Originally built by E Miles in 1884, named 'Victoria Hall' named in honour of the Queen. It was purchased by Charlton Council in 1911and used as a Public Hall, Council Chambers and offices from 1911 until 1955. The two residences next door were also purchased by the Shire.Victoria Hall - Armstrong St Charlton. Built in 1884 by E. Miles. Buildings included a general store, cordial factory, and livery stables with a house next door. It became the Charlton Shire Hall and offices in 1911.e miles, victoria hall, charlton shire, shire hall charlton

Black and white photograph (Post card)Written on back of photograph, "Capt. E. T. Miles at Glamorgan".

Victoria Hall, Armstrong St Charlton was built for E. Miles in 1884. Sid Rosewall's house is on the right. This photo taken c. 1960.Colour photograph of a single storey, triple fronted red brick building. The front of the building is painted. There are double doors for the main entrance and three single doors - one to the left and two to the right of the main doors. There is a large, ornamental parapet wall on the front of the building with a flag pole. A wide verandah runs the length of the front of the building with a pitched section over the main entrance. The LH side of the building is unpainted and has four windows high on the wall. A red brick building is partially visible on the RH side of the photo. It has two chimneys and iron roof.e. miles, s. rosewall, victoria hall, armstrong street, charlton, halls

Uniform of a Victorian Branch Commissioner, with blue epaulettes and a green and yellow bread scarf. The uniform was worn by Dr. Geoffrey E. Miles (b.1928) a Scout at 2nd Kew, the Scout Troop affiliated with Trinity Grammar School. He was subsequently an Assistant Scout Master (ASM) at 2nd Kew and was later Group [Scout Master (GSM) in charge of the 4th Kew Scout Group. At one time the Victorian Branch Commissioner for Health, he was awarded the Medal of Merit for services to Scouting in 1993.Short-sleeved, collarless fabric shirt of khaki color, with embroidered badges. Also fabric neck scarf, with braid and vinyl holdfast (woggle). And leather belt with metal clasp with Scout design and a number of enamelled badges.scouts, 2nd kew scouts, geoffrey e. miles, trinity grammar school, 4th kew scouts

Sepia photograph mounted on a cardboard backing. Photograph shows family members posing outside the house.Written on rear of cardboard backing: "Arthur, Tom, Syd, Raoul, A.T., Keith. Mrs. E. T. Miles on veranda. Remaining son E. Leslie Miles not in photo."

Booklet. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 63 page soft cover book of poems by ''E''. Preface by T. Inglis Moore and explanatory notes by Miles Franklin. Published in 1942 by Angus & Robertson, Sydney and printed by The Snelling Printing Works, Sydney. Catalogue sticker '2061 E' on spine.''E''books, collections, poetry, alec h chisholm collection, ''e'', t.inglis moore, miles franklin, poetry

St Martin's Anglican Church was built in 1889. Victoria Hall was built for E. Miles in 1884. The post card is part of a series taken c. 1907.Copy of a coloured (hand coloured?) post card showing St Martin's Anglican Church, Armstrong St, Charlton. The church is a yellow, timber building with a cross at each end of the roof. A white picket fence runs along the front of the church. There are three trees on the edge of the road in front of the church. There is a large single storey red brick building to the right of the church with a verandah over the footpath. A horse is coming down the road past the red brick building. The post card has Armstrong Street Charlton in the top right. There is a typed note in the top LH corner of the photo that says Photo's donated by J. & K. Cossar.pastoral care, st martin's, angllican, church, armstrong street, charlton

Black and white photographImage shows the completed new church. Residence of Capt. E. T. Miles at left.

Black and white photographImage shows early stage of construction of the new church. Residence of Capt E. T. Miles at left.

A4 folder containing genealogical information, copy of will and copy of probate administration record including real estate assets for A.W. Brown, Grandview Grove Ringwood (Warranwood) Vic.EXTRACT: Inventory of Real Estate Assets (for Probate purposes) 1. Grandview Grove, Ringwood Land containing 10 acres or thereabouts situate in Grandview Grove Ringwood being part of Crown Section 20 Parish of Warrandyte County of Evelyn and being the land described in Certificate of Title Volume 5781 Folio 174 on which is erected a 7 room house, a bungalow, shed and 2 glass houses valued by E. Miles, Ringwood - £5077-0-0 2. Kardinia Crescent, Ringwood Land containing 2 acres 3 roods 24-1/2 perches situate in Kardinia Crescent Ringwood being Lots 33 and 34 on Plan of Subdivision Number 12040 and being part of Crown Section 20 Parish of Warrandyte County of Evelyn and being the land described in Certificate of Title Volume 7141 Folio 080 valued by E. Miles at £350-0-0

Robert Oswald HENDERSON had previous service in the Militia dating from 1899 with the 67th Battalion. (Born Bendigo) He enlisted in the AIF with the rank of Major as 2IC in the 38th Bn on 1.5.1916 at the age of 41 years. Embarked for England 20.6.1916, embark for France 22.11.1916, promoted to Lt Col to command the 39th Bn 15.2.1917, hospital 17.9.1917 with Defective vision, appears to a have rejoined his unit same day, WIA 29.3.1918 GSW to left thumb, rejoin unit 13.6.1918, KIA 29.9.1918 near Bony on the Hindenburg Line. Buried by the Rev W.A.Moore on 1.10.1918. He was awarded the DSO 18.1.1918 and Mentioned in Despatches 25.5.1918. The Beehive Store was a major Department Store in Pall Mall Bendigo.Photo of the Australian War Grave in France of Lt Col. R O HENDERSON DSO 39Bn. KIA. Headstone reads "Placed here in Loving Memory by/ BEEHIVE STAFF Bendigo". Message written on back of photo states he was buried at St Emilie, a town about 6 miles N E of Perrone.On back of Frame "Photo Mrs J H Henderson" photos, graves, framed, ww1

A4 copies of Landata Victoria Historical Search documents - Vol 7141 Fol 1428080.Alexander William Brown of Grandview Grove (later Bemboka Road), Ringwood is now the proprietor of an Estate in Fee-simple subject to the Encumbrances notified hereunder ... 2 acres 3 roods 24 and one-half perches or thereabouts, being Lots 33 and 34 Kardinia Crescent, on Plan of Subdivision no.12040. Transfers include Alexander William Brown died 25th June, 1957, Probate granted 28th January, 1958, to Alfred Hart Brown of Dandenong, Estate Agent, and Harry Britten Elms of Cardinia, Gentleman, Oliver Burgess, Grandview Grove Ringwood, Florist - 14th May, 1964, Peter John Woodhead, Transport driver, and Shirley Margaret Woodhead, Married woman - 12th September, 1966. Inventory of Real Estate Assets (for Probate purposes 4/10/1957) detailed in Family Genealogy record for A.W. Brown includes: "Kardinia Crescent, Ringwood - Land containing 2 acres 3 roods 24-1/2 perches situate in Kardinia Crescent Ringwood being Lots 33 and 34 on Plan of Subdivision Number 12040 and being part of Crown Section 20 Parish of Warrandyte County of Evelyn and being the land described in Certificate of Title Volume 7141 Folio 080 valued by E. Miles at £350:0:0

A4 copies of Landata Victoria Historical Search documents - Vol 5781 Fol 1156174.Leslie Mills is now the proprietor of an Estate in Fee-simple subject to the Encumbrances notified hereunder ... 10 acres or thereabouts, together with a right of carriage way over Grandview Grove (later Bemboka Road), Warranwood, Victroia. Transfers include Alexander William Brown of Tooradin, Farmer - 29th October, 1945, (died 25th June, 1957), Probate granted 28th January, 1958, to Alfred Hart Brown of Dandenong, Estate Agent, and Harry Britten Elms of Cardinia, Gentleman (*** See Probate details below) Oliver Burgess, Grandview Grove Ringwood, Florist - 14th May, 1964, Privatus Proprietary Limited, St.Kilda Road, Melbourne - 27th October, 1977, John Patrick Kelly, Company Director and Yvonne Gloria Kelly, Married Woman, joint proprietors, 10th September, 1980 *** Inventory of Real Estate Assets (for Probate purposes 4/10/1957) detailed in Family Genealogy record for A.W. Brown includes: "Grandview Grove, Ringwood Land containing 10 acres or thereabouts situate in Grandview Grove Ringwood being part of Crown Section 20 Parish of Warrandyte County of Evelyn and being the land described in Certificate of Title Volume 5781 Folio 174 on which is erected a 7 room house, a bungalow, shed and 2 glass houses valued by E. Miles, Ringwood - £5077-0-0

Two A4 pages including alphabetical list of subscribers' names against their Ringwood Exchange telephone number (1 to 22).TELEPHONE DIRECTORY 1913 RINGWOOD 16 Anderson, Walter J, Public Accountant, Belford Pk. 17 Armstrong, H.E.B., 'Korumbeen'' 3 Bamford Bros. 8 Blood Bros. 1 Boys' Industrial Home, Bayswater. 20 Chung, Andrew, Orchardist, Lilydale and Eastfield Rds, 21 Dickson Alfred, Heatherdale Rd. 5 Edgar, Rev. A.R. 18 English. Scottish, & Aust. Bank Ld. 6 Falconer, T. S. 14 Harnwell, W.J., Wonga Rd. 22 Hill, Wm.Hy, Nurseryman, Florist, Main Rd. 2 Langley, Or A.T. Station St. 15 Lothian, John I, "St Abbs" Canterbury Rd. 9 Madden, C. L., Coach and Horses Hotel. 7 McAlpin, J. B., Govt. Assessor, Valuator, opp. Station. 13 Mackinlay, Wm., Wonga Rd. 12 Miles, Capt. E. 12 Miles, A.T. 10 Police Station. 19 Police Station. Mitcham. 4 Walker, A.E., General Store. 11 Williams, W.S., 'Berringa Park,' Andersons Creek Rd.

Gallipoli 1915 Maps and Naval plan of Operations World War One ANZACRare examples that explain both ANZAC and Naval Operations during World War One Gallipoli & Dardanelles Passage .!. Black and White Photocopy of Gallipoli 1915 ANZAC Battlefield - detailed positions of troops and Cemeteries. 2.The Allied Failure to Force The Dardanelles Passage 18 March 1915 - detailed line of Attack Naval Organisation, Mine layout, Plan of Attack (and copy).. 3. Map of Turkey and surrounding area written in Turkish and German Languages. C0olor version main roads and distances. (and copy).. 4. Map of ANZAC Trench Diagram. World War One.Color. (and copy). 5.Panorama of Chunuk Blair from 3 miles south of Nibrunesi Point, 3 November 1915 and Anzac from 1 mile N. E. of Ari Burnu, 21 November 1915. Black & White 6. Color Map of ANZAC positions with topographical Details, notes. 1. Artwork and copyright by Srewart Cownie, Gallipoli 1915 ANZAC Battlefield with Landings and later evacuation marked. 2. Details of Naval actions taken in the Dardanelles Passage 18 March 1918. 3. Local area Map or Turkey. Shows roads network and townships. 4. ANZAC Trench Diagram, copyright Whitcombe & Tombs Limited , Wellington N.Z. 1919 5. Panorama of two coast views of ANZAC area. Australian War Memorial, 6. Map of ANZAC positions of World War One, Gallipoli 1915. Published by H.E.C. Roberinson, George Street, Sydney N.S.W.18 April 1916maps operational of anzac and naval opations during 1915 etc, dardanelles naval opations

Brown wooden honour board with gold text and separate panels for a large heading reading DUX and a footer reading HONERE ET LABORE.DUX 1909 A. Mahony 1910 A. Mahony 1911 P. Sims 1912 E. Pope 1913 F. Coperthwaite, M. Pearce 1914 G. Mason 1915 G. Home, I. Ridd 1916 E. Bray 1917 B. Brown, C. Brown 1918 H. Beeby, I. Howell 1919 H. Hansen 1920 H. Gambold 1921 A. Hinchley 1922 M. Malcolm 1923 S. Muntz 1924 F. Conner 1925 C. Burton 1926 C. Burton 1927 A. Francis 1928 A. Gerrard, E. Holloway 1929 E. Cowper 1930 M. Wray 1931 P. McDonald 1932 D. Keir 1933 S. Butler 1934 T. Walpole 1935 A. Sisely 1936 R. Bayliss 1937 I. Hicks, C. McKissack 1938 G. Jameson 1939 R. Simms 1940 V. Blatch, W. Smyth 1941 G. Grose, R. Short 1942 J. Fiddes, G. Sadler 1943 R. Wood 1944 J. George 1945 J. George 1946 R. Borschman 1947 G. Welton 1948 S. Davies, J. Ruxton 1949 J. Bradshaw 1950 L. Hogan 1951 U. Martin 1952 K. Mauger 1953 E. Canning 1954 C. Park 1955 A. Kentmann 1956 V. Crowther 1957 P. Waizer 1958 K. Rogers 1959 M. Scambler 1960 K. Anker 1961 M. Dundas 1962 M. Anker 1963 M. Berry 1964 B. Handsen 1965 R. Ritchens 1966 I. Bryce 1967 R. Anker 1968 C. Douglas 1969 S. Ilsley 1970 E. A. Miles 1971 B. Reeckman 1972 R. Withers 1973 C. Macklin 1974 S. Curtis 1975 S. Ingarfield 1976 G. Kilninster 1977 D. Wilkinson 1978 D. Cardwell 1979 A. Stewart 1980 M. C. Kilminster 1981 R. J. Kneebone 1982 J. A. Nicholls 1983 C. Grant 1984 A. Peipers 1985 H. Lowe 1986 S. Batten 1987 M. Evans 1988 D. Batten 1989 L. Kirby 1990 H. McDonald 1991 J. Bevacoua 1992 O. Roodenburg 1993 J. Campbell 1994 B. Akers, J. Heywood 1995 K. Kneebone 1996 P. Akers 1997 D. Martin 1998 J. Flanigan 1999 W. Makin 2000 M. Ashmead 2001 L. Smith 2002 T. Hartwing 2003 L. Smith 2004 R. Holgate 2005 H. Watkins, S. Findlay 2006 L. Watkins 2007 L. Watkins 2008 J. Elliot HONERE ET LABORE

The Annual Meeting presenting the Annual Report was held on the 21st of September 1886 at the Melbourne Athenaeum. In the Standard (Port Melbourne, Vic. : 1884 - 1914), Saturday 25 September 1886, page 2 VICTORIAN SEAMEN'S MISSION. This institution held its annual meeting in the Melbourne Athenæum on Tuesday evening under the most favourable auspices. The hall was filled in every part, a very large pro portion of the audience being seamen. The half hour previous to the com mencement of the meeting was very pleasantly occupied bv listening to the capital playing of the band of the Naval Brigade, and precisely at eight o'clock the musicians heralded the entrance of the vice-regal party by playing ' The National Anthem.' Sir Henry and Lady Loch were received by the Mayor of Melbourne (Mr. Stewart), the Hon. F. T. Derham, Captain Pasco, Mr. H. R. Reid (hon. secretary), and Lieutenant - Colonel Templeton, and His Excellency imme diately took the chair. The venerable ex-chaplain, the Rev. Kerr Johnson, was present, but as he did not feel equal to taking part in the proceedings, the Rev. E. T. Miles opened the meeting with prayer. Nothing could have been more cal culated to give a distinctive character to the meeting than the singing of the Sailors' Hymn by the 300 odd seamen present. The rugged yet tuneful voices of the men blending with those of the ladies present, who heartily joined in, gave a most spirit-stirring effect to the beautiful words of the refrain : — Rocks and streams I'll fear no more, When on that eternal shore; Drop the anchor ! furl the sail ! I am safe within the vail. Next followed His Excellency's address as chairman. The Governor threw himself heartily into the pro ceedings, and his remarks, expressive of the utmost sympathy with the sea men of the empire, were applauded to the echo. In fact from the start all the speakers struck the right key-note. The institution was not held up as a charity on which Jack was more or less dependent. According to the gentlemen who one and all welcomed him as a friend, and a right useful friend too, the thing was all the other way. To the sailor it was, they de clared, that they owed all that the colony possessed, and more — the great ness and prosperity of the Empire, He was the sort of man who never turned his back on a fellow creature, or refused to give a hand to a comrade in distress. Therefore it was deter mined that Jack should not come to these shores and think there were none to care for the comfort of his body or the welfare of his soul, and with the object of greeting the sailor on his arrival, of grasping his hand as a friend, beguiling his hours on shore, and saving him from the scores of dangers and temptations which beset a sea-faring man's stay in port, the institution had in '57 been started. Its claims on the Victorian public, not as a charity, but as a means of show ing some recognition of the services of the brave men who man our mercan tile marine, were ably put before the meeting. The Rev. G. D. Buchanan de clared that if the Melbourne merchants contributed to the mission a tithe of the amount they spent in insurance, they would find their goods better looked after by the seamen than by the insurance companies. Captain McCallum, the treasurer, read the following report of the com mittees of the Port Melbourne and Williamstown Rests : — In no part of the Queen's dominions have there been more changes during the last thirty years than in the colony bearing her gracious name ; and it is therefore all the more pleasant to report that the Victorian Mission to seamen, which started so long ago as 1857, still pursues an active career of usefulness, holding out a helping hand to mariners of all nations, without distinction of colour, race or creed. Eight years ago, some of the supporters of the Mission, feeling the want of a Temperance Club, where the crews of the various ships might recreate themselves and enjoy the three ' C's' — Coffee — Comfort — Company, appealed to the public for assistance, resulting in sufficient funds being obtained to justify the establishment of Sailors' Rests at Sandridge and Williamstown. Both these institutions were opened by a distinguished gentleman who has always taken a practical interest in sea men, and who, but for illness, would have been present at this meeting — Sir W. F. Stawell — and the result jof several years' experience fully justifies the statement that these institutions have supplied a felt want — the attendance of visitors reaching now about 30,000 per annum ; whilst so economically are they managed, that the annual cost to the public is less than L150 The thanks of the committee are specially due to those ladies and gentlemen who so kindly made a special and successful effort to supply both of the Bests with new piano fortes, to the great enjoyment of ' Jack ashore.' The instrument which was pre sented to the Port Melbourne institution by Mr. J. M. Bruce, on behalf of the sub scribers, the funds having been collected by his daughter yet in her teens, being espec ially one of great value. Concerts free to all seamen, given by amateur singers, are held weekly on both sides of the bay, and are largely attended and much appreciated. The building at Port Melbourne, which, being of wood, is merely of a temporary character, is free from debt ; but there is a mortgage of L500 on the Williamstown institution, which cripples its usefulness. The committee have regretfully to report that during the year under review they have lost, through the weakness of increas ing years, tbe loving services of the Rev. Kerr Johnston, their venerable friend and chaplain, whose life is, indeed, the history of the Mission, for he has been connected with it from the commencement of the work. Mr. Johnston has proved himself a true disciple of his Divine Master, and the com mittee trust that in the evening of his days he may enjoy that peace and rest which he lias so well earned. The com mittee presented Mr. Johnston, on retiring, with an honorarium of L100. Mr. E. James has been appointed iu Mr. JohuBton'u room, and the committee believe that their choice lias been a fortunate one. The Mission aud Sailors' Bests have been kept afloat by the unwearied and self -deny-ing exertions of the Ladies1 Committee, who have personally collected nearly the whole of the income ; but it may fairly be asked whether, in this great seaport, where last year there entered in at Her Majesty's Customs 1711 ships, manned by 61,256 men, the mercantile community of Melbourne should net take a more active interest in the welfare of the thousands of brave men who, for a few weeks, temporary sojourners on our shores, away from friends and relatives, have a special claim on our sympathy and help. We are of the old land, ' that gem sunk in the silver sea and we can re-echo Mr. Gladstone's recent words to the crew of the yacht Sunbeam, ' The calling which you follow is a noble one, and is calculated to bring forth the highest qualities of our common nature ; ana if it is possible for any occupation to make a man, in the highest and wideBt sense of the word, it is ' the occupation to which your lives are given. How closely it is connected with the the prosperity and fame of tbi» great nation ; how closely, indeed, it is connected with advancement of civilisation, and tiie general welfare of the world, it needs no words of mine to tell yon, for in your work and life you know it well, and feel it truly.' Look ing at what we Victorians owe to the British sailor, the committee earnestly trust that, with the blessings of the Almighty God, increased success will attend the work of the Mission and Rests. Mr. James read the chaplain's re port: — Since my appointment as chaplain to tbe Seamens' Mission, I have met with greater success than I anticipated. I have visited all the ships that have come into port, also many of the vessels on the Yarra, and am pleased with the civil and courteous manner in which I have been received by captains, officers and men, and in most cases my invitations to them to attend our meetings have been most heartily responded to. . The attendance at the services in the Bethel has much improved — on some occasions scarcely sitting room is to be found. The services have proved a great blessing to many Christian seamen ; whilst several who have come into port caring for nothing of a religious nature, have left praying. God fearing men, with the request that those left behind would remember them in their supplications, that they should be kept through all the trials and temptations to which seamen are exposed. The weekly Tuesday evening concerts got up bj the ladies of the committee and others, have proved a great benefit to the Mission, and a source of great enjoyment to the seamen in port. The programmes are excellent; and are spoken of by the sailors as the best they have heard in any port. The Sailors* Rest is provided with a library, the daily papers, and illustrated literature, with games of chess, draughts, dominoes, quoits, and other amusements, which are much taken advantage of during the evenings. Seamen ' are alio provided with writing materials, free, bo that everyone may have any opportunity of writing to their friends; for many an anxious parent is counting the days and hoping for .the time to come when they shall get a line from their sons in the far distant land, and many a son is reminded of his obligation by the opportunity thus afforded. I am much pleased at this time to acknowledge the kindness of the committee, and the great help I have received from them, also from Mr. Douglas, the manager of the Best. I do not think I could have been blest with a better co-worker. I have no hesitation in recommending the seamen to go to the Best, and telling them that they will receive a most hearty welcome, to which they can all testify ; my thanks are due to the voluntary workers, who have given every assistance ft their power, especially to Miss Lloyd, who is an invaluable help, attending in all weathers, and playing the organ at every service. The Sunday School is progressing, and we aie now about to make another addition to the library, of good readable books. The work at Williamstown is also pro gressing well, the Wednesday night concerts being well attended, and the singing and reciting supplied by local talent really good; the sailors contributing largely to the programmes. Captain McCallum is the backbone of the work at Williamstown, well supported by many warm friends of the sailors. The services held every Sunday night are productive of mnch good. The work here, too, is very encouraging, having much improved of late. I am thank ful to God that He has so blessed the efforts of His people, and hope they may be long spared to carry on the work. The Rev. G. D. Buchanan in an eloquent speech proposed the first re solution : — ' That the Reports now read be adopted, and that the following ladies and gentlemen be the Committee for the ensuing year : — SEAMEN'S MISSION. Ladies Committee. — Mesdames Templeton, Campbell, Chamberlin, Elworthy, Lormer, Gourlay, Gowan, B. Johnston, Webb, Young, Plummer, Misses Elwortny, Webb, Gowan, and M. Hastie. Gentlemen's Committee. — Captains Pasco, R. N., Adams, McCallum, J.P., Dalgarno, Garside, Messrs. Courtis, A. J. Smith, Macpherson, H. R. Reid, J.P., Henry Berry, J.P., Revs. Kerr Johnston, and A. R. Edgar.' Captain Pasco seconded, and in formed the audience that Baron Von Mueller had written regretting his inability to attend, but had sent a substantial cheque. (Applause.) A collection was then taken up and liberally responded to, the band mean-time playing airs suitable to the occa sion, such as ' The Death of Nelson' and ' Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep.' The hon. F. T. Derham next pro posed the second resolution : — ' That the success which has attended the working of the Port Melbourne Sailors' Rest justifies this meeting in taking imme diate steps to raise the funds necessary to erect a Seamen's Institute worthy of the in creasing trade and commerce of Victoria.' This was seconded by the Rev. A. R. Edgar, and both were carried by ac clamation. The Mayor of Melbourne moved a vote of thanks to His Excellency, and Sir Henry in the course of his reply said his sympathies were not only with sailors because he had been much brought into contact with them, but because he had been a sailor himself and had had the honour and privilege of serving in Her Majesty's navy. At this the men sprang to their feet and gave three deafening cheers for the Governor and another for Lady Loch, who bowed her acknowledgment and appeared very pleased at the hearty reception accorded to her. During the evening Mrs. Pearce, and Messrs. Walsh, Woods, and Robinson, members of the Liedertafel, contributed songs. The lady, who has sung at the Tuesday evening concerts, sang ' When the Tide comes in' so charmingly that an encore, although against the rule of the evening, was insisted upon, which was responded to by a beautiful rendering of the old ballad ' Robin Adair,' Altogether the meeting was a com plete success, and will doubtless afford the committee fresh encouragement in their well-directed efforts. Printed programme for the 1886 annual meeting taking place in the Melbourne AthenaeumWritten in black ink at the back by WHC Darvall: annual meeting, melbourne athenaeum, 1886, baron ferdinand von mueller, sailors' rest, hugh ronald reid, captain fullarton, captain mccallum, henry loch, captain pasco, reverend kerr johnston

In 2005 the H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was de-commissioned in Darwin and the Mayor of Warrnambool, Cr Glenys Phillpot, was present at the ceremonies connected to this event. She obtained this sailor’s hat at that time as a souvenir of the ship. It appears to be brand new. H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was the second ship with this name. The first H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was built in Sydney in 1941 and commissioned for anti-submarine and mine sweeping duties. In 1947 it was struck by a mine in northern Australian waters and sunk with the loss of four lives. The second H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was commissioned in 1981as a patrol boat in northern Australian waters. It had steamed over 500,000 miles before the end of its working life in 2005 and had visited Warrnambool several times. This sailor’s cap is of importance as a memento of the second ship named H.M.A.S. Warrnambool and particularly commemorates the de-commissioning of that ship in 2005 in Darwin. This is a white seaman’s hat with a flat oval-shaped crown made of stiffened white material with two white metal eyelets on each side. The base has a black ribbon with a black bow and lettering in woven gold thread. Inside there is a leather band with a white bow and a navy blue ribbon to act as a chin strap. This is attached on one side only. Inside also is a white label with the maker’s information on it. H.M.A.S. Warrnambool MAPE uniform headwear of the MCH group of companies 3405-66-075-6064 E 5 R.A.N.

This Draft document is part of the Topographical Drafting Manual produced by the Royal Australian Survey Corps in 1949. This document covers the guidelines for Editing and Proving (quality control) of the 1 Mile to 1 Inch map series that was widely produced by the Corps over Australia.A 10 x page foolscap sized buff coloured covered document, stapled and two hole punchedStamped on cover "E Comd Field Survey Unit"royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr

William Ellis NEWTON VC enlisted in the RAAF no 250748 on 5.2.1940 age 20 years 8 months. Serving with No 22Sqd RAAF flying Boston Bombers he arrived in New Guinea in May 1942. Along the way he was promoted to Pilot Officer, Flying Officer and then Flight Lieutenant. On the 18.3 1943 during a low level attack on Japanese positions around Salamaua he hit his target but his plane was hit several times by flack and burst into flames but he landed it in the sea. Sgt B.G Eastwood No 13055 a crew member went down with the aircraft. Newton and Flt Sgt J Lyon No 401706 swam to shore but were captured by the Japanese. Newton was taken to Lae for interrogation and then returned to Salamaua and was executed by decapitation and his body thrown in bomb crater on 29.3.1943. His body was later recovered in late 1943 when Australian troops captured Salamaua. Lyons was executed at Lae by bayoneting in the back. The award to Newton of the Victoria Cross was for low level attacks in the Salamaua area which inflicted heavy losses on Japanese installations one of which his plane was hit by flak heavily and he successfully flew it back some 180 miles and landed. The award also included the attack for which he was executed. Newtons and war crimes records are some 800 plus pages with photos, statements etc. Refer also Cat No 3456.Black & white photo, head & shoulders portrait of F/LT W. E. NEWTON V.C. He is wearing a peaked cap, collar & tie with RAAF wings badge on L side of jacket. In a green / gold wooden frame with glass front. Fawn paper backing. Gold plaque in middle beneath photo.Engraved on plaque: “F/LT W. E. NEWTON V.C. 22 Squadron RAAF”photograph, raaf, vc, newton

Brown wooden frame with glass front. Coloured map of Dardanelles featuring the Sea of Marmara & The Bosporus. Mounted on green background with fawn cardboard backing. Map in scale of miles & kilometers. Map shows landings, ships sunk & events during 1915.Back of frame: “Bethany Gallery 116 Bridge Street Bendigo”map, framed, dardenelles, gallipoli, 1915

The photograph shows the three-masted iron and steel bark "Newfield" sailing in open seas. It event would have been between 1889-1892 during the ship's working life. ABOUT THE NEWFIELD The Newfield was a three-masted iron and steel barque, built in Dundee, Scotland, in 1889 by Alexander Stephen and Sons. It was owned by the Newfield Ship Company in 1890 and later that year It was registered in Liverpool to owners Brownells and Co. The Newfield left Sharpness, Scotland, on 28th May 1892 with a crew of 25 under the command of Captain George Scott and on 1st June left Liverpool. She was bound for Brisbane, Australia, with a cargo of 1850 tons of fine rock salt, the main export product of Sharpness. At about 9pm on 28th August 1892, in heavy weather, Captain Scott sighted, between heavy squalls, the Cape Otway light on the mainland of Victoria but, due to a navigational error (the ship’s chronometers were wrong), he assumed it to be the Cape Wickham light on King Island, some 40 miles south. He altered his course to the north, expecting to enter Bass Strait. The ship was now heading straight for the south west Victorian coast and at about 1:30am ran aground on a reef about 100 yards from shore and one mile east of Curdie’s Inlet, Peterborough. The ship struck heavily three times before grounding on an inner shoal with 6 feet of water in the holds. Rough sea made the job of launching lifeboats very difficult. The first two lifeboats launched by the crew were smashed against the side of the ship and some men were crushed or swept away. The third lifeboat brought eight men to shore. It capsized when the crew tried to return it to the ship for further rescue The Port Campbell rocket crew arrived and fired four rocket lines, none of which connected with the ship. A local man, Peter Carmody, volunteered to swim one mile to the ship with a line to guide the fourth and final lifeboat safely to shore. Seventeen men survived the shipwreck but the captain and eight of his crew perished. One of the men, apprentice William McLeod, was rescued by local woman Margaret E. MacKenzie. The Newfield remained upright on the reef with sails set for a considerable time as the wind slowly ripped the canvas to shreds and the sea battered the hull to pieces. The Marine Board inquiry found the wreck was caused by a "one man style of navigation" and that the Captain had not heeded the advice of his crew. According to Jack Loney ‘… when the drama was over . . the Newfield was deserted except for the Captain’s dog and two pigs.’ Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum has several artefacts that have been salvaged from the wreck. The report from SHP documented the following in regards to the Newfield collection: Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Newfield is of historical and archaeological significance at a State level, because of its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register. The collection is significant because of its relationship between the objects. The Newfield collection is archaeologically significant as it is the remains of an international cargo ship. The Newfield collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 (Living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck. Black and white photograph of the three-masted sailing ship “Newfield” in the open sea, sails unfurled. The ship was built in 1859 by Alexander Stephen and Sons Limited of Dundee, Scotland. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, barque newfield, photograph, 1880s sailing ship

On the plaque board centre of group, “HMAS Sydney/winners victory cup/seamen’s whaler/2 miles/Australian fleet ??/Hervey bay/June 1926”Framed photograph, timber fame, brown colour, sepia tone photo of 8 RAN Sailors with a silver award cup depicting the “Winners Victory cup 1926, photo mounted on dark brown card , donation label on front, framing label on back.On label card black type, “Donated by Mrs E Aitken” On back handwritten in black, “Mrs E Aitken”photography-photographs, frames, military ran

This plaque recognises the Wycheproof servicemen from State School No1757 who served in the 1914-1919 War. The actual large Honour Roll hangs in the old historic Wycheproof State School building.This Honour Roll contributes to and is part of the nation's collection of War Records; it is unique,believed to be the only one of its kind.PHOTO of large Wycheproof School Honour Roll WW1, on wall at the former Wycheproof S.S. No.1757 building - now the Mount Wycheproof Museum. The plaque of solid wood has cylindrical wooden pillars each side of the 55 gold inscribed names - 12 FALLEN servicemen and marked with a +. Raised wooden carved grapes and leaves adorn the top edge. In the centre, on the scroll are dedication words in Honour of the Brave Men From Wycheproof State School. A small wooden cupboard is attached underneath for War Service Records. This photo is in a display Book registered number 02089 at the Court House. Anderson, E. , Anderson, N. , Boyce W. , Bruce R. , Brotherson, H. , + Brotherson, L. , Barker, D. , Beardon, G., Currie N. , Currie, G. , Cutts, R. , Cutts, A. , Chisholm, A. , Cooper, C. , Duckmanton, S. , Dooley, N. , Dooley, J. , Donnelly, T. , Gibb, J.R. +Gregson A. , Hurcules, W. , Hurcules, C. , Hurcules, N. , + Hayes, L. , Hayes, G. , +Hotham, J. , Hindson, E. , Heap, A. , Holloway, V. , Headley, J. , + Kearney, P. , Matheson, H., Matheson, J. , Miles, H. , McDonald, G., McDonald, W., +W., McElphinney, D. , McElphinney, D. , Pratt, A. , + Orrock, P. , + Orrock, A. , + Robinson, S. , Redgen, J. , + Ryan, J.F. , + Slocombe, R. , Stewart, C. , Stewart, R. , Stavely, W. ,+ Sayers, W. , Secombe, W. , Taylor, R. , Tucker, C. , Thomas, R. , Wilson, S. , Ward, P. + Supreme Sacrifice Anderson, E. , Anderson, N. , Boyce W. , Bruce R. , Brotherson, H. , + Brotherson, L. , Barker, D. , Beardon, G., Currie N. , Currie, G. , Cutts, R. , Cutts, A. , Chisholm, A. , Cooper, C. , Duckmanton, S. , Dooley, N. , Dooley, J. , Donnelly, T. , Gibb, J.R. +Gregson A. , Hurcules, W. , Hurcules, C. , Hurcules, N. , + Hayes, L. , Hayes, G. , +Hotham, J. , Hindson, E. , Heap, A. , Holloway, V. , Headley, J. , + Kearney, P. , Matheson, H., Matheson, J. , Miles, H. , McDonald, G., McDonald, W., +W., McElphinney, D. , McElphinney, D. , Pratt, A. , + Orrock, P. , + Orrock, A. , + Robinson, S. , Redgen, J. , + Ryan, J.F. , + Slocombe, R. , Stewart, C. , Stewart, R. , Stavely, W. ,+ Sayers, W. , Secombe, W. , Taylor, R. , Tucker, C. , Thomas, R. , Wilson, S. , Ward, P. + Supreme Sacrifice wycheproof - school, honour roll, world- war-one, wycheproof- servicemen

“The Squadron’s Most Prestigious Trophy” THE CACTUS STORY Years ago a story was told of a Donkey which lived in the desert. The standard of living was poor, and the main course on the menu when things were tough was cactus. The Donkey accepted the good with the bad, and in bad seasons it was always cactus. One day during his wanderings he came to a high fence. On the other side of the fence was lush grass and all sorts of vegetation and animals in prime condition. The Donkey said to a horse, “things look good in there, how does one get in”. The horse said “go down to the end of this fence, and you will come to a gate, there will be someone at the get, ask to get in”. The Donkey went to the end of the fence, found the gate and asked to get in. The horse at the gate said, “what do you want to come in for, all of us are geldings?”. The Donkey said “if that is the case, it is back to the cactus for me”. It was during the early stages of the great depression of 1929-1932, that this story was simulated to the conditions at the then Royal St. Kilda Yacht Club, when during the yachting season there were very few trophies due to the lack of money. A lot of members were out of work, and each Monday many would front up for the jobs that were offering or those who missed out went back to the dole or as many put it “Back to the Cactus”. The “Cactus Cup” race, to be free of entrance fees, was an idea conceived by H.A. (Toby) Armstrong, soon to be backed by Bert Bryant, Ivor Bowles and Jim Thorpe. It was First sailed March 25, 1922, when 9 yachts on sealed handicaps, raced over a 5 mile rectangular course for a small Trophy donated by Jim E. Thorpe and the winning crew of the yacht Helen, skippered by D.Dowse, entertained at a café after the race by the instigators of the race. The next contest was April 12, 1930, for another small trophy also donated by Jim Thorpe, and the crew of the winning yacht Petrel, skippered by Stan Gamble, later on having to arrange for a mussel supper to the extent of Trophy money at an informal musical evening held in the spar room. From then on races for the Cactus Cup became an annual event. In time the format was changed to result in the crew of the first winning yacht having to collect mussels from the pier on the first Saturday of July, cook and prepare them for a no charge informal supper and entertainment evening held in the spar room, towards which the Club provided a keg of Beer. Member Bob Ellis had a special song for the occasion, “Up at Tumba Bloody Rumba shooting Kanga Bloody Roos”. Jim Thorpe then agreed to purchase a Perpetual Cup to be named the Cactus Cup. As guest of honor at the Cactus Supper Evening, May 1940, a dinner suit function in the Spar room, he presented the Cup along with Replica to Barney Snider who won with Eun-Na-Mara. Soon entries became few, for reason nobody wanted to win because of the penalty of having to collect, cook and prepare the mussels. In the interest of the contest and its revival, it was decided that the crew of the last yacht to finish had to collect, cook and prepare the mussels. On the death of Jim E Thorpe in 1944, the trophy, along with its annual replicas, were then provided for by Ivor Bowles until his death in 1970. In time for reason of pollution, the collecting of mussels from the pier was discontinued, so Otto Meik the new provider decided that the format be changed and be replaced by a supper on the day of the race, consisting of bottle mussels, beer and frankfurts. Following the death of Otto Meik in 1979, with no provider for the trophy of replicas, the Squadron in the early 80’s broke tradition by introducing race entry fees. In 2006 the Cactus Cup Tradition was reinstituted by a donation from J.H. (Bert) Ferris – RMYS historian. The Cactus Cup is now free to enter once again for all. The race is run early and a late afternoon feast of mussels and frankfurts is eaten afterwards.Deep sectioned Silver Cup, 300mm high to lip, tapering to thick plain stem flaring out to stepped footing, has two shaped handles. Silver Lid with Donkey positioned on shaped dome. Overall height 110mm. Cup stands on 145mm high round black base with stepped footing, surrounded with Silver winner inscription band.ROYAL ST. KILDA YACHT CLUB PERPETUAL CACTUS CUP INAUGURATED 1922 INSTIGATED BY H.A. ARMSTRONG ESQ. ORIGINAL CUP PRESENTED BY J.E. THORPE ESQ.cactus cup, trophy

Centred on present day Diosma Rd, Stokes Pl, Nyora Rd and Eucalyptus Rd Historic Aerial Imagery Source: Landata.vic.gov.au Aerial Photo Details: Project No :5 Project : MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN AREA PROJECT Run : 36 Frame : 60546 Date : 12/1945 Film Type : B/W Camera : EAG4 Flying Height : 10200 Scale : 6000 Film Number : 195 GDA2020 : 37°42'47"S, 145°09'56"E MGA2020 : 338306, 5824438 (55) Melways : 22 C4 (ed. 42) A History of the Development of Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik – Stokes Orchard Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik (CA15) is a square allotment of 158 acres or approximately a quarter of a square mile. It lies just beyond the eastern end of Pitt Street, south of Nyora Road to the northern end of Eucalyptus Road and extends east from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road. The topography of CA15 is generally steep, sloping up to a hill near the centre of the land, the ridgeline passing through the properties along the southern side of Diosma Road. Eucalyptus Road is a straight north-south road with its northern end at the north west corner of CA15. Until the end of the 1970s this road was an un-named Government Road and was largely not open to traffic. With residential development in the 1970s the road was constructed, and the council allocated the name obviously in recognition of the predominant species of the local bushland. CA15 was purchased from the Crown by George D’Arley Boursiquot, a prominent Melbourne printer, on 28th October 1852. On November 23, 1922, former Member for Gippsland and Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Hubert Patrick Keogh purchased the allotment then sold it March 13, 1925, to local farmer, Robert David Taylor, a former Shire of Eltham Councillor (1911-1920) and Shire President (1919). Taylor had extensive land holdings stretching west towards Bible Street and Main Road. The Taylor home was situated at the top of the hill in Bible Street at present day 82 Bible Street. At the time of Taylor’s purchase in 1925, CA15 was subdivided into 48 lots that could be described as small rural properties or large residential lots. A typical lot size was one hectare or 2.5 acres. The subdivision created two roads, Nyora Road, and Diosma Road, each following an irregular alignment between Eucalyptus and Reynolds Roads. However, the lots were not sold off separately nor were the roads constructed. The land effectively remained as one parcel for many further years. Robert David Taylor died November 30, 1934, and probate was granted to his son of the same name, Robert David Taylor of Bible Street, Salesman and William McLelland Vance Taylor of 73 Emmeline Street, Northcote, Clerk, with the transfer of the land into their names on July 8, 1935. Frank Stokes worked as a qualified accountant at Kennons leather factory in Burnley, while living at 1 Thomas Street, Mitcham. He suffered from migraines and wanted to return to working the land (he had previously worked on farms and orchards since coming to Australia from England in 1926, both in WA and Vic.). He first travelled to the district by train in July 1942 to find land with the intention to establish an orchard. By chance he met Arthur Bird of Bird Orchard (bounded by Pitt Street, Eucalyptus Road, and Wattle Grove) and they got talking over their common interest. Arthur put Frank up for the night and pointed out the land, 158 acres- part of the Taylor Estate- £900, Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik (CA15) somewhat diagonally opposite Bird Orchard. Stokes applied through the Riverina Agency to purchase the land who in turn applied for permission from Canberra to sell as there was a new government regulation introduced during the Second World War banning land sales except for immediate production. Stokes obtained a loan on his Mitcham house of £600 @ 5% and paid £450 deposit with quarterly payments of £15 spread over 5 years. Stokes was assisted and advised by Arthur Bird who farmed the neighbouring orchard. In early 1943 Stokes took possession and would catch the train out to Eltham on Fridays after work and began building a hut on the corner of Nyora Road and the Government Road (Eucalyptus Road) for shelter and to lock up tools. He established an orchard on the central western part of the land through the centre of which ran a natural waterway (part of the present-day linear park) and was able to pay a neighbour (Hawkins) to help with clearing and fencing 25 acres, and with a horse and single furrowed plough, planted approximately 2,500 fruit trees - cherries, peaches, plums, almonds, pears, apricots and lemons as well as a few apples and oranges; a massive task. Aerial photographs from the 1940s through to the 1990s clearly show the orchard with most of the larger CA15 site remaining as natural bushland. A huge problem was hares and rabbits eating all the new buds off the tiny trees. As well as laying poison he painted the trees with a mixture of cow manure and lime, often working by moonlight. Procurement of wire and wire netting was difficult because of the war but after much effort he obtained a permit from the Agricultural Department for supplies in March 1944. In February 1945 Stokes applied for a permit to build a “packing shed” as no house building was allowed. It was to be 33 feet x 21 feet and cost £312. It was constructed mostly from second-hand materials, which were hard to obtain, especially iron for roofing. Stokes finished work at Kennons on October 31, 1945, and in March 1946 he sold the family home at Mitcham for £1,230 plus £170 for furniture. On May 15, 1946, title to the CA15 property was issued to Frank Howard Alfred Stokes, Orchardist and Gladys Ethel Stokes, Married Woman, both of Pitt Street, Eltham. The family of five then moved into the very unfinished “packing shed” at Eltham, which was a struggle to weatherproof. Eventually rooms were divided off and lined with hessian bags and whitewashed. Their income was firewood (cut and sold), selling rockery stones and cut Sweet Bursaria. (It was discovered during the 1940s that Sweet Bursaria contained the sunscreen compound Aesculin. The RAAF utilised this compound from Sweet Bursaria during WW2 for pilots and gunners.) The orchard’s first fruit sale was a half-case of Le Vanq peaches in December 1947 for the price of 8 shillings. In 1956 plans for house were drawn and Glen Iris bricks purchased (1956 Olympic Rings variant). The building of the house commenced in 1957 - 12 feet of original packing shed was removed – and was completed in 1959. Water was connected from newly built pressure storage on the property at the end of 1959 and the electricity connection for the first time at 3pm on April 29, 1960. The house remains to present day (somewhat modified) at 1 Nyora Road, home to Nyora Studio Gallery. On occasions, spare remnants of the 1956 bricks have been known to be unearthed in gardens on the estate as they were utilised by Frank Stokes to fill in rabbit holes. On May 26, 1950, a parcel of land was compulsorily acquired by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works on the hilltop to establish an easement for a high-level service reservoir to augment Eltham’s water supply. The project also included pipe tracks for the necessary water mains. The reservoir has now been superseded by higher level water tanks east of Reynolds Road and its former site is now a public reserve. On November 27, 1964, the State Electricity Commission served notice to compulsorily acquire a further parcel through the eastern part of the land for a major electricity transmission line that augmented supply from the La Trobe Valley to Melbourne. The easement was registered February 11, 1966. The easement was widened July 18, 1969 for a second transmission line to be constructed. In 1971 Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme amendments adopted Nyora Road as the boundary between a residential zone to the north and a rural zone to the south. This determined the future development of the land. In the mid-1970s the Shire of Eltham divided the orchard into numerous rate-able parcel lots, the 48 lots having been established in 1925 and the subsequent rates assessment proved unsustainable for Stokes. He commenced selling lots outside the boundary of the orchard, north of Diosma and South of Nyora. However shortly later the land between Nyora and Diosma Roads and west of the electricity easement was sold and subdivided into residential lots, a housing development by Macquarie Builders and marketed as the Stokes Orchard Estate. New streets were created, and most were named after trees, although one, Stokes Place, commemorates the former owners. The development was undertaken in two stages; Stage 1 (1975) encompassing Scarlet Ash Court, Ironbark Close and Peppermint Grove bounded by Nyora and Eucalyptus roads and Stage 2 (1978) encompassing Stokes Place, Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout bound by Nyora and Diosma roads. The developer, Macquarie Builders went bankrupt shortly after the release of Stage 2 leaving many purchasers to fend for themselves and arrange for their own independent builders. There were also difficulties with sewerage for the land immediately south of Diosma Road and so the conventional residential lots were abandoned in favour of larger lots. The development of Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout did not proceed as planned and the proposed lots were incorporated into five-acre parcels instead. These included a low-density group housing development by the Graves family and the award winning Choong House (1983) with Gordon Ford developed garden immediately next door situated on the ridge of the hill nestled amongst the original bush, Eucalypt trees and Sweet Bursaria. In 1994, Nillumbik Shire Council applied Significant Environment and Significant Landscape overlays upon the properties on the south side of Diosma Road to ensure protection of this natural bush garden environment. With the arrival of the sewer along Diosma Road in the 1990s, most of these five-acre parcels have since been subdivided multiple times. The Choong house presently sits on a 2.7-acre property, which in 2022 Nillumbik Council nominated for Cultural Significance Heritage protection and is considered potentially significant at State level. The Stokes family were also associated with the Eltham Christian Church. In the 1970s this church had met in temporary premises in Eltham. Lots of the original 1925 subdivision remained south of Nyora Road and a number of these lots were utilized for the Eltham Christian School, which was established by the Eltham Christian Church in 1981. The school operated on this site until 2000. The premises are now used by The Vine Baptist Church. By the mid-1980s the whole of CA15 had been developed for residential and school purposes, except for the sections north of Diosma Road and between the transmission lines and Reynolds Road. Sewerage issues had been resolved for the section north of Diosma Road and in 1987 it was in the process of being subdivided into residential lots. The development coincided with the discovery of colonies of the rare and endangered Eltham Copper Butterfly on the site. This resulted in a community and political campaign to save the butterfly habitat. With the co-operation of the land developer the subdivision was altered to create two bushland reserves in the critical butterfly habitat areas. In the late 1980s the State Government was investigating options for establishing a metropolitan ring road link between Diamond Creek and Ringwood. The chosen route was adjacent to Reynolds Road and so this created a freeze on development of CA15 between Reynolds Road and the electricity easement. The ring road proposal was eventually abandoned, and this part of the land was subdivided into low density residential lots. Diosma Road has been discontinued at the electricity easement and the eastern part incorporated into View Mount Court with access from Reynolds Road. The whole of CA15 has now been developed for residential or associated purposes, ranging from conventional density to quite low density south of Nyora Road. Some remnants of the orchard remain, a few cherry trees on the Graves property and a lone apple tree in Stokes Place. The butterfly reserves comprise significant areas of remnant bushland. Linear reserves through the estate link with central Eltham via the Woodridge linear reserve and with Research along the electricity easement. CA15 as it exists today has a complicated history of rural use, Government acquisition, urban development, and community action. References: • “Stokes Orchard, an incomplete history”; Russell Yeoman with Doug Orford • Correspondence, Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes) • Aerial Photographs, 1931-1991, Landata (landata.vic.gov.au) • Certificate of Title, Vol. 4930 Fol. 985900 • Plan Number LP 10859 aerial photo, diosma road, eltham copper butterfly, eucalyptus road, ironbark close, nyora road, peppermint grove, peter & elizabeth pidgeon collection, power transmission lines, reynolds road, scarlet ash court, stokes orchard estate, stokes place, woodridge estate, frank stokes

Centred over present day Reynolds Road and Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham (including Diosma Rd, Stokes Pl, Nyora Rd and Eucalyptus Rd) Historic Aerial Imagery Source: Landata.vic.gov.au Aerial Photo Details: Project No :1931 Project : MALDON PRISON Run : 21 Frame : 3160 Date : 11/1931 Film Type : B/W Camera : F8 Flying Height : 11000 Scale : 18860 Film Number : 60 GDA2020 : 37°43'31"S, 145°10'20"E MGA2020 : 338912, 5823086 (55) Melways : 22 E8 (ed. 42) A History of the Development of Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik – Stokes Orchard Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik (CA15) is a square allotment of 158 acres or approximately a quarter of a square mile. It lies just beyond the eastern end of Pitt Street, south of Nyora Road to the northern end of Eucalyptus Road and extends east from Eucalyptus Road to Reynolds Road. The topography of CA15 is generally steep, sloping up to a hill near the centre of the land, the ridgeline passing through the properties along the southern side of Diosma Road. Eucalyptus Road is a straight north-south road with its northern end at the north west corner of CA15. Until the end of the 1970s this road was an un-named Government Road and was largely not open to traffic. With residential development in the 1970s the road was constructed, and the council allocated the name obviously in recognition of the predominant species of the local bushland. CA15 was purchased from the Crown by George D’Arley Boursiquot, a prominent Melbourne printer, on 28th October 1852. On November 23, 1922, former Member for Gippsland and Melbourne Real Estate Agent, Hubert Patrick Keogh purchased the allotment then sold it March 13, 1925, to local farmer, Robert David Taylor, a former Shire of Eltham Councillor (1911-1920) and Shire President (1919). Taylor had extensive land holdings stretching west towards Bible Street and Main Road. The Taylor home was situated at the top of the hill in Bible Street at present day 82 Bible Street. At the time of Taylor’s purchase in 1925, CA15 was subdivided into 48 lots that could be described as small rural properties or large residential lots. A typical lot size was one hectare or 2.5 acres. The subdivision created two roads, Nyora Road, and Diosma Road, each following an irregular alignment between Eucalyptus and Reynolds Roads. However, the lots were not sold off separately nor were the roads constructed. The land effectively remained as one parcel for many further years. Robert David Taylor died November 30, 1934, and probate was granted to his son of the same name, Robert David Taylor of Bible Street, Salesman and William McLelland Vance Taylor of 73 Emmeline Street, Northcote, Clerk, with the transfer of the land into their names on July 8, 1935. Frank Stokes worked as a qualified accountant at Kennons leather factory in Burnley, while living at 1 Thomas Street, Mitcham. He suffered from migraines and wanted to return to working the land (he had previously worked on farms and orchards since coming to Australia from England in 1926, both in WA and Vic.). He first travelled to the district by train in July 1942 to find land with the intention to establish an orchard. By chance he met Arthur Bird of Bird Orchard (bounded by Pitt Street, Eucalyptus Road, and Wattle Grove) and they got talking over their common interest. Arthur put Frank up for the night and pointed out the land, 158 acres- part of the Taylor Estate- £900, Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik (CA15) somewhat diagonally opposite Bird Orchard. Stokes applied through the Riverina Agency to purchase the land who in turn applied for permission from Canberra to sell as there was a new government regulation introduced during the Second World War banning land sales except for immediate production. Stokes obtained a loan on his Mitcham house of £600 @ 5% and paid £450 deposit with quarterly payments of £15 spread over 5 years. Stokes was assisted and advised by Arthur Bird who farmed the neighbouring orchard. In early 1943 Stokes took possession and would catch the train out to Eltham on Fridays after work and began building a hut on the corner of Nyora Road and the Government Road (Eucalyptus Road) for shelter and to lock up tools. He established an orchard on the central western part of the land through the centre of which ran a natural waterway (part of the present-day linear park) and was able to pay a neighbour (Hawkins) to help with clearing and fencing 25 acres, and with a horse and single furrowed plough, planted approximately 2,500 fruit trees - cherries, peaches, plums, almonds, pears, apricots and lemons as well as a few apples and oranges; a massive task. Aerial photographs from the 1940s through to the 1990s clearly show the orchard with most of the larger CA15 site remaining as natural bushland. A huge problem was hares and rabbits eating all the new buds off the tiny trees. As well as laying poison he painted the trees with a mixture of cow manure and lime, often working by moonlight. Procurement of wire and wire netting was difficult because of the war but after much effort he obtained a permit from the Agricultural Department for supplies in March 1944. In February 1945 Stokes applied for a permit to build a “packing shed” as no house building was allowed. It was to be 33 feet x 21 feet and cost £312. It was constructed mostly from second-hand materials, which were hard to obtain, especially iron for roofing. Stokes finished work at Kennons on October 31, 1945, and in March 1946 he sold the family home at Mitcham for £1,230 plus £170 for furniture. On May 15, 1946, title to the CA15 property was issued to Frank Howard Alfred Stokes, Orchardist and Gladys Ethel Stokes, Married Woman, both of Pitt Street, Eltham. The family of five then moved into the very unfinished “packing shed” at Eltham, which was a struggle to weatherproof. Eventually rooms were divided off and lined with hessian bags and whitewashed. Their income was firewood (cut and sold), selling rockery stones and cut Sweet Bursaria. (It was discovered during the 1940s that Sweet Bursaria contained the sunscreen compound Aesculin. The RAAF utilised this compound from Sweet Bursaria during WW2 for pilots and gunners.) The orchard’s first fruit sale was a half-case of Le Vanq peaches in December 1947 for the price of 8 shillings. In 1956 plans for house were drawn and Glen Iris bricks purchased (1956 Olympic Rings variant). The building of the house commenced in 1957 - 12 feet of original packing shed was removed – and was completed in 1959. Water was connected from newly built pressure storage on the property at the end of 1959 and the electricity connection for the first time at 3pm on April 29, 1960. The house remains to present day (somewhat modified) at 1 Nyora Road, home to Nyora Studio Gallery. On occasions, spare remnants of the 1956 bricks have been known to be unearthed in gardens on the estate as they were utilised by Frank Stokes to fill in rabbit holes. On May 26, 1950, a parcel of land was compulsorily acquired by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works on the hilltop to establish an easement for a high-level service reservoir to augment Eltham’s water supply. The project also included pipe tracks for the necessary water mains. The reservoir has now been superseded by higher level water tanks east of Reynolds Road and its former site is now a public reserve. On November 27, 1964, the State Electricity Commission served notice to compulsorily acquire a further parcel through the eastern part of the land for a major electricity transmission line that augmented supply from the La Trobe Valley to Melbourne. The easement was registered February 11, 1966. The easement was widened July 18, 1969 for a second transmission line to be constructed. In 1971 Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Scheme amendments adopted Nyora Road as the boundary between a residential zone to the north and a rural zone to the south. This determined the future development of the land. In the mid-1970s the Shire of Eltham divided the orchard into numerous rate-able parcel lots, the 48 lots having been established in 1925 and the subsequent rates assessment proved unsustainable for Stokes. He commenced selling lots outside the boundary of the orchard, north of Diosma and South of Nyora. However shortly later the land between Nyora and Diosma Roads and west of the electricity easement was sold and subdivided into residential lots, a housing development by Macquarie Builders and marketed as the Stokes Orchard Estate. New streets were created, and most were named after trees, although one, Stokes Place, commemorates the former owners. The development was undertaken in two stages; Stage 1 (1975) encompassing Scarlet Ash Court, Ironbark Close and Peppermint Grove bounded by Nyora and Eucalyptus roads and Stage 2 (1978) encompassing Stokes Place, Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout bound by Nyora and Diosma roads. The developer, Macquarie Builders went bankrupt shortly after the release of Stage 2 leaving many purchasers to fend for themselves and arrange for their own independent builders. There were also difficulties with sewerage for the land immediately south of Diosma Road and so the conventional residential lots were abandoned in favour of larger lots. The development of Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout did not proceed as planned and the proposed lots were incorporated into five-acre parcels instead. These included a low-density group housing development by the Graves family and the award winning Choong House (1983) with Gordon Ford developed garden immediately next door situated on the ridge of the hill nestled amongst the original bush, Eucalypt trees and Sweet Bursaria. In 1994, Nillumbik Shire Council applied Significant Environment and Significant Landscape overlays upon the properties on the south side of Diosma Road to ensure protection of this natural bush garden environment. With the arrival of the sewer along Diosma Road in the 1990s, most of these five-acre parcels have since been subdivided multiple times. The Choong house presently sits on a 2.7-acre property, which in 2022 Nillumbik Council nominated for Cultural Significance Heritage protection and is considered potentially significant at State level. The Stokes family were also associated with the Eltham Christian Church. In the 1970s this church had met in temporary premises in Eltham. Lots of the original 1925 subdivision remained south of Nyora Road and a number of these lots were utilized for the Eltham Christian School, which was established by the Eltham Christian Church in 1981. The school operated on this site until 2000. The premises are now used by The Vine Baptist Church. By the mid-1980s the whole of CA15 had been developed for residential and school purposes, except for the sections north of Diosma Road and between the transmission lines and Reynolds Road. Sewerage issues had been resolved for the section north of Diosma Road and in 1987 it was in the process of being subdivided into residential lots. The development coincided with the discovery of colonies of the rare and endangered Eltham Copper Butterfly on the site. This resulted in a community and political campaign to save the butterfly habitat. With the co-operation of the land developer the subdivision was altered to create two bushland reserves in the critical butterfly habitat areas. In the late 1980s the State Government was investigating options for establishing a metropolitan ring road link between Diamond Creek and Ringwood. The chosen route was adjacent to Reynolds Road and so this created a freeze on development of CA15 between Reynolds Road and the electricity easement. The ring road proposal was eventually abandoned, and this part of the land was subdivided into low density residential lots. Diosma Road has been discontinued at the electricity easement and the eastern part incorporated into View Mount Court with access from Reynolds Road. The whole of CA15 has now been developed for residential or associated purposes, ranging from conventional density to quite low density south of Nyora Road. Some remnants of the orchard remain, a few cherry trees on the Graves property and a lone apple tree in Stokes Place. The butterfly reserves comprise significant areas of remnant bushland. Linear reserves through the estate link with central Eltham via the Woodridge linear reserve and with Research along the electricity easement. CA15 as it exists today has a complicated history of rural use, Government acquisition, urban development, and community action. References: • “Stokes Orchard, an incomplete history”; Russell Yeoman with Doug Orford • Correspondence, Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes) • Aerial Photographs, 1931-1991, Landata (landata.vic.gov.au) • Certificate of Title, Vol. 4930 Fol. 985900 • Plan Number LP 10859 aerial photo, diosma road, eltham copper butterfly, eucalyptus road, ironbark close, nyora road, peppermint grove, peter & elizabeth pidgeon collection, power transmission lines, reynolds road, scarlet ash court, stokes orchard estate, stokes place, woodridge estate, frank stokes