Eltham Courthouse Officially Reopened (Jim Connor, EDHS Newsletter No. 263 April 2022) In the Conservation Management Plan prepared in 2006 for the Eltham Justice Precinct there is mention that more than 350 court houses have been built by the Public Works Department since 1856, when the Department was established. It also states Eltham was in an early group of 'Victorian Free Classical' structures, featuring a projecting entry porch and gabled roof. Characteristically, this group shares a simple, rectangular shape, central placement of the court room with smaller-scale offices set back at the sides or rear of the court room, arched openings, and decorative string courses. The Statement of Significance listed in the Victorian Heritage Register states: ‘The Eltham Court House dates from the time when the town was largely self-contained. It was initiated in response to itinerant gold prospectors who turned to crime when their quest was unsuccessful. This type of localised solution is characteristic of the self reliance preserved in Eltham today. The court house is an important symbol of the spirit which makes Eltham distinctive as a community.’ It also states: ‘The Eltham Court House, built in 1860, is one of only two intact examples in the state of this simple design with projecting entry.’ So with this background it is most appropriate this valued historic building has recently been the subject of a total restoration, as detailed in previous newsletters. This was a major project undertaken by Nillumbik Shire Council. At a small function in the Eltham Courthouse, on 23rd March 2022, Nillumbik Shire Council Mayor Fran Eyre declared the fully restored building officially reopened. In doing so the Mayor spoke about the earlier law and order function of the court and the importance of this building to the Eltham community. Wingrove Ward Councillor Geoff Paine then highlighted the importance of historical societies and groups within the shire and their valued activities in recording and preserving their local history. EDHS president Jim Connor thanked everyone involved with the project and provided an overview of the history of the courthouse. Michael Ioannides, Council’s project manager, spoke about how the restoration process proceeded and those involved in undertaking the works required. Cr. Natalie Duffy, various council officers, EDHS executive committee members, as well as representatives of the head contractor Ducon Building Services and the heritage advisors, RBA architects and Conservation Consultants, were also in attendance, as was a representative of Nillumbik U3A. After the formal part there was some light hearted interpretation of how past legal proceedings may, or may not have, occurred within this courthouse, before some refreshments were shared in the former second courthouse at the rear, which is now utilised by Nillumbik U3A. This was a successful celebration of a very worthwhile project.Born digital image (38)conservation consultants, cr. geoff paine, cr. natalie duffy, ducon building services, eltham courthouse, eltham district historical society, eltham justice precinct, jim connor, mayor cr. fran eyre, michael ioannides, nillumbik shire council, nillumbik u3a, opening ceremony, rba architects, restoration project

These images were taken by Geoff Biddington who was highly active in the Ballarat Branch of the National Trust. Twenty two black and white photographic views of Ballarat by Geoff Biddington. 1. Ballarat Mechanics' Institute 2. 18-20 Lyons Street south, Ballarat 3. Licensed grocer (Corner Eyre and Lyons Street South) featuring Ballarat Bertie Sign 4. Cast Iron Gasometer Frames 5. Former Ballarat Supreme Court (Ballarat School of Mines Electrical Engineering 6. Telegraph Station (Castlemaine?) 7. Ballarat Fine Art Gallery (later Art Gallery of Ballarat) 8. Former Ballarat Police Station, Camp Street 9. Former Baptist Church, Dawson Street 10. Craig's Hotel Lamp 11-13. Goller's, Camp Street 14. Old Post Box- Crown on Top 15. Former Ballarat Gaol Gates 16. Golden Point Football Club Rooms, Main Road 17. Ballarat Fire Station, Ballarat East 18. Ballarat Town Hall Tower 19. Ballan Hotel 20. Building on Inglis street, Ballan 21. Ballan News Building (Est 1872) 22. Adam Lindsay Gordon Cottagebiddington, ballarat mechanics' institute, ballaarat mechanics' institute, mechanics institute, gasometer, ballarat police station, police, baptist church, craig's hotel, goller, post box, crown, golden point, ballarat town hall, ballan hotel, adam lindsay gordon cottage, ballarat gaol gates, wrought iron, bluestone, ballarat bertie, orlando, penfolds, signwriting, licensed grover, ballarat bitter, craig's royal hotel lamp, craig's hotel

Scrap book containing invoices relating to accounts to be paid by the Ballarat School of Mines between 1870 until 1875. The School of Mines at Ballarat was the first school of Mines in Australia and was established in 1870. The works done to the former Ballarat Circuit Court House were overseen by Robert Davidson (architect and Surveyor) with the contractor being James Williams. Large book, green leather with red binding, numerous original invoices pasted onto the pages. The first pages of the scrapbook includes correspondence relating to the refurbishment of the former Ballarat Court House which was used as the Ballarat School of Mines from 1870. The building was demolished c1913 to make way for the Ballarat Technical Art School (still standing). * 23 August 1870 - Bateman, Clark & Co, The Ballarat Courier * August 1870 - Klug Bros. Furniture and Bedding Warehouse * April 1870 - J. Armstrong * Statement of Receipts and Expenditure from 23rd Aug. 1870 to 19 January 1871 * W. Gooch, * 1870 - William L. Mullen, Ballarat Stationery Warehouse & Printing Office, * 31Jany. 1871 - A.H. King, Iron Merchant, * 1 February 1871 - Richard Tunbridge, Timber Merchant, * January 4th 1871- Henry Gough, * 8th March 1871 William Murfet, * March 1871- Maxwell Morrow, * 1 February 1871- James Curtis, Caxton Steam Printing Works, * May 4th 1871 - William Blomeley, Iron and Brass Founder, * 4 May 1871 - Thomas Rogers, Draper, Milliner, Haberdasher & c. * May14 1871- George Shannon & Co, Importers of China, Glass & Earthenware, * May 31st 1871, Wreford & Co, Machine Printers, *1st July 1871 William McCulloch & Co,( late Reynolds and English) General Carriers to all parts of the Colony, * 1871- J.J. McDonald, Plumber and Gas Fitters, * August 29th 1871 - Eyres Brothers, Furnishing and General Ironmongers, * 1st August 1871, Frank Pinkerton,H Ben. Franklin Printing and Stationary House 18, Armstrong Street, Ballarat. * 12TH July 1871 J. Donovan, * 10th August, 1871 - Edward Rand, Wholesale Druggist & Importer, *11 Nov 1871 - Matthew Hamilton, * October 2nd 1871 - C.B. Retallack, Engineer and General Smith, *December 8 1871 - James Harrington, * June 1871 - Wayne, Wholesale Druggist * 21st Nov. 1871 - Smith Brothers, Timber Merchants. * 5 January 1872 - T. Eggington, Carpenter, * 12 January 1872 - James Fayle, Plumbers & Ironwork * January 26th 1872 - S. Stansfield, * August 10th 1872 - John H. Hammond Wholesale and Retail, Bookseller, Commercial and General Stationer, etc. etc."VOUCHER" inscribed on spine in gold Each invoice pasted into the scrapbook has a number written onto it. The numbers are in chronological order at start at 1 in each calendar year. ballarat school of mines, redmond barry, hugh gray, henry richards caselli, henry caselli, joseph flude, ballarat court house, harrie wood, clock, invoice book, robert davison, james williams, ballarat circuit court house, old ballarat court, emanuel steinfeld, j.t. sleep, c.b. retallack, john phillips, eyres bros, ballaarat gas company, national insurance company, broadbent bros, charles evans, niven and co, william johnson, william ford, george robertson, william vale, m.d. hamilton, plumbago crucible company, morgans crucibles, h.r. caselli, henry richards caselli, george evans, bateman, clark & co,, klug bros., j. armstrong, w. gooch,, william l. mullen, a.h. king, richard tunbridge, henry gough,, william murfet,, james curtis, william blomeley,, thomas rogers, george shannon, wreford, william mcculloch, j.j. mcdonald, frank pinkerton, ben franklin printing and stationary house, j. donovan, edward rand, matthew hamilton, c.b. retallack,, james harrington, smith brothers,, james fayle,, maxwell morrow,, s. stansfield, walhalla, brunswick house, t rogers

historic building, Colour photograph, Robert Allen's house (1856-57) Eyre St. Buninyong, front verandah.buninyong, church, presbyterian, uniting, scott family

Historic BuildingsB/W Photo of original photograph, Eyre St west from Warrenheip St., with Temperance Hall and Clifton Villa.buninyong, eyre street west, temperence hall, clifton villa, gas lamp

Historic BuildingsB/W Photo Eyre Street, looking west from Warrenheip St in 1980's, corner shop built by Newman, Chemist is now Antique shop. buninyong, warrenheip st, eyre street, edward charles newman, antique store

Original building was established by Whyke's family Grocery, built in 1860s. Stripped to apricot brickwork. Verandah removed. Situated East Side of Warrenheip St between Eyre St and Forest St, Buninyong. Building much altered and used as a restaurant in 1970s. Fell into disrepair. Revival took place but not restoration. 1990s under threat of demolition if not conforming to council safety requirements. Building has since been renovated as a pizza restaurant (2023). Vacant lots have since been built on.Established by a prominent local family, an example of a mid 19th century shop. Black and white photo of former Whykes Grocer, 1860's. Streetscape photo of former Whykes Grocer brick building. Power pole with Warrenheip St sign. 3 other shopfronts visible, street trees and vacant land between shops.buninyong, whykes, grocery, building, street scape, warrenheip st

Original Building dates from around 1855, strong connection with Robert Allen, prominent citizen in early goldrush, links through him to Allen Store and Old Library.Built by prominent citizen and benefactor, early gold-rush dwellingEyre Cottage, former home of Robert Allen, c 1855, on S/W cnr. of Eyre and Winter Streets, side view from N/W.buninyong, eyre st, winter st, robert allen, streetscape, building

Early house reflecting a degree of wealth, built for Buninyong Chemist around 1859historical and architectural elementsB/W photo of Clifton Villa, family dwelling built c 1859 cnr Eyre and Winter Streets Buninyong, lacework on barge boards and veranda, special feature chimneys. House built for Mr Newman,, chemist in Buninyong.clifton villa, house, garden, streetscape

"Clifton Villa", cnr Eyre and Winter Sts, Buninyong, was built c.1860 for Mr Newman. The red brick building has bluestone foundations, cast iron lacework verandah trim, high ornate gables, slate roof and unusual round brick chimneys with spiral brick decorations.Historically significant brick home built c.1860 for Mr Newman. Ornate decorations make this an unusual example of homes of the era.Colour photo of "Clifton Villa", cnr Eyre and Winter Sts, Buninyong. Built c.1860 for Mr Newman. The red brick building has bluestone foundations, cast iron lacework verandah trim, high ornate gables, slate roof and unusual round brick chimneys with spiral brick decorations."Clifton Villa 1862" Taken 1991clifton villa, eyre st, winter st, buninyong, newman

"Clifton Villa", cnr Eyre and Winter Sts, Buninyong, was built c.1860 for Mr Newman. The red brick building has bluestone foundations, cast iron lacework verandah trim, high ornate gables, slate roof and unusual round brick chimneys with spiral brick decorations.Historically significant brick home built c.1860 for Mr Newman. Ornate decorations make this an unusual example of homes of the era.Colour photo of "Clifton Villa", cnr Eyre and Winter Sts, Buninyong, viewed from Winter St. Built c.1860 for Mr Newman. The red brick building has bluestone foundations, cast iron lacework verandah trim, high ornate gables, slate roof and unusual round brick chimneys with spiral brick decorations."Clifton Villa 1862" Taken 1991clifton villa, eyre st, winter st, buninyong, newman

Significant gold rush mansionColoured photograph Clifton Villa, built 1859, Eyre St. Buninyongbuninyong, eyre st., clifton villa,

Built for Edward Charles Newman, pharmacist of Warrenheip St.Colour photo of Clifton Villa (1859) Eyre St. Buninyong in 1982. buninyong, clifton villa, edward charles newman

detail of feature of historic buildingColour photograph, Clifton Villa (1859) Eyre St. Buninyong, close-up of chimneys.buninyong, clifton villa, chimney

historic building, after restorationColour photograph, Clifton Villa (1859) Eyre St. Buninyong, front (east side), 3/4 view.buninyong, clifton villa, chimney

historic building, after restorationColour photograph, Clifton Villa (1859) Eyre St. Buninyong, front (east side).buninyong, clifton villa, chimney

historic building, rebuildingColour photograph, Robert Allen's house (1856-57) Eyre St. Buninyong, outhouse, rebuilt 1988, incorporating part of original stable.buninyong, outhouse, robert allen

historic building, Colour photograph, Robert Allen's house (1856-57) Eyre St. Buninyong, front verandah.buninyong, robert allen

historic building, Colour photograph, Robert Allen's house (1856-57) Eyre St. Buninyong, front verandah.buninyong, robert allen