BHS CollectionMap of part of Eaglehawk Road showing a Bike Ride Trail. Map is dated September 01, 1998, Scale 1:5000.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - map - eaglehawk road, natural resources and environment, bike ride trail

Newsletter No., 234, June 2017 Heritage Excursion - Saturday 1st July - Eltham Lower Park - Walk and Talk Eltham Lower Park has played an important part in the history of our area since the early days of European settlement when it was used by local residents as an informal racecourse. Prior to that its location at the junction of the Diamond Creek and the Yarra River made it an important meeting place for the Wurundjeri people. The park combines formal elements and sporting facilities with remnant bushland that is of environmental significance. It is home to sporting and horse riding clubs, popular play spaces and the Diamond Valley Miniature Railway, which attracts large numbers of visitors. The park will be the venue for our July excursion which will comprise a walk of about 3.5 km around the park and adjacent areas. Along the way we will discuss the history and natural history of the area. The path along the creek and the river provides a pleasant and scenic walk. This walk on Saturday 1st July is about 3.5 km in length and will take 2 to 2.5 hours. It will start at 2pm at the Main Road car park at the front of the park. (Melway ref 21 H 10). Born Digitalheritage excursion, activities, eltham district historical society, eltham lower park, bike trail, car park

The newsletter outlines local government initiatives, community events, environmental programs, infrastructure projects, and cultural activities occurring in the Nillumbik Shire around October–November 2000. It highlights council plans, community participation opportunities, and local developments aimed at improving quality of life in the region. October 2000 articles include: Safer roads for the Shire Eltham Festival program announced Commercial Place design released 2000-2003 Council Plan Released National Reconciliation Framework Living and Learning Centres More Playgrounds Susan St Pavilion completed Study to plan for BMX/skate track Wattle Glen Township Strategy Community Weed Control Program Count Koala Day Environment Centre proposed for Edendale Farm Open Space Strategy findings Neighbourhood Character Study and Residential Design Guidelines Friends groups Clean Drains – Living Creeks, National Water Week Nillumbik Shire Council Cultural Plan 2000-2005 adopted 2001 Alan Marshall Short Story Award Artists’ Open Studios program Kangaroo Ground Tower Advisory Committee Environment leaders at Eltham North primary Dollars saved by regular road maintenance Regional Road upgrades Rural roads grading program Stormwater Management Plan Locality boundary update council newsletters, nillumbik news, nillumbik shire council, council plan 2000–2003, municipal road safety strategy, infrastructure services, stormwater management plan, locality boundary review, rates, sustainable agriculture rebate, capital works program, road maintenance, better roads victorian program, eltham - yarra glen road, warrandyte - kangaroo ground road, rural roads grading program, commercial place, public space, public infrastructrue, meals on wheels, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, adult community education, volunteer programs, australia day awards, community groups, environmental protection, sustainability, community weed control, landcare, koalas, drainage works, waterway protection, indigenous grass, environmental education, open space, public parkland, playgrounds, bike trail, adventure playground, community reserves, kangaroo ground tower reserve, cultural plan, eltham festival, artists open studios, cultural tourism, alan marshall short story award, montsalvat, community arts program, garden walks, eltham fun run, community market, mudbrick tours, ceres environmental education centre, nillumbik tourism association, food and wine trail, yarra valley tourism campaign, road safety, adrian cully, alan marshall, andrew port, anne connor, catherine dale, chris wallace-crabbe, claire harris, david scott, david yencken, dean stewart, deb ganderton, debra wilkinson, denis ward, drew gregory, daryl taylor, fiona austin, frank butters, frank nolan, gavin jordan, glen jameson, grace mitchell, greg scott, harry gilham, helen ash, jane annois, jane viola, jan kelly, jenneke korteweg, jenni mitchell, jessica davison, jill forrest, john hewish, jules burns, julius peiker, kay steventon, kayte nunn, lesley shuttleworth, leslie avril, louise heathcote, marg jeffery, margaret jennings, martin wright, mathew hodsnesse, maurice stabb, megan mccarthy, mervyn hannan, michael jansz, michael skewes, mick woiwod, nel ten wolde, nicholas pelling, ona henderson, peter burn, piers bateman, reg cox, reg evans, robert boyle, robert hay, robert theobald, shan shnookal, sigmund jorgensen, stuart menzies, steven white, vonnie frazer, eltham district historical society, council for aboriginal reconciliation, eltham north primary school, wattle glen primary school, eltham arts council, churinga arts, harvey world travel (eltham), eltham little book shop, do lunch cafe, volumes cafe, grovedale cottage, lovegrove winery cottles bridge, yarrambat golf club, eltham football club, eltham rugby football club, lower eltham cricket club, susan street oval, syd tunn, jack rasterhoff

The newsletter outlines local government initiatives, community events, environmental programs, infrastructure projects, and cultural activities occurring in the Nillumbik Shire around October–November 2000. It highlights council plans, community participation opportunities, and local developments aimed at improving quality of life in the region. October 2000 articles include: Safer roads for the Shire Eltham Festival program announced Commercial Place design released 2000-2003 Council Plan Released National Reconciliation Framework Living and Learning Centres More Playgrounds Susan St Pavilion completed Study to plan for BMX/skate track Wattle Glen Township Strategy Community Weed Control Program Count Koala Day Environment Centre proposed for Edendale Farm Open Space Strategy findings Neighbourhood Character Study and Residential Design Guidelines Friends groups Clean Drains – Living Creeks, National Water Week Nillumbik Shire Council Cultural Plan 2000-2005 adopted 2001 Alan Marshall Short Story Award Artists’ Open Studios program Kangaroo Ground Tower Advisory Committee Environment leaders at Eltham North primary Dollars saved by regular road maintenance Regional Road upgrades Rural roads grading program Stormwater Management Plan Locality boundary update council newsletters, nillumbik news, nillumbik shire council, council plan 2000–2003, municipal road safety strategy, infrastructure services, stormwater management plan, locality boundary review, rates, sustainable agriculture rebate, capital works program, road maintenance, better roads victorian program, eltham - yarra glen road, warrandyte - kangaroo ground road, rural roads grading program, commercial place, public space, public infrastructrue, meals on wheels, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, adult community education, volunteer programs, australia day awards, community groups, environmental protection, sustainability, community weed control, landcare, koalas, drainage works, waterway protection, indigenous grass, environmental education, open space, public parkland, playgrounds, bike trail, adventure playground, community reserves, kangaroo ground tower reserve, cultural plan, eltham festival, artists open studios, cultural tourism, alan marshall short story award, montsalvat, community arts program, garden walks, eltham fun run, community market, mudbrick tours, ceres environmental education centre, nillumbik tourism association, food and wine trail, yarra valley tourism campaign, road safety, adrian cully, alan marshall, andrew port, anne connor, catherine dale, chris wallace-crabbe, claire harris, david scott, david yencken, dean stewart, deb ganderton, debra wilkinson, denis ward, drew gregory, daryl taylor, fiona austin, frank butters, frank nolan, gavin jordan, glen jameson, grace mitchell, greg scott, harry gilham, helen ash, jane annois, jane viola, jan kelly, jenneke korteweg, jenni mitchell, jessica davison, jill forrest, john hewish, jules burns, julius peiker, kay steventon, kayte nunn, lesley shuttleworth, leslie avril, louise heathcote, marg jeffery, margaret jennings, martin wright, mathew hodsnesse, maurice stabb, megan mccarthy, mervyn hannan, michael jansz, michael skewes, mick woiwod, nel ten wolde, nicholas pelling, ona henderson, peter burn, piers bateman, reg cox, reg evans, robert boyle, robert hay, robert theobald, shan shnookal, sigmund jorgensen, stuart menzies, steven white, vonnie frazer, eltham district historical society, council for aboriginal reconciliation, eltham north primary school, wattle glen primary school, eltham arts council, churinga arts, harvey world travel (eltham), eltham little book shop, do lunch cafe, volumes cafe, grovedale cottage, lovegrove winery cottles bridge, yarrambat golf club, eltham football club, eltham rugby football club, lower eltham cricket club, susan street oval, syd tunn, jack rasterhoff

"Presented To Wally O'Brien In Recognition Of His Outstanding Contribution To The Sport Of Cycling And On The Occasion Of The Naming Of The Wally O'Brien Bike Trail August 2002"walter "wally" james o'brien

Colour photograph.Main Road Bridge, Eltham low flow of Diamond Creek with wooden pedestrain bridge constructed over the creek as a continuation of the walking and biking trail, June 1979diamond creek, eltham, bridge, main road, pedestrain bridge, trail

La Trobe University has broken its silence over the future of Strathallan Golf Course, revealing a vision for the land that includes residential development, sports facilities and bike trails.News article 1 page, black text.strathallan golf club, la trobe university, darebin council, bundoora

Photograph shows a bush track with erosion caused by trail bikes and water.Part of the John Ramsdale collection of slides and audio visual material.Colour photograph scanned from slide.No maker's marks. No caption on slide.erosion, bushland

The Falls Creek Mountain Bike Park opened in 2013 with 40 kilometres of trails in the Victorian Alpine National Park. Designed and built by World Trail, the bike trails provide access to beautiful alpine terrain. The rides now extend over more than 50 kilometres, catering for a range of abilities and providing activities in the summer season. All trails start and finish in the resort. The high-altitude trails of Falls Creek include a range of wide gravel roads to winding single trails. The graded trails include rides to the Rocky Valley Lake, historic cattlemen’s huts such as Cope Hut and Wallaces Hut, the top of Mt McKay, Pretty Valley Lake and for the experts the ride to Mt Nelse and the Spion Kopje summit. MTB Bike Patrol Top To ensure rider safety, Falls Creek Resort introduced a Bike Patrol service during shuttle operating hours. Many Ski Patrol members transitioned into these roles, offering riders peace of mind that medical care was available quickly if needed. The program highlighted the resort's commitment to duty of care and to growing mountain biking responsibly. This shirt was designed by Australian Company Dharco as a highly visible uniform for crew at the Falls Creek Mountain Bike Park. Jo Prothero, Director of Marketing for Falls Creek Resort Management from 2012 to 2019, generously donated two mountain bike jerseys that capture a pivotal era in the resort's history. During Jo's tenure, the resort made significant investments in mountain bike trails, aiming to activate the village during the summer months and support local businesses. This development included appointing Blue Dirt as the resort's first shuttle operator, transporting riders from Howman's Gap to the Summit.This shirt is significant as it is representative of the Falls Creek Mountain Bike Park development.A uni-sex style shirt designed to be worn by mountain bike crews in Falls Creek, Victoria. It has multi-coloured panels of black, orange, yellow and grey. It features an image of a mountain biker descending a slope on the front along with the manufacturer's name. Sponsors' logos also feature across the lower backOn front: PARK CREW/ DHARCO On back: Falls Creek Mountain Bike Park On both sleeves: PARK CREWfalls creek mountain bike park, falls creek staff uniform

From 1st Sunshine Scout Hall Martin Street Sunshine|Rider A Play on Redex Trail. Bike Ride & Camp Trip sometimes Easter Arrarat to Port Fairy Trophy Created for eventWooden shield mounted with a bicycle main chain wheel & crank1st Sunshine Ridex Trail Sunshine District Shield 20/3/1960|Platypus Patrol 1st Sunshine|D. Ward P.L.|N. Buttimer|S. Cuddeford|A. Bradshawscouts, scouting

In 2015, the Marketing, Events, and Operations teams at Falls Creek launched McKayos—a bold, one-of-a-kind race designed to showcase the resort's trails to winter visitors. Inspired by the legendary Megavalanche in the French Alps, McKayos was a mass-start descent from the summit of Mt McKay (1,850m) to the edge of Lake Bogong, over 1,200m below. Riders tackled snow, village roads, fire trails, and singletrack across an 18km course. With the support of the Lift Company, competitors and bikes were transported up the Falls Express chairlift before climbing to the summit start line. In later years, the race began at the Ski Patrol base. Held for five consecutive years, McKayos grew to attract up to 450 participants, cementing itself as a legendary event in Australian mountain biking history. This shirt is from the 2016 event when the winners were:- Open Men: Paul van der Ploeg (1st), Sebastian Jayne (2nd). Women: Lisa Brydon (1st), Julia Clark (2nd) Junior Men: Ben McIlroy (1st) Casey Griska (2nd) Jo Prothero, Director of Marketing for Falls Creek Resort Management from 2012 to 2019, generously donated two mountain bike jerseys that capture a pivotal era in the resort's history. During Jo's tenure, the resort made significant investments in mountain bike trails, aiming to activate the village during the summer months and support local businesses. This development included appointing Blue Dirt as the resort's first shuttle operator, transporting riders from Howman's Gap to the Summit.This shirt is significant because it represents an important and innovative event held at Falls Creek Victoria.A green and gold cyclist shirt featuring the logo of the McKayos Mountain Bike Ride. It also has a mountain bike on the front in black. The Mckayos logo in on the upper left. The back features the words SNOW, DIRT, ROAD as well as sponsors' logos and "Falls Creek Victoria and the manufacturer, Sacul Sportswear of Mount Beauty, Victoria. McKayos is on the right sleeve and 2016 is on the left sleeve.mckayos mountain bike ride, falls creek activities, falls creek victoria

Sunshine Croquet Club reimbursement for works carried out by club 4 Hillside Crescent rubbish removal Letter of concern from resident regarding Council's intention of allowing trail bike and horse riding at Tallintyre Reserve Sunshine Little Athletics Centre request to to use Parsons Reserve for championship day Planning Application Monsanto Sunshine Park Tennis Club request for lighting upgrade North Sunshine Tennis Club seeking provision of rubbish bins Planning Permit Application Factory Warehouse Arvona Avenue Sunshine North Plan of Subdivision Lahy Street and Disraeli Street St. Albans Plan of Subdivision ICI Ballarat Road Deer Park Lot 1 Station Road Albanvale Children's Community Centre Building Over Easement and Location of Building Lot 40 Butler Street Braybrook Building Over Easement 3 Droitwich Crescent Deer Parksunshine croquet club, hillside crescent, maribyrnong, tallintyre reserve, kermeen street, sunshine west, sunshine little athletics centre, parsons reserv, stanford street, sunshine, monsanto, somerville road, footscray west, sunshine park tennis club, north sunshine tennis club, arvona avenue, sunshine north, lahy street, disraeli street, st. albans, ici, ballarat road, deer park, station road, albanvale, albanvale children's community centre, butler street, braybrook, droitwich crescent

Sunshine Croquet Club reimbursement for works carried out by club 4 Hillside Crescent rubbish removal Letter of concern from resident regarding Council's intention of allowing trail bike and horse riding at Tallintyre Reserve Sunshine Little Athletics Centre request to to use Parsons Reserve for championship day Planning Application Monsanto Sunshine Park Tennis Club request for lighting upgrade North Sunshine Tennis Club seeking provision of rubbish bins Planning Permit Application Factory Warehouse Arvona Avenue Sunshine North Plan of Subdivision Lahy Street and Disraeli Street St. Albans Plan of Subdivision ICI Ballarat Road Deer Park Lot 1 Station Road Albanvale Children's Community Centre Building Over Easement and Location of Building Lot 40 Butler Street Braybrook Building Over Easement 3 Droitwich Crescent Deer Parksunshine croquet club, hillside crescent, maribyrnong, tallintyre reserve, kermeen street, sunshine west, sunshine little athletics centre, parsons reserv, stanford street, sunshine, monsanto, somerville road, footscray west, sunshine park tennis club, north sunshine tennis club, arvona avenue, sunshine north, lahy street, disraeli street, st. albans, ici, ballarat road, deer park, station road, albanvale, albanvale children's community centre, butler street, braybrook, droitwich crescent

These gaiters where used circa 1800's to mid 1900's, by horse riders "cattle men" to protect their shins and long trousers against wear and tear. They were used rather than having expensive boots damaged. Gaiters were a lot easier to fasten and clean than boots. They were used in the Kiewa Valley and the High Plains grazing areas.These gaiters were part of a cattleman's "out fit". The Gaiters were easily cleaned and did away with expensive riding boots. They were used throughout the valley and high plains areas both by horse riders herding cattle and the recreational rider of both sexes. After the 1950s more recreational riders from Melbourne ventured onto the high plains and not so rugged mountain slopes. Small settlements such as Mount Beauty, Bogong village and Falls Creek provided a secure backdrop for short term horse back adventures. The increasing pressure of city life provided a greater flow of stressed out city dweller to find the peace and quiet that city life does not have. Horse riding preceded the modern trail bikes and other recreational vehicles of the late 1900s. Thick leather tapered gaiters with six metal Hooks and Leather lacing through metal eyelets. All bar two eyelets have a metal reinforced punch holes. Left gaiter missing most of lacing.horse, country, leather, gaiters, high, grazing, cattlemen, laces, studs

Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacement with a new steel bridge. Heritage advice obtained by Nillumbik Shire Council, following a suggestion by the Eltham District Historical Society (EDHS), is that the original bridge appears to have been a simplified version of the Country Roads Board’s (CRB) standard timber bridge design of the early-to-mid 1920s. In c1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with three recycled steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. During these alterations many parts of the bridge were removed, and some were replaced. Heritage advice indicates the condition of Murray’s bridge is poor. The remaining original parts are all in poor condition, with severe weathering, splitting and rot, especially to the stringers retained on the bridge. Heritage advice is that Murray’s Bridge does not have sufficient significance in the cultural history of the Nillumbik area to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay and also does not have sufficient significance as a rare survivor to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay. There are no indications in the historical record that this site was individually important to the cultural history of this area. EDHS is comfortable with the heritage advice provided to Council and has worked closely on this project with Council. EDHS has suggested some of the removed timbers be used in the vicinity of the bridge for landscaping and possibly seating, so as to retain these remnants close to the site of the original bridge, which is the last old timber bridge along the lower reaches of the Diamond Creek. Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. * * * A theory posted on local community Facebook groups was that the bridge was built in the 1860s and was built to be more robust than was necessary for the movement of cows from one side of the creek to the other. It was suggested the robustness was necessary to support the weight of gold ore being transferred from a mine on Murray’s land to a railway siding near Murrays Bridge (presumably for transfer and processing at Diamond Creek). Perhaps this may have been one of the motivators for Murray, who really knows? Knowing when mining operations ceased on his land and how that fits the overall timeline would be useful but at the time the bridge was built, local gold production was minimal at best. The known facts are: • The railway line came to Eltham in 1902. • The extension of the railway from Eltham to Hurstbridge was constructed in 1912 so no railway line even existed through Murray's property until 1912 and the Victorian Railways maps at the time show no such siding on Murray’s property. • In 1923 a new company was formed in anticipation of the old Diamond Creek Gold Mine being re-opened. The mine had been previously closed and flooded. It was noted in the press at the time that the mine was within a mile of the railway. Nothing really came of this. • Construction of Murrays Bridge was commenced by James Murray in early 1929 in anticipation of a proposed flag station being nominated on his land, but work ceased shortly afterwards. The proposed flag station was commonly referred to as Glen Park as the residents of the Glen Park Estate wanted Option 1, located near them with the platform adjacent to Colemans corner. This was probably never going to fly as it was virtually in eyesight of Eltham station. Allandale Road was the third option, but the Commissioners' preferred option was No. 2 - on Murray's property. • The Railway Commissioners were not going to finance any such station and the works had to be funded by private landowners and residents, hence Murray investing in this himself. • Murray recommenced work two years later and finished his bridge in 1931 but unfortunately for him, the proposed flag station never eventuated. The bluestone siding you reference may well have been built by Murray as part of the proposed station platform. • Up until then, apart from the Main Road bridge, which was washed away in 1924, virtually all local crossings over the Diamond Creek were low lying bridges – Kaylocks Bridge at Brougham Street, Diamond Street bridge, Glen Park Road bridge. It is expected that Murray also had a low-lying bridge to connect his land either side of the creek. These were all washed away or severely damaged multiple times in the 1920s. Lessons were learnt, and Murrays Bridge appears to have been built in accordance with Country Road Board standards of the time. Flood damage was ongoing, and even more recently constructed raised bridges kept getting washed away, e.g., the new Wattle Tree Road bridge in 1958 just months after completion. Murray’s bridge was reinforced with steel some 30 years ago presumably to provide additional floodwater resistance, given the history of bridges disappearing in floodwaters. • In March 1932 it was reported in the Advertiser that there were still some prospectors operating around Eltham North who apart from further scarring the face of the earth over the previous two years had gained significant experience but little gold - hardly a driving factor for constructing a dedicated railway siding and bridge to transfer gold ore. It is far more probable that James Murray was hoping to have the railway station located on his property and invested his money by building the bridge to lead to it as well as a station platform. Had the station eventuated, it may well have driven up the value of his land for subdivision and new housing estates like the Glen Park Estate. That did not eventuate. Whilst the bridge was indeed old (90 years), the core structure being completed in 1931, it had been modified substantially from original and hence had no significant historic value – i.e., it was not a representative example of its type, construction, and age. Given that the bridge was not worthy of saving, the Eltham District Historical Society with Council’s support, and the Eltham Woodworkers group endeavoured to see what suitable sized timbers were salvageable to fabricate a commemorative seat. Unfortunately, the experts at the Woodworkers group were unable to salvage any suitable length/width timbers to fabricate the seat due to the presence of rot. Last remaining wooden trestle bridge on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacementBorn digital image (27)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

Construction work on replacement of Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. Born digital image (5)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

This slide shows a train proceeding along the Beechworth rail trail in approximately 1900. The rail line to Beechworth was the subject of significant lobbying by local officials such as John Orr and G.B. Kerferd in the 1860s, as it was recognised that the poor quality of roads to Melbourne and Albury hindered trade and formed a barrier to the social development of the town. The subsequent positioning of Beechworth on a branch rather than a main line was not considered ideal to achieve these aims, but the Everton-to-Beechworth and Beechworth-to-Yackandandah components of the line cost an average of £7,277 per mile and State Government officials felt the need in the area did not justify the cost of a direct line. The Beechworth Railway Station was officially opened on the 29th of September 1876 and ran services twice daily to Melbourne, transporting nearly 12,000 passengers and around 6,500 tons of cargo in 1900. It closed in 1976 and is today used as a cycling trail used by locals and promoted as a feature of the area to tourists. Lantern slides, sometimes called 'magic lantern' slides, are glass plates on which an image has been secured for the purpose of projection. Glass slides were etched or hand-painted for this purpose from the Eighteenth Century but the process became more popular and accessible to the public with the development of photographic-emulsion slides used with a 'Magic Lantern' device in the mid-Nineteenth Century. Photographic lantern slides comprise a double-negative emulsion layer (forming a positive image) between thin glass plates that are bound together. A number of processes existed to form and bind the emulsion layer to the base plate, including the albumen, wet plate collodion, gelatine dry plate and Woodburytype techniques. Lantern slides and magic lantern technologies are seen as foundational precursors to the development of modern photography and film-making techniques.This glass slide is significant because it provides insight into Beechworth's social amenities and transport infrastructure in the late Nineteenth Century. It is also an example of an early photographic and film-making technology in use in regional Victoria in the time period.Thin translucent sheet of glass with a circular image printed on the front and framed in a black backing. It is held together by metal strips to secure the edges of the slide.burke museum, beechworth, lantern slide, slide, glass slide, plate, burke museum collection, photograph, monochrome, indigo shire, north-east victoria, rail trail, beechworth rail trail, beechworth station, everton, wangaratta, wodonga, albury, rail transport, cargo transport, g.b. kerferd, john orr, murray to mountains rail trail, cycling, biking, railway

Eltham Gateway, The old Bootmaker's Cottage adjacent to Whitecloud Cottage, 701 Main Road, Eltham The bootmaker's shop was operated by John Henry (Harry) Clark from about 1930. Clark was originally a photographer along with his brothers William (Will) Charles Clark and Clement Kent Clark. They operated as Clark Bros Photographers based at 25 Thomas Street, Windsor (Prahran) from about 1895 to 1915 at which point the premises was demolished.. Brother Clement died in 1912. By 1916 Harry was living and working as a photographer in Eltham and was recorded on the electoral rolls as a photographer up to and incliiding at least 1928. By 1931 he had changed proession to Bootmake and again continued on Main Road, Eltham South as a Bootmake at least until 1954. He died at St Vincent'e Hospital in Dec 1956. It is believed non of the brothers married. Whilst very little public record exists og Harry in the papers either as a photographer or bootmaker, one incident was reported in 1935 when he witnessed a girl on a bike come crashing down Main Road and into the pond next to his shop.Tomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, avenue of honour, dalton street, wingrove park trail, bootmakers cottage

Eltham Gateway, The old Bootmaker's Cottage adjacent to Whitecloud Cottage, 701 Main Road, Eltham The bootmaker's shop was operated by John Henry (Harry) Clark from about 1930. Clark was originally a photographer along with his brothers William (Will) Charles Clark and Clement Kent Clark. They operated as Clark Bros Photographers based at 25 Thomas Street, Windsor (Prahran) from about 1895 to 1915 at which point the premises was demolished.. Brother Clement died in 1912. By 1916 Harry was living and working as a photographer in Eltham and was recorded on the electoral rolls as a photographer up to and incliiding at least 1928. By 1931 he had changed proession to Bootmake and again continued on Main Road, Eltham South as a Bootmake at least until 1954. He died at St Vincent'e Hospital in Dec 1956. It is believed non of the brothers married. Whilst very little public record exists og Harry in the papers either as a photographer or bootmaker, one incident was reported in 1935 when he witnessed a girl on a bike come crashing down Main Road and into the pond next to his shop.Tomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, avenue of honour, dalton street, wingrove park trail, bootmakers cottage

25th edition. Coloured detailed maps accessed by a street or location index. Cover: (Includes) New Southbank map including Crown Complex, enlargements of Footscray and Kensington, bike paths, walking tracks & horse trails, latest public transport information, South east Australia tours maps, Vic Roads new route numbers, map of Australia1 atlas (22, 772 p.) : col. maps ; ISSN 03113957streets, maps, roads, melbourne

Date based on other similar display panels visible in images of the Shire of Eltham display at the Eltham Community Festival, 7 November 1987.Colour photographdisplay panel, eltham festival, infrastructure, shire of eltham, bike paths, eltham, research (vic.), trail