Lyon Bros Eltham Motor Garage originally opened as an old tin shed garage in 1923 alongside Dave Lyon’s weatherboard home, a Californian bungalow at present-day 856 Main Road, Eltham in the dip between York and Henry Streets - there was a wood yard and garage at the back. That house remains standing today (2026). It later became a Chiropractor’s practice now operating as Eltham Cosmetic Clinic. Earliest advertisements for the business date from March 1923 – advertise that they have opened a motor garage near the post office, where a car or petrol may be procured day or night, and repairs effected. (The Advertiser, 2 March 1923) Between May 1942 and December 1945 [based on a newspaper article "Eltham Killed in Brownout" (1942, May 15). Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser (Vic. : 1940 - 1942), p. 3. Retrieved May 23, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57496549 and aerial photos taken in December 1945], the brothers relocated the business to 283-287 Main Road Eltham, opposite Arthur Street. The garage was an official RACV Road Service Station and offered vehicles for hire in addition to conducting repairs. It was also an Agent for Shell petrol. During the war Dave was working in the garage one night with a motor running. He was almost unconscious, and Jack Burgoyne happened to stop off with his truck and went and dragged him out. John Lyon used to live on the comer of Bridge Street and Main Road on top of the cliff. He was later killed in an accident at Rosanna railway crossing 29th Feb, 1960 [Source: Doug Orford]. This photo is dated circa 1964 and the address is clearly 283-287 Main Road however by 1971 street numbers had been revised to present-day numbering and by the time the site had been redeveloped as Lyon Bros. Ford the address was 953 Main Road. Community memories after posting this photo on Facebook include: "I can remember my dad putting 2 shilling pieces into a bowser to get petrol after hours."This 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 '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 image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg953 main road eltham, 1963, automobiles, businesses, eltham, eltham lyon, eltham motor garage, lyon bros. garage, main road eltham, motor vehicles, racv road service station, shell service station, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection

Lyon Bros Eltham Motor Garage originally opened as an old tin shed garage in 1923 alongside Dave Lyon’s weatherboard home, a Californian bungalow at present-day 856 Main Road, Eltham in the dip between York and Henry Streets - there was a wood yard and garage at the back. That house remains standing today (2026). It later became a Chiropractor’s practice now operating as Eltham Cosmetic Clinic. Earliest advertisements for the business date from March 1923 – advertise that they have opened a motor garage near the post office, where a car or petrol may be procured day or night, and repairs effected. (The Advertiser, 2 March 1923) Between May 1942 and December 1945 [based on a newspaper article "Eltham Killed in Brownout" (1942, May 15). Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser (Vic. : 1940 - 1942), p. 3. Retrieved May 23, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57496549 and aerial photos taken in December 1945], the brothers relocated the business to 283-287 Main Road Eltham, opposite Arthur Street. The garage was an official RACV Road Service Station and offered vehicles for hire in addition to conducting repairs. It was also an Agent for Shell petrol. During the war Dave was working in the garage one night with a motor running. He was almost unconscious, and Jack Burgoyne happened to stop off with his truck and went and dragged him out. John Lyon used to live on the comer of Bridge Street and Main Road on top of the cliff. He was later killed in an accident at Rosanna railway crossing 29th Feb, 1960 [Source: Doug Orford]. This photo is dated circa 1964 and the address is clearly 283-287 Main Road however by 1971 street numbers had been revised to present-day numbering and by the time the site had been redeveloped as Lyon Bros. Ford the address was 953 Main Road. Just featured is an XL Falcon manufactured 1962-1964 Community memories after posting this photo on Facebook include: "I can remember my dad putting 2 shilling pieces into a bowser to get petrol after hours." A similar photo is featured in the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection, SEPP_0664Black and white photograph of Lyon Bros. Eltham Motor Garage 283-287 Main Road Eltham c.1960953 main road eltham, 1963, automobiles, businesses, eltham, eltham motor garage, ford xl falcon, george w. bell collection, lyon, lyon bros. garage, main road eltham, racv road service station, shell service station

Photograph shows Tram 14 Eastbound at cnr of Sturt & Doveton Sts. Destination box shows Victoria St. King George V monument is in road central reservation. Adjacent Tram Stop pole has a sign directing to RACV Service Station. Circa late 1950s.Yields information about tram 14 at Doveton St.Black and white print on plain paper.tramcars, trams, secv, tram 14, sturt st, doveton st