Held at Mechanics HallLocal stage production misc., local identities

After the Japanese surrender in WW2 the Allies (inc Australia) occupied Japan. Australia was part of the BCOF contingent. (British Commonwealth Occupation Force) one of the man Aimee was the disarmament of the Military. Item is part of the BCOF Association Collection, refer Cat No 7625.This is a fairly modern local production (it had an internet address at the top). It has six pages, printed in black ink. Fastened with one staple.ww2, japan, ocupation

Copy black and white photograph of railway level crossing on Nepean Highway Moorabbin before excavations for the below ground rail crossing. The level crossing gates are closed and five cars are waiting, while other cars can be seen coming in the opposite direction. A woman with a child in a pram is walking along the road, and a number of men, probably construction workers, are standing behind a barricade on the right hand side of the road. Gilbey's Gin distillery is visible in the background. TCopy black and white photograph of railway level crossing on Nepean Highway Moorabbin before excavations for the below ground rail crossing. The level crossing gates are closed and five cars are waiting, while other cars can be seen coming in the opposite direction. A woman with a child in a pram is walking along the road, and a number of men, probably construction workers, are standing behind a barricade on the right hand side of the road. Gilbey's Gin distillery is visible in the background. Handwritten in blue ink on reverse: 57-465C Handwritten in red ink on reverse: 71% A red circle has been drawn around all handwritten text.moorabbin, railway station, railway crossing, suburbs, cars, local production

This photograph shows Gladys Marriott, aged 15, in the potato fields of her father's property in Moorabbin. Her cousin Graeme (centre) and younger brother Alfred (right) are with her. Moorabbin is a suburb in the City of Kingston that was originally established as a rural market gardening communityThe Marriott property in Moorabbin was adjacent to a secret wartime wireless receiving station established in March 1942 in Chesterville Road, Moorabbin. The station was established on requisitioned market garden properties, and soon housed WRAN (Women's Royal Australian Navy) personnel and up to 35 US Navy servicemen. The Navy personnel intercepted Japanese coded communications and then despatched these by motorbike messenger to Queens Road, St Kilda where the Directorate of Naval Communications and the code-breaking unit called FRUMEL (Fleet Radio Unit - Melbourne) were housed. The information intercepted by the wireless receiving station helped shape the Allied response to Japan's advances in the Pacific. Declassified defence records show that this unprepossessing station handled some of World War II's most sensitive secrets, however the local community were unaware of its significance. Gladys Marriott, working on her father's property, would regularly take the family's cows to graze in the fields adjoining the station with no concept of what the Navy personnel were doing. Black and white photograph of a young woman and two small boys standing around a wooden crate filled with potatoes. They each have potatoes in their hands. They are standing in a field. Handwritten in red ink: A 601 / 72% Handwritten in black ink: CHAP 6. Handwritten in black ink: GLADYS STOTT (MARIOTT) / DURING WAR YEARS / With Spybase Storymarket garden, children, farming, local production, world war ii, wireless receiving station, moorabbin

Series of black and white portrait type photographs of actors/actresses who played roles in local productions by the Clocktower Theatre Company. Some photographs of players during performances.Several photographs have names recorded on print.

Discusses the role of government and its failure to protect and lend support to Australia's other arts, such as the Australian television industry, and failure to encourage local production. Increase in American content appears to flout rules of the Broadcasting Control Board. Australian commercial television victim to foreign programmes, with Australian drama content continuing to decrease due to high costs and cheaper imported programs.Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 7 pages. (Two copies)broadcasting control board, australian television, australian television industry, commercial television, postmaster general, australian television programs, american television programs, robin boyd, manuscript

This item was produced by a Melbourne Tea, Coffee and Cocoa Merchant importers(1898-1960). It was a time when local production of, coffee had yet not begun. Imports from India and the Asian region had dominance in the market place. The blending of coffee with chicory was a cheaper method of providing a flavour enriched drink which was marketed as "containing not less than 55 parts per cent by weight of coffee" The coffee weighed heavier than the chicory. This was a time before strict accurate consumer information/content became mandatory and legally enforceable.This empty container of "Sunbeam" Coffee and Chicory finely ground "instant - just add boiling water" beverage was the start of the "fast" breakfast drink. The use of grinding the coffee beans and percolation to obtain the final drink was at the start of the rural sector's decreasing the time for casual drinking. The once casual countryside psyche was now (mid to late 1900's) becoming more "on the go".This cylindrical container (coffee and chicory) is constructed from pressed cardboard with both ends enclosed by tin(pressed) lid and bottom. The outside wrapping is promotional and descriptive in the colours of purple background and information label areas with purple lettering on a white and silver background. The cylinder is made from 2 mm pressed cardboard.Main label " No.1" underneath "Sunbeam" underneath "COFFEE and CHICORY" UNDERNEATH "Containing Not Less than %% Parts Per Cent By Weight of Coffee" underneath in Hand Writing" Griffiths Bros Limited", below this "TEA ,COFFEE & COCOA MERCHANTS" Below this" Mellbourne, Sydney, Adelaide" and lastly "net 1lb weight". Alternate side "The Following Well Known Economical & Flavoury Teas" underneath this "Packed Specially For The Trade" underneath "SUNBEAM & VICTORY SIGNAL COCOA" and in smaller print "Absolutely Pure, Made in Australia" underneath Equal To The Best Imported"breakfast containers, food storage, instant coffee, speed breakfasts, domestic

This bamboo fishing rod was used in the mid to late 1900's and demonstrates that local production of recreational fishing poles was at a high level and their demand was high. Imported recreational sporting goods from either the United Kingdom, the United States of America or Asia countries was due to the larger lead up times from these suppliers and the greater import costs from slower ocean supply ships. It was only after World War II that the trade influx from other countries has supplied cheaper goods. This recreational fishing pole is highly significant to the Kiewa Valley as it demonstrates that recreational fishing has been evolved from the need to supply a balanced diet by the early pioneer families of fish from the major Kiewa rivers. The ability of the Kiewa Valley rivers to provide a good fishing environment (high protein diet) for both early indigenous families and early pioneers was the important food source that provided for a balanced diet and the higher level of nutritious development of both body and mind. This two piece wooden fishing Rod is made from bamboo shafts or poles, one length thicker than the other. The smaller diameter shaft is the top end and fits into the longer thicker shaft at a stainless steel tube end.The smaller shaft has a stainless steel reinforcement ring where both shafts fit together. At the bottom end of the thick shaft is a black rubber "stopper" or "foot". There are two stainless steel rings, each with a reel holding "bulge" which allows for the the reel's "prongs" to be secured. The top ring has a greater diameter allowing it to move up and down the shaft/pole to secure the top "prong" firmly onto the shaft/pole.recreation, river, rod, fishing, industry, fish

Pictured is Irini Pappas ( Papadopoulos) in the role of 'Ismini' in the production of 'Antigone' which was performed at the University of Melbourne. The play was directed by Nikos Dimitrakopoulos, a director from Greece. Also appearing in the production were fellow Ithacans Spiro Paizis, Stathis Raftopoulos and Sophia Paizis. Irini was a well known actor in the Greek community who appeared in various television productions and local theatre productions, both Greek and English. Irini was a trailblazer. She challenged traditional views of the role and career pathways of young Australian born Greek Ithacan women of her era. Although her passion was the theatre, she undertook a varied range of occupations including teaching, counselling and vocational guidance. In her work with women of migrant background she encouraged them not be constrained by the social or cultural expectations of others.A black and white portrait photograph of a young lady.

From 1936, the Australians began to explore the feasibility of local production of steel helmets. Actual production by the Commonwealth Steel Company (in conjunction with Lysaghts) began in 1939. Made of manganese steel, it weighed about 1.1kg. Due to lack of machinery to bend manganese steel strip, the helmets were produced with a raw, but bevelled, edge. Almost two million helmet bodies were produced. Australian helmets were painted in sand textured Australian Army Khaki-Green No.3. A wide-meshed knotted net was often worn. The chin-strap was a copy of the British Mk.II. it was made with cloth covered springs and webbing.Green steel helmet with 8/7th RVR colour patch on each side

This item predates the change of Imperial measure (England -1824) to decimal measure (Europe) in Australia (1970 to 1988). This item was manufactured in England as, was the majority of measuring tool and equipment. It was not until the late 1950s that other countries e.g. United States and Europe provided the same type of manufactured tools for the Australian market. World War II, when Australia had to defend its own boarders that the political push for self sufficiency of manufactured goods started local production. Workers in the Kiewa Valley had always relied on the high quality of tools and manufactured goods coming from England. From the middle to late 1950s migration by skilled workers from a war torn Europe provided the source of manpower for the expansion of the manufacturing industries in Australia.The requirement of an accurate measuring tool has always been critical. This item was used at the time when Australia was using the British Imperial measurements. Accurate measurements by carpenters and other trades people for both town and rural needs was just as critical as for the larger cities. The transition period from Imperial to metric was a period of over four years but it still presented those who had used the Imperial measurements for a longer period in their trades with a dual system of measurement for a longer time(usually up to their retirement) Other nations still using Imperial measurements kept the transition from Imperial to metric alive (the UK and USA still uses Imperial measurements in 2012)Retractable metallic wired tape measure within a leather casing. Length of tape is 66 feet. Brass fittings on casing(winder and back plate)Tape on one side marked in inches and feet and on the other in links. Winder lever marked "66ft No 401" on front and arrow with"wind this way". Leather cover marked "John R A Bone & Sons Birmingham England" on reverse side "Metallic wired tape R A Bone & Sons"wired tape measure, tool, mobile tool, construction tool

This is a photograph of Thalia (nee Paizis) Papadopoulos (Stravolemis)and her daughter Irene who in adult life was the actor Irini Pappas. She appeared in a number of Australian TV productions as well as local Greek theatre productions. A photograph of a studio sepia photograph of a portrait view of a lady and little girl.

Two hand written pages with year dates and what took place at that time. Dates range from 1852 to 1950's. 1950's - mining stopped in Long /G. 1926 - First Teachers training College established. Taylor Horsefields Engineering works - Horsefield a genius. Pioneered local production of compressed air driven roak-drills, specialized in rock bores and drills exported them throughout the world. Harvester - for f/ter in Harvest equipment. 1856 - Anglican School opened held church as well as school. Manchester Arms, Admiral Arms both has pretentious music halls attracted large crowds. 1862 - Ironbark, Long Gully sought annexation by the Municipality of Sandhurst. 1872 - Long Gully Fire Brigade was formed. Keen rivals. 1850 - recognised Chinese camp. ? Long Gully - due to the sinking deeper and the rewards generally richer, became the heart of 'Little Cornwall' - Cornish people. * Tent Church services held in 1862. Long Gully Mine opened April 1852. On the back of the first page is written - Mines - Reefs. mines mentioned are New Chum Hill, the New Chum and Victoria, The Victoria HIll Ironbark, The North Old Chum, Lansell's Big 180, Ballerstadt's Open-Cut, and the Victoria Quartz Mine.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - 1852 to 1950's, first teachers training college, taylor horsefields engineering works, anglican school, manchester arms, admiral arms, municipality of sandhurst, long gully fire brigade, chinese camp, little cornwell, long gully mine

First published in 2022, the Bundoora Chronicle was distributed to Mill Park, Watsonia North, Greensborough, Yallambie, Watsonia, Macleod, Kingsbury. During the pandemic in 2020, most local papers ceased production. Unfortunately, although named the Bundoora Chronicle, this newspaper holds no local news and is more an advertising feature for greater Melbourne.Newspaper, 20 pages. Black text, colour and black and white images. 2 copiesnewspapers - melbourne, local newspapers

This is a 1968 newsletter of the City of Warrnambool Theatre Group. It gives information on the forthcoming Summer School of Drama held in Melbourne, the group’s Dinner Dance, a play reading of the play, ‘J.B.’ and the group’s next production, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. The secretary of the group at the time was Ian Hill. Warrnambool has had a great number of community drama societies and groups since the 1860s and the City of Warrnambool Theatre Group has been putting on local stage productions since 1948. Two prominent members of the group were Cyril and Joyce Hayward. Today the group is called the Warrnambool Theatre Company. This newsletter is of interest as an example of an early newsletter from a prominent and important amateur theatre group in Warrnambool. These are two sheets of foolscap paper folded in three places for postage purposes. One page has the postal address of the recipient, two pages have black typing and one page is blank. The front page with the address has a red stamp and postal franking. Originally the two sheets were stapled together but the staples have been removed. The pages have yellowed with age.‘Mrs D. Dixon P.B. 11 Warrnambool 3280’amateur theatre groups in warrnambool, city of warrnambool theatre group

Hematite is an iron ore significant for its high iron content (70%) and as being one of the two main iron oxide minerals, the other being magnetite. Hematite has a rating of 5-6 on the Moh's hardness scale and is often found as an accessory mineral in many igneous rocks. (an accessory mineral being "any mineral in an igneous rock not essential to the naming of the rock" - Britannica) Hematite has historically been the mainstay of South Australia’s iron ore production. (Magnetite: South Australia’s potential) Making up the eastern section of the Gawler Rangers, the Middleback Range is a mountain range on the eastern side of Eyre Peninsula in South Australia that has been a source of iron ore (its main commodity in minerals) for over a century. (see https://www.mindat.org/loc-22576.html). "Large reserves of high-grade iron ore were identified in 1890 in the Middleback Range, west of Whyalla. From 1915 these ores were shipped to Newcastle and later to Port Kembla, both in New South Wales. Local production of pig iron began when the first blast furnace was opened at Whyalla in 1941, and construction of an integrated iron and steel plant began there in 1958." (Britannica, South Australia: Resources and power). This area is home to 24 mines/mineral deposits (according to mindat.org, thought the Sarig Map provided by SA gov on their Energy and Mining website indicates significantly more mining leases).This mineral specimen was collected from the Middleback Ranges before the area was identified as holding large reserves of iron ore and being commercially mined and is representative of South Australia's significant and ongoing history of iron ore mining, and its contribution to Australia's steel manufacturing industry of the early 20th century (this specimen being collected in the prelude to these events).A small ferric oxide mineral composition a mid-blue-grey in colour with specks of rust-brown throughout.HEMATITE / (iron oxide) / Locality: Middleback Ranges, S. Aust.middleback ranges, iron ore mining, mining, south australia

BHS CollectionJohn Brown Fashion News Letter Vol 1, No 2.: A paper newsletter on a white back ground printed in black and tan colour box at the top, 20 x 5.2cm with fashion repeated three times filling the area on the right side. A stylized figure appears on the left hand side with its left leg pointed upwards. Underneath is Vol 1, No.2, Published by John Brown Industries Ltd. 110 Trennery Crescent Abbotsford, Vic. 3067. April 1968, (underlined). Page 1. The article is headed *Admiral Club Afloat* which is a new trade name for knit shirts, that has 300 colours and style combinations. Tricel is a new fibre introduced for the first time in Australia. On the right hand side is a black and white photo of two men wearing Tetoron and Polycott in a contemporary design wearing Bermuda shorts standing on a boat. On the left of the photo is a girl in a bikini top. On page 2 is a report on the increase on imports of knitted garments against local production. Also an article on quality control in Bendigo and a photo showing Mr Frank Harris viewing a fabric through an industrial magnifying glass. Page 3 shows knitwear from *The Admiral Club Range* Second item on page 2 is of The successful Kyneton Mill being established in 1921 bringing employment from the extended district. A photo of an original employee Mr Jim Roberts is at the bottom. Last page is an article top left side is The Welmar Men's Dress Shirt proved very popular and sold out before Christmas. Under that is a photo of the busy pressing room in Bendigo. Bottom left : *Sales Network Expanded* an article on sales covering Brisbane and a new office in Townsville. Top right is an article about Anne Hine an employee of John Brown, runner up of the Miss Victoria Quest enjoying herself in Queensland on the Gold Coast which was part of her prize. A photo of Anne with a dolphin is included. Other topics include *Ten pin Bowling trophy to Victoria* and New President announced*, Mrs Molly Lapsley Retires. Box 116AAssociated World Public Relations Pty Ltd. Printed by Aldine Press.bendigo, industry, john brown knitting mills, john brown industries. mr frank harris. mr jim roberts. michael robinson. welmar plant bendigo. norma gardner. mrs molly lapsley

20th Eltham Community Festival and last under the auspices of the Shire of Eltham. The Grand Parade focussing on the theme "Echoes of Eltham - Celebrating the visions of Eltrham from the past and into the future" was headed by Jock Read on his horse Lofty who had been filmed in an Anzac Day Parade on an earlier horse which had featured in the television show Matlock. The parade travelled north along Main Street to just past the Post Office then back south to Panther Place. Parade participants included 1st Eltham Brownies, 1st Eltham Venturers, 2nd Eltham Sea Scouts, 2nd Eltham Venturers, 3rd Eltham Brownies, Australian Democrats, Briar Hill Primary School, Circus Chaos, Country Fire Authority, Diamond Valley People for Disarmament, Diamond Valley Railway, Eltham Community Health Centre, Eltham District Horse and Pony Club, Eltham East Primary School, Eltham Fire Brigade, Eltham Junior Football Club (Panthers), Eltham Little Theatre, Eltham North Primary School, Eltham Playhouse Co-op, Eltham Pre-school, Eltham Roller Skating Club, Eltham South Pre-School Centre, Eltham Steam and Stationary Engine Society, Greenhills Neighbourhood House, Heidelberg Municipal Band, Hurstbridge Learning Co-op, Jocklebeary Farm, Kangaroo Ground Primary School, Learning Co-op Primary School, Lower Plenty Primary School, Main Road, Montmorency Gardening Club, Montmorency South Primary School, North Warrandyte Fire Brigade, Plenty Valley 88.6 FM, Research Pre-school, Research Primary School, Ron Sampson, Salvation Army Band (Briar Hill), Sherbourne Primary School, Shire of Eltham, State Emergency Service (Eltham) and Woodridge Pre-school. The parade commentary was provided by Plenty Valley FM 88.6 with guest commentator, Shire President Cr. John Graves. Following the parade is video footage from a helicopter of Alistair Knox Park, displays along Main Road and activities in Alistair Knox Park and the Rugby oval along with stationary engines, helicopter joyrides, Eltham People's Choir, music entertainment. Scenes also from the Diamond Valley Railway at Eltham Lower Park and finishing with the fireworks display. At the end of the video is a promotional video for Dynavision Video Production, a local video production company that produced the video and Diamond Photos (Kodak Express). One of the highlights of the festival was a tree planting ceremony in Alistair Knox Park to celebrate 123 years of the Shire of Eltham led by Shire President Cr. John Graves and representatives of the Wurrundjeri, traditional land owners of the area.VHS Video cassette (poor quality) Converted to MP4 file format 45:01, 535MB DVD copy of VHS cassette (better quality)1st eltham brownies, 1st eltham venturers, 2nd eltham sea scouts, 2nd eltham venturers, 3rd eltham brownies, 1994, aerial photographs, alistair knox park, arthur street, australian democrats, briar hill primary school, circus chaos, country fire authority, diamond valley people for disarmament, diamond valley railway, eltham community health centre, eltham district horse and pony club, eltham east primary school, eltham festival, eltham fire brigade, eltham junior football club (panthers), eltham little theatre, eltham lower park, eltham north primary school, eltham people's choir, eltham playhouse co-op, eltham pre-school, eltham roller skating club, eltham south pre-school centre, eltham steam and stationary engine society, grand parade, greenhills neighbourhood house, heidelberg municipal band, hurstbridge learning co-op, jock read, jocklebeary farm, john graves, kangaroo ground primary school, learning co-op primary school, lofty (horse), lower plenty primary school, main road, matlock police (tv show), montmorency gardening club, montmorency south primary school, nicholaus lauder estate, north warrandyte fire brigade, plenty valley 88.6 fm, research pre-school, research primary school, ron sampson, salvation army band (briar hill), sherbourne primary school, shire of eltham, state emergency service (eltham), video recording, woodridge pre-school

Saw Bench - New Record Saw Bench Timber framed with steel wheels, belt driven saw blade powered by a Rosbery internal combustion engine. The Rosebery Engine No C28437 R.P.M 800 H.P. 6 Manufactured By Westinghouse Rosebery Pty.Ltd. Sydney Rosebery Engine Works Ltd began as the engine and pump manufacturing division of Buzacott & Company, and in 1923 became an incorporated company. In 1935, Westinghouse gave Rosebery Engine Works the right to manufacture and sell nearly all Westinghouse products. The name of the company then changed to Westinghouse Rosebery Ltd From the late nineteenth century, petrol engines gradually supplanted steam engines for running a wide range of machines, and in turn petrol engines were largely supplanted by electric motors. The Champion was a successful small petrol engine made by the large Sydney company, Westinghouse Rosebery, based on the American-designed Fuller and Johnson engine. With hopper cooling and a fuel tank between the skids, and weighing only 240 pounds (109 kg), it was easy to mount on wheeled transport, making the Champion a self-contained mobile source of power. Engines of this type were used in rural areas for driving chaff cutters, small saw benches, pumps and orchard sprayers. These engines were also commonly used in both rural and urban areas for powering concrete mixers. Both Westinghouse Rosebery in NSW and Toowoomba Foundry in Queensland made these engines in large quantities, beginning in the 1920s when tariff protection made local manufacturing viable. The production of small petrol engines continued in Australia until the 1970s, when reduced tariff protection led to increased competition from cheaper imported engines. Historic - Industrial Timber working - belt driven saw blade powered by a Rosbery internal combustion engine. Timber framed with steel wheels, belt driven saw blade powered by a Rosbery internal combustion engine. The Rosebery Engine No c28437 R.P.M 800 H.P. 6 Manufactured By Westinghouse Rosebery Pty.ltd. Sydneysaw bench, puffing billy, new record, internal combustioin, westinghouse rosebery pty.ltd., rosebery pty, internal combustion engine.

Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacement with a new steel bridge. Heritage advice obtained by Nillumbik Shire Council, following a suggestion by the Eltham District Historical Society (EDHS), is that the original bridge appears to have been a simplified version of the Country Roads Board’s (CRB) standard timber bridge design of the early-to-mid 1920s. In c1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with three recycled steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. During these alterations many parts of the bridge were removed, and some were replaced. Heritage advice indicates the condition of Murray’s bridge is poor. The remaining original parts are all in poor condition, with severe weathering, splitting and rot, especially to the stringers retained on the bridge. Heritage advice is that Murray’s Bridge does not have sufficient significance in the cultural history of the Nillumbik area to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay and also does not have sufficient significance as a rare survivor to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay. There are no indications in the historical record that this site was individually important to the cultural history of this area. EDHS is comfortable with the heritage advice provided to Council and has worked closely on this project with Council. EDHS has suggested some of the removed timbers be used in the vicinity of the bridge for landscaping and possibly seating, so as to retain these remnants close to the site of the original bridge, which is the last old timber bridge along the lower reaches of the Diamond Creek. Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. * * * A theory posted on local community Facebook groups was that the bridge was built in the 1860s and was built to be more robust than was necessary for the movement of cows from one side of the creek to the other. It was suggested the robustness was necessary to support the weight of gold ore being transferred from a mine on Murray’s land to a railway siding near Murrays Bridge (presumably for transfer and processing at Diamond Creek). Perhaps this may have been one of the motivators for Murray, who really knows? Knowing when mining operations ceased on his land and how that fits the overall timeline would be useful but at the time the bridge was built, local gold production was minimal at best. The known facts are: • The railway line came to Eltham in 1902. • The extension of the railway from Eltham to Hurstbridge was constructed in 1912 so no railway line even existed through Murray's property until 1912 and the Victorian Railways maps at the time show no such siding on Murray’s property. • In 1923 a new company was formed in anticipation of the old Diamond Creek Gold Mine being re-opened. The mine had been previously closed and flooded. It was noted in the press at the time that the mine was within a mile of the railway. Nothing really came of this. • Construction of Murrays Bridge was commenced by James Murray in early 1929 in anticipation of a proposed flag station being nominated on his land, but work ceased shortly afterwards. The proposed flag station was commonly referred to as Glen Park as the residents of the Glen Park Estate wanted Option 1, located near them with the platform adjacent to Colemans corner. This was probably never going to fly as it was virtually in eyesight of Eltham station. Allandale Road was the third option, but the Commissioners' preferred option was No. 2 - on Murray's property. • The Railway Commissioners were not going to finance any such station and the works had to be funded by private landowners and residents, hence Murray investing in this himself. • Murray recommenced work two years later and finished his bridge in 1931 but unfortunately for him, the proposed flag station never eventuated. The bluestone siding you reference may well have been built by Murray as part of the proposed station platform. • Up until then, apart from the Main Road bridge, which was washed away in 1924, virtually all local crossings over the Diamond Creek were low lying bridges – Kaylocks Bridge at Brougham Street, Diamond Street bridge, Glen Park Road bridge. It is expected that Murray also had a low-lying bridge to connect his land either side of the creek. These were all washed away or severely damaged multiple times in the 1920s. Lessons were learnt, and Murrays Bridge appears to have been built in accordance with Country Road Board standards of the time. Flood damage was ongoing, and even more recently constructed raised bridges kept getting washed away, e.g., the new Wattle Tree Road bridge in 1958 just months after completion. Murray’s bridge was reinforced with steel some 30 years ago presumably to provide additional floodwater resistance, given the history of bridges disappearing in floodwaters. • In March 1932 it was reported in the Advertiser that there were still some prospectors operating around Eltham North who apart from further scarring the face of the earth over the previous two years had gained significant experience but little gold - hardly a driving factor for constructing a dedicated railway siding and bridge to transfer gold ore. It is far more probable that James Murray was hoping to have the railway station located on his property and invested his money by building the bridge to lead to it as well as a station platform. Had the station eventuated, it may well have driven up the value of his land for subdivision and new housing estates like the Glen Park Estate. That did not eventuate. Whilst the bridge was indeed old (90 years), the core structure being completed in 1931, it had been modified substantially from original and hence had no significant historic value – i.e., it was not a representative example of its type, construction, and age. Given that the bridge was not worthy of saving, the Eltham District Historical Society with Council’s support, and the Eltham Woodworkers group endeavoured to see what suitable sized timbers were salvageable to fabricate a commemorative seat. Unfortunately, the experts at the Woodworkers group were unable to salvage any suitable length/width timbers to fabricate the seat due to the presence of rot. Last remaining wooden trestle bridge on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacementBorn digital image (27)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

This was used by Bonang Timbers at Waygara.Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years. Many Orbost men were employed at the Waygara mills.The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and many of the mills have closed. This item reflects a time when that industry was a significant contributor to the economy of the district.A lever arch folder containing records of timber production at Waygara Mill. Cover is a dark grey mottled cardboard.timber-industry-east-gippsland bonang-timbers