This work is a plaster maquette of a large bronze statue of politician and land speculator Sir Thomas Bent by Margaret Baskerville that is located on the corner of Bay Street and Nepean Highway, Brighton.Margaret Baskerville, Sir Thomas Bent c.1911, patinated plaster, 55 x 49 x 49 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Donated by Charles Douglas Richardson, 1931.patinated plaster thomas bent, politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, land speculator, speaker, local government, councillor, member of lower house, portrait

When Thomas Bent, politician and land speculator, was appointed Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1892, a number of local Brighton constituents and supporters raised money to present him with an oil portrait. Bent had been a member for Brighton for 21 years, and the painting was seen as a way of showing their appreciation of his services to the Brighton constituency, as well as congratulating him to his new position as Speaker. In June 1892, British/Australian landscape and portrait artist Charles E. Gordon-Frazer was given the commission to paint the portrait. Thomas Bent is depicted as standing in his Speaker's robe on the dais beneath the canopy in the Legislative Assembly Chamber in the act of addressing the House. He wears the traditional Speaker’s dress of a black silk and gold laced robe over a three-piece black suit, lace jabot and cuffs, buckled shoes and a ceremonial long wig. The top of the gold parliamentary mace sits on the right of the work near the frame's edge.sir thomas bent, thomas bent, speaker, mayor, premier, brighton, moorabbin, land speculator, local government, councillor, official, member of lower house, portrait, parliament, ceremonial robes, legislative assembly, jabot, wig, mace

Arguably Margaret Baskerville’s most famous work, the bronze statue of politician and land speculator Sir Thomas Bent was Baskerville’s first public commission and a significant turning point in her career. Originally located in the centre of the Nepean Highway, in Brighton, it became somewhat of signpost for many Melbournians until it was relocated to the corner of Bay Street in 1980.The statue of Sir Thomas Bent is of historic and social significance to the State of Victoria. The statue is historically significant for commemorating Bent's long, active and infamous political career in Victoria. He was responsible for many important speculative ventures both within his electorate and in the wider context of Victoria. Although not without thought for personal gain, Bent was a committed advocate of public utilities, railways, roads, tramways and gasworks. The statue is historically significant as the first large public commission given to a woman sculptor in Victoria. This work helped the sculptor, Margaret Baskerville, preserve her name as Victoria's first professional woman sculptor. The statue is socially significant as testimony to the late nineteenth century land boom and the financial and political corruption and scandals that accompanied it. https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/12614bronze and granite thomas bent, politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, speaker, member of parliament, member of lower house, local government, councillor, brighton, public art, bayside

The fountain was commissioned by Elizabeth Bleazby, daughter of Sir Thomas and Mrs Bent, and unveiled 27 October 1913 by Mrs Wilson, Mayoress of Brighton.The fountain is of historical interest and aesthetic significance. The memorial is a good example of the smaller commemorative work of sculptor Margaret Baskerville. The memorial commemorates the wife of notable local resident, Sir Thomas Bent, who was a long-standing parliamentary representative, Mayor of Brighton and Premier of Victoria from 1904-1909.bronze and granite thomas bent, politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, speaker, member of parliament, member of lower house, local government, councillor, brighton, public art, bayside, mrs bent, memorial, fountain, drinking fountain, cherubs, elizabeth bleazby

politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, speaker, member of parliament, member of lower house, local government, councillor, brighton, public art, bayside, thomas bent, unveiling, ceremony, mayoress, sculptor, councillor wilson, crowd, 1913, nepean highway, mrs bent, elizabeth bleazby, fountain, memorial

sir thomas bent, mayor, politician, brighton, speaker, premier, land speculator, local government, councillor, member of lower house, portrait, wig, jabot, government, photograph

sir thomas bent, thomas bent, speaker, mayor, premier, brighton, moorabbin, land speculator, local government, councillor, official, member of lower house, portrait, parliament

Artist unknown, Sir Thomas Bent 1909, oil on canvas, 29.5 x 24.5 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection.sir thomas bent, mayor, policitian, portrait, brighton, speaker, premier, councillor, land speculator, local government, member of lower house, mayor of brighton, premier of victoria

thomas bent, politician, mayor, premier, land speculator, speaker, local government, councillor, member of lower house, portrait, brighton, moorabbin, mayoral robes, mayor of brighton, premier of victoria

politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, speaker, member of parliament, member of lower house, local government, councillor, brighton, public art, bayside, thomas bent, unveiling, ceremony, mayoress, sculptor, councillor wilson, crowd, 1913, nepean highway, mrs bent, elizabeth bleazby, fountain, memorial, john madden, lieutenant governor

Gwendoline (Gwenda) Grace Watson Davies, only daughter of Mr. William Watson Davies and Mrs. Grace Davies (nee Hayes) of Arthur Street, Eltham was born in Newport, 18 February 1908. Gwenda grew up in Arthur Street and when she left school she was employed as an officer at the State Bank of Victoria, Chief Accountants Department, Head Office, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. During 1933-1934 in her early to mid-twenties, Gwenda wrote a series of poems which were captured in three books: one a leather bound three-ring binder with personalised gold embossing on the cover and two paper booklets held together by pink ribbon. These poems are a reflection of her childhood days, home, her mother, her environment, pioneering days and other miscellaneous subjects including one example titled “EIGHTEEN YEARS TO-DAY”, an homage to the brave men of Gallipoli. On October 20, 1937 after ten years of service, Gwenda submitted her letter of resignation effective November 26th as she was to be married in the near future to Fred Jones. Frederick Geoffrey Jones, born 7 January 1911, third son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Jones of Napoleon Street, Eltham, married Gwenda at the Eltham Methodist Church on 27 November 1937. They made their home at ‘Llangollen’, Arthur Street, Eltham, a new house Fred had constructed earlier that year opposite the Shire Offices. Their residence was recorded in the Electoral Rolls from 1963-1980 as 6 Arthur Street, Eltham which was situated on the corner of Arthur Street and present-day Commercial Place. In the 1970s their home was sold and demolished to make way for the new shops. They built a new home at the top of the hill in Bible Street. In the Electoral Rolls for 1943-1980, Frederick’s occupation was recorded as a Plumber’s Assistant. Fred was also a long-standing member of the Eltham Cemetery Trust. He was first appointed 26 April 1944 and resigned 17 July 1957 to be appointed to the Warringal and Eltham Joint Trust where he served till February 1980. He then re-joined the Eltham Cemetery Trust and served a further 14 years till his resignation on 24 August 1994. In total, Fred represented the interests of Eltham Cemetery for 50 years (1944-1994). Gwenda and Fred were blessed with a son, Frederick William Jones in March 1942. Sadly, Frederick only lived two days and was buried at Eltham Cemetery on March 11. It is not known whether his grave is marked. A second son, Geoffrey Morris Jones arrived 25 November 1944 but he sadly contracted polio as a child. A fall down the front steps of Fred and Gwenda’s new home in Bible Street culminated in Geoff’s death from a heart attack whilst in transit to the Austin Hospital on February 6, 1979, at age 34. He was also interred in the Eltham Cemetery. Geoff was posthumously awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to fire safety at the CFA. A small man, handicapped from his childhood polio, he had figured prominently in the area as an active Apex member and as group officer for the 13 local brigades in the CFA Lower Yarra Group. His work for the CFA, all voluntary, included writing a fire-fighting manual and the innovation of aerial fire spotting and weekly fire reports. Gwendoline and Fred were presented with Geoff’s B.EM. award at Government House. Four years later on the anniversary of Geoff’s death, Gwenda could not sleep and collapsed in the hallway at home from a heart attack, 6 February 1983 at age 74. She was interred with her son Geoff, at Eltham Cemetery on February 9th. Fred died 31 July 1997 at age 86 and was also interred at Eltham Cemetery. A memorial plaque to Gwenda, Fred and Geoff lies within the lawn cemetery at Eltham Cemetery. In February 2022 Gwenda’s book of Poems along with a copy of her letter of resignation from the State Bank of Victoria and a news clipping about the Autumn Show held in the Public Hall at Eltham (opposite her home with Fred) in which Gwenda is listed as having entered Cream Puffs and a Swiss Roll into the Cooking section, were donated to the St Vincent’s de Paul Society in Bega, N.S.W.. A dedicated volunteer there researched their origins and desirous for these items to return ‘home’, posted them to the Eltham District Historical Society for which we are most appreciative. EIGHTEEN YEARS TO-DAY “Tell me why you’re dreaming, Daddy” Said my little son to me, So, I told him all about it, As he sat upon my knee. I told him of that Sunday morn, ‘Twas eighteen years to-day, When the men of Australasia, Joined the mighty fray. How they landed on that foreign shore, And fought the gallant fight, Of how they nobly won the day, And put the Turks to flight. We saw the cliffs before us, To be scaled ‘mid shot and shell, And our comrades fell around us - - - - I remember it - - - so well. There are some who’ll sleep forever, On a hill that’s called Lone Pine, And the twenty-fifth of April, Is famous for all time. And so to keep their memory green, We march each Anzac Day, To pay tribute to those Heroes, Who gave their lives that day. - Anzac Day 1933 And in reflections to Gwenda’s childhood home in Arthur Street: HOME Where do my thoughts ever wander? Where do my thoughts always roam? To a little old house, on the top of a hill, To the place, that I call “Home Sweet Home.” No matter where-ever I travel, On land, or away on the foam. My thoughts will return, and my heart ever yearn, To the place, that I call “Home Sweet Home”. - 2/7/1933 Sources: Book of Poems, G. Davies Letter of Resignation, 1937, Oct. 20, G.G.W. Davies Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria New House at Eltham (1937, September 10). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 – 1939), p. 6. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56845735 Family Notices (1937, December 17). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 – 1939), p. 3. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56846386 Geoff Jones, Proud Memory, unknown newspaper clipping, 1979 1979 Birthday Honours, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_Birthday_Honours Australian Electoral Rolls, Ancestry.com Family Trees, Ancestry.com Eltham Cemetery, Deceased Search findagrave.com Personal recollections, Joan Castledine The poetry by Gwendoline Davies provides an insight into life growing up in Eltham and the early 1930s. A long time resident, Gwendoline, her husband Fred Jones and son Geoff Jones were fully dedicated to the Eltham community for over 50 years.1. Brown leather bound three-ring binder with personalised gold embossing on the cover 20.5 x 14.5 cm, Walkers Loose Leaf Book, pages typed with some pasted in colour illustrations, alphabeticised dividers (some tabs missing), 21 leafs (some blank) 2. Two paper booklets held together by pink ribbon 15.5 x 12 cm, typed, some with colour illustrations, pages numbered (rh only) 12 pages and 25 pages and paper cover 3. Newspaper clipping 4. Letter sized hand written page in ink folded in three and damaged by foxing and insectsanzac day, arthur street, napoleon street, cfa, eltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, frederick geoffrey jones, geoffrey morris jones b.e.m., grace davies (nee hayes), gwendoline grace watson jones (nee davies), llangollen, lower yarra group, poems, william watson davies

Fred, Gwenda and Geoff Jones Contents 1. Proud memory; Geoff Jones, Diamond Valley News, 21 Nov 1979 2. Sudden death of 'much loved man', Diamond Valley News, 13 Feb 1979 3. Honor for a community friend, Diamond Valley News, 8 March 1995 (On reverse, 'Diverse program to entice riders' about St Andrews Saddle Club and fgeatures a photo of Debbie Jones) Gwendoline (Gwenda) Grace Watson Davies, only daughter of Mr. William Watson Davies and Mrs. Grace Davies (nee Hayes) of Arthur Street, Eltham was born in Newport, 18 February 1908. Gwenda grew up in Arthur Street and when she left school she was employed as an officer at the State Bank of Victoria, Chief Accountants Department, Head Office, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. On October 20, 1937 after ten years of service, Gwenda submitted her letter of resignation effective November 26th as she was to be married in the near future to Fred Jones. Frederick Geoffrey Jones, born 7 January 1911, third son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Jones of Napoleon Street, Eltham, married Gwenda at the Eltham Methodist Church on 27 November 1937. They made their home at ‘Llangollen’, Arthur Street, Eltham, a new house Fred had constructed earlier that year opposite the Shire Offices. Their residence was recorded in the Electoral Rolls from 1963-1980 as 6 Arthur Street, Eltham which was situated on the corner of Arthur Street and present-day Commercial Place. In the 1970s their home was sold and demolished to make way for the new shops. They built a new home at the top of the hill in Bible Street. In the Electoral Rolls for 1943-1980, Frederick’s occupation was recorded as a Plumber’s Assistant. Fred was also a long-standing member of the Eltham Cemetery Trust. He was first appointed 26 April 1944 and resigned 17 July 1957 to be appointed to the Warringal and Eltham Joint Trust where he served till February 1980. He then re-joined the Eltham Cemetery Trust and served a further 14 years till his resignation on 24 August 1994. In total, Fred represented the interests of Eltham Cemetery for 50 years (1944-1994). Gwenda and Fred were blessed with a son, Frederick William Jones in March 1942. Sadly, Frederick only lived two days and was buried at Eltham Cemetery on March 11. It is not known whether his grave is marked. A second son, Geoffrey Morris Jones arrived 25 November 1944 but he sadly contracted polio as a child. A fall down the front steps of Fred and Gwenda’s new home in Bible Street culminated in Geoff’s death from a heart attack whilst in transit to the Austin Hospital on February 6, 1979, at age 34. He was also interred in the Eltham Cemetery. Geoff was posthumously awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to fire safety at the CFA. A small man, handicapped from his childhood polio, he had figured prominently in the area as an active Apex member and as group officer for the 13 local brigades in the CFA Lower Yarra Group. His work for the CFA, all voluntary, included writing a fire-fighting manual and the innovation of aerial fire spotting and weekly fire reports. Gwendoline and Fred were presented with Geoff’s B.EM. award at Government House. Four years later on the anniversary of Geoff’s death, Gwenda could not sleep and collapsed in the hallway at home from a heart attack, 6 February 1983 at age 74. She was interred with her son Geoff, at Eltham Cemetery on February 9th. Fred died 31 July 1997 at age 86 and was also interred at Eltham Cemetery. A memorial plaque to Gwenda, Fred and Geoff lies within the lawn cemetery at Eltham Cemetery.Newsprint clippingscfa, eltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, frederick geoffrey jones, geoffrey morris jones b.e.m., gwendoline grace watson jones (nee davies), lower yarra group, debbie jones, st andrews saddle club

Black and white photograph. In foreground, roof and chimneys. Row of 3 small weatherboard houses with verandah, picket fences. 1 small and 1 larger building behind. Lake or dam with small island centre, stone brick wall with lookout tower at corner ( Bendigo gaol ) at right centre distanc,e large building. Benevolent Asylum. Many other buildings in distance. James Lerk 11.2.2000 ' view from the Corporate High School, Benevolent Asylum in centre' Unknown BHS member 5.11.1999 ' lower dam ( site of present tennis courts, Park Road, pumped out C 1926' Written on back of photo 'Bendigo Victoria 1860's, Sandhurst North view 100 miles north from Melbourne. C. Nettleton, Victorian Views'C. Nettleton ?place, landscape view, bendigo

Thomas Crouch Watts was born on March 7th. 1865, to Joseph and Susan Watts. Before the real estate business commenced, Thomas and his brother were in partnership as booksellers and stationers in a shop at View Point. Thomas lived in a fine house in Rowan Street, which was called 'Ottawa' Thomas started his real estate business in the early 1900s in a shop in View Street. His daughter Edna was the book keeper and typist, Stewart Watson was the salesman and Stanley Phipps (Edith Lunn's father) was the property manager and valuer. When Thomas Watts died in 1914, his daughter took over the running of the business. She married Stewart Watson in 1918. Eventually the name of the business was changed to Bishop and Earl. From a letter from Edith Lunn re T.C. Watts & Son. 'The firm of T.C. Watts & Son later became Bishop and Earl. When the firm of Bishop and Earl ceased to operate after the death of Edith Lunn's father, S.P. Bishop, Miss. June Parry, Secretary of the BHS was a member of staff. June rescued all the photos of properties listed for sale from the office and placed them into the custody of the BHS.' Black and white original photographs (2) mounted on grey board house, weatherboard, bull nose veranda, picket fence, cast iron lace on verandah, three chimneys, central door, one window each side of door. Front of house, top section, painted white. Written on back of photo board (a) ' Mr. B. Murdoch, 320 Barnard Street Bendigo, £900 sewered' On back of (b) L. Simmonds, 239 Barnard St. £620' ( Address does not match with photo (a)) Date stamp 9 Dec 1927' 2012 photo of house attached to record. Faint printing in white in lower right corner ''Frank A. Jeffree Photo Bendigo'' Handprinted top R ''MP8''place, building, residential

Built circa 1930s this timber house has 6 rooms and fronts Poulter Avenue Greensborough. It was for sale in 2015 and photographs were taken by a GHS member.These older home sites are being redeveloped and photos give some idea of how Greensborough looked in the early 20th century.Digital copy of colour photograph of advertising.Description of house for sale.poulter avenue

Built circa 1930s this timber house has 6 rooms and fronts Poulter Avenue Greensborough. It was for sale in 2015 and photographs were taken by a GHS member.These older home sites are being redeveloped and photos give some idea of how Greensborough looked in the early 20th century.Digital copy of colour photograph.poulter avenue

Built circa 1930s this timber house has 6 rooms and fronts Poulter Avenue Greensborough. It was for sale in 2015 and photographs were taken by a GHS member.These older home sites are being redeveloped and photos give some idea of how Greensborough looked in the early 20th century.Digital copy of colour photograph.

GHS member June Hall is photographed with 2 paintings by her late husband Doug Hall. June donated these paintings to the Greensborough Historical Society. One of the paintings if of Oldstead Farm house that was sited at Oldstead Road Greensborough..Paintings are of the local area.Digital copy of colour photographsgreensborough historical society, june hall nee evans, doug hall

With the centenary of World War 1, members of the Greensborough Historical Society researched the local lads who signed up to serve in the Great War. We have included Nurses from the area and those who served at Mont Park. The Greensborough and district soldiers listed in the World War I Project all had a connection with the area. Names have been taken from the Fallen Soldier’s Memorial, Greensborough Primary School Honour Board, the Greensborough District Honour Board housed at the RSL and by searching through Australian War Memorial and National Archives of Australia records. Some of our soldiers settled in and made great contributions to life in Greensborough after the War. Articles are also available on the GHS website. Descendants or relatives with further information are urged to contact the Society. Family stories and photographs would be appreciated. Suggestions for additions to the list are most welcome. Red plastic binder containing over 150 articles, printed text and images. Each article is filed in plastic pocket.world war 1 project, greensborough historical society

Built circa 1930s this timber house has 6 rooms and fronts Poulter Avenue Greensborough. It was for sale in 2015 and photographs were taken by a GHS member.These older home sites are being redeveloped and photos give some idea of how Greensborough looked in the early 20th century.Digital copy of colour photograph.

Built circa 1930s this timber house has 6 rooms and fronts Poulter Avenue Greensborough. It was for sale in 2015 and photographs were taken by a GHS member.These older home sites are being redeveloped and photos give some idea of how Greensborough looked in the early 20th century.Digital copy of colour photograph.

Built circa 1930s this timber house has 6 rooms and fronts Poulter Avenue Greensborough. It was for sale in 2015 and photographs were taken by a GHS member.These older home sites are being redeveloped and photos give some idea of how Greensborough looked in the early 20th century.Digital copy of colour photograph.

Built circa 1930s this timber house has 6 rooms and fronts Poulter Avenue Greensborough. It was for sale in 2015 and photographs were taken by a GHS member.These older home sites are being redeveloped and photos give some idea of how Greensborough looked in the early 20th century.Links: 01339.01377.01406.01483.01488.01527.01653 Digital copy of colour photograph.

Built circa 1930s this timber house has 6 rooms and fronts Poulter Avenue Greensborough. It was for sale in 2015 and photographs were taken by a GHS member.These older home sites are being redeveloped and photos give some idea of how Greensborough looked in the early 20th century.Digital copy of colour photograph.

The House Magazine, Souvenir Edition, New Parliament House Opened May 9 1988. This magazine is published for senators and members of the House of Representatives. This edition contains information on the politicians who influenced the design and development of new Parliament House.59 pages , illustrations. (some colour)australia. parliament, australia. parliament house

Photographs from Watsonia Neighbourhood House 2005 taken by Rosie Bray. Photo 1: Teacher Harry Plant and original member 'Nan' in computer group Watsonia Neighbourhood House; photo 2: Watsonia Neighbourhood House computer group. Teacher Harry Plant in foreground.2 colour photographs Captions on back of each photo.watsonia neighbourhood house, computer group, computer studies, harry plant

Information and photographs about bee keepers in Greensborough. Shows the Mitchell house, Will, Prudence and Maria Partington, one unnamed male and bee hives. A Mr Coghill was the bee keeper.This photograph and text was copied from a Facebook site. Members are people who lived in the Greensborough area and share their reminiscences of the area with others. The site is administered by a GHS member but is not officially affiliated with the Society. Any information is the opinion of the contributor. Article and photograph sourced from social media.mitchell family, partington family, coghill

Information and photos of the house at 3 St Helena Road Greensborough, for sale in 2017, built in the 1920s.This photograph and text was copied from a Facebook site. Members are people who lived in the Greensborough area and share their reminiscences of the area with others. The site is administered by a GHS member but is not officially affiliated with the Society. Any information is the opinion of the contributor. Article and photograph sourced from social media.st helena road greensborough, greensborough houses

Photographs of 104 Nell St Greensborough c 1990. Caption: "This was the original house at 104 Nell Street Greensborough. Just west of Henry Street the house was demolished and a new brick home was built by Craig and Diane Herman, descendants of original home owners. Craig and Diane and kids have been GHS members and are local to cricket and footy umpiring."3 Colour Photographs with captionnell street greensborough, greensborough houses, herman family