Early photograph 1970 showing first buildings of Mount Helen Campus of Ballarat University built on early estate near Green Hill. The Tasmanian Blue Gum featured dates from 1896Significant tertiary institution established in the historical pastoral area of Green HillBlack and white photo of early buildings of Mount Helen Campus of University of Ballarat featuring significant Tasmanian Blue GumTasmanian Blue Gum with Civil Engineering building and Green Hill in the background 1970education, green hill, mount helen, university, trees

One of a collection of over 400 sketches & photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandSketch of the leaves and bud of the Blue Gum. A favourite food of the Koala. Drawn by Dr R T Patton, University of Melbourne.Blue Gumlocal history, illustrations, pen & ink, leaves and bud of blue gum, black & white sketch, phillip island flora, koalas, dr r t patton, john jenner, bryant west

Ballarat Horticultural Society, Double Diamond Jubilee, Courier newspaper, Saturday October 20, 1979, page 33The Horticultural Society was one of the oldest societies in Ballarat and some of the longstanding and eminent members played an important role in the establishment and development of the Ballarat Botanic Gardens and other public gardens especially in Ballarat. 1 sheet with large photograph in black and white, top half of page, 2 Certificates of Merit, bottom half of page with print left hand side and middle of the page. Folded page.Printing in black biro on the left hand side of the page concerning John Ross and Andrew Anderson.john garner collection, garner, dr, horticultural society, courier, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, jubilee, society, double diamond jubilee, gardening, roy mosman, henry shaw, john ross, t.b.toop, geo longley, blue gums, pollarding scheme, trees in victoria park, test gardens, roses, gladioli, public gardens

Newspaper advertisement: Leader Associated Newspapers, Eltham Centenary Supplement, March 30, 1971 Blue Gum Milk Bar property, businesses, main road eltham, blue gum milk bar (eltham)

building, educationColour photograph, First building under construction, the north wing, on Mt. Helen Campus, University of Ballarat, 1969.Tasmanian Blue Gum on left.mt helen, university campus, construction

Formerly Burges Blue Gum Cafe being demolished, cnr Pryor Street and Main Road, Eltham, Sept. 1960. A new two story brick building was erected on site approximately 1961 for Mr Millet - visible in 1962 aerial photos Film poster is advertising The Blob (1958) and "I married a monster from outer space" (1958) which both appear to have been screened in Australia in 1960 and 1961 1922 Originally opened in October 1922 by Miss Barber, it was known as the Blue Gum Soda Fountain. It was named after a prominent Bluegum which stood on the property. 1928 It was taken over by W. Jim Burges in 1928 and by 1929 was known as the Blue Gum Café but also as the Blue Gum Tea Rooms from around August 1931. 1935 In August 1935 Jim Burges sold the Blue Gum Café to Mr and Mrs L.H. Herring of Kallista. The Herrings maintained the name Blue Gum Café 1938 In July 1938 the Herrings sold the business as the Eltham Confectionary And Soda Fountain to Misses Robinson and Pringle effective from August 1st. 1939 In April 1939, Misses Robinson and Pringle sold the Eltham Confectionary And Soda Fountain to Mr Herbert Eugene Borner and Miss Edith Florance Borner, (brother and older sister), formerly of Yarra Glen and it became known as H.E. Borner’s Shop. It is not known when the Borners sold the shop. Both were recorded there in the 1949 Electoral Roll. However, it is noted that Herbert Borner of Blackburn, late of Eltham, died as a result of an accident in August 1952. Sister Edith married railway employee John Stephens in in 1962. She died December 1978. So it is most likely they sold it possibly sometime between 1950 and 1951. 1950 The ownership between 1950 and 1954 is unknown but at some time during that period, the business was acquired by John Henry Millett and his wife, Esther. In 1949 they are listed in Footscray North and are recorded in the 1954 Electoral Roll as shopkeeper, Main Road, Eltham. It is possible they purchased it from the Borners between 1950 and 1951. It was advertised in the 1955 Easter Gymkhana Program as The Blue Gum, J. Millet, Proprietor. c. Aug. 1960 OLD LANDMARK GOES EDHS_05531 ELTHAM’S GROWTH HAS BEEN RAPID IN RECENT YEARS Possibly Diamond Valley News c.August 1960 Perhaps the most famous landmark in Eltham's' business section disappeared last Wednesday when the towering blue gum in Pryor Street at the rear of Main Road shops was felled. The tree, stated to be more than 80 feet high, was the one for which the adjoining café was named, when that business was Eltham’s only provision store, long before the turn of the century. Mr. J. Millett, who now owns the property on which the tree stood, deeply regretted its removal, but was mindful of the need for expansion in the business area. The "Old Blue Gum" was removed by Mr. A. Wilson, expert tree feller, from Heidelberg. Its proportions might be assessed by these facts – it took a gang of experienced men two days to completely fell and clear the tree, and, falling sections being brought down by cable tipped electricity wires on the opposite side of Pryor Street. Sep. 1960 The original store was demolished in September 1960 to make way for a new two-story brick building which became known as Millett’s Foodland. Aerial imagery shows that this was erected by 1962. 1968-1985 The name Blue Gum did not disappear but was reincarnated a few doors up some years later as the Blue Gum Milk Bar at 1006 Main Road (present-day Vyve Beauty & Wellness building on the northern side of Pryor Street one premises up from Westpac bank) “As a lifelong resident of the Diamond Valley, Ian Chesser (Chess) is a well-known face within the local community due to his involvement with numerous sporting clubs, and for being the “kid from the Blue Gum Milk Bar” many years ago” “From the time he was a child, Ian would assist his parents Graeme and Shirley at the Blue Gum Milk Bar working behind the counter.” "Ian Chesser - Barry Plant - Eltham." realcommercial.com.au https://www.realcommercial.com.au/agent/ian-chesser-1704490 Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.Colour photograph copy of originalColour photograph copy of original. Possibly donated by Peter Bassett-Smith, noted as Sept 19601960, blue gum milk bar (eltham), butcher, coca cola, eltham shopping centre, eltham shops, estate agency, fire, four n twenty, i married a monster from outer space (film 1958), main road eltham, milk bar, noon pies, peters ice cream, pryor street, staffs general store, summer, the blob (film 1958), eltham, shops, blue gum café, blue gum milk bar, blue gum soda fountain

The 'Tree of Knowledge' was planted on Arbor Day 1896 by Mrs Elizabeth Downing who lived on the farm that was originally the Mount Helen Site. When the site was purchased in 1966 the architects and planners inspected the site and decided 'The Big Tree' must remain as a central landmark in preparing the layout of the campus.Photograph of the 'Tree of Knowledge', a Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus glubulus labillo), located at the Mount Helen Campus of Federation University. The tree is registered by the National Trust,federation university, federation university australia, feduni, university of ballarat, mount helen, tree of knowledge, big tree, blue gum, mount helen campus

The 'Tree of Knowledge' was planted on Arbor Day 1896 by Mrs Elizabeth Downing who lived on the farm that was originally the Mount Helen Site. When the site was purchased in 1966 the architects and planners inspected the site and decided 'The Big Tree' must remain as a central landmark in preparing the layout of the campus.Photograph of the 'Tree of Knowledge', a Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus glubulus labillo), located at the Mount Helen Campus of Federation University. The tree is registered by the National Trust,federation university, feduni, university of ballarat, mount helen, tree of knowledge, big tree, blue gum

The 'Tree of Knowledge' was planted on Arbor Day 1896 by Mrs Elizabeth Downing who lived on the farm that was originally the Mount Helen Site. When the site was purchased in 1966 the architects and planners inspected the site and decided 'The Big Tree' must remain as a central landmark in preparing the layout of the campus.Photograph of the 'Tree of Knowledge', a Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus glubulus labillo), located at the Mount Helen Campus of Federation University. The tree is registered by the National Trust,federation university, federation university australia, feduni, university of ballarat, mount helen, tree of knowledge, big tree, blue gum, mount helen campus

Colour photograph of Don Stephens cutting blue gum logs at his spot mill at Swan Reach Victoria. Also two other colour photographs of the mill people, timber industry

The blue gums originally planted in Sturt St in the 1860s were grown from seed gifted by Baron von Mueller. About 20 years later shopkeepers complained that the trees shaded their shops too well, and made the street damp. The bluegums were then replaced with exotics.Previously unknown image of Ballarat. The set and its subjects indicate these images were produced to promote Ballarat and were perhaps aimed at tourists.Ballarat Hospital, nw corner Sturt and Drummond Streets, image not dated.gas lamps, horse and cart

Hughes Fruit Shop and Milk Bar, Main Road, Eltham, c.1949 promoting Peters Ice Cream Immediately to the right of the shop is a bootmaker factory that employed 15 people. It was situated on the corner of Pryor Street and is the site of the present-day Westpac Bank. To the left of the shop are four vacant blocks stretching to Luck Street where Mr and Mrs Britton had a house. On the other side of Pryor Street is the original Blue Gum Cafe and Milk Bar advertising Swallow's Ice Cream. Atr the time it was operated by Pop Warner. Behind the shop is a tall Bluegum tree. This was the tree that the Bluegum Cafe was originally named after. Miss Barber's 'Blue Gum' Soda Fountain opened October 1922 and was the first shop on the eastern side of Main Road following Luther Haley's Bakery and General Store on the other side adjacent to the railway station in 1902. The Bluegum was felled in the early 1960s when Burge's Blue Gum Cafe and milkbar was sold and demolished in September 1960 to make way for a new store, Mr. J. Millet's Foodland. OLD LANDMARK GOES Perhaps the most famous landmark in Eltham's' business section disappeared last Wednesday when the towering blue gum in Pryor Street at the rear of Main Road shops was felled. The tree, stated to be more than 80 feet high, was the one for which the adjoining café was named, when that business was Eltham’s only provision store, long before the turn of the century. Mr. J. Millett, who now owns the property on which the tree stood, deeply regretted its removal, but was mindful of the need for expansion in the business area. The "Old Blue Gum" was removed by Mr. A. Wilson, expert tree feller, from Heidelberg. Its proportions might be assessed by these facts – it took a gang of experienced men two days to completely fell and clear the tree, and, falling sections being brought down by cable tipped electricity wires on the opposite side of Pryor Street. Images from the private collection of Mrs Noel Williams (nee Hughes) Noel’s parents, George Elgar Hughes and Jean Alice Hughes had a combined milk bar and fruit shop in Main Road, Eltham. Noel worked in the shop after leaving Eltham High School aged 15 (1950), until she married George Williams in 1956, whose grandparents, Violet and Will Williams, owned the Bellevue estate in Livingston Road, Eltham. Her father, then sold the property. George and Noel raised 3 children on their farm in Kangaroo Ground and Noel, who turned 90 years old in July 2025, is a life member of the Andrew Ross Museum.hughes fruit shop and milk bar, main road eltham, george elgar hughes, jean alice hughes, 1949, blue gum (eucalyptus globulus), blue gum milk bar (eltham), eltham shopping centre, eltham shops, fruit shop, green grocer, milk bar, peter's ice cream, pryor street, shoe factory., swallow's ice cream, bedford truck, pop warner, bootmaker's shop

These models of RBYC Race Management boats (Blue Gum, RB8 and Tarni) have been donated by Graham Noel and can be viewed in a glass cabinet of the Olympic restaurant at RBYC. Graham originally donated the model of Tarni to the club in 2005, in acknowledgement of the valuable work done by race management volunteers. The model was presented to Harry Tedston on his retirement as Race Officer in 2008. Harry then donated the trophy back to the club in 2009, for the enjoyment of all members. graham noel, blue gum, rb8, tarni

Photo of the Madigan potato crop in a paddock below their home. The photo is taken from School Rd, looking east across the valley in the direction of Menzies Creek station. On the left is the ridge where Black Hill Rd is and on the right the ground slopes up towards the school after School Rd makes a right-angled turn. Beyond the peas are a cluster of trees, the lowest of which are blue gums.

Domestic object demonstrating Australian State Floral symbolsA cross stitched wall hanging on a brass hanger. The white cotton background has the Australian native flower emblems in a line down the centre. Firstly the Australian emblem - golden Wattle, then New South Wales - Waratah, Victoria - Common Heath, Northern Territory -Sturt's Desert Rose, West Australia - Kangaroo paw, Queensland - Cooktown Orchid, Tasmania - Blue Gum, West Australia - Sturt Desert pea.embroidery, australian floral emblems

This commemorative badge identifying the wearer as a Girl Guide and was used in the 1970's and later. The Girl Guides "World Camps" was founded in 1924 and each subsequent "camp" was in other global countries. The Camp Baree was held in 1947/1948 in Pennsylvania in the USA. In Victoria, Australia, a Barree Regional location for Girl guides, encompasses the Kiewa Valley and its regions. Girl guides in rural areas covered the same developmental programs as in the city areas but the bush settings of annual camps did not have the same impact as for city based guides. The comradeship however, bringing together girls from a widely diverse background, was still a very important objective of the Girl Guide movementThe significance of this badge is that the Girl Guides held a World Camp in the Barree region which included the Kiewa Valley.This world wide attention(Girl Guides) to this region paid special attention to the "home side" girls and highlighted in particular those girls in the Kiewa Valley who participated in the Girl Guide movement. The ability to have such a personal contact with so many girls from so many world regions helped to break the somewhat isolated regional life. The fundamental lessons of the girl guides was and still is to enrich young girls knowledge of skills which provides self esteem, pride in achievements and the togetherness with like minded girls. Social barriers are left behind and good friendships are formed. Some of these friendships continued as life long links.This round badge made from brass and has coloured enamel sections outlining various "Barree Region" scenery. In the far distant horizon are snow capped mountains. These are coloured brown with white tipped summits.The central focus is a blue stream with a dark blue "gum" tree to the left and a brass etched tent pegged onto green grass. These pictures are framed within a house structure. A red coloured boomerang lies under the "house" frame with the name of the region on it,"BARREE REGION" The badge is fastened onto a lapel or other clothing by two "L" shaped hooks extending from the back of the badge.On the front of the badge (on the sketched boomerang "BARREE REGION". On the back in raised lettering is"BERTRAM BROS MELB."societies, girl guides, barree region, metal identity badges

Watercolour painting done by internee Baron von Brandenstein whilst an internee in Camp 1 Tatura.small water colour painting of gum trees, blue sky and white clouds in light coloured timber frame with glass.on back: painted by Baron von Brandenstein 1945 in Tatura German Internment Camp. Signed on front left bottom - CB 1945baron von brandenstein, camp 1 art work, watercolour painting, ww2 internee art work

Four page fold out knitting pattern booklet featuring a colour image on the cover of a man crouching in the grass with a bow and arrow. The man is wearing a green knitted jumper, blue pants and gum boots.front: [printed] Cleckheaton / 8/12 PLY / Design 0050 / Sizes: 86 - 112 cmknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, cleckheaton

Four page fold out knitting pattern booklet featuring a colour image on the cover of a man crouching in the grass with a bow and arrow. The man is wearing a green knitted jumper, blue pants and gum boots.front: [printed] Cleckheaton / 8/12 PLY / Design 0051 / 8 Ply Sizes: 89 - 119 cm / 12 Ply Sizes: 86 - 107 cmknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, cleckheaton

The Rose Series P. 4284 post card Taken from near what would be present day CLC car park looking southwest across Diamond Street, present-day Andrew Park to the railway station and developing Eltham shopping precinct. Arthur Street visible, Pryor and Luck Street not evident. Sunnybrook, the Taylor home is visible at the top of the hill in Bible Street. Only three residences visible in Arthur Street on the southern side, two of these are the David Harbison Rest Home at 10 and 12 Arthur Street (built and opened in November 1919), present day site of Eltham Mall. There are none on the north side of the street. Based on 1945 aerial view there are 8 buildings on the northern side between Main Road and Bible Street which and given the extent of commercial development on Main Road, it is estimated this image is circa 1925. Luther Haley was the first to build an open a baker and General Store in this location next to the railway station in 1902. However, it took nearly twenty years until the early to mid-1920s when a period of significant growth in the Eltham shopping centre happened with many businesses relocating their operations from the original town centre of Maria Street in Little Eltham as well as new businesses opening. Other stores/buildings noted (L-R) are: Stationmaster's House built circa 1910 Eltham Hardware Store opposite the railway station first opened on Main Road opposite the Railway Station around late 1922. An advertisement placed in the Hurstbridge Advertiser advised that the Hardware Store had just opened with a varied stock of Saws, Hammers, Nails, Shovels, Screw Drivers, and every article required in a house or on a farm. People were also encouraged to try their Jams, Pickles, Sauces, Cups and Saucers, etc. Newsagency with 'Leader' advertising on awning - E. J. Andrew opened his newsagency shop opposite the station in March 1923, advertising for sale stationery, school requisites and periodicals. Bird Brothers Cash Grocer & Fruiterer opposite the railway station offering summer drinks and confectionery a specialty with a full Stock of groceries of the best quality always on hand at city prices opened December 1921 William Capewell's Butcher shop at the corner of Dudley Street. Capewell previously had a small shop in front of the station opposite Luck Street. He enlisted in the AIF during WW1 and returned home in 1919. He re-applied for a slaughtering license in February 1920 and was advertising by October 1922 supplying all districts. Not visible (or not yet identified) but in business by October 1922 were: J.H. Fraser, Carpenter and Builder at Luck Street opposite the station George A. Danslow, Hairdresser and Tobacconist opposite the railway station Miss Barber's 'Blue Gum' Soda Fountain opened October 1922 opposite the railway station (hidden behind Stationmaster's House). It was so named due to its proximity to a tall Blue Gum tree G.H. McDonald Boot Repairer opposite the railway station In December 1923 the first portion of the main street to be formed from Dudley to Arthur streets was almost completed. This is the section in front of Capewell's Butcher shop though it is difficult to fully make out from the photoDigital file only Postcards scanned from the collection of Michael Aitken on loan to EDHS, 2 Sep. 2022michael aitken collection, eltham, postcards, arthur street, david harbison rest home, electrine candles, eltham railway station, eltham shopping centre, lloyd's general store, red rattler, rose series postcard, rose stereograph company, tait train, velvet soap, andrew park, bible street, bird brothers cash grocer & fruiterer, bird brothers cash grocer and fruiterer, butcher, diamond street, dudley street, eltham hardware and timber, eltham hardware store, eltham mall, main road, station masters house, stationmaster's house, sunnybrook, w.j. capewell, w.j. capewell butcher shop

Documents: Whitelaw Central Red White and Blue Mine Bendigo. 28 pages summary of gold mining correspondence - mortgage mining leases 943689340, contract of sale to Central Blue Gum GM 1933, leases with mining rights, treatment of pyrites agreement 1917 - J. Edwards & Co, Helen Streader - release of liability after being paid (pounds)125 by mine due to accidental death of husband 1912. Another for Ellen Lane 1916, list of titles held by Co , lease agreements Filcock and Manning, Andrew Harkness 'winding plant at mine' 1923, notice to perform agreement to Manning's 1916, Edwards Metallurgical Works 1917, map for 9777 Bendigo, contract for explosives with Dalgety & Co 1917, new scrip for lost shares 1917, Miner's Right 1911, sale of land Ra. A. Rankin 1910.MCCOLL RANKIN AND STANISTREETorganization, mining, central red white and blue, mccoll rankin and stanistreet.

Author Margot Warnett grew up on a Dairy farm just outside TaturaA4 size paperback book with predominantly blue sky and an illustration of two girls standing on a wire farm gate. One girls has a purple check dress on, black gum boots and holding a white rabbit. The other girls has a blue dress, gum boots and holding a black duck. A white and brown horse, a calf, a sheep and farm dog and a lizard are also in the picture. The two girls are also pictured on the back cover.Written by Margot Warnett Illustrated by Julie Haysomwarnett, book, children, meg and peg, dairy farm

The opening of Reid's Lightweight Aggregate Pty Ltd ( a subsidiary of Reid's Quarries Ltd) in Greensborough, circa 1960. Explains the method of manufacture and uses of shalite in building industry. Reid's later became Albion Reid before being taken over by Boral. The shalite quarry, now closed, was on the site now called Blue Lake in Yellow Gum Park, Plenty.7 photocopied pages, text and colour and black nd white illustrations.reids quarries, shalite, aggregate, yellow gum park, plenty

ELTHAM’S GROWTH HAS BEEN RAPID IN RECENT YEARS Unknown local paper c.1960s Recent years have seen a rapid change in the appearance of Eltham’s business centre - so rapid, in fact, that the growth of premises has been almost 300%. For more than thirty-five years Eltham had little more than a dozen traders - the town's business area spreading from Pryor Street in the north, to Pitt Street in the south. The greatest density of businesses - no more than a handful of shops - were situated in the present shopping centre but other essential services such as the Post Office, were located half a mile away. As the town's population grew and the need for more shops became apparent, the growth was centralised around the railway station and Shire hall. Few of the old premises are used for their original form of business today, though many are still in existence. One of the oldest (seen clearly in the illustration) still in use is now Ferrari's Greengrocery. This shop was Eltham's butchery in early days, conducted by Jim Ryan. Up to twenty years ago, Mr. Ryan ran his business from the shop. whilst his son toured Eltham in his horse and cart, cutting his customers' orders as he went from door to door. Another business - one of the few still trading in the same goods-was Burgoyne's Hardware. This is now owned by Mr. R. Clinton, a new shop has recently been added and shortly the old premises will disappear completely. The Burgoyne family were well known to Eltham's population. The Post Office and Store (then in Main Road, near Bridge Street) was run by Mr. and Mrs. Burgoyne. The Post Office was later moved, and attached to the hardware store. OLD HOTEL In this same area was the old Eltham Hotel, almost opposite the present hotel. The building still stands, but has been converted into a house. The hitching rail can still be seen by the roadside. Back in the township was Barber's Blue Gum store, later conducted by Mrs. Burges (mother of Garnet Burges) and claimed to be Eltham's oldest shop. Further down the road, just past the hardware store, was the barber shop and billiard saloon. Next door was E. J. Andrew's news agency, library and State Savings Bank. Eltham's original chemist's shop, or dispensary as it was called, is now an electrical repair shop. On this side of the street too, was Mrs. Monteith - Draper. Mr Monteith was the owner of Eltham' s bus service. This bus service had no regular route, but deposited passengers at the point nearest their homes - a. door to door taxi service. Next to Mrs. Monteith stood another grocery - and general store, and next again, the local blacksmith. Another of Butcher Ryan's sons was Eltham's blacksmith and obviously an enterprising man he conducted a timber business next door to his smithy's shop. These two premises are still run by one man - Garnet Burges. BOOM STARTS Twenty years ago, when Thompson's took over Eltham's pharmacy they occupied the old shop adjoining the Shire hall. The building of Thompson's new premises, from which· they operate today, was the beginning of Eltham's recent growth and development. With another grocery store and a bakery at the corner of York Street, a butcher near Franklin Street, a cobbler's shop opposite the State School (did you ever wonder what that-little building attached to one of Eltham's oldest houses had been?), and an estate agency conducted by Mr. Clark, now Eltham Real Estate - only one trader remained - and today, still carries on, the only original owner of one of Eltham's .oldest established businesses - Mr. Dave Lyon, of Lyon Bros. Garage, which was formerly located in what was later used as Chenowyth's Foundry in Main Road. From the early twenties until little more than six or seven years ago that was the picture of Eltham. Some businesses had changed hands - many years before Mr. C. Rains had acquired Andrew's news agency, Mrs. Monteith's drapery had become Mrs. R. Smith's home-made cake shop, to change again and again to many other types of business. But generally, Eltham was unchanged, for nearly thirty years. Then suddenly new shops mushroomed. The new news agency and drapery, the chemist and adjoining shops, a new butcher, a green grocer and several more. POPULATION DOUBLED In the space of a few years, fifteen new shops, two banks, a restaurant and a post office were built at Eltham. New types of businesses found a ready market in an area which was quickly almost doubling its population. A little over twelve months ago, another wave of progress hit Eltham. Since then eight more shops have been built - a cake shop and fish shop in Dalton [sic – Dudley] Street - for building areas are unprocurable in the Main Street shopping centre now – have been built by Mr. D. Kimball; a new ladies’ and children’s wear shop has been opened by Rains; Eltham Dry Cleaners have another of these new shops, and Mr. R. Clinton has built elaborate new premises. Further down the road, Mr. C. Campbell has built a new butcher's shop, and next door, at present under construction, are a self service store and a shop which Mr. J. Hodges will open on completion. In addition to these new shops, Mr. J. Millett has extended his grocery to almost twice its original size. FLOURISHING Outside the central area, other businesses are flourishing. Latimer's felt factory is being developed in a picturesque rustic setting; P. J. Timber and Trading Company have recently completed a large showroom and timber yard, and in the town itself Nicholson and Merritt are now completing the extension of their foot wear factory to double its former area. This is Eltham today. Progress is moving rapidly in this rural area on the fringe of the metropolis. Less than a decade has seen vast development. The years to complete that span of time will see even greater changes and greater prosperity in this heart: of the Diamond Valley. OLD LANDMARK GOES Perhaps the most famous landmark in Eltham's' business section disappeared last Wednesday when the towering blue gum in Pryor Street at the rear of Main Road shops was felled. The tree, stated to be more than 80 feet high, was the one for which the adjoining café was named, when that business was Eltham’s only provision store, long before the turn of the century. Mr. J. Millett, who now owns the property on which the tree stood, deeply regretted its removal, but was mindful of the need for expansion in the business area. The "Old Blue Gum" was removed by Mr. A. Wilson, expert tree feller, from Heidelberg. Its proportions might be assessed by these facts – it took a gang of experienced men two days to completely fell and clear the tree, and, falling sections being brought down by cable tipped electricity wires on the opposite side of Pryor Street.andrew's news agency, bakery, barber shop, barber's blue gum store, billiard saloon, blacksmith, blue gum, burgoyne's hardware, butcher, cake shop, chemist's shop, chenowyth's foundry, cobbler's shop, dave lyon, dispensary, draper shop. mr monteith, dudley street, e. j. andrew's news agency, electrical repair shop, eltham bus service, eltham butchery, eltham dry cleaners, eltham hotel, eltham railway station, eltham real estate, eltham shire hall, eltham shopping centre, eltham shops, eltham town centre, estate agency, expert tree feller, ferrari's greengrocery, fish shop, foot wear factory, franklin street, garnet burges, general store, grocery, heidelberg, horace clark, jim ryan, ladies’ and children’s wear shop, latimer's felt factory, library, lyon bros. garage, main road, mr. a. wilson, mr. c. campbell, mr. c. rains, mr. d. kimball, mr. j. hodges, mr. j. millett, mr. r. clinton, mrs. burges, mrs. monteith, mrs. monteith's drapery, mrs. r. smith's home-made cake shop, nicholson and merritt, p. j. timber and trading company, pitt street, post office, pryor street, self service store, shopping centre, state savings bank, taxi service, thompson's pharmacy, york street