"Originally known as the “Old Ready Homestead” the house was built in the 1890’s and was surrounded by a larger parcel of land that at least included the lot next door (No 90) and possibly extended as far as the Church property. This area was the scene of many garden parties and Wedding parties and contained a large water fountain. The property remained in the Ready family until sometime after the death of Mabel Ready in 1967." [information from the Bed and Breakfast website in the link above] Peter and Pauline Meade sold the property in November 2017.Black and white photograph of the front of a Victorian style weatherboard house with a man and a woman standing on the veranda.On back of photo: "Ready's house in Rutherglen"roy ready, ready family, royston ready, ready house

Colour slide of legatees in white shirts at Government House in 1960 under a sign saying 'Welfare'. It shows that the legatees gave advice at the party. Melbourne Legacy held an annual Christmas Party for Junior Legatees and Widows at Government House for many years. Junior Legatees were given gifts. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of a Legacy Christmas party held at Government House.Colour slide of three legatees at a Legacy Christmas Party at Government House, in a cardboard Kodak mount with red printing.Handwritten 'At the ready! Govt House Party 1960' in blue ink.christmas party, government house party, legatees

Union of Rutherglen Shire & Borough. Handwritten on back of photo: "Old Wesleyan Church used as Shire Office. R. Ready's house built on same site using materials from original building." (Note: R. Ready's house was built on site of Old Shire Office, not on Church site. Original Church still in use as Sout & Guide Hall. 1985-06-18)Copy of a photograph of Wesleyan Church used as temporary Shire Office during building of new office. Group portrait of Councillors in front of building."Union of Rutherglen Shire and Borough / Date of Union: December 15, 1920. Dissolution of Combined Councils: August 25, 1921. Rutherglen Shire Office. The Secretary Attends Monday & Friday 10am till 4pm" Front row (left to right) Ex. Cr. S.P. Gollings, Cr. R. Ready, Cr. E.E. Cock, Cr. J. Burch (Ex Mayor), Cr. C.H. Morris (Shire President), J. Hiskins (Ex President), Cr. R.J. Burrowes, Cr. D.B. Smith, Cr. P. Gullifer / Centre Row (left to right) Cr. H.G. Richards, Cr. W.H. Chambers, Cr. R.H. Berryman, Cr. R.J. Harvie, Cr. W.R. McRae, Cr. W.V. McDonald, Cr. C.L. Dobbin, Cr. R.A. McLaurin, Cr. P.M. Seymour, Cr. M.T. Graham, Cr. F. Fuge, Cr J. Milthorpe / Back Row (left to right) T. Trenen (Editor "Sun"), P. Lingford (Shire Engineer), W.C. Bayliss (Banker), A.H. Thompson (Shire Secretary, A.C. Carter (Inspector), N.F. Turnbull (Assistant Secretary)"rutherglen shire, rutherglen borough, s p gollings, r ready, e e cock, j burch, c h morris, j hiskins, r j burrowes, d b smith, p gullifer, h g richards, w h chambers, r h berryman, r j harvie, w r mcrae, w v mcdonald, c l dobbin, r a mclaurin, p m seymour, m t graham, f fuge, j milthorpe, t drenen, p lingford, w c bayliss, a h thompson, a c carter, n f turnbull

Union of Rutherglen Shire & Borough. Handwritten on back of photo: "Old Wesleyan Church used as Shire Office. R. Ready's house built on same site using materials from original building." (Note: R. Ready's house was built on site of Old Shire Office, not on Church site. Original Church still in use as Sout & Guide Hall. 1985-06-18)Original of a photograph of Wesleyan Church used as temporary Shire Office during building of new office. Group portrait of Councillors in front of building."Union of Rutherglen Shire and Borough / Date of Union: December 15, 1920. Dissolution of Combined Councils: August 25, 1921. Rutherglen Shire Office. The Secretary Attends Monday & Friday 10am till 4pm" Front row (left to right) Ex. Cr. S.P. Gollings, Cr. R. Ready, Cr. E.E. Cock, Cr. J. Burch (Ex Mayor), Cr. C.H. Morris (Shire President), J. Hiskins (Ex President), Cr. R.J. Burrowes, Cr. D.B. Smith, Cr. P. Gullifer / Centre Row (left to right) Cr. H.G. Richards, Cr. W.H. Chambers, Cr. R.H. Berryman, Cr. R.J. Harvie, Cr. W.R. McRae, Cr. W.V. McDonald, Cr. C.L. Dobbin, Cr. R.A. McLaurin, Cr. P.M. Seymour, Cr. M.T. Graham, Cr. F. Fuge, Cr J. Milthorpe / Back Row (left to right) T. Trenen (Editor "Sun"), P. Lingford (Shire Engineer), W.C. Bayliss (Banker), A.H. Thompson (Shire Secretary, A.C. Carter (Inspector), N.F. Turnbull (Assistant Secretary)"

Union of Rutherglen Shire & Borough. Handwritten on back of photo: "Old Wesleyan Church used as Shire Office. R. Ready's house built on same site using materials from original building." (Note: R. Ready's house was built on site of Old Shire Office, not on Church site. Original Church still in use as Sout & Guide Hall. 1985-06-18)Copy of a photograph of Wesleyan Church used as temporary Shire Office during building of new office. Group portrait of Councillors in front of building."Union of Rutherglen Shire and Borough / Date of Union: December 15, 1920. Dissolution of Combined Councils: August 25, 1921. Rutherglen Shire Office. The Secretary Attends Monday & Friday 10am till 4pm" Front row (left to right) Ex. Cr. S.P. Gollings, Cr. R. Ready, Cr. E.E. Cock, Cr. J. Burch (Ex Mayor), Cr. C.H. Morris (Shire President), J. Hiskins (Ex President), Cr. R.J. Burrowes, Cr. D.B. Smith, Cr. P. Gullifer / Centre Row (left to right) Cr. H.G. Richards, Cr. W.H. Chambers, Cr. R.H. Berryman, Cr. R.J. Harvie, Cr. W.R. McRae, Cr. W.V. McDonald, Cr. C.L. Dobbin, Cr. R.A. McLaurin, Cr. P.M. Seymour, Cr. M.T. Graham, Cr. F. Fuge, Cr J. Milthorpe / Back Row (left to right) T. Trenen (Editor "Sun"), P. Lingford (Shire Engineer), W.C. Bayliss (Banker), A.H. Thompson (Shire Secretary, A.C. Carter (Inspector), N.F. Turnbull (Assistant Secretary)"

Although the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme was first proposed in 1911, construction did not commence until 1938. As part of the push to cut electricity costs and diversify supply, the Victorian Government (circa 1930) initiated the conversion from primarily brown coal supply to hydro – electricity. Field investigations during the 1940’s resulted in a new proposal for a scheme that had more than double the capacity of the 1938 scheme. The Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme became the largest scheme of its kind in the State Of Victoria and the second largest scheme in Australia. The number of personnel involved in the planning and construction of the scheme increased dramatically. During the late 1940’s, most activity centred around the construction of the West Kiewa Power Station, Rocky Valley Reservoir, McKay Creek Power Station and the Bogong Creek Aqueduct.A common thread across all the larger hydro scheme constructions was the need for workers, both qualified and unqualified who came from around the world seeking a new life for themselves and their families. New accommodation and facilities were required for the army of workers engaged in construction in often remote and wild areas. The SEC had a high demand for timber, and set up the first of a number of sawmills at Bogong Creek in 1939 and set up the first hardwood logging in the headwaters of the Kiewa River. These new ‘towns’ such as Mt Beauty and Bogong, survived, serving the needs of operational personnel and their families, and expanding with growth of new industries. Mount Beauty, and to a lesser extent Bogong, are among these places. Large A3 size spiral bound display folder containing photocopied black and white photographs of various aspects of the early days of the Kiewa Valley Hydro-electric scheme including equipment, various work sites and photographs of workers and their families. 1-Workmen working inside one of the tunnels. 2-Workman drilling in West Kiewa Tunnel 3-Junction Dam wall construction 4&5-2B&W photographs Kiewa House residents ready to go to a ball in Mt Beauty 6-Workmen warming up in front of a fire at No 1 bench 7-Workmen being hauled in at No 4 P.S Shaft 8-No 4 Power Station – Drilling 9-Workmen eating a hot meal in the tunnel. 10-2 photographs (a)Pretty Valley camp showing workman’s huts and construction materials & (b)Worker in Langford Gap Basalt Hill Tunnel face 11-Tunnel entrance (unlabelled) with rail tracks in foreground 12- Workmen drilling at No 1 Head race tunnel-Drilling face 13- No 1 Power Station 14-Workmen at the entrance to one of the SECV tunnels under construction 1-SECV number at bottom of picture Half obscured possibly K8461 Page number 53 2-In West Kiewa Tunnel Page number 54 3- Construction of Junction Dam wall – approximately 1941 Page number 55 4&5- Residents of Kiewa House at Bogong ready to go to the ball at Mt Beauty-1946. Handwritten on a copy of the photo on opposite page Mrs Lorna Crosset filled out the names *Dad was Des Crossett – his daughter is Gael Petcopoulis Greta engaged to John broke it off. Charlie, Rosalind, Bill, Priscilla, Max Lawrence-Dad’s Boss, Mary & Max married, Mary, Kay, Gwen McPherson Mum’s boss, John McCluskey (c) At No. 5 Bench Page number 56 6- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 27.2.51 Time:2.15pm No K6373 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works No. 4 P.S. Shaft – Haulage of men in buckets (b) As above Handwritten at top of photo Appendix 4 page number 57 7- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 6.6.52 Time:… No K7122 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works No. 4 POWER STATION – DRILLING page number 58 8-No markings page number 59 9-(a)Handwritten under photograph Approx. 1948/49 (b) STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 28.10.54 Time:.. No K7860 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works LANGFORD GAP BASALT HILL TUNNEL FACE Page number 49 10-(a) No markings 11- STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Date: 20.3.52 Time: No K6979 Kiewa Hydro Electric Works No. 1 HEAD RACE TUNNEL – DRILLING FACE (E.E.E. CONTRACT) ‘The Frenchies’ (E.E.E) as they were affectionately known Page number 50 12-31.5.56 No. 1 Power Station Aggregate Stock Piles. Page number 51 13&14-No markings Page number 52 secv; kiewa hydro electric scheme; bogong; mt beauty; construction area

Certificate of Membership. 1888. This certifies that James Lawson became a member of the Sandhurst Temperance Volunteer Fire Brigade on January 5th 1888 and filled the positions of station keeper and apparatus officer. This certificate being awarded for three years' service. Signed. Thomas Reed. Captain. James Walker. Sec. 15-1-91. Top of Certificate: Ever Ready. Ever Willing. Bottom of Certificate: Never Failing. Never Shrinking. Left side: Striving with a will to save. Right side: Always Eager. Always Brave. 6 drawings of Firemen in action.F.W.Niven & Co. Lithos. Ballarat.sandhurst temperance volunteer fire brigade, sandhurst, james lawson

Object. Copper coloured ring shaped badge, 3D head and shoulders of a horned stag attached atop and bottom of rim across the centre gap. Around the top edge''JE SUIS PREST''(Translated ''I AM READY''). U shaped extension on lower edge of ring. Hinge and bracket from brooch clip on the back. He suis prest with a stag's head is the crest of Clan Fraser of Lovat - a Highland Scottish Clan.On back ''MEDLOCK INV''numismatics, badges-civil, je suis prest brooch badge

A fairly well aged copy of the Victoria Gold Valuer's Ready Reckoner which details gold prices, chemistry, and fossils of extinct animals. Has detailed writing of its previous owner on the first few pages.book, bendigo, mining

Slide. Kurting. Four Earthmoving machines ready to start work.slide, bendigo, kurting., kurting.

Cutting the crop ready to make sheaths. Used as a teaching aid.ILFORDagriculture, farm, crop, wheat, wimmera, sheaves, mouat crawford collection

Crop, appears to be ready for harvest. Used as a teaching aid.ILFORDagriculture, farm, crop, wimmera, mouat crawford collection

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from Tuesday, December 21, 2004. Ready: this photo of the Pyramid Hill Fire Brigade was taken in the early 1900s, about 1914. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Rake getting ready for baling. Used as a teaching aid.Agfacolorfarm, crop, rake baling, mouat crawford collection, wimmera

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Saturday, January 29, 2005. Hard yakka: this photograph, which was taken sometime around the late 40s early 50s, shows a load of finished boxes being loaded at Williamson's box factory, ready to be transported to Melbourne. the photograph was taken just off Happy Valley Road, at the Victoria Hill Diggings area. Eric Finch was the owner of the truck and his eldest son, Kevin, can be seen standing on the truck's running board. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Copies of documents: 1.Copy of letter issued by the Quartzopolis Lodge Friendly Society on September 19th 1873 to Secretary Court King of the Forest. Letter details that a meeting of the delegates of the various Lodges of Friendly Societies in this district will be held at Ready's Rainbow Hotel, Hargreave (sic) Street on 3rd Octrober. Signed by Gillespic (sic) McDonell. 2. Widows and Orphans' Fund entrance fees (A.O.F, B.U.D) 3. Court King of the Forest application for Thomas White, blacksmith of Ironbark, age 28, one child. 4. Court King of the Forest No. 3770, Invoice Dr. H.L. Atkinson. Services July 19th 1871.bendigo, clubs, quartzopolis friendly society, court king of the forest; quartzopolis lodge, thomas white, dr. atkinson

Invoices (2) issued by Geo Meakin, Tailor, Outfitter & c., High Street, Bendigo. 1. August 1917 to Const. Johnston. Items purchased: trousers 1/7/6; ready made overcoat 2/15/-; Sac suit 3/7/6. 2. Blank invoicebendigo, business, geo meakin tailor

The front of the Hire Services building was the sawmill’s sub power station and where general repairs were made. Mountains of sawdust accumulated at the back and local poultry farmers and market gardeners made use of this waste. Occasionally the sawdust piles burst into flames due to spontaneous combustion. The sawmill’s huge blades were at the back of the Greensborough Hire Services. Fire hoses stood ready. The sawmill ceased operating in the 1960s.The Briar Hill Timber and Trading Company was active during the 1930s - 1950s during the development of the local area with many houses being built by owner-builders who used the company for their needs. Group of 3 black and white photographsbriar hill timber and trading company, briar hill timber, alison lendoudis, bob manuell, sherbourne road briar hill, squire family, purdys furniture briar hill

Reverse----- Stacks of wattle bark bundlesBlack and White photo showing stacks of bundled wattle bark ready for transporting to mill. Weather board house in far distance.Reverse----- Stacks of wattle bark bundlestimber industries, wattlebark stripping

photograph of workmen using ropes for pneumatic drill, ready to insert explosives into cliff face. Circa 1921g.o.r.; big-hill; circa-1921; workmen; pneumatic-drill;

This gong was used by staff to call guests to meals at Kalimna Guesthouse. A gong used at Kalimna Guest House to notify guests that a meal was ready . The four metal striking plates sit on a wooden base with four round metal cylinders inserted. Thin nylon rope separates the metal plates from the wood. There are two fittings to allow the gong to be held on the wall.Made by J.C. Deanna . Inc Chicago Patented Madel in USAkalimna guest house, guesthouses, kalimna

This gong was used by staff to call guests to meals at Kalimna Guesthouse. A gong used at Kalimna Guest House to notify guests that a meal was ready . The four metal striking plates sit on a wooden base with four round metal cylinders inserted. Thin nylon rope separates the metal plates from the wood. There are two fittings to allow the gong to be held on the wall.Made by J.C. Deanna . Inc Chicago Patented Madel in USAkalimna guest house, guesthouses, kalimna

SEAMEN'S INSTITUTE FOR THE VICTORIA MISSIONS TO SEAMEN In architectural style, the new Seamen's Institute for the Victorian Missions to Seamen, in Flinders street Extension which is to be opened early in September by Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, the Governor-General, may be said to resemble the type adopted by the early settlers in California, and known in recent years by the name of Spanish Mission architecture. This character is particularly sympathetic with the object for which the building has been erected, and is exemplified in a marked degree in the unique chapel tower of oblong shape with its four pinnacles and open bell turret, with an almost rustic cross as terminal point: also in the arcaded Eastern Court cloisters, with simple round arch arcading, and in the chapel roof, which is framed of heavy rough-hewn hardwood timber work left as it came from the saw, and erected green from the forest. but so well framed and bolted that no harm can result from shrinkage. The foundations are constructed of reinforced concrete, and in some places are nine feet wide. The ground is very treacherous, and considering the irregular weights of the one story, two-story, and three-story parts of the building, the result achieved in sta bility is eminently satisfactory. The main hall has a vaulted ceiling of reinforced concrete construction, and, spanning 35f., is the widest span of any floor in Melbourne of similar construction. The chaplain's residence is built above the lecture hall, and consists of a most complete, up-to-date dwelling-house of eight rooms. It is fitted with every modern convenience and labor-saving device. The cupboard in the pantry, for instance, has two faces — one in the diningroom and the other in the pantry. Dishes are washed in the pantry, put into the cupboard, and taken out in the diningroom, ready for the next meal. Special rooms are designed for the many and various works carried out for the sailors by the industrious workers of the mission. One room is shelved and fitted for the reception, sorting, and distribution of books, periodicals, and other reading matter that is parcelled up by willing hands and given to sailors as ships leave port, to beguile the weary hours of leisure on the sea. Any old books or magazines, illustrated papers, and the like are always welcome at the insti tute. Reading matter of this kind can easily be saved and sent along in bundles. The gymnasium is not yet built. This is the only part of the building required to complete the block; and when its concrete dome, with open eye at summit like the Pantheon at Rome is erected, the whole effect of the groups of buildings will be most striking. In the entrance hall is a floor of marble mosaic, with a central feature of a mariner's compass seven foot in diameter, well executed by the Adamant Pavement Company, and the gift of Mr George Russell. The architect has designed a copper ship as a finial for the main gable of the building, and it, like the gymnasium, is awaiting the collection of more funds or the generosity of a special donor. The whole of the woodwork of the in terior of the building, including high dados round the walls of halls, stair cases, billiard and other rooms is car ried out in Tasmanian hardwood, fin ished in a dull beeswax polish, and the floors of the entire building, except the lavatories, which are tiled, are also executed in Tasmanian hardwood. Mr Walter R. Butler, F.R.I.B.A., was the architect, and the work was carried out by Mr A. B. Robertson, builder. PICTURESQUE BUILDING AMID SOMBRE SURROUNDINGSThe article gives a valuable description of the Mission at the end of its construction and before its opening.4 columns article with photograph of the front of the Missionlady fraser, walter richmond butler (1864–1949), architecture, spanish mission, california, reinforced concrete, tasmanian hardwood, gymnasium, norla dome, pantheon, adamant pavement company, george russell, compass, finail, weathervane, chaplain's residence, manse, chapel, courtyard, cloisters, main hall, spannig

Initially known as the ‘Kangaroo Hotel,’ this photo shows the sign ‘Kangaroo Ground Hotel’ and William McLaughlin as the proprietor, which dates it between 1871 and 1882. The first hotel known as the Kangaroo Hotel was built at the top of the hill by Andrew Ross in 1864 commencing April; a license was obtained, and the bar opened by Edmund Pickett, the tenant, on 11th of July. The hotel was ready for public accommodation by September, 1864. On June 27, 1864, Edmund Pickett, residing at Kangaroo Ground, gave notice to the Bench of Magistrates at Eltham that it was his intention to apply on July 6th for a certificate authorising the issue of a Publican’s Licence for a house rented and occupied by himself, situated at Kangaroo Ground, containing two sitting rooms and five bedrooms exclusive of those required for the use of his family. On February 7, 1866, Edmund Pickett, publican, residing at Kangaroo Ground, applied at the Court of Petty Sessions held at Eltham for a Publican’s License for a house situated at the Kangaroo Ground, containing six bedrooms and two sitting rooms, rented and occupied by himself and licensed under the sign of the 'Kangaroo Hotel.' In 1866, with few boarders at the school and needing to reduce expenses, Ross had the bedroom house removed from the school and placed in contiguity to the hotel, the occupier to have the post office. The house was re-erected with a kitchen addition and was opened as the Post Office & General Store on April 1st. Throughout 1870 Andrew Ross found himself at odds with Pickett - he "felt much dissatisfaction at my having a hotel especially kept by a man of loose principals and low habits" and so served him notice to vacate by December 31st, occupying it himself on January 1, 1871, calling it Rossville House. William McLaughlin and his wife kept the store and post office. As a hotel was now wanted and McLaughlin was desirous to obtain a license, Ross set about making the Store building suitable which was achieved towards the end of 1871. Ross notes in his diary that the Store hotel was finished January 1, 1872. At the Court of Petty Sessions held at Eltham on 5 December 1871, William McLaughlin applied for a license for the Kangaroo Hotel, Kangaroo Ground. He had previously obtained a wine license, March 28. In June 1882, William McLaughlin of Madeline Street, Carlton, (late of Kangaroo Ground, hotelkeeper) was found insolvent due to losses in connection with the Kangaroo Ground Hotel. The license for the hotel was later transferred from Mr John Donaldson to Mrs Sophia Greenaway. It appears during McLaughlin’s tenure the hotel became known as the Kangaroo Ground Hotel. The hotel was replaced with a new wooden building in 1892, constructed by W.Holland and described as being "of a neat appearance, roomy, and fittled up with all modern requirements necessary in a business of this kind." This building was destroyed by fire in 1930. References: Ross, Andrew, 1814-1895 & Woiwod, Mick & Andrew Ross Museum. (2011). The diary of Andrew Ross 1828-1895 & the reminiscences of Andrew Ross 1851-1864 / edited, annotated and introduced by Mick Woiwod for the Andrew Ross Museum, Kangaroo Ground. Kangaroo Ground, [Vic.] : Tarcoola Press in association with the Andrew Ross Museum The Evelyn Observer, (1892, June 24). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved May 13, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60667494 REMINISCENCES. (1893, April 21). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved May 10, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60669116 REMINISCENCES COUNTY EVELYN. BY Andrew Ross. (No. 41) The summer of 1863-4 may be re membered by many colonists as one of the most enjoyable as regards wet weather, and it was one made remarkable by the enterprise and activity apparent throughout Evelyn County. This spirit was fostered and encouraged by the prospect presented from the opening up of the new route to the Jordan and Wood's Point, and the consequent occupation of lands and special localities along the main track. Accommodation for travellers were established at Yarra Flats, the future Healesville, Fernshaw, Marysville, while the beauties and difficulties of the Black Spur, together with the romantic region of the Stephenson Waterfalls mid the mountain forests attracted visitors other than the gold diggers. Before the end of this year 1863, the new route to Wood's Point by the Dividing Range had been so far improved that a track was laid off by the New Chum Creak, Paradise Plains, and the Springs to Emerald Hill, about half way between Jordan and Wood's Point, and the clearing of this track was looked forward to as enabling drays to be employed. The Government had so far yielded to the demands made upon it, that the work was proceeded with early in 1864. In March of that year the writer was favoured by a visit from Mr. Ligne, Surveyor-General, who was enroute to inspect the progress of the undertaking. He was accompanied by Mr. Collins Levey, his son-in-law, who had been a frequent visitor with his friend Mr. Franklin, of the Melbourne Herald newspaper, These parties, and not a few others, were glad to partake of the hospitality of residents on the Ground or, at Yarra Flats when as yet no public accommodation existed. Horsemen and pedestrians became numerous ere winter set in, and there was obviously the want of the hotel which was planned and commenced late in the autumn. The absence of any endeavour on that score by local proprietors induced the writer to undertake the erection of the Kangaroo Ground Hotel, which he did on his own responsibility. The spot best suited for the hotel being held by him on lease, he was permitted by the landlord to devote the required portion of land for the premises to be erected and occupied. Before this was accomplished the imported houses placed near the schoolhouse which had served for bedroom to boarded pupils were rebuilt near the hotel and served for a general store and post office also. Delay was experienced in procuring all the materials for the new building. After the break in the weather the roads on the Ground became very heavy and as timber had to come from town, it was under difficulties that the supply was procured. Bricks for chimneys were made in a small kiln, and hardwood for joists, &c., provided by sawyers employed for the purpose in the bush. The hotel, in consequence, was not ready for public accommodation until the spring, although a license was obtained, and the bar opened by Mr. Pickett, the tenant, on 11th of July. It may be remarked that the house was rather late in being established; a year earlier it would have secured the benefit of the rush to the new diggings, but in another sense it was rather premature for as yet no steps had been taken by the authorities to stop or even discourage the sale of liquor by unlicensed parties, and the holder of a license had to compete with the class in question. As the season (1864) advanced there were parties anxious to be the pioneers in traversing the whole of the route to Wood’s Point, but it was nigh to summer again before the track was available to vehicular traffic. I believe one of the first to effect the whole passage in this way was Mr. Gillies, some time settled at Mortlake. He drove a buggy and called at the Ground on 9th September, stating his intention to drive through to the Point, and we were subsequently informed that he had accomplished the task. (End of Reminiscences No 41)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 (neg copy missing) Print 21 x 26.5 cmeltham-yarra glen road, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground hotel, post office, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, gas lamp, hotels, kangaroo hotel, william mclaughlin, andrew ross, edmund pickett

THE WEEK REVIEWED (Article; Bush Fires: A pictorial survey of Victoria's most tragic week, January 8-15, 1939. Published in aid of the Bush Fire Relief Fund by the Sun News-Pictorial in co-operation with its newsagents, pp2-3) THE fiercest bush fires Australia has known since its discovery are quiescent at the moment, and Victoria, in the comparative coolness of the change which came with rain on Sunday night, has begun·to count its losses. In the fiery eight days, from Sunday to Sunday, at least sixty-six men, women and children have lost their lives in forest fires, or have succumbed to burns and shock; many others have died from heat; and several serious cases of burns are being treated in hospitals. Two babies in Narrandera district have died, and ten others are in hospital, because of milk soured by the record temperatures of those eight days. Forest damage totals at least a million pounds, and incalculable damage has been done to the seedlings which were to have been the forests of the future. Water conservation will be seriously affected by the silting-up of reservoirs and streams from which protective timber has been taken by the all-engulfing flames. More than a thousand houses have been destroyed, and these, with 40 mills, and schools, post-offices, churches, and other buildings, represent a loss of at least half a million. At least 1500 are homeless. For their aid, money raised in appeals has now passed the £50,000 mark, and the biggest relief organisation ever set up in peace time has swung into operation. The First Hint Victoria's first hint of what was to come appeared on Sunday, January 8, when most parts of the State awoke to find a blistering day awaiting. At 12.20 p.m., when the thermometer reached its highest for the day, 109.6 degrees, the first fire victims were at that moment going to their death on a bush track five feet wide off the main road to Narbethong. They were the forestry officers Charles Isaac Demby and John Hartley Barling, who went to warn Demby of his danger when he parted from his companions, and was himself surrounded by the treacherous fire. It was not until 8 o'clock next morning that the tragic news was flashed throughout the State. Searchers found the two charred bodies close together, one seeking protection in the nook of two logs. Barling's watch had stopped at 1.20. In the meantime, tragedy was spreading its cloak. By Monday, big fires were raging at Toolangi, Erica, Yallourn, Monbulk, Frankston, Dromana, Drouin South, Glenburn, and Blackwood, with smaller outbreaks at many other centres. In the ensuing week, while women and children were evacuated as fast as the flames would permit, Erica-scene of the 1926 fire disaster-thrice escaped doom by a change of wind. Indeed, those who have been in the fire country these past days say that the numbers of times a change of wind has saved towns from destruction is amazing. In the towns they speak of miracles. Monday's Miracles The escapes from Monett's Mill at Erica and from the Hardwood Company's Mill at Murrindindi, near where Demby and Barling went to their death, were Monday's miracles. Twenty came out alive from each mill. At the first a 60ft. dugout provided an oven-like refuge; at the second, 12 women and children survived in the smoke-filled gloom of a three-roomed cottage while their eight men, their clothes sometimes afire, poured water on the wooden walls. Three houses out of ten remained when the fire had passed. Record Temperatures Sunday had been the hottest Melbourne day for 33 years; Monday dropped to a 76.1 degree maximum; but Tuesday dawned hotter than ever, the mercury reaching 112.5. By now rumor was racing ahead of fact; whole towns were being reported lost; the alarm was raised for scores of missing persons. But fact soon overtook rumor, and within a few days the staggering toll began to mount to a figure beyond the wildest imaginings of the panic-stricken. Six died from heat on this torrid Tuesday, and the fires spread in a wide swathe from south-west to north-east across the State. Fish died in shallow streams. A curtain of smoke hid the sky from all Victoria, and hung far out to sea. It alarmed passengers on ships. On the Ormonde, on the voyage to Sydney from Burnie, women ran on deck, believing fire had broken out in the hold. Days later the smoke reached New Zealand. In Melbourne thousands of fire-volunteers were leaving in cars: vans, motor-buses-anything reliable on wheels-to aid the country in its grim fight. In the fires at Rubicon and. Narbethong, seventeen were facing death this day. But not till Wednesday, when Melbourne breathed again in a cool change, while the country still sweltered in temperatures up to 117 degrees, did the news come through the tree blocked roads. A woman and her little daughter, trapped on the road, were among those who died. Their bodies, and those of menfolk with them, were found strewn out at intervals along the road, where the furnace of the surrounding fire had dropped them in their tracks as they ran. Twelve died at a Rubicon mill, five on the road at Narbethong. At Alexandra, not far distant, a baby was born while the fires raged, and stretcher-bearers brought in the injured. On Thursday the State Government voted £5000 for the relief of fire victims. The Governor (Lord Huntingfield) and the Lord Mayor (Cr. Coles) visited some of the stricken areas, and dipped into their pockets personally. Later, the City Council, too, voted £5000. Friday, The 13th Friday, the Thirteenth, justified its evil name. A blistering northerly came early in the morning, presaging destruction, and forcing the mercury to a new record of 114 degrees. Racing fires killed at least ten in those terrible 12 hours. Four children were engulfed in the furnace at Colac. Panic drove them, uncontrollable, into the smoke-filled road when the fire raced down behind their home. They choked to death. In other parts fires were joining to make fronts of scores of miles. Kinglake was being menaced on two fronts, £60,000 worth of timber was going up in smoke in Ballarat district. Warburton was surrounded. Residents at Lorne, favoured resort, were being driven to the sea-front by a fire which destroyed at least 20 homes. Healewille. with flames visible from the town at one stage, was in a trough between two fires which burned four guest-houses, seven homes and left its surrounding beauty-spots wastes of bowed-over, blackened tree-fern fronds; with its famous Sanctuary, however, intact. Most of Omeo was destroyed this black day: Noojee. while 200 residents crouched in the river, was being reduced to a waste of buckled iron and smoking timber; Erica was once again saved by a change of wind. Beneath a pall of smoke, the Rubicon victims were buried at Alexandra. Friday night and the early hours of Saturday saw the streets of beleagured towns strewn with exhausted fire-fighters. Their flails beside them, ready for the next call, they lay where exhaustion overtook them-on footpaths, beside lamp-posts, in gutters, in cars, under trucks. Saturday's dawn brought clear skies and lower temperatures in many parts, and from the burnt-out areas came a great rush of tragic reports. The death-roll rushed past the fifty mark with incredible speed. Some had been trapped on roads, others at mills; some, after burying their treasures, had clung too long to the places they had made their homes for many years. Four men lost their lives because one went back for his dog. By Sunday, when the first of the saving rain came, nearly another score of names had been added to the list.Newspaper magazine, 48 pages (incl. covers). Fully digitised and searchable PDFPublished in aid of the Bush Fire Relief Fund by the Sun News-Pictorial in co-operation with its newsagents.bushfires, 1939 bushfires, black friday, warrandyte