Celebration on 17/12/19 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Shire of Nillumbik L-R: Former Cr. Diane Bullen, Cr. John Dumaresq, Former Cr. (and last Shire President of Eltham Shire Council) John Graves, Former Cr. Helen Coleman, Former Cr. Meralyn Klein, Former Cr. Warwick Leeson, Former Cr. Ken King, - , - , - , Former Cr. Tony Raunic, Cr. Karen Egan, Cr. Peter Clarke, Former Cr. Michael Young, Cr. Peter Perkins, Former Cr. Anika Van Hulsen25th anniversary, council staff, councilors, nillumbik shire council, nillumbik shire mayor, shire of nillumbik, nillumbik shire councilors, diane bullen, john dumaresq, john graves, helen coleman, meralyn klein, warwick leeson, ken king, tony raunic, karen egan, peter clarke, michael young, peter perkins, anik van hulsen

Celebration on 17/12/19 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Shire of Nillumbik L-R: Former Mayor Ken King, Former Mayor Warwick Leeson, Former Mayor Helen Coleman, Former Mayor Tony Raunic, Mayor Cr. Karen Egan, Former Mayor Cr. Peter Clarke, Former Mayor Michael Young, Former Mayor Cr. Peter Perkins25th anniversary, council staff, councilors, nillumbik shire council, nillumbik shire mayor, shire of nillumbik, nillumbik shire councilors, ken king, warwick leeson, helen coleman, tony raunic, karen egan, peter clarke, michael young, peter perkins

This is a collection of clippings from local newspapers of events that occurred within the Shire of Eltham, during the period September 1959 to August 1969, as well as various clippings of advertisements by the Shire of Eltham during this period.This item is locally historically significant as it is an original collection of local newspaper cuttings relating to various public events and Council activities within the Shire of Eltham during the period September 1959 to August 1969. This is an in-house significance assessment.A loose leaf folder with 71 brown paper pages held together by one piece of string and containing a collection of newspaper cuttings from local Eltham papers.Typed label stating 'Nillumbik Shire Council-Shire of Eltham archives. Series 074 Newsclippings folder Vol1 Sept 1959-Aug 1969 (original)' shire president, advertisements, eltham, shire of eltham, newspaper clippings, local newspapers, councillors, eltham council, tenders, council elections

I folded brochure: Welcome to the new Eltham Library, 22nd May, 1994 Copy of letter: Support letter from EDHS for funding application by Nillumbik Shire Council to upgrade the Eltham Library (undated) Copy of Officer's report of Ordinary meeting of Nillumbik Shire Council, 24 June 2008 relating to Eltham Library Upgrade study Ground Floor plan for library from Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd Architects Photocopy of cover of official opening program, 22 May 1994 Article: "The Libraries of Eltham Township 1930s - 1994" collated by Harry Gilhamharry gilham collection, eltham library, support letter, gregory burgess, nillumbik shire council

Nillumbik Shire Council c.2010 Arts Environment Heritagepostcard, birrarung, shire of nillumbik, yarra river

The Eltham Obelisk was originally located at the corner of Bridge and Main Roads in 1919. It commemorated the memory of the Eltham Soldiers who fell in the First World War and complemented the Eltham Avenue of Honour established in 1917 to those that served. In 1943 (WW2) the local community commenced plans to establish the Eltham War Memorial, a living memorial to benefit the children as opposed to a one in stone as per the obelisk. The Eltham War Memorial Trust was established in 1945. In 1947 the Trust intended for the Obelisk to be relocated from Bridge Street and Main Road to the Garden of Remembrance which was planned as part of the Baby Health Centre which was to be the first of three buildings of the Eltham War Memorial to be built in 1951. In 1951 the Eltham RSL was invited to be represented on the Eltham War Memorial Trust. During the period of June through October 1956 the original wooden bridge over the Diamond Creek in Bridge Street was replaced with a new concrete structure. At the same time the intersection of Bridge Street at Main Road was revised necessitating the relocation of the Eltham Obelisk. It was ‘temporarily’ relocated to the front garden of the Eltham RSL Sub-Branch on Main Road for safe keeping. In 2007, a suggestion was proposed by Harry Gilham (President, EDHS) to John Cohen (ERSL) to claim a special site along with the historic Shillinglaw trees on the now vacant former Eltham Shire Office site adjacent to the Eltham War Memorial precinct for relocation of the obelisk. In 2010 following the financial collapse and sale of the Eltham RSL Sub-Branch property and amalgamation with the Montmorency Eltham RSL sub-branch, the location of the obelisk was again in immediate jeopardy and in conjunction with Nillumbik Shire Council, supported by the RSL, the obelisk was relocated in front of the Eltham War Memorial buildings in preparation for the Dawn Service on Anzac Day 2012. The new location resulted in significant impact upon the Eltham War Memorial Garden. Council’s preferred location was near the Eltham Library however that would have cost $39,000. The Eltham War Memorial Garden was subjected to further intrusion in 2014 with a proposed expansion of the War Memorial Terrace. Contents: 1. Newspaper article: Eltham, The Advertiser, 15 Nov 1918 2. Newspaper article: Eltham, The Advertiser, 18 Nov 1918 3. Newspaper article: An Obelisk at Eltham, The Advertiser, 11 Jul 1919 4. Newspaper advertisement: Unveiling of Obelisk at Eltham, The Advertiser, 1 Aug 1919 5. Newspaper article: Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial; Unveiled by Sir William Irvine, The Argus, Monday, 4 Aug 1919, p8 6. Newspaper article: Memorial to the Fallen; Unveiled at Eltham, The Age, Monday, 4th August 1919 7. Newspaper article: Eltham Memorial to Fallen Soldiers, Diamond Creek Valley Advocate, 8 Aug 1919 8. Newspaper article: Programme - Presentation of German Machine Gun at the Obelisk, Eltham on Sunday, 8th August 1920, at 3.30 P.M. 9. Newspaper article: article about presentation of a war trophy, a heavy machine gun placed beside obelisk, The Advertiser, 13 Aug 1920 10. Newspaper article: Eltham: ANZAC Services, The Advertiser, Friday, May 2, 1924 11. Newspaper article: Eltham War Memorial, The Advertiser, Oct 26, 1928 12. Newspaper article: Obelisk honors their memory, Diamond Valley News, March 30, 1971, p11 13. Newspaper article: Eltham Obelisk of 1919, Harry Gilham, August 2000 as well as draft submitted dated 22 Aug 2000 14. Newspaper article: Names renewal, thanks to Barry, Diamond Valley Leader, 18 Apr 2007, p3 with picture featuring Eltham RSL president John Haines and Gwen Rosewall 15. Handwritten note from Harry Gilham (President EDHS) to John Cohen (ERSL) regarding history of Eltham RSL site and 1947 newspaper article "Eltham War Memorial Trust "Garden of Remembrance" referencing relocation of Obelisk to the proposed Garden of Remembrance at the Baby Health Centre (Eltham War Memorial), 24 December 2000. 16. Minutes of Eltham RSL and Community Meeting held at 29 Nyora Road, Eltham, 23 June 2010 (Community meeting re closure of Eltham RSL sub-branch and relocation of the WW1 Obelisk) 17. Newspaper article: RSL branch has a fight on its hands by Alana Schetzer, Heidelberg & Valley Weekly, 3 August 2010, p7 18. Newspaper article: Locals battle state RSL over building, Diamond Valley Leader, 4 August 2010, p7 19. Newspaper article: Move war memorial: RSL, c. Dec. 2010 20. Officers' reports, 11.113/10 Relocation of Eltham RSL Cenotaph, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 21 December 2010 21. Newspaper article: New home for cenotaph; Councillors support proposal for relocation to Eltham's War Memorial Hall, Diamond Valley Leader, 12 January 2011 22. Newspaper article: CFA hot for RSL site; MP presses for 'fast-track' purchase, Diamond Valley Leader, 23 February 2011, p1 23. Email Correspondence: EDHS President to NSC General Manager Community and Leisure re RSL Obelisk (Cenotaph) proposed relocation, 24 May 2011 24. Officers' reports, OCM.091/11 Interim Relocation site for the Eltham Cenotaph, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 23 August 2011 25. Newspaper article: New home for cenotaph delights war veterans, Diamond Valley Leader, 31 August 2011, p9 26. Newsletter Extract: Eltham RSL and War Memorial, EDHS Newsletter 14 Sep 2011 27. Officers' reports, OCM.004/121 Interim Relocation of the Eltham Cenotaph, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 31 January 2012 (includes Funding agreement between NSC and Montmorency-Eltham RSL Sub-branch Inc) 28. Newspaper article: Memorial move lags, Diamond Valley Leader, 1 February 2012 29. Site history of Obelisk and Wall Memorial Hall, Montmorency-Eltham RSL, March 2012 draft 30. Open Letter to the Residents of ELTHAM and MONTMORENCY [And their Surrounding Districts]; Montmorency-Eltham RSL, 19 March 2012 (including drafts) 31. Newspaper advertisement: Open letter to the residents of Eltham and Montmorency, Montmorency Eltham RSL, Diamond Valley News, 21 March 2012 32. Newspaper advertisement: Open letter to the residents of Eltham and Montmorency, Montmorency Eltham RSL, Banyule & Nillumbik Weekly, 27 March 2012, p7 33. Newspaper article: New dawn for tribute, Diamond Valley Leader ca April 2012 34. Email (Copy): Alex Smith (MERSL Ast. Sec.) advising that contractor (Malcorp) will relocate obelisk Monday, April 2, 2012 35. Newspaper article: Memorial Moved, Banyule/Nillumbik Weekly, 10 April 2012 36. Newspaper article: Eltham cenotaph move goes 'like clockwork', Diamond Valley Leader, 11 April 2012 37. Newspaper photo: Veterans (l-r) Alan Field, Max Lowerson and John Cohen will join piper David Cretney to commemorate fallen Diggers, 2012 (standing beside relocated obelisk in front of the Eltham War Memorial complex), c. 11 April 2012 38. Advertisement, Program for Eltham Dawn Service, Diamond Valley Leader, April 2012 39. Program for Montmorency Anzac Day March 2012 (incomplete, some pages duplicated, some pages upside down). 40. Newspaper article: RSL site nets $1.8m, Diamond Valley Leader, 9 May 2012 41. OCM.076/13 Amendment C84 Eltham Cenotaph; 11. Officer's reports, Ordinary Meeting of Council Agenda, 25 June 2013, pp42-44 and Attachment; Amendment C84 Eltham Cenotaph; Citation - Eltham War Memorial (4 pages) 42. Newspaper article: Council seeks to protect cenotaph, Diamond Valley Leader, Wednesday, July 3, 2013, p5 43. Newspaper article: Future safe for war memorial, Diamond Valley Leader, Wednesday, November 13, 2013, p5 44. Handwritten notes in pencil (2 pages) by Harry Gilham, Items form the Eltham and Whittlesea Shires The Advertiser newspaper 7 June 1918 - 1919 providing a summary of the formation of the Peace Celebration Committee leading to the establishment of the Avenue of Honour and the Eltham Obelisk and seeking information in lead up to WW1 Centenary, 2013 45. Newspaper article: Memories of our heroes, Diamond Valley Leader, 25 Apr 2018 – also Veteran saluted, featuring article on Army veteran, Glen Ferrarotto. Contents: Newspaper article: Eltham Obelisk of 1919, Harry Gilham, August 2000 as well as draft submitted dated 22 Aug 2000 Newspaper article: Eltham, The Advertiser 15 Nov 1918 and 18 Nov 1918 Newspaper article: An Obelisk at Eltham, The Advertiser, 11 Jul 1919 Newspaper advertisement: Unveiling of Obelisk at Eltham, The Advertiser, 1 Aug 1919 Newspaper article: Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial; Unveiled by Sir William Irvine, The Argus, Monday, 4 Aug 1919, p8 Newspaper article: Eltham Memorial to Fallen Soldiers, Diamond Creek Valley Advocate, 8 Aug 1919 Newspaper article: Memorial to the Fallen; Unveiled at Eltham, The Age, Monday, 4th August 1919 Newspaper article: Programme - Presentation of German Machine Gun at the Obelisk, Eltham on Sunday, 8th August, 1920, at 3.30 P.M. Newspaper article: article about presentation of a war trophy, a heavy machine gun placed beside obelisk, The Advertiser, 13 Aug 1920 Newspaper article: Eltham: ANZAC Services, The Advertiser, Friday, May 2, 1924 Newspaper article: Eltham War Memorial, The Advertiser, Oct 26, 1928 Handwritten note from Harry Gilham (President EDHS) to John Cohen (ERSL) regarding history of Eltham RSL site and 1947 newspaper article "Eltham War Memorial Trust "Garden of Remembrance" referencing relocation of Obelisk to the proposed Garden of Remembrance at the Baby Health Centre (Eltham War Memorial). Officers' reports, 11.113/10 Relocation of Eltham RSL Cenotaph, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 21 December 2010 Email Correspondence: EDHS President to NSC General Manager Community and Leisure re RSL Obelisk (Cenotaph) proposed relocation, 24 May 2011 Newsletter Extract: Eltham RSL and War Memorial, EDHS Newsletter 14 Sep 2011 Officers' reports, OCM.091/11 Interim Relocation site for the Eltham Cenotaph, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 23 August 2011 Officers' reports, OCM.004/121 Interim Relocation of the Eltham Cenotaph, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 31 January 2012 (includes Funding agreement between NSC and Montmorency-Eltham RSL Sub-branch Inc) Newspaper article: Move war memorial: RSL, c.2011 Newspaper article: Memorial move lags, Diamond Valley Leader, 1 February 2012 Newspaper article: New dawn for tribute, Diamond Valley Leader ca April 2012 Open letter to the residents of Eltham and Montmorency and copies of drafts by the Montmorency Eltham RSL, no date and final version published in Diamond Valley New 21 March 2012 and Banyule & Nillumbik Weekly, 27 March, 2012 Newspaper article: RSL site nets $1.8m, Diamond Valley Leader, 9 May 2012 Newspaper article: Memorial Moved, Banyule/Nillumbik Weekly, 10 April 2012 Newspaper article: Eltham cenotaph move goes 'like clockwork', Diamond Valley Leader, 11 April 2012 Advertisement, Program for Eltham Dawn Service, Diamond Valley Leader, April 2012 Newspaper photo: Veterans (l-r) Alan Field, Max Lowerson and John Cohen will join piper David Cretney to commemorate fallen Diggers, 2012 (standing beside relocated obelisk in front of the Eltham War Memorial complex) Program for Montmorency Anzac Day March 2012 (incomplete, some pages duplicated, some pages upside down). Newspaper article: Plan to expand memorial, Diamond Valley Leader, Sep. 2004, p5 Newspaper article: Names renewal, thanks to Barry, Diamond Valley Leader, 18 Apr 2007, p3 with picture featuring Eltham RSL president John Haines and Gwen Rosewall Letter: EDHS President to Manager Community Participation, Learning and Culture, Nillumbik Shire Council regarding a proposal by the Montmorency-Eltham RSL Sub-branch to expand the area occupied by the relocated obelisk further into the Eltham War Memorial Garden of Remembrance, 18 Aug 2014 Notices of Motion, NOM.001/14 pertaining to memorials Advisory Committee and Montmorency-Eltham RSL to upgrade the Eltham War Memorial site in time for ANZAC Day 2015, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 26 August 2014 Agenda: User Groups and Stakeholders Meeting, Proposed Extension to Memorial Terrace, 11 September 2014 EDHS presentation to NSC Policy and Services meeting 9 September 2014 regarding the Montmorency-Eltham RSL proposal to expand/upgrade the Eltham War Memorial Policy and Services reports, PSD.034/14 Eltham War Memorial Building Precinct - Proposed Extension to Memorial Terrace, Nillumbik Shire Council Ordinary Meeting, 9 September 2014 Email (copy): President EDHS re Eltham War Memorial Complex, Main Road, Eltham, 15 Sep 2014 requesting Nillumbik Shire Council place a Heritage Overlay upon the Eltham War Memorial Complex Media Release: Support for cenotaph expansion, Nillumbik Shire Council, Sep 2014 Newspaper article: Council defers RSL war memorial upgrade to see consultation, Diamond Valley News, 17 Sep 2014 Letter (copy): Harry Gilham, Eltham to local press and others, 20 Sep 2014 protesting attempts by the RSL to further expand upon the area already ceded from the Eltham War Memorial for the relocated WW1 obelisk and alter the original vision for an Eltham War Memorial complex. Letter: Alan Field, President, The Eltham Veterans War Memorial Preservation Society Inc. to CEO and Councillors, Nillumbik Shire Council protesting at perceived injustices and ‘veteran bashing’ regarding their previous efforts to relocate ‘their Obelisk and Cenotaph’ to the Eltham War Memorial complex and their frustration in their attempts to further expand upon the Memorial Terrace. Areas of letter are highlighted with handwritten markups and notes. Also notes on loose card and paper with definitions of Memorial, Obelisk, Cenotaph, commentary on establishment of Eltham War Memorial, The Eltham War Memorial Trust and RSL involvement and current actions by RSL in respect to claims in the letter (written by Harry Gilham ?). Policy and Services reports, PS.038/14 Eltham War Memorial Building Precinct - proposed extension to the Eltham Cenotaph Terrace, Nillumbik Shire Council Policy and Services Committee Meeting, 14 October 2014 Newspaper article: Centenary dawn service moves to Petrie Park, Diamond Valley Leader, 22 Oct 2014 Newspaper article: Upset over upgrade; war memorial revamp plans get culled, Diamond Valley Leader, 29 Oct 2014 Newspaper article: Memories of our heroes, Diamond Valley Leader, 25 Apr 2018 – also Veteran saluted, featuring article on Army veteran, Glen Ferrarotto. Handwritten notes in pencil (2 pages) by Harry Gilham, Items form the Eltham and Whittlesea Shires The Advertiser newspaper 7 June 1918 - 1919 providing a summary of the formation of the Peace Celebration Committee leading to the establishment of the Avenue of Honour and the Eltham Obelisk Newspaper article: Obelisk honors their memory, Diamond Valley News, March 30, 1971, p11eltham cenotaph, nillumbik shire council, eltham war memorial, montmorency eltham rsl sub-branch, dawn service, cenotaph, eltham rsl sub-branch, eltham war memorial trust, garden of remembrance, harry gilham collection, john cohen, obelisk, remembrance garden, shillinglaw trees, german machine gun, war memorial, war trophy

Map acquired by Nillumbik Shire Council as part of an investigation into proposed transport upgrades.aerial photo, eltham town centre

Part of the Eltham Justice Precinct, the building was fully restored in 2021 by Nillumbik Shire Counciljim connor collection, justice precinct eltham, eltham court house

I am naturally drawn to using bold colours in my work that I apply to the canvas with quite gestural marks using everything from brushes to my hands to create an image. For me the colour represents passion for all the beauty of nature and the movement of paint on the canvas is like the dance of life. The surrounding bushland of my home is the main focus of my paintings in which I spend a lot of time exploring and absorbing the many nuances of my subject. The work is an expression of the intimate relationship we have with nature, the human narrative we impose upon it and its ability to define us. This work, ‘Time for Clarity’ is about the positive impact COVID-19 has had on the environment, cleaner air, clearer skies and waters. It has opened the door to future possibilities, a glimpse of the ecological value of taking a more thoughtful and measured approach to the way we consume, it's slowed down time and given us a chance to be more introspective.This work was originally commissioned in 2020 by Nillumbik Shire Council for the exhibition 'Art in the time of COVID-19'.

A report on the Batman Apple Tree written in 2002 by Franz Kreinecker, arborist for Nillumbik Shire Council.The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839. 8 pages of text. No photographs accompany this copy, but a photo list is included in text.batman apple tree, plenty river trail

Two unidentified women, possibly at an art show run by Nillumbik Shire Council at the Eltham Community Centreart show, eltham community centre

Buildings at Lennister Farm near Eltham Lower Park shortly before Nillumbik Shire Council demolished them.jim connor collection, eltham lower park, lenister farm area

Prepared for Nillumbik Shire Council by Samantha Westbrooke Pty Ltd in association with Peter Mills PhD, Architectural Historian27 A4 pages plus two page summary of advice from Samantha Westbrooke regarding proposed landscaping around the cenotaph.cultural heritage significance assessment, eltham war memorial, peter mills, samantha westbrooke pty ltd, shire of nillumbik

Prepared for Nillumbik Shire Council by Samantha Westbrooke Pty Ltd in association with Peter Mills PhD, Architectural Historian27 A4 pages color printcultural heritage significance assessment, eltham war memorial, peter mills, samantha westbrooke pty ltd, shire of nillumbik

A health and condition report for Nillumbik Shire Council on the Batman / Whatmough Apple Tree. Prepared by Homewood Consulting in 2011The Batman Apple tree is said to be over 170 years old, being brought to Greensborough in the 1840s from the Melbourne orchard of John Batman, following Batman's death in 1839.9 page photocopy, text and colour illustrations.batman apple tree, robert whatmough, nillumbik council, plenty river trail

Report prepared for Nillumbik Shire Council by Samantha Westbrooke Pty Ltd in association with Peter Mills PhD, Architectural Historian5 A4 pages printed emailscultural heritage significance assessment, eltham district historical society, eltham war memorial, nillumbik shire council, peter mills, samantha westbrooke pty ltd

Colour aerial photograph of Diamond Valley Shire Depot, Yarrambat, now Nillumbik Shire Council Works Depot & Recycling CentreColour aerial photograph. Scale approx. 1:1000shire of diamond valley, yarrambat, nillumbik council

Letter: Nillumbik Shire Council to Ms B. Martin of [REDACTED], 2 September 1996 regarding sealing of Eltham Senior Citrizens Carparkeltham, property, eltham senior citizens centre, main road eltham, carparks, eltham pre school

Presented to Nillumbik Shire Council by the Victorian Vietnam Veterans Community in commemmoration of the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan - 18th August 2006.Born Digitalworld war 1, war memorials, shire of nillumbik, plaque, vietnam veterans community

Article on proposal to move the Nillumbik Shire Council Offices to the site of the old Shire of Eltham offices on Main Road Eltham, adjacent to the Eltham Library2 p., text, black and white and colour photographs. Extract from Eltham Town Community News, Issue 5, Summer 2007-08nillumbik council, eltham, main road eltham

Postcard produced Nillumbik Shire Council 2000 Children's photo project 'Nillumbik Naturally' developed by Focus Force Celbrating Childrens Week 2000artist studio, childrens week 2000, open studio, postcard, shire of nillumbik

Under the doona investigates the creative potential of observing the domestic environment and connecting with the local landscape within the restrictions of COVID-19 in 2020. The global pandemic is explored from a personal domestic and local position on Wurundjeri Country in Nillumbik in my 5km radius.Universally recognisable as a symbol of hygiene, the Chux cloth was discovered discarded and coated in Nillumbik’s infamous clay on my daily walk. Local Indigofera Australis was used to extract ‘Chux blue’ to botanically dye hand spun silk and Polwarth yarn. Not a scratchy synthetic Chux, my handwoven natural fibre soft cloth positions soothing touch as an all-important sense within the physical constraints of social distancing. My masked daughter holds her pet rooster. My son learns new card tricks using crackers. Family and local surrounds provide close and reassuring comfort. The project values intimacy, touch and local connectedness. On a global scale.Commissioned by Nillumbik Shire Council as part of the Art in the Time of Covid project which invited artists to create artworks that reflect the pandemic and the artists' personal experiences of it

My paintings reflect upon the peculiar state of our existence in the pandemic ravaged world: a microscopic and invisible virus has wreaked havoc and revealed the fragility of the human race regardless of our technological and economic advancements. Overwhelmed by the hostile environment, our once arrogant bodies are depersonalized, suspended, fragmented, perplexed and isolated. Mixed with different races, colours and genders, the new bodily world is an imaginative vision of the post pandemic psyche. The lines and shapes delineate an space with new boundaries and depth, full of aching, longing, order less and distorted bodies forming an assemblage endlessly floating on the blue surface, gasping for air, emerging and submerging, shrinking and extending. COVID-19 is a wakeup call for us to rethink our relationship with technology and environment in order to create new control, purpose and identities, which we need to help future generations to survive. Commissioned by Nillumbik Shire Council as part of the Art in the Time of Covid project which invited artists to create artworks that reflect the pandemic and the artists' personal experiences of it

Isolation is something I am all too familiar with.In the middle of the last decade, for a period of three years, isolation became my way of living, as due to my health, I physically couldn’t leave the house, or even my bed very often. I would be so desperate to get out of the house at times that it was if I was a prisoner trying to escape the confines of Alcatraz. The isolation experience during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought back many emotions and memories of that time, some of which I would rather not remember.Commissioned by Nillumbik Shire Council as part of the Art in the Time of Covid project which invited artists to create artworks that reflect the pandemic and the artists' personal experiences of it.

‘Relax, We’re Doing Great’ explores the mixed messages and lottery of language we have been exposed to during COVID19. Sourced from local and global leaders, warning signs and public messages, the text ranges from instructional to in-denial; to even epidemiologically dangerous rhetoric.These works connect into the hand-made, digital and 24/7 news cycles - key coping mechanisms for fears and uncertainty - of this pandemic period. The power and importance of language is highlighted when experienced en masse. The repetition of the layout of these works also allows for the creation of GIFs – mimicking the flickering of LED signage.Commissioned by Nillumbik Shire Council as part of the Art in the Time of Covid project which invited artists to create artworks that reflect the pandemic and the artists' personal experiences of it.

Leaving Isolation is play on words; a pun. It is a joke shared with new imaginary friends found while living alone, in isolation. Processing emotions, sanitising theories, engaging in shadow play; these works show individual native leaves that resemble expressive faces collected on permitted daily walks. 30 small, 15 x 21 cm still life studies in ink and watercolour are hung to reference a calendar month during COVID-19. The work considers the nature of ecology in the anthropocene while confronting emergent psychological myth-scapes during Lockdown.Commissioned by Nillumbik Shire Council as part of the Art in the Time of Covid project which invited artists to create artworks that reflect the pandemic and the artists' personal experiences of it.

Score for Multi-Species Partnerships is a participatory performance and moving image assemblage. The score offers a guided framework to become reacquainted with the everyday, queering notions of community and care through meditative movement practice. Inter-species collaborators partake in a series of propositions which facilitate a ‘becoming-with’, deepening their sense of place and comfort with one another and their environment.Seeking alternative forms of connection during isolation, this global project uses embodied praxis and visualisation to bring together artists and non-artists, humans and non-humans, to consider how we co-exist and affect one another through material and energetic transference. Initiated in April 2020 following the COVID-19 outbreak, participants chose whether to practise anonymously or document their experience and contribute to the visual archive. The private becomes public as intimate encounters in domestic settings are shared, speaking to cultures of performativity and voyeurism in the digital age. Artist/Director: Luigi Vescio. Performers: Adina Kraus, Anna McDermott, Claudia Lomoschitz, Josh Freedman, Luigi Vescio, Martin Lee, Maximilian Bishop, Melanie Cobham, Nathan Dubber, Niharika Senapati, Omar Felix Faber, Pia Lauritz, Rachel Jessie-Rae O’Connor, Shamira Stone, Will Hall, Yuiko Masukawa.Many thanks also to those who chose to participate in private.This project was also supported by Creative Victoria through the Sustaining Creative Workers initiative.Commissioned by Nillumbik Shire Council as part of the Art in the Time of Covid project which invited artists to create artworks that reflect the pandemic and the artists' personal experiences of it. Video

Nillumbik Shire Council plans to re-zone the former Eltham Shire Office site and Eltham War Memorial from Buisness 2 to Public Use 6895 main road, eltham, eltham shire office, eltham war memorial, nillumbik shire council, re-zoning