Framed chart showing the conversion of ounces and pounds to kilograms

The Hughes’ Family Scale No. 48 is a spring balance scale. It uses the Imperial measurements of ounces and pounds. There are 16 ounces (OZ) in one pound (LB), and each pound equals approximately 454 grams in Metric measurements. Scales have been used to measure and compare items for value for centuries. A weight was placed on one side of a balance and the object was placed on the other. Adjustments were made to either the weight or the object until the balance was horizontal, which meant that each side was the same weight. The Salter family business began in 1760 with spring makers, Richard and William Salter. In the late 18th century, Richard Salter invented the spring scale, where the weight of an object on the tray of the scale causes pressure on a spring in the scale. The pressure caused by gravity was then measured to calculate the weight of an object. Spring scales are still used today along with the more recent and accurate digital scales. The company began manufacturing in West Bromwich, England, in 1770. The firm was taken over by William’s sons, John and George. In 1824, after the death of John, the firm became George Salter & Co. The company produced a wide variety of products, including Britain’s first bathroom scale and the first English typewriter. In 1884 the Salter Trademark of a Staffordshire knot pierced by an arrow was registered. After over 100 years of manufacturing, the company was bought out by Staveley Industries, which was bought by Weigh-Tronix, and then that company was bought by HoMedics Company in 2004.This scale was made by Salter, the company that invented the balance scale, the first British bathroom scale and the first English typewriter. The scale represents the domestic equipment used for measuring in food preparation over 100 years ago. Modern kitchen scales are still using the same principal, along with scales used in business and industry.Scale; a domestic spring balance scale for measuring weight from 0 to 20 pounds. The scale’s grey metal case has a round white dial on the front with black markings, an arrow indicator and a round shallow metal bowl on a pedestal at the top. The scale is raised on a rectangular metal base with outward-sloping sides. An adjustable screw is on the dome top. The scale is marked from 0 to 20 pounds, with each pound marked in 1-ounce increments. The scale is named the Hughes Family Scale No. 48 and was made in Britain by Salter.“HUGHES’ / FAMILY SCALE / No. 48” “BRITISH MADE” “TO WEIGH 20 LBS BY 1 OZ” “SALTER” above logo [knotted rope with an arrow through loops]flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, hughes, salter, british made, family scale, no. 48, spring balance, scale, weighing instrument, weights and measures, weighing machine, kitchen utensil, baking accessory, domestic equipment, cookware, bakeware, kitchen scale, kitchen accessory, food preparation, recipes, cooking, measuring

Cream painted stand with a moving sprung table top attached. On top of the table sits a woven cane basket with a wooden base. The top edge of the basket is is plaited cane and painted gold. The other cane is painted white. It is lined with a piece of white towelling on which the baby would lie. Attached on the side of the base is a notched metal bar which has a sliding metal weight so the bar will balance. It is marked with 2, 4, 6, 8 etc up to 30 lb and a smaller upper bar measures ounces. There is a framed pamphlet hanging above the scales with instructions for using the scales.Ounce measures 0, 4, 8, 12, 1 (pound) Made in Germany 24767. Triangle shape with the word Seca inside

In 1885 Julius Pitrat of Gallipolis, Ohio, patented the first computing scale. Six years later, Edward Canby and Orange Ozias of Dayton, Ohio, purchased Pitrat's patents and incorporated The Computing Scale Company as the world's first computing scale vendor. And four years after that, The Computing Scale Company introduced the first automatic computing scale In 1911. the Computing Scale Company merged with the International Time Recording Company and Tabulating Machine Company to form the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, a business that was renamed IBM in 1924. An early example of a hanging clock face scale patented in October 1897 and made by a company that pioneered the first computing scales used in retail businesses. This company went on to become incorporated with IBM that late became an international computer manufacturer.Scale, patented Oct 12, 1897. Measures in pounds and ounces, up to 10lb. Red indicator needle. Two adjustment screws. Ring on the top for mounting. Marked "The Computing Scale Co Dayton Ohio"Marked "The Computing Scale Co Dayton Ohio"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, scale, computing scale, computing scale company, weighing instrument

A pair of scales or dishes in which objects to be weighed and the weights / masses against which to weigh them are placed is an "Apparatus for weighing. The pan, or each of the pans, of a balance." These common kitchen / dairy scales would be used by the householder to weigh flour, sugar, cereal, vegetables, fruit, meats, butter, cheese etc. prior to cooking or storing . Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights.Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, two pans at the ends of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and counter-balancing weights.. A set of steel weighing scales with a balance beam that holds 2 brass dishes in which are 7 brass weights. The object/ substance to be weighed is placed in 1 dish and the weights are added to the other dish until the two dishes balance equally on the beam. The base is engraved with '4 lbs' thus indicating that this set will balance up to that weight.scales 4 lbs ( 4 Pounds ) each weight is marked with its weight in Imperial Measure 1 0z = 1 ounce to 4lbmarket gardeners, early settlers, fruit vegetables, farmers, cooking, recipes, scales, weights, measures, brass, balance beam, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, kitchen scales, dairy products, cereals, wheat flour

Mordialloc Carrum High SchoolPhoto depicts students at high school in 1925 Form D2Black and White Postcard depicting secondary school students in 1925 Mordialloc Carrum SchoolDate 1925 in pen on front. Date 1924 changed to 1925 in pen on reverse also, in pencil, a fruit cake recipe on reverse, measurements in pounds and ounces.education, school, morialloc, carrum

Plan showing portion of the Bendigo goldfield. Area of main goldfield: 140 square miles. Deepest mine working: 4593' (Victoria quartz). Gold output of field to 1935: 20,775,000 ounces. Dividends paid 1870-1935: 10,740,000 pounds.map, goldfield, bendigo

Photograph. Carwardine collection, photograph of poppet head and mullock heap. On back reads 10.2.1956, in Sun news, Thursday 9.4.1953, page 12. Central Deborah mine, one of Bendigo's two remaining active mines. It's 102 years since gold was first discovered at Golden Square, but today only two Deborah mines are working where once 3000 mines hummed. The Bendigo field had yielded 22,000,000 ounces valued at 110,000.000 pounds and three times more on today's value but last years output was only 10,000 ounces and the year before 13000 ounces. Two photos.Herald - Sunbendigo, business, carwardine soap and candle

A pennyweight was a unit of mass that was equal in weight to 20 grains, one twentieth of an ounce and one 240th of a Troy pound. The abbreviation for a pennyweight is ‘dwt’ (denarius weight). These measures and weights were typically used for weighing gold and other precious metals. Group of eleven weights and measures including seven rectangular pennyweights with clipped corners and marked 10 DWTS, 6 DWTS, 5 DWTS, 4 DWTS, 3 DWTS, 2 DWTS respectively, two gram weights; 5 grams and 4 grams with top right pressed corner and two cup troy weights marked 4oz TROY and ½.284.1 10 DWTS 284.2 6 DWTS 284.3 5 DWTS 284.4 4 DWTS 284.5 3 DWTS 284.6 2 DWTS 284.7 1 DWTS 284.8 5 GRAMS 284.9 4 GRAMS 284.10 4 oz TROY 284.11 ½ city of greater bendigo commerce, making a nation exhibition, city of greater bendigo mining

. White china slipper bed pan shaped like a giant baby's shoe with a squashed toe. Has pear-shaped base and flat sides, sloping top with large round opening which narrows with a covered end. There is a half-heart-shaped handle in the centre of the body. Weighs 8 pounds 6 1/2 ounces.Underneath - Fowler Limited Australiabedpan medicine-nursing fowler orbost-hospital

Black and white copy: on bottom of photo ' The Devonshire Group of Mines, Eaglehawk 1870s. Looking north. Third from left 'United Devonshire ' in 1883, 1884 and 1885, this mine produced 66,2000 ounces of Gold. Paid 199,800 pounds in dividends. In the background are the 'Mungo' mines. The rich 'Belmont' mine at rear centre. Poppet heads, and chimneys throughout photo.organization, business, devonshire group of mines

Small dark booklet titled Infant Welfare Centre. No other information on the cover. On the inside cover list of baby weight from 25/08/1952 to 30/03/1953. On first page Birth date 27/03/1952, baby's name Ellison Philip Roger, Address: State School Wail, weight at birth: 8 pounds 9 ounces.personal effects

No information is available on the history of these six examples of pennyweights. A pennyweight was a unit of mass that was equal in weight to 20 grains, one twentieth of an ounce and one 240th of a Troy pound. The abbreviation for a pennyweight is ‘dwt’ (denarius weight). Pennyweights were and are used in the weighing of precious metals and are still used by dentists in the measurement of the metal used in dental crowns etc. These items are of antiquarian interest and will be useful for displays. These are six pennyweights of varying weights – 5 pennyweights, 4, 3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6. They appear to be made of brass and the 5, 4 and 3 pennyweights are rounded off rectangles in shape with eight sides. The three smaller weights are rectangular in shape with nipped-off edges. ‘5 dwts’, ‘4 dwts’, ‘3 dwts’ In black labelling, ‘1499.10, 1499.11, 1499.12’ (old cataloguing numbers) pennyweights, warrnambool, denarius weight

Troy weight is a system of units of mass from an unknown origin. While the name Troi is believed to have come from Troyes in the north east of France the system used primarily in the precious metals industry and adopted in Australia originated in 15th century England. Troy weight units are the 'grain' and 'pennyweight' (24 grains), the troy ounce (20 pennyweights), and the troy pound (12 troy ounces). One troy ounce equals 31.1034768 grams. The troy ounce and grain were also part of the apothecaries' system and was long used in medicine, but has now been largely replaced by the metric system (milligrams). When the Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862 local inspectors were established throughout the colony to ensure accuracy particularly in the weighing of gold. By the 1870's each local council had a set of standards that were used to test the scales, weights and measures of local merchants and businesses. This set would have been de commissioned some time after 1947 and was offered back to the Borough of Eaglehawk in 1989. Hinged, lockable wooden box with brass handle, hinges, latches and lock. Remnant wax on front face of box above and below lock. Interior of box is lined with purple velvet which is worn in several places. Box houses nine troy weights ranging in size from 100oz Troy to 2oz Troy. 1oz Troy is missing. Accompanying set is a two page letter from Weights and Measures Branch of Consumer Affairs offering set back to the Borough of Eaglehawk in 1989. Troy Weights: Part a) 100oz Weight, 68 mm Diameter at base x 113 mm H b) 50 oz Weight, 53 mm D x 90 mm H c) 30 oz Weight, 45 mm D x 77 mm H d) 20 oz Weight, 39 mm D x 65 mm H e) 16 oz Weight, 37 mm D x 60 mm H f) 8 oz Weight, 30 mm D x 47 mm H g) 4 oz Weight, 24mm D x 36 mm H h) 2 oz Weight, 19mm D x 28 mm H i) 1oz missing Hinged Wooden Box: Part j)171 mm H x 300mm W x 196 mm D Typed two page letter: Part k) 295 mm H x 210 mm W x 1 mm Top Troy: Each Troy weight stamped with small symbol made up of the number 5, an image of a crown and the word STANDARD. Side Troy : Each Troy weight stamped with small symbol made up of the number 5, an image of a crown and the word STANDARD above a series of date stamps recording every time the weight was tested. Date stamps: 30.4.1866; 16.9.81, 30 12.86; 1.2.92; 10.5.97; 15.1.04; 10.2.09; 17.12.14; 20.4.20; 29.9.25; 23.1.31; 18.6.36; 14.7.41: 11.7.47 Exterior Top of Box: Remnant of paper pasted to wood. Faint printed text 'ON HIS MAJESTY'S SERVICE'.borough of eaglehawk, making a nation exhibition, city of greater bendigo commerce

Brass coloured metal scales with weighing pan, three larger ball weights and one smaller ball hanging from the arm. Metal cast label "H Troemner's Ball Scale No 24". Weighing balance arm has numbers 1 to 6, also 0 to 16 scale (pounds and ounces). Many signatures with dates on the base of the weighing pan, probably of people who worked with the scales (from 1889 to 1988). Used for weighing at J Kitchen & Sonsindustry - manufacturing, j kitchen & sons pty ltd

PORT PHILLIP & COLONIAL MINING COMPANY LIMITED AND CLUNES QUARTZ MINING COMPANY, THE MACHINE CONTAINED 5 BOILERS, 3 ENGINES 145 HP, 80 HEADS OF STAMPS, 7 BUDDLES, 2 CHILIAN MILLS & 2 STONE BREAKERS, STEAM VALVES. TONS OF QUARTZ RAISED BY THE PORT MINING & CLUNES COMPANIES TO MARCH 1880 1123365 TONS & GOLD 465,168 OUNCES, 7 DWTS, VALUE 1860, 925,54 POUNDS. EXHIBITED BY R.H. BLAND, CLUNES.LITHOGRAPH DEPICTING SURFACE WORKS OF THE PORT PHILLIP & COLONIAL MINING CO. LIMITED AND INTERIOR OF MACHINE HOUSE.local history, illustrations, lithograph, mining.

These scales may have been used by the Maternal Infant Welfare Centre sister at Mt Beauty during regular check ups of babies to make sure that the babies were gaining weight and therefore healthy.During the 1950's, Mt Beauty's population was rapidly increasing due to the post war baby boom and because the work force was young having moved into the area because of the opportunity for work on the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Letter dated 2nd July 1994 thanking the CWA, Tawonga Branch for their donation of the baby scales that were used by the baby Health Centre.White cast metal rectangular base with rectangular box attached in centre. The box has a curved top and a round face at the front. The face is covered with clear glass protecting the black marks which measure pounds and ounces. The numbers face the outside of the circumference. A black metal pointer rotates from the centre. At the top of the box in the centre a metal rod protrudes with a rectangular steel base on top and 4 screws for the container to hold the baby. The rod is attached to a spring and moves up and down moving the pointer.Face of scales "Hughes" / Baby Weigher / No. 48B" "To weigh 20lb by 1 oz / British Made" "Salter" written above its logo Numbers are written facing outside.baby scales. maternal infant welfare centre. mt beauty. healthy babies.

Two page handwritten document titled 'Victoria Hill Mines, Dickers M.R. 23.11.1861. Wittschiebe and Co. Claim. Next north to No. 2, Midway Company' Transcribed by Albert Richardson. Extract from text: 'There are reefs passing through this ground at small intervals in every part of this claim, they all dip north. The mass of leaders struck in No. 4 (shaft) yielded, on an average about 1 1/2 ounces to the ton to the amount, in all, of about 12,000 pounds. From the eastern Victoria, the present proprietors extracted in nine months 55,000 pounds worth of gold.' Owners of mine. Messrs A. Witrtschiebe, A. Sagasser, F. Meison, A. Urban, H. Koch, C. Killian and A. Rudolf. Document details the claim, the shafts sunk, their depth, issues re workings and gold found.Albert Richardsonbendigo, mining, wittschiebe & co. claim

Poster heading - 'Gold' - 'In the whole world, only 47 nuggets weighing over 30lbs Troy have been recorded. Of these 40 are from Australia. The region from Ballarat around to Bendigo yielded 32 of these large nuggets. This monument erected in 1897 by the Mines Department, is the only one ever erected to honour the discovery of a gold nugget. The 'Welcome Stranger' nugget was unearthed on 5th February, 1869, weighing 2316 ounces and it was sold for 9.553 pounds'. Poster includes a map of Victoria depicting the main gold mining areas, also mention of gypsum, and tin in northern Victoria. A photo of the monument to the discovery of the 'Welcome Stranger' nugget found 1 1/4 miles from Moliagul in the bottom corner.document, gold

A young chemist named Dr. Cyril P Callister, hired by the Fred Walker Company, developed a new spread from brewer’s yeast. It was claimed as the richest known sources of natural Vitamin B. Labelled as ‘Pure Vegetable Extract’, it was sold in a two ounce amber glass jar and capped with what was known as a Phoenix seal, to keep the contents fresh. A competition inviting the Australian public to create a name for the new spread offered a prize of 50 pounds. finalists. Hundreds of people entered and Fred Walker’s daughter selected the winning name: VEGEMITE. The name of the winning entrant was never placed on record. VEGEMITE spread was then sold from grocers’ shelves. In April 1984, a 115-gram jar of vegemite became the first product in Australia to be electronically scanned at a checkout A commemorative jar was produced to celebrate the occasion of 70 years - 1922-1997.Vegemite is possibly Australia's most iconic food brand. Since the 1930s it has been a major part of this country's cuisine. Yet unlike other Australian icons the attraction of Vegemite has remained local. A tapered brown glass jar with a gold metal lid. The label o the front is red with yellow, white and black print. there is a similar smaller label on the lid. with black writing.On base: a spiral with 10 in centre circle 13573 underneath the spiral above is letter A with raised dots insidevegemite jar

Metal plaque, gold writing, erected at the site of the former North Deborah Gold Mine when the brick chimney was restored by Bendigo Mining NL. The plaque reads: 'The North Deborah Gold Mine, 1937-1954. The North Deborah Gold mine was established on this site on the 28th May 1937. For an initial cost of 2,000 pounds to erect the plant, plus capital of 37,500 pounds, the North Debnorah proved to be the most abundant and profitable of all the post Second War mines in Bendigo. The North Deborah produced 128,000 ounces of gold from 1937 to its closure on 23rd December 1954. When mine manager E.J. White closed the doors that day he signaled the end to a great story of gold discovery and production. The North Deborah was the last mine to operate on the Bendigo goldfield during the initial golden era. It was not until the new century that gold mining would return. This historic chimney was restored by Bendigo Mining Limited in 2006. Along with the poppet head. It is the only visible surface remains of the original North Deborah Mine.' The mine site is situated off Breen Street in Golden Square.Kay MacGregor 2012bendigo, mining, north deborah mining company

This cookery book was printed in the early 1960s for the purpose of obtaining the necessary funds for the construction of the Mount Beauty swimming pool. The advertisements within this book covers local traders of this time frame, for example, the Bogong Hotel which is no longer operational. the culinary measurements are in Imperial measures(pounds and ounces). The book has sections for continental dishes and sweets (Australian flavour), special dishes for Lent, cakes (farmhouse fruit cake), jams, marmalades (home made), marrow and apple chutney. Some of these recipes are early 20th Century related and in the 2000s are not sought after. The food "take away" lifestyle has been responsible for the demise of a lot of the recipes in this book. The swing away from home grown produce has been not only a lifestyle change but also the faster pace of living in rural areas. The specialisation and redefined development of the local produce store (previously provided everything the rural shopper needed) was a forced move due to larger and cheaper city born fresh food supermarkets. Although there are still some local produce store within the region these will in time vanish. This cookery book was produced just after Mount Beauty was released from an SEC "closed" community in 1961(see KVHS 0134) and the town then had to fend for itself. This book was compiled and produced because the town needed a swimming pool (which possible would have been provided had the SEC still been responsible). The book demonstrates the strong rural psyche of rallying together for the good of all and united for something which would be of benefit to all. The period 1961 to the 1970s was one of great change for Mount Beauty. The SEC protective cage was a blessing for some but a goal for others. The independence that was gained after the SEC left provided for a drastic "make over" in regards to the facilities provided for the "locals" and that for the tourists. An increase in tourist related industries such as snow skiing in winter, hang gliding and gliding, mountain bike rallies, bush walking and horse riding, all of which have supply outlets in the town, has provided a more cosmopolitan atmosphere. These activities and the greater interaction with populations outside of the region has reduced the "hermit" type feel of the town psyche.This recipe book consists of eighty nine pages in black and white print. It contains black and white sketches, recipes of local domestic cooks and advertisements covering local traders. The cover is approximately 280 g/m2 in weight and the pages are at 90 g/m2 in weight. The cover has a design in the style of Abstract Expressionism (period 1950-1960s) of identifiable (clock,jug,fruit,window) and abstract objects in tints of blue and shades of black. This was designed by Cheryl Ryder of the Mount Beauty High School, under supervision of Mr I Baker (Art Teacher)On the foreword(page two and page three) "Mt. Beauty Souvenir Cookery Book First Edition" . This foreword was presented by Rosa Kinnear, President, Ladies' Auxiliary 2nd copy - no inscriptionrecipe, cooking, food, domestic, kitchen, local history, comfort food, pioneer cleaning methods

Gold was discovered on Victoria Hill in 1854 and by 1861, 1,200,000 ounces of gold had been extracted from the site. The first claim was bought for 80 pounds by Prussian immigrant Christopher Ballerstedt and his son Theodore. Christopher Ballerstedt was nicknamed the "Father of the Hill" and was the first to prove that gold reefs extended below the surface. His 200-foot plus mine shafts yielded quartz rich with gold, inspired other miners, and were instrumental in Bendigo becoming the world's deepest and richest goldfield. The site still features relics of nineteenth century mining including quartz crushing machinery and the foundations of George Lansell’s 180 mine. These features are characteristic of Bendigo’s mining history and represent two prominent nineteenth century miners, Christopher Ballerstedt and George Lansell, who held important roles in the development of Bendigo. Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are registered as a site of significance. The site is of historical, archaeological and scientific importance to Victoria. The mines represent the symbolic heart of Bendigo’s gold mining history and the importance that mining played in wealth creation and the development of Victoria. The diggings reserve is accessed from the rear of Albert Richardson Reserve located at 40-56 Marong Road, Ironbark. The site has steep and unformed paths and is closed to the public at dusk. It is important to stay to the paths to avoid the diggings. Interpretive signs help visitors to appreciate the importance of the site and the remaining relics of Bendigo’s mining history.Victoria Hill Ironbark, Bendigo. Photos of the poppet head, sand heap, tailings, shafts and tunnels. Before development into a tourist attraction.history, bendigo, victoria hill, ironbark, diggings

Welcome Stranger Centenary, Moliagul, Victoria, Australia 1869 1969. Replica of 'Welcome Stranger' Nugget, discovered at Bulldog Gully, Moligaul, on February 5, 1869, by John Deason and Richard Oates. History of gold nuggets in Australia in particular the 'Welcome Stranger.' 7 black and white photos. 1st photo is a group taken on site where the 'Welcome Stranger' nugget was discovered at Bulldog Gully, Moliagul, in February, 1869. John Deason is shown holding the shovel, and Richard Oates has the pick. Mrs Deason is seated on the ground. The gross weight of the nugget was 2,520 ounces. The nugget sold for 9,553 pounds and was 98.66 per cent pure gold. Henry Lawson's description of a goldfield would have been typical of Moliagul during the hectic goldrush days a century ago:- ''The yellow mounds of bullock With the spots of red and white, The scattered quartz that glistened Like diamonds in light; The azure line of ridges, The bush of darkest green, The little homes of calico That dotted all the scene.'' This booklet was prepared by Ronald L Carless, of Moliagul, Via Dunolly, and is dedicated to the gold miners who pioneered the Mount Moliagul goldfield.event, back to, welcome stranger centenary, welcome stranger centenary, victoria, australia 1869 1969. discovered at bulldog gully, moligaul, 5, 1869, john deason richard oates. gold nuggets in australia' black and white photos. mrs deason. gross weight of the nugget was 2, 520 ounces. the nugget sold for 9, 553 pounds 98.66 per cent pure gold. henry lawson's:- ''the yellow mounds of bullock with the spots of red and white

The largest gold mine in the area originated from a find in 1862. The mine was closed January 20, 1915 when a fire destroyed nearly all the above ground plant. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p75 Beneath Mine Hill, as locals call it, runs a network of tunnels once of central importance to the fledgling township of Diamond Creek. These are relics of gold mines, which transformed early Diamond Creek.1 The tiny settlement of about 20 families soared to more than 200 because of gold. For around 50 years, from 1862, gold mining was Diamond Creek’s major source of employment. On September 7, 1854 The Argus newspaper reported a find of a four pound (1.8kg) gold nugget in Nillumbik (an early name for Diamond Creek). Exactly where, is not known.2 The largest mine in the district, the Diamond Creek Gold Mine, apparently originated from a find in 1862. It is said Joe and Dave Wilson were visiting former tailor then cook, Charles Orme, at the southern end of Fraser Street. Sitting on a stump outside the front gate on land belonging to Dr A. E. Phipps the Wilsons found a vein of gold-bearing quartz, which led to the discovery of four quartz reefs varying in width to eight inches (20cm), running north and south. A reef found at the foot of the hill opposite Challenger Street became the Union Mine. This reef was traced south to Allendale Road where a small mine began operations.3 Other smaller mines later operated as well. Dr Phipps immediately began to mine and also built the Diamond Reef Hotel as a boarding house for miners. But Charles Orme, who owned the land alongside, leased his mine to Dr Phipps probably because of insufficient funds and business skills. By mid 1865 the mine had produced 2530 ounces of gold – a 100% profit on the original outlay. Of course there were problems. When the local dam dried up a Blake pump was installed to draw water from the creek. The Union Mine operated under the Diamond Creek Gold Mine management except when disputes sometimes resulted in separate management. However disagreements had to be resolved as the Union Mine depended on Diamond Creek Gold Mine pumps to remove underground water from common reefs. In 1912 the main shaft of about 380 yards (350m) employed 200 men recovering an average of 5000 ounces (141.7kg) of gold a year. But not everyone did well out of gold. Records of failed mining companies in the Victorian Public Record Office, reveal that owner Dr Phipps leased his Right to others. Companies came and went over the next 40 years, most sponsored by Melbourne businessmen who sold shares to gullible locals and then became insolvent. Although there were some good profits, financial returns were haphazard until 1905. Some local residents, who were share holders in short- term companies, became well-known names in modern Diamond Creek such as Scott, Haley, Butler, Alder, Ryan, Wadeson, Reeves, Alston, Paul and Edwards. Gold mining was brought to a disastrous end on January 20, 1915 at 3 pm, when fire destroyed nearly all the above-ground plant. Fortunately no lives were lost. But reopening the mine was almost impossible because of the increasing depth of water in the main shaft. The closed mine destroyed the livelihood of 200 families and the debris took many years to clear.4 In 1946 the Diamond Creek Gold Mine was reopened by the Golden Hind Mining Company, but money ran out before the 600 feet (182.8m) or so of water could be removed. Gold remains in the mine but enormous capital would be needed to buy the land, equipment and to remove the water. Today 12 known sealed shafts along the ridge of the hills on private property extend west for around one kilometre from the corner of Fraser and Haley Streets, crossing Norma and Fyffe to Dering Streets. As recently as 1987, heavy rains revealed a former Union Mine shaft in the Georgiadis family Fyffe Street back yard.5 Allendale Mine, south of Allendale Road, is still open and one of the Union Mine’s main drives (horizontal excavation) remains unsealed, on the Creek Reserve.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, diamond creek, diamond creek mine, fraser street, gold mining, james cook drive, mine hill