Note the FX Holden ute with canopy and old motorcycle with side-car. These may have belonged to the Watson brothers (C.J. Watson’s sons) who undertook stone work for the Council. Work is under way at the house one down from the bend where two piles of bluestone are gathered; possibly for terrace edging of the driveway and footpath. These images were from a strip of negatives, most likely taken by a Shire of Eltham employee so the works could have been part of council operations. Many streets in the shire have stonework edges for gardens abutting footpaths where the roads have been cut into the terrain. Much of this stone masonry work was undertaken for the council by C.J. Watson and Sons.Roll of medium format 120 6x6 black and white negative film, 1 stripbriar hill, c.j. watson and sons, mountainview road, fx holden, side-car, motorcycles

Work is under way at the house one down from the bend where two piles of bluestone are gathered; possibly for terrace edging of the driveway and footpath. These images were from a strip of negatives, most likely taken by a Shire of Eltham employee so the works could have been part of council operations. Many streets in the shire have stonework edges for gardens abutting footpaths where the roads have been cut into the terrain. Much of this stone masonry work was undertaken for the council by C.J. Watson and Sons.Roll of medium format 120 6x6 black and white negative film, 1 stripbriar hill, c.j. watson and sons, fx holden, mountainview road, side-car, motorcycles

In this picture we see the cement mixer on the right so possibly stone work being undertaken both sides of the street. Work is under way at the house one down from the bend where two piles of bluestone are gathered; possibly for terrace edging of the driveway and footpath. These images were from a strip of negatives, most likely taken by a Shire of Eltham employee so the works could have been part of council operations. Many streets in the shire have stonework edges for gardens abutting footpaths where the roads have been cut into the terrain. Much of this stone masonry work was undertaken for the council by C.J. Watson and Sons.Roll of medium format 120 6x6 black and white negative film, 1 stripbriar hill, c.j. watson and sons, fx holden, mountainview road, side-car, motorcycles

Possibly one of the Watson brothers? Note the red kerosene warning lantern sitting on the bluestone blocks. The EK Holden may have belonged to the Council employee who took the photos. Work is under way at the house one down from the bend where two piles of bluestone are gathered; possibly for terrace edging of the driveway and footpath. These images were from a strip of negatives, most likely taken by a Shire of Eltham employee so the works could have been part of council operations. Many streets in the shire have stonework edges for gardens abutting footpaths where the roads have been cut into the terrain. Much of this stone masonry work was undertaken for the council by C.J. Watson and Sons.Roll of medium format 120 6x6 black and white negative film, 1 stripbriar hill, c.j. watson and sons, mountainview road

Road construction and sealing of southern end of Bible Street, Eltham, 1968 [Photo: Fred Mitchell] House on left just behind truck is on corner of Bible and York streets (70 Bible Street). Next house (number 72) no longer exists, replaced by two units. From 1965 to 1968 the Shire of Eltham undertook extensive improvements to Bible Street; sealing the road surface, new concrete curb and channeling, footpaths and stone masonry work to a number of adjoining property boundaries following construction of the footpaths. The work was broken into two stages, the northern half from the top of the hill to Grove street was completed first in 1965-67 and then the southern end to Dalton Street in 1966 to 1968. This image is taken just south of the highest point near 71 and 74 Bible Street where we see the work in progress. The curb and channeling has been completed as has the footpath on the eastern side and on the western side further south. A load of gravel is being delivered for final grading of the road surface prior to sealing. The footpath in the foreground on the western side has yet to be constructed. On the eastern side we can also see how the land has been cut into to form the footpath. Bible Street, like many other streets in the shire has stonework edges for gardens abutting footpaths where the road and footpath have been cut into the terrain. Much of this stone masonry work was undertaken for the council by C.J. Watson and Sons. In December 1963, Eltham Shire Council approved the Arthur Street Group Private Street Construction Scheme which included parts of Arthur Street, Bible Street, Brownes Crescent, Grove Street, Luck Street and Taylor Street. Cost was between £13-14 per foot with each abutting owner to share half. Total cost £102,000. All streets are part of Holloway’s 1851 sub-division and as such are considered private streets on what was private land, not Crown land hence the shared cost. In January 1965 Council accepted the tender of Jack Legge Constructions Pty Ltd of £99,578 for construction of Stage 1 of the Arthur Street Group Private Street Construction Scheme involving construction of Arthur and Luck Streets, parts of Bible, Henry and Grove and fully construct Brownes Crescent and Taylor Street and a right-of-way between Taylor and Henry Streets. Construction work commenced around November 1965 which included Bible Street to a point south of Taylor Street. Stage 2 (this photo) was commenced in the second half of 1966 and involved the continuation of Bible Street through to Dalton Street, Bridge Street, Pitt Street and Brougham Street. Pitt Street was constructed to the western arm of View Hill Crescent and Bridge and Brougham Streets to their present ends. Total length of this stage was just under two miles (3.2km) and cost about £150,000. - Research by Peter Pidgeon, EDHS, July 2026Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 1968, bible street, eltham, houses, road construction, arthur street, arthur street group private street construction scheme, bridge street, brougham street, brownes crescent, dalton street, grove street, luck street, pitt street, taylor street

This business was owned by father and son, Henry Archibald Wilkinson and Samuel Ronald "Ron" Wilkinson. Henry (1882-1954) was born in Shepparton and died in Bendigo. He was married to Grace Hovendon in 1908. Samuel Ronald "Ron" (1914-1995), Henry's son, was married to Florence Jean McKerlie in 1937.Contract of sale dated 14th December, 1959 between Mr. C.J. & Mrs. M.E. Greer (seller) and Mrs. R.L. Smith (buyer) Solicitors for vendor: Watson, James & Rogers, Bull Street, Bendigo. Solicitors for purchaser: Watson, James, & Rogers, Bull Street, Bendigo. For property at 38 Wattle Street, Bendigo being part of Crown allotment 29 section 127C described in certificate of title volume 6625 folio 8826, together with all linos, blinds, curtains and gas stove as inspected. Price 1,550 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

This business was owned by father and son, Henry Archibald Wilkinson and Samuel Ronald "Ron" Wilkinson. Henry (1882-1954) was born in Shepparton and died in Bendigo. He was married to Grace Hovendon in 1908. Samuel Ronald "Ron" (1914-1995), Henry's son, was married to Florence Jean McKerlie in 1937.The Institute of Real Estate contract of sale dated 30th June, 1966 between Mr. C.J. Walters (seller) and Mr. C.J. Sandiford & Mrs. F.L. Sandiford (buyer) for land situate 3 Norfolk Street, Bendigo being part of Crown allotment 168, 311 and 312 section K described in certificate of title volume 6235 folio 960, together with all floor coverings, blinds, curtains and electric light fittings and shades. Price $7,000. Solicitors for vendor: Messrs. Watson, James & Rogers - Bull Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Messrs E.S. Cahill & Son - View Street, Bendigo.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate