The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest.Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. Tom Sheehy, past President of CMHS, was an Historian and Author of ‘Battlers Tamed the Sandbelt’. 2 x A4 paper printed on 3 sides Issue 10 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in February 2009. The Victorian Bushfire tragedy around Marysville is still unfolding as this Newsletter is written. The first meeting for the year is February 22nd and subscriptions are due. An excerpt is transcribed from the City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter October 1962, “A Piece of History in Ormond” by an unknown eyewitness author, describing the original “Box Cottage” situated in Mr J. Reitman’s cement products factory at 306 Jasper Road, Ormond prior to demolition. The current Editor gives information obtained from further recent research . An Article by Tom Sheehy, past President and Historian, February 1979 “The Vineyards of Moorabbin”. The ‘Brighton Estate” began when Henry Moor brought Vine cuttings from Camden NSW 1848 and they were productive after 3 years. Many Vineyards then appeared from Port Phillip Bay to East Boundary Road and produced 2/3 of the annual Victorian grape crop. Disease or insect caused failure in1858 and the land reverted to market gardens. A coloured photocopied photo of Box Cottage 2005. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / FEBRUARY 2009 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, sheehy tom, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, vineyards, fruit growing, vine diseases, winemaking, grapes, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, dairy, port phillip bay, brighton estate, moor henry, cambden estate, reitman j., reitman w., cement, pottery, jasper road ormond, east boundary road brighton, dendy’s special survey 1851, point nepean road, south road brighton, thomas street brighton, north road brighton, county of bourke, box h., box william, bruton william, brighton brewery, parish of moorabbin, parish of prahran, markets, shingle roof, weather-board, downward mr., mckinnon

Eltham’s first industrial area at the end of present day Pitt Street near the Diamond Creek. Just upstream a bit, near these oak trees was the flour mill. The most significant owner of that was Henry Dendy. Better known for founding Brighton but he lived in Eltham longer than he lived in Brighton, during the 1860s. There was also the brewery and slightly downsteam from here was the tannery. The brewery needed fresh clean water so it was upstream from the tannery. The Oak trees were most likely planted during Henry Dendy's time. (Source: Local historian commentary, Eltham Hidden Creek heritage excursion 7 March 2020) Born Digitaleltham community centre, diamond creek trail, eltham rugby football club, oak trees, henry dendy

St Margaret’s Church of England was officially opened on December 12, 1861. It is the oldest intact church building in Eltham. At the time it was known as Christ Church until its consecration in 1871, when it was completely free of debt (£1,700 for the church and parsonage) despite the district’s poverty. This was largely due to the free labour and materials, including locally made bricks donated by local artisans and others. The church is historically significant because it is the oldest church in the former Shire of Eltham and has associations with the philanthropist and founder of Brighton, Henry Dendy (who donated the land on which the church is built), the architect Nathaniel Billing and the prominent local builder, George Stebbing. The church is architecturally and aesthetically significant because it is constructed in the Gothic Revival style with several stained-glass windows of various dates and is also a very early use of polychromatic brickwork in Victoria. Billing was one of the first Melbourne architects to employ polychromatic brickwork and an important early architect. The rear wall was intended to be temporary. A major feature of the design is the large buttresses with long, steeply graded upper faces. The overall design is well proportioned with the surface brick patterns relieving an otherwise austere design. The church is spiritually and socially significant because it has been an important place of worship for the people of Eltham for almost 150 years. The land on which the buildings stand was donated by Henry Dendy. Dendy arrived in Melbourne in 1841 after purchasing in England eight square miles at Brighton under the system of "special surveys". After this land passed out of his hands, Dendy moved about Victoria, visited England, then returned to settle in Eltham where he purchased a flour mill. Dendy chaired the meeting held in 1860 “for the purpose of devising such means as may be expedient for the establishment of a Church of England in the township of Eltham”. He became chairman and treasurer of the church committee. Unlike the establishment of many early churches in Victoria where a vicar was appointed to a parish and later a permanent church was constructed, the population at Eltham initiated action to build a church. The nearest church at that time was at Heidelberg and the Eltham settlement was part of the parish of St Johns Heidelberg. Isolation and the tedious, time consuming journey between Heidelberg and Eltham resulted in the Eltham community taking its own action. The original vicarage (Dendy House) at the rear of the church is also an important part of the cultural significance of this place because it is connected to the church and the development of the Eltham area. Together, the church and the vicarage are aesthetically significant because they form a significant streetscape feature. The mud-brick community hall designed by Robert Marshall was added in 1978. In 2014 the original temporary rear wall was removed as part of a modern extension designed by Architects Atelier Wagner and constructed by Conrad Construction and Management. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Trust of Australia (Victoria) State significance Victorian Heritage Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p67 St Margaret’s Anglican Church in Pitt Street, Eltham, which officially opened on December 12, 1861, is the oldest intact church building in Eltham.1 With the nearby courthouse and police station, it was one of the first permanent community buildings in the district. The church and vicarage are on the Register of the Heritage Council of Victoria and the National Trust of Australia – Victoria. The church is important as an early example of polychrome brickwork by the notable architect Nathaniel Billings. It is also notable for its historic associations with the early settlement of the Shire of Eltham and its connection with Henry Dendy, Brighton’s founder.2 Henry Dendy, who lived in Eltham much longer than at Brighton, chaired the original meeting which planned the church, and he donated the half-acre (0.2ha) site. Dendy had arrived in Melbourne in 1841 after buying eight square miles (20.7sq km) at Brighton while in England. After this land passed out of his hands, he eventually settled in Eltham where he bought a flour mill, west from the corner of Main Road and Pitt Street (then called Brewery Lane). The vicarage was named Dendy House after him. The Eltham settlers were unusual in initiating the establishment of a church. Usually in Victoria a vicar was appointed to a parish and then a permanent church was constructed. But then, the nearest church was at Heidelberg, which was a tedious and time-consuming journey. St Margaret’s builder was a local, George Stebbing, who also constructed the former Methodist, later Uniting, Church at John Street and the Shillinglaw Cottage near Eltham’s Central Park. It is believed the first Anglican Bishop of Melbourne, Bishop Perry, dedicated the church. After the ceremony he joined in the festivities at the nearby pub and a bill was sent to the parish for teas taken there by the bishop with other participants. The first vicar was the Reverend Robert Mackie from 1864 to1866. St Margaret’s Church was originally called Christ Church until its consecration in 1871, when it was completely free of debt (£1700 pounds for the church and parsonage) despite the district’s poverty. This was largely due to the free labour and materials, including local bricks, donated by local artisans and others. St Margaret’s Church is in the Gothic Revival tradition with a buttressed nave, paired lancet windows, porch and bell-cote. It was the first polychromatic brick church in Australia, using softly contrasting coloured brickwork.3 Billing was one of the first architects to introduce polychrome brickwork into Melbourne. His original drawings for St Margaret’s survive in a folio of his architectural work. However the church’s brickwork is more subdued than in his drawings. About half the windows – those in clear glass with gold borders – are original. The stained glass windows were made much later, but the one behind the altar is thought to be the oldest in the Diamond Valley. It was to be temporary until the congregation could afford to extend the church. In the early 1960s the original cedar pews were replaced by blonde timber pews and the originals were sold to restaurants and to private individuals. Eminent local sculptor Matcham Skipper created a crucifix for the church. A major addition was made in 1978, when the weatherboard hall was replaced by a mud-brick hall. Made of local material, it was designed by local architect and a former shire president Robert Marshall. The mud-brick hall reflects the style of building in Eltham of the late 1970s and for which Eltham is well-known. Perhaps because its earthy tones blend with the surrounding environment, the hall sits well with the church building. St Margaret’s membership has included economist and ABC chairman, Richard Downing; political commentator, diplomat and academic, William Macmahon Ball; Eltham civic leader, Charles Wingrove; artist, Peter Glass; and Eltham’s first postmaster, Frederick Falkiner.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham, st margaret's anglican church, st margaret's church, st margarets church hall, christ church

Limited edition of 1000 numbered copies. Account book relating to Henry Dendy (1800-1881) of Brighton. Dendy was a special survey proprietor with an early association in Eltham where he operated a flour mill in the 1860s. Includes references to Were Brothers and Co. Henry Dendy’s Account book shows the recording of transactions on the frigate vessel York, on which Dendy sailed from England. The work also includes brief records of a brewery business Dendy conducted and the accounts of John Booker, one of Dendy’s emigrants. The records are in sterling currency and contain debit and credit columns while other accounting records included in the work cover transactions for a pastoral lease operated by Dendy. from 1848 until his return to England in 1855.Paperback; 63 p. : facsims., geneal. table, maps ; 25 cm.ISBN 0959710418henry dendy, accounting, were brothers

T F Hyland, Brighton, Melbourne letter to The manager Cohns Bros Victoria Brewery Co dated February 9th 1894. Signed W V Penfold Attorney for I H Hyland.bendigo, industry, cohn bros.

Typed message from Sophia Spyer of 4 Landox Street North Brighton dated 5th august 1921 to secretary Cohn Bros Victoria Brewery re share scrip.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery, sophia spyer. cohns brewery.

Agfa colour slide, blue / white plastic mount, photo by Keith Caldwell of SW6 947 turning from Victoria St into Swanston St - tram has destination of East Brighton via Caulfield and route 64. In the background is the CUB brewery. 4/1964In ink "SW on CVE 4-64"trams, tramways, sw6 class, route 64, east brighton, victoria st, swanston st, tram 947

In 1888, George Henry Billson (1844-1927), who had run a brewery and aerated water factory with his father in Beechworth, established an aerated water factory in Brighton Road, St Kilda, in partnership with his brothers. The partnership, trading as Billson Brothers, lasted four years. The business then became known as G.H. Billson in 1892. During 1904 the Manager, Frederick William Tozer, was admitted as a partner and the business traded as G.H. Billson & Company. The partnership was dissolved in 1918. While George Henry's Melbourne-based business ended in 1918, the original family brewery in Beechworth merged and evolved over the decades. In December 2024, the owners announced that the Billson's Brewery brand of ready-to-drink beverages would be acquired by The Coca-Cola Company. The owners would keep running the cordials, soda and beer operations and, having sold the brand name, changed the name of the company to Last Street in 2025.Glass bottle with metal top, with spout, lever and plastic tube. Words are sandblasted into the glass and stamped into the metal top. On metal top under spout: BRITISH SYPHON CO. LONDON On side of metal top R HARRISON FITZROY On bottle: Company logo comprising concentric circles and images. The outer circle contains the words G.H.BILSON & CO. MELBOURNE. Within it is a stylised compass design. Around the inner edge of the compass are the words BRIGHTON RD. ST. KILDA 1915. At the centre of the compass is a six-pointed shape that contains two crossed swords above G.H.B. REGD.g.h. billson

In 1888, George Henry Billson (1844-1927), who had run a brewery and aerated water factory with his father in Beechworth, established an aerated water factory in Brighton Road, St Kilda, in partnership with his brothers. The partnership, trading as Billson Brothers, lasted four years. The business then became known as G.H. Billson in 1892. During 1904 the Manager, Frederick William Tozer, was admitted as a partner and the business traded as G.H. Billson & Company. The partnership was dissolved in 1918. While George Henry's Melbourne-based business ended in 1918, the original family brewery in Beechworth merged and evolved over the decades. In December 2024, the owners announced that the Billson's Brewery brand of ready-to-drink beverages would be acquired by The Coca-Cola Company. The owners would keep running the cordials, soda and beer operations and, having sold the brand name, changed the name of the company to Last Street in 2025.Glass bottle with red plastic top, with spout, lever and tube. Words are sandblasted into the glass. On top, around the perimeter: COHN BROS LTD. VICTORIA On front of bottle: Company logo comprising concentric circles and images. The outer circle contains the words G.H. BILSON & CO. MELBOURNE. Within it is a stylised compass design. Around the inner edge of the compass are the words BRIGHTON RD. ST. KILDA 1914. At the centre of the compass is a six-pointed shape that contains two crossed swords above G.H.B. REGD. TRADE MARK On back of bottle: G.H. BILSON & CO.g.h. billson

In 1888, George Henry Billson (1844-1927), who had run a brewery and aerated water factory with his father in Beechworth, established an aerated water factory in Brighton Road, St Kilda, in partnership with his brothers. The partnership, trading as Billson Brothers, lasted four years. The business then became known as G.H. Billson in 1892. During 1904 the Manager, Frederick William Tozer, was admitted as a partner and the business traded as G.H. Billson & Company. The partnership was dissolved in 1918. While George Henry's Melbourne-based business ended in 1918, the original family brewery in Beechworth merged and evolved over the decades. In December 2024, the owners announced that the Billson's Brewery brand of ready-to-drink beverages would be acquired by The Coca-Cola Company. The owners would keep running the cordials, soda and beer operations and, having sold the brand name, changed the name of the company to Last Street in 2025.Glass bottle with wide grooved surface and crew-on metal dispensing stopper with glass tubing. Bottle has an etched motif.Circular logo etched on front of bottle: G. H. BILLSON & CO. MELBOURNE. BRIGHTON ROAD ST. KILDA 1914. G.H.B. REGD. Beneath logo etched BRITISH SYPHON CO. LTD. LONDON NO. 76 Etched on back of bottle G.H. BILLSON & CO. Etched into stopper: R HARRISON FITZROY Etched into base: Rd Nr 565101g.h. billson