David George Clark was the first and longest-serving headmaster at Eltham State School No. 209 (Eltham Primary) in Dalton Street, Eltham. David (then aged 26) and his sister Catherine first established their ‘private’ school which began in 1855 and was held in the Wesleyan Chapel in Henry Street, a slab built, shed-like building on land acquired by the Church in January 1855. Parents lobbied the Government to establish an official school, and a School Inspector came out to investigate. He found that the Clarks were of good moral and religious character (David taught Sunday School at St. Margaret's later on) and gave them his endorsement despite some perceived technical shortcomings. In 1856 a small stone building of 40 feet by 16 feet was erected on the school's present site at the corner of Main Road and Dalton Street. Half of the building was the school, the other half was the residence of David and Catherine and their mother, also Catherine. It appears that they were well respected by the local community: David constantly battled with the authorities to have facilities (such as toilets) at the school improved. As enrolment gradually increased, over-crowding became an issue. As well, David married Elizabeth in 1863. Needing to move out of the schoolhouse, in 1866 the Clarks bought a block of land in Metery Road next to the school and built the house "Shoestring" (which still exists albeit with significant modifications). Catherine retired in 1887 followed by David in 1889 after a period of ill health and was succeeded as Head Teacher by John Brown. David died in 1911 and is buried with his wife Elizabeth in Eltham Cemetery. In Loving Memory Of D. G. & E. ClarkBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, david george clark, elizabeth clark, eltham primary school, eltham wesleyan chapel, state school no. 209

Folder of information on William Crozier, Eltham, 1860s John McClelland Crozier, Kangaroo Ground, 1880sjohn mcclelland crozier, eltham cemetery, eltham wesleyan chapel, john mccelland crozier, mary jane crozier, thomas vance crozier, william crozier

Alexander Robert Edgar, President of the Victoria and Tasmania Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church by Certificate of Consent of Sale dated 28 November 1901, declared that the Conference of the Church held in Melbourne, 27 February 1894, agreed to the sale by the Trustees of Lot 20 Henry Street. Indenture dated 15 November 1901 between Revd. Barnabas Shaw Walker, Minister of the Pentridge Circuit, Joseph Cooper, Gardener of Keelbundora, Samuel Jeffrey, Farmer of Jika Jika, John Brown, State School Teacher, Robert David Taylor, Gardener and Isaac Hill, Dealer, all of Eltham, the Trustees conveyed the land to William John Taylor the Younger, Gardener, George Knapman, Blacksmith and Isaac Hill junior, Carrier, all of Eltham and Trustees at the time for a Friendly Society known as the Hope of Eltham Tent No. 195 Victoria District Independent Order of Rechabites for the sum of £40. The conveyance was received into the Office of the Registrar General, State of Victoria, 12 December 1901. Originally purchased in 1856 from Thomas Roberts, Yeoman of Little Eltham, for £10 for use by the Wesleyan Chapel, represented by indentured Trustees, Rev. Barnabas Shaw Walker, Minister of the Pentridge Circuit, Francis Thomas, Farmer of Keelbundora, William Harriman, Blacksmith of Nillumbik, Nicholas Rodda, Farmer of Nillumbik, Aaron Grimshaw, Farmer of Greensborough, Joseph Cooper, Gardener of Keelbundora, Peter Dredge, Scholmaster of Jika Jika and Samuel Jeffrey, Farmer of Jika Jika. Lot 20 of Subdivision of Portion 13, Section 4 of the Parish of Nillumbik in the County of Evelyn was located on the southern side of Henry street in Little Eltham North, where the current Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is situated. It became the location of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In 1893 a new hall was built and further enlarged in 1919. At the commencement of 1922, the property was purchased from the Independent Order of Rechabites with publicly subscribed funds and a new hall built at a cost of £750 and improved road access constructed to reduce the grade, running from Dudley Street to Henry Street. This hall was eventually replaced with the new Shire Offices and Hall built on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, which was opened in 1941. Traces the earliest history of the Eltham Public Hall in Henry Street and the various names, occupations and abodes of the Trustees associated with the propertyaaron grimshaw, blacksmith, edmond perry, eltham public hall, eltham rechabite hall, eltham wesleyan chapel, francis thomas, george knapman, george smith, henry street, hope of eltham tent no. 195, i.w. lucas, isaac hill, james blanch, james chapman, james william brown, john brown, john jenkins peacock, john jones, john neale, john van mangerhoussen weiss, joseph cooper, joseph morris holloway, josiah atwool, keelbundora, lancelot iredale, little eltham, little eltham north, lizar elliott, mark blanchard, methodist church, nicholas rodda, p. mather, peter dredge, rev barnabas shaw walker, robert david taylor, samuel jeffrey, samuel moor munce, thomas roberts, thomas wheaten bowden, trustee, victoria district independent order of rechabites, wesleyan methodist church, william harriman, william hebblewhite, william john munce, william john taylor, william matthews, william rose

William James Capewell, Ernest James Andrew and George Harrison all of Eltham collected the sum of £150 towards the purchase of Lot 20 Henry Street and whereby a Contract of Sale dated 30 December 1921 agreed to purchase (as Trustees of The Eltham Hall to be used in perpetuity for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Eltham District) the land, furniture, fittings and chattels from Jack Alfred Harrison, George Hugh Bird and Edward Samuel McColl for £750. The first President was declared to be Ernest James Andrew, Honorary Secretary, A.J. Morse, Honorary Treasurer, Charles Robert Nicholls and the first elective committee to be Thomas Nunn Jewell, William John Pasco, George Burchall, William James Burgess, John William Cox, Ernest James Andrew, John Michael Ryan, Frederick William Gillespie Didfield, Charles Harold Williams, Joseph Banks, Laurence Bourke, Charles Robert Nicholls, William James Capewell and James Pascal. This committee was appointed until the Annual meeting of subscribers held in January 1923 at which point all could stand for re-election (held annually). The Trust Deed was signed by Ernest James Andrew, William James Capewell and George Harrison in the presence of John Michael Ryan, Builder of Eltham, 5 August 1922. Originally purchased in 1856 from Thomas Roberts, Yeoman of Little Eltham, for £10 for use by the Wesleyan Chapel, represented by indentured Trustees, Rev. Barnabas Shaw Walker, Minister of the Pentridge Circuit, Francis Thomas, Farmer of Keelbundora, William Harriman, Blacksmith of Nillumbik, Nicholas Rodda, Farmer of Nillumbik, Aaron Grimshaw, Farmer of Greensborough, Joseph Cooper, Gardener of Keelbundora, Peter Dredge, Scholmaster of Jika Jika and Samuel Jeffrey, Farmer of Jika Jika. Lot 20 of Subdivision of Portion 13, Section 4 of the Parish of Nillumbik in the County of Evelyn was located on the southern side of Henry street in Little Eltham North, where the current Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is situated. It became the location of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In 1893 a new hall was built and further enlarged in 1919. At the commencement of 1922, the property was purchased from the Independent Order of Rechabites with publicly subscribed funds and a new hall built at a cost of £750 and improved road access constructed to reduce the grade, running from Dudley Street to Henry Street. This hall was eventually replaced with the new Shire Offices and Hall built on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, which was opened in 1941. Traces the earliest history of the Eltham Public Hall in Henry Street and the various names, occupations and abodes of the Trustees associated with the propertya.j. morse, charles harold williams, charles robert nicholls, edward samuel mccoll, eltham public hall, eltham rechabite hall, eltham wesleyan chapel, ernest james andrew, frederick william gillespie didfield, george burchall, george harrison, george hugh bird, henry street, jack alfred harrison, james pascal, john michael ryan, john william cox, joseph banks, laurence bourke, thomas nunn jewell, trustee, william james burgess, william james capewell, william john pasco

Indenture made 6 August 1925 between Ernest James Andrew, News Agent, Cyril Robert Nicholls, Grocer, John Michael Ryan, Builder, Ellen Matilda Andrew, Married Woman, Alice Maude Bourke, Spinster, Mary Ellen Birchall, Married Woman, Adeline Gertrude Phillips, Married Woman, Minnie Maria Isherwood, Married Woman, Florence Garner, Spinster, Ethel Boake, Married Woman, Edith Marion Bowman, Married Woman, Clarice Armstrong, Spinster, Annie Ryan, Married Woman, William Pasco, Gentleman, Thomas Bowman, Printer, Arthur Copeland Christopherson, Grocer, Thomas Nunan Jewell, Carpenter all of Eltham (the Committee of The Eltham Hall) and William James Capewell, Butcher and Ernest James Andrew both of Eltham and Trustees for The Eltham Hall and George Birchall, Hatter of Eltham to be appointed a Trustee in lieu of George Harrison who requested to be discharged as a Trustee. Originally purchased in 1856 from Thomas Roberts, Yeoman of Little Eltham, for £10 for use by the Wesleyan Chapel, represented by indentured Trustees, Rev. Barnabas Shaw Walker, Minister of the Pentridge Circuit, Francis Thomas, Farmer of Keelbundora, William Harriman, Blacksmith of Nillumbik, Nicholas Rodda, Farmer of Nillumbik, Aaron Grimshaw, Farmer of Greensborough, Joseph Cooper, Gardener of Keelbundora, Peter Dredge, Scholmaster of Jika Jika and Samuel Jeffrey, Farmer of Jika Jika. Lot 20 of Subdivision of Portion 13, Section 4 of the Parish of Nillumbik in the County of Evelyn was located on the southern side of Henry street in Little Eltham North, where the current Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is situated. It became the location of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In 1893 a new hall was built and further enlarged in 1919. At the commencement of 1922, the property was purchased from the Independent Order of Rechabites with publicly subscribed funds and a new hall built at a cost of £750 and improved road access constructed to reduce the grade, running from Dudley Street to Henry Street. This hall was eventually replaced with the new Shire Offices and Hall built on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, which was opened in 1941. Traces the earliest history of the Eltham Public Hall in Henry Street and the various names, occupations and abodes of the Trustees associated with the propertyadeline gertrude phillips, alice maude bourke, annie ryan, arthur copeland christopherson, clarice armstrong, cyril robert nicholls, edith marion bowman, ellen matilda andrew, eltham public hall, eltham rechabite hall, eltham wesleyan chapel, ernest james andrew, ethel boake, florence garner, george birchall, george harrison, grocer, henry street, john michael ryan, mary ellen birchall, minnie maria isherwood, thomas bowman, thomas nunan jewell, trustee, william james capewell, william pasco

Originally purchased in 1856 from Thomas Roberts, Yeoman of Little Eltham, for £10 for use by the Wesleyan Chapel, represented by indentured Trustees, Rev. Barnabas Shaw Walker, Minister of the Pentridge Circuit, Francis Thomas, Farmer of Keelbundora, William Harriman, Blacksmith of Nillumbik, Nicholas Rodda, Farmer of Nillumbik, Aaron Grimshaw, Farmer of Greensborough, Joseph Cooper, Gardener of Keelbundora, Peter Dredge, Scholmaster of Jika Jika and Samuel Jeffrey, Farmer of Jika Jika. Lot 20 of Subdivision of Portion 13, Section 4 of the Parish of Nillumbik in the County of Evelyn was located on the southern side of Henry street in Little Eltham North, where the current Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is situated. It became the location of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In 1893 a new hall was built and further enlarged in 1919. At the commencement of 1922, the property was purchased from the Independent Order of Rechabites with publicly subscribed funds and a new hall built at a cost of £750 and improved road access constructed to reduce the grade, running from Dudley Street to Henry Street. This hall was eventually replaced with the new Shire Offices and Hall built on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, which was opened in 1941. Traces the earliest history of the Eltham Public Hall in Henry Street and the various names, occupations and abodes of the Trustees associated with the propertyaaron grimshaw, blacksmith, edmond perry, eltham public hall, eltham rechabite hall, eltham wesleyan chapel, francis thomas, george smith, henry street, i.w. lucas, james blanch, james chapman, james william brown, john jenkins peacock, john jones, john neale, john van mangerhoussen weiss, joseph cooper, joseph morris holloway, josiah atwool, keelbundora, lancelot iredale, little eltham, lizar elliott, mark blanchard, methodist church, nicholas rodda, p. mather, peter dredge, rev barnabas shaw walker, samuel jeffrey, samuel moor munce, thomas roberts, thomas wheaten bowden, william harriman, william hebblewhite, william john munce, william matthews, william rose

The Trustees for Lot 20 Henry Street were declared by the Wesleyan Methodist Church on 7 October 1901 to be Revd. Barnabas Shaw Walker, Minister of the Pentridge Circuit, Joseph Cooper, Gardener of Keelbundora, Samuel Jeffrey, Farmer of Jika Jika, Francis Thomas, Farmer of Doncaster and sometime of Keelbundora, John Brown, State School Teacher, William John Taylor, Gardener, Robert David Taylor, Gardener and Isaac Hill, Dealer, all of Eltham. Originally purchased in 1856 from Thomas Roberts, Yeoman of Little Eltham, for £10 for use by the Wesleyan Chapel, represented by indentured Trustees, Rev. Barnabas Shaw Walker, Minister of the Pentridge Circuit, Francis Thomas, Farmer of Keelbundora, William Harriman, Blacksmith of Nillumbik, Nicholas Rodda, Farmer of Nillumbik, Aaron Grimshaw, Farmer of Greensborough, Joseph Cooper, Gardener of Keelbundora, Peter Dredge, Scholmaster of Jika Jika and Samuel Jeffrey, Farmer of Jika Jika. Lot 20 of Subdivision of Portion 13, Section 4 of the Parish of Nillumbik in the County of Evelyn was located on the southern side of Henry street in Little Eltham North, where the current Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is situated. It became the location of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In 1893 a new hall was built and further enlarged in 1919. At the commencement of 1922, the property was purchased from the Independent Order of Rechabites with publicly subscribed funds and a new hall built at a cost of £750 and improved road access constructed to reduce the grade, running from Dudley Street to Henry Street. This hall was eventually replaced with the new Shire Offices and Hall built on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, which was opened in 1941. Traces the earliest history of the Eltham Public Hall in Henry Street and the various names, occupations and abodes of the Trustees associated with the propertyeltham public hall, eltham rechabite hall, eltham wesleyan chapel, francis thomas, henry street, james abel marsland, james massland, john brown, joseph cooper, little eltham north, rev barnabas shaw walker, robert david taylor, samuel jeffrey, trustee, william john taylor, little eltham, isaac hill

Draft of Indenture made __ day of __ 1940 between William Allen, Nurseryman, Ernest James Andrew, Gentleman, Ronald Walter Bradbury, Medical Practioner, Robert Sutherland Bryan, John Neville Burgoyne, Grocer, James Francis Cresp, Frederick Haines Collis, Grocer, William Hickey, Harold Claude Hutchison, David Andrew Lyon, Garage Proprietior, Albert E. Parsons, James Clyde Rains, News Agent, Eric Nicholl Staff, Store-keeper and William Walker, Plumber all of Eltham in the State of Victoria and Anton William Brinkkotter, Poultry Farmer in the said State and Sidney William Browne, Hotel Proprietor of Lower Plenty and Robert David Taylor, Secretary of Rosanna (the Committee) to appoint John Neville Burgoyne, William Hickey and David Andrew Lyon as Trustees to replace William James Capewell, Ernest James Andrew and George Birchall. William James Capewell, Butcher and Ernest James Andrew, News Agent and both of Eltham and George Harrison were the original Trustees appointed in the Declaration of Trust dated 5 August 1922. George Birchall replaced George Harrison 6 August 1925 but after being absent from the State for more than two years and William James Capewell and Ernest James Andrew desirous of being discharged as Trustees, under the power of appointing new Trustees vested in the Committee, the Committee resolved on 14 November 1935 that Albert Henry Charles Price, Cecil Martin and Albert John Fahle should be Trustees in place of George Birchall, Ernest James Andrew and William James Capewell however the said resolution was never carried into effect and the said writing was never completed. Subsequently in 1940 Albert Henry Charles Price, Cecil Martin and Albert John Fahle each resigned in writing as Trustees even though never appointed and so the Committee appointed John Neville Burgoyne, William Hickey and David Andrew Lyon as Trustees in place of William James Capewell, Ernest James Andrew and George Birchall. Originally purchased in 1856 from Thomas Roberts, Yeoman of Little Eltham, for £10 for use by the Wesleyan Chapel, represented by indentured Trustees, Rev. Barnabas Shaw Walker, Minister of the Pentridge Circuit, Francis Thomas, Farmer of Keelbundora, William Harriman, Blacksmith of Nillumbik, Nicholas Rodda, Farmer of Nillumbik, Aaron Grimshaw, Farmer of Greensborough, Joseph Cooper, Gardener of Keelbundora, Peter Dredge, Scholmaster of Jika Jika and Samuel Jeffrey, Farmer of Jika Jika. Lot 20 of Subdivision of Portion 13, Section 4 of the Parish of Nillumbik in the County of Evelyn was located on the southern side of Henry street in Little Eltham North, where the current Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is situated. It became the location of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In 1893 a new hall was built and further enlarged in 1919. At the commencement of 1922, the property was purchased from the Independent Order of Rechabites with publicly subscribed funds and a new hall built at a cost of £750 and improved road access constructed to reduce the grade, running from Dudley Street to Henry Street. This hall was eventually replaced with the new Shire Offices and Hall built on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, which was opened in 1941. Traces the earliest history of the Eltham Public Hall in Henry Street and the various names, occupations and abodes of the Trustees associated with the propertyalbert e. parsons, albert henry charles price, albert john fahle, anton william brinkkotter, cecil martin, david andrew lyon, eltham public hall, eltham rechabite hall, eltham wesleyan chapel, eric nicholl staff, ernest james andrew, frederick haines collis, george birchall, grocer, harold claude hutchison, henry street, james clyde rains, james francis cresp, john neville burgoyne, robert david taylor, robert sutherland bryan, ronald walter bradbury, sidney william browne, trustee, william allen, william hickey, william james capewell, william walker

Robert David Taylor of Eltham declared he was the Secretary of a certain Friendly Society known as the Hope of Eltham Tent No. 195 Victoria District of the Independent Order of Rechabites; that William John Taylor the Younger, George Knapman and Isaac Hill junior the Purchasers mentioned and described in a certain Indenture of Conveyance from Barnabas Shaw Walker and others also therein described registered in the office of the Registrar General were at the time of the registration of the said Conveyance the trustees of the said Friendly Society and purchased the land and hereditaments described in the Conveyance as such Trustees; and that Edward Samuel McColl, Jack Alfred Harrison and William Wilson were on 31 December 1926 the trustees of the said Friendly Society and as such were entitled to grant and convey the land and hereditaments described in the said Indenture of Conveyance. Originally purchased in 1856 from Thomas Roberts, Yeoman of Little Eltham, for £10 for use by the Wesleyan Chapel, represented by indentured Trustees, Rev. Barnabas Shaw Walker, Minister of the Pentridge Circuit, Francis Thomas, Farmer of Keelbundora, William Harriman, Blacksmith of Nillumbik, Nicholas Rodda, Farmer of Nillumbik, Aaron Grimshaw, Farmer of Greensborough, Joseph Cooper, Gardener of Keelbundora, Peter Dredge, Scholmaster of Jika Jika and Samuel Jeffrey, Farmer of Jika Jika. Lot 20 of Subdivision of Portion 13, Section 4 of the Parish of Nillumbik in the County of Evelyn was located on the southern side of Henry street in Little Eltham North, where the current Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is situated. It became the location of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In 1893 a new hall was built and further enlarged in 1919. At the commencement of 1922, the property was purchased from the Independent Order of Rechabites with publicly subscribed funds and a new hall built at a cost of £750 and improved road access constructed to reduce the grade, running from Dudley Street to Henry Street. This hall was eventually replaced with the new Shire Offices and Hall built on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, which was opened in 1941. Traces the earliest history of the Eltham Public Hall in Henry Street and the various names, occupations and abodes of the Trustees associated with the propertyedward samuel mccoll, eltham public hall, eltham rechabite hall, eltham wesleyan chapel, george knapman, henry street, hope of eltham tent no. 195, isaac hill junior, jack alfred harrison, trustee, victoria district independent order of rechabites, william john taylor the younger, william wilson

Located on the corner of Main Road and John Street, the church first served the community as the Eltham Wesleyan Church since 1881. It became the Eltham Methodist Church in 1902, the year it united with the Primitive Methodists. Eltham Wesleyans first worshipped together in the home of William and Mary Crozier, on 24 acres bounded by Mount Pleasant Road and Pitt Street. From there they moved to a slab and bark hut in 1855 (this later served as the first school run by David Clark prior to the building of a new school in Dalton Street) and the members then built a chapel in 1858 on Lot 20, Henry Street (later to become the Rechabite Hall and Eltham Public Hall). The present church on John Street was designed by architects Crouch and Wilson in the Early English Gothic style with biochrome brick window frames, buttress heads and pinnacle. Church member George Stebbing built the church, the foundations were constructed with stone from the walls of the first Eltham State Primary School (No. 209) building which collapsed in 1874 and were purchased by Robert David Taylor. Stebbing was also responsible for building St Margaret’s Church and Shillinglaw Cottage. The Roll of Honour, which presently hangs in the church hall (which also doubles as the Opportunity Shop) lists 27 members of the congregation who served in the First World War, 11 of whom never returned. The red-brick Church Hall was opened in 1931 and in 1971 further additions linked the hall and church, including a foyer, vestry, meeting room and toilets reflecting the Eltham style of that time with its simplicity, extensive clear glass, reused baked clay-bricks from the 1881 church, heavy ceiling beams and compressed straw ceiling. On June 26, 1977, the church became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia consisting of the former Methodist and Congregational and most of the Presbyterian Churches. Following of declining numbers of worshippers, the church merged with the Montmorency Uniting Church on June 23, 1996. In 2023 the Uniting church approved a plan to renovate the church. It is understood that the historic church and the hall will be retained, and the building added in 1971 is to be demolished, to make way for a new purpose-built Opportunity shop. The proposed areas to be demolished include the current foyer, toilets, crèche, etc, including the area between the hall and the former RSL. Works are expected to commence mid to late July 2023. The Society was invited by a church member to take photographs of these areas to document them prior to demolition works commencing. Ref: “Nillumbik Now and Then” by Marguerite Marshall (2008)jim connor collection, 2023-07-10, eltham-montmorency uniting church, john street, methodist church, opportunity shop, uniting church, uniting church hall

William Crozier was born 1823 in County Armagh, Ireland. Mary Jane Vance was born 1829 in Desecrete, County Tyrone, Ireland. They were married in 1848. On New Year's Eve, 1849, together with their baby daughter Sarah, William and Mary embarked from Plymouth aboard the Eliza Caroline, as assisted immigrants, for Port Phillip, arriving 31 March 1850 from where they journeyed out to Eltham on a bullock wagon. The Croziers were Episcopalians and soon after arriving in Eltham the Wesleyans of Little Eltham were holding services in the Crozier's home, among other locations. It was not until January 1856 that the Wesleyan church first acquired land in Henry Street for a chapel, which later became the home of the Eltham Hall. The Crozier home, known as ‘Belmont’ was weatherboard with a rammed earth floor. It was situated on twenty-four acres along the track at its rise, about half-a-mile east of Maria Street (Main Road) bounded by Mt Pleasant Road on the south and Pitt Street northwards. William Crozier used the land for cultivation and grazing. The track the Eltham Wesleyans took, by foot or horse, was along the Mt Pleasant Road, and like most roads of the time, a dusty trail in summer and a hoof and cart rutted quagmire in winter. William and Mary Crozier had seven children: Sarah, (1848 Ireland), John McClelland (1851 Eltham), Eliza (1855 Eltham), William (1857 Eltham), Jane(1859 Yarraville), Charlotte Amelia (1861 Yarraville), and Thomas Vance (1864 Eltham). The Crozier farm prospered and in 1870, William applied for, and was granted a leasehold on an additional sixty-three-acre selection, half-a-mile east of his twenty-four-acre Mt Pleasant Road property. Upon this property he built a two-roomed dwelling of slats and bark and a storeroom of log and bark, ten feet square. In 1880 he applied for a Crown grant of the property. Tragedy struck the family in 1882 when the youngest, Thomas Vance at age 17 accompanied by John Anderson, went into "Hall's Dam" to bathe, neither of them being able to swim. On wading out together, Crozier suddenly slipped into a part about 10ft. deep, and sank, after rising only once. Anderson pluckily tried to save him, nearly losing his own life in the attempt, saving himself when sinking for the last time by seizing hold of a projecting root. The body was not recovered until two hours after, when Mr. Thomas Bell, a farmer in the locality, who was attracted to the spot, on hearing of the occurrence, although unable to swim, plunged in with a rope around his waist, and succeeded with some difficulty in bringing it to the surface. Their eldest son, John also died prematurely at age 42 when he was killed by a falling tree branch whilst engaged in ring-barking trees at Eltham. A still cold wind was blowing and John, and others who were working with him, sheltered themselves at lunch time by sitting on the side of a large tree. When thus seated, the wind detached a limb of the tree which sheltered them, and though they heard the cracking, they had not time to get clear before the limb fell. It struck John on the head, and felled him to the ground, He appeared to be suffering severe pain, and two of his companions conveyed him to the Melbourne Hospital, where during the night he was operated upon for a fracture of the skull. Despite the operation being successful, John ultimately succumbed to his injuries the following afternoon. In good times William was known for his wealth of reminiscences of the early days of the district however his health failed him for several years until his death in March 1909. He was a man of very industrious habits, of a retiring disposition and much esteemed by those who knew him best. Mary died in January 1915 after a long illness. They are buried together along with their sons John and Thomas in the Eltham Cemetery. In Loving Remembrance William Beloved husband of Mary Jane Crozier Who departed this life March 31st 1909, aged 85 years Also Mary Jane Beloved wife of the above Who departed this life January 3rd 1915, aged 86 years Also John McCelland Son of the above Who departed this life May 20th 1894, aged 42 years also Sacred Memory of Thomas Vance Dearly beloved son of William J. Crozier Who departed this life at Eltham, February 3rd 1882 Aged 17 yearsBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, john mccelland crozier, mary jane crozier (nee vance), thomas vance crozier, william j crozier

Robert David Taylor was a farmer who lived in Eltham all his life and died in 1934 at the age of 76. Mr and Mrs Bowman lived in York Street; Taylor was their neighbour. In 1933 he subdivided his land, the plan showing a proposed Grey Street flanked by residential blocks for sale. Mrs Bowman bought one: her family would be able to walk through it and along Grey Street to Henry Street, thus providing quicker access to the railway station. But Taylor retained ownership of Grey Street itself. He fenced it off at each end and charged the Bowmans with trespass when they used it. The matter went to Court. The ruling was that Mrs Bowman could use Grey Street, as she owned land in it, but her husband could not. (Taylor also accused the Bowmans of having broken the fences, but could not prove it.) Taylor had wanted to subdivide his land in 1914. Plans were submitted to Council and were approved, but the subdivision did not proceed. In 1919, Taylor doctored the plans to make it appear that a totally different subdivisional arrangement had been approved. The Titles Office immediately detected fraud, and the Crown charged Taylor with forgery and counterfeiting. But charges were later dropped (reason not recorded). He was an Eltham Shire Councillor between 1911 and 1920. In 1920, Council charged him with illegally felling 91 eucalyptus trees in Eltham Park (60% of them in a healthy condition), presumably to be sold as firewood. He was imprisoned pending trial. Taylor claimed that he had acquired from another man the right to remove timber and sued the Council for wrongful prosecution. The case eventually went to the State Full Court, with judgement given in favour of Council, on the grounds that any right acquired by Taylor covered only the removal of logs and refuse, not sound green timber. And his position as Councillor precluded him from acquiring the right anyway. Robert David Taylor was also a Trustee of the Wesleyan Church owned land at Lot 20 Henry Street, originally purchased in January 1855 for a chapel and from which David and Catherine Clark first ran their private school, the forerunner of the Eltham Primary School. The land was sold in November 1901 to the Hope of Eltham Tent No. 195 Victoria District Independent Order of Rechabites, for which his brother William John Taylor was a Trustee and became the home of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In December 1921 it was again sold, this time to the community for use as the Eltham Public Hall, Robert David Taylor being a member of the Committee.Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, charlotte amelia taylor, eltham district historical society, heritage excursion, lillian jane taylor, richard pinn, robert david taylor

William Crozier was born 1823 in County Armagh, Ireland. Mary Jane Vance was born 1829 in Desecrete, County Tyrone, Ireland. They were married in 1848. On New Year's Eve, 1849, together with their baby daughter Sarah, William and Mary embarked from Plymouth aboard the Eliza Caroline, as assisted immigrants, for Port Phillip, arriving 31 March 1850 from where they journeyed out to Eltham on a bullock wagon. The Croziers were Episcopalians and soon after arriving in Eltham the Wesleyans of Little Eltham were holding services in the Crozier's home, among other locations. It was not until January 1856 that the Wesleyan church first acquired land in Henry Street for a chapel, which later became the home of the Eltham Hall. The Crozier home, known as ‘Belmont’ was weatherboard with a rammed earth floor. It was situated on twenty-four acres along the track at its rise, about half-a-mile east of Maria Street (Main Road) bounded by Mt Pleasant Road on the south and Pitt Street northwards. William Crozier used the land for cultivation and grazing. The track the Eltham Wesleyans took, by foot or horse, was along the Mt Pleasant Road, and like most roads of the time, a dusty trail in summer and a hoof and cart rutted quagmire in winter. William and Mary Crozier had seven children: Sarah, (1848 Ireland), John McClelland (1851 Eltham), Eliza (1855 Eltham), William (1857 Eltham), Jane(1859 Yarraville), Charlotte Amelia (1861 Yarraville), and Thomas Vance (1864 Eltham). The Crozier farm prospered and in 1870, William applied for, and was granted a leasehold on an additional sixty-three-acre selection, half-a-mile east of his twenty-four-acre Mt Pleasant Road property. Upon this property he built a two-roomed dwelling of slats and bark and a storeroom of log and bark, ten feet square. In 1880 he applied for a Crown grant of the property. Tragedy struck the family in 1882 when the youngest, Thomas Vance at age 17 accompanied by John Anderson, went into "Hall's Dam" to bathe, neither of them being able to swim. On wading out together, Crozier suddenly slipped into a part about 10ft. deep, and sank, after rising only once. Anderson pluckily tried to save him, nearly losing his own life in the attempt, saving himself when sinking for the last time by seizing hold of a projecting root. The body was not recovered until two hours after, when Mr. Thomas Bell, a farmer in the locality, who was attracted to the spot, on hearing of the occurrence, although unable to swim, plunged in with a rope around his waist, and succeeded with some difficulty in bringing it to the surface. Their eldest son, John also died prematurely at age 42 when he was killed by a falling tree branch whilst engaged in ring-barking trees at Eltham. A still cold wind was blowing and John, and others who were working with him, sheltered themselves at lunch time by sitting on the side of a large tree. When thus seated, the wind detached a limb of the tree which sheltered them, and though they heard the cracking, they had not time to get clear before the limb fell. It struck John on the head, and felled him to the ground, He appeared to be suffering severe pain, and two of his companions conveyed him to the Melbourne Hospital, where during the night he was operated upon for a fracture of the skull. Despite the operation being successful, John ultimately succumbed to his injuries the following afternoon. In good times William was known for his wealth of reminiscences of the early days of the district however his health failed him for several years until his death in March 1909. He was a man of very industrious habits, of a retiring disposition and much esteemed by those who knew him best. Mary died in January 1915 after a long illness. They are buried together along with their sons John and Thomas in the Eltham Cemetery. In Loving Remembrance William Beloved husband of Mary Jane Crozier Who departed this life March 31st 1909, aged 85 years Also Mary Jane Beloved wife of the above Who departed this life January 3rd 1915, aged 86 years Also John McCelland Son of the above Who departed this life May 20th 1894, aged 42 years also Sacred Memory of Thomas Vance Dearly beloved son of William J. Crozier Who departed this life at Eltham, February 3rd 1882 Aged 17 yearseltham cemetery, gravestones, memorials, film - kodak gold gc 400-9, john mccelland crozier, mary jane crozier (nee vance), scan - 35mm negative, thomas vance crozier, william crozier, william j crozier

Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, - Hall on the left side used to be the Church before the current Church was built on opposite side of Henry Street (site of the former Wesleyan Church chapel in the 1850s, Eltham Rechabite Hall and Eltham Public Hall (1922-1940))Wendy Wilson (phone #)our lady help of christians primary school, henry street, eltham

We have three folders catalogued for the Grimshaw name and these will in due course be consolidated/corrected: 1. EDHS_01361 – A.H. Grimshaw of Research, Vic., 1927 2. EDHS_01362 – John Grimshaw of Greensborough, 1862 (Correct name is Josiah Grimshaw) 3. EDHS_01375 – Mr Grimshaw, miner of Kinglake and Caledonian Diggings. (This is believed to be Mr J.L. (Jack) Grimshaw who reportedly discovered the first gold in Kinglake. These folders are made up of copies of pages of research undertaken by Mr Keith Chappel in the 1970s, which is now catalogued as a separate item. EDHS_04448 - Eltham District History, Eltham Road Board, 1856-1871; Research by Keith Chappel https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5e4a290521ea671e9ccf9661 There is further information from this research concerning a William Grimshaw. Also included as part of EDHS_01375 is a photocopy of page44 from the book "Caledonia Diggings (St Andrews)", Gold Discovery in Victoria, James Flett, 1970, which references No. 2 Creek at the Caledonian Diggings as also been known as Grimshaws. We have a photo of J.L.(Jack) Grimshaw who discovered gold at Kinglake, which is part of the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection (SEPP) SEPP_0056 - Mr. J.L. Grimshaw; the man who found the first gold at Kinglake https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5a6c158721ea6906ac29bd3c We also have another record of interest involving Aaron Grimshaw, Farmer of Greensborough who was an indentured Trustee of the Wesleyan Chapel in Little Eltham in 1856: EDHS_04610-3-1 - Document, Conveyance of Lot 20 Henry Street, Little Eltham North to Trustees of Wesleyan Chapel, 1856 https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/60f6d644ac5d4de270b83615 The record of Joshia Grimshaw of Greensborough is grim. He was arrested and charged with the murder of John Mitchell at Greensborough, September 24, 1962. Grimshaw was ultimately convicted of manslaughter and sentenced for three years in prison. Newspaper reports of the day show his name as Josiah. Whether he was also known as John is not clear, and whether he is the same as J.L. (Jack) Grimshaw who discovered gold at Kinglake, again is unclear without undertaking further research into the matter. This murder trial was extensively reported in the newspapers and you can find those reports on the National Library of Australia’s Trove https://trove.nla.gov.au/ Some of the reports of interest: TRIAL OF GRIMSHAW FOR MURDER (1862, October 23). The Kyneton Observer (Vic. : 1856 - 1900), p. 3. Retrieved April 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article240899299 THE GREENSBOROUGH MURDER. (1862, September 30). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6. Retrieved April 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5722929 MELBOURNE CRIMINAL SESSIONS. (1862, October 18). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved April 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154967162 CRIMINAL SESSIONS. I (1862, October 18). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6. Retrieved April 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6480408 Folder of information on Mr Grimshaw, Miner, Kinglake and Caledonian Diggingsgrimshaw

Eltham's original Wesleyan Methodist Church Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p97 The pretty Uniting Church building at the corner of John and Main Roads Eltham has served the community since 1881.1 Originally called the Eltham Wesleyan Church, the church became the Eltham Methodist Church in 1902, the year it united with the Primitive Methodists.2 As the church community developed, influencing and being influenced by the wider community, its buildings changed accordingly. Eltham Wesleyans first worshiped together in 1850 at the home of William and Mary Crozier on 24 acres (9.7ha) bounded by Mount Pleasant Road and Pitt Street. From 1855 the Wesleyans worshipped in a slab-and-bark hut; then in 1858 in a chapel on Henry Street close to Maria Street (now Main Road). Meanwhile, in 1860, the Primitive Methodists opened a brick chapel at the corner of Susan and Bridge Streets. The John Street building – in the Early English Gothic style with biochrome brick window frames, buttress heads and pinnacle – was designed by architects Crouch and Wilson. Church member George Stebbing built the church as he did Eltham’s St Margaret’s Anglican Church and Shillinglaw Cottage. The Church Honour Roll is a poignant reminder of how church members have served the wider community: 27 members enlisted and 11 died in World War One. Despite the Great Depression, 1931 was a time of expansion for the church. Its red-brick hall was opened by prominent Methodist and philanthropist F J Cato of the Moran and Cato Grocery chain. The hall enabled the church to attract people from outside through activities like its gymnasium – with 40 boys and youth participating – and the girls’ callisthenics club, which competed at the Ballarat South Street Competitions. The church also held concerts, bazaars, picnics and sports, with badminton and tennis played on the church court at 23 John Street. Two stained-glass windows commemorate tragic events. A dove representing the Holy Spirit and Comforter marked the death in 1936 of member Effie Lowerson from scarlet fever at 14 years. The other depicting the Biblical story A sower went forth to sow, commemorates Ross Gangell, who died in 1961 at 23 years of a rare blood condition. Eltham’s population expanson resulted in the growth of the church and an extension in 1971, designed by member and architect Colin Jones. The church was linked to the hall and additions included a foyer, vestry, meeting room and toilets. The design reflected the Eltham style of the time, with its simplicity, extensive clear glass, reused baked clay-bricks from the 1881 church, heavy ceiling beams and solomite (compressed straw) ceiling. On June 26, 1977 the church became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia consisting of the former Methodist and Congregational and most of the Presbyterian Churches. In 1981 membership peaked at 159 – about 20 years after most Protestant churches – and continued to reach out to the wider community.3 In 1987, 147 children attended Selihoo, the weekly after-school program organised with St Margaret’s Anglican Church. From 1993, the church with other local churches, participated in LINC (Love in the Name of Christ), helping the wider community in various ways including babysitting, transport, gardening and visiting. Despite such initiatives, church numbers declined, and on June 23, 1996, the church merged with the Montmorency Uniting Church.4 However, the church continued to proclaim its message of love in community service and strong social justice action, such as in Jubilee 2000, supporting debt relief to the world’s 45 poorest countries. Some of the many church members who have had an outstanding impact on the wider community include Philip Shillinglaw, farmer and poet, and Arthur Bird (after whom the Arthur Bird Reserve is named), a pioneer orchardist and the Sunday School Superintendent for 33 years. Others were: the Rev Dr Cliff Wright, who established the Methodist Youth Fellowship and was prominent in the World Council of Churches, the Rev Brian Howe, who became Deputy Prime Minister and Tim Marshall, awarded the Order of Australia in 2000 for his work on salinity.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 uniting church, eltham methodist church

Indenture between Jack Alfred Harrison, Accountant, Edward Samuel McColl, Council Employee, both of Eltham and William Wilson, Coachbuilder of Research, the Trustees of a certain Friendly Society known as The Hope of Eltham Tent No. 195 Victorian District I.O.R of the one part and William James Capewell, Butcher, Ernest James Andrew, News Agent and George Birchall, Hatter all of Eltham of the other part, Trustees for The Eltham Hall, for the purchase of Lot 20 Henry Street for £750. Witnessed by Hubert James Carter J.P for Jack Alfred Harrison, A.H.C. Price J.P. for Edward Samuel McColl and J. Webster J.P. for William Wilson. Originally purchased in 1856 from Thomas Roberts, Yeoman of Little Eltham, for £10 for use by the Wesleyan Chapel, represented by indentured Trustees, Rev. Barnabas Shaw Walker, Minister of the Pentridge Circuit, Francis Thomas, Farmer of Keelbundora, William Harriman, Blacksmith of Nillumbik, Nicholas Rodda, Farmer of Nillumbik, Aaron Grimshaw, Farmer of Greensborough, Joseph Cooper, Gardener of Keelbundora, Peter Dredge, Scholmaster of Jika Jika and Samuel Jeffrey, Farmer of Jika Jika. Lot 20 of Subdivision of Portion 13, Section 4 of the Parish of Nillumbik in the County of Evelyn was located on the southern side of Henry street in Little Eltham North, where the current Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is situated. It became the location of the Eltham Rechabite Hall. In 1893 a new hall was built and further enlarged in 1919. At the commencement of 1922, the property was purchased from the Independent Order of Rechabites with publicly subscribed funds and a new hall built at a cost of £750 and improved road access constructed to reduce the grade, running from Dudley Street to Henry Street. This hall was eventually replaced with the new Shire Offices and Hall built on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, which was opened in 1941. Traces the earliest history of the Eltham Public Hall in Henry Street and the various names, occupations and abodes of the Trustees associated with the property