Black and white photograph (2 copies)Written on backing sheet below photograph: "At 'Glamorgan' October 1926. Rear L-R R.F. Miles, Winifred Miles & Jack, Keith Miles, C.E. Miles, 'Girlie' Miles and H.C. Barrett. Middle L-R Barbara Miles, Mrs. Martin, Dorothy Miles, E.T. Miles & Laurie, Rev. C.J.T. Martin. Front L-R Jean & June Miles, Margaret & Ken Barrett."

Town Hall, Young Men's Christian Association of Bendigo Orchestral Society. Orchestral Concert, Town Hall, Bendigo. Wednesday, 30th, 1923, at 8pm. Conductor: Frank Grose. Assisted by: Lily Jackson, Soprano. Edith Lansell, Contralto. Muriel Boldt, Pianiste. William Cahill, Baritone. Mabel McGauchie, Accompaniste. Orchestral Society. Hon. Sec.: Thos. Shambrook. Pirates of Penzance: Romanza Scenza, Arabesque No. 2, Air De Ballet, Death and the Maiden, Sapphic Ode, Let me Love Thee, Russian Boatman Song. William Tell: O love from Thy Pow'r, Scherzo in Bb Minor, Abide with Me, Rock of Ages, Time was I Roved the Mountains, Eyes that used to Gaze in Mine, Invitation Vocal Valse, Coronation march. Bendigo YMCA Orchestral Society. First Violins: Miss Myrtle Knight, Agnes McNair, Olive Hannaford, Winnie Pithie, Louise Bolton, Louise Downie, Ruth Spier, Alison Smalley. Mrs. Grant, Swift. Second Violins: Mr. J E Fitt, A Richardson, Rex Matthews, Miss Lily Campbell, Elsie Stemmer, Myrtle Phillips, Alma Doxford, Evelyn Miles, Elva Hesse, Winnie Hobson, Master T Challen, J Watts. Cellos: Madame Dorothy Duval, Miss Maisie Field, Mr. E Minotti, W Ellis, G L Verey. Basses: Mr. J H Melrose, J Lavacombe, R Rule, W Jackson. Flutes: Mr. A E Sayer, R Crawford, Dilworth, Moon. Piccolo: Mr A E Sayer. Oboe: A B Challen. Clarinets: Mr. A B Challen, J Bowman, J McEwan. Horns: A Johnston, H Hilderbrande, J Tredinnick, L Rundle. , Trumpets: Mr. B Bowater, P Reed, N Banfield, A Old. Trombones: Mr. D Collier, H Bolton, W Pain. Euphonium: W Ketterer. Tubas: Mr. A Hoking, W Ketterer. Sassoon: Mr. T Francis. Timpani: Mr. J McLoughlin. Percussion: Mr. J Osborne. Organist: Mr. F C Stuart. Pianist: Miss Mabel McGauchie. Conductor: Frank Grose. President: Barkly Hyett. Treasurer: G W Lansell. Librarian: W J Wearne. Honorary Secretary: Thos. Shambrook. Three concerts per year will be given by the society. Next two concerts in August and November 1923. Subscribers Tickets are 1 pound 1 shilling. This ticket entitles holder to two booked seats for each concert. Picture of Harp with music book, laurel and bird on cover. 4 pages.F. H. Sparkman, Arcade Press, Bendigo.program, music, town hall, ymca of bendigo orchestral society. orchestral concert

B&W Class photo in front of Winngton Grammar School, 35 Ringwood St, Ringwood. Handwritten on reverse: 1931, term 3. Back Row: Helen Newell, Joyce Covell, June Miles, Majorie Palmer 2nd Row: Doug? Lucas, ? , Frances Gowland, ? , Leila Bielby, Margaret Barrett, Pat Court, Mary Cheong, Meriel Wilmont, Phyllis Prior, Margaret Douglas, ? , Phyllis Holder, John Covell 3rd Row: Keith Hewitt, ?Gordon?, Peter Cheong, ? , Pat Hewitt, ? , Meryl Lucas, Nancy Newell, ? , Winsome, ? , Jack Nethercote, Gordon?, Peter? Cheong, Jack Miles Front Row: ? , Cliff Bielby, Joan Court, ? , Dorothy Nethercote, ?

Adamson, Dr. John Ahmadzai, Jalal Allen, George Anderson, Fred Andrewartha, Arlene Archabuz, Janina Argyle, Beth Armour Nee Ramson, Maria Elizabeth Atkinson, Harry Bajada, Melchior Bajada, Melchiorre "Mel" Baker, Ian Baker, Kevin Balacchino, Rebecca Barnett, William Corbey Basten, Al. Bayliss, Myrtle Beachley Nee Anderson, Valerie "Val" Elaine Beanland, Charles Howard Benjamin, Colin Bewsher, William "Bill" Bowery, Leigh Cameron, David Ross Campbell, Donald "Don" Murdoch Carlton, Norman "Norm" Harrison Carr, Cissie Carr, Phillip Carter, Francis "George" Chapman, Pamela Joy Chisholm, Caroline Choi, Dr. Windsor Cockerell, Mr. R. Comensoli, Leslie John Connie, Sister Connor, Thomas Coulson, Ted Coxhill, Stanley "Stan" Victor Cripps Nee Wilkins, Joyce "Joy" Beaudette Dang, Thuy Dawes, Ernest Deeble, Don Deveson, Donald Frederick Diele, Tom Doak, Avis Dobson Nee Gibon, Janet Lilian Drayton, Harold Dunkette, Shaikha (Life in Bahrain) Eland, Judy Ellingsen Nee Lowe, Elsie May Ellis, Lester family, Newman Family, Rimmer Fogarty, Bill Ford, Frank Ford, Olwen Gary, Don Gaylor, James "Jim" William Ginifer, Jack Godfrey, Allan Goedecke, Gwenyth Hampton, Ania Hayden, Frank Hollingsworth, Edna Hollingsworth, Herbie Hollingwood Nee Fowler, Mary & Prince Phillip Hope, Patrick Horton, Mabel Huynh, Alyssa Hyett, William Inkster Nee Wardle, Adella Katherine Ivory Nee Pengelly, Amelia Frances Ivory, Joseph "Joe" Sydney Jackson, Ina Jackson, John "Jack" Henry Horace John, Charles "Chas" Johnson, Desmond "Des" Johnston, Alexander Robert Kenneth, Albert King, Ernest Webster "Web" Krix, Johann "John" Adam Languiller, Telma Lassila, Lydia Ierodiaconou Lawrence, Brian Liersch, Audrey Maloney, Samuel Gifford Marion, Colleen Mason, Aunty Jean McGoldrick, Prue McIntyre, Tom McLauchlan, Peter McNeill, Dorothy Meale, David Michael, Andrew (Andy's Servo) Miles, Albert John "Jack" Mill, Cr. Ian Miller, Keith Mott, Melbourne Leander Mottin, Laurence "Laurie" Mousley, Gwendoline 'gwen" Mullenger, Miss S. Myers, Mace Naismith, Neil Neyland, Grace Nguyen, Mayor James Noble, John Noble, Leslie “Les” William Noonan, Graham Miles O'Brien, Peggy O'Brien, Walter "Wally" James O'Connor, Frank Pardy, John Parry, Craig Parsons Nee Gahon, Alice Saide Parsons, Robert "Bob" Eric Pengelly Nee Goodman, Irene Keziah "Elizabeth" Pengelly, John "Johnnie" Pengelly, Lawrene "Keith" Pentreath, Mervyn Pentreath, Mervyn Podczyk, Richard Porter, Kenneth "Ken" Power, David Power, Peter Raleigh Nee Thorpe, Priscilla Raleigh, Joseph Rasic, Ranka Rewell, Ivy Roach, William A. Robinson, Donald "Don" George James Rockett, James Rohner Nee King, Mavis Elaine Rohner, Beryl Rohner, William “Bill” John Roxon, Nicola Sheridan, Jack Shilson, Winfred Shimmin Nee Langden, Florence Rita Shorten, Eileen Shorten, Jack Singleton Nee Thorpe, Laura Elizabeth Spargo, Ann Spargo, Peter Tachos, Virginia Taylor, Headlie Shipard Thomas, Doris Thomas, Herbert Arthur "Bon" Thurling, Doreen Twentyman, Leslie "Les" Tyler, Richard Uhi, Alan Ure, David "Dave" Vccellin, Dominic Wallace, Shirley Weaver, Vic Wegener, Eric Wendt, Sylvie Whiting, Else Whiting, Richard "Dick" William, Sir William Williams, Allan "Titch" Williams, Isabella Williams, Kevin Winifred, Adelaide Wlodarcyzk, Joseph Zbigniew Yannacaros, Arthur

1937 Prefects - May Read, Joy Taylor, Ethel Willaton, Phyl Mounsey, Violet Wills, Marjorie Moore, Norma Clayton, Phyl Greenham, Beryl Rohner, Ina Jackson, Sylvia Peatling|1936 or 1937 Form A - Kath lawson, Phyl Greenham, Ina Jackson, B. Herweg, Beryl Rohner, Helen Warnock, Zelma Cunningham, Edna Miles, lare Prout, Blanche Houston, Violet Wills, Dulcie Bowen, Thora Vance, Ivy Huggins, Margaret McPherson, Sylvia Peatling, Joan Agar, dorothy Hummell, Joyce Wood, Shirley Mason, Valda Spurling, Gertie Roberts, Joan Barkla, Marjorie, Moore, Lorna Andrewartha, Joe Taylor, Elsie Phillips, Berta Oke, Valda Ormiston, Edna Clifton, Maisie Thompson, Winifred Nowell, Eva Bromsonsunshine technical school, technical school

illustrated book with white front and back covers and red spine. The front cover has a red, black and white photograph of a group of nurses: group portrait if the matron and nursing staff of the 1st AGH with Matron Nellie Miles-Walker (centre front). Title and author's name are printed in red below this photo. Abbreviated title and author's name printed in white on the spine. Back cover has abbreviated title printed in red and a summary of the book printed in black.non-fictionIn this book the author considers the family and social lives, civilian nurse training, military nursing experiences and premature deaths of qualified Australian nurse who endured the horrors of the 1914-1918 War. Veiled Lives also uncovers the impact of their absence on the nurses' families, friends, colleagues, communities and their profession.world war 1914-1918, military nursing-australia, australia army-nurses, nurses

Image of Cocks Pioneer Gold & Tin Mines NL directors with Mrs Molly Moline and children, Dorothy and Geoff. Taken at Sherwood - the mine manager's residence. (1914) Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25 000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. "COX PIONEER MINE DIRECTORS" top "GEOFF DOR (unclear) TED SHACKLE" bottommine, gold, tin, gold mining, tin mining, cockatoos, sluicing, men, women, children, cocks pioneer, el dorado, eldorado

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. mason's marks, carlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. carlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. The sign of Thomas Crump, stonemasoncarlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks, thomas crump, crump

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. Sign of Thomas Crump, stonemasoncarlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks, thomas crump, crump

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. Sign of Thomas Crump, stonemasoncarlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks, thomas crump, crump

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. Sign of the cross (plus sign)carlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. Digital photographG. N.carlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. Digital photographG.N.carlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. Digital photographTwo "X" marks joined by a vertical linecarlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. Digital photographcarlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. digital photographcarlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. Digital photographA square with a shape like a "W" at the bottomcarlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. Digital photographcarlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Carlisle Cathedral The Priory near the cathedral was founded in 1122 by King Henry I. There were earlier buildings on the site. Ten years later the priory church became the Cathedral and the Kind created the diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Celebrated architect Ivo de Raughton who lived a few miles south of Carlisle designed the intricate masonry. Many interesting features are recorded about Carlisle Cathedral in tourist brochures and its homepage, however they do not mention the many mason’s marks clearly visible on the stone columns inside the Cathedral. There have been hundreds of marks recorded, some being similar to those on the Yarrowee Channel in Ballarat. Digital photographmonarch's head - wearing a crowncarlisle, cathedral, stonemasons, mason's marks

Mary Tolhurst M&DHS - March 29th Dunvegan Willows Park Melton 1992 Ladies Oral History Day Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transfer to CD 2011 by Tom Wood Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 I was born in Rockbank, and when I was five years old moved to Toolern Vale and started and finished school there. Toolern Vale only consisted of the Store, Post Office and shop, where you could buy your fodder, and pollard supplies, the Hall, the little Church and the bluestone School. The School changed shape three times from the 1800s[1869] til the time I went there. There was four generations of my family that went there and it was destroyed by fire in 1965. Marjorie nee Myers Butler. Yes, I remember along with it your lovely Ronisch piano. Mary, quite true! Marj what you say about the Ronisch piano. When I came the age to learn music my mum and dad couldn’t really afford it, but still what parents do for their children. They had Marj go along with them and pick this lovely Ronisch piano. It was known round the district. Everyone commented about the loss that lovely piano. After leaving school it was war time, 1939, then it was work, When I was 7 year old I was put out into the cow yard. In 1940 when the soldiers were going away our milk was confiscated it had to go to Bacchus Marsh. It used to go the Sunbury to be brine cooled and then go to Melbourne. Then they took it then to the Lifeguard Milk Factory at Bacchus Marsh. It had to go as condensed milk to the soldiers. This year is 50 years of the Land Army. I was an unofficial Land Army but they still kept check on me. I went onto married life and I followed the cows right through [howls of laughter] and we went on until the 1965 fire. That’s when we got out of the cows. Marjorie asks, was Granny Watts your grandmother or great grandmother? Mary: She was my great grandmother, the midwife of Melton. The 1965 fire started ¾ of a mile above our place, Frank Ryan’s sheds were burnt and his house was saved, then it wiped the School out, the Hall, the Church the Post Office and Store and little house that was Charlie Charlton’s in the early days. Mrs Wilson’s place was saved by the Fire Brigade by pulling boards off the side, and from there it went over the hill and it was stopped at the Rockbank Railway Station. If it had of got over the railway they said it would have gone into Werribee. A lot was burnt out in that strip. Mary nee Nixon Collins: 18 houses burnt that day. Audience question, did Melton get burnt that day? Ray: No. It came down through the Toolern Vale road and cut across about a mile and a half from the cross roads at Toolern Vale from north westerly to the south east and cut through over the Keilor road. Mary: It came in across the creek at Funstons in Toolern, then through Jim Minns. Dorothy was it your place then [nee Knox Beaty] to Ken Beatty’s and from there it went through to Doug McIntosh’s and to Cockbills and the wind changed and it came across to the railway line, and that is where they stopped it. [the cause of the fire was controversial, they had been burning off the night before and there was some talk of someone starting it. It was very hot and very strong wind, it was a terrible day] Ray: When the fire went through McIntosh’s they had a haystack on the north side of their house and the haystack got caught and the fire burnt a hole through the side of the house and the boys pyjamas on the bed. The house was saved. It came through like and express train roaring at you, I was at McIntosh’s when it went roaring past. You couldn’t see, dust and ash and tremendous heat. The fire started about 12 o’clock Jack [husband] said to me, fire, I said where, where? Just up the road, what have I got to do? and he went out and he had gone to the fire and left me. I tried to get the animals and I put out buckets of water, putting the buckets of water out saved my life. Chas Jones and another friend of his came in and they picked up the buckets of water, I thought I had better get out because the fire was on the haystack up the paddock and when I went to go out through the north side of the house and couldn’t get out, I’ll go through the front gate so I went around the other side of the house. I got caught there and Chassy Jones and his friend came round carrying the bucket of water and I panicked. He threw the bucket of water over me. Well that is what saved my life because I was damp, whenever we tried to leave the ball of fire came over me and over my shoulder and my hair was scorched. Chassy Jones lost his truck and Keith Watt his big truck because he had the water tank on it and they couldn’t get out of the yard. Granny Watt’s house, the first private hospital had condemned and Jack and I pulled it down and had it moved up to Toolern and had it in the yard a fortnight and it was all burnt and we didn’t get the shed we wanted. Every 13 years right up until Ash Wednesday fires, there has always been fire close at hand. The 1952 fire went down the back of the house, the 1965 fire took the house, and the house that I live in now, it is the third house that has been on that spot. When the Hunters owned it, Mrs Hunter was nearly burnt in her bed. They had a 13 roomed house. In 1924 the house burnt down, and there was another house was built there and that was the one that burnt down. Edna: So Mary built a brick veneer house. Marjorie: like the three little pigs [laughter] Collins - Mary M &DHS - March 29th 1992 Ladies oral history day at Dunvegan, Willows Park Melton. Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transferred to CD 2011 Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 Mary Collins nee Nixon born in Terang 1907 down in the Western District and we shifted to Melton when I was 5 and a half then I started school here in Melton, and spent all my school life at Melton State School, next to the Church of England, it’s called the Primary School now. I got my Qualifying and Merit Certificate then I left School because there wasn’t a High School. When I was 16 I got and job in the Melton Post Office and I worked there, I was the first girl in Melton to deliver the mail, and worked on the telephone and the Bank business. Mrs Ross and myself behind the counter, there were about 500 – 600 people in the Shire at that time and now when I go into the new Post Office there is 36,000 here there’s still 2 people behind the counter [laughter from the audience] and wait in a queue right out to the door. Times haven’t changed much have they! There was a manual telephone and you had to ring the handle, and there were eight subscribers when I went there and when I left there were 46 I had coaxed that number to join the telephone, even the police station didn’t have the phone on. The two Hotels and the two Chaff mills and Mr Ernie Barrie, Parkers the butcher, the Shire Office was No 8, and the Police house was next to the Courthouse on the corner. They were number 9. I can remember a lot of the numbers still. The Post Office was the Agency for the Commonwealth Bank [comment from audience member] I used to do the Bank business too, I left after four years there, mother wasn’t very well. The Inspector who used to come up to the Post Office asked me if I would take up casual Post Mistress and to go around the different districts but I refused and when Mrs Ross’s holidays were due I was the replacement. I wasn’t 21. I loved my work meeting everybody and most people had horse and jinkers and when the elderly would come in there would be Mr Tom Morrow, he only had one arm and Mrs Dunn came from Bulman’s road in their horse and jinker. They were elderly I would see them pull up out the front and quickly get their mail and run out to them because they didn’t have to get out of the jinker to tie up their horse. If someone had a baby in arms I would tear out and hold the baby while they got down. Mrs Ross was very very strict. I had to sweep the Post Office, she had a couple of mats and there would be a threepence or a sixpence under the mats show she knew whether I lifted the mat, I was whether I was honest or not. Graham: How much were your wages? I got 27/7 pence a week for a 52 hour week. I had to work every holiday except Good Friday and Christmas Day and even when it was Monday holiday I always had to go to work from 9am - !0 am, the Post Office was always open. In the winter I had to wait until twenty past six in case there were any telegrams to deliver. I delivered them on a push bike. One time Tom Barrie told me this years afterwards. I used to go home for lunch. We lived on the Keilor road and I used to ride my bike home. On the hot days the boys used to go and swim in the swimming pool down near a turn in the creek there was a hole where the boys would swim in the nude, they didn’t have any bathers and they didn’t have any watches in those days. Tom Barrie said they always used to watched for me as I was always about 3 minutes past 1, my lunch hour was from 1-2. One particular day they missed seeing me and swam on, and of course they were all late for school when they got back and were all kept in a night. I did get a fortnight holiday. I loved my work and I knew everyone in the district right from Toolern Vale to the Marsh and everybody at Melton South. Did you listen into conversations on the Switchboard? Oh no. [laughter] Melton did not have electricity then. I had to fill the lamps everyday with kerosene. The Staughton Memorial was outside the Post Office. It had four posts with the chain looped around it, and that’s where the people used to tie up their horses. Marjorie nee Myers Butler comments about sitting and swinging on the chains. Mr Fred Coburn lit the acetylene gas light in the Memorial. It was the only streetlight in Melton. There was no electricity until 1939. Ray Radford comments about another gas street light which was on the corner of Station road. [later] Mary passes around her school photos. Mary mentions the names of those who have passed away, Maisie McDonald, ,Marian Wraith, Hilda McCreey, and Valda McDonald. I have written the names on the back. Marjorie comments about Marie Jongebloed and Greta are the only two girls left out of big family of ten I think there were [hesitates] 4 or 5 girls and the rest were boys. Mary. Flora Woodley, Dorrie Flynn and Margaret McDonald are still alive. They are my age we were all born about 1907. Marjorie points out herself in a later photo [1921 and 1922 School ] Mary mentions the name Walsh and identyfies following names, the Parker boys, Ken Beaty, Malc and Linda Cameron, Maisie Mc Donald, Ted Radford, George Nixon, Norman Minns, he was later the Shire Secretary of Werribee. One of the Woodley girls. [Maisie Arthur] Marjorie: Rosie Shearwood, June Whiting Mary. Lily Mc Donald, she has passed away. Isabel Harrison nee Tinkler, she lives at Werribee, Doreen Rogers, Marjorie Walker, Jess McIntosh, Mary Gillespie. Mr Malone was the Junior teacher Mr Roe and Miss Cooke. Fred Myers, my sister [Elizabeth] and the year was 1921. Myers (Barrie) School Photo Collection. Many of the names were identified at the 1970 Centenary of Melton State School No. 430. Edna Barrie organised, compiled and typed the lists to accompany these photos for the year 1921. The 1922 photo shows the higher grades. Ladies Oral History Day event held by Melton and District Historical Society, article featured in the Telegraphlocal identities, local special interest groups

Mary Tolhurst M&DHS - March 29th Dunvegan Willows Park Melton 1992 Ladies Oral History Day Graham Minns President Ray Radford MC Sound recording transfer to CD 2011 by Tom Wood Edited typescript by Wendy Barrie 2013 I was born in Rockbank, and when I was five years old moved to Toolern Vale and started and finished school there. Toolern Vale only consisted of the Store, Post Office and shop, where you could buy your fodder, and pollard supplies, the Hall, the little Church and the bluestone School. The School changed shape three times from the 1800s[1869] til the time I went there. There was four generations of my family that went there and it was destroyed by fire in 1965. Marjorie nee Myers Butler. Yes, I remember along with it your lovely Ronisch piano. Mary, quite true! Marj what you say about the Ronisch piano. When I came the age to learn music my mum and dad couldn’t really afford it, but still what parents do for their children. They had Marj go along with them and pick this lovely Ronisch piano. It was known round the district. Everyone commented about the loss that lovely piano. After leaving school it was war time, 1939, then it was work, When I was 7 year old I was put out into the cow yard. In 1940 when the soldiers were going away our milk was confiscated it had to go to Bacchus Marsh. It used to go the Sunbury to be brine cooled and then go to Melbourne. Then they took it then to the Lifeguard Milk Factory at Bacchus Marsh. It had to go as condensed milk to the soldiers. This year is 50 years of the Land Army. I was an unofficial Land Army but they still kept check on me. I went onto married life and I followed the cows right through [howls of laughter] and we went on until the 1965 fire. That’s when we got out of the cows. Marjorie asks, was Granny Watts your grandmother or great grandmother? Mary: She was my great grandmother, the midwife of Melton. The 1965 fire started ¾ of a mile above our place, Frank Ryan’s sheds were burnt and his house was saved, then it wiped the School out, the Hall, the Church the Post Office and Store and little house that was Charlie Charlton’s in the early days. Mrs Wilson’s place was saved by the Fire Brigade by pulling boards off the side, and from there it went over the hill and it was stopped at the Rockbank Railway Station. If it had of got over the railway they said it would have gone into Werribee. A lot was burnt out in that strip. Mary nee Nixon Collins: 18 houses burnt that day. Audience question, did Melton get burnt that day? Ray: No. It came down through the Toolern Vale road and cut across about a mile and a half from the cross roads at Toolern Vale from north westerly to the south east and cut through over the Keilor road. Mary: It came in across the creek at Funstons in Toolern, then through Jim Minns. Dorothy was it your place then [nee Knox Beaty] to Ken Beatty’s and from there it went through to Doug McIntosh’s and to Cockbills and the wind changed and it came across to the railway line, and that is where they stopped it. [the cause of the fire was controversial, they had been burning off the night before and there was some talk of someone starting it. It was very hot and very strong wind, it was a terrible day] Ray: When the fire went through McIntosh’s they had a haystack on the north side of their house and the haystack got caught and the fire burnt a hole through the side of the house and the boys pyjamas on the bed. The house was saved. It came through like and express train roaring at you, I was at McIntosh’s when it went roaring past. You couldn’t see, dust and ash and tremendous heat. The fire started about 12 o’clock Jack [husband] said to me, fire, I said where, where? Just up the road, what have I got to do? and he went out and he had gone to the fire and left me. I tried to get the animals and I put out buckets of water, putting the buckets of water out saved my life. Chas Jones and another friend of his came in and they picked up the buckets of water, I thought I had better get out because the fire was on the haystack up the paddock and when I went to go out through the north side of the house and couldn’t get out, I’ll go through the front gate so I went around the other side of the house. I got caught there and Chassy Jones and his friend came round carrying the bucket of water and I panicked. He threw the bucket of water over me. Well that is what saved my life because I was damp, whenever we tried to leave the ball of fire came over me and over my shoulder and my hair was scorched. Chassy Jones lost his truck and Keith Watt his big truck because he had the water tank on it and they couldn’t get out of the yard. Granny Watt’s house, the first private hospital had condemned and Jack and I pulled it down and had it moved up to Toolern and had it in the yard a fortnight and it was all burnt and we didn’t get the shed we wanted. Every 13 years right up until Ash Wednesday fires, there has always been fire close at hand. The 1952 fire went down the back of the house, the 1965 fire took the house, and the house that I live in now, it is the third house that has been on that spot. When the Hunters owned it, Mrs Hunter was nearly burnt in her bed. They had a 13 roomed house. In 1924 the house burnt down, and there was another house was built there and that was the one that burnt down. Edna: So Mary built a brick veneer house. Marjorie: like the three little pigs [laughter] Mary Tolhurst member of the Melton & District Historical Society in the Melton and Moorabool Leader local identities, local special interest groups