The Wodonga Fire Brigade was founded in 1893 from a need to protect life and property in what was a small town straddling the Melbourne-Sydney railway line. This book traces the first 100 years of its development and service to the community.history wodonga urban fire brigade, cfa wodonga

An A4 sized directory of 119 pages including an index and maps. The volume has black plastic spiral binding and laminate cover.This publication was been prepared to meet the need in the rural community for a "Rural Directory". Its primary purpose was to decrease the time taken by fire brigades and other services responding to emergency calls. It provides maps of the whole region as well as selected towns. It also includes a localities index, map legends and a road index.victorian country fire authority, fire protection regions, cfa region 24

Document. Country Fire Authority Victoria. Draft of Eleventh Annual Report. Year ended 30th June 1956.

Combination of three movie films. Movie One (1950s): 00:00 – 13:14 Black and white footage of Diamond Creek firemen practising in Diamond Street in the 1950s for forthcoming demonstrations of abilities. Mentions of Gordon Brandy and Joe Hislop Running out hoses from old hose reels along Diamond Street, Diamond Creek Displays from various brigades running out and connecting hoses. Also scenes from the 1950s of Diamond Creek Fire Brigade competing in various locations around Victoria and Tasmania. Mentions of Brigade members Dave Kidd, Bruce Hackett, Ron Kirkbride, Jack Marks, Graham Upton who are prominent in these events. Members of Kyneton Fire Brigade also present. Members competing in running out hose reels, connecting hoses togethers and to hydrants then climbing towers to direct water from hose or at a target hanging above the road. Diamond Creek members identified wearing a diamond on their chest and back. Includes scenes of Scottish pipe bands at the events and significant crowds of spectators. Footage of Mel Stone and Beryl Marks, Stan Redpath and Ron Kirkbride, then Ron Kirkbride and Eric Holt viewing flower displays. Film changes to colour at Diamond Creek oval for practice with fire engine entering oval. Members depicted include Bill May, Jack Sinclair, Jim Cox, Bob Beale, Dave Kidd, Bruce Hackett and Captain Clarrie Stone. Reverts to black and white in the 1950s where the Brigade joins forces with the Diamond Valley Community Hospital for a Gala Day on the Diamond Creek Oval. Changes to colour again, possibly same event and scenes of children on bikes and scooters or with prams and carts racing around the oval. Mention of young lad Brian Laurie who has his own fire truck. Dart throwing, pony rides. Scenes with Dr Don Cordner, Gus Lyons, Vic Cohn (?) and spinning wheel and Diamond Creek School children entertain a large crowd with Maypole dancing. Movie Two (1950s): 13:25 – 19:00 This black and white film was taken by a TV film crew in the 1950s depicts a typical call out for the Diamond Creek Fire Brigade. In this case the careless action of a member of the public throwing a lighted match from a car, which can cause extensive damage. Footage features the Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower at Kangaroo Ground before it was modified with a fire spotter’s cabin. Discusses fire spotting operations from the tower. Shows a fire spotter walking around the top of the tower. A fire is detected, and the information is relayed to the nearest fire station, in this case, Diamond Creek. The telephone call is received, and the alarm sounded. Captain Clarrie Stone and firemen May and Shaw leave their workplaces and prepare for action. Scenes of running across the Main Hurstbridge road showing the shops (Shell service station and Chemist prominent). Scenes entering the fire station which has a pictorial warning covering the entire door “Only you can prevent forest fires – If you’re careless – we’re homeless!” Eric Holt pinpoints the location of the fire while Captain Clarrie Stone and Fireman Shaw take note. The advance vehicle (an FE Holden ute, rego GTE-696) leaves to assess the extent of the fire. Having assessed the fire, Fireman Shaw communicates with base showing radio with call sign VL3JZ. Eric Holt takes the call. In the meantime, Captain Clarrie Stone and Fireman Shaw undertake some limited action to address the fire. Firemen Bill May, Jim Bates and Hugh Bar (?) man the tanker. A photo portrait of Queen Elizabeth is visible hanging on the wall. They are later joined by Firemen Jim Cox, Eric DeBuse (?) and Jack Marks. The tanker is seen departing the station and diverging off before the bridge. Captain Clarrie Stone and Fireman Shaw are seen pumping water on the flames with hand pumps when the tanker arrives. The hose is unreeled, and water turned on the flames. Jack Sinclair joins the action. Jim Cox directs water to the high stuff. The fire put out, Jack Marks and Eric DeBuse wind in the hoses and the team head back to town. It’s peaceful again at the memorial tower. Movie Three (1969-1987): 19:14 – 34:34 Colour film “Fired with Dedication”, Country Fire Authority Victoria, produced by I.L. Wadeson, Commentary by A.M. Hem. Credits with CFA Victoria emblem and then placed over a view of an old-style ladder engine. Opens with the scene of a fire engine outside the Diamond Creek Fire Station then various trophies reflecting the competition success of the brigade in various track and disciplined events. Two trophies shown of particular pride to the brigade were for first place in the Torchlight Procession at the State Championships in Mildura in 1986 and also at Swan Hill in 1981. Still photo scenes of ex Captain Clarrie Stone, Brigade Captain for 21 years; ex Captain Jack Marks, 10 years; ex Captain Ian Douglas, 10 years. Cuts to scene of radio control room, January 1969, and news of a fire on the northern side of the township of Diamond Creek. With scenes of flames in bush, the narration explains that until the early 1960s the area was an orchard district which protected the town against the savagery of bushfires. But due to competition from other areas more suitable for orcharding and easier transport to Melbourne the district could no longer remain competitive, and orchards were replaced by grassed areas, which together with the bush areas were a feeding ground for fire. On 8th January 1969, high temperatures and strong north winds, were, with the carelessness of some individual all that was necessary to produce the worst fire the district had seen. Cuts to scene of blackened fields and cattle - Hundreds of hectares of grass land were blackened, and cattle had to be transported to other areas for agistment. Scene of destroyed buildings in the township – 13 houses and the public hall in the town were destroyed as was the theatre equipment which was owned by the fire brigade. The Church of England Hall and bell tower were badly damaged. The whole town could have been burnt out but for the determination, skill, and courage of the Diamond Creek Fire Brigade. Scenes of all that was left of the home on the hill on the west side of the Church of England. Also, the remains of the old Pisy (?) home on the top of the same hill near Lambert Street, and the ruined Crocker home. Cuts to a scene in the mid-1970s to mid-1980s of a house fire in Haley Street attended by the Diamond Creek Fire Brigade. Although the house was severely damaged, it was saved. Mentions that whilst assistance is appreciated, in some circumstances, those doing so are not properly dressed for fighting fires. Breathing apparatus is a must in structure fire attack. Next scene (either on Mangarook or Coventry oval) showing off four Diamond Creek Fire Brigade efficient and very expensive firefighting units. Features a forward control vehicle Toyota 4WD used for conveying task force personnel to the required areas; a Hino Model 3.2 tanker, diesel powered and carries 3,000 litres of water and has a 16 HP petrol driven pump which delivers 900 litres of water per minute; an International tanker (registration TCM-418) which carries 3,000 litres of water with pumping capacity of 600 litres per minute. The Ford diesel powered pumper (registration MXE-754) is a well-equipped vehicle with a water capacity of 1,000 litres and capable of pumping 1,900 litres of water per minute from the main pump, has many lockers which hose equipment such as breathing apparatus and various types of hose nozzles and foam making equipment. The vehicle carries 360m of 64mm diameter hose which can be laid out from the rear lockers and a portable lighting plant, an Oxy Viva resuscitator to revive smoke inhalation victims and forcible entry tools to gain access to structure fires. Views of the main pump and control panel on the vehicle. As well as the main pump, the vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary pump which allows the facility to pump whilst moving. Fire fighters must undergo constant training and hone their skills, Scenes of a training exercise using the pumper to pump from static water. First, the short lengths of suction hose are coupled, a strainer fitted to ensure debris does not foul the pump. Gauges must be constantly monitored to ensure manageable water pressures are maintained. Pressures are normally controlled to allow two fire fighters to work at each nozzle outlet. Two nozzles are tested, one adjustable jet fog type which is used on flammable gasses or within a structure fire to absorb heat. A straight jet nozzle to project water long distances to protect exposed surfaces close to a fire radiated heat. The pumper is quite a versatile vehicle in handling structure fires, but it also carries specialist equipment needed in containing hazardous chemical incidents. Cuts to scene of parade – the Diamond Creek Fire Brigade has with other neighbouring brigades participated in most town fairs and earns the respect of the watching public. It can be seen why this brigade has been so successful at disciplined contests. Views of Plenty Fire Brigade Road Rescue unit which is equipped with the “Jaws of Life” Scenes of athletic competitions – many neighbouring brigades indulge in friendly but keen competition at the Diamond Creek Town Fair. The young are also encouraged to participate in all aspects of Junior Fire Brigade activities and become tomorrow’s generation of volunteer fire fighters. Scene of the 1986 Diamond Creek Town Fair which was the last time veteran Captain Clarrie Stone BEM marched with the brigade. Clarrie was awarded the British Empire Medal for his service to the Country Fire Authority. Also, scenes of vehicles in the parade. Cuts to scene of brigade members in drill formation for inspection by Acting Chief Harry Rothsay (?) on the occasion of the opening of the new fire station extensions on August 29, 1987. Rudy Libel (?) Captain at the time. Scenes of crowds including many dignitaries of neighbouring brigades present including Lieutenant Gordon Grandy (who came down from Queensland for the occasion) and ex-Secretary David Kidd and wife Betty, also ex Captain Clarrie Stone and Mrs Nel Stone, a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary, the Reverend Jock Ryan, son of J.L Ryan, founder of the Diamond Creek Fire Brigade, Foundation Captain of the fire brigade, Keith Bradbury and Mrs Bradbury. Pauline Dick accepts a community service award for services to the CFA. Recognising over 47 and a half years of service, a presentation is made by Mr Neil Marshall, Acting Chairman of the CFA to ex Captain Clarrie Stone with response by Clarrie. Other members of the official party include Cr. Martin Wright, Shire President Wayne Phillips and local Member of Parliament, Mrs Pauline Toner. Ex foreman John Bennett is presented with a life member’s awards by Captain Rudy Libel. The camera also catches Gwen Cox, Jean Ryan and Bessie Layton (?) Provides historic footage of people, places and equipment and a record of the worst fires expoerienced in Diamond Creek in 1969BASF Standard Quality SQ E-180 VHS dubbing (poor quality) of three films Converted to MP4 file format 0:34:38, 1.85GBOn label: "Donation - August 2000 Diamond Creek Unit Old films made up from Fire Brigade shows at competitions - also Kangaroo Ground Tower being used"video recording, diamond creek fire brigade, 1986 diamond creek town fair, a.m. hem, acting chief harry rothsay, athletic competitions, beryl marks, bessie layton, betty kidd, bill may, bob beale, brian laurie, bruce hackett, captain clarrie stone, chemist, church of england hall, clarrie stone, clarrie stone bem, country fire authority victoria, coventry oval, cr. martin wright, crocker home, dart throwing, dave kidd, david kidd, diamond creek, diamond creek fire station, diamond creek oval, diamond creek school, diamond creek town fair, diamond street, diamond valley community hospital, dr don cordner, eric debuse, eric holt, fe holden ute, fire damage – buildings, fire spotter, fire spotter’s cabin, fire station extension, fired with dedication (film), firefighting units, fireman shaw, firemen jim cox, ford pumper, foundation captain, gala day, gordon brandy, gordon grandy, graham upton, gus lyons, gwen cox, haley street, hino model 3.2 tanker, house fire, i.l. wadeson, ian douglas, international tanker, j.l ryan, jack marks, jack sinclair, january 1969, jaws of life, jean ryan, jim bates and hugh bar, jim cox, joe hislop, john bennett, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground tower, keith bradbury, kyneton fire brigade, lambert street, main hurstbridge road, mangarook oval, maypole dancing, mel stone, mildura 1986, mrs bradbury, mxe754 vic registration, neil marshall, nel stone, orchard district, oxy viva resuscitator, pauline dick, pauline toner mp, pisy home, plenty fire brigade road rescue unit, pony rides, radio control room, reverend jock ryan, ron kirkbride, rudy libel, shell service station, shire of eltham war memorial, shire president wayne phillips, spinning wheel, stan redpath, state championships, swan hill 1981, tcm418 vic registration, torchlight procession, toyota 4wd, trophies, vic cohn, victorian bushfires - 1969, vl3jz

This jacket was part of the working uniform of the Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade in the mid 20th century. It belonged to John (Jack) Sizeland, a member of the Fire Brigade for over 37 years. He retired in 1977. Prompted by a fire at the Flying Buck Hotel in Liebig Street the Warrnambool Fire Brigade was established in the mid 1860s. It has been successful in Victorian Fire Brigade Championships over the years, especially in the 19th century. It is currently situated in Mortlake Road. This jacket is of interest as an example of the clothing worn by firefighters in Victoria in the mid 20th century. It is also of interest because it was worn by Jack Sizeland, a local firefighter for over 37 years. This is a black double-breasted cloth jacket with six brass buttons down the front and two brass buttons on the lapels. The buttons are impressed with a shield and the words ‘Country Fire Authority Victoria’. There are two brass clips on the side to hold a belt. There are two black and red cloth attachments at the top of each sleeve (‘Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade’). There is some black cloth lining inside the garment across the shoulders. The maker’s label, ‘David Lack Pty Ltd, Melbourne’ is on the inside collar. ‘David Lack Pty Ltd Melbourne’ ‘Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade’ warrnambool fire brigade, jack sizeland, history of warrnambool

Copy of a plan for the plaque for the Site of the Former Long Gully Fire Station. Plan has the Country Fire Authority Victoria Logo and three spaces for badges. It also has when the Long Gully Fire brigade was formed and when it was deregistered. Also mentioned is the supporters: Bendigo Fire Brigade, Country Fire Authority, Long Gully History Group, Cornish Association of Bendigo and District and the Central Victorian Fire Service Presentation Society. Unveiled by The Hon Andre Haermeyer MP and Minister for Police and Emergency Services on Sunday 20th August 2000. Plaque to be made by A1 Plaques.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - plan for plaque, bruce furnell, long gully fire station, long gully fire brigade, country fire authority, bendigo fire brigade, long gully history group, cornish association of bendigo and district, central victorian fire service presentation society, the hon andre haermeyer mp, a1 plaques

This is a complete uniform of the Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade in the mid 20th century. The Warrnambool Fire Brigade, located today in Mortlake Road, Warrnambool, was established in 1863. The formation was prompted by a fire at the Flying Buck Hotel in Liebig Street. The Warrnambool Fire Brigade has a long proud history of service to the people of Warrnambool and district for over 150 years. The uniform belonged to John (Jack) Sizeland, a firefighter for over 37 years. He retired in 1977. This uniform is of some significance as it shows the type of uniform worn by Warrnambool firefighters in the mid 20th century. It is also of importance because it belonged to a local firefighter, Jack Sizeland. This is a Warrnambool Fire Brigade uniform consisting of:- .1 A black cloth single-breasted jacket lined with black and white material. It has four silver metal buttons down the front and two on the top pocket lapels. The buttons have the inscription ‘Country Fire Authority Victoria’. There are two red and black cloth tabs stitched on the top of the sleeves (‘Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade’). The belt is stitched at the back and loose at the front. .2 Black cloth trousers with a red braid stripe down each leg. .3 Black leather belt with a silver-coloured buckle. .4 Black officer-type hat with red plastic lining, a plastic peaked front with a green backing, a red and black braid around the rim with two metal buttons and a silver-coloured metal badge of the Country Fire Authority. .5 Black cloth (polyester) tie with orange lining. Trousers: ‘C.F.A., I. L. Wise’ Tie: ‘Mark Andrew Made in Australia’ Hat: ‘Emerco, Melbourne, Registered Trademark, This is Your Guarantee for Quality, Made in Australia’ warrnambool fire brigade, jack sizeland, history of warrnambool

This book contains stories from various Fire Brigades who lived and worked on the 2019/20 Black Summer bush fires in Victoria. Brigade stories are from the North East, South East, South West and CFA brigades. This fire season was hugely destructive and encompassed most of Victoria. This book is significant because it records the perspective of the thousands of people who worked as firefighters throughout Victoria during the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires in Victoria. A largish book with an all-over sepia/brown coloured photo on the front cover. This photos depicts a group of firemen wearing yellow clothing and helmets and handling hoses next to a road within bushland. Our Black Summer FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNTS FROM THE FRONTLINE.2019/20 black summer bushfires, fire brigades, victoria

Rededication of Memorial Tower on its 75th anniversary to those who served in Armed Conflicts between 1948 and 1972. Harry Gillham, President of the Eltham District Historical Society and Convenor of the Nillumbik Shire Council's Advisory Committee for the War Memorial at Kangaroo Ground was for some years working on the refurbishment of the Shire of Eltham War memorial tower of rememberance and the surrounding Memorial Park. The Committee arranged to produce plaques to commemorate the armed conflicts in Korea, Malaysia, Borneo and Vietnam. The plaques were funded by public donations and cost $10,000. The community donated via donation boxes placed at Eltham Library. NL 140 Sept 2001 Governor John landy and other digniaries attended the event for the unveiling of the plaque. Governor Landy unveiled the plaque which was attached to the historical tower in November 2001.75th anniversary, dean stewart, dedication, dennis ward, governor of victoria, harry gilham, john landy, kangaroo ground, mick woiwod, rededication ceremony, shire of eltham memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial, shire of eltham war memorial tower, sigmund jorgensen, war memorial tower, fran bailey mp, des burgess, jim wandin, cr. penny mullinar, cr. phillip hughes, cr. bill penrose, nillumbik shire council, rsl - diamond valley veterans, victorian police, australian army, country fire authority, cfa, salvation army, army church, kangaroo ground primary school, kangaroo ground tower committee, nicholas pelling, catherine dale (nsc ceo)

Victoria State Disaster Reponse Plan (DISPLAN) training exercise involving emergency services attending two real life simulations; Kangaroo Ground SES including Police, Ambulance, CFAVHS Video cassette Converted to MP4 file format 00:16:11; 1.18GBshire of eltham, video recording, shire of eltham archives, displan, training exercise, victoria police, cfa, country fire authority, eltham cfa, ambulance service victoria, eltham shire council, alan stein, kangaroo ground ses, state emergency service, victoria state disaster reponse plan (displan)

John Lawrence Coleman (1934-1965) born January 10, was the son of Raymond John Coleman and Hanna May (Gillet) Coleman. He married Margaret Frances Dare in 1955 and was the father of two children. He died whilst attempting to rescue an older man trapped in the bushfire at North Eltham on March 3, 1965 He died at Eltham (Herald, 4 March 1965, p3) [Picture of John Lawrence Coleman] Builder Mr John Lawrence Coleman, 31, of Main Rd., Eltham, one of three men burnt to death yesterday in the fire at North Eltham. The other two were XXXXX, 33 who lives opposite the Colemans and Mr William Elwers, 64 of Batman Rd., Eltham. * * * Frank Martin was a volunteer with the Eltham rural fire brigade at the time of the 1965 bushfires which burnt Eltham North and Research. Frank was asked to assist with the removal of three bodies from the back gully (now Orchard Avenue). They were badly burnt and one was found stuck under a fence as though trying to escape. Volunteers John Coleman Jnr, William Elwers and George Crowe were killed trying to protect Eltham from bushfire – they were local heroes. At the time, John Coleman Jnr was survived by his wife Margaret and two young children – John 11 and Vicky 2. Margaret Coleman lived in the family home until 1992 when she sold it and moved to Tasmania to be close to her son. She died in 1997 aged 65 years. 75 yr old Ken Gaston grew up on Edendale farm, which was originally a poultry farm but is now owned and run by the Shire of Nillumbik as an educational farm for schools and visitors. He was Captain of the Eltham rural fire brigade in 1965 when John Coleman Jnr was burnt to death in the Eltham North bushfires serving as an unofficial volunteer. He was able to draw where the original Wattletree Road was and at the time was verified with the location of some remaining bitumen and a post from the original bridge over the Diamond Creek located near the junction of the Diamond Creek and another small creek which is further down from Research or Christmas Creek as locals refer to it. The original Main Road ran behind Colemans before the railway line was built beyond Eltham in 1912. (Information recorded by Harry Gilham, President EDHS c.2011) * * * Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead (1965, March 4). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131758981 Includes two photos of the fire in North Eltham “Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham, Victoria. The smoke hides a house.” and “A house explodes into flames at North Eltham, Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up.” Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 4 March 1965, page 1 ________________________________________ Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road. North Eltham. Victoria. The smoke hides a house. A house explodes into flames at North Eltham. Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up. Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead MELBOURNE, Wednesday.—Three people died today in a bush» fire which raged through North Eltham, about 15 miles from Melbourne. The victims were three men. A fourth man is feared to be dead. Another bushfire. sparked off by the heatwave sizzling over south-eastern Australia, is burning out of control in the Kosciusko State Park, in the Snowy Mountains. Firefighters fear that if it reaches pine forests up the Yarrangobilly River, they will be powerless to stop it. The three victims of the North Eltbam fire were trapped by flames in a valley. Their bodies were found only a few yards apart. They were named by police tonight as Mr. George Crowe, 78, of North Eltham, William John Ewers, 64, and John Laurence Coleman, 31, both of Eltham. The other two have not been identified. They are believed to be a man aged about 40 and an 18-year-old youth. At least 12 homes were destroyed by the fire, the worst in Victoria since 1962, when eight lives were lost and hundreds of homes burnt down at Warrandyte. At one time the township of Eltham was threatened, but a cool change swept in from the south and held back the wall of flames. More than 100 dogs, worth about £4,000, died when the fire raced through two kennels in Short Street, Eltham. and Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham. A trickle of water Residents ran into the streets as the blaze raced towards their houses. Others frantically dug firebreaks around their homes. Mrs. Sue Recourt wept when firemen arrived while she was vainly trying to stop the flames with a trickle of water from the garden hose. A stack of firewood was blazing, but the firemen managed to save the house and rescue four goats. Many homes in Eltham were saved after flames had crept to within feet of their fences. Students at North Eltham State School had to be evacuated when the blaze threatened the building. Fire fighters were severely hampered by lack of water and narrow roads. The blaze, which began in above century heat, turned toward Wattle Glen, where two houses were gutted. Then the flames raced towards Hurstbridge to the north. Firemen battling desperately, controlled the fire late this afternoon. Five forest fires were still burning in Victoria tonight.   IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority (1965, March 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 2. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131759928 Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Tuesday 9 March 1965, page 2 ________________________________________ IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority From Rohan Rivett It was the worst week for Victorian fire fighters since Black Friday 27 years ago. On that day one pilot up in a spotter plane said afterwards: "It seemed at times that half the State was on fire." This time, for three days on end, Gippsland men, women and children had moments of conviction that their towns would have blackened into anonymity before the weekend was out. The week began with horror at Eltham on the North-eastern edge of Melbourne. Eltham today is something of an artists' colony. Oil painters, water colourists, potters and sculptors proliferate. A number of University folk have emulated the example of Professor MacMahon Ball who pioneered the way by moving to Eltham and carving a home out of the bush in the thirties. Innermost Eltham is barely 14 miles from the G.P.O. Farthest Eltham stretches miles beyond. It served to illustrate the tragi-ludicrous truncation of Victoria's fire control. Part of Eltham is under the protection of the Melbourne Fire Brigade. But this responsibility ceases at some invisible and incomprehensible line — apparently determined by the meanderings of the water mains. At this point everybody's property throughout the rest of Eltham is dependent on the Country Fire Authority. Half an hour before midday on Wednesday, a fire suddenly started on the West side of Upper Glen road on the edge of Eltham. Before the fire brigade could arrive, it was burning on a widening front through timber and high grass north of Eltham. Two wind changes in rapid succession saw the fire leaping Diamond Creek. With a freshening wind it struck home after home in three streets. More than one of them exploded suddenly as if hit by an incendiary bomb. There is no piped gas in the Eltham area, hence many housewives use bottle gas. The flames outside caused the bottles to explode. Altogether twelve homes were completely incinerated and four more were badly damaged. Thirty prize dogs perished. About three hours after the fire started it raced suddenly down a gully hillside trapping an elderly man. Two other men apparently raced to the rescue. Flames caught the three men within yards of each other, not 200 yards off the Upper Glen Park Road where safety lay. They were burned to death. Next evening an angry and convincing secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, Mr. W. M. Webber, came on television and appealed to the people of Victoria to end the ridiculous and dangerous dualism in fire-fighting control. The Eltham fire, he said, had precisely illustrated the situation. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade area touched Eltham, but where the fire had gutted and killed, was just outside its area. Mr. Webber said his union had constantly urged one authority for the State with a complete reorganisation of fire protection. On Wednesday the union had repeated its call for an inquiry into fire protection in Victoria to the Chief Secretary, Mr Rylah. "No matter how close the liaison between the two organisations, there are always divided sections of thinking," Mr. Webber told viewers. "I don't know how much tragedy the com-munity can take before it demands that it is properly protected." Rumours that differences in gauge between taps and hose nozzles (as between the two authorities) accentuated the damage were denied by fire chiefs who said that all appliances were now carrying adaptors so that hoses could be linked to mains everywhere. But there is grave concern in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade's higher councils at the action of several Federal authorities with projects in and around Melbourne. They are installing non-standard equipment without reference to the State authorities or any dovetailing of appliances and equipment. Public alarm was not diminished by the publication on Friday and Saturday of a heart tearing letter from the young widow of John Lawrence Coleman, 31 year old father of two, who had died in the flames apparently trying to rescue the old man trapped in the gully. By that time, a Vast area of Gippsland was in flames and the troops had been sent in to back up the overworked and often helpless fire-fighters. By Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Stoneham, who has previously demanded a Royal Commission into fire-fighting arrangements, repeated his demand. To add to the Chief Secretary's worries he was publicly rebuked for allegedly implying on television that lives had been lost at Eltham because people went to the wrong place at the wrong time. In a letter to the Press, Professor MacMahon Ball pointed out that two of the men involved were experienced bushmen who had gone "to help an old man in great danger fully aware of the danger to themselves". As Victoria faced its sixth day of total State-wide fire ban, it looked likely that even official resistance was not going to silence the demand for one central authority to control the fire fiend. At the moment, the 400 square miles where two million Victorians live in Greater Melbourne are divorced from the rest of the State in planning, communications, equipment and control of personnel. No one doubts the whole-hearted co-operation and willingness to back each other up of the M.F.B. and the C.F.A., both at top-level and among the firemen themselves. However, when a city straggles so deeply into the country side, the absence of a single authority, to oversee and analyse the fire threat as a whole, suggests suicidal policy of divide and fuel. Emphasis of the tragic loss of a member of a pioneering family who died whilst helping others in his communitybushfire, cfa, country fire authority, fire brigrade, glen park road, heroes, john lawrence coleman, north eltham, victorian bushfires - 1965, volunteers, william john elwers, fire fighter, frank martin, george john crowe, ken gaston, orchard avenue

Landscaping works in progress at the newly built Kangaroo Ground Hall located at 35 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Road, Kangaroo Ground The dedication plaque, mounted on a rock near the flag pole reads: This centre, jointly funded by the Shire of Eltham, Community Employment Programme, Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Service was opened by The Shire President of the Shire of Eltham Cr. Alan Baker at a ceremony attended by Members of Parliament, Councillors, & Representatives of the Victoria Police, Country Fire Authority, State Emergency Servicve, Ambulance Service Melbourne, Salvation Army & residents of the Shire of Eltham on Saturday, 13 February 1988. See also: Kangaroo Ground Hall. (2025, July 5). Retrieved from https://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Council/Facilities-and-property/Council-facilities-for-hire/Kangaroo-Ground-HallMarked "G 90%"1988, eltham shire council property, kangaroo ground hall, mudbrick construction, nillumbik shire council property

Located at 35 Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Road, Kangaroo Ground The centre was jointly funded by the Shire of Eltham, Community Employment Programme, Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Service. It was opened by the Shire President of the Shire of Eltham, Cr. Alan Baker, at a ceremony attended by Members of Parliament, Councillors, & Representatives of the Victoria Police, Country Fire Authority, State Emergency Service, Ambulance Service Melbourne, Salvation Army & residents of the Shire of Eltham on Saturday, 13 February 1988.construction, kangaroo ground hall, mudbrick construction, state emergency service (eltham), eltham emergency operations centre

The dedication plaque, mounted on a rock near the flag pole at entrance reads: This centre, jointly funded by the Shire of Eltham, Community Employment Programme, Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Service was opened by The Shire President of the Shire of Eltham Cr. Alan Baker at a ceremony attended by Members of Parliament, Councillors, & Representatives of the Victoria Police, Country Fire Authority, State Emergency Servicve, Ambulance Service Melbourne, Salvation Army & residents of the Shire of Eltham on Saturday, 13 February 1988. See also: Kangaroo Ground Hall. (2025, July 5). Retrieved from https://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Council/Facilities-and-property/Council-facilities-for-hire/Kangaroo-Ground-Hallkangaroo ground hall, mudbrick construction, nillumbik shire council property, ambulance service victoria, community employment program, country fire authority, cr. alan baker, eltham emergency operations centre, salvation army, shire of eltham, state emergency service (eltham), victoria police, peter & elizabeth pidgeon collection

CONTENTS: BOX 1 04585-1 04585 History • 04585-1-1 An Outline History of the Eltham War Memorial Trust by Stanley S. Addison • 04585-1-2 Stanly Addison's notes for his Outline History of the Eltham War Memorial Trust • 04585-1-3-1 Newspaper article: Eltham War Memorial Trust: Ready Now for Forward Movement; Acknowledgements £722; publication unknown, c.1946 • 04585-1-3-2 Newspaper article: Eltham War Memorial Trust: "Garden of Remembrance"; Baby Health Centre First Building, The News: The Newspaper of the City of Heidelberg and of the Shire of Eltham, 11 April 1947 • 04585-1-3-3 Newspaper: The News: The Newspaper of the City of Heidelberg and of the Shire of Eltham; Friday, December 1, 1950 • 04585-1-3-4 Newspaper article: Eltham War Memorial Trust by Stanley Addison, 1953 • 04585-1-3-5 Newspaper article: War Memorial Trust (publication unknown, n.d.) • 04581-1-4 Folder: A brief history of the Eltham War Memorial and Eltham Library, Harry Gilham, 1997-1999 • 04585-1-5 Newspaper article: Eltham's War Memorial; A Journey in Time, Nillumbik Mail, 5 July c.2001 04585-2 Eltham War Memorial Trust Minutes • 04585-2-1 Eltham War Memorial Trust Minutes, Book No. 2, 20 March 1951 to 4 June 1957 • 04585-2-2 Minute Book: Eltham War Memorial Trust Minutes, 2 July 1957 to 12 November 1973 BOX 2 04585-3 Women's Auxiliary, Eltham War Memorial Trust • 04585-3-1-1 Minute Book: Minute Book No. 1, Women's Auxiliary, Eltham War Memorial Trust, 10 May 1946 to 10 April 1952 • 04585-3-1-2 Minute Book: Minute Book No. 2, Women's Auxiliary, Eltham War Memorial Trust, 12 June 1952 to 14 June 1956 • 04585-3-1-3 Minute Book: Minute Book No. 3, Women's Auxiliary, Eltham War Memorial Trust, 12 July 1957 to 14 May 1959 • 04585-3-1-4 Minute Book: Minute Book No. 4, Women's Auxiliary, Eltham War Memorial Trust, 14 May 1959 to 12 August 1965 • 04585-3-2 Book: A favourite book of country recipes / compiled by the Women's Auxiliary of the Eltham War Memorial Trust 04585-4 04591 Eltham Easter Show and Gymkhana • 04585-4-1 Minute Book: Eltham War Memorial Trust; Easter Gymkhana Committee Minutes, 19 Nov 1954-6 Jun 1958 • 04585-4-2 Folder: Eltham War Memorial Trust; Easter Gymkhana Committee Correspondence, 19 Nov 1954-6 Jun 1958 o 04585-4-2-1 Notice from Honorary Treasurer of Easter Gymkhana Committee regarding completion of 1954 event and expression of thanks and that committee is now going into recess prior to commencement of planning for 1955 o 04585-4-2-2 Notice of Easter Gymkhana Committee Meeting, Monday 24th October, 1955 at the Shire Hall, Eltham o 04585-4-2-3 Letter from B.T. Taylor, Hon. Secretary, Eltham Easter Show Committee regarding the sale of tickets (c.1957) o 04585-4-2-4 Letter from B.T. Taylor, President, Eltham Easter Show Committee to Georges Ltd regarding the supply of The Georges Cup for the Eltham Easter Show, 11 April 1958 o 04585-4-2-5 Letter from Georges Ltd to B.T. Taylor, President, Eltham Easter Show Committee with payment for the miniatures of The Georges Cup, 6 June 1958 o 04585-4-2-6 Letter from Eltham Shire Secretary to B.T. Taylor, President, Eltham Easter Show Committee advising of new process regarding raffle, 5 May 1958 o 04585-4-2-7 Letter from Lilian Heath, Secretary, Judge Book Village Auxiliary to B.T. Taylor, Eltham Easter Show Committee, 24 May 1958 o 04585-4-2-8 Letter from Mrs R.J. Godfrey on behalf of M.A. Godfrey of Dandenong to B.T. Taylor, President, Eltham Easter Show under threat of legal action requesting replacement of cheque for £10 (second prize Open Jumping Contest), which was lost, 24 May 1958 o 04585-4-2-9 Reply by B.T. Taylor, President, Eltham Easter Show Committee to Mrs R.J. Godfrey to her letter of 24 May explaining circumstances and denying responsibility to forward a replacement cheque as it was cashed at the Golf Club Hotel; 6 June 1958 • 04585-4-3 Folder: Easter Gymkhana Committee Minutes and other associated ephemera o 04585-4-3-1 Letter: Letter of donation to Shire of Eltham Historical Society of the Easter Gymkhana Committee Minutes and other associated ephemera, J.M. Peter Bassett-Smith, 31 October 1987 o 04585-4-3-2 Souvenir Program: Free Program; Eltham Easter Gymkhana and Light Horse Show also Dog Competition, Easter Saturday 9th April, 1955 at Eltham (Lower) Park o 04585-4-3-3 Program Schedule; Eltham Easter Gymkhana and Light Horse Show also Dog Competition, Easter Saturday 9th April, 1955 at Eltham (Lower) Park o 04585-4-3-4 Program; Monster Gymkhana in aid of Hurstbridge Hall Re-Building Fund, Hurstbridge Recreation Reserve, Sunday, September 18, 1955 o 04585-4-3-5 Record Crowd Came To Eltham Gymkhana, Sporting World, Diamond Valley Local, Thursday, April 14, 1955, p8 o 04585-4-3-6 Program; Eltham Easter Gymkhana Goat Show Schedule, Easter Saturday 31st March, 1956, Eltham Park o 04585-4-3-7 Official Program; Eltham Easter Horse Show and Goat Show, Easter Saturday April 20th, 1957, Eltham Park o 04585-4-3-8 Program Schedule; Eltham Easter Horse Show and Goat Show, Easter Saturday April 20th, 1957, Eltham Park o 04585-4-3-9 Young Rider to Judge at Show, The Age, Wednesday, April 17, 1957, p8 o 04585-4-3-10 Promotional window label, Eltham Gymkhana, Easter Saturday, 20 April 1957 o 04585-4-3-11 Entry form for the Skyline Drive-In “Soap-Box” Derby, to be held along Main Road between Panorama Avenue and Bolton Street, Easter Saturday, 20 April 1957 o 04585-4-3-12 Official Program; Eltham Easter Horse Show and Goat Show, Easter Saturday, 5th April, 1958, Eltham Park o 04585-4-3-13 Brief history of the Eltham War Memorial Trust and Women's Auxiliary, Peter Bassett-Smith, 1987 o 04585-4-3-14 Summary of the Eltham War Memorial Trust Easter Gymkhana Committee Minutes (1954-1956) 04585-5 Folder: Infant Welfare Centre (1952) 04585-5-1 Newspaper article: Eltham: “Memorial Baby Health Centre Opening”; District News, The News, 14 November 1952. (Single sheet newsprint printed one side with District News for Macleod, Kinglake, Watsonia, Wattle Glen, Diamond Creek, Panton Hill, Eltham North, Lower Plenty, Research, Eltham. On reverse in handwritten purple pencil to the President, somewhat indecipherable, about an item to be hung on the walls of the beautiful building.) • 04585-5-2 Eltham War Memorial Trust, Official Opening - Baby Health Centre, 15th November 1952; Timetable of proceedings (1 page handwritten) • 04585-5-3 Eltham Baby Health Centre; Official Opening - Baby Health Centre: Address by President, 15 November 1952 (9 pages handwritten) • 04585-5-4 Newspaper article: Infant Welfare Centre as War Memorial, 15 November 1952 • 04585-5-5 Souvenir Booklet: Eltham War Memorial Trust, 1954 • 04585-5-6 Eltham War Memorial: Address by Mrs Stanley Addison at the Annual Meeting of the Infant Welfare Centre, Thursday 21st October, 1965 (4 pages typed, carbon copy) 04585-6 Roll of Honour Board (1954), Eltham War Memorial 04585-7 Eltham Pre-School (1956), Eltham War Memorial • 04585-7-1 Newspaper article: Minister to open Eltham Pre-school Tomorrow • 04585-7-2 Program; Eltham War Memorial Trust: Opening of the Second Unit of the War memorial, The Pre-school Centre, on Saturday, December 1st, 1956 at 3 p.m. • 04585-7-3 Folder: Eltham Pre-School (1956) Papers donated by Gordon Pearce, 30 Apr 2021 pertaining to Eltham Pre-school and Eltham War Memorial Trust. Gordon was a former President of the Eltham Pre-school at the time the Eltham War Memorial Trust was disbanded by Eltham Shire Council in December 1973. o Articles of the Eltham War Memorial Trust (9 A3 photocopies of original foolscap pages) o President’s Report: Eltham War Memorial Trust, Committee of Management, Dec. 1973 in which it was advised that the Committee was to be disbanded. o Letter: Gordon J.J. Pearce, President Eltham Pre-school to C.J. Bock, Chief Administrative Officer, Shire of Eltham, 21 Nov 1973 expressing disappointment at the Shire wanting to disband the Committee of Management of the Eltham War Memorial Trust o Minutes: Eltham Pre-school Committee, 26 Nov 1973 o Minutes: Eltham Pre-school Committee, 17 Dec 1973 o President’s Report: Gordon Pearce, Eltham Pre-school, 4 Feb 1974 • 04585-7-4 Newspaper clipping: A humble beginning, Diamond Valley Leader, July 26, 2006, p35 04585-8 Children’s Library (1961) / Eltham War Memorial Hall (1966) • 04585-8-1 Letter: Hon. Secretary Eltham Shire Council inviting Lieut-General The Honourable Sir Edmund Herring to attend the opening of the Children's Library. 23 Aug. 1961 • 04585-8-2 Newspaper article: Third unit of Eltham's memorial opened; Diamond Valley News, 14 Nov 1961 (Ref: SEA_74_001-055) • 04585-8-3-1 Receipt to Eltham Historical Society for hire of Eltham War Memorial Hall, 23 June 1970 • 04585-8-3-2 Receipt to Eltham Historical Society for hire of Eltham War Memorial Hall, 6 July 1970 • 04585-8-4 A brief history of the Eltham Library, Harry Gilham, c.1994 04585-9 Eltham Enlistments for the Second World War 04585-1964 • Document: Photocopy of Certificate of Title, Eltham War Memorial Trust, Lot 2, Plan of Subdivision No. 63242, Parish of Nillumbik; derived from Vol. 7073 Fol. 498, 18 May 1964 04585-1996 (Eltham Town Focus Group) Documents relating to a focus group brought together by the Shire of Nillumbik Chairman of Commissioners in 1996 to provide advice on the best long term use for the buildings and land situated between the former Eltham Shire Offices and Country Fire Authority buildings. These buildings are known as the Eltham War Memorial buildings located at 903-907 Main Road, Eltham. In May 2020, the Heritage Council Victoria did not recommend the site for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register. Potential impact upon the Memorial Garden because of a proposed roundabout at Dudley Street and Main Road • Notes concerning impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden of a proposed roundabout at Dudley Street, Eltham, 20 August 1996 • Draft proposal of a roundabout at Dudley Street and Main Road showing impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden, c. Sep. 1996 • Letter (copy): Harry Gilham, President, EDHS to Bruce Ruxton, President, Victorian RSL concerning impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden of a proposed roundabout at Dudley Street, Eltham, 1 September 1996 • Letter: Bruce Ruxton, President, Victorian RSL to Harry Gilham, President, EDHS, 20 Sep 1996 concerning impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden of a proposed roundabout at Dudley Street, Eltham, including copy of communication with Eltham RSL (T. Beaton, Hon Sec.) of 10 Sep 1996 • Letter: EDHS (H. Gilham, President) to Commissioners, Nillumbik Shire Council, 16 Sep 1996 advising not in support of roundabout at Dudley Street due to impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden • Photocopy: Editorial comment, Peter Doughterty, ArtStreams Dec 1996/Jan 1997 re Commissioners push for development in activity zone of former office site and Eltham War Memorial (see EDHS_04362) • Letter: Don Cordell, Chairman of Commissioners, Nillumbik Shire Council, 10 Dec. 1996 inviting Harry Gilham to join a Focus Group to advise him, chaired by Alan Field. Includes a list of focus group members and contact details. • Minutes of Meeting, Eltham Town Focus Group, 17 Dec. 1996 04585-1997 (Eltham Town Focus Group) Documents relating to a focus group brought together by the Shire of Nillumbik Chairman of Commissioners in 1996 to provide advice on the best long term use for the buildings and land situated between the former Eltham Shire Offices and Country Fire Authority buildings. These buildings are known as the Eltham War Memorial buildings located at 903-907 Main Road, Eltham. In May 2020, the Heritage Council Victoria did not recommend the site for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register. Investigating condition of and future use of the Eltham War Memorial Complex and redevelopment of the site • Letter: Alan Field to Harry Gilham. 8 Jan. 1997 advising date of 18 Jan. for next meeting of Eltham Town Focus Group • Minutes of Meeting, Eltham Town Focus Group, 18 Jan. 1997 with handwritten notes by Harry Gilham • Draft Report: A Community Vision for “The Eltham War Memorial Trust” Property, Main Road, Eltham, prepared at the request of Chief Commissioner, Don Cordell, 31 Jan. 1997, along with handwritten nots by Ross McDonald and accompanying note by Harry Gilham written in 2010 upon handover of EDHS presidency 04585-2000 • Notes used by Harry Gilham at Nillumbik Council Meeting of 21 March 2000 regarding proposed sale/development of the Eltham War Memorial property 04585-2004 Material covers Eltham Major Activity Structure Plan and a proposal by Council to sell the Eltham War Memorial site for commercial use • Eltham Major Activity Structure Plan Comments Sheet; Response by Harry Gilham, 22 June 2004 • Letter from Eric Mack to the Hon. Steve Herbert, Member for Eltham regarding draft Major Activity Centre Structure Plan, 22 June 2004 • Newspaper article: Protect war memorial, Harry Gilham, President, Eltham District Historical Society; Letter, Diamond Valley Leader, June 30, 2004, p16 (Includes copy sent to paper 17 June) • Letter from Eric Mack to Nillumbik Shire Council CEO and Councillors regarding draft Major Activity Centre Structure Plan, 2004 • Copy of fax sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to Diamond Valley News, re his support for the appeal for protection of the Eltham War Memorial 3 July 2004 • Newspaper article: Sell-off a betrayal of trust, Ken Eckersall; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, 7 July 2004 • Newspaper article: Don't insult memory of fallen servicemen, John Cohen; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, 7 July 2004 • Newspaper article: Up in arms against sell-off, Dave Crosswaite, Diamond Valley Leader, July 14, 2004, p5 • Copy of letter from John Cohen to President and Executive of the Eltham RSL regarding the Eltham War Memorial, 16 July 2004 • Reply to Eric Mack from the Hon. Steve Herbert, Member for Eltham regarding his letter of 22 June, 27 July, 2004 • Notice issued by Cr Greg Johnson of 11 August meeting by Council's Policy and Services Committee to consider a proposal to sell the Eltham War memorial and old shire office properties, 6 August 2004 • Minutes for the policy and Services Committee of Nillumbik Shire Council held Wednesday 11 August 2004 • Newspaper article: Shire plan 'sacrilegious' by Dave Crossthwaite, Diamond Valley Leader, Wednesday, August 19, 2004, p1 • Newspaper article: Our say on sale of land; Have you say, Diamond Valley Leader, August 18, 2004, p22 • Newspaper article: School hall is not ratepayers' worry; Have your Say, Diamond Valley Leader, August 18, 2004, p23 • Copy of letter sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to the CEO, RSL Victoria requesting their opposition to sale of the Eltham War Memorial, 19 August 2004 • Newspaper article: Clash over land sale by Dave Crossthwaite, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p1 • Newspaper article: Mayor beset over arts agenda claim by Dave Crossthwaite, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p5 • Newspaper article: A lot of work has gone into shire structure plan; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p10 • Newspaper article: Public assets are not for sale; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, August 25, 2004, p11 • Copy of letter sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to Brigadier J.R. Deighton, State Secretary, Victorian RSL re his comments in Diamond Valley Leader regarding the Eltham War Memorial, 27 August 2004 • Handwritten notes prepared by Harry Gilham in preparation of presentation to Council pertaining to draft Eltham Major Activity Structure Plan, c. Sep. 2004 • Newspaper article: Don't let a dream stay hijacked; Letters, Diamond Valley Leader, September 1, 2004, p11 • Ordinary Meeting of Council Agenda, 15 September 2004, p55 with notes on vote for motion that any reference to the sale of the War Memorial be removed • Copy of letter sent by John Cohen, OAM, JP to Brigadier J.R. Deighton, State Secretary, Victorian RSL advising the War Memorial had been removed from the wider proposal of the Eltham Activity Centre, 16 September 2004 • Newspaper article: Future of memorial site on hold until poll by Caroline Gonzalez, Diamond Valley Leader, September 20, 2004 • Fax from Catherine Dale, CEO, Nillumbik Shire Council to John Cohen re Renovation and Maintenance of Victorian War Memorials, 6 October 2004 • Letter from Cr Tony Raunic, Mayor to Harry Gilham regarding Eltham Major Activity Centre Structure Plan advising the removal of any reference to sale of the War Memorial and detailed consultation to be held with stakeholders regarding the former Shire of Eltham Office site; 8 October 2004 • Letter from Barry Rosewall, President, Eltham RSL to John Cohen advising the sub-branch strongly opposes the sale of the Eltham War Memorial, 20 October 2004 • Fax from Bill Forrest, Interim CEO, Nillumbik Shire Council to John Cohen re Renovation and Maintenance of Victorian War Memorials, 8 November 2004 • Copy of letter from John Cohen to Bill Forrest, Interim CEO, Nillumbik Shire Council re Maintenance of Eltham War Memorial, November 2004 04585-2007 • News article: The spin starts here; Brian Murray, Nillumbik Ratepayers’ Association, Valley Views, Diamond Valley Leader, 13 June 2007 suggesting Council proposing to bring back Shire Offices to Eltham with potential loss of Eltham War Memorial • News article: War memorial fear-mongering; Harry Gilham, Heidelberg Valley Weekly, 26 June 2007 • News article: Consultation is no spin; John Cohen, Former Shire President, Valley Views, Diamond Valley Leader, 27 June 2007 • News article: Troops enlist for campaign by Fiona Willan, Diamond Valley Leader, 18 July 2007 04585-2010 • Newspaper article: Hall 'scruffy' - war vet, Diamond Valley Leader, 17 February 2010, p2 04585-2011 Cultural Significance Assessment • Cultural Heritage Significance Assessment; Civic Building Complex, 903-907 Main Road, Eltham, September 2011 DRAFT • Feedback to Nillumbik Shire Council by Eltham District Historical Society in response to September 2011 Draft Cultural Heritage Significance Assessment of the Eltham War Memorial Building Complex, 3 November 2011 • War Memorial Building Complex, 903-907 Main Road, Eltham: Cultural Significance Assessment, November 2011 prepared for Nillumbik Shire Council by Samantha Westbrooke Pty Ltd in association with Peter Mills PhD, Architectural Historian 04585-2014 Proposed extension to Cenotaph War Memorial Terrace championed by Montmorency-Eltham RSL and its impact upon the Memorial Garden and Eltham War Memorial buildings complex. • Draft Landscape Concept Plan by Henry Architects for Proposed Extension to Memorial Terrace, 14 July 2014 (Note: Senior Citizen’s Building correctly identified. Every subsequent plan incorrectly shows this building as the former Children’s Library, which was the War Memorial Hall building) • Letter: Eltham Gateway Action Group to Stuart Burdack, Shire of Nillumbik (undated) offering comment on Proposed Extension to Memorial Terrace with handwritten notes • Letter: Jim Connor, President, EDHS to Adrian Cully, Manager Community Participation, Learning and Culture, Nillumbik Shire Council, 18 Aug. 2014, encouraging Council not to support proposed extension to War Memorial Terrace due to significant impact upon the Eltham War Memorial Complex as supported by the Cultural Significance assessment conducted by Council in 2011 • Notices of Motion, NOM.001/14 pertaining to memorials Advisory Committee and Montmorency-Eltham RSL to upgrade the Eltham War Memorial site in time for ANZAC Day 2015, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 26 August 2014 • Notices of Motion, NOM.001/14 pertaining to memorials Advisory Committee and Montmorency-Eltham RSL to upgrade the Eltham War Memorial site in time for ANZAC Day 2015, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 26 August 2014 • Media Release: Support for cenotaph expansion, Nillumbik Shire Council, Sep 2014 • Eltham War Memorial Park (Stage 2), Nillumbik Shire Council, c.2014 • Email (copy): Summary of advice from Samantha Westbrooke (2 Sep. 2014) regarding proposed impact of landscaping around the cenotaph as identified in the significance assessment conducted Nov. 2011 by herself and Dr Peter Mills. • Policy and Services reports, PSD.034/14 Eltham War Memorial Building Precinct - Proposed Extension to Memorial Terrace, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 9 September 2014 • EDHS presentation to NSC Policy and Services meeting 9 September 2014 regarding the Montmorency-Eltham RSL proposal to expand/upgrade the Eltham War Memorial with handwritten notes from Harry Gilham for his submission at Council meeting • Newspaper article: Plan to expand memorial; growth in ANZAC Day services inspires RSL proposal by Megan Bailey, Diamond Valley Leader, Wednesday, September 10, 2014 • Agenda: User Groups and Stakeholders Meeting, Proposed Extension to Memorial Terrace, 11 September 2014 • Email: Jim Connor, EDHS, regarding option to seek a heritage protection overlay for the Eltham War Memorial Building complex similar to that for the cenotaph, 15 Sep. 2014 • Newspaper article: Council defers RSL war memorial upgrade to seek consultation, Diamond Valley Leader, September 17, 2014 • Letter: Harry Gilham to Local Press, 20 Sep. 2014 regarding the Eltham War Memorial and moves by the RSL to take expand the War Memorial Terrace further into the orginal Memorial Garden • Letter: Alan Field, President, The Eltham Veterans War Memorial Preservation Society Inc. to CEO and Councillors, Nillumbik Shire Council protesting at perceived injustices and ‘veteran bashing’ regarding their previous efforts to relocate ‘their Obelisk and Cenotaph’ to the Eltham War Memorial complex and their frustration in their attempts to further expand upon the Memorial Terrace. Areas of letter are highlighted with handwritten markups and notes. Also notes on loose card and paper with definitions of Memorial, Obelisk, Cenotaph, commentary on establishment of Eltham War Memorial, The Eltham War Memorial Trust and RSL involvement and current actions by RSL in respect to claims in the letter (written by Harry Gilham ?). • Newspaper article: Residents say no to memorial upgrade; Mayor says feedback will be considered at next meeting by Megan Bailey, Diamond Valley Leader, Wednesday, October 1, 2014 • Policy and Services reports, PS.038/14 Eltham War Memorial Building Precinct - proposed extension to the Eltham Cenotaph Terrace, Nillumbik Shire Council Policy and Services Committee Meeting, 14 October 2014 • Newspaper article: Centenary dawn service moves to Petrie Park; Diamond Valley Leader, October 22, 2014, p5 • Newspaper article: Upset over upgrade; war memorial plans get culled; Diamond Valley Leader, October 29, 2014, p3 • Newspaper article: Memorial to be extended; expected to be finished before ANZAC Day ceremony by Megan Bailey, Diamond Valley Leader, December 17, 2014 04585-2018 Proposal by Nillumbik Shire Council to sell off former Eltham Shire Office site and Eltham War Memorial site for commercial use and community reaction. • Newspaper article: Site of contention; Conversations, Diamond Valley Leader, September 5, 2018, p10 • Motion to Councillors: Carlotta Quinlan, Eltham Community Action Group, [October 2018] following a Community Town Hall Meeting held October 13, 2018 regarding proposed development and sale of part of 895 and 903-907 Main Road, Eltham • Things you should know about the Eltham War Memorial, author unknown, c. Oct. 2018 • Email: Greg Johnson to Sue Dyet 16 October 2018 regarding Assessment Criteria discussed at 25 September 2018 Council meeting concerning proposed development and sale of part of 895 and 903-907 Main Road, Eltham • Newspaper article: War memorial assurance; RSL involved but no-confidence motion passed on council by Brittany Shanahan, Diamond Valley Leader, October 17, 2018 • An essay addressed to the Councillors of Nillumbik Shire, October 2018: About the Eltham War Memorial and the adjacent community-owned sites in Eltham that the Council threatens to sell, Andrew Lemon Nov. 2018 • Report: Request for proposals - For the development and sale of part of 895 and 903-907 Main Road, Eltham; Prepared for Nillumbik Shire Council by Maddocks; 2 November 2018 (229 pages) • Notice: Duncan Duke, President, Montmorency Eltham RSL, to Members, 5 December 2018 – statement regarding “proposed redevelopment of the Eltham War Memorial Buildings and potential impact of the proposed redevelopment on our (sic) Cenotaph and Memorial Site.” 04585-2020 Community motions to seek Heritage Council Victoria registration of the Eltham War Memorial precinct • Eltham War Memorial Buildings: Recommendation of the Executive Director and assessment of cultural heritage significance under Part 3, Division 3 of the Heritage Act 2017; 18 May 2020 • Newspaper advertisement: Heritage Council Victoria, advising the Eltham War Memorial Buildings have been recommended NOT for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register; The Age, May 22, 2020, p34 • Correspondence: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Nillumbik Shire Council for the Heritage Council Victoria; 29 May 2020 • Correspondence: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Nillumbik Shire Council for the Heritage Council Victoria; 5 June 2020 • Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Eltham Community Action Group for the Heritage Council Victoria; 17 July 2020. Also included: o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Catherine Johnson of Pryor Street, Eltham for the Heritage Council Victoria; 17 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Andrew Barras of Silver Street, Eltham for the Heritage Council Victoria; 10 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Graham Fildes of Elouera Close, Eltham for the Heritage Council Victoria; 11 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Eltham District Historical Society for the Heritage Council Victoria; 17 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Julie Willis of Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Melbourne for the Heritage Council Victoria; 17 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Ms Zheng Wu of Wynton Ct, Eltham for the Heritage Council Victoria; 16 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Jenny Daw of Black Cameron Road, Smith Gully for the Heritage Council Victoria; 19 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Eltham Pre-School for the Heritage Council Victoria; 19 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Jo-Anne Barker of Treloar Ave, Eltham for the Heritage Council Victoria; 18 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Prof. Hannah Lewi of Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Melbourne for the Heritage Council Victoria; 18 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Janet Boddy of Kerrie Cres, Eltham for the Heritage Council Victoria; 19 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Rosemary Aitken of Kent Hughes Rd., Eltham for the Heritage Council Victoria; 18 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Sue Dyet of Leonard Cres., Eltham for the Heritage Council Victoria; 19 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Lynnsay Prunotto of Lavender Park Rd., Eltham for the Heritage Council Victoria; 19 July 2020 o Submission: Eltham War Memorial Buildings; prepared by Felicity Bing of Eltham Pre-School for the Heritage Council Victoria • Draft Report: Eltham War Memorial Building Complex, 903-907 Main Road, Eltham, prepared by CONTEXT, (Survey Date: Dec. 2020) Also contained in Box 2 is EDHS_04586 – Eltham Obelisk   EDHS_04586 - Eltham Obelisk The Eltham Obelisk was originally located at the corner of Bridge and Main Roads in 1919. It commemorated the memory of the Eltham Soldiers who fell in the First World War and complemented the Eltham Avenue of Honour established in 1917 to those that served. In 1943 (WW2) the local community commenced plans to establish the Eltham War Memorial, a living memorial to benefit the children as opposed to a one in stone as per the obelisk. The Eltham War Memorial Trust was established in 1945. In 1947 the Trust intended for the Obelisk to be relocated from Bridge Street and Main Road to the Garden of Remembrance which was planned as part of the Baby Health Centre which was to be the first of three buildings of the Eltham War Memorial to be built in 1951. In 1951 the Eltham RSL was invited to be represented on the Eltham War Memorial Trust. During the period of Jun through October 1956 the original wooden bridge over the Diamond Creek in Bridge Street was replaced with a new concrete structure. At the same time the intersection of Bridge Street at Main Road was revised necessitating the relocation of the Eltham Obelisk. It was ‘temporarily’ relocated to the front garden of the Eltham RSL Sub-Branch on Main Road for safe keeping. In 2007, a suggestion was proposed by Harry Gilham (President, EDHS) to John Cohen (ERSL) to claim a special site along with the historic Shillinglaw trees on the now vacant former Eltham Shire Office site adjacent to the Eltham War Memorial precinct for relocation of the obelisk. In 2010 following the financial collapse and sale of the Eltham RSL Sub-Branch property and amalgamation with the Montmorency Eltham RSL sub-branch, the location of the obelisk was again in immediate jeopardy and in conjunction with Nillumbik Shire Council, supported by the RSL, the obelisk was relocated in front of the Eltham War Memorial buildings in preparation for the Dawn Service on Anzac Day 2012. The new location resulted in significant impact upon the Eltham War Memorial Garden. Council’s preferred location was near the Eltham Library however that would have cost $39,000. The Eltham War Memorial Garden was subjected to further intrusion in 2014 with a proposed expansion of the War Memorial Terrace. Contents: 1. Newspaper article: Eltham, The Advertiser, 15 Nov 1918 2. Newspaper article: Eltham, The Advertiser, 18 Nov 1918 3. Newspaper article: An Obelisk at Eltham, The Advertiser, 11 Jul 1919 4. Newspaper advertisement: Unveiling of Obelisk at Eltham, The Advertiser, 1 Aug 1919 5. Newspaper article: Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial; Unveiled by Sir William Irvine, The Argus, Monday, 4 Aug 1919, p8 6. Newspaper article: Memorial to the Fallen; Unveiled at Eltham, The Age, Monday, 4th August 1919 7. Newspaper article: Eltham Memorial to Fallen Soldiers, Diamond Creek Valley Advocate, 8 Aug 1919 8. Newspaper article: Programme - Presentation of German Machine Gun at the Obelisk, Eltham on Sunday, 8th August 1920, at 3.30 P.M. 9. Newspaper article: article about presentation of a war trophy, a heavy machine gun placed beside obelisk, The Advertiser, 13 Aug 1920 10. Newspaper article: Eltham: ANZAC Services, The Advertiser, Friday, May 2, 1924 11. Newspaper article: Eltham War Memorial, The Advertiser, Oct 26, 1928 12. Newspaper article: Obelisk honors their memory, Diamond Valley News, March 30, 1971, p11 13. Newspaper article: Eltham Obelisk of 1919, Harry Gilham, August 2000 as well as draft submitted dated 22 Aug 2000 14. Newspaper article: Names renewal, thanks to Barry, Diamond Valley Leader, 18 Apr 2007, p3 with picture featuring Eltham RSL president John Haines and Gwen Rosewall 15. Handwritten note from Harry Gilham (President EDHS) to John Cohen (ERSL) regarding history of Eltham RSL site and 1947 newspaper article "Eltham War Memorial Trust "Garden of Remembrance" referencing relocation of Obelisk to the proposed Garden of Remembrance at the Baby Health Centre (Eltham War Memorial), 24 December 2000. 16. Minutes of Eltham RSL and Community Meeting held at 29 Nyora Road, Eltham, 23 June 2010 (Community meeting re closure of Eltham RSL sub-branch and relocation of the WW1 Obelisk) 17. Newspaper article: RSL branch has a fight on its hands by Alana Schetzer, Heidelberg & Valley Weekly, 3 August 2010, p7 18. Newspaper article: Locals battle state RSL over building, Diamond Valley Leader, 4 August 2010, p7 19. Newspaper article: Move war memorial: RSL, c. Dec. 2010 20. Officers' reports, 11.113/10 Relocation of Eltham RSL Cenotaph, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 21 December 2010 21. Newspaper article: New home for cenotaph; Councillors support proposal for relocation to Eltham's War Memorial Hall, Diamond Valley Leader, 12 January 2011 22. Newspaper article: CFA hot for RSL site; MP presses for 'fast-track' purchase, Diamond Valley Leader, 23 February 2011, p1 23. Email Correspondence: EDHS President to NSC General Manager Community and Leisure re RSL Obelisk (Cenotaph) proposed relocation, 24 May 2011 24. Officers' reports, OCM.091/11 Interim Relocation site for the Eltham Cenotaph, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 23 August 2011 25. Newspaper article: New home for cenotaph delights war veterans, Diamond Valley Leader, 31 August 2011, p9 26. Newsletter Extract: Eltham RSL and War Memorial, EDHS Newsletter 14 Sep 2011 27. Officers' reports, OCM.004/121 Interim Relocation of the Eltham Cenotaph, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 31 January 2012 (includes Funding agreement between NSC and Montmorency-Eltham RSL Sub-branch Inc) 28. Newspaper article: Memorial move lags, Diamond Valley Leader, 1 February 2012 29. Site history of Obelisk and Wall Memorial Hall, Montmorency-Eltham RSL, March 2012 draft 30. Open Letter to the Residents of ELTHAM and MONTMORENCY [And their Surrounding Districts]; Montmorency-Eltham RSL, 19 March 2012 (including drafts) 31. Newspaper advertisement: Open letter to the residents of Eltham and Montmorency, Montmorency Eltham RSL, Diamond Valley News, 21 March 2012 32. Newspaper advertisement: Open letter to the residents of Eltham and Montmorency, Montmorency Eltham RSL, Banyule & Nillumbik Weekly, 27 March 2012, p7 33. Newspaper article: New dawn for tribute, Diamond Valley Leader ca April 2012 34. Email (Copy): Alex Smith (MERSL Ast. Sec.) advising that contractor (Malcorp) will relocate obelisk Monday, April 2, 2012 35. Newspaper article: Memorial Moved, Banyule/Nillumbik Weekly, 10 April 2012 36. Newspaper article: Eltham cenotaph move goes 'like clockwork', Diamond Valley Leader, 11 April 2012 37. Newspaper photo: Veterans (l-r) Alan Field, Max Lowerson and John Cohen will join piper David Cretney to commemorate fallen Diggers, 2012 (standing beside relocated obelisk in front of the Eltham War Memorial complex), c. 11 April 2012 38. Advertisement, Program for Eltham Dawn Service, Diamond Valley Leader, April 2012 39. Program for Montmorency Anzac Day March 2012 (incomplete, some pages duplicated, some pages upside down). 40. Newspaper article: RSL site nets $1.8m, Diamond Valley Leader, 9 May 2012 41. OCM.076/13 Amendment C84 Eltham Cenotaph; 11. Officer's reports, Ordinary Meeting of Council Agenda, 25 June 2013, pp42-44 and Attachment; Amendment C84 Eltham Cenotaph; Citation - Eltham War Memorial (4 pages) 42. Newspaper article: Council seeks to protect cenotaph, Diamond Valley Leader, Wednesday, July 3, 2013, p5 43. Newspaper article: Future safe for war memorial, Diamond Valley Leader, Wednesday, November 13, 2013, p5 44. Handwritten notes in pencil (2 pages) by Harry Gilham, Items form the Eltham and Whittlesea Shires The Advertiser newspaper 7 June 1918 - 1919 providing a summary of the formation of the Peace Celebration Committee leading to the establishment of the Avenue of Honour and the Eltham Obelisk and seeking information in lead up to WW1 Centenary, 2013 45. Newspaper article: Memories of our heroes, Diamond Valley Leader, 25 Apr 2018 – also Veteran saluted, featuring article on Army veteran, Glen Ferrarotto. eltham war memorial, eltham war memorial trust, eltham infant welfare centre, eltham pre school, honour roll, eltham war memorial hall, children's library, eltham obelisk

Documents relating to a focus group brought together by the Shire of Nillumbik Chairman of Commissioners in 1996 to provide advice on the best long term use for the buildings and land situated between the former Eltham Shire Offices and Country Fire Authority buildings. These buildings are known as the Eltham War Memorial buildings located at 903-907 Main Road, Eltham. In May 2020, the Heritage Council Victoria did not recommend the site for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register. Investigating condition of and future use of the Eltham War Memorial Complex and redevelopment of the site Contents: • Letter: Alan Field to Harry Gilham. 8 Jan. 1997 advising date of 18 Jan. for next meeting of Eltham Town Focus Group • Minutes of Meeting, Eltham Town Focus Group, 18 Jan. 1997 with handwritten notes by Harry Gilham • Draft Report: A Community Vision for “The Eltham War Memorial Trust” Property, Main Road, Eltham, prepared at the request of Chief Commissioner, Don Cordell, 31 Jan. 1997, along with handwritten notes by Ross McDonald and accompanying note by Harry Gilham written in 2010 upon handover of EDHS presidency 30 pages of various types, mainly A4, printed and with notes by hand or handwritten notes (drafts)chief commissioner don cordell, dudley street, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham town focus group, eltham war memorial garden, eltham war memorial trust, main road, panther place, returned services league, roundabouts, shire of nillumbik, stanley s addison

OPENING OF THE VIEWING PLATFORM AT KANGAROO GROUND Nillumbik Council has advised that the viewing platform at Kangaroo Ground 27km NE of Melbourne is to be opened to the public on Wednesday, March 26th 2008 (Melway 271 , G10). The function of the platform is to provide shelter adjacent to the War Memorial Tower whilst allowing all people to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. From the platform you. can see the Dandenongs, the city of Melbourne, the You Yangs, Mount Macedon, the Kinglake Ranges and the Mt Baw-Baw Ranges where the Yarra River starts. This landscape covers all the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri and some of the wider Kulin nation land. The platform has been given the name Moor-rut, a name which described the fertile soils of the Kangaroo Ground area in contrast to the poorer (Silurian) country of its surrounds, which the Wurundjeri knew as 'Nillumbik' or less rich country. The full 360 degree view can be seen from the adjacent Tower of Remembrance which has 53 stairs. The viewing platform however can be accessed by wheelchair. Inside the viewing platform there are eight double sided interpretive panels giving the history and information regarding this special area. The viewing platform's interpretive panels set out the Aboriginal and European history of the area and also the geology and the local flora and fauna, so that the casual visitor comes away understanding more about this significant part of Victoria. The concept of the viewing platform is part of the refurbishment project for the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park which has taken place since 1997 with the active approval and financial assistance of the Nillumbik Shire Council. This project has been guided by an Advisory Committee with volunteer community representatives from the local Historical Societies, the Country Fire Authority, the Returned Services League and the Wurundjeri people. Other allied groups such as the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group have been called upon for their expertise. The initial idea for the viewing platform came from Dean Stewart when he was the caretaker while living at the park. He discussed this idea with local author Mick Woiwod and Harry Gilham of Eltham District Historical Society when they were planning the refurbishment of the War Memorial Park in 1996. When the committee was formalised by the Nillumbik Council in 1997, Nicholas Pelling, representing the CFA and RSL, joined the group. Dennis Ward, local architect, then volunteered to develop the concept plan for the refurbishment of the park and later drew up the plans for the viewing platform. The Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park and its Tower of Remembrance is located on one of the highest locations in the Yarra Valley. The Tower of Remembrance is a unique war memorial constructed from local stone standing 14 metres high. It was built in the style of a Scottish watchtower reflecting the strong Scottish influence of the first European settlers of the district from the 1840s onward. The park was opened in 1921 and the Tower of Remembrance was dedicated in 1926 recognising the local people who served in the First World War. Those who served in the Second World War were recognised by plaques dedicated in 1951 and more recently those who served in Korea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam by plaques unveiled in 2001. Harry Gilham, Advisory Committee Convenor - Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter N0 179 March 2008fay bridge collection, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park, moor-rul viewing platform

Documents relating to a focus group brought together by the Shire of Nillumbik Chairman of Commissioners in 1996 to provide advice on the best long term use for the buildings and land situated between the former Eltham Shire Offices and Country Fire Authority buildings. These buildings are known as the Eltham War Memorial buildings located at 903-907 Main Road, Eltham. In May 2020, the Heritage Council Victoria did not recommend the site for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register. Potential impact upon the Memorial Garden because of a proposed roundabout at Dudley Street and Main Road Contents: • Notes concerning impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden of a proposed roundabout at Dudley Street, Eltham, 20 August 1996 • Draft proposal of a roundabout at Dudley Street and Main Road showing impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden, c. Sep. 1996 • Letter (copy): Harry Gilham, President, EDHS to Bruce Ruxton, President, Victorian RSL concerning impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden of a proposed roundabout at Dudley Street, Eltham, 1 September 1996 • Letter: Bruce Ruxton, President, Victorian RSL to Harry Gilham, President, EDHS, 20 Sep 1996 concerning impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden of a proposed roundabout at Dudley Street, Eltham, including copy of communication with Eltham RSL (T. Beaton, Hon Sec.) of 10 Sep 1996 • Letter: EDHS (H. Gilham, President) to Commissioners, Nillumbik Shire Council, 16 Sep 1996 advising not in support of roundabout at Dudley Street due to impact upon Eltham War Memorial Garden • Photocopy: Editorial comment, Peter Doughterty, ArtStreams Dec 1996/Jan 1997 re Commissioners push for development in activity zone of former office site and Eltham War Memorial (see EDHS_04362) • Letter: Don Cordell, Chairman of Commissioners, Nillumbik Shire Council, 10 Dec. 1996 inviting Harry Gilham to join a Focus Group to advise him, chaired by Alan Field. Includes a list of focus group members and contact details. • Minutes of Meeting, Eltham Town Focus Group, 17 Dec. 1996 30 pages of various types, mainly A4, printed and with notes by hand or handwritten notes (drafts)chief commissioner don cordell, dudley street, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham town focus group, eltham war memorial garden, eltham war memorial trust, main road, panther place, returned services league, roundabouts, shire of nillumbik, stanley s addison

Early stages - no display panels installed. OPENING OF THE VIEWING PLATFORM AT KANGAROO GROUND Nillumbik Council has advised that the viewing platform at Kangaroo Ground 27km NE of Melbourne is to be opened to the public on Wednesday, March 26th 2008 (Melway 271 , G10). The function of the platform is to provide shelter adjacent to the War Memorial Tower whilst allowing all people to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. From the platform you. can see the Dandenongs, the city of Melbourne, the You Yangs, Mount Macedon, the Kinglake Ranges and the Mt Baw-Baw Ranges where the Yarra River starts. This landscape covers all the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri and some of the wider Kulin nation land. The platform has been given the name Moor-rut, a name which described the fertile soils of the Kangaroo Ground area in contrast to the poorer (Silurian) country of its surrounds, which the Wurundjeri knew as 'Nillumbik' or less rich country. The full 360 degree view can be seen from the adjacent Tower of Remembrance which has 53 stairs. The viewing platform however can be accessed by wheelchair. Inside the viewing platform there are eight double sided interpretive panels giving the history and information regarding this special area. The viewing platform's interpretive panels set out the Aboriginal and European history of the area and also the geology and the local flora and fauna, so that the casual visitor comes away understanding more about this significant part of Victoria. The concept of the viewing platform is part of the refurbishment project for the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park which has taken place since 1997 with the active approval and financial assistance of the Nillumbik Shire Council. This project has been guided by an Advisory Committee with volunteer community representatives from the local Historical Societies, the Country Fire Authority, the Returned Services League and the Wurundjeri people. Other allied groups such as the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group have been called upon for their expertise. The initial idea for the viewing platform came from Dean Stewart when he was the caretaker while living at the park. He discussed this idea with local author Mick Woiwod and Harry Gilham of Eltham District Historical Society when they were planning the refurbishment of the War Memorial Park in 1996. When the committee was formalised by the Nillumbik Council in 1997, Nicholas Pelling, representing the CFA and RSL, joined the group. Dennis Ward, local architect, then volunteered to develop the concept plan for the refurbishment of the park and later drew up the plans for the viewing platform. The Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park and its Tower of Remembrance is located on one of the highest locations in the Yarra Valley. The Tower of Remembrance is a unique war memorial constructed from local stone standing 14 metres high. It was built in the style of a Scottish watchtower reflecting the strong Scottish influence of the first European settlers of the district from the 1840s onward. The park was opened in 1921 and the Tower of Remembrance was dedicated in 1926 recognising the local people who served in the First World War. Those who served in the Second World War were recognised by plaques dedicated in 1951 and more recently those who served in Korea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam by plaques unveiled in 2001. Harry Gilham, Advisory Committee Convenor - Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter N0 179 March 2008 Black and white inkjet print on paper 14 x 21 cmmoor-rul viewing platform, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park

The fire hose reel was purchased by the Fire Ladies' Auxiliary for the Mt Beauty S.E.C. Fire Brigade in the late 1950's for over 1000 pounds. Initially they competed with Bogong fire brigade as both were 'Industry' Fire brigades - both owned by the State Electricity Commission. Competition was at 2 levels - north east Victoria and state competitions involving rural and urban brigades with a difference in the equipment. Mt Beauty was/is an urban brigade whereas Tawonga is a rural brigade. Competition involved members to improve their skill, keep fit and was a very social occasion. After the Shire took over Mt Beauty township in 1961, the Fire Brigade ran by itself but soon became affiliated with the C.F.A. because of insurance and legal liability e.g.. enabling them to stop traffic or wreck buildings if required. The CFA were not happy with the Mt Beauty truck so a new one was obtained while the old one went to Bogong. Competitions gradually ceased as it was a young man's sport and young members had prior commitments. The reel was donated to the KVHS in the mid 1980's as it failed to be sold as it competed with new, cheaper, aluminium reels. The practice strip was located beside the fire station in Lakeside Avenue. This fire hose reel was used by the Mt Beauty Fire Brigade for demonstrations at competitions during the 1950's and 1960's. The Mt Beauty Fire Brigade Team won the competition in 1966 at Wangaratta. The score was close against the home team and was decided on a play off. The team benefitted by the man who wound the hose on allowing it to end up at the easiest height to handle when full of water and very heavy.The Mt Beauty Fire Brigade was an 'industry' fire brigade belonging to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria from the 1940's. It became a member of the Country Fire Authority in the early 1960's. During the 1950's and early 1960's members would compete with other local fire brigades in competitions against other brigades in the north east of Victoria using skills such as unwinding the hose off the reel and turning on the water in record time. The Mt Beauty Fire Brigade continues today as an urban fire brigade affiliated with the CFA.Varnished wooden cart reinforced by painted red steel frame. The wheels have 14 wooden spokes and steel around the outside of the wooden wheel. A long canvas hose is wound around a central winding cylinder. The cart has a wooden handle with a rubber jockey wheel at its end. There is a brass hose nozzle attached by a stainless steel frame on the outer side near one of the wheels.Each Reel: "Mt Beauty F.B." yellow print outlined in black with red background.fire hose. mt beauty fire brigade. country fire authority. fire reel.

This Hookey board was made of metal unlike many made of wood. The Mt Beauty Rural Fire Brigade was established by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria as an 'industry' brigade. When Mt Beauty was handed over to the Shire in 1961, the Fire Brigade became a member of the Country Fire Authority (C.F.A.). Today it is an urban fire brigade.This Hookey board was used by the members of the Mt Beauty Rural Fire Brigade from 1948 when the State Electricity Commission established the brigade. Grey metal round board with edge. 13 metal hooks spaced on front with embossed numbers 1 - 13 under each. A small circular engraved brass plaque under No. 13 and between No.s 9 & 10. Metal chain attached at top (for hanging). Embossed "Hookey"between No.s 1 and 13. Embossed numbers 1 - 13. Plaque "C A V .. Sales" on top. "Melbourne" on Bottom. "Quality Products" in middle. Cream paint splash right of centre and slightly on plaque.hookey; mt beauty; rural fire brigade; entertainment;

Outer Melbourne directory of information for emergencies with maps of the state and major towns217 p. : maps ; 30 cm.ISBN 0646065661emergency services victoria

In 1889 the three central fire brigades of Bendigo were amalgamated and a new fire station was erected in View Street (the third to be built on this site). This two storied brick building designed by Wm. Beebe forms an integral past of the View Street landscape. The red brick, white plaster relief trimmings and window frames with greenish lead-light decoration, all reflect the late Victorian style of the building. The ground floor contained an engine station and call room with stalls to accomodate three horses immediately behind. Upstairs in the main building is a handsome drill hall.Series of letters between Miss Starke and Miss Mathison re classification of the building by the National Trust; Letter to the Country Fire Authority (CFA) re classification; Media Release; National Trust data survey form; two photos of the fire station. This item contains the following six documents: 3084.44a Bendigo Fire Station View Street Bendigo Coloured Photo 3084.44b Bendigo Fire Station View Street black and white photo, street view, about 1960 3084.44c Letters related to the classification of the Bendigo Fire Station View Street Bendigo. It was classified by the National Trust in June 1977 3084.44d National Trust of Victoria Data Survey Sheet and notes on the history of the Bendigo Fire Station, View Street, Bendigo 3084.44e This document is a 1977 media release from the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) announcing the classification of two historic buildings in Bendigo: Bendigo Fire Station (View Street)Designed by architect William Beebe in 1899.Features elaborate neo-classic rendered ornament.Former Butcher's Shop (Happy Valley Road & Wells Street) Front section dates from about 1872.Originally opened by Conrad Heinze (later Mayor of Bendigo) and his brothers.Weatherboard cottage with timber verandah and scrolled valance.Built in three stages, reflecting family growth. 3084.44f Letters re fittings in the former Bendigo Fire Station, View St Bendigo 1984history, national trust bendigo collection, bendigo, bendigo fire station

The Warrnambool Fire Brigade was formed in 1863. The first fire engine house was in Liebig Street and carters were required to carry water to fire scenes. In 1889 the Council built a new Fire Station on Liebig Street and Warrnambool hosted its own Annual Demonstration in 1894. In 1891 the volunteer brigade became part of the Country Fire Brigade. The Fire Station relocated to Raglan Parade in 1915 and then to Timor Street in 1961. In 1989 the Brigade moved back to Raglan Parade. This booklet is a memento of the State Urban Championships that were held in Warrnambool in 2009 (Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria and Country Fire Authority)This is a booklet of 96 pages containing printed material, maps, advertisements, photographs and tables. The back cover is white with a Powercor Australia symbol in red and printed material. The front cover is multi-coloured with a photograph of the Fire Station at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The pages are stapled.Front Cover: VFBV, Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, CWA, 126th State Urban Championships, 7th, 8th and 9th March 2009, Victorian State Senior Championships, Warrnambool 2009, Warrnambool City Council logowarrnambool fire brigade, state urban championships (2009)

Full page newspaper clipping featuring the March 1965 Victorian bushfires. Items include: Photograph - TWO-WOMAN BUCKET BRIGADE, Mrs Henry Marsden (left) and Mrs Moureen Ellis, whose fire-fighting efforts yesterday were highly praised today by their Eltham neighbours, carry out mopping-up operations Photograph - DOGS MADE HOMELESS by the fire in North Eltham yesterday are being cared for at First-Constable Doug. Mummery's kennels at Eltham and here is kennel maid Helen Oliver, 17, with some of them today. The two basset hounds are owned by Mr Bill Guy who lost about 100 daschund and basset hound puppies and dogs in the fire. Photograph - He died at Eltham [Picture of John Lawrence Coleman] Builder Mr John Lawrence Coleman, 31, of Main Rd., Eltham, one of three men burnt to death yesterday in the fire at North Eltham. The other two were XXXXX, 33 who lives opposite the Colemans and Mr William Elwers, 64 of Batman Rd., Eltham. John Lawrence Coleman (1934-1965) born January 10, was the son of Raymond John Coleman and Hanna May (Gillet) Coleman. He married Margaret Frances Dare in 1955 and was the father of two children. He died whilst attempting to rescue an older man trapped in the bushfire at North Eltham on March 3, 1965 Other news stories of the day:  Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead (1965, March 4). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131758981 Includes two photos of the fire in North Eltham “Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham, Victoria. The smoke hides a house.” and “A house explodes into flames at North Eltham, Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up.” Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 4 March 1965, page 1 ________________________________________ Firemen make for safety as fire rages in Upper Glen Park Road. North Eltham. Victoria. The smoke hides a house. A house explodes into flames at North Eltham. Victoria. Firemen said bottled gas went up. Bushfires rage in Victoria, Snowy: Three dead MELBOURNE, Wednesday.—Three people died today in a bush» fire which raged through North Eltham, about 15 miles from Melbourne. The victims were three men. A fourth man is feared to be dead. Another bushfire. sparked off by the heatwave sizzling over south-eastern Australia, is burning out of control in the Kosciusko State Park, in the Snowy Mountains. Firefighters fear that if it reaches pine forests up the Yarrangobilly River, they will be powerless to stop it. The three victims of the North Eltbam fire were trapped by flames in a valley. Their bodies were found only a few yards apart. They were named by police tonight as Mr. George Crowe, 78, of North Eltham, William John Ewers, 64, and John Laurence Coleman, 31, both of Eltham. The other two have not been identified. They are believed to be a man aged about 40 and an 18-year-old youth. At least 12 homes were destroyed by the fire, the worst in Victoria since 1962, when eight lives were lost and hundreds of homes burnt down at Warrandyte. At one time the township of Eltham was threatened, but a cool change swept in from the south and held back the wall of flames. More than 100 dogs, worth about £4,000, died when the fire raced through two kennels in Short Street, Eltham. and Upper Glen Park Road, North Eltham. A trickle of water Residents ran into the streets as the blaze raced towards their houses. Others frantically dug firebreaks around their homes. Mrs. Sue Recourt wept when firemen arrived while she was vainly trying to stop the flames with a trickle of water from the garden hose. A stack of firewood was blazing, but the firemen managed to save the house and rescue four goats. Many homes in Eltham were saved after flames had crept to within feet of their fences. Students at North Eltham State School had to be evacuated when the blaze threatened the building. Fire fighters were severely hampered by lack of water and narrow roads. The blaze, which began in above century heat, turned toward Wattle Glen, where two houses were gutted. Then the flames raced towards Hurstbridge to the north. Firemen battling desperately, controlled the fire late this afternoon. Five forest fires were still burning in Victoria tonight.   IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority (1965, March 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 2. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131759928 Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Tuesday 9 March 1965, page 2 ________________________________________ IN VICTORIA THIS WEEK Tragic lack of central fire authority From Rohan Rivett It was the worst week for Victorian fire fighters since Black Friday 27 years ago. On that day one pilot up in a spotter plane said afterwards: "It seemed at times that half the State was on fire." This time, for three days on end, Gippsland men, women and children had moments of conviction that their towns would have blackened into anonymity before the weekend was out. The week began with horror at Eltham on the North-eastern edge of Melbourne. Eltham today is something of an artists' colony. Oil painters, water colourists, potters and sculptors proliferate. A number of University folk have emulated the example of Professor MacMahon Ball who pioneered the way by moving to Eltham and carving a home out of the bush in the thirties. Innermost Eltham is barely 14 miles from the G.P.O. Farthest Eltham stretches miles beyond. It served to illustrate the tragi-ludicrous truncation of Victoria's fire control. Part of Eltham is under the protection of the Melbourne Fire Brigade. But this responsibility ceases at some invisible and incomprehensible line — apparently determined by the meanderings of the water mains. At this point everybody's property throughout the rest of Eltham is dependent on the Country Fire Authority. Half an hour before midday on Wednesday, a fire suddenly started on the West side of Upper Glen road on the edge of Eltham. Before the fire brigade could arrive, it was burning on a widening front through timber and high grass north of Eltham. Two wind changes in rapid succession saw the fire leaping Diamond Creek. With a freshening wind it struck home after home in three streets. More than one of them exploded suddenly as if hit by an incendiary bomb. There is no piped gas in the Eltham area, hence many housewives use bottle gas. The flames outside caused the bottles to explode. Altogether twelve homes were completely incinerated and four more were badly damaged. Thirty prize dogs perished. About three hours after the fire started it raced suddenly down a gully hillside trapping an elderly man. Two other men apparently raced to the rescue. Flames caught the three men within yards of each other, not 200 yards off the Upper Glen Park Road where safety lay. They were burned to death. Next evening an angry and convincing secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, Mr. W. M. Webber, came on television and appealed to the people of Victoria to end the ridiculous and dangerous dualism in fire-fighting control. The Eltham fire, he said, had precisely illustrated the situation. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade area touched Eltham, but where the fire had gutted and killed, was just outside its area. Mr. Webber said his union had constantly urged one authority for the State with a complete reorganisation of fire protection. On Wednesday the union had repeated its call for an inquiry into fire protection in Victoria to the Chief Secretary, Mr Rylah. "No matter how close the liaison between the two organisations, there are always divided sections of thinking," Mr. Webber told viewers. "I don't know how much tragedy the com-munity can take before it demands that it is properly protected." Rumours that differences in gauge between taps and hose nozzles (as between the two authorities) accentuated the damage were denied by fire chiefs who said that all appliances were now carrying adaptors so that hoses could be linked to mains everywhere. But there is grave concern in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade's higher councils at the action of several Federal authorities with projects in and around Melbourne. They are installing non-standard equipment without reference to the State authorities or any dovetailing of appliances and equipment. Public alarm was not diminished by the publication on Friday and Saturday of a heart tearing letter from the young widow of John Lawrence Coleman, 31 year old father of two, who had died in the flames apparently trying to rescue the old man trapped in the gully. By that time, a Vast area of Gippsland was in flames and the troops had been sent in to back up the overworked and often helpless fire-fighters. By Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Stoneham, who has previously demanded a Royal Commission into fire-fighting arrangements, repeated his demand. To add to the Chief Secretary's worries he was publicly rebuked for allegedly implying on television that lives had been lost at Eltham because people went to the wrong place at the wrong time. In a letter to the Press, Professor MacMahon Ball pointed out that two of the men involved were experienced bushmen who had gone "to help an old man in great danger fully aware of the danger to themselves". As Victoria faced its sixth day of total State-wide fire ban, it looked likely that even official resistance was not going to silence the demand for one central authority to control the fire fiend. At the moment, the 400 square miles where two million Victorians live in Greater Melbourne are divorced from the rest of the State in planning, communications, equipment and control of personnel. No one doubts the whole-hearted co-operation and willingness to back each other up of the M.F.B. and the C.F.A., both at top-level and among the firemen themselves. However, when a city straggles so deeply into the country side, the absence of a single authority, to oversee and analyse the fire threat as a whole, suggests suicidal policy of divide and fuel. Emphasis of the tragic loss of a member of a pioneering family who died whilst helping others in his communitybushfire, cfa, country fire authority, fire brigrade, glen park road, heroes, john lawrence coleman, north eltham, victorian bushfires - 1965, volunteers, william john elwers, fire fighter, frank martin, george john crowe, ken gaston, orchard avenue, doug mummery, helen oliver, mrs henry marsden, mrs moureen ellis