June Meeting (Newsletter No. 240, Jun. 2018) Prior to Shillinglaw Cottage (c1878-80) being relocated to where it is now operated as a popular cafe near the Eltham Library, it was within Josiah Holloway’s 1850s subdivision known as Little Eltham, which later became the centre of the first Eltham township. Originally a farmer’s cottage it is historically significant because it is one of the Shire’s oldest dwellings and a fine example of the work of the well-known pioneer builder George Stebbing. In 1964 the then Shire of Eltham purchased the Shillinglaw property with the intention of demolishing the cottage and constructing new Shire offices on the site. However extensive community action resulted in funds being raised to have the building saved and relocated further south to the Eltham Common, where it was joined by the Eltham Library 1994. New Shire offices opened in 1965, but following municipal restructure in 1994 these were demolished and the land sold to a developer, which precipitated a dramatic trail of community angst, threats of legal action, the sacking of a newly elected council and several unsuccessful development proposals, by subsequent councils. After all these years the vacant site there is still guarded by the three trees that were outside the front of the Shillinglaw Cottage. At our Society meeting on Wednesday 13th June 2018 Jim Connor will speak about the dramatic tale encompassing the history of the former Eltham Shire office site and the adjoining War Memorial Buildings complex, which are now being considered for sale or redevelopment by the current Nillumbik Shire Council.1:17:57 duration Digital MP3 File 27 MB audio recording, eltham district historical society, jim connor, meeting, shire of eltham office site, society meeting

Eltham Shire Offices 1941-1965, were located at the Corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, Eltham. The Building also incuded a community hall.Negative black and white film 120 6x6 format [Missing] One of six frames (sectioned: three continuous, two single frames and one frame missing), and Associated black and white photo printeltham, main road, arthur street, council, eltham hall, eltham shire office, shire of eltham, astor radio & tv, eltham shire council, eltham shire hall, municipal offices, shire offices, shops

Tree on nature strip to left of cars is same tree on entrance in front of Shire offices in Feb 1968 photo looking in opposite direction35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)duplication, eltham tip, main road

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak CM 400 5079shire of eltham, eltham shire offices

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak CM 400 5079shire of eltham, eltham shire offices

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak CM 400 5079shire of eltham, eltham shire offices

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak CM 400 5079shire of eltham, eltham shire offices

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak CM 400 5079shire of eltham, eltham shire offices

Two colour photographic prints Originally located in a small pink (with decorative flowers) album, suede spine, 18 x 18 x 6 cm, 50 pages/inserts, 100 photo capacitydemolition, eltham shire office, planning permit

Eltham Shire Offices 1941-1965, were located at the Corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, Eltham. The Building also incuded a community hall.Negative black and white film 120 6x6 format One of six frames (sectioned: three continuous, two single frames and one frame missing), and Associated black and white photo printeltham, main road, arthur street, council, eltham hall, eltham shire office, shire of eltham, astor radio & tv, eltham shire council, eltham shire hall, municipal offices, shire offices, shops

The Eltham Shire Hall and offices were opened on 21 November, 1941. They were replaced in 1965 with new offices at 895 Main Road and the site sold to Woolworths for development of the Eltham Village shopping mall. The building was demolished in 1970 and the new shopping mall opened in 1971. Negative black and white film 120 6x6 format and associated printFive frames sectioned; three continuous and two singleeltham, main road, arthur street, council, eltham hall, eltham shire council, eltham shire hall, eltham shire office, shire of eltham

Eltham Shire Offices 1941-1965, were located at the Corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, Eltham. The Building also incuded a community hall.Negative black and white film 120 6x6 format One of six frames (sectioned: three continuous, two single frames and one frame missing), and Associated black and white photo printeltham, main road, arthur street, council, eltham hall, eltham shire council, eltham shire hall, eltham shire office, shire of eltham

Eltham Shire Offices 1941-1965, were located at the Corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, Eltham. The Building also incuded a community hall. A 1961 EK Holden Special Sedan is parked in Main Road. Victorian registration HKF-296 was issued in 1961.Negative black and white film 120 6x6 format One of six frames (sectioned: three continuous, two single frames and one frame missing), and Associated black and white photo printeltham, main road, arthur street, council, eltham hall, eltham shire council, eltham shire hall, eltham shire office, shire of eltham, 1961 ek holden special sedan, motor vehicles

Eltham Shire Offices 1941-1965, were located at the Corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, Eltham. The Building also incuded a community hall.Negative black and white film 120 6x6 format One of six frames (sectioned: three continuous, two single frames and one frame missing), and Associated black and white photo printeltham, main road, arthur street, council, eltham hall, eltham shire council, eltham shire hall, eltham shire office, shire of eltham

The Shire Offices opened in 1965 and were extended in 1971. The final Eltham Shire Council meeting was held in December 1994 before the forced amalgamations of municipal councils by the Kennett Government. The State-Government-appointed Commissioners (1994-1996) took the decision in July 1996 to demolish the Eltham Shire Offices. The demolition works started within 24 hours of the decision being made.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 5 of 6 strips Associated printKodak Gold 100-5eltham shire office, demolition, planning permit

Library Development The library building has been designed to reflect its parkland setting. External features include: the roof which includes interesting aspects when viewed from Main Road; verandahs which provide ramp access and give a sheltered entrance to the building; walls which feature locally-made mudbricks, conventional bricks and copper panels; and space for an outdoor courtyard/reading area which will be developed later. Internally there are a number of features. The building includes a foyer with a fireplace suitable for displays including artwork; a community multi-purpose room suitable for meetings or functions and an outdoor cafeteria. The ceilings are lined with Victorian Ash. The shapes for the ceiling give a free flowing form to the building. Brush Box has been used for the circulation and information desks. The tree trunk columns are Grey lronbark from New South Wales. Arches and and various-shaped windows add interest to the internal structure. The carpet design reflects the Eltham environment and compliments the natural colours and timbers used in the building. Tiles by artist Felix Bosari feature in the building and additional art by local artists will be added externally and internally to the building. The library floor area is approximately 1200 sq metres and houses a collection of 50,000 items. The community multi-purpose room, foyer and community display area totals approximately 300 sq metres. These areas will be available to the community for such events a~ meetings, displays, classes, functions and art exhibitions. The Toy Library and Adult Literacy Group will also be based in the new complex. The value of works/services and fittings/ furniture is $3,040,000 Project Team Project Director: John Stamp, Director - Major Projects Project Manager: Noel Mcinnes, Noel Mcinnes Project Management Pty Ltd Architects: Gregory Burgess and Peter Ryan, Gregory Burgess Pty Ltd Site Foreman - Building Works: John Mantel Site Foreman - Site Works and Foundations: Steven White, Shire of Eltham Surveyor: Gregory Slater, Shire of Eltham Builder: Shire of ElthamShows the relationship of the the Shire of Eltham office which was built on the original location of Shillinglaw Cottage and relocated to Panther Place.The Shillinglaw trees visible, still in their original location, in front of the Shire offices. Photo album of the new Eltham Library presented to the Society by Cr R.J. Manuell, Chairperson Eltham Library Redevelopment Special Committee, 28 Nov 1994 in recognition of the efforts and contribution made by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society to the construction of the Eltham Library complex.Black faux leather album cover, black pages, brass corners and screws, 10 page inserts separated by tissue, 12 photos and information sheets stuck to pages.eltham, eltham library, panther place, shire of eltham, yarra plenty regional library, shillinglaw cottage

Colour photograph1996, shire offices, shire of eltham, margaret ball

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office

The Shire of Eltham Office was constructed in the late 1960s on the original site of Shillinglaw Cottage. Upon cessation of the Shire as a local government body following dismissal of councils by the Kennett Liberal Government in December 1994, the new Nillumbik Shire offices were located in Civic Drive, Greensborough. The Shire of Eltham office building was demolished and the site has remained vacant ever since. The three pine trees which featured in front of Shillinglaw Cottage and then the Shire of Eltham Offices remain standing on the vacant site as of 2017. Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, main road, shire of eltham, shire of eltham office