A little further on are the well worn headstones of Stevenson graves. Joseph Stevenson, my Gt, Gt, Grandfather he married Ruth Boyd. Their daughter Isabella married Donald Grant, and their son David being my paternal grandfather who married Louise Gordon my grandmother. The Stevensons being original settlers and Donald Grant an original settler of Diamond Creek. A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

A little further on are the well worn headstones of Stevenson graves. Joseph Stevenson, my Gt, Gt, Grandfather he married Ruth Boyd. Their daughter Isabella married Donald Grant, and their son David being my paternal grandfather who married Louise Gordon my grandmother. The Stevensons being original settlers and Donald Grant an original settler of Diamond Creek. A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

We walked northwards to a new building, yes the toilets you wouldn't know it by the design. The new trustees are working miracles very fitting for a cemetery. A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

Another of a good friend and neighbour, Jean Stewart. Lloyd's wife and the mother of Mardi Crocker whose son Zac played with our G'son Richard last weekend. A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

A huge warrior of a gum tree still stands sentinel at the wrought iron gates. In the distance some pencil pines. Survivors too of the disastrous bushfires which in the past have swept the district. A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

We wanted to see how the construction of a rotunda at the cemetery was progressing and were surprised and pleased to see it finished. A new green plastic water tank was atop a stand not far away. A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

Wandering on we came to the grave of the Bourchiers who previously owned our property Birrarung, for many years, I had met Jack many times in the ' 30s. Their family's name is retained by Bourchiers Road. A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

Joe Bassett-Smith's service garagebassett-smith motors, briar hill, motor garage, scan - 110 format negative (13 x 17 mm), simms road, joe bassett-smith

The simple brass plaque mounted on granite tells when the cemetery was established. 1851. See story of Judith Furphy. Other names observed were the plaque to Judith Furphy. The first burial and whose family name is recorded in our language, " A Furphy' . A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

The grave of Ewen Cameron MP of Pigeon Bank, who contributed much to the district in the early days and whose grandaughter Vera, an original Fellow of the College of Nursing Australia, [ Later RCNA] Who married Watershed Jackson, They lived at Pigeon Bank before moving to Albury. Another headstone that of Houghton, Ned's daughter Jessie and I were at Tintern junior school together, she is now Jessie Bull. No one knew where Kangaroo Ground was, but us for ages. A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

Sauntering along the freshly mown grassy pathways, we noticed Bill Pellings Grave, marked with a Bronze plaque with pink artificial roses beside the inscription. Marion Erswell who with her husband Ambrose lived in Eltham at Willandra, their poultry farm where the Judge Book Village is now . She had taught Bill at school and said he was one of her brightest students at Dandenong. Bill later became Chairman of Kraft Foods. We were reminded of our wanderings in the cemetery at Worthing, England, where we discovered Pelling graves when hunting for Henty ones. A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on1 October 2001.Photocopy, 4 pages1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

The Bassett-Smith family lived on Menzies Road, Kangaroo Groundscan - 110 format negative (13 x 17 mm), bassett-smith home, click here to add keywords, kangaroo ground, menzies road

Our attention was drawn in the distance to a beautiful flowering rosemary bush beside geraniums . To our surprise they were growing on the grave of Billy Roach-Pierson [Robinson] then [Ricketson] we did not know of her remarriage. Her parents lived at the Crest, Panton Hill where they ran the school. [ Steven Crawford Baes son was there for a while.] Kay, Billies mother lived at the Grey House in Diamond Street, Eltham and was our neighbour at Rath, Eltham. A long time family friend of Peter's mother and us. Barrie, Billies brother married Pam Chevallier a relation of the Chevalliers, they were later divorced, then he married Helen Kohn with whom I nursed, she was in Elizabeth Cottee' s [Exon' s ] group at the Alfred. They now live in Queensland. Barrie sadly wheel chair bound. A brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph print1983 bushfire, air vice marshall wackett, ambrose erswell, barry roach-pierson, bill pelling, billy roach-pierson, birrarung, bourchiers road, ca 13, crichton, david grant, diamond street, diana bassett-smith, donald grant, donaldson road, dorrie bourchier, duff, early settlers, elizabeth cottee, ewan cameron mp, grey house, helen kohn, isabella grant (nee stevenson), jack bourchier, james balfour, james wilson, jean stewart, jessie bull (nee haughton), jimmy cook, jocelyn, joseph stevenson, judge book village, judith furphy, kangaroo ground cemetery, kay roach-pierson, keith jocelyn, kraft foods, lacey, lloyd stuart, louise grant (nee gordon), mardi crocker, marion erswell, ned haughton, nursery, pam chevallier, passiona, peter bassett-smith, pigeon bank, rath, ricketson, robinson, ruth boyd, steven crawford baes, tintagell, tosch, vera jackson, wackett trainer, watershed jackson, willandra poultry farm, zac crocker

Folder of information on Bassett-Smith family Eltham and Kangaroo Ground including service booklet "Celebration of the Life of Peter Bassett-Smith 4th August 2011"bassett-smith, peter bassett-smith

The Kangaroo Ground Cemetery celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2001. Celebrations included the opening of a new rotunda on the 26 October 2001. Ths photo is a part of a brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001.Colour photograph printkangaroo ground cemetery, rotunda

The Kangaroo Ground Cemetery celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2001. Celebrations included the opening of a new rotunda on the 26 October 2001. This photo is a part of a brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001. "We wanted to see how the construction of a rotunda at the cemetery was progressing and were surprised and pleased to see it finished. A new green plastic water tank was atop a stand not far away." Colour photograph printkangaroo ground cemetery, rotunda

The Kangaroo Ground Cemetery celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2001. Celebrations included the opening of a new rotunda on the 26 October 2001. Ths photo is a part of a brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001. "We wanted to see how the construction of a rotunda at the cemetery was progressing and were surprised and pleased to see it finished. A new green plastic water tank was atop a stand not far away." Colour photograph printkangaroo ground cemetery, rotunda

The Kangaroo Ground Cemetery celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2001. Celebrations included the opening of a new rotunda on the 26 October 2001. Ths photo is a part of a brief collection of reminiscences by Diana Bassett-Smith of locals who are buried at Kangaroo Ground Cemetery along with 17 photographs following a visit on 1 October 2001. "One other headstone, that of James Wilson. It was a Wilson who had a nursery at the North Eastern end of Bourchiers Road on the land known as Tintagell alongside the Yarra. He grew trees, pines in particular, and supplied within the district and to the gardens of Melbourne. According to Jimmy Cook. The last of the warriors is between the gate and the river. And confirmed by Dorrie Bourchier that the original pines to what is now our property came from Wilson. The only one left now is by Passiona. Lightening claimed the one at the corner of our drive." Colour photograph printkangaroo ground cemetery, rotunda, james wilson

Presentation of a certificate of Distinguished Life Member to Jock Read at his aged care home, Chatsworth Terrace, 430 Main Road, Lower Plenty, July 2010. Jock had previously been appointed a Life Member at the Annual General Meeting in 2003. He and fellow Life Member, Peter Bassett-Smith were made Distinguished Life Members in July 2010. Present were Jim Connor, Harry Gilham, Russell Yeoman, Peter and Diana Bassett-Smith, Doug Orford and Jock Read.One of four images from an A4 inkjet printactivities, eltham district historical society, russell yeoman, peter bassett-smith, diana bassett-smith

Colour photograph of a cottage in Metery Road, Eltham before demolition in 1964. In the window opening L-R Johnathon, James and Robin Bassett-Smith, aged 10, 7 and 12. Photo is included in a time capsule which was buried 1985 in front of the Eltham Community Centre, part of the Victorian Sesquicentennial, proposed to be opened in 2035 (50 years later)Colour photograph of a cottage in Metery Road, Eltham before demolition in 1964. In the window opening L-R Johnathon, James and Robin Bassett-Smith, aged 10, 7 and 12; openers of time capsule please note in Year 2035.includes Johnathan, James and Robin Bassett-Smithhouses, metery road, bassett smith

22 York Street, Eltham (re-numbered 28). One view north east from Bible Street c.1933, the view of the house from the north c.1933. Original house of 4 rooms, weatherboard Baltic, lined Baltic Pine, tongue and grooved boards and/or wall papered hessian. Skillion added c.1930, pitch roof room added c.1932. W.B. Bassett-Smith FRIBA Architect, W. Enright Builder. House in Bridge Street. Now demolished Two sepia photographs of 22 York Street, Eltham, renumbered 28, former home of Bassett-Smith family.houses, york street, peter bassett smith

Photograph of a group of people with some cows View from back verandah, most likely the Bassett-Smith home in York Street, Eltham 1040. Photo by Peter Bassett Smith 1 colour photographView from back verandah about 1940 eltham, cattle, cows, peter bassett smith, york street

Donated by J.M. Peter Bassett-Smith (2 November 1987) along with Easter Gymkhana Committee Minutes (from B.T. Taylor)A4 page typedb.t. (ben) taylor, easter gymkhana committee, eltham war memorial trust, minutes, peter bassett-smith

Two sepia photographs of 22 York Street (renumbered 28), Eltham from the north east. Formerly home of Bassett-Smith family c.1933 Original house of 4 rooms, Skillion added c.y W.B. Bassett-Smith FRIBA, Enwright, builder, Ivanhoeyork street, eltham, houses, peter bassett smith

3 pages, foolscap, handwritten in blue inkeltham war memorial trust, women's auxiliary

Oral history interview with Jock Read (1915- 2010) conducted by Diana Bassett-Smith of Eltham District Historical Society. Peter Bassett-Smith and possibly Gwen Orford also in attendance. The interview includes discussion of Jock's family history and connection to Eltham, including his attendance at Eltham State School starting 1921, childhood memories including games he played, memories of Eltham High School, recreational activities, milking, money earned, local transport, neighbours, effect of the Depression, local shops, involvement with the Church of England and more. Recording contains significant amount of noise. 0:00 Introduction including the clarification of Jock's name as Frances and backstory of his parents being from England 3:15- 5:00 Commences talking about home life and childhood 3:38 Talking about family immigrating to Australia His father immigrated to Australia when he was 6 4:05 Jock was born in and lived with his parents in Brunswick before moving to Eltham during the 1920s 4:55-7:44 Permanently moved to Eltham and started at Eltham Primary School in 1921 Talking about books used at school, and games played at school such as marbles, cricket and football 8:45 Moved into Eltham High School after finishing at Eltham Primary 9:50 Week and weekend activities including: Milking cows and doing milk runs on horseback before school 13:15 Most common mode of transport was using horse drawn vehicles and walking 14:50 Discusses impact of depression on family: Father had previously started a business but the depression had a large impact on that 16:10-18:00 Facilities that Jock had • Used hurricane lamps and candles- no electricity • Woodfire • Milk and bread were delivered • Greengrocer- George Bird? 25:22 Left Eltham high school in 1930 26:00 Begins discussing involvement with the church of England 31:46 Electricity did not come to Eltham until 1926 Jock described it as an exciting event 33:00-34:00 Describing the rented house, he was living in- small wooden cottage 35:00 Discussion around starting a mail run round areas of Eltham 38:40-42:35 Enlisted in the navy during WW2 • Navel cadets in 1934 • HMAS Vampire • Served as a seaman gunner Audio Compact Cassette Tape ACME C90 XHG Converted to MP3 file; 55.1MB, 0:42:35audio cassette, audio recording, diana bassett-smith, eltham, jock read, oral history, read family, elham primary school, eltham high school, eltham primary school, 1920s, brunswick, depression, church, st margaret's church, housing, ww2, second world war

[article in EDHS Newsletter No. 27, November 1982:] 1982: 16-17 October. “Pioneers of Eltham” and tractor (rain). Although our parade entry did not win a prize this year, it was considered highly successful from a participation point of view. Despite some uncertainty as to just who was coming, members and friends kept appearing at the assembly area. As in the past years our friends from the Victorian Folk Music Club brought their instruments along and really added to the occasion. This year we concentrated on a rural theme with a tractor/trailer combination. Thanks to Peter Bassett-Smith for the tractor, Joh Ebeli for the decorations and friendly trailer owner Dennis McKay. Unfortunately the closing stages of the parade were marred by heavy rain. We just finished as the rain started but members scattered very quickly. This has prompted the suggestion for future parades that we have a tent or other suitable venue for members to gather after the event. This is worth following up. The cold driving rain provided a special problem for Peter in driving his tractor home to Kangaroo Ground. Have you ever had to choose between standing up to warm your hands on the exhaust and having your tractor seat flooded? Certificate, Festival Parade Award, Rotary Club of Eltham, Eighth Eltham Community Festival 1982: Presented to the Shire of Eltham Historical Society for the most effort by "locals".Colour photographmain road, eltham festival, eltham, eltham parade, festivals, parade, parade floats, 1982, eltham district historical society, peter bassett-smith, shire of eltham historical society