At the right of the photo is an apple orchard over the other side of Watery Gully creek. The house at the far end and middle building in the photo remain as of 2024, located at 205 Kangaroo Ground-Wattle Glen Rd, Kangaroo Ground between Pretty Hill Lane and Millers Road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/riyy56LsfEMz4w5W6 Reproduced in The Diamond Valley Story, Dianne H Edwards, The Shire of Diamond Valley 1979, p138 "Golden Glen, the home at Wattle Glen of photographer and orchardist Albert Jones. It was in one of these outbuildings that the hundreds of glass negatives of the Spark/Jones Collection werer found. Phot: Spark/Jones Collection" See Ref: EDHS_03112 A WINDOW ON THE PAST by Roger Sanders, The Sun, Wednesday, Auguist 11, 1976, pp 38-39 A fascinating window has been opened on the early life of the Eltham district. It is a rare collection of 3,000 perfectly preserved glass plate photograph negatives. The collection is the work of the late Albert Jones, a Diamond Creek orchardist and amateur photographer. About 500 of the negatives have been printed and 100 are on display at Gallery 4, Eltham, as part of the Eltham Festival," which started on Friday. They capture in fine detail rural and village life around Eltham, Hurstbridge, Kangaroo Ground, Yarra Glen and Diamond Valley from 1900 to 1930. While the natural beauty of the district was painted in this period by Arthur Streeton (later Sir Arthur), Tom Roberts and Charles Conder, among others, photography was relatively new. Yet Albert Jones used the new medium to compile a weighty album of pioneers at work, at home, at sport and on holidays. He was at the first Yarra Glen race meeting, early Diamond Valley football matches and photographed soldiers from the district leaving for war. He photographed early gold mines, men with horses laying the Diamond Creek-Hurstbridge rail track and the arrival of the first steam train at Hurstbridge. He took his cameras on holiday around Victoria and the collection includes scenes from St. Kilda and Portsea and many country towns. The Jones collection of negatives was found by Mr A. J. "Ned" Spark, of Balwyn, under a house he bought from Mr Jones' widow. The plates almost went to the tip with a pile of rubbish before Mr Spark realised their potential value. Mr Spark, who is retired, will continue the identification and recording of the photographs when he returns from holidays. The exhibition of the Jones' photographs is open each afternoon until August 21 at Gallery 4, 1016 Main Rd., Eltham. Photographs included in article: • The priceless collection of glass plate negatives were found under this house in Eltham [actually Wattle Glen], home of Albert Jones and his wife. • A quiet country pub - Panton Hills Hotel. • Teams of draught horses were used in the building of the Diamond Creek-Hursbridge railway in 1910. • Chinaman Jimmy using a gold cradle in Wattle Glen Gully. • The photographer and orchardist Albert Jones. His work is on show as part of the Eltham Festival • St Kilda Pier – several of the houses are still standing, but the waterfront has changed dramatically since this was taken before 1920. • A picnic was a dressy affair at the start of the century – the women in this family group are decked in lace and pearls.Stamped in purple ink on reverse within border "A.J. SPARK COLLECTION PHOTOS 1900 - 1930 PHOTOGHRAPHER LATE ALBERT JONES DIAMOND VALLEY. TEL: 83-3561"a.j. spark collection, albert jones, golden glen, shops, wattle glen

The property 'Golden Glen', home of photographer, Albert Jones. At the right of the photo is an apple orchard over the other side of Watery Gully creek. The middle building in the photo is still standing, located on Wattle Glen - Kangaroo Ground Road between Pretty Hill Lane and Millers Road (Melway 271 A6) but on the opposite side of the road.Photo printalbert jones, golden glen, shops, wattle glen

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Safety 5035albert jones, wattle glen, golden glen

Photo supplied by B. Heddle reproduced on p137 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "Albert Jones, photographer. Born in 1879, Albert Jones owned the property Golden Glen at Wattle Glen. He was an orchardist and a very busy photographer, travelling over the Diamond Valley area recording everyday events, street scenes, and visiting homes to take family groups. With the help of Claude Burrows, cousin of Mrs Arthur Jones, he built hides from which to photograph local bird life. His hundreds of glass negatives lay forgotten in the basement darkroom until A,J. Spark of Balwyn purchased Golden Glen from Albert Jones's widow in the 1970s. His unclassified negatives are gradually being sorted by Mr Spark. All photos in this book from the Spark/Jones Collection are the work of Albert Jones."Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmalbert jones, diamond valley story, golden glen, photographer, wattle glen

Reproduced in The Diamond Valley Story, Dianne H Edwards, The Shire of Diamond Valley 1979, p43 "1920s - the toiwnship now has some private phones. To the right at the single pole in Main Street is of Diamond Creek's street lamps. Rose's bakery is at the rear of the corner house. The baker's daughty, Fanny, married Charlie Wilson. Both attended Diamond Creek State School in the 1890s. The small square hgouse on the left-hand sid in Inglis Street was the home of the Kidd family. This house and the station are the only buildings in the photo still standing [1979]. Above and to the right of the Kidd hoime is the Diamond Creek Cool Stores, built in 1913 and now the site of the squash courts. The hills around Perversi Street are cleared and planted ith orchards. On the corner of Chute and Diamond Streets is the roof of the Lawrey sisters haberdashery shop. Photo: Spark/Jones Collection"Stamped in purple ink on reverse within border "A.J. SPARK COLLECTION PHOTOS 1900 - 1930 PHOTOGHRAPHER LATE ALBERT JONES DIAMOND VALLEY. TEL: 83-3561"a.j. spark collection, albert jones, chute street, diamond creek, j. mcritchie, royal mail hotel

Top photo: The property 'Golden Glen', home of photographer, Albert Jones. At the right of the photo is an apple orchard over the other side of Watery Gully creek. The middle building in the photo is still standing, located on Wattle Glen - Kangaroo Ground Road between Pretty Hill Lane and Millers Road (Melway 271 A6) but on the opposite side of the road. Bottom photo: The Wattle Glen General Store in this photo was located at the same intersection as the present Wattle Glen General Store (cnr of Reynolds Road and Kangaroo Ground Road) but on the diagonally opposite corner. [Comment from Valda via Victorian Collections June 11, 2018] "The addition to the store on the left, and the building at the back, were not part of the store/post office owned by the Keenan's. They were added by Mr and Mrs Alan (Janet) Frencham's in the ?mid-1950s." See also EDHS_03112: See Ref: EDHS_03112 A WINDOW ON THE PAST by Roger Sanders, The Sun, Wednesday, Auguist 11, 1976, pp 38-39 A fascinating window has been opened on the early life of the Eltham district. It is a rare collection of 3,000 perfectly preserved glass plate photograph negatives. The collection is the work of the late Albert Jones, a Diamond Creek orchardist and amateur photographer. About 500 of the negatives have been printed and 100 are on display at Gallery 4, Eltham, as part of the Eltham Festival," which started on Friday. They capture in fine detail rural and village life around Eltham, Hurstbridge, Kangaroo Ground, Yarra Glen and Diamond Valley from 1900 to 1930. While the natural beauty of the district was painted in this period by Arthur Streeton (later Sir Arthur), Tom Roberts and Charles Conder, among others, photography was relatively new. Yet Albert Jones used the new medium to compile a weighty album of pioneers at work, at home, at sport and on holidays. He was at the first Yarra Glen race meeting, early Diamond Valley football matches and photographed soldiers from the district leaving for war. He photographed early gold mines, men with horses laying the Diamond Creek-Hurstbridge rail track and the arrival of the first steam train at Hurstbridge. He took his cameras on holiday around Victoria and the collection includes scenes from St. Kilda and Portsea and many country towns. The Jones collection of negatives was found by Mr A. J. "Ned" Spark, of Balwyn, under a house he bought from Mr Jones' widow. The plates almost went to the tip with a pile of rubbish before Mr Spark realised their potential value. Mr Spark, who is retired, will continue the identification and recording of the photographs when he returns from holidays. The exhibition of the Jones' photographs is open each afternoon until August 21 at Gallery 4, 1016 Main Rd., Eltham. Photographs included in article: • The priceless collection of glass plate negatives were found under this house in Eltham [actually Wattle Glen], home of Albert Jones and his wife. • A quiet country pub - Panton Hills Hotel. • Teams of draught horses were used in the building of the Diamond Creek-Hursbridge railway in 1910. • Chinaman Jimmy using a gold cradle in Wattle Glen Gully. • The photographer and orchardist Albert Jones. His work is on show as part of the Eltham Festival • St Kilda Pier – several of the houses are still standing, but the waterfront has changed dramatically since this was taken before 1920. • A picnic was a dressy affair at the start of the century – the women in this family group are decked in lace and pearls.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Safety 5035albert jones, golden glen, shops, wattle glen

The Wattle Glen General Store in this photo was located at the same intersection as the present Wattle Glen General Store (cnr of Reynolds Road and Kangaroo Ground Road) but on the diagonally opposite corner. [Comment from Valda via Victorian Collections June 11, 2018] "The addition to the store on the left, and the building at the back, were not part of the store/post office owned by the Keenan's. They were added by Mr and Mrs Alan (Janet) Frencham's in the ?mid-1950s."Photo printalbert jones, golden glen, shops, wattle glen

Sepi print mounted on cardStamped on reverse: A.J. Spark Collection Photos 1900-1930 Photography Late Albert Jones Diamond Valley Tel: 83 - 3561henley bridge, yarra river, row boat, uniden, unidentified

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of three men dressed in suits, standing beside a corrugated iron building with a large stone building (perhaps a hall) in the background. The man on the left is Albert Jones and the man in the middle carrying a score and cornet is Frank Wright.Written in pencil on back - W.O. Albert Jones drum major, Frank Wright (Conductor), Ballarat S. M Band, Tanunda S.A., Oct 1930frank wright, conductor, cornet, albert jones, tanunda

Photo Spark/Jones Collection (Albert Jones photographer) reproduced on p172 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "Blacksmith W. Everett devised metal fittings that enabled a jinker's shafts to be quickly replaced by a centre pole to harness a pair of horses. This vehicle won him a prize at the Royal Agricultural Show early in the century."Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmdiamond valley story, horse drawn carriage, jinker, w.j. everett

Black & White Photographnillumbik, upper diamond creek, wattle glen, photographers

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Safety 5035wattle glen

Queenstown (St Andrews) looking towards Panton Hill . A picnic is taking place. Streetscape with dirt road, buildings, Model T Fords and people. Police station far left, the gaol was behind (not visible). On the right is a boarding house according to Mr. Ninks, next to right the Mechanics Institute or library according to Miss Muller. On far right, Coach House (stables not shown) - end of coach run from Heidelberg. This is possibly a picnic for returned servicemen from Gallipoli. The house on the right still existed c.1970 and was alongside Hotel on Kinglake side. Reproduced page 35 Pioneers & Painters also on the back cover and on page 59 of "St Andrews: a village built on gold". Described in chapter headed "The Police Paddocks". This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg Prints 20 x 25 and 9 x 12.5 cm sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, queenstown, cars, police station, st andrews, model t ford, pioneers and painters, boarding house, gallipoli, picnic, police paddocks, retuned soldiers

Published in "The Sun", Wednesday, August 11, 1976, pp 38-39 [Text of article:] A WINDOW ON THE PAST by Roger Sanders. A fascinating window has been opened on the early life of the Eltham district. It is a rare collection of 3,000 perfectly preserved glass plate photograph negatives. The collection is the work of the late Albert Jones, a Diamond Creek orchardist and amateur photographer. About 500 of the negatives have been printed and 100 are on display at Gallery 4, Eltham, as part of the Eltham Festival, which started on Friday. They capture in fine detail rural and village life around Eltham, Hurstbridge, Kangaroo Ground, Yarra Glen and Diamond Valley from 1900 to 1930. While the natural beauty of the district was painted in this period by Arthur Streeton (later Sir Arthur), Tom Roberts and Charles Conder, among others, photography was relatively new. Yet Albert Jones used the new medium to compile a weighty album of pioneers at work, at home, at sport and on holidays. He was at the first Yarra Glen race meeting, early Diamond Valley football matches and photographed soldiers from the district leaving for war. He photographed early gold mines, men with horses laying the Diamond Creek-Hurstbridge rail track and the arrival of the first steam train at Hurstbridge. He took his cameras on holiday around Victoria and the collection includes scenes from St. Kilda and Portsea and many country towns. The Jones collection of negatives was found by Mr A. J. "Ned" Spark, of Balwyn, under a house he bought from Mr Jones' widow. The plates almost went to the tip with a pile of rubbish before Mr Spark realised their potential value. Mr Spark, who is retired, will continue the identification and recording of the photographs when he returns from holidays. The exhibition of the Jones' photographs is open each afternoon until August 21 at Gallery 4, 1016 Main Rd., Eltham. [Captions of photographs included in article:] • The priceless collection of glass plate negatives were found under this house in Eltham [actually Wattle Glen], home of Albert Jones and his wife. • A quiet country pub - Panton Hills Hotel. • Teams of draught horses were used in the building of the Diamond Creek-Hurstbridge railway in 1910. • Chinaman Jimmy using a gold cradle in Wattle Glen Gully. • The photographer and orchardist Albert Jones. His work is on show as part of the Eltham Festival • St Kilda Pier – several of the houses are still standing, but the waterfront has changed dramatically since this was taken before 1920. • A picnic was a dressy affair at the start of the century – the women in this family group are decked in lace and pearls.Newspaper articlealbert jones, golden glen, wattle glen

Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmdiamond creek, horse, hurstbridge

Photo from J. Sinclair reproduced on p92 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "Mr Yates of Pine Grove, Upper Diamond Creek was the local postmaster, and Clerk of the Course for the Diamond Creek Racing Club in the 1880s. He is dressed for a meeting - the coat was scarlet. When racing ended at Diamond Creek in the 1890s he became Clerk of the Course at the Yarra Glen track."Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmclerk of the course, diamond creek racing club, diamond valley story, horse, mr yates, pine grove, postmaster, upper diamond creek

Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmcar, groups, motor vehicles

Photo sourced from B. Heddle reproduced (cropped) on p49 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979.Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmdiamond creek, diamond valley story, groups, mrs delaney, mrs middleton, mrs w. heddle

Photo from G. Studley reproduced on p80 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "Interior of Saxam, Greensborough, 1896. Seated are Mr and Mrs Kaye. Standing is William Stanton, local footballer, councillor and later Mayor of Heidelberg. A Greensborough street is named after him. The house still remains and is now in the grounds of Churinga, Diamond Creek Road."Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmchuringa, diamond creek road, diamond valley story, fireplace, greensborough, groups, mr kaye, mrs kaye, saxam, william stanton

Photo sourced from A. Burrows reproduced on p49 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "The wedding of John Gilding and Harriet Flower Edmonds in 1891 [sic]. Standing next to the bride is Bruce Heddle and his mother, Mrs W. Heddle. John Gilding became Diamond Creek's bootmaker and had his shop on the south side of Chute Street opposite the fire station. He had previously worked in Greensborough."Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmbootmakers, bruce heddle, chute street, diamond creek, diamond valley story, groups, harriet flower edmonds, john william gilding, mrs w. heddle, wedding

Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmdiamond creek, groups, hurstbridge, scouts

Photo sourced from J. Sinclair reproduced on p61 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "During the 1920s Diamond Creek had the only mounted scouts in Australia and only one other troop since, at Alice Springs in the 1940s, has ever used horses. Scoutmaster McWiggan is second from right with his brother first on right."Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmdiamond creek mounted scouts, diamond valley story, groups, horse, scoutmaster mcwiggan, scouts

Photo from A. Partington reproduced on p83 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "Arbor Day at Greensborough State School in 1907. Second left in front row is D. Medhurst, Greensborough resident and greengrocer"Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmarbor day, d. medhurst, diamond valley story, empire day, flag, greensborough state school, groups, union jack

Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmdiamond creek rifle club, groups, rifle club

Photo reproduced on p62 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "Flower girl is the groom's niece, the bridesmaid is Grace Laurie and the reverend Ernest Panelli is next to the best man. Many district residents are in this picture."Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmdave keenan, david keenan, diamond creek public hall, diamond valley story, grace laurie, groups, nellie irene laurie, reverend ernest panelli, wedding

Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmgroups, upper diamond creek state school

Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmengland, erith, fraser and chalmers, gold mining, machinery, stamp mill

Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmengland, erith, fraser and chalmers, gold mining, machinery, stamp mill

This hotel was located in Chute Street Diamond Creek. The site was from the C.F.A. station east to the corner. In 1925 this hotel was burnt down at 11.00 am on a week day and the street was closed by police because the lighting system used petrol gas and an explosion was feared. Fortunately there was no explosion. This photo shows the gutted structure after the fire. Yarra Plenty Regional Library https://yprl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/485980027_royal_mail_hotel,_diamond_creekBlack and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmchute street, diamond creek, fire damage - buildings, royal mail hotel