The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Recording of guest speaker Pharmacist Don Durham at the annual Sunshine and District Historical Society's Pioneers Lunch. S&DHS Pioneer Lunch 25/11/2007 Chairman Linda Pongracie Toast to Pioneers Ken Hardiman Speaker Don Durhamsunshine, pharmacy, pioneers lunch, sunshine and district historical society, don durham

Gwendoline "Gwen" Amy Mousley cutting the cake was in celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Sunshine & District Historical Society (S&DHS).sunshine & district historical society, gwendoline "gwen" amy mousley

1/ Eric Wegener on left|2/ Photo on groups sitting at tables|3/ Lady standing and speaking|4/ Lady standing and speaking with Frank Ford sitting in middle|5/ Frank Ford standing and speaking|6/ Group table shot|7/ Eric Wegener, Susan Jennison, Tom Rigg (L-R)|8/ Group table shot|9/ Lady signing book|10/ Wally O'Brien on left|11/ Tom Rigg on right|12/ Lady standing and speaking|13/ Table shot|13/ Wally O'Brien on right|14/ Frank Ford standing and speaking|15/ Photo on groups sitting at tables|16/ Photo on groups sitting at tables|17/ Photo on groups sitting at tables|18/ Photo on groups sitting at tables|19/ Photo on groups sitting at tables|20/ Photo on groups sitting at tables|21/ 2 Ladies standing in kitchen|22/ Lady standing and speaking|23/ Wally O'Brien standing and speakingsunshine & district historical society

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Wally O'Brien was a Deer Park resident and successful racing cyclist.Wally O'Brien recollections of early Deer Park. Recorded at SDHS Pioneers' Dinner 17/11/83pioneers dinner, sunshine and district historical society, wally o'brien, deer park

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Ben Shorten speaking at the annual Sunshine and District Historical Society's Pioneers Dinner.Ben Shorten Pioneers Dinner 11-11-1986ben shorten, sunshine and district historical society, pioneers dinner, shamrock hotel

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Guest speaker Mervyn Pentreath talking at the Sunshine and District Pioneers' Dinner.Sunshine & District Historical Society Pioneers Dinner 18/11/94 Speaker Mr Merv Pentreathmervyn pentreath, sunshine and district historical society

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Guest speaker Jeff Maynard is an Australian author and documentary maker who specialises in historical subjects.Pioneers Dinner 16/11/2008 Chair Norman Carlton Speaker Jeff Maynardjeff maynard

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Annual Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers Dinner with guest speaker Bill Thom.Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers Dinner 19/11/93 Chairman Bob Parsons Toast to Pioneers Gwen Mousley Speaker Bill Thombill thom, sunshine and district historical society, pioneers dinner, gwen mousley, robert "bob" parsons

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. The speaker Mr Charlie Skidmore was a former City of Sunshine Councillor and long-term Sunshine district resident. Sunshine Historical Society Pioneers Dinner 26/11/92 Speaker Cr. Charlie Skidmorecharlie skidmore, pioneers dinner, city of sunshine

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Audio recording of Wally O'Brien sharing his recollections of life in early Deer Park, at the Sunshine and District Historical Society's annual Pioneers Dinner.Pioneers' Dinner 1983deer park, pioneers dinner, sunshine and district historical society, wally o'brien

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Audio recording of City of Brimbank Commissioner Jane Nathan speaking at the annual Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers' Dinner and Connie Parsons toasting the pioneers.Sunshine And District Historical Society Annual General Meeting 22/11/96 Toast to Pioneers by Connie Parsons Speaker Commissioner Jane Nathansunshine, pioneers, city of brimbank, jane nathan, connie parsons

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. John Willaton is a long-term Sunshine resident who grew up and went to school in Sunshine. John was the City of Sunshine Town Clerk from 1992 to 1994. Pioneer Dinner 9/11/1999 Tape 1 of 2 Toast proposed by Ray Carlton Wally O'Brien poems Speaker John Willatonjohn willaton, pioneers dinner, sunshine and district historical society, ray carlton, wally o'brien

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Sunshine and District Historical Society annual Pioneer Dinner. Dr Janet McCalman, an Australian social historian, population researcher and author was the guest speaker at the dinner.Sunshine And District Pioneers Dinner 20/11/98 Continuation of Tape 1 Dr Janet McCalman Another poem by Wally O'Briendr janet mccalman, sunshine and district historical society, pioneers dinner, wally o'brien

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Guest speaker Charles Fahey taught in the History Program at La Trobe University until his retirement in 2018. He has published widely on the history of the labour market, with particular reference to the Sunshine Harvester factory and the Harvester Judgement of 1907.Audio tapecharles fahey, sunshine harvester factory, harvester judgement 1907

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Tom Rigg has written a book "Sunshine Railway Disaster 1908" detailing all the events before, during and after the accident. Dr Janet McCalman, an Australian social historian, population researcher and author was the guest speaker at the dinner. Audio Tape This audio tape has been digitised. This audio tape has been transcribed. No editing of the recording has taken place, except where the speaker(s) can be identified.tom rigg, wally o'brien, dr janet mccalman, pioneers dinner

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Guest speakers Norm Carlton and Ray Carlton 'Wartime experiences as navigators in the Air Force' During WW11 Air Force navigators used a combination of dead reckoning, celestial navigation and radio navigation to guide aircraft. Navigators underwent intensive training to build their skills and adapt to changing conditions including night and bad weather flights.Pioneers Dinner (S&DHS) Chair Linda Pongracic Speakers Norm Carlton & Ray Carltonair force navigators, norm carlton, ray carlton, pioneers dinner, world war 1939 - 1945

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. Guest speakers Norm Carlton and Ray Carlton 'Wartime experiences as navigators in the Air Force' During WW11 Air Force navigators used a combination of dead reckoning, celestial navigation and radio navigation to guide aircraft. Navigators underwent intensive training to build their skills and adapt to changing conditions including night and bad weather flights.ray carlton, norm carlton, world war 1939 - 1945

The Sunshine and District Historical Society Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner is an annual event. It’s a commemorative gathering that honours the early settlers, people, community leaders of Sunshine and the surrounding district, events, achievements, etc. At the Pioneers’ Lunch / Dinner, a toast is a ritual and a dedicated moment to honour the original settlers and their contributions, and a guest speaker talks about an interesting subject. This DVD records the Sunshine and District Historical Society 2005 Pioneers' Dinner. The DVD features Norman "Norm" Carlton receiving his life membership to the Sunshine and District Historical Society. The DVD feature John Willaton toasting the early pioneers of the district. The DVD features Norman "Norm" Carlton and his brother Raymond "Ray" Carlton talking about their experiences as navigators with the Royal Australian Air Force during WW2. Pioneers' Dinner 2005sunshine and district historical society, norman "norm" carlton, raymond "ray" carlton, world war 1939 - 1945

The place mat was designed by Melchior "Mel" Bajada and the lamination orgainsed by Alan DashCollection of material used to create the Sunshine and District Historical Society 50th Anniversary Place MatLaminated Place Mat for Sunshine and District Historical Society 50th Anniversary 1972 to 2022|Place Mat ideas Hugh Victor McKay Harold Blair Blair Athol Olwen Ford Reverend John Flynn Headlie S Taylor Sunshine HV McKay Gardens Anderson Road Braybrook Hotel Ballarat Road Braybrook Hotel Derrimut Sun Crescent Sunshine Court House and Police Station Sun Crescent Hunt Club Deer Park ETA Factory WG Thomas Butcher Sunshine Advocate|Photograph HV McKay Gardens|Photograph Sunshine Railway Station|Photograph Room with TC|Photograph Stone building with children|Photograph Band Rotunda Sunshine|Photograph Aerial photo of Sunshine|Photograph of rail and wagons|Photograph of Braybrook Hotel|Photograph of Nettlefolds Screw Works|Invitation 50 years Annual Pioneers Lunch 20 November 2022 Sunshine RSL 99 Dickson Street Sunshinesunshine & district historical society

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "The land was unprofitable for intensive farming, but there was always water in the Diamond Creek. The railway, a technological advance, followed the valley, and was provided to transport produce. At North Eltham we were privileged to tour a surviving farmhouse of the 1860-70 era at the Shire’s Edendale Farm, with the as yet unfinished Sculpture for a front fence - bulbous tree-trunks decorated with salt pots, with cross members from the old trestle bridge. As was usual these six veranda posted houses faced South (or East, away from the sun!) with the scullery, kitchen and pantry "out the back". The veranda, which must have been very narrow, no longer exists. It probably wrapped around three sides. The drive took us past the Dutch Windmill, only twenty years old and in the Shire of Diamond Valley, then the Diamond Creek Cemetery with impressive gateway, to a detour to see another old farmhouse, isolated on a hill off Murray Road Wattle Glen. Here was a particularly thick patch of exotic planting of pines and cypresses. Subsistence farming no longer pays. Following the rail-line we noticed on the left near Silvan Road an Edwardian cottage and on the right near Yates Road the old school residence for this Upper Diamond Creek area."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 strips Colour printKodak Gold 100 5095eltham, shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour, 1992, culture, edendale, edendale community farm, events

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "The land was unprofitable for intensive farming, but there was always water in the Diamond Creek. The railway, a technological advance, followed the valley, and was provided to transport produce. At North Eltham we were privileged to tour a surviving farmhouse of the 1860-70 era at the Shire’s Edendale Farm, with the as yet unfinished Sculpture for a front fence - bulbous tree-trunks decorated with salt pots, with cross members from the old trestle bridge. As was usual these six veranda posted houses faced South (or East, away from the sun!) with the scullery, kitchen and pantry "out the back". The veranda, which must have been very narrow, no longer exists. It probably wrapped around three sides. The drive took us past the Dutch Windmill, only twenty years old and in the Shire of Diamond Valley, then the Diamond Creek Cemetery with impressive gateway, to a detour to see another old farmhouse, isolated on a hill off Murray Road Wattle Glen. Here was a particularly thick patch of exotic planting of pines and cypresses. Subsistence farming no longer pays. Following the rail-line we noticed on the left near Silvan Road an Edwardian cottage and on the right near Yates Road the old school residence for this Upper Diamond Creek area."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095eltham, shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "The land was unprofitable for intensive farming, but there was always water in the Diamond Creek. The railway, a technological advance, followed the valley, and was provided to transport produce. At North Eltham we were privileged to tour a surviving farmhouse of the 1860-70 era at the Shire’s Edendale Farm, with the as yet unfinished Sculpture for a front fence - bulbous tree-trunks decorated with salt pots, with cross members from the old trestle bridge. As was usual these six veranda posted houses faced South (or East, away from the sun!) with the scullery, kitchen and pantry "out the back". The veranda, which must have been very narrow, no longer exists. It probably wrapped around three sides. The drive took us past the Dutch Windmill, only twenty years old and in the Shire of Diamond Valley, then the Diamond Creek Cemetery with impressive gateway, to a detour to see another old farmhouse, isolated on a hill off Murray Road Wattle Glen. Here was a particularly thick patch of exotic planting of pines and cypresses. Subsistence farming no longer pays. Following the rail-line we noticed on the left near Silvan Road an Edwardian cottage and on the right near Yates Road the old school residence for this Upper Diamond Creek area."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095eltham, shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "At the crossroads stands Allwood House with its well laid out garden. The original owners, the Hurst family, ran a nursery; the aligned palms, the cactus clumps, the introduced trees and shrubs show the plants then in fashion. On the other corners stand an old corrugated iron garage; a restaurant, designed and built 1980, but by using old materials it tries to retain the rustic character of its surroundings; and open space where a two storied Wineshop/Saloon once stood. The old Bank, now in the grounds of Allwood House has been moved a few doors down the street."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour, hurstbridge, allwood house

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "Now we drove through stands of pines to the Kangaroo Ground Lookout Tower, a most unusual War Memorial, World War I. The tower and a shed/residence (it had a chimney) were built from local sandstone. Below to the south and east of Melbourne spread 'suburbia'. Close by the landscape seemed so contrived - English fields and hedgerows! Although only about twenty inches deep, the soil of this ancient volcano, its crater lost under subsequent weathering, was rich, deserving the name of "Garden Hill". Now native trees are taking over again. In Kangaroo Ground itself stand the inevitable Store, School and Church - and two Norfolk pines and a monkey puzzle tree."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground tower, war memorials, kangaroo ground memorial

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "Now we drove through stands of pines to the Kangaroo Ground Lookout Tower, a most unusual War Memorial, World War I. The tower and a shed/residence (it had a chimney) were built from local sandstone. Below to the south and east of Melbourne spread 'suburbia'. Close by the landscape seemed so contrived - English fields and hedgerows! Although only about twenty inches deep, the soil of this ancient volcano, its crater lost under subsequent weathering, was rich, deserving the name of "Garden Hill". Now native trees are taking over again. In Kangaroo Ground itself stand the inevitable Store, School and Church - and two Norfolk pines and a monkey puzzle tree." On November 11th 1926 the Shire of Eltham War Memorial Tower at Kangaroo Ground was opened. It is regarded as one of Melbourne’s most outstanding lookout towers. It commands a magnificent 360 degree panorama from Kinglake across the Diamond Valley to Macedon and the You Yangs. It is built on a peak which was once a volcano, 237 metres above sea level. After World War one a memorial cairn was erected on the site, and in 1925 a committee of public-minded citizens began to plan for a tower. Many generous donations of material and money were forthcoming so that in 1926 the Governor General Lord Stonehaven was able to unveil the plaque before a crowd of 500 people. There was some concern in the 1960s when the Forests Commission wanted to build a firespotters cabin on the top. At first R.S.L. branches opposed the idea, but it was realised that this use could combine with its use as a tourist attraction, and would ensure its maintenance for the future, Today the Kangaroo Ground tower provides one of the best views around Melbourne and is a fitting memorial to those who died in two world wars. From: Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 (EDHS collection) Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095culture, events, garden hill, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground memorial, memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial tower, war memorials

Alan Hunt, M.P. Minister for Local Government in the Bolte State Government meets Shire of Eltham Councillors over lunchThis photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, shire president, council chamber, cr. l. docksey, eltham shire office, minister for local government, the hon. mr. a.j. hunt., alan hunt, lunch

This large deep pan (with a long handle) was used by pioneer families, mainly rural folk, that needed a pan which could cope with an open fire heat source, in or mainly outside the homestead. This pan was used in the early to late 1900's for the "stews" and other meals required by hard working stock men and farmers that had irregular "lunch and dinner" breaks under sometimes hard and gruelling conditions. Hot plates were normally not in use.This "open fire" saucepan belonged, and was used by a Kiewa Valley, pioneer family, the Roper Family. This saucepan was moved from their Kiewa Valley property to their hut built on the Bogong High Plains. This saucepan was one of an array of "open fire" cooking utensils used in the "camp draft" grazing in the Bogong High Plains and this could take up to six weeks. This kettle belonged and was used by a Kiewa Valley, pioneer family, the Roper Family. This kettle was moved from their Kiewa Valley property to their hut built on the Bogong High Plains. A scientific study started in 1947 to study the impact of grazing cattle on the natural Alpine and sub Alpine vegetation found grazing cattle had an adverse affect on the natural Alpine and sub alpine vegetation, and grazing on the plains was stopped by the Victorian Government in 2005.This large (black, soot infused) cast iron saucepan has a "ten pint" holding capacity and was used on the "open fire", possible on the fire direct. It has a long all metal handle coming from the top half of the pot and angled at approximately sixty degrees upwards. This angle insures that both distance from flame intensity and least bending of knees when lifting is at a minimum.On bottom of pan (underside) "N0. 8 JSJ SIDDONS" on the other side "WEST BROMWICH 5 QUARTS"camp fire cooking utensils, hot plate, cast iron cooking appliance, drovers kitchen

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "Commencing with a quick walk to see the magnificent bell at the Eltham Fire Station, we then 'drove along Arthur Street. Here were examples of what constitutes the building environment of Eltham. Massed among the wattles and eucalypts were golden cypress and pines; No. 50 was an exotic 'old English' manor-house; No. 93 had bluestone gateposts, from Fenton Road Toorak (as with Montsalvat, using re-cycled building material was very much the trend); past the natural Reserve dedicated to the artist Walter Withers, a plaque on a huge boulder; and on both sides houses in the various modes - timber with wrought iron decor, brick-some more recent than others, decades of 'suburbia'."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095eltham, main road, shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour, cfa