Walter Withers was a significant Australian landscape artist and a member of the Heidelberg School of Australian Impressionists. In 1903 Withers bought 'Southernwood', a house on 2½ acres (1 ha) at Eltham, to which he added a studio. Because of ill health, he lived during the week at his studio in Oxford Chambers, Melbourne, and on weekends and holidays with his family at Eltham until his death in 1914. The Eltham rail bridge is a unique and valuable historic relic of an earlier steam locomotive transport era in the Diamond Creek Valley and has long formed an important part of a magnificent Eltham landscape. When built in 1902 it was close to the terminus point of the Heidelberg-Eltham rail extension, on the route of the proposed Diamond Valley Railway that was then planned to continue much further up the valley towards Kinglake. This bridge is situated in attractive river-valley parkland amidst the tall and spreading manna gums and candlebarks of the Diamond Creek Valley. The Alistair Knox Park river-valley landscape, of which the timber trestle bridge is an important visual component, has been classified by the National Trust. Large manna gum and candlebark trees adorn the adjacent creek banks, and historic Shillinglaw Cottage is also part of this much-prized Eltham landscape. Eltham is home to a historic wooden railway trestle bridge. Mainly of timber-pier and timber-beam construction, but varied by a few longer steel-joists spans on timber piers at the main stream channel, this substantial bridge has almost two hundred metres of timber deck. Built in 1902, it is the only railway bridge of predominantly timber construction that is still in regular use as an integral part of Melbourne's metropolitan electric railway network and one of extremely few timber rail bridges in the State that still carry trains. Apart from its important continuing social function as a carrier of rail transport for the Hurstbridge line, this impressive bridge and its beautiful parkland environs contribute much to the character of Eltham township and that town's special reputation as an historic centre of environmental and conservation concerns. This section of the Diamond Creek Valley was the subject of a Walter Withers painting in the earliest years of the twentieth century and has strong historic links with our Heidelberg School of painters. Watercolour painting on paper of Eltham's Trestle Bridge in the middle of the day. A small section of the wooden bridge is located to the left of the painting. The focus is predominately on the wattle, manna gum and candlebark trees that is to the right of the bridge. The golden hues typically represent the australian sunlight and landscape. "W.W" in gothic script on the lower right side of the painting. Not dated. withers, eltham, trestle bridge, railway, watercolour

This flag was used by Rosbercon Girls Grammar School, which operated in Brighton from 1906 until 1941. The school was established in 1906 by the Tisdall family. The Tisdalls were a family of educators: Irish-born Henry Thomas Normanton Tisdall and his wife Lucy taught for many years at the Walhalla State School in Gippsland, along with Lucy's sisters Alice and Clara Weekes. Three of the Tisdall daughters, Ethel, Constance and Theodosia (Theo) followed their mother and aunts into the teaching profession. Constance in particular considered education her true calling and harboured a dream of one day being principal of her own school. After Henry's death in 1905, faced with financial uncertainty and several unmarried daughters to support, Lucy Tisdall decided to take a risk. She sold the family's Toorak home and, together with her sister Alice, leased 'Ashburnham', a large Victorian villa at 106 North Road, Brighton. The plan was to open a private school, with Ethel and Constance as co-principals and Lucy, Alice and Theo teaching and managing the household affairs. This came as a "joyful surprise" to Constance, who was only informed of the plan after it had been finalised. The school was named Rosbercon after Henry's home village in County Wexford, Ireland. The crest, designed by son Bert Tisdall around 1910, featured a crowned letter 'A' above the motto "amor vincit omnia" ("love conquers all"), both inspired by a verse in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Prioress's Tale": "about her arm she bore/A paire of bedes gauded all in grene,/And theron heng a broche of gold full shene,/On which there was first writ a crowned 'A',/And after, Amor Vincit Omnia." It was a motto Constance held close to her heart, embodying her values as a teacher. Reflecting in 1961, she wrote, "In a school without punishments, a school with love and understanding between teacher and pupil - with a love of teaching on one side, and a desire to learn on the other, love would indeed conquer all." The school's opening day in 1906 proved less than auspicious, with no pupils arriving at all. The women persisted and by the end of the first week, five students had been enrolled. From here, the school grew steadily in size. A new schoolroom designed by architect Harold Desbrowe-Annear was built in the house's orchard to accommodate the increasing numbers, but by 1911 the Tisdalls began looking for larger premises. They leased the nearby property 'Hazeldean' at 124 North Road and, during the 1912 school holidays, the Desbrowe-Annear schoolroom was raised onto a lorry drawn by sixteen horses and moved down the road to what would become Rosbercon's new home. In 1923, Constance instituted a modified version of the Dalton Plan, an education model based on individualised learning. Girls in senior years were encouraged to work more independently, making regular use of the reference library and working to a monthly assignment schedule. The school performed well academically and in competitive sport, but over time was eclipsed by the nearby Firbank Church of England Girls' Grammar School (established 1909), whose institutional backing provided it with access to wider resources and facilities than those of the small family-run Rosbercon. At the end of 1933, Ethel and Theo retired and Constance became principal of St Anne's Church of England Girls' Grammar School (now Gippsland Grammar) in Sale. Rosbercon was sold to Miss Iris Hay, who served as principal from 1934 until the school's closure in 1941. Following her own retirement in 1947, Constance Tisdall settled in Erica Avenue, East Malvern, in a house named 'Rosbercon' after her former school. She continued teaching English literature, mostly to migrants, and enjoyed regular visits from former students. Well into the late 1960s, old Rosbercon girls continued a tradition of coming together for an annual reunion on the first Saturday in November, on which day Constance would fly the school flag at her home.Large navy blue flag with horizontal maroon stripe at top and bottom, and school crest in centre. Stylised maroon "A" topped with yellow crown. Yellow scroll below with motto in navy blue letters: "AMOR.VINCIT.OMNIA".flag, school flag, rosbercon girls grammar school

Black and white photocopies of articles and information about the first Blamey House owned by Legacy between 1947 and 1956. It includes articles about the opening in November 1949 with Sir Thomas Blamey in attendance. It shows the property was described as "a home, a huge rambling weatherboard house with a swimming pool, flood-lit tennis court, and four acres of beautifully kept lawns and gardens." The title deed was handed over to Legacy by Sir Robert Knox, the chairman of trustees of Blamey House, Melbourne (the servicemen hostel that had been operating during the war). Other pages show the property had been built in 1930 as a holiday home for Toorak business man Mr Arthur Jack and his wife Ms Langlands-Jack. It was sold to James Picken by 1941 and it was known as 'Mossgiel'. The Pickens remained owners until 1947 when it was purchased on behalf of Legacy with money donated by the Blamey House Trustees (the servicemen hostel that operated during the war) to be used as a toddlers and childrens' home. When Legacy no longer required the property it was sold to the Beaumaris RSL (or it's precursor RSSALIA) as its clubrooms. There was controversy in 2015 when it was sold to developers for housing. The pages were copied from items held by Sandringham and District Historical Society in February 2022.Records different facts about the property that was Blamey House Beaumaris that could be useful even though there are discrepancies with other known facts about Blamey House (the Hostel) trustees donation to Legacy.Black and white A4 photocopy x 20 pages of collected information about the property in Beaumaris before and after it was held by Legacy.blamey house, beaumaris, properties

Walter Withers once lived at the corner of Bolton and Brougham Streets, Eltham. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p105 Walter Withers, one of Australia’s most famous artists, once lived in Southernwood, the weatherboard house at the corner of Bolton and Brougham Streets, Eltham. Withers, one of the first prominent artists to live in Eltham, was known for his lyrical paintings of the Australian bush and is associated with the Heidelberg School of artists. Withers was born in 1854 at Handsworth, Warwickshire, England, the grandson of an artist. He studied art at the Royal Academy of Arts, London. But in 1882 his father, opposing an artistic career for Withers, ordered him to go to Australia. However, after working as a jackaroo on several country properties for 18 months, Withers resumed painting in Melbourne, where he enrolled in evening art classes at the Melbourne National Gallery school of painting under G F Folingsby. Employed as a draughtsman by William Inglis & Co, then by Ferguson & Mitchell, lithographic printers, Withers produced portraits in black-and-white for several periodicals. His work was exhibited in the Old Academy, Melbourne. At this time he met and became life-long friends with artists Frederick McCubbin, Tom Roberts and Louis Abrahams. In 1887 Withers went to England and married Fanny Finn. They lived in Paris for awhile, where Withers studied at the Academie Julian. After his return to Melbourne in 1889, Withers lived at the artist camp at Eaglemont, then moved close to the Charterisville mansion, where he established a studio and sub-let cottages to other artists. Around 1892 Withers opened a Collins Street studio, had his first exhibition, and started giving painting classes. One of his pupils was Norman Lindsay, also to become a prominent artist. Withers had long been attracted to Eltham, but had to wait until 1903 to live there, after the railway line was extended to Eltham in 1902. He could then commute to the painting classes he gave in Melbourne. Withers lived on the two and a half acres (1.0ha) Bolton Street property with his wife and five children. They were joined for a short time by prominent painter Sir Hans Heyson who took lessons from Withers. Withers added a studio to the Queen Anne/Edwardian style seven-bedroom home, which had been built in 1891. Each bedroom included a fireplace and most rooms had 12 foot high (3.6m) ceilings. The house retains several fine leadlight windows. Withers painted his largest canvas The Return from the Harvest in 1905, at his Eltham studio. He is represented in national, state and regional galleries, and in many private collections in Australia and abroad. In 1904-05 Withers was president of the Victorian Artists’ Society. Withers at times stayed during the week at his studio in Oxford Chambers, Melbourne, and on weekends and holidays with his family at Eltham. Withers lived in Eltham until his death in 1914, aged 60 years. He had been plagued by rheumatism and in later life by heart and lung disease. It is said he died of a stroke peacefully in a rocking chair in front of the lounge-room fire. He is buried at St Helena in the St Katherine’s Anglican Church cemetery. In 1983, the auction of the house sparked fears that it would be pulled down, or substantially altered. Fortunately the new owners decided to retain the house. Some security was given to the house’s future when it was later included in the Heritage Overlay to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. The property is also important because it is one of only a few left in the district, which were once owned by noted artists. These include three in Warrandyte: one formerly owned by Penleigh Boyd, another by Frank Crozier, and the other by Danila Vassilieff; and two in Eltham: Percy Leason’s in Lavender Park Road and Justus Jörgensen’s Montsalvat. A small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets, Eltham is named in Walter Withers’ honour.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, bolton steet, brougham steet, eltham, southernwood, walter withers house

Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea. Sepia photograph of Mr Alfred Morton with his brothers in law and friend at Carrum in the 1890's, some perched in a tree others grouped at the base of the tree, bikes in the foreground.bike riding, picnic, morton, morton grove, chelsea, carrum

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of members of the Morton family camping at Carrum (now Chelsea). Tents and a wagon in the backgroundmorton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, camping, tents, wagon

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Black and white photo of postal works in front of the South Yarra Post Office. Members of the Morton family are in the group.morton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, postal workers

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of members of the Morton family camping at Carrum (now Chelsea).morton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, camping, tents

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of Mr Alfred Morton and his friend, Mr Doug Campbell at his holiday house, in what was to become Morton Grove, Chelsea. morton, chelsea, carrum, morton grove, holiday house

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of members of the Morton family on the verandah of Mrs William's house, Foy Avenue Chelsea.morton, chelsea, carrum, verandah, mrs williams

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of members of the Morton family sitting on their land after the fires in Chelsea, 1913.morton, chelsea, carrum, verandah, fires

Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea. Sepia photograph of Mr Alfred Morton as a baby, on the lap of his mother, Eliza, sitting on a chair, and his aunt, standing.morton, mr alfred louis morton

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo Mr Morton in Fireman Uniformmorton, chelsea, carrum, fireman uniform

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of nine postal workers at South Yarra Post Office. They are wearing hats each with a different number, some have postal bags and some with letters in their hands. Mr Morton is the only one not wearing a hat.morton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, postal workers, postal uniform

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of postal workers at South Yarra Post Office, corner of Toorak Road and Osborne Street, South Yarra. Mr Morton is standing at the counter, other workers are in the background .morton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, postal workers, postal uniform

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of South Yarra Post Office, corner of Toorak Road and Osborne Street, South Yarra. Mr Morton and three other postal workers are standing at the front.morton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, postal workers, postal uniform

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photograph of a of Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. bike riding, picnic, morton, morton grove, chelsea, carrum, camping