Photos and descriptions of historical buildings Chelsea District Historical Society is fortunate to have many photos that have been donated and collated over the last fifty years. In the early years our beachside suburb was popular with groups and families. Camping & holidaying in guest houses or privately rented houses. This book includes photographs of local people, beaches, churches, clubs, sports, hotels, railways, industry, hospitals and halls, and many other pictures of local scenes. A unique history of the District of Chelsea. Photographs show the beginnings and how the Chelsea district was developed. Various Sporting clubs and groups, businesses, buildings, streets and early European settlers and others. Large soft cover book A pictorial history of early Chelsea & District first printed 2007aspendale, carrum, bonbeach, edithvale, chelsea

The cottage is typical of the holiday houses that could be rented in Halls Gap. This house was called "The Wattles" and was one of the houses used as "Girls Hut".The photo shows a weatherboard cottage set in bush. A sandy path through bracken can be seen in the foreground. There is a tall gum tree in the right of the photo."The Wattles" written in pen on rear.buildings, houses

House was rented by Kim Tarpey between October 1983 and June 1985. It was one of the buildings originally part of Birds Orchard. Harold Bird was her landlord, a retired primary school teacher who, when she knew him was driving the mobile library bus. Her partner had him as a teacher at Montmorency Primary in grade 4. The house was next door to what is now a bushland reserve near the Pauline Toner Reserve. It was on the corner of Pitt and Arthur St - the driveway was near the roundabout and went off to the right of the driveway that now belongings to 220 Pitt street and which was bushland at the time. It was sold in 1985 and consequently demolished, a large house has replaced it. It was situated approximately where the front door of No. 218 is nowadays with the facade roughly in line with the now garage wall to the left of this front door.Digital file only - scanned from personal photo album on loan (27 images) List of images EDHS_04644-1.tif Kitchen window looking towards Eucalyptus Road, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-2.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-3.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-4.tif Kitchen looking towards Pitt Street Reserve, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-5.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-6.tif Bathroom walkway/laundry, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-7.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-8.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-9.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-10.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-11.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-12.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-13.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-14.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-15.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-16.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-17.tif Lounge window looking towards Mount Pleasant Road, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-18.tif Fire place in lounge, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-19.tif Fire place in lounge, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-20.tif View from lounge room window looking towards corner of Eucalyptus and Mount Pleasant roads, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-21.tif View from lounge room window looking towards corner of Eucalyptus and Mount Pleasant roads, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-22.tif View from lounge room looking towards Pitt Street and Wattle Grove, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-23.tif View from lounge room looking towards Pitt Street and Wattle Grove, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-24.tif 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-25.tif Back garden showing previous tank stumps. There was a hole in the wall where a possum got through, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-26.tif View from back fence looking towards Pitt Street and Wattle Grove, 218 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985 EDHS_04644-27.tif View from back fence on to Eucalyptus Road. Pitt Street Reserve to the right, 18 Pitt Street, Eltham, c.1985218 pitt street, eltham, houses, birds orchard, harold bird, kim tarpey, eucalyptus road

House was rented by Kim Tarpey between October 1983 and June 1985. It was one of the buildings originally part of Birds Orchard. Harold Bird was her landlord, a retired primary school teacher who, when she knew him was driving the mobile library bus. Her partner had him as a teacher at Montmorency Primary in grade 4. The house was next door to what is now a bushland reserve near the Pauline Toner Reserve. It was on the corner of Pitt and Arthur St - the driveway was near the roundabout and went off to the right of the driveway that now belongings to 220 Pitt street and which was bushland at the time. It was sold in 1985 and consequently demolished, a large house has replaced it. It was situated approximately where the front door of No. 218 is nowadays with the facade roughly in line with the now garage wall to the left of this front door.Digital file only - scanned from personal photo album on loan218 pitt street, eltham, houses, birds orchard, harold bird, kim tarpey, eucalyptus road

House was rented by Kim Tarpey between October 1983 and June 1985. It was one of the buildings originally part of Birds Orchard. Harold Bird was her landlord, a retired primary school teacher who, when she knew him was driving the mobile library bus. Her partner had him as a teacher at Montmorency Primary in grade 4. The house was next door to what is now a bushland reserve near the Pauline Toner Reserve. It was on the corner of Pitt and Arthur St - the driveway was near the roundabout and went off to the right of the driveway that now belongings to 220 Pitt street and which was bushland at the time. It was sold in 1985 and consequently demolished, a large house has replaced it. It was situated approximately where the front door of No. 218 is nowadays with the facade roughly in line with the now garage wall to the left of this front door.Digital file only - scanned from personal photo album on loan218 pitt street, eltham, houses, birds orchard, harold bird, kim tarpey, eucalyptus road

House was rented by Kim Tarpey between October 1983 and June 1985. It was one of the buildings originally part of Birds Orchard. Harold Bird was her landlord, a retired primary school teacher who, when she knew him was driving the mobile library bus. Her partner had him as a teacher at Montmorency Primary in grade 4. The house was next door to what is now a bushland reserve near the Pauline Toner Reserve. It was on the corner of Pitt and Arthur St - the driveway was near the roundabout and went off to the right of the driveway that now belongings to 220 Pitt street and which was bushland at the time. It was sold in 1985 and consequently demolished, a large house has replaced it. It was situated approximately where the front door of No. 218 is nowadays with the facade roughly in line with the now garage wall to the left of this front door.Digital file only - scanned from personal photo album on loan218 pitt street, eltham, houses, birds orchard, harold bird, kim tarpey, eucalyptus road

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.The house in Gladstone Street, Kew, rented by the family of Josiah Barnes until his death in 1921. J.E. Barnes, also known as the embarkation photographer, was Kew's most significant photographer."Home of Mr. Barnes photographer. He took many school photos. Gladstone St., Kew. Morwell Hodges mentions him in book. One of his daughters was the well known Sister Gertrude of St Georges"josiah 'earl' barnes, j.e. barnes, gladstone street (kew), dorothy rogers

Typed Letter from Inter-State Commission (COmmonwealth of Australia) re House Rents Investifation (Timber), requesting total sales figures for each year 1914 to 1918. Handwritten reply from P.Bamford on Bamford Letterhead listing sales figures. Figures for 1914-1918 are listed under Bamford Bros Ringwood. Following the 1918 entry (from 1st July 1917 to 2nd Feb 1918)is a note "Bamford Bros sold their business", followed by a single entry under the P. Bamford with the figure from 2nd Feb to June 30th 1918. Note Letterhead has address as White Horse Road Ringwood, phone No. 3 Ringwood.

Photo was taken in front of the front door of 'Camelford', 7 Norris Street. The presence of the red cross suggests that it was taken during the First World War. Two of the couples' surviving sons served in the war - Frederic George Bate (SERN 1945); Richard Alfred Bate (SERN 695); the third was rejected because he had lost a finger in an accident. Richard Bate came to Australia in 1868 from Cornwall - the house was named after the town there. He was a cabinetmaker and settled in Angaston, SA for a year before coming to Melbourne where he worked as a builder. He built ‘Avondale’, 176 Union Road (dem.) circa 1883 as a display home for the Davies family, subdividers of the first land auction in Surrey Hills. He built many houses including his retirement home at 7 Norris Street (demolished after 2000). In the 1880s Richard also built the Shire Hall in Station Street Box Hill, replaced in 1934 by the Box Hill Town Hall. Two of his sons were also carpenters. Richard died in 1937 aged 93 and his wife Annie Matilda died in 1935 aged 83; both are buried in Burwood Cemetery. House was rented out until probate was settled. Occupied in 2000 by Julie Ellis. REF: Letter to Julie Ellis from Jack Bate of Mildura, grandson of Richard and Annie Bate, dated 29/2/2000.A black and white photocopy of a photograph of a man dressed in a suit, standing beside a lady, seated, wearing a long sleeved, light coloured blouse and a long ankle length skirt. They are in front of a front door with lead light windows.mr richard bate, mrs annie bate, norris street, house names, camelford, avondale, union road, box hill shire hall, builders, ms julie ellis, davies family, annie matilda bate, richard alfred bate, frederic george bate, burwood cemetery, jack bate

L to R:- Back Row (standing): - , - , - , Les Warren, ? Ware, Michael Oldfield, Robert Sear, Geoffrey Jones; Middle Row (standing): - , - , - , ? Connevere, - , - , -, - ; Middle Row (seated): - , Barry Moar, - , - , - , Gail Pike, - , - , ? Bradbury, - , David Stokes, Alan Pittman; Front Row (seated): Neil Twyford, - . Digital copy scanned by EDHS from an original held by Barry Moar, of Greensborough, Vic, 17 Jul 2017. Keith and brother Barry Moar moved to Eltham in March 1944 where they attended the State School (elder brother Keith from 1949) in Dalton Street. They lived at 11 York Street in a house rented from Ernie Andrew at a cost of £2/week.Digital copy of black and white photographeltham state school, state school no. 209, 1955, grade v, bradbury, connevere, ware, alan pittman, barry moar, david stokes, gail pike, geoffrey jones, les warren, michael oldfield, neil twyford, robert sear, barry moar collection

The Reverend Joseph Best, who was church of England Vicar at Linton between 1912 and 1922, "resided for the first twelve months in a rented house next to the Police Station on the Reservoir Road". In 1912/13 the Church purchased a house to serve as a Vicarage, which was dedicated on 10th April 1913.Handwritten receipt dated 14.4.1913, from C.E. Godden on behalf of W. Angus, to W. Todd, Secretary of Central Committee [of Parish of Linton] for fifteen weeks rent, for house occupied by Rev. J. Best. Victorian Stamp Duty stamp affixed to page, initials "C.E.G." and date "14/4/13" written across it.rev. j. best, w. todd, c. e. godden, receipts

L to R:- Back Row (standing): Mr Jobling, - , Ben Rutley, Keith Moar, John Squires, Barry (Andy) Matthews, Robert Eisma, Ian Newlands, Stafford Dawson, Peter McCann, Peter Brown, Mr Phillips; Front Row (standing): Yvonne Box, - , - , Pat Davison, Carleen Golgeth, - , -, - , Dorothy Uren, Marjory Bredle; Second Row (kneeling): Michael Sinclair, Johnny Morris, Arthur Roberts, Max Goldsworthy, - , Teddie Mynott; Front Row (seated): - , Margie? Reed, Margaret Butterway, Nina Macbeth, - , Maureen Davis. Students in grade either not present or unidentified include Faye Helmers, David Knight, Robin Hayes, Bruce Treganan. Digital copy scanned by EDHS from an original held by Keith Moar, of Yarra Glen, Vic, 17 Jul 2017. List of names provided by Keith Moar. Keith and brother Barry Moar moved to Eltham in March 1944 where they attended the State School (elder brother Keith from 1949) in Dalton Street. They lived at 11 York Street in a house rented from Ernie Andrew at a cost of £2/week. Other facts noted by Keith Moar: It snowed in Eltham in 1952 or 1953 Andy Matthews was on HMAS Voyager when it was sunk by HMAS Melbourne. Carleen Golgeth's mother used to drive her to school in a c.1928 Rolls Royce taxi (phaeton?)Digital copy of black and white photograph1953, arthur roberts, barry (andy) matthews, ben rutley, carleen golgeth, dorothy uren, eltham state school, grade v, ian newlands, john squires, johnny morris, keith moar, margaret butterway, margie reed, marjory bredle, maureen davis, max goldsworthy, michael sinclair, mr jobling, mr phillips, nina macbeth, pat davison, peter brown, peter mccann, robert eisma, state school no. 209, teddie mynott, yvonne box, barry moar collection

Records handed to the Warrnambool & District Historical Society by Warrnambool Hospital AuthoritiesEnsuring maintenance and preservation of Warrnambool Hospital recordsLedgers and other material kept in A3 Archival boxes and housed on shelves in the W.D.H.S. Archives RoomLedgers and other Historical records of the Warrnambool Hospital including Letter Books, Annual Reports, Cash Books, Admissions, Donors' Registers, Receipts and Expenditure Registers and Committee Minute Bookswarrnambool hospital and benevolent asylum, warrnambool base hospital, south west health carewarrnambool hospital and benevolent asylum, warrnambool base hospital, south west health care

Letter sent to Legatee D.J. Simonson by Miss Enez Domec-Carre thanking Melbourne Legacy for allowing her to continue to conduct her private physical culture classes at Legacy House rent free and also for granting her $20 per week after her retirement until she became eligible for the Age Pension. She also expresses her loyalty to Legacy and offers assistance at any time. Enez was the supervisor of the girls classes held at Legacy House for many years. She organised many annual demonstrations and was held in high regard by Legacy. The library at Legacy House is named in her honour. See also a newspaper article at 00978 which outlines her achievements, a summary of her career at 00458 and 00129. She was a former Miss Victoria and was known for her physical education skills and for introducing grace and culture to Melbourne. In 1932 she joined Melbourne Legacy as assistant to Mrs Gilles (wife of a Legatee) later became the chief instructor of girls' physical education until she retired aged 65. In the post World War II baby boom the Legacy evening classes were attended by about 400 girls. She helped organise Legacy Widows and Legatee wives to sew the costumes for performances. Among her proudest moments was a display by 1000 Junior Legatees at the MCG during the 1954 visit of Queen Elizabeth II. As well her work for Legacy she ran physical education, ballroom dancing and debutante preparation classes.The letter illustrates Miss Carre's loyalty to Legacy and Legacy's appreciation of her service.Off-white quarto photocopy of letter x 2 pages, sent to Legatee D.J. Simonson by Miss Enez Domec-CarreStamped in purple "CONFIDENTIAL". "COPY TO .... FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and blue handwriting "Executive Officer"girls' classes, enez domec carre

Teacher: Mr Griffith Back Row (L-R): Mr Griffith, - , - , John Hopkins , Ronny Morris, Michael Oldfield, Rex Jobling , -, - , - , Geoffrey Jones, Barry Moar, David Stokes Middle Row (L-R): - , Avis Barnes , Pam Geer , Prue Kimber , Dirkie Herholdt, - , Bronwyn Conibear , Joy Chapman , - , - , Alan Pittman Front Row (L-R): Neil Twyford , - , Beverley Bradbury (nee Stokes), Susan Gill , Helen Taylor , Thelma Baxter , - . Students in grade either not present or unidentified include Faye Helmers, David Knight, Robin Hayes, Bruce Treganan Photography by Rural Photographic Service of Australia, 8a Bankly Avenue, Malvern, Vic. 5303/5 Digital copies scanned by EDHS from originals held by Barry Moar, of Greensborough, Vic, 17 Jul 2017 and Margaret Harding (nee Joy Chapman.) 15 Nov 2024. Keith and brother Barry Moar moved to Eltham in March 1944 where they attended the State School (elder brother Keith from 1949) in Dalton Street. They lived at 11 York Street in a house rented from Ernie Andrew at a cost of £2/week. Other items of note advised by Barry and Keith Moar: Michael Oldfield was killed in a car accident in South David Stokes, son of Frank Stokes who operated Stokes Orchard was killed in the Black Saturday fire of 7 Feb 2009. It snowed in Eltham in 1952 or 1953 Andy Matthews was on HMAS Voyager when it was sunk by HMAS Melbourne. Carleen Golgeth's mother used to drive her to school in a c.1928 Rolls Royce taxi (phaeton?)Digital copy of black and white photograph x 21953, eltham state school, state school no. 209, grade iii, alan pittman, barry moar, david stokes, geoffrey jones, michael oldfield, mr griffith, neil twyford, ronny morris, margaret harding (joy chapman) collection, barry moar collection, arthur roberts, avis barnes, barry (andy) matthews, ben rutley, beverley bradbury (nee stokes), bronwyn conibear, bruce treganan, carleen golgeth, class photo, david knight, dirkie herholdt, dorothy uren, eltham primary school, eltham state school no. 209, faye helmers, grade v, helen taylor, ian newlands, john hopkins, john squires, johnny morris, joy chapman, keith moar, margaret butterway, margie? reed, marjory bredle, maureen davis, max goldsworthy, michael sinclair, mr jobling, mr phillips, nina macbeth, pam geer, pat davison, peter brown, peter mccann, prue kimber, rex jobling, robert eisma, robin hayes, stafford davison, susan gill, teddie mynott, thelma baxter, yvonne box

In 1892 four Sisters of Mercy from Albury were invited to establish a foundation at Wodonga. On the 6th February 1892, Mother M. Aloysius Tierney (1864-1948), Sr. M. Gabriel Comins (1868-1945), Sr. M. Celestine Coyle (1871-1857) and a postulant Miss Mary Jane Conlan (1874-1939) (Sr. Mary Joseph) travelled by horse drawn cab from the Albury convent to a rented house in Hume Street. The parishioners of Wodonga were anxious for the nuns to have their own residence, and on the 19th March 1893, the foundation stone for St. Joseph’s Convent was laid. The Convent was officially opened on Sunday 13 August 1893. From these early beginnings the Sisters of Mercy guided the development of many Wodonga children through more than one hundred years at St. Augustine's school in Wodonga. The St. Joseph's convent was incorporated into changes in St Augustine's school in 2001. These items are important because they depict the Sisters of Mercy who were for many years responsible for the implementation of Catholic education in Wodonga, Victoria.Three black and white photographs of Sisters of Mercy who served at St Joseph's Convent in Wodonga and taught at St Augustine's School in Wodonga.Names under each photo sisters of mercy wodonga, catholic education wodonga

Tait collection: item 36 of 62 This document contains the details of the Will and Probate of David Williams of ‘Morgrugyn’ farm near Woodford. He was born in 1804 and died in 1889. He was a pioneer settler in the Woodford area, arriving, according to the Pioneer Honour Board, in 1842. His son, Ivor, was Secretary of the Grasmere Cheese and Butter Factory for some time and Secretary of the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory in 1888. David Williams left real estate to the value of £1540 and personal estate to the value of £1075. The chief beneficiary was his eldest son, David but other sons and grandsons also benefited. His wife, Mary, was left £300, a house to live in rent free during her lifetime, two cows and the right to graze them on the farm, six silver spoons, her bed and bedding, washstand and ware, a dressing table, a table in the dairy and ‘all the crockery and cooking utensils she may require’. The lawyer drawing up this document was James Fletcher who had an office in Port Fairy in the 1870s and an office in Koroit Street, Warrnambool, in the 1880s. In the 1890s and early 1900s he was in partnership with George Mackay. This document was in the possession of the lawyer Ernest Chambers who had drawn up the Williams will. It was then passed down to successive lawyers occupying legal premises in Kepler Street until it was located in 2014 in the Kepler Street building last used as legal premises by the firm of Mackay Taylor. This document is of considerable interest as it contains the will and probate details of a prominent 19th century farmer in the Woodford district. It will be useful for researchers.This is a white piece of parchment paper folded in two with typed material on two pages and handwritten material on one page. The pages are ruled with red ink. The pages include the Will and Probate details of David Williams of ‘Morgrugyn’ farm near Woodford. He died in 1889.In the Supreme Court in the Colony of Victoria in the Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of David Williams Morgrugyn farm near Woodford in the Colony of Victoria Farmer deceasedjames fletcher, david williams, ernest chambers, warrnambool, woodford, morgrugyn farm

The extensive formal landscaped gardens of Rockingham had been created in the 1860s, and by the 1950s remained bordered to the south by the Barkers Road cutting, and to the north by Blytheswood, the neighbouring Syme family property, By 1940, the Syme family were no longer the occupiers of Rockingham. John Herbert Syme had died in October 1939, and by August the following year, his wife had made the house and garden available, rent free to the Red Cross as a convalescent home for Australian soldiers injured in the Second World War. At the time, the house was described as containing twenty rooms, including a ballroom and a billiards room, with a garden of eight acres overlooking the Yarra. The task of renovating the house to conform to its new function as a convalescent home took a year, finally opening in August 1941. Community support for Rockingham was widespread and included the decision by the National Gallery of Victoria to loan pictures from its collection to decorate the walls. Calls were made for women around Victoria to donate fruit and vegetables from their gardens, which the railways agreed to freight for free. Other local support included the work by a team of boys to establish a three-acre vegetable garden within the formal terraced gardens. From the beginning, occupational therapy formed a key component of the rehabilitation of psychologically injured soldiers. This is confirmed by contemporary newspaper accounts of weaving, ironwork, leatherwork, basketry and gardening by patients. Numerous photographs, held by the Australian War Memorial (AWM) and the State Library of Victoria (SLV), record the importance of these rehabilitation activities. The painting of the view across the river to Abbotsford may have been painted in one of these occupational therapy sessions. For many decades it hung in the occupational therapy room. It must have been on view following the sale of Rockingham by the Syme family to the Red Cross in 1955, and subsequently, until the house was demolished and its grounds finally subdivided in 1977.View of Abbotsford from the garden of Rockingham (1952) was created by V Maloney. The vantage point of the artist was the garden of Rockingham, one of two mansions overlooking the Yarra owned by the Syme family. The artwork depicts a number of sites - especially factories - that have since been demolished.Signed by the artist, lower right "V Maloney"rockingham red cross convalescent home, hospitals - kew (vic), rosemary lade, art therapy

Until 1892 the first Catholic School in Wodonga, a simple wooden skillion which was erected behind the sanctuary of St. Francis’ Chapel, was overseen by Dean William Tierney of Beechworth, Father Michael O’Connor P.P. of Chiltern and his successor Father Charles Van Der Hayden. The lay teachers, Miss Fagan and Miss O’Leary. In 1892 four Sisters of Mercy from Albury were invited to make a foundation at Wodonga. On the 6th February 1892, Mother M. Aloysius Tierney (1864-1948), Sr. M. Gabriel Comins (1868-1945), Sr. M. Celestine Coyle (1871-1857) and a postulant Miss Mary Jane Conlan (1874-1939) (Sr. Mary Joseph) travelled by horse drawn cab from the Albury convent to a rented house in Hume Street. The parishioners of Wodonga were anxious for the nuns to have their own residence, and on the 19th March 1893, the foundation stone for St. Joseph’s Convent was laid and consecrated by Bishop Stephen Reville on behalf of Bishop Crane of Sandhurst. The convent was designed by architects Gordon and Gordon and built by Fraser and Wilson of Melbourne at a cost of £1000. Construction was expected to take three months. The Wodonga and Towong Sentinel of Friday 24 March 1893 included the following description of the Convent. “In the front is a handsome verandah, with an oratory on the right and a community room on the left. Entering the door, the reception and music rooms are met with on opposite sides, and there are five cells in succession at the back of the reception room, whilst on the other side of the passage the reverend mother's cell, the refectory, pantry, and kitchen are found. At the extreme rear of the building there is a linen room, a bathroom, and a servant's room, There is also a verandah on either side of the convent. The height of the walls is to be 12 feet and 13 feet”. The Convent was officially opened on Sunday 13 August 1893 St Joseph’s Convent became part of St Augustine’s school in 2001.These images are significant because they capture the history of an important religious building in Wodonga, Victoria.Three black and white photographs of St Joseph's Convent in Wodonga in the early 1900s.sisters of mercy wodonga, st joseph's convent wodonga, st augustine's church wodonga

Oral history interview with Jock Read (1915- 2010) conducted by Diana Bassett-Smith of Eltham District Historical Society. Peter Bassett-Smith and possibly Gwen Orford also in attendance. The interview includes discussion of Jock's family history and connection to Eltham, including his attendance at Eltham State School starting 1921, childhood memories including games he played, memories of Eltham High School, recreational activities, milking, money earned, local transport, neighbours, effect of the Depression, local shops, involvement with the Church of England and more. Recording contains significant amount of noise. 0:00 Introduction including the clarification of Jock's name as Frances and backstory of his parents being from England 3:15- 5:00 Commences talking about home life and childhood 3:38 Talking about family immigrating to Australia His father immigrated to Australia when he was 6 4:05 Jock was born in and lived with his parents in Brunswick before moving to Eltham during the 1920s 4:55-7:44 Permanently moved to Eltham and started at Eltham Primary School in 1921 Talking about books used at school, and games played at school such as marbles, cricket and football 8:45 Moved into Eltham High School after finishing at Eltham Primary 9:50 Week and weekend activities including: Milking cows and doing milk runs on horseback before school 13:15 Most common mode of transport was using horse drawn vehicles and walking 14:50 Discusses impact of depression on family: Father had previously started a business but the depression had a large impact on that 16:10-18:00 Facilities that Jock had • Used hurricane lamps and candles- no electricity • Woodfire • Milk and bread were delivered • Greengrocer- George Bird? 25:22 Left Eltham high school in 1930 26:00 Begins discussing involvement with the church of England 31:46 Electricity did not come to Eltham until 1926 Jock described it as an exciting event 33:00-34:00 Describing the rented house, he was living in- small wooden cottage 35:00 Discussion around starting a mail run round areas of Eltham 38:40-42:35 Enlisted in the navy during WW2 • Navel cadets in 1934 • HMAS Vampire • Served as a seaman gunner Audio Compact Cassette Tape ACME C90 XHG Converted to MP3 file; 55.1MB, 0:42:35audio cassette, audio recording, diana bassett-smith, eltham, jock read, oral history, read family, elham primary school, eltham high school, eltham primary school, 1920s, brunswick, depression, church, st margaret's church, housing, ww2, second world war

Initially known as the ‘Kangaroo Hotel,’ this photo shows the sign ‘Kangaroo Ground Hotel’ and William McLaughlin as the proprietor, which dates it between 1871 and 1882. The first hotel known as the Kangaroo Hotel was built at the top of the hill by Andrew Ross in 1864 commencing April; a license was obtained, and the bar opened by Edmund Pickett, the tenant, on 11th of July. The hotel was ready for public accommodation by September, 1864. On June 27, 1864, Edmund Pickett, residing at Kangaroo Ground, gave notice to the Bench of Magistrates at Eltham that it was his intention to apply on July 6th for a certificate authorising the issue of a Publican’s Licence for a house rented and occupied by himself, situated at Kangaroo Ground, containing two sitting rooms and five bedrooms exclusive of those required for the use of his family. On February 7, 1866, Edmund Pickett, publican, residing at Kangaroo Ground, applied at the Court of Petty Sessions held at Eltham for a Publican’s License for a house situated at the Kangaroo Ground, containing six bedrooms and two sitting rooms, rented and occupied by himself and licensed under the sign of the 'Kangaroo Hotel.' In 1866, with few boarders at the school and needing to reduce expenses, Ross had the bedroom house removed from the school and placed in contiguity to the hotel, the occupier to have the post office. The house was re-erected with a kitchen addition and was opened as the Post Office & General Store on April 1st. Throughout 1870 Andrew Ross found himself at odds with Pickett - he "felt much dissatisfaction at my having a hotel especially kept by a man of loose principals and low habits" and so served him notice to vacate by December 31st, occupying it himself on January 1, 1871, calling it Rossville House. William McLaughlin and his wife kept the store and post office. As a hotel was now wanted and McLaughlin was desirous to obtain a license, Ross set about making the Store building suitable which was achieved towards the end of 1871. Ross notes in his diary that the Store hotel was finished January 1, 1872. At the Court of Petty Sessions held at Eltham on 5 December 1871, William McLaughlin applied for a license for the Kangaroo Hotel, Kangaroo Ground. He had previously obtained a wine license, March 28. In June 1882, William McLaughlin of Madeline Street, Carlton, (late of Kangaroo Ground, hotelkeeper) was found insolvent due to losses in connection with the Kangaroo Ground Hotel. The license for the hotel was later transferred from Mr John Donaldson to Mrs Sophia Greenaway. It appears during McLaughlin’s tenure the hotel became known as the Kangaroo Ground Hotel. The hotel was replaced with a new wooden building in 1892, constructed by W.Holland and described as being "of a neat appearance, roomy, and fittled up with all modern requirements necessary in a business of this kind." This building was destroyed by fire in 1930. References: Ross, Andrew, 1814-1895 & Woiwod, Mick & Andrew Ross Museum. (2011). The diary of Andrew Ross 1828-1895 & the reminiscences of Andrew Ross 1851-1864 / edited, annotated and introduced by Mick Woiwod for the Andrew Ross Museum, Kangaroo Ground. Kangaroo Ground, [Vic.] : Tarcoola Press in association with the Andrew Ross Museum The Evelyn Observer, (1892, June 24). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved May 13, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60667494 REMINISCENCES. (1893, April 21). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved May 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60669116 REMINISCENCES COUNTY EVELYN. BY Andrew Ross. (No. 41) The summer of 1863-4 may be re membered by many colonists as one of the most enjoyable as regards wet weather, and it was one made remarkable by the enterprise and activity apparent throughout Evelyn County. This spirit was fostered and encouraged by the prospect presented from the opening up of the new route to the Jordan and Wood's Point, and the consequent occupation of lands and special localities along the main track. Accommodation for travellers were established at Yarra Flats, the future Healesville, Fernshaw, Marysville, while the beauties and difficulties of the Black Spur, together with the romantic region of the Stephenson Waterfalls mid the mountain forests attracted visitors other than the gold diggers. Before the end of this year 1863, the new route to Wood's Point by the Dividing Range had been so far improved that a track was laid off by the New Chum Creak, Paradise Plains, and the Springs to Emerald Hill, about half way between Jordan and Wood's Point, and the clearing of this track was looked forward to as enabling drays to be employed. The Government had so far yielded to the demands made upon it, that the work was proceeded with early in 1864. In March of that year the writer was favoured by a visit from Mr. Ligne, Surveyor-General, who was enroute to inspect the progress of the undertaking. He was accompanied by Mr. Collins Levey, his son-in-law, who had been a frequent visitor with his friend Mr. Franklin, of the Melbourne Herald newspaper, These parties, and not a few others, were glad to partake of the hospitality of residents on the Ground or, at Yarra Flats when as yet no public accommodation existed. Horsemen and pedestrians became numerous ere winter set in, and there was obviously the want of the hotel which was planned and commenced late in the autumn. The absence of any endeavour on that score by local proprietors induced the writer to undertake the erection of the Kangaroo Ground Hotel, which he did on his own responsibility. The spot best suited for the hotel being held by him on lease, he was permitted by the landlord to devote the required portion of land for the premises to be erected and occupied. Before this was accomplished the imported houses placed near the schoolhouse which had served for bedroom to boarded pupils were rebuilt near the hotel and served for a general store and post office also. Delay was experienced in procuring all the materials for the new building. After the break in the weather the roads on the Ground became very heavy and as timber had to come from town, it was under difficulties that the supply was procured. Bricks for chimneys were made in a small kiln, and hardwood for joists, &c., provided by sawyers employed for the purpose in the bush. The hotel, in consequence, was not ready for public accommodation until the spring, although a license was obtained, and the bar opened by Mr. Pickett, the tenant, on 11th of July. It may be remarked that the house was rather late in being established; a year earlier it would have secured the benefit of the rush to the new diggings, but in another sense it was rather premature for as yet no steps had been taken by the authorities to stop or even discourage the sale of liquor by unlicensed parties, and the holder of a license had to compete with the class in question. As the season (1864) advanced there were parties anxious to be the pioneers in traversing the whole of the route to Wood’s Point, but it was nigh to summer again before the track was available to vehicular traffic. I believe one of the first to effect the whole passage in this way was Mr. Gillies, some time settled at Mortlake. He drove a buggy and called at the Ground on 9th September, stating his intention to drive through to the Point, and we were subsequently informed that he had accomplished the task. (End of Reminiscences No 41)This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image (neg copy missing) Print 21 x 26.5 cmeltham-yarra glen road, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground hotel, post office, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, gas lamp, hotels, kangaroo hotel, william mclaughlin, andrew ross, edmund pickett

Great Hall at Montsalvat built 1938-52, designed by Justus Jorgensen Covered under National Estate, National Trust of Australia (Victoria) State Significance, Victorian Heritage and Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p129 At first glance, Montsalvat, the artists’ community at Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham, could belong to another time and place. The French provincial Gothic-style buildings blend picturesquely with the introduced and native trees and farm animals on the five hectare property. But Montsalvat belongs very much to today’s Eltham, having inspired much of its creative activity and style. The use of mud-brick and recycled building materials, for which Eltham is so well-known, was largely popularised by Montsalvat. Montsalvat – unique in Victoria and probably in Australia – is registered by the National Trust and National Estate.1 Montsalvat, named after the castle of the Knights of the Holy Grail, has attracted artists and intellectuals since it was founded in 1934. For years at weekends, artists, lawyers, philosophers, politicians and others, who shared a love for what Montsalvat stood for, gathered for a meal and stimulating discussion. The focus for this gathering of talent was Justus Jörgensen, an eccentric man with vision and charisma. It was Jörgensen’s foresight that saw the creation of Montsalvat, which in 1975 was formed into a trust to benefit the Victorian people. The property was then valued at about three million dollars. It is now visited by thousands of people annually. Born in 1894 and brought up a Catholic, Jörgensen had trained as an architect. He later studied painting at the National Gallery School under artist, Frederick McCubbin, then joined the studio of artist Max Meldrum. In 1924, Jörgensen married medical student Lillian Smith, and with artist friends they travelled to Europe to study the great masters. In London Jörgensen exhibited in several major galleries. One of his still life paintings was included in the book The Art of Still Life by Herbert Furst, which featured 100 of the greatest ever still life paintings.2 In 1929, Jörgensen returned to Melbourne where Lil, now qualified, worked as an anaesthetist at St Vincent’s Hospital. They bought a small house in Brighton and Jörgensen rented a large building in Queen Street for his studio until the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria bought it in 1955. While designing and overseeing the building of a studio for his friend the famous cartoonist Percy Leason, in Lavender Park Road, Jörgensen decided to buy land for a country retreat in Eltham. So the building of Montsalvat began. Jörgensen gathered around a dozen of his friends and students from his Queen Street studio. They set to work, first at weekends then some decided to live permanently on the site. Jörgensen had seen mud-brick buildings in Spain and recognised that Eltham’s clay soil was ideal for mud-bricks and although labour intensive, it was a very cheap way of building. Jörgensen’s students and friends worked under his direction with the help of local tradesmen, including carpenter, Len Jarrold and later stone mason, Horrie Judd. In return Jörgensen would give the students a painting lesson or two. It was the Great Depression when many were out of work. Jörgensen also inspired people to give generously of money and materials. With their help Jörgensen found second-hand materials for building. Friends donated slate for roofing, discarded firebricks were used for flooring and windows and doors and a cast-iron circular staircase came from a wrecker. The students’ day started at 7am with building and domestic chores, shared equally between the sexes. The first building was used by his friends at weekends and then became a home for his wife Lil. It consisted of three rooms and an attic under a high-pitched roof. Jörgensen then built a similar structure with the same high-pitched roof as a more permanent home for his students. The two buildings were joined together with a tower and a studio for Jörgensen. While excavating for the studio a reef of yellow mud-stone was found and then used in construction. The next building was the Great Hall, to be used for dining, exhibitions and meetings and completed in 1958, after a halt during the war. Whelan the Wrecker donated the stone-framed windows from the building that housed the Victorian Insurance Co. in Collins Street, which had been demolished in the 1930s. The swimming pool was donated and cubicles were built for the students with their initials marked in tiles on each doorstep.1 One of Jörgensen’s great abilities was to recognise how to use material which harmonised. He would comb through wreckers’ yards for what he needed. Regarding his buildings as sculptural pieces, his first consideration was for the aesthetic quality of a building and only then for its functionality.2 At Montsalvat, Jörgensen found he was able to put his ideas into practice without compromise and those who worked with him had to conform to his ideas. With the Jörgensens, the colony’s original nucleus consisted of the Skipper family – Mervyn and wife Lena, daughters Helen and Sonia and son Matcham,who was to become an eminent jeweller and sculptor represented in National Gallery collections throughout Australia and in European museums.3 Other members were Arthur Munday, Lesley Sinclair, Helen Lempriere, Ian Robertson, John Smith, George Chalmers, John Busst and Sue Van der Kellan; also Jörgensen’s three sons – Max, Sebastian and Sigmund – and Saskia, Sonia Skipper and Arthur Munday’s daughter. Montsalvat went through some hard times when local gossips spread rumours of sexual shenanigans at Montsalvat. However Montsalvat also had many local supporters – especially amongst the local tradespeople. The colony was certainly unconventional – with Jörgensen’s wife Lil (and son Max) and life-time partner Helen Skipper, (mother of Sebastian and Sigmund) living at Montsalvat. Sonia Skipper says in her biography that the group were ‘very conscious of their responsibilities to each other and a desire to make their relationships work’.4 By World War Two many buildings around the Great Hall were completed. Jörgensen was a pacifist, as were most of his students. Some of the Montsalvat community enlisted while others engaged in essential services like dairy farming and market gardening for the war effort. It was then that Jörgensen constructed farm buildings. After the war many well-known personalities such as Clifton Pugh, landscape gardener Gordon Ford, and builder Alistair Knox, were drawn to Montsalvat. They learnt that building was not a ‘sacred cow’ only for professionals, but that anyone who was willing to get their hands dirty could do it. The post-war shortage of materials also encouraged builders to follow Montsalvat’s lead in reusing materials. When Jörgensen died in 1975, his influence did not – thanks largely to the vigilance of his son, Sigmund, who became its administrator. The weekend dinners have gone, but in 2008 about 14 artists still work at Montsalvat – some living there – including a couple who have been there since its early days. Under Sigmund’s direction Montsalvat further expanded its activities which included festivals, art exhibitions, concerts and weddings. Sigmund completed the Chapel, then the Long Gallery next to the pool, After the barn burnt down, he replaced it in 1999 (the builder was Hamish Knox, Alistair’s son) with a new gallery and entrance and added a restaurant. Sigmund has been careful that any new building blends in with the character of Montsalvat. In 2006 Montsalvat was restructured for its continued financial viability and with the help of Arts Victoria a new executive officer was appointed. A representative board from the wider community was established, which includes members from the former Montsalvat Trust including Sigmund Jörgensen – who is now the heritage and arts adviser to the new company Montsalvat Ltd.5 Today, visiting Montsalvat one still sees artists, students and visitors enjoying the unique and beautiful surroundings.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, eltham, great hall, montsalvat

Bogong Village was built by the SECV in 1940 for the workers of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. In 1971, 30 houses were furnished for use as holiday homes for SEC personnel throughout the State. From 1989 to 1993 the houses were restored & renovated.During the 1990s the buildings in the village had been leased to private owners. Many of them rented their houses for tourists. The Commissioner's lodge was on the other side of the Mt Beauty - Falls Creek road, above Bogong Village. Wally Baldwin ran it in the 1960's.It was destroyed by the 2003 bushfires.These papers present a history of 'the Commissioner's lodge' and Bogong Village in the 1990's. The Progress Association was an active community group in 1963/64.Papers advertising Bogong Village & the Lodge for accommodation with rates 1997/1998. Describes the alternatives, maps and cafe hours, Also, 'Jan's Recollections' and on the back of these pages a hand written list of members of the the Progress Association 1963-64 as 'per Mr A. McCullough's spiel'. In original folder and includes a pamphlet & postcard.bogong village, secv lodge, lake guy, state electricity commission of victoria., kiewa hydro electric scheme, tourism, accommodation

This old footbidge is situated close to the shack that Gordon Ford built on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg also used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, bernie's hut, birrarung, footbridge, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river

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

The first Eltham Police Station was in the small building opposite Dalton Street rented from Mr Jarrold in 1857. In 1859 a dedicated Police Residence was built at 728 Main Road. A small weatherboard Police Station was attached to the side of the residence and a blue stone cell at the rear. Also on site were stables for the police horses. The Eltham Courthouse was built in 1860 and is the oldest public building in the district. In 1959 the Victoria Police purchased a house in Pryor Street to be refurbished as the Eltham Police Station. In 1961 the Police in Eltham move into Pryor Street refurbished buildings and office. During 2001 to 2002, the Eltham Police Station was demolished and a new complex constructed on site. The original 1859 Police residence is now home to the Eltham District Historical Society.albert frederick charles glover, allan fenton, arthur eggleston dungey, bertie stanton, charles briant, charles thomas martin, clyne harold mcphan, ebenezer williamson, eltham police station, gerard joseph o'toole, graham vincent joyce, harold shields, ian william bruce, isaac newton stevens, james boxhall, james chester draper, john scully, john stanley mcgough, john stuart bateman, john thomas cone, myles archibald lyons, peter lawlor, richard roberts, robert harry chrisfield, robert llewellyn, samuel james king, samuel o'donnell, sidney frederick little, thomas maher, victoria police, william charles sargeant, james francis fitzpatrick

Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm

Photos taken by Hans Gregory who along with partner Pauline Steele, rented the original old 1860s William West Cottage situated behind the Fabbro family home. Hans was employed as a Youth officer with the Shire of Eltham at the time and was the last tennant on the property. The property was sold and in 1995 was developed for residential housing as the Riverview Park estate. Guido Quarto Fabbro was born 21 August 1891 at Treppo Grande in the far northeast of Italy, the son of Giacomo Fabbro and Anna Geruzzi. Regina Moretti was born 6 March 1893 at Treppo Grande, Italy, the daughter of Giovanni Battista Moretti and Maria Teresa Coletti. Guido and Regina married about 1917 and they had two sons, Giacomo (John c.1918) and Maurie (c.1920). In 1925 Guido Fabbro departed his homeland from Genoa, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia in June, travelling 3rd class aboard the ship, Caprera. Regina and their two boys followed a year later along with other family members arriving in Fremantle from Genoa 4 July 1926 aboard the Moncalieri. The Fabbros arrived in Eltham in 1933 and purchased a block of land from William West on the western side of Falkiner Street, extending to Ely and Porter Streets which had formerly been part of the West family orchard and dairy farm. As there was no fencing dividing the two properties, West served notice on Guido in December 1934 to bear half of the cost of £6. When payment was not forthcoming, West sued Guido in the Eltham Court in January 1935. Guido failed to appear and was not represented, and costs were ordered in West’s favour. Guido and Regina built a large Italianesque house on their property. The original 1860s cottage was relocated to the back of the block and was rented out (once to Alistair and Margot Knox). Guido also purchased land extending to the Diamond Creek on the eastern side of Falkiner Street and on the eastern side of Bell Street (opposite Eltham High School). The riparian soil was suitable for market gardening: Guido grew mainly tomatoes, but also pumpkins, cauliflowers, cabbages, peas, beans, lettuce, beetroot and zucchinis. Even the land surrounding the house was used. The produce was carted to Melbourne overnight for sale at the market. Guido died in 1970 and is buried in Eltham cemetery. Regina died 1986. She and their son John Patrick (Giacomo) Fabbro who died in 1984 are also buried at Eltham Cemetery. Guido’s son Maurie continued in his father’s footsteps until 2007, principally growing artichokes in later years. He died in 2009. The land on the eastern side of Falkiner Street now forms part of a Council reserve called “Barak Bushland”, the land on the western side having been sold off for residential subdivision. The Bell Street land is now public open space managed by Nillumbik Shire Council and called “Fabbro Fields”. There have been recent proposals to develop the site for sporting purposes or as a dog park or community garden. Provides an insight into early settler's farmhouses and farming property of the Eltham district.guido quarto fabbro, regina fabbro (nee moretti), william west, maurie fabbro, fabbro's farm, hans gregory, west family orchard, west dairy farm