Nick O'Brien 1988 Entrant No. 41 Ref: Series 34, Items 17, 71-74 The images in this record were not selected for inclusion. SHIRE OF ELTHAM COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY Photography is an artform which many of us practice, sometimes purely for artistic pursuit, sometimes to record the people and events in our lives. In 1988, as part of a local Bicentennial project, the Shire of Eltham conducted the Eltham Community Photographic Survey. Up to 100 entries were to be selected by a panel of photographers for entry into the Eltham Photographic Survey Exhibition. Entries had to be submitted by May 13, 1988. Entrants whose images were selected for the exhibition were contacted and requested to further submit an entry form providing entrant’s name, area of residence, age, and proposed captions. These details were then used to produce labels for the exhibition mounts. Where negatives had not been supplied, these were requested to support the display of printed enlargements mounted on 10” x 8” cardboard. The mounted prints were made available post exhibition for sale at $8.50 each for colour prints and $7.00 for B&W prints. Residents in the Shire were invited to collect a free roll of film and take a photograph of what they either liked or did not like about the area. A total of 160 entrants submitted multiple entries for the exhibition. Of those selected for exhibition, entrants ranged in age from 9 to 70 years. All custom colour and black and white printing for the exhibition was completed by Wattle Studios of Eltham. The Eltham Photographic Survey was jointly auspiced by the Shire of Eltham and Wattle Studios, of 953 Main Road, Eltham. The project was greatly assisted by: • David McRitchie, Media Studies Lecturer Victoria College, Rusden Campus. • Ian and Annette Toohill of Wattle Studios • Tracy Naughton, Eltham Community Arts Officer • Neville Emerson Pty. Ltd. • Superior Press, Eltham • Kodak Australasia Pty. Ltd. • Agfa Gevaert Ltd. • Townsend Colourtech Pty. Ltd. • The Australian Bicentennial Authority • Eleanor Bowers, Secretary, Eltham Arts Council The exhibition was placed on display in the Woolworths Arcade, Eltham between Monday June 6th and Saturday June 11, 1988. It was also intended to hold the exhibition at a venue in the Shire’s North Riding from Monday, June 20 to Friday June 24. It was then displayed at the Were Street Theatre, Montmorency from Friday, June 24 to Thursday, July 7. Series 34: Eltham Community Photographic Survey 1988 - Prints & Documentation Series consists of 117 photographs of Shire scenes taken by members of the community. Items I - 41 are larger photographs mounted on card, which were exhibited. Items 42 - 117 are unmounted copies, alternative takes and other entries. Corresponding negatives contained in Series 35: Eltham Community Photographic Survey 1988 – Negatives which consists of 267 colour and B&W negatives and one colour slide of Shire scenes taken by members of the community. The negatives are arranged by the entrant number of the photographer. The Eltham Community Photographic Survey collection is significant to the local community as it was curated by the local community - ordinary people of all ages - representing what they liked and did not like in the area where they lived. It represents an unfiltered representation of the Shire of Eltham as it was in 1988. It also represents one of many projects as part of the national programme of events and celebrations to commemorate the bicentenary. It is a time capsule of life in the 1980s of this urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north. shire of eltham archives, bicentennial project, eltham, eltham community photographic survey, series 35, film - ilford fp4, scan - 35mm negative, nick o'brien, eltham shops, main road, nicholas lauder real estate, eltham village, penguin dry cleaners, aussie disposals, caltex service station, disp, eltham newsagency, k.g. mcgorlick pty ltd, resi state\, roycroft antiquarian booksellers, thompson's pharmacy, toyworld, westpac bank

[Note: dated based on negatives 01791 (20 Jan 1986) as service station (in other frames on roll of film) and pricing for fuel very similar period; possibly late 1985]Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak CL 200 5093eltham, main road, shops, shopping centre, safeway store

Three photographs looking north along Main Road towards Arthur Street near Eltham Shopping Centre.main road, arthur street, eltham, shops

[Note: dated based on negatives 01791 (20 Jan 1986) as service station (in other frames on roll of film) and pricing for fuel very similar period; possibly late 1985]Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak CL 200 5093eltham, main road

[Note: dated based on negatives 01791 (20 Jan 1986) as service station (in other frames on roll of film) and pricing for fuel very similar period; possibly late 1985]Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak CL 200 5093eltham, main road

[Note: dated based on negatives 01791 (20 Jan 1986) as service station (in other frames on roll of film) and pricing for fuel very similar period; possibly late 1985]Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak CL 200 5093eltham, main road

[Note: dated based on negatives 01791 (20 Jan 1986) as service station (in other frames on roll of film) and pricing for fuel very similar period; possibly late 1985]Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak CL 200 5093eltham, main road

[Note: dated based on negatives 01791 (20 Jan 1986) as service station (in other frames on roll of film) and pricing for fuel very similar period; possibly late 1985]Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak CL 200 5093eltham, main road

Five colour photographs showing Main Road at Pryor Street in Eltham Shopping Centre looking southmain road, pryor street, shops, eltham

Properites along Main Road between Arthur Street and Dudley Street including ;L-R: Shire Hall and Shire Office, Photographer shop, Barber shop, Fire Station, Hardware shop and Commercial Bank of Australia. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, shops

Black and white photograph of the Eltham shopping centre car park c.1960.eltham, shopping centres, george w bell collection

Newspaper Advertising supplement: "Earn a black belt in chop" and "Fresh produce, quality service"; Get to know... Your Local Traders in Eltham, Eltham Village Shopping Centre, Valley Weekly, 22 June 2005. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 27 February 2019, Bank branch shuts doors.main road, eltham, shops, businesses, anz bank, biba, brumby's eltham, eltham goumet poultry & game, eltham travel, eltham village shopping centre, froot 2 boot, melbourne taekwondo centre, pro-health, travelscene eltham

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips Fuji 100beard street, eltham, shire of eltham, signs

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips Fuji 100beard street, eltham, shire of eltham, signs

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips Fuji 100beard street, eltham, shire of eltham, signs

Three colour photographssigns, eltham shire council, eltham, beard street

North bound lane closure. Born Digitalbolton street, bolton street upgrade, eltham, streets, walsh street, bolton street shops, bolton fish & chips, bolton pizza & pasta, bolton steet fruit market, bolton street deli, bolton street hot bread kitchen, chicken on charcoal @ bolton st, fleur de feliss florist, stephens meats, the cheesecake shop

North bound lane closure. Born Digitalbolton street, bolton street upgrade, eltham, streets, walsh street, bolton street shops, bolton fish & chips, bolton pizza & pasta, bolton steet fruit market, bolton street deli, bolton street hot bread kitchen, chicken on charcoal @ bolton st, fleur de feliss florist, stephens meats, the cheesecake shop

Five colour photographs of looking south towards Eltham Shopping Centre at the intersection with Wattletree Road formerly known as Colemans Corner.eltham, main road, wattletree road, colemans corner, coleman

Formerly the Grand Garden Chinese Restaurant which ran all the way through from Main Road to Commercial Place.Later Franco's Pizza Restaurant. Newspaper advertisement: Venus and Mars clothes shop Eltham, The Weekly Review, 13 May 2015. Newspaper article: It's time to move on after 18 years, Diamond Valley News, 14 February 2018, Venus and Mars clothes shop to close, interview of owner Jackie Marangoudis.Jackie MarangoudisJackie Marangoudismain road, eltham, shops, businesses, venus and mars clothes shop eltham, jackie marangoudis, grand garden chinese restaurant, franco's pizzeria

Newspaper advertisement: Leader Associated Newspapers, Eltham Centenary Supplement, March 30, 1971, Browne Bros. Saveway Newspaper advertisement: The Advertiser, October 17, 1995; Eltham Pharmacy Newspaper advertisement: Eltham Guardian Pharmacy; publication unknown, March 1999 Newspaper article: Giving the best service; Nillumbik Mail, January 31, 2001; Description of Eltham Pharmacy which recently joined Fulllife Pharmacy Services, quotes from Battista Mercuri Newspaper article: Fullife service, Valley Weekly, 22 June 2005, p13, Description of Fullife Pharmacy services, Eltham. On reverse - Newspaper article: Holistic health, Valley Weekly, 22 June 2005, Description of Nillumbik Community Health Service and Newspaper advertisement: Nibble & Bake shop, Valley Weekly, 22 June 2005.main road, eltham, shops, businesses, fullife pharmacy eltham, nillumbik community health service, nibble & bake shop eltham, tina asker, browne bros. saveway (eltham), eltham pharmacy, battista mercuri, eltham guardian pharmacy, 1036 main road, adam bernhaut, eltham shops, luck street, main road eltham, properties

The site was previously used as an unsealed car park for the Eltham Railway Station. In 1996 Wayne Phillips MLA announced that Caldeed P/L was the preferred developer of the land at Eltham Station for a proposed commercial development and commuter car parking (The Advertiser, April 16, 1996). Blockbuster Eltham was established on this site around 1996-1997. Following the company's 2010 bankruptcy and subsequent nationwide store liquidations, most Victorian Blockbuster locations were shuttered between March and May 2011 after ownership changes, with the Eltham storefront closing Friday, 13th April 2012. The last Australian store closed in 2019 in Morley, Western Australia. An unofficial Facebook page remains in existence in 2026 at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blockbuster%20Eltham/123397434395463/ The shop was then converted to a Liquorland store. The site was sold 25 August 2015 with a ten year lease in place to Liquorland. A new lease was signed 4 March 2022 and the store converted to a Grill'd Hamburger restaurant, opening its doors September 8, 2022. eltham, shops, businesses, blockbuster, eltham shops, grill'd, liquorland, main road eltham

Formerly Burges Blue Gum Cafe being demolished, cnr Pryor Street and Main Road, Eltham, Sept. 1960. A new two story brick building was erected on site approximately 1961 for Mr Millet - visible in 1962 aerial photos Film poster is advertising The Blob (1958) and "I married a monster from outer space" (1958) which both appear to have been screened in Australia in 1960 and 1961 1922 Originally opened in October 1922 by Miss Barber, it was known as the Blue Gum Soda Fountain. It was named after a prominent Bluegum which stood on the property. 1928 It was taken over by W. Jim Burges in 1928 and by 1929 was known as the Blue Gum Café but also as the Blue Gum Tea Rooms from around August 1931. 1935 In August 1935 Jim Burges sold the Blue Gum Café to Mr and Mrs L.H. Herring of Kallista. The Herrings maintained the name Blue Gum Café 1938 In July 1938 the Herrings sold the business as the Eltham Confectionary And Soda Fountain to Misses Robinson and Pringle effective from August 1st. 1939 In April 1939, Misses Robinson and Pringle sold the Eltham Confectionary And Soda Fountain to Mr Herbert Eugene Borner and Miss Edith Florance Borner, (brother and older sister), formerly of Yarra Glen and it became known as H.E. Borner’s Shop. It is not known when the Borners sold the shop. Both were recorded there in the 1949 Electoral Roll. However, it is noted that Herbert Borner of Blackburn, late of Eltham, died as a result of an accident in August 1952. Sister Edith married railway employee John Stephens in in 1962. She died December 1978. So it is most likely they sold it possibly sometime between 1950 and 1951. 1950 The ownership between 1950 and 1954 is unknown but at some time during that period, the business was acquired by John Henry Millett and his wife, Esther. In 1949 they are listed in Footscray North and are recorded in the 1954 Electoral Roll as shopkeeper, Main Road, Eltham. It is possible they purchased it from the Borners between 1950 and 1951. It was advertised in the 1955 Easter Gymkhana Program as The Blue Gum, J. Millet, Proprietor. c. Aug. 1960 OLD LANDMARK GOES EDHS_05531 ELTHAM’S GROWTH HAS BEEN RAPID IN RECENT YEARS Possibly Diamond Valley News c.August 1960 Perhaps the most famous landmark in Eltham's' business section disappeared last Wednesday when the towering blue gum in Pryor Street at the rear of Main Road shops was felled. The tree, stated to be more than 80 feet high, was the one for which the adjoining café was named, when that business was Eltham’s only provision store, long before the turn of the century. Mr. J. Millett, who now owns the property on which the tree stood, deeply regretted its removal, but was mindful of the need for expansion in the business area. The "Old Blue Gum" was removed by Mr. A. Wilson, expert tree feller, from Heidelberg. Its proportions might be assessed by these facts – it took a gang of experienced men two days to completely fell and clear the tree, and, falling sections being brought down by cable tipped electricity wires on the opposite side of Pryor Street. Sep. 1960 The original store was demolished in September 1960 to make way for a new two-story brick building which became known as Millett’s Foodland. Aerial imagery shows that this was erected by 1962. 1968-1985 The name Blue Gum did not disappear but was reincarnated a few doors up some years later as the Blue Gum Milk Bar at 1006 Main Road (present-day Vyve Beauty & Wellness building on the northern side of Pryor Street one premises up from Westpac bank) “As a lifelong resident of the Diamond Valley, Ian Chesser (Chess) is a well-known face within the local community due to his involvement with numerous sporting clubs, and for being the “kid from the Blue Gum Milk Bar” many years ago” “From the time he was a child, Ian would assist his parents Graeme and Shirley at the Blue Gum Milk Bar working behind the counter.” "Ian Chesser - Barry Plant - Eltham." realcommercial.com.au https://www.realcommercial.com.au/agent/ian-chesser-1704490 Accessed 18 Nov. 2025. - Research by Peter Pidgeon, EDHS, May 2026Colour photograph copy of originalColour photograph copy of original. Possibly donated by Peter Bassett-Smith, noted as Sept 19601960, blue gum milk bar (eltham), butcher, coca cola, eltham shopping centre, eltham shops, estate agency, fire, four n twenty, i married a monster from outer space (film 1958), main road eltham, milk bar, noon pies, peters ice cream, pryor street, staffs general store, summer, the blob (film 1958), eltham, shops, blue gum café, blue gum milk bar, blue gum soda fountain

ELTHAM’S GROWTH HAS BEEN RAPID IN RECENT YEARS Unknown local paper c.1960s Recent years have seen a rapid change in the appearance of Eltham’s business centre - so rapid, in fact, that the growth of premises has been almost 300%. For more than thirty-five years Eltham had little more than a dozen traders - the town's business area spreading from Pryor Street in the north, to Pitt Street in the south. The greatest density of businesses - no more than a handful of shops - were situated in the present shopping centre but other essential services such as the Post Office, were located half a mile away. As the town's population grew and the need for more shops became apparent, the growth was centralised around the railway station and Shire hall. Few of the old premises are used for their original form of business today, though many are still in existence. One of the oldest (seen clearly in the illustration) still in use is now Ferrari's Greengrocery. This shop was Eltham's butchery in early days, conducted by Jim Ryan. Up to twenty years ago, Mr. Ryan ran his business from the shop. whilst his son toured Eltham in his horse and cart, cutting his customers' orders as he went from door to door. Another business - one of the few still trading in the same goods-was Burgoyne's Hardware. This is now owned by Mr. R. Clinton, a new shop has recently been added and shortly the old premises will disappear completely. The Burgoyne family were well known to Eltham's population. The Post Office and Store (then in Main Road, near Bridge Street) was run by Mr. and Mrs. Burgoyne. The Post Office was later moved, and attached to the hardware store. OLD HOTEL In this same area was the old Eltham Hotel, almost opposite the present hotel. The building still stands, but has been converted into a house. The hitching rail can still be seen by the roadside. Back in the township was Barber's Blue Gum store, later conducted by Mrs. Burges (mother of Garnet Burges) and claimed to be Eltham's oldest shop. Further down the road, just past the hardware store, was the barber shop and billiard saloon. Next door was E. J. Andrew's news agency, library and State Savings Bank. Eltham's original chemist's shop, or dispensary as it was called, is now an electrical repair shop. On this side of the street too, was Mrs. Monteith - Draper. Mr Monteith was the owner of Eltham' s bus service. This bus service had no regular route, but deposited passengers at the point nearest their homes - a. door to door taxi service. Next to Mrs. Monteith stood another grocery - and general store, and next again, the local blacksmith. Another of Butcher Ryan's sons was Eltham's blacksmith and obviously an enterprising man he conducted a timber business next door to his smithy's shop. These two premises are still run by one man - Garnet Burges. BOOM STARTS Twenty years ago, when Thompson's took over Eltham's pharmacy they occupied the old shop adjoining the Shire hall. The building of Thompson's new premises, from which· they operate today, was the beginning of Eltham's recent growth and development. With another grocery store and a bakery at the corner of York Street, a butcher near Franklin Street, a cobbler's shop opposite the State School (did you ever wonder what that-little building attached to one of Eltham's oldest houses had been?), and an estate agency conducted by Mr. Clark, now Eltham Real Estate - only one trader remained - and today, still carries on, the only original owner of one of Eltham's .oldest established businesses - Mr. Dave Lyon, of Lyon Bros. Garage, which was formerly located in what was later used as Chenowyth's Foundry in Main Road. From the early twenties until little more than six or seven years ago that was the picture of Eltham. Some businesses had changed hands - many years before Mr. C. Rains had acquired Andrew's news agency, Mrs. Monteith's drapery had become Mrs. R. Smith's home-made cake shop, to change again and again to many other types of business. But generally, Eltham was unchanged, for nearly thirty years. Then suddenly new shops mushroomed. The new news agency and drapery, the chemist and adjoining shops, a new butcher, a green grocer and several more. POPULATION DOUBLED In the space of a few years, fifteen new shops, two banks, a restaurant and a post office were built at Eltham. New types of businesses found a ready market in an area which was quickly almost doubling its population. A little over twelve months ago, another wave of progress hit Eltham. Since then eight more shops have been built - a cake shop and fish shop in Dalton [sic – Dudley] Street - for building areas are unprocurable in the Main Street shopping centre now – have been built by Mr. D. Kimball; a new ladies’ and children’s wear shop has been opened by Rains; Eltham Dry Cleaners have another of these new shops, and Mr. R. Clinton has built elaborate new premises. Further down the road, Mr. C. Campbell has built a new butcher's shop, and next door, at present under construction, are a self service store and a shop which Mr. J. Hodges will open on completion. In addition to these new shops, Mr. J. Millett has extended his grocery to almost twice its original size. FLOURISHING Outside the central area, other businesses are flourishing. Latimer's felt factory is being developed in a picturesque rustic setting; P. J. Timber and Trading Company have recently completed a large showroom and timber yard, and in the town itself Nicholson and Merritt are now completing the extension of their foot wear factory to double its former area. This is Eltham today. Progress is moving rapidly in this rural area on the fringe of the metropolis. Less than a decade has seen vast development. The years to complete that span of time will see even greater changes and greater prosperity in this heart: of the Diamond Valley. OLD LANDMARK GOES Perhaps the most famous landmark in Eltham's' business section disappeared last Wednesday when the towering blue gum in Pryor Street at the rear of Main Road shops was felled. The tree, stated to be more than 80 feet high, was the one for which the adjoining café was named, when that business was Eltham’s only provision store, long before the turn of the century. Mr. J. Millett, who now owns the property on which the tree stood, deeply regretted its removal, but was mindful of the need for expansion in the business area. The "Old Blue Gum" was removed by Mr. A. Wilson, expert tree feller, from Heidelberg. Its proportions might be assessed by these facts – it took a gang of experienced men two days to completely fell and clear the tree, and, falling sections being brought down by cable tipped electricity wires on the opposite side of Pryor Street.andrew's news agency, bakery, barber shop, barber's blue gum store, billiard saloon, blacksmith, blue gum, burgoyne's hardware, butcher, cake shop, chemist's shop, chenowyth's foundry, cobbler's shop, dave lyon, dispensary, draper shop. mr monteith, dudley street, e. j. andrew's news agency, electrical repair shop, eltham bus service, eltham butchery, eltham dry cleaners, eltham hotel, eltham railway station, eltham real estate, eltham shire hall, eltham shopping centre, eltham shops, eltham town centre, estate agency, expert tree feller, ferrari's greengrocery, fish shop, foot wear factory, franklin street, garnet burges, general store, grocery, heidelberg, horace clark, jim ryan, ladies’ and children’s wear shop, latimer's felt factory, library, lyon bros. garage, main road, mr. a. wilson, mr. c. campbell, mr. c. rains, mr. d. kimball, mr. j. hodges, mr. j. millett, mr. r. clinton, mrs. burges, mrs. monteith, mrs. monteith's drapery, mrs. r. smith's home-made cake shop, nicholson and merritt, p. j. timber and trading company, pitt street, post office, pryor street, self service store, shopping centre, state savings bank, taxi service, thompson's pharmacy, york street

Newspaper article: unidentified possibly Diamond Valley News, November 1970: The old hall goes, photograph of old shire hall part-demolished. Newspaper article: unidentified possibly Diamond Valley News, November 1970: Bad break for hurt youth, Peter Cockrane injured in car accident. Letter Eltham Film Society to Eltham Historical Society, 18 May 1972: Advising of demolition threat to building housing Ashrill Cinema. Newspaper article: The Valley Voice, 19 October 1978, A birds eye view, Lands Department photograph at 15,500 feet, Alistair Knox quoted re style of Eltham arcade in contrast to shopping centres, advertisements for local businesses. Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley News, 27 May 1980, Eltham Village Music Centre. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley News, 10 September 1985, Supermarket is now here, photograph of Main Road looking north from corner Dudley Street. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley News, 10 September 1985, Woolworths Arcade Eltham, 14th birthday Sell-a-bration! photograph of Woolworth site. Photocopy advertising flier Coles Eltham and Arcade shops, 1 December 1999. Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley News, 16 November 1994, Application for Planning Permit. Newspaper article: Nillumbik Mail, 26 July 2000, A GST-free shop, Eltham Village Fruit Barn. Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley Leader, 22 June 2005, Alta Vita restaurant. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 6 July 2005, Skin care for individuals, Ella Bache, Shop 8. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 27 July 2005, Great all day food and service, Alta Vita Cafe/Bar/Restaurant, owner Anna Carlucci. Newspaper advertisement: Valley Weekly, 17 August 2005, Brumby's Bakery. Newspaper article: Valley Weekly, 17 August 2005, Plus for rides, Traders charged up to help scooter users, power points will be provided in Eltham shopping district for scooter and electric wheelchair users, photograph of Bronnie Hattam, Angela Lampard and Bob Bruce. Newspaper article: Diamond Valley Leader, 28 March 2007, Fine touch for jewellery, Magenta Creative Jewellery, owners Kate Maroney and Andrew Rose. Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley Leader, 30 July 2008, Fine Fruit of Eltham shop. Appointment Card (x3): 2017, no date, 2023, Ella Bache Eltham. Newspaper advertisement: Leader Associated Newspapers, Eltham Centenary Supplement, March 30, 1971, Safewaymain road, eltham, property, shops, businesses, eltham shire hall, ashrill cinema, alistair knox, eltham arcade, gordon ford, eltham village music centre, woolworth supermarket eltham, k g mcgorlick (real estate) pty ltd, bimbi baby wear, kinderplay, eltham hardware & plumbing supplies pty ltd, e j doherty pty ltd, cafe de chine, eltham hotel, manser meats, gordon knight discounts, bill penna pharmacy, eltham village radio and tv, gilbertsons, eedens art supplies, penguin dry cleaners, bend of isles shop, jeaneration shop, pauls cycles and sports, eltham bread inn, sussans shop, lenards hair care, grant taylor shop, eltham village fruit barn, madeleine's cake ship and bakery, eltham gourmet poultry and game, ella bache eltham, alta vita cafe bar restaurant, anna carlucci, brumby's bakery eltham, kip mcgrath education centre eltham, biba hairdresser eltham, just sport eltham, gifts of elegance shop eltham, bronnie hattam, angela lampard, bob bruce, magenta creative jewellery, kate maroney, andrew rose, fine fruit of eltham shop, safeway supermarket

SHIRE OF ELTHAM COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY Photography is an artform which many of us practice, sometimes purely for artistic pursuit, sometimes to record the people and events in our lives. In 1988, as part of a local Bicentennial project, the Shire of Eltham conducted the Eltham Community Photographic Survey. Up to 100 entries were to be selected by a panel of photographers for entry into the Eltham Photographic Survey Exhibition. Entries had to be submitted by May 13, 1988. Entrants whose images were selected for the exhibition were contacted and requested to further submit an entry form providing entrant’s name, area of residence, age, and proposed captions. These details were then used to produce labels for the exhibition mounts. Where negatives had not been supplied, these were requested to support the display of printed enlargements mounted on 10” x 8” cardboard. The mounted prints were made available post exhibition for sale at $8.50 each for colour prints and $7.00 for B&W prints. Residents in the Shire were invited to collect a free roll of film and take a photograph of what they either liked or did not like about the area. A total of 160 entrants submitted multiple entries for the exhibition. Of those selected for exhibition, entrants ranged in age from 9 to 70 years. All custom colour and black and white printing for the exhibition was completed by Wattle Studios of Eltham. The Eltham Photographic Survey was jointly auspiced by the Shire of Eltham and Wattle Studios, of 953 Main Road, Eltham. The project was greatly assisted by: • David McRitchie, Media Studies Lecturer Victoria College, Rusden Campus. • Ian and Annette Toohill of Wattle Studios • Tracy Naughton, Eltham Community Arts Officer • Neville Emerson Pty. Ltd. • Superior Press, Eltham • Kodak Australasia Pty. Ltd. • Agfa Gevaert Ltd. • Townsend Colourtech Pty. Ltd. • The Australian Bicentennial Authority • Eleanor Bowers, Secretary, Eltham Arts Council The exhibition was placed on display in the Woolworths Arcade, Eltham between Monday June 6th and Saturday June 11, 1988. It was also intended to hold the exhibition at a venue in the Shire’s North Riding from Monday, June 20 to Friday June 24. It was then displayed at the Were Street Theatre, Montmorency from Friday, June 24 to Thursday, July 7. Series 34: Eltham Community Photographic Survey 1988 - Prints & Documentation Series consists of 117 photographs of Shire scenes taken by members of the community. Items I - 41 are larger photographs mounted on card, which were exhibited. Items 42 - 117 are unmounted copies, alternative takes and other entries. Corresponding negatives contained in Series 35: Eltham Community Photographic Survey 1988 – Negatives which consists of 267 colour and B&W negatives and one colour slide of Shire scenes taken by members of the community. The negatives are arranged by the entrant number of the photographer. The Eltham Community Photographic Survey collection is significant to the local community as it was curated by the local community - ordinary people of all ages - representing what they liked and did not like in the area where they lived. It represents an unfiltered representation of the Shire of Eltham as it was in 1988. It also represents one of many projects as part of the national programme of events and celebrations to commemorate the bicentenary. It is a time capsule of life in the 1980s of this urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north. shire of eltham archives, bicentennial project, eltham, eltham community photographic survey, series 34, series 35, advertisment, eltham photographic survey exhibition, eltham shops, eltham square, fish shop, neville emerson real estate, sign, wattle studios

Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley News, 22 April 1980, Eltham Yamaha business under new management.main road, eltham, shops, eltham yamaha

1981: 16-18 October. “Pioneers of Eltham” and horse drawn vehicle This year's festival will be held from 16th to 18th October, with the festival parade being held on Saturday 17th. In recent years the Society has participated in the parade and also organised a display for the festival. We have won prizes for our parade entry for the last two years. The committee has given preliminary consideration to our participation and it has been agreed that we should again enter the procession. This matter will be discussed at the September meeting. The Society's float in the festival parade again won a prize. This year we won the prize for the best effort by a local group, donated by Bob Clarke's Menswear. As in previous years Peter Quirke has allowed us to use his truck as a float. Peter has formerly operated his fruiterer's business at Research and Diamond Creek and has recently opened a shop in the Eltham Village Arcade. Joh Ebeli, with a little more assistance from other members than in previous years, again did an excellent job in decorating the float. Members of the Victorian Folk Music Club again accompanied us on the float and their music helped create the appropriate mood. A new feature of our parade entry was the inclusion of horse drawn vehicles owned and driven by the Hennel family of Hurstbridge. They certainly added to a highly successful day. In the last issue of this Newsletter we mentioned the award won by the Society for its entry in the Eltham Community Festival Procession. We neglected to mention the award won by member and long-time Eltham resident, Jock Read for the “Best Eltham Theme.” Jock and his horse have been a feature of Eltham parades for years and in particular have established a local tradition in leading Anzac Day parades.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Kodak Kodachrome CardStamped 27 09 89russell yeoman collection, scan - 35mm positive, eltham festival, eltham shops, eltham village shopping centre, film - kodachrome, mount - kodak kodachrome card, parade, parade floats, pioneers of eltham, shire of eltham historical society, victorian folk music club

Lyon Bros. Ford was a redvelopment of the Lyon Bros. Eltham Motor Garage and Shell Petrol outlet erected some time after the war at what was known up until the mid 1960s 283-287 Main Road. Pencil notes reflect potential visual heights of replacement buildings. Barber shop is now Fletchers Real Estate.Black and white photograph951 main road eltham, 953 main road eltham, 1972, barber, eltham, eltham shopping centre, eltham shops, fletchers real estate, lyon bros ford (eltham), main road eltham, shopping centre, shops, tattersalls

Looking north from Staff's Railway Store overlooking Staff’s garden and the foundations of Lyon Bros Garage being built next door, circa Oct. 1945. L-R: Eric Staff, Michael Sinclair, Marie (Mary) Staff, Mrs Rigbye, Eileen Rigbye, Mr Rigbye (partly hidden); Michael Sinclair in foreground. On back of photo: "I had this taken to show you Lyon's Garage. You can see the foundations and the filling in. Like our lawn. The Xmas tree we had for Michael with X" Digital scan from photo loaned by Michael Sinclair (2017). Photographer unknown. Dated as circa Oct. 1945 as Michael Sinclair was in Grade 4 at Dalton Street school in 1954 (typically 9 or 10 yrs old), Lyons Bros garage was completed 1946, it appears to be late spring or early summer, the reference to the Christmas tree suggests it was before December and Michael looks about 2 years old. An aerial photo taken December 1945 shows Lyon Bros Garage erected with a roof on it so the image could be around October 1945. Staff’s Railway Store was located at present-day 929-937 Main Road. The store was built in 1902 by Luther Haley adjacent to the new railway station and was the first shop in what was to become Eltham’s present-day shopping precinct. Across the road was known as Haley’s Paddock and it was here in 1922 that the next store was to open, Miss Barber’s Blue Gum Soda Fountain. That store is visible in the upper centre of the picture on the southern corner with Pryor Street. At the time of the photo the shop was owned by Harold Eugene Borner and his older sister, Miss Edith Florance Borner, known as H.E. Borner’s shop. Immediately to the right is vacant street frontage then the Eltham Timber and Hardware Store owned since 1923 by William Walker, a plumber. It was about the same time as this photo that William Walker’s son, Thomas Roy Walker, also a plumber, returned home from active service overseas and took over till it was sold in 1950. Outside the hardware store is a Post Master General (PMG) mailbox, a petrol bowser and Telephone Box, then further to the right another vacant frontage then Rains Newsagency. North of Pryor just visible behind the trees is the Bootmaker factory on the corner of Pryor Street opposite the Blue Gum. The vacant site next door is where Hughes Fruit Shop and Milk Bar was built sometime between Dec. 1945 and 1949. Eric Nieve Staff and his wife Mary Forbes Staff lived at Main Road, Eltham. Eric Staff bought the Railway Store in 1939. In the 1946 Electoral Roll, Eric Staff’s profession was stated as printer. Their son, Raymond Charles Staff was also listed at Main Road, his profession, grocer, so presumably he had taken over the business by then. Charles Keith Rigbye, a laundryman, and his wife Phyllis Mary Rigbye lived in Dudley Street. https://maps.app.goo.gl/KuF8JyZc1Gcza3n68 - Research by Peter Pidgeon, EDHS, July 2026Black and white photograph1945, blue gum milk bar (eltham), bootmaker's shop, charles keith rigbye, eileen rigbye, eltham hardware and timber, eltham shopping centre, eltham shops, eric nieve staff, eric staff, estate agency, h.e. borner's shop, lyon bros garage, main road eltham, marie (mary) staff, mary forbes staff, michael sinclair, newsagency, phyllis mary rigbye, rains newsagency, telephone box