The Eltham Community and Reception Centre was Australia's first public mud-brick building. Commissioned in 1977 by Eltham Shire Council, led by Shire president (and architect) Robert Marshall, architects Whitford and Peck were asked to design a multipurpose facility in mud-brick and timber. The official opening was performed by the Hon. R.J. Hamer; E.D., M.P., Premier of Victorai on Saturday, April 22, 1978. Architects: Whitford & Peck Pty Ltd Quantity Surveyor: D.J. Cant & Associates Structural Civil Engineers: Charlett & Moore Pty Ltd Landscape: Peter Glass, Dennis Edwards Mech Elec: Lobley Treidel & Partners Pty Ltd Acoustics: Riley Barden & Kirkhope Builder: L.U. Simon Pty Ltdjim connor collection, eltham community and reception centre, eltham community centre, mudbrick construction

The Eltham Community and Reception Centre was Australia's first public mud-brick building. Commissioned in 1977 by Eltham Shire Council, led by Shire president (and architect) Robert Marshall, architects Whitford and Peck were asked to design a multipurpose facility in mud-brick and timber. The official opening was performed by the Hon. R.J. Hamer; E.D., M.P., Premier of Victorai on Saturday, April 22, 1978. Architects: Whitford & Peck Pty Ltd Quantity Surveyor: D.J. Cant & Associates Structural Civil Engineers: Charlett & Moore Pty Ltd Landscape: Peter Glass, Dennis Edwards Mech Elec: Lobley Treidel & Partners Pty Ltd Acoustics: Riley Barden & Kirkhope Builder: L.U. Simon Pty Ltd Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p177 The Wiggles performed there, so has the ABC’s Play School. New citizens have made their vows, volunteers have been honoured, school children have performed, weddings celebrated and people mourned at funerals. Since 1978 the Eltham Community and Reception Centre at the corner of Pitt Street and Main Road, has provided a beautiful and quintessential Eltham environment for people from all over Melbourne. Recognised as Australia’s first public mud-brick building, the centre was built partly on the site of the parsonage of the former Methodist Church (now the Uniting Church).1 Commissioned by the Eltham Council headed by President Robert Marshall, architects Whitford and Peck were asked to design a multipurpose facility in mud-brick and timber. Following public consultation, it was agreed to build a centre for dances, exhibitions, films, plays or concerts. The results – at a cost of around $620,000 – captured the Eltham rustic style. The building – in soft tones of mud-brick and timber and immense floor-to-ceiling windows – overlooks the Diamond Creek and sporting fields. Eltham’s strong artistic heritage is reflected in the centre. Although the lighting is not ideal for a gallery and labels cannot be placed on walls, the centre hosts the Nillumbik Art Awards and displays around ten to 20% of the Nillumbik Shire Art Collection, usually for around a year at a time.2 On permanent display, close to the entrance, is local artist Clifton Pugh’s White Choughs in the Landscape. Further to the right is the Walter Withers Gallery, named after a local member of the Heidelberg School of artists. As part of the Eltham Gateway opposite the Eltham Hotel, the centre stands on what was once part of the Eltham Town Centre along this section of Main Road, then known as Maria Street. On the same site once stood the house and flour mill owned by Henry Dendy, best known as the founder of Brighton, although he lived longer in Eltham. Beside the drive is a wheel-rim tool with accompanying plaque, illustrating a technology important during the horse-powered age and now almost completely gone, as has the blacksmith’s shop that had housed it nearby. The implement is a platform for fitting iron tyres to the wooden rims of cartwheels. Beneath it is a capsule placed in 1985 to commemorate Victoria’s 150 years, which is to be opened in 2035. Although the plants, forming part of the landscaping by Peter Glass and Denis Edwards, are largely indigenous and other native species, some exotic plants are protected as an important link with the site’s past. Planted at the front around 1920, is a large Peppercorn tree with two joined trunks growing from the base, and close by is a Bhutan Cypress (Cupressus torulosa). Three other Peppercorn trees fringe the drive. The building includes two halls – the larger seating 250 people – and a large foyer overlooking trees and ovals. Both halls have retractable rear walls providing varying spaces as required, and guests can use several external decks. A site for outdoor theatre has been carved out of the natural slope outside the entrance. The Bricklayers Union refused to use the traditional mud-bricks, which weigh more than 22kg. As a result the mud-bricks were redesigned to reduce their weight and were laid back-to-back to produce a wall of normal thickness.3 The centre’s massive timber frame is reminiscent of timber bridge construction, with infill panels of mud-brick.4 In accord with the rustic style are colossal rough-sawn posts, bolts and steel brackets. The combination of mud-brick, exposed feature timber framing and creative design in this centre, characterises Eltham’s innovative buildings and the social movement behind them from the 1940s to the 1970s.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham community and reception centre, mudbrick construction

fay bridge collection, 2018-11-12, eltham community and reception centre, eltham community centre, eltham festival, eltham woodworkers

Eltham District Historical Society awarded the Nillumbik 2018 Community Group of the YearA5 booklet, 16 pages incl covers, double stapledaustralia day awards, citizenship ceremony, eltham community and reception centre, nillumbik shire council

Members of the Eltham District Historical Society celebrate being awarded the Nillumbik 2018 Community Group of the Year award with Mayor Cr. Peter Clarke.Born Digital2018 community group of the year, ceremonies, cr. grant brooker, eltham community and reception centre, eltham district historical society, mayor cr. peter clarke, nillumbik shire council

A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. (Source nillumbik News 2016 p. 7) Born Digitalsteps, accessibility, exterior, landscaping, eltham community and reception centre

Photo taken during an EDHS Excursion "A walk around Little Eltham", 21 June 2017. One of a series of photos. A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. Born Digitallandscaping, gardens, eltham community and reception centre, grass, mulch

A photograph of the Eltham Community Centre. The Eltham Community Reception Centre is owned and operated by Nillumbik Shire. It retains the unique character of the original iconic mudbrick building, it was refurbished in 2017.1 colour photograph.peter graham, eltham, eltham community reception centre

Part of the Nillumbik Art Collectionfay bridge collection, 2018-11-12, eltham community centre, george dreyfus, matcham skipper, nillumbik art collection

Eltham Gateway, Eltham Community and Reception Centre, 801 Main Road, ElthamTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, eltham community and reception centre

Public toilet block down the hill at the rear of the Eltham Community and Reception CentreBorn Digitaleltham community centre, eltham community and reception centre, tiolet block

Articles, some with photos. Subjects include President's message, Eltham-templestowe intersection, indoor recreational centre, Bridge over Watsons Creek, town square, list of councillors, forward planning, recreational faciliaites including Eltham town park, Hurstbridge hall, roads, community welfare services, eltham Community and reception centre opening, amenities for youth, concrete bridge at Arthurs creek and Mitton's Bridge at St Andrew's Newsprint, 4 pages harry gilham collection, intersection, round-about, recreation, recreational centre, watsons creek, town square, councilors, newsletter, planning, parks, hurstbridge hall, community welfare service, roads, eltham community and reception centre, youth, skateboard track, mitton's bridge, arthur's creek, fitzsimons lane, main road, road construction, rondabout

Australia’s first mud brick community building was opened in 1978. In 2018 a major upgrade took place. Colour photograph of mud brick Eltham Community Centre at corner of Main Road and Pitt Streeteltham, community centre, buildings, mud brick, main road, pitt street, eltham community reception centre

A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. (Source Nillumbik News Winter 2016) One of a series of photosBorn Digitaleltham community centre, eltham community reception centre, foyer

Community Project. One of a series of calendars which the Shire of Eltham and the Shire of Nillumbik published annually Photography by Graham Hosking Photography. Monthly calendar printed in landscape mode, with feature photograph and template of dates for each of the 12 months presented. Includes advertisements. Back of the calendar includes a list of emergency numbers.calendar,1996,shire of nillumbik,research primary school,eltham north adventure playground,edendale gateway,tony trembath,eltham leisure centre,diamond valley railway,kangaroo ground pony club,eltham community and reception centre,eltham community centre,shire of nillumbik,swimming pool,yarra river,, diamond creek trail,yarrambat golf course,sugar loaf reservoir,map

A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. (Source Nillumbik News Winter 2016) One of a series of photosBorn Digitaleltham community centre, eltham community and reception centre, car park

A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. (Source Nillumbik News Winter 2016) One of a series of photosBorn Digitaleltham community centre, eltham community and reception centre

A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. (Source Nillumbik News Winter 2016) One of a series of photosBorn Digitaleltham community centre, eltham community and reception centre

A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. (Source Nillumbik News Winter 2016) One of a series of photosBorn Digitaleltham community centre, eltham community and reception centre

Photo taken during an EDHS Excursion "A walk around Little Eltham", 21 June 2017. One of a series of photos. A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. (Source Nillumbik News Winter 2016) Born Digitaleltham community centre, eltham community and reception centre, foyer

Photo taken during an EDHS Excursion "A walk around Little Eltham", 21 June 2017. One of a series of photos. A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. Born Digitaleltham community centre, eltham community and reception centre, foyer

A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. (Source Nillumbik News Winter 2016) One of a series of photosBorn Digitaleltham community centre, eltham community and reception centre

A substantial refurbishment of one of the Shire's most iconic mudbrick buildings took place 2016/2017. JR and BL Kendall Pty Ltf of Hurstbridge undertook the project. Upgrades to the building include: *replacement of corrugated asbestos roof as a safeguard for users and to prevent flooding *Improved accessibility from the car park to the Centre's entrance *Improved accessibility to the stage area via a lift to the stage level *Water harvesting to capture rainwater for garden and grounds *Installatation of solar power to provide energy and financial savings *Renewal of electrical infrastructure throughout the Centre *Upgrades to lighting and sound controls, replacement of amplifiers and renewal of stage curtains to meet fire standards *New toilets and upgrade to disabled toilet area *New foyer *New kitchen to meet commercial standards. (Source Nillumbik News Winter 2016) One of a series of photosBorn Digitaleltham community centre, eltham community and reception centre

Big gum tree on the Diamond Creek Trail below the Eltham Community Reception Centre.Born Digitaleltham community centre, diamond creek trail, eucalyptus tree

Gum tree on the Diamond Creek trail below the Eltham Community and Reception CentreBorn Digitaldiamond creek trail, gum tree

Photocopied pages probably from "Flour mills and millers of the Goulburn Valley, 1858-1980" ​ by Myrtle L. Ford (1981) relating to Eltham Flour Mill Proprietor William Ford and his predecessor Henry Dendy and the operation of the Eltham Flour Mill. Also includes pages from an unknown source describing the operation of the mill and map with location of mill marked. The Eltham Flour Mill was situated on the Diamond Creek below the location of the Eltham Community and Reception Centre.8 PagesHG Folders 113harry gilham collection, eltham flour mill, henry dendy, william ford

Contents: • An Excursion or Two by Jim Connor • Our Next Meeting – Wednesday 9th October 2019 • November Excursion – A Meander in Montmorency • Glen Park Railway Station by Richard Pinn • Eltham Reminiscences by R.D. Taylor (The Early Days – Second Installment) o Business Places o Big Market Trade o Eltham Market o Eltham Common o Conclusion • The End of an Era by Jim Connor • Sigmund Jorgensen by Ann Constable • Eltham Cemetery Stories by Richard Pinn o Peter Paul Lawlor o Myles Archibald Lyons • EDHS Local History Week Activities o EDHS Open Day - Sunday 13th October - 2.00pm - 4.30pm o EDHS Eltham Cemetery Walk - Saturday 19th October - 2.00pm • Eltham Community and Reception Centre • Contacts for the Eltham District Historical Society The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society

Henry Dendy (1800-1881) is best known as the founder of Brighton. It is not well known that years later he lived far longer at Eltham than he did at Brighton. In 1840 whilst still in England, he bought eight square miles of unspecified land in the Port Phillip district. This entitled him to bring a number of other people to the colony and in 1841 he arrived in Williamstown in the York with his family and 139 others. He took up this land entitlement at what is now Brighton and most of the emigrants settled there. He encountered financial problems and lost his interest in the estate in 1844. He left Brighton in 1847. He successfully not always successfully became a brewer at Geelong, a sheep farmer at Christmas Hills and Upper Moira, a flour miller at Eltham, a sheep farmer again at Werribee and finally a copper miner at Walhalla. Dendy came to Eltham in 1856 after having spent a year in England, he purchased about 5 acres of land in two parts situated each side of Maria Street (Main Road). There was a steam flour mill on that part of the land adjoining the Diamond Creek. He became prominent in local affairs serving for a time on the Eltham District Roads Board including one term as President. Dendy’s wife Sarah died at Eltham in 1860 and also in that year he was appointed Chairman of a committee to establish a Church of England in Eltham. He donated one of his Pitt Street lots for this purpose. St Margaret’s Church was opened on this site in 1861. In 1867 Dendy sold his mill to W F Ford and moved to Werribee and then Walhalla where he remained until his death. He is buried in the Walhalla cemetery. Part of the land on which the Eltham Community Reception Centre stands was the site of Dendy’s house and Mill. Some of the old trees on the site could well have been planted in Dendy’s time. Much of this information was obtained from the book “Henry Dendy and his Emigrants” by L A Schumer.Colour photograph copy of Portrait of Henry Dendy c.1875henry dendy

Henry Dendy (1800-1881) is best known as the founder of Brighton. It is not well known that years later he lived far longer at Eltham than he did at Brighton. In 1840 whilst still in England, he bought eight square miles of unspecified land in the Port Phillip district. This entitled him to bring a number of other people to the colony and in 1841 he arrived in Williamstown in the York with his family and 139 others. He took up this land entitlement at what is now Brighton and most of the emigrants settled there. He encountered financial problems and lost his interest in the estate in 1844. He left Brighton in 1847. He successfully not always successfully became a brewer at Geelong, a sheep farmer at Christmas Hills and Upper Moira, a flour miller at Eltham, a sheep farmer again at Werribee and finally a copper miner at Walhalla. Dendy came to Eltham in 1856 after having spent a year in England, he purchased about 5 acres of land in two parts situated each side of Maria Street (Main Road). There was a steam flour mill on that part of the land adjoining the Diamond Creek. He became prominent in local affairs serving for a time on the Eltham District Roads Board including one term as President. Dendy’s wife Sarah died at Eltham in 1860 and also in that year he was appointed Chairman of a committee to establish a Church of England in Eltham. He donated one of his Pitt Street lots for this purpose. St Margaret’s Church was opened on this site in 1861. In 1867 Dendy sold his mill to W F Ford and moved to Werribee and then Walhalla where he remained until his death. He is buried in the Walhalla cemetery. Part of the land on which the Eltham Community Reception Centre stands was the site of Dendy’s house and Mill. Some of the old trees on the site could well have been planted in Dendy’s time. Much of this information was obtained from the book “Henry Dendy and his Emigrants” by L A Schumer. ISBN 095971040X Paperback; viii, 88 p. : maps ; 22 cm. [written inside front cover] To J.W. Wainbech(?) with the author's compliments and thanks. 22/12/75 [and signed by the author on the cover page]henry dendy, brighton (vic.), emmigration, pioneers

In November 1985 a monument was installed near the corner of Main Road and Pitt Street in Eltham, within the gardens at the front of what is now the Eltham Community and Reception Centre. This monument commemorates Victoria's 150th anniversary and the former location of the Eltham Town Centre, which existed along this section of Main Road, then known as Maria Street. Beneath the site is a time capsule to be opened in the year 2035. A plaque was also erected at this site in October 1987 to commemorate the Shire of Eltham Historical Society's 20th anniversary. The main feature of this monument is a ?tyring disc?, a blacksmith?s implement that was found on this site. This consists of a large iron disc that was used as a platform for fitting iron tyres (like the one shown on top of the platform) to wooden spoked cart wheels. The local blacksmith and wheelwright worked together to assemble the wheel, which was clamped to the platform placed close to the fire. The red hot iron hoop, previously forged to the correct size was lifted with tongs by the blacksmith over the outside of the rim, then hammered down amid flames from the scorching timber. The wheelwright drenched the tyre with cold water as soon as it was in position. A clamp placed on the naff (hub) and screwed down tightly kept the spokes at a constant angle as the tyre cooled. An even pressure from the contracting tyre tightened the joints at each end of the spokes and formed a vice-like grip, which would last for the life of the wheel.Four colour photographs (laser printed on paper); two showing the fitting of the time capsule into the monument and two showing Joh Ebeli during the dedication presentation.eltham, joh ebeli, time capsule