Book review from The Courier, titled "Tram ride to success", reviewing a book "The Promise of Gold and its results" written by David Griffiths. Looks at the life and work of John Garibaldi Roberts a supporter of the Arts and Chief Accountant of the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Co (MTOCo) and later the manager of the cable tram system for the MMTB. He retired in 1923. Has photos of the family, John at his work desk in 1910 and the directors of the MTOCo. Item written by Caleb Cluff of The Courier. One of Roberts guests was C J Dennis, who wrote Songs of the Sentimental bloke" while staying at Roberts place in the Dandenongs which had been formed from disused horse buses. Yields information about J G Roberts, a support of the Arts and a senior tramway manager.Newspaper cutting from The Courier, Ballarat, 24/4/2021 titled Book review "Tram ride to success" and photo provided of C J Dennis inside one of the horse buses on Robert's Dandenong "Sunnyside" property.mtoco, j g roberts, chief accountant, c j dennis, sunnyside

Demonstrates communication methods to the staff of the SEC and magazine printing. Yields information about staff and the SEC benevolent system for its workers.Magazine - 32 pages printed on gloss paper with colour cover - titled 'SEC Magazine June 1936 Vol 1 - June 1936". Has a forward by the Chairman of the SEC, Mr. Francis Clements as the first magazine. Published 1 June 1936. Provides news about the SEC itself, personal Notes and Anecdotes on many people including clubs and societies. Includes notes on the late Mr. W. Knox, the ESCO Chief Accountant in Ballarat, the Electricity Supply and Tramways Employees Social club, Bendigo, Geelong, sporting clubs and fund raising for the Children's Hospital. See Reg Item 8036 for a 1937 timetable in a red folder marked G G Jobbins who became Chairman in 1937. 2nd copy added 22/6/2021trams, tramways, esco, sec, ballarat, publicity, sports, social club

These four certificates belonged to William Hunter. William Hunter (1893-1971) was a resident of Tatura and Mallacoota. He was a soldier, surveyor and amateur naturalist. The certificates include two first prizes for surveying, a technical scholarship for full day courses and a certificate for Applied Mechanics. William received his Surveying Certificate in April 1916. In June 1887, the Working Men's College opened after Francis Ormond, a noted Victorian philanthropist and member of parliament, suggested that a technical institute be built in Melbourne, offering further education for working men and women. He had offered to match the sum raised through public subscription if the government could provide a site for the College. William Hunter made valuable contributions to our knowledge of far East Gippsland plants. His records were meticulous. These certificates are part of his history.Four card certificates of merit for "Annual Examinations" from the Working Men's College, The Technical College and School of Mines for the Metropolitan District.All four certificates awarded to "William Hunter" and signed by Mordaunt Arundel Hall (accountant & chief clerk WMC) as the Acting Director.hunter-william-surveyor

Percy Henry (Harry) Pledger (1884-1954) and Eleanor Elizabeth George (1888-1963). They married in 1908 in St Peters, Paddington, London. Percy was a tailor in Barnet, Middlesex and the family migrated to Australia in 1923, arriving in Brisbane on 11 December 1923. They settled in Surrey Hills. Percy had a tailoring and later knitwear business at 418 Canterbury Road, almost opposite Alexandra Avenue (? also at another time in Hansen's Terrace in Canterbury Road). The family was musical. Their children were: Son Percy who joined the staff at Allan’s Music House and rose to become their chief accountant. He also taught and played the violin in a number of orchestras. (See individual entry for him - SH1207) Daughter Jessie married Arthur John Marston Bate (1906-1994) in 1941; he was born in Birmingham and his father was also a tailor. Arthur gained BA and MA from the University of New Zealand. He was also primarily a musician, but worked in theatre, broadcasting and teaching in New Zealand and at the State Theatre in Melbourne and the ABC. He was a pilot during WW2 (SERN 255363), rising to the rank of Flight Lieutenant and also a RAAF Chaplain. Jessie and Arthur lived in Hawthorn, Ashwood and Mount Waverley. They are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (CE-213-0029) along with daughter Christine Elizabeth. Stanley Bertram Pledger, along with Harold Sydserf, assisted Stan's brother Percy to establish the Surrey Hills Musical Club in the 1920s . It soon increased to 12 or 15 members, giving 4 concerts a year. They combined with the Surrey Hills Dramatic Society to produce operettas. In time the group expanded to a total of 30 players and became the Camberwell Symphony Orchestra. Stanley Bertram Pledger (1912-1996) is listed in electoral rolls at a number of addresses around Surrey Hills: 1927 - 36 Suffolk Road; 1940s - Essex Road; 1977 - Burwood. All entries consistently give his occupation as manufacturer and it is assumed that this was with the family business. He retired to Kiama, NSW.A black and white photograph of a couple standing in the rear garden. The lady is wearing a short sleeved, knee length dress and the man is wearing long trousers held up by braces and a short sleeved shirt.clothing and dress, tailor and knitwear, (mr) percy henry pledger, (mrs) eleanor elizabeth pledger, (mrs) nell pledger, (miss) eleanor elizabeth george

Nell Pledger - Eleanor Elizabeth George (1888-1963) was the wife of Percy Henry (Harry) Pledger (1884-1954). They married in Paddington, London in 1908. Percy was a tailor in Barnet, Middlesex and the family migrated to Australia in 1923, arriving in Brisbane on 11 December 1923. They settled in Surrey Hills. Percy had a tailoring and later knitwear business at 418 Canterbury Road, almost opposite Alexandra Avenue (? also at another time in Hansen's Terrace in Canterbury Road). The family was musical. After leaving school son Percy joined the staff at Allan’s Music House and rose to become their chief accountant. He also taught and played the violin in a number of orchestras. (See individual entry for him - SH1207) Jessie married Arthur John Marston Bate (1906-1994) in 1941; he was born in Birmingham and his father was also a tailor. Arthur gained BA and MA from the University of New Zealand. He was also primarily a musician, but worked in theatre, broadcasting and teaching in New Zealand and at the State Theatre in Melbourne and the ABC. He was a pilot during WW2 (SERN 255363), rising to the rank of Flight Lieutenant and also a RAAF Chaplain. Jessie and Arthur lived in Hawthorn, Ashwood and Mount Waverley. They are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (CE-213-0029) along with daughter Christine Elizabeth. In the 1920s Stanley Bertram Pledger, along with Harold Sydserf, assisted Stan's brother Percy to establish the Surrey Hills Musical Club. It soon increased to 12 or 15 members, giving 4 concerts a year. They combined with the Surrey Hills Dramatic Society to produce operettas. In time the group expanded to a total of 30 players and became the Camberwell Symphony Orchestra. Stanley Bertram Pledger (1912-1996) is listed in electoral rolls at a number of addresses around Surrey Hills: 1927 - 36 Suffolk Road; 1940s - Essex Road; 1977 - Burwood. All entries consistently give his occupation as manufacturer and it is assumed that this was with the family business. He retired to Kiama, NSW.A black and white photograph of a lady dresses in a fur coat, and standing on the pavement with buildings in the background.alexandra avenue, canterbury road, union road, surrey hills, knitwear business, streetscape, (mrs) eleanor elizabeth pledger, (mrs) nell pledger, (mr) percy pledger, (miss) eleanor elizabeth george

Set of four letters between the Manager TB and Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo tramways between the period of 27 Dec. 1929 and 30 July 1930 regarding the "Australasian Tramway Conference. See image files for details of the letterhead of the various company offices. 1972.1 - Letter from the Engineer and Manager of the Melbourne Electric Supply Company Limited, Melbourne office advising Mr. A. D. Murdoch, Manager of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board that he had forwarded the questionnaire to their Geelong Engineer for completion. Dated 30/12/1929. Stamped as being received by the TB as 31/12/1929. See image 1972i1 for image of letter. 1972.2 - Letter from the Chief Accountant of ESCo Ballarat, to the Manager TB acknowledging receipt of the letter dated 24/12/1929 regarding the questionnaire and saying Mr. Pringle is on holidays and will be attended to on his return. Dated 27/12/1929 and stamped as being received by the TB as 28/12/1929. See image 1972i2 for image of letter. 1972.3 - Carbon copy of a letter on pink paper from Manager TB to Mr. G.F. Cole, Resident Engineer and Local Manager of ESCo ( Ballarat) regarding the questionnaire - too late to be included. Dated 9/7/1930. 1972.4 - Letter from Mr. G.F. Cole, Resident Engineer and Local Manager of ESCo Bendigo office - forwarding the questionnaire to the TB and apologising for the late arrival. On letterhead of the ESCo Bendigo office - see image 1972i1 for image of letter. Dated 5 July 1930, and received by TB on 7/7/1930. Questionnaire (attached to 1972.4) details sections and fares, section lengths, holiday fares, workmen's fares, scholars' fares (no concessions) details of concession fares, postmen fares, health nurses, employees, periodical tickets, prepaid tickets. On top of the sheets written in pencil is the file number "22/1/15"tram, trams, australasian tramway conference, fares, sections, letterhead, mmtb, mesco, esco

Percy Alfred William (1910- ), Stanley Bertram (1912-1996) and Jessie Eleanor (1915-2008) were the children of Percy Henry (Harry) Pledger (1884-1954) and Eleanor Elizabeth George (1888-1963). Percy was a tailor in Barnet, Middlesex and the family migrated to Australia in 1923, arriving in Brisbane on 11 December 1923. They settled in Surrey Hills. Percy had a tailoring and later knitwear business at 418 Canterbury Road, almost opposite Alexandra Avenue (? also at another time in Hansen's Terrace in Canterbury Road). The family was musical. After leaving school son Percy joined the staff at Allan’s Music House and rose to become their chief accountant. He also taught and played the violin in a number of orchestras. (See individual entry for him - SH1207) Jessie married Arthur John Marston Bate (1906-1994) in 1941; he was born in Birmingham and his father was also a tailor. Arthur gained BA and MA from the University of New Zealand. He was also primarily a musician, but worked in theatre, broadcasting and teaching in New Zealand and at the State Theatre in Melbourne and the ABC. He was a pilot during WW2 (SERN 255363), rising to the rank of Flight Lieutenant and also a RAAF Chaplain. Jessie and Arthur lived in Hawthorn, Ashwood and Mount Waverley. They are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (CE-213-0029) along with daughter Christine Elizabeth. In the 1920s Stanley Bertram Pledger, along with Harold Sydserf, assisted Stan's brother Percy to establish the Surrey Hills Musical Club. It soon increased to 12 or 15 members, giving 4 concerts a year. They combined with the Surrey Hills Dramatic Society to produce operettas. In time the group expanded to a total of 30 players and became the Camberwell Symphony Orchestra. Stanley Bertram Pledger (1912-1996) is listed in electoral rolls at a number of addresses around Surrey Hills: 1927 - 36 Suffolk Road; 1940s - Essex Road; 1977 - Burwood. All entries consistently give his occupation as manufacturer and it is assumed that this was with the family business. He retired to Kiama, NSW.A black and white photograph of two young men and a young lady standing in a garden setting. The men are dressed in suits whilst the lady is dressed in a short sleeved, knee length summer dress.canterbury road, surrey hills, pledger's knitwear, alexandra avenue, canterbury, victorian symphony orchestra, violinist, clothing and dress, mr percy alfred william pledger, mr stanley bertram pledger, miss jessie eleanor pledger, mrs jessie eleanor bate, mr arthur john marston bate, surrey hills music club

Fred, Gwenda and Geoff Jones Contents 1. Proud memory; Geoff Jones, Diamond Valley News, 21 Nov 1979 2. Sudden death of 'much loved man', Diamond Valley News, 13 Feb 1979 3. Honor for a community friend, Diamond Valley News, 8 March 1995 (On reverse, 'Diverse program to entice riders' about St Andrews Saddle Club and fgeatures a photo of Debbie Jones) Gwendoline (Gwenda) Grace Watson Davies, only daughter of Mr. William Watson Davies and Mrs. Grace Davies (nee Hayes) of Arthur Street, Eltham was born in Newport, 18 February 1908. Gwenda grew up in Arthur Street and when she left school she was employed as an officer at the State Bank of Victoria, Chief Accountants Department, Head Office, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. On October 20, 1937 after ten years of service, Gwenda submitted her letter of resignation effective November 26th as she was to be married in the near future to Fred Jones. Frederick Geoffrey Jones, born 7 January 1911, third son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Jones of Napoleon Street, Eltham, married Gwenda at the Eltham Methodist Church on 27 November 1937. They made their home at ‘Llangollen’, Arthur Street, Eltham, a new house Fred had constructed earlier that year opposite the Shire Offices. Their residence was recorded in the Electoral Rolls from 1963-1980 as 6 Arthur Street, Eltham which was situated on the corner of Arthur Street and present-day Commercial Place. In the 1970s their home was sold and demolished to make way for the new shops. They built a new home at the top of the hill in Bible Street. In the Electoral Rolls for 1943-1980, Frederick’s occupation was recorded as a Plumber’s Assistant. Fred was also a long-standing member of the Eltham Cemetery Trust. He was first appointed 26 April 1944 and resigned 17 July 1957 to be appointed to the Warringal and Eltham Joint Trust where he served till February 1980. He then re-joined the Eltham Cemetery Trust and served a further 14 years till his resignation on 24 August 1994. In total, Fred represented the interests of Eltham Cemetery for 50 years (1944-1994). Gwenda and Fred were blessed with a son, Frederick William Jones in March 1942. Sadly, Frederick only lived two days and was buried at Eltham Cemetery on March 11. It is not known whether his grave is marked. A second son, Geoffrey Morris Jones arrived 25 November 1944 but he sadly contracted polio as a child. A fall down the front steps of Fred and Gwenda’s new home in Bible Street culminated in Geoff’s death from a heart attack whilst in transit to the Austin Hospital on February 6, 1979, at age 34. He was also interred in the Eltham Cemetery. Geoff was posthumously awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to fire safety at the CFA. A small man, handicapped from his childhood polio, he had figured prominently in the area as an active Apex member and as group officer for the 13 local brigades in the CFA Lower Yarra Group. His work for the CFA, all voluntary, included writing a fire-fighting manual and the innovation of aerial fire spotting and weekly fire reports. Gwendoline and Fred were presented with Geoff’s B.EM. award at Government House. Four years later on the anniversary of Geoff’s death, Gwenda could not sleep and collapsed in the hallway at home from a heart attack, 6 February 1983 at age 74. She was interred with her son Geoff, at Eltham Cemetery on February 9th. Fred died 31 July 1997 at age 86 and was also interred at Eltham Cemetery. A memorial plaque to Gwenda, Fred and Geoff lies within the lawn cemetery at Eltham Cemetery.Newsprint clippingscfa, eltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, frederick geoffrey jones, geoffrey morris jones b.e.m., gwendoline grace watson jones (nee davies), lower yarra group, debbie jones, st andrews saddle club

Gwendoline (Gwenda) Grace Watson Davies, only daughter of Mr. William Watson Davies and Mrs. Grace Davies (nee Hayes) of Arthur Street, Eltham was born in Newport, 18 February 1908. Gwenda grew up in Arthur Street and when she left school she was employed as an officer at the State Bank of Victoria, Chief Accountants Department, Head Office, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. During 1933-1934 in her early to mid-twenties, Gwenda wrote a series of poems which were captured in three books: one a leather bound three-ring binder with personalised gold embossing on the cover and two paper booklets held together by pink ribbon. These poems are a reflection of her childhood days, home, her mother, her environment, pioneering days and other miscellaneous subjects including one example titled “EIGHTEEN YEARS TO-DAY”, an homage to the brave men of Gallipoli. On October 20, 1937 after ten years of service, Gwenda submitted her letter of resignation effective November 26th as she was to be married in the near future to Fred Jones. Frederick Geoffrey Jones, born 7 January 1911, third son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Jones of Napoleon Street, Eltham, married Gwenda at the Eltham Methodist Church on 27 November 1937. They made their home at ‘Llangollen’, Arthur Street, Eltham, a new house Fred had constructed earlier that year opposite the Shire Offices. Their residence was recorded in the Electoral Rolls from 1963-1980 as 6 Arthur Street, Eltham which was situated on the corner of Arthur Street and present-day Commercial Place. In the 1970s their home was sold and demolished to make way for the new shops. They built a new home at the top of the hill in Bible Street. In the Electoral Rolls for 1943-1980, Frederick’s occupation was recorded as a Plumber’s Assistant. Fred was also a long-standing member of the Eltham Cemetery Trust. He was first appointed 26 April 1944 and resigned 17 July 1957 to be appointed to the Warringal and Eltham Joint Trust where he served till February 1980. He then re-joined the Eltham Cemetery Trust and served a further 14 years till his resignation on 24 August 1994. In total, Fred represented the interests of Eltham Cemetery for 50 years (1944-1994). Gwenda and Fred were blessed with a son, Frederick William Jones in March 1942. Sadly, Frederick only lived two days and was buried at Eltham Cemetery on March 11. It is not known whether his grave is marked. A second son, Geoffrey Morris Jones arrived 25 November 1944 but he sadly contracted polio as a child. A fall down the front steps of Fred and Gwenda’s new home in Bible Street culminated in Geoff’s death from a heart attack whilst in transit to the Austin Hospital on February 6, 1979, at age 34. He was also interred in the Eltham Cemetery. Geoff was posthumously awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to fire safety at the CFA. A small man, handicapped from his childhood polio, he had figured prominently in the area as an active Apex member and as group officer for the 13 local brigades in the CFA Lower Yarra Group. His work for the CFA, all voluntary, included writing a fire-fighting manual and the innovation of aerial fire spotting and weekly fire reports. Gwendoline and Fred were presented with Geoff’s B.EM. award at Government House. Four years later on the anniversary of Geoff’s death, Gwenda could not sleep and collapsed in the hallway at home from a heart attack, 6 February 1983 at age 74. She was interred with her son Geoff, at Eltham Cemetery on February 9th. Fred died 31 July 1997 at age 86 and was also interred at Eltham Cemetery. A memorial plaque to Gwenda, Fred and Geoff lies within the lawn cemetery at Eltham Cemetery. In February 2022 Gwenda’s book of Poems along with a copy of her letter of resignation from the State Bank of Victoria and a news clipping about the Autumn Show held in the Public Hall at Eltham (opposite her home with Fred) in which Gwenda is listed as having entered Cream Puffs and a Swiss Roll into the Cooking section, were donated to the St Vincent’s de Paul Society in Bega, N.S.W.. A dedicated volunteer there researched their origins and desirous for these items to return ‘home’, posted them to the Eltham District Historical Society for which we are most appreciative. EIGHTEEN YEARS TO-DAY “Tell me why you’re dreaming, Daddy” Said my little son to me, So, I told him all about it, As he sat upon my knee. I told him of that Sunday morn, ‘Twas eighteen years to-day, When the men of Australasia, Joined the mighty fray. How they landed on that foreign shore, And fought the gallant fight, Of how they nobly won the day, And put the Turks to flight. We saw the cliffs before us, To be scaled ‘mid shot and shell, And our comrades fell around us - - - - I remember it - - - so well. There are some who’ll sleep forever, On a hill that’s called Lone Pine, And the twenty-fifth of April, Is famous for all time. And so to keep their memory green, We march each Anzac Day, To pay tribute to those Heroes, Who gave their lives that day. - Anzac Day 1933 And in reflections to Gwenda’s childhood home in Arthur Street: HOME Where do my thoughts ever wander? Where do my thoughts always roam? To a little old house, on the top of a hill, To the place, that I call “Home Sweet Home.” No matter where-ever I travel, On land, or away on the foam. My thoughts will return, and my heart ever yearn, To the place, that I call “Home Sweet Home”. - 2/7/1933 Sources: Book of Poems, G. Davies Letter of Resignation, 1937, Oct. 20, G.G.W. Davies Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria New House at Eltham (1937, September 10). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 – 1939), p. 6. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56845735 Family Notices (1937, December 17). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 – 1939), p. 3. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56846386 Geoff Jones, Proud Memory, unknown newspaper clipping, 1979 1979 Birthday Honours, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_Birthday_Honours Australian Electoral Rolls, Ancestry.com Family Trees, Ancestry.com Eltham Cemetery, Deceased Search findagrave.com Personal recollections, Joan Castledine The poetry by Gwendoline Davies provides an insight into life growing up in Eltham and the early 1930s. A long time resident, Gwendoline, her husband Fred Jones and son Geoff Jones were fully dedicated to the Eltham community for over 50 years.1. Brown leather bound three-ring binder with personalised gold embossing on the cover 20.5 x 14.5 cm, Walkers Loose Leaf Book, pages typed with some pasted in colour illustrations, alphabeticised dividers (some tabs missing), 21 leafs (some blank) 2. Two paper booklets held together by pink ribbon 15.5 x 12 cm, typed, some with colour illustrations, pages numbered (rh only) 12 pages and 25 pages and paper cover 3. Newspaper clipping 4. Letter sized hand written page in ink folded in three and damaged by foxing and insectsanzac day, arthur street, napoleon street, cfa, eltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, frederick geoffrey jones, geoffrey morris jones b.e.m., grace davies (nee hayes), gwendoline grace watson jones (nee davies), llangollen, lower yarra group, poems, william watson davies