Oral history Interview with Maurie Fabbro conducted by Doug Orford with Mary Reagan at Maurie Fabro's home in Kirby Street, North Eltham, Victoria The interview covers Maurie's life in Eltham. Maurie took over his parents farm which was located opposite Eltham High School and between the Diamond Creek. The house was located in Faulkiner Street. When the land was subdivided, Maurie moved up the hill to the site of the interview. Topics of discussion include: Maurie's Harley Davidson Motorcycle (mention of Keith Gibson), lack of electricity in Faulkiner Street, extreme weather of the past.Audio Cassette tape TEAC mdxi 100 min (yellow) Converted to MP3 file; 79.9MB, 1:03:08oral history, fabbro family, fabbro farm, faulkiner street, eltham, weather, motorcycles, doug orford, maurie fabbro

Photograph of the cover of the booklet produced for the funeral of Maurice Fabbro which includes his photograph. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 colour photographA celebration of the Life of Maurice Joseph Fabbro (Mario); 19 January 1920 - 19 November 2009fabbro's farm, maurice fabbro

Maurice Fabbro on tractor with truck he used to take the vegetables to the Queen Victoria Market at Fabbro's farm, Eltham. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. No date 1 colour photographfabbro's farm, eltham, bell street, market-gardens, maurice fabbro, queen victoria market, tractor, trucks

At Bell Street, Fabbro Farm, Eltham; From left: Unknown, Mario Fabbro and possibly Helen Skipper, standing in the middle of a vegetable crop. The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 black and white photographfabbro's farm, bell street, eltham, maurice fabbro, farming, helen skipper, vegetables

Maurice Fabbro and his mother Regina (wife of Guido) taken at home in Falkiner Street, Eltham. Regina passed away 21/03/1986 age 92 and is buried at Eltham Cemetery. (source: http://www.elthamcemetery.com/index.php/deceased-search) The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. Eltham, Falkiner Street, Maurice Fabbro, Regina Fabbro1 colour photographfabbro's farm, bell street, eltham, maurice fabbro, regina fabbro

At Bell Street, Fabbro Farm, Eltham; from left: Maurie Fabbro, Myra Skipper, Unknown, Arthur Munday, Ian Robertson. Helen Comprione in front - probably helping to pick a crop. The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 black and white photographfabbro's farm, guido fabbro, bell street, arhur munday, eltham, helen comprione, ian robertson, maurice fabbro, myra skipper, picking, farming

Guildo Fabbro, Falkiner Street, Eltham with Clydesdale horse with harness in field. The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 black and white photographfabbro's farm, guido fabbro, bell street, clydesdale horse

The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. Maurice Joseph Fabbro (Mario) was born 19 January 1920 and passed away 19 November 20091 black and white photographfabbro's farm, maurice fabbro

Fabbro's farm and house, Bell Street, Eltham, c.1990s. A crop of artichokes were planted on the farm at this time. The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 colour photograph printed with white borderfabbro's farm, bell street, eltham, artichokes, barak farm, maurice fabbro

Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbro arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. In Memory of Guido Quarto Fabbro Beloved husband of Regina Died 15-3-1970 aged 79 R.I.PBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro

1 black and white printfabbro's farm, maurice fabbro

Six colour photographsfabbro's farm, riverview estate, houses

The view looks across present-day Cronus Court housing development. Aerial photos for 1976 reflect the undeveloped landscape as viewed. By 1981 the estate was well established with all houses built.david taylor collection, eltham, eltham high school, fabbro's farm, cronus court

Two black and white photographs 1. ploughed land Fabbro's market garden Eltham South c.1960s 2. field of crops 1970farming, market gardens, eltham, eltham south, fabbro, falkiner street, george w bell collection

Colour photograph of view southeast from Porter Street, Eltham c.1994 showing new housing development on Riverview Estate formerly Fabbro farm.porter street, eltham, riverview estate, m fabbro

Antonio Casonato on his tractor at Fabbro's farm, Eltham. No date. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham1 colour photographangtona casonato, tractor, fabbro's farm, eltham, bell street

Antonio and Angelina Casonato with their four children and a baby cousin taken with lettuces growing on the river flat at Bell Street, Fabbro Farm (Fabbro Fields) in front of Eltham High School in the late 1960s. The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now made up of Fabbro Fileds and Barrack Bushlands. This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 black and white photograph reproduction print (low quality)fabbro's farm, bell street, eltham, farming, vegetables, angelina casonato, antonio casonato, fabbro family, fabbro farm, fabbro fields

Fabbro's farm and house, Bell Street, Eltham, c.1990s. A crop of artichokes were planted on the farm at this time. The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 colour photograph printed with white borderfabbro's farm, bell street, eltham, artichokes, barak farm

Fabbro's farm and house, Bell Street, Eltham, c.1990s. A crop of artichokes were planted on the farm at this time. The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 colour photograph printed with white borderfabbro's farm, bell street, eltham, artichokes, barak farm

Fabbro's farm and house, Bell Street, Eltham, c.1990s. A crop of artichokes were planted on the farm at this time. The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 colour photograph printed with white borderfabbro's farm, bell street, eltham, artichokes, barak farm

Antonio Casonato sowing seeds with a device in furrowed soil on the river flats in front of Eltham High School at Fabbro's farm, Eltham. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. No date1 colour photographfabbro's farm, eltham, bell street, antonia casonato, seeds

At Bell Street, Fabbro Farm, Eltham; From left: Helen Skipper, Matcham Skipper, Sonia Skipper and possibly Myra Skipper, standing in the middle of a vegetable crop. The site of the Fabbro farm (Diamond Creek side land) is now called Barrack Bushlands. It is doubtful that Fabbro's farm holding was ever called Barrak Park, This title is fairly recent after the Shire of Eltham purchased the land, including the last section in 1993/94. About this time the area on the west side of Falkiner Street was purchased by a private developer and developed as housing. The area in Bell Street opposite the Eltham High School was purchased by the State Government is recent years and is called Fabbro Fields. The Fabbro Family operated their farm in Bell Street, Eltham. 1 black and white photographfabbro's farm, bell street, eltham, farming, helen skipper, vegetables, matchcam skipper, myra skipper, sonia skipper

Fabbro's farm on Bell Street to the left of frame 11Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodacolor IIsusan street, fabbro's farm, eltham leisure centre, brougham street, bell street

Fabbro's farm on Bell Street to the left of frame 11Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodacolor IIsusan street, fabbro's farm, eltham leisure centre, brougham street, bell street

Fabbro's farm on Bell Street to the left of frame 11Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodacolor IIsusan street, fabbro's farm, eltham leisure centre, brougham street, bell street

Fabbro's farm on Bell Street to the left of frame 11Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodacolor IIsusan street, fabbro's farm, eltham leisure centre, brougham street, bell street

Fabbro's farmland immediately prior to housing estate development in 1994fay bridge collection, 1994, bell street, eltham, fabbro farm, fabbro home, porter street

Typical scenery around Eltham High School from the rear of the school looking towards Fabbro's farm and near the Diamond Creek along the Dalton Street Lanedavid taylor collection, eltham high school

Contents: • 250 and still going strong ! • Our Next Meeting - Wednesday 12th February 2020 • March Excursion - Eltham’s Hidden Creek • Memories and anecdotes of Mario (Maurie/Maurice) Fabbro by Hans Gregory • Early Settlers House, Ely Street, Eltham by Russell Yeoman • Our Town – Part 1 by Sue Bennett • Eltham Cemetery Stories by Richard Pinn o Guido Quarto Fabbro o Gordon Craig Ford • Contacts for the Eltham District Historical Society The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, reminiscences, zull family, mario fabbro, ely street, guido fabbro, gordon ford, eltham cemetery stories