Reminiscences of environmental artist Neil Douglas as told to Abbie Heathcote. Kangaroo Island stories, living naturally, bumbling through the Depression, Robinson Crusoe gardening, trials of a conservationist, health and home, artist friends, aninal friends. Illustrated by Neil Douglas and incudes photographs of his home and garden at Bend of Islands.1. Paperback; 140 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. 2. Hardback (missing dust jacket); 140 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.ISBN 095950950xstories, social customs, alternative lifestyles, kangaroo ground, gardening, reminiscences, bend of islands, conservation, neil douglas, abbie heathcote, environment,

In May 1972 an alternative lifestyle festival gathering was staged on the Sunbury Village Green area. The sculpture, using recycled building materials, was displayed for the gathering.A black and white photograph of a sculptured monster which has been constructured from recycled building materials. It has been called the 'Growth Monster'. A woman and three children are looking at the art work.recycling, alternative lifestyle festivals, sunbury village green, george evans collection

It’s hard to believe, as look at Alistair Knox Park, that this whole area was a tip in the 1960s. Although now valued as a natural attraction, the hills and lake are human made, with the hills built on mounds of rubbish. School children planted many of the trees. Many of the large eucalypt trees are remanent of the original bushland. The park has a National Trust Landscape Classification. It was close to this location that the Eltham Obelsik was originally located in 1919 and had to be relocated when roadworks were undertaken to widen the intersection. The park is named for Knox who was a local designer, builder and advocate for an alternative lifestyle, best known for use of mudbricks. Tomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, alistair knox park

A discussion of Australia's bland suburbs, and the rise in brick home-building, and the alternative of urban high-rise living. Alternative leisure lifestyles associated with each are outlined. Multi-storey flats, European migration, the unplanned ghettoisation of different groups are discussed. What are the needs for a new era of Australian housing? New initiatives are outlined.Original manuscript of the chapter titled 'The Neighbourhood' (pp32-43) by Robin Boyd in the book "Living and Partly Living", by Ian McKay, Robin Boyd, Hugh Stretton and John Mant, published by Nelson, Sydney 1971.Typewritten (c copy), pencil, quarto, 29 pagesChapter in a book.neighbourhood, neighborhood, suburbia, planning, conformity, brick home, timber home, flathouses, housing commission, european immigration, swinger hill, ian mackay, merchant builders, landscaping, robin boyd, manuscript

Alistair Knox was an architect and builder who came to Eltham in 1948. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Burley Griffin, he sought to create buildings that would blend into the landscape, enhanced by the planting of indigenous flora. The post-war shortage of building materials made traditional construction expensive. Adobe (mudbrick) provided a cheap and plentiful alternative, and one which would be aesthetically pleasing. Mud-brick manufacture was a problem at first. Sonia Skipper had been experimenting with Eltham clays for years to find the best mix for making bricks and render. Alistair employed her as building foreman on several of his sites. By the 1980s, he had brought mud-brick and earth building into the Australian mainstream, and a Knox-designed house had become highly desirable. Sonia said that he would craft a bespoke earthen house to fit with his client's lifestyle. He was drawn to the environmental movement, publishing three books on housing and the environment, and speaking on radio. He also served on the Eltham Shire Council 1971-1975, was Shire President 1974 and was instrumental in re-establishing the Eltham Community Festival in 1975. Alistair died in 1986 and is buried in a small garden setting at Eltham Cemetery.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, heritage excursion, alistair knox

Alistair Knox was an architect and builder who came to Eltham in 1948. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Burley Griffin, he sought to create buildings that would blend into the landscape, enhanced by the planting of indigenous flora. The post-war shortage of building materials made traditional construction expensive. Adobe (mudbrick) provided a cheap and plentiful alternative, and one which would be aesthetically pleasing. Mud-brick manufacture was a problem at first. Sonia Skipper had been experimenting with Eltham clays for years to find the best mix for making bricks and render. Alistair employed her as building foreman on several of his sites. By the 1980s, he had brought mud-brick and earth building into the Australian mainstream, and a Knox-designed house had become highly desirable. Sonia said that he would craft a bespoke earthen house to fit with his client's lifestyle. He was drawn to the environmental movement, publishing three books on housing and the environment, and speaking on radio. He also served on the Eltham Shire Council 1971-1975, was Shire President 1974 and was instrumental in re-establishing the Eltham Community Festival in 1975. Alistair died in 1986 and is buried in a small garden setting at Eltham Cemetery.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, heritage excursion, alistair samuel knox

Originally these mantles where produced to be used in gas street lights in Europe and North America cities.There use started in 1891. These mantles were used before electrical power street lighting was installed. They have been used ever since until safety concerns regarding radiation from their thorium infused particles made alternate mobile lamps more attractive. The age of open flame recreational lighting is fast coming to a close. The greater use of battery and generator powered lighting(ease of operation) has brought the costing of these alternative lighting to an acceptable level. The age of miniaturisation and volatility of the open flame has seen a greater swing to smaller and more stable lighting. These incandescent gas mantles were initially used in the Coleman White Gas LanternsThe Kiewa Valley, with its closeness to the Victorian Alps, allows greater opportunity for the "happy" campers to enjoy the outdoors. The lighting provided by the incandescent gas lamps allow the adventurer at heart to enjoy an alternative lifestyle and still having the comforts of "home" at their finger tips. The numerous camping facilities in the Kiewa Valley and the upper alpine region is testament that those living in the cities need a break from the day to day grind and go to a quieter and more spiritual environment. Artificial lighting, as provided by mobile apparatus, is highly valued by the urban gypsy. The outdoor recreational industry has significantly provided for, if only at holiday time, an industry that has a relatively high employment rate and beneficial to local communities.The gas mantle is in a fabric, pear shaped, of rayon fabric impregnated with cerium. It's appearance is similar to a very small fishing net. The fabric is very ply-able until it is heated by an open flame then it becomes more rigid and lets out an incandescent white light. Its colour is white to off white. It has a draw string fastened a t the bottom (to wrap around the flame source)lighting, gas, heating, camping, outdoor equipment lamp