The Claxton Monument and Fountain in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens was recommissioned in 1997 after extensive renovations and a computerised engraving system was purchased for the labelling of plants.The Claxton Monument is an important part of Ballarat Botanical Gardens historic statuary. And the new labelling system would help preserve part of City's history.I page (p.5) of yellowed newsprint with a large black and white photograph of the Claxton Monument to the right hand side. Cut out of newspaper at the bottom.At the top of the page, written in blue biro: "10.30 am 15/8/97 - Joan Garner - President attended by 50 Friends and Garden Staff."john garner, doctor, ballarat botanical gardens, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, claxton monument, restoration, frederick moses claxton, mayor, computerised labelling system, claxton, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat, courier

burbury

This book includes a description of the early settlement of Wattle Park; who owned the farms prior to it becoming parkland; and the development and management since including the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board.This book includes a description of the early settlement of Wattle Park; who owned the farms prior to it becoming parkland; and the development and management since including the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board.wattle park, trees, box trees, golden wattle trees, she-oak trees, (mr) james atkinson, aborigines, first tree, (mr) hector bell, croquet, golf, orienteering, (mr) henry de carle, (mr) john lawler, (mr) walter craig, (mrs) eliza welch, the grange, (miss) effie eliza ball, hawthorn tramways trust, (mr) - membrey, metropolitan tramways park, (mr )david pureau, by-laws, g. t. usher, o. fenwick, f. c. garyder, e, bennet, a. snowden, g. tweedy, (mr) (sir) arthur stanly, (mr)alan holt, (mrs) a bennet, world war, 1939-1945, eucalypts, elm trees, ash trees, (ms) faye shepherd

Photograph shows a large gum tree encircled by an iron fence. This tree is known as a canoe or scar tree - a section of bark has been removed by first nations people to make a canoe.Part of the John Ramsdale collection of slides and audio visual material.Colour photograph scanned from slide.No caption. Printed maker's mark on slide "Kodak Kodachrome Slide"canoe tree, scar tree, first nations

Photograph shows a rural scene with large gum tree (scar tree or canoe tree) in foreground and farmland in background. This is on Bonds Road Rosanna near the Rosanna Golf Club.Part of the John Ramsdale collection of slides and audio visual material.Colour photograph scanned from slide.No maker's marks. No caption on slide.canoe tree, first nations, bonds road rosanna

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from Tuesday, March 2, 2004. Bushy: the avenue of trees at Kangaroo Flat, the first tree of which was planted by Mrs J.C. Morrison, wife of the Marong shire president on July 28, 1929. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Views of the Mt Helen Campus during the time of the construction of the first buildings. The Tree of Knowledge is evident.mount helen, construction, tree of knowledge, mt helen campus, big tree, establishment

This wood fragment comes from a red gum tree which was planted in the Bacchus Marsh Primary School grounds in the 1860s. It was one of the first trees planted in the school ground in Lerderderg Street. For many years the school bell was hung from this tree. This practiced ceased about 1969 and some years later the tree had to be removed as it had become damaged. This wood fragment was saved from the 'bell tree' when this was done. The wood fragment is an indicator of a once common, but now generally non-existent school practice of the ringing of a bell to communicate school commencement and finishing times during the school day. It has particular significance because Bacchus Marsh Primary School was the first government funded public primary school in Victoria.Red Gum tree wood fragmentschools, bacchus marsh primary school

Description of first grid drawn of Melbourne by Robert Hoddle and design impetus; naming of gridiron streets; Charles Troedel prints/The Melbourne Album, F. Cogne drew Melbourne scenes on lithographic stones; Harold Freedman drew same scenes of Melbourne 1964/65; comparative discussion of Melbourne then and now; between 1865-1965 substantial buildings erected and demolished; cable tram; strength and delicacy of Melbourne style; first tree planting; first electric tram 1927; lifting of building height limits 1956; list of representative buildings; Melbourne unlike other capitals as it was not conceived as a capital city.Published as a chapter titled 'The Town at Port Phillip' in 'The Book of Melbourne and Canberra', The Griffin Press, Adelaide 1966Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 14 pagesjohn batman, john fawkner, robert russell, robert hoddle, charles troedel prints/the melbourne album, f. cogne; cable trams; building height limits; tree planting; electric tram 1927; representative buildings, robin boyd, manuscript

In the foreground is Dr Blakie's first surgery, later the Police Station, then a Service station. Behind and to the left are the two railway station buildings. On the horizon and in front of the pine trees is 'Montalto', home of the Hansen family, later Dr Box (demolished). Two storey terrace of shops in front of this is Hansen's Terrace. In centre, note smoke from steam train. On corner of Guildford Rd is a Gas Lamp. The first trees have been planted in Union Road and are protected with stout wood surround.Black and white photograph of a view of Surrey Hills. Written on the bottom left hand side "SURREY HILLS - FROM THE NORTH". In the foreground are two trees on the right hand side before a view leading up the hill. dr blakie, police station, hansen terrace, dr box, montalto, guildford rd, gas lamp, union road

The box was made by Albert Richardson from the first Blackwood Tree felled, dried and treated on the Brodribb River by him at the Tabbara Mill in 1882. Albert was the son of Samuel Richardson early Orbost pioneer and builder of The Paddle Steamer Curlip.Small, rectangular hand- carved wooden box made of blackwood. On the top it has a diamond design. It has metal hingesbox handcraft richardson-albert carving

Bridge over Cherry Tree Gully, first section of culvert in place and used as bypass c. 1956Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, shire of eltham, 1956, bridge construction, heidelberg-kinglake road, road construction, cherry tree gully

Francis Gordon Davis was born in Ballarat on 09 August 1899. He is the only former student of the Ballarat Junior Technical School who was killed on service during World War One. Davis enlisted into the Australian Flying Corps, Laverton, on 12 April 1918 at which time he was 18 and 8 months and served as a second class Air Mechanic. His service number was 3310. He died accidentally from shock resulting from an accident resulting from skidding a Leyland Motor Lorry at Leighterton, Tetbury, Gloucester, England on 28 January 1919 and is buried in Grave 6 in the Soldiers Corner of the Leighterton Cemetery. Francis Davis was accorded a full military funeral, firing party, bugler and pallbearers. The coffin was draped in the Union Jack and surmounted in several beautiful wreathes sent from his brother 2/A.M. E.H. Davis (A.F.C Leighterton), officer of the A.F.C. Leighterton, Gloucester, Cadets of A.F.C. and many other personal friends of the deceased. The "Last Post" was sounded at the graveside, and the Rev. Major K.D. Norman C. of E. A.I.F. officiated. The grave was to be turfed and an oak cross erected by the A.I.F. London. Administrative Headquarters A.I.F. London were represented at the funeral. (http://bih/index.php/Francis_G._Davis) In June 1922 Alfred Davis, the father of Francis Davis, planted a tree in the grounds of the Ballarat Junior Technical School in honour of hos son. It was the first tree of six planted in the grounds of the Ballarat School of Mines on Arbor Day 1922. Speaking of the planting of the tree by Mr Davis the Chief Secretary (Mr M. Baird M.L.A.), said he trusted the memory would ever remain green at the school. Had he and others not given their lives nothing that we could have done to-day could have retrieved the time. Australians had indeed done splendidly, but they should take a wider outlook than Australia, and reading the history of the Genoa Conference he had been struck by what had been done ... We should honor such men as he in whose memory that tree was planted, and the schools that sent them out to fight for us. He hoped the empire would always be able to produce such men, so that the Empire would always be able to lead the World's struggle for the benefit of humanity. The last post was then sounded by Mr. H. Green. ... (Ballarat Courier, 19 June 1922)A number of photographs of a tree and marble plaque in the grounds of the Ballarat School of Mines. It was a memorial to Francis Davis, a former student of the Ballarat Junior Technical School, who died on active service during World War One.ballarat school of mines, ballarat junior secondary school, world war one, memorial, marble plaque, marble memorial, tree, memorial tree, davis, francis davis

Francis Gordon Davis was born in Ballarat on 09 August 1899. He is the only former student of the Ballarat Junior Technical School who was killed on service during World War One. Davis enlisted into the Australian Flying Corps, Laverton, on 12 April 1918 at which time he was 18 and 8 months and served as a second class Air Mechanic. His service number was 3310. He died accidentally from shock resulting from an accident resulting from skidding a Leyland Motor Lorry at Leighterton, Tetbury, Gloucester, England on 28 January 1919 and is buried in Grave 6 in the Soldiers Corner of the Leighterton Cemetery. Francis Davis was accorded a full military funeral, firing party, bugler and pallbearers. The coffin was draped in the Union Jack and surmounted in several beautiful wreathes sent from his brother 2/A.M. E.H. Davis (A.F.C Leighterton), officer of the A.F.C. Leighterton, Gloucester, Cadets of A.F.C. and many other personal friends of the deceased. The "Last Post" was sounded at the graveside, and the Rev. Major K.D. Norman C. of E. A.I.F. officiated. The grave was to be turfed and an oak cross erected by the A.I.F. London. Administrative Headquarters A.I.F. London were represented at the funeral. (http://bih/index.php/Francis_G._Davis) In June 1922 Alfred Davis, the father of Francis Davis, planted a tree in the grounds of the Ballarat Junior Technical School in honour of hos son. It was the first tree of six planted in the grounds of the Ballarat School of Mines on Arbor Day 1922. Speaking of the planting of the tree by Mr Davis the Chief Secretary (Mr M. Baird M.L.A.), said he trusted the memory would ever remain green at the school. Had he and others not given their lives nothing that we could have done to-day could have retrieved the time. Australians had indeed done splendidly, but they should take a wider outlook than Australia, and reading the history of the Genoa Conference he had been struck by what had been done ... We should honor such men as he in whose memory that tree was planted, and the schools that sent them out to fight for us. He hoped the empire would always be able to produce such men, so that the Empire would always be able to lead the World's struggle for the benefit of humanity. The last post was then sounded by Mr. H. Green. ... (Ballarat Courier, 19 June 1922)A number of photographs of a tree and marble plaque in the grounds of the Ballarat School of Mines. It was a memorial to Francis Davis, a former student of the Ballarat Junior Technical School, who died on active service during World War One.ballarat school of mines, ballarat junior secondary school, world war one, memorial, marble plaque, marble memorial, tree, memorial tree, davis, francis davis, centenary

W.D.Chapman had a keen interest in botany and was particularly interested in Eucalyptus species. He was first to discover the tree which now bears his name on his numerous visits to the Kiewa power station which is situated near the Bogong High Plains. He was a Commissioner and later the Chairman of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, the organisation in charge of building the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. The tree is a cross between two eucalypts. The trees are unique as they cannot procreate. There were two 'Bogong Gum' trees. One at Cranky Charlies and one on the way up to the High Plains passed by the Ryder family on their way up.This plaque was beside the Falls Creek Road and indicated the location of the 'Bogong Gum' tree. The tree was burnt in the 2003 bush fires but survived only to be killed in the 2006 bush fires. There were two 'Bogong Gum' trees. One at Cranky Charlies and one on the way up to the High Plains passed by the Ryder family on their way up. Heavy bronze plaque embossed with inscription. On the back is a large rectangular steel piece bent at the bottom to form a 'U' shape. One end of the 'u' is attached to the plaque and the other end has two holes for bolts enabling the plaque to be attached near the tree. One bolt is in a hole."Type tree from which was first described the species / Bogong Gum / (Eucalyptus Chapmaniana, Cameron) / The species was identified by the / late Brigadier W. D. Chapman M.C.E., / D. Eng., M.I.E. Aust., M.I.C.E. Lond. Commissioner / of the State Electricity Commission / of Victoria from May 1944 to May 1955, / in his honour it was named."plaque; state electricity commission of victoria; w.d.chapman; eucalyptus; bogong gum tree; falls creek road

Walking or driving up Main Road, you enter Eltham’s Avenue of Honour, with its rows of plane trees, each commemorating the death of a soldier sent to fight in World War 1. 115 trees were first planted on 21st September 1917 beginning at “the flat” to the intersection of Pitt Street. Tree guards and copper name plates were later added. In the ‘20s and ‘30s too many branches were broken off by carriers whipping their horses up the steep slope. In the 1950s many of the original trees were removed for road widening and new plane trees were planted in their place. In June 2015 during the Anzac Centenary, Nillumbik Shire Council dedicated the new Avenue of Honour in the Eltham Gateway. New markers commemorate local soldiers. Tomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, avenue of honour, eltham gateway, commemoration, marker

The suggestion of an Avenue of Honour may have been originally put forward by Lady Irvine who was a member of the Welcome Home Committee. The Avenue of Honour was established to memorialise all those from Eltham who enlisted (some of whom were still fighting overseas at the time), similarly as the Shire of Eltham (Soldiers) Memorial Park was in tribute to all from the Shire who enlisted. The twenty-seven names of those killed from Eltham were engraved on the Eltham War Memorial Obelisk unveiled in 1919 at the corner of Main Road and Bridge Street. From an article in the Heidelberg News and Greensborough, Eltham and Diamond Creek Chronicle, September 22, 1917, p. 2, it was reported: Some few weeks ago a public meeting was held in the Eltham Rechabite Hall for the purpose of forming a committee to make necessary arrangements for the return of our brave lads from the front, with the result that the following officers were elected, viz., Sir William Irvine. president; Cr. R. D. Taylor, vice-president; Rev. T. W. Sapsford, secretary; Mr R. E. Gilsenan, treasurer; with a very strong committee of local residents. Lady Irvine then suggested that it would be nice to plant an Avenue of Honor, which was carried out in a very cheerful and spirited manner on Saturday afternoon. Cr Taylor and Mr R. E. Gilsenan occupied themselves during the fore-forenoon in getting the lining-out and other preliminaries ready, but shortly after one o'clock the willing workers could be seen wending their way towards the township, with picks, shovels. &c., on their shoulders, and in a very short time the gang at work was in appearance a very lively and pretty sight, the only thing that was missing was the camera, to have had a few snapshots taken. A little after 3 o'clock Sir William and Lady Irvine, and Mr W. Gray and family, arrived by motor. Cr Taylor then explained that their object in gathering together so hurriedly to plant the avenue was on account of the lateness of the season, and being offered 100 trees, free of charge, by Cr. Wm. G. Gray; of Allwood Nursery, Hurst's Bridge (for which the committee are deeply grateful to him and the public highly appreciate his generous offer). Sir Wm. Irvine then spoke at some length on the ravages of this cruel war, and the good that must result therefrom in bringing all closer together; he also referred to our brave lads who were fighting for us, and thought it was for those at home to show their appreciation by planting the Avenue of Honor. Lady Irvine thou proceeded to plant the first tree, which was an English oak: Sir William following by planting a Spanish chestnut; and Mrs W. G. Gray a sycamore. After that the gathering refired to the entrance of Mr R. E. Gilsenan's green paddock to partake of refreshments, which the ladies had kindly provided for the willing band of workers. Work was again taken to in earnest, and the planting finished, all being satisfied that they had done good work. At the Eltham Shire Council’s monthly meeting held May 6, 1918, Cr. Gray promised to give Council £20 to £25 worth of trees if the Council would plant and guard them. His desire was that a tree be planted in the name of every soldier lad who has gone to the front. Each tree was later adorned with a brass plaque with the name of a soldier and a wooden tree guard placed around them. Over the years many trees died, and following roadworks were replanted on a new alignment. Nillumbik Shire Council is continuing this process of replanting trees in a new alignment to move them away from overhead power lines and to clear the VicRoads reserve. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p119This 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, avenue of honour, main road, eltham

HISTORY OF THE BALLARAT OLD COLONISTS' ASSOCIATION HOMES AT CHARLES ANDERSON GROVE, LAKE GARDENS One of the original objectives of the Association was “to provide the shelter of a house for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years.” While the first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925 the Association had previously provided relief for needy pioneers from the time it was formed in 1883. Relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas boxes of groceries to deserving pensioners and in some cases payment of burial costs. Records indicate that in September 1922 three of the pensioners being assisted by the Association were accepted as residents in the newly erected Hassell Homes in Gillies Street (now demolished-opposite the High School). The first site for an Asylum for Indigent Members of the Old Colonists' Association was temporarily reserved from sale in October 1891. The site was approximately 28 acres in area in Mt Clear nearly opposite Midvale Shopping Centre in Main Road. The site was heavily timbered and when cleared over 260 tons of wood was sold to the Woah Hawp Gold Mining Company. A set of gates were erected but no homes built, although a plan for this reserve was drawn which showed twenty buildings ranging from one to four unit per building. The reserve was revoked in November 1909. The second site temporarily reserved in November 1909 as an Asylum was in Alfredton and consisted of some 7 acres and was adjacent to land reserved for an Abattoirs for the Ballarat Council. The reserve was revoked in February 1912 as it was deemed more appropriate to be added to the Abattoir site. Council suggested four (4) other sites in exchange for this land and they were inspected by the President, Vice President and Secretary on 22 December 1912. The first site inspected was land on the west side of Creswick Road opposite the brick kilns (now occupied by the showgrounds and oval). The land was described as being good quality, well fenced, no trees, good drainage and ample acreage but some distance from trams. The second site was Perry Park which was described as being good land, well fenced, having frontage to Gillies Street, good drainage and about 26 acres (but subsequently reduced to 10 acres). It was closely planted with Pinus Insignias and Wattle and had easy access from the Botanic Gardens tram. The third site was the North West portion of Victoria Park (corner of Sturt and Gillies Street) and was described as good land, well fenced and drained and well located. The fourth site was the South West corner of Victoria Park and known as Pound Paddock (corner of Winter Street and Gillies Street). It was considered to be low lying and too close to the Abattoir, and was also a considerable distance from trams. While the third site was recommended as the most suitable for the erection of homes it was considered unwise from the point of view as citizens to reduce the acreage of the park and therefore it was recommended that the Perry Park site be asked for as the most acceptable to the Association for the building of homes. The site was eventually temporarily reserved for an Asylum for Indigent Members of the Association in April 1914 with the gates from Mt Clear having been removed to the site a year earlier and eventually erected in 1917 for £12.10.0. In the same year the first 290 pine trees were advertised for removal in July and sold for £16. A sign indicating that the site was reserved for the erection of cottages was erected in September 1917. Stripping of the wattle bark (for tanning) and the cutting of the wood occurred in November 1918 with the land then being leased until it was required for the construction of the first homes in 1924. While the site was the third to be reserved it was the only one which was used for its intended purpose. It was named as Charles Anderson Grove in honour of Charles Anderson who joined the Association in 1918 and was President of the Association from 1942 to 1944. A number of cottages in the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association Retirement Village of Gillies Street, Ballarat.charles anderson grove, old colonists' club, ballarat, old colonists' association, old colonists' homes, retirement village

Today’s Panton Hill Hotel was built around 1920. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p61 Panton Hill was originally known as Kingstown, and consisted of only one hotel when the Orams Reef was discovered in 1859. Kingstown was a quartz mining centre and many old mine shafts remain in the area. Orams Reef was one of the first reefs with a rich find of gold in the area. The Hotel Francais, which had been operating in 1861, was well situated on the way to Queenstown (later St Andrews). So was Herr Hirt’s Hotel and store at Smiths Gully. The Kingstown hotel, known as the Frenchman’s and in 1864 as the Hotel de France, was run by a Monsieur Emile Hude and his wife Jeanne, and known for its good food. They hosted social events, business conventions and debates, attracting patrons from as far as Melbourne. The hotel’s name was changed to Panton Hill Hotel in 1905. In 1883 Charles Caudwell built another hotel nearby, possibly in Long Gully Road,3 which it is thought, was burnt down early last century. Today’s Panton Hill Hotel, built around 1920, is the only one of the cluster of buildings in the main road, not to date from around the turn of last century. It was severely damaged by fire in 2003, then underwent extensive alterations. It is the township’s only hotel and is an example of a modest hotel building exterior, constructed early last century. In its early days the hotel also housed the first post office, newsagency and store. Orams Reef yielded a total of £100,000, and fossikers also found alluvial gold in the creeks and gullies, but there is no record of the total value of their finds. Gold greatly increased the Panton Hill population, which peaked between 1865 and 1885. On holidays large sports meetings were held with wood chopping contests and foot races and the day would end with a ball. Miners came from various countries to seek their fortune, including many from China. The Chinese became unpopular however, and gradually left the district, although some stayed and grew and sold vegetables.5 Panton Hill was named after Joseph Panton, who in 1862 was appointed Police Magistrate for the Woods Point, Heidelberg and Yarra districts. Panton was an outstanding man, who in 1852, was Commissioner of Crown Lands and Assistant Commissioner of Goldfields at Bendigo. In 1874 he was promoted to Chief Magistrate for the Melbourne Police. Panton was also an artist, becoming president of the Victorian Arts Society in 1888, and in 1913, president of the Royal Geographical Society. Despite Panton Hill’s prosperity, it still lacked many services as poor roads made access to Melbourne difficult. A horse-drawn mail coach travelled to Melbourne until 1890, when the railway came to Heidelberg. The nearest doctor was at Yarra Glen or Heidelberg, and the Indian hawker Singh’s annual visit was very welcome. A miner’s shack opposite the school was used as a post office. Today’s general store and post office in the main road dates from early last century, and has changed considerably. While most people searched for gold, the more enterprising ones established farms to feed the diggers. Farmers grew wheat, barley and oats, and sent animal skins to the Eltham tannery, to make furs in Melbourne. As gold became scarce from around 1880, miners took up farming on 19 to 20 acre (8ha) allotments. The first settlers in Cherry Tree Road included Purcell, Smith, Owens, Hughes and Shillinglaw. By 1900 all the land had been taken up around Panton Hill and Hurstbridge. The orchards in Panton Hill and the wider district, particularly of apple and pear, were very successful, and made Panton Hill a cohesive and successful community. About 1914 the Moores built the first cool-store and refrigeration plant at their orchard in Cherry Tree Road. Many settlers planted vineyards and made high quality wine, but in 1922 the blight destroyed them.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, panton hill hotel

Information relating to Charles Anderson and Charles Anderson Grove, Lake Gardens, Ballarat. The Old Colonists' Association Ballarat Inc. is a not for profit charitable organisation providing accommodation for elderly people. It manages a 27 Home retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove, Ballarat. Accommodation is offered at significantly below market rates. It has been providing low cost accommodation to the elderly since the 1920s. The Association Council overseas the running of this facility on a voluntary basis. HISTORY OF THE BALLARAT OLD COLONISTS' ASSOCIATION HOMES AT CHARLES ANDERSON GROVE, LAKE GARDENS One of the original objectives of the Association was “to provide the shelter of a house for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years.” While the first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925 the Association had previously provided relief for needy pioneers from the time it was formed in 1883. Relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas boxes of groceries to deserving pensioners and in some cases payment of burial costs. Records indicate that in September 1922 three of the pensioners being assisted by the Association were accepted as residents in the newly erected Hassell Homes in Gillies Street (now demolished-opposite the High School). The first site for an Asylum for Indigent Members of the Old Colonists' Association was temporarily reserved from sale in October 1891. The site was approximately 28 acres in area in Mt Clear nearly opposite Midvale Shopping Centre in Main Road. The site was heavily timbered and when cleared over 260 tons of wood was sold to the Woah Hawp Gold Mining Company. A set of gates were erected but no homes built, although a plan for this reserve was drawn which showed twenty buildings ranging from one to four unit per building. The reserve was revoked in November 1909. The second site temporarily reserved in November 1909 as an Asylum was in Alfredton and consisted of some 7 acres and was adjacent to land reserved for an Abattoirs for the Ballarat Council. The reserve was revoked in February 1912 as it was deemed more appropriate to be added to the Abattoir site. Council suggested four (4) other sites in exchange for this land and they were inspected by the President, Vice President and Secretary on 22 December 1912. The first site inspected was land on the west side of Creswick Road opposite the brick kilns (now occupied by the showgrounds and oval). The land was described as being good quality, well fenced, no trees, good drainage and ample acreage but some distance from trams. The second site was Perry Park which was described as being good land, well fenced, having frontage to Gillies Street, good drainage and about 26 acres (but subsequently reduced to 10 acres). It was closely planted with Pinus Insignias and Wattle and had easy access from the Botanic Gardens tram. The third site was the North West portion of Victoria Park (corner of Sturt and Gillies Street) and was described as good land, well fenced and drained and well located. The fourth site was the South West corner of Victoria Park and known as Pound Paddock (corner of Winter Street and Gillies Street). It was considered to be low lying and too close to the Abattoir, and was also a considerable distance from trams. While the third site was recommended as the most suitable for the erection of homes it was considered unwise from the point of view as citizens to reduce the acreage of the park and therefore it was recommended that the Perry Park site be asked for as the most acceptable to the Association for the building of homes. The site was eventually temporarily reserved for an Asylum for Indigent Members of the Association in April 1914 with the gates from Mt Clear having been removed to the site a year earlier and eventually erected in 1917 for £12.10.0. In the same year the first 290 pine trees were advertised for removal in July and sold for £16. A sign indicating that the site was reserved for the erection of cottages was erected in September 1917. Stripping of the wattle bark (for tanning) and the cutting of the wood occurred in November 1918 with the land then being leased until it was required for the construction of the first homes in 1924. While the site was the third to be reserved it was the only one which was used for its intended purpose. It was named as Charles Anderson Grove in honour of Charles Anderson who joined the Association in 1918 and was President of the Association from 1942 to 1944. CHARLES HENRY GRATTAN ANDERSON C.H.G. Anderson (Electoral Returning Officer) was elected to membership of the Old Colonists' Association, Ballarat, in October 1918. He was elected to the Association Committee in 1926, and appointed Treasurer of the Association on the resignation of F. Ellis until the end of the financial year in 1933. In 1936 Charles Anderson indicated he would not be available for the President's Chair and that he would retire from the Committee owing to pressure of work. C.H.G. Anderson was welcomed as a new member of the Association in 1938, and served as President of the Old Colonists' Association from 1942-1944. Midway through 1949 Charles Anderson was appointed Members Secretary and Manager of the Ballarat Old Colonists' Club at £5.0.0 per week and 10/- for entertainment, to commence work prior to 01 August 1949. He was to do 30 hours per week and be present on Friday and generally on Saturday nights. In 1957 a minute of sympathy was extended to Club Manager Charles Anderson on the loss of his son. In 1958 a bonus of £20.0.0 was paid to Charles Anderson in recognition of his service in assisting the Secretary/Manager taking over under difficult conditions. In March 1964 the Shire of Ballarat would not permit a private road to be named Anderson Grove as Anderson Street already existed in Ballarat but Charles Anderson Grove was deemed acceptable. A recommendation of the Committee was put to the AGM in 1967 that Charles Anderson be made a Life Member. In 1969 an Association meeting observed a minutes silence in memory of Chas Anderson. Charles Anderson was also a Committee member of Ballarat Mechanics' Institute from February 1940 to February 1970. He was President in 1948. Black and white photographic portrait of Charles Anderson.charles anderson, charles anderson grove, ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists' association, ballarat, ballarat mechanics' institute, hassell homes, woah hawp gold mining company, firewood, retirement village

Strathewen Public Hall, social and spiritual centre was later lost in the Black Saturday fires 2009. The Strathewen Community decided a community hall was needed in 1901. In 1902 locals built the hall with messmate trees. It was located on the Cottlesbridge-Strathewen Road. The first function was a Grand concert and Balll attended by about 120 people. Several denominations held Church services and Sunday School services in the Hall. It survived several bushfires until after this photo was taken when it was destroyed in Black Saturday, 9 February 2009. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p89 Strathewen was settled late, largely because it was difficult to access.1 Early selectors found it a struggle to survive. They had to do everything themselves, from felling trees for buildings, to taking produce to market along bush tracks that they had helped cut. Small dairy farms were typical but fruit became the district’s prime produce. The first settlers east of Arthurs Creek were brothers John and Duncan Smith whose station Glen-Ard was probably operated as a sheep run. Other early settlers were the Mann family, who were to donate land for the hall, provide postal services and John Mann was an Eltham Shire councillor from 1916 to 1919.2 In 1873 James Mann, his wife Jane and their six children, settled on 207 acres (83.7) (Lang Fauld Farm) on both sides of Eagles Nest Road, from the foot of Mount Sugarloaf to the bank of the Arthurs Creek. In 1883 James took up another selection on Chads Creek. It was very hard work and at times he was well behind with his rent. However the family had a good social life, attending the Primitive Methodist Church at the Arthurs Creek Township and on New Year’s Eve throwing a party for all the locals. By 1874 James Mann’s younger brother, John, selected 311 acres (125.8ha) between Eagles Nest Road and upper Arthurs Creek. He called it Carseburn after his home parish in Scotland. Tragically in 1875 John drowned in the Yarra River, at Richmond.3 John Mann’s oldest son, also John, later purchased Duncan Smith’s land, which he named Violet Glen. He was to give one acre (0.4ha) of this land for the Strathewen Hall site. A Mann family diary written at Carseburn in 1897, tells how the district’s name was selected. Strathewen is derived from ‘strath’ meaning ‘broad mountain valley’ and from the name of Ewen H. Cameron, the local parliamentarian for almost 40 years. ‘George Brain came around to get a petition signed to get a post office up here and we had to vote for a name—Strathewen, Glen-Ard, or Headcorie’.4 It was at Carseburn that a public meeting in 1901, decided to build the Strathewen Hall on the Cottlesbridge-Strathewen Road. In 1902 the locals built the hall with messmate trees. The first function was a Grand Concert and Ball attended by around 120 people and several Protestant denominations took turns to hold church services and Sunday School there. Fortunately the hall has survived bushfires to be the town’s spiritual and social centre.5 The area continued to develop and in 1909 a post office operated somewhere at Strathewen and from around 1916 at Carseburn.6 It was not until 1914 that land was bought to establish the Strathewen State School on School Ridge Road. The residents paid £100 to build it on two acres (0.8 ha) while the Education Department contributed £30 and leased the building annually for £1. When teacher Miss Mary Golding opened the school in 1917, it had no equipment.7 But in 1921 the Education Department provided desks and a hexagonal shelter shed (now a rare style in Victoria) and took control in 1925.8 By 1917 Strathewen was booming.9 George Apted had built a coolstore in 1916, and local orchardists bought storage space until the 1950s. This allowed the area to supply the market in and out of season. Guesthouses catered for growing tourism. In the mid 1920s Mrs Eleanor Sparkes built the guest-house Singing Waters, which operated through the 1930s. Her daughter Mrs Vera McKimmie, ran it until the 1950s and the house remains in Chads Creek Road. In the Great Depression land was cleared for timber to be sold as firewood and there was small scale sawmilling. However the orchard industry diminished for several reasons including the 1939 bushfires and rapid changes in production methods. Today the Apteds still operate an orchard and farm at Glen-Ard, which straddles the border between Strathewen and Arthurs Creek. It includes the southern part of Duncan Smith’s original Glen-Ard selection.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, strathewan public hall