April Meeting (Newsletter No. 239, Apr. 2018) Our Annual General Meeting includes the presentation of annual reports and the election of office bearers for the coming year. At this meeting we are pleased to be able to show a film of the early activities of the Briar Hill Timber and Trading Company, in Sherbourne Road, Briar Hill. This film details the various operations involved in this business during the 1950s/60s, from sourcing trees from the forest, to machining the timber and then manufacturing various building materials and components. A copy of this film has been generously donated to our Society by Bob Manuell, who was an active part of this family owned business, established by his mother-in-law Mrs Hazel Squire. We are fortunate that Bob has agreed to attend our meeting to add his comments and insights about some of the scenes shown. Bob Manuell was a former Shire President and Councillor at the Shire of Eltham, from 1980 until 1994, when following municipal restructure the Shire ceased upon the establishment of the Shire of Nillumbik. Bob’s father-in law Fred Squire was also a former Eltham Shire President and Councillor, having served between 1945 and 1953.1:26:38 duration Digital MP3 File 30 MB audio recording, bob manuell, briar hill timber & trading, eltham district historical society, meeting, society meeting

Black and white photographbob manuell, cr bob manuell, mandy press, opal smith

Information and photographs about a bonfire and barbeque held in Briar Hill circa 1962. Frank Davis MP is lighting the bonfire with Bob Manuell looking on.This photograph and text was copied from a Facebook site. Members are people who lived in the Greensborough area and share their reminiscences of the area with others. The site is administered by a GHS member but is not officially affiliated with the Society. Any information is the opinion of the contributor. Article and photograph sourced from social media.briar hill, frank davis, bob manuell

Federal member, Frank Davis carries the torch to light the combined Briar Hill and Diamond Valley Hospital bonfire. Hot oil from the torch ran down the torch and lodged in Frank Davis' sleeve whilst carrying the torch. Bob Manuell advised that as a consequence of this event, every time he met with Frank Davis he was informed that he owed Frank a new shirt. Frank Davis was the Liberal Member for the Deakin electorate 1949-1966. black and white photographVerso: No 2 Unfortunately Hot oil from the torch ran down the torch and lodged in his sleeve consequence every day I met him I was told I owed him a new shirt.briar hill, bob manuell, briar hill committee, diamond valley hospital, frank davis, bonfire

L-R: Cr. Robert Marshall, Cr. David Essexz, Cr. Jim Connor, Cr. Mary Grant, Cr. John Graves (Shire president), Cr. Bob Manuell, Cr. Pamela Sladden, Cr. Bil Penrose, Cr. Peter Graham The Shire of Eltham was formed in 1871. As a result of the Kennett Government drive for Council amlagamation, the Shire of Eltham ceased to exist on 15 December 1994 and the new Shire of Nillumbik was established. At a function held in the Eltham Community Centre Walter Withers Room, Councillors and Council Officers were presented with a framed Acknowledgement of Service to the Shire and local community.celebrations, council amalgamation, eltham community centre, shire of eltham, 1994-10, batch 212, cr. john graves, cr. bob manuell, cr. david essex, cr. jim connor, cr. mary grant, cr. pamela sladden, cr. peter graham, cr. robert marshall, cr. bill penrose

L-R: Cr. Robert Marshall, Cr. David Essexz, Cr. Jim Connor, Cr. Mary Grant, Cr. John Graves (Shire president), Cr. Bob Manuell, Cr. Pamela Sladden, Cr. Bil Penrose, Cr. Peter Graham The Shire of Eltham was formed in 1871. As a result of the Kennett Government drive for Council amlagamation, the Shire of Eltham ceased to exist on 15 December 1994 and the new Shire of Nillumbik was established. At a function held in the Eltham Community Centre Walter Withers Room, Councillors and Council Officers were presented with a framed Acknowledgement of Service to the Shire and local community.celebrations, council amalgamation, eltham community centre, shire of eltham, 1994-10, cr. john graves, cr. bob manuell, cr. david essex, cr. jim connor, cr. mary grant, cr. pamela sladden, cr. peter graham, cr. robert marshall, cr. bill penrose, batch 275

L-R: Cr. John Graves (Shire president), Cr. Jim Connor, Cr. Bil Penrose, Cr. Mary Grant, Rodney Roschellor (CEO), Cr. Bob Manuell (hidden), Cr. Robert Marshall, Cr. David Essexz, Cr. Pamela Sladden, Cr. Peter Graham The Shire of Eltham was formed in 1871. As a result of the Kennett Government drive for Council amlagamation, the Shire of Eltham ceased to exist on 15 December 1994 and the new Shire of Nillumbik was established. At a function held in the Eltham Community Centre Walter Withers Room, Councillors and Council Officers were presented with a framed Acknowledgement of Service to the Shire and local community.celebrations, council amalgamation, eltham community centre, shire of eltham, 1994-10, batch 212, cr. john graves, cr. bob manuell, cr. david essex, cr. jim connor, cr. mary grant, cr. pamela sladden, cr. peter graham, cr. robert marshall, cr. bill penrose, rodney roschellor

L-R: Rodney Roschellor (CEO), Cr. John Graves (Shire president), Cr. Bil Penrose, Cr. Jim Connor, Cr. Mary Grant, Cr. Bob Manuell, Cr. David Essex. Not visible - Cr. Robert Marshall, Cr. Pamela Sladden, Cr. Peter Graham The Shire of Eltham was formed in 1871. As a result of the Kennett Government drive for Council amlagamation, the Shire of Eltham ceased to exist on 15 December 1994 and the new Shire of Nillumbik was established. At a function held in the Eltham Community Centre Walter Withers Room, Councillors and Council Officers were presented with a framed Acknowledgement of Service to the Shire and local community.celebrations, council amalgamation, eltham community centre, shire of eltham, 1994-10, cr. john graves, cr. bob manuell, cr. david essex, cr. jim connor, cr. mary grant, cr. pamela sladden, cr. peter graham, cr. robert marshall, cr. bill penrose, rodney roschellor

L-R: Cr. John Graves (Shire president), Cr. Jim Connor, Cr. Bill Penrose, Cr. Mary Grant, Rodney Roschellor (CEO), Cr. Bob Manuell (hidden), Cr. Robert Marshall, Cr. David Essex, Cr. Pamela Sladden, Cr. Peter Graham The Shire of Eltham was formed in 1871. As a result of the Kennett Government drive for Council amlagamation, the Shire of Eltham ceased to exist on 15 December 1994 and the new Shire of Nillumbik was established. At a function held in the Eltham Community Centre Walter Withers Room, Councillors and Council Officers were presented with a framed Acknowledgement of Service to the Shire and local community.celebrations, council amalgamation, eltham community centre, shire of eltham, 1994-10, batch 212, cr. john graves, cr. bob manuell, cr. david essex, cr. jim connor, cr. mary grant, cr. pamela sladden, cr. peter graham, cr. robert marshall, cr. bill penrose, rodney roschellor

Shire of Eltham Archives: Series 69, Item 9 This video is of the opening of the new Eltham Library on May 22nd, 1994. It features an introductory look at the new library with the assembled guests with music performed by Eltham High School. A welcome speech is given by Shire President, Cr Pamela Sladden followed by the Hon. Peter Staples, Member for Jagga Jagga. Cr. Robert J. (Bob) Manuell, Chairperson, Eltham Library Redevelopment Special Committee then gives a sometimes humourous analogy of the history of the project's development from conception to delivery with reference to the Year of the International Family (1994). At the end of the speeches there are scenes of guests looking over the library followed by scenes of the Shire President's picnic.VHS Video cassette Converted to MP4 file format 00:28:35; 333MBshire of eltham, video recording, shire of eltham archives, eltham shire council, eltham, panther place, eltham library, eltham high school, cr pamela sladden, hon. peter staples, eltham library redevelopment special committee, year of the international family, shire president's picnic, jagga jagga, cr. bob manuell

Back Row L-R: J. Vine, R. Pigdon, A. Munn, R. Brentnall, B. Harding, E. Hart Centre L-R: J. Mithen, L. Hutchins (Manager), R. Manuell (Captain), J. Manuell (Vice Captain), J. Rattenbury (President), R. James Front L-R: T. Golder, A. James B. Harding - Montmorency, Former President of Heidelberg Golf Club R. (Bob) Manuell (Capt.) - Former General Manager of Briar Hill Timber and Eltham Shire Councilor J. Manuell (Vice Capt.) - Deceased Robert (Alfie) James - Former Senior Umpire, Diamond Valley Cricket Association Tommy Golder - Austrealia Hockey player Anthony James - DeceasedPrinted on front face Ivanhoe Cricket Club 2nd Eleven; Premiers Sub-District Cricket Association 1964-1965 Names of players and photographerjoan castledine collection, j. vine, r. pigdon, a. munn, r. brentnall, b. harding, e. hart, j. mithen, l. hutchins, r. manuell, j. manuell, j. rattenbury, r. james, t. golder, a. james, robert (alfie) james, tommy golder, anthony james, ivanhoe cricket club, premiers sub-district cricket association 1964-1965, ivanhoe cricket club 2nd eleve, bob manuell

1. Dreams to be reality, The Valley Voice, 15 August 1979, p2 - announcement of proposed town square of 1800 square metres of shop area and open courtyard to be sited in the carpark between Arthur Street and Pryor street. The plans also included tree-lined walkways from both Arthur Street and a pededstrian footbridge across Main Road leading to aregular open-air market and tavern. Shop owners facing Main Road were to be encouraged to turn their businesses towards the square. On reverse side - 'General' Marshall and his troops; Valley votes in five new faces, The Valley Voice, 15 August 1979, p1 - picture showing newly elected Cr Robert Marshall 2. Square plan on display, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, June 23, 1981, p1 - Council's prefered proposal on display to the public. On same page a story about the son of Cr Bob Manuell being attacked on the train from the city. On reverse side - Helping people - here and abroad by Marguerite Marshall, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, June 23, 1981, p2 - about Keith Ryall of Zig Zag Road, the Apex international councillor for Australia 3. Plan: Eltham Town Centre property Acquisition, Shire of Eltham March 1994businesses, arthur street, bible street, commercial place, dudley street, eltham, franklins supermarket, luck street, main road, map, mcewans, pryor street, safeway supermarket, apex club, bronwyn ryall, keith ryall, zig zag road, cr bob manuell, cr robert allen, det sgt noel murphy, eltham chamber of commerce, eltham police, eltham shire council, eltham town square, lorraine manuell, pauline toner mp, robert manuell, rodney roscholler, shire planner, vicrail, elections, h&j white general store, hurstbridge, leslie bowker, main street, mrs marshall, pam lawson, robert marshall, rosemary tovey, central park, comfort station, eltham little theatre, montmorency, public toilets, rotex cinema, were street

Shire of Eltham Archives: Series 69, Item 4 This video was produced for the Shire of Eltham by IMP Productions and provides a description of the shire, 277 square km on a north/northeast axis, some 25 km northeast of the centre of Melbourne with a population of around 40,000. Scenes include Yarra River, rural settings and urban settings, housing estates, Shillinglaw Cottage, Pigeon Bank at Kangaroo Ground, the Eltham Railway Trestle Bridge with reference to the fight by locals in the 1970s to save it from replacement, Montsalvat, mudbrick making and its use as a building material, the use of mudbrick in the Eltham Community Centre blending harmoniously with the environment. Emphasises people living in the area due to the qualities of life provided. Also the Living and Learning Centre, St Andrews Markets and other local markets, the Eltham Leisure Centre, cricket and horse riding at Eltham Lower Park, the Infant Welfare Centre (part of the Eltham War Memorial), how residents are mindful of protecting their historical heritage, the CBA bank and Allwood House at Hurstbridge, Tracey Naughton about the Eltham "As we are" Community Banner project and the “River of Life banner”, the Parks and Gardens office in the former Police Residence building (now the Local History Centre), Alistair Knox Park, road planning and types of roads, tree canopy, Peck's Dam, green carparks, road drainage, Gordon Ford's garden and natural landscapes, and Were Street shops in Montmorency. Planning for shopping facilities and carparks with a population of 40,000 growing to 55,000, Arthur Street Mall and carpark, local village feel in the shopping centre. Councillors and Council staff featured include Mary Grant, Bob Manuell, Rodney Roschellor, John Cohen, Alan Baker. Also scenes of Commercial Place, Diamond Valley Railway, Eltham Galley, Riverclay and canoeing on the Yarra intermingled with images of the shire from the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph collection.VHS Video cassette Converted to MP4 file format 00:11:56; 79MBshire of eltham, video recording, shire of eltham archives, alistair knox park, allwood house, arthur street, arthur street mall, bob manuell, canoeing, carparks, cba bank, commercial place, council staff, councillors, cr. mary grant, cricket, diamond valley railway, eltham community banner project, eltham community centre, eltham galley, eltham leisure centre, eltham living and learning centre, eltham lower park, eltham railway trestle bridge, eltham war memorial, gordon ford garden, horse riding, housing estates, hurstbridge, infant welfare centre, john cohen, kangaroo ground, local history centre, montmorency, montsalvat, mudbrick, parks and gardens, peck's dam, pigeon bank, police residence, river of life banner, riverclay, road drainage, road planning, rodney roschellor, shillinglaw cottage, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, st andrews market, tracey naughton, tree canopy, were street, yarra river, alan baker

Membership card for Diamond Valley Community Hospital. Members could obtain reduced in-patient fees on presentation of this card.Textured card, salmon on front, white on inside, folded once, with receipt pasted in. With covering letter to Noel Withers from the donor, Bob Manuell"F. Squire, Gladstone Rd Briar Hill, 17/6/42, Life 30 pounds. [Issued by] P Stubley"diamond valley community hospital

Newspaper articles about the As We Are Eltham Banner Project undertaken within the Shire of Eltham 1. Eltham banner to celebrate environment, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, September 16, 1986, p16 2. Group paints for peace, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, September 30, 1986, p2 3. Banners show people of Eltham as they are, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, October 14, 1986, pp12-13 4. Banners fly high at lastt, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, October 21, 1986, p17 Also various advertisements from businesses within the shire Newspaper clippingsas we are, banner project, eltham banners, meruka house, sarah houseman, advertising, eagle screens & blinds, 1986, alistair knox park, bob manuell, don brown, dooncal air coinditioning and central heating, eltham festival, eltham outdoor art show, eltham peace banner, eltham town park, grand parade, pauline therese toner, peter wilson, research shops, river of life banner, shire of eltham acquisitive award, valley carpets, 16 sherbourne road briar hill, 22 were street montmorency, 1177-1181 main road eltham, barry reading goumet butchers, eltham hardware & plumbing supplies pty ltd, hutchinsons garden supplies, 38 bridge street eltham, artists, costless clearance centre, cr bob manuell, jud duigan, margaret cherry, tracey naughton, woolworths arcade, anthea morrison, beyond the end of the line, diamond valley musical society, eltham college, eltham community festival, eltham high school, eltham service club, geraldine veerman, ian robertson, 19 were street montmorency, arnold thomas, arnolds recycling centre, kevin mcnamara, luck street eltham, mcewans, montmorency hardware, peel street eltham, tim payze, 1022 main road eltham, as we are banner exhibition, jud degan, marg cherry, the cut ahead, arthur street, eltham mall, flexiteller, national australia bank

Black and white photographbob manuell, cr bob manuell, cr pam sladden, jock read, garnet burges

In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, cr bob manuell, matthew rodscholler

"Acquistions curently held by the Andrew Ross Schoolhouse museum Kangaroo Ground on behalf of the the Shire of Eltham Historical Society at at 15th November 1994". Includes lists of a wide range of item dated July 1987 with names of donors. Also includes item added to folder in 2019 - a handwritten list of items "held at Sweeney's" for Shillinglaw Cottage dated 2.5.1969. EDHS did not have the capacity to display artefacts although there was efforts made for Shillingalw Cottage to be a community museum when it was re-located. Artefacts were stored by EDHS members. When ARM was established some of these items were offered for their collection. 8 pagesHG Booklet 56harry gilham collection, andrew ross museum, shire of eltham historical society, judy wadham, phyllis macdonald, maree bishop, marjorie north, shallard, bob manuell, peter bassett smith, opal smith, beth mcinnes, shillinglaw cottage, collection

Article on Walter Withers and the purchase by Eltham Council from John Hanfield of Withers sketch of Bridge Street Bridge.Digital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a scrapbook on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes.beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, bridge street bridge, cr. bob manuell, john hanfield, nillumbik art collection, peter glass, rodney roscholler, walter withers

Federal member, Frank Davis carries the torch to light the combined Briar Hill and Diamond Valley Hospital bonfire. Frank Davis was the Liberal Member for the Deakin electorate 1949-1966. black and white photographVerso: "Federal Member Frank Davis carries the torch to light fire"briar hill, bob manuell, briar hill committee, diamond valley hospital, frank davis, bonfire

Bonfire for the combined Briar Hill and Diamond Valley Hospital. The bonfire was officially lit by Frank Davis Member for Deakin (1949-1966) black and white photographbriar hill, bob manuell, briar hill committee, diamond valley hospital, frank davis, bonfire

Bonfire for the combined Briar Hill and Diamond Valley Hospital, also included a community BBQ. The bonfire was officially lit by Frank Davis Member for Deakin (1949-1966) black and white photographVerso: Combined Briar Hill Committee + D V Hospital Bon firebriar hill, bob manuell, briar hill committee, diamond valley hospital, frank davis, bonfire

Photograph of gravel car park with cars outside the Briar Hill Hall, 1988. Colour photographBriar Hill Hall 1988briar hill, bob manuell

Attendees to a special Eltham Shire Council function inspect the Council Chamber. The seating positions and names of Councillors, Shire President, CEO and Secretary displayed Shire President: Cr. M.J. Grant Shire CEO: Rodney Roschellor Shire Secretary: Unidentified Councillors: CR. R.J. Manuell, Cr. P. Graham, Cr. J.W. Graves, Cr. B.H. Dick, Cr. P.A. Sladden, Cr. J. Cohen, Cr. G.P. Aussems, Cr. J.A. Fisher895 main road, batch 4813, council function, cr. b.h. dick, cr. bob manuell, cr. g.p. aussems, cr. j.a. fisher, cr. john cohen, cr. john graves, cr. mary grant, cr. pamela sladden, cr. peter graham, eltham shire council, functions, rodney roschellor, shire of eltham council chambers

Special Eltham Shire Council function held 12 May 1989895 main road, batch 4813, council function, functions, rodney roschellor, cr. mary grant, cr. pamela sladden, don charles, pam green, richard barr, amanda press, doug owens, cr. bob manuell, jack cordwall, nancy barber, cr. john graves, helen hearne, john stamp

L-R: Mrs Frank Nankervis, Mr Frank Nankervis, Mr Robert (Bob) Manuell J.P. (Eltham Shire President)Colour photograph1987, activities, senior citizens' centre

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.anne laurence, betty johnson, display panel, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, joan maclagan, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, community notice board, jacky talbot

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, community notice board, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot

A River of Life: Eltham Peace Banner 1986 The Hiroshima Day Banner was conceived by Shire of Eltham Artist in Residence, Jacky Talbot and a number of other Eltham women as part of the “As We Are” community banner project. The women wanted to do something for Hiroshima Day and suggested that a workshop be set aside to make a banner. The group promoted it at the new Community Notice Board (Arthur Street and Main Road) on Hiroshima Day (August 6) and were photographed by the local newspaper publicising the group and drawing wider community attention to the remembrance of the day. Jacky Talbot, led the team who produced the banner, approximately 4.5 metres by 1.5 metres, of sewn and painted Australian flora and fauna. Workshops were held at the Eltham Community Arts Centre at Meruka House. Peace Banner Group members included Laurel Eckersall, Anne Laurence, Betty Johnson, Margaret Johnson and Joan Maclagan. One of the creators, Joan Maclagan, further gave expression in verse – Banner for Peace The 'River of Life' with about 30 other banners went on display in the “As We Are” exhibition held at the Eltham Community Centre on 9 October 1986, previewed by the Member for Greensborough, Ms Pauline Toner, and Eltham Shire President, Mr Bob Manuell. The full display continued in Woolworths (now Coles) Arcade. The banner was also carried by the group in the 1986 Eltham Festival Grand Parade on November 8, along with other group banner projects including that of the Eltham District Historical Society, after which they were displayed in the Shire of Eltham’s tent in Alistair Knox Park.betty johnson, eltham peace banner, hiroshima day banner, laurel eckersall, "as we are" community banner project, banner project, river of life banner, margaret johnson, meruka house, community arts centre, jacky talbot, eltham shire council artist in residence