Rockbank was once part of the Braybrook Road District. In, 1871 the Road District became the Shire of Braybrook. In 1916, this district was transferred to the Shire of Melton. In 1951, further land was lost to the Shire of Melton. During the early days of the Ballarat gold rush, Beatty's Road was one of the main routes from Melbourne to Ballarat via Keilor . In December 1854, troops of the 12th and 40th Regiments marching to suppress the Eureka Stockade would have used this route before stopping at the Rockbank Inn, which was located on Beatty's Road, further west towards Melton. One of the photographs captures a Terrestrial Road surface (Local Blue Stone), one of the district's early sealed section of road. 5644.01 - Beattys Road Bridge Rockbank 2008 Photo 01.JPG 5644.02 - Beattys Road Bridge Rockbank 2008 Photo 02.JPG 5644.03 - Beattys Road Terrestrial Road Surface Rockbank 2008 Photo 04.JPG 5644.04 - Beattys Road Paddocks Rockbank 2008 Photo 03.JPGbeatty's road, rockbank, rockbank inn, terrestrial road

Rockbank was once part of the Braybrook Road District. In 1871, the Road District became the Shire of Braybrook. In 1916, this district was transferred to the Shire of Melton. In 1951, further land was lost to the Shire of Melton. The Rockbank Inn built C1853 was located on Beatty's Road, one of the main routes from Melbourne to Ballarat during the gold rush. In December 1854, troops of the 12th and 40th Regiments marching to suppress the Eureka Stockade stopped at the inn: After the closure of the Inn C1870, it became a residence of the Beattie family for nearly 90 years. The building was then abandoned C1960 and it then fell into ruin. Past owners of the site include: 1840s–1853 William Cross Yuille. Original pastoral run holder. In 1853, he sold of the run to W.C.T. Clarke but retained the 20‑acre inn site. 1853–c.1855 James Stewart & John Brown. Possibly built earliest section of the inn. c.1855–1870 John Gray. Commissioned 1855 bluestone additions; trustees sold in 1870. c.1870–c.1960 Beattie family. Long‑term residents; inn no longer operated as hotel. The Rockbank Inn is one of the few surviving sites directly tied to the Eureka Stockade Rebellion.5590.01 - Rockbank Inn Beattys Rd 2007.JPGbeatty's road, rockbank, rockbank inn, beattie

Built in 1926 and opened in 1927, it was the receiving station of the Australian Imperial Wireless Service. In 1927, provided the nation’s first radio communication with Britain and North America. The station closed in 1969.Former residential quarters of the Australian Beam Wireless Receiving Station at 653-701 Greigs Road East, Mt Cottrell.misc.

Melton and District Historical Society: Railway stations were a hive of activity during the 1900s, transporting produce such as meat, dairy, hay and chafff from the Melton district to Melbourne. Rockbank station served the nearby chaff mill. From Melton Express and Sunbury News, 1910. When Mr Barrie started some 10 years ago with a travelling chaff cutter and a portable engine, and now he has behind him two large sheds, with three chaffcutters, a screw press and a damper and the necessary machinery to work the same, which is proof enough of the energy and zeal he has put forth. Lately he has started another mill a Rockbank with Mr R Barrie in charge and Mr W Barrie in charge at the Melton shed. Much regret is expressed at the departure of Mr Barrie having won the high esteem of his employees and farmers an all who have had any dealings with him. Works undertaken at Rockbank train station, fire brigade members were assisting with the project.emergency services, transport

Sunshine resident, Des Johnson came across the fossilized imprint in a large rock at a swamp near the Kororoit Creek at Rockbank. Experts at the time of publication had not confirmed if the rock contains a genuine dinosaur imprint.Dinosaur Discoverydes johnson, dinosaur, kororoit creek, rockbank

Licences for Melton Rural, Rockbank Rural and Werribee Urban Fire brigadesemergency services

Rockbank was once part of the Braybrook Road District. In 1871, the Road District became the Shire of Braybrook. In 1916, this district was transferred to the Shire of Melton. In 1951, further land was lost to the Shire of Melton. The Rockbank Inn built C1853 was located on Beatty's Road, one of the main routes from Melbourne to Ballarat during the gold rush. In December 1854, troops of the 12th and 40th Regiments marching to suppress the Eureka Stockade stopped at the inn: After the closure of the Inn C1870, it became a residence of the Beattie family for nearly 90 years. The building was then abandoned C1960 and it then fell into ruin. The Inn will become an important land in the new Woodlea residential housing estate. Past owners of the site include: 1840s–1853 William Cross Yuille. Original pastoral run holder. In 1853, he sold of the run to W.C.T. Clarke but retained the 20‑acre inn site. 1853–c.1855 James Stewart & John Brown. Possibly built earliest section of the inn. c.1855–1870 John Gray. Commissioned 1855 bluestone additions; trustees sold in 1870. c.1870–c.1960 Beattie family. Long‑term residents; inn no longer operated as hotel.Gold rush relic reborn: Inside Melbourne’s Woodlea estate built around a restored 1850s innrockbank inn, beatty's road, rockbank

The Braybrook Road Board proclaimed on the 28th May 1860, and subsequently on the 23rd January 1871, renamed to The Shire of Braybrook. The Braybrook Roads Board and Shire of Braybrook were the earliest form of local government for the entire district that later became Sunshine, and its jurisdiction originally stretched all the way west to Toolern Creek near present‑day Melton. This means that much of what we now think of as “East Melton” and “Rockbank” was once governed from Braybrook.Mention in this document includes Charles Grimes and John Batman, two of the district's early explorers, the local aborigine clans, Kororoit Creek, Keilor Plains, Rockbank Inn and the Rockbank Beam Wireless Station.Shire Of Melton Heritage Study Environmental History David Maloney May 2007charles grimes, kororoit creek, derrimut, first nation, aboriginal, aborigine, hume and hovell, rockbank inn, keilor plains, john batman, rockbank, rockbank wireless station

Came from the donation of the Gwenyth "Gwen" Goedecke collectionMt. Cottrell Project|Rockbank Receiving Station|Fiskville Transmitting Station|Amalgamated Wireless (Australia) AWAmt. cottrell, fiskville transmitting station, rockbank receiving station, amalgamated wireless

Compiled by Des Johnson, 25 Sept., 2001.Footprints of a dinosaur? found found in a swamp, Rockbank by Des Johnson. Picture by Des Johnson 14..7..97"aborgine, aboriginal, first nation

Councillor Jack Wallace of Rockbank, served 5 terms as President and was in the council for 46 years. Alex Knight and Jack Wallace at the opening of Melton private hospitallocal identities, local significant events, emergency services, council

The Mount Cotterill Group encompassed the Rural Fire Brigades of Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Toolern Vale, Truganina, and Werribee and later Diggers RestMap belonging to the Truganina Fire Brigade emergency services

Shirley Wallace was one of the competitors, country and western singer. Father was Cr Jack Wallace of Rockbank​, served 5 terms as President, unopposed for 46 years. ​Married Mabel Dixon​.Photos of competitors from the Hill Billy Questlocal identities

Wallace Square- Cr Jack Wallace of Rockbank​, served 5 terms as President, unopposed for 46 years. ​Married Mabel Dixon​ Shirley Wallace, daughter, Country and Western singer of noteMelton-Bacchus Marsh Independent article of Shirley Wallacelocal identities, council

Electricity – 1939 eeb Express Dec 9th 1937 Electric Light Petition First combined (schools) sports meeting, Melton south, Rockbank, Mt Cotterell, Toolern Vale, Sydenham West, Melton Park, Exford. Jack Wallace Starter, G Wilson (ref) G McDonald, F Ryan judges. A G Macdonald Gate Keeper, A Bamford, E W Barrie, S Rogers Announcers. M P A call meeting for 24th March Two or three progressive residence of Melton township are still pushing quietly for a water scheme for Melton and extension of electricity service expected to be provided for the beam wireless station a Rockbank. One of these has gone so far as to seek opinion of an independent engineer regarding the possibility of township water supply. May 1 1937 A move to combine in Melton Shire Council to convene a public meeting to agitiate for extension of the Electric Supply to Melton is being undertaken by the Progress Association and the Hall Committee. Melton Progress Association and Melton Mechanics Institute Committee joined in a decision to request Melton Shire Council to call a Public Meeting to push for extension of Yallourn electricity to Rockbank and Melton June 12th July 3rd Residents of Melton and Rockbank have an opportunity to reveal attitude towards proposed extension a result of MSC in convincing a public meeting MMI support from Amalgamated Wireless A/Asia Ltd directors Mr Townsing to preside which had been convened by MPAssoc and MMI nicely timed as SEC estimates for ensuing year known to be in course of preperation. Saturday 17th July 1937 Melton Move for Electricity. Meeting shows ….. extensive article …. meetin appointed Messrs Butler and Barrie canvass the town Dec 9th 1939 Mechanics Institute floor to be prepared next week Electricity installed in Melton, article featured in the Melton Expresslocal significant events

As Group Communications Officer he operated the VL3 LY base radio station from home on a 24 hour basis for fire brigades of Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Diggers Rest, Toolern Vale, Truganina and Werribee. With his brother Edgar, he built the first Melton Fire Truck. It was housed on the family property until a fire station was constructed in the Melton township. Bon at his house on Ferris Road, Meltonlocal identities, emergency services

The outlet for the overflow was originally cut in 1926 and concreted over in 1928. This photo shows flooding into Salt Creek in 1956 and looks towards the west and Rockbank. Boards were added to raise the water level of the lake. These were put in annually, below the walkway depicted, until in 1966 the level of the concrete weir was raised. Consequently the lake did not flush through as readily and it gradually silted up and the lake became shallower.lake bolac, overflow, 1926, 1928, flood, 1966, salt creek, rockbank

"In 1966, the Mount Cottrell Fire Brigades Group was formed as a way of consolidating the smaller groups around Melton, Rockbank, Toolern Vale, Sydenham, Truganina and Werribee. Its headquarters were established at the home of Ernest ‘Bon’ and Edna Barrie in Ferris Road, Melton. Captain Bon Barrie was a member of the Melton Fire Brigade and elected group and communications officer of the new Mount Cottrell Brigades Group". Fire Brigade Meeting 14th September held at Rockbank Formation a new Group in Region 14 Present: R/O H Rothsay, Assistant R/O R Orchard Tru? G Summerton Purpose of Group The pooling of the equipment in the area should be co-ordinated under one leader. The Brigade and private equipment should be co-ordinated under one leader. Formation was carried unanimously. To be called Mt Cotterill Group. Rockbank nominated Captain E W Barrie elected, Secretary K Watt Toolern Vale. Names listed C/O K L McNaughton Anakie Group COO/O R B Chirnside Lieut J Richmond Capt E Gillespie Toolern Vale Eddie L/ T S Atkin Stan L/T B Storey Bert Sec K Watt Keith Capt E W Barrie Melton Bon L/T K Gillespie Keith A Gillespie Arthur L/T G Lunson George L/T J Robinson Jeff Capt A Marquand Truganina Alan L/T I Cowie Ian Sec T Gard Tom Capt G Harrison Rockbank a/ps G Harrison N Harrison N Fisher a/ps S Hirt Melton Steve Pres M Chomley Sydenham Capt S Hughes Stan Capt L Waterson Werribee Lex Res/o J Hanson G/O S Cooper Bacchus Marsh Syd P/GO W Lidgett Wal Pro/O D Dunton G/O T Healy R C [Mt Macedon] Tom Reg Sec G Douglas Hand written notes of Edna Barrie Typed by Wendy Barrie Maps of the Mt Cottrell Fire groupemergency services, maps

Tom Barrie served the community in the following Shire of Melton Councilor Member for 32 years 1941–1970 Elected as Councilor for Melton South 1970–1973 Councilor for Rockbank 1943–1944 Shire President for three terms 1958–1959 ditto 1964–1965 ditto Council Representative: Bacchus Marsh High School and Western Suburbs Municipalities. Representative on delegation to prevent Melton post primary students being sent to Deer Park prior to the establishment of Melton High SchoolPossibly being presented with Shire of Melton illuminated address at the Melton Shire Officeslocal identities, council

Handwritten notes from Edna Barrie: In its policy of creating smaller compact groups of fire brigades the Country Fire Authority Regional Officer Harry Rothsay in 1967 requested that the following 6 brigades surrounding Mt Cottrell transfer from their respective groups. Melton and Rockbank from Bacchus Marsh Group, Toolern Vale and Sydenham from Mt Macedon Group and Truganina and Werribee from Little River Group forming a new Group to the be named Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group. Steve Hirst and Harry Rothsay at Melton Fire Stationlocal identities, emergency services

"From the earliest days of settlement in the shire, residents demonstrated their willingness to band together in times of crisis and need. Bushfires were always a terrifying prospect and since its establishment in 1935, the local fire brigade (later the Country Fire Authority) fought hard to protect the people, homes and animals of the shire. In 1966, the Mount Cottrell Fire BrigadesGroup was formed as a way of consolidating the smaller groups around Melton, Rockbank, ToolernVale, Sydenham, Truganina and Werribee. Its headquarters were established at the home of Ernest ‘Bon’ and Edna Barrie in Ferris Road, Melton".Tag from an fire extinguisher emergency services

In its policy of creating smaller compact groups of fire brigades the Country Fire Authority Regional Officer Harry Rothsay in 1967 requested that the following 6 brigades surrounding Mt Cottrell transfer from their respective groups. Melton and Rockbank from Bacchus Marsh Group, Toolern Vale and Sydenham from Mt Macedon Group and Truganina and Werribee from Little River Group forming a new Group to the be named Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group. Group Headquarters was established at the Ferris road residence of Melton Captain E W Bon Barrie, who was elected Group and Communications Officer of Mt Cottrell. E W (Eddie) Gillespie and Keith Watt of the Toolern Vale brigade were appointed Deputy Group Officer and Group Secretary respectively. Documents from the Mount Cottrell Fire Brigade Group emergency services

Erected 1974, dismantled 2000s. The Headquarters was operated from the family home at Ferris road at its inception, and in 1974 to the Barrie home at First Avenue Melton South. A storage office and Radio Tower was erected in the yard. A connection phone line was linked to the home of Wayne and Lynn Sullivan who lived at the rear in Kurrajong Cr later became LY remote. Wayne later became Communications Officer and the Headquarters moved location to the Melton Fire Station. The Mount Cotterill Group encompassed the Rural Fire Brigades of Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Toolern Vale, Truganina, and Werribee and later Diggers Rest. In the stage of transition from H.F.( High Frequency) to Very High Frequency some radio sets were non CFA Tankers when the group was established. Antenna was at 19 First Avenue, Melton.emergency services

Formation of the Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group In its policy of creating smaller compact groups of fire brigades the Country Fire Authority Regional Officer Harry Rothsay in 1967 requested that the following 6 brigades surrounding Mt Cottrell transfer from their respective groups. Melton and Rockbank from Bacchus Marsh Group, Toolern Vale and Sydenham from Mt Macedon Group and Truganina and Werribee from Little River Group forming a new Group to the be named Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group. Group Headquarters was established at the Ferris road residence of Melton Captain E W Bon Barrie, who was elected Group and Communications Officer of Mt Cottrell. E W (Eddie) Gillespie and Keith Watt of the Toolern Vale brigade were appointed Deputy Group Officer and Group Secretary respectivelyRegion 14 Rural Fire Brigades Association First Annual Demonstration programmeemergency services

"Donald Mackintosh was born in Rockbank on 21 September 1866. He quickly proved himself as an expert shot, joining the Bacchus Marsh Shooting Club at the age of ten and the Melbourne Gun Club at 23. In 1890 he won the Melbourne Gun Club £1000 Cup Handicap.Donald represented Australia at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games. However, due to confusion at the time over whether this competition was an official Olympic event, Donald was not recognised as an Olympic medallist during his lifetime. In 1987 the IOC issued Donald’s gold and bronze medals. Donald continued to travel around Europe and won many other competitions, including the London Gun Club Challenge Cup three times in a row and the Grand Prix at Monte Carlo twice. As well as being an expert shot, Donald was also well educated and wrote poetry. Most astonishingly, he was also completely blind in his left eye".Document with a list of achievements by Olympian Donald Mackintoshlocal identities

"Donald Mackintosh was born in Rockbank on 21 September 1866. He quickly proved himself as an expert shot, joining the Bacchus Marsh Shooting Club at the age of ten and the Melbourne Gun Club at 23. In 1890 he won the Melbourne Gun Club £1000 Cup Handicap. Donald represented Australia at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games. However, due to confusion at the time over whether this competition was an official Olympic event, Donald was not recognised as an Olympic medallist during his lifetime. In 1987 the IOC issued Donald’s gold and bronze medals. Donald continued to travel around Europe and won many other competitions, including the London Gun Club Challenge Cup three times in a row and the Grand Prix at Monte Carlo twice. As well as being an expert shot, Donald was also well educated and wrote poetry. Most astonishingly, he was also completely blind in his left eye".Melton Bacchus Marsh Express article about Olympian Donald Mackintosh local identities, sport

From the earliest days of settlement in the shire, residents demonstrated their willingness to band together in times of crisis and need. "Bushfires were always a terrifying prospect and since its establishment in 1935, the local fire brigade (later the Country Fire Authority) fought hard to protect the people, homes and animals of the shire. In 1966, the Mount Cottrell Fire Brigades Group was formed as a way of consolidating the smaller groups around Melton, Rockbank, Toolern Vale, Sydenham, Truganina and Werribee. Its headquarters were established at the home of Ernest ‘Bon’ and Edna Barrie in Ferris Road, Melton. Captain Bon Barrie was a member of the Melton Fire Brigade and elected group and communications officer of the new Mount Cottrell Brigades Group.22 Wendy Barrie, daughter of Edna and Bon, remembers the fire truck parked at their house and her mother operating the fire brigade’s radio. Growing up in the fire station headquarters, Wendy and her siblings learned how to use the radio too, in case of emergencies".Rural Fire Brigade's Group List of Authorised Officers including the captains and lieutenantsemergency services

Various news articles pertaining to the January 1965 Victorian bushfires specifically with a focus on fires at Eltham North. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Eltham, Diamond Creek, Warrandyte on page 1 and page 3, Warrandyte on page 4 • A Circle of Fire Around City, p1 (Illust.) • A home is saved, p2 (Illust.) • 18 houses, hall and store lost, p2 • Battle for the trees, p3 (Illust.) • Six houses go in two suburbs, p3 (Illust.) • A sleepless town waited, p4 (Illust.) • Fire in the near hills, pp28-29 (Illust.) tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1965, victorian bushfires – 1965, greensborough, diamond creek, warrandyte, eltham, gippsland, romsey, toolern vale, melton, rockbank, laughing waters, ken guest, eltham state school no. 209, a. smith, ray freeman, sassafras, diamond creek-greensborough road, warrandyte hall, bushfire damage – buildings

Ernest W (Bon) Barrie, 1909 – 1985 Melton Fire Brigade (and predecessor Bush Fire Brigade) Apparatus Officer, 1945 - 1953 Captain, 1951 - 1965 Mt Cotterill Fire Brigades’ Group Elected Group Officer, on the formation of the Group, 1967. As Group Communications Officer he operated the VL3 LY base radio station from home on a 24 hour basis for fire brigades of Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Diggers Rest, Toolern Vale, Truganina and Werribee. With his brother Edgar, he built the first Melton Fire Truck. It was housed on the family property until a fire station was constructed in the Melton township. Recipient of the Queens Medal, 1979 Recognised for 44 years of service on the Melton Fire Brigade Memorial Wall Plaque, dedicated May 2013 Mt Cotterell Fire Brigades G H Q and aerial was erected at No 17 - 19 First Avenue in 1974 at the home of Edna and Bon Barrie. Previously the Mt Cotterell Group VL3LY communication headquarters occupied their h ome in Ferris road at its inception in 1967. The First Avenue headquarters and map room, with radio equipment was also housed at the residence. It was operated with an additional cable connection to Fireman Wayne Sullivan (Deputy C/O) who resided at the rear in Kurrajong Cr.Section of the Melton Fire Brigade Memorial wall with brigade members who have passed away while as members. emergency services, local identities