7 colour photographs of damaged tree trunks. (1) shows the Mud Brick Hut in the background.mud brick hut, damage to trees, arboriculture

Gordon Spittle was the youngest of Three brothers. He grew up in Creswick and attended Creswick Grammar School. Gordon purchased 'Mt Cavern' in 1912. It had 4 years of a 10 year lease to run. His mother and father took delivery of it on 1 April 1916. They lived there and farmed it until Gordon returned from active service in May 1919. He married Violet Holmes and both lived at "Mt Cavern" until their deaths. Gordon died in 1942 aged 51. Violet Holmes-Spittle died in 1949 aged 56. Image of eight Australian soldiers during World War One. They stand in front of damaged palm trees alongside their horses. Each of the soldiers are from Ascot, Victoria. They are Harry [Holmes], Jack Nase, Harold Reid, Gordon Spittle, Les Walters, Archie May, Frank Thomas, Joe Fawcett.'Verso 'A group of the Ascot boy. Taken with our own horses. from left to right:- Harry [Holmes], Jack Nase, Harold Reid, Gordon Spittle, Les Walters, Archie May, Frank Thomas, Joe Fawcett.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, ascot, harry holmes, gordon spittle, les walters, archie may, frank thomas. mase, reif, spittle, walters, may, thomas, fawcett

Photo shows bushfire damage of burnt pine trees on property of Lempriere family Pomonal in 1939.Black and white photo of a Mountain side with orchard in foreground.Mount Cassell after 1939 bushfirestawell

Colour photographs of Menzies Creek Hall damaged by a falling tree during a wind storm, 10th October 2016. In the first photo several cut logs in the foreground. The second photo shows a room bisected by the tree. Photos taken by Marian Matta.

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of the Erquinghem road entering Armentieres. Three rows of semi detached buildings with signs of damage. A row of trees on left of road. 'Armentieres' sign on right hand building. A figure with probably a horse and cart outside this building. Copy Y 8postcard, postcard, ww1, france, erquinghem, armentieres

3287.1 has been taken in front of the Orbost Swimming Pool. 3287.2 has been taken in Wolseley Street, Orbost and 3287.3 was photographed in Boundart Road, Orbost,These photographs are pictorial records of incidents occurring in Orbost C1970s.Three black / white photographs of tree damage in town streets. 3287.1 shows trees which been vandalised, 3287.2 and 3287 3 are photographs of storm trees which have been damaged.

Postcard, WW1, B&W image of part of the Somme canal at Cappy. Debris in the canal. Damaged building on left. Damaged lift bridge in centre. Trees along right bank. Copy A10postcard, postcard, ww1, somme canal, cappy, france

Residence Fountainhead Brewery Armstrong's Est. c 1872. The rear view photograph shows a more recent renovated building. Some evidence of demolition to rear of building (servants stairs etc.) Following notes taken from information in album 9 - "Compare earlier photos and note balcony etc. Later views, This photo early 2003. Owing to timber decay balcony was removed for safety. Finances permitting complete balcony will be replaced. Twin columns and iron lace are not original. Early description mentions statues in "niches" beside door. Female statue left is original. White pedestal at left was male stature damaged by a falling tree. Both statues were fountains." Photographs taken by Mr. Don Richard and held in Album 9b Armstrong’s Area.Two coloured photographs, of a brick double story building. The front view of the building has 4 windows and 2 doors. Two white columns at the entrance with decorative iron work support the roof of the porch with 2 white chairs and a table on top. Either side of the entrance door are 2 white wall indents "niches" with pot plants. The second photo show the back view of the two story building with a single story building attached that has a tin roof. A timber fence with a gate shows the side entrance to the single story building. 648M NHNN 8H01HPRO3 WIMMERA 1MHGINGstawell

Part of the "Robert H. Baron", No. 3596 and Cooper Collection. See Cat, No. 1981P for details of Baron's service.1. Black and white photograph featuring burning and destroyed buildings. 2. Black and white photograph featuring horses and wagons with uniformed handlers. Ruined buildings in background. 3. Black and white photograph featuring a shell damaged two story building. Splintered trees in foreground. 4. Black and white photograph of a WW1 battlefield. Three waterfilled shell holes in foreground. Soldiers in background on horizon. 5. Black and white photograph of three soldiers in uniform standing next to a ruined cannon. 6. Black and white photograph of three soldiers in uniform standing next to the barrel of a canon. Soldier in uniform inside the mouth of cannon. 7. Black and white photograph of the surrounds of a ruined building. Statue of a human figure surrounded by metal fence in foreground. 8. Black and white photograph of a bomb damaged church. Rubble in foreground.1, Handwritten in black on front bottom and on back in pencil: 'Fritz Burning village of Ham before leaving.' 2. Handwritten in black on front bottom and on back in pencil: 'Entrance to Langacourt.' 3. Handwritten in pencil on front and back: 'Langacourt Chateau.' 4. Handwritten in black ink on front and in pencil on back: 'Passendaele Ridge.' 5. Handwritten in black ink on front and in pencil on back: 'Captured gun at Cappy.' 6. Handwritten in black ink on front and in pencil on back: 'Cappy.' 7. Handwritten in pencil on front and back: 'Bullecourt Church.' 8. Handwritten in pencil on front and back: 'Viller Brettoneaux Church.'robert h. baron, cooper collection, postcard, ww1, france, battlefields

This photograph shows the floodwaters during the 1971 flood at Orbost. The two mahogany trees in the photograph stopped the Snowy River from changing its course. The 1971 flood was the the worst flood on record. At Jarrahmond it was at least 11 metres and up to one and a half kilometres wide on the flats causing enormous damage to the flood plain. Records say that "The brown floodwater stain in Bass Strait could be seen from passing airliners." Considerable damage was done to railway infrastructure, roads and farms. More information from the APRIL, 2008 newsletter by John Phillips. (see orbosthistory.com.au)This is a pictorial record of a significant event in the history of floods in Orbost.A black / white photograph of raging floodwaters at the bottom of the Orbost township.orbost-flood-1971

This photograph depicts a man in dark clothing, standing in front of a cut away section of earth. He is undertaking hydraulic sluicing, which involves the use of high powered hoses, in order to cut away the earth which can then be sifted for gold. There is a single tree in the background and the earth contains numerous signs of damage because of the mining. Beechworth become a mining settlement after the discovery of gold in 1852. Gold fever had already spread across Australia's colonies and the American states. Sluicing the landscape for gold, as shown in this photograph, was done by diverting water and washing away the lighter dirt, allowing the gold particles to sift down in to catchments for collection. In Beechworth, there was considerable discontent caused by attempts to restrict water use for sluicing to those with certain 'water rights'. The extensive use of hydraulic sluicing, and the washing away of top soils has continued to impact the surrounds of Beechworth in to the present day. Sluicing as a method for gold mining which was widespread across Victoria during the 1870s. The erosion of the top soil in search of gold has a continuing environmental impact on the landscape and this photograph depicts but one example of this occurring and can provide much information to a researcher interested in understanding the history of gold mining in Victoria. This image of the miner and hose is historically important because it demonstrates the methods of goldmining employed in the later years of the goldrush at Beechworth. It shows how much land is washed away by the use of this technology. The image has good interpretive capacity because it allows researchers to see a different mining technique to what is usually presented. Black and white square photograph on card.reverse: 84-50-3 / 1997 3141 / smdsluicing, goldmining, beechworth, burke museum, miners, gold miners, gold sluicing, environmental impact

This well-produced but water-damaged book of Longfellows Poetry, was part of the former Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Library and Museum collection. The custody of this collection was assumed by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in the 1970s. Supporting provenance indicates the book was retrieved from the sea at Loch Ard Gorge soon after the shipwreck of the same name in June 1878. This book was given to the Warrnambool Museum curator Joseph Archibald by its finder, the Warrnambool Standard editor Henry Davis in October 1883. A letter from Mr Davis describing the poignant circumstances of his discovery is also in the Flagstaff Hill collection. A transcript of this letter is displayed next to the book in the Great Circle Gallery at the Maritime Village (reg. no. 2292). The story behind this book prompted Mr Archibald to write to the sole surviving female passenger from the LOCH ARD, Eva Carmichael, asking if the book was hers. Miss Carmichael replied by handwritten letter in January 1884, advising that the volume of poems did not belong to her: “We had a ‘Longfellow’, but our book had a green cover”. This letter is also in the Flagstaff Hill collection (reg. no. 2290.4).The book is rare as it has survived a shipwreck in relatively good condition. It is an example of personal possessions carried by a shipboard passenger in the 1870s. It holds significance for its connection to the renowned poet, Henry Wardsworth Longfellow. The book is important for its probable association with the wreck of the vessel Loch Ard in 1878. The LOCH ARD shipwreck is of State significance and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register S417. A volume of poetry by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It is bound in blue-purple cloth on thick board, with black lettering and curling-vine design, framed by gold border. In the centre of the front cover is a raised smooth-white ellipse with crimped edges, now worn bare but with traces of an original brightly coloured floral design. This white centre of supple leather is also framed by a decorative gold border. The upper case lettering on the front cover reads ‘Longfellow’s Poetical Works’. The edges of the blue material are faded and worn. The pages are corrugated by water damage but their original gold-edged condition is still evident. The front and back covers are scored with singed holes approximately 1.5cm diameter, situated about the centre edge of each side and in roughly corresponding positions. These holes may be from an original book-latch or fastening. However they have since been damaged by a hot piercing object, which has blackened the holes and extended the damage into the enclosed pages. The spine of the book features a stylised oak tree in gold, rising from bared roots to serrated leaves and acorns. The letters “LON[DON]” at the top of the spine and “W.P.NI[MM]O” at the bottom. The book cover has separated from the majority of stitched pages, along with a number of title pages, which are now loosed from the binding. The books condition is fragile from a handling perspective, but stable in terms of further deterioration. ‘Inscribed “Loch Ard June 1 1878” in pencil within ― believed to be a salvage from the shipwreck’ (Mechanics Institute Library auditor, June 1996).warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, longfellow’s poems, loch ard, eva carmichael, warrnambool mechanics institute library, warrnambool museum, joseph archibald, henry davis, william p. nimmo, poetry, heny longfellow, henry wadsworth longfellow, poetical works, 1870s, 1877, longfellow’s poetical works

The barge 'Ada' was built in Echuca in 1899. It was 33 metres in length and 6.9 metres wide and was made from timber and iron. It's design was unique as it was half-timber, and half-iron- the iron featured above the water line to prevent the wool bales from getting wet. The 'Ada' was used to carry wool from sheep stations on the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers down to Echuca Wharf for distribution around the world. The Permewan Wright, Murray Shipping Company, owned the 'Ada' and in the1930s the barge was sold to the Evans family who used it to transport timber to it's Echuca sawmill. The 'Ada' was purchased by the Port of Echuca in 1974 and is seen here on the Moama slipway undergoing restoration for Port of Echuca in 1979 to 1980. The remains of the 'Ada' still lie on the banks of the Moama slipway but it has fallen into near complete disrepair.The barge 'Ada' is very significant due to the uniqueness of her design. The hull is timber, up to the water line, then iron from the water line up to protect the bales of wool bales that it transports from water damage. The P.S Pevensey, within the Port of Echuca collection, has the same design feature.The barge 'Ada' in dry dock, on a slipway with a 4 knot marine sign is next to it. The barge is surrounded by trees and has since fallen into disrepair. Verso: 'Ada Barge'murrumbidgee river, wool, ada, murray river, barges, evans saw mills, timber industry, port of echuca, echuca wharf, permewan wright co.

The building was designed by Charles Maplestone of Heidelberg, son-in-law to Anthony Beale of St Helena. Maplestone was a prominent architect who came out to Australia with his family in 1852. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Isabella Maplestone on 11th November 1867. The bricklayers for the church were George Stebbing, H Limmer, H Spicer and a Mr Timm while Thomas Day was the stonemason. Another three years were to pass before sufficient money could be raised for its completion. It was opened by Bishop Perry on 1st November, 1870. The church bell which hung under a tree for 50 years until it was incorporated in the parish hall was brought out from England and presented by Charles Orme. In 1916, the estate of George Martin Pizzey left sufficient money to build the red brick hall, which still stands today (2023) though in January 1969 the hall and bell tower were badly damaged by bushfire. Coincidentally the former home of benefactor, George Pizzey was destroyed in the same fire. Of particular significance are the interior and exterior of the church, the Sunday school and hall with emphasis on pre-World War I fabric (excluding the 1990s additions) and the three coloured glass windows currently suspended in the 1990s entry foyer. In 2011 further alterations were made to the front of the Church. The church is historically significant because it was the oldest public building in the former Diamond Valley Shire, is amongst the oldest buildings in the Shire of Nillumbik and is associated with the early settlement of the Diamond Creek district. The church is historically, socially and spiritually significant because it has been a place of worship for over 150 years and continues to be, an important meeting place in the Shire. The church is aesthetically significant for the three stained glass windows executed by the noted stained glass manufacturers, Ferguson & Urie, as well as the supporting coloured glass windows in the church. The Sunday school & parish hall is architecturally significant because the hall is a well executed and preserved example of the work of noted church architects, North & Williams. It is historically significant because it is connected with local parishioner and Melbourne industrialist, George Pizzey, who bequeathed funds for its construction. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Ntionl Trust of Australia (Victoria) Local significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p85 References: St Johns Anglican Church complex, Sunday School and Parish Hall 61 Main Street DIAMOND CREEK, NILLUMBIK SHIRE. (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/64023 Diamond Creek, VIC. – St John’s Anglican (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://www.churchhistories.net.au/church-catalog/diamond-creek-vic-st-johns-anglican This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, st john's anglican church, diamond creek, parish hall

J.A. McDonald produced this record in the course of his responsibilities as Shire Engineer for Eltham Shire Council.Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.a. gillies, alistair knox park, benchmark studies, bend of islands, blease road, box hill state school, box hill teachers college, box hill tip, bridge construction, bridge street bridge, bridge, brisbane street, brougham steet, bulldozer, cecil street, charis pelling, cherry tree road, city of preston, cr. a. brinkkotter, cr. charis pelling, cranes, cromwell street, diamond creek (creek), diamond street, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road, drott, eltham leisure centre, eltham north, eltham police station, eltham, eltham-yarra glen road, f. wood, fitzsimons lane bridge, flat rock road, flood damage, floods, floodwater, footpaths and gutters, ford service garage, g. blair, garden hill, glen park bridge, glenauburn road, grand hotel, haldane road, healesville, healesville-yarra glen road, heidelberg-kinglake road, henley road bridge, henley road, hill property, hurstbridge water scheme, hurstbridge, hurstbridge-arthurs creek road, infrastructure, j. jolly, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground-queenstown road, kangaroo ground-st andrews road, lilydale shire office, long gully bridge, long gully creek, long gully road, long gully, lower plenty bridge, lower plenty footbridge, lower plenty oval, lower plenty road, lower plenty, main road, methodist church, montmorency, mount pleasant road, new holland, old healesville road, opening ceremony, oxley bridge, para road, paul creek bridge, paul creek road, paul krafeznk, pinnacle lane, plaques, plenty river trail, plenty river, presbyterian church, prof donald thomson, pryor street, railway crossing, railway parade, rattray road, reconstruction works, reichelt avenue, research (vic.), research oval, road construction, rymers corner, shire of eltham, shire of whittlesea, silvan road bridge, silver street bridge, silver street, sir dallas brooks, smedley property, st andrews, steels creek, susan street, tarrawarra, tony carberry, uniting church, upper yarra dam, upper yarra reservoir, w.e. wolf, waterfall property, watsons creek, wattletree road bridge, wattletree road, wattletree road bridge, worlingworth, yarra glen, york street, yow yow creek

Newspaper article: Tree falls on moving car, Diamond Valley News, 15 April 1998, tree fell near Main Road and Antoinette Boulevard intersection, damaging car, power line and street light.main road, accident, eltham (vic)

One Tree Hill Road Looking south 2/7/62 The bridge was destroyed by bushfires 15-16 January 1962. A temporary bridge was set up to the east sideRecord of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.1962-07-02, bridge construction, christmas hills, infrastructure, shire of eltham, victorian bushfires - 1962, bush fires, one tree hill road, property damage

Various news articles pertaining to the January 1962 Victorian bushfires in the Dandenong and Healesville districts which by second day had spread on to a 150 mile front fromDaylesford and Kinglake through to the Dandenongs. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Ninka Road, St. Andrews, Kinglake, Hurstbridge on page 2 • Fires Blazing on 150M. Arc: "Need a Miracle", p1 (Illust.) – Victoria’s worst bushfire day since “Black Friday,” 1939 • Night dash as bushfire sweeps by, p2 (Illust.) • Kalorama Saved: Fire 100 Ft. Away, p2 • Stay away, says police chief, p2 • The Tragedy of the Fires, p3 (Illust.) • Good save by firemen, p4 (Illust.) • S.E.C. Firemen Saved N. Yallourn, p4 • Cherry river of flame, p4 • From the fire front: Fire-fighters are bitten by snakes, p4 • They faced the fury, p6 (Illust.) • The ’39 Blaze, p6 • They fought and failed, p6 • Hills Aflame: 2nd Day, pp16-17 (Illust.) • Respite at Olinda HQ, p16 (Illust.) • Here is Ruin, p17 (Illust.) • This fireman had to work among piled up furniture … p32 (Illust.) tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1962, victorian bushfires – 1962, black friday, victorian bushfires – 1939, c.h. howe, daylesford, country fire authority, dandenongs, yallourn, central gippsland, montrose, olinda, kalorama, healesville, st. andrews, hurstbridge, ninka road, kinglake, yarra glen, a.l. mccutcheon, st. andrews postmaster, eltham shire secretary, max watson, police commissioner porter, observatory road, mt. dandenong, whittlesea, one tree hill, sassafras, the basin, steel’s creek, ruby ryan, the basin progress hall, yaallourn, yallourn north, stet electricity commission (s.e.c.), hernes oak, mcdonalds track, florence milkins, lieutenant-colonel k. leggett, bonza view road, ringwood police station, michael o’connor, volunteers, fire damage - buildings

Various news articles pertaining to the January 1965 Victorian bushfires specifically with a focus on fires at Eltham North. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Eltham, Diamond Creek, Warrandyte on page 1 and page 3, Warrandyte on page 4 • A Circle of Fire Around City, p1 (Illust.) • A home is saved, p2 (Illust.) • 18 houses, hall and store lost, p2 • Battle for the trees, p3 (Illust.) • Six houses go in two suburbs, p3 (Illust.) • A sleepless town waited, p4 (Illust.) • Fire in the near hills, pp28-29 (Illust.) tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1965, victorian bushfires – 1965, greensborough, diamond creek, warrandyte, eltham, gippsland, romsey, toolern vale, melton, rockbank, laughing waters, ken guest, eltham state school no. 209, a. smith, ray freeman, sassafras, diamond creek-greensborough road, warrandyte hall, bushfire damage – buildings

This significant tree located near the Main Road Bridge and Diamond Creek Trail footbridge over the Diamond Creek at Eltham dates back to the early 1900s. The original timber bridge over the Diamond Creek was built around 1840. It was destroyed by floodwaters in October 1923. A temporary bridge was rigged up but further damaged in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was built and opened in October 1926. The bridge decking was widened along with Main Road to Dalton Street by the Road Construction Authority in 1984., The uygraded bridge was opened in October 1984, 78 years after its original opening.These trees are not only significant for the natural environment but also present a navigational beacon back in time as the environmental landscape is developed around them.Born Digitaleltham south, main road bridge, manna gum, significant tree, diamond creek trail

This significant tree located near the Main Road Bridge and Diamond Creek Trail footbridge over the Diamond Creek at Eltham dates back to the early 1900s. The original timber bridge over the Diamond Creek was built around 1840. It was destroyed by floodwaters in October 1923. A temporary bridge was rigged up but further damaged in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was built and opened in October 1926. The bridge decking was widened along with Main Road to Dalton Street by the Road Construction Authority in 1984., The uygraded bridge was opened in October 1984, 78 years after its original opening.These trees are not only significant for the natural environment but also present a navigational beacon back in time as the environmental landscape is developed around them.Born Digitaleltham south, main road bridge, manna gum, significant tree, diamond creek trail

The original timber bridge over the Diamond Creek was built around 1840. It was destroyed by floodwaters in October 1923. A temporary bridge was rigged up but further damaged in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was built and opened in October 1926. The bridge decking was widened along with Main Road to Dalton Street by the Road Construction Authority in 1984., The uygraded bridge was opened in October 1984, 78 years after its original opening.These trees are not only significant for the natural environment but also present a navigational beacon back in time as the environmental landscape is developed around them.Born Digitaleltham south, main road bridge, manna gum, diamond creek trail

The original timber bridge over the Diamond Creek was built around 1840. It was destroyed by floodwaters in October 1923. A temporary bridge was rigged up but further damaged in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was built and opened in October 1926. The bridge decking was widened along with Main Road to Dalton Street by the Road Construction Authority in 1984., The uygraded bridge was opened in October 1984, 78 years after its original opening.These trees are not only significant for the natural environment but also present a navigational beacon back in time as the environmental landscape is developed around them.Born Digitaleltham south, main road bridge, manna gum, diamond creek trail

This significant tree located near the Main Road Bridge and Diamond Creek Trail footbridge over the Diamond Creek at Eltham dates back to the early 1900s. The original timber bridge over the Diamond Creek was built around 1840. It was destroyed by floodwaters in October 1923. A temporary bridge was rigged up but further damaged in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was built and opened in October 1926. The bridge decking was widened along with Main Road to Dalton Street by the Road Construction Authority in 1984., The uygraded bridge was opened in October 1984, 78 years after its original opening.These trees are not only significant for the natural environment but also present a navigational beacon back in time as the environmental landscape is developed around them.Born Digitaleltham south, main road bridge, manna gum, significant tree, diamond creek trail

This significant tree located near the Main Road Bridge and Diamond Creek Trail footbridge over the Diamond Creek at Eltham dates back to the early 1900s. The original timber bridge over the Diamond Creek was built around 1840. It was destroyed by floodwaters in October 1923. A temporary bridge was rigged up but further damaged in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was built and opened in October 1926. The bridge decking was widened along with Main Road to Dalton Street by the Road Construction Authority in 1984., The uygraded bridge was opened in October 1984, 78 years after its original opening.These trees are not only significant for the natural environment but also present a navigational beacon back in time as the environmental landscape is developed around them.Born Digitaleltham south, main road bridge, manna gum, significant tree, diamond creek trail

This significant tree located near the Main Road Bridge and Diamond Creek Trail footbridge over the Diamond Creek at Eltham dates back to around 1870-1880. The original timber bridge over the Diamond Creek was built around 1840. It was destroyed by floodwaters in October 1923. A temporary bridge was rigged up but further damaged in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was built and opened in October 1926. The bridge decking was widened along with Main Road to Dalton Street by the Road Construction Authority in 1984., The uygraded bridge was opened in October 1984, 78 years after its original opening.These trees are not only significant for the natural environment but also present a navigational beacon back in time as the environmental landscape is developed around them.Born Digitaleltham south, main road bridge, manna gum, significant tree, diamond creek trail

This significant tree located near the Main Road Bridge and Diamond Creek Trail footbridge over the Diamond Creek at Eltham dates back to around 1870-1880. The original timber bridge over the Diamond Creek was built around 1840. It was destroyed by floodwaters in October 1923. A temporary bridge was rigged up but further damaged in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was built and opened in October 1926. The bridge decking was widened along with Main Road to Dalton Street by the Road Construction Authority in 1984., The upgraded bridge was opened in October 1984, 78 years after its original opening.These trees are not only significant for the natural environment but also present a navigational beacon back in time as the environmental landscape is developed around them.Born Digitaleltham south, main road bridge, manna gum, significant tree, diamond creek trail

Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacement with a new steel bridge. Heritage advice obtained by Nillumbik Shire Council, following a suggestion by the Eltham District Historical Society (EDHS), is that the original bridge appears to have been a simplified version of the Country Roads Board’s (CRB) standard timber bridge design of the early-to-mid 1920s. In c1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with three recycled steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. During these alterations many parts of the bridge were removed, and some were replaced. Heritage advice indicates the condition of Murray’s bridge is poor. The remaining original parts are all in poor condition, with severe weathering, splitting and rot, especially to the stringers retained on the bridge. Heritage advice is that Murray’s Bridge does not have sufficient significance in the cultural history of the Nillumbik area to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay and also does not have sufficient significance as a rare survivor to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay. There are no indications in the historical record that this site was individually important to the cultural history of this area. EDHS is comfortable with the heritage advice provided to Council and has worked closely on this project with Council. EDHS has suggested some of the removed timbers be used in the vicinity of the bridge for landscaping and possibly seating, so as to retain these remnants close to the site of the original bridge, which is the last old timber bridge along the lower reaches of the Diamond Creek. Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. * * * A theory posted on local community Facebook groups was that the bridge was built in the 1860s and was built to be more robust than was necessary for the movement of cows from one side of the creek to the other. It was suggested the robustness was necessary to support the weight of gold ore being transferred from a mine on Murray’s land to a railway siding near Murrays Bridge (presumably for transfer and processing at Diamond Creek). Perhaps this may have been one of the motivators for Murray, who really knows? Knowing when mining operations ceased on his land and how that fits the overall timeline would be useful but at the time the bridge was built, local gold production was minimal at best. The known facts are: • The railway line came to Eltham in 1902. • The extension of the railway from Eltham to Hurstbridge was constructed in 1912 so no railway line even existed through Murray's property until 1912 and the Victorian Railways maps at the time show no such siding on Murray’s property. • In 1923 a new company was formed in anticipation of the old Diamond Creek Gold Mine being re-opened. The mine had been previously closed and flooded. It was noted in the press at the time that the mine was within a mile of the railway. Nothing really came of this. • Construction of Murrays Bridge was commenced by James Murray in early 1929 in anticipation of a proposed flag station being nominated on his land, but work ceased shortly afterwards. The proposed flag station was commonly referred to as Glen Park as the residents of the Glen Park Estate wanted Option 1, located near them with the platform adjacent to Colemans corner. This was probably never going to fly as it was virtually in eyesight of Eltham station. Allandale Road was the third option, but the Commissioners' preferred option was No. 2 - on Murray's property. • The Railway Commissioners were not going to finance any such station and the works had to be funded by private landowners and residents, hence Murray investing in this himself. • Murray recommenced work two years later and finished his bridge in 1931 but unfortunately for him, the proposed flag station never eventuated. The bluestone siding you reference may well have been built by Murray as part of the proposed station platform. • Up until then, apart from the Main Road bridge, which was washed away in 1924, virtually all local crossings over the Diamond Creek were low lying bridges – Kaylocks Bridge at Brougham Street, Diamond Street bridge, Glen Park Road bridge. It is expected that Murray also had a low-lying bridge to connect his land either side of the creek. These were all washed away or severely damaged multiple times in the 1920s. Lessons were learnt, and Murrays Bridge appears to have been built in accordance with Country Road Board standards of the time. Flood damage was ongoing, and even more recently constructed raised bridges kept getting washed away, e.g., the new Wattle Tree Road bridge in 1958 just months after completion. Murray’s bridge was reinforced with steel some 30 years ago presumably to provide additional floodwater resistance, given the history of bridges disappearing in floodwaters. • In March 1932 it was reported in the Advertiser that there were still some prospectors operating around Eltham North who apart from further scarring the face of the earth over the previous two years had gained significant experience but little gold - hardly a driving factor for constructing a dedicated railway siding and bridge to transfer gold ore. It is far more probable that James Murray was hoping to have the railway station located on his property and invested his money by building the bridge to lead to it as well as a station platform. Had the station eventuated, it may well have driven up the value of his land for subdivision and new housing estates like the Glen Park Estate. That did not eventuate. Whilst the bridge was indeed old (90 years), the core structure being completed in 1931, it had been modified substantially from original and hence had no significant historic value – i.e., it was not a representative example of its type, construction, and age. Given that the bridge was not worthy of saving, the Eltham District Historical Society with Council’s support, and the Eltham Woodworkers group endeavoured to see what suitable sized timbers were salvageable to fabricate a commemorative seat. Unfortunately, the experts at the Woodworkers group were unable to salvage any suitable length/width timbers to fabricate the seat due to the presence of rot. Last remaining wooden trestle bridge on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacementBorn digital image (27)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

This significant tree located near the Main Road Bridge over the Diamond Creek at Eltham dates back to approximately 1870-1880. Though dead now, its trunk has been left as a wildlife habitat. The original timber bridge over the Diamond Creek was built around 1840. It was destroyed by floodwaters in October 1923. A temporary bridge was rigged up but further damaged in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was built and opened in October 1926. The bridge decking was widened along with Main Road to Dalton Street by the Road Construction Authority in 1984., The uygraded bridge was opened in October 1984, 78 years after its original opening.These trees are not only significant for the natural environment but also present a navigational beacon back in time as the environmental landscape is developed around them.Born Digitaleltham south, main road bridge, manna gum, significant tree