Photograph of a fundraising event for the Most Popular Conductress competition, using an SEC truck fitted with a shell that provided seating for Sylvia Mitchell. Four other conductresses are on the float, together with a uniformed person alongside and a man in a costume with a black face. At the front of the truck is flag with 'Victoria's Most Popular Conductress'. Yields information about the Most Popular Conductress competition.Black and white photograph of a motorised float.ballarat tramways, bill sewell, sec, most popular conductress, sylvia mitchell, events, motorised float

Photo of Sylvia Mitchell standing alongside the decorated or motorised float used in a fund raising event. Has a number of the conductresses standing atop the float. Has the word "Sylvia" on one side of the float.Yields information about the SEC fund raising float for Sylvia Mitchell.Black and white printed photo with ruled or lined paper on rear.most popular conductress, sylvia mitchell, conductor, conductress, tramways, sec, red cross

Photo of the decorated or motorised float used in a fund raising event for Mrs Sylvia Mitchel. Has a number of the conductresses standing alongside or atop the float. In the background is the SEC Ballarat Office building. Has the word "Sylvia" on one side of the float.Yields information about the SEC fund raising float for Sylvia Mitchell.Black and white printed photo with ruled or lined paper on rear.Old SEC building corner of Ripon St and Wendouree Pde.most popular conductress, sylvia mitchell, conductor, conductress, tramways, sec, red cross

Float passing by the stoned retainer wall of Our Lady Help of Christians near the corner of Henry Street and Main Road Eltham. The float included a bark hut encompasing the motorised vehicle towing a trailer representing pioneers with a banner reading "The true heroes our pioneers". People dressed in historical costume sit on the float. This same float also participated in the Centenary parade in 1971. Floats were generally organised by community groups. EDHS would be pleased to learn which group organised this float. It was not the Historical Society.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue)eltham, eltham festival, parade float, main road eltham

Lyons family history: From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960. Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived just around the corner at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915). Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived at 55 Sunbury Crescent. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911 and revitalised from 1933-1938 by the Surrey Hills Progress Association. Street parades featuring decorated business vehicles and bonfires were a feature. This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons.The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911 and revitalised by the Surrey Hills Progress Association from 1933-1938. The evening parade of floats, and vehicles both horse-drawn and motorised, proceeded along Union Road to the Surrey Gardens beneath festoons of candlelit lanterns, bunting and flags. The paper flowers used extensively on trade and business vehicles were the result of hours of work by families and friends. The Empire Day Celebrations were a great community event, in some years augmented by bonfires, including the ones in Beckett Park.Black and white photo of Fred Lyons' taxi decorated for Empire Day. The cab is parked in the street and is festooned with flowers and ribbons on the hood, bonnet radiator, running board and in the tyre spokes. Three women stand beside the cab. There are houses in the background. motor vehicles, festivals and celebrations, taxis, empire day, fred lyons, frederick adolphus lyons