Michael and Wendy Wilson have been living in Eltham for fifty years. Recently Michael decided to write what is an engaging and entertaining journey through Michael and Wendy’s life. He recounts his love of Wendy, his family, friends, and his many acquaintances, as well as his love of Eltham and district. Kate Palmer AM, wrote the forward for this book saying, “…it is a window into the world of a true craftsman, an award winning master goldsmith - an artisan who can transform precious metals, wood and gold into exquisite sculptures, jewellery and works of art”. Kate also says “This book is a tribute to Michael Wilson. A man who is fascinated by the world around him and who is inspired by his experiences in that world. Every piece tells a story – about emotion, about a man and his dreams and his fascination for all things engineering.” Michael also recounts his extensive love affair with things with four wheels, from billy carts as a boy, to the various cars he has enjoyed, particularly his favourite Lotus 7, which he states is “a sophisticated billy cart”. He also shares many memorable experiences with others pursuing automotive escapades. It is well written, informative, and just an amazing life story, a very personal record of a life well explored and well lived. - EDHS Newsletter Feb 2024."For the Eltham District Historical Society, Best Wishes, Michael"autobiography, eltham, goldsmith, jeweller, michael wilson. biography, artists, memoir

Photograph of Michael Wilson standing beside a shelf of hand thrown pots. michael wilson, ceramics, pottery

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson, montsalvat

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson, montsalvat

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson

Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC for Eltham Cemetery TrustBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, art in public places, sculptures, a currawong takes flight, michael wilson

Piers Bateman (1947 – 2015) was an Australian landscape painter. He was a member of The Antipodeans, a group of Melbourne painters that also included Arthur Boyd, David Boyd, Charles Blackman, John Brack, Robert Dickerson, John Perceval and Clifton Pugh. In March 2010 he was appointed Artist in Residence as an Honoray Professor for painting at the Shanghai Institute of Visual Art under Fudan University in Shanghai, China. He died along with his brother-in-law in a boating mishap whilst sailing from Broken Bay to North Arm Cove in NSW, September 4, 2015china, fudan university, michael wilson, piers bateman, piers maxwell dudley bateman, shanghai

Born Digitalbolton street upgrade, eltham, streets, main road, michael wilson diamond jewellers, brougham street

Michael Wilson learnt the craft of Goldsmithing after seeing well known sculptor and silversmith Matcham Skipper working in his studio at Montsalvat in and around 1970. This work is a gift to the Eltham Community in recognition of his twenty five years of developing his goldsmith skills and operating his business within the Shire. Wilson officially opened his commercial premises in 1985. Michael Wilson is a local jewellery maker. His work is influenced directly by the environment in which he lives. This sculpture is representative of his distinctive style of work as a nationally and an internationally recognised Designer and Goldsmith. Made of steel and powdercoated in aluminium with a concrete base. Decorative elements such as the ring encasing the cicada and the cicada's wings are guilded with 24ct gold leaf. The steel rod is burgundy in colour with the cicada painted a dark olive green to represent the 'Green Grocer' variety common in Eltham. The colours used in this sculpture match the surrounding Elm and Ash trees in the landscape. N/Apublic art, cicada, wilson, gold, green grocer, jewellery

The Eltham Gateway Group (EGG) was established about 1987 by some Eltham residents concerned for the development of the Eltham Gateway, defined as that historically and environmentally sensitive region of land along Main Road, Eltham extending from the roundabout at Fitzsimons Lane to Dudley Street, Eltham. The gateway was a unique urban area with a strong sense of character that provided a distinctive entrance to the Eltham Town Centre. The intention of this group was to support development that preserved both the natural and historic features of the gateway region. It encouraged development sympathetic to Eltham’s traditional association with the arts and natural environment. The group was initiated in response to a planning application in December 1986 to redevelop the then Mobil service station site at 729 Main Road, Eltham on the corner of Brougham Street. This group worked with and encouraged the Eltham Shire Council to consider rezoning to protect the gateway area. A detailed Eltham Gateway Study undertaken by Tract Consultants assisted with the establishment of the Eltham Gateway Zone, the Eltham Gateway Policy and the Eltham Gateway Design and Siting Guidelines. The State Government subsequently agreed to a planning amendment to rezone the land from a Residential Zone C to an Eltham Gateway Zone under the Eltham Planning Scheme. While zoning changes over the years have altered the mix of permitted uses within this area the Eltham Gateway still looks and feels like a predominately residential style precinct, even where non-residential type uses operate. EGG was followed by the establishment of the Eltham Protection Society in about 1989 to respond to community planning issues beyond the area of the Eltham Gateway and in effect took over the role from the EGG. Jim Connor President Eltham District Historical Society 4 July 2022 During 1986/87 I was a community member on the Shire of Eltham’s Community Consultative Committee involved with the Eltham Gateway Study, which led to the establishment of the original Eltham Gateway Zone, under the then Eltham Planning Scheme The Eltham Gateway Group was the pioneer community action group dedicated to protecting the character of the Eltham Gateway. It was succeeded by the Eltham Protection Society. When the Shire of Eltham Offices were demolished by the unelected Commissioners of Nillumbik Shire Council in July/August 1996, significant community upset and protest led to the establishement of the Eltham Gateway Action Group (EGAG) which in present day form has evolved into the Eltham Community Action Group (ECAG) focussing on issues throughout Eltham and not just the Eltham Gatewayeltham community action group, eltham gateway, eltham gateway action group, eltham gateway design and siting guidelines, eltham gateway group (egg), eltham gateway policy, eltham gateway study, eltham gateway zone, eltham planning scheme, eltham protection society, jim connor, michael wilson, rodger dalling, tony mcmanus

Book

Photocopy (A4): Map hand drawn by Peter Grier, brother to Wendy Wilson, commissioned by jeweler, Michael Wilson showing his business 'Eltham Goldsmithery' c.1979-1981. Newspaper article: Art and design venue, Diamond Valley News, August 14, 1996, p14 where it is announced that the business has been approved as an outlet for Italian design house Alessi. In same article a reference to an exhibition by the deceased 'Twenty Melbourne Painters' hanging at the Victorian Artists Society Gallery and former and present day connections with Eltham area including Angela Abbott, Peter Glass, Alan Martin, Lesley Martin, Max Meldrum, Percy Leason, Alice Bale, Walter Withers, Margery Withers, Richard Mccann. (On p13 letters to the Editor about protesting against inappropriate development and the Commissioners plans for future elected Nillumbik Council structural representation). Advertisement 19 June 2013, Michael Wilson diamond jewellers. Advertising flier 23 November 2020, Michael Wilson.main road, eltham, property, houses, shops, businesses, michael wilson jewellers, peter grier, map, eltham goldsmithery, artisans minting, cafe de chin, eltham barrel, eltham clinic, eltham community centre, eltham gallery, eltham railway station, eltham shopping centre, eltham town park, gallery 4, john mills pottery, living and learning centre, once upon a time land, michael wilson diamond jewellers, shillinglaw cottage, wiregrass gallery, montsalvat, country arts story, montsalvat country, eltham college, eltham hotel, wingrove park

Eltham Gateway, Michael Wilson Diamond Jewellers, 725 Main Road, Eltham at the corner of Brougham StreetTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, avenue of honour, brougham steet, michael wilson diamond jewellers

Eltham Gateway, Michael Wilson Diamond Jewellers, 725 Main Road, Eltham at the corner of Brougham StreetTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, avenue of honour, brougham steet, michael wilson diamond jewellers

Eltham Gateway, Michael Wilson Diamond Jewellers, 725 Main Road, Eltham at the corner of Brougham StreetTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, avenue of honour, brougham steet, michael wilson diamond jewellers

A Currawong Takes Flight, Michael Wilson 2015 Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC, the first of the Eltham Cemetery Trust's Grand Estate sculpturesTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, a currawong takes flight, art in public places, eltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, harold mitchell ac, main road, michael wilson, grand estate, sculpture

A Currawong Takes Flight, Michael Wilson 2015 Commissioned by Harold Mitchell AC, the first of the Eltham Cemetery Trust's Grand Estate sculpturesTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, art in public places, eltham cemetery, eltham cemetery trust, sculpture, a currawong takes flight, grand estate, harold mitchell ac, michael wilson

35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcess Date MAY 88Mmain road, michael wilson, michael wislon diamond jewellers, mike wilson the goldsmith, shops

Newspaper advertisement: Diamond Valley News, 27 May 1980, Exhibition, Peter Accadia, pottery, and Helen Webber, tapestries. Newspaper article: Five for the price of one, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, July 8, 1986, p27; exhibition of five artists at Eltham Gallery. On reverse, numerous advertisements for food and entertainment Newspaper advertisement: The Age ,17 June 1989, Exhibition, Donald Ramsay "Watching the river flow". Newspaper article: Landmark gallery says goodbye, Diamond Valley Leader, 24 November 2004, Gallery site sold to Sentinel Equities, present tenant Julie Skate, quotes from former part-owner Val Murray. Newspaper article: Rift over gallery plans, Diamond Valley Leader, 21 February 2007, purchasers Jethro Tull and Suzanne Still plan to build offices, gallery and cafe; Eltham Gateway Action Group objected while supporting need for a gallery elsewhere. Newspaper article: New try for gallery-cafe ready soon, Diamond Valley Leader, 18 April 2007, purchaser Jethro Tull to have a new plan ready in two weeks for gallery and cafe. Newspaper article: Gateway for artists, Diamond Valley Leader, 25 May 2007, Jenni Mitchell opened a new gallery pending decision by Nillumbik Council. Newspaper article: Art gallery proposal rejected, Diamond Valley Leader, 30 May 2007, Nillumbik Council against planned new building. Newspaper article: Artful win for gallery, Diamond Valley Leader, 30 January 2008, VCAT approved mudbrick art gallery. Newspaper article: Rocky road to create a landmark, Diamond Valley Leader, 13 February 2008, VCAT approved Robert Marshall's design, artists's impression, Eltham Gateway Action Group opposed.main road, property, businesses, eltham gallery, wiregrass gallery, eltham gateway action group, robert marshall, mud brick building, eltham (vic), 559 main road eltham, artists, bernhard rust, bob smith, jan neil, john adams, marian sussex, michael wilson, tony dopheide, 47-55 main street diamond creek, 50 were street montmorency, 55 rattray road montmorency, 410 main road lower plenty, abbey of diamond creek, adams north riding restaurant, advertising, eltham barrel, montmorency, mustard seed restaurant, peking house restaurant, st andrews, tamara's

Four colour photographs; two showing site works at the corner of Brougham Street and Main Road, one showing Michael Wilson Jeweller at 725 Main Road and one showing Victorian Artists Supplies at 715 Main Road, Elthameltham, brougham street, main road, michael wislon jeweler, victorian artists supplies