Living and Learning Centre is located at 739 Main Road, Eltham. The purpose of the Centre is: To provide an opportunity to come together individually and in groups in an atmosphere of equality, sharing their skills and experiences in order to improve the quality of their living. Tutors are not paid and fees are not charges on the understanding that the idea of sharing and co-operating spreads and everyone enjoys the results. This book was compiled by volunteers involved at the centre recording feelings, views of their experiences within the groups at the centre. It includes recipes, poems, stories and sketches, some of local scenes. It also includes an early history of the Centre compiled by the first Co-ordinator. Subjects include enrolment day, bee keeping, Bridge Club,Carpentry and woodcarving, looking and sharing, creative dancing, crochet, dressmaking, film making, Friends of the Creek, Diamond Creek, accessibility, hair cutting, herb gardening, home handyman skills, homestead cooking, living with goats, native plants, North Riding Project, gardening, painting, playhouse, play reading, puppetry, sculpture, spinning, weaving, winemaking and yoga. This book is significant in documenting the early history of the Eltham Living and Learning centre including the concepts of community co-operation and life-long learning for adults. It connects the current users of the Centre and the wider community with this local history which is part of the character represented in the twentieth century history of the Eltham area. Softcover [64] p.eltham living and learning centre, co-operative, education

The Eltham Hotel is the oldest continually operating hotel in the Eltham district. Initially referred to as the Little Eltham Hotel, it has been known as the Eltham Hotel since the 1850s through to present time with a very brief period as the Eltham Tavern in the late 1980s. Benjamin Oliver Wallis was a prominent Eltham resident, publican and Councillor during the second half of the nineteenth century. He owned the house that is now the Nillumbik Living and Learning Centre at 739 Main Road Eltham and one stage the Eltham Hotel. Wallis migrated to Melbourne in 1853 but his wife and children remained in Cornwall for a further 10 years. Later in 1853 Richard Warren engaged Wallis to build the Eltham Hotel and it opened in 1854. The hotel was constructed of hard basaltic blue stone quarried in the Eltham district and cemented together with mud, and partly of bricks made at Eltham. The Fountain of Friendship Hotel on the opposite side of Maria Street (Main Road) opened shortly after. The hotel was a well-known resting place for gold diggers during the gold rush at Woods’ Point and Warren would buy the gold from the diggers. In 1858 Warren fell into financial difficulties and had to sell the hotel. Wallis bought the hotel and obtained a publican’s licence in 1861. In the 1850s the Fountain had been the more popular hotel but after that the Eltham Hotel became more popular. It is understood that in about 1857 Wallis probably built the “Living and Learning house” for tanner John Pearson. In 1868 Pearson became bankrupt and Wallis acquired the house and he lived there until his death in 1896. For some of this time the house was in the name of Benjamin’s son Richard but he died in 1888 and ownership reverted to his father. Wallis was a member of the Eltham Jockey Club and in 1867 his wife Anna rode her horse Charlotte in the Annual Races. Anna was also an angler and is reported to have caught a large perch in the Yarra River. She died in 1887. On 16th September 1886 Wallis sold the hotel to Christopher Watson (Snr). Watson died in 1887 and the hotel passed to his son Christopher Watson (Jr) who owned it until his death in 1909 at which time his wife Emily took over the license. Upon her death, their son Herbert applied for the license in January 1915. In July 1925, Herbert Watson demolished the original building and, in its place, erected a modern hotel which remains the foundation of the present Eltham Hotel. The contractors at the time commented on how well the original building had been constructed. A description of the new building was detailed in the Advertiser newspaper of January 8, 1926: “The new building consists of. two stories. designed in English tavern style, and contains-all told, 24 rooms. On the second floor, in front uninviting the two gables is a deep balcony, which will be much appreciated by visitors. The lower story is wholly of brick, and the upper one of wood and fibrous cement plaster. The rooms are spacious and lofty, and the windows are large and of latest style, and light the rooms splendidly. The entrance hall is 8 feet wide. The bar is a very commodious room and is furnished in the most up-to-date and convenient manner. The dining room, a very attractive apartment, is 30 feet by 15 feet 6 inches, and the bar parlor is also a large and well furnished room. A large cellar, an indispensable adjunct to an hotel, has been excavated beneath the bar. On the upper story are 12 bedrooms, and among other conveniences are two bath rooms in which hot and cold water can be used. All the rooms have been supplied with the necessary appliances for electric lighting, which will be one of the progressive evidences which Eltham will shortly enjoy.” “In the yard a brick garage to accommodate three cars at once, has been erected. This, as well as the hotel, is roofed with tiles.” “From the front of the hotel (especially the balcony) a lovely view of the country west and, north may be obtained.” “It may be added that it Is intended to have an ornamental garden, a tennis court. and a kiosk in connection with the hotel, and the property will have a rustic fence round it.” The hotel has since undergone several modifications and extensionsTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, eltham hotel, pitt street

Olive Elsie May Reed was licensee of the Eltham Hotel from April 1948 to January 1950. The Eltham Hotel is the oldest continually operating hotel in the Eltham district. Initially referred to as the Little Eltham Hotel, it has been known as the Eltham Hotel since the 1850s through to present time with a very brief period as the Eltham Tavern in the late 1980s. Benjamin Oliver Wallis was a prominent Eltham resident, publican and Councillor during the second half of the nineteenth century. He owned the house that is now the Nillumbik Living and Learning Centre at 739 Main Road Eltham and one stage the Eltham Hotel. Wallis migrated to Melbourne in 1853 but his wife and children remained in Cornwall for a further 10 years. Later in 1853 Richard Warren engaged Wallis to build the Eltham Hotel and it opened in 1854. The hotel was constructed of hard basaltic blue stone quarried in the Eltham district and cemented together with mud, and partly of bricks made at Eltham. The Fountain of Friendship Hotel on the opposite side of Maria Street (Main Road) opened shortly after. The hotel was a well-known resting place for gold diggers during the gold rush at Woods’ Point and Warren would buy the gold from the diggers. In 1858 Warren fell into financial difficulties and had to sell the hotel. Wallis bought the hotel and obtained a publican’s licence in 1861. In the 1850s the Fountain had been the more popular hotel but after that the Eltham Hotel became more popular. It is understood that in about 1857 Wallis probably built the “Living and Learning house” for tanner John Pearson. In 1868 Pearson became bankrupt and Wallis acquired the house and he lived there until his death in 1896. For some of this time the house was in the name of Benjamin’s son Richard but he died in 1888 and ownership reverted to his father. Wallis was a member of the Eltham Jockey Club and in 1867 his wife Anna rode her horse Charlotte in the Annual Races. Anna was also an angler and is reported to have caught a large perch in the Yarra River. She died in 1887. On 16th September 1886 Wallis sold the hotel to Christopher Watson (Snr). Watson died in 1887 and the hotel passed to his son Christopher Watson (Jr) who owned it until his death in 1909 at which time his wife Emily took over the license. Upon her death, their son Herbert applied for the license in January 1915. In July 1925, Herbert Watson demolished the original building and, in its place, erected a modern hotel which remains the foundation of the present Eltham Hotel. The contractors at the time commented on how well the original building had been constructed. A description of the new building was detailed in the Advertiser newspaper of January 8, 1926: “The new building consists of. two stories. designed in English tavern style, and contains-all told, 24 rooms. On the second floor, in front uninviting the two gables is a deep balcony, which will be much appreciated by visitors. The lower story is wholly of brick, and the upper one of wood and fibrous cement plaster. The rooms are spacious and lofty, and the windows are large and of latest style, and light the rooms splendidly. The entrance hall is 8 feet wide. The bar is a very commodious room and is furnished in the most up-to-date and convenient manner. The dining room, a very attractive apartment, is 30 feet by 15 feet 6 inches, and the bar parlor is also a large and well furnished room. A large cellar, an indispensable adjunct to an hotel, has been excavated beneath the bar. On the upper story are 12 bedrooms, and among other conveniences are two bath rooms in which hot and cold water can be used. All the rooms have been supplied with the necessary appliances for electric lighting, which will be one of the progressive evidences which Eltham will shortly enjoy.” “In the yard a brick garage to accommodate three cars at once, has been erected. This, as well as the hotel, is roofed with tiles.” “From the front of the hotel (especially the balcony) a lovely view of the country west and, north may be obtained.” “It may be added that it Is intended to have an ornamental garden, a tennis court. and a kiosk in connection with the hotel, and the property will have a rustic fence round it.” The hotel has since undergone several modifications and extensions Pages from a scrapbook belonging to Heather Jenkins (nee Cone) who lived as a child in the Police Residence at 728 Main Road, Eltham in the 1920s.Heather Jenkins was the daughter of Constable John Thomas Cone, Badge #3935 served at Eltham Police Station 1 May 1911 to 9 July 1922.Glued on a brown paper scrapbook page (torn from scrapbook) with 8 black and white/sepia photos of varying sizes, 1 newspaper clipping and one greeting card with printed sketch and handwritten captions in ink. On back of page is 1 black and white photo and a large newspaper clipping.eltham, eltham hotel, jim jenkins, reed's eltham hotel, olive elsie may reed

Original well now covered up and site redeveloped. Was originally located just north of the entrance to the Living and Learning Centre which is now the location of present-day commercial premises at 739 Main Road. In the distant background on the other side of Main Road can be seen the Eltham Hotel in its pink days.Two colour photographs of a well which remains on vacant land at front of Living and Learning Centre, Eltham. 1. Perspective showing well with Main Road and Eltham Hotel in background 2. Looking into the bottle shaped well which is approx. 3m deep and 2m diameterwells, eltham, living and learning centre, main road, eltham hotel