Side view of 'Garden Hill' cottage at Kangaroo GroundColour photograph of partial side view of 'Garden Hill' cottage.garden hill, houses, kangaroo ground

OPENING OF THE VIEWING PLATFORM AT KANGAROO GROUND Nillumbik Council has advised that the viewing platform at Kangaroo Ground 27km NE of Melbourne is to be opened to the public on Wednesday, March 26th 2008 (Melway 271 , G10). The function of the platform is to provide shelter adjacent to the War Memorial Tower whilst allowing all people to enjoy the stunning panoramic views. From the platform you. can see the Dandenongs, the city of Melbourne, the You Yangs, Mount Macedon, the Kinglake Ranges and the Mt Baw-Baw Ranges where the Yarra River starts. This landscape covers all the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri and some of the wider Kulin nation land. The platform has been given the name Moor-rut, a name which described the fertile soils of the Kangaroo Ground area in contrast to the poorer (Silurian) country of its surrounds, which the Wurundjeri knew as 'Nillumbik' or less rich country. The full 360 degree view can be seen from the adjacent Tower of Remembrance which has 53 stairs. The viewing platform however can be accessed by wheelchair. Inside the viewing platform there are eight double sided interpretive panels giving the history and information regarding this special area. The viewing platform's interpretive panels set out the Aboriginal and European history of the area and also the geology and the local flora and fauna, so that the casual visitor comes away understanding more about this significant part of Victoria. The concept of the viewing platform is part of the refurbishment project for the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park which has taken place since 1997 with the active approval and financial assistance of the Nillumbik Shire Council. This project has been guided by an Advisory Committee with volunteer community representatives from the local Historical Societies, the Country Fire Authority, the Returned Services League and the Wurundjeri people. Other allied groups such as the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group have been called upon for their expertise. The initial idea for the viewing platform came from Dean Stewart when he was the caretaker while living at the park. He discussed this idea with local author Mick Woiwod and Harry Gilham of Eltham District Historical Society when they were planning the refurbishment of the War Memorial Park in 1996. When the committee was formalised by the Nillumbik Council in 1997, Nicholas Pelling, representing the CFA and RSL, joined the group. Dennis Ward, local architect, then volunteered to develop the concept plan for the refurbishment of the park and later drew up the plans for the viewing platform. The Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park and its Tower of Remembrance is located on one of the highest locations in the Yarra Valley. The Tower of Remembrance is a unique war memorial constructed from local stone standing 14 metres high. It was built in the style of a Scottish watchtower reflecting the strong Scottish influence of the first European settlers of the district from the 1840s onward. The park was opened in 1921 and the Tower of Remembrance was dedicated in 1926 recognising the local people who served in the First World War. Those who served in the Second World War were recognised by plaques dedicated in 1951 and more recently those who served in Korea, Borneo, Malaya and Vietnam by plaques unveiled in 2001. Harry Gilham, Advisory Committee Convenor - Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter N0 179 March 2008fay bridge collection, garden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park, moor-rul viewing platform

Garden Hill burnt following bush fires - most likely the 15-16 Jan 1962 fire A helicopter can be seen flying over the top of the hill Eltham Shire Council purchased this property in the early 1970s and it has now been incorpoarted within the Shire of Eltham Memorial ParkRecord 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.1962, garden hill, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, victorian bushfires - 1962

jim connor collection, caretaker cottage, garden hill, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park

Part of a presentation on "Significant Trees, Wildflowers and Local Gardens" by Russell Yeoman to the 10 November 2004 Eltham District Historical Society meeting35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 36) Mount - white (Pakon)significant tree, garden hill, kangaroo ground

35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 25) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcess Date MAY 88Mgarden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park, scan - 35mm positive, shire of eltham war memorial, war memorial tower

35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 25) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcess Date MAY 88Mgarden hill, kangaroo ground, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial, war memorial tower

35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 28) Mount - Kodak KodachromeProcess Date MAR 89Mgarden hill, kangaroo ground tower, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial

35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Black and Whitegarden hill, kangaroo ground tower, kangaroo ground-warrandyte road, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "Now we drove through stands of pines to the Kangaroo Ground Lookout Tower, a most unusual War Memorial, World War I. The tower and a shed/residence (it had a chimney) were built from local sandstone. Below to the south and east of Melbourne spread 'suburbia'. Close by the landscape seemed so contrived - English fields and hedgerows! Although only about twenty inches deep, the soil of this ancient volcano, its crater lost under subsequent weathering, was rich, deserving the name of "Garden Hill". Now native trees are taking over again. In Kangaroo Ground itself stand the inevitable Store, School and Church - and two Norfolk pines and a monkey puzzle tree." On November 11th 1926 the Shire of Eltham War Memorial Tower at Kangaroo Ground was opened. It is regarded as one of Melbourne’s most outstanding lookout towers. It commands a magnificent 360 degree panorama from Kinglake across the Diamond Valley to Macedon and the You Yangs. It is built on a peak which was once a volcano, 237 metres above sea level. After World War one a memorial cairn was erected on the site, and in 1925 a committee of public-minded citizens began to plan for a tower. Many generous donations of material and money were forthcoming so that in 1926 the Governor General Lord Stonehaven was able to unveil the plaque before a crowd of 500 people. There was some concern in the 1960s when the Forests Commission wanted to build a firespotters cabin on the top. At first R.S.L. branches opposed the idea, but it was realised that this use could combine with its use as a tourist attraction, and would ensure its maintenance for the future, Today the Kangaroo Ground tower provides one of the best views around Melbourne and is a fitting memorial to those who died in two world wars. From: Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 (EDHS collection) Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095culture, events, garden hill, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial tower, war memorials

On November 11th 1926 the Shire of Eltham War Memorial Tower at Kangaroo Ground was opened. It is regarded as one of Melbourne’s most outstanding lookout towers. It commands a magnificent 360 degree panorama from Kinglake across the Diamond Valley to Macedon and the You Yangs. It is built on a peak which was once a volcano, 237 metres above sea level. After World War one a memorial cairn was erected on the site, and in 1925 a committee of public-minded citizens began to plan for a tower. Many generous donations of material and money were forthcoming so that in 1926 the Governor General Lord Stonehaven was able to unveil the plaque before a crowd of 500 people. There was some concern in the 1960s when the Forests Commission wanted to build a firespotters cabin on the top. At first R.S.L. branches opposed the idea, but it was realised that this use could combine with its use as a tourist attraction, and would ensure its maintenance for the future, Today the Kangaroo Ground tower provides one of the best views around Melbourne and is a fitting memorial to those who died in two world wars. From: Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 (EDHS collection) Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5garden hill, kangaroo ground memorial, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial tower, war memorial tower, war memorials

Colour photograph showing view across 'Garden Hill' property to ranges beyond Healesville.garden hill, kangaroo ground, yarra glen road

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerColour photographcaretaker cottage, garden hill farm, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerColour photographcaretaker cottage, garden hill farm, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial

The Caretaker's cottage was built to replace the original 1927 hut, which had been built with left over stone from the tower. There was a desire to expand the size of the hut to make provision for a married caretaker. The caretaker's cottage was opened along with the re-dedication of the memorial to include the fallen from the Shire of Eltham during the Second World War by Sir Dallas Brookes on 8 November 1951.Colour photographcaretaker cottage, garden hill farm, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerColour photographcaretaker cottage, garden hill farm, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerColour photographcaretaker cottage, garden hill farm, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerColour photographcaretaker cottage, garden hill farm, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerColour photographcaretaker cottage, garden hill farm, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerColour photographcaretaker cottage, garden hill farm, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerColour photographcaretaker cottage, garden hill farm, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial

Most likley the interior of the Eltham Shire Offices at the corner of Artur Street and Main Road. The calendar is set on February 1963. ERngineering and Planning were also loacted in the shop fronts located next door on Main Road.Record 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.arthur street, eltham, eltham shire office, main road, 1963-02

35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)houses, kangaroo ground, unidentified

35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)houses, kangaroo ground, unidentified

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsFuji 100Nkangaroo ground, caretaker cottage, garden hill farm, war memorial tower

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsFuji 100Nkangaroo ground, caretaker cottage, garden hill farm, war memorial tower

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsFuji 100Nkangaroo ground, caretaker cottage, garden hill farm, war memorial tower

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsFuji 100Nkangaroo ground, caretaker cottage, garden hill farm, war memorial tower

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsFuji 100Nkangaroo ground, caretaker cottage, garden hill farm, war memorial tower

At Kangaroo Ground Memorial TowerRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsFuji 100Nkangaroo ground, caretaker cottage, garden hill farm, war memorial tower