Geological Surveys of N.E. Goldfields Victoria included mines and tunnels. A resurvey of goldfields was necessary to re-assess economic possibilities using modern techniques and structural interpretation. It included an examination of a considerable surface area with maps and underground workings. Results were correlated and integrated and published by the Mines Department.The mines are in the Bogong Alpine Area.Foolscap printed Victorian Bulletins. Each stapled in the top left corner and each with varying number of pages. Covering 1941-1958 a) Glen Wills and Sunnyside b) Sunnyside Tunnel c) Red Robin d) Maud and Yellow Girl Government Printer, Mines Department, Melbourne, Victoriageology in the north-east, gold fields, goldmines, glen wills

Although it is not known where these specimens were collected, Victoria and other regions of Australia were surveyed for sites of potential mineral wealth throughout the 19th Century. The identification of sites containing valuable commodities such as gold, iron ore and gemstones in a locality had the potential to shape the development and history of communities and industries in the area. The discovery of gold in Victoria, for instance, had a significant influence on the development of the area now known as 'the goldfields', including Beechworth; the city of Melbourne and Victoria as a whole. Agate occurs when amygdales (gas pockets) form in the upper levels of basaltic lava flows. If these pockets or bubbles are iniltrated by water bearing silica in solution, the fluid dries and hardens in layers, forming round or egg shaped nodules or geodes within the rocky matrix. Agate is formed of a silica mineral chalcedony similar to quartz. The term carnelian primarily refers to the reddish shading of the stone; whether the stone is termed an agate or chalcedony type is often influenced by the degree of colour banding the specimen shows. The specimens are significant as examples of surveying activity undertaken to assess and direct the development of the mineral resource industries in Victoria and Australia, as well as the movement to expand human knowledge of earth sciences such as mineralogy and geology in the nineteenth century.Three small geological specimens that appear visually consistent with images of rough or unpolished Carnelian Agate or Chalcedony. geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, north-east victoria, gemstones, agate, carnelian

Tourmaline specimens are members of a crystalline silicate mineral group based on boron but influenced by elements including aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. Specimens present a wide variety of colours and forms according to the specific mix of these elements. Tourmalines are semi-precious gemstones with many applications, including commercial jewellery production. The word 'tourmaline' derives from the Sinhalese term for the carnelian or red-shaded specimens, "tōramalli". This specimen has been classified by geologists as 'Black Schoalou/Tourmaline in quartz'. Schoalou may equate to a common black-hued type of Tourmaline associated since around 1400 with mines in Saxony, Germany near a village called Schorl (today's Zchorlau). If this specimen is part of the 'Schorl' species of tourmaline it is a member of the most common group of Tourmalines, a divalent sodium ion influenced group accounting for 95% of specimens. On assessment, it was noted that the crossed lines (XIs) of this tourmaline have been fractured and rehealed by the quartz matrix in which the tourmaline rests. This item is significant as an example of its type of gemstone and the geological processes leading to its formation. A solid medium-sized piece of Black Schoalou/Tourmaline in a cream and peach coloured quartz matrix. Existing label: Black Schoalou / Tourmaline in / quartz. / Tourmalines XIs have / been fractured and / rehealed with / quartz / C. Willman / 15/4/21 /geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, north-east victoria, tourmaline, quartz, boron, crystals, minerals, gemstones, semi-precious, black schoalou, zchorlau, schorl

Agate occurs when amygdales (gas pockets) form in the upper levels of basaltic lava flows. If these pockets or bubbles are iniltrated by water bearing silica in solution, the fluid dries and hardens in layers, forming round or egg shaped nodules or geodes within the rocky matrix. Agate is formed of a silica mineral chalcedony similar to quartz. Although relatively common and semi-precious, agate has been prized since at least 1450 BC - an intricately carved agate seal was found in the 2015 excavation of a grave belonging to a Mycenaeum priest or warrior near Pylos in Greece. Agate is also used in jewellery and other decorative or ritual purposes due to its often striking appearance. Quartz is found all over Australia, including Beechworth in Victoria. It is formed in deep-seated igneous rocks and crystallized through hot aqueous solutions. It can have two forms; Microcrystalline quartz or Crystalline quartz. Microcrystalline quartz is a fine grain quartz where crystalline quartz is often a large crystal. The colour of quartz can vary. These specimens were collected in Victoria in the vicinity of the Burke Museum. Victoria and other regions of Australia were surveyed for sites of potential mineral wealth throughout the 19th Century. The identification of sites containing valuable commodities such as gold, iron ore and gemstones in a locality had the potential to shape the development and history of communities and industries in the area. The discovery of gold in Victoria, for instance, had a significant influence on the development of the area now known as 'the goldfields', including Beechworth; the city of Melbourne and Victoria as a whole.The specimens are significant as examples of surveying activity undertaken to assess and direct the development of the mineral resource industries in Victoria and Australia, as well as the movement to expand human knowledge of earth sciences such as mineralogy and geology in the nineteenth century.Geological specimens of Agate and Quartz respectively; the fist-sized piece of Agate has peach/coral colouring with grey concentric patterning and the smaller piece of quartz is a uniform yellow/orange shade. Existing label: Local pebbles / (agate and / quartz / (yellowish) / egg-shaped). / BB geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, agate, quartz, north-east victoria, indigo shire, geological surveys

Fluorite comes in a variety of natural colours and crystal formations and glows under ultraviolet light (the word 'fluorescence' comes from the same etymological source). In its pure form, calcium fluoride, it is a colourless combination of the elements calcium and fluorine, but gains its colour from trace elements that infiltrate or replace calcium within its crystal structure during its formation. Although fluorite crystals polish well and can achieve a high level of lustre, the mineral is very soft (4 on MOHS hardness scale) so it is unsuitable for use in rings and must be handled and stored carefully if used in other forms of jewellery. Most crystals of the mineral are too coarse for decorative purposes but have been mined under the name fluorspar for a variety of commercial and industrial purposes. These include the production of hydrofluoric acid, smelting metal alloys, producing glazes and ceramic finishes and use in medical and dental products. An existing label for this specimen indicates that its origin or collection-point was 'probably USA.' Fluorspar, the form of fluorite used commercially and industrially, was mined in significant quantities in the counties of Hardin and Pope in South-Eastern Illinois throughout the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Fluorite was made Illinois' state mineral in recognition of its contribution to the state's identity and economy. The specimens are significant as examples of surveying activity undertaken to assess and direct the development of the mineral resource industries, as well as the movement to expand human knowledge of earth sciences such as mineralogy and geology in the nineteenth century.The specimen is a piece of purple shaded fluorite (also known as fluorspar), the mineral form of calcium fluoride. The unpolished specimen presents a dark purple interior with a substantial dark grey crust representing the matrix from which the specimen was obtained. Existing label: Flourite / (purple) / probably / USA / BB /burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, fluorite, flourite, calcium fluoride, hydrofluoric acid, jewellery, indigo shire, north-east victoria, mining, illinois, usa, united states, fluorine, gemstones, purple stones

Land Conservation Act 1970 established the Land Conservation Council to investigate and recommend to the Minister use of public land in Victoria. It describes and assesses the natural resources:-Physiography, Geology, Topography, Land Systems, Outdoor Recreation, Public land and blocks. Primary Production. Vegetation.North East Victoria includes the Kiewa Valley. This report gives an understanding of the development of the area.Thick heavy book with 312 pages with black and white photos. Back half has a folder with heavy cardboard attached to thick cardboard back cover. Inside folder are 9 maps with color each with a different title.Stamped on Front Cover: "Mount Beauty High School" Has a library borrowing slip at the back of the last page.land conservation council, environment, public land, kiewa valley, planning

Map was prepared on behalf of the Government of Indonesia, The United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, the Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State in cooperation with the Geological Survey of Indonesia. The area covered shows the islands and seas from Latitude 12 degree North to 16 degrees South and Longitude 90 degrees to 148 degrees. Various water features are also named.Large map showing the Indonesian area - islands and seasLongitude and Latitude are shown. Major / Capitol cities indicated. Names of those responsible for the productionindonesia, united nations economic commission, department of state, geological survey, latitude, longitude, government of indonesia

Faint photocopies of sections of larger maps. Geological map includes location of mine shafts circa 1920.Victory Shaft, North Victory Shaft, South Caledonia Shaft, Caledonia Shaft, North Caledonia Shaft, Black Swan Shaft, Reward Shaft, Consols Shaft, Blocks Shaft, Devonshire Shaft, Crown Shaft, Yarra Tunnel Reef Working, Bright's Shaft, Kingwood Antimony Company Shaft (Boardman's Shaft), Southern Shaft.

Part of a 43-photo record of the MMBW�s engineering feat in drilling a 12 inch pipe line up to 40 feet deep through rock hardened by volcanic action associated with geological fault that occurs along the line. The work took place from October 1979 to May 1980 on the southern boundary of Hubbard Reserve, North Ringwood. The collection was presented to the Ringwood Historical Research Group by J Clarke on 9th June 1980.E560 N30 Feb 1980 A43 View east, sewer work line showing grate over pit

Part of a 43-photo record of the MMBW�s engineering feat in drilling a 12 inch pipe line up to 40 feet deep through rock hardened by volcanic action associated with geological fault that occurs along the line. The work took place from October 1979 to May 1980 on the southern boundary of Hubbard Reserve, North Ringwood. The collection was presented to the Ringwood Historical Research Group by J Clarke on 9th June 1980.E560 N29 Feb 1980 A43 View along MMBW work line in east end of Hibberd's, showing grating over mole boring pit

Part of a 43-photo record of the MMBW�s engineering feat in drilling a 12 inch pipe line up to 40 feet deep through rock hardened by volcanic action associated with geological fault that occurs along the line. The work took place from October 1979 to May 1980 on the southern boundary of Hubbard Reserve, North Ringwood. The collection was presented to the Ringwood Historical Research Group by J Clarke on 9th June 1980.E568 N18 13 May 1980 A43 Viewing east from ridge above Debbie Place

Part of a 43-photo record of the MMBW�s engineering feat in drilling a 12 inch pipe line up to 40 feet deep through rock hardened by volcanic action associated with geological fault that occurs along the line. The work took place from October 1979 to May 1980 on the southern boundary of Hubbard Reserve, North Ringwood. The collection was presented to the Ringwood Historical Research Group by J Clarke on 9th June 1980.E568 N19 13 May 1980 A43 View east up the gully, when all the work was finished

Part of a 43-photo record of the MMBW�s engineering feat in drilling a 12 inch pipe line up to 40 feet deep through rock hardened by volcanic action associated with geological fault that occurs along the line. The work took place from October 1979 to May 1980 on the southern boundary of Hubbard Reserve, North Ringwood. The collection was presented to the Ringwood Historical Research Group by J Clarke on 9th June 1980.E567 N16 13 May 1980 A43 Looking east from the ridge above Debbie Place. The finished manhole is in the gully.

Part of a 43-photo record of the MMBW�s engineering feat in drilling a 12 inch pipe line up to 40 feet deep through rock hardened by volcanic action associated with geological fault that occurs along the line. The work took place from October 1979 to May 1980 on the southern boundary of Hubbard Reserve, North Ringwood. The collection was presented to the Ringwood Historical Research Group by J Clarke on 9th June 1980.E558 N29 13 May 1980 A43 View east from Debbie Place

Part of a 43-photo record of the MMBW's engineering feat in drilling a 12 inch pipe line up to 40 feet deep through rock hardened by volcanic action associated with geological fault that occurs along the line. The work took place from October 1979 to May 1980 on the southern boundary of Hubbard Reserve, North Ringwood. The collection was presented to the Ringwood Historical Research Group by J Clarke on 9th June 1980.E550 N12 Dec 1979 A43 Debbie Place from the east end

The Ballarat Ironworkers' and Polytechnic Association was at the Ballarat School of Mines. In 1907 J.W. Gregory Professor of Geology at Glasgow Univesity, Late Director of the geological Survey of Victoria and Professor of Geology at Melbourne University. W. Dickson was Secretary for Mines and Donald McLeod was the Minister of Mines. in 1894 Ernest Lidgey was the Assistant Geological Surveyor for the Victorian Department of Mines. A.W. Howitt was Secretary for Mines and Henry Foster was the Minister of Mines. Charcoal hard covered report on the Ballarat East Goldfield. The book combines two reports from the Victorian Department of Mines. The 1894 report is 52 pages and includes images and plans. The 1907 Report is number 4 in the Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Victoria. Photographs include Looking South from the Britannia Mullock Heap, View from Sovereign Hill, Golden Point gold discovery site.Stamped "Ballarat Ironworkers' Association School of Mines" Bookplate of the Ballarat Ironworkers' and Polytechnic Association. Written inside front cover: "S.J. Miller, 115 Ascot Street, Ballarat"ballarat ironworkers' and polytechnic association, ballarat school of mines, ironworkers, geology, mining, ballarat east, llanberris, victoria united mine, normanby, north woah hawp, bookplate, s.j. miller, library plate, golden point, gold discovery at golden point, new normanby mine, william baragwanath, new speedwell, britannia united, llanberris co, sulieman pasha, prince regent, dalzell-cum-prince regent, north prince extended, eastern star, f. gray, victoria united gold mine, sovereign hill mine, prince regent mine, britannia mine

Small brown covered scrapbook with newsclipping written by William Robertson, and his handwritten corrections to the articles. Newsclips include poetry and articles on: Piggoreet, Captain Moonlight, Devil's Kitchen, Ballarat East Australian Natives' Association, A Total Eclipse, Ballarat Leads, Joe Mack Cricket, Trade Unionism, Jack Hewitt of Piggoreet, Astronomy, Golden Lake, Scientific Shearers, Eureka, Piggoreet Geological, Piggoreet Mining, Happy Valley, Exchequer Flat, Fairy's Fright, H.V. Mailboy, Shearers, Creswick, Geology of Smythesdale, Shearing in the 1890s, Piggoreet reunion, Scarsdale and Smythesdale, Scarsdale to Golden Lake, Derwent Jacks, Shanties Devil's Kitchen, Berringa Bushmen, Perseus, Kruger at Pitfield, Fires and Pitfield, Football Memories, Cambrian Hill, Theo Gribble, Jack Jones Pitfield, Risks at Pitfield, Superstition, Scarsdale, death notice for William Robertson's mother.On cover: "Wm Robertson 10 Young Street Ballarat East"andrew christie, mrs nimon, william christie, alec christie, grand trunk, cape clear, donald mclean's, alchemist co, john lynch, golden belt lead, paddy webb, annie rooney, kruger hanging, pitfield, boer war, napoleons, cambran hill, hiscocks, john winter, john jenkins, bonshaw, john bird, nintingbool, moppianum station, w.h. bird, david clarke, william hamilton, john clarke, benjamin j. scott, julius kleberger, m.a. weatherston, j.h. vaughan, a. reid, alfred william crow, p. young, george clarkson, a.w. crowe, william henderson, claud pender, a. garside, mount erip, alec crothers, communism, basalt, italian gully, john roberts, john browne, john crossthwaite, patrick mcgrath, newtown, john boyd, john bruce, william irwin, george hatfield, d. croswaite, grand trunk mine, golden horn, jubilee lode, woady yallock, springdallah, fairy glen lead, linton lead, south berry, banshee, wil-o-the wisps, forest creek, chewton, mount alexander, jim crow ranges, trawalla, j.g. roberts, carngham, german lead, scarsdale railway, great western, beaumont mine, north grenville, shearing, piggoreet reunion, scarsdale and smythesdale, scarsdale to golden lake, derwent jacks, shanties, devil's kitchen, berringa bushmen, perseus, kruger at pitfield, fires and pitfield, football memories, cambrian hill, theo gribble, jack jones pitfield, risks at pitfield, superstition, scarsdale, golden point lead outlet, frenchman's lead, trooper o'brogue, peroni, morelli, lucky woman's gully, william robertson, piggoreet, captain moonlight, devil's kitchen, ballarat east australian natives' association, total eclipse, ballarat leads, joe mack cricket, trade unionism, jack hewitt of piggoreet, astronomy, golden lake, scientific shearers, eureka, piggoreet geological, piggoreet mining, happy valley, exchequer flat, fairy's fright, h.v. mailboy, shearers, creswick, geology of smythesdale

Blue soft covered report with 40 plates and plans. Inciudes Geology of Ballarat. Little Bendigo Goldfield, Ballarat West Goldfield, Ballarat East Goldfield, history, nuggets, indicators, faults, microscopic structure of Ballarat Rocks and ores, general type of the Ballarat East Mines and the genesis of their ores. Mines include New Zealand Trust, Llanberris No. 1, Llanberris No 2, Victoria United, Britannia United, New Britannia, Last Chance, Exchange, Normanby North, New Normanby, North Woah Hawp. Photpgraphic plates include: Victoria United Mine, Llanberres No. 1, Normanby North, North Woah Hawp Mine, View looking south from the Britannia Mullock Heap, View from Sovereign Hill, The place in Learmonth Street Golden Point where gold was first discovered at Ballarat. j.w. gregory, ballarat east, ballarat east goldfield, e.j. dunn, geolological survey of victoria, new zealand trust, llanberris no. 1, llanberris no 2, victoria united, britannia united, new britannia, last chance, exchange, normanby north, new normanby, north woah hawp, mining, indicators, gold mining, poppet head

East & West Cross-cuts, North & South of Shaft, Hustler's Reef Mine Bulletin No 33, Plate No XIX. Map shows main shaft and smaller drawing of section with different stone encountered. Also gives location in relation to the shaft, e. g. 225'E & 150'S of Shaft. Reference diagram to show the different stone and features encountered. Geological Survey of Victoria emblem. Signed by H A Whitelaw, Underground Survey Office Bendigo, September 1913. This item has not been scanned or photographed.mining, parish map, hustler's reef mine, east & west cross-cuts north & south of shaft, geological survey of victoria, h a whitelaw, underground survey office bendigo

Thomas Dicker, Rowan Street, Bendigo, published a monthly mining journal that included geological information, mine details and mining practises for particular mining districts. In 1868/9, Dicker moved to England to open the "Australian and London Mining Agency" with the goals of promoting investment in Victorian mines, entering Victorian mining shares on the London Stock market, and exploring the latest in mining technology that might be suitable for mining in Victoria.Dicker's Mining Record and guide to the gold mines of Victoria, showing the bearings, depths, thickness, dips and underlies of the auriferous lodes; the progress and cost of works in operation; containing also a variety of valuable interesting and statistical information. Published by the proprietor, Thomas Dicker, Rowan Street Sandhurst. A green with black spine hardcover book. Paper glued on the front with the title Dicker's Mining Journal 1862. On the spine in gold lettering Dicker's Mining Record Vol.1 1861-2. The book contains 12 issues of the Dicker's Mining Record, the first from Saturday, November 23, 1861: the last from October 24, 1862. Also, there are two pieces of paper inside front cover with writing in pencil; the first says: shaft originally No.3 shaft of the speedwell coy. in 1902 the North Normanby Coy. was formed and took over the shaft. A new winding engine was installed in 1909. 10 head battery 1905, extra 20 head in 1909. The second, also in pencil, reads: Dept. of Mines Geological survey No.4 Ballarat East goldfields - 1907 - Mr. Marbrey (?) 39 Shamrock St. Bendigo.Sticker on inside front page: Ballarat Historical Museum presented by Mr. W.H. Lewis Young Street. On second page in pencil: Mr. John N Bailey mining manager of John Woods mines Stawell, Sons of Freedom Beaufort (illegible). To Mr. John Bailey as a mark of esteem grom J. Logan.dicker's mining journal, 1862, mining

This map shows geological features, suggests the last basalt flow, and includes alotments and names of Mining Companies. Although this map has no date on it the Ballarat Industrial School is used for dating purposed. The Ballarat Industrial School ran from 1869-1879, but the term Ballarat Industrial School Reserve was still in use in 1898 and possibly beyond.Geological Map of Ballarat with 3 holes in the left hand side. The map indicates the position of Lake Wendouree, Township of Warrenheip, Ballarat East, Industrial School Reserve, Winters Swamp, Police Paddock, Wyndholm Premptive Right (Salton and Waldie), Black Hill, Vale Park Reserve, Pennyweight Hill, Little Bendigo, Black Swamp Lead, monte Christo Reef, Chinaman's Gully, Miners Rest, Pincotts Dam, Northumberland Gully. It also show the following goldmining companies: City of Ballarat, Kohinor, Hand and Band, Great North West, Northern Junction, Kneeshaw, Rossers Freehold, Silurial.ballarat, warrenheip, lake wendouree, ballarat east, winters swamp, winter swamp, wyndholm premptive right, cemetery, vale park reserve, little bendigo, kneeshaw co., industrial school reserve, kirks dam, pincotts dam, black hill, wombat hill, dead horse gully, miners rest, mt rowan, salton and waldie, rose hill co, great north west no 1, rose's freehold co, hand and band co, police reserve, police paddock, mount rowan, ballarat industrial school reserve, market reserve, winter's swamp, kneeshar co, monte cristo line of reef, chinaman's gully or black snake, milkmaid's gully, ballarat gold field, bakery hil lead, old gravel pits lead, golden point lead, eureka lead, miner's rest, yarrowee creek, leigh creek, black swamp lead, yorkshire reef, nil desperandum reef, cockatoo lead, hit or miss gully, herbert werner frederick de nully, pennyweight hill, esmond's lead, ash's lead, nightingale lead, john bull gully, gladstone reef, whitehorse reef, petticoat creek, pincott's dam, frenchman's gully, tim's crushing plant, jenkin's gully, california gully, drake's creek, sulton and waldie, ballarat undustrial school, ballarat & mariborough railway

Stuchbery Farm was situated on the Plenty River bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. Alan and Ada Stutchbery moved to the valley in 1890, first living in a tent where four children were born. Alfred built a home and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden and developed a dairy. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p179 The dramatic steep-sided Plenty Gorge lies along the divide of two geological areas, and separates the Nillumbik Shire and the City of Whittlesea. On the Nillumbik side are undulating hills and sedimentary rock, and in Whittlesea, lies a basalt plain formed by volcanic action up to two million years ago. This provides the Plenty Gorge Park with diverse vegetation and habitats, making it one of Greater Melbourne’s most important refuges for threatened and significant species. The park, established in 1986, consists of around 1350 hectares, and extends 11 kilometres along the Plenty River, from Greensborough to Mernda. It provides a wildlife corridor for around 500 native plant and 280 animal species. The area’s plentiful food and water attracted the Wurundjeri Aboriginal people and then European settlers. By 1837 squatters had claimed large runs of land for their sheep and cattle. The Plenty Valley was among the first in the Port Phillip District to be settled - mainly in the less heavily timbered west - and was proclaimed a settled district in 1841. But by the late 1880s, the settlers’ extensive land clearing for animal grazing, then agriculture, depleted the Wurundjeri’s traditional food sources, which helped to drive them away. Many Wurundjeri artefacts remain (now government protected), and so far 57 sites have been identified in the park, including scarred trees, burial areas and stone artefacts. Pioneer life could be very hard because of isolation, flooding, bushfires and bushrangers. Following the Black Thursday bushfires of 1851, basalt was quarried to build more fire-resistant homes. Gold discoveries in the early 1850s swelled the population, particularly around Smugglers Gully; but food production made more of an impact. In the late 1850s wheat production supplanted grazing. In the 1860s the government made small holdings available to poorer settlers. These had the greatest effect on the district, particularly in Doreen and Yarrambat, where orchards were established from the 1880s to 1914. Links with a prominent early family are the remains of Stuchbery Farm, by the river’s edge bounded by Smugglers Gully to the north and La Trobe Road, Yarrambat, to the east. The Stuchberys moved to the valley in 1890, and the family still lives in the area. In 1890, Alfred and Ada first lived in a tent where four children were born, then Alfred built the house and outbuildings around 1896. They planted an orchard, then a market garden, and developed a dairy. The family belonged to the local Methodist and tennis communities. Their grandson Walter, opened the Flying Scotsman Model Railway Museum in Yarrambat, which his widow, Vi, continues to run. Wal was also the Yarrambat CFA Captain for 22 years until 1987. Walter sold 24 hectares in 1976 for development - now Vista Court - and in 1990, the remaining 22.6 hectares for the park. Remaining are an early stone dairy and remnants of a stone barn, a pig sty and a well. Until it was destroyed by fire in 2003, a slab hut stood on the Happy Hollow Farm site, at the southern end of the park. The hut is thought to have been built in the Depression around 1893. This was a rare and late example of a slab hut with a domestic orchard close to Melbourne. Emmet Watmough and his family first occupied the hut, followed by a succession of families, until the Bell family bought it around 1948. There they led a subsistence lifestyle for 50 years, despite encroaching Melbourne suburbia. The Yellow Gum Recreation Area includes the Blue Lake, coloured turquoise at certain times of the year. Following the 1957 bushfires, this area was quarried by Reid Quarries Pty Ltd for Melbourne’s first skyscrapers, then by Boral Australia. However in the early 1970s water began seeping into the quarry forming the Blue Lake and the quarry was closed. The State Government bought the site in 1997 and opened it as a park in 1999.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, ada stuchbery, alan stuchbery, dairy, stuchbery farm, farm buildings, yarrambat, plenty gorge park